bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of suplatast tosilate on goblet cell metaplasia in patients with asthma
Authors: Hoshino M. , Fujita Y. , Saji J. , Inoue T. , Nakagawa T. , Miyazawa T. 
Published: October 2005

Background:  Goblet cell metaplasia is a pathologic characteristic of asthma, associated with excess mucus secretion. Interleukin (IL)‐4 and IL‐13 plays an important role in mucus hypersecretion. Suplatast tosilate (suplatast), an antiallergic agent, is a Th2 cytokine inhibitor that suppresses the synthesis of IL‐4, IL‐5, IL‐13, and eosinophilic airway inflammation.Objective:  We examined the effects of suplatast on mucus production in bronchial biopsy specimens taken from asthmatic subjects.Methods:  Oral suplatast 300 mg daily, or placebo was administered for 3 months in a double‐blind, parallel‐group study in 25 patients with asthma. Biopsy specimens were evaluated at before and after treatment for alcian blue/period acid‐Schiff (AB/PAS), MUC5AC staining in bronchial epithelium and IL‐4+, IL‐13+ cells as well as inflammatory cells in lamina propria.Results:  There were significant decreases in the percentage of AB/PAS (P < 0.01) and MUC5AC (P < 0.01) stained area in the suplatast group. These changes were accompanied by significant decreases in IL‐4+ and IL‐13+ cells in suplatast‐treated subjects. Additionally, we have observed that the number of infiltrating eosinophils and CD4+ T cells significantly decreased.Conclusions:  These findings suggest that suplatast prevents goblet cell metaplasia through modulation of Th2 cytokine production and the recruitment of eosinophils and CD4+ T cells in the asthmatic airways.
Divergence in the calling songs between sympatric and allopatric populations of the southern wood cricket Gryllus fultoni (Orthoptera: Gryllidae)
Authors: Jang Y. , Gerhardt H. C. 
Published: October 2005

Abstract
In the eastern United States the wood cricket Gryllus fultoni (Orthoptera: Gryllidae) occurs in sympatry with G. vernalis in an area between eastern Kansas and west of the Appalachian Mountains. Calling songs were recorded from 13 sympatric and allopatric localities. Both field and laboratory recordings showed that chirp rate (CR) and pulse rate (PR) overlapped extensively between allopatric populations of G. fultoni and sympatric populations of G. vernalis; by contrast, there was little or no overlap in these variables between sympatric populations of these two species. Divergence in PR and CR between the two species was thus greater in areas of sympatry than in areas of allopatry. Our field and laboratory studies of G. fultoni calling songs thus demonstrate the pattern expected of character displacement and support the genetic assumptions of this hypothesis. Other possible explanations for the sympatric divergence such as ecological character displacement and clinal variation are discussed.
Predator-induced phenotypic plasticity in tadpoles: extension or innovation?
Authors: Kraft P. G. , Franklin C. E. , Blows M. W. 
Published: October 2005

Abstract
Phenotypic plasticity, the ability of a trait to change as a function of the environment, is central to many ideas in evolutionary biology. A special case of phenotypic plasticity observed in many organisms is mediated by their natural predators. Here, we used a predator–prey system of dragonfly larvae and tadpoles to determine if predator-mediated phenotypic plasticity provides a novel way of surviving in the presence of predators (an innovation) or if it represents a simple extension of the way noninduced tadpoles survive predation. Tadpoles of Limnodynastes peronii were raised in the presence and absence of predation, which then entered a survival experiment. Induced morphological traits, primarily tail height and tail muscle height, were found to be under selection, indicating that predator-mediated phenotypic plasticity may be adaptive. Although predator-induced animals survived better, the multivariate linear selection gradients were similar between the two tadpole groups, suggesting that predator-mediated phenotypic plasticity is an extension of existing survival strategies. In addition, nonlinear selection gradients indicated a cost of predator-induced plasticity that may limit the ability of phenotypic plasticity to enhance survival in the presence of predators.
Altitudinal patterns for latitudinally varying traits and polymorphic markers in Drosophila melanogaster from eastern Australia
Authors: Collinge J. E. , Hoffmann A. A. , Mckechnie S. W. 
Published: October 2005

Abstract
Altitudinal changes in traits and genetic markers can complement the studies on latitudinal patterns and provide evidence of natural selection because of climatic factors. In Drosophila melanogaster, latitudinal variation is well known but altitudinal patterns have rarely been investigated. Here, we examine five traits and five genetic markers on chromosome 3R in D. melanogaster collected at high and low altitudes from five latitudes along the eastern coast of Australia. Significant altitudinal differentiation was observed for cold tolerance, development time, ovariole number in unmated females, and the microsatellite marker DMU25686. Differences tended to match latitudinal patterns, in that trait values at high altitudes were also found at high latitudes, suggesting that factors linked to temperature are likely selective agents. Cold tolerance was closely associated with average temperature and other climatic factors, but no significant associations were detected for the other traits. Genes around DMU25686 represent good candidates for climatic adaptation.
Combined influence of maternal and paternal quality on sex allocation in red-capped robins
Authors: Dowling D. K. , Mulder R. A. 
Published: October 2005

Abstract
Sex allocation theory predicts females will adaptively manipulate sex ratios to maximize their progeny's reproductive value. Recently, the generality of biased sex allocation in birds has been questioned by meta-analytic reviews, which demonstrate that many previously reported significant results may simply reflect sampling error. Here, we utilize a robust sample size and powerful statistical approach to determine whether parental quality is correlated with biased sex allocation in red-capped robins. Indices of maternal quality (including interactive effects of age and condition) were strongly related to sex allocation. These relationships were in the predicted directions, with larger effect sizes than those of previous studies in this field. There were also paternal correlates, involving age and the source of paternity. We propose that biased sex allocation occurs in this species, and is maintained by differing production costs of each sex and genetic benefits to females of producing sons when fertilized by high-quality males.
α‐Ketoglutarate (AKG) absorption from pig intestine and plasma pharmacokinetics
Authors: Dąbek M. , Kruszewska D. , Filip R. , Hotowy A , Pierzynowski Ł. , Wojtasz‐Pająk A. , Szymanczyk S. , Valverde Piedra J. L. , Werpachowska E. , Pierzynowski S. G. 
Published: October 2005

SummaryTo study the absorption, metabolism and kinetics, the AKG (in different concentrations) was administered intravenously, intra‐portally, orally and directly into the ileum or duodenum of pigs, chronically fitted with portal and jugular catheters and T‐shaped cannula at the duodenum and ileum. Additionally, this study was conducted to determine the influence of low pH, Fe2+or/and SOon AKG gut absorption and conversely FeSO4and FeSO4/AKG on Fe2+gut absorption. It is concluded that AKG was significantly better absorbed from the upper small intestine than from the distal sections. Furthermore, low pH, Fe2+and/or SOions enhanced AKG absorption. The AKG administered to the portal vein was rapidly eliminated from the blood (half‐life less than 5 min). The short lifetime for AKG is probably dependent on quick metabolism in the enteorcyetes and liver. However, the prolonged half‐life can be related to its low AKG blood concentration. The Fe2+concentrations in blood increased after FeSO4and FeSO4/AKG duodenal infusion. The implication of above observations is important for practical application of the AKG in animal and human nutrition as well in medicine.
Genomic constitution of Festulolium cultivars released in the Czech Republic
Authors: Kopecky D. , Lukaszewski A. J. , Doležel J. 
Published: October 2005

AbstractGenomic in situ hybridization (GISH) was used to characterize the chromosome constitutions of individual plants from a set of tetraploid and hexaploid cultivars of Festulolium developed and released in the Czech Republic from hybrids of Lolium multiflorum with Festuca pratensis and F. arundinacea. A simplified GISH protocol readily discriminated parental genomes in the hybrids and facilitated the screening of large numbers of plants per accession. The contribution of parental genomes in the cultivars tested ranged from predominance of chromatin from one of the parents to a more balanced contribution from both parents. However, in none of the cultivars were equal proportions of chromatin from both parents present. The parental contribution to the hybrids was both in the form of complete chromosomes or as chromosome translocations. In hexaploid cultivars from (L. multiflorum × F. arundinacea) × F. arundinacea hybrids the average numbers of complete L. multiflorum chromosomes ranged from 4.95 to 7.5 and the numbers of translocations from 6.33 to 10.21. Two tetraploid cultivars from (L. multiflorum × F. arundinacea) × L. multiflorum hybrids showed a strong prevalence of L. multiflorum chromatin and intergeneric translocations were rare. In the tetraploid cultivar ‘Perun’ of the L. multiflorum × F. pratensis hybrid there were 11.7 chromosomes of L. multiflorum and 14.7 recombined chromosomes on average. Reasons for the domination of one of the parental genomes in hybrid cultivars are not clear and are only partially explained by breeding history. Recombination rates of individual genomes in hybrids involving F. arundinacea were evaluated in double hybridization experiments. The results indicated a strong affinity of the L. multiflorum genome for the F. pratensis genome present in F. arundinacea and little affinity for the F. glaucescens genome. This suggests that introgressions from F. arundinacea into L. multiflorum are primarily limited to the F. pratensis genome which can be more readily accessed in L. multiflorum × F. pratensis hybrids.
Potential of Nicotiana glauca (Grah.) as a source of resistance to black root rot Thielaviopsis basicola (Berk. and Broome) Ferr. in tobacco improvement
Authors: Trojak‐Goluch A. , Berbeć A. 
Published: October 2005

Abstract Nicotiana glauca, a wild relative of Nicotiana tabacum, is an attractive potential source of black root rot (Thielaviopsis basicola)‐resistant germplasm. Moreover, it shows a resistance or tolerance to PVY, TEV, anthracnose and powdery mildew. In this study its potential as a source of resistance to black root rot caused by Th. basicola was investigated. Nicotiana glauca GG (2n = 2x = 24) was crossed as male with two N. tabacum TT (2n = 4x = 48) flue‐cured cultivars: ‘BY103’ and ‘K 326’, both of which are susceptible to black root rot. Amphihaploid F1 TG (2n = 3x = 36), amphidiploid TTGG (2n = 6x = 72) and sesquidiploid TTG (2n = 5x = 60) hybrids were obtained. The resultant sesquidiploid hybrids were used as maternal components in backcrossing to N. tabacum and a segregating post‐sesquidiploid TTg (2n = 5x = 52–54) offspring was obtained. Amphihaploids exhibited a level of resistance to black root rot characteristic of N. glauca. The expression of resistance varied in the sesquidiploid generation, possibly reflecting cytological instabilities in that progeny. A wide variation in response to black root rot was found for post‐sesquidiploids a clear reflection of extensive chromosome segregation in that hybrid generation.
Genetic diversity of Phaseolus vulgaris L. and P. coccineus L. landraces in central Italy
Authors: Sicard D. , Nanni L. , Porfiri O. , Bulfon D. , Papa R. 
Published: October 2005

AbstractThe genetic diversity of 66 Phaseolus genotypes was investigated, which included 14 local varieties of Phaseolus vulgaris and nine local varieties of P. coccineus, collected in Marche, central Italy. Their genetic diversity was assessed using three types of molecular marker: inter simple sequence repeats (ISSRs), nuclear gene‐tagged simple sequence repeats (SSRs) and chloroplast simple sequence repeats (CpSSRs). Phaseolus vulgaris shows a higher genetic diversity than P. coccineus for the SSRs and CpSSRs, but not for the putative neutral ISSR markers. These data suggest that selection by farmers and adaptation to heterogeneous environments has maintained the diversity in landraces of the common bean. Comparing genetic diversity in Marche with that of the American controls reveals that 71% of the local P. vulgaris varieties in Marche are of Andean origin. The two gene pools of the common bean can be found on the same farm, and there is some evidence of past hybridization events between these two gene pools.
Generation and characterization of a high molecular weight glutenin 1Bx14‐deficient mutant in common wheat
Authors: Zhu Y. F. , Li Y. W. , Chen Y. , Li H. , Liang H. , Yue S. J. , Zhang A. M. , Zhang X. Q. , Wang D. W. , Jia X. 
Published: October 2005

AbstractSignificant progress has been made in understanding the structure of high molecular weight (HMW) glutenin subunits and their role in determining the end use quality of wheat grains. However, few reports have dealt with the development and characterization of knock out mutants for HMW glutenin subunit genes. Here, the molecular analysis of MB14, a mutant derived from an elite Chinese wheat variety Xiaoyan 54 through chemical mutagenesis is described. SDS‐PAGE and Western blot experiments revealed that, in the seeds of homozygous MB14 plants, the expression of the 1Bx14 subunit was specifically blocked whereas the remaining four subunits (1Ax1, 1By15, 1Dx2, 1Dy12) accumulated to levels comparable to those in the wild type plants. The 5′‐flanking region and the open reading frame (ORF) of the mutant 1Bx14 allele were amplified and compared to the corresponding regions of wild type 1Bx14. The nucleotide sequences of the 5′‐flanking regions from the mutant and wild type 1Bx14 alleles were identical. However, the ORF of the mutant allele differed from that of the wild type 1Bx14 by three point substitutions, one of which resulted in a premature stop codon in the mutant ORF. Interestingly, the mutant 1Bx14 allele was still transcribed in the developing seeds, but no truncated translation product could be detected by Western blot analysis. Potential application of the 1Bx14 knock out mutant in studying the biological function of 1Bx14 and its contribution to the end use quality control in hexaploid wheat is discussed.
Adaptation and stability analysis of sweet potato varieties for low‐input systems in Uganda
Authors: Abidin P. E. , van Eeuwijk F. A. , Stam P. , Struik P. C. , Malosetti M. , Mwanga R. O. M. , Odongo B. , Hermann M. , Carey E. E. 
Published: October 2005

AbstractSixteen sweet potato varieties were evaluated for fresh storage root yield in 20 trials during 2000–2001 for three seasons in four locations in Uganda. Of the 16 varieties, 11 were developed by farmers and five by a central breeding programme. The behaviour of the varieties was quantified in terms of wide adaptation (genotypic mean across trials), specific adaptation (genotypic predictions for specific locations) and stability (Shukla stability variance). With respect to all three aspects of yield behaviour, farmer varieties performed on average better than the official varieties. The results illustrate the potential that farmer varieties can have in the improvement of sweet potato in Uganda and other regions where high diversity of sweet potato landraces exists.
Recruitment of the Sonic hedgehog signalling cascade in electroconvulsive seizure‐mediated regulation of adult rat hippocampal neurogenesis
Authors: Banerjee Sunayana B. , Rajendran Rajeev , Dias Brian G. , Ladiwala Uma , Tole Shubha , Vaidya Vidita A. 
Published: October 2005

AbstractElectroconvulsive seizure (ECS) induces structural remodelling in the adult mammalian brain, including an increase in adult hippocampal neurogenesis. The molecular mechanisms that underlie this increase in the proliferation of adult hippocampal progenitors are at present not well understood. We hypothesized that ECS may recruit the Sonic hedgehog (Shh) pathway to mediate its effects on adult hippocampal neurogenesis, as Shh is known to enhance the proliferation of neuronal progenitors and is expressed in the adult basal forebrain, a region that sends robust projections to the hippocampus. Here we demonstrate that the ECS‐induced increase in proliferation of adult hippocampal progenitors was completely blocked in animals treated with cyclopamine, a pharmacological inhibitor of Shh signalling. Our results suggest that both acute and chronic ECS enhance Shh signalling in the adult hippocampus, as we observed a robust upregulation of Patched (Ptc) mRNA, a component of the Shh receptor complex and a downstream transcriptional target of Shh signalling. This increase was rapid and restricted to the dentate gyrus, where the adult hippocampal progenitors reside. In addition, both acute and chronic ECS decreased Smoothened (Smo) mRNA, the other component of the Shh receptor complex, selectively within the dentate gyrus. However, ECS did not appear to influence Shh expression within the basal forebrain, the site from which it has been suggested to be anterogradely transported to the hippocampus. Together, our findings demonstrate that ECS regulates the Shh signalling cascade and indicate that the Shh pathway may be an important mechanism through which ECS enhances adult hippocampal neurogenesis.
Intrinsic subthreshold oscillations of the membrane potential in pyramidal neurons of the olfactory amygdala
Authors: Sanhueza Magdalena , Bacigalupo Juan 
Published: October 2005

AbstractThe amygdala complex is a heterogeneous group of temporal lobe brain structures involved in the processing of biologically significant sensory stimuli and in the generation of appropriate responses to them. The amygdala has also been implicated in certain forms of emotional learning and memory. While much progress has been made in understanding neural processing in the basolateral subgroup of the amygdala, physiological studies in the cortical regions of the complex, also known as olfactory amygdala, are missing. Using a rat brain slice preparation, we conducted whole‐cell recordings on pyramidal neurons of the periamygdaloid cortex and the anterior cortical nucleus, two structures receiving direct connections from the olfactory bulb. Upon depolarization by current injection through the recording electrode, a fraction of periamygdaloid cortex and most anterior cortical nucleus layer II pyramidal neurons displayed an intermittent discharge pattern, where clusters of action potentials were interspersed by periods of membrane potential subthreshold oscillations. Oscillations frequency increased with membrane potential and correlated linearly with the cluster spiking frequency. Frequency ranged from 3 to 20 Hz, considering different cells and membrane potential values (up to approximately 30 mV above resting potentials of typically approximately −70 mV). Subthreshold oscillations were preserved after pharmacological inhibition of fast excitatory and inhibitory synaptic transmission, but were abolished by application of the sodium channel blocker tetrodotoxin. We conclude that pyramidal neurons of the olfactory cortical amygdala display intrinsically generated voltage‐dependent membrane potential rhythmic fluctuations in the theta‐low beta range, requiring the activation of a sodium conductance.
Hyposmolarity evokes norepinephrine efflux from synaptosomes by a depolarization‐ and Ca2+‐dependent exocytotic mechanism
Authors: Tuz K. , Pasantes‐Morales H. 
Published: October 2005

AbstractOsmolarity reduction (20%) elicited 3H‐norepinephrine (NE) efflux from rat cortical synaptosomes. The hyposmotic NE release resulted from the following events: (i) a Na+‐dependent and La3+‐, Gd3+‐ and ruthenium red‐sensitive depolarization; (ii) a cytosolic Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) rise with contributions from external Ca2+ influx and internal Ca2+ release, probably through the mitochondrial Na+–Ca2+ exchanger; and (iii) activation of a [Ca2+]i‐evoked, tetanus toxin (TeTX)‐sensitive, PKC‐modulated NE efflux mechanism. This sequence was established from results showing a drop in the hyposmotic [Ca2+]i rise by preventing depolarization with La3+, and by the inhibitory effects of Ca2+‐free medium (EGTA; 50%), CGP37157 (the mitochondrial Na+–Ca2+ exchanger blocker; 48%), EGTA + CGP37157 or by EGTA‐AM (> 95% in both cases). In close correspondence with these effects, NE efflux was 92% decreased by Na+ omission, 75% by La3+, 47% by EGTA, 50% by CGP37157, 90% by EGTA + CGP37157 and 88% by EGTA‐AM. PKC influenced the intracellular Ca2+ release and, mainly through this action, modulated NE efflux. TeTX suppressed NE efflux. The K+‐stimulated NE release, studied in parallel, was unaffected by Na+ omission, or by La3+, Gd3+ or ruthenium red. It was fully dependent on external Ca2+, insensitive to CGP37157 and abolished by TeTX. These results suggest that the hyposmotic events, although different from the K+‐evoked depolarization and [Ca2+]i rise mechanisms, are able to trigger a depolarization‐dependent, Ca2+‐dependent and TeTX‐sensitive mechanism for neurotransmitter release.
A synthetic NCAM‐derived peptide, FGL, protects hippocampal neurons from ischemic insult both in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Skibo Galina G. , Lushnikova Iryna V. , Voronin Kyrill Y. , Dmitrieva Oksana , Novikova Tatiana , Klementiev Boris , Vaudano Elisabetta , Berezin Vladimir A. , Bock Elisabeth 
Published: October 2005

AbstractThere is a major unmet need for development of innovative strategies for neuroprotection against ischemic brain injury. Here we show that FGL, a neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM)‐derived peptide binding to and inducing phosphorylation of the fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR), acts neuroprotectively after an ischemic insult both in vitro and in vivo. The neuroprotective activity of FGL was tested in vitro on dissociated rat hippocampal neurons and hippocampal slice cultures, using a protocol of oxygen–glucose deprivation (OGD). FGL protected hippocampal neurons from damage and maintained or restored their metabolic and presynaptic activity, both if employed as a pretreatment alone to OGD, and if only applied after the insult. In vivo 24 h pretreatment with a single suboccipital injection of FGL significantly protected hippocampal CA1 neurons from death in a transient global ischemia model in the gerbil. We conclude that FGL promotes neuronal survival after ischemic brain injury.