bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Paternal‐specific S‐allele transmission in sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.): the potential for sexual selection
Authors: Hedhly A. , Wünsch A. , Kartal Ö. , Herrero M. , Hormaza J. I. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractHomomorphic self‐incompatibility is a well‐studied example of a physiological process that is thought to increase population diversity and reduce the expression of inbreeding depression. Whereas theoretical models predict the presence of a large number of S‐haplotypes with equal frequencies at equilibrium, unequal allele frequencies have been repeatedly reported and attributed to sampling effects, population structure, demographic perturbation, sheltered deleterious mutations or selection pressure on linked genes. However, it is unclear to what extent unequal segregations are the results of gametophytic or sexual selection. Although these two forces are difficult to disentangle, testing S‐alleles in the offspring of controlled crosses provides an opportunity to separate these two phenomena. In this work, segregation and transmission of S‐alleles have been characterized in progenies of mixed donors and fully compatible pollinations under field conditions in Prunus avium. Seed set patterns and pollen performance have also been characterized. The results reveal paternal‐specific distorted transmission of S‐alleles in most of the crosses. Interestingly, S‐allele segregation within any given paternal or maternal S‐locus was random. Observations on pollen germination, pollen tube growth rate, pollen tube cohort size, seed set dynamics and transmission patterns strongly suggest post‐pollination, prezygotic sexual selection, with male–male competition as the most likely mechanism. According to these results, post‐pollination sexual selection takes precedence over frequency‐dependent selection in explaining unequal S‐haplotype frequencies.
Müller cell‐mediated neurite outgrowth of the retinal ganglion cells via P2Y6 receptor signals
Authors: Taguchi Masanori , Shinozaki Youichi , Kashiwagi Kenji , Shigetomi Eiji , Robaye Bernard , Koizumi Schuichi 
Published: November 2015

AbstractMüller cells, the primary macroglia of the retina, support various functions of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Here, we demonstrate a nucleotide‐mediated communication between these two types of cells, by which Müller cells control neurite outgrowth of RGCs by activation of P2 receptors such as P2Y6. Cultured mouse RGCs had significantly enhanced neurite outgrowth when cultured with either cultured mouse Müller cells or conditioned medium derived from Müller cells, and this was completely inhibited by the nucleotide‐degrading enzyme, apyrase. This increase in outgrowth was mimicked by exogenously applied nucleotides such as ATP, uridine triphosphate, and uridine diphosphate. Pharmacological and genetic analysis revealed that P2Y6 receptor in RGCs was responsible for the increased neurite outgrowth. P2Y6 receptor was expressed in the ganglion cell layer of the retina and in RGC primary cultures. High performance liquid chromatography has revealed that Müller cells constitutively release uridine triphosphate, which is immediately metabolized into uridine diphosphate, an endogenous agonist for P2Y6 receptor. In the in vitro ocular hypertension model (i.e., glaucoma model), neurite outgrowth in RGCs was significantly reduced, which was associated with a decrease in P2Y6 receptors. Taken together, Müller cells control neurite outgrowth of RGCs by activating P2 receptors such as P2Y6 receptor, and the receptor expression level might be down‐regulated in glaucoma.
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Müller cells support various functions of retina including those of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Here, we report an importance of nucleotide‐mediated communication between these two types of cells. Müller cells were found to release uridine diphosphate (UTD), uridine triphosphate (UTP), and activate P2Y6 receptors in RGCs, which was essential for neurite outgrowth of RGCs. In addition, P2Y6 receptors in RGCs were reduced in a glaucoma model in vitro, suggesting an involvement of their dysfunction in the pathogenesis of glaucoma.
An isoform‐specific role of FynT tyrosine kinase in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Lee Chingli , Low Clara Y. B. , Francis Paul T. , Attems Johannes , Wong Peter T.‐H. , Lai Mitchell K.P. , Tan Michelle G.K. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractAlzheimer's disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia in old age and is characterized by the accumulation of β‐amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFT). Recent studies suggest that Fyn tyrosine kinase forms part of a toxic triad with β‐amyloid and tau in the disease process. However, it is not known whether Fyn is associated with the pathological features of AD in an isoform‐specific manner. In this study, we identified selective up‐regulation of the alternative‐spliced FynT isoform with no change in FynB in the AD neocortex. Furthermore, gene ontology term enrichment analyses and cell type‐specific localization of FynT immunoreactivity suggest that FynT up‐regulation was associated with neurofibrillary degeneration and reactive astrogliosis. Interestingly, significantly increased FynT in NFT‐bearing neurons was concomitant to decreased FynB immunoreactivity, suggesting an involvement of alternative splicing in NFT formation. Furthermore, cultured cells of astrocytic origin have higher FynT to FynB ratio compared to those of neuronal origin. Lastly, primary rat mixed neuron‐astrocyte cultures treated with Aβ25‐35 showed selective up‐regulation of FynT expression in activated astrocytes. Our findings point to an isoform‐specific role of FynT in modulating neurofibrillary degeneration and reactive astrogliosis in AD.
imageFyn kinase is known to interact with β‐amyloid and tau, and contributes to Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis. In this study, it is shown that the alternatively spliced FynT isoform is specifically up‐regulated in the AD neocortex, with no change in FynB isoform. The increased FynT correlated with markers of neurofibrillary degeneration and reactive astrogliosis. In primary mixed cultures, treatment with amyloid peptides specifically up‐regulated FynT in activated astrocytes. This study points to altered alternative splicing as a potential pathogenic mechanism in AD.
Phosphorylation of CaMKII in the rat dorsal raphe nucleus plays an important role in sleep–wake regulation
Authors: Cui Su‐Ying , Li Sheng‐Jie , Cui Xiang‐Yu , Zhang Xue‐Qiong , Yu Bin , Sheng Zhao‐Fu , Huang Yuan‐Li , Cao Qing , Xu Ya‐Ping , Lin Zhi‐Ge , Yang Guang , Song Jin‐Zhi , Ding Hui , Wang Zi‐Jun , Zhang Yong‐He 
Published: November 2015

AbstractThe Ca2+ modulation in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) plays an important role in sleep–wake regulation. Calmodulin‐dependent kinase II (CaMKII) is an important signal‐transducing molecule that is activated by Ca2+. This study investigated the effects of intracellular Ca2+/CaMKII signaling in the DRN on sleep–wake states in rats. Maximum and minimum CaMKII phosphorylation was detected at Zeitgeber time 21 (ZT 21; wakefulness state) and ZT 3 (sleep state), respectively, across the light–dark rhythm in the DRN in rats. Six‐hour sleep deprivation significantly reduced CaMKII phosphorylation in the DRN. Microinjection of the CAMKII activation inhibitor KN‐93 (5 or 10 nmol) into the DRN suppressed wakefulness and enhanced rapid‐eye‐movement sleep (REMS) and non‐REM sleep (NREMS). Application of a high dose of KN‐93 (10 nmol) increased slow‐wave sleep (SWS) time, SWS bouts, the mean duration of SWS, the percentage of SWS relative to total sleep, and delta power density during NREMS. Microinjection of CaCl2 (50 nmol) in the DRN increased CaMKII phosphorylation and decreased NREMS, SWS, and REMS. KN‐93 abolished the inhibitory effects of CaCl2 on NREMS, SWS, and REMS. These data indicate a novel wake‐promoting and sleep‐suppressing role for the Ca2+/CaMKII signaling pathway in DRN neurons.image
We propose that the intracellular Ca2+/CaMKII signaling in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) plays wake‐promoting and sleep‐suppressing role in rats. Intra‐DRN application of KN‐93 (CaMKII activation inhibitor) suppressed wakefulness and enhanced rapid‐eye‐movement sleep (REMS) and non‐REMS (NREMS). Intra‐DRN application of CaCl2 attenuated REMS and NREMS. We think these findings should provide a novel cellular and molecular mechanism of sleep–wake regulation.
Construct validity of the Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test in older adults with memory complaints
Authors: Clerici Francesca , Ghiretti Roberta , Di Pucchio Alessandra , Pomati Simone , Cucumo Valentina , Marcone Alessandra , Vanacore Nicola , Mariani Claudio , Cappa Stefano Francesco 
Published: November 2015

IntroductionThe Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test (FCSRT) is the memory test recommended by the International Working Group on Alzheimer's disease (AD) for the detection of amnestic syndrome of the medial temporal type in prodromal AD. Assessing the construct validity and internal consistency of the Italian version of the FCSRT is thus crucial.MethodsThe FCSRT was administered to 338 community‐dwelling participants with memory complaints (57% females, age 74.5 ± 7.7 years), including 34 with AD, 203 with Mild Cognitive Impairment, and 101 with Subjective Memory Impairment. Internal Consistency was estimated using Cronbach's alpha coefficient. To assess convergent validity, five FCSRT scores (Immediate Free Recall, Immediate Total Recall, Delayed Free Recall, Delayed Total Recall, and Index of Sensitivity of Cueing) were correlated with three well‐validated memory tests: Story Recall, Rey Auditory Verbal Learning test, and Rey Complex Figure (RCF) recall (partial correlation analysis). To assess divergent validity, a principal component analysis (an exploratory factor analysis) was performed including, in addition to the above‐mentioned memory tasks, the following tests: Word Fluencies, RCF copy, Clock Drawing Test, Trail Making Test, Frontal Assessment Battery, Raven Coloured Progressive Matrices, and Stroop Colour‐Word Test.ResultsCronbach's alpha coefficients for immediate recalls (IFR and ITR) and delayed recalls (DFR and DTR) were, respectively, .84 and .81. All FCSRT scores were highly correlated with those of the three well‐validated memory tests. The factor analysis showed that the FCSRT does not load on the factors saturated by non‐memory tests.ConclusionsThese findings indicate that the FCSRT has a good internal consistency and has an excellent construct validity as an episodic memory measure.
Social Skills Use of International Students in Japan
Authors: Tanaka Tomoko , Okunishi Yuri 
Published: November 2015

AbstractThis study investigated the cross‐cultural social skills use of international students in Japan. One hundred and forty questionnaires were sent out and 102 were returned. Participants evaluated their skills use with 21 items pertaining to cross‐cultural social skills in Japan, which were considered useful in forming interpersonal relationships with their Japanese hosts. They also evaluated how common such skills were in their own countries. The skills were divided into the following four categories: (a) skills used in Japan and recognized as being used in home countries, which seemed to be applications of original behavior repertory (Maintained skills); (b) skills used in Japan but not recognized in their own countries, which seemed to be developed in the Japanese sociocultural context (Acquired skills); (c) skills recognized in their home countries but not used in Japan, which seemed to be somehow suppressed in Japan (Avoided skills); and (d) skills rarely used in Japan and rarely recognized in their home countries, which seemed to be undesired (Neglected skills). Some skills were relatively common in their own countries but not always highly used in Japan. Students with higher Japanese proficiency or a longer duration of stay in Japan tended to show higher skills use. However, the assumption that students from neighboring countries were more skillful was not supported. The psychological background of cross‐cultural social skills use was also discussed.
Testicular Functions and Clinical Characterization of Patients with Gender Dysphoria (GD) Undergoing Sex Reassignment Surgery (SRS)
Authors: Schneider Florian , Neuhaus Nina , Wistuba Joachim , Zitzmann Michael , Heß Jochen , Mahler Dorothee , van Ahlen Hermann , Schlatt Stefan , Kliesch Sabine 
Published: November 2015

Abstract

Introduction
Cross-sex hormone treatment of gender dysphoria (GD) patients changing from male to female a prerequisite for sex reassignment. For initial physical adaptation, a combined treatment of anti-androgens and estrogens is used. Provided that patients fulfill specific criteria, sex reassignment surgery (SRS) presents the final step toward physical adaptation. However, systematic studies analyzing effects of hormone treatment regimens are lacking.

Aim
The aim of this study was to compare the effects of three different hormonal treatment strategies regarding endocrinological parameters and testicular histology.

Methods
Testicular tissues were obtained in a multicenter study from 108 patients on the day of SRS from three clinics following different treatment strategies. Patients either discontinued treatment 6 weeks (clinic A) or 2 weeks (clinic B) prior to SRS or not at all (clinic C). Testicular tissues, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid blood and questionnaires were obtained on the day of SRS.

Main Outcome Measures
Blood hormone and intratesticular testosterone (ITT) levels were measured. Testicular weight and histology were evaluated and the percentage of luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor (LHCGR) positive cells was determined.

Results
According to the questionnaires, patients showed desired phenotypical changes including breast growth (75%) and smooth skin (32%). While patients from clinics A and B presented with rather virilized hormonal levels, patients from clinic C showed generally feminized blood serum levels. Histological evaluation revealed highly heterogeneous results with about 24% of patients presenting with qualitatively normal spermatogenesis. In accordance with serum endocrine profile, ITT levels were lowest in clinic C and correlated with testosterone and free testosterone, but not with the spermatogenic state. The percentage of LHCGR-positive cells and ITT levels did not correlate.

Conclusion
Only patients that did not discontinue hormonal treatment showed feminized blood levels on the day of SRS. The ones who stopped re-virilized quickly. Interestingly, testicular histology was highly heterogeneous irrespective of the treatment strategy, a phenomenon that requires further investigation.
Genomic resources and their influence on the detection of the signal of positive selection in genome scans
Authors: Manel S. , Perrier C. , Pratlong M. , Abi‐Rached L. , Paganini J. , Pontarotti P. , Aurelle D. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractGenome scans represent powerful approaches to investigate the action of natural selection on the genetic variation of natural populations and to better understand local adaptation. This is very useful, for example, in the field of conservation biology and evolutionary biology. Thanks to Next Generation Sequencing, genomic resources are growing exponentially, improving genome scan analyses in non‐model species. Thousands of SNPs called using Reduced Representation Sequencing are increasingly used in genome scans. Besides, genome sequences are also becoming increasingly available, allowing better processing of short‐read data, offering physical localization of variants, and improving haplotype reconstruction and data imputation. Ultimately, genome sequences are also becoming the raw material for selection inferences. Here, we discuss how the increasing availability of such genomic resources, notably genome sequences, influences the detection of signals of selection. Mainly, increasing data density and having the information of physical linkage data expand genome scans by (i) improving the overall quality of the data, (ii) helping the reconstruction of demographic history for the population studied to decrease false‐positive rates and (iii) improving the statistical power of methods to detect the signal of selection. Of particular importance, the availability of a high‐quality reference genome can improve the detection of the signal of selection by (i) allowing matching the potential candidate loci to linked coding regions under selection, (ii) rapidly moving the investigation to the gene and function and (iii) ensuring that the highly variable regions of the genomes that include functional genes are also investigated. For all those reasons, using reference genomes in genome scan analyses is highly recommended.
TcpM: a novel relaxase that mediates transfer of large conjugative plasmids from Clostridium perfringens
Authors: Wisniewski Jessica A. , Traore Daouda A. , Bannam Trudi L. , Lyras Dena , Whisstock James C. , Rood Julian I. 
Published: November 2015

SummaryConjugative transfer of toxin and antibiotic resistance plasmids in Clostridium perfringens is mediated by the tcp conjugation locus. Surprisingly, neither a relaxase gene nor an origin of transfer (oriT) has been identified on these plasmids, which are typified by the 47 kb tetracycline resistance plasmid pCW3. The tcpM gene (previously called intP) encodes a potential tyrosine recombinase that was postulated to be an atypical relaxase. Mutagenesis and complementation studies showed that TcpM was required for wild‐type transfer of pCW3 and that a tyrosine residue, Y259, was essential for TcpM activity, which was consistent with the need for a relaxase‐mediated hydrophilic attack at the oriT site. Other catalytic residues conserved in tyrosine recombinases were not required for TcpM activity, suggesting that TcpM was not a site‐specific recombinase. Mobilization studies led to the identification of the oriT site, which was located in the 391 bp intergenic region upstream of tcpM. The oriT site was localized to a 150 bp region, and gel mobility shift studies showed that TcpM could bind to this region. Based on these studies we postulate that conjugative transfer of pCW3 involves the atypical relaxase TcpM binding to and processing the oriT site to initiate plasmid transfer.
Novel features of the ISC machinery revealed by characterization of Escherichia coli mutants that survive without iron–sulfur clusters
Authors: Tanaka Naoyuki , Kanazawa Miaki , Tonosaki Keitaro , Yokoyama Nao , Kuzuyama Tomohisa , Takahashi Yasuhiro 
Published: November 2015

SummaryBiological assembly of iron–sulfur (Fe–S) clusters is mediated by complex systems consisting of multiple proteins. Escherichia coli possesses two distinct systems called the ISC and SUF machineries encoded by iscSUA‐hscBA‐fdx‐iscX and sufABCDSE respectively. Deletion of both pathways results in absence of the biosynthetic apparatus for Fe–S clusters, and consequent lethality, which has hampered detailed genetic studies. Here we report that modification of the isoprenoid biosynthetic pathway can offset the indispensability of the Fe–S cluster biosynthetic systems and show that the resulting Δisc Δsuf double mutants can grow without detectable Fe–S cluster‐containing proteins. We also constructed a series of mutants in which each isc gene was disrupted in the deletion background of sufABCDSE. Phenotypic analysis of the mutants revealed that Fdx, an essential electron‐transfer Fe–S protein in the ISC machinery, is dispensable under anaerobic conditions, which is similar to the situation with IscA. Furthermore, we found that several suppressor mutations in IscU, an Fe–S scaffold protein responsible for the de novo Fe–S cluster assembly, could bypass the essential role of the chaperone system HscA and HscB. These findings pave the way toward a detailed molecular analysis to understand the mechanisms involved in Fe–S cluster biosynthesis.
Escherichia coli ClbS is a colibactin resistance protein
Authors: Bossuet‐Greif Nadège , Dubois Damien , Petit Claude , Tronnet Sophie , Martin Patricia , Bonnet Richard , Oswald Eric , Nougayrède Jean‐Philippe 
Published: November 2015

SummaryThe genomic pks island codes for the biosynthetic machinery that produces colibactin, a peptide‐polyketide metabolite. Colibactin is a genotoxin that contributes to the virulence of extra‐intestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli and promotes colorectal cancer. In this work, we examined whether the pks‐encoded clbS gene of unknown function could participate in the self‐protection of E. coli‐producing colibactin. A clbS mutant was not impaired in the ability to inflict DNA damage in HeLa cells, but the bacteria activated the SOS response and ceased to replicate. This autotoxicity phenotype was markedly enhanced in a clbS uvrB double mutant inactivated for DNA repair by nucleotide excision but was suppressed in a clbS clbA double mutant unable to produce colibactin. In addition, ectopic expression of clbS protected infected HeLa cells from colibactin. Thus, ClbS is a resistance protein blocking the genotoxicity of colibactin both in the procaryotic and the eucaryotic cells.
Time to talk about work‐hour impact on anesthesiologists
Authors: Saadat Haleh , Bissonnette Bruno , Tumin Dmitry , Thung Arlyne , Rice Julie , Barry N'Diris , Tobias Joseph 
Published: November 2015

SummaryBackgroundA physician's fatigue raises significant concerns regarding personal and patient safety. Effects of sleep deprivation on clinical performance and the quality of patient care are major considerations of today's health care environment.AimTo evaluate the impact of partial sleep deprivation after a 17‐h overnight call (3 pm–7 am) on the mood status and cognitive skills of anesthesiologists in an academic clinical hospital setting, as compared to these parameters during regular working hours.MethodsTaking circadian rhythm into account, the following measures were assessed in 21 pediatric anesthesiologists at two time points over the course of the study; (i) between 7 and 8 am on a regular non call day, and (ii) between 7 and 8 am after a 17‐h in‐house call (3 pm–7 am). Six mood states were assessed using the Profile of Mood States. A Total Mood Disturbance (TMD) score was obtained as the sum of all mood scores minus vigor. The total score provides a global estimate of affective state. Simple cognitive tests were similarly administered to assess cognitive skills. A two‐tailed paired t‐test was used to compare data between regular and post call days. A P < 0.05 was used.ResultsThe study cohort included 21 pediatric anesthesiologists at a tertiary care children's hospital. Tension, anger, fatigue, confusion, TMD, irritability, feeling jittery, and sleepiness were significantly affected (P < 0.05). A decrease in vigor, energy, and confidence was observed after a night call shift (P < 0.05). There was also a decrease in being “talkative” after the call shift (P < 0.05).ConclusionPartial sleep deprivation affects the total mood status of anesthesiologists and impacts their cognitive skills. These findings are particularly relevant in a context of increased work expectation, particularly on clinical performance in our modern medical system. Such observations suggest that there may be changes that impact the safety of our patients and the quality of health care that is provided.