bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dispersal, philopatry and intergroup relatedness: fine‐scale genetic structure in the white‐breasted thrasher,Ramphocinclus brachyurus
Authors: TEMPLE H. J. , HOFFMAN J. I. , AMOS W.
Published: September 2006

Dispersal is a fundamental process influencing evolution, social behaviour, and the long‐term persistence of populations. We use both observational and genetic data to investigate dispersal, kin‐clustering and intergroup relatedness in the white‐breasted thrasher,Ramphocinclus brachyurus, a cooperatively breeding bird that is globally endangered. Mark‐resighting data suggested sex‐biased dispersal, with females dispersing over greater distances while males remained philopatric. Accordingly, spatial autocorrelation analysis showed highly significant fine‐scale genetic structure among males, but not among females. This fine‐scale genetic structuring of the male population resulted in very high levels of relatedness between dominant males at neighbouring nests, similar to that seen within cooperative groups in many species where kin selection is cited as a cause of cooperation. By implication, between‐group as well as within‐group cooperation may be important, potentially creating a feedback loop in which short‐distance dispersal by males leads to the formation of male kin clusters that in turn facilitate nepotistic interactions and favour further local recruitment. The strength of spatial autocorrelation, as measured by the autocorrelation coefficient,r, was approximately two to three times greater than that reported in previous studies of animals. Relatively short dispersal distances by both males and females may have a negative impact on the white‐breasted thrasher's ability to colonize new areas, and may influence the long‐term persistence of isolated populations. This should be taken into account when designating protected areas or selecting sites for habitat restoration.
Demographic spatial genetic structure of the Neotropical tree, Jacaranda copaia
Authors: JONES F. A. , HUBBELL S. P.
Published: September 2006

We used genotypes from six microsatellite loci and demographic data from a large mapped forest plot to study changes in spatial genetic structure across demographic stages, from seed rain to seedlings, juveniles, and adult diameter classes in the Neotropical tree, Jacaranda copaia. In pairwise comparisons of genetic differentiation among demographic classes, only seedlings were significantly differentiated from the other diameter classes; FST values ranged from 0.006 to 0.009. Furthermore, only seedlings showed homozygote excess suggesting biparental inbreeding in the large diameter reproductive adults. We found very low levels of relatedness in the first distance class of trees, 1–26 cm diameter (Fij = 0.011). However, there was a 5‐ to 10‐fold rise in relatedness in the smallest distance class, from the smallest to the largest tree diameter classes (Fij = 0.110 for individuals > 56 cm diameter). A variety of non‐mutually exclusive mechanisms have been invoked perviously to explain such a pattern, including natural selection, history, or nonequilibrium population dynamics. The long‐term demographic data available for this species allow us to evaluate these mechanisms. Jacaranda is a fast‐growing, light‐demanding species with low recruitment rates and high mortality rates in the smaller diameter classes. It successfully regenerates only in large light gaps, which occur infrequently and stochastically in space and time. These factors contribute to the nonequilibrium population dynamics and observed low genetic structure in the small size classes. We conclude that the pattern of spatial genetic transitions in Jacaranda is consistent with overlapping related generations and strong but infrequent periods of high recruitment, followed by long periods of population decline.
The phylogeny of Iberian Aphodiini species (Coleoptera, Scarabaeoidea, Scarabaeidae, Aphodiinae) based on morphology
Authors: CABRERO‐SAÑUDO FRANCISCO J.
Published: September 2006

Abstract The phylogeny of Iberian Aphodiini species was reconstructed based on morphology. Wing venation, mouthparts, male and female genitalia, and external morphology provided ninety‐four characters scored for ninety‐three Aphodiini species. Phylogenetic analyses were based on maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference criteria. Maximum parsimony consensus trees recovered Acrossus species as a sister group of the remaining Aphodiini, followed by two other branches, one including Neagolius, Plagiogonus, Ahermodontus and Ammoecius species, and the other including Oxyomus, Nimbus, Heptaulacus and Euheptaulacus species. The remaining studied taxa clustered in an unresolved group. Bayesian inference trees recovered Acrossus as the sister group of the remaining Iberian Aphodiini, followed by Colobopterus erraticus and the rest of the Iberian Aphodiini, but this latter branch was unresolved. The general lack of statistical support for the inferred phylogenetic relationships at terminal nodes using both maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference suggests that variation in morphological characters useful for phylogenetic inference in the present study is small, perhaps as a consequence of a radiation event occurring at the origin of the tribe. A probable evolutionary pattern for Aphodiini is proposed which infers six groups, namely Acrossian, Ammoecian, Oxyomian, Aphodian s.str., Colobopteran and Aphodian s.l. clades.
Mitochondrial genomes in the Hymenoptera and their utility as phylogenetic markers
Authors: CASTRO LYDA R. , DOWTON MARK
Published: September 2006

Abstract In this study, we assessed the ability of mitochondrial genome sequences to recover a test phylogeny of five hymenopteran taxa from which phylogenetic relationships are well accepted. Our analyses indicated that the test phylogeny was well recovered in all nucleotide Bayesian analyses when all the available holometabolan (i.e. outgroup) taxa were included, but only in Bayesian analyses excluding third codon positions when only the hymenopteran representatives and a single outgroup were included. This result suggests that taxon sampling of the outgroup might be as important as taxon sampling of the ingroup when recovering hymenopteran phylogenetic relationships using whole mitochondrial genomes. Parsimony analyses were more sensitive to both taxon sampling and the analytical model than Bayesian analyses, and analyses using the protein dataset did not recover the test phylogeny. In general, mitochondrial genomes did not resolve the position of the Hymenoptera within the Holometabola with confidence, suggesting that an increased taxon sampling, both within the Holometabola and among outgroups, is necessary.
The protein kinase genes MAP3K ɛ 1 and MAP3K ɛ 2 are required for pollen viability in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Chaiwongsar Suraphon , Otegui Marisa S. , Jester Peter J. , Monson Sean S. , Krysan Patrick J.
Published: September 2006

We have used reverse‐genetic analysis to investigate the function of MAP3K ɛ 1 and MAP3K ɛ 2, a pair of closely related Arabidopsis thaliana genes that encode protein kinases. Plants homozygous for either map3k ɛ 1 or map3k ɛ 2 displayed no apparent mutant phenotype, whereas the double‐mutant combination caused pollen lethality. Transmission of the double‐mutant combination through the female gametophyte was normal. Tetrad analysis performed using the Arabidopsis quartet mutation demonstrated that the pollen‐lethal phenotype segregated at meiosis with the map3k ɛ 1;map3k ɛ 2 genotype. We used transmission electron microscopy to determine that double‐mutant pollen grains develop plasma membrane irregularities following pollen mitosis I. Analysis of the subcellular localization of a yellow fluorescent protein (YFP):MAP3Kɛ1 fusion protein using confocal microscopy and biochemical fractionation indicated that a substantial portion of the MAP3Kɛ1 present in Arabidopsis cells is localized to the plasma membrane. Taken together, our results suggest that MAP3Kɛ1 is required for the normal functioning of the plasma membrane in developing Arabidopsis pollen.
Acute infection of Toxoplasma gondii and cytomegalovirus reactivation in a pediatric patient receiving liver transplant
Authors: Galván Ramírez M.L. , Castillo‐de‐León Y. , Espinoza‐Oliva M. , Bojorques‐Ramos M.C. , Rodríguez‐Pérez L.R. , Bernal Redondo R. , Cañedo‐Solares I. , Espinoza López L. , Correa D.
Published: September 2006

Abstract: A 7‐year‐old Mexican boy with end‐stage cirrhosis underwent liver transplantation and was maintained with cyclosporine and prednisolone. No specific data about Toxoplasma gondii or cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections in the cadaver donor were available. The recipient was seronegative for Toxoplasma, but CMV‐IgG positive before transplantation. Ganciclovir was administered for prophylaxis during 3 months, but 5 months later he presented with icterus and increased transaminases. Acute transplant rejection was ruled out by biopsy. A seroconversion for T. gondii IgM and IgG and a small increase in CMV‐IgM antibodies were observed, although the CMV‐polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was negative. Ganciclovir was re‐started, and the patient improved, but 6 months later he relapsed, and chorioretinitis lesions compatible both with T. gondii and CMV infections appeared. Pyrimethamine, sulfadiazine, folinic acid, and ganciclovir were administered. The boy showed favorable clinical improvement and remained stable for 12 months. Then, new retinal CMV lesions appeared in both eyes and the PCR for CMV became positive; therefore, the patient received a new regimen of ganciclovir, and clinically improved. From these data we concluded that the child presented a reactivation of CMV and a primary infection with T. gondii after transplantion.
Non‐fatal gastric mucormycosis in a renal transplant patient and review of the literature
Authors: Prasad N. , Ram R. , Satti Reddy V. , Dakshinamurty K.V.
Published: September 2006

Abstract: Mucormycosis is historically associated with substantial morbidity and carries a very high mortality in renal transplant patients. The common sites of involvement include cerebral, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, or disseminated lesions. We report the successful outcome of gastric mucormycosis along with Strongyloides stercoralis infection in a renal transplant patient, who has survived for 5 years. We also review the literature.
Colitis in a renal transplant patient with human herpesvirus‐6 infection
Authors: Delbridge M. S. , Karim M. S. , Shrestha B. M. , McKane W.
Published: September 2006

Abstract: A male patient developed colitis and a thrombotic microangiopathy 3 weeks after renal transplantation. Immunosuppression at the time of presentation was with sirolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, and prednisolone, but without a calcineurin inhibitor. Cytomegalovirus infection was excluded. However, human herpesvirus‐6 DNA was detected at high copy number in both blood and colonic epithelium. The patient recovered after reduction in immunosuppression, with nutritional support and ganciclovir therapy.
Primary herpes simplex virus type‐2 infection as a cause of liver failure after liver transplantation
Authors: Nebbia G. , Mattes F.M. , Ramaswamy M. , Quaglia A. , Verghese G. , Griffiths P.D. , Burroughs A. , Geretti A.M.
Published: September 2006

Abstract: We report a case of fatal primary herpes simplex virus type‐2 (HSV‐2) infection following liver transplantation, which manifested with fever and liver failure in the absence of muco‐cutaneous disease. The infection was characterized by high levels of HSV DNA in blood and the patient's inability to mount HSV‐specific T‐cell responses while showing preserved T‐cell responses against cytomegalovirus. The donor was HSV‐1 immunoglobulin G (IgG) seronegative and HSV‐2 IgG seropositive, whereas the recipient was HSV‐1 and HSV‐2 IgG seronegative, suggesting that the graft may have been the source of the infection. In HSV‐seronegative recipients of grafts from HSV‐seropositive donors, HSV infection should be included in the differential diagnosis of a febrile illness, regardless of the absence of muco‐cutaneous disease. In this setting, real‐time polymerase chain reaction applied to blood samples provides a sensitive, rapid, and quantitative diagnostic tool.
Elimination of false‐positive Histoplasma antigenemia caused by human anti‐rabbit antibodies in the second‐generation Histoplasma antigen assay
Authors: Wheat L.J. , Connolly P. , Durkin M. , Book B.K. , Pescovitz M.D.
Published: September 2006

Abstract: False‐positive Histoplasma antigenemia was reported in solid organ allograft recipients who had received rabbit anti‐thymocyte globulin (RATG, RATG®) caused by human anti‐rabbit antibodies (HARA). A second‐generation Histoplasma antigen detection assay was developed to overcome false positivity caused by HARA. With the second‐generation assay, false‐positive results were eliminated in 18 of 19 cases without reduction in the sensitivity in patients with histoplasmosis. In fact, sensitivity for detection of antigenuria in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and disseminated histoplasmosis was higher in the second‐generation assay. Physicians should be aware of the potential for false‐positive results in sandwich immunoassays in specimens from patients who have received RATG.
A Comparative Randomized Field Trial on Intramammary and Intramuscular Dry Cow Antibiotic Treatment of Subclinical Staphylococcus aureus Mastitis in Dairy Cows
Authors: Shpigel N. Y. , Kass P. H. , Saran A.
Published: September 2006

The efficacy of two dry cow treatment (DCT) regimens for subclinical Staphylococcus aureus mastitis was evaluated in naturally infected dairy cows. At dry‐off, cows were assigned to two treatment groups by randomized blocks on the basis of parity and somatic cell count (SCC). Two antibiotic DCT regimens were used, namely: (1) a single intramammary infusion containing sodium nafcillin, procaine benzylpenicillin and dihydrostreptomycin; and (2) systemic cefquinome administered intramuscularly, twice at a 24‐h interval. In the intramammary (IMM) treatment group, the S. aureus intramammary infection (IMI) rate was reduced from 40% (56/140 quarters) before dry‐off to 20% (28/140) after calving. Seventy per cent (39/56) of the S. aureus‐positive quarters were negative after calving, and 13% (11/84) of the negative quarters were positive after calving. In the systemic treatment group, the S. aureus IMI rate increased from 39% (29/74 quarters) before dry‐off to 55% (41/74) after calving. Twenty‐eight per cent (8/29) of the S. aureus‐positive quarters were negative after calving and 45% (20/45) of the negative quarters were positive after calving. The odds ratio of an S. aureus‐positive quarter being negative after calving in the IMM group relative to the systemic therapy group was 44.6 (95% confidence interval = 2.1–909.1, P < 0.01). Parity, quarter, milk SCC and N‐acetyl‐β‐D‐glucosaminidase were tested in the model, and were found to have no significant effect on S. aureus cure rates or new IMI rates. The IMM treatment resulted in a higher cure rate compared with that observed in previous studies. The very low cure rate after systemic cefquinome treatment was comparable to the spontaneous cure rate observed in untreated controls in previous studies. The unfavourable results of the cefquinome systemic DCT might reflect inadequate pharmacokinetic properties of the drug regarding poor udder penetration in subclinical mastitis and short antimicrobial effect compared with the IMM treatment.
Xylazine, Ketamine and their Combination for Lumbar Epidural Analgesia in Water Buffalo Calves (Bubalus bubalis)
Authors: Singh P. , Pratap K. , Amarpal  , Kinjavdekar P. , Aithal H. P. , Singh G. R. , Pathak R.
Published: September 2006

The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of xylazine individually (0.05 mg/kg), ketamine individually (2.5 mg/kg), and a combination of xylazine and ketamine (0.05 mg/kg and 2.5 mg/kg) after lumbar epidural administration in water buffalo calves. Fifteen non‐descript, male water buffalo calves of 6–8 months of age weighing between 55 and 75 kg were randomly placed in three groups (groups A, B and C). The agents were administered at the first lumbar epidural space. Clinico‐physiological parameters, such as analgesia, ataxia, sedation, salivation, heart rate, respiratory rate and rectal temperature were studied. Other haematological and biochemical parameters monitored were haemoglobin, packed cell volume, total leukocyte count, plasma glucose, cortisol, protein albumin, globulin, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, alanineamino transferase (ALT), sodium, potassium and chloride. The onset of analgesia (mean ± SEM) was faster in group C (3.2 ± 0.20 min) compared with that of group B (4.6 ± 0.22 min) and group A (34.0 ± 1.86 min). Analgesia of the thorax, flank, inguinal region, hind limbs, perineum and tail was complete in group C, but mild to moderate in groups A and B. Ataxia was severe in group C and mild in groups A and B. Mild to deep sedation was produced by groups A and C animals. Group B animalsfailed to producesedation. Longer duration and greater depth of analgesia was produced in animals of group C. Heart rate, respiratory rate and rectal temperature decreased in groups A and C. The haematological parameters decreased in all the groups. The biochemical parameters like glucose, cortisol, BUN, creatinine, and ALT increased in all the animals. However, total proteins and albumin decreased in the three groups. The plasma electrolytes sodium, potassium and chloride did not show any significant change. The results of this study indicated a possible synergistic analgesic interaction between epidurally administered xylazine and ketamine,without causingany marked systemic effects in water buffalo calves.
Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Modelling of Roxithromycin for the Inhibitory Effect of Tumour Necrosis Factor‐Alpha and Interleukin‐6 Production in Dogs
Authors: Lim J.‐H. , Park B.‐K. , Yun H.‐I.
Published: September 2006

The objective of the present study was to determine and characterize the relationship between the plasma concentration of roxithromycin, and its inhibitory effect on cytokine production, in order to predict its possible clinical relevance. Six healthy beagle dogs received a single intravenous dose of 20‐mg roxithromycin per kg body weight. Blood samples were obtained at different time points. The plasma was analysed with respect to roxithromycin, tumour necrosis factor‐α(TNF‐α) and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6). The concentration–effect relationship was explored by modelling the data using two compartmental model and an indirect response model with anEmaxconcentration–effect relationship. The estimated pharmacokinetic parameters (geometric mean) were as follows:Vc = 2.59 l;k10 = 0.08/h;k12 = 0.26/h;k21 = 0.40/h. The pharmacodynamic parameters (geometric mean) for the inhibitory effect on cytokine production induced by heat‐killedStaphylococcus aureus(HKSA) were for TNF‐α(kin = 1.42 μg/h;kout = 1.10 μg/h; EC50 > 5.69 mg/l) and for IL‐6 (kin = 2.31 μg/h;kout = 2.04 μg/h; EC50 = 21.07 mg/l) production, respectively. The inhibitory effect of roxithromycin on production can be adequately described by the indirect response model with anEmaxconcentration–effect relationship.
Evidence for Different Nutrient Partitioning in Boran (Bos indicus) and Boran × Holstein Cows When Re‐allocated from Low to High or from High to Low Feeding Level
Authors: Jenet A. , Fernandez‐Rivera S. , Tegegne A. , Wettstein H.‐R. , Senn M. , Saurer M. , Langhans W. , Kreuzer M.
Published: September 2006

This study tested the hypothesis that purebred Boran (Bos indicus) cows and crossbreds of Boran and Holstein respond differently to long‐term changes of feeding level in nutrient partitioning to milk and body fat stores. A total of 27 cows of these two genotypes were subjected either to a low or a high feeding level from their first oestrus as heifers until birth of their third calf. Half of the cows of each genotype were then switched to the other feeding level during the third reproduction cycle. If at all, Boran cows responded to a change in the feeding level almost exclusively by a corresponding change in body weight but not milk yield. Crossbred cows kept continuously on the low feeding level had a lower milk yield than those continuously fed the high level, but lost similar amounts of body weight. In crossbred cows, changing the feeding level from high to low was accompanied by a mobilization of body reserves, whereas a change from low to high level resulted mostly in an increase in milk yield. Certain other genotype differences in metabolic response were obvious from differences in body composition and from the metabolic profile either reflected in blood (particularly insulin‐like growth factor I) or in adipose tissue (lipoprotein lipase). Reproductive performance differed between genotypes, with shorter lactations associated with earlier occurrences of the first oestrus in the Boran cows. Generally, feeding history appeared to have at least as much influence on energy partitioning as the actual feeding level. In conclusion, purebred Boran cows seem to react to long‐term food fluctuations mainly by mobilizing and restoring body fat reserves, whereas cows crossbred with Holstein tend to spend extra energy preferentially for milk production.
Malignant Schwannoma in an American Buffalo (Bison bison bison)
Authors: Cho H. S. , Kim Y. S. , Choi C. , Lee J. H. , Masangkay J. S. , Park N. Y.
Published: September 2006

A case of a malignant schwannoma in a 20‐year‐old male American buffalo (Bison bison bison) from the Grand Park Zoo, Gyeonggi Province, Republic of Korea is reported. The animal showed no apparent clinical signs before death except for wound on the neck. Grossly, neoplastic nodules of various sizes were observed on the skin, lung, heart, liver, stomach, mesentery and kidney. Histologically, the neoplastic nodules were composed of fusiform cells that formed multidirectional bundles. The tumour cells were arranged in interlacing bands and bundles. The nuclei were atypical, hyperchromatic, with blunt or round ends. In addition, few mitotic figures were observed in the skin, lung, heart, liver, stomach, intestine and kidney. Several immunohistochemical stains, e.g. vimentin, cytokeratin (CK), smooth muscle actin (SMA), S‐100 and HMB45, were used in an attempt to differentially diagnose the tumour. The neoplastic cells tested positive to S‐100, but negative to vimentin, CK, SMA and HMB45. Based on the above findings, this case was diagnosed as a malignant schwannoma. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a schwannoma in an American buffalo (B. b. bison).
Aegilops kotschyi and Aegilops tauschii as sources for higher levels of grain Iron and Zinc
Authors: Chhuneja P. , Dhaliwal H. S. , Bains N. S. , Singh K.
Published: September 2006

Micronutrient malnutrition affects a very large proportion of the world's population. For combating micronutrient malnutrition, biofortification through genetic manipulation has been proposed as an alternative to traditional fortification for increasing the bioavailable nutrient content of food crops. Wheat, being a staple food for a large section of the world's population, is targeted for increasing the Fe and Zn content in the grains. The cultivated germplasm of wheat does not have sufficient variability for grain Fe and Zn content but the wild species of wheat do show wider variation for grain micronutrient density. The analysis of Aegilops kotschyi and A. tauschii for Fe and Zn content in the grains using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) indicated that the S and D genome species accumulate significantly higher iron and zinc in the grains than the cultivated wheats. One of the CIMMYT synthetics also had significantly higher Fe and Zn in the grains as compared with the cultivated wheats. Aegilops kotschyi as a promising source for Fe and Zn, is reported for the first time. A systematic programme to identify and utilize the additional sources for high Fe and Zn has been initiated.
Ethyloxanilates as specific male gametocides for wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
Authors: Chakraborty K. , Devakumar C.
Published: September 2006

Induction of male sterility by deployment of male gametocides holds immense potential in heterosis breeding of wheat. The efficacy of a new class of male gametocide for wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is described: ethyloxanilates, the most active example of this class being ethyl 4‐fluorooxanilate (E4FO). E4FO induces male sterility, specifically, without detectable effects on various agronomic features and female fertility. The plants sprayed once with 0.15% E4FO exhibited 100% pollen and floret sterility without causing a significant reduction in total yield. E4FO was screened on 29 genotypes of wheat at 0.15% test concentration and was observed to induce 99.76 ± 0.37% male sterility. Thirteen F1‐hybrids of wheat were produced using the gametocide in Winter 2000–2001 and were evaluated for their agronomic performance in Winter 2001–2002. The cross combinations viz., lines WR 544 × HW 2046 and HW 2044 × WR 956 have outperformed their respective better parents by 48.17% and 23.42% in grain yield/plant and thus have potential as hybrids.
Evaluation of cold hardiness in two sets of near‐isogenic lines of wheat (Triticum aestivum) with polymorphic vernalization alleles
Authors: Reddy L. , Allan R. E. , Campbell K. A. Garland
Published: September 2006

In wheat, variation at the orthologus Vrn‐1 loci, located on each of the three genomes, A, B and D, is responsible for vernalization response. A dominant Vrn‐1a allele on any of the three wheat genomes results in spring habit and the presence of recessive Vrn‐1b alleles on all three genomes results in winter habit. Two sets of near‐isogenic lines (NILs) were evaluated for DNA polymorphisms at their Vrn‐A1, B1 and D1 loci and for cold hardiness. Two winter wheat cultivars, ‘Daws’ and ‘Wanser’ were used as recurrent parents and ‘Triple Dirk’ NILs were used as donor parents for orthologous Vrn‐1 alleles. The NILs were analysed using molecular markers specific for each allele. Only 26 of 32 ‘Daws’ NILs and 23 of 32 ‘Wanser’ NILs had a plant growth habit that corresponded to the marker genotype for the markers used. Freezing tests were conducted in growth chambers programmed to cool to −21.5°C. Relative area under the death progress curve (AUDPC), with a maximum value of 100 was used as a measure of death due to freezing. The average relative AUDPC of the spring habit ‘Daws’Vrn‐A1a NILs was 86.15; significantly greater than the corresponding winter habit ‘Daws’Vrn‐A1b NILs (42.98). In contrast, all the ‘Daws’Vrn‐A1bVrn‐B1aVrn‐D1b and Vrn‐A1bVrn‐B1bVrn‐D1a NILs (spring habit) had relative AUDPC values equal to those of their ‘Daws’ sister genotypes with Vrn‐A1bVrn‐B1bVrn‐D1b NILs (winter habit). The average AUDPC of spring and winter habit ‘Wanser’ NILs differed at all three Vrn‐A1, Vrn‐B1 and Vrn‐D1 locus comparisons. We conclude that ‘Daws’ and ‘Wanser’ have different background genetic interactions with the Vrn‐1 loci influencing cold hardiness. The marker for Vrn‐A1 is diagnostic for growth habit and cold hardiness but there is no relationship between the Vrn‐B1 and Vrn‐D1 markers and the cold tolerance of the NILs used in this study.
Inheritance of resistance to Fusarium head blight in the wheat lines ‘CJ 9306’ and ‘CJ 9403’
Authors: Jiang G.‐L. , Ward R. W.
Published: September 2006

Fusarium head blight (FHB or scab) caused by Fusarium graminearum is a worldwide serious disease in wheat. Exploitation and genetic studies of elite resistance sources can speed up the development of resistant cultivars. To characterize the inheritance of host plant resistance in two new lines, ‘CJ 9306’ and ‘CJ 9403’, developed from a recurrent selection programme in China, six generations P1, P2, F1, F2, B1 and B2 of four crosses and 137 F6 : 7 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) from one cross were evaluated in the greenhouse for scab resistance using single‐floret inoculation. The data of area under disease progress curve (AUDPC) in F2, backcross (BC) and RIL populations exhibited mono‐modal distributions without clear‐cut demarcations and skewing towards resistance. An additive–dominance model was well‐fitted, additive effects played a predominating role, and dominance effects were also significant. Continuous distributions with two major peaks and one minor peak for the number or percentage of scabby spikelets (NSS or PSS) in segregating populations implied the existence of major genes or quantitative trait loci (QTL) for resistance. The estimates of broad‐sense and narrow‐sense heritabilities based on the six‐generation experiment were 56–76% and 26–67% respectively. The estimates of broad‐sense heritabilities based on anova with RILs were 89–90%. These two improved lines with excellent scab resistance and good agronomic traits are of interest for wheat breeding and production.
Variation of sugary1 and shrunken2 gene frequency in different maize genetic backgrounds
Authors: Revilla P. , Malvar R. A. , Rodríguez V. M. , Butrón A. , Ordás B. , Ordás A.
Published: September 2006

Genotypes affect the survival of mutant genes in segregating populations. This study elucidates the effect of different maize genetic backgrounds on variation in gene frequency in sweet corn, sugary1 (su1) and sugary enhancer1 (se1), and supersweet corn, shrunken2 (sh2). Four sweet corn inbred lines and a supersweet synthetic were crossed to six field corn inbreds from diverse heterotic groups. The crosses were self‐pollinated and the F2 population was recombined twice. Gene frequencies were calculated from grain frequencies. Variation of su1 frequency differed significantly from random drift and a significant linear reduction was observed for half of the su1su1Se1Se1Sh2Sh2 × Su1Su1Se1Se1Sh2Sh2 crosses. The su1 and sh2 frequencies suffered a significant linear reduction for most su1su1se1se1Sh2Sh2 × Su1Su1Se1Se1Sh2Sh2 and Su1Su1Se1Se1sh2sh2 × Su1Su1Se1Se1Sh2Sh2 crosses, respectively. Also, the residual sums of squares, due to deviations from the linear trend, were significant for some crosses due to frequency‐dependent selection and genotypic interactions. Viability of su1 and sh2 depended on the specific sweet × field corn genotype combination but was not related to field corn heterotic groups. The se1 gene could have a detrimental effect on su1 viability.
Parentage analysis of huyou (Citrus changshanensis) based on internal transcribed spacer sequences
Authors: Xu C. J. , Bao L. , Zhang B. , Bei Z. M. , Ye X. Y. , Zhang S. L. , Chen K. S.
Published: September 2006

Huyou (Citrus changshanensis K. S. Chen et C. X. Fu) citrus is a natural hybrid with unidentified parents. Previous studies have hypothesized that pummelo and sweet orange might be parents, which contradicts the higher freezing resistance of huyou citrus than both the assumed parents. In this study, the parental analysis was based on internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences of huyou as well as six candidate parents: three mandarins, one sweet orange, one sour orange and one pummelo. Two different ITS1 sequences, with eight variable sites within the 250 bp region, were observed for huyou, which were identical only to that of sour orange and pummelo, respectively. The results indicated that huyou is most likely a hybrid between sour orange and pummelo. In addition, the application of ITS1 sequences in the phylogenetic analysis of citrus was discussed.
The influence of photoperiod on the Vrn‐H2 locus (4H) which is a major determinant of plant development and reproductive fitness traits in a facultative × winter barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) mapping population
Authors: Karsai I. , Mészáros K. , Szűcs P. , Hayes P. M. , Láng L. , Bedő Z.
Published: September 2006

To determine the effect of Vrn‐H2 locus on plant developmental and agronomic traits, detailed controlled environment tests involving a factorial set of vernalization and photoperiod treatments were carried out using doubled haploid lines developed from a facultative (Vrn‐H2−) × winter (Vrn‐H2+) barley cross. The allele phase at the Vrn‐H2 locus influenced heading date as well as the developmental and agronomic traits. The performance of Vrn‐H2+ lines was significantly influenced by vernalization: reproductive fitness traits showed significant decreases without vernalization. However, the effects of alleles at the Vrn‐H2 locus extended beyond simple satisfaction of the vernalization requirement. Vrn‐H2+ lines showed increased reproductive fitness compared with Vrn‐H2− lines when vernalization was followed by a long photoperiod. The responses of the two Vrn‐H2 allele classes to photoperiod duration were quite different in terms of heading date, developmental and agronomic traits. These results suggest that alleles at the Vrn‐H2 locus – and/or tightly linked gene(s) – respond primarily to the exogenous signal of vernalization (temperature), but when the vernalization requirement has been fulfilled, they also respond to photoperiod duration.
AGmFAD3Amutation in the low linolenic acid soybean mutant C1640
Authors: Chappell A. S. , Bilyeu K. D.
Published: September 2006

The linolenic acid component is responsible for the flavour and odour instability of soybean oil. Thus, development of low linolenic acid soybean lines has been a major goal in crop science research. One such low linolenic acid soybean line, A5, contains a deletion of the omega‐3 fatty acid desaturase geneGmFAD3A. Another low linolenic acid soybean line, C1640, is allelic with A5, suggesting it too contains a mutation in theGmFAD3Agene. The purpose of this work was to characterize the genetic lesion in C1640 usingGmFAD3Aas a candidate gene. It could be that a premature stop codon is introduced in the gene, presumably rendering a non‐functional truncated enzyme. An assay to distinguish between the wild type and mutant alleles by using PCR followed by endonuclease digestion was developed. This assay will aid soybean breeders that are trying to incorporate the C1640 low linolenic acid trait into other lines.
Pollen and pistil morphology, in vitro pollen grain germination and crossing success of Lens cultivars and species
Authors: Fratini R. , García P. , Ruiz M. L.
Published: September 2006

Morphological and in vitro germination characteristics of pollen altogether with pistil and style length were analysed, so as to carry out a morphological comparison between different lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) cultivars and wild species, as well as to correlate the morphological and functional statistics with data regarding crossing success. Pollen length and width in the different genotypes were found to have a positive and highly significant correlation with pistil and style length and in vitro pollen tube length. A cluster analysis detected two different plant groups, namely, (i) large‐seeded L. culinaris (macrosperma), and (ii) a second group formed by two subgroups, a first subgroup with L. ervoides standing alone and a second subgroup including small‐seeded L. culinaris (microsperma) and the wild L. culinaris ssp. orientalis, L. odemensis, L. nigricans. A high and significant correlation was detected between crossing success and phenotypic similarity (r > 0.98; P < 0.05), therefore implying that phenotypic similarity, based on pollen morphology and in vitro pollen length together with pistil and style length, is a good predictor of hybridization success.
A YA‐type cytoplasmic male‐sterile source in common wheat
Authors: Liu C. G. , Hou N. , Liu L. K. , Liu J. C. , Kang X. S. , Zhang A. M.
Published: September 2006

A new cytoplasmic male‐sterile (CMS) system for hybrid wheat breeding, YA‐type CMS line with the cytoplasmic mutant from the common wheat variety ‘CA8057’, was developed by the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. The pollen sterility of YA‐type CMS line was easily maintained but difficult to restore. Some sterile lines with desirable agronomic performance, such as msYA‐‘CA8057’ (BC17), msYA‐‘Yuandong 6’ (BC9), msYA‐‘Jin 411’ (BC9), msYA‐‘WL1’ (BC10), msYA‐‘Yanshi 9’ (BC10), msYA‐‘BPm16’ (BC9), msYA‐‘Jindong 8’ (BC9) and msYA‐‘Jinmai 33’ (BC9), were bred and a restorer line GR1 was screened with 26 new restorer lines being developed by transferring restorer genes from GR1. It was found that abnormal phenomena occurred at the uninucleate‐pollen stage and the abortive pollen was poor in starch content and other components. The variance analysis of agronomic traits in eight sterile lines indicated that there was no general negative effect of cytoplasm. The genetic analysis for fertility restoration showed that two pairs of independent major genes (designated YARf1YARf1YArf2YArf2) and some minor genes could be involved in the fertility restoration in restorer line GR1, and YARf1 was epistatic over YARf2 for the genetic effect of fertility restoration. As a new CMS system, the YA‐type CMS line was of potential value for hybrid wheat breeding and should be further studied.
High CD4/CD45RO+ and CD8/CD45RO+ frequencies in children with vaccine‐modified measles
Authors: ADDAE MICHAEL M , TETTEH JOHN K A , ISHIWADA NARUHIKO , KOMADA YASUHIRO , YAMAGUCHI SHINYA , OFORI‐ADJEI DAVID , KAMIYA HITOSHI , AKANMORI BARTHOLOMEW D
Published: September 2006

Background: Despite availability and wide vaccine coverage, measles infections still occur especially in developing countries. An outbreak of measles occurred among previously immunized older Ghanaian children who had milder clinical symptoms with measles‐specific IgG antibodies that could have been attributed to secondary vaccine failure, suggesting that the infection was vaccine‐modified measles (VMM).

Methods: Two‐color immunophenotyping of the peripheral blood mononuclear cells was performed at acute, recovery and convalescence phases for 19 VMM patients (mean age 6.2 ± 3.5 years) using flow cytometry, and compared with that of 20 healthy, sex‐ and age‐matched controls.

Results: The results showed a significantly higher memory helper (CD4+/CD45RO+) cell frequency and increased suppressor cell (CD8+/CD45R0+) frequency in VMM patients compared to healthy controls. There were no complications and all the patients recovered completely.

Conclusions: These findings show that the mild symptoms in patients with VMM may have correlated with the increase of memory T cells, which is in sharp contrast with previous reports on acute measles infection. This may suggest that the intact immunologic memory cells could have been crucial for the resolution of VMM.
Contribution of pulmonary surfactant with inhaled nitric oxide for treatment of pulmonary hypertension
Authors: KUSUDA SATOSHI , KIM TAE‐JANG , KORIYAMA TAKESHI , MATSUNAMI SATOKO , NAKANISHI HIDEHIKO
Published: September 2006

Background: Combined therapy of inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) with pulmonary surfactant replacement was reported to improve oxygenation in patients or animal models of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn with pulmonary surfactant deficiency lung. To evaluate the potential of iNO for the treatment of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn, pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) was measured during iNO before and after pulmonary surfactant replacement in an animal model of pulmonary hypertension with surfactant deficiency.

Methods: Seven newborn piglets were injected with L‐nitro‐arginine‐methylester to produce an animal model of pulmonary hypertension. After PAP increased, iNO (30 p.p.m.) was introduced. Then iNO was stopped, and animals were subjected to lung lavage with saline. After recording the effect of iNO, all animals then received exogenous pulmonary surfactant installation. After surfactant treatment, iNO was again introduced.

Results: Pulmonary arterial pressure and systemic arterial pressure were increased significantly by >30% after infusion of L‐nitro‐arginine‐methylester. During iNO only PAP was reduced significantly. Respiratory system compliance decreased significantly after lung lavage, and increased significantly after pulmonary surfactant replacement with concomitant increase of PaO2. In contrast, significant reduction of PAP with iNO before and after pulmonary surfactant replacement were also observed. The reduction ratios of PAP under each condition were 75.2 ± 7.4%, 81.3 ± 3.1%, and 79.1 ± 5.3%, respectively (not significant among conditions).

Conclusion: These results suggest that iNO is still a potent pulmonary arterial vasodilator even under pulmonary surfactant deficiency in an animal model of pulmonary hypertension.
Serum glucagon‐like peptide‐2 levels in neonates: Comparison between extremely low‐birthweight infants and normal‐term infants
Authors: YOSHIKAWA HIDEKI , MIYATA ICHIRO , ETO YOSHIKATSU
Published: September 2006

Background: Glucagon‐like peptide‐2 (GLP‐2) arises from proglucagon within enteroendocrine L cells of the small and large intestines, and its physiological roles have been gradually elucidated. However, the circulating GLP‐2 levels in human neonates are still unknown. The aim of the present study was to measure serum GLP‐2 levels in extremely low‐birthweight (ELBW) infants and normal‐term infants, and to compare these values between the two groups.

Methods: Blood samples were collected and serum GLP‐2 concentrations measured, from 15 ELBW infants at three stages (stage I, before initial feeding after birth; stage II, point at which milk intake reached 100 mL/kg per day; stage III, corrected 40 weeks of gestation), and from 30 normal‐term infants at two stages (stages I and II).

Results: No significant difference in basal GLP‐2 values at stage I (before initial feeding) was found between ELBW infants and normal‐term infants (7.37 ± 0.95 ng/mL vs 9.47 ± 0.94 ng/mL). However, in ELBW infants, serum GLP‐2 concentrations at stage II were significantly increased, compared with those at stage I (P < 0.0001). In normal‐term infants, serum GLP‐2 concentrations at stage II were also significantly increased compared with those at stage I (P < 0.001).

Conclusion: The results suggest that initial feeding stimulates secretion of serum GLP‐2 in neonates. In addition, the secretion mechanism of GLP‐2 is considered to be established at 24 weeks of gestation at the latest.
Contact pressure distribution features in Down syndrome infants in supine and prone positions, analyzed by photoelastic methods
Authors: NISHIZAWA YOSHIKI , FUJITA TAKEHISA , MATSUOKA KAZUHIKO , NAKAGAWA HIROFUMI
Published: September 2006

Background: Local force distribution supporting the bodyweight of infants with Down syndrome (DS) appears to be different from that of healthy controls. The purpose of the present study was to establish methods to assess this force distribution and to allow therapeutic evaluation of neurological development in DS infants prior to walking.

Methods: Contact pressure distribution patterns in supine and prone positions were measured by photoelastic methods and were compared between DS infants and healthy controls. The DS group included eight subjects, seven with regular trisomy 21, and one with a Robertson translocation. The controls consisted of 14 neonates, four 4‐month‐old infants and eight 7‐month‐old infants.

Results: In both groups, head loading ratio decreased as age advanced but the decrement was less in the test group than in the control group. When the bodyweight loading ratios were measured in two different lying positions, that is, prone and supine, the ratios for prone generally tended to be smaller than those for supine in the controls. This kind of difference between prone and supine was not seen in the DS group. The bodyweight is somewhat sustained with limbs and the limbs loading ratios in the DS group were always significantly lower than in the controls.

Conclusion: Coordinated development of weight‐supporting limbs seems to be poor in the DS group.
Resource availability controls fungal diversity across a plant diversity gradient
Authors: Waldrop Mark P. , Zak Donald R. , Blackwood Christopher B. , Curtis Casey D. , Tilman David
Published: September 2006

Despite decades of research, the ecological determinants of microbial diversity remain poorly understood. Here, we test two alternative hypotheses concerning the factors regulating fungal diversity in soil. The first states that higher levels of plant detritus production increase the supply of limiting resources (i.e. organic substrates) thereby increasing fungal diversity. Alternatively, greater plant diversity increases the range of organic substrates entering soil, thereby increasing the number of niches to be filled by a greater array of heterotrophic fungi. These two hypotheses were simultaneously examined in experimental plant communities consisting of one to 16 species that have been maintained for a decade. We used ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis (RISA), in combination with cloning and sequencing, to quantify fungal community composition and diversity within the experimental plant communities. We used soil microbial biomass as a temporally integrated measure of resource supply. Plant diversity was unrelated to fungal diversity, but fungal diversity was a unimodal function of resource supply. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) indicated that plant diversity showed a relationship to fungal community composition, although the occurrence of RISA bands and operational taxonomic units (OTUs) did not differ among the treatments. The relationship between fungal diversity and resource availability parallels similar relationships reported for grasslands, tropical forests, coral reefs, and other biotic communities, strongly suggesting that the same underlying mechanisms determine the diversity of organisms at multiple scales.
Tradeoffs of different types of species occurrence data for use in systematic conservation planning
Authors: Rondinini Carlo , Wilson Kerrie A. , Boitani Luigi , Grantham Hedley , Possingham Hugh P.
Published: September 2006

Data on the occurrence of species are widely used to inform the design of reserve networks. These data contain commission errors (when a species is mistakenly thought to be present) and omission errors (when a species is mistakenly thought to be absent), and the rates of the two types of error are inversely related. Point locality data can minimize commission errors, but those obtained from museum collections are generally sparse, suffer from substantial spatial bias and contain large omission errors. Geographic ranges generate large commission errors because they assume homogenous species distributions. Predicted distribution data make explicit inferences on species occurrence and their commission and omission errors depend on model structure, on the omission of variables that determine species distribution and on data resolution. Omission errors lead to identifying networks of areas for conservation action that are smaller than required and centred on known species occurrences, thus affecting the comprehensiveness, representativeness and efficiency of selected areas. Commission errors lead to selecting areas not relevant to conservation, thus affecting the representativeness and adequacy of reserve networks. Conservation plans should include an estimation of commission and omission errors in underlying species data and explicitly use this information to influence conservation planning outcomes.