bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vigilance Patterns of Territorial Guanacos (Lama guanicoe): The Role of Reproductive Interests and Predation Risk
Authors: Marino Andrea , Baldi Ricardo
Published: March 2008

We conducted focal observations of territorial guanacos, a highly polygynous and social mammal, to compare time budgets between sexes and test the hypothesis that the differences in reproductive interests are associated with differential group size effects on male and female time allocation patterns. In addition, we used group instantaneous sampling to test the hypothesis that grouping improves detection capacity through increased collective vigilance. We fit GLM to assess how group size and group composition (i.e., presence or absence of calves) affected individual time allocation of males and females, and collective vigilance. As expected from differences in reproductive interests, males in family groups devoted more time to scan the surroundings and less to feeding activities compared to females. Both sexes benefited from grouping by reducing the time invested in vigilance and increased foraging effort, according to predation risk theory, but the factors affecting time allocation differed between males and females. Group size effects were significant when females were at less than five body‐lengths from their nearest neighbour, suggesting that grouping benefits arise when females are close to each other. Female time budgets were also affected by season, topography and vegetation structure. In contrast to our expectation, males reduced the time invested in vigilance as the number of females in the group increased, supporting the predation risk theory rather the intrasexual competition hypothesis. The presence of calves was associated with an increase in male individual vigilance; and vegetation type also affected the intensity of the group size effect over male time allocation. In closed habitats, collective vigilance increased with the number of adults but decreased with the number of calves present. Although male and female guanacos differed in their time allocation patterns, our results support the hypothesis that both sexes perceive significant antipredator benefits of group living.
Cultural characteristics and pathogenicity of Pestalotiopsis funerea on Cupressus arizonica
Authors: Bajo J. , Santamaría O. , Diez J. J.
Published: March 2008

The fungal pathogen Pestalotiopsis funerea principally attacks conifer species, causing necrosis on infected tissues, and sometimes death of plants. The main objectives of this study were to determine optimal in vitro growth conditions for Spanish isolates of P. funerea and to evaluate the virulence of these isolates on Cupressus arizonica under field and laboratory conditions, with the goal of verifying possible correlations between these variables. Eight isolates of P. funerea derived from C. sempervirens, C. arizonica and Quercus pyrenaica were used in the assays. In the growth rate experiment, five culture media (PDA, MEA, WA, PCA and TAKAY medium) and six temperatures (5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30°C) were evaluated. In the pathogenicity tests, two different experiments were carried out: (i) laboratory inoculations used 30‐mm‐long twigs of C. arizonica; (ii) in field inoculations, twigs of C. arizonica were inoculated with mycelia through wounds. Four months after inoculation, length of the twigs affected by necrosis were measured. The results suggested that Spanish P. funerea isolates had optimum growth at 25°C on TAKAY medium. The fungus caused substantial necroses on C. arizonica twigs after inoculation in both excised twigs and on adult C. arizonica trees. A positive relationship between inoculations carried out under laboratory and field conditions was found. No clear relationships were found between cultural characteristics and pathogenicity for P. funerea.
Hypertriglyceridaemic insulin‐resistant obese dog model: effects of high‐fat diet depending on age
Authors: Serisier S. , Gayet C. , Leray V. , Le Bloc’h J. , Ouguerram K. , Magot T. , Nguyen P.
Published: March 2008

In humans, obesity is closely associated with insulin resistance (IR) and dyslipidaemia. The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of age on metabolic disturbances related to obesity in dogs (n = 25). Three age‐groups of dogs (puppies, young adults and mature adults) were overfed to induce obesity, and body composition, insulin sensitivity index (IIS) (euglycaemic–hyperinsulinaemic glucose clamp) and plasma lipids were measured. Fat mass was similar in the three obese groups (30 ± 1% in puppies, 34 ± 1% in young adults and 39 ± 1% in mature adults). In mature adults, body weight (BW) increased (+45%, p < 0.001) and IIS decreased (−60%, p < 0.001) over 22 weeks. In young adults, BW gain was similar but slower (60 weeks) and IIS decreased to a lesser extent (−49%, p < 0.001). Overfed puppies weighed 30% more (p < 0.01) than normally‐fed control puppies, but there was no change in IIS. Unlike young and mature adults, obese puppies did not exhibit significant changes in triglycerides (TG) and free fatty acid concentrations. In conclusion, as in humans, obese dogs develop IR that is associated with high TG levels; however, younger animals may be better able to balance energy needs with energy consumption.
Effects of fermentable carbohydrates and low dietary phosphorus supply on the chemical composition of faecal bacteria and microbial metabolites in the gastrointestinal tract of pigs
Authors: Metzler B. U. , Mosenthin R. , Baumgärtel T. , Rodehutscord M.
Published: March 2008

The objective was to determine the effects of fermentable carbohydrates on phosphorus (P) metabolism, the chemical composition of the faecal mixed bacterial mass (MBM) and the microbial activity in the large intestine (LI) of pigs. Eight barrows (mean BW 35.9 ± 0.9 kg), fitted with simple T‐cannulas at the terminal ileum, were either fed a low‐P corn–soybean meal‐based control diet or 75% of the control diet supplemented with 25% cellulose, starch or pectin according to a 4 × 3 Latin Square design. Both pectin and cellulose caused higher faecal than ileal P recoveries. Ileal volatile fatty acids (VFA) levels were more pronounced for the starch (p < 0.05) rather than the cellulose and pectin treatments, whereas pectin resulted in a higher faecal VFA concentration in comparison to starch and cellulose (p < 0.05). The differences in faecal VFA concentrations corresponded to the pH values obtained in faeces. The N content of MBM was higher (p < 0.05) when cellulose was supplemented. Pectin caused a decrease in the P content of the MBM compared to the control (p < 0.05). As a result, the N:P ratio was significantly higher for the pectin (N:P = 4.33) than for the control treatment (N:P = 2.63), while the Ca:P ratio remained constant for all treatments, suggesting changes in the accumulation of N, P and Ca in MBM, probably due to changes in the species composition and activity of the microflora.
Effect of dietary fatty acid pattern on growth, body fat composition and antioxidant parameters in broilers
Authors: Fébel H. , Mézes M. , Pálfy T. , Hermán A. , Gundel J. , Lugasi A. , Balogh K. , Kocsis I. , Blázovics A.
Published: March 2008

The effects of dietary fat supplementation on performance, fatty acid (FA) composition of tissues and antioxidant defence system of broilers were studied. Male broilers were placed in 20 floor pens (60 broilers per pen). The broilers were fed by diets with added different energy sources: lard (L); sunflower oil (SFO); soybean oil (SBO); and linseed oil (LSO). The treatments did not modify significantly growth performance and feed intake of the broilers. There was no effect of dietary FA pattern on reduced glutathione level and glutathione peroxidase activity of plasma, erythrocyte and liver samples. However, higher PUFA content of the diet resulted in a significant increase in malondialdehyde level of erythrocytes and liver. The broilers fed LSO diet more effectively maintained their antioxidant status with enhanced plasma radical scavenger capacity. FA composition in tissues reflected the FA pattern of the diets, although proportion of FAs with four or more double bonds was metabolic specific. LSO diet increased the level of C18:3, C20:5 and C22:6 in tissue lipids in relation to L, SFO and SBO diets. Significantly increased plasma radical scavenging capacity in concert with the enhanced C20:5 and C22:6 proportion in liver and muscle during LSO feeding indicate metabolic changes to counteract the oxidative injury. This may be related to the compounds produced after different biochemical pathways of n‐6 and n‐3 FAs.
Differences in mate acceptance and host plant recognition between wild and laboratory‐reared Busseola fusca (Fuller)
Authors: Calatayud P.‐A. , Juma G. , Njagi P. G. N. , Faure N. , Calatayud S. , Dupas S. , Le Rü B. , Magoma G. , Silvain J.‐F. , Frérot B.
Published: March 2008

The present study was aimed at characterizing differences in mate acceptance and host plant recognition between Busseola fusca (Lep.: Noctuidae) reared for several generations under laboratory conditions and wild conspecifics, directly collected from maize stems in the field. The mating success was significantly higher in laboratory reared when compared with the wild B. fusca population. Oviposition on artificial stems was significantly higher for laboratory‐reared insects than for the wild ones. Moreover, unlike adults of the wild strain, laboratory‐reared B. fusca showed no preference to oviposit on surrogate stems impregnated with maize extracts. Long‐range attraction to the host plant was significantly lower for laboratory‐reared insects. Furthermore, the polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP) analysis of mitochondrial DNA showed that the wild type and laboratory populations belonged to the same genetic strain, indicating that these differences between the populations were mainly phenotypic.
Characterizing laboratory colonies of western corn rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) selected for survival on maize containing event DAS‐59122‐7
Authors: Lefko S. A. , Nowatzki T. M. , Thompson S. D. , Binning R. R. , Pascual M. A. , Peters M. L. , Simbro E. J. , Stanley B. H.
Published: March 2008

Event DAS‐59122‐7 is a novel transgenic trait designed to protect the roots and yield potential of maize from the insect pest corn rootworm Diabrotica spp. (Col.: Chrysomelidae). The increased pest status of corn rootworm, exceptional efficacy of this trait, and anticipated increases in farm efficiency and grower and environmental safety will drive adoption of this trait. Strong grower acceptance of this trait highlights the importance of science‐based and practical resistance management strategies. A non‐diapause trait was introgressed into two laboratory colonies of Diabrotica virgifera virgifera collected from geographically distinct locations: Rochelle, IL and York, NE. Both colonies were divided and each reared on maize containing event DAS‐59122‐7 or its near isoline. Selected and unselected colonies were evaluated for phenotypic change in larval development, injury potential and survival to adulthood during 10 and 11 generations. The F1 generation of both selected colonies displayed increased larval development, survivorship and measurable, but economically insignificant increases in injury potential on DAS‐59122‐7 maize. Survival rates of 0.4 and 1.3% in F1 generations of both selected colonies corroborate field estimates of survival on DAS‐59122‐7 maize. Over later generations, total phenotypic variation declined gradually and irregularly. Despite the absence of random mating, the tolerance trait could not be fixed in either population after 10 or 11 generations of selection. An allele conferring major resistance to DAS‐59122‐7 was not identified in either selected colony. The assessment also concluded that major resistance gene(s) are rare in populations of D. v. virgifera in the United States, and that a minor trait(s) conferring a low level of survival on DAS‐59122‐7 maize was present. The tolerance trait identified in this study was considered minor with respect to its impact on DAS‐59122‐7 maize efficacy, and the role this trait may play in total effective refuge for major resistance genes with recessive inheritance is the basis of future work.
Assessment of Genetic Diversity in Thai Isolates ofPyricularia griseaby Random Amplification of Polymorphic DNA
Authors: Sirithunya P. , Sreewongchai T. , Sriprakhon S. , Toojinda T. , Pimpisithavorn S. , Kosawang C. , Smitamana P.
Published: March 2008

One hundred and seventy‐four isolates ofPyricularia griseawere collected from various hosts such as barley, rice, weed and wild rice in Thailand. Seven arbitrary decamer primers from the set of University of British Columbia were employed and nine lineages were classified. Lineages B, C and H were predominant, contributing up to 70% of total pathogens in this study. Analysis showed that the distribution of each lineage differs from the predominant lineages across Thailand in such that other lineages were restricted in particular area. For instance, lineage A was limited only in southern Thailand, whereas wide distribution of lineages B and C reflected an influence of both biological and physical effects on pathogen variation. Principal component analysis resulted in a total of four groups of blast pathogen with small distinctions between barley‐, rice‐, weed‐ and wild rice‐infected blast. Bridging relationships occurred among border isolates of weed and rice blast suggesting a chance of migrations between hosts. Higher diversity was observed in northern, north‐eastern and central Thailand while eastern and southern parts were rather low. Genetic diversity indices elucidated an abundance of pathogen lineages existing in northern Thailand suggesting that it should be the centre of diversity.
Molecular Characterization of a Strain of Squash leaf curl China Virus from North India
Authors: Singh R. , Raj S. K. , Prasad V.
Published: March 2008

A Begomovirus causing yellow vein mosaic disease of pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima L.) was characterized at molecular level by cloning and sequence analysis of its complete DNA‐A genome. The DNA‐A of the isolate contains 2758 nucleotides which encode six open reading frames (ORFs): AV1 and AV2 in the virion‐sense and AC1, AC2, AC3 and AC4 in the complementary‐sense. Based on the highest (96%) sequence identities and close phylogenetic relationships with Squash leaf curl China virus species, the Begomovirus was identified as strain of Squash leaf curl China virus. The presence of DNA‐B genome of the virus strain was also detected by dot blot hybridization test using DNA‐B specific probe.
Post‐inoculation Population Dynamics of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus and Associated Bacteria in Pine Wilt Disease on Pinus thunbergii
Authors: Xie L. Q. , Zhao B. G.
Published: March 2008

Population dynamics of the pine wood nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (PWN) and its accompanying bacteria in non‐inoculated twigs along with the process of the disease was observed in Japanese black pine, Pinus thunbergii inoculated with PWN. In the non‐inoculated twigs, bacteria could be detected when only a few pine needles became yellow. Once most needles had turned yellow or brown, the nematode began to appear and the bacterial populations increased. At the late stages of the disease when the inoculated pine was dying and the needles were totally wilted, the populations of both nematode and bacteria started to increase rapidly. Only a few bacterial species were found at the early stages. As the disease process advanced, the bacterial populations increased rapidly in both population size and variety of the species. However, Pseudomonas fluorescens, P. sp., Pantoea sp. and Sphimgomenas pancimobilis, remained dominant.
Effects of the Plant Defence Inducer, Acibenzolar‐S‐Methyl, on Hypocotyl Rot of Soybean Caused by Rhizoctonia solani AG‐4
Authors: Faessel L. , Nassr N. , Lebeau T. , Walter B.
Published: March 2008

The plant defence inducer, acibenzolar‐S‐methyl (ASM) was tested for its ability to protect soybean against hypocotyl rot caused by Rhizoctonia solani Kühn AG‐4. ASM in vitro exhibited an antifungal dose‐dependant activity in the form of reduced mycelial growth. This inhibition reached 40% in comparison with the control at a concentration of 0.5 g/l ASM in the growth media. Seed imbibition with ASM at a concentration of 0.08 g/l and 0.5 g/l significantly induced a reduction of the intensity of hypocotyl rot symptoms caused by R. solani AG‐4 that was correlated with a stimulation of chitinase activity. The protective effect of ASM against R. solani AG‐4 is probably due to the combination of induced resistance and its effect on pathogen growth. Seed treatment with ASM affected also the growth of 2‐day‐old seedlings. A dose‐dependant inhibition of the seminal root growth was observed which reached 53% at a concentration of 0.5 g/l ASM. This growth reduction of soybean was transitional and was rapidly recovered in optimal growth conditions except at 0.5 g/l of ASM.
Inheritance of siliqua orientation and seed coat colour in Brassica tournefortii
Authors: Choudhary B. R.
Published: March 2008

The inheritance of siliqua orientation and seed coat colour in Brassica tournefortii was investigated using four genotypes varying in these two characters. The F1, F2 and backcross generations of two crosses were used for studying the segregation pattern of the traits. The plants were classified for seed colour as having brown or yellow seeds and for siliqua orientation as having upright, semi‐spread or spread siliqua. Seed colour was found to be under monogenic control with brown being dominant over yellow. Siliqua orientation was under digenic polymeric gene action: upright siliqua was produced by the presence of two dominant genes and spread siliqua by two recessive genes. The absence of even a single dominant gene resulted in a third type of siliqua orientation, semi‐spread siliqua.
Injuries induced in different strawberry genotypes by winter freeze and their effect on subsequent yield
Authors: Shokaeva D. B.
Published: March 2008

Severe frosts without snow cover are disastrous for the garden strawberry, Fragaria × ananassa Duch. The objectives of this study were to determine injuries, caused by freeze to crowns and roots of 13 and five different cultivars/lines in 2002 and 2003, respectively; to observe subsequent plant behaviour; to measure yield and to find out its dependence upon the injuries. Based on percentages of injured branch crowns and roots, estimates of plant growth and yields, the relationships between the indices have been established. Root injury has had a stronger effect on plant growth compared with crown injury. Yield has been found to be correlated only with plant growth, root damage and root‐to‐crown ratio of per cent survival when root damage was heavy. Two different strategies of the cultivars/lines, associated with their morphological characteristics and physiological peculiarities influencing plant survival, growth and yield, have been revealed. To discern the characters and cultivar types that can be valuable in such extreme conditions, differences in the genotypes responses to freeze are examined and thoroughly analysed in the paper.
Development of molecular markers linked to the wheat powdery mildew resistance gene Pm4b and marker validation for molecular breeding
Authors: Yi Y. J. , Liu H. Y. , Huang X. Q. , An L. Z. , Wang F. , Wang X. L.
Published: March 2008

Powdery mildew, caused by Blumeria graminis (DC.) E.O. Speer f. sp. tritici, is an important disease in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Bulk segregant analysis (BSA) was employed to identify SRAP (sequence‐related amplified polymorphism), sequence tagged site (STS) and simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers linked to the Pm4b gene, which confers good resistance to powdery mildew in wheat. Out of 240 SRAP primer combinations tested, primer combinations Me8/Em7 and Me12/Em7 yielded 220‐bp and 205‐bp band, respectively, each of them associated with Pm4b. STS‐241 also linked to Pm4b with a genetic distance of 4.9 cM. Among the eight SSR markers located on wheat chromosome 2AL, Xgwm382 was found to be polymorphic and linked to Pm4b with a genetic distance of 11.8 cM. Further analysis was carried out using the four markers to investigate marker validation for marker‐assisted selection (MAS). The results showed that a combination of the linked markers STS−241, Me8/Em7−220 and Xgwm382 could be used for marker‐assisted selection of the resistance gene Pm4b in wheat breeding programmes.
Plant survival after freezing in wheat ‘Cappelle Desprez’ (‘Bezostaya 1’) intervarietal chromosome substitution lines
Authors: Ganeva G. , Petrova T. , Law C. N. , Landjeva S. , Sayers L.
Published: March 2008

The effect of individual chromosomes of the wheat variety ‘Bezostaya 1’ on plant resistance to low temperatures was studied using the available set of intervarietal ‘Cappelle Desprez’ (‘Bezostaya 1’) chromosome substitution lines. The number of plants surviving after freezing at −12, −15 and −17°C was determined for both parents and lines in trials in 2004/2005 and 2005/2006. Significant differences between the three temperature treatments and between lines were found, implying that two factors, the level of temperature stress and chromosome substitutions, were influencing plant survival. Improved frost resistance in both trials was associated with genes located on five chromosomes: 5A, 2D, 4A, 5D and 6A. An increase in the plant frost resistance because of the effects of 7A and 1A chromosomes was also observed in the 2005/2006 trial, when the overall autumn and winter (January) temperatures were lower than in 2004/2005.
Beet mild yellowing virus resistance derived from wild and cultivated Beta germplasm
Authors: Grimmer M. K. , Bean K. M. R. , Luterbacher M. C. , Stevens M. , Asher M. J. C.
Published: March 2008

Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris ssp. vulgaris L.) has a relatively narrow genetic base and several programmes have sought to evaluate the potential for introducing novel traits from wild and cultivated Beta germplasm into the crop. In particular, resistance to important sugar beet diseases has been identified within individual Beta accessions. We report here the successful transfer of resistance to Beet mild yellowing virus (BMYV) from garden beet, fodder beet and leaf beet accessions to progeny populations in initial crosses with sugar beet. Twelve plant populations derived from different Beta accessions were inoculated with viruliferous aphids carrying BMYV and the virus content of individual plants subsequently quantified by an ELISA test. Seven populations were significantly more resistant than a control sugar beet cultivar (P ≤ 0.05). BMYV resistance was successfully inherited in BC1 and BC2 generations, suggesting that resistance could potentially be introgressed from these sources into elite sugar beet lines.
Optimization of mature embryo‐based high frequency callus induction and plant regeneration from elite wheat cultivars grown in China
Authors: Yu Y. , Wang J. , Zhu M.‐L. , Wei Z.‐M.
Published: March 2008

We have developed an efficient procedure for plant regeneration of elite wheat cultivars using mature embryos. Firstly, we established the optimal combination of basal media, inoculation method and pretreatment method using biostatistical methods. The results indicated that the combination of MS medium and longitudinally bisected mature embryos showed the highest culture efficiency, whereas the pretreatment method had no significant effects on callus induction or plant regeneration. A 70% primary callus induction rate was achieved on MS medium containing 2 mg/l 2,4‐d for all tested cultivars. Primary calli were then transferred onto the subculture medium to initiate embryogenic calli. Supplementation of the subculture medium with the appropriate combination of phytohormones (2.0 mg/l 2,4‐d, 0.5 mg/l BA and 0.1 mg/l NAA) significantly enhanced embryogenic callus production. The addition of AgNO3 (10 mg/l) in regeneration medium promoted plant regeneration, whereas CuSO4 stimulated root formation. The use of this protocol achieved successful plant regeneration in eight tested cultivars. The culture efficiency ranged from 15.3% to 36.8%, suggesting this regeneration system may be an effective alternative for wheat genetic transformation.
Feeding quality assessment of fresh maize stover by means of near‐infrared spectroscopy with a new sample presentation unit
Authors: Montes J. M. , Mirdita V. , Prasad K. , Blummel M. , Melchinger A. E.
Published: March 2008

Stover quality traits are important in breeding programmes of maize cultivars. However, conventional procedures for evaluation of stover quality are expensive and thus limit the full exploitation of the available genetic variability. Our objective was to assess the potential of near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) with a new sample presentation unit to determine feeding quality of maize stover. The plant material comprised maize inbreds and hybrids. The sample presentation unit was equipped with a near‐infrared diode‐array spectrometer. Coefficient of determination in cross‐validation ranged between 0.77 and 0.94 for contents of dry matter, nitrogen, neutral detergent fibre and in vitro fermentability expressed as gas volume after 24h incubation time, but it was lower for ash content. It was concluded that NIRS with the new sample presentation unit was less accurate than laboratory NIRS to predict the standard reference methods. However, the new sample presentation unit might be used as a fast and efficient technique to perform large screenings of maize stover accessions in breeding programmes.
Vascular endothelial growth factor in epithelial lining fluid of patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome
Authors: KOH Hidefumi , TASAKA Sadatomo , HASEGAWA Naoki , ASANO Koichiro , KOTANI Toru , MORISAKI Hiroshi , TAKEDA Junzo , FUJISHIMA Seitaro , MATSUDA Tomoyuki , HASHIMOTO Satoru , ISHIZAKA Akitoshi
Published: March 2008

Background and objective:  Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is known to contribute to the development of pulmonary oedema, and has been suggested to have a protective role against lung injury. To determine the role of VEGF in acute lung injury (ALI) and ARDS, VEGF levels were measured in lung epithelial lining fluid (ELF) collected from patients with ALI/ARDS.

Methods:  Forty patients with ALI/ARDS underwent bronchoscopic microsampling to collect ELF on days 0 (onset of ALI/ARDS), 1, 3, 5, 7 and 10, unless the patient was extubated or had died. Twelve patients, who underwent bronchoscopy for examination of small, peripheral pulmonary nodules, served as controls.

Results:  The initial (day 0) levels of VEGF in ELF of the ALI/ARDS patients who survived and those who did not were 5.5 ng/mL (IQR: 2.3–19.7) and 1.7 ng/mL (IQR: 0.0–6.4), respectively. On days 0, 5, 7 and 10, the VEGF levels in ELF were significantly greater in survivors than in non‐survivors (P < 0.05). VEGF levels on days 1 and 3 did not differ between survivors and non‐survivors. There was no significant difference in ELF VEGF levels between control subjects and patients with ALI/ARDS at any time point. Lung injury score was inversely correlated with VEGF concentration in ELF (P < 0.001).

Conclusions:  In patients with ALI/ARDS, elevated VEGF levels in ELF may predict a better outcome. Increased production of VEGF in the injured lung may contribute to resolution of inflammation in the lung.
Submucosal gland cells in human lower airways produce MUC5AC protein
Authors: INOUE Daisuke , KUBO Hiroshi , WATANABE Mika , SASAKI Takahiko , YASUDA Hiroyasu , NUMASAKI Muneo , SASAKI Hidetada , YAMAYA Mutsuo
Published: March 2008

Background and objective:  It is now considered that the major component of mucus, MUC5AC, is mainly produced by goblet cells but not submucosal glands, and the role of the submucosal glands in the production of MUC5AC is unclear. The aim of this study was to clarify whether human submucosal glands produce MUC5AC.

Methods:  Immunohistochemical analysis with MUC5AC antibody of lower airways resected from six lung cancer patients and three patients with acute myocardial infarction was performed.

Results:  The submucosal glands contained both MUC5AC‐positive cells and non‐positive cells.

Conclusions:  These data suggest that MUC5AC protein is produced in both goblet cells and in airway submucosal glands.
Antimicrobial susceptibilities of Streptococcus pneumoniae isolated from adult patients with community‐acquired pneumonia in Japan
Authors: ISHIDA Tadashi , MANIWA Ko , KAGIOKA Hitoshi , HIRABAYASHI Masataka , ONARU Koichi , TOMIOKA Hiromi , HAYASHI Michio , TOMII Keisuke , GOHMA Iwao , ITO Yutaka , HIRAI Toyohiro , ITO Isao , MISHIMA Michiaki
Published: March 2008

Background and objective:  Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) is the most common pathogen associated with community‐acquired pneumonia and its resistance to antimicrobials is a worldwide problem. The aim of this study was to investigate the current drug susceptibilities of S. pneumoniae isolated from adult patients with community‐acquired pneumonia in Japan.

Methods:  S. pneumoniae strains isolated from adult patients with pneumococcal pneumonia from 10 institutions were collected prospectively between May 2003 and October 2004 and tested for drug susceptibilities. Clinical data were analysed and the risk factors for drug resistance investigated.

Results:  A total of 141 isolates of S. pneumoniae were analysed. Of these S. pneumoniae isolates, 46.1% had intermediate penicillin resistance and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) occurring in the greatest number of isolates and MIC90 value was 2 μg/mL. The prevalence of resistance to macrolides was 80%, with the MIC90 values being greater than or equal to 16 μg/mL. Approximately 40% of the strains were resistant to oral third‐generation cephems. Penicillin and erythromycin resistance were both associated with the pre‐existing chronic disease states.

Conclusions:  The cephem and macrolide resistance of S. pneumoniae was higher than penicillin resistance in adult patients with community‐acquired pneumococcal pneumonia in Japan. We recommend that bacterial identification and sensitivities are determined in areas where the macrolide resistance to S. pneumoniae is high.
Endobronchial ultrasound morphology of expiratory central airway collapse
Authors: MURGU Septimiu , KURIMOTO Noriaki , COLT Henri
Published: March 2008

Abstract:  Differences in central airway wall structure in patients with various forms of expiratory central airway collapse can be identified by endobronchial ultrasound using a 20 MHz radial probe. In tracheobronchomalacia due to relapsing polychondritis, the cartilage is thick and irregular while the membranous portion is normal. In malacia due to chronic inflammation after tracheotomy, the cartilage is thick and irregular and the membranous portion is also thick. In excessive dynamic airway collapse associated with COPD, on the contrary, the cartilage is normal and the posterior membrane is thin when compared to the normal airway wall structures identified in a patient with physiological dynamic airway collapse. These findings may support the hypothesis that various clinical forms of expiratory central airway collapse are not only different morphologically, physiologically and aetiologically, but also structurally.
‘Fungal soup’: Report of two cases of tumour‐like blocked pulmonary cavities with liquid content infected with aspergilli, a rare form of pulmonary aspergillosis
Authors: WONG Chi Fong , YAN See Wan , CHAN Ka Wa
Published: March 2008

Abstract:  Two cases of a rare and uncommonly described form of Aspergillus lung disease were diagnosed from incidental CXR abnormalities. This strange presentation has been described in the literature as ‘tumour‐like blocked pulmonary cavities with liquid content infected by aspergilli’. The details of these two cases are reported together with a discussion of the diagnostic features of the disease and its position in the spectrum of pulmonary diseases caused by Aspergillus.
Rapid non‐genomic effects of glucocorticoids on oxidative stress in a guinea pig model of asthma
Authors: LONG Fei , WANG Yan , QI Hui‐Hui , ZHOU Xin , JIN Xian‐Qiao
Published: March 2008

Background and objective:  Glucocorticoids (GC) may exert therapeutic effects in asthma by a rapid non‐genomic mechanism. The lungs of asthmatic patients are exposed to oxidative stress, which is believed to be critical in the pathogenesis of asthma. The aim of this study was to investigate whether GC exert a rapid non‐genomic effect on oxidative stress in asthmatic guinea pigs.

Methods:  The guinea pig asthma model was used to assess inhibitory effects of budesonide (BUD) on oxidative stress. BAL fluid (BALF), trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity and lung manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) activity were measured by spectrophotometry. Superoxide anion production was measured by cytochrome c reduction assay.

Results:  Oxidative stress occurred within minutes following antigen challenge and BUD reduced the severity of oxidative stress in asthmatic guinea pigs within 15 min. BUD significantly decreased BALF trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity and lung MnSOD activity, as compared with those of vehicle‐treated asthmatic guinea pigs (P < 0.05). Additionally, BUD rapidly inhibited in vitro superoxide anion production by BALF cells and bronchi harvested from sensitized animals. These rapid effects were not blocked by the GC receptor antagonist RU486 and/or the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide.

Conclusions:  BUD reduced oxidative stress in a guinea pig model of asthma by a rapid non‐genomic mechanism. These data suggest new mechanisms whereby GC treatments may benefit asthma.
Involvement of the p38 MAPK pathway in IL‐13‐induced mucous cell metaplasia in mouse tracheal epithelial cells
Authors: FUJISAWA Tomoyuki , IDE Kyotaro , HOLTZMAN Michael j. , SUDA Takafumi , SUZUKI Kenichiro , KUROISHI Shigeki , CHIDA Kingo , NAKAMURA Hirotoshi
Published: March 2008

Background and objective:  IL‐13 has been shown to play a pivotal role in mucous cell metaplasia, which is an important feature of the pathogenesis of asthma. However, the signalling pathways evoked by IL‐13 in airway epithelial cells remain unclear. This study investigated the signalling mechanism of IL‐13‐induced mucous cell metaplasia in primary cultures of mouse tracheal epithelial cells (mTEC).

Methods:  mTEC were cultured in an air–liquid interface system in the presence or absence of IL‐13. Goblet cell hyperplasia was evaluated quantitatively by immunofluorescent staining for MUC5AC, which is a major component of airway mucins. Western blotting was used to assess activation of the signalling molecules, signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6), p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) and extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2. MUC5AC gene expression was measured by RT‐PCR.

Results:  IL‐13 induced mucous cell metaplasia for 7–14 days in mTEC. IL‐13 phosphorylated STAT6 within 20 min, whereas it induced delayed phosphorylation of p38 MAPK 36–48 h after stimulation. In contrast, ERK1/2 was constantly activated and was not enhanced by IL‐13. An inhibitor of p38 MAPK (SB202190) suppressed mucous cell differentiation in a concentration‐dependent manner. In STAT6 knockout mice, IL‐13 failed to induce mucous cell metaplasia and activate p38 MAPK. Cycloheximide also diminished activation of p38 MAPK and induction of MUC5AC mRNA expression by IL‐13.

Conclusions:  The p38 MAPK pathway is involved in IL‐13‐induced mucous cell metaplasia and MUC5AC mRNA regulation in mTEC. In addition, p38 MAPK phosphorylation may require STAT6‐dependent de novo protein synthesis induced by IL‐13.
Combined lung fibrosis and ‘mechanic’s hand': A clinical diagnostic clue to amyopathic antisynthetase syndrome
Authors: YANG Chih‐Jen , SHEU Chau‐Chyun , OU Tsan‐Teng , HWANG Jhi‐Jhu , HUANG Ming‐Shyan
Published: March 2008

Abstract:  Combined interstitial lung disease and the presence of ‘mechanic’s hands' could be a clinical clue in the early diagnosis of the rare disease, amyopathic antisynthetase syndrome for which anti‐Jo‐1 antibody is a useful diagnostic tool. The case is reported of a patient who suffered from shortness of breath and dry cough, with pulmonary fibrosis on CXR and CT scan, and interstitial pneumonitis on trans‐bronchial biopsy. She was also positive for anti‐Jo‐1 and anti‐Ro antibodies. ‘Mechanic’s hands' were noted bilaterally but with no evidence of myopathy in either the electromyogram or on muscle biopsy. The patient was treated with prednisolone and her clinical picture, including the ‘mechanic’s hands' and lung fibrosis, subsided gradually, suggesting that the sign may be a useful follow up tool in this disease. Early diagnosis and corticosteroid therapy could be beneficial for these patients.
Periodic breathing and dysphagia associated with a localized lateral medullary infarction
Authors: OKU Yoshitaka , OKADA Masahiro
Published: March 2008

Abstract:  A 77‐year‐old man experienced sudden onset of dysphagia. An MRI revealed a left lateral medullary infarction. Portable polysomnography showed Cheyne‐Stokes‐like breathing with marked desaturation (lowest SaO2 74%) associated with apnoea. Oxygen administration reduced the apnoea‐hypopnoea index from 30.1 to 20.0 per hour. Sustained periodic breathing under normoxaemia suggested that the brainstem lesion, rather than peripheral factors such as prolonged lung‐chemoreceptor circulatory delay, was responsible for the abnormal breathing. Polysomnography or overnight SaO2 monitoring should be considered for patients with dysphagia due to a brainstem lesion, to investigate the possible presence of abnormal breathing.
Longitudinal study of airway dimensions in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease using computed tomography
Authors: OHARA Tadashi , HIRAI Toyohiro , SATO Susumu , TERADA Kunihiko , KINOSE Daisuke , HARUNA Akane , MARUMO Satoshi , NISHIOKA Michiyoshi , OGAWA Emiko , NAKANO Yasutaka , HOSHINO Yuma , ITO Yutaka , MATSUMOTO Hisako , NIIMI Akio , MIO Tadashi , CHIN Kazuo , MURO Shigeo , MISHIMA Michiaki
Published: March 2008

Background and objective:  Chest CT has been widely used for the evaluation of structural changes in lung parenchyma and airways in cross‐sectional studies. There has been no report on the annual changes in airway dimensions as assessed by CT in COPD patients. The objective of this study was to investigate the annual changes in airway dimensions and lung attenuation using CT in patients with COPD and to evaluate the correlations among annual changes in CT measurements and pulmonary function.

Methods:  Eighty‐three men with COPD had completed five annual assessments of CT scans and pulmonary function tests over 4 years. Airway dimensions of the basal segment bronchi and lung attenuation on CT images were analysed in 38 subjects in whom the same airway could be measured at least three times, including at entry and at the end of the study.

Results:  Mean annual decline in FEV1 was 21 mL/year. Annual changes in the percentage of low attenuation areas were not significantly correlated with decline in FEV1. On the other hand, annual changes in the percentage of wall area (WA%/year) were significantly inversely correlated with annual changes in FEV1 (r = −0.363, P = 0.025), whereas WA%/year did not differ among severity stages at entry and did not correlate with baseline FEV1.

Conclusions:  The results showing that annual changes in airway thickening correlated with annual decline in air flow limitation suggests the importance of treatment of airway inflammation in COPD. CT is a useful tool for quantitative estimation not only of emphysema but also of airway lesions in longitudinal studies.
Activity and composition of methanotrophic bacterial communities in planted rice soil studied by flux measurements, analyses ofpmoAgene and stable isotope probing of phospholipid fatty acids
Authors: Shrestha Minita , Abraham Wolf‐Rainer , Shrestha Pravin Malla , Noll Matthias , Conrad Ralf
Published: March 2008

Methanotrophs in the rhizosphere of rice field ecosystems attenuate the emissions of CH4into the atmosphere and thus play an important role for the global cycle of this greenhouse gas. Therefore, we measured the activity and composition of the methanotrophic community in the rhizosphere of rice microcosms. Methane oxidation was determined by measuring the CH4flux in the presence and absence of difluoromethane as a specific inhibitor for methane oxidation. Methane oxidation started on day 24 and reached the maximum on day 32 after transplantation. The total methanotrophic community was analysed by terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T‐RFLP) and cloning/sequencing of thepmoAgene, which encodes a subunit of particulate methane monooxygenase. The metabolically active methanotrophic community was analysed by stable isotope probing of microbial phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA‐SIP) using13C‐labelled CH4directly added to the rhizospheric region. Rhizospheric soil and root samples were collected after exposure to13CH4for 8 and 18 days. Both T‐RFLP/cloning and PLFA‐SIP approaches showed that type I and type II methanotrophic populations changed over time with respect to activity and population size in the rhizospheric soil and on the rice roots. However, type I methanotrophs were more active than type II methanotrophs at both time points indicating they were of particular importance in the rhizosphere. PLFA‐SIP showed that the active methanotrophic populations exhibit a pronounced spatial and temporal variation in rice microcosms.
Fluorescent properties of c‐type cytochromes reveal their potential role as an extracytoplasmic electron sink in Geobacter sulfurreducens
Authors: Esteve‐Núñez Abraham , Sosnik Julian , Visconti Pablo , Lovley Derek R.
Published: March 2008

A novel fluorescence technique for monitoring the redox status of c‐type cytochromes in Geobacter sulfurreducens was developed in order to evaluate the capacity of these extracytoplasmic cytochromes to store electrons during periods in which an external electron acceptor is not available. When intact cells in which the cytochromes were in a reduced state were excited at a wavelength of 350 nm, they fluoresced with maxima at 402 and 437 nm. Oxidation of the cytochromes resulted in a loss of fluorescence. This method was much more sensitive than the traditional approach of detecting c‐type cytochromes via visible light absorbance. Furthermore, fluorescence of reduced cytochromes in individual cells could be detected via fluorescence microscopy, and the cytochromes in a G. sulfurreducens biofilm, remotely excited with an optical fibre, could be detected at distances as far as 5 cm. Fluorescence analysis of cytochrome oxidation and reduction of the external electron acceptor, anthraquinone‐2,6‐disulfonate, suggested that the extracytoplasmic cytochromes of G. sulfurreducens could store approximately 107 electrons per cell. Independent analysis of the haem content of the cells determined from analysis of incorporation of 55Fe into cytochromes provided a similar estimate of cytochrome electron‐storage capacity. This electron‐storage capacity could, in the absence of an external electron acceptor, permit continued electron transfer across the inner membrane sufficient to supply the maintenance energy requirements for G. sulfurreducens for up to 8 min or enough proton motive force to power flagella motors for G. sulfurreducens motility. The fluorescence approach described here provides a sensitive method for evaluating the redox status of Geobacter species in culture and/or its environments. Furthermore, these results suggest that the periplasmic and outer‐membrane cytochromes of Geobacter species act as capacitors, allowing continued electron transport, and thus viability and motility, for Geobacter species as they move between heterogeneously dispersed Fe(III) oxides during growth in the subsurface.
Relationship between assemblages of mycorrhizal fungi and bacteria on grass roots
Authors: Singh Brajesh K. , Nunan Naoise , Ridgway Karyn P. , McNicol Jim , Young J. Peter W. , Daniell Tim J. , Prosser James I. , Millard Peter
Published: March 2008

Soils support an enormous microbial diversity, but the ecological drivers of this diversity are poorly understood. Interactions between the roots of individual grass species and the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and bacteria in their rhizoplane were studied in a grazed, unimproved upland pasture. Individual root fragments were isolated from soil cores, DNA extracted and used to identify plant species and assess rhizoplane bacterial and AM fungal assemblages, by amplifying part of the small‐subunit ribosomal RNA gene, followed by terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. For the first time we showed that AM fungal and bacterial assemblages are related in situ and that this relationship occurred at the community level. Principal coordinate analyses of the data show that the AM fungi were a major factor determining the bacterial assemblage on grass roots. We also report a strong influence of the composition of the plant community on AM fungal assemblage. The bacterial assemblage was also influenced by soil pH and was spatially structured, whereas AM fungi were influenced neither by the bacteria nor by soil pH. Our study shows that linkages between plant roots and their microbial communities exist in a complex web of interactions that act at individual and at community levels, with AM fungi influencing the bacterial assemblage, but not the other way round.
Widespread distribution of a unique marine protistan lineage
Authors: Cuvelier Marie L. , Ortiz Alejandra , Kim Eunsoo , Moehlig Heike , Richardson David E. , Heidelberg John F. , Archibald John M. , Worden Alexandra Z.
Published: March 2008

Unicellular eukaryotes (protists) are key components of marine food webs, yet knowledge of their diversity, distributions and respective ecologies is limited. We investigated uncultured protists using 18S rRNA gene sequencing, phylogenetic analyses, specific fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) probes and other methods. Because few studies have been conducted in warm water systems, we focused on two Atlantic subtropical regions, the Sargasso Sea and the Florida Current. Cold temperate waters were also sampled. Gene sequences comprising a unique eukaryotic lineage, herein termed ‘biliphytes’, were identified in most samples, whether from high‐ (30°C) or from low‐ (5°C) temperature waters. Sequences within this uncultured group have previously been retrieved from high latitudes. Phylogenetic analyses suggest biliphytes are a sister group to the cryptophytes and katablepharids, although the relationship is not statistically supported. Bootstrap‐supported subclades were delineated but coherence was not obvious with respect to geography or physicochemical parameters. Unlike results from the initial publication on these organisms (therein ‘picobiliphytes’), we could not detect a nucleomorph, either visually, or by targeted primers. Phycobilin‐like fluorescence associated with biliphyte‐specific FISH‐probed cells supports the hypothesis that they are photosynthetic. Our data indicate the biliphytes are nanoplanktonic in size, averaging 4.1 ± 1.0 × 3.5 ± 0.8 μm (±SD) for one probed group, and 3.5 ± 0.9 × 3.0 ± 0.9 μm (±SD) for another. We estimate biliphytes contributed 28 (±6)% of the phytoplanktonic biomass in tropical eddy‐influenced surface waters. Given their broad thermal and geographic distribution, understanding the role these protists play in biogeochemical cycling within different habitats is essential.