bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development, identification and utilization of introgression lines using Chinese endemic and synthetic wheat as donors
Authors: Gu Liqing , Wei Bo , Fan Renchun , Jia Xu , Wang Xianping , Zhang Xiangqi 
Published: December 2014

AbstractChromosome segmental introgression lines (ILs) are an effective way to utilize germplasm resources in crops. To improve agronomic traits of wheat cultivar (Triticum aestivum) Shi 4185, four sets of ILs were developed. The donors were Chinese endemic subspecies accessions Yunnan wheat (T. aestivum ssp. yunnanense) YN3, Tibetan semi‐wild wheat (T. aestivum ssp. tibetanum) XZ‐ZM19450, and Xinjiang wheat (T. aestivum ssp. petropavlovskyi) XJ5, and synthetic wheat HC‐XM1620 derived from a cross between T. durum acc. D67.2/P66.270 with Aegilops tauschii acc. 218. Totals of 356, 366, 445 and 457 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were polymorphic between Shi 4185 and YN3, XZ‐ZM19450, XJ5 and HC‐XM1620, respectively. In total, 991 ILs were identified, including 300 derived from YN3, covering 95% of the genome of Shi 4185, 218 from XZ‐ZM19450 (79%), 279 from XJ5 (97%), and 194 from HC‐ZX1620 (84%). The sizes and locations of each introgression were determined from a consensus SSR linkage map. Using the ILs, 11 putative quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were identified for plant height (PH), spike length (SL) and grain number per spike (GNS). Comparative analyses of 24 elite ILs with the parents revealed that the four donor parents could be important resources to improve wheat SL and GNS. Our work offers a case for utilizing endemic landraces for QTL mapping and improvement of wheat cultivars using introgression lines.
Reproductive isolation between sympatric sister species, Mussaenda kwangtungensis and M. pubescens var. alba
Authors: Luo Zhonglai , Duan Tingting , Yuan Shuai , Chen Shi , Bai Xiufeng , Zhang Dianxiang 
Published: December 2014

AbstractReproductive isolation defines the biological species concept and plays a key role in the formation and maintenance of species. The relative contributions of different isolating stages has been suggested to be closely associated with phylogenetic relatedness. Few studies have focused on the relative contributions of pre‐ versus post‐zygotic mechanisms, and even fewer have been conducted under strict phylogenetic frameworks. Pre‐ and post‐zygotic reproductive isolation stages have been investigated in the sister species Mussaenda kwangtungensis and M. pubescens var. alba. The two species have partly overlapping distribution ranges and flowering times, while the principal pollinators differed strikingly for them, demonstrating strong pre‐zygotic isolations. Natural hybrids were detected by simple sequence repeat markers and their maternal parents were identified based on chloroplast gene sequences. Five out of 81 individuals were suggested to be hybrids that fall into the categories F2, BC1, and BC2 by the NewHybrids analysis. Interspecific crossings resulted in significantly reduced fruit set and seed germination rates. Phylogenetic analysis revealed short Kimura‐2‐parameter distance between M. kwangtungensis and M. pubescens var. alba. These findings strongly supported the hypothesis that for species with a closer phylogenetic relationship, pre‐zygotic isolation plays an important part in limiting gene exchange in sympatric areas.
The total number of Leydig and Sertoli cells in the testes of men across various age groups – a stereological study
Authors: Petersen Peter M. , Seierøe Karina , Pakkenberg Bente 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThe aim of this study was to estimate the total number of Sertoli and Leydig cells in testes from male subjects across the human lifespan, using an optimized stereological method for cell‐counting. In comparison with many other organs, estimation of the total cell numbers in the testes is particularly sensitive to methodological problems. Therefore, using the optical fractionator technique and a sampling design specifically optimized for human testes, we estimated the total number of Sertoli and Leydig cells in the testes from 26 post mortem male subjects ranging in age from 16 to 80 years. The mean unilateral total number of Sertoli cells was 407 × 106 [range: 86 × 106 to 665 × 106, coefficient of variation (CV) = 0.33], and the mean unilateral total number of Leydig cells was 99 × 106 (range: 47 × 106 to 245 × 106, CV = 0.48). There was a significant decline in the number of Sertoli cells with age; no such decline was found for Leydig cells. Quantitative stereological analysis of post mortem tissue may help understand the influence of age or disease on the number of human testicular cells.
A novel automated detection system for swallowing sounds during eating and speech under everyday conditions
Authors: Fukuike C. , Kodama N. , Manda Y. , Hashimoto Y. , Sugimoto K. , Hirata A. , Pan Q. , Maeda N. , Minagi S. 
Published: December 2014

SummaryThe wave analysis of swallowing sounds has been receiving attention because the recording process is easy and non‐invasive. However, up until now, an expert has been needed to visually examine the entire recorded wave to distinguish swallowing from other sounds. The purpose of this study was to establish a methodology to automatically distinguish the sound of swallowing from sound data recorded during a meal in the presence of everyday ambient sound. Seven healthy participants (mean age: 26·7 ± 1·3 years) participated in this study. A laryngeal microphone and a condenser microphone attached to the nostril were used for simultaneous recording. Recoding took place while participants were taking a meal and talking with a conversational partner. Participants were instructed to step on a foot pedal trigger switch when they swallowed, representing self‐enumeration of swallowing, and also to achieve six additional noise‐making tasks during the meal in a randomised manner. The automated analysis system correctly detected 342 out of the 352 self‐enumerated swallowing events (sensitivity: 97·2%) and 479 out of the 503 semblable wave periods of swallowing (specificity: 95·2%). In this study, the automated detection system for swallowing sounds using a nostril microphone was able to detect the swallowing event with high sensitivity and specificity even under the conditions of daily life, thus showing potential utility in the diagnosis or screening of dysphagic patients in future studies.
Is prosthodontic treatment age‐dependent in patients 60 years and older in Public Dental Services?
Authors: Hiltunen K. , Vehkalahti M. M. , Mäntylä P. 
Published: December 2014

SummaryProsthodontic treatment is a common procedure for the elderly as tooth loss is a reality in old age. Dentists take care of increasingly older patients with physiological age manifesting as cognitive impairment, frailty or multiple chronic diseases or who have side effects of medicines. We evaluated how patients’ age affects prosthodontic treatment choice and whether we could identify the age when a change in practice occurs. In addition, we determined how common the treatment method of fixed prostheses is among patients aged 60 years or over in Public Dental Services (PDS) and how common rehabilitation of dentition with new dentures is compared with repair of existing dentures. Our data cover all patients aged 60 years and older (n = 130 060) treated in Helsinki PDS in 2007–2012. Data were aggregated into seven groups: 60–64, 65–69, 70–74, 75–79, 80–84, 85–89, and 90 years and over. During the 6‐year period, the mean annual number of the population was about 114 000 and the mean annual number of patients treated with prosthodontics 1700. Prosthodontic treatment choices (repair, removable prosthodontics, fixed prostheses, fibre‐reinforced composite fixed prostheses) vary by age; the older the patient, the rarer fixed or fibre‐reinforced composite fixed prostheses and removable prostheses and the more frequent repairs (P < 0·001). Denture repair was virtually the only treatment that patients over 90 years received. Based on our results, the age at which prosthodontic treatment practices in PDS change is around 70 years. Beyond this age, fixed prosthodontic treatment modalities are very rare and repairs are more common.
Occurrence of Fusarium langsethiae Strains Isolated from Durum Wheat in Italy
Authors: Infantino Alessandro , Santori Alberto , Aureli Gabriella , Belocchi Andreina , De Felice Simona , Tizzani Lorenza , Lattanzio Veronica M. T. , Haidukowski Miriam , Pascale Michelangelo 
Published: December 2014

AbstractSurveys on the occurrence of type A trichothecenes in wheat, and particularly for the T‐2 and HT‐2 toxins, and information on the biology and epidemiology of the causative Fusarium species (i.e. F. langsethiae, F. sporotrichioides) are scarce in Italy, as compared to the more common type B trichothecene, deoxynivalenol and its producers. This 4‐year monitoring of phytopathogenic Fusarium species on 183 seed lots of durum wheat shows wide distribution of F. langsethiae in Italy and the potential of several isolates of this fungus to produce high amounts of T‐2 and HT‐2 in wheat. Fusarium langsethiae was observed for approximately 48% of the analysed samples, with a maximum incidence for a single lot of 10.5%. Fusarium sporotrichioides was observed only in 2011, with an average incidence of 2% (range, 0–3%). A collection of F. langsethiae isolates representative of the main cultivation areas in Italy was established. These isolates showed great variability for their toxin production in vitro. Of 28 strains, all except one isolate can produce the T‐2 and HT‐2 toxins. HT‐2 was generally in greater amounts than T‐2, with an average concentration ratio for HT‐2 to T‐2 of 2.1 (range, 0.7–5.4). The artificial inoculation of wheat with three isolates of F. langsethiae produced no Fusarium head blight symptoms under field conditions. However, significantly higher incidence of F. langsethiae was seen on the kernels of inoculated plants, compared to the uninoculated controls.
Cerebral white matter lesions in patients with cirrhosis – causative for hepatic encephalopathy or bystanders?
Authors: Pflugrad Henning , Bronzlik Paul , Raab Peter , Tryc Anita B. , Goldbecker Annemarie , Barg‐Hock Hannelore , Strassburg Christian P. , Ding Xiao‐Qi , Lanfermann Heinrich , Weissenborn Karin 
Published: December 2014

AbstractBackground & AimsFocal white matter lesions mimicking microvascular lesions were connected to the development of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) in patients with cirrhosis. This study aims to assess the relationship between cerebrovascular risk factors and the prevalence and extent of these lesions in patients with cirrhosis, as well as their impact upon cognitive function.Methods55 cirrhotic patients underwent neurological examination, psychometric testing and magnetic resonance imaging. T2‐weighted images were reviewed for white matter lesions by a neuroradiologist and a neurologist, independently. Patients were allocated into three groups: (i) no or <5, (ii) 6–15 and (iii) more than 15 lesions. Allocation was confirmed by a senior neuroradiologist blinded for the clinical data. The patient groups were compared concerning age, underlying liver disease, mortality, MELD Score, history of HE, treatment for HE, cerebrovascular risk factors and psychometric test results. Regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors for the presence and extent of white matter lesions.ResultsPatient groups 2 and 3 were older and showed worse results in the psychometric tests than group 1 (P < 0.05). Correlation analyses showed a significant relationship between the number of white matter lesions and the grade of HE (P < 0.001) and cognitive function (P < 0.05), but no interrelationship between the lesions and cerebrovascular risk factors or other factors tested.ConclusionsFocal white matter lesions in patients with cirrhosis do not represent cerebrovascular small‐vessel disease but are related to the pathology of HE. Further studies are needed to clarify the mechanisms behind in detail.
Cratering on Mars with almost no atmosphere or volatiles: Pangboche crater
Authors: Mouginis‐Mark Peter J. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractPangboche crater (17.2°N, 226.7°E; 10.4 km dia.) lies close to the summit of Olympus Mons volcano, Mars, at an elevation of ~20.9 km above the datum. Given a scale height of 11.1 km for the atmosphere, this relatively large fresh crater most likely formed at an atmospheric pressure <1 mbar in essentially volatile‐free young lava flows. Detailed analysis of Pangboche crater from High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) and Context Camera (CTX) images reveals that volatile‐related features (e.g., fluidized ejecta layers and pitted floor material) are absent. In contrast, abundant impact melt occurs on the floor, inner walls, and rim of the crater, and there is an extensive field of secondary craters that extend up to approximately 45 km from the rim crest. All of these attributes argue that it was the absence of volatiles in the target rocks at the time of crater formation, rather than the thin atmosphere, which had a controlling influence on crater morphology. Digital elevation data derived from the CTX images reveal that Pangboche crater has a depth of about 954 m (depth/diameter = approximately 0.092) and that uplifted target rocks comprise about 58% of the relief of the 180 m‐high north rim. As the target material comprised a sequence of layered lava flows, Pangboche crater may well represent the best crater on Mars for direct comparison with craters formed on the Moon (permitting variations in gravitational effects to be investigated) or on Mercury (allowing the role of the atmosphere to be studied).
Secondary successional trajectories of structural and catabolic bacterial communities in oil‐polluted soil planted with hybrid poplar
Authors: Mukherjee Shinjini , Sipilä Timo , Pulkkinen Pertti , Yrjälä Kim 
Published: December 2014

AbstractPoplars have widely been used for rhizoremediation of a broad range of organic contaminants for the past two decades. Still, there is a knowledge gap regarding the rhizosphere‐associated bacterial communities of poplars and their dynamics during the remediation process. It is envisaged that a detailed understanding of rhizosphere‐associated microbial populations will greatly contribute to a better design and implementation of rhizoremediation. To investigate the long‐term succession of structural and catabolic bacterial communities in oil‐polluted soil planted with hybrid poplar, we carried out a 2‐year field study. Hybrid aspen (Populus tremula × Populus tremuloides) seedlings were planted in polluted soil excavated from an accidental oil‐spill site. Vegetated and un‐vegetated soil samples were collected for microbial community analyses at seven different time points during the course of 2 years and sampling time points were chosen to cover the seasonal variation in the boreal climate zone. Bacterial community structure was accessed by means of 16S rRNA gene amplicon pyrosequencing, whereas catabolic diversity was monitored by pyrosequencing of alkane hydroxylase and extradiol dioxygenase genes. We observed a clear succession of bacterial communities on both structural and functional levels from early to late‐phase communities. Sphingomonas type extradiol dioxygenases and alkane hydroxylase homologs of Rhodococcus clearly dominated the early‐phase communities. The high‐dominance/low‐diversity functional gene communities underwent a transition to low‐dominance/high‐diversity communities in the late phase. These results pointed towards increased catabolic capacities and a change from specialist to generalist strategy of bacterial communities during the course of secondary succession.
A copper‐induced quinone degradation pathway provides protection against combined copper/quinone stress in Lactococcus lactis IL1403
Authors: Mancini Stefano , Abicht Helge K. , Gonskikh Yulia , Solioz Marc 
Published: December 2014

SummaryQuinones are ubiquitous in the environment. They occur naturally but are also in widespread use in human and industrial activities. Quinones alone are relatively benign to bacteria, but in combination with copper, they become toxic by a mechanism that leads to intracellular thiol depletion. Here, it was shown that the yahCD‐yaiAB operon of Lactococcus lactis IL1403 provides resistance to combined copper/quinone stress. The operon is under the control of CopR, which also regulates expression of the copRZA copper resistance operon as well as other L. lactis genes. Expression of the yahCD‐yaiAB operon is induced by copper but not by quinones. Two of the proteins encoded by the operon appear to play key roles in alleviating quinone/copper stress: YaiB is a flavoprotein that converts p‐benzoquinones to less toxic hydroquinones, using reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) as reductant; YaiA is a hydroquinone dioxygenase that converts hydroquinone putatively to 4‐hydroxymuconic semialdehyde in an oxygen‐consuming reaction. Hydroquinone and methylhydroquinone are both substrates of YaiA. Deletion of yaiB causes increased sensitivity of L. lactis to quinones and complete growth arrest under combined quinone and copper stress. Copper induction of the yahCD‐yaiAB operon offers protection to copper/quinone toxicity and could provide a growth advantage to L. lactis in some environments.
Song sharing and diversity in the Bering‐Chukchi‐Beaufort population of bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus), spring 2011
Authors: Johnson Hansen D. , Stafford Kathleen M. , George J. Craig , Ambrose William G. , Clark Christopher W. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractBowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) of the Bering‐Chukchi‐Beaufort population migrate in nearshore leads through the Chukchi Sea each spring to summering grounds in the Beaufort Sea. As part of a population abundance study, hydrophones were deployed in the Chukchi Sea off Point Barrow, (12 April to 27 May 2011) and in the Beaufort Sea (12 April to 30 June 2011). Data from these sites were analyzed for the presence of bowhead whale song. We identified 12 unique song types sung by at least 32 individuals during ~95 h of recordings off Point Barrow. Six of these songs were detected at the Beaufort MARU site as well as six additional song types that were not analyzed. These results suggest a shared song repertoire among some individuals. This report represents the greatest number of songs to date during the spring migration for this population. We attribute this greater variety to population growth over the 30 yr since acoustic monitoring began in the early 1980s. Singing during early to mid‐spring is consistent with the hypothesis that song is a reproductive display, but further research is necessary to understand the exact function of this complex vocal behavior.
A Zero‐Inflated Regression Model for Grouped Data
Authors: Brown Sarah , Duncan Alan , Harris Mark N. , Roberts Jennifer , Taylor Karl 
Published: December 2014

AbstractWe introduce the (panel) zero‐inflated interval regression (ZIIR) model, which is ideally suited when data are in the form of groups, and there is an ‘excess’ of zero observations. We apply our new modelling framework to the analysis of visits to the general practitioner (GP) using individual‐level data from the British Household Panel Survey. The ZIIR model simultaneously estimates the probability of visiting the GP and the frequency of visits (defined by given numerical intervals in the data). The results show that different socio‐economic factors influence the probability of visiting the GP and the frequency of visits.
Meta‐Analysis of Continuous Oral Anticoagulants Versus Heparin Bridging in Patients Undergoing CIED Surgery: Reappraisal after the BRUISE Study
Authors: SANT'ANNA ROBERTO T. , LEIRIA TIAGO L. , NASCIMENTO THAIS , SANT'ANNA JOÃO RICARDO M. , KALIL RENATO A. K. , LIMA GUSTAVO G. , VERMA ATUL , HEALEY JEFF S. , BIRNIE DAVID H. , ESSEBAG VIDAL 
Published: December 2014

BackgroundManagement of patients treated with oral anticoagulation (OAC) requiring a cardiovascular implantable electronic device (CIED) surgery is a challenge that requires balancing the risk of bleeding complications with the risk of thromboembolic events. Recently the approach of performing these procedures while the patient remains with a therapeutic international normalized ratio has gained interest due to several publications showing its relative safety.ObjectivesTo evaluate the safety and effectiveness of continuous use of OAC compared with heparin bridging in the perioperative setting of CIED surgery using a meta‐analysis.MethodsA systematic review of PubMed/MEDLINE, Ovid, and Elsevier databases was performed. Eligible randomized controlled trials and cohort studies were included. The outcomes studied were risk of clinically significant bleeding and of thromboembolic events. Our analysis was restricted to OAC with vitamin K antagonists.ResultsOf 560 manuscripts initially considered relevant, seven were included in the meta‐analysis, totaling 2,191 patients. Data are reported as odds ratios (ORs) with confidence interval (CI) of 95%. Maintenance of OAC was associated with a significantly lower risk of postoperative bleeding compared with heparin bridge (OR = 0.25, 95% CI 0.17–0.36, P < 0.00001). There was no difference noted in the risk of thromboembolic events between the two strategies (OR = 1.86, 95% CI 0.29–12.17, P = 0.57).ConclusionsUninterrupted use of OAC in the perioperative of CIED surgery was associated with a reduced risk of bleeding. This strategy should be considered the preferred one in patients at moderate‐to‐high risk of thromboembolic events.
Long‐Term Follow‐Up of Pediatric Trachyonychia
Authors: Kumar Monique G. , Ciliberto Heather , Bayliss Susan J. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractPediatric trachyonychia is an acquired nail disease that can cause distress to families. It is a poorly understood disease, and long‐term follow‐up data are lacking. We present an institutional review of 11 children with isolated pediatric trachyonychia followed over time. Children with the diagnosis of pediatric trachyonychia were identified and invited to participate. Pictures were taken on follow‐up and a questionnaire was answered. Exclusion criteria include having another diagnosis at the initial visit that causes nail dystrophy. Eleven patients with the diagnosis of pediatric trachyonychia were available for follow‐up. The mean age of appearance was 2.7 years (range 2–7 yrs) and the average follow‐up was 66 months (range 10–126 mos). Nine patients were treated with potent topical corticosteroids, one used only petrolatum, and one took vitamin supplements. One patient was found to have an additional skin and hair diagnosis of alopecia areata on follow‐up. On follow‐up, 82% noted improvement of the nails, whereas 18% noted no change. A majority of cases of pediatric trachyonychia are isolated and improve with time, regardless of treatment.