bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Caught Red-Handed:RcEncodes a Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Protein Conditioning Red Pericarp in Rice
Authors: Sweeney Megan T. , Thomson Michael J. , Pfeil Bernard E. , McCouch Susan 
Published: January 2006

AbstractRc is a domestication-related gene required for red pericarp in rice (Oryza sativa). The red grain color is ubiquitous among the wild ancestors of O. sativa, in which it is closely associated with seed shattering and dormancy. Rc encodes a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) protein that was fine-mapped to an 18.5-kb region on rice chromosome 7 using a cross between Oryza rufipogon (red pericarp) and O. sativa cv Jefferson (white pericarp). Sequencing of the alleles from both mapping parents as well as from two independent genetic stocks of Rc revealed that the dominant red allele differed from the recessive white allele by a 14-bp deletion within exon 6 that knocked out the bHLH domain of the protein. A premature stop codon was identified in the second mutant stock that had a light red pericarp. RT-PCR experiments confirmed that the Rc gene was expressed in both red- and white-grained rice but that a shortened transcript was present in white varieties. Phylogenetic analysis, supported by comparative mapping in rice and maize (Zea mays), showed that Rc, a positive regulator of proanthocyanidin, is orthologous with INTENSIFIER1, a negative regulator of anthocyanin production in maize, and is not in the same clade as rice bHLH anthocyanin regulators.
Rapid Neural Fos Responses to Oestradiol in Oestrogen Receptor αβ Double Knockout Mice
Authors: Dominguez‐Salazar E. , Shetty S. , Rissman E. F. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractThe standard mode of action for oestradiol is via activation of nuclear oestrogen receptors (ERs), which initiate DNA transcription leading to protein formation. In the present study, we examined the rapid and potentially ER‐independent action of oestradiol using Fos as a marker of neural activity. We assessed Fos immunoreactivity (ir) in brains of mice with functional versus nonfunctional ERs. Fos‐ir was compared in brains of control mice that did and did not receive oestradiol treatment prior to sacrifice, and cell numbers in the preoptic area (POA), ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMH), area 2 of cingulate cortex (CG2), granular layer of accessory olfactory bulb (Gr‐AOB), olivary pretectal nucleus (OPT) and pyramidal layer of field CA3 of hippocampus (Py‐CA3) were increased 90 min after oestradiol treatment. By contrast, in brains of double oestrogen receptor αβ knockout (ERαβKO) female mice, no change in Fos‐ir was noted after oestradiol treatment in the POA, VMH, Gr‐AOB or Py‐CA3, suggesting that these responses to oestradiol depend on ERα and/or ERβ. However, Fos‐ir was induced by oestradiol in the OPT and CG2 in ERαβKO mice. These regions do not contain ERα‐ir in control brains. In ERαβKO brains as well, ERα‐ir was absent, suggesting that the mutant ERα (E1) present in ERαKO brain is also absent in these regions. We speculate that oestradiol has rapid effects in the OPT and CG2 via a novel mechanism that does not require either classic oestrogen receptor.
In vitroeffects of meloxicam with or without doxorubicin on canine osteosarcoma cells
Authors: WOLFESBERGER B. , HOELZL C. , WALTER I. , REIDER G. A. , FERTL G. , THALHAMMER J. G. , SKALICKY M. , EGERBACHER M. 
Published: January 2006

Cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors, already widely used to reduce fever, inflammation and pain, are under increasing consideration as potential agents for the prevention and treatment of neoplasia. As COX‐2 was detected in human and canine osteosarcomas, we have evaluated the effect of the preferential COX‐2 inhibitor meloxicam on an established D‐17 canine osteosarcoma cell line, which expressed, as well as COX‐1 and COX‐2 also COX‐3 (as demonstrated by Western blot). An XTT proliferation kit was used to assess surviving cells after drug treatment. At low concentrations (1, 2, 4 and 10 μm) meloxicam caused an increase in cell numbers while a marked anti‐proliferative effect was observed at higher concentrations (100, 200 μm) after 3 days and also 3 weeks of incubation. The chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin showed a cytotoxic effect at all concentrations (60–1920 nm). Exposure of tumour cells to combinations of meloxicam and doxorubicin revealed synergistic effects (with 240 nmdoxorubicin), as well as sub‐additive and antagonistic results, especially if combined with concentrations of meloxicam typically found in serum.Care should be taken in concluding, on the basis of onein vitrostudy, that meloxicam does not have a role in the treatment of canine osteosarcomas given that the results fromin vivostudies may differ.
An investigation of the impact of prolonged waiting times on blood donors in Ireland
Authors: McKeever T. , Sweeney M. R. , Staines A. 
Published: January 2006

Background and Objectives  The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of prolonged queuing times on blood donors, by measuring their satisfaction levels, and positive and negative affects. As donation times have increased over the past number of years within the Irish Blood Transfusion Service, this is an important issue to examine in a climate where voluntary donors are becoming scarce and demands on people's time are increasing.Materials and Methods  Eighty‐five blood donors were sampled from one urban and one rural blood donor clinic. The respondents conducted a questionnaire by means of face‐to‐face interview, while waiting in the clinic. The questionnaire contained the Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS), and a waiting satisfaction scale. Both actual and perceived waiting times of the donors were noted.Results  Waiting time was found to be negatively related to satisfaction. Inexperienced donors expressed higher levels of negative affect than experienced donors. Urban donors were significantly more satisfied than rural donors. There was a significant difference in perceived waiting time between lone donors and those queuing in a group, with those waiting alone perceiving their wait as shorter. While all respondents stated that they intended to donate again, over one‐third stated that prolonged waiting times would be their most likely deterrent. However, only 15% stated that long queuing times might actually prevent them from donating in the future, and almost all respondents said that they would recommend donation to a friend, despite long queuing times.Conclusions  Although our results show that the respondents were not satisfied with current waiting times, it did not seem to affect their future intentions to donate. These findings provide some optimism for the future of blood donation in Ireland, as they suggest a strong sense of commitment to donation within the population sampled. Future research could explore the application of ‘the service industry’ approach to waiting times to blood donation clinics.
Analysis of a Long‐term Experiment with Repeated‐measurement Models
Authors: Richter C. , Kroschewski B. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractLong‐term experiments are a classical case of repeated measurements. Traits are measured on the same experimental unit over many years so that correlations arise between the observations made on the same plot in consecutive years. This paper describes the analysis of a three‐crop‐rotation long‐term experiment. We analysed the yields of the crops and the organic carbon content in the topsoil over 30 consecutive years. Several variance–covariance approaches are discussed and the trait‐specific best fit is interpreted. Mixed models are used to describe the structure of the experiment. Both yields and soil organic carbon show a more or less pronounced variance heterogeneity. Especially for yields, the heterogeneity of cycles and years is dominant. The consideration of correlations results in a better model fit in all cases.
The Effect of Sward Management on the Mineral Content of Winter Grazed Herbage
Authors: Von Boberfeld W. Opitz , Banzhaf K. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractNo information is available regarding the mineral content of autumn‐saved herbage during winter grazing under Central European conditions. Therefore, P, K, Na, Mg and Ca concentrations of autumn‐saved growths of Festuca arundinacea and Lolium perenne were analysed considering the potential influence of pre‐utilization (saved from June or July), date of winter harvest (December, January, February) and year (three winters). For all years date of winter harvest was the main source of variance, whereas date of preceding cut had no relevant effect on the mineral concentrations during winter. Already in December P [2.3 to 4.0 g kg−1 dry matter (DM)], Na (0.3 to 3 g kg−1 DM) and Mg (1.0 to 2.4 g kg−1 DM) concentrations were mostly below the required levels for ruminants. The lowest values were detected in February. K levels ranged between 6.6 g kg−1 DM in February and 23.4 g kg−1 DM in December; on average, K concentrations decreased about 10 g kg−1 DM with advancing winter. Ca concentrations (2.9 to 7.4 g kg−1 DM) hardly changed during winter. Related to higher growth rates of F. arundinacea before December, P and Ca concentrations were diluted, but regarding Mg, more wintergreen F. arundinacea reached higher values than L. perenne especially at the beginning of winter.
The Effect of Cultivar and Environment on β‐amylase Activity is Associated with the Change of Protein Content in Barley Grains
Authors: Zhang G. P. , Chen J. X. , Dai F. , Wang J. M. , Wu F. B. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractEight malt barley cultivars were grown in seven locations with wide ecological differences in China for two successive years to study the cultivar and environmental variation of β‐amylase activity and its association with the change of protein content in grains. The results showed that the variation in β‐amylase activity was mainly attributable to the environment (location and year), although the effect of cultivar was also highly significant. The response of β‐amylase activity to the environment differed markedly among cultivars, reflected by large difference in coefficients of variation for the cultivars grown across diverse locations. The effect of cultivar and environment on protein content showed a pattern similar to that on β‐amylase, but the variations caused by cultivar and, in particular, environment were relatively smaller for protein content than for enzymatic activity. Regression analysis showed that there was a highly significant correlation between protein content and β‐amylase activity for all cultivars but ZAU 3. However, an obvious difference existed in the constants and regressive coefficients of the equation among cultivars, suggesting genetic differences in the effect of the changed protein content on β‐amylase activity.
Solute Accumulation as a Cause for Quality Losses in Sugar Beet Submitted to Continuous and Temporary Drought Stress
Authors: Bloch D. , Hoffmann C. M. , Märländer B. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractAdaptation to low water availability in sugar beet includes the accumulation of solutes relevant for the technical quality of the beet. Two sugar beet genotypes were grown in pot experiments under drought stress of different severity to study effects on taproot composition and concentration of solutes relevant for technical quality, reversibility of drought effects after re‐watering and genotypic differences in drought response. Differences in stress sensitivity between the genotypes were not observed as reductions in taproot and leaf dry weight and white sugar yield were the same. Increasing dry matter concentration with decreasing water supply could, in part, be attributed to an increase in the concentration of cell wall components. The major solutes in the taproot were sucrose, potassium, amino N (the sum of amino acids) and betaine. Sucrose concentration decreased considerably under drought, indicating limited availability of assimilates. In contrast, all further solutes increased in concentration with increasing severity of stress. However, the response of individual solutes varied largely. Changes in amino N and nitrate were most pronounced and probably reflect accumulation of non‐utilized metabolites under limited growth. The drought‐induced accumulation of taproot solutes implicates a considerable decrease in the technical quality of the beet. It was only in part reversible by re‐watering. Genotypic variability for solute accumulation under water deficiency was observed but was not linked to drought tolerance.
Water Relation, Photosynthetic Ability and Growth of Thai Jasmine Rice (Oryza sativaL. ssp.indicacv. KDML 105) to Salt Stress by Application of Exogenous Glycinebetaine and Choline
Authors: Cha‐um S. , Supaibulwatana K. , Kirdmanee C. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractRice reportedly possesses a very low capacity to accumulate glycinebetaine (Glybet), but may be accumulated by the exogenous application of Glybet or Choline (Cho) as an alternative way to improve its salt‐tolerant ability. The aim of this research was to determine whether Glybet accumulation could be induced in Thai jasmine rice by the exogenous application of Glybet and Cho, and to determine the effects of Glybet and Cho treatment on various growth parameters of seedlings cultured under salt‐stress conditions. Thai jasmine rice seeds were aseptically germinatedin vitroon solidified Murashige–Skoog media, supplied with either Glybet or Cho in the culture media for 12 days and then treated with 342 mmNaCl (salt stress) for 4 days. GlyBet content, water relation, photosynthetic capabilities and growth characteristics of salt‐stressed seedlings were measured. The addition of Glybet or Cho to plant culture media containing 342 mmNaCl resulted in increased accumulation of Glybet in rice seedlings. Increased Glybet accumulation was strongly associated with a high efficiency of water usage (r = 0.96), which in turn correlated with increased maximum quantum yield of PSII (Fv/Fm) (r = 0.86). Moreover, the pigment concentrations of seedlings cultured under salt stress were maintained by a function of Glybet, led to high efficiency of photochemical and non‐photochemical quenching of PSII as well as to exhibit on net photosynthetic rate. Thus, our results suggest that the addition of either Glybet or Cho to the plant growth media can improve growth performance under salt stress conditions by increasing the salt tolerance of Thai jasmine rice. The exogenous application of Glybet and/or Cho to culture media may be an effective method of improving resistance to salt stress via the promotion of Glybet accumulation with in rice seedlings.
Yield Components of Apical and Subapical Ear Contributing to the Grain Yield Responses of Prolific Maize at High and Low Plant Populations
Authors: Svečnjak Z. , Varga B. , Butorac J. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractSubapical ears are largely responsible for grain yield variations in prolific maize (Zea mays L.) grown under conditions favourable for the expression of prolificacy trait, but limited information exists on yield components contributing to yield responses. A field experiment was conducted to determine the yield components of apical and subapical ear in prolific maize after various pollination treatments at two plant populations. Hybrid Pioneer 3733 was grown in the perfect stands of 71 428 and 35 714 plants ha−1. Three pollination treatments were carried out: (i) free pollination; (ii) subapical earshoots were covered to prevent pollination; and (iii) apical earshoots were covered to prevent pollination. Grain yields of free pollinated plants were by 50.1 % larger at low plant population (265 g per plant) than at high plant population (177 g per plant) due to a 45.3 % increase in kernels per plant, whereas 1000‐kernel weight slightly increased by 3.3 %. These increased kernels per plant at low plant population were, in part, the result of kernel increments on apical ear (10.1 %), and mainly associated with kernels from subapical ears that did not occur at high plant population. At low plant population, the total grain yield per plant was reduced by 94 g (35.5 %) after the apical ear was bagged to prevent pollination, but only 52 g (19.6 %) when the subapical ear was bagged. When subapical ear development was stopped at low plant population, grain yield on apical ears increased by only 3.9 % as a result of heavier 1000‐kernel weights, clearly demonstrating limitations in kernel set and size. After grain development on apical ear was prevented, subapical ear enlarged to 80.3 % of maximum apical ear yield because the former had, on average, 2.5 % lighter 1000‐kernel weight and 17.5 % fewer kernels than the latter. Ears did not differ in row number when only apical or subapical ear was developed on plant, whereas subapical ears tended to have fewer rows than apical ears when both were present on the same plant. Our results showed that: (i) plant population affected all yield components on both apical and subapical ear except row number; (ii) the occurrence of subapical ear is triggered by achieving maximum potential kernel set on apical ear; and (iii) subapical ear is inferior in potential grain yield to apical one even when the latter was prevented from pollination.
Effects of Foliar Application of Elicitors on Red Clover Isoflavone Content
Authors: Sivesind E. , Seguin P. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractRed clover (Trifolium pratense L.) contains high concentrations of isoflavones, compounds that have received much interest lately due to their presumed benefits for human health. In this experiment we tested the possibility to induce isoflavone production in the foliage of two greenhouse‐grown red clover cultivars (‘Azur’ and ‘Start’) through the application of elicitor compounds. Foliar applications of different concentrations of acetic acid (50, 100, 250 and 500 mm), yeast extract (1, 2, 3 and 4 g l−1), and chitosan (125, 250, 500, and 1000 mg l−1) were carried out on plants at the late vegetative stage, which were harvested 2 or 8 days after spraying. Concentrations of genistein, daidzein, formononetin and biochanin A were determined by high performance liquid chromatography. The two cultivars differed in isoflavone concentrations, ‘Azur’ having on average 36 % higher biochanin A, formononetin and total isoflavone concentrations than ‘Start’ (P < 0.05). A cultivar × sampling date interaction (P < 0.1) reflected a 20 % increase over time in total isoflavone concentration with ‘Azur’, which was not observed with ‘Start’. Effects of elicitors were limited, contrasts indicating overall, 12, 14 and 15 % greater total isoflavone concentration in yeast extract (P < 0.1), chitosan (P < 0.05) and acetic acid (P < 0.05)‐treated plants, respectively, than in untreated control plants. There were few differences between the various elicitors and none between concentrations of each elicitor.
Tuscany autochthonous cattle breeds: an original genetic resource investigated by AFLP markers
Authors: Negrini R. , Milanesi E. , Bozzi R. , Pellecchia M. , Ajmone‐Marsan P. 
Published: January 2006

SummaryThe aim of this study was to assess the genetic diversity of four autochthonous cattle breeds of Tuscany and their relationships in comparison with Italian Friesian and Italian Brown, using amplified fragment length polymorphism markers. A total of 212 individuals were genotyped with three primer combinations generating 102 polymorphic markers. Average expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.23 in Mucca Pisana to 0.26 in Chianina, Italian Friesian, Italian Brown and Maremmana. The differences resulted not significant (Kruskall–Wallis test, p = 0.416). Gst‐B index revealed that 86% of the total genetic variance is retained within population and only 14% is accounted by the between populations component. Multivariate analysis at individual and population level indicated that: (i) Calvana and Chianina are quite separate from the other breeds as an effect of the bottleneck experienced or as a signature of different origin; (ii) Podolian, Maremmana and Italian Brown clustered with the double purpose Mucca Pisana, revealing their contribution to its admixed genetic make up; (iii) Italian Friesian behaved always as out group. The ‘analysis of molecular variance’ recovered a significant subdivision clustering the six populations into three groups: Italian Friesian and Italian Brown versus Maremmana and Mucca Pisana versus Chianina and Calvana (6% of the total variance).
Association of a melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) polymorphism with performance traits in Lithuanian White pigs
Authors: Jokubka R. , Maak S. , Kerziene S. , Swalve H. H. 
Published: January 2006

SummaryThe melanocortin 4 receptor is expressed in virtually all brain regions of mammals and plays an important role in energy homeostasis. Polymorphisms in this gene may thus be related to growth and obesity. In pigs, a non‐synonymous polymorphic site was described (Asp298Asn) and demonstrated to affect cAMP production and to alter adenylyl cyclase signalling. Association studies revealed significant linkage of this mutation with production trait in pigs. In this study, 207 Lithuanian White pigs were genotyped at the MC4R locus and analysed on relationships between genotype and breeding values for several performance traits. The observed allele and genotype frequencies did not deviate significantly from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (wildtype allele 0.59; mutant allele 0.41) and are comparable with those described in other Large White populations. The mutant Asn298 allele of the MC4R gene was significantly associated with increased test daily gain, higher lean meat percentage and lower backfat thickness. There was a trend towards an improved feed conversion ratio (p = 0.065) in animals with the mutant allele whereas no significant effect was found on lifetime daily gain. These results indicate that the MC4R polymorphism should be integrated in selection programmes in the Lithuanian White to improve carcass composition.
Quantitative analysis of production traits in saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus): IV. number of scale rows
Authors: Isberg S.R. , Thomson P.C. , Nicholas F.W. , Webb G.J.W. , Manolis S.C. , Barker S.G. , Moran C. 
Published: January 2006

SummaryA total of 3156 scale row records, comprising 1739 full‐sibling records from 30 families from Janamba Croc Farm (NT, Australia) and 1417 parent–offspring records from 19 families from Wildlife Management International, Pty Ltd (NT, Australia), collected at each facility using a different method, were analysed using ASReml. The full‐sibling heritability estimate for the Janamba data was 0.37 (SE 0.03). The animal model estimate of heritability for the Wildlife Management International (WMI) data, also based predominantly on full‐sibling data, was 0.42 (SE 0.04). The counts from three counting methods were evaluated by regression analysis on 100 individuals and were found to be highly correlated. Using the regression relationship, the WMI data were transformed and pooled with the Janamba data to give an animal model heritability estimate of 0.42 (SE 0.04). A multitrait analysis revealed negligible correlations (both phenotypical and genetical) between hatchling size traits and the number of scale rows. There is ample genetic variation to incorporate this trait into a genetic improvement programme for farmed saltwater crocodiles.