bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modelling the quantitative effects of pre‐ and post‐dispersal seed predation inPinus sylvestrisL.
Authors: WORTHY FIONA R. , LAW RICHARD , HULME PHILIP E. 
Published: September 2006

SummaryDespite three decades of intensive research on seed predation, rather little is known about how important a role it plays in plant demography. Here a balance sheet of seed predation is drawn up forPinus sylvestris, based on mortality caused by its main seed predators. This species is of special interest because trees carry seeds throughout the year and can therefore support specialist as well as generalist seed predators. Also, its regeneration in Scotland is weak and some of its main seed predators (red squirrels, crossbills, wood ants) are themselves threatened.Field data from twoP. sylvestrisforests were used to estimate rates of predation on seeds due to pre‐ and post‐dispersal predators, including both specialists and generalists. The rates of predation changed systematically over time and were fitted to time‐dependent functions. The resulting functions were incorporated into a model, which was solved numerically to determine the fate of a cohort of seeds.On average, approximately 20% of seeds in the cohort were consumed by pre‐dispersal seed predators, approximately 25% of seeds by post‐dispersal seed predators, and approximately 55% of seeds were still alive at the end of 2 years. This reduces the seed pool for regeneration ofP. sylvestris, but is unlikely to be a serious problem for regeneration.Seed survival was most sensitive to the rate at which seeds became invulnerable to further seed predation, and to the rate of seed dispersal from cones on trees. Seed survival was less sensitive to seed predation. However, among seed predators, carabids feeding on loose seeds and birds eating seeds in open cones were the most important.Cones open as they dry out, and the timing of seed dispersal is therefore weather‐dependent. Late opening of cones had a deleterious effect on seed survival because it led to an increase in pre‐dispersal seed predation. Thus, in a period of climate change, patterns of seed predation would be expected also to change, altering the success of regeneration.
Secretion by numbers: protein traffic in prokaryotes
Authors: Economou Anastasias , Christie Peter J. , Fernandez Rachel C. , Palmer Tracy , Plano Greg V. , Pugsley Anthony P. 
Published: September 2006

SummaryAlmost all aspects of protein traffic in bacteria were covered at the ASM‐FEMS meeting on the topic in Iraklio, Crete in May 2006. The studies presented ranged from mechanistic analysis of specific events leading proteins to their final destinations to the physiological roles of the targeted proteins. Among the highlights from the meeting that are reviewed here are the molecular dynamics of SecA protein, membrane protein insertion, type III secretion needles and chaperones, type IV secretion, the two partner and autosecretion systems, the ‘secretion competent state’, and the recently discovered type VI secretion system.
The Escherichia coli UvrD helicase is essential for Tus removal during recombination‐dependent replication restart from Ter sites
Authors: Bidnenko Vladimir , Lestini Roxane , Michel Bénédicte 
Published: September 2006

SummaryBlocking replication forks in the Escherichia coli chromosome by ectopic Ter sites renders the RecBCD pathway of homologous recombination and SOS induction essential for viability. In this work, we show that the E. coli helicase II (UvrD) is also essential for the growth of cells where replication forks are arrested at ectopic Ter sites. We propose that UvrD is required for Tus removal from Ter sites. The viability of a SOS non‐inducible Ter‐blocked strain is fully restored by the expression of the two SOS‐induced proteins UvrD and RecA at high level, indicating that these are the only two SOS‐induced proteins required for replication across Ter/Tus complexes. Several observations suggest that UvrD acts in concert with homologous recombination and we propose that UvrD is associated with recombination‐initiated replication forks and that it removes Tus when a PriA‐dependent, restarted replication fork goes across the Ter/Tus complex. Finally, expression of the UvrD homologue from Bacilus subtilis PcrA restores the growth of uvrD‐deficient Ter‐blocked cells, indicating that the capacity to dislodge Tus is conserved in this distant bacterial species.
Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Develops in CC Chemokine Receptor 7‐deficient Mice with Altered T‐cell Responses
Authors: Pahuja A. , Maki R. A. , Hevezi P. A. , Chen A. , Verge G. M. , Lechner S. M. , Roth R. B. , Zlotnik A. , Alleva D. G. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractCC chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7) is involved in the initiation of immune responses by mediating the migration of naïve T cells and mature dendritic cells to T‐cell‐rich zones of secondary lymphoid organs where antigen presentation occurs. To address whether CCR7 plays a role in the development of autoimmunity, we induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in CCR7‐deficient mice on a C57BL/6 background (CCR7−/−) using the neuroantigen, myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein 35–55 amino acid peptide (MOG(35−55)) and Bordetella pertussis toxin (PTX). CCR7−/− mice acquired disease with an intensity similar to wild‐type littermates. MOG(35−55)‐specific lymphocyte responses were dominant in the spleen of CCR7−/− mice, rather than in lymph nodes as observed in wild‐type mice. These results indicate that effective immune responses (with altered kinetics) can develop in the absence of CCR7 but develop in the spleen rather than lymph nodes as CCR7 is necessary for T and dendritic cells to enter lymph nodes.
Evaluation of Recombinant Serine‐rich 45‐kDa Antigen (ML0411) for Detection of Antibodies in Leprosy Patients
Authors: Parkash O. , Kumar A. , Nigam A. , Franken K. L. M. C. , Ottenhoff T. H. M. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractThe potential of the recombinant serine‐rich 45‐kDa antigen (ML0411) of Mycobacterium leprae to aid in detecting M. leprae‐specific serum antibodies was assessed by an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in leprosy patients and controls comprising of tuberculosis patients, other unrelated skin‐diseased patients and healthy individuals from India. All 18 multibacillary (MB) and 18/38 (47.4%) of the paucibacillary (PB) leprosy patients were found positive. None of the controls was positive, yielding complete (0/49) specificity in the series tested here. On the other hand, an anti‐phenolic glycolipid‐1 (PGL‐I) antibody‐detecting assay yielded detectable responses in 94.4% (17/18) of MB and 36.8% (14/38) of PB leprosy patients. Only two of 49 (4.1%) controls were positive, giving a specificity of 95.9%. Further, there was a good concordance (agreement of 83.8%; χ2 = 40.3, P < 0.001; κ = 0.63) between the two assays. Thus, the 45‐kDa‐based assay was slightly better than anti‐PGL‐I antibody‐detecting assay. Interestingly, when combining the results of both the assays together for all leprosy patients (MB + PB), the combined sensitivity was significantly higher than that of the anti‐PGL‐I antibody‐detecting ELISA alone (73.2% versus 55.4%; P < 0.05), but not (P > 0.05) compared with the 45‐kDa antigen‐based assay alone. Similarly, in case of PB patients, using both assays in combination, the sensitivity was significantly higher compared with anti‐PGL‐I antibody‐detecting assay alone (60.5% versus 36.8%; P < 0.05). While adopting the combinatorial approach, the specificity remained invariably high (>95%). In conclusion, the results of the present study indicate that the M. leprae 45‐kDa protein is a potent B‐cell antigen and may be a useful serodiagnostic reagent.
A Differential Association of Interferon‐γ High‐Producing Allele T and Low‐Producing Allele A (+874 A/T) with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and Graves’ Disease
Authors: Rekha P. L. , Ishaq M. , Valluri V. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractCytokines play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune thyroid disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of the single base change polymorphic variants identified in the first intron of interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ) (+874 T/A) with susceptibility to thyroid dysfunctions. A total of 340 subjects were included in the study comprising of 190 patients (104 patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, 26 with non‐Hashimoto's hypothyroidism and 60 Graves’ disease) and 150 controls. Genotyping was done by amplification refractory mutation system‐polymerase chain reaction using a set of sequence‐specific primers. Statistical analysis revealed a significant association between high IFN‐γ‐producing genotype TT and Hashimoto's thyroiditis compared to controls (P value < 0.001). On the other hand, the frequency of genotype TT was decreased in patients with Graves’ hyperthyroidism with a significant increase in low IFN‐γ‐producing genotype AA among this group (P = 0.03). To conclude the results of the study suggest a differential association of high‐ and low‐producing alleles of IFN‐γ gene with Hashimoto's thyroiditis and Graves’ disease. The high IFN‐γ‐producing allele T was observed to be associated with Hashimoto's thyroiditis in the present study where as in Graves’ hyperthyroidism the association was observed to be stronger with the low producing allele A.
Combined Costimulation Blockade Prevents Rejection of Allogeneic Islets in Mice
Authors: Malm H. , Påhlman C. , Veress B. , Corbascio M. , Ekberg H. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractThere is a need for immunosuppressive protocols in islet transplantation that are neither nephrotoxic nor diabetogenic. We have examined blockade of the CD28‐B7, CD40‐CD40L and ICAM‐LFA‐1 pathways in a model of allogeneic islet transplantation in mice to determine the efficacy of this blockade in prolongation of graft survival. Histological evidences of inflammation and function were evaluated in grafts that had been functioning for 100 days. Treatment with a combination of all three drugs, or with CTLA4Ig and anti‐CD40L, administered four times during the first six postoperative days, resulted in an excellent graft survival. All animals had a graft survival of >100 days (i.e. indefinitely). Mice treated with CTLA4Ig and anti‐CD40L all showed well‐preserved islets without signs of degeneration or destruction. There were no signs of rejection, as evidenced by the absence of infiltrating lymphocytes. This group had the least amount of rejection/inflammation changes according to ranking of all grafts. In conclusion, a short induction treatment with anti‐CD40L and CTLA4Ig totally prevents rejection and preserves the allogeneic islets transplanted to mice. The addition of anti‐LFA‐1 did not confer any benefit.
International standards for minimum potency of anti‐A and anti‐B blood grouping reagents: evaluation of candidate preparations in an international collaborative study
Authors: Thorpe S. J. , Fox B. , Heath A. B. , Scott M. , De Haas M. , Kochman S. , Padilla A. 
Published: September 2006

Background and Objectives  The aim of the study was to evaluate lyophilized monoclonal IgM anti‐A and anti‐B preparations for use as international standards (IS) to specify recommended minimum potencies of anti‐A and anti‐B blood grouping reagents in tube tests.Materials and Methods  The candidate IS for minimum potency of anti‐A and anti‐B blood grouping reagents, codes 03/188 and 03/164, respectively, were evaluated against a wide range of commercial anti‐A and anti‐B blood grouping reagents in an international collaborative study involving 16 laboratories in nine countries. Laboratories titrated 03/188 and 03/164 in parallel with as many commercial anti‐A and anti‐B blood grouping reagents, respectively, as were available to them, in tube tests according to specified haemagglutination methodology. Three of these laboratories and a further laboratory also titrated 03/188 and 03/164 in parallel with currently available reference preparations for anti‐A and anti‐B. The ratios of the mean endpoint titres of the anti‐A and anti‐B reagents to those of 03/188 and 03/164, respectively, within each laboratory were calculated.Results  The ratios of the mean titres of the anti‐A reagents to the mean titre of 03/188 within a laboratory fell within 0·062 and 4, i.e. the potencies of the anti‐A reagents were between a sixteenth to four times as strong as 03/188. The ratios of the mean titres of the anti‐B reagents to the mean titre of 03/164 within a laboratory also fell within 0·062 and 4, with one outlier.Conclusions  By international consensus, a 1 in 8 dilution of the candidate IS for anti‐A, 03/188, and a 1 in 4 dilution of the candidate IS for anti‐B, 03/164, were considered appropriate to define the recommended minimum potencies of anti‐A and anti‐B blood grouping reagents, respectively, in tube tests. On the basis of these results, preparations 03/188 and 03/164 were established by the World Health Organization as International Standards for Minimum Potency of Anti‐A and Anti‐B Blood Grouping Reagents respectively, and by the US Food and Drug Administration Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research as Minimum Potency Reference Reagents.
Temporal Variation in Decisions about Parental Care in Bluegill, Lepomis macrochirus
Authors: Magee Sarah E. , Neff Bryan D. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractParental investment theory states that an individual will trade‐off present and future reproductive potential to maximize lifetime reproductive success. Only when parental care is costly in terms of reduced future reproductive potential should individuals be sensitive to changes in the value of current offspring and adjust their care. Here, we examine temporal variation in parental care decision‐making in bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), in which care is provided by males called ‘parentals’. Previous research has shown that parentals that nest early in the breeding season are in higher energetic condition than those that nest later, and early nesting males appear not to pay an opportunity cost to their care in terms of reduced future reproductive potential. Early nesting males also may have higher paternity in their broods than later nesting males. To examine the parental care decisions made by early and mid‐season nesting parentals, we experimentally reduced males’ perceived paternity by swapping eggs between nests. We found that experimental males that nested early in the breeding season adjusted their brood defence behaviour similarly to control males, which had sham egg swaps performed. Conversely, experimental males that nested mid‐season significantly decreased their brood defence behaviour after the manipulation as compared with control males. Thus, unlike mid‐season nesting males, early nesting males appear relatively insensitive to changes in brood value (paternity), possibly because early nesting males pay little cost in terms of reduced future reproductive potential to providing full care or because these males have a predisposition to high paternity.
Symptomatic Evidence for Differential Root Invasion by Fusarium Crown and Root Rot Pathogens Between Common Tomato Lycopersicon esculentum and Its Varieties
Authors: Xu L. , Nonomura T. , Suzuki S. , Kitagawa Y. , Tajima H. , Okada K. , Kusakari S. , Matsuda Y. , Toyoda H. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractThe pathogenic isolates (Kin2001a, Kin2001b and Kin2003) of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis‐lycopersici were obtained from hydroponically cultured seedlings of pear tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum var. pyriforme) infected at different times and their pathogenicity examined in an in vitro assay system on cotyledonal seedlings of pear tomato, cherry tomato (L. esculentum var. cerasiforme) and common tomato (L. esculentum). With the in vitro assay, infection and subsequent disease progress could be microscopically observed. Pear and cherry tomatoes suppressed invasion by all isolates at the junctions of epidermal cells along the root, comparable with the resistant cultivars of common tomato. The pathogen entered pear and cherry tomatoes at the tips of lateral roots and tap roots, in contrast to infection of susceptible cultivars of common tomato. In Kin2003‐inoculated roots, the top of the lateral rootlets first became discoloured, followed by the cortical parenchyma, central xylem vessel and finally the crown. This dark‐brown discolouration expanded rapidly and severe rot developed in the discoloured regions. In contrast, the dark‐brown discolouration in Kin2001b‐infected roots expanded into the cortical parenchyma cells abutting the originally infected lateral rootlets and at a much slower rate. Kin2001a was in a new group that entered via the cortical cleavage formed by the emergence of lateral rootlets, in addition to the tips of taproots and lateral roots. In this in vitro assay system, the Japanese pathogenic isolates collected from different districts of Japan were characterized and classified by the mode of host invasion. Of 13 isolates, four were placed with Kin2003, six with Kin2001a and three with Kin2001b.
Measurement of Horizontal and Vertical Movement of Ralstonia solanacearum in Soil
Authors: Satou M. , Kubota M. , Nishi K. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractTwo model systems were constructed to measure horizontal and vertical movement of bacteria in soil. These systems were applied to measuring movement of Ralstonia solanacearum (race 1, biovar 3), a causal agent of bacterial wilt of tomato, in andosol and sand at 28°C. The first system was used to measure horizontal movement of the bacteria in soil packed in a narrow horizontal frame. Suspension of the pathogen was applied to soil at one end of the frame, and bacterial number per gram of soil was measured over distance from the inoculation point after 4 days. Horizontal movement of R. solanacearum in supersaturated soil, but without flow, was possibly due to diffusion and the front advanced at 2.2 cm/day in andosol, and at 8.1 cm/day in sand. Using the same experimental system, but applying water inflow to one end of the frame only, the bacterium was detected at the front of water in andosol and sand. The front of the distribution advanced at 20.4 cm/h in andosol and 66.3 cm/h in sand. In the second experimental system, a cylinder of soil packed in a short tube was soaked with water, and soil at the top of the tube was inoculated with bacterial suspension. Immediately, soil cylinders were turned upward, and the bacterial number per gram of soil was measured along vertical distance from the inoculation point after 7 days. Using the system with andosol, the capillary water front rose to 32.5 cm over 7 days after inoculation, and R. solanacearum reached to 18.8 cm height. In sand, capillary water rose to 20.0 cm and the bacteria reached to 16.3 cm height.
Phytophthora melonis Associated with Fruit and Vine Rot Disease of Pointed Gourd in India as Revealed by RFLP and Sequencing of ITS Region
Authors: Guharoy S. , Bhattacharyya S. , Mukherjee S. K. , Mandal N. , Khatua D. C. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractPointed gourd is an important tropical high value vegetable crop, which is mainly affected by fruit and vine rot disease in field conditions. Causal organism of this devastating disease is Phytophthora melonis as revealed through morphological criteria as well as by molecular tools based on the restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of non‐coding Internal Transcriber Spacer (ITS) region and ITS sequencing. Sequencing of ITS region of our Ph. melonis isolate has 100% similarity with the five isolates of GenBank including a Ph. sinensis. The pathogen, Ph. melonis, is a new report from India and as regards host ranges a possible new report globally.
Screening Study of Potential Lead Compounds for Natural Product‐based Fungicides Against Phytophthora Species
Authors: Fernández‐Acero F. J. , Carbú M. , Garrido C. , Collado I. G. , Cantoral J. , Vallejo I. 
Published: September 2006

Abstract Phytophthora spp. is one of the phytopathogenic Oomycete responsible for many important crop losses. Relevant species are P. infestans (causing potato late blight) and P. capsici (causing blight in pepper). In recent years, the use of conventional fungicides has favoured the appearance of different resistant strains. This study analyses the effect of various compounds on these two Phytophthora species. Those compounds were designed on the basis of known structures of natural compounds to obtain a rational control of these fungal‐like species. All the analysed products showed a fungistatic activity against both strains, one of them reduced mycelial growth by over 46% at 100 p.p.m.
Development of a Real‐time Polymerase Chain Reaction for the Detection of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. basilici from Basil Seed and Roots
Authors: Pasquali M. , Piatti P. , Gullino M. L. , Garibaldi A. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractA real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay using a TaqMan® probe was developed to detect the causal agent of wilt and crown rot of basil from infected plants and seed in Italy. The aim of the study was to diminish testing time, previously performed using nested‐PCR, and to create the conditions for future automation. The sensitivity of the assay was shown to be similar to the detection limit of the available nested‐PCR procedure. The advantages of real‐time PCR system include halving of the testing time, as well as the ability to identify both internally and externally infected seed to the sensitivity of 1 pg of genomic DNA. The assay was able to detect the presence of the pathogen in infected seed up to a sensitivity of 24 (SD: ±10) CFU per 100 seeds.
A Laboratory Leaf Assay of Carrot Susceptibility to Botrytis cinerea
Authors: Baranski R. , Krämer R. , Klocke E. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractLaboratory experiments were conducted to develop an assay for evaluation of carrot (Daucus carota L.) leaf reaction to Botrytis cinerea Pers. ex Pers. The detached carrot leaflets were inoculated with the colonized agar plugs attached to the cut surface of the midrib or by spraying conidial suspension. The estimation of the infected leaflet area expressed as the area under the disease progress curve enabled the discrimination between carrot genotypes differing in their susceptibility to the pathogen. Evaluation based on the measurement of the length of the midrib lesion did not allow such differentiation. The inoculation of leaf surface with suspension of conidia was less reliable and the development of the disease symptoms was not reproducible. The established assay using colonized plugs enables a fast assessment of carrot leaf susceptibility to grey mould and can be particularly useful for a non‐destructive, preliminary evaluation of precious and limited source materials.
Morphological investigations of the frustule, perizonium and initial valves of the freshwater diatom Achnanthes crenulata Grunow (Bacillariophyceae)
Authors: Toyoda Kensuke , Williams David M. , Tanaka Jiro , Nagumo Tamotsu 
Published: September 2006

SUMMARYThe present study clarifies the fine structure of the vegetative frustules, initial valves and perizonium of Achnanthes crenulata Grunow. The valves of the vegetative cell are distinctly linear‐lanceolate with an undulate margin. The valve face is quite flat and in girdle view is smoothly curved as in species of Gephyria (Bacillariophyceae). However, the valve face of the initial cells is slightly rounded and does not have an undulate margin. Furthermore, the rapheless sternum is centrally positioned along the apical axis of the araphid initial valve. As this taxon develops from auxospore to initial valve, it forms only longitudinal perizonial bands; no transverse bands arise. The perizonium consists of three silicified bands: one large, central longitudinal plate and two bands that underlie this plate; these two bands are either open or closed. This taxon has several conspicuous structures compared to other marine species of Achnanthes, but the structure of the perizonium supports the position of A. crenulata within Achnanthes sensu stricto.