bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Activation of the heterotrimeric G protein α‐subunit GPA1 suppresses the ftsh‐mediated inhibition of chloroplast development in Arabidopsis
Authors: Zhang Lingang , Wei Qing , Wu Wenjuan , Cheng Yuxiang , Hu Guangzhen , Hu Fenhong , Sun Yi , Zhu Ying , Sakamoto Wataru , Huang Jirong 
Published: February 2009

SummaryHeterotrimeric G protein knock‐out mutants have no phenotypic defect in chloroplast development, and the connection between the G protein signaling pathway and chloroplast development has only been inferred from pharmaceutical evidence. Thus, whether G protein signaling plays a role in chloroplast development remains an open question. Here, we present genetic evidence, using the leaf‐variegated mutant thylakoid formation 1 (thf1), indicating that inactivation or activation of the endogenous G protein α‐subunit (GPA1) affects chloroplast development, as does the ectopic expression of the constitutively active Gα‐subunit (cGPA1). Molecular biological and genetic analyses showed that FtsH complexes, which are composed of type‐A (FtsH1/FtsH5) and type‐B (FtsH2/FtsH8) subunits, are required for cGPA1‐promoted chloroplast development in thf1. Furthermore, the ectopic expression of cGPA1 rescues the leaf variegation of ftsh2. Consistent with this finding, microarray analysis shows that ectopic expression of cGPA1 partially corrects mis‐regulated gene expression in thf1. This overlooked function of G proteins provides new insight into our understanding of the integrative signaling network, which dynamically regulates chloroplast development and function in response to both intracellular and extracellular signals.
Smoking among diabetes patients in Yogyakarta, Indonesia: cessation efforts are urgently needed
Authors: Padmawati Retna Siwi , Ng Nawi , Prabandari Yayi Suryo , Nichter Mark 
Published: February 2009

SummaryObjectives  To document the prevalence of tobacco use among male diabetes patients in a clinic based population of Yogyakarta Province, Indonesia; to examine patient’s perceptions of smoking as a risk factor for diabetes complications; and to investigate whether patients had received cessation messages from their doctors.Method  Twelve in‐depth interviews and five focus groups (n = 21) with diabetic patients in 2004–2005, followed by a cross‐sectional survey of 778 male diabetic patients in diabetes clinics in 2006–2007.Results  65% of male diabetes patients smoked before being diagnosed, and 32% smoked in the last 30 days. Most patients incorrectly perceived low level smoking safe for diabetics (mean of 3.6 cigarettes). The median range of cigarettes smoked per day was in excess of this ‘safe’ amount (4–10 cigarettes). Most respondents did not associate smoking with diabetes and its complications. Only 35% of all patients recalled being asked whether they smoked by their doctors, and there were no differences between smokers and non‐smokers. Quit messages received by patients were seen as general health advice and not diabetes specific.Conclusions  Many diabetic patients continue to smoke despite the hazard of smoking on diabetes complications and mortality. Smoking cessation is not commonly encouraged by health‐care providers in Indonesia, and is not a routine part of diabetes counselling despite the risk of smoking to those with diabetes. Project Quit Tobacco International is currently developing cessation services for patients with diabetes and encouraging medical and nursing schools to incorporate disease specific tobacco education in its curriculum and skill based classes in tobacco cessation counselling.
Comparison of operational criteria for treatment outcome in gambiense human African trypanosomiasis
Authors: Mumba Ngoyi D. , Lejon V. , N’Siesi F.X. , Boelaert M. , Büscher P. 
Published: February 2009

SummaryObjective  To develop a simple and standard operational decision tool for the diagnosis of relapse after treatment for human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), by evaluating the performance of several criteria currently used by HAT control programs and research projects.Methods  We identified 10 different criteria for relapse, based on trypanosome presence and/or white blood cell count in cerebrospinal fluid, and compared their specificity, sensitivity and time to diagnosis on a data set containing 63 relapsed and 247 cured T.b. gambiense patients.Results  At any time point, the criterion ‘Trypanosomes present and/or a cerebrospinal white blood cell count ≥50/μl’ allowed accurate and timely detection of HAT relapse, irrespective of disease stage. This criterion was 13–25% more sensitive (P ≤ 0.013) than trypanosome detection alone and was >97% specific. Lumbar punctures at the end of treatment and at 3‐month post‐treatment provided limited clinical information.Conclusions  Adequate detection of relapse was possible with a simple criterion but these findings should be validated in a prospective study before adoption in clinical practice.
Wash resistance and efficacy of three long‐lasting insecticidal nets assessed from bioassays on Anopheles culicifacies and Anopheles stephensi
Authors: Sreehari U. , Raghavendra K. , Rizvi M. M. A. , Dash A. P. 
Published: February 2009

SummaryObjective  To test the wash resistance and efficacy of long‐lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs), namely Olyset® Net and PermaNet® 2.0; and a long‐lasting treatment kit, K‐O Tab®1‐2‐3, on Anopheles culicifacies and An. stephensi, major malaria vectors in India, by bioassays. Conventionally treated deltamethrin net (CTDN with K‐O Tab) was used for comparison.Method  Mortality and median time for knockdown (MTKD) of mosquitoes were determined using contact bioassays and ball frame bioassays respectively. Hand washing and machine washing were used.Results  LLINs showed good bio‐efficacy against An. culicifacies and An. stephensi. The mortality of mosquitoes remained >80% after up to 20 hand washes and up to 15 machine washes on all LLINs tested. No significant differences were observed in mortalities between the An. culicifacies and An. stephensi in cone bioassays (P > 0.05). MTKD increased progressively with successive washes and there was a significant difference in median time for knockdown of test mosquitoes and between hand‐washed and machine‐washed nets (P < 0.05).Conclusion  LLINs are more efficacious and last longer when washed by hand than by machine.
Erythema elevatum diutinum presenting with a giant annular pattern
Authors: Di Giacomo Thais Bello , Marinho Rafaela Teixeira , Nico Marcello Menta Simonsen 
Published: February 2009

A 45‐year‐old woman presented with a 3‐year history of cutaneous lesions. Clinical examination revealed red–yellow to brownish infiltrated papules coalescing into annular‐shaped plaques of several sizes with a hyperpigmented center affecting the abdomen and lower limbs, as well as multiple firm nodules on the right palm, elbows, and knees (Fig. 1a–c). The patient also reported sporadic arthralgia and low fever.(a) Infiltrated erythematous and yellow papules coalescing into a large annular plaque on the abdomen. (b) Annular lesions on the thighs. (c) Fibrotic nodules on the right palm and fingersimage She had been treated for leprosy for 2 years with multidrug therapy (clofazimine, dapsone, and rifampicin), with complete remission of the lesions during treatment, but recurrence after discontinuation. Histologic examination of a biopsy specimen taken from the cutaneous lesions showed an interstitial inflammatory infiltrate with the presence of many neutrophils and occasional foamy histiocytes (Fig. 2a). A pattern of perivascular eosinophilic fibrosis was observed in a biopsy specimen from a nodule (Fig. 2b). Special stains for acid‐fast bacilli and fungi were negative.(a) Intense inflammatory infiltrate containing multiple foamy histiocytes and neutrophils on the dermis (hematoxylin and eosin; original magnification, ×40). (b) Eosinophilic fibrosis around remaining vessels on the dermis (hematoxylin and eosin; original magnification, ×150)image Laboratory findings included elevated immunoglobulin A (IgA) serum levels (1016 mg/dL; normal range, 69–382 mg/dL), elevated β‐globulin, and strong tuberculin reactivity. Normal or negative tests included direct immunofluorescence, serum immunofixation, anti‐streptolysin O, and chest radiography. Autoimmune disorders and inflammatory intestinal diseases were excluded. The patient was treated with dapsone, 100 mg/day, with great improvement of the clinical picture. Hyperpigmented residual macules and some fibrotic nodules remained after 3 months.
Nasal CpG oligodeoxynucleotide administration induces a local inflammatory response in nonallergic individuals
Authors: Månsson A. , Bachar O. , Adner M. , Cardell L.‐O. 
Published: February 2009

Background:  We have previously demonstrated the presence of toll‐like receptor 9 in the nasal mucosa of both healthy and allergic individuals. CpG motifs, found in bacterial and viral DNA, elicit strong immunostimulatory effects via this receptor. CpG is known to skew the immune system towards a T helper 1 (Th1) profile, thereby suppressing Th2‐driven allergic responses. This study was designed to examine the effects of CpG administration in the human nose.Methods:  Twenty subjects, of whom 10 suffered from seasonal allergic rhinitis (AR), were challenged intranasally with CpG outside pollen season. Symptom scores, nasal airway resistance (NAR), and nasal and pulmonary nitric oxide (NO) levels were assayed prior to challenge and 30 min, 6, 24 and 48 h post challenge. The presence of leukocytes and various cytokines were analyzed in nasal lavage (NAL) fluids before and after CpG exposure.Results:  Increased NAR, nasal NO production and secretion of interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐6, and IL‐8 were seen after CpG exposure. Further analysis revealed that this inflammatory response was more marked in healthy subjects than among patients with AR, although a higher basal inflammatory response was recorded in the allergic group. In vitro experiments suggest that the effects induced by CpG are mediated by epithelial cells and neutrophils.Conclusion:  Nasal administration of CpG induces a local airway inflammation, more distinct among healthy than allergic individuals. The reduced responsiveness to CpG in allergic patients might be related to the ongoing minimal persistent inflammation. Results from cytokine analyses reflect the ability of CpG to induce a pro‐inflammatory Th1‐like immune response.
Hybrid sterility and inviability in the parasitic fungal species complex Microbotryum
Authors: DE VIENNE D. M. , REFRÉGIER G. , HOOD M. E. , GUIGUE A. , DEVIER B. , VERCKEN E. , SMADJA C. , DESEILLE A. , GIRAUD T. 
Published: February 2009

Abstract Microbotryum violaceum, the anther‐smut fungus, forms a complex of sibling species which specialize on different plants. Previous studies have shown the presence of partial ecological isolation and F1 inviability, but did not detect assortative mating apart from a high selfing rate. We investigated other post‐mating barriers and show that F1 hybrid sterility, the inability of gametes to mate, increased gradually with the increasing genetic distance between the parents. F2 hybrids showed a reduced ability to infect the plants that was also correlated with the genetic distance. The host on which the F2 hybrids were passaged caused a selection for alleles derived from the pathogen species originally isolated from that host, but this effect was not detectable for the most closely related species. The post‐mating barriers thus remain weak among the closest species pairs, suggesting that premating barriers are sufficient to initiate divergence in this system.
The genetic consequences of fluctuating inbreeding depression and the evolution of plant selfing rates
Authors: PORCHER E. , KELLY J. K. , CHEPTOU P.‐O. , ECKERT C. G. , JOHNSTON M. O. , KALISZ S. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe magnitude of inbreeding depression, a central parameter in the evolution of plant mating systems, can vary depending on environmental conditions. However, the underlying genetic mechanisms causing environmental fluctuations in inbreeding depression, and the consequences of this variation for the evolution of self‐fertilization, have been little studied. Here, we consider temporal fluctuations of the selection coefficient in an explicit genetic model of inbreeding depression. We show that substantial variance in inbreeding depression can be generated at equilibrium by fluctuating selection, although the simulated variance tends to be lower than has been measured in experimental studies. Our simulations also reveal that purging of deleterious mutations does not depend on the variance in their selection coefficient. Finally, an evolutionary analysis shows that, in contrast to previous theoretical approaches, intermediate selfing rates are never evolutionarily stable when the variation in inbreeding depression is due to fluctuations in the selection coefficient on deleterious mutations.
Drought‐Induced Oxidative Conditions in Rice Anthers Leading to a Programmed Cell Death and Pollen Abortion*
Authors: Nguyen G. N. , Hailstones D. L. , Wilkes M. , Sutton B. G. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractMale gametophyte development of eukaryotic plants in general and rice in particular is especially sensitive to drought. Water deficit during this stage inhibits microspore development resulting in male sterility. To elucidate the molecular mechanism of the phenomenon, a water deficit‐induced experiment was conducted during anther development. Microscopic observations of anther cross‐sections labelled with TdT‐mediated dUTP nick‐end labelling (TUNEL) indicated programmed cell death (PCD) signals after three consecutive days of water deficit. PCD is a biological process featured by the fragmentation of genomic DNA and plays an important role in plant reproduction. PCD is often concurrent with biochemical and physical changes in the cytoplasm, nucleus and plasma membrane of the cells. In this study, biochemical assays showed depletion of the adenosine triphosphate pool, increased concentration of hydrogen peroxide (ROS) and down‐regulation of antioxidant transcripts in anthers. We argue that the interplay between PCD and oxidative stress in anthers might be a cause of pollen sterility in drought‐stressed rice.
Behaviours of Medicago truncatula–Sinorhizobium meliloti Symbioses Under Osmotic Stress in Relation with the Symbiotic Partner Input: Effects on Nodule Functioning and Protection
Authors: Mhadhbi H. , Fotopoulos V. , Djebali N. , Polidoros A. N. , Aouani M. E. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThree genotypes of the model legume Medicago truncatula were assessed for symbiotic effectiveness in cross inoculation with two strains of Sinorhizobium meliloti under mannitol‐mediated osmotic stress. Symbioses showed different tolerance levels revealed on plant growth, nitrogen‐fixing capacity and indices of nodule functioning and protection. The variability of stress response was essentially correlated with performance at non‐stressful conditions. Symbiosis attitude depended on bacterial partner, host‐plant genotype and their interaction. Plant genotype manifested the highest contribution to symbiotic efficiency indices under osmotic stress, even for nodulation and nitrogen fixation where the bacterial strain effect is highly pronounced. Contrasting (tolerant/sensitive) associations were identified for tolerance behaviours, involving the same plant genotype with different rhizobial strains and vice versa. In nodules, osmotic stress leads to accumulation of oxidized lipids and decrease in total protein and leghaemoglobin contents. Antioxidant responses were manifested as induction of guaiacol peroxidase (POX, E.C. 1.11.1.7) and superoxide dismutase (E.C. 1.15.1.1). POX induction was higher in tolerant symbioses and both enzymes were suggested as contributors to the protection of nodule integrity and functioning under osmotic stress. In conclusion, symbiotic efficiency in M. truncatula–S. meliloti combinations under osmotic stress is determined by each symbiont’s input as well as the plant–microbe genotype interaction, and POX induction could prove a sensitive marker of tolerant symbioses.
Development and agronomic performance of common bean lines simultaneously resistant to anthracnose, angular leaf spot and rust
Authors: Ragagnin V. A. , De Souza T. L. P. O. , Sanglard D. A. , Arruda K. M. A. , Costa M. R. , Alzate‐Marin A. L. , Carneiro J. E. de S. , Moreira M. A. , De Barros E. G. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe common bean is affected by several pathogens that can cause severe yield losses. Here we report the introgression of resistance genes to anthracnose, angular leaf spot and rust in the ‘carioca‐type’ bean cultivar ‘Rudá’. Initially, four backcross (BC) lines were obtained using ‘TO’, ‘AB 136′, ‘Ouro Negro’ and ‘AND 277’ as donor parents. Molecular fingerprinting was used to select the lines genetically closer to the recurrent parent. The relative genetic distances between ‘Rudá’ and the BC lines varied between 0.0% and 1.99%. The BC lines were intercrossed and molecular markers linked to the resistance genes were used to identify the plants containing the genes of interest. These plants were selfed to obtain the F2, F3 and F4 plants which were selected based on the presence of the molecular markers mentioned and resistance was confirmed in the F4 generation by inoculation. Four F4:7 pyramid lines with all the resistance genes showed resistance spectra equivalent to those of their respective donor parents. Yield tests showed that these lines are as productive as the best ‘carioca‐type’ cultivars.
Simple sequence repeats (SSRs) in faba bean: new loci from Orobanche‐resistant cultivar ‘Giza 402’
Authors: Zeid M. , Mitchell S. , Link W. , Carter M. , Nawar A. , Fulton T. , Kresovich S. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractGenomic DNA from an inbred line from the Orobanche crenata resistant cultivar ‘Giza 402’ was restricted and enriched for AG‐containing simple sequence repeats (SSRs). The overall SSR enrichment rate was 54.6%. Of 73 selected SSR markers that successfully amplified in ‘Giza 402’ 54 were polymorphic among a group of 10 Egyptian and Spanish faba bean genotypes extensively used in Orobanche crenata resistance/susceptibility studies and linkage map development. The polymorphism information content ranged from 0.16 to 0.72 and Unweighted Pair‐Group Method using Arithmetic averages cluster analysis based on these loci placed all resistant genotypes descended from the parental line F 402 in the same group. Successful amplification from 28 primer pairs was also observed in five European faba bean genotypes. The SSR loci described here will be extremely useful in studies focusing on Orobanche crenata resistance, genetic diversity studies and will provide additional co‐dominant loci to complement existing faba bean linkage maps based primarily on dominant markers.
Wild relatives of sorghum as sources of resistance to sorghum shoot fly, Atherigona soccata
Authors: Kamala V. , Sharma H. C. , Manohar Rao D. , Varaprasad K. S. , Bramel P. J. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe levels of resistance to shoot fly, Atherigona soccata in sorghum germplasm are low to moderate and therefore, we evaluated 17 wild relatives of sorghum under field and greenhouse conditions as an alternate source of genes for resistance to this pest. Thirty‐two accessions belonging to Parasorghum, Stiposorghum and Heterosorghum did not suffer any shoot fly damage under multi‐choice conditions in the field, while one accession each of Heterosorghum (Sorghum laxiflorum) and Chaetosorghum (S. macrospermum) suffered very low shoot fly damage. Accessions belonging to S. exstans (TRC 243601), S. stipoideum (TRC 243399) and S. matarankense (TRC 243576) showed absolute non‐preference for oviposition under no‐choice conditions. Accessions belonging to Heterosorghum, Parasorghum and Stiposorghum were preferred for oviposition, but suffered low deadheart formation. Manual infestation of seedlings with shoot fly eggs did not result in deadheart formation in some of the accessions belonging to S. exstans (TRC 243601), S. stipoideum (TRC 243399), S. matarankense (TRC 243576) and S. purpureosericeum (IS 18944). Larval mortality was recorded in main stems of the Parasorghums. Within section Sorghum, accessions belonging to S. bicolor ssp. verticilliflorum were highly susceptible to shoot fly, as were those of S. halepense. However, a few accessions such as IS 18226 (race arundinaceum) and IS 14212 (S. halepense) resulted in reduced survival and fecundity. Wild relatives of sorghum exhibited very high levels of antibiosis to A. soccata, while only low levels of antibiosis have been observed in the cultivated germplasm. Therefore, wild relatives with different mechanisms of resistance can be used as a source of alternate genes to increase the levels and diversify the basis of resistance to shoot fly, A. soccata.
Intergranular trace elements in mantle xenoliths from Russian Far East: Example for mantle metasomatism by hydrous melt
Authors: Yamamoto Junji , Nakai Shun'ichi , Nishimura Koshi , Kaneoka Ichiro , Kagi Hiroyuki , Sato Keiko , Okumura Tasuku , Prikhod'ko Vladimir S. , Arai Shoji 
Published: February 2009

AbstractBased on both major and trace element chemistry, the occurrence of the intergranular component in mantle‐derived xenoliths from far eastern Russia has been constrained. Whole‐rock trace element measurements of one xenolith show apparent negative anomalies in Ce, Th, and high field strength elements on normalized trace element patterns. The trace element pattern of the whole rock differs from those of constituent minerals, indicating that the anomalies in the whole rock are attributable to the presence of an intergranular component. That assumption was confirmed using in situ analysis of trace elements in the intergranular substance and melt inclusion using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry. Both the intergranular component and the melt inclusions have identical trace element patterns, which mean that these materials are a cognate metasomatizing agent. The anomalies are regarded as mantle metasomatism related to an aqueous fluid. Hydrous minerals were observed on the wall of the melt inclusions using micro‐Raman spectroscopy, indicating that the melt inclusions contained a large amount of water. Thus, this study reveals a trace element composition of a hydrous metasomatizing agent in the mantle.