bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Emerging technologies and their applications in interactions between nutrition and immunity to gastrointestinal parasites in sheep
Authors: ATHANASIADOU S. , HUNTLEY J. F. 
Published: September 2010

SUMMARY Despite the plethora of evidence on the consequences of host nutrition on their immune responses to gastrointestinal parasites, the identity of molecules and mechanisms that drive the manifestations of immunity under nutrient abundance are not yet known. This is partly due to limitations of the methodologies employed to date that have failed to give comprehensive answers. The great advancements in the technological front over the past few years have opened a window of opportunity to identify these effector molecules, to explore both the mechanisms and cellular pathways and to evaluate their importance in the immune response to parasites. The aim of this paper is to present some of the novel, high‐throughput technologies that are currently available in immunology and to explore their use in advancing our knowledge in interactions between nutrition and immunity to nematode parasites, with special reference to sheep. In the first part, we introduce the technologies and we discuss advantages and pitfalls of their use. We bring in successful examples of how their employment advanced knowledge and improved our understanding of the mechanisms that regulate immune responses to pathogens (both micro‐ and macroparasites). In the second part, we focus on the impact of nutrition on the immune response to parasites, and explore how these technologies can be used to advance our knowledge of immunonutritional interactions. We use as our starting point well‐established models that have been successfully used to investigate the consequences of nutrition on the manifestations of immunity to parasites, which we further consider in the context of the novel technologies. We conclude by emphasizing the great potential of the described methodologies in unravelling the complex interactions between nutrition and immunity, but we also recommend caution when interpreting the outcomes.
Trade‐offs and benefits: implications of promoting a strong immunity to gastrointestinal parasites in sheep
Authors: GREER A. W 
Published: September 2010

SUMMARY The search for sustainable control regimes for gastrointestinal nematode parasites in grazing livestock has resulted in strategies that include assisting sheep to promote a strong immune response. However, the immune response imposes a substantial nutritional cost to the animal which, when nutrient supply is limited, is likely to result in the diversion of nutrients away from productive function to immunological tissues. Therefore, this review examines the potential trade‐offs between immune function and productivity that may arise in young grazing sheep. It is hoped that future manipulations intended to promote a strong immunity to gastrointestinal parasites in sheep may be able to minimize these trade‐offs to ensure that the productivity of the host is not compromised.
Roles of amyloplasts and water deficit in root tropisms
Authors: PONCE GEORGINA , RASGADO FÁTIMA A. , CASSAB GLADYS I. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTDirected growth of roots in relation to a moisture gradient is called hydrotropism. The no hydrotropic response (nhr1) mutant of Arabidopsis lacks a hydrotropic response, and shows a stronger gravitropic response than that of wild type (wt) in a medium with an osmotic gradient. Local application of abscisic acid (ABA) to seeds or root tips of nhr1 increased root downward growth, indicating the critical role of ABA in tropisms. Wt roots germinated and treated with ABA in this system were strongly gravitropic, even though they had almost no starch amyloplasts in the root‐cap columella cells. Hydrotropically stimulated nhr1 roots, with or without ABA, maintained starch in the amyloplasts, as opposed to those of wt. Hence, the near‐absence (wt) or abundant presence (nhr1) of starch granules does not influence the extent of downward gravitropism of the roots in an osmotic gradient medium. Starch degradation in the wt might help the root sustain osmotic stress and carry out hydrotropism, instead of reducing gravity responsiveness. nhr1 roots might be hydrotropically inactive because they maintain this starch reserve in the columella cells, sustaining both their turgor and growth, and in effect minimizing the need for hydrotropism and at least partially disabling its mechanism. We conclude that ABA and water stress are critical regulators of root tropic responses.
A heat‐activated MAP kinase (HAMK) as a mediator of heat shock response in tobacco cells
Authors: SURI SARABJEET S. , DHINDSA RAJINDER S. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTA heat‐activated MAP kinase (HAMK), immunologically related to the extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) super‐family of protein kinases, has been identified in BY2 cells of tobacco. The activation of HAMK at 37 °C was transient and detected within 2 min and reached a maximum level within 5 min. Ca2+ chelators and channel blockers, and the known inhibitors of MEK, a MAP kinase kinase, prevented the heat activation of HAMK. This suggests that HAMK activation is part of a heat‐triggered MAP kinase cascade that requires Ca2+ influx. The heat shock protein HSP70 accumulated at 37 °C, but not when HAMK activation was prevented with the inhibitors of MEK or with Ca2+ chelators or channel blockers. As previously shown for heat activation of HAMK, heat‐induced accumulation of HSP70 requires membrane fluidization and reorganization of cytoskeleton. We concluded that heat‐triggered HAMK cascade might play an essential role in the launching of heat shock response and hsp gene expression in tobacco cells.
Nitric oxide‐induced phosphatidic acid accumulation: a role for phospholipases C and D in stomatal closure
Authors: DISTÉFANO AYELEN M. , GARCÍA‐MATA CARLOS , LAMATTINA LORENZO , LAXALT ANA M. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTStomatal closure is regulated by a complex network of signalling events involving numerous intermediates, among them nitric oxide (NO). Little is known about the signalling events occurring downstream of NO. Previous studies have shown that NO modulates cytosolic calcium concentration and the activation of plasma membrane ion channels. Here we provide evidence that supports the involvement of the lipid second messenger phosphatidic acid (PA) in NO signalling during stomatal closure. PA levels in Vicia faba epidermal peels increased upon NO treatment to maximum levels within 30 min, subsequently decreasing to control levels at 60 min. PA can be generated via phospholipase D (PLD) or via phospholipase C (PLC) in concerted action with diacylglycerol kinase (DGK). Our results showed that NO‐induced PA is produced via the activation of both pathways. NO‐induced stomatal closure was blocked either when PLC or PLD activity was inhibited. We have shown that PLC‐ and PLD‐derived PA represents a downstream component of NO signalling cascade during stomatal closure.
VOC emissions of Grey poplar leaves as affected by salt stress and different N sources
Authors: Teuber M. , Zimmer I. , Kreuzwieser J. , Ache P. , Polle A. , Rennenberg H. , Schnitzler J.‐P. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractNitrogen nutrition and salt stress experiments were performed in a greenhouse with hydroponic‐cultured, salt‐sensitive Grey poplar (Populus x canescens) plants to study the combined influence of different N sources (either 1 mm NO3− or NH4+) and salt (up to 75 mm NaCl) on leaf gas exchange, isoprene biosynthesis and VOC emissions. Net assimilation and transpiration proved to be highly sensitive to salt stress and were reduced by approximately 90% at leaf sodium concentrations higher than 1,800 μg Na g dry weight (dw)−1. In contrast, emissions of isoprene and oxygenated VOC (i.e. acetaldehyde, formaldehyde and acetone) were unaffected. There was no significant effect of combinations of salt stress and N source, and neither NO3− or NH4+ influenced the salt stress response in the Grey poplar leaves. Also, transcript levels of 1‐deoxy‐d‐xylulose 5‐phosphate reductoisomerase (PcDXR) and isoprene synthase (PcISPS) did not respond to the different N sources and only responded slightly to salt application, although isoprene synthase (PcISPS) activity was negatively affected at least in one of two experiments, despite high isoprene emission rates. A significant salt effect was the strong reduction of leaf dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMADP) content, probably due to restricted availability of photosynthates for DMADP biosynthesis. Further consequences of reduced photosynthetic gas exchange and maintaining VOC emissions are a very high C loss, up to 50%, from VOC emissions related to net CO2 uptake and a strong increase in leaf internal isoprene concentrations, with maximum mean values up to 6.6 μl·l−1. Why poplar leaves maintain VOC biosynthesis and emission under salt stress conditions, despite impaired photosynthetic CO2 fixation, is discussed.
Seasonal and Diurnal Patterns of Behavior Exhibited by Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the Mississippi Sound
Authors: Miller Lance J. , Solangi Moby , Kuczaj II Stan A. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractMany of the threats to bottlenose dolphins are anthropogenic factors including overfishing, high‐speed boats, chemical runoff, and noise pollution. Having a thorough understanding of the behavior and behavioral patterns of these animals can help with conservation plans to protect this species. This study examined the behavioral states and behavioral events of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the Mississippi Sound. The behavioral states exhibited by dolphins within the Sound were found to vary by both season and time of day. Dolphins socialized more during the spring and spent more time feeding in the fall. Feeding was highest early in the morning and decreased throughout the day, while socializing occurred at low levels in the morning and increased in the early afternoon. Two distinct forms of social behavior and multiple feeding strategies were exhibited by dolphins within the Sound. Results suggest that certain percussive behavioral events may be used to communicate motivation during transitional behavioral states. These results demonstrate the need for a more complete understanding of dolphin behavior that will facilitate the conservation of this species.
Proximity‐dependent Response to Variably Complex Mating Signals in Túngara Frogs (Physalaemus pustulosus)
Authors: Akre Karin L. , Ryan Michael J. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThe plasticity of animal behavior allows individuals to maximize fitness in a wide range of contexts. Both production of and preference for mating signals are context‐dependent according to internal factors such as hormonal state, and external factors such as predation risk. In many species, male‐to‐female proximity also defines an important context for mating communication. Males often possess short‐distance courtship signals, and females often exhibit distance‐related variation in signal response. Such variation in response may occur when a signal’s relevance changes with male‐to‐female distance, but it may also result from perceptual constraints that are unrelated to fitness. Túngara frogs produce variably complex advertisement calls, and sexual selection theory predicts that females should prefer calls of greater complexity. Preference tests, however, have not demonstrated consistent trends for preference between calls of variable complexity. We tested whether proximity to males influences female response to variable signal complexity and found that both preference and memory for signal complexity are proximity‐dependent.
Mate Quality and Novelty Influence Post‐Copulatory Female Choice in Decorated Crickets, Gryllodes sigillatus
Authors: Gershman Susan N. , Sakaluk Scott K. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractFemales of many taxa prefer to mate with novel males rather than previous mates, but also favor males that have traits indicative of higher genetic quality or compatibility. However, it may not be possible for females to simultaneously choose males that are both novel and of high quality, and the female response to this dilemma has not previously been examined. In this paper, we ask whether female decorated crickets, Gryllodes sigillatus, exert their choice for novel males via post‐copulatory choice (sperm ampulla removal) and whether male genetic background (variation in male quality) affects this decision. We found that after matings with inbred males, females removed the ampullae of familiar mates sooner than those of novel males, whereas after matings with outbred males, there was no difference in the ampulla‐retention times of familiar mates and novel partners. This suggests that when male do not vary in quality, females prefer novel partners. However, when males vary in quality, female preferences for male traits are more important than preferences for novel partners.
The Deterioration of Eating and Cooking Quality Caused by High Temperature During Grain Filling in Early‐Season indica Rice Cultivars
Authors: Zhong L. J. , Cheng F. M. , Wen X. , Sun Z. X. , Zhang G. P. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThe effect of temperature during grain filling on eating and cooking quality of early‐season indica rice was investigated by using four cultivars with different amylose content. Starting from flowering stage until maturity, the plants of all cultivars were subjected to two temperature treatments, referred as optimum (mean daily air temperature, 22 °C) and high (32 °C) temperature regimes. The results showed that the effect of high temperature on apparent amylose content and gel consistency in milled rice was cultivar‐dependent. Under high temperature, amylose content increased for cv. Jiayu353 and remained little changed for cv. Guangluai4, which had intrinsically higher amylose content, and decreased for cv. Zhefu49 and cv. Jiazao935, which had lower amylose content. By contrast, high temperature reduced or kept stable gel consistency values for cultivars with higher amylose content and increased gel consistency values for those with lower amylose content. Moreover, high temperature significantly increased the gelatinization temperature of all cultivars. Pasting profiles and X‐ray diffraction pattern of rice were also affected by temperature. The results suggest that high temperature during grain filling change the component and crystalline structure of starch and result in deterioration of eating and cooking quality for early‐season indica rice.
Effect of Water Stress on the Yield of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) Genotypes in the Delmarva Region of the United States
Authors: Dadson R. B. , Hashem F. M. , Javaid I. , Joshi J. , Allen A. L. , Devine T. E. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractDrought is an important yield‐reducing factor for corn and soya bean which are the two major crops in the Delaware, Maryland and Virginia (Delmarva) region of the United States. Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) is primarily grown in drier regions of the world where it is one of the most drought‐resistant food legumes. Field experiments were conducted in which 10 genetically diverse cowpea genotypes were evaluated for adaptability to the Delmarva area. The cowpea genotypes were grown in rain‐out shelters under non‐water‐stressed and water‐stressed conditions. The results showed that under non‐water‐stressed conditions cowpea genotypes California Blackeye 5, Champion and Mississippi Silver gave higher seed yields, while genotypes White Acre, Six Week Browneye and Texas Cream 8 provided lower seed yields. Genotypes California Blackeye 5 and Champion gave comparatively better seed yields under water‐stressed conditions. California Blackeye 5 was the highest seed‐yielding genotype under both water‐stressed and non‐water‐stressed conditions. The highest biological yield under non‐water‐stressed conditions was given by genotypes Two Crop Brown, White Acre and Elite, whereas under the water‐stressed condition genotypes Texas Cream 8, California Blackeye 5, and Mississippi Silver gave higher biological yield. Genotypes Quickpick Pinkeye and Elite were identified as early maturing genotypes. The harvest index (HI) varied significantly among genotypes, with Texas Cream 8 having the lowest HI. Cowpea genotypes which gave higher seed yield under water‐stressed conditions could play an important role in sustaining crop production in the Delmarva region.
The Exploitation of Crop Allelopathy in Sustainable Agricultural Production
Authors: Khanh T. D. , Chung M. I. , Xuan T. D. , Tawata S. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractCrop allelopathy may be useful to minimize serious problems in the present agricultural production such as environmental pollution, unsafe products, human health concerns, depletion of crop diversity, soil sickness and reduction of crop productivity. Several crops including alfalfa, buckwheat, maize, rice, rye, sorghum, sunflower, wheat, etc. are affected either by their own toxicity or phytotoxin exudates when their residues decompose in the soil, that show strong suppression on weed emergences. Allelopathic crops when used as cover crop, mulch, smother crops, green manures, or grown in rotational sequences are helpful in reducing noxious weeds and plant pathogen, improve soil quality and crop yield. Those crop plants, particularly the legumes, incorporated at 1–2 tons ha−1 (alfalfa, buckwheat, rice by‐products), which can give weed reduction and increase of rice yield by 70 and 20 %, respectively, are suggested for use as natural herbicides. Allelochemicals from allelopathic crops may aid in the development of biological herbicides and pesticides. Cultivating a system with allelopathic crops plays an important role in the establishment of sustainable agriculture. The introduction of allelopathic traits from accessions with strong allelopathic potential to the target crops will enhance the efficacy of crop allelopathy in future agricultural production.
Acute immobilization stress in prone position in susceptible Pietrain and resistant Duroc pigs. I: comparison of protein degradation in Duroc and Pietrain pigs' skeletal muscle and liver
Authors: Rosochacki S. J. , Połoszynowicz J. , Piekarzewska A. B. 
Published: September 2010

SummaryThe experiment was conducted to determine the relationship between lysosomal proteinase activities in skeletal muscle and liver of stressed pigs. Six‐month‐old Duroc (D) and Pietrain (P) pigs were randomly assigned to either control (group I) or stressed groups (5 min of stress, group II; 15 min of stress, group III; 30 min of stress, group IV; 60 min of stress, group V). At slaughter, the longissimus dorsi muscle and the liver were taken. The tissues were analysed for cathepsin D, acid autolytic activities without and with pepstatin (inhibitor of cathepsin D) and leupeptin (inhibitor of cysteine proteinases). Both tissues were also analysed for RNA, DNA and protein content. The acute immobilization stress in the prone position caused changes in longissimus dorsi muscle in DNA (26% decrease in D and 35% increase in P pigs), functional cell size, protein/103DNA (FCS) (34% increase in D and 25% decrease in P pigs), increase in acid autolytic activity (AAA) (by 48.3%), pepstatin insensitive acid autolytic activity (PIA) (by 111.8%), leupeptin insensitive acid autolytic activity (LIA) (by 35.8%) in D, but in P pigs by 13.5%, 16.6% and 54%, respectively. The interaction between strain of pigs and stress was also observed, mostly in DNA and AAA's. In the liver, RNA was decreased by 10% in D and by 12.3% in P pigs, DNA by 13% and 24% in D and P pigs, FCS was increased by 13.2% in D and by 22.7% in P pigs; the activity of cathepsin D (CatD) and pepstatin sensitive cathepsin D (PSCatD) increased after 15 min of stress by 9.2% and 9.3% and LIA by 13.7% in D pigs but in P pigs the maximal increase was after 15 min of stress in AAA by 10.3%, in PIA by 13.6% and in LIA by 3.2%. The experiment showed that the proteinase activities in the two different strains of pigs were different. The highest changes were in AAA's in the longissimus dorsi muscle and in CatD and PSCatD in the liver. There was more CatD in the longissimus dorsi muscle and liver of D than P pigs. Although it should be taken with caution, this suggests that other proteinases may be also responsible for the catabolism of proteins.
Genetic evaluation of dairy cattle for conformation traits using random regression models
Authors: Uribe H. , Schaeffer L. R. , Jamrozik J. , Lawlor T. J. 
Published: September 2010

SummaryRandom regression models were applied to eight conformation traits (i.e. stature, rump angle, thurl width, rear leg set, rear udder width, rear udder height, udder depth, and fore udder attachment) of Holstein cows from the northeastern United States. Covariates for fixed and random regressions included age and age‐squared for six of the traits, and two additional covariates were included for rear udder width and rear udder height. Other effects in the model were herd—year‐classifier and months in milk. Fixed covariates were nested within year of birth of the cow. Variance components were estimated using Bayesian theory and Gibbs sampling procedure. Estimated breeding values from the random regression models were compared to two single trait models. The first model utilized only the first classification record of the cow in first lactation, and the second model utilized all classifications of the cow in a simple repeatability model. Additive genetic merit for conformation traits changed with the age of the animal. Some traits were affected by age more than others. The single trait, single record model and the simple repeatability model were not appropriate in predicting breeding values at mature ages for rear udder width and rear udder height.
Coat colour genes in diversity studies
Authors: Klungland H. , Olsen H. G. , Hassanane M. S. , Mahrous K. , Våge D. I. 
Published: September 2010

SummaryIn this paper we describe the use of polymorphic genes affecting coat colour as a tool in diversity studies of domestic animals. Although phenotypic data has been the main criteria for establishing different breeds, calculation of genetic distances between breeds is normally performed using noncoding microsatellite markers. As anticipated, MC1‐R (melanocyte stimulating hormone receptor) allele frequencies vary greatly between cattle breeds expressing different coat colours. In multicoloured breeds, like Icelandic cattle, a high frequency of the E+ allele appears to be essential for colour variation. Whereas black breeds have a high frequency of the dominant acting allele ED, entirely red breeds have no ED. Animals being homozygous for the defective allele e occurred frequently in some cattle breeds, indicating that the MC1‐R does not have crucial impact on animal physiology other than coat colour. The E+ and e alleles were observed in the closely related river buffalo as well. None of the breeds included in this study express the roan phenotype. Consequently, they were monomorphic at the MGF locus. As for the MC1‐R locus, a correlation to colour pattern was observed for two c‐kit alleles as well, confirming that selection of specific phenotypes strongly affect the allelic variation of underlying loci. Information on genes affecting the phenotype is therefore well suited for describing different breeds of livestock and, consequently, a practical tool in breed conservation.