bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pomegranate seed oil rich in conjugated linolenic acid suppresses chemically induced colon carcinogenesis in rats
Authors: Kohno Hiroyuki , Suzuki Rikako , Yasui Yumiko , Hosokawa Masashi , Miyashita Kazuo , Tanaka Takuji
Published: August 2005

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) seed oil (PGO) contains more than 70% cis(c)9,frans(f)11,c13–18:3 as conjugated linolenic acids (CLN). Our previous short‐term experiment demonstrated that seed oil from bitter melon (Momordica charantia) (BMO), which is rich in c9,t11,t13‐CLN, inhibited the occurrence of colonic aberrant crypt foci (ACF) induced by azoxymethane (AOM). In this study, we investigated the effect of dietary PGO on the development of AOM‐induced colonic malignancies and compared it with that of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). To induce colonic tumors, 6‐week old male F344 rats were given subcutaneous injections of AOM (20 mg/kg body weight) once a week for 2 weeks. One week before the AOM treatment they were started on diet containing 0.01%, 0.1%, or 1%±PGO or 1% CLA for 32 weeks. Upon termination of the bioassay (32 weeks) colon tumors were evaluated histopathologically. AOM exposure produced colonic adenocarcinoma with an incidence of 81% and multiplicity of 1.88±1.54 at week 32. Administration of PGO in the diet significantly inhibited the incidence (AOM+0.01% PGO, 44%, P<0.05; AOM+0.1% PGO, 38%, P<0.01; AOM+1% PGO, 56%) and the multiplicity (AOM+0.01% PGO, 0.56±0.73, P<0<01; AOM+0.1% PGO, 0.50±0.73, P<0.005; AOM+1% PGO, 0.88±0.96, P<0.05) of colonic adenocarcinomas, although a clear dose‐response relationship was not observed at these dose levels. CLA feeding also slightly, but not significantly, reduced the incidence and multiplicity of colonic adenocarcinomas. The inhibition of colonic tumors by PGO was associated with an increased content of CLA (c9,t11–18:2) in the lipid fraction of colonic mucosa and liver. Also, administration of PGO in the diet elevated expression of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR) γ protein in the nontumor mucosa. These results suggest that PGO rich in c9,t11,c13‐CLN can suppress AOM‐induced colon carcinogenesis, and the inhibition is associated in part with the increased content of CLA in the colon and liver and/or increased expression of PPARγ protein in the colon mucosa.
β‐Catenin gene alteration in glandular stomach adenocarcinomas in N‐methyl‐N‐nitrosourea‐treated and Helicobacter pylori‐infected Mongolian gerbils
Authors: Cao Xueyuan , Tsukamoto Tetsuya , Nozaki Koji , Mizoshita Tsutomu , Ogasawara Naotaka , Tanaka Harunari , Takenaka Yoshiharu , Kaminishi Michio , Tatematsu Masae
Published: August 2005

The goal of this study was to elucidate whether β‐catenin gene mutations might contribute to glandular stomach carcinogenesis in Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori)‐infected Mongolian gerbils. Firstly, exon 3 of gerbil β‐catenin cDNA, a mutation hot spot, was cloned and sequenced and found to have 89.3% homology with the human form and 95.5% with the rat and mouse forms. Pep‐tide sequence in this region was shown to be 100% conserved in these mammals. Then, 45 stomach adenocarcinomas induced with N‐methyl‐N‐nitrosourea (MNU) plus H. pylori infection and 7 induced with MNU alone were examined for β‐catenin expression by immunohistochemistry and for DNA mutations using a combination of microdissection and PCR‐single strand conformation polymorphism analysis. One gastric cancer in the MNU+H. pylori group (2.2%) displayed nuclear (N) β‐catenin localization, 3 (6.7%) showed cytoplasmic (C) distribution in local regions, and 41(91.1%) demonstrated cell membrane (M) localization. Tumors induced by MNU alone showed only membranous β‐catenin localization (7/7). Analysis of exon 3 of the β‐catenin gene demonstrated all tumors with membrane or cytoplasmic staining as well as surrounding normal mucosa (S) to feature wild‐type β‐catenin. In contrast, the lesion with nuclear staining had a mis‐sense mutation at codon 34 [GAC (Gly)→GAA (Glu)] in exon 3 (1/1=100%, N vs. M, P<0.05; and N vs. S, P<0.05). In conclusion, these results suggest that β‐catenin may not be a frequent target for mutation in stomach carcinogenesis in MNU+H. pylori‐treated gerbils.
Diagnostic value of serum EBV‐DNA quantification and antibody to viral capsid antigen in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients
Authors: Kondo Satoru , Horikawa Toshiyuki , Takeshita Hajime , Kanegane Chiharu , Kasahara Yoshihito , Sheen Tzung‐Shiahn , Sato Hiroshi , Furukawa Mitsuru , Yoshizaki Tomokazu
Published: August 2005

We compared the amount of serum Epstein‐Barr virus DNA (EBV‐DNA) detected in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in a high‐incidence area, represented by Taiwan, and a low‐incidence area, represented by Japan, using real‐time quantitative PCR. The median serum EBV‐DNA value in 41 Japanese NPC cases was 5450 copies/ml, and that in in 23 Taiwanese cases was 2125 copies/ml. The median serum EBV‐DNA value in all 64 NPC cases was significantly higher than in control groups. Using receiver‐operating‐characteristic (ROC) curves, the sensitivity and specificity of EBV‐DNA quantification were determined (cut‐off point, 6.87 copies/ml; sensitivity, 0.855; specificity, 0.885) and compared with those of EBV‐viral‐capsid‐antigen (VCA) titers; the results showed that EBV‐DNA was a more sensitive and specific parameter than EBV‐VCA titer. Then, we analyzed 19 NPC patients in whom recurrence developed (11 Japanese and 8 Taiwanese), and 26 NPC patients in continuous remission. Although there was no significant difference in EBV‐DNA values between Japanese and Taiwanese patients, the value was significantly higher in the 19 patients with recurrence than in those in remission. ROC analysis again revealed a higher diagnostic value of EBV‐DNA than EBV‐VCA. These results suggest EBV‐DNA is a more reliable tumor marker than EBV‐VCA in both high‐incidence and low‐incidence areas of NPC.
Comparative analysis of ATP‐binding cassette (ABC) transporter gene expression levels in peripheral blood leukocytes and in liver with hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Moustafa Mohsen A. , Ogino Daisuke , Nishimura Masuhiro , Ueda Nobuhiko , Naito Shinsaku , Furukawa Motonobu , Uchida Takafumi , Ikai Iwao , Sawada Hideki , Fukumoto Manabu
Published: August 2005

ATP‐binding cassette (ABC) transporters comprise a superfamily of similar proteins involved in transmembrane transport of various substances. ABC transporter family members in the liver participate in bile formation and lipid metabolism. In order to assess whether peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) are available as a surrogate for determination of the expression of ABC transporter genes in the liver, we compared ABC transporter gene expression levels in PBL with those in liver tissues from patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We measured ABCA1, A2, B1‐B4, C1°C5, G1 and G2 gene expression levels in PBL, and cancerous and non‐cancerous portions of liver from patients with hepatocellular carcinoma by means of real time reverse‐transcription (RT)‐PCR. We could not detect ABCC5 expression in any tissue of the liver. Close correlations between ABCA2, C1 and 67 in PBL and in non‐tumor tissues of the liver were found. Compared with the non‐tumor part, HCC tissue expressed lower levels of ABCA1, B4 and G2. We think monitoring of ABCA2, C1 and G7 gene expression levels in PBL will be useful for selection of anti cancer agents and monitoring of drug resistance of HCC. Administration of chemotherapeutic agents which are substrates of ABCA1, B4 and G2 should be effective for the treatment of HCC. (Cancer Sci 2004; 95: 530—536)
Kigamicin D, a novel anticancer agent based on a new anti‐austerity strategy targeting cancer cells' tolerance to nutrient starvation
Authors: Lu Jie , Kunimoto Setsuko , Yamazaki Yohko , Kaminishi Michio , Esumi Hiroyasu
Published: August 2005

Both tolerance to nutrient starvation and angiogenesis are esse tial for cancer progression because of the insufficient supply of nutrients to tumor tissue. Since chronic nutrient starvation seldom occurs in normal tissue, cancer's tolerance to nutrient starvation should provide a novel target for cancer therapy. In this study, we propose an anti‐austerity strategy to exploit the ability of agents to eliminate cancer cells' tolerance to nutrient starvation. We established a simple screening method for agents that inhibit cancer cell viability preferentially during nutrient starvation, using PANC‐1 cell line cultured in nutrient‐rich and nutrien deprived media. After screening over 2000 culture media of act nomycetes, we identified a new compound, kigamicin (C48H59NO19), which shows preferential cytotoxicity to cancer ceels under nutrient‐deprived conditions, but hardly any cytotoxici under nutrient‐rich conditions. Both subcutaneous and oral a ministration of kigamicin D strongly suppressed the tumor growth of several tested pancreatic cancer cell lines in nude mice Moreover, kigamicin D was observed to block the activation of Akt induced by nutrient starvation. Therefore, our results sugge that kigamicin D be a candidate for implementing our novel concept, anti‐austerity, which may serve as a new strategy for cancer therapy.
Biochemical universality of living matter and its metabolic implications
Authors: MAKARIEVA A. M. , GORSHKOV V. G. , LI B.‐L.
Published: August 2005

Recent discussions of metabolic scaling laws focus on the model of West, Brown & Enquist (WBE). The core assumptions of the WBE model are the size‐invariance of terminal units at which energy is consumed by living matter and the size‐invariance of the rate of energy supply to these units. Both assumptions are direct consequences of the biochemical universality of living matter. However, the second assumption contradicts the central prediction of the WBE model that mass‐specific metabolic rate q should decrease with body mass with a scaling exponent µ = −1/4, thus making the model logically inconsistent.

Examination of evidence interpreted by WBE and colleagues in favour of a universal µ = −1/4 across 15 and more orders of magnitude range in body mass reveals that this value resulted from methodological errors in data assortment and analysis.

Instead, the available evidence is shown to be consistent with the existence of a size‐independent mean value of mass‐specific metabolic rate common to most taxa. Plotted together, q‐values of non‐growing unicells, insects and mammals in the basal state yield µ ≈ 0. Estimated field metabolic rates of bacteria and vertebrates are also size‐independent.

Standard mass‐specific metabolic rates of most unicells, insects and mammals studied are confined between 1 and 10 W kg−1. Plant leaves respire at similar rates. This suggests the existence of a metabolic optimum for living matter. With growing body size and diminishing surface‐to‐volume ratio organisms have to change their physiology and perfect their distribution networks to keep their q in the vicinity of the optimum.
Two orchids attract different pollinators with the same floral odour compound: ecological and evolutionary implications
Authors: SCHIESTL F. P. , PEAKALL R.
Published: August 2005

The sexually deceptive orchids Chiloglottis trapeziformis Fitzg. and Chiloglottis valida D.L. Jones are pollinated by the thynnine wasps Neozeleboria cryptoides (Smith) and Neozeleboria monticola Turner, respectively, during attempted mating with the flower labellum. The orchids and their pollinators occur mostly in allopatry; however on the overlapping edges of their ranges they can attract each other's pollinator, leading to rare hybrids.

Using gas chromatographic analyses with electroantennographic detection (GC‐EAD) we demonstrate that 2‐ethyl‐5‐propyl‐1,3‐cyclohexandione (‘Chiloglottone’), the previously known sex pheromone of N. cryptoides and pollinator‐attractant of C. trapeziformis, is also used by C. valida to attract its pollinator N. monticola.

In behavioural field experiments, equal numbers of males of both species responded to, and attempted copulation with, a dummy scented with synthetic Chiloglottone. In dual‐choice experiments where dummies were presented at different heights, N. cryptoides males preferentially attempted copulation with dummies a few centimetres above the ground, while N. monticola males significantly more often landed on the soil and attempted copulation with dummies on the soil.

These behavioural differences corresponded with differences in floral height in the orchids, C. trapeziformis being about twice as tall as C. valida. We suggest that this contrasting pollinator behaviour imposes selection for floral height in the orchids.
Is a starving host tastier? Reproduction in fleas parasitizing food‐limited rodents
Authors: KRASNOV B. R. , KHOKHLOVA I. S. , ARAKELYAN M. S. , DEGEN A. A.
Published: August 2005

We hypothesized that food availability, and therefore body condition, of a rodent host, Meriones crassus, affects egg production and survival, and development time of preimago and adults of the first generation of the flea Xenopsylla ramesis.

Egg production was significantly higher in fleas parasitizing underfed than control animals.

Food availability for hosts affected survival of eggs and larvae produced by fleas on these rodents, but did not affect survival of pupae. More than twice the number of eggs from fleas on food‐limited hosts survived than those from fleas on control rodents. Highest larval survival was recorded in fleas on rodents with 30% of maintenance energy intake.

Survival of new generation imagos was lowest in fleas from parents on hosts with the highest food limitation. By contrast, survival of parent fleas was highest on hosts offered 30% of maintenance energy intake.

Time of egg and larval development was longest on hosts consuming 30% of energy requirements for maintenance. By contrast, there was no difference in time to emergence in pupae from flea females on rodents from different treatments. Survival time under starvation of imago of the first generation was shortest in offspring of fleas that parasitized M. crassus offered the minimal amount of food. The opposite was true for parent fleas.

The results suggest nutritional and/or energetic cost of host resistance, measured as host‐mediated parasite fitness loss, as well as possible adaptive stress‐induced immunosuppression.
Investigating geographic variation in clutch size using a natural experiment
Authors: EVANS K. L. , DUNCAN R. P. , BLACKBURN T. M. , CRICK H. Q. P.
Published: August 2005

Clutch sizes generally increase with latitude, and are smaller at southern latitudes compared with equivalent northern ones.

Descriptions of such patterns and attempts to identify their causal mechanisms are complicated as different species, with different ecological traits are often compared in different regions. We reduce such problems by using the introduction of 11 passerine species from the UK to New Zealand as a natural experiment to explore interspecific geographical variation in clutch size.

Nine species have significantly smaller clutches in New Zealand than the UK. Seasonality, measured both by climate and how birds respond to variation in resource availability, is also lower in New Zealand. Comparing across species, the magnitude of clutch size change is unrelated to the magnitude of reduced seasonality that each species experiences.

Such observations are partly compatible with Ashmole's hypothesis that areas with high seasonality have large clutch sizes (higher winter mortality results in a breeding population that is significantly lower than the environment's carrying capacity, and hence in extra resources for rearing chicks). However, additional data on seasonal changes in resource availability and population densities, combined with comparative data on survival and nest predation rates, are required to evaluate fully the mechanisms generating smaller clutches in the southern hemisphere. We discuss the potential determinants of geographical variation in the patterns of temporal variation in clutch size.
Acclimation of leaf respiration to temperature is rapid and related to specific leaf area, soluble sugars and leaf nitrogen across three temperate deciduous tree species
Authors: LEE T. D. , REICH P. B. , BOLSTAD P. V.
Published: August 2005

Rates of plant respiration are sensitive to temperature, and modulated by acclimation to prevailing temperature and adaptation to the climate of origin.

Our objective was to evaluate the rapidity and magnitude of acclimation of leaf respiration (Rd) to natural temperature events in field‐grown tree seedlings and to assess inter‐ and intraspecific variation across seasons and years.

We measured Rd and associated traits of seedlings of three temperate deciduous species, Quercus alba L., Quercus rubra L. and Acer rubrum L., growing in a common garden in St Paul, Minnesota, USA. Seedlings of each species were derived from populations spanning their range from cool/dry (Minnesota/Wisconsin) to warm/moist (North Carolina/Louisiana) regions.

Measurements at a common temperature (24 °C) were made during consecutive cool‐ and warm‐weather systems (differing by 7–10·5 °C) across two growing seasons.

R
d rates following the warmest temperatures were 62% lower, on average, than those following cool temperatures. There was little evidence that respiration per se, or its response to temperature, depended on adaptation to climate of origin.

Temperature, specific leaf area, and leaf soluble sugar and nitrogen concentrations were important predictors of Rd and together explained 77% of the variation across species and populations.

To predict forest CO2 exchange responses to global change accurately, parameters are needed that account for the acclimation of respiration to prevailing temperature.
On the separation of net ecosystem exchange into assimilation and ecosystem respiration: review and improved algorithm
Authors: Reichstein Markus , Falge Eva , Baldocchi Dennis , Papale Dario , Aubinet Marc , Berbigier Paul , Bernhofer Christian , Buchmann Nina , Gilmanov Tagir , Granier André , Grünwald Thomas , Havránková Katka , Ilvesniemi Hannu , Janous Dalibor , Knohl Alexander , Laurila Tuomas , Lohila Annalea , Loustau Denis , Matteucci Giorgio , Meyers Tilden , Miglietta Franco , Ourcival Jean‐Marc , Pumpanen Jukka , Rambal Serge , Rotenberg Eyal , Sanz Maria , Tenhunen John , Seufert Günther , Vaccari Francesco , Vesala Timo , Yakir Dan , Valentini Riccardo
Published: August 2005

This paper discusses the advantages and disadvantages of the different methods that separate net ecosystem exchange (NEE) into its major components, gross ecosystem carbon uptake (GEP) and ecosystem respiration (Reco). In particular, we analyse the effect of the extrapolation of night‐time values of ecosystem respiration into the daytime; this is usually done with a temperature response function that is derived from long‐term data sets. For this analysis, we used 16 one‐year‐long data sets of carbon dioxide exchange measurements from European and US‐American eddy covariance networks. These sites span from the boreal to Mediterranean climates, and include deciduous and evergreen forest, scrubland and crop ecosystems.

We show that the temperature sensitivity of Reco, derived from long‐term (annual) data sets, does not reflect the short‐term temperature sensitivity that is effective when extrapolating from night‐ to daytime. Specifically, in summer active ecosystems the long‐term temperature sensitivity exceeds the short‐term sensitivity. Thus, in those ecosystems, the application of a long‐term temperature sensitivity to the extrapolation of respiration from night to day leads to a systematic overestimation of ecosystem respiration from half‐hourly to annual time‐scales, which can reach >25% for an annual budget and which consequently affects estimates of GEP. Conversely, in summer passive (Mediterranean) ecosystems, the long‐term temperature sensitivity is lower than the short‐term temperature sensitivity resulting in underestimation of annual sums of respiration.

We introduce a new generic algorithm that derives a short‐term temperature sensitivity of Reco from eddy covariance data that applies this to the extrapolation from night‐ to daytime, and that further performs a filling of data gaps that exploits both, the covariance between fluxes and meteorological drivers and the temporal structure of the fluxes. While this algorithm should give less biased estimates of GEP and Reco, we discuss the remaining biases and recommend that eddy covariance measurements are still backed by ancillary flux measurements that can reduce the uncertainties inherent in the eddy covariance data.
Dynamic and complex microclimate responses to warming and grazing manipulations
Authors: Klein Julia A. , Harte John , Zhao Xin‐Quan
Published: August 2005

Synthesis efforts that identify patterns of ecosystem response to a suite of warming manipulations can make important contributions to climate change science. However, cross‐study comparisons are impeded by the paucity of detailed analyses of how passive warming and other manipulations affect microclimate. Here we document the independent and combined effects of a common passive warming manipulation, open‐top chambers (OTCs), and a simulated widespread land use, clipping, on microclimate on the Tibetan Plateau. OTCs consistently elevated growing season averaged mean daily air temperature by 1.0–2.0°C, maximum daily air temperature by 2.1–7.3°C and the diurnal air temperature range by 1.9–6.5°C, with mixed effects on minimum daily air temperature, and mean daily soil temperature and moisture. These OTC effects on microclimate differ from reported effects of a common active warming method, infrared heating, which has more consistent effects on soil than on air temperature. There were significant interannual and intragrowing season differences in OTC effects on microclimate. For example, while OTCs had mixed effects on growing season averaged soil temperatures, OTCs consistently elevated soil temperature by approximately 1.0°C early in the growing season. Nonadditive interactions between OTCs and clipping were also present: OTCs in clipped plots generally elevated air and soil temperatures more than OTCs in nonclipped plots. Moreover, site factors dynamically interacted with microclimate and with the efficacy of the OTC manipulations.

These findings highlight the need to understand differential microclimate effects between warming methods, within warming method across ecosystem sites, within warming method crossed with other treatments, and within sites over various timescales. Methods, sites and scales are potential explanatory variables and covariables in climate warming experiments. Consideration of this variability among and between experimental warming studies will lead to greater understanding and better prediction of ecosystem response to anthropogenic climate warming.
Metastatic neoplasms involving the ovary: a review with an emphasis on morphological and immunohistochemical features
Authors: McCluggage W G , Wilkinson N
Published: August 2005

The ovary is a common site of metastatic tumour. In many cases of ovarian metastasis there is a known history of malignancy but in other cases the ovarian tumour is the first manifestation of disease. In this review metastatic colorectal, appendiceal, gastric, breast, pancreatic and biliary tract, hepatocellular, renal, transitional and cervical carcinomas and metastatic malignant melanoma involving the ovary are discussed, as is the issue of synchronous ovarian and endometrial carcinomas. Peritoneal tumours, including primary peritoneal carcinoma, mesothelioma and intra‐abdominal desmoplastic small round cell tumour, involving the ovary are also discussed, together with a variety of other rare, metastatic ovarian neoplasms. Many metastatic adenocarcinomas involving the ovary, especially those exhibiting mucinous differentiation, closely mimic primary ovarian adenocarcinomas with morphologically bland areas simulating benign and borderline cystadenoma. This is referred to as a maturation phenomenon. In recent years immunohistochemistry, especially but not exclusively differential cytokeratin (CK7 and CK20) staining, has been widely used as an aid to distinguish between a primary and secondary ovarian adenocarcinoma. While immunohistochemistry undoubtedly has a valuable role to play and is paramount in diagnosis in some cases, the results must be interepreted with caution, especially in mucinous tumours, and within the relevant clinical context. We feel the significance of differential cytokeratin staining is not always understood by histopathologists and this can result in erroneous interpretation. We critically discuss the value of immunohistochemistry and associated pitfalls with each tumour type described.
Pubertal development in Danish children: comparison of recent European and US data
Authors: JUUL A. , TEILMANN G. , SCHEIKE T. , HERTEL N. T. , HOLM K. , LAURSEN E. M. , MAIN K. M. , SKAKKEBÆK N. E.
Published: August 2005

Two recent epidemiological studies (PROS and NHANES III) from the USA noted earlier sexual maturation in girls, leading to increased attention internationally to the age at onset of puberty. We studied the timing of puberty in a large cohort of healthy Danish children in order to evaluate differences between USA and Denmark, as well as to look for possible secular trends in pubertal development. Healthy Caucasian children from public schools in Denmark participated in the study which was carried out in 1991–1993. A total number of 826 boys and 1100 girls (aged 6.0–19.9 years) were included, and pubertal stages were assessed by clinical examination according to methods of Tanner. In boys testicular volume was determined using an orchidometer. We found that age at breast development 2 (B2) was 10.88 years, and mean menarcheal age was 13.42 years. Girls with body mass index (BMI) above the median had significantly earlier puberty (age at B2 10.42 years) compared with girls with BMI below the median (age at B2 11.24 years, p < 0.0001). Similarly, menarcheal age was significantly lower in girls with BMI above the median compared with girls with BMI below the median (13.12 vs. 13.70 years, p = 0.0012). In Danish boys we found that age at genital stage 2 (G2) was 11.83 years. Both sexes were significantly taller compared with data from 1964, but timing of pubertal maturation seemed unaltered. Finally, puberty occurred much later in Denmark compared with recent data from USA. We could not detect any downwards secular trend in the timing of puberty in Denmark between 1964 and 1991–1993 as seen in the US. Obesity certainly plays a role in the timing of puberty, but the marked differences between Denmark and USA cannot be attributed exclusively to differences in BMI. A possible role of other factors like genetic polymorphisms, nutrition, physical activity or endocrine disrupting chemicals must therefore also be considered. Therefore, we believe it is crucial to monitor the pubertal development closely in Denmark in the coming decades.
The marine East Indies: diversity and speciation
Authors: Briggs John C.
Published: August 2005

Aim  To discuss the impact of new diversity information and to utilize recent findings on modes of speciation in order to clarify the evolutionary significance of the East Indies Triangle.

Location  The Indo‐Pacific Ocean.

Methods  Analysis of information on species diversity, distribution patterns and speciation for comparative purposes.

Results  Information from a broad‐scale survey of Indo‐Pacific fishes has provided strong support for the theory that the East Indies Triangle has been operating as a centre of origin. It has become apparent that more than two‐thirds of the reef fishes inhabiting the Indo‐Pacific are represented in the Triangle. An astounding total of 1111 species, more than are known from the entire tropical Atlantic, were reported from one locality on the small Indonesian island of Flores. New information on speciation modes indicates that the several unique characteristics of the East Indian fauna are probably due to the predominance of competitive (sympatric) speciation.

Main conclusions  It is proposed that, within the East Indies, the high species diversity, the production of dominant species, and the presence of newly formed species, are due to natural selection being involved in reproductive isolation, the first step in the sympatric speciation process. In contrast, speciation in the peripheral areas is predominately allopatric. Species formed by allopatry are the direct result of barriers to gene flow. In this case, reproductive isolation may be seen as a physical process that does not involve natural selection. Allopatric species formation often takes millions of years, while the sympatric process is generally much faster. Following species formation, dispersal from the East Indies appears to take place according to the centrifugal hypothesis.
Montane Andean rain forests are a global diversity hotspot of geometrid moths
Authors: Brehm Gunnar , Pitkin Linda M. , Hilt Nadine , Fiedler Konrad
Published: August 2005

Aim  Andean forests are known to be a major diversity hotspot for vascular plants and vertebrates, but virtually nothing is known about the diversity of arthropods. We examined whether montane rain forests in southern Ecuador are also a diversity hotspot for arthropods, and chose geometrid moths as a model group.

Location  The study area in southern Ecuador (Province Zamora‐Chinchipe, 79° W, 04° S) covers c. 40 km2, with 39 collecting sites within an elevational range of 1040–2677 m a.s.l. Thirty‐five of the sites were situated in an area c. 2.5 km2. Additional qualitative sampling was carried out in the same area and up to an elevation of 3100 m.

Methods  Nocturnal moths were collected quantitatively and qualitatively using portable light towers consisting of two 15 W fluorescent tubes, and diurnal moths were collected qualitatively using an insect net. Insects were sampled in six fieldwork periods in the years 1999–2003. As diversity measures, Fisher's alpha of the log‐series distribution as well as eight estimators of total species richness were applied.

Results  A total of 1266 species were recorded, 63% of which were identified to named species, whereas the remainder are likely to include many undescribed species. Quantitative samples at light towers collected 35,238 specimens representing 1223 species. The extrapolated species number for these data is 1420 (incidence coverage estimator). Twenty‐one additional nocturnal species and 22 exclusively diurnal species were sampled qualitatively at elevations between 1040 and 3100 m. The pooled value of Fisher's alpha for all quantitative samples is 246 ± 3.

Main conclusions  The diversity of Geometridae documented here is much higher than anywhere else in the world, even without the inclusion of additional species from adjacent lowland rain forests. The number of recorded species in this small area corresponds to more than 6% of the known world fauna of geometrid moths. Our study emphasizes the importance of protecting the remaining montane Andean rain forests. For setting priorities in conservation, more studies on insect diversity are urgently required in other regions of the Andes, since montane forests are being destroyed at an alarming rate.
Phenotypic differences between electrocardiographic and echocardiographic determination of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in genetically affected subjects
Authors: KONNO T. , SHIMIZU M. , INO H. , FUJINO N. , HAYASHI K. , UCHIYAMA K. , KANEDA T. , INOUE M. , MASUDA E. , MABUCHI H.
Published: August 2005

Objectives.  In the molecular era, two types of phenotypic differences are recognized between electrocardiography (ECG) and echocardiography in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM); ECG abnormalities in carriers without left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), and normal ECG patterns in carriers with LVH. The goal of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of ECG for detecting carriers without LVH, and also to assess normal ECG patterns in carriers with LVH from the genetic standpoint of HCM.

Setting.  A matched case–control study in a university hospital and general hospitals in Japan.

Patients and design.  ECG and echocardiographic findings were analysed in 173 genotyped subjects (107 genetically affected, 66 unaffected) from families with disease‐causing mutations in four genes.

Results.  ECG abnormalities were found in 18 (54.5%) of 33 nonhypertrophic carriers, but only nine (13.6%) of 66 noncarriers (P < 0.001). For detecting nonhypertrophic carriers, ST‐T abnormalities showed the highest accuracy amongst the three major ECG criteria. In contrast, normal ECG patterns were found in eight (10.8%) of 74 carriers with LVH. The sensitivity of ECG for detecting carriers with LVH in families with the cardiac myosin‐binding protein C, cardiac troponin T and cardiac troponin I gene mutations was 83%, 88% and 94% respectively.

Conclusion.  These findings suggest that ECG may have favourable diagnostic value even for detecting nonhypertrophic carriers. Furthermore, diagnostic value of ECG may differ according to the genes involved. Our data may contribute to interpretation of phenotypic differences between ECG and echocardiography from the viewpoint of molecular genetics of HCM.
Current treatment strategies for pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: LEE S. H. , RUBIN L. J.
Published: August 2005

Abstract.  Lee SH, Rubin LJ (University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA). Current treatment strategies for pulmonary arterial hypertension (Review). J Intern Med 2005; 258: 199–215.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a disease characterized by an elevation in pulmonary artery pressure that can lead to right ventricular failure and death. Although there is no cure for PAH, newer medical therapies have been shown to improve a variety of clinically relevant end‐points including survival, exercise tolerance, functional class, haemodynamics, echocardiographic parameters and quality of life measures. Since the introduction of continuous intravenous prostacyclin, the treatment armamentarium of approved drugs for PAH has expanded to include prostacyclin analogues with differing routes of administration, a dual endothelin receptor antagonist, and a phosphodiesterase‐5 inhibitor. Selective endothelin‐A receptor antagonists have shown promise in clinical trials and are likely to be added to the list of options. As the number of medications available for PAH continues to increase, treatment decisions regarding first‐line therapy, combination treatments, and add‐on strategies are becoming more complex. This article reviews the current treatments strategies for PAH and provides guidelines for its management.
Circulating adiponectin reflects severity of liver disease but not insulin sensitivity in liver cirrhosis
Authors: KASER S. , MOSCHEN A. , KASER A. , LUDWICZEK O. , EBENBICHLER C. F. , VOGEL W. , JASCHKE W. , PATSCH J. R. , TILG H.
Published: August 2005

Background.  The adipocytokine adiponectin has been proposed to play important roles in the regulation of energy homeostasis, insulin sensitivity and shows anti‐inflammatory properties.

Aim.  In this study we investigated the role of circulating adiponectin in different chronic liver diseases, its regulation by systemic anti‐tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α treatment and its hepatic metabolism.

Patients and methods.  Plasma adiponectin levels were determined in 87 patients with liver cirrhosis of different aetiologies, seven patients with alcoholic steatohepatitis undergoing systemic anti‐TNF‐α treatment, in 11 patients with liver cirrhosis receiving transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt implantation and in 21 healthy controls.

Results.  Adiponectin levels were significantly higher in all subjects with liver cirrhosis of different aetiologies when compared with healthy controls and increased dependent on Child‐Pugh classification. In subjects with alcoholic steatohepatitis, systemic anti‐TNF‐α treatment caused a significant decrease in circulating adiponectin. Adiponectin concentrations were similar in portal, hepatic and peripheral veins. No correlation between adiponectin levels and insulin resistance was found in any patient group.

Conclusions.  Our data suggest that circulating adiponectin is increased in liver cirrhosis independent of the aetiology of liver disease. We suggest that high adiponectin levels in chronic liver disease might reflect one of the body's anti‐inflammatory mechanisms in chronic liver diseases.
How to obtain a bloodmeal without being eaten by a host: the case of poultry red mite, Dermanyssus gallinae
Authors: Kilpinen Ole
Published: August 2005

Abstract.  The behavioural responses of the poultry red mite, Dermanyssus gallinae, to three host‐related stimuli, vibration, heat and CO2, are studied in light and dark. Although D. gallinae usually feeds on host‐blood at night, it can also be day active after a few days of starvation. However, the immediate response of the mites to CO2 in daylight is to freeze and remain motionless. Even with simultaneous presentation of an activating stimulus (heat), the mites freeze in response to CO2. In the case of subsequent vibrations, they start moving but only for the duration of the vibrations. After 2 min, the freezing response disappears and the level of activity is significantly higher than for mites stimulated with vibrations alone. The freezing response is interpreted as a defence against being eaten by the host that apparently is close enough to breathe on the mites. At low‐light intensities, where the birds are unable to see the mites, there is no freezing response, but only a synergistic effect of heat and vibration on the level of activity. The frequency of vibration most efficient in eliciting movement during the freezing response is found at 2 kHz with a threshold value of 35 µm s−1 peak‐peak, suggesting that D. gallinae is more sensitive to substrate‐borne vibrations than some insects (e.g. honeybees) known to use vibrations for intraspecific communication.
The effect of constant darkness on the content of adipokinetic hormone, adipokinetic response and walking activity in macropterous females of Pyrrhocoris apterus (L.)
Authors: Kodrík Dalibor , Socha RADOMíR , SyrovÁ Zdeňka , Zemek Rostislav
Published: August 2005

Abstract.  Changes in the content of adipokinetic hormone (AKH), the adipokinetic response and the walking activity of 10‐day‐old adult macropterous females of the firebug, Pyrrhocoris apterus (L.), reared under long‐day (LD) photoperiod (LD 18 : 6 h) are compared with those exposed for 3 days to constant darkness (DD). Diel changes of all the parameters studied in LD females persist in females kept in constant dark. A positive correlation exists between diel changes of AKH content in the central nervous system (CNS) in the LD and DD females, and a negative correlation in the AKH level in haemolymph and walking activity. In addition, there is a positive correlation between diel changes of AKH level in haemolymph and walking activity in macropterous females reared under LD conditions, as well as in those transferred to constant darkness. The data suggest that there is some feedback between the release of AKH from CNS into the haemolymph and walking activity in macropterous females. Preliminary studies on the simultaneous expression of mRNA for the period gene and a positive reaction to an antibody against AKH in the same corpus cardiacum cells suggest that the period gene may be involved in regulating the AKH content in this gland.
Neo‐liberalism and the pathologising of public issues: The displacement of feminist service models in domestic violence support services
Authors: McDonald John
Published: August 2005

Using domestic violence support services as a case study, this paper examines how the ascendancy of neo‐liberalism has individualised and pathologised public issues. Four perspectives are identified that have been influential in understanding the causes of domestic violence, determining responses to it and measuring the effectiveness of support services. These four perspectives may be categorised as: (i) victim‐blaming; (ii) social movement; (iii) empowerment; and (iv) pathologising. From analysing the standard outcome measures currently used for government‐funded accommodation programs, the author contends that the pathologising perspective dominates. This is partly attributable to the inherent methodological and ethical issues in evaluating programs of this nature. However, it is primarily driven by the ascendancy of a neo‐liberal, managerialist ideology that has depoliticised and clinicalised domestic violence. This has effectively silenced structural analyses of domestic violence and displaced feminist service models.
Impact of a social work residential care team on the discharge of hospitalised patients
Authors: Leahy Debra A. , Lording Penny
Published: August 2005

The Melbourne Health (MH) Social Work Residential Care Team (RCT) was established in 2002 as a new and innovative approach to aged care. The service employs three full‐time social workers and an Allied Health assistant with previous experience in aged care. The RCT works across the MH continuum of care with inpatients recommended for residential care. The service is predominantly patient‐ and family‐focused, but is also consultative to meet the education needs of MH staff and the community. This paper discusses the MH Social Work Residential Care model, reviews data collected since RCT implementation and the benefits shown for patients, their families and interdisciplinary staff. This paper discusses pressures and factors that impinge on the ability to discharge patients to residential care and explores recommendations for ongoing clinical practice as well as recommendations that the RCT has submitted to management for further consideration.
Pathological prognostic indicators in cervical cancer with particular reference to patients under the age of 40 years
Authors: BUCKLEY C. H. , BEARDS C. S. , FOX H.
Published: August 2005

Summary. The presence of lymph node metastases in patients with cervical cancer is an important predictor of death and recurrence of disease. Lymph node metastases are more common in patients with mucus‐secreting carcinomas than in women with pure squamous carcinomas even in what appears, clinically, to be early stage disease: such neoplasms are more frequent in women under the age of 40 years. The recognition of mucus secretion in a carcinoma and the detection of vascular permeation adjacent to the primary neoplasm identifies the patient at greatest risk of having pelvic lymph node metastases.
Fetal heart rate monitoring by telephone. II. Clinical experience in four centres with a commercially produced system
Authors: JAMES D. , PERALTA B. , PORTER S. , DARVILL D. , WALKER J. , McCALL M. , CALDER A. , O'BRIEN S. , BEVERIDGE R. , LIU D. , SHELTON L. , JUSTICE T. , STANGER D.
Published: August 2005

Summary. A commercially produced domiciliary fetal monitoring (DFM) system was assessed in four centres in the UK (Bristol, Glasgow, London and Nottingham) chosen to allow for comprehensive assessment in various settings in many different women. Overall, 825 recordings were made from 368 women (2·24 per woman). There were 56 unsuccessful attempts at transmission (6·8%), most were due to problems with telephone equipment. The system worked most efficiently when a dedicated direct line was used. The data transmission time varied between 40 and 60 s. The median telephone time (including data transmission and conversation) with a dedicated direct line was 7min. Mean acceptance times from the four centres were between 70 and 80%. All recordings with acceptance times of 40% or more were interpretable. Ten recordings were abnormal. The women and midwives were equally proficient at using the DFM system. The DFM system represents an important addition to current methods of fetal assessment. Specific guidelines are outlined.
Does impaired glucose tolerance imply a risk in pregnancy?
Authors: AL‐SHAWAF TALHA , MOGHRABY SALAH , AKIEL ABDULLAH
Published: August 2005

Summary. Of 218 pregnant women with abnormal glucose tolerance by the criteria of the World Health Organization (1985) 81·2% had impaired glucose tolerance and 18·8% gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetic women were of higher parity, more obese, required insulin therapy more often, had more babies weighing >4 kg and had higher fasting plasma glucose than women with impaired glucose tolerance. Women with gestational impaired glucose tolerance were older, of higher parity, more obese and had heavier babies than pregnant women with a normal screening plasma glucose. Compared with women with impaired glucose tolerance, gestational diabetic women were more likely to have abnormality, and more severe impairment of their glucose tolerance test in the puerperium.
Gonococcal and chlamydial antibodies in ectopic and intrauterine pregnancy
Authors: ROBERTSON J. N. , HOGSTON P. , WARD M. E.
Published: August 2005

Summary. Sera from 50 women with ectopic pregnancy and 50 agematched control women with intrauterine pregnancy were tested by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae pili as antigens. In the ectopic pregnancy group 76% had IgG antibodies to C. trachomatis compared with 38% in the controls. The prevalence of gonococcal IgG antibody was 32% in the ectopic pregnancy group and 4% in the controls. The prevalences of IgA antibodies to the two organisms ranged from 2 to 12% and were similar in the two groups; cultures for C. trachomatis from cervical swabs from the ectopic pregnancy group were negative. Chlamydial antigen was detected (by ELISA) in exfoliated cervical cells of only one patient in this group.
Genetic amniocentesis in twin pregnancies
Authors: PIJPERS L. , JAHODA M. G. J. , VOSTERS R. P. L. , NIERMEIJER M. F. , SACHS E. S.
Published: August 2005

Summary. Eighty‐three patients with twin pregnancies were seen at the University Hospital of Rotterdam between 1 January 1980 and 31 August 1985 for prenatal genetic studies. No abnormal karyotypes were found. Amniotic fluid was successfully obtained from both amniotic sacs in 77 patients. In two pregnancies elevated levels of alpha‐fetoprotein (AEP) were found in both sacs. One of these pregnancies was terminated and the other continued until term. One pregnancy miscarried 4 weeks after amniocentesis at 19 weeks gestation; three women were delivered between 23 and 28 weeks, 36 at between 28 and 37 weeks and 42 women after 37 weeks. The perinatal mortality rate was 55/1000 (9 of 164). These results show that genetic amniocentesis is a safe and reliable technique in twin pregnancy but the interpretation of elevated AFP levels is complicated by the fact that AFP diffuses across the amniotic membranes between the two sacs.
Topographical distribution of prostaglandin E receptors in human myometrium
Authors: ADELANTADO J. M. , BERNAL A. LÓPEZ , TURNBULL A. C.
Published: August 2005

Summary. The binding of radiolabelled prostaglandin (PG) F2α and PGE2 by human myometrium was measured in vitro and the distribution and characteristics of the binding sites in non‐pregnant and pregnant uteri were studied. PGF2α binding sites were of low affinity (Kd 30 nM) and could be occupied by PG of the E series with higher affinity than PGF2α itself. PGE binding sites were of high affinity (Kd 1·5 nM) and highly specific for PG of the E series, suggesting that they represent true PGE receptors. The concentration of PGE receptors was higher in nonpregnant than in pregnant uteri at term. In non‐pregnant uteri the concentration of PGE receptors was highest in the fundus and decreased towards the cervix; in term pregnant uteri the concentration was constant in all areas. In both non‐pregnant and pregnant uteri there was a significantly lower PGE binding affinity in cervix than in myometrium from the fundus‐corpus area. The concentrations and affinity of PGE receptors were similar during the proliferative and secretory phases of the menstrual cycle and were not influenced by age of the patient. PGE receptors were not influenced by the presence or absence of primary dysmcnorrhoca but appeared to be increased in unexplained menorrhagia.