bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Molecular Basis Underlying the S5-Dependent Reproductive Isolation and Compatibility of indica/japonica Rice Hybrids
Authors: Ji Qing , Zhang Meijing , Lu Jufei , Wang Hongmei , Lin Bing , Liu Qiaoquan , Chao Qing , Zhang Yan , Liu Chunxia , Gu Minghong , Xu Mingliang 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
The S5 locus regulates spikelet fertility of indica/japonica hybrid rice (Oryza sativa). There are three alleles at the S5 locus, including an indica allele (S5i), a japonica allele (S5j), and a wide-compatibility allele (S5n). This study analyzed the molecular basis for S5-dependent reproductive isolation and compatibility of indica/japonica rice hybrids. Three S5 alleles were expressed at extremely low levels, and only in the ovary. S5n was more similar to S5i in both RNA and protein expression profiles. The S5 locus was not essential for embryo sac development, although deleterious interactions between S5i and S5j resulted in reduced rates of spikelet fertility. The yeast two-hybrid system was used to test direct interactions between S5-encoded proteins. The results indicated that the S5i- and S5j-encoded eukaryotic aspartyl proteases formed both homodimers and heterodimers, whereas the S5n-encoded aspartyl protease was incapable of dimerization. Site-directed mutagenesis revealed that a single amino acid difference between S5i- and S5j-encoded aspartyl proteases (phenylalanine/leucine at residue 273) was primarily responsible for embryo sac abortion. The S5 locus may have promoted the subspeciation of indica and japonica, but it also enables gene flow between them.
Sevoflurane reduces severity of acute lung injury possibly by impairing formation of alveolar oedema
Authors: Schläpfer M , Leutert A C , Voigtsberger S , Lachmann R A , Booy C , Beck-Schimmer B 
Published: January 2012

Summary
Pulmonary oedema is a hallmark of acute lung injury (ALI), consisting of various degrees of water and proteins. Physiologically, sodium enters through apical sodium channels (ENaC) and is extruded basolaterally by a sodium–potassium–adenosine–triphosphatase pump (Na+/K+-ATPase). Water follows to maintain iso-osmolar conditions and to keep alveoli dry. We postulated that the volatile anaesthetic sevoflurane would impact oedema resolution positively in an in-vitro and in-vivo model of ALI. Alveolar epithelial type II cells (AECII) and mixed alveolar epithelial cells (mAEC) were stimulated with 20 µg/ml lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and co-exposed to sevoflurane for 8 h. In-vitro active sodium transport via ENaC and Na+/K+-ATPase was determined, assessing 22sodium and 86rubidium influx, respectively. Intratracheally applied LPS (150 µg) was used for the ALI in rats under sevoflurane or propofol anaesthesia (8 h). Oxygenation index (PaO2/FiO2) was calculated and lung oedema assessed determining lung wet/dry ratio. In AECII LPS decreased activity of ENaC and Na+/K+-ATPase by 17·4% ± 13·3% standard deviation and 16·2% ± 13·1%, respectively. These effects were reversible in the presence of sevoflurane. Significant better oxygenation was observed with an increase of PaO2/FiO2 from 189 ± 142 mmHg to 454 ± 25 mmHg after 8 h in the sevoflurane/LPS compared to the propofol/LPS group. The wet/dry ratio in sevoflurane/LPS was reduced by 21·6% ± 2·3% in comparison to propofol/LPS-treated animals. Sevoflurane has a stimulating effect on ENaC and Na+/K+-ATPase in vitro in LPS-injured AECII. In-vivo experiments, however, give strong evidence that sevoflurane does not affect water reabsorption and oedema resolution, but possibly oedema formation.
Sex recognition by odour and variation in the uropygial gland secretion in starlings
Authors: Amo Luisa , Avilés Jesús M. , Parejo Deseada , Peña Aránzazu , Rodríguez Juan , Tomás Gustavo 
Published: January 2012

Summary1. Although a growing body of evidence supports that olfaction based on chemical compounds emitted by birds may play a role in individual recognition, the possible role of chemical cues in sexual selection of birds has been only preliminarily studied.2. We investigated for the first time whether a passerine bird, the spotless starling Sturnus unicolor, was able to discriminate the sex of conspecifics by using olfactory cues and whether the size and secretion composition of the uropygial gland convey information on sex, age and reproductive status in this species.3. We performed a blind choice experiment during mating, and we found that starlings were able to discriminate the sex of conspecifics by using chemical cues alone. Both male and female starlings preferred male scents. Furthermore, the analysis of the chemical composition of the uropygial gland secretion by using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) revealed differences between sexes, ages and reproductive status.4. In conclusion, our study reveals for first time that a passerine species can discriminate the sex of conspecifics by relying on chemical cues and suggests that the uropygial gland secretion may potentially function as a chemical signal used in mate choice and/or intrasexual competition in this species.
Induction of visual dream reports after transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCs) during Stage 2 sleep
Authors: JAKOBSON ANTONIA J. , FITZGERALD PAUL B. , CONDUIT RUSSELL 
Published: January 2012

SummaryREM sleep is a unique brain state characterized by frontal deactivation alongside activation of the posterior association and limbic cortices. Human brain lesion studies have found that the loss of dreaming is characterized by damage to the frontal and posterior parieto–temporo–occipital association cortex. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that the function of these brain regions might encapsulate the neural processes of dreaming. The aim of the following two experiments was to investigate the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCs), applied simultaneously to the frontal and right posterior parietal cortex during Stage 2 sleep, on dreaming. In Experiment 1, 17 healthy participants received tDCs (cathodal–frontal, anodal–parietal) and low‐intensity tDCs as well as no tDCs (blank control) during Stage 2 sleep in a counterbalanced order across the night. Dream reports were collected upon awakening after each of the three conditions. In Experiment 2, 10 participants received tDCs (cathodal–frontal, anodal–parietal), no tDCs (blank control) and two additional control conditions (reversed polarity and other‐cephalic tDCs). In both experiments a significantly greater number of imagery reports were found on awakening after tDCs (cathodal–frontal, anodal–parietal), compared to the blank control conditions. However, in Experiment 2 the frequency of imagery reports from the tDCs (cathodal–frontal, anodal–parietal) was not significantly different from the other two tDC conditions, suggesting a non‐specific effect of tDCs. Overall, it was concluded that tDCs (cathodal–frontal, anodal–parietal) increased the frequency of dream reports with visual imagery, possibly via a general arousing effect and/or recreating specific cortical neural activity involved in dreaming.
Trait‐dependent diversification and the impact of palaeontological data on evolutionary hypothesis testing in New World ratsnakes (tribe Lampropeltini)
Authors: PYRON R. A. , BURBRINK F. T. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractFor studies investigating trait evolution, there are at least two important questions. First, have traits under consideration influenced cladogenesis and extinction in the group? Second, how do fossil data alter inferences about trait evolution or diversification‐rate dynamics? However, relatively few studies have assessed these questions. Here, we use recently developed methods to test for trait‐dependent diversification in the New World colubrid snake tribe Lampropeltini. We also integrate data from fossil taxa into phylogenetic estimation of evolutionary parameters using a simple Monte Carlo randomization test. These analyses suggest that ecological conditions in temperate regions are tied to higher rates of cladogenesis, but that body size is not related to diversification in the group. We also find that the inclusion of fossil taxa alters absolute estimates of size and the rate of size evolution, but not the overall pattern of ecomorphological diversification, as well as estimates of evolutionary rates, particularly extinction.
Liraglutide: short‐lived effect on gastric emptying—long lasting effects on body weight
Authors: Jelsing J. , Vrang N. , Hansen G. , Raun K. , Tang‐Christensen M. , Bjerre Knudsen L. 
Published: January 2012

Aim: Previous studies with the novel once daily glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) analogue liraglutide and the GLP‐1 receptor agonist exenatide have revealed profound insulinotrophic and antidiabetic effects, but also potent effects on gastric emptying (GE) and long‐term and lasting reductions in body weight. In this study, we examined the acute and chronic effects of two different GLP‐1 analogues with different pharmacokinetic profiles on GE, food intake and body weight.Methods: On the basis of a series of dose‐finding studies, the doses of exenatide and liraglutide with similar acute anorectic effects were identified. GE was assessed using a standard acetaminophen release assay. After the acute test, rats were dosed bi‐daily for 14 days in which period food intake and body weight was monitored. On day 14, the GE rate was reassessed.Results: While both compounds exerted robust acute reductions in GE, the effect was markedly diminished following 14 days of dosing with liraglutide. In contrast, exenatide‐treated rats still displayed a profound reduction in GE at the 14‐day time‐point. Both compounds exerted similar effects on body weight.Conclusion: The data suggest that the ‘gastric inhibitory’ GLP‐1 receptors in rats are subject to desensitization/tachyphylaxis but that this effect is dependent on full 24‐h exposure as obtained by liraglutide. The body weight‐lowering effects of GLP‐1 receptor stimulation are not subject to desensitization. These data indicate that regulation of appetite signals in the brain, and not GE, is the main mechanism for liraglutide‐induced weight loss.
Relative renal function does not improve after relieving chronic renal obstruction
Authors: Wu Alex K. , Tran Thanh C. , Sorensen Mathew D. , Durack Jeremy C. , Stoller Marshall L. 
Published: January 2012

Study Type – Therapy (case series)Level of Evidence 4What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?Technetium‐99m MAG3 renography can be used to quantify relative renal function (RRF). Deterioration of renal function occurs with chronic obstruction. Small studies have previously shown that RRF is not improved in adult patients after pyeloplasty. Some studies have suggested that patients with higher preoperative RRF are more likely to improve.To our knowledge, these data represent the largest review of cases related to this subject. This study verifies past studies' assertions that RRF does not improve after relief of chronic renal obstruction. Using multivariable analysis, we identify lower age and lower preoperative RRF as predictors of >7% improvement in RRF. These data suggest that the aim of relieving obstruction should be to maintain RRF and alleviate symptoms, but not to seek improvement in overall renal function.OBJECTIVE
To determine the change in relative renal function (RRF) after relief of chronic obstruction in adults.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
We retrospectively identified 85 adult patients who underwent scintigraphic diuretic renography before and after an intervention to relieve chronic unilateral renal obstruction.
Patients were stratified into groups of low (<20%), medium (20‐40%) and high (>40%) preoperative RRF in the obstructed kidney. Each group was assessed for change in RRF after relief of obstruction.
We performed multivariable logistic regression analysis to determine whether age and pre‐procedural RRF predicted a >7% improvement in RRF, controlling for medical comorbidities and type of obstruction.
RESULTS
The mean (sd) patient age was 43.6 (16.8) years and 66% of patients were female.
The mean (sd) pre‐ and postoperative RRF values were not significantly different (37.6 [12.3] % vs 38.4 [13.6] %; P = 0.31).
Patients stratified by low, medium and high preoperative function showed no significant change in postoperative RRF (P = 0.53, 0.39 and 0.77, respectively).
In multivariable logistic regression analysis, younger age (odds ratio [OR] 0.90, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.83–0.98) and lower preoperative RRF (OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.83–0.97) predicted improvement in RRF of >7%, after adjustment.
CONCLUSIONS
RRF does not significantly increase after relief of chronic obstruction.
The goals of relieving chronic renal obstruction should be to maintain renal function and relieve symptoms, but not to regain renal function.
Personality and Relationship Quality During the Transition From High School to Early Adulthood
Authors: Parker Philip D. , Lüdtke Oliver , Trautwein Ulrich , Roberts Brent W. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe post–high school transition period is believed to be associated with considerable changes in social networks, yet longitudinal studies documenting these changes are scarce. To address this gap, the current research explored 3 relevant issues. First, changes in participants' relationship characteristics during the transition from high school were examined. Second, the roles of personality traits as antecedents of these changes were studied. Third, the association between change in relationship characteristics and personality during the transition was explored. A sample of over 2,000 German emerging adults, surveyed before leaving school and then 2 years after the transition from high school, was assessed on personality traits and a multidimensional assessment of the quality of their relationships. Findings indicated that participants experienced mostly positive changes in relationship quality during the transition from high school and that antecedent personality at school was an important predictor of the nature of this change. Finally, change in relationship quality was found to be associated with personality change during the post‐school transition. Findings indicated that personality traits may influence transition success and that change in relationships during this transition may influence personality development. The implications of the research for post‐school transition success are discussed.
An intellectual property sharing initiative in agricultural biotechnology: development of broadly accessible technologies for plant transformation
Authors: Chi‐Ham Cecilia L. , Boettiger Sara , Figueroa‐Balderas Rosa , Bird Sara , Geoola Josef N. , Zamora Pablo , Alandete‐Saez Monica , Bennett Alan B. 
Published: January 2012

SummaryThe Public Intellectual Property Resource for Agriculture (PIPRA) was founded in 2004 by the Rockefeller Foundation in response to concerns that public investments in agricultural biotechnology benefiting developing countries were facing delays, high transaction costs and lack of access to important technologies due to intellectual property right (IPR) issues. From its inception, PIPRA has worked broadly to support a wide range of research in the public sector, in specialty and minor acreage crops as well as crops important to food security in developing countries. In this paper, we review PIPRA’s work, discussing the failures, successes, and lessons learned during its years of operation. To address public sector’s limited freedom‐to‐operate, or legal access to third‐party rights, in the area of plant transformation, we describe PIPRA’s patent ‘pool’ approach to develop open‐access technologies for plant transformation which consolidate patent and tangible property rights in marker‐free vector systems. The plant transformation system has been licensed and deployed for both commercial and humanitarian applications in the United States (US) and Africa, respectively.
Genome‐wide DNA polymorphisms in elite indica rice inbreds discovered by whole‐genome sequencing
Authors: Subbaiyan Gopala K. , Waters Daniel L. E. , Katiyar Sanjay K. , Sadananda Ajanahalli R. , Vaddadi Satyadev , Henry Robert J. 
Published: January 2012

SummaryAdvances in next‐generation sequencing technologies have aided discovery of millions of genome‐wide DNA polymorphisms, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and insertions–deletions (InDels), which are an invaluable resource for marker‐assisted breeding. Whole‐genome resequencing of six elite indica rice inbreds (three cytoplasmic male sterile and three restorer lines) resulted in the generation of 338 million 75‐bp paired‐end reads, which provided 85.4% coverage of the Nipponbare genome. A total of 2 819 086 nonredundant DNA polymorphisms including 2 495 052 SNPs, 160 478 insertions and 163 556 deletions were discovered between the inbreds and Nipponbare, providing an average of 6.8 SNPs/kb across the genome. Distribution of SNPs and InDels in the chromosome was nonrandom with SNP‐rich and SNP‐poor regions being evident across the genome. A contiguous 4.3‐Mb region on chromosome 5 with extremely low SNP density was identified. Overall, 83 262 nonsynonymous SNPs spanning 16 379 genes and 3620 nonsynonymous InDels in 2625 genes have been discovered which provide valuable insights into the basis underlying performance of the inbreds and the hybrids between these inbred combinations. SNPs and InDels discovered from this diverse set of indica rice inbreds not only enrich SNP resources for molecular breeding but also enable the study of genome‐wide variations on hybrid performance.
Phase II Trial Design with Bayesian Adaptive Randomization and Predictive Probability
Authors: Yin Guosheng , Chen Nan , Jack Lee J. 
Published: January 2012

SummaryWe propose a randomized phase II clinical trial design based on Bayesian adaptive randomization and predictive probability monitoring. Adaptive randomization assigns more patients to a more efficacious treatment arm by comparing the posterior probabilities of efficacy between different arms. We continuously monitor the trial using the predictive probability. The trial is terminated early when it is shown that one treatment is overwhelmingly superior to others or that all the treatments are equivalent. We develop two methods to compute the predictive probability by considering the uncertainty of the sample size of the future data. We illustrate the proposed Bayesian adaptive randomization and predictive probability design using a phase II lung cancer clinical trial, and we conduct extensive simulation studies to examine the operating characteristics of the design. By coupling adaptive randomization and predictive probability approaches, the trial can treat more patients with a more efficacious treatment and allow for early stopping whenever sufficient information is obtained to conclude treatment superiority or equivalence. The design proposed also controls both the type I and the type II errors and offers an alternative Bayesian approach to the frequentist group sequential design.
Modelling Human Immunodeficiency Virus Ribonucleic Acid Levels with Finite Mixtures for Censored Longitudinal Data
Authors: Grün Bettina , Hornik Kurt 
Published: January 2012

SummaryThe measurement of human immunodeficiency virus ribonucleic acid levels over time leads to censored longitudinal data. Suitable models for dynamic modelling of these levels need to take this data characteristic into account. If groups of patients with different developments of the levels over time are suspected the model class of finite mixtures of mixed effects models with censored data is required. We describe the model specification and derive the estimation with a suitable expectation–maximization algorithm. We propose a convenient implementation using closed form formulae for the expected mean and variance of the truncated multivariate distribution. Only efficient evaluation of the cumulative multivariate normal distribution function is required. Model selection as well as methods for inference are discussed. The application is demonstrated on the clinical trial ACTG 315 data.
Space–Time Modelling of Coupled Spatiotemporal Environmental Variables
Authors: Ippoliti L. , Valentini P. , Gamerman D. 
Published: January 2012

SummaryThe paper is concerned with a dynamic factor model for spatiotemporal coupled environmental variables. The model is proposed in a state space formulation which, through Kalman recursions, allows a unified approach to prediction and estimation. Full probabilistic inference for the model parameters is facilitated by adapting standard Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithms for dynamic linear models to our model formulation. The predictive ability of the model is discussed for two different data sets with variables measured at two different scales. Some possibilities for further research are also outlined.
Screening of plant extracts for human tyrosinase inhibiting effects
Authors: Kim M. , Park J. , Song K. , Kim H. G. , Koh J.‐S. , Boo Y. C. 
Published: January 2012

SynopsisScreening for tyrosinase (TYR) inhibitors potentially useful for control of skin pigmentation has been hampered by the limited availability of human TYR. To overcome this hurdle, we have established human embryonic kidney (HEK293)‐TYR cells that constitutively express human TYR. In the current study, we assayed human TYR inhibition activities of 50 plant extracts using the lysates of transformed HEK293‐TYR cells. The strongest inhibition of human TYR was shown by the extract of Vaccinium bracteatum Thunberg, followed by the extract of Morus bombycis Koidzumi. The former extract did not inhibit mushroom TYR activity whereas significant inhibition was observed with the latter extract, demonstrating the importance of using human TYR in the screening for human TYR inhibitors. Upon liquid‐liquid partitioning of the extract from V. bracteatum, the active constituents were enriched in the ethyl acetate fraction, and the subsequent preparatory thin‐layer chromatography identified p‐coumaric acid (PCA) as the main active constituent. The hypo‐pigmentation of PCA was verified in the MelanoDerm™ Skin Model. This study demonstrates that transformed HEK293‐TYR cells could expedite the discovery of human TYR‐specific inhibitors from natural sources which might be useful in the control of skin pigmentation.
The effects of inoculant variables on the physicochemical and organoleptic properties of Doogh
Authors: AHMADI ELAHE , MORTAZAVIAN AMIR MOHAMMAD , FAZELI MOHAMMAD REZA , EZZATPANAH HAMID , MOHAMMADI REZA 
Published: January 2012

The combined effects of probiotic sequential inoculation (before or after fermentation), type of native Bifidobacterium strain (Bifidobacterium animalis spp. lactis PTCC 1631 and Bifidobacterium bifidum PTCC 1644) and final pH of fermentation (4.5 or 4.2) on qualitative aspects of typical Iranian fermented milk drink (Doogh) were investigated. The blends inoculated with yoghurt bacteria only and with final fermentation pH of 4.5 had the shortest fermentation time. The highest viability of bifidobacteria in all treatments at the end of fermentation and throughout the refrigerated storage was observed for BlY‐40‐4.5 (B. lactis co‐cultured with yoghurt starter bacteria and incubated at 40 °C until final pH of 4.5) and then for BbY‐40‐4.5 (containing B. bifidum). The most acceptable organoleptic properties were observed for treatments BlY‐40‐4.2 and BbY‐40‐4.2, and then for BbY‐40‐4.5.