bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High Titers of Circulating Maternal Antibodies Suppress Effector and Memory B-Cell Responses Induced by an Attenuated Rotavirus Priming and Rotavirus-Like Particle-Immunostimulating Complex Boosting Vaccine Regimen
Authors: Nguyen Trang V. , Yuan Lijuan , Azevedo Marli S. P. , Jeong Kwang-il , Gonzalez Ana M. , Iosef Cristiana , Lovgren-Bengtsson Karin , Morein Bror , Lewis Peggy , Saif Linda J.
Published: April 2006

We investigated maternal antibody (MatAb) effects on protection and immune responses to rotavirus vaccines. Gnotobiotic pigs were injected intraperitoneally at birth with pooled serum from sows hyperimmunized with human rotavirus (HRV); control pigs received no sow serum. Pigs with or without MatAbs received either sequential attenuated HRV (AttHRV) oral priming and intranasal boosting with VP2/VP6 virus-like particle (VLP)-immunostimulating complex (ISCOM) (AttHRV/VLP) or intranasal VLP-ISCOM prime/boost (VLP) vaccines at 3 to 5 days of age. Subsets of pigs were challenged at 28 or 42 days postinoculation with virulent Wa HRV to assess protection. Isotype-specific antibody-secreting cell (ASC) responses to HRV were quantitated by enzyme-linked immunospot assay to measure effector and memory B-cell responses in intestinal and systemic lymphoid tissues pre- and/or postchallenge. Protection rates against HRV challenge (contributed by active immunity and passive circulating MatAbs) were consistently (but not significantly) lower in the MatAb-AttHRV/VLP groups than in the corresponding groups without MatAbs. Intestinal B-cell responses in the MatAb-AttHRV/VLP group were most suppressed with significantly reduced or no intestinal immunoglobulin A (IgA) and IgG effector and memory B-cell responses or antibody titers pre- and postchallenge. This suppression was not alleviated but was enhanced after extending vaccination/challenge from 28 to 42 days. In pigs vaccinated with nonreplicating VLP alone that failed to induce protection, MatAb effects differed, with intestinal and systemic IgG ASCs and prechallenge memory B cells suppressed but the low intestinal IgA and IgM ASC responses unaffected. Thus, we demonstrate that MatAbs differentially affect both replicating and nonreplicating HRV vaccines and suggest mechanisms of MatAb interference. This information should facilitate vaccine design to overcome MatAb suppression.
The VR2 Epitope on the PorA P1.7-2,4 Protein Is the Major Target for the Immune Response Elicited by the Strain-Specific Group B Meningococcal Vaccine MeNZB
Authors: Martin D. R. , Ruijne N. , McCallum L. , O'Hallahan J. , Oster P.
Published: April 2006

A protracted epidemic of group B meningococcal disease in New Zealand led to the testing of a strain-specific tailor-made vaccine, MeNZB. Immunogenicity levels achieved during age group trials enabled New Zealand's regulatory authority to grant licensure to deliver MeNZB to all individuals under age 20. During the trials target strains for serum bactericidal antibody measurements included the vaccine target strain NZ98/254 and two comparator epidemic-type strains (NZ94/167 and NZ02/09). In this study, 12 other strains differing variously from the vaccine strain by their capsular group, PorB type, and PorA variable region specificities, or PorA expression, were used as target strains. The PorA specificity of the serum bactericidal antibody responses to the vaccine was determined for 40 vaccinees. Sets of 10 pre- and postvaccination sera were chosen randomly from the young infant, older infant, toddler, and school-age group trials. Antibody recognition of linearized PorA proteins was also determined using immunoblotting. Across all age groups vaccine-induced serum bactericidal antibodies specifically targeted the VR2 P1.4 epitope of the PorA P1.7-2,4 protein irrespective of the PorB type and/or capsular type of the target strain. Deletion of amino acids within the VR2 epitope or replacement of the epitope through genetic exchange allowed strains variously to resist antibody-directed complement-mediated lysis and negated PorA-specific antibody recognition in immunoblots. The demonstration that the immunodominant antibody response was specifically for the VR2 P1.4 epitope of the PorA protein supports the public health decision to use a strain-specific vaccine for the control of New Zealand's epidemic of meningococcal disease.
Production of Soluble Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid Cells by Lipopolysaccharide-Stimulated Human Neutrophils Involves De Novo Protein Synthesis
Authors: Mahdy Amr M. , Lowes Damon A. , Galley Helen F. , Bruce Jane E. , Webster Nigel R.
Published: April 2006

The triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells (TREM-1) is a recently identified receptor expressed on neutrophils and monocytes. Activation of the receptor induces neutrophils to release the enzyme myeloperoxidase and inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-8. TREM-1 has an alternatively spliced variant that lacks the transmembrane region, resulting in the receptor being secreted in a soluble form (sTREM-1). Soluble TREM-1 has been detected in plasma during experimental and clinical sepsis and has been advocated as a diagnostic marker of infection for pneumonia and as a prognostic marker for patients with septic shock. We studied TREM-1 surface expression, using flow cytometry, and simultaneously measured sTREM-1 concentrations in culture supernatants of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated neutrophils. TREM-1 surface expression was constitutive and was not upregulated upon LPS stimulation. However, sTREM-1 release from neutrophils was significantly upregulated by LPS stimulation (
P
< 0.0001), an effect that was abrogated by cycloheximide. Soluble TREM-1 is therefore secreted by human neutrophils in response to LPS challenge in a process involving de novo protein synthesis that is not accompanied by an upregulation of the TREM-1 receptor on the surfaces of the cells.
Abnormal Expression and Distribution of Heat Shock Protein 90: Potential Etiologic Immunoendocrine Mechanism of Glucocorticoid Resistance in Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome
Authors: Ouyang Juan , Jiang Tang , Tan Min , Cui Yinpeng , Li Xiaoyan
Published: April 2006

Resistance to glucocorticoid (GC) treatment in some patients with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) is a significant clinical problem. Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) is the chaperon protein of the GC receptor, which is supposed to be the key factor of GC response. Therefore, we conducted this study to define the mechanisms of GC resistance related to HSP90. INS patients and cell lines with differing GC responses were included in the present study. We found that the level of HSP90 mRNA expression in INS patients was significantly higher than that in healthy controls and that HSP90 expression in GC-resistant INS patients was higher than that in GC-sensitive INS patients. A confocal immunofluorescence test was performed to investigate the subcellular localization of HSP90, and we found that the distribution of HSP90 in the GC-resistant INS group was greater in the nuclei than that of the GC-sensitive INS group. When the function of HSP90 was blocked by the HSP90-specific inhibitor, the GC sensitivity of GC-sensitive cells decreased remarkably. These results indicate that HSP90 plays a vital role in GC response. In addition, the abnormality in the mRNA level and subcellular distribution of HSP90 in GC-resistant INS patients may be etiologically significant in terms of endogenous/synthetic GC resistance. On one hand, it may disturb immunoendocrine regulation via endogenous GC and immune homeostasis and thus be involved in the occurrence of the immune-mediated disease; on the other hand, it may influence the patient's response to synthetic GC treatment and result in treatment failure.
An Unusual cis-Dichloro[17-(cyclobutylmethyl)-3-methoxymorphinan-14-ol-N,O]palladium(II) Complex
Authors: Jegorov Alexandr , Petříčková Hana , Kratochvíl Bohumil , Císařová Ivana
Published: April 2006

Synthesis and crystal structure of cis-dichloro[17-(cyclobutylmethyl)-3-methoxymorphinan-14-ol-N,O]palladium(II) methanol solvate is reported. The title complex crystallises in the triclinic P1 space group and is remarkable both by the number of independent molecules in the unit cell and the coordination sphere of palladium(II) formed by tertiary alcohol, tertiary amine and two chlorine atoms.
Associations of SF-36 mental health functioning and work and family related factors with intentions to retire early among employees
Authors: Harkonmäki K , Rahkonen O , Martikainen P , Silventoinen K , Lahelma E
Published: April 2006

Objective:To examine the associations of mental health functioning (SF-36) and work and family related psychosocial factors with intentions to retire early.

Methods:Cross sectional survey data (n = 5037) from the Helsinki Health Study occupational cohort in 2001 and 2002 were used. Intentions to retire early were inquired with a question: “Have you considered retiring before normal retirement age?” Mental health functioning was measured by the Short Form 36 (SF-36) mental component summary (MCS). Work and family related psychosocial factors included job demands and job control, procedural and relational justice, conflicts between work and family, and social network size. Multinomial regression models were used to analyse the data.

Results:Poor mental health functioning, unfavourable psychosocial working conditions, and conflicts between work and family were individually related to intentions to retire early. After adjustments for all work and family related factors the odds ratio for low mental health functioning was halved (from OR = 6.05 to 3.67), but nevertheless the association between poor mental health functioning and strong intentions to retire early remained strong.

Conclusions:These findings highlight not only the importance of low mental health and unfavourable working conditions but also the simultaneous impact of conflicts between work and family to employees’ intentions to retire early.
The frequency of workplace exacerbation among health maintenance organisation members with asthma
Authors: Henneberger P K , Derk S J , Sama S R , Boylstein R J , Hoffman C D , Preusse P A , Rosiello R A , Milton D K
Published: April 2006

Objectives:Workplace conditions can potentially contribute to the worsening of asthma, yet it is unclear what percentage of adults with asthma experience workplace exacerbation of symptoms. The objective of this investigation was to determine the prevalence of workplace exacerbation of asthma (WEA).

Methods:Adults with asthma aged 18–44 were enrolled into the baseline survey of a longitudinal study. Members of a health maintenance organisation were considered candidates for participation if they fulfilled membership, diagnostic, and treatment criteria based on automated review of electronic billing, claims, and pharmacy records. Diagnosis and treatment were confirmed by manual review of medical records. A telephone questionnaire was administered. A work related symptom score was assigned to each participant based on responses to questions about work related asthma symptoms, medication use, and symptom triggers. Blinded to participants’ answers to these questions, two researchers independently reviewed the self-reported work histories and assigned exposure ratings. A final exposure score was then calculated. Participants with sufficient evidence for work related symptoms and exposure were classified as having WEA.

Results:Of the 598 participants with complete data, 557 (93%) were working, and 136 (23%) fulfilled the criteria for WEA. Those with WEA were more likely to be male and to report that they had been bothered by asthma symptoms during the past seven days.

Conclusions:Workplace exacerbation of asthma was common in this study population, occurring in over a fifth of these adults with asthma. Physicians should consider that work can contribute to the exacerbation of symptoms when treating adults with asthma.
Late Cenozoic architecture of the St. Pierre Slope
Authors: Piper David JW , Macdonald Adam WA , Ingram Stephen , Williams Graham L , McCall Curtis
Published: April 2006

The late Cenozoic seismic stratigraphy of the continental slope south of western Newfoundland is interpreted using new seismic reflection profiles. New MiocenePliocene biostratigraphic (palynology) age determinations on the Hermine E-94 well on the northwestern Grand Banks of Newfoundland are correlated to the study area. The Quaternary section of St. Pierre Slope is disrupted by numerous failure scarps and mass-transport deposits, but correlation from the mid- slope to the continental rise is achieved using major mass-transport deposits as markers. On the upper slope, stacked downslope-thinning wedges of acoustically incoherent sediment are interpreted as till deposits of mid- to late Pleistocene age. Sedi mentation rates in the youngest part of the succession are estimated from a 30 ka radiocarbon date 25 m below the horizon of the youngest till tongue, which is exposed on a 60 m deep failure surface. Extrapolation of sedimentation rates and comparison with dated sections on the J-Anomaly Ridge and Bermuda Rise provides a consistent interpreted age model for the till tongues that corresponds to marine isotope stages 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12.
Geochemical and isotopic evidence for a genetic link between Canadian Shield brines, dolomitization in the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin, and Devonian calcium-chloridic seawater
Authors: Bottomley Dennis J , Clark Ian D , Battye Nicholas , Kotzer Tom
Published: April 2006

Hypersaline brines of marine origin, deep within fractured crystalline rocks of the Canadian Shield, are characterized by calcium-chloride compositions with relatively low concentrations of magnesium and sulphate. Such chemistries among crustal fluids are very unusual, regardless of their origins, which makes it difficult to identify possible genetic associations between shield brines and other marine brines. Key conservative chemical and isotopic attributes of shield brines from the Yellowknife and Sudbury areas are similar, however, to those of fluid inclusions in sparry, late-stage hydrothermal dolomites in lower Paleozoic carbonates of the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin, suggesting that both fluid types originated from a residual seawater brine of probable Devonian age. This interpretation is supported by determination of a helium-4 model age for the Yellowknife brine that is consistent with a Devonian origin. Therefore, dolomitization was likely both a major source of Ca and a sink for about half of the initial Mg in the brine prior to its infiltration into the underlying basement rocks. Mass-balance considerations indicate that albitization of plagioclase, predominantly in basinal clastic sediments, was an equally important mineral source of Ca to the infiltrating brine, but interactions with carbonate and silicate rocks cannot account for the entire Ca inventory in the brine. A major contribution to the Ca budget must also have been initially provided by the evaporative concentration of seawater, which is only possible if it were enriched in calcium and depleted in sulphate compared with modern seawater, as was probably the case during Devonian time.
Mineral chemistry, petrogenesis, and tectonic setting of the Wateranga layered intrusion, southeast Queensland, Australia
Authors: Talusani Reddy VR , Sivell Warwick J , Ashley Paul M
Published: April 2006

The Wateranga layered mafic intrusion (28 km2 in area, > 500 m thick) is a tholeiitic, undeformed, unmetamorphosed, Permo-Triassic layered gabbroic pluton intruded into the late Carboniferous Goodnight beds of the Goodnight Block in southeast Queensland. The intrusion mainly consists of gabbro and norite, associated with subordinate amounts of troctolite, anorthosite, and orthopyroxenite, and rare picrite. Olivine gabbro is the dominant rock type of the intrusion. Fractionation followed a tholeiitic trend with iron enrichment in the liquid. Petrographic, mineral chemical, and whole-rock geochemical data have been used to divide the intrusion into Lower, Middle, and Upper zones, which are interpreted as reflecting magma chamber replenishment. The observed changes in the crystallization order between the zones reveal that a single parental magma is inadequate to explain the data. The common differentiation indices, such as An content of plagioclase, Mg#s of olivine, clinopyroxene, orthopyroxene and whole-rocks, and the whole-rock concentrations of various incompatible trace elements (Zr, Y, Nb, La Ba, Rb, Sr, and Nd), all vary widely with stratigraphic depth and display abrupt shifts at the zone boundaries, indicating open system addition of new mafic magma. Temperatures estimated from two-pyroxene geothermometer vary from 1057 to 927 °C. During the course of crystallization, pressure probably was > 2 and < 4 kbar (1 kbar = 100 MPa). The variation trend of anorthite content of plagioclase versus the forsterite content of olivine precludes an arc-related magma source. The composition and geological setting of the intrusion are consistent with emplacement in a post-subduction extensional tectonic environment.
The brachymetopid trilobite Radnoria in the Silurian (Wenlock) of New York State and Arctic Canada
Authors: Adrain Jonathan M , Tetreault Denis K
Published: April 2006

Radnoria bretti n. sp., from the Wenlock (Sheinwoodian) Rochester Formation of western New York State, is the best preserved and most completely known member of its genus. It provides the first definitive information on Radnoria's hourglass-shaped rostral plate, the first known hypostome of a Silurian member of the genus, demonstrates that Radnoria engaged in sphaeroidal enrollment, and reveals that early holaspid individuals had tubercles on the posterior thoracic axes and pygidial axial rings that were effaced with maturity. Three new species from the Wenlock of the Cape Phillips Formation of Nunavut are known from sparse material and are reported in open nomenclature. Together, the species greatly increase knowledge of Laurentian Silurian brachymetopids, which have until now been known from a single cranidium from the Wenlock of Arkansas.
An ornithurine bird from the Late Cretaceous of Alberta, Canada
Authors: Longrich Nick
Published: April 2006

The partial carpometacarpus of a basal ornithurine bird from the late Campanian of Dinosaur Provincial Park is described. Complete proximal fusion of the wrist and the presence of a pisiform process place this taxon in Ornithothoraces. Ornithurine synapomorphies include the large ventral ridge of the carpus and the concave proximal margin of the alular metacarpal, but the primitive structure of the pisiform process and extensor process preclude placement in Neornithes. The relatively thick walls of the bone and the distal placement of the extensor process are consistent with diving habits.
Acadian deformation in the shallow crust: an example from the Siluro-Devonian Arisaig Group, Avalon terrane, mainland Nova Scotia
Authors: Braid James A , Murphy J Brendan
Published: April 2006

The Silurian  Early Devonian Arisaig Group of the Avalon terrane in northern mainland Nova Scotia consists mainly of thinly bedded sandstones, siltstones, and shales deposited in a near shore environment. These strata were deformed in the middle Devonian to form regional northeast- to NNE-trending folds and record deformation processes in the shallow crust during the Acadian orogeny, one of the most regionally extensive orogenic events in the Canadian Appalachians. Structural features in the Arisaig Group are consistent with fold propagation associated with thrust fault geometry and coeval local extension recorded by a set of conjugate normal faults. Many outcrop-scale folds have sheared limbs and show evidence of a complex progressive deformation. Folding was predominantly accomplished by bulk rotation and flattening above thrust fault tips. Early structures (D1D2) produced regional cylindrical folds, whereas later (D3a, D3b, D3c) structures produced conical folds. D1D3 fold orientations show high variability, but are consistent with progressive deformation related to reactivation and coeval dextral strike-slip movement along the Hollow Fault. The style of deformation is compatible with models in which strain is partitioned into preexisting shear zones in the basement, with folds in the overlying Arisaig Group initiated above the tips of upward-propagating thrusts as second-order structures related to movement along those shear zones. Taken together, these data indicate that fold mechanisms and geometry in the shallow crust during the Acadian orogeny in mainland Nova Scotia may be related to dextral strike-slip along major faults in the basement and co-genetic upward-propagating thrusts that rotated and flattened overlying strata.
Geochemical, 40Ar/39Ar age, and isotopic data for crustal rocks of the Neyriz ophiolite, Iran
Authors: Babaie Hassan A , Babaei Abbed , Ghazi A Mohamad , Arvin Mohsen
Published: April 2006

Trace-element data (including the rare-earth elements) in the crustal sequence of the Neotethyan Neyriz ophiolite in southwest Iran indicate normal mid-ocean ridge basalt (N-MORB) or island-arc tholeiite chemistry for the Tang-e Hana basalt. The data suggest that the Tang-e Hana rhyodacite, basalt, plagiogranite, and gabbro derived from a low-K tholeiitic parent magma. Trace-element distributions in amphibolite clasts, in the sole detachment of the ophiolite south of Lake Neyriz, correlate well with distributions in basalt clasts in the mélange and in the Tang-e Hana basalt. These trace elements suggest that the amphibolite originated from metamorphism and deformation of a tholeiitic basalt protolith. New 40Ar/39Ar incremental heating plateau ages from two hornblende plagiogranite specimens, in the crustal sequence in Tang-e Hana, are 92.07 ± 1.69 and 93.19 ± 2.48 Ma. Isotopic data for five Tang-e Hana basalts yield εNd values of +7.8 and +7.9, and 87Sr/86Sr values of 0.70368 to 0.70476. The isotopic compositions, ophiolite tectonostratigraphy, and correlation of the 40Ar/39Ar cooling (plagiogranite) and deformation (amphibolite) ages suggest emplacement of the Neyriz ophiolite either into an accretionary prism, through offscraping and subduction erosion, and (or) formation in a supra-subduction zone environment, around 8296 Ma. Progressive accretion probably led to the development of a fore-arc basin and deposition of Upper Cretaceous  Eocene fore-arc and arc-derived sediments on the ophiolite.
Rapid evolution in sequence and length of the nuclear-located gene for mitochondrial L2 ribosomal protein in cereals
Authors: Subramanian Selvi , Bonen Linda
Published: April 2006

The L2 ribosomal protein is typically one of the most conserved proteins in the ribosome and is universally present in bacterial, archaeal, and eukaryotic cytosolic and organellar ribosomes. It is usually 260–270 amino acids long and its binding to the large-subunit ribosomal RNA near the peptidyl transferase center is mediated by a β-barrel RNA-binding domain with 10 β strands. In the diverse land plants Marchantia polymorpha (liverwort) and Oryza sativa (rice), the mitochondrial-encoded L2 ribosomal protein is about 500 amino acids long owing to a centrally located expansion containing the β3–β4 strand region. We have determined that, in wheat, the functional rpl2 gene has been trans ferred to the nucleus and much of the plant-specific internal insert has been deleted. Its mRNA is only 1.2 kb, and two expressed copies in wheat encode proteins of 318 and 319 amino acids, so they are considerably shorter than the maize nuclear-located rpl2 gene of 448 codons. Comparative sequence analysis of cereal mitochondrial L2 ribosomal proteins indicates that the mid region has undergone unexpectedly rapid evolution during the last 60 million years.Key words: mitochondria, ribosomal protein, plants, evolutionary gene transfer.
Generation of SNP markers for short straw in oat (Avena sativa L.)
Authors: Tanhuanpää Pirjo , Kalendar Ruslan , Laurila Jaana , Schulman Alan H , Manninen Outi , Kiviharju Elina
Published: April 2006

Short straw is a desired trait in oat germplasm (Avena sativa L.). Marker-assisted selection, a key tool for achieving this objective, is limited by the presence and number of available markers. Here, we have attempted to develop markers sufficiently linked to a gene specifying short straw so that marker-assisted selection could be applied. Bulked-segregant analysis was used to identify anonymous PCR-based markers associated with the dwarfing gene Dw6 in an F2 population from the cross between A. sativa 'Aslak' and A. sativa 'Kontant'. One random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and 1 retrotransposon-microsatellite amplified polymorphism (REMAP) marker were found to be associated with height. These were converted into codominant single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. The SNP–REMAP and the SNP–RAPD markers were located 5.2 and 12.6 cM from Dw6, respectively. They can be used in future efforts both to enhance oat germplasm by application of molecular markers and to determine the nature of the gene through positional cloning.Key words: Avena sativa, short straw, marker-assisted selection, RAPD, REMAP, SNP.
Molecular phylogeny ofCucumisspecies as revealed by consensus chloroplast SSR marker length and sequence variation
Authors: Chung S.-M , Staub J E , Chen J.-F
Published: April 2006

To investigate phylogenetic relationships in the genus Cucumis, 9 consensus chloroplast simple sequence repeat (ccSSR) primer pairs (ccSSR3, 9, 11, 13, 14, 17, 20, 21, and 23) were employed for DNA fragment length variation and 5 amplified fragments, ccSSR4, 12, 13, 19, and 20, were sequenced using total DNA from 13 accessions representing 7 African Cucumis species (x = 12), 3 Cucumis melo L. (x = 12) accessions, 2 Cucumis sativus L. (x = 7) accessions, and 1 Cucumis hystrix Chakr. (x = 12) accession. A Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai (x = 11) accession was used as an outgroup. While fragment length analysis revealed the existence of 3 major species clusters (i.e., a group of African Cucumis species, a group composed of C. melo accessions, and a group containing C. sativus and C. hystrix species), sequence variation analysis identified 2 major species clusters (i.e., a group of African Cucumis species and a group composed of C. melo, C. sativus, and C. hystrix species). Comparative analysis using nuclear DNA (previous studies) and cpDNA sequence substitution data resulted in the placement of C. melo and C. sativus in different cluster groupings. Thus, both nuclear and cytoplasmic DNA should be employed and compared when a putative progenitor or specimens of an ancestral Cucumis species lineage is investigated. In addition, C. ficifolius (2x) and C. aculeatus (4x) of the African Cucumis species clustered together in this study. This result does not agree with reported isozyme analyses, but does agree with previously characterized chromosome homologies between these 2 species. Although African Cucumis species and C. hystrix do not share a close relationship, genetic affinities between C. sativus and C. hystrix are considerable. Combined evidence from previously published studies and data presented herein lend support to the hypothesis that C. hystrix is either a progenitor species of C. sativus or that they at least share a common ancestral lineage.Key words: Cucurbitaceae, universal, marker, simple sequence repeats, SSR, microsatellite, genetic relationship.
Molecular structure and organization of the wheat genomic manganese superoxide dismutase gene
Authors: Baek Kwang-Hyun , Skinner Daniel Z , Ling Peng , Chen Xianming
Published: April 2006

The genomic structure of a manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) gene in wheat was elucidated by sequencing a clone from a BAC library of a stripe rust resistant wheat line. The clone was identified by hybridization with a wheat MnSOD cDNA. The gene consisted of 6 exons interrupted by 5 introns with a total length of 4770 nucleotides from the start codon to the termination codon. The wheat MnSOD gene was the longest among those sequenced from plant species. The transcription initiation site was preceded by a G+C-rich promoter without a TATA or CAAT box. The promoter contained many putative cis-acting regulatory elements, including an abscisic acid (ABA)-responsive element, a stress-responsive element, and a GC-repeat, as well as several other structural features in common with the promoter of the rice MnSOD gene. A Stowaway-like transposable element was found in intron 5 of the wheat MnSOD gene, but further investigation revealed the transposable element was not present in all copies of the MnSOD genes.Key words: AY963808, BAC clone, manganese superoxide dismutase, gene, promoter, transposable element.
Chromosome elimination in germ line – soma differentiation ofAcricotopus lucidus(Diptera, Chironomidae)
Authors: Staiber Wolfgang
Published: April 2006

During germ line – soma differentiation in early syncytial embryonic development of the chironomid Acricotopus lucidus, a complement of supernumerary chromosomes, the so-called germ line limited chromosomes (Ks), is excluded from the future somatic nuclei in the course of elimination mitoses. The Ks lag behind in the equatorial plane, while the somatic chromosomes (Ss) segregate equally. After elimination mitoses, the Ks are only present in the pole cells, the primary germ cells. In the divisions before their elimination, the Ks frequently showed delayed separation of sister chromatids with high-frequency formation of anaphasic bridges and lagging in pole movement as detected in 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI)-stained squash preparations of early embryos. To determine if all of the Ks are eliminated in one step during a single mitosis, a fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis of early embryonic divisions was performed using probes of germ line specific repetitive DNA sequences, which specifically label the Ks in their centromeric regions. In most cases, all of the Ks are lost in one mitosis; however, occasionally one or several of the Ks can escape their elimination by segregating and moving poleward together with the Ss. The escaping Ks will then be eliminated in one of the following mitoses. This clearly indicates that the specific conditions to eliminate Ks are not restricted to only one division. Possible mechanisms of elimination of Ks are discussed.Key words: germ line limited chromosomes, elimination mitosis, germ line – soma differentiation, FISH.
Phylogeny of the sex-determining geneSex-lethalin insects
Authors: Traut Walther , Niimi Teruyuki , Ikeo Kazuho , Sahara Ken
Published: April 2006

The Sex-lethal (SXL) protein belongs to the family of RNA-binding proteins and is involved in the regulation of pre-mRNA splicing. SXL has undergone an obvious change of function during the evolution of the insect clade. The gene has acquired a pivotal role in the sex-determining pathway of Drosophila, although it does not act as a sex determiner in non-drosophilids. We collected SXL sequences of insect species ranging from the pea aphid (Acyrtho siphom pisum) to Drosophila melanogaster by searching published articles, sequencing cDNAs, and exploiting homology searches in public EST and whole-genome databases. The SXL protein has moderately conserved N- and C-terminal regions and a well-conserved central region including 2 RNA recognition motifs. Our phylogenetic analysis shows that a single orthologue of the Drosophila Sex-lethal (Sxl) gene is present in the genomes of the malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae, the honeybee Apis mellifera, the silkworm Bombyx mori, and the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum. The D. melanogaster, D. erecta, and D. pseudoobscura genomes, however, contain 2 paralogous genes, Sxl and CG3056, which are orthologous to the Anopheles, Apis, Bombyx, and Tribolium Sxl. Hence, a duplication in the fly clade generated Sxl and CG3056. Our hypothesis maintains that one of the genes, Sxl, adopted the new function of sex determiner in Drosophila, whereas the other, CG3056, continued to serve some or all of the yet-unknown ancestral functions.Key words: sex determination, Sxl, CG3056, Bombyx, Apis, Anopheles, Aedes, Acyrtosiphon, Megaselia, Lucilia, Musca, Drosophila, Tribolium, Sciarids, Drosophila melanogaster, Drosophila erecta, Drosophila pseudoobscura, gene duplication.
Clonal and non-clonal chromosome aberrations and genome variation and aberration
Authors: Heng Henry H.Q , Liu Guo , Bremer Steven , Ye Karen J , Stevens Joshua , Ye Christine J
Published: April 2006

The theoretical view that genome aberrations rather than gene mutations cause a majority of cancers has gained increasing support from recent experimental data. Genetic aberration at the chromosome level is a key aspect of genome aberration and the systematic definition of chromosomal aberrations with their impact on genome variation and cancer genome evolution is of great importance. However, traditionally, efforts have focused on recurrent clonal chromosome aberrations (CCAs). The significance of stochastic non-clonal chromosome aberrations (NCCAs) is discussed in this paper with emphasis on the simple types of NCCAs that have until recently been considered "non-significant background". Comparison of various subtypes of transitional and late-stage CCAs with simple and complex types of NCCAs has uncovered a dynamic relationship among NCCAs, CCAs, overall genomic instability, and karyotypic evolution, as well as the stochastic nature of cancer evolution. Here, we review concepts and methodologies to measure NCCAs and discuss the possible causative mechanism and consequences of NCCAs. This study raises challenging questions regarding the concept of cancer evolution driven by stochastic chromosomal aberration mediated genome irregularities that could have repercussions reaching far beyond cancer and organismal genomes.Key words: clonal chromosome aberration (CCA), transitional CCA, non-clonal chromosome aberration (NCCA), karyotype, cancer evolution, genome aberration and variation.
Stereological analysis of muscle morphology following exposure to repetitive stretch-shortening cycles in a rat model
Authors: Baker Brent A , Mercer Robert R , Geronilla Ken B , Kashon Michael L , Miller G R , Cutlip Robert G
Published: April 2006

Repetitive motion is one risk factor associated with contraction-induced muscle injury, which leads to skeletal muscle degeneration, inflammation, and dysfunction. Since current methods are unable to quantify the acute degenerative and inflammatory responses of muscle tissue concurrently, the purpose of this study was to quantify the temporal myofiber response after exposure to injurious stretch-shortening cycles (SSCs) using a standardized stereological technique. Functional testing was performed on the ankle dorsiflexor muscles of Sprague-Dawley rats in vivo. Rats were anesthetized and exposed to 15 sets of 10 SSCs. Control rats were exposed to 15 sets of single isometric contractions of the same stimulation duration. Changes in muscle morphometry were assessed at 0.5, 24, 48, 72, and 240 h post-exposure to quantify the degree of myofiber degeneration and inflammation in the tibialis anterior muscle from each group. There was an increase in the volume density and average thickness of degenerating myofibers over time in the muscle collected from rats exposed to SSCs (p < 0.0001) that was significantly greater than in muscle exposed to isometric contractions at 24, 48, and 72 h post-exposure (p = 0.003). The volume density of degenerative myofibers was associated with functional deficits at 48 h. Stereological quantification of degenerative myofibers and interstitial space changes were associated with functional defects 48-72 h after SSC-induced injury, thus demonstrating stereology is an accurate measure of SSC-induced skeletal muscle injury.Key words: stereology, morphometry, myofiber degeneration, interstitial space, stretch-shortening cycles.
Light concentric exercise has a temporarily analgesic effect on delayed-onset muscle soreness, but no effect on recovery from eccentric exercise
Authors: Zainuddin Zainal , Sacco Paul , Newton Mike , Nosaka Kazunori
Published: April 2006

This study investigated the hypothesis that a bout of light concentric exercise (LCE) would alleviate delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and enhance recovery from muscle damage. Fourteen subjects performed two bouts of 60 maximal eccentric actions of the elbow flexors (Max-ECC) separated by 2-4 weeks. One arm performed LCE (600 elbow flexion and extension actions with minimal force generation) 1, 2, 3, and 4 d after Max-ECC; the contralateral (control) arm performed only Max-ECC. Changes in maximal isometric and isokinetic strength, range of motion (ROM), upper arm circumference, and muscle soreness and tenderness were assessed before and immediately after LCE bouts. Changes in these measures and plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity for 7 d after Max-ECC were compared between the control and LCE arms using 2-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). Significant (p < 0.05) decreases in muscle soreness (~40%) and tenderness (~40%) were evident immediately after LCE, which also resulted in small but significant decreases in strength (~15%) and increases in ROM (~5°). No significant differences in the changes in the measures following Max-ECC were observed between the arms. These results suggest that LCE has a temporary analgesic effect on DOMS, but no effect on recovery from muscle damage.Key words: muscle soreness, muscle tenderness, muscle strength, range of motion, creatine kinase.
Effects of a high-intensity swim test on kinematic parameters in high-level athletes
Authors: Aujouannet Yannick A , Bonifazi Marco , Hintzy Frédérique , Vuillerme Nicolas , Rouard Annie H
Published: April 2006

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of a high-intensity swim test among top-level swimmers on (i) the spatial and temporal parameters of both the stroke and the 3-D fingertip pattern and (ii) the mechanical, muscular, and physiological parameters. Ten male international swimmers performed a 4 × 50 m swim at maximal intensity. Isometric arm flexion force with the elbow at 90° (F90°), EMG signals of right musculus biceps brachii and triceps brachii and blood lactate concentrations were recorded before and after the swim test. Kinematic stroke (stroke length, rate, and velocity) and spatiotemporal parameters of the fingertip trajectory were measured by two underwater cameras during the first and last 50 m swims. After the swim test, F90° and mean power frequencies of the EMG decreased significantly when blood lactate concentration increased significantly, attesting the reaching of fatigue. From the first to the last 50 m, stroke rate, stroke velocity, and temporal parameters of the fingertip trajectory exhibited significant increases although stroke length and spatial fingertip trajectory remained unchanged. General and individual adaptations were observed among the top-level swimmers studied. The present findings could be useful for coaches in evaluating fatigue effects on the technical parameters of swimming.Key words: sport, fatigue, biomechanic, lactate, force.
Estimating energy expenditure for brief bouts of exercise with acute recovery
Authors: Scott Christopher B
Published: April 2006

Four indirect estimations of energy expenditure were examined, (i) O2debt, (ii) O2deficit, (iii) blood lactate concentration, and (iv) excess CO2production during and after 6 exercise durations (2, 4, 10, 15, 30, and 75 s) performed at 3 different intensities (50%, 100%, and 200% of VO2 max). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine if significant differences existed among these 4 estimations of anaerobic energy expenditure and among 4 estimations of total energy expenditure (that included exercise O2uptake and excess post-exercise oxygen consumption, or EPOC, measurements). The data indicate that estimations of anaerobic energy expenditure often differed for brief (2, 4, and 10 s) bouts of exercise, but this did not extend to total energy expenditure. At the higher exercise intensities with the longest durations O2deficit, blood lactate concentration, and excess CO2estimates of anaerobic and total energy expenditure revealed high variability; however, they were not statistically different. Moreover, they all differed significantly from the O2debt interpretation (p < 0.05). It is concluded that as the contribution of rapid substrate-level ATP turnover with lactate production becomes larger, the greatest error in quantifying total energy expenditure is suggested to occur not with the method of estimation, but with the omission of a reasonable estimate of anaerobic energy expenditure.Key words: O2deficit, lactate, O2debt, EPOC, anaerobic energy expenditure.
Variable effects of respiratory muscle training on cycle exercise performance in men and women
Authors: Guenette Jordan A , Martens Andrea M , Lee Anne L , Tyler Gradin D , Richards Jennifer C , Foster Glen E , Warburton Darren E.R , Sheel A William
Published: April 2006

Respiratory muscle training (RMT) has been proposed as an effective means to increase the strength of the inspiratory muscles and improve exercise performance. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of RMT on cycling time to exhaustion (TTE) and to determine any potential sex effect. We hypothesized that RMT would improve maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and TTE to a similar degreee in men and women. Males (n = 7; mean (± SD) age, 22.1 ± 1.5 y) and females (n = 8; mean (± SD) 24.5 ± 4.9 y) performed an incremental cycle test to determine maximal oxygen consumption ([Formula: see text]O2 max) (day 1), followed by a familiarization TTE (day 2) and baseline TTE (day 3) at 80% maximal work achieved during the [Formula: see text]O2 max test. Subjects then completed 5 weeks of respiratory muscle training (RMT) (5 d/week, 2 sets of 30 inspirations against 50% MIP). Four training sessions per week were performed at home and the 5th was supervised, during which the threshold load was increased if necessary. Following RMT, subjects completed 2 TTE tests (days 4 and 5). MIP increased in each subject (37% ± 18%, P < 0.05). There was no difference between men (pre = -100 ± 20 vs. post = -140 ± 29 cmH2O) and women (pre = -90 ± 28 vs. post = -117 ± 28 cmH2O). Baseline TTE (male = 301 ± 122 s; female = 338 ± 98 s) was shorter in comparison with the best of the 2 TTE-post tests (male = 353 ± 68 s; female = 416 ± 116 s; P < 0.01), but not when compared with days 4 or 5 (P > 0.05). RMT increases MIP and may improve exercise performance; however, improvements are variable with no differences between men and women.Key words: constant-intensity exercise, dyspnea, factors limiting exercise, maximal inspiratory pressure, respiratory muscles.
Determination of heat generated by metabolic activities during composting of greenhouse tomato plant residues
Authors: Alkoaik F , Ghaly A E
Published: April 2006

Heat and mass balances were performed on an insulated laboratory composting bioreactor operating on tomato plant residues. Wood shavings and municipal solid compost were used as a bulking agent and an inoculum, respectively. The moisture content and C:N ratio were adjusted at 60% and 30:1, respectively. Both the thermal and biological parameters were evaluated. The moisture content stayed relatively constant at 59.7 ± 0.61%. The reductions in volatile solids, total carbohydrate, fat and grease, protein, and TKN-N were 29.1, 31.7, 88.8, 17.8, and 11.0%, respectively. The NH4+-N remained unchanged (0.33–0.35%). The temperature peaked after 31 h of operation reaching 63.3 °C and lasted for 9 h. The result of the thermal analysis indicated that the average heat production value was 14.6 kJ/g DM degraded. The conductive heat losses through the cylindrical body and the sidewalls of the bioreactor accounted for 36.53% of the total cumulative heat produced, whereas the heat loss due to aeration accounted for 62.57% and the heat gained by the compost and bioreactor materials accounted for the remaining 0.9%. The addition of a bioavailable carbon source (used cooking oil) at the peak temperature could extend the duration of the maximum temperature to insure that the composting process is effective in destroying pathogens and pesticides. Key words: compost, bioavailable carbon, tomato residues, wood shavings, nitrogen, carbohydrate, protein, fat, temperature.
Kinetics of metal desorption from soil with nonionic micelle-solubilized ligands
Authors: Shin Mari , Barrington Suzelle F , Marshall William D , Kim Jin-Woo
Published: April 2006

The kinetics of heavy metal desorption from a naturally contaminated soil were investigated in the presence of Triton X-100 in combination with I–, SCN–, or I–/SCN–. Different kinetic equations were compared to describe surfactant and ligand induced metal desorption with time. A two-step first-order reaction equation was also evaluated for the metal desorption by surfactants and ligands. The Elvovich equation provided the closest approximation to experimental observations for the desorption kinetics for Cd with each of the surfactant–ligand combinations. The parabolic diffusion equation performed best for Cu desorbed using Triton X-100/SCN–. The power function equation best described Zn desorption; whereas for Pb the parabolic diffusion equation provided the best fit. By applying the two-step first-order reaction model to metal desorption kinetics, an initial rapid desorption was observed to last 20 min, followed by a slower reaction kinetic over the remaining 24 h period. During the initial fast reaction, the highest desorption rate coefficient was obtained for Cd, followed by that for Zn, Cu, and Pb. For the slow reaction, Zn was desorbed more rapidly than Cd. Key words: I–, SCN–, parabolic diffusion, power function, Elvovich, metals, soils.
Aqueous pesticide degradation by hydrogen peroxide/ultraviolet irradiation and Fenton-type advanced oxidation processes: a review
Authors: Ikehata Keisuke , El-Din Mohamed Gamal
Published: April 2006

Pesticide pollution of surface water and groundwater has been recognized as a major problem in many countries because of the persistence of pollutants in aquatic environments and the consequent potential adverse health effects. Various hydrogen peroxide-based advanced oxidation processes, such as hydrogen peroxide/ultraviolet irradiation, Fenton, photo-Fenton, and electro-Fenton processes are likely key technologies for degrading and detoxifying these pollutants in water and wastewater. In this paper, the hydrogen peroxide-based advanced oxidation treatment of eight major groups of pesticides, namely aniline-based compounds, carbamates, chlorophenoxy compounds, organochlorines, organophosphates, pyridine and pyrimidine derivatives, triazines, and substituted ureas, as well as that of several miscellaneous pesticides, is reviewed. The degree of pesticide degradation, reaction kinetics, identity and characteristics of degradation by-products and intermediates, and possible degradation pathways are covered and discussed. Key words: advanced oxidation processes, degradation, Fenton, fungicide, herbicide, hydrogen peroxide/ultraviolet irradiation, insecticide, pesticide, photo Fenton, wastewater treatment.