bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aromatase activity in the mare ovary during estrous cycle. Measurement of endogenous steroids and of their in vitro inhibitory effect
Authors: Amri Hakima , Silberzahn Pierre , Al-Timimi Ihsan , Gaillard Jean-Luc
Published: June 2009

This present study was undertaken to clarify estrogen synthesis in the mare ovary. First of all, an evaluation of endogenous steroid contents was carried out in the follicular fluid and in the luteal tissue at different stages of the luteal phase. Radioimmunoassays were performed after separation and purification of each hormone by chromatography. High amounts of conjugated (0.9 mg/l) and unconjugated (4 mg/l) estradiol-17β were found in the follicular fluid of the large follicules (50 mm). These concentrations of estrogens decreased drasticaly in the luteal tissue, and only low levels of circulating estrogens are found during the luteal phase. On the other hand, a high aromatization ability has been evidenced in the cyclic corpus luteum in vitro. In an attempt to clarify the regulation of estrogen synthesis, we have tested the inhibitory effect of several endogenous steroids on equine ovarian aromatase activity. 5α-Dihydrotestosterone appeared to be the most potent competitive inhibitor (Ki= 181 nmol/l) of aromatase activity, while the addition of a 3-sulfate group induced a slump in the inhibitory potency of estrone (Ki= 397 nmol/l vs 2206 nmol/l) and dehydroepiandrosterone (Ki = 291 nmol/l vs 6157 nmol/l). The physiological role of these conjugated steroids has not been known until now; we suggest that they would play a role in protecting aromatase from inhibition, in vivo. The high amounts of progesterone found in the luteal tissue (1.3 g/kg of proteins) might play a role in the regulation of estrogen production either by suppressing the induction of aromatase synthesis or by inhibiting the activity of the enzyme complex.
Induction of reversible growth retardation and growth hormone deficiency by blockade of norepinephrine synthesis in the rat
Authors: Malozowski Saul , Mamalaki Evagelia , Pleti Marian , Armando Ines , Goldstein David , Merriam George R
Published: June 2009

Norepinephrine is a major regulator of the release of growth hormone. Diethyldithiocarbamate, a dopamine-β-hydroxylase inhibitor, reduces norepinephrine synthesis and acutely inhibits growth hormone (GH) secretion. To investigate the long-term effects of dopamine-β-hydroxylase blockade on growth, we administered diethyldithiocarbamate (0, 40, 100 or 400 mg/kg sc b.i.d.) to 21-day-old female rats for 10 days. Food intake, body weight, and tail length were measured twice a week. Plasma GH levels and hypothalamic dopamine and norepinephrine content were measured; messenger ribonucleic acids (mRNAs) for GH-releasing hormone and somatostatin were determined by quantitative in situ hybridization. Diethyldithiocarbamate administration decreased GH levels (p<0.05) and retarded growth in a dose-dependent manner (p<0.05), without altering food intake. Co-administration of GH partially reversed the growth retardation in diethyldithiocarbamate-treated animals (p<0.05). Diethyldithiocarbamate treatment also increased the hypothalamic dopamine/norepinephrine ratio (1.13 vs 0.41 control, p<0.05). Local levels of GH-releasing hormone and somatostatin mRNA were not altered by treatment. After discontinuation of diethyldithiocarbamate, growth rates returned to normal or transiently even to supranormal values. Norepinephrine synthesis blockade with diethyldithiocarbamate provides a model for reversible growth retardation, in which GH levels are decreased in the absence of decreased GH-releasing hormone mRNA. These results support a role for norepinephrine in the regulation of normal growth.
Comparison between the human serum growth hormone-binding protein and the water-soluble growth hormone-binding site released from IM-9 lymphocytes
Authors: Massa Guy , Ilondo Mapoko , Vanderschueren-Lodeweyckx Magda
Published: June 2009

The characteristics of the human serum growth hormone-binding protein (GHBP) were compared with those of a water-soluble GH-binding site prepared by incubating cultured IM-9 lymphocytes in assay buffer with 25 mmol/l iodoacetamide. High-performance liquid chromatography gel filtration of the water-soluble GH-binding site incubated with 125I-labeled human GH ([125I]hGH) revealed a large peak of bound [125I]hGH eluting at the same position as the peak of [125I]hGH bound to the GHBP in serum. The estimated Mr of the peak was 120 000, presumably representing one [125I]hGH bound to two binding sites. The binding specificities of the serum GHBP, the water-soluble GH-binding site and the GH receptor on IM-9 lymphocytes were identical. The binding affinities for 22 000 hGH and for 20 000 hGH of the serum GHBP were similar to the binding affinity of the water-soluble GH-binding site but lower than those of the cellular GH receptor. These findings show that the characteristics of the serum GHBP are comparable to those of the water-soluble GH-binding site released from IM-9 cells and support the hypothesis that in man the serum GHBP is produced by proteolytic cleavage of the cellular GH receptor.
Production of alpha-subunit of glycoprotein hormones by pituitary somatotroph adenomas in vitro
Authors: Kontogeorgos George , Asa Sylvia L , Kovacs Kalman , Smyth Harley S , Singer William
Published: June 2009

Somatotroph adenomas of the pituitary secrete growth hormone in excess and are associated with acromegaly. Morphologically, they can be separated into two entities, densely and sparsely granulated variants. It has been shown that a number of somatotroph adenomas produce α-subunit of glycoprotein hormones; however, it is not clear whether α-subunit production correlates with tumor cell morphology. We studied 32 surgically removed pituitary somatotroph adenomas in tissue culture to determine structure-function correlations of growth hormone and α-subunit production. All tumors were classified on the basis of detailed histological, immunocytochemical and electron-microscopic studies. Fifteen tumors were densely granulated and 1 7 were sparsely granulated. In addition to growth hormone, all 15 densely granulated tumors released α-subunit in vitro, whereas of the 1 7 sparsely granulated tumors only 4 released α-subunit moreover, the mean baseline levels of α-subunit were significantly higher in densely granulated adenomas than in sparsely granulated adenomas. Parallel response of release of both hormones was found during stimulation with growth hormone-releasing hormone or thyrotropin-releasing hormone and during suppression with somatostatin or bromocriptine in densely granulated tumors. α-subunit response to stimulation or suppression could not be determined with significance in sparsely granulated tumors because of low basal levels. The results indicate that α-subunit production and release is characteristic of densely granulated somatotroph adenomas and that α-subunit is coregulated with growth hormone by adenohypophysiotropic substances; in contrast, α-subunit production by sparsely granulated somatotroph adenomas is rare and, when present, much lower in quantity. Our studies confirm that densely and sparsely granulated somatotroph adenomas represent separate entities.
Localization of Cu/Zn and Mn superoxide dismutase in various thyroid disorders
Authors: Iwase Katsumi , Nagasaka Akio , Kato Kanefusa , Ohtani Susumu , Tsujimura Toru , Inagaki Asako , Jimbo Shin , Nakai Akira , Masunaga Rumi , Hamada Michiko , Mano Toshiki , Kotake Motoko , Miura Kaoru
Published: June 2009

The intracellular localization of Cu/Zn- and Mn-superoxide dismutases (SOD), which catalyze the dismutation of superoxide radicals (O2−) to O2 and H2O2, was studied in the thyroid tissue of various thyroid disorders by an immunohistochemical technique. The concentrations of both SODs in those tissues were measured also by a sandwich enzyme immunoassay technique.

Copper/zinc-SOD in thyroid tissues were identified by immunocytochemical staining in most cases of papillary carcinoma and in some cases of other thyroid disorders. In normal follicular cells this enzyme is localized in the perinuclear cytoplasm, whereas in thyroid tumor or hyperplastic follicular cells it exists homogenously in cytoplasm. Manganese-SOD stained strongly in papillary carcinoma and papillary-growing cells in the thyroid tissue of adenoma and Graves' disease. The concentrations of Cu/Zn- and Mn-SOD in thyroid tumor tissues and hyperplastic follicular disorders were significantly higher than those in normal thyroid tissue when they were compared as a function of protein or deoxyribonucleic acid contents. The ratio of Mn-SOD to Cu/Zn-SOD was significantly higher only in papillary carcinoma, except for other thyroid disorders, as compared with that in the normal thyroid. In conclusion. SOD seems to be related to cell proliferation and differentiation in the thyroid follicular cell because Cu/Zn-SOD changes its localization in tumor and hyperplastic follicular cells and because the Mn-SOD concentration is increased in papillary carcinoma or papillary-growing cells.
FK506 inhibits phytohemagglutinin-, but not interferon-γ-, induced HLA-DR antigen expression and accessory cell function on primary cultured human thyroid cells
Authors: Sato Masayuki , Hiromatsu Yuji , Tanaka Kiyoko , Ishisaka Noriko , Nonaka Kyohei
Published: June 2009

We investigated the effects of FK506, a novel immunosuppressive agent, on the phytohemagglutinin (PHA) or interferon-γ (IFN-γ)-induced expression of HLA-DR antigen, accessory cell function and proliferation of primary cultured human thyroid cells. Primary cultured thyroid cells from patients with Graves' disease were incubated for 3 days with PHA in concentrations in the range 1–50 mg/l or with 200 kU/l of IFN-γ, in the presence or absence of FK506. The surface expression of HLA-DR antigen was measured by flow cytometry. Accessory cell function of thyroid cells was assessed by the incorporation of [3H]thymidine to T cells in the presence of 0.1–1.0 μg/l staphylococcus enterotoxin B (SEB). The proliferation of thyroid cells was determined from [3H]thymidine incorporation assays. FK506 inhibited the induction of HLA-DR antigen expression by PHA on thyroid cells in a dose-dependent manner, but did not inhibit that by IFN-γ. Polyclonal anti-IFN-γ antibody partly inhibited the PHA-induced HLA-DR antigen expression on thyroid cells. Phytohemagglutinin enhanced the SEB-mediated accessory cell function of thyroid cells. FK506 inhibited the accessory cell function induced by PHA. FK506 alone did not directly affect the thyroid cell proliferation, although it ameliorated the thyroid cell growth suppressed by PHA. Our data suggest that FK506 suppresses the HLA-DR antigen expression induced by PHA and the subsequent accessory cell function on thyroid cells via the inhibition of T lymphocytes present in the primary culture.
Plasma glucagon responses to insulin-induced hypoglycemia and arginine in spontaneous non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) rats, Otsuka Long Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) strain
Authors: Ishida Kaori , Mizuno Akira , Sano Toshiaki , Shi Keju , Shima Kenji
Published: June 2009

Pancreatic A-cell function in the newly developed Otsuka Long Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) strain of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) rats was examined in relation to the morphological changes in their islets and the plasma glucagon responses to insulin-induced hypoglycemia and an arginine test by chronological studies in seven male OLETF and seven male non-diabetic control Long Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO) rats each at 10, 16 and 24 weeks of age and eight male OLETF rats that were placed in a cage with a wheel for exercising from 5 to 24 weeks of age. The hormonal contents and morphological features of the pancreas of these rats were examined. After iv injection of insulin, the plasma glucagon level rose significantly from the basal level in OLETF rats at 10 weeks old, but little if at all in those of 16 and 24 weeks old. The pancreatic A cells of LETO rats of all age groups responded equally well to glucopenia. The areas under the response curves of plasma glucagon (∑ΔIRG) during the 90 min of insulin-induced hypoglycemia were 14496±7860 vs 9588±3930, 2257±3018 vs 9235±5447 (p<0.05) and 826±985 vs 9707±2510 (p<0.01) ng·min−1·l−1 in OLETF rats vs LETO rats of 10, 16 and 24 weeks old, respectively. The plasma glucagon responses during the arginine test were higher in OLETF rats than in LETO rats at 10 and 16 weeks but not at 24 weeks of age. Exercise-trained OLETF rats of 24 weeks old had normal ability to secrete glucagon from the pancreas in response to glycopenia (∑ΔIRG: 8645±2467 ng·min −1·l−1). There were no significant differences in the insulin and glucagon contents of the pancreas of young and old OLETF rats. Morphological studies on the pancreas of sedentary OLETF rats of 24 weeks old revealed enlarged, multilobulate, fibrotic islets in which A cells did not occupy a peripheral position but were widely dispersed, whereas in sections of the islets from exercise-trained rats the microstructure and locations of A and B cells appeared normal. These results demonstrated that the pancreatic A-cell response to glucopenia was impaired in old sedentary OLETF rats, probably due to an abnormal A-cell-B-cell morphofunctional relationship.
Increased serum concentrations of macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1 in patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus: the influence of very low calorie diet
Authors: Dostálová Ivana , Roubíček Tomáš , Bártlová Markéta , Mráz Miloš , Lacinová Zdena , Haluzíková Denisa , Kaválková Petra , Matoulek Martin , Kasalický Mojmír , Haluzík Martin
Published: June 2009

Objective

Macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1 (MIC-1) is a novel regulator of energy homeostasis. We explored whether alterations in MIC-1 levels contribute to metabolic disturbances in patients with obesity and/or obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Design

We measured serum MIC-1 levels and its mRNA expression in subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue of 17 obese nondiabetic women, 14 obese women with T2DM and 23 healthy lean women. We also explored the relationship of MIC-1 with anthropometric and biochemical parameters and studied the influence of 2-week very low calorie diet (VLCD) on serum MIC-1 levels.

Methods

Serum MIC-1 levels were measured by ELISA and its mRNA expression was determined by RT-PCR.

Results

Both obese and T2DM group had significantly elevated serum MIC-1 levels relative to controls. T2DM group had significantly higher serum MIC-1 levels relative to obese group. Serum MIC-1 positively correlated with body weight, body fat, and serum levels of triglycerides, glucose, HbAlc, and C-reactive protein and it was inversely related to serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Fat mRNA MIC-1 expression did not significantly differ between lean and obese women but it was significantly higher in subcutaneous than in visceral fat in both groups. VLCD significantly increased serum MIC-1 levels in obese but not T2DM group.

Conclusion

Elevated MIC-1 levels in patients with obesity are further increased by the presence of T2DM. We suggest that in contrast to patients with cancer cachexia, increased MIC-1 levels in obese patients and diabetic patients do not induce weight loss.
Studies on the effect of N fertilisation on the growth of maize ( Zea mays L.) hybrids I. Dynamics of dry matter accumulation in whole plants and plant organs
Authors: Berzsenyi Z.
Published: June 2009

Investigations on the process of dry matter accumulation over time could contribute to improvements in the N fertiliser utilisation of maize hybrids. In 2001 and 2002 the effect of four N fertiliser rates (0, 80, 160, 240 kg ha
−1
) on the growth and productivity of three maize hybrids with different vegetation periods [Mv TC 272 (FAO 280), Mv 355 SC (FAO 390) and Maraton SC (FAO 450)] was studied in an almost 50-year-old long-term experiment involving continuous maize, as a stress environment. The experiment was set up in Martonvásár on chernozem soil with forest residues in a split-plot design with four replications, with the N treatments in the main plots and the maize hybrids in the subplots. Plant samples for yield analysis were taken at 14-day intervals on 8 occasions a year. The dynamics of dry matter accumulation in the whole plants and in various plant organs (stalk, leaf, grain), and that of leaf area, differed significantly between N treatments and hybrids. The effect of mineral N fertilisation was significant from the 4–6-leaf stage and the differences between hybrids from the flowering stage. Both the dry matter yield and the leaf area were greatest in the N
160
treatment. The greatest difference in the pattern of N fertiliser reactions over time was detected between the pre-flowering and post-flowering stages. The maize grain yield was greatest in the N
160
treatment, exhibiting the following values (t ha
−1
) in the individual N treatments: N
0
: 4.907, N
80
: 7.872, N
160
: 8.921, N
240
: 8.770. The results indicate that the dynamics of dry matter accumulation in the whole maize plant and in various plant organs could further our understanding of the N fertiliser responses of maize hybrids.
Stability analysis of seed yield in safflower genotypes in Iran
Authors: Abdulahi A. , Pourdad S. , Mohammadi R.
Published: June 2009

To assess the stability and yield performance of safflower genotypes and to identify subregions within Iran, a set of experiments was conducted at six locations during 2003–2005. AMMI model analysis and some stability parameters derived from the grain yield were used. AMMI analysis showed differences between genotypes and environments and the GE interaction was highly significant, indicating that the agro-climatic environmental conditions were different, and that there was a differential response of the genotypes to the environments. The first two IPCA components of the GE interaction explained 51.5% of the GE interaction. According to the AMMI model, G16 was the most superior genotype in 15 out of 18 environments. The biplot of IPCA1 and IPCA2 showed that the six locations represent different environments, and mega-environments in Iran were identified for safflower breeding programmes. Due to the great fluctuation observed when selecting genotypes through stability parameters, it was not possible to distinguish stable genotypes clearly. In addition, when calculating these parameters high yield performance is not considered. So the Yield and Stability Index (YSI) can be recommended as a new approach to facilitate genotype selection, where genotypes with low values of YSI are the best. According to YSI the genotypes G16, G2, G9 and G1 can be selected. These genotypes were also selected using the AMMI model.
Plant diversity and species richness of Ljubljana marsh grasslands under the influence of different cutting and fertilizing regimes
Authors: Sinkovč T.
Published: June 2009

The botanical composition of grasslands determines the agronomic and natural values of swards. Good grassland management usually improves herbage value, but on the other hand it frequently decreases the plant diversity and species richness in the swards. In 1999 a field trial in a split-plot design with four replicates was therefore established on the
Arrhenatherion
type of vegetation in Ljubljana marsh meadows in order to investigate this relationship. Cutting regimes (2 cuts — with normal and delayed first cut, 3 cuts and 4 cuts per year) were allocated to the main plots and fertiliser treatments (zero fertiliser — control, PK and NPK with 2 or 3 N rates) were allocated to the sub-plots. The results at the 1
st
cutting in the 5
th
trial year were as follows: Fertilising either with PK or NPK had no significant negative effect on plant diversity in any of the cutting regimes. In most treatments the plant number even increased slightly compared to the control. On average, 20 species were listed on both unfertilised and fertilised swards. At this low to moderate level of exploitation intensity, the increased number of cuts had no significant negative effect on plant diversity either (19 species at 2 cuts vs. 20 species at 3 or 4 cuts). PK fertilisation increased the proportion of legumes in the herbage in the case of 2 or 3 cuts. The proportion of grasses in the herbage increased in all the fertilisation treatments with an increased numbers of cuts. Fertiliser treatment considerably reduced the proportion of marsh horsetail (
Equisetum palustre
) in the herbage of the meadows. This effect was even more pronounced at higher cut numbers. The proportion of
Equisetum palustre
in the herbage was the highest in the unfertilised sward with 2 cuts (26.4 %) and the lowest in the NPK-fertilised sward with 4 cuts (1.4%).
Time-saving application for sequential extraction of heavy metals by optimized BCR method and lixiviation from untreated sewage sludge
Authors: Jamali M. , Kazi T. , Arain M. , Afridi H. , Baig J. , Shah A.
Published: June 2009

This article describes an improvement in the modified BCR three-step sequential extraction procedure employed for heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) in untreated domestic waste-water sewage sludge collected from different cities in Pakistan.The BCR sequential extraction protocol requires 16 h for each step, whereas in the present work optimum recoveries of all heavy metals were attained in 10 h/step. The validity of the proposed BCR sequential extraction procedure was checked using certified reference material (BCR 483). Various parameters such as time interval (2–16 h) and sample mass (0.2–1.0 g) were studied to achieve optimum recovery of the heavy metals studied. The extracted analytes were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. The optimum recovery of heavy metals from the certified reference material and from experimental samples was achieved at a sample mass of 0.4 g, while the time required for extraction on a mechanical shaker at 30 rpm was found to be 26–32 h. The sequence of easily available (acid-exchangeable) heavy metals was determined as Cd<Zn<Ni<Cr<Pb<Cu. With the exception of Cd the dominant fractions of the heavy metals were associated with organic matter, while 31.0 and 47.8% of Cd was present in acid-soluble and reducible forms, respectively. A lixiviation test (DIN 38414-S4) was used to evaluate the leaching of heavy metals from the domestic waste-water sewage sludge used for agricultural purposes.
Assimilation of various organic carbon sources by Haematococcus strains
Authors: Zych M. , Stolarczyk A. , Maca K. , Banaś A. , Termińska-Pabis K. , Kapuścik A. , Klasik S. , Burczyk J.
Published: June 2009

Differences in the assimilation of individual organic compounds (5 mM sugars and L-asparagine) under mixotrophic growth conditions were described for three naturally occurringHaematococcusstrains.The effects of assimilation were measured by the growth intensity and size of algal cells, and the effect of colour changes in the cultures was observed. Some compounds caused the cell colouration to change from green to yellow, being the result of chlorophyll disappearance and the accumulation of yellow secondary carotenoids. In the present experiment none of the cultures turned red, thus excluding the intense accumulation of the commercially interesting carotenoid, astaxanthin.
Physiological reaction of legume plants to inoculation with algal-rhizobial associations
Authors: Sytnikov D. , Vorobey N. , Kots S.
Published: June 2009

The physiological reaction of legume plants to inoculation with algal-rhizobial associations was studied, based on the nodule bacteria, their Tn5 mutants and the cyanobacterium
Nostoc punctiforme
. It was shown that binary inoculation with rhizobia and cyanobacteria may have a positive effect if the inoculation agents and their ratio are correctly chosen. The data obtained on the effect of complex bacterization on the development and productivity of plants under legume-rhizobial symbiotic conditions indicate the prospects of bacterial preparations based on cyanobacteria and rhizobia, including their genetically modified strains.
Fast and unambiguous determination of EPA and DHA content in oil of selected strains of algae and cyanobacteria
Authors: Christian B. , Lichti B. , Pulz O. , Grewe C. , Luckas B.
Published: June 2009

Microalgae may contain large quantities of high-quality EPA and DHA. Therefore, they are considered as a potential source of these important fatty acids. Microalgae can be grown autotrophically on cheap substrates with light. This type of cultivation can be used to maximize the EPA and DHA content in microalgae, making the production of EPA and DHA possible on a large scale. In the present study ten different microalgae were screened for EPA and DHA contents as possible candidates for cultivation in bioreactors.
Weed shift in a maize ( Zea mays L.) — Sunflower ( Helianthus annuus L.) cropping system
Authors: Subbulakshmi S. , Subbian P. , Saravanan N. , Prabakaran N.
Published: June 2009

A field experiment was conducted during the
kharif
(June–September) and
rabi
(October–January) seasons of 2005–2006 to study the effect of a maize — sunflower cropping system on the weed flora shift. The results revealed a change in weed species, i.e. the appearance of new species and the elimination of certain weed species due to the cropping system. The density of
Dinebra retroflexa
was high during the 1
st
year maize cropping period, but
Panicum repens
became dominant when sunflower was grown after maize.
Cyperus rotundus
, originally the dominant sedge, was smothered by
Cynodon dactylon
due to zero tillage.
Dactyloctenium aegyptium
was the dominant weed species in maize, while
Parthenium hysterophorus
was the dominant weed species in sunflower. The proportions of
Datura fastuosa, Parthenium hysterophorus, Trianthema portulacastrum, Amaranthus viridis, Amaranthus polygamus, Flaveria austerlagica, Gynandropsis pentaphylla
and
Portulaca quadrifida
were higher during the 1
st
year maize cropping season, while later their density was gradually reduced due to the inclusion of sunflower in the system.
Optimum harvest date of maize for biogas and silage purposes
Authors: Hadi G.
Published: June 2009

The dry matter and moisture contents of the aboveground vegetative organs and kernels of four maize hybrids were studied in Martonvásár at five harvest dates, with four replications per hybrid. The dry matter yield per hectare of the kernels and other plant organs were investigated in order to obtain data on the optimum date of harvest for the purposes of biogas and silage production.It was found that the dry mass of the aboveground vegetative organs, both individually and in total, did not increase after silking. During the last third of the ripening period, however, a significant reduction in the dry matter content was sometimes observed as a function of the length of the vegetation period. The data suggest that, with the exception of extreme weather conditions or an extremely long vegetation period, the maximum dry matter yield could be expected to range from 22–42%, depending on the vegetation period of the variety. The harvest date should be chosen to give a kernel moisture content of above 35% for biogas production and below 35% for silage production. In this phenophase most varieties mature when the stalks are still green, so it is unlikely that transport costs can be reduced by waiting for the vegetative mass to dry.
Gene expression investigations on plant-pathogen interactions between Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria and pepper ( Capsicum annuum L.) using the cDNA-AFLP technology
Authors: Szabó E. , Bárdos G. , Nagy I.
Published: June 2009

In order to target factors involved in plant-pathogen interactions, gene expression differences were investigated on pepper (
Capsicum annuum
L.) plants after artificial infection with the bacterial pathogen
Xanthomonas campestris
pv.
vesicatoria
. Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism investigations on reverse transcribed DNA fragments (cDNA-AFLP) were used to compare the expression profiles of parental lines and of resistant and susceptible individuals from pepper populations segregating for the
gds
gene, which confers a general defence system in pepper. In total, 73 transcript-derived fragments (TDFs) displaying differential expression patterns could be identified (presence-absence and/or different time courses in resistant and susceptible genotypes). Of these, 67 fragments were cloned and sequenced. In the case of several TDFs, sequence comparisons revealed close homologies to genes known to be responsible for abiotic stress or biotic elicitors, presenting potentially interesting targets for more detailed studies on gene expression and signal transduction.
Induction of parthenocarpy in watermelon ( Citrullus lanatus ) cultivars by gamma irradiation
Authors: Moussa H. , Salem A.
Published: June 2009

It was found that diploid seedless watermelon can be produced by pollination with partially functional pollen which was irradiated with gamma rays at doses of 600 and 800 Gray (Gy). The diploid seedless fruit was very similar to normal fruit in days to maturity from pollination and rate of fruit set. The number of empty seeds in the diploid seedless fruit varied for the cultivars used in this study. No correlation was found between the number of empty seeds in seedless fruit and the number of normal seeds in normal fruit. Also, the results indicated that seedless watermelon cultivars have a significant increase in total sugar and carotenoids (lycopene and β-carotene) content, providing an important source of phytonutrients in the diet. The pollen tube of pollen irradiated with gamma radiation penetrated normally into the synergid and sperm cells were discharged. Subsequently, the egg nucleus and sperm nucleus became attached to each other in the egg cell and a globular embryo was formed. However, the embryo failed to differentiate into organ tissues and degenerated. It was suggested that seedless fruit induced by gamma rays had a beneficial effect in increasing the quantity and quality of watermelon yield via increases in the carotenoid, total sugar content and fruit weight. Also, in some cultivars there was a tendency for the thickness of the rind to decrease.
Study of androgenesis and spontaneous chromosome doubling in barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.) genotypes using isolated microspore culture
Authors: Kahrizi D. , Mohammadi R.
Published: June 2009

This research aimed to study the androgenesis and spontaneous chromosome doubling of five barley genotypes using an isolatedin vitromicrospore culture technique, involving a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. Statistical analysis of embryogenesis and cytogenetic results showed that genotype had a significant effect on haploid embryogenesis (P<0.01) and on spontaneous chromosome doubling (P<0.05). The genotype Igri was found to have the highest potential to produce haploid embryos (1577 embryos from 100 anthers), followed by the genotypes Boyer/Rojo, Afzal/Turkman/Kavir, Ashar/Hebo and Agrigashar/Matico with 369, 304, 278 and 150 embryos from 100 anthers, respectively. The highest percentage of spontaneous chromosome doubling (76%) was observed for the genotype which had the lowest embryogenesis (Agrigashar/Matico) and the lowest (65%) for the genotype with the highest androgenic capacity (Igri). Microspore embryogenesis also showed comparatively higher genotypic (109.2) and phenotypic (109.5) coefficients of variation, heritability (99.62) and genetic advance (1206.77), indicating the pre-dominance of additive gene action in the control of this character in the material studied. Estimates of genetic parameters (PCV, GCV and heritability) for microspore embryogenesis were higher than for spontaneous doubled haploids. These results indicated that selection for androgenic capacity would be more effective than for spontaneous doubled haploids. The findings showed a negative relationship (r= −0.68) between embryogenesis and spontaneous chromosome doubling in the barley genotypes studied. All the large embryos used had high regenerability and good plantlet formation.
Combining ability study for grain yield and yield-related traits of grain sorghum [ Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] in Ethiopia
Authors: Degu E. , Debello A. , Belete K.
Published: June 2009

A field experiment was conducted in three low moisture areas in Ethiopia to study general and specific combining ability (GCA and SCA) for developmental, panicle and grain traits. Twenty-four parents (6 male sterile lines and 18 fertility restorers or testers) were used along with their 108 crosses. Combining ability analysis through a line × tester set for 14 agronomic traits in three environments and on a pooled basis revealed the importance of both additive and non-additive genetic effects. However, the predominance of additive components was observed in the inheritance of most traits studied. Environments also influenced the GCA and SCA effects. The female genotypes ICSA-10, ICSA-15 and ICSA-30, the testers ICSR-14 and KLCTENT # 17DTN and the crosses ICSA-30 × KCTENT # 17DTN, ICSA-30 × ICSR-16, ICSA-15 × KCTENT #17DTN and ICSA-10 × ICSR-14 exhibited the highest and significant SCA effects for yield and some of its components, indicating their importance in hybrid development for lowland areas of Ethiopia.
The Continuing Persecution of Falun Gong
Authors: Hsia Chang Maria
Published: June 2009

Nearly ten years ago on 25 April 1999, the world was introduced to a new religious movement with a worldwide following reportedly numbering in the millions. On that spring day, 10,000 to 16,000 followers of a spiritual movement named Falun Gong [FLG] or “Law Wheel Cultivation” peacefully assembled outside Zhongnanhai, the Chinese Communist Party’s [hereafter CCP] headquarters in the heart of Beijing. The demonstrators included people of all ages from all walks of life who had come from across China to ask that their government recognize their faith and lift the ban on its publications. From dawn until late into the night, those present sat in silent protest, eight-deep on the sidewalk, many clutching a blue book—one of FLG’s publications. What was remarkable about the assemblage was that it took the Chinese government completely by surprise. The demonstration was a political earthquake that shook the People’s Republic of China [PRC] with repercussions that persist to this day. In this paper I provide an updated overview of the rise of this movement and consider its most recent activities
The Affirmation of Charismatic Authority
Authors: Melton J. Gordon
Published: June 2009

The True Buddha School (TBS) is one of a set of new expressions of Buddhism that have arisen in Taiwan in the decades since World War II. It is a version of Esoteric Buddhism, following a path much closer to Tibetan Buddhism, rather than either the Ch'an or Pure Land Buddhisms that have dominated Chinese Buddhist groups for the past few centuries. It is headed by Lu Sheng-yen (b.1945) who began his religious career as an independent Daoist spiritual counsellor in Taichung, the large city in the centre of this island nation. In this paper I will introduce the True Buddha School and discuss this movement in relation to theories of charismatic leadership.
Konkokyo (Golden Light Teachings) and Modernity
Authors: Cusack Carole M.
Published: June 2009

Scholarly interest in Japanese new religions (shin shukyo) or newly arising religions (shinko shukyo) appears to have peaked in the 1960s when a number of book-length studies appeared. In the early twenty-first century, such movements have been marginal within the academic study of religion. This may be due to three stereotypes that were promoted in the 1960s as to the nature and function of Japanese new and ‘new new’ religions (shin shin shukyo) which are still influential. Earhart has trenchantly criticised the reductionist tendency to characterise these movements as ‘crisis cults’ and the false logic that when social upheaval is followed by formation of new religions that there is a causal relationship between the two. The similarly reductionist claim that the universalising tendencies of the kami venerated by Japanese new religions are the result of Christian influences has also been challenged. The third stereotype, that the new religions were founded by charlatans, attract the gullible, and lack religious authenticity has not been as effectively refuted, though some recent research has offered a more positive assessment (Pfeiffer 2000; Pye 1994).
Spiritism and Charisma
Authors: Hartney Christopher
Published: June 2009

The Religion of Caodaism (Vietnam, 1926) began as a communal effort by a number of early believers who responded to what they believed to be definite instructions from heaven granted through various devices of mediumship both Eastern and Western in origin. Of these forms I will investigate and speculate upon how the process of séance can be spoken of, understood in this Vietnamese context and how various ways to manage it were devised and operated by Caodaists. It will be shown that a general inability to manage séance led to the development of numerous other Caodaist groupings in Vietnam. After a period of division during the late 1920s and throughout the 1930s, Tay Ninh Caodaism (the original “trunk” of Caodaism) continued to develop under the influence of the increasingly charismatic leader Pham Cong Tac. It will be argued that under the guiding influence of this man, Tay Ninh Caodaism developed politically, hierarchically and mystically as a separate entity from other variants of Caodaism and that these developments better facilitated Pham Cong Tac’s control of the organization through charismatic manifestations rather than séance-granted authority. As this shift takes place, I will show that there is a change of emphasis from the democratically organised Cuu Trung Dai, or administrative hierarchy of the faith, to the self-selecting Hiep Thien Dai, or branch of mediums. Furthermore, post 1945; the work of Pham Cong Tac changes the spiritual emphasis of Caodaism from a non-personal thaumaturgical authority to a prophetic charismatic authority. Although Tay Ninh Caodaism is seen to operate in this more pragmatic charismatic way, it continues to understand itself as a séance-based group.
Michael Carden, Sodomy: A History of a Christian Biblical Myth.
Authors: Maddox Marion
Published: June 2009

Michael Carden, Sodomy: A History of a Christian Biblical Myth. Equinox, London, 2004, pp. 226, ISBN 1-9047-6829-6 (hbk), 1-9047-6830-X (pbk).
Chongo Kim, Korean Shamanism: The Cultural Paradox.
Authors: Hartney Christoper
Published: June 2009

Chongo Kim, Korean Shamanism: The Cultural Paradox. Ashgate, Aldershot, 2003, pp. 422, ISBN 0754631842 (hbk), 0754631850 (pbk).
Steven J. Sutcliffe (ed.), Religion: Empirical Studies.
Authors: Ezzy Douglas
Published: June 2009

Steven J. Sutcliffe (ed.), Religion: Empirical Studies. Ashgate, Aldershot, 2004, pp. xlii+279, ISBN 100754641589 (hbk).
Who goes to World Youth Day? Some Data on Young Adult Australian Pilgrims
Authors: Rymarz Richard
Published: June 2009

A key feature of the pontificate of Pope John Paul II was the staging of World Youth Days (WYD), a practice that has continued under his successor Benedict XVI. Beginning in 1985 these events, held internationally every two to three years, are amongst the largest international gatherings of young people. In 2000, for example, the WYD held in Rome attracted over three million pilgrims. WYD has become a significant social phenomenon, especially in an era where there is a sustained and widespread disaffiliation of young adults from mainstream Churches. Participants at WYD are mainly Catholics although the invitation to take part is extended to all. There has been little empirical work, however, on who attends WYD and their motivations for attending. This paper will report on research conducted on some Australian pilgrims who attended the 2005 WYD in Cologne. This research will use both quantitative and qualitative techniques to try and build up a profile of WYD pilgrims.
A History of Hell
Authors: Lusthaus Jonathan
Published: June 2009

Hell is a fundamentally important Christian doctrine, but questions still remain about precisely how the concept developed. This article goes a small way to addressing such questions by attempting to ascertain the immediate origins of the idea of Gehenna, a key element of the doctrine of hell found in the Synoptic Gospels. In the Synoptics, Gehenna is the otherworldly location of eternal punishment for the wicked, after the last judgement. This article argues that while Zoroastrian, Mesopotamian, Egyptian and Greek ideas may have influenced Jewish and early Christian eschatology, the idea of Gehenna appears to have developed directly out of Jewish canonical and extra-canonical sources. The word Gehenna is actually the Greek form of Ge-Hinnom, the name of a valley outside Jerusalem mentioned in the Hebrew Bible. Furthermore, the four central elements that allowed the transformation from valley to eschatological site of eternal punishment are all found in Jewish writings.
The Reality of Religious Labels
Authors: Hassan Riaz , Corkindale Carolyn , Sutherland Jessica
Published: June 2009

The meaning of the religious labels used by people to describe themselves and others is often problematic. Religiosity, religious behavior and experience vary in the way they are reported and understood. This study presents a methodological approach to investigating the relationship between self-reported religiosity and an objectively constructed index of religious intensity. The data were obtained from a multi-country study of Muslim religiosity in which over 6000 Muslim respondents were surveyed through a structured questionnaire. The survey questionnaire included questions on the self-reported religiosity of the respondent and forty four items to ascertain respondents’ attitudes toward key Islamic beliefs and practices. A multiple item religious intensity scale was extracted through factor analysis from these forty four items. The percentage distribution of self-reported religiosity is reported by country and globally and then cross tabulated against the religious intensity index. In all countries those who labeled themselves as very religious also had the strongest religious intensity. A correlational analysis between the two measures of religiosity was performed which revealed a highly significant correlation between the two measures. The sociological significance of this finding is that self-reported religiosity can be a reliable and valid measure of religious commitment. The paper concludes with a discussion of varying levels of religiosity found in different countries and offers some cultural explanations of the observed variations making a timely contribution to understanding Muslim religiosity in the modern world.
Towards a Transformed Communal Spirituality in the West
Authors: Haig Albert Roland
Published: June 2009

In the Laws Plato rejects the idea that reason alone is capable of providing an adequate foundation for a just social order by motivating ordinary citizens to act rightly. He therefore sees religion (of the right kind) as playing an important complementary role to reason in encouraging and reinforcing virtuous behaviour in the community. This provides a significant implicit critique of modern liberal secularism. However, Plato never adequately comprehends the way in which religions derive their popular persuasive power. Faith and reason need to act together in an integrated manner as the foundation for social order.
‘Haris’ in Saris
Authors: Salter Brian
Published: June 2009

Religions sometimes “confer” equality on women but set limits on female encroachment into the male domain. Legislation supporting equality between the sexes was enacted in the Hare Krishna movement in March 2000 following a study in 1996 that identified internal discrimination against female members. Research was conducted to assess the impact of the legislation in Australia and review the notion of gender equality in the movement. Forty-three female and fifty-eight male (N = 101) initiates were surveyed at Sydney and Melbourne temples and several interviews were held. It was found that increased moral support for women to perform status roles was not matched by greater inclusion. The presence of ambivalent sexism and conflicting cultural influences were indicated. Increases in training and education opportunities were suggested to move Hare Krishna women toward genuine equality with their male peers.
Dorothy Lee, Transfiguration.
Authors: Kaye Bruce
Published: June 2009

Dorothy Lee, Transfiguration. Continuum, London, 2004, pp. 158, ISBN 0826475957.
Elisabeth Arweck and William Keenan (eds.), Materializing Religion: Expression, Performance & Ritual.
Authors: Martin, O.P. John Hilary
Published: June 2009

Elisabeth Arweck and William Keenan (eds.), Materializing Religion: Expression, Performance & Ritual. Ashgate, Aldershot, 2006, pp. 242. ISBN 0754650944.
John Carroll, The Existential Jesus.
Authors: Boer Roland
Published: June 2009

John Carroll, The Existential Jesus. Scribe, Melbourne, 2007, pp. 274, ISBN 9781921215179.
Hugh B. Urban, Magia Sexualis: Sex, Magic, and Liberation in Modern Western Esotericism.
Authors: Cusack Carole M.
Published: June 2009

Hugh B. Urban, Magia Sexualis: Sex, Magic, and Liberation in Modern Western Esotericism. University of California Press, Berkeley, Los Angeles, London, 2006, pp. xi + 336, ISBN 978-0-520-24776-5 (Hbk). R
Rapid Pressure Waves Trough Gas-Liquid Flow in Wells and Pipelines
Authors: Falk Kristin
Published: June 2009

A new computer model named MultiPress can predict rapid pressure transients in multiphase pipelines and wells. The model shows that pressure pulses behave similar in horizontal multiphase flow as in single-phase flow. In vertical wells there are strong non-linear effects because gas content, density and speed of sound vary down into the well.
Determination of Reservoir Fluid Properties from Samples Contaminated with Oil-Based Mud Filtrate
Authors: Gozalpour F.
Published: June 2009

Drilling with oil-based mud has gained world-wide application. Despite many benefits of using oil-based drilling muds, they may contaminate reservoir fluid samples, as their filtrates are completely miscible with the formation hydrocarbons. Obtaining reservoir fluid samples is expensive and accurate reservoir fluid properties are needed in reservoir development, it is desirable therefore to be able to determine the accurate composition and phase behaviour of the reservoir fluid from contaminated samples.

In this study different types of real reservoir fluid samples (volatile oil and gas condensate) were deliberately contaminated with an oil-based drilling mud filtrate in the range of 1% to 20% on a volumetric basis and conventional PVT experiments were conducted on the original and contaminated samples. The results showed that the contamination may dramatically change the phase behaviour of reservoir fluids to the extent of changing a gas condensate to a volatile oil.

A simple and practical method has been developed to determine the original composition of the reservoir fluid from contaminated samples. The method is general and it can be applied to different types of reservoir fluids, and highly contaminated samples. The measured PVT data of the contaminated sample is used to develop the phase behaviour model and is applied to predict the properties of the original reservoir fluid. The proposed method in most cases provides data within an acceptable accuracy.