bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The association of birthweight and contemporary size with insulin resistance among children from Estonia and Denmark: findings from the European Youth Heart Study
Authors: Lawlor D. A. , Riddoch C. J. , Page A. S. , Anderssen S. A. , Froberg K. , Harro M. , Stansbie D. , Davey Smith G.
Published: June 2005

Objectives  To assess the associations of birthweight, contemporary body mass index and height with insulin resistance in children.

Design  Cross‐sectional study.

Participants  From Estonia (n = 1174) and Denmark (n = 1018), 2192 school children aged 9 and 15 years were randomly selected.

Main outcomes  Insulin resistance (homeostasis model assessment), triglyceride levels, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and systolic blood pressure.

Results  There was an inverse association between birthweight and insulin resistance and a positive association between contemporary body mass index and insulin resistance. With adjustment for maternal and paternal educational level, income, smoking and body mass index, an increase of one unit of sex, age and country standardized body mass index z‐score was associated with a 5% (95% CI: 2, 7%) increase in homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) score and a one‐unit z‐score increase in birthweight with a 2% (95% CI: 0, 5%) decrease in HOMA score. In the 9‐year‐old age group, height was positively associated with insulin resistance [for a one‐unit increase in height z‐score HOMA score increased by 30% (95% CI: 14, 50%)], but in the 15‐year‐old age group there was no association between height and insulin resistance (4% (95% CI: −5, 14%), P for interaction with age group = 0.001). For both ages, those in the lowest third of the birthweight distribution and highest third of the body mass index distribution were most insulin resistant and, among 9‐year olds, those in the lowest third of the birthweight distribution and highest third of the height distribution were most insulin resistant. Birthweight was only inversely associated with systolic blood pressure when adjustment was made for either contemporary body mass index or height and there was no association between birthweight and high‐density lipoprotein or triglyceride concentrations.

Conclusions  Taken together, these results suggest that a slow intrauterine growth trajectory and/or a fast post‐natal growth trajectory is associated with greater insulin resistance in childhood.
Reproducibility and reliability of hypoglycaemic episodes recorded with Continuous Glucose Monitoring System (CGMS) in daily life
Authors: Høi‐Hansen T. , Pedersen‐Bjergaard U. , Thorsteinsson B.
Published: June 2005

Aim  Continuous glucose monitoring may reveal episodes of unrecognized hypoglycaemia. We evaluated reproducibility and reliability of hypoglycaemic episodes recorded in daily life by the Medtronic MiniMed Continuous Glucose Monitoring System (CGMS).

Methods  Twenty‐nine adult patients with Type 1 diabetes underwent 6 days of continuous subcutaneous glucose monitoring, applying one CGMS on each side of the abdomen. Blood glucose was measured by HemoCue B‐Glucose Analyzers six times daily and two different 4‐point calibration sets were generated (set A and B). Using these calibration sets, CGMS raw data were recalibrated generating four different CGMS data sets [left‐A (left side of abdomen, calibration set A), left‐B, right‐A and right‐B]. Agreement between CGMS data sets was evaluated during hypoglycaemic events, comparing CGMS readings = 2.2 mmol/l with nadir values from corresponding CGMS data sets. CGMS readings were also compared with independent self‐monitored blood glucose (SMBG) values.

Results  With hypoglycaemia (CGMS readings = 2.2 mmol/l) in calibration set left‐A, values below 3.5 mmol/l were present in 99% (95% CI: 95–100%) of samples in left‐B, 91% (95% CI: 84–96%) of samples in right‐A, and 90% (95% CI: 83–95%) of samples in right B. In 84% of these episodes (95% CI: 59–96%) independent SMBG values were below 3.5 mmol/l. Difference in duration was observed with a median difference of 20 min; (left‐A vs. right‐B).

Conclusion  Hypoglycaemic episodes recorded by CGMS are reproducible and agreement with independent SMBG values is acceptable for retrospective recording of hypoglycaemic events with CGMS.
No consistent association between birthweight and parental risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease
Authors: Adams J. , Pearce M. S. , White M. , Unwin N. C. , Parker L.
Published: June 2005

Introduction  The fetal insulin hypothesis proposes that the inverse relationship between birthweight and risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease is partly as a result of inherited factors which influence the effect of insulin and insulin‐like growth factors. It has been proposed that an inverse relationship between birthweight and parental risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease is evidence in support of this hypothesis.

Patients and methods  Data from a prospective birth cohort study, followed up to age 50, was used to assess the relationship between birthweight and reported parental diabetes, hypertension, angina and stroke using logistic regression.

Results  Of the 832 cohort members traced at age 50, 574 (69%) returned questionnaires that included questions on parental illness. Complete data was available for 541 (94%) of these on maternal illness and for 531 (92%) on paternal illness. Birthweight, standardized for sex and gestational age and adjusted for social class at birth, was inversely associated with maternal stroke (odds ratio = 0.75, 95% confidence intervals 0.60–0.95). There were no other statistically significant associations between birthweight and risk of parental illness.

Discussion  We found little evidence of a consistent inverse relationship between birthweight and parental risk of diabetes or cardiovascular disease. This may be because of the quality of our data—which is limited by the problems of collecting robust data over two generations.
Does metformin decrease blood pressure in patients with Type 2 diabetes intensively treated with insulin?
Authors: Wulffelé M. G. , Kooy A. , Lehert P. , Bets D. , Donker A. J. M. , Stehouwer C. D. A.
Published: June 2005

Aims  We investigated in a double‐blind study whether metformin reduces blood pressure (BP) in patients with Type 2 diabetes intensively treated with insulin.

Methods  A total of 220 patients with Type 2 diabetes were asked to undergo 24‐h ambulatory BP monitoring (24‐h ABPM). One hundred and eighty‐two gave informed consent. Eighty‐nine were randomized to metformin and 93 to placebo. Thirty‐five subjects dropped out (13 placebo, 22 metformin users); 147 patients underwent a second 24‐h ABPM, 16 weeks after randomization.

Results  Systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP), pulse BP (PP), mean BP (MP) and heart rate (HR) were measured as office BP measurements and as 24‐h ABPM for 24‐h, day and night. Office BP measurements did not differ significantly between the placebo‐ and metformin‐treated groups for any BP measure, but showed a non‐significant trend for SBP reduction with metformin use (mean baseline‐adjusted difference, metformin minus placebo: −4.2 mmHg, 95% CI, −9.9 to +1.5; P = 0.15). The baseline‐adjusted differences of the ambulatory measurements were −0.2 mmHg (95% CI, −2.9 to +2.6) for the 24‐h SBP, and +1.1 mmHg (95% CI, −0.7 to +2.8) for the 24‐h DBP. On the whole, BP differences between metformin‐ and placebo‐treated groups were not statistically significant. The only significant difference was for night‐time PP (baseline‐adjusted difference: −2.2 mmHg; 95% CI, −4.2 to −0.2). These results were not different after adjustment for age and diabetes duration, or for (changes in) body mass index, glycated haemoglobin, insulin dose or plasma homocysteine.

Conclusion  Metformin does not significantly affect BP in patients with Type 2 diabetes intensively treated with insulin.
Fetal erythrocyte membrane lipids modification: preliminary observation of an early sign of compromised insulin sensitivity in offspring of gestational diabetic women
Authors: Min Y. , Lowy C. , Ghebremeskel K. , Thomas B. , Bitsanis D. , Crawford M. A.
Published: June 2005

Aims  Intrauterine exposure to diabetes is a significant determinant of the development of obesity and early onset of Type 2 diabetes mellitus in the offspring. Both conditions are characterized by insulin resistance and the latter is associated with reduced membrane arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acids. Hence, we investigated if the membrane arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acids are depressed in the cord blood of babies born to women with gestational diabetes.

Methods  Cord (fetal) and maternal blood were obtained at delivery from control subjects (n = 33) and women with gestational diabetes (n = 40) and analysed for plasma triglycerides and cholinephosphoglycerides, and erythrocyte choline‐ and ethanolaminephosphoglycerides fatty acids.

Results  Babies of gestational diabetic mothers had reduced docosahexaenoic acid in the plasma (5.9 ± 1.4 vs. 7.1 ± 2.0, P < 0.01) and erythrocyte (4.0 ± 2.2 vs. 5.4 ± 2.9, P < 0.05) cholinephosphoglycerides. Moreover, the total omega‐6 and omega‐3 fatty acids of the erythrocyte cholinephosphoglycerides were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in these babies. A similar trend was observed in plasma triglycerides and erythrocyte ethanolaminephosphoglycerides. The maternal plasma triglycerides and erythrocyte ethanolaminephosphoglycerides fatty acids profile were not different between the two groups. However, there was a reduction in arachidonic acid and total omega‐6 fatty acids in the erythrocyte cholinephosphoglycerides of the gestational diabetic women.

Conclusion  The altered plasma and erythrocyte fatty acids in the cord blood of babies born to women with gestational diabetes suggests a perturbation in the maternal‐fetal nutrient transport and/or fetal lipid metabolism.
Management of incidental hyperglycaemia in acute medical emergencies
Authors: Al‐Bermani A. , Desha Y. H. , Morgan J. , Soobrah R. , Symonds C. S. , Taylor R.
Published: June 2005

Aims  To assess whether compliance with management guidelines for hyperglycaemia in acute medical emergencies was affected by prior diagnosis of diabetes, and to assess the effect of an educational campaign upon management.

Methods  Prospective study of management of adult patients admitted to an acute medical admissions unit in 2002, with repeat in 2003 after an educational campaign.

Results  The management of 251 patients in 2002 and 357 patients in 2003 was examined. In patients with no prior diagnosis of diabetes, unsatisfactory management was observed in 60% compared with only 30% of those with known diabetes (P < 0.02). In 2003 these proportions fell to 46 and 16%, respectively, but remained significantly different (P < 0.02). Overall, 30 of 70 (42.9%) patients with hyperglycaemia were managed strictly according to the guidelines in 2002 compared with 33 out of 59 (55.9%) in 2003 (P = 0.14). Satisfactory management was delivered in 55.7% in 2002 and 78% in 2003 (P < 0.01).

Conclusions  The reluctance of doctors to manage incidental hyperglycaemia in acute medical admissions was especially common when the patient was not known to have diabetes. This was only modestly improved by an educational campaign, even though this group are known to have a greater response in terms of morbidity and mortality. Widespread debate of this issue is required to minimize morbidity and mortality due to hyperglycaemia.
Nutrition in patients with Type 2 diabetes: are low‐carbohydrate diets effective, safe or desirable?
Authors: Kennedy R. L. , Chokkalingam K. , Farshchi H. R.
Published: June 2005

Low‐carbohydrate diets have been around for over 100 years. They have become very popular recently but the scientific basis for their use remains to be fully established. This article reviews the recent trials that have been published and also what is known about the effects of low‐carbohydrate, high‐protein diets on energy expenditure and body composition. Although many controversies remain, there is now mounting evidence that these diets can lead to effective weight loss and may thus be a useful intervention for patients who have, or are at risk of, diabetes. The practical aspects of using these diets as a short‐ to medium‐term intervention are discussed.
ADVANCE—Action in Diabetes and Vascular Disease: patient recruitment and characteristics of the study population at baseline
Authors:   ADVANCE Collaborative Group
Published: June 2005

Aims  The primary aim of ADVANCE is to determine the effects on macrovascular and microvascular disease of blood pressure lowering (with an ACE inhibitor–diuretic combination), irrespective of initial blood pressure level; and of intensive glucose lowering, in high‐risk individuals with Type 2 diabetes.

Methods  The study is a 2 × 2 factorial randomized controlled trial. Following 6 weeks on active perindopril–indapamide combination, eligible participants were randomized to perindopril/indapamide (initially 2.0/0.625 mg daily, increasing to 4.0/1.25 mg daily after 3 months) or matching placebo; and to an intensive gliclazide MR‐based glucose control regimen aiming for a haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) value of 6.5% or lower, or local standard therapy. The study is being conducted in 215 centres in 20 countries within Australasia, Asia, Europe and North America.

Results  Recruitment commenced in June 2001 and was completed in March 2003, with the inclusion of 11 140 randomized participants. Fifty‐seven per cent of participants are male and the mean age at baseline was 66 years. On average, the diagnosis of diabetes was made 8 years before study entry. At baseline 32 and 10% of patients had a history of macrovascular and microvascular disease, respectively. The mean blood pressure at baseline was 145/81 mmHg; the mean HbA1c concentration was 7.5%. While blood pressure and HbA1c values were broadly similar, certain characteristics of randomized participants varied between countries.

Conclusions  With successful worldwide recruitment completed, ADVANCE should provide reliable and broadly generalizable results on the effects of routine blood pressure lowering and intensive glucose control in high‐risk individuals with Type 2 diabetes.
Good news, bad news: global fisheries discards are declining, but so are total catches
Authors: Zeller Dirk , Pauly Daniel
Published: June 2005

Ghoti papers  Ghoti aims to serve as a forum for stimulating and pertinent ideas. Ghoti publishes succinct commentary and opinion that addresses important areas in fish and fisheries science. Ghoti contributions will be innovative and have a perspective that may lead to fresh and productive insight of concepts, issues and research agendas. All Ghoti contributions will be selected by the editors and peer reviewed.

Etymology of Ghoti  George Bernard Shaw (1856‐1950), polymath, playwright, Nobel prize winner, and the most prolific letter writer in history, was an advocate of English spelling reform. He was reportedly fond of pointing out its absurdities by proving that ‘fish’ could be spelt ‘ghoti’. That is: ‘gh’ as in ‘rough’, ‘o’ as in ‘women’ and ‘ti’ as in palatial.

During fishing operations, fish are often caught that were not targeted. When the species in question are of low value, or protected, this ‘by‐catch’ is often thrown overboard as ‘discards’, the retained part of the catch constituting the landings. The amounts of fish discarded are generally highly area‐ and gear‐specific, but can be high; for example, discards in tropical shrimp trawl fisheries may be one order of magnitude higher than the retained catch. The latest analysis undertaken by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations suggests that global discards have declined in recent years, indicating that wastage is being reduced in global fisheries operations. By all accounts, reducing waste is a good thing, and hence good news. Nevertheless, if one considers this decline in discards in conjunction with the reported decline in global fisheries landings over the last decade, it becomes evident that total global fisheries catches (consisting of landings plus discards) might have declined at a substantially steeper rate than previously thought. This could be bad news, if it is indicative of declining total availability of fish. While acknowledging the high uncertainty in both discard and landings data at the global scale through time, the present observation may serve as an urgent reminder that global fisheries may be in more trouble than we thought previously.
The dynamics of collapse in world fisheries
Authors: Mullon Christian , Fréon Pierre , Cury Philippe
Published: June 2005

The fear of a rapid depletion of world fish stocks because of over‐exploitation is increasing. Analysis of 1519 main series of the FAO world fisheries catch database over the last 50 years reveals that 366 fisheries’ collapses occurred, that is nearly one fishery of four. The robustness of this result is tested by performing several complementary analyses using different conservative options. The number of collapses has been stable through time since 1950s indicating no improvement in the overall fisheries management. Three typical patterns emerge from the analysis of catch series during the period preceding the collapses: smooth collapse (33%), i.e. a long regular decline, erratic collapse (45%), i.e. a fall after several ups and downs, and a plateau‐shaped collapse (21%), i.e. a sudden fall after a relatively long and stable persistence of high level of catches. Using a simple mathematical model, we relate the plateau‐shaped collapses (which are, by nature, the most difficult to predict) to surreptitiously increasing exploitation and a depensatory mechanism at low population levels. Thus, a stable level of catch over several years is shown to conceal the risk of a sudden collapse. This jeopardizes the common assumption that considers the stability of catch as a goal for fisheries sustainability.
Managing by‐catch and discards: how much progress are we making and how can we do better?
Authors: Hall Stephen J. , Mainprize Brooke M.
Published: June 2005

There appears to be considerable potential for further reduction in global by‐catch. This reduction is most likely to be achieved by focusing even greater attention on the technical, regulatory and social approaches that are currently practiced. With respect to the technical approaches, meta‐analysis indicates that overall reductions in by‐catch of between 25% and 64% could be achieved if global fishing fleets could match somewhere between the minimum and median performance of gear modifications used in experimental studies. If such benefits are to be delivered, however, engaging fishers more comprehensively in solving the problems will be essential. Further developing legislative and institutional arrangements will also assist. However, notwithstanding the potential gains that can be achieved, it must be recognized that careful analysis will often be required to ensure that a proposed measure will achieve the desired objective at an acceptable cost.
Genetic, abiotic and social influences on sex differentiation in cichlid fishes and the evolution of sequential hermaphroditism
Authors: Oldfield Ronald George
Published: June 2005

Genetic and environmental factors may interact to control sex determination in fishes. A common pattern of initial female differentiation and subsequent male transformation before maturation in non‐hermaphroditic fishes and after maturation in sequentially hermaphroditic fishes has suggested that changes in developmental timing may be responsible for the evolution of various expressions of sexual lability. Sequential hermaphroditism is rare in freshwater fishes, but investigators report degrees of sexual lability at four distinct life stages in cichlid fishes. Some cichlids undergo genetic sex determination and are not labile. Lability at the larval stage allows temperature or pH to determine sex. Social interactions apparently determine sex at the juvenile stage in the Midas cichlid (Amphilophus citrinellus). Most reports of post‐maturational sex change in cichlids are anecdotal or unsubstantiated. The common occurrence of same‐sex spawning suggests that many species are incapable of sex change. Sequential hermaphroditism is concluded not to be typical, except for the checkerboard cichlid (Crenicara punctulata), which regularly undergoes functional female‐to‐male transformation. Expression of sexual lability at four life stages in one family of fishes corroborates a role for developmental timing in the evolution of sequential hermaphroditism as well as environmentally controlled sex determination. The broad phylogenetic distribution of sexual lability in cichlids indicates that processes capable of producing sex change are generally present. The rarity of sequential hermaphroditism in cichlids and possibly other freshwater fishes is likely due to unpredictability of food and therefore potential mate distributions compared with coral reef habitats.
Using fishers’ anecdotes, naturalists’ observations and grey literature to reassess marine species at risk: the case of the Gulf grouper in the Gulf of California, Mexico
Authors: Sáenz–Arroyo Andrea , Roberts Callum M. , Torre Jorge , Cariño‐Olvera Micheline
Published: June 2005

Designing fishing policies without knowledge of past levels of target species abundance is a dangerous omission for fisheries management. However, as fisheries monitoring started long after exploitation of many species began, this is a difficult issue to address. Here we show how the ‘shifting baseline’ syndrome can affect the stock assessment of a vulnerable species by masking real population trends and thereby put marine animals at serious risk. Current fishery data suggest that landings of the large Gulf grouper (Mycteroperca jordani, Serranidae) are increasing in the Gulf of California. However, reviews of historical evidence, naturalists’ observations and a systematic documentation of fishers’ perceptions of trends in the abundance of this species indicate that it has dramatically declined. The heyday for the Gulf grouper fishery occurred prior to the 1970s, after which abundance dropped rapidly, probably falling to a few percent of former numbers. This decline happened long before fishery statistics were formally developed. We use the case of the Gulf grouper to illustrate how other vulnerable tropical and semi‐tropical fish and shellfish species around the world may be facing the same fate as the Gulf grouper. In accordance with other recent studies, we recommend using historical tools as part of a broad data‐gathering approach to assess the conservation status of marine species that are vulnerable to over‐exploitation.
Resistance to cassava mosaic disease in transgenic cassava expressing antisense RNAs targeting virus replication genes
Authors: Zhang Peng , Vanderschuren Hervé , Fütterer Johannes , Gruissem Wilhelm
Published: June 2005

African cassava mosaic virus (ACMV) is a major contributor to cassava mosaic disease (CMD), the economically most important and devastating disease of cassava in Africa. We have developed transgenic cassava plants with increased ACMV resistance using improved antisense RNA technology by targeting the viral mRNAs of Rep (AC1), TrAP (AC2) and REn (AC3). Viral DNA replication assays in detached leaves demonstrated that replication of two ACMV isolates was strongly reduced or inhibited in most transgenic lines. After ACMV infection of plants using biolistic inoculation, several lines remained symptomless at lower infection pressure (100 ng viral DNA/plant). Symptom development was reduced and attenuated even at higher DNA doses. Transgenic ACMV‐resistant plants had significantly reduced viral DNA accumulation in their infected leaves. Short sense and antisense RNAs specific to AC1 were identified in transgenic lines expressing AC1 antisense RNA, suggesting that the short RNAs mediate interference by post‐transcriptional gene silencing. Our results demonstrate that resistance to ACMV infection of cassava can be achieved with high efficacy by expressing antisense RNAs against viral mRNAs encoding essential non‐structural proteins, providing a new tool to combat CMD in Africa.
Rapid generation of plant traits via regulation of DNA mismatch repair
Authors: Chao Qimin , Sullivan Christine D. , Getz John M. , Gleason Kathryn B. , Sass Philip M. , Nicolaides Nicholas C. , Grasso Luigi
Published: June 2005

The reversible inhibition of DNA repair is a novel approach to maximize genetic diversity within a plant's genome in order to generate offspring exhibiting important de novo output traits. This process is based on the inhibition of the evolutionarily conserved mismatch repair (MMR) system. In this process, a human dominant negative MMR gene allele is introduced into the germline of a target plant, yielding progeny that can be screened to identify variants with commercially important agronomic output traits. Using this novel strategy, we generated MMR‐deficient Arabidopsis thaliana plants that showed genome‐wide instability of nucleotide repeats associated with chromosomal microsatellites, in addition to base substitution mutations. Functional screenings of the MMR‐deficient Arabidopsis offspring identified variants expressing selectable traits (ethylene insensitivity and salt tolerance), as well as plants exhibiting altered morphologic traits (albinos and dwarfs). We determined by segregation analyses of variant plants that the de novo phenotypes were due to both recessive and dominant genetic mutations. Mutations caused by MMR deficiency showed a different spectrum compared with those derived using ethylmethane sulphonate (EMS) mutagenesis. Our finding demonstrates the feasibility of using reversible MMR deficiency via transient expression of a single human gene product to enhance genetic diversity in plants.
Manipulation of plant tolerance to herbicides through co‐ordinated metabolic engineering of a detoxifying glutathione transferase and thiol cosubstrate
Authors: Skipsey Mark , Cummins Ian , Andrews Christopher J. , Jepson Ian , Edwards Robert
Published: June 2005

The diphenyl ether herbicide fomesafen can be used selectively in soybean (Glycine max) due to its rapid detoxification by tau class glutathione transferases (GmGSTUs) which preferentially utilize the endogenous thiol homoglutathione (hGSH) as cosubstrate. Soybean cDNAs encoding GmGSTU21, which is highly active in detoxifying fomesafen, and an hGSH synthetase (GmhGS) have been cloned and functionally identified in Escherichia coli. Tobacco plants, which have limited GST activities towards fomesafen and which accumulate glutathione (GSH), rather than hGSH, have been transformed with either GmhGS alone, or a dual construct of GmhGS‐GmGSTU21, both under the control of constitutive promoters. Using either construct, the transgenic tobacco accumulated hGSH, with a concomitant increase in GSH content. Segregating T1 plants were analysed for thiol content and GST activity towards fomesafen with GSH and hGSH as cosubstrates, and then scored for photobleaching injury caused by applications of fomesafen. These studies showed that hGSH accumulation alone gave no significant protection against the herbicide and that tolerance was only seen in plants which contained appreciable concentrations of hGSH and GmGSTU21 activity. Tolerance in the dual transformants was associated with the metabolism of radiolabelled fomesafen to inactive hGSH‐derived conjugates, while susceptible lines were unable to detoxify the herbicide. These studies confirm the combined importance of specific GSTs and their preferred thiol cosubstrates in conferring herbicide selectivity traits in planta.
The wheat Em promoter drives reporter gene expression in embryo and aleurone tissue of transgenic barley and rice
Authors: Furtado Agnelo , Henry Robert James
Published: June 2005

The early methionine (Em) proteins are members of the late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) group of proteins that have been considered to be embryo specific. The ability of a 646‐bp wheat Em promoter to control green fluorescent protein (gfp) expression was investigated in transgenic barley and rice. Seeds of transgenic plants expressed gfp in the developing embryo but also in the aleurone layer. The 646‐bp Em promoter also directed strong gfp expression in cells comprising the junction between the endosperm transfer cells and cells of the aleurone layer. Em‐gfp expression in transgenic barley showed differences in spatial and temporal control when compared with that observed in transgenic rice. Em‐gfp expression was also detected in mature aleurone cells of transgenic barley and rice with and without abscisic acid (ABA) treatment. Reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) results indicated the presence of Em and Em‐homologous transcript in embryo, aleurone and endosperm tissues of wheat and of barley and rice, respectively. These results suggest that Em proteins may be expressed in both the embryo and aleurone during seed development, possibly providing protection against desiccation in these two tissues that survive seed drying. They may also have a similar role in these tissues during germination. The Em promoter from wheat may be useful in the expression of novel genes in cereal grains, as an embryo‐ and aleurone‐specific promoter complementing other available endosperm‐ and pericarp‐specific promoters to collectively increase the expression of transgenes in seeds.
A novel thiolase–reductase gene fusion promotes the production of polyhydroxybutyrate in Arabidopsis
Authors: Kourtz Lauralynn , Dillon Kevin , Daughtry Sean , Madison Lara L. , Peoples Oliver , Snell Kristi D.
Published: June 2005

The production of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) involves a multigene pathway consisting of thiolase, reductase and synthase genes. In order to simplify this pathway for plant‐based expression, a library of thiolase and reductase gene fusions was generated by randomly ligating a short core linker DNA sequence to create in‐frame fusions between the thiolase and reductase genes. The resulting fusion constructs were screened for PHB formation in Escherichia coli. This screen identified a polymer‐producing candidate in which the thiolase and reductase genes were fused via a 26‐amino‐acid linker. This gene fusion, designated phaA‐phaB, represents an active gene fusion of two homotetrameric enzymes. Expression of phaA‐phaB in E. coli and Arabidopsis yielded a fusion protein observed to be the expected size by Western blotting techniques. The fusion protein exhibited thiolase and reductase enzyme activities in crude extracts of recombinant E. coli that were three‐fold and nine‐fold less than those of the individually expressed thiolase and reductase enzymes, respectively. When targeted to the plastid, and coexpressed with a plastid‐targeted polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) synthase, the fusion protein enabled PHB formation in Arabidopsis, yielding roughly half the PHB formed in plants expressing individual thiolase, reductase and synthase enzymes. This work represents a first step towards simplifying the expression of the PHB biosynthetic pathway in plants.
Plant‐derived mouse IgG monoclonal antibody fused to KDEL endoplasmic reticulum‐retention signal is N‐glycosylated homogeneously throughout the plant with mostly high‐mannose‐type N‐glycans
Authors: Triguero Ada , Cabrera Gleysin , Cremata José A. , Yuen Chun‐Ting , Wheeler Jun , Ramírez Nadia I.
Published: June 2005

Plants are potential hosts for the expression of recombinant glycoproteins intended for therapeutic purposes. However, N‐glycans of mammalian glycoproteins produced in transgenic plants differ from their natural counterparts. The use of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)‐retention signal has been proposed to restrict glycosylation of plantibodies to only high‐mannose‐type N‐glycans. Furthermore, little is known about the influence of plant development and growth conditions on N‐linked glycosylation. Here, we report a detailed N‐glycosylation profiling study of CB.Hep1, a mouse IgG2b monoclonal antibody (mAb) against hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) currently expressed in tobacco plants (Nicotiana tabacum L.). The KDEL ER‐retention signal was fused to the C‐terminal of both light and heavy chains. The structures of the N‐linked glycans of this mAb produced in transgenic tobacco plants at various growth stages were analysed by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) profiling techniques and matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization‐time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF MS) and compared with those of murine origin. The high‐mannose‐type oligosaccharides accounted for more than 80% of the total N‐glycans, with Man7GlcNAc2 being the most abundant species. Some complex N‐glycans bearing xylose and small amounts of oligosaccharides with both xylose and fucose were identified. No appreciable differences were detected when comparing glycosylation at different leaf ages, e.g. from seedling leaves up to 8 weeks old and top or basal leaves of mature plants, or between leaves, stems and whole plants. A strict retention of glycoproteins to ER by the use of the tetrapeptide KDEL was not sufficient, even though the majority of the resulting N‐glycosylation was of the high‐mannose type. It is highly likely to be dependent on other factors, which are most probably protein specific.
Review: intellectual property aspects of plant transformation
Authors: Dunwell Jim M.
Published: June 2005

One of the recurring themes of the debates concerning the application of genetic transformation technology has been the role of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR). This term covers both the content of patents and the confidential expertise usually related to methodology and referred to as ‘Trade Secrets’. This review explains the concepts behind patent protection, and discusses the wide‐ranging scope of existing patents that cover all aspects of transgenic technology, from selectable markers and novel promoters to methods of gene introduction. Although few of the patents in this area have any real commercial value, there are a small number of key patents that restrict the ‘freedom to operate’ of new companies seeking to exploit the methods. Over the last 20 years, these restrictions have forced extensive cross‐licensing between ag‐biotech companies and have been one of the driving forces behind the consolidation of these companies. Although such issues are often considered of little interest to the academic scientist working in the public sector, they are of great importance in any discussion of the role of ‘public‐good breeding’ and of the relationship between the public and private sectors.
Politicization of research and the relevance of geography: some experiences and reflections for an ongoing debate
Authors: Beaumont Justin , Loopmans Maarten , Uitermark Justus
Published: June 2005

In this paper we address the revival of interest in recent years in the relevance of geographical research and highlight problems of politicization faced by researchers through cases of policy‐oriented research in the UK and Belgium. We argue that geographers should be aware of the possibilities and constraints for critical engagement in the context of policy‐oriented research. We identify at least two important opportunities for researchers to avoid clientelistic relationships with contractors and enhance their political relevance. First, researchers can stick to letter of the contract and maintain academic standards while at the same time interpreting their tasks according to their own ethical and political judgements. Second, relevance can be increased by forming alliances within and beyond the formal hierarchies of the state and the academy. The identification and utilization of these ‘spaces of relevance’ can be seen as the first step towards an approach that strategically seeks a balance between societal engagement on the one hand and contractual obligations, policy relevance and academic standards on the other.
Working rivers: the geomorphological legacy of English freshwater mills
Authors: Downward Stuart , Skinner Kevin
Published: June 2005

Freshwater mills historically were found throughout England serving a wide variety of uses. The decline in the need for water power over the last 100 years saw a reduction in the number of operational mills. Despite this decline, the associated river structures were rarely removed and many of these have exceeded their design life and have failed or are now starting to fail, with important geomorphological implications for the river. This paper investigates the geomorphological impacts of mills and their structures on English rivers, and considers their legacy for the contemporary management of these systems.
Challenging a place myth: New Zealand's clean green image meets the biotechnology revolution
Authors: Coyle Fiona , Fairweather John
Published: June 2005

The ‘clean green image’ of New Zealand is a well‐known example of what has been called a ‘place myth’. But more recently, emerging alongside this place myth is an image that the government is trying to co‐create of New Zealand as an innovator in biotechnology. In nationwide focus groups, whilst a matter of pride, participants typically saw this clean green myth as a temporally distant utopia. However, when considered alongside the futures proposed by biotechnology, clean green New Zealand was mobilized into the present moment to defend a general reluctance to take up these practices. Alternately, some participants saw the possibility for co‐evolution of the place myths, with biotechnology enabling the re‐construction of a ‘picture‐perfect’, clean green country.
‘How green is my valley?’ Desktop geographic information systems as a community‐based participatory mapping tool
Authors: Wood Justin
Published: June 2005

Communities can be encouraged to participate in countryside conservation through mapping, expressing what they feel to be important or distinct locally. Established UK community ‘parish map’ projects focus on artwork. ‘Public participation geographic information systems’ potentially offer an alternative community mapping approach. Research sought to compare artwork and GIS mapping and their ease of use. Raster maps, digitizing of features and data table creation encouraged community groups to undertake thematic mapping themselves. Seamless maps removed perceived neighbourhood boundaries. Linking attribute data to maps offers an interactive approach to projects, including internet mapping. Findings indicated that hands‐on use of GIS, with support, could benefit and empower community groups when responding to local geographic issues.
Women (re)construct the plot: the regen(d)eration of urban food growing
Authors: Buckingham Susan
Published: June 2005

The British allotment is in the process of transformation. From a traditional provision made to male active and retired workers, it is becoming, by degrees, embourgeoised and more socially diverse, with many more women entering allotment gardening. At the same time, growing community gardening activity is giving women in low income families the opportunity to provide fresh, and culturally relevant, food for their families. This paper explores the meaning of this gradual gender transformation of urban food‐growing spaces with regard to its social, aesthetic and environmental impact and looks at the implications of this both on and off the plot.
Policy at the margins: developing community capacity in a rural Health Action Zone
Authors: Halliday Joyce , Asthana Sheena
Published: June 2005

The imperative to engage with communities and employ a community development approach is an integral part of the national agenda under New Labour. However, a large part of the literature and experience that informs contemporary policy and practice draws on the urban realm. This paper draws on the evaluation of a rural Health Action Zone to explore the extent to which national policy can facilitate local approaches to community health development within a rural context. Despite avowed support for innovation and evidence‐based learning, it finds a continued emphasis on consensual tactics, low‐cost solutions and traditional methods of ranking deprivation.
Employment mobility in high‐technology agglomerations: the cases of Oxfordshire and Cambridgeshire
Authors: Smith Helen Lawton , Waters Rupert
Published: June 2005

This paper examines labour market behaviour of the highly skilled in high‐tech local economies, taking the UK examples of Oxfordshire and Cambridgeshire as case studies. It reports on data from a survey of members of three scientific institutes to compare rates of employee mobility in the two locations and considers the likely explanations and implications of those patterns.
Geographies of knowledge, practices of globalization: learning from the oil exploration and production industry
Authors: Bridge Gavin , Wood Andrew
Published: June 2005

In this paper we initiate a dialogue between work on the geographies of globalization and knowledge economies, areas of inquiry that have tended to develop in isolation. We argue for a critical harnessing of these two bodies of work to (1) understand how and where different types of knowledge are acquired, produced and mobilized by firms as they seek to ‘go global’, (2) map the multi‐scalar geographies of knowledge that enable practices of globalization and (3) examine the ways in which networks of knowledge structure emerging geographies of production. We demonstrate the potential of this move using oil exploration and production as an example.
Gregarious emergence of Macrostomion sumatranum (Hymenoptera: Braconidae; Rogadinae) from the mummified, full‐grown larvae of Theretra silhetensis (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae)
Authors: MAETO Kaoru , ARAKAKI Norio
Published: June 2005

Twenty‐six to 160 adults of Macrostomion sumatranum emerged from a mummified full‐grown larva of a sphingid moth, Theretra silhetensis, on taro in Okinawa‐jima, Japan. This is the first host record of M. sumatranum. The sex ratio was female‐biased in a small brood but less so or even male‐biased in a large brood.
Effect of photoperiod on the development and diapause of the green lacewing Chrysopa pallens (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae)
Authors: NAKAHIRA Kengo , ARAKAWA Ryo
Published: June 2005

To investigate the physiology of Chrysopa pallens, the effect of photoperiod on diapause and development was examined in a Japanese population (33.4°N). The response stage for diapause of C. pallens was considered to be the prepupal stage. The critical photoperiod for diapause induction at 20.0°C was between 13 h light : 11 h dark (LD 13:11) and LD 14:10. The larval developmental period was affected by photoperiod: larvae in diapause took longer to complete their development. This difference of larval developmental period in relation to photoperiod was considered to be an adjustment of larval diapause timing.
Analysis and understanding of butterfly community composition based on multivariate approaches and the concept of generalist/specialist strategies
Authors: KITAHARA Masahiko , FUJII Koichi
Published: June 2005

We analyzed butterfly community composition using multivariate analyses. The results of principal components analysis showed that the butterfly community was composed mainly of two species groups. This species grouping was also supported by the results of the cluster analysis (unweighted pair‐group method using arithmetic average). Comparing the present results with species classification based on the generalist/specialist concept, the butterfly community was found to be composed of five species groups differing  from  each  other  in  their  ecological  characteristics:  a  specialist  group,  two  intermediate  groups and two generalist groups. By comparison of their characteristics, it was suggested that, in the butterfly community, the positions of the specialist group and one of the generalist groups are the endpoints on the generalist/specialist selection spectrum, and the three other groups are positioned between these two extremes. The multivariate analyses showed that the species grouping with the generalist/specialist concept based only on voltinism and larval diet breadth was not sufficient to classify both intermediate and generalist groups, and also succeeded in extracting a typical generalist group from the butterfly community. From these results, we propose and recommend the synergetic application of the generalist/specialist concept and multivariate approaches to the detailed analysis and deeper understanding of community structure and composition.
Expression of immunity and general condition in the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), in relation to origin and gender
Authors: OTS Indrek , FREITAK Dalial , VANATOA Alo
Published: June 2005

In immunoecological studies, experimental effects usually explain a relatively small proportion of total variation observed in immune parameters, while the large amount of variation remains unexplained. It is crucial to be aware of such natural variation of immune parameters, which may overshadow the effects of the experiment. We examined factors responsible for variation in cellular immunity (estimated as hemocyte concentration) and general condition (estimated as fresh weight) in the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata, originating from two neighboring potato fields, in a common garden experiment. Progeny of beetles collected from the “New” field, where potato was cultured for the first year, had significantly higher hemocyte concentration and fresh weight compared to individuals originating from the “Old” field, where potato had been cultured for several years. Furthermore, hemocyte concentration varied with respect to gender only in beetles originating from the New field, where males had a higher hemocyte concentration than females. No such sex differences were found in beetles originating from the Old field, suggesting that immune traits and general condition of insects originating from geographically close locations/populations may express different sources of variation. Therefore, generalization of immunity–life‐history trade‐offs based on one population/location should be treated with caution.
Taxonomy and biogeography of Australian species of the Ropalidia stigma group and R. variegata group (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)
Authors: SAITO Fuki , KOJIMA Jun‐ichi
Published: June 2005

The taxonomy of the Australian species of two Ropalidia species groups, the R. stigma group and R. variegata group, is revised and their distribution patterns are discussed. Two species in the R. stigma group (R. darwini and R. elegantula), and four species in the R. variegata group (R. flavinoda, R. gregaria, R. mutabilis and R. revolutionalis) are recognized in Australia, with a new synonymy of R. mutabilis torresiana Richards, 1978, under R. gregaria (de Saussure, 1854). Icaria torrida Smith, 1863, from Seram Island is synonymized with R. unicolor (Smith, 1859).
Revision of the subgenus Ceranthia Robineau‐Desvoidy of the genus Siphona Meigen of Japan (Diptera: Tachinidae)
Authors: TACHI Takuji , SHIMA Hiroshi
Published: June 2005

Japanese species of the subgenus Ceranthia Robineau‐Desvoidy are revised. Five species are recognized in Japan, three of which are described as new to science: Siphona (Ceranthia) angusta, S. (C.) nigra and S. (C.) setigera. A key to Japanese species is provided and male terminalia are illustrated. Monophyly of this group is discussed.