bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cardiac glycosides protect wormseed wallflower (Erysimum cheiranthoides) against some, but not all, glucosinolate‐adapted herbivores
Authors: Younkin Gordon C. , Alani Martin L. , Páez‐Capador Anamaría , Fischer Hillary D. , Mirzaei Mahdieh , Hastings Amy P. , Agrawal Anurag A. , Jander Georg 
Published: January 2024

Summary
The chemical arms race between plants and insects is foundational to the generation and maintenance of biological diversity. We asked how the evolution of a novel defensive compound in an already well‐defended plant lineage impacts interactions with diverse herbivores. Erysimum cheiranthoides (Brassicaceae), which produces both ancestral glucosinolates and novel cardiac glycosides, served as a model.
We analyzed gene expression to identify cardiac glycoside biosynthetic enzymes in E. cheiranthoides and characterized these enzymes via heterologous expression and CRISPR/Cas9 knockout. Using E. cheiranthoides cardiac glycoside‐deficient lines, we conducted insect experiments in both the laboratory and field.
EcCYP87A126 initiates cardiac glycoside biosynthesis via sterol side‐chain cleavage, and EcCYP716A418 has a role in cardiac glycoside hydroxylation. In EcCYP87A126 knockout lines, cardiac glycoside production was eliminated. Laboratory experiments with these lines revealed that cardiac glycosides were highly effective defenses against two species of glucosinolate‐tolerant specialist herbivores, but did not protect against all crucifer‐feeding specialist herbivores in the field. Cardiac glycosides had lesser to no effect on two broad generalist herbivores.
These results begin elucidation of the E. cheiranthoides cardiac glycoside biosynthetic pathway and demonstrate in vivo that cardiac glycoside production allows Erysimum to escape from some, but not all, specialist herbivores.
Tobacco‐enhanced biofilm formation by Porphyromonas gingivalis and other oral microbes
Authors: Tan Jinlian , Lamont Gwyneth J. , Scott David A. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractMicrobial biofilms promote pathogenesis by disguising antigens, facilitating immune evasion, providing protection against antibiotics and other antimicrobials and, generally, fostering survival and persistence. Environmental fluxes are known to influence biofilm formation and composition, with recent data suggesting that tobacco and tobacco‐derived stimuli are particularly important mediators of biofilm initiation and development in vitro and determinants of polymicrobial communities in vivo. The evidence for tobacco‐augmented biofilm formation by oral bacteria, tobacco‐induced oral dysbiosis, tobacco‐resistance strategies, and bacterial physiology is summarized herein. A general overview is provided alongside specific insights gained through studies of the model and archetypal, anaerobic, Gram‐negative oral pathobiont, Porphyromonas gingivalis.
Species traits related to the invasion of woody plants in Patagonian deciduous forests
Authors: Lediuk K. D. , Svriz M. , Puntieri J. G. , Damascos M. A. 
Published: January 2024

ABSTRACT

The comparison of ecological, phenological, morphological and developmental traits between exotic invasive species and coexisting native species contributes to understand the driving mechanisms of successful invasions. This study aimed to examine which of these traits are related to the invasion of woody plants in the understory of deciduous North Patagonian forests of Argentina.

We compared the phenology, shoot growth rate, number of leaves, biomass allocation, leaf herbivory, and recruitment type of two exotic deciduous trees, Crataegus monogyna and Sorbus aucuparia, with those of four coexisting native woody species (one deciduous, one semi‐deciduous, and two evergreen species).

Spring shoot growth took place several weeks earlier in both exotic species and in the deciduous native species than in the other native species; growth rates were higher in the exotics. Compared to coexisting native species, both exotic species developed shoots that were as long as or longer, had lower biomass allocation to leaves and higher allocation to roots, suffered lower leaf damage by herbivores and exhibited higher seed than vegetative recruitment.

This study supports the idea that a combination of phenological, growth rate and mass allocation traits allow exotic species to preempt resources, thus favouring invasion processes.
Genetic structure and ecological niche space of lentil's closest wild relative, Lens orientalis (Boiss.) Schmalh.
Authors: Guerra‐García A. , Trněný O. , Brus J. , Renzi J. P. , Kumar S. , Bariotakis M. , Coyne C. J. , Chitikineni A. , Bett K. E. , Varshney R. , Pirintsos S. , Berger J. , von Wettberg E. J. B. , Smýkal P. 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Crops arose from wild ancestors and to understand their domestication it is essential to compare the cultivated species with their crop wild relatives. These represent an important source of further crop improvement, in particular in relation to climate change. Although there are about 58,000 Lens accessions held in genebanks, only 1% are wild.

We examined the geographic distribution and genetic diversity of the lentil's immediate progenitor L. orientalis. We used Genotyping by Sequencing (GBS) to identify and characterize differentiation among accessions held at germplasm collections. We then determined whether genetically distinct clusters of accessions had been collected from climatically distinct locations.

Of the 195 genotyped accessions, 124 were genuine L. orientalis with four identified genetic groups. Although an environmental distance matrix was significantly correlated with geographic distance in a Mantel test, the four identified genetic clusters were not found to occupy significantly different environmental space. Maxent modelling gave a distinct predicted distribution pattern centred in the Fertile Crescent, with intermediate probabilities of occurrence in parts of Turkey, Greece, Cyprus, Morocco, and the south of the Iberian Peninsula with NW Africa. Future projections did not show any dramatic alterations in the distribution according to the climate change scenarios tested.

We have found considerable diversity in L. orientalis, some of which track climatic variability. The results of the study showed the genetic diversity of wild lentil and indicate the importance of ongoing collections and in situ conservation for our future capacity to harness the genetic variation of the lentil progenitor.
Analysis of Rice Blast Resistance Dominant Genes and their Combinations in Japonica Rice
Authors: Fengshun Song , Ran Zhou , Hassan Muhammad Ahmad , Quan Gan , Cuixiang Lin , Bin Ten , Kang Li , Dahu Ni 
Published: January 2024

AbstractRice blast is a disastrous fungal disease affecting rice (Oryza sativa L.) and undermines world food security. Different ecological conditions and genetic backgrounds altered the effectiveness of rice blast resistance genes. Anhui (China) is a high‐incidence area and has long been affected by rice blast. Despite chemical or other control methods of rice blast, analyzing the effects of specific rice blast resistance genes within the Anhui region, identifying favorable genes (combinations), and incorporating them into the process of new variety selection and breeding programs are effective ways to improve rice blast resistance. This research study examined the distribution of 16 rice blast resistance genes (i.e., Pi‐ta, Pi5, Pi1, Pia, etc.) in a recombinant self‐cross population of japonica rice and analyzed their correlation to panicle neck blast resistance. Five genes, Pit, Pi‐ta, Pik, Pb1, and Pi54, were identified and evaluated as dominant genes to improve panicle neck blast resistance. Further comparisons of the neck blast resistance levels between various gene combinations revealed that Pi54, when combined with Pb1/Pi‐ta (Pi54 + Pb1, Pi54 + Pi‐ta), could further increase resistance to panicle neck blast; and the highest resistance level was found with the three‐gene combination of Pi54 + Pi‐ta + Pb1. Meanwhile, the neck blast resistance capacity of Pi54 and Pb1 was significantly improved after polymerization with Pit and Pik (Pik + Pi54, Pit + Pi54, Pit + Pb1). Therefore, gene polymerization is widely regarded as a successful strategy to breed varieties with long‐lasting and broad‐spectrum resistance. It is anticipated that rice blast tolerance capacity will be considerably improved by gene polymerization of dominant genes.
Asymptotic spatial behavior for the heat equation on noncompact regions
Authors: Knops Robin J. , Quintanilla Ramon 
Published: January 2024

AbstractWe consider the isotropic initial boundary value problem for the heat equation on open regions with noncompact boundary and construct differential inequalities for a generalized heat flow measure defined over a spherical cross section. Under suitable assumptions, integration of the differential inequality leads to spatial growth and decay rate estimates for mean‐square cross‐sectional measures of the time‐weighted temperature spatial gradient. The estimates are then used to obtain similar results for the time‐weighted temperature. In particular, when the base heat flow measure is positive, the time‐weighted temperature becomes pointwise unbounded at large spatial distance.
Spontaneous tendon or ligament ruptures in patients undergoing dialysis: First pediatric case report and literature review
Authors: Huseynli Behruz , Büyükkaragöz Bahar , Leventoğlu Emre , Fidan Kibriya , Bakkaloğlu Sevcan A. , Öztürk Akif Muhtar , Söylemezoğlu Oğuz 
Published: January 2024

AbstractSpontaneous tendon or ligament ruptures are quite rare and mostly associated with chronic systemic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and chronic kidney disease (CKD). In this study, we present the first documented case of a spontaneous rupture of the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) in a pediatric patient. The patient was undergoing long‐term peritoneal dialysis (PD) and had a history of severe secondary hyperparathyroidism. Additionally, we discussed spontaneous tendon and ligament ruptures associated with CKD or dialysis through a comprehensive literature review. This case report highlights the importance of recognizing that spontaneous tendon or ligament injuries are not exclusive to adults; children with CKD can also be affected. Several factors including poor parathyroid hormone (PTH) and metabolic acidosis control, prolonged CKD duration and presence of malnutrition play role in the pathogenesis. Early diagnosis is crucial as it allows for timely surgical intervention and leads to a favorable functional recovery.
Development, implementation and impact of an immunoglobulin stewardship programme in Saskatchewan, Canada
Authors: Sarker Kinsuk , Vanstone Jason R. , Adigun Oluwaferanmi , Boutilier Brad , Comeau Jessica , Degelman Michelle L. , Gottselig Paul , Berry Warren E. , Milne Ardyth , Van Vliet Paula , Harding Sheila Rutledge 
Published: January 2024

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesIntravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is one of the most costly and limited‐supply blood products. Judicious use of this therapy is important to ensure a continued supply is available for patients in need. The Saskatchewan IG Stewardship Program was initiated to monitor and reduce inappropriate IG use.Materials and MethodsThe Program was developed and implemented through the collaborative efforts of a multidisciplinary, inter‐organizational team. Funding was provided from provincial organizations to create new positions within the Program and to support stakeholder engagement throughout the process of implementation. Data were collected from local and national databases regarding the amount of IVIG used and appropriateness of orders based on published criteria.ResultsOver 20 months, the Program helped to reduce unnecessary IVIG use from pre‐intervention levels by more than 20%. Interventions from nurse navigators alone reduced inappropriate IVIG use by 2.6%. During the 20‐month period following Program initiation, more than 4 million CAD less was spent on IVIG compared with the previous 20 months.ConclusionThe Saskatchewan IG Stewardship Program has led to more appropriate IVIG use across the province, more effective preservation of this limited healthcare resource, and cost savings that more than cover the cost of administering the Program.
Equine subchondral lucencies: Knowledge from the medial femoral condyle
Authors: Santschi Elizabeth M. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractEquine subchondral lucencies (SCL) have been described since the first availability of suitable radiographic equipment. The initial clinical sign can be lameness, but SCLs are often first found on surveys of juvenile horses and are primarily a radiographic concern for public auctions. When lameness is present, it varies from subtle to obvious and can be intermittent. Some SCLs heal spontaneously, and some remain blemishes, but when the SCL and lameness are persistent, further damage to the joint and limitations to an athletic career are likely. SCLs were initially described in the distal limb followed by the stifle, and the medial femoral condyle (MFC) is now considered the most common location. The aim of this review is to highlight the initial pathology and discuss the clinical and experimental information available on equine SCLs. SCL treatment has evolved from rest alone and has progressed to debridement, grafting, intralesional injection, and most recently, transcondylar screw and absorbable implant placement. Comparison of success rates between techniques is difficult due to variations in follow‐up and outcome measures, and no single technique is best for all SCLs. Treatment appears to increase success by 15%–20% over rest alone, but the method chosen depends on many factors. This review emphasizes the need for further work to fully understand SCL formation and all aspects of trabecular bone healing to optimize surgical therapy and improve treatment success.
Surge-Elimination Strategy for Aero-Engine Transient Control
Authors: Wang Yong , Fang Juan , Song Weifeng , Ji Chuang , Zhang Haibo , Zhao Qijun 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
The fundamental principle of the transient state control method for turbofan engines, which is based on the acceleration ratio of high-pressure rotational speed (N-dot), involves sacrificing a portion of the safety margin to obtain satisfactory acceleration performance. However, it could induce surge in the engine's compressor. To prevent the destructive damage caused by surge to both the engine and its components, a surge-elimination control strategy for the engine based on an N-dot controller is proposed. First, the engine mathematical model, which incorporates the effects of engine volumetric dynamics, stall zone characteristics, and combustion chamber flameout characteristics, is established to simulate surge mechanism. Subsequently, the acceleration schedule of the N-dot is calculated by employing sequential quadratic programming (SQP) algorithm to solve the multiconstraint optimization problem, while designing the transition state controller of N-dot based on a high-order filter. Finally, the surge detection logic and surge-elimination strategy based on the μ-correction method are proposed and designed to realize active control of surge elimination. The simulation results demonstrate that the N-dot control method offers significant advantages in mitigating the steady-state errors resulting from inevitable engine degradations. The surge state is effectively suppressed by the proposed surge-elimination control method, and the surge duration is significantly shorten during the acceleration phases. Furthermore, compared to the one without any surge-elimination control, the proposed method decreases the acceleration time by 5.53%.
NorA efflux pump mediates
Staphylococcus aureus
response to
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
pyocyanin toxicity
Authors: Truong-Bolduc Q. C. , Yonker L. M. , Wang Y. , Lawton B. G. , Hooper D. C. 
Published: January 2024

ABSTRACT

Endogenous transporters protect
Staphylococcus aureus
against antibiotics and also contribute to bacterial defense from environmental toxins. We evaluated the effect of overexpression of four efflux pumps, NorA, NorB, NorC, and Tet38, on
S. aureus
survival following exposure to pyocyanin (PYO) of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
, using a well diffusion assay. We measured the PYO-created inhibition zone and found that only an overexpression of NorA reduced
S. aureus
susceptibility to pyocyanin killing. The MIC
PYO
of the NorA overexpressor increased threefold compared to that of wild-type RN6390 and was reduced 2.5-fold with reserpine, suggesting that increased NorA efflux caused PYO resistance. The PYO-created inhibition zone of a
ΔnorA
mutant was consistently larger than that of a plasmid-borne NorA overexpressor. PYO also produced a modest increase in
norA
expression (1.8-fold at 0.25 µg/mL PYO) that gradually decreased with increasing PYO concentrations. Well diffusion assays carried out using
P. aeruginosa
showed that
ΔnorA
mutant was less susceptible to killing by PYO-deficient mutants PA14

phzM

and PA14

phzS

than to killing by PA14. NorA overexpression led to reduced killing by all tested
P. aeruginosa
. We evaluated the NorA–PYO interaction using a collection of 22 clinical isolates from adult and pediatric cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, which included both
S. aureus
(CF-SA) and
P. aeruginosa
(CF-PA). We found that when isolated alone, CF-PA and CF-SA expressed varying levels of PYO and
norA
transcripts, but all four CF-PA/CF-SA pairs isolated concurrently from CF patients produced a low level of PYO and low
norA
transcript levels, respectively, suggesting a partial adaptation of the two bacteria in circumstances of persistent co-colonization.
Effects of
Neolamarckia cadamba
leaves extract on microbial community and antibiotic resistance genes in cecal contents and feces of broilers challenged with lipopolysaccharides
Authors: Wang Cheng , Wu Shuo , Zhou Wei , Hu Lei , Hu Qi , Cao Yong , Wang Li , Chen Xiaoyang , Zhang Qing 
Published: January 2024

ABSTRACT

The effects of
Neolamarckia cadamba
leaves extract (NCLE), with effective ingredients of flavonoids, on antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and relevant microorganisms in cecal contents and feces of broilers treated with or without lipopolysaccharide stimulation (LPS) were investigated. LPS stimulation increased (
P
< 0.05) the relative abundance of ARGs and mobile genetic elements (MGEs), such as
tet(W/N/W
),
APH(3')-IIIa
,
ErmB
,
tet (44
),
ANT (6)-Ia
,
tet(O
),
tet (32
),
Vang_ACT_CHL
,
myrA
,
ANT (6)-Ib
,
IncQ1
,
tniB
, and
rep2
in cecal contents. However, the difference disappeared (
P
> 0.05) when NCLE was added at the same time. These differential ARGs and MGEs were mainly correlated (
P
< 0.01) with
Clostridiales
bacterium,
Lachnospiraceae
bacterium, and
Candidatus Woodwardibium gallinarum
. These species increased in LPS-stimulated broilers and decreased when NCLE was applied at the same time. In feces, LPS stimulation decreased (
P
< 0.05) the relative abundance of
tet(Q
),
adeF
,
ErmF
,
Mef(En2
),
OXA-347
,
tet (40
),
npmA
,
tmrB, CfxA3,
and
ISCrsp1,
while the LPS + NCLE treated group showed no significant effect (
P
> 0.05) on these ARGs. These differential ARGs and MGEs in feces were mainly correlated (
P
< 0.01) with
Clostridiales
bacterium,
Pseudoflavonifractor sp
. An184,
Flavonifractor sp
. An10,
Ruminococcaceae
bacterium, etc. These species increased in LPS-stimulated broilers and increased when NCLE was applied at the same time. In conclusion, LPS stimulation and NCLE influenced microbial communities and associated ARGs in both cecal contents and feces of broilers. NCLE alleviated the change of ARGs and MGEs in LPS-induced broilers by maintaining the microbial balance.

IMPORTANCE
Antibiotics showed a positive effect on gut health regulation and growth performance improvement in livestock breeding, but the antimicrobial resistance threat and environment pollution problem are increasingly severe with antibiotics abuse. As alternatives, plant extract containing bioactive substances are increasingly used to improve immunity and promote productivity. However, little is known about their effects on diversity and abundance of ARGs. Here, we investigated the effects of NCLE, with effective ingredients of flavonoids, on ARGs and relevant microorganisms in cecal contents and feces of broilers treated with or without lipopolysaccharide stimulation. We found that NCLE reduced the abundance of ARGs in cecal contents of lipopolysaccharide-induced broilers by maintaining the microbial balance. This study provides a comprehensive view of cecal and fecal microbial community, ARGs, and MGEs of broiler following LPS stimulation and NCLE treatment. It might be used to understand and control ARGs dissemination in livestock production.
Characterization of a selective, iron-chelating antifungal compound that disrupts fungal metabolism and synergizes with fluconazole
Authors: Corrales Jeanne , Ramos-Alonso Lucia , González-Sabín Javier , Ríos-Lombardía Nicolás , Trevijano-Contador Nuria , Engen Berg Henriette , Sved Skottvoll Frøydis , Moris Francisco , Zaragoza Oscar , Chymkowitch Pierre , Garcia Ignacio , Enserink Jorrit M. 
Published: January 2024

ABSTRACT

Fungal infections are a growing global health concern due to the limited number of available antifungal therapies as well as the emergence of fungi that are resistant to first-line antimicrobials, particularly azoles and echinocandins. Development of novel, selective antifungal therapies is challenging due to similarities between fungal and mammalian cells. An attractive source of potential antifungal treatments is provided by ecological niches co-inhabited by bacteria, fungi, and multicellular organisms, where complex relationships between multiple organisms have resulted in evolution of a wide variety of selective antimicrobials. Here, we characterized several analogs of one such natural compound, collismycin A. We show that NR-6226C has antifungal activity against several pathogenic
Candida
species, including
C. albicans
and
C. glabrata
, whereas it only has little toxicity against mammalian cells. Mechanistically, NR-6226C selectively chelates iron, which is a limiting factor for pathogenic fungi during infection. As a result, NR-6226C treatment causes severe mitochondrial dysfunction, leading to formation of reactive oxygen species, metabolic reprogramming, and a severe reduction in ATP levels. Using an
in vivo
model for fungal infections, we show that NR-6226C significantly increases survival of
Candida
-infected
Galleria mellonella
larvae. Finally, our data indicate that NR-6226C synergizes strongly with fluconazole in inhibition of
C. albicans
. Taken together, NR-6226C is a promising antifungal compound that acts by chelating iron and disrupting mitochondrial functions.

IMPORTANCE
Drug-resistant fungal infections are an emerging global threat, and pan-resistance to current antifungal therapies is an increasing problem. Clearly, there is a need for new antifungal drugs. In this study, we characterized a novel antifungal agent, the collismycin analog NR-6226C. NR-6226C has a favorable toxicity profile for human cells, which is essential for further clinical development. We unraveled the mechanism of action of NR-6226C and found that it disrupts iron homeostasis and thereby depletes fungal cells of energy. Importantly, NR-6226C strongly potentiates the antifungal activity of fluconazole, thereby providing inroads for combination therapy that may reduce or prevent azole resistance. Thus, NR-6226C is a promising compound for further development into antifungal treatment.