bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The volatile anaesthetic sevoflurane attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced injury in alveolar macrophages
Authors: Steurer M , Schläpfer M , Steurer M , Z'graggen B Roth , Booy C , Reyes L , Spahn D R , Beck-Schimmer B 
Published: November 2008

Summary
Acute lung injury (ALI) is a well-defined inflammation whereby alveolar macrophages play a crucial role as effector cells. As shown previously in numerous experimental approaches, volatile anaesthetics might reduce the degree of injury in pre- or post-conditioning set-ups. Therefore, we were interested to evaluate the effect of the application of the volatile anaesthetic sevoflurane on alveolar macrophages regarding the expression of inflammatory mediators upon lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation in vitro. Alveolar macrophages were stimulated with LPS. Two hours later, cells were exposed additionally to air (control) or to sevoflurane-containing air for 4, 6, 8, 12 or 24 h. Tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant-1 (CINC-1), macrophage-inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) proteins were determined and chemotaxis assays were performed. To evaluate possible cellular signalling pathways phosphorylation of the kinases extracellular-regulated kinase (ERK) and Akt was assessed. In the early phase of sevoflurane post-conditioning expression of TNF-α, CINC-1, MIP-2 and MCP-1 was attenuated, leading to a diminished chemotaxis reaction for neutrophils. Phosphorylation of ERK seems to be a possible cellular mechanism in the sevoflurane-induced protection in vitro. Pharmacological post-conditioning of alveolar macrophages with sevoflurane immunmodulates the inflammatory response upon stimulation with endotoxin. This might be a possible option for a therapeutical approach in ALI.
Climate, oceanography, and recruitment: the case of the Bay of Biscay anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus)
Authors: BORJA ANGEL , FONTÁN ALMUDENA , SÁENZ JON , VALENCIA VICTORIANO 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe Bay of Biscay anchovy has experienced, since 2001, a succession of low recruitments, resulting in the collapse of the stock in 2005; this has led to successive closures of the fishery. This study investigates the possible impact of different controlling factors [North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), East Atlantic (EA) pattern, turbulence, upwelling, and river flow] upon anchovy recruitment and fishery catches. Fifty‐five percent of the recruitment variability of this fishery can be explained by upwelling over the spawning area; this is related, in turn, to the EA pattern. The conceptual understanding of the system proposed for the Bay of Biscay anchovy suggests that negative EA periods are associated with northeasterly wind circulation, which produces weak upwelling over the continental shelf. This pattern results in hydrodynamic stability over the area, leading, probably, to adequate food availability. A positive EA (which extends onwards, from 1998) is associated with southwesterly winds and downwelling over the continental shelf; this leads, probably, to the dispersion of anchovy food and larvae, together with increasing mortality.
Cell adhesion markedly increases lucigenin‐enhanced chemiluminescence of the phagocyte NADPH oxidase
Authors: Kuribayashi Futoshi , Tsuruta Satoru , Yamazaki Tsuyoshi , Nunoi Hiroyuki , Imajoh‐Ohmi Shinobu , Kanegasaki Shiro , Nakamura Michio 
Published: November 2008

Lucigenin‐enhanced chemiluminescence (LECL) is widely used for the detection of reactive oxygen species released from various cells and mitochondria. However, the LECL response varies depending on cell species and assay conditions at least in part by unknown factors. Here we report that cell adhesion is an important factor for increasing LECL of tetradecanoylphorbol acetate (TPA)‐stimulated human neutrophils. More than 90% LECL remained even after complete removal of the cell suspension 10 min after TPA stimulation, and ~22.5% of neutrophils were adhered to the reaction tube. These results indicate that LECL by an adhering neutrophil is ~45× higher than that by a non‐adhering neutrophil. LECL by leukocyte adhesion deficiency neutrophils was one‐fifth of that by normal neutrophils and completely disappeared when the cell suspension was removed, confirming that LECL depends highly on cell adhesion. The oxidase activity of adhering neutrophils measured after permeabilization with Renex 30 together with NADPH addition was similar to that of non‐adhering neutrophils, indicating that lucigenin and cell adhesion do not enhance the oxidase activity. Based on these findings, we propose that a mixture of adhering and non‐adhering neutrophils can be used for simultaneous screenings of adhering activity and the oxidase activity of neutrophils.
c‐Maf increases apoptosis in peripheral CD8 cells by transactivating Caspase 6
Authors: Peng Siying , Wu Hailong , Mo Yin‐Yuan , Watabe Kounosuke , Pauza Mary E. 
Published: November 2008

SummaryIn addition to transactivation of interleukin‐4 (IL‐4), cellular muscular aponeurotic fibrosarcoma (c‐Maf) enhances CD4 cell apoptosis by limiting Bcl‐2 expression. The CD8 cells also express c‐Maf and peripheral CD8 cell numbers are reduced in c‐Maf transgenic mice, suggesting that c‐Maf may influence CD8 cell survival in a manner similar to CD4 cells. Here we confirm that, similar to CD4 cells, c‐Maf enhances CD8 cell susceptibility to apoptosis induced by multiple stimuli, independent of IL‐4. However, unlike CD4 cells, c‐Maf enhancement of apoptosis is independent of Bcl‐2, suggesting that c‐Maf uses other mechanisms to regulate CD8 cell apoptosis. Real‐time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction reveals that the pro‐apoptotic gene Caspase 6 is upregulated in c‐Maf transgenic CD8 cells, suggesting that Caspase 6 is a novel c‐Maf target gene. Luciferase reporter assays and site‐directed mutagenesis reveal a functional c‐Maf recognition element (MARE) within the first intron of Caspase 6. Binding of c‐Maf to the MARE site is detectable by chromatin immunoprecipitation using non‐transgenic T‐cell lysates, so c‐Maf can interact with the Caspase 6 MARE site in normal T cells. Furthermore, caspase 6 activity is increased among CD8 cells from c‐Maf transgenic mice following T‐cell receptor engagement. As expected, activity of the downstream caspases 3 and 7 is also increased. Consistent with the ability of caspase 6 to participate in positive feedback loops, cytochrome c release and caspase 8 activation are also increased. Together these results indicated that c‐Maf increases CD8 cell sensitivity to apoptotic stimuli, at least in part, by direct transactivation of Caspase 6, providing increased substrate for Caspase 6‐dependent apoptosis pathways.
Mannan‐binding lectin deficiency modulates the humoral immune response dependent on the genetic environment
Authors: Ruseva Marieta , Kolev Martin , Dagnaes‐Hansen Frederik , Hansen Soren B. , Takahashi Kazue , Ezekowitz Alan , Thiel Steffen , Jensenius Jens C. , Gadjeva Mihaela 
Published: November 2008

SummaryMannan‐binding lectin (MBL) is a plasma protein implicated in innate immune defence against a broad range of microorganisms, including viruses. It is also thought that MBL plays a role in the recruitment of the specific clonal immune response. This was studied by injecting soluble hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) intravenously into mice deficient in both MBL‐A and MBL‐C (MBL DKO mice). The MBL DKO animals on mixed genetic background (SV129EvSv × C57BL/6) produced higher antibody titres than the wild‐type littermates. After primary challenge with the antigen the immunoglobulin M anti‐HBsAg antibody titres were threefold higher in the MBL DKO mice than in the wild‐type mice. Following the boost, the immunoglobulin G anti‐HBsAg antibody titres were 10‐fold higher in the MBL DKO mice, suggesting that MBL plays a role in a negative feedback regulation of adaptive immunity. However, the modulating effect of MBL was dependent on the genetic environment. The MBL DKO mice backcrossed on a C57BL/6 background showed the opposite response with the MBL DKO mice now producing fewer antibodies than the wild‐type animals, whereas MBL deficiency in mice with the SV129EvSv background did not show any effect in antibody production. These findings indicate that the modifying effect of MBL on the humoral immune response is influenced by the genetic environment.
Interleukin‐17 in host defence against bacterial, mycobacterial and fungal pathogens
Authors: Curtis Meredith M. , Way Sing Sing 
Published: November 2008

SummaryThe mammalian immune system is intricately regulated, allowing for potent pathogen‐specific immunity to be rapidly activated in response to infection with a broad and diverse array of potential pathogens. As a result of their ability to differentiate into distinct effector lineages, CD4 T cells significantly contribute to pathogen‐specific adaptive immune responses. Through the production of effector cytokines, CD4 T helper (Th) cells orchestrate the precise mobilization of specific immune cells to eradicate infection. The protective effects of the newly identified lineage of Th17 cells against pathogens like Klebsiella pneumoniae, Citrobacter rodentium and Candida albicans indicate the capacity of Th17 cells to confer protection against extracellular bacterial and fungal pathogens, filling a critical void in host immunity not covered by the classically described Th1 lineage that activates immunity to intracellular pathogens or the Th2 lineage that is important in protection against mucosal parasitic pathogens. Host defence by Th17 cells extends beyond protection against extracellular bacterial and fungal pathogens, as demonstrated in infections against intracellular bacteria like Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella enterica, as well as Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Herein, we summarize both experimental data from mouse infection models and epidemiological studies in humans that demonstrate the protective effects of interleukin‐17 and Th17 CD4 T cells in immunity to bacterial, mycobacterial and fungal pathogens.
Habitat area but not habitat age determines wild bee richness in limestone quarries
Authors: Krauss Jochen , Alfert Thomas , Steffan‐Dewenter Ingolf 
Published: November 2008

Summary

Within highly modified European landscapes, limestone quarries can act as important secondary habitats for a range of endangered wild bee species. However, the relative influence of quarry habitat area, habitat age and within‐habitat diversity on the conservation value of these secondary habitats is mainly unknown.
We assessed species richness and abundance of wild bees by variable transect walks in 24 limestone quarries ranging in size from 0·01 to 21·2 ha. Species traits such as social status, resource specialization and nesting substrate were used to define functional guilds of bees.
In total, 41% of all wild bee species known from southern Lower Saxony, Germany, were found in the studied quarries. Total species richness increased with habitat area but, in contrast to our expectations, not with habitat age, although we tested an age gradient of over 120 years. Solitary species were more strongly affected by decreasing habitat area than social species but response did not differ with respect to habitat age.
Hierarchical partitioning analyses revealed that habitat area per se, within‐habitat diversity and sampling effort were of similar importance in explaining species richness patterns.
Synthesis and applications. Even newly created limestone quarries provide an important secondary habitat for wild bees. Therefore, maintenance and management of secondary succession of these sites should be given high priority in species conservation plans. Landscape management schemes involving filling or flooding such quarries should be prevented.
Genetic and acoustic population structuring in the Okinawa least horseshoe bat: are intercolony acoustic differences maintained by vertical maternal transmission?
Authors: YOSHINO HAJIME , ARMSTRONG KYLE N. , IZAWA MASAKO , YOKOYAMA JUN , KAWATA MASAKADO 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe origin and meaning of echolocation call frequency variation within rhinolophid bats is not well understood despite an increasing number of allopatric and sympatric examples being documented. A bimodal distribution of mean regional call frequency within the Okinawa‐jima Island population of Rhinolophus cornutus pumilus (Rhinolophidae) provided a unique opportunity to investigate geographic call frequency variation early in its development. Individual resting echolocation frequencies, partial mitochondrial DNA D‐loop sequences and genotypes from six microsatellite loci were obtained from 288 individuals in 11 colonies across the entire length of the island, and nearby Kume‐jima Island. Acoustic differences (5–8 kHz) observed between the north and south regions have been maintained despite evidence of sufficient nuclear gene flow across the middle of the island. Significant subdivision of maternally inherited D‐loop haplotypes suggested a limitation of movement of females between regions, but not within the regions, and was evidence of female philopatry. These results support a ‘maternal transmission’ hypothesis whereby the difference in the constant frequency (CF) component between the regions is maintained by mother–offspring transmission of CF, the restricted dispersal of females between regions and small effective population size. We suggest that the mean 5–8 kHz call frequency difference between the regions might develop through random cultural drift.
Herbivore‐induced jasmonic acid bursts in leaves of Nicotiana attenuata mediate short‐term reductions in root growth
Authors: HUMMEL GRÉGOIRE M. , SCHURR ULRICH , BALDWIN IAN T. , WALTER ACHIM 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTRoot growth in Nicotiana attenuata is transiently reduced after application of oral secretions (OS) of Manduca sexta larvae to wounds in leaves. Feeding of M. sexta or OS elicitation is known to result in jasmonic acid (JA) and ethylene bursts, and activates a suite of defence responses. Because both plant hormones are known to strongly reduce root growth, their activation might account for the observed reduction of root growth following herbivory. To test this hypothesis, we measured primary root growth with digital image sequence processing at high temporal resolution in antisense‐lipoxygenase 3 (asLOX3) and inverted repeat‐coronatin‐insensitive 1 (irCOI1) seedlings which are impaired in JA biosynthesis and perception, respectively, and wild‐type (WT) seedlings. Higher root growth rates in irCOI1 compared with WT were observed after OS elicitation. The dynamics of wound‐induced root growth reduction coincide with the dynamics of root growth reduction induced by external application of methyl JA. In an experiment with 1‐methylcyclopropen (1‐MCP), a potent ethylene receptor blocker, no wounding‐specific difference between growth of 1‐MCP‐treated plants and non‐treated plants was observed, suggesting that wound‐induced endogenous JA and not ethylene mediates the wounding‐specific reduction in root growth. Yet, inhibiting the ethylene response by applying 1‐MCP led to markedly increased root growth compared with that of control plants, indicating that ethylene normally suppresses plant growth in N. attenuata seedlings.
The historical record in the Scaglia limestone at Gubbio: magnetic reversals and the Cretaceous‐Tertiary mass extinction
Authors: ALVAREZ WALTER 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe Scaglia limestone in the Umbria‐Marche Apennines, well‐exposed in the Gubbio area, offered an unusual opportunity to stratigraphers. It is a deep‐water limestone carrying an unparalleled historical record of the Late Cretaceous and Palaeogene, undisturbed by erosional gaps. The Scaglia is a pelagic sediment largely composed of calcareous plankton (calcareous nannofossils and planktonic foraminifera), the best available tool for dating and long‐distance correlation. In the 1970s it was recognized that these pelagic limestones carry a record of the reversals of the magnetic field. Abundant planktonic foraminifera made it possible to date the reversals from 80 to 50 Ma, and subsequent studies of related pelagic limestones allowed the micropalaeontological calibration of more than 100 Myr of geomagnetic polarity stratigraphy, from ca 137 to ca 23 Ma. Some parts of the section also contain datable volcanic ash layers, allowing numerical age calibration of the reversal and micropalaeontological time scales. The reversal sequence determined from the Italian pelagic limestones was used to date the marine magnetic anomaly sequence, thus putting ages on the reconstructed maps of continental positions since the breakup of Pangaea. The Gubbio Scaglia also contains an apparently continuous record across the Cretaceous–Tertiary boundary, which was thought in the 1970s to be marked everywhere in the world by a hiatus. A geochemical study of the Gubbio Cretaceous–Tertiary boundary accidentally uncovered an unexpectedly large concentration of iridium in the boundary clay, providing the first evidence for a large comet or asteroid impact at the time of the Cretaceous–Tertiary mass extinction. The sudden foraminiferal extinction in the essentially complete Gubbio Scaglia showed that the Cretaceous–Tertiary extinction was a catastrophic event. After publication of the Gubbio Cretaceous–Tertiary iridium anomaly in 1980, a decade followed in which more and more evidence for a catastrophic impact challenged the traditional uniformitarian viewpoint of geologists. In 1991, the impact site was discovered at Chicxulub, in the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico. The Gubbio area has thus emerged as a classical geological locality. It has been critical in the development of geomagnetic reversal stratigraphy, a third system for dating Earth history, complementing biostratigraphy and radiometric age dating. Gubbio was also central to the recognition that occasional catastrophic events like great impacts require a rejection of strict uniformitarianism.
Quantification of allele‐specific expression of a gene encoding strawberry polygalacturonase‐inhibiting protein (PGIP) using PyrosequencingTM
Authors: Schaart Jan G. , Mehli Lisbeth , Schouten Henk J. 
Published: November 2008

SummaryRecent studies indicate that allele‐specific differences in gene expression are a common phenomenon. The extent to which differential allelic expression exists might be underestimated, due to the limited accuracy of the methods used so far. To demonstrate allele‐specific expression, we investigated the transcript abundance of six individual, highly homologous alleles of a polygalacturonase‐inhibiting protein gene (FaPGIP) from octoploid strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa). We applied the highly quantitative Pyrosequencing method which, for the gene under study, detected allele frequency differences as small as 4.0 ± 2.8%. Pyrosequencing of RT‐PCR products showed that one FaPGIP allele was preferentially expressed in leaf tissue, while two other alleles were expressed in a fruit‐specific way. For fruits that were inoculated with Botrytis cinerea a strong increase in overall FaPGIP gene expression was observed. This upregulation was accompanied by a significant change in FaPGIP allele frequencies when compared with non‐treated fruits. Remarkably, in the five cultivars tested, the allele frequency in cDNA from the inoculated fruits was similar to that in genomic DNA, suggesting uniform upregulation of all FaPGIP alleles present as a result of pathogenesis‐related stress. The results demonstrate that when Pyrosequencing of RT‐PCR products is performed, novel allele‐specific gene regulation can be detected and quantified.
HUA2 is required for the expression of floral repressors in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Doyle Mark R. , Bizzell Colleen M. , Keller Melissa R. , Michaels Scott D. , Song Judong , Noh Yoo‐Sun , Amasino Richard M. 
Published: November 2008

SummaryThe HUA2 gene acts as a repressor of floral transition. Lesions in hua2 were identified through a study of natural variation and through two mutant screens. An allele of HUA2 from Landsberg erecta (Ler) contains a premature stop codon and acts as an enhancer of early flowering 4 (elf4) mutants. hua2 single mutants, in the absence of the elf4 lesion, flower earlier than wild type under short days. hua2 mutations partially suppress late flowering in FRIGIDA (FRI )‐containing lines, autonomous pathway mutants, and a photoperiod pathway mutant. hua2 mutations suppress late flowering by reducing the expression of several MADS genes that act as floral repressors including FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC ) and FLOWERING LOCUS M (FLM ).
Molecular and functional characterization of Arabidopsis Cullin 3A
Authors: Dieterle Monika , Thomann Alexis , Renou Jean‐Pierre , Parmentier Yves , Cognat Valerie , Lemonnier Gaetan , Müller Rebecca , Shen Wen‐Hui , Kretsch Thomas , Genschik Pascal 
Published: November 2008

SummaryCullin proteins, which belong to multigenic families in all eukaryotes, associate with other proteins to form ubiquitin protein ligases (E3s) that target substrates for proteolysis by the 26S proteasome. Here, we present the molecular and genetic characterization of a plant Cullin3. In contrast to fungi and animals, the genome of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana contains two related CUL3 genes, called CUL3A and CUL3B. We found that CUL3A is ubiquitously expressed in plants and is able to interact with the ring‐finger protein RBX1. A genomic search revealed the existence of at least 76 BTB‐domain proteins in Arabidopsis belonging to 11 major families. Yeast two‐hybrid experiments indicate that representative members of certain families are able to physically interact with both CUL3A and CUL3B, suggesting that Arabidopsis CUL3 forms E3 protein complexes with certain BTB domain proteins. In order to determine the function of CUL3A, we used a reverse genetic approach. The cul3a null mutant flowers slightly later than the control plants. Furthermore, this mutant exhibits a reduced sensitivity of the inhibition of hypocotyl growth in far‐red light and miss‐expresses COP1. The viability of the mutant plants suggests functional redundancy between the two CUL3 genes in Arabidopsis.
ALS3 encodes a phloem‐localized ABC transporter‐like protein that is required for aluminum tolerance in Arabidopsis
Authors: Larsen Paul B. , Geisler Matt J.B. , Jones Carol A. , Williams Kelly M. , Cancel Jesse D. 
Published: November 2008

SummaryAluminum (Al) toxicity in acid soils is a worldwide agricultural problem that severely limits crop productivity through inhibition of root growth. Previously, Arabidopsis mutants with increased Al sensitivity were isolated in order to identify genes important for Al tolerance in plants. One mutant, als3, exhibited extreme root growth inhibition in the presence of Al, suggesting that this mutation negatively impacts a gene required for Al tolerance. Map‐based cloning of the als3‐1 mutation resulted in the isolation of a novel gene that encodes a previously undescribed ABC transporter‐like protein, which is highly homologous to a putative bacterial metal resistance protein, ybbM. Northern analysis for ALS3 expression revealed that it is found in all organs examined, which is consistent with the global nature of Al sensitivity displayed by als3, and that expression increases in roots following Al treatment. Based on GUS fusion and in situ hybridization analyses, ALS3 is primarily expressed in leaf hydathodes and the phloem throughout the plant, along with the root cortex following Al treatment. Immunolocalization indicates that ALS3 predominantly accumulates in the plasma membrane of cells that express ALS3. From our results, it appears that ALS3 encodes an ABC transporter‐like protein that is required for Al resistance/tolerance and may function to redistribute accumulated Al away from sensitive tissues in order to protect the growing root from the toxic effects of Al.