bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Petaloidy and petal identity MADS‐box genes in the balsaminoid genera Impatiens and Marcgravia
Authors: Geuten Koen , Becker Annette , Kaufmann Kerstin , Caris Pieter , Janssens Steven , Viaene Tom , Theißen Günter , Smets Erik 
Published: September 2008

Summary Impatiens and Marcgravia have striking morphological innovations associated with the flowers. One of the sepals in Impatiens is spurred and petaloid, while in Marcgravia the petals are fused into a cap and nectary cups are associated with the inflorescence. Balsaminaceae (Impatiens) and Marcgraviaceae have surprisingly been shown to be closely related, since both belong to the balsaminoid clade of Ericales (basal asterids). However, several thorough morphological studies thus far have not revealed shared derived characters (synapomorphies) that support a close relationship between these families. In the balsaminoid clade, transitions from entirely green flowers to flowers with heterotopic petaloid organs can be observed. The primary role of class B genes in core eudicots is to specify the identity of petal and stamen floral organs. E‐class genes, of which SEP3 is a representative, have been identified as redundant mediators that confer transcriptional activation potential on protein complexes that specify organ identity. Given the conserved function of organ‐identity MADS‐box genes in model plants, but the rapid molecular evolution in angiosperms, it remains controversial whether these genes have been involved in shaping floral diversity. We have identified a SEP3‐like gene and a total of five class B genes from Impatiens hawkeri and Marcgravia umbellata and report their quantitative expression in the floral organs. In Impatiens, two AP3/DEF‐like genes were identified with strongly divergent C‐terminal domains, one truncated and one unusually long. Both genes show a gradual decrease in expression towards the outer perianth organs, but no GLO‐like gene expression is observed in the petaloid sepal. Remarkably, SEP3‐like gene expression in the Impatiens perianth is absent from the green sepals but present in the petaloid sepal and in the petals. Dimeric protein interactions of the cloned Impatiens genes were studied in yeast and by using gel retardation. In Marcgravia, strong overlapping class B gene expression is limited to the stamens, but a SEP3‐like gene is strongly expressed in the Marcgravia nectary, indicating that both Impatiens and Marcgravia show heterotopic expression of a SEP3‐like gene. We discuss several candidate mechanisms for heterotopic petaloidy involving modified gene expression and protein interaction of SEP3‐like and class B genes.
A role for a flavin‐containing mono‐oxygenase in resistance against microbial pathogens in Arabidopsis
Authors: Koch Martina , Vorwerk Sonja , Masur Clarissa , Sharifi‐Sirchi Gholamreza , Olivieri Nicoletta , Schlaich Nikolaus L. 
Published: September 2008

SummaryUsing activation tagging in the Arabidopsis Col‐0 rps2‐101C background, we identified a mutant (FMO1‐3D) that showed virtually no symptoms after inoculation with virulent Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 bacteria. The dominant, gain‐of‐function phenotype of the FMO1‐3D mutant is due to over‐expression of a class 3 flavin‐containing mono‐oxygenase (FMO). We recapitulated the FMO1‐3D mutant phenotype in independent transgenic Col‐0 lines over‐expressing the FMO1 cDNA under the control of the 35S CaMV promoter. The increased basal resistance observed in the FMO1‐3D mutant was also effective against the taxonomically unrelated downy mildew‐causing pathogen Hyaloperonospora parasitica. By investigating the progeny from crosses of the FMO1‐3D mutant with the NahG transgenic line, we showed that the enhanced basal resistance phenotype was dependent on the accumulation of salicylic acid. FMO1‐3D plants showed wild‐type resistant reactions after inoculation with avirulent bacteria, indicating that the R‐gene‐mediated defence physiology was not compromised by FMO1 over‐expression. Transcripts of the class 3 FMO1 gene accumulated within 6 h after inoculation of wild‐type Col‐0 plants with avirulent Pst + avrRpt2 cells. Moreover, a T‐DNA insertion into the FMO1 gene resulted in enhanced susceptibility to virulent Pseudomonas and Hyaloperonospora parasitica, suggesting that expression of the FMO1 gene is a hitherto undescribed component of the plant's resistance repertoire. We discuss the possibility that the FMO may participate in the detoxification of virulence factors produced by pathogens.
Challenges in the diagnosis and management of Nocardia infections in lung transplant recipients
Authors: Poonyagariyagorn H.K. , Gershman A. , Avery R. , Minai O. , Blazey H. , Asamoto K. , Alster J. , Murthy S. , Mehta A. , Pettersson G. , Mason D.P. , Budev M. 
Published: September 2008

Background. Nocardia infection occurs in 2.1–3.5% of lung transplant recipients, and may involve cavitary nodular pulmonary lesions, soft tissue infection, or other sites of dissemination. Nocardiosis can pose challenging clinical problems in the areas of diagnosis and treatment. Diagnostic delays may occur, and adverse reactions to therapy are common. This study reviews clinical and epidemiological aspects of nocardiosis in lung transplant recipients, with special attention to pitfalls in management. Clinicians should be alert for these possibilities in order to institute prompt therapy and to achieve successful outcomes.Methods. A retrospective cohort study was conducted of 577 lung transplant recipients from January 1991 to May 2007. Demographics, reason for transplant, recent rejection, time from transplantation, site of infection, hypogammaglobulinemia, and/or neutropenia shortly before onset, Pneumocystis jiroveci prophylaxis, Nocardia species, radiographic findings, extrapulmonary lesions, nature and duration of treatment, adverse reactions, and outcomes were recorded.Result. Nocardia infection occurred in 1.9% (11/577). Mean onset was 14.3 months after transplant (range 1.5–39 months). N. asteroides was isolated in 55% (6/11). Emphysema was the most common reason for transplant (7/11, 64%). Six patients were receiving trimethoprim‐sulfamethoxazole (TMP‐SMX) prophylaxis at the time of diagnosis. Three patients had immune globulin G levels <400 mg/dL and 2 were neutropenic in the 3 months preceding diagnosis. Diagnosis was made by bronchoalveolar lavage (55%), skin abscess culture (18%), open lung biopsy (9%), pleural fluid (9%), and sputum culture (9%). Definitive diagnosis required a median of 9 days and a mean of 13.6 days (range 3–35 days) from the time of diagnostic sampling. Soft tissue lesions occurred in 3 and central nervous system involvement in 1 patient. Adverse reactions to therapy occurred in 9/10 (90%) of patients for whom information was available. Nocardia‐related mortality occurred in 2/11 patients (18%).Conclusions. Nocardiosis occurred in 1.9% of lung transplant recipients and was associated with a mean of nearly 2 weeks to diagnosis and frequent adverse effects on therapy. TMP‐SMX prophylaxis on a thrice weekly basis did not prevent all episodes of nocardiosis. Despite utilization of protocol bronchoscopies with cultures for Nocardia, this organism remains a source of clinical complexity in the lung transplant population.
Host ecology and life‐history traits associated with blood parasite species richness in birds
Authors: ARRIERO E. , MØLLER A. P. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractIdentifying host traits associated with the number of different parasite species or strains harboured by a particular host species can have important implications for understanding the impact of parasitism on hosts. We investigated associations between host ecology and life history, and parasite richness and prevalence of the four major avian blood parasite genera. We used an extensive data on blood parasite infections and host ecology in 263 bird species from the Western Palearctic, combining species‐specific data with a comparative approach to control for similarity in phenotype among host species due to the effects of common phylogenetic descent. Adult survival rate negatively correlated with the number of parasite species infecting a host species when controlling for similarity due to common descent and body mass. In addition, the prevalence ofHaemoproteus,PlasmodiumandLeucocytozoonwas higher in species harbouring a richer parasite assemblage. These results suggest that the impact on host fitness caused by avian haematozoa may be underestimated in natural populations if the exacerbated virulence associated with exposure to multiple parasites is not taken into account.
Nest and Egg Recognition by Salamanders in the Genus Desmognathus: A Comprehensive Re‐Examination
Authors: Forester Don C. , Cameron Melissa , Forester James D. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractWe conducted a comparative investigation of nest relocation and egg recognition by four species of streamside salamanders indigenous to eastern North America: Seepage Salamander (Desmognathus aeneus), Santeetlah Salamander (Desmognathus santeetlah), Ocoee Salamander (Desmognathus ocoee), and Northern Dusky Salamander (Desmognathus fuscus). Females of all four species were able to relocate their nest sites following displacement of 1 m. Upon return to a nest site following natural displacement, females must be able to recognize their eggs and, in some instances, choose between their own clutch and the unattended clutch of a conspecific. In two‐choice behavioral tests, female salamanders of all four species moved randomly within the test chamber in the absence of eggs, but preferred their own eggs to a filter paper blank. One species, D. fuscus, exhibited a similar attraction to conspecific eggs suggesting that the presence of eggs, regardless of their origin, may stimulate maternal care in physiologically primed females. We found that egg discrimination is not as infallible as previously reported. All four species spent more time with their own eggs than they did with the eggs of a conspecific female; however, this trend was significant for D. ocoee only. Interspecific variation in egg discrimination is attributed to differential selection associated with the life history of individual species.
Free‐Ranging Red Deer Hinds Show Greater Attentiveness to Roars with Formant Frequencies Typical of Young Males
Authors: Charlton Benjamin D. , McComb Karen , Reby David 
Published: September 2008

AbstractAcoustic cues present in the reproductive calls of many animal species potentially encode important information about the caller. Here, we test the response of a free‐ranging population of peri‐oestrus red deer hinds to variation in a specific acoustic cue to body size in the male roar, the formant frequencies. Our results revealed: (1) that hinds showed greater overall attention (judged by longer looking responses and lower response latencies) to roars simulating males of sub‐adult body size than to those simulating a large adult male and (2) that hinds without dependent offspring had greater looking responses to male roars and lower response latencies than hinds with dependent offspring to roars simulating sub‐adult males. These findings indicate that free‐ranging red deer hinds may use formants as acoustic cues to gauge the body size and maturity of males in their natural environment, possibly to facilitate earlier detection and avoidance of young stags that are known to harass them.
Effects of an Immune Challenge on Multiple Components of Song Display in Barn SwallowsHirundo rustica: Implications for Sexual Selection
Authors: Dreiss A. N. , Navarro C. , De Lope F. , Møller A. P. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractBird song is believed to honestly reveal male quality including the ability of singers to face parasitism. In a natural population of barn swallowsHirundo rustica, we experimentally imposed a cost on song production by an immune challenge. We therefore vaccinated a group of reproducing males with an antigen (Newcastle disease virus), and injected phosphate‐buffered saline to a control group. Immune challenge significantly reduced one song feature, rattle duration. This decrease was related to male quality, as measured by tail length, because males with short tails reduced the duration of their rattle significantly more than males with long tails. In addition, another song feature, strophe duration, decreased in the control group, while it remained constant in the challenged group. Duration of the rattle has previously been found to be positively related to testosterone level, and it may hence reflect male competitive ability. Thus, male barn swallows may not have the potential to produce long rattles when their immune system is challenged. By maintaining their strophe duration after an immune challenge, males may compensate for the decrease in rattle duration. Our results suggest that different song features may convey different types of information, and that barn swallow song, in particular their rattle, may reliably reveal information about activation of the immune system.
Extended Mother–Offspring Relationships in Crayfish: The Return Behaviour of Juvenile Procambarus Clarkii
Authors: Aquiloni Laura , Gherardi Francesca 
Published: September 2008

AbstractCrayfish shows a relatively complex parental behaviour compared with other invertebrates, but the literature provides only anecdotal accounts of this phenomenon. In Procambarus clarkii, we described the ‘return’ behaviour of third‐stage juveniles when offered four types of adults: biological mothers, foster mothers, non‐brooding females and males. Then, we analysed the posture and behaviour of the adults to understand the role played by the putative mother in attracting the juveniles. Contrary to non‐brooding individuals, both biological and foster mothers displayed a relatively rare locomotion, executed few cleaning and feeding acts, and never attempted to prey on juveniles. They often assumed a ‘spoon‐like telson posture’ that seemed to facilitate offspring’s approaches. Juveniles increased the frequency of tail‐flips away in the presence of non‐brooding adults; conversely, they accepted foster mothers, along with biological mothers, but not as fast as the latter. Taken together, these results suggest that mother–offspring relationships in P. clarkii are more refined than previously thought, being possibly a key factor enabling this species to thrive in harsh environmental conditions.
The importance of haplotype length and heritability using genomic selection in dairy cattle
Authors: Villumsen T.M. , Janss L. , Lund M.S. 
Published: September 2008

SummaryReliabilities for genomic estimated breeding values (GEBV) were investigated by simulation for a typical dairy cattle breeding setting. Scenarios were simulated with different heritabilites (h2) and for different haplotype sizes, and seven generations with only genotypes were generated to investigate reliability of GEBV over time. A genome with 5000 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) at distances of 0.1 cM and 50 quantitative trait loci (QTL) was simulated, and a Bayesian variable selection model was implemented to predict GEBV. Highest reliabilities were obtained for 10 SNP haplotypes. At optimal haplotype size, reliabilities in generation 1 without phenotypes ranged from 0.80 for h2 = 0.02 to 0.93 for h2 = 0.30, and in the seventh generation without phenotypes ranged from 0.69 for h2 = 0.02 to 0.86 for h2 = 0.30. Reliabilities of GEBV were found sufficiently high to implement dairy selection schemes without progeny testing in which case a data time‐lag of two to three generations may be present. Reliabilities were also relatively high for low heritable traits, implying that genomic selection could be especially beneficial to improve the selection on, e.g. health and fertility.
Genetic parameters for dry matter, energy and protein intake, and their relationships with performance and carcass traits in Japanese Black cattle
Authors: Hoque M.A. , Hosono M. , Suzuki K. 
Published: September 2008

SummaryGenetic parameters for feed intake and performance traits of 514 bulls and carcass traits of 22 099 of their progeny, and the relationships of measures of feed intake with performance and carcass traits were estimated. Feed intake traits were dry matter intake (DMI), concentrate intake (CONI), roughage intake, ratio of roughage intake to DMI, metabolizable energy intake (MEI) and digestible crude protein intake (DCPI). Performance traits included daily gain, metabolic weight, live weight at the end of test, dry matter conversion ratio and residual feed intake. Progeny carcass traits were carcass weight, percentage of meat yield, rib eye area (REA), subcutaneous fat, marbling score, meat colour (MCS), fat colour (FCS) and meat quality grade. All the feed intake and performance traits were moderately heritable. The heritabilities for REA and MCS were moderate, and that for FCS was low, while those for the other carcass traits were high. Selection against DMI, CONI and DCPI would reduce excessive intake of feed, but would have undesirable effects on growth and most of the carcass traits. Selection against MEI would lead to improvements in feed efficiency and growth traits. Selection against DCPI would also improve feed efficiency; however, responses in growth traits would decrease. Results indicate that selection against MEI might be better than any other measures of feed intake to improve feed efficiency with simultaneous improvement in growth and most of the carcass traits.
Biological and Molecular Characterization of Taiwanese Isolates of Cucumber mosaic virus Associated with Banana Mosaic Disease
Authors: Chou Chun‐Nan , Chen Cheng‐En , Wu Meng‐Ling , Su Hong‐Ji , Yeh Hsin‐Hung 
Published: September 2008

AbstractBanana mosaic disease (BMD) caused by Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) has become an important threat to the banana industry. We collected and characterized 10 CMV isolates associated with BMD in Taiwan and compared their biological characteristics and coat protein sequences. The isolates fell into four pathotypes on the basis of the symptoms they induce on banana, Nicotiana glutinosa and Vigna unguiculata (cowpea). Double‐stranded RNA analysis revealed that the different pathotypes are not related to the presence of CMV satellite RNA. Phylogenetic analysis of worldwide CMV coat protein sequences revealed that among the currently known CMV subgroups IA, IB and II, subgroup IB is phylogenetically unresolved. Our CMV isolates form a new subgroup, IT, within subgroup I. In addition, we resolved another new CMV subgroup, IS, within subgroup I. The analysis also revealed that isolates within different subgroups can infect the banana.
Gene Expression During Acibenzolar‐S‐Methyl‐Induced Priming for Potentiated Responses to Venturia nashicola in Japanese Pear
Authors: Faize Mohamed , Faize Lydia , Ishii Hideo 
Published: September 2008

AbstractPretreatment of leaves of the Japanese pear plant with the synthetic SAR activator acibenzolar‐S‐methyl (ASM) significantly reduced the severity of scab caused by the fungal pathogen Venturia nashicola. In this study, we have cloned three defence‐related genes that are involved in the signalling network from Japanese pear, including a non‐expresser of pathogenesis‐related protein 1 (jpNPR1), a respiratory burst oxidase homologues (jpRBOH) and a mitogen‐activated protein kinase (jpMAPK). We studied their expression in the same conditions that allow protection afforded by ASM, using quantitative real‐time reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). Transcript level of jpNPR1 was not significantly elevated in Japanese pear leaves upon treatment with ASM and during infection with V. nashicola, and was highly and transiently primed in ASM‐treated leaves after scab inoculation. Transcripts encoding jpRBOH and jpMAPK were directly responsive to ASM and were also early potentiated after pathogen inoculation. Involvement of NPR1 and reactive oxygen species in ASM‐induced priming or potentiation is discussed.
Association of Dominant and Recessive Genes Confers Anthracnose Resistance in Stem and Leaves of Common Bean
Authors: Alzate‐Marin Ana Lilia , Schuster Ivan , Moreira Maurilio Alves , Barros Everaldo Gonçalves de 
Published: September 2008

AbstractDifferent genes might be involved in Colletotrichum lindemuthianum resistance in leaves and stem of common bean. This work aimed to study the genetic mechanisms of the resistance in the leaf and stem in segregating populations from backcrosses involving resistant cultivar AN 910408 and susceptible cultivar Rudá inoculated with spore suspensions of C. lindemuthianum race 83. Our results indicate that two genes which interact epistatically, one dominant and one recessive, are involved in the genetic control of leaf anthracnose resistance. As for stem anthracnose resistance, two genes also epistatic, one dominant and one recessive, explain the resistance to C. lindemuthianum race 83. The recessive gene is the same for leaf and stem resistance; however, the dominant genes are distinct and independent from each other. The three independent resistance genes of AN 910408 observed in this work could be derived from Guanajuato 31.
Surface enhanced laser desorption/ionization profiling: New diagnostic method of HBV‐related hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Wu Cheng , Wang Zhanfeng , Liu Lijie , Zhao Peng , Wang Wenjing , Yao Dingkang , Shi Bing , Lu Junhua , Liao Ping , Yang Yaning , Zhu Liang 
Published: September 2008

AbstractBackground and Aim:  To screen for serum biomarkers of HBV‐related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and HBV‐related liver cirrhosis (LC) in an attempt to seek a new method for differential diagnosis of HCC and LC using surface‐enhanced laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (SELDI‐TOF‐MS) techniques.Methods:  Using SELDI‐TOF‐MS, serum proteins/peptide profiles on the immobilized metal ion affinity capture (IMAC) protein chips were obtained from 29 HCC patients and 30 LC patients. Discriminant analysis was carried out to establish new diagnostic methods using protein/peptide peaks with or without α‐fetoprotein (AFP).Results:  Forty‐five protein/peptide peaks changed much more in the HCC group than they did in the LC group. Discriminant analysis using the Wilcoxon rank‐sum test showed high sensitivity and specificity in distinguishing HCC from LC. The most significantly differentiating peak, 3892, offered 69.0% sensitivity, 83.3% specificity and 80% positive predictive value in distinguishing HCC and LC. Interestingly, six HCC patients with negative serum AFP were confirmed by peak 3892. The combination of multi‐protein peaks (m/z = 9297, 29 941) with AFP offered an 82.8% sensitivity, 93.3% specificity and 92.3% positive predictive value, which was much better than AFP alone (P = 0.013).Conclusions:  Special proteins/peptides of serum may differentiate HBV‐related HCC and HBV‐related LC, indicating that SELDI‐TOF‐MS may be useful to distinguish HCC from LC with the proper discriminant analytical method. SELDI peak 3892 may be a complementary diagnostic marker to positive AFP for HCC and a potential marker for the diagnosis of AFP‐negative HCC as well.