bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ipr1 Gene Mediates RAW 264.7 Macrophage Cell Line Resistance to Mycobacterium bovis
Authors: He X. N. , Su F. , Lou Z. Z. , Jia W. Z. , Song Y. L. , Chang H. Y. , Wu Y. H. , Lan J. , He X. Y. , Zhang Y. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractTuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis) seriously affects efficiency of animal production with impacts on public health as well. Effective programmes of prevention and eradication of M. bovis infection therefore are urgently needed. Intracellular pathogen resistance gene 1 (Ipr1) is well known to mediate innate immunity to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), but there are no reports as to whether Ipr1 can enhance the phagocytic ability of macrophage against M. bovis. In this investigation, RAW 264.7 macrophage was transduced with lentiviral vector carrying Ipr1 (named Lenti‐Ipr1); transgenic cells were identified by RT‐PCR and western blotting. Transgenic positive cells (R‐Ipr1) were then infected with an M. bovis virulent strain, with non‐transduced cells used as control. When cell proliferation, viability and apoptosis of the two groups were investigated, it was found that infected RAW 264.7 died by necrosis whereas R‐Ipr1 underwent apoptosis. Furthermore, the numbers of intracellular bacteria in R‐Ipr1 were lower than those in control cells (P < 0.05). To identify the role of Ipr1, we measured the genes of Casp3, Mcl‐1 and NOS2A which associated with macrophage activation and apoptosis by real‐time quantitative PCR. The results demonstrated that Ipr1 gene expression can enhance anti‐M. bovis infection of macrophage. This establishes a basis for the future production of Ipr1‐transgenic cattle to strengthen the tuberculosis resistance.
Characterization of Linaria KNOX genes suggests a role in petal‐spur development
Authors: Box Mathew S. , Dodsworth Steven , Rudall Paula J. , Bateman Richard M. , Glover Beverley J. 
Published: July 2011

SummarySpurs are tubular outgrowths of perianth organs that have evolved iteratively among angiosperms. They typically contain nectar and often strongly influence pollinator specificity, potentially mediating reproductive isolation. The identification of Antirrhinum majus mutants with ectopic petal spurs suggested that petal‐spur development is dependent on the expression of KNOTTED 1‐like homeobox (KNOX) genes, which are better known for their role in maintaining the shoot apical meristem. Here, we tested the role of KNOX genes in petal‐spur development by isolating orthologs of the A. majus KNOX genes Hirzina (AmHirz) and Invaginata (AmIna) from Linaria vulgaris, a related species that differs from A. majus in possessing long, narrow petal spurs. We name these genes LvHirz and LvIna, respectively. Using quantitative reverse‐transcription PCR, we show that LvHirz is expressed at high levels in the developing petals and demonstrate that the expression of petal‐associated KNOX genes is sufficient to induce sac‐like outgrowths on petals in a heterologous host. We propose a model in which KNOX gene expression during early petal‐spur development promotes and maintains further morphogenetic potential of the petal, as previously described for KNOX gene function in compound leaf development. These data indicate that petal spurs could have evolved by changes in regulatory gene expression that cause rapid and potentially saltational phenotypic modifications. Given the morphological similarity of spur ontogeny in distantly related taxa, changes in KNOX gene expression patterns could be a shared feature of spur development in angiosperms.
Arabidopsis MAP kinase phosphatase 1 and its target MAP kinases 3 and 6 antagonistically determine UV‐B stress tolerance, independent of the UVR8 photoreceptor pathway
Authors: González Besteiro Marina A. , Bartels Sebastian , Albert Andreas , Ulm Roman 
Published: July 2011

SummaryPlants perceive UV‐B radiation as an informational signal by a pathway involving UVR8 as UV‐B photoreceptor, activating photomorphogenic and acclimation responses. In contrast, the response to UV‐B as an environmental stress involves mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling cascades. Whereas the perception pathway is plant specific, the UV‐B stress pathway is more broadly conserved. Knowledge of the UV‐B stress‐activated MAPK signalling pathway in plants is limited, and its potential interplay with the UVR8‐mediated pathway has not been defined. Here, we show that loss of MAP kinase phosphatase 1 in the mutant mkp1 results in hypersensitivity to acute UV‐B stress, but without impairing UV‐B acclimation. The MKP1‐interacting proteins MPK3 and MPK6 are activated by UV‐B stress and are hyperactivated in mkp1. Moreover, mutants mpk3 and mpk6 exhibit elevated UV‐B tolerance and partially suppress the UV‐B hypersensitivity of mkp1. We show further that the MKP1‐regulated stress‐response MAPK pathway is independent of the UVR8 photoreceptor, but that MKP1 also contributes to survival under simulated sunlight. We conclude that, whereas UVR8‐mediated acclimation in plants promotes UV‐B‐induced defence measures, MKP1‐regulated stress signalling results when UV‐B protection and repair are insufficient and damage occurs. The combined activity of these two mechanisms is crucial to UV‐B tolerance in plants.
Transepidermal water loss in healthy and atopic dogs, treated and untreated: a comparative preliminary study
Authors: Cornegliani Luisa , Vercelli Antonella , Sala Elisabetta , Marsella Rosanna 
Published: July 2011

AbstractAn impaired skin barrier function is thought to be crucial for allergic sensitization. In humans, the skin barrier is assessed by noninvasive methods, such as the measurement of transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Although limitations have been reported, measurement of TEWL has been demonstrated to be a suitable method to assess barrier function indirectly in dogs. The purposes of this prospective clinical study were twofold. The first aim was to evaluate and compare TEWL in healthy and atopic dogs. The second aim was to evaluate TEWL in a population of atopic dogs and to assess TEWL in dogs whose disease was in remission after successful therapy and compare it with dogs whose disease was not controlled or receiving treatment. One hundred and fifty dogs were selected and divided into the following three groups: 50 atopic dogs before specific treatment (group A); 50 in remission (group B); and 50 control dogs (group C). The mean values for TEWL for each group were 22.47 (g/m2 h) (group A; 95% confidence interval 20.85–24.09), 12.57 (g/m2 h) (group B; 95% confidence interval 11.43–13.7) and 8.81 (g/m2 h) (group C; 95% confidence interval 8.09–9.52); P‐value was 0.0001 for TEWL (groups A, B and C). This study showed a significant difference of TEWL between healthy control dogs and dogs with atopic dermatitis. Additionally, TEWL was lower in atopic dogs whose disease was in remission due to treatment. These results were consistent with reports in human medicine about TEWL.
Phenological growth stages of Brachypodium distachyon: codification and description
Authors: HONG S‐Y , PARK J‐H , CHO S‐H , YANG M‐S , PARK C‐M 
Published: July 2011

Hong S‐Y, Park J‐H, Cho S‐H, Yang M‐S & Park C‐M (2011). Phenological growth stages of Brachypodium distachyon: codification and description. Weed Research51, 612–620.SummaryBrachypodium distachyon is being used as a new model monocotyledon for grass crop research and bioenergy grass biotechnology. With the recent completion of the full genome sequencing project, one of the next major challenges is to determine the functional activities of many genes. In an attempt to aid the rapid determination of gene function in crop plants, a high throughput phenotypic analysis system has been established through phenological analyses of a series of defined growth stages. The codification follows the BBCH (Biologische Bundesantalt, Bundessortenamt and CHemische Industrie) scale, a numerical system that differentiates between principal and secondary growth stages from seed germination to flower head emergence and seed ripening. We present here analyses of the phenological development stages of B. distachyon to illustrate a methodological framework that can be used to identify and interpret phenotypic differences derived from genetic variations and environmental stress responses in this plant species. This scale may greatly contribute to the B. distachyon research in the future, particularly to functional determination of genes that mediate biomass productivity. It may also serve as a suitable tool for defining the growth stages of other grass species.
Attenuation of cocaine‐induced locomotor sensitization in rats sustaining genetic or pharmacologic antagonism of ghrelin receptors
Authors: Clifford P. Shane , Rodriguez Juan , Schul Destri , Hughes Samuel , Kniffin Tracey , Hart Nigel , Eitan Shoshana , Brunel Luc , Fehrentz Jean‐Alain , Martinez Jean , Wellman Paul J. 
Published: July 2011

ABSTRACTSystemic infusions of the orexigenic peptide ghrelin (GHR) increase dopamine levels within the nucleus accumbens and augment cocaine‐stimulated locomotion and conditioned place preference in rats; observations that suggest an important role for GHR and GHR receptors (GHR‐Rs) in drug reinforcement. In the present studies, we examined the development of cocaine locomotor sensitization in rats, sustaining either pharmacologic antagonism or genetic ablation of GHR‐Rs. In a pharmacologic study, adult male rats were injected (i.p.) with either 0, 3 or 6 mg/kg JMV 2959 (a GHR‐R1 receptor antagonist), and 20 minutes later, with either vehicle or 10 mg/kg cocaine HCl on each of 7 consecutive days. Rats pretreated with JMV 2959 showed significantly attenuated cocaine‐induced hyperlocomotion. In a second study, adult wild‐type (WT) or mutant rats sustaining ENU‐induced knockout of GHR‐R [GHR‐R (−/−)] received daily injections (i.p.) of vehicle (0.9% saline) or 10.0 mg/kg cocaine HCl for 14 successive days. GHR‐R null rats treated repeatedly with cocaine showed diminished development of cocaine locomotor sensitization relative to WT rats treated with cocaine. To verify the lack of GHR‐R function in the GHR‐R (−/−) rats, a separate feeding experiment was conducted in which WT rats, but not GHR‐R (−/−) rats, were noted to eat more after a systemic injection of 15 nmol GHR than after vehicle. These results suggest that GHR‐R activity is required for the induction of locomotor sensitization to cocaine and complement an emerging literature implicating central GHR systems in drug reward. GHR is an orexigenic gut peptide that is transported across the blood–brain barrier and interacts with GHR‐Rs located on ventral tegmental dopamine neurons.
Addictive potential of modafinil and cross‐sensitization with cocaine: a pre‐clinical study
Authors: Wuo‐Silva Raphael , Fukushiro Daniela F. , Borçoi Aline R. , Fernandes Helaine A. , Procópio‐Souza Roberta , Hollais André W. , Santos Renan , Ribeiro Luciana T. C. , Corrêa Jussara M. R. M. , Talhati Fernanda , Saito Luis P. , Aramini Tatiana C. F. , Kameda Sonia R. , Bittencourt Lia R. A. , Tufik Sergio , Frussa‐Filho Roberto 
Published: July 2011

ABSTRACTRepeated or even a single exposure to drugs of abuse can lead to persistent locomotor sensitization, which is the result of an abundance of neuroplastic changes occurring within the circuitry involved in motivational behavior and is thought to play a key role in certain aspects of drug addiction. There is substantial controversy about the addictive potential of modafinil, a wake‐promoting drug used to treat narcolepsy that is increasingly being used as a cognitive enhancer and has been proposed as a pharmacotherapy for cocaine dependence. Male mice were used to investigate the ability of modafinil to induce locomotor sensitization after repeated or single administration in mice. Bidirectional cross‐sensitization with cocaine and modafinil‐induced conditioned place preference were also evaluated. Both repeated and single exposure to moderate and high doses of modafinil produced a pronounced locomotor sensitization that cross‐sensitized in a bidirectional way with cocaine. Remarkably, when cocaine and modafinil were repeatedly administered sequentially, their behavioral sensitization was additive. Supporting these behavioral sensitization data, modafinil produced a pronounced conditioned place preference in the mouse. Taken together, the present findings provide pre‐clinical evidence for the addictive potential of modafinil. Our data also strongly suggest that similar neural substrates are involved in the psychomotor/rewarding effects of modafinil and cocaine.
The mGluR5 antagonist MPEP elevates accumbal dopamine and glycine levels; interaction with strychnine‐sensitive glycine receptors
Authors: Chau PeiPei , Söderpalm Bo , Ericson Mia 
Published: July 2011

ABSTRACTStudies have indicated that the metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) antagonist 6‐methyl‐2‐(phenylethynyl)‐pyridine (MPEP) decreases ethanol self‐administration, and the same receptor type was also suggested to be involved in the mechanism of action of the anti‐craving substance acamprosate. Our previous research suggested that glycine receptors (GlyRs) in the nucleus accumbens (nAc) play a major part in mediating the dopamine‐elevating properties of ethanol and are highly involved in the ethanol intake‐reducing effect of acamprosate. The aim of this study was to examine if modulation of nAc dopamine via mGluR5 antagonism or GlyR agonism is a linked or separated phenomena. The extracellular levels of dopamine as well as of the GlyR ligands, glycine, taurine and β‐alanine were measured in the nAc by means of microdialysis after local perfusion of MPEP (100 or 500 µM) with or without pre‐treatment with strychnine. MPEP increased dopamine levels, an effect that was blocked by pre‐treatment with strychnine. In addition, the higher MPEP concentration increased glycine output, whereas no alterations of taurine or β‐alanine were observed. These results indicate a relationship between the glutamatergic and glycinergic transmitter systems in regulating dopamine output, possibly via alteration of extracellular glycine levels. Taken together with our previous data demonstrating the importance of accumbal GlyRs both in ethanol‐induced elevation of nAc dopamine and in ethanol consumption, it is plausible that the effects of MPEP treatment, on dopamine output and on ethanol intake, may be mediated via interaction with the same neuronal circuitry that previously has been demonstrated for ethanol, taurine and acamprosate.
Validating incentive salience with functional magnetic resonance imaging: association between mesolimbic cue reactivity and attentional bias in alcohol‐dependent patients
Authors: Vollstädt‐Klein Sabine , Loeber Sabine , Richter Anne , Kirsch Martina , Bach Patrick , von der Goltz Christoph , Hermann Derik , Mann Karl , Kiefer Falk 
Published: July 2011

ABSTRACTAlcohol‐associated cues are able to elicit brain activations in mesocorticolimbic networks that are related to the rewarding properties of the drug. Some authors hypothesize that the activation of the mesocorticolimbic reward system triggers an attention allocation to alcohol‐associated cues. Yet, no functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies examining this proposition are available. In this fMRI study we investigate the association between attentional bias and neural cue reactivity. Thirty‐eight recently abstinent alcohol‐dependent patients were examined. fMRI was used to study cue reactivity during the presentation of alcohol‐related pictures. A modified visual dot‐probe task was used to assess attentional bias. Alcohol‐dependent patients showed an attentional bias to alcohol‐associated cues as well as cue‐induced fMRI activation in response to alcohol‐related stimuli in limbic and reward‐related brain regions and visual areas. We found a positive correlation between cue‐induced brain activation and attentional bias score in a network including frontal, temporal and subcortical regions. This study is the first demonstrating that, in line with previous suggestions, cue induced activation of the mesocorticolimbic reward system triggers focusing attention to substance‐associated cues. However, this association could also be bidirectional with the attentional bias enhancing cue‐induced neural activity.
Pharmacoeconomic analysis of voriconazole vs. caspofungin in the empirical antifungal therapy of febrile neutropenia in Australia
Authors: Al‐Badriyeh Daoud , Liew Danny , Stewart Kay , Kong David C. M. 
Published: July 2011

SummaryIn two major clinical trials, voriconazole and caspofungin were recommended as alternatives to liposomal amphotericin B for empirical use in febrile neutropenia. This study investigated the health economic impact of using voriconazole vs. caspofungin in patients with febrile neutropenia. A decision analytic model was developed to measure downstream consequences of empirical antifungal therapy. Clinical outcomes measured were success, breakthrough infection, persistent base‐line infection, persistent fever, premature discontinuation and death. Treatment transition probabilities and patterns were directly derived from data in two relevant randomised controlled trials. Resource use was estimated using an expert clinical panel. Cost inputs were obtained from latest Australian sources. The analysis adopted the perspective of the Australian hospital system. The use of caspofungin led to a lower expected mean cost per patient than voriconazole (AU$40 558 vs. AU$41 356), with a net cost saving of AU$798 (1.9%) per patient. Results were most sensitive to the duration of therapy and the alternative therapy used post‐discontinuation. In uncertainty analysis, the cost associated with caspofungin is less than that with voriconazole in 65.5% of cases. This is the first economic evaluation of voriconazole vs. caspofungin for empirical therapy. Caspofungin appears to have a higher probability of having cost‐savings than voriconazole for empirical therapy. The difference between the two medications does not seem to be statistically significant however.
Heritability Estimate and Genetic Correlations of Reproductive Features in Nellore Bulls, Offspring of Super Precocious, Precocious and Normal Cows Under Extensive Farming Conditions
Authors: Siqueira JB , Oba E , Pinho RO , Quintino HP , Eler JP , Miranda Neto T , Guimarães SEF , Guimarães JD 
Published: July 2011

ContentsThe present work aimed to estimate heritability and genetic correlations of reproductive features of Nellore bulls, offspring of mothers classified as superprecocious (M1), precocious (M2) and normal (M3). Twenty one thousand hundred and eighty‐six animals with average age of 21.29 months were used, evaluated through the breeding soundness evaluation from 1999 to 2008. The breeding soundness features included physical semen evaluation (progressive sperm motility and sperm vigour), semen morphology (major, minor and total sperm defects), scrotal circumference (SC), testicular volume (TV) and SC at 18 months of age (SC18). The components of variance, heritability and genetic correlations for and between the features were estimated simultaneously by restricted maximum likelihood, with the use of the vce software system vs 6. The heritability estimates were high for SC18, SC and TV (0.43, 0.63 and 0.54; 0.45, 0.45 and 0.44; 0.42, 0.45 and 0.41, respectively for the categories of mothers M1, M2 and M3) and low for physical and morphological semen aspects. The genetic correlations between SC18 and SC were high, as well as between these variables with TV. High and positive genetic correlations were recorded among SC18, SC and TV with the physical aspects of the semen, although no favourable association was verified with the morphological aspects, for the three categories of mothers. It can be concluded that the mother’s sexual precocity did not affect the heritability of their offspring reproduction features.
Role of Ginger Against the Reproductive Toxicity of Aluminium Chloride in Albino Male Rats
Authors: Moselhy WA , Helmy NA , Abdel‐Halim BR , Nabil TM , Abdel‐Hamid MI 
Published: July 2011

ContentsThe aim of the current study was to evaluate reproductive disorders concomitant with aluminium chloride (AlCl3) toxicity in Albino male rats. Attention was also directed to study the protective influence of ginger against this toxicity. Forty‐five mature Albino Wistar male rats were equally divided into three groups; the first group was served as control group while those of the second group (AlCl3) were daily treated with 34 mg/kg bw. AlCl3 orally. The third group (AlCl3 + ginger) was treated daily with AlCl3 as in group 2 in combination with ginger (40 mg/kg bw), which started 2 weeks prior to AlCl3. Five animals from each group were sacrificed on days 30, 45 and 60 of treatment. AlCl3 administration significantly decreased serum testosterone levels, increased testicular homogenate malondialdehyde and deteriorated semen picture with increased testicular DNA fragmentation. Histopathological examination revealed degenerative changes of the seminiferous tubules with focal areas of necrosed spermatogenic cells, marked degeneration and desquamation of the lining epithelial cells of epididymis as well as multiple calcified material in prostate gland following 60 days of aluminium treatment. Ginger treatment started to improve significantly all studied parameters after 60 days as compared with AlCl3‐treated group. In the current study, it was concluded that AlCl3 had a destructive effect on all the studied reproductive parameters. Treatment with ginger has an ameliorating effect against AlCl3 toxicity after 60 days post‐treatment.
Initiating allopurinol therapy: do we need to know the patient's human leucocyte antigen status?
Authors: Lee M. H. , Stocker S. L. , Anderson J. , Phillips E. J. , Nolan D. , Williams K. M. , Graham G. G. , Sullivan J. R. , Day R. O. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractAims:  Allopurinol hypersensitivity (AH) can rarely be manifest as Stevens–Johnson syndrome (SJS) or toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) that have high mortality rates. Less serious, but still significant, skin and systemic hypersensitivity reactions form part of the AH spectrum. One hundred per cent of Han Chinese with SJS/TEN due to allopurinol have been found to be at least heterozygous for HLA‐B*5801, the carriage rate for this allele in the Han Chinese population being about 15%. The association has been found to be weaker in Caucasians whose HLA‐B*5801 carriage rate is less than 6%. We examined the relationship between the different skin hypersensitivity reactions to allopurinol and the HLA‐B locus in Australian patients.Methods:  We examined 23 patients referred with AH.Results:  Five of six Australian SJS/TEN patients were heterozygous for HLA‐B*5801 and four were of South‐East Asian origin. Five AH patients without SJS/TEN were all Caucasian and only one of these was positive for HLA‐B*5801. Twelve patients with allopurinol‐induced maculopapular exanthema were negative for HLA‐B*5801, including one South‐East Asian.Conclusions:  Cases of AH manifesting as SJS/TENS in Australians are more likely to be in those of Asian heritage. The place of routine testing for HLA‐B*5801 prior to commencing allopurinol therapy requires further investigation. However, Han Chinese origin patients commencing allopurinol might be informed of the test and may elect to have it performed as there are alternative hypouricaemic medicines, such as probenecid thereby reducing the risk of a catastrophic reaction to allopurinol.