bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cytokine gene expression at the materno‐foetal interface after experimental Neospora caninum infection of heifers at 110 days of gestation
Authors: ALMERÍA S. , ARAUJO R. N. , DARWICH L. , DUBEY J. P. , GASBARRE L. C. 
Published: June 2011

Summary Neospora caninum is a major cause of abortion in cattle, but the reasons why only some animals abort remain unclear. The immunological control of the parasite in the placenta or by the foetus could be the key to determining the mechanism of abortion and/or transplacental transmission to the foetus. In this study, cytokine gene expression, analysed by real‐time RT‐PCR, at the maternal (caruncle) and foetal placenta (cotyledon) of heifers infected at 110 days of gestation by intravenous inoculation of N. caninum tachyzoites was compared with the responses in uninfected heifers. Animals were euthanized 3 weeks after infection. Upregulated Th1, Th2 and T‐regulatory (Treg) cytokine gene expression was observed in both the maternal and the foetal placenta in the infected group. In the caruncle of infected animals, the main changes included upregulation of IFN‐γ, IL‐12p40, IL‐6 and IL‐10. In the cotyledon, the main changes included upregulation of IFN‐γ and downregulation of TGF‐β, being the later the only cytokine downregulated in the infected group. The observed cytokine expression pattern was associated with alive but transplacentally infected foetuses, suggesting that such cytokine pattern is beneficial to foetal survival, but could have a role in the transplacental transmission of the parasite.
Adoptive transfer of dendritic cells isolated from helminth‐infected mice enhanced T regulatory cell responses in airway allergic inflammation
Authors: LIU J. ‐Y. , LI L. ‐Y. , YANG X. ‐Z. , LI J. , ZHONG G. , WANG J. , LI L. ‐J. , JI B. , WU Z. ‐Q. , LIU H. , YANG X. , LIU P. ‐M. 
Published: June 2011

SummaryOur and others’ previous studies have shown that Schistosoma japonicum (SJ) infection can inhibit allergic reactions. Moreover, we found that adoptive transfer of dendritic cells (DCs) from inhibited mice showed a similar inhibitory effect on allergy, suggesting a critical role of DCs in SJ‐infected mediated inhibition of allergy. In this study, we further examined the mechanism by which DCs contribute to inhibition of allergy. Our results showed that DCs from SJ‐infected mice (SJDCs) produced significantly higher levels of IL‐10 compared to those from naive control mice (NDCs). Adoptive transfer of SJDCs, unlike NDCs, significantly increased CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ T cells and CD4+CD25+IL‐10+ T cells regulatory T‐cell responses in vivo. This was correlated with significantly reduced production of IL‐4 and IL‐5 by CD4+ T cells, eotaxin in lung tissues and reduced airway allergic inflammation in the SJDC recipients following allergen sensitization and challenge. These data suggest that helminth infection may induce tolerogenic DCs that can inhibit the development of airway allergic inflammation through enhancing T regulatory cell responses.
Influence of β‐glucan on innate immunity and resistance of Lutjanus guttatus to an experimental infection of dactylogyrid monogeneans
Authors: DEL RIO‐ZARAGOZA O. B. , FAJER‐ÁVILA E. J. , ALMAZÁN‐RUEDA P. 
Published: June 2011

SummaryThe present study investigated the effect of β‐1,3/1,6‐glucan on growth, haematology, innate immunity and resistance against dactylogyrids on the spotted rose snapper (Lutjanus guttatus). Fish were fed during 5 weeks with commercial diet (control group) and same diet supplemented with three levels of β‐glucans (0·05%, 0·1% and 0·5%/kg feed). The results showed that at concentrations of 0·05% and 0·1%, fish growth was enhanced, and in weeks 2 and 4, an increase in cellular responses such as percentage of monocytes, neutrophils, respiratory burst activity and nitric oxide activity was observed. In diet with 0·5%β‐glucans, changes were registered at the end of the experiment. At week 2, 0·05%β‐glucans showed the best response to most of the analysed parameters. In a second trial, diet with 0·05%β‐glucans was chosen to prove its effect on the resistance of infected fish with monogeneans. The results showed that fish reduce significantly the number of dactylogyrids, and parameters such as WBC, percentage of lymphocytes, neutrophils and eosinophils were increased. In addition, WBC and percentage of thrombocytes increased in the control (+). The β‐glucans have the potential to be use in diet formulations of the spotted rose snapper and to limit the adverse effects of dactylogyrids.
Are gas exchange responses to resource limitation and defoliation linked to source:sink relationships?
Authors: PINKARD E. A. , EYLES A. , O'GRADY A. P. 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACTProductivity of trees can be affected by limitations in resources such as water and nutrients, and herbivory. However, there is little understanding of their interactive effects on carbon uptake and growth. We hypothesized that: (1) in the absence of defoliation, photosynthetic rate and leaf respiration would be governed by limiting resource(s) and their impact on sink limitation; (2) photosynthetic responses to defoliation would be a consequence of changing source:sink relationships and increased availability of limiting resources; and (3) photosynthesis and leaf respiration would be adjusted in response to limiting resources and defoliation so that growth could be maintained. We tested these hypotheses by examining how leaf photosynthetic processes, respiration, carbohydrate concentrations and growth rates of Eucalyptus globulus were influenced by high or low water and nitrogen (N) availability, and/or defoliation. Photosynthesis of saplings grown with low water was primarily sink limited, whereas photosynthetic responses of saplings grown with low N were suggestive of source limitation. Defoliation resulted in source limitation. Net photosynthetic responses to defoliation were linked to the degree of resource availability, with the largest responses measured in treatments where saplings were ultimately source rather than sink limited. There was good evidence of acclimation to stress, enabling higher rates of C uptake than might otherwise have occurred.
Phloem unloading follows an extensive apoplasmic pathway in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) fruit from anthesis to marketable maturing stage
Authors: HU LIPING , SUN HUIHUI , LI RUIFU , ZHANG LINGYUN , WANG SHAOHUI , SUI XIAOLEI , ZHANG ZHENXIAN 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACTThe phloem unloading pathway remains unclear in fruits of Cucurbitaceae, a classical stachyose‐transporting species with bicollateral phloem. Using a combination of electron microscopy, transport of phloem‐mobile symplasmic tracer carboxyfluorescein, assays of acid invertase and sucrose transporter, and [14C]sugar uptake, the phloem unloading pathway was studied in cucumber (Cucumis sativus) fruit from anthesis to the marketable maturing stage. Structural investigations showed that the sieve element–companion cell (SE–CC) complex of the vascular bundles feeding fruit flesh is apparently symplasmically restricted. Imaging of carboxyfluorescein unloading showed that the dye remained confined to the phloem strands of the vascular bundles in the whole fruit throughout the stages examined. A 37 kDa acid invertase was located predominantly in the cell walls of SE–CC complexes and parenchyma cells. Studies of [14C]sugar uptake suggested that energy‐driven transporters may be functional in sugar trans‐membrane transport within symplasmically restricted SE–CC complex, which was further confirmed by the existence of a functional plasma membrane sucrose transporter (CsSUT4) in cucumber fruit. These data provide a clear evidence for an apoplasmic phloem unloading pathway in cucumber fruit. A presumption that putative raffinose or stachyose transporters may be involved in soluble sugars unloading was discussed.
Nutritional benefit from leaf litter utilization in the pitcher plant Nepenthes ampullaria
Authors: PAVLOVIČ ANDREJ , SLOVÁKOVÁ ĽUDMILA , ŠANTRŮČEK JIŘÍ 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACTThe pitcher plant Nepenthes ampullaria has an unusual growth pattern, which differs markedly from other species in the carnivorous genus Nepenthes. Its pitchers have a reflexed lid and sit above the soil surface in a tighly packed ‘carpet’. They contain a significant amount of plant‐derived materials, suggesting that this species is partially herbivorous. We tested the hypothesis that the plant benefits from leaf litter utilization by increased photosynthetic efficiency sensu stricto cost/benefit model. Stable nitrogen isotope abundance indicated that N. ampullaria derived around 41.7 ± 5.5% of lamina and 54.8 ± 7.0% of pitcher nitrogen from leaf litter. The concentrations of nitrogen and assimilation pigments, and the rate of net photosynthesis (AN), increased in the lamina as a result of feeding, but did not increase in the trap. However, maximal (Fv/Fm) and effective photochemical quantum yield of photosystem II (ΦPSII) were unaffected. Our data indicate that N. ampullaria benefits from leaf litter utilization and our study provides the first experimental evidence that the unique nitrogen sequestration strategy of N. ampullaria provides benefits in term of photosynthesis and growth.
Differential response of young and adult leaves to herbicide 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid in pea plants: role of reactive oxygen species
Authors: PAZMIÑO DIANA M. , RODRÍGUEZ‐SERRANO MARÍA , ROMERO‐PUERTAS MARÍA C. , ARCHILLA‐RUIZ ANGUSTIAS , DEL RÍO LUIS A. , SANDALIO LUISA M. 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACTIn this work the differential response of adult and young leaves from pea (Pisum sativum L.) plants to the herbicide 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4‐D) (23 mm) applied by foliar spraying was investigated. The concentration of 2,4‐D (23 mm) and the time of treatment (72 h) were previously optimized in order to visualize its toxic effects on pea plants. Under these conditions, the herbicide induced severe disturbances in mesophyll cells structure and proliferation of vascular tissue in young leaves and increased acyl‐CoA oxidase (ACX), xanthine oxidase (XOD) and lipoxygenase (LOX) activities in young leaves, and only ACX and LOX in adult leaves. This situation produced reactive oxygen species (ROS) over‐accumulation favoured by the absence of significant changes in the enzymatic antioxidants, giving rise to oxidative damages to proteins and membrane lipids. An increase of ethylene took place in both young and adult leaves and the induction of genes encoding the stress proteins, PRP4A and HSP 71,2, was observed mainly in young leaves. These results suggest that ROS overproduction is a key factor in the effect of high concentrations of 2,4‐D, and ROS can trigger a differential response in young and adult leaves, either epinasty development in young leaves or senescence processes in adult tissues.
Allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) induces stomatal closure in Arabidopsis
Authors: KHOKON MD. ATIQUR RAHMAN , JAHAN MD. SARWAR , RAHMAN TANIYA , HOSSAIN MOHAMMAD ANOWAR , MUROYAMA DAICHI , MINAMI IKUKO , MUNEMASA SHINTARO , MORI IZUMI C. , NAKAMURA YOSHIMASA , MURATA YOSHIYUKI 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACTIsothiocyanates (ITCs) are degradation products of glucosinolates in crucifer plants and have repellent effect on insects, pathogens and herbivores. In this study, we report that exogenously applied allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) induced stomatal closure in Arabidopsis via production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO), and elevation of cytosolic Ca2+. AITC‐induced stomatal closures were partially inhibited by an inhibitor of NADPH oxidase and completely inhibited by glutathione monoethyl ester (GSHmee). AITC‐induced stomatal closure and ROS production were examined in abscisic acid (ABA) deficient mutant aba2‐2 and methyl jasmonate (MeJA)‐deficient mutant aos to elucidate involvement of endogenous ABA and MeJA. Genetic evidences have demonstrated that AITC‐induced stomatal closure required MeJA priming but not ABA priming. These results raise the possibility that crucifer plants produce ITCs to induce stomatal closure, leading to suppression of water loss and invasion of fungi through stomata.
The use of digital image analysis and real‐time PCR fine‐tunes bioassays for quantification of Cercospora leaf spot disease in sugar beet breeding
Authors: De Coninck B. M. A. , Amand O. , Delauré S. L. , Lucas S. , Hias N. , Weyens G. , Mathys J. , De Bruyne E. , Cammue B. P. A. 
Published: June 2011

Cercospora leaf spot, caused by the fungus Cercospora beticola, is a major fungal sugar beet disease worldwide and the cause of significant yield losses. The disease is most successfully countered by the introduction of genetic tolerance into elite sugar beet hybrids. To this end, breeding programmes require high quality biological assays allowing discrimination of minor differences between plants within a segregating population. This study describes the successful implementation of image analysis software in the bioassays for quantification of necrotic lesions at different stages of C. beticola infection, allowing selection on minor phenotypic differences during the sugar beet breeding process for C. beticola resistance. In addition, a real‐time PCR assay was developed for the quantification of C. beticola pathogen biomass in infected beet canopy. The use of both techniques, even in an early stage of infection, fine‐tunes current bioassays, allowing more accurate and efficient selection of resistant breeding material.
CD44/CD70 Blockade and Anti‐CD154/LFA‐1 Treatment Synergistically Suppress Accelerated Rejection and Prolong Cardiac Allograft Survival in Mice
Authors: Shao W. , Yan G. , Lin Y. , Chen J. , Dai H. , Wang F. , Xi Y. , Thorlacius H. , Qi Z. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractCurrent treatments that are efficient in controlling effector T cell responses to allografts have limited efficacy on the accelerated rejection mediated by memory T cells. Effective targeting of alloreactive memory T cells may therefore be explored to improve therapeutic approaches towards solving this problem. In this study, we investigated the synergistic effect of CD44/CD70 blockade and anti‐CD154/LFA‐1 treatment on the accelerated rejection mediated by memory T cells. While CD44/CD70 blockade had limited effects on the alloresponses of effector T cells in vivo, it diminished the expansion of both CD4+ and CD8+ memory T cells in recipients adoptively transferred with donor‐sensitized T cells. In combination with anti‐CD154/LFA‐1 treatment, CD44/CD70 blockade significantly prolonged cardiac allograft survival in adoptive transfer recipients. We demonstrated that treatment with the combination of all four antibodies (anti‐CD154/LFA‐1/CD44/CD70) inhibited accelerated rejection by markedly suppressing the alloresponses of effector and memory T cells and reducing the number of graft‐infiltration lymphocytes in adoptive transfer recipients. Meanwhile, CD44/CD70 blockade and anti‐CD154/LFA‐1 treatment synergically enhanced regulatory T cells (Tregs) by increasing the proportion of splenic Tregs and the expression of IL‐10 in these recipients. Our findings contribute to the potential design of therapies for accelerated allograft rejection.
Soybean NAC transcription factors promote abiotic stress tolerance and lateral root formation in transgenic plants
Authors: Hao Yu‐Jun , Wei Wei , Song Qing‐Xin , Chen Hao‐Wei , Zhang Yu‐Qin , Wang Fang , Zou Hong‐Feng , Lei Gang , Tian Ai‐Guo , Zhang Wan‐Ke , Ma Biao , Zhang Jin‐Song , Chen Shou‐Yi 
Published: June 2011

SummaryNAC transcription factors play important roles in plant growth, development and stress responses. Previously, we identified multiple NAC genes in soybean (Glycine max). Here, we identify the roles of two genes, GmNAC11 and GmNAC20, in stress responses and other processes. The two genes were differentially induced by multiple abiotic stresses and plant hormones, and their transcripts were abundant in roots and cotyledons. Both genes encoded proteins that localized to the nucleus and bound to the core DNA sequence CGT[G/A]. In the protoplast assay system, GmNAC11 acts as a transcriptional activator, whereas GmNAC20 functions as a mild repressor; however, the C‐terminal end of GmANC20 has transcriptional activation activity. Over‐expression of GmNAC20 enhances salt and freezing tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis plants; however, GmNAC11 over‐expression only improves salt tolerance. Over‐expression of GmNAC20 also promotes lateral root formation. GmNAC20 may regulate stress tolerance through activation of the DREB/CBF–COR pathway, and may control lateral root development by altering auxin signaling‐related genes. GmNAC11 probably regulates DREB1A and other stress‐related genes. The roles of the two GmNAC genes in stress tolerance were further analyzed in soybean transgenic hairy roots. These results provide a basis for genetic manipulation to improve the agronomic traits of important crops.
Genetic and functional analyses describe a novel 730delG mutation in the KEL gene causing K0 phenotype in a Taiwanese blood donor
Authors: Yang M.‐H. , Li L. , Kuo Y.‐F. , Hung Y.‐S. , Yu L.‐C. , Hung C.‐S. , Tsai S.‐J. L. , Lin K.‐S. , Chu D.‐C. 
Published: June 2011

Aims/Objectives: The purpose of this study was to explore the molecular basis of the K0 phenotype of a Taiwanese blood donor found to have anti‐Ku alloantibodies.Background: With respect to Kell blood group antigens, almost all Taiwanese have the (K−, k+) phenotype.Materials and Methods: Alloantibody identification and KEL antigen typing were performed. Enzymatic function assays were carried out to detect the Kell glycoprotein on RBCs. The KEL genes were sequenced to detect genetic variation. To determine the origin of this novel allele, family studies were conducted.Results: The alloantibody was identified as anti‐Ku. The donor was typed K0. The KEL gene‐sequencing data revealed that this K0 donor is a compound heterozygote with two different null alleles. He bears a novel 730delG mutation in one allele. Family studies suggested that the donor inherited the 730delG mutation from his father. The endothelin‐converting activity assay indicated that his RBCs had no functional Kell glycoprotein. Other family members who had only one null allele with the 730delG mutation had the phenotype (K−, k+).Conclusion: For blood transfusion safety, it is important to establish an effective screening algorithm to identify rare phenotypes, such as the K0 phenotype, and to establish a database of rare blood groups.
Reaching Millennium Development Goal 4 – The Gambia
Authors: Jasseh Momodou , Webb Emily L. , Jaffar Shabbar , Howie Stephen , Townend John , Smith Peter G. , Greenwood Brian M. , Corrah Tumani 
Published: June 2011

SummaryObjective  To describe how, through a DSS in a rural area of The Gambia, it has been possible to measure substantial reductions in child mortality rates and how we investigated whether the decline paralleled the registered fall in malaria incidence in the country.Methods  Demographic surveillance data spanning 19.5 years (1 April 1989–30 September 2008) from 42 villages around the town of Farafenni, The Gambia, were used to estimate childhood mortality rates for neonatal, infant, child (1–4 years) and under‐5 age groups. Data were presented in five a priori defined time periods, and annual rates per 1000 live births were derived from Kaplan–Meier survival probabilities.Results  From 1989–1992 to 2004–2008, under‐5 mortality declined by 56% (95% CI: 48–63%), from 165 (95% CI: 151–181) per 1000 live births to 74 (95% CI: 65–84) per 1000 live births. In 1‐ to 4‐year‐olds, mortality during the period 2004–2008 was 69% (95% CI: 60–76%) less than in 1989–1992. The corresponding mortality decline in infants was 39% (95% CI: 23–52%); in neonates, it was 38% (95% CI: 13–66%). The derived annual under‐5 mortality rates declined from 159 per 1000 live births in 1990 to 45 per 1000 live births in 2008, thus implying an attainment of MDG4 seven years in advance of the target year of 2015.Conclusion  Achieving MDG4 is possible in poor, rural areas of Africa through widespread deployment of relatively simple measures that improve child survival, such as immunisation and effective malaria control.
Antimicrobial susceptibility of bacterial isolates from community acquired infections in Sub‐Saharan Africa and Asian low and middle income countries
Authors: Ashley Elizabeth A. , Lubell Yoel , White Nicholas J. , Turner Paul 
Published: June 2011

SummaryObjective  Antimicrobial resistance has arisen across the globe in both nosocomial and community settings as a consequence of widespread antibiotic consumption. Poor availability of laboratory diagnosis means that resistance frequently goes unrecognised and may only be detected as clinical treatment failure. In this review, we provide an overview of the reported susceptibility of common community acquired bacterial pathogens in Sub‐Saharan Africa and Asia to the antibiotics that are most widely used in these areas.Methods  We reviewed the literature for reports of the susceptibility of prevalent pathogens in the community in SSA and Asia to a range of commonly prescribed antibiotics. Inclusion criteria required that isolates were collected since 2004 and that they were obtained from either normally sterile sites or urine. The data were aggregated by region and by age group.Results  Eighty‐three studies were identified since 2004 which reported the antimicrobial susceptibilities of common bacterial pathogens. Different methods were used to assess in‐vitro susceptibility in the different studies. The quality of testing (evidenced by resistance profiles) also varied considerably. For Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis most drugs maintained relatively high efficacy, apart from co‐trimoxazole to which there were high levels of resistance in most of the pathogens surveyed.Conclusions  Compared with the enormous infectious disease burden and widespread use of antibiotics there are relatively few reliable data on antimicrobial susceptibility from tropical Asia and Africa upon which to draw firm conclusions, although it is evident that many commonly used antibiotics face considerable resistance in prevalent bacterial pathogens. This is likely to exacerbate morbidity and mortality. Investment in improved antimicrobial susceptibility testing and surveillance systems is likely to be a highly cost‐effective strategy and should be complemented by centralized and readily accessible information resources.