bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Protection of leaf protein of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) against degradation in the rumen by treatment with formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde
Authors: Mangan J. L. , Jordan D. J. , West Janet , Webb P. J. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYAqueous glutaraldehyde, in the presence of wetting agents Tween-20 or Haemosol, reacted with fresh cut lucerne (Medicago sativa L.), complete reaction being obtained with about 7·2 g (72 mmol)/kg herbage, or 18g/100g crude protein. Reaction with 25% w/v aqueous glutaraldehyde sprayed on to fresh lucerne was rapid, and at the rate of 66 mmol/kg lucerne, all aldehyde had reacted in 3 h and about 60% of the soluble leaf protein became insoluble. Formaldehyde at twice the molar concentration of glutaraldehyde was absorbed rapidly, but a longer time, up to 24 h, was required for the protein to become insoluble. Treatments with 22, 44 and 66 mmol glutaraldehyde/kg lucerne, and 44, 88 and 132 mmol formaldehyde/kg showed that reaction with leaf protein was approximately proportional to the amount of aldehyde. A major effect on the leaf cells was the fixation of chloroplasts, and intact fixed chloroplasts were isolated from treated lucerne with high protein: chlorophyll ratios of 5·8:1 to 9·5:1.Two varieties of lucerne, Kabul and Europe, pot-grown in a controlled environment cabinet, reacted rapidly when sprayed with glutaraldehyde and in 3 h soluble leaf protein was reduced from 30 to 16–17% of the total N. The plants rapidly lost water and the dry matter of the leaves rose to 42% for Kabul and 45% for Europe in 24 h. Stems showed little effect. Field spraying of lucerne with glutaraldehyde similarly fixed soluble leaf protein and caused desiccation of the leaves, rising to 47–50% D. M. in 3 days. The stems were little affected and subsequent regrowth of the plants was not inhibited.Feeding glutaraldehyde- and formaldehyde-sprayed lucerne to rumen-fistulated cattle showed that release of soluble leaf protein into the rumen fluid was greatly reduced, mean values being 40 and 43% respectively of the values obtained when control lucerne was fed. Mean ammonia concentrations were similarly reduced to 49 and 33% of the control values. Formaldehyde-treated lucerne, even after reaction for several days, frequently showed toxic effects on rumen micro-organisms, particularly protozoa. Glutaraldehyde reacted more rapidly with herbage and no toxic effects were observed. Both glutaraldehyde- and formaldehyde-treated lucerne were highly palatable to cattle.
The Analysis of Tomato Plants. Part II. The Effect of Manurial Treatment on the Composition of Tomato Foliage
Authors: Owen O. 
Published: March 2009

Summary and conclusionsAnalyses of foliage of tomato plants grown under different manurial conditions are recorded for the four seasons 1924–7.The nitrogen content of the dried foliage shows a seasonal variation irrespective of manurial treatment.Where phosphates are omitted from the manure the potash content of the foliage is depressed. When phosphates are added to a soil from which they had previously been withheld the potash content of the foliage is increased.Where potash is omitted from the manure the phosphoric acid of the foliage is considerably increased. When the deficiency of soil potash is rectified the phosphoric acid content of the foliage is reduced.
The hydrolysis of sulphur in relation to its fungicidal activity
Authors: Martin H. 
Published: March 2009

1. It is suggested that the fungicidal action of sulphur upon the Erysiphaceae is due primarily to hydrolysis.2. The presence of alkali, which brings about an acceleration of this hydrolysis, should enhance the fungicidal properties of sulphur.3. An explanation is thus afforded of the inhibition of the fungicidal action of sulphur against the hop powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca humuli) by gelatine or saponin solutions when employed as the spreader and of the promotion of fungicidal action in the presence of soft soap and alkali casein solutions.4. Attention is drawn to analogies between the action of sulphur upon the mildew and upon copper.5. Current views relative to the fungicidal action of sulphur are discussed from the standpoint of the hydrolysis hypothesis.
Emerin—prelamin A interplay in human fibroblasts
Authors: Capanni Cristina , Del Coco Rosalba , Mattioli Elisabetta , Camozzi Daria , Columbaro Marta , Schena Elisa , Merlini Luciano , Squarzoni Stefano , Maraldi Nadir Mario , Lattanzi Giovanna 
Published: March 2009

Background information. Emerin is a nuclear envelope protein that contributes to nuclear architecture, chromatin structure, and gene expression through its interaction with various nuclear proteins. In particular, emerin is molecularly connected with the nuclear lamina, a protein meshwork composed of lamins and lamin‐binding proteins underlying the inner nuclear membrane. Among nuclear lamina components, lamin A is a major emerin partner. Lamin A, encoded by the LMNA gene (lamin A/C gene), is produced as a precursor protein (prelamin A) that is post‐transcriptionally modified at its C‐terminal region where the CaaX motif triggers a sequence of modifications, including farnesylation, carboxymethylation, and proteolytic cleavage by ZMPSTE 24 (zinc metalloproteinase Ste24) metalloproteinase. Impairment of the lamin A maturation pathway causing lamin A precursor accumulation is linked to the development of rare diseases such as familial partial lipodystrophy, MADA (mandibuloacral dysplasia), the Werner syndrome, Hutchinson—Gilford progeria syndrome and RD (restrictive dermopathy).Results. In the present study, we show that emerin and different prelamin A forms influence each other's localization. We show that the accumulation of non‐farnesylated as well as farnesylated carboxymethylated lamin A precursors in human fibroblasts modifies emerin localization. On the contrary, emerin absence at the inner nuclear membrane leads to unprocessed (non‐farnesylated) prelamin A aberrant localization only. Moreover, we observe that the restoration of emerin expression in emerin‐null cells induces the recovery of non‐farnesylated prelamin A localization.Conclusion. These results indicate that emerin—prelamin A interplay influences nuclear organization. This finding may be relevant to the understanding of laminopathies.
Self‐rated health and mortality in patients with chronic heart failure
Authors: Farkas Jerneja , Nabb Samantha , Zaletel‐Kragelj Lijana , Cleland John G.F. , Lainscak Mitja 
Published: March 2009

AimsIn patients with chronic heart failure (CHF), there is limited information on self‐rated health (SRH). We aimed to examine the distribution of SRH and whether SRH is associated with mortality in patients with stable CHF.Methods and resultsWe enrolled 100 patients (71 ± 11 years, 54% men, left ventricular ejection fraction 47 ± 11%) in a prospective study with 48 months of follow‐up. Self‐rated health was assessed using a seven‐grade descriptive scale: very good, good, quite good, average, quite poor, poor, and very poor. Median SRH was quite poor and the most frequent SRH (31 patients) was average. During an average follow‐up of 1005 ± 507 days, 58 patients died. More patients in the group that rated their health as quite poor or worse died (70% vs. 43%, P = 0.008). In a Cox proportional hazard model, SRH as a seven‐grade descriptive scale [hazard ratios (HR) 1.39, 95% CI 1.10–1.74] or as a median value (HR 2.13, 95% CI 1.23–3.69) predicted mortality. The association remained significant after adjustment for patient characteristics and biomarkers (P < 0.05 for both).ConclusionIn patients with stable CHF, SRH independently predicts mortality. This suggests that SRH could be used in everyday clinical practice to obtain important prognostic information beyond clinical examination and laboratory work‐up.
Chronic nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug (NSAID) use suppresses multiple CpG islands hyper methylation (CIHM) of tumor suppressor genes in the human gastric mucosa
Authors: Tahara Tomomitsu , Shibata Tomoyuki , Yamashita Hiromi , Nakamura Masakatsu , Yoshioka Daisuke , Okubo Masaaki , Hirata Ichiro , Arisawa Tomiyasu 
Published: March 2009

There have been reports showing a protective role of nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) against gastrointestinal cancers. CpG island hyper methylation (CIHM) of tumor suppressor genes is a major event in carcinogenesis. We investigated the CIHM status of non‐cancerous gastric mucosa in chronic NSAID users and non‐users and assessed the effect of NSAIDs on CIHM. Gastric mucosa samples were obtained from 51 chronic NSAID users and 180 non‐users. CIHM of p14(ARF), p16(INK4a), death‐associated protein kinase (DAP‐kinase), and E‐cadherin (CDH1) genes were determined by methylation‐specific PCR. CIHM high was defined as two or more CpG islands methylated. CIHM of p14, p16, CDH1, and CIHM high were lower in chronic NSAID users than in non‐users (p14: non‐usersvsusers = 32.2%vs9.8%,P = 0.003; p16: non‐usersvsusers = 35.0%vs15.7%,P = 0.02; CDH1: non‐usersvsusers = 36.1%vs9.8%,P = 0.0009; CIHM high: non‐usersvsusers = 44.4%vs17.6%,P = 0.0009). NSAID use was also associated with decreased number of CIHM byanova(R = –0.32,P < 0.0001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis with adjustment for sex, age,Helicobacter pyloriinfection, and NSAID use revealed that NSAID use was inversely correlated with all four CIHM and CIHM high as an independent factor (p14: odds ratio [OR] = 0.17, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.06–0.48; p16: OR = 0.32, 95% CI = 0.14–0.75; DAP‐kinase: OR = 0.45, 95% CI = 0.22–0.92; CDH1: OR = 0.18, 95% CI = 0.06–0.48; CIHM high: OR = 0.21, 95% CI = 0.09–0.49). No association was found between CIHM status and the duration or dose of NSAIDs. Chronic NSAID use suppresses CIHM in human gastric mucosa. NSAIDs may have a suppressive role against methylation‐related gastric carcinogenesis. (Cancer Sci2009; 100: 1192–1197)
Generalized estimating equations and generalized linear mixed‐effects models for modelling resource selection
Authors: Koper Nicola , Manseau Micheline 
Published: March 2009

Summary

Accurate resource selection functions (RSFs) are important for managing animal populations. Developing RSFs using data from GPS telemetry can be problematic due to serial autocorrelation, but modern analytical techniques can help to compensate for this correlation.
We used telemetry locations from 18 woodland caribou Rangifer tarandus caribou in Saskatchewan, Canada, to compare marginal (population‐specific) generalized estimating equations (GEEs), and conditional (subject‐specific) generalized linear mixed‐effects models (GLMMs), for developing resource selection functions at two spatial scales. We evaluated the use of empirical standard errors, which are robust to misspecification of the correlation structure. We compared these approaches with destructive sampling.
Statistical significance was strongly influenced by the use of empirical vs. model‐based standard errors, and marginal (GEE) and conditional (GLMM) results differed. Destructive sampling reduced apparent habitat selection. k‐fold cross‐validation results differed for GEE and GLMM, as it must be applied differently for each model.
Synthesis and applications. Due to their different interpretations, marginal models (e.g. generalized estimating equations, GEEs) may be better for landscape and population management, while conditional models (e.g. generalized linear mixed‐effects models, GLMMs) may be better for management of endangered species and individuals. Destructive sampling may lead to inaccurate resource selection functions (RSFs), but GEEs and GLMMs can be used for developing RSFs when used with empirical standard errors.
Survey and phylogenetic analysis of culturable microbes in the oral secretions of three bark beetle species
Authors: Cardoza Yasmin J. , Vasanthakumar Archana , Suazo Alonso , Raffa Kenneth F. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractIn a recent study, we reported a previously undescribed behavior in which a bark beetle exuded oral secretions containing bacteria that have antifungal properties, and hence defend their galleries against pervasive antagonistic Hyphomycete fungi. Actinobacteria, a group known for their antibiotic properties, were the most effective against fungi that invade the spruce beetle galleries. In the present study, we describe the isolation and identification of microorganisms from oral secretions of three bark beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae): the spruce beetle,Dendroctonus rufipennisKirby, the mountain pine beetle,Dendroctonus ponderosaeHopkins, and the pine engraver,Ips piniSay. Bacteria isolated from these three species span the major bacterial classes α‐, β‐, and γ‐Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Actinobacteria, except forD. ponderosae, which yielded no α‐proteobacteria or Bacteroidetes isolates. Spruce beetles and pine engraver beetles had similar numbers of α‐proteobacteria isolates, but pine engravers yielded twice as many Bacteroidetes isolates as spruce beetles. In contrast, mountain pine beetles yielded more isolates in the β‐ and γ‐proteobacteria than spruce beetles and pine engravers. The highest percentage of Actinobacteria was obtained from spruce beetles, followed by pine engravers and mountain pine beetles. All of the fungal isolates obtained from the three beetle species were Ascomycetes. The greatest fungal diversity was obtained in spruce beetles, which had nine species, followed by pine engravers with five, and mountain pine beetles with one.
A Non‐canonical Transferred DNA Insertion at the BRI1 Locus in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Zhao Zhong , Zhu Yan , Erhardt Mathieu , Ruan Ying , Shen Wen‐Hui 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
Agrobacterium‐mediated transformation is widely used in transgenic plant engineering and has been proven to be a powerful tool for insertional mutagenesis of the plant genome. The transferred DNA (T‐DNA) from Agrobacterium is integrated into the plant genome through illegitimate recombination between the T‐DNA and the plant DNA. Contrasting to the canonical insertion, here we report on a locus showing a complex mutation associated with T‐DNA insertion at the BRI1 gene in Arabidopsis thaliana. We obtained a mutant line, named salade for its phenotype of dwarf stature and proliferating rosette. Molecular characterization of this mutant revealed that in addition to T‐DNA a non‐T‐DNA‐localized transposon from bacteria was inserted in the Arabidopsis genome and that a region of more than 11.5 kb of the Arabidopsis genome was deleted at the insertion site. The deleted region contains the brassinosteroid receptor gene BRI1 and the transcription factor gene WRKY13. Our finding reveals non‐canonical T‐DNA insertion, implicating horizontal gene transfer and cautioning the use of T‐DNA as mutagen in transgenic research.
Histological and Ultrastructural Observation Reveals Significant Cellular Differences between Agrobacterium Transformed Embryogenic and Non‐embryogenic Calli of Cotton
Authors: Shang Hai‐Hong , Liu Chuan‐Liang , Zhang Chao‐Jun , Li Feng‐Lian , Hong Wei‐Dong , Li Fu‐Guang 
Published: March 2009

Abstract Over the past few decades genetic engineering has been applied to improve cotton breeding. Agrobacterium medicated transformation is nowadays widely used as an efficient approach to introduce exogenous genes into cotton for genetically modified organisms. However, it still needs to be improved for better transformation efficiency and higher embryogenic callus induction ratios. To research further the difference of mechanisms for morphogenesis between embryogenic callus and non‐embryogenic callus, we carried out a systematical study on the histological and cellular ultrastructure of Agrobacterium transformed calli. Results showed that the embryogenic callus developed nodule‐like structures, which were formed by small, tightly packed, hemispherical cells. The surface of some embryogenic callus was covered with a fibrilar‐like structure named extracellular matrix. The cells of embryogenic calli had similar morphological characteristics. Organelles of embryogenic callus cells were located near the nucleus, and chloroplasts degraded to proplastid‐like structures with some starch grains. In contrast, the non‐embryogenic calli were covered by oval or sphere cells or small clusters of cells. It was observed that cells had vacuolation of cytoplasm and plastids with a well organized endomembrane system. This study aims to understand the mechanisms of embryogenic callus morphogenesis and to improve the efficiency of cotton transformation in future.
Effect of conjugated linoleic acids, vitamin E and their combination on the clinical outcome of Iranian adults with active rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: ARYAEIAN Naheed , SHAHRAM Farhad , DJALALI Mahmoud , ESHRAGIAN Mohammad Reza , DJAZAYERI Abolghassem , SARRAFNEJAD Abdolfattah , SALIMZADEH Ahmad , NADERI Nasim , MARYAM Chamari 
Published: March 2009

AbstractBackground:  Despite beneficial effects of conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs) in animal studies, there is little information on their effects on human inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.Aim:  To investigate the effects of CLAs as an adjuvant therapy on the clinical manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in adults with an active disease.Methods:  In a randomized, double‐blind placebo‐controlled trial, 87 patients with active RA were divided into four groups receiving one of the following daily supplements for 3 months: group C: CLAs 2.5 g equivalent to 2 g mixture of cis 9‐trans 11 and trans 10‐cis12 CLAs at a rate of 50/50; group E: vitamin E: 400 mg; group CE: CLAs and vitamin E at above doses; group P: placebo. Serum α‐tocopherol was determined by high‐performance liquid chromatography. Clinical data was determined by physician examination and filling the questionnaire by interview. Complete blood count (CBC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C‐Reactive protein (CRP) and rheumatoid factor (RF) were measured in each patient. DAS28 (diseases activity score) was also determined.Results:  A 3‐month supplementation resulted significant reduction in DAS28, pain and morning stiffness in the groups C and CE compared with group P (P < 0.05). Compared with the baseline, ESR levels decreased significantly in the groups C (P ≤ 0.05), E (P ≤ 0.05) and CE (P ≤ 0.001). Group CE had significantly lower ESR levels than group P (P ≤ 0.05). CRP dropped non‐significantly in all four groups (P > 0.1). The reduction of white blood cell count was significant in group CE compared with other groups (P < 0.05). Decrease in platelet count was non‐significant in groups CE, C, and E. Changes in RF, body mass index, red blood cell count and hemoglobin were not significant in four groups, while RF decreased non‐significantly in groups CE and E. In comparison with the baseline, α‐tocopherol increased significantly in groups C (P ≤ 0.05), E (P ≤ 0.01) and CE (P ≤ 0.001) and in groups E and CE compared with group P.Conclusion:  CLA supplementation resulted in significant improvement in clinical manifestation among RA patients and may be useful in their treatments.
Estimation of Pig Fecal Contamination in a River Catchment by Real-Time PCR Using Two Pig-Specific
Bacteroidales
16S rRNA Genetic Markers
Authors: Mieszkin Sophie , Furet Jean-Pierre , Corthier Gérard , Gourmelon Michèle 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACT

The microbiological quality of coastal or river water can be affected by fecal contamination from human or animal sources. To discriminate pig fecal pollution from other pollution, a library-independent microbial source tracking method targeting
Bacteroidales
host-specific 16S rRNA gene markers by real-time PCR was designed. Two pig-specific
Bacteroidales
markers (Pig-1-Bac and Pig-2-Bac) were designed using 16S rRNA gene
Bacteroidales
clone libraries from pig feces and slurry. For these two pig markers, 98 to 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity were obtained when tested by TaqMan real-time PCR. A decrease in the concentrations of Pig-1-Bac and Pig-2-Bac markers was observed throughout the slurry treatment chain. The two newly designed pig-specific
Bacteroidales
markers, plus the human-specific (HF183) and ruminant-specific (BacR)
Bacteroidales
markers, were then applied to river water samples (
n
= 24) representing 14 different sites from the French Daoulas River catchment (Brittany, France). Pig-1-Bac and Pig-2-Bac were quantified in 25% and 62.5%, respectively, of samples collected around pig farms, with concentrations ranging from 3.6 to 4.1 log
10
copies per 100 ml of water. They were detected in water samples collected downstream from pig farms but never detected near cattle farms. HF183 was quantified in 90% of water samples collected downstream near Daoulas town, with concentrations ranging between 3.6 and 4.4 log
10
copies per 100 ml of water, and BacR in all water samples collected around cattle farms, with concentrations ranging between 4.6 and 6.0 log
10
copies per 100 ml of water. The results of this study highlight that pig fecal contamination was not as frequent as human or bovine fecal contamination and that fecal pollution generally came from multiple origins. The two pig-specific
Bacteroidales
markers can be applied to environmental water samples to detect pig fecal pollution.
Interaction of
Candida albicans
with an Intestinal Pathogen,
Salmonella enterica
Serovar Typhimurium
Authors: Tampakakis Emmanouil , Peleg Anton Y. , Mylonakis Eleftherios 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACT

Candida albicans
is an opportunistic human fungal pathogen that normally resides in the gastrointestinal tract and on the skin as a commensal but can cause life-threatening invasive disease.
Salmonella enterica
serovar Typhimurium is a gram-negative bacterial pathogen that causes a significant amount of gastrointestinal infection in humans. Both of these organisms are also pathogenic to the nematode
Caenorhabditis elegans
, causing a persistent gut infection leading to worm death. In the present study, we used a previously developed
C. elegans
polymicrobial infection model to assess the interactions between
S.
Typhimurium and
C. albicans
. We observed that when
C. elegans
is infected with
C. albicans
and serovar Typhimurium,
C. albicans
filamentation is inhibited. The inhibition of
C. albicans
filamentation by
S.
Typhimurium in
C. elegans
appeared to be mediated by a secretary molecule, since filter-sterilized bacterial supernatant was able to inhibit
C. albicans
filamentation. In vitro coculture assays under planktonic conditions showed that
S.
Typhimurium reduces the viability of
C. albicans
, with greater effects seen at 37°C than at 30°C. Interestingly,
S.
Typhimurium reduces the viability of both yeast and filamentous forms of
C. albicans
, but the killing appeared more rapid for the filamentous cells. The antagonistic interaction was also observed in a
C. albicans
biofilm environment. This study describes the interaction between two diverse human pathogens that reside within the gastrointestinal tract and shows that the prokaryote,
S.
Typhimurium, reduces the viability of the eukaryote,
C. albicans
. Identifying the molecular mechanisms of this interaction may provide important insights into microbial pathogenesis.