bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mast cell degranulation contributes to susceptibility to Leishmania major
Authors: ROMÃO P. R. T. , DA COSTA SANTIAGO H. , RAMOS C. D. L. , DE OLIVEIRA C. F. E. , MONTEIRO M. C. , DE QUEIROZ CUNHA F. , VIEIRA L. Q. 
Published: November 2008

SUMMARY Leishmaniasis causes high morbidity and mortality in tropical and subtropical areas. Mast cells can be activated by Leishmania or Leishmania products in vitro and in vivo. Several innate immunity mediators, including some released by mast cells, play roles in the outcome of the disease. In this study, we examined whether pharmacological inactivation of mast cells before infection with L. major interferes with the progressive disease in BALB/c mice. The results show that, when mast cells are degranulated before challenge with L. major, susceptible mice become more resistant to infection, as measured by decrease of lesion size and lower parasite loads. Mast cell degranulation reduced IL‐4 production. Moreover, mast cells degranulation enhanced mRNA expression for IFN‐γ, inducible nitric oxide, CCL2 and CCL5 in response to infection. Mast cell degranulation also decreased parasite loads in IL‐4 KO animals, indicating that mediators other than IL‐4 are involved in susceptibility in vivo. Taken together, our results disclose a role for mast cells in the induction of susceptibility to infection. This work contributes to a better understanding of the role of mast cells in Leishmania infection, and suggests a new field of study for strategies to contain the parasite, restricting its dissemination.
In vitro antigen presenting cell‐derived IL‐10 and IL‐6 correlate with Trichuris muris isolate‐specific survival
Authors: D’ELIA R. , ELSE K. J. 
Published: November 2008

SUMMARYTrichuris muris, the mouse whipworm, is used as a laboratory model of the human parasite T. trichiura. Three laboratory isolates of T. muris exist — the E, J and S isolates. Previous data have shown that the S isolate survives to chronicity in C57BL/6 mice unlike the E and J isolates, which are expelled. The ability of the S isolate to persist is thought to be due to it secreting unique excretory/secretory antigens, which interact with APCs such that protective T cell responses do not develop. To determine whether APCs respond differently to E/S antigens from the three isolates we cultured isolate‐specific E/S with bone marrow‐derived macrophages (BMMΦ) and dendritic cells (BMDCs) in vitro. Markers of co‐stimulation and levels of MHC‐II were analysed by FACS and cytokine levels in supernatants quantified. E/S antigens from the S isolate consistently stimulated significantly higher levels of IL‐10 and IL‐6 from both macrophages (F4/80+CD11b+CD11c−) and dendritic cells (CD11c+CD11b+F4/80−) compared to J and E isolate E/S. If these in vitro differences in APC‐derived cytokines, particularly IL‐10, are biologically significant in vivo, they may contribute to the S isolate survival, by creating a regulatory cytokine environment in which protective immune responses are less effective.
Development of the cuticular wax during growth of Kalanchoe daigremontiana (Hamet et Perr. de la Bathie) leaves
Authors: VAN MAARSEVEEN CLARE , HAN HONG , JETTER REINHARD 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTThe goal of the present study was to monitor cuticular wax accumulation during leaf development of Kalanchoe daigremontiana. Leaves expanded linearly until they were 40–60 d old. Wax coverages of leaves on the third node increased steadily during initial leaf development, from 6.5 µg·cm−2 on day 22 to 15.3 µg·cm−2 on day 53, and then levelled off. Triterpenoids dominated the wax mixture throughout leaf development, but decreased from 74 to 40–45% in mature leaves, while very long‐chain fatty acid (VLCFA) derivatives increased from 19 to 39–44%. The major VLCFA derivatives were alkanes, accompanied by fatty acids, primary alcohols, aldehydes and alkyl esters. In all compound classes, either C34 or C33 homologs predominated during leaf development. Eight different triterpenoids were identified, with glutinol constituting 70% of the fraction, and friedelin (20%) and germanicol (10%) as further major components of the young leaf wax. The glutinol percentage decreased, while the relative amounts of epifriedelanol and glutanol increased during development. Various leaf pairs upwards from the third node showed similar growth patterns and developmental time courses of cuticular wax amounts and composition. Based on these surface chemical analyses, the relative activities of biosynthetic pathways leading to various wax components can be assessed.
Accumulation of 2‐C‐methyl‐d‐erythritol 2,4‐cyclodiphosphate in illuminated plant leaves at supraoptimal temperatures reveals a bottleneck of the prokaryotic methylerythritol 4‐phosphate pathway of isoprenoid biosynthesis
Authors: RIVASSEAU CORINNE , SEEMANN MYRIAM , BOISSON ANNE‐MARIE , STREB PETER , GOUT ELISABETH , DOUCE ROLAND , ROHMER MICHEL , BLIGNY RICHARD 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTMetabolic profiling using phosphorus nuclear magnetic resonance (31P‐NMR) revealed that the leaves of different herbs and trees accumulate 2‐C‐methyl‐d‐erythritol 2,4‐cyclodiphosphate (MEcDP), an intermediate of the methylerythritol 4‐phosphate (MEP) pathway, during bright and hot days. In spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) leaves, its accumulation closely depended on irradiance and temperature. MEcDP was the only 31P‐NMR‐detected MEP pathway intermediate. It remained in chloroplasts and was a sink for phosphate. The accumulation of MEcDP suggested that its conversion rate into 4‐hydroxy‐3‐methylbut‐2‐enyl diphosphate, catalysed by (E)‐4‐hydroxy‐3‐methylbut‐2‐enyl diphosphate synthase (GcpE), was limiting under oxidative stress. Indeed, O2 and ROS produced by photosynthesis damage this O2‐hypersensitive [4Fe‐4S]‐protein. Nevertheless, as isoprenoid synthesis was not inhibited, damages were supposed to be continuously repaired. On the contrary, in the presence of cadmium that reinforced MEcDP accumulation, the MEP pathway was blocked. In vitro studies showed that Cd2+ does not react directly with fully assembled GcpE, but interferes with its reconstitution from recombinant GcpE apoprotein and prosthetic group. Our results suggest that MEcDP accumulation in leaves may originate from both GcpE sensitivity to oxidative environment and limitations of its repair. We propose a model wherein GcpE turnover represents a bottleneck of the MEP pathway in plant leaves simultaneously exposed to high irradiance and hot temperature.
Water stress vulnerability of four Banksia species in contrasting ecohydrological habitats on the Gnangara Mound, Western Australia
Authors: CANHAM CAROLINE A. , FROEND RAYMOND H. , STOCK WILLIAM D. 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTThis study investigated the interspecific differences in vulnerability to xylem embolism of four phreatophytes – two facultative phreatophytes (Banksia attenuata and B. menziesii) and two obligate phreatophytes (B. ilicifolia and B. littoralis). Species differences at the same position along an ecohydrological gradient on the Gnangara Groundwater Mound, Western Australia were determined in addition to intraspecific differences to water stress between populations in contrasting ecohydrological habitats. Stem‐ and leaf‐specific hydraulic conductivity, as well as Huber values (ratio of stem to leaf area), were also determined to support these findings. We found that where water is readily accessible, there were no interspecific differences in vulnerability to water stress. In contrast both facultative phreatophyte species were more resistant to xylem embolism at the more xeric dune crest site than at the wetter bottom slope site. B. ilicifolia did not differ in vulnerability to embolism, supporting its classification as an obligate phreatophyte. Other measured hydraulic traits (KS, KL and Huber value) showed no adaptive responses, although there was a tendency for plants at the wetter site to have higher KS and KL. This study highlights the influence site hydrological attributes can have on plant hydraulic architecture across species and environmental gradients.
Differential requirement for NO during ABA‐induced stomatal closure in turgid and wilted leaves
Authors: RIBEIRO DIMAS M. , DESIKAN RADHIKA , BRIGHT JO , CONFRARIA ANA , HARRISON JUDITH , HANCOCK JOHN T. , BARROS RAIMUNDO S. , NEILL STEVEN J. , WILSON IAN D. 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTAbscisic acid (ABA)‐induced stomatal closure is mediated by a complex, guard cell signalling network involving nitric oxide (NO) as a key intermediate. However, there is a lack of information concerning the role of NO in the ABA‐enhanced stomatal closure seen in dehydrated plants. The data herein demonstrate that, while nitrate reductase (NR)1‐mediated NO generation is required for the ABA‐induced closure of stomata in turgid leaves, it is not required for ABA‐enhanced stomatal closure under conditions leading to rapid dehydration. The results also show that NO signalling in the guard cells of turgid leaves requires the ABA‐signalling pathway to be both capable of function and active. The alignment of this NO signalling with guard cell Ca2+‐dependent/independent ABA signalling is discussed. The data also highlight a physiological role for NO signalling in turgid leaves and show that stomatal closure during the light‐to‐dark transition requires NR1‐mediated NO generation and signalling.
The long‐term responses of the photosynthetic proton circuit to drought
Authors: KOHZUMA KAORI , CRUZ JEFFREY A. , AKASHI KINYA , HOSHIYASU SAKI , MUNEKAGE YURI NAKAJIMA , YOKOTA AKIHO , KRAMER DAVID M. 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTProton motive force (pmf) across thylakoid membranes is not only for harnessing solar energy for photosynthetic CO2 fixation, but also for triggering feedback regulation of photosystem II antenna. The mechanisms for balancing these two roles of the proton circuit under the long‐term environmental stress, such as prolonged drought, have been poorly understood. In this study, we report on the response of wild watermelon thylakoid ‘proton circuit’ to drought stress using both in vivo spectroscopy and molecular analyses of the representative photosynthetic components. Although drought stress led to enhanced proton flux via a ∼34% increase in cyclic electron flow around photosystem I (PS I), an observed ∼fivefold decrease in proton conductivity, gH+, across thylakoid membranes suggested that decreased ATP synthase activity was the major factor for sustaining elevated qE. Western blotting analyses revealed that ATP synthase content decreased significantly, suggesting that quantitative control of the complex plays a pivotal role in down‐regulation of gH+. The expression level of cytochrome b6f complex – another key control point in photosynthesis – also declined, probably to prevent excess‐reduction of PS I electron acceptors. We conclude that plant acclimation to long‐term environmental stress involves global changes in the photosynthetic proton circuit, in which ATP synthase represents the key control point for regulating the relationship between electron transfer and pmf.
Shear‐wave splitting and earthquake forecasting
Authors: Gao Yuan , Crampin Stuart 
Published: November 2008

AbstractSeismic shear‐wave splitting (SWS) monitors the low‐level deformation of fluid‐saturated microcracked rock. We report evidence of systematic SWS changes, recorded above small earthquakes, monitoring the accumulation of stress before earthquakes that allows the time and magnitude of impending large earthquakes to be stress‐forecast. The effects have been seen with hindsight before some 15 earthquakes ranging in magnitude from an M1.7 seismic swarm event in Iceland to the Ms7.7 Chi‐Chi Earthquake in Taiwan, including a successfully stress‐forecast of a M5.0 earthquake in SW Iceland. Characteristic increases in SWS time‐delays are observed before large earthquakes, which abruptly change to deceases shortly before the earthquake occurs. There is a linear relationship between magnitudes and logarithms of durations of both increases and decreases in SWS time‐delays before large impending earthquakes. However, suitably persistent swarms of small earthquakes are too scarce for routine stress‐forecasting. Reliable forecasting requires controlled‐source cross‐hole seismics between neighbouring boreholes in stress‐monitoring sites (SMS). It would be possible to stress‐forecast damaging earthquakes worldwide by a global network of SMS in real time.
Dosing accuracy of artesunate and amodiaquine as treatment for falciparum malaria in Casamance, Senegal
Authors: Brasseur P. , Agnamey P. , Gaye O. , Cisse M. , Badiane M. , Vaillant M. , Taylor W. R. J. , Olliaro P. 
Published: November 2008

SummaryObjectives  Several products of artesunate plus amodiaquine (AS + AQ) are being deployed in malaria‐endemic countries for treating uncomplicated falciparum malaria but dosing accuracy and consequential effects on efficacy and tolerability have not been examined.Methods  Patients with parasitologically confirmed, uncomplicated falciparum malaria were treated and followed by research teams or local health centre staff in Casamance, Senegal. AS + AQ was given as: (i) loose combination (AS 50 mg, AQ 200 mg), dosed on body weight, or (ii) co‐blistered product (AS 50 mg, AQ 153 mg) dosed by weight or age. Target doses were: (i) AS 4 (2–10) mg/kg/day and (ii) AQ 10 (7.5–15) mg/kg/day. Patients receiving therapeutic doses defined dosing accuracy. Treatment‐emergent signs and symptoms (TESS) were recorded.Results  A total of 3277 patients were treated with loose (n = 1972, weight‐dosed) or co‐blistered (n = 1305, 962 age‐dosed, 343 weight‐dosed) AS + AQ by the research team (n = 966) or clinic staff (n = 2311). AS was dosed correctly in >99% with all regimens. Loose AQ by weight was 98% correct. The co‐blister AQ overdosed 18% of patients when dosed by age and underdosed 13% by weight. Low weight was an independent risk factor for overdosing. The co‐blister had significantly more TESS than the loose product [117/1305 (9%) vs. 41/1972 (2%), relative risk = 4.3 (95% CI: 3.0–6.1, P < 0.0001)]. Age‐based dosing accounted for the difference. TESS occurred mostly within one day (72%) and were mild or moderate (75%).Conclusion  Artesunate is easier to dose than AQ. Currently available age‐dosed, co‐blistered AS + AQ tends to overdose AQ and is less well tolerated than loose tablets. It is not the optimal presentation of AS + AQ.
Generalized calcinosis cutis associated with disseminated paecilomycosis in a dog
Authors: Holahan Melissa L. , Loft K. Earl , Swenson Cheryl L. , Martinez‐Ruzafa Ivan 
Published: November 2008

AbstractA 4‐year‐old spayed female mixed breed dog was referred to the Michigan State University, Veterinary Teaching Hospital (MSU‐VTH) with vomiting, lethargy and anorexia of 2 weeks duration. Abdominal radiographs and ultrasonography showed hepatosplenomegaly. Cytological evaluation of ultrasound‐guided fine needle aspirates of the liver and spleen revealed fungal organisms and pyogranulomatous inflammation; fungal culture documentedPaecilomyces variotiiinfection. The dog received antifungal therapy and supportive care. Multiple firm plaque‐like skin lesions, predominantly involving the inguinal region, developed 18 days after initial presentation and were diagnosed histopathologically as calcinosis cutis. While generalized calcinosis cutis has been reported in three dogs with blastomycosis and one dog with leptospirosis, the association with disseminatedPaecilomycesspp. infection is novel.
The mouse hairy ears mutation exhibits an extended growth (anagen) phase in hair follicles and altered Hoxc gene expression in the ears
Authors: Mentzer Sarah E. , Sundberg John P. , Awgulewitsch Alexander , Chao Hanna H. J. , Carpenter Donald A. , Zhang Wei‐Dong , Rinchik Eugene M. , You Yun 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe mouse In(15)2Rl (hairy ears, Eh) mutation is a paracentric inversion of the distal half of chromosome 15 (Chr 15). Heterozygous Eh/+ mice display misshaped and hairy ears that have more and longer hair than the ears of their wild‐type littermates. We mapped, cloned and sequenced both inversion breakpoints. No protein‐coding transcript was disrupted by either breakpoint. The proximal breakpoint is located between syntrophin basic 1 (Sntb1) and hyaluronan synthase 2 (Has2), and the distal breakpoint maps between homeobox C4 (Hoxc4) and single‐strand selective monofunctional uracil DNA glycosylase (Smug1), near the middle and the telomere ends of Chr 15, respectively. The inversion spans ~47 megabases. Our genetic analysis suggests that the hairy‐ear phenotype is caused by the proximal breakpoint of the inversion‐bearing Chr 15. Quantitative RNA analysis by real‐time polymerase chain reaction for the genes flanking the breakpoint indicated no changes in expression levels except for some homeobox C (Hoxc) genes whose expression was elevated in developing and mature skin of the ears but not of other body regions. The increased hair length on the ears of Eh/+ mice was due to an extension of the anagen stage in the hair cycle, as determined by histological analysis. Our data indicate that the Eh phenotype arises from mis‐expression of Hoxc genes.
Purification, cDNA cloning and functional expression of NADPH‐cytochrome P450 reductase from Centaurium erythraea cell cultures
Authors: Schwarz H. , Liu B. , Peters S. , Barillas W. , Beerhues L. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractSolubilised NADPH‐cytochrome P450 reductase (CPR) was purified from the microsomal fraction of centaury (Centaurium erythraea) cell cultures by Q‐anion exchange chromatography and affinity chromatography on adenosine 2′,5′‐diphosphate agarose. SDS‐PAGE demonstrated the presence of three CPR isoforms with molecular masses of 77, 79 and 81 kDa. The 79‐ and 81‐kDa isoforms were identified as glycoproteins when blotted following SDS‐PAGE and subjected to a sugar detection procedure. A homology‐based approach led to the isolation of a CPR cDNA encoding the 77‐kDa isoform. The enzyme was a class I CPR, possessing a short N‐terminus upstream of the membrane anchor. The amino acid sequence contained a putative N‐glycosylation site, indicating that the two major isoforms of 77 and 79 kDa are related through attachment of an oligosaccharide chain. This glycosylation process was also found upon heterologous expression in yeast. When co‐expressed in yeast together with centaury coniferyl alcohol 5‐hydroxylase, CPR efficiently supported the activity of the P450 enzyme. The genome of C. erythraea was found to contain a second CPR gene. RT‐PCR experiments using gene‐specific primers revealed differential regulation of the two CPR genes. While CPR 2 mRNA was strongly induced by the addition of methyl jasmonate to the cell cultures, the CPR 1 expression level did not change after this elicitation.
Florivory increases selfing: an experimental study in the wild strawberry,Fragaria virginiana
Authors: Penet L. , Collin C. L. , Ashman T.‐L. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractFlorivores are antagonists that damage flowers, and have direct negative effects on flowering and pollination of the attacked plants. While florivory has mainly been studied for its consequences on seed production or siring success, little is known about its impact on mating systems. Damage to flowers can alter pollinator attraction to the plant and may therefore modify patterns of pollen transfer. However, the consequences of damage for mating systems can take two forms: a decrease in flower number reduces opportunities for intra‐inflorescence pollen deposition (geitonogamy), which, in turn, may lead to a decrease in selfing; whereas a decrease in floral display may also reduce overall visitation and thus increase the chances of self‐pollinationviafacilitated or autonomous autogamy. We investigated the effects of damage by a bud‐clipping weevil (Anthonomus signatus) inFragaria virginianain an experimental setting mimicking natural conditions. We found that increased damage led to an increase in selfing, a result consistent with the increased autogamy pathway. We discuss the implications of this finding and evaluate the generality of florivore‐mediated mating system expression.
Changes in C12:0, C18:1, C18:2 and C20:2 fatty acid content in wheat treated with resistance inducers and infected by powdery mildew
Authors: Renard‐Merlier D. , Laruelle F. , Nowak E. , Durand R. , Reignault Ph. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThis work presents a global investigation of total fatty acid (FA) content in wheat in relation to treatment with four inducers of resistance and to powdery mildew infection. Linolenic acid (C18:3), linoleic acid (C18:2) and palmitic acid (16:0) were the most abundant FAs in wheat leaves. We investigated the effect of the following inducers of resistance: Iodus40, heptanoyl salicylic acid (HSA), Milsana and trehalose on FA accumulation. Previous studies established that lipid metabolism is altered by these compounds, and we therefore aimed to characterise their impact at the FA level. During a time course experiment, content (quantitative analysis) and percentage (qualitative analysis) of FAs were compared in treated plants and in controls, as well as in plants inoculated with Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici (i) and non‐inoculated (ni) plants. No change in C18:3 content was observed. C18:1 in Iodus 40‐treated (ni) plants showed a quantitative 1.2‐fold increase. Lauric acid (C12:0) content quantitatively increased after Iodus 40 (2.8‐fold), Milsana (4.8‐fold) and trehalose (4.0‐fold) treatment in (i) plants. However, eicosadienoic acid (C20:2) quantitatively decreased in (ni) plants after Iodus 40 (1.5‐fold) and Milsana (2.3‐fold) treatment. The amount of C18:2 increased (1.6‐fold) after HSA treatment in (i) plants. All these variations in FA content were correlated with variations in the corresponding relative percentages. Our work provides the first evidence for alterations in C12:0, C18:1, C18:2 and C20:2 FA content caused by four resistance inducers. We also compared the amount and percentage of each FA in untreated (i) and (ni) plants. In (i) plants, eicosadienoic acid (C20:2) increased and C18:2 decreased slightly. The potential involvement of these FAs during induced resistance and infection is discussed.
Observations on the Fetal Morphology in Myocastor Coypus Bonariensis (Coypu) (Rodentia, Myocastoridae)
Authors: Felipe A. E. , Masson P. G. 
Published: November 2008

SummaryThe goal of this work was to characterize the morphology of fetuses of Myocastor coypus bonariensis (coypu) after 60, 90, 120 and 135 days post‐coitus (d.p.c.). At all the ages, gestational sacs showed an elliptical shape. Placentas were discoidal, with a unilobular external appearance in fetuses of 60 d.p.c. and with lobulations separated by a groove in fetuses of other ages. The umbilical cord, wrapped around the fetal body, showed a proximal dilatation in 60‐d.p.c. fetuses, being its course uniform and a little spiral in the other ages. The 60‐d.p.c. fetuses showed differentiation of corporal regions, prominent encephalic vesicles and little developed earlobes located in the laterals of the skull, in the limit with the cervical area and in straight line with the optical vesicles. The primitive forelimbs showed differentiation of arm, forearm and hand. In the hindlimbs, the inter‐digital membrane was observed joining the fingers along all their length. Fetuses of 90 d.p.c. showed developed eyelids and closed palpebral cleft, developed auricular pavilions (earlobes), hairy follicles in the facial region (vibrissae) and in the skull and bent limbs. Fetuses of 120 and 135 d.p.c. showed a bodily cover constituted by a dense pilous covering, spread palpebral clefts, open mouth, bent limbs and inter‐digital membranes in the hindlimbs.