bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The relationship between rhizosphere nitrification and nitrogen‐use efficiency in rice plants
Authors: LI YI LIN , FAN XIAO RONG , SHEN QI RONG 
Published: October 2007

ABSTRACTTwo different rice cultivars, Yangdao 6 [Indica rice cultivar with high nitrogen‐use efficiency (NUE)] and Nongken 57 (Japonica rice cultivar with low NUE) were used to study the relationship between NUE and nitrification activity in the rice seedling rhizosphere soil using a rhizobox with three compartments, and a soil‐slicing method. The roots of both rice cultivars developed aerenchyma tissue [expressed as percentage porosity of root (POR)], but Yangdao 6 showed better development than Nongken 57. This root morphology change results in more radial oxygen loss (ROL) into the rhizosphere. Leaf glutamine synthetase activity (GSA) and nitrate (NO3‐) reductase activity (NRA) of Yangdao 6 were significantly higher than those of Nongken 57, while there was no significant difference in root NRA between the cultivars.The nitrification activities were maximal in rhizosphere soil, followed by those in the bulk soil and the root surface for both cultivars. The rhizosphere nitrification activity, NO3‐ concentration and abundance of ammonia‐oxidizing bacteria (AOB) associated with Yangdao 6 were always higher than those of Nongken 57. Therefore, we conclude that the greater N uptake by Yangdao 6 when compared to Nongken 57 can be mainly attributed to the bigger capacity for nitrification in Yangdao 6.
Induction of Murine AA Amyloidosis by Various Homogeneous Amyloid Fibrils and Amyloid‐like Synthetic Peptides
Authors: Liu Y. , Cui D. , Hoshii Y. , Kawano H. , Une Y. , Gondo T. , Ishihara T. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractWe investigated amyloid‐enhancing factor (AEF) activity of amyloid fibrils extracted from amyloid‐laden livers of mice, cow, cheetah, cat and swan. All amyloid fibrils were confirmed to be amyloid protein A (AA) by an immunohistochemical analysis. We found that these fibrils accelerated the deposition of amyloid in an experimental mouse model of AA amyloidosis. Furthermore, the degree of deposition was dependent on the concentration of fibrils. When we compared the minimal concentration of amyloid fibrils needed to induce deposition, we found that these fibrils showed different efficiencies. Murine amyloid fibril induced amyloid deposition more efficiently than cow, cat, cheetah or swan amyloid fibrils. These data suggest that amyloid deposition is preferentially induced by amyloid fibrils with the same primary sequence as the endogenous amyloid protein. We then analysed the AEF activity of synthetic peptides, synthesized corresponding to amino acids 1–15 of mouse SAA (mSAA), 2–15 of cow SAA (bSAA), 1–15 of cat SAA (cSAA), which was the same as cheetah, and the common amino acids 33–45 of these four SAA (aSAA). We found that mSAA, bSAA and cSAA formed amyloid‐like fibrils in morphology and showed similar AEF properties to those of native amyloid fibrils. Although aSAA also formed highly ordered amyloid‐like fibrils, it showed weaker AEF activity than the other synthetic fibrils. Our results indicate that amyloidosis is transmissible between species under certain conditions; however, the efficiency of amyloid deposition is species‐specific and appears to be related to the primary amino acid sequence, especially the N‐terminal segment of the amyloid protein.
Generation of Anti‐tumour Effector T Cells from Naïve T Cells by Stimulation with Dendritic/tumour Fusion Cells
Authors: Ishida A. , Tanaka H. , Hiura T. , Miura S. , Watanabe S. , Matsuyama K. , Kuriyama H. , Tanaka J. , Kagamu H. , Gejyo F. , Yoshizawa H. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractTumour‐draining lymph node T cells are an excellent source of effector T cells that can be used in adoptive tumour immunotherapy because they have already been sensitized to tumour‐associated antigens in vivo. However, such tumour‐specific immune cells are not readily obtained from the host due to poor immunogenicity of tumours and reduced host immune responses. One obstacle in implementation of adoptive immunotherapy has been insufficient sensitization and expansion of tumour‐specific effector cells. In this study, we aim to improve adoptive immunotherapy by generating anti‐tumour effector T cells from naïve T lymphocytes. We attempted to achieve this by harnessing the advantages of dendritic cell (DC)‐based anti‐cancer vaccine strategies. Electrofusion was routinely employed to produce fusion cells with 30–40% efficiency by using the poorly immunogenic murine B16/F10 cell line, D5 cells, and DC generated from bone marrow cells. CD62L‐positive T cells from spleens of naïve mice and the fusion cells were cocultured with a low concentration of IL‐2. After 9 days of culture, the antigen‐specific T cells were identified with an upregulation of CD25 and CD69 expression and a downregulation of CD62L expression. These cells secreted IFN‐γ upon stimulation with irradiated tumour cells. Moreover, when transferred into mice with 3‐day established pulmonary metastases, these cells with coadministration of IL‐2 exhibited anti‐tumour efficacy. In contrast, naïve T cells cocultured with a mixture of unfused DC and irradiated tumour cells did not exhibit anti‐tumour efficacy. Our strategy provides the basis for a new approach in adoptive T cell immunotherapy for cancer.
A natural antisense transcript of the Petunia hybrida Sho gene suggests a role for an antisense mechanism in cytokinin regulation
Authors: Zubko Elena , Meyer Peter 
Published: October 2007

SummaryThe Sho gene from Petunia hybrida encodes an enzyme responsible for the synthesis of plant cytokinins. The 3′ region of the Sho gene contains a promoter in the opposite orientation that produces a partially overlapping antisense transcript. Although Sho expression varies significantly in individual cell types, the sense and antisense transcript levels maintain a stable ratio in most tissue types. In reporter lines for the antisense promoter, we observed a change in antisense promoter activity in newly formed tissue that had been induced by prolonged culture on cytokinins or following decapitation. We interpret these data as a reflection of tissue‐specific threshold levels for activation of the antisense transcript. In all tissue types tested, we detect a pool of antisense RNA of approximately 35 nt, which derives from the region where Sho sense and antisense transcripts overlap. We detect a second pool of putative dsRNA breakdown products of approximately 24 nt in all tissues tested, except roots, which are the main source of cytokinin synthesis. Our data suggest that antisense transcription can be activated in a tissue‐specific manner to adjust local cytokinin synthesis via degradation of Sho dsRNA. We therefore propose that, in addition to cytokinin transport and inactivation, regulation of local cytokinin synthesis via antisense transcription represents yet another device for the complex control of local cytokinin levels in plants.
Specialization of CDC27 function in the Arabidopsis thaliana anaphase‐promoting complex (APC/C)
Authors: Pérez‐Pérez José M. , Serralbo Olivier , Vanstraelen Marleen , González Cristina , Criqui Marie‐Claire , Genschik Pascal , Kondorosi Eva , Scheres Ben 
Published: October 2007

SummaryTo investigate the specialization of the two Arabidopsis CDC27 subunits in the anaphase‐promoting complex (APC/C), we analyzed novel alleles of HBT/CDC27B and CDC27A, and characterized the expression of complementing HOBBIT (HBT) protein fusions in plant meristems and during the cell cycle. In contrast to other APC/C mutants, which are gametophytic lethal, phenotypes of weak and null hbt alleles indicate a primary role in the control of post‐embryonic cell division and cell elongation, whereas cdc27a nulls are phenotypically indistinguishable from the wild type. However, cdc27a hbt double‐mutant gametes are non‐viable, indicating a redundant requirement for both CDC27 subunits during gametogenesis. Yeast‐two‐hybrid and pulldown studies with APC/C components suggest that the two Arabidopsis CDC27 subunits participate in several complexes that are differentially required during plant development. Loss‐of‐function analysis, as well as cyclin B reporter protein accumulation, indicates a conserved role for the plant APC/C in controlling mitotic progression and cell differentiation during the entire life cycle.
Original article: Impact of allergic rhinitis on asthma: effects on spirometric parameters
Authors: Ciprandi G. , Cirillo I. , Pistorio A. 
Published: October 2007

Background:  Close association exists between allergic rhinitis and asthma. Moreover, allergic rhinitis is a strong risk factor for the onset of asthma in adults. This study was aimed at evaluating a large group of patients with moderate‐to‐severe and persistent allergic rhinitis alone for investigating the presence of spirometric abnormalities and possible risk factors related to it.Methods:  A total of 392 patients with persistent allergic rhinitis were prospectively and consecutively evaluated. Clinical examination, skin prick test and spirometry were performed in all patients.Results:  There were 24 (6.1%) patients with forced vital capacity (FVC < 80%) of predicted, 50 (12.8%) with forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1 < 80%) of predicted and 341 (87.0%) with forced expiratory flow at 25% and 75% of the pulmonary volume (FEF25–75) < 80% of predicted. The logistic regression analysis evidenced that rhinitis duration (ORAdj: 1.9/year) and sensitization to house dust mites (ORAdj: 8.2) were significantly associated with impaired values of 2 or 3 spirometric parameters.Conclusion:  This study highlights the close link between upper and lower airways and the role of some risk factors, such as duration and mites sensitization, as early prognostic markers of bronchial involvement in patients with moderate‐to‐severe and persistent allergic rhinitis alone.
Comparison of restriction enzyme analysis and amplified fragment length polymorphism typing of Porphyromonas gingivalis isolated from spouses
Authors: Rijnsburger M. C. , Delwel S. , Boutaga K. , Van Steenbergen T. J. M. , Savelkoul P. H. M. , Van Winkelhoff A. J. 
Published: October 2007

Introduction:  In the past, theories on the transmission of Porphyromonas gingivalis between individuals have been based on, among other techniques, restriction enzyme analysis (REA) of bacterial DNA. Currently, amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) may be a more sophisticated alternative. The possibility of automatic pattern analysis and digital storage of the typing data enables the comparison of patterns from a large number of strains in a broad time frame. The aim of this study was to compare REA profiles with AFLP patterns of P. gingivalis strains isolated from periodontitis patients and their spouses.Methods: Forty‐two P. gingivalis strains were isolated from different sites in the mouth from six adult patients with periodontitis and their spouses. DNA of the bacterial isolates was subjected to REA and AFLP analysis.Results:  One single type of P. gingivalis was found in each individual with both methods, regardless of the site of isolation. Indistinguishable types were found in four of the six couples with both techniques. Different types were found in two couples with both the REA and the AFLP method.Conclusions:  The AFLP typing technique confirms earlier observations on the transmission of P. gingivalis between spouses. This new technique can replace REA typing.
Induction of immune responses and prevention of alveolar bone loss by intranasal administration of mice with Porphyromonas gingivalis fimbriae and recombinant cholera toxin B subunit
Authors: Takahashi Y. , Kumada H. , Hamada N. , Haishima Y. , Ozono S. , Isaka M. , Yasuda Y. , Tochikubo K. , Umemoto T. 
Published: October 2007

Introduction:  Adult periodontitis is initiated by specific periodontal pathogens represented by Porphyromonas gingivalis; however, an effective measure for preventing the disease has not yet been established. In this study, the effectiveness of a vaccine composed of fimbriae of P. gingivalis and recombinant cholera toxin B subunit (rCTB) was evaluated using BALB/c mice.Methods:  Fimbriae and rCTB were co‐administered intranasally to BALB/c mice on days 0, 14, 21, and 28. On day 35, mice were sacrificed to determine immunoglobulin levels in serum, saliva, and nasal and lung extracts by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. The prevention effect of the vaccine on P. gingivalis‐induced periodontitis in mice was evaluated by measuring alveolar bone loss.Results:  The rCTB significantly increased serum immunoglobulin (Ig)A levels when mice were administered with a minimal amount (0.5 μg) of the fimbrial antigen. The adjuvant effect on serum IgG production was indistinct because the minimal amount of the antigen still induced a large amount of IgG. In contrast to systemic responses, a fimbria‐specific secretory IgA response was strongly induced by co‐administration of rCTB and 0.5 μg fimbriae; the same amount of the antigen alone scarcely induced a response. Histopathological examination revealed IgA‐positive plasma cells in the nasal mucosal tissue but no observable mast cells in the area. In addition, nasal administration of the fimbrial vaccine significantly protected the mice from P. gingivalis‐mediated alveolar bone loss.Conclusion:  Nasal vaccination with a combination of fimbriae and rCTB can be an effective means of preventing P. gingivalis‐mediated periodontitis.
Degradation of serine‐containing oligopeptides by Peptostreptococcus micros ATCC 33270
Authors: Uematsu H. , Hossain M. Z. , Alam T. , Ikeda T. , Kuvatanasuchati J. , Hoshino E. 
Published: October 2007

Background/aims:  Microorganisms of Peptostreptococcus micros are asaccharolytic, anaerobic gram‐positive cocci that are frequently isolated from human oral sites such as periodontal pockets. Preliminary study showed that several amino acids, including serine, enhanced slightly the growth of P. micros. Therefore, we investigated the degradation of serine and serine‐containing oligopeptides.Methods:  Metabolic end products were determined with high‐performance liquid chromatography. The related enzymatic activities in cell‐free extract were also assayed.Results:  Washed P. micros degraded serine‐tripeptides (Ser‐Ser‐Ser), and produced formate, pyruvate, acetate, and ammonia. They also degraded serinyl‐tyrosine (Ser‐Tyr) to the same products. Related enzymatic activities, such as serine dehydratase, pyruvate formate‐lyase, formate dehydrogenase, pyruvate oxidoreductase, phosphate acetyltransferase, and acetate kinase, were detected in the cell‐free extract, indicating that the organisms produced ATP in the serine metabolism.Conclusion:  P. micros utilized serine‐containing oligopeptides as exogenous metabolic substrates rather than serine itself, and degraded Ser‐Ser‐Ser and Ser‐Tyr to formate, pyruvate, acetate, and ammonia with ATP generation.
Evaluation of the microbiota of primary endodontic infections using checkerboard DNA–DNA hybridization
Authors: Sassone L. , Fidel R. , Figueiredo L. , Fidel S. , Faveri M. , Feres M. 
Published: October 2007

Background/aims:  The aim of this study was to evaluate the composition of the microbiota of primary endodontic infections in 111 selected cases of single‐rooted teeth with necrotic pulp.Methods:  Samples were collected from the root canals using #15 Hedströen‐type files and two sterile paper points, which were introduced 1 mm short of the apical foramen. The presence, levels, and proportions of 40 different bacterial species in each sample were determined using DNA probes and checkerboard DNA–DNA hybridization techniques.Results:  The mean number of species per sample was 22. Enterococcus faecalis (89.3%), Campylobacter gracilis (89.3%), Leptotrichia buccalis (89.3%), Neisseria mucosa (87.5%), Prevotella melaninogenica (86.6%), Fusobacterium nucleatum ssp. vincentii (85.7%), Eubacterium saburreum (75.9%), Streptococcus anginosus (75%), and Veillonella parvula (74.1%) were the most prevalent species. The species found in highest mean counts (over 105) were F. nucleatum ssp. vincentii (13.14 × 105), E. saburreum (5.67 × 105), E. faecalis (5.38 × 105), N. mucosa (4.19 × 105), V. parvula (3.63 × 105), C. gracilis (3.46 × 105), Treponema socranskii (3.34 × 105), Porphyromonas endodontalis (2.96 × 105), Porphyromonas gingivalis (2.85 × 105), Micromonas micros (2.81 × 105), Prevotella nigrescens (2.68 × 105) and Fusobacterium nucleatum ssp. nucleatum (2.64 × 105). Most of these species were also found in high proportions.Conclusions:  Our results suggest that several bacterial species considered to be oral pathogens seem to be implicated in the etiology of primary endodontic infections.
Effect of root canal procedures on endotoxins and endodontic pathogens
Authors: Vianna M. E. , Horz H.‐P. , Conrads G. , Zaia A. A. , Souza‐Filho F. J. , Gomes B. P. F. A. 
Published: October 2007

Background/aims:  The purpose of this study was to determine the amount of endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide) and cultivable bacteria in human necrotic root canals before (S1) and after chemo‐mechanical preparation using chlorhexidine (CHX) gel as auxiliary chemical substance (S2), and after 7 days of intracanal dressing (S3) in order to evaluate the anti‐endotoxin and antimicrobial effects of endodontic procedures.Method:  Twenty‐four teeth were selected for the present study. Chemo‐mechanical preparation was performed using 2% CHX gel and three different intracanal medicaments [Ca(OH)2 paste; 2% CHX gel; and Ca(OH)2 + 2% CHX gel]. A quantitative chromogenic Limulus amoebocyte lysate assay was used to measure the amount of endotoxin. Aerobic and anaerobic techniques were used to isolate and identify bacteria, and to determine the bacterial reduction by counting colony‐forming units (CFU).Results:  Endotoxins and bacteria were present in 100% of the initial samples, with endotoxin concentration ranging from 62.93 to 214.56 UE/ml and CFU ranging from 4 × 105 to 2.6 × 106. After chemo‐mechanical preparation a mean endotoxin reduction of 44.4% was found. Eight (33.3%) root canals were still positive by culture analysis with a mean reduction of bacteria (CFU) of 99.96%. After 7 days of intracanal dressing, endotoxin concentration decreased by only 1.4% compared with S2, and residual bacteria were recovered by culture analysis in 13 cases (54.1%). No significant difference was found among different intracanal medicaments.Conclusion:  Relatively high values of endotoxin were still present in the root canal after chemo‐mechanical preparation although the majority of bacteria were eliminated. No improvement was achieved by 7 days of intracanal dressing.
Improved accuracy in terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism phylogenetic analysis using a novel internal size standard definition
Authors: Takeshita T. , Nakano Y. , Yamashita Y. 
Published: October 2007

Background:  Terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T‐RFLP) analysis is commonly used to analyze microbial communities, including oral microflora. However, accurate identification of terminal restriction fragment (T‐RF) origins is prevented by unpredictable errors in sizing, thus necessitating the clone library analysis. To minimize sizing errors, we proposed optimizing the size definition of internal standards.Methods:  GeneScan‐1000 ROX was regenerated as an internal standard by redefining the fragment sizes in terms of molecular weight (MW) based on their mobility relative to 6‐carboxyfluorescein (FAM) ‐labeled restriction fragments derived from the 16S recombinant RNA gene of Porphyromonas gingivalis. Using the new size definition, the average sizing error among eight oral bacteria from six phyla was estimated and compared with that of the conventional method. Microbial communities isolated from saliva were analyzed using the new MW size definition. Bacterial species were assigned to peaks using TRFMA, a Web‐based tool for T‐RFLP analysis, and compared with those identified in a clone library analysis.Results:  Using the new size definition, the average sizing error for 40 T‐RFs was drastically reduced from 2.42 to 0.62 bases, and large sizing errors (more than two bases) were eliminated. More than 90% of the total bacterial clones detected by the clone library analysis were assigned by T‐RFLP.Conclusion:  The size definition of the newly constructed internal standards reduced fragment sizing errors and allowed for accurate assignment of bacteria to peaks by the T‐RFLP analysis. This provided a more effective means for studying microbial communities, including the oral microflora.
Long‐term engraftment following transplantation of pig pancreatic primordia into non‐immunosuppressed diabetic rhesus macaques
Authors: Rogers S.A. , Chen F. , Talcott M.R. , Faulkner C. , Thomas J.M. , Thevis M. , Hammerman M.R. 
Published: October 2007

Abstract:  Background:  Transplantation therapy for human diabetes is limited by a shortage of donor organs, and transplant function diminished over time by cell death and limited potential for expansion of beta cells in pancreas or islets. Outcomes are complicated by immunosuppression. A way to overcome supply and expansion problems is to xenotransplant embryonic tissue. Previously, we have shown that beta cells originating from embryonic day (E) 28 (E28) pig pancreatic primordia transplanted into the mesentery of streptozotocin (STZ)‐diabetic (type 1) Lewis rats or Zucker Diabetic Fatty (ZDF) diabetic (type 2) rats engraft and normalize glucose tolerance without the need for host immune‐suppression.Methods:  In this study, we transplant E28 pig pancreatic primordia in the mesentery of STZ‐diabetic rhesus macaques.Results:  Long‐term engraftment of pig beta cells within liver, pancreas and mesenteric lymph nodes post‐transplantation of E28 pig pancreatic primordia into STZ‐diabetic rhesus macaques is demonstrated by electron microscopy, positive immune‐histochemistry for insulin, and positive RT‐PCR and in situ hybridization for porcine proinsulin mRNA. Insulin requirements were reduced in one macaque followed over 22 months post‐transplantation and porcine insulin detected in plasma using sequential affinity chromatography, HPLC and mass spectrometry. Of potential importance for application of this transplantation technology to treatment of diabetes in humans and confirmatory of our previous findings in Lewis and ZDF rats, no host immunosuppression is required.Conclusions:  Under selected circumstances, pancreatic primordia elicit a muted immune response relative to more differentiated tissue, such that engraftment occurs in non‐immunosuppressed hosts. Our findings that pig pancreatic primordia engraft long‐term in non‐immunosuppressed STZ‐diabetic rhesus macaques establishes the potential for their use in human diabetics.
Cranial Features and Karyotypes of Two Hedgehogs (Insectivora: Erinaceidae) from Iran
Authors: Karataş A. , Mouradi Gharkheloo M. , Kankiliç T. 
Published: October 2007

SummaryKaryological features of Erinaceus concolor and Hemiechinus auritus were studied from Zenjan (North Iran). The diploid number of chromosomes (2n), the total numbers of chromosomal arms (NF) and the numbers of autosomal arms (NFa) were determined as 2n = 48, NF = 92, NFa = 88 for E. concolor and as 2n = 50, NF = 98, NFa = 94 for H. auritus. Although the same dental formulae were established as 3.1.3.3/2.1.2.3 = 36 for both of species, they can be identified with some dental and cranial features from each other. Additionally, phallus of E. concolor was described.