bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Conservation of Marine Megafauna through Minimization of Fisheries Bycatch
Authors: ŽYDELIS RAMŪNAS , WALLACE BRYAN P. , GILMAN ERIC L. , WERNER TIMOTHY B.
Published: February 2009

Abstract:  Many populations of marine megafauna, including seabirds, sea turtles, marine mammals, and elasmobranchs, have declined in recent decades due largely to anthropogenic mortality. To successfully conserve these long‐lived animals, efforts must be prioritized according to feasibility and the degree to which they address threats with the highest relative impacts on population dynamics. Recently,

Wilcox and Donlan

(2007, Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment) and

Donlan and Wilcox

(2008, Biological Invasions) proposed a conservation strategy of “compensatory mitigation” in which fishing industries offset bycatch of seabirds and sea turtles by funding eradication of invasive mammalian predators from the terrestrial reproductive sites of these marine animals
. Although this is a creative and conceptually compelling approach, we find it flawed as a conservation tool because it has narrow applicability among marine megafauna, it does not address the most pervasive threats to marine megafauna, and it is logistically and financially infeasible. Invasive predator eradication does not adequately offset the most pressing threat to most marine megafauna populations—fisheries bycatch. For seabird populations, fisheries bycatch and invasive predators infrequently are overlapping threats. Invasive predators have limited population‐level impacts on sea turtles and marine mammals and no impacts on elasmobranchs, all of which are threatened by bycatch. Implementing compensatory mitigation in marine fisheries is unrealistic due to inadequate monitoring, control, and surveillance in the majority of fleets. Therefore, offsetting fisheries bycatch with eradication of invasive predators would be less likely to reverse population declines than reducing bycatch. We recommend that efforts to mitigate bycatch in marine capture fisheries should address multiple threats to sensitive bycatch species groups, but these efforts should first institute proven bycatch avoidance and reduction methods before considering compensatory mitigation.
Bumblebee Vulnerability: Common Correlates of Winners and Losers across Three Continents
Authors: WILLIAMS PAUL , COLLA SHEILA , XIE ZHENGHUA
Published: February 2009

Abstract:  It is widely agreed that in many parts of the world some bumblebee (Bombus) species have declined, and that this has often been driven by land‐use changes that cause reductions in the abundance of food plants. There is much less agreement about how changes in food plants affect some bumblebee species more than others. We sought to identify which species' characteristics are generally associated with the relative winners and losers by comparing the 3 independent bumblebee faunas from parts of Britain, Canada, and China. Using available survey data, we assessed species characteristics, including competition with congeners, climatic specialization, proximity to climatic range edge, food specialization, phenology, body size, and range size. Results of our meta‐analysis of correlations showed support for the hypotheses that decline susceptibility is generally greater for species that have greater climatic specialization, for species in areas where they occur closest to the edges of their climatic ranges, and for species that have queens that become active later in the year. The latter characteristic may render a species at a particular disadvantage when they have long colony cycles if there are losses of food plants in mid to late colony development.
Cellular immune response to hepatitis C virus (HCV) in nonviremic blood donors with indeterminate anti‐HCV reactivity
Authors: Hitziger Tobias , Schmidt Michael , Schottstedt Volkmar , Hennig Holger , Schumann Alexandra , Ross Stefan , Lu Mengji , Seifried Erhard , Roggendorf Michael
Published: February 2009

BACKGROUND: Blood donors with indeterminate hepatitis C virus antibody (anti‐HCV) reactivity are rejected from blood donation. As they are mostly nonviremic, the source of these reactions remains unclear. Reasons for such findings can be resolved HCV infections as well as unspecific antibody reactions. The aim of this study was to investigate HCV‐specific T‐cell response in blood donors to determine the reason for the weak antibody detection.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Anti‐HCV reactivity was tested in 72 blood donors initially diagnosed with an indeterminate HCV result by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and immunoblot. Cellular immune response was measured by proliferation assay and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent spot analysis after stimulation with viral proteins core, NS3, and NS4.

RESULTS: In 56% of donors anti‐HCV reactivity was detectable in the screening assay whereas 72% had a reaction in the confirmation immunoblot. Forty‐six percent of donors had a cellular immune response against HCV proteins. The response was most frequent to NS3 protein.

CONCLUSION: In almost half of donors the indeterminate result in serologic testings could be explained by a previous resolved HCV infection as the pattern of T‐cell response was similar to these patients. These findings indicate that HCV‐specific antibodies disappear more rapidly after resolved infection than HCV‐specific T cells. These results are important for counseling blood donors and patients with indeterminate serologic results.
Does a febrile reaction to platelets predispose recipients to red blood cell alloimmunization?
Authors: Yazer Mark H. , Triulzi Darrell J. , Shaz Beth , Kraus Teresa , Zimring James C.
Published: February 2009

BACKGROUND: A variable effect of inflammation on alloimmunization to transfused red blood cells (RBCs) in mice has been recently reported. We investigated whether RBC alloimmunization in humans was affected by transfusion of blood products in temporal proximity to experiencing a febrile transfusion reaction (FTR) to platelets (PLTs), an event predominantly mediated by inflammatory cytokines.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Blood bank databases were used to identify patients who experienced an FTR or possible FTR to PLTs from August 2000 to March 2008 (FTR group). The control group of patients received a PLT transfusion on randomly selected dates without experiencing an FTR. The “event” was defined as the PLT transfusion that caused the FTR in the FTR group or the index PLT transfusion in the control group. The number of transfused blood products and their proximity to the event were recorded along with other recipient data. The primary endpoint was the rate of RBC alloimmunization between the two groups.

RESULTS: There were 190 recipients in the FTR group and 245 in the control group. Overall, the recipients in the control group were younger and received more blood products on the day of their event and over the subsequent 10 days. The alloimmunization rate among recipients in the FTR group was higher than in the control group (8% vs. 3%, respectively; p = 0.026).

CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary data support our hypothesis that recipient inflammation may affect RBC alloimmunization in humans; however, a more detailed understanding of the pathophysiologic association between inflammation and alloimmunization is required before definitive conclusions can be reached.
Robotic Catheter Ablation of Ventricular Tachycardia in a Patient with Congenital Heart Disease and Rastelli Repair
Authors: KOA‐WING MICHAEL , LINTON NICK W.F. , KOJODJOJO PIPIN , O'NEILL MARK D. , PETERS NICHOLAS S. , WYN DAVIES D. , KANAGARATNAM PRAPA
Published: February 2009

Robotically assisted catheter ablation has been proven feasible in patients with a variety of atrial arrhythmias. The potential to provide improved catheter tip maneuvering and stability potentially makes it ideal for complex ablation procedures. We present the case of a patient with complex congenital heart disease with previous Rastelli repair and recurrent ventricular tachycardia (VT) who underwent robotically assisted mapping and ablation for right ventricular VT, utilizing substrate mapping techniques.
The Prognostic Significance of Bundle Branch Block in High‐Risk Chronic Stable Vascular Disease Patients: A Report from the HOPE Trial
Authors: SUMNER GLEN , SALEHIAN OMID , YI QILONG , HEALEY JEFF , MATHEW JAMES , AL‐MERRI KHALID , AL‐NEMER KHALED , MANN J.F.E. , DAGENAIS GILLES , LONN EVA
Published: February 2009

Objective: The prognostic significance of left and right bundle branch block (LBBB and RRBB) in patients with chronic stable cardiovascular (CV) disease is not well characterized and was evaluated in the Heart Outcomes Prevention Evaluation (HOPE) study cohort.

Design: Observational analysis of data prospectively collected in the HOPE trial.

Setting and Patients: HOPE was a multicenter, international trial, which evaluated ramipril and vitamin E in 9,541 patients aged ≥55 years with CV disease or diabetes with ≥1 CV risk factor(s) but without heart failure (HF) or known left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Follow‐up extended for a median of 4.5 years. Electrocardiograms were obtained at baseline in all study participants and were read centrally.

Main Outcome Measures: Major CV events (defined as CV death, myocardial infarction, or stroke), heart failure, CV death, all‐cause death, and sudden death.

Results: Baseline LBBB was present in 246 (2.6%) patients and was associated with increased risk for major CV events (HR = 1.54; 95% CI, 1.18–2.02), CV death (HR 2.29; 95% CI, 1.63–3.20), heart failure (HR 2.99; 95% CI, 2.31–3.87), sudden death (HR 3.17; 95% CI, 2.13–4.73), and all‐cause death (HR = 2.10; 95% CI, 1.59–2.77). In multivariate models, LBBB remained an independent predictor of heart failure, sudden death, CV death, and all‐cause death (P ≤ 0.002 for all). Baseline RBBB was present in 428 (4.5%) of patients and was not associated with increased CV risk.

Conclusions: In patients with stable chronic CV disease, LBBB but not RBBB is an independent predictor of heart failure, sudden death, CV death, and all‐cause death.
Potent Antiarrhythmic Effects of Chronic Amiodarone in Canine Pulmonary Vein Sleeve Preparations
Authors: SICOURI SERGE , BELARDINELLI LUIZ , CARLSSON LEIF , ANTZELEVITCH CHARLES
Published: February 2009

Objectives:To examine the effects of chronic amiodarone on the electrophysiology of canine pulmonary vein (PV) sleeve preparations and left ventricular wedge preparation.

Background:Amiodarone is commonly used for the treatment of ventricular and supraventricular arrhythmias. Ectopic activity arising from the PV plays a prominent role in the development of atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods:Standard microelectrode techniques were used to evaluate the electrophysiological characteristics of superfused PV sleeve (left superior or inferior) and arterially perfused left ventricular (LV) wedge preparations isolated from untreated and chronic amiodarone‐treated dogs (amiodarone, 40 mg/kg daily for 6 weeks).

Results:In PV sleeves, chronic amiodarone (n = 6) induced a significant increase in action potential duration at 90% repolarization (APD90) and a significant use‐dependent reduction in Vmaxleading to 1:1 activation failure at long cycle lengths (basic cycle length of 124 ± 15 ms in control vs 420 ± 320 ms after chronic amiodarone [P < 0.01]). Diastolic threshold of excitation increased from 0.3 ± 0.2 to 1.8 ± 0.7 mA (P < 0.01). Delayed and late phase 3 early afterdepolarizations and triggered activity could be induced in PV sleeve preparations using acetylcholine (ACh, 1 μM), high calcium ([Ca2+]o= 5.4 mM), isoproterenol (Iso, 1 μM), or their combination in 6 of 6 untreated PV sleeves, but in only 1 of 5 chronic amiodarone‐treated PV sleeve preparations. Vmax, conduction velocity, and 1:1 activation failure were much more affected in PV sleeves versus LV wedge preparations isolated from amiodarone‐treated animals.

Conclusions:The results point to potent effects of chronic amiodarone to preferentially suppress arrhythmogenic substrates and triggers arising from the PV sleeves of the dog.
Canadian studies and American geography: trends and issues
Authors: ROBERTSON DAVID
Published: February 2009

Geography is perceived to be a relevant contributing discipline within a growing Canadian studies community in the United States, and the Association of American Geographers (AAG) retains a viable Canadian Studies Specialty Group. Since the early 1990s, however, the number of American geographers affiliated with Canadian studies organizations has not significantly increased: the community of scholars remains small and geography holds a peripheral position in terms of its actual contribution to US‐based Canadian studies programs. This article documents and interprets these trends using membership data collected by prominent professional organizations in Canadian studies and geography. It also explores the question of why American geography's Canadian regional specialists are not engaging formal Canadian studies initiatives in greater numbers. The observations that emerge suggest that a diversification of research themes in Canadian studies, particularly in the realms of environmental and physical science, would both increase participation by American geographers and enhance the field's ability to address pertinent aspects of the Canadian experience. Although observations presented pertain directly to the state of Canadian studies in American geography, they may also shed light on the lack of involvement by geographers in a variety of area studies fields in the United States and elsewhere.
Gendered Power in Cultural Contexts: Part III. Couple Relationships in Iran
Authors: MOGHADAM SEDDIGHEH (SANDY) , KNUDSON‐MARTIN CARMEN , MAHONEY ANNE RANKIN
Published: February 2009

Sometimes therapists assume that gender equality is not relevant when working with couples from traditional cultures. This study of couples in Iran suggests more complexity. The authors identify a variety of views and practices regarding equality between men and women in relationships. Some aspired to traditional roles; others attempted to create mutually supportive relationships. Yet others were somewhere in‐between. This study helps identify important dimensions that may be overlooked when we define couple equality only by American standards or understand it only through a Western lens. The study provides insight into the dilemmas couples face when ideals of equality intersect with societal structures that maintain gendered power and offers suggestions for addressing gender when working with couples with traditional cultural backgrounds.
Affective Synchrony in Dual‐ and Single‐Smoker Couples: Further Evidence of “Symptom‐System Fit”?
Authors: ROHRBAUGH MICHAEL J. , SHOHAM VARDA , BUTLER EMILY A. , HASLER BRANT P. , BERMAN JEFFREY S.
Published: February 2009

Couples in which one or both partners smoked despite one of them having a heart or lung problem discussed a health‐related disagreement before and during a period of laboratory smoking. Immediately afterwards, the partners in these 25 couples used independent joysticks to recall their continuous emotional experience during the interaction while watching themselves on video. A couple‐level index of affective synchrony, reflecting correlated moment‐to‐moment change in the two partners' joystick ratings, tended to increase from baseline to smoking for 9 dual‐smoker couples but decrease for 16 single‐smoker couples. Results suggest that coregulation of shared emotional experience could be a factor in smoking persistence, particularly when both partners in a couple smoke. Relationship‐focused interventions addressing this fit between symptom and system may help smokers achieve stable cessation.
Relational Drawings in Couple Therapy
Authors: ROBER PETER
Published: February 2009

In couple therapy sessions, partners often get into long and drawn‐out discussions, heavy with pain, resentment, and blame. It is vital for the therapist to avoid becoming entangled in these escalating interactions. In this article, as one way of avoiding these interactions, a protocol is proposed of using relational drawings in couple therapy for opening space for new stories. This approach is strongly rooted in extensive therapeutic experience, as well as in dialogical ideas. Not the content of the partners' imagery is central, but rather the dialogical exchange about the drawings. In particular, the focus of the therapist is on the partners' interactions, their hesitations and their surprises. Working in this way opens space for the partners to reflect on what they experience as crucial in their bond. The protocol is illustrated with two detailed case examples.
Empathic Family Stress as a Sign of Family Connectedness in Haitian Immigrants
Authors: NICOLAS GUERDA , DESILVA ANGELA , PRATER KIMBERLY , BRONKOSKI ELIZABETH
Published: February 2009

Research on familial experiences has documented the important role of receiving family support, but has not examined the effects of providing such support. Empathic family stress refers to the stress that individuals experience in response to difficult life circumstances of family members. The current study took a first step in examining the empathic family stress of 134 Haitian immigrants. Results from hierarchical regressions indicate that empathic family stress is a significant predictor of depressive symptoms, but not acculturative stress, for Haitian immigrants. Findings from the study are examined from a strengths‐based perspective, where empathic family stress is viewed as a sign of strong family connections among Haitian immigrants. Recommendations are provided for clinicians working with Haitian immigrants to help them experience empathic family stress in a healthy manner.
Analyzing Salvia Divinorum and its Active Ingredient Salvinorin A Utilizing Thin Layer Chromatography and Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Jermain John D. , Evans Hiram K.
Published: February 2009

Abstract:  In recent years, Salvia divinorum has become a major focus by state legislatures throughout the United States looking to prohibit the sale of the psychoactive plant. After researching testing procedures presented in the literature and those employed by crime laboratories throughout the country, it was decided that thin layer chromatography (TLC) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) were the methods to use to analyze plant material for salvinorin A. With TLC, salvinorin A was detected from extracted plant material and was easily distinguishable from 13 other Salvia species as well as Cannabis sativa L. (marijuana). When using GC/MS, salvinorin A was best extracted from plant material with chloroform at ambient temperature when using a nonpolar solvent and acetone at ambient temperature when using a polar solvent. By utilizing these techniques, criminalists are now able to confirm the presence of salvinorin A in a submitted plant material suspected to be Salvia divinorum.
Histological Determination of the Human Origin of Bone Fragments
Authors: Cattaneo Cristina , Porta David , Gibelli Daniele , Gamba Corrado
Published: February 2009

Abstract:  A frequently encountered task in the forensic scenario is verification of the human origin of severely degraded fragments of bone. In these cases histological methods which consider osteon size and morphology can prove to be useful. The authors in the present study verify the applicability of published algorithms to flat and subadult bones from human, dog, cat, cow, rabbit, sheep, pig, chicken, quail, and turkey samples. Metric analysis was performed on 2031 Haversian canals. Analyses carried out on human samples confirmed a success rate of around 70% on long adult bones; however the percentage of wrong answers was particularly high in the case of newborns and older subadults as well as on flat bones in general. Results therefore suggest that such regression equations should be limited only to bone fragments from long adult bones.
Discourses of Disability by Teacher Candidates: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Written Responses to a Disability Simulation1
Authors: Stamou Anastasia G. , Padeliadu Susana
Published: February 2009

Despite the shift from traditional to progressive discourse among disability activists and social science academics, the former remains the dominant discourse of disability. In the present study, we examine how Greek teacher candidates, although being considerably exposed to a progressive discourse during their lectures, represent disability in the context of their disability simulations, which favor traditional discourse. The critical discourse analysis of their written accounts reveals that, in quantitative terms, teacher candidates represent disability by drawing upon both traditional and progressive discourses. Seen qualitatively, however, it appears that progressive discourse is a subjugated discourse, compared with the dominant traditional one.
The Effect of Accuracy of Performance Evaluation on Learning From Experience: The Moderating Role of After‐Event Reviews
Authors: Ellis Shmuel , Mendel Rachel , Aloni‐Zohar Merav
Published: February 2009

Two studies (one field, one experimental) found that the more accurately individuals evaluated their performance, the better they performed on a subsequent task. The first study also found that the more individuals overestimated their previous performance, the lower was their performance on the next task. In contrast, the evaluation accuracy of the underestimators was unrelated to their subsequent performance. The second study found that when participants received feedback from an external authority, the effect of the inaccuracy of self‐performance evaluation on subsequent performance was reduced. The results of the 2 studies are explained in motivational and cognitive terms.
Cigarette Smoking, Physical Activity, and the Health Status of College Students
Authors: Olchowski Allison E. , Graham John W. , Beverly Elizabeth A. , Dupkanick Chris W.
Published: February 2009

Research has supported a negative correlation between cigarette smoking and exercise; however, the temporal nature of this association is not obvious. We modeled the relationships among smoking, exercise, and self‐perceived health over time, within a college population. We collected 5 waves of data from 1,023 undergraduate students over a 14‐month period. The results verified that smoking and exercise each made independent contributions in the prediction of health. Smoking was associated with reduced exercise over time, while no evidence was found for the reverse relationship. Our final mediation model demonstrates that smoking is related to poorer self‐perceived health, and that this effect is partially mediated by the fact that smokers are less likely to engage in exercise.
Influence of Message Sidedness, Pictures, and Need for Cognition on Beliefs and Behavior: The Terri Schiavo Case1
Authors: Czuchry Michael , Gray Brooke
Published: February 2009

The Terri Schiavo case received intense national and international media coverage. The current investigation examined students' beliefs on whether or not Terri's feeding tube should have been removed, as well as attitudes and behavior. Students either received a persuasive message that came from the husband's perspective or the parents' perspective, crossed with a picture that either suggested Terri was interactive vs. one that suggested she was not. The results indicate that beliefs were altered by the perspective that students received, even after intense media coverage had presumably “hardened” attitudes. Students with low or high need for cognition were also influenced by pictures that either matched or mismatched the perspective they received.
Moving off the farm and intensifying agricultural production in Shandong: a case study of rural labor market linkages in China
Authors: Huang Jikun , Wu Yunhua , Rozelle Scott
Published: February 2009

This study examines linkages between off‐farm labor markets and the labor allocated by farmers to on‐farm production of fruit crops. Using a stratified random sample of rural households in Shandong Province, we find that young and educated members of the labor force tend to work more frequently in the off‐farm labor market, and that off‐farm employment reduces the likelihood and intensity of fruit production. Fruit production is associated with lower levels of off‐farm employment. Households and individuals who are less likely (or able) to find off‐farm employment can benefit from shifting into fruit production. Although off‐farm employment is an important avenue out of poverty, fruit production provides ways for the less educated and older households to raise their income.
Horticulture exports, agro‐industrialization, and farm–nonfarm linkages with the smallholder farm sector: evidence from Senegal
Authors: Maertens Miet
Published: February 2009

In this article we address the question of farm–nonfarm linkages at the household level in Senegal. We examine whether increasing off‐farm employment opportunities for rural households—resulting from increased horticulture exports and associated agro‐industrialization—has benefitted the smallholder farm sector through investment linkages. We use data from a household survey in the main horticulture export region in Senegal. We find that access to unskilled employment in the export agro‐industry has contributed to the alleviation of farmers' liquidity constraints, resulting in increased smallholder agricultural production.
The increasing importance of nonfarm income and the changing use of labor and capital in rice farming: the case of Central Luzon, 1979–2003
Authors: Takahashi Kazushi , Otsuka Keijiro
Published: February 2009

There have been sharp increases in nonfarm income among farm households in Central Luzon for the last few decades. This study attempts to identify the effects of the increasing nonfarm income on the use of tractors and threshers and on the employment of hired labor as a substitute for family labor. We found that while the increased nonfarm income positively affects the ownership of tractors, it has no significant impact on the use of agricultural machines due presumably to the development of efficient machine rental markets. We also found that the increased nonfarm income leads to the increased use of hired labor, thereby releasing family labor to nonfarm jobs.
Molecular drug targets in myeloproliferative neoplasms: mutant ABL1, JAK2, MPL, KIT, PDGFRA, PDGFRB and FGFR1
Authors: Tefferi Ayalew
Published: February 2009

Introduction

JAK2 and MPL mutations

KIT mutations

PDGFR mutations

FGFR1 mutations

Therapeutically validated oncoproteins in myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) include BCR‐ABL1 and rearranged PDGFR proteins. The latter are products of intra‐ (e.g. FIP1L1‐PDGFRA) or inter‐chromosomal (e.g.ETV6‐PDGFRB) gene fusions. BCR‐ABL1 is associated with chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML) and mutant PDGFR with an MPN phenotype characterized by eosinophilia and in addition, in case of FIP1L1‐PDGFRA, bone marrow mastocytosis. These genotype‐phenotype associations have been effectively exploited in the development of highly accurate diagnostic assays and molecular targeted therapy. It is hoped that the same will happen in other MPN with specific genetic alterations: polycythemia vera (JAK2V617F and other JAK2 mutations), essential thrombocythemia (JAK2V617F and MPL515 mutations), primary myelofibrosis (JAK2V617F and MPL515 mutations), systemic mastocytosis (KITD816V and other KIT mutations) and stem cell leukaemia/lymphoma (ZNF198‐FGFR1 and other FGFR1 fusion genes). The current review discusses the above‐listed mutant molecules in the context of their value as drug targets.
A common hereditary single‐nucleotide polymorphism in the gene of FAS and colorectal cancer survival
Authors: Hofmann Guenter , Langsenlehner Uwe , Langsenlehner Tanja , Yazdani‐Biuki Babak , Clar Heimo , Gerger Armin , Fuerst Florentine , Samonigg Hellmut , Krippl Peter , Renner Wilfried
Published: February 2009

Apoptosis plays an important role in embryogenesis, autoimmunity and tumourigenesis. Cell surface death receptors such as TNFRSF6 (FAS) confer a major apoptotic effect. A single‐nucleotide polymorphism in the FAS promoter gene, −670A/G, modulates apoptotic signalling and has been related to susceptibility and progression of a variety of cancers. The present study aimed to evaluate the role of this polymorphism for survival of patients with colorectal cancer. We performed a retrospective analysis including 433 patients with histologically confirmed colorectal cancer. A Cox regression model including FAS ‐670 genotypes, age at diagnosis, tumour grading, primary tumour size, number of lymph nodes examined, number of metastatic lymph nodes, tumour stage and application of fluorouracil‐based adjuvant chemotherapy was used to estimate the effect of the FAS genotype on survival. FAS −670A/G genotype frequencies were 24.2% (AA), 46.3% (AG) and 29.5% (GG). Forty‐nine patients were excluded from the Cox regression analysis because of missing values. Out of the remaining 384 patients, 69 (18%) died during a follow‐up of maximum 10 years. Mean follow‐up time was 58 ± 34 months (median 55 months). Carriers of the homozygous FAS ‐670GG genotype had a significantly lower survival rate compared with AA/AG genotype carriers (relative risk 1.76, 95% confidence interval 1.08–2.87; P= 0.023). The FAS −670A/G polymorphism may be associated with overall survival time of patients with colorectal cancer.
Survivin is an essential mediator of arthritis interacting with urokinase signalling
Authors: Baran Marcin , Möllers Linda Nilsson , Andersson Sofia , Jonsson Ing‐Marie , Ekwall Anna‐Karin Hultgård , Bjersing Jan , Tarkowski Andrej , Bokarewa Maria
Published: February 2009

Proto‐oncogene survivin has recently been identified as a prognostic marker distinguishing patients with destructive rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In the present material of 132 RA patients and 82 controls, the levels of survivin correlated to urokinase (uPA) (r= 0.46), a plasminogen activator over‐expressed in inflamed joints and known to exhibit potent arthritogenic properties. Here we evaluate the functional relationship between these proteins using primary synovial fibroblasts and leucocytes of RA patients, human monocytic (THP‐1) and fibroblast (MRC‐5) cell lines. Using inhibitors of intracellular signalling, we show that uPA and survivin share common transduction pathways in synovial fibroblasts being dependent on the activity of tyrosine kinases, phosphatidylinositide 3 kinase and mitogen effector kinase. Moreover, uPA production is significantly reduced in fibroblasts if survivin synthesis has been silenced by siRNA. Importantly, silencing of survivin in fibroblasts prevented their invasive growth in knee joints of severe combined immune deficient mice. Interaction of uPA with receptor up‐regulates survivin expression in leucocytes. In turn, survivin is required for the up‐regulation of uPA receptor on the cell surface. These findings indicate that survivin is an essential mediator of arthritogenic properties of uPA regulating its synthesis in synovial fibroblasts and uPAR expression in leucocytes. Close correlation between survivin and uPA levels in patients with RA supports the importance of this connection for the pathogenesis of arthritis.
Intracrine androgenic apparatus in human bone marrow stromal cells
Authors: Sillat Tarvo , Pöllänen Raimo , Lopes Joana R.C. , Porola Pauliina , Ma Guofeng , Korhonen Matti , Konttinen Yrjö T.
Published: February 2009

It was suggested that human mesenchymal stromal cells might contain an intracrine enzyme machinery potentially able to synthesize the cell’s own supply of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) from dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) pro‐hormone produced in the adrenal cortex in the reticular zone, which is unique to primates. Indeed, 3β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β‐HSD) and 5α‐reductase enzyme proteins were expressed in resting mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) in vitro. However, the ‘bridging’ enzymes 17β‐HSDs, catalysing interconversion between 17β‐ketosteroids and 17β‐hydroxysteroids, were not found in resting MSCs, but 17β‐HSD enzyme protein was induced in a dose‐dependent manner by DHEA. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reactions disclosed that this was mainly due to induction of the isoform 5 catalysing this reaction in ‘forward’, androgen‐bound direction (P < 0.01). This work demonstrates that the MSCs have an intracrine machinery to convert DHEA to DHT if and when challenged by DHEA. DHEA as substrate exerts a positive, feed‐forward up‐regulation on the 17β‐hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase‐5, which may imply that DHEA‐DHT tailor‐making in MSCs is subjected to chronobiological regulation.
From Zero to Many: Control of Centriole Number in Development and Disease
Authors: Cunha‐Ferreira Inês , Bento Inês , Bettencourt‐Dias Mónica
Published: February 2009

Centrioles are essential for the formation of microtubule‐derived structures, including cilia, flagella and centrosomes. These structures are involved in a variety of functions, from cell motility to division. In most dividing animal cells, centriole formation is coupled to the chromosome cycle. However, this is not the case in certain specialized divisions, such as meiosis, and in some differentiating cells. For example, oocytes loose their centrioles upon differentiation, whereas multiciliated epithelial cells make several of those structures after they exit the cell cycle. Aberrations of centriole number are seen in many cancer cells. Recent studies began to shed light on the molecular control of centriole number, its variations in development, and how centriole number changes in human disease. Here we review the recent developments in this field.
Children's physical activity and psychological health: the relevance of intensity
Authors: Parfitt Gaynor , Pavey Toby , Rowlands Ann V
Published: February 2009

Aim: To examine the relevance of physical activity intensity when assessing the relationship between activity and psychological health in 9–10‐year‐old children.

Methods: Activity was assessed by accelerometry in 57 boys (n = 23) and girls (n = 34). Total activity and time spent in very light (≤1.9 METs) through to vigorous activity (≥6 METs) were recorded. Psychological health inventories to assess anxiety, depression and aspects of self‐worth were completed.

Results: Time accumulated in very light activity had positive correlations with anxiety and depression (r > 0.30, p < 0.05) and negative correlations with aspects of physical self‐worth (r > −0.29, p < 0.05). Time accumulated in vigorous activity had negative correlations with anxiety and behavioural conduct (r > −0.30, p < 0.05) and positive correlation with aspects of physical self‐worth (r > 0.28, p < 0.05). Children spending over 4 h in very light intensity activity had more negative psychological profiles than children spending under 4 h at this intensity.

Conclusion: Aspects of psychological health were negatively correlated with very light intensity activity and positively correlated with vigorous intensity activity. Further research should investigate whether reducing time spent in very light intensity activity and increasing time spent in vigorous intensity activity improves psychological health in children.
Herb layer changes (1954‐2000) related to the conversion of coppice‐with‐standards forest and soil acidification
Authors: Baeten Lander , Bauwens Bram , De Schrijver An , De Keersmaeker Luc , Van Calster Hans , Vandekerkhove Kris , Roelandt Bart , Beeckman Hans , Verheyen Kris
Published: February 2009

Question: Did the composition of the herb layer of a deciduous forest on loamy soils sensitive to soil acidification change between 1954 and 2000? How are these change related to the abandonment of traditional coppice‐with‐standards forest management and increased soil acidification?

Location: Central Belgium (Europe).

Methods: Twenty semi‐permanent phytosociological quadrats from an ancient deciduous forest (Meerdaal forest) were carefully selected out of a total of 70 plots dating from 1954 and were revisited in 2000. Species composition and soil pH H2O were recorded using an analogous methodology. The studied period coincides with a period of forest conversion from coppice‐with‐standards towards a high forest structure and with an increase in acidifying and eutrophying deposition.

Results: Between 1954 and 2000, species composition of the herb layer changed significantly. Redundancy analysis pointed to increased shade resulting from shifts in cover and species composition of the shrub and tree layer as the main driving force. Soil acidity increased and the majority of plots entered the aluminium buffer range, which potentially affected herb layer composition. Observations at the species level, especially a strong decrease in cover of the vernal species Anemone nemorosa supported this hypothesis.

Conclusions: Our results show significant shifts in the forest herb layer in less than five decades. These shifts were related to an alteration in the traditional forest management regime and increased soil acidity. Whereas the effect of a changed management regime can be mitigated, soil acidification is less reversible. Testing the generality of these patterns on more extensive data sets is certainly needed.
Topographic and soil surface effects on gypsophile plant community patterns in central Mexico
Authors: Meyer Susan E. , García‐Moya Edmundo , Lagunes‐Espinoza Luz del Carmen
Published: February 2009

Abstract. Semiarid gypsum karstlands in north central Mexico are characterized by a mosaic of shrubland and endemic gypsophile grassland community types. Proximal physical factors affecting community patterns on a local scale were investigated at an undisturbed site south of Matehuala, San Luis Potosi. Soil surface characteristics associated with depth of calcareous alluvium overlying gypsum base material were strongly correlated with distribution of desert shrub and endemic grass species. Muhlenbergia purpusii was dominant on bare gypsum soils with indurated crusts, while Bouteloua chasei was dominant where a thin veneer of alluvium permitted development of a cryptogamic crust. A high‐diversity mixed shrub‐succulent community occupied gypsum overlain by 5 ‐ 20 cm of alluvium, whereas Larrea tridentata was the principal species on gypsum overlain by > 20 cm of alluvium. Open sink walls were occupied mostly by species of the Muhlenbergia grassland, while closed sinks supported more mesophytic mixed shrubland vegetation.

Physical factors operating mostly at the establishment stage are probably more important in mediating local species patterns on gypsum than factors associated with mineral nutrition. Gypsum material was much less fertile than alluvial material but did not exclude widely distributed species unless exposed at the surface.
The species pool concept applied to forests in a fragmented landscape: dispersal limitation versus habitat limitation
Authors: Butaye Jan , Jacquemyn Hans , Honnay Olivier , Hermy Martin
Published: February 2009

Abstract. The species pool concept has been used as a theoretical framework for understanding local community richness. A significant problem in putting the concept into practice is the lack of methods for determining the size of the species pool. We tested the hypothesis that species composition of recent forests is primarily determined by the species composition of neighbouring older forests against the null‐hypothesis that species are a random sample of the species occurring in the study area. Forest plant species composition of recently established fragments was significantly correlated with species composition in neighbouring older forests (i.e. the local species pool). When older forest within a neighbourhood of 1000m radius is considered, seed dispersal sources can be found for 91% of the flora in the recent forests. For an individual fragment, dispersal is a much more important determinant of species presence than the environment, with an average of 46% of the total pool excluded from local pools by dispersal limitation and only 8% excluded by environmental limitations. The species richness of recent forests is on average 23% of the local species pool. Several hypotheses are proposed for this low percentage, such as asymmetric competition due to the early successional state or the limited colonization period.
Determination of diagnostic species with statistical fidelity measures
Authors: Chytrý Milan , Tichý Lubomír , Holt Jason , Botta‐Dukát Zoltán
Published: February 2009

Abstract. Statistical measures of fidelity, i.e. the concentration of species occurrences in vegetation units, are reviewed and compared. The focus is on measures suitable for categorical data which are based on observed species frequencies within a vegetation unit compared with the frequencies expected under random distribution. Particular attention is paid to Bruelheide's u value. It is shown that its original form, based on binomial distribution, is an asymmetric measure of fidelity of a species to a vegetation unit which tends to assign comparatively high fidelity values to rare species. Here, a hypergeometric form of u is introduced which is a symmetric measure of the joint fidelity of species to a vegetation unit and vice versa. It is also shown that another form of the binomial u value may be defined which measures the asymmetric fidelity of a vegetation unit to a species. These u values are compared with phi coefficient, chi‐square, G statistic and Fisher's exact test. Contrary to the other measures, phi coefficient is independent of the number of relevés in the data set, and like the hypergeometric form of u and the chi‐square it is little affected by the relative size of the vegetation unit. It is therefore particularly useful when comparing species fidelity values among differently sized data sets and vegetation units. However, unlike the other measures it does not measure any statistical significance and may produce unreliable results for small vegetation units and small data sets. The above measures, all based on the comparison of observed/expected frequencies, are compared with the categorical form of the Dufrêne‐Legendre Indicator Value Index, an index strongly underweighting the fidelity of rare species.

These fidelity measures are applied to a data set of 15 989 relevés of Czech herbaceous vegetation. In a small subset of this data set which simulates a phytosociological table, we demonstrate that traditional table analysis fails to determine diagnostic species of general validity in different habitats and large areas. On the other hand, we show that fidelity calculations used in conjunction with large data sets can replace expert knowledge in the determination of generally valid diagnostic species. Averaging positive fidelity values for all species within a vegetation unit is a useful approach to measure quality of delimination of the vegetation unit. We propose a new way of ordering species in synoptic species‐by‐relevé tables, using fidelity calculations.
Do plant modules describe community structure better than biomass? A comparison of three abundance measures
Authors: Mason Norman W.H. , MacGillivray Kit , Steel John B. , Wilson J. Bastow
Published: February 2009

Abstract. Plants are composed of modules, such as shoots and leaves. However, modules have been overlooked as potential abundance measures in describing plant communities. We sampled 8 communities, to examine whether module counts gave different conclusions from biomass on community structure, and better discriminated between communities. Different abundance measures – number of leaves, number of shoots and photosynthetic biomass – gave different results for between‐site comparisons of evenness and rank consistency. Since evenness is intended to represent a feature of the whole community, it should vary more between communities than within; module‐based abundance achieved this better than biomass. It is speculated that the restrictions on species co‐occurrences when plant communities assemble may sometimes be based on the number of modules rather than on biomass.
Regeneration by seeds in alpine meadow and heath vegetation in sub‐arctic Finland
Authors: Welling Pirjo , Laine Kari
Published: February 2009

Abstract. This paper compares the regeneration by seeds of heath and meadow and studies relationships between the floristic composition of phases in the regeneration pathway. Seed densities in the seed rain and seed bank as well as the densities of emerged seedlings in gaps and in closed vegetation were greater in the meadow than in the heath. In the heath, environmental constraints hindered seedling emergence almost completely so seeds accumulated in the seed bank. In the meadow, the decrease in the seed bank was due to high seedling emergence. Within both plant communities, seedling emergence in gaps and in closed vegetation was comparable. In the meadow, the seed rain and seedling emergence in gaps, as well as the seed bank and seedling emergence in gaps were positively correlated. Differences in seed and adult plant sizes were reasons for the low correlation between the standing vegetation and the other phases. In DCA ordination the first axis separated the phase of seedling emergence in closed vegetation and seed bank. The second axis separated the standing vegetation from the other phases. The structure of the seed rain was more heterogeneous than that of other phases. In the heath, the standing vegetation and the seed rain were positively correlated. The ordination of these phases reflected the patchiness of standing vegetation and the ability of the diaspores of Betula nana to disperse over long distances.
Acaciatrees as keystone species in Negev desert ecosystems
Authors: Munzbergova Zuzana , Ward David
Published: February 2009

Abstract.The only trees in most of the Negev desert are 3 nativeAcaciaspecies. We tested the hypothesis that they act as keystone species as a result of the improved soil conditions under their canopies. Furthermore, because manyAcaciapopulations suffer high levels of mortality due to water stress, we tested whether trees in high mortality populations had diminished effects on plant species and soil quality under their canopies. We show that plant species diversity beneath the tree canopies is higher than in the surrounding areas. There was also a clearly identifiable suite of species with higher occurrence under the trees. Plant species composition differed significantly between high and low mortality sites. However, there was higher species diversity in high mortality sites and under trees with higher water stress. Soil nutrient content was higher under the trees than in the open areas, especially under larger trees and trees with higher water status. The results indicate that there is a combination of positive and negative effects ofAcaciatrees on the under‐canopy environment, which may include positive effects of higher soil nutrients and a negative influence of higher soil salinity.