bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Complex and controversial issues in locally advanced non‐small cell lung carcinoma
Authors: Machtay Mitchell , Jeremic Branislav
Published: September 2003

Locally advanced non‐small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) presents enormous challenges to clinicians and researchers. Because of the absence of metastatic disease, it is a potentially curable condition, greatly differentiating it from stage IV NSCLC. The median and actuarial survival rates are poor, though clearly improved in the past decade, and clearly better than several other types of locally advanced malignancies (e.g., pancreatic cancer, glioblastoma). As demonstrated in Table I, the combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy has earned the designation of “standard of care” for most good‐performance‐status patients with locally advanced NSCLC. It is likely that improvements in radiotherapy have also contributed to the enhanced survival and local control rates in this disease. With concurrent chemoradiotherapy, the majority of patients can receive a substantial local response (Fig. 1). Many achieve durable local control, only to succumb to eventual distant metastatic failure. There remains much room for improvement, and there are several avenues for clinical and translational research that offer promise. These include new systemic chemotherapy options (and newer ways of combining these drugs with radiotherapy), improvements in radiotherapy fractionation and dose intensity, methods of protection from chemoradiotherapy toxicity, specific therapies to prevent brain metastatic failure, and the integration of biologically targeted molecules into chemoradiation programs. This article summarizes the advances in the treatment of locally advanced NSCLC over the past several decades and explores some of the many remaining controversies and areas for future investigation. Semin. Surg. Oncol. 21:128–137, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Surgery in small‐cell lung carcinoma. Where is the rationale?
Authors: Leo Francesco , Pastorino Ugo
Published: September 2003

Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are the keys of current management of SCLC. For many years, the diagnosis of small cell lung cancer has been considered a contraindication to surgery because radiotherapy was at least equivalent in terms of local control and the rate of resetcability of SCLC patients was poor. The role of surgery has been defined by evidence accumulated in the last 30 years but conclusions are limited by the fact that the most important studies are dated and conducted when the main staging tool was exploratory thoracotomy. The rationale for surgery in the context of SCLC is based on 3 factors 1) Several historical series on patients operated for limited SCLC reported some long term survivors, showing that permanent cure can be achieved. For this reason, it is now accepted that for the rare patients with very limited stage disease (T1–T2 tumors) surgical resection followed by platinum‐based chemotherapy could be offered. 2) After chemotherapy and radiotherapy, the rate of local relapse is 20–30%. The assumption that surgery might be superior to radiotherapy in local control of limited SCLC has been suggested but not still proved. 3) Surgery can precisely assess pathological response to chemotherapy, identify carcinoids erroneously diagnosed as SCLC, treat the NSCLC component of tumors with a mixed histology. In the case of planned surgery, preoperative investigations should be completed by MRI of the brain, mediastinoscopy (to rule out subclinical N2/N3 patients) and probably PET scan. Even if some controversies exist, it is accepted that surgery can be proposed as the first treatment in patents with T1–T2 lesions without sign of lymph nodes involvement, followed by adjuvant chemotherapy. Surgery in stage II and III must be planned on a multidisciplinar basis, in the context of controlled clinical trials. Semin. Surg. Oncol. 21:176–181, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The use of debrided human articular cartilage for autologous chondrocyte implantation: Maintenance of chondrocyte differentiation and proliferation in type I collagen gels
Authors: Chaipinyo Kanda , Oakes Barry W. , Van Damme Marie‐Paule I.
Published: September 2003

Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) is the most promising surgical treatment for large full thickness knee joint articular cartilage (AC) defects where cells from healthy non‐weight bearing area AC are multiplied in vitro and implanted into such defects. In the routine surgical procedure for symptomatic knee full thickness AC defects, damaged AC surrounding the edge and the base of such defects is usually debrided and discarded. The purpose of this study was to examine if chondrocytes from this ‘debrided’ AC can proliferate, synthesize a cartilage specific matrix and thus can be used for ACI. Methods: Biopsies were retrieved from 12 patients (debrided articular cartilage: DAC, aged 35–61) and from two autopsies (normal articular cartilage: NAC, aged 21 and 25). Chondrocytes were isolated, seeded at low density in type I collagen gels and as monolayer cultures for 4 weeks without passage.

Results: After 4 weeks cultures in type I collagen gels, cell proliferation from DAC (18.34±1.95 fold) was similar to cells from NAC (11.24±1.02 fold). Syntheses of proteoglycan and collagen in DAC were also similar to NAC. Newly synthesized matrices in gel cultures consisted predominantly of type II collagen as shown by immuno‐labelling and SDS‐PAGE followed by fluorography. Chondrocytes from ‘debrided human AC’ cultured at low density in type I collagen gels may be used for the ACI procedure as they provide sufficient viable cell numbers for ACI and maintain their chondrocyte phenotype as they synthesize a cartilage‐like matrix. © 2003 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
A novel yeast expression system for the overproduction of quality‐controlled membrane proteins
Authors: Griffith Douglas A , Delipala Christina , Leadsham Jane , Jarvis Simon M , Oesterhelt Dieter
Published: September 2003

Saturation of the cell's protein folding capacity and accumulation of inactive incompletely folded protein often accompanying the overexpression of membrane proteins (MPs) presents an obstacle to their efficient purification in a functional form for structural studies. We present a novel strategy for optimization of functional MP expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This approach exploits the unfolded protein response (UPR) pathway, a stress signaling mechanism that senses the accumulation of unfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum. We demonstrate that a high level of UPR induction upon expression of a MP reflects impaired functional expression of that protein. Tuning the expression level of the protein so as to avoid or minimize UPR induction results in its increased functional expression. UPR status can therefore serve as a proxy variable for the extent of impaired expression of a MP that may even be applicable in the absence of knowledge of the protein's biological function.
Catalysis, evolution and life
Authors: Szöke Abraham , Scott William G , Hajdu János
Published: September 2003

Living organisms are unique in their ability to generate and replicate ordered systems from disordered components. Generation of order, replication of the individual, and evolution of the species all depend on the successful utilization of external energy derived from chemicals and light. The information for reproduction is encoded in nucleic acids, but evolution depends on a limited variability in replication, and proceeds through the selection of individuals with altered biochemistry. Essentially all biochemistry is catalyzed; therefore, altered biochemistry implies altered or new catalysts. In that sense catalysis is the medium of evolution. We propose that a basic property of enzymes, at least as fundamental as reaction rate enhancement, is to adjust the reaction path by altering and eventually optimizing the reversible interchange of chemical, electrical and mechanical energy among themselves and their reactants.
[3H]BHDP as a novel and selective ligand for σ1 receptors in liver mitochondria and brain synaptosomes of the rat
Authors: Klouz Anis , Tillement Jean-Paul , Boussard Marie-Françoise , Wierzbicki Michel , Berezowski Vincent , Cecchelli Roméo , Labidalle Serge , Onténiente Brigitte , Morin Didier
Published: September 2003

The binding profile of [3H]BHDP ([3H]N‐benzyl‐N′‐(2‐hydroxy‐3,4‐dimethoxybenzyl)‐piperazine) was evaluated. [3H]BHDP labelled a single class of binding sites with high affinity (K
d=2–3 nM) in rat liver mitochondria and synaptic membranes. The pharmacological characterization of these sites using σ reference compounds revealed that these sites are σ receptors and, more particularly, σ1 receptors. Indeed, BHDP inhibited [3H]pentazocine binding, a marker for σ1 receptors, with high affinity in a competitive manner. BHDP is selective for σ1 receptors since it did not show any relevant affinity for most of the other receptors, ion channels or transporters tested. Moreover, in an in vitro model of cellular hypoxia, BHDP prevented the fall in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels caused by 24 h hypoxia in cultured astrocytes. Taken together, these results demonstrate that [3H]BHDP is a potent and selective ligand for σ1 receptors showing cytoprotective effects in astrocytes.
Mitochondria from ejaculated human spermatozoa do not synthesize proteins
Authors: Dı́ez-Sánchez Carmen , Ruiz-Pesini Eduardo , Montoya Julio , Pérez-Martos Acisclo , Enrı́quez José Antonio , López-Pérez Manuel J
Published: September 2003

Sperm motility is dependent on mitochondrial ATP production that relies on the coordinated expression of the mitochondrial and nuclear genomes. It is generally accepted that mammalian ejaculated spermatozoa retain the ability to synthesize mtDNA‐encoded proteins but not most of the nuclear ones. This implies an asynchronous regulation of the oxidative phosphorylation‐related genes encoded by each genome. Trying to investigate this issue, we unexpectedly found that ejaculated human spermatozoa do not synthesize mtDNA‐encoded proteins. Moreover, we estimated that the discrepancy between our observations and those published elsewhere was due to a chloramphenicol‐sensitive protein synthesis attributed to mitochondria that instead corresponds to contaminating bacteria.
The nuclear protein HMGB1, a new kind of chemokine?
Authors: Degryse Bernard , de Virgilio Maddalena
Published: September 2003

The chromosomal protein HMGB1 is now regarded as a proinflammatory cytokine. Importantly, HMGB1 has chemotactic activity suggesting its involvement in the early and late events of the inflammatory reaction. Therefore, HMGB1 has all the hallmarks of a chemokine (chemotactic cytokine). We propose to classify HMGB1 into a new group of proteins unrelated structurally to chemokines but having chemokine‐like functions, and to name this class CLF (chemokine‐like functions). The CLF class should include other unrelated molecules such as urokinase and its receptor, cytokines macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and interleukin (IL)‐6, anaphylatoxin C5a, ribosomal protein S19, and thioredoxin that have similar chemokine‐like activities. This innovative concept may lead to the identification of new therapeutic targets.
The foundations of the state: emerging urban–rural clevages in transitions countries
Authors: Johannsen Lars
Published: September 2003

Using secondary data from 21 post-communist countries, a map of urban–rural cleavages is produced. The findings are that while persistent cleavages exist with respect to attitudes toward the state, the market and traditional institutions, these cleavages have yet to be institutionalized within the political system. Deviations from the generalized pattern can typically be explained by the intrusion of the state-building process into the urban–rural cleavage structure. Furthermore, it is argued that the lack of institutionalization has led to a situation in which state and political elites have gained increased autonomy.
CULTURAL CHANGE AND THE ACTING CONSERVATORY IN LATE NINETEENTH-CENTURY FRANCE
Authors: BERLANSTEIN LENARD R.
Published: September 2003

Prominent French men of letters began to claim that the student body at the acting Conservatory, which bore a morally dubious reputation, was becoming more bourgeois than ever before as the nineteenth century ended. They interpreted the entry of the bourgeoisie as one more manifestation of national decay. In fact, the major shift in recruitment was the growing number of women from respectable, bourgeois backgrounds. The new pattern signalled an expansion in women's autonomy as individuals. Thus, the writers' pessimism obscured the fact that the early Third Republic was keeping some of its democratic promises. The findings indicate that a reassessment of France's capacity for progressive cultural change in the fin de siècle is in order.
WRITING EARLY MODERN HISTORY: IRELAND, BRITAIN, AND THE WIDER WORLD
Authors: CANNY NICHOLAS
Published: September 2003

The professionalization of history in Ireland resulted from the 1930s effort of T. W. Moody and R. Dudley Edwards to fuse writing on Irish history with a received version of the history of early modern England. This enterprise enhanced the academic standing of work on early modern Ireland, but it also insulated professional history in Ireland from the debates that enlivened historical discourse in England and continental Europe. Those who broke from this restriction, notably D. B. Quinn, Hugh Kearney, and Aidan Clarke, made significant contributions to the conceptualization of the histories of colonial British America, early modern England, and Scotland. These achievements were challenged by the New British History turn which, for the early modern period, has transpired to be no more than traditional English political history in mufti. None the less, writing on the histories of Ireland, Scotland, and colonial British America has endured and even flourished. Such endeavour has succeeded where the focus has been on people rather than places, where authors have been alert to cross-cultural encounters, where they have identified their subject as part of European or global history, and where they have rejected the compartmentalization of political from social and economic history. The success of such authors should encourage practitioners of both English history and the New British History to follow their examples for the benefit of endeavours which will always be complementary.
Long-term dynamics of fouling communities found on offshore installations in the North Sea
Authors: Whomersley P. , Picken G.B.
Published: September 2003

Inspection videos of four offshore platforms in the central and northern North Sea were used to study the development of fouling communities on clamps and guides of oil export risers over an 11-y period (1989–2000). Results from multivariate analyses (multi-dimensional scaling and analysis of similarities) indicated that distinct assemblages developed in different geographical locations. These differences were mainly due to the protracted development of theMetridium senile(Cnidaria: Actinaria) zone on the northern sector platforms. The vertical zonation of fouling organisms was similar on all installations, although the water depth at platform locations varied from 80 to 169 m, indicating that fouling organisms display a wide bathymetric tolerance. This study has highlighted the value of long-term data present in operational inspection videos for the study of fouling communities.
Population structure of Oncholaimus cobbi (Nematoda: Oncholaimidae) in a tropical tidal flat
Authors: Esteves A.M. , Maria T.F. , Wandeness A.P.
Published: September 2003

Oncholaimus cobbi was described from the Brazilian coast. The area studied, Coroa Grande, is located in Sepetiba Bay, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Sampling was carried out monthly, from May 1998 through April 1999. Most of the population was represented by adults, of which non-ovigerous females were the most abundant category. The species reached its highest population density during the warmest months, and the highest densities of males and ovigerous females were seen in February 1999.
Accumulation of heavy metals in the whaleworm Anisakis simplex s.l. (Nematoda: Anisakidae)
Authors: Pascual Santiago , Abollo Elvira
Published: September 2003

Third-stage larval and adult infrapopulations of the whaleworm Anisakis simplex sensu lato (s.l.) (Nematoda: Anisakidae) from their respective fish, cephalopod and cetacean hosts caught or stranded in the Galician coast (north-west Spain), were analysed for heavy metals by atomic absorption spectrometry. Results suggest that the whaleworm may accumulate lead and copper to levels far in excess of their host tissues.
Tissue biochemical composition in relation to the reproductive cycle of deep-sea decapodAristeus antennatusin the Portuguese south coast
Authors: Rosa R. , Nunes M.L.
Published: September 2003

Biochemical changes during the reproductive cycle ofAristeus antennatus(Crustacea: Decapoda) on the Portuguese south coast were investigated. Proximate chemical composition, lipid classes, fatty acid profiles, glycogen and cholesterol content were determined in the muscle, ovary and hepatopancreas (HP) during a period of one year (October 2000–September 2001). Gonadosomatic index (GSI) increased significantly in June and July and during the maturation process. Hepatosomatic index (HSI) also increased throughout the ovarian maturation. A positive correlation between lipid levels in the ovary and GSI (r=0.53, P<0.05) and HSI (r=0.30, P<0.05) was found. The muscle showed very low lipid levels and higher percentages of polar lipids. Higher proportions of neutral lipids, mainly triacylglycerols, were observed in both ovary and HP. Both ovarian and HP cholesterol increased with maturation. Protein and glycogen content in the muscle, ovary and HP did not vary as a function of ovary maturity stage. From the different tissues analysed, the glycogen is mainly stored in the HP and to a lesser extent in the muscle. In both ovary and HP the major fatty acids were 16:0, 18:1(n-7), 18:1(n-9), 20:5(n-3) and 22:6(n-3), and significant increase in the levels of monounsaturated fatty acids were observed in ovary during sexual maturation, which indicates these compounds as the major sources of energy during embryonic and early larval development.
Sex-related differences in growth and morphology of blue mussels
Authors: Mills Suzanne C. , Côté Isabelle M.
Published: September 2003

The morphology and growth pattern of male and female blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) from the north Norfolk coast, UK, were studied. In allometric terms, the external shell parameters of females grew faster relative to shell length than those of males. In absolute terms, females also grew more quickly than males for all external shell parameters and for most internal body parts. At a given age, females are therefore larger than males. Females had a higher shell to tissue weight ratio and a relatively heavier foot than males. A discriminant function incorporating age, weight and shell length, width, and height correctly sexed 81% of individuals in the sample from which it was derived. Both natural and sexual selection may be involved in the evolution of sexual dimorphism in blue mussels.
Spatial analysis and abundance estimation of the southernmost population of purple clam, Amiantis purpurata in Patagonia (Argentina)
Authors: Morsan Enrique Mario
Published: September 2003

Spatial distribution of the southernmost population of the purple clam, Amiantis purpurata (Bivalvia: Veneridae), was described from systematic survey data (density and local biomass), and was related to environmental variables (depth and sediment). Geostatistical techniques were used to model and map density, and to estimate absolute biomass.

Spatial distribution was highly contagious: half of the population lives at densities up to 240 clams m−2. Higher clam abundance occur only at sites with finer and well sorted sediment and intermediate depth. Even when the demographic structure of the population was composed of three year-classes recruited between 1978 and 1980, local biomass and density exhibited a non-linear relationship between them, and discrepancies between their distributions of frequency, their relationship with depth, and variographic analysis.

The spherical model was fitted to the experimental variograms. Anisotropy was explored and introduced into the model. The resulting map shows the location and extension of the patches in the study area; they conform a fringe where the highest concentrations are oriented parallel to the coast line, interrupted by small shoals. No anisotropism was evident in the variographic analysis of local biomass. The kriged mean was 3369 g m−2; and estimated total biomass was 53,290 tn.

Such differences between density and local biomass seem to be linked to compensatory processes involving biomass, growth and mortality, originated at the scale of individual overlapping neighbourhoods.
Immunological in situ determination of Pecten maximus larvae and their temporal distribution
Authors: Paugam Alain , Le Pennec Marcel , Marhic Alain , André-Fontaine Geneviève
Published: September 2003

An immunological technique has been developed, which discriminates the Pecten maximus larvae among all other species present in different plankton samples from Brest Bay. This tool was used on each plankton sample to target the temporal distribution of the larvae between summer 1997 and summer 1998. The least abundant period for larvae from April to July 1998, was confirmed and also identified P. maximus which would have been very difficult to recognize with only the help of the analysis of prodissoconch shape. Multi micro-cohort larvae principally from April to July 1998 corresponded probably with as many spawning events.
Population structure of Cerastoderma glaucum and Abra ovata in Vouliagmeni Lagoon (Attiki)
Authors: Gontikaki E. , Antoniadou C. , Chintiroglou C.C.
Published: September 2003

Two species of bivalves, Cerastoderma glaucum and Abra Ovata, typical inhabitants of brackish waters, were found in Vouliagmeni Lagoon. Seasonal qualitative and quantitative samples were extracted from the different types of the substratum during 1997–1998. Overall, 800 individuals of C. glaucum and 2700 individuals of A. ovata were collected and measured and their population structure studied.
Unique hooks in the male scaled squid Lepidoteuthis grimaldi
Authors: Jackson George D. , O'Shea Steve
Published: September 2003

The male scaled squid Lepidoteuthis grimaldii hereby reported for the first time, is equipped with a pair of grossly enlarged sabre-like hooks. These unique hooks, found only on males, are without parallel amongst cephalopods. As a sexually dimorphic character, they are more likely to be involved in reproduction than predation.
Does the ophiuroid Amphiura filiformis alert conspecifics to the danger of predation through the generation of an alarm signal?
Authors: Solan Martin , Battle Emma J.V.
Published: September 2003

The ability of the ophiuroid Amphiura filiformis to alert conspecifics to the presence of a predator was investigated. Our preliminary findings indicate that intraspecific communication of an alarm signal does not occur and that, ultimately, the motivation for altering behaviour in response to a stimulus is not oriented to the population as a whole
Early life history of the pipefish Nerophis lumbriciformis (Pisces: Syngnathidae)
Authors: Monteiro N.M. , Almada V.C. , Vieira M.N.
Published: September 2003

The embryonic and larval development of the pipefish Nerophis lumbriciformis is described. The full development sequence lasted 30 d (at 14–15°C), being shortened to 25–26 d at higher temperatures (16–17°C), and hatching occurred throughout a 2–3 d period. Unlike species of the genus Syngnathus, the newly hatched larvae presented a functional mouth apparatus and the yolk sac completely absorbed.
Summer distribution and relative abundance of cetacean populations off north-west Scotland
Authors: Macleod K. , Simmonds M.P. , Murray E.
Published: September 2003

A line transect survey was conducted in July/August 1998 to investigate the distribution and abundance of cetaceans off north-west Scotland. Over 2156.5 km of survey effort, 304 sightings were recorded of which 184 were identified to species. Nine species were identified: Atlantic white-sided dolphin Lagenorhynchus acutus, fin whale Balaenoptera physalus, sei whale Balaenoptera borealis, long-finned pilot whale Globicephala melas, sperm whale Physeter macrocephalus, common dolphin Delphinus delphis, harbour porpoise Phocoena phocoena, white beaked dolphin Lagenorhynchus albirostris and Risso's dolphin Grampus griseus. The Atlantic white-sided dolphin was the most relatively abundant species. The relative abundance of large whales and dolphins was greatest in the Faroe–Shetland Channel. The continental slopes of this area are undergoing development by oil industries and concerns have been raised about the potential impacts of these activities on cetaceans. These waters are used year-round by cetaceans and provide feeding and breeding grounds and are a migration route for large whales.
Preaching the Enjoyable Revolution
Authors: Mitchell Adrian
Published: September 2003

Socialism is alive. Theatre is alive. Socialist theatre is alive.
And, in every sense except the literal one, John McGrath, whose body
gave up a long, brave fight against illness in January this year, is
alive and kicking – Liberal and Tory arses for choice.
He Wrote What He Saw: the Visual Language of John McGrath
Authors: Howard Pamela
Published: September 2003

Pamela Howard designed Border Warfare and John Brown's Body at the Tramway, Glasgow, for John McGrath, and Wicked Old Man, which he wrote and directed for West Yorkshire Playhouse in 1992. Here, she recalls the highly distinctive visual language of the playwright, and the differences this made in seeing through a design from initial discussion to practical use in performance. Pamela Howard is a scenographer, director, writer, educator, exhibition curator, and international producer who has created theatre events in many countries and languages. She was awarded a Leverhulme Emeritus Fellowship in 1999 to write What is Scenography? (published by Routledge in 2001), and as adaptor, director, and scenographer created La Celestina at the Hopkins Center, USA, in February 2002, of which the text is forthcoming from Oberon Books.
The Market Theatre of Johannesburg in the New South Africa
Authors: Burns Hilary
Published: September 2003

The Market Theatre of Johannesburg opened in 1976, the year of the Soweto Uprising – the beginning of the end for the oppressive apartheid regime. Founded by Barney Simon, Mannie Manim, and a group of white actors, the theatre's policy, in line with the advice to white liberals from the Black Consciousness Movement, was to raise the awareness of its mainly white audiences about the oppression of apartheid and their own social, political, and economic privileges. The theatre went on through the late 'seventies and 'eighties to attract international acclaim for productions developed in collaboration with black artists that reflected the struggle against the incumbent regime, including such classics as The Island, Sizwe Bansi is Dead, and Woza Albert! How has the Market fared with the emergence of the new South Africa in the 'nineties? Has it built on the past? Has it reflected the changes? What is happening at the theatre today? Actress, writer, and director Hilary Burns went to Johannesburg in November 2000 to find out. She worked in various departments of the theatre, attended productions, and interviewed theatre artists and members of the audience. This article will form part of her book, The Cultural Precinct, inspired by this experience to explore how the theatres born in the protest era have responded to the challenges of the new society.
A tragedy of non-timber forest resources in the mountain commons of Nepal
Authors: Pandit Bishnu Hari , Thapa Gopal B.
Published: September 2003

There is increasing degradation of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) in the mountains of Nepal. It has been proposed that different components of a common property resource (CPR) do not undergo degradation at the same rate, as they are not managed in the same way under different types of property rights regimes. To examine this, information was collected through a survey of 324 households, community resource assessment ranking and group discussion in a small mountain watershed of Nepal. The study analysed NTFP collection and management practices under government and community forest management systems, and impact of these practices on the status of forest and NTFPs. The analysis based on people's perception revealed that NTFPs were being depleted more rapidly than timber components in both types of forest. The pace of depletion was, however, considerably lower in community forests, as these forests were accessible only to the relevant forest user group members. Depletion of NTFPs was due primarily to the lack of proper institutional arrangements, including the lack of a comprehensive government policy framework, for sustainable use and management of NTFPs.
Potential for restoration of degraded steppe in the Xilingol Biosphere Reserve through urbanization
Authors: Jiang Gaoming , Liu Meizhen , Han Nianyong , Zhang Qian , Li Wenjun
Published: September 2003

The degradation of the steppe ecosystem in Xilingol League in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China could only be reversed if the intensity of use were reduced, but there have been no studies of how this might be achieved. An investigation of the relationship between Xilingol Biosphere Reserve (XBR) and Xilinhot City explored how greater urbanization might aid restoration of degraded steppe. Experimental data indicate that 72% of the lands have been degraded since 1947, and the relationship between Xilinhot City and the XBR has been reciprocal. The XBR can provide materials such as food, water and a healthy environment for Xilinhot City and Baiyinxile Town, and the high pasture pressure can be reduced by urbanization. The cities could host a substantially greater population in a smaller area than at present, which would in turn reduce pressure on the land. Thus, conservation of the XBR, particularly the core zones, could be ensured through an urban model, which could also provide development opportunities for people moving into conurbations.
Environmental Kuznets Curve for sulfur: evidence using GMM estimation and random coefficient panel data models
Authors: Halkos George E.
Published: September 2003

The purpose of this study is to test empirically the hypothesis of the inverted U-shaped relationship between environmental damage from sulfur emissions and economic growth as expressed by GDP. Using a large database of panel data consisting of 73 OECD and non-OECD countries for 31 years (1960–1990) we apply for the first time random coefficients and Arellano-Bond Generalized Method of Moments (A–B GMM) econometric methods. Our findings indicate that the EKC hypothesis is not rejected in the case of the A–B GMM. On the other hand there is no support for an EKC in the case of using a random coefficients model. Our turning points range from $2805–$6230/c. These results are completely different compared to the results derived using the same database and fixed and random effects models.
Genetic cholestasis, causes and consequences for hepatobiliary transport
Authors: Jansen Peter L. M. , Sturm Ekkehard
Published: September 2003

Abstract:Bile salts take part in an efficient enterohepatic circulation in which most of the secreted bile salts are reclaimed by absorption in the terminal ileum. In the liver, the sodium‐dependent taurocholate transporter at the basolateral (sinusoidal) membrane and the bile salt export pump at the canalicular membrane mediate hepatic uptake and hepatobiliary secretion of bile salts. Canalicular secretion is the driving force for the enterohepatic cycling of bile salts and most genetic diseases are caused by defects of canalicular secretion. Impairment of bile flow leads to adaptive changes in the expression of transporter proteins and enzymes of the cytochrome P‐450 system involved in the metabolism of cholesterol and bile acids. Bile salts act as ligands for transcription factors. As such, they stimulate or inhibit the transcription of genes encoding transporters and enzymes involved in their own metabolism. Together these changes appear to serve mainly a hepatoprotective function. Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC) results from mutations in various genes encoding hepatobiliary transport proteins. Mutations in theFIC1gene cause relapsing or permanent cholestasis. The relapsing type of cholestasis is called benign recurrent intrahepatic cholestasis, the permanent type of cholestasis PFIC type 1. PFIC type 2 results from mutations in the bile salt export pump (BSEP) gene. This is associated with permanent cholestasis since birth. Serum gamma‐glutamyltransferase (gamma‐GT) activity is low to normal in PFIC types 1 and 2. Bile diversion procedures, causing a decreased bile salt pool, have a beneficial effect in a number of patients with these diseases. However, liver transplantation is often necessary. PFIC type 3 is caused by mutations in theMDR3gene. MDR3 is a phospholipid translocator in the canalicular membrane. Because of the inability to secrete phospholipids, patients with PFIC type 3 produce bile acid‐rich toxic bile that damages the intrahepatic bile ducts. Serum gamma‐GT activity is elevated in these patients. Ursodeoxycholic acid therapy is useful for patients with a partial defect. Liver transplantation is a more definitive therapy for these patients.
The effects of agriculture on farmland bird assemblages on the Agulhas Plain, Western Cape, South Africa
Authors: Mangnall Michael J. , Crowe Timothy M.
Published: September 2003

Coastal Fynbos on the Agulhas Plain of the Western Cape, South Africa, has been transformed extensively by crop and pastoral agriculture. Many bird species, e.g. sunbirds, nightjars and mousebirds have consequently been affected negatively by the reduction of suitable habitat for daily requirements. However, populations of certain bird species, especially granivores and omnivores, such as sparrows, larks and pipits, as well as Egyptian Geese and Helmeted Guineafowl have proliferated on the Agulhas Plain. This study investigates the effects of agricultural development on overall bird diversity on the Agulhas Plain. In 1998, twice monthly transect counts at 13 farmland sites recorded 106 bird species. Fifteen species occurred at 75% or more of the sites. Highest avian diversity was recorded at the sites with a mixture of crops and Coastal Fynbos (Mixed regime). A small number of species, e.g. sunbirds, are reliant on the natural Coastal Fynbos for their survival. With the exception of the Mixed regime that gained 50 species, all the other agricultural regimes reflected a loss of diversity when compared with Fynbos. To provide more suitable habitat for a greater diversity of birds, mixed landscapes should be maintained, and further destruction of natural Fynbos habitat should be prevented.
Upward‐thickening patterns and lateral continuity of Permian sand‐rich turbidite channel fills, Laingsburg Karoo, South Africa
Authors: Grecula Martin , Flint Stephen S. , Wickens Henry De V. , Johnson Stephen D.
Published: September 2003

Abstract Analysis of extensive exposures of the Permian Laingsburg Formation, Karoo basin, South Africa, have enabled a detailed reconstruction of the base of slope stratigraphy and palaeoenvironments in a deep‐water system characterized by a very narrow grain‐size range (fine sandstone). The deposits include an ≈ 4 km wide and 80 m thick channel complex, fringed by sandy sheet deposits that extend laterally for at least 6 km across depositional strike. Within the channel complex, individual channel fills are marked by shallow basal erosion surfaces draped by thin, parallel‐stratified beds of very fine sandstone and siltstone, interpreted as flow tails to largely bypassing flows. These thin beds are overlain by 0·4 to 5 m thick beds of structureless, fine‐grained sandstone that represent the majority of the channel fills. The basal packages may be partially to completely removed by localized scour in the axial zone of the channel complex but can be mapped laterally into overbank areas where they thicken and are dominated by rippled fine sandstones with intercalated siltstones. Axial confinement resulted from subtle topography on the basin floor, whereby the lower, dense parts of the initially erosive and bypassing flows were partially confined in the lows and the more dilute, slower moving upper parts of the flows deposited sheet‐like successions across slightly elevated overbank areas. The narrow grain‐size distribution prohibited the formation ofcoarse‐grained residual bypass deposits during the initial phases of channel formation. With decreasing magnitude, later flows became more depositional, filling remaining axial depressions with thick‐bedded structureless sandstone. The smaller volumes of late‐stage sediment were more axially focused, producing local scour‐and‐fill features and starvation of the overbank areas. Resulting grain‐size vertical profiles are complex. The basal flow tail packages and overlying massive deposits form a thickening and slightly coarsening‐upward trend in the channel fills. The overbank deposits show a thinning‐ and fining‐upward profile as a result of less bypass plus late‐stage starvation of sand. Application of traditional deep‐water facies models could therefore potentially lead to erroneous interpretations of the channel complex as a prograding lobe and the overbank sheets as channel‐fills.
Carbonate platform growth and cyclicity at a terminal Proterozoic passive margin, Infra Krol Formation and Krol Group, Lesser Himalaya, India
Authors: Jiang Ganqing , Christie‐Blick Nicholas , Kaufman Alan J. , Banerjee Dhiraj M. , Rai Vibhuti
Published: September 2003

AbstractThe Infra Krol Formation and overlying Krol Group constitute a thick (< 2 km), carbonate‐rich succession of terminal Proterozoic age that crops out in a series of doubly plunging synclines in the Lesser Himalaya of northern India. The rocks include 18 carbonate and siliciclastic facies, which are grouped into eight facies associations: (1) deep subtidal; (2) shallow subtidal; (3) sand shoal; (4) peritidal carbonate complex; (5) lagoonal; (6) peritidal siliciclastic–carbonate; (7) incised valley fill; and (8) karstic fill. The stromatolite‐rich, peritidal complex appears to have occupied a location seaward of a broad lagoon, an arrangement reminiscent of many Phanerozoic and Proterozoic platforms. Growth of this complex was accretionary to progradational, in response to changes in siliciclastic influx from the south‐eastern side of the lagoon. Metre‐scale cycles tend to be laterally discontinuous, and are interpreted as mainly autogenic. Variations in the number of both sets of cycles and component metre‐scale cycles across the platform may result from differential subsidence of the interpreted passive margin. Apparently non‐cyclic intervals with shallow‐water features may indicate facies migration that was limited compared with the dimensions of facies belts. Correlation of these facies associations in a sequence stratigraphic framework suggests that the Infra Krol Formation and Krol Group represent a north‐ to north‐west‐facing platform with a morphology that evolved from a siliciclastic ramp, to carbonate ramp, to peritidal rimmed shelf and, finally, to open shelf. This interpretation differs significantly from the published scheme of a basin centred on the Lesser Himalaya, with virtually the entire Infra Krol–Krol succession representing sedimentation in a persistent tidal‐flat environment. This study provides a detailed Neoproterozoic depositional history of northern India from rift basin to passive margin, and predicts that genetically related Neoproterozoic deposits, if they are present in the High Himalaya, are composed mainly of slope/basinal facies characterized by fine‐grained siliciclastic and detrital carbonate rocks, lithologically different from those of the Lesser Himalaya.
An alternative model for positive shifts in shallow‐marine carbonate δ13C and δ18O
Authors: Immenhauser Adrian , Della Porta Giovanna , Kenter Jeroen A. M. , Bahamonde Juan R.
Published: September 2003

Abstract Positive shifts in global seawater δ13CDIC are related to changes in the ratio of organic relative to inorganic carbon burial in oceanic basins, whereas factors such as climatic cooling and the accumulation of polar ice are known to cause positive shifts in δ18O. Here, an alternative model is proposed for the formation of local positive isotope shifts in shallow‐marine settings. The model involves geochemically altered platform‐top water masses and the effects of early meteoric diagenesis on carbonate isotopic composition. Both mechanisms are active on modern (sub)tropical carbonate platforms and result in low carbonate δ13C and δ18O relative to typical oceanic values. During high‐amplitude transgressive events, the impact of isotopically light meteoric fluids on the carbonate geochemistry is much reduced, and 13C‐depleted platform‐top water mixes with open oceanic water masses having higher isotope values. Both factors are recorded as a transient increase in carbonate 13C and 18O relative to low background values. These processes must be taken into consideration when interpreting the geochemical record of ancient epeiric seas.
Taurine status in normal dogs fed a commercial diet associated with taurine deficiency and dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Tôrres C. L. , Backus R. C. , Fascetti A. J. , Rogers Q. R.
Published: September 2003

Taurine (Tau) deficiencies have been associated with the feeding of commercial lamb‐meal and rice diets to dogs. We hypothesized that the poor digestibility of some lamb‐meals may limit sulphur amino acids availability for Tau synthesis and/or increase of Tau degradation in the gut. Growing dogs were fed either a lamb‐meal‐based (Diet A) or poultry by‐product‐based (Diet B) commercial diet. Plasma, whole blood and urinary Tau were measured for 22 weeks. Plasma and whole blood Tau concentrations were similar between the groups throughout the study. Urinary excretion of Tau in dogs fed diet A was 3.2 times greater than that from dogs fed Diet B, suggesting greater renal reabsorption and the need for conservation of Tau in the Diet A group. Food restriction affected Tau status as indicted by a positive correlation of food intake and urinary Tau. Dogs fed Diet A were given antibiotics to inhibit bacterial activity in the gut. Increases in breath hydrogen, indicative of increased bacterial activity, correlated negatively with urinary Tau. Urinary Tau increased by 54% when methionine (Met) was supplemented to Diet A, supporting the suggestion of a low bioavailability of sulphur amino acids and/or an increased fecal loss of Tau in dogs consuming Diet A.
An Investigation on the Effect of Transport and Lairage on the Faecal Shedding Prevalence of Escherichia coli O157 in Cattle
Authors: Minihan D. , O'Mahony M. , Whyte P. , Collins J. D.
Published: September 2003

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of transport and lairage on the prevalence of Escherichia coli O157 faecal shedding and the subsequent contamination of beef carcasses. Individual rectal faecal samples were taken from two cohorts of cattle (109 and 59) at the farm before transport and at the abattoir post‐transport and lairage. The entire outer and inner surfaces of the carcass of each animal were swabbed immediately following slaughter and dressing. The prevalence of E. coli O157 shedding in cattle sampled at farm, post‐transport and lairage was 18% (20), 13% (14) and 12% (13) for cohort A and 1.7% (1), 1.7% (1) and 0 for cohort B, respectively. No E. coli O157 was recovered from the 168 dressed carcasses. In total, 98% (46 of 47) of the E. coli O157 isolates from cohort A were potentially pathogenic to man. Transport and lairage do not cause an increase in the prevalence of E. coli O157 faecal shedding in cattle. This study demonstrates that even positive cohorts of cattle may be slaughtered and processed to produce clean carcasses by following good hygienic practices.
Neospora caninumInfection and Congenital Transmission: Serological and Parasitological Study of Cows up to the Fourth Gestation
Authors: Piergili Fioretti D. , Pasquali P. , Diaferia M. , Mangili V. , Rosignoli L.
Published: September 2003

In this paper, a parasitological and serological study performed in three cows up to the fourth gestation is reported in order to clarify the extent of vertical propagation and, secondly, in which period of gestation the recrudescence of previous infection occurs. The cows selected for the study delivered healthy but congenitally infected calves in first pregnancy. The parasite was found, by biological tests in Swiss mice, in all the placentas of the three cows examined, during the three subsequent gestations, at calving. The parasite was found, at slaughtering, in the brains of all nine calves born clinically healthy from the three cows as well. The serological profile, performed at monthly intervals on serum of the cows, showed that IgG and IgM increased in the third trimester of gestation; this rise of antibodies was constantly observed during the three gestations and in all three cows. In the calves, the IgG titres increase after colostrum consumption and an IgM peak at birth, were indicative of a late infection. These findings, along with negative results obtained by a serological study conducted simultaneously on 38 cows housed in the same stable as the experimental animals and the negative results obtained in isolating parasite or antibodies from farm dogs, suggest thatN. caninuminfection can be maintained over several bovine generations and that recrudescing persistent infection, rather than a new infection, explains theNeosporainfection of calves.
Anticipatory cortical responses during the expectancy of a predictable painful stimulation. A high‐resolution electroencephalography study
Authors: Babiloni Claudio , Brancucci Alfredo , Babiloni Fabio , Capotosto Paolo , Carducci Filippo , Cincotti Febo , Arendt‐Nielsen Lars , Chen Andrew C. N. , Rossini Paolo Maria
Published: September 2003

In the present study, high‐resolution electroencephalography techniques modelled the spatiotemporal pattern of human anticipatory cortical responses preceding expected galvanic painful stimuli (non‐painful stimuli as a control). Do these responses reflect the activation of associative other than somatosensory systems? Anticipatory processes were probed by alpha oscillations (6–12 Hz) for the evaluation of thalamocortical channels and by negative event‐related potentials for the evaluation of cortical excitability. Compared with the control condition, a progressive reduction of the alpha power was recognized over the primary somatosensory cortex from 2 s before the painful stimulation. In contrast, the anticipatory event‐related potentials were negligible during the expectancy period. The results on the alpha power suggest that the expectancy of the painful stimulation specifically facilitated the somatosensory thalamocortical channel. Remarkably, the associative frontal‐parietal areas were not involved, possibly due to the predictable and repetitive features of the painful stimulus. The present results also suggest that negative event‐related potentials are modest preceding warned stimuli (even if painful) with a simple information content.