bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of Integrated Nutrient Management on Soil Properties under Long-Term Fertilizer Experiment in Vertisol
Authors: Pradhan Chandini , Ghosh Amlan Kumar , Dixit B. K. , Bhadani Somya Kumari , Pradhan Satya Narayana
Published: January 2024

Aims: To study the effect of continuous fertilization on soil properties and soil carbon stock, in a long-term experiment under a wheat-soybean cropping system in Vertisol.

Study Design:  The experiment was laid in a Randomized block design and consisted of three replications and nine treatments.

Place and Duration of Study: Soil samples were collected during April 2022 following the harvest of Wheat from the on-going long-term fertilizer experiment at Jawahar Nehru Krishi Viswa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India

Methodology: The soil samples were collected from two depths (0-15 and 15-30cm) and were analyzed for properties such as pH, electrical conductivity, available N, available P and available K using standard procedures.

Results: The results indicated that out of all the treatments continued application of 100% NPK+ Farm yard manure had a significant effect (P<0.05) on all the parameters. This treatment had the highest value for in both 0-15 and 15-30 cm:  SOC%(0.79% and 0.73%), available N(319.3 kg ha-1 , 275.00), available P(40.11 kg ha-1, 37.85 kg ha-1), available K (326.33 kg ha-1, 302.9 kg ha-1).

Conclusion: Continued application of both 100%NPK along with FYM has a significant positive impact on the build-up of nutrients in the soil. This indicates that integrated application of nutrition assures productivity soil in the long.
Performance of Late Sown Wheat Varieties to Various Tillage Practices
Authors: Yadav Rajat Kumar , Panwar G. S. , Maurya Shravan Kumar , Tiwari Ankit , Sah Dinesh , Yadav Pradeep , Gupta Devrani
Published: January 2024

The present investigation was conducted to the response of tillage practices on growth and yield of different wheat varieties under late sown condition in rabi season of 2019-20 at Research farm of College of Agriculture, Banda University of Agriculture and Technology, Banda. The experiment was laid out in Split plot Design with three replications. Tillage methods were taken in main plot (Zero tillage and conventional tillage) and five varieties (HI1863, HI 1544, Shriram bioseed 2001, Raj 4120 and K 1317) were taken in sub plots. Results revealed that adoption of zero tillage has recorded maximum emergence count, plant height, dry matter accumulation, tillers/m2, root length CGR, and RGR, as compared to conventional method of crop establishment. The 10.38 per cent grain yield advantage was recorded with zero till wheat as compared to conventional method. Similarly, 8.2 per cent advantage was recorded in straw yield of wheat as compared to conventional sown wheat. Similar to this, wheat variety K 1317 was produced maximum growth attributing characters along with higher yield and b: c ratio.
Effect of Organic and Synthetic Fertilizer Management on the Yield and Growth Components of Basmati Rice in Western U.P., India
Authors: Kumar Yogesh , Kumar Yogesh , Naresh R. K. , Singh S. P. , Kumar Satendra , Singh Nitima , Kumar Rupak
Published: January 2024

The present investigation was conducted during kharif 2022 at the CRC of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut (U.P.) to studies the Effect of organic and Synthetic Fertilizer management on the yield and growth components of Basmati Rice in Western U.P. (India). The soil of experimental site was clay- loamy in texture, slightly alkaline, non-saline, low in organic carbon, N, P, and high in available K. DTPA extractable micronutrient were in high amount. Eleven treatments, viz., T1 (Absolutely Control), T2 (100:75:0 kg NPK ha-1), T3 (100:75:60 kg NPK ha-1), T4 (Only FYM @ 20 t ha-1), T5 (Only VC @ 20 t ha-1), T6 (50:37.5:30 kg NPK ha-1 + FYM @ 20 t ha-1), T7 (50:37.5:30 kg NPK ha-1 +VC @ 20 t ha-1 ), T8 (100:75:60 kg NPK ha-1 + FYM @ 10 t ha-1), T9 (100:75:60 kg NPK ha-1 + VC@ 10 t ha-1), T10 (50:37.5:30 kg NPK ha-1 + FYM @ 10 t ha-1) and T11 (50:37.5:30 kg NPK ha-1 + VC @ 10 t ha-1) were tested in RBD with three replication. The study revealed that application of T9 significantly improved the growth and yield attributes thus increasing the yield of rice over control with a corresponding increase of 61.2 and 34.5 percent in grain and straw yield of rice, respectively, although this treatment was found to be on par with T7 and T11. Thus, the inclusion of inorganic with organic sources of plant nutrients together helps to maintain yield stability, increasing the effectiveness of supplied nutrients, and creating favorable soil physical conditions.
Effect of Microbial Inoculants on Leghemoglobin Content in Nodules and Microbial Populations in Rhizosphere of Soybean in a Vertisols
Authors: Sahu R. K. , Kumar Sanjeet , Thakur Risikesh , Mitra N. G.
Published: January 2024

The present study was carried out during kharif season 2019-20 at the Research Farm, Department of Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry, Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh (INDIA), to assess the effect of microbial inoculants on leghemoglobin content in nodules and microbial populations in rhizosphere of soybean in a Vertisols. The experiment was laid out under randomized block design with three replications. The fifteen treatments comprised of different beneficial microbial consortia in possible combinations applied as seed treatments. Besides these, two control plots were maintained as fertilized un-inoculated control (FUI) and unfertilized un-inoculated control (UFUI). The results revealed that the significant improvement were noticed by the application of consortia NPK+EM+PGPR in leghemoglobin content in nodules at 25, 45 & 65 DAS over control. Similarly, the microbial populations of the diazotroph, PSB, KSB, PGPR, phototroph, Lactic bacterium, actinomycetes, fungus and yeast were maximum in NPK+EM+PGPR treatment and followed by PK+EM+PGPR treatments. Thus, it may be concluded that the consortium of NPK + EM + PGPR was superior for maximum nodulation and microbial population in rhizosphere of soybean in a Vertisol.
Intrathecal IgM synthesis is a prognostic factor in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Villar Luisa M. , Masjuan Jaime , González‐Porqué Pedro , Plaza José , Sádaba María C. , Roldán Ernesto , Bootello Alfredo , Alvarez‐Cermeño José C.
Published: January 2003

Intrathecal IgM synthesis (ITMS) predicts a worse evolution in the first stages of multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim of this study was the follow‐up of a group of relapsing‐remitting MS patients for a longer time to evaluate whether the ITMS implies a poor prognosis. Oligoclonal IgM bands were performed in 29 MS patients followed up from 5 to 16 years. Time to conversion to secondary‐progressive MS (SPMS), time elapsed to reach a disability of 6 in the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), percentage of patients with a benign MS, and changes in EDSS score were evaluated. During the follow‐up, 70.8% of patients with ITMS converted to SPMS. None of the patients without ITMS did. At the end of the study, 63.6% of patients with ITMS had reached EDSS 6, whereas none of the patients lacking ITMS reached values above EDSS 3. When patients with benign MS were analyzed, 82% lacked ITMS. All patients with a nonbenign MS had ITMS. At the end of the study, the mean EDSS score was 4.64 in patients with ITMS and 1.31 in those without. The presence of oligoclonal IgM bands in cerebrospinal fluid is an unfavorable prognostic marker in MS. Ann Neurol 2003;53:000–000
Association between prepregnancy maternal body mass index and the risk of having an infant with a congenital diaphragmatic hernia
Authors: Waller D. Kim , Tita Alan T.N. , Werler Martha M. , Mitchell Allen A.
Published: January 2003

BACKGROUND

A previous study observed that women who are underweight prior to conception were significantly more likely to have infants affected by congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). The objective of the current study was to examine the association between maternal body mass index and the risk of a CDH‐affected offspring based on a larger number of cases of CDH.

METHODS

A case control study was conducted using data collected by the Boston University Slone Epidemiology Center Birth Defects Study, which identifies infants with major malformations who are born in the metropolitan area surrounding Boston, Massachusetts; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Control infants were selected from infants without malformations who were born in the same areas. The study included 85 cases of CDH and 655 controls delivered between 1993 and 1997.

RESULTS

After adjustment for maternal education and maternal age, we observed that women who were thin or underweight for their height (body mass index ≤ 19.0 kg/m2) had an increased risk of having an infant with isolated CDH (OR = 1.9; 95% CI = 0.92–4.1), but no increase in the risk of having a CDH infant with multiple defects (OR = 0.86; 95% CI = 0.29–2.6) compared with all other women.

CONCLUSIONS

Although our finding for isolated CDH was not statistically significant (P = 0.08), it suggests that the offspring of thin or underweight women may have an increased risk of isolated CDH. This finding requires confirmation. If it is confirmed, further research on factors associated with being underweight should be explored such as diet, exercise, and use of drugs. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 67:73–76, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Regulation of AP‐2 and apoptosis in developing eye in a vitamin A–deficiency model
Authors: Zhou Jian , Kochhar Devendra M.
Published: January 2003

BACKGROUND

Eye malformations induced by vitamin A deficiency (VAD) during pregnancy is a major part of the VAD syndrome. But the signaling role of retinoic acid (RA) in ocular tissues is poorly understood. The goal of this study was to determine the role of retinoic acid receptor (RAR) in the development of eye and the possible signaling pathway.

METHODS

Time‐pregnant mice were treated with 1 mg/kg dose of RAR antagonist AGN193109 (AGN) on 8 days postcoitum (dpc). Newborn mice and 18‐dpc embryos were used for phenotype studies. Embryonic eyes of 18 dpc were sectioned for histological study. With immunohistochemistry and TUNEL method, we monitored the alternation of AP‐2 expression and apoptotic cells in sections of 12‐ to 18‐dpc embryos.

RESULTS

Treatment with AGN resulted in severe craniofacial and eye malformations in virtually all exposed fetuses. The ocular abnormalities included severe defects in anterior segments such as focal corneal thickening and eversion, absence of corneal endothelium and anterior chamber, differentiation defects of lens, as well as defects in posterior segment such as persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous and retinal eversions. The percentage of AP‐2–positive cells in ocular tissues on 12, 14, and 18 dpc was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced in AGN‐treated eyes compared to control ones. Additionally, the number of apoptotic cell was significantly (P < 0.05) increased in AGN‐treated eyes.

CONCLUSIONS

The blocking of RAR function can lead to ocular abnormalities that depict partial phenocopies of vitamin A–deficiency syndrome. Both an inhibition of expression of AP‐2 and an enhancement of cell death contribute to AGN‐induced ocular defects. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 67: 41–53, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Modeling of scale‐down effects on the hydrodynamics of expanded bed adsorption columns
Authors: Fenneteau Frédérique , Aomari Hafida , Chahal Parminder , Legros Robert
Published: January 2003

Expanded‐bed adsorption (EBA) is a technique for primary recovery of proteins starting from unclarified broths. This process combines centrifugation, concentration, filtration, and initial capturing of the proteins in a single step. An expanded bed (EB) is comparable to a packed bed in terms of separation performance but its hydrodynamics are that of a fluidized bed. Downstream process development involving EBA is normally carried out in small columns to minimize time and costs. Our purpose here is to characterize the hydrodynamics of expanded beds of different diameters, to develop scaling parameters that can be reliably used to predict separation efficiency of larger EBA columns. A hydrodynamic model has been developed which takes into account the radial liquid velocity profile in the column. The scale‐down effect can be characterized in terms of apparent axial dispersion, Daxl,app, and plate number, NEB, adapted for expanded bed. The model is in good agreement with experimental results obtained from 1‐ and 5‐cm column diameters with buffer solutions of different viscosities. The model and the experiments show an increase of apparent axial dispersion with an increase in column diameter. Furthermore, the apparent axial dispersion is affected by an increase in liquid velocity and viscos‐ ity. Supported by visual observations and predictions from the model, it was concluded that operating conditions (liquid viscosity and superficial velocity) resulting in a bed‐void fraction between 0.7 and 0.75 would provide the optimal separation efficiency in terms of NEB. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 81: 790–799, 2003.
Simultaneous synthesis of enantiomerically pure (S)‐amino acids and (R)‐amines using coupled transaminase reactions
Authors: Cho Byung‐Kwan , Cho Ho Jung , Park Sung‐Hee , Yun Hyungdon , Kim Byung‐Gee
Published: January 2003

For the simultaneous synthesis of enatiomerically pure (S)‐amino acids and (R)‐amines from corresponding α‐keto acids and racemic amines, an α/ω‐transaminase coupled reaction system was designed using favorable reaction equilibrium shift led by ω‐transaminase reaction. Cloned tyrB, aspC and avtA, and ωtaA were co‐expressed in E. coli BL21(DE3) using pET23b(+) and pET24ma, respectively. The coupled reaction produced the (S)‐amino acids with 73–90% (> 99% eeS) of conversion yield and resolved the racemic amines with 83–99% eeR for 5 to 10 hours. In designing the coupled reactions in the cell, alanine and pyruvate were efficiently used in the cell as an amine donor for the alanine transaminase and an amino acceptor for the ω‐transaminase, respectively, resulting in an alanine‐pyruvate shuttling system. The common problem of the low equilibrium constant of the α‐transaminase can be efficiently overcome by the coupling with the ω‐transaminase. However, overcoming the product inhibition of ω‐transaminase by the ketone by‐product and increasing the decarboxylation rate of the oxaloacetate produced during the transaminase reaction become barriers to further improving the overall reaction rate and the yield of the coupled reactions. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 81: 783–789, 2003.
Expression and secretion of the heterodimeric protein interleukin‐12 in plant cell suspension culture
Authors: Kwon T. H. , Seo J. E. , Kim J. , Lee J. H. , Jang Y. S. , Yang M. S.
Published: January 2003

It has been suggested that plant cell culture is the most suitable system for producing small‐to‐medium quantities of specialized, expensive, and high‐purity proteins. Here, we report that a heterodimeric protein, human interleukin‐12 (hIL‐12), was expressed and secreted into culture medium in a biologically active form. A transgenic plant expressing hIL‐12 was constructed by sexual crossing of plants that expressed each subunit of the protein. From a piece of transgenic plant, callus was induced and cell suspension culture was established. The biological activity and amount of hIL‐12 secreted into culture medium were analyzed using bioassays and ELISA. Analysis of cellular localization demonstrated that the protein was secreted into the culture medium together with its intrinsic signal peptide. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 81: 870–875, 2003.
The impact of a self‐esteem group for people with eating disorders: an uncontrolled study
Authors: Newns Kathryn , Bell Lorraine , Thomas Sara
Published: January 2003

Low self‐esteem is widely recognized as a predisposing, precipitating and maintaining factor in the aetiology of eating disorders. This paper examines the effectiveness of a self‐esteem group for women with eating disorders, delivered repeatedly over a 20‐month period. Forty‐one patients began and 33 completed the programme and both pre‐ and post‐measures. Eight were excluded from the final analysis as they were in concurrent psychological treatment. Outcome was assessed using standardized measures and records of symptom levels and drop‐out rates. Significant improvements in self‐esteem, depression, and eating attitudes were observed. It is concluded that a treatment focusing solely on self‐esteem can be beneficial in reducing eating disordered attitudes. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Developing basic training programmes: a case study illustration using the Delphi method in clinical psychology
Authors: Graham Louise F. , Milne Derek L.
Published: January 2003

The effectiveness of interventions in mental health depends on the competence of the therapists who deliver them and in turn on the training that they receive. For this training to be successful it is necessary for programmes to periodically review and develop their objectives, content and methods. In the present article we summarize the main pressures on training programmes to undertake such review and development cycles, detail one review method (the Delphi Technique), and present the results of a Delphi survey of the stakeholders (N = 43) associated with a clinical psychology training programme in the UK. The results indicated that the Delphi was conducted satisfactorily and that it can play a valuable role in defining how a training programme can be improved, based on reaching consensus about developments amongst the programme's stakeholders. Implications are drawn regarding the need for multiple measures, to complement the Delphi Technique as a way of developing training. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Allometric scaling and proportion regulation in the freshwater planarian Schmidtea mediterranea
Authors: Oviedo Néstor J. , Newmark Phillip A. , Sánchez Alvarado Alejandro
Published: January 2003

The regulation of scale and proportion in living organisms is an intriguing and enduring problem of biology. Regulatory mechanisms for controlling body size and proportion are clearly illustrated by the regeneration of missing body parts after amputation, in which the newly regenerated tissues ultimately attain a size that is anatomically congruent with the size of the rest of the organism. Understanding the molecular processes underpinning scaling would have deep consequences for our comprehension of tissue regeneration, developmental ontogeny, growth, and evolution. Although many theories have been put forward to explain this process, it is interesting that no satisfactory mechanistic explanation is currently available to explain scalar relationships. We chose to investigate the freshwater planarian, a commonly used model system for the study of metazoan regeneration, to delineate a strategy for the molecular dissection of scale and proportion mechanisms in metazoans. Here, we report on the cloning and discrete expression pattern of a novel planarian gene, which shares homology with the DEG/ENaC super‐family of sodium channels. We have named H.112.3c cintillo (“head ribbon” in Spanish) and present a strategy for using the expression of this gene to monitor scale and proportion regulation during regeneration, growth and degrowth in the freshwater planarian Schmidtea mediterranea. Developmental Dynamics 226:326–333, 2003.© 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Electroporation as a tool to study in vivo spinal cord regeneration
Authors: Echeverri K. , Tanaka E.M.
Published: January 2003

Tailed amphibians such as axolotls and newts have the unique ability to fully regenerate a functional spinal cord throughout life. Where the cells come from and how they form the new structure is still poorly understood. Here, we describe the development of a technique that allows the visualization of cells in the living animal during spinal cord regeneration. A microelectrode needle is inserted into the lumen of the spinal cord and short rapid pulses are applied to transfer the plasmids encoding the green or red fluorescent proteins into ependymal cells close to the plane of amputation. The use of small, transparent axolotls permits imaging with epifluorescence and differential interference contrast microscopy to track the transfected cells as they contribute to the spinal cord. This technique promises to be useful in understanding how neural progenitors are recruited to the regenerating spinal cord and opens up the possibility of testing gene function during this process. Developmental Dynamics 226:418–425, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Unique expression patterns of matrix metalloproteinases in regenerating newt limbs
Authors: Kato Tomoko , Miyazaki Koyomi , Shimizu‐Nishikawa Keiko , Koshiba Kazuko , Obara Masanobu , Mishima Hiromu K. , Yoshizato Katsutoshi
Published: January 2003

The process of regeneration of urodele limbs includes a drastic remodeling of extracellular matrices (ECMs) that is induced by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and is thought to be one of the triggers of the regeneration. We studied this remodeling in limbs of Japanese newt, Cynops pyrrhogaster, by using five genes of newt MMPs (nMMPs) as probes: nMMP9, nMMP3/10‐a, nMMP3/10‐b, and nMMP13 that had been characterized previously, and nMMPe that was newly cloned in the present study. nMMPe was 502 amino acid residues long and showed a low homology to other known vertebrate MMPs. Reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reactions analysis localized the transcript of nMMPe in the apical epidermal cap (AEC) and the non–blastemal wound epidermis but not in the blastemal mesenchyme or the normal epidermis. Northern blot analysis localized the transcripts of nMMP9, nMMP3/10‐a, and nMMP13 in the bone of regenerating limbs, whereas those of nMMP3/10‐b in AEC. mRNA in situ hybridization experiments identified the nMMP‐expressing cells. nMMP9 gene was strongly expressed in chondrocytes of the cartilage of epiphysis. Of interest, basal cells of AEC, but not those of the normal skin, expressed nMMP3/10‐b intensely. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that the nMMP9 proteins synthesized by chondrocytes were secreted and distributed widely in the basement membrane of bone and ECMs of the amputation plane. These nMMPs characterized in the present study might cooperatively work to remodel ECMs of regenerating limbs. Developmental Dynamics 226:366–376, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Identification of genes expressed during Xenopus laevis limb regeneration by using subtractive hybridization
Authors: King Michael W. , Nguyen Trent , Calley John , Harty Mark W. , Muzinich Michael C. , Mescher Anthony L. , Chalfant Chris , N'Cho Mathias , McLeaster Kevin , McEntire Jacquelyn , Stocum David , Smith Rosamund C. , Neff Anton W.
Published: January 2003

Suppression polymerase chain reaction–based subtractive hybridization was used to identify genes that are expressed during Xenopus laevis hindlimb regeneration. Subtractions were done by using RNAs extracted from the regeneration‐competent stage (stage 53) and regeneration‐incompetent stage (stage 59) of limb development. Forward and reverse subtractions were done between stage 53 7‐day blastema and stage 53 contralateral limb (competent stage), stage 59 7‐day pseudoblastema and stage 59 contralateral limb (incompetent stage), and stage 53 7‐day blastema and stage 59 7‐day pseudoblastema. Several thousand clones were analyzed from the various subtracted libraries, either by random selection and sequencing (1,920) or by screening subtracted cDNA clones (6,150), arrayed on nylon membranes, with tissue‐specific probes. Several hundred clones were identified from the array screens whose expression levels were at least twofold higher in experimental tissue vs. control tissue (e.g., blastema vs. limb) and selected for sequencing. In addition, primers were designed to assay several of the randomly selected clones and used to assess the level of expression of these genes during regeneration and normal limb development. Approximately half of the selected clones were differentially expressed, as expected, including several that demonstrate blastema‐specific enhancement of expression. Three distinct categories of expression were identified in our screens: (1) clones that are expressed in both regeneration‐competent blastemas and ‐incompetent pseudoblastemas, (2) clones that are expressed at highest levels in regeneration‐competent blastemas, and (3) clones that are expressed at highest levels in regeneration‐incompetent pseudoblastemas. Characterizing the role of each of these three categories of genes will be important in furthering our understanding of the process of tissue regeneration. Developmental Dynamics 226:398–409, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Induction of tenascin‐C by tumor‐specific EWS‐ETS fusion genes
Authors: Watanabe Goichi , Nishimori Hiroyuki , Irifune Hideto , Sasaki Yasushi , Ishida Setsuko , Zembutsu Hitoshi , Tanaka Toshihiro , Kawaguchi Satoshi , Wada Takuro , Hata Jun‐ichi , Kusakabe Moriaki , Yoshida Koichi , Nakamura Yusuke , Tokino Takashi
Published: January 2003

Ewing sarcoma (ES) and peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs) are associated with a chromosomal translocation resulting in a fusion of the amino‐terminus of EWS with the DNA‐binding domain of an ETS transcription factor (most commonly FLI1 or ERG). Although previous reports suggested that these chimera proteins would act as aberrant transcription factors, their downstream targets have not been fully elucidated. To identify downstream targets of these EWS‐ETS fusion proteins, we introduced EWS‐ETS fusion constructs into a human fibrosarcoma cell line, HT‐1080, by retroviral transduction. Here we report that Tenascin‐C (TNC) is induced to a significantly higher level in cells expressing EWS‐ETSs than in cells expressing normal ETSs. Furthermore, through use of an antisense cDNA expression vector we show that expression of endogenous TNC mRNA and protein were reduced coordinately with attenuation of EWS‐FLI1 fusion protein expression. A chromatin immunoprecipitation assay showed direct interaction between the TNC promoter and the EWS‐FLI1 fusion protein in vivo. In addition, a luciferase reporter assay revealed that EWS‐ETSs upregulated the TNC gene through four ETS binding sites in the TNC promoter. High levels of TNC expression were observed in a subset of ES cell lines (3 of 6) and primary tumors (4 of 6). Together with previous studies showing that TNC expression is involved in the invasive and malignant phenotype of several tumor types, our data suggest that the oncogenic effect of EWS‐ETS may be mediated in part by upregulating of TNC expression. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Serrated adenomas and mixed polyposis caused by a splice acceptor deletion in the mouse Smad4 gene
Authors: Hohenstein Peter , Molenaar Lia , Elsinga Joyce , Morreau Hans , van der Klift Heleen , Struijk Ada , Jagmohan‐Changur Shantie , Smits Ron , van Kranen Henk , van Ommen Gert‐Jan B. , Cornelisse Cees , Devilee Peter , Fodde Riccardo
Published: January 2003

Serrated adenomas, hyperplastic polyps, and admixed hyperplastic/adenomatous polyps form a distinct group of colorectal tumors, the molecular genetic basis of which is still poorly understood. We describe a novel mouse model for serrated adenomas and mixed polyposis, here referred to as Sad (serrated adenomas), caused by a spontaneously risen splice site mutation in the murine Smad4 gene. The Sad chromosomal region was identified by genetic linkage and loss of heterozygosity (LOH) analysis. Subsequently, several candidate genes were investigated by expression and mutation analysis. By use of genetic linkage and LOH analysis, we mapped the Sad candidate to mouse chromosome 18, 44–48 cM, syntenic to human chromosome band 18q21. Within this chromosomal interval, the Smad2, Smad4, and Smad7 genes were analyzed for the presence of a disease‐causing mutation in affected animals. A single nucleotide (nt) deletion was identified in the intron 5/exon 6 splice acceptor site of the Smad4 gene. The single base deletion results in a frameshift and an early termination codon through activation of a cryptic splice site 4 nt downstream in exon 6. The resulting mRNA is unstable, and the Sad mutation is thus likely to represent a null allele. Identification of a Smad4 mutation in the Sad mouse model provides further support for the involvement of the Smad genes, and thus the TGFB pathway, in the serrated/hyperplastic route to colorectal cancer. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Morphogenesis of typical winter and summer snow surface patterns in a continental alpine environment
Authors: Herzfeld Ute C. , Mayer Helmut , Caine Nel , Losleben Mark , Erbrecht Tim
Published: January 2003

Snow surface roughness is an important variable in the study of surface–atmosphere exchanges, including the investigation of snow melt at several scales, meltwater production and meltwater flux, wind transport and erosion in winter. In this paper the morphogenesis of the snow surface in winter and in summer is investigated both phenomenologically and quantitatively. For the first time, snow surface roughness and microtopography is measured spatially, using the Glacier Roughness Sensor (GRS), an instrument developed especially for this purpose. Data are analysed by application of geostatistical characterization and classification methods. Parameters that are useful as snow surface descriptors are defined and extracted from vario functions of first and second order, which are calculated for snow‐surface‐roughness data.

As a result of the geostatistical analysis, characteristics of morphogenetic processes of the winter and summer snow surface are derived. Characteristic parameters are given for suncups (summer) and sastrugi (winter) and their development stages, as well as quantitative discriminators between these forms, which may facilitate automation of snow surface classification. As an application, the interaction of environmentally induced processes and self‐organizational processes is analysed. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Kinetic analysis of the interactions between Troponin C (TnC) and Troponin I (TnI) binding peptides: evidence for separate binding sites for the ‘structural’ N‐terminus and the ‘regulatory’ C‐terminus of TnI on TnC
Authors: Tripet Brian , De Crescenzo Gregory , Grothe Suzanne , O'Connor‐McCourt Maureen , Hodges Robert S.
Published: January 2003

The Ca2+/Mg2+‐dependent interactions between TnC and TnI play a critical role in regulating the ‘on’ and ‘off’ states of muscle contraction as well as maintaining the structural integrity of the troponin complex in the off state. In the present study, we have investigated the binding interactions between the N‐terminus of TnI (residues 1–40 of skeletal TnI) and skeletal TnC in the presence of Ca2+ ions, Mg2+ ions and in the presence of the C‐terminal regulatory region peptides: TnI96–115, TnI96–131 and TnI96–139. Our results show the N‐terminus of TnI can bind to TnC with high affinity in the presence of Ca2+ or Mg2+ ions with apparent equilibrium dissociation constants of K = 48 nM and K = 29 nM. The apparent association and dissociation rate constants for the interactions were, kon = 4.8 × 105 M
−1 s−1, 3.4 × 105 M
−1 s−1 and koff = 2.3 × 10−2 s−1, 1.0 × 10−2 s−1 for TnC(Ca2+) and TnC(Mg2+) states, respectively. Competition studies between each of the TnI regions and TnC showed that both TnI regions can bind simultaneously to TnC while native gel electrophoresis and SEC confirmed the formation of stable ternary complexes between TnI96–139 (or TnI96–131) and TnC–TnI1–40. Further analysis of the binding interactions in the ternary complex showed the binding of the TnI regulatory region to TnC was critically dependent upon the presence of both TnC binding sites (i.e. TnI96–115 and TnI116–131) and the presence of Ca2+. Furthermore, the presence of TnI1–40 slightly weakened the affinity of the regulatory peptides for TnC. Taken together, these results support the model for TnI–TnC interaction where the N‐terminus of TnI remains bound to the C‐domain of TnC in the presence of high and low Ca2+ levels while the TnI regulatory region (residues 96–139) switches in its binding interactions between the actin‐tropomyosin thin filament and its own sites on the N‐ and C‐domain of TnC at high Ca2+ levels, thus regulating muscle contraction. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preliminary reconstructions of spring precipitation in southwestern Turkey from tree‐ring width
Authors: Touchan Ramzi , Garfin Gregg M. , Meko David M. , Funkhouser Gary , Erkan Nesat , Hughes Malcolm K. , Wallin Brian S.
Published: January 2003

Two reconstructions of spring (May–June) precipitation have been developed for southwestern Turkey. The first reconstruction (1776–1998) was developed from principal components of nine chronologies of Cedrus libani, Juniperus excelsa, Pinus brutia, and Pinus nigra. The second reconstruction (1339–1998) was derived from principal components of three J. excelsa chronologies. Calibration and verification statistics of both reconstructions indicate reasonably accurate reconstruction of spring precipitation for southwestern Turkey, and show clear evidence of multi‐year to decadal variations in spring precipitation. The longest period of reconstructed spring drought, defined as consecutive years with less than 80% of normal May–June precipitation, was 4 years (1476–79). Only one drought event of this duration has occurred during the last six centuries. Monte Carlo analysis indicates a less than 33% probability that southwestern Turkey has experienced spring drought longer than 5 years in the past 660 years. Apart from the 1476–79 extended dry period, spring droughts of 3 years in length have only occurred from 1700 to the present. The longest reconstructed wet period, defined as consecutive years with more than 120% of normal May–June precipitation, was 4 years (1532–35). The absence of extended spring drought during the 16th and 17th centuries and the occurrence of extended wet spring periods during these centuries suggest a possible regime shift in climate. Preliminary analysis of links between large‐scale climatic variation and these climate reconstructions shows that there is a relationship between extremes in spring precipitation and anomalous atmospheric circulation in the region. Copyright © 2003 Royal Meteorological Society.
Relationship between snow cover variability and Arctic oscillation index on a hierarchy of time scales
Authors: Bamzai A. S.
Published: January 2003

Based on satellite‐derived global snow cover data on weekly time scales, the climatology and interannual variability of snow onset day‐of‐year, snowmelt day‐of‐year and number of snow‐free days in a year are presented. Trends for snow onset day‐of‐year, snowmelt day‐of‐year and number of snow‐free days in a year indicate that there has been an increase in number of snow‐free days in recent decades. The relationship between snow cover and the Arctic oscillation (AO) index is examined on a hierarchy of time scales using lagged correlation and composite analysis. On weekly time scales, composite snow extent anomalies are maximum when AO leads snow cover by 1 week. These composite differences are maintained several weeks thereafter, particularly in the negative phase of the AO. Maps of composite snow cover anomalies when AO leads snow cover by 1 week delineate the spatial structure of these snow anomalies. On monthly time scales, lead–lag correlation between monthly snow cover and AO index indicates that the AO index during January, February and March is significantly correlated with snow cover in concurrent and subsequent spring months, particularly over Eurasia. Finally, on seasonal time scales, it is shown that winter season AO and winter/spring season snow cover are significantly correlated. Copyright © 2003 Royal Meteorological Society.
Land under pressure: soil conservation concerns and opportunities for Ethiopia
Authors: Sonneveld B. G. J. S. , Keyzer M. A.
Published: January 2003

This paper evaluates the future impact of soil degradation on national food security and land occupation in Ethiopia. It applies a spatial optimization model that maximizes national agricultural revenues under alternative scenarios of soil conservation, land accessibility and technology. The constraints in the model determine whether people remain on their original site, migrate within their ethnically defined areas or are allowed a transregional migration. Key to this model is the combination of a water erosion model with a spatial yield function that gives an estimate of the agricultural yield in its geographical dependence of natural resources and population distribution. A comparison of simulated land productivity values with historical patterns shows that results are interpretable and yield more accurate outcomes than postulating straightforward reductions in yield or land area for each geographic entity. The results of the optimization model show that in absence of soil erosion control, the future agricultural production stagnates and results in distressing food shortages, while rural incomes drop dramatically below the poverty line. Soil conservation and migration support a slow growth, but do not suffice to meet the expected food demand. In a transregional migration scenario, the highly degraded areas are exchanged for less affected sites, whereas cultivation on already substantially degraded soils largely continues when resettlement is confined to the original ethnic–administrative entity. A shift to modern technology offers better prospects and moderates the migration, but soil conservation remains indispensable, especially in the long term. Finally, an accelerated growth of non‐agricultural sectors further alleviates poverty in the countryside, contributing to higher income levels of the total population and, simultaneously, relieving the pressure on the land through rural–urban migration. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An assessment of restoration of biodiversity in degraded high mountain grazing lands in northern Ethiopia
Authors: Asefa D. T. , Oba G. , Weladji R. B. , Colman J. E.
Published: January 2003

Loss of biodiversity is the single most important threat to the conservation and sustainable use of drylands in northern Ethiopia due to many centuries of cultivation and heavy livestock grazing pressure. The current study assessed the restoration of biodiversity in highly degraded areas in eastern Tigray, northern Ethiopia using area enclosures (AEs). The study assessed whether the differences in biodiversity between AEs and open management schemes and time of land abandonment influenced diversity of plant life forms (i.e. herbs, shrubs and trees). Changes in biodiversity were compared using the state‐and‐transition model. Management types and time since abandonment (hereafter called age) had a significant effect on herbaceous plant species abundance but not in shrub species, while site factors had a greater effect on diversity of plant life forms in general. Herbaceous species richness increased with age of restoration, reaching a maximum after three years of rest and declined thereafter, most probably as a result of hay harvesting and replacement of annual species by perennial grass species. Tree species richness increased gradually with age of land abandonment up to the maximum age of eight years. Four vegetation states and seven possible transitions that could guide management were identified. The vegetation states differed in terms of diversity of herbs and tree species but not those of shrubs. Promotion of tree species states will require longer periods of rest, while promotion of herbaceous species richness will need shorter periods. The state‐and‐transitional model could, therefore, be used to guide future management by promoting vegetation states that are desired by land users. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of Newbouldia laevis on soil subjected to shifting cultivation in the Ibadan area, southwestern Nigeria
Authors: Aweto A. O. , Iyanda A. O.
Published: January 2003

Newbouldia laevis is the most abundant tree in shifting cultivation farms in the Ibadan area of southwestern Nigeria, where shifting cultivation is undergoing intensification. The physical and chemical properties of the soil under and outside the canopies of N. laevis were compared in order to evaluate the effects of the tree on the soil. Thirty Newbouldia trees were studied in 10 plots that measured 25 × 25 m. There was no significant increase in organic matter, total nitrogen, exchangeable calcium, magnesium, potassium and cation exchange capacity and extractable manganese, iron, and zinc in the 0–10 cm layer of soil under the canopy compared to the soil outside the canopy. The minimal accretion of organic matter and nutrients in the soil under the canopy is mainly attributable to site burning prior to cultivation (which destroys plant litter) and to the prolonged cultivation of the farms. Available phosphorus, however, was significantly higher in the soil under the canopy of trees. This is presumably due to the mobilization of inorganic phosphorus from the subsoil and its subsequent recycling to the topsoil by the trees. Soil physical status was improved under the canopy. Soil bulk density was lower and total porosity higher under the canopy due the effects of the concentration of plant roots near the stem of the trees. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Scale‐dependent effects of grazing on rangeland degradation in northern Kenya: a test of equilibrium and non‐equilibrium hypotheses
Authors: Oba G. , Weladji R. B. , Lusigi W. J. , Stenseth N. C.
Published: January 2003

This study employs scale‐dependence as an analytical approach to understanding effects of livestock grazing on rangeland degradation in northern Kenya. It used extensive datasets previously collected from 13 200 km2 rangelands where grazing pressure gradients of livestock (varied from none, light, moderate, heavy and very heavy grazing) in conjunction with seasonality across different ecological scales influenced plant responses and probably contributed to land degradation. The data representing spatial and temporal scales were used to test the equilibrium and non‐equilibrium‐grazing models and to verify scales at which the models appropriately described range degradation. The equilibrium‐grazing models operated at the coarse scales (e.g. range units, km2) and non‐equilibrium‐grazing models at multiple scales (e.g. spatial, temporal and fine scales—plots, landscape patches). The study showed that the equilibrium‐grazing hypothesis, which stated that responses of plant species richness, cover and biomass varied along grazing pressure gradients at the coarse scale, was rejected, while the non‐equilibrium‐grazing hypothesis, which stated that the factors responded to temporal and spatial scales combined with grazing pressure gradients at the fine scale, was accepted. This study emphasized that in future discussions on shifts in the thinking of range science from equilibrium‐ to non‐equilibrium‐grazing models should clarify scales at which land degradation is assessed. In conclusion, the paper suggests that understanding plant species responses to grazing pressure and seasonality needs to consider multiple scale effects and that the dogmatic notions about degradation of the arid zone rangelands at the coarse scales should be reconsidered. Land degradation assessments in the arid zones should focus at the fine scale. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Causes, consequences and control of wind erosion in Sahelian Africa: a review
Authors: Sterk G.
Published: January 2003

Sahelian Africa is one of the poorest regions of the world, where approximately 90 per cent of the population depends on subsistence agriculture. Due to the high population growth, with annual growth rates of about 3 per cent during recent decades, farmers have expanded their cropping areas to increase production. At the same time the traditional bush fallow system collapsed and more land became subject to soil degradation processes. Wind erosion is one of the main degradation processes that has received much scientific attention since the 1980s. The objective of this paper is to review the latest research results on wind‐erosion causes, consequences, perceptions and control in the Sahel. First the main processes involved in wind erosion (creep, saltation and suspension) are described and related to the Sahelian climate, soils and farming systems. Then the agricultural consequences of wind erosion are evaluated. Three types of damage are distinguished: undesired sedimentation, crop damage and soil degradation. Several studies were done to determine farmers knowledge and perceptions of wind erosion. In general the Sahelian farmers have a good qualitative understanding of wind‐erosion processes, and they are concerned about the consequences, especially about crop damage and soil productivity decline. Finally, the possibilities and constraints for wind‐erosion control are evaluated. The most widely applied control measure is mulching with crop residues, but the quantity of residue is insufficient due to low biomass yields and multiple uses. It is concluded that regeneration and exploitation of natural, scattered vegetation is a promising control strategy that needs more research. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Molecular determinants of tumor differentiation in papillary serous ovarian carcinoma
Authors: Jazaeri Amir A. , Lu Karen , Schmandt Rosemarie , Harris Charles P. , Rao Pulivarthi H. , Sotiriou Christos , Chandramouli G. V. R. , Gershenson David M. , Liu Edison T.
Published: January 2003

In epithelial ovarian cancer, tumor grade is an independent prognosticator whose molecular determinants remain unknown. We investigated patterns of gene expression in well‐ and poorly differentiated serous papillary ovarian and peritoneal carcinomas with cDNA microarrays. A 6500‐feature cDNA microarray was used for comparison of the molecular profiles of eight grade III and four grade I stage III serous papillary adenocarcinomas. With a modified F‐test in conjunction with random permutations, 99 genes whose expression was significantly different between grade I and grade III tumors were identified (P < 0.01). A disproportionate number of these differentially expressed genes were located on the chromosomal regions 20q13 and all exhibited higher expression in grade III tumors. Interphase fluorescent in situ hybridization demonstrated 20q13 amplification in two of the four grade III and none of the three grade I tumors available for evaluation. Several centrosome‐related genes also showed higher expression in grade III tumors. We propose a model in which tumor differentiation is inversely correlated with the overexpression of several oncogenes located on 20q13, a common amplicon in ovarian and numerous other cancers. Dysregulation of centrosome function is one potential mechanistic link between genetic/epigenetic changes and the poorly differentiated phenotype in ovarian cancer. Published 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.