bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Towards resolving the evolutionary history of Caucasian pears (Pyrus, Rosaceae)—Phylogenetic relationships, divergence times and leaf trait evolution
Authors: Korotkova Nadja , Parolly Gerald , Khachatryan Anahit , Ghulikyan Lusine , Sargsyan Harutyun , Akopian Janna , Borsch Thomas , Gruenstaeudl Michael 
Published: August 2017

AbstractWith approximately 25 endemic species, the genus Pyrus (pears) is highly diverse in the Caucasus ecoregion. The majority of Caucasian pears inhabit xerophytic open woodlands or similar habitats, to which they display morphological adaptations, such as narrow leaves. The other species, both Caucasian and non‐Caucasian taxa, mainly inhabit mesophytic forests and display broad leaves. Using a representative taxon sampling of Pyrus from the Caucasus, Europe and Asia, we reconstruct phylogenetic relationships in the genus based on multiple plastid regions. We also estimate the divergence times of major clades in Pyrus, reconstruct the evolution of leaf shapes, and discuss the emergence of xeromorphic leaf traits. Our results confirm the monophyly of Pyrus and the existence of two major clades: (a) an E Asian clade with a crown group age of 15.7 (24.02–8.37 95% HPD) My, and (b) a W Eurasian clade that comprises species from Europe, SW Asia and the Caucasus and that displays a slightly younger crown group of 12.38 (19.02–6.41 95% HPD) My. The existing infrageneric classification of Pyrus was found partially incongruent with the inferred phylogenetic trees. Several currently accepted species were not recovered as monophyletic, indicating that current species limits require re‐evaluation. Ancestral character state reconstructions revealed several independent transitions from broad‐ to narrow‐shaped leaves in Pyrus, probably via intermediate‐shaped leaves.
The Relationship between Brachycephalic Head Features in Modern Persian Cats and Dysmorphologies of the Skull and Internal Hydrocephalus
Authors: Schmidt M.J. , Kampschulte M. , Enderlein S. , Gorgas D. , Lang J. , Ludewig E. , Fischer A. , Meyer‐Lindenberg A. , Schaubmar A.R. , Failing K. , Ondreka N. 
Published: August 2017

BackgroundCat breeders observed a frequent occurrence of internal hydrocephalus in Persian cats with extreme brachycephalic head morphology.ObjectiveTo investigate a possible relationship among the grade of brachycephaly, ventricular dilatation, and skull dysmorphologies in Persian cats.Animals92 Persian‐, 10 Domestic shorthair cats.MethodsThe grade of brachycephaly was determined on skull models based on CT datasets. Cranial measurements were examined with regard to a possible correlation with relative ventricular volume, and cranial capacity. Persians with high (peke‐face Persians) and lower grades of brachycephaly (doll‐face Persians) were investigated for the presence of skull dysmorphologies.ResultsThe mean cranial index of the peke‐face Persians (0.97 ± 0.14) was significantly higher than the mean cranial index of doll‐face Persians (0.66 ± 0.04; P < 0.001). Peke‐face Persians had a lower relative nasal bone length (0.15 ± 0.04) compared to doll‐face (0.29 ± 0.08; P < 0.001). The endocranial volume was significantly lower in doll‐face than peke‐face Persians (89.6 ± 1.27% versus 91.76 ± 2.07%; P < 0.001). The cranial index was significantly correlated with this variable (Spearman's r: 0.7; P < 0.0001). Mean ventricle: Brain ratio of the peke‐face group (0.159 ± 0.14) was significantly higher compared to doll‐face Persians (0.015 ± 0.01; P < 0.001).Conclusion and Clinical RelevanceHigh grades of brachycephaly are also associated with malformations of the calvarial and facial bones as well as dental malformations. As these dysmorphologies can affect animal welfare, the selection for extreme forms of brachycephaly in Persian cats should be reconsidered.
Evaluation of Gastric pH and Serum Gastrin Concentrations in Cats with Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Tolbert M.K. , Olin S. , MacLane S. , Gould E. , Steiner J.M. , Vaden S. , Price J. 
Published: August 2017

BackgroundChronic kidney disease (CKD) is a highly prevalent condition in cats. Advanced CKD is associated with hyporexia and vomiting, which typically are attributed to uremic toxins and gastric hyperacidity. However, gastric pH studies have not been performed in cats with CKD.Hypothesis/ObjectivesTo determine if cats with CKD have decreased gastric pH compared to age‐matched, healthy cats. Based on previous work demonstrating an association of hypergastrinemia and CKD, we hypothesized that cats with CKD would have decreased gastric pH compared to healthy, age‐matched control cats.Animals10 CKD cats; 9 healthy control cats.MethodsAll cats with concurrent disease were excluded on the basis of history, physical examination, CBC, plasma biochemistry profile, urinalysis, urine culture, serum total thyroxine concentration, and serum symmetric dimethylarginine concentration (controls only) obtained within 24 hours of pH monitoring and assessment of serum gastrin concentrations. Serum for gastrin determination was collected, and 12‐hour continuous gastric pH monitoring was performed in all cats. Serum gastrin concentration, mean pH, and percentage time that gastric pH was strongly acidic (pH <1 and <2) were compared between groups.ResultsNo significant differences in serum gastrin concentrations were observed between groups (medians [range]: CKD, 18.7 ng/dL [<10–659.0]; healthy, 54.6 ng/dL [<10–98.0]; P‐value = 0.713) or of any pH parameters including mean ± SD gastric pH (CKD, 1.8 ± 0.5; healthy, 1.6 ± 0.3; P‐value = 0.23).Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceThese findings suggest that cats with CKD may not have gastric hyperacidity compared to healthy cats and, therefore, may not need acid suppression. Thus, further studies to determine if there is a benefit to acid suppression in cats with CKD are warranted.
An exceptional family: Ophiocordyceps‐allied fungus dominates the microbiome of soft scale insects (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Coccidae)
Authors: Gomez‐Polo Priscila , Ballinger Matthew J. , Lalzar Maya , Malik Assaf , Ben‐Dov Yair , Mozes‐Daube Neta , Perlman Steve J. , Iasur‐Kruh Lilach , Chiel Elad 
Published: August 2017

AbstractHemipteran insects of the suborder Sternorrhyncha are plant sap feeders, where each family is obligately associated with a specific bacterial endosymbiont that produces essential nutrients lacking in the sap. Coccidae (soft scale insects) is the only major sternorrhynchan family in which obligate symbiont(s) have not been identified. We studied the microbiota in seven species from this family from Israel, Spain and Cyprus, by high‐throughput sequencing of ribosomal genes, and found that no specific bacterium was prevalent and abundant in all the tested species. In contrast, an Ophiocordyceps‐allied fungus sp.—a lineage widely known as entomopathogenic—was highly prevalent. All individuals of all the tested species carried this fungus. Phylogenetic analyses showed that the Ophiocordyceps‐allied fungus from the coccids is closely related to fungi described from other hemipterans, and they appear to be monophyletic, although the phylogenies of the Ophiocordyceps‐allied fungi and their hosts do not appear to be congruent. Microscopic observations show that the fungal cells are lemon‐shaped, are distributed throughout the host's body and are present in the eggs, suggesting vertical transmission. Taken together, the results suggest that the Ophiocordyceps‐allied fungus may be a primary symbiont of Coccidae—a major evolutionary shift from bacteria to fungi in the Sternorrhyncha, and an important example of fungal evolutionary lifestyle switch.
The chicken or the egg? Adaptation to desiccation and salinity tolerance in a lineage of water beetles
Authors: Pallarés Susana , Arribas Paula , Bilton David T. , Millán Andrés , Velasco Josefa , Ribera Ignacio 
Published: August 2017

AbstractTransitions from fresh to saline habitats are restricted to a handful of insect lineages, as the colonization of saline waters requires specialized mechanisms to deal with osmotic stress. Previous studies have suggested that tolerance to salinity and desiccation could be mechanistically and evolutionarily linked, but the temporal sequence of these adaptations is not well established for individual lineages. We combined molecular, physiological and ecological data to explore the evolution of desiccation resistance, hyporegulation ability (i.e., the ability to osmoregulate in hyperosmotic media) and habitat transitions in the water beetle genus Enochrus subgenus Lumetus (Hydrophilidae). We tested whether enhanced desiccation resistance evolved before increases in hyporegulation ability or vice versa, or whether the two mechanisms evolved in parallel. The most recent ancestor of Lumetus was inferred to have high desiccation resistance and moderate hyporegulation ability. There were repeated shifts between habitats with differing levels of salinity in the radiation of the group, those to the most saline habitats generally occurring more rapidly than those to less saline ones. Significant and accelerated changes in hyporegulation ability evolved in parallel with smaller and more progressive increases in desiccation resistance across the phylogeny, associated with the colonization of meso‐ and hypersaline waters during global aridification events. All species with high hyporegulation ability were also desiccation‐resistant, but not vice versa. Overall, results are consistent with the hypothesis that desiccation resistance mechanisms evolved first and provided the physiological basis for the development of hyporegulation ability, allowing these insects to colonize and diversify across meso‐ and hypersaline habitats.
Shared evolutionary origin of major histocompatibility complex polymorphism in sympatric lemurs
Authors: Kaesler Eva , Kappeler Peter M. , Brameier Markus , Demeler Janina , Kraus Cornelia , Rakotoniaina Josué H. , Hämäläinen Anni. M. , Huchard Elise 
Published: August 2017

AbstractGenes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) play a central role in adaptive immune responses of vertebrates. They exhibit remarkable polymorphism, often crossing species boundaries with similar alleles or allelic motifs shared across species. This pattern may reflect parallel parasite‐mediated selective pressures, either favouring the long maintenance of ancestralMHCallelic lineages across successive speciation events by balancing selection (“trans‐species polymorphism”), or alternatively favouring the independent emergence of functionally similar alleles post‐speciation via convergent evolution. Here, we investigate the origins ofMHCsimilarity across several species of dwarf and mouse lemurs (Cheirogaleidae). We examinedMHCclassIIvariation in two highly polymorphic loci (DRB,DQB) and evaluated the overlap of gut–parasite communities in four sympatric lemurs. We tested for parasite‐MHCassociations across species to determine whether similar parasite pressures may select for similarMHCalleles in different species. Next, we integrated ourMHCdata with those previously obtained from otherCheirogaleidaeto investigate the relative contribution of convergent evolution and co‐ancestry to sharedMHCpolymorphism by contrasting patterns of codon usage at functional vs. neutral sites. Our results indicate that parasites shared across species may select for functionally similarMHCalleles, implying that the dynamics ofMHC‐parasite co‐evolution should be envisaged at the community level. We further show that balancing selection maintaining trans‐species polymorphism, rather than convergent evolution, is the primary mechanism explaining sharedMHCsequence motifs between species that diverged up to 30 million years ago.
Integrated Train Timetabling and Rolling Stock Scheduling Model Based on Time‐Dependent Demand for Urban Rail Transit
Authors: Yue Yixiang , Han Juntao , Wang Shifeng , Liu Xiang 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe congestion of urban transportation is becoming an increasingly critical problem for many metropolises. The Urban Rail Transit (URT) system has attracted substantial attention due to its safety, high speed, high capacity, and sustainability. With a focus on a holistic modeling framework for train scheduling problems, this article proposes a novel optimization methodology that integrates both train timetabling and rolling stock scheduling based on time‐dependent passenger flow demands. We particularly consider the tradeoff between waiting times for passengers and the train frequency of the URT system. By using train paths and rolling stock indicators as decision variables, this problem is formulated as a bi‐level programming model. A simulated‐annealing (SA)‐based heuristic algorithm is employed to solve the proposed model and generate approximate optimal solutions. In the case study of Line 10 of Beijing Subway, GAMS (The General Algebraic Modeling System) with the IBM ILOG CPLEX Optimization Studio (CPLEX) solver can barely obtain a solution in more than 2 hours, whereas the SA‐based heuristic can obtain the solution within 16 minutes and 44 seconds with the objective value improved by more than 14%. The calculation results and comparisons indicate that the SA‐based heuristic can efficiently produce approximate optimal scheduling strategies; these findings demonstrate the practical value of our proposed approaches.
Response of the plant hormone network to boron deficiency
Authors: Eggert Kai , von Wirén Nicolaus 
Published: August 2017

SummaryPlant hormones (PH) adjust plant growth to environmental conditions such as nutrient availability. Although responses of individualPHs to growth‐determining nutrient supplies have been reported, little is known about simultaneous dynamics in the metabolism of differentPHspecies.Brassica napusseedlings were grown under increasing supply of B, andLC‐MS/MSwas used to characterize bioactive forms of differentPHspecies together with several of their precursors, storage and inactivated forms.Increasing shoot B concentrations in response to B supply were accompanied by decreasing concentrations of abscisic acid (ABA) and indole‐3‐acetic acid (IAA), which appeared to be synthesized under B deficiency mainly via indole‐3‐acetonitrile (IAN). By contrast, shoot B concentrations correlated closely with cytokinins, and the B‐dependent growth response appeared to be triggered primarily byde‐novosynthesis of cytokinins and by re‐routing less active towards highly active forms of cytokinin. Also gibberellin biosynthesis strongly increased with B supply, in particular gibberellin species from the non‐13‐hydroxylation pathway. The brassinosteroid castasterone appeared to support shoot growth primarily at suboptimal B nutrition.These results indicate that a variable B nutritional status causes coordinated changes inPHmetabolism as prerequisite for an adjusted growth response.
Effector‐mediated discovery of a novel resistance gene against Bremia lactucae in a nonhost lettuce species
Authors: Giesbers Anne K. J. , Pelgrom Alexandra J. E. , Visser Richard G. F. , Niks Rients E. , Van den Ackerveken Guido , Jeuken Marieke J. W. 
Published: August 2017

Summary

Candidate effectors from lettuce downy mildew (Bremia lactucae) enable high‐throughput germplasm screening for the presence of resistance (R) genes. The nonhost species Lactuca saligna comprises a source of B. lactucae R genes that has hardly been exploited in lettuce breeding. Its cross‐compatibility with the host species L. sativa enables the study of inheritance of nonhost resistance (NHR).

We performed transient expression of candidate RXLR effector genes from B. lactucae in a diverse Lactuca germplasm set. Responses to two candidate effectors (BLR31 and BLN08) were genetically mapped and tested for co‐segregation with disease resistance.

BLN08 induced a hypersensitive response (HR) in 55% of the L. saligna accessions, but responsiveness did not co‐segregate with resistance to Bl:24. BLR31 triggered an HR in 5% of the L. saligna accessions, and revealed a novel R gene providing complete B. lactucae race Bl:24 resistance. Resistant hybrid plants that were BLR31 nonresponsive indicated other unlinked R genes and/or nonhost QTLs.

We have identified a candidate avirulence effector of B. lactucae (BLR31) and its cognate R gene in L. saligna. Concurrently, our results suggest that R genes are not required for NHR of L. saligna.
Association of sickle cell haemoglobinopathies with dental and jaw bone abnormalities
Authors: Souza SFC , de Carvalho HLCC , Costa CPS , Thomaz EBAF 
Published: August 2017

ObjectiveTo estimate the association between sickle cell anaemia and trait with dental and jaw bone abnormalities.Subjects and MethodsSubjects (n = 369) were allocated to three groups: sickle cell anaemia, trait and control. Dental shape, number, size and position and changes in pulp chamber, root and periapex were analysed by intra‐oral periapical radiographs. Integrity of lamina dura, quality of cancellous bone and bone trabeculation were also evaluated. Prevalence ratios (PR) were calculated (α = 0.05).ResultsSickle cell anaemia had higher prevalence (PR:8.31) and number of teeth (PR:13.40) with external resorption; higher number of teeth with pulp calcification; partial and total loss of lamina dura; and higher prevalence of changes in trabecular structure of maxilla (PR:6.45) and mandible (PR:5.34). Sickle cell trait showed higher prevalence (PR:1.26) and higher number of teeth (PR:1.98) with partial loss of lamina dura; higher number of teeth with hypercementosis, changes in shape, size, periapex, total loss of lamina dura; and higher prevalence of changes in mandibular trabecular bone (PR:1.43).ConclusionPulp calcification and external resorption of the root were the most frequent dental alterations in sickle cell anaemia group, while in trait was higher frequency of changes in shape, size, periapex and root. Jaw bone changes were most prevalent in both homozygous and heterozygous subjects.
Anatomy and affinities of a new 535‐million‐year‐old medusozoan from the Kuanchuanpu Formation, South China
Authors: Wang Xing , Han Jian , Vannier Jean , Ou Qiang , Yang Xiaoguang , Uesugi Kentaro , Sasaki Osamu , Komiya Tsuyoshi 
Published: August 2017

AbstractWe describe here Sinaster petalon gen. et sp. nov., a new embryonic form from the c. 535 million‐year‐old Kuanchuanpu Formation of South China (Ningqiang, Shaanxi Province). The excellent three‐dimensional, phosphatic preservation of these microfossils allowed us to use x‐ray microtomographic techniques to make accurate reconstructions of their internal structures and to compare their anatomy point‐by‐point with that of extant cnidarians and other animal groups. Sinaster petalon has anatomical features typical of extant Medusozoa (Cnidaria), such as coronal muscles, perradial and adradial frenula, interradial septa, accessory septa, gonad‐lamellae, tentacle buds and perradial pockets. Although Sinaster cannot be straightforwardly assigned to any crown‐group within Medusozoa, the presence of marginal lappets and endodermal lamellae suggests that it is closer to Cubozoa and Scyphozoa than to any other group of modern cnidarians. The tentative placement of Sinaster within the stem‐group Cubozoa is justified by the presence of a velarium supported by a frenulum. The cubozoan affinities of Sinaster are also supported by cladistic analysis.
Urological complications following unstented pediatric renal transplantation
Authors: Maison Patrick Opoku Manu , Smit Shaun , McCulloch Mignon , Gajjar Priya , Nourse Peter , Thomson Dave , Muller Elmi , Millar Alastair , Numanoglu Alp , Kahn Delawir , Lazarus John 
Published: August 2017

AbstractUrological complications which develop post‐renal transplantation can be associated with significant morbidity especially in children. We evaluated the occurrence and management of all urological complications in a series of unstented pediatric renal transplants in a tertiary pediatric hospital. We reviewed the medical records of children who underwent unstented renal transplant between January 1996 and December 2014. Postoperative urological complications and the outcomes of their management were analyzed. A total of 160 unstented renal transplants were performed, and 32 urological complications were noted in 29 transplants (18%). There were 20 boys and nine girls with an age range of 2.5 years to 18.4 years. Nine (31%) of these patients had LUTD. The most common complication was VUR occurring in 17 patients (10.6%). Urine leaks occurred in six patients (3.8%) and ureteric obstruction in six patients (3.8%), and three patients (1.9%) had unexplained hydronephrosis. Loss of graft occurred in three patients (1.9%), and one patient died from sepsis post‐uretero‐ureterostomy. Patients with LUTD had more urological complications (P = .037). Unstenting is feasible in most pediatric renal transplants. LUTD is associated with a higher incidence of urological complications, especially VUR.
You'd better walk alone: Changes in forest composition affect pollination efficiency and pre‐dispersal cone damage in Iberian Juniperus thurifera forests
Authors: Rodríguez‐García E. , Mezquida E. T. , Olano J. M. 
Published: August 2017

Abstract

Changes in land‐use patterns are a major driver of global environmental change. Cessation of traditional land‐use practices has led to forest expansion and shifts in forest composition. Consequently, former monospecific forests maintained by traditional management are progressing towards mixed forests. However, knowledge is scarce on how the presence of other tree species will affect reproduction of formerly dominant species. We explored this question in the wind‐pollinated tree Juniperus thurifera. We hypothesised that the presence of heterospecific trees would have a negative effect on cone production and on the proportion of cones attacked by specialised predators.

We assessed the relative importance of forest composition on cone production, seed development and pre‐dispersal cone damage on nine paired pure and mixed J. thurifera forests in three regions across the Iberian Peninsula. The effects of forest composition on crop size, cone and seed characteristics, as well as damage by pre‐dispersal arthropods were tested using mixed models.

Cone production was lower and seed abortion higher in mixed forests, suggesting higher pollination failure. In contrast, cone damage by arthropods was higher in pure forests, supporting the hypothesis that presence of non‐host plants reduces damage rates. However, the response of each arthropod to forest composition was species‐specific and the relative rates of cone damage varied depending on individual tree crops.

Larger crop sizes in pure forests compensated for the higher cone damage rates, leading to a higher net production of sound seeds compared to mixed forests. This study indicates that ongoing changes in forest composition after land abandonment may impact tree reproduction.