bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reactive Infiltration of Si‐Mo Alloyed Melt into Carbonaceous Preforms of Silicon Carbide
Authors: Chakrabarti Omprakash , Das Probal Kumar
Published: January 2009

A MoSi2/reaction‐bonded SiC composite was prepared from a preform of petroleum coke and commercial SiC powders (in weight ratios of 0.5 and 0.6), following reactive infiltration of a Si‐Mo melt (molybdenum concentration of 7–29 wt%) made from elemental powder. The resulting material had a relative density of >90% of the theoretical density and, on a microstructural scale, contained SiC and MoSi2, in addition to unreacted carbon and silicon. The SiC and MoSi2 boundary was smooth and sharp, with no sign of any reaction. The occasional presence of an intermediate zone between SiC and MoSi2 was detected; this zone contained silicon, iron, and aluminum, the formation of which may be related to the presence of impurities in the silicon and SiC.
Myc down‐regulation affects cyclin D1/cdk4 activity and induces apoptosis via Smac/Diablo pathway in an astrocytoma cell line
Authors: Amendola D.  , De Salvo M.  , Marchese R.  , Falzacappa C. Verga  , Stigliano A.  , Carico E.  , Brunetti E.  , Moscarini M.  , Bucci B. 
Published: January 2009

Objectives:  We investigated the antiproliferative effect of Myc down‐regulation via cell proliferation inhibition, cell cycle perturbation and apoptosis in two human astrocytoma models (T98G and ADF) steadily expressing an inducible c‐myc Anti‐sense RNA.

Materials and methods:  Cell growth experiments were performed using the trypan blue dye exclusion test and cell cycle analysis was evaluated by flow cytometry. Cell cycle molecules were detected by Western blot analysis, co‐immunoprecipitation and reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction assays.

Results:  We showed that Myc down‐regulation in astrocytoma cells led to G1 accumulation and an inhibition of cell proliferation characterized by S phase delay. Co‐immunoprecipitation experiments detected formation of inactive cyclin D1/cdk4 complexes as evaluated by presence of an active unphosphorylated form of retinoblastoma protein, the best characterized target substrate for cyclin D1/cdk4 complex, in ADF pINDc‐myc anti‐sense 7 cells. We also found that either p57Kip2 “apice” or p27Kip1 “apice” inhibitors bound to cyclin D1/cdk4 complex, thus, suggesting that they cooperated to inhibit the activity of cyclin D1/cdk4. Moreover, c‐Myc down‐regulation led to activation of the apoptotic mitochondrial pathway, characterized by release of cytochrome c and Smac/Diablo proteins and by reduction of c‐IAP levels through activation of proteasome‐mediated protein degradation system.

Conclusions:  Our results suggest that c‐Myc could be considered as a good target for the study of new approaches in anticancer astrocytoma treatment.
Using an algorithmic model to reveal individually variable movement decisions in a wintering sea duck
Authors: Oppel Steffen , Powell Abby N. , Dickson D. Lynne
Published: January 2009

Many migratory birds are assumed to remain fairly stationary during winter. However, recent research indicates that mid‐winter movements are evident in a variety of bird species, and the factors causing individuals to move are poorly understood.

We examined the winter movements of 95 individual king eiders (Somateria spectabilis, L.) tracked with satellite transmitters in the Bering Sea between 2002 and 2006 to explore whether environmental factors such as day length, location, sea ice, and habitat quality could explain the occurrence of winter movements longer than 50 km.

We used a novel algorithmic random forest model to assess the importance of variables predicting whether a bird remained or departed from a wintering site.

We found extremely high individual variability in winter movement decisions by king eiders, and the individual bird was the most important variable followed by location, date, and sea ice concentration.

We conclude that individual strategies exist that interact with environmental conditions to form multiple movement patterns.

While a minor proportion of winter movements may be forced by environmental conditions, we propose that many winter movements may be of an exploratory nature where individuals aim to acquire information about alternative wintering sites that may enhance their survival probability at some point in time when environmental fluctuation renders their preferred wintering site unsuitable.
Panbiogeographical study of hagfishes: an anachronistic analysis
Authors: Briggs J. C.
Published: January 2009

In a recent paper by M. J. Cavalcanti and V. Gallo, ‘Panbiogeographical analysis of distribution patterns in hagfishes (Craniata: Myxinidae)’ (Journal of Biogeography, 2008, 35, 1258–1268), the authors studied the biogeography of an ancient fish family (Myxinidae) in the hope that the contemporary distributions of the species would reveal their past history and that of the ocean basins where they reside. In order to accomplish this task, there are several criteria that should have been met: (1) the ages of the taxa utilized (species) would have to be old enough to reflect the history of the areas where they are found, (2) the identification of the species as listed in the databases would have to be accurate, (3) the geographical locations indicated on the figures would have to be consistent with the statements in the text, and (4) the significance of the vicariant patterns would have to depend on evidence pertaining to the ages of such patterns. Unfortunately, it appears that none of these conditions has been met. It seems apparent that faith in an antiquated method of analysis led to neglect of the necessary steps in the analysis. This leaves little justification for publication of the paper, except to show that hagfishes are very widely distributed.
Structural equation modelling detects unexpected differences between bryophyte and vascular plant richness along multiple environmental gradients
Authors: Spitale Daniel , Petraglia Alessandro , Tomaselli Marcello
Published: January 2009

Aim  The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a structural equation model explaining the species richness of bryophytes and vascular plants along multiple environmental gradients. Our primary interests in developing this model were: (1) to evaluate the effect of tree canopy along an altitudinal gradient on bryophyte and vascular plant richness; (2) to determine to what extent lithology was able to explain richness in the two groups of plants; (3) to assess whether anthropogenic disturbances decrease richness; and (4) to explore, comparing competing models, the causal links connecting spring area, discharge and spring complexity and to assess how these variables are related to richness.

Location  Eighty‐six springs were sampled in the south‐eastern Alps of Italy, from the lowlands to high‐mountain regions, and on different lithologies.

Methods  A structural equation model (SEM) was used to test certain hypotheses about the direct and indirect effects of altitude, canopy, lithology, disturbance, spring complexity, discharge and spring area on bryophyte and vascular plant richness. Competing models were evaluated and bootstrap simulation was used to determine the stability of parameter estimates.

Results  SEM analysis made it possible to disentangle the different effects of canopy and lithology on bryophyte and vascular plant richness: for the former it was demonstrated that the increased richness with altitude was related primarily to lithology, whereas the latter increased because of the reduction of canopy cover. In addition, the model predicted that spring discharge determined the size of the spring area and even the complexity of the spring; these latter two variables influenced to different degrees both bryophyte and vascular plant richness. Anthropogenic disturbances affected the richness of bryophytes more than that of the vascular plants.

Main conclusions  Our study demonstrates that several similarities in the patterns of bryophyte and vascular plant richness are in fact induced by different environmental variables.
The panbiogeograpy of hagfishes: a reply to Briggs’s anachronistic criticism
Authors: Cavalcanti Mauro J.
Published: January 2009

Briggs’s (2009) criticisms of Cavalcanti & Gallo’s (2008) panbiogeographical study of hagfishes are shown to be either supportive of the criticized paper’s main findings or trivial, arising from an incomplete understanding of the panbiogeographical method and synthesis and of methodological prejudice against this conceptual framework.
Evaluation of pollination syndromes in Antillean Gesneriaceae: evidence for bat, hummingbird and generalized flowers
Authors: Martén‐Rodríguez Silvana , Almarales‐Castro Abel , Fenster Charles B.
Published: January 2009

Current views about the predominance of generalization of pollination systems have stimulated controversy concerning the validity of pollination syndromes. In order to assess the extent to which floral characters reflect selection by the most important pollinators we evaluated pollination syndromes in a florally diverse plant group, the tribe Gesnerieae, a monophyletic plant radiation from the Antillean islands.

The study species include representatives of three groups of floral phenotypes, two of which chiefly correspond to ornithophilous and chiropterophilous syndromes. The third group includes subcampanulate flowers (characterized by a corolla constriction above the nectar chamber) with combinations of traits not fitting classic pollination syndromes.

Pollination systems were characterized for 19 Gesnerieae species in five Antillean islands between 2003 and 2007 and supplemented with observations of four Gesneriaceae species from Costa Rica. Pollinator visitation and frequency of contact with anthers or stigmas were used to calculate an index of pollinator importance. Eleven floral traits including morphology, phenology and rewards were used to assess clustering patterns in phenotype space.

Multidimensional scaling analysis of floral traits resulted in two clusters comprising: (i) tubular, red to yellow‐flowered species with diurnal anthesis, (ii) bell‐shaped‐flowered species; two groups of floral phenotypes were evident within the latter cluster, campanulate nocturnal and subcampanulate flowers. Correlations between pollinator importance values and floral axes revealed strong associations with the expected pollinators, hummingbirds for tubular flowers, and bats for campanulate flowers; subcampanulate‐flowered species had generalized pollination systems including bats, hummingbirds and insects. Discriminant analysis of the multivariate set of floral traits correctly classified 19 out of 23 species into the predicted pollination categories.

Synthesis. This study provides support for classic hummingbird and bat pollination syndromes, demonstrating the importance of pollinator‐mediated selection in the floral diversification of Antillean Gesnerieae. However, there was evidence for generalized pollination systems in species characterized by a unique morphological trait (corolla constriction), but with variable combinations of other floral traits. These findings suggests that floral phenotypes might also evolve under selection by various functional groups of pollinators, and underscores the importance of considering the presence and effectiveness of all floral visitors in pollination studies.
Positive effects of damselfish override negative effects of urchins to prevent an algal habitat switch
Authors: Irving Andrew D. , Witman Jon D.
Published: January 2009

Understanding the factors that influence habitat persistence is a central theme in ecology, particularly for habitats created by terrestrial and aquatic primary producers that are some of the world's most extensive and ecologically important.

Many species have positive (e.g. farming) or negative effects (e.g. herbivory) on the abundance of primary producers, potentially causing wholesale switches in habitat structure if the net outcome of effects moves toward one extreme (e.g. over‐grazing). Predicting the conditions under which such switches occur remains a key challenge for ecologists.

The purpose of this study was to understand how co‐habiting species of opposing effect (damselfish as habitat facilitators vs. sea urchins as habitat consumers) can directly and indirectly influence the persistence of algal habitats on a tropical coast, including their potential to initiate switches among habitat types (productive ‘turfs’ of filamentous algae vs. ‘barrens’ of encrusting algae).

Using a series of five independent experiments, we observed that damselfish facilitated the production of algal turfs both directly, through active farming of selected species, and indirectly, by vigorously attacking and expelling invading urchins from the local area (i.e. preventing herbivory). In contrast, urchins consumed algal turf to directly maintain barrens.

The negative effects of urchins on algal turf were strong enough to initiate a habitat switch from turf to barrens, but this was conditional upon the absence of damselfish and the presence of a particular species of urchin.

Synthesis. These results build upon our understanding of the dynamics of habitat persistence by demonstrating the conditions where biological interactions of opposing direction (positive vs. negative) maintain or switch habitat types. Such knowledge is central to addressing global concerns about habitat loss and predicting the occurrence of switches to less‐productive states.
Detection, survival rates and dynamics of a cryptic plant,Asclepias meadii: applications of mark‐recapture models to long‐term monitoring studies
Authors: Alexander Helen M. , Slade Norman A. , Kettle W. Dean , Pittman Galen L. , Reed Aaron W.
Published: January 2009

Analysis of population trajectories is central to assessing risk in populations of conservation concern. In animal studies, researchers realize that probabilities of detection of individuals are often less than one. Plants can also escape detection due to dormancy, herbivory, or observer error, but such information is rarely incorporated into population studies.

We monitored a population ofAsclepias meadii, a rare long‐lived prairie perennial. Despite standardized methods, numbers of observed plants fluctuated greatly from 1992 to 2006. Individual plants often had periods of 1–5 years between initial and final sighting when no stems were found. To determine the actual population trajectories, we estimated rates of survival and population growth using mark‐recapture models. We also estimated initial and resighting probabilities of detection. In 2007, we repeated surveys to identify reasons for low detection probabilities.

We estimated 95% annual survival and a population growth rate of 1.023. Probabilities of initial detection were low (typically from 0.120 to 0.311 depending on prairie burn treatment), whereas average probability of detection for marked plants was 0.728.

Comparisons of survival estimates from 15‐ and 8‐year data sets revealed that survival estimates decline in the final years of a multi‐year period, probably due to heterogeneity in encounter histories.

By conducting three different surveys in 2007, we found that both herbivory over a multiple‐week period and observer error contributed substantially to gaps in detection.

Synthesis.Probabilities of detection that are less than one complicate interpretation of population dynamics, whether of mobile animals or inconspicuous plants. Our work illustrates three general points that could apply to many plant population studies: (i) mark‐recapture models may provide insights on vital rates and population trajectories despite the extreme variability in count data that can arise because of low detectability, (ii) probabilities of initial detection can be quantified and can be considerably less than probabilities of resighting, and (iii) repeated surveys can help researchers determine the degree to which dormancy, herbivory, or observer error contribute to low probabilities of detection. Consideration of these points can improve the design and analysis of monitoring programs.
Introduction history and species characteristics partly explain naturalization success of North American woody species in Europe
Authors: Bucharova Anna , Van Kleunen Mark
Published: January 2009

The search for general characteristics of invasive species has not been very successful yet. A reason for this could be that current invasion patterns are mainly reflecting the introduction history (i.e. time since introduction and propagule pressure) of the species. Accurate data on the introduction history are, however, rare, particularly for introduced alien species that have not established. As a consequence, few studies that tested for the effects of species characteristics on invasiveness corrected for introduction history.

We tested whether the naturalization success of 582 North American woody species in Europe, measured as the proportion of European geographic regions in which each species is established, can be explained by their introduction history. For 278 of these species we had data on characteristics related to growth form, life cycle, growth, fecundity and environmental tolerance. We tested whether naturalization success can be further explained by these characteristics. In addition, we tested whether the effects of species characteristics differ between growth forms.

Both planting frequency in European gardens and time since introduction significantly increased naturalization success, but the effect of the latter was relatively weak. After correction for introduction history and taxonomy, six of the 26 species characteristics had significant effects on naturalization success. Leaf retention and precipitation tolerance increased naturalization success. Tree species were only 56% as likely to naturalize as non‐tree species (vines, shrubs and subshrubs), and the effect of planting frequency on naturalization success was much stronger for non‐trees than for trees. On the other hand, the naturalization success of trees, but not for non‐trees, increased with native range size, maximum plant height and seed spread rate.

Synthesis. Our results suggest that introduction history, particularly planting frequency, is an important determinant of current naturalization success of North American woody species (particularly of non‐trees) in Europe. Therefore, studies comparing naturalization success among species should correct for introduction history. Species characteristics are also significant determinants of naturalization success, but their effects may differ between growth forms.
Tufa as a record of perennial fresh water in a semi‐arid rift basin, Kapthurin Formation, Kenya
Authors: JOHNSON CARA ROURE , ASHLEY GAIL M. , DE WET CAROL B. , DVORETSKY RACHEL , PARK LISA , HOVER VICTORIA C. , Bernhart Owen R. , MCBREARTY SALLY
Published: January 2009

Lithological and biological features of a fossiliferous tufa in the Kapthurin Formation, Baringo, Kenya, reveal the presence of a lush wetland in a semi‐arid environment during the Middle Pleistocene (ca 500 ka) in this portion of the East African Rift Valley. Four geological sections, each between 3 m and 8 m in thickness, exposed over a distance of 0·5 km, reveal a 1 to 2 m thick paludal tufa which is composed of three carbonate beds, two dark grey silty claystones and a reddish‐brown silty palaeosol. High resolution stratigraphic analysis, carbonate petrography, stable isotope and elemental geochemistry, clay mineralogy and fossil remains (molluscs, ostracods, diatoms and charophytes) reveal a ground water‐fed system that fluctuated in depth and periodically disappeared altogether. Oxygen isotope ratios (δ18O) of tufa matrix range from −4·5‰ to −8·0‰ (Vienna Pee Dee Belemnite) and become more positive up section, indicating the decreasing influence of fault‐related fluids and increasing residence time or freshness of wetland water, rather than evaporative enrichment. This spring was situated on a lake margin during low lake levels, thrived during periods of increased ground water input and was ultimately replaced by an alkaline lake. The wetland would appear to have existed during a cool interval within the generally warm Marine Isotope Stage 13 or perhaps during the warm second half of Marine Isotope Stage 13. The ground water source of this wetland arose through a fault system. Thus, the position of the tufa deposit is controlled structurally but the timing and duration of the wetland system may have been influenced by both climatic and tectonic factors.
A revised interpretation of the wing base structure in Odonata
Authors: NINOMIYA TOMOYA , YOSHIZAWA KAZUNORI
Published: January 2009

AbstractHomology of the wing base structure in the Odonata is highly controversial, and many different interpretations of homology have been proposed. In extreme cases, two independent origins of insect wings have been suggested, based on comparative morphology between the odonate and other pterygote wing bases. Difficulties in establishing homology of the wing base structures between Odonata and other Pterygota result mainly from their extreme differences in morphology and function. In the present paper, we establish homology of the wing base structures between Neoptera, Ephemeroptera and Odonata using highly conservative and unambiguously identifiable characters (the basal wing hinge and subcostal veins) as principal landmarks. Homology of the odonate wing base structure with those of Ephemeroptera and Neoptera can be identified reliably. Based on this interpretation, the ancestral condition of the insect wing base structure is discussed.
Nest‐to‐nest dispersal of Chaetodactylus krombeini (Acari, Chaetodactylidae) associated with Osmia cornifrons (Hym., Megachilidae)
Authors: Park Y.‐L. , Kondo V. , White J. , West T. , McConnell B. , McCutcheon T.
Published: January 2009

A cleptoparasitic mite, the Krombein’s hairy‐footed mite, Chaetodactylus krombeini Baker (Acari, Chaetodactylidae) became a key pest that affects the maintenance and propagation of Osmia spp. (Hym., Megachilidae), thus disrupting orchard pollination in the United States. Although hypopi, the dispersal stages of C. krombeini, are known to disperse from nest to nest by hitchhiking on Osmia cornifrons adults, we observed that they might disperse in other ways too in commercial orchards. This study was conducted to elucidate the nest‐to‐nest dispersal mechanisms of C. krombeini hypopi. We tested three potential dispersal mechanisms of C. krombeini other than phoresy by O. cornifrons: (1) dispersal by walking from nest to entrances of nearby nests, (2) dispersal by walking from nest to nest through emergence holes made by parasitic wasps on nests, and (3) dispersal by being unloaded and uptaken to and from flowers by O. cornifrons. Results of this study showed that C. krombeini hypopi could disperse from a nest to nearby nests by walking through nest entrances and holes made by parasitic wasps of O. cornifrons. Although 0.06% of C. krombeini hypopi on blueberry flowers were picked up by O. cornifrons, they were not able to be unloaded to flowers from O. cornifrons and no hypopi could inhabit or survive on blueberry flowers. This indicated no or very low chance of C. krombeini hypopi dispersal via blueberry flowers. Based on our findings of C. krombeini dispersal ecology, development of C. krombeini control strategies are discussed in this article.
Assessing the influence of inflorescence traits on the susceptibility of grape to vine moths
Authors: Pavan F. , Stefanelli G. , Cargnus E. , Villani A.
Published: January 2009

In north‐eastern Italy during 1994–2006, studies were carried out on the susceptibility of grapevine cultivars to the first generations of the European vine moth [Lobesia botrana (Den. and Shiff.); Lep., Tortricidae] and the European grape berry moth [Eupoecilia ambiguella (Hb.); Lep., Cochylidae]. In five different years, the larval population density of both moth species and the larval age composition of L. botrana were recorded on 11 grapevine cultivars (Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Merlot, Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, Rhine Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Terrano, Tocai Friulano, Verduzzo Friulano), grown in the same vineyard. The influence of inflorescence traits on these demographic parameters was also evaluated. On a 5‐year average, L. botrana significantly prevailed over E. ambiguella in nine of the 11 cultivars. Chardonnay and Pinot Gris were the most infested cultivars. Age composition of L. botrana larvae varied with cultivar type, being older on Chardonnay and Tocai Friulano than the other cultivars. Inflorescence earliness and hairiness explained the majority of the variability in cultivar susceptibility. In particular, the larval population level of the two vine moths was positively correlated with inflorescence earliness and negatively correlated with inflorescence hairiness. Lobesia botrana larval age composition was negatively correlated with inflorescence hairiness. Inflorescence earliness and hairiness could be used to predict in each grape‐growing area which cultivars are potentially more infested in the first generation. Inflorescences without pubescence, favouring an older age composition of first generation larvae, could induce an earlier second generation.
Mortality factors affecting Bemisia tabaci populations on cotton in Turkey
Authors: Karut K. , Naranjo S. E.
Published: January 2009

Cohort‐based, partial life tables were constructed to determine the sources and rates of mortality factors affecting Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) on cotton in the eastern Mediterranean region of Turkey over a two year period. Mortality factors were recorded as due to predation, parasitism, dislodgement and unknown for five developmental stages. Across 10 independent cohorts, the highest median rate of marginal mortality pooled over all stages was attributed to parasitism (0.69) followed by predation (0.67). The key factor was hypothesized to be parasitism based on graphical and regression‐based comparison of individual factor k‐values to total generational mortality. The greatest amount of marginal immature mortality occurred during the fourth nymphal stadium (median = 0.77) and mortality during this stage was also most predictive of variation in total mortality. Pooled over all developmental stages, the highest rates of irreplaceable mortality were associated with parasitism (median: 0.112), followed by predation (0.088), dislodgement (0.020) and unknown (0.017). Although crawler mortality was not explicitly measured, sensitivity analyses indicated that mortality during this stage would have changed total mortality by only 0.45–1.21% and had no effect on identification of key factors. There was no significant effect of cotton cultivar on any mortality factor or total mortality over the two years of study. Results suggest that conservation of natural enemies, particularly parasitoids, may provide for more sustainable management of B. tabaci on cotton in Turkey.
Distribution and molecular characterization of distinct Asian populations of Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in Japan
Authors: Ueda S. , Kitamura T. , Kijima K. , Honda K.‐I. , Kanmiya K.
Published: January 2009

Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) is considered to be the most economically important pest insect worldwide. The invasive variant, the Q biotype of B. tabaci was first identified in 2004, and has caused significant crop yield losses in Japan. The distribution and molecular characterization of the different biotypes of B. tabaci in Japan have been little investigated. In this study, B. tabaci populations were sampled from the Japanese Archipelago, the Amami Archipelago and the Ryukyu Islands between 2004 and 2008, and the nucleotide sequences of their mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I genes were determined. Bayesian phylogenetic relationship analysis provided the first molecular evidence that the indigenous Japanese populations could be separated into four distinct genetic groups. One major native population from the Japanese Archipelago, given the genetic group name Lonicera japonica, was separated into an independent group, distinct from the other genetic groups. The second major population, the Nauru biotype in the Asia II genetic group, was identified in the Amami Archipelago and the Ryukyu Islands. Two distinct minor genetic groups, the Asia I and the China, were also identified. One invasive B‐related population belonging to the Mediterranean/Asia Minor/Africa genetic group has been identified in Honshu. All lineages generated by the phylogenetic analyses were supported by high posterior probabilities. These distinct indigenous B. tabaci populations developed in Japan under geographical and/or biological isolation, prior to recent invasions of the B and Q biotypes.
Predicting insect pest status under climate change scenarios: combining experimental data and population dynamics modelling
Authors: Estay S. A. , Lima M. , Labra F. A.
Published: January 2009

Climate change could profoundly affect the status of agricultural insect pests. Several approaches have been used to predict how the temperature and precipitation changes could modify the abundances, distributions or status of insect pests. In this article it is demonstrated how the use of simple models, such as Ricker’s classic equation, including a mechanistic representation of the influence of exogenous forces may improve our predictive capacity of the dynamic behaviour of insect populations. Using data from classical experiments in population ecology, we evaluate how temperature and humidity influence the density of two stored grain insect pest, Tribolium confusum and Callosobruchus chinensis, and then, using the A2 and B2 scenarios proposed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the previous modelling, we develop predictions over the future pest status of T. confusum along South America austral region, and specifically for eight cities in the continental Chilean territory. Tribolium confusum and C. chinensis show qualitatively different responses to the exogenous forcing of temperature and humidity, respectively. Our simulations predict a change in the equilibrium density of T. confusum from 10 to 14% under the moderate B2 scenario and 12 to 22% under the extreme A2 scenario to the period, 2071–2100. Both results imply a severe change in the pest status of this species in the southern region. This study illustrates how the use of theoretically based models may improve our predictive capacity. This approach provides an opportunity to examine the link between invasive species and climate change and how new suitable habitat may become available for species whose niche space is limited in some degree by climatic conditions. The use of different scenarios allows us to examine the sensitivity of the predictions, and to improve the communication with the general public and decision‐makers; a key aspect in integrated pest management.
The use of taxonomic distinctness indices in assessing patterns of biodiversity in modular organisms
Authors: Bevilacqua Stanislao , Fraschetti Simonetta , Terlizzi Antonio , Boero Ferdinando
Published: January 2009

Estimating diversity of modular organisms may be problematic due to actual difficulties in discriminating between ‘individuals’ and quantifying their abundances. Quantitative data, when available, are collected through methods that could preclude the application of classical diversity indices, making comparisons among studies difficult. Taxonomic distinctness indices, such as the ‘Average Taxonomic Distinctness’ (Δ+) and the ‘Variation in Taxonomic Distinctness’ (Λ+) may represent suitable tools in investigating diversity beyond the simple species number. The potential usefulness of such indices has been explored almost exclusively on unitary organisms, neglecting modular ones. In this study, we employed Δ+ and Λ+ to analyse patterns of diversity of epiphytic hydroid assemblages living on Cystoseira seaweeds at a hierarchy of spatial scales, along 800 km of rocky coast (SE Italy). ANOVA on species richness and Λ+ showed no significant difference in sample diversity at the investigated spatial scales. In contrast, there were significant differences at the scale of 10s of km in Δ+. Analyses based on simulations detected significant variations at all spatial scales in Δ+. Such findings underline the potential of Δ+ in highlighting relevant spatial scales of variation in patterns of hydroid diversity. Our results also suggest that the interplay between natural environmental variations and the complex ecological traits of modular organisms might affect taxonomic distinctness indices. We stress the need for further investigations focusing on modular organisms before any generalizations on the use of taxonomic relatedness measures in examining marine biodiversity can be made.
Trends of ulcerative colitis‐associated colorectal cancer in Korea: A KASID study
Authors: Kim Beom Jin , Yang Suk Kyun , Kim Joo Sung , Jeen Yoon Tae , Choi Hwang , Han Dong Su , Kim Hyo Jong , Kim Won Ho , Kim Jae Yong , Chang Dong Kyung
Published: January 2009

Background and Aim:  The number of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) in Korea has increased. In addition, the number of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) associated with UC has also increased. Therefore, this population‐based nationwide study was conducted to investigate the incidence of CRC in patients with UC in Korea and compare these results to those of studies conducted in other countries.

Methods:  The Korean Association for the Study of Intestinal Diseases (KASID) reviewed 7061 cases of UC that occurred between 1970 and 2005 and found a total of 26 cases of CRC.

Results:  The overall prevalence of CRC in patients with UC was 0.37%. In addition, the estimated cumulative risk of UC‐associated CRCs was 0.7% for patients that had UC for 10 years, 7.9% for patients that had UC for 20 years, and 33.2% for patients that had UC for 30 years. The mean age at the time of diagnosis with CRC was 49.6 years, and the mean duration of UC prior to the development of CRC was 11.5 years. Most UC‐associated CRCs were diagnosed after they were already in advanced stages; however, the stage at diagnosis was lower in patients that had good compliance with medical treatment.

Conclusion:  The cumulative incidence of UC‐associated CRCs in Korea was found to be comparable to that of western countries. The overall occurrence of UC‐associated CRC in Korea may be growing, therefore, intensive surveillance colonoscopy and constructive chemoprevention should be encouraged to enable early detection and treatment of UC‐associated CRCs in Korea.
The clinical utility of biomarkers and the nonalcoholic steatohepatitis CRN liver biopsy scoring system in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Malik Raza , Chang Michael , Bhaskar Killimangalam , Nasser Imad , Curry Michael , Schuppan Detlef , Byrnes Valerie , Afdhal Nezam
Published: January 2009

Background and Aims:  We identified patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) to determine the predictive value of serum markers to diagnose histological steatohepatitis (NASH).

Methods:  Demographic, serological, radiological and histological variables on 95 consecutive patients with NAFLD were recorded. The serum markers studied were CK18, Hyaluronic acid, TIMP 1 and YKL 40. The NAS score and the metavir score were the histological scoring systems used.

Results:  CK18 levels were higher in the NASH group compared to the simple steatosis group (394 ± 53 µ/L vs 194 ± 26 µ/L; P < 0.05). In assessing clinical effectiveness, CK18 yielded an AUC of 0.8 for NASH (cut‐off value 300 µ/L gives PPV 81% and NPV 85%).The fibrosis markers showed no differences between groups. We stratified the same cohort according to liver fibrosis (F0 vs F1–F4). Fibrosis was associated with advanced age, high body mass index and type 2 diabetes. The biomarkers performed relatively poorly at identifying liver fibrosis (F1–F4), with HA performing the best (AUC 0.73); performance improved for advanced fibrosis (F3/F4) ‐ (HA: AUC 0.77). The NAS score performed the best overall at identifying liver fibrosis (AUC 0.79).

Discussion:  CK18 is the only biomarker studied that can identify NASH. Additionally, liver biopsy should be performed in all high risk patients to determine the standardised NAS score to identify patients at high risk of disease progression.
Rosiglitazone treatment attenuates renal tissue inflammation generated by urinary tract obstruction
Authors: EFRATI SHAI , BERMAN SYLVIA , CHACHASHVILI AVRAHAM , COHEN NATAN , SIMAN‐TOV YARIV , AVERBUKH ZHAN , WEISSGARTEN JOSHUA
Published: January 2009

Aim:  Peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor (PPAR)‐γ activation by rosiglitazone decreases manifestation of intrarenal inflammatory hallmarks. Inflammation significantly aggravates renal injury following urinary tract obstruction. The effect of rosiglitazone on renal inflammation following unilateral ureteral obstruction was investigated.

Methods:  Ninety‐six Srague–Dawley rats were subjected to unilateral ureteral ligation, or to sham operation. Half of each group received rosiglitazone, 5 mg/kg bodyweight per day. The animals were killed and their kidneys allocated following 1 h, 24 h or 2 weeks, for pathological examination or for intrarenal transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β, interleukin (IL)‐4, IL‐6, IL‐10 and nitric oxide (NO) assessment by specific enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays. Apoptosis rates, extracellular matrix deposition, PPAR‐γ, α‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA) expression and macrophage infiltration were assessed by specific immunohistological stainings.

Results:  PPAR‐γ receptor expression was downregulated, and infiltration of macrophages decreased, in all rosiglitazone‐treated kidneys. Rosiglitazone significantly decreased apoptosis, TGF‐β, IL‐6, α‐SMA expression and NO availability in obstructed kidneys. Synthesis of IL‐10 was unaltered, while IL‐4 augmented by Rosiglitazone. Rosiglitazone also affected NO and IL‐4 production in sham‐operated controls.

Conclusion:  (i) Rosiglitazone attenuates profibrotic and pro‐inflammatory responses in a rat model of ureteral obstruction‐induced renal inflammation; (ii) rosiglitazone stimulates counteractive anti‐inflammatory responses in the damaged kidneys; (iii) in part, rosiglitazone exerts comparable anti‐inflammatory effects on obstructed kidneys and unobstructed healthy controls. Taken together, this ascertains the importance of the anti‐inflammatory role of rosiglitazone treatment in amelioration of ureteral obstruction‐induced renal damage.
Review article: The role of CD4+ T cells in ANCA‐associated systemic vasculitis
Authors: ABDULAHAD WAYEL H , STEGEMAN COEN A , KALLENBERG CEES GM
Published: January 2009

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA)‐associated systemic vasculitis (AASV) constitutes a group of primary vasculitides associated with antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies, which are either directed to proteinase‐3 or myeloperoxidase. In contrast to other forms of vasculitis, immuohistologic evaluation of affected tissues in patients with AASV, particularly the kidneys, demonstrated an absence or paucity of immunoglobulins, which could suggest involvement of cell‐mediated injury in this disorder. Several studies have shed light on T cell‐mediated immune responses playing a role in the pathophysiology of AASV. Imbalance of CD4+ T‐cell subsets has been demonstrated in the peripheral blood of patients with AASV. The trigger that leads to this imbalance remains to be defined, but clinical evidence shows that nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus constitutes a risk factor for disease exacerbation. Recent data show that superantigens and peptidoglycans from these Gram‐positive bacteria can induce skewing of T‐cell responses towards pathogenic interleukin (IL)‐17‐producing T‐helper cells (Th17). Overproduction of IL‐17 in response to this infection might aggravate inflammatory responses and contribute to the production of autoantibodies as well as to granuloma formation and tissue injury in patients with AASV. Next to Th17 cells, memory CD4+ T cells with the effector cytotoxic phenotype (CD4+ TEM) have also been demonstrated to constitute a major effector pathway of tissue injury in patients with pauci‐immune glomerulonephritis. Therefore, future perspectives for treatment of AASV could be built on neutralization of IL‐17 and depletion of CD4+ TEM cells.
Histo‐Pathological and Histo‐Chemical Studies of Interalveolar Pneumonia in Encephalitis Japonica
Authors: Araki Fumio
Published: January 2009

According to Tanabe(42) in 1936, a specific pneumonitis showing diffuse lobar inflammatory changes localized only in the alveolar walls and without inflammatory exudate in the peribronchial and perivascular connective tissue, bronchioles and alveoli was termed “interalveolar pneumonia.” In this paper, owing to clear up the pathological changes and causes of interalveolar pneumonia, an attempt was made to verify by histochemical methods in autopsy cases.
A Study on Myocardial Fibrosis in Autopsy Cases
Authors: Nishihara Yasuo , Seki Akira , Hashimoto Michio
Published: January 2009

We examined the myocardium on the occurrence, changes with age, distribution and character of fibrosis and its factor with large specimens taken from 348 male cases and 181 female cases which were picked up at random out of autopsy cases.
Pathological Studies On Encephalopathia From Unknown Cause in Minamata District Of Kumamoto Prefecture (The So‐called Minamata‐disease) in Japan
Authors: Takeuchi Tadao , Tanoue Masaaki , Kambara Takeshi , Morikawa Nobuhiro , Matsumoto Hideyo , Murai Masatosthi
Published: January 2009

A sporadic outbreak of encephalopathia from unknown causes was experienced at the farming and fishing area facing the Bay of Minamata (1×2.5 km), having about ten thousands population, through the end of 1953 up to 1956. Seventeen out of all fifty‐six patients died during the period. The disease was noticed throughout a year, but the‐incidence was relatively more numerous from spring to autumn. The clinical symptoms demonstrated numbness around the mouth and of fingers in the beginning stage, but with no fever to the end. And then ataxia, hypertonic staggering gait, tremors of fingers, impairment of speech, difficulty of hearing, and restriction of the visual field were seen in some of these patients. In a severe case, the disturbance of the involuntary motion such as intention tremor, blindness, choreiform movement, athetosis and ballismus were recognized. Furthermore, dysphagia, muscular rigidity or hypotonia of muscles followed. In the terminal case, the disturbance of the coordination of feeling with condition leading to impaired consciousness was observed, and finally the patients fell into cachexy and died of pneumonia.
Encephalitis Epidemica Japonica in Horses Occurring In a Non‐Epidemic Year
Authors: Yamagiwa Saburo , Satoh Hiroshi
Published: January 2009

The authors have carried out investigations on horses with cerebral symptoms clinically, pathologically, and epidemiologically which were obtained in various areas in Hokkaido in non‐epidemic years—1955, 1956 and 1957. Among cases investigated, there were three cases in which the authors could certainly prove the existence of encephalitic changes histopathologically in addition to two cases, one being positive to the complement‐fixation test and the other in virus isolation. In five out of eighteen cases investigation, slight leucocyte emigration was observed in the brain tissue. Comparing such facts with the judgement from the viewpoint of epidemiology and differential diagnosis, the authors have concluded that all of the cases with encephalitic symptoms were infected with Japanese encephalitis (Encephalitis epidemica japonica). They have also added considerations pertaining to the infection‐pathology of Japanese encephalitis based upon the discrepancies in infected horses between epidemic and non‐epidemic years.
An Autopsy Case of Primary Aldosteronism
Authors: Arakawa Shuji , Ono Teiji , Imai Yoshio
Published: January 2009

Regarding primary aldosteronism, 24 cases have been already reported since Conn made his first description, but among them only three were autopsy cases. Although this case had no periodic paralysis nor tetany, the existence of such findings emphasized by Conn, namely confirmation of adrenocortical adenoma and its greater content of aldosterone, hypokalemia and the existence of the conspicuous hydropic degeneration in the tubular epithelium of the kidney and other clinical findings may indicate a primary aldosteronism.

There have been no reports of malignant nephrosclerosis which was based upon primary aldosteronism. Although the probability that the malignant hypertension and adrenocortical adenoma co‐existed independently could not be wholly denied, at least in this case because of the greater amount of aldosterone in the adrenocortical adenoma, being proved in the clinical examination, it would be reasonable to consider that the hypertension may have occurred as a result of the hypersecretion of aldosterone and from this condition malignant nephrosclerosis might have been developed.
Pathology of Leukemoid Reaction of the Myeloid Type, with Special Reference to Differentiation from Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Kojima Kuniji , Yamamoto Osamu , Nakano Shinichi , Kikuta Kazuko , Kitamura Shiro
Published: January 2009

The materials used were 20 cases of leukemoid reaction with myeloblasts in their circulating blood and 39 cases of myeloid leukemia.
Experimetal Studies on the Transplantation of Yoshida Sarcoma, Human Cancer and Human Leukemic Cells to Germ‐free Guinea Pigs*
Authors: Nakashima Toshiro , Kimoto Eiji , Shimokawa Yutaka , Hanashiro Seigo , Masukawa Takaoki , Miyakawa Masasumi
Published: January 2009

Schluß

1) Klinisch verbeßert wohl das Placenta‐plasma die Hepatocirrhosis, aber es ist uns nicht gelungen, aus der Leberbiopsie auf die Resorption des Bindegewebes zu schließen.

2) Betreffs der zur Autopsie gelangenden Leber besteht zwischen dem histologischen Befund und dessen Hydroxyprolin‐Werten eine enge Beziehung.

3) Das Placenta‐plasma verbeßert die experimentelle Chloroform‐Hepatocirrhosis sowie die CCl4‐Hepatocirrhosis.

4) Nach der elektronmikroskopischen Betrachtung über die Leber mit experimenteller Hepatocirrhosis kann man eine in normaler Leber unbefindliche Krümmung der Kollagenfibrillen, das Erscheinen der verschieden großen, baumastähnlichen unermittelten Fasern und das Erscheinen der mit homogener unbekannter Substanz gedeckten Kollagenfibrillen feststellen.

Yoshida sarcoma cells of white rats, human cancer tissue and human leukemic blood have been transplanted into less than one month old germ‐free and natural guinea pigs.

A summary of the results in the experimental transplantation is as follows:

1) The transplanted Yoshida sarcoma cells completely underwent necrosis within 5th days in natural guinea pigs, while in germ‐free guinea pigs they rapidly and insensely grew and mitotic activities have been preserved until the 10th days. As a host tissue reaction to the transplanted sarcoma cells in germ‐free guinea pigs, a very slight degree of exudative process has resulted at the beginning, and as time passed an appreciable amount of mesenchymal cells proliferated, but little power in organizing the tumor cells was observed.

2) As the host tissue reaction to the transplanted human cancer tissue, a minute amount of exudative process has occurred in germ‐free guinea gigs. The proliferative mesenchymal tissue also retained little power in organizing the tumor tissue.

3) In germ‐free guinea pigs a slight degree of exudative process has occurred in the subcutaneous tissue where the human leukemic blood had been injected and there was only a weak power in organizing the injected blood. Giant cells have appeared in fat tissue. Large cells with large nucleoli were seen in the cortex in the related lymph nodes, but no secondary nodules which had clear centers were founds
Clinical and Pathological Studies on Mediastinal Tumors*
Authors: Kurobane Takeshi
Published: January 2009

By the mediastinal tumor is meant a mediastinal enlargement in x‐ray film by various diseases, excluding primary ersophageal carcinoma as a clinical entity. Although Nelson et al. included the aneurysm as B‐proup, vascular diseases are omitted at present. Thus a scope of this paper should be limited to surgical materials, such as neoplastic changes, cysts, granulomas, etc.