bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
ERECTA, an LRR receptor‐like kinase protein controlling development pleiotropically affects resistance to bacterial wilt
Authors: Godiard Laurence , Sauviac Laurent , Torii Keiko U. , Grenon Olivier , Mangin Brigitte , Grimsley Nigel H. , Marco Yves 
Published: October 2003

SummaryBacterial wilt, one of the most devastating bacterial diseases of plants worldwide, is caused by Ralstonia solanacearum and affects many important crop species. We show that several strains isolated from solanaceous crops in Europe are pathogenic in different accessions of Arabidopsis thaliana. One of these strains, 14.25, causes wilting symptoms in A. thaliana accession Landsberg erecta (Ler) and no apparent symptoms in accession Columbia (Col‐0). Disease development and bacterial multiplication in the susceptible Ler accession depend on functional hypersensitive response and pathogenicity (hrp) genes, key elements for bacterial pathogenicity. Genetic analysis using Ler × Col‐0 recombinant inbred lines showed that resistance is governed by at least three loci: QRS1 (Quantitative Resistance to R. solanacearum) and QRS2 on chromosome 2, and QRS3 on chromosome 5. These loci explain about 90% of the resistance carried by the Col‐0 accession. The ERECTA gene, which encodes a leucine‐rich repeat receptor‐like kinase (LRR‐RLK) and affects development of aerial organs, is dimorphic in our population and lies close to QRS1. Susceptible Ler plants transformed with a wild‐type ERECTA gene, and the LER line showed increased disease resistance to R. solanacearum as indicated by reduced wilt symptoms and impaired bacterial growth, suggesting unexpected cross‐talk between resistance and developmental pathways.
Energy status and its control on embryogenesis of legumes: ATP distribution within Vicia faba embryos is developmentally regulated and correlated with photosynthetic capacity
Authors: Borisjuk Ljudmilla , Rolletschek Hardy , Walenta Stefan , Panitz Reinhard , Wobus Ulrich , Weber Hans 
Published: October 2003

SummaryTo analyse the energy status of Vicia faba embryos in relation to differentiation processes, we measured ATP concentrations directly in cryosections using a quantitative bioluminescence‐based imaging technique. This method provides a quantitative picture of the ATP distribution close to the in vivo situation. ATP concentrations were always highest within the axis. In pre‐storage cotyledons, the level was low, but it increased strongly in the course of further development, starting from the abaxial region of cotyledons and moving towards the interior. Greening pattern, chlorophyll distribution and photosynthetic O2 production within embryos temporally and spatially corresponded to the ATP distribution, implicating that the overall increase of the energy state is associated to the greening process. ATP patterns were associated to the photosynthetic capacity of the embryo. The general distribution pattern as well as the steady state levels of ATP were developmentally regulated and did not change upon dark/light conditions. The major storage protein legumin started to accumulate in abaxial regions with high ATP, whereas starch localized in regions with relatively lower ATP levels. This suggests a role of the energy state in the partitioning of assimilates into the different storage‐product classes. Highest biosynthetic rates occurred when cotyledons became fully green and contained high ATP levels, implicating that a photoheterotrophic state was required to ensure high fluxes. Based on these data, we propose a model for the role of embryonic photosynthesis to improve the energy status of the embryo.
Engineering photoassimilate partitioning in tobacco plants improves growth and productivity and provides pathogen resistance
Authors: Murillo Isabel , Roca Ramón , Bortolotti Cristina , Segundo Blanca San 
Published: October 2003

SummaryExpression of pathogenesis‐related (PR) genes is part of the plant's natural defense response against pathogen attack. To study the in vivo role and function of the maize PRms protein, tobacco plants were transformed with the PRms cDNA under the control of the CaMV35S promoter. Transgenic tobacco plants grow faster and yield more leaf and seed biomass. By using immunoelectron microscopy, we found that PRms is associated with plasmodesmata in leaves of transgenic tobacco plants. Furthermore, we found that activation of sucrose efflux from photosynthetically active leaves and accumulation of higher levels of sucrose in leaf tissues are characteristic features of PRms tobacco plants. This, in turn, results in the constitutive expression of endogenous tobacco PR genes and resistance to phytopathogens. The expression of multiple plant defense genes can then be achieved by using a single transgene. These data provide a new approach for engineering disease‐resistant plants while simultaneously improving plant yield and productivity through the modification of photoassimilate partitioning.
Genetic evidence that expression of NahG modifies defence pathways independent of salicylic acid biosynthesis in the Arabidopsis–Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato interaction
Authors: Heck Silvia , Grau Theres , Buchala Antony , Métraux Jean‐Pierre , Nawrath Christiane 
Published: October 2003

SummaryThe salicylic acid (SA)‐induction deficient (sid) mutants of Arabidopsis, eds5 and sid2 accumulate normal amounts of camalexin after inoculation with Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (Pst), while transgenic NahG plants expressing an SA hydroxylase that degrades SA have reduced levels of camalexin and exhibit a higher susceptibility to different pathogens compared to the sid mutants. SID2 encodes an isochorismate synthase necessary for the synthesis of SA. NahG was shown to act epistatically to the sid mutant phenotype regarding accumulation of camalexin after inoculation with Pst in eds5NahG and sid2NahG plants. The effect of the pad4 mutation on the sid mutant phenotype was furthermore tested in eds5pad4 and sid2pad4 double mutants, and it was demonstrated that PAD4 acts epistatically to EDS5 and SID2 regarding the production of camalexin after inoculation with Pst. NahG plants and pad4 mutants were also found to produce less ethylene (ET) after infection with Pst in comparison to the wild type (WT) and sid mutants. Both PAD4 and NahG acted epistatically to SID regarding the Pst‐dependent production of ET that was found to be necessary for the accumulation of camalexin. Early production of jasmonic acid (JA) 12 h after inoculation with Pst/avrRpt2 was absent in all plants expressing NahG compared to the other mutants tested here. These genetic studies unravel pleiotropic changes in defence signalling of NahG plants that are unlikely to result from their low SA content. This adds unexpected difficulties in the interpretation of earlier findings based solely on NahG plants.
Molecular cloning and characterization of a sodium‐pump ATPase of the moss Physcomitrella patens
Authors: Benito Begoña , Rodríguez‐Navarro Alonso 
Published: October 2003

Summary Physcomitrella patens grew slowly at 600 mm Na+, pH 6.0, affected by the low water potential but without signs of suffering Na+ toxicity. At pH 8.0, tolerance seemed to be lower but it grew at 200 mm Na+, again without signs of Na+ toxicity. The resistance of Physcomitrella cells to the toxic effects of Na+ can be accounted for by their capacity to keep high K+:Na+ ratios and to extrude Na+ by a system that is not dependent on ΔpH. Physcomitrella expresses two P‐type ATPases similar in sequence to fungal ENA‐type Na+‐ATPases. A functional study in yeast demonstrated that one of these ATPases, PpENA1, is an Na+‐pump. We also found that P. patens has a plant‐type SOS1 Na+/H+ antiporter. We discuss that Na+‐ATPases existed in early land plants but that they were lost during the evolution of bryophytes to flowering plants.
A dwarf mutant strain of Pharbitis nil, Uzukobito (kobito), has defective brassinosteroid biosynthesis
Authors: Suzuki Yoshihito , Saso Kazuyuki , Fujioka Shozo , Yoshida Shigeo , Nitasaka Eiji , Nagata Shinji , Nagasawa Hiromichi , Takatsuto Suguru , Yamaguchi Isomaro 
Published: October 2003

SummaryJapanese morning glory (Pharbitis nil) is a model plant characterized by a large stock of spontaneous mutants. The recessive mutant Uzukobito shows strong dwarfism with dark‐green rugose leaves. The phenotype was rescued by the application of brassinolide, a bioactive brassinosteroid (BR), indicating that Uzukobito was a BR‐deficient mutant. A detailed analysis of the endogenous BR levels in Uzukobito and its parental wild‐type plant showed that Uzukobito had a lower level of BRs downstream of (24R)‐24‐methyl‐5α‐cholestan‐3‐one and (22S, 24R)‐22‐hydroxy‐24‐methyl‐5α‐cholestan‐3‐one than those in wild‐type plants, while their immediate precursors (24R)‐24‐methylcholest‐4‐en‐3‐one and (22S, 24R)‐22‐hydroxy‐24‐methylcholest‐4‐en‐3‐one accumulated relatively more in Uzukobito. These results indicate that Uzukobito had a defect in the conversion of (24R)‐24‐methylcholest‐4‐en‐3‐one and (22S, 24R)‐22‐hydroxy‐24‐methylcholest‐4‐en‐3‐one to their 5α‐reduced forms, which is catalyzed by de‐etiolated2 (DET2) in Arabidopsis. The P. nil ortholog of the DET2 gene (PnDET2) was cloned and shown to have the greatest similarity to DET2 among all the putative genes in Arabidopsis. Uzukobito had one amino acid substitution from Glu62 to Val62 in the deduced amino acid sequence of PnDET2. Recombinant PnDET2 expressed in COS‐7 cells was found to be a functional steroid 5α‐reductase (S5αR) converting (24R)‐24‐methylcholest‐4‐en‐3‐one to (24R)‐24‐methyl‐5α‐cholestan‐3‐one, while PnDET2 with the mutation did not show any catalytic activity. This shows that a plant S5αR can convert an intrinsic substrate. All these results clearly demonstrate that the Uzukobito phenotype resulted from a mutation on PnDET2, and a morphological mutant has been characterized at the molecular level among a large stock of P. nil mutants.
Characterization of two functional phosphoenolpyruvate/phosphate translocator (PPT) genes in Arabidopsis–AtPPT1 may be involved in the provision of signals for correct mesophyll development
Authors: Knappe Silke , Löttgert Tanja , Schneider Anja , Voll Lars , Flügge Ulf‐Ingo , Fischer Karsten 
Published: October 2003

SummaryThe Arabidopsis thaliana chlorophyll a/b‐binding protein underexpressed 1 (cue1) mutant shows a reticulate leaf phenotype and is defective in a plastidic phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP)/phosphate translocator (AtPPT1). A functional AtPPT1 providing plastids with PEP for the shikimate pathway is therefore essential for correct leaf development. The Arabidopsis genome contains a second PPT gene, AtPPT2. Both transporters share similar substrate specificities and are therefore able to transport PEP into plastids. The cue1 phenotype could partially be complemented by ectopic expression of AtPPT2 but obviously not by the endogeneous AtPPT2. Both genes are differentially expressed in most tissues: AtPPT1 is mainly expressed in the vasculature of leaves and roots, especially in xylem parenchyma cells, but not in leaf mesophyll cells, whereas AtPPT2 is expressed ubiquitously in leaves, but not in roots. The expression profiles are corroborated by tissue‐specific transport data. As AtPPT1 expression is absent in mesophyll cells that are severely affected in the cue1 mutant, we propose that the vasculature‐located AtPPT1 is involved in the generation of phenylpropanoid metabolism‐derived signal molecules that trigger development in interveinal leaf regions. This signal probably originates from the root vasculature where only AtPPT1, but not AtPPT2, is present.
Testing the ‘assortative mating’ hypothesis on a variation maintenance mechanism for flowering time within a forest‐floor population of Primula sieboldii
Authors: OKAYAMA YASUSHI , NAGAI MIHOKO , WASHITANI IZUMI 
Published: October 2003

AbstractFlowering phenology and allozyme variation were studied to test the existence of positive assortative mating for flowering time in a natural population of Primula sieboldii E. Morren, a heterostylous perennial herb, consisting of approximately 180 genets in a deciduous forest. There was significant variation in flowering date among genets, but not between heterostylous morphs. The temporal order of the flowering time of genets was fairly constant for the two years of the study. The spatial heterogeneity of light availability at the study site was small during the flowering season of the species. In order to analyze the extent of genetic differentiation between early‐ and late‐flowering genet groups, allozyme diversities were analyzed with 10 loci. The GST between the early‐ and late‐flowering groups was not significantly different from zero. Evidence of positive assortative mating for flowering time was not detected. Prolongation of flowering duration due to pollen limitation may be one important factor preventing the genetic differentiation of early‐ and late‐flowering groups by enhancing the overlap of flowering time among genets.
Demographic genetics of the American beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.) III. Genetic substructuring of coastal plain population in Maryland
Authors: KITAMURA KEIKO , MORITA TATSUYOSHI , KUDO HIROSHI , O'NEILL JAY , UTECH FREDERICH H. , WHIGHAM DENNIS F. , KAWANO SHOICHI 
Published: October 2003

AbstractSpatiotemporal genetic substructurings were investigated in the American beech population of the east‐central coastal plain in Maryland. All trees including seedlings, various sizes of juveniles, and mature trees within the study site (10 × 100 m) were mapped, diameters measured, and leaves collected for allozyme analyses. Eleven polymorphic loci in eight enzyme systems were examined: 6Pgdh2, 6Pgdh3, Acp2, Adh1, Adh2, Fum, Got1, Got3, Lap, Pgi, and Pgm2. A total of 1945 trees were analyzed and 595 multilocus genotypes were detected. Six size‐classes and 10 spatial blocks were discriminated for spatiotemporal analyses. Parameters for genetic variations (heterozygosity, Simpson's index, Shannon‐Weaver's index, and inbreeding coefficient) decreased in larger size‐classes. These genetic parameters fluctuated in spatial blocks of 10 m intervals, in which certain alleles were characteristic of specific blocks. The spatial autocorrelation by Moran's I and coancestry revealed the ranges of genetic relatedness to be only 20–30 m. Multilocus genotype analyses showed that higher genetic variations occur in larger size‐classes and at gap openings where seed shadows for mother trees are overlapped. The relationships among reproductive trees, seedlings and juveniles suggested that the seed dispersal range of the American beech is normally in the range of 30–40 m. The mechanisms of a remarkably high genetic polymorphism maintained in this once artificially disturbed and grazed forest are discussed as related to conservation biology.
Ecological distribution and phenology of an invasive species, Cardamine hirsuta L., and its native counterpart, Cardamine flexuosa With., in central Japan
Authors: YATSU YOSHINORI , KACHI NAOKI , KUDOH HIROSHI 
Published: October 2003

Abstract Cardamine hirsuta is a European species that was recently introduced into Japan and its wide distribution has been confirmed in the Kanto district. To understand mechanisms of the recent spread of C. hirsuta in Japan, a comparative study of the alien species and its native congeneric species, C. flexuosa, was conducted. Habitat preferences, phenology and seed germination were examined. Cardamine hirsuta and C. flexuosa showed distinctive habitat‐preferences; the former was most common in open habitats created by recent man‐made constructions, and the latter was common in rice paddy fields and surrounding areas. The results indicate that C. flexuosa is a year‐long annual, with a mixed phenology of summer and winter germination and growth. Seed dormancy during summer was relatively weak for C. flexuosa, and some plants that germinated early in summer reproduced during the same summer–autumn period. Plants that germinated in late summer and autumn behaved as winter annuals. In rice paddy fields, C. flexuosa is a winter annual because germination is prevented by submergence during summer. Plants flower during the following spring and complete their life cycle before the fields are flooded for rice cultivation. Cardamine hirsuta showed strong seed dormancy during summer and behaved as a typical winter annual. Seeds of C. hirsuta were intolerant to submergence in water, a condition that breaks seed dormancy of C. flexuosa. The results explain the absence of C. hirsuta from rice paddy fields. It was concluded that the spread of C. hirsuta is attributable to the recent expansion of urban habitats created by human activity and has occurred without direct competition with C. flexuosa. Considering recent urbanization in many areas, it is suggested that C. hirsuta has been spreading rapidly in Japan.
Seasonal development of annual shoots in some terrestrial orchids from Russia and Japan
Authors: TATARENKO IRINA V. , KONDO KATSUHIKO 
Published: October 2003

AbstractAnnual shoots of 46 terrestrial orchid species commonly found in wide ranges of temperate climates in Russia and Japan change their patterns of growth recurrence from the dormancy state, through formation and growth, to the next dormancy state during the course of yearly response to seasonal cycles of environmental conditions. Each of the species has its own strategy in seasonal development of aerial shoots, rhizomes, tubers and roots, and shows seasonal differentiation of shoot morphogenesis at the early stage of new shoot apex formation in accordance with its growth habit, habitat and range size of geographical distribution. Perennial orchids with sympodial growth patterns and primitive life forms are characterized by long duration of shoot and inflorescence development inside the bud. Among the species studied, the orchids that have annually regenerating root‐stem tubers have the shortest duration of root and shoot morphogenesis. The species that have predominant patterns of monopodial growth show variability in duration of lateral shoot growth due to the energy budget of the mother plant. The species which have latitudinally long ranges of distribution from northern colder regions to southern warmer regions tend to take longer for shoot development inside the bud, and aerial shoots have a shorter life‐span in the northern regions than those in the south.
Cost‐effective laparoscopic pyeloplasty: Single center experience
Authors: HEMAL ASHOK KUMAR , GOEL RAJIV , GOEL APUL 
Published: October 2003

SummaryObjective:  Laparoscopic pyeloplasty (LPP) is a minimally invasive treatment option for ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction. We report here our experience of performing cost‐effective LPP on 24 patients at a single center.Methods:  Between October 1999 and March 2002, LPP was performed in 24 patients (17 male, seven female; age range 8–51 years) including two patients who had failed previous endourologic treatments. In two patients with concomitant renal stones, laparoscopic pyelolithotomy was also performed. LPP was conducted in a cost‐reductive manner by both transperitoneal (n = 12) and retroperitoneal (n = 12) access. To reduce the cost, an indigenous balloon to create the retroperitoneal space, reusable ports, ordinary polyglactin suture and intracorporeal free‐hand suturing were employed. To reduce operative time, antegrade stenting was also performed in some cases.Results:  Laparoscopic Anderson–Hynes pyeloplasty was performed in 16, Foley Y–V pyeloplasty in five and Fenger pyeloplasty in three patients. One patient required conversion to open surgery due to tension at the anastomosis site during Anderson–Hynes pyeloplasty. The mean operating time, blood loss, analgesic (pethidine) requirement, duration of drain and hospital stay for the retroperitoneal and transperitoneal groups were 170.3 and 187.6 min, 102.2 and 145.9 mL, 125 and 136.4 mg, 2.1 and 2.5 days, and 3.4 and 4.3 days, respectively. No significant complications were encountered apart from prolonged ileus in three patients in the transperitoneal group. The mean follow‐up period was 10.8 months with a range of 2–24 months. Postoperative renal scan was performed at 3 months in 21 patients, and 1 year in 11 patients. There was evidence of equivocal obstruction in one patient, but there were no obstructions in the remaining patients.Conclusion:  Although LPP is technically demanding, it is emerging as a viable, minimally invasive alternative to open pyeloplasty for UPJ obstruction with a success rate similar to that of open pyeloplasty. It allows the duplication of open surgery steps (unlike endoscopic procedures), thereby providing durable and sustained results. LPP can also be performed safely, effectively and efficiently in a cost‐efficient manner.
Influence of hypertension on lower urinary tract symptoms in benign prostatic hyperplasia
Authors: SUGAYA KIMIO , KADEKAWA KATSUMI , IKEHARA AKASHI , NAKAYAMA TOMOYUKI , GAKIYA MUNEHISA , NASHIRO FUMIO , GOYA MASATO , HATANO TADASHI , OGAWA YOSHIHIDE 
Published: October 2003

AbstractAim:  To clarify the influence of hypertension on lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) we examined the relationship between blood pressure, LUTS, and the effect of terazosin on LUTS in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).Methods:  The subjects were patients who had LUTS and BPH. They were treated with terazosin (1 mg, twice‐a‐day) for 12 weeks. Calculation of the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), measurement of blood pressure, and uroflowmetry were performed before and after 12 weeks of therapy. Patients were divided into a normotensive (NT) group and a hypertensive (HT) group at the time of first examination.Results:  The IPSS for urinary frequency and nocturia in BPH‐HT patients (n = 21; mean age, 71 years) were significantly higher than those in the BPH‐NT patients (n = 21; mean age, 69 years) before the administration of terazosin. The total IPSS the BPH‐HT patients was also significantly higher than that of the BPH‐NT patients. There were no differences of uroflowmetric parameters between the two groups. After 12 weeks of therapy, systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased in the BPH‐HT patients, but not in the BPH‐NT patients. However, the systolic pressure of the BPH‐HT patients was still significantly higher than that of the BPH‐NT patients. The score for each IPSS parameter decreased in both groups, but the difference of the score between the two groups increased.Conclusion:  Hypertension may worsen LUTS and may decrease the improvement of symptoms by terazosin.
Use of dexamethasone with mesna for the prevention of ifosfamide‐induced hemorrhagic cystitis
Authors: VIEIRA MILENA MORAIS , BRITO GERLY ANNE CASTRO , BELARMINO‐FILHO JOSÉ NELSON , MACEDO FRANCISCO YURI BULCÃO , NERY ERIK AQUINO , CUNHA FERNANDO QUEIROZ , RIBEIRO RONALDO ALBUQUERQUE 
Published: October 2003

AbstractAim:  Hemorrhagic cystitis (HC) is a limiting side‐effect of chemotherapy with ifosfamide (IFS). In the study presented here, we investigated the use of dexamethasone in combination with mesna for the prevention of IFS‐induced HC.Methods:  Male Wistar rats (150–200 g; 6 rats per group) were treated with saline or mesna 5 min (i.p.) before and 2 and 6 h after (v.o.) administration of IFS. One, two or three doses of mesna were replaced with dexamethasone alone or with dexamethasone plus mesna. Cystitis was evaluated 24 h after its induction by the changes in bladder wet weight and by macroscopic and microscopic analysis.Results:  The replacement of the last dose or the last two doses of mesna with dexamethasone reduced the increase in bladder wet weight induced by IFS by 84.79% and 89.13%, respectively. In addition, it almost abolished the macroscopic and microscopic alterations induced by IFS. Moreover, the addition of dexamethasone to the last two doses of mesna was more efficient than three doses of mesna alone when evaluated microscopically.Conclusion:  Dexamethasone in combination with mesna was efficient in blocking IFS‐induced HC. However, the replacement of last two doses of mesna with saline or all of the mesna doses with dexamethasone did not prevent HC.