bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Differential protein expression in Colletotrichum acutatum: changes associated with reactive oxygen species and nitrogen starvation implicated in pathogenicity on strawberry
Authors: BROWN SIGAL HOROWITZ , YARDEN ODED , GOLLOP NATAN , CHEN SONGBI , ZVEIBIL AIDA , BELAUSOV EDUARD , FREEMAN STANLEY 
Published: February 2008

SUMMARYThe cellular outcome of changes in nitrogen availability in the context of development and early stages of pathogenicity was studied by quantitative analysis of two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis of Colletotrichum acutatum infecting strawberry. Significant alterations occurred in the abundance of proteins synthesized during appressorium formation under nitrogen‐limiting conditions compared with a complete nutrient supply. Proteins that were up‐ or down‐regulated were involved in energy metabolism, nitrogen and amino acid metabolism, protein synthesis and degradation, response to stress and reactive oxygen scavenging. Members belonging to the reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger machinery, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, were up‐regulated at the appressorium formation stage, as well as under nitrogen‐limiting conditions relative to growth with a complete nutrient supply, whereas abundance of bifunctional catalase was up‐regulated predominantly at the appressorium formation stage. Fungal ROS were detected within germinating conidia during host pre‐penetration, penetration and colonization stages, accompanied by plant ROS, which were abundant in the apoplastic space. Application of exogenous antioxidants quenched ROS production and reduced the frequency of appressorium formation. Up‐regulation in metabolic activity was detected during appressorium formation and nutrient deficiency compared with growth under complete nutrient supply. Enhanced levels of proteins related to the glyoxylate cycle and lipid metabolism (malate dehydrogenase, formate dehydrogenase and acetyl‐CoA acetyltransferase) were observed at the appressorium formation stage, in contrast to down‐regulation of isocitrate dehydrogenase. The present study demonstrates that appressoria formation processes, occurring under nutritional deprivation, are accompanied by metabolic shifts, and that ROS production is an early fungal response that may modulate initial stages of pathogen development.
Citrus tristeza virus: a pathogen that changed the course of the citrus industry
Authors: MORENO PEDRO , AMBRÓS SILVIA , ALBIACH‐MARTÍ MARIA R. , GUERRI JOSÉ , PEÑA LEANDRO 
Published: February 2008

SUMMARY Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) (genus Closterovirus, family Closteroviridae) is the causal agent of devastating epidemics that changed the course of the citrus industry. Adapted to replicate in phloem cells of a few species within the family Rutaceae and to transmission by a few aphid species, CTV and citrus probably coevolved for centuries at the site of origin of citrus plants. CTV dispersal to other regions and its interaction with new scion varieties and rootstock combinations resulted in three distinct syndromes named tristeza, stem pitting and seedling yellows. The first, inciting decline of varieties propagated on sour orange, has forced the rebuilding of many citrus industries using tristeza‐tolerant rootstocks. The second, inducing stunting, stem pitting and low bearing of some varieties, causes economic losses in an increasing number of countries. The third is usually observed by biological indexing, but rarely in the field. CTV polar virions are composed of two capsid proteins and a single‐stranded, positive‐sense genomic RNA (gRNA) of ~20 kb, containing 12 open reading frames (ORFs) and two untranslated regions (UTRs). ORFs 1a and 1b, encoding proteins of the replicase complex, are directly translated from the gRNA, and together with the 5′ and 3′UTRs are the only regions required for RNA replication. The remaining ORFs, expressed via 3′‐coterminal subgenomic RNAs, encode proteins required for virion assembly and movement (p6, p65, p61, p27 and p25), asymmetrical accumulation of positive and negative strands during RNA replication (p23), or suppression of post‐transcriptional gene silencing (p25, p20 and p23), with the role of proteins p33, p18 and p13 as yet unknown. Analysis of genetic variation in CTV isolates revealed (1) conservation of genomes in distant geographical regions, with a limited repertoire of genotypes, (2) uneven distribution of variation along the gRNA, (3) frequent recombination events and (4) different selection pressures shaping CTV populations. Measures to control CTV damage include quarantine and budwood certification programmes, elimination of infected trees, use of tristeza‐tolerant rootstocks, or cross protection with mild isolates, depending on CTV incidence and on the virus strains and host varieties predominant in each region. Incorporating resistance genes into commercial varieties by conventional breeding is presently unfeasible, whereas incorporation of pathogen‐derived resistance by plant transformation has yielded variable results, indicating that the CTV–citrus interaction may be more specific and complex than initially thought. A deep understanding of the interactions between viral proteins and host and vector factors will be necessary to develop reliable and sound control measures.
Combined thermotherapy and cryotherapy for efficient virus eradication: relation of virus distribution, subcellular changes, cell survival and viral RNA degradation in shoot tips
Authors: WANG QIAOCHUN , CUELLAR WILMER J. , RAJAMÄKI MINNA‐LIISA , HIRATA YUKIMASA , VALKONEN JARI P. T. 
Published: February 2008

SUMMARYAccumulation of viruses in vegetatively propagated plants causes heavy yield losses. Therefore, supply of virus‐free planting materials is pivotal to sustainable crop production. In previous studies, Raspberry bushy dwarf virus (RBDV) was difficult to eradicate from raspberry (Rubus idaeus) using the conventional means of meristem tip culture. As shown in the present study, it was probably because this pollen‐transmitted virus efficiently invades leaf primordia and all meristematic tissues except the least differentiated cells of the apical dome. Subjecting plants to thermotherapy prior to meristem tip culture heavily reduced viral RNA2, RNA3 and the coat protein in the shoot tips, but no virus‐free plants were obtained. Therefore, a novel method including thermotherapy followed by cryotherapy was developed for efficient virus eradication. Heat treatment caused subcellular alterations such as enlargement of vacuoles in the more developed, virus‐infected cells, which were largely eliminated following subsequent cryotherapy. Using this protocol, 20–36% of the treated shoot tips survived, 30–40% regenerated and up to 35% of the regenerated plants were virus‐free, as tested by ELISA and reverse transcription loop‐mediated isothermal amplification. Novel cellular and molecular insights into RBDV–host interactions and the factors influencing virus eradication were obtained, including invasion of shoot tips and meristematic tissues by RBDV, enhanced viral RNA degradation and increased sensitivity to freezing caused by thermotherapy, and subcellular changes and subsequent death of cells caused by cryotherapy. This novel procedure should be helpful with many virus–host combinations in which virus eradication by conventional means has proven difficult.
Role of a xyloglucan‐specific endo‐β‐1,4‐glucanase inhibitor in the interactions ofNicotiana benthamianawithColletotrichum destructivum,C. orbiculareorPseudomonas syringaepv.tabaci
Authors: XIE W. , HAO L. , GOODWIN P. H. 
Published: February 2008

SUMMARYA xyloglucan‐specific endo‐β‐1,4‐glucanase inhibitor cDNA,NbXEGIP1, was amplified from diseased leaves ofNicotiana benthamiana. The sequence was similar to the tomato xyloglucan‐specific endo‐β‐1,4‐glucanase inhibitor (XEGIP) and tobacco nectarin IV genes that have been described as binding and inactivating fungal Family 12 xyloglucan‐specific endo‐β‐1,4‐glucanases. Expression ofNbXEGIP1was not detected in healthy leaves, but the gene was induced during the later stages of infection by the fungiColletotrichum destructivumandC. orbiculare. Induction ofNbXEGIP1also occurred during disease development by the bacteriumPseudomonas syringaepv.tabaciand during the hypersensitive response produced byP. syringaepv.tabaciexpressingavrPto. A portion ofNbXEGIP1was cloned into a tobacco rattle virus vector for virus‐induced gene silencing inN. benthamiana. SilencingNbXEGIP1did not affect the interactions with eitherColletotrichumspecies but did significantly reduce population levels ofP. syringaepv.tabaciin the compatible interaction andP. syringaepv.tabaciexpressingavrPtoin the incompatible interaction. In the susceptible response toP. syringaepv.tabaci, silencing ofNbXEGIP1also resulted in visibly wilted leaves several hours prior to necrosis, which was not observed in control plants. This was related to a significantly higher level of electrolyte leakage and higher expression of a defensin gene from infectedNbXEGIP1‐silenced leaves compared with control leaves. Silencing appeared to be specific as it did not affect expression of a related gene,NbXEGIP2.NbXEGIP1may act as an inhibitor of a bacterial enzyme that degrades the xyloglucan–cellulose plant cell‐wall network, and degradation of the cell wall results in host membrane disruption and signalling of defence responses.
Involvement of ZFR1 of Fusarium verticillioides in kernel colonization and the regulation of FST1, a putative sugar transporter gene required for fumonisin biosynthesis on maize kernels
Authors: BLUHM B. H. , KIM H. , BUTCHKO R. A. E. , WOLOSHUK C. P. 
Published: February 2008

SUMMARYFumonisins comprise a class of carcinogenic mycotoxins produced by Fusarium verticillioides during colonization of maize kernels. In previous work, we identified ZFR1, which is predicted to encode a Zn(II)2Cys6 zinc finger transcription factor required for fumonisin B1 (FB1) production during growth on kernels. In this study, we characterized the role of ZFR1 in colonizing maize kernels and inducing FB1 biosynthesis. The ZFR1 deletion strain (Δzfr1) grew approximately 2.5‐fold less than the wild‐type on endosperm tissue and a variety of other carbon sources, including glucose and amylopectin. However, the Δzfr1 strain displayed higher α‐amylase activity and expression of genes involved in starch saccharification than the wild‐type, thus indicating that the reduced growth of the Δzfr1 strain was not due to inhibition of amylolytic enzymes. In the wild‐type strain, expression of six genes encoding putative sugar transporters was significantly greater on endosperm tissue than on germ tissue, and expression of at least three of the six genes was negatively affected by disruption of ZFR1. Intriguingly, disruption of FST1 had no effect on growth, kernel colonization or kernel pH but decreased FB1 production by approximately 82% on maize kernels. Based on these findings, we hypothesize that ZFR1 controls FB1 biosynthesis by regulating genes involved in the perception or uptake of carbohydrates.
Adult plant resistance‐related gene expression in ‘Camp Remy’ wheat inoculated withPuccinia striiformis
Authors: MALLARD STÉPHANIE , NÈGRE SYLVIE , POUYA SHALA , GAUDET DENIS , LU ZHEN‐XIANG , DEDRYVER FRANÇOISE 
Published: February 2008

SUMMARYThe French wheat variety ‘Camp Remy’ (CR) possesses a durable, adult plant resistance to yellow rust (YR), caused by the pathogenPuccinia striiformis. Using cDNA–AFLP on different sets of heterogeneous inbred families (HIFs) derived from the cross CR × Récital, we compared gene expression profiles during one seedling and two adult developmental stages following inoculation withP. striiformis. Transcripts differentially expressed in response to YR infection were isolated and cloned. Sequence analysis of the resultant clones revealed several classes of putative genes, including those related to resistance/defence responses, transcription and signal transduction, and primary metabolism. The expression profiles of seven selected genes were obtained using real‐time PCR in CR leaves at the same three stages of development. The results confirmed the stage‐specific expression of the genes at one or two specific stages in response toP. striiformisinfection and demonstrated that CR modifies the expression of some resistance/defence‐related genes during its transition from the seedling to adult growth stages. These results provided the first clue to understand the molecular basis of quantitative trait loci for adult plant resistance to YR and connect it with durability.
Contact person as a court‐ordered solution in child visitation disputes in Sweden
Authors: Andersson Gunvor , Arvidsson Maria Bangura 
Published: February 2008

ABSTRACTSeparated parents have the joint responsibility to give their children access to the other parent. If they fail to reach a visitation agreement, the District Court will decide on one for them. In Sweden one demand can be supervision by a contact person. This paper is about court‐ordered visitations including supervision by a contact person. Different public systems, with different interpretations of the best interest of the child, have to interact in these cases: the District Court makes the decision on supervised visitation and the Social Services appoint a contact person and follow the intervention up. There is a shortage of research on this use of a contact person, and an exploratory research project is carried through: Three small‐scale studies, based on group‐interviews with family law social workers, social files and individual interviews with contact persons, supplement each other and form together a Social Services perspective on the intervention. The results are presented according to five themes: Social Services and the court; the families and children concerned; contact arrangements; termination of the intervention; Social Services' perceptions of the intervention. The conclusion is that contact person is perceived as a positive solution for children in visitation disputes involving risk. However, the intervention brings up some contradictory interests important to be conscious of.
Too early to dismiss Yersinia enterocolitica infection in the aetiology of Graves’ disease: evidence from a twin case–control study
Authors: Brix Thomas H. , Hansen Pia S. , Hegedüs Laszlo , Wenzel Björn E. 
Published: February 2008

SummaryBackground  Yersinia enterocolitica (YE) infection has long been implicated in the pathogenesis of Graves’ disease (GD). The association between YE and GD could, however, also be due to common genetic or environmental factors affecting the development of both YE infection and GD. This potential confounding can be minimized by investigation of twin pairs discordant for GD.Aim  To examine whether YE infection is associated with GD.Design  We first conducted a classical case–control study of individuals with (61) and without (122) GD, and then a case–control study of twin pairs (36) discordant for GD.Methods  Immunoglobulin (Ig)A and IgG antibodies to virulence‐associated Yersinia outer membrane proteins (YOPs) were measured.Main outcome measures  The prevalence of YOP IgA and IgG antibodies.Results  Subjects with GD had a higher prevalence of YOP IgA (49%vs. 34%, P = 0·054) and YPO IgG (51%vs. 35%, P = 0·043) than the external controls. The frequency of chronic YE infection, reflected by the presence of both IgA and IgG YOP antibodies, was also higher among cases than controls (49%vs. 33%, P = 0·042). Similar results were found in twin pairs discordant for GD. In the case–control analysis, individuals with GD had an increased odds ratio (OR) of YE infection: IgA 1·84 (95% CI 0·99–3·45) and IgG 1·90 (95% CI 1·02–3·55). In the co‐twin analysis, the twin with GD also had an increased OR of YE infection: IgA 5·5 (95% CI 1·21–24·81) and IgG 5·0 (95% CI 1·10–22·81).Conclusion  The finding of an association between GD and YE in the case–control study and within twin pairs discordant for GD supports the notion that YE infection plays an aetiological role in the occurrence of GD, or vice versa. Future studies should examine the temporal relationship of this association in more depth.
Could shelling in the First World War have increased copper concentrations in the soil around Ypres?
Authors: Van Meirvenne M. , Meklit T. , Verstraete S. , De Boever M. , Tack F. 
Published: February 2008

SummaryIn the First World War, the region around Ypres (West‐Flanders, Belgium) was a battlefield where millions of copper‐containing shells were fired. To investigate the consequences of this shelling, we analysed statistically data on the copper (Cu) content in the topsoil (0–0.5 m) of the province of West‐Flanders, an area of 3144 km2. The measurements had been made on the fine earth (< 2 mm) fraction of 2786 samples. A preliminary screening of the data revealed larger concentrations of Cu in a region of approximately 625 km2around Ypres. These concentrations were estimated by ordinary block kriging on the logarithms of the Cu concentration with separate variograms for the battlefield area and the rest of the province and mapped. The median concentration in the battlefield area was 18.0 mg Cu kg−1compared with 12.0 mg Cu kg−1elsewhere. We conclude that the current Cu enrichment in the soil around Ypres is the legacy of the millions of shells that were fired in the First World War.
Diabetes self‐management experience: a focus group study of Taiwanese patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Lin Chiu‐Chu , Anderson Robert M , Hagerty Bonnie M , Lee Bih‐O 
Published: February 2008

Aims and objectives.  The purpose of this study was to understand and document the perspectives of Taiwanese patients with type 2 diabetes regarding the processes and strategies used to self‐manage their chronic condition.Background.  The importance of patients learning self‐management through self‐regulation has been recognized in the literature, but little of this research has focused on skills to manage symptoms. Besides, studies about how patients self‐manage their diabetes in term of patients’ perspectives have been scant. Sociocultural context is also an influencing factor in disease management.Methods.  Focus groups were used to collect data from 41 adult participants with type 2 diabetes at three teaching hospitals located in southern Taiwan. The five focus groups ranged in size from six to ten people. The focus groups were recorded, transcribed and analysed.Results.  Three themes and ten subthemes were revealed. The first theme ‘the impact of the illness’ includes three subthemes: facing the predicament of stigmatization, concern about inheritance of diabetes and seeking alternative therapy for hope. The second theme ‘self‐regulation process’ includes four subthemes: struggling for diet control, adjusting to psychological barriers, identifying body response and developing strategies for dealing with diabetes. The third theme ‘transformation process’ includes three subthemes: resuming conventional illness, support from families and fellow patients and learning to live with the disease.Conclusions.  Findings obtained from the themes of the study illustrated that self‐management of patients with diabetes is highly related to their own sociocultural environment and experiences. Understanding the cultural features and the meaning of illness can help in the development of interventions tailored to the needs of this cultural group.Relevance to clinical practice.  The findings have important implications for healthcare providers to consider individuals’ sociocultural backgrounds in which they make choices about their treatment and manage their illness. This recognition will enhance patients with diabetes to transform being active in self‐management through the skills of self‐regulation.
Using snowball sampling method with nurses to understand medication administration errors
Authors: Sheu Shuh‐Jen , Wei Ien‐Lan , Chen Ching‐Huey , Yu Shu , Tang Fu‐In 
Published: February 2008

Aims and objectives.  We aimed to encourage nurses to release information about drug administration errors to increase understanding of error‐related circumstances and to identify high‐alert situations.Background.  Drug administration errors represent the majority of medication errors, but errors are underreported. Effective ways are lacking to encourage nurses to actively report errors.Methods.  Snowball sampling was conducted to recruit participants. A semi‐structured questionnaire was used to record types of error, hospital and nurse backgrounds, patient consequences, error discovery mechanisms and reporting rates.Results.  Eighty‐five nurses participated, reporting 328 administration errors (259 actual, 69 near misses). Most errors occurred in medical surgical wards of teaching hospitals, during day shifts, committed by nurses working fewer than two years. Leading errors were wrong drugs and doses, each accounting for about one‐third of total errors. Among 259 actual errors, 83·8% resulted in no adverse effects; among remaining 16·2%, 6·6% had mild consequences and 9·6% had serious consequences (severe reaction, coma, death). Actual errors and near misses were discovered mainly through double‐check procedures by colleagues and nurses responsible for errors; reporting rates were 62·5% (162/259) vs. 50·7% (35/69) and only 3·5% (9/259) vs. 0% (0/69) were disclosed to patients and families. High‐alert situations included administration of 15% KCl, insulin and Pitocin; using intravenous pumps; and implementation of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).Conclusions.  Snowball sampling proved to be an effective way to encourage nurses to release details concerning medication errors. Using empirical data, we identified high‐alert situations. Strategies for reducing drug administration errors by nurses are suggested.Relevance to clinical practice.  Survey results suggest that nurses should double check medication administration in known high‐alert situations. Nursing management can use snowball sampling to gather error details from nurses in a non‐reprimanding atmosphere, helping to establish standard operational procedures for known high‐alert situations.
Nursing staff's understanding of oral health care for patients with cancer diagnoses: an intervention study
Authors: Wårdh Inger , Paulsson Gun , Fridlund Bengt 
Published: February 2008

Aims and objectives.  The aim of this study was to evaluate long‐lasting changes in the nursing staff's understanding of oral health care for cancer patients after an oral health care intervention. The study also assessed whether there were changes between registered nurses and auxiliary nurses.Background.  The maintenance of good oral health care in cancer patients is essential for nutrition, recovery and wellbeing and requires the involvement of nursing staff. However, several studies reveal that the need to prioritize oral health care has not been made sufficiently clear.Methods.  The nursing staff (registered nurses, n = 133 and auxiliary nurses, n = 109) on five wards at different hospitals providing cancer care took part in a four‐hour oral healthcare training session, including the use of an oral assessment guide and answered a questionnaire initially and after this intervention. The data were statistically analyzed.Results.  Several aspects of implementation opportunities improved, but they did not include attitudes to oral health care. Knowledge of oral diseases decreased, more for auxiliary nurses than for registered nurses.Conclusions.  A four‐hour oral health training session and subsequent activities improve the nursing staff's understanding of oral health care for patients with cancer diagnoses in some respects but not in terms of attitudes to oral health care or specific oral knowledge.Relevance to clinical practice.  Oral healthcare education and training activities for nursing staff can produce some improvements in the understanding of oral health care for cancer patients but not in attitudes and specific oral knowledge. These areas must be covered during the basic education period or/and by a routine oral healthcare programme for nursing staff, probably including an oral healthcare standard.