bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
GID1 modulates stomatal response and submergence tolerance involving abscisic acid and gibberellic acid signaling in rice
Authors: Du Hao , Chang Yu , Huang Fei , Xiong Lizhong 
Published: November 2014

AbstractPlant responses to abiotic stresses are coordinated by arrays of growth and developmental programs. Gibberellic acid (GA) and abscisic acid (ABA) play critical roles in the developmental programs and environmental responses, respectively, through complex signaling and metabolism networks. However, crosstalk between the two phytohormones in stress responses remains largely unknown. In this study, we report that GIBBERELLIN‐INSENSITIVE DWARF 1 (GID1), a soluble receptor for GA, regulates stomatal development and patterning in rice (Oryza sativa L.). The gid1 mutant showed impaired biosynthesis of endogenous ABA under drought stress conditions, but it exhibited enhanced sensitivity to exogenous ABA. Scanning electron microscope and infrared thermal image analysis indicated an increase in the stomatal conductance in the gid1 mutant under drought conditions. Interestingly, the gid1 mutant had increased levels of chlorophyll and carbohydrates under submergence conditions, and showed enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS)‐scavenging ability and submergence tolerance compared with the wild‐type. Further analyses suggested that the function of GID1 in submergence responses is partially dependent on ABA, and GA signaling by GID1 is involved in submergence tolerance by modulating carbohydrate consumption. Taken together, these findings suggest GID1 plays distinct roles in stomatal response and submergence tolerance through both the ABA and GA signaling pathways in rice.
Extracurricular activities and the development of social skills in children with intellectual and specific learning disabilities
Authors: Brooks B. A. , Floyd F. , Robins D. L. , Chan W. Y. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractBackgroundChildren with intellectual disability and specific learning disabilities often lack age‐appropriate social skills, which disrupts their social functioning. Because of the limited effectiveness of classroom mainstreaming and social skills training for these children, it is important to explore alternative opportunities for social skill acquisition. Participation in social activities is positively related to children's social adjustment, but little is known about the benefits of activity participation for children with intellectual and specific learning disabilities.MethodsThis study investigated the association between frequency and type of social activity participation and the social competence of 8–11‐year‐old children with intellectual disability (n = 40) and specific learning disabilities (n = 53), in comparison with typically developing peers (n = 24).ResultsMore time involved in unstructured activities, but not structured activities, was associated with higher levels of social competence for all children. This association was strongest for children with intellectual disability, suggesting that participation in unstructured social activities was most beneficial for these children.ConclusionFuture research on the quality of involvement is necessary to further understand specific aspects of unstructured activities that might facilitate social development.
Glycine bidirectionally regulates ischemic tolerance via different mechanisms including NR2A‐dependent CREB phosphorylation
Authors: Chen Zheng , Hu Bin , Wang Fuzhou , Du Linlin , Huang Baosheng , Li Lixin , Qi Jia , Wang Xiang 
Published: November 2014

AbstractThe exact effect of glycine pre‐treatment on brain ischemic tolerance (IT) remains quite controversial. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential effects of glycine on IT. We used rat models of both in vitro ischemia (oxygen and glucose deprivation) and in vivo ischemia (transient middle cerebral artery occlusion). Low doses of glycine (L‐Gly) significantly decreased hippocampal ischemic LTP (i‐LTP), infarct volume, and neurological deficit scores which were administered before ischemia was induced in rats, whereas high doses of glycine exerted deteriorative effects under the same condition. These findings suggested that exogenous glycine may induce IT in a dose‐dependent manner. Furthermore, L‐Gly‐dependent neuronal protection was inversed by L689, a selective NMDAR glycine site antagonist both in vitro (abolished i‐LTP depression) and in vivo (increased infarct size reduction), but not glycine receptor (GlyR) inhibitor strychnine. Importantly, L‐Gly‐induced IT was achieved by NR2A‐dependent cAMP‐response element binding protein phosphorylation. These data imply that glycine pre‐treatment may represent a novel strategy for inducing IT based on synaptic NMDAR‐dependent neuronal transmission.
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A model of glycine induced dose‐dependent bidirectional regulations in ischemic tolerance. (a) Under low dose of Gly pre‐treatment, glycine induces NMDAR potentiation and CREB‐dependent neuroprotection through the NMDAR co‐agonist binding site. (b) Under high dose of Gly pre‐treatment, the excessive glycine in synaptic cleft can activate neighboring extrasynaptic sites and combine to the GlyRs. Then, the deteriorative effects would be triggered after NMDAR endocytosis and synaptic depression. AMPAR, α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionic acid receptor; CREB, cAMP response element‐binding protein; Gly, glycine; GlyR, glycine receptor; GlyT1, gycine transportor 1; NMDAR, N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor.
Low levels of methyl β‐cyclodextrin disrupt GluA1‐dependent synaptic potentiation but not synaptic depression
Authors: Choi Tae‐Yong , Jung Sunmin , Nah Jihoon , Ko Hui‐Yeon , Jo Su‐Hyun , Chung Gehoon , Park Kyungpyo , Jung Yong‐Keun , Choi Se‐Young 
Published: November 2014

AbstractMethyl‐β‐cyclodextrin (MβCD) is a reagent that depletes cholesterol and disrupts lipid rafts, a type of cholesterol‐enriched cell membrane microdomain. Lipid rafts are essential for neuronal functions such as synaptic transmission and plasticity, which are sensitive to even low doses of MβCD. However, how MβCD changes synaptic function, such as N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor (NMDA‐R) activity, remains unclear. We monitored changes in synaptic transmission and plasticity after disrupting lipid rafts with MβCD. At low concentrations (0.5 mg/mL), MβCD decreased basal synaptic transmission and miniature excitatory post‐synaptic current without changing NMDA‐R‐mediated synaptic transmission and the paired‐pulse facilitation ratio. Interestingly, low doses of MβCD failed to deplete cholesterol or affect α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionic acid receptor (AMPA‐R) and NMDA‐R levels, while clearly reducing GluA1 levels selectively in the synaptosomal fraction. Low doses of MβCD decreased the inhibitory effects of NASPM, an inhibitor for GluA2‐lacking AMPA‐R. MβCD successfully decreased NMDA‐R‐mediated long‐term potentiation but did not affect the formation of either NMDA‐R‐mediated or group I metabotropic glutamate receptor‐dependent long‐term depression. MβCD inhibited de‐depression without affecting de‐potentiation. These results suggest that MβCD regulates GluA1‐dependent synaptic potentiation but not synaptic depression in a cholesterol‐independent manner.
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MβCD at low concentrations (0.5 mg/mL) did not deplete cholesterol or affect AMPA‐R and NMDA‐R levels in the lipid raft fraction, while clearly reducing GluA1 levels in the synaptosomal fraction. Interestingly, MβCD decreased LTP but did not affect LTD induction. These results suggest that MβCD regulates GluA1‐dependent synaptic potentiation but not synaptic depression in a lipid raft‐independent manner. AMPA‐R, α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionic acid receptor; GluA1, AMPAR subunit glutamate receptor 1; LTD, long‐term depression; LTP, long‐term potentiation; MβCD, methyl β–cyclodextrin; NMDA‐R, N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor.
Age differences in cognitive performance: A study of cultural differences in Historical Context
Authors: Ojeda Natalia , Aretouli Eleni , Peña Javier , Schretlen David J. 
Published: November 2014

Ethnicity and cultural experience can affect neuropsychological performance, but they are rarely assessed in historical context. Attention measures are considered strongly biologically determined and therefore potentially culture‐fair. In this study, we assessed the cross‐cultural equivalence of Spanish and English versions of the Trail Making Test (TMT; Reitan, 1958, Perceptual and Motor Skills, 8, 271–276) and the Brief Test of Attention (BTA; Schretlen et al., 1996, The Clinical Neuropsychologist, 10, 80–89) in two large samples of Americans (N = 203) and Spaniards (N = 213), divided into younger and older subgroups. The older Spaniards lived under Franco's political regime (1936–1975), whereas the Americans never experienced such repression. Overall, TMT performance was culture‐sensitive, whereas BTA performance was not. However, when both groups were stratified by age, cultural differences in TMT performance were restricted to older participants, suggesting that historical experience across generations might have contributed to the observed differences in cognitive performance. Even such basic cognitive processes as attention, working memory, and resource sharing might be shaped to some degree by historical experiences that contribute to cultural differences.
Mid‐regional pro‐atrial natriuretic peptide and the assessment of volaemic status and differential diagnosis of profound hyponatraemia
Authors: Nigro N. , Winzeler B. , Suter‐Widmer I. , Schuetz P. , Arici B. , Bally M. , Blum C. A. , Nickel C. H. , Bingisser R. , Bock A. , Rentsch Savoca K. , Huber A. , Müller B. , Christ‐Crain M. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractBackgroundHyponatraemia is common and its differential diagnosis and consequent therapy management is challenging. The differential diagnosis is mainly based on the routine clinical assessment of volume status, which is often misleading. Mid‐regional pro‐atrial natriuretic peptide (MR‐proANP) is associated with extracellular and cardiac fluid volume.MethodsA total of 227 consecutive patients admitted to the emergency department with profound hypo‐osmolar hyponatraemia (Na < 125 mmol L−1) were included in this prospective multicentre observational study conducted in two tertiary centres in Switzerland. A standardized diagnostic evaluation of the underlying cause of hyponatraemia was performed, and an expert panel carefully evaluated volaemic status using clinical criteria. MR‐proANP levels were compared between patients with hyponatraemia of different aetiologies and for assessment of volume status.ResultsMR‐proANP levels were higher in patients with hypervolaemic hyponatraemia compared to patients with hypovolaemic or euvolaemic hyponatraemia (P = 0.0002). The area under the curve (AUC) to predict an excess of extracellular fluid volume, compared to euvolaemia, was 0.73 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.62–0.84]. Additionally, in multivariate analysis, MR‐proANP remained an independent predictor of excess extracellular fluid volume after adjustment for congestive heart failure (P = 0.012). MR‐proANP predicted the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis (SIAD) versus hypovolaemic and hypervolaemic hyponatraemia with an AUC of 0.77 (95% CI 0.69–0.84).ConclusionMR‐proANP is associated with extracellular fluid volume in patients with hyponatraemia and remains an independent predictor of hypervolaemia after adjustment for congestive heart failure. MR‐proANP may be a marker for discrimination between the SIAD and hypovolaemic or hypervolaemic hyponatraemia.
Functional Phenotype and its Correlation with Therapeutic Response and Inflammatory Type of Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid in Feline Lower Airway Disease
Authors: Lin C.‐H. , Wu H.‐D. , Lee J.‐J. , Liu C.‐H. 
Published: November 2014

BackgroundCurrently, functional assessment to monitor therapeutic response in feline lower airway disease (FLAD) has limited application.ObjectivesTo evaluate if expiratory indices derived from pseudo‐tidal breathing flow‐volume loop (pTBFVL) representing lower airway obstruction would decrease after clinical improvement and to investigate the correlation between functional phenotype and inflammatory cell type in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid.AnimalsNineteen client‐owned cats withFLAD.MethodsProspective observational study. Functional assessment withpTBFVLindices (eg, peak to mid‐expiratory flow; PEF/EF50) and conventional barometric whole body plethysmography (BWBP) parameters (eg, enhanced pause) was carried out before receiving treatment.BALwas performed to analyze inflammatory cell types. Signs were assessed by scoring. The cats were treated with glucocorticoids daily and functional testing was repeated.ResultsLoop indicesPEF/EF50 andPEF/EF25 were significantly decreased after treatment (P < .001). ConventionalBWBPparameters were not significantly different before and after treatment. Cats withPEF/EF50 > 1.51 before treatment had a significantly higher granulocyte (eosinophil plus neutrophil) percentage inBALfluid (P = .014). Granulocyte percentage inBALfluid was strongly correlated withPEF/EF25 (P = .001,rs = 0.74) and moderately correlated withPEF/EF50 (P = .022,rs = 0.57), whereas eosinophil or neutrophil percentage alone had no significant correlation with functional parameters.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceFunctional parameters includingPEF/EF50 andPEF/EF25 can be used for monitoring therapeutic response. The presence of airflow limitation during mid‐ to late expiration is affected by the overall extent of granulocyte infiltration.
Resource availability shapes fire‐filtered savannas
Authors: Dantas Vinícius de L. , Batalha Marco A. , França Helena , Pausas Juli G. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractQuestionsHumid savannas can be considered fire‐filtered landscapes because fire is very frequent (<10 yr return intervals) and only fire‐resistant species can occur. This flammable vegetation can be functionally heterogeneous, structurally and floristically patchy. We hypothesized that resource availability (mainly water and nutrient availabilities) accounted for most of the functional and phylogenetic spatial structure of communities across these savanna landscapes.LocationEmas National Park, central Brazil.MethodsWe used individual‐based functional trait, phylogenetic and environmental data combined with spatial information to assess the main drivers and mechanisms of community functional change (turnover) in a large fire‐filtered savanna landscape. We used Mantel correlograms and a maximum rank correlation approach to assess the spatial structure and the subset of landscape factors that best predict compositional, phylogenetic, species‐based and individual‐based functional community turnovers and the mechanism by which they do operate.ResultsCommunities were spatially structured across the landscape, presenting functional convergence at shorter distances and divergence at larger distances. All of the turnover metrics presented unique spatial structures and were correlated with a unique set of landscape predictors. Soil texture accounted for the largest fraction of the spatial structure, but soil N availability, pH, altitude and fire frequency were also important.ConclusionsOur results support the idea that the patchy distribution of water and nutrients mediated by clay content shape community membership in fire‐filtered savannas, whereas current variations in fire frequency interact with resource availability to shift community attributes from species average trait values (intraspecific variability).
Disentangling the drivers of understorey species richness in eutrophic forest patches
Authors: Peppler‐Lisbach Cord , Beyer Linda , Menke Nadine , Mentges Andrea 
Published: November 2014

AbstractQuestionsWhat are the driving factors for the species richness of understorey herbs of isolated forest patches? How can the relative direct and indirect effects of patch area, site quality, habitat isolation and continuity be disentangled? What are the effects on different species groups?LocationEutrophic hardwood forest patches in northwestern Germany. The isolation of these patches results from extensive agricultural land use and prevailing poor soil conditions in the surrounding landscape. Thus, the patches are embedded within a matrix of both open habitats and species‐poor acidic forests.MethodsWe surveyed 76 eutrophic forest patches and recorded all understorey herb species. Several measured site variables were divided into soil and structural components, and into variables describing mean site conditions and site heterogeneity. Partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS‐SEM) was employed to determine the direct and indirect effects of patch area, site heterogeneity, mean site conditions, isolation and habitat continuity on species richness of several species groups.ResultsThe most important factor determining species richness was patch area, which showed the strongest direct effect on eutrophic forest specialist species. Richness of forest matrix species, which also occur in the surrounding forest areas, was not directly influenced by area. Soil heterogeneity as well as structural heterogeneity increased with area, but only soil heterogeneity was relevant for species richness. Soil heterogeneity was more important for forest species in general and stress tolerators than for generalist species, open habitat species, competitors and ruderals. Mean site conditions influenced species richness of generalists, open habitat species, competitors and nutrient‐demanding species. Isolation had a (negative) effect only on habitat specialists.ConclusionsThe relative effects of driving factors varied considerably between species groups. From our results for eutrophic forest specialists, we conclude that large and well‐connected habitat patches are especially important for the successful conservation of the unique and partly endangered flora of eutrophic hardwood forests.
Evidence of land‐sea transfer of the zoonotic pathogen Campylobacter to a wildlife marine sentinel species
Authors: Baily Johanna L. , Méric Guillaume , Bayliss Sion , Foster Geoffrey , Moss Simon E. , Watson Eleanor , Pascoe Ben , Mikhail Jane , Pizzi Romain , Goldstone Robert J. , Smith David G. E. , Willoughby Kim , Hall Ailsa J. , Sheppard Samuel K. , Dagleish Mark P. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractEnvironmental pollution often accompanies the expansion and urbanization of human populations where sewage and wastewaters commonly have an impact on the marine environments. Here, we explored the potential for faecal bacterial pathogens, of anthropic origin, to spread to marine wildlife in coastal areas. The common zoonotic bacterium Campylobacter was isolated from grey seals (Halichoerus grypus), an important sentinel species for environmental pollution, and compared to isolates from wild birds, agricultural sources and clinical samples to characterize possible transmission routes. Campylobacter jejuni was present in half of all grey seal pups sampled (24/50 dead and 46/90 live pups) in the breeding colony on the Isle of May (Scotland), where it was frequently associated with histological evidence of disease. Returning yearling animals (19/19) were negative for C. jejuni suggesting clearance of infection while away from the localized colony infection source. The genomes of 90 isolates from seals were sequenced and characterized using a whole‐genome multilocus sequence typing (MLST) approach and compared to 192 published genomes from multiple sources using population genetic approaches and a probabilistic genetic attribution model to infer the source of infection from MLST data. The strong genotype‐host association has enabled the application of source attribution models in epidemiological studies of human campylobacteriosis, and here assignment analyses consistently grouped seal isolates with those from human clinical samples. These findings are consistent with either a common infection source or direct transmission of human campylobacter to grey seals, raising concerns about the spread of human pathogens to wildlife marine sentinel species in coastal areas.
Insecticide susceptibility of Anopheles coluzzii and Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes in Ibadan, Southwest Nigeria
Authors: OKORIE P. N. , ADEMOWO O. G. , IRVING H. , KELLY‐HOPE L. A. , WONDJI C. S. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractThe emergence of insecticide resistance in Anopheles (Diptera: Culicidae) mosquitoes has great implications for malaria control in Nigeria. This study aimed to determine the dynamics of insecticide susceptibility levels and the frequency of knock‐down resistance (kdr) mutations (L1014F) in wild Anopheles coluzzii Coetzee & Wilkerson sp. n. and Anopheles gambiae Giles from the Ojoo and Bodija areas of Ibadan, in southwest Nigeria. Insecticide susceptibility to pyrethroids, organophosphates, carbamates and organochlorines was assessed using World Health Organization (WHO) bioassays. A subset of the mosquitoes exposed to pyrethroids and DDT was used for species and molecular form identification; kdr genotyping was determined using the TaqMan real‐time polymerase chain reaction assay. The mosquitoes were resistant to pyrethroids and DDT but completely susceptible to organophosphates and carbamates. Bodija samples (n = 186) consisted of An. gambiae (91.4%) and An. coluzzii (8.1%) and included one An. coluzzii/An. gambiae hybrid specimen. All mosquitoes screened in Ojoo (n = 26) were An. gambiae. The 1014F kdr mutation was detected at frequencies of 24.5 and 5.8% in Bodija and Ojoo, respectively. No correlation was observed between kdr genotypes and resistance phenotypes. The results indicate that metabolic resistance probably plays an important role in the development of resistance and highlight the need to implement insecticide resistance management strategies.
The last three days of life: a comparison of pain management in the young old and the oldest old hospitalised patients using the Resident Assessment Instrument for Palliative Care
Authors: Steindal Simen Alexander , Bredal Inger Schou , Ranhoff Anette Hylen , Sørbye Liv Wergeland , Lerdal Anners 
Published: November 2014

BackgroundPain is a common symptom in older patients at the end of life. Little research has evaluated pain management among the oldest hospitalised dying patients.Aims and objectivesTo compare the pain characteristics documented by healthcare workers for the young old and the oldest old hospitalised patients and the types of analgesics administered in the last three days of life.DesignA retrospective cross‐sectional comparative study.MethodsThe study included 190 patients from a Norwegian general hospital: 101 young old patients (aged 65–84 years) and 89 oldest old patients (aged 85–100 years). Data were extracted from electronic patient records (EPRs) using the Resident Assessment Instrument for Palliative Care.ResultsNo significant differences were found between the young old and the oldest old patients with regard to pain characteristics. Pain intensity was poorly recorded in the EPRs. Most of the patients received adequate pain control. Morphine was the most frequently administered analgesic for dying patients. Compared to the oldest old patients, a greater proportion of the young old patients received paracetamol combined with codeine (OR = 3.25, 95% CI 1.02–10.40).ConclusionsThere appeared to be no differences in healthcare workers' documentation of pain characteristics in young old and oldest old patients, but young old patients were more likely to receive paracetamol in combination with codeine.Implications for practiceA limitation of the study is the retrospective design and that data were collected from a single hospital. Therefore, caution should be taken for interpretation of the results. The use of systematic patient‐reported assessments in combination with feasible validated tools could contribute to more comprehensive documentation of pain intensity and improved pain control.