bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Potential for engineering horticultural crops with high antioxidant capacity.
Authors: Shukla V. , Mattoo A. K. 
Published: October 2011

Abstract

Cellular oxidation index has emerged as an important determinant in defining the fate of a living cell and its susceptibility to disease. Oxidative stress targets include oxidation of DNA, protein and lipids; causing cellular oncogenesis, chronic diseases and premature senescence. The possibility that dietary intervention via nutrition-enriched food may significantly decrease incidence of diet-related diseases has catalysed scientific efforts to understand this relationship, which is fundamental to developing future strategies for stemming disease. Multiple and synergistic interactions among nutrients influence antiproliferative activity of a fruit compared with an isolated antioxidant. Nutritional molecules including vitamins (B, C, E and β-carotene), folates, lycopene, flavonoids, isothyocyanates, glucosinolates, polyphenols, glutathione and minerals contribute to the antioxidative capacity of vegetables, fruits, nuts and various herbs. The true potential of a supplemental antioxidant or crop nutrients in human health benefits is in their accessibility, bioavailability and biological potency. Studies on the absorption, metabolism and
in vivo
potency of phytonutrients have lagged behind and are only now beginning to provide some results. Also, it is important to bear in mind that the levels of phytonutrients present in horticultural crops are low and significantly influenced by genotype/cultivar, growth condition and developmental stage. In this regard, genetic engineering has become a refined tool to increase the antioxidant and nutrient capacity of economically important crops including fruits and vegetables to the levels favourable not only for a highly nutritional diet but also to enable in-depth studies on the relationships between diet, genetics and metabolism. Together with modern biotechnology, deciphering transcriptome-proteome-metabolome of the new transgenics should provide new knowledge to ease the concerns of the society and open the market for genetically engineered horticulture crops, as is seen by higher sales of Hawaii-grown transgenic papaya in the USA. Also, this knowledge will help us in developing precise strategies for redesigning metabolic pathways so that desired levels of a particular phytonutrient (antioxidant) in crops are achieved.
Functional genomic approaches to understand the biological pathways underpinning intramuscular fat in beef.
Authors: Pannier L. , Hamill R. M. , Mullen A. M. , Sweeney T. 
Published: October 2011

Abstract
Meat quality traits, such as intramuscular fat level, have a heritable component and are quantitative in nature, being influenced by many genes of variable individual effects. The identification of the genetic variation associated with meat quality is an important step towards the improvement of meat quality in livestock selection programmes and meat management systems. Functional genomic approaches relate the static information of variation in genomic regions and individual genes with the dynamic interplay of gene expression pathways and biological processes. Therefore, through the application of functional genomic tools, researchers are gaining deeper insights into the biological pathways underpinning meat quality. Knowledge gained from these approaches can be beneficial in defining and optimizing management systems for quality, providing assurance of meat quality and in tailoring quality to suit market needs.
Intragenic vectors for plant transformation within gene pools.
Authors: Barrell P. J. , Jacobs J. M. E. , Baldwin S. J. , Conner A. J. 
Published: October 2011

Abstract

The design of vectors for plant transformation has recently progressed to the development of intragenic systems. This involves identifying plant-derived DNA sequences similar to important vector components. The most useful approach involves adjoining two fragments from plant genomes to form sequences that have the functional equivalence of vector elements such as: T-DNA borders for
Agrobacterium
-mediated transformation, bacterial origins of replication and bacterial selectable elements. Such DNA fragments have been identified from a wide range of plant species, suggesting that intragenic vectors can be constructed from the genome of any plant species. Intragenic vectors provide a mechanism for the well-defined genetic improvement of plants with the entire DNA destined for transfer originating from within the gene pool already available to plant breeders. In this manner, genes can be introgressed into elite cultivars in a single step without linkage drag and, most importantly, without the incorporation of foreign DNA. The resulting genetically modified (GM) plants are non-transgenic, although they are derived using the tools of molecular biology and plant transformation. The genetic makeup of the resulting plants is equivalent to minor rearrangements or micro-translocations that could theoretically arise through natural or induced rearrangements of the endogenous genome. Given the public concerns over the deployment of GM crops in agriculture, especially for food crops, intragenic vector systems offer a more socially acceptable and responsible way forward for genetic engineering. It may especially help us to alleviate some of the ethical issues associated with the transfer of DNA across wide taxonomic boundaries. Plants derived from the use of intragenic vectors raise important issues concerning the definition, regulation and testing of GM plants. This review critically evaluates the progress toward the development and use of intragenic vectors and the implications of their use for the genetic improvement of crops.
Growth Sensitivity of Corynespora cassiicola to Thiophanate-methyl, Iprodione, and Fludioxonil
Authors: Clark Justin S. , Blythe Eugene K. , Copes Warren E. , Windham Alan S. , Bost Steve C. , Windham Mark T. 
Published: October 2011

An African violet production facility has relied solely on thiophanate-methyl, a site-specific fungicide that possesses a high risk for pathogens to develop resistance, to manage a devastating Corynespora leaf spot problem. During a disease outbreak in September 2007, 325 isolates of C. cassiicola were collected and 40 isolates were randomly selected to determine the pathogen's sensitivity for mycelium growth on agar amended with various concentrations of thiophanate-methyl, iprodione, or fludioxonil. EC50 values, concentration resulting in a 50% reduction in mycelium growth, were determined and indicate a population that currently is sensitive to all three fungicides. Due to the high risk of the pathogen developing resistance to thiophanate-methyl and iprodione, a moderate risk for cross-sensitivity between iprodione and fludioxonil, and phytotoxicity and visual residue problems with protective fungicides such as chlorothalonil, a fungicide rotation is recommended with fludioxonil as the main chemical selection. Accepted for publication 22 July 2011. Published 26 September 2011.
Misleading results of likelihood‐based phylogenetic analyses in the presence of missing data
Authors: Simmons Mark P. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractThe amount of missing data in many contemporary phylogenetic analyses has substantially increased relative to previous norms, particularly in supermatrix studies that compile characters from multiple previous analyses. In such cases the missing data are non‐randomly distributed and usually present in all partitions (i.e. groups of characters) sampled. Parametric methods often provide greater resolution and support than parsimony in such cases, yet this may be caused by extrapolation of branch lengths from one partition to another. In this study I use contrived and simulated examples to demonstrate that likelihood, even when applied to simple matrices with little or no homoplasy, homogeneous evolution across groups of characters, perfect model fit, and hundreds or thousands of variable characters, can provide strong support for incorrect topologies when the matrices have non‐random distributions of missing data distributed across all partitions. I do so using a systematic exploration of alternative seven‐taxon tree topologies and distributions of missing data in two partitions to demonstrate that these likelihood‐based artefacts may occur frequently and are not shared by parsimony. I also demonstrate that Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo analysis is more robust to these artefacts than is likelihood.© The Willi Hennig Society 2011.
Growth, yield and nitrogen performance of faba bean intercrops with oat and triticale at varying seeding ratios
Authors: Dordas C. A. , Lithourgidis A. S. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractIntercropping of grain legumes with cereals may offer several advantages over sole crops for forage production and is commonly used, particularly in low‐input agriculture. Faba bean (Vicia faba L.), oat (Avena sativa L.) and triticale (×Triticosecale Wittmack) sole crops as well as the intercrops of faba bean with each of the above cereals, in three seeding ratios (75:25, 50:50 and 25:75), were compared for dry‐matter (DM) yield, nitrogen (N) concentration, chlorophyll content, growth rate and plant height in a 2‐year field experiment. Triticale sole crop and faba bean intercrops with triticale provided higher DM yield than faba bean sole crop and the intercrops of faba bean with oat. Growth rates of faba bean, oat and triticale in mixtures were lower than those in sole crops. Faba bean plants were taller in the intercrops than in the sole crop at 3 weeks after tillering (WAT), whereas at 6 WAT, the trend was different as faba bean plants in the sole crop were taller than in the intercrops. N concentration was higher for the cereals when faba bean was included in the mixture. Crude protein (CP) concentration was the highest in faba bean sole crop followed by the faba bean intercrops with oat. However, triticale sole crop and faba bean mixtures with triticale provided higher CP yield than all other crops because of their highest DM yield. Thus, mixtures of faba beans with triticale could be a promising alternative for increased forage production because of their capacity for high DM and protein yields.
Effects of sowing date and nitrogen fertilizer on forage yield, nitrogen‐ and water‐use efficiency and nutritive value of an annual triple‐crop complementary forage rotation
Authors: Islam M. R. , Garcia S. C. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractComplementary forage rotation (CFR) systems based on non‐limiting inputs of fertilizer nitrogen (N) (∼600 kg N ha−1) are perceived as uneconomic. An experiment was carried out in Australia to investigate the effects of rates and timing of N fertilizer and sowing date on yield, nutrient‐use efficiency and nutritive value of a triple‐crop (maize, forage rape, field peas) CFR system. Treatments were early‐ and late‐sown maize grown with 0 or 135 kg fertilizer N ha−1 pre‐sowing (N1) and 0, 79 or 158 kg N ha−1 post‐sowing (N2). Forage rape was sown with 0 or 230 kg N ha−1 (N3) and field peas without N. Application of fertilizer N at N1, N2 and N3 increased CFR yield from 28·5 to 48·8 t dry matter (DM) ha−1 and irrigation water‐use efficiency (IWUE) from 3·4 to 6·1 t DM per megalitre. Increase in yield and IWUE of CFR occurs at the expense of nitrogen‐use efficiency (NUE) as applications of N at N1, N2 and N3 decreased NUE of CFR from 524 to 91 kg DM kg−1 N. Nutritive value, particularly metabolizable energy content of all forages, was similar among N treatments, and interactions between treatments were minimal. Results indicate that increase in NUE of CFR may occur at the expense of reduced yield, but increased IWUE need not compromise the yield of this CFR system.
Upregulation of Polymeric Immunoglobulin Receptor Expression by the Heat‐Inactivated Potential Probiotic Bifidobacterium bifidum OLB6378 in a Mouse Intestinal Explant Model
Authors: Nakamura Y. , Terahara M. , Iwamoto T. , Yamada K. , Asano M. , Kakuta S. , Iwakura Y. , Totsuka M. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractWe determined whether a potential probiotic bacterium, Bifidobacterium bifidum OLB6378 (BB6378), exerts beneficial effects on the mucosal immune system in a mouse intestinal explant model. The addition of heat‐inactivated BB6378 to intestinal explants prepared from embryonic day 18 BALB/c mice increased the expression of polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (pIgR) mRNA by two‐ to fivefold. These effects were observed on ileal and colonic explants but not on jejunal explants, suggesting that the BB6378‐induced pIgR upregulation is site‐specific within the mouse intestine. The upregulation of pIgR protein expression in colonic explants was also detected after 24 h of culture. The results of DNA microarray analysis of ileal and colonic samples indicated that BB6378 increased the gene expression of interleukin (IL)‐1α and IL‐1β, and IL‐1α content in colonic explants was significantly increased after 20 h of culture with BB6378. We then examined the involvement of endogenously induced IL‐1α in pIgR mRNA upregulation by using IL‐1α knockout (KO) mice. Contrary to our expectations, pIgR mRNA expression was equally upregulated by BB6378 in colonic explants from BALB/c and IL‐1α KO mice. Conversely, we examined the involvement of Toll‐like receptors in pIgR mRNA upregulation by using MyD88 KO mice. The upregulation of pIgR was completely suppressed in the explants derived from MyD88 KO mice. Taken together, we conclude that in a mouse intestinal explant model, the heat‐inactivated potential probiotic BB6378 increases intestinal pIgR expression in a site‐specific manner and that the upregulation of pIgR could be explained by a direct microbial effect on the epithelium via Toll‐like receptors.
[18F]fallypride PET measurement of striatal and extrastriatal dopamine D2/3 receptor availability in recently abstinent alcoholics
Authors: Rominger Axel , Cumming Paul , Xiong Guoming , Koller Gabriele , Böning Guido , Wulff Melanie , Zwergal Andreas , Förster Stefan , Reilhac Anthonin , Munk Ole , Soyka Michael , Wängler Björn , Bartenstein Peter , la Fougère Christian , Pogarell Oliver 
Published: October 2011

ABSTRACTPositron emission tomography (PET) shows reduced binding of the dopamine D2/3 antagonist [11C]raclopride in striatum of withdrawn psychostimulant abusers, but not consistently in patients with alcohol dependence (AD). We make first use of the high affinity ligand [18F]fallypride to obtain serial measures of D2/3 receptor availability in striatal and extrastriatal regions of AD patients undergoing detoxification. Seventeen patients (mean age 44 ± 5y) with AD and 14 age‐matched healthy volunteers participated. Each patient underwent [18F]fallypride PET upon hospital admission, and again 1–2 weeks later; two patients achieving abstinence, and two with substantial harm reduction had additional PET follow‐up at 1 year. Dynamic 180‐minute PET recordings were used for volume of interest (VOI)‐based and voxel‐wise analysis of [18F]fallypride binding potential (BPND). Mean baseline BPND in striatum of the AD patients (15.7 ± 3.6) was unaltered during short‐term follow‐up, and did not differ from that in healthy controls (16.8 ± 3.0); however, BPND was 10–20% lower in thalamus, hippocampus, and insular and temporal cortex of the AD patients (P < 0.05). Age‐dependent declines in BPND were very small in controls, but more pronounced and widespread in the AD group. Striatal and thalamic BPND increased by 30% in four patients with long‐term abstinence or reduced alcohol consumption. VOI‐based [18F]fallypride PET analyses revealed group differences in D2/3 receptor availability primarily in extra‐striatal regions. Age‐related loss of dopamine D2/3 receptors was more pronounced in AD patients. Receptor availability was unaltered by acute withdrawal, but increased in the subgroup of patients with long‐term follow‐up, suggesting reversibility of receptor changes.
Tetrathyridiosis and Tubulopapillary Carcinoma Occurring Simultaneously in the Mammary Gland of a Cat
Authors: Avci H , Toplu N 
Published: October 2011

ContentsThis report describes a case of tubulopapillary carcinoma and concomitant tetrathyridiosis in a 5‐year‐old female cross‐breed cat. A mass was located at right inguinal mammary gland and measured 5.5 × 5 × 3 cm in size with multilobulated to solid appearance. The cut surface of the mass had a centrally located large cyst (approximately 3 cm in diameter) surrounded by other smaller cysts. Histologically, the mass was diagnosed as tubulopapillary mammary carcinoma, intensely positive for AE1/AE3 cytokeratins. The cyst found at post‐mortem examination was tetrathyridia of Mesocestoides species surrounded by inflammatory cells and a loose fibrous capsule. To the authors’ best knowledge, this is the first description of a tubulopapillary carcinoma and tetrathyridiosis found simultaneously in the mammary gland of a cat.
Animal‐Level Factors Affecting Ovarian Function in Bos indicus Heifers Treated to Synchronize Ovulation with Intravaginal Progesterone‐Releasing Devices and Oestradiol Benzoate
Authors: Butler SAA , Phillips NJ , Boe‐Hansen GB , Bo GA , Burns BM , Dawson K , McGowan MR 
Published: October 2011

ContentsThe primary objective of this study was to investigate the impact of animal‐level factors including energy balance and environmental/management stress, on the ovarian function of Bos indicus heifers treated to synchronize ovulation. Two‐year‐old Brahman (BN) (n = 30) and BN‐cross (n = 34) heifers were randomly allocated to three intravaginal progesterone‐releasing device (IPRD) treatment groups: (i) standard‐dose IPRD [Cue‐Mate® (CM) 1.56 g; n = 17]; (ii) half‐dose IPRD [0.78 g progesterone (P4); CM 0.78 g; n = 15]; (iii) half‐dose IPRD + 300 IU equine chorionic gonadotrophin at IPRD removal (CM 0.78 g + G; n = 14); (iv) and a control group, 2× PGF2α [500 μg prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α)] on Day −16 and −2 (n = 18). Intravaginal progesterone‐releasing device‐treated heifers received 250 μg PGF2α at IPRD insertion (Day −10) and IPRD removal (Day −2) and 1 mg oestradiol benzoate on Day −10 and −1. Heifers were managed in a small feedlot and fed a defined ration. Ovarian function was evaluated by ultrasonography and plasma P4 throughout the synchronized and return cycles. Energy balance was evaluated using plasma insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF‐I) and glucose concentrations. The impact of environmental stressors was evaluated using plasma cortisol concentration. Heifers that had normal ovarian function had significantly higher IGF‐I concentrations at commencement of the experiment (p = 0.008) and significantly higher plasma glucose concentrations at Day −2 (p = 0.040) and Day 4 (p = 0.043), than heifers with abnormal ovarian function. There was no difference between the mean pre‐ovulatory cortisol concentrations of heifers that ovulated or did not ovulate. However, heifers that ovulated had higher cortisol concentrations at Day 4 (p = 0.056) and 6 (p = 0.026) after ovulation than heifers that did not ovulate.
Effect of Incorporation of Additives in Tris‐Based Egg Yolk Extender on Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) Sperm Tyrosine Phosphorylation During Cryopreservation
Authors: Kumar R , Atreja SK 
Published: October 2011

ContentsPhosphorylation of tyrosine residues on sperm protein is a known indicator of capacitation and a major intracellular signalling event. There is evidence that sperm cryopreservation promotes tyrosine phosphorylation and is associated with reduced fertility of spermatozoa. Under this study, cryoprotective role of different additives namely taurine, trehalose, catalase and 4‐bromophenacyl bromide on buffalo sperm quality was evaluated. Buffalo semen was cryopreserved in tris‐based egg yolk extender supplemented with additives like taurine (50 mm) or trehalose (100 mm) or 4‐bromophenacyl bromide (200 μm) or catalase (100 U/ml) and used for assessment of levels of tyrosine phosphorylation in frozen‐thawed spermatozoa. The results obtained were compared with the level of protein tyrosine phosphorylation of semen cryopreserved in tris‐based egg yolk extender without additives. Proteins were extracted from a total number of nine ejaculates from three individual buffalo bulls chosen at random and analysed for tyrosine phospho‐proteins using SDS–PAGE followed by immunoblotting. Monoclonal anti‐phosphotyrosine antibody (Clone pT‐154) was used as primary antibody followed by treatment with HRP‐conjugated secondary antibody. Signals were detected on X‐ray film using chemiluminescence. Nine proteins (p20, p30, p32, p38, p49, p56, p59, p72 and p86) were found to be tyrosine phosphorylated in cryopreserved spermatozoa. Supplementation of additives significantly (p<0.05) reduced the level of protein tyrosine phosphorylation in spermatozoa. Moreover, this study showed improved (p<0.05) post‐thaw motility, viability and membrane integrity of spermatozoa on addition of these additives. The results obtained clearly indicate reduced level of capacitation like changes on supplementation of additives in terms of protein tyrosine phosphorylation.
Molecular phylogeny of Potamotrygonocotyle (Monogenea, Monocotylidae) challenges the validity of some of its species
Authors: Fehlauer‐Ale Karin H. , Littlewood D. Timothy J. 
Published: October 2011

Fehlauer‐Ale, K. H. & Littlewood, D. T. J. (2011). Molecular phylogeny of Potamotrygonocotyle (Monogenea, Monocotylidae) challenges the validity of some of its species. —Zoologica Scripta, 40, 638–658.The marine‐derived stingrays Potamotrygonidae are the only chondrichthyans landlocked to freshwaters of Central and South America. The family includes approximately 22 described species organized in four genera widely distributed across the main Atlantic and Caribbean continental drainages. Investigations into the parasite fauna of potamotrygonids have mainly focused on cestodes, with a few studies addressing the biodiversity of monogeneans. Potamotrygonocotyle (Monogenea, Monocotylidae) is composed of 12 species, exclusively found in the gills of species of Potamotrygonidae. This study presents molecular phylogenetic analyses of this group of monogeneans distributed throughout La Plata and Amazonas basins, with the purpose of readdressing the phylogeny of Monocotylidae based on 28S rDNA sequences and of unravelling the phylogeny of its species using data from mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit I and nuclear gene internal transcribed spacer 1. The phylogenetic status of the five tested monocotylid subfamilies and most of their internal relationships are concordant with the results of a previous study, and the monophyletic status of Potamotrygonocotyle based on molecular data is corroborated for the first time. However, the placement of the genus within Monocotylidae is not resolved, as its sister‐group relationship with Neoheterocotyle and Troglocephalus is uncertain. Investigations into the relationships within Potamotrygonocotyle support the monophyletic status of nine nominal species and suggest the existence of cryptic lineages for the remaining three. Molecular analyses reveal distinct sister‐groups relationships in comparison with a previously published phylogeny for the genus based on morphological data. Finally, the surveys of this study expand the known distribution range of some members of Potamotrygonocotyle.