bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Identification of genes for resistance to a Digitaria isolate of Magnaporthe grisea in common wheat cultivars
Authors: Nga N. T.T. , Hau V. T.B. , Tosa Y. 
Published: November 2009

Common wheat cultivars are resistant to Magnaporthe grisea , a crabgrass ( Digitaria sanguinalis )-specific species of the blast fungus. To dissect the genetic basis of this “nonhost” type of resistance, we need an exceptional cultivar that is susceptible to M. grisea. A screening under various conditions revealed that Triticum aestivum ‘Chinese Spring’ (CS) was susceptible to M. grisea isolate Dig41 when incubated at high temperature (26 °C) after inoculation. By contrast, T. aestivum ‘P168’, ‘Shin-chunaga’ (Sch), ‘Norin 4’ (N4), ‘Norin 26’ (N26), ‘Norin 29’ (N29), ‘Red Egyptian’ (RE), and ‘Salmon’ (Slm) and Triticum compactum ‘No. 44’ (Cmp) were highly resistant even at the high temperature. When F2 seedlings derived from crosses between the resistant cultivars and CS were inoculated with Dig41, they segregated in a 3:1 ratio of resistant to susceptible, suggesting that the resistance of each cultivar is controlled by one major gene. Crosses of N4 with P168, Sch, N26, N29, and Cmp yielded no susceptible F2 seedlings, suggesting that these six cultivars share the same gene. Similarly, a cross between RE and Slm yielded no susceptible F2 seedlings, suggesting that these two cultivars share the same gene. On the other hand, crosses between the N4 group and the RE group produced resistant and susceptible seedlings in a 15:1 ratio, indicating that these two groups carry different genes inherited independently. The gene in N4 was located on chromosome 4A by a monosomic analysis and designated Rmg4, while the gene in RE was located on chromosome 6D using a series of chromosome substitution lines and designated Rmg5. These results suggest that the resistance of common wheat to M. grisea, an inappropriate species of the blast fungus, is under a simple genetic control.
Molecular, morphological, and cytological analysis of diverseBrachypodium distachyoninbred lines
Authors: Filiz E. , Ozdemir B. S. , Budak F. , Vogel J. P. , Tuna M. , Budak H. 
Published: November 2009

Brachypodium distachyon (brachypodium) is a small grass with the biological and genomic attributes necessary to serve as a model system for all grasses including small grains and grasses being developed as energy crops (e.g., switchgrass and Miscanthus ). To add natural variation to the toolkit available to plant biologists using brachypodium as a model system, it is imperative to establish extensive, well-characterized germplasm collections. The objectives of this study were to collect brachypodium accessions from throughout Turkey and then characterize the molecular (nuclear and organelle genome), morphological, and cytological variation within the collection. We collected 164 lines from 45 diverse geographic regions of Turkey and created 146 inbred lines. The majority of this material (116 of 146 inbred lines) was diploid. The similarity matrix for the diploid lines based on AFLP analysis indicated extensive diversity, with genetic distances ranging from 0.05 to 0.78. Organelle genome diversity, on the other hand, was low both among and within the lines used in this study. The geographic distribution of genotypes was not significantly correlated with either nuclear or organelle genome variation for the genotypes studied. Phenotypic characterization of the lines showed extensive variation in flowering time (7–22 weeks), seed production (4–193 seeds/plant), and biomass (15–77 g). Chromosome morphology of the collected brachypodium accessions varied from submetacentric to metacentric, except for chromosome 5, which was acrocentric. The diverse brachypodium lines developed in this study will allow experimental approaches dependent upon natural variation to be applied to this new model grass. These results will also help efforts to have a better understanding of complex large genomes (i.e., wheat, barley, and switchgrass).
A new genetic linkage map of tomato based on aSolanum lycopersicum ×S. pimpinellifoliumRIL population displaying locations of candidate pathogen response genes
Authors: Ashrafi Hamid , Kinkade Matthew , Foolad Majid R. 
Published: November 2009

The narrow genetic base of the cultivated tomato, Solanum lycopersicum L., necessitates introgression of new variation from related species. Wild tomato species represent a rich source of useful genes and traits. Exploitation of genetic variation within wild species can be facilitated by the use of molecular markers and genetic maps. Recently we identified an accession (LA2093) within the red-fruited wild tomato species Solanum pimpinellifolium L. with exceptionally desirable characteristics, including disease resistance, abiotic stress tolerance, and high fruit lycopene content. To facilitate genetic characterization of such traits and their exploitation in tomato crop improvement, we developed a new recombinant inbred line (RIL) population from a cross between LA2093 and an advanced tomato breeding line (NCEBR-1). Furthermore, we constructed a medium-density molecular linkage map of this population using 294 polymorphic markers, including standard RFLPs, EST sequences (used as RFLP probes), CAPS, and SSRs. The map spanned 1091 cM of the tomato genome with an average marker spacing of 3.7 cM. A majority of the EST sequences, which were mainly chosen based on the putative role of their unigenes in disease resistance, defense-related response, or fruit quality, were mapped onto the tomato chromosomes for the first time. Co-localizations of relevant EST sequences with known disease resistance genes in tomato were also examined. This map will facilitate identification, genetic exploitation, and positional cloning of important genes or quantitative trait loci in LA2093. It also will allow the elucidation of the molecular mechanism(s) underlying important traits segregating in the RIL population. The map may further facilitate characterization and exploitation of genetic variation in other S. pimpinellifolium accessions as well as in modern cultivars of tomato.
Identifying commercially relevantEchinaceaspecies by AFLP molecular markers
Authors: Russi Luigi , Moretti Chiaraluce , Raggi Lorenzo , Albertini Emidio , Falistocco Egizia 
Published: November 2009

The rising interest in medicinal plants has brought several species of the genus Echinacea to the attention of many scientists. Echinacea angustifolia , E. pallida , and E. purpurea are the most important for their immunological properties, well known and widely used by the native Americans. The three species are easily distinguishable on the basis of their morphological characteristics, but it would be difficult, if not impossible, to distinguish them in commercial preparations of ground, dry plant parts of E. purpurea (the most valuable species for chemotherapeutic properties) mixed with the other two species. Species-specific molecular markers could be useful to address this issue. In the present work, using fresh material collected from cultivated Echinacea spp., AFLP analysis was used to discriminate the three species and to detect species-specific DNA fragments. By using 14 primer combinations it was possible to detect a total of 994 fragments, of which 565 were polymorphic. Overall, 89 fragments were unique to E. purpurea, 32 to E. angustifolia, and 26 to E. pallida. E+CAC/M+AAT or E+CAC/M+AGC alone provided 13, 9, and 4 or 7, 5, and 5 specific fragments for E. purpurea, E. angustifolia, and E. pallida, respectively. A validation trial to confirm the results was carried out on bulked samples of 23 accessions covering most of the genetic diversity of the three species. The results are discussed in terms of practical applications in the field of popular medicine, detecting frauds, and implications for the genus Echinacea.
Modifiers ofPrat, a de novo purine synthesis gene, inDrosophila melanogaster
Authors: Hackett Joanne M. , Clark Denise V. 
Published: November 2009

Drosophila melanogaster was used to identify genes with a potential role in genetic regulation of purine biosynthesis. In this study we examine two dominant genetic modifiers of the essential gene Prat, which encodes amidophosphoribosyltransferase (EC 2.4.2.14). We found that Mod(Prat:bw)3-1 enhances Prat expression only in female heads, whereas Mod(Prat:bw)3-5 suppresses Prat in all stages and tissues examined for both sexes. For Mod-3-5, gene expression microarrays were used to identify other genes that are affected by the modifier. Three mapping approaches were used to localize these modifiers. Deficiency and meiotic mapping showed that the complex lethal complementation group previously associated with Mod-3-1 and Mod-3-5 is actually due to shared second-site lethal mutations. Using male recombination mapping, Mod-3-1 was localized to a 21 kilobase region containing nine genes, and Mod-3-5 was localized to a 53 kilobase region containing eight genes.
Women with type 2 diabetes perceive harder effort during exercise than nondiabetic women
Authors: Huebschmann Amy G. , Reis Erin N. , Emsermann Caroline , Dickinson L. Miriam , Reusch Jane E.B. , Bauer Timothy A. , Regensteiner Judith G. 
Published: November 2009

Regular exercise is a cornerstone of diabetes treatment; however, people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) are commonly sedentary. It is possible that a harder rate of perceived exertion (RPE) during exercise for those with T2D as compared with nondiabetics may be a barrier to physical activity. This study examined RPE (Borg scale, ordinal range 6–20) during submaximal exercise at identical absolute work rates to test the hypothesis that women with T2D demonstrate harder RPE during exercise than nondiabetic controls. In a prespecified analysis of existing data from equivalently sedentary women, RPE during submaximal exercise was compared among women with uncomplicated T2D (n = 13, mean body mass index (BMI) 34.2, mean hemoglobin A1c 9%), overweight controls (OC, n = 13, mean BMI 30.7), and normal-weight controls (NWC, n = 13, mean BMI 23.1). Subjects performed three 7 min, constant-load exercise tests at 20 W and 30 W. Mixed-effects general linear modeling was used to test for differences in mean RPE estimates among groups with and without adjustment for relative work intensity, age, habitual physical activity, or BMI. Subjects with T2D perceived harder effort during bicycling exercise than controls, as measured by RPE at 20 W and 30 W (p < 0.05 for T2D vs. OC and for T2D vs. NWC). Adjusting for relative work intensity eliminated significant group RPE differences at 30 W, but group RPE differences at 20 W remained significant. Harder perceived effort during exercise may be a barrier to physical activity for those with T2D.
Sodium food sources in the Canadian diet
Authors: Fischer Peter W.F. , Vigneault Michel , Huang Rong , Arvaniti Konstantinia , Roach Paula 
Published: November 2009

The purpose of this study is to provide information on the current sources of dietary sodium in the Canadian food supply to provide a baseline to measure against the effectiveness of strategies to reduce salt consumption. Such strategies are being developed by a Health Canada-led multistakeholder Working Group. Data from the 2004 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) 2.2, Nutrition, were used to determine the leading food group contributors of sodium in the diet. The total sample size was more than 35 000 respondents. The results from this study were reported for 4 age and sex groups, namely, youths aged 1 to 8 years, youths aged 9 to 18 years, males aged 19 years and older, and females aged 19 years and older. Average daily intakes of sodium for these groups were 2388 mg, 3412 mg, 3587 mg, and 2684 mg, respectively. In all cases these intakes exceeded the tolerable upper intake level (UL) established by the Institute of Medicine, as well as targets set by the governments of the United Kingdom and the United States and the World Health Organization. The contribution of sodium to the food supply by the top 40 food groups is presented for each of the age and sex groups. The key food group contributors of sodium are breads (13.88%), processed meats (8.90%), and pasta dishes (5.67%). Although breads are found to be major contributors of sodium, this is mainly because of the large consumption, rather than a high concentration of sodium. Higher-sodium foods, such as processed meats, are eaten in smaller quantities but, because of their sodium density, contribute significant amounts of sodium to the diet of Canadians. Some very high sodium foods, such as frozen dinners, are eaten by only a small proportion of the population, but for those consuming these, the sodium could contribute a significant proportion of the UL just from a single meal.
A meta-analysis of the effects of conjugated linoleic acid on fat-free mass in humans
Authors: Schoeller Dale A. , Watras Abigail C. , Whigham Leah D. 
Published: November 2009

Treatment of laboratory animals with a 50:50 mixture of c9,t11 and t10,c12 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) results in fat loss and, to a smaller degree, fat-free mass (FFM) gain. In a previous meta-analysis, we found that CLA produced a fat loss, but that humans were not as responsive as mice. We performed a similar meta-analysis in the same 18 studies to test whether CLA increased FFM. Only placebo-controlled trials that measured body composition were included. We found that FFM increased during CLA treatment (0.3 ± 0.7 kg; p = 0.05), but that the change did not display an effect of length of treatment (0.001 ± 0.005 kg·week–1; p = 0.8), or an effect of dosage (0.1 ± 0.1 kg·g CLA–1·day–1; p = 0.3). We conclude that FFM does increase in humans during CLA treatment, but the onset of the increase is rapid and the total increase is small (<1%).
Oxygen uptake kinetics: historical perspective and future directions
Authors: Hughson Richard L. 
Published: November 2009

Oxygen uptake has been studied in the transitions between rest and exercise for more than 100 years, yet the mechanisms regulating the rate of increase in oxidative metabolism remain controversial. Some of the controversy is a consequence of incorrect interpretations of kinetic parameters describing amplitude and time constant relationships, whereas other factors relate to an incomplete framework for interpretation of experimental results. In this review, a new conceptual 3-dimensional model is proposed to explore the intracellular environment of skeletal muscle in the rest-to-exercise transition. The model incorporates the so-called “metabolic inertia” describing the increases in metabolic substrates and enzyme activation, along with the dynamic changes in intracellular partial pressure of oxygen (PO2). Considerable evidence exists during normal submaximal exercise challenges for an effect of changes in O2 delivery to working muscles affecting the intracellular PO2 (displayed on the x axis) and the high energy phosphate concentration (y axis) during steady-state exercise as well as the transitions from rest to exercise. The z axis incorporates a hypothetical description of metabolic inertia that is enhanced by increased enzyme activation and production of metabolic substrates. Specific examples are given that describe how this axis can affect oxygen uptake kinetics within the context of changing intracellular PO2 and energetic states. Oxidative metabolism at the onset of exercise is regulated by a dynamic balance of O2 transport and utilization mechanisms and is not limited solely by metabolic inertia.
A combination of pH-sensitive caplet coatings may be an effective noninvasive strategy to deliver bioactive substances, nutrients, or their precursors to the colon
Authors: Aimone Ashley M. , Connolly Bairbre , Chaudhary Surinder , Lugtu-Pe Jamie , Martinuzzi Frank , Pencharz Paul , O’Connor Deborah L. 
Published: November 2009

We hypothesize that bacterially synthesized nutrients in the large intestine may significantly influence the nutritional status of humans and, specifically, that of the colonocytes. In vivo research with human subjects in this area has been extremely limited because of the absence of a noninvasive means to quantitatively deliver test doses of nutrients, or their precursors, to the colon. The purpose of this study was to design and test the effectiveness of a pH-dependent coating in delivering intact placebo caplets to the large intestine. Barium sulphate caplet cores (19.1 mm × 9.7 mm) were coated with 2 different pH-dependent acrylic copolymer products, Eudragit L100 and S100, in either a 1:0 ratio (100% Eudragit L100) or 3:1 ratio (75% Eudragit L100 and 25% S100). The disintegration profile of each formulation was determined through in vitro testing, then caplets were sequentially administered to 10 healthy volunteers, and monitored in vivo via serial abdominal fluoroscopic images. Test caplets with the 3:1 coating formulation had a 40% higher colon-targeting specificity compared with the 1:0-coated caplets, and tended to begin disintegrating at a later time after administration (p = 0.09). The total time from administration to complete disintegration was also significantly longer for the 3:1-coated caplets (p = 0.003). These results suggest that barium sulphate caplets with a 3:1 acrylic copolymer coating formulation ratio (Eudragit L100 and S100) may be a suitable delivery system for quantifying the biosynthesis of nutrients in the human large intestine and measuring their absorption across the colonic epithelium.
Cola intake and serum lipids in the Oslo Health Study
Authors: Høstmark Arne Torbjørn , Tomten Sissel Erland 
Published: November 2009

Soft drinks can be a major source of sucrose, which may influence serum lipid concentration. We have examined the association between intake frequency of various types of soft drinks and the concentration of serum triglycerides (TG) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in the cross-sectional Oslo Health Study. A total of 14 188 subjects of the altogether 18 770 participants of the study had data on intake frequency of colas and non-colas, with or without sugar. The population sample consisted of both sexes and 3 age groups: group1 (30 years of age), group 2 (40 and 45 years of age), and group 3 (59–60 years of age). In both sexes, HDL decreased and TG increased significantly (p < 0.001) with increasing intake frequency of colas. In contrast, no consistent associations were found between the reported intake of non-cola soft drinks and the serum lipids. We found no significant differences related to the reported presence or absence of sugar in the soft drinks. In multiple linear regression analyses, the colas vs. serum lipid associations prevailed (p < 0.001) after including 13 possible confounders: sex; age group; time since last meal; physical activity; intake of alcohol, coffee, cheese, fruit and (or) berries, and fatty fish; smoking; length of education; use of cholesterol-lowering drugs; and intake of non-colas. Thus, the self-reported intake frequency of colas, but not other soft drinks, was negatively associated with serum HDL, and positively associated with TG and LDL.
Forskolin attenuates the action of insulin on the Akt–mTOR pathway in human skeletal muscle
Authors: Richmond Scott R. , Touchberry Chad D. , Gallagher Philip M. 
Published: November 2009

Forskolin (FSK) is capable of both stimulating and inhibiting the intracellular signaling pathways of protein synthesis tissues other than skeletal muscle. The purpose of this investigation was to determine if FSK administration affects various elements of the protein kinase B (Akt)–mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway in human skeletal muscle. Ten (n = 10) healthy, young (21.6 ± 1.3 years), nonobese (body mass index = 25.5 ± 3.5 kg·m–2), recreationally active males were selected for participation. Following an 8 h fast, 2 muscle biopsies of the vastus lateralis were performed. The samples were sectioned and exposed to 4 in vitro treatment conditions: basal, FSK, insulin (INS), and FSK+INS. The samples were then analyzed for total and phosphorylated levels of Akt, mTOR, S6 kinase (S6K1), and 4E binding protein (4EBP1). Akt phosphorylation was significantly greater in the INS-treated samples compared with the basal and FSK conditions (p = 0.007). Furthermore, the ratio of phosphorylated Akt to total Akt (P/T) was higher in the INS samples compared with the basal and FSK samples (p = 0.001). There were no differences in mTOR phosphorylation among the 4 groups; however, total mTOR was significantly greater in the FSK+INS group (p = 0.006). There were also no differences in phosphorylated or total levels of S6K1 among the 4 groups. However, 4EBP1 phosphorylation was significantly greater in the INS-treated samples compared with the basal (p = 0.003) and FSK (p = 0.004) treatments. There were no differences in the ratio of phosphorylated 4EBP1 to total 4EBP1 (P/T) among the 4 groups. These results indicate that FSK does not activate the Akt–mTOR pathway in human skeletal muscle; however, these results suggest that FSK may inhibit the actions of INS on this pathway.
Is there a gender difference between ACE gene and race distance?
Authors: Min Seok-Ki , Takahashi Kazuei , Ishigami Hideaki , Hiranuma Kenji , Mizuno Masuhiko , Ishii Takashi , Kim Chang-Sun , Nakazato Koichi 
Published: November 2009

We aimed to examine the association between the angiotensin I-converting enzyme ( ACE ) gene (insertion (I) and deletion (D)) polymorphism in Japanese university track athletes and race distance, as well as to evaluate the gender effects on this association. The ACE I/D allele frequency was determined in 277 athletes (176 men, 101 women; aged 19.7 ± 1.2 years), who were then grouped on the basis of their major competitive race distances (short distance (SD), ≤200 m; middle distance (MD), 400–800 m, and long distance (LD), ≥1500 m). The ACE I allele frequency increased with the distance (44.4%, 48.4%, and 66.2% for the SD (n = 107), MD (n = 62), and LD (n = 108) groups, respectively; p < 0.001, χ2 test). On multinomial logistic regression analysis, significant associations between ACE genotype and race distance were observed only in male athletes (ID vs. SD, p = 0.004; ID vs. LD, p = 0.030; II vs. LD, p = 0.001). There was no significant association between ACE genotype and race distance in female athletes. We conclude that the ACE I allele is overrepresented in endurance athletes, and that its frequency varies depending on gender.
Experimental study of the strength and deformations of carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) retrofitted reinforced concrete slabs under blast loadThis article is one of a selection of papers published in the Special Issue on Blast Engineering.
Authors: Razaqpur A. Ghani , Contestabile Ettore , Tolba Ahmed 
Published: November 2009

The blast response and ultimate resistance of reinforced concrete slabs externally strengthened with carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) laminates were investigated. Five square slab specimens, 1 m on a side, were retrofitted with 500 mm wide CFRP laminates bonded to their top and bottom surfaces. Another four nominally identical unretrofitted slabs were used as control specimens. Four of the retrofitted and the four control slabs were first subjected to the detonation of either 22.4 or 33.4 kg of explosive at a stand-off distance of 3.0 m. For reference, the fifth retrofitted slab was only statically tested to failure. Blast pressures and impulses and slab deformations were measured. After exposure to the blast, the slabs that were not completely damaged were statically tested to failure. Overall the retrofitted slabs performed better than the control slabs, but one retrofitted slab completely failed under the blast load while none of the control slabs experienced complete failure under similar load.