bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
First Report of Cucumber mosaic virus in Anemone sp. in the United States
Authors: Tzanetakis I. E. 
Published: March 2009

In the spring of 2008, more than a dozen, aphid-infested, anemone plants (Anemone sp.) grown at the campus of the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville showed stunting and mosaic, whereas only two were asymptomatic. Leaf homogenates from four symptomatic plants were inoculated onto Nicotiana benthamiana that became stunted and developed severe mosaic approximately 7 days postinoculation, whereas buffer-inoculated plants remained asymptomatic. Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) extraction (4) from symptomatic anemone revealed the presence of four predominant bands of approximately 3.2, 2.9, 2.2, and 0.9 kbp, a pattern indicative of cucumovirus infection. Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) is the only cucumovirus reported in anemone in Europe (2) and Israel (3), and for this reason, anemone and N. benthamiana plants were tested by Protein A ELISA with antisera against CMV developed by H. A. Scott. ELISA verified the presence of CMV in symptomatic anemone and inoculated N. benthamiana, while asymptomatic plants were free of the virus. Using cucumovirus degenerate primers, essentially as described by Choi et al. (1), a region of approximately 940 bases that includes the complete coat protein gene of the virus was amplified from symptomatic anemone and N. benthamiana but not asymptomatic plants of either species. This anemone isolate (GenBank Accession No. FJ375723) belongs to the IA subgroup of CMV because it shares 99% nucleotide and 100% amino acid sequence identities with the Fny isolates of the virus. To my knowledge, this is the first report of CMV infecting anemone in the United States and an important discovery for the ornamental industry since anemone is commonly grown together with several ornamental hosts of CMV in nursery and garden settings. References: (1) S. K. Choi et al. J. Virol. Methods 83:67, 1999. (2) M. Hollings. Ann. Appl. Biol. 45:44, 1957 (3) G. Loebenstein. Acta Hortic. 722:31, 2006 (4) I. E. Tzanetakis and R. R. Martin, J. Virol. Methods 149:167, 2008.
Eucalyptus infestation by Leptocybe invasa in Uganda
Authors: Nyeko Philip , Mutitu Eston K. , Day Roger K. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractVery little is known about Leptocybe invasa Fisher & LaSalle, a new fast‐spreading alien pest infesting Eucalyptus in several countries. This study examined L. invasa infestation on Eucalyptus germplasms in different agroecological zones of Uganda. The incidence and severity of the pest infestation were higher in hotter and drier agroecological zones than in cooler and wetter zones. There were direct negative relationships between altitude and L. invasa infestation on Eucalyptus species. No infestation was observed on any Eucalyptus species in stands at altitudes ranging from 1938 to 2452 (the maximum encountered) m above sea level. Leptocybe invasa infestation occurred on all Eucalyptus species encountered (Eucalyptus grandis, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Eucalyptus saligna, Eucalyptus robusta), except Eucalyptus maidenii that escaped attack because it was located outside the ecological range of the insect. The incidence and severity of L. invasa infestation was generally higher on clonal hybrids E. grandis × E. camaldulensis than on E. grandis × Eucalyptus urophylla. Research on host germplasms, L. invasa biology and ecology, impact of the pest infestation and possible control strategies are suggested to facilitate the development of sustainable management strategies.
Influence of insulin resistance on hepatic fibrosis and steatosis in hepatitis C virus (HCV) mono‐infected compared with HIV–HCV co‐infected patients
Authors: HALFON P. , PÉNARANDA G. , CARRAT F. , BEDOSSA P. , BOURLIÈRE M. , OUZAN D. , RENOU C. , TRAN A. , ROSENTHAL E. , WARTELLE C. , DELASALLE P. , CACOUB P. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryBackground  Insulin resistance (IR), the major feature of the metabolic syndrome, is also common in patients with chronic HCV infection. Liver fibrosis and steatosis are known potential outcome of chronic hepatitis B or C infection. Studies have shown that HIV positive individuals co‐infected with HCV have more rapid live disease progression than those with HIV alone. Few data have reported the influence of IR on steatosis and fibrosis in the context of HIV‐HCV coinfection.Aim  To test the association among insulin resistance (IR), liver fibrosis and liver steatosis in HIV–HCV and HCV‐infected patients.Patients and methods  A total of 170 HIV–HCV‐infected patients matched by age, gender and genotype with 170 HCV mono‐infected patients were included. Patients were considered to be IR when the homeostasis model assessment of IR >2. Significant fibrosis was considered if METAVIR ≥F2 and significant steatosis if ≥10%.Results  Insulin resistance was independently associated in HCV patients with fibrosis [odds ratio (OR) = 2.04 (95% CI 1.02–4)], a body mass index (BMI) >25 kg/m² [OR = 3.33 (1.47–7.69)] and steatosis [OR = 3.33 (1.67–6.67)]. Fibrosis ≥F2 was associated in HCV patients with high liver activity grade (≥A2) [OR = 8.33 (3.85–16.67)], male gender [OR = 3.03 (1.33–7.14)] and IR [OR = 2.44 (1.15–5)]. In HIV–HCV patients, ≥A2 [OR = 5.56 (1.64–20)] was associated with fibrosis. Steatosis ≥10% was associated in HCV patients with IR [OR = 3.13 (1.59–6.25) and ≥F2 (OR = 2.22 (1.15–4.17)]. In HIV–HCV, a BMI >25 kg/m² [OR = 3.85 (1.64–9.10)], ≥A2 [OR = 2.16 (1.02–4.55); P = 0.044] and nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor [OR = 3.61 (1.19–10.96); P = 0.023] were independently associated with significant liver steatosis.Conclusions  Insulin resistance is associated with liver fibrosis and steatosis in HCV mono‐infected, but not in HIV–HCV co‐infected patients. Significant liver fibrosis is associated with IR independent of liver steatosis only in HCV mono‐infected patients.
Genome‐wide genetic diversity of ‘Nici’, the DNA source for the CHORI‐260 turkey BAC library and candidate for whole genome sequencing
Authors: Chaves L. D. , Harry D. E. , Reed K. M. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryVertebrate whole genome sequence assembly can benefit from a priori knowledge of variability in the target genome, with researchers often selecting highly inbred individuals for sequencing. However, for most species highly inbred research lines are lacking, requiring the use of an outbred individual(s). Here we examined the source DNA [Nicholas inbred (Nici)] of the CHORI‐260 turkey bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library through analysis of microsatellites and BAC sequences. Heterozygosity of Nici was compared with that of individuals from several breeder lines. Seventy‐eight microsatellites were screened for polymorphism in a total of 43 birds, identifying an average individual heterozygosity of 0.39, with Nici at 0.35. Additional loci (total of 147) were examined on a subset of individuals to obtain better genome coverage. The mean heterozygosity for this subset was 0.33 with Nici at 0.31. Examination of approximately 200 kb of genome sequence identified SNPs in the order of one per 200 bp in Nici. These data suggest that the heterozygosity of Nici is comparable to other birds of selected breeder lines and that whole genome sequencing would result in an abundant resource of genome‐wide polymorphisms.
Development of a 25‐plex SNP assay for traceability in cattle
Authors: Karniol B. , Shirak A. , Baruch E. , Singrün C. , Tal A. , Cahana A. , Kam M. , Skalski Y. , Brem G. , Weller J. I. , Ron M. , Seroussi E. 
Published: March 2009

SummarySingle nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are amenable to automation and therefore have become the marker of choice for DNA profiling. SNaPshot, a primer extension‐based method, was used to multiplex 25 SNPs that have been previously validated as useful for identity control. Detection of extended products was based on four different fluorochromes and extension primers with oligonucleotide tails of differing lengths, thus controlling the concise length of the entire chromatogram to 81 bases. Allele frequencies for Holstein, Simmental, Limousin, Angus, Charolais and Tux Cattle were estimated and significant positive Pearson‐correlation coefficients were obtained among the analysed breeds. The probability that two randomly unrelated individuals would share identical genotypes for all 25 loci varied from 10−8 to 10−10 for these breeds. For parentage control, the exclusion power was found to be 99.9% when the genotypes of both putative parents are known. A traceability test of duplicated samples indicated a high genotyping precision of >0.998. This was further corroborated by analysis of 60 cases of parent–sib pairs and trio families. The 25‐plex SNaPshot assay is adapted for low‐ and high‐throughput capacity and thus presents an alternative for DNA‐based traceability in the major commercial cattle breeds.
Soluble forms of Toll-like receptor 4 are present in human saliva and modulate tumour necrosis factor-α secretion by macrophage-like cells
Authors: Zunt S L , Burton L V , Goldblatt L I , Dobbins E E , Srinivasan M 
Published: March 2009

SummaryIn health, mucosal inflammation is prevented by tightly regulated responses via Toll-like receptors (TLR) that interact with specific microbe associated molecular patterns. Currently, 13 TLRs have been identified. Based on the specificity of ligand recognition, TLR-2 and TLR-4 can recognize most oral commensal microorganisms. Recent identification of some soluble TLRs (sTLRs) suggests additional regulatory roles for these receptors. We report here the presence of sTLR-4 polypeptides in adult human saliva. Functionally, the salivary sTLR-4 suppressed cytokine secretion by activated macrophages. The sTLR-4 levels were elevated significantly in oral lichen planus (OLP), a chronic inflammatory condition of the oral mucosa characterized by clinical persistence. In contrast, the epithelial cells in the saliva of OLP subjects expressed significantly reduced TLR-2 and TLR-4 mRNA that correlated with fewer bacteria/salivary epithelial cells. Investigating the soluble and cellular components of saliva is useful in identifying potential biomarkers for oral mucosal lesions.
Six different CYBA mutations including three novel mutations in ten families from Turkey, resulting in autosomal recessive chronic granulomatous disease
Authors: Köker M. Y. , Van Leeuwen K. , De Boer M. , Çelmeli F. , Metin A. , Özgür T. T. , Tezcan İ. , Sanal Ö. , Roos D. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractBackground  One of the rarest forms of autosomal recessive chronic granulomatous disease (AR‐CGD) is attributable to mutations in the CYBA gene, which encodes the alpha polypeptide of cytochrome b558, (also known as p22‐phox), a key transmembrane protein in the phagocyte NADPH oxidase system. This gene is localized on chromosome 16q24, encompasses 8·5 kb and contains six exons.Materials and methods  We report here the clinical and molecular characterization of 12 AR‐CGD patients from 10 consanguineous, unrelated Turkish families with clinical CGD and positive family history. The ages of the six male and six female patients were between 1and 18 years. Before mutation analysis, subgroup analysis of patients was made by flow cytometry with antibodies against NADPH‐oxidase components and with the DHR assay (flow cytometric assay of NADPH oxidase activity in leucocytes).Results  Mutation analysis of CYBA showed six different mutations: a frameshift insertion in exon 3 (C after C166); a missense mutation in exon 2 (p.Gly24Arg), a splice‐site deletion in intron 1 (4‐bp deletion +4_+7 AGTG), a novel nonsense mutation in exon 6 (p.Cys113X), a novel large deletion of exons 3–6 and a novel 1‐bp deletion in exon 6 (c.408delC). All mutations were present in homozygous form and all parents investigated were found to be heterozygotes for these mutations.Conclusions  In our series of 40 CGD families, approximately 25% of the families have p22‐phox defects, with six different mutations, including three novel mutations. The high rate of consanguineous marriages seems to be the underlying aetiology.
Glutathione, vitamin E and oxidative stress in coronary artery disease: relevance of age and gender
Authors: Cavalca V. , Veglia F. , Squellerio I. , Marenzi G. , Minardi F. , De Metrio M. , Cighetti G. , Boccotti L. , Ravagnani P. , Tremoli E. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractBackground  Observational studies suggest that low levels of antioxidants are associated with high risk for coronary artery disease (CAD). We investigated whether the biomarkers of oxidative balance undergo the same modifications in all CAD patient groups, regardless of gender and age.Materials and methods  One hundred sixty‐eight CAD patients and 107 healthy controls were assayed for plasma levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), α‐ and γ‐tocopherol (α‐ and γ‐T) as endogenous antioxidants. A damage score (DS), representative of oxidative stress status, was calculated. ancova models were used to test the association between antioxidants, DS and CAD and its modulation by age and gender.Results  The DS was higher in CAD than in controls. GSH levels, were lower in CAD patients (mean ± SEM: 57·61 ± 1·87 μmol 10 g−1 haemoglobin vs. 68·55 ± 2·23 in controls, P < 0·0006) in males and in older subjects. Levels of other antioxidants exhibited a complex pattern. Overall, no difference was found in α‐ and γ‐T contents between CAD and controls, but lower α‐T values were observed in CAD females. A significant interaction between CAD status and gender was observed (P = 0·003).Conclusions  Our study shows that the involvement of antioxidants in CAD is related to patients’ characteristics. These findings may be relevant in planning antioxidant therapies.
PDGF‐C and ‐D and their receptors PDGFR‐α and PDGFR‐β in atherosclerotic human arteries
Authors: Karvinen H. , Rutanen J. , Leppänen O. , Lach R. , Levonen A.‐L. , Eriksson U. , Ylä‐Herttuala S. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractBackground  Platelet derived growth factors (PDGFs) are mitogens for fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells. This growth factor family contains four members PDGF‐A, PDGF‐B, PDGF‐C and PDGF‐D. Biology of recently discovered PDGF‐C and PDGF‐D is not well‐established. Here we studied the expression of PDGF‐C and PDGF‐D and their receptors PDGFR‐α and PDGFR‐β in normal and atherosclerotic human arteries.Materials and methods  Human arterial samples from amputations and autopsies were classified according to the atherosclerotic stage and the expression of PDGF‐C and PDGF‐D proteins and their receptors was studied by immunohistochemistry. In situ hybridization and reverse transcriptase‐PCR were used to study mRNA expression.Results  Both growth factors were expressed in medial smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in normal arteries and atherosclerotic lesions. However, clear differences were found in the expression profiles in endothelium: PDGF‐C was strongly expressed in endothelial cells in both normal arteries and lesions whereas PDGF‐D was only weakly expressed in endothelium. PDGF‐C expression was very prominent in lesion macrophages. PDGF‐D was expressed throughout the artery wall in lesions. PDGFR‐α expression was strong in endothelium and in lesion macrophage‐rich areas, whereas PDGFR‐β was mostly expressed in SMCs.Conclusions  Our results suggest that PDGF‐C may play an important role in endothelium in normal and atherosclerotic arteries and in macrophages in lesions. PDGF‐D was expressed in all types of lesions with the same intensity and thus differs from the expression of PDGF‐C.
Lysyl oxidase like‐1 dysregulation and its contribution to direct inguinal hernia
Authors: Pascual G. , Rodríguez M. , Mecham R. P. , Sommer P. , Buján J. , Bellón J. M. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractObjective  The aetiology of inguinal hernia involves changes in collagen turnover and metalloproteinase expression; yet it is not known whether the elastic fibre system could also be affected. This study was designed to compare the expression of tropoelastin (TE), lysyl oxidase‐like 1 (LOXL‐1) and elastase in the transversalis fascia of patients with and without inguinal hernia.Material and methods  Transversalis fascia (TF) specimens were obtained from patients undergoing surgery for direct or indirect inguinal hernia (n = 20 each) and from multi‐organ donors during organ procurement (controls, n = 16). The specimens were divided according to age (20–40/41–60 years). Tissues were immunohistochemically labelled using anti‐tropoelastin, anti‐LOXL‐1 and anti‐elastase antibodies and subjected to Western blot analysis. Relative amounts of LOXL‐1 and TE mRNA were determined by real time RT‐PCR in cultured cells obtained from the TF of patients and controls.Results  Significantly lower TE and LOXL‐1 levels were observed in patients with direct inguinal hernia compared with controls or those with indirect hernia. In contrast, patients with direct inguinal hernia showed significantly higher elastase expression. In fibroblasts isolated from the TF, relative amounts of tropoelastin mRNA were lower for the hernia groups but differences were not significant. LOXL‐1 mRNA levels were significantly lower in the direct hernia group compared to controls.Conclusions  Our findings suggest that impaired elastic fibre function in the transversalis fascia of patients with direct inguinal hernia, reflected by diminished elastin synthesis and its enhanced enzyme degradation, contributes to the development of this type of hernia.
Interactions between an endophytic fungus, aphids and extrafloral nectaries: do endophytes induce extrafloral‐mediated defences in Vicia faba?
Authors: Jaber Lara R. , Vidal Stefan 
Published: March 2009

Summary

There is increasing evidence that extrafloral (EF) nectaries, described in approximately 1000 plant species from more than 90 families, have a defensive function. Endophytic fungi are an important group of microorganisms asymptomatically colonizing host plants, and promoting their defences against natural enemies. We aimed at investigating the role of these microorganisms in inducing EF nectary defences in plants against herbivory.
We conducted a full factorial experiment to study the effects of a soil‐borne endophytic fungus, Acremonium strictum, alone or in combination with the aphid, Aphis fabae, on the production of EF nectar and nectaries in broad beans. By manipulating the presence/absence of the fungus in the roots of the host plants and by inflicting herbivore damage at a specific time and location, we tested the hypothesis that endophyte inoculation induces EF‐mediated indirect defences. The quantity of EF nectar production and the number of EF nectaries produced were assessed by repeated samplings at fixed intervals.
Endophytic inoculation of bean plants induced a significant short‐term increase in total EF nectar production and a significant prompt increase in number of EF nectaries per expanded leaf. On the other hand, aphid infestation resulted in a prolonged increase in total EF nectar production and a delayed induction of EF nectaries. Conversely, when plants were simultaneously inoculated with the endophyte and infested with aphids, both EF traits were significantly reduced.
The effect of endophyte inoculation was further examined by recording the life history traits of Aphis fabae. Aphid performance was generally lower on inoculated plants; however, relative fecundity was the only fitness parameter significantly reduced on endophyte inoculated plants.
The organism model in the present study serves as a model for investigating how endophytic colonization alters the response of EF nectary traits to herbivory. From a cost/benefit perspective, variable responses in EF‐mediated indirect defences as influenced by endophytes could be explained as trade‐offs in defence. In addition, other possibilities that may have contributed to the EF response patterns reported in this study are discussed.
Short‐ and long‐term effects of egg size and feeding frequency on offspring quality in the collared flycatcher (Ficedula albicollis)
Authors: Krist Miloš 
Published: March 2009

SummaryDespite the central importance for life‐history theory, egg‐size effects on offspring fitness are still considered ambiguous. Most previous studies were only observational and consequently might suffer from uncontrolled correlations between egg size and parental/territory quality. Even after cross‐fostering is performed, direct genetic effects and parental adjustment of post‐natal care might confound our estimates of egg‐size effects per se.I performed a full cross‐fostering experiment in the collared flycatcher (Ficedula albicollis) exchanging the whole clutches between pairs of nests. I statistically controlled for direct genetic effects and parental feeding frequencies. I followed young until recruitment to estimate the long‐term effects of egg size and parental provisioning. In addition, I compared the effects obtained in the cross‐fostering experiment with those obtained from a set of unmanipulated nests.Egg size per se affected offspring morphology in both the short and long term, while having no effect on offspring survival and immunity. Egg‐size effects were not confounded by parental post‐natal care and direct genetic effects.The number of care‐givers was an influential predictor of nestling performance. Apart from the variation caused by this factor, feeding frequencies had no consistent effect on offspring performance.Fitness benefits of large eggs may be difficult to establish due to variation of egg‐size effects between years and habitats. Feeding frequency may affect offspring state but offspring state may also affect feeding frequency. Varying causality between feeding rate and offspring state may preclude the detection of a positive effect of the former on the latter.
Family legacies: short‐ and long‐term fitness consequences of early‐life conditions in female European rabbits
Authors: Rödel Heiko G. , Von Holst Dietrich , Kraus Cornelia 
Published: March 2009

SummaryEnvironmental conditions during an animal's early life can have profound long‐term consequences and affect its fitness. In particular, maternal and sibling effects, which can strongly influence the early growth of altricial mammals may be important. Few studies have investigated the influence of such early‐life parameters in small mammals, because in these species the early post‐natal stage is difficult to monitor under natural conditions.We quantified the effects of litter size (i.e. number of litter siblings), maternal social rank and age and reproductive history of the mother (i.e. whether or not the mother had given birth to a previous litter during this season), and the individual date of birth and social rank on two fitness components of female European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculusL.) from a field enclosure population. Analyses were based on data on survival to maturity of 1836 female pups from 10 annual cohorts, and on lifetime reproductive success (LRS; here: the summed up number of offspring surviving to maturity) of 81 adult females from eight annual cohorts.Both fitness components were correlated with the size of the females’ original litter and with the age of their mother. Litter size was related to survival to maturity and to LRS in a nonlinear (quadratic) way being highest in females from medium‐sized litters. Maternal age also exerted quadratic effects on LRS, which peaked in females born to 2‐ to 3‐year‐old mothers. In contrast, survival to maturity increased with increasing age of the mother.Survival to maturity and LRS were decreased in females born later in the breeding season, likely because of the longer time for growth that early born young enjoy before the winter season. In addition, LRS was lower in females which occupied a higher social rank at the onset of their first breeding season.Our results emphasize that factors during early development, in particular parameters of the early social environment, do not only affect juvenile survival but have the potential to exert long‐term fitness consequences throughout life.