bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Herbivory eliminates fitness costs of mutualism exploiters
Authors: Simonsen Anna K. , Stinchcombe John R. 
Published: January 2014

Summary

A common empirical observation in mutualistic interactions is the persistence of variation in partner quality and, in particular, the persistence of exploitative phenotypes. For mutualisms between hosts and symbionts, most mutualism theory assumes that exploiters always impose fitness costs on their host.

We exposed legume hosts to mutualistic (nitrogen‐fixing) and exploitative (non‐nitrogen‐fixing) symbiotic rhizobia in field conditions, and manipulated the presence or absence of insect herbivory to determine if the costly fitness effects of exploitative rhizobia are context‐dependent.

Exploitative rhizobia predictably reduced host fitness when herbivores were excluded. However, insects caused greater damage on hosts associating with mutualistic rhizobia, as a consequence of feeding preferences related to leaf nitrogen content, resulting in the elimination of fitness costs imposed on hosts by exploitative rhizobia.

Our experiment shows that herbivory is potentially an important factor in influencing the evolutionary dynamic between legumes and rhizobia. Partner choice and host sanctioning are theoretically predicted to stabilize mutualisms by reducing the frequency of exploitative symbionts. We argue that herbivore pressure may actually weaken selection on choice and sanction mechanisms, thus providing one explanation of why host‐based discrimination mechanisms may not be completely effective in eliminating nonbeneficial partners.
Effect of wild Helianthus cytoplasms on agronomic and oil characteristics of cultivated sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)
Authors: Jan Chao‐Chien , Seiler Gerald J. , Hammond Jim J. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractSunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) productions reliance on a single source of cytoplasmic male sterility, PET1, derived from H. petiolaris Nutt., makes the crop genetically vulnerable. Twenty diverse cytoplasmic substitution lines from annual and perennial wild species were compared with the inbred line HA89 over four environments. Pairwise comparisons of alloplasmic male fertile (MF) with euplasmic MF lines suggested that cytoplasm of perennial H. angustifolius increased lodging while perennial cytoplasms of H. mollis, H. grosseserratus, and H. divaricatus reduced head size and consequently reduced yield and will need to be used with caution. Lines having annual species, cytoplasms had no effects on agronomic traits. Comparisons of CMS HA 89 with 10 CMS lines suggested yield‐reducing cytoplasmic effects of perennial H. maximiliani and annual H. annuus PI 413178 and PI 413024. Cytoplasmic effects on oil percentage and fatty acid composition were minimal and should not be of concern for sunflower breeders. In general, most cytoplasms of wild annual Helianthus species accommodate cultivated nuclear genes without drastic adverse interactions, and are potential sources of cytoplasmic diversity for sunflower breeding.
Job Creation and Destruction inSouthAfrica
Authors: Kerr Andrew , Wittenberg Martin , Arrow Jairo 
Published: January 2014

AbstractAnalysts of theSouthAfrican labour market have mainly used household surveys to analyse the labour market. It has been more difficult to explore the labour demand of firms, as a result of limited data availability. We use theQuarterlyEmploymentStatistics survey, an enterprise survey conducted byStatisticsSouthAfrica, to explore howSouthAfrican firms create and destroy jobs, thereby shedding light on many of the policy questions that are relevant in a high unemployment society likeSouthAfrica. We find that job creation and destruction rates are similar to those found inOrganisation forEconomicCo‐operation andDevelopment countries. There is little evidence that labour legislation creates rigidities that prevent firms from hiring or firing workers. We also find that larger firms are better net creators of jobs than small firms and that net job creation rates are negative in manufacturing. Our research has important policy implications – particularly for theSouthAfricanNationalPlanningCommission's 2030 plan, in which new jobs are envisaged to come mainly from small‐ and medium‐sized firms. Our research suggests that this scenario is not likely without changes to policy or legislation.
Canine pancreatic islet cell tumours secreting insulin‐like growth factor type 2: a rare entity
Authors: Finotello R. , Ressel L. , Arvigo M. , Baroni G. , Marchetti V. , Romanelli G. , Burrow R. , Mignacca D. , Blackwood L. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractInsulin‐like growth factor type II (IGF‐II) is the main cause of non‐islet cell tumour hypoglycaemia (NICTH) and insulin is thought to be the only factor causing hypoglycaemia in insulinomas. However, two case reports of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (PNETs) producing IGF‐II have been previously published: a human and a canine patient. In this study, we investigated clinical, histopathological, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural features, and biological behaviour of canine pancreatic IGF‐II‐omas, a subgroup of PNETs that has not been previously characterized. Case records of 58 dogs with confirmed PNETs and hypoglycaemia were reviewed: six patients were affected by IGF‐II‐omas. Surgery was performed in all cases and two dogs had metastases. Four patients remained alive and in remission at 370, 440, 560 and 890 days post‐diagnosis; two died of non‐tumour‐related causes. IGF‐II‐omas can be differentiated from insulinomas through hypoinsulinaemia, IGF‐II positive and insulin negative immunostaining. The prevalence of this neoplasia is low, accounting for just 6% of PNETs.
Dosimetric effects of multileaf collimator leaf width on intensity‐modulated radiotherapy for head and neck cancer
Authors: Hong Chae‐Seon , Ju Sang Gyu , Kim Minkyu , Kim Jung‐in , Kim Jin Man , Suh Tae‐Suk , Han Youngyih , Ahn Yong Chan , Choi Doo Ho , Nam Heerim , Park Hee Chul 
Published: January 2014

Purpose:The authors evaluated the effects of multileaf collimator (MLC) leaf width (2.5 vs. 5 mm) on dosimetric parameters and delivery efficiencies of intensity‐modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and volumetric‐modulated arc therapy (VMAT) for head and neck (H&N) cancers.Methods:The authors employed two types of mock phantoms: large‐sized head and neck (LH&N) and small‐sized C‐shape (C‐shape) phantoms. Step‐and‐shoot IMRT (S&S_IMRT) and VMAT treatment plans were designed with 2.5‐ and 5.0‐mm MLC for both C‐shape and LH&N phantoms. Their dosimetric characteristics were compared in terms of the conformity index (CI) and homogeneity index (HI) for the planning target volume (PTV), the dose to organs at risk (OARs), and the dose‐spillage volume. To analyze the effects of the field and arc numbers, 9‐field IMRT (9F‐IMRT) and 13‐field IMRT (13F‐IMRT) plans were established for S&S_IMRT. For VMAT, single arc (VMAT1) and double arc (VMAT2) plans were established. For all plans, dosimetric verification was performed using the phantom to examine the relationship between dosimetric errors and the two leaf widths. Delivery efficiency of the two MLCs was compared in terms of beam delivery times, monitor units (MUs) per fraction, and the number of segments for each plan.Results:2.5‐mm MLC showed better dosimetric characteristics in S&S_IMRT and VMAT for C‐shape, providing better CI for PTV and lower spinal cord dose and high and intermediate dose‐spillage volume as compared with the 5‐mm MLC (p < 0.05). However, no significant dosimetric benefits were provided by the 2.5‐mm MLC for LH&N (p > 0.05). Further, beam delivery efficiency was not observed to be significantly associated with leaf width for either C‐shape or LH&N. However, MUs per fraction were significantly reduced for the 2.5‐mm MLC for the LH&N. In dosimetric error analysis, absolute dose evaluations had errors of less than 3%, while the Gamma passing rate was greater than 95% according to the 3%/3 mm criteria. There were no significant differences in dosimetric error between the 2.5‐ and 5‐mm MLCs.Conclusions:As compared with MLC of 5‐mm leaf widths, MLC with finer leaf width (2.5‐mm) can provide better dosimetric outcomes in IMRT for C‐shape. However, the MLC leaf width may only have minor effects on dosimetric characteristics in IMRT for LH&N. The results of the present study will serve as a useful assessment standard when assigning or introducing equipment for the treatment of H&N cancers.
A novel method for experimental characterization of large‐angle scattered particles in scanned carbon‐ion therapy
Authors: Hara Yousuke , Furukawa Takuji , Inaniwa Taku , Mizushima Kota , Shirai Toshiyuki , Noda Koji 
Published: January 2014

Purpose:It is essential to consider large‐angle scattered particles in dose calculation models for therapeutic carbon‐ion beams. However, it is difficult to measure the small dose contribution from large‐angle scattered particles. In this paper, the authors present a novel method to derive the parameters describing large‐angle scattered particles from the measured results.Methods:The authors developed a new parallel‐plate ionization chamber consisting of concentric electrodes. Since the sensitive volume of each channel is increased linearly with this type, it is possible to efficiently and easily detect small contributions from the large‐angle scattered particles. The parameters describing the large‐angle scattered particles were derived from pencil beam dose distribution in water measured with the new ionization chamber. To evaluate the validity of this method, the correction for the field‐size dependence of the doses, “predicted‐dose scaling factor,” was calculated with the new parameters.Results:The predicted‐dose scaling factor calculated with the new parameters was compared with the existing one. The difference between the new correction factor and the existing one was 1.3%. For target volumes of different sizes, the calculated dose distribution with the new parameters was in good agreement with the measured one.Conclusions:Parameters describing the large‐angle scattered particles can be efficiently and rapidly determined using the new ionization chamber. The authors confirmed that the field‐size dependence of the doses could be compensated for by the new parameters. This method makes it possible to easily derive the parameters describing the large‐angle scattered particles, while maintaining the dose calculation accuracy.
Intensity inhomogeneity correction for magnetic resonance imaging of human brain at 7T
Authors: Uwano Ikuko , Kudo Kohsuke , Yamashita Fumio , Goodwin Jonathan , Higuchi Satomi , Ito Kenji , Harada Taisuke , Ogawa Akira , Sasaki Makoto 
Published: January 2014

Purpose:To evaluate the performance and efficacy for intensity inhomogeneity correction of various sequences of the human brain in 7T MRI using the extended version of the unified segmentation algorithm.Materials:Ten healthy volunteers were scanned with four different sequences (2D spin echo [SE], 3D fast SE, 2D fast spoiled gradient echo, and 3D time‐of‐flight) by using a 7T MRI system. Intensity inhomogeneity correction was performed using the “New Segment” module in SPM8 with four different values (120, 90, 60, and 30 mm) of full width at half maximum (FWHM) in Gaussian smoothness. The uniformity in signals in the entire white matter was evaluated using the coefficient of variation (CV); mean signal intensities between the subcortical and deep white matter were compared, and contrast between subcortical white matter and gray matter was measured. The length of the lenticulostriate (LSA) was measured on maximum intensity projection (MIP) images in the original and corrected images.Results:In all sequences, the CV decreased as the FWHM value decreased. The differences of mean signal intensities between subcortical and deep white matter also decreased with smaller FWHM values. The contrast between white and gray matter was maintained at all FWHM values. LSA length was significantly greater in corrected MIP than in the original MIP images.Conclusions:Intensity inhomogeneity in 7T MRI can be successfully corrected using SPM8 for various scan sequences.
No Improvement of Repeated-Sprint Performance With Dietary Nitrate
Authors: Martin Kristy , Smee Disa , Thompson Kevin G. , Rattray Ben 
Published: January 2014

Purpose:Nitrate supplementation improves endurance exercise and single bouts of high-intensity activity, but its effect on repeated sprints is unclear. This study is the first to investigate the effects of acute dietary nitrate supplementation during a high-intensity intermittent-sprint test to exhaustion.Methods:Team-sport athletes (9 male, age 22.3 ± 2.1 y, VO2max 57.4 ± 8.5 mL · kg−1 · min−1; 7 female, age 20.7 ± 1.3 y, VO2max 47.2 ± 8.5 mL · kg−1 · min−1) were assigned to a double-blind, randomized, crossover design. Participants consumed 70 mL of concentrated beetroot juice containing a minimum of 0.3 g of nitrate (NT) or 70 mL of placebo (PL) 2 h before a repeated-sprint protocol involving repeated 8-s sprints with 30-s recovery on a cycle ergometer to exhaustion.Results:Fewer sprints (NT = 13 ± 5 vs PL = 15 ± 6, P = .005, d = 0.41) and less total work (NT = 49.2 ± 24.2 kJ vs PL = 57.8 ± 34.0 kJ, P = .027, d = 0.3) were completed in NT relative to PL. However there was no difference in overall mean power output or the mean power output for each individual 8-s sprint.Conclusions:These findings suggest that dietary nitrate is not beneficial for improving repeated-sprint performance, at least when such sprints are near-maximal and frequent in nature. The lack of an effect of nitrate at near-maximal oxygen uptake supports the suggestion that at greater exercise intensities nitrate does not have an ergogenic effect.
Sequence Conservation of the Region Targeted by the Abbott RealTi
m
e HCV Viral Load Assay
Authors: Cloherty Gavin , Parkin Neil , Rhoads James , Esping Claudia , Steinhart Corklin , Schneider George , Yuen Lily , Hackett John 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACT

The Abbott RealTi
m
e (RT) HCV assay targets the 5′ untranslated region (UTR) of the HCV genome. Here, we analyzed the sequence variability of the assay target regions from 1,092 specimens. Thermodynamic modeling of the percentage of primers/probes bound at the assay annealing temperature was performed to assess the potential effect of sequence variability. An analysis of this large data set revealed that the primer and probe binding sites of the RealTi
m
e HCV viral load assay are highly conserved and that naturally occurring sequence polymorphisms are not expected to discernibly impact assay performance.
Detection of Extended-Spectrum-β-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia coli ST131 and ST405 Clonal Groups by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization–Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Matsumura Yasufumi , Yamamoto Masaki , Nagao Miki , Tanaka Michio , Machida Kiyomasa , Ito Yutaka , Takakura Shunji , Ichiyama Satoshi 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACT

Escherichia coli
sequence type 131 (ST131) and ST405 are important clonal groups, because they are associated with the global increase of extended-spectrum-β-lactamase (ESBL) producers. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is emerging as a rapid, inexpensive, and accurate method for bacterial identification. We investigated the detection performance of MALDI-TOF for the ST131 and ST405 clonal groups using 41 ST131-O25b, 26 ST131-O16, and 41 ST405 ESBL-producing isolates and 41 ESBL-producing isolates frrom other STs. The main spectra representing each clonal group were used for classification with Biotyper (Bruker Daltonics GmbH, Bremen, Germany). The peak that had the highest area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve generated by ClinProTools (Bruker) was detected with FlexAnalysis (Bruker), and an optimal signal-to-noise ratio cutoff was determined. The optimal detection models were generated by ClinProTools. Classification by Biotyper could detect the ST131-whole (O25b and O16 together) group with a sensitivity of 98.5% and a specificity of 93.9%. With FlexAnalysis, a peak of 9,720 Da detected the ST131-whole group with a sensitivity of 97.0% and a specificity of 91.5% at a cutoff value of 8.0. The ClinProTools models exhibited good performance for the detection of the ST131-whole group (sensitivity and specificity, 94.0% and 92.7%, respectively), the ST131-O25b group (95.1% and 98.2%, respectively), and the ST405 group (90.2% and 96.3%, respectively). MALDI-TOF MS had high detection performance for the ST131-whole, ST131-O25b, and ST405 clonal groups. MALDI-TOF MS should be considered as an alternative method to monitor the epidemiology of the ESBL-producing
E. coli
ST131 and ST405 clonal groups.
Sequence-Based Optimization of a Quantitative Real-Time PCR Assay for Detection of Plasmodium ovale and Plasmodium malariae
Authors: Phuong Melissa , Lau Rachel , Ralevski Filip , Boggild Andrea K. 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACT

Although microscopic examination of Giemsa-stained blood smears remains the gold standard for the diagnosis of malaria, molecular detection using PCR is becoming increasingly popular. Due to discrepant PCR and microscopy results, we aimed to optimize our detection assays for
Plasmodium malariae
and
Plasmodium ovale
by sequencing the 18S rRNA region and developing a new primer and probe set for real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR). Clinical specimens positive for
P. malariae
(
n
= 15) or
P. ovale
(
n
= 33) underwent amplification and sequencing of the 18S rRNA region. Based on sequence discrepancies between our current primer/probe and clinical isolates, degenerate
P. ovale
primer and probe were developed to determine if their performance characteristics improved. The reference (gold) standard was microscopy. No 18S sequence heterogeneity was observed among the
P. malariae
isolates, and the sensitivity and specificity of our current
P. malariae
qPCR assay were both 100%. Compared to microscopy, the sensitivity and specificity of our current
P. ovale
qPCR assay were 72.7% and 100%, respectively. Five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified in
P. ovale
. The sensitivity of the new
P. ovale
assay increased to 100% with 100% specificity. We therefore improved the performance characteristics of our
P. ovale
molecular detection assay through the development of a degenerate primer and probe set which accommodates 18S SNPs among the 2 subspecies of
P. ovale
. Given the suboptimal sensitivity of rapid diagnostic tests for non-
falciparum
malaria and the typically low parasitemia of
P. malariae
and
P. ovale
, a well-performing confirmatory molecular assay is imperative for clinical laboratories.
Long-Distance Interferon Signaling within the Brain Blocks Virus Spread
Authors: van den Pol Anthony N. , Ding Siyuan , Robek Michael D. 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACT
Serious permanent neurological or psychiatric dysfunction may result from virus infections in the central nervous system (CNS). Olfactory sensory neurons are in direct contact with the external environment, making them susceptible to infection by viruses that can enter the brain via the olfactory nerve. The rarity of full brain viral infections raises the important question of whether unique immune defense mechanisms protect the brain. Here we show that both RNA (vesicular stomatitis virus [VSV]) and DNA (cytomegalovirus [CMV]) virus inoculations of the nasal mucosa leading to olfactory bulb (OB) infection activate long-distance signaling that upregulates antiviral interferon (IFN)-stimulated gene (ISG) expression in uninfected remote regions of the brain. This signaling mechanism is dependent on IFN-α/β receptors deep within the brain, leading to the activation of a distant antiviral state that prevents infection of the caudal brain. In normal mice, VSV replication is limited to the OB, and these animals typically survive the infection. In contrast, mice lacking the IFN-α/β receptor succumbed to the infection, with VSV spreading throughout the brain. Chemical destruction of the olfactory sensory neurons blocked both virus trafficking into the OB and the IFN response in the caudal brain, indicating a direct signaling within the brain after intranasal infection. Most signaling within the brain occurs across the 20-nm synaptic cleft. The unique long-distance IFN signaling described here occurs across many millimeters within the brain and is critical for survival and normal brain function.

IMPORTANCE
The olfactory mucosa can serve as a conduit for a number of viruses to enter the brain. Yet infections in the CNS rarely occur. The mechanism responsible for protecting the brain from viruses that successfully invade the OB, the first site of infection subsequent to infection of the nasal mucosa, remains elusive. Here we demonstrate that the protection is mediated by a long-distance interferon signaling, particularly IFN-β released by infected neurons in the OB. Strikingly, in the absence of neurotropic virus infection, ISGs are induced in the posterior regions of the brain, activating an antiviral state and preventing further virus invasion.
Adenovirus Serotype 26 and 35 Vectors Induce Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-Specific T Lymphocyte Responses in Foreskin in Rhesus Monkeys
Authors: Balandya Emmanuel , Miller Andrew D. , Beck Matthew , Liu Jinyan , Li Hualin , Borducchi Erica , Smith Kaitlin , Cabral Crystal , Stanley Kelly , Maxfield Lori F. , Barouch Dan H. 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACT

Foreskin is the principal site of heterosexual HIV-1 infection in men. However, little is known about HIV-1-specific immune responses or inflammation in foreskin. To the best of our knowledge, no previous studies have assessed immune responses to candidate HIV-1 vaccines in foreskin. Using the rhesus monkey model, we show that intramuscular immunization with adenovirus serotype 26 and 35 vectors expressing SIV antigens elicited durable SIV Gag-specific CD4
+
and CD8
+
T cell responses in foreskin that were detectable for more than 1 year following vaccination. Gag-specific CD4
+
and CD8
+
T cells were also detectable in foreskin of SIV- and SHIV-infected animals and were at least comparable in magnitude to those in peripheral blood. However, unlike peripheral blood T cells, the majority of foreskin T cells exhibited transitional memory or effector memory phenotype and expressed higher levels of the activation markers CD69, HLA-DR, and CCR5, although vaccination did not further enhance foreskin CD4
+
T cell activation. These findings suggest that systemic vaccination strategies can elicit potentially important SIV-specific cellular immunity in foreskin. Further characterization of vaccine-elicited immune responses and inflammation in foreskin is warranted.

IMPORTANCE
We demonstrate here the induction of SIV-specific cellular immune responses in foreskin by adenovirus serotype 26 and 35 vaccine vectors. Foreskin T cells were more activated than peripheral blood T cells, but foreskin T cells were not further activated by vaccination. These findings suggest that alternative serotype adenovirus vectors induce potentially important immune responses in foreskin.