bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Partial characterization of phytoplasmas associated with lettuce and wild lettuce phyllodies in Iran
Authors: Salehi M. , Izadpanah K. , Nejat N. , Siampour M. 
Published: July 2007

Phytoplasmas associated with lettuce phyllody (LP) and wild lettuce phyllody (WLP) in southern Iran were partially characterized by molecular analyses and host‐range studies. Agents of both diseases were transmitted by Neoaliturus fenestratus, a leafhopper colonizing lettuce and wild lettuce, to lettuce, wild lettuce, sowthistle and periwinkle, but not to safflower, sunflower, calendula and sesame. Both phytoplasmas induced bud proliferation, virescence, phyllody and witches’ broom in infected plants. Total DNA extracted from infected lettuce and wild lettuce or from vector tissues was subjected to PCR using phytoplasma‐specific primer pair P1/P7 or nested PCR using P1/P7 followed by R16F2n/R16R2. PCR product of nested PCR (1·2 kbp) was subjected to restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). RFLP analysis of nested PCR product identified the LP, WLP and N. fenestratus‐associated phytoplasmas as members of the pigeon pea witches’ broom group, 16SrIX. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence also clustered LP and WLP phytoplasmas with other known members of the 16SrIX group. While no significant differences could be detected between LP and WLP phytoplasmas, both isolates differed from Lebanese wild lettuce phyllody in molecular properties.
Sexual conflict does not drive reproductive isolation in experimental populations of Drosophila pseudoobscura
Authors: BACIGALUPE L. D. , CRUDGINGTON H. S. , HUNTER F. , MOORE A. J. , SNOOK R. R. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractSexual conflict has been predicted to drive reproductive isolation by generating arbitrary but rapid coevolutionary changes in reproductive traits among allopatric populations. A testable prediction of this proposal is that allopatric populations experiencing different levels of sexual conflict should exhibit different levels of reproductive isolation. We tested this prediction using experimentally evolved populations of the promiscuous Drosophila pseudoobscura. We manipulated sexual conflict by enforcing either monogamy, maintaining natural levels of promiscuity, or elevating promiscuity. Within each treatment, we carried out sympatric and allopatric crosses using replicated populations and examined pre‐zygotic (number of mating pairs, mating speed and copulation duration) and post‐zygotic (hybrid inviability and sterility) indicators of reproductive isolation. After 50 generations of selection, none of the measures conformed to predictions of sexual conflict driving reproductive isolation. Our results cannot be explained by lack of genetic variation or weak selection and suggest that sexual conflict may not be a widespread engine of speciation.
Body size evolution in South American Liolaemus lizards of the boulengeri clade: a contrasting reassessment
Authors: PINCHEIRA‐DONOSO D. , TREGENZA T. , HODGSON D. J. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractBergmann's rule predicts larger body sizes in species living in higher latitudes and altitudes. This rule appears to be valid for endotherms, but its relevance to ectotherm vertebrates has largely been debated. In squamate reptiles (lizards and snakes), only one study, based on Liolaemus species of the boulengeri clade, has provided phylogenetic evidence in favour of Bergmann's clines. We reassessed this model in the same lizard clade, using a more representative measure of species body size and including a larger number of taxa in the sample. We found no evidence to support Bergmann's rule in this lineage. However, these non‐significant results appear to be explained only by the inclusion of further species rather than by a different estimation of body size. Analyses conducted on the 16 species included in the previous study always revealed significant relationships between body size and latitude–altitude, whereas, the enlarged sample always rejected the pattern predicted by Bergmann's rule.
Not All Signals are Equal: Male Brown Anole Lizards (Anolis sagrei) Selectively Decrease Pushup Frequency Following a Simulated Predatory Attack
Authors: Simon Valerie B. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThe use of conspicuous communication signals often increases a signaler's risk of predation. Many species communicate with a repertoire of signals that may differ in their conspicuousness to predators. Few studies have examined the ability of prey to selectively decrease the use of individual signals in their displays under heightened predation risk. Here, I examined the behavior of male brown anole lizards (Anolis sagrei) in response to a simulated predatory attack from a model kestrel. This species communicates with three major visual signal types, the head‐bob, pushup, and dewlap extension, which vary in their motion and spectral characteristics. I predicted that lizards would decrease frequencies of the dewlap extension and pushup following the attack, but not the head‐bob. Males modulated their use of individual signals by decreasing pushup rates, but not head‐bob rates. Decreases in dewlap frequency were marginally significant. One explanation for these results is that lizards decrease frequencies of signal types based partly on their conspicuousness. The energetic cost of each signal type may be an equally important factor that determines the signaler's response to predators, particularly if a predatory attack is perceived as imminent.
Effects of azadirachtin and of simpler epoxy‐alcohols on survival and behaviour of Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera)
Authors: Charbonneau C. , Côté R. , Charpentier G. 
Published: July 2007

Abstract:  Investigations into the toxicity of three simpler molecules based on the epoxy‐alcohol fragment of azadirachtin have revealed insecticidal activity on the greater wax moth Galleria mellonella L. larvae. The simpler epoxy‐alcohols doses giving 50% mortalities (LD50) for G. mellonella larvae were in the increasing order from glycidol (0.022 mg/g), 4,5‐epoxy‐2‐pentanol (0.068 mg/g) and finally, glycerol diglycidyl ether (0.147 mg/g). The three epoxy‐alcohols exhibited higher insecticidal activity when compared with the commercial neem product for which the dose giving 50% mortalities was 10.6 mg/g and to azadirachtin that killed the larvae only by injection (dose of 0.20 mg/g of larvae body weight). Our results confirm the importance of the epoxy‐alcohol junction between the two parts of the azadirachtin molecule for the biological activity. Other effects of the epoxy‐alcohols tested were blackening of larvae and morphological deformities of some adults hatching. In future, the molecules should be complexified (degree of ramification, length of chain and presence of bulky ramified substituent) to obtain an insecticide as toxic for insects only and environmentally safe as azadirachtin but more stable, and their physiological activities on insect's tissues and cells should be studied.
Outbreaks of Tetanus in Beef Cattle and Sheep in Brazil Associated with Disophenol Injection
Authors: Driemeier D. , Schild A. L. , Fernandes J. C. T. , Colodel E. M. , Corrêa A. M. R. , Cruz C. E. F. , Barros C. S. L. 
Published: July 2007

SummaryOutbreaks of tetanus, in which 297 beef cattle and 50 sheep were affected and died, were associated with the injection of a Clostridium tetani‐contaminated anthelmintic (disophenol). The disease was observed on five farms in Rio Grande Sul, Brazil.
Intensively Kept Pigs Pre‐disposed to Chlamydial Associated Conjunctivitis
Authors: Becker A. , Lutz‐Wohlgroth L. , Brugnera E. , Lu Z. H. , Zimmermann D. R. , Grimm F. , Grosse Beilage E. , Kaps S. , Spiess B. , Pospischil A. , Vaughan L. 
Published: July 2007

SummaryIn the present study, ocular chlamydial infections in pigs that originate from two different farming systems were investigated. In particular, the aim was to test pigs with and without clinical ocular symptoms for the presence ofChlamydiaceaeand for linked infections withAcanthamoebaespp. possibly acting as vectors for Chlamydia or Chlamydia‐like organisms. In a total of 181 pigs, 102 from Germany (GER), representing the intensively kept animals and 79 from Switzerland (CH), which were kept extensively, were screened for the presence of different pathogens by PCR, including a newChlamydiaceae‐specific intergenic spacer rRNA gene PCR. Additionally, results of clinical examination and cytology were compared between the symptomatic and asymptomatic pigs of the two groups. Ocular symptomatic pigs showed a high prevalence ofChlamydia suisin both groups: CH 79%, GER 90%. Only 23% asymptomatic pigs from CH, but 88% asymptomatic pigs from GER were positive forC. suisby PCR. DNA ofChlamydia‐like organismswere detected in 19% CH, but only in 2% GER pigs, whereas only 4% CH and 1% GER pigs were also positive forAcanthamoebaespp. A co‐infection ofAcanthamoebaespp. andC. suiswas present in only 3% of the CH but 28% of the GER pigs. In general, the intensively kept pigs in our study seemed to be pre‐disposed to ocular chlamydial infection and associated conjunctivitis. Infections with Chlamydia‐like organisms alone and in combination withAcanthamoebaeplayed no role for clinical findings within the tested pig groups, whereas a co‐infection of Acanthamoebae andC. suiswas able to cause serious ocular manifestations in half of the cases of intensively kept pigs being positive for these microorganisms.
Unique gliadin patterns in Chinese winter wheat cultivars
Authors: Wu F. , Han Z. X. , Liu Y. , Pan Z. F. , Deng G. B. , Yu M. Q. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractCultivated Chinese wheat germplasm has been a valuable genetic resource in international plant breeding. Patterns of gliadin among cultivated Chinese accessions are unknown, despite the proven value and potential novelty. The objective of this work was to analyse the diversity within improved Chinese wheat germplasm. The electrophoretic banding patterns of gliadin in winter wheat cultivars and advanced lines were determined by acid‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. For 148 leading commercial cultivars and promising advanced lines used in this study, 48 patterns were identified, 29 corresponding to ω‐gliadin, nine to γ‐gliadin, five to β‐gliadin and five to α‐gliadin. The most frequent patterns were A6 in ω; B in γ; B in β and A in the region of α. A total of 116 band types appeared in the 148 samples: 94 accessions had unique gliadin types, and 22 gliadin, types while not unique, were found in 54 accessions. The gliadin patterns of Chinese wheat cultivars and lines greatly differed from the patterns of wheat lines from other countries. Three patterns, E, J, H, M, N and O in the ω‐zone had not been reported previously. Three wheat zones of China, the Northern Winter Wheat Region, the Yellow and Huai Valley River valleys Winter Wheat Region and the Southwestern Winter Wheat Region, showed different frequencies in their gliadin patterns. This information can be used to monitor genetic diversity with Chinese wheat germplasm.
Ca2+ STORES REGULATE RYANODINE RECEPTOR Ca2+ RELEASE CHANNELS VIA LUMINAL AND CYTOSOLIC Ca2+ SITES
Authors: Laver Derek R 
Published: July 2007

SUMMARY

In muscle, intracellular calcium concentration, hence skeletal muscle force and cardiac output, is regulated by uptake and release of calcium from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. The ryanodine receptor (RyR) forms the calcium release channel in the sarcoplasmic reticulum.
The free [Ca2+] in the sarcoplasmic reticulum regulates the excitability of this store by stimulating the Ca2+ release channels in its membrane. This process involves Ca2+‐sensing mechanisms on both the luminal and cytoplasmic sides of the RyR. In the cardiac RyR, these have been shown to be a luminal Ca2+ activation site (L‐site; 60 µmol/L affinity), a cytoplasmic activation site (A‐site; 0.9 µmol/L affinity) and a cytoplasmic Ca2+ inactivation site (I2‐site; 1.2 µmol/L affinity).
Cardiac RyR activation by luminal Ca2+ occurs by a multistep process dubbed ‘luminal‐triggered Ca2+ feed‐through’. Binding of Ca2+ to the L‐site initiates brief (1 msec) openings at a rate of up to 10 /s. Once the pore is open, luminal Ca2+ has access to the A‐site (producing up to 30‐fold prolongation of openings) and to the I2‐site (causing inactivation at high levels of Ca2+ feed‐through).
The present paper reviews the evidence for the principal aspects of the ‘luminal‐triggered Ca2+ feed‐through’ model, the properties of the various Ca2+‐dependent gating mechanisms and their likely role in controlling sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ release in cardiac muscle.
The model makes the following important predictions: (i) there will be a close link between luminal and cytoplasmic regulation of RyRs and any cofactor that prolongs channel openings triggered by cytoplasmic Ca2+ will also promote RyR activation by luminal Ca2+; (ii) luminal Mg2+ (1 mmol/L) is essential for the control of SR excitability in cardiac muscle by luminal Ca2+; and (iii) the different RyR isoforms in skeletal and cardiac muscle will be controlled quite differently by the luminal milieu. For example, Mg2+ in the SR lumen (approximately 1 mmol/L) can strongly inhibit RyR2 by competing with Ca2+ for the L‐site, whereas RyR1 is not affected by luminal Mg2+.
Endothelin‐1 level in epithelial lining fluid of patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome
Authors: NAKANO Yasushi , TASAKA Sadatomo , SAITO Fumitake , YAMADA Wakako , SHIRAISHI Yoshiki , OGAWA Yuko , KOH Hidefumi , HASEGAWA Naoki , FUJISHIMA Seitaro , HASHIMOTO Satoru , ISHIZAKA Akitoshi 
Published: July 2007

Background and objectives:  Endothelin‐1 (ET‐1), a potent vasoconstrictor peptide produced by endothelial cells, has been implicated in the dysfunction of various organs. To determine the role of ET‐1 in acute lung injury (ALI) and ARDS, ET‐1 levels were measured in epithelial lining fluid (ELF) and plasma obtained from patients with ALI/ARDS.Methods:  A cross‐sectional study of patients with ALI/ARDS in the intensive care unit of two university hospitals was performed. Patients with ALI/ARDS underwent bronchoscopic microsampling to collect ELF on the day of onset of the disease. Patients who underwent bronchoscopy to examine a small peripheral pulmonary nodule served as controls.Results:  In the 23 patients with ALI/ARDS, the ET‐1 level in ELF was significantly greater than that in plasma (P < 0.001). In contrast, ET‐1 was not detectable in the ELF from six of the seven control subjects. The albumin concentration of ELF, used as a marker of endothelial and epithelial permeability, correlated with the ET‐1 level in ELF (P < 0.001). The oxygenation index (PaO2/FiO2) was also correlated with ET‐1 concentration in ELF (P < 0.001).Conclusion:  In patients with ALI/ARDS, ET‐1 is produced mainly in the lung and is associated not only with pulmonary vasoconstriction but also the development of permeability oedema, leading to the impairment of oxygenation.
When should home mechanical ventilation be started in patients with different neuromuscular disorders?
Authors: DREHER Michael , RAUTER Isabelle , STORRE Jan H. , GEISELER Jens , WINDISCH Wolfram 
Published: July 2007

Background and objectives:  Current international consensus guidelines identify a number of indicators for the establishment of home mechanical ventilation (HMV) for patients with neuromuscular diseases but do not address the possible clinical differences between each of the underlying disorders. This study assessed the differences in the physiological parameters of patients with neuromuscular disease commenced on HMV for the treatment of symptomatic chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure.Methods:  Patients commenced on HMV for the treatment of symptomatic chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure over a 9‐year period were studied. Physiological parameters at the time of referral for HMV, impact of HMV and survival were analysed.Results:  The study recruited 66 patients with neuromuscular disease. Thirty‐one patients had rapidly progressive disease: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, n = 19), Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD, n = 12) and 35 patients had slowly progressive disease. Mean FVC at HMV onset was 40.3 ± 17.5% predicted in all patients, but was >50% predicted in eight patients (12%). ALS patients were more hypercapnic (P = 0.03) and more hypoxaemic (P < 0.001), but had better FEV1 at HMV onset, compared with DMD patients (P = 0.005). Maximal inspiratory mouth occlusion pressure (PImax) was 3.0 ± 1.6 kPa in all patients, but values were lower compared with international consensus guidelines (5.88 kPa). Median survival in DMD, slowly progressive diseases and ALS was 132, 82 and 16 months, respectively (P < 0.001).Conclusions:  Blood gases and lung function parameters vary substantially between patients with differing underlying neuromuscular disorders when commenced on HMV for the treatment of symptomatic chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure. In contrast, PImax is equally reduced in all patients and more severely reduced compared with consensus guidelines. The specific underlying neuromuscular disease has a major impact on outcome. Specific selection criteria are needed for the use of HMV in the different diseases that comprise neuromuscular disorders.
Clinical analysis of sarcoidosis presenting with heterochronic cardiac involvement
Authors: MIWA Seiichi , SUDA Takafumi , MORITA Sumihito , INUI Naoki , SATO Jun , CHIDA Kingo 
Published: July 2007

Background and objectives:  A variety of markers, such as serum angiotensin‐converting enzyme (sACE) and CXR have been used to evaluate the disease activity and progression of sarcoidosis. There are patients who have developed cardiac involvement several years after the initial diagnosis despite stable or decreased disease activity. This study clarified the clinical characteristics of those patients.Methods:  A total of 141 consecutive patients treated for sarcoidosis were studied. Heterochronic cardiac sarcoidosis was defined as the sudden onset of cardiac manifestations more than 2 years after the initial diagnosis despite stable lung disease and normal sACE levels.Results:  Of the patients studied four showed heterochronic cardiac involvement. These patients were all middle‐aged women (mean age, 50.5 years) with multiple organ involvement. The time period from the initial diagnosis of sarcoidosis to the onset of cardiac involvement ranged from 3 to 8 years, with a mean duration of 5.2 years. All patients showed fatal conduction abnormalities.Conclusions:  Middle‐aged women with multiple organ involvement of sarcoidosis are at risk of developing cardiac sarcoidosis.
Expression of p53, p16 and cyclooxygenase‐2 in esophageal cancer with tissue microarray
Authors: LIU You Shi , YU Chao Hui , LI Lan , ZHANG Bao Feng , FANG Jing , ZHOU Qiong , HU Ying , LI You Ming , Jun GAO Hen 
Published: July 2007

OBJECTIVE:  The aim of this study was to obtain a comprehensive survey on the expression of p53, p16 and cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) in esophageal cancer progression and their clinical significance.METHODS:  A tissue microarray containing 86 specimens from esophageal cancer and 40 specimens from adjacent non‐cancer tissue was constructed to survey the expression of p53, p16 and COX‐2 by immunohistochemistry. The influence of each biomarker on the histotype of esophageal lesion was assessed by logistic regression analysis.RESULTS:  The expression of p53 and COX‐2 was significantly higher in tumorous tissue than in non‐tumorous tissue. As to p16, no significant difference was detected between tumorous and non‐tumorous tissue. A significant correlation was observed among p53, COX‐2 and p16 expression. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the risk factors of a tumorous histotype were the positive expression of p53 (odds ratio [OR] = 18.214) or COX‐2 (OR = 42.703), and no reciprocal relationship to neoplastic progression was recognized with p53, p16 and COX‐2.CONCLUSIONS:  p53 and COX‐2 were independent predictors in esophageal carcinogenesis. Esophageal tissue with a positive expression of p53 or COX‐2 was more likely to develop esophageal cancer.
Cushing’s syndrome in a clinic population with diabetes
Authors: Newsome S. , Chen K. , Hoang J. , Wilson J. D. , Potter J. M. , Hickman P. E. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractBackground: A recent report has suggested that occult Cushing’s syndrome (CS) may be present in a significant number of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to determine whether any patients in our clinic population with diabetes had this condition.Methods: One hundred and seventy‐one consecutive overweight attendees at the diabetic clinic were enrolled in a study to assess the presence of occult CS. The initial screen was with the 1 mg overnight dexamethasone suppression test and follow‐up testing, where indicated was with a 24 h collection for urine‐free cortisol.Results: Thirty‐one of 171 patients had a positive result from the overnight dexamethasone suppression test. Follow‐up testing with 24 h urine‐free cortisol reduced the number of patients with positive results to 3. Two of these were shown to have alcoholic pseudo‐CS. The third patient has had several high urine‐free cortisol results, in the presence of normal scans of pituitary and adrenals. He has no stigmata of CS and is being observed.Conclusion: Based on the results of our study, there would appear to be little value in screening type 2 diabetics for CS, in the absence of clinical suspicion.
Current management of acute coronary syndromes in Australia: observations from the acute coronary syndromes prospective audit
Authors: Chew D. P. , Amerena J. , Coverdale S. , Rankin J. , Astley C. , Brieger D. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractBackground: Acute coronary syndromes (ACS) management is now well informed by guidelines extrapolated from clinical trials. However, most of these data have been acquired outside the local context. We sought to describe the current patterns of ACS care in Australia.Methods: The Acute Coronary Syndrome Prospective Audit study is a prospective multi‐centre registry of ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), high‐risk non‐ST‐segment elevation ACS (NSTEACS‐HR) and intermediate‐risk non‐ST‐segment elevation ACS (NSTEACS‐IR) patients, involving 39 metropolitan, regional and rural sites. Data included hospital characteristics, geographic and demographic factors, risk stratification, in‐hospital management including invasive services, and clinical outcomes.Results: A cohort of 3402 patients was enrolled; the median age was 65.5 years. Female and non‐metropolitan patients comprised 35.5% and 23.9% of the population, respectively. At enrolment, 756 (22.2%) were STEMI patients, 1948 (57.3%) were high‐risk NSTEACS patients and 698 (20.5%) were intermediate‐risk NSTEACS patients. Evidence‐based therapies and invasive management use were highest among suspected STEMI patients compared with other strata (angiography: STEMI 89%, NSTEACS‐HR 54%, NSTEACS‐IR 34%, P < 0.001) (percutaneous coronary intervention: STEMI 68.1%, NSTEACS‐HR 22.2%, NSTEACS‐IR 8.1%, P < 0.001). In hospital mortality was low (STEMI 4.0%, NSTEACS‐HR 1.8%, NSTEACS‐IR 0.1%, P < 0.001), as was recurrent MI (STEMI 2.4%, NSTEACS‐HR: 2.8%, NSTEACS‐IR 1.2%, P = 0.052).Conclusion: There appears to be an ‘evidence‐practice gap’ in the management of ACS, but this is not matched by an increased risk of in‐hospital clinical events. Objective evaluation of local clinical care is a key initial step in developing quality improvement initiatives and this study provides a basis for the improvement in ACS management in Australia.