bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Detection of HHV‐8 (human herpesvirus‐8) genomes in induced peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from US blood donors
Authors: Qu L. , Triulzi D. J. , Rowe D. T. , Jenkins F. J. 
Published: September 2010

Background  Human herpesvirus‐8 (HHV‐8) causes Kaposi’s sarcoma and can be detected and induced in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from infected individuals. The prevalence of viral genomes in induced/cultured PBMCs from healthy blood donors has not been systematically studied.Materials and Methods  PBMCs from 164 donors were purified and stored as two equal aliquots in liquid nitrogen. One aliquot was used for CD19+ B‐cell purification with a fraction reserved for DNA extraction. The second aliquot was cultured for 2 or 4 days in culture media containing n‐butyrate and tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate. DNA was extracted from all four cell sources: PBMCs, purified B cells, induced PBMCs harvested at days 2 and 4 of culture. A sensitive real‐time PCR with a DNA equivalent of 3 × 105 cells per reaction was run in duplicate for all samples along with a quantitative HHV‐8 DNA standard ranging from 1·6 to 200 copies.Results  For all 164 donors, HHV‐8 genomes were not detected in the DNA equivalent of 3–6 × 105 of PBMCs and induced/cultured PBMCs with a real‐time PCR assay (95% CI: 0–3·5/164). HHV‐8 DNA was not detected from DNA equivalent of 1·5 (0·5–5·6) × 105 CD19+ B cells from 139/164 donors. HHV‐8 antibodies were detected in 7 of the 164 donors (4·3%).Conclusions  HHV‐8 genomes were not detected from PBMCs, induced/cultured PBMCs and CD19+ B cells from 164 blood donors. The level of detectable HHV‐8 genomes in blood donors seems to be extremely low, if they exist.
White pines,Ribes, and blister rust: a review and synthesis
Authors: Geils Brian W. , Hummer Kim E. , Hunt Richard S. 
Published: September 2010

SummaryFor over a century, white pine blister rust (Cronartium ribicola) has linked white pines (Strobus) with currants and gooseberries (Ribes) in a complex and serious disease epidemic in Asia, Europe, and North America. Because of ongoing changes in climate, societal demands for forests and their amenities, and scientific advances in genetics and proteomics, our current understanding and management of the white pine blister rust pathosystem has become outdated. Here, we present a review and synthesis of international scope on the biology and management of blister rust, white pines,Ribes, and other hosts. In this article, we provide a geographical and historical background, describe the taxonomy and life cycle of the rust, discuss pathology and ecology, and introduce a series of invited papers. These review articles summarize the literature on white pines,Ribes, and blister rust with respect to their status, threats, and management through genetics and silviculture. Although the principal focus is on North America, the different epidemics in Europe and Asia are also described. In the final article, we discuss several of the key observations and conclusions from the preceding review articles and identify prudent actions for research and management of white pine blister rust.
Blister rust and western forest biodiversity: ecology, values and outlook for white pines
Authors: Tomback D. F. , Achuff P. 
Published: September 2010

SummaryEight white pine species are widely distributed among the forests of western Canada and the United States. The different forest communities with these species contribute biodiversity to the western landscape. The trees themselves provide various ecosystem services, including wildlife habitat and watershed protection. White pine communities range in elevation from lower to upper treeline, in successional stage from seral to climax, and in stand type from krummholz to closed‐canopy forest. Many white pine species are moderately to strongly fire‐dependent for regeneration; several species are extreme stress tolerators and persistent on harsh sites. Among the white pines are the oldest‐living trees, the world’s largest pines, species dependent on birds for seed dispersal, species important for grizzly bear habitat and species of high commercial timber value. The principal threats to white pine populations are blister rust (Cronartium ribicola, pathogen), fire suppression, succession, mountain pine beetle and climate change. Severe population declines in several white pine species are attributed to losses caused by these factors acting either alone or together, and sometimes in concert with logging and other land‐use changes. The importance and particular interactions of these threats vary by region and species. For example, many northern and western populations of whitebark pine are seriously declining from a combination of mountain pine beetle outbreaks and severe blister rust infestations. As whitebark pines provide many keystone services on high‐elevation sites, their loss would impact forest composition and structure, succession, biodiversity, and ecosystem services. Although there are serious challenges to science‐based management and conservation (especially in remote American wilderness areas), prompt and effective intervention promoting regeneration of blister rust‐resistant white pines could mitigate these severe impacts.
Horticulture of Ribes
Authors: Hummer K. E. , Dale A. 
Published: September 2010

SummaryThe genus Ribes L., known as currants and gooseberries, contains more than 150 diverse species indigenous throughout the northern hemisphere and along the Rocky Mountain, Sierra Nevada and Sierra Madres in North America through mountain ranges of Central America to the Andes in South America. Beginning in the 1400s, four main crop types, black currants (Ribes, subgenus: Ribes, section: Botrycarpum), red and white currants (Ribes, subgenus: Ribes, section: Ribes) and gooseberries (Ribes, subgenus: Grossularia) were domesticated from European species. American and Eurasian species were selected and combined into the germplasm base of European and American breeding programmes in the 1900s. Black currants (R. nigrum and hybrids) are a major economic crop in many European countries but are minor in North America, although they can be produced successfully in the northern states and southern portion of the Canadian provinces. Ribes plants can be hosts for white pine blister rust, caused by Cronartium ribicola. This disease was introduced from Asia through Europe into North America ca. 1900. Restrictions were imposed on currants and gooseberries in the United States when the rust was observed on this continent. Although some states have recently repealed these restrictions, by 2009, 12 states continue to have 40‐year‐old laws prohibiting or restricting Ribes cultivation. The purpose of this paper is to describe the cultivation of currants and gooseberries and their interaction with rust. Ribes production has a potentially great economic value in American, niche markets that could help sustain small‐acreage, berry farmers.
A review of genetic approaches to the management of blister rust in white pines
Authors: King J. N. , David A. , Noshad D. , Smith J. 
Published: September 2010

SummarySince introduced a century ago,Cronartium ribicolahas devastated many populations of North American white pines. However, significant genetic resistance to white pine blister rust occurs naturally and can be exploited. In this review, we discuss the progress and different approaches to breeding for resistance in North American white pines. Three broad categories of resistance are: (1) ontogenetic resistance, (2) R‐gene resistance and (3) partial resistance. Ontogenetic resistance is associated with increased host age and indicated by higher susceptibility to infection in primary needles and young seedlings then in grafts and older trees. R‐gene resistance (major gene resistance) is an example of the classic gene‐for‐gene system common in many rust diseases. R‐gene resistance provides immunity but may not be durable. Host resistance and the corresponding rust virulence which defeats it are well described for sugar pine and western white pine. Host plants with partial resistance are able to retard or tolerate disease development without eliminating the pathogen. Partial resistance is also called slow‐rusting resistance or low‐level resistance and is revealed in seedlings by several responses, including slow‐canker‐growth, difficult‐to‐infect, needle‐shed and bark‐reaction. Most of these seedling responses are presumed to be multigenic; but needle‐shed may be controlled by recessive genes. Long‐term, field trials for verification of screening and selection results are sparse. Although 100% higher survival of selected material over unselected occurs in some trials, mortality is high under conditions of high hazard and heavy inoculum load. In several, long‐term trials, some full‐sib crosses expressed a strong phenotypic resistance that indicates specific combining ability between complimentary parents. These and other observations suggest that we might yet find strong and durable resistance. Study of Eurasian white pines infected by blister rust fungi could help us better understand endemic pathosystems. Different strategies are identified for deploying material selected for either R‐gene or partial resistance. Current research suggests that resistance is more complex than previously modelled, but new molecular techniques offer useful methods for investigating the white pine blister rust pathosystem.
White pine blister rust in Korea, Japan and other Asian regions: comparisons and implications for North America
Authors: Kim M.‐S. , Klopfenstein N. B. , Ota Y. , Lee S. K. , Woo K.‐S. , Kaneko S. 
Published: September 2010

SummaryThis article briefly reviews the history of white pine blister rust, attributed to Cronartium ribicola, and addresses current research and management issues in South Korea, Japan and other regions of eastern Asia (China, Russia and Himalaya). For each region, the distribution, damage, aecial hosts, telial hosts and management of C. ribicola and other blister rust fungi on native and introduced white pines are summarized. In addition, blister rust behaviours in eastern Asia and North America are compared; and the potential evolutionary and management implications are discussed.
Selected Metabolic and Hormonal Profiles during Maintenance of Spontaneous Ovarian Cysts in Dairy Cows
Authors: Probo M , Comin A , Cairoli F , Faustini M , Kindahl H , De Amicis I , Veronesi MC 
Published: September 2010

ContentsInformation is lacking regarding the relationship between metabolic and hormonal profiles and the maintenance of spontaneous ovarian cyst disease in dairy cows. For this reason, the concentrations of non‐esterified fatty acids (NEFA), insulin‐like growth factor I (IGF‐I) and cortisol (C) were investigated during the spontaneous course of ovarian cyst disease in dairy cows (n = 6) between the 7th and 16th weeks post‐partum (PP). The control group consisted of normally cycling cows (n = 6). Blood samples were collected twice a day, and plasma was analysed using different techniques. Progesterone and 15‐ketodihydro‐PGF2α plasma profiles were investigated to confirm the ovulatory or anovulatory conditions of the cows. Cortisol plasma levels were not significantly different among sampling times within each group or between the two groups. NEFA plasma levels were significantly higher in cycling cows compared to cystic cows at the 16th week PP (p < 0.01), but with rather low values, indicating by now sparse mobilization of fat stores. Insulin‐like growth factor I plasma concentrations were higher in cystic cows during the 8th, 10th, 11th (p < 0.01) and 16th week PP (p < 0.05), indicating that the presence of ovarian cysts coincides with increased IGF‐I levels. These results suggest no influence of cortisol and NEFA levels in cysts maintenance, while a possible involvement of IGF‐I can be suspected not only in the pathogenesis, as already known, but also in the maintenance of spontaneous cystic ovarian disease in cattle.
Randomized trial comparing pulse calcitriol and alfacalcidol for the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism in haemodialysis patients
Authors: KIATTISUNTHORN KRAIWIPORN , WUTYAM KITTIKARN , INDRANOI ARTIT , VASUVATTAKUL SOMKIAT 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTAim:  Calcitriol and alfacalcidol are used extensively for the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism. Unfortunately, there is limited published data comparing the efficacy and tolerability of both active vitamin D sterols. This study was undertaken to determine whether calcitriol provides a therapeutic advantage to alfacalcidol.Methods:  This was a randomized, active controlled study. Patients with intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) >32 pmol/L were randomized to receive orally calcitriol or alfacalcidol after each haemodialysis for up to 24 weeks. Reduction of PTH, changes of plasma albumin‐corrected calcium and phosphorus were analysed. The initial dose of alfacalcidol was twice that of calcitriol.Results:  Sixteen patients were randomized into each group. At baseline, plasma albumin‐corrected calcium, phosphorus and PTH were no different between groups. At 24 weeks, PTH changes were −50.8 ± 31.8% and −49.4 ± 32.5% from the baseline in the calcitriol and alfacalcidol groups, respectively (P = 0.91). The patients who achieved target PTH of 16–32 pmol/L were 82% in the calcitriol and 67% in the alfacalcidol group (P = 0.44). Plasma albumin‐corrected calcium and phosphorus were not significantly different but showed trends toward gradually increasing from baseline in both groups (calcium, 6.0 ± 7.2% vs 10.9 ± 6.5% (P = 0.10); phosphorus, 13.0 ± 29.4% vs 16.7 ± 57.2% (P = 0.83) in calcitriol and alfacalcidol, respectively). The mean dose of calcitriol and alfacalcidol were 4.1 and 6.9 µg/week, respectively (P < 0.0001).Conclusion:  Alfacalcidol can be used to control secondary hyperparathyroidism at doses of 1.5–2.0 times that of calcitriol. The two drugs are equally efficacious and lead to similar changes in calcium and phosphorus.
When Curiosity Breeds Intimacy: Taking Advantage of Intimacy Opportunities and Transforming Boring Conversations
Authors: Kashdan Todd B. , McKnight Patrick E. , Fincham Frank D. , Rose Paul 
Published: September 2010

AbstractCurious people seek knowledge and new experiences. In 3 studies, we examined whether, when, and how curiosity contributes to positive social outcomes between unacquainted strangers. Study 1 (98 college students) showed that curious people expect to generate closeness during intimate conversations but not during small talk; less curious people anticipated poor outcomes in both situations. We hypothesized that curious people underestimate their ability to bond with unacquainted strangers during mundane conversations. Studies 2 (90 college students) and 3 (106 college students) showed that curious people felt close to partners during intimate and small‐talk conversations; less curious people only felt close when the situation offered relationship‐building exercises. Surprise at the pleasure felt during this novel, uncertain situation partially mediated the benefits linked to curiosity. We found evidence of slight asymmetry between self and partner reactions. Results could not be attributed to physical attraction or positive affect. Collectively, results suggest that positive social interactions benefit from an open and curious mind‐set.
The origin and evolution of lignin biosynthesis
Authors: Weng Jing‐Ke , Chapple Clint 
Published: September 2010

SummaryLignin, a phenolic polymer derived mainly from hydroxycinnamyl alcohols, is ubiquitously present in tracheophytes. The development of lignin biosynthesis has been considered to be one of the key factors that allowed land plants to flourish in terrestrial ecosystems. Lignin provides structural rigidity for tracheophytes to stand upright, and strengthens the cell wall of their water‐conducting tracheary elements to withstand the negative pressure generated during transpiration. In this review, we discuss a number of aspects regarding the origin and evolution of lignin biosynthesis during land plant evolution, including the establishment of its monomer biosynthetic scaffold, potential precursors to the lignin polymer, as well as the emergence of the polymerization machinery and regulatory system. The accumulated knowledge on the topic, as summarized here, provides us with an evolutionary view on how this complex metabolic system emerged and developed.

Contents

Summary
273

I.
Introduction
273

II.
Emergence of the monolignol biosynthetic scaffold
274

III.
Occurrence and elaboration of lignification in tracheophytes
280

IV.
Concluding remarks
282

Acknowledgements
282

References
282
Block and allosteric modulation of GABAergic currents by oenanthotoxin in rat cultured hippocampal neurons
Authors: Wyrembek Paulina , Lebida Katarzyna , Mercik Katarzyna , Szczuraszek Katarzyna , Szczot Marcin , Pollastro Federica , Appendino Giovanni , Mozrzymas Jerzy W 
Published: September 2010

Background and purpose:  Oenanthotoxin (OETX), a polyacetylenic alcohol from plants of the genus Oenanthe, has recently been identified as potent inhibitor of GABA‐evoked currents. However, the effects of OETX on the inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs), as well as the pharmacological mechanism(s) underlying its effects on GABAA receptors, remain unknown. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the mechanism underlying the inhibition of GABAergic currents by OETX.Experimental approach:  Effects of OETX on GABAergic currents were studied using the patch clamp technique on rat cultured hippocampal neurons. Miniature IPSCs (mIPSCs) were recorded in the whole‐cell configuration, while the current responses were elicited by ultrafast GABA applications onto the excised patches.Key results:  OETX potently inhibited both mIPSCs and current responses, but its effect was much stronger on synaptic currents. Analysis of the effects of OETX on mIPSCs and evoked currents disclosed a complex mechanism: allosteric modulation of both GABAA receptor binding and gating properties and a non‐competitive, probably open channel block mechanism. In particular, OETX reduced the binding rate and nearly abolished receptor desensitization. A combination of rapid clearance of synaptic GABA and OETX‐induced slowing of binding kinetics is proposed to underlie the potent action of OETX on mIPSCs.Conclusions and implications:  OETX shows a complex blocking mechanism of GABAA receptors, and the impact of this toxin is more potent on mIPSCs than on currents evoked by exogenous GABA. Such effects on GABAergic currents are compatible with the convulsions and epileptic‐like activity reported for OETX.
Cyclosporin and tacrolimus impair insulin secretion and transcriptional regulation in INS‐1E beta‐cells
Authors: Øzbay LA , Smidt K , Mortensen DM , Carstens J , Jørgensen KA , Rungby J 
Published: September 2010

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSEIntroducing the calcineurin inhibitors cyclosporin (CsA) and tacrolimus (Tac) has improved the outcome of organ transplants, but complications such as new onset diabetes mellitus after transplantation (NODAT) decrease survival rates.EXPERIMENTAL APPROACHWe sought, in a beta‐cell culture model, to elucidate the pathogenic mechanisms behind NODAT and the relative contribution of the calcineurin inhibitors. INS‐1E cells were incubated at basal and stimulatory glucose concentrations, while exposed to pharmacologically relevant doses of CsA, Tac and vehicle for 6 or 24 h.RESULTSTac inhibited basal (P< 0.05), but not glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) after 6 h of exposure. After 24 h, both agents inhibited basal and GSIS (P< 0.05). Calcineurin phosphatase activity was decreased by both drugs during all conditions. Apoptosis was only seen with CsA treatment, which also induced a slight suppression of calcineurin and insulin mRNA, as well as increased levels of the sterol receptor element binding protein (SREBP)‐1c, a transcription factor thought to suppress genes essential for beta‐cell function and induce insulin resistance. Expression levels of nuclear factor of activated T‐cells (NFAT)‐c1, ‐c2, ‐c3 and ‐c4 were not decreased notably by either drug.CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONSTac had acute inhibitory effects on basal insulin secretion, but prolonged exposure (24 h) to Tac or CsA revealed similar suppression of insulin secretion. These prolonged effects were mirrored by a total inhibition of calcineurin activity in beta‐cells. CsA showed greater inhibition of beta‐cell survival and transcriptional markers, essential for beta‐cell function.
Transabdominal cervical cerclage
Authors: UMSTAD Mark P. , QUINN Michael A. , ADES Alex 
Published: September 2010

Background:  Transabdominal cervical cerclage has been performed via laparotomy for over four decades. A laparoscopic approach has recently been developed and offers the potential for lower morbidity.Aims:  The experience of one operator with transabdominal cervical cerclage via laparotomy is reviewed to establish a baseline with which to compare results from the laparoscopic approach.Methods:  Transabdominal cervical cerclage was performed with Mersilene tape. The pregnancy outcome prior to transabdominal cervical cerclage was compared with the outcomes after its insertion.Results:  Prior to transabdominal cervical cerclage, there were 58 pregnancies of which 18 ended with a first trimester pregnancy loss. Twenty‐eight of the 36 pregnancies delivering between 13‐ and 26‐week gestation resulted in a pregnancy loss. Three of the four children delivered after 26‐week gestation survived. Following transabdominal cervical cerclage, there were no first trimester pregnancy losses. Of the 23 pregnancies after transabdominal cerclage, one was terminated at 18‐week gestation for spina bifida and the remaining 22 babies were delivered at a mean gestation of 36.2 weeks. Maternal morbidity was limited to a single wound infection. Respiratory distress was the only significant neonatal morbidity with all babies recovering completely.Conclusions:  Transabdominal cervical cerclage via laparotomy is a safe and successful method of treating women who need a cervical cerclage but are unable to have a vaginal suture. A baseline has been established with which to compare the results from laparoscopic transabdominal cervical cerclage in the future.