bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The −980C /G polymorphism in APH‐1A promoter confers risk of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Qin Wei , Jia Longfei , Zhou Aihong , Zuo Xiumei , Cheng Zhe , Wang Fen , Shi Fudong , Jia Jianping 
Published: March 2011

SummaryWe previously described an association between Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and a single‐nucleotide polymorphism −980C/G (rs3754048) in the promoter of the anterior pharynx‐defective‐1a (APH‐1A) gene. Here, we examine the potential of this −980C/G polymorphism to affect APH‐1A transcription and confer a risk of AD. We validated the presence of APH‐1A promoter polymorphism −980C/G in other two Chinese cohort sets (450 AD and 450 controls). Subsequently, we measured APH‐1A mRNA and protein levels and γ‐secretase activity in C or G allele carriers. Finally, we examined the polymorphism’s transcriptional function using a dual‐luciferase reporter assay and also tracked transcription factor binding to the variant promoter sequence with electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs). We found that the APH‐1A levels and γ‐secretase activity were higher in individuals carrying allele G. The G allele increased APH‐1A transcriptional activity significantly in both N2A cells and HEK293 cells. The EMSA revealed an increased binding of the transcription factor Yin Yang 1 (YY1) to allele G. Overexpression of YY1 resulted in an activation of the APH‐1A promoter (2.7‐fold). Specific YY1 siRNA led to decreases in APH‐1A promoter activity and mRNA and protein levels. Our data indicate that the APH‐1A promoter polymorphism −980C/G might alter the binding ability of YY1 transcription factor, resulting in an increased level of APH‐1A and γ‐secretase activity. These factors further facilitated β‐amyloid (Aβ) 42 generation and ultimately modified patients’ susceptibility to AD. The involvement of transcription factor YY1 might be a novel mechanism for the development of AD.
Reliability of the ABC/2 Method in Determining Acute Infarct Volume
Authors: Pedraza Salvador , Puig Josep , Blasco Gerard , Daunis‐i‐Estadella Josep , Boada Imma , Bardera Anton , Castellanos Mar , Serena Joaquín 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTBACKGROUND AND PURPOSEInfarct volume is used as a surrogate outcome measure in clinical trials of therapies for acute ischemic stroke. ABC/2 is a fast volumetric method, but its accuracy remains to be determined. We aimed to study the accuracy and reproducibility of ABC/2 in determining acute infarct volume with diffusion‐weighted imaging.METHODSWe studied 86 consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke. Three blinded observers determined volume with the ABC/2 method, and the results were compared with those of the manual planimetric method.RESULTSThe ABC/2 technique overestimated infarct volume by a median false increase (variable ABC/2 volume minus planimetric volume) of 7.33 cm3 (1.29, 22.170, representing a 162.56% increase over the value of the gold standard (variable ABC/2 volume over planimetric volume) (121.70, 248.52). In each method, the interrater reliability was excellent: the intraclass correlations were .992 and .985 for the ABC/2 technique and planimetric method, respectively.CONCLUSIONSABC/2 is volumetric method with clinical value but it consistently overestimates the real infarct volume. J Neuroimaging 2012;22:155‐159
Temperature‐induced changes in spider mite fitness: offsetting effects of development time, fecundity, and sex ratio
Authors: Margolies David C. , Wrensch Dana L. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractTemperature affects many life history parameters in poikilotherms. Temperature clearly affects development time and fecundity, which affect the intrinsic rate of increase. In haplodiploid mites, ambient temperature may also affect offspring sex ratio which, in turn, affects intrinsic rate of increase. The combined effect of all these processes determines the fitness of individual females. However, sex ratio also affects mating structure and, potentially, rate of local adaptation. We investigated the direct effect of temperature variation on sex ratio, development time, and fecundity in the twospotted spider mite (Tetyranychus urticae), and calculated the effect of their interaction on mite intrinsic rate of increase. We conducted experiments at 2 temperatures and designed the experiment to separate pre‐adult and adult sensitivity to temperature variation. Mites were reared from eggs to adult ecdysis at either 22 °C or 32 °C. Upon emergence as adults, these 2 groups were each split between 22 °C and 32 °C and allowed to oviposit. Not surprisingly, development from egg to adult was accelerated when mites were exposed to the higher temperature during offspring development, regardless of the temperature experienced by the mother during her development. Fecundity and the proportion of female offspring were affected by temperature only when mothers were exposed during both development and oviposition. About 12 offspring were gained and female bias was increased by 26% when the mother's development occurred at 22 °C, whereas oviposition at 22 °C added only 6 more offspring and increased female bias by only 7%. There was no correlation between sex ratio and fecundity; both were related to temperature but not to each other. Furthermore, development time, not fecundity or sex ratio, appeared to the main factor affecting the intrinsic rate of increase. Our results support other evidence that sex ratio varies independently of development time and fecundity.
Effects of photoperiod and raised winter temperatures on egg development and timing of oviposition in the willow psyllid Cacopsylla moscovita
Authors: Hill J. K. , Hodkinson I. D. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractNymphal development of Cacopsylla moscovita (And.) (Homoptera: Psylloidea) takes place only on female catkins of Salix repens L. and close phenological synchrony is crucial because development times of catkins and nymphs are similar. Eggs are laid on catkins as soon as they develop and close synchrony between oviposition and budburst maximizes time available for nymphal development. Sampling adult C. moscovita in the field revealed little synchrony between egg development and budburst, with over 60% of females containing mature eggs four weeks before catkins first appeared. In the laboratory, egg development was influenced by both temperature and photoperiod. At 10 °C, egg development occurred approximately one month earlier than at 5 °C and two weeks earlier than in the field. Adult survival in the laboratory was substantially reduced at increased temperature, with only 20% of adults surviving longer than two weeks at 10 °C, compared with over 95% at 5 °C. Body condition (weight corrected for size) of males and females decreased significantly in the field over winter. However, body condition of females levelled off before budburst, coincident with egg development implying that females had resumed feeding. We discuss our results in relation to regulation of phenological synchrony between oviposition and catkin appearance.
Orientation disruption of Planotortrix octo using pheromone or inhibitor blends
Authors: Suckling D.M. , Burnip G.M. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractOrientation disruption (indicated by reduced trap catch) of adult male Planotortrix octo (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) was examined in eight small plot trials at four apple orchards over three years, using either (i) Z5–14:OAc (inhibitor), (ii) a blend of 25:75 Z5–14:OAc and Z8–14:OAc (inhibitor plus partial pheromone), or (iii) 50:50 Z8–14:OAc and 14:OAc (pheromone) in polyethylene rope dispensers at 100 or 200 dispensers per 0.1 ha. Use of inhibitor plus partial pheromone gave significant reductions in trap catch in all eight trials. Inhibitor alone gave statistically significant reductions in catch in all three trials where it was tested, but was not as effective as the inhibitor plus partial pheromone in one of these trials. Three trials comparing efficacy between the pheromone and the inhibitor plus partial pheromone blend showed no difference between these blends. Analysis of covariance of trap catch after treatment, using the catch in the first generation in each trap as a covariate, was useful for detection of treatment effects. Traps containing the blend of Z5–14:OAc and Z8–14:OAc were not attractive, suggesting that false trails may not be important where this blend is used, since it is an incomplete pheromone and contains an inhibitor.Disruption of mating was examined in closed containers, with dispensers containing (i), or (ii). Mating frequency was 86.4% in the controls, compared to only 14.3% with the inhibitor present alone, or 1.7% with partial pheromone and inhibitor. The frequency of mating in scotophase within 1–8 h after termination of 24 h exposure to a very high dose of the non‐attractive blend of 25%:75% Z5‐/Z8–14:OAc was identical for treated and untreated P. octo males.
Effects of plant chemical extracts and physical characteristics of Apium graveolens and Chenopodium murale on host choice by Spodoptera exigua larvae
Authors: Berdegue M. , Trumble J. T. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractChoice tests with whole plants and leaf discs indicated that fourth instar Spodoptera exigua (Hübner) (Noctuidae: Amphypyrini) were found more frequently and ate significantly more of the weed Chenopodium murale than the associated crop plant Apium graveolens. In order to explain the preference, plant extracts, plant volatiles, soluble protein concentrations, water contents, and leaf toughness of the two plants were investigated. Bioassays of aqueous methanol (90%) and hexane extracts of leaves on cellulose discs indicated that neither attractants in C. murale nor repellents in A. graveolens could account for the observed preference. No significant difference could be found between the effects of plant volatiles from C. murale, A. graveolens and a control on larval dispersal by S. exigua. Selective feeding for higher levels of proteins also was not a factor, because A. graveolens had nearly twice the soluble protein of C. murale. Water content was approximately 6% higher (by weight) in C. murale than A. graveolens but most polyphagous larvae do not typically show compensatory feeding for water alone. However, the potentially related characteristic of leaf toughness was significantly different, with A. graveolens exhibiting 1.53 times the toughness of C. murale. Studies comparing five types of larval behavior on both plant species showed that the time spent in swallowing behavior was significantly greater on the tougher A. graveolens leaves relative to C. murale. To test the hypothesis that leaf toughness was affecting larval host choice, both plants were finely ground and incorporated into agar blocks. No differences in feeding behavior were detected. The implications of leaf toughness for larval diet and host choice are discussed.
The importance of non‐pollen plant parts as food sources for the common blossom thrips, Frankliniella schultzei
Authors: Milne J. R. , Walter G. H. , Kaonga D. , Sabio G. C. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractLike other flower thrips, Frankliniella schultzei Trybom (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) feeds on pollen. However, the influence of a pollen diet on the life history of F. schultzei may not be as significant as reported for other thrips species. Frankliniella schultzei was reared successfully and with low mortalities (≤20%) on Wax Mallow, (Malvaviscus arboreus Cav.) plant part diets. Development times and fecundity on a petal diet were not significantly different from that on a pollen diet. Fecundity on a diet combining M. arboreus pollen, petal and leaf tissues was significantly higher than those individually containing these tissues. In laboratory choice tests, F. schultzei females encountered petal most often of the three plant parts. Pollen and leaf were encountered with similar frequencies. A significantly higher proportion of petal encounters (0.8) resulted in feeding than did pollen encounters (0.5). Few leaf encounters (0.1) were followed by feeding. Adult and larval F. schultzei were found in M. arboreus flowers but not on leaves. All parts of the flower were inhabited and not just the pollen‐bearing petal apices and anthers. We propose that feeding on pollen within M. arboreus flowers is just one of many influences on the life history of F. schultzei and suggest that this may extend to other thrips species/host‐plant combinations.
Phenotypic differences between thelytokous and arrhenotokous Trichogramma minutum from Zeiraphera canadensis
Authors: Wang Zhiyong , Smith Sandy M. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractBoth thelytokous and arrhenotokous Trichogramma minutum were collected from eggs of the spruce budmoth, Zeiraphera canadensis in New Brunswick, Canada and their phenotypic traits compared for use in biological control. The lower threshold temperature for development of thelytokous and arrhenotokous parasitoids was 9.7 and 10.1 °C, respectively; the former required significantly higher degree‐days for development from egg to adult (x̄ ± SE = 165.1 ± 5.8 °D) than the latter (128.1 ± 4.9 °D). Thelytokous and arrhenotokous parasitoids had similar forewing length (0.49 ± 0.01 vs. 0.49 ± 0.01 mm) and adult lifespan (13.3 ± 0.7 vs. 14.0 ± 1.1 days), but significantly different fecundity and sex ratios. Thelytokous females produced fewer offspring (89.5 ± 6.6 vs. 173.9 ± 6.4) and fewer female progeny (77.2 ± 5.4 vs. 109.8 ± 3.3) despite an overall higher proportion of females (91.6 ± 1.1% vs. 65.4 ± 2.8%) than their arrhenotokous counterparts. Ovarian dissections showed that the number of eggs increased with parasitoid age in arrhenotokous parasitoids but remained steady in thelytokous parasitoids. The variation in ovarian development of the two forms was the major factor contributing to the differences in fecundity. Thelytokous parasitoids were more host‐specific than arrhenotokous ones; when offered eight host species, the former rejected three whereas the latter rejected only one. Thelytokous parasitoids survived better than arrhenotokous ones when stored from 30 to 150 days at 4 °C. Thelytokous females were slower at initiating flight after emergence than arrhenotokous females but maintained flight activity longer (6 h). These results indicate that thelytokous T. minutum are different from their arrhenotokous counterparts physiologically, biologically and ecologically and that they may play different roles in the field. The potential for using thelytokous parasitoids in biological control programs is discussed.
Alkaloid level in narrow‐leafed lupin, Lupinus angustifolius, influences green peach aphid reproductive performance
Authors: Berlandier Françoise A. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractTwo viviparous parthenogenetic clones of the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer), one collected from Rydalmere, New South Wales (NSW), and the other from South Perth (SP), Western Australia, were reared on radish, Raphanus sativus L. cv. Scarlet Globe, under controlled conditions. The NSW clone was fed on simple artificial diets containing alkaloid extracted from narrow‐leafed lupin, Lupinus angustifolius L. cv. Fest., and its reproductive performance monitored over 112 h. Forty (40) h into the experiment and thereafter, aphids on the control diet (sucrose solution) produced significantly more offspring (P<0.05) than those on diets containing alkaloid. In a separate experiment, apterae of each clone were caged on three lines (cv. Yorrel, cv. Danja and 84L:441) of narrow‐leafed lupin, and allowed to reproduce. The first three offspring were retained, and all developed to 3rd or 4th instar stage. Two nymphs were removed, and the remaining nymph reared through. All three lines produced adults. The number of young produced were counted over 11 days. Fecundity of the SP clone was lower on line 84L:441, but there was no difference in the fecundity of the NSW clone. Phloem exudate and green tissue was concomitantly collected from all lines, and analysed by GC‐MS for the alkaloids lupanine and 13‐hydroxylupanine. Line 84L:441 contained the highest level of total alkaloids in both phloem and tissue. All experiments indicate that alkaloid level may suppress fecundity of green peach aphids.
The structure of the phytophagous insect fauna on the introduced weed Solidago altissima in Switzerland
Authors: Jobin A. , Schaffner U. , Nentwig W. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractSolidago altissima L. was introduced into Europe as an ornamental plant from North America more than 100 years ago and the phytophagous insect fauna of it was recently examined in Switzerland where it has become an important weed in disturbed habitats. Rhizomes and aerial parts were examined and all insects collected in summer were tested in a no‐choice feeding test. 18 out of 55 phytophagous insects were found feeding on S. altissima in Switzerland and for the remaining 37 the relation with the plant was not determined. The insects that have expanded their host range to feed on S. altissima since its introduction to Switzerland are almost solely opportunistic, unspecialized ectophages not closely attuned to the growth cycle of S. altissima. Only 4% of the insects were specialists and 9% endophagous. In contrast in North America S. altissima supports 25% specialists and 17% endophages. The native Solidago virgaurea L. in Switzerland supports many more specialists (28%) and endophages (23%) than S. altissima here. Possible reasons why almost none of these have switched to S. altissima are discussed. A comparison is made between the number of insects recruited by S. altissima in Switzerland with the number recruited by the exotic plants Heracleum mantegazzianum Som. & Lev. (Apiaceae) in Switzerland and Xanthium occidentale Bertol. (Asteraceae) in Australia. Reasons for different levels of insect recruitment are discussed. The high number of phytophagous insect species found on S. altissima in North America shows that there should be no shortage of possible control agents and any insects imported into Switzerland for the biological control of S. altissima would find largely unexploited food sources awaiting them.
Effects of heavy metal stress on free amino acids in the haemolymph and proteins in haemolymph and total body tissue of Lymantria dispar larvae parasitized by Glyptapanteles liparidis
Authors: Bischof Claudia 
Published: March 2011

AbstractHeavy metal contamination of the forest pest insect Lymantria dispar (L.) (Lepidoptera; Lymantriidae), the gypsy moth, can alter its haemolymph composition, as has already been shown for carbohydrates and lipids in recent studies. L. dispar larvae are frequently parasitized by Glyptapanteles liparidis (Bouché) (Hymenoptera; Braconidae) larvae, which can — to some extent — regulate the population size of the pest insect. The parasitoids feed on the haemolymph of L. dispar larvae; hence, a different haemolymph composition of the host alters the trophic situation of the parasitoids. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether metal contamination also affects the concentrations of free amino acids in L. dispar haemolymph, and protein concentrations in their haemolymph and tissue. L. dispar larvae were parasitized on the first day of the second instar and then reared on diets contaminated with Cd, Pb, Cu or Zn at two concentrations each. Haemolymph and total body tissue of the larvae (fourth instar/third day) were analyzed. The concentrations of the free amino acids were elevated in five out of the eight contamination groups (Cd6, Pb4, Cu6, Cu10, Zn60), whereas haemolymph protein concentrations were significantly reduced in all contaminated individuals. The haemolymph protein concentration was 18 mg/ml in the control group and decreased to less than 10 mg/ml due to cadmium and zinc contamination at both concentrations and in the low copper contamination group. In contrast, total body proteins (136 μg/mg dry weight in the control group) were elevated due to heavy metal stress. Analyses of haemolymph protein concentrations during the fourth instar demonstrated an increase of the proteins from day one to day four (followed by a decrease on the fifth day) in the control group and the cadmium contamination group. A steady increase of proteins from the first to the fifth day in the copper and zinc contaminated larvae indicated a retarded development in these groups. Thus, the present study along with other recent studies demonstrated, that heavy metal stress changes the concentrations of all main haemolymph compounds of L. dispar larvae.
Stylet penetration by larvae of the greenhouse whitefly on cucumber
Authors: Lei H. , Tjallingii W. F. , VAN Lenteren J. C. , Xu R. M. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractProbing behaviour of Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood) larvae was monitored using the DC electrical penetration graph (EPG) technique on the host plant cucumber. EPGs were recorded for 16 h, simultaneously with honeydew excretion using a ‘honeydew clock’. Three waveforms were distinguished: a pathway waveform (C), and two phloem waveforms, one with a high (H), and one with a low frequency (L) signal. The C waveform mainly occurred in the crawler stage of the 1st instar larvae. EPGs recorded from larvae during and after moulting indicated that the process involves stylet withdrawal; hence the stylets of each new instar need to penetrate again from the leaf surface to the phloem.All sessile stages, from L1 to pre‐pupa, spent almost their entire time in waveforms H and L. These waveforms alternated more frequently in the early instars than during the later ones, in which the H waveform became predominant. The H waveform was highly correlated with honeydew excretion and thus phloem sap ingestion. The L waveform was not related to honeydew excretion but EPGs indicated that the stylet tips remain in a sieve element during both waveforms. Periods of honeydew production demonstrated a delay of 30–40 min in relation to the onset and end of H and L waveforms. This delay is presumably related to the time needed for food passing through, or emptying of, the insect's gut. From the 1st instar to the pre‐pupa, the frequency of excreted honeydew droplets decreased but their size increased, causing a net increase of the excretion rate.
Mate recognition in the Aphis fabae complex: daily rhythm of release and specificity of sex pheromones
Authors: Thieme T. , Dixon A. F. G. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractThe two subspecies of the host‐alternating black bean aphid, Aphis fabae Scopoli, used in this study have different secondary host plants but reproduce sexually in autumn on the same host plant, spindle, Euonymus europaea L. In both Aphis fabae fabae Scopoli and A. f. solanella Theobald the percentage of adult mating females (oviparae) calling (releasing sex pheromone) each day increased with age up to day 8. During the course of a day the mating females of A. f. solanella called most actively early in the morning and then showed a gradual decrease in calling activity. In contrast, few A. f. fabae called early in the day and were most active around midday, after which the incidence of calling decreased slightly, with 50% still calling in the evening. In both taxa the activity of the males in the absence of mating females paralleled the calling activity of their respective females. In an olfactometer, males showed a marked preference for the sex pheromone released by conspecific females over that of the other subspecies and did not respond to the odour of spindle. Thus, as in the other species of aphids there are specific mate recognition systems in A. f. fabae and A. f. solanella, which are likely to reduce the incidence of hybridisation.