bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Historical accounts of the numbat Myrmecobius fasciatus from south-west Western Australia.
Authors: Peacock D. E.
Published: March 2010

The numbat (Myrmecobius fasciatus ) was formerly widespread across most of southern Western Australia, South Australia and western New South Wales. It delined in the early 1900's, possibly due to foxes, cats, or an epizootic. Protection through control of foxes and cats, and translocation, has resulted in several populations being re-established at sites of historical distribution.
Crystal structure of Tris(2-methyl-1,10-phenanthroline)iron(II) tetraphenylborate
Authors: Goodwin HA , Kucharski ES , White AH
Published: March 2010

The crystal structure of
the title compound [Fe(mphen)3] (BPh4)2
a high-spin derivative of iron(II), has been determined by a single crystal
X-ray diffraction study at 295 K, being refined to a residual of 0.055 for 4079
'observed' reflections. Crystals are monoclinic P 21/c, a 12.326(8), b 15.387(8), c 3679(3) �,
β 98.80(6)�, Z 4. The metal atom environment is considerably distorted
from ideal D3 point symmetry; Fe-N distances range from 2.143(5) to
2.294(4)�.
Metal template reactions. XVI. Design and synthesis of primary diamine ligands with additional nitrogen donor atoms
Authors: Black DSC , Rothnie NE
Published: March 2010

Five new primary diamines (8), (10), (12), (20) and (22) have been
synthesized. These compounds contain additional nitrogen donor atoms suitable
for metal chelation. An improved preparation of the triamine (6) is also
reported.
Application of the Elbs persulfate oxidation to the preparation of 5-hydroxypyrimidines
Authors: Hurst DT
Published: March 2010

The use of potassium
persulfate in cold sodium hydroxide solution has been shown to give the
pyrimidin-5-yl hydrogen sulfates in cases where the pyrimidine has at least two
electron-releasing groups in the 2,4 or 6 positions. However, the reaction has
been unsuccessful in a number of cases. The pyrimidin-5-yl hydrogen sulfates
are hydrolysed to the corresponding 5-hydroxypyrimidines by hydrochloric acid.
Designing marine reserve networks for both conservation and fisheries management
Authors: Gaines Steven D. , White Crow , Carr Mark H. , Palumbi Stephen R.
Published: March 2010

Marine protected areas (MPAs) that exclude fishing have been shown repeatedly to enhance the abundance, size, and diversity of species. These benefits, however, mean little to most marine species, because individual protected areas typically are small. To meet the larger-scale conservation challenges facing ocean ecosystems, several nations are expanding the benefits of individual protected areas by building networks of protected areas. Doing so successfully requires a detailed understanding of the ecological and physical characteristics of ocean ecosystems and the responses of humans to spatial closures. There has been enormous scientific interest in these topics, and frameworks for the design of MPA networks for meeting conservation and fishery management goals are emerging. Persistent in the literature is the perception of an inherent tradeoff between achieving conservation and fishery goals. Through a synthetic analysis across these conservation and bioeconomic studies, we construct guidelines for MPA network design that reduce or eliminate this tradeoff. We present size, spacing, location, and configuration guidelines for designing networks that simultaneously can enhance biological conservation and reduce fishery costs or even increase fishery yields and profits. Indeed, in some settings, a well-designed MPA network is critical to the optimal harvest strategy. When reserves benefit fisheries, the optimal area in reserves is moderately large (mode ≈30%). Assessing network design principals is limited currently by the absence of empirical data from large-scale networks. Emerging networks will soon rectify this constraint.
In situ assembly of macromolecular complexes triggered by light
Authors: Grunwald Christian , Schulze Katrin , Reichel Annett , Weiss Victor U. , Blaas Dieter , Piehler Jacob , Wiesmüller Karl-Heinz , Tampé Robert
Published: March 2010

Chemical biology aims for a perfect control of protein complexes in time and space by their site-specific labeling, manipulation, and structured organization. Here we developed a self-inactivated, lock-and-key recognition element whose binding to His-tagged proteins can be triggered by light from zero to nanomolar affinity. Activation is achieved by photocleavage of a tethered intramolecular ligand arming a multivalent chelator head for high-affinity protein interaction. We demonstrate site-specific, stable, and reversible binding in solution as well as at interfaces controlled by light with high temporal and spatial resolution. Multiplexed organization of protein complexes is realized by an iterative in situ writing and binding process via laser scanning microscopy. This light-triggered molecular recognition should allow for a spatiotemporal control of protein-protein interactions and cellular processes by light-triggered protein clustering.
Imaging and manipulation of the competing electronic phases near the Mott metal-insulator transition
Authors: Kim Tae-Hwan , Angst M. , Hu B. , Jin R. , Zhang X.-G. , Wendelken J. F. , Plummer E. W. , Li An-Ping
Published: March 2010

The complex interplay between the electron and lattice degrees of freedom produces multiple nearly degenerate electronic states in correlated electron materials. The competition between these degenerate electronic states largely determines the functionalities of the system, but the invoked mechanism remains in debate. By imaging phase domains with electron microscopy and interrogating individual domains in situ via electron transport spectroscopy in double-layered Sr
3
(Ru

1-
x

Mn

x

)
2
O
7
(
x
 = 0 and 0.2), we show in real-space that the microscopic phase competition and the Mott-type metal-insulator transition are extremely sensitive to applied mechanical stress. The revealed dynamic phase evolution with applied stress provides the first direct evidence for the important role of strain effect in both phase separation and Mott metal-insulator transition due to strong electron-lattice coupling in correlated systems.
Myricetin Ameliorates Defective Post‐Receptor Insulin Signaling viaβ‐Endorphin Signaling in the Skeletal Muscles of Fructose‐Fed Rats
Authors: Tzeng Thing-Fong , Liou Shorong-Shii , Liu I-Min
Published: March 2010

β‐Endorphin plays a major role in the amelioration of insulin resistance. The present study documents that myricetin (3,5,7,3′, 4′, 5′‐hexahydroxyflavone) ameliorates insulin resistance by enhancingβ‐endorphin production in insulin‐resistant rats. The rats were induced for insulin resistance by feeding them a diet containing 60% fructose for 6 weeks. The degree of insulin resistance was measured by the homeostasis model assessment of basal insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR). The plasma levels of insulin andβ‐endorphin were measured by an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. The insulin receptor‐related signaling mediators in the soleus muscles of rats were evaluated by immunoprecipitation or immunoblotting. Myricetin was injected daily (1 mg kg−1per injection, thrice daily) for 14 days. Consequently, the high‐glucose plasma levels in fructose‐fed rats decreased significantly concomitant with an increase in plasmaβ‐endorphin. The reduction of the elevated HOMA‐IR index following treatment with myricetin was subsequently inhibited by the administration ofβ‐funaltrexamine hydrochloride (β‐FNA) at doses sufficient to blockμ‐opioid receptors (MOR). The myricetin treatment was also observed to affect the phosphorylation of the insulin receptor, insulin receptor substrate‐1, Akt and Akt substrate of 160 kDa, with subsequent effects on glucose‐transporter subtype 4 translocation, all of which were blocked byβ‐FNA pretreatment. These results indicated that enhancement ofβ‐endorphin secretion, which in turn leads to peripheral MOR activation, is involved in the action of myricetin on the amelioration of impaired signaling intermediates downstream of insulin receptors.
Developing reliable, repeatable, and accessible methods to provide high-resolution estimates of fishing-effort distributions from vessel monitoring system (VMS) data
Authors: Lee Janette , South Andy B. , Jennings Simon
Published: March 2010

Lee, J., South, A. B., and Jennings, S. 2010. Developing reliable, repeatable, and accessible methods to provide high-resolution estimates of fishing-effort distributions from vessel monitoring system (VMS) data. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 67: 1260–1271. Vessel monitoring systems (VMS) are used primarily for fisheries enforcement purposes, but also provide information on the spatial and temporal distribution of fishing activity for use in fisheries and environmental assessment and management. A reliable, repeatable, and accessible method using readily available software for estimating fishing effort from unprocessed VMS data is developed, tested, and applied. Caveats associated with the method are identified, and the biases introduced by our assumptions are quantified. Application of the method provides a high-resolution description of gear-specific fishing activity by UK vessels. An index is developed to describe variation in the spatial pattern of fishing effort generated by different gears. The proposed method for VMS analysis involves removing duplicate VMS records and records close to ports, calculating the time interval between successive records to identify periods of activity, linking each record to a vessel and gear type, differentiating fishing and non-fishing activity, and summing fishing records in time and space to estimate fishing effort. The approach is a step towards the development of standardized methods to facilitate wider exchange and use of European VMS data. A clear audit trail for the methods of VMS analysis already used to inform management needs to be documented.
Genetic Diversity and Geographical Distribution of Phytoplasmas Associated with Potato Purple Top Disease in Mexico
Authors: Santos-Cervantes M. E. , Chávez-Medina J. A. , Acosta-Pardini J. , Flores-Zamora G. L. , Méndez-Lozano J. , Leyva-López N. E.
Published: March 2010

Potato purple top (PPT) disease has caused severe economic losses in some potato (Solanum tuberosum) growing areas of Mexico. Two distinct phytoplasma strains belonging to the aster yellows and peanut witches'-broom groups (16SrI and 16SrII groups) have been associated with PPT disease in several regions of Mexico. However, there has been no previous large-scale survey in the main potato growing areas in Mexico to analyze the diversity and geographical distribution of phytoplasmas. Potato samples were collected between 2003 and 2006 and were analyzed by nested polymerase chain reaction assays. On the basis of results from nucleotide sequence comparisons and virtual restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of 16S rDNA, four different phytoplasma groups were detected in potato growing areas in Mexico. The aster yellows group (16SrI) ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris’ was distributed in all potato growing areas, whereas peanut witches'-broom group (16SrII) ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma aurantifolia’ was detected in Guanajuato and Sinaloa, X-disease group (16SrIII) was detected in Coahuila and Guanajuato, and the Mexican periwinkle virescence (16SrXIII) was only detected in Sinaloa. Phytoplasmas from X-disease and Mexican periwinkle virescence groups were detected in potato samples for the first time in Mexico.
Genetic Diversity and Host Range ofVerticillium dahliaeIsolates from Artichoke and Other Vegetable Crops in Spain
Authors: Berbegal M. , Ortega A. , Jiménez-Gasco M. M. , Olivares-García C. , Jiménez-Díaz R. M. , Armengol J.
Published: March 2010

Artichoke is severely affected by Verticillium wilt, caused by Verticillium dahliae, in eastern-central Spain, which is one of the most important vegetable-cropping areas in the country. To determine genetic and virulence variability in local populations of V. dahliae, 18 isolates collected from artichoke and other vegetable species cultivated in eastern-central Spain were selected to represent local vegetative compatibility groups (VCGs). Diversity in the isolates was characterized by molecular markers and virulence in 12 important hosts for that region. Recently developed microsatellite markers (simple-sequence repeats) and polymorphic sequences were used to assess the genetic variation among those isolates to reveal any association occurring among host source, VCG, and virulence. Although all isolates caused severe disease symptoms on artichoke, cardoon, eggplant, and watermelon, those from artichoke had a limited host range and isolates from watermelon, muskmelon, and eggplant were not pathogenic to some of the hosts tested. VCG diversity was related to differential virulence in certain hosts.
Aggressiveness and Fungicide Sensitivity of Alternaria dauci from Cultivated Carrot
Authors: Rogers P. M. , Stevenson W. R.
Published: March 2010

Isolates of Alternaria dauci causing Alternaria leaf blight (ALB) were collected from commercial carrot (Daucus carota var. sativus) fields in northeastern North America during 2004. Twenty-two isolates representing a range of genetic diversity were analyzed for their aggressiveness on three commercial carrot varieties (Bolero, Enterprise, and Heritage) varying in disease susceptibility as well as their in vitro response to three fungicides (azoxystrobin, chlorothalonil, and boscalid) commonly used for ALB control. Severity of leaf and petiole blight and leaf chlorosis varied among isolates and carrot varieties in each of three experiments. Visible differences in disease severity, which ranged from 10.9 to 45.1% of the leaf area affected, were apparent 16 days after inoculation. Intensity of chlorosis correlated strongly with blight severity among all isolates. Significant differences were noted among carrot varieties in response to ALB. These varieties may prove useful as differentials capable of distinguishing isolates because variety by isolate interactions were detected. Inhibition of conidial germination ranged from 0.01 to 0.37 μg/ml for azoxystrobin, 0.009 to 0.08 μg/ml for chlorothalonil, and 0.09 to 0.59 μg/ml for boscalid. On average, isolates were more sensitive to chlorothalonil than to azoxystrobin and boscalid. No significant correlation was noted between fungicide sensitivity and aggressiveness. These data provide evidence for phenotypic diversity among A. dauci isolates collected from areas of commercial carrot production.
Identification and Evaluation of Sources of Resistance to Stem Rust Race Ug99 in Wheat
Authors: Njau Peter N. , Jin Yue , Huerta-Espino Julio , Keller Beat , Singh Ravi P.
Published: March 2010

The race Ug99 of Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici causing stem rust disease of wheat was initially identified in Uganda in 1998. It was designated as TTKSK based on the North American nomenclature and has caused periodic losses to wheat crops in East Africa. Ug99 has recently moved out of Africa to Yemen and West Asia. The most effective approach to prevent losses from stem rust is through the deployment of resistant cultivars. More effective sources of resistance need to be identified and incorporated in the existing commercial cultivars. The first Stem Rust Resistance Screening Nursery (1stSRRSN) assembled by the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) consisted of elite and advanced CIMMYT bread wheat lines and was evaluated for resistance to Ug99 in Njoro, Kenya for four consecutive seasons (2005 to 2007). Seedling reactions were determined in the greenhouse at the Cereal Disease Laboratory, St. Paul, MN. Two race-specific genes, Sr24 and Sr25, were found to confer resistance to Ug99, although Sr24 became ineffective to a mutant race of Ug99, TTKST, in 2007. Three previously uncharacterized genes, one each from synthetic wheat, Chinese germplasm, and other genetic backgrounds, were detected. Although 30% of the screened lines were susceptible in the seedling stage, these lines displayed various levels of adult plant resistance (APR) in the field tests. Presence of the APR gene Sr2, identified based on the pseudo-black chaff phenotype on glumes and darkened internode, was common in wheat lines with APR. The information on the resistance identified in the 1stSRRSN constitutes an important source for breeding wheat for durable resistance.
Forecasting and Management of Hop Downy Mildew
Authors: Gent David H. , Ocamb Cynthia M. , Farnsworth Joanna L.
Published: March 2010

Downy mildew of hop (Humulus lupulus), caused by Pseudoperonospora humuli, is managed in the Pacific Northwestern United States by regular application of fungicides. A degree-day model that forecasts the first emergence of shoots systemically infected with P. humuli (termed basal spikes) and a risk index for secondary spread of the disease were evaluated over four seasons in western Oregon. In surveys conducted in 34 hop yards, the predicted first spike emergence occurred on average 11.6 days (median 12 days) after spike emergence using a simple average degree-day model (base temperature 6.5°C) developed for Washington State. Predictions based on a single sine model (base temperature 6°C) provided on average 4.9 days (median –0.5 days) of advanced warning before the first spike emerged. Downy mildew severity in a previous season was negatively correlated with the degree-day emergence date of spikes the following year (r = –0.39). In experimental plots, disease severity was significantly greater where fungicide applications were timed using a risk index compared to routine fungicide applications in 2005 and 2007, but statistically similar between these treatments in 2006 and 2008. However, in 2006, 2007, and 2008, treatments initiated using a degree-day threshold resulted in an area under the disease progress curve similar to or smaller than in treatments with routine fungicide applications. Model-aided treatments required four fewer fungicide applications compared to routine fungicide applications. These studies indicate that downy mildew can be managed effectively with fewer fungicide applications than currently made by hop growers in this region if fungicide applications are timed to coincide with the predicted emergence of basal spikes and subsequent disease risk forecasts.
Evaluation of Microbial, Botanical, and Organic Treatments for Control of Peanut Seedling Diseases
Authors: Ruark S. J. , Shew B. B.
Published: March 2010

Diseases affecting stand establishment are a major obstacle to organic production of peanut (Arachis hypogaea). Stand losses of 50% or more are possible with untreated seed. Biological, botanical, and organic seed treatments or soil amendments were tested for efficacy against pre- and postemergence damping-off of peanut in greenhouse, microplot, and field plot trials. Seed of the lines Perry, GP-NC 343, and Bailey (tested as N03081T) were used in all trials. Commercial formulations of Bacillus subtilis (Kodiak), B. pumilus (Yield Shield), Trichoderma harzianum (T-22 PB and Plantshield HC), Muscodor albus, and Coniothyrium minitans (Contans); activated charcoal; two separate soil amendments of dried herbage of Monarda didyma cultivars; a commercial fungicide control (Vitavax PC); and an untreated control were tested in natural soil in the greenhouse. Vitavax PC and Kodiak were the only treatments that resulted in higher percent emergence and survival than in untreated seed. A separate greenhouse experiment was conducted in natural soil or natural soil infested with field isolates of Aspergillus niger. Seed were treated with Kodiak, copper hydroxide (Champion), Plantshield HC, Kodiak + Plantshield HC, Streptomyces griseoviridis (Mycostop), hot water, Vitavax PC, or were left untreated. Seedling emergence and survival was much lower in infested versus uninfested soil. Seed treatment with Kodiak increased percent emergence and survival compared to untreated seed, but was not as effective as Vitavax PC. Field microplot studies in 2007 and 2008 at Clayton, NC, evaluated four seed treatments on the peanut lines following small grain cover crops, soil amendment with M. albus, or no cover. Cover crops did not affect emergence or interact with seed treatments. In field studies in 2007 and 2008 at Lewiston, NC, the peanut lines were planted with M. albus infurrow, with Kodiak or T. harzianum seed treatments, or were untreated. In the 2007 trial, none of the treatments improved stands compared to the untreated check. In 2008, the highest stand counts were produced by seed treated with Kodiak. In both years, Bailey produced the greatest stand counts. A. niger was strongly associated with postemergence damping-off in the field. Regardless of peanut line, in many trials, Kodiak seed treatment increased emergence and survival over untreated seed.
An Assessment of the Genetic Diversity in a Field Population of Phytophthora nicotianae with a Changing Race Structure
Authors: Sullivan M. J. , Parks E. J. , Cubeta M. A. , Gallup C. A. , Melton T. A. , Moyer J. W. , Shew H. D.
Published: March 2010

One hundred fifty-three isolates of Phytophthora nicotianae that were collected over a 4-year period from a single field were subjected to amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis to investigate the effect of different types of resistance in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) on genetic diversity in the pathogen population. No race 1 isolates were detected in the field prior to initiating the study, but the race was present in multiple plots by the end of the 4-year period. There were 102 race 0 isolates and 51 race 1 isolates characterized. Seventy-six of the 153 isolates had a unique AFLP profile, whereas the remaining 77 isolates were represented by 27 AFLP profiles shared by at least two isolates. Isolates of both races were found in both the unique and shared AFLP profile groups. Twenty-three of the AFLP profiles were detected in multiple years, indicating a clonal component to the pathogen population. Race 1 isolates that were detected over multiple years were always obtained from the same plot. No race 1 profile was found in more than one plot, confirming the hypothesis that the multiple occurrences of the race throughout the field were the result of independent events and not pathogen spread. Three identical race 0 AFLP profiles occurred in noncontiguous plots, and in each case, the plots contained the same partially resistant variety. Cluster analysis provided a high level of bootstrap support for 41 isolates in 19 clusters that grouped primarily by race and rotation treatment. Estimates of genetic diversity ranged from 0.365 to 0.831 and varied depending on tobacco cultivar planted and race. When averaged over all treatments, diversity in race 1 isolates was lower than in race 0 isolates at the end of each season. Deployment of single-gene resistance initially decreased genetic diversity of the population, but the diversity increased each year, indicating the pathogen was adapting to the host genotypes deployed in the field.
Comparative Infectivity of Cronartium ribicola Aeciospores and Urediniospores in Genotypes of Ribes nigrum
Authors: Dalton D. T. , Postman J. D. , Hummer K. E.
Published: March 2010

Hosts for the fungus Cronartium ribicola, causal agent of white pine blister rust (WPBR), include five-needle pines as aecial hosts, and currants and gooseberries as uredinial/telial hosts. Aeciospores produced on diseased pine, and urediniospores produced on diseased Ribes plants, can infect Ribes foliage. Resistance and susceptibility for both spore types have been reported for Ribes; however, the comparative infectivity of these spore types on clonal Ribes nigrum genotypes is under-described. Immunity, resistance, and susceptibility to WPBR resides at a clonal level in Ribes. Previous studies have emphasized fungal diversity or forestry considerations, rather than horticultural aspects. The objective of this study was to determine if aeciospores and urediniospores were equally infective to specific genotypes of black currant, Ribes nigrum, with differential responses. A family of 51 black currant genotypes from a cross between a known-immune cultivar containing the Cr gene and a susceptible cultivar was examined. Single-leaf softwood cuttings of each of these genotypes were artificially inoculated with a spore solution and incubated in airtight plastic containers within a growth chamber. Inoculations were replicated three times for each spore type. Twenty-two of the F1 genotypes did not develop uredia after artificial inoculation. These may be immune; 22 developed uredia after exposure to both types of inoculum, and were susceptible; whereas seven exhibited differential responses and may have some mechanism for resistance to WPBR other than the Cr gene. The infectivity of aeciospores and urediniospores was not significantly different on specific Ribes genotypes. Either spore type can therefore be considered equally effective as inoculum when screening for WPBR resistance or immunity in horticultural settings.
Replication of Grapevine leafroll-associated virus-7 (GLRaV-7) by Cuscuta Species and Its Transmission to Herbaceous Plants
Authors: Mikona Cord , Jelkmann Wilhelm
Published: March 2010

Grapevine leafroll-associated virus-7 (GLRaV-7) was transmitted from an Albanian grapevine accession to Tetragonia expansa by the parasitic dodder Cuscuta reflexa and to Nicotiana occidentalis by Cuscuta europea. Cuscuta campestris was infected by GLRaV-7 but could not transfer the virus to an experimental host. Transmission of the virus was verified by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) from total nucleic acid (TNA) and double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) extracts from all five plant species. DsRNA extractions separated on agarose gels showed strong visible bands corresponding to high-molecular-weight virus genome and to subgenomic RNA. GLRaV-7 was maintained in C. reflexa, C. campestris, T. expansa, and N. occidentalis for more than 4 years. Infected T. expansa and the Cuscuta species remained symptomless while N. occidentalis showed severe symptoms leading to stunting and decline of the plants. Quantitative PCR showed great differences in the titer of GLRaV-7 between the tissues of its natural and experimental host plants. This is the first report on a virus of the Closteroviridae that was successfully transmitted to an herbaceous plant by dodder. Virus replication could be demonstrated in Cuscuta. Both the new experimental hosts of GLRaV-7 and Cuscuta allowed extraction of dsRNA for further characterization of the viral genome, which previously required grapevine scraping of phloem. This is time-consuming and does not always lead to satisfactory results. These alternative hosts of GLRaV-7 facilitate nucleic acid extractions and could be used as model plants for etiological studies.
First Report of Curvularia lunata Causing Root Rot of Strawberry in India
Authors: Verma V. S. , Gupta V. K.
Published: March 2010

Diseased strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Dutch) plants were observed during semimonthly surveys in the Jammu District of Jammu and Kashmir State, India from November 2007 to May 2008. Symptoms included leaf wilt, necrotic roots, and plant death. Small pieces of symptomatic roots were cut from the junction of diseased and healthy tissue, surface sterilized in 0.1% mercuric chloride solution for 1 min, washed in three changes of sterile distilled water, and transferred to potato dextrose agar plates. Cultures were maintained in an incubator at 25 ± 1°C. Dark brown fungal colonies developed in a few days. Mycelium was septate, dark brown-to-blackish brown, and branched. Conidiophores were dark brown, unbranched and septate. Conidia were boat shaped or curved, dark brown, and four-celled with the two central cells larger than the terminal cells. Apical cells were light brown, rounded at the tips, slightly constricted at the base, and 19 to 30 × 9 to 14 μm. The pathogen was identified by the Indian Type Culture Collection, Division of Plant Pathology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India (ITCC Accession No. 6680-07) as Curvularia lunata (Wakkar) Boevijn. To conduct pathogenicity tests, 10 healthy runners of strawberry cv. Chandler were planted separately in sterilized pot mix containing loam soil, sand, and peat moss (1:1:1 vol/vol) and allowed to root for a month. Soil near the root zone was then removed to access roots that were gently injured by pricking with a sterilized needle. The soil was replaced after 20 ml of a conidial suspension of 106 conidia/ml of one of the isolates was applied to the roots. Ten healthy strawberry plants grown in noninoculated soil served as controls. After inoculation, the plants were regularly watered. Symptoms similar to those observed in the field developed on all inoculated plants. Roots of the diseased plants turned brown and finally black. Noninoculated plants remained healthy. The pathogen was reisolated from roots of the diseased plants. Curvularia spp. are ubiquitous and are typically considered to be weak pathogens or saprophytes; however they have been reported as minor pathogens of several plants (1,2). Root rot of strawberry caused by Curvularia spp. has been reported (3), but to our knowledge, this is the first report of C. lunata (Wakkar) Boevijn causing root rot of strawberry in India.

References: (1) F. C. Butler. Ann. App. Biol. 40:298, 1953. (2) C. F. Hodges and D. A. Campbell. J. Phytopathol. 143:639, 1995. (3) T. Watanabe et al. Phytopathology 67:1324, 1977.
Partner choice in
Medicago Truncatula
–
Sinorhizobium
symbiosis
Authors: Gubry-Rangin Cécile , Garcia Marjorie , Béna Gilles
Published: March 2010

In nitrogen-fixing symbiosis, plant sanctions against ineffective bacteria have been demonstrated in previous studies performed on soybean and yellow bush lupin, both developing determinate nodules with
Bradyrhizobium
sp. strains. In this study, we focused on the widely studied symbiotic association
Medicago truncatula
–
Sinorhizobium meliloti
, which forms indeterminate nodules. Using two strains isolated from the same soil and displaying different nitrogen fixation phenotypes on the same fixed plant line, we analysed the existence of both partner choice and plant sanctions by performing split-root experiments. By measuring different parameters such as the nodule number, the nodule biomass per nodule and the number of viable rhizobia per nodule, we showed that
M. truncatula
is able to select rhizobia based on recognition signals, both before and after the nitrogen fixation step. However, no sanction mechanism, described as a decrease in rhizobia fitness inside the nodules, was detected. Consequently, even if partner choice seems to be widespread among legumes, sanction of non-effective rhizobia might not be universal.
A naturally occurring variant of
Hsp90
that is associated with decanalization
Authors: Sgrò Carla M. , Wegener Benjamin , Hoffmann Ary A.
Published: March 2010

The heat shock protein Hsp90 has been the focus of many studies since it was suggested that it acts to mediate the buffering of phenotypic variation. Hsp90-mediated buffering may result in the accumulation of cryptic genetic variation that, when released either as a consequence of environmental or genetic stress, increases the evolvability of a population. Recent studies using laboratory-induced mutations of
Hsp90
and/or chemical inhibition to disrupt Hsp90 function confirm that
Hsp90
can buffer cryptic genetic variation. We have previously identified a naturally occurring variant in the charged linker region of the
Hsp90
gene, and now examine whether this variant is associated with altered levels of trait variability. The variant is associated with the release of cryptic genetic variation for canalized morphological (bristle) traits, but not for uncanalized morphological (wing and bristle) traits, and the effect on canalized traits depends on culture temperature. This suggests that natural genetic variation in
Hsp90
may mediate the evolution of canalized morphological traits even if it does not influence the expression of variation for uncanalized traits.
Acellular pertussis vaccination facilitatesBordetella parapertussisinfection in a rodent model of bordetellosis
Authors: Long Gráinne H. , Karanikas Alexia T. , Harvill Eric T. , Read Andrew F. , Hudson Peter J.
Published: March 2010

Despite over 50 years of population-wide vaccination, whooping cough incidence is on the rise. AlthoughBordetella pertussisis considered the main causative agent of whooping cough in humans,Bordetella parapertussisinfections are not uncommon. The widely used acellular whooping cough vaccines (aP) are comprised solely ofB. pertussisantigens that hold little or no efficacy againstB. parapertussis. Here, we ask how aP vaccination affects competitive interactions betweenBordetellaspecies within co-infected rodent hosts and thus the aP-driven strength and direction of in-host selection. We show that aP vaccination helped clearB. pertussisbut resulted in an approximately 40-fold increase inB. parapertussislung colony-forming units (CFUs). Such vaccine-mediated facilitation ofB. parapertussisdid not arise as a result of competitive release;B. parapertussisCFUs were higher in aP-relative to sham-vaccinated hosts regardless of whether infections were single or mixed. Further, we show that aP vaccination impedes host immunity againstB. parapertussis—measured as reduced lung inflammatory and neutrophil responses. Thus, we conclude that aP vaccination interferes with the optimal clearance ofB. parapertussis and enhances the performance of this pathogen. Our data raise the possibility that widespread aP vaccination can create hosts more susceptible toB. parapertussisinfection.
A sulphite-inducible form of the sulphite efflux gene SSU1 in a Saccharomyces cerevisiae wine yeast
Authors: Nardi Tiziana , Corich Viviana , Giacomini Alessio , Blondin Bruno
Published: March 2010

Sulphite is widely used as a preservative in foods and beverages for its antimicrobial and antioxidant activities, particularly in winemaking where SO2is frequently added. Thus, sulphite resistance mechanisms have been extensively studied in the fermenting yeastSaccharomyces cerevisiae.Sulphite detoxification, involving a plasma membrane protein encoded by theSSU1gene, is the most efficient resistance mechanism inS. cerevisiae.In this study, we characterized the unusual expression pattern ofSSU1in the wine strain 71B. We provide, for the first time, evidence ofSSU1induction by sulphite. The study ofSSU1expression during fermentation and in different growth conditions showed that sulphite is the main regulator ofSSU1expression, explaining its specific pattern. Combining analyses of gene expression and growth behaviour in response to sulphite, we found that 71B displayed unique behavioural patterns in response to sulphite pre-adaptation that may be explained by changes inSSU1expression. Examination of the genomic organization of theSSU1locus and sequencing of the region revealed three different alleles in 71B, two of which corresponded to translocated VIII–XVI forms. The lack of differences between promoter regions suggests that this inducibleSSU1expression pattern is due to modification of regulatory/signalling pathways.
Auxin Metabolism and Function in the Multicellular Brown Alga Ectocarpus siliculosus
Authors: Le Bail Aude , Billoud Bernard , Kowalczyk Nathalie , Kowalczyk Mariusz , Gicquel Morgane , Le Panse Sophie , Stewart Sarah , Scornet Delphine , Cock Jeremy Mark , Ljung Karin , Charrier Bénédicte
Published: March 2010

Ectocarpus siliculosus is a small brown alga that has recently been developed as a genetic model. Its thallus is filamentous, initially organized as a main primary filament composed of elongated cells and round cells, from which branches differentiate. Modeling of its early development suggests the involvement of very local positional information mediated by cell-cell recognition. However, this model also indicates that an additional mechanism is required to ensure proper organization of the branching pattern. In this paper, we show that auxin indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) is detectable in mature E. siliculosus organisms and that it is present mainly at the apices of the filaments in the early stages of development. An in silico survey of auxin biosynthesis, conjugation, response, and transport genes showed that mainly IAA biosynthesis genes from land plants have homologs in the E. siliculosus genome. In addition, application of exogenous auxins and 2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid had different effects depending on the developmental stage of the organism, and we propose a model in which auxin is involved in the negative control of progression in the developmental program. Furthermore, we identified an auxin-inducible gene called EsGRP1 from a small-scale microarray experiment and showed that its expression in a series of morphogenetic mutants was positively correlated with both their elongated-to-round cell ratio and their progression in the developmental program. Altogether, these data suggest that IAA is used by the brown alga Ectocarpus to relay cell-cell positional information and induces a signaling pathway different from that known in land plants.
The Development of an Efficient Multipurpose Bean Pod Mottle Virus Viral Vector Set for Foreign Gene Expression and RNA Silencing
Authors: Zhang Chunquan , Bradshaw Jeffrey D. , Whitham Steven A. , Hill John H.
Published: March 2010

Plant viral vectors are valuable tools for heterologous gene expression, and because of virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS), they also have important applications as reverse genetics tools for gene function studies. Viral vectors are especially useful for plants such as soybean (Glycine max) that are recalcitrant to transformation. Previously, two generations of bean pod mottle virus (BPMV; genus Comovirus) vectors have been developed for overexpressing and silencing genes in soybean. However, the design of the previous vectors imposes constraints that limit their utility. For example, VIGS target sequences must be expressed as fusion proteins in the same reading frame as the viral polyprotein. This requirement limits the design of VIGS target sequences to open reading frames. Furthermore, expression of multiple genes or simultaneous silencing of one gene and expression of another was not possible. To overcome these and other issues, a new BPMV-based vector system was developed to facilitate a variety of applications for gene function studies in soybean as well as in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris). These vectors are designed for simultaneous expression of multiple foreign genes, insertion of noncoding/antisense sequences, and simultaneous expression and silencing. The simultaneous expression of green fluorescent protein and silencing of phytoene desaturase shows that marker gene-assisted silencing is feasible. These results demonstrate the utility of this BPMV vector set for a wide range of applications in soybean and common bean, and they have implications for improvement of other plant virus-based vector systems.
MISSA Is a Highly Efficient in Vivo DNA Assembly Method for Plant Multiple-Gene Transformation
Authors: Chen Qi-Jun , Xie Min , Ma Xiao-Xiao , Dong Li , Chen Jia , Wang Xue-Chen
Published: March 2010

We describe a highly efficient in vivo DNA assembly method, multiple-round in vivo site-specific assembly (MISSA), which facilitates plant multiple-gene transformation. MISSA is based on conjugational transfer, which is driven by donor strains, and two in vivo site-specific recombination events, which are mediated by inducible Cre recombinase and phage λ site-specific recombination proteins in recipient strains, to enable in vivo transfer and in vivo assembly of multiple transgenic DNA. The assembly reactions can be performed circularly and iteratively through alternate use of the two specially designed donor vectors. As proof-of-principle experiments, we constructed a few plant multigene binary vectors. One of these vectors was generated by 15 rounds of MISSA reactions and was confirmed in transgenic Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). As MISSA simplifies the tedious and time-consuming in vitro manipulations to a simple mixing of bacterial strains, it will greatly save time, effort, and expense associated with the assembly of multiple transgenic or synthetic DNA. The principle that underlies MISSA is applicable to engineering polygenic traits, biosynthetic pathways, or protein complexes in all organisms, such as Escherichia coli, yeast, plants, and animals. MISSA also has potential applications in synthetic biology, whether for basic theory or for applied biotechnology, aiming at the assembly of genetic pathways for the production of biofuels, pharmaceuticals, and industrial compounds from natural or synthetic DNA.
Twinning structures in near-stoichiometric lithium niobate single crystals
Authors: Yao Shuhua , Hu Xiaobo , Yan Tao , Liu Hong , Wang Jiyang , Qin Xiaoyong , Chen Yanfeng
Published: March 2010

A near-stoichiometric lithium niobate single crystal has been grown by the Czochralski method in a hanging double crucible with a continuous powder supply system. Twins were found at one of the three characteristic growth ridges of the as-grown crystal. The twin structure was observed and analyzed by transmission synchrotron topography. The image shifts ΔXand ΔYin the transmission synchrotron topograph were calculated for the 3{\overline 2}{\overline 1}2 and 0\overline 222 reflections based on results from high-resolution X-ray diffractometry. It is confirmed that one of the {01{\overline 1}{\overline 2}}mplanes is the composition face of the twin and matrix crystals. The formation mechanism of these twins is discussed.
Imaging and biodistribution of Her2/neu expression in non‐small cell lung cancer xenografts with 64Cu‐labeled trastuzumab PET
Authors: Paudyal Pramila , Paudyal Bishnuhari , Hanaoka Hirofumi , Oriuchi Noboru , Iida Yashuhiko , Yoshioka Hiroki , Tominaga Hideyuki , Watanabe Satoshi , Watanabe Shigeki , Ishioka Noriko S , Endo Keigo
Published: March 2010

Non‐small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLC) overexpress the Her2/neu gene in approximately 59% of cases. Trastuzumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody, interferes with Her2 signaling and is approved for the treatment of Her2/neu overexpressing breast cancer. However, its therapeutic use in Her2/neu overexpressing NSCLC remains obscure. The present study aimed to determine the role of 64Cu‐labeled trastuzumab positron emission tomography (PET) for non‐invasive imaging of Her2/neu expression in NSCLC. Trastuzumab was conjugated with the bifunctional chelator 1, 4, 7, 10‐tetraazacyclododecane‐1, 4, 7, 10‐tetraacetic acid (DOTA) and radiolabeled with 64Cu. The molecular specificity of DOTA‐trastuzumab was determined in NSCLC cell lines with Her2/neu overexpression (NCI‐H2170) and negative expression (NCI‐H520). Imaging of Her2/neu expression was performed in NCI‐H2170 tumor‐bearing mice with 64Cu‐DOTA‐trastuzumab PET and 64Cu‐DOTA‐IgG. In vitro studies revealed specific binding of DOTA‐trastuzumab in the Her2/neu positive NCI‐H2170 cells, while no binding was seen in the Her2/neu negative NCI‐H520 cell line. Biodistribution and PET studies revealed a significantly high accumulation of 64Cu‐DOTA‐trastuzumab in the Her2/neu overexpressing NCI‐H2170 tumor at 24 and 48 h post‐injection (21.4 ± 1.4% and 23.2 ± 5.1% injection dose/gram (% ID/g), respectively). PET imaging of Her2/neu negative NCI‐H520 tumors showed much less uptake of 64Cu‐DOTA‐trastuzumab (4.0% ID/g). The NCI‐H2170 tumor uptake of 64Cu‐DOTA‐trastuzumab was significantly higher than that of 64Cu‐DOTA‐IgG (P < 0.0001). 64Cu‐DOTA‐trastuzumab showed a very clear image of a Her2/neu positive tumor and appeared to be effective as a PET tracer for imaging of Her2/neu gene expression in NSCLC, suggesting its potential clinical use for identifying patients that might benefit from trastuzumab‐based therapy.

(Cancer Sci 2010; 101: 1045–1050)
A Colorimetric Method for the Determination of Potassium in 0.01—0.1 cc. of Blood Serum
Authors: WRETLIND K. A. J.
Published: March 2010

A method has been described for determining the potassium content in 0.01—0.1 c.c. of serum. The accuracy of the method is satisfactory. Added amounts of potassium are quantitatively recovered.

The author's thanks are due to Dr. E. Jorpes at who's suggestion this investigation was taken up.
Implications of eosinophilia in the normal duodenal biopsy – an association with allergy and functional dyspepsia
Authors: WALKER M. M. , SALEHIAN S. S. , MURRAY C. E. , RAJENDRAN A. , HOARE J. M. , NEGUS R. , POWELL N. , TALLEY N. J.
Published: March 2010

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 31, 1229–1236

Background  Allergy and functional gastrointestinal disorders have been associated with eosinophilia in duodenal mucosa.

Aim  To assess the prevalence of eosinophilia in duodenal biopsies of patients attending for oesophogastroduodenoscopy and delineate associated clinical conditions.

Methods  A total of 155 patients (mean age 55 years, 59% women) with normal duodenal biopsies were randomly selected for audit from histopathology files. Eosinophil counts in five high power fields (HPFs) were assessed. Records were analysed for symptoms, diagnosis and medications; patients were divided into five groups based on upper gastrointestinal (UGI) symptom profiles, including a control group of those without predominant UGI symptoms. The prevalence of duodenal eosinophilia (defined as >22/5HPFs a priori) was calculated.

Results  In the control group, the mean duodenal eosinophil count was 15/5HPFs; prevalence of duodenal eosinophilia was 22.5%. In postprandial distress syndrome (PDS), both mean eosinophil counts (20.2/5HPF, P < 0.04) and prevalence of duodenal eosinophilia (47.3%, P < 0.04) were significantly higher. Duodenal eosinophilia was significantly associated with allergy (OR 5.04, 95% CI 2.12–11.95, P < 0.001). There was no association with irritable bowel syndrome or medications.

Conclusions  Subtle duodenal eosinophilia is relatively common in routine oesophogastroduodenoscopy and previously overlooked; it is associated with allergy and may indicate a hypersensitivity mechanism in some patients with PDS including early satiety.
Y‐chromosomal variation confirms independent domestications of swamp and river buffalo
Authors: Yindee M. , Vlamings B. H. , Wajjwalku W. , Techakumphu M. , Lohachit C. , Sirivaidyapong S. , Thitaram C. , Amarasinghe A. A. A. W. K. , Alexander P. A. B. D. A. , Colenbrander B. , Lenstra J. A.
Published: March 2010

Y‐chromosomal variation in the water buffalo was analysed by sequencing of DBY, ZFY and SRY gene segments. A clear separation of the paternal lineages of the river and swamp types parallels the differences between their maternal lineages and nuclear DNA. Sequence divergence was found to be comparable to the divergence of taurine cattle and zebu, and this divergence predated domestication, confirming that river and swamp buffalo originated from different wild populations. Within a sample of 23 Thai swamp buffaloes, we identified four haplotypes with different geographical distributions, two of which were shared by Thai wild buffaloes.