bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence of gender and types of sports training on QT variables in young elite athletes
Authors: Omiya Kazuto , Sekizuka Hiromitsu , Kida Keisuke , Suzuki Kengo , Akashi Yoshihiro J. , Ohba Haruo , Musha Haruki 
Published: February 2012

AbstractInfluence of gender and sports training on QT variables such as QT interval and dispersion (QT dispersion: QTD) in young elite athletes were evaluated. Subjects included 104 male and 97 female Japanese elite athletes (mean age 21.6 years). Sports included basketball, fencing, gymnastics, judo, swimming, tennis, track and field and volleyball. Age‐matched healthy non‐athletes (32 men and 20 women) were enrolled as controls. QT measurements were manually obtained from a 12‐lead resting electrocardiogram and QTD was calculated as the difference between the longest and shortest QT intervals. A corrected QT interval (QTc) was obtained using Bazett's formula. Subjects were divided into two groups; an endurance training group and a static training group on the basis of their training types. Results: Maximum and minimum QTc were significantly longer in female athletes than in male athletes (max: 414.2 vs. 404.5 ms, min: 375.1 vs. 359.2 ms, p<0.0001 respectively), whereas QTc dispersion (QTcD) was shorter in female athletes than in male athletes (39.2 vs. 45.3 ms, p<0.0001). QTcD was significantly shorter in female athletes than in the female control group (39.2 vs. 45.2 ms, p<0.05). However, no statistically significant difference was observed between male athletes and the male control group. Male gymnasts exhibited significantly longer QTcD than the control group (p<0.01), but female gymnasts had significantly shorter QTcD than the control group (p<0.05). Maximum QTc intervals were prolonged in the male static training group compared with non‐athletes, and QTcDs in the static training group were prolonged compared with the endurance training group. However, no significant difference was observed in the female group. In conclusion, both gender and different characteristics of sports training may affect QT variables even in young elite athletes. Vigorous static exercise training may independently prolong QT variables.
First Report of Anthracnose Caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides on Malus prunifolia in Korea
Authors: Cheon W. , Kim Y. S. , Jeon Y. H. 
Published: February 2012

In 2010 and 2011, crab apples in Andong Province, Korea were found with dark brown spots on the fruit and mummified fruit on a tree. The fruit surface had red, circular spots that contained smaller, white spots; the color of the inner spots later changed to brown or black. Eventually, the rotten fruit dried and became mummified. Microscopic examination revealed the presence of acervuli and dark brown-to-black, needle-shaped setae. To isolate potential pathogens from infected fruit, small sections (5 to 10 mm2) were excised from the margins of lesions. These sections were surface sterilized with 70% ethanol and 1% NaOCl for 1 min and then rinsed three times with sterile distilled water. The fungus that was isolated produced whitish mycelia when grown on potato dextrose agar (PDA); the mycelia later became gray to dark gray with aerial mycelia in tufts and numerous conidia were produced. The conidia were straight, cylindrical with an obtuse apex and a truncated base, and measured 11.4 to 17.5 × 4.2 to 7.1 μm. The measurements and taxonomic characteristics coincide with those of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Penz.) (1). The isolated fungus was tested for pathogenicity on crab apples and cv. Fuji apples by inoculation with a conidial suspension (105 conidia/ml) prepared from 20-day-old PDA cultures. A 20-μl drop of the conidial suspension was placed onto crab apple and apple fruits that had been wounded by piercing them 1 to 2 mm deep with a pin. Small, dark lesions were observed on the artificially inoculated fruit 3 days after inoculation. Nine days after inoculation, dark lesions with salmon-colored masses of conidia were observed on fruit, which were also soft and sunken. Abundant masses of conidia were produced in the decayed tissues. The fungus was reisolated from the parts of the fruits showing the symptoms. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA of the isolated fungus was amplified and sequenced by PCR as described by White et al. (2). The resulting 582-bp of ITS rDNA sequence was deposited in GenBank (Accession No. JQ405742). A BLAST analysis for sequence similarity of the ITS region revealed 100% identity with nucleotide sequences for C. gloeosporioides isolates (Accession Nos. HQ645080 and AB458667). The results obtained on morphological characteristics, pathogenicity, and molecular data corresponded with those of C. gloeosporioides described by Sutton (1). To our knowledge, this is the first report of the presence of C. gloeosporioides on crab apple in Korea (3). Crab apple is used as a pollinator for single-cultivar apple orchards and may become a possible source of inoculum for cultivated apple. References: (1) T. B. Sutton. Compendium of Apple and Pear Diseases. The American Phytopathological Society, St. Paul, MN, 1990. (2) T. J. White et al. PCR Protocols: A Guide to Methods and Applications, Academic Press, Inc., New York, 1990. (3) S. H. Yu. List of Plant Diseases in Korea. 5th ed. (in Korean). The Korean Society of Plant Pathology, 2009.
First Report of the Lesion Nematode, Pratylenchus agilis, Parasitizing Wheat in China
Authors: Wang Z. Y. , Shi Y. , Li H. L. , Zhang M. 
Published: February 2012

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) fields in Zhengzhou, Henan Province that exhibited reduced height and number of tillers were surveyed in 2008, and samples were collected for analyses. Fifteen of thirty-five samples contained a nematode suspected of causing small, brown lesions in roots. Both lateral roots and root hairs were reduced in infected plants. Nematode presence was associated with enlarging lesions and necrotic roots. We also observed lesion nematode infestation in samples with no symptoms in the roots. During the growing season, wheat yield increased by 14% with nematocide treatments in Zhengzhou suburb fields. The morphological and molecular analyses of the nematodes isolated from soil samples established the identity of the species as the lesion nematode, Pratylenchus agilis (2,3). Morphological characteristics that were used for identification included female body, lip annules, tail terminus, number of lines in the lateral field, stylet knobs, stylet length, and vulva location in relation to body length. Females were cylindrical, measured 452 to 811 μm long, and contained two lip annules, a smooth tail terminus, four lateral lines, a vulva at 72.64 to 79.97%, a stylet of 16.20 to 17.55 μm, basal esophageal lobes elongated less than twice the body width, and stylet knobs rounded posteriorly. Males were rare and the spermatheca was empty. Molecular analysis was conducted by amplifying the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions ITS1 and 2. Sequence of ITS regions from this population (GenBank Accession No. JQ039330) showed highest sequence homology to P. agilis isolate PagKL5 (GenBank Accession No. FJ71289.1) with the identity of 90%. High variability at species level has been found for Pratylenchus species (1). On the basis of the morphological traits and molecular analyses, the nematodes were identified as P. agilis. To our knowledge, this is the first report of P. agilis parasitizing wheat. References: (1) F. De Luca et al. Eur. J. Plant Pathol. 130:415, 2011. (2) A. M. Golden et al. Plant Dis. Rep. 62:430, 1978. (3) R. V. Rebois et al. J. Nematol. 18:392, 1986.
Severe Outbreak of Rust Caused by Coleosporium pulsatillae Detected on Pulsatilla spp. in China
Authors: Su D. , Fu J. F. , Zhou R. J. , Yan X. R. 
Published: February 2012

Windflower (Pulsatilla spp.) is a perennial medicinal plant in the Ranunculaceae with high economic value as well as medicinal value in China. It is a commonly used Chinese herbal medicine. In 2007, two species, Pulsatilla koreana Nakai and P. chinensis Regel, were observed with severe rust symptoms at three locations (Shenyang City, Benxi City, and Fushun County) in Liaoning, China. The diseased area was estimated to be more than 500 ha and the yield was reduced by 30% on average with up to 65% yield losses in some fields. Since its first record in 2007, the disease has been recorded every year in parts of China. A survey of all cultivated fields in August 2011 revealed that 90% of the Pulsatilla plants were heavily infected with rust. Early symptoms on the adaxial leaf surfaces were small, circular, yellow spots that later enlarged, coalesced, and developed necrotic centers. On the abaxial side, numerous yellow rust uredinia were visible. Urediniospores are globose or ellipsoidal, sometimes angular in shape, with a yellowish content, and measured 22.6 to 39.4 × 15.2 to 23.9 μm. Spore walls were coarsely verrucose when examined by light and scanning electron microscopy. Telia and teliospores were observed in mid-August. Hypophyllous telia often formed around uredinial clusters. Telia were 0.3 to 1.1 mm wide and erumpent with numerous teliospores in a compact layer. Teliospores were clavate, oblong to ellipsoidal, 60.2 to 120.8 × 12.1 to 24.4 μm, gelatinous, and one celled. Teliospores were four celled with the division of the protoplast into an internal four-celled basidium. Pathogenicity tests included inoculation of young P. koreana plants by spraying a urediniospore suspension (30,000 spores/ml of deionized water). Inoculated plants were incubated at 25°C for 48 h, and typical rust symptoms and uredinia developed in 10 to 15 days. On the basis of symptomatology, the host, and morphology of uredinial and telia, the fungus was identified as Coleosporium pulsatillae (Str.) Lév (2). The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region was amplified using ITS1-F and ITS4-B primers (3), and an amplified product of 817 bp, specific for the species C. pulsatillae, was obtained. The sequence was deposited in GenBank (Accession No. JQ029765). Although this pathogen has been mentioned as part of a fungal species survey from China, it was not fully described (4). This pathogen has been reported on Anemone chinensis in Austria, Sibiria (2), and Korea (1). It has not been reported from anywhere else in China. To our knowledge, this is the first fully described record and most severe outbreak of C. pulsatillae on windflower. References: (1) W. D. Cho and H. D. Shin. List of Plant Diseases in Korea. Korean Society of Plant Pathology, Seoul, Korea, 2004. (2) J. B. De-Toni. Sylloge Fungorum 7:754, 1888. (3) M. Gardes et al. Mol. Ecol. 2:113, 1993. (4) F. L. Tai. Sylloge Fungorum Sinicorum. Science Press, Beijing, 1979.
Iron starvation regulates the type III secretion system in Bordetella bronchiseptica
Authors: Kurushima Jun , Kuwae Asaomi , Abe Akio 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACTThe type III secretion system (T3SS) plays a key role in the exertion of full virulence by Bordetella bronchiseptica. However, little is known about the environmental stimuli that induce expression of T3SS genes. Here, it is reported that iron starvation is a signal for T3SS gene expression in B. bronchiseptica. It was found that, when B. bronchiseptica is cultured under iron‐depleted conditions, secretion of type III secreted proteins is greater than that in bacteria grown under iron‐replete conditions. Furthermore, it was confirmed that induction of T3SS‐dependent host cell cytotoxicity and hemolytic activity is greatly enhanced by infection with iron‐depleted Bordetella. In contrast, production of filamentous hemagglutinin is reduced in iron‐depleted Bordetella. Thus, B. bronchiseptica controls the expression of virulence genes in response to iron starvation.
Endoscopic evaluation of the gastro‐duodenal tolerance of short‐term analgesic treatment with 25 mg diclofenac‐K liquid capsules
Authors: Hawkey C. , Burnett I. , Gold M. S. , Garsed K. , Stevenson D. , Mannath J. , Norman A. , Shepherd V. , Subramanian V. , Johnston R. D. , Brown M. 
Published: February 2012

SummaryBackgroundDiclofenac‐potassium (diclofenac‐‐K) 25 mg liquid capsule is absorbed more quickly than the tablet formulation. It offers potential for rapid pain relief, but may alter gastro‐duodenal tolerability.AimTo evaluate the gastro‐duodenal tolerance of diclofenac‐K 25 mg liquid capsules vs. diclofenac‐K 12.5 mg tablets, acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) 500 mg tablets and ibuprofen 200 mg liquid capsules.MethodsIn an endoscopist‐blinded, randomised, parallel‐group study, volunteers received 15 doses of diclofenac‐K 25 mg liquid capsules (n = 36), diclofenac‐K 2 × 12.5 mg tablets (n = 36), ibuprofen 2 × 200 mg liquid capsules (n = 24) or ASA 2 × 500 mg tablets (n = 36) over 5 days. The primary outcome was the incidence of erosive gastro‐duodenal lesions at Day 6. Secondary outcomes included modified Lanza score and change in gastric mucosal prostaglandin synthesis.ResultsThe lowest incidence of erosive gastro‐duodenal lesions was with diclofenac‐K liquid capsules (53%), compared to 61% with diclofenac‐K tablets (P = 0.52), 75% with ibuprofen (P = 0.08) and 94% with ASA (P = 0.001). Results were similar for the Lanza scores, although diclofenac‐K liquid capsules were significantly superior to ibuprofen liquid capsules (P = 0.04). Diclofenac‐K liquid capsules inhibited prostaglandin synthesis by 52% compared to 64% for diclofenac‐K tablets (P = 0.10), 50% for ibuprofen (P = 0.85) and 79% for ASA (P = 0.002). With respect to safety, adverse events were most frequent in the ASA group, predominantly gastrointestinal events.ConclusionsMucosal injury with diclofenac‐K liquid 25 mg liquid capsules was similar to diclofenac‐K 25 mg tablets, significantly lower than ASA 1 g tablets and showed some superiority over ibuprofen 400 mg liquid capsules (EudraCT Number 2009‐011278‐14).
Changes in the herbage nutritive value and yield associated with threshold responses of vegetation to grazing in Mongolian rangelands
Authors: Sasaki T. , Ohkuro T. , Jamsran U. , Takeuchi K. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractWe examined the changes in the nutritive value and yield of herbage along a grazing gradient, where abrupt changes in community composition occurred, at multiple ecological sites in Mongolian rangelands. At grassland sites, changes in the herbage nutritive value could be attributed to rapid replacement of perennial grasses or forbs with weedy annual forbs along a grazing gradient. Crude protein (CP) concentration increased sharply in approaching the source of grazing gradient, whereas neutral detergent fibre and metabolizable energy (ME) concentrations decreased sharply. As ME can be utilized as a main index of herbage nutritive value, these results indicated its overall loss with severe grazing. Consequently, gradual increases in the yields of CP and ME in the direction of the gradient source at the grassland sites did not necessarily indicate the improvement of rangeland condition. In contrast, at shrubland sites, we could not generally detect any significant trends in the herbage nutritive value. The yield of ME gradually decreased in the direction of gradient source, suggesting that grazing affects herbage yield rather than herbage feed value at shrubland sites. Thus, the nutritive value and yield of herbage can be modified greatly in association with nonlinear responses of vegetation to livestock grazing.
Same old Salmo? Changes in life history and demographic trends of North Iberian salmonids since the Upper Palaeolithic as revealed by archaeological remains and beast analyses
Authors: TURRERO P. , HORREO J. L. , GARCIA‐VAZQUEZ E. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractLife history traits determine fitness and hence the ability of populations and species to survive through adverse conditions. Therefore, identifying temporal changes in life history traits over large timescales is necessary to understand and predict the effect of current global change on wild populations. In this study, we compare life history traits between Palaeolithic and present‐day vertebrates, analysing the number of winters spent in the river and at sea by North Iberian salmonids (Salmo salar and Salmo trutta) from two separate time frames: the Upper Palaeolithic, based on archaeological remains, and the present day, based on sport catches. The river stage did not change significantly, but the marine period has been shortened in modern anadromous specimens, accordingly shortening mean generation time. Population growth rates have been estimated through Bayesian analyses of the mitochondrial DNA control region of modern specimens for the two Salmo species using two different mutation rates (1% and 3.6%). Coincidence of coalescent Ne estimates with independent Ne calculated from catches suggests that the 3.6% mutation rate fits better the evolution of the studied populations. Population growth rate declines would have occurred in the last millennium and could be explained by a combination of climatic events and anthropogenic activities.
A glycine betaine importer limits Salmonella stress resistance and tissue colonization by reducing trehalose production
Authors: Pilonieta M. Carolina , Nagy Toni A. , Jorgensen Dana R. , Detweiler Corrella S. 
Published: February 2012

SummaryMechanisms by which Salmonella establish chronic infections are not well understood. Microbes respond to stress by importing or producing compatible solutes, small molecules that stabilize proteins and lipids. The Salmonella locus opuABCD (also called OpuC) encodes a predicted importer of the compatible solute glycine betaine. Under stress conditions, if glycine betaine cannot be imported, Salmonella enterica produce the disaccharide trehalose, a highly effective compatible solute. We demonstrate that strains lacking opuABCD accumulate more trehalose under stress conditions than wild‐type strains. ΔopuABCD mutant strains are more resistant to high‐salt, low‐pH and ‐hydrogen peroxide, conditions that mimic aspects of innate immunity, in a trehalose‐dependent manner. In addition, ΔopuABCD mutant strains require the trehalose production genes to out‐compete wild‐type strains in mice and macrophages. These data suggest that in the absence of opuABCD, trehalose accumulation increases bacterial resistance to stress in broth and mice. Thus, opuABCD reduces bacterial colonization via a mechanism that limits trehalose production. Mechanisms by which microbes limit disease may reveal novel pathways as therapeutic targets.
The de novo and salvage pathways of GDP‐mannose biosynthesis are both sufficient for the growth of bloodstream‐form Trypanosoma brucei
Authors: Kuettel Sabine , Wadum Majken C. T. , Güther Maria Lucia S. , Mariño Karina , Riemer Carolin , Ferguson Michael A. J. 
Published: February 2012

SummaryThe sugar nucleotide GDP‐mannose is essential for Trypanosoma brucei. Phosphomannose isomerase occupies a key position on the de novo pathway to GDP‐mannose from glucose, just before intersection with the salvage pathway from free mannose. We identified the parasite phosphomannose isomerase gene, confirmed that it encodes phosphomannose isomerase activity and localized the endogenous enzyme to the glycosome. We also created a bloodstream‐form conditional null mutant of phosphomannose isomerase to assess the relative roles of the de novo and salvage pathways of GDP‐mannose biosynthesis. Phosphomannose isomerase was found to be essential for parasite growth. However, supplementation of the medium with low concentrations of mannose, including that found in human plasma, relieved this dependence. Therefore, we do not consider phosphomannose isomerase to be a viable drug target. We further established culture conditions where we can control glucose and mannose concentrations and perform steady‐state [U‐13C]‐d‐glucose labelling. Analysis of the isotopic sugar composition of the parasites variant surface glycoprotein synthesized in cells incubated in 5 mM [U‐13C]‐d‐glucose in the presence and absence of unlabelled mannose showed that, under physiological conditions, about 80% of GDP‐mannose synthesis comes from the de novo pathway and 20% from the salvage pathway.
Balearic archipelago: three islands, three beta‐thalassemia population patterns
Authors: López‐Escribano H , Parera MM , Guix P , Serra JM , Gutierrez A , Balsells D , Oliva‐Berini E , Castro JA , Ramon MM , Picornell A 
Published: February 2012

López‐Escribano H, Parera MM, Guix P, Serra JM, Gutierrez A, Balsells D, Oliva‐Berini E, Castro JA, Ramon MM, Picornell A. Balearic archipelago: three islands, three beta‐thalassemia population patterns.The mutation spectrum of 175 β‐thalassemia (β‐thal) carriers, identified in pilot carrier screening on 22,713 individuals from Balearic Islands (Spain), is reported. The β0 CD39 (C>T) mutation is the most frequent (61.1%), followed by β+ IVS‐I‐110 (G>A) (12.0%), β+ IVS‐I‐6 (T>C) and β0 IVS‐1‐1 (G>A) (3.4% both) and eight other rare mutations (2.9–0.6%); with a distinct prevalence and distribution between islands. Minorca shows the highest prevalence in Iberian populations, with a single mutation, CD39 (C>T), present in most β‐thal carriers. Ibiza is the only Western Mediterranean population where the most frequent β‐thal mutation is IVS‐I‐110 (G>A). These results can be explained by a combination of historical–demographic characteristics together with evolutionary forces such as founder effect, genetic drift and probably selection by malaria. Knowledge of the mutational spectrum in the Balearic Islands will enable to optimize mutation detection strategy for genetic diagnosis of β‐thal in these islands.
Immune reconstitution to cytomegalovirus following partially matched‐related donor transplantation: impact of in vivo T‐cell depletion and granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor‐primed peripheral blood/bone marrow mixed grafts
Authors: Luo X.‐H. , Huang X.‐J. , Li D. , Liu K.‐Y. , Xu L.‐P. , Liu D.‐H. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractCytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and delayed immune reconstitution remains a serious obstacle for successful partially matched‐related donor transplantation (PMRD). We evaluated 42 patients for the development of CMV‐specific CD8+ T lymphocytes (CTLCMV) following granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor‐primed peripheral blood (PB) and bone marrow (BM) with anti‐thymocyte globulin (ATG)‐based PMRD. PMRD recipients achieved a high frequency, proliferation capacity, and interferon‐γ response of CTLCMV at 1 year post transplantation. CTLCMV with the central memory CD45RO+CD62L+ cell phenotype expanded in PB and BM‐resident CTLCMV displayed distinct phenotypes when CMV was reactivated. Although the incidence of CMV reactivation was high in PMRD patients (87.67%), only 11.90% of them developed CMV disease. In conclusion, after PMRD using mixed grafts with ATG‐based conditioning, immune recovery to CMV seems to be early and fast, thereby reducing the incidence of CMV disease.
Skull Typology of Byzantine Dogs from the Theodosius Harbour at Yenikapı, Istanbul
Authors: Onar V. , Çakırlar C. , Janeczek M. , Kızıltan Z. 
Published: February 2012

SummaryThis study presents the results of craniometric analysis of 500 Byzantine Era dog skulls from the ancient site of the Theodosius Harbour in Istanbul (modern Yenikapı neighbourhood). To determine the typology of the skulls, up to 36 craniometric measurements were taken on each specimen. Fourteen indices and ratios were calculated from the measurements. Results show that the majority (97%) of the Byzantine dogs from the Yenikapı excavations were of mesocephalic type. Only 15 of the analysed skulls (3%) were of the dolichocephalic type. Only one dog skeleton has been recoveredin situduring the excavations; analysis indicates that this individual belonged to a mesocephalic type dog. Brachycephalic dog skulls were absent in the samples studied from Byzantine Yenikapı. The results give important insight in continuities and discontinuities in dog‐breeding traditions from the Roman to the Byzantine Eras, and between the West and the East during Medieval times.