bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Strategies of leaf expansion in Ficus carica under semiarid conditions
Authors: González‐Rodríguez A. M. , Peters J. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractLeaf area expansion, thickness and inclination, gas exchange parameters and relative chlorophyll content were analysed in field‐grown fig (Ficus carica L.) leaves over time, from emergence until after full leaf expansion (FLE). Ficus carica leaves showed a subtle change in shape during the early stages of development, and FLE was reached within ca. 30 days after emergence. Changes in leaf thickness and inclination after FLE demonstrated good adaptation to environmental conditions during summer in areas with a Mediterranean climate. Changes in gas exchange parameters and relative chlorophyll content showed that F. carica is a delayed‐greening species, reaching maximum values 20 days after FLE. Correlation analysis of datasets collected during leaf expansion, confirmed dependence among structural and functional traits in F. carica. Pn was directly correlated with stomatal conductance (Gs), transpiration (E), leaf area (LA) and relative chlorophyll content up to FLE. The effect of pruning on leaf expansion, a cultural technique commonly applied in this fruit tree, was also evaluated. Although leaf development in pruned branches gave a significantly higher relative leaf area growth rate (RGRl) and higher LA than non‐pruned branches, no significant differences were found in other morphological and physiological traits, indicating no pruning effect on leaf development. All studied morphological and physiological characteristics indicate that F. carica is well adapted to semiarid conditions. The delayed greening strategy of this species is discussed.
Wild grapevine:silvestris, hybrids or cultivars that escaped from vineyards? Molecular evidence in Sardinia
Authors: Zecca G. , De Mattia F. , Lovicu G. , Labra M. , Sala F. , Grassi F. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractVitis viniferassp.silvestris,the spontaneous subspecies ofV. viniferaL., is believed to be the ancestor of present grapevine cultivars. In this work, polymorphism at 13 SSR loci was investigated to answer the following key question: are wild plants (i) truesilvestris, (ii) hybrids between wild and cultivated plants or (iii) or ‘escapes’ from vineyards? In particular, the objective of the present study was to identify truly wild individuals and to search for possible hybridization events. The study was performed in Sardinia, the second largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, which is characterized by a large and well‐described number of both grape cultivars and wild populations. This region was ideal for the study because of its spatial isolation and, consequently, limited contamination from outside material. The results of this study show that domesticated and wild grapevine germplasms are genetically divergent and thus are realsilvestris. Pure lineages (both domesticated and wild) show very high average posterior probabilities of assignment to their own clusters, with a low level of introgression.
Growth, Oxidative Damage and Antioxidant Responses in Greengram (Vigna radiata L.) under Short‐term Salinity Stress and its Recovery
Authors: Panda S. K. , Khan M. H. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractSpatio‐temporal differences under short‐term NaCl‐salinity (0, 50, 100, 150 mm l−1) stress for 24 h and post‐NaCl recovery after 24 h on the growth, water relations, ionic composition, proline and antioxidants of 12‐day‐old roots, stem and leaves of Vigna radiata were observed. Fresh and dry weight, relative water content and K+ ion decreased, whereas, Na+ ion and Na+/K+ ratio increased significantly in roots, stem and leaves. Post‐NaCl recovered roots, stem and leaves showed similar results with lower values. Chlorophyll and carotenoid pigments decreased significantly in the leaves. Peroxide and lipid peroxidation level increased significantly with higher ratio in stressed compared to recovered leaves. Ascorbate and proline content increased significantly with no significant change in glutathione content in stressed roots, stem and leaves. Significant decrease in protein content, SOD, CAT, POX, APX and GR activities was observed in roots with no significant change in stem and leaves. The recovered parts showed similar results except increased POX and GR activities showing a tissue‐specific response to NaCl‐salinity stress. Improved tolerance to salt stress may be accomplished by increased capacity of antioxidative defence system and by lower level of lipid peroxidation and improvement in the plant water status, activities of some of the antioxidants in the recovered parts suggest that significant tissue differences in response to salt stress in V. radiata is closely related to differences in the activities of antioxidants, ion and proline content.
Antioxidative Enzymes and Sucrose Synthase Contribute to Cold Stress Tolerance in Chickpea
Authors: Kaur S. , Gupta A. K. , Kaur N. , Sandhu J. S. , Gupta S. K. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractChickpea is sensitive to low temperature (<10°C) during its reproductive stage. Low temperature adversely affects the development of pods and seeds. This study was undertaken to investigate the role of sucrose metabolizing enzymes in seed development and potential of antioxidative enzymes in protecting seeds and podwalls from the deleterious effects of cold stress in advanced cold tolerant chickpea breeding lines. Healthy pod set was observed in these tolerant lines in the end of December where as low temperature susceptible PBG‐1 did not flower. Two lines ICCV 96029 and ICCV 96030 showed susceptible characters such as reduced flowering, blackened and shrivelled seeds and yellowish pods in comparison to other cold stress tolerant lines due to sudden dip of temperature (<1 °C) during the first week of January. These two lines were, therefore, treated as susceptible checks in comparison to other tolerant lines. A significantly higher activity and specific activity of sucrose synthase was observed in seeds of most of the cold tolerant lines in comparison with ICCV 96029 and ICCV 96030, thereby providing sugars as well as sugar nucleotides for their growth and starch synthesis during unfavourable low temperature. The developing seeds and podwalls of tolerant genotypes had higher activities of antioxidant enzymes, i.e. catalase, ascorbate peroxidase and glutahione reductase in comparison with ICCV 96029 and ICCV 96030. It appears that the higher activities of antioxidant enzymes in podwall protect the developing seeds from cold stress.
Simulation study on the effects of excluding offspring information for genetic evaluation versus using genomic markers for selection in dog breeding
Authors: Stock K. F. , Distl O. 
Published: June 2009

SummaryDifferent modes of selection in dogs were studied with a special focus on the availability of disease information. Canine hip dysplasia (CHD) in the German shepherd dog was used as an example. The study was performed using a simulation model, comparing cases when selection was based on phenotype, true or predicted breeding value, or genomic breeding value. The parameters in the simulation model were drawn from the real population data. The data on all parents and 40% of their progeny were assumed to be available for the genetic evaluation carried out by Gibbs sampling. With respect to the use of disease records on progeny, three scenarios were considered: random exclusion of disease data (no restrictions, N), general exclusion of disease data (G) and exclusion of disease data for popular sires (P). One round of selection was considered, and the response was expressed as change of mean CHD score, proportion of dogs scored as normal, proportion of dogs scored as clearly affected and true mean breeding value in progeny of popular sires in comparison with all sires. When no restrictions on data were applied, selection on breeding value was three times more efficient than when some systematic exclusion was practised. Higher selection response than in the exclusion cases was achieved by selecting on the basis of genomic breeding value and CHD score. Genomic selection would therefore be the method of choice in the future.
Fine mapping quantitative trait loci under selective phenotyping strategies based on linkage and linkage disequilibrium criteria
Authors: Ansari‐Mahyari S. , Berg P. , Lund M.S. 
Published: June 2009

SummaryIn fine mapping of a large‐scale experimental population where collection of phenotypes are very expensive, difficult to record or time‐demanding, selective phenotyping could be used to phenotype the most informative individuals. Linkage analyses based sampling criteria (LAC) and linkage disequilibrium‐based sampling criteria (LDC) for selecting individuals to phenotype are compared to random phenotyping in a quantitative trait loci (QTL) verification experiment using stochastic simulation. Several strategies based on LAC and LDC for selecting the most informative 30%, 40% or 50% of individuals for phenotyping to extract maximum power and precision in a QTL fine mapping experiment were developed and assessed. Linkage analyses for the mapping was performed for individuals sampled on LAC within families and combined linkage disequilibrium and linkage analyses was performed for individuals sampled across the whole population based on LDC. The results showed that selecting individuals with similar haplotypes to the paternal haplotypes (minimum recombination criterion) using LAC compared to random phenotyping gave at least the same power to detect a QTL but decreased the accuracy of the QTL position. However, in order to estimate unbiased QTL parameters based on LAC in a large half‐sib family, prior information on QTL position was required. The LDC improved the accuracy to estimate the QTL position but not significantly compared to random phenotyping with the same sample size. When applying LDC (all phenotyping levels), the estimated QTL effect were closer to the true value in comparison to LAC. The results showed that the LDC were better than the LAC to select individuals for phenotyping and contributed to detection of the QTL.
A genome scan for quantitative trait loci affecting the length of small intestine in a White Duroc × Chinese Erhualian intercross resource population
Authors: Gao J. , Ren J. , Zhou L.H. , Ren D.R. , Li L. , Xiao S.J. , Yang B. , Huang L.S. 
Published: June 2009

SummaryThe small intestine is a vital organ in animal gastrointestinal system, in which a large variety of nutrients are absorbed. To identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) for the length of porcine small intestine, phenotypic values were measured in 1034 individuals at 240 d from a White Duroc × Chinese Erhualian intercross F2 population. The length of small intestine showed strong correlation with growth traits and carcass length in the F2 population. A whole‐genome scan was performed based on 183 microsatellites covering the pig genome in the F2 population. A total of 10 QTL for this trait were identified on 8 pig chromosomes (SSC), including four 1% genome‐wide significant QTL on SSC2, 4, 7 and 8, one 5% genome‐wide significant QTL on SSC12, and five 5% chromosome‐wide significant QTL on SSC5, 7, 13 and 14. The Erhualian alleles were generally associated with shorter length of the small intestine except the alleles on SSC7 and 13. The QTL on SSC4 overlapped with the previously reported QTL for the length of small intestine. Several significant QTL on SSC2, 8, and 12 were consistent with previous reports. The significant QTL detected on SSC7 was reported for the first time. All QTL identified in this study corresponded to the known region significantly associated with growth traits, supporting the important role of the length of small intestine in pig growth.
Amplification of chickpea‐specific SSR primers in Cajanus species and their validity in diversity analysis
Authors: Datta S. , Kaashyap M. , Kumar S. 
Published: June 2009

With 2 figures and 3 tables AbstractPaucity of polymorphic molecular markers in pigeonpea, Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp., has been a major limiting factor in application of molecular tools for its genetic improvement. As the development of microsatellite markers requires considerable time, expertise and research infrastructure, transfer of markers from other related genera offers an alternative option to increase the number of available markers. Since microsatellite sequences are conserved across Fabaceae taxa, transferability of 100 chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)‐specific SSR markers was studied in two genotypes each of five wild and one cultivated species of Cajanus. The results revealed a significant transferability (46%) of chickpea microsatellites to Cajanus. In cultivated pigeonpea, chickpea‐specific SSRs showed 38–39% transferability, while among wild Cajanus species, it ranged from 26% in Cajanus sericeus ICP 15760 to 40% in C. sericeus ICP 15761. The transferable primers exhibited extensive polymorphism in Cajanus with an average number of 4.11 alleles per marker. High level of polymorphism exhibited by chickpea microsatellite markers in the present study indicates their usefulness in diversity analysis, mapping agronomically important traits and marker‐assisted breeding in pigeonpea.
The Influence of Powdered Coconut Water (ACP‐318®) in In Vitro Maturation of Canine Oocytes
Authors: Silva AEF , Cavalcante LF , Rodrigues BA , Rodrigues JL 
Published: June 2009

ContentsThe objective of this study was to determine the influence of powdered coconut water (ACP‐318®) diluted in high glucose (11.0 mm) TCM199 in the achievement of nuclear in vitro maturation (IVM) of canine oocytes. Cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) (n = 632) were randomly allocated into three experimental groups named as group 1 (control group), group 2 (5% powdered coconut water) and group 3 (10% powdered coconut water). The percentage of meiotic resumption (MR) (GVBD to MII) was 39.1% (81/207), 50.2% (108/215) and 46.6% (98/210) for groups 1, 2 and 3 respectively (p < 0.05). There were no differences in MR rates among groups 2 and 3. The medium with ACP‐318® slightly enhanced the nuclear maturation of canine oocytes when a comparison was established with rates of maturation exhibited by oocytes in the experimental group 1 without ACP‐318® (p < 0.05). The results suggest that oocytes’ nuclear morphology integrity and meiosis achievement were positively influenced when exposed to high glucose TCM199 supplemented with 5% powdered coconut water. Further investigation must be performed for a better understanding of powdered coconut water influence in cellular events during IVM of dog oocytes.
Regulatory T cells/T‐helper cell 17 functional imbalance in uraemic patients on maintenance haemodialysis: A pivotal link between microinflammation and adverse cardiovascular events
Authors: ZHANG JIANBIN , HUA GAN , ZHANG XIAOGANG , TONG RUYAN , DU XIAOGANG , LI ZHENGRONG 
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACT:Aim:  Adverse cardiovascular events resulting from accelerated atherosclerosis are the leading cause of mortality in uraemic patients on maintenance haemodialysis (MHD). Chronic inflammation due to antigen‐specific responses is an important factor in the acceleration of atherosclerosis. The balance between CD4+ CD25+ forkhead/winged helix transcription factor (Foxp3)+ regulatory T cells (Treg) and T helper (Th)17 cells has been reported to play an important role in the development of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. The aim of the present study was to assess the Treg/Th17 pattern in uraemic patients on MHD and to explore the significance of Treg/Th17 imbalance in the development and outcome of acute cardiovascular events.Methods:  A total of 42 uraemic patients on MHD were evaluated. Of the 42, 22 patients with a history of acute cardiovascular events served as the MHD1 group and 20 patients without acute cardiovascular events served as the MHD2 group. Thirty patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) without acute cardiovascular events just before haemodialysis therapy served as the CKD control group and 30 healthy volunteers as the normal control group. The Treg and Th17 frequencies were measured by flow cytometry. The retinoic acid receptor‐related orphan receptor γt (RORγt) and Foxp3 expressions were measured by real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Serum cytokines and C‐reactive protein were detected by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and immunoturbidimetry.Results:  Patients with uraemia exhibited an obvious imbalance of Treg/Th17 function when compared to the normal control group, displaying increased peripheral Th17 frequency, Th17‐related cytokines (interleukin [IL]‐17, IL‐6 and IL‐23) and RORγt mRNA levels. These patients also displayed decreased Treg frequency, Treg‐related cytokines (IL‐10, transforming growth factor‐β1) and Foxp3 mRNA levels. This imbalance was more pronounced in the MHD2 group, while there was no significant difference between the MHD1 and CKD control group (P < 0.01 between normal control and uraemic patients; P > 0.05 between CKD control and MHD1; and P < 0.05 between MHD1 and MHD2). It was also observed that the imbalance of Treg/Th17 was not only consistent with the cardiovascular disease but also correlated with a microinflammatory state.Conclusion:  The Treg/Th17 balance was disturbed by uraemia, especially in patients with adverse cardiovascular events. This Th17/Treg imbalance might act synergistically with microinflammation on immune‐mediated atherosclerosis and contribute to the high incidence of adverse cardiovascular events.
Effect of renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) blockade on visfatin levels in diabetic nephropathy
Authors: EYILETEN TAYFUN , SONMEZ ALPER , SAGLAM MUTLU , CAKIR ERDINC , CAGLAR KAYSER , OGUZ YUSUF , VURAL ABDULGAFFAR , YENICESU MUJDAT , YILMAZ MAHMUT ILKER 
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACT:Aim:  Plasma visfatin levels are elevated in diabetic nephropathy in parallel to the severity of proteinuria and glomerular filtration rate. The aim of this study was to find out whether the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) blockage has any effect on the plasma visfatin levels.Methods:  Thirty‐two patients with diabetic proteinuria (>500 mg/day) with a normal glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and 33 healthy subjects were enrolled. Patients were treated with ramipril 5 mg daily for 2 months. Proteinuria, GFR, high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hsCRP), visfatin, flow‐mediated dilatation (FMD) and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) index measurements were performed both before and after the treatment.Results:  The plasma visfatin, and hsCRP levels of the patients were significantly higher and the FMD was significantly lower (P < 0.001 for all). The visfatin levels were significantly correlated to FMD, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, proteinuria, eGFR, HOMA‐IR and hsCRP. Ramipril treatment resulted in a significant decrease in plasma visfatin, proteinuria, hsCRP, HOMA‐IR and increase in FMD (P < 0.001) in patients (P < 0.001 for all).Conclusion:  The present study suggests that plasma visfatin levels are related to the endothelial functions, inflammation and the severity of proteinuria in diabetic nephropathy. Treatment with ramipril causes a significant decrease in visfatin levels along with the improvement of proteinuria, endothelial dysfunction and inflammatory state in diabetic nephropathy.
Randomized clinical trial on acute effects of i.v. iron sucrose during haemodialysis
Authors: GARCIA‐FERNANDEZ NURIA , ECHEVERRIA AITZIBER , SANCHEZ‐IBARROLA ALFONSO , PÁRAMO JOSÉ ANTONIO , COMA‐CANELLA ISABEL 
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACT:Aim:  Haemodialysis induces endothelial dysfunction by oxidation and inflammation. Intravenous iron administration during haemodialysis could worsen endothelial dysfunction. The aim of this study was to ascertain if iron produces endothelial dysfunction and the possible neutralizing effect of N‐acetylcysteine when infused before iron. The oxidative and inflammatory effects of iron during haemodialysis were also assessed.Methods:  Forty patients undergoing haemodialysis were studied in a randomized and cross‐over design with and without N‐acetylcysteine infused before iron sucrose (50 or 100 mg). Plasma Von Willebrand factor (vWF), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (sICAM‐1) levels, malondialdehyde, total antioxidant capacity, CD11b/CD18 expression in monocytes, interleukin (IL)‐8 in monocytes and plasma IL‐8 were studied at baseline and during haemodialysis.Results:  Haemodialysis produced significant (P < 0.001) increase in plasma vWF, sICAM‐1, malondialdehyde, IL‐8 and CD11b/CD18 expression in monocytes, as well as decrease in total antioxidant capacity. Iron induced significant increase in plasma malondialdehyde and IL‐8 in monocytes, but had no effect on total antioxidant capacity, CD11b/CD18 expression, plasma IL‐8, vWF and sICAM‐1. The addition of N‐acetylcysteine to 50 mg of iron produced a significant (P = 0.040) decrease in malondialdehyde.Conclusion:  Standard (100 mg) and low (50 mg) doses of iron during haemodialysis had no effects on endothelium. Iron only had minor effects on inflammation and produced an increase in oxidative stress, which was neutralized by N‐acetylcysteine at low iron dose. Haemodialysis caused a significant increase in oxidative stress, inflammation and endothelial dysfunction markers.
Excessive granulation tissue at the harvest site following pterygium surgery with conjunctival autograft: a clinicopathological case report
Authors: Dayanir Volkan , Kaplan Ahmet , Polatli Ozlem 
Published: June 2009

AbstractA 31‐year‐old woman had an uneventful primary pterygium surgery with a conjunctival autograft. Four days following the surgery a red‐violet‐coloured lesion appeared at the bare autograft harvest site that was excised at postoperative 1 month leaving the autograft site bare again. The lesion recurred in a week. The excision was repeated but this time the sclera was closed by end‐to‐end suturation of conjunctiva. The lesion did not recur during the 3 months of follow up. Pathological examination revealed the lesion to be composed of granulation tissue composed of an overlying stratified epithelium and underlying marked vascularization, fibroblasts and lymphomonocyte cells. Excessive granulation tissue may form when there is a deviation in wound healing. Removal of the excessive granulation and restoration of the continuity of the surrounding epithelium should be curative.