bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Fusarium graminearum MAP1 gene is essential for pathogenicity and development of perithecia
Authors: Urban Martin , Mott Ellie , Farley Tom , Hammond‐Kosack Kim 
Published: September 2003

SUMMARY Fusarium graminearum is the causal agent of ear blight disease of cereals. Infection occurs at anthesis when ascospores and/or conidia directly penetrate exposed anther and ovary tissue. The hemibiotrophic hyphae colonize floral tissues and developing grains to cause premature ear senescence. During infection, Fusarium hyphae can also produce hazardous trichothecene mycotoxins, thereby posing a threat to human and animal health and safety. The Fusarium MAP1 gene was identified using a PCR approach by its homology to a known pathogenicity gene of Magnaporthe grisea, the mitogen‐activated protein kinase gene PMK1. Gene replacement F. graminearum map1 mutants were non‐pathogenic on wheat flowers and roots, and also could not infect wounded wheat floral tissue or tomato fruits. Unlike the wild‐type strain, map1 mutant inoculations did not compromise grain yield. Map1 mutants lost their ability to form perithecia in vitro, but their rate of asexual conidiation was unaffected. DON mycotoxin production in planta was still detected. Collectively, the observed phenotypes suggest that the Map1 signalling protein controls multiple events in disease establishment and propagation. Novel approaches to control Fusarium ear blight disease by blocking perithecial development are discussed.
Differential display analysis of gene expression in the cytoplasm of giant cells induced in tomato roots by Meloidogyne javanica
Authors: Wang Zhaohui , Potter Robert H. , Jones Michael G. K. 
Published: September 2003

SUMMARYGiant cells induced by root‐knot nematodes are highly specialized cells which function as transfer cells and provide nutrients to support the growth and reproduction of the nematode. Changes in the overall pattern of gene expression in giant cells occur during the formation and maintenance of the nematode feeding cells. Differential display analysis has been carried out to detect changes in gene expression in giant cells induced in tomato roots by Meloidogyne javanica, using mRNA isolated directly from mature giant cell cytoplasm, compared to non‐infected root tissue. Eighty‐one differential displayed bands were generated, and of these, 73 were up‐regulated and 8 were down‐regulated. Twenty‐seven sequences were obtained by direct sequencing of the bands, and 16 fragments were further analysed by real‐time quantitative RT‐PCR. The most highly up‐regulated transcript increased 56‐fold in giant cells, and the greatest down‐regulation was 11‐fold. A time course of expression of the highest and lowest expressed transcripts was also undertaken by quantitative RT‐PCR using giant cell enriched tissue. These showed similar changes in expression, but values were dramatically reduced. This result shows the importance of analysing giant cell cytoplasm directly, rather than starting with giant cell enriched tissue, to obtain accurate information on changes in gene expression in nematode feeding cells. Sequenced transcripts showed significant homology to mitogen‐activated protein kinase, S‐adenosylmethionine decarboxylase, cysteine synthase, cytochrome c reductase subunit, and ribosomal proteins. The expression analysed reflects the high metabolic rate in mature giant cells rather than processes of giant cell induction.
Mapping the mating type locus of Ascochyta rabiei, the causal agent of ascochyta blight of chickpea
Authors: Phan H. T. T. , Ford R. , Taylor P. W. J. 
Published: September 2003

SUMMARYA genome linkage map was developed for Ascochyta rabiei (Pass.) Labrousse, (teleomorph) Didymella rabiei (Kovachevski), an important pathogen causing ascochyta blight in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). The map was constructed using 96 progeny generated from a single pseudothecium produced from a cross between a USA MAT‐2 isolate and an Australian MAT‐1 isolate. The map comprised 126 molecular markers of which 69 were random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers, 46 were amplified fragment length polymorphic (AFLP) markers, 10 were sequence‐tagged microsatellite site (STMS) markers, and one was a sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) marker. Eighteen large and 10 small linkage groups (LG) were characterized and the mating‐type locus was mapped on to LGd. The map spanned 1271 cM with an average spacing between markers of 15.1 cM. The SCAR marker, specific for mating type 2, was designed to amplify a region of the MAT locus and was used to identify the mating type of A. rabiei isolates. One AFLP marker, derived from the MAT‐1 parent, was closely linked to the mating‐type locus (9.6 cM). The linkage map provides a framework for the future identification of the locations of other important traits such as virulence/avirulence and fungicide resistance. Findings from this study suggest that the MAT‐2 isolates of D. rabiei should be renamed to MAT‐1 isolates because the alpha‐box, specific for MAT‐1 from other ascomycetes, was amplified from A. rabiei MAT‐2 isolates.
Cytosolic HSP90 and HSP70 are essential components of INF1‐mediated hypersensitive response and non‐host resistance toPseudomonas cichoriiinNicotiana benthamiana
Authors: Kanzaki H. , Saitoh H. , Ito A. , Fujisawa S. , Kamoun S. , Katou S. , Yoshioka H. , Terauchi R. 
Published: September 2003

SUMMARYMitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs) play pivotal roles in the signal transduction pathway of plant defence responses against pathogens. A search for MAPK‐interacting proteins revealed an interaction between aNicotiana benthamianaMAPK, SIPK (NbSIPK) and cytosolic Hsp90 (NbHsp90c‐1) in yeast two‐hybrid assay. To study the function of Hsp90 in disease resistance, we silencedNbHsp90c‐1inN. benthamianaby virus‐induced gene silencing (VIGS) withPotato virus X(PVX).NbHsp90c‐1silenced plants exhibited: (1) a stunted phenotype, (2) no hypersensitive response (HR) development after infiltration with thePhytophthora infestansprotein INF1 and a non‐host pathogenPseudomonas cichoriithat normally triggers HR inN. benthamiana, (3) compromised non‐host resistance toP. cichorii, and (4) consistently reduced transcription levels of PR (pathogenesis related) protein genes. Similar phenotypes were observed also for plants in which a cytosolicHsp70(NbHsp70c‐1), a gene for another class of molecular chaperon, was silenced. Hsp90 was isolated as a MAPK‐interacting protein in yeast two‐hybrid assay, therefore we tested the effect ofNbHsp90c‐1silencing as well asNbHsp70c‐1silencing on the HR development caused by infiltration of a hyperactive potato MAPKK (StMEK1DD). No difference in the timing or extent of HR was found amongNbHsp90c‐1silenced,NbHsp70c‐1silenced and control plants. This result indicates that observed impairment of INF1‐ andP. cichorii‐mediated HR development inNbHsp90c‐1silenced andNbHsp70c‐1silenced plants was not caused by the abrogation in MAPK function downstream of active MAPKK that leads to HR. These findings suggest essential roles of Hsp90 and Hsp70 in plant defence signal transduction pathway upstream or independent of the MAPK cascade.
Pathogenicity and other genomic islands in plant pathogenic bacteria
Authors: Arnold Dawn L. , Pitman Andrew , Jackson Robert W. 
Published: September 2003

SUMMARYPathogenicity islands (PAIs) were first described in uropathogenic E. coli. They are now defined as regions of DNA that contain virulence genes and are present in the genome of pathogenic strains, but absent from or only rarely present in non‐pathogenic variants of the same or related strains. Other features include a variable G+C content, distinct boundaries from the rest of the genome and the presence of genes related to mobile elements such as insertion sequences, integrases and transposases. Although PAIs have now been described in a wide range of both plant and animal pathogens it has become evident that the general features of PAIs are displayed by a number of regions of DNA with functions other than pathogenicity, such as symbiosis and antibiotic resistance, and the general term genomic islands has been adopted. This review will describe a range of genomic islands in plant pathogenic bacteria including those that carry effector genes, phytotoxins and the type III protein secretion cluster. The review will also consider some medically important bacteria in order to discuss the range, acquisition and stabilization of genomic islands.
Emergency Department Management of Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in the Elderly: The Multicenter Airway Research Collaboration
Authors: Cydulka Rita K. , Rowe Brian H. , Clark Sunday , Emerman Charles L. , Camargo Carlos A. , On Behalf Of The MARC Investigators  
Published: September 2003

OBJECTIVES: To determine adherence of emergency department (ED) management of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to current treatment guidelines.DESIGN: A prospective cohort study, as part of the Multicenter Airway Research Collaboration.SETTING: The study was performed at 29 EDs in 15 U.S. states and three Canadian provinces.PARTICIPANTS: ED patients, aged 55 and older, who presented with COPD exacerbation and underwent a structured interview in the ED and another by telephone 2 weeks later.MEASUREMENTS: Adherence of ED management of COPD exacerbation to that recommended in current treatment guidelines.RESULTS: The cohort consisted of 397 subjects, of whom 224 (56%) reported only COPD and 173 (44%) reported asthma and COPD. The average age was 70. Most (80%) patients had used rescue medications in the 6 hours before seeking emergency care. Only 31% were evaluated using spirometry and 48% using arterial blood gas measurement. ED treatment included inhaled short‐acting beta‐agonists for 91% of patients, inhaled anticholinergics for 77%, methylxanthines for 0.3%, systemic corticosteroids for 62%, and antibiotics for 28%. More than half the patients required hospitalization. At 2‐week follow‐up, 43% of patients reported a relapse event or ongoing exacerbation. Overall, adherence to national and international guidelines was low.CONCLUSION: Important differences exist between guideline recommendations and actual ED management of COPD exacerbations in older adults. Outcomes after ED treatment are poor and may be related to these shortcomings in quality of care. Better adherence to guideline recommendations when caring for elderly patients with COPD exacerbations may lead to improved clinical outcomes and better resource usage.
The Relationship Between Age and Process of Care and Patient Tolerance of Bronchoscopy
Authors: Hehn Boyd T. , Haponik Edward , Rubin Haya R. , Lechtzin Noah , Diette Gregory B. 
Published: September 2003

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether patient age is associated with differences in flexible bronchoscopy technique and tolerance.DESIGN: Prospective cohort study.SETTING: University hospital system.PARTICIPANTS: One thousand three hundred fifty‐eight adults, including 219 (16.1%) aged 70 and older, undergoing bronchoscopy.MEASUREMENTS: Indications, sampling procedures, medication doses, patient reports of pain, willingness to return, and adverse events associated with bronchoscopy.RESULTS: Indications for bronchoscopy varied with age, with solitary pulmonary nodule (P < .001), mass (P < .001), or lymphadenopathy (P < .001) being more common in older patients. Invasive sampling methods were used more often with increasing age, but variation in disease processes between age groups accounted for the difference in sampling method performed. Mean doses of midazolam and fentanyl given for sedation decreased with increasing age (P < .001). There was no significant difference between older and younger patients in reported very good to excellent pain control (50% of patients ≥70 vs 64% of patients <40; P = .56) or in willingness to return for repeat bronchoscopy (98% vs 92%, respectively; P = .324). Overall risk for an adverse event increased with increasing patient age (P < .01), but adverse events were uncommon and generally not severe. Hypotension and pneumothorax were rare but occurred more often in older persons (1.9% and 3.4% in patients ≥70 vs 0.5% and 0.7% in patients <40, respectively).CONCLUSION: Despite more‐invasive sampling methods and less sedation during bronchoscopy, elderly patients tolerate bronchoscopy as well as younger patients. There is increased risk for adverse events with increasing age, but the absolute frequency is low, suggesting that chronological age should not be a contraindication for bronchoscopy in older persons.
Self‐Reported Heart Attack in Mexican‐American Elders: Examination of Incidence, Prevalence, and 7‐Year Mortality
Authors: Otiniano Max E. , Ottenbacher Kenneth J. , Markides Kyriakos S. , Ray Laura A. , Du Xianglin L. 
Published: September 2003

OBJECTIVES: To examine the prevalence, incidence, and mortality of self‐reported heart attack in older Mexican Americans and to identify significant factors associated with heart attack.DESIGN: Cross‐sectional and longitudinal study.SETTING: Baseline and three follow‐up interviews in five southwestern states (Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas) of the Hispanic Established Population for the Epidemiological Study of the Elderly.PARTICIPANTS: Three thousand fifty Mexican Americans aged 65 to 107 (mean age = 73).MEASUREMENTS: Sociodemographic factors (age, sex, marital status, language of interview, health insurance coverage, living arrangements, and financial strain) and health factors (smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, stroke, cancer, hip fracture, arthritis, depression, limitations in activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), and mortality) were determined at baseline (1993–94). New heart attacks were assessed at follow‐ups in 1995–96, 1998–99, and 2000–01. Vital status was determined over the 7‐year follow‐up.RESULTS: Prevalence of self‐reported heart attack was 9.1% at baseline. Incidence of self‐reported heart attack was 6.1%, 9.1%, and 7.9%, respectively, for the three subsequent follow‐ups. Older age, male sex, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and stroke were significantly associated with heart attack at baseline. Age was a significant predictor for new heart attack at each follow‐up. Having ADL (odds ratio (OR) = 2.91, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.19–3.86) and IADL (OR = 2.25, CI = 1.72–2.94) disabilities was significantly associated with self‐reported heart attack. Subjects with heart attack were significantly more likely to die at 7 years (hazard ratio = 1.57, 95% CI = 1.29–1.91). Of those with self‐reported heart attack, 42.4% had died of heart attack as the underlying cause of death by 7‐year follow‐up.CONCLUSION: In Mexican Americans, self‐reported heart attack was associated with being older and male and having diabetes mellitus, hypertension, stroke, and ADL and IADL disabilities. Nearly half of subjects with heart attack had died of heart attack as underlying cause of death by 7‐year follow‐up. Prevention and control for this disease would be especially important in this population to avoid early mortality.
Long‐Term Prognostic Importance of Total Cholesterol in Elderly Survivors of an Acute Myocardial Infarction: The Cooperative Cardiovascular Pilot Project
Authors: Foody JoAnne Micale , Wang Yun , Kiefe Catarina I. , Ellerbeck Edward F. , Gold Jay , Radford Martha J. , Krumholz Harlan M. 
Published: September 2003

OBJECTIVES: To determine the long‐term prognostic importance of in‐hospital total serum cholesterol in elderly survivors of acute myocardial infarction (AMI).DESIGN: Retrospective medical record review.SETTING: Acute care, nongovernmental hospitals in Alabama, Connecticut, Iowa, and Wisconsin.PARTICIPANTS: Four thousand nine hundred twenty‐three Medicare beneficiaries from four states aged 65 and older discharged alive with a principal diagnosis of AMI between June 1, 1992, and February 28, 1993, who had a measurement of total serum cholesterol during hospitalization.MEASUREMENTS: Primary endpoint of all‐cause mortality within 6 years of discharge.RESULTS: Of the 7,166 hospitalizations meeting study inclusion criteria, 4,923 (68.7%) had total cholesterol assessed, and 22% had a cholesterol level of 240 mg/dL or greater. Of AMI hospitalization survivors with cholesterol of 240 md/dL or greater, 17.2% died within 1 year and 47.9% died within 6 years, compared with 17.4% (P = .73) and 48.7% (P = .98) of those with a cholesterol level less than 240 mg/dL. The adjusted hazard ratio for elevated total serum cholesterol measured during hospitalization for all‐cause mortality in the 6 years after discharge was 0.97 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.87–1.09). The unadjusted 1‐ and 6‐year mortality rates for those with total cholesterol less than 160 mg/dL were 22.2% and 55.5%, respectively, not significantly different from mortality for patients with cholesterol of 160 mg/dL or greater, even after adjustment.CONCLUSION: Among elderly survivors of AMI, elevated total serum cholesterol measured postinfarction is not associated with an increased risk of all‐cause mortality in the 6 years after discharge. Furthermore, this study found no evidence of an increased risk of all‐cause mortality in patients with low total cholesterol. Further studies are needed to determine the relationship of postinfarction lipid subfractions and mortality in older patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).
Donepezil Is Associated with Delayed Nursing Home Placement in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Geldmacher David S. , Provenzano George , McRae Thomas , Mastey Vera , Ieni John R. 
Published: September 2003

OBJECTIVES: To assess the relationship between donepezil treatment and time to nursing home placement (NHP) for patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD).DESIGN: Observational follow‐up of patient NHP and vital status.SETTING: Community.PARTICIPANTS: Patients previously enrolled in one of three randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled clinical trials of donepezil and two subsequent open‐label studies (total N = 1,115); 671 patients provided complete data for analysis.MEASUREMENTS: Data were obtained through follow‐up interviews with caregivers and chart reviews of patients with AD. Comparison groups were defined by whether patients received an effective dose of donepezil (≥5 mg/d; ≥80% compliance) for specific numbers of weeks during the double‐blind or open‐label trial phase, in both phases, or in neither. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate risk ratios for NHP and survival curves from which median times to NHP were estimated for first dementia‐related placement of longer than 2 weeks and permanent placement. The models were adjusted for age, sex, baseline Mini‐Mental State Examination score, whether the caregiver was a spouse, caregiver continuity, and use of other cholinesterase inhibitors after the clinical trials.RESULTS: Use of donepezil of 5 mg/d or more was associated with significant delays in NHP. A cumulative dose‐response relationship was observed between longer‐term sustained donepezil use and delay of NHP. When donepezil was taken at an effective dose for at least 9 to 12 months, conservative estimates of the time gained before NHP were 21.4 months for first dementia‐related NHP and 17.5 months for permanent NHP.CONCLUSION: Use of donepezil by AD patients resulted in significant delays in NHP. Long‐term use of donepezil may help AD patients live longer in community settings, with consequent personal, social, and economic benefits.
Prevention of Weight Loss in Dementia with Comprehensive Nutritional Treatment
Authors: Keller Heather H. , Gibbs Amie J. , Boudreau Lynn D. , Goy Richard E. , Pattillo Marg S. , Brown Heather M. 
Published: September 2003

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether body weight can be maintained or improved in dementia residents of special care units (SCUs) using a comprehensive intervention strategy.DESIGN: Quasi‐experimental with an interventional site and a noninterventional site.SETTING: Four SCUs in two long‐term care facilities in Ontario.PARTICIPANTS: The intervention site included 33 residents; the comparison site included 49 residents.MEASUREMENTS: Weight change over time was the primary outcome. Three time periods were compared: 9‐month baseline period, 9‐month intervention period (enhanced dietitian monitoring and menu changes at intervention site), and 12‐month postintervention period (only menu changes at intervention site). Comparisons were made within and between sites. Full nutritional assessments were completed for the intervention group. Medical charts and basic anthropometric, behavioral, and cognitive measures were completed in both groups to determine baseline site differences. Weight change over time was analyzed with a repeated measures analysis, controlling for various covariates. Bivariate analyses were completed for other outcomes of death, number of infections, falls, and hospital days.RESULTS: The intervention period that included the dietitian time and menu changes significantly promoted weight gain, compared with the standard treatment at the comparison facility. Other covariates of pacing, type of dementia, sex, age, number of comorbid conditions, and medications were also significant predictors of weight change. Weight gain or maintenance regardless of site was associated with survival.CONCLUSION: Body weight can be maintained in residents of SCUs regardless of pacing and other clinical characteristics. The comprehensive intervention of clinical dietitian time and an enhanced menu designed to be individualized for ambulatory people with dementia promoted significant gains in body weight. A minimum 5% weight gain is associated with survival in these residents of SCUs.