bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Auxin Biosynthesis by the YUCCA6 Flavin Monooxygenase Gene in Woodland Strawberry
Authors: Liu Hong , Xie Wei‐Fa , Zhang Ling , Valpuesta Victoriano , Ye Zheng‐Wen , Gao Qing‐Hua , Duan Ke 
Published: December 2013

AbstractAuxin has been regarded as the main signal molecule coordinating the growth and ripening of fruits in strawberry, the reference genomic system for Rosaceae. The mechanisms regulating auxin biosynthesis in strawberry are largely elusive. Recently, we demonstrated that two YUCCA genes are involved in flower and fruit development in cultivated strawberry. Here, we show that the woodland strawberry (Fragaria vesca L.) genome harbors nine loci for YUCCA genes and eight of them encode functional proteins. Transcription pattern in different plant organs was different for all eight FvYUCs. Functionality of the FvYUC6 gene was studied in transgenic strawberry overexpressing FvYUC6, which showed typical high‐auxin phenotypes. Overexpression of FvYUC6 also delayed flowering and led to complete male sterility in F. vesca. Additionally, specific repression of FvYUC6 expression by RNA interference significantly inhibited vegetative growth and reduced plant fertility. The development of leaves, roots, flowers, and fruits was greatly affected in FvYUC6‐repressed plants. Expression of a subset of auxin‐responsive genes was well correlated with the changes of FvYUC6 transcript levels and free indole‐3‐acetic acid levels in transgenic strawberry. These observations are consistent with an important role of FvYUC6 in auxin synthesis, and support a main role of the gene product in vegetative and reproductive development in woodland strawberry.
A step‐by‐step protocol for formaldehyde‐assisted isolation of regulatory elements from Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Omidbakhshfard Mohammad Amin , Winck Flavia Vischi , Arvidsson Samuel , Riaño‐Pachón Diego M. , Mueller‐Roeber Bernd 
Published: December 2013

AbstractThe control of gene expression by transcriptional regulators and other types of functionally relevant DNA transactions such as chromatin remodeling and replication underlie a vast spectrum of biological processes in all organisms. DNA transactions require the controlled interaction of proteins with DNA sequence motifs which are often located in nucleosome‐depleted regions (NDRs) of the chromatin. Formaldehyde‐assisted isolation of regulatory elements (FAIRE) has been established as an easy‐to‐implement method for the isolation of NDRs from a number of eukaryotic organisms, and it has been successfully employed for the discovery of new regulatory segments in genomic DNA from, for example, yeast, Drosophila, and humans. Until today, however, FAIRE has only rarely been employed in plant research and currently no detailed FAIRE protocol for plants has been published. Here, we provide a step‐by‐step FAIRE protocol for NDR discovery in Arabidopsis thaliana. We demonstrate that NDRs isolated from plant chromatin are readily amenable to quantitative polymerase chain reaction and next‐generation sequencing. Only minor modification of the FAIRE protocol will be needed to adapt it to other plants, thus facilitating the global inventory of regulatory regions across species.
Hypoxia causes autophagic stress and derangement of metabolic adaptation in a cell model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Cimini Sara , Rizzardini Milena , Biella Gloria , Cantoni Lavinia 
Published: December 2013

AbstractAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that affects motor neurons. The recruitment of autophagy (macroautophagy) and mitochondrial dysfunction are documented in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients and experimental models expressing mutant forms of Cu, Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) protein, but their impact in the disease remains unclear. Hypoxia is a stress closely related to the disease in patients and mutant SOD1 mice; in individual cells, hypoxia activates autophagy and regulates mitochondrial metabolism as fundamental adaptive mechanisms. Our aim was to examine whether mutant SOD1 changed this response. Hypoxia (1% O2 for 22 h) caused greater loss of viability and more marked activation of caspase 3/7 in the motor neuronal NSC‐34 cell line stably transfected with the G93A mutant human SOD1 (G93A‐NSC) than in the one with the wild‐type SOD1 (WT‐NSC) or in untransfected NSC‐34. In the G93A‐NSC cells, there was a more marked accumulation of the LC3‐II autophagy protein, attributable to autophagic stress; 3‐methyladenine, which acts on initiation of autophagy, fully rescued G93A‐NSC viability and reduced the activation of caspase 3/7 indicating this was a secondary event; the metabolic handling of hypoxia was inappropriate possibly contributing to the autophagic stress. Our findings evidentiate that the G93A mutation of SOD1 profoundly altered the adaptive metabolic response to hypoxia and this could increase the cell susceptibility to this stress.
imageHypoxia activates autophagy and modifies glycolysis and mitochondrial respiration as fundamental cell adaptive mechanisms. This stress is closely related to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The recruitment of autophagy and mitochondrial dysfunction are documented in patients and models expressing mutant Cu, Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) protein, but their impact in the disease remains unclear. G93ASOD1 cells were more susceptible to hypoxia than wild‐type SOD1 cells and showed autophagic stress and inappropriate handling of energy metabolism. Defective adaptation to hypoxia may contribute to neurodegeneration.
Older women's experiences of suffering from urinary tract infections
Authors: Eriksson Irene , Olofsson Birgitta , Gustafson Yngve , Fagerström Lisbeth 
Published: December 2013

Aims and objectivesTo describe and explore older women's experiences of having had repeated urinary tract infections (UTIs).BackgroundUTIs are one of the most common bacterial infections among older women. Approximately one‐third of very old women suffer from at least one UTI each year. Despite the high incidence of UTI, little is known about the impact of UTI on health and daily life in older women.DesignA qualitative descriptive design.MethodsA qualitative study using semi‐structured interviews was conducted with 20 Swedish women aged 67–96 years who suffered from repeated UTIs the preceding year. The data were analysed using qualitative content analysis.ResultsTwo main themes were identified: being in a state of manageable suffering and depending on alleviation. Being in a state of manageable suffering was described in terms of experiencing physical and psychological health problems, struggling to deal with the illness and being restricted in daily life. Depending on alleviation was illustrated in terms of having access to relief but also receiving inadequate care.ConclusionsThis study demonstrated that UTIs are a serious health problem among older women that not only affects both physical and mental health but also has serious social consequences. The women in this study described the physical and psychological health problems, struggling to deal with the illness, being restricted in daily life, depending on access to relief and receiving inadequate care.Relevance to clinical practiceIt is important to improve the knowledge about how UTI affects the health of older women. This knowledge may help nurses develop strategies to support these women. One important part in the supportive strategies is that nurses can educate these women in self‐care.
Self‐rated health mediates the association between functional status and health‐related quality of life in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Ghorbani Saeedian Radka , Nagyova Iveta , Klein Daniel , Skorvanek Matej , Rosenberger Jaroslav , Gdovinova Zuzana , Groothoff Johan W , van Dijk Jitse P 
Published: December 2013

Aims and objectivesTo explore whether self‐rated health acts as a potential mediator in the association between functional status and health‐related quality of life in Parkinson's disease.BackgroundOlder persons (as most patients with Parkinson's disease are) who reported poor self‐rated health compared with those with excellent self‐rated health were two‐and‐a‐half times more likely to have experienced a decline in functional ability.DesignCross‐sectional.MethodsSocio‐demographic and clinical data of the patients (n = 176) were obtained during a structured interview and from medical records. Functional status was measured with the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (total score), self‐rated health with the first item of the Short‐Form 36‐item Health Survey Questionnaire and health‐related quality of life with the disease‐specific questionnaire called the Parkinson's Disease Quality of Life Questionnaire‐39. Multiple linear regression analyses and the Sobel test were employed to assess mediation.ResultsSelf‐rated health seems to have a mediating effect on the association between functional status and health‐related quality of life. The Sobel test confirmed an indirect effect of functional status via self‐rated health on health‐related quality of life and showed a statistically significant indirect effect of functional status on health‐related quality of life via self‐rated health against the direct route without the mediator.ConclusionsSelf‐rated health partially mediates the deteriorating effect of functional status on health‐related quality of life.Relevance to clinical practiceSupportive and adaptation psychosocial intervention programmes leading to restored self‐rated health may enhance the quality of life regardless of disability in Parkinson's disease.
Evaluation of a diabetes nurse specialist prescribing project
Authors: Wilkinson Jill , Carryer Jenny , Adams Jeffery 
Published: December 2013

Aims and objectivesTo evaluate the diabetes nurse specialist prescribing project with the aim of determining whether diabetes nurse specialist prescribing is safe and effective and to inform the implementation and extension of registered nurse prescribing.BackgroundRegistered nurses in many countries are able to prescribe medicines, but in New Zealand, prior to the diabetes nurse specialist project, nurse practitioners were the only nurses who could prescribe medicines. New regulations allowed the nurses to prescribe a limited number of prescription medicines.DesignThe study was a process and outcome clinical programme evaluation.MethodsThe project took place between April–September 2011 and involved 12 diabetes nurse specialist in four localities. Quantitative data were collected from clinical records maintained by the diabetes nurse specialist for the project (1274 patients and 3402 prescribing events), from surveys with stakeholders (general practitioners, n = 30; team members, n = 19; and patients, n = 89) and audits from patient notes (n = 117) and prescriptions (n = 227), and qualitative data from interviews with project participants (n = 18) and patients (n = 19). All data were analysed descriptively.ResultsDiabetes nurse specialist prescribing was determined to be safe, of high quality and appropriate. It brought important benefits to the effectiveness of specialist diabetes services, was acceptable to patients and was supported by the wider healthcare team.ConclusionsThese findings are consistent with the findings reported in the international literature about nurse prescribing in a range of different practice areas. Clarification of the education and competence requirements and resourcing for the ongoing supervision of nurses is recommended if the prescribing model is to be extended.Relevance to clinical practiceDiabetes nurse specialist prescribing improved access to medicines by providing a more timely service. Nurses felt more satisfied with their work because they could independently provide a complete episode of care. As novice prescribers, nurses need to be well prepared educationally and have access to supportive clinical supervision.
Immunisation coverage among a birth cohort of Aboriginal infants in an urban community
Authors: Harris Mark F , Webster Vana , Jalaludin Bin , Jackson Pulver Lisa R , Comino Elizabeth Jean 
Published: December 2013

AimThe aim of this study is to examine the age‐appropriate immunisation coverage and the factors associated with this in a cohort of Aboriginal infants in an outer urban Sydney community in comparison with non‐Aboriginal infants in this community.MethodsData on immunisation coverage were extracted from the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register for a birth cohort of 178 Aboriginal and 356 non‐Aboriginal infants born in Campbelltown between October 2005 and May 2007. Non‐Aboriginal infants were matched on birthdates and gender. Data on maternal socio‐economic and other characteristics were collected by questionnaire.ResultsAustralian Childhood Immunisation Register records were identified for 92% of infants. Immunisation rates of Aboriginal infants were comparable with those of non‐Aboriginal infants except for delay at 4 and 6 months. Rates of delay in immunisation at 12 and 18 months for both Aboriginal and non‐Aboriginal infants were similar. Young maternal age and higher parity were both associated with a greater likelihood of delay.ConclusionsImmunisation rates in this population of Aboriginal infants are comparable to those of non‐Aboriginal infants except for delay in immunisation at 4 and 6 months. Identified risk factors for both Aboriginal and non‐Aboriginal infants may be amenable to intervention. Strategies to ensure timely compliance with immunisation schedules in this outer urban community have achieved reasonable immunisation coverage for Aboriginal and non‐Aboriginal infants.
Microalgal assemblages in a poikilohaline pond
Authors: Wang Shuyi , Lambert William , Giang Sophia , Goericke Ralf , Palenik Brian 
Published: December 2013

Microalgal strains for algal biofuels production in outdoor ponds will need to have high net growth rates under diverse environmental conditions. A small, variable salinity pond in the San Elijo Lagoon estuary in southern California was chosen to serve as a model pond due to its routinely high chlorophyll content. Profiles of microalgal assemblages from water samples collected from April 2011 to January 2012 were obtained by constructing 18S rDNA environmental clone libraries. Pond assemblages were found to be dominated by green algae Picochlorum sp. and Picocystis sp. throughout the year. Pigment analysis suggested that the two species contributed most of the chlorophyll a of the pond, which ranged from 21.9 to 664.3 μg · L−1 with the Picocystis contribution increasing at higher salinities. However, changes of temperature, salinity or irradiance may have enabled a bloom of the diatom Chaetoceros sp. in June 2011. Isolates of these microalgae were obtained and their growth rates characterized as a function of temperature and salinity. Chaetoceros sp. had the highest growth rate over the temperature test range while it showed the most sensitivity to high salinity. All three strains showed the presence of lipid bodies during nitrogen starvation, suggesting they have potential as future biofuels strains.
Oral, subcutaneous, and intravenous pharmacokinetics of ondansetron in healthy cats
Authors: Quimby J. M. , Lake R. C. , Hansen R. J. , Lunghofer P. J. , Gustafson D. L. 
Published: December 2013

Ondansetron is a 5‐HT3 receptor antagonist that is an effective anti‐emetic in cats. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of ondansetron in healthy cats. Six cats with normal complete blood count, serum biochemistry, and urinalysis received 2 mg oral (mean 0.43 mg/kg), subcutaneous (mean 0.4 mg/kg), and intravenous (mean 0.4 mg/kg) ondansetron in a cross‐over manner with a 5‐day wash out. Serum was collected prior to, and at 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 18, and 24 h after administration of ondansetron. Ondansetron concentrations were measured using liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. Noncompartmental pharmacokinetic modeling and dose interval modeling were performed. Repeated measures anova was used to compare parameters between administration routes. Bioavailability of ondansetron was 32% (oral) and 75% (subcutaneous). Calculated elimination half‐life of ondansetron was 1.84 ± 0.58 h (intravenous), 1.18 ± 0.27 h (oral) and 3.17 ± 0.53 h (subcutaneous). The calculated elimination half‐life of subcutaneous ondansetron was significantly longer (P < 0.05) than oral or intravenous administration. Subcutaneous administration of ondansetron to healthy cats is more bioavailable and results in a more prolonged exposure than oral administration. This information will aid management of emesis in feline patients.
An early forest inventory indicates high accuracy of forest composition data in pre‐settlement land survey records
Authors: Terrail R. , Arseneault D. , Fortin M.‐J. , Dupuis S. , Boucher Y. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractQuestionsDo early land survey records of the ‘line description’ type allow accurate reconstructions of pre‐settlement forest composition? Did surveyors record all tree taxa in forest stands encountered along the surveyed lines? Were taxa ranked according to their relative importance in forest stands? What criteria did surveyors used to rank taxa in stands?LocationNorthern range limit of northern hardwoods,LowerSt.Lawrence region, easternQuébec,Canada.MethodsValidation of 1695 taxon lists recorded by surveyors in the 19th century through comparison of the number of stems by tree species and stem diameter classes recorded in 2790 old‐growth plots over the same two regions during a 1930 forest inventory.ResultsTaxon prevalence and dominance (i.e. proportion of observations for which each taxon is dominant) are highly correlated between the pre‐settlement surveys and the 1930 forest inventory data sets. Surveyors ranked taxa in decreasing order of relative importance, using criteria directly equivalent to basal area of stems in modern forest inventory plots. Taxon prevalence is more accurately reconstructed using relative metrics (i.e. ranks of taxon prevalence in a region), whereas taxon dominance is more accurately reconstructed using absolute metrics (percentage of dominant stands across landscapes). The early land surveys allow spatial patterns of forest composition to be reconstructed by computing relative taxon prevalence in cells of 3 km × 3 km. Prevalence of balsam fir (Abies balsamea) and white birch (Betula papyrifera) are underestimated in survey data, probably reflecting their low economic value in the 19th century.ConclusionsTaxon lists of early surveyors can accurately reconstruct pre‐settlement forest composition and spatial patterns using metrics of taxon prevalence and dominance across landscapes. Relative prevalence is a more comprehensive description of forest composition than dominance, but tends to underestimate some taxa. Absolute taxon dominance is a more robust metric than prevalence, but only reports on the abundance of the most dominant taxa.
Children's testimony and the emotional victim effect
Authors: Landström Sara , Ask Karl , Sommar Charlotte , Willén Rebecca 
Published: December 2013

PurposeTwo experiments were conducted to examine the effects of (1) child victims’ emotional expression during testimony and (2) the camera perspective used to record the testimony, on judgements of credibility.MethodsLaw students (N = 155 in Experiment 1; N = 86 in Experiment 2) watched a child harassment complainant provide a statement in an emotional or neutral manner, presented using different camera perspectives: balanced focus (i.e., a shot portraying an equal focus on the child complainant and the interviewer) versus picture‐in‐picture (PiP; i.e., a shot portraying only the child with an inset window depicting both the child and the interviewer in the corner of the screen) in Experiment 1 and PiP versus child focus (i.e., a shot depicting only the child) in Experiment 2.ResultsAlthough no effect was found for camera perspective, the results provide support for an emotional victim effect (EVE); the child was perceived as more credible and truthful when communicating the statement in an emotional (vs. neutral) manner. Moreover, the results provide corroborating evidence for the assumption that the EVE rests on both cognitive (expectancy confirmation) and affective (compassion) mechanisms.ConclusionsThese findings extend previous research by showing that the EVE and its underlying mechanisms apply to judgements of child complainants in the context of non‐sexual crimes and appear to be robust against variations of camera perspectives. Legal implications are discussed.
Atrial Tachyarrhythmias Temporally Precede Fluid Accumulation in Implantable Device Patients
Authors: ANDRIULLI JOHN A. , MOORE HANS J. , HETTRICK DOUGLAS A. , OUSDIGIAN KEVIN T. , JOHNSON JAMES , MARKOWITZ STEVEN M. 
Published: December 2013

BackgroundThe complex relationship between heart failure and atrial tachyarrhythmias (AT/atrial fibrillation [AF]) is not well understood. We examined the temporal association between changes in intrathoracic impedance, suggesting thoracic fluid accumulation, and AT/AF occurrence in cardiac resynchronization therapy‐defibrillator and implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) patients.MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on stored implantable device data to identify patients with automatic monitoring of daily AT/AF burden and intrathoracic impedance. Daily population trends in AT/AF burden before and after a fluid index threshold crossing (FIC) were determined.ResultsA total of 73,018 patients (68 ± 12 years, 51% ICD, 75% male) were evaluated over 18.6 ± 11.5 months. Kaplan‐Meier analysis indicated a significantly higher probability of FIC events in the first month following the onset of persistent AT/AF when compared to a matched group without persistent AT/AF (hazard ratio [HR] 1.65, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.58, 1.72], P < 0.001). Conversely, patients were significantly more likely to experience an episode of persistent AF in the first month after the FIC event (HR 1.32, 95% CI [1.08, 1.63], P = 0.008). The probability of a fluid index crossing within 30 days of the onset of persistent AT/AF was significantly lower in a subgroup of patients with adequate rate control (35.8% [34.3–37.4%] vs 42.0% [39.6–44.6%]; HR 1.24 [1.13–1.36]).ConclusionThoracic fluid accumulation, as indicated by decreasing intrathoracic impedance, was more likely to occur immediately after the onset of persistent AT/AF, especially in the presence of inadequate rate control. Likewise, the onset of persistent AT/AF was more likely following a decrease in intrathoracic impedance.
Does exercise induce hypoalgesia through conditioned pain modulation?
Authors: Ellingson Laura D. , Koltyn Kelli F. , Kim Jee‐Seon , Cook Dane B. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractPain sensitivity decreases with exercise. The mechanisms that underlie this exercise‐induced hypoalgesia (EIH) are unclear. Our purpose was to investigate conditioned pain modulation (CPM) as a potential mechanism of EIH. Sixteen women completed pain testing during three sessions: painful exercise, nonpainful exercise, and quiet rest. Intensity and unpleasantness ratings to noxious heat stimuli were assessed at baseline and during and following each session. Results showed that pain sensitivity decreased significantly during both exercise sessions (p < .05), but not during quiet rest. Effect size calculations showed that the size of the hypoalgesic response was greater following painful exercise than nonpainful exercise. Our results suggest that exercise‐induced muscle pain may contribute to the magnitude of EIH. However, as pain sensitivity also decreased following nonpainful exercise, CPM is not likely the primary mechanism of EIH.