bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mining an Ostrinia nubilalis midgut expressed sequence tag (EST) library for candidate genes and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)
Authors: Coates B. S. , Sumerford D. V. , Hellmich R. L. , Lewis L. C. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractGenes expressed in lepidopteran midgut tissues are involved in digestion and Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxin resistance traits. Five hundred and thirty five unique transcripts were annotated from 1745 high quality O. nubilalis larval midgut expressed sequence tags (ESTs). Full‐length cDNA sequence of 12 putative serine proteinase genes and 3 partial O. nubilalis aminopeptidase N protein genes, apn1, apn3, and apn4, were obtained, and genes may have roles in plant feeding and Bt toxin resistance traits of Ostrinia larvae. The EST library was not normalized and insert frequencies reflect transcript levels under the initial treatment conditions and redundancy of inserts from highly expressed transcripts allowed prediction of putative single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Ten di‐, tri‐ or tetranucleotide repeat unit microsatellite loci were identified, and minisatellite repeats were observed within the C‐termini of two encoded serine proteinases. Molecular markers showed polymorphism at 28 SNP loci and one microsatellite locus, and Mendelian inheritance indicated that markers were applicable to genome mapping applications. This O. nubilalis larval midgut EST collection is a resource for gene discovery, expression information, and allelic variation for use in genetic marker development.
Genetic Diversity within an Italian Population of Forest Armillaria gallica Isolates as Assessed by RAPD‐PCR Analysis
Authors: Gatto Angela , Sicoli Giovanni , Luisi Nicola 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThe genus Armillaria includes harmful fungal pathogens that cause root rot and wood decay in a broad range of host plants throughout the world. The aim of this study was to detect, by means of Random amplified polymorphic DNA‐polymerase chain reaction (RAPD‐PCR) markers, the level of intraspecific variability within isolates of an Armillaria gallica population sampled from a Quercus spp. stand located in Gravina in Puglia, southern Italy. UPGMA cluster analysis of RAPD profiles generated by decamer primers grouped the isolates in subclusters demonstrating relatively low intraspecific genetic variability. Moreover, RAPD pattern analysis yielded clusters which did not correspond to the groups discriminated by vegetative compatibility tests performed by a previous investigation on the same population. The findings of this research pose the question of whether somatic incompatibility, which involves an undefined number of genes and alleles per gene, might still be considered an effective tool for the epidemiological studies of A. gallica, whereas molecular analyses are more useful for assessing genomic variation within the species.
Changes in Phenolics, Polyphenol Oxidase and its Isoenzyme Patterns in Relation to Resistance in Taro against Phytophthora colocasiae
Authors: Sahoo Manas Ranjan , Kole Paresh Chandra , Dasgupta Madhumita , Mukherjee Archana 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThe effect of Phytophthora leaf blight disease, caused by Phytophthora colocasiae Raciborski, on the accumulation of phenolics and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity in ex vitro plants was studied in three resistant (DP‐25, Duradim and Jhankri) and one susceptible (N‐118) genotypes of taro [Colocasia esculenta (L). Schott]. The inoculation of taro leaves with P. colocasiae spores resulted in a quantitative change in both biochemical parameters and induction of PPO isoforms in resistant genotypes. The amount of phenolics was increased owing to blight by 68.02%, 58.87%, 52.67% and 11.50% in DP‐25, Duradim, Jhankri and N‐118, respectively. The per cent increase in PPO under stress over non‐stress condition was also highest in DP‐25 (49.14%) followed by Duradim (41.56%), Jhankri (40.55%) and N‐118 (17.08%). The resistant genotypes showed higher activity of PPO as compared with susceptible ones, which was reflected through its banding pattern in isoenzyme analysis, detecting four different isoforms. The intensity of the bands was higher in the resistant genotypes than in susceptible N‐118. The appearance of high intensity bands and/or reduction in the intensity of particular isoform(s) in the zymograms of all the three resistant taro genotypes studied, led to the apparent conclusion of linking PPO isoenzyme expression with blight resistance in taro. The blight incidence (per cent leaf infection and leaf area infection) was lower in the resistant genotypes than in susceptible, N‐118. The yield reduction owing to blight was below 20% in DP‐25, Jhankri and Duradim, while the same was more than 40% in N‐118. The phenolics and PPO activity was negatively correlated with disease incidence and yield reduction owing to blight. Based on the results of disease incidence, biochemical contents and yield, the pattern of stress tolerance was DP‐25 > Duradim > Jhankri > N‐118. The studied parameters, i.e. phenolics and PPO could be used as biochemical markers for leaf blight stress tolerance studies in taro.
A Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction Assay for the Detection of Polyscytalum pustulans, the Cause of Skin Spot Disease of Potato
Authors: Lees A. K. , Sullivan L. , Cullen D. W. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractSkin spot disease of potato caused by the pathogen Polyscytalum pustulans is likely to become more important with the withdrawal of 2‐aminobutane as a fungicide, and new methods of control will need to be found. As part of a disease control strategy, it will be necessary to study the disease in more detail, to utilize host resistance and to identify stocks where problems are likely to arise. Existing methods for the detection and quantification of P. pustulans are time‐consuming and require specific expertise. Real‐time PCR assays have been developed for many pathogens of potato and have subsequently been used as tools for the study of the epidemiology and control of disease. The development of a real‐time PCR assay for the detection and quantification of P. pustulans is described. The specificity of the assay was demonstrated and detection was shown to be reliable at levels as low as 20–250 fg/μl DNA, (equivalent to 60–680 pg DNA/g) in soil and on symptomless tubers at attogram (ag) levels. These values are in line with previously developed tests.
ANGIOTENSIN II‐MEDIATED VASODILATION IS REDUCED IN ADULT SPONTANEOUSLY HYPERTENSIVE RATS DESPITE ENHANCED EXPRESSION OF AT2 RECEPTORS
Authors: Ognibene DT , Oliveira PRB , Marins de Carvalho LCR , Costa CA , Espinoza LA , Criddle DN , Tano T , Soares de Moura R , Resende AC 
Published: September 2008

SUMMARY

The vasodilator action of angiotensin (Ang) II has not yet been demonstrated in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), nor have any possible changes in this response during the development of hypertension.
In the present study, the vasodilator effect of AngII was evaluated in the rat isolated, preconstricted mesenteric arterial bed (MAB) from 6‐ (young) and 24‐week‐old (adult) SHR and compared with effects on MAB from age‐matched normotensive rats (control).
Angiotensin II (10–300 nmol) induced vasodilation in noradrenaline (NA)‐preconstricted MAB that was greater in vessels from young compared with adult rats in both the control and SHR groups. Angiotensin II‐induced vasodilation was reduced by the angiotensin AT2 receptor antagonist PD 123319 (10 µmol/L), the angiotensin‐(1–7) receptor antagonist A779 (1 µmol/L) and the bradykinin B2 receptor antagonist HOE‐140 (0.01 µmol/L), but not by the AT1 receptor antagonist losartan (30 µmol/L). Expression of AT2 receptors was weak in vessels from adult control rats compared with that in young control rats, whereas in young SHR AT2 receptor expression was increased compared with that in young control rats. This increased expression of AT2 receptors was maintained in adult SHR and there was no significant difference in AT2 receptor expression between young and old SHR.
The findings of the present suggest that AngII induces an AT2 receptor‐mediated vasodilator effect in the MAB via activation of angiotensin‐(1–7) and bradykinin receptors, an action that is reduced in adult control rats and adult SHR. In adult control rats, the attenuated response of AngII is probably due to endothelial dysfunction and reduced expression of AT2 receptors, whereas in adult SHR it is associated with endothelial dysfunction alone. Increased expression of AT2 receptors in SHR may represent a counteracting response for modulating blood pressure.
MicroRNA‐320 EXPRESSION IN MYOCARDIAL MICROVASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL CELLS AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH INSULIN‐LIKE GROWTH FACTOR‐1 IN TYPE 2 DIABETIC RATS
Authors: Wang XH , Qian RZ , Zhang W , Chen SF , Jin HM , Hu RM 
Published: September 2008

SUMMARY

The aim of the present study was to determine the role of myocardial microvascular endothelial cells (MMVEC) in impaired angiogenesis of type 2 diabetic Goto‐Kakizaki (GK) rats.
A microRNA (miRNA) microarray was used to assess miRNA expression in MMVEC from GK and Wistar rats. Upregulation of miRNA‐320 was observed in MMVEC from GK rats using real‐time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR).
So far, nine miRNAs have been reported to target angiogenic factors and/or receptors, including kinase insert domain containing receptor (Flk‐1), insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF‐1) and insulin‐like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF‐1R). The predicted genes targeted by miR‐320 include Flk‐1, IGF‐1 and IGF‐1R. Western blot analysis and RT‐PCR were used to analyse the protein and mRNA expression, respectively, of the putative genes IGF‐1 and IGF‐1R. The expression of IGF‐1 and IGF‐1R proteins decreased significantly in diabetic MMVEC. However, the expression of IGF‐1 mRNA increased rather than decreased. The mRNA expression of IGF‐1R did not differ significantly between diabetic and control MMVEC.
Transfection of an miR‐320 inhibitor into MMVEC from GK rats confirmed that miR‐320 impaired angiogenesis. The proliferation and migration of diabetic MMVEC improved after transfection of the miR‐320 inhibitor. In addition, the miR‐320 inhibitor significantly increased the expression of IGF‐1 protein, but had no effect on the expression of IGF‐1R.
Eleven miRNAs were upregulated in MMVEC from GK rats compared with those in Wistar rats: let‐7e, miR‐129, miR‐291‐5p, miR‐320, miR‐327, mir‐333, miR‐363–5p, miR‐370, miR‐494, miR‐503 and miR‐664.
The results indicate that upregulation of miR‐320 in MMVEC from GK rats may be responsible for the inconsistency between the expression of IGF‐1 protein and mRNA and therefore related to impaired angiogenesis in diabetes. Transfection of an miR‐320 inhibitor may be a therapeutic approach for the treatment of impaired angiogenesis in diabetes.
DIVERSITY OF GLUTATHIONE S‐TRANSFERASE OMEGA 1 (A140D) AND 2 (N142D) GENE POLYMORPHISMS IN WORLDWIDE POPULATIONS
Authors: Takeshita Haruo , Fujihara Junko , Takastuka Hisakazu , Agusa Tetsuro , Yasuda Toshihiro , Kunito Takashi 
Published: September 2008

SUMMARY

Glutathione S‐transferase class omega (GSTO) 1 and 2 are members of the glutathione‐S‐transferase family, which uses glutathione in the process of the biotransformation of drugs, xenobiotics and oxidative stress. Associations with the age‐at‐onset of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases have been shown in the genetic polymorphism of GSTO1 and GSTO2.
In the present study, the frequencies of GSTO1*A140D and GSTO2*N142D in Ovambos (n = 163), Turks (n = 194), Mongolians (n = 243) and Japanese (n = 102) were investigated and compared with findings from other studies. Detection of these single nucleotide polymorphisms was performed by polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis.
The allele frequencies of these polymorphisms in Ovambos, Turks, Mongolians and Japanese were 0.040, 0.085, 0.128 and 0.108, respectively, for GSTO1*A140D and 0.583, 0.219, 0.173 and 0.216, respectively, for GSTO2*N142D. Ovambos showed the lowest allele frequency of GSTO1*A140D. Conversely, Africans, including Ovambos, showed higher allele frequencies of GSTO2*N142D than Caucasians and Asians.
The existence of a certain genetic heterogeneity in the worldwide distribution of these two polymorphisms is revealed in the present study.
METHODS FOR STUDYING THE PHYSIOLOGY OF KIDNEY OXYGENATION
Authors: Evans Roger G , Gardiner Bruce S , Smith David W , O’Connor Paul M 
Published: September 2008

SUMMARYAn improved understanding of the regulation of kidney oxygenation has the potential to advance preventative, diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for kidney disease. Here, we review the strengths and limitations of available and emerging methods for studying kidney oxygen status.To fully characterize kidney oxygen handling, we must quantify multiple parameters, including renal oxygen delivery (DO2) and consumption (VO2), as well as oxygen tension (Po2). Ideally, these parameters should be quantified both at the whole‐organ level and within specific vascular, tubular and interstitial compartments.Much of our current knowledge of kidney oxygen physiology comes from established techniques that allow measurement of global kidney DO2and VO2, or local tissuePo2. When used in tandem, these techniques can help us understand oxygen mass balance in the kidney.Po2can be resolved to specific tissue compartments in the superficial cortex, but not deep below the kidney surface. We have limited ability to measure local kidney tissue DO2and VO2.Mathematical modelling has the potential to provide new insights into the physiology of kidney oxygenation, but is limited by the quality of the information such models are based on.Various imaging techniques and other emerging technologies have the potential to allowPo2mapping throughout the kidney and/or spatial resolution ofPo2in specific renal tissues, even in humans. All currently available methods have serious limitations, but with further refinement should provide a pathway through which data obtained from experimental animal models can be related to humans in the clinical setting.
Using a surveillance system to identify and treat newly acquired hepatitis C infection
Authors: Walsh Nick , Lim Megan , Hellard Margaret 
Published: September 2008

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Hepatitis C treatment uptake in Australia is low. We describe the rate of acute hepatitis C treatment in the Australian state of Victoria by linking the centralized passive notifications system for hepatitis C with the Australian Trial in Acute Hepatitis C (ATAHC), a nationwide clinical trial aimed at providing people with newly acquired hepatitis C with 24 weeks' pegylated interferon monotherapy.Methods:  Mandatory notifications of clinical or laboratory evidence of hepatitis C were further investigated for evidence of newly acquired infection. Followed‐up individuals were then screened for eligibility for the ATAHC study (which included documented hepatitis C antibody positivity within the previous 6 months) and offered acute hepatitis C treatment if this was the case. We examined the first 18 months of the recruitment.Results:  A total of 4591 hepatitis C cases were notified with 414 (9%) of these flagged as being potentially newly acquired. Through follow‐up of doctors and patients, 160 of these were confirmed as newly acquired; 87 of these 160 (54%) were potentially eligible for ATAHC and were referred to ATAHC researchers. Fourteen (16%) were successfully enrolled in ATAHC. Eight individuals commenced acute hepatitis C treatment during this period.Conclusion:  The use of hepatitis C surveillance system has been successful in identifying cases of newly acquired hepatitis C which are often difficult to identify in a clinical setting. In addition, marginalized patients who may otherwise never have been referred to a clinic are able to access hepatitis C treatment and specialist services. Despite this, only eight out of 87 eligible individuals (9%) began acute hepatitis C treatment.
Epidemiological study of hepatitis E virus infection in the general population of Okinawa, Kyushu, Japan
Authors: Toyoda Kazuhiro , Furusyo Norihiro , Takeoka Hiroaki , Murata Masayuki , Sawayama Yasunori , Hayashi Jun 
Published: September 2008

AbstractBackground and Aim:  The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in the general population of Japan by determining presence of the antibody to HEV (anti‐HEV).Methods:  The prevalence of HEV infection was determined by positivity of serum antibody to HEV (anti‐HEV).Results:  On retrospective analysis, a significant decrease in anti‐HEV prevalence was found in Okinawa healthy residents from 1995 (15.8%) to 2005 (5.5%) (P < 0.0001). In 2005, the anti‐HEV prevalence was significantly higher in Okinawa wild boar hunters (25.3%) than in the residents (male 7.7% and female 4.1%) (P < 0.0001). A significant difference was found in the history of consumption of undercooked or raw boar meat between anti‐HEV positive and negative hunters (100% vs 64.3%) (P = 0.0018).Conclusions:  In conclusion, the anti‐HEV prevalence has decreased in the residents of this area, but HEV infection has continued at a high rate in the hunters through the custom of eating undercooked or raw boar meat.
Endoscopic ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration of solid pancreatic lesions: Performance and outcomes
Authors: Fisher Leon , Segarajasingam Dev Shankar , Stewart Colin , Deboer W Bastiaan , Yusoff Ian Fuad 
Published: September 2008

AbstractBackground and Aim:  We report our single‐centre experience with endoscopic ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration (EUS‐FNA) of solid pancreatic lesions with regard to clinical utility, diagnostic accuracy and safety.Methods:  We prospectively reviewed data on 100 consecutive EUS‐FNA procedures performed in 93 patients (54 men, mean age 60.6 ± 12.9 years) for evaluation of solid pancreatic lesions. Final diagnosis was based on a composite standard: histologic evidence at surgery, or non‐equivocal malignant cytology on FNA and follow‐up. The operating characteristics of EUS‐FNA were determined.Results:  The location of the lesions was pancreatic head in 73% of cases, the body in 20% and the tail in 7%. Mean lesion size was 35.1 ± 12.9 mm. The final diagnosis revealed malignancy in 87 cases, including adenocarcinomas (80.5%), neuroendocrine tumours (11.5%), lymphomas (3.4%) and other types (4.6%). The FNA findings were: 82% interpreted as malignant cytology, 1% as suspicious for neoplasia, 1% as atypical, 7% as benign process and 9% as non‐diagnostic. No false‐positive results were observed. There was a false‐negative rate of 5%. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy were 94.3%, 100%, 100%, 72.2% and 95%, respectively. In 23 (88.5%) of 26 aspirated lymph nodes malignancy was found. Minor complications occurred in two patients.Conclusions:  Our experience confirms that EUS‐FNA in patients with suspected solid pancreatic lesions is safe and has a high diagnostic accuracy. This technique should be considered the preferred test when a cytological diagnosis of a pancreatic mass lesion is required.
Emergence of adefovir‐resistant mutants after reversion to YMDD wild‐type in lamivudine‐resistant patients receiving adefovir monotherapy
Authors: Kwon Hyeok Choon , Cheong Jae Youn , Cho Sung Won , Choi Jae Myoung , Hong Sun Pyo , Kim Soo‐Ok , Yoo Wang Don 
Published: September 2008

AbstractBackground:  To evaluate the effect of reversion to YMDD wild‐type on emergence of adefovir (ADV)‐resistant mutation and antiviral activity of ADV in lamivudine (LAM)‐ resistant patients.Methods:  We determined YMDD mutations and ADV‐resistant mutations before and every 3 months during ADV monotherapy in 33 LAM‐resistant patients using the restriction fragment mass polymorphism (RFMP) method.Results:  Reversion to pure YMDD wild‐type hepatitis B virus (HBV) occurred in 6% (2/33), 9% (3/33), 20% (4/20) and 35% (6/17) of patients after 12, 24, 36 and 48 weeks, respectively. Five (29%) patients were found to have pure YMDD mutants at 48 weeks of therapy. Among 33 patients, 4 (12%) patients developed ADV‐resistant mutations at 48 weeks of therapy. Adefovir‐resistant mutants emerged in all patients after reversion to YMDD wild‐type HBV. The mean serum HBV reductions, evaluated at 24 weeks of therapy, were not different between patients with and without reversion to YMDD wild‐type HBV (−3.1 log10 copies/mL vs−3.4 log10 copies/mL, P > 0.05).Conclusions:  ADV‐resistant mutations emerged after reversion to YMDD wild‐type in LAM‐resistant patients who received ADV monotherapy. Thus, ADV add‐on therapy may be necessary to reduce the incidence of developing ADV resistance in patients with LAM resistance.
Is there yet any place for reagent strips in diagnosing spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in cirrhotic patients? An accuracy and cost‐effectiveness study in Brazil
Authors: De Araujo Alexandre , De Barros Lopes Antônio , Trucollo Michalczuk Matheus , Stifft Jonathas , Nardelli Enzo , Escobar Gabriela , Rossi Gabriela , Álvares‐da‐Silva Mário Reis 
Published: September 2008

AbstractBackground:  Diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is currently based on ascitic cell counting, but there is a need for a more simple and rapid diagnostic tool. The objectives of this study are to evaluate the accuracy of reagent strips in diagnosing SBP and compare their costs with total and differential cell counts.Patients and Methods:  71 cirrhotic in‐ and outpatients were consecutively included (159 samples). Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis was defined as neutrophil cells ≥ 250/µL. The cutoff values for each reagent strip were defined by a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Sensitivity (S), Specificity (Sp), Positive and Negative Predictive Values (PPV and NPV), Accuracy (Ac) and cost‐effectiveness (US$) in comparison to cell count exam were calculated.Results:  Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis was diagnosed in 17 patients (23.9%), 11 of them with positive culture (64.7%). The best cutoff points found in ROC curves were 1+ for Multistix 10 SG and ca. 75 for Choiceline 10 (Multistix 10 SG S = 80%, Sp = 98.5%, PPV = 90.9%, NPV = 96.2%, Ac = 95%; Choiceline 10 S = 76.9%, Sp = 97.7%, PPV = 87%, NPV = 95.6%, Ac = 94%). In terms of cost‐effectiveness by cost/accuracy, cell count was 41.5, Multistix 10 SG 0.57, and Choiceline 10, 0.19 (P < 0.001).Conclusion:  Reagent strips are a useful tool for diagnosing SBP in cirrhotic patients, but they have some limitations. Strips are especially indicated when total and differential cell counts are not quickly available or sometimes unavailable. They are also indicated as screening test in emergency rooms to anticipate the diagnosis of SBP and allow its early treatment. It's an interesting option in developing countries.