bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Aetiology and toxigenicity of Fusarium graminearum and F. pseudograminearum causing crown rot and head blight in Australia under natural and artificial infection
Authors: Obanor F. , Chakraborty S. 
Published: January 2014

Globally fusarium head blight (FHB) of wheat is predominantly caused by Fusarium graminearum (FG) and crown rot (FCR) by F. pseudograminearum (FP). While both FG and FP can cause FHB in Australia, the reasons why the morphologically and culturally similar FG is not a major FCR pathogen has remained elusive. Using aetiology and toxigenicity, this study clarifies the contrasting roles of FG and FP in FCR and FHB in Australia. Naturally infected wheat from 42 sites during 2010 FHB epidemics, and wheat inoculated with either pathogen to induce FCR or FHB at three field plantings in 2011, were used to determine pathogen prevalence and deoxynivalenol (DON) content of the crown, stem base, stem top, rachis and grain. As the primary aetiological agent, FP prevalence in the crown correlated with FCR severity while FG in grain and/or the rachis correlated with FHB severity. FG was an effective colonizer of the crown and stem base but colonization was symptomless. DON content was linked to FG biomass in all tissues except the crown, where FP biomass was the main contributor. Of the 30 measures derived to analyse pathogen fitness in 2011, 10 described the superior fitness of FG for FHB; six defined FP fitness for FHB including inoculum dispersal; and eight defined FCR fitness of both FP and FG. FG had superior FHB fitness but weak saprophytic survival may have undermined its FCR fitness.
Antral Follicle Populations and Embryo Production – In Vitro and In Vivo – of Bos indicus–taurus Donors from Weaning to Yearling Ages
Authors: Silva‐Santos KC , Santos GMG , Koetz Júnior C , Morotti F , Siloto LS , Marcantonio TN , Urbano MR , Oliveira RL , Lima DCM , Seneda MM 
Published: January 2014

ContentsInterest in indicus–taurus cattle has been increasing, as these animals are likely to present the best characteristics of Zebu and European bovine breeds. The aim of this study was to compare the embryo production of indicus–taurus donors with high vs low antral follicle counts obtained by ovum pickup/in vitro production (OPU/IVP) and superovulation (SOV)/embryo collection. Braford females at weaning age (3/8 Nelore × 5/8 Hereford, n = 137, 9 ± 1 month old) were subjected to six serial ovarian ultrasonographs and were assigned to two groups according to the number of antral follicles ≥3 mm as follows: G‐High antral follicular count (AFC, n = 20, mean ≥40 follicles) and G‐Low AFC (n = 20, mean ≤10 follicles). When the females (n = 40) reached 24 months of age, they were subjected to both OPU/IVP and SOV/embryo collection. The average number of follicles remained highly stable throughout all of the ultrasound evaluations (range 0.90–0.92). The mean number of COCs recovered (36.90 ± 13.68 vs 5.80 ± 3.40) was higher (p < 0.05) for females with high AFC, resulting in higher (p < 0.05) numbers of total embryos among females with high vs low AFC (6.10 ± 4.51 vs 0.55 ± 0.83). The mean number of embryos per collection was also higher (p < 0.05) for G‐High vs G‐Low (6.95 ± 5.34 vs 1.9 ± 2.13). We conclude that a single ultrasound performed at pre‐pubertal ages to count antral follicles can be used as a predictor of embryo production following IVP and SOV/embryo collection in indicus–taurus females.
Use of Equine Chorionic Gonadotropin to Control Reproduction of the Dairy Cow: A Review
Authors: De Rensis F , López‐Gatius F 
Published: January 2014

ContentsEquine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) is a member of the glycoprotein family of hormones along with LH, FSH and thyroid‐stimulating hormone. In non‐equid species, eCG shows high LH‐ and FSH‐like activities and has a high affinity for both FSH and LH receptors in the ovaries. On the granulosa and thecal cells of the follicle, eCG has long‐lasting LH‐ and FSH‐like effects that stimulate oestradiol and progesterone secretion. Thus, eCG administration in dairy cattle results in fewer atretic follicles, the recruitment of more small follicles showing an elevated growth rate, the sustained growth of medium and large follicles and improved development of the dominant and pre‐ovulatory follicle. In consequence, the quality of the ensuing CL is improved, and thereby progesterone secretion increased. Based on these characteristics, eCG treatment is utilized in veterinary medicine to control the reproductive activity of the cow by i) improving reproductive performance during early post‐partum stages; ii) increasing ovulation and pregnancy rates in non‐cyclic cows; iii) improving the conception rate in cows showing delayed ovulation; and finally, iv) eCG is currently included in protocols for fixed‐time artificial insemination since after inducing the synchrony of ovulation using a progesterone‐releasing device, eCG has beneficial effects on embryo development and survival. The above effects are not always observed in cyclic animals, but they are evident in animals in which LH secretion and ovarian activity are reduced or compromised, for instance, during the early post‐partum period, under seasonal heat stress, in anoestrus animals or in animals with a low body condition score.
Optimal Dialysate Sodium—What is the Evidence?
Authors: Mc Causland Finnian R. , Waikar Sushrut S. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractOligo‐anuric patients with end‐stage kidney disease are dependent on hemodialysis to achieve and maintain the desired goal of euvolemia. The dialysis prescription, in addition to sodium and fluid restriction, is therefore a critically important factor in the care of hemodialysis patients. Various dialysate sodium concentrations have been favored throughout the history of dialysis, but the “optimal” concentration remains unclear. In this manuscript, we examine the historical context of changes to the dialysate sodium prescription, review the evidence of its associated effects, discuss ‘individualization’ of dialysate sodium, and highlight the need for definitive trials that are powered for important clinical outcomes.
Intraocular pressure, specular microscopy, and prostaglandinE2concentration in dogs with mature and hypermature cataract
Authors: Renzo Roberta , Ribeiro Alexandre P. , da Silva Miguel L. , da Silva Germana Alegro , Ortencio Kethye P. , Barros Sobrinho Alexandre A. F. , Wilson Patriarca Mineo Tiago , Laus José Luiz 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThis study aimed to evaluate and correlate intraocular pressure (IOP), endothelial cell density (CD), and hexagonality (HEX), and the aqueous humor prostaglandinE2(PGE2) concentration in dogs with mature (MG,n = 8) and hypermature (HG,n = 8) cataracts. Eight laboratory beagles with no ocular abnormalities were included as a control group (CG). TheIOPwas measured using a digital applanation tonometer. Noncontact specular microscopy was used to evaluateCDandHEX. Samples of aqueous humor were used to determine prostaglandinE2concentration using enzyme‐linked immunoassay. Data were compared byanovaandBonferroni's multiple comparison test, and possible correlations among thePGE2aqueous concentration and corneal endothelium cell parameters were assessed byPerson′s test (P < 0.05). Average values ofIOP(P = 0.45) andCD(P = 0.39) were not significantly different betweenMG,HM, andCG. Average values ofHEXwere lower, andPGE2concentration was increased in theMGandHGin comparison withCG(P < 0.05); however, such parameters did not change significantly betweenMGandHG(P > 0.05).PGE2values did not correlate withIOP,CD, andHEXin any group (P > 0.05). Although there were a small number of dogs studied, our results demonstrated that cataract progression from mature to hypermature did not have a significant change inPGE2 aqueous concentration,IOP, corneal endothelial cell count, or morphology. In addition,PGE2concentration was not correlated with parameters of the corneal endothelium orIOPin dogs with mature or hypermature cataracts.
Intraocular pressure, ultrasonographic and echobiometric findings of juvenile Yacare caiman (Caiman yacare) eye
Authors: Ruiz Thaís , Campos Wilma N. S. , Peres Thalita P. S. , Gonçalves Gentil F. , Ferraz Rosa H. S. , Néspoli Pedro E. B. , Sousa Valéria R. F. , Ribeiro Alexandre P. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractObjectiveThe aim was to determine the intraocular pressure (IOP), the ultrasonographic and echobiometric findings in the eyes of juvenile Yacare caiman(Caiman yacare).AnimalsTwenty‐two healthy caimans from a breeding farm in Brazilian Pantanal.ProceduresIntraocular pressure was measured under physical restraint and topical anesthesia by applanation tonometry. Five individual measurements of each eye were recorded by the same examiner. B‐mode ultrasonography was performed with a 10‐MHz linear transducer, and the anterior chamber depth, lens thickness, vitreous depth, and axial globe length were measured. Unpaired and pairedt‐tests were used to assess data. Pearson's test was used to assess correlations betweenIOPand ocular structures (P < 0.05).ResultsMean ± SD IOPof the 44 eyes studied was 9.56 ± 2.69 mmHg, (range 5.4–15.6 mmHg).IOPdid not differ significantly between right and left eyes or between genders (P > 0.05). Echobiometric measurements did not differ significantly between eyes and genders (P > 0.05). Intraocular structures measured in male and female subjects were, respectively, 2.61 ± 0.13 and 2.55 ± 0.18 mm for anterior chamber depth, 7.60 ± 0.17 and 7.54 ± 0.20 mm for lens thickness, 6.83 ± 0.20 and 6.90 ± 0.22 mm for vitreous chamber depth, and 17.55 ± 0.25 and 17.54 ± 0.29 mm for axial globe length. Correlations were not observed (P > 0.05).ConclusionReference values of tonometry and distances of intraocular structures of Yacare caiman were described.IOPdid not correlate with echobiometric measurements in this crocodilian. The ultrasonographic appearance was similar to other domestic and wild species.
A Paleogenomic Perspective on Evolution and Gene Function: New Insights from Ancient DNA
Authors: Shapiro B. , Hofreiter M. 
Published: January 2014

Background
After three decades of research aimed at recovering DNA from preserved remains, the field of ancient DNA is moving rapidly toward the sequencing and analysis of complete paleogenomes. These data provide a means to better understand evolutionary processes through time, including inference of ancient demography and admixture between lineages, as well as adaptive evolution within populations.

Advances
Key advances enabling a paleogenomic perspective include improvements in DNA extraction and library preparation, as well as methods to enrich ancient libraries for targeted loci. These methods have made it possible to isolate ancient DNA from a far wider range of preservation environments than has been assumed to be attainable, including extending the temporal reach of ancient DNA back to nearly 1 million years.

Outlook
Although relatively few paleogenomes have been published to date, their number is rising rapidly, and it is increasingly clear that the range of specimens from which paleogenomes could be produced is much larger than has been assumed previously. As more data become available, including genomic data from living organisms, the capacity to use paleogenomic data to infer evolutionary change through time will continue to expand, particularly with respect to the evolution of populations and the link between genotype and phenotype.
Serodiagnosis of Equine Leptospirosis by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay Using Four Recombinant Protein Markers
Authors: Ye Cuilian , Yan Weiwei , McDonough Patrick L. , McDonough Sean P. , Mohamed Hussni , Divers Thomas J. , Chang Yung-Fu , Yang Zhibang 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACTLeptospirosis, caused byLeptospiraspp., is one of the most common zoonotic diseases in the world. We tested four recombinant proteins ofLeptospira interrogans, namely, rLipL21, rLoa22, rLipL32, and rLigACon4-8, to evaluate their potential for use as antigens for the diagnosis of equine leptospirosis. We employed equine sera (n= 130) that were microscopic agglutination test (MAT) negative and sera (n= 176) that were MAT positive for the 5 serovars that most commonly cause equine leptospirosis. The sensitivity and specificity of ELISA compared to MAT were 82.39% and 86.15%, respectively, for LigACon4-8, 77.84% and 92.31%, respectively, for Loa22, 77.84% and 86.15%, respectively, for LipL32, and 84.66% and 83.85%, respectively, for LipL21. When one of the two antigens was test positive, the sensitivity and specificity of ELISA were 93.75% and 78.46%, respectively, for rLigACon4-8 and LipL32, 93.18% and 76.15%, respectively, for rLigACon4-8 and LipL21, 89.77% and 80.77%, respectively, for rLigACon4-8 and Loa22, 91.48% and 78.46%, respectively, for LipL21 and Loa22, 93.75% and 76.92%, respectively, for LipL21 and LipL32, and 90.34% and 80.77%, respectively, for Loa22 and LipL32. In conclusion, we have developed an indirect ELISA utilizing rLigACon4-8, rLoa22, rLipL32, and rLipL21 as diagnostic antigens for equine leptospirosis. The use of four antigens in the ELISA was found to be sensitive and specific, the assay was easy to perform, and the results concurred with the results of the standardLeptospiraMAT.
Flagellin A Toll-Like Receptor 5 Agonist as an Adjuvant in Chicken Vaccines
Authors: Gupta Shishir Kumar , Bajwa Preety , Deb Rajib , Chellappa Madhan Mohan , Dey Sohini 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACTChicken raised under commercial conditions are vulnerable to environmental exposure to a number of pathogens. Therefore, regular vaccination of the flock is an absolute requirement to prevent the occurrence of infectious diseases. To combat infectious diseases, vaccines require inclusion of effective adjuvants that promote enhanced protection and do not cause any undesired adverse reaction when administered to birds along with the vaccine. With this perspective in mind, there is an increased need for effective better vaccine adjuvants. Efforts are being made to enhance vaccine efficacy by the use of suitable adjuvants, particularly Toll-like receptor (TLR)-based adjuvants. TLRs are among the types of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) that recognize conserved pathogen molecules. A number of studies have documented the effectiveness of flagellin as an adjuvant as well as its ability to promote cytokine production by a range of innate immune cells. This minireview summarizes our current understanding of flagellin action, its role in inducing cytokine response in chicken cells, and the potential use of flagellin as well as its combination with other TLR ligands as an adjuvant in chicken vaccines.
Inclusion of the Bovine Neutrophil Beta-Defensin 3 with Glycoprotein D of Bovine Herpesvirus 1 in a DNA Vaccine Modulates Immune Responses of Mice and Cattle
Authors: Mackenzie-Dyck Sarah , Kovacs-Nolan Jennifer , Snider Marlene , Babiuk Lorne A. , van Drunen Littel-van den Hurk Sylvia 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACTBovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) causes recurrent respiratory and genital infections in cattle and predisposes them to lethal secondary infections. While modified live and killed BoHV-1 vaccines exist, these are not without problems. Development of an effective DNA vaccine for BoHV-1 has the potential to address these issues. As a strategy to enhance DNA vaccine immunity, a plasmid encoding the bovine neutrophil beta-defensin 3 (BNBD3) as a fusion with truncated glycoprotein D (tgD) and a mix of two plasmids encoding BNBD3 and tgD were tested in mice and cattle. In mice, coadministration of BNBD3 on the separate plasmid enhanced the tgD-induced gamma interferon (IFN-γ) response but not the antibody response. BNBD3 fused to tgD did not affect the antibody levels or the number of IFN-γ-secreting cells but increased the induction of tgD-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). In cattle, the addition of BNBD3 as a fusion construct also modified the immune response. While the IgG and virus-neutralizing antibody levels were not affected, the number of IFN-γ-secreting cells was increased after BoHV-1 challenge, specifically the CD8+IFN-γ+T cells, including CD8+IFN-γ+CD25+CTLs. While reduced virus shedding, rectal temperature, and weight loss were observed, the level of protection was comparable to that observed in pMASIA-tgD-vaccinated animals. These data show that coadministration of BNBD3 with a protective antigen as a fusion in a DNA vaccine strengthened the Th1 bias and increased cell-mediated immune responses but did not enhance protection from BoHV-1 infection.
Purification, Stability, and Immunogenicity Analyses of Five Bluetongue Virus Proteins for Use in Development of a Subunit Vaccine That Allows Differentiation of Infected from Vaccinated Animals
Authors: Anderson Jenna , Bréard Emmanuel , Lövgren Bengtsson Karin , Grönvik Kjell-Olov , Zientara Stéphan , Valarcher Jean-Francois , Hägglund Sara 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACTBluetongue virus (BTV) causes bluetongue disease, a vector-borne disease of ruminants. The recent northerly spread of BTV serotype 8 in Europe resulted in outbreaks characterized by clinical signs in cattle, including unusual teratogenic effects. Vaccination has been shown to be crucial for controlling the spread of vector-borne diseases such as BTV. With the aim of developing a novel subunit vaccine targeting BTV-8 that allows differentiation of infected from vaccinated animals, five His-tagged recombinant proteins, VP2 and VP5 of BTV-8 and NS1, NS2, and NS3 of BTV-2, were expressed in baculovirus orEscherichia coliexpression systems for further study. Optimized purification protocols were determined for VP2, NS1, NS2, and NS3, which remained stable for detection for at least 560 to 610 days of storage at +4°C or −80°C, and Western blotting using sera from vaccinated or experimentally infected cattle indicated that VP2 and NS2 were recognized by BTV-specific antibodies. To characterize murine immune responses to the four proteins, mice were subcutaneously immunized twice at a 4-week interval with one of three protein combinations plus immunostimulating complex ISCOM-Matrix adjuvant or with ISCOM-Matrix alone (n= 6 per group). Significantly higher serum IgG antibody titers specific for VP2 and NS2 were detected in immunized mice than were detected in controls. VP2, NS1, and NS2 but not NS3 induced specific lymphocyte proliferative responses upon restimulation of spleen cells from immunized mice. The data suggest that these recombinant purified proteins, VP2, NS1, and NS2, could be an important part of a novel vaccine design against BTV-8.
Phosphatidylinositol-Specific Phospholipase C Contributes to Survival of Staphylococcus aureus USA300 in Human Blood and Neutrophils
Authors: White Mark J. , Boyd Jeffrey M. , Horswill Alexander R. , Nauseef William M. 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACT

Staphylococcus aureus
is an important human pathogen that employs a large repertoire of secreted virulence factors to promote disease pathogenesis. Many strains of
S. aureus
possess a
plc
gene that encodes a phosphatidylinositol (PI)-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) capable of hydrolyzing PI and cleaving glycosyl-PI (GPI)-linked proteins from cell surfaces. Despite being secreted by virulent staphylococci, the contribution of PI-PLC to the capacity of
S. aureus
to cause disease remains undefined. Our goal in these studies was to understand PI-PLC in the context of
S. aureus
biology. Among a collection of genetically diverse clinical isolates of
S. aureus
, community-associated methicillin-resistant
S. aureus
(CA-MRSA) USA300 secreted the most PI-PLC. Screening a collection of two-component system (TCS) mutants of
S. aureus
, we identified both the
agr
quorum-sensing system and the SrrAB TCS to be positive regulators of
plc
gene expression. Real-time PCR and PI-PLC enzyme assays of the TCS mutants, coupled with SrrA promoter binding studies, demonstrated that SrrAB was the predominant transcriptional activator of
plc
. Furthermore,
plc
regulation was linked to oxidative stress both
in vitro
and
in vivo
in a SrrAB-dependent manner. A Δ
plc
mutant in a CA-MRSA USA300 background exhibited a survival defect in human whole blood and in isolated neutrophils. However, the same mutant strain displayed no survival defect in murine models of infection or murine whole blood. Overall, these data identify potential links between bacterial responses to the host innate immune system and to oxidative stress and suggest how PI-PLC could contribute to the pathogenesis of
S. aureus
infections.
Incorporation of Phosphorylcholine into the Lipooligosaccharide of Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae Does Not Correlate with the Level of Biofilm Formation
In Vitro
Authors: Puig Carmen , Marti Sara , Hermans Peter W. M. , de Jonge Marien I. , Ardanuy Carmen , Liñares Josefina , Langereis Jeroen D. 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACT

Nontypeable
Haemophilus influenzae
(NTHi) is an opportunistic pathogen that causes otitis media in children and community-acquired pneumonia or exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in adults. A large variety of studies suggest that biofilm formation by NTHi may be an important step in the pathogenesis of this bacterium. The objective of this report was to determine the relationship between the presence of phosphorylcholine in the lipooligosaccharide of NTHi and the level of biofilm formation. The study was performed on 111 NTHi clinical isolates collected from oropharyngeal samples of healthy children, middle ear fluid of children with otitis media, and sputum samples of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or community-acquired pneumonia. NTHi clinical isolates presented a large variation in the level of biofilm formation in a static assay and phosphorylcholine content. Isolates collected from the oropharynx and middle ear fluid of children tended to have more phosphorylcholine and made denser biofilms than isolates collected from sputum samples of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or community-acquired pneumonia. No correlation was observed between biofilm formation and the presence of phosphorylcholine in the lipooligosaccharide for either planktonic or biofilm growth. This lack of correlation was confirmed by abrogating phosphorylcholine incorporation into lipooligosaccharide through
licA
gene deletion, which had strain-specific effects on biofilm formation. Altogether, we present strong evidence to conclude that there is no correlation between biofilm formation in a static assay and the presence of phosphorylcholine in lipooligosaccharide in a large collection of clinical NTHi isolates collected from different groups of patients.