bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Thermal and hormonal regulation of the dormancy–germination transition in Amaranthus tuberculatus seeds
Authors: LEON R G , BASSHAM D C , OWEN M D K 
Published: July 2007

SummaryThe transition from seed dormancy to germination is a multi‐step process. However, distinguishing between physiological processes involved in seed dormancy alleviation and those involved in germination has been difficult. We studied the seed dormancy alleviation process in Amaranthus tuberculatus, an important weed species in midwestern USA. Using three A. tuberculatus biotypes that differ in dormancy level, it was determined that stratification reduced seed dormancy from a high to a low level. Temperature alternation alleviated low seed dormancy and triggered germination. Exogenously applied abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellic acid (GA) had no effect on seeds with high dormancy. However, ABA and paclobutrazol (a GA biosynthesis inhibitor) significantly reduced germination of seeds with low dormancy. Hormones could not replace the effects of stratification or temperature alternation on dormancy alleviation. Based on our results, we propose a seed dormancy–germination transition model in which the dormancy of A. tuberculatus seeds is progressively reduced from a high to a low level; but environmental conditions (i.e. stratification) can accelerate the dormancy alleviation process. Under low dormancy levels, the seed is more sensitive to environmental cues that are responsible for removing dormancy and triggering germination (i.e. temperature alternation). Finally, ABA and GA regulation occurs primarily during the final transition from low dormancy to germination rather than the alleviation of high dormancy.
Comparison of outcomes with low‐dose anti‐thymocyte globulin, basiliximab or no induction therapy in pediatric kidney transplant recipients: A retrospective study
Authors: Baron Pedro W. , Ojogho Okechukwu N. , Yorgin Peter , Sahney Shobha , Cutler Drew , Ben‐Youssef Ramzi , Baqai Waheed , Weissman Jill , Franco Edson , Zuppan Craig , Concepcion Waldo 
Published: July 2007

Abstract: It is unclear which induction therapy yields the best outcomes in pediatric kidney transplantation. Retrospective data of 88 children receiving a renal allograft between November 1996 and October 2003 were analyzed. Patients received ATGI (n = 12), BI (n = 29), or NAI (n = 47). The mean ATG dose was 5.1 ± 2.1 mg/kg. At 12 months, graft survival rates were 91.7%, 100%, and 97.9% for ATGI, BI, and NAI groups, respectively. Acute rejection rates at 12 months were 0 (ATGI), 20.6% (BI), and 10.7% (NAI). The mean GFR for ATGI (42.4 ± 25.9 mL/min) was lower than for BI (78.3 ± 27.2 mL/min), and NAI (66 ± 28.3 mL/min) at 12 months (p < 0.05). One ATGI patient developed CMV pneumonia but none developed post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorder. Although there was no renal allograft survival benefit with either ATGI or BI, relative to NAI, the absence of acute rejection and equivalent rates of viral infections in the higher‐risk ATGI recipient group suggests that the treatment strategy is promising. A large prospective study is needed to better define the role of ATGI in pediatric kidney transplantation.
Molecular markers for Ve1 and Ve2 Verticillium resistance genes from Italian tomato germplasm
Authors: Acciarri N. , Rotino G. L. , Tamietti G. , Valentino D. , Voltattorni S. , Sabatini E. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThe so‐called Rosa (= pink) tomatoes, which are typically grown in the Southern Italian area, are characterized by the pink colour of the fruit, due to the gene y, colourless fruit skin. In a preliminary survey, it was found that among these Rosa tomatoes there were some ‘Rosa di Sorrento’ local landraces showing resistance to Verticillium wilt (race 1). In tomato, resistance to race 1 of V. dahliae and V. albo‐atrum is conferred by two strictly associated genes, Ve1 and Ve2, which independently confer resistance to the same pathogen. The development of two new markers for Ve1 and Ve2, based respectively on selective allele‐specific PCR amplification and on a PCR amplification followed by enzymatic restriction, is reported. These two markers allow the identification of both allelic forms at the Ve loci and they are of potential interest for use in marker‐assisted selection. Furthermore, ‘Rosa di Sorrento’‐resistant lines have the same resistance alleles as those found in the Ve‐resistant cultivars.
Combination of resistance to Verticillium longisporum from zero erucic acid Brassica oleracea and oilseed Brassica rapa genotypes in resynthesized rapeseed (Brassica napus) lines
Authors: Rygulla W. , Friedt W. , Seyis F. , Lühs W. , Eynck C. , Von Tiedemann A. , Snowdon R. J. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractResynthesized (RS) forms of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.; genome AACC, 2n = 38) generated from interspecific hybridization between suitable genotypes of its diploid progenitors Brassica rapa L. (syn. campestris; genome AA, 2n = 20) and Brassica oleracea L. (CC, 2n = 18) represent a potentially useful resource to introduce resistance against the fungal pathogen Verticillium longisporum into the gene pool of oilseed rape. Numerous cabbage (B. oleracea) accessions are known with resistance to V. longisporum; however, B. oleracea generally has high levels of erucic acid and glucosinolates in the seed, which reduces the suitability of resulting RS rapeseed lines for oilseed rape breeding. In this study resistance against V. longisporum was identified in the cabbage accession Kashirka 202 (B. oleracea convar. capitata), a zero erucic acid mutant, and RS rapeseed lines were generated by crossing the resistant genotype with two spring turnip rape accessions (B. rapa ssp. olerifera) with zero erucic acid. One of the resulting zero erucic acid RS rapeseed lines was found to have a high level of resistance to V. longisporum compared with both parental accessions and with B. napus controls. A number of other zero erucic acid RS lines showed resistance levels comparable to the parental accessions. In the most resistant RS lines the resistance and zero erucic acid traits were combined with variable seed glucosinolate contents. Erucic acid‐free RS rapeseed with moderate seed glucosinolate content represents an ideal basic material for introgression of quantitative V. longisporum resistance derived from B. oleracea and B. rapa into elite oilseed rape breeding lines.
Sexually dimorphic activation of the accessory, but not the main, olfactory bulb in mice by urinary volatiles
Authors: Martel Kristine L. , Baum Michael J. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractPrevious research suggests that volatile body odourants detected by the main olfactory epithelium (MOE) are processed mainly by the main olfactory bulb (MOB) whereas nonvolatile body odourants detected by the vomeronasal organ (VNO) are processed via the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB). We asked whether urinary volatiles from males and females differentially activate the AOB in addition to the MOB in gonadectomized mice of either sex. Exposure to urinary volatiles from opposite‐sex but not same‐sex conspecifics augmented the number of Fos‐immunoreactive mitral and granule cells in the AOB. Volatile urinary odours from male as well as female mice also stimulated Fos expression in distinct clusters of MOB glomeruli in both sexes. Intranasal administration of ZnSO4, intended to disrupt MOE function, eliminated the ability of volatile urinary odours to stimulate Fos in both the MOB and AOB. In ovariectomized, ZnSO4‐treated females a significant, though attenuated, AOB Fos response occurred after direct nasal exposure to male urine plus soiled bedding, suggesting that VNO signaling remained partially functional in these mice. Future studies will determine whether MOE or VNO signaling, or both types of input, drive the sexually dimorphic response of the AOB to volatile opposite‐sex odours and whether this AOB response contributes to reproductive success.
Activation of nucleus tractus solitarius 5‐HT2Abut not other 5‐HT2receptor subtypes inhibits the sympathetic activity in rats
Authors: Comet M.‐A. , Bernard J. F. , Hamon M. , Laguzzi R. , Sévoz‐Couche C. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractOur first aim was to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the hypotensive response elicited by 5‐HT2receptor activation in the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS). In pentobarbitone‐anaesthetized rats, intra‐NTS administration of 2,5‐dimethoxy‐4‐iodoamphetamine (DOI), a wide spectrum 5‐HT2receptor agonist, but not an antagonist of selective 5‐HT2Band 5‐HT2Creceptors, produced a decrease in blood pressure and heart rate. The maximal cardiovascular changes obtained by DOI (0.5 pmol) could be almost completely abolished by prior intra‐NTS microinjection (10 pmol) of MDL‐100907, a selective 5‐HT2Areceptor antagonist, but not by 5‐HT2Bor 5‐HT2Creceptor antagonists. In addition, using extracellular recordings we found that the large majority of identified cardiovascular rostroventrolateral medulla (RVLM) neurons were almost totally inhibited by NTS 5‐HT2Areceptor stimulation. We then investigated whether intra‐NTS administration of a subthreshold dose (0.05 pmol) of DOI, known to facilitate the cardiovagal component of the baroreflex, could also modulate the sympathoinhibitory component of this reflex. These experiments showed that neither the decrease in the activity of the cardiovascular RVLM neurons and lumbar sympathetic nerve activities produced by aortic occlusion (gain of the baroreflex), nor the hypotensive response elicited by aortic nerve stimulation, were potentiated by the microinjection of DOI under such conditions. These data show that activation of 5‐HT2A, but not 5‐HT2Bor 5‐HT2C, receptors, located on NTS neurons, elicits depressor and bradycardic responses, and that this 5‐HT2A‐mediated hypotension is produced via the inhibition of RVLM cardiovascular neurons. In addition, NTS 5‐HT2Areceptor activation facilitates the cardiac but not the sympathetic baroreflex response.
The Construction of Professional Identity: Symbolic Power in Rural Partnerships in The Netherlands
Authors: Derkzen Petra , Bock Bettina B. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThis article addresses the construction of professionalism in rural partnerships in Achterhoek, a region in the east of The Netherlands, where public, private and community representatives are involved in the spatial reorganisation of agriculture. In contrast to the dichotomy between ‘professional’ and ‘citizen’ that can be found in the literature, we argue that professional identity is a multi‐layered construct. Moreover, professional identity can be seen a source of political capital. Based on a qualitative case study of one partnership, we conclude that it is not just civic or community representatives who are unable to access all the relevant layers of professionalism. Partnership members from small interest organisations also lack the professionalism that stems from scientific knowledge. Even when these actors have access to scientific knowledge, only a few of them can identify with and align themselves with the dominant discourse. Community representatives are particularly prone to question the legitimacy of the professionalism that dominates such partnerships. They are proud of their experiential knowledge and draw on this to contest professionalism, which they disapprove of. If the governance of local partnerships is to be a bottom‐up process more lay people and local inhabitants need to be involved. Their experiential knowledge could bring about a cultural change in governance that goes beyond the current decentralisation of decision‐making to the local level.
Adjuvant treatment of atopic eczema: assessment of an emollient containing N‐palmitoylethanolamine (ATOPA study)
Authors: Eberlein B , Eicke C , Reinhardt H‐W , Ring J 
Published: July 2007

AbstractBackground  For long‐term management of atopic eczema, the use of skin care creams is recommended, but effectiveness of this treatment is not well established.Objective  The objective of this study was to yield data on the skin care properties of a cream with a unique lamellar matrix containing N‐palmitoylethanolamine (PEA) and to assess quality‐of‐life variables in patients with mild to moderate atopic eczema.Setting  In this multinational, multicentre, observational, non‐controlled, prospective cohort study, patients between 2 and 70 years of age were enrolled. All patients were supplied with the study product sufficient for treatment over the entire study period. Outcome was followed in periods between 3 and 7 days and 4 and 6 weeks after study start. Data were gathered from doctor reports and patient self‐assessments via patient questionnaires.Results  Data from 2456 patients entered the database. The mean examination intervals were 6 days for the 3‐ to 7‐day period and 38 days for the 4‐ to 6‐week period. At study end, intensities of erythema, pruritus, excoriation, scaling, lichenification and dryness were significantly reduced with a combined score reduction of 58.6% in the entire population (57.7% in adults > 12 years and 60.5% in children ≤ 12 years) according to doctors’ reports. Patients reported a reduction of pruritus on visual analogue scales from 4.9 ± 2.6 to 2.7 ± 2.4 6 days after treatment start and a further reduction to 2.0 ± 2.3 at study end (P < 0.001 each). Likewise, sleep quality improved significantly during the study period. Earlier‐used topical corticosteroids were omitted by 56% of all patients (53.4% in adults and 62.5% in children) at study end, and the average weekly application rate decreased by 62% from 7.9 ± 6.0 to 3.0 ± 5.1 (P < 0.001). The tolerance was assessed as very good or good in 92% of cases by both patients and doctors.Conclusion  This study showed substantial relief of objective and subjective symptoms of atopic eczema after regular skin care with the study cream. The patient‐related effectiveness (decline of pruritus and loss of sleep) indicated a gain in quality of life in these patients. The reduced use of topical corticosteroids is important in view of safety and pharmacoeconomic implications in the treatment of atopic eczema.
Foraging requirements of the endangered long‐fingered bat: the influence of micro‐habitat structure, water quality and prey type
Authors: Biscardi S. , Russo D. , Casciani V. , Cesarini D. , Mei M. , Boitani L. 
Published: July 2007

Abstract Myotis capaccinii is one of the most endangered Mediterranean bats. We radio tracked 21 adult individuals to assess foraging range and analyse micro‐habitat selection around a nursery roost in central Italy. Habitats were characterized by development of riparian vegetation, distance between banks, degree of water clutter and levels of water pollution (expressed by macro‐benthic bioindicators). Diet was also analysed to see whether prey rarity might account for species decline. Myotis capaccinii proved highly mobile: the maximum straight line distance between roost location and the farthest foraging fix recorded on one night was c. 21 km, whereas this variable averaged 7.5 km for the entire study. In general, the species preferred calm waters bordered by well‐developed riparian vegetation and large (>5 m) inter‐bank distances. Such factors determined the overall quality of foraging sites. Although diet was dominated by pollution‐tolerant insects such as Chironomus midges, bats preferred less polluted waters. Our study also confirmed the occurrence of piscivory in this bat. Of the factors potentially responsible for species endangerment, the most likely are general habitat degradation, that is alteration of riparian vegetation and pollution, and cave roost loss. Given the large ecological niche overlap, increasing Myotis daubentonii may be outcompeting M. capaccinii. The most urgent actions to preserve M. capaccinii are extensive restoration of riparian vegetation and strict roost protection. Our study offers indications about where, and how, restoration of riparian vegetation may translate into best conservation results.
Long‐lasting up‐regulation of orexin receptor type 2 protein levels in the rat nucleus accumbens after chronic cocaine administration
Authors: Zhang Guo‐Chi , Mao Li‐Min , Liu Xian‐Yu , Wang John Q. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractHypothalamic orexin (hypocretin) neurons project to the key structures of the limbic system and orexin receptors, both orexin receptor type 1 (OXR1) and type 2 (OXR2), are expressed in most limbic regions. Emerging evidence suggests that orexin is among important neurotransmitters that regulate addictive properties of drugs of abuse. In this study, we examined the effect of psychostimulant cocaine on orexin receptor protein abundance in the rat limbic system in vivo. Intermittent administration of cocaine (20 mg/kg, i.p., once daily for 5 days) caused a typical behavioral sensitization response to a challenge cocaine injection at a 14‐day withdrawal period. Repeated cocaine administration at the same withdrawal time also increased OXR2 protein levels in the nucleus accumbens while repeated cocaine had no effect on OXR1 and orexin neuropeptide (both orexin‐A and orexin‐B) levels in this region. In contrast to the nucleus accumbens, OXR2 levels in the frontal cortex, the ventral tegmental area, the hippocampus, and the dorsal striatum (caudate putamen) were not altered by cocaine. Remarkably, the up‐regulated OXR2 levels in the nucleus accumbens showed a long‐lasting nature as it persisted up to 60 days after the discontinuation of repeated cocaine treatments. In contrast to chronic cocaine administration, an acute cocaine injection was insufficient to modify levels of any orexin receptor and peptide. Our data identify the up‐regulation of OXR2 in the nucleus accumbens as an enduring molecular event that is correlated well with behavioral plasticity in response to chronic psychostimulant administration. This OXR2 up‐regulation may reflect a key adaptation of limbic orexinergic transmission to chronic drug exposure and may thus be critical for the expression of motor plasticity.
Sensitive ELISA detection of amyloid‐β protofibrils in biological samples
Authors: Englund Hillevi , Sehlin Dag , Johansson Ann‐Sofi , Nilsson Lars N. G. , Gellerfors Pär , Paulie Staffan , Lannfelt Lars , Pettersson Frida Ekholm 
Published: July 2007

AbstractAmyloid‐β (Aβ) protofibrils are known intermediates of the in vitro Aβ aggregation process and the protofibrillogenic Arctic mutation (APPE693G) provides clinical support for a pathogenic role of Aβ protofibrils in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). To verify their in vivo relevance and to establish a quantitative Aβ protofibril immunoassay, Aβ conformation dependent monoclonal antibodies were generated. One of these antibodies, mAb158 (IgG2a), was used in a sandwich ELISA to specifically detect picomolar concentrations of Aβ protofibrils without interference from Aβ monomers or the amyloid precursor protein (APP). The specificity and biological significance of this ELISA was demonstrated using cell cultures and transgenic mouse models expressing human APP containing the Swedish mutation (APPKN670/671ML), or the Swedish and Arctic mutation in combination. The mAb158 sandwich ELISA analysis revealed presence of Aβ protofibrils in both cell and animal models, proving that Aβ protofibrils are formed not only in vitro, but also in vivo. Furthermore, elevated Aβ protofibril levels in the Arctic‐Swedish samples emphasize the usefulness of the Arctic mutation as a model of enhanced protofibril formation. This assay provides a novel tool for investigating the role of Aβ protofibrils in AD and has the potential of becoming an important diagnostic assay.
Agricultural wastes as dairy feed in Chiang Mai
Authors: SRUAMSIRI Sompong 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACTDairy farming in Chiang Mai was established in 1965 by the Thai–German Dairy Project and was subsequently taken over by Department of Livestock development in 1970. Starting from 1979, the Dairy Farming Promotion Organization of Thailand also supports the development of dairy farming in northern Thailand. However, dairy farming in Chiang Mai still faces numerous problems. At present, farm sizes are relatively medium, with an average of 23.75 cattle/farm (cows, heifers and calves). Almost all dairy farmers are member of a dairy co‐operative that provides them with an artificial insemination service, supplies of concentrated feed, loans and a center for collecting milk. The average pasture area is 0.3 ha/farm. The main feed resources are green forage from the farm pasture, public areas and roadside pastures, which are abundant only in the rainy season. The farmers are forced to use crop by‐products as roughage in the dry season, especially rice straw, even though its nutritive value is limited due to its low digestibility, low nitrogen and low mineral and vitamin content. To improve the nutritional value of crop by‐products, physical and chemical treatments are implemented. Agro‐industrial wastes such as pineapple waste, sugarcane molasses, the peel, husk or silk of sweet corn and baby corn are also used as dairy feed.
Substitution of plant protein for fish meal in the diet of laying ducks
Authors: THONGWITTAYA Narin 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACTFish meal is a good source of protein feed that can be used to get a high production yield even though it has a comparatively higher price. Plant protein has been found to substitute for fish meal without any adverse effect on production as well as helping to reduce feed cost. Moreover, it is not necessary for a level more than 5% fish meal in the diet of laying ducks. One type of plant protein is soybean meal, considered one of the most valuable sources of vegetable protein and whose amino acid composition is comparable to that of milk protein. In a soybean meal, the first limiting amino acid is methionine. Soybean meal can substitute for fish meal in laying ducks' diet but supplementation of methionine and lysine is recommended. Since sesame meal is rich in methionine and agrinine, 50% of soybean meal can be replaced by sesame meal without adverse effects. Leucaena leaf meal is also a valuable source of protein (26%) and carotenoids but it also has a toxic amino acid (mimosine). However, soaking leucaena leaf meal in water can remove the toxic amino acid and can be used, together with added methionine and lysine, as 10% of the diet for laying ducks.
Accounting for heterogeneity of variances to improve the precision of QTL mapping in dairy cattle
Authors: LIU Yuefu , JANSEN Gerald B. , LIN Ching Y. 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACTThe principle of interval mapping for quantitative trait loci (QTL) was originally developed for the analysis of single backcross data but it has been increasingly applied to more complicated experimental designs and data structures. It is important to study whether accounting for the heterogeneity of variance would improve the precision of QTL mapping based on data of multiple populations or families. This study compared homogeneous and heterogeneous maximum likelihood approaches for QTL mapping. The data consisted of 433 sons from six sire families with 69 microsatellite markers distributed over 12 chromosomes. The results of this study indicate that the heterogeneous approach generally produced a smaller residual variance and thus provided a better fit to the data than the homogeneous approach, meaning that the heterogeneous approach offers better precision in estimating both positions and effects of QTL. The results further showed that accounting for the heterogeneity of residual variance led to different statistical inferences from ignoring the heterogeneity of variance in QTL mapping. The heterogeneous approach is useful for QTL mapping based on the joint data of diverse reference populations or heteroscedastic data obtained from crossing animals with different genetic backgrounds.