bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Raising awareness of environmental risks
Authors: Costa Pinto Lígia , Fonseca Salgado Artur
Published: July 2006

This paper presents a study of the effects of an abandoned mining site on the environment and human health and discusses possible mechanisms to raise public awareness of the risks posed by mining sites, and environmental risks in general. The case study reported concerns the Campo de Jales mining site located in the northern part of Portugal, which is currently being sealed. The action taken and outlined in this paper is based on the lines of action established by the Sixth Environmental Action Programme.
Marginal worker force and forest cover change in India
Authors: Murali K.S.
Published: July 2006

Data were gathered on demographic, forest‐related and geographic parameters to understand the pattern of forest cover change in the Indian subcontinent and discern any underlying factors contributing to forest cover change. Observations indicated that the marginal worker force in many states influences the forest cover change. The states with a lower percentage of forest cover to their geographical area undertook large‐scale plantation activity to enhance the forest cover in the state. Incidentally, these states also had a higher proportion of marginal worker population to their total population. However, the states with high proportion of forest area had a lower proportion of marginal worker population, indicating there is a relation between the proportion of marginal workers in the population to the proportion of forest cover in the state. Thus, a proportion of population that is mostly dependent on the forest for its livelihood in some part of the year becomes unemployed if forests are denuded. Concludes that the forest in a given locality enhances employment opportunity for the local people for their livelihood sustenance. Therefore the policy initiatives should look into employment generation opportunity, apart from enhancing forest cover and regeneration of these forests.
Evaluation of the environmental performance of printing and writing paper using life cycle assessment
Authors: Cláudia Dias Ana , Louro Margarida , Arroja Luís , Capela Isabel
Published: July 2006

The paper identifies and assesses the potential environmental burdens associated with the life cycle of printing and writing paper produced in Portugal from Eucalyptus globulus and consumed in Germany. Life cycle assessment methodology is applied in accordance with International Organization for Standardization standards. The life cycle of printing and writing paper covers the following stages: forest, pulp production, paper production, final disposal, energy production, chemical production and transports. The results suggest that pulp production processes have an important contribution to water emissions, resulting in a major contribution to eutrophication. Besides, it plays a major role in renewable energy consumption. Energy production in the grid, printing and writing paper production and transports contribute significantly to air emissions and to non‐renewable energy consumption, and consequently to global warming, acidification and non‐renewable resource depletion. Wastepaper landfilling assumes the predominant role in photochemical oxidant formation. Useful information is provided regarding the stages of the life cycle where improvements should be done in order to achieve an effective reduction of the environmental burdens.
Eco‐efficient wood protection
Authors: Lande Stig , Westin Mats , Schneider Marc H.
Published: July 2006

This paper aims to show the potential decay resistance of furfurylated wood and investigate possible eco‐toxicity of such materials produced. This paper deals with the environmental aspects and durability of furfurylated wood, both laboratory and field tests are included in the investigations. Results from several decay tests, emission analysis studies and ecotox tests are presented. The results show that furfurylated wood is highly decay resistant. Furthermore, no significant increase in eco‐toxicity of leaching water was found and degradation through combustion does not release any volatile organic compounds or poly‐aromatic hydrocarbons above normal levels for wood combustion. Durability enhancement by furfurylation of wood is not believed to be harmful to the environment. Wood modified with furfuryl alcohol, “furfurylated wood”, is currently being marketed as a non‐toxic alternative to traditional preservative treated wood (wood impregnated with biocides). This paper summarises much of the long term exposure of furfurylated wood ever caried out, and present the first eco‐tox tests on such material ever done.
Mapping the spatial distribution of air and water pollutants in Kolleru Lake, India using geographical information systems (GIS)
Authors: Rao Amaraneni Sreenivasa , Singh Sarnam , Joshi P.K.
Published: July 2006

Kolleru Lake, a wetland located in India, is one of the largest natural freshwater lakes and is an important sanctuary for indigenous and migratory birds, particularly in winter seasons. The lake is located between latitudes 16°32′ and 16°47′N and longitudes 81°05′ and 81°27′E. The lake is connected to the sea through the Upputeru River, at a distance of 60 km. The lake water is mainly used for drinking water, agriculture, fishing and aquaculture purposes. The lake ecosystem is deteriorating due to the industrial, agricultural and aquacultural activities. High volume sampler was used for the collection of air pollutants, namely suspended particulate matter, nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide from the lake at four locations over a period of one year. Water samples were collected from the lake in three seasons in a year over a period of three years and analyzed for water quality parameter, namely total suspended solids, hardness, chloride, sodium, chemical oxygen demand and biochemical oxygen demand. The aim of this study is to create the air and water pollution maps of Kolleru Lake using geographic information systems (GIS) for the better management of Kolleru Lake to control the pollution and also to avoid the risk of air and water pollutants on humans, aquatic organisms, birds and plants.
Impact of environmental management system implementation on financial performance
Authors: Watson Kevin , Klingenberg Beate , Polito Tony , Geurts Tom G.
Published: July 2006

Environmental management systems (EMS) seek to make companies simultaneously more competitive and environmentally responsible. Improved environmental performance can be sought from the adaptation of techniques that emphasize reduction of waste and process/product redesign in the quest of reducing environmental impact. However, EMS lacks a framework to quantify improvements and much of the evidence of EMS's impact on financial performance is anecdotal. This lack of theoretical development has served to diminish corporate support, thus reducing the likelihood of EMS implementation due to a perceived cost disadvantage. This paper proposes, and tests, a framework to quantify EMS improvements to determine the impact of EMS strategies on financial performance. Our findings suggest that implementation of an EMS strategy does not negatively impact a firm's financial performance.
The evaluation of a planning tool through the landscape ecology concepts and methods
Authors: Franco Daniel , Bombonato Anna , Mannino Ilda , Ghetti Pierfrancesco , Zanetto Gabriele
Published: July 2006

Purpose

Landscape ecology represents an area of theoretical and empirical support of spatial planning, providing parameters such as heterogeneity, connectivity and fragmentation. The aim of this study was to use these parameters to evaluate the choices of a real planning tool to protect the biodiversity, to evaluate the applicability limits of concepts and methods used.

Design/methodology/approach

This was achieved by analysing the selected spatial indices and their dependency scale, and by the comparison of these results with regard to spatial biotic parameters estimations (birds and mammals).

Findings

The study confirmed the scale's effect on the indices, unstable at the adopted resolution for extensions up to 6,000‐7,000 meters. The selected indices permitted appreciation of the low effectiveness of the real planning tool in improving conservation of biodiversity. The paper suggests that empirical studies and predictive knowledge at different scales are urgent in this field. To preserve biodiversity, the choices of planning scale should primarily comply with the spatial needs of the various species.

Originality/value

Evaluates a real planning tool to protect biodiversity.
Eco‐intensity analysis as sustainability indicators related to energy and material flow
Authors: Amano Koji , Ebihara Misato
Published: July 2006

Purpose

Aims to use simple ratios as sustainability indicators to evaluate the environmental intensity in local regions and industrial sectors. These ratios could be compared across regions and industrial sectors to give a comprehensive evaluation of sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 16 industrial categories (agriculture, mining, food, fiber, pulp, chemical, coal and petrol, cement, steel, metal, non‐ferrous metals, construction, energy supply, transport, service, and commercial) were considered, using data from the national physical distribution census, the national and prefectural input‐output tables, and the comprehensive energy statistics for Japan in 1995. The objective environmental load items were carbon dioxide, nitric oxide, sulfuric oxide, and suspended particulate matter emissions.

Findings

The regions included all 47 Japanese prefectures and the data for each prefecture considered 16 industrial categories based on the national physical distribution census and national input‐output tables for 1995. The ratio of the primary energy supply to the total material input for service industries ranged from 0.1 to 0.5 TOE/103 ton for the 47 prefectures.

Research limitations/implications

Not all the variations in these sustainability indicators have yet been examined and there are probably other complicated relationships between sustainability and regional or industrial characteristics. More effort needs to be put into estimating eco‐efficiency or eco‐intensity, considering recycled energy or material utilization in order to develop a practical method of evaluating regional or industrial sustainability.

Practical implications

Several life cycle approaches used to quantify environmental efficiency related to energy and material flows were investigated as applications of life cycle tools in emerging markets, including the service industry and public sector.

Originality/value

The novelty of the investigation lies in analyzing detailed energy flow characteristics and in combining energy flow and material flow. Another objective of this paper is to present a current case‐study experience in one type of eco‐intensity analysis for Japanese service industries.
Impact from a superstore construction in Bartholomew's basin
Authors: Adel M.M. , Hossain M.T.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The purpose is to study the possible environmental impact from a supercenter construction on a 313,643‐m2 land by the Bayou Bartholomew.

Design/methodology/approach

The sources of information were field work, flood maps, flood models, 100 years of rainfall data, soil quality, water infiltration rate, and traffic flows in the areas around the supercenter. Rainfall data were used to find the frequency of flashfloods under different flood models. The supercenter center obstructs the virgin drainage of water down the bayou. Bernoulli's equation was used to estimate delays in the flashflood drainage following the constricted flow after the construction of the supercenter. Overloads of traffic flows on selected city roads in the event of submergence of the main road were studied.

Findings

A total of eight major flashfloods per century occur. Bernoulli's theorem predicts flooding over wider areas and of longer duration. About 32,248 m3 of recharging of groundwater will be affected. Traffic loads will increase by about three times on the state highway 15 beside the supercenter. Rain‐drained automobile engine oil drips will cause bayou's water quality to deteriorate.

Research limitations/implications

Prediction needs to be checked during flashfloods occurrences. Water quality in the bayou upstream and downstream of the supercenter needs to be monitored.

Practical implications

Policy makers in the city government and urban development will benefit from the findings.

Originality/value

The paper upholds the multifarious environmental problems and as such it is of interest to urban planners, farmers, water quality monitors, groundwater hydrologists, and businessmen who would like to serve the community.
Developing balanced scorecards in local authorities: a comparison of experience
Authors: Wisniewski Mik , Ólafsson Snjólfur
Published: July 2006

Public sector organisations, such as local authorities, are increasingly under pressure not only to improve their performance but also to be able to demonstrate such improvement through effective performance measurement. An increasing number are turning to the balanced scorecard as a way of responding to such pressures and challenges. This paper examines the attraction of the scorecard to local authorities and uses the authors’ experiences with a number of authorities and other public sector organisations to examine the challenges and difficulties of adopting a scorecard approach.
Third‐generation balanced scorecard: evolution of an effective strategic control tool
Authors: Lawrie Gavin , Cobbold Ian
Published: July 2006

The balanced scorecard is a performance management framework that became popular during the early 1990s. This paper describes changes to the definition of the framework that have occurred since then, recognising within these changes three distinct generations of balanced scorecard design. The paper relates these developments to literature concerning strategic management within organisations, observing that the changes made have improved the utility of the balanced scorecard as a strategic management tool. The paper concludes that the changes illustrate the importance of ideas of information symmetry in the understanding of strategic control processes within organisations. Suggestions of topics for further research are also made.
A comparative map of macrochromosomes between chicken and Japanese quail based on orthologous genes
Authors: Sasazaki S. , Hinenoya T. , Lin B. , Fujiwara A. , Mannen H.
Published: July 2006

In order to develop a comparative map between chicken and quail, we identified orthologous gene markers based on chicken genomic sequences and localized them on the Japanese quail Kobe‐NIBS linkage map, which had previously been constructed with amplified fragment length polymorphisms. After sequencing the intronic regions of 168 genes located on chicken chromosomes 1–8, polymorphisms among Kobe‐NIBS quail family parents were detected in 51 genes. These orthologous markers were mapped on eight Japanese quail linkage groups (JQG), and they allowed the comparison of JQG to chicken macrochromosomes. The locations of the genes and their orders were quite similar between the two species except within a previously reported inversion on quail chromosome 2. Therefore, we propose that the respective quail linkage groups are macrochromosomes and designated as quail chromosomes CJA 1–8.
Porcine OGN and ASPN: mapping, polymorphisms and use for quantitative trait loci identification for growth and carcass traits in a Meishan × Piétrain intercross
Authors: Stratil A. , Van Poucke M. , Bartenschlager H. , Knoll A. , Yerle M. , Peelman L. J. , Kopečný M. , Geldermann H.
Published: July 2006

The porcine orthologues of human chromosome HSA9q22.31 genes osteoglycin (OGN) and asporin (ASPN) were mapped to porcine chromosome SSC3 using linkage analysis and a somatic cell hybrid panel. This mapping was refined to SSC3q11 using fluorescence in situ hybridization. These results confirm the existence of a small conserved synteny group between SSC3 and HSA9. Polymorphisms were revealed in both genes, including a pentanucleotide microsatellite (SCZ003) in OGN and two single nucleotide polymorphisms (AM181682.1:g.780G>T and AM181682.1:g.825T>C) in ASPN. The two genes were included in a set of markers for quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping on SSC3 in the Hohenheim Meishan × Piétrain F2 family. Major QTL for growth and carcass traits were centred in the ASPN–SW902 region.
Association of melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) and high mobility group AT‐hook 1 (HMGA1) polymorphisms with pig growth and fat deposition traits
Authors: Kim K. S. , Lee J. J. , Shin H. Y. , Choi B. H. , Lee C. K. , Kim J. J. , Cho B. W. , Kim T.‐H.
Published: July 2006

The aim of this study was to analyse the combined effect of melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) and high mobility group AT‐hook 1 (HMGA1) polymorphisms on growth and fatness traits in Duroc pigs. No significant interaction was observed between MC4R and HMGA1 for back‐fat traits. An additive mode of inheritance of both gene effects was found for average daily gain and lean meat content. Maximum mean differences from combined genotypic effects were over 2 mm for back fat, 70 g/day for average daily gain and 2% for lean meat content. Therefore, utilization of polymorphisms in both MC4R and HMGA1 for marker‐assisted selection could result in an economic benefit to the pig industry.
QTLs associated with growth traits and abdominal fat weight and their interactions with gender and hatch in commercial meat‐type chickens
Authors: Atzmon G. , Ronin Y. I. , Korol A. , Yonash N. , Cheng H. , Hillel J.
Published: July 2006

Associations between microsatellite markers and traits related to growth and fatness were investigated using resource broiler population. A sire‐line × dam‐line F1 male was backcrossed to 12 dam‐line females to produce 24 sires and 47 dams of the backcross 1 (BC1) generation. These 71 parents were genotyped with 76 microsatellite markers. Following full‐sib mating among the parents, 234 BC1–F2 progeny were phenotyped for five growth traits (body weight at 49 days from hatch, wog weight, front half weight, breast weight and tender weight) and abdominal fat weight. Maximum likelihood analysis was used to estimate the marker effects and to evaluate their statistical significance. Individual marker–trait analysis revealed 44 significant associations out of the 456 marker–trait combinations. Correction for multiple comparisons by controlling the false discovery rate (FDR) resulted in 12 significant associations at FDR = 10% with markers on chromosomes 1, 2, 5 and 13. Seventy‐five percent of the 44 significant associations displayed no dependence on either hatch or gender; half of the remaining associations displayed dependence of the quantitative trait loci (QTL) effect on hatch × gender interaction. Thus, the analysed traits in this study may be dependent on external factors.
Evaluation of the porcine melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) gene as a positional candidate for a fatness QTL in a cross between Landrace and Hampshire
Authors: Bruun C. S. , Jørgensen C. B. , Nielsen V. H. , Andersson L. , Fredholm M.
Published: July 2006

Melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) is expressed in the appetite‐regulating areas of the brain where it is central in the regulation of feed intake and energy balance. A mutation in MC4R causing an Asp298Asn substitution has been associated with fatness, high daily gain and feed intake in the pig. In a previously performed genome scan based on a Hampshire × Landrace cross, we detected one quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting carcass fat/meat ratio and one QTL affecting the biceps femoris muscle, both close to the position of MC4R on porcine chromosome 1. In this study, the two lines were found to be close to fixation for alternative alleles of the Asp298Asn polymorphism. Additional QTL analyses supported our hypothesis of MC4R as a positional candidate gene but only for the fat/meat QTL. The Asp298Asn polymorphism was also evaluated as a selection target for daily gain in a Danish pig breeding population that included four breeds (Hampshire, Duroc, Landrace and Yorkshire). Over a 12‐year period (1990–2002), a significant increase in the allele frequency of 298Asn was found in Landrace and Duroc, whereas a non‐significant decrease in the 298Asn allele frequency was observed in Yorkshire. The Hampshire breed was fixed for the 298Asn allele in 1990. The high 298Asn allele frequencies in Hampshire, Landrace and Duroc are most likely due to selection for daily gain, whereas selection for daily gain in the Yorkshire breed apparently focuses on other loci.
Development of polymorphic expressed sequence tag‐derived microsatellites for the extension of the genetic linkage map of the black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon)
Authors: Maneeruttanarungroj C. , Pongsomboon S. , Wuthisuthimethavee S. , Klinbunga S. , Wilson K. J. , Swan J. , Li Y. , Whan V. , Chu K‐H. , Li C. P. , Tong J. , Glenn K. , Rothschild M. , Jerry D. , Tassanakajon A.
Published: July 2006

In this study, microsatellite markers were developed for the genetic linkage mapping and breeding program of the black tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon. A total of 997 unique microsatellite‐containing expressed sequence tags (ESTs) were identified from 10 100 EST sequences in the P. monodon EST database. AT‐rich microsatellite types were predominant in the EST sequences. Homology searching by the blastn and blastx programs revealed that these 997 ESTs represented 8.6% known gene products, 27.8% hypothetical proteins and 63.6% unknown gene products. Characterization of 50 markers on a panel of 35–48 unrelated shrimp indicated an average number of alleles of 12.6 and an average polymorphic information content of 0.723. These EST microsatellite markers along with 208 other markers (185 amplified fragment length polymorphisms, one exon‐primed intron‐crossing, six single strand conformation polymorphisms, one single nucleotide polymorphism, 13 non‐EST‐associated microsatellites and two EST‐associated microsatellites) were analysed across the international P. monodon mapping family. A total of 144 new markers were added to the P. monodon maps, including 36 of the microsatellite‐containing ESTs. The current P. monodon male and female linkage maps have 47 and 36 linkage groups respectively with coverage across half the P. monodon genome.
Osteopontin: a bridge between bone and blood
Authors: Haylock David N. , Nilsson Susan K.
Published: July 2006

The production of mature blood cells within the bone marrow (BM) is attributed to a pool of haemopoietic stem cells (HSC). It is now evident that HSC reside preferentially at the endosteal region within the BM where bone‐lining osteoblasts are a key cellular component of the HSC niche that directly regulates HSC fate. Osteoblasts synthesise proteins that stimulate and inhibit HSC proliferation. In addition to angiopoietin 1 (Ang‐1), osteoblasts synthesise and express the highly acidic glycoprotein, osteopontin (Opn), which, like Ang‐1, acts as a potent constraining factor on HSC proliferation. Overexpression of Opn is a feature of haemopoietic malignancies, such as multiple myeloma and chronic myeloid leukaemia, although its exact role in the aetiology and progression of these diseases remains unclear. Through osteoblasts and their cell surface and expressed proteins including Opn, bone is able to regulate the tissue that resides within it. In doing so, Opn can be considered a bridge between bone and blood.
Arginine-specific gingipains from Porphyromonas gingivalis deprive protective functions of secretory leucocyte protease inhibitor in periodontal tissue
Authors: Into T , Inomata M , Kanno Y , Matsuyama T , Machigashira M , Izumi Y , Imamura T , Nakashima M , Noguchi T , Matsushita K
Published: July 2006

Chronic periodontitis is correlated with Porphyromonas gingivalis infection. In this study, we found that the expression of secretory leucocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI), an endogenous inhibitor for neutrophil-derived proteases, was reduced in gingival tissues with chronic periodontitis associated with P. gingivalis infection. The addition of vesicles of P. gingivalis decreased the amount of SLPI in the media of primary human gingival keratinocytes compared to untreated cultures. We therefore investigated how arginine-specific gingipains (Rgps) affect the functions of SLPI, because Rgps are the major virulence factors in the vesicles and cleave a wide range of in-host proteins. We found that Rgps digest SLPI in vitro, suppressing the release of SLPI. Rgps proteolysis of SLPI disrupted SLPI functions, which normally suppresses neutrophil elastase and neutralizes pro-inflammatory effects of bacterial cell wall compounds in cultured human gingival fibroblasts. The protease inhibitory action of SLPI was not exerted towards Rgps. These results suggest that Rgps reduce the protective effects of SLPI on neutrophil proteases and bacterial proinflammatory compounds, by which disease in gingival tissue may be accelerated at the sites with P. gingivalis infection.
Free dissociable insulin‐like growth factor I (IGF‐I), total IGF‐I and their binding proteins in girls with Turner syndrome during long‐term growth hormone treatment
Authors: Bannink Ellen M. N. , Van Doorn Jaap , Stijnen Theo , Drop Stenvert L. S. , De Muinck Keizer‐Schrama Sabine M. P. F.
Published: July 2006

Objective  To investigate the effect of GH treatment on free IGF‐I levels in girls with Turner syndrome (TS) and to verify relationships between free IGF‐I levels and total IGF‐I, IGFBP‐1, 2 and 3. Additionally, to analyse whether free IGF‐I, total IGF‐I, IGFBP‐3 or its ratio were related to IGF‐I bioactivity outcome parameters.

Design  Sixty‐five girls with TS were randomly assigned to three different GH‐dosage groups (1·3, 2·0 and 2·7 mg/m2/day). Mean duration of GH therapy was mean (SD) 8·7(2·0) years. Free IGF‐I, total IGF‐I and IGFBP‐1, ‐2, ‐3 were determined at baseline, first, second, third and fifth year of GH therapy, before the start of oestrogen therapy, during the final year of GH treatment, 6 months after GH and 4·8(2·0) years after GH discontinuation.

Main outcome  During GH treatment, mean free IGF‐I levels stayed < +2 standard deviation score (sds), whereas mean total IGF‐I and IGF‐I/IGFBP‐3 ratio were > +2 sds. There were no differences in free IGF‐I levels between the three GH groups, whereas total IGF‐I and ratio levels were significantly higher in the highest GH group. The following variables contributed significantly to predicting the square root of free IGF‐I levels: age, GH dose, oestrogen dose, IGFBP‐1, IGFBP‐3, body mass index and total IGF‐I or IGF‐I/IGFBP‐3 ratio. However, the explaining variance did not exceed 55%. Several IGF‐I bioactivity outcome parameters positively correlated with total IGF‐I and IGF‐I/IGFBP‐3 ratio, whereas free IGF‐I did not.

Conclusions  During long‐term GH therapy in girls with TS, mean free IGF‐I levels stayed within the normal range, whereas mean total IGF‐I and IGF‐I/IGFBP‐3 ratio exceeded the upper normal range. Although total IGF‐I and the IGF‐I/IGFBP‐3 ratio did not accurately represent free IGF‐I levels, they seemed to better represent the IGF‐I bioactivity than the measured free IGF‐I.
The long‐term effects of rosiglitazone on serum lipid concentrations and body weight
Authors: Shim Wan Sub , Do Mi Young , Kim Soo Kyung , Kim Hae Jin , Hur Kyu Yeon , Kang Eun Seok , Ahn Chul Woo , Lim Sung Kil , Lee Hyun Chul , Cha Bong Soo
Published: July 2006

Objective  Although rosiglitazone, an insulin sensitizer, is known to have beneficial effects on high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C) concentrations and low density lipoprotein (LDL) particle size, it has unwanted effects on total cholesterol (TC) and LDL cholesterol (LDL‐C) concentrations and body weight in some short‐term studies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long‐term effects of rosiglitazone on serum lipid levels and body weight.

Design  Open labelled clinical study.

Patients and measurements  We prospectively evaluated fasting serum glucose, haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), lipid profiles and body weight at baseline and every 3 months after the use of rosiglitazone (4 mg/day) for 18 months in 202 type 2 diabetic patients.

Results  TC levels increased maximally at 3 months and decreased thereafter. However, overall, TC levels remained significantly higher at 18 months than those at baseline. LDL‐C levels from the 3‐month to the 12‐month timepoint were significantly higher than those at baseline. However, after 15 months, LDL‐C concentrations were not significantly different from basal LDL‐C concentrations. HDL‐C levels increased after the first 3 months and these levels were maintained. The increment of change in HDL‐C was more prominent in patients with low basal HDL‐C concentrations than in patients with high basal HDL‐C concentrations. Body weight increased after the first 3 months and these levels were maintained.

Conclusions  HDL‐C and body weight increased and remained elevated for the duration of the study. There was an initial increase in LDL‐C but this attenuated and by the end of the study was not significantly elevated above baseline levels.
Idiopathic central diabetes insipidus in children and young adults is commonly associated with vasopressin‐cell antibodies and markers of autoimmunity
Authors: Maghnie Mohamad , Ghirardello Stefano , De Bellis Annamaria , Di Iorgi Natascia , Ambrosini Linda , Secco Andrea , De Amici Mara , Tinelli Carmine , Bellastella Antonio , Lorini Renata
Published: July 2006

Objectives  Autoimmune targeting of hypothalamic‐neurohypophyseal structures in children and young adults with posterior pituitary and anterior pituitary dysfunction, as well as pituitary stalk involvement, are not yet completely understood.

Design  We aimed to (1) evaluate the presence of circulating vasopressin‐cell autoantibodies (AVPc‐Abs) in young patients with central diabetes insipidus (CDI), (2) detect organ‐specific autoantibodies as markers of autoimmunity, and (3) define the relationship between immune markers and neuroimaging findings.

Patients  Twenty patients were evaluated at a median age of 16·3 years. Twelve patients had idiopathic CDI, six had Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) and two had germinoma. AVPc‐Abs were evaluated in 40 healthy children. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the hypothalamic‐pituitary region was performed longitudinally in all subjects.

Measurements  Circulating arginine vasopressin (AVP), protein tyrosine phosphatase (IA2), glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), 21‐hydroxylase (21‐OH), endomysium antibodies (EMA), parietal cell (PCA), thyroid peroxidase (TPO), thyroglobulin (TG) and TSH‐receptor (TSHr) autoantibodies were evaluated.

Results  Circulating AVPc‐Abs were found in 15 patients (75%), nine with idiopathic CDI, four with LCH and two with germinoma; the pituitary stalk was involved in most of them. Five patients with idiopathic CDI showed a persistence of AVPc‐Abs during follow‐up and one became positive subsequently. Serum IA2 autoantibodies were demonstrated in 14 patients (70%) and 21‐OH autoantibodies in three of them.

Conclusion  In idiopathic CDI, circulating AVPc‐Abs suggest an autoimmune involvement of the neurohypophyseal system. The identification of AVPc‐Abs in subjects who could have either idiopathic CDI or LCH or germinoma, however, indicates that AVPc‐Abs cannot be considered a completely reliable marker of autoimmune CDI. Thus, close clinical and MRI follow‐up are needed because AVPc‐Abs may mask germinoma or LCH.
Loss of chromosome 1 in myxopapillary ependymoma suggests a region out of chromosome 22 as critical for tumour biology: a FISH analysis of four cases on touch imprint smears
Authors: Tamiolakis D. , Papadopoulos N. , Venizelos I. , Lambropoulou M. , Nikolaidou S. , Bolioti S. , Kiziridou A. , Manavis J. , Alexiadis G. , Simopoulos C.
Published: July 2006

Objective:  Ependymomas are glial tumours. They constitute approximately 5–10% of intracranial tumours and are tumours which can recur. Predictive factors of outcome in ependymomas are not well established. Karyotypic studies are relatively scarce and loss of chromosome 22 has been described to correlate with recurrence. We are unaware of any reports involving chromosome 1 aberrations in the malignant progression of ependymomas.

Methods:  Cytogenetic analysis of four myxopapillary ependymomas was performed using double target fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), focusing on chromosomes 1 and 22.

Results:  One patient's tumour had recurred. FISH was performed on 500 nuclei/tumours. All four cases showed a loss of chromosome 22q while only one showed an additional loss of chromosome 1p, and this was the one that recurred.

Conclusions:  We support the presence of a tumour suppressor gene on 1p associated with relapse in myxopapillary ependymomas and suggest that status of chromosome 1p by FISH may indicate a high‐risk group of patients harbouring this tumour. More studies of this type are needed towards this direction as our results refer to a minimal number of individuals analysed.
A comparison of variability in Papanicolaou and liquid‐based cytology inadequacy rates using Shewhart control charts
Authors: Fox R. , Nix A. B. J. , Fielder H.
Published: July 2006

Objective:  To use Shewhart control charts to compare variability in inadequacy rates from Papanicolaou (Pap) and liquid‐based cytology (LBC).

Design:  Retrospective analysis of quality assurance data.

Setting:  Eleven Welsh cytology laboratories.

Methods:  Shewhart ‘p’ charts were plotted for proportions of slides reported as inadequate. Charts were compared for statistical control.

Main outcome measures:  Evidence of statistical control in the processes.

Results:  Control charts allowed easy interpretation of patterns in the data. Variability in inadequacy rates was much lower for LBC than for Pap cytology.

Conclusion:  Monitoring inadequate rates with Shewhart charts provides more information than tabular monitoring reports, assisting in quality improvement. With respect to inadequacy rates, LBC is less variable than Pap cytology.
The cervical smear test: does timing have an effect on sample adequacy?
Authors: Davies S.
Published: July 2006

Objective:  The aim of this study was to determine the effect of timing of the cervical smear test on sample adequacy.

Methods:  Inadequate and negative smears from pre‐menopausal women, with a regular menstrual cycle and who were not undertaking any hormone therapy, were selected and re‐screened. The inadequate smears were then categorized according to the reasons for the inadequate result. The time of the cycle that the smear was taken was recorded for both inadequate and negative smears. The expected frequency of smears per phase was compared with the observed frequency per phase using the chi‐squared statistical test.

Results:  There was no significant difference between the overall observed and expected rate of the inadequate smears of nine general practitioner (GP) practices (P = 0.886), of GP practice 4 (lowest inadequate rate) (P = 0.610), or GP practice 6 (highest inadequate rate) (P = 0.621) at any phase of the cycle.

Conclusion:  Results show that there is no optimum phase for adequate sample collection, therefore it is suggested that there is no effect of timing of the cervical smear test on sample adequacy, that timing is not a relevant factor in reducing the inadequate smear rate, and restricting smear taking to mid‐cycle is unnecessary. (The information regarding last menstrual period/length of cycle from which these conclusions were reached relied upon the accuracy of patient information given to the smear taker.)
Intraspecific female brood parasitism in the dung beetleOnthophagus taurus
Authors: MOCZEK ARMIN P. , COCHRANE JEFFREY
Published: July 2006

Abstract1. Brood parasitism occurs when individuals parasitise each others’ investment into parental care, and has been documented primarily as an interspecific interaction. Intraspecific brood parasitism, in contrast, is often difficult to detect and quantify, and evidence for it is comparatively scarce. The present study documents the occurrence of intraspecific brood parasitism by females of the tunnelling dung beetleOnthophagus taurus, and investigates the contributions of two variables to the propensity of female brood parasitism: female body size and dung desiccation rate.

2. FemaleO. tauruswere found to routinely utilise brood balls made by conspecific females as food provisions for their own offspring.

3. Contrary to expectations, large and small females did not differ in the likelihood of engaging in brood‐parasitic behaviour.

4. Dung desiccation rate appeared to influence likelihood of brood parasitism. Females that were given access to rapidly drying dung were significantly more likely to detect and utilise brood balls produced by conspecific females.

5. While interspecific brood parasitism has been documented in dung beetles before, the present study is among the first to present evidence for intraspecific brood parasitism as an alternative reproductive tactic of female dung beetles. Results are discussed in the context of the evolutionary ecology of onthophagine beetles.
Preimaginal conditioning does not affect oviposition preference in the diamondback moth
Authors: LIU SHU‐SHENG , LIU TONG‐XIAN
Published: July 2006

Abstract 1. In holometabolous insects, learning has been demonstrated in both larval and adult stages. Whether learning can be retained through metamorphosis from larva via pupa to adult has long been a subject of debate. The present study is designed to distinguish between preimaginal and imaginal conditioning in the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) using oviposition preference tests on females exposed to various types of learning experiences during immature and adult stages.

2. Cohorts of test insects were reared from egg to pupa on an artificial diet, or on one of two host plants, Chinese cabbage, Brassica campestris L. ssp. pekinensis, and common cabbage, Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata. The ensuing females reared on the three kinds of food showed similar oviposition preference between the two plants. A brief experience of the less preferred host, common cabbage, by adults slightly increased their preference for this plant.

3. Cohorts of test insects were reared from egg to pupa on an artificial diet with or without the addition of a neem‐based oviposition deterrent (Neemix® 4.5). Larval feeding experience did not alter oviposition response to the deterrent. However, emergence conditioning and early adult learning, achieved through experience of a residue of the deterrent carried over from the larval food on pupal cuticle and cocoons, altered oviposition preference significantly.

4. The combined results revealed no evidence of preimaginal conditioning in this insect but a strong effect of emergence conditioning and early adult learning on oviposition preference.
Long‐term impact of exotic ants on the native ants of Madeira
Authors: WETTERER JAMES K. , ESPADALER XAVIER , WETTERER ANDREA L. , AGUIN‐POMBO DORA , FRANQUINHO‐AGUIAR ANTÓNIO M.
Published: July 2006

Abstract 1. The earliest exotic records for two notorious invasive ants, the big‐headed ant (Pheidole megacephala) and the Argentine ant (Linepithema humile), both come from the Atlantic islands of Madeira, where the two species underwent population explosions in the 1850s and 1890s respectively. Researchers have long assumed that these invaders spread across all of Madeira and exterminated most or all native ants, despite no research actually documenting such impact.

2. Re‐examination of first‐hand nineteenth century accounts suggest that P. megacephala and L. humile may never have spread beyond coastal lowland areas, representing < 10% of Madeira’s land area. In 2002, native ants dominated most of Madeira; P. megacephala and L. humile were restricted to ≈ 0.3% and ≈ 6% of Madeira’s land area respectively.

3. Of the 10 native ant species known from Madeira, only one (Temnothorax wollastoni) was not present in 1999–2002 surveys. Although exotic ants may have exterminated T. wollastoni, it seems likely that this species still survives.

4. Thus, even after 150 or more years of residence, P. megacephala and L. humile have come to occupy only a small part of Madeira, and appear to have had little impact.

5. Most of Madeira may be too cool for P. megacephala and perhaps too moist for L. humile to dominate. Also, Madeira’s vast natural areas may generally lack weedy vegetation that can support high densities of plant‐feeding Hemiptera critical for the ecological dominance of invasive ants. Finally, a dominant native ant, Lasius grandis, inhabiting ≈ 84% of Madeira, may actively exclude P. megacephala and L. humile.
Foraging trip duration of bumblebees in relation to landscape‐wide resource availability
Authors: WESTPHAL CATRIN , STEFFAN‐DEWENTER INGOLF , TSCHARNTKE TEJA
Published: July 2006

Abstract 1. The study tested the hypotheses that bumblebees have shorter foraging trips in environments that provide abundant resources than in environments that provide sparse resources, and that shorter foraging trips translate into greater colony growth.

2. Six even‐aged Bombus terrestris colonies were established in contrasting resource environments. Three colonies had access to abundant resources (Phacelia tanacetifolia fields with high flower densities), and three colonies were placed in an environment with sparse resources (scattered semi‐natural habitats with food plants at lower densities).

3. A total of 870 foraging trips of 220 marked B. terrestris foragers were observed using automated camcorder recordings.

4. The duration of foraging trips was shorter in environments with abundant resources (66 ± 4.6 min) than in environments with sparse resources (82 ± 3.7 min). Within 34 days colonies that had access to abundant resources gained significantly more weight (129 ± 40 g) than colonies foraging on sparse resources (19 ± 7 g).

5. Thus, the spatial distribution and quality of resources at landscape level affected the duration of foraging trips and the colony growth. It was concluded that future conservation schemes need to improve the spatial and temporal availability of resources in agricultural landscapes to counteract the ongoing decline of bumblebees.
Statin therapy in patients with chronic kidney disease: to use or not to use
Authors: Steinmetz O. M. , Panzer U. , Stahl R. A. K. , Wenzel U. O.
Published: July 2006

Dyslipdemia is a common complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and contributes to high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality of CKD patients. Experimental studies have demonstrated that lipids induce glomerular and tubulointerstitial injury and that lipid‐lowering treatments ameliorate renal injury. Therapy with statins not only has the potential to lower cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with CKD but also to slow progression of renal disease. Whereas the guidelines for treatment of hyperlipidaemia in nonrenal patients are based on prospective, randomized, placebo‐controlled mega‐trials, such data are not available for CKD patients. This review outlines the limited information currently available on the effect of statins among patients with CKD and summarizes the ongoing randomized trials designed to address this question.
Anti‐emetic prophylaxis with oral tropisetron and/or dexamethasone
Authors: Eberhart L. H. J. , Büning E. Kleine , Folz B. , Maybauer D. M. , Kästner M. , Kalder M. , Koch T. , Kranke P. , Wulf H.
Published: July 2006

Background  The corticosteroid dexamethasone and the serotonine3‐antagonist tropisetron are both effective drugs for the prophylaxis of post‐operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) when given intravenously. The aim of this trial was to evaluate the oral use of both drugs as part of a routine oral premedication and to compare their single and combined effectiveness.

Materials and methods  In this randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind study, 320 inpatients with a moderate–high risk of PONV (≥ 40% according to two validated risk scores) received an oral premedication 1–2 h pre‐operatively with placebo, a fixed dose of tropisetron 5 mg, dexamethasone 8 mg, or a combination of both drugs. A standardized general anaesthesia was performed, including benzodiazepine premedication, propofol, rocuronium, desflurane in air/O2, fentanyl or sufentanil followed by a continuous infusion of remifentanil. Post‐operative analgesia and anti‐emetic rescue medication were standardized. The main outcome measures were the severity of PONV within the first 24 h (rated by a standardized scoring algorithm). The incidence of PONV was used as the secondary outcome.

Results  Data from 310 patients were analyzed. The mean severity score in the placebo‐, tropisetron‐, dexamethasone‐ and the combined‐groups was 1·37, 0·8, 0·8 and 0·38, respectively. The incidence of PONV of any severity was 59·2%, 37·5%, 40% and 22·8%, respectively. The reduction of the incidence and the severity of PONV were statistically significant with all three interventions. Results from additional analyses suggested that both drugs were equally effective and that there was a simple additive effect of tropisetron and dexamethasone compared with placebo.

Conclusion  Oral tropisetron and dexamethasone were both equally effective in reducing the severity and incidence of post‐operative nausea and vomiting. The latter could be reduced by approximately 35% in a population of moderate–high risk for PONV. Both drugs had an additive effect. However, even in the combination group there still remained an unacceptably high incidence of PONV of more than 20%. This highlighted the need for a multimodal anti‐emetic approach in high‐risk patients and the importance of treatment of PONV.
Comparison of different cellular models measuring in vitro the whole human serum cholesterol efflux capacity
Authors: Mweva S. , Paul J. L. , Cambillau M. , Goudouneche D. , Beaune P. , Simon A. , Fournier N.
Published: July 2006

Background  Fu5AH rat hepatoma cells and cAMP (cyclic AMP)‐pretreated J774 mouse macrophages are commonly used as models for SR‐BI (scavenger receptor class B type I) and ABCA1 (ATP binding cassette transporter 1)‐mediated free cholesterol efflux to whole serum, respectively. However, the responsiveness of Fu5AH, control or cAMP pretreated J774 cells to the various lipids and HDL (high‐density lipoprotein)‐parameters from both normo‐ and dyslipidaemic subjects has never been compared within the same study.

Materials and methods

Fifty‐eight men were classified into four groups: type IIa hypercholesterolaemic (n = 12), type IIb dyslipidaemic (n = 13), type IV hypertriglyceridaemic (n = 18) and normolipidaemic (n = 15) were recruited. A complete lipid profile including preβ‐HDL was performed. Cholesterol efflux from Fu5AH cells as well as from control or cAMP pretreated J774 cells were measured; the difference between these two latter values being taken as the ABCA1‐mediated efflux.

Results

The Fu5AH and the control J774 cells delivered cholesterol to mature HDLs, especially to phospholipid (PL)‐rich HDL. Using cAMP pretreated cells, the ABCA1‐dependent efflux was highly sensitive to preβ‐HDL, which appeared to be a factor in determining the efflux. Consistent with the dependence of the SR‐BI‐mediated efflux on HDL‐PL levels, which are not different between groups, all sera displayed similar efflux capacities from the Fu5AH cells. Conversely, in accordance with their high preβ‐HDL levels, the ABCA1‐dependent efflux highlighted the efficiency of type IV sera.

Conclusion

Two complementary cellular models providing SR‐BI and ABCA1‐dependent efflux should be used to measure the capacity of a biological fluid which contains a wide variety of components to promote cholesterol efflux.