bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oxidation rate of pyrite in acid sulfate soils: in situ measurements and modelling
Authors: Cook F. J. , Dobos S. K. , Carlin G. D. , Millar G. E.
Published: September 2004

The generation of acidity from oxidation of pyrite in acid sulfate soils requires the transport of oxygen into the soil profile. The sink for this oxygen will not only be the chemical reaction with pyrite but the biological processes associated with both microbial and plant respiration. The biological sinks in burning the oxygen (O2) will release CO2. The respiratory quotient which is the molar volume ratio of O2 : CO2 varies between 1.3 and 0.7 depending on the source of the organic matter being oxidised, but is generally 1.0. The oxidation of pyrite by oxygen will, by comparison with the biological processes, produce minor amounts of CO2 (if any) by reaction with intrinsic carbonate minerals. Gas samplers were installed into the soil at various depths and samples collected from these at approximately fortnightly intervals. The samples were analysed by gas chromatography and the CO2 and O2 profiles obtained. The flux of these gases was calculated and the difference between these attributed to the oxidation of pyrite. The flux difference varied over the period of sampling and on average gave an in situ oxidation rate of 11.5 tonnes H2SO4/ha.year. This is considerably more that the rate of export of acidity from this site and would explain the considerable actual acidity storage in these soils. A model is developed for steady state transport of oxygen into soils with an exponentially decreasing biological sink with depth and an exponentially increasing chemical (pyrite) sink with depth. The model is developed in non-dimensional variables, which allows the relative strengths and rates of increase or decrease in sink terms to be explored. This model does not explicitly treat the flow of oxygen in macropores. Other models that do explicitly calculate macropore flow are compared and found to give similar results. These results suggest that the use of biological or other sinks near the soil surface could be a useful method for reducing the oxidation rate of pyrite in acid sulfate soils.
Soil pH, oxygen availability, and the rate of sulfide oxidation in acid sulfate soil materials: implications for environmental hazard assessment
Authors: Ward Nicholas J. , Sullivan Leigh A. , Bush Richard T.
Published: September 2004

The potential environmental hazard of acid sulfate soil (ASS) materials is directly related to both the net acidity and the rate that actual acidity is released from these soil materials into the environment. While current environmental hazard assessment techniques for ASS materials are able to quantify the net acidity, they do not take account of differences in the rate of sulfide oxidation (the dominant source of actual acidity) and differences in the rate of acidification. In this study the rate of sulfide oxidation during incubation was examined for 4 ASS materials. The effect of pH and oxygen availability on the rate of sulfide oxidation was assessed. The ASS materials were incubated in: (i) gauze where oxygen diffusion was not restricted, and (ii) sealed 100-µm-thick plastic bags which greatly limited oxygen diffusion. When oxygen diffusion was not restricted, an accelerated oxidation of sulfide occurred when the pH decreased below pH 4.0. The accelerated rate of sulfide oxidation at such low pH did not occur when oxygen diffusion was limited. This study indicates that the initial pH of an ASS material is a useful additional indicator of the potential environmental hazard of an ASS material when oxygen is expected to be non-limiting, such as when ASS materials are excavated and stockpiled. The recommended action criteria need to be reassessed, as the data indicate that the current criteria are conservative for alkaline and neutral ASS materials, but should be lowered for all acidic ASS materials (i.e. pH <5.5) to 0.03% sulfide regardless of texture.
Urban Spatial Development in the Land Policy Reform Era: Evidence from Beijing
Authors: Ding Chengri
Published: September 2004

This paper examines the characteristics of urban spatial development in Beijing and identifies the extent to which these characteristics can be attributed to the emerging land market in Beijing as well as the impact of land policy reform. Based on the observations of land use rights granted from 1993 to the first half of 2000 in the built-up area of Beijing, empirical analyses illustrate that both land prices and land development density decrease with distance to the city core. It further provides evidence that the slope of the land rent curve also depends on land use types. This leads to the conclusion that the land market influences land development decisions and urban form. Finally, it shows that the slope of the land rent curve and the elasticity of land-capital substitution change over time. The former declines, as expected. This is because Beijing's massive investments in transport have reduced transport costs, which in turn has shifted the land rent curve. The latter rises, implying the price effect on land development density. Both changes—in land rent function and the elasticity of land-capital substitution-point to the maturing of the Beijing land market. It should be mentioned that there are enormous land developments outside the land market (land development on administratively allocated land). These developments can significantly distort urban land use patterns portrayed through this study.
Ethnoscapes as Spectacle: Reimaging Multicultural Districts as New Destinations for Leisure and Tourism Consumption
Authors: Shaw Stephen , Bagwell Susan , Karmowska Joanna
Published: September 2004

Neo-liberalism may intensify competition, not only between, but also within cities, as local authorities collaborate with commercial and third-sector organisations to nurture emerging visitor economies. This article considers reimaging strategies that trade upon features of the place-product that include ethnic cuisine, street markets and festivals, set against the backdrop of an exoticised urban landscape. Through longitudinal case studies of two multicultural districts in east London, the authors examine the public policy rationale for their selection and redefinition as new destinations for leisure and tourism, identifying the key agents of change and the range of techniques used to market ethnic and cultural difference. This leads to a critical discussion of the issues arising for urban governance and the reconciliation of their role as social and commercial hubs for minority groups, with the accommodation of high-spending leisure consumers from the dominant culture and, in some cases, international tourists.
Global Business Services in Moscow: Patterns of Involvement
Authors: Gritsai Olga
Published: September 2004

The article is focused on the activity of the global business services companies in Moscow and the patterns of their embeddedness in the local economy. The research findings indicate: the growing role of Moscow as a focus of global corporate networks and strong links between foreign and national capital; three basic strategies of involvement in the Russian economy, specific for certain sectors of business services; a much stronger gateway function of Moscow for professional services than for the financial sector; the continuing central role of Russia at the national scale and partly at the supranational scale (within the post-Soviet space), where it is challenged by some national capitals and the complete loss of central position within eastern Europe.
Urban Broadband Internet Policies in Europe: A Critical Review
Authors: van Winden Willem , Woets Paulus
Published: September 2004

For many reasons, cities and regions in Europe play an increasingly active role in providing and/or promoting broadband access to the Internet. This article describes and analyses local policy interventions in the broadband infrastructure market and presents a typology of four different kinds of policy. For each policy type, the cities' objectives and rationale for intervening in the broadband market are described. Subsequently, a critical analysis is made of the alleged benefits of broadband policies and the associated risks and costs are discussed.
Lymph Node Fibroblastic Reticular Cells Construct the Stromal Reticulum via Contact with Lymphocytes
Authors: Katakai Tomoya , Hara Takahiro , Sugai Manabu , Gonda Hiroyuki , Shimizu Akira
Published: September 2004

The sophisticated microarchitecture of the lymph node, which is largely supported by a reticular network of fibroblastic reticular cells (FRCs) and extracellular matrix, is essential for immune function. How FRCs form the elaborate network and remodel it in response to lymphocyte activation is not understood. In this work, we established ERTR7+gp38+VCAM-1+ FRC lines and examined the production of the ER-TR7 antigen. Multiple chemokines produced by FRCs induced T cell and dendritic cell chemotaxis and adhesion to the FRC surface. FRCs can secrete the ER-TR7 antigen as an extracellular matrix component to make a reticular meshwork in response to contact with lymphocytes. The formation of the meshwork is induced by stimulation with tumor necrosis factor-α or lymphotoxin-α in combination with agonistic antibody to lymphotoxin-β receptor in a nuclear factor-κB (RelA)–dependent manner. These findings suggest that signals from lymphocytes induce FRCs to form the network that supports the movement and interactions of immune effectors within the lymph node.
Behavioural and electrophysiological responses by reproductive femaleNeogobius melanostomusto odours released by conspecific males
Authors: Belanger A. J. , Arbuckle W. J. , Corkum L. D. , Gammon D. B. , Li W. , Scott A. P. , Zielinski B. S.
Published: September 2004

Behavioural and electrophysiological responses of reproductive and non‐reproductive female round gobiesNeogobius melanostomusto water previously occupied by male round gobies (reproductive male water) were compared. Reproductive females spent more time than non‐reproductive females in a tank near the input of water conditioned from reproductive males. Also, reproductive females swam significantly faster than non‐reproductive females, suggesting that reproductive male odour may have activated spawning behaviour. Olfactory epithelial field potential measurement (electro‐olfactogram, EOG) showed that reproductive male water was a potent olfactory stimulus to reproductive females, but not to non‐reproductive females. Reproductive females responded significantly more than non‐reproductive females to solid‐phase (octadecylsilane) extracts of reproductive male water. Also, when these extracts were separated on reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), reproductive females showed noticeably greater responses than non‐reproductive females to the fractions that eluted between 30 and 40 min. The behavioural data support the hypothesis that reproductive male round gobies release compounds into the water that attract potential mates. The EOG data indicate that these compounds can be quantitatively extracted from the water and be partially purified by HPLC. The evidence is not sufficient to indicate whether or not the compounds are steroids. The relatively early elution time on HPLC, however, suggests that if these compounds are steroids, then it is more likely that they will be conjugated rather than free steroids.
Behavioural patterns of sea lampreys’ spawning migration through difficult passage areas, studied by electromyogram telemetry
Authors: Quintella B. R. , Andrade N. O. , Koed A. , Almeida P. R.
Published: September 2004

Electromyogram telemetry (EMG) was used to study the behaviour of sea lamprey Petromyzon marinus during migration through difficult passage areas. When swimming on stretches free from obstacles, the EMG values of sea lampreys showed a constant pattern of activity. Conversely, when negotiating difficult passage areas their behaviour were characterized by alternating between short bursts of intense activity (i.e. burst movements) and periods of motionless rest during which sea lampreys attached to convenient structures by means of the oral sucker. During blockstone weirs negotiation, tagged sea lampreys spent on average 23% of the time swimming rapidly by means of multiple bouts of burst movements of 31 s duration. To recover from each burst movement, the sea lampreys spent on average 2 min 25 s resting. Sea lampreys seemed affected by increasing fatigue, which probably resulted from initiating a new burst movement without fully recovering physiologically from the previous efforts.
Short‐term survival and movements of Atlantic sharpnose sharks captured by hook‐and‐line in the north‐east Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Gurshin C. W. D. , Szedlmayer S. T.
Published: September 2004

Ultrasonic telemetry was used to compare post‐release survival and movements of Atlantic sharpnose sharks Rhizoprionodon terraenovae in a coastal area of the north‐east Gulf of Mexico. Ten fish were caught with standardized hook‐and‐line gear during June to October 1999. Atlantic sharpnose sharks were continuously tracked after release for periods of 0·75 to 5·90 h and their positions recorded at a median interval of 9 min. Individual rate of movement was the mean of all distance and time measurements for each fish. Mean ± s.e. individual rate of movement was 0·45 ± 0·06 total lengths per second (LT s−1) and ranged from 0·28 to 0·92 LT s−1 over all fish. Movement patterns did not differ between jaw and internally hooked Atlantic sharpnose sharks. Individual rate of movement was inversely correlated with bottom water temperature at capture (r2 = 0·52, P ≤ 0·05). No consistent direction in movement was detected for Atlantic sharpnose sharks after release, except that they avoided movement towards shallower areas. Capture‐release survival was high (90%), with only one fish not surviving, i.e. this particular fish stopped movement for a period of 10 min. Total rate of movement was total distance over total time (m min−1) for each Atlantic sharpnose shark. Mean total rate of movement was significantly higher immediately after release at 21·5 m min−1 over the first 1·5 h of tracking, then decreased to 11·2 m min−1 over 1·5–6 h, and 7·7 m min−1 over 3–6 h (P ≤ 0·002), which suggested initial post‐release stress but quick recovery from capture. Thus, high survival (90%) and quick recovery indicate that the practice of catch‐and‐release would be a viable method to reduce capture mortality for R. terraenovae.
Female mating preferences for colourful males in a population of guppies subject to high predation
Authors: Evans J. P. , Bisazza A. , Pilastro A.
Published: September 2004

Female guppies Poecilia reticulata descended from the Tacarigua population in Trinidad subject to high predation exhibited strong preferences for males with relatively high levels of carotenoid colouration. The study, which controlled for differences in male courtship, revealed that mate choice in this population is based on the expression of orange pigmentation, irrespective of differences in male motivation.
Early gonadal development and primary males in the protogynous epinepheline, Cephalopholis boenak
Authors: Liu M. , Sadovy Y.
Published: September 2004

Early gonadal development of the protogynous epinepheline, Cephalopholis boenak, was examined histologically in 289 specimens with standard length (LS) of 42–130 mm, collected from May 2000 to April 2002 in Hong Kong waters, to determine male developmental pathways and establish its sexual pattern. All juvenile gonads developed an ovarian lumen with primary‐growth stage oocytes and scattered spermatogenic tissue prior to sexual differentiation and first sexual maturation. From this bisexual phase containing both female and male tissues, some gonads differentiated as ovaries with further oocyte growth to cortical‐alveolus and vitellogenic stages, the rest differentiated as testes with the proliferation of spermatogenic tissue and the formation of a sperm sinus. All testes retained the lumen and primary‐growth stage oocytes, and sperm sinuses ran within the gonad wall. Unlike most protogynous species, among functional males it was impossible to distinguish those resulting from juveniles through sexual differentiation (i.e. primary male) from those resulting from functional females through sex change (i.e. secondary male) based solely on testicular morphology. A proportion‐spermatogenic‐tissue index (IST) was, therefore, developed and determined to be a reliable quantitative indicator for distinguishing differentiating, primary males before a sperm sinus was evident, from differentiating females during sexual differentiation. Since sexually transitional specimens with the concominant appearance of degenerating vitellogenic, or later, stage oocytes and spermatogenic tissue in the gonads were previously noted from Hong Kong, diandric, protogynous hermaphroditism is confirmed in C. boenak. For species, such as this and other epinephelines, in which all males have the same testicular morphology, a complete analysis of a wide range of body sizes from juveniles to adults is necessary for understanding male developmental pathways, and determining sexual pattern.
Occurrence of keratinization in the structures associated with lips of a hill stream fish Garra lamta(Hamilton)(Cyprinidae, Cypriniformes)
Authors: Pinky  , Mittal S. , Yashpal M. , Ojha J. , Mittal A. K.
Published: September 2004

Keratinized regions were found to occur in the rostral cap, adhesive pad and horny jaw sheaths associated with the lips of Garra lamta, which inhabits fast flowing turbulent hill streams. In these structures, the surface epithelial cells were modified into characteristic keratinized spine‐like or columnar tooth‐like unculi, which would provide firm anchorage for the fish on the substratum and assist the fish in browsing or scraping food materials from it.
A dual enzyme method for the establishment of long‐ and medium‐term primary cultures of epithelial and fibroblastic cells from Atlantic salmon gills
Authors: Butler R. , Nowak B. F.
Published: September 2004

A dual enzyme disaggregation method using collagenase and then trypsin was developed that allowed the reproducible initiation of primary cultures from Atlantic salmon Salmo salar gills. Cultures had both epithelial and fibroblast morphology and persisted for an average of 20 passages. Growth was dependent upon a minimum concentration of 5% foetal calf serum (FCS) for fibroblasts and 10% FCS for epithelial cells. Growth was mostly independent of substrate, although epithelial cells showed increased growth on type I collagen gels. Matrigel™ cell culture substrate produced reduced growth of fibroblasts and did not benefit epithelial cell growth. Epithelial cells reacted with monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against mammalian cytokeratins, and fibroblast cells reacted with MAbs against mammalian fibronectin and type I collagen. The method also produced two long‐term cultures: one epithelial and one fibroblast that have been designated RGE‐2 and RGF respectively.
Genetic differences between two sympatric morphs of Arctic charr confirmed by microsatellite DNA
Authors: Westgaard J. I. , Klemetsen A. , Knudsen R.
Published: September 2004

Significant genetic differences (FST = 0·032) were found between littoral and profundal morphs of Arctic charr Salvelinus alpinus from Fjellfrøsvatn, northern Norway, using microsatellite DNA analysis. The morphs had strong reproductive isolation in time and space; the segregation of a separate profundal morph is rare in postglacial lakes.
The dynamic interplay between Western medicine and the complementary and alternative medicine movement: how activists perceive a range of responses from physicians and hospitals
Authors: Goldner Melinda
Published: September 2004

Scholars must examine the dynamic relationship between activists and organisational actors, because all social movements interact in some way with the institutions they seek to change, and because activists engage in ongoing attempts to shape these interactions. Using data from the complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) movement in California and hospitals in New York and Massachusetts, I identify how physicians and hospitals respond to the CAM movement, and how activists perceive each response.

 Using social movement and institutional theories, this study illustrates that social movements can penetrate and reshape formal organisations, because established organisations have permeable boundaries. Organisational responses to activism can take the form of avoidance, compromise, acquiescence, manipulation or defiance. Activists vary in their response to these outcomes, because activists are not unanimous in their goals. These outcomes result from continual negotiation between CAM activists and organisational actors, and within each group. Thus, the outcomes are constantly evolving.
Uneasy allies: pro‐choice physicians, feminist health activists and the struggle for abortion rights
Authors: Joffe C.E. , Weitz T.A. , Stacey C.L.
Published: September 2004

Abortion represents a particularly interesting subject for a social movements analysis of healthcare issues because of the involvement of both feminist pro‐choice activists and a segment of the medical profession. Although both groups have long shared the same general goal of legal abortion, the alliance has over time been an uneasy one, and in many ways a contradictory one. This paper traces points of convergence as well as points of contention between the two groups, specifically: highlighting the tensions between the feminist view of abortion as a women‐centred service, with a limited, ‘technical’ role for the physicians, and the abortion‐providing physicians’ logic of further medicalization/professional upgrading of abortion services as a response to the longstanding marginality and stigmatisation of abortion providers. Only by noting the evolving relationships between these two crucial sets of actors can one fully understand the contemporary abortion rights movement. We conclude by speculating about similar patterns in medical/lay relationships in other health social movements where ‘dissident doctors’ and lay activists are similarly seeking recognition for medical services that are controversial.
Framing as a cultural resource in health social movements: funding activism and the breast cancer movement in the US 1990–1993
Authors: Kolker Emily S.
Published: September 2004

Disease‐specific funding activism in the US has required health social movements (HSMs) to draw on both structural and cultural resources in order to persuade audiences and to redefine dominant conceptions of disease. Using a social constructionist analysis of Congressional testimony and media accounts of breast cancer funding activism between 1990–1993, this paper demonstrates that the use of culturally resonant frames served as an important cultural resource for breast cancer activists in the early 1990s. The breast cancer movement's use of three interconnected and culturally resonant frames aided the movement in redefining breast cancer as a problem of individual women to a major public health problem in need of governmental attention. This research contributes to both social movement and HSM scholarship by demonstrating that cultural resources, in the form of movement frames, are as central to social movement analysis as structural resources.
The Effect of Iron on the Expression of Cytokines in Macrophages Infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Serafín‐López J. , Chacón‐Salinas R. , Muñoz‐Cruz S. , Enciso‐Moreno J. A. , Estrada‐Parra S. A. , Estrada‐García I.
Published: September 2004

Iron is known to play an important role in different bacterial infections and, in particular, in their development. One example is infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis where iron contributes to growth and survival of the bacteria within the host cell. The majority of studies performed on tuberculosis have focused on the direct effect of iron on bacterial growth; however, little is known about how iron modifies the mycobacterial–host interaction. In order to address this, we have investigated the effect of iron on intracellular growth of M. tuberculosis in J774 macrophages and the molecular mechanisms that are affected during this interaction. We observed that iron modifies intracellular growth of the mycobacteria and that their growth kinetics was modified from that observed for the extracellular situation in the presence of iron. Similarly, when iron was present during the infection, there was a reduced release of tumour necrosis factor‐α and it was related to a higher number of bacilli inside the host cell and low expression of interleukin‐1 (IL‐1) and IL‐6 mRNA. Hence, this work demonstrates that iron, besides promoting mycobacterial growth, also regulates the relationship between macrophage and bacteria.
Bystander Help within a Polyepitope DNA Vaccine Improves Immune Responses to Influenza Antigens
Authors: Baird M. , Wilson R. , Young L. , Williman J. , Young S. , Wilson M. , Slobbe L. , Lockhart E. , Buchan G.
Published: September 2004

A polyepitope DNA vaccine has the potential to generate protective immune responses to a range of antigens in a single construct. We investigated whether it was possible to obtain responses to individual epitopes from different antigens, directly linked in a string, and whether the response to a given epitope was enhanced by adjacent epitopes within the construct. A polyepitope plasmid was created, which included three Th epitopes (influenza haemagglutinin, moth cytochrome c and ovalbumin), a Tc epitope (ovalbumin) and two B cell epitopes (haemagglutinin and ovalbumin). Mice were immunized with DNA by using a gene gun. Responses to the polyepitope DNA vaccine were compared with those to DNA vaccine comprising only the haemagglutinin Th and B epitopes (HAThB) or with responses to the recombinant protein. These experiments showed that the polyepitope DNA vaccine induced greater antigen‐specific responses to HAThB peptide than the HAThB DNA vaccine. Antigen‐specific in vivo cytotoxic responses following polyepitope DNA vaccination were also clearly demonstrable. We conclude that a ‘naked DNA’ polyepitope vaccine generates specific responses to constituent epitopes and that adjacent irrelevant epitopes may enhance these responses.
The Improved Survival of Experimental Animals Fed with Fish Oil is Suppressed by a Leukotriene Inhibitor
Authors: Thors V. S. , Erlendsdóttir H. , Ólafsson Ö. , Gunnarsson E. , Haraldsson Á.
Published: September 2004

Fish oil is believed to alter the immune response and improve survival after infections in experimental animals. This effect may be due to altered production of the leukotrienes (LT). We, therefore, performed a study in order to evaluate whether the effect of fish oil on the immune response of experimental animals is mediated through altered production of the LT. Female NMRI mice in four groups were fed with fish oil, fish oil with 5‐lipoxygenase (5‐LO) inhibitor (Zileuton®, Abbott Laboratories, Chicago, IL, USA), corn oil or corn oil with 5‐LO inhibitor. After 6 weeks, the mice were infected with Klebsiella pneumoniae and the survival was monitored. The experiment was performed twice. Analysis was performed mainly on data pooled from both experiments. The survival of the groups fed with fish oil was increased, compared to that of all the other groups and when compared to the groups fed with fish oil with 5‐LO inhibitor (log‐rank test) the difference was significant (P = 0.007). It has been postulated that the effect of fish oil on the immune system is mediated through altered production of LT. In our study, blocking of the production of the LT eliminated the beneficial effects of fish oil. Our results are in concord with the hypothesis that the effect of fish oil is, at least partly, mediated through altered production of LT.
Exposure to Low Doses of Solar‐Simulated Radiation Induces an Increase in the Myeloid Subtype of Blood Dendritic Cells
Authors: Narbutt J. , Skibinska M. , Lesiak A. , Wozniacka A. , Sysa‐Jedrzejowska A. , Cebula B. , Robak T. , Smolewski P.
Published: September 2004

Exposure to ultraviolet radiation causes alterations of cutaneous and systemic immunity. The aim of our study was to assess the influence of low doses of solar‐simulated radiation (SSR) on the phenotypes of blood dendritic cells (BDC). Healthy volunteers (94) were irradiated with a dose of 1.2 SED (standard erythema dose) of SSR for 2, 10 or 30 consecutive days. Blood samples were taken before the first exposure and 24 h after final exposure. The three main subsets of BDC were distinguished by flow cytometry: BDCA‐2+/CD123+/HLA‐DR+ (plasmacytoid, PDC) and two myeloid subtypes BDCA‐1+/CD11c+/HLA‐DR+ (MDC1) and BDCA‐3+/CD32–/HLA‐DR+ (MDC2). The percentage of total DC was elevated in all groups by the UV exposure and was significantly increased after 2 and 30 days of irradiation (P = 0.006 and P = 0.018, respectively). A particularly distinct increase was observed in the percentage of the MDC1 after 2 and 30 days (P = 0.022 and P < 0.0001, respectively). The MDC2 showed an increase after 10 days and a subsequent significant decrease after 30 days of irradiation (P = 0.031). A significant increase in PDC was found after 2 days of irradiation (P = 0.0006). Exposure to SSR induced an increase in the percentage of BDC in healthy human individuals, especially apparent in the MDC1 subtype.
Treatment of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis with a Neurotropic Alphavirus Vector Expressing Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase‐2
Authors: Nygårdas P. T. , Grönberg S. A.‐M. , Heikkilä J. , Joronen K. , Sorsa T. , Hinkkanen A. E.
Published: September 2004

Prompted by our recent observations of increased MMP‐8 and MMP‐9 with simultaneous downregulation of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase‐2 (TIMP‐2) and TIMP‐3 mRNA levels in the central nervous system (CNS) of mice with severe experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), we used Semliki Forest virus (SFV) to transfer and express recombinant murine TIMP‐1–3 genes in the CNS. TIMP‐1, TIMP‐2 and TIMP‐3 expression was confirmed in cultured cells and in the CNS of infected mice. Following intraperitoneal infection with 106 plaque‐forming units (PFU) of SFV‐TIMP, focal TIMP protein expression was achieved throughout the brain. Although already treatment with empty vector inhibited development of EAE to some extent, the expression of TIMP‐2 by the virus significantly enhanced the inhibition. TIMP‐3‐administered mice also had lower disease grade, but the inhibition was not statistically significant. In contrast, SFV‐TIMP‐1 had no effect, similar to co‐infection with TIMP‐2 and TIMP‐3. We found TIMP‐2 expression also by non‐infected CNS‐resident cells surrounding the virus‐positive areas, suggesting a bystander TIMP‐2 induction. These data strengthen the view that matrix metalloproteinases are involved in the pathogenesis of EAE and provide clear evidence that virus‐mediated delivery of their protein inhibitors can be effective in preventing the clinical disease. TIMPs might be candidates for novel treatment regimens in CNS autoimmune disorders, such as multiple sclerosis.
Neurobiological Consequences of Long-Term Estrogen Therapy
Authors: Marriott L.K. , Wenk G.L.
Published: September 2004

Postmenopausal women demonstrate an increased incidence of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Epidemiological evidence suggests that estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) may reduce the risk or delay the onset of AD, yet recent clinical trials found no cognitive benefits of ERT in women with mild to moderate AD. This review suggests that the timing of estrogen administration may explain these conflicting results. Chronic administration has neurobiological consequences that can affect neural and immune function, but a therapy designed to mimic the natural cycle of fluctuating hormones may more effectively slow the progression of AD in postmenopausal women.
What Can Neuroimaging Tell Us About the Mind?
Authors: Poldrack Russell A. , Wagner Anthony D.
Published: September 2004

Psychologists interested in the workings of the mind may wonder whether brain-imaging data can provide insight regarding cognitive mechanisms. Here we consider one means through which imaging can inform cognitive theory: reverse inference, wherein activations in well-characterized neural structures serve as markers for the engagement of particular cognitive processes. To illustrate this approach, we review brain-imaging evidence regarding the organization of cognitive and linguistic processes in the prefrontal cortex, which indicates that phonological (speech-sound-based) and semantic (meaning-based) processing are consistently associated with topographically distinct patterns of activity in the left inferior prefrontal cortex. We then illustrate how this finding of regional differentiation has provided useful guidance for understanding the cognitive processes supporting memory encoding and retrieval. We conclude with caveats that highlight some of the limitations of the reverse-inference approach.
Saying What You Don't Mean
Authors: Katz Albert N. , Blasko Dawn G. , Kazmerski Victoria A.
Published: September 2004

In recent years, an increasingly large body of research has examined the common situation in which one thing is said in order to express another. Although research has examined the understanding of figurative language such as metaphor in some depth, sarcasm has been less studied. Understanding sarcasm requires considering social and cultural factors, which are often ignored in models of language. We report diverse experiments that point to the same conclusions: Sarcastic interpretation occurs early in processing, with gender and social-cultural factors associated with class playing an important role. These data support interactive models of nonliteral language processing, in which social and cultural factors serve as early-acting constraints on interpretation.
Do Psychiatric Patients Do Better Clinically if They Live With Certain Kinds of Families?
Authors: Hooley Jill M.
Published: September 2004

Many forms of severe mental illness have biological origins. Nonetheless, the kinds of family environments that psychiatric patients live in are reliably associated with how likely patients are to relapse. This article describes some characteristics of families that place patients at increased risk for relapse, and outlines the behaviors that such families engage in. Behavior in these families is not especially pathological, but because psychiatric patients may be especially sensitive to stress, even fairly common characteristics of family life may trigger underlying biological vulnerabilities that could eventually culminate in relapse.
Substance Abuse and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Authors: Brady Kathleen T. , Back Sudie E. , Coffey Scott F.
Published: September 2004

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorders (SUDs) frequently co-occur. Among individuals seeking treatment for SUDs, approximately 36% to 50% meet criteria for lifetime PTSD. The self-medication and susceptibility hypotheses are two of the hypotheses that have been proposed to help explain the etiological relationship between PTSD and SUDs. It is also possible that common factors, such as genetic, neurobiological, or environmental factors, contribute to the high rate of PTSD-SUD co-occurrence. Preliminary results from integrated psychotherapy approaches for the treatment of patients with both disorders show promise. This article reviews these and other advances in the study of comorbid PTSD and SUDs, and suggests areas for future work.
The intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1) gene K469E polymorphism is not associated with ischaemic heart disease: an investigation using family‐based tests of association
Authors: McGlinchey P. G. , Spence M. S. , Patterson C. C. , Allen A. R. , Murphy G. , Belton C. , McKeown P. P.
Published: September 2004

The possible role of the K469E polymorphism in the intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1) gene in the susceptibility to ischaemic heart disease (IHD) was investigated in a well‐defined Irish population using two recently described family‐based tests of association. One thousand and twelve individuals from 386 families with at least one member prematurely affected with IHD were genotyped for the ICAM‐1 K469E polymorphism. Using the combined transmission disequilibrium test (TDT)/sib‐TDT and the pedigree disequilibrium test (PDT), no association between the ICAM‐1 K469E polymorphism and IHD was found. Our data demonstrate that, in an Irish population, the ICAM‐1 K469E polymorphism is not associated with IHD.
C‐reactive protein levels and common polymorphisms of the interleukin‐1 gene cluster and interleukin‐6 gene in patients with coronary heart disease
Authors: Latkovskis G. , Licis N. , Kalnins U.
Published: September 2004

C‐reactive protein (CRP) is an inflammatory marker associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Production of CRP is regulated by interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐1 receptor antagonist and IL‐6. In 160 patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) confirmed by angiography, we examined the relationship between CRP level and five polymorphisms in genes coding for these cytokines: IL‐1B(−511), IL‐1B(+3954), a variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphism in intron 2 of IL‐1RN [IL‐1RN(VNTR)], IL‐6(−174) and IL‐6(−572). CRP values were logarithmically normalized (log‐CRP) for statistical calculations. In univariate analysis, carrier status for the IL‐1B(+3954)T allele and IL‐1RN(VNTR) allele 2 [IL‐1RN(VNTR)*2] correlated with higher (P < 0.01) and lower (P < 0.05) log‐CRP values, respectively. Among the potential confounding factors analysed, smoking, body mass index, total cholesterol (P < 0.05 for all) and diabetes (P = 0.056) were positively correlated with CRP level. After adjustment for non‐genetic covariates, CRP levels remained significantly (P < 0.01) higher in carriers of IL‐1B(+3954)T than in non‐carriers: mean log‐CRP (with 95% confidence interval) was 0.443 (0.311–0.574) for CT or TT genotypes compared with 0.240 (0.107–0.373) for the CC genotype, which corresponded to back‐transformed CRP levels of 2.77 and 1.74 mg l−1, respectively. Adjusted association was also significant for IL‐1RN(VNTR)*2 (P < 0.01), with lower CRP levels in the presence of allele 2: the mean log‐CRP value was 0.252 (0.115–0.388) for carriers and 0.421 (0.290–0.552) for non‐carriers (CRP 1.79 and 2.64 mg l−1, respectively). When alleles of both polymorphisms were entered into the model simultaneously, the association remained significant for IL‐1B(+3954)T (P < 0.05), but not for IL‐1RN(VNTR)*2. We conclude that IL‐1B(+3954)T is associated with higher CRP levels in patients with CHD, and we found that this association was significant after adjustment for major risk factors. Our data also suggest a possible relationship of IL‐1RN(VNTR)*2 with lower CRP levels in the same patients.
Characterization of Iranian Isolates of Fusarium oxysporum on the Basis of RAPD Analysis, Virulence and Vegetative Compatibility
Authors: Zamani M. R. , Motallebi M. , Rostamian A.
Published: September 2004

Fusarium yellow disease of chickpea (Cicer arietinum), caused by the vascular wilt pathogen Fusarium oxysporum, is a major production constraint in chickpea‐growing regions of Iran. Fifteen isolates of F. oxysporum were classified on the basis of vegetative compatibility (the ability to form heterokaryons). Vegetative compatibility was assessed by pairing nit mutants. The isolates were assigned to three vegetative compatibility groups (VCGs): VCG1, VCG2, and VCG3 with 5, 3, and 7 members, respectively. These isolates were also characterized by virulence assay. On the basis of disease severity on chickpea seedlings, they were divided into three groups: highly virulent (HV), moderately virulent (MV) and weakly virulent (WV). Twelve arbitrary decamer primers were tested on the fungal isolates by polymerase chain reaction. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis indicated considerable genetic variation among these isolates. Comparison of the results of VCG tests and the virulence assay indicated that all seven HV isolates belong to a single vegetative compatibility group (VCG3), and all three WV isolates are placed in VCG1. There was no relationship between RAPD groups and the other two characteristics of Iranian F. oxysporum isolates.
Biological Control of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis by Wettable Powder Formulations of the two Strains of Pseudomonas putida
Authors: Bora T. , Özaktan H. , Göre E. , Aslan E.
Published: September 2004

Talc‐based formulations of the two strains of Pseudomonas putida were tested separately and together for their ability to suppress the development of Fusarial wilt of muskmelon, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis, under in vivo conditions in 2 consecutive years. In field trials conducted in 2001 and 2002, control efficacy achieved by seed treatment by the formulations of P. putida strain 30 was 63% and 46–50% for strain 180 at 90 days after transplanting. Seed treatment by the mixture of P. putida strains did not achieve as much effectiveness as biocontrol agents applied separately. Benomyl, used as reference chemical in both years, was less effective in reduction of the wilt severity of F. oxysporum f. sp. melonis than the bioformulation treatments.
Variability in Pathogenicity among Phytophthora spp. Isolated from Citrus in Corsica
Authors: Vernière C. , Cohen S. , Raffanel B. , Dubois A. , Venard P. , Panabières F.
Published: September 2004

Gummosis, caused by several Phytophthora species, is one of the most serious constraints to citrus production in Corsica. The current Phytophthora population on citrus trees is mainly composed of P. citrophthora divided into two major groups, namely G1 and G2, with two additional minor groups. Following changes in cultural practices, favourable climatic conditions, and introduction of new hosts, repeated gummosis outbreaks have been observed. The pathogenicity of several Phytophthora isolates of each group collected in citrus groves was assessed for gummosis disease on 20 citrus scion and rootstock cultivars. All isolates tested proved virulent on citrus but extensive pathogenicity differences were observed among and within Phytophthora groups. The data indicate that G1 isolates of P. citrophthora are pathogenic to resistant rootstocks such as Poncirus trifoliata or Carrizo citrange, and moderately aggressive towards scions. In contrast, isolates of the group G2 tend to display a greater aggressiveness to a number of scion cultivars, but are not virulent to P. trifoliata and its hybrids. Implications of these data on disease management are discussed.
Induction of Resistance in Melon Seedlings Against Soil‐borne Fungal Pathogens by Gaseous Treatments with Methyl Jasmonate and Ethylene
Authors: Buzi A. , Chilosi G. , Magro P.
Published: September 2004

The plant signalling molecules methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and ethylene, alone and in combination, were tested by seed gaseous treatment for their ability to induce resistance in melon seedlings against gummy stem blight, white mould disease and fusarium wilt caused by the soil‐borne fungal pathogens, Didymella bryoniae, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis, respectively. MeJA and ethylene treatments significantly enhanced the resistance level against the tested fungi, whereas when applied simultaneously their protective effect was less pronounced. Treatments with MeJA and ethylene were also tested in terms of biochemical responses by the measurement of variations of chitinase and peroxidase activities. MeJA treatment increased exochitinase activity in melon seedlings, whereas ethylene induced both exochitinase and peroxidase activities. Conversely, when combined, MeJA and ethylene consistently enhanced the activity of both exo‐ and endochitinase as well as peroxidase activity. The augmented level of chitinase and peroxidase activity was accompanied by the differential induction of an acidic chitinase isoenzyme and of both basic and acidic peroxidase isoenzymes. Results indicate that some inducible defences and associated resistance are independently enhanced in melon seedlings by the action of MeJA or ethylene, suggesting the coexistence of different resistance mechanisms.
Studies to Determine the Causal Agents of Soil‐borne Fungal Diseases of Strawberries in Aydin and to Control them by Soil Disinfestation
Authors: Benli̇oğlu S. , Yildiz A. , Döken T.
Published: September 2004

This study was aimed to determine the causal agents of soil‐borne fungal diseases that pose a threat to the strawberry production in Aydin, Turkey and to investigate the potential effects of solarization and three fumigants (metam sodium, dazomet and methyl bromide) on these diseases. As the agents of the diseases, Rhizoctonia solani Kühn. Phytophthora cactorum (Lebert and Cohn) J. Schröt., Verticillium dahliae Kleb. were detected. Trials to determine the effects of solarization and the fumigants were conducted in two successive cropping seasons of strawberries. Soil temperatures at 0, 10 and 20 cm depth of solarized and unsolarized plots were measured. In 1998–99, soil solarization gave significantly better control of the diseases than fumigants and the highest yield of 59 tons/ha was obtained from the solarized plots. This is followed by dazomet (50 g/m2) treated plots with the yield of 34.4 tons/ha, while non‐treated control plots yielded 22.4 tons/ha. In 1999–2000, all treatments gave higher yields than non‐treated control plots (26.1 tons/ha), but there were no difference (P < 0.05) among the treated plots where the yields varied between 33.3 and 36.1 tons/ha.
Biological Control of Heterodera cruciferae (Tylenchida: Heteroderidae) Franklin 1945 with Fluorescent Pseudomonas spp.
Authors: Aksoy H. M. , Mennan S.
Published: September 2004

This study was conducted to access the ability of fluorescent Pseudomonas spp. to suppress cyst nematode Heterodera cruciferae, which was caused by reproduction. The yield loss of cruciferous plants in infested soil with H. cruciferae was examined in in vitro and in vivo experiments. For this purpose, fluorescent Pseudomonas spp. was isolated from infested soil with cyst nematode H. cruciferae and a selected strain of fluorescent Pseudomonas [Fluorescent Pseudomonas strain no. 6 (FPs6)] used on cyst, females and eggs of H. cruciferae to study the biological control. In the in vitro study, eggs of H. cruciferae were infected by FPs6 on King's B Agar and consequently the growth and hatching of eggs were inhibited. Furthermore, J1 and J2 being grown in diseased eggs as they were infected by FPs6. In the in vivo study, plant lengths, leaf areas, wet weights, dry weights and root lengths of seedlings were investigated. There were no considerable differences among FPs6, FsP6 + Cyst and Control groups on plant length and root length (P > 0.05). But there were considerable differences between Cyst and Control groups on plant length and root length (P > 0.05).
Yield Responses of Barley to Leaf Stripe (Pyrenophora graminea) under Experimental Conditions in Southern Syria
Authors: Arabi M. I. E. , Jawhar M. , Al‐Safadi B. , Mirali N.
Published: September 2004

The seed‐borne pathogen, Pyrenophora graminea is the causal agent of barley leaf stripe disease. Field trials were undertaken to investigate the impact of leaf stripe on barley yield in two growing seasons in Southern Syria, by comparing plots with and without artificial inoculation. Ten barley cultivars originating from widely dispersed areas were used. The overall response to leaf stripe differed with the differences in susceptibility levels of the cultivars. Grain yield, the number of tillers, kernel weight and plant biomass decreased as disease severity increased. Diseased plants had fewer tillers, and as a consequence a reduced grain yield per plant. High yield losses resulted from leaf stripe in susceptible cultivars in Arrivate, Furat 1, WI2291 and Arabi Abiad with 44%, 50%, 73% and 92%, respectively. The cultivar Banteng had the best level of resistance to the disease, and is a candidate donor for resistance in future breeding programmes. As leaf stripe can dramatically reduce barley yields under favourable conditions, the disease should be considered by crop improvement programmes in Mediterranean and similar environments.