bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inducible Positive Mutant Screening System to Unveil the Signaling Pathway of Late Blight Resistance
Authors: Jia Zhiqi , Cui Yanhong , Li Ying , Wang Xiaoxuan , Du Yongchen , Huang Sanwen 
Published: February 2010

Abstract Late blight is the most devastating potato disease and it also causes serious yield loss in tomato. Several disease resistance genes (R genes) to late blight have been cloned from potato in the past decade. However, the resistance mechanisms remain elusive. Tomato and potato belong to the botanical family Solanaceace and share remarkably conserved genome structure. Since tomato is a model system in genetic and plant pathology research, we used tomato to develop a powerful mutant screening system that will greatly facilitate the analysis of the signaling pathway of resistance to Phytophthora infestans. First we proved that the R3a transgenic tomatoes developed specific hypersensitive cell death response (HR) to P. infestans strains carrying the corresponding avirulence gene Avr3a, indicating that the signaling pathway from the R3a‐Avr3a recognition to HR is conserved between potato and tomato. Second, we generated transgenic tomatoes carrying both R3a and Avr3a genes, with the latter under the control of a glucocorticiod‐inducible promoter. Dexamethasone induced expression of Avr3a and resulted in localized HR. This versatile system can be used to construct a mutant library to screen surviving mutants whose resistance signal transduction was interrupted, providing the basis to identify key genes involved in the resistance to late blight in Solanaceae.
Addressing the imbalance: empowering older people in disaster response and preparedness
Authors: Deeny Pat , Vitale Catherine T. , Spelman Ruth , Duggan Seana 
Published: February 2010

Deeny P., Vitale C.T., Spelman R. & Duggan S. (2010) Addressing the imbalance: empowering older people in disaster response and preparedness. International Journal of Older People Nursing 5, 77–80 doi: 10.1111/j.1748‐3743.2009.00204.xThis paper explores the role of the nurse in empowering older people at all stages in the disaster cycle. Evidence points to the need to increase the level of consultation and inclusivity of older people on this topic. Caution is called for in relation to classifying older people as a vulnerable group in disasters without first recognising that older people are probably the richest resource within any culture when it comes to emergency planning and\or coping with disasters. Practical advice on how nurses can best assist older people is presented.
Palestinian Water I: Resources, Allocation and Perception
Authors: Hassan Marwan A. , McIntyre Graham , Klinkenberg Brian , Al‐Rahman Tamimi Abed , Paisely Richard K. , Diabat Mousa , Shahin Khaled 
Published: February 2010

AbstractTransboundary water issues are not new; however, the Palestinian case represents a unique situation that is atypical from most transboundary water conflicts. This difference is marked most importantly by the issue of lack of domestic control over water resources within the Palestinian Territories. Since the Israeli occupation of the West Bank in 1967, Palestinian water policy has been dictated by Israeli control, which has resulted in an allocational shift in water distribution in the Palestinian Territories. In this article we review transboundary water practices and conflicts, water resources, allocation and consumption, water perception, and water reuse and conservation in the Palestinian West Bank in order to assess contemporary trends in water practices as well as recommend strategies for improving regional water management. Water use and perception are assessed based on an extensive unpublished research survey conducted by the Palestinian Hydrology Group in 2002. The final report from this survey focused on developing criteria and linking initial results from the survey to the design of a cost effective and equitable water delivery system that would provide all Palestinians with basic water needs. In this article, through a reassessment and statistical analysis of their data, we support the recommendations of this initial survey, including the implementation of an increasing block tariff system as a means of sustainably delivering water throughout the West Bank. However, any future water management cannot proceed in an effective manner unless some level of water control is relinquished by Israel.
Rofecoxib augments anticancer effects by reversing intrinsic multidrug resistance gene expression in BGC‐823 gastric cancer cells
Authors: ZHU Feng Shang , CHEN Xi Mei , HUANG Zhi Gang , WANG Zhi Rong , ZHANG Dong Wei , ZHANG Xia 
Published: February 2010

OBJECTIVE:  To investigate combined chemotherapeutic effects of rofecoxib in combination with 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU), cisplatin (DDP) and etoposide (VP‐16) in vitro, and to explore the potential mechanisms in modulating multidrug resistance (MDR) expression.MEHTODS:  The BGC‐823 gastric cancer cell line was incubated for 48 h with 0.1 µmol/L rofecoxib, 5‐FU, DDP and VP‐16 (1 µg/mL, 10 µg/mL and 100 µg/mL) alone, and combined with rofecoxib, respectively. Methyl‐thiazolyl‐tetrazolium and the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase–mediated 2′‐deoxyuridine 5′‐yriphosphate nick‐end labeling assays were performed to calculate inhibitory rates and apoptotic index. Middle effects principles (CI values) were used to determine the interaction between rofecoxib and chemotherapeutic agents. Reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) and Western blot analysis were employed to determine expression of MDR1, multidrug resistance‐associated protein 1 (MRP1), glutathione S‐tranferase‐π (GST‐π) mRNA and protein in gastric cancer cells administered by rofecoxib, respectively.RESULTS:  Both anticancer drugs such as 5‐FU, DDP and VP‐16 and rofecoxib inhibited the cells' proliferation and induced apoptosis in a dose‐dependent manner, and a more significant inhibition was achieved when the cells were co‐treated with anticancer drugs and rofecoxib. There was a synergetic role when different concentrations of chemotherapeutic agents were combined with rofecoxib (all CI < 1, P < 0.01 or 0.05). RT‐PCR analyses of MDR gene families in BGC‐823 gastric cancer cells revealed a strong expression in MRP1 and GST‐π mRNA, but MDR1 mRNA was undetectable. After administration with different concentrations of rofecoxib (0.1, 1.0, 10 µmol/L), significant downregulation of MRP1 and GST‐π mRNA was observed (MRP1: from 0.984 ± 0.093–0.513 ± 0.098; GST‐π: from 1.078 ± 0.201–0.472 ± 0.084, P < 0.01 or 0.05). In addition, MRP1 and GST‐π protein expression induced by rofecoxib were also reduced (P < 0.01 or 0.05).CONCLUSION:  Rofecoxib, a specific cyclooxygenase‐2 inhibitor, plays a chemotherapeutic sensitizer role in various anticancer agents on the BGC‐823 gastric cancer cell line, which could be partly explained by its ability to reverse the intrinsic MRP1 and GST‐πin vitro.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Evaluation of the CellaVision™ DM automated microscope in pediatrics
Authors: BILLARD M. , LAINEY E. , ARMOOGUM P. , ALBERTI C. , FENNETEAU O. , DA COSTA L. 
Published: February 2010

SummaryThe DM is an automated microscope, which performs WBC differential counts and monitors red cell morphology. The user either validates the cell recognition if the DM has correctly identified the WBCs or reclassifies the WBCs in the good category in case of a DM mis‐assignment. Morphological anomalies of leukocytes, red blood cells or platelets are analyzed and registered. We studied 521 newborns and infants sorted by age and pathology. The results correlated well with those using conventional microscopy except for samples containing blasts, in which the percentage of malignant cells was underestimated. Newborns had the lowest rates of overall accuracy and postclassification agreement. For red cell analysis, 10% of the selected areas were considered unreadable. However, the DM diagnosed faithfully all studied red cell pathologies. The DM was also very useful in analyzing samples of storage diseases. Timesavings ranging from 1 up to 10 min (for vacuolated lymphocyte screening) were observed when performing analysis with the DM. The DM represents a useful diagnostic and training tool. However, conventional microscopy remains essential, in particular when the image quality is poor, such as in the case of lymphoblasts, and in the screening of platelet clusters.
Metabolic Syndrome Risk Factors Among a Sample of Overweight and Obese Mexican Children
Authors: Elizondo‐Montemayor Leticia , Serrano‐González Mónica , Ugalde‐Casas Patricia A. , Cuello‐García Carlos , Borbolla‐Escoboza José R. 
Published: February 2010

J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich).The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence and correlations of components of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) using the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) pediatric definition in a cross‐sectional study of 215 overweight/obese Mexican children aged 6 to 12. There are no previous studies of this kind in Mexican children. Clinical, anthropometric, and laboratory measurements were performed. The prevalence of MetS using the pediatric IDF criteria was 6.7% (95% confidence interval, 4.0–11.1). A higher proportion of children in the younger age group had waist circumference above the cutoff, while a higher proportion in the older age group had hyperglycemia. Children with MetS had higher percentages of body fat, body mass index, total cholesterol, and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol. Increased triglycerides, decreased high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, and waist circumference were most highly associated with MetS. This has significant implications for public health.
Variability and divergence in Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre germplasm – a candidate tree for biodiesel
Authors: SUNIL N. , KUMAR VINOD , SIVARAJ N. , LAVANYA C. , PRASAD R. B. N. , RAO B. V. S. K. , VARAPRASAD K. S. 
Published: February 2010

AbstractThree explorations were undertaken in South East Coastal zone of India covering parts of Andhra Pradesh (AP) and Orissa states to collect Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre germplasm during March–June 2007. A total of 123 accessions were collected and seed data recorded were analyzed for morphometric traits viz., seed length, seed width, seed thickness, 100‐seed weight and oil content. Variation in the collected germplasm was analyzed using anova, simple measures of variation and D2 statistics. Significant genetic variability between seed traits and oil content and association among the seed traits was recorded. Phenotypic variance was higher than genotypic variance for all the characters indicating dominant role of environment. High heritability (broad sense) for 100‐seed weight (97.6%) and oil content (86.7%) indicated the reliability of these characters as selection criteria for plus trees. Genetic gain was maximum for 100‐seed weight (62.6%) followed by oil content (30.5%). D2 analysis grouped the accessions into 12 clusters. Cluster XII and cluster IX were the most diverse based on the intercluster distance. Based on the observed diversity, Chittoor, Srikakulam and Adilabad districts of AP are most suitable for collecting diverse germplasm lines and also for in situ conservation.
The impact of co‐occurring tree and grassland species on carbon sequestration and potential biofuel production
Authors: LAUNGANI RAMESH , KNOPS JOHANNES M. H. 
Published: February 2010

AbstractWe evaluated how three co‐occurring tree and four grassland species influence potentially harvestable biofuel stocks and above‐ and belowground carbon pools. After 5 years, the tree Pinus strobus had 6.5 times the amount of aboveground harvestable biomass as another tree Quercus ellipsoidalis and 10 times that of the grassland species. P. strobus accrued the largest total plant carbon pool (1375 g C m−2 or 394 g C m−2 yr), while Schizachyrium scoparium accrued the largest total plant carbon pool among the grassland species (421 g C m−2 or 137 g C m−2 yr). Quercus ellipsoidalis accrued 850 g C m−2, Q. macrocarpa 370 g C m−2, Poa pratensis 390 g C m−2, Solidago canadensis 132 g C m−2, and Lespedeza capitata 283 g C m−2. Only P. strobus and Q. ellipsoidalis significantly sequestered carbon during the experiment. Species differed in total ecosystem carbon accumulation from −21.3 to +169.8 g C m−2 yr compared with the original soil carbon pool. Plant carbon gains with P. strobus were paralleled by a decrease of 16% in soil carbon and a nonsignificant decline of 9% for Q. ellipsoidalis. However, carbon allocation differed among species, with P. strobus allocating most aboveground in a disturbance prone aboveground pool, whereas Q. ellipsoidalis, allocated most carbon in less disturbance sensitive belowground biomass. These differences have strong implications for terrestrial carbon sequestration and potential biofuel production. For P. strobus, aboveground plant carbon harvest for biofuel would result in no net carbon sequestration as declines in soil carbon offset plant carbon gains. Conversely the harvest of Q. ellipsoidalis aboveground biomass would result in net sequestration of carbon belowground due to its high allocation belowground, but would yield lower amounts of aboveground biomass. Our results demonstrate that plant species can differentially impact ecosystem carbon pools and the distribution of carbon above and belowground.
The potential of Miscanthus to sequester carbon in soils: comparing field measurements in Carlow, Ireland to model predictions
Authors: DONDINI MARTA , HASTINGS ASTLEY , SAIZ GUSTAVO , JONES MICHAEL B. , SMITH PETE 
Published: February 2010

AbstractGrowing bioenergy crops such as Miscanthus has the potential to mitigate atmospheric carbon dioxide emissions by the replacement of fossil fuels and by storing carbon (C) in the soil due to land use change. Here we compare direct measurements of soil organic C fractions made in Carlow (Ireland) to model predictions made by RothC and a cohort model. Our results show that when Miscanthus is grown on land previously under arable agriculture, the soil organic C will increase to a level above that of native pasture, as Miscanthus organic material is shown to have a slow decomposition rate. In addition we demonstrate that for measured organic C, fractions of different lability are similar to the C pools used in RothC. Using the model predictions from RothC and Miscanthus yields from MISCANFOR, we predict that in Ireland, changing the land use from arable to Miscanthus plantations has the potential to store between 2 and 3 Mg C ha−1 y−1 depending on the crop yield and the initial soil organic C level.
Pretreatment of lignocellulosic material with fungi capable of higher lignin degradation and lower carbohydrate degradation improves substrate acid hydrolysis and the eventual conversion to ethanol
Authors: Kuhar Sarika , Nair Lavanya M. , Kuhad Ramesh Chander 
Published: February 2010

Phanerochaete chrysosporium , Pycnoporus cinnabarinus ,and fungal isolates RCK-1 and RCK-3 were tested for their lignin degradation abilities when grown on wheat straw (WS) and Prosopis juliflora (PJ) under solid-state cultivation conditions. Fungal isolate RCK-1 degraded more lignin in WS (12.26% and 22.64%) and PJ (19.30% and 21.97%) and less holocellulose in WS (6.27% and 9.39%) and PJ (3.01% and 4.58%) after 10 and 20 days, respectively, than other fungi tested. Phanerochaete chrysosporium caused higher substrate mass loss and degraded more of holocellulosic content (WS: 55.67%; PJ: 48.89%) than lignin (WS: 18.89%; PJ: 20.20%) after 20 days. The fungal pretreatment of WS and PJ with a high-lignin-degrading and low-holocellulose-degrading fungus (fungal isolate RCK-1) for 10 days resulted in (i) reduction in acid load for hydrolysis of structural polysaccharides (from 3.5% to 2.5% in WS and from 4.5% to 2.5% in PJ), (ii) an increase in the release of fermentable sugars (from 30.27 to 40.82 g·L–1in WS and from 18.18 to 26.00 g·L–1in PJ), and (iii) a reduction in fermentation inhibitors (total phenolics) in acid hydrolysate of WS (from 1.31 to 0.63 g·L–1) and PJ (from 2.05 to 0.80 g·L–1). Ethanol yield and volumetric productivity from RCK-1-treated WS (0.48 g·g–1and 0.54 g·L–1·h–1, respectively) and PJ (0.46 g·g–1and 0.33 g·L–1·h–1, respectively) were higher than untreated WS (0.36 g·g–1and 0.30 g·L–1·h–1, respectively) and untreated PJ (0.42 g·g–1and 0.21 g·L–1·h–1, respectively).
Occurrence of herpes simplex virus 1 and three periodontal bacteria in patients with chronic periodontitis and necrotic pulp
Authors: Nishiyama Sheila Alexandra Belini , Nakano Viviane , Velásquez-Melendez Gustavo , Avila-Campos Mario Julio 
Published: February 2010

Viral and bacterial associations appear to be implicated in the development of periodontal infections. Little information is available describing the periodontopathic agents in root canals with necrotic pulp. In this study, the occurrence and the combinations among herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and Dialister pneumosintes , Tannerella forsythia , and Treponema denticola in patients with chronic periodontitis and necrotic pulp were evaluated. Clinical samples from healthy subjects and patients with periodontal or pulp infections were analyzed using a nested polymerase chain reaction PCR to detect HSV and PCR to detect the 3 periodontal bacteria. The presence of Tannerella forsythia and Treponema denticola was observed in healthy, periodontitis, and necrotic pulp patients. HSV was observed in periodontitis and necrotic pulp patients, and no healthy subject harbored D. pneumosintes or HSV. The occurrence of Tannerella forsythia was not statistically significant in patients with necrotic pulp (P = 0.704). Periodontal bacteria were observed varying from 10.3% to 20.7% in periodontitis and necrotic pulp patients. The presence of Treponema denticola – HSV association was predominant in patients showing necrotic pulp (24.1%); however, HSV alone was observed in one patient with periodontitis and in another patient with necrotic pulp. The presence of double association among bacteria or bacteria – HSV could indicate a role in both periodontitis and necrotic pulp, and Tannerella forsythia – Treponema denticola – HSV and Tannerella forsythia – D. pneumosintes – Treponema denticola – HSV associations might be important in periodontitis.
Structural elucidation of lipopolysaccharide core oligosaccharides from lic1 and lic1/lic2 mutants of Haemophilus influenzae type b strain Eagan
Authors: Masoud Hussein , Moxon E. Richard , Richards James C. 
Published: February 2010

The structures of lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) of lic1 and lic1/lic2 mutants from Haemophilus influenzae type b strain Eagan (RM153) were investigated using methylation analysis, electrospray ionization – mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy on O-deacylated, O- and N-deacylated core oligosaccharide (OS); and deacylated, dephosphorylated, and terminally reduced samples. The backbone OS derived from the major LPS glycoforms were determined to consist of the inner-core triheptosyl unit, l-α-d-Hepp-(1-2)-l-α-d-Hepp-(1-3)-l-α-d-Hepp-(1-, common to all H. influenzae strains investigated to date that is linked to the lipid A region of the molecule via a Kdo residue to which β-d-Glcp and β-d-Galp residues are attached in 1,4 and 1,2 linkages to the proximal (HepI) and distal (HepIII) heptose residues, respectively. It was found that the lic1 mutant predominately elaborates the Hex4 LPS glycoforms previously identified in the parent strain where a β-d-Glcp-(1-4)-α-d-Glcp unit is linked in a 1,3 linkage to the central heptose (HepII) of the triheptosyl moiety. The lic1 locus consists of 4 genes (lic1A to lic1D) in a single transcriptional unit that directs phase variable expression of phosphocholine. The lic1A gene is phased off in the RM153 isolate of strain Eagan. LPS from the double mutant, lic1/lic2 had a similar structure to that of lic1 mutant except that there was no chain extension from the central heptose in the inner core (HepII). The lic2 locus consists of 4 genes (lic2A to lic2D). Our structural data were consistent with the proposed function of lic2C, providing the first definitive evidence for its role as the glycosyltransferase required for chain initiation from HepII. The presence of an O-acetyl group at O-3 of the distal heptose (HepIII) was elucidated by 1H NMR on the mild acid liberated core OS samples.
Short-term temporal dynamics of yeast abundance on the tall fescue phylloplane
Authors: Nix Shannon S. , Burpee Leon L. , Jackson Kimberly L. , Buck James W. 
Published: February 2010

Six replicate trials were conducted to determine the short-term temporal dynamics and the effects of foliar applications of nutrients on the phylloplane yeast community of tall fescue ( Festuca arundinacea Schreb.). In each trial, 2% sucrose + 0.5% yeast extract solution or sterile deionized water (control) was applied to the experiment plots. Twelve hours post-treatment (at 0600 hours), leaf samples were collected and yeast colony-forming units (cfu) were enumerated by dilution plating. This process was repeated at 1200, 1800, and 2400 hours in each trial. Significant differences were observed between the number of yeast cfu and the time at which the samples were collected. On average, the number of yeast cfu recovered was significantly less at 1800 hours and significantly greatest at 2400 hours when compared with all other sampling times. Averaged over all time intervals, we observed a trend of increased yeast abundance in turf treated with the nutrient solution compared with control treatments. In a separate investigation, atmospheric yeast abundance above the canopy of tall fescue was assessed in the morning (0900) and in the afternoon (1500) using a Thermo Andersen single stage viable particle sampler. In 5 of the 6 trials of this experiment, atmospheric yeast abundance was significantly greater in the morning than in the afternoon. Results suggest the following colonization model: phylloplane yeasts on tall fescue reproduce during the late evening and early morning, stabilize during the late morning and early afternoon through exchange of immigrants and emigrants, and decline during the late afternoon and (or) early evening.
Properties of an alginate-degrading Flavobacterium sp. strain LXA isolated from rotting algae from coastal China
Authors: An Qing-Da , Zhang Gong-Liang , Wu Hai-Tao , Zhang Zhen-Cheng , Zheng Guo-Shuang , Zhang Ying-Li , Li Xian-Zhen , Murata Yoshiyuki 
Published: February 2010

A novel bacterium exhibiting alginolytic activity was isolated from rotten algae. The alginate-degrading activity was detected in the culture supernatant by measuring the decrease in alginate viscosity or the increase in reducing sugars. Basic characterization showed that it was gram negative, rod shaped, yellow pigmented, and positive for oxidase and catalase, with a DNA G+C content of 35.6 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that this strain is related to members of the genus Flavobacterium . Sequence similarity values with their nearest phylogenetic neighbours ranged from 95.9% to 96.7%. Genotypic results, together with phenotypic characteristics, differentiated this species from related Flavobacterium organisms with validly published names, which suggests that the organism should be a new species of the genus Flavobacterium tentatively named as Flavobacterium sp. strain LXA.