bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Metaphase Chromosome Preparation from Soybean (Glycine max) Root Tips
Authors: Findley Seth D. , Birchler James A. , Stacey Gary 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThis unit presents a highly reliable protocol to produce and screen metaphase chromosome spreads from root tip cell suspensions of soybean (Glycine max), or other legumes. The procedures represent soybean‐optimized versions of protocols developed for maize. The use of pressurized nitrous oxide to reliably generate metaphase‐arrested chromosomes is crucial to overcoming one of the challenges of working with tiny and numerous soybean chromosomes. © 2017 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Visualization of Cell Composition and Maturation in the Bone Marrow Using 10‐Color Flow Cytometry and Radar Plots
Authors: Jafari Katayoon , Tierens Anne , Rajab Amr , Musani Rumina , Schuh André , Porwit Anna 
Published: March 2017

BackgroundThe enormous potential of complex data files generated by 10‐color flow cytometry (FC) is hindered by the requirement for exhaustive manual gating and the complexity of multidimensional data visualization. We propose a model using radar plots (RPs), to improve FC data visualization by capturing multidimensionality and integration of FC findings.MethodWe analysed 12 normal/reactive bone marrow (N/R BM) samples and 12 BM samples from patients with myelodysplasia (MDS) with 10‐color FC. All identifiable cell clusters were individually marked, grouped, and visualized on radar plots. RPs were optimized to de‐clutter the cell clusters and map BM cell composition and maturation.ResultsA total of 27 immature and mature cell clusters were identified and visualized on 8 multidimensional radar plots. The RPs displayed flow cytometry findings of normal BM in an integrated fashion to maximize overall insight into the data set. The constructed map of bone marrow cell composition was reproducible in all normal BM samples analyzed. Analysis of the pilot cohort of patient samples confirmed the presence of MDS‐related changes. These changes are readily identifiable on RPs.ConclusionWe demonstrated that the cell clusters of normal BM can be mapped on multidimensional radar plots, which provide an inclusive insight into BM cell composition and maturation. These reproducible RPs present a comprehensive and comprehensible visual display of differentiation and maturation of haematopoietic cells in normal BM, and can be used as a reference map to assess abnormal haematopoiesis in MDS. © 2017 International Clinical Cytometry Society
Anolis lizards as biocontrol agents in mainland and island agroecosystems
Authors: Monagan Ivan V. , Morris Jonathan R. , Davis Rabosky Alison R. , Perfecto Ivette , Vandermeer John 
Published: March 2017

AbstractOur knowledge of ecological interactions that bolster ecosystem function and productivity has broad applications to the management of agricultural systems. Studies suggest that the presence of generalist predators in agricultural landscapes leads to a decrease in the abundance of herbivorous pests, but our understanding of how these interactions vary across taxa and along gradients of management intensity and eco‐geographic space remains incomplete. In this study, we assessed the functional response and biocontrol potential of a highly ubiquitous insectivore (lizards in the genus Anolis) on the world's most important coffee pest, the coffee berry borer (Hypothalemus hampei). We conducted field surveys and laboratory experiments to examine the impact of land‐use intensification on species richness and abundance of anoles and the capacity of anoles to reduce berry borer infestations in mainland and island coffee systems. Our results show that anoles significantly reduce coffee infestation rates in laboratory settings (Mexico, p = .03, F = 5.13 df = 1, 35; Puerto Rico, p = .014, F = 8.82, df = 1, 10) and are capable of consuming coffee berry borers in high abundance. Additionally, diversified agroecosystems bolster anole abundance, while high‐intensity practices, including the reduction of vegetation complexity and the application of agrochemicals were associated with reduced anole abundance. The results of this study provide supporting evidence of the positive impact of generalist predators on the control of crop pests in agricultural landscapes, and the role of diversified agroecosystems in sustaining both functionally diverse communities and crop production in tropical agroecosystems.
Incorporating habitats of plants and ungulates contributes to prioritize targets for conserving regional plant diversity
Authors: Shinoda Yushin , Akasaka Munemitsu 
Published: March 2017

AbstractOvergrazing caused by overabundant ungulates exceeding the land carrying capacity induces catastrophic ecological problems. Installation of ungulate‐proof fences is an effective management tool to protect plants from overgrazing. However, an efficient framework to prioritize conservation targets (i.e., plant species to be protected by the fences and areas to install the fences) for maintaining plant diversity under limited resources has yet to be formulated. At a regional scale, the possibility of plants being encountered and grazed by ungulates would increase when the habitats of plants and that of foraging ungulates overlap. We tested the utility of incorporating the encounter tendency as well as the palatability of each plant species to identify areas for preferential installation of fences to secure regional plant diversity. We conducted a plant survey in five 3 × 3 m quadrats at 30 stands at Minakami, Gunma, Japan, and recorded the presence or absence of ungulate grazing scars for all plant shoots within a height of 25–200 cm at each quadrat. We developed a regression model in which the presence or absence of a grazing scar was explained by the susceptibility of a plant species to grazing (palatability) and the susceptibility of the quadrats to visitation by ungulates (visitability). The encounter tendency of respective species was then evaluated based on the visitability of quadrats and the frequency distribution of their shoots across the quadrats. Of 211 plant species examined, 121 showed significant values of either or both palatability and encounter tendency, whereas the two metrics were mutually independent. In addition, using a simulation model, we showed that the median of the number of species lost in a region would be 1.8‐fold smaller over 20 yr when considering both the palatability and the encounter tendency to identify areas for the installation of ungulate‐proof fences as compared to considering only palatability. We suggest that accounting for both palatability and encounter tendency would greatly improve our capacity to identify priority areas for the installation of ungulate‐proof fences to efficiently ensure the persistence of regional plant diversity.
Directional associational plant defense from Red deer (Cervus elaphus) foraging decisions
Authors: Bergvall Ulrika A. , Leimar Olof 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe concept of associational plant defenses is widely accepted and implies that an unpalatable plant can protect its neighbors from grazing. We have investigated the new but similar question of whether a part of a plant, for example, the top or bottom, can protect other parts. At the same time, we investigated whether the previously observed selection of the apical shoot and upper leaves of plants is a direct consequence of food quality (the plant vigor hypothesis) or whether there is an innate or learnt foraging pattern behind the observation. In experiments, we used 1 m high artificial trees, made from aspen branches, and measured red deer browsing from the top (above 0.5 m) and bottom (below 0.5 m), with application of condensed tannin to the top or bottom as a proxy for plant part unpalatability. There were four treatments where either none, both, or one part (top or bottom) of the artificial trees had tannin applied. As expected, we found that red deer consumed less from parts with tannin. We also found that a defended top protected an undefended bottom, but we found no evidence for the opposite relationship, which could be explained by foraging behavior. When examining the behavior, we found that adult red deer prefer to start feeding from the top of a plant. We also found that they spent a shorter time feeding on a defended top. This behavior might cause a defended top to protect an undefended bottom. Such directional associational plant defense could be the result of selectivity with limited flexibility and might be more pronounced for mammalian herbivores than for insects, since mammals are bigger in size and more restricted in their head position. An important applied aspect of these results is that when saplings are protected by adding a repellent, for instance in forestry, it might be enough to apply repellent to the tops. On the other hand, according to this directional associational plant defense, protected bottoms will not protect tops, so newly grown apical shoots may need new protection.
Electrochemical Carbon Dioxide Reduction at Nanostructured Gold, Copper, and Alloy Materials
Authors: Vickers James W. , Alfonso Dominic , Kauffman Douglas R. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractMitigating carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions is one of today's most important scientific challenges. Electrochemical conversion of CO2 into industrially relevant chemicals is a leading strategy because it would allow sustainable production of commodity chemicals. In this review, we outline the current progress in nanostructuring gold, copper, and alloy catalysts for the electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction. In general, Au catalysts show structure and voltage dependent CO selectivity alongside the H2 evolution reaction. The ability to tune CO to H2 product distributions is appealing for downstream processing into a variety of industrially relevant chemicals. Cu catalysts produce a wider range of products, and current efforts focus on controlling the product distribution by tuning the catalyst size, structure, oxidation state, and crystallographic orientation. Finally, we discuss the emerging field of computational electrocatalysis with emphasis on the computational hydrogen electrode method. The combination of experiment and computation is important because it provides fundamental insight into chemical processes driving catalytic CO2 conversion. Continued work will help to tune catalyst structure and create next‐generation materials with high catalytic activity and desirable product selectivity.
Apathy is related to reduced activation in cognitive control regions during set‐shifting
Authors: Klaasen Nicky G. , Kos Claire , Aleman André , Opmeer Esther M. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractApathy is a prominent and influential symptom in several neurological and psychiatric disorders, but it also occurs in the healthy population. It has considerable impact on daily life functioning, in clinical as well as healthy samples. Even though cognitive control is thought to be disrupted in people with apathy, the exact neural underpinnings of apathy remain unclear. Because flexible shifting between behaviors (set‐shifting) is crucial for goal‐directed behavior, disruptions in set‐shifting may underlie apathy. In this study, the neural correlates of apathy during set‐shifting were studied in 34 healthy participants with varying levels of apathy, measured by the Apathy Evaluation Scale. During functional MRI scanning participants performed a set‐shifting task, distinguishing between behavioral switches (a change in response to different stimuli), cognitive switches (a change in response rule), and salience decoupling (detecting a change in relevant stimuli). Regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between apathy and brain activation. Results showed that higher apathy scores were related to reduced activation in the medial superior frontal gyrus and cerebellum (Crus I/II) during cognitive set‐shifting, but not behavioral shifting and salience decoupling. No relationship between apathy and accuracy or response time was found. These results support the idea that alterations in the neural basis of cognitive control, especially cognitive set‐shifting, may contribute to apathy. Hum Brain Mapp 38:2722–2733, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Identifying topological motif patterns of human brain functional networks
Authors: Wei Yongbin , Liao Xuhong , Yan Chaogan , He Yong , Xia Mingrui 
Published: March 2017

AbstractRecent imaging connectome studies demonstrated that the human functional brain network follows an efficient small‐world topology with cohesive functional modules and highly connected hubs. However, the functional motif patterns that represent the underlying information flow remain largely unknown. Here, we investigated motif patterns within directed human functional brain networks, which were derived from resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging data with controlled confounding hemodynamic latencies. We found several significantly recurring motifs within the network, including the two‐node reciprocal motif and five classes of three‐node motifs. These recurring motifs were distributed in distinct patterns to support intra‐ and inter‐module functional connectivity, which also promoted integration and segregation in network organization. Moreover, the significant participation of several functional hubs in the recurring motifs exhibited their critical role in global integration. Collectively, our findings highlight the basic architecture governing brain network organization and provide insight into the information flow mechanism underlying intrinsic brain activities. Hum Brain Mapp 38:2734–2750, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Becoming Literate Digitally in a Digitally Literate Environment of Their Own
Authors: Ian O'Byrne W. , Pytash Kristine E. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThis commentary begins with a summary of the current landscape of literacy, technology, and education. The authors then examine A Domain of One's Own as an important new initiative and explore how teachers and schools can implement this initiative. The authors contend that the building and developing of A Domain of One's Own is a good example of how schools can engage students in complex and meaningful literacy practices. In addition, the authors discuss the challenges and opportunities of providing students with a domain of their own to use as they start their literacy careers in our schools.
Piezoelectric electrospun nanocomposite comprising Au NPs/PVDF for nerve tissue engineering
Authors: Motamedi Asma S. , Mirzadeh Hamid , Hajiesmaeilbaigi Fereshteh , Bagheri‐Khoulenjani Shadab , Shokrgozar Mohammad A. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractIn this study, gold nanoparticles/Polyvinylidenefluoride (PVDF) composite electrospun mat with enhanced piezoelectricity were fabricated and characterized. Gold colloidal nanoparticles (Au NPs) were prepared via laser ablation of metallic targets in liquid media. The active Q‐switched Nd:YAG laser was used as an irradiation source. Then, PVDF was dissolved in Au NPs colloidal solution at 30% wt for the synthesis of Au NPs/PVDF composite nanofibers by electrospinning. The optical absorbance spectra of Au NPS and the polymeric solutions were obtained by the UV‐Visible spectroscopy. Moreover, the morphology of Au NPS, nanostructures of fibers and diameter size distribution of nanofibers were analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy, and Transmitted Electron Microscopy methods. The crystallinity and piezoelectricity of PVDF and Au NPs/PVDF composite nanofibers mats were measured by X‐Ray Diffraction and Fourier Transform Infrared methods. Subsequently, in vitro cytocompatibility was evaluated by MTT assay and the attachment and morphology of PC‐12 cells cultured on scaffolds were studied. It was found that laser ablated Au NPs can be used in electrospun nanofibers of PVDF with adequate structural properties and increase piezoelectricity of nanofibers which might be suitable for applying as nerve tissue engineering scaffolds. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 1984–1993, 2017.
Targeting Notch-Activated M1 Macrophages Attenuates Joint Tissue Damage in a Mouse Model of Inflammatory Arthritis
Authors: Sun Wen , Zhang Hengwei , Wang Hua , Chiu Yahui Grace , Wang Mengmeng , Ritchlin Christopher T , Kiernan Amy , Boyce Brendan F , Xing Lianping 
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACT

Expression levels of Notch signaling molecules are increased in synovium from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, it is not known which cell type(s) in RA synovium have Notch activation or if they play a pathogenetic role in RA. Here, we used Hes1-GFP/TNF-transgenic (TNF-Tg) mice to investigate the role of cells with active Notch signaling (GFP+) in RA. The number of GFP+ cells was significantly increased in synovium in Hes1-GFP/TNF-Tg mice and about 60% of them were F4/80+ macrophages expressing the inflammatory macrophage (M1) marker. TNF-Tg mice transplanted with Hes1-GFP/TNF-Tg bone marrow (BM) had significantly more GFP+ cells in their synovium than in BM. Intraarticular injection of Hes1-GFP/TNF-Tg or Hes1-GFP+ BM macrophages into WT and TNF-Tg mice showed the highest synovial GFP+ cells in the TNF-Tg mice that received Hes1-GFP/TNF-Tg cells. Thapsigargin (THAP), a Notch inhibitor, decreased TNF-induced M1 and increased M2 numbers and reduced joint lesion, synovial M1s, and GFP+ cells in Hes1-GFP/TNF-Tg mice. THAP did not affect M1s from mice carrying a constitutively active Notch1. Thus, the main cells with activated Notch signaling in the inflamed synovium of TNF-Tg mice are M1s derived from BM and targeting them may represent a new therapeutic approach for patients with inflammatory arthritis. © 2017 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Osteoporosis Is the Most Important Risk Factor for Odontoid Fractures in the Elderly
Authors: Kaesmacher Johannes , Schweizer Claudia , Valentinitsch Alexander , Baum Thomas , Rienmüller Anna , Meyer Bernhard , Kirschke Jan S , Ryang Yu-Mi 
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACT

Traumatic odontoid fractures (TOFs) have been described as the most common injury affecting the C-spine in the elderly. Previous studies have identified degenerative changes and bone loss as important predisposing factors. However, their interaction and respective age-adjusted impact needs further clarification. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 5303 patients (aged ≥60 years) admitted to a level I trauma center between January 2008 and January 2016 who underwent CT imaging of the C-spine. Ninety-two patients with TOF and 80 patients with other cervical spine fractures (OCSF) were identified and a respective 3:1 age- and sex-matched control group without fractures after trauma was built. In all groups, cervical bone mineral density (cBMD) was determined using phantom calibration, and degenerative changes were evaluated in a qualitative manner. In all groups, the severity of degenerative changes of the C-spine increased with age (all p &lt; 0.05) and was inversely correlated with cBMD (all p &lt; 0.05). cBMD was the only significant predictor of a TOF in a multivariate logistic regression model (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 3.066, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.432–6.563 for cervical osteoporosis). An association between odontoid cysts and TOF reached significance only in Anderson and D'Alonzo (A&D) type II TOFs (aOR = 1.383; 95% CI 1.012–1.890). Patients with OCSFs, compared with patients with TOFs, were younger (median 74 versus 83 years) and had a higher cBMD (median 208 mg/mL versus 172 mg/mL). No differences were observable when comparing cBMD and grades of degenerative changes between OCSFs and their control group (all p &gt;0.1). Decreased cBMD is the major predisposing factor for the occurrence of TOF but not for OCSF in the elderly. The severity of odontoid cysts was found to be a cBMD-independent factor associated with A&D type II TOFs. However, degenerative changes in the odontoid neighboring joints seem to be an epiphenomenon of bone loss and older age but do not independently predispose for TOF. © 2017 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Farm level survey of spore‐forming bacteria on four dairy farms in the Waikato region of New Zealand
Authors: Gupta Tanushree B. , Brightwell Gale 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe aim of our study was to determine the occurrence and diversity of economically important spore‐forming bacteria in New Zealand dairy farm systems. Farm dairy effluent (FDE) collected from Waikato dairy farms were tested for the presence of spore‐forming bacteria, using a new culture‐based methodology followed by genomic analysis. An enrichment step in which samples were inoculated in cooked meat glucose starch broth under anaerobic conditions, aided in the differential isolation of Bacillus and Clostridium species. Furthermore, the use of molecular methods such as ERIC genotyping, 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis identified different spore‐forming bacteria present in FDE. C. sporogenes signature PCR gave further information on the phylogenetic relationship of the different Clostridium spp. isolated in this study. In total 19 Bacillus spp., 5 Paenibacillus spp. and 17 Clostridium spp. were isolated from farm dairy effluent. Sequence types similar to economically important food spoilage bacteria viz: C. butyricum, C. sporogenes and members of the Paenibacillus Genus were isolated from all four farms, whereas, sequence types similar to potential toxigenic, B. cereus, C. perfringens, C. butyricum, and C. botulinum were found on at least three of the farms. Sampling of farm dairy effluent provides a good indicator of farm level prevalence of bacterial load as it is used to irrigate dairy pasture in New Zealand. This study highlights the presence of various spore‐forming bacteria in dairy waste water and indicates the implementation of good hygienic farm practices and dairy waste effluent management.
Dutasteride add‐on therapy reduces detrusor mass in patients with benign prostatic enlargement not satisfied with alpha‐adrenergic antagonist monotherapy: A single center prospective study
Authors: De Nunzio Cosimo , Brassetti Aldo , Proietti Flavia , Gacci Mauro , Serni Sergio , Esperto Francesco , Tubaro Andrea 
Published: March 2017

AIMSThe ultrasound assessment of bladder wall thickness (BWT) and intravesical prostatic protrusion (IPP) have emerged as a non‐invasive, inexpensive, time‐saving alternatives to pressure‐flow studies to assess benign prostatic obstruction (BPO). Aim of our study was to evaluate the effect on detrusor mass of dutasteride add‐on therapy in men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and benign prostatic enlargement (BPE).METHODSA consecutive series of BPE patients with a prostate volume (PV) ≥30 mL and an international prostate symptoms score (IPSS) ≥8 not satisfied with Tamsulosin monotherapy were enrolled. Free maximum flow (Qmax), PV, BWT, and IPP were recorded at baseline and at 24 weeks follow‐up.RESULTSOverall, 27 men were enrolled. Dutasteride significantly improved LUTS (−46.7%; P = 0.001) and Qmax (+18.7%; P = 0.001) and reduced PV (−13%; P = 0.002), BWT (−40.3%; P = 0.001), and IPP (−14.9%; P = 0.015). At baseline, based on BWT ≥5 mm and an IPP >10 mm, 13/27 (48%) and 15/27 (55%) patients were defined at risk for BPO, respectively; while after 24 weeks of treatment they were 3/27 (11.1%) and 11/27 (40%), respectively.CONCLUSIONSDutasteride add‐on therapy significantly reduced IPP and detrusor mass and was effective in improving LUTS in patients with BPE not satisfied with αBs monotherapy. The possible role of BWT and IPP as proxies of medical treatment outcomes should be confirmed by further studies.