bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Most soil trophic guilds increase plant growth: a meta‐analytical review
Authors: Kulmatiski Andrew , Anderson‐Smith Andrew , Beard Karen H. , Doucette‐Riise Stephen , Mazzacavallo Michael , Nolan Nicole E. , Ramirez Ricardo A. , Stevens John R. 
Published: September 2014

Trophic cascades are important drivers of plant and animal abundances in aquatic and aboveground systems, but in soils trophic cascades have been thought to be of limited importance due to omnivory and other factors. Here we use a meta‐analysis of 215 studies with 1526 experiments that measured plant growth responses to additions or removals of soil organisms to test how different soil trophic levels affect plant growth. Consistent with the trophic cascade hypothesis, we found that herbivores and plant pathogens (henceforth pests) decreased plant growth and that predators of pests increased plant growth. The magnitude of this trophic cascade was similar to that reported for aboveground systems. In contrast, we did not find evidence for trophic cascades in decomposer‐ and symbiont‐based (henceforth mutualist) food chains. In these food chains, mutualists increased plant growth and predators of mutualists also increased plant growth, presumably by increasing nutrient cycling rates. Therefore, mutualists, predators of mutualists and predators of pests all increased plant growth. Further, experiments that added multiple organisms from different trophic levels also increased plant growth. As a result, across the dataset, soil organisms increased plant growth 29% and non‐pest soil organisms increased plant growth 46%. Omnivory has traditionally been thought to confound soil trophic dynamics, but here we suggest that omnivory allows for a simplified perspective of soil food webs – one in which most soil organisms increase plant growth by preying on pests or increasing nutrient cycling rates. An implication of this perspective is that processes that decrease soil organism abundance (e.g. soil tillage) are likely to decrease aboveground productivity.SynthesisSoil foodwebs have resisted generalizations due to their diversity and interconnectedness. Here we use results from a meta‐analysis to inform a simplified perspective of soil foodwebs: one in which most soil trophic guilds increase plant growth. Our review also includes the first widespread support for the presence of trophic cascades in soils.
Effect of heat treatment on milk and egg proteins allergenicity
Authors: Bloom Katherine A. , Huang Faith R. , Bencharitiwong Ramon , Bardina Luda , Ross Andrew , Sampson Hugh A. , Nowak‐Węgrzyn Anna 
Published: September 2014

AbstractBackgroundHeating destroys many conformational epitopes and reduces allergenicity of some foods. IgE‐epitope binding has been shown to be different among patients who outgrew their cow's milk or hen's egg allergy and those who did not. A significant proportion of milk‐ or egg‐allergic children are tolerant to these foods in their baked forms. We sought to explore the effects of heating on milk and egg proteins and to evaluate for differences in immunolabeling among children with regard to reactivity to heated milk or egg.MethodsSera from participants in clinical dietary intervention trials were utilized. Milk and egg samples were variably heated and prepared (at times within a wheat matrix). Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), protein transfer, and Western blot were completed.ResultsSera from 20 milk‐allergic and 24 egg‐allergic children were utilized. Gel electrophoresis showed strongly staining casein bands that persisted for up to 60 min of heating. In contrast, β‐lactoglobulin and α‐lactalbumin bands became progressiv‐ely weaker with increasing heating times, with no detectable β‐lactoglobulin after 15–20 min of heating. The ovalbumin band became progressively weaker, whereas ovomucoid remained stable after 25 min of heating. Immunolabeling revealed that all heated milk‐reactive children possessed IgE antibodies that bound the casein fraction regardless of heating time. Presence of wheat during heating resulted in decreased IgE antibody binding to milk and egg white proteins.ConclusionHeating has a different effect on whey and caseins in cow's milk and ovalbumin and ovomucoid in hen's egg white. The effect of heat on protein allergenicity is affected by the temperature and duration, along with the presence of wheat.
The oxygen supply to thermogenic flowers
Authors: SEYMOUR ROGER S. , ITO KIKUKATSU , UMEKAWA YUI , MATTHEWS PHILIP D. G. , PIRINTSOS STERGIOS ARG 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThermogenic flowers produce heat by intense respiration, and the rates of O2 consumption (Ṁo2) in some species can exceed those of all other tissues of plants and most animals. By exposing intact flowers to a range of O2 pressures (Po2) and measuring Ṁo2, we demonstrate that the highest respiration rates exceed the capacity of the O2 diffusive pathway and become diffusion limited in atmospheric air. The male florets on the inflorescence of Arum concinnatum have the highest known mass‐specific Ṁo2 and can be severely diffusion limited. Intact spadices of Japanese skunk cabbage Symplocarpus renifolius are diffusion limited in air only when Ṁo2 is maximal, but not at lower levels. True flowers of the sacred lotus Nelumbo nucifera and the appendix of Arum concinnatum are never diffusion limited in air. Ṁo2 – Po2 curves are evaluated quantitatively with the ‘Regulation Index’, a new tool to measure dependence of Ṁo2 on ambient Po2, as well as the conventional ‘Critical Po2’. The study also includes measurements of Po2 within thermogenic tissues with O2‐sensitive fibre optics, and reveals that the diffusion pathway is complicated and that O2 can be provided not only from the surface of the tissues but also from the pith of the flower's peduncle.
Management of a Trichophyton tonsurans Outbreak in a Day‐Care Center
Authors: Gray Robert M. , Champagne Caroline , Waghorn David , Ong Eugene , Grabczynska Sophie A. , Morris Jill 
Published: September 2014

AbstractTrichophyton tonsurans is the leading cause of tinea capitis in the United Kingdom (UK) as well as causing tinea corporis. This organism has been linked to several outbreaks in the UK and abroad, and such outbreaks may be prolonged since T. tonsurans can be difficult to control. There remains an incomplete consensus in the literature on the optimal management of such outbreaks of this infection. Following notification that a child with T. tonsurans was identified at a day‐care center in the UK, initial investigations identified nine cases of fungal infection involving children and staff over the previous 7 months. We report on the management of an outbreak of T. tonsurans tinea capitis and tinea corporis among children and staff in a day‐care center. An outbreak control team with representatives from dermatology, microbiology, day‐care center management, and the Health Protection Agency initiated case ascertainment by scalp inspection and brushing of all children and staff at the nursery. Two complete rounds of screening were required before the outbreak was declared over. Infection control measures included antifungal shampoo use, exclusion of identified cases for a short period, removal of shared items from the center, and enhanced decontamination of fomites. The outbreak, which lasted longer than 12 months, involved 12 children and 7 staff members. Of these, 12 cases were confirmed by positive fungal culture. T. tonsurans is difficult to manage, especially in childcare settings, but case ascertainment, appropriate treatment with oral agents, and sustained infection control measures can be effective in controlling such outbreaks.
Ventriculoperitoneal shunt infection with Listeria innocua
Authors: Karli Arzu , Sensoy Gulnar , Unal Nevzat , Yanik Keramettin , Cigdem Halit , Belet Nursen , Sofuoglu Ayse 
Published: September 2014

AbstractListeria species may cause life‐threatening events including meningitis and invasive infection in newborns, pregnant women, older and immunodeficient people. The most common Listeria species that causes infection is L. monocytogenes. It is known that Listeria innocua has no pathogenicity. A 9‐month‐old baby had ventriculoperitoneal shunt and was treated with adrenocorticotropic hormone because of infantile spasms. He was brought to hospital with fever and vomiting. Upon physical examination, the patient seemed uncomfortable and had a temperature of 38.6°C. Laboratory results were as follows: hemoglobin, 6.7 g/dL; leukocyte count, 5420/mm3; platelet count, 169 000/mm3; and C‐reactive protein, 100 mg/L (normal <5 mg/L). On analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), leukocyte count was 480/mm3, protein was 46 mg/dL and CSF glucose was 35 mg/dL. L. innocua was isolated in CSF culture. We describe this unusual case of ventriculoperitoneal shunt infection with L. innocua.
Computed tomography findings of ongoing subgaleal hemorrhage
Authors: Hangai Mayumi , Kimura Yuki , Mori Harushi , Yasui Kojiro , Tsuchida Shinya , Takahashi Naoto 
Published: September 2014

AbstractNeonatal subgaleal hemorrhage (SGH) is a serious adverse event that is often underestimated and sometimes goes unrecognized. It can cause bleeding complications and jeopardize the patient's life. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are important in optimizing the outcome in neonates with SGH. Herein we describe the case of a newborn who developed severe SGH and died. We report unenhanced computed tomography (CT) of ongoing SGH, which showed a low‐density region in the surrounding area of the head. The density could be explained by unclotted active bleeding and low hematocrit. Even if a patient with clinically suspected SGH has a low‐density region on CT, the presence of SGH should not be excluded.
Hypocalcemic cardiomyopathy as initial presentation of primary hypoparathyroidism
Authors: Velayuthan Sujithra , Gungor Neslihan , McVie Robert 
Published: September 2014

AbstractCardiomyopathy is a rare but life‐threatening condition in children. Myocarditis is the leading cause of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and prognosis is generally poor without heart transplantation. We report a rare case of hypocalcemic DCM due to primary hypoparathyroidism in a male infant. In our patient, aggressive management of hypoparathyroidism significantly improved the manifestations of DCM. He is currently 10 years old and has no symptoms of exercise intolerance. Latest echocardiogram revealed near‐normal cardiac function. Our case emphasizes that early diagnosis of this treatable cause of cardiomyopathy prevents serious sequelae.
Evaluation of growth rate and semi‐refined carrageenan properties of tissue‐cultured Kappaphycus alvarezii (Rhodophyta, Gigartinales)
Authors: Yong Wilson Thau Lym , Chin Jamie Yan Yung , Thien Vun Yee , Yasir Suhaimi 
Published: September 2014

SummaryThis study aimed to evaluate and compare the quality of κ‐carrageenan obtained from tissue‐cultured and field‐cultured Kappaphycus alvarezii. Carrageenan properties including yield, viscosity, gel strength and sulfate content were studied. After 60 days of cultivation, tissue‐cultured K. alvarezii showed a higher growth rate (6.3 ± 0.01% day−1) than field‐cultured seedlings (3.4 ± 0.3% day−1). The obtained carrageenan yield from tissue‐cultured (67.3 ± 16.4%) was higher than field‐cultured K. alvarezii (51.5 ± 21.0%). Gel viscosity of carrageenans from tissue‐cultured K. alvarezii (1280.0 ± 25.0 cP) was found significantly higher than field‐cultured samples (87.8 ± 20.9 cP). The 1.5% gel solution of tissue‐cultured and field‐cultured K. alvarezii exhibited gel strengths of 703.5 ± 14.1 and 288.3 ± 19.3 g cm−2, respectively. The average sulfate content of carrageenans was found to be significantly different between tissue‐cultured and field‐cultured K. alvarezii with 34.2 ± 10.9 and 7.5 ± 6.7%, respectively. Tissue culture is recommended to produce high quality seedlings by providing optimized culture conditions to the seaweed. This approach can serve as an alternative way to solve the seedling shortage problems currently faced by the seaweed industry.
Autonomic responses to lateralized cold pressor and facial cooling tasks
Authors: McGinley Jared J. , Friedman Bruce H. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractAsymmetry in central nervous system (CNS) control of autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity, a widely debated topic, was investigated via lateralized presentation of two ANS challenges: cold pressor, which elicits primarily sympathetic activation, and facial cooling, a predominantly vagal task. Seventy‐three university students (37 female) engaged in these tasks while cardiovascular and electrodermal measures were acquired. Compared to right‐side cold pressor, left cold pressor elicited generally larger cardiac, blood pressure, and skin conductance responses, but did not evoke asymmetric changes in heart rate variability. Facial cooling elicited significant increases in vagally mediated heart rate variability, but they were also not lateralized. These findings are consistent with reports of right hemisphere dominance in sympathetic regulation, but indicate that CNS vagal control is relatively symmetric. These results are framed in terms of polyvagal theory and neurovisceral integration two influential models of CNS‐ANS integration in the service of adaptive environmental engagement.
Changes in Bull Sperm Kinematics after Single Layer Centrifugation
Authors: Yulnawati Y , Abraham MC , Laskowski D , Johannisson A , Morrell JM 
Published: September 2014

ContentsThe objective of this study was to evaluate bull sperm kinematics after centrifugation through a single layer of a colloid [Single Layer Centrifugation (SLC)]. Ejaculates from 20 bulls were extended and stored at 4–6°C for 24 h during transport to the laboratory forSLCthrough Androcoll‐B, followed by measurement of sperm kinematics in all samples. Total motility (86% and 88% for uncentrifuged andSLCsamples, respectively) and progressive motility (84% for both the groups) were similar (p > 0.05). In contrast, straightness (STR) (0.65 vs 0.69), linearity (LIN) (0.32 vs 0.35) and beat cross frequency (BCF) (22.3 vs 23.6 Hz) were significantly higher in theSLC‐selected samples than in the uncentrifuged samples, whereas velocity of the average path (VAP) (95 vs 90 μm/s), curvilinear velocity (VCL) (192 vs 180 μm/s), amplitude of lateral head deviation (ALH) (7 μm vs 6.5 μm) and hypermotility (49% vs 38%) were significantly decreased. The kinematics of the samples with the poorest motility was improved most bySLC. In conclusion, even thoughSLChad no direct effect on total and progressive motility, it appeared to have a positive influence on several other kinematic parameters that may be important for fertilization after artificial insemination.
Ancient association with Fagaceae in the aphid tribe Greenideini (Hemiptera: Aphididae: Greenideinae)
Authors: LIU QING‐HUA , CHEN JING , HUANG XIAO‐LEI , JIANG LI‐YUN , QIAO GE‐XIA 
Published: September 2014

AbstractAphids are intimately associated with their host plants. Evolutionary lability of host association is common within heteroecious aphid lineages, whereas our knowledge of host‐use evolution in non‐host‐alternating aphids is limited. In the present study, we construct the first detailed molecular phylogeny of the monoecious aphid tribe Greenideini based on three mitochondrial genes (COI, COII and Cytb) and one nuclear gene (EF‐1α), and investigated its history of host association. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian phylogenies strongly support the monophyly of Greenideini and most constituent genera. Divergence time estimates and character reconstructions suggest that Greenideini may have originated during the Late Cretaceous to early Paleogene, which accompanies the origin of its ancestral host, members of the family Fagaceae. Colonisation of novel host plants has occurred multiple times during the evolutionary history of Greenideini, thereby leading to current patterns of host association. We suggest that directly shifting to novel hosts, together with expanding host range onto pre‐existing, unused plants, has probably promoted diversification in this tribe.
Bone marrow stromal cells transduced with a thrombopoietin, interleukin‐6, and interleukin‐11 syncretic gene induce cord mononuclear cells to generate platelets in vitro
Authors: Lu Hua , Jiang Tianlun , Li Ruqing , Wang Shichun , Zhang Qiang , Zhao Shuming 
Published: September 2014

BackgroundThe induction of hematopoietic stem cells to produce mass numbers of platelets (PLTs) in vitro is an effective method to address a lack ofPLTs andPLTtransfusion resistance in the clinic. However, the design of a low‐cost and sustainable culture system is currently problematic.Study Design and MethodsHere, the thrombopoietin, interleukin (IL)‐6, andIL‐11 genes, three regulatory factors important for thrombopoiesis, were used to construct self‐splicing fusion genes linked by foot and mouth disease (F2A) and Theiler's murine encephalitis (T2A) viruses. Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) transduced with the fusion gene acted as nourishing cells and induced cord blood mononuclear cells (MNCs) to generatePLTs in vitro. We counted these cells; determined the percentage of cells expressing specific cell surface markers (CD41); and measured their ability to aggregate via flow cytometry, immunohistochemical staining, and aggregation remote analyzer.ResultsBMSCs transduced with the fusion gene successfully induced cord bloodMNCsto generatePLT‐sized fragments in the absence of exogenous cytokines. The output was higher than that of the control groups, and thePLT‐sized fragments were similar to endogenousPLTsin terms of shape,CD41 expression, and aggregation function.ConclusionThese results suggest that our method could be used to develop a low‐cost sustainable cultivation system that generatesPLTsin vitro by enhancing the autocrine production of related cytokines through the nourishment provided by cells transduced with a syncretic gene.
The US Generalised System of Preferences in Principle and Practice
Authors: Blanchard Emily , Hakobyan Shushanik 
Published: September 2014

AbstractIn principle, the US generalised system of preferences (GSP) offers uniform market access to exports from eligible developing countries for a broad set of GSP‐eligible products. In practice, realised GSP tariff exemptions demonstrate marked variation across countries, industries and years. In this paper, we identify the sources of discretionary and non‐discretionary GSP exclusions and quantify the extent to which competitive needs limitations (CNLs), waivers and additional annual product, country and country‐product exclusions drive a wedge between the ‘generalised’ principle of GSP and its implementation in practice.
Viral Profiling Identifies Multiple Subtypes of Kaposi’s Sarcoma
Authors: Hosseinipour Mina C. , Sweet Kristen M. , Xiong Jie , Namarika Dan , Mwafongo Albert , Nyirenda Michael , Chiwoko Loreen , Kamwendo Deborah , Hoffman Irving , Lee Jeannette , Phiri Sam , Vahrson Wolfgang , Damania Blossom , Dittmer Dirk P. 
Published: September 2014

ABSTRACT

Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS), caused by KS-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), is the most common cancer among HIV-infected patients in Malawi and in the United States today. In Malawi, KSHV is endemic. We conducted a cross-sectional study of patients with HIV infection and KS with no history of chemo- or antiretroviral therapy (ART). Seventy patients were enrolled. Eighty-one percent had T1 (advanced) KS. Median CD4 and HIV RNA levels were 181 cells/mm
3
and 138,641 copies/ml, respectively. We had complete information and suitable plasma and biopsy samples for 66 patients. For 59/66 (89%) patients, a detectable KSHV load was found in plasma (median, 2,291 copies/ml; interquartile range [IQR], 741 to 5,623). We utilized a novel KSHV real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) array with multiple primers per open reading frame to examine KSHV transcription. Seventeen samples exhibited only minimal levels of KSHV mRNAs, presumably due to the limited number of infected cells. For all other biopsy samples, the viral latency locus (LANA, vCyc, vFLIP, kaposin, and microRNAs [miRNAs]) was transcribed abundantly, as was K15 mRNA. We could identify two subtypes of treatment-naive KS: lesions that transcribed viral RNAs across the length of the viral genome and lesions that displayed only limited transcription restricted to the latency locus. This finding demonstrates for the first time the existence of multiple subtypes of KS lesions in HIV- and KS-treatment naive patients.

IMPORTANCE
KS is the leading cancer in people infected with HIV worldwide and is causally linked to KSHV infection. Using viral transcription profiling, we have demonstrated the existence of multiple subtypes of KS lesions for the first time in HIV- and KS-treatment-naive patients. A substantial number of lesions transcribe mRNAs which encode the viral kinases and hence could be targeted by the antiviral drugs ganciclovir or AZT in addition to chemotherapy.
Red flags to screen for malignancy and fracture in patients with low back pain
Authors: Downie Aron , Williams Christopher M , Henschke Nicholas , Hancock Mark J , Ostelo Raymond W J G , de Vet Henrica C W , Macaskill Petra , Irwig Les , van Tulder Maurits W , Koes Bart W , Maher Christopher G 
Published: September 2014

STUDY QUESTIONWhat are the best red flags to indicate the possibility of fracture or malignancy in patients presenting with low back pain in primary, secondary, or tertiary care?SUMMARY ANSWEROlder age, prolonged corticosteroid use, severe trauma, and presence of a contusion or abrasion increase the likelihood of spinal fracture (likelihood was higher with multiple red flags); a history of malignancy increases the likelihood of spinal malignancy.
Optical Study of Liquid Crystal Doped with Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube
Authors: Gharde Rita A. , Thakare Sangeeta Y. 
Published: September 2014

Liquid crystalline materials have been useful for display devices i.e watches, calculators, automobile dashboards, televisions, multi media projectors etc. as well as in electro tunable lasers, optical fibers and lenses. Carbon nanotube is chosen as the main experimental factor in this study as it has been observed that Carbon Nano Tube influence the existing properties of liquid crystal host and with the doping of CNT can enhance1 the properties of LC. The combination of carbon nanotube (CNT) and liquid crystal (LC) materials show considerable interest in the scientific community due to unique physical properties of CNT in liquid crystal. Dispersion of CNTs in LCs can provide us a cheap, simple, versatile and effective means of controlling nanotube orientation on macroscopic scale with no restrictions on nanotube type. LCs have the long range orientational order rendering them to be anisotropic phases. If CNTs can be well dispersed in LC matrix, they will align with their long axes along the LC director to minimize distortions of the LC director field and the free energy. In this paper, we doped liquid crystal (Cholesteryl Nonanoate) by a small amount of multiwall carbon nanotube 0.05% and 0.1% wt. We found that by adding carbon nanotube to liquid crystals the melting point of the mixture is decreased but TNI is increased. It has been also observed that with incereas in concentration of carbon nanotube into liquid crystal shows conciderable effect on LC. The prepared samples were characterized using various techniques to study structural, thermal and optical properties i.e PMS, FPSS, UV-Vis spectroscopy, FT-IR measurements, and DTA.