bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Integration of BpMADS4 on various linkage groups improves the utilization of the rapid cycle breeding system in apple
Authors: Weigl Kathleen , Wenzel Stephanie , Flachowsky Henryk , Peil Andreas , Hanke Magda‐Viola 
Published: November 2014

SummaryRapid cycle breeding in apple is a new approach for the rapid introgression of agronomically relevant traits (e.g. disease resistances) from wild apple species into domestic apple cultivars (Malus × domestica Borkh.). This technique drastically shortens the long‐lasting juvenile phase of apple. The utilization of early‐flowering apple lines overexpressing the BpMADS4 gene of the European silver birch (Betula pendula Roth.) in hybridization resulted in one breeding cycle per year. Aiming for the selection of non‐transgenic null segregants at the end of the breeding process, the flower‐inducing transgene and the gene of interest (e.g. resistance gene) that will be introgressed by hybridization need to be located on different chromosomes. To improve the flexibility of the existing approach in apple, this study was focused on the development and characterization of eleven additional BpMADS4 overexpressing lines of four different apple cultivars. In nine lines, the flowering gene was mapped to different linkage groups. The differences in introgressed T‐DNA sequences and plant genome deletions post‐transformation highlighted the unique molecular character of each line. However, transgenic lines demonstrated no significant differences in flower organ development and pollen functionality compared with non‐transgenic plants. Hybridization studies using pollen from the fire blight‐resistant wild species accession Malus fusca MAL0045 and the apple scab‐resistant cultivar ‘Regia’ indicated that BpMADS4 introgression had no significant effect on the breeding value of each transgenic line.
Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) 14‐3‐3 proteins participate in regulation of fibre initiation and elongation by modulating brassinosteroid signalling
Authors: Zhou Ying , Zhang Ze‐Ting , Li Mo , Wei Xin‐Zheng , Li Xiao‐Jie , Li Bing‐Ying , Li Xue‐Bao 
Published: November 2014

SummaryCotton (Gossypium hirsutum) fibre is an important natural raw material for textile industry in the world. Understanding the molecular mechanism of fibre development is important for the development of future cotton varieties with superior fibre quality. In this study, overexpression of Gh14‐3‐3L in cotton promoted fibre elongation, leading to an increase in mature fibre length. In contrast, suppression of expression of Gh14‐3‐3L, Gh14‐3‐3e and Gh14‐3‐3h in cotton slowed down fibre initiation and elongation. As a result, the mature fibres of the Gh14‐3‐3 RNAi transgenic plants were significantly shorter than those of wild type. This ‘short fibre’ phenotype of the 14‐3‐3 RNAi cotton could be partially rescued by application of 2,4‐epibrassinolide (BL). Expression levels of the BR‐related and fibre‐related genes were altered in the Gh14‐3‐3 transgenic fibres. Furthermore, we identified Gh14‐3‐3 interacting proteins (including GhBZR1) in cotton. Site mutation assay revealed that Ser163 in GhBZR1 and Lys51/56/53 in Gh14‐3‐3L/e/h were required for Gh14‐3‐3‐GhBZR1 interaction. Nuclear localization of GhBZR1 protein was induced by BR, and phosphorylation of GhBZR1 by GhBIN2 kinase was helpful for its binding to Gh14‐3‐3 proteins. Additionally, 14‐3‐3‐regulated GhBZR1 protein may directly bind to GhXTH1 and GhEXP promoters to regulate gene expression for responding rapid fibre elongation. These results suggested that Gh14‐3‐3 proteins may be involved in regulating fibre initiation and elongation through their interacting with GhBZR1 to modulate BR signalling. Thus, our study provides the candidate intrinsic genes for improving fibre yield and quality by genetic manipulation.
Help seeking and social competence mediate the parental attachment–college student adjustment relation
Authors: HOLT LAURA J. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractThis short‐term longitudinal study investigated whether attitudes about academic help seeking, social competence, and self‐compassion mediated the relations between parental attachment and college student adjustment. Two hundred and four first‐year students completed measures of parental attachment and the proposed mediators at the beginning of their first semester. At the end of the semester, students reported on their academic, social, and personal/emotional adjustment. Results showed that attitudes about academic help seeking mediated the attachment–academic adjustment relation and social competence mediated the attachment–social adjustment relation. Personal/emotional adjustment largely was predicted by initial personal/emotional adjustment. These findings suggest that help‐seeking attitudes and social competence could be fruitful targets of intervention for personnel working with college students who have strained parental relationships.
Immunization of mice with Plasmodium TCTP delays establishment of Plasmodium infection
Authors: Taylor K. J. , Van T. T. H. , MacDonald S. M. , Meshnick S. R. , Fernley R. T. , Macreadie I. G. , Smooker P. M. 
Published: November 2014

SummaryTranslationally controlled tumour protein (TCTP) may play an important role in the establishment or maintenance of parasitemia in a malarial infection. In this study, the potential of TCTP as a malaria vaccine was investigated in two trials. In the initial vaccine trial, Plasmodium falciparum TCTP (PfTCTP) was expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and used to immunize BALB/c mice. Following challenge with Plasmodium yoelii YM, parasitemia was significantly reduced during the early stages of infection. In the second vaccine trial, the TCTP from P. yoelii and P. berghei was expressed in Escherichia coli and used in several mouse malaria models. A significant reduction in parasitemia in the early stages of infection was observed in BALB/c mice challenged with P. yoelii YM. A significantly reduced parasitemia at each day leading up to a delayed and reduced peak parasitemia was also observed in BALB/c mice challenged with the nonlethal Plasmodium chabaudi (P.c.) chabaudi AS. These results suggest that TCTP has an important role for parasite establishment and may be important for pathogenesis.
Artificial leaf aids analysis of chlorophyll fluorescence and P700 absorbance in studies involving microalgae
Authors: Qiao Hongjin , Fan Xiao , Xu Dong , Ye Naihao , Wang Jiying , Cao Shaona 
Published: November 2014

SummaryMeasuring chlorophyll fluorescence and P700 absorbance has been widely used to study photosynthesis in both terrestrial plants and algae. However, in order to apply these measurement techniques to study microalgae, a concentrated suspension of algae, which is usually prepared by centrifugation, is required. In this study, instead of using centrifugation, we concentrated microalgae on a nitrocellulose membrane using filtration to create an ‘artificial leaf’ before analysis. Overall, we were able to generate values of the appropriate photosynthetic parameters that were comparable to those obtained when chlorophyll fluorescence and P700 absorbance were measured following centrifugation. There were no statistically significant differences (P > 0.05) between the artificial leaf method and the traditional cuvette method for determining chlorophyll fluorescence or P700 absorbance at appropriate chlorophyll concentrations. We were also able to reduce background noise by using a filter membrane as a carrier. Therefore, an artificial leaf has the potential to be a valuable tool for phycologists interested in studying microalgal photosynthesis by enabling them to eliminate tedious centrifugation steps. In addition, fluorometers commonly used for studying the leaves of higher plants will also be suitable for studying microalgae.
Diabetes mellitus onset in geriatric patients: does long‐term atypical antipsychotic exposure increase risk?
Authors: Abitbol Roza , Rej Soham , Segal Marilyn , Looper Karl J. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractBackgroundDiabetes mellitus (DM) in common in adults using psychotropic medications. However, it remains largely unknown whether there is an additional risk of diabetes mellitus (DM) in elderly psychiatric outpatients, particularly those with long‐term exposure to atypical antipsychotics (AP).MethodsIn this retrospective longitudinal study, 61 atypical AP‐exposed and 64 atypical AP‐unexposed geriatric psychiatric patients were compared to a group of 200 psychotropic‐naïve controls. Our main composite outcome was diabetes incidence over a 4‐year period, defined by fasting blood glucose ≥ 7.0 mmol/L or a new‐onset oral hypoglycaemic or insulin prescription during the 4‐year period.ResultsThe 4‐year incidence of DM did not differ significantly between groups: 12.3%, 6.7%, and 11.9% in the atypical AP‐exposed, atypical AP‐unexposed, and control groups, respectively (χ2 = 1.40, P = 0.50). Depression and antidepressant, cholinesterase inhibitor, and valproate use were independently associated with increases in fasting glucose. However, hyperglycaemia and hypoglycaemic prescriptions were not more common in geriatric psychiatric patients.ConclusionsDM does not appear to be more common in geriatric psychiatric patients than similarly aged controls and is not more common in atypical AP users. However, depression and antidepressant, cholinesterase inhibitor, and valproate use may increase fasting glucose levels, and the clinical significance of this warrants further investigation. Nonetheless, given the rates of untreated and undertreated fasting hyperglycaemia in both our geriatric psychiatric and control samples (>10% of all patients), we recommend regular screening for DM in these populations.
ERP and pupil responses to deviance in an oddball paradigm
Authors: Kamp Siri‐Maria , Donchin Emanuel 
Published: November 2014

AbstractWe investigated the relationship between, and functional significance of, P300, novelty P3, and the pupil dilation response (PDR). Subjects categorized stimuli including (a) words of a frequent category, (b) words of an infrequent category (14%), and (c) pictures of the frequent category (“novels”; 14%). The P300 and novelty P3 were uncorrelated with the PDR and differed in their response to experimental manipulation. Therefore, although the three physiological responses often co‐occur, they appear to each manifest a distinct function: The PDR may be more closely linked to aspects of behavioral responding than the event‐related potentials. Within participants, P300 and PDR latencies accounted for unique portions of the reaction time variance, and amplitudes of all three responses were larger for stimuli recalled on a subsequent test, compared to not recalled. We discuss the possibility that all three responses reflect norepinephric input from the locus coeruleus.
Suicidal Behavior Outcomes of Childhood Sexual Abuse: Longitudinal Study of Adjudicated Girls
Authors: Rabinovitch Sara M. , Kerr David C. R. , Leve Leslie D. , Chamberlain Patricia 
Published: November 2014

Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) histories are prevalent among adolescent girls in the juvenile justice system (JJS) and may contribute to their high rates of suicidal behavior. Among 166 JJS girls who participated in an intervention trial, baseline CSA and covariates were examined as predictors of suicide attempt and nonsuicidal self‐injury (NSSI) reported at long‐term follow‐up (7–12 years later). Early forced CSA was related to lifetime suicide attempt and NSSI history and (marginally) to postbaseline attempt; effects were not mediated by anxiety or depressive symptoms. Findings suggest that earlier victimization and younger entry into JJS are linked with suicide attempt and NSSI.
Influence of farm yard manure, poultry manure and forest litter on copper solubility in soil and uptake by Phaseolus vulgaris
Authors: Senkondo Y. H. , Tack F. M. G. , Semu E. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractLong term and intensive use of copper‐based fungicides on coffee farms may contaminate soils with copper. The legacy of copper pollution may pose the risk of contaminating food crops cultivated on these soils. A randomized block design field experiment at Kilimanjaro, Tanzania was designed to investigate the effects of different application rates of cattle manure, poultry manure and forest litter on aqua regia, EDTA and CaCl2 extractable copper in soils and copper uptake by bean plants grown on this long‐term copper‐contaminated soil (more than 50 yr of copper application). It was important to examine the potential of the organic amendments in mobilizing or immobilizing copper and assess the risks of contaminating bean crops at a farm, where the application of organic amendments was common practice. At harvest, rhizosphere soils were collected and analysed. The soils were found to have large concentrations of copper, greatly exceeding international standard levels. Poultry manure applied at 40 tons/ha significantly increased CaCl2 extractable copper compared with the control treatment. Organic carbon, cation exchange capacity, EDTA extractable copper, aqua regia extractable copper and copper concentrations in bean seeds or leaves were not significantly changed by the organic matter treatments. The concentration of copper was significantly less in bean seeds than in bean leaves (P < 0.01). The bean plants did not take up excessive quantities of copper, and therefore, the risk of copper contamination of bean crops in this farm appears to be small.
The impact of whole blood processing and freezing conditions on the quality of therapeutic plasma prepared from whole blood
Authors: Runkel Stefan , Hitzler Walter E. , Hellstern Peter 
Published: November 2014

BackgroundThe quality of whole blood (WB)‐derived plasma preparations has been the subject of several studies, but there has been a lack of robust, comparative data for the different methods of processing and freezing.Study Design and MethodsSix WB‐derived plasma units were pooled and split (n = 16) and frozen within either 8 or 24 hours after WB collection, stored at 4°C or at room temperature (RT), and then frozen either slowly at −20°C or rapidly to below −30°C. Plasma units were tested for fibrinogen, Factor (F)V, FVII, FVIII, FXI, and von Willebrand factor (VWF), protein C (PC), protein S (PS) activity and free PS, prothrombin time, and partial thromboplastin time.ResultsFVIII was reduced by 9% to 19% after having been stored for 24 hours irrespective of storage temperature. Slow freezing (SF) reduced FVIII by 17% to 25% compared to rapid freezing (RF) to below −30°C. Storage temperature, but not 24‐hour storage, decreased PS activity by 20% to 28%. PS activity was 8% to 17% lower in plasma units frozen slowly compared to RF. Storage and freezing had no influence on free PS. SF caused small losses of FVII and FXI activity.ConclusionTwenty‐four‐hour hold at RT and SF both reduce FVIII levels below 70 U/dL in many plasma units. PS activity is affected substantially by storage temperature and SF, but free PS is not. With regard to plasma quality, freezing to below −30°C within 1 hour is superior to SF at −20°C.
In vitro comparison of cryopreserved and liquid platelets: potential clinical implications
Authors: Johnson Lacey , Reade Michael C. , Hyland Ryan A. , Tan Shereen , Marks Denese C. 
Published: November 2014

BackgroundPlatelet (PLT) concentrates can be cryopreserved in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and stored at −80°C for 2 years. These storage conditions improve availability in both rural and military environments. Previous phenotypic and in vitro studies of cryopreserved PLTs are limited by comparison to fresh liquid‐stored PLTs, rather than PLTs stored over their clinically relevant shelf life. Further, nothing is known of the effect of reconstituting cryopreserved PLTs in plasma stored at a variety of clinically relevant temperatures.Study Design and MethodsApheresis PLTs were either stored at room temperature for 5 days or cryopreserved at −80°C with 5% DMSO. Cryopreserved PLTs were thawed at 37°C and reconstituted in plasma (stored at different temperatures) and compared to fresh and expired liquid‐stored PLTs. In vitro assays were performed to assess glycoprotein expression, PLT activity, microparticle content, and function.ResultsCompared to liquid PLTs over storage, cryopreserved PLTs had reduced expression of the key glycoprotein receptors GPIbα and GPIIb. However, the proportion of PLTs expressing activation markers CD62P and CD63 was similar between cryopreserved and liquid‐stored PLTs at expiry. Cryopreserved PLT components contained significantly higher numbers of phosphatidylserine‐ and tissue factor–positive microparticles than liquid‐stored PLTs, and these microparticles reduced the time to clot formation and increased thrombin generation.ConclusionThere are distinct differences between cryopreserved and liquid‐stored PLTs. Cryopreserved PLTs also have an enhanced hemostatic activity. Knowledge of these in vitro differences will be essential to understanding the outcomes of a clinical trial comparing cryopreserved PLTs and liquid PLTs stored for various durations.
Genomic Epidemiology of the Haitian Cholera Outbreak: a Single Introduction Followed by Rapid, Extensive, and Continued Spread Characterized the Onset of the Epidemic
Authors: Eppinger Mark , Pearson Talima , Koenig Sara S. K. , Pearson Ofori , Hicks Nathan , Agrawal Sonia , Sanjar Fatemeh , Galens Kevin , Daugherty Sean , Crabtree Jonathan , Hendriksen Rene S. , Price Lance B. , Upadhyay Bishnu P. , Shakya Geeta , Fraser Claire M. , Ravel Jacques , Keim Paul S. 
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACT

For centuries, cholera has been one of the most feared diseases. The causative agent
Vibrio cholerae
is a waterborne Gram-negative enteric pathogen eliciting a severe watery diarrheal disease. In October 2010, the seventh pandemic reached Haiti, a country that had not experienced cholera for more than a century. By using whole-genome sequence typing and mapping strategies of 116 serotype O1 strains from global sources, including 44 Haitian genomes, we present a detailed reconstructed evolutionary history of the seventh pandemic with a focus on the Haitian outbreak. We catalogued subtle genomic alterations at the nucleotide level in the genome core and architectural rearrangements from whole-genome map comparisons. Isolates closely related to the Haitian isolates caused several recent outbreaks in southern Asia. This study provides evidence for a single-source introduction of cholera from Nepal into Haiti followed by rapid, extensive, and continued clonal expansion. The phylogeographic patterns in both southern Asia and Haiti argue for the rapid dissemination of
V. cholerae
across the landscape necessitating real-time surveillance efforts to complement the whole-genome epidemiological analysis. As eradication efforts move forward, phylogeographic knowledge will be important for identifying persistent sources and monitoring success at regional levels. The results of molecular and epidemiological analyses of this outbreak suggest that an indigenous Haitian source of
V. cholerae
is unlikely and that an indigenous source has not contributed to the genomic evolution of this clade.

IMPORTANCE
In this genomic epidemiology study, we have applied high-resolution whole-genome-based sequence typing methodologies on a comprehensive set of genome sequences that have become available in the aftermath of the Haitian cholera epidemic. These sequence resources enabled us to reassess the degree of genomic heterogeneity within the
Vibrio cholerae
O1 serotype and to refine boundaries and evolutionary relationships. The established phylogenomic framework showed how outbreak isolates fit into the global phylogeographic patterns compared to a comprehensive globally and temporally diverse strain collection and provides strong molecular evidence that points to a nonindigenous source of the 2010 Haitian cholera outbreak and refines epidemiological standards used in outbreak investigations for outbreak inclusion/exclusion following the concept of genomic epidemiology. The generated phylogenomic data have major public health relevance in translating sequence-based information to assist in future diagnostic, epidemiological, surveillance, and forensic studies of cholera.
Evolution of Invasion in a Diverse Set of
Fusobacterium
Species
Authors: Manson McGuire Abigail , Cochrane Kyla , Griggs Allison D. , Haas Brian J. , Abeel Thomas , Zeng Qiandong , Nice Justin B. , MacDonald Hanlon , Birren Bruce W. , Berger Bryan W. , Allen-Vercoe Emma , Earl Ashlee M. 
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACT

The diverse
Fusobacterium
genus contains species implicated in multiple clinical pathologies, including periodontal disease, preterm birth, and colorectal cancer. The lack of genetic tools for manipulating these organisms leaves us with little understanding of the genes responsible for adherence to and invasion of host cells. Actively invading
Fusobacterium
species can enter host cells independently, whereas passively invading species need additional factors, such as compromise of mucosal integrity or coinfection with other microbes. We applied whole-genome sequencing and comparative analysis to study the evolution of active and passive invasion strategies and to infer factors associated with active forms of host cell invasion. The evolution of active invasion appears to have followed an adaptive radiation in which two of the three fusobacterial lineages acquired new genes and underwent expansions of ancestral genes that enable active forms of host cell invasion. Compared to passive invaders, active invaders have much larger genomes, encode FadA-related adhesins, and possess twice as many genes encoding membrane-related proteins, including a large expansion of surface-associated proteins containing the MORN2 domain of unknown function. We predict a role for proteins containing MORN2 domains in adhesion and active invasion. In the largest and most comprehensive comparison of sequenced
Fusobacterium
species to date, we have generated a testable model for the molecular pathogenesis of
Fusobacterium
infection and illuminate new therapeutic or diagnostic strategies.

IMPORTANCE
Fusobacterium
species have recently been implicated in a broad spectrum of human pathologies, including Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, preterm birth, and colorectal cancer. Largely due to the genetic intractability of member species, the mechanisms by which
Fusobacterium
causes these pathologies are not well understood, although adherence to and active invasion of host cells appear important. We examined whole-genome sequence data from a diverse set of
Fusobacterium
species to identify genetic determinants of active forms of host cell invasion. Our analyses revealed that actively invading
Fusobacterium
species have larger genomes than passively invading species and possess a specific complement of genes—including a class of genes of unknown function that we predict evolved to enable host cell adherence and invasion. This study provides an important framework for future studies on the role of
Fusobacterium
in pathologies such as colorectal cancer.