bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Physiological changes associated with the production of defective egg-shells by hens receiving sodium chloride in the drinking water
Authors: Balnave D. , Yoselewitz I. , Dixon R. J. 
Published: June 2005

1. Supplementing the drinking water of laying hens with 600 or 2000 mg sodium chloride/l induced large increases in egg-shell defects without corresponding changes in egg production, egg weight or food and water intakes. A supplement of 2000 mg NaCl/l resulted in a high incidence of shell-less eggs.2. The increased incidence of egg-shell damage in hens receiving the NaCl was associated with a decrease in egg-shell quality measured objectively. These responses persisted even after the NaCl was removed from the drinking water.3. The NaCl treatment had little effect on blood acid-base balance and electrolytes, but significant reductions were observed in the carbon dioxide tension, and bicarbonate and calcium concentrations in the fluid surrounding the egg in the shell gland.4. The poor shell quality appeared to be associated with a reduced supply of bicarbonate, rather than with an effect on Ca, in the lumen of the shell gland, although a reduced residence time of eggs in the shell gland may also have contributed to the problem.
Consequences of reduced fibre intake on digestion, rate of passage and caecal microbial activity in the young rabbit
Authors: Bellier R. , Gidenne T. 
Published: June 2005

AbstractThe present work was undertaken to studyin vivofibre degradation, rate of passage and caecal fermentation activity (CFA) in the young rabbit (7 weeks old) receivingad lib. a control (C) or a lowfibre (LF) diet (400 and 220 g neutral-detergent fibre (NDF)/kg respectively). As a consequence of the 50% reduction in the dietary fibre level, the voluntary food intake of the rabbits decreased by 25%, and the daily fibre intake was reduced by 60% (26·7 and 10·8 g NDF/d for groups C and LF, respectively).In spite of a longer mean retention time of the fibre particles, the quantity of fibre digested daily was significantly lower (P<0·01) for the LF than for the C group (4·0 and 7·8 g NDF/d respectively). The circadian distribution of the faecal excretion (as a percentage of the total DM output) did not differ between diets (P= 0·52) and no interaction was found (P= 0·96) between diet and time of excretion. Also, variables describing the CFA showed no interactions between diet (C or LF) and time of sampling (during caecotrophy or during hard faeces excretion). Our results indicated no direct relationship between the quantity of fibre digested and the total short-chain fatty acid concentration in the caecum, but the fermentation pattern indicated lower proportions of acetate for the LF diet. Higher levels of diaminopimelic acid (DAPA) and ATP were found for the LF diet associated with an improved dietary fibre digestibility, suggesting a higher microbial activity. However, this effect was balanced by a lower caecal digesta turnover rate and the microbial biomass output estimated through the faecal DAPA output did not vary significantly
Urinary excretion of purine derivatives and tissue xanthine oxidase (EC 1.2.3.2) activity in buffaloes (Bubalis bubalis) with special reference to differences between buffaloes and Bos taurus cattle
Authors: Chen X. B. , Samaraweera L. , Kyle D. J. , Ørskov E. R. , Abeygunawardene H. 
Published: June 2005

AbstractThe urinary excretion of purine derivatives (PD) was measured in six buffaloes (Bubalis bubalis) during fasting and in fourteen buffaloes given four restricted levels of roughage (2·5-4·8 kg DM/d). Only allantoin and uric acid, not xanthine and hypoxanthine, were present in the urine, the pattern of excretion being similar to that in cattle. The fasting PD excretion amounted to 0·20 (SD 0·06) mmol/kg metabolic weight (W0·75) per d, and the rate of PD excretion as a linear function of feed intake was 5·2 mmol/kg digestible organic matter intake. Both values were considerably lower than the values for cattle reported in the literature. Creatinine excretion values were 0·33 (SD 0·06) and 0·44 (SD 0·09) mmol/kg W0.75 per d determined in fasting and feeding periods respectively. Fasting N excretion was 257 (SD 49) mg N/kg W0.75 per d. Both creatinine and fasting N excretions were also lower than in cattle. The activities of xanthine oxidase (EC 1.2.3.2) in plasma, liver and intestinal mucosa were determined in buffaloes, cattle and sheep. Xanthine oxidase activities in buffaloes were 24·5 (SD 2·7) unit/l plasma and 0·44 (SD 0·02) and 0·31 (SD 0·10) unit/g fresh tissue in liver and intestinal mucosa respectively. These activities were higher than those in cattle and sheep. Xanthine oxidase was practically absent from plasma and intestine of sheep. It is suggested that the differences in PD excretion between buffaloes and cattle were probably due to the smaller proportion of plasma PD that was disposed of in the urine of buffaloes.
A Sphingolipid Elicitor-Inducible Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Is Regulated by the Small GTPase OsRac1 and Heterotrimeric G-Protein in Rice
Authors: Lieberherr Damien , Thao Nguyen Phuong , Nakashima Ayako , Umemura Kenji , Kawasaki Tsutomu , Shimamoto Ko 
Published: June 2005

Abstract
Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades are activated in plants during responses to pathogens or to pathogen-derived elicitors and mediate intracellular stress responses. Here, we show that a rice (Oryza sativa) MAPK, OsMAPK6, was posttranslationally activated in a cell culture by a sphingolipid elicitor. Suppression of OsMAPK6 expression by RNA interference resulted in a strong reduction of pathogen-induced Phe ammonia-lyase mRNA, whereas the mRNA level of another rice MAPK, OsMAPK5a, was highly increased. Silencing of a small GTPase, OsRac1, by RNA interference or loss-of-function mutation (d1) of the heterotrimeric G-protein α-subunit gene resulted in a strong reduction of the OsMAPK6 protein levels and of kinase activation by a sphingolipid elicitor. Furthermore, coimmunoprecipitation experiments with OsRac1 and OsMAPK6 proteins showed that OsMAPK6 is closely associated with the active form of OsRac1, but not with inactive forms of OsRac1. These results indicate that these two G-proteins regulate an elicitor-inducible MAPK in rice at the protein level.
Pectin Methylesterase, a Regulator of Pollen Tube Growth
Authors: Bosch Maurice , Cheung Alice Y. , Hepler Peter K. 
Published: June 2005

Abstract
The apical wall of growing pollen tubes must be strong enough to withstand the internal turgor pressure, but plastic enough to allow the incorporation of new membrane and cell wall material to support polarized tip growth. These essential rheological properties appear to be controlled by pectins, which constitute the principal component of the apical cell wall. Pectins are secreted as methylesters and subsequently deesterified by the enzyme pectin methylesterase (PME) in a process that exposes acidic residues. These carboxyls can be cross-linked by calcium, which structurally rigidifies the cell wall. Here, we examine the role of PME in cell elongation and the regulation of its secretion and enzymatic activity. Application of an exogenous PME induces thickening of the apical cell wall and inhibits pollen tube growth. Screening a Nicotiana tabacum pollen cDNA library yielded a pollen-specific PME, NtPPME1, containing a pre-region and a pro-region. Expression studies with green fluorescent protein fusion proteins show that the pro-region participates in the correct targeting of the mature PME. Results from in vitro growth analysis and immunolocalization studies using antipectin antibodies (JIM5 and JIM7) provide support for the idea that the pro-region acts as an intracellular inhibitor of PME activity, thereby preventing premature deesterification of pectins. In addition to providing experimental data that help resolve the significance and function of the pro-region, our results give insight into the mechanism by which PME and its pro-region regulate the cell wall dynamics of growing pollen tubes.
Comparison of Tuber Proteomes of Potato Varieties, Landraces, and Genetically Modified Lines
Authors: Lehesranta Satu J. , Davies Howard V. , Shepherd Louise V.T. , Nunan Naoise , McNicol Jim W. , Auriola Seppo , Koistinen Kaisa M. , Suomalainen Soile , Kokko Harri I. , Kärenlampi Sirpa O. 
Published: June 2005

Abstract
Crop improvement by genetic modification remains controversial, one of the major issues being the potential for unintended effects. Comparative safety assessment includes targeted analysis of key nutrients and antinutritional factors, but broader scale-profiling or “omics” methods could increase the chances of detecting unintended effects. Comparative assessment should consider the extent of natural variation and not simply compare genetically modified (GM) lines and parental controls. In this study, potato (Solanum tuberosum) proteome diversity has been assessed using a range of diverse non-GM germplasm. In addition, a selection of GM potato lines was compared to assess the potential for unintended differences in protein profiles. Clear qualitative and quantitative differences were found in the protein patterns of the varieties and landraces examined, with 1,077 of 1,111 protein spots analyzed showing statistically significant differences. The diploid species Solanum phureja could be clearly differentiated from tetraploid (Solanum tuberosum) genotypes. Many of the proteins apparently contributing to genotype differentiation are involved in disease and defense responses, the glycolytic pathway, and sugar metabolism or protein targeting/storage. Only nine proteins out of 730 showed significant differences between GM lines and their controls. There was much less variation between GM lines and their non-GM controls compared with that found between different varieties and landraces. A number of proteins were identified by mass spectrometry and added to a potato tuber two-dimensional protein map.
Antisense Suppression of Deoxyhypusine Synthase in Tomato Delays Fruit Softening and Alters Growth and Development
Authors: Wang Tzann-Wei , Zhang Chun-Guang , Wu Wendy , Nowack Linda M. , Madey Ewa , Thompson John E. 
Published: June 2005

AbstractThe effects of suppressing deoxyhypusine synthase (DHS) have been examined in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum cv UCT5). DHS mediates the first of two sequential enzymatic reactions that activate eukaryotic translation initiation factor-5A (eIF-5A) by converting a conserved Lys to the unusual amino acid, deoxyhypusine. DHS protein levels were suppressed in transgenic plants by expressing the 3′-untranslated region of tomato DHS under regulation of the constitutive cauliflower mosaic virus promoter. Fruit from the transgenic plants ripened normally, but exhibited delayed postharvest softening and senescence that correlated with suppression of DHS protein levels. Northern-blot analysis indicated that all four gene family members of tomato eIF-5A are expressed in fruit, and that three are up-regulated in parallel with enhancement of DHS mRNA as the fruit begin to senesce and soften. Transgenic plants in which DHS was more strongly suppressed were male sterile, did not produce fruit, and had larger, thicker leaves with enhanced levels of chlorophyll. The activity of PSII was 2 to 3 times higher in these transgenic leaves than in corresponding leaves of wild-type plants, and there was also enhanced deposition of starch in the stems. The data collectively indicate that suppression of DHS has pleiotropic effects on growth and development of tomato. This may, in turn, reflect the fact that there is a single DHS gene in tomato and that its cognate protein is involved in the activation of four distinct isoforms of eIF-5A.
Inhibition of de Novo Pyrimidine Synthesis in Growing Potato Tubers Leads to a Compensatory Stimulation of the Pyrimidine Salvage Pathway and a Subsequent Increase in Biosynthetic Performance
Authors: Geigenberger Peter , Regierer Babette , Nunes-Nesi Adriano , Leisse Andrea , Urbanczyk-Wochniak Ewa , Springer Franziska , van Dongen Joost T. , Kossmann Jens , Fernie Alisdair R. 
Published: June 2005

Abstract
Pyrimidine nucleotides are of general importance for many aspects of cell function, but their role in the regulation of biosynthetic processes is still unclear. In this study, we investigate the influence of a decreased expression of UMP synthase (UMPS), a key enzyme in the pathway of de novo pyrimidine synthesis, on biosynthetic processes in growing potato (Solanum tuberosum) tubers. Transgenic plants were generated expressing UMPS in the antisense orientation under the control of the tuber-specific patatin promoter. Lines were selected with markedly decreased expression of UMPS in the tubers. Decreased expression of UMPS restricted the use of externally supplied orotate for de novo pyrimidine synthesis in tuber tissue, whereas the uridine-salvaging pathway was stimulated. This shift in the pathways of UMP synthesis was accompanied by increased levels of tuber uridine nucleotides, increased fluxes of [14C]sucrose to starch and cell wall synthesis, and increased amounts of starch and cell wall components in the tubers, whereas there were no changes in uridine nucleotide levels in leaves. Decreased expression of UMPS in tubers led to an increase in transcript levels of carbamoylphosphate synthase, uridine kinase, and uracil phosphoribosyltransferase, the latter two encoding enzymes in the pyrimidine salvage pathways. Thus, the results show that antisense inhibition of the de novo pathway of pyrimidine synthesis leads to a compensatory stimulation of the less energy-consuming salvage pathways, probably via increased expression and activity of uridine kinase and uracil phosphoribosyltransferase. This results in increased uridine nucleotide pool levels in tubers and improved biosynthetic performance.
‘Dear More or Less…’
Authors: Blastland Michael 
Published: June 2005

Abstract
More or Less, BBC Radio 4′s programme devoted to the “powerful, sometimes beautiful, often abused but ever ubiquitous world of numbers”, has now been running for 3 years and returns to the airwaves on June 16th. Producer Michael Blastland and presenter Andrew Dilnot look back over the topics that provoked the greatest audience reaction.
Neutrophil NADPH-oxidase activation by an annexin AI peptide is transduced by the formyl peptide receptor (FPR), whereas an inhibitory signal is generated independently of the FPR family receptors
Authors: Karlsson Jennie , Fu Huamei , Boulay François , Dahlgren Claes , Hellstrand Kristoffer , Movitz Charlotta 
Published: June 2005

AbstractTruncation of the N-terminal part of the calcium-regulated and phospholipid-binding protein annexin AI has been shown to change the functional properties of the protein and to generate immunoregulatory peptides. Proinflammatory as well as anti-inflammatory signals are triggered by these peptides, and the two formyl peptide receptor (FPR) family members expressed in neutrophils, FPR and FPR-like 1 (FPRL1), have been suggested to transduce these signals. We now report that an annexin AI peptide (Ac9–25) activates, as well as inhibits, the neutrophil release of superoxide anions. Results obtained from experiments with receptor antagonists/inhibitors, desensitized cells, and transfected cells reveal that the Ac9–25 peptide activates the neutrophil reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase through FPR but not through FPRL1. The Ac9–25 peptide also inhibits the oxidase activity in neutrophils triggered, not only by the FPR-specific agonist N-formyl-Met-Leu-Phe but also by several other agonists operating through different G protein-coupled receptors. Our data show that the two signals generated by the Ac9–25 peptide are transmitted through different receptors, the inhibitory signal being transduced by a not-yet identified receptor distinct from FPR and FPRL1.
Prognostic Value of Serum Concentration of Heart-Type Fatty Acid–Binding Protein Relative to Cardiac Troponin T on Admission in the Early Hours of Acute Coronary Syndrome
Authors: Ishii Junnichi , Ozaki Yukio , Lu Jingchao , Kitagawa Fumihiko , Kuno Takahiro , Nakano Tadashi , Nakamura Yuu , Naruse Hiroyuki , Mori Yoshihisa , Matsui Shigeru , Oshima Hisaji , Nomura Masanori , Ezaki Kouji , Hishida Hitoshi 
Published: June 2005

Abstract
Background: Heart-type fatty acid–binding protein (H-FABP) is proposed as an early biomarker for acute myocardial infarction (AMI), but its prognostic value is unclear in acute coronary syndrome (ACS). We evaluated the prognostic value of the H-FABP concentration relative to cardiac troponin T (cTnT) in the early hours of ACS.
Methods: Serum concentrations of H-FABP and cTnT were measured on admission in 328 consecutive patients hospitalized for ACS within 6 h after the onset of chest pain [AMI, 241 (73.5%) patients; ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, 154 (47.0%) patients; and emergent coronary angiography within 24 h after admission, 287 (87.5%) patients]. Cardiac events, which were defined as cardiac death or subsequent nonfatal AMI, were monitored for 6 months after admission.
Results: During the 6-month follow-up period, there were 25 cardiac events, including 15 cardiac deaths and 10 subsequent nonfatal AMIs. Stepwise multivariate analyses including clinical, electrocardiographic, and biochemical variables revealed that increased H-FABP (above the median of 9.8 μg/L), but not increased cTnT (above the median of 0.02 μg/L), was independently associated with cardiac events in all patients [relative risk (RR) = 8.96; P = 0.0004], the subgroup of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (RR = 11.3; P = 0.02), and the subgroup of patients with unstable angina and non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (RR = 8.31; P = 0.007). The area under the ROC curve was higher for H-FABP than for cTnT (0.711 vs 0.578; P = 0.08), suggesting that H-FABP concentrations have a greater predictive capacity for cardiac events than cTnT.
Conclusion: Serum H-FABP is a potential independent predictor of cardiac events within 6 months of patient admission and may provide prognostic information superior to cTnT in the early hours of ACS.
Maximum oxygen consumption in marginally malnourished Colombian boys and girls 6–16 years of age
Authors: Spurr G. B. , Reina J. C. 
Published: June 2005

AbstractTreadmill measurements of maximum oxygen intake were made in 218 boys and 136 girls 6–16 years of age who were classified as nutritionally normal or marginally malnourished. max (1· min−1)increased with age, was lower in the undernourished than in the normal, and was significantly lower in girls than in boys. The sex differences persisted when max was expressed in terms of body weight and lean body mass, indicating that differences in physical activity between sexes may be the cause. The lower values of absolute max have implications for the productive ability of these children in heavy physical work when they are adults. When expressed in terms of body weight there are no major differences between Colombian and European children in the magnitude of their max values.
Salivary testosterone levels in males from the Ituri Forest of Zaïre
Authors: Ellison P. T. , Lipson S. F. , Meredith M. D. 
Published: June 2005

AbstractMorning and evening testosterone levels were measured in the saliva of Efe pygmies (N = 11) and Lese villagers (N = 18) living in the Ituri Forest of northeast Zaïre and compared with levels in Boston controls (N = 10). With one exception, levels in the individual Zaïrois subjects fall within the normal ranges reported for Western clinical populations. Daily variation in the Zaïrois subjects (a.m./p.m. ratio = 1.32 for Efe, 1.22 for Lese) is also comparable to both the Boston controls (1.61) and values reported by other researchers for Western subjects. Average morning levels for the Zairois subjects (420 pmol/liter for Efe, 341 pmol/liter for Lese), however, fall significantly below the average for the Boston subjects (589 pmol/liter; Efe, P <0.05; Lese, P <0.01). A correlation between morning testosterone level and height is observed for the Lese sample (r=0.76, P <0.005). Similar correlations have not been reported for Western subjects. Possible roles of acute and chronic environmental conditions in generating these observations are noted. This study demonstrates the potential utility of salivary steroid assays for investigating questions related to male gonadal function under field conditions.
Socioeconomic correlates of fertility, mortality, and child survival in mothers from a disadvantaged, urban Guatemalan community
Authors: Johnston Francis E. , Reid William , de Baessa Yetilu , Macvean Robert B. 
Published: June 2005

AbstractSocial and economic determinants of fertility, mortality, and child survival were studied in a sample of 519 mothers from EL Progreso, a disadvantaged community located on the outskirts of Guatemala city. Fertility (children ever‐born) and mortality (number of children who had died postnatally) data were obtained from interviews, along with data on the characteristics of the mothers, fathers, and the households. Contraceptive use was recorded on a subsample of 167 mothers of 5‐year old children. Following factor analyses, three variables were selected for analysis: Years of schooling of the father and the mother and the type of fuel used for cooking. Father's education and type of fuel were significantly related to maternal fertility, while only the educational attainment of the mother was related to child mortality and survival. When contraceptive use was included in the ANCOVA in the subsample, it was a significant determinant of fertility, while father's education became nonsignificant. In terms of mortality, contraceptive use was a significant determinant, while the significance of the mother's education fell to a borderline value (P = 0.084).
Population decline in a Philippine Negrito hunter‐gatherer society
Authors: Headland Thomas N. 
Published: June 2005

AbstractThe Casiguran Agta constitute a Negrito hunter‐gatherer society in northeastern Luzon. The hypothesis presented is that this population has suffered serious decline over the last half ‐century. Demographic data collected over a 24‐year period are used to substantiate this hypothesis. Agta figures on crude death rate, rate of natural decrease, infant mortality, life expectancy at birth, and homicide are among the most extreme known for any human population. Reasons for this decline are described, with emphasis on the factor of homicide.
Sexual maturation of Mexican‐American adolescents
Authors: Villarreal Sylvia F. , Martorell Reynaldo , Mendoza Fernando 
Published: June 2005

AbstractThe Sexual maturation patterns of 1,403 Mexican‐American adolescents are described. The report is based on data from the Hispanic Health and Examination Survey (HHANES), which was carried out by the National Center for Health Statistics from 1982 to 1984. Ages of subjects ranged from 10 through 17 years. The development of secondary sexual characteristics was measured by means of a five‐stage scale for specific traits (males: Pubic hair and genitalia; females: Pubic hair and breasts) following methods proposed by Tanner. Mean ages for “being in a stage” or the average age of the children classified as belonging to each particular stage were estimated. The Spearman‐Kärber procedure was used to estimate median ages at “entry” into the various stages. Comparison of median ages at entry to results from studies around the world reveals that Mexican‐Americans begin and end puberty a few months later than is usual.