bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Concentration of moniliformin produced by Fusarium species in grains of transgenic Bt maize hybrids compared to their isogenic counterparts and commercial varieties under European corn borer pressure
Authors: Magg T. , Bohn M. , Klein D. , Merditaj V. , Melchinger A. E. 
Published: July 2003

AbstractThe European corn borer (ECB), Ostrinia nubilalis Hb., is a major pest of maize in Central Europe and is suspected to promote infection of maize with Fusarium species. The objectives of this study were to (1) determine moniliformin (MON) concentration in early maturing European Bt maize hybrids, their isogenic counterparts, commercial cultivars and experimental hybrids, (2) evaluate the association between MON concentration and ECB resistance and (3) correlate MON concentration with concentrations of other mycotoxins determined from the same plant materials. The field experiments were performed at five locations in Germany. MON concentration was significantly higher with manual infestation of ECB larvae (296 μg/kg) than under insecticide protection (66 μg/kg). Bt hybrids showed significantly lower MON concentrations and higher grain yields under manual ECB infestation than their corresponding isogenic counterparts, as well as commercial and experimental hybrids. All ECB resistance traits and grain yield under ECB infestation were significantly correlated with MON concentration. Correlations between concentrations of MON and other Fusarium mycotoxins were not significant. The use of Bt maize hybrids or insecticides to control ECB reduces the contamination of maize grains with MON in Central Europe. The presence of resistance genes against Fusarium species in the current elite maize germplasm was indicated by ECB susceptible non‐Bt hybrids with low‐MON concentrations.
Development of RAPD markers associated with common bunt resistance to race T1 (Tilletia tritici) in spelt wheat
Authors: He C. , Hughes G. R. 
Published: July 2003

AbstractCommon bunt caused by Tilletia tritici and T. laevis has occurred worldwide and reduces yield and quality in common and durum wheats. The development of DNA markers linked to bunt resistance to race T1 in the cross, ‘Laura’(S) ×‘RL5407’ (R), was carried out in this study based on the single head derived F4:5 and single seed derived F4:6 populations. Bulked segregant analysis was used to identify two random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers linked to the gene for resistance to race T1 in the spelt wheat ‘RL5407′. The two markers identified, UBC548590 and UBC274988, flanked the resistance gene with a map distance of 9.1 and 18.2 cM, respectively. The former was linked in repulsion phase to bunt resistance while the later was in coupling phase. The two RAPD markers and the common bunt‐resistance gene all segregated in Mendelian fashion. Use of these two RAPD markers together could assist in incorporating the bunt‐resistance gene from spelt wheat into common wheat cultivars by means of marker‐assisted selection.
Embryo‐Maternal Communication in Bovine – Strategies for Deciphering a Complex Cross‐Talk
Authors: Wolf E , Arnold GJ , Bauersachs S , Beier HM , Blum H , Einspanier R , Fröhlich T , Herrler A , Hiendleder S , Kölle S , Prelle K , Reichenbach H‐D , Stojkovic M , Wenigerkind H , Sinowatz F 
Published: July 2003

ContentsEarly embryonic development, implantation and maintenance of a pregnancy are critically dependent on an intact embryo‐maternal communication. So far, only few signals involved in this dialogue have been identified. In bovine and other ruminants, interferon tau is the predominant embryonic pregnancy recognition signal, exhibiting antiluteolytic activity. However, this is just one aspect of the complex process of embryo‐maternal signalling, and a number of other systems are more likely to be involved. To gain a more comprehensive understanding of these important mechanisms, integrated projects involving specialists in embryology, reproductive biotechnology and functional genome research are necessary to perform a systematic analysis of interactions between pre‐implantation stage embryos and oviduct or uterine epithelial cells, respectively. State‐of‐the‐art transcriptomic and proteomic technologies will identify reciprocal signals between embryos and their maternal environment and the respective downstream reaction cascades. Forin vivostudies, the use of monozygotic twins as recipient animals provides elegant model systems, thus eliminating genetic variability as a cause of differential gene expression. In addition, suitable systems for the co‐culture of oviduct epithelial or endometrium cells with the respective embryonic stages need to be established for functional validation of candidate genes potentially involved in the dialogue between embryos and their maternal environment. The knowledge of these mechanisms should help to increase the pregnancy rate following embryo transfer and to avoid embryonic losses. Candidate genes involved in embryo‐maternal communication will also be used to define new quality criteria for the selection of embryos for transfer to recipients. Another application is the supplementation of embryotrophic factors or components of embryo‐maternal signalling in optimized formulations, such as bioartificial matrices. As a long‐term goal, signalling mechanisms identified in bovine will also be functionally evaluated in other species, including the human.
Laboratory Semen Assessment and Prediction of Fertility: still Utopia?*
Authors: Rodríguez‐Martínez H 
Published: July 2003

ContentsFinding a laboratory test reliable enough to predict the potential fertility of a given semen sample or a given sire for artificial insemination (AI) is still considered utopian, as indicated by the modest correlations seen between results obtained in vitro and field fertility. Male fertility is complex, and depends upon a heterogeneous population of spermatozoa interacting at various levels of the female genital tract, the vestments of the oocyte, and the oocyte itself. For this reason, laboratory assessment of semen must include the testing of most sperm attributes relevant for fertilization and embryo development, not only in individual spermatozoa but within a large sperm population as well. Strategies for the discovery of in vitro predictors of semen fertility require evaluations of low sperm doses for AI, so that differences in innate in vivo fertility can be accurately detected.
Oocyte and Embryo Quality: Effect of Origin, Culture Conditions and Gene Expression Patterns
Authors: Lonergan P , Rizos D , Gutierrez‐Adan A , Fair T , Boland MP 
Published: July 2003

ContentsIn general, the majority of immature bovine oocytes fail to develop to the blastocyst stage following maturation, fertilization and culture in vitro. The evidence suggests that while culture conditions during in vitro embryo production can impact on the developmental potential of the early embryo, the intrinsic quality of the oocyte is the key factor determining the proportion of oocytes developing to the blastocyst stage. In addition, evidence suggests that the period of post‐fertilization embryo culture is the most critical in determining blastocyst quality. This paper reviews the current literature, with emphasis on the bovine model, demonstrating evidence for an effect of oocyte origin and/or in vitro maturation conditions on the developmental capacity and gene expression patterns in the oocyte. Furthermore, the well‐documented effects of post‐fertilization culture environment on embryo gene expression and quality are highlighted.
Characteristics of Ovarian Follicle Development in Domestic Animals
Authors: Evans ACO 
Published: July 2003

ContentsIn most domestic animals the later stages of follicle development occurs in a wave‐like pattern during oestrous cycles (cattle, sheep, goats, horses and buffalo) or periods of reproductive activity (llamas and camels). A follicle wave is the organized development of a cohort of gonadotrophin‐dependent follicles all of which initially increase in size, but most of which subsequently regress and die by atresia (subordinate follicles). The number of remaining (dominant) follicles is specific to the species and is indicative of litter size. Follicle waves develop during both luteal and follicular phases and it is the dominant follicle(s) of the last follicular wave that ovulates. However, there are cases where dominant follicles from the last two follicle waves can ovulate (sheep and goats). There are exceptions to the organized wave‐like pattern of follicle growth where follicle development is apparently continuous (pigs and chickens). In these animals many follicles develop to intermediate diameters and at specific times follicles that are destined to ovulate are selected from this pool and continue growing to ovulation. Understanding the pattern of follicle development in different species is increasingly important for designing improved methods to manipulate reproduction in domestic animals.
The Insulin‐like Growth Factor System: a Key Determinant Role in the Growth and Selection of Ovarian Follicles? A Comparative Species Study
Authors: Mazerbourg S , Bondy CA , Zhou J , Monget P 
Published: July 2003

ContentsThe aim of the present paper is to make a comparative study of the expression of the elements of the insulin‐like growth factor (IGF) system in different mammalian species and thus illuminate their potential role in the process of ovarian folliculogenesis in mammals. In most mammalian species, IGFs and IGFBPs (in particular IGFBP‐2 and IGFBP‐4) are considered, respectively, as stimulators and inhibitors of follicular growth and maturation. In mammalian species, IGFs might play a key role in sensitizing ovarian granulosa cells to FSH action during terminal follicular growth. Concentrations of IGFBP‐2 and IGFBP‐4 in follicular fluid strongly decrease and increase during follicular growth and atresia, respectively, leading to an increase and a decrease in IGF bioavailability, respectively. The decrease in these IGFBPs is because of a decrease in mRNA expression (IGFBP‐2) and an increase in proteolytic degradation by PAPP‐A in follicular fluid (IGFBP‐2, IGFBP‐4 and IGFBP‐5), and likely participates in the selection of dominant follicles. In contrast, levels and/or sites of expression of IGF‐I, IGF‐II, IGFBP‐4, IGFBP‐5 and type II receptor in follicular cells strongly differ between mammalian species, suggesting that these phenomena might play species‐specific or secondary roles in ovarian folliculogenesis.
Manipulation of Domestic Animal Embryos and Implications for Development
Authors: McEvoy TG 
Published: July 2003

ContentsAssisted reproductive technologies, as applied to domestic animals, can exert both novel and wide‐ranging influences on the development, viability and welfare of offspring. Some of the changes are evident immediately or soon after the time at which a manipulative procedure is carried out, while other changes may not be evident until later in development or, perhaps, may remain undetected throughout an animal's lifetime. The present review explores some of the consequences – in terms of foetal, placental, neonatal and post‐natal effects – of exposing embryos of cattle, sheep and other species to in vitro culture per se or, during culture, to physically invasive technologies including gene injection and nuclear transfer. The innate sensitivity of oocytes and recently fertilized eggs to their in vitro environment is illustrated by an examination of the later developmental repercussions resulting from apparently innocuous choices related to in vitro culture medium formulations. In contrast, an inherent resilience and paradoxical readiness to resume development following the traumas of nuclear transfer procedures is also in evidence. The extent to which assisted reproductive technologies will succeed, where relevant, in the domestic animal sector will be influenced by our appreciation of embryo requirements, for both short‐ and long‐term developmental fitness, during their earliest developmental stages. Evidence of species‐specific needs is testimony to the challenges ahead. Ultimately, our ability and inclination to resolve the limitations associated with current procedures will probably be greatly enhanced if predictive indicators (genetic, epigenetic or functional markers) of later developmental fitness can be identified.
The Mitochondrial Genome in Embryo Technologies
Authors: Hiendleder S , Wolf E 
Published: July 2003

ContentsThe mammalian mitochondrial genome encodes for 37 genes which are involved in a broad range of cellular functions. The mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) molecule is commonly assumed to be inherited through oocyte cytoplasm in a clonal manner, and apparently species‐specific mechanisms have evolved to eliminate the contribution of sperm mitochondria after natural fertilization. However, recent evidence for paternal mtDNA inheritance in embryos and offspring questions the general validity of this model, particularly in the context of assisted reproduction and embryo biotechnology. In addition to normal mt DNA haplotype variation, oocytes and spermatozoa show remarkable differences in mtDNA content and may be affected by inherited or acquired mtDNA aberrations. All these parameters have been correlated with gamete quality and reproductive success rates. Nuclear transfer (NT) technology provides experimental models for studying interactions between nuclear and mitochondrial genomes. Recent studies demonstrated (i) a significant effect of mtDNA haplotype or other maternal cytoplasmic factors on the efficiency of NT; (ii) phenotypic differences between transmitochondrial clones pointing to functionally relevant nuclear–cytoplasmic interactions; and (iii) neutral or non‐neutral selection of mtDNA haplotypes in heteroplasmic conditions. Mitochondria form a dynamic reticulum, enabling complementation of mitochondrial components and possibly mixing of different mtDNA populations in heteroplasmic individuals. Future directions of research on mtDNA in the context of reproductive biotechnology range from the elimination of adverse effects of artificial heteroplasmy, e.g. created by ooplasm transfer, to engineering of optimized constellations of nuclear and cytoplasmic genes for the production of superior livestock.
The Predictive Value of Semen Analysis in the Evaluation of Stallion Fertility
Authors: Colenbrander B , Gadella BM , Stout TAE 
Published: July 2003

ContentsPregnancy rates in managed horse populations depend on the innate fertility of the mares and stallions involved and on the quality of breeding management. Of course, because a single stallion usually mates many mares, stallion fertility is a critical factor in the overall success of a breeding program. Unfortunately, accurate evaluation of stallion fertilityper serequires a large number of normal mares to be mated and is necessarily retrospective. Rather, the ideal is to predict fertility in advance of the stallion's breeding career, and this is currently attempted by way of a thorough physical examination and a routine analysis of semen quality. However, while such a ‘breeding soundness examination’ identifies stallions that clearly lack the capacity for adequate fertility, it is of limited use for predicting the level of fertility and fails to identify some seriously sub‐fertile animals. Similarly, while various sperm function tests (e.g., sperm head morphometry, the hypoosmotic swelling test, glass wool‐sephadex filtration, progesterone receptor exposure) have been shown to correlate fairly well with fertility in the field, most examine only a single or a narrow range of the attributes that a sperm must possess if it is to fertilize an oocytein vivo, and are thus more useful for identifying specific causes of sub‐fertility than for predicting the level of fertility. On the other hand, combining the results of the various sperm function tests does improve the reliability of fertility estimation and current research is therefore concentrated on identifying a range of tests that covers as many important sperm attributes as possible but that can be performed rapidly and cheaply. In this respect, flow‐cytometry has proven to be an ideal tool because it allows the objective, rapid and simultaneous analysis of a number of properties in a large number of sperm. Moreover, stains are available for an increasing range of sperm characteristics including viability, capacitation and acrosome status, mitochondrial activity and chromatin integrity. Flow‐cytometric analysis of sperm with appropriate probes thus offers considerable promise for the prediction of stallion fertility.
Invasive meningococcal infection in Western Australia
Authors: Olesch CA , Knight GJ 
Published: July 2003

Objectives: To review signs and symptoms in children diagnosed with meningococcal infection; to assess age, sex and race distribution of meningococcal infection; and to assess associations of the presenting features with morbidity and mortality. Design: Retrospective case notes review for a 5‐year period. Subjects: 105 patients aged between 19 days and 13 years. Main data reviewed: Temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, type of rash, age, sex, race and outcome. Results: Of the 105 patients, 67.6% were Caucasian, 27.6% Aboriginal and 4.8% of other origin. There were 14.3% patients under 3 months of age (2.9% neonates), 48.6% between 3 months and 2 years, 21% between 2 and 4 years and 16.2% older than 4 years. The male:female ratio was 1.4. Features at presentation in decreasing order of frequency were: fever (89.5%), tachypnoea (73.3%), rash (59% [maculopapular 17.1%, petechial 27.6% and purpuric 14.3%]), vomiting (52.4%), irritability (44.8%), tachycardia (37.5%), lethargy (36.2%), neck stiffness (32.4%) and non‐specific immediately preceding illness (15.2%). Purpura and a reduced systolic blood pressure were significantly associated with an increased risk of mortality, purpura and reduced diastolic blood pressure with an increased risk of morbidity. Initial misdiagnosis occurred in 17.1% of cases, with the majority of those misdiagnosed (83.3%) aged less than 2 years. Predominant serotyping was Group B followed by Group C. Major findings were a marked male preponderance in patients under 3 months of age. The incidence of meningococcal infection in the Aboriginal population was approximately six times that in the non‐Aboriginal population. The yearly incidence of meningococcal disease during the study period ranged from 5.2 to 10.5 per 100.000. Long‐term morbidity occurred in 8.6% of cases and mortality was 8.6%. Higher morbidity and mortality figures were found in those with septicaemia alone. Children referred from peripheral hospitals had a higher mortality but a comparable morbidity.
Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in children
Authors: Hallahan AR , Carpenter PA , O’Gorman‐Hughes DW , Vowels MR , Marshall GM 
Published: July 2003

Objective: To evaluate the clinical and diagnostic features of children presenting with haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), evolution of the disease and outcomes in response to treatment. Methodology: The medical records of 12 children, aged 5 weeks to 13 years at diagnosis, with HLH managed at a single institution were reviewed. Results: Presenting features were fever, hepatosplenomegaly, pancytopenia and hypertriglyceridemia or hypofibrinogenemia. Nine patients (75%) developed central nervous system (CNS) disease. Only one child with CNS disease survived. Five children had complete responses to therapy (42%), but all relapsed at a median of 1.5 months after starting treatment (range 2 weeks to 5 months). Two of the children treated are long‐term survivors (17%), both after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. All deaths occurred in the context of active disease. Conclusions: Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis is a disease with a poor prognosis. Central nervous system complications are common and response to treatment usually is transient. This study provides support for the use of immuno‐ modulatory therapy for remission introduction followed by consideration of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.
Five‐year incidence of age‐related maculopathyin relation to iris, skin or hair colour, and skin sun sensitivity:the Blue Mountains Eye Study
Authors: Wang JieJin , Jakobsen Kirsten , Smith Wayne , Mitchell Paul 
Published: July 2003

AbstractThis study aimed to assess longitudinal associations between iris, hair and skin colour, plus skin sensitivity to sun and the 5‐year incidence of age‐related maculopathy (ARM). Of 3654 baseline Blue Mountains Eye Study participants (aged 49+ years), 2335 survivors (75.1%) were re‐examined after 5 years. Retinal photographs were graded using the Wisconsin ARM Grading System and incident ARM lesions confirmed using side‐by‐side grading. Iris/skin/hair colour was assessed and skin sensitivity questions were asked at baseline. After adjusting for age, sex and smoking, no significant associations were found between iris or hair colour and incident late or early ARM. Compared to persons with fair skin, those with very fair skin had an increased risk of developing geographical atrophy (odds ratio [OR] 3.5,95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2−10.4). However, persons with sun‐related skin damage were less likely than those without to develop indistinct soft drusen (OR 0.6, 95% CI0.4−0.9). Longitudinal data provide no support for the previously reported cross‐sectional association between iris colour and ARM.
Patterns of glaucomatous visual field defects in an older population: the Blue Mountains Eye Study
Authors: Lee Anne J , Wang Jie Jin , Rochtchina Elena , Healey Paul , Chia Ee‐Munn , Mitchell Paul 
Published: July 2003

AbstractThis report aims to describe the frequency of different patterns of visual field loss in open‐angle glaucoma (OAG). The Blue Mountains Eye Study examined 3654 persons (aged 49+) during 1992−1994. Humphrey supra‐threshold visual fields were performed in 88.9%. Those classified as glaucoma suspects had 30−2 full‐threshold fields (9.2%). Of OAG cases (n = 108) with field tests in both eyes (n = 97), unilateral defects were present in 49 (50.5%) and bilateral in 48 (49.5%). Advanced field loss was found in 16 (15.4%) subjects and in 22 (10.9%) eyes, with bilateral loss present in 6 (6.2%) cases. Of all eyes of OAG cases (n = 201), 49 (24.4%) had no defects, 52 (25.9%) upper, 61 (30.3%) lower, and 17 (8.5%) had combined upper and lower loss. Of the upper and lower cases (n = 113), the types of defects included nasal step (36), arcuate (26), nasal plus arcuate (26), and hemispherical defects (25). Of subjects with fields in at least one eye (n = 104), there was a similar proportion in the worse eye of upper defects (28.8%), lower (31.7%), and combined upper and lower (24.0%). Undiagnosed OAG was more frequent in unilateral (65.3%) than bilateral (34.7%) cases (P = 0.003). This study reports the pattern of typical glaucomatous field loss in an older Australian population.
Computer‐assisted retinal vessel measurement in an older population: correlation between right and left eyes
Authors: Leung Harry , Wang Jie Jin , Rochtchina Elena , Tan Ava G , Wong Tien Y , Hubbard Larry D , Klein Ronald , Mitchell Paul 
Published: July 2003

AbstractThis study assessed the correlation between computer‐assisted retinal vessel measurements of right and left eyes, from subjects in a defined, community‐based older population. Retinal photographs from participants in the Blue Mountains Eye Study were digitized. All retinal arterioles and venules located 0.5−1.0 disc diameters from the optic disc margin were identified and a computer program measured their diameters. Pearson correlation (R2) statistic was used to assess the correlation in a random subsample of 1546 images. Substantial correlation between right and left eye measurements was found for summary indices of retinal arterioles (R2 = 0.70) and venules (R2 = 0.77). Higher correlation was found for intragrader (R2 0.75−079) than for intergrader assessment (R2 0.67−0.72). Moderate correlation was found in arteriole‐to‐venule ratio assessed by the same (R2 = 0.57) or different (R2 = 0.52) graders. Measurements from one eye can thus adequately represent the retinal vessel diameters of a person.