bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Plant Resistance to Pathogen Infection: Forms and Mechanisms of Innate and Acquired Resistance
Authors: Király L. , Barna B. , Király Z. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractDifferent forms and mechanisms of plant resistance are compared in this review, differentiating between innate and acquired resistance. Within innate resistance, general non‐specific and specific host resistance are treated as regards the phenomena and mechanisms. Various forms of non‐specific (e.g. non‐host, basal, quantitative etc.) as well as specific resistance (extreme resistance, gene‐for‐gene resistance with the hypersensitive response, toxin resistance and gene silencing) are discussed. Within acquired resistance, the immune memory vs. stress memory of animal or plant hosts are compared. Furthermore, mechanisms of acquired resistance of plants are treated in relation to salicylate metabolism, systemic signalling, antioxidants and a recently discovered recombination signal inducing somatic mutations. It seems important for future research trends in plant pathology that several new resistance mechanisms have been discovered or at least re‐evaluated, in addition to the specific HR‐associated resistance, which has been the subject of the majority of previous research.
Performance of Fattening Pigs in a Farm Infected with Both Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) Virus and Porcine Circovirus Type 2 Following Sow and Piglet Vaccination with an Attenuated PRRS Vaccine
Authors: Kritas S. K. , Alexopoulos C. , Kyriakis C. S. , Tzika E. , Kyriakis S. C. 
Published: July 2007

SummaryThe purpose of the study was to investigate whether, on farms with both post‐weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), the PRRS vaccination of sows and their fattening pigs protects against these syndromes. In a farrow‐to‐finish pig farm with a history of PRRS and PMWS, 200 gilts and sows were allocated to one of two groups of equal size. The first group (C‐sow group) was used as untreated controls, while the animals of the second group (V‐sow group) were vaccinated with live Porcilis PRRS® vaccine. At the next weaning, all piglets of half the sows of the C sow group were vaccinated once at 35 days of age with the vaccine (CV group), while the offspring of the other half of the unvaccinated sows were left unvaccinated (CC group). Similarly, the offspring of half the sows of the V sow group were vaccinated (VV group), while those of the other half of the vaccinated sows were left unvaccinated (VC group). No significant differences in morbidity were observed between the groups during the nursery and finishing phases, while morbidity in the growers was significantly reduced in the CV‐ and VV‐groups (P < 0.05). Growers’ mortality was significantly reduced after piglet vaccination when compared with unvaccinated pigs of unvaccinated dams (P < 0.05). Average daily gain and feed conversion ratio were significantly improved in vaccinated piglets compared with those in the unvaccinated groups (P < 0.05).
A Scientific Background for Skeletal Muscle Conditioning in Equine Practice
Authors: Rivero J.‐L. L. 
Published: July 2007

SummaryThe main goal of any conditioning programme in athletic horses is to improve performance by inducing physiological changes within the animal's body. Equine skeletal muscles have a considerable potential to adapt during training and these adaptations have important physiological implications that influence stamina, strength and speed. Although there is an extensive specialized literature in this regard, scientific based muscle conditioning methods have not been introduced sufficiently in the equine sport practice. After a brief synopsis of both equine muscle exercise physiology and muscular adaptations to training, including their physiological significance, this review focuses on specific training programmes that induce muscular adaptations in athletic horses. The article addresses the following principal question: what kind of stimuli for what kind of muscular adaptations? The experimental data are discussed separately for racehorses (thoroughbreds, trotters and endurance horses) and sport horses (dressage, show jumpers and carriage). Finally, published results about the influence of relevant training parameters (such as intensity, duration and type of exercise) on muscular responses are discussed, as well as those concerning overtraining and detraining. The article closes with some concluding remarks on importance of their application in practice.
Temporal variability of disturbances: is this important for diversity and structure of marine fouling assemblages?
Authors: Sugden Heather , Panusch Rafael , Lenz Mark , Wahl Martin , Thomason Jeremy C. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractNatural communities are constantly changing due to a variety of interacting external processes and the temporal occurrence and intensity of these processes can have important implications for the diversity and structure of marine sessile assemblages. In this study, we investigated the effects of temporal variation in a disturbance regime, as well as the specific timing of events within different regimes, on the composition and diversity of marine subtidal fouling assemblages. We did this in a multi‐factorial experiment using artificial settlement tiles deployed at two sites on the North East coast of England. We found that although there were significant effects of disturbances on the composition of assemblages, there were no effects of either the variation in the disturbance regime or the specific timing of events on the diversity or assemblage composition at either site. In contrast to recent implications we conclude that in marine fouling assemblages, the variability in disturbance regimes (as a driving force) is unimportant, while disturbance itself is an important force for structuring robust ecosystems.
Genetic diversity of Brassica carinata with emphasis on the interspecific crossability with B. rapa
Authors: Jiang Y. , Tian E. , Li R. , Chen L. , Meng J. 
Published: July 2007

Abstract Brassica carinata (BBCC, 2n = 34) possesses many good agronomic characters and, to provide more genetic information about this species and utilize it further, 110 accessions of B. carinata were tested for genetic variation by using 233 amplified fragment length polymorphism markers, so that a dendrogram could be constructed. To combine the good traits of B. carinata and B. rapa (AA, 2n = 20) with those of B. napus (AACC, 2n = 38) which is the major rapeseed variety in China, interspecific crosses between these two species have been made which have resulted in 276 doubled hybrids (AABBCC). These hexaploids combine positive characters and can be used for crossing with B. napus. Brassica carinata as the female parents exhibited extensive differences in interspecific crossability and 20 high crossability accessions were identified. The Poisson Regression Model analysis result (P < 0.0255) indicated that such differences were due to the genotype of the accessions. Accessions with high crossability could promote gene flow within the genus Brassica.
Matrix Metalloproteinase (MMP)‐2 and MMP‐9 Activity in the Canine Uterus Before and During Placentation
Authors: Beceriklisoy HB , Walter I , Schäfer‐Somi S , Miller I , Kanca H , İzgür H , Aslan S 
Published: July 2007

ContentsThe aim of the present study was to demonstrate the presence and localization of MMP‐2 and ‐9 by means of RT‐PCR and immunohistochemistry (IHC) within the canine uterus from the pre‐implantation stage until mid‐gestation and to determine MMP‐2 and ‐9 activities by means of zymography. For this purpose, samples of the uterus and salpinx from bitches were obtained after ovariohysterectomy. Pre‐implantation stages (5–12 days after mating, n = 11) were determined by verifying embryos after flushing the uterus. Further groups were determined as implantation (15–19 days after mating, n = 9), post‐implantation (20–30 days after mating, n = 9) and placental stages (30–45 days after mating, n = 3). A non‐pregnant group (17–30 days after mating, n = 4) served as control. MMP‐2 and ‐9 positive cells were detected in all specimens from pregnant and nonpregnant bitches, however, with different distributions. MMP‐2 was present in endothelium and smooth muscles of blood vessels and the myometrium of pregnant and nonpregnant bitches, additionally in the surface epithelium of the oviduct. The latter also stained positive for MMP‐9. During placentation, MMP‐2 was detected mainly in fetal blood vessels and trophoblastic cells. Higher MMP‐2 activity was observed in the endometrium and myometrium of all pregnant groups compared with the nonpregnant group (p < 0.05). The pregnant groups did not differ significantly from each other (p > 0.05). MMP‐9 was present in blood vessels, smooth muscle cells and epithelia, such as maternal surface epithelial cells, uterine crypts and glands. During placentation, the deep uterine glands and the epithelium of the glandular chambers were immunoreactive to MMP‐9. Highest MMP‐9 activities were reached in the endometrium of the pre‐implantation group (23.2% of total MMP‐9) and placental parts (33.3%).
Preovulatory Follicle Development in Goats Following Oestrous Synchronization with Progestagens or Prostaglandins
Authors: Fernandez‐Moro D , Veiga‐Lopez A , Ariznavarreta C , Tresguerres JAF , Encinas T , Gonzalez‐Bulnes A 
Published: July 2007

ContentsThe study reports on differences in the dynamics of growth and functionality of preovulatory follicles in response to oestrous synchronization, either by the administration of two doses of prostaglandin or by an intravaginal progestagen sponge, in goats. The progestagen‐treated group (n = 8) showed more follicles of preovulatory size (≥5.5 mm) than the cloprostenol group (n = 8) during the follicular phase (4.5 ± 0.6 vs 1.9 ± 0.2, p < 0.01). The diameters of the largest follicles (LF1, LF2 and LF3) were also larger in the progestagen group (LF1, 7.8 ± 0.3 vs 7.0 ± 0.2 mm, p < 0.05; LF2, 6.7 ± 0.2 vs 5.6 ± 0.2 mm, p < 0.01; LF3, 5.5 ± 0.3 vs 4.2 ± 0.2 mm, p < 0.01). The study of the preovulatory follicles showed that 27.2% (3/11) of the follicles were in the static phase in the cloprostenol group, whilst 71.4% (10/14) were static in progestagen group (p < 0.05). Higher plasma oestradiol levels were recorded in the progestagen‐treated goats during the 48 h prior to cloprostenol injection or progestagen withdrawal (4.2 ± 0.4 vs 3.0 ± 0.2 pg/ml, p < 0.05). In conclusion, goats with oestrus synchronized by progestagen showed a higher number of preovulatory‐sized follicles, but a decreased oestradiol secretion when compared with does with oestrus synchronized by using prostaglandin analogues. These would support the development of alternative protocols for assisted reproduction.
Identification of RSVP14 and RSVP20 Components by Two‐dimensional Electrophoresis and Western‐blotting
Authors: Cardozo JA , Fernández‐Juan M , Cebrián‐Pérez JA , Muiño‐Blanco T 
Published: July 2007

ContentsWe have already shown that RSVP14 and RSVP20, two ram seminal plasma (SP) proteins postulated to be involved in sperm capacitation and gamete interaction can protect spermatozoa against cold‐shock. In this study, we use two‐dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D‐PAGE) for the analysis of SP proteins of Rasa Aragonesa rams, using enhanced protein solubilization in the presence of tributyl phosphine (TBP) and a polyacrylamide linear gradient gel with a narrow pH range (4–7). The image analysis of the 2D map detected 195 protein spots, with isoelectric points (pIs) ranging from 4.5 to 6.6, and molecular weight (Mr) from 11.7 to 90.4. Staining of 2D gels with Pro‐Q Emerald 300 Glycoprotein Stain revealed that most significant proteins in ram SP are glycosylated. The removing of protein N‐linked oligosaccharides improved the gel resolution. 2D‐PAGE analysis of the whole fraction 6 (F6) separated from ram SP by exclusion chromatography showed six main protein spots, four (a,b,c,d) in the 14 kDa and two (e,f) in the 20 kDa region. Western‐blot analyses indicated that the anti‐P14 antibody recognized four spots on the SP map, 4, 5, 6 and 7, that matched with spotsa,b,c,dof F6 map. The anti‐P20 antibody recognized spots 13 and 14 of SP map that corresponded to spotse,fof F6 map. The deduced sequences byde novosequencing evidenced that protein spots 7 and 13 have significant similarities to BSP family, while protein spots 4 and 14 did not appear to be homologous with any reported protein in the current mammalian Proteinbank databases.
ROLES OF α1A‐ AND α1B‐ADRENOCEPTORS IN HEART: INSIGHTS FROM STUDIES OF GENETICALLY MODIFIED MICE
Authors: Woodcock Elizabeth A 
Published: July 2007

SUMMARY

Several mouse strains have been prepared in which different subtypes of the α1‐adrenoceptor (AR) are overexpressed or deleted. The phenotypes of the animals generated vary depending on whether the receptors are expressed specifically in heart or generally throughout the animal, but some overall conclusions can be drawn.
Heightened activity of α1B‐AR by overexpressing the receptors leads to depressed contractile responses to β‐AR activation, which may be related to activation of the inhibitory G‐protein Gi. In contrast, α1A‐AR cause substantially heightened contractility when overexpressed in heart.
Overexpressed α1B‐AR predispose hearts to hypertrophy and worsen heart failure caused by pressure overload, whereas increased α1A‐AR expression does not influence hypertrophic responses and, furthermore, improves outcomes after pressure overload or myocardial infarction.
α1A‐Adrenoceptors mediate a preconditioning action to improve functional recovery after acute ischaemic insult, whereas α1B‐AR are ineffective. Both subtypes appear to protect from inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate generation and arrhythmogenesis in early postischaemic reperfusion.
Although some of the protective effects of heightened α1A‐AR drive may be related to the enhanced contractility, it is also possible that α1A‐AR protect from cardiomyocyte apoptotic responses.
Effects and probable mechanisms of electroacupuncture at the Zusanli point on upper gastrointestinal motility in rabbits
Authors: Niu Wei‐Xin , He Guo‐Dong , Liu Han , Qin Xin‐Yu 
Published: July 2007

AbstractBackground and Aim:  The purposes of this study were to investigate the regulative effect of acupuncture on gastrointestinal motility in rabbits and to explore the probable mechanism of electroacupuncture.Methods:  The experiment was performed on 30 rabbits implanted with three pairs of electrodes, which were equally divided into three groups: the control group, the Zusanli group, and the non‐acupuncture point group. The gastrointestinal myoelectrical activity of each conscious rabbit was recorded when acupuncture was applied. Motilin in plasma, cholecystokinin (CCK) in serum, the activity of acetylcholine esterase, nitric oxide synthase (NOS), and the vesicle of nerve endings in the stomach tissue and jejunum were investigated.Results:  It was found that electroacupuncture did not exert much influence on the slow wave of gastrointestinal myoelectrical activity, but significantly increased the number and amplitude of spikes. In the Zusanli group, the concentration of motilin and CCK was much higher at the post‐acupuncture stage than at the pre‐acupuncture stage. Electroacupuncture significantly enhanced the activity of acetylcholine esterase. Moreover, we found out that in the Zusanli group, the number of vesicles without granula was significantly fewer than in the control group. The activity of NOS was less in the Zusanli group than in the control group.Conclusions:  Acupuncture may enhance the gastrointestinal myoelectrical activity of conscious rabbits. The cholinergic nerve, nitric oxide, motilin, and CCK may contribute to acupuncture mechanisms.
High‐frequency ultrasound imaging of the duodenum and colon in patients with symptomatic giardiasis in comparison to amebiasis and healthy subjects
Authors: Njemanze Philip C , Njemanze Josephine , Skelton Alana , Akudo Anoka , Akagha Onyinyechi , Chukwu Adaeze A , Peters Constance , Maduka Ozioma 
Published: July 2007

AbstractAim:  The application of ultrasound may be suitable for evaluating the effects of intestinal cytoskeletal rearrangement of the duodenum and colon as a result of exposure to live Giardia lamblia trophozoites. We studied the sonographic appearance of the duodenum and colon in giardiasis compared with amebiasis and healthy subjects.Methods:  Sonographic images obtained from 100 consecutive patients with symptomatic giardiasis were compared to those taken from 40 patients with amebiasis and 40 healthy subjects. B‐mode ultrasound examination of the duodenum and colon was performed using a 7.5 MHz annular array transducer. Gray scale images with water contrast were acquired.Results:  Normal duodenum and colon echoanatomy were demonstrated. Giardial lesions of the duodenum and colon were associated with increased wall thickness when compared with healthy subjects (P < 0.05). Furthermore, giardial lesions were characterized by increased wall echogenicity, flattening or loss of duodenal folds and/or colonic haustration, hyperechoic floating foci (HFF) demonstrating chaotic motility, increased peri‐lesional tissue echogenicity, and altered colonic peristalsis. In amebiasis, focal hyperechoic wall thickening was seen at lesion sites identified as amebomas with increased wall echogenicity, but otherwise normal duodenal folds and colonic haustration. There were no HFF with chaotic motility, rather intestinal contents showed bulk motility in patients with amebiasis. There was no focal colonic wall motion abnormality observed.Conclusion:  B‐mode imaging with water contrast demonstrated details of duodenal and colonic echoanatomy. There were sonographic features of giardial lesions of the duodenum and colon that were distinct from those in amebiasis and healthy subjects.
Association of cytokine gene polymorphisms and liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Chan Henry L‐Y , Tse Ada M‐L , Chim Angel M‐L , Wong Vincent W‐S , Choi Paul C‐L , Yu Jun , Zhang Mingdong , Sung Joseph J‐Y 
Published: July 2007

AbstractBackground and Aim:  As liver fibrosis is the result of persistent necroinflammation in the liver, pro‐inflammatory cytokines secreted in response to cell injury have a central role in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis. We aimed to investigate the association of cytokine gene polymorphism and liver fibrosis among Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis B.Methods:  Polymorphisms at interleukin‐10 (IL‐10‐627, ‐1117), interleukin‐1‐beta (IL‐1β‐511, ‐31, ‐3964), interleukin‐1 receptor antagonist (IL‐1RN), and tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α‐308, ‐238) among Chinese chronic hepatitis B patients were determined. Severe liver fibrosis was defined as Ishak fibrosis score = 4 (of 6).Results:  Fifty‐nine of 273 (22%) patients had severe fibrosis. The distribution of genotypes for IL‐10‐627 was CC (11%), CA (41%), and AA (48%). The CC genotype at IL‐10‐627 was protective against severe fibrosis (odds ratio (OR) 0.11; 95% CI 0.014–0.82; P = 0.032). After adjusted for baseline variables, the adjusted OR of CC genotypes at IL‐10‐627 for severe fibrosis was 0.063 (95% CI 0.06–0.64; P = 0.063). Other gene polymorphisms at IL‐1β, IL‐1RN, TNF‐α, and IL‐10 had no significant association with severe fibrosis. Weak linkage disequilibrium was observed between IL‐10‐627 and IL‐10‐1117 with linkage disequilibrium coefficient of 0.12 (P < 0.001). The distribution of haplotypes of IL‐10‐1117 and IL‐10‐627 was A‐A (69%), A‐C (26%), and G‐C (5%). High and intermediate IL‐10 production (A‐C and G‐C) haplotypes were protective against severe fibrosis (OR 0.62; 95% CI 0.39–0.99; P = 0.046).Conclusions:  High production genotype and haplotypes of IL‐10 were associated with less severe liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B in Chinese.
Changes in circulating thrombomodulin levels with exercise in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: KANAZAWA Hiroshi , ASAI Kazuhisa , NOMURA Saeko 
Published: July 2007

Background and objectives:  The functional properties of endothelial cells in pulmonary microvessels are affected by elevations in the level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in inflamed airways. An increase in the level of circulating thrombomodulin (TM), a molecular marker of endothelial cells, with exercise is associated with the VEGF level in asthmatic airways. This study investigated whether the airway VEGF level reflects changes in circulating TM levels with exercise in patients with COPD.Methods:  VEGF levels in induced sputum were measured in 26 COPD patients (12 chronic bronchitis and 14 emphysema) and 11 control subjects. Incremental exercise testing was performed, and TM levels in arterial blood samples were measured pre‐exercise and post‐exercise at 0, 5 and 60 min.Results:  VEGF levels were significantly lower in patients with emphysema (520 ± 290 pg/mL) than in control subjects (1860 ± 1220 pg/mL), and were significantly higher in patients with bronchitis (4110 ± 1190 pg/mL). Pre‐exercise TM levels were comparable among the three study groups. TM levels in control subjects and emphysema patients did not change after exercise. However, maximum TM levels after exercise were significantly increased in chronic bronchitis patients (P = 0.02). The increase in TM level with exercise closely correlated with the VEGF level in bronchitis patients (r = 0.90, P = 0.003).Conclusions:  In chronic bronchitis, but not in emphysema, patients exercise induced an increase in circulating TM levels. The potential causal relationship between circulating levels of TM and those of VEGF in the airways deserve further exploration.
Thirty‐count breathlessness score: Reliability, sensitivity, specificity and validity
Authors: WILLIAMS Marie , SORICH Marissa , CAFARELLA Paul , PETKOV John 
Published: July 2007

Background and objectives:  The fifteen‐count breathlessness score (15CBS) has been reported to quantify breathlessness; however, a ceiling effect limits its ability to discriminate between subjects with varying degrees of breathlessness. The aim of this study was to determine the reliability, sensitivity, specificity and validity of the thirty‐count breathlessness score (30CBS) in adults with COPD.Methods:  Using an observational correlation design, subjects with clinical signs and symptoms of COPD were videotaped performing the 30CBS on two occasions. Respiratory related quality of life questionnaires, self‐report shortness breathlessness measures and pulmonary function tests were completed by all subjects. Asymptomatic subjects of a similar age completed the 30CBS for comparison.Results:  Thirty‐eight COPD subjects and 24 control subjects completed the protocol. The 30CBS was reliable within and between assessors (intraclass correlation coefficients >0.7). The 30CBS demonstrated a higher sensitivity (55.8% sensitivity, 82.3% specificity) than the 15CBS (33.2% sensitivity, 93.2% specificity); however, the sensitivity of the 30CBS was still not great enough to discriminate between those with and without COPD. Regression analysis calculated significant relationships between the 30CBS and a majority of measures of pulmonary impairment (flows and volumes), age, height, Visual Analogue Scale for breathlessness and physical aspects of the Short Form‐36.Conclusions:  While reliable, the 30CBS did not display sufficient discriminative ability to predict subjects with COPD though subjects requiring greater than two breaths may warrant further investigation. The 30CBS may be a useful indicator of physiological impairment, but was not significantly correlated with measures of breathlessness.