bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
First Report of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum on Lantana camara in Italy
Authors: Garibaldi A. , Pensa P. , Minuto A. , Gullino M. L. 
Published: August 2008

Lantana camara L. is grown as an ornamental potted plant in Liguria (northern Italy) and is widely used in private and public gardens in central and southern Italy. In some countries, this plant is considered a noxious weed. In the winter of 2007, a sudden wilt was observed on 22-month-old potted plants grown in a commercial greenhouse. Affected plants showed stem necrosis and watery and necrotic leaf tissues. As stem and foliar necrosis progressed, infected plants died. Some plants wilted unilaterally. Infected plants were characterized by the presence of whitish and cottony mycelium. Dark sclerotia were rapidly and abundantly produced on the mycelium. The diseased stem tissue was surface sterilized for 1 min in 1% NaOCl and plated on potato dextrose agar (PDA) amended with 100 mg/l of streptomycin sulfate. Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary (2) was consistently recovered from infected stem pieces. Typical-sized sclerotia were produced on PDA and measured 1.4 to 7.3 × 1.9 to 8.1 (average 3.6 × 4.5) mm. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA was amplified using the primers ITS4/ITS6 and sequenced. BLAST analysis (1) of the 506-bp segment showed a 100% homology with the sequence of S. sclerotiorum. The nucleotide sequence has been assigned GenBank Accession No. EU 627006. Pathogenicity of two isolates obtained from infected plants was confirmed by inoculating 10 15-month-old plants grown singly in 14-cm-diameter pots. Mycelium plugs, 1 cm2, were excised from a 10-day-old PDA culture of each isolate and were placed on the soil surface around the base of each plant. Ten noninoculated plants served as controls. Plants were maintained in a greenhouse under shade at temperatures ranging between 10 and 26°C (average 17°C) and relative humidity >85%. The inoculation trial was carried out twice. All inoculated plants developed leaf yellowing by 10 days after inoculation. White, cottony mycelium and black sclerotia developed on stems and at the base of all inoculated plants. Eventually, the infected plants wilted. Control plants remained symptomless. S. sclerotiorum was reisolated from the stems of inoculated plants. To our knowledge, this is the first report of L. camara as a host of S. sclerotiorum in Italy as well as worldwide. The economic importance of this disease is currently limited. References: (1) S. F. Altschul et al. Nucleic Acids Res. 25:3389, 1997. (2) N. F. Buchwald. Kongl. Veterisk Landb. Aarssk. 75, 1949.
Occurrence of Telia of Phakopsora pachyrhizi on Kudzu in Texas
Authors: Isakeit T. , Jo Y. 
Published: August 2008

The first discovery of Asian soybean rust (ASR) caused by Phakopsora pachyrhizi H. Sydow & Sydow in the continental United States was in Louisiana in 2004 (3). In Texas, the uredial stage of this fungus was first found on kudzu (Pueraria lobata) in November 2005 and 3 months later on soybean (Glycine max) (2). The telial stage of P. pachyrhizi was first reported in the continental United States on kudzu in central Florida (1). On January 5, 2008, telia of P. pachyrhizi along with uredia were found on living kudzu leaves at two locations in Polk and Liberty counties of East Texas, where only the uredial stage had been found in September of 2007. The kudzu in both locations had died back more than 99% in January. A single telium or a cluster of telia were found along with uredinia on the abaxial leaf surface. Telia and uredinia (n = 20) were similar in size, 136.3 ± 26.3 and 133.1 ± 16.4 μm in diameter, respectively. Telia were dark brown to black compared with tan colored uredinia. Elongated, oval-shaped teliospores (n = 15) were 18.1 ± 1.7 μm long and 10.6 ± 1.0 μm wide. A reexamination of herbarium specimens from previous ASR collections indicated that telia had been present on kudzu leaves from Liberty County collected in December of 2005 and 2006. In contrast, telia were not found on soybean leaves collected in February of 2006 and 2007 and January of 2008 from Hidalgo County in the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV), an area with a subtropical climate where ASR hosts could survive year round. Kudzu does not occur in the LRGV. Infected kudzu in East Texas can support production of telia over the winter months. However, the hosts that can be infected by basidiospores have not been identified, and so the significance of telia as a source of genetic variation is not known. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the telial stage of P. pachyrhizi in Texas. References: (1) C. L. Harmon et al. Plant Dis. 90:380, 2006. (2) T. Isakeit et al. Plant Dis. 90:971, 2006. (3) R. W. Schneider et al. Plant Dis. 89:774, 2005.
First Report of Root-Knot Nematode Meloidogyne enterolobii on Tomato and Cucumber in Switzerland
Authors: Kiewnick S. , Karssen G. , Brito J. A. , Oggenfuss M. , Frey J.-E. 
Published: August 2008

Severe stunting and extensive root galling were observed on tomato rootstock (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. Maxifort) resistant to Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid & White, 1919) Chitwood, 1949, M. javanica (Treub, 1885), and M. arenaria (Neal, 1889) Chitwood, 1949 and cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. cv. Loustik) from two commercial greenhouses in the cantons Aargau and Lucerne in northern Switzerland. Examination of the roots of infected plants revealed the presence of root-knot nematodes in large numbers. Juveniles, males, and females were isolated, and the species was determined on the basis of morphological characteristics, including the female perineal pattern. Identification was confirmed by female esterase (Est) and malate dehydrogenase (MdH) electrophoresis (20 each for Est and MdH). All methods of identification were consistent with M. enterolobii Yang & Eisenback, 1983 (4). For further confirmation, type material of M. enterolobii (from the original host Enterolobium contortisiliquum (Vell.) Morong) from China (4) was used. Furthermore, comparison of the sequence data from 12 individuals of each of the two Swiss populations and the type material of a 310-bp fragment of cytochrome oxidase I (COI), a 723-bp fragment covering the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region 1, 5.8s, ITS2, and part of the 26s, the mtDNA 63-bp repeat region, and a 780-bp fragment of the intergenic spacer region (1–3) showed 100% homology and confirmed the identification as M. enterolobii. The species M. enterolobii is of great importance because it is able to reproduce on resistant tobacco, pepper, watermelon, and tomato (4). To our knowledge, this is the first report of M. enterolobii in Switzerland. References: (1) M. A. M. Adam et al. Plant Pathol. 56:190, 2007. (2) V. C. Blok et al. Nematology 4:773, 2002. (3) T. C. Vrain et al. Fundam. Appl. Nematol. 15:565, 1992. (4) B. Yang and J. D. Eisenback. J. Nematol. 15:381, 1983.
Rice ROOT ARCHITECTURE ASSOCIATED1 Binds the Proteasome Subunit RPT4 and Is Degraded in a D-Box and Proteasome-Dependent Manner
Authors: Han Ye , Cao Hong , Jiang Jiafu , Xu Yunyuan , Du Jizhou , Wang Xin , Yuan Ming , Wang Zhiyong , Xu Zhihong , Chong Kang 
Published: August 2008

AbstractRoot growth is mainly determined by cell division and subsequent elongation in the root apical area. Components regulating cell division in root meristematic cells are largely unknown. Previous studies have identified rice (Oryza sativa) ROOT ARCHITECTURE ASSOCIATED1 (OsRAA1) as a regulator in root development. Yet, the function of OsRAA1 at the cellular and molecular levels is unclear. Here, we show that OsRAA1-overexpressed transgenic rice showed reduced primary root growth, increased numbers of cells in metaphase, and reduced numbers of cells in anaphase, which suggests that OsRAA1 is responsible for limiting root growth by inhibiting the onset of anaphase. The expression of OsRAA1 in fission yeast also induced metaphase arrest, which is consistent with the fact that OsRAA1 functions through a conserved mechanism of cell cycle regulation. Moreover, a colocalization assay has shown that OsRAA1 is expressed predominantly at spindles during cell division. Yeast two-hybrid and pull-down assays, as well as a bimolecular fluorescence complementation assay, all have revealed that OsRAA1 interacts with a rice homolog of REGULATORY PARTICLE TRIPLE-A ATPASE4, a component that is involved in the ubiquitin pathway. Treating transgenic rice with specific inhibitors of the 26S proteasome blocked the degradation of OsRAA1 and increased the number of cells in metaphase. Mutation of a putative ubiquitination-targeting D-box (RGSLDLISL) in OsRAA1 interrupted the destruction of OsRAA1 in transgenic yeast. These results suggest that ubiquitination and proteasomic proteolysis are involved in OsRAA1 degradation, which is essential for the onset of anaphase, and that OsRAA1 may modulate root development mediated by the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway as a novel regulatory factor of the cell cycle.
Reg IV is an independent prognostic factor for relapse in patients with clinically localized prostate cancer
Authors: Ohara Shinya , Oue Naohide , Matsubara Akio , Mita Koji , Hasegawa Yasuhisa , Hayashi Tetsutaro , Usui Tsuguru , Amatya Vishwa Jeet , Takeshima Yukio , Kuniyasu Hiroki , Yasui Wataru 
Published: August 2008

Regenerating islet‐derived family, member 4 (REG4, which encodes Reg IV) is a candidate marker for cancer and inflammatory bowel disease. We investigated the potential prognostic role of Reg IV immunostaining in clinically localized prostate cancer (PCa) after radical prostatectomy. Immunohistochemical staining of Reg IV was performed in 98 clinically localized PCa tumors obtained during curative radical prostatectomy. Intestinal and neuroendocrine differentiation was investigated by MUC2 and chromogranin A immunostaining, respectively. The prognostic significance of immunohistochemical staining for these factors on prostate‐specific antigen (PSA)‐associated recurrence was assessed by Kaplan–Meier analysis and a Cox regression model. Phosphorylation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) by Reg IV was analyzed by Western blot. In total, 14 (14%) of the 98 PCa cases were positive for Reg IV staining. Reg IV positivity was observed frequently in association with MUC2 (P = 0.0182) and chromogranin A positivity (P = 0.0012). Univariate analysis revealed that Reg IV staining (P = 0.0004), chromogranin A staining (P = 0.0494), Gleason score (P < 0.0001) and preoperative PSA concentration (P = 0.0167) were significant prognostic factors for relapse‐free survival. Multivariate analysis indicated that Reg IV staining (P = 0.0312), Gleason score (P = 0.0014) and preoperative PSA concentration (P = 0.0357) were independent predictors of relapse‐free survival. In the LNCaP cell line, EGFR phosphorylation was induced by the addition of Reg IV‐conditioned medium. These results suggest that Reg IV expression is an independent prognostic indicator of relapse after radical prostatectomy. (Cancer Sci 2008; 99: 1570–1577)
Dendritic cells stimulated with cytidine‐phosphate‐guanosine oligodeoxynucleotides and interferon‐α‐expressing tumor cells effectively reduce outgrowth of established tumors in vivo
Authors: Hiraide Ayako , Hiroishi Kazumasa , Eguchi Junichi , Ishii Shigeaki , Doi Hiroyoshi , Imawari Michio 
Published: August 2008

Dendritic cells (DC) are potent antigen‐presenting cells that elicit immune responses to foreign antigens. We have previously demonstrated the synergistic effects of cytidine‐phosphate‐guanosine (CpG) oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) and interferon (IFN)‐α on DC maturation in vitro. In the present study, the antitumor effects of DC preincubated with IFN‐α gene‐overexpressing murine colorectal cancer MC38 cells (MC38‐IFN‐α) and CpG ODN were evaluated in a poorly immunogenic murine cancer system. When we injected DC preincubated with MC38‐IFNα and CpG ODN subcutaneously to mice bearing MC38 wild‐type tumors, the outgrowth of the established parental tumors was suppressed significantly compared with that following administration of DC with MC38‐IFN‐α (P = 0.008). All mice injected with DC preincubated with MC38‐IFN‐α and CpG ODN rejected a subsequent parental tumor challenge. Immunohistochemical and flow cytometric analyses showed that CD4+, CD8+, and NK1.1+ cells markedly infiltrated the established tumors of mice treated with DC preincubated with MC38‐IFN‐α and CpG ODN. From the results in immune cell‐depleted mice, CD4+ and asialo‐GM‐1+ cells seemed to contribute to the antitumor effects induced by the combination DC therapy. Furthermore, non‐specific cytolysis was detected when splenocytes of mice inoculated with DC preincubated with MC38‐IFNα and CpG ODN were used as effector cells. Using an interleukin (IL)‐12‐neutralizing antibody it was suggested that IL‐12 stimulates natural killer cells and contributes in part to the antitumor effects induced by DC incubated with CpG ODN and IFN‐α. As DC‐based immunotherapy with CpG ODN and IFN‐α‐expressing tumor cells induces a potent antitumor immune response, it should be considered for clinical application. (Cancer Sci 2008; 99: 1663–1669)
Extracellular matrix proteins protect human HT1080 cells against the antimigratory effect of doxorubicin
Authors: Fourre Nicolas , Millerot‐Serrurot Emilie , Garnotel Roselyne , Zahm Jean‐Marie , Bonnet Noël , Millot Jean‐Marc , Jeannesson Pierre 
Published: August 2008

In solid tumors, the cell microenvironment appears to be a key determinant in the emergence of drug resistance, a major obstacle to the successful use of antitumor drugs. Our aim was to determine whether type I collagen and fibronectin, proteins of the extracellular matrix, were able to influence the antimigratory properties induced by the antitumor drug doxorubicin. These properties were investigated at doxorubicin concentrations of 10 and 20 nM, which do not affect cell proliferation on a 24 h drug exposure. Using videomicroscopy, we found that these subtoxic doses of doxorubicin were sufficient to inhibit individual tumor cell motion on two‐dimensional plastic surfaces. Such a drug treatment induced a dramatic disturbance of actin stress fiber formation and of vinculin distribution in 80% of cells. In contrast, on extracellular matrix proteins, cell speed was unaffected by drug and perturbation of both actin network and vinculin distribution was detected in only 50% of cells, suggesting a protective effect of the microenvironment. In addition, the phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase and GTPase RhoA was less affected by doxorubicin with cells cultured on extracellular matrix proteins. In conclusion, our findings indicate that the cell microenvironment prevents drug‐dependent inhibition of cell migration in vitro. They reveal cell locomotion as a key factor of microenvironment‐mediated drug resistance. This new concept needs to be exploited in in vitro models to optimize the screening of new antimigratory drugs. (Cancer Sci 2008; 99: 1699–1705)
Do smoking attitudes predict behaviour? A longitudinal study on the bi‐directional relations between adolescents’ smoking attitudes and behaviours
Authors: De Leeuw Rebecca N. H. , Engels Rutger C. M. E. , Vermulst Ad A. , Scholte Ron H. J. 
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACTAims  Prevention and intervention programmes focus frequently upon retaining or creating negative attitudes towards smoking in an effort to prevent adolescents from smoking. As the focus upon attitudes is central in these programmes it is essential to know whether smoking attitudes actually precede smoking behaviour or, conversely, are affected by it. Therefore, in the present study we examined to what extent bi‐directional relations existed between smoking attitudes and behaviour.Design  Data were used from the three annual waves of the ‘Family and Health’ project.Setting  Participants were asked to complete questionnaires individually at their homes.Participants  Addresses of families consisting of two parents and two adolescents were obtained from the records of 22 municipalities in the Netherlands. At baseline, 428 families participated with a response rate of 94% at the third measurement.Measurements  Self‐reports were used to assess adolescents’ smoking attitudes and behaviour. Associations between smoking attitudes and behaviour were tested using structural equation modelling.Findings  Findings revealed that smoking attitudes did not predict smoking consistently over time. However, past smoking affected subsequent attitudes moderately, suggesting that adolescents who started to smoke developed less negative attitudes towards smoking.Conclusions  The current findings imply that smoking behaviour predominantly shapes smoking‐related attitudes, rather than vice versa. Focusing merely on smoking attitudes is probably not enough to prevent adolescents from smoking.
Parental drug use, early adversities, later childhood problems and children's use of tobacco and alcohol at age 10: birth cohort study
Authors: Macleod John , Hickman Matthew , Bowen Erica , Alati Rosa , Tilling Kate , Smith George Davey 
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACTAims  To estimate the prevalence of alcohol and tobacco use among children at age 10 years and to investigate possible influences on this.Design  Birth cohort study.Setting  England.Participants  A total of 6895 children provided data at age 10.Measurements  Parental tobacco, alcohol and cannabis use, parental social position, children's intelligence, behavioural and emotional problems, children's tobacco and alcohol use at age 10.Findings  A total of 1.3% of children reported smoking and 1.8% reported drinking alcohol, with boys reporting higher use than girls. Parental social disadvantage was the strongest predictor of children's smoking and also predicted children's alcohol use. Some of this association appeared to be mediated through the greater experience of childhood behavioural and cognitive problems among the disadvantaged. Parental smoking and paternal alcohol use had little independent influence on offspring drug use. Postnatal, rather than prenatal, maternal alcohol use predicted children's alcohol use.Conclusions  Strategies to prevent early initiation of tobacco and alcohol use should focus upon the reduction of childhood social disadvantage and the behavioural and cognitive problems associated with this.
Prevalence of hepatitis B, tetanus, hepatitis A, human immunodeficiency virus and feasibility of vaccine delivery among injecting drug users in Bangkok, Thailand, 2003–2005
Authors: Sunthornchart Sunthorn , Linkins Robert W. , Natephisarnwanish Voranut , Levine William C. , Maneesinthu Kunyarat , Lolekha Rangsima , Tappero Jordan W. , Trirat Nisanart , Muktier Suchada , Chancharastong Pennapa , Fox Kimberley , Donchalermpak Suwanna , Vitek Charles , Supawitkul Somsak 
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACTObjectives  To estimate the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV), tetanus, hepatitis A virus (HAV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in injecting drug users (IDUs), risk factors associated with infection and the feasibility of HBV vaccine delivery in HBV seronegatives.Methods  Cross‐sectional seroprevalence survey of 1535 IDUs recruited from 17 Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) methadone clinics and HBV vaccination of seronegatives.Results  Prevalence of antibody to HBV, tetanus, HAV and HIV was 87.8%, 68.1%, 60.2% and 35.9%, respectively. Prevalence of HBV and HAV increased with increasing age; prevalence of tetanus decreased with increasing age. Being HIV seropositive was related inversely to income and being tetanus seronegative. Of the 189 HBV seronegative IDUs, 81.0% completed the vaccine series. IDUs with HIV had a 6.5‐fold odds of vaccine non‐response.Conclusions  These data underscore the need for, and feasibility of, vaccine delivery in this population and support targeting efforts at high‐risk age groups.
GH and IGF‐I deficiency are associated with reduced loss of fat mass after laparoscopic‐adjustable silicone gastric banding
Authors: Di Somma Carolina , Angrisani Luigi , Rota Francesca , Savanelli Maria Cristina , Cascella Teresa , Belfiore Annamaria , Orio Francesco , Lombardi Gaetano , Colao Annamaria , Savastano Silvia 
Published: August 2008

SummaryContext  GH secretion is reduced in obese subjects and increases after body weight loss. It is still unclear if changes in the GH/IGF‐I axis after laparoscopic‐adjustable silicone gastric banding (LASGB) are associated with changes of body composition.Objective  To analyse the relationships between changes in the GH/IGF‐I axis and those of body weight and composition before and after LASGB.Design  Observational, prospective.Setting  University ‘Federico II’ of Naples (Italy).Patients  Seventy‐two severely obese females (BMI: 44·9 ± 4·68; mean age: 33·1 ± 11·34 years) were studied.Main outcome measures  GH peak after GHRH plus arginine test, IGF‐I, IGFBP‐3 and ALS levels, fat mass (FM) and free fat mass (FFM) (by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis) at baseline and 6 months after LASGB. The change in percentage of individual variables was calculated as well as that of excess of body weight loss (EBWL%). The FM%, FFM% and EBWL% were correlated with peak GH and IGF‐I levels changes.Results  At baseline, GH deficiency (GHD) (GH peak = 4·1 µg/l) was found in 22 patients (31%), 16 of them also had IGF‐I deficiency (< –2SDS). IGF‐I levels were inversely correlated with waist circumference (r = –0·72, P < 0·001) and FM% (r = –0·75, P < 0·001). Post‐LASGB the patients were classified as follows: group (1) GH and IGF‐I sufficient (n = 44; 61·1%); group (2) GH and IGF‐I deficient (n = 14; 19·4%) and group (3) GH sufficient and IGF‐I deficient (n = 14; 19·4%). The percentage changes of EWBL (P < 0·05, P = 0·051, respectively) and FM (P < 0·001, P < 0·01, respectively) were lower in groups (2) and (3) than in group (1). At the stepwise linear regression analysis, postoperative IGF‐I levels were the strongest determinant of percent changes of FM (P < 0·0001), of FFM (P = 0·009) and of EBWL (P < 0·0001).Conclusions  IGF‐I levels is the most sensitive to unfavourable changes in body composition 6 months after LASGB making investigation of the somatotropic axis useful in the evaluation of bariatric surgery outcomes.