bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of oestradiol benzoate, progesterone and vaginal bolt on superovulation of Holstein heifers
Authors: Bao-Ning Duan , Jian-Hua Xue , Xin-Hui Zhang , Sheng-Quan Wu , Feng-Jun Sun , Run-Zi Sang 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThis trial was aimed at investigating the effect of different doses of progesterone (P4) and types of vaginal bolts on new follicular wave induction, oestrus synchronization and superovulation in Holstein heifers. Results showed that the interval after prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) application and oestrus occurrence between the sponge blot (SP) group (48.3 h) and the progestin release device (PRD) group (39 h) was significantly different (P<0.05). The average number of embryos obtained in the SP group (13.2) was significantly higher than that (8.7) in the PRD group (P<0.05). The same trend was observed for the number of usable embryos (5.7 and 3.3 for SP and PRD groups, respectively). The injection of 50 and 100 mg of P4 efficiently induced a new follicular wave, whereas no significant difference (P>0.05) was recorded on oestrus synchronization and superovulation between the two groups.
A modified GLGI method for identification of novel porcine genes from long serial analysis of gene expression tags
Authors: Zhong-Lin Tang , Yong Li , Shu-Hong Zhao , Bang Liu , Bin Fan , Kui Li 
Published: August 2007

AbstractCombining the long serial analysis of gene expression (LongSAGE) and the generation of longer cDNA fragments from serial analysis of gene expression tags for gene identification (GLGI) technique, a new strategy called modified GLGI (M-GLGI) was developed to isolate unknown 3′ expressed sequence tags (ESTs) and discover novel genes. A 17 bp LongSAGE tag was used as sense primer instead of a 10-base SAGE tag; PCR reaction was performed under an appropriate annealing temperature for each tag; universal DNA polymerase was used in PCR amplification instead of Pfu enzyme; a common cloning strategy using pMD-18T vector and Escherichia coli DH5α cells were used instead of a special vector and competent cells. Moreover, ESTs isolated by M-GLGI had 3′ ends with the polyadenylation signals and poly(dA) tails. This method is more sensitive for identifying genes expressed in low abundance than conventional EST sequencing.
Diversity of endophytic diazotrophs isolated fromBambusa blumeanain Guangdong province
Authors: Wei How , Gui-Xiang Peng , Zhi-Jun Xu , Shi-Xian Chen , Zhi-Yuan Tan 
Published: August 2007

AbstractEndophytic bacteria isolated from Guangdong bamboo (Bambusa blumeana) plants were obtained under aerobic and anaerobic cultural conditions. Using the acetylene reduction assay (ARA), 40 strains were identified as diazotrophs. Diazotrophic isolates were grouped into five clusters (I, II, III, IV and V) by SDS-PAGE whole-cell protein patterns. The analysis of full-length 16S rDNA sequences of the representative strains of each group indicated that the endophytic diazotrophs showed great diversity and belonged to the generaAzospirillum(α-subclass of proteobacteria),EscherichiaandPseudomonas(γ-subclass of proteobacteria), andAquaspirillum(β-subclass of proteobacteria).
Duration of Influenza A Virus Shedding in Hospitalized Patients and Implications for Infection Control
Authors: Leekha Surbhi , Zitterkopf Nicole L. , Espy Mark J. , Smith Thomas F. , Thompson Rodney L. , Sampathkumar Priya 
Published: August 2007

Objective.To assess the duration of shedding of influenza A virus detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and cell culture among patients hospitalized with influenza A virus infection.Setting.Mayo Clinic (Rochester, Minnesota) hospitals that cater to both the community and referral populations.Methods.Patients 18 years old and older who were hospitalized between December 1, 2004, and March 15, 2005, with a laboratory-confirmed (ie, PCR-based) diagnosis of influenza A virus infection were consecutively enrolled. Additional throat swab specimens were collected at 2, 3, 5, and 7 days after the initial specimen (if the patient was still hospitalized). All specimens were tested by PCR and culture (both conventional tube culture and shell vial assay). Information on demographic characteristics, date of symptom onset, comorbidities, immunosuppression, influenza vaccination status, and receipt of antiviral treatment was obtained by interview and medical record review. Patients were excluded if informed consent could not be obtained or if the date of symptom onset could not be ascertained.Results.Of 149 patients hospitalized with influenza A virus infection, 50 patients were enrolled in the study. Most patients were older (median age, 76 years), and almost all (96%) had underlying chronic medical conditions. Of 41 patients included in the final analysis, influenza A virus was detected in 22 (54%) by PCR and in 12 (29%) by culture methods at or beyond 7 days after symptom onset. All 12 patients identified by culture also had PCR results positive for influenza A virus.Conclusion.Hospitalized patients with influenza A virus infection can shed detectable virus beyond the 5- to 7-day period traditionally considered the duration of infectivity. Additional research is needed to assess whether prolonging the duration of patient isolation is warranted to prevent nosocomial outbreaks during the influenza season.
Hydroxycarbamide in combination with azacitidine or decitabine is antagonistic on DNA methylation inhibition
Authors: Choi Si Ho , Byun Hyang‐Min , Kwan Jennifer M. , Issa Jean‐Pierre J. , Yang Allen S. 
Published: August 2007

SummaryAzacitidine and decitabine are cytidine analogues that inhibit DNA methylation, and are used to treat myeloid haematological malignancies. Hydroxycarbamide (HC) (also known as hydroxyurea), a ribonucleotide reductase (RR) inhibitor, blocks the conversion of ribonucleotides to deoxyribonucleotides, and is also used to treat leukaemia and sickle‐cell disease. Azacitidine is a ribonucleoside and decitabine is a deoxyribonucleoside; therefore, we hypothesized that inhibition of RR by HC would be antagonistic to azacitidine and synergistic to decitabine. HL‐60 and T24 cancer cell lines were treated with azacitidine or decitabine in combination with HC and DNA methylation of LRE1, MAGEA1 and CDKN2A was quantitatively measured by bisulphite‐polymerase chain reaction pyrosequencing. Surprisingly, we found that HC blocked the ability of both azacitidine and decitabine to inhibit DNA methylation and this antagonistic effect was attributable to the arrest of the cell cycle induced by HC. However, this antagonism could be avoided with sequential treatment of HC followed by azacitidine or decitabine. This data suggest that concurrent combination of HC blocks the ability of azacitidine and decitabine to inhibit DNA methylation and therefore these drugs should be used sequentially.
Activation of sphingosine kinase mediates suppressive effect of interleukin‐6 on human multiple myeloma cell apoptosis
Authors: Li Qing‐Fang , Wu Chu‐Tse , Duan Hai‐Feng , Sun Hui‐Yan , Wang Hua , Lu Zhuo‐Zhuang , Zhang Qun‐Wei , Liu Hong‐Jun , Wang Li‐Sheng 
Published: August 2007

SummaryInterleukin 6 (IL‐6) influences the growth and survival of multiple myeloma (MM) cells via the activation of multiple signalling cascades. Although sphingosine kinase (SPHK) signalling is known to play important roles in the regulation of cell proliferation and apoptosis, the role of SPHK activation in IL‐6 signalling and in the pathology of MM remains unclear. This study found that IL‐6 activated SPHK in MM cells, which mediates the suppressive effects of IL‐6 on MM cell apoptosis. Both MM cell lines and primary MM cells constitutively expressed SPHK, and treatment of MM cells with IL‐6 resulted in activation of SPHK in a concentration‐dependent manner. Specific inhibitors of the phosphatidylinositol‐3 kinase and extracellular signal‐regulated kinase/mitogen‐activated protein kinase pathways blocked the IL‐6‐induced activation of SPHK. It was further demonstrated that IL‐6‐induced activation of SPHK inhibited dexamethasone‐induced apoptosis of MM cells. IL‐6 stimulation or retroviral‐mediated overexpression of SPHK1 in MM cells resulted in increased intracellular SPHK activity and upregulation of myeloid cell leukaemia‐1 (Mcl‐1), leading to increased cell proliferation and survival. Conversely, inhibition of SPHK1 by small interfering RNA reduced IL‐6‐induced upregulation of Mcl‐1 and blocked the suppressive effect of IL‐6 on MM cell apoptosis. Taken together, these results delineate a key role for SPHK activation in IL‐6‐induced proliferation and survival of MM cells, and suggest that SPHK may be a potential new therapeutic target in MM.
Inheritance of the concentration of water‐soluble carbohydrates and its relationship with the concentrations of fibre and crude protein in herbage of cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.)
Authors: Sanada Y. , Takai T. , Yamada T. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThe concentration of water‐soluble carbohydrates (WSC) of cocksfoot is lower than that of other temperate grasses. Increasing the WSC concentration in cocksfoot is important in increasing its digestibility and preference by ruminants. The genetic variation in mono‐ and disaccharides, fructans and total WSC concentrations and their inter‐relationships with crude protein (CP) and fibre concentrations of cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.) at the vegetative growth stage in half‐sib cross populations were assessed in two experiments conducted under spaced planting and sward conditions. There was a wide range in the means for concentrations of fructan, WSC and neutral‐detergent fibre (NDF) in parents and progeny whereas there was a narrow range of the means for concentrations of mono‐ and disaccharides, CP and acid‐detergent fibre (ADF). Mean concentrations of mono‐ and disaccharides showed the smallest range. Mean squares of entries in parents and progenies were significant for mono‐ and disaccharides, fructan and total WSC concentrations in all populations. The entry × year interactions for fructan and total WSC concentrations were significant in the parents and the half‐sib progeny. However, the entry × year interactions for mono‐ and disaccharide concentrations in progeny were not significant. Concentration of WSC was under genetic control as mean squares of the concentration values were significant and variance components for all traits were significantly larger than zero. There were negative genetic correlations between WSC and ADF and NDF concentrations. Narrow‐sense heritabilities (hn) estimated from variance components of progeny for total WSC concentrations were 0·59 and 0·53 in sward and spaced planting conditions respectively. The hn of fructan and WSC concentrations were similar in both sward and spaced planting conditions, whereas that of mono‐ and disaccharide concentrations varied from 0·20 to 0·69. It was found that the genetic variation of the total WSC concentration in cocksfoot depended mainly on genetic variation in fructan concentration. These results suggested that the forage quality of cocksfoot at the vegetative growth stage was influenced by an additive gene effect and could be improved genetically by recurrent selection.
A review of forage grass and clover seed use in Northern Ireland, UK between 1980 and 2004
Authors: Gilliland T. J. , Johnston J. , Connolly C. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThe total amount and the composition of varieties of all forage grass and clover seed delivered for farm use in Northern Ireland was monitored over the 25‐year period of 1980–2004. Total seed use in Northern Ireland declined from the 1980s to the 1990s but then stabilized despite isolated drops in sales associated with outbreaks of animal diseases. This profile was mirrored by similar declines in the rest of the UK. The survey revealed the annual volatility of the market and its sensitivity to changes in government financial support, to changes in farm practice and farm incomes. Examination of the data on the grassland area under 5 years old showed them to be poor indicators of actual seed use. Levels of species use were very stable over the 25 years of the survey but reseeding of varieties of perennial ryegrass differing in maturity and ploidy type changed dramatically. When sufficient seed was available, selection of varieties complied with the contemporary recommended list ratings of agronomic value but in a few cases selection of varieties was determined by price. The current survey of seed sales provides a benchmark against which responses by farmers following the latest changes in the Common Agricultural Policy of the European Union can be measured.
NBS1 is involved in DNA repair and plays a synergistic role with ATM in mediating meiotic homologous recombination in plants
Authors: Waterworth Wanda M. , Altun Cagla , Armstrong Susan J. , Roberts Nicola , Dean Philip J. , Young Kim , Weil Clifford F. , Bray Clifford M. , West Christopher E. 
Published: August 2007

SummaryThe ability of plants to repair DNA double‐strand breaks (DSBs) is essential for growth and fertility. The Arabidopsis DSB repair proteins AtRAD50 and AtMRE11 form part of an evolutionarily conserved complex that, in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and mammals, includes a third component termed XRS2 and NBS1, respectively. The MRN complex (MRX in yeast) has a direct role in DSB repair and is also required for DNA damage signaling and checkpoint activation in a pathway mediated by the protein kinase ATM. This study characterizes Arabidopsis and maize NBS1 orthologues that share conserved protein motifs with human NBS1. Both plant NBS1 proteins interact with the corresponding MRE11 orthologues, and deletion analysis of AtNBS1 defines a region towards the C‐terminus (amino acids 465–500) that is required for interaction with AtMRE11. Arabidopsis lines homozygous for a T‐DNA insertional mutation in AtNBS1 display hypersensitivity to the DNA cross‐linking reagent mitomycin C, and this phenotype can be rescued by complementation with the wild‐type gene, consistent with a function for AtNBS1 in plant DSB repair. Analysis of atnbs1‐1 atatm double mutants revealed a role for AtNBS1 in meiotic recombination. While atatm mutants produce reduced seed numbers, plants deficient in both AtATM and AtNBS1 are completely infertile. Cytological analysis of these double mutants revealed incomplete chromosome pairing and synapsis in meiotic prophase, and extensive chromosome fragmentation in metaphase I and subsequent stages. These results suggest a novel role for AtNBS1 that is independent of AtATM‐mediated signaling and functions in the very early stages of meiosis.
Diversification and co‐option of RAD‐like genes in the evolution of floral asymmetry
Authors: Baxter Catherine E. L. , Costa Maria Manuela R. , Coen Enrico S. 
Published: August 2007

SummaryTo understand how changes in gene regulatory networks lead to novel morphologies, we have analysed the evolution of a key target gene, RAD, controlling floral asymmetry. In Antirrhinum, flower asymmetry depends on activation of RAD in dorsal regions of the floral meristem by the upstream regulators CYC and DICH. We show that Arabidopsis, a species with radially symmetric flowers, contains six RAD‐like genes, reflecting at least three duplications since the divergence of Antirrhinum and Arabidopsis. Unlike the situation in Antirrhinum, none of the Arabidopsis RAD‐like genes are activated in dorsal regions of the flower meristem. Rather, the RAD‐like genes are expressed in distinctive domains along radial or ab‐adaxial axes, consistent with a range of developmental roles. Introduction of a RAD genomic clone from Antirrhinum into Arabidopsis leads to a novel expression pattern that is distinct from the expression pattern of RAD in Antirrhinum and from the endogenous RAD‐like genes of Arabidopsis. Nevertheless, RAD is able to influence developmental targets in Arabidopsis, as ectopic expression of RAD has developmental effects in this species. Taken together, our results suggest that duplication and divergence of RAD‐like genes has involved a range of cis‐ and trans‐regulatory changes. It is possible that such changes led to the coupling of RAD to CYC regulation in the Antirrhinum lineage and hence the co‐option of RAD had a role in the generation of flower dorsoventral asymmetry.
AtDUR3 represents the major transporter for high‐affinity urea transport across the plasma membrane of nitrogen‐deficient Arabidopsis roots
Authors: Kojima Soichi , Bohner Anne , Gassert Brigitte , Yuan Lixing , Wirén Nicolaus von 
Published: August 2007

SummaryDespite the fact that urea is a ubiquitous nitrogen source in soils and the most widespread form of nitrogen fertilizer used in agricultural plant production, membrane transporters that might contribute to the uptake of urea in plant roots have so far been characterized only in heterologous systems. Two T‐DNA insertion lines, atdur3‐1 and atdur3‐3, that showed impaired growth on urea as a sole nitrogen source were used to investigate a role of the H+/urea co‐transporter AtDUR3 in nitrogen nutrition in Arabidopsis. In transgenic lines expressing AtDUR3‐promoter:GFP constructs, promoter activity was upregulated under nitrogen deficiency and localized to the rhizodermis, including root hairs, as well as to the cortex in more basal root zones. Protein gel blot analysis of two‐phase partitioned root membrane fractions and whole‐mount immunolocalization in root hairs revealed the plasma membrane to be enriched in AtDUR3 protein. Expression of the AtDUR3 gene in nitrogen‐deficient roots was repressed by ammonium and nitrate but induced after supply of urea. Higher accumulation of urea in roots of wild‐type plants relative to atdur3‐1 and atdur3‐3 confirmed that urea was the substrate transported by AtDUR3. Influx of 15N‐labeled urea in atdur3‐1 and atdur3‐3 showed a linear concentration dependency up to 200 μm external urea, whereas influx in wild‐type roots followed saturation kinetics with an apparent Km of 4 μm. The results indicate that AtDUR3 is the major transporter for high‐affinity urea uptake in Arabidopsis roots and suggest that the high substrate affinity of AtDUR3 reflects an adaptation to the low urea levels usually found in unfertilized soils.
Transplant reno‐vascular stenoses associated with early erythropoeitin use
Authors: Nagarajan Suja , Mansfield Elaine , Hsieh Sue , Liu Rosa , Hsieh Frank , Li Li , Salvatierra Oscar , Sarwal Minnie M 
Published: August 2007

Abstract:  Background and objectives:  This report describes an unusual presentation of severe hypertension (HTN) in a subset of pediatric kidney recipients treated with a steroid avoidance pediatric renal transplantation protocol. The HTN was secondary to atypical, reno‐vascular abnormalities (RVA) of the transplanted vasculature, temporally associated with erythropoietin (EPO) use.Design, setting, participants, and measurements:  To investigate the clinical significance underlying this event, a retrospective clinical study of 100 pediatric renal transplants was undertaken (50 steroid‐free and 50 matched steroid‐based controls), with peripheral blood transcriptional analysis of four RVA patients and controls.Results:  Regardless of a higher observed incidence of anemia (p < 0.001) and greater overall EPO usage in the first post‐transplant year in steroid‐free patients, the incidence of new‐onset HTN at one yr was significantly less in the steroid‐free cohort (p = 0.03). Nevertheless, early EPO (first week post‐transplant) was significantly associated with the combinatory findings of new‐onset HTN (p = 0.03) and RVA (p = 0.007). Molecular mechanisms of RVA injury were investigated further by peripheral blood cDNA microarray gene expression profiling. A panel of 42 transcripts differentiated patients with RVA and HTN from three sets of matched controls, with and without HTN and EPO use, with 100% concordance (p < 0.001). The biological processes governed by these significant genes suggest a role for EPO regulation of growth factor receptor ubiquitination as a putative mechanism for renal vascular injury.Conclusion:  This study cautions against the use early post‐transplant use of EPO in immunosuppression regimens with steroid minimization/avoidance, which may have an increased incidence of post‐transplant anemia.
Aggression, hostility, and irritability in children at risk for bipolar disorder
Authors: Farchione Tiffany R , Birmaher Boris , Axelson David , Kalas Cathy , Monk Kelly , Ehmann Mary , Iyengar Satish , Kupfer David , Brent David 
Published: August 2007

Objectives:  To assess aggression, irritability and hostility in children at risk for bipolar disorder (BP).Methods:  Using the parent and the child versions of the Children's Hostility Inventory (CHI), we assessed aggression, hostility, and irritability in 300 offspring aged 6–18 years old of BP parents and 169 children of community controls.Results:  Children of BP parents have significantly higher scores on the total CHI and its subscales than do children of control parents. After adjusting for demographic variables, both parents’ non‐BP psychopathology, child psychopathology, and within‐family correlations, three factors remain significant: total CHI by parent rating, irritability subscale by parent rating, and irritability by child self‐report. The hostility subscale by parent rating became a trend.Conclusions:  Children of BP parents score higher on ratings of hostility and irritability than children of community control parents, independent of child psychopathology and non‐BP parental psychopathology. Follow‐up of these children to evaluate whether these symptoms are markers for the development of BP or mood disorders is warranted.
Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene not associated with antidepressant‐induced mania
Authors: Zai Gwyneth , Mundo Emanuela , Strauss John , Wong Gregory WH , Kennedy James L 
Published: August 2007

Background:  Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays an important role in the regulation of synaptic plasticity and neurotransmitter release across multiple neurotransmitter systems. Recent studies have suggested that BDNF plays a role in the pathogenesis of bipolar disorder (BPD). Moreover, increasing BDNF production might be one of the mechanisms involved in the alleviation of depression and aggravation of mania in antidepressant treatment.Objectives:  Thus, we hypothesized that a genetic variant within the BDNF gene might influence susceptibility to antidepressant‐induced mania, as has been suggested previously.Methods:  We performed a case–control study to test for allelic frequency and genotype distribution differences across six BDNF polymorphisms between 27 patients with antidepressant‐induced mania (IM+) and 29 patients without antidepressant‐induced mania (IM−).Results:  We did not observe any significant difference in either allelic or genotype frequencies between the two groups.Conclusions:  Our results did not support the BDNF link to mania hypothesis proposed previously. However, a larger sample would allow for greater power to determine smaller effects of the BDNF gene in antidepressant‐induced mania.