bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Japan – Countervailing Duties on Dynamic Random Access Memories from Korea (DS 336 and Corr.1, adopted 17 December 2007)
Authors: CROWLEY MEREDITH A. , PALMETER DAVID 
Published: March 2009

AbstractThis article analyzes the decision of the WTO's Appellate Body in the dispute between Japan and Korea over Japan's imposition of countervailing duties on DRAMs imported from Korea. The legal analysis comments on the analysis of evidence, the lack of remand authority in the WTO system, and the meaning of a ‘direct transfer of funds’. The economic analysis discusses several issues related to determining the magnitude of the benefit to a firm of a financial bailout and the appropriate duration of a countervailing duty to offset the injury caused by a non-recurrent subsidy. We offer legal and economic criticisms of the Appellate Body's conclusion regarding the relationship between subsidies and injury to the domestic import-competing industry. We conclude that the Appellate Body's decision weakens the requirement of a causal link between subsidies and injury and, consequently, may open the door to protectionist abuse of the Subsidies and Countervailing Measures Agreement.
Rice Age: Comments on the Panel Report in Turkey – Measures Affecting the Importation of Rice
Authors: GANTZ DAVID A. , SCHROPP SIMON A. B. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractAt face value, Turkey–Rice is not the most complex or important WTO dispute ever litigated. The facts of the case give strong reason to believe that Turkey's restrictions on rice imports from the United States were not GATT-consistent. Turkey's steadfast refusal to provide exonerating evidence in its defence and the Panel's drawing of appropriate inference were probably the most remarkable issues of the case. Nevertheless, Turkey–Rice raises at least one interesting legal and economic question: How ‘activist’ are dispute panels today, and how interventionist should they be during the litigation process? We discuss the justification and role of activist panels and assess the consequences for parties' strategic behavior and incentive to provide accurate information.
Inter-family distant hybridization of Oryza sativa and Oenothera biennis
Authors: Xiu-Cheng Chu , Ji-Hong Zhao , Yang Chai , Jian-Feng Zhao , Yun-Yang Zhao , Li-Yan Jiang , Fen-Shan Zhao , Hui-Qin Yu , Wei-Dong Zhao , Zhi-Qiang You 
Published: March 2009

AbstractProgenies derived from rice (Oryza sativa ssp. japonica) plants pollinated by Oenothera biennis exhibited numerous morphological and developmental traits. Some variant individuals appeared in generation D2. From generations D3 to D6, a large number of variants were observed, showing distinct variable traits including giant embryos. Statistical analysis on D6 lines showed significant differences between progenies and their rice parental line in several main traits, including plant height (49.2–164.5 cm), panicle number (12.1–38.2), panicle length (20.3–30.3 cm), length of sword leaf (13.8–57.5 cm), leaf width (11.1–25.2 mm), grain number of main panicle (142.0–367.0), percentage of seed setting (0.8–99.0%), 1000-grain weight (19.7–33.8 g) and time from germination to panicle emergence (90.0–108.0 days). Most of the variable coefficients were above 20% (the highest was 40.8%). Through pedigree selection of these plants, genetically stable lines were obtained, which are useful for rice breeding. Results from amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis showed that several rice lines contained extensive genetic variations, which included disappearance of rice parental bands and/or appearance of novel bands.
SSR markers for identification of purity of melon hybrids
Authors: Ju-Fen Li , Guo-Bin Ma , Ling Xu 
Published: March 2009

AbstractThe hybrid purity of melon (Cucumis melo L.) was tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay based on simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers in two F1 melon hybrids (‘Dongfangmi 1’ and ‘Dongfangmi 2’) and their parental lines. Twelve pairs of SSR primers for ‘Dongfangmi 1’ and three pairs for ‘Dongfangmi 2’ were selected. Results showed that self-inbred seeds were effectively distinguished from F1 hybrid seeds using these SSR primers, a finding that was consistent with the results recorded from field tests. ‘Dongfangmi 1’ and ‘Dongfangmi 2’ were identified from their parental lines, and seven other uterine hybrid lines by multiplex primers MS48+MS60 and MS4+MS20, respectively. Contamination of F1 hybrid seeds caused by self-inbred and other unknown pollens can be effectively and more reliably detected by PCR assays with multiplex SSR primers.
Diversity analysis of endophytic bacteria withinAzolla microphyllausing PCR-DGGE and electron microscopy
Authors: Si-Ping Zheng , Bin Chen , Xiong Guan , Wei-Wen Zheng 
Published: March 2009

AbstractUsing 16S rDNA-polymerase chain reaction–denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE), electron microscopy and a conventional plating method, the genetic diversity and phenotype polymorphism of the endophytic bacteria withinAzolla microphyllawere explored. The 16S rDNA-PCR-DGGE profile showed a complex and divergent bacterial community, withBacillus cereusas the dominant species, within theAzolla–cyanobacteria association. This result was supported by the fact that endobacterial cells exhibited distinct ultrastructural characteristicsin vivoand,in vitro, bacteria displayed various colonies with different sizes, shapes and colours. This study demonstrates that the genetic diversity of endophytic bacteria inAzollacan be investigated using the16S rDNA-PCR-DGGE technique.
The neurobiology of spontaneous actions and operant learning in Drosophila
Authors: Brembs Björn 
Published: March 2009

AbstractLearning about the consequences of our actions (operant learning) is one of the major ways in which we learn to understand the world we live in. Despite our recent advances in the neurobiology of learning and memory, this “learning-by-doing” has largely withstood neurobiological scrutiny. This proposal aims to elucidate the molecular and neurobiological mechanisms of spontaneous behavioral choice and how decision-making is modulated by the consequences of such actions. This research will be done in a genetically amenable model system, the fruit fly Drosophila. We will use state-of-the-art genetic and behavioral techniques to identify the circuitry and molecular processes involved in generating spontaneous turning behavior and its modulation by operant learning. Operant learning is only one system among many which govern the organization of behavior. The long-term prospect of this research beyond this application is to understand how multiple memory systems interact to accomplish adaptive behavioral choice and decision-making.
Safety and Symptom Improvement With Esomeprazole in Adolescents With Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Authors: Gold Benjamin D , Gunasekaran Thirumazhisai , Tolia Vasundhara , Wetzler Graciela , Conter Howard , Traxler Barry , Illueca Marta 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACTObjectives:The primary objective was to assess the safety of esomeprazole 20 or 40 mg once daily in adolescents with clinically diagnosed gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). A secondary aim was to assess changes in GERD symptoms after esomeprazole therapy.Patients and Methods:In this multicenter, randomized, double‐blind study, adolescents ages 12 to 17 years inclusive received esomeprazole 20 or 40 mg once daily for 8 weeks. Adverse events and changes in clinical parameters (eg, physical examination, laboratory measurements) were evaluated to assess safety. Patients or their parents or guardians scored symptom severity daily, and investigators scored overall GERD symptom severity every 2 weeks using a 4‐point scale.Results:In the 148 adolescents with safety data, treatment‐related and non–treatment‐related adverse events were reported by 75% and 78% of patients in the esomeprazole 20‐ and 40‐mg groups, respectively. Twenty‐two patients (14.9%) experienced adverse events that were considered related to treatment; the most common were headache (8%, 12/148), abdominal pain (3%, 4/148), nausea (2%, 3/148), and diarrhea (2%, 3/148). No serious adverse events or clinically important findings in other safety assessments were observed. At baseline, 68% (100/147) had heartburn, 63% (93/147) had epigastric pain, 57% (84/147) had acid regurgitation, and 15% (22/147) had vomiting symptoms. Symptom scores decreased significantly in both the esomeprazole 20‐mg and 40‐mg groups by the final study week (P < 0.0001). Investigators rated 63.1% (94/149) of the patients as having moderate or severe symptoms at baseline; at the final visit, this percentage decreased significantly to 9.3% (13/140; P < .0001).Conclusions:In adolescent patients with GERD, esomeprazole 20 or 40 mg daily for 8 weeks was well tolerated, and GERD‐related symptoms were significantly reduced from baseline values in both groups.
Molecular cloning and characterization of the AVR‐Pia locus from a Japanese field isolate of Magnaporthe oryzae
Authors: MIKI SHINSUKE , MATSUI KOTARO , KITO HIDEKI , OTSUKA KEISUKE , ASHIZAWA TAKETO , YASUDA NOBUKO , FUKIYA SATORU , SATO JUNKO , HIRAYAE KAZUYUKI , FUJITA YOSHIKATSU , NAKAJIMA TOSHIHIKO , TOMITA FUSAO , SONE TERUO 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYIn order to clone and analyse the avirulence gene AVR‐Pia from Japanese field isolates of Magnaporthe oryzae, a mutant of the M. oryzae strain Ina168 was isolated. This mutant, which was named Ina168m95‐1, gained virulence towards the rice cultivar Aichi‐asahi, which contains the resistance gene Pia. A DNA fragment (named PM01) that was deleted in the mutant and that co‐segregated with avirulence towards Aichi‐asahi was isolated. Three cosmid clones that included the regions that flanked PM01 were isolated from a genomic DNA library. One of these clones (46F3) complemented the mutant phenotype, which indicated clearly that this clone contained the avirulence gene AVR‐Pia. Clone 46F3 contained insertions of transposable elements. The 46F3 insert was divided into fragments I–VI, and these were cloned individually into a hygromycin‐resistant vector for the transformation of the mutant Ina168m95‐1. An inoculation assay of the transformants revealed that fragment V (3.5 kb) contained AVR‐Pia. By deletion analysis of fragment V, AVR‐Pia was localized to an 1199‐bp DNA fragment, which included a 255‐bp open reading frame with weak homology to a bacterial cytochrome‐c‐like protein. Restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of this region revealed that this DNA sequence co‐segregated with the AVR‐Pia locus in a genetic map that was constructed using Chinese isolates.
CXCR4 mediates the homing of B cell progenitor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia cells to the bone marrow via activation of p38MAPK
Authors: Juarez Julius G. , Thien Marilyn , Dela Pena Aileen , Baraz Rana , Bradstock Kenneth F. , Bendall Linda J. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryThe mechanisms regulating the migration of leukaemic cells between the blood and bone marrow compartments remain obscure, but are of fundamental importance for the dissemination of the disease. This study investigated the in vivo homing of human B cell progenitor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) cells to the femoral bone marrow of non‐obese diabetic severe combined immunodeficient (NOD/SCID) mice. It was demonstrated that patient ALL cells use the chemokine axis, chemokine (CXC motif) receptor 4 (CXCR4)/ chemokine (CXC motif) ligand 12 (CXCL12), to home to the femoral marrow. CXCL12‐mediated signalling through p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) was required for optimal homing. In contrast, the homing of normal peripheral blood CD34+ cells and the cytokine‐dependent CD34+ cell line Mo7e was independent of p38MAPK, consistent with the dependence of these cells, as well as normal CD34+ CD19+ B cell progenitors, on PI‐3K/AKT signalling. Altogether, our data provide clarification of the direct role of CXCL12 in the bone marrow homing of ALL cells and demonstrate unique signalling molecule usage that may have therapeutic implications for this disease.
Translational Mini-Review Series on Vaccines for HIV: T lymphocyte trafficking and vaccine-elicited mucosal immunity
Authors: Kaufman D R , Barouch D H 
Published: March 2009

SummaryMany pathogens use mucosal surfaces to enter and propagate within the host, making particularly desirable vaccines that target immune responses specifically to mucosal compartments. The majority of mucosal vaccine design strategies to date have been empirical in nature. However, an emerging body of basic immunological knowledge is providing new insights into the regulation of tissue-specific lymphocyte trafficking and differentiation. These insights afford the opportunity for the rational design of vaccines that focus immune responses at mucosal surfaces. Mucosal cellular immunity may prove critical for protection in the context of HIV infection, and thus there has been considerable interest in developing vaccines that target HIV-specific cellular immune responses to the gastrointestinal and vaginal mucosa. However, the optimal strategies for eliciting mucosal cellular immune responses through vaccination remain to be determined. Here, we review both recent vaccine studies and emerging paradigms from the basic immunological literature that are relevant to the elicitation of potent and protective mucosal cellular immune memory. Increasing the synergy between these avenues of research may afford new opportunities for mucosal vaccine design.
Evaluation of an inexpensive calcium absorption index in healthy older men and women
Authors: Ceglia Lisa , Abrams Steven A. , Harris Susan S. , Rasmussen Helen M. , Dallal Gerard E. , Dawson‐Hughes Bess 
Published: March 2009

SummaryObjective  Calcium absorption is an important determinant of calcium retention and bone metabolism. However, most methods of measuring calcium absorption, including the well‐established dual stable isotope method, are costly and cumbersome to implement. We evaluated whether an oral calcium tolerance test (OCTT), which involves measuring calcium excretion in a fasting 2‐h urine collection and two 2‐h collections following an oral calcium dose, may be a useful index of calcium absorption in older adults consuming a fixed calcium intake of 30 mmol/day.Design  After a 10‐day metabolic diet containing 30 mmol/day of calcium, subjects had calcium absorption measured using the dual stable isotope method and the OCTT.Participants  Eleven healthy subjects aged 54–74 years.Measurements  Fractional calcium absorption (FCA), calcium excretion in a fasting 2‐h urine collection and two 2‐h collections in response to a 10‐mmol calcium dose (total intake 30 mmol/day).Results  Calcium excretion from several combinations of the urine collections was examined in relation to FCA. The most predictive of FCA was calcium excretion 4 h following the calcium dose. This measure was significantly correlated with FCA (r = 0·735, P = 0·010), fitting 54% of the variability in FCA.Conclusion  Urinary calcium excretion during the 4 h after a 10‐mmol calcium dose is a useful index of calcium absorption among older adults consuming recommended calcium intakes. This test is inexpensive, easy to implement and potentially useful in large clinical studies.
How does corticosterone affect parental behaviour and reproductive success? A study of prolactin in black‐legged kittiwakes
Authors: Angelier Frédéric , Clément‐Chastel Céline , Welcker Jorg , Gabrielsen Geir Wing , Chastel Olivier 
Published: March 2009

Summary

An emergency life‐history stage is expressed in breeding vertebrates when the immediate survival is threatened by poor energetic conditions (i.e. allostatic overload). This emergency life‐history stage shifts energy investment away from reproduction and redirects it toward immediate survival.
In birds, this emergency life‐history stage is promoted by a release of the stress hormone corticosterone. However, how corticosterone reduces the expression of parental cares remains to be clarified. One hypothesis is that the release of corticosterone may also affect prolactin levels, a pituitary hormone widely involved in regulating parental behaviours.
We tested this hypothesis by experimentally increasing corticosterone levels of chick‐rearing black‐legged kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla) over a 2‐day period and by monitoring prolactin levels over an 8‐day period. We also investigated whether this hormonal manipulation affected nest attendance, the motivation to come back to the nest after a short‐term stress and breeding success.
Corticosterone treatment resulted in a significant increase in plasma corticosterone levels during the first 2 days, which returned to pre‐treatment values at day 3. This short‐term corticosterone increase was accompanied by a 30% decrease in prolactin levels. Prolactin levels were reduced in a progressive and persistent manner and did not return to their initial levels when corticosterone levels returned to pre‐treatment levels. Moreover, although corticosterone levels had returned to pre‐treatment values, low prolactin levels were associated with a reduced nest attendance and a greater latency to come back to the nest after a short‐term stress. This hormonal treatment also significantly reduced breeding success.
This experimental treatment strongly supports the idea that the secretion of these two hormones might be mechanistically linked. Thus, we showed that even a relatively short‐term increase in corticosterone levels can durably affect plasma prolactin levels. Therefore, the well‐established suppressive action of corticosterone on parental behaviour is probably mediated and reinforced through an effect on prolactin levels. This study highlights the need to consider the potential synergistic effects of these two hormones when studying on the hormonal basis of parental decisions.
Reappraising the role of plant nutrients as mediators of interactions between root‐ and foliar‐feeding insects
Authors: Johnson Scott N. , Hawes Cathy , Karley Alison J. 
Published: March 2009

Summary

There is increasing evidence that many above‐ground and below‐ground processes are tightly linked through plant‐mediated mechanisms, including indirect interactions between foliar and root herbivores underpinned by changes in host plant chemistry (e.g. defensive or nutritional status). To date, studies addressing interactions involving nutritional mechanisms have relied on rudimentary chemical measurements (e.g. total/soluble nitrogen), overlooking other nutrients such as minerals and specific amino acids.
This study investigated how the nutrient composition of barley (Hordeum vulgare) responded to separate and simultaneous attack by root‐feeding wireworms (Agriotes spp.) and foliar‐feeding aphids (Rhopalosiphum padi) after short and long exposures to herbivory, and determined whether the two insects indirectly interacted with each other.
Wireworms significantly reduced total plant mass and leaf dry mass by up to 25%, but had little impact on nutritional chemistry compared with aphids. Aphids did not affect plant growth but caused significant reductions in most leaf minerals: nitrogen (N), sulphur (S), calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P). In contrast, aphids increased root mineral concentrations: N, S, Ca and potassium (K). Aphid‐induced changes occurred in both short and long exposure experiments, with the exception of leaf Ca, and root N and K which were only significantly affected in the short exposure experiment.
Above‐ground and below‐ground herbivory had several interactive (often reversible) effects on plant nutrients. For example, wireworms strengthened the aphid‐driven increases in root S by 35% after short exposure, but reduced aphid‐induced increases by 10% after longer exposure.
There was evidence for positive bi‐directional interactions between above‐ground and below‐ground herbivores, with wireworms promoting aphid numbers by 30% and aphids increasing wireworm mass by 25%.
Contrary to previous mechanistic explanations, below‐ground herbivory had little impact on foliar amino acid concentrations, whereas aphids caused significant (approximately 50%) reductions in essential amino acids. However, after longer exposure to wireworm herbivory, aphid‐driven reductions in essential amino acids were attenuated. Aphids caused significant increases in root mineral concentrations (especially root S) which potentially promoted wireworm performance.
The significance of these findings is discussed in the context of current hypotheses of above‐ground × below‐ground herbivore interactions. In particular, examining specific plant nutrients could be critical to understanding conditional outcomes of insect × plant interactions.
α1‐antitrypsin prevents polymorphonuclear leucocyte‐elastase effects on spermatozoa quality
Authors: Leßig J. , Arnhold J. , Glander H.‐J. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryElevated levels of polymorphonuclear leucocyte (PMN)‐derived elastase, which is suggested as marker for inflammations in the male genital tract, correlate well with spermatozoa deterioration. PMN elastase caused a time‐ and concentration‐dependent (up to a elastase concentration of 0.5 μg/mL) externalization of phosphatidylserine and intercalation of propidium iodide on human spermatozoa. There are apparently a limited number of target sites for elastase on spermatozoa surface, because the further enhancement of elastase amount did not fasten alterations in spermatozoa parameters. Analysis of flow cytometry data revealed that most spermatozoa were in a necrotic state after an exposure with elastase for 22 h. Some apoptotic cells were only detected at shorter incubation periods. Seminal plasma prevented in a concentration‐dependent manner the PMN elastase‐mediated loss of vitality of spermatozoa. We detected by blotting techniques large amounts of α1‐antitrypsin in seminal plasma. This antiproteinase is known to inactivate elastase at inflammatory sites. Increasing concentrations of α1‐antitrypsin prevented gradually spermatozoa deterioration induced by elastase. Thus, α1‐antitrypsin contributes to an efficient protease/antiproteinase balance in seminal plasma. A disturbed balance will promote the development of chronic inflammations which can also be the reason for male infertility problems.
Role of RNA‐binding proteins in mammalian spermatogenesis
Authors: Paronetto Maria Paola , Sette Claudio 
Published: March 2009

SummarySpermatogenesis is a cell differentiation programme that allows a normally dividing diploid cell to become haploid and to acquire the morphological characteristics required to reach and to fertilize the female gamete. Many of the steps involved in this differentiation programme necessitate profound modifications of the genome, rendering it unable to play its template role for the synthesis of mRNAs. Therefore, de novo transcription is not a continuous process during germ cell differentiation and many mRNAs need to be synthesized and stored at specific times to be available during the transcriptionally inactive stages of spermatogenesis. Germ cells express high levels of RNA‐binding proteins that assist these post‐transcriptional events. The generation of mouse knockout models has highlighted the essential role played by many of these RNA‐binding proteins for the correct progress of spermatogenesis and for the formation of a fertile male gamete. Herein, we review the major findings on the role of RNA‐binding proteins in mammalian spermatogenesis.