bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of nitrate concentration during growth on carbon partitioning and sink strength in chicory
Authors: Ameéziane R. , Limami M.A. , Noctor G. , Morot-Gaudry J.-F. 
Published: November 2012

Abstract
Chicory plants (Cichorium intybus), which produce a tuberized root containing high concentrations of fructans, were grown with nitrate at either optimal (4 mol m−3) or suboptimal (0.6 mol m−3) concentration. At 120 DAS (days after sowing), shoot/root dry mass ratio in the plants grown at low N was less than one-third of that of plants grown at the higher concentration. This reflected differences in shoot dry mass, as root dry mass was similar in the two treatments. Pulse-chase experiments with 14CO2 showed increased allocation of carbon to the root and decreased partitioning to the growing shoot in the plants grown at low N. Root activities of three enzymes involved in sucrose and fructan metabolism were measured, in an attempt to identify the factors which determine sink strength. Whereas invertase activity showed little difference between the treatments, sucrose synthase and particularly sucrose-sucrose fructosyl transferase were higher in the roots of plants grown at low N. Activity of SST was also much greater in roots of young plants synthesizing large amounts of fructan than in mature roots no longer producing fructan. It is, therefore, suggested that SST plays a role in determining the sink strength. Possible interactions between N status and SST activity/sink strength are discussed.
First Report of Colletotrichum acutatum Associated with Stem Blight of Blueberry Plants in China
Authors: Xu C.-N. , Zhou Z.-S. , Wu Y.-X. , Chi F.-M. , Ji Z.-R. , Zhang H.-J. 
Published: November 2012

An anthracnose disease was observed on stems of high-bush blueberry plants (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) in Liaoning Province, China in 2012. The typical symptoms consist of sudden wilting and dieback of stems during the growing season. Dark brown lesions originate from infected buds and kill portions of the stems. Lesions have grayish white centers, with the necrotic areas becoming 6 to 8 cm in length. Disinfected stem pieces were placed on potato dextrose agar (PDA) and incubated at 28°C for 5 to 7 days, after which the emerging colonies were transferred to fresh PDA. All isolates initially produced white growth, but turned pink after 7 days before becoming blackish green. The average colony diameter was 65.5 to 75.0 mm after 7 days. Conidia were aseptate, hyaline, fusiform to ellipsoid, 8.5 to 16.5 × 2.5 to 4.0 μm in size and single celled with two to seven oil globules. Setae were not found on the acervuli. These characteristics matched published descriptions of Colletotrichum acutatum (1) (teleomorph Glomerella acutata). Pathogenicity test was confirmed in 15 2-year-old healthy potted plants of cv. Berkeley. Stems of 10 plants were punctured with flamed needles and sprayed with 5 ml of conidial suspension (106 conidia per ml in sterile distilled water) of isolate LNSW1. Five control plants were inoculated with sterile distilled water. Seven days after inoculation, eight of the 10 blueberry plants exhibited stem lesions, leaf chlorosis, followed by branch dieback 15 days post-inoculation. The symptoms were similar to those observed on diseased plants in the field, and no lesions were observed on control plants. The pathogen was reisolated from the margin of lesions and identified by colony growth characteristics on PDA. PCR amplification of one isolate (LNSW1) was carried out by utilizing the universal rDNA-ITS primer pair ITS1/ITS4. The sequence (557 bp) of isolate LNSW1 (GenBank Accession No. JX392857) showed 99% identity to G. acutata (AB443950) and C. acutatum (AJ749672) in a BLAST search. An approximately 490-bp fragment was amplified from LNSW1 by the species-specific primer pair CaInt2/ITS4 (2). The pathogen was identified as G. acutata (asexual stage: C. acutatum J.H. Simmonds) on the basis of morphological characters, rDNA-ITS sequence analysis, and a PCR product with species-specific primers. To our knowledge, this is the first report of C. acutatum in high-bush blueberry plants in China. References: (1) C. Lei et al. Fungal Diversity 12:183, 2009. (2) S. Sreenivasaprasad et al. Plant Pathol. 45:650, 1996
Identification of Two Novel Endoplasmic Reticulum Body-Specific Integral Membrane Proteins
Authors: Yamada Kenji , Nagano Atsushi J. , Nishina Momoko , Hara-Nishimura Ikuko , Nishimura Mikio 
Published: November 2012

Abstract
The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) body, a large compartment specific to the Brassicales, accumulates β-glucosidase and possibly plays a role in the defense against pathogens and herbivores. Although the ER body is a subdomain of the ER, it is unclear whether any ER body-specific membrane protein exists. In this study, we identified two integral membrane proteins of the ER body in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) and termed them MEMBRANE PROTEIN OF ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM BODY1 (MEB1) and MEB2. In Arabidopsis, a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor, NAI1, and an ER body component, NAI2, regulate ER body formation. The expression profiles of MEB1 and MEB2 are similar to those of NAI1, NAI2, and ER body β-glucosidase PYK10 in Arabidopsis. The expression of MEB1 and MEB2 was reduced in the nai1 mutant, indicating that NAI1 regulates the expression of MEB1 and MEB2 genes. MEB1 and MEB2 proteins localize to the ER body membrane but not to the ER network, suggesting that these proteins are specifically recruited to the ER body membrane. MEB1 and MEB2 physically interacted with ER body component NAI2, and they were diffused throughout the ER network in the nai2 mutant, which has no ER body. Heterologous expression of MEB1 and MEB2 in yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) suppresses iron and manganese toxicity, suggesting that MEB1 and MEB2 are metal transporters. These results indicate that the membrane of ER bodies has specific membrane proteins and suggest that the ER body is involved in defense against metal stress as well as pathogens and herbivores.
The effect of plant identity and the level of plant decay on molecular gut content analysis in a herbivorous soil insect
Authors: Wallinger Corinna , Staudacher Karin , Schallhart Nikolaus , Peter Eva , Dresch Philipp , Juen Anita , Traugott Michael 
Published: November 2012

AbstractPlant roots represent an important food source for soil‐dwelling animals, but tracking herbivore food choices below‐ground is difficult. Here, we present an optimized PCR assay for the detection of plant DNA in the guts of invertebrates, using general plant primers targeting the trnT‐F chloroplast DNA region. Based on this assay, we assessed the influence of plant identity on the detectability of ingested plant DNA in Agriotes click beetle larvae. Six different plant species were fed to the insects, comprising a grass, a legume and four nonlegume forbs. Moreover, we examined whether it is possible to amplify DNA of decaying plants and if DNA of decayed plant food is detectable in the guts of the larvae. DNA of the ingested roots could be detected in the guts of the larvae for up to 72‐h post‐feeding, the maximum digestion time tested. When fed with living plants, DNA detection rates differed significantly between the plant species. This may be ascribed to differences in the amount of plant tissue consumed, root palatability, root morphology and/or secondary plant components. These findings indicate that plant identity can affect post‐feeding DNA detection success, which needs to be considered for the interpretation of molecularly derived feeding rates on plants. Amplification of plant DNA from decaying plants was possible as long as any tissue could be retrieved from the soil. The consumption of decaying plant tissue could also be verified by our assay, but the insects seemed to prefer fresh roots over decaying plant material.
Fine mapping of quantitative trait loci affecting organ weights by mouse intersubspecific subcongenic strain analysis
Authors: Mollah Md. Bazlur Rahman , Ishikawa Akira 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThe genetic architecture of organ weights is not well understood. In this study, we fine‐mapped quantitative trait loci (QTLs) affecting organ weights by characterizing six intersubspecific subcongenic mouse strains with overlapping and non‐overlapping genomic regions on chromosome 2 derived from wild Mus musculus castaneus. QTLs for heart, lung, spleen and kidney weights were revealed on a 6.38‐Mb genomic region between two microsatellite markers, D2Mit323 and D2Mit472. Effects of the castaneus alleles at the organ weight QTLs were all opposite in direction to a body weight QTL previously mapped to the same genomic region. In addition, new QTLs for lung and kidney weights were revealed on a different 3.57‐Mb region between D2Mit205 and D2Mit182. Their effects were dependent on that of another body weight QTL previously mapped to that genomic region. The organ weight QTLs revealed were all duplicated in independent analyses with F2 intercross populations between subcongenic strains carrying these QTLs and their background strain. The findings suggested that organ weights are not exclusively regulated by genetic loci that commonly influence overall body weight and rather that there are loci contributing to the growth of specific organs only.
Tectono‐sedimentary Evolution of Early Pennsylvanian Alluvial Systems at the Onset of the Alleghanian Orogeny, Pocahontas Basin, Virginia
Authors: Grimm R.P. , Eriksson K. , Carbaugh J. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractForeland basin strata provide an opportunity to review the depositional response of alluvial systems to unsteady tectonic load variations at convergent plate margins. The lower Breathitt Group of the Pocahontas Basin, a sub‐basin of the Central Appalachian Basin, in Virginia preserves an Early Pennsylvanian record of sedimentation during initial foreland basin subsidence of the Alleghanian orogeny. Utilizing fluvial facies distributions and long‐term stacking patterns within the context of an ancient, marginal‐marine foreland basin provides stratigraphic evidence to disentangle a recurring, low‐frequency residual tectonic signature from high‐frequency glacioeustatic events. Results from basin‐wide facies analysis, corroborated with petrography and detrital zircon geochronology, support a two end‐member depositional system of coexisting transverse and longitudinal alluvial systems infilling the foredeep during eustatic lowstands. Provenance data suggest that sediment was derived from low‐grade metamorphic Grenvillian‐Avalonian terranes and recycling of older Palaeozoic sedimentary rocks uplifted as part of the Alleghanian orogen and Archean‐Superior‐Province. Immature sediments, including lithic sandstone bodies, were deposited within a SE‐NW oriented transverse drainage system. Quartzarenites were deposited within a strike‐parallel NE‐SW oriented axial drainage, forming elongate belts along the western basin margin. These mature quartzarenites were deposited within a braided fluvial system that originated from a northerly cratonic source area. Integrating subsurface and sandstone provenance data indicates significant, repeated palaeogeographical shifts in alluvial facies distribution. Distinct wedges comprising composite sequences are bounded by successive shifts in alluvial facies and define three low‐frequency tectonic accommodation cycles. The proposed tectonic accommodation cycles provide an explanation for the recognized low‐frequency composite sequences, defining short‐term episodes of unsteady westward migration of the flexural Appalachian Basin and constrain the relative timing of deformation events during cratonward progression of the Alleghanian orogenic wedge.
Domestic violence and child protection: towards a collaborative approach across the two service sectors
Authors: Zannettino Lana , McLaren Helen 
Published: November 2012

AbstractDomestic violence continues to be one of the most significant aspects of child abuse and neglect in Australia. However, the children are not well served by either child protection or domestic violence service sectors, which continue to operate as segregated, tertiary response systems. This paper reports on research that examined bridges and barriers to effective collaboration between child protection and domestic violence services in responding to children affected by domestic violence. The differing conceptions and responses of the workers from each service sector, in relation to children and families affected by domestic violence, is discussed in the light of gaps in service provision in both sectors. In doing so, areas of common ground for more effective collaboration between these service sectors are identified, including the prioritizing of emotional and psychological abuse, supporting and empowering abused mothers, strengthening the mother–child relationship, and supporting children and families across a continuum of service provision, particularly in the medium‐ to long‐term. Understanding each other and finding common ground across the two service sectors is paramount to improving how each responds to children and families affected by domestic violence.
Extract of Aneilema keisak inhibits transforming growth factor‐β‐dependent signalling by inducing Smad2 downregulation in keloid fibroblasts
Authors: Kim Won‐Serk , Lee Ji‐Seon , Bae Gab‐Yong , Kim Jin‐Ju , Chin Young‐Won , Bahk Young Yil , Min Hyung Geun , Cha Hyuk‐Jin 
Published: November 2012

AbstractKeloids are characterised by the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM), especially overabundant collagen formation. In keloid fibroblasts (KFs), transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β‐dependent signalling is closely associated with a variety of keloid pathologic responses such as ECM production and fibroblast overgrowth. Thus, inhibition of TGF‐β signalling would be a potential therapeutic approach to prevent keloid scar formation. Thereby, we aimed to identify a novel TGF‐β signalling blocker among natural products using a simplified screening approach. We discovered that the extract of Aneilema keisak (A.K‐Ex) lowered TGF‐β‐dependent signalling by reducing Smad2 protein levels. Given that KFs showed altered dependency on TGF‐β for survival and proliferation, A.K‐Ex‐mediated reduction in Smad2 protein levels significantly inhibited the major characteristics of KFs such as cell growth, migration and collagen synthesis, suggesting that A.K‐Ex exhibits possible therapeutic activity on keloids.
N–linked glycosylation modulates dimerization of protein disulfide isomerase family A member 2 (PDIA2)
Authors: Walker Adam K. , Soo Kai Ying , Levina Vita , Talbo Gert H. , Atkin Julie D. 
Published: November 2012

Protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) family members are important enzymes for the correct folding and maturation of proteins that transit or reside in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The human PDI family comprises at least 19 members that differ in cell type expression, substrate specificity and post‐translational modifications. PDI family A member 2 (PDIA2, previously known as PDIp) has a similar domain structure to prototypical PDI (also known as PDIA1), but the function and post‐translational modifications of PDIA2 remain poorly understood. Unlike most PDI family members, PDIA2 contains three predicted N‐linked glycosylation sites. By site‐directed mutagenesis and enzymatic deglycosylation, we show here that all three Asn residues within the potential N‐linked glycosylation sites of human PDIA2 (N127, N284 and N516) are glycosylated in human cells. Furthermore, mutation of N284 to glycosylation‐null Gln increases formation of a highly stable disulfide‐bonded PDIA2 dimer. Nevertheless, in HeLa cells, both wild‐type and N127/284/516Q mutant PDIA2 proteins localize to the ER, but not the ER–Golgi intermediate compartment, suggesting that glycosylation is important for PDIA2 protein–protein interactions but not subcellular localization. Finally, we identified human major histocompatibility complex class 1 antigens (HLA‐A,B,C) as potential binding partners of PDIA2, suggesting an involvement for PDIA2 in antigen presentation in addition to its previously described roles in autoimmunity and Parkinson's disease. These results further characterize this poorly defined member of the PDI family.Structured digital abstract• Calreticulin and PDIA2 colocalize by fluorescence microscopy (View interaction)• PDIA2 and PDIA1 colocalize by fluorescence microscopy (View interaction)
Comparison between pulsed ultrasound and low level laser therapy on experimental haemarthrosis
Authors: Ravanbod R. , Torkaman G. , Esteki A. 
Published: November 2012

SummaryThe use of pulsed ultrasound (PUS) and low level laser therapy (LLLT) in patients with haemophilia has been recommended for supportive treatment of acute and chronic phases of haemarthrosis but its role has not been supported by experimental evidence. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of these modalities on joint swelling, friction and biomechanical parameters of articular cartilage. An experimental rabbit knee haemarthrosis model was used to test the hypothesis that LLLT and PUS favourably impacted on the biotribological and biomechanical properties of cartilage after joint bleeding. To test this, 35 male albino rabbits weighing 1.5–2 kg were used. The left knee of 30 rabbits was injected with 1 mL of fresh autologous blood two times per week for four consecutive weeks to simulate recurrent haemarthrosis; five rabbits served as non‐bleeding controls. Ten rabbits were treated with PUS and 10 with LLLT and the remaining 10 were not treated. The treatments were started after 2 days and the treatment duration was planned for 5 days (sessions) in ultrasound and laser groups. A low level Ga‐Al‐As laser was applied with an 810 nm wavelength, 25 mW power, and 1 J cm−2 dosage for 200 s duration. The PUS treatment was applied with a duty cycle of 1/9, frequency of 1 MHz, and power of 0.4 W cm−2 for 150 s. Joint perimeter was measured before the procedure at the beginning of therapies and after cessation of the procedure. Friction and biomechanical parameters were measured immediately after the killing of the animals. The results demonstrate that PUS was more effective in reducing knee joint swelling than LLLT. Moreover, PUS had the unique ability of reducing the joint friction below normal values. However, it was not successful in returning the articular cartilage force and stiffness to normal state. LLLT was more effective in increasing equilibrium force of the articular cartilage than PUS, however, neither therapy normalized this parameter. From these data, we conclude that PUS is more effective than LLLT in reducing joint swelling and articular joint friction after experimental haemarthrosis.
Interleukin‐2/anti‐interleukin‐2 monoclonal antibody immune complex suppresses collagen‐induced arthritis in mice by fortifying interleukin‐2/STAT5 signalling pathways
Authors: Lee Seon‐Yeong , Cho Mi‐La , Oh Hye‐Jwa , Ryu Jun‐Geol , Park Min‐Jung , Jhun Joo‐Yeon , Park Mi‐Kyung , Stone John C. , Ju Ji‐Hyun , Hwang Sue‐Yun , Park Sung‐Hwan , Surh Charles D. , Kim Ho‐Youn 
Published: November 2012

SummaryIn this study, we investigated the effects of administration of interleukin‐2 (IL‐2)/JES6‐1 (anti‐IL‐2 monoclonal antibody) immune complexes on the expansion and activation of regulatory T (Treg) cells, the down‐regulation of T helper type 17 (Th17) cells, and the control of the severity of collagen‐induced arthritis (CIA). Wild‐type and CIA‐induced wild‐type mice were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with IL‐2 or IL‐2/JES6‐1 complex three times at 2‐day intervals. Treg cell surface markers were analysed by flow cytometry. After injecting IL‐2 or IL‐2/JES6‐1, the time kinetics of IL‐2 signalling molecules was examined by FACS and Western blotting. Concentrations of IL‐17 and IL‐10 were measured by ELISA. Injection of IL‐2/JES6‐1 increased the proportion of Foxp3+ Treg cells among splenic CD4+ T cells, which reached the highest level on day 4 after injection. Up‐regulation of CTLA4, GITR and glycoprotein‐A repetitions predominant (GARP) was observed. Activation of p‐signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5) was apparent within 3 hr after injection of IL‐2/JES6‐1 complexes. Expression of IL‐2 signalling molecules, including p‐AKT and p‐p38/mitogen‐activated protein kinase, was also higher in splenocytes treated with IL‐2/JES6‐1 complexes. Injection of IL‐2/JES6‐1 complexes suppressed the induction of CIA and the production of IL‐17 and inflammatory responses while increasing the level of IL‐10 in the spleen. The expansion of Treg cells (via STAT5) and the concomitant increase in IL‐2 signalling pathways by IL‐2/JES6‐1 complexes suggests their potential use as a novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of autoimmune arthritis.
Oxidative status and histological changes in sea bass larvae muscle in response to high dietary content of docosahexaenoic acid DHA
Authors: Betancor M B , Caballero M J , Benítez‐Santana T , Saleh R , Roo J , Atalah E , Izquierdo M 
Published: November 2012

AbstractIn previous studies, we observed dystrophic alterations in muscle of 48‐day‐old sea bass fed imbalanced docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and vitamin E diets. To understand the whole pathological process associated with oxidative stress, a histological study was performed by feeding 14‐day‐old sea bass larvae with microdiets containing different ratios of DHA/vitamin E (1/150, 5/150 and 5/300) for a period of 21 days. Larvae fed diet 1/150 showed no lesions in contrast to larvae fed diets 5/150 and 5/300 where the highest incidence of muscle lesions and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) content was observed. Semithin sections revealed focal lesions consisting of degenerated fibres with hypercontracted myofilaments and extensive sarcoplasm vacuolization affecting both red and white muscle. Ultrathin sections of degenerating muscle fibres showed diffuse dilatation of sarcoplasmic reticulum, disorganized myofilaments and autophagic vacuoles containing myelin figures and dense bodies. Additionally, some macrophages were observed among injured fibres as numerous satellite cells. Results from the study agree with those obtained from previous work, proving the pathological potential of free radicals in sea bass larvae musculature. Moreover, high vitamin E inclusion could not completely protect cell membranes from free radicals action.