bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
First Report of Papaya ringspot virus–Type W and Zucchini yellow mosaic virus Infecting Trichosanthes cucumerina in Brazil
Authors: Jadão A. S. , Buriola J. E. , Rezende J. A. M. 
Published: May 2010

Trichosanthes cucumerina L., known as snake gourd, is a cucurbitaceous plant that is probably native to and originally domesticated in India. It is cultivated in humid subtropical and tropical countries of Australia, Latin America, and Africa (2). Plants of this species exhibiting symptoms of mosaic and leaf malformation were found during November 2008 near an experimental field of the Departamento de Fitopatologia e Nematologia, Universidade de São Paulo, Piracicaba, State of São Paulo, Brazil. Electron microscopy examination of negatively stained extract of infected tissue showed the presence of filamentous potyvirus-like particles. Sap from these infected plants reacted in plate-trapped antigen (PTA)-ELISA with the antiserum against Papaya ringspot virus–type W (PRSV-W) or Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV), but not with the antiserum against Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) or Zucchini lethal chlorosis virus (ZLCV). PRSV-W and ZYMV were simultaneously transmitted by mechanical inoculation to four plants of Cucurbita pepo cv. Caserta and one plant of T. cucumerina, causing mosaic. In addition, PRSV-W and ZYMV isolates from our virus collection separately infected one plant of T. cucumerina after mechanical inoculation. Infections were confirmed by PTA-ELISA. Total RNA extracted from infected and healthy T. cucumerina was analyzed by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR using a primer pair specific to the coat protein (CP) gene of PRSV-W (4) or ZYMV (3). Fragments of 864 bp and 1,045 bp were amplified with each pair of primers, respectively. Nucleotide sequences directly obtained from purified PCR products were used for further identification of these potyviruses. The nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of part of the CP gene (792 nt) of PRSV-W (GenBank Accession No. GU586789) shared 99 and 98% identity, respectively, with that of the Brazilian isolate PRSV-W-C (GenBank Accession No. 4152). The nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of the entire CP gene (837 nt) of ZYMV (GenBank Accession No. 6790) shared 91 to 98% and 94 to 100% identity, respectively, with innumerous isolates of ZYMV deposited in the GenBank (e.g., Accession Nos. AB004640, D13914, AB004641, and AJ420019). Natural infection of T. cucumerina by PRSV-W was reported in Nepal (1). To our knowledge, this is the first report of T. cucumerina infected by PRSV-W and ZYMV in Brazil. References: (1) G. Dahal et al. Ann. Appl. Biol. 130:491, 1997. (2) R. W. Robinson and D. S. Decker-Walters. Cucurbits. CAB International, Wallingford, UK. 1997. (3) K. G. Thomson et al. J. Virol. Methods 55:83, 1995. (4) M. G. S. D. Vechia. Fitopatol. Bras. 28:678, 2003.
First Report of Cucumber mosaic virus in Paeonia lactifera in France
Authors: Cardin L. , Onesto J. P. , Moury B. 
Published: May 2010

Chinese peony (Paeonia lactiflora Pall.), a hardy ornamental plant of the family Paeoniaceae cultivated in gardens and for cut flower production, is frequently infected by Tobacco rattle virus (TRV) in the field. The virus usually induces severe mosaic and chlorotic ringspot symptoms in the leaves, decreasing the commercial value of cut flowers. TRV is routinely detected by mechanical inoculation onto Nicotiana tabacum cv Xanthi, where it induces typical necrotic local ringspots in 3 to 7 days, followed by a reverse transcription (RT)-PCR test (2). In 2004, Xanthi test plants inoculated with sap extracts from 4 of 36 P. lactiflora cv. Odile plants grown in a field plot in the region of Hyères (southeast France) showed systemic mosaic symptoms in addition to the TRV-typical response. In each case, Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) was detected by the reactions of a range of inoculated plants (1), the observation of 30 nm isometric particles in crude leaf extracts with the electron microscope, and by positive reactions in double antibody sandwich (DAS)-ELISAs with specific polyclonal antibodies. In double-immunodiffusion analysis, these isolates were shown to belong to the group II of CMV isolates (3). ELISA of the peony plants confirmed the presence of CMV and revealed two additional infected plants in the spring of 2006. Following isolation from local lesions on Vigna unguiculata and multiplication in Xanthi tobacco plants, one of the isolates was used to inoculate manually or with Myzus persicae aphids 10 CMV-free plants of P. lactiflora cv. Odile obtained from meristem culture. Three months postinoculation, only three of the aphid-inoculated plants were CMV positive by DAS-ELISA. No change was observed at 1 year postinoculation and no symptoms have been observed, even in CMV-infected plants. CMV appears to be latent in P. lactiflora, therefore detection of CMV before vegetative propagation of the plants is advised because of the risks of synergism for symptoms with other viruses such as TRV. To our knowledge this is the first report of CMV in peony. References: (1) L. Cardin et al. Plant Dis. 87:1263, 2003. (2) D. J. Robinson J. Virol. Methods 40:55, 1992. (3) M. J. Roossinck. J. Virol. 76:3382, 2002.
First Report of Tomato apical stunt viroid in the Symptomless Hosts Lycianthes rantonnetii and Streptosolen jamesonii in the Netherlands
Authors: Verhoeven J. Th. J. , Botermans M. , Jansen C. C. C. , Roenhorst J. W. 
Published: May 2010

In 2009, in the framework of surveying for pospiviroids, samples of various ornamental plants from the Netherlands were tested by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR with the primer pairs Pospi1-RE/FW and Vid-RE/FW (2). With primer pair Pospi1-RE/FW, amplicons of the expected size were obtained in two samples of symptomless plants of Lycianthes rantonnetii and Streptosolen jamesonii. Sequencing of the amplicons, which were expected to correspond with partial pospiviroid genomes, showed identities of 100 and 98% to the sequence of Tomato apical stunt viroid (TASVd), NCBI GenBank Accession No. AM777161 (3). For the amplification of the complete viroid genomes, RT-PCRs were performed with primer pair CEVd-FW/RE (1). Sequencing of these amplicons yielded sequences of 364 nt and identities to TASVd AM777161 of 100 and 98.1%, respectively. Therefore, both isolates were identified as TASVd. The sequence variant from S. jamesonii was submitted to the NCBI GenBank as No. GU911351. In addition, both isolates were mechanically inoculated to four tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum) of cv. Moneymaker. All inoculated plants developed chlorosis and growth reduction after 4 weeks and TASVd infections were confirmed in a bulked sample by RT-PCR with primer pair CEVd-FW/RE after 6 weeks. Hence, two more ornamental host plant species have been identified that may act as symptomless sources of pospiviroid inoculum. References: (1) N. Önelge. Turk. J. Agric. For. 21:419, 1997. (2) J. Th. J. Verhoeven et al. Eur. J. Plant Pathol. 110:823, 2004. (3) J. Th. J. Verhoeven et al. Plant Dis. 92:973, 2008.
Flavonoid accumulation in Arabidopsis thaliana root galls caused by the obligate biotrophic pathogen Plasmodiophora brassicae
Authors: PÄSOLD SUSANNE , SIEGEL INA , SEIDEL CLAUDIA , LUDWIG‐MÜLLER JUTTA 
Published: May 2010

SUMMARYThree different flavonoids—naringenin, quercetin and kaempferol—accumulate in root galls of Arabidopsis thaliana after infection with the obligate biotrophic pathogen Plasmodiophora brassicae. In addition, high‐performance liquid chromatography and thin layer chromatography analysis indicated that these flavonoids and their glycosides were induced in galls rather than in healthy roots. The transcripts of selected genes involved in the biosynthesis of flavonoids were up‐regulated during the time course of the disease. Some, such as chalcone synthase and chalcone isomerase, were up‐regulated at both times investigated in this study, whereas up‐regulation was observed only at later times for others, such as a flavonol synthase‐like gene. Plants with mutations in different flavonoid biosynthesis genes were slightly more tolerant to clubroot at low infection pressure. However, flavonoid treatment of either leaves or roots did not reduce gall development. The possibility that flavonoids might influence auxin levels by regulating auxin transport or auxin degradation in roots was investigated by measuring auxin levels and response in roots of flavonoid‐deficient mutants and the wild‐type after inoculation with P. brassicae, as well as the antioxidative potential of flavonoids in the peroxidase‐catalysed degradation of indole‐3‐acetic acid. In addition, the auxin transport rate from the shoots to the roots was measured in infected wild‐type or flavonoid mutant plants compared with controls. In conclusion, our results indicate a role of flavonoids in the modulation of auxin efflux in root galls.
Carbon quality rather than stoichiometry controls litter decomposition in a tropical rain forest
Authors: Hättenschwiler Stephan , Jørgensen Helene Bracht 
Published: May 2010

Summary 1. Ecological stoichiometry predicts important control of the relative abundance of the key elements carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) on trophic interactions. In a nutrient‐poor Amazonian lowland rain forest of French Guiana, we tested the hypothesis that decomposers exploit stoichiometrically diverse plant litter more efficiently, resulting in faster litter decomposition compared to litter with a uniform stoichiometry. 2. In a field experiment in the presence or absence of soil macrofauna, we measured litter mass loss, and N and P dynamics from all possible combinations of leaf litter from four common tree species which were distinctly separated along a C:N and along a N:P gradient. 3. Mean litter mass remaining after 204 days of field exposure varied between 25.2% and 71.3% among litter treatments. Fauna increased litter mass loss by 18%, N loss by 21% and P loss by 14%. Litter species richness had no effect on litter mass loss or nutrient dynamics. In contrast, litter mass and nutrient losses increased with increasing stoichiometric dissimilarity of litter mixtures in presence of fauna, suggesting faster decomposition of a stoichiometrically more heterogeneous litter. 4. However, the effect of stoichiometric dissimilarity was smaller than the strong C quality related litter composition effect and disappeared in the absence of fauna. Increasing proportions of litter that is relatively rich in accessible C compounds (non‐structural carbohydrates, phenolics) and relatively poor in recalcitrant C (condensed tannins, lignin), correlated best with litter mass loss irrespective of fauna presence. No correlation was found for any of the nutrient related litter quality parameters and decomposition. 5. Synthesis. Our results suggest that Amazonian decomposer communities studied here are primarily limited by energy, and only secondarily by litter stoichiometry. Tropical tree species might thus influence decomposers and detritivores by the production of litter of specific C quality with potentially important feedback effects on ecosystem nutrient dynamics and availability.
Molecular sieving properties of the cytoplasm of Escherichia coli and consequences of osmotic stress
Authors: Mika Jacek T. , Van Den Bogaart Geert , Veenhoff Liesbeth , Krasnikov Victor , Poolman Bert 
Published: May 2010

SummaryWe determined the diffusion coefficients (D) of (macro)molecules of different sizes (from ∼0.5 to 600 kDa) in the cytoplasm of live Escherichia coli cells under normal osmotic conditions and osmotic upshift. D values decreased with increasing molecular weight of the molecules. Upon osmotic upshift, the decrease in D of NBD‐glucose was much smaller than that of macromolecules. Barriers for diffusion were found in osmotically challenged cells only for GFP and larger proteins. These barriers are likely formed by the nucleoid and crowding of the cytoplasm. The cytoplasm of E. coli appears as a meshwork allowing the free passage of small molecules while restricting the diffusion of bigger ones.
Phase variation controls expression of Salmonella lipopolysaccharide modification genes by a DNA methylation‐dependent mechanism
Authors: Broadbent S. E. , Davies M. R. , Van Der Woude M. W. 
Published: May 2010

SummaryThe O‐antigen of Salmonella lipopolysaccharide is a major antigenic determinant and its chemical composition forms the basis for Salmonella serotyping. Modifications of the O‐antigen that can affect the serotype include those carried out by the products of glycosyltransferase operons (gtr), which are present on specific Salmonella and phage genomes. Here we show that expression of the gtr genes encoded by phage P22 that confers the O1 serotype is under the control of phase variation. This phase variation occurs by a novel epigenetic mechanism requiring OxyR in conjunction with the DNA methyltransferase Dam. OxyR is an activator or a repressor of the system depending on which of its two binding sites in the gtr regulatory region is occupied. Binding is decreased by methylation at Dam target sequences in either site, and this confers heritability of the expression state to the system. Most Salmonella gtr operons share the key regulatory elements that are identified here as essential for this epigenetic phase variation.
The twin arginine protein transport pathway exports multiple virulence proteins in the plant pathogen Streptomyces scabies
Authors: Joshi Madhumita V. , Mann Stefan G. , Antelmann Haike , Widdick David A. , Fyans Joanna K. , Chandra Govind , Hutchings Matthew I. , Toth Ian , Hecker Michael , Loria Rosemary , Palmer Tracy 
Published: May 2010

Summary Streptomyces scabies is one of a group of organisms that causes the economically important disease potato scab. Analysis of the S. scabies genome sequence indicates that it is likely to secrete many proteins via the twin arginine protein transport (Tat) pathway, including several proteins whose coding sequences may have been acquired through horizontal gene transfer and share a common ancestor with proteins in other plant pathogens. Inactivation of the S. scabies Tat pathway resulted in pleiotropic phenotypes including slower growth rate and increased permeability of the cell envelope. Comparison of the extracellular proteome of the wild type and ΔtatC strains identified 73 predicted secretory proteins that were present in reduced amounts in the tatC mutant strain, and 47 Tat substrates were verified using a Tat reporter assay. The ΔtatC strain was almost completely avirulent on Arabidopsis seedlings and was delayed in attaching to the root tip relative to the wild‐type strain. Genes encoding 14 candidate Tat substrates were individually inactivated, and seven of these mutants were reduced in virulence compared with the wild‐type strain. We conclude that the Tat pathway secretes multiple proteins that are required for full virulence.
Salivary histatin 5 internalization by translocation, but not endocytosis, is required for fungicidal activity in Candida albicans
Authors: Jang Woong Sik , Bajwa Jashanjot Singh , Sun Jianing N. , Edgerton Mira 
Published: May 2010

SummarySalivary histatin 5 (Hst 5) is a cationic salivary protein with high fungicidal activity against Candida albicans. Binding to the cell wall followed by intracellular translocation is required for killing; however, specific binding components and critical toxic events are not understood. In this study, laminarin (β‐1,3‐glucan) but not sialic acid, mannan or pustulan mediated Hst 5 binding to C. albicans, and was disassociated by 100 mM NaCl. Time‐lapse confocal microscopy revealed a dose‐dependent rate of cytosolic uptake of Hst 5 that invariably preceded propidium iodide (PI) entry, demonstrating that translocation itself does not disrupt membrane integrity. Cell toxicity was manifest by vacuolar expansion followed by PI entrance; however, loss of endocytotic vacuolar trafficking of Hst 5 did not reduce killing. Extracellular NaCl (100 mM), but not sorbitol, prevented vacuolar expansion and PI entry in cells already containing cytosolic Hst 5, thus showing a critical role for ionic balance in Hst 5 toxicity. Hst 5 uptake, but not cell wall binding, was blocked by pretreatment with azide or carbonyl cyanide m‐chlorophenylhydrazone; however, 10% of de‐energized cells had membrane disruption. Thus, Hst 5 is capable of heterogeneous intracellular entry routes, but only direct cytosolic translocation causes cell death as a result of ionic efflux.
Achalasia: incidence, prevalence and survival. A population‐based study
Authors: Sadowski D. C. , Ackah F. , Jiang B. , Svenson L. W. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractBackground  Studies of achalasia epidemiology are important as they often yield new insights into disease etiology. In this study, our objective was to carry out the first North American population‐based study of achalasia epidemiology using a governmental administrative database.Methods  All residents in the province of Alberta, Canada receive universal healthcare coverage as a benefit. The provincial health ministry, Alberta Health and Wellness, maintains a central stakeholder database of patient demographic information and physician billing claims. We defined an achalasia case as a billing claim submitted for the years 1996–2007 with an ICD‐9‐CM code of 530.0 or 530 and a Canadian Classification of Procedure treatment code of 54.92A (endoscopic balloon dilation) or 54.6 (esophagomyotomy). A preliminary validation study of the case definition demonstrated a sensitivity of 85% and specificity of 99% for known cases and controls.Key Results  A total of 463 achalasia cases were identified from 1995 to 2008 (59.6% males). Mean age at diagnosis was 53.1 years. In 2007, the achalasia incidence was 1.63/100 000 (95% CI 1.20, 2.06) and the prevalence was 10.82/100 000 (95% CI 9.70, 11.93). We observed a steady increase in the overall prevalence rate from 2.51/100 000 in 1996 to 10.82/100 000 in 2007. Survival of achalasia cases was significantly less than age–sex matched population controls (P < 0.0001).Conclusions & Inferences  Using a population‐based approach, the incidence and prevalence of treated achalasia is 1.63/100 000 and 10.82/100 000, respectively. The disease appears to have a stable incidence but a rising prevalence. Survival of achalasia cases is significantly less than age‐matched healthy controls.
Wireless pH‐motility capsule for colonic transit: prospective comparison with radiopaque markers in chronic constipation
Authors: Camilleri M. , Thorne N. K. , Ringel Y. , Hasler W. L. , Kuo B. , Esfandyari T. , Gupta A. , Scott S. M. , Mccallum R. W. , Parkman H. P. , Soffer E. , Wilding G. E. , Semler J. R. , Rao S. S.c. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractBackground Colon transit (CT) measurements are used in the management of significant constipation. The radiopaque marker (ROM) method provides limited information.Methods We proposed to validate wireless motility capsule (WMC), that measures pH, pressure and temperature, to ROM measurement of CT in patients with symptomatic constipation evaluated at multiple centers. Of 208 patients recruited, 158 eligible patients underwent simultaneous measurement of colonic transit time (CTT) using ROM (Metcalf method, cut off for delay >67 h), and WMC (cutoff for delay >59 h). The study was designed to demonstrate substantial equivalence, defined as diagnostic agreement >65% for patients who had normal or delayed ROM transit.Key Results Fifty‐nine of 157 patients had delayed ROM CT. Transit results by the two methods differed: ROM median 55.0 h [IQR 31.0–85.0] and WMC (43.5 h [21.7–70.3],P < 0.001. The positive percent agreement between WMC and ROM for delayed transit was ∼80%; positive agreement in 47 by WMC/59 by ROM or 0.796 (95% CI = 0.67–0.98); agreementvsnull hypothesis (65%)P = 0.01. The negative percent agreement (normal transit) was ∼91%: 89 by WMC/98 by ROM or 0.908 (95% CI = 0.83–0.96); agreementvsnull hypothesis (65%),P = 0.00001. Overall device agreement was 87%. There were significant correlations (P < 0.001) between ROM and WMC transit (CTT [r = 0.707] and between ROM and combined small and large bowel transit [r = 0.704]). There were no significant adverse events.Conclusions & Inferences The 87% overall agreement (positive and negative) validates WMC relative to ROM in differentiating slowvsnormal CT in a multicenter clinical study of constipation.
Impact of canine atopic dermatitis on the health‐related quality of life of affected dogs and quality of life of their owners
Authors: Linek Monika , Favrot Claude 
Published: May 2010

AbstractAtopic dermatitis is a chronic or chronically relapsing human and canine skin disease that adversely affects the quality of life of affected individuals. The impact of the disease on affected children and their parents has been extensively studied, but very little is known of its impact on affected animals and their owners. The goal of the present study was to fill this gap. Owners were asked to complete three questionnaires concerning their own quality of life, their perception of the treatment provided and their pets’ quality of life. Clinical features, such as severity index, pruritus score and disease duration, were evaluated in parallel and correlated with the questionnaire answers. The study not only demonstrated that canine atopic dermatitis deeply influenced the way of life of the owners of affected dogs but also in which aspects of life the impact was most severe.
Molecular patterns of differentiation in canyon treefrogs (Hyla arenicolor): evidence for introgressive hybridization with the Arizona treefrog (H. wrightorum) and correlations with advertisement call differences
Authors: KLYMUS K. E. , HUMFELD S. C. , MARSHALL V. T. , CANNATELLA D. , GERHARDT H. C. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractDetection of genetic and behavioural diversity within morphologically similar species has led to the discovery of cryptic species complexes. We tested the hypothesis that US populations of the canyon treefrog (Hyla arenicolor) may consist of cryptic species by examining mate‐attraction signals among three divergent clades defined by mtDNA. Using a multi‐locus approach, we re‐analysed phylogenetic relationships among the three clades and a closely related, but morphologically and behaviourally dissimilar species, the Arizona treefrog (H. wrightorum). We found evidence for introgression of H. wrightorum’s mitochondrial genome into H. arenicolor. Additionally, the two‐clade topology based on nuclear data is more congruent with patterns of call variation than the three‐clade topology from the mitochondrial dataset. The magnitude of the call divergence is probably insufficient to promote isolation of the nuclear DNA‐defined clades should they become sympatric, but further divergence in call properties significant in species identification could promote speciation in the future.
Inbred women in a small and isolated Swiss village have fewer children
Authors: POSTMA E. , MARTINI L. , MARTINI P. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractDespite overwhelming evidence for a negative effect of inbreeding on fitness in plants and nonhuman animals, the exact nature of its effect in humans remains subject to debate. To obtain a better understanding of the effects of inbreeding on reproductive success in humans, we reconstructed the genealogies of the current inhabitants of a small and isolated Swiss village and used these to estimate the level of inbreeding of both members of all married couples, as well as their relatedness (i.e. the level of inbreeding of their offspring). Although there was no effect of parental relatedness on the number of children a couple had, we found that inbred mothers, but not inbred fathers, had significantly fewer children. Thus, although related couples did not have fewer children themselves, their inbred daughters did leave them with fewer grandchildren. Thereby, we provide evidence for the existence of inbreeding depression in human fertility, also in relatively outbred and egalitarian communities.