bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Molecular Detection of Phytophthora cryptogea on Calendula officinalis and Gerbera jamesonii Artificially Inoculated with Zoospores
Authors: Li Yuan , Minerdi Daniela , Garibaldi Angelo , Gullino Maria Lodovica 
Published: February 2009

AbstractIn this work, a protocol for zoospores production of Phytophthora cryptogea, an economically important plant pathogen was optimized. Five different concentrations of zoospores (5 × 105, 5 × 104, 5 × 103, 5 × 102, 5 × 101 zoospores/ml) from four different isolates of P. cryptogea (Maria 1, Maria 2, S3 1‐A, Amazzone) were used as inoculum on pot marigold (Calendula officinalis) and gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii) plants. Maria 1 was the most virulent isolate both on pot marigold and gerbera plants according to disease severity. A rapid and sensitive pathogen DNA extraction protocol suitable for large quantities of plant samples was adopted. Conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was able to detect the pathogen in artificially inoculated symptomless pot marigold (collected day 12) and gerbera plants (day 8) after pathogen inoculation, with the suspension of 5 × 105, 5 × 104, 5 × 103P. cryptogea zoospores/ml. Real‐time PCR showed the possibility to detect the pathogen in artificially inoculated symptomless pot marigold (collected day 8) and gerbera plants (day 4) after pathogen inoculation, with the suspension of 5 × 105, 5 × 104P. cryptogea zoospores/ml. The first symptoms appeared on pot marigold plants 14 days after pathogen inoculation and on gerbera plants 10 days after inoculation. Real‐time PCR showed the possibility to detect the pathogen 4 days before conventional PCR and 6 days before the appearance of disease symptoms both on pot marigold and gerbera plants.
The Effect of the Sequence of Infection of the Causal Agents of Sweet Potato Virus Disease on Symptom Severity and Individual Virus Titres in Sweet Potato cv. Beauregard
Authors: Mcgregor Cecilia , Miano Douglas , La Bonte Don , Hoy Mary , Clark Christopher 
Published: February 2009

AbstractSweet potato virus disease (SPVD) is caused by dual infection of plants with Sweet Potato Feathery Mottle Virus (SPFMV) and Sweet Potato Chlorotic Stunt Virus (SPCSV). Because SPFMV and SPCSV are transmitted by aphids and whiteflies, respectively, infection in nature occurs independently rather than simultaneously. To investigate the effect of consecutive infection on symptom development and individual virus titres, plants infected with a single virus were later inoculated with the second virus. Symptoms were significantly more severe in plants infected with SPCSV followed by SPFMV compared to plants infected with SPFMV followed by SPCSV. Virus titres were not significantly different for SPCSV, but SPFMV titres, in plants infected with SPCSV followed by SPFMV, were significantly higher than all other treatments. The results indicate that the sequence of infection of sweetpotato plants with the causal agents of SPVD influence the severity of symptoms and SPFMV titres in SPVD affected plants.
ENDOTHELINS AND NADPH OXIDASES IN THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
Authors: Dammanahalli Karigowda J , Sun Zhongjie 
Published: February 2009

SUMMARY

The endothelin (ET) system and NADPH oxidase play important roles in the regulation of cardiovascular function, as well as in the pathogenesis of hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases.
Endothelins activate NADPH oxidases and thereby increase superoxide production, resulting in oxidative stress and cardiovascular dysfunction. Thus, NADPH oxidases may mediate the role of endothelins in some cardiovascular diseases. However, the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in mediating ET‐induced vasoconstriction and cardiovascular disease remains under debate, as evidenced by conflicting reports from different research teams. Conversely, activation of NADPH oxidase can stimulate ET secretion via ROS generation, which further enhances the cardiovascular effects of NADPH oxidase. However, little is known about how ROS activate the endothelin system. It seems that the relationship between ET‐1 and ROS may vary with cardiovascular disorders.
Endothelins activate NADPH oxidase via the ET receptor–proline‐rich tyrosine kinase‐2 (Pyk2)–Rac1 pathway. Rac1 is an important regulator of NADPH oxidase. There is ample evidence supporting direct stimulation by Rac1 of NADPH oxidase activity. In addition, Rac1‐induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy is mediated by the generation of ROS.
δ‐OPIOID RECEPTOR STIMULATION ENHANCES THE GROWTH OF NEONATAL RAT VENTRICULAR MYOCYTES VIA THE EXTRACELLULAR SIGNAL‐REGULATED KINASE PATHWAY
Authors: Zhao Min , Wang Hong‐Xin , Yang Jing , Su Yu‐Hong , Su Rong‐Jian , Wong Tak Ming 
Published: February 2009

SUMMARY

The aims of the present study were to determine whether δ‐opioid receptor stimulation enhanced proliferation of and to investigate the role of the extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) pathway in ventricular myocytes from neonatal rats.
At concentratins ranging from 10 nmol/L to 10 µmol/L, [d‐Ala2,d‐Leu5]enkephalin (DADLE) concentration‐dependently promoted myocardial growth and DNA synthesis and altered the cytoskeleton.
At 1 µmol/L, DADLE also increased the expression and phosphorylation of ERK.
These effects of 1 µmol/L DADLE were abolished by 10 µmol/L naltrindole, a selective δ‐opioid receptor antagonist, 10 nmol/L U0126, a selective ERK antagonist, 1 µmol/L staurosporine, an inhibitor of protein kinase (PK) C, and 100 µmol/L Rp‐adenosine 3′,5′‐cyclic monophosphorothioate triethylammonium salt hydrate (Rp‐cAMPS), an inhibitor of PKA.
In conclusion, δ‐opioid receptor stimulation enhances the proliferation and development of the ventricular myocytes of neonatal rats. The ERK pathway and related signalling mechanisms, namely PKC and PKA, are involved.
HEPATOCYTE GROWTH FACTOR PLAYS A CRITICAL ROLE IN THE REGULATION OF CYTOKINE PRODUCTION AND INDUCTION OF ENDOTHELIAL PROGENITOR CELL MOBILIZATION: A PILOT GENE THERAPY STUDY IN PATIENTS WITH CORONARY HEART DISEASE
Authors: Yang Zhi‐Jian , Xu Shun‐Lin , Chen Bo , Zhang Shu‐Lan , Zhang You‐Long , Wei Wang , Ma Dong‐Chao , Wang Lian‐Sheng , Zhu Tie‐Bing , Li Chun‐Jian , Wang Hui , Cao Ke‐Jiang , Gao Wei , Huang Jun , Ma Wen‐Zhu , Wu Zu‐Ze 
Published: February 2009

SUMMARY

There is growing evidence of the beneficial effects of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in myocardial infarction, heart failure and occlusive peripheral arterial disease. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of intracoronary administration of an adenovirus vector encoding the human HGF gene (Ad‐HGF) on serum levels of cytokines and mobilization of CD34+ and CD117+ cells in patients with coronary heart disease.
Twenty‐one patients with severe coronary artery disease were recruited to the study: 11 patients received both a stent and administration of Ad‐HGF; the remaining 10 patients received a stent alone and served as the control group. Blood samples were obtained from the femoral vein before and then 6 and 24 h, 3 and 6 days and 2 weeks after treatment for the isolation of serum and peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Intracoronary administration of Ad‐HGF in patients with coronary heart disease resulted in high levels of HGF gene expression, as well as its receptor c‐met, compared with the control group, as demonstrated by real‐time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction. In addition, serum levels of HGF, vascular endothelial growth factor, monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 and interleukin (IL)‐10 were increased and serum levels of IL‐8 were decreased in patients administered Ad‐HGF compared with the control group. The percentage of CD34+ and CD117+ cells in the peripheral blood increased in patients administered Ad‐HGF.
In conclusion, HGF gene therapy may play an important role in the regulation of cytokines and the induction of endothelial progenitor cell mobilization in patients with coronary heart disease.
AMELIORATIVE EFFECTS OF HISTAMINE ON SPATIAL MEMORY DEFICITS INDUCED BY SCOPOLAMINE INFUSION INTO BILATERAL DORSAL OR VENTRAL HIPPOCAMPUS AS EVALUATED BY THE RADIAL ARM MAZE TASK
Authors: Xu Li‐Sha , Fan Yan‐Ying , He Ping , Zhang Wei‐Ping , Hu Wei‐Wei , Chen Zhong 
Published: February 2009

SUMMARYThe present study examined the role of the hippocampal histaminergic system in the regulation of spatial memory deficit in rats using the radial arm maze task after scopolamine injection into the bilateral dorsal (DH) or ventral (VH) hippocampus.Bilateral injection of scopolamine (5 µg/site) into both the DH and VH impaired spatial memory in the retrieval memory process. Injection of histamine (50 or 100 ng/site) in the DH and intraperitoneal injection of histidine (100 mg/kg) markedly improved working memory and reference memory deficits induced by scopolamine injection into the DH. The histamine H1receptor antagonist pyrilamine (1 µg/site) abolished the ameliorative effects of histidine on working memory deficits, whereas both pyrilamine and the H2receptor antagonist cimetidine (0.5 µg/site) abolished the effect of histidine on reference memory.Local injection of histamine (25 or 50 ng/site) into the VH and systemic injection of histidine (50 or 100 mg/kg) markedly improved working memory deficits induced by scopolamine injection into the VH, but did not improve the deficits in reference memory. Injection of both pyrilamine (0.2, 0.5 and 1 µg/site) and cimetidine (0.1 and 0.5 µg/site) into the VH reversed the effects of histidine.The results of the present study indicate that histamine has different actions on cholinergic‐related memory in the the DH and VH. Histamine in the DH ameliorates spatial working memory deficits by acting on histamine H1receptors and reference memory deficits through both H1and H2receptors. However, histamine in the VH ameliorates working memory deficits via an action on both H1and H2receptors.
INHIBITION OF BRAIN RENIN–ANGIOTENSIN SYSTEM IMPROVES DIASTOLIC CARDIAC FUNCTION FOLLOWING MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION IN RATS
Authors: Araujo IG , Trindade DC , Mecawi AS , Sonoda‐Côrtes Rafael , Werneck‐de‐Castro JPS , Costa‐e‐Sousa RH , Reis LC , Olivares EL 
Published: February 2009

SUMMARYRecently, we demonstrated that oral captopril treatment improved diastolic function and attenuated cardiac remodelling after myocardial infarction (MI) in rats. Considering the feasible role of the brain renin–angiotensin system (RAS) in heart failure, in the present study we investigated the role of the captopril injected intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) on the progression of cardiac dysfunction.Male Wistar rats underwent experimental MI or sham operation. Infarcted animals received daily i.c.v. injections of captopril (approximately 200 mg/kg; MI + Cap) or saline (MI) from 11 to 18 days after infarction. Electro‐ and echocardiogram assessments were performed before and after i.c.v. treatment (10 and 18 days after MI, respectively). Water and hypertonic saline ingestion were determined daily between 12 and 16 days after MI.Electrocardiograms from the MI and MI + Cap groups showed signs that resembled large MI before and after i.c.v. treatment. However, despite similar systolic dysfunction observed in both groups, only captopril‐treated rats exhibited reduced left ventricular (LV) dilatation and improved LV filling, as assessed by echocardiograms, and low levels of water ingestion compared with the saline‐treated control group.The results of the present study suggest that the brain RAS may participate in the development of cardiac dysfunction induced by ischaemia and that inhibition of the brain RAS may provide a new strategy for the prevention of diastolic dysfunction.
Surgical practices for urological tumors: A nation‐wide survey in Japan in 2005
Authors: Kawakami Satoru , Kihara Kazunori 
Published: February 2009

Objective:  To clarify how popularly the minimally invasive surgeries for urological tumors are currently conducted in Japan and to predict future trends.Methods:  A nation‐wide survey was performed by the Japanese Association for Minimum‐Incision Endoscopic Surgery under the support of the Japanese Urological Association (JUA). A questionnaire was sent to 1186 JUA‐certified educational institutions asking about surgical practices for representative urological tumors performed in 2005 and those to be performed in the near future. Surgical modalities were categorized into open, laparoscopic and minimized‐incision surgeries, defined as that the operator considers the incision to be minimal and including minimum‐incision endoscopic surgery but not limited.Results:  506 of the 1186 institutions (43%) responded and 20 193 surgical procedures were reported with radical prostatectomy being most frequently performed. Overall 20% and 6% of the procedures were performed with laparoscopic and minimized‐incision surgeries, respectively. More than 20% of the respondents performed open surgery with reduced incision size than before. Surgical procedures without inserting fingers or hand were reported in 5–11% of the open surgeries and 33–45% of the minimized‐incision surgeries. Endoscopy was utilized in 4–14% of the open surgeries and 24–59% of the minimized‐incision surgeries. There was no difference in the incidence of complications among the surgical modalities. 40% and 27% of the respondents are aiming at laparoscopic surgery and at minimized‐incision surgery, respectively.Conclusions:  The results of this nation‐wide survey indicate that minimally invasive surgeries, currently performed in 26% of urological tumor surgeries, are aimed at by the majority of the survey respondents.
Sulfate‐reducing bacteria in marine sediment (Aarhus Bay, Denmark): abundance and diversity related to geochemical zonation
Authors: Leloup Julie , Fossing Henrik , Kohls Katharina , Holmkvist Lars , Borowski Christian , Jørgensen Bo Barker 
Published: February 2009

SummaryIn order to better understand the main factors that influence the distribution of sulfate‐reducing bacteria (SRB), their population size and their metabolic activity in high‐ and low‐sulfate zones, we studied the SRB diversity in 3‐ to 5‐m‐deep sediment cores, which comprised the entire sulfate reduction zone and the upper methanogenic zone. By combining EMA (ethidium monoazide that can only enter damaged/dead cells and may also bind to free DNA) treatment with real‐time PCR, we determined the distributions of total intact bacteria (16S rDNA genes) and intact SRB (dsrAB gene), their relative population sizes, and the proportion of dead cells or free DNA with depth. The abundance of SRB corresponded in average to 13% of the total bacterial community in the sulfate zone, 22% in the sulfate–methane transition zone and 8% in the methane zone. Compared with the total bacterial community, there were relatively less dead/damaged cells and free DNA present than among the SRB and this fraction did not change systematically with depth. By DGGE analysis, based on the amplification of the dsrA gene (400 bp), we found that the richness of SRB did not change with depth through the geochemical zones; but the clustering was related to the chemical zonation. A full‐length clone library of the dsrAB gene (1900 bp) was constructed from four different depths (20, 110, 280 and 500 cm), and showed that the dsrAB genes in the near‐surface sediment (20 cm) was mainly composed of sequences close to the Desulfobacteraceae, including marine complete and incomplete oxidizers such as Desulfosarcina, Desulfobacterium and Desulfococcus. The three other libraries were predominantly composed of Gram‐positive SRB.
Brenneria salicis, the bacterium causing watermark disease in willow, resides as an endophyte in wood
Authors: Maes Martine , Huvenne Hanneke , Messens Eric 
Published: February 2009

Summary Brenneria salicis has been studied in willow wood only in relation to watermark disease. In this pathogenic condition, the bacterium occurs at high concentrations. Pathogenicity of B. salicis is still uncontrollable and the disease unpredictable because the plant–bacteria interaction is not understood. Thanks to molecular techniques B. salicis can be detected at low concentrations, which are found in most non‐pathogenic interactions. Brenneria salicis was identified and traced with a new specific three‐primer polymerase chain reaction and its identity and relative concentration in biological samples confirmed through denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis profiling. Brenneria salicis was found in symptomless willows sampled randomly in Flanders agricultural areas, in young nursery willows, and also in poplar (Populus) and alder (Alnus). It harboured the nitrogenase reductase gene NifH and promoted growth and chlorophyll in willow. Inoculated luminescence‐marked B. salicis circulated through the whole plant without inducing disease and exuded at the leaf margins. Other willow endophytes identified were Rahnella, Sphingomonas and Methylobacterium. In conclusion, because endophytic B. salicis is generally observed in willow, disease must not be dependent on infection. Leaf‐to‐leaf spread is proposed as an important mechanism for spread of B. salicis.
Lymphatic spread in squamous cell carcinoma of the penis is independent of elevated lymph vessel density
Authors: Naumann Carsten Maik , Al‐Najar Amr , Alkatout Ibrahim , Hegele Axel , Korda Joanna Beate , Bolenz Christian , Kalthoff Holger , Sipos Bence , Juenemann Klaus‐Peter , Van Der Horst Christof 
Published: February 2009

OBJECTIVETo examine the potential effect of tumour‐induced lymphangiogenesis in squamous cell carcinoma of the penis as a possible mechanism responsible for lymphatic spread.PATIENTS AND METHODSSpecimens from 65 patients with invasive tumours (31 with and 34 without metastases) were evaluated for lymphatic vessel density (LVD) by the ‘hot‐spot’ method as the density of lymphatic endothelium hyaluronan receptor (LYVE‐1)‐positive lymphatic vessels per unit area of tissue. LVD was examined in peritumoral, intratumoral and normal tissue areas. The LVD of each tumour in these locations was calculated as the mean of the three highest lymph vessel counts in three to five hot‐spots. The nodal status was based on histopathological examination or an uneventful follow‐up of ≥2 years.RESULTSIn all patients the mean (sd) peritumoral LVD of 8.05 (3.14)/0.75 mm2 was significantly higher than for intratumoral and normal tissue, of 4.67 (2.58) and 5.20 (1.87), respectively (P < 0.001). The slightly lower intratumoral LVD than in normal tissue was not significant. The peritumoral LVD was 8.07 (3.29) in metastatic and 8.03 (3.03) in non‐metastatic carcinomas. The intratumoral LVD was 5.13 (3.01) in node‐positive carcinomas and 4.28 (2.15) in tumours with no lymphatic node metastasis (LNM). Comparing tumours with and without LNM, there was no statistically significant difference between intra‐ and peritumoral LVD.CONCLUSIONIncreased LVD does not significantly affect the lymphatic spread in penile carcinomas, indicating that there must be alternative mechanisms that selectively enable tumour cells to invade lymph vessels and to metastasize into the lymph nodes.
A multicolour fluorescence in situ hybridization test predicts recurrence in patients with high‐risk superficial bladder tumours undergoing intravesical therapy
Authors: Whitson Jared , Berry Anna , Carroll Peter , Konety Badrinath 
Published: February 2009

OBJECTIVETo determine whether a multicolour fluorescence in situ hybridization test (UroVysionTM, Abbott Molecular Inc., Des Plaines, IL, USA) in patients with high‐risk superficial bladder tumours maintains its predictive ability in a multivariate model for recurrence and progression, incorporating clinical and pathological predictors of outcome.PATIENTS AND METHODSThe charts of patients with superficial bladder cancer treated with induction or maintenance intravesical therapy (IVT) were reviewed retrospectively. UroVysion testing was used at the beginning and end of each IVT cycle, and cytology and cystoscopy 6 weeks after completing each cycle. Kaplan‐Meier actuarial survival was analysed, stratified by the UroVysion result after IVT. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to identify significant predictors of recurrence.RESULTSIn all, 42 patients had induction IVT with bacille Calmette‐Guérin (BCG), BCG + interferon, or mitomycin. The median follow‐up was 21 months. Recurrent disease was detected in 18 patients. In a univariate analysis, chronic renal insufficiency (hazard ratio 12.1, P = 0.03), positive cytology after IVT (2.7, P = 0.05), and a positive UroVysion test after IVT (8.3, P < 0.01) were predictive of failure. In the multivariate analysis, high grade disease (5.3, P = 0.05), a risk score of >6 (4.7, P = 0.02) and a positive UroVysion test after IVT (6.7, P < 0.01) were significant predictors of recurrence.CONCLUSIONIn patients with high‐risk superficial bladder tumours undergoing IVT, a positive UroVysion test after treatment is highly predictive of recurrence, even in a multivariate model. Additional adjuvant therapy might be necessary in these patients to improve the outcome.
Global pattern of NPP to GPP ratio derived from MODIS data: effects of ecosystem type, geographical location and climate
Authors: Zhang Yangjian , Xu Ming , Chen Hua , Adams Jonathan 
Published: February 2009

ABSTRACTAim To examine the global pattern of the net primary production (NPP)/gross primary production (GPP) ratio of the Earth's land area along geographical and climatic gradients.Location The global planetary ecosystem.Methods The 4‐year average annual NPP/GPP ratio of the Earth's land area was calculated using 2000–03 Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data. The global pattern of the NPP/GPP ratio was investigated by comparing it among each typical terrestrial ecosystem and plotting it along a geographical and climatic gradient, including latitude, altitude, temperature and precipitation.Results The global terrestrial ecosystem had an average NPP/GPP ratio value of 0.52 with minor variation from 2000 to 2003. However, the NPP/GPP ratio showed considerable spatial variation associated with ecosystem type, geographical location and climate. Densely vegetated ecosystems had a lower NPP/GPP ratio than sparsely vegetated ecosystems. Forest ecosystems had a lower NPP/GPP ratio than shrub and herbaceous ecosystems. Geographically, the NPP/GPP ratio increased with altitude. In the Southern Hemisphere, the NPP/GPP ratio decreased along latitude from 30° to 10° and it exhibited high fluctuation in the Northern Hemisphere. Climatically, the NPP/GPP ratio exhibited a decreasing trend along enhanced precipitation when it was less than 2300 mm year−1and a static trend when the annual precipitation was over 2300 mm. The NPP/GPP ratio showed a decreasing trend along temperature when it was between –20 °C and 10 °C, and showed an increasing trend along rising temperature when it was between –10 °C and 20 °C. Within each ecosystem, the NPP/GPP ratio revealed a similar trend to the global trend along temperature and precipitation.Conclusions The NPP/GPP ratio exhibited a pattern depending on the main climatic characteristics such as temperature and precipitation and geographical factors such as latitude and altitude. The findings of this research challenge the widely held assumption that the NPP/GPP ratio is consistent regardless of ecosystem type.