bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
First Report of Powdery Mildew Elicited by Podosphaera fusca (Synonym Podosphaera xanthii) on Euryops pectinatus in Spain
Authors: Fernández-Ortuño D. , Torés J. A. , Vicente A. de , Pérez-García A. 
Published: April 2008

Euryops pectinatus Cass. is an evergreen shrub that is planted extensively in Spain for landscape use. In 2007, powdery mildew outbreaks were observed on E. pectinatus in several nurseries located in the Axarquia area (Malaga, southern Spain). Fungal growth appeared as typical, white, powdery mildew colonies that were restricted to upper leaf surfaces. Initially, individual colonies were small and nearly circular, but later enlarged and coalesced to cover the whole leaf surface. With progress of the disease, all green parts (leaves, stems, and petioles) were covered with a white mycelium. Newly developed leaves especially became rapidly infected. Diseased leaves ultimately dried up and senesced, making nursery plants aesthetically unattractive and unsaleable. Conidiophores were erect, had crenate edge lines, cylindrical foot cells that measured 37.5 to 45.0 × 10.0 to 12.5 μm, and were followed by one to three shorter cells. Conidia were hyaline, ellipsoid to ovoid, borne in chains, and measured 27.5 to 35.0 × 12.5 to 17.5 μm. Conidial length-to-width ratios ranged from 1.6 to 2.4. Conidia possessed conspicuous fibrosin bodies and from their sides produced short germ tubes. No chasmothecia were found. The nuclear rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions were amplified by PCR and sequenced (GenBank Accession No. EU424056). On the basis of morphological characteristics of the imperfect state and ITS sequence data, this powdery mildew was identified as Podosphaera fusca (Fr.) U. Braun & N. Shishkoff (1), this isolate belonging to ITS haplotype 15 (group III) (3); this group is considered a separate species, P. xanthii (Castagne) U. Braun & N. Shishkoff by some authors (2). Pathogenicity was confirmed by gently pressing diseased leaves onto leaves of healthy E. pectinatus plants. Plants were incubated in a growth chamber at 25°C, and after 14 days, powdery mildew colonies developed. A similar disease of E. pectinatus was observed in 1999 in California (4). P. fusca parasitizes a large number of asteraceous species including field marigold (Calendula arvensis) and fleabane (Erigeron sp.) weeds, as previously reported in the same area, and ornamentals such as Calendula officinalis, Chrysanthemum spp., and Gerbera spp., which are also grown in the same nurseries and frequently attacked by powdery mildew. References: (1) U. Braun and S. Takamatsu. Schlechtendalia 4:1, 2000. (2) U. Braun et al. Schlechtendalia 7:45, 2001. (3) T. Hirata et al. Can. J. Bot. 78:1521, 2000. (4) G. S. Saenz et al. Plant Dis. 84:1048, 2000.
Nitric oxide plays a key role in the platelet‐activating factor‐induced enhancement of resistance against systemic candidiasis
Authors: Kim Han‐A , Kim So‐Hee , Ko Hyun‐Mi , Choi Jung‐Hwa , Kim Kyoung‐Jin , Oh Sin‐Hye , Cho Kyoung‐Oh , Choi Il‐Whan , Im Suhn‐Young 
Published: April 2008

SummaryPlatelet‐activating factor (PAF) has been demonstrated to augment resistance against Candida albicans infection. In this study, the role of nitric oxide (NO) in PAF‐induced resistance in the kidneys was investigated. Pretreatment of the C. albicans‐infected mice with PAF resulted in strong expression of messenger RNA (mRNA) and the protein synthesis of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). These PAF effects were inhibited to a significant degree by pretreatment with the nuclear factor‐κB inhibitor, pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate. Pretreatment with PAF protected the mice from death caused by C. albicans infection and reduced the growth of fungus in the kidneys. The protective activity of PAF was abrogated by pretreatment with the iNOS inhibitor, aminoguanidine, and in the iNOS−/− mice. The PAF markedly increased the infiltration of neutrophils, but not macrophages, and also enhanced the mRNA expression levels of the CXC chemokine, keratinocyte‐derived chemokine, in C. albicans‐infected kidneys. These effects of PAF were attenuated in the aminoguanidine‐treated mice and the iNOS−/− mice. These data show that NO plays an important role in PAF‐induced protection against C. albicans.
TcR‐induced regulated secretion leads to surface expression of CTLA‐4 in CD4+CD25+ T cells
Authors: Catalfamo Marta , Tai Xuguang , Karpova Tatiana , McNally James , Henkart Pierre A. 
Published: April 2008

SummaryIn this study we show that CD4+ T cells develop a functional regulated secretory compartment after differentiation into effector cells, as shown by their increased expression and T‐cell receptor‐induced exocytosis of lysosomal and cytotoxic effector proteins. We tested the hypothesis that activation‐induced surface cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte‐associated antigen (CTLA‐4) expression in CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells occurs via a similar regulated secretory pathway. Fluorescence microscopy showed that internal CTLA‐4 in these cells was stored in a vesicular compartment distinct from lysosomal vesicles. Rapid activation‐induced CTLA‐4 surface expression in mouse CD4+CD25+ T cells is independent of protein synthesis and Rab‐27a. When antigen‐dependent T‐cell–antigen‐presenting cell (APC) conjugates were analysed for surface distribution of CD86 on APC, a higher concentration of CD86 molecules was observed in the synapse of APC conjugated to CD4+CD25+ cells than APC conjugated to CD4+CD25− cells. These results demonstrate that fast delivery of mediators by the regulated secretory pathway in CD4+ T cells can be used to perform other functions that are not involved in cytotoxic function but that can influence/regulate other cells.
Alterations in the thymocyte phenotype of EphB‐deficient mice largely affect the double negative cell compartment
Authors: Alfaro David , Muñoz Juan José , García‐Ceca Javier , Cejalvo Teresa , Jiménez Eva , Zapata Agustín 
Published: April 2008

SummaryIn the present study, we have analysed the phenotype of EphB2 and/or EphB3 deficient thymocytes confirming and extending previous studies on the role of this family of molecules in T‐cell differentiation. In all mutant thymuses statistically significant reduced cell contents were observed. This reduction of thymic cellularity correlated with increased proportions of apoptotic cells, largely both double negative (DN; CD4− CD8−) and double positive (CD4+ CD8+) cells, and decreased proportions of DN cycling cells. Adult deficient thymuses also showed increased proportions of DN cells but not significant variations in the percentages of other thymocyte subsets. In absolute terms, the thymocyte number decreased significantly in all thymocyte compartments from the DN3 (CD44− CD25+) cell stage onward, without variations in the numbers of both DN1 (CD44+ CD25−) and DN2 (CD44+ CD25+) cells. Remarkably, all these changes also occurred from the 15‐day fetal EphB2 and/or EphB3 deficient mice, suggesting that adult phenotype results from the gradual accumulations of defects appearing early in the thymus ontogeny. As a reflection of thymus condition, a reduction in the number of T lymphocytes occurred in the peripheral blood and mesenteric lymph nodes, but not in spleen, maintaining the proportions of T‐cell subsets defined by CD4/CD8 marker expression, in all cases.
20‐year trends in clinical characteristics, therapy and short‐term prognosis in acute myocardial infarction according to presenting electrocardiogram: the MONICA / KORA AMI Registry (1985–2004)
Authors: Kuch B. , Heier M. , Von Scheidt W. , Kling B. , Hoermann A. , Meisinger C. 
Published: April 2008

Abstract.Objectives.  To examine the extent to which evidence‐based beneficial therapy is applied in practice, whether this is changing over time and is associated with improved outcomes.Background.  Randomized trials have proved efficacy of several treatments for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) with ST‐elevation (STEMI), non‐ST‐elevation (NSTEMI) and bundle branch block (BBB).Design and Setting.  We prospectively examined all 6748 consecutive patients with AMI aged 25–74 years hospitalized in the study region’s major clinic stratified into four time‐periods: 1985–1989 (n = 1622), 1990–1994 (n = 1588), 1995–1999 (n = 1450) and 2000–2004 (n = 2088).Results.  The increase in numbers of AMI in the last period was mainly, but not exclusively driven by NSTEMI cases. Evidence‐based pharmacological therapy increased steeply over time. Invasive procedures increased mainly in the last period with percutaneous coronary intervention and coronary artery bypass graft performed in 30% and 15% in 1998 and 66.0% and 22%, respectively, in 2004. In‐hospital complications and 28‐day‐case fatality decreased significantly from period 1 to period 4 in all patients with AMI. Marked reductions in 28‐day‐case fatality were mostly seen in BBB patients during the last period (25.3% vs. 10.3%, P < 0.001). Of interest, the odds in 28‐day‐case fatality reduction was diminished after correction for recanalization therapy (from 0.35, 95% CI: 0.16–0.74 to 0.52, 95% CI: 0.19–1.45).Conclusions.  Over the past 20 years, there were substantial changes in pharmacological and interventional therapies in AMI accompanied by reductions in in‐hospital complications and 28‐day‐case fatality in all infarction types with marked reductions in 28‐day‐case fatality in BBB patients. The latter observation may mainly be because of the increased use of interventional therapy.
Habitat fragmentation and genetic diversity of an endangered, migratory songbird, the golden‐cheeked warbler (Dendroica chrysoparia)
Authors: LINDSAY DENISE L. , BARR KELLY R. , LANCE RICHARD F. , TWEDDALE SCOTT A. , HAYDEN TIMOTHY J. , LEBERG PAUL L. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractLandscape genetic approaches offer the promise of increasing our understanding of the influence of habitat features on genetic structure. We assessed the genetic diversity of the endangered golden‐cheeked warbler (Dendroica chrysoparia) across their breeding range in central Texas and evaluated the role of habitat loss and fragmentation in shaping the population structure of the species. We determined genotypes across nine microsatellite loci of 109 individuals from seven sites representing the major breeding concentrations of the species. No evidence of a recent population bottleneck was found. Differences in allele frequencies were highly significant among sites. The sampled sites do not appear to represent isolated lineages requiring protection as separate management units, although the amount of current gene flow is insufficient to prevent genetic differentiation. Measures of genetic differentiation were negatively associated with habitat connectivity and the percentage of forest cover between sites, and positively associated with geographic distance and the percentage of agricultural land between sites. The northernmost site was the most genetically differentiated and was isolated from other sites by agricultural lands. Fragmentation of breeding habitat may represent barriers to dispersal of birds which would pose no barrier to movement during other activities such as migration.
Mitochondrial DNA under siege in avian phylogeography
Authors: ZINK ROBERT M. , BARROWCLOUGH GEORGE F. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractMitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) has been the workhorse of research in phylogeography for almost two decades. However, concerns with basing evolutionary interpretations on mtDNA results alone have been voiced since the inception of such studies. Recently, some authors have suggested that the potential problems with mtDNA are so great that inferences about population structure and species limits are unwarranted unless corroborated by other evidence, usually in the form of nuclear gene data. Here we review the relative merits of mitochondrial and nuclear phylogeographical studies, using birds as an exemplar class of organisms. A review of population demographic and genetic theory indicates that mitochondrial and nuclear phylogeographical results ought to concur for both geographically unstructured populations and for populations that have long histories of isolation. However, a relatively common occurrence will be shallow, but geographically structured mtDNA trees—without nuclear gene corroboration—for populations with relatively shorter periods of isolation. This is expected because of the longer coalescence times of nuclear genes (approximately four times that of mtDNA); such cases do not contradict the mtDNA inference of recent isolation and evolutionary divergence. Rather, the nuclear markers are more lagging indicators of changes in population structure. A review of the recent literature on birds reveals the existence of relatively few cases in which nuclear markers contradict mitochondrial markers in a fashion not consistent with coalescent theory. Preliminary information from nuclear genes suggests that mtDNA patterns will prove to be robust indicators of patterns of population history and species limits. At equilibrium, mitochondrial loci are generally a more sensitive indicator of population structure than are nuclear loci, and mitochondrial estimates of FST‐like statistics are generally expected to exceed nuclear ones. Hence, invoking behavioural or ecological explanations of such differences is not parsimonious. Nuclear genes will prove important for quantitative estimates of the depths of haplotype trees, rates of population growth and values of gene flow.
Mountain coniferous forests, refugia and butterflies
Authors: VARGA ZOLTÁN 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe boreal coniferous forests form the most extended vegetation zone of the Northern Hemisphere. As opposed to North America, they are disconnected from the mountain coniferous forests in Europe, because of the dominant east–west direction of the mountain chains. Consequently, the mountain forests show some unique characteristic features of glacial survival and postglacial history, as well. The mountain coniferous forests have numerous common floral and faunal elements with the boreal zone. However, the few unique faunal elements of the European mountain coniferous forests can be used to unravel the peculiar patterns and processes of this biome. In this issue of Molecular Ecology, Thomas Schmitt and Karola Haubrich (2008) use the relatively common and taxonomically well‐studied butterfly, the large ringlet (Erebia euryale) to identify the last glacial refugia and postglacial expansion routes.
Antifungal Immunotherapy and Immunomodulation: A Double‐hitter Approach to Deal with Invasive Fungal Infections
Authors: Hamad M. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractIn recent years, the incidence of life‐threatening fungal infections has dramatically increased. Despite significant developments in antifungal chemotherapy, its efficacy remains limited by the inability to sterilize infected organs and the tendency to induce resistance and cause side effects. In response to these challenges, it is now recognized that several aspects of antifungal immunity can be modulated to better deal with fungal infections. Extensive work was carried out on the development and testing of preventive and therapeutic antifungal vaccines. The potential use of cytokines, adoptive T‐cell transfer, monoclonal antibodies (MoAb) and antimicrobial peptides (AMP) as solo or adjunctive therapies is also receiving much attention. Although each of these immune‐based treatment strategies has many advantages and some shortcomings, none on its own, has proven satisfactorily effective to deal with invasive fungal infections. Appropriate combinations that optimize the advantages and minimize the disadvantages of immune‐based antifungals are still lacking mainly due to the immense difficulty in sorting out candidate combinations given the long list of choices. In this review, immune‐based antifungals are divided into two general categories on the basis of the intended target being the host (immunomodulation through vaccines, cytokines, adoptive T‐cell transfer or MoAb) or the pathogen (immunotherapy through MoAb or AMP). Potential advantages and disadvantages of immunotherapy and immunomodulation are tentatively discussed so as to facilitate the design of future studies that aim at devising more potent immune‐based antifungal treatment combinations.
The Tuberculin Skin Test Increases the Responses Measured by T Cell Interferon‐Gamma Release Assays
Authors: Vilaplana C. , Ruiz‐Manzano J. , Gil O. , Cuchillo F. , Montané E. , Singh M. , Spallek R. , Ausina V. , Cardona P. J. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractRUTI is a vaccine consisting of Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacilli grown in stress conditions that is fragmented, detoxified and liposomed. RUTI was designed to shorten the treatment of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) with isoniazid from 9 months to just 1 month, by additional treatment with two inoculations of RUTI 4 weeks apart. During the validation process for monitoring the immunogenicity of administration of RUTI in a Phase I clinical trial, the question arose whether to introduce the tuberculin skin test (TST) in the screening of non‐LTBI volunteers. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of TST on subsequent different T‐cell interferon‐gamma release assay (TIGRA) responses, using a spectrum of M. tuberculosis‐related antigens (ESAT‐6, CFP‐10, 16 kDa, 19 kDa, MPT64, Ag 85B, 38 kDa, hsp65, PPD and BCG). The results showed an increase in post‐TST response even in non‐LTBI subjects for most antigens tested, as measured both by whole blood assay (WBA) and ELISPOT. Increased ELISPOT response decreased toward pre‐TST levels within 1 month whereas the WBA response did not. Taking into account that there is no definitive correlation between TST and TIGRA tests to diagnose LTBI and the feasibility that TST might alter the immune monitoring included in clinical trials, these data suggest that TST determination should be carefully planned to avoid any interference with TIGRA.
TLR7/8 Ligand, R‐848, Inhibits IgE Synthesis by Acting Directly on B Lymphocytes
Authors: Shen E. , Lu L. , Wu C. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractTLRs are involved in the regulation of immune responses. R‐848, a TLR7/8 ligand, has potent anti‐viral and anti‐tumour properties and has been used as a new immune response modifier for enhancing Th1 immune response. In this study, we found that R‐848 significantly inhibited IgE synthesis from murine B cells at the single cell levels by anti‐CD40 plus IL‐4‐stimulated splenocytes, in which R‐848 acted on the early stage of B cell differentiation to modulate IgE synthesis. This inhibitory effect of R‐848 on IgE synthesis was not isotype specific as it also inhibited IgG1 synthesis. Moreover, R‐848 had no significant effect on the production of IgG2a by anti‐CD40 plus IL‐4‐stimulated splenocytes. Further studies showed that R‐848 markedly promoted murine B cell activation induced by anti‐CD40 plus IL‐4 by up‐regulating the expression of B cell activation markers CD25, CD69 and co‐stimulatory molecule CD80. In contrast, R‐848 inhibited the proliferation and division of murine B cells in anti‐CD40 plus IL‐4‐stimulated splenocytes. R‐848 promoted the production of IFN‐γ and IL‐12 that were partially responsible for its inhibitory effect on IgE production by anti‐CD40 plus IL‐4 because the addition of anti‐IFN‐γ or anti‐IL‐12 mAbs to the cultures could significantly restore IgE production by splenocytes. Importantly, R‐848 had a direct effect on purified B cells to inhibit IgE production induced by anti‐CD40 plus IL‐4. Taken together, these results demonstrate that R‐848 markedly inhibits IgE synthesis, and suggest that R‐848 could be used to treat allergic diseases.
Gender Variation in Interleukin‐13 Production: A Possible Mechanism of Differential In Vivo Growth of a T‐cell Lymphoma
Authors: Deepak P. , Kumar S. , Acharya A. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractInterleukin (IL)‐13 is a TH2 type of cytokine that plays a crucial role in the pathophysiology of different type of infections, autoimmune diseases and malignancies. It has been shown to dampen the TH1 type of immune responses and favours tumour growth. In the present investigation, we have determined IL‐13 level in serum and ascitic fluid in both the sexes of BALB/c strain of mice bearing a T‐cell lymphoma of spontaneous origin, designated as Dalton’s Lymphoma (DL). Further, we have studied the involvement of gender hormones on the IL‐13 level and NKT‐cell production of IL‐13. It has been observed that there exists a gender variation or gender dimorphism in the IL‐13 production. IL‐13 level in serum is directly correlated with in vivo progressive growth of DL cells. We observed a tendency in female DL‐bearing mice to have higher serum IL‐13 level and faster growth of DL cells. This study, therefore, indicates that sex hormones are directly involved in the differential production of IL‐13 that may be a factor responsible, at least in part, for the differential in vivo progressive growth of a T‐cell lymphoma.
Defective in Tapetal Development and Function 1 is essential for anther development and tapetal function for microspore maturation in Arabidopsis
Authors: Zhu Jun , Chen Hui , Li Hui , Gao Ju‐Fang , Jiang Hua , Wang Chen , Guan Yue‐Feng , Yang Zhong‐Nan 
Published: April 2008

SummaryIn Arabidopsis, the tapetum plays important roles in anther development by providing enzymes for callose dissolution and materials for pollen‐wall formation, and by supplying nutrients for pollen development. Here, we report the identification and characterization of a male‐sterile mutant, defective in tapetal development and function 1 (tdf1), that exhibits irregular division and dysfunction of the tapetum. The TDF1 gene was characterized using a map‐based cloning strategy, and was confirmed by genetic complementation. It encodes a putative R2R3 MYB transcription factor, and is highly expressed in the tapetum, meiocytes and microspores during anther development. Callose staining and gene expression analysis suggested that TDF1 may be a key component in controlling callose dissolution. Semi‐quantitative and quantitative RT‐PCR analysis showed that TDF1 acts downstream of DYT1 and upstream of AMS and AtMYB103 in the transcriptional regulatory networks that regulate tapetal development. In conclusion, our results show that TDF1 plays a vital role in tapetal differentiation and function.
Direct profiling and imaging of plant metabolites in intact tissues by using colloidal graphite‐assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Cha Sangwon , Zhang Hui , Ilarslan Hilal I. , Wurtele Eve Syrkin , Brachova Libuse , Nikolau Basil J. , Yeung Edward S. 
Published: April 2008

SummaryLaser desorption/ionization (LDI)‐based imaging mass spectrometry (MS) has been applied to several biological systems to obtain information about both the identities of the major chemical species and their localization. Colloidal graphite‐assisted LDI (GALDI) MS imaging was introduced for the imaging of small molecules such as phospholipids, cerebrosides, oligosaccharides, flavonoids, and other secondary metabolites with high spatial homogeneity due to finely dispersed particles. Mass profiles and images of Arabidopsis thaliana have been recorded directly from various plant surfaces and cross sections. The main targeted metabolites were flavonoids and cuticular waxes, both of which are important in many aspects of functional genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics. The mass spectral profiles revealed tissue‐specific accumulation of flavonoids in flowers and petals. In addition, many other location‐specific ions were observed. The location and the degree of light‐induced accumulation of flavonoids in stem sections were successfully probed by GALDI MS.