bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Detection of Puccinia pelargonii‐zonalis‐infected Geranium Tissues and Urediniospores
Authors: Scocco Erika A. , Walcott Ronald R. , Jeffers Steven N. , Buck James W. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThe occurrence of geranium rust (caused by Puccinia pelargonii‐zonalis) in commercial greenhouses can result in unmarketable plants and significant economic losses. Currently, detection of geranium rust relies solely on scouting for symptoms and signs of the disease. The purpose of this research was to develop a rapid detection assay for P. pelargonii‐zonalis‐infected tissues or urediniospores on greenhouse‐grown geraniums. Two oligonucleotide primers were designed based on internal transcribed spacer sequence data from three isolates of P. pelargonii‐zonalis. The primers amplified a 131‐bp product from genomic DNA from each isolate of P. pelargonii‐zonalis but did not amplify a product from genomic DNA from twelve other rust fungi or four other plant pathogenic fungi. A PCR product was amplified consistently from solutions that contained 1 ng or 100 pg/ml of purified P. pelargonii‐zonalis DNA in conventional PCR and at 1 pg/ml using real‐time PCR. The detection threshold was 102 urediniospores/ml for real‐time PCR and 104 urediniospores/ml for conventional PCR using urediniospores collected by vacuum from sporulating lesions. Puccinia pelargonii‐zonalis DNA was amplified by real‐time PCR from urediniospores washed from a single inoculated leaf, but recovered urediniospores were below detection threshold from one inoculated leaf with 5, 10, 25 and 50 non‐inoculated leaves. Conventional and real‐time PCR did not detect P. pelargonii‐zonalis in infected leaf tissues, presumably due to PCR inhibitors in the geranium leaf tissue. The inhibition of both conventional and real‐time PCR by geranium tissues suggests that a detection assay focusing on urediniospore recovery and microscopic examination with subsequent species verification by PCR may be the most efficient method for assessing the presence of geranium rust in greenhouses.
Effect of short‐term supplementation with rumen‐protected fat during the late luteal phase on reproduction and metabolism of ewes
Authors: Hashem N. M. , El‐Zarkouny S. Z. 
Published: January 2013

SummaryThis study was designed to study the effect of short‐term supplementation with rumen‐protected fat during the late luteal phase on reproduction and metabolism of sheep during breeding season. Seventy‐six ewes (Rahmani, Barki and Awassi × Barki) were allocated to two groups considering genotype: the control ewes (C‐group) received a maintenance diet, and the fat‐supplemented ewes (F‐group) received the maintenance diet plus 50 g/head/day of rumen‐ protected fat (Megalac) for 9 days during which oestrus was synchronized. The latter had been accomplished using double intramuscular injection of prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) 11 days apart. Ovarian activity, serum concentration of cholesterol, glucose, insulin and reproductive performance variables were recorded. Data were analysed considering treatment (group) and genotype. Supplementation had positive effects on the overall mean serum concentrations of cholesterol (p < 0.05), glucose (p < 0.05) on day 6 of nutritional treatment and insulin (p = 0.07) on day 8. Fat supplementation did not affect the total number of follicles, follicle populations and ovulation rate. However, fat‐supplemented Rahmani ewes tended to have higher ovulation rate compared with other breeds (treatment × breed interaction, p = 0.06). Treatment also did not affect the mean concentration of serum estradiol or progesterone. Supplemented ewes had higher conception (p = 0.06) and lambing rates (p < 0.05) compared with control. In conclusion, short‐term supplementation with rumen‐protected fat as a source of energy around breeding time improved metabolism, conception and lambing rates of ewes without effects on steroidogenic capacity and ovarian activity being apparent.
Expression profile of macrophage migration‐inhibitory factor in human gingiva and reconstituted human gingival epithelia stimulated by Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide
Authors: Li X. , Lan H. Y. , Huang X. R. , Zhang C. , Jin L. J. 
Published: January 2013

Background and ObjectiveMacrophage migration‐inhibitory factor (MIF) plays crucial roles in the recruitment and activation of macrophages as well as in helping to kill bacteria. This study investigated the expression profile of MIF in human gingiva under different periodontal conditions and its expression patterns induced by Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in gingival epithelia.Material and MethodsGingival tissue samples were collected from deep pockets and clinically healthy sites of 22 nonsmoking subjects with chronic periodontitis. The expression of MIF mRNA and protein was evaluated using real‐time PCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively. The in vitro study analyzed the effects of P. gingivalis LPS on the expression of MIF in a reconstituted human gingival epithelia (RHGE) model.ResultsIn gingival epithelia, MIF protein was diffusely expressed from the basal layer to the granular and spinous layers; whereas, in the underlying connective tissues, MIF was observed around the dilated blood vessels in the deep‐pocket tissues. A significantly lower level of expression of MIF mRNA and an increased level of expression of MIF protein were found in deep‐pocket tissues compared with clinically healthy tissues. Expression of MIF mRNA in the RHGE model was significantly down‐regulated by P. gingivalis LPS.ConclusionThe present study suggests that MIF expression may be related to periodontal conditions and that its expression profile could be modulated by P. gingivalis LPS. MIF may play a role in periodontal pathogenesis.
Histological improvement of long‐term antiviral therapy in chronic hepatitis B patients with persistently normal alanine aminotransferase levels
Authors: Du X. , Wang J. , Shao L. , Hu X. , Yang C. , Shen L. , Weng X. , Zhang W. 
Published: January 2013

SummaryThe aim of this study was to evaluate the histological outcomes of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with persistently normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels after long‐term antiviral therapy. Paired liver biopsies before and after lamivudine (LAM) treatment in CHB patients with normal and elevated ALT levels were compared. Histological response was defined as a 1‐point decrease according to the Scheuer scoring system, without worsening of fibrosis between pretreatment and posttreatment biopsies. Among the 48 patients who underwent paired liver biopsies, 17 had persistently normal baseline ALT level and 31 had elevated ALT level. The median age of the patients was 44 years and 72.9% of the patients were male. The median duration of antiviral treatment was 44.5 months (range 14–104). Long‐term follow‐up of liver biopsies revealed that 82.4% of patients in the normal ALT group and 61.3% in the elevated ALT group had a baseline fibrosis score of 4, which was reduced to 17.6% and 38.7% after long‐term therapy, respectively, indicating reversal of cirrhosis in a large proportion of both groups, especially in patients with normal baseline ALT levels. Long‐term antiviral treatment could achieve significant histological improvement in CHB patients with fibrosis or cirrhosis, regardless of ALT level.
On the Constitution and Transformation ofPhilistine Identity
Authors: Maeir Aren M. , Hitchcock Louise A. , Horwitz Liora Kolska 
Published: January 2013

SummaryRecent discussion of the formation and alteration ofPhilistine identity in theLevantineIronAge continues to reference primarily pottery styles and dietary practices. Such traditional narratives propose that thePhilistines comprised one group of the ‘Sea Peoples’ and that the cultural boundary markers that distinguished their society in theIronAge I (twelfth–eleventh centuryBC) diminished in importance and disappeared suddenly in the earlyIronAgeIIA(tenth centuryBC), with the ascendancy of the Judahite kingdom. Based on data from the Levant (especiallyPhilistia), theAegean and Cyprus, we argue for a more complex understanding of thePhilistines who came to the region with an identity that drew on, and continued to engage with, a broad range of foreign artefact styles and cultural practices with non‐Levantine connections. Concurrently they incorporated local cultural attributes, at least until the late ninth centuryBC, a feature that we argue was unrelated to the supposed tenth century expansion of the Judahite kingdom.
Colonial Representations and Carthaginian Archaeology
Authors: Fumadó Ortega Iván 
Published: January 2013

SummaryIn spite of the interest generated by Phoenician‐Punic Archaeology, this area of study has always been underestimated by comparison with Classical Archaeology. One of the main reasons for this is the persistence of a colonial representation of the ancient Mediterranean which assumes Greek culture to be the supreme expression of civilization. Other groups may imitate it through an acculturation process: Hellenization. As we shall see, this representation pervades even the Phoenician‐Punic history and archaeology university textbooks. Starting with the various reasons leading to this situation, I aim to focus on the interpretation given to the ancient excavations at Carthage and, specifically, to its architectural and urban record, since this was the area of study where the prejudices about the Phoenician‐Punic culture found an (albeit misunderstood) archaeological proof. I shall argue that the misinterpretation of these excavations is the key to understanding later developments and the general underestimation of Phoenician‐Punic Archaeology.
Myopic astigmatism correction: comparison of a Toric Implantable Collamer Lens and a bioptics technique by an adaptive optics visual simulator
Authors: Pérez‐Vives Cari , Domínguez‐Vicent Alberto , Madrid‐Costa David , Ferrer‐Blasco Teresa , Montés‐Micó Robert 
Published: January 2013

AbstractPurposeTo compare the optical and visual quality of a simulated Toric Implantable Collamer Lens (TICL) and a bioptics technique to treat high myopic astigmatism.MethodsAn adaptive optics visual simulator was used to simulate the vision after TICL implantation and a bioptics procedure from the wavefront aberration pattern for moderate and high‐myopic astigmatism. Visual acuity (VA) at different contrasts and contrast sensitivity (CS) at 10, 20 and 25 cycles degree−1 were measured for 3 and 5‐mm pupils. Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) and Point Spread Function (PSF) were calculated for a 5‐mm pupil.ResultsAt a 3‐mm pupil we only found statistically significant differences in VA between the two simulated surgeries at low‐contrast for moderate‐ and high‐myopic astigmatism (p < 0.05). Statistically significant differences were found in CS at 3‐mm pupil between both procedures at the highest spatial frequency for moderate‐myopic astigmatism and at all frequencies for high‐myopic astigmatism (p < 0.05). At a 5‐mm pupil we found statistically significant differences in VA and CS between both simulated surgeries at all contrasts and frequencies evaluated for both groups (p < 0.05). In all cases VA and CS were better with the TICL than with the bioptics technique. MTFs for the bioptics technique were worse than those computed for the TICL. The TICL showed less spread out of the PSF than the bioptics procedure.ConclusionsSimulated TICL and bioptics procedures provided good optical and visual quality, although TICL implantation provided slightly better outcomes than the bioptics procedure, especially when the pupil diameter was increased.
Assessing Policy Capacity for Climate Change Adaptation: Governance Arrangements, Resource Deployments, and Analytical Skills inCanadian Infrastructure Policy Making
Authors: Craft Jonathan , Howlett Michael , Crawford Mark , McNutt Kathleen 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThis article examines the infrastructure policy sector's capacity to respond to climate change adaptation through an analysis of theCanadian case. It includes a three‐level examination of capacity: at the macro level through a virtual policy network analysis; at the meso level through examination of the lead department's evolving mandate and resources; and at the micro level through analysis of survey data related to departmental workers policy tasks and attitudes. Four hypotheses across these three levels are set out and tested at the national and subnational levels. Together, the findings suggest that the policy capacity in theCanadian infrastructure sector will be unable to meet the demands placed upon the sector to respond to the increasing challenges of climate change adaptation.
Climate Change Adaptation and Policy Capacity in the Canadian Finance Sector: A Meso Analysis
Authors: Williams Russell Alan , McNutt Kathleen 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThis article examines policy capacity in relation to climate change adaptation in theCanadian finance sector. Through a meso‐level analysis focused on the level of integration of the finance policy network and a survey of policy professionals in the area regarding climate change issues, the article illustrates both challenges to operationalizing the concept of “policy capacity” and limitations to effective policy capacity on climate change in this policy domain. Though a central concern for governments, improvements in policy capacity require more attention to network integration and governance arrangements if governments are to effectively respond to the unique challenges posed by climate change adaptation.
A Stakeholder Analysis ofColorado Climate and Energy Issues Using Policy Analytical Capacity and the Advocacy Coalition Framework
Authors: Elgin Dallas J. , Weible Christopher M. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractNoticeably absent from the tools and techniques in policy analysis are methods for understanding political contexts, including the beliefs, networks, resources, and activities of policy actors. In combination,PolicyAnalyticalCapacity and theAdvocacyCoalitionFramework offer one appropriate solution. We apply both approaches to analyze theColorado climate and energy policy subsystem using questionnaire data. In the policy subsystem, we identify a large proclimate change coalition and a smaller anticlimate change coalition. Member beliefs between rival coalitions diverge in regard to the cause, severity, and solutions needed to address climate change adaptation and mitigation issues. Both coalitions report similar levels of individual and organizational capacity to generate and analyze information and to engage in similar activities and strategies. This article contributes to the public policy literature by applying bothPolicyAnalyticalCapacity and theAdvocacyCoalitionFramework and by emphasizing individual, organizational, and subsystem levels in conducting a stakeholder analysis.
Public Libraries as Breeding Grounds for Bonding, Bridging and Institutional Social Capital: The Case of Branch Libraries in Rural Denmark
Authors: Svendsen Gunnar Lind Haase 
Published: January 2013

AbstractPublic libraries are eminent providers of human and social capital, not least in small rural communities where such meeting places are becoming scarce in many areas of the world. Drawing on data from a questionnaire survey, this article reports on social capital creation at branch libraries in 62 rural municipalities in Denmark, as reported by the municipal library managers. A main empirical result is the extensive collaboration between the branch libraries and other public institutions in the local area, which often also involves volunteers from the civic society. Hence, it is shown that, besides micro‐level social capital, valuable social capital is created among public and voluntary institutions collaborating on local core and noncore library services. In this way, public libraries are not only breeding grounds for two well‐known types of social capital – bonding and bridging – but also for a highly valuable third type, institutional social capital. It is argued that the closing down of more than half of branch libraries in rural Denmark since 1988, is partly due to politicians being ignorant of the great socioeconomic value of these ‘gracious spaces’, which has a strong capacity to foster ‘full‐scale’ community social capital consisting of all three types of social capital.
Induced resistance in maize is based on organ‐specific defence responses
Authors: Balmer Dirk , de Papajewski Daniela Villacres , Planchamp Chantal , Glauser Gaëtan , Mauch‐Mani Brigitte 
Published: January 2013

SummaryTo obtain further insight into the intricate inter‐play between maize (Zea mays) and the fungal pathogen Colletotrichum graminicola, the local and systemic molecular and chemical defence responses of maize leaves and roots were simultaneously investigated and compared. Similar gene expression and hormonal patterns were detected in both above‐ and below‐ground organs; however, roots responded more rapidly and accumulated higher levels of defence‐related hormones than leaves. Leaf and root infection with C. graminicola triggered systemic resistance in the foliage against the same fungus. This systemic defence response was associated with systemic transcriptional adaptations, and elevated levels of salicylic acid and abscisic acid. Metabolomic profiling revealed significant differences in the composition of secondary metabolites in leaves and roots, indicating that these organs employ distinct chemical defence systems. In addition, higher basal levels of antimicrobial flavonoids suggest an enhanced basal defensive state of roots. Our findings reveal tissue‐specific local and systemic antifungal defence mechanisms in maize.
Targeted Amino Acid Substitutions Impair Streptolysin O Toxicity and Group A
Streptococcus
Virulence
Authors: Chiarot Emiliano , Faralla Cristina , Chiappini Nico , Tuscano Giovanna , Falugi Fabiana , Gambellini Gabriella , Taddei Annarita , Capo Sabrina , Cartocci Elena , Veggi Daniele , Corrado Alessia , Mangiavacchi Simona , Tavarini Simona , Scarselli Maria , Janulczyk Robert , Grandi Guido , Margarit Immaculada , Bensi Giuliano 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT

Streptolysin O is a potent pore-forming toxin produced by group A
Streptococcus
. The aims of the present study were to dissect the relative contributions of different structural domains of the protein to hemolytic activity, to obtain a detoxified form of streptolysin O amenable to human vaccine formulation, and to investigate the role of streptolysin O-specific antibodies in protection against group A
Streptococcus
infection. On the basis of
in silico
structural predictions, we introduced two amino acid substitutions, one in the proline-rich domain 1 and the other in the conserved undecapeptide loop in domain 4. The resulting streptolysin O derivative showed no toxicity, was highly impaired in binding to eukaryotic cells, and was unable to form organized oligomeric structures on the cell surface. However, it was fully capable of conferring consistent protection in a murine model of group A
Streptococcus
infection. When we engineered a streptococcal strain to express the double-mutated streptolysin O, a drastic reduction in virulence as well as a diminished capacity to kill immune cells recruited at the infection site was observed. Furthermore, when mice immunized with the toxoid were challenged with the wild-type and mutant strains, protection only against the wild-type strain, not against the strain expressing the double-mutated streptolysin O, was obtained. We conclude that protection occurs by antibody-mediated neutralization of active toxin.

IMPORTANCE
We present a novel example of structural design of a vaccine antigen optimized for human vaccine use. Having previously demonstrated that immunization of mice with streptolysin O elicits a protective immune response against infection with group A
Streptococcus
strains of different serotypes, we developed in this study a double-mutated nontoxic derivative that represents a novel tool for the development of protective vaccine formulations against this important human pathogen. Furthermore, the innovative construction of an isogenic strain expressing a functionally inactive toxin and its use in infection and opsonophagocytosis experiments allowed us to investigate the mechanism by which streptolysin O mediates protection against group A
Streptococcus
. Finally, the ability of this toxin to directly attack and kill host immune cells during infection was studied in an air pouch model, which allowed parallel quantification of cellular recruitment, vitality, and cytokine release at the infection site.
Broad Conditions Favor the Evolution of Phase-Variable Loci
Authors: Palmer M. E. , Lipsitch M. , Moxon E. R. , Bayliss C. D. 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT

Simple sequence repeat (SSR) tracts produce stochastic
on
-
off
switching, or phase variation, in the expression of a panoply of surface molecules in many bacterial commensals and pathogens. A change to the number of repeats in a tract may alter the phase of the translational reading frame, which toggles the
on
-
off
state of the switch. Here, we construct an
in silico
SSR locus with mutational dynamics calibrated to those of the
Haemophilus influenzae mod
locus. We simulate its evolution in a regimen of two alternating environments, simultaneously varying the selection coefficient,
s
, and the epoch length,
T
. Some recent work in a simpler (two-locus) model suggested that stochastic switching in a regimen of two alternating environments may be evolutionarily favored only if the selection coefficients in the two environments are nearly equal (“symmetric”) or selection is very strong. This finding was puzzling, as it greatly restricted the conditions under which stochastic switching might evolve. Instead, we find agreement with other recent theoretical work, observing selective utility for stochastic switching if the product
sT
is large enough for the favored state to nearly fix in both environments. Symmetry is required neither in
s
nor in
sT
. Because we simulate finite populations and use a detailed model of the SSR locus, we are also able to examine the impact of population size and of several SSR locus parameters. Our results indicate that conditions favoring evolution and maintenance of SSR loci in bacteria are quite broad.

IMPORTANCE
Bacteria experience frequent changes of environment during the infection cycle. One means to rapidly adapt is stochastic switching: a bacterial lineage will stochastically produce a variety of genotypes, so that some descendants will survive if the environment changes. Stochastic switching mediated by simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci is widespread among bacterial commensals and pathogens and influences critical interactions with host surfaces or immune effectors, thereby affecting host persistence, transmission, and virulence. Here, we use the most detailed
in silico
model of an SSR locus to date, with its phase variation calibrated to match the
mod
locus of
Haemophilus influenzae
. The type III restriction-modification system encoded by
mod
participates in the regulation of multiple other genes; thus, SSR-mediated phase variation of
mod
has far-reaching
cis
-regulatory effects. This coupling of phase-variable switching to complex phenotypic effects has been described as the “phasevarion” and is central to understanding the infection cycle of bacterial commensals and pathogens.