bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Maf‐dependent bacterial flagellin glycosylation occurs before chaperone binding and flagellar T3SS export
Authors: Parker Jennifer L. , Lowry Rebecca C. , Couto Narciso A. S. , Wright Phillip C. , Stafford Graham P. , Shaw Jonathan G. 
Published: February 2014

SummaryBacterial swimming is mediated by rotation of a filament that is assembled via polymerization of flagellin monomers after secretion via a dedicated flagellar Type III secretion system. Several bacteria decorate their flagellin with sialic acid related sugars that is essential for motility. Aeromonas caviae is a model organism for this process as it contains a genetically simple glycosylation system and decorates its flagellin with pseudaminic acid (Pse). The link between flagellin glycosylation and export has yet to be fully determined. We examined the role of glycosylation in the export and assembly process in a strain lacking Maf1, a protein involved in the transfer of Pse onto flagellin at the later stages of the glycosylation pathway. Immunoblotting, established that glycosylation is not required for flagellin export but is essential for filament assembly since non‐glycosylated flagellin is still secreted. Maf1 interacts directly with its flagellin substrate in vivo, even in the absence of pseudaminic acid. Flagellin glycosylation in a flagellin chaperone mutant (flaJ) indicated that glycosylation occurs in the cytoplasm before chaperone binding and protein secretion. Preferential chaperone binding to glycosylated flagellin revealed its crucial role, indicating that this system has evolved to favour secretion of the polymerization competent glycosylated form.
Involvement of papain and legumain proteinase in the senescence process of Medicago truncatula nodules
Authors: Pierre Olivier , Hopkins Julie , Combier Maud , Baldacci Fabien , Engler Gilbert , Brouquisse Renaud , Hérouart Didier , Boncompagni Eric 
Published: February 2014

Summary

The symbiotic interaction between legumes and Rhizobiaceae leads to the formation of new root organs called nodules. Within the nodule, Rhizobiaceae differentiate into nitrogen‐fixing bacteroids. However, this symbiotic interaction is time‐limited as a result of the initiation of a senescence process, leading to a complete degradation of bacteroids and host plant cells. The increase in proteolytic activity is one of the key features of this process. In this study, we analysed the involvement of two different classes of cysteine proteinases, MtCP6 and MtVPE, in the senescence process of Medicago truncatula nodules.
Spatiotemporal expression of MtCP6 and MtVPE was investigated using promoter– β‐glucuronidase fusions. Corresponding gene inductions were observed during both developmental and stress‐induced nodule senescence. Both MtCP6 and MtVPE proteolytic activities were increased during stress‐induced senescence.
Down‐regulation of both proteinases mediated by RNAi in the senescence zone delayed nodule senescence and increased nitrogen fixation, while their early expression promoted nodule senescence.
Using green fluorescent protein fusions, in vivo confocal imaging showed that both proteinases accumulated in the vacuole of uninfected cells or the symbiosomes of infected cells. These data enlighten the crucial role of MtCP6 and MtVPE in the onset of nodule senescence.
The effect of VRN1 genes on important agronomic traits in high‐yielding Canadian soft white spring wheat
Authors: Kamran Atif , Randhawa Harpinder S. , Yang Rong‐Cai , Spaner Dean 
Published: February 2014

AbstractFor reproductive success, flowering time must synchronize with favourable environmental conditions. Vernalization genes play a major role in accelerating or delaying the time to flowering. We studied how different vernalization (VRN1) gene combinations alter days to flowering and maturity and consequently the effect on grain yield and other agronomic traits. The study focussed on the effect of the VRN1 gene series (Vrn‐A1, Vrn‐B1 and Vrn‐D1) and their combinations. The Vrn gene group Vrn‐A1a, Vrn‐B1, vrn‐D1 was the earliest to flower and mature, while Vrn‐A1b, Vrn‐B1, vrn‐D1 was the latest to flower. Spring wheat lines with vrn‐A1, Vrn‐B1, Vrn‐D1 were the highest yielding and matured at a similar time as those having vernalization genes Vrn‐A1a, Vrn‐B1 and Vrn‐D1. The findings of this study suggest that the presence of Vrn‐D1 has a direct or indirect role in producing higher grain yield. We therefore suggest the introduction of Vrn‐D1 allele into higher‐yielding classes within Canadian spring wheat germplasm.
Efficiency of secondary traits in selecting for improved grain yield in extra‐early maize under Striga‐infested and Striga‐free environments
Authors: Badu‐Apraku Baffour , Akinwale Richard O. , Oyekunle Muhydeen 
Published: February 2014

AbstractA base index involving Striga damage, number of emerged Striga plants and ears per plant is used for selecting for maize (Zea mays L.) grain yield under Striga infestation. There are contradictory reports on the reliability of number of emerged Striga plants for selecting for Striga resistance. The objective of this study was to confirm reliability of the secondary traits for selecting for improved grain yield under Striga infestation. Ten Striga‐resistant extra‐early cultivars were evaluated for 3 years under artificial Striga‐infested and Striga‐free environments in Nigeria. Analysis of variance combined across years and locations showed significant mean squares for genotype, year, location and their interactions for most traits. Sequential path analysis identified ear aspect as the only trait with significant direct effect on yield under artificial Striga infestation, while GGE biplot confirmed ear aspect, ears per plant and Striga damage as the most reliable traits. Ear aspect should be included in the base index for selecting for improved grain yield of extra‐early maize under Striga infestation, while the number of emerged Striga plants should be excluded.
Seed dormancy and germination in three Crocus ser. Verni species (Iridaceae): implications for evolution of dormancy within the genus
Authors: Carta A. , Probert R. , Moretti M. , Peruzzi L. , Bedini G. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractThe aim of this work was to examine whether seed ecophysiological traits in three closely related Crocus species were associated with ecological niche differentiation and species divergence. Seeds of the temperate tetraploid cytotype of Crocus neapolitanus, the sub‐Mediterranean C. etruscus and the Mediterranean C. ilvensis were placed either on agar in the laboratory under different periods of simulated seasonal conditions or in nylon mesh bags buried outdoors to examine embryo growth, radicle and shoot emergence. In agreement with the phenology observed outdoors, in the laboratory embryos required a cool temperature (ca. 10 °C) to grow to full size (embryo length:seed length, E:S ratio ca. 0.75) but only after seeds received a warm stratification; radicle emergence then followed immediately (November). Shoot emergence is a temporally separated phase (March) that was promoted by cold stratification in C. neapolitanus while in the other two species this time lag was attributed to a slow continuous developmental process. These species have similar embryo growth and radicle phenology but differ in their degree of epicotyl dormancy, which is related to the length of local winter. Conclusions from laboratory experiments that only consider root emergence could be misleading; evaluating the phenology of both root and shoot emergence should be considered in order to demonstrate ecologically meaningful differences in germination behaviour and to develop effective propagation protocols. Although these taxa resulted from recent speciation processes, the outcomes suggest an early onset of adaptation to local ecological factors and that phylogeny may represent a significant constraint in the evolution and expression of seed traits in Crocus.
Interaction of Moniliophthora perniciosa biotypes with Micro‐Tom tomato: a model system to investigate the witches' broom disease of Theobroma cacao
Authors: Deganello J. , Leal G. A. , Rossi M. L. , Peres L. E. P. , Figueira A. 
Published: February 2014

The miniature tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) cultivar Micro‐Tom (MT) has become an important platform to investigate plant–pathogen interactions. In the case of the witches' broom disease of Theobroma cacao (cacao), the existence of Moniliophthora perniciosa isolates pathogenic to Solanaceae (S‐biotype) may enable the use of MT to circumvent limitations of the cacao host, whereas the availability of a non‐infective cacao C‐biotype allows the evaluation of contrasting responses of MT. Infection of MT by the S‐biotype led to stem swelling and axillary shoot growth to form broom‐like symptoms similar to the biotrophic phase in cacao, but the infected tissues did not progress to necrosis. Conversely, inoculation with the C‐biotype did not cause typical symptoms, but reduced plant height, appearing as a non‐host interaction. Histopathological characterization of the S‐biotype infection of MT by light and electron microscopy indicated limited germ tube penetration, preferentially through wounds at the base of trichomes or actively through the epidermis. No intracellular mycelium was observed, corroborating the lack of the necrotrophic stage of the pathogen. The analysis of gene expression during the interaction between the S‐ or C‐biotype with MT indicated that expression of plant defence‐associated genes differs for kinetics and intensity between a compatible or incompatible M. perniciosa–MT interaction. The pattern of spore germination and low rate of mycelia penetration suggests that the S‐biotype is not a fully adapted tomato pathogen, but possibly a case of broken non‐host resistance, and evidence suggests the occurrence of a non‐host MT response against the C‐biotype.
Three presenile patients in which neuropsychological and neuroimaging examinations suggest possible progression to dementia with Lewy bodies
Authors: Ota Kazumi , Iseki Eizo , Murayama Norio , Chiba Yuhei , Fujishiro Hiroshige , Kasanuki Koji , Manabe Yuta , Arai Heii , Sato Kiyoshi 
Published: February 2014

AbstractWe report three presenile patients who were initially suspected of having Alzheimer's disease (AD) or being in the prodromal stage of AD, regardless of visuoperceptual dysfunctions in daily living, because they lacked the core features and prodromal non‐motor symptoms of dementia with Lewy bodies. Subsequently, progression to dementia with Lewy bodies was suspected based on neuropsychological and neuroimaging findings; additionally, one of the three patients suffered from visual hallucinations. Neuropsychological examinations such as subjective contours, cube copying and block design in the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale‐III revealed visuoperceptual dysfunction in all three patients even when other cognitive functions were rather preserved. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed no significant brain atrophy, including in the parieto‐occipital area and the hippocampus, while brain 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography demonstrated right dominant metabolic reductions in the occipital lobe, including the primary visual cortex, in all three patients. We suggest the possibility of progression to dementia with Lewy bodies, but not AD or posterior cortical atrophy. Regardless of the presence of core features and prodromal non‐motor symptoms, this progression is suggested when there are difficulties only in higher‐level visual processing such as subjective contours and block design in the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale‐III, no significant atrophy of the parieto‐occipital area and hippocampus on brain magnetic resonance imaging, and hypometabolism in the occipital lobe including the primary visual cortex on brain 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography.
Autopsy case of concurrent Huntington's disease and neurofibromatosis type 1
Authors: Kawakami Ito , Katsuse Omi , Aoki Naoya , Togo Takashi , Suzuki Kyoko , Isojima Daisuke , Kondo Daizo , Iseki Eizo , Kosaka Kenji , Akiyama Haruhiko , Hirayasu Yoshio 
Published: February 2014

AbstractWe report here an autopsy case of concurrent Huntington's disease (HD) and neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), also known as von Recklinghausen's disease. The patient was a Japanese woman with a significant hereditary burden: seven of her family members within four generations were affected by either NF1 or concurrent HD and NF1. She was diagnosed as having NF1 at age 24. At age 40, she showed signs of irritability, aggressive and childish behaviour, which became progressively worse. At age 48, rigidity and spastic gait were observed. One year later, choreoathetoid involuntary movements became apparent. Diagnosis of HD was made by identification of the abnormally expanded cytosine‐adenine‐guanine repeats in the Huntington's disease gene. Her condition deteriorated gradually to an apallic state and she died at age 60. Post‐mortem examination revealed extensive brain atrophy, which was particularly severe in the frontal and temporal cortices and the striatum. The degree of neurodegenerative change seemed to correspond to grade IV. Polyglutamine positive inclusions were seen frequently in all layers of the cerebral cortex and in the amygdala and hippocampus. Inclusions were also present in the striatum, but there were fewer than in the cortex. Remarkably, neuronal intranuclear inclusions were present in the cerebellum, although they are usually not seen in HD. Features associated with the central nervous system involvement of NF1 were not found in the brain, but HD pathology might have been accelerated by the concurrence of NF1. This is the third report of a case with concurrent HD and NF1 in the world, and the first study in which occurrence of polyglutamine inclusions was confirmed on post‐mortem examination.
Effects of gabapentin enacarbil on restless legs syndrome and leg pain in dementia with Lewy bodies
Authors: Fujishiro Hiroshige 
Published: February 2014

AbstractRestless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common neurological disorder. Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is the second most common form of neurodegenerative dementia after Alzheimer's disease. Both RLS and DLB can be effectively treated by dopaminergic medications, suggesting the role of dopamine dysfunction in the pathogenesis of both diseases. Here, I report on a Japanese woman with probable DLB and RLS who was treated with gabapentin enacarbil, a non‐dopaminergic agent. Because a dopamine agonist, a first‐line therapy for moderate to severe RLS, caused the occurrence of metamorphopsia, an alternative treatment of gabapentin enacarbil was used; this treatment improved the patient's RLS without worsening her psychiatric symptoms. An alternative treatment is desirable for DLB patients with RLS because they often experience intolerable side‐effects with a dopamine agonist, especially visual hallucinations. Administering gabapentin enacarbil also improved the continuous leg pain that occurred in conjunction with the development of RLS. Although the neurobiological mechanism in the development of pain remains unclear, a range of non‐dopaminergic structures likely mediated pain processing in DLB in the present case based on neuropharmacological results. This is the first report reporting the effects of gabapentin enacarbil for RLS and leg pain in a DLB patient with psychiatric symptoms.
On the Entanglement of Coherence
Authors: Pethick Stephen 
Published: February 2014

AbstractAlthough coherence has become one of the key concepts in contemporary legal theory, its meaning is taken almost universally to be elusive, complex and controversial. However, these difficulties are due just to the failure of commentators to distinguish the intension of the notion from other features of its (many) referents in extension. The oversight has caused qualities to be ascribed routinely to coherence that properly attach to various object(s) of which coherence is predicated, and which a theorist happens to have in mind when bringing coherence into view. This conceptual error has significance for the substance of present claims made for the use of the notion in law. Freed from the entanglement, coherence emerges thinner and fitter, better able to be deployed with confidence in legal application.
Why Reflective Equilibrium? I: Reflexivity of Justification
Authors: Eng Svein 
Published: February 2014

AbstractIn A Theory of Justice (1971), John Rawls introduces the concept of “reflective equilibrium.” Although there are innumerable references to and discussions of this concept in the literature, there is, to the present author's knowledge, no discussion of the most important question: Why reflective equilibrium? In particular, the question arises: Is the method of reflective equilibrium applicable to the choice of this method itself? Rawls's drawing of parallels between Kant's moral theory and his own suggests that his concept of “reflective equilibrium” is on a par with Kant's concept of “transcendental deduction.” Treating these two approaches to justification as paradigmatic, I consider their respective merits in meeting the reflexive challenge, i.e., in offering a justification for choice of mode of justification. My enquiry into this topic comprises three parts. In this first part, I raise the issue of the reflexivity of justification and question whether the reflexive challenge can be met within the framework of A Theory of Justice.
Concretized Norm and Sanction qua Fact in the Vienna School's Stufenbaulehre
Authors: Borowski Martin 
Published: February 2014

AbstractAt the bottom level of the hierarchical structure (Stufenbau) of the legal system, the transition from “ought” to “is” has not been given its due. I argue that an additional level, that of fully concretized norms, belongs in the hierarchy. This sheds light on precisely where and how the transition from “ought” to “is” takes place. Whereas the fully concretized norm marks the bottom level in the hierarchy of norms, the coercive act or sanction qua fact is not found in the hierarchy, contrary to what Adolf Julius Merkl and Hans Kelsen would have us believe.
Comparative Trade Policy
Authors: Wiberg Magnus 
Published: February 2014

AbstractCurrent research has found ambiguous theoretical and empirical results with respect to the effects of the type of electoral regime on trade policy. The present paper aims to reconcile the different views within a theoretical model. It is shown that the equilibrium level of trade protection can be relatively higher, as well as lower, under a majoritarian electoral rule compared with proportional representation. Trade policy is more (less) protectionist under proportional electoral regimes, as compared with majoritarian institutions, if swing districts are populated by relatively more (less) factor owners with stakes in the exporting sector. It is also shown that politicians optimally apply a lower (higher) level of rent seeking under the majoritarian electoral rule if there are relatively more factor owners in the swing districts with stakes in the exporting (import‐competing) sector.
Medal Shares in Winter Olympic Games by Sport: Socioeconomic Analysis After Vancouver 2010
Authors: Otamendi Javier , Doncel Luis M. 
Published: February 2014

ObjectivesThe quantitative analysis of the medal shares (MSs) in recent Winter Olympic history by sport and country will identify the relevant socioeconomic factors that are likely to derive policy issues.MethodsEconometric modeling and concentration indices are used to predict and assess MSs by sport and country. The development of a mathematical routine to convert MSs to counts and the proposal of a modified Herfindahl index has added robustness to the analysis.ResultsThe deviations of the predictions for Vancouver (2010) 〈http://www.vancouver2010.com/〉 from the observed values pinpoint significant factor differences among the sports. Medal concentrations are different by sport in the number of countries and their names.ConclusionsTradition and geography are primary factors affecting the medal‐winning process. Concerning feasible policies for newcomers, nationalization of athletes, development of talent identification systems, and fostering the participation in sports without a “monopolistic” winner could become short ‐ and long‐run successful paths.
A simulation‐based apheresis platelet inventory management model
Authors: Asllani Arben , Culler Elizabeth , Ettkin Lawrence 
Published: February 2014

BackgroundThe primary goals of apheresis platelet (AP) inventory management are to meet demand and minimize waste. AP inventory management is complicated by unpredictable demand for a product with a shelf life of only a few days and by hospital requests for APs that match the ABO types of patients identically.Study Design and MethodsA simulation‐based decision support system was developed to assist blood centers in reducing waste while meeting the demand for ABO‐identical APs. The proposed model is validated using data from a blood center located in a major city in the southeast region of the United States.ResultsBased on data provided by the blood center, the proposed simulation model is able to suggest appropriate collection strategies that can reduce AP waste from 12%‐14% to 6%‐7% and decrease the unmet demand for ABO‐identical APs from 25% to 21%.ConclusionThe proposed simulation‐based decision‐making model is able to mimic the complexity of the AP inventory management system while reducing waste and predicting the need for ABO‐identical APs.
Sequence analysis of the human fucosyltransferase 1 and 2 genes in Tibetan blood donors: identification of three novel alleles
Authors: Tian Li , Song Ning , Yao Zhi‐Qiang , Li Xiao‐Juan , Zhang Rong 
Published: February 2014

BackgroundThe α(1,2)‐fucosyltransferase gene 1 (FUT1) and 2 (FUT2), respectively, regulate H antigen synthesis in red blood cells and body fluids. Genetic polymorphisms of FUT1 and FUT2 are ethnically and geographically specific.Study Design and MethodsHealthy unrelated Tibetan blood donors (n = 200) from the Tibet Autonomous Region of China were recruited for this study. The entire FUT1 and FUT2 coding regions were amplified and sequenced. The haplotypes including novel single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were determined by clone sequencing.ResultsIn Tibetans, the major FUT1 allele was wild‐type allele with a frequency of 97.75%. One novel FUT1 allele was defined by a novel synonymous mutation (846T>G). The two most common FUT2 alleles were functional allele Se357 with a frequency of 32.75% and nonfunctional allele se357,385 with a frequency of 55%. Two new FUT2 alleles were found at low frequency. They were characterized by two novel SNPs on the basis of se357,385: 617 T>G (V206G) and 841 G>A (G281R).ConclusionThree new alleles in FUT1 and FUT2 genes were identified in the study. The allelic polymorphisms of FUT1 and FUT2 in Tibetans show a population‐specific manner.