bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
QTL analysis for alkaline tolerance of rice and verification of a major QTL
Authors: Li Ning , Sun Jian , Wang Jingguo , Liu Hualong , Zheng Hongliang , Yang Luomiao , Liang Yingpei , Li Xianwei , Zou Detang 
Published: October 2017

AbstractAlkaline stress causes injuries to rice seedlings in many parts of the world and is therefore an important factor affecting rice production in such areas. In this study, we preliminarily located quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for survival days of seedlings (SDS) and the concentrations of Na+ and K+ in shoots (SNC and SKC) and roots (RNC and RKC) under alkaline stress using an F2:3 population, which was derived from a cross between Caidao and WD20342 with 151 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. A total of seven QTLs were detected. Of these QTLs, qSNC3 had the largest effect, which explained 21.24% of the total phenotypic and is a major QTL. Next, a mapping population consisting of 190 BC2F2 plants was constructed using WD20342 as a donor parent to verify qSNC3. As a result, qSNC3 was delimited to an 81.7‐kb region between markers RM1221 and RM4404. In this region, LOC_Os03 g62500 and LOC_Os03 g62620 exhibited different expression between Caidao and WD20342 under alkaline stress. These results provide a basis for identifying genes related to alkaline tolerance in rice.
Seeing through your daughter's eyes: Factors associated with maternal meta‐accuracy
Authors: MILAN STEPHANIE , RAMIREZ JENNIFER , CARLONE CHRISTINA 
Published: October 2017

AbstractDyadic meta‐accuracy reflects the ability to judge how one is viewed by a relationship partner. Drawing from the attachment literature on parental mentalization, it is tested whether maternal meta‐accuracy is associated with (a) mothers' history of maltreatment or maternal absence during her childhood and (b) observed relational behaviors during an interaction task. Participants included 182 low‐income mother–daughter dyads (adolescent mean age = 15.1). Mothers were modestly accurate in judging how daughters rated their warmth and hostility. Mothers with histories of maltreatment or maternal absence showed less meta‐accuracy, but the nature of their inaccuracies (e.g., self‐enhancement) differed. Differences in maternal meta‐accuracy were also associated with relationship quality as rated by independent observers. The relevance of meta‐accuracy for mentalization‐based interventions with families is discussed.
Early bacterial and fungal infection in children receiving allogeneic stem cell transplantation for acute lymphoblastic leukemia in Argentina
Authors: Gomez S. , Fynn A. B. , Fernanda S. , Cecilia V. , Sung L. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractInfections are important complications associated with allogeneic HSCT. Describing infection rates in low‐ and middle‐income countries provides data to infer efficacy of supportive care practices in these settings. In this retrospective cohort study, we included patients (age ≤ 18 years) who underwent a first allogeneic HSCT for ALL in a single center in Argentina between 1998 and 2016. The primary outcome was sterile site bacterial infection. Secondary outcomes were proven or probable invasive fungal infection, TRM, and infectious deaths. There were 68 allogeneic HSCT recipients with ALL included in this analysis. Overall, 17 (25.0%) experienced at least one sterile site bacterial infection and 10 (14.7%) experienced at least one proven or probable invasive fungal infection. The TRM rate was 19.1%, and 3 (4.4%) patients died of infection. In a middle‐income country center in Argentina, pediatric allogeneic HSCT infection rates, TRM, and infection‐related mortality were comparable to high‐income countries. These data support continuation of allogeneic HSCT programs in similar resource‐limited settings provided that adequate supportive care and monitoring of outcomes can be performed.
Risk factors for urological complications following living donor renal transplantation in children
Authors: ElSheemy Mohammed S. , Ghoneima Waleed , Aboulela Waseem , Daw Kareem , Shouman Ahmed M. , Shoukry Ahmed I. , Soaida Sherif , Salah Doaa M. , Bazaraa Hafez , Fadel Fatina I. , Hussein Ahmed A. , Habib Enmar , Saad Ismail R. , El Ghoneimy Mohamed , Morsi Hany A. , Lotfi Mohammed A. , Badawy Hesham 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe aim of this study was to detect possible risk factors for UC and UTI following pediatric renal Tx and effect of these complications on outcome. One hundred and eight children who underwent living donor Tx between 2009 and 2015 were retrospectively included. Extraperitoneal approach was used with stented tunneled extravesical procedure. Mean recipient age was 9.89 ± 3.46 years while mean weight was 25.22 ± 10.43 kg. Seventy‐three (67.6%) recipients were boys while 92 (85.2%) were related to donors. Urological causes of ESRD were present in 33 (30.6%) recipients (14 [13%] posterior urethral valve, 16 [14.8%] VUR, and 3 [2.8%] neurogenic bladder). Augmentation ileocystoplasty was performed in 9 (8.3%) patients. Mean follow‐up was 39.3 ± 17.33 months. UC were detected in 10 (9.3%) children (leakage 4 [3.7%], obstruction 3 [2.8%], and VUR 3 [2.8%]) while UTIs were reported in 40 (37%) children. After logistic regression analysis, UC were significantly higher in children with cystoplasty (44.4% vs 6.1%; P = .001). UTIs were significantly higher in girls (51.4% vs 30.1%; P = .001) and in children with urological causes of ESRD (51.5% vs 30.7%; P = .049). UC and UTI were not significantly associated with increased graft loss or mortality. UC were significantly higher in children with cystoplasty while UTIs were significantly higher in girls and children with urological causes of ESRD. Presence of UC did not affect the rate of graft loss or mortality due to its early detection and proper management.
Reproductive ecology of the carnivorous plant Pinguicula moranensis (Lentibulariaceae)
Authors: Villegas S. G. , Alcalá R. E. 
Published: October 2017

Abstract

The interaction of plants with pollinators can be a determinant of their reproductive fitness. However, information about the pollination biology of carnivorous plants is scarce. To increase knowledge of reproductive ecology of carnivorous plants we focused on Pinguicula moranensis. Specifically, based on the presence of large, zygomorphic and spurred flowers, we predicted higher reproductive fitness in cross‐pollinated than in self‐pollinated flowers.

Within a plot of 51 m2 we characterised the reproductive phenology, including flower lifespan and stigmatic receptivity. We identified pollinators and their movement patterns within the plot. Breeding system was experimentally evaluated using hand‐pollination (i.e. autonomous, self‐ and cross‐pollination).

Flowers of P. moranensis were visited by long‐tongued pollinators, mainly members of the Lepidoptera. Hand‐pollination experiments confirmed our prediction and suggest that flower traits might favour cross‐pollination.

We mainly discuss the implications of the patchy distribution of plants and behaviour of pollinators on gene movement in this plant species, as pollination between genetically related individuals could be occurring.
Interdependent Network Recovery Games
Authors: Smith Andrew M. , González Andrés D. , Dueñas‐Osorio Leonardo , D'Souza Raissa M. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractRecovery of interdependent infrastructure networks in the presence of catastrophic failure is crucial to the economy and welfare of society. Recently, centralized methods have been developed to address optimal resource allocation in postdisaster recovery scenarios of interdependent infrastructure systems that minimize total cost. In real‐world systems, however, multiple independent, possibly noncooperative, utility network controllers are responsible for making recovery decisions, resulting in suboptimal decentralized processes. With the goal of minimizing recovery cost, a best‐case decentralized model allows controllers to develop a full recovery plan and negotiate until all parties are satisfied (an equilibrium is reached). Such a model is computationally intensive for planning and negotiating, and time is a crucial resource in postdisaster recovery scenarios. Furthermore, in this work, we prove this best‐case decentralized negotiation process could continue indefinitely under certain conditions. Accounting for network controllers' urgency in repairing their system, we propose an ad hoc sequential game‐theoretic model of interdependent infrastructure network recovery represented as a discrete time noncooperative game between network controllers that is guaranteed to converge to an equilibrium. We further reduce the computation time needed to find a solution by applying a best‐response heuristic and prove bounds on ε‐Nash equilibrium, where ε depends on problem inputs. We compare best‐case and ad hoc models on an empirical interdependent infrastructure network in the presence of simulated earthquakes to demonstrate the extent of the tradeoff between optimality and computational efficiency. Our method provides a foundation for modeling sociotechnical systems in a way that mirrors restoration processes in practice.
Influence of Distribution of Animals between Dose Groups on Estimated Benchmark Dose and Animal Welfare for Continuous Effects
Authors: Ringblom Joakim , Kalantari Fereshteh , Johanson Gunnar , Öberg Mattias 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe benchmark dose (BMD) approach is increasingly used as a preferred approach for dose–effect analysis, but standard experimental designs are generally not optimized for BMD analysis. The aim of this study was to evaluate how the use of unequally sized dose groups affects the quality of BMD estimates in toxicity testing, with special consideration of the total burden of animal distress. We generated continuous dose–effect data by Monte Carlo simulation using two dose–effect curves based on endpoints with different shape parameters. Eighty‐five designs, each with four dose groups of unequal size, were examined in scenarios ranging from low‐ to high‐dose placements and with a total number of animals set to 40, 80, or 200. For each simulation, a BMD value was estimated and compared with the “true” BMD. In general, redistribution of animals from higher to lower dose groups resulted in an improved precision of the calculated BMD value as long as dose placements were high enough to detect a significant trend in the dose–effect data with sufficient power. The improved BMD precision and the associated reduction of the number of animals exposed to the highest dose, where chemically induced distress is most likely to occur, are favorable for the reduction and refinement principles. The result thereby strengthen BMD‐aligned design of experiments as a means for more accurate hazard characterization along with animal welfare improvements.
Arabidopsis lipid droplet‐associated protein (LDAP) – interacting protein (LDIP) influences lipid droplet size and neutral lipid homeostasis in both leaves and seeds
Authors: Pyc Michal , Cai Yingqi , Gidda Satinder K. , Yurchenko Olga , Park Sunjung , Kretzschmar Franziska K. , Ischebeck Till , Valerius Oliver , Braus Gerhard H. , Chapman Kent D. , Dyer John M. , Mullen Robert T. 
Published: October 2017

SummaryCytoplasmic lipid droplets (LDs) are found in all types of plant cells; they are derived from the endoplasmic reticulum and function as a repository for neutral lipids, as well as serving in lipid remodelling and signalling. However, the mechanisms underlying the formation, steady‐state maintenance and turnover of plant LDs, particularly in non‐seed tissues, are relatively unknown. Previously, we showed that the LD‐associated proteins (LDAPs) are a family of plant‐specific, LD surface‐associated coat proteins that are required for proper biogenesis of LDs and neutral lipid homeostasis in vegetative tissues. Here, we screened a yeast two‐hybrid library using the Arabidopsis LDAP3 isoform as ‘bait’ in an effort to identify other novel LD protein constituents. One of the candidate LDAP3‐interacting proteins was Arabidopsis At5g16550, which is a plant‐specific protein of unknown function that we termed LDIP (LDAP‐interacting protein). Using a combination of biochemical and cellular approaches, we show that LDIP targets specifically to the LD surface, contains a discrete amphipathic α‐helical targeting sequence, and participates in both homotypic and heterotypic associations with itself and LDAP3, respectively. Analysis of LDIP T‐DNA knockdown and knockout mutants showed a decrease in LD abundance and an increase in variability of LD size in leaves, with concomitant increases in total neutral lipid content. Similar phenotypes were observed in plant seeds, which showed enlarged LDs and increases in total amounts of seed oil. Collectively, these data identify LDIP as a new player in LD biology that modulates both LD size and cellular neutral lipid homeostasis in both leaves and seeds.
Comparative and competitive adsorption of Cu(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) onto Sepia pharaonis endoskeleton biomass from aqueous solutions
Authors: Rahbar Nadereh , Yazdanpanah Hamideh , Ramezani Zahra , Shushizadeh Mohammad Reza , Enayat Maryam , Mansourzadeh Marzieh 
Published: October 2017

AbstractIn this research, the possibility of simultaneous removal of lead, cadmium and copper divalent ions from water samples through the use of Sepia pharaonis endoskeleton powder (SPEB) as bio‐material, was investigated. The bio‐sorbent was characterised by Fourier transform infrared spectrum (FT‐IR), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X‐ray fluorescence (XRF). The different factors affecting the bio‐sorption process were studied. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were applied to analyse the experimental data. The kinetic studies showed that the pseudo‐second order model kinetics were compatible with the investigated systems. It was found that under optimal conditions, this bio‐sorbent was efficient in the uptake of these heavy metal ions from both mono and multi‐metal solutions, and high removal percentages were achieved. This study verified the potential ability of SPEB as an efficient natural adsorbent for removal of Pb(II), Cd(II) and Cu(II) ions from river, tap and mineral water samples.
Developments in the spoken component of ICE corpora
Authors: KIRK JOHN M. 
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACTThis article considers the evolution of spoken components within the International Corpus of English. It begins with the classic orthographic transcription which has long been taken as a written means for representing what was said. Following a critique, the article suggests ways in which the representation of the spoken language in corpora could be better achieved: through the availability of recordings, through the alignment of recordings with the transcription, and through more annotation, especially of prosodic and pragmatic types, as in the SPICE‐Ireland Corpus. It ends with a discussion of the usefulness of a multi‐layer architecture approach to corpus compilation and exploitability.
The spoken corpus of Cameroon Pidgin English
Authors: OZÓN GABRIEL , AYAFOR MIRIAM , GREEN MELANIE , FITZGERALD SARAH 
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACTThis article reports on the construction of a 240,000‐word pilot corpus of spoken Cameroon Pidgin English (CPE), a widely‐used yet stigmatised and largely uncodified written pidgin/creole variety. The corpus consists of private and public dialogues and monologues, with mark‐up and POS‐tagging. Text categories and the proportions of monologue and dialogue are guided by those of the International Corpus of English project, which makes the corpus immediately comparable with existing corpora of post‐colonial varieties of English. We discuss the extent to which this corpus can be regarded as an ICE component, and illustrate the relation between CPE and standardised Nigerian and Cameroonian varieties of English in Africa by means of case studies employing ICE‐NIGERIA and the Corpus of Cameroon English.
Population Pharmacokinetics of Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole in Infants and Children
Authors: Autmizguine Julie , Melloni Chiara , Hornik Christoph P. , Dallefeld Samantha , Harper Barrie , Yogev Ram , Sullivan Janice E. , Atz Andrew M. , Al-Uzri Amira , Mendley Susan , Poindexter Brenda , Mitchell Jeff , Lewandowski Andrew , Delmore Paula , Cohen-Wolkowiez Michael , Gonzalez Daniel 
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACTTrimethoprim (TMP)-sulfamethoxazole (SMX) is used to treat various types of infections, including community-acquired methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(CA-MRSA) andPneumocystis jiroveciiinfections in children. Pharmacokinetic (PK) data for infants and children are limited, and the optimal dosing is not known. We performed a multicenter, prospective PK study of TMP-SMX in infants and children. Separate population PK models were developed for TMP and SMX administered by the enteral route using nonlinear mixed-effects modeling. Optimal dosing was determined on the basis of the matching adult TMP exposure and attainment of the surrogate pharmacodynamic (PD) target for efficacy, a free TMP concentration above the MIC over 50% of the dosing interval. Data for a total of 153 subjects (240 samples for PK analysis) with a median postnatal age of 8 years (range, 0.1 to 20 years) contributed to the analysis for both drugs. A one-compartment model with first-order absorption and elimination characterized the TMP and SMX PK data well. Weight was included in the base model for clearance (CL/F) and volume of distribution (V/F). Both TMP and SMX CL/Fincreased with age. In addition, TMP and SMX CL/Fwere inversely related to the serum creatinine and albumin concentrations, respectively. The exposure achieved in children after oral administration of TMP-SMX at 8/40 mg/kg of body weight/day divided into administration every 12 h matched the exposure achieved in adults after administration of TMP-SMX at 320/1,600 mg/day divided into administration every 12 h and achieved the PD target for bacteria with an MIC of 0.5 mg/liter in >90% of infants and children. The exposure achieved in children after oral administration of TMP-SMX at 12/60 and 15/75 mg/kg/day divided into administration every 12 h matched the exposure achieved in adults after administration of TMP-SMX at 640/3,200 mg/day divided into administration every 12 h in subjects 6 to <21 years and 0 to <6 years of age, respectively, and was optimal for bacteria with an MIC of up to 1 mg/liter.
The Cat Flea (Ctenocephalides felis) Immune Deficiency Signaling Pathway Regulates Rickettsia typhi Infection
Authors: Rennoll Sherri A. , Rennoll-Bankert Kristen E. , Guillotte Mark L. , Lehman Stephanie S. , Driscoll Timothy P. , Beier-Sexton Magda , Rahman M. Sayeedur , Gillespie Joseph J. , Azad Abdu F. 
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACT

Rickettsia
species are obligate intracellular bacteria with both conserved and lineage-specific strategies for invading and surviving within eukaryotic cells. One variable component of
Rickettsia
biology involves arthropod vectors: for instance, typhus group rickettsiae are principally vectored by insects (i.e., lice and fleas), whereas spotted fever group rickettsiae are exclusively vectored by ticks. For flea-borne
Rickettsia typhi
, the etiological agent of murine typhus, research on vertebrate host biology is facilitated using cell lines and animal models. However, due to the lack of any stable flea cell line or a published flea genome sequence, little is known regarding
R. typhi
biology in flea vectors that, importantly, do not suffer lethality due to
R. typhi
infection. To address if fleas combat rickettsial infection, we characterized the cat flea (
Ctenocephalides felis
) innate immune response to
R. typhi
. Initially, we determined that
R. typhi
infects
Drosophila
cells and increases antimicrobial peptide (AMP) gene expression, indicating immune pathway activation. While bioinformatics analysis of the
C. felis
transcriptome identified homologs to all of the
Drosophila
immune deficiency (IMD) and Toll pathway components, an AMP gene expression profile in
Drosophila
cells indicated IMD pathway activation upon rickettsial infection. Accordingly, we assessed
R. typhi
-mediated flea IMD pathway activation
in vivo
using small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated knockdown. Knockdown of
Relish
and
Imd
increased
R. typhi
infection levels, implicating the IMD pathway as a critical regulator of
R. typhi
burden in
C. felis
. These data suggest that targeting the IMD pathway could minimize the spread of
R. typhi
, and potentially other human pathogens, vectored by fleas.
Staphylococcus aureus Alpha-Toxin Disrupts Endothelial-Cell Tight Junctions via Acid Sphingomyelinase and Ceramide
Authors: Becker Katrin Anne , Fahsel Björn , Kemper Hannes , Mayeres Joelina , Li Cao , Wilker Barbara , Keitsch Simone , Soddemann Matthias , Sehl Carolin , Kohnen Marcus , Edwards Michael J. , Grassmé Heike , Caldwell Charles C. , Seitz Aaron , Fraunholz Martin , Gulbins Erich 
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACT

Staphylococcus aureus
(
S. aureus
) infections are among the most common and severe infections, garnering notoriety in an era of increasing resistance to antibiotics. It is therefore important to define molecular mechanisms by which this pathogen attacks host cells. Here, we demonstrate that alpha-toxin, one of the major toxins of
S. aureus
, induces activation of acid sphingomyelinase and concomitant release of ceramide in endothelial cells treated with the toxin. Activation of acid sphingomyelinase by alpha-toxin is mediated via ADAM10. Infection experiments employing alpha-toxin-deficient
S. aureus
and the corresponding wild-type strain reveal that activation of acid sphingomyelinase in endothelial cells requires alpha-toxin expression by the pathogen. Activation of acid sphingomyelinase is linked to degradation of tight junctions in endothelial cells
in vitro
, which is blocked by pharmacological inhibition of acid sphingomyelinase. Most importantly, alpha-toxin induces severe degradation of tight junctions in the lung and causes lung edema
in vivo
, which is prevented by genetic deficiency of acid sphingomyelinase. These data indicate a novel and important role of the acid sphingomyelinase/ceramide system for the endothelial response to toxins and provide a molecular link between alpha-toxin and the degradation of tight junctions. The data also suggest that inhibition of acid sphingomyelinase may provide a novel treatment option to prevent lung edema caused by
S. aureus
alpha-toxin.