bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mitochondrial DNA variation reveals distinct lineages in Penaeus semisulcatus (Decapoda, Penaeidae) from the Indo‐West Pacific Ocean
Authors: Alam M. M. Mahbub , de Croos M. D. S. T. , Pálsson Snæbjörn 
Published: December 2016

AbstractPenaeus semisulcatus, the green tiger prawn, is an ecologically and economically important penaeid shrimp in the Indo‐West Pacific region, especially in rice‐shrimp farming and capture fisheries in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, respectively. Genetic variation and phylogeography of samples of this species from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka were studied utilizing different mitochondrial DNA markers, i.e. cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (CO1), control region (CR) and 16S rRNA genes. No evidence of population structure was observed in Bangladesh, but distinct variations were found among the Sri Lankan samples (ΦST = 0.04, p = .002; FST = 0.07, p = .001), with the western sample differing from the northwestern and southern samples. The Bangladesh population had lower genetic diversity than two of the three Sri Lanka populations. The phylogeography of P. semisulcatus revealed two distinct mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) lineages, one in the Western Pacific Ocean and second in the Indian Ocean. The Bangladesh samples showed highest levels of similarity with samples from Sri Lanka, India and Malaysia, with the Bangladesh and Sri Lanka populations sharing the most common recent ancestry. Among the Indian Ocean samples, high levels of variation were observed in the samples from Iran, indicating admixture of two distinct mtDNA lineages, one shared by the populations from the Bay of Bengal and the other possibly originating from Eastern Africa. The genetic and phylogeographic information obtained in this study will be useful in appropriate planning for management and conservation of shrimp fisheries in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, and in the Indo‐West Pacific region.
Topological redundancy and ‘small‐world’ patterns in a food web in a subtropical ecosystem of Brazil
Authors: Bornatowski Hugo , Barreto Rodrigo , Navia Andrés F. , de Amorim Alberto Ferreira 
Published: December 2016

AbstractAccording to graph theory, the frequency distribution of trophic interactions within a food web has deep structural implications, as it can highlight the presence of patterns associated with the web and indicate whether the properties of the web are independent of its size. A hypothesis is that ‘small‐world’ food webs are sensitive to the loss of species with the highest values. Therefore, the present work aimed to evaluate the degree to which a subtropical food web in Southern Brazil displays small‐world patterns and their resistance. As part of the assessment, we evaluated the topological redundancy values of species in the food web and then we simulated the exclusion of these species (such as sharks and sea birds), and also the exclusion of high centrality species (such as squids Loligo sp., portunid swimming crabs and the cutlassfish Trichiurus lepturus). The food web showed a ‘broad‐scale’ distribution of connections by node, and a small‐world pattern. As expected, a simplification of the network was observed after elimination of some species with high centrality. However, the food web was resistant to the loss of species with low topological redundancy, probably because these species occupy a high trophic level and do not participate in lots of routes within the food web. We highlight however, the importance of the application of multiple analyses to evaluate the importance of components in food webs, and fisheries management plans should consider both species of high centrality values and species with low topological redundancy.
The regulation of antimicrobial peptide resistance in the transition to insect symbiosis
Authors: Clayton Adam L. , Enomoto Shinichiro , Su Yinghua , Dale Colin 
Published: December 2016

SummaryMany bacteria utilize two‐component systems consisting of a sensor kinase and a transcriptional response regulator to detect environmental signals and modulate gene expression for adaptation. The response regulator PhoP and its cognate sensor kinase PhoQ compose a two‐component system known for its role in responding to low levels of Mg2+, Ca2+, pH and to the presence of antimicrobial peptides and activating the expression of genes involved in adaptation to host association. Compared with their free‐living relatives, mutualistic insect symbiotic bacteria inhabit a static environment where the requirement for sensory functions is expected to be relaxed. The insect symbiont, Sodalis glossinidius, requires PhoP to resist killing by host derived antimicrobial peptides. However, the S. glossinidius PhoQ was found to be insensitive to Mg2+, Ca2+ and pH. Here they show that Sodalis praecaptivus, a close non host‐associated relative of S. glossinidius, utilizes a magnesium sensing PhoP‐PhoQ and an uncharacterized MarR‐like transcriptional regulator (Sant_4061) to control antimicrobial peptide resistance in vitro. While the inactivation of phoP, phoQ or Sant_4061 completely retards the growth of S. praecaptivus in the presence of an antimicrobial peptide in vitro, inactivation of both phoP and Sant_4061 is necessary to abrogate growth of this bacterium in an insect host.
Chew, shake, and tear: Prey processing in Australian sea lions (Neophoca cinerea)
Authors: Hocking David P. , Ladds Monique A. , Slip David J. , Fitzgerald Erich M. G. , Evans Alistair R. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractPinnipeds generally target relatively small prey that can be swallowed whole, yet often include larger prey in their diet. To eat large prey, they must first process it into pieces small enough to swallow. In this study we explored the range of prey‐processing behaviors used by Australian sea lions (Neophoca cinerea) when presented with large prey during captive feeding trials. The most common methods were chewing using the teeth, shaking prey at the surface, and tearing prey held between the teeth and forelimbs. Although pinnipeds do not masticate their food, we found that sea lions used chewing to create weak points in large prey to aid further processing and to prepare secured pieces of prey for swallowing. Shake feeding matches the processing behaviors observed in fur seals, but use of forelimbs for “hold and tear” feeding has not been previously reported for other otariids. When performing this processing method, prey was torn by being stretched between the teeth and forelimbs, where it was secured by being squeezed between the palms of their flippers. These results show that Australian sea lions use a broad repertoire of behaviors for prey processing, which matches the wide range of prey species in their diet.
High relative abundance of the stable fly Stomoxys calcitrans is associated with lumpy skin disease outbreaks in Israeli dairy farms
Authors: KAHANA‐SUTIN E. , KLEMENT E. , LENSKY I. , GOTTLIEB Y. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractThe vector of lumpy skin disease (LSD), a viral disease affecting Bovidae, is currently unknown. To evaluate the possible vector of LSD virus (LSDV) under field conditions, a yearlong trapping of dipterans was conducted in dairy farms that had been affected by LSD, 1‐2 years previously. This was done in order to calculate monthly relative abundances of each dipteran in each farm throughout the year. The relative abundances of Stomoxys calcitrans (Diptera: Muscidae) in the months parallel to the outbreaks (December and April) were significantly higher than those of other dipterans. A stable fly population model based on weather parameters for the affected area was used to validate these findings. Its results were significantly correlated with S. calcitrans abundance. This model, based on weather parameters during the epidemic years showed that S. calcitrans populations peaked in the months of LSD onset in the studied farms. These observations and model predictions revealed a lower abundance of stable flies during October and November, when LSD affected adjacent grazing beef herds. These findings therefore suggest that S. calcitrans is a potential vector of LSD in dairy farms and that another vector is probably involved in LSDV transmission in grazing herds. These findings should be followed up with vector competence studies.
Lung disease severity in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is more strongly associated with impedance measures of bolus reflux than pH parameters of acid reflux alone
Authors: Gavini S. , Borges L. F. , Finn R. T. , Lo W.‐K. , Goldberg H. J. , Burakoff R. , Feldman N. , Chan W. W. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractBackgroundGastroesophageal reflux (GER) has been associated with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Pathogenesis may be related to chronic micro‐aspiration. We aimed to assess objective measures of GER on multichannel intraluminal impedance and pH study (MII‐pH) and their relationship with pulmonary function testing (PFT) results, and to compare the performance of pH/acid reflux parameters vs corresponding MII/bolus parameters in predicting pulmonary dysfunction in IPF.MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort study of IPF patients undergoing prelung transplant evaluation with MII‐pH off acid suppression, and having received PFT within 3 months. Patients with prior fundoplication were excluded. Severe pulmonary dysfunction was defined using diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) ≤40%. Six pH/acid reflux parameters with corresponding MII/bolus reflux measures were specified a priori. Multivariate analyses were applied using forward stepwise logistic regression. Predictive value of each parameter for severe pulmonary dysfunction was calculated by area‐under‐the‐receiver‐operating‐characteristic‐curve or c‐statistic.Key ResultsForty‐five subjects (67% M, age 59, 15 mild‐moderate vs 30 severe) met criteria for inclusion. Patient demographics and clinical characteristics were similar between pulmonary dysfunction groups. Abnormal total reflux episodes and prolonged bolus clearance time were significantly associated with pulmonary dysfunction severity on univariate and multivariate analyses. No pH parameters were significant. The c‐statistic of each pH parameter was lower than its MII counterpart in predicting pulmonary dysfunction.Conclusions & InferencesMII/bolus reflux, but not pH/acid reflux, was associated with pulmonary dysfunction in prelung transplant patients with IPF. MII‐pH may be more valuable than pH testing alone in characterizing GER in IPF.
Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia in Children: A Case Series and Review of the Literature
Authors: Eginli Ariana N. , Dlova Ncoza C. , McMichael Amy 
Published: December 2016

AbstractBackground/ObjectivesCentral centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA) is a form of scarring hair loss most commonly seen in middle‐aged African and African American women. It is rarely reported in children. The objective of the current study was to document the presence of CCCA in children and to encourage physicians to recognize early signs of CCCA in children of affected adults.MethodsSix children presented with biopsy‐proven CCCA to the Department of Dermatology at Wake Forest Baptist Health and the Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine from 2012 to 2015. Demographic characteristics, hair styling history, and family history of CCCA were noted. Examination included complete history, skin and scalp examination, photographs of the scalp, and scalp biopsies.ResultsPatient ages ranged from 14 to 19 years (mean age at onset 14 years). Five patients reported scalp symptoms such as tender papules, pruritus, and scaling. Four patients reported appreciable hair loss on the vertex of the scalp. One patient had used chemical relaxers and hair dyes in the past. Five patients had a known family history of CCCA.ConclusionBecause CCCA is not typically seen or suspected in children, it is likely to be misdiagnosed or underreported. The findings in these cases add weight to the concept that genetic susceptibility rather than hair care practices may play a significant role in causing CCCA.
Characteristics of Pediatric Scrub Typhus Eschar in South Indian Children
Authors: Arun Babu Thirunavukkarasu , Vijayadevagaran Vijayasankar , Ananthakrishnan Shanthi 
Published: December 2016

AbstractBackgroundKnowledge of anatomic location of eschar is useful in diagnosing scrub typhus early in children and to initiate appropriate treatment.MethodsAll children younger than 12 years of age admitted with confirmed diagnosis of scrub typhus over a 17‐month period were included and the presence of eschar and other characteristics were recorded and analyzed.ResultsOf 107 confirmed patients with scrub typhus, 37 (34.6%) presented with eschar. The site of eschar distribution was the face, 2.7%; neck, 5.4%; axilla, 18.9%; trunk, 10.8%; inguinal, 35.1%; and genitalia and buttocks, 27%. Lymphadenopathy was associated with 67.5% of eschars. The presence of eschar did not correlate with severity, complications, or response to therapy.ConclusionCareful examination for eschar in children presenting with fever, particularly in the skin folds of the groin, genitalia, and axillae, can aid in early diagnosis of scrub typhus. Lymphadenopathy should alert the clinician to the possibility of finding an eschar in the drainage area.
Concurrent Pemphigus Foliaceus and Graves' Disease
Authors: Laarman Rachel , Horii Kimberly A. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractPemphigus foliaceus (PF) is an uncommon immunobullous disease in children. Other autoimmune diseases have rarely been reported in children with PF. We report the case of an adolescent girl who presented with concurrent PF and Graves' disease.
Spectroscopic Properties of Amine‐substituted Analogues of Firefly Luciferin and Oxyluciferin
Authors: Kakiuchi Michio , Ito Soichiro , Yamaji Minoru , Viviani Vadim R. , Maki Shojiro , Hirano Takashi 
Published: December 2016

AbstractSpectroscopic and photophysical properties of firefly luciferin and oxyluciferin analogues with an amine substituent (NH2, NHMe and NMe2) at the C6' position were studied based on absorption and fluorescence measurements. Their π‐electronic properties were investigated by DFT and TD‐DFT calculations. These compounds showed fluorescence solvatochromism with good quantum yields. An increase in the electron‐donating strength of the substituent led to the bathochromic shift of the fluorescence maximum. The fluorescence maxima of the luciferin analogues and the corresponding oxyluciferin analogues in a solvent were well correlated with each other. Based on the obtained data, the polarity of a luciferase active site was explained. As a result, the maximum wavelength of bioluminescence for a luciferin analogue was readily predicted by measuring the photoluminescence of the luciferin analogue in place of that of the corresponding oxyluciferin analogue.
Expansion of the genotypic and phenotypic spectrum of xeroderma pigmentosum in Chinese population
Authors: Zhang Jia , Cheng Ruhong , Yu Xia , Sun Zhonghui , Li Ming , Yao Zhirong 
Published: December 2016

SummaryBackgroundXeroderma pigmentosum (XP) is a rare genodermatosis characterized by exaggerated sunburn reactions, freckle‐like pigmentation, and a high possibility of developing cutaneous tumors. XP comprised seven complementation groups (from XP‐A to XP‐G) and a variant form XP‐V.MethodsThis study was based on five unrelated Chinese families with six patients clinically suspected to be XP. Mutation screening was performed by direct sequencing of the entire coding region of eight XP genes.ResultsAll of the pathogenic mutations were identified by mutational analysis, including four novel mutations.ConclusionsOur study successfully identified the pathogenic mutations in six XP patients (three XP‐A, one XP‐G, one XP‐V, and a rare XP‐D group in Chinese population). We reviewed the reported XP cases with mutations in the Chinese population and concluded that four complementation groups (XP‐A, XP‐C, XP‐G, and XP‐V) that occupy the major proportion should be considered as a first step in genetic detection (especially, XPA is the most common group, and unlike in other populations, XP‐G is not rare in the Chinese population). Moreover, XP‐D and XP‐F, two rare subgroups, should also be added for further mutational analysis. Further, we provide some information for Chinese dermatologists that, when an early diagnosis is made, XP‐C and XP‐V patients can have relatively good prognoses.
MicroRNA‐mediated regulation of immune responses to intestinal helminth infections
Authors: Entwistle L. J. , Wilson M. S. 
Published: December 2016

SummaryIntestinal helminth infections are highly prevalent in the developing world, often resulting in chronic infection and inflicting high host morbidity. With the emergence of drug‐resistant parasites, a limited number of chemotherapeutic drugs available and stalling vaccine efforts, an increased understanding of antihelminth immunity is essential to provide new avenues to therapeutic intervention. MicroRNAs are a class of small, nonprotein coding RNAs which negatively regulate mRNA translation, thus providing finite control over gene expression in a plethora of biological settings. The miRNA‐mediated coordinated control of gene expression has been shown to be essential in infection and immunity, in promoting and fine‐tuning the appropriate immune response. This review gathers together and discusses observations of miRNA‐mediated effects on the immune system and the subsequent impact on our understanding of antihelminth immunity.
Regulation of host epithelial responses to Cryptosporidium infection by microRNAs
Authors: Ming Z. , Zhou R. , Chen X.‐M. 
Published: December 2016

SummaryCryptosporidium species infect the gastrointestinal epithelium and other mucosal surfaces of vertebrate hosts. Epithelial cells provide the first line of defence against Cryptosporidium infection and play a critical role in the initiation, regulation and resolution of both innate and adaptive immune reactions. Host miRNAs in mammalian cells have been shown to play crucial roles in cellular responses to infection by diverse pathogens, including viruses, parasites and bacteria. Given the absence of RNAi machinery in Cryptosporidium, lack of miRNA expression in the parasite and minimal invasion nature of infection, Cryptosporidium infection provides an ideal model for exploring miRNA‐mediated epithelial cell defence, relevant to infection of mucosal epithelial cells by pathogens in general. Increasing evidence supports that miRNAs may modulate many stages of epithelial responses following Cryptosporidium infection, including activation of the intracellular signalling pathways, production of antimicrobial molecules, expression of cytokines/chemokines, release of epithelial cell‐derived exosomes and feedback regulation of immune homeostasis. On the other hand, this parasite may have developed strategies to modulate host miRNA‐mediated cellular function for immune evasion. In this review, we will summarize the recent advances on miRNA regulation of epithelial responses to Cryptosporidium infection, with an emphasis on host defence and parasite immune evasion.
Plasticity in seedling morphology, biomass allocation and physiology among ten temperate tree species in response to shade is related to shade tolerance and not leaf habit
Authors: Chmura D. J. , Modrzyński J. , Chmielarz P. , Tjoelker M. G. 
Published: December 2016

Abstract

Mechanisms of shade tolerance in tree seedlings, and thus growth in shade, may differ by leaf habit and vary with ontogeny following seed germination. To examine early responses of seedlings to shade in relation to morphological, physiological and biomass allocation traits, we compared seedlings of 10 temperate species, varying in their leaf habit (broadleaved versus needle‐leaved) and observed tolerance to shade, when growing in two contrasting light treatments – open (about 20% of full sunlight) and shade (about 5% of full sunlight).

We analyzed biomass allocation and its response to shade using allometric relationships. We also measured leaf gas exchange rates and leaf N in the two light treatments.

Compared to the open treatment, shading significantly increased traits typically associated with high relative growth rate (RGR) – leaf area ratio (LAR), specific leaf area (SLA), and allocation of biomass into leaves, and reduced seedling mass and allocation to roots, and net assimilation rate (NAR). Interestingly, RGR was not affected by light treatment, likely because of morphological and physiological adjustments in shaded plants that offset reductions of in situ net assimilation of carbon in shade. Leaf area‐based rates of light‐saturated leaf gas exchange differed among species groups, but not between light treatments, as leaf N concentration increased in concert with increased SLA in shade.

We found little evidence to support the hypothesis of a increased plasticity of broadleaved species compared to needle‐leaved conifers in response to shade. However, an expectation of higher plasticity in shade‐intolerant species than in shade‐tolerant ones, and in leaf and plant morphology than in biomass allocation was supported across species of contrasting leaf habit.
Transgenic tobacco plants constitutively expressing peanut BTF3 exhibit increased growth and tolerance to abiotic stresses
Authors: Pruthvi V. , Rama N. , Parvathi M. S. , Nataraja K. N. 
Published: December 2016

Abstract

Abiotic stresses limit crop growth and productivity worldwide. Cellular tolerance, an important abiotic stress adaptive trait, involves coordinated activities of multiple proteins linked to signalling cascades, transcriptional regulation and other diverse processes. Basal transcriptional machinery is considered to be critical for maintaining transcription under stressful conditions. From this context, discovery of novel basal transcription regulators from stress adapted crops like peanut would be useful for improving tolerance of sensitive plant types.

In this study, we prospected a basal transcription factor, BTF3 from peanut (Arachis hypogaea L) and studied its relevance in stress acclimation by over expression in tobacco.

AhBTF3 was induced under PEG‐, NaCl‐, and methyl viologen‐induced stresses in peanut. The constitutive expression of AhBTF3 in tobacco increased plant growth under non stress condition. The transgenic plants exhibited superior phenotype compared to wild type under mannitol‐ and NaCl‐induced stresses at seedling level. The enhanced cellular tolerance of transgenic plants was evidenced by higher cell membrane stability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activity, seedling survival and vigour than wild type. The transgenic lines showed better in vitro regeneration capacity on growth media supplemented with NaCl than wild type. Superior phenotype of transgenic plants under osmotic and salinity stresses seems to be due to constitutive activation of genes of multiple pathways linked to growth and stress adaptation.

The study demonstrated that AhBTF3 is a positive regulator of growth and stress acclimation and hence can be considered as a potential candidate gene for crop improvement towards stress adaptation.