bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
First Report of Gymnosporangium sabinae, European Pear Rust, on Bradford Pear in Michigan
Authors: Yun H. Y. , Rossman A. Y. , Byrne J. 
Published: July 2009

Bradford pear, Pyrus calleryana Decne., is well known as an ornamental plant for its flowers, leaf color in fall, and disease resistance, making it desirable as a street tree. In August and October of 2008, the aecial stage of Gymnosporangium sabinae (Dicks.) G. Winter was collected from leaves of P. calleryana in Farmington, MI (Oakland County). The one tree had foliage that was severely affected by the rust fungus. Using published descriptions of G. sabinae as the synonym of G. fuscum, type of the genus Gymnosporangium (1–4), the Michigan specimen was identified and confirmed by comparison with previously reported European and U.S. specimens (BPI 118736 and BPI 856578). The diagnostic characteristics of G. sabinae include: spermagonia epiphyllous; aecia hypophyllous, roestelioid, 3 to 6 mm high; peridium balanoid (acorn shaped), becoming elongated at maturity, pale yellow, sides opening with lateral slits but remaining attached at light brown, pointed apex; peridial cells elongated, 51 to 68 μm long, outer walls smooth, inner walls and side walls sparsely echinulate; aeciospores globose to broadly ellipsoid, somewhat angular, surface slightly coronate, 22 to 32 × 22 to 36 μm, walls orange, 3.5 to 5.5 μm thick. This species is distinguished from other species of Gymnosporangium on Pyrus by the balanoid (acorn-shaped) peridium and the late season maturation of the aecial stage (4). Telia and teliospores of G. sabinae are produced on the alternate host, various species of Juniperus sect. Sabinae, but were not observed in Michigan. The specimen from Michigan is deposited in the U.S. National Fungus Collections (BPI 878928). G. sabinae is widely distributed in Europe, extending to Asia and North Africa, but is rarely reported in North America. It was accidentally introduced into California in the aecial stage on P. communis L. and the telial stage on Juniperus chinensis L. (2), as well as introduced into Canada (British Columbia) (3,4). The only previous report of G. sabinae on P. calleryana is in Germany (1). G. sabinae is known to attack commercial pear and ornamental juniper plants in Europe, thus it seems important to prevent the further spread of this fungus in North America. References: (1) U. Braun. Feddes Repert. Beih. 93:213, 1982. (2) G. Laundon. Mycotaxon 3:133, 1975. (3) A. H. McCain and D. Y. Rosenberg. Calif. Dep. Agric. Bull. 50:13, 1961. (4) J. A. Parmelee. Fungi Canadensis No. 43. Gymnosporangium fuscum, 1974.
Recurrent torsades de pointes in association with a very low calorie diet
Authors: Crawford E‐J. T. , Cochran D. 
Published: July 2009

SummaryThe use of very low calorie diets under medical supervision is becoming increasingly popular in the UK, as the incidence of obesity continues to rise. We report the case of torsades de pointes developing during such a diet. Torsades de pointes has been reported in association with very low calorie diets in the past but to our knowledge, this is the first report since the introduction of newer, nutritionally complete versions of the diet. We review the intensive care management of recurrent torsades de pointes resistant to standard therapy and its relationship to dieting and obesity.
Central nervous system effects of alcohol at a pseudo‐steady‐state concentration using alcohol clamping in healthy volunteers
Authors: Zoethout Remco W. M. , Schoemaker Rik C. , Zuurman Lineke , Van Pelt Hans , Dahan Albert , Cohen Adam F. , Van Gerven Joop M. A. 
Published: July 2009

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT • The acute effects of alcohol are often studied after oral administration, and alcohol exposure is controlled by adaptation of the dose to weight, and sometimes to sex or demographic variables.• Measurements of the alcohol effects are usually performed at fixed time intervals after intake.• In only a few studies has alcohol been administered intravenously to by‐pass the variability in absorption, but plasma levels often vary after administration and efforts to maintain constant levels are rare. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS • The pharmacodynamic central nervous system (CNS) effects of alcohol or drug–alcohol interactions can be more accurately investigated if alcohol is administered intravenously and alcohol levels are kept within tightly controlled limits.• In the current study we introduce a clamping procedure to study the acute effects of a constant alcohol level of 0.6 g l−1 for 5 h on a wide range of CNS domains.• The obtained pseudo‐steady‐state levels with very little inter‐ and intravariability allow the separation of concentration‐ and time‐dependent changes in alcohol effects.AIMIn determining the acute effects of alcohol, it is helpful if alcohol concentrations are maintained at stable levels, to facilitate the interpretation of the results. Recently, an alcohol clamping method was developed that resulted in stable alcohol concentrations for hours. The aim of this study was to test a range of central nervous system (CNS) effects under pseudo‐steady‐state conditions.METHODSTo achieve a pseudo‐steady state of 0.6 g l−1, breath alcohol concentrations (BrAC) were frequently measured and fed back into a spreadsheet‐based program to guide intravenous dosing. CNS effects were frequently measured throughout the clamp.RESULTSThe clamping paradigm resulted in a pseudo‐steady‐state BrAC of 0.61 g l−1 (coefficient of variation 6.2%). A plateau was maintained from 25 to 300 min and caused significant effects on smooth pursuit eye movements [−9.7%, 95% confidence interval (CI) −12.4, −7.1], adaptive tracking (−3.4%, 95% CI −4.5, −2.2), visual analogue scale (VAS) alertness (−13 mm, 95% CI −20, −6), VAS alcohol effects (16 mm, 95% CI 7, 25) and body sway (21.3%, 95% CI 1.8, 45). Some effects (like smooth pursuit eye movements) closely followed the relatively stable alcohol concentrations, whereas others (such as body sway and VAS alcohol effects) fluctuated during the plateau phase.CONCLUSIONSMost CNS effects of alcohol showed a trend to change over time, despite stable concentrations. Other variables remained stable under pseudo‐steady‐state conditions. The intravenous clamping method provides precise control over BrAC levels and allows frequent repetition of different CNS measurements. These features make this technique eminently suitable to study the complex pharmacodynamic effects of acute alcohol administration.
Increased erythropoiesis of β‐thalassaemia/Hb E proerythroblasts is mediated by high basal levels of ERK1/2 activation
Authors: Wannatung Tirawat , Lithanatudom Pathrapol , Leecharoenkiat Amporn , Svasti Saovaros , Fucharoen Suthat , Smith Duncan R. 
Published: July 2009

Summaryβ‐thalassaemia is one of the most common inherited anaemias, arising from a partial or complete loss of β‐globin chain synthesis. In severe cases, marked bone marrow erythroid hyperplasia, believed to result from erythropoietin (EPO)‐mediated feedback from the anaemic condition is common, however, as yet, no study has investigated EPO‐mediated signal transduction in thalassaemic erythroid cells. Using proerythroblasts generated from peripheral blood circulating CD34+ haematopoietic progenitor cells, the activation of the mitogen‐activated protein kinase/extracellular signal‐regulated kinases (MAPK/ERKs) pathway was examined under conditions of steady state growth, cytokine deprivation and post‐EPO stimulation. Levels of cellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and Ca2+ were determined as was the degree of erythroid expansion. A significantly higher basal level of phosphorylation of ERK1/2 was observed in β‐thalassaemia/Hb E proerythroblasts as compared to normal controls, which was coupled with significantly higher levels of both cAMP and Ca2+. Modulation of either cAMP or Ca2+ or direct inhibition of MAPK/ERK kinase (MEK) reduced basal levels of ERK1/2 phosphorylation, as well as significantly reducing the level of erythroid expansion. These results suggest that, in contrast to current models, hyper proliferation of β‐thalassaemia/Hb E proerythroblasts is an intrinsic process driven by higher basal levels of ERK1/2 phosphorylation resulting from deregulation of levels of cAMP and Ca2+.
Differential Gene Expression in CD45+ Cells at Para‐aortic Foci Stage of Chicken Haematopoiesis
Authors: Säynäjäkangas R. , Uchida T. , Vainio O. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractPara‐aortic foci of chicken embryos at 6–7 days of development are considered to provide a microenvironment for haematopoietic stem cell proliferation and initial differentiation similar to that of fetal liver in mammals. Here, we have investigated the genes involved in this process by constructing and analysing a subtractive cDNA library from CD45+ cells in para‐aortic region. Among 394 analysed clones 99 distinct genes were identified by sequence homology search. Classification of the identified genes according to biological processes revealed that innate immunity‐related genes are highly expressed at this stage. This can be explained by the presence of yolk sac‐derived macrophages in the original tissue sample but also by the indiscriminate expression of multiple lineage‐specific genes in haematopoietic stem cells and primitive progenitors. Differentially expressed genes related to transcription, signalling and lymphocyte functions are potential candidates involved in lineage commitment.
Extracellular ATP is a regulator of pathogen defence in plants
Authors: Chivasa Stephen , Murphy Alex M. , Hamilton John M. , Lindsey Keith , Carr John P. , Slabas Antoni R. 
Published: July 2009

SummaryIn healthy plants extracellular ATP (eATP) regulates the balance between cell viability and death. Here we show an unexpected critical regulatory role of eATP in disease resistance and defensive signalling. In tobacco, enzymatic depletion of eATP or competition with non‐hydrolysable ATP analogues induced pathogenesis‐related (PR) gene expression and enhanced resistance to tobacco mosaic virus and Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci. Artificially increasing eATP concentrations triggered a drop in levels of the important defensive signal chemical salicylic acid (SA) and compromised basal resistance to viral and bacterial infection. Inoculating tobacco leaf tissues with bacterial pathogens capable of activating PR gene expression triggered a rapid decline in eATP. Conversely, inoculations with mutant bacteria unable to induce defence gene expression failed to deplete eATP. Furthermore, a collapse in eATP concentration immediately preceded PR gene induction by SA. Our study reveals a previously unsuspected role for eATP as a negative regulator of defensive signal transduction and demonstrates its importance as a key signal integrating defence and cell viability in plants.
Cutin deficiency in the tomato fruit cuticle consistently affects resistance to microbial infection and biomechanical properties, but not transpirational water loss
Authors: Isaacson Tal , Kosma Dylan K. , Matas Antonio J. , Buda Gregory J. , He Yonghua , Yu Bingwu , Pravitasari Arika , Batteas James D. , Stark Ruth E. , Jenks Matthew A. , Rose Jocelyn K. C. 
Published: July 2009

SummaryPlant cuticles are broadly composed of two major components: polymeric cutin and a mixture of waxes, which infiltrate the cutin matrix and also accumulate on the surface, forming an epicuticular layer. Although cuticles are thought to play a number of important physiological roles, with the most important being to restrict water loss from aerial plant organs, the relative contributions of cutin and waxes to cuticle function are still not well understood. Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) fruits provide an attractive experimental system to address this question as, unlike other model plants such as Arabidopsis, they have a relatively thick astomatous cuticle, providing a poreless uniform material that is easy to isolate and handle. We identified three tomato mutants, cutin deficient 1 (cd1), cd2 and cd3, the fruit cuticles of which have a dramatic (95–98%) reduction in cutin content and substantially altered, but distinctly different, architectures. This cutin deficiency resulted in an increase in cuticle surface stiffness, and in the proportions of both hydrophilic and multiply bonded polymeric constituents. Furthermore, our data suggested that there is no correlation between the amount of cutin and the permeability of the cuticle to water, but that cutin plays an important role in protecting tissues from microbial infection. The three cd mutations were mapped to different loci, and the cloning of CD2 revealed it to encode a homeodomain protein, which we propose acts as a key regulator of cutin biosynthesis in tomato fruit.
Ultrastructural Study of the Canine Zona Pellucida Surface During In Vitro Maturation
Authors: De los Reyes M , Hetz J , Palomino J 
Published: July 2009

ContentsThe aim of the present study was to compare the ultrastructure of the surface of the zona pellucida (ZP) of immature and in vitro matured dog oocytes using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Bitch oocytes were collected after ovariohysterectomy; the ovaries were sliced and the released cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) were washed with phosphate buffered saline (PBS). The selected COCs were randomly allocated into three groups, two groups were processed after in vitro maturation at both 72 and 96 h and a third group was processed immediately at immature state in PBS medium. After that, oocytes were fixed, critical point dried and viewed by using SEM. The diameters of the outer holes of the ZP were measured on a total of 93 oocytes; the results were analyzed with anova. The mean diameters of holes were different between groups (p < 0.05): 0.69 ± 0.12, 1.56 ± 0.19 and 1.42 ± 0.27 μm, for immature and in vitro matured oocytes for 72 and 96 h, respectively. The difference in the hole sizes between immature and in vitro matured canine oocytes indicates that the ZP surface is related to oocyte maturity in canines.
Induction of Parturition with Aglepristone in Various Sized Bitches of Different Breeds.
Authors: Fontbonne A , Fontaine E , Lévy X , Bachellerie R , Bernex F , Atam‐Kassigadou S , Guffroy M , Leblond E , Briant E 
Published: July 2009

ContentsThe objective of this study was to confirm in various breeds of dogs the efficacy and safety of a parturition induction treatment described to be successful in Beagle dogs. Parturition was induced in seven various sized pregnant bitches of different breeds, with 15 mg aglepristone per kg at day 59–61 post‐estimated ovulation day, followed 24 h later by 0.15 IU oxytocin per kg subcutaneous injections every 2 h. Two bitches were small‐sized bitches (<10 kg), three bitches were large‐sized bitches (30–40 kg) and two bitches were giant bitches (>40 kg). The results were compared to a control group (n = 6), in which bitches underwent a natural delivery in the same environmental conditions as the induced group. In the induced group, parturition was successfully induced in 7/7 bitches. The first pup in a litter was born on average 25.9 ± 3.29 h after aglepristone administration (21–30 h). Two of seven bitches from the small‐sized group delivered some of their pups before the first administration of oxytocin. The mean duration of parturition was 9.6 ± 5.4 h vs 8.0 ± 4.8 h in the control group. The mean interval between two successive pups being delivered was 115.6 ± 82.8 min (34–265) vs 68.8 ± 24.5 min in the control group (p < 0.03). The mean weight at parturition did not differ significantly between the two groups. One litter of four Yorkshire Terrier pups in the induced group were premature at the time of birth and died between 19 and 29 h post‐delivery. This study, although on a very limited number of dogs, confirms the efficacy of the aglepristone/oxytocin protocol to induce parturition in dogs.
Controlled Delivery of a GnRH Agonist by a Silastic Implant (Gonazon) Results in Long‐Term Contraception in Queens
Authors: Rubion S , Driancourt MA 
Published: July 2009

ContentsMany female cats are spayed to prevent problems associated with calling and unwanted pregnancies. This study describes the safety and efficacy of an alternative approach, using an azagly‐nafarelin containing implant (Gonazon) inserted subcutaneously in the neck of six treated queens for 3 years. These six queens together with six controls were permanently housed with vasectomized tom cats, and changes in progesterone concentrations were used to document the contraceptive efficacy of Gonazon. All six control queens ovulated regularly throughout the treatment period (3 years), as shown by regular changes in progesterone concentration. Sixteen ovulatory cycles were observed in each control throughout the study. In Gonazon treated queens, during the week following implant placement, two queens displayed a treatment‐induced rise in progesterone concentration. Later on, all treated queens continuously displayed low progesterone concentrations until 3 years post‐implant insertion, with the exception of a single isolated episode (at approximately 2.5 years of treatment), of follicular luteinization in two queens. In all queens, azagly‐nafarelin concentrations peaked in the week following implant insertion remained high for 1 month and later decreased slowly. After 2.5 years of treatment, azagly‐nafarelin concentrations were still greater than 150 pg/ml in 3/6 queens. During a 6‐month long extension of the study (36–42 months post‐treatment), all queens (treated and controls) were run with intact tom cats. None of them conceived. Following autopsy, ovarian weight and diameter of the uterine horns of 3/6 treated queens were shown to be similar to those of the controls. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that Gonazon efficiently prevented ovulation in queens (100%) for 3 years. Return to fertile heat was not observed towards the end of treatment. However, in half of the treated queens, reversibility of the treatment induced effects on the genital tract was demonstrated.
Pulmonary Maturation in Canine Foetuses From Early Pregnancy to Parturition
Authors: Sipriani TM , Grandi F , Da Silva LCG , Maiorka PC , Vannucchi CI 
Published: July 2009

ContentsDevelopment of the foetal respiratory system includes both pulmonary growth and maturation. In human medicine, a higher incidence of respiratory distress is reported in newborn males. This study aimed to identify different phases of canine foetal lung maturation throughout pregnancy, to determine the stage of pregnancy in which surfactant production begins and to compare pulmonary development of male and female foetuses. Pregnant bitches (34) were subjected to elective ovariohysterectomy and allocated into four groups, according to the stage of pregnancy: 30–40 days of pregnancy (n = 10), 41–50 days (n = 10), 51–60 days (n = 10) and bitches in the first stage of parturition (n = 4). Foetal lungs were histologically processed and evaluated by optical microscopy. The pseudoglandular phase was identified between the 35th day and 46th day of gestation; the onset of canalicular and saccular periods was observed, respectively, from the 48th day and 60th day of pregnancy. Lungs from foetuses at term were in the saccular phase; thus, the development into the alveolar period occurs in the neonatal period. The histological analyses revealed that respiratory tract development is centrifugal, from upper to lower airways. Therefore, it is possible to identify distinct development periods in different portions of the same organ. In conclusion, the saccular phase of lung development begins around 57 and 60 days of pregnancy, the period in which surfactant production is believed to occur. Male and female foetuses present similar pulmonary development from early pregnancy until parturition.
Relationship Between Motility and Mitochondrial Functional Status in Canine Spermatozoa
Authors: Volpe S , Leoci R , Aiudi G , Lacalandra GM 
Published: July 2009

ContentsInner mitochondrial membrane potential (IMM) is considered a sensitive indicator for the energetic status and motility of spermatozoa. The relationship between sperm motility parameters evaluated by Computer Assisted Sperm motility Analyzer and plasma membrane integrity and IMM assessed by triple staining (PI/SYBR‐14 and JC‐1) was evaluated in 10 dogs of unknown fertility. Sperm motility showed large variations ranging from 10% to 98%. Proportion of viable sperm cells and of spermatozoa with high IMM ranged from 74% to 99% and from 53% to 87%, respectively. The presence of a high IMM assessed by JC‐1 was more strongly correlated to sperm viability (r = 1) than to sperm motility (r = 0.778). Our results indicate that JC‐1 is suitable for detection of IMM changes in canine spermatozoa, but it should always be associated with an objective motility analysis to avoid incorrect evaluation of potential sperm fertility. Ejaculates with a low motility rate showed an unexpectedly high proportion of sperm with high IMM, suggesting that mitochondrial respiration could not be sufficient to support sperm motility, although it may be important for sperm survival in the female genital tract.
Competency in laparoscopic colorectal surgery is achievable with appropriate training but takes time: a comparison of 300 elective resections with anastomosis
Authors: Dalton S. J. , Ghosh A. J. , Zafar N. , Riyad K. , Dixon A. R. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractAim  The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to compare outcomes in patients who underwent elective laparoscopic colorectal resection with anastomosis performed by a single surgeon or his training fellow.Method  A prospective electronic database of all laparoscopic procedures between January 2005 and September 2008 was used. Two groups were compared; those patients operated upon by the Consultant trainer (C) and those by seven supervised Fellows (F). Fellows were either post CCT or in their last year of training. Three hundred consecutive patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal resection with anastomosis were examined, 150 in each group. Groups were matched for indication, age, American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) grade, cancer T stage and resection performed. Preoperative work‐up, operative surgery and anaesthesia were identical between groups.Results  No significant difference was demonstrated in age, mean 67 (26–91) or ASA grade. Indications for surgery were; cancer (C) 120, (F) 126, diverticular disease (C) 22, (F) 20, Crohn’s disease (C) 8, (F) 7. Fellow’s mean operative time was significantly longer at 123 min (95%CI 117–134) compared to the consultant trainer −105 min. (95%CI 98–111): P < 0.01). No significant differences in the complication or conversion rates were demonstrated. Length of stay and the 30‐day readmission rates were similar.Conclusion  In this retrospective cohort study we have demonstrate that when matched patients are compared, supervised trainee operating time is significantly longer than that of the consultant trainer but without any significant increase in length of stay, complication or readmission rates. Training to a level of competency takes time but not at the expense of patient care.