bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nuclear and chloroplast microsatellite analysis ofAbies sachalinensisregeneration on fallen logs in a subboreal forest in Hokkaido, Japan
Authors: LIAN CHUNLAN , GOTO SUSUMU , KUBO TAKUYA , TAKAHASHI YASUO , NAKAGAWA MASAHIKO , HOGETSU TAIZO 
Published: May 2008

AbstractFallen logs are the main regeneration sites forAbies sachalinensis(Sachalin fir) in subboreal forests in Japan. We surveyed the spatial genetic structure of different demographic stages in a 4.29‐ha natural population ofA. sachalinensis. Genetic structure was significant at short distances throughout all stages in this wind‐dispersed conifer. To evaluate the effects of fallen‐log‐dependent recruitment on demography and spatial genetic structure, we conducted parentage analysis of offspring with highly polymorphic nuclear simple sequence repeat and chloroplast simple sequence repeat markers, and developed a new hierarchical Bayesian model to estimate the effects of mother trees and fallen logs on seed dispersal and offspring recruitment. Combined application of nuclear and chloroplast simple sequence repeat markers allowed us to unambiguously identify mother trees of most offspring (> 90%). Female reproductive success was extremely skewed; a few adults produced most of the offspring on fallen logs. Limited distance of effective dispersal and recruitment was seen in the parentage analysis and modelling estimation. These recruitment characters ofA. sachalinensis, with a fallen‐log‐dependent recruitment process, may result in significant genetic structure in early demographic stages.
Cryptic diversity of the symbiotic cyanobacterium Synechococcus spongiarum among sponge hosts
Authors: ERWIN PATRICK M. , THACKER ROBERT W. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractCyanobacteria are common members of sponge‐associated bacterial communities and are particularly abundant symbionts of coral reef sponges. The unicellular cyanobacterium Synechococcus spongiarum is the most prevalent photosynthetic symbiont in marine sponges and inhabits taxonomically diverse hosts from tropical and temperate reefs worldwide. Despite the global distribution of S. spongiarum, molecular analyses report low levels of genetic divergence among 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequences from diverse sponge hosts, resulting either from the widespread dispersal ability of these symbionts or the low phylogenetic resolution of a conserved molecular marker. Partial 16S rRNA and entire 16S–23S rRNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) genes were sequenced from cyanobacteria inhabiting 32 sponges (representing 18 species, six families and four orders) from six geographical regions. ITS phylogenies revealed 12 distinct clades of S. spongiarum that displayed 9% mean sequence divergence among clades and less than 1% sequence divergence within clades. Symbiont clades ranged in specificity from generalists to specialists, with most (10 of 12) clades detected in one or several closely related hosts. Although multiple symbiont clades inhabited some host sponges, symbiont communities appear to be structured by both geography and host phylogeny. In contrast, 16S rRNA sequences were highly conserved, exhibiting less than 1% sequence divergence among symbiont clades. ITS gene sequences displayed much higher variability than 16S rRNA sequences, highlighting the utility of ITS sequences in determining the genetic diversity and host specificity of S. spongiarum populations among reef sponges. The genetic diversity of S. spongiarum revealed by ITS sequences may be correlated with different physiological capabilities and environmental preferences that may generate variable host–symbiont interactions.
Nucleotide sequence analysis and detection of a Greek isolate of Tomato chlorosis virus
Authors: Kataya A. R. A. , Stavridou E. , Farhan K. , Livieratos I. C. 
Published: May 2008

Tomato chlorosis virus (ToCV) is a whitefly‐transmitted crinivirus with a bipartite RNA genome inducing yellowing diseases in greenhouse and outdoor tomato plants. In this study, both genomic RNA components of a Greek isolate (Gr‐535) of ToCV were sequenced. They contained 8594 nucleotides (nt) and 8242 nt and shared 97% and 99% sequence identity with Spanish and American isolates, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis and pairwise nucleotide and amino acid sequence comparisons showed that the Greek isolate clustered together with the American ToCV isolate. Nevertheless, the Greek and Spanish isolates shared several common deletions and extra stretches of nucleotides in the untranslated regions of their genomes when compared to the American isolate, suggesting genetic recombination. Prediction of putative structures of the 3′‐terminus of ToCV RNA 1 showed the presence of four stem loops and a pseudo‐knot, while the putative structure of the 3′‐terminus of ToCV RNA 2 varied between the three sequenced isolates. Diagnostic dot‐blot hybridization and reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) assays indicated that ToCV could easily be detected in 20 ng of total RNA extracts from infected plants. Dot‐blot hybridization could also be performed for virus diagnosis using infected crude plant extracts.
Effects of strip intercropping of potatoes with non‐hosts on late blight severity and tuber yield in organic production
Authors: Bouws H. , Finckh M. R. 
Published: May 2008

The effects of strip cropping of potatoes with cereals or a grass‐clover mix in and perpendicular to the main wind direction on foliar late blight severity and tuber yield were studied in large‐scale field experiments in Germany. Disease progress was assessed in 12–18 sections per plot and yields determined from the same sections. In 2000, plot size was 3 × 10 m and there were no disease reductions apparently due to interplot interference. In 2001 and 2002, with plot sizes of 6 × 18 and 6 × 36 m in strip‐cropped potatoes, disease was significantly reduced by 9–20% and 4–12%, respectively, compared to pure stands of potato, with the greatest reductions in plots planted perpendicular to the wind and neighboured by grass‐clover. The most important factors contributing to disease reduction were loss of inoculum outside of the plots and barrier effects of neighbouring non‐potato hosts. Only 0–20% of the overall yield variation could be explained by the area under the disease progress curve, depending on cultivar and year. In one year disease effects on the yield of a moderately resistant cultivar were higher than on the yield of a susceptible cultivar. This was probably caused by differences in bulking behaviour. Nutrient limitation appeared to be more important than disease in reducing yields. Yields in the edge potato rows directly neighboured by cereals were significantly reduced in all 3 years, but competition by cereals did not change the disease–yield‐loss relationship. Strip intercropping might be a useful component in an overall management strategy to reduce incoming late blight inoculum.
Quantification of potato common scab pathogens in soil by quantitative competitive PCR with fluorescent quenching‐based probes
Authors: Manome A. , Kageyama A. , Kurata S. , Yokomaku T. , Koyama O. , Kanagawa T. , Tamaki H. , Tagawa M. , Kamagata Y. 
Published: May 2008

Common scab of potato tubers caused by pathogenic Streptomyces spp. is a cause of serious economic loss worldwide. For the rapid and accurate quantification of pathogenic Streptomyces spp. residing in soil, a new competitive real‐time PCR method using fluorescent quenching‐based probes (quantitative competitive quenching probe PCR: QCQP‐PCR) was developed. The virulence gene of pathogenic Streptomyces spp., nec1, was selected as the target for QCQP‐PCR. A specific primer set to amplify the nec1 gene, and a fluorescently labelled probe that specifically hybridizes with the nec1 amplicon were designed. For QCQP‐PCR, an internal standard DNA (IS DNA) that is identical to the nec1 amplicon but has a 4‐base mismatch in the probe‐hybridizing region, and a fluorescently labelled probe IS, which specifically hybridizes with IS DNA at the mutagenized region, were PCR‐synthesized. The target nec1 gene was co‐amplified with the known copy number of IS DNA by PCR using the same primer set in the presence of the specific probes. The PCR products were monitored in real‐time by measuring the fluorescence intensity (quenching) of each probe. The initial amount of the nec1 gene was quantified based on the ratio of the PCR products of the same PCR cycle. The results revealed that QCQP‐PCR could be used to precisely quantify the nec1 gene, even in the presence of PCR inhibitors in the soil samples examined. The lower limit of quantification was 20 copies per tube, which corresponded to 1500 copies per g dry soil. The quantification achieved by this method was completed within 5 h, i.e. the duration of the entire analysis. These results demonstrate the usefulness of the present method for monitoring pathogenic Streptomyces species in soil.
A Remarkable Depletion of Both Naïve CD4+ and CD8+ with High Proportion of Memory T Cells in an IPEX Infant with a FOXP3 Mutation in the Forkhead Domain
Authors: Costa‐Carvalho B. T. , De Moraes‐Pinto M. I. , De Almeida L. C. , De Seixas Alves M. T. , Maia R. P. , De Souza R. L. , Barreto M. , Lourenço L. , Vicente A. M. , Coutinho A. , Carneiro‐Sampaio M. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractIPEX is a rare X‐linked syndrome, with immune dysfunction, polyendocrinopathy and enteropathy. We describe an infant who died at the age of 11 months after developing eczema, severe diarrhoea, diabetes, hypothyroidism, thrombocytopenia and four episodes of septicaemia. Immunophenotyping of peripheral blood at 8 months revealed normal CD3+ T, CD4+ T and CD8+ T cell numbers, with low NK and B cells. CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes showed remarkably low numbers and percentages of naïve cells and high numbers of memory CD4 and CD8 cells. At autopsy, an intense depletion of immune cells in thymus, spleen and lymph nodes was observed. No Hassall’s corpuscles were found in thymus. Lymphocytic pancreatitis and intense villous atrophy with mucosal lymphocytic infiltration in small bowel were also seen. FOXP3 gene studies revealed a: C→G substitution 3 bp upstream of exon 10, which prevents splicing between exons 9 and 10, likely resulting in a functionally altered or deficient protein. Florid clinical findings are usually observed in association of forkhead DNA‐binding domain mutations. The intense depletion of naïve T cells we report suggest that depletion of immune cells might take place due to uncontrolled activation due to the absence of regulatory T cells.
Newly recognized bacteria involved in trunk scab and canker of white and hybrid poplars
Authors: Fabi A. , Graziani V. , Anselmi N. , Varvaro L. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryIn a 4‐year‐old collection of native Italian Populus alba, growing in the eastern Po valley, many trunks showed severe symptoms characterized by brown spots, similar to trunk scab and/or by cankers. Canker‐like growths, often with gall‐like‐formations in the earlier developmental phases were also found on some clones of P. trichocarpa and their hybrids, as well as on P. deltoides growing in several Northern Italian nurseries. Bacteria and fungi present in the affected tissues and potentially involved in the disease were examined. No fungi were detected, however, several species of bacteria were isolated and identified: Pseudomonas mendocina and Erwinia herbicola group, from the brown spots; Erwinia carotovora sub sp. carotovora and, occasionally, E. herbicola group, from cankers. Only E. carotovora sub sp. carotovora produced clear symptoms of canker when artificially inoculated on young plants of different poplar species. This is the first time this symptomology on poplar species has been clearly related to E. carotovora sub sp. carotovora.
Movement of transgenic plant‐expressed Bt Cry1Ac proteins through high trophic levels
Authors: Wei W. , Schuler T. H. , Clark S. J. , Stewart C. N. , Poppy G. M. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe movement of Bacillus thuringiensis (Berliner) (Bt) Cry1Ac endotoxin through high trophic levels was assessed to help elucidate the effects of Bt toxin on non‐target insects. The diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella L., Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), the parasitic wasp (Cotesia vestalis Haliday, Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and the predatory green lacewing Chrysoperla carnea (Stephen) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) were used as a model system in this laboratory study. Bt‐resistant P. xylostella larvae fed Cry1Ac‐expressing transgenic oilseed rape (OSR, Brassica napus L., Cruciferae), before and after parasitization by C. vestalis, consumed Cry1Ac with the ingested plant material but only a proportion of Cry1Ac consumed was recovered from the bodies and faeces of P. xylostella larvae. Cry1Ac was not detected in newly emerged parasitoid larvae. In contrast, Cry1Ac was detected in C. carnea larvae fed on resistant P. xylostella larvae reared on Bt OSR. However, no Cry1Ac could be detected in C. carnea larvae when the lacewings were transferred to P. xylostella larvae reared on conventional OSR and tested 24–48 h. The metabolizing ability of Cry1Ac is discussed for the larvae of P. xylostella and C. carnea.
Production of greenhouse tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum) using Nannotrigona perilampoides, Bombus impatiens and mechanical vibration (Hym.: Apoidea)
Authors: Palma G. , Quezada‐Euán J. J. G. , Reyes‐Oregel V. , Meléndez V. , Moo‐Valle H. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractImportation of exotic bumblebees for greenhouse pollination may be restricted in México, thus making it necessary to evaluate the potential of native species as pollinators in enclosures. We studied the foraging activity and fruit production of tomato using one colony of Nannotrigona perilampoides (NP) and one colony of Bombus impatiens (BI) in greenhouses with ≈1000 plants. Mechanical vibration (MV) was included as a test treatment.The foraging activity was measured as the number of flowers visited within 5 min, the time spent on a flower collecting pollen, the number of visits that a flower received and the duration of a foraging trip. BI collected pollen more rapidly, visited more flowers within 5 min and did more visits per flower when compared with NP that also lasted longer in their trips.Significant correlations were found between environmental variables and the number of bees entering the hive and the number of bees on the flowers. For NP, the highest correlation was found for light intensity whilst in BI a negative effect of environmental temperature was detected.Regarding the quantity of fruit, BI resulted in higher fruit set when compared with NP, but the latter performed similarly to MV. However, the weight of the fruit and seed number was significantly higher for BI when compared with NP, and this was higher than for MV.Our results demonstrate that at the densities of tomato plants tested, one colony of BI was more efficient pollinator when compared with NP. We suggest that pollination efficiency of NP could have been limited by a reduced number of foragers on the plants at a given time and their limited flight range when compared with BI. Therefore, it will be necessary to evaluate if increasing densities of colonies of NP could improve tomato yield in tropical greenhouses.
The importance of honeydew as food for larvae of Chrysoperla carnea in the presence of aphids
Authors: Hogervorst P. A. M. , Wäckers F. L. , Carette A.‐C. , Romeis J. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractLarvae of the common green lacewing Chrysoperla carnea are predacious and feed on a wide range of small, soft‐bodied arthropods. In addition to their feeding on prey arthropods to cover their nutritional requirements for growth and development, the consumption of non‐prey foods such as honeydew has been reported. It is commonly believed that these food supplements are primarily exploited by the larvae when prey is scarce or of low nutritional quality. Here, we assess whether C. carnea larvae also use honeydew when high‐quality aphid prey are readily available. In a choice experiment, the feeding behaviour of C. carnea larvae was observed in the presence of both aphids and honeydew. The larvae were starved, aphid‐fed, or honeydew‐fed prior to the experiment. The time spent feeding on honeydew compared with feeding on aphids was highest for starved larvae and lowest for honeydew‐fed larvae. Among the three treatments, the aphid‐fed larvae spent the most time resting and the least time searching. In an additional experiment food intake was assessed in terms of weight change when larvae were provided with an ad libitum supply of either aphids or honeydew. Larvae yielded a significant lower relative weight increase on honeydew compared with aphids. The reduced weight increase on honeydew was compensated when larvae were subsequently provided with aphids, but not when honeydew was provided again. This study showed that (i) prior honeydew feeding reduces overall aphid consumption, and (ii) larvae do consume honeydew even after they have been given ad libitum access to aphids. The fact that larvae of C. carnea still use honeydew as a food source in the presence of suitable prey underlines the importance of carbohydrates as foods.
Characters and expression of the gene encoding DH, PBAN and other FXPRLamide family neuropeptides in Antheraea pernyi
Authors: Wei Z.‐J. , Hong G.‐Y. , Jiang S.‐T. , Tong Z.‐X. , Lu C. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe full‐length cDNA encoding diapause hormone (DH) and pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide (PBAN) in Antheraea pernyi (Anp‐DH‐PBAN) were cloned and sequenced by rapid amplification of cDNA ends methods. The Anp‐DH‐PBAN cDNA encodes a 196‐amino acid (aa) prehormone that contains a 24‐aa DH‐like peptide, a 33‐aa PBAN and three other neuropeptides, all of which share a common C‐terminal pentapeptide motif FXPR/KL (X = G, T, S). The Anp‐DH‐PBAN shows highest homology (82%) to that of Samia cynthia ricini at amino acid level. Northern blots demonstrate the presence of a 0.8‐kb transcript in the brain and suboesophageal ganglion (SG) complex. During the early pupal stages, the Anp‐DH‐PBAN mRNA contents increase consistently in both diapause‐ and non‐diapause‐destined pupae. From day 7, mRNA in diapause pupae dropped promptly and maintained a lower level than that in the non‐diapause type. The Anp‐DH‐PBAN mRNA was expressed mainly in SG, at much lower levels in brain and thoracic ganglia (TG), but not in non‐neural tissues. FXPRLamide (Phe‐X‐Pro‐Arg‐Leu) peptide immunoreactivity was detected in the SG, TG and terminal abdominal ganglion of A. pernyi by whole‐mount immunocytochemistry. The titres of FXPRLamide peptides in the haemolymph in diapause type are consistently lower than in non‐diapause insects. In non‐diapause individuals, there are two peaks of FXPRLamide titres, day 2 in the wandering stage and day‐5 in the pupal stage respectively.
Bacteriuria in patients with an orthotopic ileal neobladder: urinary tract infection or asymptomatic bacteriuria?
Authors: Suriano Francesca , Gallucci Michele , Flammia Gerardo Paolo , Musco Stefania , Alcini Antonio , Imbalzano Gregorio , Dicuonzo Giordano 
Published: May 2008

OBJECTIVETo investigate the prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria (ABU) and urinary tract infection (UTI), and the local and systemic inflammatory response, in patients with ileal neobladder.PATIENTS AND METHODSThe study included 40 patients who had a radical cystectomy and ileal neobladder. Two urine samples, one for chemical and physical analysis, and cytofluorimetry, and one for urine culture, were collected every 3 months for 9 months after surgery.RESULTSOf 119 urine cultures, 69 (57%) were positive for bacteria. Only nine of the 40 patients had no bacteriuria on urine culture. Escherichia coli strains were cultured from eight of 10 patients with persistently positive urine. The incidence of bacteriuria was different according to gender. There was a high concentration of leukocytes (0–6 µL) in 118 of 119 samples. The mean concentration of leukocytes in sterile urine culture was 1181/µL, while in patients with ABU the mean was 491 (P < 0.05).CONCLUSIONA positive urine culture is a very common finding in patients with an orthotopic bladder. The most interesting results was the absence of elevated inflammatory indices and/or symptoms, even in those patients with high levels of bacteriuria. Probably this is due to the completely different inflammatory response of ileal mucosa against bacteria than has bladder mucosa. Indeed, the leukocyte concentration detected in urinary sediment was inversely association with bacterial growth in urine cultures. These findings suggest a redefinition of ABU and UTI in patients with an orthotopic neobladder.
Pelvi‐ureteric junction obstruction in duplex kidneys
Authors: Horst Maya , Smith Grahame H.H. 
Published: May 2008

OBJECTIVETo report our experience of 11 children with pelvi‐ureteric junction obstruction (PUJO) in a duplex kidney and to review previous reports.PATIENTS AND METHODSFrom 1995 to 2005 the second author (G.H.H.S.) performed 145 pyeloplasties in single‐system kidneys and in 11 children with PUJO in a duplex kidney. Upper and lower pole obstructions were found in both complete and incomplete duplicated systems. Investigations included renal ultrasonography, renal scintigraphy, micturating cystography, cystoscopy and retrograde pyelography. Ten patients had surgery (eight dismembered pyeloplasties, one upper‐pole heminephrectomy, one pyelo‐ureterostomy).RESULTSThree children had obstruction of the upper moiety and eight had obstruction of the lower moiety. Upper and lower pole obstructions were found in both complete and incomplete duplicated systems.CONCLUSIONUpper‐pole obstruction in a duplex kidney is rare; the present series suggests that it is more common than previously reported.
Influence of prostate size on the outcome of holmium laser enucleation of the prostate
Authors: Shah Hemendra N. , Sodha Hiren S. , Kharodawala Shabbir J. , Khandkar Amit A. , Hegde Sunil S. , Bansal Manish B. 
Published: May 2008

OBJECTIVETo analyse the effect of prostate size on the outcome of holmium laser enucleation of prostate (HoLEP, an established procedure for treating symptomatic benign prostatic hypertrophy, BPH), in the initial 354 patients at 1 year of follow‐up.PATIENTS AND METHODSWe retrospectively reviewed the records of 354 patients who had HoLEP at our institution from April 2003 to March 2007. In 235 patients the prostate weighed <60 g (group 1), in 77 it weighed 60–100 g (group 2) and in 42 >100 g (group 3). Demographic data and perioperative variables were recorded and compared among the three groups.RESULTSThe mean prostate size was 38.1, 76.4 and 133.5 g for groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively (P < 0.001), and the respective mean weight of resected prostate was 18.47, 40.8 and 82.76 g, respectively (P < 0.001). The mean procedure efficiency increased from 0.36 g/min in group 1 to 0.49 g/min in group 2 and 0.58 g/min in group 3 (P < 0.001). The decrease in haemoglobin level after HoLEP was greater in group 3 than in the other groups. Overall, HoLEP resulted in a 75% reduction in American Urologic Association symptom score, a 225% increase in peak urinary flow rate and an 86% decrease in postvoid residual urine volume at 1 year of follow‐up. Perioperative complications were evenly distributed among the three groups, except for a higher incidence of superficial bladder mucosal injury and stenotic complications in group 3.CONCLUSIONSHoLEP is a safe and effective procedure for treating symptomatic BPH, independent of prostate size, and is associated with low morbidity. The efficiency of HoLEP increases with increasing prostate size.