bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
First Report of Cladosporium Leaf Spot of Spinach Caused by Cladosporium variabile in North Carolina
Authors: Scruggs A. C. , Butler S. C. , Quesada-Ocampo L. M. 
Published: September 2014

Cladosporium leaf spot of spinach, caused by Cladosporium variabile, can result in significant economic losses in the United States (2). In March 2014, symptoms consistent with Cladosporium leaf spot (4) appeared on the spinach cultivar Tyee in a greenhouse located in Rowan County, NC. Of 1,080 spinach plants, 90 to 100% were infected. Symptoms consisted of small (1 to 3 mm in diameter), circular, tan lesions each outlined with a dark margin on the adaxial surface of the leaf. On severely infected foliage, lesions coalesced to produce relatively large necrotic regions. Profuse fungal sporulation was observed on the lesion surface with a dissecting microscope at 40× magnification. Using a dissecting microscope, conidia were collected with a sterile needle and transferred to petri plates containing potato dextrose agar. Plates were then incubated at 23 ± 2°C under continuous fluorescent light, and fungal growth was apparent after 24 h. Isolations from leaves of six infected plants produced slow-growing, dark green to brown fungal colonies that reached only 31 mm in diameter after 14 days, which is characteristic of C. variabile (4). Colonies contained dense masses of dematiaceous, septate, unbranched conidiophores with conidial chains, each containing up to five conidia. Conidia were ovate to elongate, with some being septate. The length of individual conidia ranged from 10 to 19 μm. Conidial septa were distinctly dark when observed at 100× magnification, which is a defining feature of C. variabile vs. the conidia of C. macrocarpum (4). The surface of the conidia appeared verrucose at 100× magnification, and conidia were each distinctly darkened toward the base. A single isolate obtained through single-spore transfer was used for DNA extraction, and the histone 3 (H3) gene sequence was amplified using the primers CYLH3F and CYLH3R (1). Sequence analysis of the amplified product using BLAST analysis indicated that the H3 sequences had 100% identity to that of a C. variabile isolate (GenBank Accession No. EF679710.1), and 99% identity to a C. macrocarpum isolate (EF679687.1). The H3 sequence from a representative isolate was deposited in GenBank (KJ769146). To our knowledge, this is the first report of Cladosporium leaf spot on spinach in North Carolina based on morphological evaluation and H3 sequencing results. C. variabile is a seedborne pathogen, so it is possible inoculum was introduced into the greenhouses in North Carolina on infected seed (3). Seeds can be treated with hot water or chlorine to reduce the risk of disease outbreaks caused by infected seed (2). Furthermore, Cladosporium leaf spot may be controlled with the use of fungicides (3). References: (1) P. Crous et al. Stud. Mycol. 50:415, 2004. (2) L. J. du Toit and P. Hernandez-Perez. Plant Dis. 89:1305, 2005. (3) L. J. du Toit et al. Fung. Nemat. Tests 59:V115, 2004. (4) Schubert et al. Stud. Mycol. 58:105, 2007.
Evolving mutation rate advances invasion speed of sexual species
Authors: Cobben Marleen M. P. , Kubisch Alexander 
Published: September 2014

AbstractMany species are shifting their ranges in response to global climate change. The evolution of dispersal during range expansion increases invasion speed, provided that a species can adapt sufficiently fast to novel local conditions. Mutation rates can evolve too, under conditions that favor an increased rate of adaptation. However, evolution at the mutator gene has thus far been deemed of minor importance in sexual populations due to its dependence on genetic hitchhiking with a beneficial mutation at a gene under selection, and thus its sensitivity to recombination. Here we use an individual-based model to show that the mutator gene and the gene under selection can be effectively linked at the population level during invasion. This causes the evolutionary increase of mutation rates in sexual populations, even if they are not linked at the individual level. The observed evolution of mutation rate is adaptive and clearly advances range expansion both through its effect on the evolution of dispersal rate, and the evolution of local adaptation. In addition, we observe the evolution of mutation rates in a spatially stable population under strong directional selection, but not when we add variance to the mean selection pressure. By this we extend the existing theory on the evolution of mutation rates, which is generally thought to be limited to asexual populations, with possibly far-reaching consequences concerning invasiveness and the rate at which species can adapt to novel environmental conditions as experienced under global climate change.
General markers of conscious visual perception and their timing
Authors: Rutiku Renate , Aru Jaan , Tallinn Annika , Bachmann Talis 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThe goal of the present investigation was to identify reliable markers of conscious visual perception and to characterize their onset latency and its variability. To that end many visual stimuli from different categories were presented at near-threshold contrast and contrastive analyses were carried out on 100 balanced subsets of the data. N200 and P300 were the two reliable markers of conscious perception common to all perceived stimuli and absent for all non-perceived stimuli. The estimated mean onset latency for both markers was shortly after 200 ms. However, the onset latency of both of these markers of conscious perception showed considerable variability depending on which subsets of the data were considered. Some of this variability could be attributed to noise, but it was first and foremost the amplitude fluctuation in the condition without conscious perception that explained the variability in onset latencies of the markers of conscious perception. The present results help to understand why different studies have observed different onset times for the neural correlates of conscious perception. Moreover, the consciousness markers explored here have more generality as stimulus specificity was reduced.
Average genome size estimation enables accurate quantification of gene family abundance and sheds light on the functional ecology of the human microbiome
Authors: Nayfach Stephen , Pollard Katherine S. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractAverage genome size (AGS) is an important, yet often overlooked property of microbial communities. We developed MicrobeCensus to rapidly and accurately estimate AGS from short-read metagenomics data and applied our tool to over 1,300 human microbiome samples. We found that AGS differs significantly within and between body sites and tracks with major functional and taxonomic differences. For example, in the gut, AGS ranges from 2.5 to 5.8 megabases and is positively correlated with the abundance of Bacteroides and polysaccharide metabolism. Furthermore, we found that AGS variation can bias comparative analyses, and that normalization improves detection of differentially abundant genes.
Circulating CD36 and fractalkine levels are associated with vulnerable plaque progression in patients with unstable angina pectoris
Authors: Li Rui Jian , Yang Ming , Li Ji Fu , Xue Li , Chen Yu Guo , Chen Wen Qiang 
Published: September 2014

SummaryThe chemokine, fractalkine, independently enhances the vulnerability of coronary atherosclerotic plaques. The present study investigated the combined effects of CD36 and fractalkine on coronary plaque progression in patients with unstable angina pectoris. In the present study, 120 unstable angina pectoris patients undergoing coronary angiography and intravascular ultrasound were divided into two groups: an intermediate lesion group (lumen diameter stenosis 50–70%, 80 patients) and a severe lesion group (at least one lesion with lumen diameter stenosis > 70%, 40 patients). The control group consisted of 40 healthy age‐ and sex‐matched subjects. Concentrations of CD36 and fractalkine were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Major adverse cardiovascular events were monitored over a 2‐year follow up. Intravascular ultrasound showed that patients with severe lesions had more calcified and mixed plaques, and a larger plaque area and plaque burden than patients with intermediate lesions (P < 0.05–0.01). More patients with severe lesions underwent stent deployment (P < 0.05) than those with intermediate lesions. CD36 and fractalkine concentrations were significantly higher in the severe lesion patients (P < 0.05), and both had significant positive correlations (P < 0.05) with the plaque burden of atherosclerotic lesions. Using the matched nested case–control study, we found that CD36 and fractalkine levels were higher in patients with recurrent major adverse cardiovascular events than controls (P < 0.05). In conclusion, CD36 and fractalkine both promote, and might synergistically enhance, the progression of coronary atherosclerotic plaques.
The impact of socioeconomic position on severe maternal morbidity outcomes among women in Australia: a national case–control study
Authors: Lindquist A , Noor N , Sullivan E , Knight M 
Published: September 2014

ObjectiveStudies in other developed countries have suggested that socioeconomic position may be a risk factor for poorer pregnancy outcomes. This analysis aimed to explore the independent impact of socioeconomic position on selected severe maternal morbidities among women in Australia.DesignA case–control study using data on severe maternal morbidities associated with direct maternal death collected through the Australasian Maternity Outcomes Surveillance System.SettingAustralia.Population623 cases, 820 controls.MethodsLogistic regression analysis to investigate differences in outcomes among different socioeconomic groups, classified by Socio‐Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA) quintile.Main outcome measuresSevere maternal morbidity (amniotic fluid embolism, placenta accreta, peripartum hysterectomy, eclampsia or pulmonary embolism).ResultsSEIFA quintile was statistically significantly associated with maternal morbidity, with cases being twice as likely as controls to reside in the most disadvantaged areas (adjusted OR 2.00, 95%CI 1.29–3.10). Maternal age [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.20 for women aged 35 or over compared with women aged 25–29, 95%CI 1.64–3.15] and previous pregnancy complications (aOR 1.30, 95%CI 1.21–1.87) were significantly associated with morbidity. A parity of 1 or 2 was protective (aOR 0.58, 95%CI 0.43–0.79), whereas previous caesarean delivery was associated with maternal morbidity (aOR 2.20 for women with one caesarean delivery, 95%CI 1.44–2.85, compared with women with no caesareans).ConclusionThe risk of severe maternal morbidity among women in Australia is significantly increased by social disadvantage. This study suggests that future efforts in improving maternity care provision and maternal outcomes in Australia should include socioeconomic position as an independent risk factor for adverse outcome.
Experiences, utilisation and outcomes of maternity care in England among women from different socio‐economic groups: findings from the 2010 National Maternity Survey
Authors: Lindquist A , Kurinczuk JJ , Redshaw M , Knight M 
Published: September 2014

ObjectiveThe objective of this analysis was to explore the healthcare‐seeking behaviours and experiences of maternity care among women from different socio‐economic groups in order to improve understanding of why socially disadvantaged women have poorer maternal health outcomes in the UK.DesignSecondary analysis of a national survey of women conducted 3 months after they had given birth.SettingEngland.SampleA total of 5332 women.MethodsLogistic regression analysis to investigate differences in outcomes among different socio‐economic groups, classified by the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD).Main outcome measuresHealthcare‐seeking behaviours, outcomes and experiences of maternity care.ResultsWith each increase in IMD quintile (decrease in socio‐economic position), women were shown to be 25% (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.75; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.63–0.90) less likely to have had any antenatal care and 15% (aOR 0.85; 95% CI 0.80–0.90) less likely to have had a routine postnatal check‐up. They were 4% (aOR 1.04; 95% CI 0.99–1.10) more likely to have had an antenatal hospital admission, 7% (aOR 1.07; 95% CI 0.99–1.16) more likely to have been transferred during labour and 4% (aOR 1.04; 95% CI 0.99–1.09) more likely to have had a caesarean birth, although these results were not statistically significant. With decreasing socio‐economic position women were more likely to report that they were not treated respectfully or spoken to in a way they could understand by doctors and midwives.ConclusionsThis analysis suggests the need for a focusing of professionals and services towards pregnant women from lower socio‐economic groups and more targeted maternal public health education towards socially disadvantaged women.
The Journey through Grief: Insights from a Qualitative Study of Electronic Health Record Implementation
Authors: McAlearney Ann Scheck , Hefner Jennifer L. , Sieck Cynthia J. , Huerta Timothy R. 
Published: September 2014

ObjectiveTo improve understanding of facilitators of EHR system implementation, paying particular attention to opportunities to maximize physician adoption and effective deployment.Data Sources/Study SettingPrimary data collected from 47 physician and 35 administrative key informants from six U.S. health care organizations identified because of purported success with EHR implementation.Study DesignWe conducted interviews and focus groups in an extensive qualitative study.Data Collection/Extraction MethodsVerbatim transcripts were analyzed both deductively and inductively using the constant comparative method.Principal FindingsConceptualizing EHR adoption as loss through the lens of Kübler‐Ross's five stages of grief model may help individuals and organizations more effectively orient to the challenge of change. Coupled with Kotter's eight‐step change management framework, we offer a structure to facilitate organizations' movement through the EHR implementation journey. Combining insights from these frameworks, we identify 10 EHR strategies that can help address EHR implementation barriers.ConclusionsLoss is one part of change often overlooked. Addressing it directly and compassionately can potentially facilitate the EHR implementation journey. We offer a summarized list of deployment strategies that are sensitive to these issues to support physician transition to new technologies that will bring value to clinical practice.
Chemical Acylation of Water‐Soluble Antioxidant of Bamboo Leaves (AOB‐w) and Functional Evaluation of Oil‐Soluble AOB (cAOB‐o)
Authors: Liu Lingyi , Xia Boneng , Jin Cheng , Zhang Yu , Zhang Ying 
Published: September 2014

AbstractAntioxidant of bamboo leaves (AOB) is a novel natural food antioxidant approved in China since 2004. Natural phenolics contained in the current AOB are usually polyhydroxy derivatives exhibiting hydrophilic character, which has been marked as water‐soluble AOB (AOB‐w). In order to broaden the application fields, oil‐soluble AOB (cAOB‐o) was obtained by chemical acylation of AOB‐w with different chain‐length fatty acids varying from C8 to C18. Results indicated that the yield and solubility of cAOB‐o in 1‐octanol solvent depended on the carbon chain length of acyl donor, and cAOB‐o derived from C12 fatty acid exhibited the more powerful antioxidant activity evaluated by β‐carotene/linoleic acid bleaching assay. Total phenolic content decreased by Folin–Ciocalteu assay. Fourier transform infrared spectra showed the increase of a carbonyl (C = O) peak at 1701 cm−1 and a decrease in the intensity of the absorption at 3400 cm−1 (O‐H stretching) in cAOB‐o. Acylation was inferred to mainly occur on the hydroxyl groups of flavones C‐glycosides according to the change of high‐performance liquid chromatography spectra and the contents of total flavonoids and phenolic acids. cAOB‐o with the addition of 0.02% significantly increased oxidative stability of palm oil 1.59 times, lard 3.74 times, and fried potato chips 2.08 times, which was better than the effect of oil‐soluble tea polyphenol (P < 0.01). Moreover, cAOB‐o was identified to be actually nontoxicity by an acute oral toxicity test. All the above results indicated that cAOB‐o could be used as a novel and effective oil‐soluble antioxidant in the food industry.
Influence of Aging Process on the Bioactive Components and Antioxidant Activity of Ginseng (Panax ginseng L.)
Authors: Bae Hyun Jung , Chung Soo Im , Lee Sang Chul , Kang Mi Young 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThe effects of aging process on the ginsenosides and antioxidant activity of ginseng was investigated. Fresh ginseng roots were aged in oven at 70 or 80 °C for 7, 14, 21, or 28 d. Their ginsenosides, phenolics, and antioxidant activity were analyzed. Ginseng aged at 80 °C for 14 d exhibited the highest amounts of total saponins and phenolics. It also showed markedly higher free radical scavenging activity, reducing power, and ferrous ion chelating ability than the other aged ginsengs. The ginsenosides Rb1, Rb3, Rg3, Re, Rg1, and Rg2 were generated during aging. The Rg2 was the most abundant ginsenoside in aged ginseng, with samples treated at 80 °C for 14 d having the highest amount. These findings provide the first evidence that aging, particularly at 80 °C for 14 d, could increase the bioactive compounds, indicating that this heating process may be useful in enhancing the biological activity of ginseng.
Characterization of Gram‐Negative Psychrotrophic Bacteria isolated from Italian Bulk Tank Milk
Authors: Decimo Marilù , Morandi Stefano , Silvetti Tiziana , Brasca Milena 
Published: September 2014

AbstractEighty psychrotrophic bacterial strains, isolated from different northwest Italian bulk tank milks destined for Grana Padano cheese production, were identified by 16S rRNA gene amplification and partial sequence analysis of the rpoB gene. Pseudomonas spp. were the most commonly occurring contaminants, P. fluorescens being the predominant isolated species, along with Enterobacteriaceae, primarily Serratia marcescens. RAPD‐PCR was used to study genetic variability and distinguish closely related strains; a high degree of genetic heterogeneity among the strains was highlighted. All the strains were characterized for their ability to produce proteases, lipases and lecithinases at different temperatures (7, 22, and 30 °C). Forty‐one of the psychrotrophic strains were positive for all the enzymatic activities. The highest number of positive strains for all the incubation temperatures was found for lipolytic activity (59), followed by proteolytic (31) and lecithinase (28) activities, and the enzymatic traits varied among the Pseudomonas and Enterobacteriaceae strains. The proteolytic psychrotrophic strains were screened for the presence of the aprX gene, coding for a heat‐resistant metalloprotease in Pseudomonas spp. The aprX gene was detected in 19 of 63 Pseudomonas strains, and was widespread in the P. fluorescens strains (14/19).
Stability of Cardamom (Elettaria Cardamomum) Essential Oil in Microcapsules Made of Whey Protein Isolate, Guar Gum, and Carrageenan
Authors: Mehyar Ghadeer F. , Al‐Isamil Khalid M. , Al‐Ghizzawi Hana'a M. , Holley Richard A. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThe effects of microencapsulating cardamom essential oil (CEO) in whey protein isolate (WPI) alone and combined with guar gum (GG) and carrageen (CG) on microencapsulation efficiency, oil chemical stability, and microcapsule structure were investigated. Freeze‐dried microcapsules were prepared from emulsions containing (w/w): 15% and 30% WPI; 0.1% GG, and 0.2% CG as wall materials with CEO (at 10% of polymer concentration) as core material, and physical properties and chemical stability were compared. Bulk density of microcapsules was highest in WPI without GG or CG and in 30% WPI + GG microcapsules, and was more affected by moisture content (r = −0.6) than by mean particle diameter (d43; r = −0.2) and span (r = 0.1). Microcapsules containing only WPI had the highest entrapped oil (7.5%) and microencapsulation efficiency (98.5%). The concentrations of 1,8‐cineole and d‐limonene were used as indicators for microcapsule chemical stability since they were the main components of CEO. Microcapsules retained higher (P ≤ 0.05) concentrations of both components than non‐microencapsulated CEO during 16 wk storage at 20 ºC, but higher loss of both components was noted at 35 ºC. Microencapsulated d‐limonene was reduced faster than 1,8‐cineole regardless of temperature. The 30% WPI and 30% WPI + GG microcapsules retained CEO best throughout storage at both storage temperatures. Scanning electron micrographs revealed that WPI microcapsules had smooth surfaces, were relatively homogenous and regular in shape, whereas GG and CG addition increased visual surface porosity and reduced shape regularity. It was concluded that the best formulation for encapsulating CEO was 30% WPI.
Construction of a chimeric lysin Ply187N‐V12C with extended lytic activity against staphylococci and streptococci
Authors: Dong Qiuhua , Wang Jing , Yang Hang , Wei Cuihua , Yu Junping , Zhang Yun , Huang Yanling , Zhang Xian‐En , Wei Hongping 
Published: September 2014

SummaryDeveloping chimeric lysins with a wide lytic spectrum would be important for treating some infections caused by multiple pathogenic bacteria. In the present work, a novel chimeric lysin (Ply187N‐V12C) was constructed by fusing the catalytic domain (Ply187N) of the bacteriophage lysin Ply187 with the cell binding domain (146‐314aa, V12C) of the lysin PlyV12. The results showed that the chimeric lysin Ply187N‐V12C had not only lytic activity similar to Ply187N against staphylococcal strains but also extended its lytic activity to streptococci and enterococci, such as Streptococcus dysgalactiae, Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus pyogenes, Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis, which Ply187N could not lyse. Our work demonstrated that generating novel chimeric lysins with an extended lytic spectrum was feasible through fusing a catalytic domain with a cell‐binding domain from lysins with lytic spectra across multiple genera.