bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dynamics of cell wall components of Magnaporthe grisea during infectious structure development
Authors: Fujikawa Takashi , Kuga Yukari , Yano Shigekazu , Yoshimi Akira , Tachiki Takashi , Abe Keietsu , Nishimura Marie 
Published: July 2009

SummaryOligosaccharides derived from cell wall of fungal pathogens induce host primary immune responses. To understand fungal strategies circumventing the host plant immune responses, cell wall polysaccharide localization was investigated using fluorescent labels during infectious structure differentiation in the rice blast fungus Magnaporthe grisea. α‐1,3‐glucan was labelled only on appressoria developing on plastic surfaces, whereas it was detected on both germ tubes and appressoria on plant surfaces. Chitin, chitosan and β‐1,3‐glucan were detected on germ tubes and appressoria regardless of the substrate. Major polysaccharides labelled at accessible surface of infectious hyphae were α‐1,3‐glucan and chitosan, but after enzymatic digestion of α‐1,3‐glucan, β‐1,3‐glucan and chitin became detectable. Immunoelectron microscopic analysis showed α‐1,3‐glucan and β‐1,3‐glucan intermixed in the cell wall of infectious hyphae; however, α‐1,3‐glucan tended to be distributed farther from the fungal cell membrane. The fungal cell wall became more tolerant to chitinase digestion upon accumulation of α‐1,3‐glucan. Accumulation of α‐1,3‐glucan was dependent on the Mps1 MAP kinase pathway, which was activated by a plant wax derivative, 1,16‐hexadecanediol. Taken together, α‐1,3‐glucan spatially and functionally masks β‐1,3‐glucan and chitin in the cell wall of infectious hyphae. Thus, a dynamic change of composition of cell wall polysaccharides occurs during plant infection in M. grisea.
Host legume‐exuded antimetabolites optimize the symbiotic rhizosphere
Authors: Cai Tao , Cai Wentong , Zhang Jiang , Zheng Huiming , Tsou Amy M. , Xiao Lin , Zhong Zengtao , Zhu Jun 
Published: July 2009

SummaryRhizobia form symbiotic nodules on host legumes and fix nitrogen for their hosts in exchange for nutrients. In order to establish this mutually beneficial relationship, rhizobia must compete with other soil bacteria in the host legume rhizosphere to colonize plant roots efficiently. A promoter‐trap transposon screen in Mesorhizobium tianshanense, a Rhizobium that forms nodules on licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis) plants revealed that the expression of msiA, which encodes a putative exporter protein belonging to the LysE family of translocators, is activated by both legume exudates and MsiR, a LysR family transcriptional regulator. Chemical analysis suggests that the msiA‐inducing signal in exudates is canavanine, an anti‐metabolite present in the seeds and exudates of a variety of legume plants. We show that MsiA serves as a canavanine exporter that is indispensable for canavanine resistance in M. tianshanense. We also show that the expression of MsiA homologues in other rhizobial species is induced by canavanine and is critical for canavanine resistance. Furthermore, rhizobial canavanine resistance is important for root hair adherence as well as for survival in a canavanine‐producing legume rhizosphere. Together, these data suggest that host legumes may exude specific antimetabolites into their surroundings to optimize the bacterial population in order to have successful symbiotic events with rhizobia.
CzcP is a novel efflux system contributing to transition metal resistance inCupriavidus metalliduransCH34
Authors: Scherer Judith , Nies Dietrich H. 
Published: July 2009

SummaryCupriavidus metalliduransCH34 possesses a multitude of metal efflux systems. Here, the function of the novel PIB4‐type ATPase CzcP is characterized, which belongs to the plasmid pMOL30‐mediated cobalt‐zinc‐cadmium (Czc) resistance system. Contribution of CzcP to transition metal resistance inC. metalliduranswas compared with that of three PIB2‐type ATPases (CadA, ZntA, PrbA) and to other efflux proteins by construction and characterization of multiple deletion mutants. These data also yielded additional evidence for an export of metal cations from the periplasm to the outside of the cell rather than from the cytoplasm to the outside. Moreover, metal‐sensitiveEscherichia colistrains were functionally substitutedin transwith CzcP and the three PIB2‐type ATPases. Metal transport kinetics performed with inside‐out vesicles identified the main substrates for these four exporters, the Kmvalues and apparent turn‐over numbers. In combination with the mutant data, transport kinetics indicated that CzcP functions as ‘resistance enhancer’: this PIB4‐type ATPase exports transition metals Zn2+, Cd2+and Co2+much more rapidly than the three PIB2‐type proteins. However, a basic resistance level has to be provided by the PIB2‐type efflux pumps because CzcP may not be able to reach all different speciations of these metals in the cytoplasm.
A probiotic dairy product containing L. gasseri CECT5714 and L. coryniformis CECT5711 induces immunological changes in children suffering from allergy
Authors: Martínez‐Cañavate Ana , Sierra Saleta , Lara‐Villoslada Federico , Romero Julio , Maldonado José , Boza Julio , Xaus Jordi , Olivares Mónica 
Published: July 2009

The increase in the prevalence of allergic diseases in children has been attributed to an unbalanced immune response probably due to environmental factors. The immunoregulatory properties of probiotic bacteria could balance the disequilibrium in the immune response causing the allergic response. The aim of this study was to evaluate the immunological effects of the consumption of a dairy product containing two probiotic strains in children suffering from allergy. A double‐blinded, randomized, control comparative study was performed with 44 allergic children. Children were randomly distributed in two groups, a control Yogurt and a Probiotic group. Both groups daily consumed 200 ml of a dairy fermented product for 3 months. The Yogurt group consumed a conventional yogurt, whereas the Probiotic group consumed a similar dairy product where Lactobacillus bulgaricus was substituted by a mixture of Lactobacillus gasseri CECT5714 and Lactobacillus coryniformis CECT5711 (at least 106 cfu/g each strain). Intestinal and immunological parameters were measured in fecal and blood samples. The consumption of the probiotic product induced a significant decrease in the level of IgE in plasma (p = 0.03) and an increase in CD4+/CD25+ T regulatory cells (p = 0.01). The decrease in IgE was accompanied by a significant increase in mucosal IgA (p = 0.01). However, changes in other effector cells potentially involved in allergic reactions such as eosinophiles, basophiles or other IgE+ cells were not detected. The consumption of the probiotic product also induced significant changes in innate response as a significant increase in natural killer cells was detected (p = 0.03). The daily consumption of a probiotic product containing L. gasseri CECT5714 and L. coryniformis CECT5711 for 3 months induces, in allergic children, beneficial effects on immune parameters involved in the allergic response such as a reduction of IgE in plasma and an increase in regulatory T cells. The probiotic product also enhanced innate and specific immune parameters that may improve the general health status of children.
Interscalene block using ultrasound guidance: impact of experience on resident performance
Authors: OREBAUGH S. L. , WILLIAMS B. A. , KENTOR M. L. , BOLLAND M. A. , MOSIER S. K. , NOWAK T. P. 
Published: July 2009

Background: We evaluated the weekly progress of anesthesiology residents performing an interscalene block with ultrasound guidance (UG) for block success rates and for the specific time intervals: (i) time to image the brachial plexus and (ii) time from insertion of the block needle until motor stimulation occurred. Our primary objective was to characterize the influence of experience over the course of the regional anesthesia rotation on the performance of a UG interscalene block by anesthesiology residents.Methods: Residents conducted an interscalene block with UG under the supervision of attending anesthesiologists experienced in this technique. Block efficacy, time intervals required to perform the block, and acute complications were recorded. We compared success rates over the course of the rotation, and analyzed process time data with respect to trainee level of experience, week of the trainee rotation, and patient body habitus.Results: Twenty‐one trainees conducted 222 blocks over a consecutive 7‐month period. Block success rate was 97.3%, and did not change significantly over the course of the 4‐week rotation. Total block time and imaging time significantly decreased over the 4‐week rotation, while the needle insertion‐to‐stimulation time did not change. Slower imaging time was predicted by obesity.Conclusion: The success rates for a UG interscalene block provided by supervised residents were initially high, and remained so throughout the 4‐week rotation. Trainees required less time to image the nerves and to perform the block over the course of the rotation.
Advances in Reproductive Science for Wild Carnivore Conservation
Authors: Comizzoli P , Crosier AE , Songsasen N , Gunther M Szykman , Howard JG , Wildt DE 
Published: July 2009

ContentsKnowledge about reproduction is critical for predicting the viability of wildlife populations in nature and for managing breeding programmes in captivity. Intensive species‐based studies are the priority, because reproductive mechanisms are extraordinarily diverse, even within the same taxonomic family. Carnivores deserve more attention as such species are highly vulnerable to environmental change and human persecution. The present review provides contemporary illustrations of how reproductive science is contributing to understand unique reproductive mechanisms that are both of fundamental and applied interest. In the case of the endangered African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) free‐living in South Africa, non‐invasive faecal corticosteroid assessments have yielded new insights about the impact of animal relocation and reintroduction on adaptive responses, reproductive fitness and survival. For the maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus), advances have been made in characterizing and comparing reproductive traits in free‐ranging vs captive individuals. For the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus), recent studies have focused on the cryosensitivity of sperm and the ability to develop a field‐friendly sperm cryo‐method. The by‐product has been a large‐scale frozen repository of sperm from wild‐caught cheetahs useful for infusing new genes intoex situpopulations. Finally, rigorous, multi‐disciplinary and cross‐institutional reproductive studies of the black‐footed ferret (Mustela nigripes), including the use of artificial insemination, have contributed to the remarkable recovery and restoration of this species, once on the brink of extinction. In summary, advances in reproductive science are not necessarily related to ‘assisted breeding’. However, understanding the unique ways of carnivore reproduction greatly contributes to species management and conservation.
Western Blot Analysis of Proacrosin/Acrosin in Frozen Dog Sperm During In Vitro Capacitation
Authors: De los Reyes M , Medina G , Palomino J 
Published: July 2009

ContentsAcrosin is an acrosomal protease synthesized as an inactive precursor, proacrosin, which is processed via autoproteolysis into active forms alpha‐ and beta‐acrosin. In this paper, a comparative study on the immunoreactivity of acrosin during in vitro capacitation of frozen and fresh (control) canine sperm using Western blot analysis is reported. Semen samples were obtained by digital stimulation and ejaculates processed as fresh and frozen samples and then capacitated for 0, 30, 60 and 90 min. At each time period, samples were analyzed with monoclonal antibody C5F10 by Western blot. The antibody specifically recognized, in fresh and frozen/thawed spermatozoa, a 40‐, 32‐ and 27‐kDa bands corresponding to proacrosin, alpha‐ and beta‐acrosin, respectively, during capacitation. Western immunoblots showed that the beta‐acrosin reactivity in fresh sperm was directly proportional to the time of capacitation, whereas a decreased reactivity of active form of acrosin was observed with frozen‐thawed sperm (p < 0.05). These results suggest that proacrosin is activated to beta‐acrosin earlier in frozen/thawed dog spermatozoa than in fresh dog spermatozoa.
Recrudescence of Spermatogenesis in the Dog Following Downregulation Using a Slow Release GnRH Agonist Implant
Authors: Goericke‐Pesch S , Spang A , Schulz M , Özalp G , Bergmann M , Ludwig C , Hoffmann B 
Published: July 2009

ContentsThe present study examined the degree to which downregulation with a GnRH agonist impaired spermatogenesis and the time course of morphological and hormonal changes that occurred during recrudescence of spermatogenesis. Using a control group (group 1, n = 5) of dogs, the effect of a removable slow release GnRH‐agonist implant was investigated in beagle dogs (group 2, n = 30). The implant was removed after 5 months (week 0) and three to four dogs were castrated at weeks 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21 and 24. The degree of downregulation and recrudescence of spermatogenesis was assessed by evaluation of 200 tubular cross‐sections, resulting in an assigning of dogs of group 2 to testis developmental groups (DG) according to the most developed germ cell observed: DG A, spermatocytes; DG B, round spermatids; DG C, elongating spermatids and DG D, elongated spermatids. Downregulation led to an arrest of spermatogenesis at the level of spermatogonia/primary spermatocytes. The time course of recrudescence showed high individual variations and the number of dogs falling into DG A, B, C and D was 4, 3, 6 and 17 respectively. Spermatogenesis in group 2, DG D was not different from group 1 (control). In DG A, mean area of Leydig‐cell nuclei was lower (p < 0.001) than in the other DG and group 1 and resembled that of juvenile dogs (group 3, n = 3); nuclei of Sertoli cells had changed from more flat/polygonal (group 1, group 2, DG C and D) to round/ovoid and had moved to a more luminal position. As indicated by basal testosterone (T), luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) concentrations at implant removal, full downregulation had been obtained. Testosterone, LH and FSH concentrations [x̄g (DF), ng/ml] increased (p < 0.05) from implant removal to DG B [T: 0.1 (1.24) vs 2.12 (2.31); LH: 0.2 (2.15) vs 1.11 (1.7); FSH: 0.37 (3.50) vs 6.37 (1.68)] and were more or less constant thereafter indicating that onset of spermatogenesis was related to an increase of plasma T occurring in a very narrow time window. Following GnRH implantation, the size of the testes and the prostate decreased by approximately 55% (p < 0.001), they increased to sizes similar to pre‐treatment values following implant removal.
Comparison of the Effect of the Aromatase Inhibitor, Anastrazole, to the Antioestrogen, Tamoxifen Citrate, on Canine Prostate and Semen
Authors: Gonzalez G , Guendulain C , Maffrand C , Gobello C 
Published: July 2009

ContentsThis study compared the efficiency of the aromatase inhibitor, anastrazole, with the antioestrogenic receptor blocker, tamoxifen, on normal (NRL) and hyperplastic prostate glands. Forty healthy dogs were classified as NRL (n = 18) or abnormal (ABN) with benign prostate hyperplasia (n = 22). The dogs were randomly assigned to one of the following six groups, treated for 60 days; oral placebo for normal (NRL‐PLC; n = 6) and abnormal (ABN‐PLC; n = 6), oral anastrazole 0.25–1 mg/day, for normal (NRL‐ANZ, n = 6) and abnormal (ABN‐ANZ, n = 8) and oral tamoxifen citrate 2.5–10 mg/day for normal (NRL‐TMX; n = 6) and abnormal (ABN‐TMX; n = 8) dogs. The dogs were evaluated before treatment and then monthly for 4 months. At the end of the treatment, the prostatic volume decreased by 28.5 ± 4.3%, 21.6 ± 6.3% and 0.7 ± 1.0% in the ABN‐TMX, ABN‐ANZ and ABN‐PLC (p < 0.01), respectively. From then on, prostatic volume began to increase without reaching pre‐treatment values at the end of the study. In the ABN animals, there were no differences for this parameter between ANZ and TMX treatment (p > 0.1), whereas in the NRL animals ANZ produced a less pronounced decrease (p < 0.05), libido, testicular consistency and scrotal diameter decreased during treatment in the TMX group (p > 0.05). These parameters and sperm volume, count, motility and morphological abnormalities remained unaltered throughout the study in the ANZ and PLC groups (p > 0.05). There were no haematological nor biochemical side effects. Anastrazole might offer a safe and effective alternative for the medical management of dogs with benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Influence of Progesterone Withdrawal on Pregnancy‐Related Parameters During Post‐Implantation Early Pregnancy Loss
Authors: Günzel‐Apel AR , Höftmann T , Nottorf S , Politt E , Meyer‐Lindenberg A , Hoppen HO , Einspanier A , Knijn HM , Mischke R 
Published: July 2009

ContentsPharmacologically‐induced luteolysis or treatment with an antiprogestin in early post‐implantation pregnancy in dogs results in asynchronous death and resorption of conceptuses, indicating variable rates of response of individual conceptuses towards progesterone deficiency. This variability also seems to occur in bitches showing pregnancy failure in response to spontaneous luteal deficiency. In a total of 10 beagle pregnancies (two consecutive pregnancies of five bitches), abortifacient treatments beginning on day 24 after ovulation (ov) involved either administration of a progestin antagonist (total of six pregnancies, in three bitches) or a luteolytic regimen of prostaglandin F2α‐analogue together with a dopamine agonist (total of four pregnancies, in two bitches). The outcomes were evaluated in relation to four control pregnancies in two bitches by assay of serum progesterone, prolactin and relaxin at selected time points or within selected time periods, by ultrasound of conceptuses including measurement of uterine blood flow, and parameters of the blood fibrinolytic system including plasma fibrinogen and plasminogen. The process of embryonic death and conceptus resorption was variable in onset and duration both in bitches that received the progesterone antagonist aglepristone (AGLE) and in those under the luteolytic treatment (cloprostenol combined with cabergoline). Pregnancy termination (death of all embryos or foetuses, respectively) occurred as early as day 29 and as late as day 41 after ov in AGLE‐treated bitches, and not earlier than day 37 after ov in luteolytic‐treatment bitches. Impending embryonic death was not predicted by changes in relaxin concentration, parameters of the fibrinolytic system, or in the perfusion of small uteroplacental vessels.
Expression of ABC‐Transport Proteins in Canine Mammary Cancer: Consequences for Chemotherapy
Authors: Honscha KU , Schirmer A , Reischauer A , Schoon H‐A , Einspanier A , Gäbel G 
Published: July 2009

ContentsIntrinsic or acquired drug resistance is a major barrier for chemotherapy of cancer. Importantly, the presence of ATP‐binding cassette, ABC‐transport proteins in tumour cells circumvents an intracellular accumulation of chemotherapeutic drugs. In this study, 103 canine mammary tumour probes were investigated for mRNA expression of seven ABC‐transporters by RT‐PCR. All tumour samples expressed multidrug resistance‐associated protein 1 (MRP1) and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP). MRP7 was detected in 97.1% of tumour probes, MRP3 in 96.1%, Pgp in 92.2%, MRP5 in 85.4% and MRP6 in 64.1%. More of the half of tumour samples (56.1%) expressed all of the examined ABC‐transport proteins. Approximately one‐third of the tumour samples (32.7%) were lacking in one transporter and only 11.2% possessed from three to five transporters. The canine transporter cBCRP was functionally analysed in stable transfected Madin‐Darby canine kidney‐II cells using an MTT viability test. cBCRP transfected cells showed a 5.4‐fold resistance to 10 μm doxorubicin. Cell survival in the presence of methotrexate was not affected by cBCRP. In conclusion, absence of efficiency of chemotherapy of canine mammary cancer can be caused by expression of seven various ABC‐transport proteins. Because cBCRP is expressed in all examined tumour probes and induces resistance to doxorubicin, the application of doxorubicin for treatment of canine mammary is inappropriate.
Investigation of the Local Expression of the Relaxin System in Canine Mammary Tumours
Authors: Lamp O , Honscha KU , Jakob J , Lamp J , Schweizer S , Reischauer A , Gottschalk J , Hahn A , Ebert M , Rothemund S , Blaschzik S , Einspanier A 
Published: July 2009

ContentsWhile mammary tumours are the main reasons of death in bitches, early detection of tumours and metastases is crucial for survival of affected dogs. Invasiveness and angiogenesis, which are important processes of tumour growth and spreading, require connective tissue remodelling. This process is dominantly mediated by matrix metalloproteinases (MMP), which are well known to be positively regulated by relaxin (RLX) in various tissues, including human breast cancer. So far, the presence of RLX and its receptor RXFP‐1 as well as their linkage with MMP in canine mammary tumours (CMT) is completely unknown. In the first part of the present study, concentrations of RLX, oestradiol and progesterone from plasma samples of bitches with CMT were compared with clinical and survival data to investigate the predictive value of these hormones. In the second part, the expressions of RLX, RXFP‐1 and MMP‐2, ‐9 and ‐13 were examined by real‐time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) in 31 CMT samples. Finally, relationships of systemic plasma RLX or locally expressed RLX with expression of MMP in CMT were analyzed for the first time. Comparison of hormone concentrations in 93 bitches in terms of benign or malignant nature of the CMT, lung metastases, recidivation and 12‐month survival discovered no significances. The expressions of RLX, RXFP‐1 and MMP were independent from plasma RLX, but expressions of local RLX and RXFP‐1 showed a strong correlation (p = 0.00004,r = 0.671) as well as RXFP‐1 and MMP‐2 (p = 0.009,r = 0.463), indicating a possible significant role of the locally produced RLX in CMT pathogenesis as an inducer of connective tissue remodelling.
Elective Caesarean Operation in the Bitch Using Aglepristone Before the Pre‐Partum Decline in Peripheral Progesterone Concentration
Authors: Levy X , Fontaine E , Segalini V , Fontbonne A 
Published: July 2009

ContentsThe aim of this study was to investigate caesarean operation (CO) undertaken before the pre‐partum decrease of progesterone but following administration of a progesterone receptor antagonist and to evaluate the innocuity of this procedure for the dam and pups. Thirty seven bitches of 15 different breeds, received an injection of 15 mg/kg aglepristone 59 or 60 days after the estimated day of ovulation, determined by progesterone quantitative assays, and caesarean section (CS) was performed between 20 and 24 h after administration. Progesterone remained above 6 nmol/l at the time of CS (mean = 15.75, SD = 3.84). No post‐operative clinical complications were reported in any of the bitches. All bitches were able to nurse and feed their puppies in the first 24 h following surgery. No pups showed any signs of prematurity and 5 out of 188 pups (2.6) died in the first 2 weeks after delivery. This small study demonstrates that a CS may be safely and successfully performed an average of 2 days before the expected date of parturition following the administration of aglepristone, without any harmful consequence for the dam and her neonates.