bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Leaf Spot on Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) Caused by Stemphylium solani, a New Disease in Malaysia
Authors: Nasehi A. , Kadir J. B. , Esfahani M. Nasr , Mahmodi F. , Ghadirian H. , Ashtiani F. Abed , Soleimani N. 
Published: November 2012

In June 2011, lettuce (Lactuca sativa) plants cultivated in major lettuce growing areas in Malaysia, including the Pahang and Johor states, had extensive leaf spots. In severe cases, disease incidence was recorded more than 80%. Symptoms on 50 observed plants initially were as water soaked spots (1 to 2 mm in diameter) on leaves, and then became circular spots spreading over much of the leaves. In this research, main lettuce growing areas infected by the pathogen in the mentioned states were investigated and the pathogen was isolated onto potato dextrose agar (PDA). Colonies observed were greyish green to light brown. Single conidia were formed at the terminal end of conidiophores that were 28.8 to 40.8 μm long and 11.0 to 19.2 μm wide, and 2 to 7 transverse and 1 to 4 longitudinal septa. To produce conidia, the fungus was grown on potato carrot agar (PCA) and V8 juice agar media under 8-h/16-h light/dark photoperiod. Fourteen isolates were identified Stemphylium solani based on morphological criteria described by Kim et al. (1). To confirm morphological characterization, DNA of the fungus was extracted from mycelium and PCR was done using universal primers ITS5 (5′-GGAAGTAAAAGTCGTAACAAGG-3′) and ITS4 (5′-TCCTCCGCTTATTGATATGC-3′), which amplified the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA (2). The sequencing result was subjected to BLAST analysis which was 99% identical to the other published sequences in the GenBank database (GenBank Accession Nos. AF203451 and HQ840713). The nucleotide sequence was deposited in GenBank under Accession No. JQ736022. Pathogenicity testing of representative isolate was done using 20 μl of conidial suspension with a concentration of 1 × 105/ml in droplets (three drops on each leaf) on four detached 45-day-old lettuce leaves cv. BBS012 (3). Fully expended leaves were placed on moist filter paper in petri dishes and were incubated in humid chambers at 25°C. The leaves inoculated with sterile water served as control. After 7 days, disease symptoms were observed, which were similar to those symptoms collected in infected fields and the fungus was reisolated and confirmed as S. solani based on morphological criteria (1) and molecular characterization (2). Control leaves remained healthy. Pathogenicity testing was completed twice. To our knowledge, this is the first report of S. solani on lettuce in Malaysia and it may become a serious problem because of its broad host range, variability in pathogenic isolates, and prolonged active phase of the disease cycle. Previous research has shown that S. solani is a causal agent of gray leaf spot on lettuce in China (4). References: (1) B. S. Kim et al. Plant Pathol. J. 20:85, 2004. (2) Y. R. Mehta et al. Current Microbiol. 44:323, 2002. (3) B. M. Pryor and T. J. Michailides. Phytopathology 92:406, 2002. (4) F. L. Tai. Sylloge Fungorum Sinicorum, Sci. Press, Acad. Sin., Peking, 1979.
First Report of Ageratum yellow vein China virus Infecting Zinnia elegans in Vietnam
Authors: Li Z.-B. , Qin B.-X. , Cai J.-H. 
Published: November 2012

Whitefly-transmitted geminiviruses belong to the Geminiviridae family, which includes a group of plant DNA viruses that occurs in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide and caused severe leaf curl diseases on many crops. In July 2011, symptoms of mild yellowing and curling of leaves were observed on Zinnia elegans in Hue City, Vietnam. To identify possible begomoviruses, two samples with typical symptoms (Z1 and Z2) were collected and total DNA was extracted using PlantGen DNA Kit (CoWin Biotech Co., China). Using begomovirus-specific degenerate primer pair AV494 and AC1048 to amply geminivirus capsid protein gene (3), a 586-bp DNA fragment was amplified from both collected samples. The PCR products from Z1 and Z2 were cloned and sequenced. The partial sequences from two isolates had 96.8% similarity to each other and most closely related to Ageratum yellow vein China virus (AYVCNV) (98% identity to GenBank Accession Nos. AM940137.1 and AJ849916.1). Using two degenerate primer pairs bego1 (5′-ACMGGCCYATGWAYMGGAAG-3′)/bego6 (5′-ACNGGDAARACRATGTGGGC-3′) and bego2 (5′-CTTDATRTTBTCRTCCATCC-3′)/bego3 (5′-CCWGGATTGCANARSAMGAT-3′) to amplify full-length viral genome from Z1 (1). The complete DNA-A sequence from Z1 were determined to be 2,741 nucleotides (JX911332), showed high levels of sequence identity (89% [JN809812] to 98% [AJ849916.1 and AJ558120]) with AYVCNV and shared 98% nucleotide sequence identity with AYVCNV-G68 (AJ849916.1) and AYVCNV-G13 (AJ558120). No DNA-B component nor DNA-β could be detected using primers described previously (4). Zinnia leaf curl virus, Ageratum enation virus, Tobacco leaf curl virus, and Alternanthera yellow vein virus have been reported to be associated with Zinnia leaf curl disease (2). To our knowledge, this is the first report of AYVCNV infecting Z. elegans. AYVCNV was first reported in A. conyzoides on Hainan Island, China, and could infect L. esculentum (Solanaceae), A. conyzoides (Asteraceae), or tobacco (Solanaceae). Our results further corroborate that AYVCNV can infect Asteraceae plants. Therefore, this virus may pose a serious threat to many plants. References: (1) L. Lin et al. Plant Prot. 37:44, 2011. (2) P. Naveen et al. J. Biotechnol. Bioinform. 2:6, 2012. (3) S. D. Wyatt et al. Phytopathology 86:1288, 1996. (4) X. P. Zhou et al. J. Gen. Virol. 84:237, 2003.
Safety and efficacy of liraglutide in patients with type 2 diabetes and elevated liver enzymes: individual patient data meta‐analysis of the LEAD program
Authors: Armstrong M. J. , Houlihan D. D. , Rowe I. A. , Clausen W. H. O. , Elbrønd B. , Gough S. C. L. , Tomlinson J. W. , Newsome P. N. 
Published: November 2012

SummaryBackgroundNon‐alcoholic fatty liver disease has reached epidemic proportions in type 2 diabetes (T2D). Glucagon‐like peptide‐1 analogues are licensed in T2D, yet little data exist on efficacy and safety in liver injury.AimTo assess the safety and efficacy of 26‐week liraglutide on liver parameters in comparison with active‐placebo.MethodsIndividual patient data meta‐analysis was performed using patient‐level data combined from six 26‐week, phase‐III, randomised controlled T2D trials, which comprise the ‘Liraglutide Effect and Action in Diabetes’ (LEAD) program. The LEAD‐2 sub‐study was analysed to assess the effect on CT‐measured hepatic steatosis.ResultsOf 4442 patients analysed, 2241 (50.8%) patients had an abnormal ALT at baseline [mean ALT 33.8(14.9) IU/L in females; 47.3(18.3) IU/L in males]. Liraglutide 1.8 mg reduced ALT in these patients vs. placebo (−8.20 vs. −5.01 IU/L; P = 0.003), and was dose‐dependent (no significant differences vs. placebo with liraglutide 0.6 or 1.2 mg). This effect was lost after adjusting for liraglutide's reduction in weight (mean ALT difference vs. placebo −1.41 IU/L, P = 0.21) and HbA1c (+0.57 IU/L, P = 0.63). Adverse effects with 1.8 mg liraglutide were similar between patients with and without baseline abnormal ALT. In LEAD‐2 sub‐study, liraglutide 1.8 mg showed a trend towards improving hepatic steatosis vs. placebo (liver‐to‐spleen attenuation ratio +0.10 vs. 0.00; P = 0.07). This difference was reduced when correcting for changes in weight (+0.06, P = 0.25) and HbA1c (0.00, P = 0.93).ConclusionsTwenty‐six weeks' liraglutide 1.8 mg is safe, well tolerated and improves liver enzymes in patients with type 2 diabetes. This effect appears to be mediated by its action on weight loss and glycaemic control.
Genetic relationship of body measurement traits at early age with carcass traits in Japanese black cattle
Authors: Munim Tahmina , Oikawa Takuro , Ibi Takayuki , Kunieda Tetsuo 
Published: November 2012

AbstractEstimates of genetic parameters were obtained for body measurement traits of 648 animals at 4 months of age, of 545 at 8 months and carcass traits of 14 972 animals with the use of an animal model by the restricted maximum likelihood procedure. The estimated heritabilities for carcass traits were high (0.41 to 0.54). At 4 months the estimated direct heritabilities for body measurement traits were moderate to high (0.28 to 0.64), except for chest width (0.19); at 8 months they were also moderate to high (0.23 to 0.49), except for chest depth and chest width (0.18 and 0.06, respectively). Maternal heritabilities for all body measurement traits were low at both ages. The results indicate that because of their moderate direct genetic correlations with body measurement traits, carcass weight, rib thickness and subcutaneous fat thickness can be improved; however, rib eye area and beef marbling standard show little such possibility considering their correlation with body measurement traits.
Salt application as an effective measure to control ruderal invaders threatening endangered halophytic plant species
Authors: Khan Zeeba , Albrecht Matthias , Traveset Anna 
Published: November 2012

AbstractQuestionsHow does salinity affect germination, seedling performance and survival of the critically endangered Limonium barceloi, compared to ruderal species invading its salt marsh habitat? Is salt application an effective management tool for controlling invaders and favouring endangered halophytes?LocationSes Fontanelles, Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain.MethodsThe germination of seeds of L. barceloi and nine ruderal species was tested in five salinity levels (0–37 g·L−1), and also in freshwater after a pre‐treatment with seawater. The ruderal study species were: Asphodelus fistulosus, Avena barbata, Geranium molle, Hypochoeris achyrophorus, Oryzopsis miliacea, Plantago coronopus, Reichardia picroides, Sonchus asper and Sonchus tenerrimus. Two salt concentration levels (18 and 37 g·L−1) were applied twice monthly, weekly or twice weekly to examine the effect of salt irrigation schemes on the performance and seedling survival of L. barceloi compared to two of the principal species invading these salt marshes, S. tenerrimus and A. fistulosus.ResultsGermination of L. barceloi and most ruderal species was highest at low salinity (0–8 g·L−1). Seeds of L. barceloi, A. fistulosus and S. tenerrimus were also able to germinate at the highest salinity level, in contrast to the other species. Germination in freshwater after seawater pre‐treatment was highest in L. barceloi (72 ± 6%). Seedling performance and survival of A. fistulosus and S. tenerrimus decreased with frequency and concentration of the salt treatment. An application of 37 g·L−1 salt twice a week reduced seedling survival of A. fistulosus and S. tenerrimus by 83.3 and 91.6%, respectively. In contrast, 100% of the L. barceloi seedlings survived and showed similar performance among treatments.ConclusionsLimonium barceloi had higher seedling growth and survival than ruderal invaders when salinity levels were high (37 g·L−1). Nevertheless, at lower salinity, ruderal species may germinate and grow better and thus salinity level changes may represent a threat to the survival of this critically endangered species. Although further field testing is required, our experiments suggest that salt application could be an effective measure to protect L. barceloi and other endangered halophytic plant species from less salt‐tolerant invaders.
Prognostic and therapeutic relevance of c‐FLIP in acute myeloid leukaemia
Authors: McLornan Donal , Hay Jodie , McLaughlin Kirsty , Holohan Caitriona , Burnett Alan K. , Hills Robert K. , Johnston Patrick G. , Mills Ken I. , McMullin Mary Frances , Longley Daniel B. 
Published: November 2012

SummaryChemoresistance is a major contributor to the aggressiveness of AML and is often due to insufficient apoptosis. The CFLAR gene is expressed as long and short splice forms encoding the anti‐apoptotic proteins c‐FLIPL and c‐FLIPS (CFLARL and CFLARS, respectively) that play important roles in drug resistance. In univariate analyses of CFLAR mRNA expression in adult AML patients, those individuals with higher than median mRNA expression of the long splice form CFLAR(L) (but not the short splice form) had significantly lower 3 year overall survival (P = 0·04) compared to those with low expression. In cell line studies, simultaneous down‐regulation of c‐FLIPL and c‐FLIPS proteins using siRNA induced apoptosis in U937 and NB‐4 AML cells, but not K562 or OCI‐AML3 cells. However, dual c‐FLIPL/S downregulation sensitized all four cell lines to apoptosis induced by recombinant tumour necrosis factor‐related apoptosis‐inducing ligand (rTRAIL). Moreover, specific downregulation of c‐FLIPL was found to recapitulate the phenotypic effects of dual c‐FLIPL/S downregulation. The histone deacetylase (HDAC)1/2/3/6 inhibitor Vorinostat was found to potently down‐regulate c‐FLIPL expression by transcriptional and post‐transcriptional mechanisms and to sensitize AML cells to rTRAIL. Further analyses using more selective HDAC inhibitors revealed that HDAC6 inhibition was not required for c‐FLIPL down‐regulation. These results suggest that c‐FLIPL may have clinical relevance both as a prognostic biomarker and potential therapeutic target for HDAC inhibitors in AML although this requires further study.
High expression of KIBRA in low atypical protein kinase C‐expressing gastric cancer correlates with lymphatic invasion and poor prognosis
Authors: Yoshihama Yohei , Izumisawa Yusuke , Akimoto Kazunori , Satoh Yoshinori , Mizushima Taichi , Satoh Kei , Chida Kazuhiro , Takagawa Ryo , Akiyama Hirotoshi , Ichikawa Yasushi , Kunisaki Chikara , Inayama Yoshiaki , Endo Itaru , Nagashima Yoji , Ohno Shigeo 
Published: November 2012

Overexpression of atypical protein kinase Cλ/ι (aPKCλ/ι), a regulator of cell polarity, is frequently associated with the poor prognoses of several cancers, including gastric cancer. Recent studies revealed a molecular link between aPKC and KIBRA, an upstream regulator of tumor suppressor Hippo pathway that regulates cell proliferation and apoptosis. Further, KIBRA directly inhibits the kinase activity of aPKC to regulate epithelial cell polarity. These observations suggest that the KIBRA‐aPKC connection plays a role in cancer progression; however, clinical significance of the correlation between these factors remains unclear. Here we examined the correlation between KIBRA/aPKCλ/ι expression, as detected by immunohistochemistry, and clinicopathological outcomes in 164 gastric cancer patients using Fisher's exact test and Kaplan–Meier log‐rank test. We found an intimate correlation between the expression level of KIBRA and aPKCλ/ι (P = 0.012). Furthermore, high expression of KIBRA is correlated with lymphatic (P = 0.046) and venous invasion (P = 0.039). The expression level of KIBRA by itself did not correlate with the prognosis; however, high expression of KIBRA in low aPKCλ/ι‐expressing gastric cancer correlated with disease‐specific (P = 0.037) and relapse‐free survival (P = 0.041) by Kaplan–Meier with log‐rank test and higher lymphatic invasion cases by Fisher's exact test (P = 0.042). Furthermore, overexpression of the aPKC‐binding region of KIBRA disrupted tight junctions in epithelial cells. These results suggest that high expression of KIBRA in low aPKC‐expressing cells causes massive loss of aPKC activity, leading to loss of polarity and invasiveness of gastric cancer cells.
Making a connection: school engagement of young people in care
Authors: Tilbury Clare , Creed Peter , Buys Nicholas , Osmond Jennifer , Crawford Meegan 
Published: November 2012

AbstractIntervention to improve educational attainment for children in out‐of‐home care is increasingly being recognized as important for their well‐being and future opportunities. This paper reports on a mixed method study of the school engagement or connectedness of young people in care. The study comprised a survey of 202 young people in care in Queensland, Australia, and a matched comparison group of young people not in care, plus interviews with a subset of 65 young people in care who were surveyed. Both the school environment and the perceived levels of support influenced school engagement, with those who were assisted by carers and caseworkers more likely to be positively connected with school. These young people perceived education as a pathway to achieving work and life goals. The findings suggest that active and focused attention on young people's school engagement should be part of case planning and monitoring as it offers an additional strategy for improving their educational experience.
Transient Lack of Glucose but not O2 is Involved in Ischemic Postconditioning‐Induced Neuroprotection
Authors: Fan Yan‐Ying , Zhang Xiang‐Nan , He Ping , Shen Zhe , Shen Yao , Wang Xiao‐Fen , Hu Wei‐Wei , Chen Zhong 
Published: November 2012

SummaryAimCerebral ischemic postconditioning has emerged recently as a kind of endogenous strategy for neuroprotection. We set out to test whether hypoxia or glucose deprivation (GD) would substitute for ischemia in postconditioning.MethodsAdult male C57BL/6J mice were treated with postconditioning evoked by ischemia (bilateral common carotid arteries occlusion) or hypoxia (8% O2) after 45‐min middle cerebral arterial occlusion. Corticostriatal slices from mice were subjected to 1‐min oxygen‐glucose deprivation (OGD), GD, or oxygen deprivation (OD) postconditioning at 5 min after 15‐min OGD.ResultsHypoxic postconditioning did not decrease infarct volume or improve neurologic function at 24 h after reperfusion, while ischemic postconditioning did. Similarly, OGD and GD but not OD postconditioning attenuated the OGD/reperfusion‐induced injury in corticostriatal slices. The effective duration of low‐glucose (1 mmol/L) postconditioning was longer than that of OGD postconditioning. Moreover, OGD and GD but not OD postconditioning reversed the changes of glutamate, GABA, glutamate transporter‐1 protein expression, and glutamine synthetase activity induced by OGD/reperfusion.ConclusionsThese results suggest that the transient lack of glucose but not oxygen plays a key role in ischemic postconditioning‐induced neuroprotection, at least partly by regulating glutamate metabolism. Low‐glucose postconditioning might be a clinically safe and feasible therapeutic approach against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.
Interactive Team Cognition
Authors: Cooke Nancy J. , Gorman Jamie C. , Myers Christopher W. , Duran Jasmine L. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractCognition in work teams has been predominantly understood and explained in terms of shared cognition with a focus on the similarity of static knowledge structures across individual team members. Inspired by the current zeitgeist in cognitive science, as well as by empirical data and pragmatic concerns, we offer an alternative theory of team cognition. Interactive Team Cognition (ITC) theory posits that (1) team cognition is an activity, not a property or a product; (2) team cognition should be measured and studied at the team level; and (3) team cognition is inextricably tied to context. There are implications of ITC for theory building, modeling, measurement, and applications that make teams more effective performers.
Improving quality of care among COPD outpatients in Denmark 2008–2011
Authors: Tøttenborg Sandra Søgaard , Thomsen Reimar Wernich , Nielsen Henrik , Johnsen Søren Paaske , Frausing Hansen Ejvind , Lange Peter 
Published: November 2012

AbstractObjectiveTo examine whether the quality of care among Danish patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has improved since the initiation of a national multidisciplinary quality improvement program.MethodsWe conducted a nationwide, population‐based prospective cohort study using data from the Danish Clinical Register of COPD. Since 2008, the register has systematically monitored and audited the use of recommended processes of COPD care.ResultsSubstantial improvements were observed for all processes of care and registration fulfillment increased to well above 85% for all indicators. Compared with 2008, a higher proportion of COPD outpatients in 2011 received annual measurements of the forced expiratory volume in 1 s in percent of predicted [relative risk (RR) 2.14, 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.09; 2.19], assessment of body mass index (RR 2.24, 95% CI, 2.19; 2.29), assessment of dyspnea using the Medical Research Council scale (RR 2.25, 95% CI, 2.20; 2.31), registration of smoking status (RR 2.41, 95% CI, 2.35; 2.47), smoking cessation recommendation (RR 3.40, 95% CI, 3.18; 3.64) and offering of pulmonary rehabilitation (RR 2.78, 95% CI, 2.65; 2.90). Moderate variation in quality of care fulfillment between regions and hospital clinics still existed in 2011. The proportion of patients with mild to moderate COPD increased during the study period (P < 0.0001).ConclusionBased on increased registration practice of important processes of care, the present study indicates a substantial improvement in the quality of care of COPD in Danish hospitals following the initiation of a national multidisciplinary quality improvement program in 2008. In the forthcoming years, it will be interesting to observe if this will translate into a better prognosis for Danish patients with COPD.
Efficacy and safety of ipragliflozin in patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled on metformin: a dose‐finding study
Authors: Wilding J. P. H. , Ferrannini E. , Fonseca V. A. , Wilpshaar W. , Dhanjal P. , Houzer A. 
Published: November 2012

AimsIpragliflozin is a novel, selective inhibitor of sodium glucose co‐transporter 2 (SGLT2 inhibitor) in clinical development for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) treatment. This study assessed the efficacy and safety of different doses of ipragliflozin.MethodsIn a 12‐week, multicentre, double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled, dose‐finding study patients with inadequate glycaemic control on metformin monotherapy (≥1500 mg/day) were randomized to one of four ipragliflozin treatment groups (12.5, 50, 150 or 300 mg once daily) or placebo. Primary efficacy outcome was mean change from baseline in haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) compared to placebo at week 12. Adverse events (AEs), vital signs and laboratory safety measurements were assessed.ResultsIpragliflozin dose dependently decreased HbA1c from baseline to week 12 compared to placebo (−0.22, −0.34, −0.40 and −0.48% for ipragliflozin 12.5, 50, 150 and 300 mg, respectively). Decreases in body weight and blood pressure were observed for all ipragliflozin groups. AEs occurred in 39.7–51.4% of the ipragliflozin groups and 39.4% of placebo patients. Urinary tract infections (1.4–6.9 vs. 6.1%), genital infections (0–4.3 vs. 1.5%) and hypoglycaemia (0–5.9 vs. 3.0%) were similar in the ipragliflozin and placebo groups, respectively, without dose dependency. There were no clinically relevant effects on other safety measurements.ConclusionsIpragliflozin treatment improved glycaemic control when added to metformin therapy and may be associated with weight loss and reductions in blood pressure compared to placebo. No safety or tolerability concerns were identified at any of the tested doses supporting the further development of ipragliflozin at ≥50 mg doses in T2DM patients.