bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A survey of tick‐borne pathogens in dogs and their ticks in the Pantanal biome, Brazil
Authors: MELO A. L. T. , WITTER R. , MARTINS T. F. , PACHECO T. A. , ALVES A. S. , CHITARRA C. S. , DUTRA V. , NAKAZATO L. , PACHECO R. C. , LABRUNA M. B. , AGUIAR D. M. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractTick and blood samples collected from domestic dogs in the Brazilian Pantanal were tested by molecular methods for the presence of tick‐borne protozoa and bacteria. Among 320 sampled dogs, 3.13% were infected by Babesia vogeli (Piroplasmida: Babesiidae), 8.75% by Hepatozoon canis (Eucoccidiorida: Hepatozoidae), 7.19% by Anaplasma platys (Rickettsiales: Anaplasmataceae), and 0.94% by an unclassified Anaplasma sp. In three tick species collected from dogs, the following tick‐borne agents were detected: (a) B. vogeli, An. platys and Ehrlichia canis (Rickettsiales: Anaplasmataceae), infecting Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (Ixodida: Ixodidae) ticks; (b) H. canis, an unclassified Anaplasma sp. and Rickettsia amblyommii (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae), infecting Amblyomma cajennense sensu lato (Ixodida: Ixodidae) ticks, and (c) Rickettsia sp. strain Atlantic rainforest, an emerging human pathogen, infecting Amblyomma ovale ticks. Molecular analysis, based on a mitochondrial gene, revealed that the Am. cajennense s.l. ticks of the present study corresponded to Amblyomma sculptum, a member of the Am. cajennense species complex, and that Rh. sanguineus s.l. belonged to the tropical lineage. Whereas dogs are exposed to a number of tick‐borne bacterial and protozoan agents in the Pantanal biome, humans are potentially exposed to infection by spotted fever group rickettsiae (e.g. R. amblyommii and Rickettsia sp. strain Atlantic rainforest) because both Am. sculptum and Am. ovale are among the most important human‐biting ticks in Brazil.
Psychological factors selectively upregulate rectal pain perception in hypersensitive patients with irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Grinsvall C. , Törnblom H. , Tack J. , Van Oudenhove L. , Simrén M. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractBackgroundVisceral hypersensitivity and psychological symptoms are frequent features in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Exploring mechanistic pathways leading to visceral hypersensitivity is of importance to direct future studies and treatment options. In this study, we evaluated the contribution of psychological factors to the perception of painful and non‐painful rectal sensations in hyper‐ vs normosensitive IBS patients.MethodsWe included 138 IBS patients (Rome II criteria) who underwent an ascending method of limited rectal balloon distension paradigm. At the end of each distension step, subjects rated the perceived intensity of non‐painful (‘unpleasantness’) and painful rectal sensations on visual analog scales. Sensitivity status was determined based on pain thresholds. Anxiety, depression and somatization were assessed by questionnaires. Mixed models were used to test the relationship between sensitivity status, psychological variables, and pain & unpleasantness ratings upon increasing distension.Key ResultsHypersensitive IBS patients had lower sensory thresholds for pain, first perception, urge to defecate, and discomfort (p < 0.0001). Upon increasing distension, they rated both painful and non‐painful sensations as more intense than normosensitive patients (p < 0.0001). Psychological factors were associated with higher pain ratings during distension in hypersensitive (p < 0.006–0.0001), but not in normosensitive patients. Anxiety, but not depression or somatization, was associated with increased intensity ratings of non‐painful sensations (p < 0.001), independent of sensitivity status.Conclusions & InferencesHypersensitive IBS patients are characterized by increased perception of pain, but also of non‐painful sensations. Psychological factors increase the perception of painful sensations in hypersensitive patients only, whereas non‐painful visceral sensations were exaggerated in anxious patients regardless of the sensitivity status.
Activation of colo‐rectal high‐threshold afferent nerves by Interleukin‐2 is tetrodotoxin‐sensitive and upregulated in a mouse model of chronic visceral hypersensitivity
Authors: Campaniello M. A. , Harrington A. M. , Martin C. M. , Ashley Blackshaw L. , Brierley S. M. , Hughes P. A. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractBackgroundChronic visceral pain is a defining feature of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). IBS patients often show alterations in innate and adaptive immune function which may contribute to symptoms. Immune mediators are known to modulate the activity of viscero‐sensory afferent nerves, but the focus has been on the innate immune system. Interleukin‐2 (IL‐2) is primarily associated with adaptive immune responses but its effects on colo‐rectal afferent function in health or disease are unknown.MethodsMyeloperoxidase (MPO) activity determined the extent of inflammation in health, acute trinitrobenzene‐sulfonic acid (TNBS) colitis, and in our post‐TNBS colitis model of chronic visceral hypersensitivity (CVH). The functional effects of IL‐2 on high‐threshold colo‐rectal afferents and the expression of IL‐2R and NaV1.7 mRNA in colo‐rectal dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons were compared between healthy and CVH mice.Key ResultsMPO activity was increased during acute colitis, but subsided to levels comparable to health in CVH mice. IL‐2 caused direct excitation of colo‐rectal afferents that was blocked by tetrodotoxin. IL‐2 did not affect afferent mechanosensitivity in health or CVH. However, an increased proportion of afferents responded directly to IL‐2 in CVH mice compared with controls (73% vs 33%; p < 0.05), and the abundance of IL‐2R and NaV1.7 mRNA was increased 3.5‐ and 2‐fold (p < 0.001 for both) in colo‐rectal DRG neurons.Conclusions & InferencesIL‐2, an immune mediator from the adaptive arm of the immune response, affects colo‐rectal afferent function, indicating these effects are not restricted to innate immune mediators. Colo‐rectal afferent sensitivity to IL‐2 is increased long after healing from inflammation.
Microtubule dynamics of the centrosome‐like polar organizers from the basal land plant Marchantia polymorpha
Authors: Buschmann Henrik , Holtmannspötter Michael , Borchers Agnes , O'Donoghue Martin‐Timothy , Zachgo Sabine 
Published: October 2015

Summary

The liverwort Marchantia employs both modern and ancestral devices during cell division: it forms preprophase bands and in addition it shows centrosome‐like polar organizers. We investigated whether polar organizers and preprophase bands cooperate to set up the division plane.

To this end, two novel green fluorescent protein‐based microtubule markers for dividing cells of Marchantia were developed.

Cells of the apical notch formed polar organizers first and subsequently assembled preprophase bands. Polar organizers were formed de novo from multiple mobile microtubule foci localizing to the nuclear envelope. The foci then became concentrated by bipolar aggregation. We determined the comet production rate of polar organizers and show that microtubule plus ends of astral microtubules polymerize faster than those found on cortical microtubules. Importantly, it was observed that conditions increasing polar organizer numbers interfere with preprophase band formation.

The data show that polar organizers have much in common with centrosomes, but that they also have specialized features. The results suggest that polar organizers contribute to preprophase band formation and in this way are involved in controlling the division plane. Our analyses of the basal land plant Marchantia shed new light on the evolution of plant cell division.
Plant compartment and biogeography affect microbiome composition in cultivated and native Agave species
Authors: Coleman‐Derr Devin , Desgarennes Damaris , Fonseca‐Garcia Citlali , Gross Stephen , Clingenpeel Scott , Woyke Tanja , North Gretchen , Visel Axel , Partida‐Martinez Laila P. , Tringe Susannah G. 
Published: October 2015

Summary

Desert plants are hypothesized to survive the environmental stress inherent to these regions in part thanks to symbioses with microorganisms, and yet these microbial species, the communities they form, and the forces that influence them are poorly understood.

Here we report the first comprehensive investigation of the microbial communities associated with species of Agave, which are native to semiarid and arid regions of Central and North America and are emerging as biofuel feedstocks. We examined prokaryotic and fungal communities in the rhizosphere, phyllosphere, leaf and root endosphere, as well as proximal and distal soil samples from cultivated and native agaves, through Illumina amplicon sequencing.

Phylogenetic profiling revealed that the composition of prokaryotic communities was primarily determined by the plant compartment, whereas the composition of fungal communities was mainly influenced by the biogeography of the host species. Cultivated A. tequilana exhibited lower levels of prokaryotic diversity compared with native agaves, although no differences in microbial diversity were found in the endosphere.

Agaves shared core prokaryotic and fungal taxa known to promote plant growth and confer tolerance to abiotic stress, which suggests common principles underpinning Agave–microbe interactions.
The tomato plastidic fructokinase SlFRK3 plays a role in xylem development
Authors: Stein Ofer , Damari‐Weissler Hila , Secchi Francesca , Rachamilevitch Shimon , German Marcelo A. , Yeselson Yelena , Amir Rachel , Schaffer Arthur , Holbrook N. Michele , Aloni Roni , Zwieniecki Maciej A. , Granot David 
Published: October 2015

Summary

Plants have two kinds of fructokinases (FRKs) that catalyze the key step of fructose phosphorylation, cytosolic and plastidic. The major cytosolic tomato FRK, SlFRK2, is essential for the development of xylem vessels.

In order to study the role of SlFRK3, which encodes the only plastidic FRK, we generated transgenic tomato (Solanum lycopersicon) plants with RNAi suppression of SlFRK3 as well as plants expressing beta‐glucoronidase (GUS) under the SlFRK3 promoter.

GUS staining indicated SlFRK3 expression in vascular tissues of the leaves and stems, including cambium, differentiating xylem, young xylem fibers and phloem companion cells. Suppression of SlFRK3 reduced the stem xylem area, stem and root water conductance, and whole‐plant transpiration, with minor effects on plant development. However, suppression of SlFRK3 accompanied by partial suppression of SlFRK2 induced significant growth‐inhibition effects, including the wilting of mature leaves. Grafting experiments revealed that these growth effects are imposed primarily by the leaves, whose petioles had unlignified, thin‐walled xylem fibers with collapsed parenchyma cells around the vessels. A cross between the SlFRK2‐antisense and SlFRK3‐RNAi lines exhibited similar wilting and anatomical effects, confirming that these effects are the result of the combined suppression of SlFRK3 and SlFRK2.

These results demonstrate a role of the plastidic SlFRK3 in xylem development and hydraulic conductance.
Plant–mycorrhizal fungus co‐occurrence network lacks substantial structure
Authors: Encinas‐Viso Francisco , Alonso David , Klironomos John N. , Etienne Rampal S. , Chang Esther R. 
Published: October 2015

The interactions between plants and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) maintain a crucial link between macroscopic organisms and the soil microbial world. These interactions are of extreme importance for the diversity of plant communities and ecosystem functioning. Despite this importance, only recently has the structure of plant–AMF interaction networks been studied. These recent studies, which used genetic data, suggest that these networks are highly structured, very similar to plant–animal mutualistic networks. However, the assembly process of plant–AMF communities is still largely unknown, and an important feature of plant–AMF interactions has not been incorporated: they occur at an extremely localized scale. Studying plant–AMF networks in a spatial context seems therefore a crucial step. This paper studies a plant–AMF spatial co‐occurrence network using novel methodology based on information theory and a unique set of spatially explicit species‐level data. We apply three null models of which only one accounts for spatial effects. We find that the data show substantial departures from null expectations for the two non‐spatial null models. However, for the null model considering spatial effects, there are few significant co‐occurrences compared with the other two null models. Thus, plant–AMF spatial co‐occurrences seem to be mostly explained by stochasticity, with a small role for other factors related to plant–AMF specialization. Furthermore, we find that the network is not significantly nested or modular. We conclude that this plant–AMF spatial co‐occurrence network lacks substantial structure and, therefore, plants and AMF species do not track each other over space. Thus, random encounters seem more important in the first step of the assembly of plant–AMF communities.SynthesisThe symbiotic interaction between plants and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) is crucial for ecosystem functioning. However, the factors affecting the assembly of plant‐AMF communities are poorly understood. An important factor of the assembly of plant‐AMF communities has been overlooked: plant‐AMF interactions occur at a localized spatial scale. Our study investigated the importance of space in the structure of plant‐AMF communities. We studied a plant‐AMF spatial co‐occurrence network using a unique set of spatially explicit data and applied three null models. We found that plant‐AMF spatial co‐occurrences seem to be mostly explained by stochasticity. In particular, our study shows that this plant‐AMF spatial co‐occurrence network lacks substantial structure and, therefore, plants and AMF species do not track each other over space. Thus, random encounters seem to drive the assembly of plant‐AMF communities.
Intraoral hyperpigmentation due to imatinib mesylate. A review of the literature
Authors: Pancholi Nilesh , Taneja Pankaj 
Published: October 2015

AbstractAimThe purpose of this article was to review the literature on intraoral pigmentation seen in patients who have received imatinib mesylate therapy in order to increase awareness of this phenomenon and discuss its presentation. The literature review will also aid the differential diagnosis made by clinicians.Material and methodsA literature search was performed using the Embase, Medline and PubMed databases, as well as a web search. English language papers discussing intraoral pigmentation in patients receiving imatinib therapy were included in the review. A manual search of the reference lists of included articles was also conducted.ResultsA total of 10 articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. These articles comprised of 18 cases of intraoral pigmentation associated with imatinib mesylate. Intraoral pigmentation was reported in 10 female and 8 male patients ranging from 13 to 70 years of age. The most common intraoral site affected was the hard palate. Histological findings showed increased melanin in the lamina propria layer, consistent with drug‐related melanosis.ConclusionsThe review has shown that there is evidence to support an association between imatinib therapy and intraoral hyperpigmentation. A number of mechanisms for this have been hypothesised. This benign phenomenon, which can affect different oromucosal sites, may be diagnosed based on clinical findings, and does not require intervention or modification of drug therapy. Clinicians, however, should be aware of this and include it within their differential diagnoses.
Ability of hemostatic assessment to detect bleeding disorders and to predict abnormal surgical blood loss in children: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Guay Joanne , Faraoni David , Bonhomme Fanny , Borel Derlon Annie , Lasne Dominique 
Published: October 2015

SummaryBackgroundSystematic preoperative coagulation testing is still widely used in children scheduled for surgery, although current guidelines recommend that a bleeding history should be the first choice for hemostatic assessment. We performed a systematic review with meta‐analysis to evaluate the pertinence of bleeding questionnaire and screening laboratory testing to detect bleeding disorders (BDs) in children and to predict abnormal surgical blood loss.MethodsA search was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE(R), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Health technology Assessment, and all EBM Reviews (Cochrane DSR, ACP Journal Club, DARE, CCTR, CMR, HTA, and NHSEED and EBM Reviews) up to October 22, 2013. Prospective trials containing 20 children or more and any tests evaluating either the ability of the test to detect a congenital BD or the ability of the test to predict increased surgical blood loss were retained. The quality of the study was judged with the Cochrane Collaboration Tool and two investigators extracted data independently. Data were combined to calculate the pooled diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI 95%). I2 statistics were used to assess statistics heterogeneity.ResultsData could be extracted from 16 studies. Best results for detecting a congenital abnormality at potential risk for increased surgical blood loss were obtained with the PFA‐100 (DOR = 113.0; 95% CI, 22.6–566.2; I2 = 0%) in two studies, followed by the bleeding time in two other studies (DOR = 110.7; 95% CI, 24.4–502.3; I2 = 0%). With a high amount of heterogeneity, questionnaires showed disappointing performances (DOR = 7.9; 95% CI: 3.5–17.5; I2 = 72.6%).ConclusionCurrent evidence does not identify a tool that adequately predicts BDs and/or abnormal surgical blood loss in children. Questionnaires currently available do not perform well. In the setting of a pediatric coagulation clinic, the PFA‐100 has the highest chance of detecting a BD. This meta‐analysis highlights the weakness of the literature regarding the prediction of perioperative bleeding due to congenital hemostatic disorders in children.
High‐density SNP genotyping array for hexaploid wheat and its secondary and tertiary gene pool
Authors: Winfield Mark O. , Allen Alexandra M. , Burridge Amanda J. , Barker Gary L. A. , Benbow Harriet R. , Wilkinson Paul A. , Coghill Jane , Waterfall Christy , Davassi Alessandro , Scopes Geoff , Pirani Ali , Webster Teresa , Brew Fiona , Bloor Claire , King Julie , West Claire , Griffiths Simon , King Ian , Bentley Alison R. , Edwards Keith J. 
Published: October 2015

SummaryIn wheat, a lack of genetic diversity between breeding lines has been recognized as a significant block to future yield increases. Species belonging to bread wheat's secondary and tertiary gene pools harbour a much greater level of genetic variability, and are an important source of genes to broaden its genetic base. Introgression of novel genes from progenitors and related species has been widely employed to improve the agronomic characteristics of hexaploid wheat, but this approach has been hampered by a lack of markers that can be used to track introduced chromosome segments. Here, we describe the identification of a large number of single nucleotide polymorphisms that can be used to genotype hexaploid wheat and to identify and track introgressions from a variety of sources. We have validated these markers using an ultra‐high‐density Axiom® genotyping array to characterize a range of diploid, tetraploid and hexaploid wheat accessions and wheat relatives. To facilitate the use of these, both the markers and the associated sequence and genotype information have been made available through an interactive web site.
Association of Pre‐Pregnancy Body Mass Index and Gestational Weight Gain with Preterm Births and Fetal Size: an Observational Study from Lebanon
Authors: El Rafei Rym , Abbas Hussein A. , Charafeddine Lama , Nakad Pascale , Al Bizri Ayah , Hamod Dany , Yunis Khalid A. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractBackgroundPre‐pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and gestational weight gain (GWG) are reported to impact the preterm birth (PTB) rate and newborn size. Most studies have been conducted in developed countries, although PTB and adverse pregnancy outcomes are more frequent in the developing world. The aim of this study is to elucidate the association of pre‐pregnancy BMI and GWG on the occurrence of PTB and sub‐optimal fetal size in Lebanon.MethodsThis is a retrospective cohort study using a hospital‐based register covering 35% of births in Lebanon between 2001 and 2012. Data were collected on 170 428 pregnancies from 32 hospitals using medical records and interviews.ResultsAfter adjusting for confounders, underweight women had increased odds of having very preterm [odds ratio (OR) 1.58, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.16, 2.14], preterm (OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.28, 1.58), and small for gestational age (SGA) (OR 1.50, 95% CI 1.37, 1.63) neonates. When BMI was analysed with GWG, only SGA remained significant in underweight women with low GWG. For all BMI groups, low GWG was protective against large for gestational age (LGA) and high GWG increased the odds of LGA. GWG, both low (OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.15, 1.35) and high (OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.32, 1.55) increased the risk of PTB in normal weight women. The same result was obtained for overweight women.ConclusionsHigh GWG increased the risk of LGA for all groups and PTB in normal weight and overweight women, whereas low GWG increased the risk of SGA and PTB. Given that there are not many studies from middle income/developing countries on patterns of weight gain during pregnancy, findings from this study may help with pre‐conception counselling with emphasis on the importance of an optimal pre‐pregnancy BMI and appropriate weight gain during pregnancy.
A Quasi-Monte-Carlo Comparison of Parametric and Semiparametric Regression Methods for Heavy-tailed and Non-normal Data: an Application to Healthcare Costs
Authors: Jones Andrew M. , Lomas James , Moore Peter T. , Rice Nigel 
Published: October 2015

SummaryWe conduct a quasi-Monte-Carlo comparison of the recent developments in parametric and semiparametric regression methods for healthcare costs, both against each other and against standard practice. The population of English National Health Service hospital in-patient episodes for the financial year 2007–2008 (summed for each patient) is randomly divided into two equally sized subpopulations to form an estimation set and a validation set. Evaluating out-of-sample using the validation set, a conditional density approximation estimator shows considerable promise in forecasting conditional means, performing best for accuracy of forecasting and among the best four for bias and goodness of fit. The best performing model for bias is linear regression with square-root-transformed dependent variables, whereas a generalized linear model with square-root link function and Poisson distribution performs best in terms of goodness of fit. Commonly used models utilizing a log-link are shown to perform badly relative to other models considered in our comparison.