bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Virulence Frequences of Puccinia triticina in Germany and the European Regions of the Russian Federation
Authors: Lind V. , Gultyaeva E. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractFrom 2001 to 2003, leaf rust was collected in different regions of Germany and the Russian Federation to generate single spore isolates and to study the structure of the pathogen populations by analyses of virulence. The virulence of isolates was tested with 38 near‐isogenic lines each carrying a different resistance gene. The analyses of variance revealed significant effects for the frequency of virulent isolates, the regions and most interactions with years and regions, but no significance was found for the effects of years. In Germany, an increase of virulence frequencies was detected for Lr1 and Lr2a while a decrease was found for Lr3a, Lr3bg and Lr3ka. Such clear trends did not occur in Russia which may be due to the great agroclimatic differences between regions. The variance of the frequency of virulent isolates was used to estimate adequate sample sizes for the analysis of regional populations of leaf rust. This procedure resulted in more reliable information about the dynamic processes within the pathogen populations. In 2002 and 2003, all pathotypes in Germany had a combined virulence to Lr1, Lr2a, Lr2b, Lr15, Lr17 and Lr20 supplemented by a few other genes. The complexity of virulence was lower in the most frequent pathotypes. In Russia virulence to the alleles at locus Lr3 was very common. Using detached leaf segments in Germany and Russia it turned out that the most virulent pathotypes carry 34 and 32 virulence genes, respectively. Virulence to Lr9, Lr19, Lr24 and Lr38 was rare or even absent. The use of major genes, not overcome by corresponding virulent pathotypes, may contribute to more durable types of resistance in case they are combined with genes having different effects, e.g. adult plant resistance.
Natural Infection by Tospoviruses of Cucurbitaceous and Fabaceous Vegetable Crops in India
Authors: Jain R. K. , Bag S. , Umamaheswaran K. , Mandal B. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractNatural infection of tospoviruses on three cucurbitaceous (Cucumis sativus, cucumber; Luffa acutangula, ridge gourd; Citrullus lanatus, watermelon) and three fabaceous (Vigna unguiculata, cowpea; Phaseolus vulgaris, French bean; Dolichos lablab, sem) vegetable crops in India was identified on the basis of nucleocapsid protein (NP) gene characteristics. The complete NP gene of the cowpea isolate from Kerala and the sem isolate from Tamil Nadu was 831 nucleotides long, encoding a protein of 276 amino acids. For other Tospovirus isolates from cucumber, French bean, ridge gourd and watermelon, the partial NP gene (291 nt) was sequenced. Comparative NP gene sequence analyses revealed that fabaceous isolates shared maximum identity both at the nucleotide (92–97%) and amino acid (93–97%) levels with the corresponding region of Groundnut bud necrosis virus (GBNV), whereas cucurbitaceous isolates shared maximum identity both at nucleotide (93–99%) and amino acid (95–98%) levels with the corresponding region of Watermelon bud necrosis virus (WBNV), results suggesting that the Tospovirus isolates infecting fabaceous hosts should be regarded as strain of GBNV, whereas those infecting cucurbitaceous hosts as a strain of WBNV. Nucleocapsid protein gene was conserved both in GBNV and WBNV isolates originating from different hosts and locations.
Effect of Seed Treatment with Rhizobium leguminosarum on Pythium Damping‐off, Seedling Height, Root Nodulation, Root Biomass, Shoot Biomass, and Seed Yield of Pea and Lentil
Authors: Huang H. C. , Erickson R. S. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractField experiments were conducted in 2004 and 2005 to determine the effects of seed treatment with Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viceae on damping‐off, seedling height, root nodule mass, root biomass, shoot biomass and seed yield of pea and lentil in a field naturally infested with Pythium spp. Compared with the untreated controls, treatment of pea seeds with R. leguminosarum bv. viceae strains R12, R20 or R21 significantly (P < 0.05) reduced incidence of damping‐off, promoted seedling growth and increased root nodule mass, root biomass and shoot biomass. Seed treatments with R12 or R21 also resulted in a significant (P < 0.05) increase in seed yield of pea. The strain R21 was most effective among the four strains of R. leguminosarum bv. viceae tested in peas. Although, the level of disease control by strain R21 was similar to seed treatment with the fungicide ThiramTM, R21 was more effective in enhancing root nodule production and promoting plant growth. For lentil, treatment of seeds with R. leguminosarum bv. viceae strains R12 or R21 significantly (P < 0.05) reduced incidence of damping‐off compared with the untreated control. All of the four strains of R. leguminosarum bv. viceae tested increased lentil seedling height, root nodule mass and shoot biomass, and all except R20 increased root biomass. Seed yield was higher for the treatments of R12 and R21. The strain R12 was most effective among the four strains of R. leguminosarum bv. viceae tested in lentil. Although, strain R12 was as effective as ThiramTM for control of damping‐off of lentil, it was more effective than ThiramTM for the production of root nodules and promotion of plant growth. The study concludes that seed treatment with R. leguminosarum bv. viceae is effective in control of Pythium damping‐off of pea and lentil and that the efficacy of control is strain specific, strain R21 for control of the disease on pea and strain R12 for control of the disease on lentil.
Inhabitancy and Colonization on Healthy Rice Plants by Glomerella cingulata
Authors: Yoshida S. , Tsukiboshi T. , Arie T. , Shinohara H. , Koitabashi M. , Tsushima S. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractAn omnivorous phytopathogenic fungus, Glomerella cingulata, was isolated from rice plants in Japan. We evaluated the effect of the fungus as an inoculum source for anthracnose to other plants. Leaf sheaths of rice plants were monitored in mid‐June and mid‐July for 2 years to evaluate the quantitative inhabitancy of G. cingulata in the fungal community. The pathogenicity of G. cingulata to 20 plant leaves was elucidated. A hygromycin B‐resistant green fluorescent protein (GFP) mutant of the fungus was used to observe fungal infection and development processes on rice plants. Glomerella cingulata was detected on rice sheaths in mid‐June at a low frequency, but was not detected in mid‐July. The fungus has a broad pathogenic spectrum, whereas development of the GFP mutant in tissues of rice plants was limited. Thus, the effect of G. cingulata inhabiting rice plants as a source of inoculum for other crops is likely to be low, although the fungal potential to infect various plants was ascertained.
Virulence and the Production of Endo‐1,4‐β‐glucanase by Isolates of Alternaria alternata Involved in the Moldy‐core Disease of Apples
Authors: Reuveni M. , Sheglov N. , Eshel D. , Prusky D. , Ben‐Arie R. 
Published: December 2006

Abstract Alternaria alternata, is the predominant fungal pathogen responsible for moldy‐core in apple cultivars of the Red Delicious group. Here we report on the association between virulence of natural isolates of A. alternata, their production of endo‐1,4‐β‐glucanase (EG) and moldy‐core development in apple fruits. Based on decay development following wound inoculations of mature fruits, three of 150 isolates, collected in three orchards in northern Israel and representing low, moderate and high virulence, were selected and designated Rm44, Er30 and Sh42, respectively. All three isolates secreted EG when grown on enzyme‐inducing medium (EIM) containing commercial cellulose or apple cell walls and this production was related to their degree of virulence. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) revealed quantitative differences between the three isolates, relative to their virulence. When fungal extracts were run in native gels, a single band with a molecular mass of 23 kDa showing EG activity was produced by the high‐ (Sh42) and the medium‐virulence (Er30) isolate but not by the low‐virulence (Rm44) isolate. A commercial cellulase preparation (containing endo‐ and exo‐1,4‐β‐glucanase) placed on pricked fruit led to the formation of symptoms similar to those developing on A. alternata‐inoculated fruits within 2–4 days. Inoculation of bloom clusters at full bloom with the highly virulent isolate (Sh42) of A. alternata resulted in a significantly higher infection in fruits (58%) than in those inoculated with the low‐virulence isolate (Rm44) (30%). Our results suggest that the moldy‐core symptoms caused by A. alternata in apple, could be related to the ability of the fungus to produce EG in developing lesions.
Influenza and rhinovirus infections among health‐care workers
Authors: BELLEI Nancy , CARRARO Emerson , PEROSA Ana Helena Sitta , BENFICA Daniela , GRANATO Celso Fransisco Hernandes 
Published: December 2006

Background and objective:  Health‐care workers (HCWs) are at higher risk of acquisition and transmission of respiratory virus infections. Nosocomial transmission of influenza has been documented but whether this is so for other respiratory viruses has not been assessed.Methods:  Epidemiological, clinical and viral laboratory surveillance was carried out on HCWs presenting with acute respiratory infection in a university hospital.Results:  Over a 2‐year period, 203 subjects were recruited: rhinovirus was the most frequently detected virus (37.7% in flu negative samples) and influenza A/B was positive in only 12.3% of subjects. Only 19.7% of HCWs were immunized against influenza. High detection of rhinovirus occurred even during the peak of the influenza season and half of the infected subjects reported an influenza‐like illness.Conclusion:  Rhinovirus infection occurred frequently in this study population and probably contributes to influenza misdiagnosis. Educational interventions about different viruses causing respiratory symptoms and an increase in standards of infection control besides influenza immunization among HCWs is needed.
Association between the IL‐4 promoter polymorphisms and asthma or severity of hyperresponsiveness in Taiwanese
Authors: CHIANG Chi‐Huei , TANG Ying‐Chuan , LIN Ming‐Wei , CHUNG Ming‐Yi 
Published: December 2006

Background and objectives:  Recent family‐based studies have revealed a linkage between human chromosome 5q31 and asthma, elevated serum IgE levels and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR). Among the candidate genes in this region is the gene encoding IL‐4. This gene could be a candidate gene for asthma. The aim of this prospective case‐control study was to assess the frequency of polymorphisms in the IL‐4 gene promoter among asthmatic patients from Taiwan.Methods:  The study consisted of 167 patients with asthma and 111 healthy subjects. PCR amplification followed by Bsm F1 restriction digestion were used to assign genotypes at the IL‐4 promoter C‐589T locus. Pulmonary function tests, methacholine challenge tests, total IgE, specific IgE antibodies against common inhalant allergens and total eosinophil counts were assessed in asthmatic patients.Results:  The T allele frequency for the C‐589T IL‐4 gene promoter in asthma patients was higher than for normal subjects (P < 0.0001). The frequency discrepancy was found to be even higher for asthmatic patients with severe AHR (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences for the T allele frequency among asthmatic patients with the various other phenotypes such as high versus normal total eosinophil, high versus normal total IgE and high versus normal levels of specific IgE against mite, cockroach or cat dander, or dog dander.Conclusions:  Polymorphism in the promoter of the IL‐4 gene is associated with asthma and is a disease modifier in terms of the severity of AHR.
Effects of bronchodilators on dynamic hyperinflation following hyperventilation in patients with COPD
Authors: FUJIMOTO Keisaku , YOSHIIKE Fumiaki , YASUO Masanori , KITAGUCHI Yoshiaki , URUSHIHATA Kazuhisa , KUBO Keishi , HONDA Takayuki 
Published: December 2006

Background and objective:  The present study was performed to examine the occurrence of dynamic hyperinflation following hyperventilation in COPD patients and former smokers without COPD, and the efficacy of short‐acting anticholinergic agents (SAAC) and β2‐agonists (SABA) for lung hyperinflation following metronome‐paced hyperventilation in COPD.Methods:  Fifty‐nine patients with COPD, 20 ex‐smokers without COPD and 20 healthy subjects who had never smoked were examined for dynamic hyperinflation by metronome‐paced hyperventilation with respiratory rate increasing from 20 to 30 and 40 tidal breaths/min. Dynamic hyperinflation was evaluated as the decrease in inspiratory capacity (IC) following hyperventilation, and the effects of SAAC and SABA on dynamic hyperinflation were assessed.Results:  COPD patients showed a significant increase in end‐expiratory lung volume and a decrease in IC following hyperventilation, and ex‐smokers without COPD also showed mild but significant dynamic hyperinflation. Multiple stepwise linear regression analysis revealed that the carbon monoxide transfer coefficient (DLco/VA) and RV/TLC were significant and independent determinants of dynamic hyperinflation in COPD. Treatment with SAAC and SABA significantly increased IC at each respiratory rate, independently of the increases in FEV1. Furthermore, SABA significantly inhibited the decrease in IC due to hyperventilation.Conclusions:  These findings suggest that lung hyperinflation following hyperventilation may be a useful method for detecting dynamic hyperinflation observed not only in patients with COPD but also in ex‐smokers without COPD, and both SAAC and SABA are effective in reducing dynamic hyperinflation in COPD.
Prevalence of symptomatic large pleural effusions first diagnosed more than 30 days after coronary artery bypass graft surgery
Authors: PENG Ming‐Cheng , HOU Charles Jia‐Yin , LI Jiun‐Yi , HU Po‐Yuan , CHEN Chun‐Yen 
Published: December 2006

Background and objective:  Symptomatic large pleural effusions (>25% of hemithorax) are sometimes diagnosed after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). Their incidence and outcome have not been fully described. This study aims to discuss the prevalence and the clinical course in patients diagnosed with symptomatic newly developed large pleural effusions at least 30 days after CABG.Methods:  A retrospective study of 410 patients who underwent CABG over a three and a half year period was undertaken. The type of surgery, timing of occurrence of effusion after CABG, amount and characteristics of the pleural effusion, left ventricular dimension and ejection fraction were obtained from medical records and cardiac surgery databases.Results:  The records of 356 patients 1 month post CABG were available for evaluation. The initial diagnosis of a newly developed symptomatic large pleural effusions was made in 11 patients (3.1%) at least 30 days after CABG. Eight had a pleural effusion predominantly on the left side and three on the right. Patients were further divided into two groups: those who had effusions diagnosed between 30 and 90 days post CABG (group 1) and those diagnosed more than 90 days post‐CABG (group 2). The pleural fluid LDH levels were higher in patients in group 1 (1262.0 ± 921.3 U/L vs. 117.5 ± 35.1 U/L, P = 0.02). Patients in group 2 had evidence of cardiac impairment compared with those in group 1, as evidenced by a lower ejection fraction (68.8 ± 6.0% vs. 52.0 ± 10.6% in groups 1 and 2, respectively, P = 0.01) and higher left ventricular end‐diastolic dimension (45.2 ± 6.0 mm vs. 55.3 ± 8.4 mm in groups 1 and 2, respectively, P = 0.05).Conclusions:  The incidence of symptomatic newly developed large pleural effusions first diagnosed at more than 30 days post CABG was 3.1%. Those who were diagnosed between 30 and 90 days post CABG tended to have exudative effusions, whereas those diagnosed more than 90 days post CABG often had left ventricular impairment and transudative effusions. Most of these effusions settled with conservative management and did not recur.
Sputum bacteriology in hospitalized patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Taiwan with an emphasis on Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: LIN Sheng‐Hsiang , KUO Ping‐Hung , HSUEH Po‐Ren , YANG Pan‐Chyr , KUO Sow‐Hsong 
Published: December 2006

Background and objective:  Bacterial infection is one of the major causes of acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD). This study was undertaken to investigate the microbiology of AECOPD.Methods:  Medical records from 494 episodes of AECOPD in patients admitted to the National Taiwan University Hospital from January 2000 to June 2004 were reviewed. Severity of COPD was classified according to the 2003 Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease guideline.Results:  Potential pathogenic microorganisms were isolated from patients in 328 (66.4%) episodes of AECOPD. The predominant bacteria were Klebsiella pneumoniae (19.6%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (16.8%) and Haemophilus influenzae (7.5%), followed by Acinetobacter baumannii (6.9%), Enterobacter species (6.1%) and Staphylococcus aureus (6.1%). The incidence of Streptococcus pneumoniae was 2.4%. Spirometry results obtained within 1 year of the exacerbation were available in 186 cases. K. pneumoniae was more frequently isolated in stage I COPD (39.1%) than stage II (16.6%), III (13.8%) and IV (9.4%). No glucose non‐fermentative Gram‐negative bacilli were isolated in stage I patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that P. aeruginosa (odds ratio (OR) 3.19; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.21–8.38), intubation (OR 14.81; 95% CI: 5.08–43.12) and age (OR 1.1; 95% CI: 1.03–1.17) were independent risk factors for mortality.Conclusions:  Klebsiella pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa are the most common sputum pathogens in hospitalized patients with AECOPD in Taiwan, with the former being more commonly isolated from mild COPD and the latter associated with poor clinical outcome. These results should be considered when deciding which antibiotics should initially be used to treat patients with AECOPD.
Use of QuantiFERON®‐TB Gold to investigate tuberculosis contacts in a high school
Authors: HIGUCHI Kazue , HARADA Nobuyuki , MORI Toru , SEKIYA Yukie 
Published: December 2006

Background and objective:  QuantiFERON®‐TB Gold (QFT‐G) was employed in a contact investigation in a high school to evaluate its performance in adolescents.Methods:  Students of the same school grade as the index case were screened with tuberculin skin test (TST) and CXR examination as an initial contact investigation. QFT‐G was performed for students demonstrating a positive TST (erythema larger than 30 mm).Results:  Of 349 students whose TST was completed, 95 had positive TST responses, although the distribution of TST responses was similar for both high and low exposure groups. In contrast, only four of the 88 TST‐positive students tested with QFT‐G were positive by this test, and three of these were from the high exposure group. Chemoprophylaxis was provided to only those four QFT‐G‐positive students. Follow up of the 91 students who were TST‐positive, but QFT‐G‐negative (or not tested), for more than 3.5 years revealed that none have developed active tuberculosis.Conclusions:  QFT‐G appears more specific than TST as contacts with positive TST and negative QFT‐G responses were not offered prophylaxis and none developed tuberculosis during 3.5 years of follow up. The replacement of TST with QFT‐G, or perhaps combined use of TST and QFT‐G, may be more useful in diagnosing true infection and thus reducing the number of subjects indicated for chemoprophylaxis.
SURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF BREAST CANCER IN A SMALL PERIPHERAL NEW ZEALAND HOSPITAL
Authors: Lee Don Wai Gin , Vallance Stephen 
Published: December 2006

Background:  Peripheral hospitals are perceived to be at a disadvantage in providing treatment for breast cancer, especially with regard to breast conservative surgery (BCS) because of the requirement of adjuvant radiotherapy. Wairau Hospital is a 100‐bed peripheral hospital in New Zealand with no on‐site radiotherapy unit.Methods:  A retrospective audit of the surgical management of breast cancer between 1998 and 2002 was carried out.Results:  One hundred and fifty‐seven presentations during the audit period. Despite the lack of tertiary resources, we report an overall BCS rate of 58.6%, consistent with the appropriate New Zealand guidelines. Of screen‐detected cancers, 81.6% underwent BCS. Only five patients requested mastectomy and of those undergoing BCS, five patients refused subsequent adjuvant radiotherapy. This was because of frailty from age and comorbidities and the inconvenience of travel.Conclusion:  High rates of BCS are possible in peripheral hospitals. We postulate that intensive support and a visiting outpatient oncological service help empower patients to seek BCS if appropriate. A strong partnership between surgical, radiological and oncological services is also vital.
LOCALIZATION AND SURGICAL TREATMENT OF THE PANCREATIC INSULINOMAS
Authors: Chung Jun C. , Choi Seong H. , Jo Sung H. , Heo Jin S. , Choi Dong W. , Kim Yong I. 
Published: December 2006

Objectives:  Insulinomas are rare tumours that originate from the islet cells of the pancreas. The aims of this study were to gain an understanding of the clinical features of insulinomas and to establish the diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.Methods:  A review was carried out in 20 patients with insulinoma surgically treated in our institution over the last 10 years. Presenting symptoms, biochemical studies, preoperative and intraoperative localization studies, operative management and complications were analysed.Results:  The male‐to‐female ratio was 8:12, with a mean age of 46.4 years. Each patient suffered from significant neuroglycopenic symptoms, usually manifested by dizziness, sweating, headache and confusion. The preoperative median serum levels of glucose, insulin and C‐peptide at the termination of the fast were 37.5 mg/dL, 23.5 μU/mL, 5.6 ng/mL, respectively. Preoperative tumour localization was achieved by means of ultrasonography (US), computed tomography, selective angiography or intra‐arterial calcium injection with hepatic venous sampling, and sensitivities of these examinations were 81.8, 73.7, 94.1 and 100%, respectively. Intraoperative localization was carried out by a combination of manual palpation and intraoperative US with retrospective sensitivities of 80 and 100%, respectively. Enucleation was carried out in 16 patients and distal pancreatectomy in 4. The mortality and morbidity rates were 0 and 10%, respectively. One patient developed late diabetes mellitus type 1 after distal pancreatectomy.Conclusions:  We conclude that the diagnosis of insulinoma can be made on the basis of the results of a supervised fast, careful palpation with intraoperative US is essential for intraoperative detection of insulinomas and surgical resection is the best choice for treatment of benign insulinomas.