bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Proximity to rainforest enhances pollination and fruit set in orchards
Authors: BLANCHE K. ROSALIND , LUDWIG JOHN A. , CUNNINGHAM SAUL A. 
Published: September 2006

Summary

Tropical rainforests are potential reservoirs of insects that could enhance crop pollination, but only a few instances of the provision of such services by tropical rainforest insects have been reported. Our field study aimed to determine the relative importance of such insects to the pollination of macadamia Macadamia integrifolia and longan Dimocarpus longan crops on the Atherton Tableland, north Queensland, Australia.
We quantified initial fruit set, a measure of pollination success, in treatments designed to assess the relative importance of the possible modes of pollination. The treatments were applied in orchards that varied in distance from rainforest, in order to compare the effects of the contrasting pools of available pollen vectors. We also recorded the insect species present and estimated the number of visits each made to flowers in crops near and far from rainforest.
For both crops there was an interaction between pollination treatment and distance from rainforest. Maximum fruit set was only achieved when pollen vectors had access to flowers and orchards were close to rainforest. Exclusion of pollinators near rainforest reduced initial fruit set to a greater extent than exclusion of pollinators far from rainforest.
We confirmed that pollen transfer in macadamia is by autogamous self‐pollination and by pollen vectors, but our design did not distinguish among pollen vectors. The only abundant insects in macadamia orchards were honeybees Apis mellifera. There were more honeybee visits to macadamia flowers in orchards near rainforest than far from rainforest, but we detected no relationship between honeybee visits and initial macadamia fruit set in our sample of observations on a per raceme basis. More detailed studies are needed to identify the pollen vector responsible for enhanced pollination of macadamia near rainforest.
We established for the first time that pollen transfer in longan is by a combination of autogamous self‐pollination, wind and bees. Longan flowers were visited by stingless bees and honeybees but only stingless bees had a positive relationship with initial longan fruit set and higher visitation rates near rainforest than far from rainforest. This suggests that enhanced pollination in longan near rainforest resulted primarily from a more abundant supply of stingless bees from the rainforest.
Synthesis and applications. By demonstrating that tropical rainforest can act as a reservoir of pollen vectors that benefit crops, our study highlights the existence of a largely unrecognized resource available to agriculture. At the same time our results make a significant contribution to the growing database of studies that underscore the importance of tropical rainforest conservation. Policy and management aimed at sustainable use of this resource would satisfy the goals both of agriculturalists, to improve crop yields, and conservationists, to conserve tropical rainforest.
Chronic industrial noise affects pairing success and age structure of ovenbirds Seiurus aurocapilla
Authors: HABIB LUCAS , BAYNE ERIN M. , BOUTIN STAN 
Published: September 2006

Summary

Anthropogenic noise is rapidly increasing in wilderness areas as a result of industrial expansion. While many road studies have attempted to assess the effects of industrial noise on birds, conflicting factors such as edge effects often inhibit the ability to draw strong conclusions.
We assessed pairing success and age distribution of male ovenbirds Seiurus aurocapilla in the boreal forest of Alberta, Canada, in areas around noise‐generating compressor stations compared with areas around habitat‐disturbed, but noiseless, wellpads. This allowed us to control for edge effects, human visitation and other factors that are not controlled for in studies of noise generated by roads. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used to assess the impacts of noise on ovenbird pairing success, age structure and body morphology.
We found a significant reduction in ovenbird pairing success at compressor sites (77%) compared with noiseless wellpads (92%). These differences were apparent regardless of territory quality or individual male quality. Significantly more inexperienced birds breeding for the first time were found near noise‐generating compressor stations than noiseless wellpads (48% vs. 30%).
While there are multiple proximate explanations for these results, the ultimate cause of the changes seems to be noise pollution. We hypothesize that noise interferes with a male's song, such that females may not hear the male's song at greater distances and/or females may perceive males to be of lower quality because of distortion of song characteristics.
Synthesis and applications. This work demonstrates that chronic background noise could be an important factor affecting bird populations. It can impact upon pairing success and age structure of passerines; in boreal Alberta this could pose a problem for certain species as energy development expands rapidly.
Determining factors that have an impact upon effective evidence‐based pain management with older people, following colorectal surgery: an ethnographic study
Authors: Brown Donna , McCormack Brendan 
Published: September 2006

Aim. The aim of this project was to examine pain management practices with older people admitted to the colorectal unit of an acute hospital trust.Background. Although pain assessment and management are judged to be a priority, little research has examined the care older people receive in the acute surgical setting. Thus, pain in older people (65 years and over) can be under recognized and unrelieved. With the number of older people requiring surgery increasing, it is important to identify factors in the practice context that enhance or inhibit effective pain management.Design. The project drew upon an in‐depth ethnographic approach.Method. Sixty‐two hours of around the clock, non‐participant observation of nursing practice was completed. Thirty‐nine (78%) nurses and forty‐six (42%) patients were observed. Seven (6%) additional patients participated in pre‐ and postoperative interviews and 35 (90%) nurses completed the Nursing Work Index – Revised Questionnaire.Findings. Holistic pain assessment for older people was found to be deficient in the acute surgical setting. Nurses appeared unaware of the importance of addressing the particular pain needs of older patients. Inflexible analgesic prescriptions provided the mainstay treatment of pain, with minimal consideration given to non‐pharmacological strategies. Older people wanted to be active participants in their care. However, existing pain management practices disempowered older patients, making them reluctant or unable to discuss their pain with ward staff.Conclusion. Comprehensive pain assessment, improved documentation and proficient communication, inclusive of older patients, are necessary to improve pain management practices. It is imperative that patients, nurses, doctors and Acute Pain Service work in collaboration to challenge pain management practices and implement change.Relevance to clinical practice. The project demonstrated some of the multiple and complex factors that affect the older persons’ pain experience and identified three action research cycles for further development work.
The C‐terminal half of Phytophthora infestans RXLR effector AVR3a is sufficient to trigger R3a‐mediated hypersensitivity and suppress INF1‐induced cell death in Nicotiana benthamiana
Authors: Bos Jorunn I. B. , Kanneganti Thirumala‐Devi , Young Carolyn , Cakir Cahid , Huitema Edgar , Win Joe , Armstrong Miles R. , Birch Paul R. J. , Kamoun Sophien 
Published: September 2006

SummaryThe RXLR cytoplasmic effector AVR3a of Phytophthora infestans confers avirulence on potato plants carrying the R3a gene. Two alleles of Avr3a encode secreted proteins that differ in only three amino acid residues, two of which are in the mature protein. Avirulent isolates carry the Avr3a allele, which encodes AVR3aKI (containing amino acids C19, K80 and I103), whereas virulent isolates express only the virulence allele avr3a, encoding AVR3aEM (S19, E80 and M103). Only the AVR3aKI protein is recognized inside the plant cytoplasm where it triggers R3a‐mediated hypersensitivity. Similar to other oomycete avirulence proteins, AVR3aKI carries a signal peptide followed by a conserved motif centered on the consensus RXLR sequence that is functionally similar to a host cell‐targeting signal of malaria parasites. The interaction between Avr3a and R3a can be reconstructed by their transient co‐expression in Nicotiana benthamiana. We exploited the N. benthamiana experimental system to further characterize the Avr3a–R3a interaction. R3a activation by AVR3aKI is dependent on the ubiquitin ligase‐associated protein SGT1 and heat‐shock protein HSP90. The AVR3aKI and AVR3aEM proteins are equally stable in planta, suggesting that the difference in R3a‐mediated death cannot be attributed to AVR3aEM protein instability. AVR3aKI is able to suppress cell death induced by the elicitin INF1 of P. infestans, suggesting a possible virulence function for this protein. Structure–function experiments indicated that the 75‐amino acid C‐terminal half of AVR3aKI, which excludes the RXLR region, is sufficient for avirulence and suppression functions, consistent with the view that the N‐terminal region of AVR3aKI and other RXLR effectors is involved in secretion and targeting but is not required for effector activity. We also found that both polymorphic amino acids, K80 and I103, of mature AVR3a contribute to the effector functions.
Modulating the proteinase inhibitory profile of a plant cystatin by single mutations at positively selected amino acid sites
Authors: Kiggundu Andrew , Goulet Marie‐Claire , Goulet Charles , Dubuc Jean‐François , Rivard Daniel , Benchabane Meriem , Pépin Geneviève , Vyver Christell van der , Kunert Karl , Michaud Dominique 
Published: September 2006

SummaryCysteine proteinase inhibitors of the cystatin superfamily have several important functions in plants, including the inhibition of exogenous cysteine proteinases during herbivory or infection. Here we used a maximum‐likelihood approach to assess whether plant cystatins, like other proteins implicated in host–pest interactions, have been subject to positive selection during the course of their evolution. Several amino acid sites were identified as being positively selected in cystatins from either Poaceae (monocots) and Solanaceae (dicots). These hypervariable sites were located at strategic positions on the protein: on each side of the conserved glycine residues in the N‐terminal trunk, within the first and second inhibitory loops entering the active site of target enzymes, and surrounding the larfav motif, a sequence of unknown function conserved among plant cystatins. Supporting the assumption that positively selected, hypervariable sites are indicative of amino acid sites implicated in functional diversity, mutants of the 8th cystatin unit of tomato multicystatin including alternative residues at positively selected sites in the N‐terminal trunk exhibited highly variable affinities for the cysteine proteases papain, cathepsin B and cathepsin H. Overall, these observations support the hypothesis that plant cystatins have been under selective pressure to evolve in response to predatory challenges by herbivorous enemies. They also indicate the potential of site‐directed mutagenesis at positively selected sites for the generation of cystatins with improved binding properties.
Effect of Copper Deficiency on Blood Lipid Profile and Haematological Parameters in Broilers
Authors: Kaya A. , Altıner A. , ÖZpınar A. 
Published: September 2006

SummaryThe aim of the study was to observe the changes in haematological parameters and blood lipid profile through copper (Cu) deficiency. Eighty broiler chicks were used in the study. The chicks were separated into two equal groups (n = 40), feed treatment according to the groups started on day 7. The animals in the control group were fed with normal feed. Those in the Cu‐deficient group were fed with feed that did not contain supplemental Cu. Blood samples were taken from all the animals on days 7, 21 and 49. Fibrinogen and prothrombin time were assayed in plasma; total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐cholesterol), triglyceride and ceruloplasmin were assayed in sera; and haematocrit and thrombocyte levels were assayed in the blood samples. Total cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL‐cholesterol levels were significantly higher in the Cu‐deficient group than in the control group. Serum ceruloplasmin levels were lower in the Cu‐deficient group than in the control group. Prothrombin time was higher in the Cu‐deficient group than in the control group. Haematocrit levels were lower in the Cu‐deficient group than in the control group. It was concluded that Cu deficiency created hypertriglyceridaemia, hypercholesterolaemia, insufficient growth and anaemia in broilers.
Influence of Anaesthesia on Canine Hip Dysplasia Score*
Authors: Genevois J‐P. , Chanoit G. , Carozzo C. , Remy D. , Fau D. , Viguier E. 
Published: September 2006

SummaryHip dysplasia (HD) scores, based on the five grades, as defined by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale, were compared between anaesthetized (group 1,n = 3839) and non‐sedated non‐anaesthetized dogs (group 2,n = 1517). Each dog was radiographed in the standard ventro‐dorsal hip joint extended position. Each radiograph was evaluated by the same reader blinded regarding the dog's status of anaesthesia. Results showed that there was a significant difference in hip dysplasia prevalence between group 1 (22%) compared with group 2 (9%) (P < 0.005). This difference was the result of a lower rate of hip‐joint laxity assessment and the measurement of Norberg–Olsson angle <105° in group 2 compared with group 1. The acetabular and femoral morphologies were not significantly different between the groups. The data confirm that the scoring of dogs for HD on standard radiographs with the hip joints extended is influenced by anaesthesia.
Influence ofEscherichia coliEndotoxin‐Induced Endotoxaemia on the Pharmacokinetics of Enrofloxacin after Intravenous Administration in Rabbits
Authors: Elmas M. , Yazar E. , Uney K. , Er (Karabacak) A. 
Published: September 2006

SummaryThe main goal of present study was to determine the effects of anEscherichia coliendotoxin‐induced endotoxaemic status on disposition of enrofloxacin after a single intravenous dose (5 mg/kg) in rabbits. Septic shock was induced by the i.v. bolus administration at a single dose ofE. colilipopolysaccharide. Six adult New Zealand White rabbits were used. Concentrations of drug in plasma were determined by HPLC. The plasma pharmacokinetic values for enrofloxacin were best represented using a two‐compartment open model. Total plasma clearance (ClT) decreased from 2.11 (l/h/kg) in healthy animals to 1.50 (l/h/kg) in rabbits with septic shock, which is related to an increase in the AUC0→∞. In endotoxaemic rabbits, volume of distribution at steady state (Vdss = 3.61 l/kg) was significantly lower (P < 0.05) than in healthy animals (Vdss = 4.97 l/kg). However, the elimination half‐life of enrofloxacin was not affected by lipopolysaccharide administration.
Pathology ofTrichuris suisInfection in Pigs Fed an Inulin‐ and a Non‐inulin‐containing Diet
Authors: Krag L. , Thomsen L. E. , Iburg T. 
Published: September 2006

SummaryPathology of the colon in pigs infected withTrichuris suisand fed an inulin and a non‐inulin containing diet was studied to investigate the inflammatory response induced and the influence of inulin on this. Twenty‐nine pigs were allocated into four groups (N‐7, I‐7, N‐9 and N/I‐9). Groups N‐7, N‐9 and N/I‐9 were given a diet with non‐fermentable carbohydrates, and group I‐7 was fed a diet including fermentable carbohydrates (inulin). After 2 weeks, all pigs were inoculated with 2000T. suiseggs. Seven weeks post‐infection (p.i.), groups N‐7 and I‐7 were killed and group N/I‐9 changed to inulin diet to study the influence of inulin on already establishedT. suis. Nine weeks p.i., groups N‐9 and N/I‐9 were killed.Trichuris suiswere collected from the colon for enumeration. Tissues from the colon of each pig were taken for histological and immunohistochemical quantitative and semi‐quantitative evaluations of heterophils, eosinophils, mast cells, IgA+, IgG+, IgM+and CD3+cells. The findings were compared with tissues from seven uninfected pigs of the same age. Pigs fed inulin had significantly fewer worms compared with pigs on the non‐fermentable carbohydrate diet. The number of inflammatory cells in the colonic mucosa was increased in allT. suis‐infected pigs compared with uninfected controls. The numbers of eosinophils, mast cells, IgA+, IgG+and CD3+cells were significantly lower in pigs fed inulin than pigs fed non‐fermentable carbohydrate. Whether this is a direct effect of inulin or a secondary effect due to the lower parasitic burden in inulin fed pigs is not known.
Gliomatosis Cerebri in a Dog
Authors: Gruber A. , Leschnik M. , Kneissl S. , Schmidt P. 
Published: September 2006

SummaryGliomatosis cerebri is a rare tumourous disease of the central nervous system consisting of glial cells characterized by diffuse widespread infiltration and preservation of preformed brain structures. This report describes a case of gliomatosis cerebri in a 9‐year‐old, male, flat‐coated retriever dog with central nervous symptoms. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain demonstrated ill‐defined hyperintense zones of paramedian white matter within the right cerebral hemisphere, brainstem and cerebellum. Histological examination showed a proliferation of tumour cells in the brain structures mentioned. Glial fibrillary acidic protein‐immunohistochemistry revealed a lot of fibres positively stained. Based on these findings, the alteration was diagnosed as gliomatosis cerebri.
EcoTILLING for the identification of allelic variation in the powdery mildew resistance genes mlo and Mla of barley
Authors: Mejlhede N. , Kyjovska Z. , Backes G. , Burhenne K. , Rasmussen S. K. , Jahoor A. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractIn this investigation the successful implementation of a CEL I‐based mutation detection technique for the discovery and detection of DNA polymorphism in the genes mlo and Mla of barley is described. The technique is called EcoTILLING, which is a high‐throughput method to detect and discover new point mutations and small insertions/deletions in DNA. That the method not only reveals polymorphism between different alleles but can also be used as a powerful genetic marker is demonstrated. The genes mlo and Mla are involved in the defence of barley against the fungal pathogen powdery mildew. The powdery mildew resistance gene mlo is a single copy gene, whereas multiple alleles exist at the Mla locus. With EcoTILLING it was possible to identify point mutations and deletions in each of the 11 mlo mutants tested. For Mla 25 natural barley variants were tested, and although the identification was complex due to the presence of highly similar paralogues of Mla, most of the recently identified alleles from Hordeum vulgare ssp. spontaneum were identified. This method offers the possibility to combine different mlo alleles with different Mla alleles from wild barley to obtain cultivars with more durable resistance.
Potential for effective marker‐assisted selection of three quantitative trait loci conferring adult plant resistance to powdery mildew in elite wheat breeding populations
Authors: Tucker D. M. , Griffey C. A. , Liu S. , Saghai Maroof M. A. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractThree quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with adult plant resistance (APR) to powdery mildew (Blumeria graminis) in wheat (Triticum aestivum) cultivar ‘Massey’ were mapped in a previous study. The three QTL were located on chromosomes 2A, 2B and 1B, and explained 50% of the total phenotypic variation. A 293 recombinant inbred line (RIL) breeding population (UJ) derived from the cross of ‘USG 3209’, a derivative of ‘Massey’, and ‘Jaypee’ was used to evaluate the potential effectiveness of marker‐assisted selection (MAS) for APR. Powdery mildew severities of the 293 UJ RILs were evaluated in 2002 (F5 : 6) and 2003 (F6 : 7) under natural disease pressure in the field. The 293 RILs were also evaluated for disease severity in a 2004 (F7 : 8) greenhouse experiment using a composite of five different isolates of B. graminis. Selection of RILs possessing the QTL on chromosome 2A, and to a lesser extent, the one on chromosome 1B was effective in identifying powdery mildew resistance in both greenhouse and field experiments. Overall, selecting RILs with QTL on chromosomes 2A and 2B was most successful in identifying highly resistant RILs, which had mean mildew severities of 4.4% and 3.2% in 2002 and 2003 field experiments, respectively. Breeders implementing MAS programs for APR to powdery mildew via selection of RILs containing the two QTL on chromosomes 2A and 2B likely will obtain RILs having high levels of resistance in the field, however combining all three QTL may ensure greater durability.
QTL mapping of resistance in lentil (Lens culinarisssp.culinaris) to ascochyta blight (Ascochyta lentis)
Authors: Rubeena  , Taylor P. W. J. , Ades P. K. , Ford R. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractQuantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis of ascochyta blight resistance in lentil was conducted using genomic maps developed from two F2populations, viz. ILL5588/ILL7537 and ILL7537/ILL6002. Five QTLs for ascochyta blight resistance were identified by composite interval mapping (CIM) across four linkage groups (LG) in population ILL5588/ILL7537. Three QTLs were identified by CIM in population ILL7537/ILL6002 (two in close proximity on LGI and one on LGII). Two of these coincided with regions identified using multiple interval mapping (MIM) and were shown to be conditioned by dominant and partial dominant gene action. Together, they accounted for approximately 50% of the phenotypic variance of disease severity. Comparison between the two populations revealed a potentially common QTL and several common regions that contained markers significantly associated with resistance. This study demonstrated the transferability of QTLs among populations and identified markers closely linked to the major QTL that may be useful for future marker‐assisted selection for disease resistance.
Characterization of the MIPS gene family in Glycine max
Authors: Chappell A. S. , Scaboo A. M. , Wu X. , Nguyen H. , Pantalone V. R. , Bilyeu K. D. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractPhytic acid (myo‐inositol‐1,2,3,4,5,6‐hexakisphosphate) is the primary storage component of phosphorus in plant seeds. The first step in phytic acid biosynthesis is the de novo synthesis of myo‐inositol, which is catalyzed by the enzyme D‐myo‐inositol 3‐phosphate synthase (MIPS EC 5.5.1.4). Previous work detected four MIPS genes in soybean (Glycine max). However, only a limited amount of data were available for the MIPS gene family and some of the data were conflicting. The work described here clears up these data and characterizes the MIPS gene family for the purposes of reverse genetic technologies. The complete genomic sequence of all four genes was determined and their expression profile was examined by quantitative real‐time reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction. Our results indicate that the four MIPS genes are highly conserved and temporally and spatially expressed. The MIPS gene family in the low phytic acid soybean line, CX1834, was also characterized since this line displays a phenotype similar to previously characterized MIPS mutants. These data demonstrate that mutations in MIPS genes are not the cause of the low phytic acid phenotype.