bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phytophthora Root Rot and Stem Canker Found on Nordmann and Subalpine Fir in Norwegian Christmas Tree Plantations
Authors: Talgø Venche , Herrero Maria L. , Toppe Brita , Klemsdal Sonja S. , Stensvand Arne 
Published: January 2007

In 2004, Phytophthora symptoms were observed on two different fir species used for Christmas trees in Norway. Isolations resulted in a Phytophthora sp. related to P. inundata from relatively newly established Nordmann fir (Abies nordmanniana) and P. megasperma from seven-year-old subalpine fir (A. lasiocarpa). The Nordmann fir plantation was more severely damaged, with approximately 70% of the trees dead or dying. In the field with subalpine fir, approximately 25% of the trees had yellow or brown foliage and stem canker. Pathogenicity was proven for both Phytophthora isolates on seedlings from their respective host plants. The massive infestation in the Nordmann fir plantation approximately one year after planting suggests that the pathogen was introduced into the planting with the transplants. Except for a recent report of P. cambivora on noble fir (A. procera) produced for bough production (17), Phytophthora has never been reported before on fir in Norway. Accepted for publication 2 October 2006. Published 19 January 2007.
Two SNPs in the SILV gene are associated with silver coat colour in ponies
Authors: Reissmann M. , Bierwolf J. , Brockmann G. A. 
Published: January 2007

SummaryIn horses, a pigment dilution acting only on black eumelanin is the so‐called silver coat colour, which is characterized by a chocolate‐to‐reddish body with a white mane and tail. Using information from other species, we focused our study on SILV as a possible candidate gene for the equine silver phenotype. A 1559‐bp genomic fragment was sequenced in 24 horses, and five SNPs were detected. Two of the five SNPs (DQ665301:g.697A>T and DQ665301:g.1457C>T) were genotyped in 112 horses representing eight colour phenotypes. Both mutations were completely associated with the silver phenotype: all eumelanin‐producing horses (blacks and bays) with atypical white mane and tail were carriers of the [g.697T; g.1457T] haplotype. We identified this haplotype as well as the silver phenotype only in Shetland ponies and Icelandic horses. Horses without eumelanin (chestnuts) were carriers of the [g.697T; g.1457T] haplotype, but they showed no phenotypic effect. The white or flaxen mane often detected in chestnuts is presumably based on another SILV mutation or on polymorphisms in other genes.
The RYR1 g.1843C>T mutation is associated with the effect of the IGF2 intron3‐g.3072G>A mutation on muscle hypertrophy
Authors: Stinckens A. , Van den Maagdenberg K. , Luyten T. , Georges M. , De Smet S. , Buys N. 
Published: January 2007

SummaryMuscle growth is a complex phenomenon regulated by many factors, whereby net growth results from the combined action of synthesis and turnover. In pigs, two quantitative trait nucleotides (QTN) are known to have an important influence on muscle growth and fat deposition: one QTN is located in the ryanodine receptor 1 (RYR1) gene (RYR1 g.1843C>T) and the other, a paternally expressed QTN, is in the insulin‐like growth factor 2 (IGF2) gene (IGF2 intron3‐g.3072G>A). The mutation in IGF2 abrogates in vitro interaction with a repressor, which leads to a threefold increase of IGF2 expression in post‐natal muscle. The family of the calpains, a family of Ca2+‐sensitive muscle endopeptidases, and their specific inhibitor calpastatin play an important role in post‐natal protein degradation, also influencing muscle and carcass traits. This study investigated the possible interactions between the genotypes of the RYR1 and IGF2 QTN on IGF2 expression. Samples were taken from several muscles and from pigs at several ages, and messenger RNA expression levels were measured using a real‐time quantification assay. IGF2 expression in m. longissimus dorsi of animals with mutations in both IGF2 and RYR1 was significantly lower than in animals that inherited the IGF2 mutation but were homozygous wildtype for RYR1.
Mitochondrial DNA sequence diversity and origin of Chinese domestic yak
Authors: Lai S.‐J. , Chen S.‐Y. , Liu Y.‐P. , Yao Y.‐G. 
Published: January 2007

SummaryIn order to clarify the origin and genetic diversity of yak in China, we analysed mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region sequences (∼ 891 bp) in 52 individuals from four domestic yak (Poephagus grunniens) breeds, as well as from a hybrid between yak and cattle (Pianniu). Twenty‐five samples were further selected for partial (420 bp) cytochrome b sequencing based on control region sequence information. Two yak samples shared sequences with Chinese cattle (Bos taurus); the remaining yak mtDNAs converged into two major clades in the phylogenetic analysis. Genetic diversity varied substantially among the breeds, with the hybrid Pianniu yak demonstrating the highest diversity. Our results suggest that the Chinese yak was domesticated from two distinct matrilineal sources or from a heterogeneous pool containing both divergent lineages, with occasional gene introgression from cattle.
Genetic diversity and subdivision of 57 European and Middle‐Eastern sheep breeds
Authors: Peter C. , Bruford M. , Perez T. , Dalamitra S. , Hewitt G. , Erhardt G. ,   the ECONOGENE Consortium
Published: January 2007

SummaryThe population structure and genetic diversity of 57 European and Middle Eastern marginal and cosmopolitan sheep breeds from 15 countries were analysed by typing 31 microsatellite markers. Mean unbiased expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.63 in British Exmoor Horn to 0.77 in Albanian Ruda. South‐eastern European and Middle‐Eastern sheep breeds were significantly more variable than northwestern and western European breeds. An overall heterozygote deficiency (f) across all loci was observed (P < 0.001), while genetic differentiation (θ) was 5.7%. Principal component analysis and Bayesian model‐based clustering indicate a south‐east to north‐west cline, but also revealed distinct groups of Middle‐Eastern fat‐tailed sheep, south‐eastern European sheep and north‐western/western European sheep. Within the last group, two less‐distinct clusters comprised the Merino‐type and Alpine breeds respectively. The incomplete demarcations of most clusters probably reflects cross‐breeding and/or upgrading.
Prioritizing children's medicines for research: a pharmacoepidemiological study of antiepileptic drugs
Authors: Ackers Ruth , Murray Macey L. , Besag Frank M. C. , Wong Ian C. K. 
Published: January 2007

What is already known about this subject • Recently the European Medicines Agency recommended further research in all newly marketed antiepileptic drugs (AEDs).• There is no information in the literature about how AEDs are used in children in primary care. What this study adds • There is a rapid increase in newer AED prescribing to children and adolescents in UK primary care, while prescribing of conventional AEDs is in decline.• The uptake of lamotrigine, topiramate and levetiracetam is rapid, and their prescribing is favoured over the conventional AEDs, particularly in adolescents.• Following concerns about visual field defects with vigabatrin, long‐term safety surveillance of all the newer AEDs is strongly recommended.AimsTo investigate the prescribing epidemiology, in UK primary care, of newer antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) compared with conventional AEDs and to identify AEDs for further research in response to the European Medicines Agency report on epilepsy.MethodsSubjects aged 0–18 years, from the UK General Practice Research Database, who were prescribed an AED between 1993 and 2005. Prescribing prevalence and incidence, stratified by age and AED, were calculated.ResultsA total of 7721 subjects were included and 70% were prescribed one drug. Overall prescribing prevalence for all AEDs had increased by 19%. The prevalence (95% confidence interval) of newer AED prescribing had increased fivefold from 0.67 (0.58, 0.76) to 3.20 (3.03, 3.37) per 1000 person‐years. Conversely, the prevalence of conventional AEDs had declined by 17% from 6.63 (6.34, 6.92) per 1000 person‐years to 5.51 (5.28, 5.73). Lamotrigine had 65% of newer AED prescriptions and was the most prescribed newer drug for both the 2–11 years and 12–18 years age groups with prevalences of 1.47 and 2.55 per 1000 person‐years, respectively.ConclusionsThere is a rapid increase in newer AED prescribing to children and adolescents in UK primary care, while prescribing of conventional AEDs is declining. Since 1997, the prevalence of vigabatrin has fallen, coinciding with the UK safety warnings on visual field defects. The uptake of lamotrigine, topiramate and levetiracetam is rapid and as the safety of these drugs has not been established, they should be prioritized for further research. Following concerns with vigabatrin, long‐term safety surveillance of all newer AEDs is strongly recommended.
Melanin pigmentation negatively correlates with plumage preening effort in barn owls
Authors: ROULIN ALEXANDRE 
Published: January 2007

SummaryAccording to the handicap principle of sexual selection, colourful ornaments honestly signal absolute quality only if they entail fitness costs. The degree of melanism often covaries positively with aspects of individual quality, and hence melanin‐based coloration should be costly to produce or to maintain in a good shape. This is, however, unlikely because melanin‐based coloration is often strongly heritable and in birds the rate of feather wear decreases with the amount of melanin pigments packed in feathers.The hypothesis that melanin pigments reduce the cost of maintaining colourful ornaments in a good shape predicts a negative correlation between the degree of melanism and both the size of the uropygial gland that produces preening secretions and the intensity of preening behaviour.Using a correlative approach, I evaluated these two predictions in the barn owlTyto albain which the body underside varies from immaculate to heavily marked with black spots, a eumelanin‐based trait, and from white to reddish‐brown, a phaeomelanin‐based trait. I correlated plumage traits with preening behaviour in nestlings and with the size and mass of the uropygial gland in dead adults. I also weighed nonornamental wing and tail feathers to assess whether the quality of nonornamental feathers is positively correlated with the degree of melanism of an ornamental plumage trait.The degree of phaeomelanism was neither associated with preening behaviour nor with the size and mass of the uropygial gland. In line with the two predictions, individuals with more and larger black spots had a lighter uropygial gland and preened less frequently. Because nonornamental wing and tail feathers of spottier individuals were heavier per unit of surface area, the entire plumage of eumelanic individuals may be more robust and in turn require less care than the plumage of nonmelanic conspecifics.In conclusion, the degree of eumelanism can be associated with aspects of individual quality even if eumelanic ornaments are neither costly to produce nor to maintain in a good shape.
The role of matrix metalloproteinases‐2, ‐7 and ‐9 and β‐catenin in high grade endometrial carcinoma
Authors: Monaghan H , MacWhinnie N , Williams A R W 
Published: January 2007

Aims:  To determine the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs)‐2, ‐7 and ‐9 and β‐catenin in uterine serous carcinoma (USC) and endometrioid endometrial carcinoma (EEC) and to investigate any difference in expression between EEC and USC which might explain the mechanism of invasion and aggressive behaviour of USC.Methods and results:  Tissue microarrays were created from the viable central part and from the invasive edge of 20 cases of grade 3 EEC and 73 cases of USC. Immunohistochemistry was performed using antibodies to MMPs‐2, ‐7 and ‐9 and β‐catenin. MMPs‐2, ‐7 and ‐9 and β‐catenin were present in both tumour types; there was significantly higher expression of MMPs‐2 and ‐9 in EEC compared with USC and significantly increased expression of MMPs‐2 and ‐9 by carcinoma cells at the invasive edge of USC.Conclusions:  MMPs‐2, ‐7 and ‐9 and β‐catenin are present in EEC and USC. The increased expression of MMPs‐2 and ‐9 by carcinoma cells at the invasive edge of USC is possibly due to increased binding of MMPs secreted by the stromal cells to carcinoma cells, thus equipping the USC carcinoma cells with proteases for invasion.
Serial analysis of gene expression in the southern cattle tick following acaricide treatment of larvae from organophosphate resistant and susceptible strains
Authors: Guerrero F. D. , Bendele K. G. , Chen A. C. , Li A. Y. , Miller R. J. , Pleasance E. , Varhol R. , Rousseau M.‐E. , Nene V. M. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractOrganophosphate resistant and susceptible tick larvae from laboratory strains of the southern cattle tick, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus were exposed to low doses of the organophosphate (OP) acaricide, coumaphos. Serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) was used to analyse differential gene expression in response to OP treatment and to compare the responses of OP‐treated and ‐untreated resistant and susceptible tick larvae. An R. microplus Gene Index was used as an EST database to identify genes which corresponded to SAGE tags whose abundance changed in response to acaricide exposure. Relative quantitative RT‐PCR was used to confirm the differential expression results from the SAGE experiments. Of particular interest is a SAGE tag which corresponds to a cytochrome P450‐like EST in the Gene Index which was more abundant in untreated OP resistant larvae compared to untreated OP susceptible larvae. This SAGE tag was also more abundant in OP resistant larvae treated with OP compared to OP susceptible larvae treated with OP.
Female‐biased expression of odourant receptor genes in the adult antennae of the silkworm, Bombyx mori
Authors: Wanner K. W. , Anderson A. R. , Trowell S. C. , Theilmann D. A. , Robertson H. M. , Newcomb R. D. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractOlfaction plays an important role in the life history of insects, including key behaviours such as host selection, oviposition and mate recognition. Odour perception by insects is primarily mediated by the large diverse family of odourant receptors (Ors) that are expressed on the dendrites of olfactory neurones housed within chemosensilla. However, few Or sequences have been identified from the Lepidoptera, an insect order that includes some of the most important pest species worldwide. We have identified 41 Or gene sequences from the silkworm (Bombyx mori) genome, more than double the number of published Or sequences from the Lepidoptera.Many silkworm Ors appear to be orthologs of the 17 published tobacco budworm (Heliothis virescens) Ors indicating that many Or lineages may be conserved within the Lepidoptera. The majority of the Or genes are expressed in adult female and male antennae (determined by quantitative real‐time PCR analysis), supporting their probable roles in adult olfaction. Several Or genes are expressed at high levels in both male and female antennae, suggesting they mediate the perception of common host or conspecific volatiles important to both sexes. BmOrs 45–47 group together in the same phylogenetic branch and all three are expressed at moderate female‐biased ratios, six to eight times higher in female compared to male moth antennae. Interestingly, BmOrs19 and 30 appear to be expressed predominantly in female antennae, opposite to that of the published silkworm pheromone receptors BmOrs 1 and 3 that are specific to male antennae. These results suggest that BmOr19 and 30 may detect odours critical to female behaviour, such as oviposition cues or male‐produced courtship pheromones.
Cloning and expression of a geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase gene: insights into the synthesis of termite defence secretion
Authors: Hojo Masaru , Matsumoto Tadao , Miura Toru 
Published: January 2007

AbstractIn Nasutitermes takasagoensis, a termite in which soldiers perform specialized chemical defence, Nts19‐1 gene is highly expressed exclusively in soldier head. In this study, two types of transcripts for this gene were obtained, and the full‐length cDNAs were determined by rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). These transcripts were putative homologues of the geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP) synthase gene, involved in the condensation of dimethylallyl diphosphate with isopentenyl diphosphate in the isoprenoid biosynthetic pathway. The genes were thus termed NtGGPPS1. GGPP is a precursor of diterpenes in plants. In situ hybridization localized NtGGPPS1 expression to the epidermal secretory cells of the frontal gland reservoir where many kinds of diterpenes are produced, suggesting that NtGGPPS1 is involved in the biosynthesis of defence secretion.
The relationship between tooth wear, habitat quality and late‐life reproduction in a wild red deer population
Authors: NUSSEY DANIEL H. , METHERELL BONNIE , MOYES KELLY , DONALD ALISON , GUINNESS FIONA E. , CLUTTON‐BROCK TIM H. 
Published: January 2007

Summary

Molar tooth wear is considered an important proximate mechanism driving patterns of senescence in ungulates but few studies have investigated the causes of variation in molar wear or their consequences for reproductive success.
In this study, we assessed molar tooth wear at death among red deer Cervus elaphus of known age on the Isle of Rum, Scotland.
First molar height showed a decelerating decline with age. In females, the rates of molar wear with age varied with location of home range and individuals experiencing low resource competition showed reduced molar wear. We suggest that this spatial variation in molar wear is related to differences in the availability of high‐quality grazing habitat and levels of resource competition.
There was no evidence that females with more heavily worn molars had reduced reproductive performance late in life or that first molar height was associated with reproductive senescence.
Multispecies conservation planning: identifying landscapes for the conservation of viable populations using local and continental species priorities
Authors: EARLY REGAN , THOMAS CHRIS D. 
Published: January 2007

Summary

Faced with unpredictable environmental change, conservation managers face the dual challenges of protecting species throughout their ranges and protecting areas where populations are most likely to persist in the long term. The former can be achieved by protecting locally rare species, to the potential detriment of protecting species where they are least endangered and most likely to survive in the long term.
Using British butterflies as a model system, we compared the efficacy of two methods of identifying persistent areas of species’ distributions: a single‐species approach and a new multispecies prioritization tool called ZONATION. This tool identifies priority areas using population dynamic principles (prioritizing areas that contain concentrations of populations of each species) and the reserve selection principle of complementarity.
ZONATION was generally able to identify the best landscapes for target (i.e. conservation priority) species. This ability was improved by assigning higher numerical weights to target species and implementing a clustering procedure to identify coherent biological management units.
Weighting British species according to their European rather than UK status substantially increased the protection offered to species at risk throughout Europe. The representation of species that are rare or at risk in the UK, but not in Europe, was not greatly reduced when European weights were used, although some species of UK‐only concern were no longer assigned protection inside their best landscapes. The analysis highlights potential consequences of implementing parochial vs. wider‐world priorities within a region.
Synthesis and applications. Wherever possible, reserve planning should incorporate an understanding of population processes to identify areas that are likely to support persistent populations. While the multispecies prioritization tool ZONATION compared favourably to the selection of ‘best’ areas for individual species, a user‐defined input of species weights was required to produce satisfactory solutions for long‐term conservation. Weighting species can allow international conservation priorities to be incorporated into regional action plans but the potential consequences of any putative solution should always be assessed to ensure that no individual species of local concern will be threatened.
Environmental correlates of avian diversity in lowland Panama rain forests
Authors: Rompré Ghislain , Douglas Robinson W. , Desrochers André , Angehr George 
Published: January 2007

AbstractAim  The composition of communities is known to be influenced by biogeographical history, but also by local environmental conditions. Yet few studies have evaluated the relative importance of the direct and indirect effects of multiple factors on species diversity in rich Neotropical forests. Our study aims to assess drivers of change in local bird species richness in lowland tropical rain forests.Location  Thirty‐two physiographic subregions along the corridor of the Panama Canal, Panama.Methods  We mapped the distributions of all forest‐dwelling bird species and quantified the environmental characteristics of all subregions, including mean annual rainfall, topographic complexity, elevational variability, forest age and forest area. Plant species richness, believed to be correlated with structural complexity, was estimated by interpolation through kriging for subregions where data were unavailable.Results  The study region has a strong rainfall gradient across a short distance (65 km), which is also accompanied by steep gradients in plant and bird species diversity. Path analysis showed that precipitation strongly affected plant species diversity, which in turn affected avian diversity. Forest age and topography affected bird diversity independently of plant diversity. Forest area and its proportion occurring in the largest two fragments of each subregion (habitat configuration) were also positive correlates of bird species richness.Main conclusions  Our results suggest that plant species richness, known to be influenced in part by biogeographical history and geology, also affects bird species assemblages locally. We provide support for the hypothesis that bird species richness increases with structural complexity of the habitat. Our analysis of the distributions of the region's most disturbance‐sensitive bird species showed that subregions with more rainfall, more complex topography and older forests harboured not only richer communities but also more sensitive species; while subregions with the opposite characteristics usually lacked large fractions of the regional forest bird community and hosted only common, widely distributed species. Results also emphasize the importance of preserving forest diversity from habitat loss and fragmentation, and confirm that larger, continuous forest tracts are necessary to maintain the rich avian diversity in the region.