bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quantitative genetic parameters of agronomic and quality traits in a global germplasm collection reveal excellent breeding perspectives for Jatropha curcas L.
Authors: Martin Matthias , Montes Juan M. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractJatropha curcas L. (jatropha) is an undomesticated plant, which has received great attention in recent years for its potential in biofuel production and in greening and rehabilitation of wastelands. Yet the absence of improved cultivars and the lack of agronomic knowledge are limiting factors for successful jatropha cultivation. The objectives of the present study were to investigate the perspectives of a worldwide jatropha breeding program and specifically to (i) estimate variance components and heritabilities for agronomic and quality traits in the early phase of cultivation; (ii) assess phenotypic and genetic correlations among those traits; and (iii) discuss strategies for breeding high yielding jatropha cultivars. Data on various traits was collected from 375 jatropha genotypes, which were tested at seven locations during the first 3 years of growth. The accumulated seed yields and the seed yields per harvest year differed significantly among the testing locations. The estimates of genetic and genotype‐by‐environment interaction variances were significant and estimates of heritabilities were high for all yield parameters. The estimates of genetic correlations indicated a strong association among yield parameters. Oil yield was strongly correlated with seed yield and only weakly with oil content in seeds. The perspectives of a jatropha breeding program are excellent. Improved cultivars, definition of favorable environmental factors and refinement of agronomic management practices are needed to secure sustainable jatropha cultivation.
Structural Behavior of Ba1.24Al2.48Ti5.52O16 Hollandite at High Temperature: An In Situ Neutron Diffraction Study
Authors: Xu Hongwu , Costa Gustavo C. C. , Stanek Christopher R. , Navrotsky Alexandra 
Published: September 2014

Titanate hollandites comprise a class of potential waste form phases for immobilization of radioactive Cs (and its daughter product Ba) due to their high thermal and aqueous stability. To study their structural behavior at high temperature, we conducted in situ neutron diffraction experiments of a representative tetragonal phase, Ba1.24Al2.48Ti5.52O16, in the temperature range 300–1173 K. Rietveld analyses of the obtained data show that on heating, unit‐cell parameters a and c increase at similar rates. This isotropic nature of thermal expansion can be explained by the increased volume and regularity of [(Ti,Al)O6] octahedra and the widening of the Ti/Al‐O2‐Ti/Al angle (O2 is corner‐shared by two [(Ti,Al)O6] octahedra from neighboring [(Ti,Al)O6] double chains) with increasing temperature. Practically, this property is advantageous, as hollandite‐based ceramic or composite products would, upon heating, be less likely to form microcracks. The amplitudes of thermal vibration for Ba, Ti/Al, and O increase with increasing temperature; however, the rate of increase for Ba is much larger. This behavior is due to the occupancy of the box‐shaped cavity site by Ba, which has weaker interactions with its neighboring atoms, compared with those for framework Ti/Al and O. On the other hand, the opening of the oxygen‐coordinated cavity box is smaller than the size of Ba, even at high temperature, preventing evaporation of Ba from the hollandite structure. These characteristics render titanate hollandites potentially robust waste forms for Cs/Ba.
Sex pheromone of the cloaked pug moth, Eupithecia abietaria (Lepidoptera: Geometridae), a pest of spruce cones
Authors: Wang H. L. , Svensson G. P. , Jakobsson J. , Jirle E. V. , Rosenberg O. , Francke W. , Anderbrant O. , Millar J. G. , Löfstedt C. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThe sex pheromone of the cloaked pug moth, Eupithecia abietaria Götze, an important cone‐feeding pest in spruce seed orchards in Europe, was investigated. Chemical and electrophysiological analyses of pheromone gland extracts of female moths and analogous analyses of synthetic hydrocarbons and epoxides of chain length C19 and C21 revealed (3Z,6Z,9Z)‐3,6,9‐nonadecatriene (3Z,6Z,9Z‐19:H) and 3Z,6Z‐cis‐9,10‐epoxynonadecadiene (3Z,6Z‐cis‐9,10‐epoxy‐19:H) as candidate pheromone components, which were found in a gland extract in a ratio of 95 : 5. In field trapping experiments, conspecific males were only attracted to a combination of 3Z,6Z,9Z‐19:H and the (9S,10R)‐enantiomer of 3Z,6Z‐cis‐9,10‐epoxy‐19:H. The (9R,10S)‐enantiomer was not attractive, which is in agreement with studies on other Eupithecia species, for which males have only been attracted by the (9S,10R)‐enantiomer of epoxides. Subsequent experiments showed that E. abietaria males were attracted to a wide range of ratios of the two active compounds and that trap catches increased with increasing dose of the binary blend. A two‐component bait containing 300 μg 3Z,6Z,9Z‐19:H and 33 μg of the (9S,10R)‐enantiomer of 3Z,6Z‐cis‐9,10‐epoxy‐19:H was efficient for monitoring E. abietaria in spruce seed orchards in southern Sweden, where this species has probably been overlooked as an important pest in the past. With sex pheromones recently identified for two other moths that are major pests on spruce cones, the spruce seed moth, Cydia strobilella L., and the spruce coneworm, Dioryctria abietella Denis & Schiffermüller, pheromone‐based monitoring can now be achieved for the whole guild of cone‐feeding moths in European spruce seed orchards.
Peer Influence on Prosocial Behavior in Adolescence
Authors: van Hoorn Jorien , van Dijk Eric , Meuwese Rosa , Rieffe Carolien , Crone Eveline A. 
Published: September 2014

Adolescence is a time of increased sensitivity to peer influence, which creates vulnerabilities but also opportunities. In this study, we examined the influence of peers on prosocial behavior in 12‐ to 16‐year‐old adolescents (N = 197). We utilized a public goods game in which participants made decisions about the allocation of coins between themselves and the group. Participants received manipulated peer feedback on a subset of decisions. Results indicate a significant interaction between feedback condition (prosocial, antisocial, or no feedback) and allocation choices: Prosocial behavior increased after prosocial feedback and decreased after antisocial feedback. These findings support the idea that peer influence creates not only vulnerabilities, but also opportunities for healthy prosocial development and social adjustment learning.
Ebola virus disease: potential use of melatonin as a treatment
Authors: Tan Dun‐Xian , Korkmaz Ahmet , Reiter Russel J. , Manchester Lucien C. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThe purpose of this report is to emphasize the potential utility for the use of melatonin in the treatment of individuals who are infected with the Ebola virus. The pathological changes associated with an Ebola infection include, most notably, endothelial disruption, disseminated intravascular coagulation and multiple organ hemorrhage. Melatonin has been shown to target these alterations. Numerous similarities between Ebola virus infection and septic shock have been recognized for more than a decade. Moreover, melatonin has been successfully employed for the treatment of sepsis in many experimental and clinical studies. Based on these factors, as the number of treatments currently available is limited and the useable products are not abundant, the use of melatonin for the treatment of Ebola virus infection is encouraged. Additionally, melatonin has a high safety profile, is readily available and can be orally self‐administered; thus, the use of melatonin is compatible with the large scale of this serious outbreak.
Antarctic shallow water benthos in an area of recent rapid glacier retreat
Authors: Pasotti Francesca , Manini Elena , Giovannelli Donato , Wölfl Anne‐Cathrin , Monien Donata , Verleyen Elie , Braeckman Ulrike , Abele Doris , Vanreusel Ann 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThe West Antarctic Peninsula is one of the fastest warming regions on Earth. Faster glacier retreat and related calving events lead to more frequent iceberg scouring, fresh water input and higher sediment loads, which in turn affect shallow water benthic marine assemblages in coastal regions. In addition, ice retreat creates new benthic substrates for colonization. We investigated three size classes of benthic biota (microbenthos, meiofauna and macrofauna) at three sites in Potter Cove (King George Island, West Antarctic Peninsula) situated at similar water depths but experiencing different disturbance regimes related to glacier retreat. Our results revealed the presence of a patchy distribution of highly divergent benthic assemblages within a relatively small area (about 1 km2). In areas with frequent ice scouring and higher sediment accumulation rates, an assemblage mainly dominated by macrobenthic scavengers (such as the polychaete Barrukia cristata), vagile organisms and younger individuals of sessile species (such as the bivalve Yoldia eightsi) was found. Macrofauna were low in abundance and very patchily distributed in recently ice‐free areas close to the glacier, whereas the pioneer nematode genus Microlaimus reached a higher relative abundance in these newly exposed sites. The most diverse and abundant macrofaunal assemblage was found in areas most remote from recent glacier influence. By contrast, the meiofauna showed relatively low densities in these areas. The three benthic size classes appeared to respond in different ways to disturbances likely related to ice retreat, suggesting that the capacity to adapt and colonize habitats is dependent on both body size and specific life traits. We predict that, under continued deglaciation, more diverse, but less patchy, benthic assemblages will become established in areas out of reach of glacier‐related disturbance.
Integrative taxonomic description of Plakina kanaky, a new polychromatic sponge species from New Caledonia (Porifera: Homoscleromorpha)
Authors: Ruiz César , Ivanišević Julijana , Chevaldonné Pierre , Ereskovsky Alexander V. , Boury‐Esnault Nicole , Vacelet Jean , Thomas Olivier P. , Pérez Thierry 
Published: September 2014

AbstractFour similar sponges of different colors, all unknown to science, were collected in submarine caves of New Caledonia. We aimed at determining whether the four chromotypes represented different species or phenotypic variations of a unique new species. We used an integrative taxonomic approach combining morphologic, molecular and metabolomic analyses. The main traits that define these specimens are a skeleton made of monolophose, trilophose and tetralophose calthrops only, high chemical diversity and a high abundance and diversity of prokaryotic symbionts. The symbiotic community includes two unique prokaryote morphotypes, which are described for the first time in Homoscleromorpha, and appeared to be vertically transmitted. Although several features slightly differ among chromotypes, the most parsimonious conclusion was to propose a single new species Plakina kanaky sp. nov. Our phylogenetic analysis indicated the paraphyly of the Plakina genus, with P. kanaky sp. nov. belonging to a clade that includes Plakina jani and Plakina trilopha. The present work demonstrates that integrative taxonomy should be used in order to revise the entire Plakinidae family and especially the non‐monophyletic genus Plakina.
Limited indirect fitness benefits of male group membership in a lekking species
Authors: Lebigre Christophe , Alatalo Rauno V. , Soulsbury Carl D. , Höglund Jacob , Siitari Heli 
Published: September 2014

AbstractIn group living species, individuals may gain the indirect fitness benefits characterizing kin selection when groups contain close relatives. However, tests of kin selection have primarily focused on cooperatively breeding and eusocial species, whereas its importance in other forms of group living remains to be fully understood. Lekking is a form of grouping where males display on small aggregated territories, which females then visit to mate. As females prefer larger aggregations, territorial males might gain indirect fitness benefits if their presence increases the fitness of close relatives. Previous studies have tested specific predictions of kin selection models using measures such as group‐level relatedness. However, a full understanding of the contribution of kin selection in the evolution of group living requires estimating individuals' indirect fitness benefits across multiple sites and years. Using behavioural and genetic data from the black grouse (Tetrao tetrix), we show that the indirect fitness benefits of group membership were very small because newcomers joined leks containing few close relatives who had limited mating success. Males' indirect fitness benefits were higher in yearlings during increasing population density but marginally changed the variation in male mating success. Kin selection acting through increasing group size is therefore unlikely to contribute substantially to the evolution and maintenance of lekking in this black grouse population.
High‐resolution anorectal manometry in newborns: normative values and diagnostic utility in Hirschsprung disease
Authors: Tang Y.‐F. , Chen J.‐G. , An H.‐J. , Jin P. , Yang L. , Dai Z.‐F. , Huang L.‐M. , Yu J.‐W. , Yang X.‐Y. , Fan R.‐Y. , Li S.‐J. , Han Y. , Wang J.‐H. , Gyawali C. P. , Sheng J.‐Q. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractBackgroundConventional methods of screening for Hirschsprung disease (HD) in newborns (barium enema, BE; anorectal manometry, ARM; rectal suction biopsy, RSB) have limitations and/or are invasive. High‐resolution anorectal manometry (HR‐ARM) is a minimally invasive technique that has potential to overcome most of these limitations, but normative data and performance characteristics have not been reported in newborns. The aims of our study were to assess anorectal sphincter metrics including resting pressure (RP), anal canal length (ACL), and rectoanal inhibitory reflex (RAIR) in healthy and asymptomatic newborns, and to explore the role of HR‐ARM in the diagnosis of HD using these normal parameters.MethodsAll procedures were performed using solid state HR‐ARM equipment (Medical Measurement Systems, Enchede, The Netherland) by a single operator. In the first phase, 180 asymptomatic newborns (term newborns 95, preterm newborns 85) were studied, and anal RP, ACL, and RAIR were measured. In the second phase, 16 newborns with clinical manifestations of HD were studied (9 of whom had histopathologic confirmation), and parameters compared to asymptomatic newborns.Key ResultsNormative RP values were higher in term newborns compared with preterm newborns (p < 0.05), and correlated with age. Progressive maturation of the anal sphincter was evident with chronologic age, both in preterm and term newborns. RAIR was present in all normal subjects. Using absent RAIR as indicative of HD, HR‐ARM had a sensitivity 89% and specificity of 83% compared to RSB; these performance characteristics were better than BE (sensitivity 78%, specificity 17%), with significantly higher diagnostic accuracy (80% vs 53%, respectively, p = 0.009).Conclusions & InferencesAnorectal sphincter pressure progressively matures with incremental increase in RP during the first months of life. HR‐ARM is an effective and safe method that complements the diagnosis of HD in newborns.
The Expression of Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) and its Receptor (EGFR) During Post‐Natal Testes Development in the Yak
Authors: Pan Y , Cui Y , Yu S , Zhang Q , Fan J , Abdul Rasheed B , Yang K 
Published: September 2014

ContentsGrowth factors play critical role in cell proliferation, regulate tissue differentiation and modulate organogenesis. Several growth factors have been identified in the testes of various mammalian species in last few years. In present investigation, the objective was to determine the expression of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in yak testicular tissue by relative quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR), Western blot (WB) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) from mRNA and protein levels. The testicular tissues were collected from male yak at 6 and 24 months old. Results of RT‐PCR and WB showed that the expression quantity of EGF and EGFR at 24 months of age was higher than at 6 months, and the increase rate of EGFR on mRNA and protein levels was higher than the increase rate EGF during post‐natal testes development. Positive staining for EGF and EGFR was very low and mainly localized to Leydig cells testes at 6 months of age with immunohistochemistry, and seminiferous tubules were not observed. At 24 month of age, both the EGF and EGFR could be detected in Leydig cells, peritubular myoid cells, sertoli cells and germ cells of the yak testes. However, EGF and EGFR were localized to preferential adluminal compartment and basal compartment in the seminiferous tubules, respectively. In conclusion, the findings in present studies suggest that EGF and EGFR as important paracrine and/or autocrine regulators in yak testes development and spermatogenesis.
Influence of Dietary Zinc on Semen Traits and Seminal Plasma Antioxidant Enzymes and Trace Minerals of Beetal Bucks
Authors: Rahman HU , Qureshi MS , Khan RU 
Published: September 2014

ContentsZinc (Zn) is a potent antioxidant and plays a key role in scavenging free radicals. We hypothesized that supplementation of Zn would reduce the oxidative damage, which is linked with poor sperm quality. Sixteen bucks of similar average age (2 years) and body weight (41 kg) were randomly divided into four groups viz., 1, 2, 3 and 4 supplemented with zinc sulphate into the diet at the rate of 0, 50, 100 and 200 mg/buck/day, respectively, for 3 months. At the end of the experiment, semen samples were collected and assessed. Seminal plasma was separated to find the concentration of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and trace minerals (Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe). The results revealed that semen volume (1.85 ± 0.01 ml) and sperm motility (88.23 ± 5.77%) increased significantly (p < 0.05) in supplemented groups compared with the control specifically in group 3. SOD (10.66 ± 0.23 inhibition rate %) and GPx (23.55 ± 0.49 mU/ml) increased significantly (p < 0.05) in group 3 with no effect on AST and ALT. Among seminal plasma trace elements, no significant change (p > 0.05) was observed. From the present results, we concluded that zinc sulphate at the rate of 100 mg/buck/day improved semen traits and seminal plasma antioxidant capacity in Beetal bucks.
T cell Reconstitution in Allogeneic Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: Prognostic Significance of Plasma Interleukin‐7
Authors: Kielsen K. , Jordan K. K. , Uhlving H. H. , Pontoppidan P. L. , Shamim Z. , Ifversen M. , Heilmann C. , Nielsen C. H. , Sengeløv H. , Ryder L. P. , Müller K. G. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractInfections and acute graft‐versus‐host disease (aGVHD) are major causes of treatment‐related mortality and morbidity following allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Both complications depend on reconstitution of the T‐lymphocyte population based on donor T cells. Although it is well established that Interleukin‐7 (IL‐7) is a cytokine essential for de novo T cell development in the thymus and homoeostatic peripheral expansion of T cells, associations between circulating levels of IL‐7 and T cell reconstitution following HSCT have not been investigated previously. We prospectively measured IL‐7 levels in 81 patients undergoing myeloablative HSCT with either sibling donor or an unrelated donor. Plasma IL‐7 levels peaked at day +7 post‐transplant (1.3–82.4 pg/ml), at the time of maximal lymphopaenia. In multivariate analysis, peak levels of IL‐7 were significantly higher in patients treated with anti‐thymocyte globulin (ATG) compared with those not treated with ATG (P = 0.0079). IL‐7 levels at day +7 were negatively associated with T cell counts at day +30 to +60 (at day +60: CD3+: β = −10.6 × 106 cells/l, P = 0.0030; CD8+: β = −8.4 × 106 cells/l, P = 0.061; CD4+: β = −2.1 × 106 cells/l, P = 0.062) in multivariate analyses. In adults, high IL‐7 levels were associated with increased risk of grade II‐IV aGVHD (OR = 5.4, P = 0.036) and reduced overall survival (P = 0.046). The present data indicate that high plasma levels of IL‐7 in the early post‐transplant period are predictive for slow T cell reconstitution, increased risk of aGVHD and increased mortality following HSCT.
Sildenafil, nifedipine and acetazolamide do not allow for blood flow through intrapulmonary arteriovenous anastomoses during exercise while breathing 100% oxygen
Authors: Elliott Jonathan E. , Friedman Jonathan M. , Futral Joel E. , Goodman Randall D. , Lovering Andrew T. 
Published: September 2014

New Findings
What is the central question of this study?
Compared with exercise while breathing room air, blood flow through intrapulmonary arteriovenous anastomoses during exercise while breathing 100% O2 is prevented/reduced, presumably due to vasoconstriction of these vessels. We sought to investigate the effect of sildenafil, nifedipine and acetazolamide, which are known modulators of pulmonary vascular tone, on the hyperoxia‐induced reduction in blood flow through intrapulmonary arteriovenous anastomoses during exercise.
What is the main finding and its importance?
We show that,independently, sildenafil, nifedipine and acetazolamide do not prevent the hyperoxia‐induced reduction in blood flow through intrapulmonary arteriovenous anastomoses during exercise. These data provide the first insight into the regulation of intrapulmonary arteriovenous anastomoses during exercise while breathing 100% O2.
Blood flow through intrapulmonary arteriovenous anastomoses (IPAVAs) is known to increase in healthy humans during exercise while breathing room air, but is prevented or significantly reduced during exercise while breathing 100% O2, potentially due to vasoconstriction of IPAVAs. Thus, pharmacological interventions that target known pathways regulating the cardiopulmonary circulation may be able to prevent the hyperoxia‐induced reduction in IPAVA blood flow () during exercise. In nine healthy human subjects, we investigated the effects of sildenafil (100 mg p.o.), nifedipine (20 mg p.o.) and acetazolamide (250 mg p.o. three times a day for 3 days) on at rest and during cycle ergometer exercise at 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 W, while breathing room air (normoxia) and 100% O2 (hyperoxia). Transthoracic saline contrast echocardiography and a 0–5 bubble scoring system were used to detect and assess qualitatively; ultrasound was used to assess the blood flow velocity oftricuspid regurgitation and the left ventricular outflow tract blood flow to calculate pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) and cardiac output, respectively. Without drugs, bubble scores increased significantly to ≥2 at 150 W in normoxia and to ≤2 at 200 W in hyperoxia. Only nifedipine consistently increased cardiac output at rest and during low‐intensity exercise in normoxia and hyperoxia. However, there was no detectable effect of any drug on ; specifically, bubble scores were the same during exercise in either normoxia or hyperoxia. Accordingly, the reduction in during exercise while breathing 100% O2 is likely not to be due to the independent pharmacological mechanisms of action associated with sildenafil, nifedipine or acetazolamide.