bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The age of the Nantuo Formation and Nantuo glaciation in South China
Authors: Zhang Shihong , Jiang Ganqing , Han Yigui 
Published: June 2008

AbstractA U–Pb sensitive high‐resolution ion microprobe (SHRIMP) age of 654.5 ± 3.8 Ma from an ash bed immediately below the Nantuo Formation in South China provides the lowest age constraint for the Nantuo glaciation, which has been correlated with the global ‘Marinoan’ glaciation. A U–Pb SHRIMP age of 636.3 ± 4.9 Ma from a fallout tuff within the basal layer of the Nantuo Formation, along with the existing age of 635.2 ± 0.6 Ma from its overlying Doushantuo cap carbonate, suggests that the traditionally defined Nantuo Formation may have been deposited in a short time period at the end of the Nantuo glaciation. In combination with available ages globally, the data support a relatively short duration and rapid termination of ‘Marinoan’ glaciations.
Raman confirmation of microdiamond in the Svartberget Fe‐Ti type garnet peridotite, Western Gneiss Region, Western Norway
Authors: Vrijmoed J. C. , Smith D. C. , Van Roermund H. L. M. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractUltra‐high pressure metamorphic rocks have been found worldwide. The volume and areal extent of an exhumed UHPM domain are important for understanding the geodynamic mechanisms responsible for the high pressure and relatively medium temperature conditions needed for their creation. We report here Raman microspectroscopical data that prove the existence of microdiamonds at the Svartberget Fe‐Ti type peridotite locality in the Western Gneiss Region of Norway. Raman microscopy of two carbon microinclusions belonging to polyphase inclusion assemblages included in garnets from a garnet‐phlogopite websterite vein yielded a sharp, narrow, intense peak at 1332 cm−1, characteristic of diamond. The diamond is associated with polyphase solid inclusions possibly originating from supercritical, dense, H‐C‐N‐O‐F‐P‐S‐Cl fluids. Lithological, textural and geochronological evidence points towards a Caledonian origin of the trapped fluid and subsequent diamond formation.
First report of eclogites from central Tibet, China: evidence for ultradeep continental subduction prior to the Cenozoic India‐Asian collision
Authors: Zhang Kai‐Jun , Zhang Yu‐Xiu , Tang Xian‐Chun , Xie Yao‐Wu , Sha Shao‐Li , Peng Xing‐Jie 
Published: June 2008

AbstractEclogites characterized by a garnet + clinopyroxene + orthopyroxene + sanidine + rutile assemblage are reported for the first time in the eastern Bangong suture, central Tibet (China). Garnet and sanidine are exsolved from clinopyroxene. Al‐exchange barometer for orthopyroxene and garnet and K concentrations in clinopyroxene indicate a peak pressure of ∼4 GPa. The occurrence of these ultrahigh‐pressure rocks implies the subduction of continental crust to a depth of >130 km along the eastern Bangong suture zone during the Early Jurassic. The denudation of these ultrahigh‐pressure metamorphic rocks could have provided a significant source for the Jurassic turbidites in the western Bangong ocean basin.
Phospholipase C5 (NPC5) is involved in galactolipid accumulation during phosphate limitation in leaves of Arabidopsis
Authors: Gaude Nicole , Nakamura Yuki , Scheible Wolf‐Rüdiger , Ohta Hiroyuki , Dörmann Peter 
Published: June 2008

SummaryThe replacement of phospholipids by galacto‐ and sulfolipids in plant membranes represents an important adaptive process for growth on phosphate‐limiting soils. Gene expression and lipid analyses revealed that the MYB transcription factor PHR1 that has been previously shown to regulate phosphate responses is not a major factor controlling membrane lipid changes. Candidate genes for phospholipid degradation were selected based on induction of expression during phosphate deprivation. Lipid measurements in the corresponding Arabidopsis mutants revealed that the non‐specific phospholipase C5 (NPC5) is required for normal accumulation of digalactosyldiacylglycerol (DGDG) during phosphate limitation in leaves. The growth and DGDG content of a double mutant npc5 pho1 (between npc5 and the phosphate‐deficient pho1 mutant) are reduced compared to parental lines. The amount of DGDG increases from approximately 15 mol% to 22 mol% in npc5, compared to 28 mol% in wild‐type, indicating that NPC5 is responsible for approximately 50% of the DGDG synthesized during phosphate limitation in leaves. Expression in Escherichia coli revealed that NPC5 shows phospholipase C activity on phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine. A double mutant of npc5 and pldζ2 (carrying a mutation in the phospholipase Dζ2 gene) was generated. Lipid measurements in npc5 pldζ2 indicated that the contribution of PLDζ2 to DGDG production in leaves is negligible. In contrast to the chloroplast envelope localization of galactolipid synthesis enzymes, NPC5 localizes to the cytosol, suggesting that, during phosphate limitation, soluble NPC5 associates with membranes where it contributes to the conversion of phospholipids to diacylglycerol, the substrate for galactolipid synthesis.
The S locus‐linked Primula homeotic mutant sepaloid shows characteristics of a B‐function mutant but does not result from mutation in a B‐function gene
Authors: Li Jinhong , Webster Margaret , Dudas Brigitta , Cook Holly , Manfield Iain , Davies Brendan , Gilmartin Philip M. 
Published: June 2008

SummaryFloral homeotic and flower development mutants of Primula, including double, Hose in Hose, Jack in the Green and Split Perianth, have been cultivated since the late 1500s as ornamental plants but until recently have attracted limited scientific attention. Here we describe the characterization of a new mutant phenotype, sepaloid, that produces flowers comprising only sepals and carpels. The sepaloid mutation is recessive, and is linked to the S locus that controls floral heteromorphy. The phenotype shows developmental variability, with flowers containing three whorls of sepals surrounding fertile carpels, two whorls of sepals with a diminished third whorl of sepals surrounding a fourth whorl of carpels, or three whorls of sepals surrounding abnormal carpels. In some respects, these phenotypes resemble the Arabidopsis and Antirrhinum homeotic B‐function mutants apetala3/deficiens (ap3/def) and pistillata/globosa (pi/glo). We have isolated the Primula vulgaris B‐function genes PvDEFICIENS (PvDEF) and PvGLOBOSA (PvGLO), expression of both of which is affected in the sepaloid mutant. PvGLO, like sepaloid, is linked to the S locus, whereas PvDEF is not. However, our analyses reveal that sepaloid and PvGLO represent different genes. We conclude that SEPALOID is an S‐linked independent regulator of floral organ identity genes including PvDEF and PvGLO.
Variation for homoeologous gene silencing in hexaploid wheat
Authors: Bottley Andrew , Koebner Robert M.D. 
Published: June 2008

SummaryThe absence of expression of individual members of a homoeologous set of genes in a polyploid is a well‐established phenomenon. However, the extent to which such ‘homoeologous silencing’ can vary between individual genotypes within a species is unexplored. We have used the single‐strand conformation polymorphism assay to identify homoeologue non‐expression at 15 single‐copy genes across a panel of 16 wheat varieties, representative of the genetic diversity present in modern northern European winter wheat (Triticum aestivum). There was no evidence for any homoeologous silencing at seven of the fifteen genes, but in the remaining eight, at least one of the three homoeologues varied qualitatively for expression in either the root or the seedling leaf. The identity of the non‐expressed homoeologue was generally consistent, but when the expression profiles of eight informative genes were compared, only two varieties shared the same pattern of silencing. A small‐scale study suggested that silencing patterns were largely inherited across self‐pollinated generations, and some evidence is presented for the epigenetic segregation of these patterns in a population bred from parents having contrasting silencing profiles. Epigenetic variation exerts a significant effect on phenotype, so given the ubiquity and variability in homoeologous silencing observed in wheat, we suggest that it is likely to play a considerable role in generating phenotypic variation. Thus epigenetic profiling may need to be incorporated as part of the analytical tool kit for predictive wheat breeding.
Prevalence and specificity of immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin A non‐complement‐binding anti‐HLA alloantibodies in retransplant candidates
Authors: Arnold M.‐L. , Dechant M. , Doxiadis I. I. N. , Spriewald B. M. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractThe role of complement‐binding donor‐directed anti‐human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies in graft rejection is well established, whereas the prevalence and relevance of non‐complement‐binding (NCB) anti‐HLA antibodies are less well defined. The aim of our study was to establish a sensitive and reliable test system for the detection and the specification of these NCB anti‐HLA antibodies. Sera from 60 patients awaiting retransplantation were analysed for the presence of anti‐HLA class I alloantibodies with complement‐dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) tests. Immunoglobulin (Ig)Gall anti‐HLA class I and class II alloantibodies were differentiated on generic level by plate‐based solid phase enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Subsequently, a modified bead‐based (Luminex) assay was applied, allowing the investigation of IgG2/4 NCB isotypes as well as IgA1/2. The anti‐HLA specificities of the NCB alloantibodies were determined and compared with known mismatches from previous transplants. Seventeen of the 60 sera (28%) were positive in the CDC increasing to 26 of 60 (43%) in the class I and 33 of 60 (55%) in the class II plate‐based assay. Using the modified bead‐based system 24 of 60 sera (40%) contained NCB IgG2/4, which were mostly donor specific. In addition, a high prevalence of NCB IgA antibodies was detected (26 of 60 sera), which occurred independently of IgG2/4 NCB, and half of which were donor specific. NCB anti‐HLA alloantibodies, including the IgA isotype, can reliably be detected using the modified bead‐based test system. These NCB alloantibodies had a high prevalence in retransplant candidates and were mostly donor specific.
Historical and contingent factors affect re‐evolution of a complex feature lost during mass extinction in communities of digital organisms
Authors: YEDID G. , OFRIA C. A. , LENSKI R. E. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractRe‐evolution of complex biological features following the extinction of taxa bearing them remains one of evolution’s most interesting phenomena, but is not amenable to study in fossil taxa. We used communities of digital organisms (computer programs that self‐replicate, mutate and evolve), subjected to periods of low resource availability, to study the evolution, loss and re‐evolution of a complex computational trait, the function EQU (bit‐wise logical equals). We focused our analysis on cases where the pre‐extinction EQU clade had surviving descendents at the end of the extinction episode. To see if these clades retained the capacity to re‐evolve EQU, we seeded one set of multiple subreplicate ‘replay’ populations using the most abundant survivor of the pre‐extinction EQU clade, and another set with the actual end‐extinction ancestor of the organism in which EQU re‐evolved following the extinction episode. Our results demonstrate that stochastic, historical, genomic and ecological factors can lead to constraints on further adaptation, and facilitate or hinder re‐evolution of a complex feature.
Changes in biomass structure and trophic status of the plankton communities in a highly dynamic ecosystem (Gulf of Venice, Northern Adriatic Sea)
Authors: Pugnetti Alessandra , Bazzoni Anna Maria , Beran Alfred , Bernardi Aubry Fabrizio , Camatti Elisa , Celussi Mauro , Coppola Joan , Crevatin Erica , Negro Paola Del , Paoli Alessandro 
Published: June 2008

AbstractThe changes in the plankton biomass structure in relation to nutrient inputs were studied in the Gulf of Venice (Northern Adriatic Sea), an area characterized by a very marked trophic state variability. The investigation was carried out at two stations, in March, May and July 2005 and 2006, considering the whole water column. The size structure (from picoplankton to mesozooplankton) of both autotrophs and heterotrophs was analysed. Signals of diluted waters and nutrient inputs were more marked in 2005 than in 2006. In 2005, the total plankton biomass was almost double (87 ± 37 μg·C·l−1) that in 2006 (44 ± 26 μg·C·l−1). The variations were determined mainly by phytoplankton, with a 70% decrease, and a shift from a community dominated by microphytoplankton (49 ± 12%) in 2005 to one dominated by bacteria (43 ± 11%) in 2006 was observed. The relationship between the heterotrophic (H) and autotrophic (A) biomass indicated a rapid decline of the H/A ratio with increasing phytoplankton biomass. This study, although temporally limited, is consistent with the results reported for other marine environments and it seems to confirm the importance of nutrient inputs in structuring the biomass of plankton community.
Mass occurrence of the recent brachiopod Magellania venosa (Terebratellidae) in the fjords Comau and Reñihué, northern Patagonia, Chile
Authors: Försterra Günter , Häussermann Vreni , Lüter Carsten 
Published: June 2008

AbstractMass occurrences of the terebratellid brachiopod Magellania venosa with more than 200 individuals·m−2 are reported from the fjords Comau and Reñihué in the northernmost region of the Chilean fjordland, whereas more southern fjords do not show these high numbers of the largest living brachiopod. This is an exception to earlier observations that the abundance of M. venosa on the Chilean shelf is positively correlated with increasing latitude. As the sympatric scleractinian coral Desmophyllum dianthus also occurs in unusually high numbers in the fjords Comau and Reñihué, the hydrographical regime and its associated environmental conditions in these fjords may be responsible for these mass occurrences.
Putative transcription factor binding sites and polymorphisms in the proximal promoter of the PRL‐A gene in percomorphs and European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)
Authors: Boutet Isabelle , Quéré Nolwenn , Lecomte Frédéric , Agnèse Jean‐François , Guinand Bruno 
Published: June 2008

AbstractThere is an increasing interest in exploring how the mechanisms that regulate gene expression might generate diversity in phenotypes as a function of habitat utilisation (at both inter‐ and intra‐specific levels). Prolactin (PRL) is the main hormone involved in adaptation to low salinity in teleosts. Several mechanisms regulating PRL‐A gene expression have been described. The main mechanisms involve Pit‐1 binding sites and length polymorphism of a short sequence repeat (SSR) located in the proximal promoter (PP) of the gene. Together, these processes may generate phenotypes with potentially distinct physiological responses to salinity. To gain insight into their relative roles and importance, we sequenced the PP of the PRL‐A gene in the euryhaline European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) and in the stenohaline sister species, Dicentrarchus punctatus. Then, we assessed the presence of both SSR and binding elements in PP among several teleost lineages, by checking available data from the literature and GenBank. The sequence of PRL‐A PP was completely distinct between the percomorphs and other lineages such as salmoniform, siluriform and cypriniform, except for short stretches of nucleotides that were highly conserved across all species, also including mammals. Most of them were identified as putative cis‐regulatory elements, including Pit‐1, but also δEF1, c‐ETS, CEBP, and GATA binding factor 2, previously unreported as regulating PRL‐A transcription in teleosts, but involved in gene regulation in mammals. This result suggests that there is greater conservation of PRL‐A regulatory mechanisms across vertebrate lineages than previously thought, and offers new perspectives for future studies. The presence and homology of an SSR in the PP of PRL‐A gene of percomorphs was demonstrated, but no SSR polymorphisms were found amongst the two Dicentrarchus species, or within natural D. labrax populations covering the known range of natural genetic variation, including marine, brackish water and freshwater populations.
Malignant Sertoli Cell Tumour in a Young Simmenthal Bull – Clinical and Pathological Observations
Authors: Jensen KL , Krag L , Boe‐Hansen GB , Jensen HE , Lehn‐Jensen H 
Published: June 2008

ContentsTumours are rare in the bovine testicle. A case of malignant Sertoli cell tumour in a 29‐month‐old Simmenthal bull that was hospitalized with a history of severe unilateral scrotal swelling is reported. On inspection and palpation, the scrotal sac was found enlarged with fluctuant content in the right side. The right testicle was enlarged, hard and indolent. Also the right plexus pampiniformis and funiculus spermaticus were enlarged. Sonograms revealed severe changes in the right testicle with a loss of homogeneity and multiple hyperechogenic areas. After slaughter, the scrotum with testicles were removed and evaluated pathologically. On section, the right testicle contained areas of necrosis, haemorrhage, and mineralization. Histology showed Sertoli cells in tubular structures surrounded by dense fibrous stroma replacing normal testicular tissue. Both lymphatic and blood vessels were infiltrated by neoplastic cells. Immunohistochemically, the neoplastic cells stained positive for vimentin and negative for cytokeratin and S‐100. Based on the pathological observations a diagnosis of right‐sided malignant Sertoli cell tumour with vascular invasion and hydrocele was established.
Body Condition Change Ante‐ and Postpartum, Health and Reproductive Performance in German Holstein Cows
Authors: Hoedemaker M , Prange D , Gundelach Y 
Published: June 2008

ContentsThe effects of body condition score (BCS) change and status ante‐ and postpartum (pp) on health and reproductive performance in 234 German Holstein cows from eight dairy farms were evaluated. BCS was determined from 6 weeks antepartum until 20 weeks pp in 2‐week intervals. Three and 5 weeks pp progesterone concentrations in blood serum were determined to detect the presence of luteal tissue as an indicator of cyclicity. The incidence of various diseases, percent cycling cows, reproductive measures and culling rate were assessed. Data were subjected to logistic regression to account for possible herd and lactation number effects. Cows with a low BCS status (<3.0) at calving and during early lactation (4–10 weeks pp) were at a higher risk of suffering from lameness (OR 2.9–9.4), not being cycling at 3 and/or 5 weeks pp (OR 2.24–3.99) and being culled (OR 2.56–2.79) than cows in better body condition (≥3.0) In addition, cows with a low BCS status at parturition were at a higher risk of developing endometritis (OR 2.95) and becoming pregnant later than 105 days pp (OR 5.92) than cows with a BCS ≥ 3.0. At 10 weeks pp, the risk of dystocia (OR 4.10) or retained placenta (OR 2.78) at the preceding calving and not being pregnant at 200 days pp (OR 2.42) was higher in cows with a BCS < 3.0 than with a BCS ≥ 3.0. Cows with no BCS loss antepartum were more likely to have an interval from calving to first artificial insemination of <80 days and <105 days open, to be cycling at 3 and 5 weeks pp and to be pregnant at 200 days pp than cows with a BCS loss of >0.25 (OR 2.44–6.67). Furthermore, cows with no BCS loss from calving to 4 weeks pp had a lower risk of suffering from displaced abomasum than cows with a slight or a severe BCS loss (OR 0.09–0.07 respectively). In conclusion, our results suggest that body condition loss during the antepartal period affected BCS status at parturition and to a certain extent during lactation which was linked to a higher incidence of reproductive disorders and lameness, a higher culling rate and lower reproductive performance.
Effect of Oxytocin Treatment on Artificial Insemination with Frozen–Thawed Semen in Murciano–Granadina Goats
Authors: Viudes‐de‐Castro MP , Salvador I , Marco‐Jiménez F , Gómez EA , Silvestre MA 
Published: June 2008

ContentsThe site where the semen is deposited appears to be one of the most important factors affecting pregnancy of inseminated goats. In Murciano–Granadina (MG) goats, post‐cervical insemination is achieved in a limited number of females. An effective way to increase fertility rate could be by increasing post‐cervical inseminations. Effect of exogenous oxytocin application to facilitate the cervical penetration and its effect on kidding rate and prolificacy in MG goats were investigated. Oestrus was synchronized using progesterone‐impregnated sponges for 11 days. Females were randomly divided into three groups (n = 190) and received either an i.v. injection of 100 or 200 IU of oxytocin or saline solution 15 min before being inseminated. Data on semen deposition depth were recorded for each animal using a catheter scaled in centimetres (up to 4 cm). Depth of semen deposition was affected by the oxytocin treatment (p < 0.05). Oxytocin enhanced cervical passage only with the dose of 200 IU compared with the control group, increasing the deposition depth (2.9 cm vs 1.9 cm). No significant effect of oxytocin treatment on kidding rate and prolificacy was detected. Depth of semen deposition affected kidding rate (p < 0.01). In conclusion, oxytocin treatment improved the depth of semen deposition in AI of MG goats, but kidding rate and prolificacy was not affected. More studies must be conducted to assess the minimal effective dose required for sufficient cervical dilation, and to determine the effects of such doses of oxytocin on uterine motility, sperm transport and fertility in goats.
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) in Straws and a Short Gamete Coincubation Time Improves the Efficiency of Porcine IVF
Authors: Almiñana C , Gil MA , Cuello C , Caballero I , Roca J , Vazquez JM , Martinez EA 
Published: June 2008

ContentsThe present study was designed to evaluate three different in vitro fertilization (IVF) systems: a straw‐IVF system with 10 min of coincubation, a straw‐IVF system with 6‐h coincubation and the microdrop‐IVF system with 6‐h coincubation (the traditional IVF system used routinely in most of IVF laboratories) in an attempt to reduce polyspermic penetration (Experiment 1). When the straw‐IVF system was tested in combination with two coincubation times, the use of 10 min of coincubation significantly increased (p < 0.001) the penetration rate and the efficiency of fertilization (67.7 ± 6.4% vs 31.9 ± 6.5% and 41.5 ± 2.5% vs 17.6 ± 2.5% for 10 min and 6 h, respectively), while there were no significant differences in the incidence of monospermy between both systems (64.3 ± 5.1% and 67.7 ± 3.4%, for 10 min and 6 h, respectively). The penetration rate in the 6‐h microdrop‐IVF system was higher (93.8 ± 3.6%; p < 0.001) compared with the 10‐min straw‐IVF system (67.7 ± 6.4%), however, monospermy was severely reduced (25.0 ± 4.3% vs 67.7 ± 3.4%, for the 6‐h microdrop‐IVF system and 10‐min straw‐IVF system, respectively). The efficiency of the IVF showed similar values between microdrop and 6‐h straw‐IVF systems, but efficiency was significantly improved (p < 0.05) when the 10‐min straw‐IVF system was used. Experiment 2 was designed to compare porcine in vitro embryo production in two IVF systems, the 6‐h microdrop‐IVF system (1000 sperm per oocyte) and 10‐min straw‐IVF system (30 000 sperm per oocyte). The blastocyst formation rates tended (p = 0.06) to be higher when the 10‐min straw‐IVF system was used compared with the 6‐h microdrop‐IVF system. In addition, the number of total cells per blastocyst increased significantly (p < 0.05) in the 10‐min straw‐IVF system. These results showed that the 10‐min straw‐IVF system is an effective way to decrease polyspermic penetration, and improve the efficiency of fertilization and the quality of blastocysts in terms of cell number per embryo.