bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Balancing the needs and preferences of humans against concerns for fishes: how to handle the emerging ethical discussions regarding capture fisheries?
Authors: Sandøe P. , Gamborg C. , Kadri S. , Millar K.
Published: January 2010

How can stakeholders within the fisheries community engage in constructive ethical discussions? Drawing on experiences from previous debates surrounding the human use of animals, this paper presents a proactive approach whereby stakeholders can create a framework for ethical discussion of capture fisheries.
The ethics of fish welfare
Authors: Evans J. C.
Published: January 2010

The topic of fish welfare in the context of commercial fisheries is a difficult one. From traditionally anthropocentric or human‐centred perspectives, fishes are simply objects for humans to use as they see fit. When it is argued that anthropocentrism is arbitrary, it may appear that a strong animal rights position is the only recourse, with the result that humans ought not to use animals in the first place, if it is at all possible. It can be argued that both positions fail to view human beings as part of the natural world. If human beings are viewed as part of the world from which they live, then it has to be asked what it means to be respectful of the animals which humans use and from which they live. From this perspective, concern for the welfare of the fishes humans eat is simply what should be expected from humans as good citizens in the community of living creatures.
Contrasting pragmatic and suffering‐centred approaches to fish welfare in recreational angling
Authors: Arlinghaus R. , Schwab A. , Cooke S. J. , Cowx I. G.
Published: January 2010

Two views dealing with fish welfare in recreational fishing are discussed in an effort to stimulate the current discourse on the topic. The pragmatic approach asks whether and how strongly recreational fishing compromises the health and fitness of individual fishes and what can be done to avoid or mitigate such effects. Its implementation rests on accepting recreational fishing as a principally legitimate activity. The second approach to fish welfare focuses on suffering and pain in fishes and is usually morally prescriptive. Its central tenet is that some or all recreational fishing practices may be unacceptable unless sufficient benefits to humans are created, which justify the supposedly cruel treatment of the fishes. The pragmatic approach to fish welfare is preferred because it relies on objectively measurable variables of impaired fish welfare (e.g. physiological, behavioural or fitness indicators) and does not question recreational fishing on moral grounds. Contrary to a suffering‐centred approach to fish welfare, a pragmatic perspective emphasizes positive messages and facilitates constructive dialogue among stakeholders. In contrast, a suffering‐centred approach to fish welfare tends to promote tension and enduring conflict that cannot be reconciled objectively and thus should be avoided.
Gill‐filament ossifications: a possible morphological synapomorphy uniting the families Balitoridae and Cobitidae (Ostariophysi: Cypriniformes)
Authors: Conway K. W. , Mayden R. L.
Published: January 2010

Ossifications associated with the gill filaments of members of the Balitoridae and Cobitidae are described for the first time. Although gill‐filament ossifications are common in teleosts, similar ossifications were not observed in other members of the order Cypriniformes. Their presence is interpreted as a shared and derived character uniting the families Balitoridae and Cobitidae as a monophyletic group.
Do otolith annular structures correspond to the first freshwater entry for yellow European eels Anguilla anguilla in the Baltic countries?
Authors: Lin Y.‐J. , Shiao J.‐C. , Ložys L. , Plikšs M. , Minde A. , Iizuka Y. , Rašals I. , Tzeng W.‐N.
Published: January 2010

To examine the relationship between freshwater entry and otolith annular structures, a total of 113 naturally recruited European eels Anguilla anguilla from Lithuania and Latvia that entered fresh water at least once were collected. In some individuals (8·3–11·3%), the first freshwater entry coincided with a dark check that was distinctly different from neighbouring annuli. In most individuals (81·7–84·9%), the first freshwater entry occurred on rings and increments indistinguishable from other annuli. For the remaining individuals (3·8–10%), the first freshwater entry did not correspond to any otolith ring, band or annulus. According to recent evidence, the observed high correspondence between the first freshwater entry and otolith annuli was more likely due to the movement into fresh water during winter when the annulus was deposited, rather than stress resulting from habitat change. Consequently, the age estimation based on otoliths might be less influenced by this habitat change during the yellow eel stage.
Female ornamentation and egg carotenoids of six sympatric gobies
Authors: Svensson P. A. , Blount J. D. , Forsgren E. , Amundsen T.
Published: January 2010

Belly colouration, gonad carotenoid concentration and skin transparency were quantified in gravidGobiusculus flavescens, as well as in females of five sympatric gobies where belly ornamentation has not been described. AlthoughG. flavescensfemales did, indeed, have far more colourful bellies than the other species, this could only in part be explained by a high concentration of total gonad carotenoids. Comparable, or occasionally higher, carotenoid levels were found in the gonads of other species. Instead, the unusual ornamentation ofG. flavescensarises from a unique combination of carotenoid‐rich gonads and a highly transparent abdominal skin.
Age validation and variation in growth, mortality and population structure of Liza argentea and Myxus elongatus (Mugilidae) in two temperate Australian estuaries
Authors: Kendall B. W. , Gray C. A. , Bucher D.
Published: January 2010

This study investigated variation in the rates of growth and mortality, and age and fork‐length (LF) compositions of two exploited species of Mugilidae, Liza argentea and Myxus elongatus, in two south‐east Australian estuaries (Lake Macquarie and St Georges Basin). An ageing protocol was developed by counting opaque growth zones on sectioned otoliths which was validated by periodically examining the otoliths of captive‐reared young‐of‐the‐year fishes, and marginal increment analysis of wild fishes. The maximum recorded age was 17 years for L. argentea and 12 years for M. elongatus, which is greater than generally observed in other species of mugilids. Growth models of each species significantly differed between sexes and, except for male L. argentea, between estuaries. Fishes from Lake Macquarie generally had a greater mean LF at age than those from St Georges Basin and females of both species generally attained a greater maximum LF and age than males. Gillnet catches of L. argentea were of similar LF and age compositions in both estuaries, whereas the age composition of catches of M. elongatus in Lake Macquarie contained a greater proportion of younger fish. Estimates of total, natural and fishing mortality were greater for M. elongatus than L. argentea across both estuaries, and estimates of total mortality were greatest for both species in Lake Macquarie. The data indicate that neither species has been overfished in these estuaries.
Omeprazole‐induced acute interstitial nephritis is not related to CYP2C19 genotype or CYP2C19 phenotype
Authors: Helsby Nuala A. , Lo Wing‐Yee , Simpson Ian J. , Voss David M. , Logan Kaye E. , Searle Martin , Schollum John B. W. , De Zoysa Janak R.
Published: January 2010

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT

• Omeprazole‐induced acute interstitial nephritis (OIAIN) is a rare adverse drug reaction. It is typically considered to be an idiosyncratic reaction affecting elderly patients. Omeprazole is a substrate for CYP2C19 and individuals who are homozygous variant for the null allele are poor metabolizers of this drug. These individuals have higher exposure to omeprazole. In the elderly metabolism of omeprazole is reported to be decreased despite a ‘normal activity’ genotype.

WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS

• The CYP2C19 poor metabolizer genotype was not over represented in patients with OIAIN. However, almost a third of the patients appeared to have deficient CYP2C19 function.

• Metabolism of omeprazole may be compromised in the elderly and caution should be exercised when using this medication in this group of patients.

AIM Omeprazole‐induced acute interstitial nephritis (OIAIN) is a rare adverse event. It is unknown if this is an idiosyncratic immune mediated reaction or if it relates to direct drug toxicity. Individuals who are homozygous for the variant alleles of CYP2C19 are poor metabolizers of omeprazole and have a greater exposure to the drug. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of the CYP2C19 poor metabolizer genotype and phenotype in patients with OIAIN.

METHODS Twenty patients were genotyped for the CYP2C19 variant alleles (*2, 681G>A and *3, 636G>A) by RFLP‐PCR analysis and eighteen phenotyped for CYP2C19 metabolizer status.

RESULTS The frequency of the CYP2C19*2 allelic variant was 12.5%, no *3 allelic variants were detected and no patient was a homozygous variant genotype. This was not different from the expected frequency. 33% of subjects were phenotypically CYP2C19 poor metabolizers.

CONCLUSIONS There was discordance between CYP2C19 genotype and phenotype. However, up to 45% of healthy elderly subjects have a poor metabolizer phenotype. Thus neither CYP2C19 poor metabolizer genotype nor phenotype is a risk factor for OIAIN.
Effect of danshen extract on the activity of CYP3A4 in healthy volunteers
Authors: Qiu Furong , Wang Guangji , Zhang Rong , Sun Jianguo , Jiang Jian , Ma Yueming
Published: January 2010

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT

• Many cytochrome P450 mediated interactions have been reported between drug and herbal medicines. In particular, CYP3A4 is known to play a critical role in several clinically relevant herb‐drug interactions. Midazolam has been reported to be one of the preferredin vivoCYP3A probes.

• It has been reported that the lipophilic components of danshen could induce CYP3A in C57BL/6J mice, that cryptotanshinone and tanshinone IIA of danshen extract could activate human PXR and consequently induce the expression of theCYP3A4gene.

WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS

• Co‐administration of multiple doses of danshen tablets caused an increase in apparent oral clearance of midazolam by 35.4%, a corresponding decline inCmaxby 31.1% and a decline in AUC(0,∞) by 27.0% in human volunteers. Thet1/2of midazolam and 1‐hydroxymidazolam were not changed, and theCmaxand AUC(0,∞) ratio of midazolam to 1‐hydroxymidazolam were not affected. The results suggested that multiple dose administration of danshen tablets could induce CYP3A4 in the gut, thereby increasing the clearance of midazolam. Therefore, caution should be taken when danshen products containing lipophilic components are used in combination with therapeutic drugs metabolized by CYP3A.

AIMSTo assess the effect of danshen extract on CYP3A4 activity using midazolam as anin vivoprobe.

METHODSA sequential, open‐label, two‐period pharmacokinetic interaction study design was used to compare midazolam pharmacokinetic parameters before and after 14 days of administration of danshen tablets. Twelve healthy volunteers received a single oral dose (15 mg) of midazolam followed by danshen tablets (four tablets orally, three times a day) for 14 days. On the last day of the study they received four danshen tablets with a 15 mg midazolam tablet and plasma concentrations of midazolam and its corresponding metabolite 1–hydroxylmidazolam were measured prior to and after the administration of danshen tablets periodically for 12 h.

RESULTSThe 90% confidence intervals ofCmax,t1/2, CL/Fand AUC(0,∞) of midazolam before and after administration of danshen tablets were (0.559, 0.849), (0.908, 1.142), (1.086, 1.688) and (0.592, 0.921), respectively; and those ofCmax,t1/2and AUC(0,∞) of 1‐hydroxylmidazolam aftervs.before administration of danshen tablets were (0.633, 0.923), (0.801, 1.210) and (0.573, 0.980), respectively. Ratios of geometric LS means ofCmax(1OHMid) : Cmax(Mid)and AUCmax(1OHMid) : AUCmax(Mid)(aftervs.before 14‐day danshen) were 1.072 and 1.035, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSOur findings suggest that multiple dose administration of danshen tablets may induce CYP3A4 in the gut. Accordingly, caution should be taken when danshen products are used in combination with therapeutic drugs metabolized by CYP3A.
Use of non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs and risk of incident myocardial infarction and heart failure, and all‐cause mortality in the Australian veteran community
Authors: Mangoni Arduino A. , Woodman Richard J. , Gaganis Paraskevi , Gilbert Andrew L. , Knights Kathleen M.
Published: January 2010

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT

• Current evidence suggests the use of non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) increases the risk of myocardial infarction and heart failure. However, some studies have failed to demonstrate a significant relationship.

• Differences in patient demographics, study design, and the varying types and classes of NSAIDs studied might either confound or modify the association between NSAID use and risk of myocardial infarction and heart failure, and prevent accurate data interpretation.

WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS

• NSAID use is not associated with an increased risk of either incident myocardial infarction or heart failure in elderly patients.

• NSAID use is associated with a reduction in all‐cause mortality in this cohort.

AIMS We studied the association between either non‐selective NSAIDs (ns‐NSAIDs), selective COX‐2 inhibitors, or any NSAID and risk of incident myocardial infarction (MI) and heart failure (HF), and all‐cause mortality in elderly subjects.

METHODS We conducted a retrospective nested case‐control study on Australian veterans using nationwide hospital admission and pharmacy dispensing data. We estimated adjusted odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the risk of events for three different measures of prescription supply exposure over the last 2 years: (i) supplied at least once, (ii) supply frequency: supplied more than twice within the last 30 days, once or twice within the last 30 days, and once or more 30 days to 2 years and (iii) total supplies.

RESULTS We identified 83 623 cases and 1 662 099 matched controls (1:20) contributing 3 862 931 persons‐years of observation. NSAID use at least once within the last 2 years did not significantly affect the risk of MI (OR 1.00, 95% CI 0.96, 1.04) but was associated with a mildly reduced risk of HF (OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.92, 0.98). There was a reduced all‐cause mortality with at least one supply of either ns‐NSAIDs (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.90, 0.97), selective COX‐2 inhibitors (OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.88, 0.93), or any NSAID (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.85, 0.90). Risk of death was also inversely associated with the number of prescription supplies.

CONCLUSIONS NSAID use is not associated with an increased risk of incident MI and HF but is associated with a reduction in all‐cause mortality in Australian veterans.
Role of voltage‐gated sodium, potassium and calcium channels in the development of cocaine‐associated cardiac arrhythmias
Authors: O'Leary Michael E. , Hancox Jules C.
Published: January 2010

Cocaine is a highly active stimulant that alters dopamine metabolism in the central nervous system resulting in a feeling of euphoria that with time can lead to addictive behaviours. Cocaine has numerous deleterious effects in humans including seizures, vasoconstriction, ischaemia, increased heart rate and blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmias and sudden death. The cardiotoxic effects of cocaine are indirectly mediated by an increase in sympathomimetic stimulation to the heart and coronary vasculature and by a direct effect on the ion channels responsible for maintaining the electrical excitability of the heart. The direct and indirect effects of cocaine work in tandem to disrupt the co‐ordinated electrical activity of the heart and have been associated with life‐threatening cardiac arrhythmias. This review focuses on the direct effects of cocaine on cardiac ion channels, with particular focus on sodium, potassium and calcium channels, and on the contributions of these channels to cocaine‐induced arrhythmias. Companion articles in this edition of the journal examine the epidemiology of cocaine use (Wood & Dargan[1]) and the treatment of cocaine‐associated arrhythmias (Hoffmann[2]).
The recording of drug sensitivities for older people living in care homes
Authors: Alldred David P. , Standage Claire , Zermansky Arnold G. , Barber Nicholas D. , Raynor D. K. , Petty Duncan R.
Published: January 2010

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT

• Care home residents are a frail and vulnerable population who are at a high risk of adverse drug reactions.

• The recording of drug sensitivities is important to avoid the inadvertent prescribing, dispensing and administration of an offending drug to a sensitive resident.

• There have been no studies investigating the recording of drug sensitivities for care home residents.

WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS

• The recording of drug sensitivities for care home residents is suboptimal and there are large discrepancies between records.

• It is concerning that over 90% of sensitivities are not recorded on the care home medicines administration record.

• Systems improvements are required, including the sharing of drug sensitivity status with community pharmacists; this could be achieved by printing sensitivities on prescriptions.

AIMS The aims of this study were to determine the recording of drug sensitivities of elderly care home residents, to describe the nature of sensitivities and to identify and describe discrepancies in the documentation of drug sensitivity status in general practices, pharmacies and care homes.

METHODS A random sample of residents within a purposive sample of care homes (nursing and residential) was selected. A clinical pharmacist inspected the GP medical record, the medicines administration record, and the care home record for each resident to identify drug sensitivities and discrepancies between records and to describe the nature of the recorded sensitivities.

RESULTS The records of 121 residents in 31 care homes were studied. Thirty‐one (26%) residents had at least one documented drug sensitivity in one of the sources inspected, with 48 sensitivities in total recorded. There was no description of the nature of the sensitivities recorded in 39/48 (81%) cases. The number of sensitivities recorded on the medicines administration record, care home record and the GP record were 3 (6%), 29 (60%) and 35 (73%), respectively. Only two sensitivities were simultaneously recorded on all three records.

CONCLUSIONS It was of concern that over 90% of drug sensitivities were not recorded on the medicines administration record which is the final checking document when administering medication. The reason for this was that the dispensing pharmacy was responsible for generating the medicines administration record; however, drug sensitivity status is seldom shared between the GP and the dispensing pharmacy. Printing sensitivities on prescriptions would help to resolve this.
Calcite and gypsum solubility products in water‐saturated salt‐affected soil samples at 25°C and at least up to 14 dS m−1
Authors: Visconti F. , De Paz J. M. , Rubio J. L.
Published: January 2010

Calcite and gypsum are salts of major ions characterized by poor solubility compared with other salts that may precipitate in soils. Knowledge of calcite and gypsum solubility products in water‐saturated soil samples substantially contributes to a better assessment of processes involved in soil salinity. The new SALSOLCHEMIS code for chemical equilibrium assessment was parameterized with published analytical data for aqueous synthetic calcite and gypsum‐saturated solutions. Once parameterized, SALSOLCHEMIS was applied to calculations of the ionic activity products of calcium carbonate and calcium sulphate in 133 water‐saturated soil samples from an irrigated salt‐affected agricultural area in a semi‐arid Mediterranean climate. During parameterization, sufficiently constant values for the ionic activity products of calcium carbonate and calcium sulphate were obtained only when the following were used in SALSOLCHEMIS: (i) the equations of Sposito & Traina for the free ion activity coefficient calculation, (ii) the assumption of the non‐existence of the Ca (HCO 3)+ and CaCO3o ion pairs and (iii) a paradigm of total ion activity coefficients. The value of 4.62 can be assumed to be a reliable gypsum solubility product (pKs) in simple aqueous and soil solutions, while a value of 8.43 can only be assumed as a reliable calcite solubility product (pKs) in simple aqueous solutions. The saturated pastes and saturation extracts were found to be calcite over‐saturated, with the former significantly being less so (p IAP = 8.29) than the latter (p IAP = 8.22). The calcite over‐saturation of saturated pastes increased with the soil organic matter content. Nevertheless, the inhibition of calcite precipitation is caused by the soluble organic matter from a dissolved organic carbon threshold value that lies between 7 and 12 mm. The hypothesis of thermodynamic equilibrium is more adequate for the saturated pastes than for the saturation extracts.
Modelling trace metal extractability and solubility in French forest soils by using soil properties
Authors: Gandois L. , Probst A. , Dumat C.
Published: January 2010

Soil/solution partitioning of trace metals (TM: Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Sb, Pb and Zn) has been investigated in six French forest sites that have been subjected to TM atmospheric inputs. Soil profiles have been sampled and analysed for major soil properties, and CaCl2‐extractable and total metal content. Metal concentrations (expressed on a molar basis) in soil (total), in CaCl2 extracts and soil solution collected monthly from fresh soil by centrifugation, were in the order: Cr > Zn > Ni > Cu > Pb > Co > Sb > Cd , Zn > Cu > Pb = Ni > Co > Cd > Cr and Zn > Ni > Cu > Pb > Co > Cr > Cd > Sb , respectively. Metal extractability and solubility were predicted by using soil properties. Soil pH was the most significant property in predicting metal partitioning, but TM behaviour differed between acid and non‐acid soils. TM extractability was predicted significantly by soil pH for pH < 6, and by soil pH and Fe content for all soil conditions. Total metal concentration in soil solution was predicted well by soil pH and organic carbon content for Cd, Co, Cr, Ni and Zn, by Fe content for Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb and Sb and total soil metal content for Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb and Sb, with a better prediction for acidic conditions (pH < 6). At more alkaline pH conditions, solute concentrations of Cu, Cr, Sb and Pb were larger than predicted by the pH relationship, as a consequence of association with Fe colloids and complexing with dissolved organic carbon. Metal speciation in soil solutions determined by WHAM‐VI indicated that free metal ion (FMI) concentration was significantly related to soil pH for all pH conditions. The FMI concentrations of Cu and Zn were well predicted by pH alone, Pb by pH and Fe content and Cd, Co and Ni by soil pH and organic carbon content. Differences between soluble total metal and FMI concentrations were particularly large for pH < 6. This should be taken into account for risk and critical load assessment in the case of terrestrial ecosystems.
Magnetic susceptibility changes in relation to pedogenesis in a Xeralf chronosequence in northwestern Spain
Authors: Torrent J. , Liu Q. S. , Barrón V.
Published: January 2010

Pedogenesis under aerobic conditions is usually associated with an increase in magnetic susceptibility (χ, mass‐specific), which results from the formation of nano‐sized magnetite and/or maghaemite. In this study, we systematically investigated the χ trend in Xeralfs from a chronosequence of 13 river terraces in an area with a Mediterranean climate in Spain. The soils in the younger terraces are well drained and reddened, but those of the older terraces exhibit redoximorphic features and reduced χ values, because of the presence of a perched water table. In the well‐drained members of the chronosequence, the frequency dependent magnetic susceptibility, χFD, which is a proxy for the concentration of nano‐sized pedogenic ferrimagnets such as maghaemite, was highly correlated with the concentration of haematite (Hm), but not with that of goethite (Gt). Also, the peak χFDincreased with increasing age in the younger freely drained soils, indicating that no steady state had been reached, and decreased with increasing depth. The formation of maghaemite can be explained by either or both of two formation models, namely: (i) ferrihydrite → maghaemite → haematite solid state transformations; and (ii) the reaction of bacterially produced Fe(II) with an Fe hydroxide phase to form magnetite, which is later oxidized to maghaemite. Comparison between these soils and those in other climatic regions indicates that the Hm/χFDratio increases with increasing soil temperature and with the degree of weathering. In the horizons exhibiting redoximorphic features on the higher terraces, there was significantly less Hm and χFDin clay than in the well‐drained younger soils, possibly because of reductive dissolution of haematite and maghaemite. Laboratory experiments showed that susceptibility to reductive dissolution increased in the sequence goethite < maghaemite < haematite, which is consistent with the relative abundance of these minerals in the redoximorphic horizons.
Response of circulating T‐lymphocytes to a coccidian infection: insights from a parasitization‐vaccination experiment
Authors: Lemus Jesús. A. , Vergara Pablo , Fargallo Juan A.
Published: January 2010

1. Knowledge of how pathogens activate different components of the immune system to combat infections in the wild is a first step towards building a more global picture of the role that immunocompetence plays in host‐parasite evolution and host life history. Ecological immunology is currently situated in this first step due, in part, to the scarcity of simple techniques to reliably evaluate immunocompetence in the field. In fact, controversy remains as to whether parasites act as immuno‐stimulators promoting immune responses or as immune‐depressors via immune resource depletion.

2. In this study we manipulated parasite infection (Caryospora, Protozoa, Apicomplexa) and vaccinated captive Eurasian kestrels (Falco tinnunculus) to study potential immunological responses in different components of the immune system: circulating lymphocyte lineages (CD4, CD5 and CD8), counts of total lymphocytes and white blood cells (WBC) and plasma immunoglobulins (α‐1, α‐2, β‐1, β‐2 and δ).

3. We also evaluated the efficacy of the PHA‐assay, a common test used in ecological immunology, to gain information about T‐cell‐mediated immune response.

4. Experimentally infected and vaccinated (inoculated with attenuated parasites) birds showed drastic increases in CD4 and CD5 lymphocyte lineages, but not in CD8s, nor in total counts of lymphocytes or WBCs and no significant variation was observed in plasma globulins and in inflammatory reaction to PHA as a consequence of infection. PHA assay values were not correlated with initial (before vaccination) or final (after vaccination) values or with the response (final – initial) of T‐lymphocyte lineages.

5. Individuals with initially lower numbers of CD4 showed higher numbers (higher immune response) after vaccination. In the case of CD5s, initial and final numbers were positively correlated.

6. This study shows that parasites clearly provoke immune activity stimulation through proliferation of T‐lymphocytes (CD4 and CD5) and also reveals that other commonly used measurements, considered to be related to T‐cell‐mediated immunity, such as single‐time‐point measurements (total lymphocyte and WBC counts) or PHA assays, have a questionable capacity to provide information about immunological capacity to combat pathogens.
Impacts of experimentally imposed drought on leaf respiration and morphology in an Amazon rain forest
Authors: Metcalfe Daniel B. , Lobo‐do‐Vale Raquel , Chaves Manuela M. , Maroco Joao P. , C Aragão Luiz E. O. , Malhi Yadvinder , Da Costa Antonio L. , Braga Alan P. , Gonçalves Paulo L. , De Athaydes Joao , Da Costa Mauricio , Almeida Samuel S. , Campbell Catherine , Hurry Vaughan , Williams Mathew , Meir Patrick
Published: January 2010

1. The Amazon region may experience increasing moisture limitation over this century. Leaf dark respiration (R) is a key component of the Amazon rain forest carbon (C) cycle, but relatively little is known about its sensitivity to drought.

2. Here, we present measurements of R standardized to 25 °C and leaf morphology from different canopy heights over 5 years at a rain forest subject to a large‐scale through‐fall reduction (TFR) experiment, and nearby, unmodified Control forest, at the Caxiuanã reserve in the eastern Amazon.

3. In all five post‐treatment measurement campaigns, mean R at 25 °C was elevated in the TFR forest compared to the Control forest experiencing normal rainfall. After 5 years of the TFR treatment, R per unit leaf area and mass had increased by 65% and 42%, respectively, relative to pre‐treatment means. In contrast, leaf area index (L) in the TFR forest was consistently lower than the Control, falling by 23% compared to the pre‐treatment mean, largely because of a decline in specific leaf area (S).

4. The consistent and significant effects of the TFR treatment on R, L and S suggest that severe drought events in the Amazon, of the kind that may occur more frequently in future, could cause a substantial increase in canopy carbon dioxide emissions from this ecosystem to the atmosphere.
Oxygen stores plasticity linked to foraging behaviour and pregnancy in a diving predator, the Galapagos sea lion
Authors: Villegas‐Amtmann Stella , Costa Daniel P.
Published: January 2010

1. Survival of a population can be influenced by foraging success that is determined by ecological and physiological factors. Foraging in air‐breathing marine vertebrates is constrained by the duration of their dives, which is in part determined by their oxygen stores. Such organisms are excellent models to study how and when physiology limits behaviour and the associated role of ecological factors such as seasonal change.

2. The Galapagos sea lion (GSL) Zalophus wollebaeki is endangered and its population is declining. Previous work found that GSL exhibited three distinct foraging strategies during a warm season when resources are less abundant, possibly caused by intraspecific competition.

3. We examined adult female GSL diving behaviour during a cold, productive season compared to a warm season to test the hypothesis that they would converge onto one foraging strategy as a consequence of increased productivity. We investigated intra and inter‐seasonal changes in GSL oxygen stores during a warm (March 2005, n = 11) and cold season (August–September 2006, n = 12) at Caamaño Islet, Galapagos.

4. GSL exhibited persistence of three foraging strategies during the cold, productive season similar to those found during the warm season. This suggests that intraspecific competition associated with limited resources in this area of the Galapagos Islands is maintained throughout the year.

5. GSL exhibited contrasting seasonal changes in their oxygen stores. During the warm season haemoglobin (Hb) and blood volume (Bv) were significantly higher while myoglobin (Mb) was significantly lower compared to that in the cold season. Given that diving behaviour was similar between seasons, these changes are attributed to other causes such as pregnancy as most females were pregnant during the cold season.

6. GSL exhibited physiological plasticity within each season that was attributed to dive behaviour. Oxygen stores of the three foraging strategies, increased according to dive durations: haematocrit, Hb and Mb during the warm season and Hb, Mb and Bv during the cold season.

7. Knowledge of an organism’s physiological plasticity is important to assess its vulnerability to climate change. We document for the first time inter and intraseasonal physiological response coupled with diving behaviour in the same sex and age class of an air‐breathing diving vertebrate.
Mixture effects of endocrine disrupting compounds in vitro
Authors: Kjærstad M. B. , Taxvig C. , Andersen H. R. , Nellemann C.
Published: January 2010

Four different equi‐molar mixtures were investigated for additive endocrine disrupting effects in vitro using the concentration addition model. It was found that additive effects on the same molecular target (the androgen receptor; AR) can be predicted for both mixtures of compounds with effect on the AR (flutamide, procymidone and vinclozolin) and of compounds with and without effects on the AR [finasteride, mono‐(2‐ethylhexyl) phthalate, prochloraz and vinclozolin]. For a paraben mixture (methyl paraben, ethyl paraben, propyl paraben, butyl paraben and iso‐butyl paraben) antagonistic effect on AR could not be predicted under assumption of additivity in our model system. For a mixture containing three azole fungicides (epoxiconazole, propiconazole and tebuconazole), the observed AR antagonistic effects were close to the predicted effect assuming additivity. Azole fungicides are known inhibitors of androgen biosynthesis and in the steroid synthesis assay using H295R cells, the inhibition of testosterone production was close to additive, whereas the inhibition of oestradiol production was over‐estimated for the mixture of azole fungicides, when compared with the effect predicted when assuming additivity. Overall these and other studies show that weak endocrine disrupting compounds, like parabens and azole fungicides, give rise to combination effects when they occur in mixtures. These combination effects should be taken into account in regulatory risk assessment not to under‐estimate the risks for adverse effects associated with exposure to disrupting chemicals.
How widespread is woody plant encroachment in temperate Australia? Changes in woody vegetation cover in lowland woodland and coastal ecosystems in Victoria from 1989 to 2005
Authors: Lunt Ian D. , Winsemius Lisa M. , McDonald Simon P. , Morgan John W. , Dehaan Remy L.
Published: January 2010

Aim  Encroachment or densification by woody plants affects natural ecosystems around the world. Many studies have reported encroachment in temperate Australia, particularly in coastal ecosystems and grassy woodlands. However, the degree to which published studies reflect broad‐scale changes is unknown because most studies intentionally sampled areas with conspicuous densification. We aimed to estimate changes in woody vegetation cover within lowland grassy woodland and coastal ecosystems in Victoria from 1989 to 2005 to determine whether published reports of recent encroachment are representative of broad‐scale ecosystem changes.

Location  All lowland grassy woodland and coastal ecosystems (c. 6.11 × 105 ha) in Victoria, Australia. Four major ecosystems were analysed: Plains woodlands, Herb‐rich woodlands, Riverine woodlands and Coastal vegetation.

Methods  Changes in woody vegetation cover from 1989 to 2005 were assessed based on state‐wide vegetation maps and Landsat analyses of woody vegetation cover conducted by the Australian Greenhouse Office’s National Carbon Accounting System. The results show changes in woody cover within mapped patches of native vegetation, rather than changes in the extent of woody vegetation resulting from clearing and revegetation.

Results  When pooled across all ecosystems, woody vegetation increased by 18,730 ha from 1989 to 2005. Woody cover within Riverine woodlands and within Plains woodlands each increased by >7000 ha. At the patch scale, the mean percentage cover of woody vegetation in each polygon increased by >5% in all four ecosystems: Riverine woodlands (+9.2% on average), Herb‐rich woodlands (+7.6%), Plains woodlands (+6.7%) and Coastal vegetation (+5.9%). Regression models relating degree of encroachment to geographic and climatic variables were extremely weak (r2 ≤ 0.026), indicating that most variation occurred at local scales rather than across broad geographic gradients.

Main conclusions  At the scale of observation, woody vegetation cover increased in all lowland woodland and coastal ecosystems over the 16‐year period. Thus, published examples of encroachment in selected coastal and woodland patches do appear to reflect widespread increases in woody vegetation cover in these ecosystems. This densification appears to be associated with changes in land management rather than with post‐fire vegetation recovery and is likely to be ongoing and long‐lasting, with substantial implications for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services.
Evidence for selection on coloration in a Panamanian poison frog: a coalescent‐based approach
Authors: Brown Jason L. , Maan Martine E. , Cummings Molly E. , Summers Kyle
Published: January 2010

Aim  The strawberry poison frog, Oophaga pumilio, has undergone a remarkable radiation of colour morphs in the Bocas del Toro archipelago in Panama. This species shows extreme variation in colour and pattern between populations that have been geographically isolated for < 10,000 years. While previous research has suggested the involvement of divergent selection, to date no quantitative test has examined this hypothesis.

Location  Bocas del Toro archipelago, Panama.

Methods  We use a combination of population genetics, phylogeography and phenotypic analyses to test for divergent selection in coloration in O. pumilio. Tissue samples of 88 individuals from 15 distinct populations were collected. Using these data, we developed a gene tree using the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) d‐loop region. Using parameters derived from our mtDNA phylogeny, we predicted the coalescence of a hypothetical nuclear gene underlying coloration. We collected spectral reflectance and body size measurements on 94 individuals from four of the populations and performed a quantitative analysis of phenotypic divergence.

Results  The mtDNA d‐loop tree revealed considerable polyphyly across populations. Coalescent reconstructions of gene trees within population trees revealed incomplete genotypic sorting among populations. The quantitative analysis of phenotypic divergence revealed complete lineage sorting by colour, but not by body size: populations showed non‐overlapping variation in spectral reflectance measures of body coloration, while variation in body size did not separate populations. Simulations of the coalescent using parameter values derived from our empirical analyses demonstrated that the level of sorting among populations seen in colour cannot reasonably be attributed to drift.

Main conclusions  These results imply that divergence in colour, but not body size, is occurring at a faster rate than expected under neutral processes. Our study provides the first quantitative support for the claim that strong diversifying selection underlies colour variation in the strawberry poison frog.
Energy regulation and neuroendocrine–immune control in chronic inflammatory diseases
Authors: Straub R. H. , Cutolo M. , Buttgereit F. , Pongratz G.
Published: January 2010

Abstract.  Straub RH, Cutolo M, Buttgereit F, Pongratz G (University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany; University of Genova, Genova, Italy; and Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany). Energy regulation and neuroendocrine–immune control in chronic inflammatory diseases (Review). J Intern Med 2010; 267:543–560.

Energy regulation (EnR) is most important for homoeostatic regulation of physiological processes. Neuroendocrine pathways are involved in EnR. We can separate factors that provide energy‐rich fuels to stores [parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS), insulin, insulin‐like growth factor‐1, oestrogens, androgens and osteocalcin] and those that provide energy‐rich substrates to consumers [sympathetic nervous system (SNS), hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, thyroid hormones, glucagon and growth hormone]. In chronic inflammatory diseases (CIDs), balanced energy‐rich fuel allocation to stores and consumers, normally aligned with circadian rhythms, is largely disturbed due to the vast fuel consumption of an activated immune system (up to 2000 kJ day−1). Proinflammatory cytokines such as tumour necrosis factor or interleukins 1β and 6, circulating activated immune cells and sensory nerve fibres signal immune activation to the rest of the body. This signal is an appeal for energy‐rich fuels as regulators are switched on to supply energy‐rich fuels (‘energy appeal reaction’). During evolution, adequate EnR evolved to cope with nonlife‐threatening diseases, not with CIDs (huge negative selection pressure and reduced reproduction). Thus, EnR is inadequate in CIDs leading to many abnormalities, including sickness behaviour, anorexia, hypovitaminosis D, cachexia, cachectic obesity, insulin resistance, hyperinsulinaemia, dyslipidaemia, fat deposits near inflamed tissue, hypoandrogenaemia, mild hypercortisolaemia, activation of the SNS (hypertension), CID‐related anaemia and osteopenia. Many of these conditions can contribute to the metabolic syndrome. These signs and symptoms become comprehensible in the context of an exaggerated call for energy‐rich fuels by the immune system. We propose that the presented pathophysiological framework may lead to new therapeutical approaches and to a better understanding of CID sequence.
Is physician‐diagnosed allergic rhinitis a risk factor for the development of asthma?
Authors: Van Den Nieuwenhof L. , Schermer T. , Bosch Y. , Bousquet J. , Heijdra Y. , Bor H. , Van Den Bosch W. , Van Weel C.
Published: February 2010

To cite this article: van den Nieuwenhof L, Schermer T, Bosch Y, Bousquet J, Heijdra Y, Bor H, van den Bosch W, van Weel C. Is physician‐diagnosed allergic rhinitis a risk factor for the development of asthma? Allergy 2010; 65: 1049–1055.

Background:  There is strong evidence that there is a relationship between allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma, but it is unclear whether there is a causal relation between AR and asthma. The aim of this study was to assess prospectively whether AR is a risk factor for the diagnosis of asthma in a large primary care population.

Methods:  We performed a historic cohort study of life‐time morbidity that had been recorded prospectively since 1967 in four general practices. Two groups of subjects were selected: (i) patients with diagnosis of AR, (ii) a control group matched using propensity scores. We assessed the risk of physician‐diagnosed asthma in patients with physician‐diagnosed AR compared to subjects without a diagnosis of AR (controls).

Results:  The study population consisted of 6491 subjects (n = 2081 patients with AR). Average study follow‐up was 8.4 years. In patients with AR, the frequency of newly diagnosed asthma was 7.6% (n = 158) compared to 1.6% (n = 70) in controls (P < 0.001). After adjusting the effect of AR on asthma diagnosis for registration time, age, gender, eczema and socioeconomic status, having AR was a statistically significant risk factor for asthma (hazard ratio: 4.86, P < 0.001, 95% confidence interval: 3.50–6.73, controls as reference).

Conclusion:  A diagnosis of AR was an independent risk factor for asthma in our primary care study population. Having physician‐diagnosed AR increased the risk almost fivefold for a future asthma diagnosis.
Birth‐related factors and doctor‐diagnosed wheezing and allergic sensitization in early childhood
Authors: Keski‐Nisula L. , Karvonen A. , Pfefferle P. I. , Renz H. , Büchele G. , Pekkanen J.
Published: January 2010

To cite this article: Keski‐Nisula L, Karvonen A, Pfefferle PI, Renz H, Büchele G, Pekkanen J. Birth‐related factors and doctor‐diagnosed wheezing and allergic sensitization in early childhood. Allergy 2010; 65: 1116–1125.

Background:  To investigate the associations between clinical obstetric factors during birth and doctor‐diagnosed wheezing and allergic sensitization during early childhood.

Methods:  We followed 410 Finnish women from late pregnancy until 18 months age of their children. All children were delivered at term. Doctor‐diagnosed wheezing among children was established by questionnaires, while specific immunoglobulin E antibodies to inhalant and food allergens were measured in 388 children at 1 year of age. Data on maternal obstetric variables were recorded at the time of delivery.

Results:  Children of mothers with longer duration of ruptured fetal membranes before birth had significantly higher risk of doctor‐diagnosed wheezing during early childhood compared to those children with shorter period of ruptured fetal membranes (III vs I quartile; aOR 6.65, 95% CI 1.99–22.18; P < 0.002 and IV vs I quartile; aOR 3.88, 95% CI 1.05–14.36, P < 0.043). Children who were born by Cesarean delivery had significantly less allergic sensitization at the age of 1 year compared to those who were born by vaginal route (16.0%vs 32.2%; aOR 0.34, 95% CI 0.14–0.80; P < 0.013). Furthermore, allergic sensitization tended to be more common in children with longer duration of labor before birth. No other birth‐related obstetric factors, such as induction, the type of fetal membrane rupture during birth or quality of amniotic fluid were associated significantly with the examined outcomes.

Conclusion:  The longer duration of the ruptured fetal membranes possibly reflected the higher risk of intrapartum infection at birth, and further increased the risk of doctor‐diagnosed wheezing among offspring.
Effects of nicorandil on sympathetic neurotransmission in rat caudal artery
Authors: Tei Ami , Nejime Namie , Tada Yukari , Kagota Satomi , Tanabe Yoko , Hashimoto Michio , Shinozuka Kazumasa
Published: February 2010

1. We examined the effects of nicorandil, an ATP‐sensitive potassium (KATP) channel opener and nitric oxide donor, on the release of noradrenaline from vascular sympathetic nerves. This effect was compared to the effect on vascular smooth muscle.

2. Caudal artery preparations from Wistar rats were electrically stimulated (1 Hz, 0.5‐ms duration) and noradrenaline release in the artery was detected using an high‐pressure liquid chromatography‐electrochemical detection technique. The pharmacological properties of the prejunctional effect of nicorandil were determined using the nonselective KATPchannel blocker glibenclamide, the pancreatic β‐cell and brain‐type KATPchannel blocker tolbutamide, and the smooth muscle‐type KATPchannel blocker PNU‐37883A.

3. Nicorandil inhibited the electrical stimulation‐evoked noradrenaline release in a concentration‐dependent manner. This inhibitory effect was abolished by 1 μmol/L glibenclamide and 10 μmol/L tolbutamide, but was not affected by 10 μmol/L PNU‐37883A or 0.3 μmol/L ODQ. Nicorandil did not affect the noradrenaline transporter uptake 1 in the adrenergic nerve terminals.

4. Nicorandil produced a relaxation response in a concentration‐dependent manner in the caudal artery pre‐contracted with 0.3 μmol/L noradrenaline. This relaxation response was significantly diminished in the presence of 1 μmol/L glibenclamide, 10 μmol/L PNU‐37883A and 0.3 μmol/L ODQ but not by 10 μmol/L tolbutamide.

5. These findings suggest that nicorandil inhibits noradrenaline release via the KATPchannels of sympathetic nerves. These channels may be pharmacologically different from those of vascular smooth muscle.