bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Distinct sensitivities to phosphate deprivation suggest that RGF peptides play disparate roles in Arabidopsis thaliana root development
Authors: Cederholm Heidi M. , Benfey Philip N. 
Published: April 2015

Summary

Growing agricultural demands in the face of impending inorganic phosphate (Pi) shortages underscore a need for a better understanding of plant development under conditions of Pi deprivation. Pi is an essential nutrient that is a major component of fertilizer. Plants have evolved strategies to improve the acquisition of this nutrient by altering root development under shortage conditions. We show that signaling peptides thought to act redundantly in Arabidopsis thaliana development have distinct functions in response to Pi deprivation.

Using microscopy and confocal imaging, roots were analyzed for growth rate and cellular composition. Using expression microarrays, genes influencing development in response to phosphate deprivation were identified.

ROOT GROWTH FACTOR1 (RGF1) and RGF2 influenced different aspects of root development under conditions of Pi deprivation. We found that RGF2 influenced the longitudinal growth rate in the primary root in response to Pi deprivation, whereas RGF1 affected circumferential cell number in the root meristem.

These data suggest that the mechanisms controlling adaptive development can depend on disparate functions of genes thought to act redundantly, thus elucidating new functions for important developmental regulators.
Evaluation of resting state gamma power as a response marker in schizophrenia
Authors: Mitra Sayantanava , Nizamie S. Haque , Goyal Nishant , Tikka Sai Krishna 
Published: April 2015

AimsAn abnormal activity in the electroencephalography (EEG) gamma band (>30 Hz) has been demonstrated in schizophrenia and this has been suggested to be reflecting a deficit in the development and maturation of the basic cognitive functions of attention, working memory and sensory processing. Hypothesizing gamma oscillatory activity as a potential EEG biomarker to antipsychotic response in schizophrenia, the present study aimed at measuring baseline spontaneous gamma activity in schizophrenia patients, and evaluating its response to antipsychotic treatment over 8 weeks.MethodsFifteen drug‐free/naïve patients were recruited, compared at baseline with 15 age‐, sex‐ and education‐matched healthy controls, and were followed up for 8 weeks' treatment on antipsychotics. Resting state EEG waves were recorded using high (192‐channel) resolution EEG at admission, 4 weeks and 8 weeks. Spectral power was calculated using fast Fourier transformation, Hanning window. The power was averaged region‐wise over nine regions in three frequency ranges (30–50 Hz, 50–70 Hz, 70–100 Hz).ResultsPatients and controls differed significantly at intake in terms of left temporal and parietal high (70–100 Hz) gamma power. Consequently, no significant differences were seen over the course of antipsychotic treatment on gamma spectral power in any of the regions.ConclusionsLack of significant effect of treatment on gamma power suggests that these gamma oscillations may be trait markers in schizophrenia.
Opportunities of marker‐assisted selection for rice fragrance through marker–trait association analysis of microsatellites and gene‐based markers
Authors: Golestan Hashemi F. S. , Rafii M. Y. , Razi Ismail M. , Mohamed M. T. M. , Rahim H. A. , Latif M. A. , Aslani F. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractDeveloping fragrant rice through marker‐assisted/aided selection (MAS) is an economical and profitable approach worldwide for the enrichment of an elite genetic background with a pleasant aroma. The PCR‐based DNA markers that distinguish the alleles of major fragrance genes in rice have been synthesised to develop rice scent biofortification through MAS. Thus, the present study examined the aroma biofortification potential of these co‐dominant markers in a germplasm panel of 189 F2 progeny developed from crosses between a non‐aromatic variety (MR84) and a highly aromatic but low‐yielding variety (MRQ74) to determine the most influential diagnostic markers for fragrance biofortification. The SSRs and functional DNA markers RM5633 (on chromosome 4), RM515, RM223, L06, NKSbad2, FMbadh2‐E7, BADEX7‐5, Aro7 and SCU015RM (on chromosome 8) were highly associated with the 2AP (2‐acetyl‐1‐pyrroline) content across the population. The alleles traced via these markers were also in high linkage disequilibrium (R2 > 0.70) and explained approximately 12.1, 27.05, 27.05, 27.05, 25.42, 25.42, 20.53, 20.43 and 20.18% of the total phenotypic variation observed for these biomarkers, respectively. F2 plants harbouring the favourable alleles of these effective markers produced higher levels of fragrance. Hence, these rice plants can be used as donor parents to increase the development of fragrance‐biofortified tropical rice varieties adapted to growing conditions and consumer preferences, thus contributing to the global rice market.
Failure of temporal selectivity: Electrophysiological evidence for (mis)selection of distractors during the attentional blink
Authors: Bourassa Marie‐Ève , Vachon François , Brisson Benoit 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe attentional blink (AB) refers to the impairment in accurate report of a second target (T2) when presented shortly after a first target (T1) in a rapid serial visual presentation of distractors. The goal of the present study was to determine whether the AB is caused by a failure in early selection processes, which leads to the selection and consolidation of the wrong item in working memory, by measuring the frequency‐related P3 to T2 and to T2 + 1. During the AB, an attenuation of the P3 to T2 was observed, as well as an increase in the amplitude of the P3 to T2 + 1. Whereas the P3 to T2 was observed only when T2 was correctly reported, the P3 to T2 + 1 was observed only in trials where T2 was incorrectly reported, and its amplitude was correlated to individual differences in misselection rate. These results support the claim that failure of temporal selection underlies the AB.
Effectiveness of a psychoeducational programme for informal caregivers of older adults
Authors: Alves Sara , Teixeira Laetitia , Azevedo Maria J. , Duarte Mafalda , Paúl Constança 
Published: April 2015

Purpose of the studyThis study explored the effectiveness of psychoeducational programme for informal caregivers called ‘Caring at home’.Design and methodsThe sample included 60 informal caregivers of elderly people (≥60 years) living in the community. Socio‐demographic information of informal caregivers and care receivers was collected with the COPE Index. The assessment protocol comprised four scales: 12‐item Short‐Form Health Survey, General Health Questionnaire‐12, Positive Aspects of Caregiving and Caregiver Strain Index Modified. There were five assessment moments: a pretest, a post‐test and three follow‐ups.ResultsInformal caregivers had an average age of 52.08 years (SD = 9.11) and were mainly women (90.0%), married/partnered (75.0%) and children of the care recipients (61.7%). The median time spent in care was 12 hours/day (IQR = 18). Results showed a favourable evolution after the psychoeducational intervention, a significant improvement in caregivers' mental health (p = 0.03) from pretest to 1st follow‐up (2/3 months after the psychoeducational intervention) and the maintenance of the other assessed dimensions of the caregivers' behaviour.ImplicationsThe psychoeducational intervention seems to promote improvements in mental health and the maintenance of other favourable conditions at baseline. These results may indicate that psychoeducational programme are beneficial to minimise or prevent adverse effects of caregiving.
Management of Polypharmacy in Dialysis Patients
Authors: St. Peter Wendy L. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractMost patients receiving dialysis have other common chronic conditions in addition to end‐stage renal disease, including hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and mineral and bone disorder, all of which require long‐term medication management. Dialysis patients take an average of 10–12 prescribed and over‐the‐counter medications from an average of 4.7 prescribers, and an average of 19 pills per day. Thus, reducing polypharmacy is not adequate as a medication therapy goal for these patients. Instead, the dialysis community should focus on ensuring that all patients receive medications that are appropriate, effective, safe and convenient. Barriers to this include a fragmented health care system with inadequate communication between multiple prescribers and pharmacies, and frequent care transitions between ambulatory care sites (dialysis centre, ambulatory primary care practice, ambulatory specialty practice) and the hospital, skilled nursing facility or long‐term care facility. Three distinct processes are necessary to prevent and solve the resultant medication‐related problems (and reduce polypharmacy). These are medication reconciliation (creating an accurate medication list that reflects all medications the patients is taking and how they are being taken), medication review (evaluating the list for appropriateness, effectiveness, safety and convenience in conjunction with the patient's health status), and ongoing patient‐centred medication therapy management (e.g., developing treatment plans centred on each patient's medication‐related goals). A team approach including pharmacists as part of the dialysis team with the dialysis facility as the primary medication home is needed.
Capelatus prykei gen. et sp.n. (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae: Copelatinae) – a phylogenetically isolated diving beetle from the Western Cape of South Africa
Authors: BILTON DAVID T. , TOUSSAINT EMMANUEL F. A. , TURNER CLIVE R. , BALKE MICHAEL 
Published: April 2015

AbstractCapelatus prykei gen. et sp.n., a distinctive new lineage of copelatine diving beetle, is described from the greater Cape Town area of the Western Cape Province, South Africa, on the basis of both morphological and molecular data. The genus‐level phylogeny of Copelatinae is reconstructed using a combination of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA regions, demonstrating that Capelatus gen.n. has no close relatives within the Afrotropical region, instead forming a clade with the Palaearctic Liopterus and largely Australasian Exocelina. Capelatus gen.n. apparently represents a striking example of a phylogenetically isolated Cape lineage, which also appears to be narrowly endemic and endangered by ongoing habitat loss.
Donation intensity and metabolic syndrome in active whole‐blood donors
Authors: Peffer K. , Verbeek A. L. M. , Swinkels D. W. , Geurts‐Moespot A. J. , den Heijer M. , Atsma F. 
Published: April 2015

Background and ObjectivesIncreased iron and metabolic syndrome (MetS) go hand in hand. Frequent blood donation depletes iron stores. This study investigates whether high‐intensity blood donation is associated with lower MetS prevalence compared with low‐intensity blood donation, and whether iron acts as an intermediary factor.Materials and MethodsA random sample of 422 male and 211 female active whole‐blood donors ≥45 years of age was included in a cross‐sectional study. Lipids, glucose and iron parameters were measured after overnight fasting. MetS was defined according to the joint interim statement of the International Diabetes Federation Task Force on Epidemiology and Prevention. Three groups of donation intensity were created by sex‐specific tertiles of donation frequency per year and duration of donor career.ResultsMetS was present in 22·9% of donors. Prevalence of MetS was 1·46 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0·93–2·30) times higher in men with high donation intensity, whereas in women MetS prevalence was 2·14 (95% CI: 0·94–4·86) times higher in donors with high donation intensity compared with those with low donation intensity. In men, increased prevalence of MetS was mainly associated with higher ferritin, whereas high hepcidin predominantly affected MetS prevalence in women.ConclusionHigh‐intensity blood donation is not associated with a decreased prevalence of MetS. In men and women, different iron parameters are associated with MetS prevalence. The temporal relationship between blood donation, iron and MetS, and gender differences herein need to be explored in future research.
Going into surgery: Risk factors for hypertrophic scarring
Authors: Butzelaar Lisolette , Soykan Ezgi A. , Galindo Garre Francisca , Beelen Robert H.J. , Ulrich Magda M. , Niessen Frank B. , Mink van der Molen Aebele B. 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACTThe aim of this study was to examine the association between possible risk factors for excessive scarring and the formation of hypertrophic scars (HTS). Hypertrophic skin scarring remains a difficult problem in medicine and can cause considerable morbidity. Nevertheless, few extensive prospective studies have been conducted which assess risk factors in relation to HTS formation. Therefore, a prospective observational study was performed. Patients who had elective cardiothoracic surgery were followed for the duration of 1 year and information was collected about a variety of possible risk factors in these patients. The associations between the risk factors and the development of HTSs were investigated. Body mass index, ethnic background, and scar related factors are positively associated with HTS formation. Antihypertensive therapeutics and factors influencing erythropoiesis are negatively associated with HTS formation.
Severe Ketoalkalosis as Initial Presentation of Imported Human Rabies in France
Authors: Contou Damien , Dacheux Laurent , Bendib Inès , Jolivet Sarah , Rodriguez Christophe , Tomberli Françoise , Cleret de Langavant Laurent , Lavenir Rachel , Lepelletier Anthony , Larrous Florence , Troupin Cécile , Bourhy Hervé , Brun-Buisson Christian 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACT
We report a patient with an unusual initial metabolic presentation of imported human rabies who became symptomatic within 2 weeks of returning from Mali to France. This is the single case of imported human rabies identified in France within the past 11 years and the first report of viral RNA in bronchial secretions.
Genetic Determinants of Japanese Encephalitis Virus Vaccine Strain SA14-14-2 That Govern Attenuation of Virulence in Mice
Authors: Gromowski Gregory D. , Firestone Cai-Yen , Whitehead Stephen S. 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACT
The safety and efficacy of the live-attenuated Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) SA14-14-2 vaccine are attributed to mutations that accumulated in the viral genome during its derivation. However, little is known about the contribution that is made by most of these mutations to virulence attenuation and vaccine immunogenicity. Here, we generated recombinant JEV (rJEV) strains containing JEV SA14-14-2 vaccine-specific mutations that are located in the untranslated regions (UTRs) and seven protein genes or are introduced from PCR-amplified regions of the JEV SA14-14-2 genome. The resulting mutant viruses were evaluated in tissue culture and in mice. The authentic JEV SA14-14-2 (E) protein, with amino acid substitutions L107F, E138K, I176V, T177A, E244G, Q264H, K279M, A315V, S366A, and K439R relative to the wild-type rJEV clone, was essential and sufficient for complete attenuation of neurovirulence. Individually, the nucleotide substitution T39A in the 5′ UTR (5′-UTR-T39A), the capsid (C) protein amino acid substitution L66S (C-L66S), and the complete NS1/2A genome region containing 10 mutations each significantly reduced virus neuroinvasion but not neurovirulence. The levels of peripheral virulence attenuation imposed by the 5′-UTR-T39A and C-L66S mutations, individually, were somewhat mitigated in combination with other vaccine strain-specific mutations, which might be compensatory, and together did not affect immunogenicity. However, a marked reduction in immunogenicity was observed with the addition of the NS1/2A and NS5 vaccine virus genome regions. These results suggest that a second-generation recombinant vaccine can be rationally engineered to maximize levels of immunogenicity without compromising safety.

IMPORTANCE
The live-attenuated JEV SA14-14-2 vaccine has been vital for controlling the incidence of disease caused by JEV, particularly in rural areas of Asia where it is endemic. The vaccine was developed >25 years ago by passaging wild-type JEV strain SA14 in tissue cultures and rodents, with intermittent tissue culture plaque purifications, to produce a virus clone that had adequate levels of attenuation and immunogenicity. The vaccine and parent virus sequences were later compared, and mutations were identified throughout the vaccine virus genome, but their contributions to attenuation were never fully elucidated. Here, using reverse genetics, we comprehensively defined the impact of JEV SA14-14-2 mutations on attenuation of virulence and immunogenicity in mice. These results are relevant for quality control of new lots of the current live-attenuated vaccine and provide insight for the rational design of second-generation, live-attenuated, recombinant JEV vaccine candidates.
Genetic Confirmation that the H5 Protein Is Required for Vaccinia Virus DNA Replication
Authors: Boyle Kathleen A. , Greseth Matthew D. , Traktman Paula 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACT

The duplication of the poxvirus double-stranded DNA genome occurs in cytoplasmic membrane-delimited factories. This physical autonomy from the host nucleus suggests that poxvirus genomes encode the full repertoire of proteins committed for genome replication. Biochemical and genetic analyses have confirmed that six viral proteins are required for efficient DNA synthesis; indirect evidence has suggested that the multifunctional H5 protein may also have a role. Here we show that H5 localizes to replication factories, as visualized by immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy, and can be retrieved upon purification of the viral polymerase holoenzyme complex. The temperature-sensitive (
ts
) mutant D
ts
57, which was generated by chemical mutagenesis and has a lesion in H5, exhibits defects in DNA replication and morphogenesis under nonpermissive conditions, depending upon the experimental protocol. The H5 variant encoded by the genome of this mutant is
ts
for function but not stability. For a more precise investigation of how H5 contributes to DNA synthesis, we placed the
ts
57 H5 allele in an otherwise wild-type viral background and also performed small interfering RNA-mediated depletion of H5. Finally, we generated a complementing cell line, CV-1–H5, which allowed us to generate a viral recombinant in which the H5 open reading frame was deleted and replaced with mCherry (vΔH5). Analysis of vΔH5 allowed us to demonstrate conclusively that viral DNA replication is abrogated in the absence of H5. The loss of H5 does not compromise the accumulation of other early viral replication proteins or the uncoating of the virion core, suggesting that H5 plays a direct and essential role in facilitating DNA synthesis.

IMPORTANCE
Variola virus, the causative agent of smallpox, is the most notorious member of the
Poxviridae
family. Poxviruses are unique among DNA viruses that infect mammalian cells, in that their replication is restricted to the cytoplasm of the cell. This physical autonomy from the nucleus has both cell biological and genetic ramifications. Poxviruses must establish cytoplasmic niches that support replication, and the genomes must encode the repertoire of proteins necessary for genome synthesis. Here we focus on H5, a multifunctional and abundant viral protein. We confirm that H5 associates with the DNA polymerase holoenzyme and localizes to the sites of DNA synthesis. By generating an H5-expressing cell line, we were able to isolate a deletion virus that lacks the H5 gene and show definitively that genome synthesis does not occur in the absence of H5. These data support the hypothesis that H5 is a crucial participant in cytoplasmic poxvirus genome replication.
The Greater Affinity of JC Polyomavirus Capsid for α2,6-Linked Lactoseries Tetrasaccharide c than for Other Sialylated Glycans Is a Major Determinant of Infectivity
Authors: Ströh Luisa J. , Maginnis Melissa S. , Blaum Bärbel S. , Nelson Christian D. S. , Neu Ursula , Gee Gretchen V. , O'Hara Bethany A. , Motamedi Nasim , DiMaio Daniel , Atwood Walter J. , Stehle Thilo 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACT
The human JC polyomavirus (JCPyV) establishes an asymptomatic, persistent infection in the kidneys of the majority of the population and is the causative agent of the fatal demyelinating disease progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) in immunosuppressed individuals. The Mad-1 strain of JCPyV, a brain isolate, was shown earlier to require α2,6-linked sialic acid on the lactoseries tetrasaccharide c (LSTc) glycan for attachment to host cells. In contrast, a JCPyV kidney isolate type 3 strain, WT3, has been reported to interact with sialic acid-containing gangliosides, but the role of these glycans in JCPyV infection has remained unclear. To help rationalize these findings and probe the effects of strain-specific differences on receptor binding, we performed a comprehensive analysis of the glycan receptor specificities of these two representative JCPyV strains using high-resolution X-ray crystallography and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and correlated these data with the results of infectivity assays. We show here that capsid proteins of Mad-1 and WT3 JCPyV can both engage LSTc as well as multiple sialylated gangliosides. However, the binding affinities exhibit subtle differences, with the highest affinity observed for LSTc. Engagement of LSTc is a prerequisite for functional receptor engagement, while the more weakly binding gangliosides are not required for productive infection. Our findings highlight the complexity of virus-carbohydrate interactions and demonstrate that subtle differences in binding affinities, rather than the binding event alone, help determine tissue tropism and viral pathogenesis.

IMPORTANCE
Viral infection is initiated by attachment to receptors on host cells, and this event plays an important role in viral disease. We investigated the receptor-binding properties of human JC polyomavirus (JCPyV), a virus that resides in the kidneys of the majority of the population and can cause the fatal demyelinating disease progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) in the brains of immunosuppressed individuals. JCPyV has been reported to interact with multiple carbohydrate receptors, and we sought to clarify how the interactions between JCPyV and cellular carbohydrate receptors influenced infection. Here we demonstrate that JCPyV can engage numerous sialylated carbohydrate receptors. However, the virus displays preferential binding to LSTc, and only LSTc mediates a productive infection. Our findings demonstrate that subtle differences in binding affinity, rather than receptor engagement alone, are a key determinant of viral infection.
Intercontinental Spread of Asian-Origin H5N8 to North America through Beringia by Migratory Birds
Authors: Lee Dong-Hun , Torchetti Mia Kim , Winker Kevin , Ip Hon S. , Song Chang-Seon , Swayne David E. 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACT
Phylogenetic network analysis and understanding of waterfowl migration patterns suggest that the Eurasian H5N8 clade 2.3.4.4 avian influenza virus emerged in late 2013 in China, spread in early 2014 to South Korea and Japan, and reached Siberia and Beringia by summer 2014 via migratory birds. Three genetically distinct subgroups emerged and subsequently spread along different flyways during fall 2014 into Europe, North America, and East Asia, respectively. All three subgroups reappeared in Japan, a wintering site for waterfowl from Eurasia and parts of North America.