bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
KCNQ1 rs2237892 C→T gene polymorphism and type 2 diabetes mellitus in the Asian population: a meta‐analysis of 15,736 patients
Authors: Li Yan‐yan , Wang Xiang‐ming , Lu Xin‐zheng 
Published: December 2013

AbstractThe KCNQ1 rs2237892 C→T gene polymorphism is reportedly associated with T2DM susceptibility, but various studies show conflicting results. To explore this association in the Asian population, a meta‐analysis of 15,736 patients from 10 individual studies was performed. The pooled odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were evaluated using random‐effect or fixed‐effect models. A significant relationship between the KCNQ1 rs2237892 C→T gene polymorphism and T2DM was observed in the Asian population under the allelic (OR, 1.350; 95% CI, 1.240–1.480; P < 0.00001), recessive (OR: 0.650; 95% CI: 0.570–0.730; P < 0.00001), dominant (OR: 1.450; 95% CI: 1.286–1.634; P < 0.00001), and additive (OR: 1.346; 95% CI: 1.275–1.422; P < 0.00001) genetic models. In the subgroup analysis by race, a significant association was found in Chinese, Korean and Malaysia population, but not in Indian population. KCNQ1 rs2237892 C→T gene polymorphism was found to be significantly associated with increased T2DM risk in the Asian population, except Indian population. The C allele of the KCNQ1 rs2237892 C→T gene polymorphism may confer susceptibility to T2DM.
Identification of Transposable Element Markers for a Rust (Puccinia arachidis Speg.) Resistance Gene in Cultivated Peanut
Authors: Mondal Suvendu , Hande Poonam , Badigannavar Anand M. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractPeanut rust (Puccinia arachidis Speg.) affects pod yield and quality up to an extent of 10–50%. Efforts have been made on transferring the rust resistance gene to cultivated peanut species through interspecific hybridization. But, in most of the cases, it failed due to linkage drag of undesirable plant and pod features. Identification of tightly linked molecular markers will help to identify the desirable recombinants more efficiently. A recombinant inbred line population comprising 164 lines was developed from a cross between a rust‐resistant parent VG 9514 and a rust susceptible parent TAG 24. Using a modified bulk segregant analysis, 243 transposable element (TE) primer pairs were screened for putative linkage with rust resistance. Of the 243, 40 TE primer pairs were found polymorphic between parents and two transposable element markers, and TE 360 and TE 498 were found associated with rust resistance gene. Based on genetic mapping, TE 360 was found linked to the rust resistance gene at 4.5 cM distance. Identification of such markers could be applied for marker‐assisted selection of rust resistance plants in peanut.
Post‐paracentesis circulatory derangements are related to monocyte activation
Authors: Carl Daniel E. , Ghosh Siddharta , Cheng Jianfeng , Gehr Todd W. B. , Stravitz R. Todd , Sanyal Arun 
Published: December 2013

AbstractBackground & AimsPost‐paracentesis circulatory dysfunction is associated with development of hepatorenal syndrome and increased mortality. The impact of large volume paracentesis (LVP) on the 24‐h blood pressure (BP) profile is unknown, and the relationship to Na+‐retentive and pro‐inflammatory cytokines also remains unknown. The aims of this study were to (i) define the effects of LVP with albumin administration on 24‐h BP profiles, and (ii) relate changes in BP over time to changes in Na+‐retentive hormones, clinical factors and inflammatory cytokines.MethodsTen patients undergoing LVP had 24‐h ambulatory BP monitoring performed pre‐ and post‐paracentesis. Markers of the innate immune system, bacterial translocation and Na+‐retentive hormones were drawn pre‐ and post‐LVP.ResultsMean arterial pressure (MAP) dropped in nine of the 10 patients in the 24 h following a paracentesis compared to 24 h preceding the procedure (mean drop of 5.5 mmHg, P < 0.005). A mixed effects model was used to define time‐covariate interactions in predicting changes in BP profile. Monocyte chemotactic protein‐1 (MCP1) was associated with Δsystolic BP (β = −0.011, P < 0.05), Δdiastolic BP (β = −0.012, P < 0.05) and ΔMAP (β = −0.012, P < 0.05). Plasma renin activity was also significantly associated with Δsystolic BP (β = −0.21, P < 0.05). Renal function was also significantly reduced following LVP.ConclusionsSystolic, diastolic and MAP decreased over 24 h after LVP compared to the 24 h pre‐LVP. This drop is related to increases in MCP‐1 after LVP. Increased MCP‐1, a marker of monocyte activation, was strongly related to changes in BP.
The importance of genomic novelty in social evolution
Authors: Sumner Seirian 
Published: December 2013

Insect societies dominate the natural world: They mould landscapes, sculpt habitats, pollinate plants, sow seeds and control pests. The secret to their success lies in the evolution of queen (reproductive) and worker (provisioner and carer) castes (Oster & Wilson ). A major problem in evolutionary biology is explaining the evolution of insect castes, particularly the workers (Darwin ). Next‐generation sequencing technologies now make it possible to understand how genomic material is born, lost and reorganized in the evolution of alternative phenotypes. Such analyses are revealing a general role for novel (e.g. taxonomically restricted) genes in phenotypic innovations across the animal kingdom (Chen et al. 2013). In this issue of molecular ecology, Feldmeyer et al. (2014) provide overwhelming evidence for the importance of novel genes in caste evolution in an ant. Feldmeyer et al.'s study is important and exciting because it cements the role of genomic novelty, as well as conservation, firmly into the molecular jigsaw of social evolution. Evolution is eclectic in its exploitation of both old and new genomic material to generate replicated phenotypic innovations across the tree of life.
Identification of a broad family of lipid A late acyltransferases with non‐canonical substrate specificity
Authors: Rubin Erica J. , O'Brien John P. , Ivanov Petko L. , Brodbelt Jennifer S. , Trent M. Stephen 
Published: December 2013

SummaryMost Gram‐negative organisms produce lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a complex macromolecule anchored to the bacterial membrane by the lipid A moiety. Lipid A is synthesized via the Raetz pathway, a conserved nine‐step enzymatic process first characterized in Escherichia coli. The Epsilonproteobacterium Helicobacter pylori uses the Raetz pathway to synthesize lipid A; however, only eight of nine enzymes in the pathway have been identified in this organism. Here, we identify the missing acyltransferase, Jhp0255, which transfers a secondary acyl chain to the 3′‐linked primary acyl chain of lipid A, an activity similar to that of E. coli LpxM. This enzyme, reannotated as LpxJ due to limited sequence similarity with LpxM, catalyses addition of a C12:0 or C14:0 acyl chain to the 3′‐linked primary acyl chain of lipid A, complementing an E. coli LpxM mutant. Enzymatic assays demonstrate that LpxJ and homologues in Campylobacter jejuni and Wolinella succinogenes can act before the 2′ secondary acyltransferase, LpxL, as well as the 3‐deoxy‐d‐manno‐octulosonic acid (Kdo) transferase, KdtA. Ultimately, LpxJ is one member of a large class of acyltransferases found in a diverse range of organisms that lack an E. coli LpxM homologue, suggesting that LpxJ participates in lipid A biosynthesis in place of an LpxM homologue.
CqsA–CqsS quorum‐sensing signal‐receptor specificity in Photobacterium angustum
Authors: Ke Xiaobo , Miller Laura C. , Ng Wai‐Leung , Bassler Bonnie L. 
Published: December 2013

SummaryQuorum sensing (QS) is a process of bacterial cell–cell communication that relies on the production, detection and population‐wide response to extracellular signal molecules called autoinducers. The QS system commonly found in vibrios and photobacteria consists of the CqsA synthase/CqsS receptor pair. Vibrio cholerae CqsA/S synthesizes and detects (S)‐3‐hydroxytridecan‐4‐one (C10‐CAI‐1), whereas Vibrio harveyi produces and detects a distinct but similar molecule, (Z)‐3‐aminoundec‐2‐en‐4‐one (Ea‐C8‐CAI‐1). To understand the signalling properties of the larger family of CqsA–CqsS pairs, here, we characterize the Photobacterium angustum CqsA/S system. Many photobacterial cqsA genes harbour a conserved frameshift mutation that abolishes CAI‐1 production. By contrast, their cqsS genes are intact. Correcting the P. angustum cqsA reading frame restores production of a mixture of CAI‐1 moieties, including C8‐CAI‐1, C10‐CAI‐1, Ea‐C8‐CAI‐1 and Ea‐C10‐CAI‐1. This signal production profile matches the P. angustum CqsS receptor ligand‐detection capability. The receptor exhibits a preference for molecules with 10‐carbon tails, and the CqsS Ser168 residue governs this preference. P. angustum can overcome the cqsA frameshift to produce CAI‐1 under particular limiting growth conditions presumably through a ribosome slippage mechanism. Thus, we propose that P. angustum uses CAI‐1 signalling for adaptation to stressful environments.
Complications in pediatric scoliosis surgery
Authors: Sullivan Daniel J. , Primhak Robert A. , Bevan Cliff , Breakwell Lee M. , Humphreys Nigel 
Published: December 2013

SummaryBackgroundScoliosis surgery in childhood is associated with a range of postoperative complications that may require admission to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) or high‐dependency unit (HDU).AimThe aim of this study was to identify preoperative factors associated with PICU and HDU admissions after corrective surgery and devise a scoring system that could be used by clinicians to predict the level of dependency required postoperatively.MethodsA retrospective case note review was carried out in 90 patients who underwent corrective scoliosis surgery at Sheffield Children's Hospital (SCH) between January 2008 and October 2010. Predictors of PICU and HDU requirement postoperatively were identified and a simple scoring system created using multiple logistic regression and receiver operator characteristic (ROC).ResultsThere was a statistically significant difference in the preoperative parameters (pulmonary function, Cobb angle, and number of vertebrae fused) of those patients who required PICU or HDU care compared with those who did not. The area under the receiver operator characteristic curve for the final scoring system was 0.95 for PICU admission and 0.87 for HDU admission at the optimal cut‐off point, demonstrating good diagnostic accuracy.ConclusionsThe authors have identified a significant relationship between preoperative variables and the levels of dependency required postoperatively and have proposed a scoring system which can be used to aid decision‐making involving bed planning for patients after corrective scoliosis surgery. However, this work is based on the clinical course of a single set of patients who had surgery in a single tertiary center and has not been tested on patients from other centers.
Effect of meropenem with or without immunoglobulin as second‐line therapy for pediatric febrile neutropenia
Authors: Kobayashi Ryoji , Suzuki Daisuke , Sano Hirozumi , Kishimoto Kenji , Yasuda Kazue , Kobayashi Kunihiko 
Published: December 2013

AbstractBackgroundMeropenem (MEPM) is widely used for treatment of febrile neutropenia. There have been many reports on MEPM for pediatric febrile neutropenia showing success rates of approximately 50–75%. Although i.v. immunoglobulin (IVIG) is widely used for treatment of infection with antibiotics, there has been no report on the efficacy of IVIG for pediatric febrile neutropenia. This prospective randomized study was therefore carried out to clarify the usefulness of MEPM with or without IVIG as second line‐therapy for pediatric febrile neutropenia.MethodsA total of 61 pediatric patients with 146 episodes were judged to have failure of first‐line therapy (August 2008–April 2010: cefozopran vs cefepime; April 2010–April 2012: cefepime vs piperacillin/tazobactam) for febrile neutropenia, and were randomized to MEPM and MEPM + IVIG groups.ResultsMEPM with or without IVIG as second‐line therapy was effective in 68.1% of a total of 144 episodes. Success rates in the MEPM and MEPM + IVIG groups were 66.3% and 70.5%, respectively. Furthermore, success rates for patients with IgG <500 mg/dL were 62.5% in the MEPM group and 81.3% in the MEPM + IVIG group. This result, however, was not statistically significant, possibly because of the small sample size.ConclusionsMEPM is effective and safe for second‐line treatment of febrile episodes in neutropenic pediatric patients. Moreover, IVIG is effective for patients with low serum IgG.
Plant biology in space: recent accomplishments and recommendations for future research
Authors: Ruyters G. , Braun M. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractGravity has shaped the evolution of life since its origin. However, experiments in the absence of this overriding force, necessary to precisely analyse its role, e.g. for growth, development, and orientation of plants and single cells, only became possible with the advent of spaceflight. Consequently, this research has been supported especially by space agencies around the world for decades, mainly for two reasons: first, to enable fundamental research on gravity perception and transduction during growth and development of plants; and second, to successfully grow plants under microgravity conditions with the goal of establishing a bioregenerative life support system providing oxygen and food for astronauts in long‐term exploratory missions. For the second time, the International Space Life Sciences Working Group (ISLSWG), comprised of space agencies with substantial life sciences programmes in the world, organised a workshop on plant biology research in space. The present contribution summarises the outcome of this workshop. In the first part, an analysis is undertaken, if and how the recommendations of the first workshop held in Bad Honnef, Germany, in 1996 have been implemented. A chapter summarising major scientific breakthroughs obtained in the last 15 years from plant research in space concludes this first part. In the second part, recommendations for future research in plant biology in space are put together that have been elaborated in the various discussion sessions during the workshop, as well as provided in written statements from the session chairs. The present paper clearly shows that plant biology in space has contributed significantly to progress in plant gravity perception, transduction and responses – processes also relevant for general plant biology, including agricultural aspects. In addition, the interplay between light and gravity effects has increasingly received attention. It also became evident that plants will play a major role as components of bioregenerative life support and energy systems that are necessary to complement physico‐chemical systems in upcoming long‐term exploratory missions. In order to achieve major progress in the future, however, standardised experimental conditions and more advanced analytical tools, such as state‐of‐the‐art onboard analysis, are required.
Superiority of preemptive donor lymphocyte infusion based on minimal residual disease in acute leukemia patients after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Tan Yamin , Du Kaili , Luo Yi , Shi Jimin , Cao Ling , Zheng Yanlong , Zheng Gaofeng , Zhao Yanmin , Ye Xiujing , Cai Zhen , Huang He 
Published: December 2013

BackgroundDonor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) was used as salvage therapy in leukemia relapse after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo‐HSCT), but existing results on DLI administration to acute leukemia patients were disappointing. Although increasing minimal residual disease (MRD) after HSCT had been proven to be highly indicative of posttransplant relapse, preemptive DLI (pDLI) based on MRD has not been well evaluated.Study Design and MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed 70 acute leukemia patients after allo‐HSCT in our center between January 2005 and December 2010. Sixteen patients received pDLIs based on increasing MRD results (pDLI group), and 11 relapsed patients received therapeutic DLIs with or without chemotherapy (tDLI group). Donor lymphocytes were collected from the original donors without stimulation and infused without further manipulation. The median mononuclear cell doses and CD3+ cell doses were 1.49 × 108 and 5.51 × 107/kg. Forty‐three patients who did not receive pDLI therapy after detecting increasing MRD (no pDLI group) were also included as a comparison.ResultsThe response rate was 100% in the pDLI group, whereas it was 63.6% in the tDLI group (p = 0.019). Survival outcomes were superior in the pDLI group compared with the tDLI group (χ2 = 14.624, p = 0.000); estimated overall survival (OS) at 1 year was 93.8% with pDLI and 27.3% with tDLI. The incidence of overall acute graft‐versus‐host disease (aGVHD) and Grade III to IV aGVHD was higher in the pDLI group but with no significance. Patients in the “no pDLI” group showed an inferior prognosis with 1‐year OS at 65.1% (95% confidence interval, 50.8%‐79.4%).ConclusionOur results demonstrated the efficacy and safety of pDLI and suggested that pDLI based on MRD monitoring was superior in acute leukemia patients with potential progression compared with salvage DLI administrated in overt relapse.
Innate collateral segments are predominantly present in the subendocardium without preferential connectivity within the left ventricular wall
Authors: van Horssen Pepijn , Siebes Maria , Spaan Jos A. E. , Hoefer Imo E. , van den Wijngaard Jeroen P. H. M. 
Published: December 2013

Key points
Innate collateral arteries provide the biophysical substrate for arteriogenesis. Their distribution and morphology predestine tissue areas salvageable by collateral flow.
Fluorescent episcopic cryomicrotome imaging resulted in a three‐dimensional representation of the coronary network, in which collateral segments were automatically identified.
Innate collateral segments are predominantly present in the subendocardium without preferential connectivity within the left ventricular wall of the dog heart and are preferentially oriented perpendicular to the long axis of the heart in the outer layers and parallel to this axis at the subendocardium.
These results suggest that collateral segments are maintained without local hypoxia but because of heterogeneity in pressure gradients in the arterial tree.
The high density and long‐axis orientation of collateral arteries in the subendocardial region provide the substrate for arterial plexus formation and indicate the need for three‐dimensional perfusion assessment in clinical perfusion imaging.
AbstractFunctional collateral vessels often stem from outward remodelling of pre‐existing connections between perfusion territories. Knowledge of the distribution and morphology of innate collateral connections may help in identifying myocardial areas with protection against risk for ischaemia. The coronary network of six healthy canine hearts was investigated with an imaging cryomicrotome. Innate collateral connections ranged from 286 to 1015 μm in diameter. Left ventricular collateral density (number per gram of tissue) was about five in the subendocardium vs. 2.5 in the mid‐myocardium (P < 0.01) and 1.3 in the epicardium (P < 0.01). Subendocardial collateral connections were oriented parallel to the long axis of the heart. For the major coronary arteries, five times more intracoronary than intercoronary connections were found, while their median diameter and interquartile range were not significantly different, at 96.1 (16.9) vs. 94.7 (18.9) μm. Collateral vessels connecting crowns from sister branches from a stem are denoted intercrown connections and those within crowns intracrown connections. The number of intercrown connections was related to the mean tissue weight of the crowns (y = 0.73x − 0.33, r2 = 0.85, P < 0.0001). This relation was likewise found to describe intercoronary connections. The median collateral diameter and length were independent of the tissue volumes bridged. We conclude that connectivity and morphology of the innate collateral network are distributed with no preference for intra‐ or intercrown connections, independent of stem diameter, including epicardial arteries. This renders all sites of the myocardium equally protected in case of coronary artery disease. The orientation of subendocardial collateral vessels indicates the longitudinal direction of subendocardial collateral flow.
Following the ontogeny of retinal waves: pan‐retinal recordings of population dynamics in the neonatal mouse
Authors: Maccione Alessandro , Hennig Matthias H. , Gandolfo Mauro , Muthmann Oliver , van Coppenhagen James , Eglen Stephen J. , Berdondini Luca , Sernagor Evelyne 
Published: December 2013

Key points
Novel pan‐retinal recordings of mouse retinal waves were obtained at near cellular resolution using a large‐scale, high‐density array of 4096 electrodes to investigate changes in wave spatiotemporal properties from postnatal day 2 to eye opening.
Early cholinergic waves are large, slow and random, with low cellular recruitment.
A developmental shift in GABAA signalling from depolarizing to hyperpolarizing influences the dynamics of cholinergic waves.
Glutamatergic waves that occur just before eye opening are focused, faster, denser, non‐random and repetitive.
These results provide a new, deeper understanding of developmental changes in retinal spontaneous activity patterns, which will help researchers in the investigation of the role of early retinal activity during wiring of the visual system.
AbstractThe immature retina generates spontaneous waves of spiking activity that sweep across the ganglion cell layer during a limited period of development before the onset of visual experience. The spatiotemporal patterns encoded in the waves are believed to be instructive for the wiring of functional connections throughout the visual system. However, the ontogeny of retinal waves is still poorly documented as a result of the relatively low resolution of conventional recording techniques. Here, we characterize the spatiotemporal features of mouse retinal waves from birth until eye opening in unprecedented detail using a large‐scale, dense, 4096‐channel multielectrode array that allowed us to record from the entire neonatal retina at near cellular resolution. We found that early cholinergic waves propagate with random trajectories over large areas with low ganglion cell recruitment. They become slower, smaller and denser when GABAA signalling matures, as occurs beyond postnatal day (P) 7. Glutamatergic influences dominate from P10, coinciding with profound changes in activity dynamics. At this time, waves cease to be random and begin to show repetitive trajectories confined to a few localized hotspots. These hotspots gradually tile the retina with time, and disappear after eye opening. Our observations demonstrate that retinal waves undergo major spatiotemporal changes during ontogeny. Our results support the hypotheses that cholinergic waves guide the refinement of retinal targets and that glutamatergic waves may also support the wiring of retinal receptive fields.