bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Seasonal differences in smolt traits and post‐smolt survival of wild Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar, migrating from a northern boreal river
Authors: JUTILA E. , JOKIKOKKO E.
Published: September 2010

Abstract  Seasonal differences in smolt traits and the post‐smolt survival of wild Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., were investigated by smolt trapping and Carlin‐tagging in the River Simojoki, northern Finland between 1991 and 2004. The annual trapping season was divided into two halves based on the median catch date. Smolt length was significantly higher during the first half of the season, while differences in smolt weight were typically small. Smolt age was always significantly higher during the first half of the season because older smolts tended to migrate earlier in the season. Many smolts migrating during the early season and almost all smolts migrating later had started their new growth, indicating that smolts grow in the spring before sea entry. The differences in recaptures between smolts tagged during the first and second halves were insignificant. Although variations in smolt traits and environmental conditions can produce inter‐annual variation in post‐smolt survival, their seasonal differences seem to be too small to have an effect.
Inter‐river, ‐annual and ‐seasonal variability in fecundity of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., in rivers in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Authors: O’CONNELL M. F. , DEMPSON J. B. , REDDIN D. G.
Published: September 2010

Abstract  Fecundity is an integral component of the calculation of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., egg depositions in rivers. Fecundity determinations can be time consuming and prohibitively expensive in terms of application on a broad scale. Consequently, where river specific and annual data are not available, default means are used in calculations in Newfoundland and Labrador. It is important therefore to know the extent of variability among rivers, years and seasons and the potential error involved in using default values. Annual fecundity data were available for one river in Labrador and nine rivers in Newfoundland. Fecundity was determined from ovaries collected in the recreational fishery in the summer for all 10 rivers. For three of these rivers, fecundity determined from summer sampling was compared with that obtained from sampling at time of spawning in autumn. There was significant variability in fecundity with length as a covariate among rivers, years and seasons. Mean number of eggs per female decreased between 8.3% and 29.0% from summer to autumn while mean number of eggs per cm decreased from 5.0% to 28.5%. Depending on the measure of relative fecundity used (no. of eggs kg−1 or no. of eggs cm−1), results of simulations showed that estimates of egg deposition incorporating defaults can deviate from those obtained by applying year‐specific and river‐specific values by 50–75%, without adjusting for the seasonal reduction in fecundity, and by 30–50% with an adjustment. A sensitivity analysis revealed that of three parameters used in the calculation of egg deposition (size, percent female and fecundity), fecundity was the most influential.
Regulated floodplains – a trap for unwary fish
Authors: JONES M. J. , STUART I. G.
Published: September 2010

Abstract  Loss of river‐floodplain (lateral) connectivity has impacted on fish communities and fisheries around the world. However, evidence of the impacts of reduced lateral connectivity on Australian native fish remains scant. To document these impacts, isolated pools located immediately downstream of two major regulators (or weirs) that control flows from the Murray River to an extensive off‐stream floodplain, were pumped out five times between 2001 and 2006. A total of 20 980 fish (16 228 native, 4752 non‐native) comprising 15 species (five non‐native) were collected. Five fish species collected are classified as threatened, while turtles and macroinvertebrates were also present. Regulator operation appeared to affect the number of fish becoming stranded, with the highest number coinciding with longer regulator openings and extended floodplain inundation. Hundreds of floodplain regulators exist on Australian rivers, and all have the potential to impact upon native fish. Trial of several potential management and engineering solutions is recommended to improve river–floodplain connectivity in lowland rivers.
The level of predation used as an indicator of tagging/handling effects
Authors: JEPSEN N. , CHRISTOFFERSEN M. , MUNKSGAARD T.
Published: September 2010

Abstract  In most telemetry studies, there can be adverse effects of capture, handling and tagging. Possible tagging effects include impaired competitive performance and predator avoidance. These effects are not easily studied in the laboratory, and field studies include too much variability to test such indirect effects. Predation experiments were conducted in four outdoor ponds to test for the possible effects of transport/handling and tagging by surgical implanting. Pikeperch, Sander lucioperca (L.), were used as predators and trout, Salmo trutta (L.), as prey. The level of predation was highly dependant on water temperature, but no significant difference was seen in the level of predation between any of the treatment and control groups. This can be interpreted as a lack of effect or as a failure to detect such effect under less than field conditions.
Activity and movement patterns of the Lusitanian toadfish inferred from pressure‐sensitive data‐loggers in the Mira estuary (Portugal)
Authors: CAMPOS M. C. , COSTA J. L. , QUINTELLA B. R. , COSTA M. J. , ALMEIDA P. R.
Published: September 2010

Abstract  Activity rhythms and movement patterns of 10 adult specimens of the Lusitanian toadfish, Halobatrachus didactylus (Bloch & Schneider), were studied in the River Mira estuary (Portugal) using pressure‐sensitive data‐loggers and acoustic transmitters. Laboratory experiments were performed to assess the applicability of the sampling methodology to track the Lusitanian toadfish movements. Field results confirmed that the species usually displays a sedentary behaviour, although revealing a stronger disposition to perform greater longitudinal movements than it was formerly believed. Frequency of movements was influenced by the circadian cycle, tidal stage and type of tide. Lomb‐Scargle periodograms revealed significant daily periodicity in all the specimens studied. Two fish displayed significant intercalary rhythms that could be related with tidal cycle. This study also indicates that this species does not exclusively adopt a sit and wait predation behaviour, but probably undertakes an active search for food.
Sub‐sea power cables and the migration behaviour of the European eel
Authors: WESTERBERG H. , LAGENFELT I.
Published: September 2010

Abstract  Coded acoustic tags and an array with moored receivers were used to study the effect of a sub‐sea AC power cable on migrating European eel, Anguilla anguilla (L.) in the Baltic Sea. Sixty eels were tagged and the migration speed was measured in a strait with a 130 kV AC power cable. Observed swimming speed over the ground was corrected for advection by the water current. Eel swimming speed was significantly lower around the cable than both north and south of the cable. No details on the behaviour during passage over the cable were possible and possible physiological mechanisms explaining the phenomenon are unknown. Further work is needed to understand the nature of the effect.
Analysis of fish movement using a genetic algorithm: factors influencing the occurrence of fish near a set‐net
Authors: KOMEYAMA K. , SUZUKI K. , TAKAGI T. , MITSUNAGA Y. , YAMANE T. , HIRAISHI T.
Published: September 2010

Abstract  The occurrence of common carp, Cyprinus carpio L., and the environmental conditions near a set‐net were monitored using acoustic telemetry and a data logger to elucidate the conditions under which carp approached the net. The occurrence of one‐tagged fish was analysed using a genetic algorithm (GA); GAs are based on genetic mechanisms and use the natural selection of genotypes to model various explanatory variables to provide a solution. The conditions near the set‐net were simulated, including the current profile, wind system, water temperature and rainfall, and the pattern of factors that influenced the occurrence of the tagged fish were assessed using the GA. The occurrence of the tagged carp was related to lower water temperatures. The GA approach selected a significant portion of the truly important factors. Many factors can influence fish behaviour and GAs are an effective method for the analysis of complex biological phenomena.
Introduction of a new physiological acoustic electromyogram transmitter
Authors: LEMBO G. , CARBONARA P. , SCOLAMACCHIA M. , SPEDICATO M. T. , BJøRNSEN J. E. , HOLAND B. , MCKINLEY R. S.
Published: September 2010

Abstract  Electromyogram (EMG) radio transmitters have proven to be a useful tool to monitor activity levels in free swimming fish. Unfortunately, the availability of the EMG transmitter in only radio mode limited its use to the freshwater environment. Applications in the marine environment are numerous and include monitoring activity levels in both wild and cultured finfish. This study presents preliminary data from trials examining activity levels in free swimming sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax, L., using an acoustic EMG transmitter. Three adult sea bass were surgically implanted with the newly created prototype EMG transmitters. Signals from the transmitter were calibrated to swimming speed using a Blažka‐style chamber. Swimming trials showed a high correlation between EMG signal and swimming velocity (r2 = 0.978) and were described using a sigmoid model. No significant differences (P < 0.05) were found among the four swimming trials conducted on the same fish or among the trials of the three different fish, indicating minimum variation from the prototypes tested.
Spatial and temporal variability of the phenological seasons in Germany from 1951 to 1996
Authors: Menzel Annette , Estrella Nicole , Fabian Peter
Published: September 2010

Various indications for shifts in plant and animal phenology resulting from climate change have been observed in Europe. This analysis of phenological seasons in Germany of more than four decades (1951–96) has several major advantages: (i) a wide and dense geographical coverage of data from the phenological network of the German Weather Service, (ii) the 16 phenophases analysed cover the whole annual cycle and, moreover, give a direct estimate of the length of the growing season for four deciduous tree species. After intensive data quality checks, two different methods – linear trend analyses and comparison of averages of subintervals – were applied in order to determine shifts in phenological seasons in the last 46 years. Results from both methods were similar and reveal a strong seasonal variation. There are clear advances in the key indicators of earliest and early spring (−0.18 to −0.23 d y−1) and notable advances in the succeeding spring phenophases such as leaf unfolding of deciduous trees (−0.16 to −0.08 d y−1). However, phenological changes are less strong during autumn (delayed by + 0.03 to + 0.10 d y−1 on average). In general, the growing season has been lengthened by up to −0.2 d y−1 (mean linear trends) and the mean 1974–96 growing season was up to 5 days longer than in the 1951–73 period. The spatial variability of trends was analysed by statistical means and shown in maps, but these did not reveal any substantial regional differences. Although there is a high spatial variability, trends of phenological phases at single locations are mirrored by subsequent phases, but they are not necessarily identical. Results for changes in the biosphere with such a high resolution with respect to time and space can rarely be obtained by other methods such as analyses of satellite data.
CO2 exchange in an organic field growing barley or grass in eastern Finland
Authors: Maljanen Marja , Martikainen Pertti J. , Walden Jari , Silvola Jouko
Published: September 2010

The CO2 dynamics were measured in an organic soil in eastern Finland during the growing season and wintertime, and the annual CO2 balance was calculated for plots where barley or grass was grown. During the summer, the CO2 dynamics were measured by transparent and opaque chambers using a portable infrared gas analyser for the CO2 analyses. During the winter, the CO2 release was measured by opaque chambers analysing the samples in the laboratory with a gas chromatograph. Statistical response functions for CO2 dynamics were constructed to evaluate the annual CO2 exchange from the climatic data. The net CO2 exchange was calculated for every hour in the snow‐free season. The carbon balance varied extensively depending on the weather conditions, and type and phenology of vegetation. During the growing season, the grassland was a net source while the barley field was a net sink for CO2. However, both soils were net sources for CO2 when autumn, winter and spring were included also. The annual CO2 emissions from the grassland and barley soil were 750 g CO2‐C m−2 and 400 g CO2‐C m−2, respectively. The carbon accumulated in root and shoot biomass during the growing season was 330 g m−2 for grass and 520 g m−2 for barley. The C in the aboveground plant biomass ranged from 43 to 47% of the carbon fixed in photosynthesis (PG) and the proportion of C in the root biomass was 10% of the carbon fixed in photosynthesis. The bare soils had 10–60% higher net CO2 emission than the vegetated soils. These results indicate that the carbon balance of organic soils is affected by the characteristics of the prevailing plant cover. The dry summer of 1997 may have limited the growth of grass in the late summer thus reducing photosynthesis, which could be one reason for the high CO2 release from this grass field.
The impact of diffuse sunlight on canopy light‐use efficiency, gross photosynthetic product and net ecosystem exchange in three forest biomes
Authors: ALTON P. B. , NORTH P. R. , LOS S. O.
Published: September 2010

For three forest canopies (a sparse, boreal needleleaf; a temperate broadleaf; and a dense, tropical, broadleaf stand) light‐use efficiency (LUE) is found to be 6–33% higher when sky radiance is dominated by diffuse rather than direct sunlight. This enhancement is much less than that reported previously for both crops (110%; Choudbury, 2001) and moderately dense temperate woodland (50–180%). We use the land‐surface scheme JULES to interpret the observed canopy response. Once sunflecks and leaf orientation are incorporated explicitly into the scheme, our simulations reproduce convincingly the overall level of canopy gross photosynthetic product (GPP), its enhancement with respect to diffuse sunlight and the mean 15% reduction in productivity observed during the afternoon due to stomatal closure. The LUE enhancement under diffuse sunlight can be explained by sharing of the canopy radiation‐load, which is reduced under direct sky radiance. Once sunflecks are accounted for the advantage of implementing more sophisticated calculations of stomatal conductance (e.g. Ball–Berry and SPA submodels) is less obvious even for afternoon assimilation. Empirical relations are developed between observed carbon flux and the environmental variables total downwelling shortwave radiation (SW), canopy temperature (T) and the fraction of diffuse sky radiance (fDIF). These relations allow us to gauge the impact of increased/reduced insolation on GPP and net ecosystem exchange (NEE). Overall the three stands appear to be fairly stable within global trends and typical interannual variability (SW changing by <15%). Greatest sensitivity is exhibited by the boreal site, Zotino, where NEE falls by 9±4% for a 15% reduction in SW.
Toward a plant‐based proxy for the isotope ratio of atmospheric water vapor
Authors: HELLIKER BRENT R. , GRIFFITHS HOWARD
Published: September 2010

Atmospheric water vapor is a major component of the global hydrological cycle, but the isotopic balance of vapor is largely unknown. Here, using models and observations, we show that the leaf water δ18O in the tropical Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) epiphyte Tillandsia usneoides is controlled by the δ18O of atmospheric water vapor in a predictable manner, irrespective of precipitation inputs. By taking the leaf‐water‐atmospheric signature as recorded in plant organic material, we have reconstructed the atmospheric water vapor δ18O signature for Miami, FL, USA between 1878 and 2005 using contemporary and herbarium specimens. T. usneoides ranges from Virginia, USA southwards through the tropics to Argentina, and the CAM epiphytic lifeform is widespread in other species. Therefore, there is significant potential for using epiphytes to reconstruct the isotope ratio of atmospheric water (both δ18O and δD) for spatial scales that span over 60° of latitude and temporal scales that cover the last century of global temperature increase.
Linking flux network measurements to continental scale simulations: ecosystem carbon dioxide exchange capacity under non‐water‐stressed conditions
Authors: OWEN KATHERINE E. , TENHUNEN JOHN , REICHSTEIN MARKUS , WANG QUAN , FALGE EVA , GEYER RALF , XIAO XIANGMING , STOY PAUL , AMMANN CHRISTOF , ARAIN ALTAF , AUBINET MARC , AURELA MIKA , BERNHOFER CHRISTIAN , CHOJNICKI BOGDAN H. , GRANIER ANDRÉ , GRUENWALD THOMAS , HADLEY JULIAN , HEINESCH BERNARD , HOLLINGER DAVID , KNOHL ALEXANDER , KUTSCH WERNER , LOHILA ANNALEA , MEYERS TILDEN , MOORS EDDY , MOUREAUX CHRISTINE , PILEGAARD KIM , SAIGUSA NOBUKO , VERMA SHASHI , VESALA TIMO , VOGEL CHRIS
Published: September 2010

This paper examines long‐term eddy covariance data from 18 European and 17 North American and Asian forest, wetland, tundra, grassland, and cropland sites under non‐water‐stressed conditions with an empirical rectangular hyperbolic light response model and a single layer two light‐class carboxylase‐based model. Relationships according to ecosystem functional type are demonstrated between empirical and physiological parameters, suggesting linkages between easily estimated parameters and those with greater potential for process interpretation. Relatively sparse documentation of leaf area index dynamics at flux tower sites is found to be a major difficulty in model inversion and flux interpretation. Therefore, a simplification of the physiological model is carried out for a subset of European network sites with extensive ancillary data. The results from these selected sites are used to derive a new parameter and means for comparing empirical and physiologically based methods across all sites, regardless of ancillary data. The results from the European analysis are then compared with results from the other Northern Hemisphere sites and similar relationships for the simplified process‐based parameter were found to hold for European, North American, and Asian temperate and boreal climate zones. This parameter is useful for bridging between flux network observations and continental scale spatial simulations of vegetation/atmosphere carbon dioxide exchange.
Safer sex decision‐making among men with haemophilia and HIV and their female partners
Authors: Parish K. L. , Cotton D. , Huszti H. C. , Parsons J. T. ,   THE HEMOPHILIA BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTION EVALUATION GROUP
Published: September 2010

An exploratory qualitative study of adult heterosexual men with haemophilia and HIV and women who were their sexual partners was conducted as formative research to better understand cognitive factors involved in behavioural intentions and practices which comprise HIV risk‐reduction for sexual transmission. The study sought to generate hypotheses, uncover themes, and develop a broad perspective on possible determinants of behaviours related to HIV transmission risk reduction. Qualitative analysis of these data served as a basis for developing a subsequent quantitative, hypothesis‐testing survey and an intervention.

Face‐to‐face interviews were conducted with 23 single men and 28 married men with haemophilia and HIV infection, and 28 married women partners selected through stratified, purposeful sampling. The interviews identified beliefs, attitudes, and values underlying decisions regarding target behaviours related to preventing sexual transmission of HIV, including (1) using condoms consistently during vaginal intercourse and (2) talking to partners about risk reduction. The interviews elicited information about perceived advantages and disadvantages of performing each of the targeted behaviours, and factors that facilitate or prevent performing them.

Qualitative analysis of coded responses yielded important themes regarding how choices are made about sexual activity and safer sex. Most notably, communication between partners (1) plays a direct, key role in facilitating condom use and (2) forms the basis for maintaining emotional intimacy in these relationships. The link between condom use and communicating about safer sex was viewed as pivotal in achieving HIV prevention for individuals in serodiscordant couples. Recommendations for risk reduction intervention development are discussed.
Immune tolerance induction in haemophilia A patients with high‐responding inhibitors to factor VIII: experience at a single institution
Authors: Rocino A. , Papa M. L. , Salerno E. , Capasso F. , Miraglia E. , De Biasi R.
Published: September 2010

Inhibitor antibodies to transfused factor VIII pose significant challenges in the management of haemophilia A patients. The main concern is the inefficacy of replacement therapy in patients with high‐titre antibodies, who have a shorter life‐span and a greater morbidity compared to subjects without inhibitors. The ultimate goal in treating these patients is to eliminate the inhibitor antibody entirely, allowing the recommencement of specific replacement therapy. The results of an immune tolerance regimen based on pharmacokinetic parameters are reported here. In 12 high‐responder haemophilia A patients immune tolerance induction (ITI) was attempted with daily administration of factor VIII concentrates of very high purity, either plasma‐derived or produced by recombinant‐DNA technology. Patients were given 100 IU kg–1 day–1 until the inhibitor was shown to be absent by at least two negative assays 1 month apart, with normal recovery of infused factor VIII and normal half‐life (> 6 h), as assessed after a 3‐day washout period. After the patient was judged to be inhibitor‐free, immune tolerance treatment was continued with unmodified factor VIII doses for 2 months. Doses were thereafter gradually reduced and finally, regular prophylaxis by administration of 25 IU kg–1 three times weekly was instituted. Immune tolerance was achieved in 10 of the 12 patients (including six of seven with long‐standing inhibitors) within a median time of 8 months. Outcome of immune tolerance was not influenced by age at start of ITI nor by the interval between inhibitor development and ITI. The success rate and the inhibitor disappearance time of our immune tolerance regimen, utilizing high‐purity factor VIII, agrees with those reported by other investigators.
Are recombinant products really infection risk free?
Authors: Minor P. D.
Published: September 2010

Biological medicinal products can be manufactured from a variety of sources. Recombinant products are currently produced from extremely well characterised cells grown in vitro and priori pose the lowest risk of transmitting infection. Validated production processes make a major contribution to product safety however.
An approach to study the viral safety of plasma‐derived products in previously treated, non‐infected patients
Authors: Berntorp E. , Petrini P. , Dockter G. , Tengborn L. , Wendisch I. , Eberl W. , Aumann V. , Frade G. , Seliger I. , Engl W. , Ehrlich H.
Published: September 2010

Using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), we designed a study concept to evaluate the safety of plasma derivatives in previously treated patients who are non‐infected by the specific viruses studied. Several product lots can be studied in a single patient, with a study period for each lot of 3 months. In the present study 19 patients were included for treatment with Baxter Hyland Immuno’s PCR‐screened factor VIII concentrate Immunate (n=7), factor IX concentrate Immunine (n=10), the by‐passing agent FEIBA plus Immunine (n=1), and the protein C concentrate Ceprotin (n=1). PCR testing for hepatitis B, C or HIV genomic material in patient samples was done as well as serological testing. All patients remained negative for the tested markers. All seven Immunate patients completed three treatment periods with three different lots of the study drug. The median study period was 282 days and the median dose 115 000 units, with a median of 115 exposure days. Five of the 10 Immunine patients completed three treatment periods and four patients, two treatment periods. One Immunine patient was discontinued from the study for reasons unrelated to the study drug administration. The median study period was 305 days and the median total dose 82 200 units, with a median of 88 exposure days. Our study presents a new design to approach the evaluation of viral safety of new plasma derivatives in previously treated, non‐infected patients (NIPs) and offers several advantages over the currently recommended studies using testing for serological markers of infection in previously untreated patients (PUPs).
The impact on parents of developments in the care of children with bleeding disorders
Authors: SHAW D. , RILEY G. A.
Published: September 2010

Summary.  This research considered the impact on parents of children with bleeding disorders of the increased use of home‐based treatment and greater parental responsibility for management of the condition. Although they have undoubted advantages, these changes also present parents with new challenges. Some found administration of the treatment difficult, and decisions about treatment and the everyday management of the condition can also prove problematic. Services should be aware of these issues and help parents access appropriate support.
Quantitative determination of the diagnostic accuracy of the synovitis score and its components
Authors: Slansky Elisabeth , Li Jialiang , Häupl Thomas , Morawietz Lars , Krenn Veit , Pessler Frank
Published: September 2010

Slansky E, Li J, Häupl T, Morawietz L, Krenn V & Pessler F (2010) Histopathology 57, 436–443 Quantitative determination of the diagnostic accuracy of the synovitis score and its components

Aims:  To assess the diagnostic accuracy of a three‐component synovitis score and to determine the relative contribution of each of its components to its overall discriminatory power.

Methods and results:  The synovitis score was determined in 666 synovial specimens: normal synovium, n = 33; post‐traumatic arthropathy (PtA), n = 29; osteoarthritis (OA), n = 221; psoriatic arthritis (PsA), n = 42; and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), n = 341. The discriminatory abilities of the score and its components were quantified with binary and multicategory receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. The score differentiated all arthropathies accurately from normal tissue (area under the ROC curve, AUC: 0.87–0.98) and RA from OA or PtA (AUC: 0.85 for both), but could not distinguish well within pairs of inflammatory or degenerative arthropathies. AUCs of the intimal hyperplasia and stromal cellularity components correlated with the AUCs of the complete score markedly more strongly (r = 0.94 and 0.91, respectively) than the inflammatory infiltration component (r = 0.60). Multicategory ROC analysis ranked the score several‐fold higher than any of its components, and the components in the order stromal cellularity>intimal hyperplasia>infiltration.

Conclusion:  Combining three distinct histological parameters into a three‐component score produces greatly increased overall diagnostic power. The discriminatory ability of the score stems more from measuring proliferative than infiltrative aspects of synovitis.
Overexpression of aldo‐keto reductase 1C2 is associated with disease progression in patients with prostatic cancer
Authors: Huang Kuo‐Hsuan , Chiou Shiow‐Her , Chow Kuan‐Chih , Lin Tze‐Yi , Chang Hui‐Wen , Chiang I‐Ping , Lee Meng‐Chih
Published: September 2010

Huang K‐H, Chiou S‐H, Chow K‐C, Lin T‐Y, Chang H‐W, Chiang I‐P & Lee M‐C (2010) Histopathology 57, 384–394 Overexpression of aldo‐keto reductase 1C2 is associated with disease progression in patients with prostatic cancer

Aims:  Prostatic cancer is resistant to chemotherapy. Expression of aldo‐keto reductase 1C (AKR1C) has been associated with drug resistance and disease progression in several cancers. The aim was to investigate the relationship between AKR1C expression and disease progression in prostatic cancer.

Methods and results:  From January 1996 to December 2005, 86 pathological samples were collected from patients with prostatic cancer. A tissue microarray containing 31 prostatic cancers from American patients was used for comparison between Chinese and American patients. Using immunohistochemistry, aldo‐keto reductase family 1, member C2 (AKR1C2) expression was assessed in tissue sections. The AKR1C2 was determined by two‐dimensional immunoblotting and DNA sequencing of reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction products. The relationship between AKR1C2 expression and clinicopathological variables was statistically analysed. In vitro, the association between AKR1C2 expression and drug resistance was investigated in androgen‐sensitive and androgen‐insensitive prostatic cancer cells. DNA sequencing and two‐dimensional immunoblotting showed that prostatic cancer expressed AKR1C2. It was overexpressed in 77 of 86 (89.5%) Chinese and in 28 of 31 (90.3%) American samples. No difference was found in AKR1C2 expression between Chinese and American prostatic cancer patients. In vitro, increased expression of AKR1C2 and prostaglandin F2α correlated with cytoprotection against anticancer drugs and lycopene.

Conclusion:  Overexpression of AKR1C2 is associated with disease progression in prostatic cancer.
Pyraclostrobin reduces germ tube growth of QoI‐resistant Mycosphaerella graminicola pycnidiospores and the severity of septoria tritici blotch on winter wheat
Authors: Kildea S. , Dunne B. , Mullins E. , Cooke L. R. , Mercer P. C. , O’Sullivan E.
Published: September 2010

The effect of the quinone outside inhibitors (QoI) azoxystrobin and pyraclostrobin on yields of winter wheat where QoI resistant Mycosphaerella graminicola isolates were dominant was investigated in field trials in 2006 and 2007. Pyraclostrobin significantly increased yields by 1·57 t ha−1 in 2006 and 0·89 t ha−1 in 2007 when compared to the untreated controls, while azoxystrobin only provided a significant increase of 1·28 t ha−1 in 2006. These yield increases were associated with reduction in septoria tritici blotch (STB) development as determined by weekly disease assessments over a 7 week interval. The effect of pyraclostrobin on STB was studied in controlled environment experiments using wheat seedlings inoculated with individual M. graminicola isolates. Pyraclostrobin significantly reduced STB symptoms by up to 62%, whether applied 48 h pre‐ or post‐ inoculation with resistant M. graminicola isolates containing the cytochrome b mutation G143A. Extremely limited disease (<1%) was observed on similarly treated seedlings inoculated with an intermediately resistant isolate containing the cytochrome b mutation F129L, while no disease was observed on seedlings inoculated with a wild‐type isolate. Germination studies of pycnidiospores of M. graminicola on water agar amended with azoxystrobin or pyraclostrobin showed that neither fungicide inhibited germination of spores of resistant isolates containing the mutation G143A. However, pyraclostrobin significantly reduced germ tube length by up to 46% when compared with the untreated controls. Although the QoIs can no longer be relied upon to provide effective M. graminicola control, this study provides an insight into why QoIs still provide limited STB disease control and yield increases even in situations of high QoI resistance.
Selective blackening of bioclasts via mixing‐zone aragonite neomorphism in Late Triassic limestone, Zlatibor Mountains, Serbia
Authors: HIPS KINGA , HAAS JÁNOS , VIDÓ MÁRIA , BARNA ZSUZSANNA , JOVANOVIĆ DIVNA , SUDAR MILAN N. , SIKLÓSY ZOLTÁN
Published: September 2010

A peculiar facies of the Norian–Rhaetian Dachstein‐type platform carbonates, which contains large amounts of blackened bioclasts and dissolutional cavities filled by cements and internal sediments, occurs in the Zlatibor Mountains, Serbia. Microfacies investigations revealed that the blackened bioclasts are predominantly Solenoporaceae, with a finely crystalline, originally aragonite skeleton of fine cellular structure. Blackening of other bioclasts also occurs subordinately. Solenoporacean‐dominated reefs, developed behind the platform margin patch‐reef tract, were the main source of sand‐sized detritus. The blackened and other non‐blackened bioclasts are incorporated in automicrite cement. Radiaxial fibrous calcite cements in the dissolutional cavities are also black, dark grey or white. Reworked black pebbles were reported from many occurrences of peritidal deposits; in those cases, the blackening took place under pedogenic, meteoric diagenetic conditions. In contrast, in the inner platform deposits of the Ilidža Limestone, the blackening of bioclasts occurred in a marine–meteoric mixing‐zone, as indicated by petrographic features and geochemical data of the skeleton‐replacing calcite crystals. Attributes of mixing‐zone pore waters were controlled by mixing corrosion, different solubility of carbonate minerals and microbial decomposition of organic matter. In the moderate‐energy inner platform environment, large amounts of microbial organic tissue were accumulated and subsequently decomposed, triggering selective blackening in the course of early, shallow burial diagenesis. The δ18O and δ13C values of the mixing‐zone precipitates and replacive calcite do not produce a linear mixing trend. Variation mainly resulted from microbial decomposition of organic matter that occurred under mixing‐zone conditions. The paragenetic sequence implies cyclic diagenetic conditions that were determined by marine, meteoric and mixing‐zone pore fluids. The diagenetic cycles were controlled by sea‐level fluctuations of moderate amplitude under a semi‐arid to semi‐humid climate.
New Beverage for Cardiovascular Health, Proposal Based on Oriental and Occidental Food Culture from a World‐Wide Epidemiological Study
Authors: Moriguchi Emilio Hideyuki , Yamori Yukio , Mori Mari , Sagara Miki , Mori Hideki , Sakuma Tatsuya , Ishikawa Paulo Molitsugu , Moriguchi Yukio
Published: September 2010

Objectives:  To investigate whether combined isoflavones and antioxidants in oriental and occidental drinks reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in high‐risk Japanese immigrants living in Brazil.

Materials and methods:  From among over 100 Japanese immigrants thirty‐seven females aged 45–60 years in Porto Alegre, Brazil, were randomized after informed consent into two groups to drink 200 ml of whole soy cell juice (S) containing 7.5 g soy protein and 10 mg of isoflavones (aglycone) in peach juice or placebo peach juice (P) with 80 Kcal for 12 weeks. Health survey including 24‐hour urine (24 U) examination were carried out before the randomization and after the double blind placebo controlled intervention study.

Results:  Both weight and body mass index (BMI) were significantly (p < 0.05, 0.01) decreased from the baseline only in the S group. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was decreased significantly (p < 0.05) from the baseline in the S group with elevated 24 U isoflavone excretion (>10 µmol), and there was a significant (p < 0.05) inter‐group difference between the S and P groups after intervention. Total and low density lipoprotein (LDL)‐cholesterol (C) decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in the S group from the baseline and there was a significant difference (p < 0.05) between the S and P groups after intervention. HbA1c and atherogenic index (non‐high density lipoprotein (HDL)‐C/HDL‐C) were significantly (p < 0.05) decreased in both groups.

Conclusions:  Soy isoflavones combined with fruit antioxidants, the combination of which might potentiate local nitric oxide (NO) affect, decreased SBP, total cholesterol and LDL‐C. Peach juice itself improved blood glucose levels and the atherogenic index of the high‐risk Japanese population in Brazil.
Risk assessment for falls in the elderly population
Authors: Toba Kenji
Published: September 2010

Objective:  To evaluate whether a simple questionnaire composed of 22 items, including several environmental factors, could establish predictive validity for identifying fallers.

Patients and methods:  The study included 2439 community‐dwelling elderly people (76.3 ± 7.4 years old). Scores on the questionnaire containing only dichotomous questions (yes or no) were compared between fallers and non‐fallers. A multivariate analysis was performed to identify independent risk factors for falls in a longitudinal study (n = 342).

Results:  A logistic regression analysis revealed that advanced age, a history of falls, cognitive dysfunction, a round back and knee joint pain were independent risks for falls. On the other hand, no environmental factors were found as independent risks for falls.

Conclusion:  A simple fall predicting score is useful for identifying high‐risk individuals in clinical settings.
Significance of SMP30 in gerontology
Authors: Ishigami Akihito , Maruyama Naoki
Published: September 2010

The expression of senescence marker protein‐30 (SMP30) was discovered by proteomic analysis. The fact that this molecule's structure is so highly conserved among numerous species strongly suggests that the age‐dependent decrease of SMP30 may contribute to senescence. Research that targeted the SMP30 gene showed deterioration in several organs accompanied by a shortened life span. We then identified SMP30 as gluconolactonase (GNL). The lactonase reaction with L‐gulono‐γ‐lactone is the penultimate step in vitamin C (L‐ascorbic acid) biosynthesis. Our discovery has opened the door to a new aspect of aging studies.
Relationship between diabetic retinopathy and vascular endothelial function in elderly type 2 diabetic Japanese patients without cardiovascular disease
Authors: Watanabe Kentaro , Suzuki Tatsuya , Nakano Hiroshi , Oba Kenzo
Published: September 2010

Background:  Many recent studies point to the importance, in diabetic patients, of vascular endothelial function as an early marker of not only macrovascular complications but also of microangiopathy. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between diabetic retinopathy and endothelial function in elderly diabetic patients by using brachial artery flow‐mediated dilation (FMD).

Methods:  We studied 71 type 2 diabetic patients aged 65 years or older without cardiovascular diseases. The subjects were categorized as three groups: (i) without diabetic retinopathy (n = 49); (ii) with non‐proliferative diabetic retinopathy group (n = 15); and (iii) those with preproliferative or proliferative diabetic retinopathy (n = 7). Brachial artery FMD measurement was performed by high‐resolution ultrasonography. The Kruskal–Wallis test, the χ2 test and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to identify associations between both retinopathy and clinical characteristics and FMD.

Results:  There were no differences in clinical characteristics between the three groups. FMD of the three groups were significantly decreased correlating with the severity of retinopathy (8.03% vs 5.40% vs 2.30%; P = 0.003). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that there was a significant correlation between diabetic retinopathy and FMD (odds ratio 0.801; P = 0.009).

Conclusion:  Our study suggests that FMD has a relation to microangiopathy in elderly diabetic subjects. Prospective studies will be required to determine whether this test has any clinical use for identifying elderly diabetic patients who are likely to develop diabetic retinopathy.
Bedrail‐related rhabdomyolysis caused by abdominal wall injury
Authors: Yabe Masahiro , Hirose Yasuo , Toyoshima Hajime
Published: September 2010

A 77‐year‐old woman with a residual right hemiparesis following a subarachnoid hemorrhage was found lying over a bedrail at home. She lived alone, and we suspect that she was reaching for the telephone when she fell over the bedrail. Her right flank was red and swollen. Abdominal computed tomography showed marked swelling of the muscles of the right lateral abdominal wall. She had an established rhabdomyolysis compressed by the bedrail and acute renal failure. This case illustrated bedrail‐related rhabdomyolysis caused by abdominal wall injury. The use of bedrails is a risk of the injury for the frail elderly people and should be avoided to prevent bedrail‐related injuries. Health professionals should consider home environmental factors so that the frail elderly people can easily move and carry out their daily life activities.
The genus Amphiporus Ehrenberg (Nemertea, Enopla, Monostiliferoidea)
Authors: GIBSON RAY , CRANDALL FRANK B.
Published: September 2010

The literature relating to the 145 nemertean species at one time or another included in the monostiliferoidean genus Amphiporus Ehrenberg, 1831 is reviewed. Because the designated type species, A. albicans, must be declared a nomen dubium, the status of the genus itself becomes uncertain. The 33 species which, at least in part, have previously been transferred to other genera are tabulated and the taxonomic status of the remaining forms is re‐evaluated. Most are identified as nomina nuda, nomina dubia, species inquirendae or synonymous with other taxa, but one species, A. bimaculatus, is transferred to the genus Nipponnemertes.
A comparison of the spermatozoa of OratosquiMa stephensoni and Squilla mantis (Crustacea, Stomatopoda) with comments on the phylogeny of the Malacostraca
Authors: JAMIESON BARRIE G. M.
Published: September 2010

Each stomatopod sperm, aflagellate and obovoid, is surrounded by an electron dense coat. A spermatophore is absent. The discus‐shaped acrosome vesicle is penetrated and underlain by a straight, slender acrosome rod (perforatorium) ensheathed, below the vesicle, in subacrosomal material. Feulgen‐positive granular material, indicating chromatin, fills most of the length of the cell but there is no certain nuclear membrane. Two centrioles, consisting of doublets each with a radial “foot” as in decapods and peracarids, occur near the acrosome and like it are embedded in the chromatin. Myelin‐like membranes are associated with degenerating mitochondria in the posterior region of the cell. Thiéry‐positive granules are aggregated as a glycogen body posteriorly in the cell. Spermatozoa1 ultrastructure confirms monophyly of the mysid–amphipod–isopod– cumacean section of the Peracarida but affinities of the tanaids are uncertain. A closer phylogenetic relationship of Phyllocarida to the Branchiopoda than to the Malacostraca is suggested. A weak similarity (synapomorphy?) of syncarids and peracarids is the filiform perforatorium bipassing the nucleus. Stomatopods resemble decapods in their diffuse sperm chromatin but are placed below the syncarid–peracarid–decapod assemblage.
Differences in insulin resistance and pancreatic B‐cell function in obese subjects with isolated impaired glucose tolerance and isolated impaired fasting glucose
Authors: J. Hong , M.‐H. Gui , W.‐Q. Gu , Y.‐F. Zhang , M. Xu , Z.‐N. Chi , Y. Zhang , X.‐Y. Li , W.‐Q. Wang , Ning G.
Published: September 2010

Aims  To investigate changes in insulin action and insulin secretion in obese subjects with different categories of impaired glucose regulation (IGR): impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), impaired fasting glucose (IFG), and combined IFG/IGT (CGI).

Methods  A total of 222 subjects underwent an oral glucose tolerance test and a frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test (FSIGTT); 100 had normal glucose tolerance (subdivided into 32 lean NGT, 68 obese NGT), and 122 were obese with IGR (82 IGT, 14 IFG and 26 CGI). The insulin sensitivity index (SI) was assessed by Bergman's minimal model method with FSIGTT; insulin secretion was determined by acute insulin response to glucose (AIRg). The disposition index (DI), the product of AIRg and SI, was used to determine whether AIRg was adequate to compensate for insulin resistance.

Results  SI was similar in NGT and IGR obese subgroups. AIRg was significantly increased in obese NGT as compared with lean NGT, significantly reduced in IGT, and further reduced in IFG and CGI subjects as compared with obese NGT subgroups. DI was reduced in NGT obese individuals. Within the obese IGR subgroups, IFG and CGI subjects had even lower DI value than IGT subjects.

Conclusions  Obese Chinese subjects with IGR have a similar degree of insulin resistance but differ in insulin secretion. Subjects with IFG and CGI have a more prominent deficiency in insulin secretion than subjects with IGT.
The impact of Type 2 diabetes and microalbuminuria on future cardiovascular events in patients with clinically manifest vascular disease from the Second Manifestations of ARTerial disease (SMART) study
Authors: Soedamah‐Muthu S. S. , Visseren F. L. J. , Algra A. , Van Der Graaf Y. ,   on behalf of the SMART Study Group
Published: September 2010

Aims  Type 2 diabetes mellitus and microalbuminuria are important risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Whether these two complications are important and independent risk factors for future CVD events in a high‐risk population with clinically manifest vascular disease is unknown. The objectives of this study were to examine the impact of Type 2 diabetes and microalbuminuria on future CVD events.

Methods  Patients with clinically manifest vascular disease (coronary, cerebral and peripheral vascular disease) from the Second Manifestation of Arterial disease study were followed up for 4 years. Data obtained from 1996–2006 were analysed. At baseline, there were 804 patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (mean age 60 years) and 2983 patients without. Incident CVD (n = 458) was defined as hospital‐verified myocardial infarction, stroke, vascular death and the composite of these vascular events.

Results  Both Type 2 diabetes [hazard ratio (HR) 1.42, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.16, 1.75] and microalbuminuria (HR 1.86, 95% CI 1.49, 2.33) increased the risk of new cardiovascular events in univariate analyses. From multivariable models, presence of diabetes remained significantly and independently related to incident CVD (HR 1.42, 95% CI 1.11, 1.80). Presence of microalbuminuria also remained significantly independently related to incident CVD (HR 1.38, 95% CI 1.07, 1.77). In diabetes‐stratified analyses, the effect of microalbuminuria on CVD risk was observed only in patients with diabetes. In microalbuminuria‐stratified analyses, the significant and independent effect of diabetes on CVD risk was shown only in the non‐microalbuminuric group.

Conclusions  In this high‐risk population, both microalbuminuria and Type 2 diabetes are important and independent risk factors for future CVD.
Ignore fishers’ knowledge and miss the boat
Authors: Johannes R.E. , Freeman M.M.R. , Hamilton R.J.
Published: September 2010

We describe five examples of how, by ignoring fishers’ ecological knowledge (FEK), marine researchers and resource managers may put fishery resources at risk, or unnecessarily compromise the welfare of resource users. Fishers can provide critical information on such things as interannual, seasonal, lunar, diel, tide‐related and habitat‐related differences in behaviour and abundance of target species, and on how these influence fishing strategies. Where long‐term data sets are unavailable, older fishers are also often the only source of information on historical changes in local marine stocks and in marine environmental conditions. FEK can thus help improve management of target stocks and rebuild marine ecosystems. It can play important roles in the siting of marine protected areas and in environmental impact assessment. The fact that studying FEK does not meet criteria for acceptable research advanced by some marine biologists highlights the inadequacy of those criteria.