bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantification of survivin mRNA in testes of infertile patients and in testicular germ cell tumours: high levels of expression associated with normal spermatogenesis
Authors: WEIKERT STEFFEN , SCHRADER MARK , CHRISTOPH FRANK , SCHULZE WOLFGANG , KRAUSE HANS , MÜLLER MARKUS , MILLER KURT
Published: July 2005

Deregulated apoptosis of germ cells may contribute to male infertility as well as malignant transformation. Survivin, an inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP), is overexpressed in all the most common human malignancies, but barely detectable in normal tissues. We used real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to quantify survivin mRNA expression in normal testes (n = 22), testes with defective spermatogenesis (n = 26) and testicular germ cell tumours (TGCTs; n = 16). Survivin was expressed at high levels in normal testes. Testicular survivin levels in infertile patients were related inversely to the severity of spermatogenic failure (p < 0.001), with a lack of expression in most specimens with pre‐meiotic spermatogenic arrest and in all those with germ cell aplasia. Lower levels of expression were observed in TGCTs than in normal testes. While survivin expression was detected in most TGCTs with undifferentiated components (12 of 13), it was absent in all mature teratomas (n = 3). These data show that survivin is expressed in normal and transformed germ cells. Its downregulation in spermatogenic disorders indicates that survivin may contribute to the normal balance between germ cell proliferation and apoptosis. In TGCTs, survivin expression appears to be lost with somatic differentiation.
Intraguild omnivory in predatory stream insects
Authors: LANCASTER JILL , BRADLEY DAVID C. , HOGAN ANITA , WALDRON SUSAN
Published: July 2005

The veracity of food webs and other trophic structures derived from empirical data sets depends ultimately on our ability to identify species’ diets and, thus, to classify organisms according to their major energy source or functional feeding groups. True omnivory (mixing plant and animal food) is common among terrestrial and marine arthropods, but poorly documented in freshwater systems. In a field study, we examined a guild of six large‐bodied, lotic insects (Plecoptera and Trichoptera) that are generally considered to be predatory and that coexist in one stream. Gut contents analysis was used to characterize prey in the diet and to quantify the consumption of plant material. Nitrogen isotope ratios (δ15N) were measured in whole‐animal samples to determine whether any algae were assimilated into body tissues.

Gut contents analysis showed that all six study taxa were polyphagous with respect to their animal prey. All taxa also consumed substantial amounts of algae, but little true detritus (terrestrial plant material). Contrary to previous suggestions, an ontogenetic shift from carnivory to algivory was apparent in two species; a shift from algivory to carnivory was not observed.

Stable isotope analysis indicated that some predators assimilated algae: δ15N was lower than expected if predators were wholly carnivorous. Using a stable isotope mixing model to estimate the proportion of algae assimilated into body tissues, we suggest that three taxa are true omnivores and estimate that 40–55% of body nitrogen is derived from algae. The remaining three taxa appear to be primarily carnivorous.

Intraguild omnivory is a distinctive feature of the food web in this stream, and probably many others, and needs to be incorporated explicitly into models of stream systems. The food limitation hypothesis may explain, in part, true omnivory at this site. However, the nutritional value of algae and its role in the growth and fecundity of predatory stream insects requires further investigation before underlying mechanisms can be identified with confidence.
Relationships between taxonomic resolution and spatial scales of multivariate variation
Authors: ANDERSON MARTI J. , CONNELL SEAN D. , GILLANDERS BRONWYN M. , DIEBEL CAROL E. , BLOM WILMA M. , SAUNDERS JUSTINE E. , LANDERS TODD J.
Published: July 2005

We investigated the effects of changes in taxonomic resolution on analyses of patterns of multivariate variation at different spatial scales for the highly diverse fauna inhabiting holdfasts of the kelp Ecklonia radiata.

Multivariate analyses were performed using several transformations to examine differences in spatial patterns of variation from metres up to hundreds of kilometres for composition vs. relative abundance in assemblages.

The greatest variability in assemblages occurred at the smallest spatial scale, from plant to plant, pointing to the existence of important small‐scale processes. The proportional amount of variation at the smallest spatial scale decreased with decreasing taxonomic resolution (i.e. from species through to phyla). For composition, the next‐greatest source of variation was at the largest spatial scale (hundreds of kilometres), while for relative abundance, the next‐greatest source of variation was at the level of sites (hundreds of metres to kilometres).

For abundance data, location‐level variation became less important and site‐level variation became more important with decreasing taxonomic resolution, while for compositional data, the opposite pattern occurred. This suggests that variation in the presence of species or taxa at a particular location along the coast is driven by large‐scale processes, while variation in relative abundances within locations is driven by medium‐scale processes.

The lack of significant variation in the proportional abundances of phyla at large spatial scales suggests that some consistency of pattern may emerge at larger scales (spatial and/or taxonomic), even in the presence of high small‐scale variability. These findings strengthen the idea that substantial local variation need not preclude the existence of broad‐scale organization in ecological patterns and biodiversity.
Predation cost of rapid growth: behavioural coupling and physiological decoupling
Authors: STOKS ROBBY , BLOCK MARJAN DE , VAN DE MEUTTER FRANK , JOHANSSON FRANK
Published: July 2005

Despite its prominent role in life‐history theory, there is no direct empirical evidence for a behaviourally mediated predation cost of rapid growth. Moreover, we know little about how digestive physiology may also influence the shape of the growth/predation risk trade‐off function.

We determined the role of behaviour and digestive physiology in experiments in which damselfly larvae were induced to grow slowly or rapidly by manipulating photoperiod (time stress), and exposure to a fish predator.

We showed that larvae under time stress grew more rapidly. Rapid‐growing larvae had a higher foraging activity and a higher growth efficiency.

Under predation risk, larvae not only had a lower foraging activity but also a lower growth efficiency.

Rapid‐growing larvae (i.e. those under time stress) balanced the growth/predation risk trade‐off differently and took more risk in the presence of a predator, which resulted in a behaviourally mediated higher predation cost compared to slow‐growing larvae. Their higher growth efficiency, however, made this cost smaller compared to a completely behaviourally mediated rapid‐growth strategy.

Our results provide the first explicit experimental proof of a behaviourally mediated predation cost of rapid growth. Besides a behavioural coupling of growth and predation risk, resulting in the well‐known trade‐off, we also found a partial decoupling of these two processes by digestive physiology.
Toxicity, bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of a newly formulated colistin sulfate solution
Authors: LIN B. , ZHANG C. , XIAO X.
Published: July 2005

We formulated a new colistin sulfate injectable solution and tested its effectiveness, toxicity and pharmacokinetics in vivo on mice, rabbits, and piglets. When intramuscularly injected (i.m.) into rabbits at 0.5 mL per site, the 2.5% colistin sulfate solution caused no reaction at the injection site, but the 5.0% solution caused the muscle circumference to appear erythematic. Tested LD50 in CD‐1 mice were 38.72 mg/kg for i.m. and 431.95 mg/kg for oral administration, respectively. At 15.0 mg/kg/day (i.m.) for 5 days, colistin sulfate caused obvious neurotoxicity to piglets with moderate granular degenerations in the epithelial tissues from kidney and liver. These toxic responses were not seen when colistin sulfate was injected at 10.0 mg/kg/day for 5 days. Pharmacokinetic studies revealed Cmax of 3.73 ± 0.28 and 6.40 ± 0.18 μg/mL, Tmax of 32 ± 1.5 and 34 ± 1.8 min, t1/2β of 256 ± 14 and 264 ± 29 min, and absolute bioavailability of 95.94 and 88.45% for colistin sulfate intramuscularly injected to piglets at 2.5 and 5.0 mg/kg, respectively. Serum colistin sulfate concentration followed a two‐compartment open model showing first‐order absorption. The high bioavailability and the long‐lasting serum retention time indicated that the new solution is suitable for i.m. in piglets with a recommended dose of 2.5 mg/kg injected twice daily.
Specificity and selectivity determinants of peptide transport in Lactococcus lactis and other microorganisms
Authors: Doeven Mark K. , Kok Jan , Poolman Bert
Published: July 2005

Peptide transport in microorganisms is important for nutrition of the cell and various signalling processes including regulation of gene expression, sporulation, chemotaxis, competence and virulence development. Peptide transport is mediated via different combinations of ion‐linked and ATP‐binding cassette (ABC) transporters, the latter utilizing single or multiple peptide‐binding proteins with overlapping specificities. The paradigm for research on peptide transport is Lactococcus lactis, in which the uptake of peptides containing essential amino acids is vital for growth on milk proteins. Differential expression and characteristics of peptide‐binding proteins in several Lactococcus lactis strains resulted in apparent conflicts with older literature. Recent developments and new data now make the pieces of the puzzle fall back into place again and confirm the view that the oligopeptide‐binding proteins determine the uptake selectivity of their cognate ABC transporters. Besides reviewing the current data on binding specificity and transport selectivity of peptide transporters in L. lactis, the possible implications for peptide utilization by other bacterial species are discussed.
NssR, a member of the Crp‐Fnr superfamily from Campylobacter jejuni, regulates a nitrosative stress‐responsive regulon that includes both a single‐domain and a truncated haemoglobin
Authors: Elvers Karen T. , Turner Sue M. , Wainwright Laura M. , Marsden Gemma , Hinds Jason , Cole Jeffrey A. , Poole Robert K. , Penn Charles W. , Park Simon F.
Published: July 2005

Consistent with its role as a nitric oxide (NO)‐detoxifying globin in Campylobacter jejuni, Cgb (Campylobacter globin) expression is strongly and specifically induced following exposure to nitrosative stress, suggesting a previously unrecognized capacity for NO‐related stress sensing in this food‐borne pathogen. In this study, Fur and PerR have been eliminated as major regulators of cgb, and NssR (Cj0466), a member of the Crp‐Fnr superfamily, has been identified as the major positive regulatory factor that controls nitrosative stress‐responsive expression of this gene. Accordingly, disruption of nssR resulted in the abolition of inducible cgb expression, which was restored by a complementing chromosomal insertion of the wild‐type gene with its indigenous promoter at a second location. The NssR‐deficient mutant was more sensitive to NO‐related stress than a cgb mutant and this phenotype most likely arises from the failure of these cells to induce other NO‐responsive components in addition to Cgb. Indeed, analysis of global gene expression, by microarray and confirmatory real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the wild type and nssR mutant, not only confirmed the dependence of inducible cgb expression on NssR, but also revealed for the first time a novel NssR‐dependent nitrosative stress‐responsive regulon. This regulon of at least four genes includes Cj0465c, a truncated globin. Consistent with NssR being a Crp‐Fnr superfamily member, an Fnr‐like binding sequence (TTAAC‐N4‐GTTAA) was found upstream of each gene at locations −40.5 to −42.5 relative to the centre of the binding sites and the transcription start point. Site‐directed mutagenesis confirmed that this cis‐acting motif mediates the nitrosative stress‐inducible expression of cgb.
Roles for fibrinogen, immunoglobulin and complement in platelet activation promoted by Staphylococcus aureus clumping factor A
Authors: Loughman Anthony , Fitzgerald J. Ross , Brennan Marian P. , Higgins Judy , Downer Robert , Cox Dermot , Foster Timothy J.
Published: July 2005

Staphylococcus aureus is an important cause of infective endocarditis (IE) in patients without a history of prior heart valve damage. The ability to stimulate the activation of resting platelets and their subsequent aggregation is regarded as an important virulence factor of bacteria that cause IE. Clumping factor A is the dominant surface protein responsible for platelet activation by S. aureus cells in the stationary phase of growth. This study used Lactococcus lactis as a surrogate host to study the mechanism of ClfA‐promoted platelet activation. Expression of ClfA from a nisin‐inducible promoter demonstrated that a minimum level of surface‐expressed ClfA was required. Using platelets that were purified from plasma, the requirement for both bound fibrinogen and immunoglobulin was demonstrated. The immunoglobulin G (IgG) requirement is consistent with the potent inhibition of platelet activation by a monoclonal antibody specific for the platelet FcγRIIa receptor. Furthermore the IgG must contain antibodies specific for the ClfA A domain. A model is proposed whereby bacterial cells armed with a sufficient number of surface‐bound fibrinogen molecules can engage resting platelet glycoprotein GPIIb/IIIa, aided by bound IgG molecules, which encourages the clustering of FcγRIIa receptors. This can trigger activation of signal transduction leading to activation of GPIIb/IIIa and aggregation of platelets. In addition, analysis of a mutant of ClfA totally lacking the ability to bind fibrinogen revealed a second, although less efficient, mechanism of platelet activation. The fibrinogen‐independent pathway required IgG and complement deposition to trigger platelet aggregation
Susceptibility of grapevine buds to infection by powdery mildew Erysiphe necator
Authors: Rumbolz J. , Gubler W. D.
Published: July 2005

Bud colonization and perennation of powdery mildew (Erysiphe necator) was studied by inoculating shoots of grapevine (Vitis vinifera cv. Carignane) at different phenological stages. Disease incidence and severity assessments indicated that buds were most susceptible at the three‐ to six‐unfolded‐leaf stage. Incidence of powdery mildew colonies on the surface of buds collected from these shoots 7 weeks postinoculation was highest at these stages (68 and 62%, respectively), which indicates that colonization of the bud interior via the infected bud surface is likely to occur within this period. Histological analyses of buds revealed hyphae with haustoria, conidiophores and conidia on all parts of the bud interior except for the meristems. In particular, trichomes were frequently parasitized by haustoria. In total, 13·2% of all buds analysed, and 32·3% of all buds originating from shoots inoculated at the three‐unfolded‐leaf stage, were infected by E. necator. In the spring of the following year, buds from inoculated shoots yielded 18 flag shoots (1·6% of all emerging shoots). These primary infections caused an epidemic 28 days after the appearance of the first flag shoot. A linear regression analysis on the frequency of infections of the bud exterior, bud interior and flag shoots revealed that incidence of external bud infection in the first season is strongly correlated with flag shoot incidence in the following season (R2 = 0·94). Hence predictions of flag shoot incidence may be reliably based on the incidence of infection on the outer bud scales in the preceding season.
Discovery of the Eucalyptus canker pathogen Chrysoporthe cubensis on native Miconia (Melastomataceae) in Colombia
Authors: Rodas C. A. , Gryzenhout M. , Myburg H. , Wingfield B. D. , Wingfield M. J.
Published: July 2005

Chrysoporthe cubensis is one of the most serious canker pathogens on commercially grown Eucalyptus species in the tropics and subtropics. During recent surveys for native hosts of C. cubensis in Colombia, fungi with fruiting structures similar to those of C. cubensis were found on native Miconia theaezans and Miconia rubiginosa, both members of the Melastomataceae. These fungi were identified based on morphology and DNA sequences of the ITS1/ITS2 region of the rDNA operon and the β‐tubulin genes. The majority of isolates from M. theaezans and M. rubiginosa grouped together with South American C. cubensis isolates from Eucalyptus species and Syzygium aromaticum (clove). However, some of the isolates from M. theaezans grouped with isolates of Chrysoporthella hodgesiana, another anamorph species linked to Chrysoporthe, from Tibouchina spp. in Colombia. Pathogenicity of these fungi was assessed on various Melastomataceae. Miconia rubiginosa was more susceptible to infection by C. cubensis than two Eucalyptus clones. Isolates of C. cubensis and Chrysop. hodgesiana were mildly pathogenic on the various hosts included in the pathogenicity trials, and most pathogenic on Tibouchina urvilleana and Tibouchina lepidota.
Tomato spotted wilt virus in peanut tissue types and physiological effects related to disease incidence and severity*
Authors: Rowland D. , Dorner J. , Sorensen R. , Beasley J. P. , Todd J.
Published: July 2005

Three peanut cultivars, Georgia Green, NC‐V11, and ANorden, were grown using production practices that encouraged the development of Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV). The progression of TSWV infection was examined through the season using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tests on different tissue types [roots, leaves, pegs (pod attachment stem structures) and pods] and the effect of TSWV infection on physiological functions was examined at three harvest dates. Plants were classed into three severity categories: (i) no TSWV symptoms or previous positive ELISA tests; (ii) less than 50% of leaf tissue exhibiting TSWV symptoms; and (iii) greater than 50% of leaf tissue affected. TSWV showed a slow rate of infection at the beginning of the season and a greater percentage of infection of the roots than in the leaves. Photosynthesis was reduced in virus‐affected infected plants by an average of 30% at the mid‐season harvest and 51% at the late season harvest compared with virus‐free plants across all three cultivars. Leaf tissue with symptoms had lower photosynthetic rates than healthy leaves. There were small differences among cultivars, with cv. ANorden maintaining higher average photosynthetic levels than cv. Georgia Green and higher transpirational levels than cv. NC‐V11. The ability to maintain high assimilation physiology in the presence of the virus may help cultivars withstand TSWV infection and maintain final yields.
Infraclavicular block causes less discomfort than axillary block in ambulatory patients
Authors: Koscielniak‐Nielsen Z. J. , Rasmussen H. , Hesselbjerg L. , Nielsen T P. , Gürkan Y.
Published: July 2005

Background:  This randomized study was designed to compare discomfort caused by axillary or infraclavicular blocks in ambulatory patients. We identified which of the three block components, needle passes, local anesthetic (LA) injections, and electrical stimulations, is most painful and quantified pain intensity on a visual analog scale (VAS 0–100). We also assessed onset and quality of analgesia, adverse events and patients' acceptance.

Methods:  Eighty patients were studied. In axillary group – A, four LA injections were made after stimulating median, musculocutaneous, ulnar and radial nerves. In infraclavicular group – I, the whole LA volume was injected after stimulating median or ulnar or radial nerves. Patients were ready for surgery when they had analgesia/anesthesia distal to the elbow.

Results:  Median intensity of block discomfort was 22 in A group and 10 in I group (P < 0.01). There was no difference in distribution of the most painful block components between the groups. Block performance times were 4 min in I group and 7 min in A group (P < 0.01). Block onset times were 18 min in A group and 20 min in I group (NS). There was one block failure in I group. Three patients in A group and five in I group required supplementary blocks (NS). Transient adverse events occurred in 14 A‐group and two I‐group patients (P<0.01). Thirty‐seven I‐group and 33 A‐group patients were satisfied with the block (NS).

Conclusions:  Infraclavicular block by single injection caused less discomfort and fewer adverse events than axillary block by multiple injections. Block effectiveness, onset time and patients' acceptance were similar.
Changes in jugular bulb oxygen saturation during off‐pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery
Authors: Kim J. Y. , Kwak Y. L. , Oh Y. J. , Kim S. H. , Yoo K. J. , Hong Y. W.
Published: July 2005

Background:  The effect of haemodynamic derangement during coronary artery anastomosis in off‐pump coronary artery bypass surgery on cerebral blood flow has not been elucidated. Jugular bulb oxygen saturation is a useful indicator of cerebral blood flow provided that the cerebral metabolic rate is constant. This study was designed to evaluate the changes in jugular bulb oxygen saturation during off‐pump coronary artery bypass surgery.

Methods:  With IRB approval, 48 patients were included. After anaesthesia, an 18‐G catheter was introduced into the jugular bulb. Haemodynamic variables and oxygen profiles from gas analysis of jugular bulb blood and arterial blood were obtained: after sternotomy (baseline); at 5 min after the beginning of the anastomosis of the left anterior descending artery, obtuse marginal artery, and right coronary artery; and after sternal closure.

Results:  Cardiac index and mixed venous oxygen saturation decreased significantly during anastomosis of all three arteries compared to the baseline value. Although the changes in jugular bulb oxygen saturation during anastomosis were statistically significant compared to its baseline value, jugular bulb oxygen saturation remained within normal limit throughout the study.

Conclusions:  Jugular bulb oxygen saturation, which represents the global cerebral oxygenation, was well maintained during the anastomosis of all coronary arteries despite significant haemodynamic changes during off‐pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB).
Relationship Between High Molecular Weight Glutenin Subunit Composition and Gluten Quality in Ethiopian‐grown Bread and Durum Wheat Cultivars and Lines
Authors: Tarekegne A. , Labuschagne M. T.
Published: July 2005

The high molecular weight glutenin subunit (HMW‐GS) composition of 42 Ethiopian‐grown bread wheat and 31 durum wheat cultivars and lines were examined using SDS‐PAGE. Low variability in HMW‐GS composition was present in both classes of wheat. A total of 10 variants with 14 different HMW patterns and seven variants with six different patterns were identified in bread and durum wheat, respectively, reflecting the limited ability of HMW‐GS for cultivar identification. The most predominant alleles were 2*, 7 + 9 and 5 + 10 in bread wheat and nul and 7 + 8 in durum wheat. The Glu‐1 quality scores for bread wheat ranged from 6 to 10, with an average value of 8.7. The variation in HMW‐GS significantly correlated with and accounted for 44 % of the total variation in gluten quality, measured by the sodium dodecyl sulphate sedimentation test. In durum wheat, HMW‐GS variation at Glu‐B1 explained about 25 % of the variation in gluten quality. The high frequency of the 7 + 8 alleles among the landraces and the significant contribution of Glu‐B1 alleles to the total variation in gluten quality indicate the potential benefit of Ethiopian tetraploid landraces in the development of lines suitable for both bread and pasta production.
Seasonal Development of Genotypic Differences in Sugar Beet (Beta vulgaris L.) and Their Interaction with Water Supply
Authors: Bloch D. , Hoffmann C.
Published: July 2005

Depending on genotype, sugar beet can differ considerably in yield and quality characteristics. These are additionally modified by environmental conditions with drought stress recently gaining in importance, restricting growth and altering the chemical composition of the beet. The occurrence and development of these genotypic differences during the vegetation period and their possible interaction with environmental conditions were investigated. In 2002 and 2003, four sugar beet genotypes differing in yield and quality and putative different with regard to drought tolerance were tested in field trials, partly under irrigated conditions, in a total of 10 environments with consecutive harvests starting in early summer. In 2 years of stress and non‐stress conditions they exhibited significant differences for taproot and leaf dry matter and the concentration of sucrose, K, Na and α‐amino nitrogen in the taproot. These differences existed already in mid‐June and virtually did not change any more from this time on. Accordingly, interactions between genotype and harvest date did not occur. For sugar beet, genotype by environment interactions generally do not exist. Water supply, as an important single determinant of the effect of the environment, was studied separately analysing data from selected locations. Under drought conditions, withholding irrigation reduced leaf and taproot growth and root‐to‐leaf ratio, decreased the percentage of sucrose in dry matter and resulted in an accumulation of α‐amino N. Interactions between genotype and water supply did not occur for any of the parameters under study. A genotype‐specific high α‐amino N content, which might be of advantage for osmoregulation, did not improve the adaptation to drought. Differences in leaf maintenance or taproot‐to‐leaf ratio during drought also did not affect yield response. Due to the lack of interaction between genotype and harvest date as well as between genotype and irrigation it is concluded that harvest date or climatic factors of the growing region do not have to be taken into consideration when choosing a variety.
Jasmonic Acid Differentially Affects Growth, Ion Uptake and Abscisic Acid Concentration in Salt‐tolerant and Salt‐sensitive Rice Cultivars
Authors: Kang D.‐J. , Seo Y.‐J. , Lee J.‐D. , Ishii R. , Kim K. U. , Shin D. H. , Park S. K. , Jang S. W. , Lee I.‐J.
Published: July 2005

Phytohormones play critical roles in regulating plant responses to stress. Here, we investigated the effects of salt stress and stress recovery by applying jasmonate to the two different rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars Dongjinchalbyeo (DJC, salt‐tolerant) and Dongjinbyeo (DJ, salt‐sensitive). Salt stress remarkably decreased the root length of plants even at low NaCl concentration (20 mm). Salt stress led to a sharp increase in the concentrations of abscisic acid (ABA) in 20 and 40 mm NaCl, when compared with the control values. The concentrations of ABA in the salt‐tolerant cultivar DJC plants progressively increased with increasing NaCl levels, whereas in the salt‐sensitive cultivar DJ, they sharply decreased in all three parts of rice plants at 80 mm NaCl treatment. The decrease of jasmonic acid (JA) concentrations in salt‐tolerant cultivar DJC was lesser than in the salt‐sensitive cultivar DJ plants in the shoot. Post‐application in the stressed plants with 30 μm JA at 24 and 48 h after NaCl treatment, recovered salt inhibition on dry mass production more effectively than application of JA at 48 and 24 h before salt stress, and during salt stress simultaneously. The uptake of Na decreased especially in the salt‐sensitive cultivar DJ plants, whereas there was an increase in Ca and Mg levels and slight increase of K by JA application. Leaf water potential, leaf photosynthetic rate, and maximum quantum yield of photosystem II (PSII) also remarkably recovered when 30 μm JA was applied 24 h after the salt stress compared with the 40 mm NaCl‐treated plants. These results clearly indicate that post‐application with exogenous JA can ameliorate salt‐stressed rice seedlings, especially the salt‐sensitive cultivar rather than the salt‐tolerant cultivar. This may change the balance of other endogenous plant hormones.
Abscisic Acid and Callose: Team Players in Defence Against Pathogens?
Authors: Flors V. , Ton J. , Jakab G. , Mauch‐Mani B.
Published: July 2005

Abscisic acid (ABA) plays an important role as a plant hormone and as such is involved in many different steps of plant development. It has also been shown to modulate plant responses to abiotic stress situations and in recent years, it has become evident that it is partaking in processes of plant defence against pathogens. Although ABA's role in influencing the outcome of plant‐pathogen interactions is controversial, with most research pointing into the direction of increased susceptibility, recent results have shown that ABA can also be involved in rendering plants more resistant to pathogen attack. In these cases, ABA interacts with callose deposition allowing an early and efficient build up of papillae at the sites of infection. The present review tries to shed some light on a possible interplay between ABA and callose in the protection of plants against invading pathogens.
Alternative Soil Solarization Treatments for the Control of Soil‐borne Diseases and Weeds of Strawberry in the Western Anatolia of Turkey
Authors: Benli̇oğlu S. , Boz Ö. , Yildiz A. , Kaşkavalci G. , Benli̇oğlu K.
Published: July 2005

Field experiments were conducted in the two cropping seasons between 2002 and 2004 to determine effects on soil‐borne diseases, weeds and yield of strawberry of raised bed solarization (RBS), alone or with chicken manure (CM) amendment, methyl bromide (MB), TeloDrip (1,3‐dichloropropene + chloropicrin), short RBS combined with reduced doses of metam sodium (MS) and TeloDrip. In both seasons, raised bed soil solarization (for 7 weeks) alone or with CM amendment (10 t/ha), MS (50 ml/m2) after 2‐week RBS, and MB (50 g/m2) significantly reduced soil‐borne diseases (caused by Rhizoctonia spp. and Phytophthora cactorum) while application of TeloDrip at a rate of 500 kg/ha and a half‐dose after short solarization controlled the soil‐borne diseases to a lesser extent in the 2003–2004 cropping season. All treatments provided effective control of four weed species; annual bluegrass (Poa annua), common purslane (Portulaca oleracea), redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus) and barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus‐galli) but not horseweed (Conyza canadensis). In the first year trial, total marketable yields from RBS with or without CM and 2‐week solarization plus MS were equivalent to yields produced by MB treatment whereas only raised bed soil solarization and CM amendment led to the same increase of yield as MB in the second year.
Comparative Sequence Analysis of Coat Protein Gene of Iranian Citrus tristeza virus Isolates
Authors: Barzegar A. , Sohi H. H. , Rahimian H.
Published: July 2005

Twenty‐two isolates of Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) collected from two different geographical regions of Iran were characterized based on coat protein (CP) gene sequences. Thirteen virus isolates were collected from northern parts of Iran with high distribution of CTV infection and nine isolates were obtained from southern regions where the presence and aphid transmission of CTV was previously reported. All isolates were recovered from field trees showing varied CTV symptoms such as decline in most citrus varieties on sour orange rootstock, inverse pitting on some sour orange rootstocks below bud union, mild‐to‐moderate stem pitting on the trunk of some sweet orange. Isolates F, G, MB1, MB7, MB2, MB8, MB9, MB11 and MB17 were recovered from healthy looking Miyagawa Satsuma on trifoliate rootstock originally infected with CTV imported from Japan in late‐1960s. The presence of virus in citrus samples was confirmed using polyclonal as well as monoclonal antibody. The CTV CP gene of all isolates was amplified by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR) using CP gene‐specific primers yielding 672 bp amplicon. The restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) profile, nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences were analysed and compared with each other and also with some other exotic CP gene sequences of CTV isolates available in GenBank. Analysis of our data revealed that Iranian isolates have high similarity to California SY568 severe stem pitting and Japanese NUagA seedling yellows strains (up to 97%). The dendrogram generated from the deduced amino acid sequence could separate MB1, MB2, MB8, MB9, MB11 and MB17 isolates from others. However, no major dissociation between the isolates from northern and southern region could be obtained.
Characterization of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. cyamopsidis, the Bacterial Blight Pathogen of Cluster Bean Using PCR‐based Molecular Markers
Authors: Kaur B. , Purkayastha S. , Dilbaghi N. , Chaudhury A.
Published: July 2005

Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. cyamopsidis causes bacterial blight of cluster bean, an industrially important legume. A total of 76 isolates of X. axonopodis pv. cyamopsidis obtained from cluster bean fields of north and north‐west India were identified at the pathovar level using virulence trials on the susceptible cluster bean genotype, PNB which confirmed their phytopathogenic specialization on cluster bean. Different polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐based techniques, such as, random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)–PCR, repetitive (rep)‐PCR and IS1112‐PCR were successfully employed to elucidate the pathogen population structure and intrapathovar relationship among a set of 25 X. axonopodis pv. cyamopsidis isolates. There was a significant variation in their pathogenicity and genetic structure. The pathogenicity data were found to be in line with the molecular data to some extent. RAPD markers revealed a high level of genetic diversity across the isolates employed in comparison with the other molecular markers employed. A weak correlation was observed among the various molecular markers employed as each technique explores genetic variation differently. There was no correlation between DNA amplification product patterns and geographic sites of isolation, suggesting that this bacterium has spread largely through exchange of infected plant germplasm. This is the first report on the molecular characterization of X. axonopodis pv. cyamopsidis isolates from India.
Biological and Molecular Evidence that Pseudomonas syringae Pathovars coronafaciens, striafaciens and garcae are Likely the Same Pathovar
Authors: Barta T. M. , Willis D. K.
Published: July 2005

Using a combination of physiological tests, molecular analysis and assays, we investigated the taxonomic relationship among the oat pathogens Pseudomonas syringae pv. coronafaciens (halo blight) and P. syringae pv. striafaciens (bacterial stripe) and the coffee pathogen P. syringae pv. garcae (bacterial blight). Pseudomonas syringae pvs coronafaciens and garcae produce tabtoxin while P. syringae pv. striafaciens is tabtoxin‐deficient. Physiological tests did not show significant differences among these three pathovars (pvs). Analysis using DNA ‘fingerprint’ and Southern blot analysis revealed that P. syringae pvs coronafaciens, striafaciens and garcae are molecularly very similar except that pv. striafaciens appears to have lost part or all of the tabtoxin biosynthetic region. Significantly, P. syringae pv. garcae was pathogenic on oat leaves and indistinguishable from P. syringae pv. coronafaciens in our laboratory assays. Introduction of tabtoxin biosynthetic region contained on the cosmid pRTBL823 resulted in tabtoxin production by P. syringae pv. striafaciens and the production of lesions on oat leaves that were indistinguishable for those caused by P. syringae pv. coronafaciens. Taken together, our data strongly suggests that the P. syringae pvs coronafaciens, striafaciens and garcae are taxonomically redundant.
Impact of Tumour Depth, Tumour Location and Multiple Synchronous Masses on the Prognosis of Canine Cutaneous Mast Cell Tumours
Authors: Kiupel M. , Webster J. D. , Miller R. A. , Kaneene J. B.
Published: July 2005

The goal of this study was to determine the significance of tumour depth, tumour location and multiple synchronous tumour masses for the prognostic evaluation of canine cutaneous mast cell tumours (MCTs). The study population consisted of 100 formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded cutaneous MCTs that had been surgically removed from 100 dogs and submitted to the Diagnostic Center of Population and Animal Health at Michigan State University between 1998 and 2001. None of the dogs had received chemotherapy or radiation therapy. For each case the following data were obtained from the referring veterinarians: sex, breed, weight, age at diagnosis, diagnostics performed, adjunct medications given at the time of surgery, tumour location, number of tumour masses, tumour recurrence (development of MCTs at the surgical site), development of additional MCTs at distant sites (outside the surgical margins), tumour duration before removal, survival time and cause of death, if applicable. Tumour depth was determined through microscopic evaluation of 5 μm sections stained with haematoxylin and eosin. Based on univariable and multivariable survival analysis, dogs with multiple synchronous cutaneous MCTs at the time of diagnosis have a worse prognosis compared with dogs with single tumours. Additional treatment beyond surgical excision alone should be considered for these animals. Older dogs and Boxers with cutaneous MCTs were at higher risk to develop additional MCTs at distant sites (outside the surgical margins), and older and male dogs with cutaneous MCTs had significantly shorter survival times. Univariable analysis also determined that dogs with cutaneous MCTs located on the head and neck had an increased risk of additional MCT development at distant sites and that sterilized dogs with cutaneous MCTs had shorter survival times. However, these findings were not confirmed by multivariable analysis. Tumour depth was of no prognostic significance for dogs with cutaneous MCTs.
Preventive Treatment with Vitamin E Alleviates the Poisoning Effects of Carbon Tetrachloride in Cattle
Authors: Yonezawa L. A. , Kitamura S. S. , Mirandola R. M. S. , Antonelli A. C. , Ortolani E. L.
Published: July 2005

Fifteen yearling steers were used to study the preventive effect of vitamin E on the protection against free radicals produced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). The animals were randomly divided in three equal groups and treated as follows: group A – previously injected (i.m.) with 15 IU/kg BW on the 15th and second day before the trial and drenched with 0.05 ml/kg BW CCl4; group B – only drenched with the same dose of CCl4; group C – drenched with a placebo. Food intake was recorded and blood samples collected daily for 8 days after the CCl4 drenching to compare the activity of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma‐glutamyltransferase (γ‐GT) and the levels of erythrocyte reduced glutathione (GSH) and serum malonyldialdehyde (MDA). Food intake was reduced in group B for the first 3 days (P < 0.05); higher activities of AST and γ‐GT were observed in the poisoned groups, nevertheless the overall values were lower in the group A than B (P < 0.02); only the group A reached the basal values of AST at the seventh day; higher levels of GSH and MDA were recorded in the poisoned cattle indicating the generation of free radicals. It was concluded that the preventive use of Vitamin E lessened the damage in hepatic tissue caused by the free radicals and prevented the anorexia caused by CCl4.
Rural generalist nurses’ perceptions of the effectiveness of their therapeutic interventions for patients with mental illness
Authors: Clark Chanelle , Parker Elizabeth , Gould Trish
Published: July 2005

Objective:  To explore generalist nurses’ perceptions of their efficacy in caring for mentally ill clients in rural and remote settings, and their educational needs in the area of mental health care.

Design:  A self‐administered questionnaire adapted from the Mental Health Problems Perception Questionnaire; a Likert scale used to rate the perceptions of nursing staff of their own ability to adequately treat and care for patients experiencing mental illness.

Setting:  The Roma and Charleville Health Service Districts, Queensland, Australia.

Subjects:  Nurses (Registered Nurses, Assistants in Nursing and Enrolled Nurses) in the Roma and Charleville health service districts (n = 163).

Main outcome measures:  Generalist nurses’ perceptions regarding their therapeutic commitment, role competency and role support.

Results:  Seventy per cent of respondents indicated that limited knowledge of mental health problems was an issue preventing nursing staff in rural and remote settings from providing optimum care to patients with mental illness. Twenty‐nine per cent of respondents indicated that they had never received or undertaken training or education in relation to the care, treatment or assessment of patients with mental illness.

Conclusion:  Rural nurses do not feel competent, nor adequately supported, to deal with patients with mental health problems. In addition, the nurses’ education and ongoing training do not adequately prepare them for this sphere.
Strongyloidiasis: A review of the evidence for Australian practitioners
Authors: Johnston Fay H. , Morris Peter S. , Speare Richard , McCarthy James , Currie Bart , Ewald Dan , Page Wendy , Dempsey Karen
Published: July 2005

Objective:  To summarise the available evidence concerning the prevalence, clinical manifestations, diagnosis and management of strongyloidiasis in Northern Australia.

Methods:  We searched Medline, Clinical Evidence and the Cochrane Library using MeSH terms and text words ‘strongyloides OR strongyloidiasis’. For Australian studies we included text words ‘(parasite* OR parasitic OR helminth*) AND Australia*’. We examined references contained in retrieved studies or identified from direct contact with researchers. Studies consistent with our objective that described their methods were eligible for inclusion.

Results:  The prevalence in some tropical Aboriginal communities is high. Infection can be asymptomatic, cause a range of clinical syndromes or death. It may become chronic. Infected patients are at risk of developing severe disseminated disease particularly with immune compromise. There is little information about the relative frequency of different clinical outcomes. Available diagnostic tools are imperfect. Stool examination has a low sensitivity. Serology may have a low specificity in high prevalence populations and has not been evaluated in Aboriginal populations. Antihelmintic drugs are relatively safe and effective. Community programs based on treatment of stool‐positive cases have been associated with a reduced prevalence of strongyloidiasis. We found no studies examining alternative public health interventions.

Conclusion:  There is a high prevalence in many Aboriginal communities. Strongyloides infection should be excluded prior to commencing immunosuppressive therapies in patients from endemic areas. Further studies examining the public health impact of strongyloidiasis, the role of the enzyme‐linked immuno‐sorbent assay serological test and population‐based approaches to management of the disease in endemically infected Australian populations are needed.
Assessing the ecological risk from secondary salinity: A framework addressing questions of scale and threshold responses
Authors: CRAMER VIKI A. , HOBBS RICHARD J.
Published: July 2005

Abstract  Assessment of the ecological risk posed to native vegetation from the development of shallow and saline water tables is considered an urgent task in southern Australia. Ecological risk can be defined as the product of the likelihood of an ecological effect and the consequences of that effect. At present, the likelihood of the development of a shallow water table is determined by hydrological modelling at the catchment scale, and this in itself is often equated to ecological risk. In contrast, the ecological consequences of secondary salinity are generally investigated at the patch scale. Translating ecological likelihood and the ecological consequences of risk across these scales has proved problematic, both conceptually and quantitatively. Here we argue that the consideration of ecological risk within the context of the patch‐ or catchment‐scale is based upon human perceptions of spatial units, rather than the ecological scales at which various processes determine vegetation dynamics. By focusing on the processes that determine vegetation dynamics, and the dimensions of these processes, both spatial and temporal scales can be built into conceptual frameworks that aim to understand vegetation change, such as frameworks of alternative stable states. We present an alternative conceptual framework of the ecological risk from secondary salinity based around using the rates of processes, such as salt accumulation in the soil or the frequency of waterlogging, at the scales at which these processes occur. This framework also integrates concepts of vegetation states and transitions between meta‐stable states and alternative stable states.
Predator‐mediated phenotypic plasticity in tadpoles of the striped marsh frog, Limnodynastes peronii
Authors: KRAFT PETER G. , WILSON ROBBIE S. , FRANKLIN CRAIG E.
Published: July 2005

Abstract  We tested the phenotypic responses of larval striped marsh frogs (Limnodynastes peronii) to the odonate nymph predator, Aeshna brevistyla. When reared in the presence of dragonfly nymphs feeding upon conspecifics of L. peronii larvae the tadpoles showed a strong change in morphology. Morphological changes included an increase in total tail height, but also an unexpected marked change in head‐body shape. In addition, we examined how tadpole development, as well as mass and length at metamorphosis, was affected by exposure to dragonfly nymphs. Larval development of L. peronii was strongly influenced by exposure to the predatory behaviour of dragonfly nymphs. Predator‐induced tadpoles had significantly slower developmental rates than control larvae. Although metamorphs of non‐exposed L. peronii were approximately 33% lighter than predator‐exposed metamorphs and possessed lower jump distances, after adjusting for mass there was no difference in jump distance. The newly described morphological response may assist in more accurately relating morphological plasticity to fitness.