bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Chromoplast-Specific Carotenoid-Associated Protein Appears to Be Important for Enhanced Accumulation of Carotenoids inhp1Tomato Fruits
Authors: Kilambi Himabindu Vasuki , Kumar Rakesh , Sharma Rameshwar , Sreelakshmi Yellamaraju 
Published: February 2013

AbstractTomato (Solanum lycopersicum) high-pigment mutants with lesions in diverse loci such as DNA Damage-Binding Protein1 (high pigment1 [hp1]), Deetiolated1 (hp2), Zeaxanthin Epoxidase (hp3), and Intense pigment (Ip; gene product unknown) exhibit increased accumulation of fruit carotenoids coupled with an increase in chloroplast number and size. However, little is known about the underlying mechanisms exaggerating the carotenoid accumulation and the chloroplast number in these mutants. A comparison of proteome profiles from the outer pericarp of hp1 mutant and wild-type (cv Ailsa Craig) fruits at different developmental stages revealed at least 72 differentially expressed proteins during ripening. Hierarchical clustering grouped these proteins into three clusters. We found an increased abundance of chromoplast-specific carotenoid-associated protein (CHRC) in hp1 fruits at red-ripe stage that is also reflected in its transcript level. Western blotting using CHRC polyclonal antibody from bell pepper (Capsicum annuum) revealed a 2-fold increase in the abundance of CHRC protein in the red-ripe stage of hp1 fruits compared with the wild type. CHRC levels in hp2 were found to be similar to that of hp1, whereas hp3 and Ip showed intermediate levels to those in hp1, hp2, and wild-type fruits. Both CHRC and carotenoids were present in the isolated plastoglobules. Overall, our results suggest that loss of function of DDB1, DET1, Zeaxanthin Epoxidase, and Ip up-regulates CHRC levels. Increase in CHRC levels may contribute to the enhanced carotenoid content in these high-pigment fruits by assisting in the sequestration and stabilization of carotenoids.
The Anticipation of Danger: Microbe-Associated Molecular Pattern Perception Enhances AtPep-Triggered Oxidative Burst
Authors: Flury Pascale , Klauser Dominik , Schulze Birgit , Boller Thomas , Bartels Sebastian 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
The endogenous Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) peptides, AtPeps, elicit an innate immune response reminiscent of pattern-triggered immunity. Detection of various danger signals, including microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs), leads to elevated transcription of PROPEPs, the AtPep precursors, and PEPRs, the AtPep receptors. It has been hypothesized that AtPeps are involved in enhancing pattern-triggered immunity. Following this idea, we analyzed the relationship between MAMP- and AtPep-elicited signaling. We found that the perception of MAMPs enhanced a subsequent AtPep-triggered production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Intriguingly, other components of AtPep-triggered immunity like Ca2+ influx, mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation, ethylene production, and expression of early defense genes, as well as ROS-activated genes, remained unchanged. By contrast, treatment with methyl jasmonate promoted an increase of all analyzed AtPep-triggered responses. We positively correlated the intensities of generic AtPep-triggered responses with the abundance of the two AtPep receptors by generating constitutively expressing PEPR1 and PEPR2 transgenic lines and by analyzing pepr1 and pepr2 mutants. Further, we show that enhanced, as well as basal, ROS production triggered by AtPeps is absent in the double mutant of the respiratory burst oxidase homologs D and F (rbohD rbohF). We present evidence that the enhancement of AtPep-triggered ROS is not based on changes in the ROS detoxification machinery and is independent of mitogen-activated protein kinase and Ca2+ signaling pathways. Taken together, these results indicate an additional level of regulation besides receptor abundance for the RbohD/RbohF-dependent production of AtPep-elicited ROS, which is specifically operated by MAMP-triggered pathways.
Comparison of the effects of artificial and natural barriers on large African carnivores: Implications for interspecific relationships and connectivity
Authors: Cozzi Gabriele , Broekhuis Femke , McNutt J. Weldon , Schmid Bernhard 
Published: February 2013

Summary

Physical barriers contribute to habitat fragmentation, influence species distribution and ranging behaviour, and impact long‐term population viability. Barrier permeability varies among species and can potentially impact the competitive balance within animal communities by differentially affecting co‐occurring species. The influence of barriers on the spatial distribution of species within whole communities has nonetheless received little attention.

During a 4‐year period, we studied the influence of a fence and rivers, two landscape features that potentially act as barriers on space use and ranging behaviour of lions Panthera leo, spotted hyenas Crocuta crocuta, African wild dogs Lycaon pictus and cheetahs Acinonyx jubatus in Northern Botswana. We compared the tendencies of these species to cross the barriers using data generated from GPS‐radio collars fitted to a total of 35 individuals. Barrier permeability was inferred by calculating the number of times animals crossed a barrier vs. the number of times they did not cross. Finally, based on our results, we produced a map of connectivity for the broader landscape system.

Permeability varied significantly between fence and rivers and among species. The fence represented an obstacle for lions (permeability = 7·2%), while it was considerably more permeable for hyenas (35·6%) and wild dogs and cheetahs (≥50%). In contrast, the rivers and associated floodplains were relatively permeable to lions (14·4%) while they represented a nearly impassable obstacle for the other species (<2%).

The aversion of lions to cross the fence resulted in a relatively lion‐free habitat patch on one side of the fence, which might provide a potential refuge for other species. For instance, the competitively inferior wild dogs used this refuge significantly more intensively than the side of the fence with a high presence of lions.

We showed that the influence of a barrier on the distribution of animals could potentially result in a broad‐scale modification of community structure and ecology within a guild of co‐occurring species. As habitat fragmentation increases, understanding the impact of barriers on species distributions is thus essential for the implementation of landscape‐scale management strategies, the development and maintenance of corridors and the enhancement of connectivity.
Top‐down control of prey increases with drying disturbance in ponds: a consequence of non‐consumptive interactions?
Authors: Greig Hamish S. , Wissinger Scott A. , McIntosh Angus R. 
Published: February 2013

Summary

Biotic interactions are often expected to decrease in intensity as abiotic conditions become more stressful to organisms. However, in many cases, food‐web and habitat complexity also change with abiotic stress or disturbance, potentially altering patterns of species interactions across environmental gradients.

We used a combination of field assays and mesocosm experiments to investigate how disturbance from desiccation moderates top‐down control of prey by predators across a gradient of pond duration in New Zealand.

Field manipulations of predator abundance in ponds led to an unexpected decrease in the top‐down control of prey biomass by predatory invertebrates as pond duration increased (decreasing abiotic stress). Predatory fish, which are restricted to permanent ponds, had negligible effects on prey biomass. Mesocosm experiments further indicated the consumptive effects of fish are weak; a result that cannot be explained by an increase in physical habitat refugia in relatively more permanent ponds.

Manipulations of invertebrate predator diversity in mesocosms (both substitutive and additive treatments), and the addition of olfactory fish cues, revealed that strong non‐consumptive effects of fish reduced predation by predatory invertebrates, and these effects overwhelmed the positive influence of invertebrate predator diversity on prey consumption.

These results suggest that decreases in top‐down control with increasing pond permanence are likely a result of non‐consumptive effects of fish weakening predation by invertebrate predators in the more complex food webs of permanent ponds. Therefore, considering non‐consumptive effects of predators in complex food webs will likely improve the understanding of biotic interactions across environmental gradients.
Is restoring flora the same as restoring fauna? Lessons learned from koalas and mining rehabilitation
Authors: Cristescu Romane H. , Rhodes Jonathan , Frére Céline , Banks Peter B. 
Published: February 2013

SummaryRehabilitation of degraded and disturbed landscapes has become critical for counteracting habitat loss. The success of rehabilitation projects, to date, has focused on abiotic and flora‐based criteria of success, leaving fauna unmonitored. This follows from the common paradigm that if flora recovers, fauna will recover too. However, we know very little about the extent to which this assumption is true. We addressed this issue by examining whether flora criteria used to assess mine rehabilitation reflected patterns in the recovery of an iconic species, the koalaPhascolarctos cinereus, in eastern Australia.We used rank tests to search for correlations between current mining flora criteria and fauna presence. We then developeda prioriregression models to search for new abiotic and flora criteria that are biologically relevant toPhascolarctos cinereus. In a third step, we investigated correlations between rehabilitation success ranked on the best biologically relevant habitat variables andPhascolarctos cinereusrecolonization.We found that rehabilitation success based on current mining flora criteria (calculated at two different scales: rehabilitation blocks and monitoring plots) did not correlate withPhascolarctos cinereuspresence.In contrast to the current flora‐based criteria, we found that variables that are biologically relevant toPhascolarctos cinereushad more influence on its presence. For instance, species richness in food trees favoured byPhascolarctos cinereusand tree canopy cover had a positive effect on its recolonization. However, correlations between biologically relevant habitat variables and fauna occurrence were still inconsistent.Synthesis and applications. In our study, flora criteria for rehabilitation success did not correlate with fauna recolonization. We also found several additional difficulties in predicting fauna recolonization based on habitat variables, such as the choice of relevant scales and the geographic specificity of relevant variables. The choice between monitoring habitat proxies or fauna will ultimately be based on weighting costs and efficiency and will depend on the fauna species. However, we argue that in general, fauna species should be directly monitored to ensure the recolonization of i) species of interest (e.g. threatened and charismatic) and ii) fauna involved in long‐term resilience of ecosystems.
Effects of probiotic yoghurt on symptoms and intestinal microbiota in patients with irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Lee Jin , Rheem Sungsue , Yun Bohyun , Ahn Youngjun , Joung Jaeyeon , Lee Suk Jun , Oh Sejong , Chun Taehoon , Rheem Insoo , Yea Hyun Soo , Lim Kwang Sei , Cha Jae Myung , Kim Saehun 
Published: February 2013

The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of probiotic yoghurt Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) in the treatment of Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Eighty‐three IBS patients yielded data to be analysed from this 9‐week, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind and randomized trial. The patients consumed either a LGG‐containing probiotic yoghurt (treatment group; n = 44) or a placebo (n = 39) twice daily for 6 weeks. The results indicate that this probiotic yoghurt was effective in alleviating some IBS symptoms and resulted in slight changes in certain gut microbiota. Probiotic yoghurt may represent a treatment for some gastrointestinal disorders.
Ecometabolomics: optimized NMR‐based method
Authors: Rivas‐Ubach Albert , Pérez‐Trujillo Miriam , Sardans Jordi , Gargallo‐Garriga Albert , Parella Teodor , Peñuelas Josep 
Published: February 2013

Summary

Metabolomics is allowing great advances in biological sciences. Recently, an increasing number of ecological studies are using a metabolomic approach to answer ecological questions (ecometabolomics). Ecometabolomics is becoming a powerful tool which allows following the responses of the metabolome of an organism environmental changes and the comparison of populations. Some Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) protocols have been published for metabolomics analyses oriented to other disciplines such as biomedicine, but there is a lack of a description of a detailed protocol applied to ecological studies.
Here we propose a NMR‐based protocol for ecometabolomic studies that provides an unbiased overview of the metabolome of an organism, including polar and nonpolar metabolites. This protocol is aimed to facilitate the analysis of many samples, as typically required in ecological studies. In addition to NMR fingerprinting, it identifies metabolites for generating metabolic profiles applying strategies of elucidation of small molecules typically used in natural‐product research, and allowing the identification of secondary and unknown metabolites. We also provide a detailed description to obtain the numerical data from the 1H‐NMR spectra needed to perform the statistical analyses.
We tested and optimized this protocol by using two field plant species (Erica multiflora and Quercus ilex) sampled once per season. Both species showed high levels of polar compounds such as sugars and amino acids during the spring, the growing season. E. multiflora was also experimentally submitted to drought and the NMR analyses were sensitive enough to detect some compounds related to the avoidance of water loses.
This protocol has been designed for ecometabolomic studies. It identifies changes in the compositions of metabolites between individuals and detects and identifies biological markers associated with environmental changes.
Parent Praise to 1‐ to 3‐Year‐Olds Predicts Children's Motivational Frameworks 5 Years Later
Authors: Gunderson Elizabeth A. , Gripshover Sarah J. , Romero Carissa , Dweck Carol S. , Goldin‐Meadow Susan , Levine Susan C. 
Published: February 2013

In laboratory studies, praising children's effort encourages them to adopt incremental motivational frameworks—they believe ability is malleable, attribute success to hard work, enjoy challenges, and generate strategies for improvement. In contrast, praising children's inherent abilities encourages them to adopt fixed‐ability frameworks. Does the praise parents spontaneously give children at home show the same effects? Although parents' early praise of inherent characteristics was not associated with children's later fixed‐ability frameworks, parents' praise of children's effort at 14–38 months (N = 53) did predict incremental frameworks at 7–8 years, suggesting that causal mechanisms identified in experimental work may be operating in home environments.
Multilevel Mediation: Cumulative Contextual Risk, Maternal Differential Treatment, and Children's Behavior Within Families
Authors: Meunier Jean Christophe , Boyle Michael , O'Connor Thomas G. , Jenkins Jennifer M. 
Published: February 2013

This study tests the hypothesis that links between contextual risk and children's outcomes are partially explained by differential parenting. Using multi‐informant measurement and including up to four children per family (Mage = 3.51, SD = 2.38) in a sample of 397 families, indirect effects (through maternal differential parenting: self‐reported and observed) of cumulative contextual risk on four child outcomes were investigated. Cumulative risk was associated with higher levels of differential parenting and, in turn, with higher levels of behavioral problems. Indirect effects were strongest for attentional and social problems but also evident for aggression. The link between differential parenting and outcome was moderated by favoritism, but this was only evident for maternal report and strongest for aggression.
Can an interprofessional education tool improve healthcare professional confidence, knowledge and quality of inpatient diabetes care: a pilot study?
Authors: Herring R. , Pengilley C. , Hopkins H. , Tuthill B. , Patel N. , Nelson C. , Currie A. , Russell‐Jones D. L. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractAimsTo conduct a pilot study evaluation of an interprofessional education tool that could improve healthcare professional confidence, knowledge and quality of inpatient diabetes care.MethodsDiabetes specialists designed an education tool for use in the hospital environment to educate qualified pharmacists, nurses, healthcare assistants and junior doctors. The interprofessional learning enabled professionals to learn from and about each other. The education tool was piloted at four hospitals. Diabetes specialists delivered the education programme to 31 healthcare professionals over 8 h either as three individual teaching blocks or a whole day. Healthcare professionals completed a multiple choice questionnaire before and after the education intervention to evaluate acquisition of knowledge. The maximum score was 20. Confidence was evaluated using categorical questions. Diabetes specialists used a clinical audit form before and after the education programme, to evaluate the quality of diabetes care.ResultsHealthcare professional's confidence improved from 58 to 94% (P < 0.05) and knowledge improved from 12.4 ± 0.6 to 15.0 ± 0.6 (mean ± sem, P < 0.05). There was a reduction in management errors from 74 to 44% (P < 0.05) and improvement in appropriate blood glucose monitoring from 67 to 92% (P < 0.05). The number of patients with documented foot assessment improved from15 to 33% (P < 0.05). Improvement in the number of appropriate diabetes referrals and reduction in prescribing errors did not reach statistical significance.ConclusionThe education tool improved healthcare professional confidence, knowledge and may improve the quality of inpatient diabetes care.
Recent advances of genome mapping and marker‐assisted selection in aquaculture
Authors: Yue Gen Hua 
Published: February 2013

AbstractAquaculture is the fastest growing sector in agriculture. Substantial genetic gains have been achieved in a few cultured species using conventional selective breeding approaches. However, the majority of fish and shellfish species remain in their wild state. Due to the recognition of the enormous potential of marker‐assisted selection (MAS) to speed up genetic gain through early selection, aquaculture scientists have constructed linkage maps in over 40 species and mapped quantitative trait loci (QTL) for important traits in over 20 species since the 1990s. Although MAS and genomic selection (GS) have not been widely used in aquaculture, their application in breeding programmes is expected to be a fertile area of research. In this paper, I summarized the recent advances of linkage and QTL mapping, as well as MAS in aquaculture species. I also discussed the potentials of genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) and GS in aquaculture species.
Performance of regional fisheries management organizations: ecosystem‐based governance of bycatch and discards
Authors: Gilman Eric , Passfield Kelvin , Nakamura Katrina 
Published: February 2013

AbstractA performance assessment was conducted of regional fisheries management organizations’ (RFMOs’) bycatch governance, one element of an ecosystem approach to fisheries management. Obtaining a mean score of 25%, with a 64% CV, collectively the RFMOs have large governance deficits. Individually, there has been mixed progress, with some RFMOs having made substantial progress for some governance elements. There has been nominal progress in gradually transitioning to ecosystem‐based fisheries management: controls largely do not account for broad or multispecies effects of fishing, and cross‐sectoral marine spatial planning is limited. Regional observers collect half of minimum information needed to assess the efficacy of bycatch measures. Over two‐thirds of RFMO‐managed fisheries lack regional observer coverage. International exchange of observers occurs in one‐third of programmes. There is no open access to research‐grade regional observer data. Ecological risk assessments focus on effects of bycatch removals on vulnerable species groups and effects of fishing on vulnerable benthic marine ecosystems. RFMOs largely do not assess or manage cryptic, generally undetectable sources of fishing mortality. Binding measures address about one‐third of bycatch problems. Eighty per cent of measures lack explicit performance standards against which to assess efficacy. Measures are piecemeal, developed without considering potential conflicts across vulnerable groups. RFMOs employ 60% of surveillance methods required to assess compliance. A lack of transparency and limited reporting of inspection effort, identified infractions, enforcement actions and outcomes further limits the ability to assess compliance. Augmented harmonization could help to fill identified deficits.
Is fisheries governance possible?
Authors: Johnsen Jahn P 
Published: February 2013

AbstractAre there limits to the governability of a fishery? The establishment of a 200 nautical mile economic zone inNorway in 1977 made it possible to change from an open‐access regime to a more closed one. In this process, the former self‐regulatingNorwegian fishing industry, to a large extent, accepted and adapted an explicit, hierarchical form of state‐run governance. However, the process of change did not stop there. Since the turn of the millennium, we have seen the creation of acybernetically organizedfishing industry, where control, regulation and governance have become re‐embedded in the industry. This article explores this radical new development and perspective on fisheries governance and governability based on lessons learned from technological and organizational changes in theNorwegian fishing industry.
Structural analysis of the Rhizoctonia solani agglutinin reveals a domain‐swapping dimeric assembly
Authors: Skamnaki Vassiliki T. , Peumans Willy J. , Kantsadi Anastassia L. , Cubeta Marc A. , Plas Kirsten , Pakala Suman , Zographos Spyridon E. , Smagghe Guy , Nierman William C. , Van Damme Els J. M. , Leonidas Demetres D. 
Published: February 2013

Rhizoctonia solani agglutinin (RSA) is a 15.5‐kDa lectin accumulated in the mycelium and sclerotia of the soil born plant pathogenic fungus R. solani. Although it is considered to serve as a storage protein and is implicated in fungal insecticidal activity, its physiological role remains unclear as a result of a lack of any structure/function relationship information. Glycan arrays showed that RSA displays high selectivity towards terminal nonreducing N‐acetylgalactosamine residues. We determined the amino acid sequence of RSA and also determined the crystal structures of the free form and the RSA–N‐acetylgalactosamine complex at 1.6 and 2.2 Å resolution, respectively. RSA is a homodimer comprised of two monomers adopting the β‐trefoil fold. Each monomer accommodates two different carbohydrate‐binding sites in an asymmetric way. Despite RSA topology similarities with R‐type lectins, the two‐monomer assembly involves an N‐terminal swap, thus creating a dimer association novel to R‐type lectins. Structural characterization of the two carbohydrate‐binding sites offers insights on the structural determinants of the RSA carbohydrate specificity.DatabaseStructural data have been deposited in the Protein Data Bank database under accession numbers 4G9M and 4G9N.Structured digital abstractRSA and RSA bind by x-ray crystallography (View interaction)