bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Long‐term acclimation to reciprocal light conditions suggests depth‐related selection in the marine foundation speciesPosidonia oceanica
Authors: Dattolo Emanuela , Marín‐Guirao Lazaro , Ruiz Juan M. , Procaccini Gabriele 
Published: January 2017

AbstractPhenotypic differences among populations of the same species reflect selective responses to ecological gradients produced by variations in abiotic and biotic factors. Moreover, they can also originate from genetic differences among populations, due to a reduced gene flow. In this study, we examined the extent of differences in photo‐acclimative traits ofPosidonia oceanica(L.)Delileclones collected above and below the summer thermocline (i.e., −5 and −25 m) in a continuous population extending along the water depth gradient. During a reciprocal light exposure and subsequent recovery in mesocosms, we assessed degree of phenotypic plasticity and local adaptation of plants collected at different depths, by measuring changes in several traits, such as gene expression of target genes, photo‐physiological features, and other fitness‐related traits (i.e., plant morphology, growth, and mortality rates). Samples were also genotyped, using microsatellite markers, in order to evaluate the genetic divergence among plants of the two depths. Measures collected during the study have shown a various degree of phenotypic changes among traits and experimental groups, the amount of phenotypic changes observed was also dependent on the type of light environments considered. Overall plants collected at different depths seem to be able to acclimate to reciprocal light conditions in the experimental time frame, through morphological changes and phenotypic buffering, supported by the plastic regulation of a reduced number of genes. Multivariate analyses indicated that plants cluster better on the base of their depth origin rather than the experimental light conditions applied. The two groups were genetically distinct, but the patterns of phenotypic divergence observed during the experiment support the hypothesis that ecological selection can play a role in the adaptive divergence ofP. oceanicaclones along the depth gradient.
Differential butterfly performance on host plant variants from populations under intense vs. low mammalian herbivory
Authors: Kohyama Tetsuo , Horikawa Chika , Kawai Shizuka , Shikata Megumi , Kato Teiko , Sato Hiroaki 
Published: January 2017

AbstractEvolutionary interactions between a pair of species can be modified by the presence of another species that interacts with either or both species. However, only a few studies have demonstrated such complex interactions. Here, we report a case where a population of the red admiral butterfly (Vanessa indica) is assumed to change fitness traits in response to an evolutionary change in its major host plant, the Japanese stinging nettle (Urtica thunbergiana), caused by intense browsing pressure from sika deer (Cervus nippon). Nara Park (NP) in Japan has been home to several hundred protected sika deer for approximately 1200 yr, and their intense browsing pressure is assumed to have selected for heavily haired nettles that are more resistant to deer browsing compared to normal lightly haired nettles occurring in areas with low densities of sika deer. We found that the water and nitrogen contents of leaves are lower and the specific leaf mass is higher in heavily haired nettles at NP compared to the lightly haired nettles at the Takatori Castle Site (TCS) 30 km south of NP. Feeding experiments showed that V. indica larvae from NP reared on heavily haired nettles reach a greater adult body mass and relative abdomen mass than those from TCS, suggesting the possibility that the NP V. indica population has adapted to the heavily haired, nutritionally poorer variant. Analysis of the nucleotide sequence of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene of V. indica from NP and nearby locations including TCS found one haplotype exclusive to NP, suggesting that movement of this butterfly is somewhat restricted. However, analysis using amplified fragment length polymorphism markers showed no genetic differentiation between the seven V. indica populations including the NP and TCS populations. These results suggest that adaptation of the NP population to the heavily haired nettle occurred in a relatively short period. Our study demonstrates a rare example of an indirect evolutionary impact of one herbivore (sika deer) on another herbivore (red admiral butterfly) through an evolutionary change in their shared food plant (Japanese nettle).
Social buffering in a eusocial invertebrate: termite soldiers reduce the lethal impact of competitor cues on workers
Authors: Tian Li , Preisser Evan L. , Haynes Kenneth F. , Zhou Xuguo 
Published: January 2017

AbstractWhile the impact of predator‐induced stress on prey has received considerable attention, there has been far less research into the effect of competitors. Cues from aggressive competitors should be particularly likely to evoke behavioral and/or physiological responses, since they may be indicative of both direct (interference) and indirect (exploitative) threats. The danger posed by such competitors, and the “fear” they evoke, should be reduced at lower competitor densities and by the presence of individual conspecifics specialized for defense. We assessed how Reticulitermes flavipes termite workers and soldiers were affected by cues from conspecific nestmates, conspecific non‐nestmates, and the heterospecific competitor R. virginicus. Competitor cues altered flavipes worker and soldier behavior, decreasing worker growth and increasing their mortality. The presence of flavipes soldiers largely ameliorated these negative impacts: adding even a single soldier (5% of flavipes individuals) decreased worker mortality by 50–80%. Although worker mortality increased with competitor density, increased soldier densities did not increase the benefit to workers. The small number of soldiers required to substantially alter cue‐mediated interactions suggests that this caste, in addition to providing direct defense, also occupies a “keystone role” by providing homeostatic feedback to workers functioning in stressful environments.
Evaluation of carotid plaque vulnerability in vivo: Correlation between dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI and MRI‐modified AHA classification
Authors: Ge Xiaoqian , Zhou Zien , Zhao Huilin , Li Xiao , Sun Beibei , Suo Shiteng , Hackett Maree L. , Wan Jieqing , Xu Jianrong , Liu Xiaosheng 
Published: January 2017

PurposeTo noninvasively monitor carotid plaque vulnerability by exploring the relationship between pharmacokinetic parameters (PPs) of dynamic contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE‐MRI) and plaque types based on MRI‐modified American Heart Association (AHA) classification, as well as to assess the ability of PPs in discrimination between stable and vulnerable plaques suspected on MRI.Materials and MethodsOf 70 consecutive patients with carotid plaques who volunteered for 3.0T MRI (3D time‐of‐flight [TOF], T1‐weighted, T2‐weighted, 3D magnetization‐prepared rapid acquisition gradient‐echo [MP‐RAGE] and DCE‐MRI), 66 participants were available for analysis. After plaque classification according to MRI‐modified AHA Lesion‐Type (LT), PPs (Ktrans, kep, ve, and vp) of DCE‐MRI were measured. The Extended Tofts model was used for calculation of PPs. For participants with multiple carotid plaques, the plaque with the worst MRI‐modified AHA LT was chosen for analysis. Correlations between PPs and plaque types and the ability of these parameters to distinguish stable and vulnerable plaques suspected on MRI were assessed.ResultsSignificant positive correlation between Ktrans and LT III to VI was found (ρ = 0.532, P < 0.001), as was the correlation between kep and LT III to VI (ρ = 0.409, P < 0.001). Stable and vulnerable plaques suspected on MRI could potentially be distinguished by Ktrans (sensitivity 83%, specificity 100%) and kep (sensitivity 77%, specificity 91%).ConclusionKtrans and kep from DCE‐MRI can provide quantitative information to monitor plaque vulnerability in vivo and differentiate vulnerable plaques suspected on MRI from stable ones. These two parameters could be adopted as imaging biomarkers for plaque characterization and risk stratification.Level of Evidence: 1Technical Efficacy: Stage 2J. MAGN. RESON. IMAGING 2017;46:870–876
Edaphic Conditions, Aboveground Carbon Stocks and Plant Diversity on Nickel Mine Tailings Dump Vegetated with Senegalia polyacantha (Willd.) Seigler & Ebinger
Authors: Mukaro Edeth , Nyakudya Innocent Wadzanayi , Jimu Luke 
Published: January 2017

AbstractRevegetation accelerates soil fertility improvement and enhances biodiversity on mine dumps. The objective of the study was to determine the status of edaphic conditions; aboveground carbon stocks; and plant diversity. The study was conducted on nickel tailings dump revegetated with Senegalia polyacantha aged 8, 9, 10 and 11 years in Zimbabwe. Results showed high bulk densities and pH values; low organic carbon; deficiency in K; and toxic levels for Ni and As implying that the tailings materials are still marginal for vegetation establishment. Limited presence of woody species suggests that the substrate is not yet suitable for colonization by such species. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Antibiotic discovery throughout the Small World Initiative: A molecular strategy to identify biosynthetic gene clusters involved in antagonistic activity
Authors: Davis Elizabeth , Sloan Tyler , Aurelius Krista , Barbour Angela , Bodey Elijah , Clark Brigette , Dennis Celeste , Drown Rachel , Fleming Megan , Humbert Allison , Glasgo Elizabeth , Kerns Trent , Lingro Kelly , McMillin MacKenzie , Meyer Aaron , Pope Breanna , Stalevicz April , Steffen Brittney , Steindl Austin , Williams Carolyn , Wimberley Carmen , Zenas Robert , Butela Kristen , Wildschutte Hans 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThe emergence of bacterial pathogens resistant to all known antibiotics is a global health crisis. Adding to this problem is that major pharmaceutical companies have shifted away from antibiotic discovery due to low profitability. As a result, the pipeline of new antibiotics is essentially dry and many bacteria now resist the effects of most commonly used drugs. To address this global health concern, citizen science through the Small World Initiative (SWI) was formed in 2012. As part of SWI, students isolate bacteria from their local environments, characterize the strains, and assay for antibiotic production. During the 2015 fall semester at Bowling Green State University, students isolated 77 soil‐derived bacteria and genetically characterized strains using the 16S rRNA gene, identified strains exhibiting antagonistic activity, and performed an expanded SWI workflow using transposon mutagenesis to identify a biosynthetic gene cluster involved in toxigenic compound production. We identified one mutant with loss of antagonistic activity and through subsequent whole‐genome sequencing and linker‐mediated PCR identified a 24.9 kb biosynthetic gene locus likely involved in inhibitory activity in that mutant. Further assessment against human pathogens demonstrated the inhibition of Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes, and methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus in the presence of this compound, thus supporting our molecular strategy as an effective research pipeline for SWI antibiotic discovery and genetic characterization.
Independent variant analysis of TEAD1 and OCEL1 in 38 Aicardi syndrome patients
Authors: Wong Bibiana K. Y. , Sutton Vernon R. , Lewis Richard A. , Van den Veyver Ignatia B. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractBackgroundAicardi syndrome is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by infantile spasms, typical chorioretinal lacunae, agenesis of the corpus callosum, and other neuronal migration defects. It has been reported recently that de novo variants in TEAD1 and OCEL1 each may cause Aicardi syndrome in a single individual of a small cohort of females with this clinical diagnosis. These data were interpreted to suggest that the clinical diagnosis of Aicardi syndrome may be genetically heterogeneous.MethodsTo investigate this further, we sequenced TEAD1 and OCEL1 coding regions using DNA from 38 clinically well‐characterized girls with Aicardi syndrome.ResultsWe did not detect the previously reported or any other deleterious variants in any of the analyzed samples.ConclusionsThis suggests that the published variants represent either an extremely rare cause of Aicardi syndrome or an incidental finding.
The use of vascularised bone capping to prevent and treat amputation stump spiking in the paediatric population
Authors: Murphy Adrian D , Atkins Sara E , Thomas Damon J , McCombe David , Coombs Chris J 
Published: January 2017

BackgroundOvergrowth of the stump skeleton is a major complication seen in children after an amputation. In advanced cases, perforation of the bone spike through the skin can occur. Many surgical treatments have been employed to treat and prevent this, with best results seen when non‐vascularised osteo‐chondral bone grafts are placed to try to mimic a trans‐articular amputation. We reviewed our outcomes using vascularized bone flaps to prevent and treat spiking.Patients and MethodsBetween 2000 and 2016 we carried out six vascularised osteo‐cartilaginous bone capping procedures. Five patients underwent the procedure as an adjunct to primary amputation and in a single patient it was used to treat established bone spiking. Trauma accounted for three cases, with the other three being tumour, vascular malformation and ischemia. Three patients had pedicled bone flaps placed on the amputation stump and three underwent free tissue transfer (free calcaneus, free scapular angle, and free proximal tibia). Five cases involved lower limb amputations, with one in the upper limb.ResultsOne patient had an early post‐operative complication in the form of partial skin flap necrosis that required debridement and skin grafting. All bone flaps survived. Mean follow‐up was 6.5 years. All patients had bony union with no development of stump spiking. Two patients required further procedures unrelated to the bone flaps.ConclusionVascularised bone flaps to cap amputation stumps may be a safe and effective method of preventing and treating long‐bone stump spiking following amputation in children
Novel variant in the PYGM gene causing late‐onset limb‐girdle myopathy, ptosis, and camptocormia
Authors: Chéraud Chrystel , Froissart Roseline , Lannes Béatrice , Echaniz‐Laguna Andoni 
Published: January 2017

ABSTRACTIntroductionMcArdle disease is a glycogen storage disease caused by mutations in the PYGM gene encoding myophosphorylase. It manifests classically with childhood‐onset exercise‐induced pain.MethodsWe report the characteristics of 2 unrelated patients with a new homozygous mutation of the PYGM gene.ResultsTwo patients, aged 76 and 79 years, presented with severe upper and lower limb atrophy and weakness. Additionally, 1 patient presented with bilateral ptosis, and the other with camptocormia. In both patients, symptoms had developed progressively in the 2 preceding years, and there was no history of exercise intolerance. Both patients demonstrated myogenic abnormalities on electromyography, multiple glycogen‐containing vacuoles and undetectable muscle myophosphorylase activity on muscle biopsy, and a novel homozygous frameshift p.Lys42Profs*48 PYGM mutation.ConclusionsThis report expands the phenotype and genotype of McArdle disease and suggests that PYGM mutations should be looked for in patients with very late‐onset myopathy with no previous history of exercise intolerance. Muscle Nerve 57: 157–160, 2018
A combinatorial scoring function for protein–RNA docking
Authors: Zhang Zhao , Lu Lin , Zhang Yue , Hua Li Chun , Wang Cun Xin , Zhang Xiao Yi , Tan Jian Jun 
Published: January 2017

ABSTRACTProtein–RNA docking is still an open question. One of the main challenges is to develop an effective scoring function that can discriminate near‐native structures from the incorrect ones. To solve the problem, we have constructed a knowledge‐based residue‐nucleotide pairwise potential with secondary structure information considered for nonribosomal protein–RNA docking. Here we developed a weighted combined scoring function RpveScore that consists of the pairwise potential and six physics‐based energy terms. The weights were optimized using the multiple linear regression method by fitting the scoring function to L_rmsd for the bound docking decoys from Benchmark II. The scoring functions were tested on 35 unbound docking cases. The results show that the scoring function RpveScore including all terms performs best. Also RpveScore was compared with the statistical mechanics‐based method derived potential ITScore‐PR, and the united atom‐based statistical potentials QUASI‐RNP and DARS‐RNP. The success rate of RpveScore is 71.6% for the top 1000 structures and the number of cases where a near‐native structure is ranked in top 30 is 25 out of 35 cases. For 32 systems (91.4%), RpveScore can find the binding mode in top 5 that has no lower than 50% native interface residues on protein and nucleotides on RNA. Additionally, it was found that the long‐range electrostatic attractive energy plays an important role in distinguishing near‐native structures from the incorrect ones. This work can be helpful for the development of protein–RNA docking methods and for the understanding of protein–RNA interactions. RpveScore program is available to the public at http://life.bjut.edu.cn/kxyj/kycg/2017116/14845362285362368_1.html Proteins 2017; 85:741–752. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Poly(amidoamine) Dendrimer Functionalized Carbon Nanotube for Efficient Sorption of Trivalent f‐Elements: A Comparison Between 1st And 2nd Generation
Authors: Kumar Parveen , Sengupta Arijit , Deb Ashish Kumar Singha , Ali Sk. Musharaf 
Published: January 2017

AbstractPoly(amidoamine) dendrimer functionalized carbon nano tubes were synthesized, characterized and used for the sorption of americium from aqueous acidic waste solution. The sorption of Am3+ has been found to take place through pseudo second order kinetics with the rate constants of 8.61E‐05 and 5.38E‐05 mg g−1 min−1for 1st and 2nd generation, respectively, followingLangmuir isotherm. The MWCNT‐PAMAMG1 and MWCNT‐PAMAMG2 have high radiolytic stability. The stripping study revealed that EDTA can be effectively used for almost quantitative back extraction of metal ion from both generation of dendrimer. Luminescence investigation revealed the presence of single species with no inner sphere water molecule. The 1st generation dendrimer complex was found to be more asymmetric compared to the 2nd generation. The analysis of Judd Offelt parameters and evaluation of photo‐physical properties were carried out to understand the complexation of Am3+ with these sorbents.
Retinal thickness in Alzheimer's disease: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: den Haan Jurre , Verbraak Frank D. , Visser Pieter Jelle , Bouwman Femke H. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractIntroductionRetinal characteristics are increasingly recognized as biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases. Retinal thickness measured by optical coherence tomography may reflect the presence of Alzheimer's disease (AD). We performed a meta‐analysis on retinal thickness in AD and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients and healthy controls (HCs).MethodsWe selected 25 studies with measurements of retinal thickness including 887 AD patients, 216 MCI patients, and 864 HCs that measured retinal thickness. Outcomes were peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and macular thickness. The main outcome was the standardized mean differences (SMDs). We used STATA to perform the meta‐analysis (StataCorp, Texas; version 14.0).ResultsRelative to HCs, AD and MCI patients had lower peripapillary RNFL (SMD 0.98 [CI −1.30, −0.66, P < .0001] and SMD 0.71 [CI −1.24, −0.19, P = .008]). Total macular thickness was decreased in AD patients (SMD 0.88 [CI −1.12, −0.65, P = .000]).DiscussionRetinal thickness is decreased in AD and MCI patients compared to HC. This confirms that neurodegenerative diseases may be reflected by retinal changes.
Effects of early or late prenatal immune activation in mice on behavioral and neuroanatomical abnormalities relevant to schizophrenia in the adulthood
Authors: da Silveira Vivian T. , de Castro Medeiros Daniel , Ropke Jivago , Guidine Patricia A. , Rezende Gustavo H. , Moraes Marcio Flavio D. , Mendes Eduardo Mazoni A.M. , Macedo Danielle , Moreira Fabricio A. , de Oliveira Antonio Carlos P. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractMaternal immune activation (MIA) during pregnancy in rodents increases the risk of the offspring to develop schizophrenia‐related behaviors, suggesting a relationship between the immune system and the brain development. Here we tested the hypothesis that MIA induced by the viral mimetic polyinosinic‐polycytidylic acid (poly I:C) in early or late gestation of mice leads to behavioral and neuroanatomical disorders in the adulthood. On gestational days (GDs) 9 or 17 pregnant dams were treated with poly I:C or saline via intravenous route and the offspring behaviors were measured during adulthood. Considering the progressive structural neuroanatomical alterations in the brain of individuals with schizophrenia, we used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to perform brain morphometric analysis of the offspring aged one year. MIA on GD9 or GD17 led to increased basal locomotor activity, enhanced motor responses to ketamine, a psychotomimetic drug, and reduced time spent in the center of the arena, suggesting an increased anxiety‐like behavior. In addition, MIA on GD17 reduced glucose preference in the offspring. None of the treatments altered the relative volume of the lateral ventricles. However, a decrease in brain volume, especially for posterior structures, was observed for one‐year‐old animals treated with poly I:C compared with control groups. Thus, activation of the maternal immune system at different GDs lead to neuroanatomical and behavioral alterations possibly related to the positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia. These results provide insights on neuroimmunonological and neurodevelopmental aspects of certain psychopathologies, such as schizophrenia.