bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Regulation of basal resistance by a powdery mildew‐induced cysteine‐rich receptor‐like protein kinase in barley
Authors: RAYAPURAM CBGOWDA , JENSEN MICHAEL K. , MAISER FABIAN , SHANIR JOHANNA VIKGREN , HORNSHØJ HENRIK , RUNG JESPER H. , GREGERSEN PER L. , SCHWEIZER PATRICK , COLLINGE DAVID B. , LYNGKJÆR MICHAEL F. 
Published: August 2011

SUMMARYThe receptor‐like protein kinases (RLKs) constitute a large and diverse group of proteins controlling numerous plant physiological processes, including development, hormone perception and stress responses. The cysteine‐rich RLKs (CRKs) represent a prominent subfamily of transmembrane‐anchored RLKs. We have identified a putative barley (Hordeum vulgare) CRK gene family member, designated HvCRK1. The mature putative protein comprises 645 amino acids, and includes a putative receptor domain containing two characteristic ‘domain 26 of unknown function’ (duf26) domains in the N‐terminal region, followed by a rather short 17‐amino‐acid transmembrane domain, which includes an AAA motif, two features characteristic of endoplasmic reticulum (ER)‐targeted proteins and, finally, a characteristic putative protein kinase domain in the C‐terminus. The HvCRK1 transcript was isolated from leaves inoculated with the biotrophic fungal pathogen Blumeria graminis f.sp. hordei (Bgh). HvCRK1 transcripts were observed to accumulate transiently following Bgh inoculation of susceptible barley. Transient silencing of HvCRK1 expression in bombarded epidermal cells led to enhanced resistance to Bgh, but did not affect R‐gene‐mediated resistance. Silencing of HvCRK1 phenocopied the effective penetration resistance found in mlo‐resistant barley plants, and the possible link between HvCRK1 and MLO was substantiated by the fact that HvCRK1 induction on Bgh inoculation was dependent on Mlo. Finally, using both experimental and in silico approaches, we demonstrated that HvCRK1 localizes to the ER of barley cells. The negative effect on basal resistance against Bgh and the functional aspects of MLO‐ and ER‐localized HvCRK1 signalling on Bgh inoculation are discussed.
Estimating demographics of the Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus Laurenti) in the panhandle region of the Okavango Delta, Botswana
Authors: Bourquin Sven L. , Leslie Alison J. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractThe population status of the Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus Laurenti) in the panhandle region of the Okavango Delta, Botswana, was assessed using mark–recapture and spotlight survey techniques following a decline because of commercial utilization. A total of 1717 individuals, ranging from 136 to 2780 mm in Snout Vent Length, were captured over a 4‐year period. Eighty‐one per cent of young juveniles encountered were successfully captured, representing 59.3% of total captures and 75% of recaptures. A Bayesian technique was used to estimate the number of young juveniles, and these estimates were then extrapolated for the other size classes. Survival and recapture analyses highlighted individual size‐dependent increases in wariness and survival. The total annual population was estimated to be 2570 ± 151.06 individuals, with an adult population of 649.2 individuals, including 364 females. We suggest that the harvest of breeding animals for commercial purposes should be halted until population recovery in this region is established.
Suppressive role of hepatic dendritic cells in concanavalin A-induced hepatitis
Authors: Tomiyama C , Watanabe H , Izutsu Y , Watanabe M , Abo T 
Published: August 2011

SummaryConcanavalin A (Con A)-induced hepatitis is a mouse model of acute autoimmune hepatitis. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of hepatic dendritic cells (DC) in the immune modulation of tissue damage. Almost all hepatic DC were plasmacytoid DC (CD11c+ I-Alow B220+); however, conventional DC were CD11c+ I-Ahigh B220–. At an early stage (3–6 h) after Con A administration, the number of DC in both the liver and spleen decreased, increasing thereafter (12–24 h) in parallel with hepatic failure. The hepatic CD11c+ DC population contained many CD11b- cells, while the majority of splenic CD11c+ DC were CD11b+. After Con A administration, the proportion of I-A+ and CD11b+ cells within the CD11c+ DC population tended to increase in the liver, but not in the spleen. Similarly, expression of the activation markers CD80, CD86 and CD40 by CD11c+ DC increased in the liver, but not in the spleen. Next, adoptive transfer of DC isolated from the liver and spleen was performed 3 h after Con A administration to examine the immunomodulatory function of DC. Only hepatic DC had the ability to suppress hepatic failure. Analysis of cytokine production and subsequent identification of the effector cells showed that hepatic DC achieved this by suppressing the production of interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-2, rather than modulating effector cell function.
Dual role of erythrocyte complement receptor type 1 in immune complex-mediated macrophage stimulation: implications for the pathogenesis ofPlasmodium falciparummalaria
Authors: Odera M , Otieno W , Adhiambo C , Stoute J A 
Published: August 2011

SummaryGiven the ability of erythrocytes to bind immune complexes (ICs), we postulated that they can serve a dual role during inflammatory or infectious processes. Erythrocytes could restrict stimulation of macrophages by free ICs by binding C3b-opsonized ICs via their complement receptor 1 (CR1). Conversely, IC-loaded erythrocytes could stimulate macrophages to produce proinflammatory cytokines such as tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α. To test our hypothesis we selected 72 individuals with low, medium or high red cell CR1 expression and determined their IC binding capacity. We tested the in vitro ability of red cells to inhibit IC-mediated stimulation of TNF-α production by macrophages or to stimulate TNF-α production when loaded with ICs. Plain erythrocytes inhibited IC-induced TNF-α production by macrophages and low CR1 expressors showed the lowest inhibitory capacity. IC-loaded erythrocytes stimulated macrophages to release TNF-α, but the effect was not proportional to the CR1 level. These data support our hypothesis that erythrocytes can serve a dual role in regulation of cytokine responses in a setting of IC formation. Our findings suggest that individuals with low CR1 expression are ill-equipped to clear ICs and prevent IC-mediated stimulation of macrophages. In addition, IC-loaded red cells in areas of sluggish circulation such as in the spleen or in brain capillaries blocked by sequestered malaria-infected red cells may induce inflammation by stimulating monocytes and macrophages, the latter leading to the development of cerebral malaria.
Differential regulation of plant secondary compounds by herbivorous rodents
Authors: Torregrossa Ann‐Marie , Azzara Anthony V. , Dearing M. Denise 
Published: August 2011

Summary1. Theory predicts that herbivores will regulate doses of potentially toxic plant secondary compounds (PSCs) by adjusting meal size, the interval between meals and water intake. Furthermore, the PSC concentrations at which these behavioural modifications are employed are predicted to be species dependent because of interspecific variation in biotransformation capacities.2. To investigate these hypotheses, we examined ingestive behaviour of two species of rodents that differ in diet breadth and biotransformation capacity. We compared the spontaneous feeding behaviour of Neotoma stephensi, a juniper specialist, and Neotoma albigula, a generalist, fed a series of diets with increasing concentrations of one‐seeded juniper (Juniperus monosperma). Juniper contains significant quantities of PSCs, particularly alpha‐pinene, a diuretic. We fed each species a series of diets with increasing concentrations of juniper.3. The specialist, N. stephensi, did not regulate PSC intake at any juniper concentration nor did it alter its drinking behaviour. The generalist, however, showed PSC regulation by decreasing meal size in a dose‐dependent manner, by increasing the interval between meals, and by substantially increasing water intake.4. Water consumption was the only factor that could significantly predict an individual’s ability to maintain body mass, which suggests that water consumption may be exceptionally important as the PSC content of an individual’s diet varies.5. These data provide support for the hypotheses that generalist herbivores can and do behaviourally regulate PSC intake and suggest that the differences in foraging behaviour may be correlated with diet content and biotransformation capacity.
Biogeography and the structure of coral reef fish communities on isolated islands
Authors: Hobbs Jean‐Paul A. , Jones Geoffrey P. , Munday Philip L. , Connolly Sean R. , Srinivasan Maya 
Published: August 2011

AbstractAim  To determine the applicability of biogeographical and ecological theory to marine species at two remote island locations. This study examines how biogeography, isolation and species geographic range size influence patterns of species richness, endemism, species composition and the abundance of coral reef fishes.Location  Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands in the tropical eastern Indian Ocean.Methods  Published species lists and underwater visual surveys were used to determine species richness, endemism, species composition and abundance of reef fishes at the islands. These data were statistically compared with patterns of species composition and abundance from the neighbouring ‘mainland’ Indonesian region.Results  The two isolated reef fish communities were species‐poor and contained a distinct taxonomic composition with an overrepresentation of species with high dispersal potential. Despite low species richness, we found no evidence of density compensation, with population densities on the islands similar to those of species‐rich mainland assemblages. The mix of Indian and Pacific Ocean species and the proportional representations of the various regional faunas in the assemblages were not influenced by the relative proximity of the islands to different biogeographical provinces. Moreover, species at the edge of their range did not have a lower abundance than species at the centre of their range, and endemic species had substantially higher abundances than widespread species. At both locations, endemism was low (less than 1.2% of the community); this may be because the locations are not sufficiently isolated or old enough to promote the evolution of endemic species.Main conclusions  The patterns observed generally conform to terrestrial biogeographical theory, suggesting that similar processes may be influencing species richness and community composition in reef fish communities at these remote islands. However, species abundances differed from typical terrestrial patterns, and this may be because of the life history of reef fishes and the processes maintaining isolated populations.
Cluster analysis and food group consumption in a national sample of Australian girls
Authors: Grieger J. A. , Scott J. , Cobiac L. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractBackground:  Food preferences develop early in life and track into later life. There is limited information on food consumption and dietary patterns in Australian girls. The present study aimed to: (i) determine the frequency of food groups consumed over 1 day; (ii) identify dietary clusters based on food group consumption; and (iii) compare dietary intakes and activity variables between clusters.Methods:  A cross‐sectional analysis of 9–16‐year‐old girls (n = 1114) from the 2007 Australian National Children’s Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey was performed.Results:  Over the whole day, 30% of all girls consumed carbonated sugar drinks, 46% consumed take‐away food, 56% consumed fruit, 70% consumed at least one vegetable, and 19% and 30% consumed white and/or red meat, respectively. K‐means cluster analysis derived four clusters. Approximately one‐third of girls were identified in a Meat and vegetable cluster; these girls had the highest intakes of red meat and vegetables, and tended to have higher intakes of fruit, whole grain breads, low fat yoghurt, and lower intakes of take‐away foods and soft drinks. They also had the highest intakes of protein, fibre and micronutrients; and tended to perform more physical activity, compared to girls in the remaining clusters.Conclusions:  Girls identified in the Meat and vegetable cluster, on average, consumed more lean red meat, vegetables, fruits, and low‐fat dairy products, and had a higher intakes of many nutrients. The high percentage of girls not identified in this cluster suggests the need to inform them on how to make healthy, nutrient dense food choices, and why they require increased nutrient intakes at this time.
Fine‐scale population structure and riverscape genetics of brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) distributed continuously along headwater channel networks
Authors: KANNO YOICHIRO , VOKOUN JASON C. , LETCHER BENJAMIN H. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractLinear and heterogeneous habitat makes headwater stream networks an ideal ecosystem in which to test the influence of environmental factors on spatial genetic patterns of obligatory aquatic species. We investigated fine‐scale population structure and influence of stream habitat on individual‐level genetic differentiation in brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) by genotyping eight microsatellite loci in 740 individuals in two headwater channel networks (7.7 and 4.4 km) in Connecticut, USA. A weak but statistically significant isolation‐by‐distance pattern was common in both sites. In the field, many tagged individuals were recaptured in the same 50‐m reaches within a single field season (summer to fall). One study site was characterized with a hierarchical population structure, where seasonal barriers (natural falls of 1.5–2.5 m in height during summer base‐flow condition) greatly reduced gene flow and perceptible spatial patterns emerged because of the presence of tributaries, each with a group of genetically distinguishable individuals. Genetic differentiation increased when pairs of individuals were separated by high stream gradient (steep channel slope) or warm stream temperature in this site, although the evidence of their influence was equivocal. In a second site, evidence for genetic clusters was weak at best, but genetic differentiation between individuals was positively correlated with number of tributary confluences. We concluded that the population‐level movement of brook trout was limited in the study headwater stream networks, resulting in the fine‐scale population structure (genetic clusters and clines) even at distances of a few kilometres, and gene flow was mitigated by ‘riverscape’ variables, particularly by physical barriers, waterway distance (i.e. isolation‐by‐distance) and the presence of tributaries.
Effects of Pleistocene climatic fluctuations on the phylogeographic and demographic histories of Pacific herring (Clupea pallasii)
Authors: LIU JIN‐XIAN , TATARENKOV ANDREY , BEACHAM TERRY D. , GORBACHEV VICTOR , WILDES SHARON , AVISE JOHN C. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractWe gathered mitochondrial DNA sequences (557 bp from the control region in 935 specimens and 668 bp of the cytochrome b gene in 139 specimens) of Pacific herring collected from 20 nearshore localities spanning the species’ extensive range along the North Pacific coastlines of Asia and North America. Haplotype diversity and nucleotide diversity were high, and three major phylogeographic lineages (sequence divergences ca. 1.5%) were detected. Using a variety of phylogenetic methods, coalescent reasoning, and molecular dating interpreted in conjunction with paleoclimatic and physiographic evidence, we infer that the genetic make‐up of extant populations of C. pallasii was shaped by Pleistocene environmental impacts on the historical demography of this species. A deep genealogical split that cleanly distinguishes populations in the western vs. eastern North Pacific probably originated as a vicariant separation associated with a glacial cycle that drove the species southward and isolated two ancestral populations in Asia and North America. Another deep genealogical split may have involved either a vicariant isolation of a third herring lineage (perhaps originally in the Gulf of California) or it may have resulted simply from the long coalescent times that are possible in large populations. Coalescent analyses showed that all the three evolutionary lineages of C. pallasii experienced major expansions in their most recent histories after having remained more stable in the preceding periods. Independent of the molecular calibration chosen, populations of C. pallasii appear to have remained stable or grown throughout the periods that covered at least two major glaciations, and probably more.
The copper regulon of the human fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans H99
Authors: Ding Chen , Yin Jun , Tovar Edgar Mauricio Medina , Fitzpatrick David A. , Higgins Desmond G. , Thiele Dennis J. 
Published: August 2011

SummaryCryptococcus neoformans is a human fungal pathogen that is the causative agent of cryptococcosis and fatal meningitis in immuno‐compromised hosts. Recent studies suggest that copper (Cu) acquisition plays an important role in C. neoformans virulence, as mutants that lack Cuf1, which activates the Ctr4 high affinity Cu importer, are hypo‐virulent in mouse models. To understand the constellation of Cu‐responsive genes in C. neoformans and how their expression might contribute to virulence, we determined the transcript profile of C. neoformans in response to elevated Cu or Cu deficiency. We identified two metallothionein genes (CMT1 and CMT2), encoding cysteine‐rich Cu binding and detoxifying proteins, whose expression is dramatically elevated in response to excess Cu. We identified a new C. neoformans Cu transporter, CnCtr1, that is induced by Cu deficiency and is distinct from CnCtr4 and which shows significant phylogenetic relationship to Ctr1 from other fungi. Surprisingly, in contrast to other fungi, we found that induction of both CnCTR1 and CnCTR4 expression under Cu limitation, and CMT1 and CMT2 in response to Cu excess, are dependent on the CnCuf1 Cu metalloregulatory transcription factor. These studies set the stage for the evaluation of the specific Cuf1 target genes required for virulence in C. neoformans.
The Leishmania nicotinamidase is essential for NAD+ production and parasite proliferation
Authors: Gazanion E. , Garcia D. , Silvestre R. , Gérard C. , Guichou J. F. , Labesse G. , Seveno M. , Cordeiro‐Da‐Silva A. , Ouaissi A. , Sereno D. , Vergnes B. 
Published: August 2011

SummaryNAD+ is a central cofactor that plays important roles in cellular metabolism and energy production in all living cells. Genomics‐based reconstruction of NAD+ metabolism revealed that Leishmania protozoan parasites are NAD+ auxotrophs. Consequently, these parasites require assimilating NAD+ precursors (nicotinamide, nicotinic acid, nicotinamide riboside) from their host environment to synthesize NAD+ by a salvage pathway. Nicotinamidase is a key enzyme of this salvage pathway that catalyses conversion of nicotinamide (NAm) to nicotinic acid (Na), and that is absent in higher eukaryotes. We present here the biochemical and functional characterizations of the Leishmania infantum nicotinamidase (LiPNC1). Generation of Lipnc1 null mutants leads to a decrease in NAD+ content, associated with a metabolic shutdown‐like phenotype with an extensive lag phase of growth. Both phenotypes could be rescued by an add‐back construct or by addition of exogenous Na. In addition, Lipnc1 null mutants were unable to establish a sustained infection in a murine experimental model. Altogether, these results illustrate that NAD+ homeostasis is a fundamental component of Leishmania biology and virulence, and that NAm constitutes its main NAD+ source in the mammalian host. The crystal structure of LiPNC1 we solved allows now the design of rational inhibitors against this new promising therapeutic target.
Use of a microsatellite‐based pedigree in estimation of heritabilities for economic traits in Australian blue mussel, Mytilus galloprovincialis
Authors: Nguyen T.T.T. , Hayes B.J. , Guthridge K. , Ab Rahim E.S. , Ingram B.A. 
Published: August 2011

SummaryThis study aimed to estimate the heritabilities of three economically important traits (total weight, shell shape and meat yield) in Australian blue mussels. The estimates were derived using a pedigree reconstructed from a suite of both published and newly developed microsatellite markers. A total of 135 microsatellite loci were tested, of which 10 loci produced consistent PCR amplification and reliable results across all samples (74 full‐sibling families including 74 pairs of parents and 2536 offspring). Lack of polymorphism at the non‐repetitive region of the adhesive protein gene confirmed that the broodstock were derived from a single species. A total of 1538 progenies (62.5%) could be assigned to single parent pairs, and the remainder were assigned to two families or more, so were discarded from further analysis. Heritabilities for total weight, shell shape and meat yield were low (0.051 ± 0.027, 0.085 ± 0.038 and 0.049 ± 0.028, respectively) but reflected large environmental variation rather than limited genetic variation, suggesting a family‐based breeding programme could improve these traits. The genetic correlation between weight and meat yield, expressed as percentage of total mussel which was not shell, was negative, while the genetic correlation between meat yield and shell shape was weakly positive.
Training‐induced modifications of circadian rhythmicity of peroxidative parameters in horses
Authors: Piccione G. , Giannetto C. , Marafioti S. , Faggio C. , Alberghina D. , Fazio F. 
Published: August 2011

SummaryThe aim of this study was to evaluate the daily rhythms of peroxidative parameters in untrained and trained horses. Blood samples were collected every 4 h for a 48‐h period for the determination of reactive oxygen metabolites test (d‐ROMs), antioxidant barrier (Oxy‐ads), thiol antioxidant barrier (SHp) and lipid peroxidation (LPO). Two‐way anova showed a significant effect of time of day on all parameters studied, except on LPO. Higher values of Oxy‐ads and SHp were observed in trained horses during both days of monitoring (p < 0.01). All studied parameters, except for LPO, showed robust daily rhythms. Their acrophases occurred during the day in untrained horses and in the evening in trained horses. Our results showed that training increases antioxidative capacity and demonstrated that the daily rhythms of antioxidative parameters can be modified by training.