Home About us Contact
|
Home About us Contact | ||
|
|
||
Sterile
Kinds of Sterile Terms modified by Sterile Selected AbstractsFurther studies on knockout mice lacking a functional dynein heavy chain (MDHC7).CYTOSKELETON, Issue 2 2005Abstract Male mice had been previously generated in which the inner dynein arm heavy chain 7 gene (MDHC7) was disrupted. MDHC7,/, animals show asthenozoospermia and are sterile. Very few of their spermatozoa can achieve forward progression, but for those that can, we add here the information (1) that the three-dimensional aspects of their movement are normal; (2) that their maximum velocity is less than that of wild-type controls; and (3) that they are entirely unable to penetrate media of raised viscosity (25,4,000 cP). However, the large majority of the spermatozoa can achieve only a low amplitude vibration. In these sperm we find, using electron microscopy, that the outer dense fibres retain attachments to the inner surface of the mitochondria. Such attachments are present in normal epididymal mouse spermatozoa but are broken down as soon as the sperm become motile on release from the epididymis. The attachments are presumed to be essential during midpiece development and, afterwards, to require a threshold level of force to loosen them and so permit the sliding displacements necessary for normal bending. We presume that the disruption of the inner dynein arm heavy chain gene, MDHC7, means that there is insufficient force to overcome the attachments, for all but a few spermatozoa. Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 61:74,82, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Effect of temperature and storage media on human periodontal ligament fibroblast viabilityDENTAL TRAUMATOLOGY, Issue 3 2010Beatriz Dulcineia Mendes Souza The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of several storage media to preserve cultured periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PDLF) under different temperatures. The media tested were: sterile Hank's balanced salt solution (sHBSS), non-sterile HBSS (nHBSS), skimmed milk, Save-A-Tooth®, Minimum Essential Medium (MEM) and water (negative control). MEM at 37°C was used as positive control. PDLF were obtained from explants of extracted healthy human teeth. Plates containing confluent PDLF were soaked in the various media for 3, 6, 24, 48 and 72 h at 37°C and 20°C. After incubation, viability of the cells was determined using the tetrazolium salt-based colorimetric (MTT) assay and the Trypan Blue exclusion test after 6, 24, 48 and 72 h of incubation at 20°C. The results were analyzed statistically using Kruskal,Wallis, Scheffé and Mann,Whitney (, = 5%) tests. Results from the MTT assay at 37°C and 20°C showed that skimmed milk was the best storage medium for up to 24 and 48 h, respectively, followed by nHBSS and sHBSS. Results from the Trypan Blue exclusion test showed that the best storage media were milk, sHBSS and nHBSS, with no statistical differences, for any time period. The Save-A-Tooth® had a detrimental effect on cells after 24 h. The influence of temperature on the effectiveness of the storage media tested showed at 20°C a decreasing order of efficacy as follows: milk > sHBSS and nHBSS > MEM > Save-A-Tooth® > water while at 37°C it was: MEM > nHBSS > milk > sHBSS > Save-A-Tooth® > water. In conclusion, incubation temperature altered the effectiveness of the storage media and skimmed milk at 20°C was better than HBSS in maintaining PDLF viability. [source] Sterile Versus Nonsterile Gloves During Mohs Micrographic Surgery: Infection Rate is not AffectedDERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 2 2006BRANDON M. RHINEHART MC BACKGROUND: Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) is an outpatient procedure, which has become the treatment of choice for certain cutaneous malignancies. Although the major steps in this procedure are relatively standardized, one difference involves the use of sterile or nonsterile, clean gloves during the tumor removal phase. OBJECTIVE: This retrospective, chart review study was performed to evaluate whether infection rates are affected by the use of sterile versus nonsterile gloves in the tumor extirpation phase of MMS. METHODS: This study evaluated the surgical records of 1,810 consecutive Mohs patients, of which 1,239 Mohs patients (1,400 Mohs procedures) met inclusion criteria. Age, sex, tumor diagnosis, anatomic location, number of Mohs stages, area of defect, closure type, cartilage exposure, and sterile versus nonsterile glove use were recorded and evaluated. RESULTS: Twenty-five infections were identified. Statistically significant infection rates were discovered for patients with cartilage fenestration with secondary healing and malignant melanoma diagnosis only. There was no statistical difference in infection rates with all other measured variables to include the use of sterile or clean, nonsterile gloves. CONCLUSION: Our study lends support that clean, nonsterile gloves are safe and effective for use in the tumor extirpation phase of MMS, at a significant cost savings. [source] Drosophila female sterile (1) homeotic is a multifunctional transcriptional regulator that is modulated by Ras signalingDEVELOPMENTAL DYNAMICS, Issue 3 2008Brian L. Florence Abstract The Drosophila (fs(1)h) gene encodes small (Fs(1)hS) and large (Fs(1)hL) chromatin-binding BET protein transcription factor isoforms. Zygotic mutations cause either lethality or female sterility, whereas maternal mutations cause segmental deletions and thoracic homeotic transformations. Here, we describe novel fs(1)h embryonic phenotypes: homeosis of the head in zygotic mutants and deletion of head and tail regions in maternal mutants, similar to those caused by dominant torso (torD) alleles. tor activates transcription of tailless (tll) and hückebein (hkb) by means of a canonical Ras pathway, through inactivation of Groucho (Gro), Capicua (Cic) and, possibly, Grainy-head (Grh) repressors. Expression of both tailless and hückebein are de-repressed in fs(1)h maternal mutants, as in torD, gro, grh, and cic mutant animals, indicating fs(1)h is also necessary for tll and hkb repression. These data link Ras signaling with modulation of a chromatin-binding transcription factor, Fs(1)h, suggesting a novel mechanism by which Ras can modulate gene expression. Developmental Dynamics 237:554,564, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] The impact of a parasitic nematode, Thripinema fuscum, on the feeding behavior and vector competence of Frankliniella fuscaENTOMOLOGIA EXPERIMENTALIS ET APPLICATA, Issue 2 2009Kelly R. Sims Abstract Frankliniella fusca (Hinds) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) is the predominant thrips species found inhabiting and reproducing in peanut, Arachis hypogaea L. (Fabaceae), and is one of at least seven thrips species reported to transmit Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV). The entomogenous nematode Thripinema fuscum Tipping & Nguyen (Tylenchida: Allantonematidae), a natural enemy of F. fusca, parasitizes larval and adult populations under field conditions. All known Thripinema species render the host female thrips sterile and have the potential to suppress pest populations to near extinction. As a result, secondary spread of TSWV in peanut is reduced. Reduction of the virus under field conditions may also be due to lower transmission rates caused by parasite-induced alterations in host feeding behavior. Therefore, the feeding rates of healthy and parasitized F. fusca male and female cohorts on leaf discs were recorded daily for 10 days and digital images were subjected to image analysis and viral transmission rates were compared daily using double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Thripinema fuscum reduced the feeding of female F. fusca by nearly 65%, and the ability of females to transmit TSWV by 50%. Potential mechanisms underlying the parasite-induced alterations in feeding behavior and transmission are discussed. Parasitism by T. fuscum significantly reduced male longevity, but female longevity was not affected. These results provide further evidence that T. fuscum aids in regulating viruliferous F. fusca pest populations and suggests its potential as a biological control agent for inoculative release in peanut. [source] Selection on defensive traits in a sterile caste , caste evolution: a mechanism to overcome life-history trade-offs?EVOLUTION AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 1 2009Estelle A. Roux SUMMARY During development and evolution individuals generally face a trade-off between the development of weapons and gonads. In termites, characterized by reproductive division of labor, a caste evolved,the soldiers,which is completely sterile and which might be released from developmental trade-offs between weapons and testes. These soldiers are exclusively dedicated to defense. First, we investigated whether defensive traits are under selection in sterile termite soldiers using allometric analyses. In soldiers of the genus Cryptotermes phragmotic traits such as a sculptured and foreshortened head evolve rapidly but were also lost twice. Second, we compared the scaling relationships of these weapons with those in solitary insects facing a trade-off between weapons and gonads. Defensive traits consistently had lower slopes than nondefensive traits which supports the existence of stabilizing selection on soldier phragmotic traits in order to plug galleries. Moreover, soldier head widths were colony specific and correlated with the minimum gallery diameter of a colony. This can proximately be explained by soldiers developing from different instars. The scaling relationships of these termite soldiers contrast strikingly with those of weapons of solitary insects, which are generally exaggerated (i.e., overscaling) male traits. These differences may provide important insights into trait evolution. Trade-offs constraining the development of individuals may have been uncoupled in termites by evolving different castes, each specialized for one function. When individuals in social insect are "released" from developmental constraints through the evolution of castes, this certainly contributed to the ecological and evolutionary success of social insects. [source] Roles of mammalian sterile 20-like kinase 2-dependent phosphorylations of Mps one binder 1B in the activation of nuclear Dbf2-related kinasesGENES TO CELLS, Issue 12 2009Yijun Bao Mammalian nuclear Dbf2-related (NDR) kinases (LATS1, LATS2, NDR1 and NDR2) play a role in cell proliferation, apoptosis and morphological changes. Mammalian sterile 20-like (MST) kinases and Mps one binder (MOB) proteins are important in the activation of NDR kinases. MOB1 is phosphorylated by MST1 and MST2 and this phosphorylation enhances the ability of MOB1 to activate NDR kinases. The phosphorylated MOB1 can be more effective as a scaffold protein to facilitate the MST-dependent phosphorylation of NDR kinases and/or as a direct activator of NDR kinases. We previously reported that Thr74 of MOB1B is phosphorylated by MST2. Thr12 and Thr35 have also been identified as phosphorylation sites. In this study, we quantified the phosphorylation of Thr74 using the phosphorylated Thr74-specific antibody. Thr74 is indeed phosphorylated by MST2, but the efficiency is low, suggesting that MOB1B can activate NDR kinases without the phosphorylation of Thr74. We also showed that the phosphorylated MOB1B activates NDR1 T444D and LATS2 T1041D, in which threonine residues phosphorylated by MST kinases are replaced with phosphorylation-mimicking aspartic acid, more efficiently than the unphosphorylated MOB1B does. This finding supports that the phosphorylation of MOB1B enhances its ability as a direct activator of NDR kinases. [source] Efficacy and safety of a factor VIII,von Willebrand factor concentrate 8Y: stability, bacteriological safety, pharmacokinetic analysis and clinical experienceHAEMOPHILIA, Issue 5 2002A. Lubetsky Summary., The present study was undertaken to evaluate stability, pharmacokinetic profile and efficacy of continuous infusion of 8Y in patients with different types of von Willebrand disease (vWD). Following reconstitution, 8Y levels of von Willebrand factor ristocetin cofactor (vWF:Rco), vWF antigen and factor VIII coagulant activity (FVIII:C) decreased to about 80% of the baseline levels; addition of low molecular weight heparin decreased the level of FVIII:C even further. Reconstituted 8Y was found to be sterile for up to 6 days postreconstitution. Ten vWD patients (four with type 2A, three with type 3, two with type 1 and one with 2N) underwent pharmacokinetic analysis. The recovery of vWF: RCo was significantly lower in patients with type 3 vWD (1.4 ± 0.05% U,1 kg,1) compared withthat of the patients with types 1 (2.3 ± 0.52% U,1 kg,1) or 2A (2.0 ± 0.06% U,1 kg,1) vWD (P = 0.015). Type 3 vWD patients exhibited significantly higher vWF:RCo clearance (5.1 ± 1.1 mL kg,1 h,1) compared with that of patients with type 2A (2.8 ± 0.7 mL kg,1 h,1) and type 1 (2.6 ± 1.0 mL kg,1 h,1) vWD (P = 0.028). Accordingly, terminal half-life was lower in patients with type 3 vWD (8.0 ± 0.6 h,1) compared with type 2A (12.7 ± 5.9 h,1) or type 1 (14 ± 1.2 h,1) vWD patients. Multimeric pattern of vWF from patients' plasma was similar to that of 8Y. In two patients treated with 8Y by continuous infusion for prevention or treatment of bleeding haemostasis was achieved. Thus, 8Y is suitable and haemostatically effective for continuous infusion treatment in patients with vWD. [source] Lactobacillus plantarum 299V in the treatment and prevention of spontaneous colitis in interleukin-10-deficient miceINFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES, Issue 2 2002Michael Schultz Abstract Interleukin (IL)-10-deficient (IL-10,/,) mice develop colitis under specific pathogen-free (SPF) conditions and remain disease free if kept sterile (germ free [GF]). We used four different protocols that varied the time-points of oral administration of Lactobacillus plantarum 299v (L. plantarum) relative to colonization with SPF bacteria to determine whether L. plantarum could prevent and treat colitis induced by SPF bacteria in IL-10,/, mice and evaluated the effect of this probiotic organism on mucosal immune activation. Assessment of colitis included blinded histologic scores, measurements of secreted colonic immunoglobulin isotypes, IL-12 (p40 subunit), and interferon (IFN)-, production by anti-CD3-stimulated mesenteric lymph node cells. Treating SPF IL-10,/, mice with L. plantarum attenuated previously established colonic inflammation as manifested by decreased mucosal IL-12, IFN-,, and immunoglobulin G2a levels. Colonizing GF animals with L. plantarum and SPF flora simultaneously had no protective effects. Gnotobiotic IL-10,/, mice monoassociated with L. plantarum exhibited mild immune system activation but no colitis. Pretreatment of GF mice by colonization with L. plantarum, then exposure to SPF flora and continued probiotic therapy significantly decreased histologic colitis scores. These results demonstrate that L. plantarum can attenuate immune-mediated colitis and suggest a potential therapeutic role for this agent in clinical inflammatory bowel diseases. [source] Silk Fibers Extruded Artificially from Aqueous Solutions of Regenerated Bombyx mori Silk Fibroin are Tougher than their Natural CounterpartsADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 3 2009Guanqiang Zhou Regenerated silk fibers extruded from fibroin solutions are highly lustrous and have uniform diameters and circular cross-sections. They are stronger, more extensible, and tougher than natural silkworm silk. These fibers can be spun under clean, sterile, and carefully regulated conditions, and may permit direct incorporation of drugs for controlled release, being suitable for biomedical applications. [source] The A-type cyclins and the meiotic cell cycle in mammalian male germ cellsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANDROLOGY, Issue 4 2004Debra J. Wolgemuth Summary There are two mammalian A-type cyclins, cyclin Al and A2. While cyclin A1 is limited to male germ cells, cyclin A2 is widely expressed. Cyclin A2 promotes both Gl/S and G2/M transitions in somatic cells and cyclin A2-deficient mice are early embryonic lethal. We have shown that cyclin Al is essential for passage of spermatocytes into meiosis I (MI) by generating mice null for the cyclin A1 gene Ccna1. Both Ccna1,/, males and females were healthy but the males were sterile because of a cell cycle arrest before MI. This arrest was associated with desynapsis abnormalities, low M-phase promoting factor activity, and apoptosis. We have now determined that human cyclin A1 is expressed in similar stages of spermatogenesis and are exploring its role in human male infertility and whether it may be a novel target for new approaches for male contraception. [source] Standardisation of process parametres for ready-to-eat squid masala in indigenous polymer-coated tin-free steel cansINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, Issue 10 2007Sreenath Pathiyaparambil Gopinath Summary Squid masala was prepared following three different traditional recipes and one recipe was selected based on the taste panel studies. About 160 g of squid masala was packed in indigenous polymer-coated easy open-end tin-free steel cans of 307 × 109 size and processed at 121.1 °C to three F0 values of 7, 8 and 9 with cook values of 82, 91 and 95 min, respectively. The data were recorded using an Ellab TM 9608 temperature recorder. The raw, blanched and processed squid rings were subjected to manual and instrumental sensory analysis. Even though the processed cans for all three F0 values were found to be commercially sterile, the product processed to F0 8 was found to be ideal with regard to all sensory attributes. The instrumental texture profile analysis of raw, blanched and processed squid muscle shows softening with cooking. [source] Dispersal of mass-reared sterile, laboratory-domesticated and wild male Queensland fruit fliesJOURNAL OF APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 1 2010C. Weldon Abstract Queensland fruit flies, Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) (Diptera: Tephritidae) (,Q-flies') were released as sexually immature adults from a point within an orchard. Marked male Q-flies were recaptured in the trap furthest from the release point (1087 m) by 2 weeks after release, although 98.25 ± 1.04% of recaptured males were trapped <500 m from the release point. Comparison of gamma-irradiated (sterile), laboratory-adapted and wild male Q-flies indicated that dispersal distance was not significantly affected by fly type. There was no significant correlation between temperature and mean dispersal distance, but total recaptures were significantly negatively correlated with increasing daily maximum, minimum and average temperature. [source] Effect of an enamel matrix protein derivative (Emdogain®) on ex vivo dental plaque vitalityJOURNAL OF CLINICAL PERIODONTOLOGY, Issue 11 2001Anton Sculean Abstract Background: A common clinical observation following surgical periodontal therapy with an enamel matrix derivative (Emdogain®) is the improved healing of the soft tissues and the limited inflammation of the operated areas. These clinical observations are empirical and difficult to explain. One of the factors influencing the early wound healing might be a potential antimicrobial effect of Emdogain®. Aim: To investigate the effect of Emdogain® on the vitality of ex vivo supragingival dental plaque and to compare this effect to that of a standard 0.2% chlorhexidine solution. Materials and Methods: 24 patients suffering from adult periodontitis were included in the study. At the beginning of the experiment, all participants were given a professional tooth cleaning. For the following 4 days, they had to refrain from any kind of oral hygiene measures. At day 5, from each of the volunteers, a voluminous plaque biofilm sample was taken with a sterile curette from the vestibular surfaces of the 1st lower molars and divided into 5 equal parts. Each part was mounted with 5 ,l of the following solutions: (1) NaCl, (2) enamel matrix derivative dissolved in water (EMD), (3) enamel matrix derivative dissolved in the vehicle (Emdogain®), (4) vehicle (propylene glycol alginate, PGA), (5) 0.2% chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX). After a reaction time of 2 min the test solutions were sucked off, and subsequently the biofilm was stained with a fluorescence dye. The vitality of the plaque flora after the treatments was evaluated under the fluorescence microscope (VF%). Results: Plaque samples treated with NaCl showed a mean vitality of 76.8±8%. The EMD, Emdogain®, PGA and CHX showed VF values of 54.4±9.2, 21.4±10.6%, 19.6±11.6% and 32.3±11.8%, respectively. Emdogain®, PGA and CHX showed statistically highly significant reductions (p<0.0001) in terms of bacteria vitality when compared to water (negative control) and EMD. Both Emdogain® and PGA were found to be statistically significantly different compared to CHX (p<0.001) (positive control). Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that Emdogain® might have an antibacterial effect on the vitality of the ex vivo supragingival dental plaque flora. Zusammenfassung Hintergrund: Eine allgemeine klinische Beobachtung nach parodontalchirurgischer Therapie mit einem Schmelzmatrixderivat (Emdogain®) ist die verbesserte Heilung des Weichgewebes und die begrenzte Entzündung des operierten Gebietes: Diese klinischen Beobachtungen sind empirisch und schwierig zu erklären. Ein Faktor, der die frühe Wundheilung beeinflusst, könnte ein potentieller antimikrobieller Effekt von Emdogain® sein. Ziel: Untersuchung des Effektes von Emdogain® auf die Vitalität von ex vivo supragingivaler dentaler Plaque und Vergleich dieses Effektes zu demjenigen einer Standard 0.2%igen Chlorhexidinlösung. Material und Methoden: 24 Patienten, die an einer Erwachsenen-Parodontitis litten, wurden in diese Studie aufgenommen. Zu Beginn der Studie wurde bei allen Teilnehmern eine professionelle Zahnreinigung durchgeführt. An den folgenden 4 Tagen wurden keine oralen Hygienemaßnahmen erlaubt. Am Tag 5 wurde von jedem Teilnehmer eine voluminöse Plaquebiofilmprobe mit einer sterilen Kürette von der vestibulären Oberfläche des ersten unteren Molaren genommen und in 5 gleiche Teile aufgeteilt. Jeder Teil wurde mit 5 ,l der folgenden Lösungen gemischt: (1) NaCl, (2) Schmelzmatrixderivat in Wasser gelöst (EMD), (3) Schmelzmatrixderivat in einem Vehikel gelöst (Emdogain®), (4) Vehikel (Propylenglycolalginat, PGA), (5) 0.2%iges Chlorhexidindiglukonat (CHX). Nach einer Reaktionszeit von 2 Minuten wurden die Testlösungen aufgesaugt und folgend der Biofilm mit Fluoreszenzfarbstoff gefärbt. Die Vitalität der Plaqueflora nach den Behandlungen wurde unter dem Vitalfluoreszenzmikroskop (VF%) evaluiert. Ergebnisse: Die Plaqueproben, die mit NaCl behandelt wurden, zeigten eine mittlere Vitalität von 76.8±8%. Das EMD, Emdogain®, PGA und CHX zeigten VF Werte von 54.4±9.2%, 21.4±10.6%, 19.6±11.6% und 32.3±11.8%. Emdogain®, PGA und CHX zeigten statistisch signifikant höhere Reduktionen (p<0.0001) in Beziehung zur bakteriellen Vitalität, wenn zu Wasser (negative Kontrolle) und EMD verglichen wurde. Sowohl Emdogain® und PGA waren statistisch signifikant unterschiedlich zu CHX (p<0.0001) (positive Kontrolle). Schlussfolgerung: Die Ergebnisse dieser Studie zeigten, dass Emdogain® einen antibakteriellen Effekt auf die Vitalität von supragingivaler dentaler ex vivo Plaqueflora haben könnte. Résumé Origine: Une observation clinique courante durant un traitement parodontal chirurgical à l'aide de protéines de la matrice améllaire (Emdogain®) est une meilleure guérison des tissus mous et une inflammation moindre. Ces observations cliniques sont empiriques et difficiles à expliquer. Un des facteurs influençant la guérison précoce peut être un effet antimicrobien de l'EMD. But: Le but de cette étude a été d'évaluer l'effet de l'Emdogain® sur la vitalité de la plaque dentaire sus-gingivale ex vivo et de comparer cet effet avec une solution de chlorhexidine 2%. Matériaux et Méthodes: 24 patients souffrant de parodontite de l'adulte ont été inclus dans cette étude. Au début de l'expérience, tous les participants ont recu un nettoyage dentaire professionnel. Pendant les 4 journées suivantes, ils ont dû arrêté toute hygiène buccale. Au jour 5, une quantité de plaque dentaire volumineuse a étééchantillonné des surfaces vestibulaires des premières molaires inférieures de chaque volontaire à l'aide d'une curette stérile et divisée en 5 parts égales. Chaque partie a été montée avec 5 ,l des solutions suivantes: (1) NaCl, (2) EMD: dérivé de la matrice améllaire dissout dans l'eau (3) Emdogain®: dérivé de la matrice améllaire dissout dans son véhicule, (4) PGA: le véhicule propylène glycol alginate, (5) CHX: chlorhexidine 0.2%. Après un temps de réaction de 2 min, les solutions tests ont été aspirées et le biofilm dentaire a été imprégné d'un colorant de fluorescence. La vitalité de la flore de la plaque dentaire après ces traitements a étéévaluée sous microscopie à fluorescence (VF%). Résultats: Les échantillons de plaque traités avec NaCl possèdaient une vitalité moyenne de 76.8±8%. L'EMD, Emdogain®, PGA, et CHX avaient des valeurs VF respectives de 54.4±9.2%, 21.4±10.6%, 19.6±11.6% et 32.3±11.8%. Emdogain®, PGA, et CHX réduisaient la vitalité bactérienne de manière très hautement significative (p<0.0001) lorsque ces solutions étaient comparées aux contrôle négatif NaCl et à EMD. Tant Emdogain® que PGa étaient différents comparés au contrôle positif CHX (p<0.001). Conclusions: Les résultats de cette étude indiquent que Emdogain® pourrait avoir un effet antibactérien sur la vitalité de la flore se trouvant dant la plaque dentaire sus-gingivale ex vivo. [source] Pollen and sperm heteromorphism: convergence across kingdoms?JOURNAL OF EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY, Issue 1 2005I. Till-Bottraud Abstract Sperm competition theory predicts that males should produce many, similar sperm. However, in some species of animals and plants, males exhibit a heteromorphism that results in the production of at least two different types of sperm or pollen grains. In animals, sperm heteromorphism typically corresponds to the production of one fertile morph and one (or more) sterile morph(s), whereas in plants two or more pollen morphs (one of which can be either sterile or fertile) are produced in all flowers but sometimes in different anthers. Heteromorphism has arisen independently several times across phyla and at different phylogenetic levels. Here, we compare and contrast sperm and pollen heteromorphism and discuss the evolutionary hypotheses suggested to explain heteromorphism in these taxa. These hypotheses include facilitation, nutritive contribution, blocking, cheap filler, sperm flushing or killing for animals; outcrossing and precise cross-pollen transfer or bet-hedging strategy for plants; cryptic female choice for both. We conclude that heteromorphism in the two phyla is most likely linked to a general evolutionary response to sexual selection, either to increase one male's sperm or pollen success in competition with other males, or mediate male/female interactions. Therefore, although sperm and pollen are not homologous, we suggest that heteromorphism represents an example of convergence across kingdoms. [source] Differential strength of sex-biased hybrid inferiority in impeding gene flow may be a cause of Haldane's ruleJOURNAL OF EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY, Issue 2 2003Ren-Xue Wang Abstract In animals, if one sex of the F1 hybrid between two species is sterile or inviable, it is usually the heterogametic (XY or WZ) sex. This phenomenon, known as Haldane's rule, is currently thought to be coincidentally caused by different mechanisms in separate entities. The following questions have never been asked: Are heterogametic and homogametic inferiority (sterility or inviability) equivalent as isolating mechanisms? Could discrepancies between them, if existing, produce Haldane's rule? Here I consider sex-biased hybrid inferiority strictly as an isolating mechanism, and quantitatively evaluate its strength in impeding gene flow. The comparison reveals that the ability of sex-biased inferiority to impede gene flow varies according to the sex and chromosome involved. Heterogametic inferiority is a weaker barrier when unidirectional and a much stronger one when in compound reciprocal directions, compared with homogametic inferiority. Such differential strength may affect divergence in speciation and produce Haldane's rule. [source] The Application of Ultraviolet Irradiation to Exogenous Sources of DNA in Plasticware and Water for the Amplification of Low Copy Number DNAJOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCES, Issue 4 2006Jeannie Tamariz B.S. ABSTRACT: Using high sensitivity forensic STR polymerase chain reaction (PCR) typing procedures, we have found low concentrations of DNA contamination in plasticware and water assumed to be sterile, which is not detected by standard DNA procedures. One technique commonly used to eliminate the presence of DNA is ultraviolet (UV) irradiation; we optimized such a protocol used in the treatment of water, tubes, plates, and tips for low copy number DNA (LCN) amplification. UV light from a Stratalinker® 2400 was administered to 0.2, 1.5 mL tubes, and PCR plates contaminated with up to 500 pg of DNA. They were subsequently quantified with an ALU-based real-time PCR method using the Rotorgene 3000. Overall, there was a decrease in concentration of DNA recovered as the duration of treatment increased. Nonetheless, following 45 min of irradiating a PCR plate with 500 pg of DNA, nearly 6 pg were still detected. However, when the plate was raised within an inch of the UV source, less than 0.2 pg of DNA was detected. Additionally, lining the area around the samples with aluminum foil further reduced the amount of time necessary for irradiation, as only 30 min eliminated the presence DNA in the raised PCR plate. Similar experiments were conducted using tubes filled with a solution of DNA and water in equivalent concentrations for 50, 15, and 1.5 mL tubes with comparative results. It is plausible that the aluminum foil increased the amount of reflection in the area thereby enhancing penetration of UV rays through the walls of the plasticware. This protocol was tested for the possibility of inhibitors produced from irradiation of plastic tubes. As our protocols require less irradiation time than previous studies, PCR sensitivity was not affected. Moreover, the lifespan of the UV lamps was extended. Our findings demonstrate that this method is useful as an additional precautionary measure to prevent amplification of extraneous DNA from plasticware and water without compromising the sensitivity of LCN DNA amplifications. [source] Expanding radiation quarantine treatments beyond fruit fliesAGRICULTURAL AND FOREST ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 2 2000Guy J. Hallman Abstract 1 The potential of ionizing radiation as a disinfestation treatment for insects other than tephritid fruit flies is discussed. Radiation quarantine treatments are unique in that insects are not killed immediately but rendered sterile or incapable of completing development. 2 The most tolerant insect stage to radiation is that which is most developed. Female insects, but not always mites, are sterilized with equal or lower doses than males. 3 Insects irradiated with sterilizing doses usually have shorter longevities than non-irradiated ones. Low oxygen conditions often increase tolerance to radiation. 4 Insects in diapause are not more tolerant of radiation than non-diapausing ones. 5 Some pests of several groups, such as aphids, whiteflies, weevils, scarab beetles, and fruit flies, may be controlled with doses ,,100 Gy. Some lepidopterous pests and most mites require about 300 Gy. Stored product moths may require as much as 1 kGy to sterilize, and nematodes could need >,4 kGy. 6 Even though application of irradiation to pallet-loads of produce could mean that up to three times the minimum required dose is applied to the perimeter of the pallet, many fresh commodities tolerate doses required for quarantine security against many quarantined pests. Irradiation is arguably the most widely applicable quarantine treatment from the standpoint of commodity quality. [source] Invasion Possibility and Potential Effects of Rhus typhina on Beijing MunicipalityJOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY, Issue 5 2008Guangmei Wang Abstract Rhus typhina, an alien species introduced from North America, was identified as a main afforestation species in Beijing municipality. However, its invasiveness is still at odds. To clarify this problem, we applied the North American Screening System and the Australian Screening System to preliminarily predict its invasion possibility. Both screening systems gave the same recommendation to "reject". The geographical distribution was surveyed, with the population features of R. typhina against the native plant communities being assessed. With anthropogenic assistance, R. typhina has been scattered on almost all habitats from downtown to mountains, including roadsides, farmlands and protected areas. As a clonal shrub, R. typhina possessed a high spreading rate, varying from 6.3 m/3 years at sterile habitats to 6.7 m/3 years at fertile ones. Significantly lower species richness, individual density and diversity were observed in the R. typhina community than those of the native Vitex negundo Linn.var. heterophylla (Franch.) Rehd. community at both sterile and fertile habitats. Continual wide plantation of R. typhina may further foster its population expansion, which helps the species to overcome spatial isolation. The fact that each root fragment can develop into a new individual makes R. typhina very difficult to be eradicated once established. From a biological point of view, we believe that R. typhina is a plant invader in Beijing. We therefore suggest the government should remove the name of R. typhina from the main tree species list in afforesting Beijing. [source] Cutaneous sterile granulomas/pyogranulomas, leishmaniasis and mycobacterial infectionsJOURNAL OF SMALL ANIMAL PRACTICE, Issue 11 2008D. Santoro Cutaneous "sterile" granulomas represent a group of uncommon skin disorders of unknown aetiopathogenesis. Many diseases are included in this group (for example, sterile granuloma/pyogranuloma syndrome and reactive histiocytosis). The definition of sterile is based on the exclusion of other possible aetiological agents (for example, microorganisms or foreign body). Many techniques are used to rule out a microbial aetiology including cytology, histology, immunohistochemistry and culture. However, some organisms are "fastidious" and difficult to culture or to identify with routine methods, and molecular studies are necessary. This is particularly true for mycobacteria (for example, canine leproid granuloma syndrome) and Leishmania. Recently, studies in human and veterinary medicine have proved the presence of microorganisms (mycobacteria and Leishmania) using a polymerase chain reaction technique in specimens previously diagnosed as sterile. Therefore, it is very important, with the development of new technologies, to use a multidisciplinary diagnostic approach to definitively rule out any microorganism before declaring a disease sterile. [source] Characterization of ,-tubulin gene distinctively presented in a cytoplasmic male sterile and its maintainer line of non-heading Chinese cabbageJOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 2 2009Jingyi Zhang Abstract BACKGROUND: Microtubules are prominent components of the cytoskeleton in every eukaryotic cell. Plant microtubules are essential for a wide variety of cellular functions, including generation of cell polarity, intracellular transport, positioning of organelles, cell wall deposition and cell division. The major component of microtubules is tubulin, an ,,, heterodimer protein with a molecular mass of each subunit of around 50 kDa. Tubulin exists in cells as a mixture of polypeptides differing in their isoelectric points. Some post-translational modifications of tubulins are thought to modulate the functions and localization of microtubules within the cell. RESULTS: The complete sequence of a single-copy ,-tubulin gene Tuba1, belonging to a multiple gene family of non-heading Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris ssp. chinensis Makino), was obtained. The gene was expressed in high levels in young leaves and stamens, and it was also highly expressed during all stages of microsporogenesis in the maintainer. However, there was a distinct difference in ,-tubulin expression between the sterile stage and the normal stages of pollen in a cytoplasmic male sterility line and its maintainer. CONCLUSION:Tuba1 was significantly related to the cell division and elongation of non-heading Chinese cabbage, demonstrating that this gene played an important role in the development of pollen and may be closely related to male sterility. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Selective medium based on tyrosine metabolism for the isolation and enumeration of Brevibacillus brevis (Bacillus brevis)LETTERS IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 5 2000S.G. Edwards Aims: To develop a selective medium for the enumeration of Brevibacillus brevis Nagano spores from soil and plant material. Methods and Results: Tyrosine agar was developed as a selective medium and compared with nutrient agar for the enumeration of B. brevis Nagano spores from sterile and non-sterile plant and soil extracts. Brevibacillus brevis Nagano colonies could be easily identified only on tyrosine agar due to their clear halo and distinct colony morphology. Identification was confirmed by thin layer chromatography of the antibiotic, gramicidin S, produced by this strain. Conclusions: Tyrosine agar was shown to be a suitable selective medium for the enumeration of B. brevis Nagano. Significance and impact of the study: The medium developed, tyrosine agar, can be used to monitor the population of the biological control agent, B. brevis Nagano, and will allow detailed studies within the crop environment. [source] Characterization and utilization of microsatellite loci in the New World screwworm fly, Cochliomyia hominivoraxMEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 2009A. M. GRIFFITHS Abstract New World screwworm populations in North and Central America have been the targets of virtually continuous eradication attempts by sterile insect technique (SIT) since the 1950s. Nevertheless, in some areas, such as Jamaica, SIT control programmes have failed. Reasons for the failure of SIT-based control programmes in some locations are unknown, but it has been hypothesized that failure may be related to mating incompatibility between sterile and wild fly populations or to the existence of sexually incompatible cryptic species. This paper outlines the development of a suite of four new microsatellite loci which can be used to study intra-specific relationships between populations of Cochliomyia hominivorax from the Caribbean and South America, which represent those populations involved in, or earmarked for, forthcoming SIT control. Cross-amplification with the secondary screwworm, Cochliomyia macellaria, was also successful with three of the new loci. We present results which suggest that populations from Trinidad and Jamaica form distinct groupings of flies and that C. hominivorax from Trinidad appears particularly distinct. [source] Aberrant distribution of junctional complex components in retinoic acid receptor alpha-deficient miceMICROSCOPY RESEARCH AND TECHNIQUE, Issue 6 2010Sanny S.W. Chung Abstract Retinoic acid receptor alpha (RAR,)-deficient mice are sterile, with abnormalities in the progression of spermatogenesis and spermiogenesis. In this study, we investigated whether defective retinoid signaling involved at least in part, disrupted cell,cell interactions. Hypertonic fixation approaches revealed defects in the integrity of the Sertoli-cell barrier in the tubules of RAR,-deficient testes. Dye transfer experiments further revealed that coupling between cells from the basal to adluminal compartments was aberrant. There were also differences in the expression of several known retinoic acid (RA)-responsive genes encoding structural components of tight junctions and gap junctions. Immunostaining demonstrated a delay in the incorporation of zonula occludens (ZO-1), a peripheral component protein of tight junctions, into the Sertoli cell tight junctions. Markedly reduced expression of connexin-40 in mutant pachytene spermatocytes and round spermatids was found by in situ hybridization. An ectopic distribution of vimentin and disrupted cyclic expression of vimentin, which is usually tightly regulated during spermiogenesis, was found in RAR,-deficient testes at all ages examined. Thus, the specific defects in spermiogenesis in RAR,-deficient testes may correlate with a disrupted cyclic expression of RA-responsive structural components, including vimentin, a downregulation of connexin-40 in spermatogenic cells, and delayed assembly of ZO-1 into Sertoli cell tight junctions. Interestingly, bioinformatic analysis revealed that many genes that are components of tight junctions and gap junctions contained potential retinoic acid response element binding sites. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Heat penetration characteristics and shelf-life studies of mushrooms in brine processed in retort pouchesPACKAGING TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCE, Issue 4 2004V. Chandrasekar Abstract White button mushrooms were washed, blanched and cut longitudinally into two halves. 100,g mushroom halves was placed into each retort pouch and 90,ml hot brine (2% salt, 0.1% citric acid) was added. Retort pouches (105,µm thick) had an outer polyester layer (12.5,µm), a middle aluminium layer (12.5,µm) and an inner cast polypropylene layer (80,µm); pouch size was 20 × 16,cm, seal size 10,mm and lip size 4,mm. Pouches were fixed with thermocouples for recording the core temperature of the mushroom pieces, using a data recorder and a computer. After sealing and over-pressure retorting at F0 = 9.6, the pouches were stored at the ambient conditions. The heat penetration parameters were calculated. The heating curve obtained was logarithmic in nature. Sensory evaluation of mushroom curry prepared from the stored mushrooms showed that the product had high acceptability (7.9 on a scale of 10) which reduced very slightly (to 7.5) during storage for 12 months. No deformity, leakage or spoilage was noticed and the product remained sterile and acceptable even after 12 months of storage at the ambient conditions (20,30°C). Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Long-term posaconazole treatment and follow-up of rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis in a diabetic girlPEDIATRIC DIABETES, Issue 4 2009Luigi Tarani Abstract:, To demonstrate that the 2-yr clinical follow-up of our patient strongly suggests that long-term therapy with posaconazole (POS) is safe and beneficial in treatment and prevention of relapses of, otherwise fatal, central nervous system mucormycosis. Mucormycosis is a very rare opportunistic mycotic infection of diabetic children. We present the 30-month follow-up of a 12-yr-old girl affected by diabetic ketoacidotic coma, complicated by rhinocerebral mucormycosis and successfully treated with POS at the initial daily dose of 5 mg/kg t.i.d. with fatty food for 3 wk, followed by a daily dose of 10 mg/kg in four doses for 2 months and then 20 mg/kg/d in four doses for 16 months and in two doses for further 5 months. The previous amphotericin B, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, hyperbaric oxygen and nasal and left maxillary sinus surgical debridement therapy was ineffective in stopping the progression of the infection to the brain. The patient improved within 10 d with reduced ocular swelling and pain, and 6 months after therapy stop, she is in good health and cultures are sterile. This article demonstrates that POS may be a useful drug in mucormycosis in children. We also strongly draw the attention to the main preventive procedure against invasive fungal infection that is the correct management of antidiabetic therapy that prevents the predisposing temporary neutrophils activity deficit, contributing to a better survival rate of diabetic children. [source] Gamma radiation sensitivity of the eggs, larvae and pupae of Indian meal moth Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE (FORMERLY: PESTICIDE SCIENCE), Issue 5 2008Abdurrahman Ayvaz Abstract BACKGROUND: This study focused on determining the minimal effective gamma radiation dose that prevents commodity damage caused by the Indian meal moth Plodia interpunctella (Hübner). The study was also designed to assess the effect of releasing either partially sterilized males alone or both partially sterilized males and females on the reproductive potential of P. interpunctella populations. RESULTS: The dose of radiation required to prevent larval emergence from irradiated eggs was 350 Gy, and the same dose was also required to prevent adult emergence from mature larvae. A dose of 300 Gy was not able to prevent adult emergence from irradiated pupae. The dose at which 100% sterility was achieved in treated females mated to treated males was 300 Gy for the parental generation of irradiated pupae. Fertility of the parental males from irradiated pupae was 48.17% at 300 Gy in treated males crossed with untreated females, but male progeny of irradiated male parents had a residual fertility of 11.06% at the same dose. CONCLUSION: F1 males from irradiated pupae were more sterile than parental males. To prevent larval emergence from irradiated eggs, a dose of 350 Gy is required. The same dose is required to prevent the larvae from reaching the adult stage. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Molecular mapping of genic male-sterile genes ms15, ms5 and ms6 in tetraploid cottonPLANT BREEDING, Issue 2 2009D. Chen Abstract Two genic male sterile (GMS) lines, Lang-A conditioned by ms15 and Zhongkang-A conditioned by ms5ms6 duplicate recessive genes in Gossypium hirsutum L., were chosen to map GMS genes. These two lines were crossed with Gossypium barbadense cv. ,Hai7124' to produce segregating populations. The ms15 gene was mapped on chromosome 12, and was flanked by two simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, NAU2176 and NAU1278, with a genetic distance of 0.8 and 1.9 cM respectively. The ms5 and ms6 genes were mapped to one pair of homoeologous chromosomes, ms5 on chromosome 12 flanked by three SSR markers, NAU3561, NAU2176 and NAU2096, with genetic distances of 1.4, 1.8 and 1.8 cM, respectively, and ms6 on chromosome 26 flanked by two SSR markers, BNL1227 and NAU460, with a genetic distance of 1.4 and 1.7 cM respectively. These tightly linked markers with the ms15, ms5 and ms6 genes can be used in the marker-assisted selection among segregating populations in a breeding programme, and provide the foundation for gene isolation by map-based cloning for these three genes. [source] Development and primary genetic analysis of a fertility temperature-sensitive polima cytoplasmic male sterility restorer in Brassica napusPLANT BREEDING, Issue 3 2007Z. X. Fan Abstract Over the past decade, the polima cytoplasmic male sterility (pol CMS) three-line and two-line systems have been developed for the production of hybrid seed in Brassica napus oilseed rape in China. The discovery of the novel pol CMS restorer line FL-204 is described here. It restores male fertility of hybrid plants in the pol CMS system, but hybrid seed production can only be carried out under autumn sowing in Wuhan in south China under moderate temperatures at flowering. The restorer cannot be used as a male for hybrid seed production in northwestern China (Gansu) under spring sowing conditions, because there it is more or less male sterile due to high temperatures at flowering. Because of this behaviour, it is referred to as a fertility temperature-sensitive restorer (FTSR) in this paper. F2, BC1 as well as double haploid populations were constructed to determine the inheritance of fertility restoration of FL-204 in the autumn at Wuhan and under spring sowing conditions at Gansu, respectively. Deviations from Mendelian genetics were observed. It was hypothesized that the change of fertility was the result of the interaction between nuclear genes [restoring gene (Rf) and temperature-sensitive genes (ts)] and the cytoplasm. The Rf gene in FL-204 was incapable of restoring male fertility of pol CMS lines under spring sowing conditions at Gansu where it is inactivated by the recessive ts gene present in FL-204. However, the ts gene(s) could be non-functional under moderate temperature conditions at flowering at Wuhan which allows full expression of male fertility in FL-204. The recessive ts gene(s) can only be expressed in plants containing the pol sterile cytoplasm. A method for the utilization of the FTSR pol CMS restorer FL-204 for the production of hybrid seed in B. napus oilseed rape is proposed. [source] Introgression of a gene for delayed pigment gland morphogenesis from Gossypium bickii into upland cottonPLANT BREEDING, Issue 6 2005S. J. Zhu Abstract The presence of gossypol and its derivatives above the WHO/FAO standards (0.02,0.04%) in cotton seed oil and meal limits its usage as food and feed. To the contrary, the presence of pigment glands filled with gossypol and its derivatives helps to protect cotton plants from phytophageous pests. Thus a desirable cultivar would have glandless seeds on a glanded plant. This paper describes results on the successful introgression of this trait from Gossypium bickii into cultivated upland cotton. Five different tri-specific hybrids (ABH1, ABH2, ABH3, ABH4 and ABH5) were obtained by crossing the amphidiploid F1 (G. arboreum × G. bickii) with different gland genotypes of G. hirsutum as male parent. The hybrids were highly sterile, and their chromosome configuration at meiosis metaphase 1 (M1) in pollen mother cell (PMC) was 2n = 52 = 41.04 I + 4.54 II + 0.57 III + 0.04 IV. All five hybrids were similar in morphological characters, except for the gland expression and gossypol contents. The hybrid (ABH3) derived from genotype Gl2Gl2gl3gl3 of upland cotton (a single gene dominant line) had completely introgressed the target trait of G. bickii. While ABH1 and ABH2, which derived from recessive (gl2gl2gl3gl3) or dominant (GlGl) glandless upland cotton genotypes, had glandless seeds too, but the density and size of the glands on the plant were reduced significantly. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||