bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lucerne improves some sustainability indicators but may decrease profitability of cropping rotations on the Jimbour Plain
Authors: Murray-Prior R. B. , Whish J. , Carberry P. , Dalgleish N.
Published: June 2005

Long-run rotational gross margins were calculated with yields derived from biophysical simulations in a crop simulation model over a period of 100 years and prices simulated in @Risk based on subjective triangular price distributions elicited from the Jimbour Plain farmer group. Rotations included chickpeas, cotton, lucerne, sorghum, wheat and different lengths of fallow. The aim was to assess the profitability of rotations with and without lucerne. Output presented to the farmers included mean annual gross margins and distributions of gross margins with box and whisker plots found to be suitable. Mean–standard deviation and first- and second-degree stochastic dominance efficiency measures were also calculated. The paper outlines a method for combining biophysical and price simulations that can be understood by farmers. Including lucerne in the rotations improved some sustainability indicators but reduced profitability.
The role of farming systems group approaches in achieving sustainability in Australian agriculture
Authors: Ridley A. M.
Published: June 2005

The concepts surrounding sustainability are outlined and economic, environmental and social sustainability are defined for Australian farming systems — including the issue of scale at which sustainability can be practically applied. Farming systems work in Australia is often a farmer–scientist partnership, with research mainly conducted at the paddock/farm scale, this being where management decisions are made. Farming systems research as conducted currently has concentrated on components of the ‘system’ and could be described as systems in name more than substance. Farming systems groups have primarily focused on issue of profitability and economic sustainability (soil resource). Some groups have focused on salinity and recharge related issues using perennial pastures, but work on biodiversity has been limited, despite its role as a key environmental sustainability issue, at least, in southern Australia. Several groups are addressing issues of social sustainability at scales larger (e.g. local community or region) than the farm.
Farming systems groups need to progress towards more sustainable farming systems involving increased complexity and consideration of multiple values for a number of reasons outlined in this paper. Important factors in this evolution include investment in developing new technologies, the knowledge and learning environment, increased emphasis on environmental and social sustainability, progression to larger scales (e.g. catchment or region), and different relationships in view of changing institutional arrangements. Social learning and ‘soft systems’ approaches will become more important to provide skills to deal with complexity, conflict, and multiple values of people. Farming systems groups need to become more actively engaged with a wider group of stakeholders including catchment management organisations and other non-farming members of the community. Such engagement is occurring in some groups. However, there are large training needs, particularly for facilitators to effectively deal with the increasing complexity of work conducted by groups that are involving larger scales and using a multi-disciplinary approach.
Weed species richness, density and relative abundance on farms in the subtropical grain region of Australia
Authors: Rew L. J. , Medd R. W. , Van de Ven R. , Gavin J. J. , Robinson G. R. , Tuitee M. , Barnes J. , Walker S.
Published: June 2005

Weed management is one of the most important economic and agronomic issues facing farmers in Australia’s grain regions. Weed species occurrence and abundance was monitored between 1997 and 2000 on 46 paddocks (sites) across 18 commercial farms located in the Northern Grain Region. The sites generally fell within 4 disjunct regions, from south to north: Liverpool Plains, Moree, Goondiwindi and Kingaroy. While high species richness was found (139 species or species groups), only 8 species occurred in all 4 regions and many (56 species) only occurred at 1 site or region. No species were observed at every site but 7 species (Sonchus spp., Avena spp., Conyza spp., Echinochloa spp., Convolvulus erubescens, Phalaris spp. and Lactuca serriola) were recorded on more than 70% of sites. The average number of species observed within crops after treatment and before harvest was less than 13. Species richness tended to be higher in winter pulse crops, cotton and in fallows, but overall was similar at the different sampling seasons (summer v. winter). Separate species assemblages associated with the Goondiwindi and Kingaroy regions were identified by correspondence analysis but these appeared to form no logical functional group. The species richness and density was generally low, demonstrating that farmers are managing weed populations effectively in both summer and winter cropping phases. Despite the apparent adoption of conservation tillage, an increase in opportunity cropping and the diversity of crops grown (13) there was no obvious effect of management practices on weed species richness or relative abundance. Avena spp. and Sonchus spp. were 2 of the most dominant weeds, particularly in central and southern latitudes of the region; Amaranthus spp. and Raphanus raphanistrum were the most abundant species in the northern part of the region. The ubiquity of these and other species shows that continued vigilance is required to suppress weeds as a management issue.
Evaluation of common vetch (Vicia sativa cv. Morava) for growing pigs
Authors: Collins C. L. , Dunshea F. R. , Henman D. J. , King R. H.
Published: June 2005

The response to the inclusion of common vetch (Vicia sativa cv. Morava) at levels up to 225 g/kg diet was evaluated in growing pigs between 91 and 161 days of age. A total of 312 male pigs, selected at a liveweight of 37.6 ± 0.24 kg, were group housed in pens of 19–20 pigs, each initially in commercial grower facilities, which were then split within treatment into pens of 9–10 pigs in commercial finisher facilities. Pens were randomly allocated to 1 of 4 diets, 4 pens per diet. Vetch replaced peas in the wheat-based, protein-adequate diets at levels of 0, 75, 150 and 225 g/kg diet, with the digestible energy and lysine levels being similar for each diet. Pigs were offered the experimental grower diets for 4 weeks, followed by the corresponding experimental finisher diet for 6 weeks. Growth performance was not significantly affected by level of vetch up to 225 g/kg during the first 4 weeks of feeding with average growth rate, feed intake and feed conversion efficiency being 871.5 g/day, 1.90 kg/day, and 2.20 kg feed/kg gain, respectively. However, a significant negative linear response was observed for feed intake in pigs between 119 and 161 days of age, which resulted in voluntary feed intake decreasing from 2.62 to 2.44 kg/day when inclusion of Morava vetch increased from 0 to 225 g/kg. A significant curvilinear response was also observed in growth rate and feed conversion ratio during this period. These significant effects during the later growth phase resulted in significant decreases in voluntary feed intake and growth rate from 2.34 to 2.17 kg/day, and from 948 to 873 g/day, respectively, for the entire growth period as Morava vetch was increased from 0 to 225 g/kg diet. Thus, it is suggested that Morava vetch could be fed at rates up to 225 g/kg for pigs between 91 and 119 days of age, but should be reduced to less than 150 g/kg if feeding continues beyond 119 days of age.
Porcine somatotropin alters body composition and the distribution of fat and lean tissue in the finisher gilt
Authors: Suster D. , Leury B. J. , Hewitt R. , Kerton D. J. , Dunshea F. R.
Published: June 2005

The present study was designed to determine whether porcine somatotropin (pST) reduces whole animal and belly fat using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry and manual dissection. The study utilised 24 Large White × Landrace gilts selected at 16 weeks of age with an approximate liveweight of 80 kg and housed in individual pens. Gilts were stratified on liveweight into 8 blocks and 1 pig from each block was assigned to either 0, 5 or 10 mg per day of pST. Pigs were fed ad libitum a wheat-based diet containing 200 g crude protein, 10.2 g available lysine and 14.6 MJ DE/kg, to ensure that responses to pST were expressed. Feed intake and liveweight were measured on a weekly basis. An Hologic QDR4500A dual energy X-ray absorptiometer was used to determine lean, fat and ash composition of pigs initially and again 4 weeks later at the end of the experiment. After slaughter, the composition of the whole half carcass as well as the shoulder, ham, belly and loin primal cuts was determined with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry and verified with manual dissection. Daily pST treatment decreased feed intake (3440, 2710 and 2537 g/day for 0, 5 or 10 mg pST per day, respectively; P<0.001) and decreased feed conversion ratio (2.95, 2.18 and 2.03 g/g; P<0.001) even though there was no significant effect on daily gain. Pigs treated with pST deposited more lean tissue (620, 839 and 873 g/day; P<0.05) and less fat (384, 218 and 176 g/day; P<0.001) than control animals, but there was no effect of pST on ash deposition. As a consequence, pigs treated with 5 and 10 mg pST/day contained 5 and 9 kg less dissectible fat than control gilts, respectively. A dose dependent decrease in belly, loin, ham and shoulder fat was also observed, although the decrease in belly fat was more pronounced than for the whole carcass and other primal cuts. Overall, pST treatment has the potential to decrease carcass and especially belly fat in pigs and increase consumer acceptance of pork in markets that place a premium on carcass fat and lean yield in the belly region. The results determined with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry were confirmed by manual dissection.
Dietary conjugated linoleic acid improves carcass leanness without altering meat quality in the growing pig
Authors: Ostrowska E. , Cross R. F. , Warner R. D. , Muralitharan M. , Bauman D. E. , Dunshea F. R.
Published: June 2005

One constraint facing the pig industry is that ad libitum feeding can often result in high levels of body fat and technologies which can reduce the ratio of lean to fat deposition in the pig are continually being explored. Conjugated linoleic acids have been shown to decrease body fat content in pigs. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine whether dietary conjugated linoleic acids supplementation has any effect on meat quality and carcass characteristics in finisher pigs. Sixty female crossbred (Large White × Landrace) pigs (average initial weight 56.6 ± 1.9 kg and average initial P2 backfat 11.4 ± 1.3 mm) were used in the present study. Pigs were individually housed and randomly allocated to 1 of 6 dietary treatments: 0, 0.125, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 or 1.0% (w/w) of conjugated linoleic acids-55. The wheat-based diets were formulated to contain 14.3 MJ DE and 9.3 g available lysine per kg and were fed ad libitum for 8 weeks. Pigs were slaughtered and meat quality was determined on the longissimus thoracis using standard techniques. Dietary conjugated linoleic acids reduced subcutaneous back fat in a linear manner with effects being most pronounced in the middle back fat layer. There was also a linear (P<0.001) decrease in intramuscular fat with increasing dietary conjugated linoleic acids supplementation. However, there was no effect of conjugated linoleic acids on subjective measures of marbling of the loin. Also, loin muscle ultimate pH (P = 0.94), lightness values (P = 0.46) subjective colour scores (P = 0.79), cooking loss (P = 0.71), drip loss (P = 0.40), shear force (P = 0.61) and subjective measures of wetness/firmness (P = 0.19) were unaffected. Dietary conjugated linoleic acids did not alter oxidation, as measured by the level of TBARs at day 1 post-slaughter (P = 0.38) or after 9 days of simulated retail display (P = 0.35). These data confirm that dietary conjugated linoleic acids can improve carcass quality by decreasing back fat depths without having any detrimental effects on meat quality.
Systematics of the New Zealand longicorn beetle genus Ophryops White (Coleoptera:Cerambycidae:Cerambycinae)
Authors: Lu Wen , Wang Qiao
Published: June 2005

The New Zealand longicorn beetle genus Ophryops White is revised. A diagnosis and redescription of Ophryops and a key to all species of the genus are given. Five species are redescribed: O. fuscicollis (Broun), O. dispar Sharp, O. aegrotus (Bates), O. medius (Broun), O. pallidus White, and one is described as new: O. pseudofuscicollis, sp. nov. Ophryops nigropictus Broun is synonymised with O. dispar; Didymocantha fuscicollis Broun is moved to Ophryops and its male is described for the first time. Terminalia of both sexes are illustrated and described for all species for the first time. The genus occurs in the North, South and Stewart Islands of New Zealand. Phylogenetic analysis shows that this genus is monophyletic and divided into two species-groups, the fuscicollis-group and the dispar-group.
The effects of preservatives and temperatures on arachnid DNA
Authors: Vink Cor J. , Thomas Steven M. , Paquin Pierre , Hayashi Cheryl Y. , Hedin Marshal
Published: June 2005

We tested the effects of different preservatives and temperatures on the yield of spider and scorpion DNA useable for PCR amplification. Our experiment was designed to simulate conditions in the field and laboratory over a six-week time period, testing the preservatives RNAlater®, propylene glycol, and various ethanol concentrations. Three replicates of each preservation treatment were stored at five different temperature treatments; –80°C, –20°C, 2–4°C, 19–24°C, and 40°C. DNA was extracted and quality was assessed by electrophoresis on mini-gels, and by PCR amplification of high copy mitochondrial DNA fragments (cytochrome oxidase subunit I) and low copy nuclear DNA fragments (actin). Results show that RNAlater® and propylene glycol are significantly better than the other preservatives for high quality DNA preservation and that tissue is best stored at –80°C or –20°C. Storage in 95% ethanol is appropriate if specimens are stored at –20°C or –80°C. We believe our results can help guide biologists in choosing preservatives and temperatures for DNA-based research on arachnids, other arthropods and invertebrates in general.
Epifoliar fungi from Queensland, Australia
Authors: Reynolds Don R. , Gilbert Gregory S.
Published: June 2005

Collections of epifoliar ascomycete fungi from leaf surfaces in the tropical rain forests of Queensland, Australia, yielded 42 genera and 50 species, including one new genus (Dubujiana), three new species (Dennisiela asetosa, Dubujiana glandulifera, Microxiphium pleomorphum), three new combinations (Polychaeton purpuraefaciens, Seuratia australiensis, Stomiopeltis gautheriae), lectotypification of Micropeltis biseptata, various emended descriptions, and new species records. Each species is described and compared with similar taxa, and the new species are illustrated.
Morphology and molecular phylogeny of the marine algal order Gelidiales (Rhodophyta) from New South Wales, including Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands
Authors: Millar Alan J. K. , Freshwater D. Wilson
Published: June 2005

Fifteen species in seven genera of the marine benthic red algal order Gelidiales are reported from the New South Wales coast including Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island. Critical sampling, a re-examination of herbarium specimens filed in the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney and the University of Melbourne, and molecular sequencing of most of the species has determined that many of the previous identifications from this region of the Pacific were incorrect. Gelidium pusillum (Stackhouse) Le Jolis, once widely reported from this coast, is shown not to occur here and the specimens on which these misidentifications were made have proved to represent either new species or previously described species. Similarly, records of Gelidium australe J. Agardh have been found to represent misidentification of the formerly New Zealand endemic Gelidium allanii V.J.Chapman, and specimens identified as Gelidium caulacantheum J. Agardh actually represent the new species Gelidium hommersandii sp. nov. Previously recorded species verified in this study are Capreolia implexa Guiry & Womersley, Gelidiella acerosa (Forsskål) Feldmann & G.Hamel, Gelidium maidenii Lucas, Pterocladia lucida (Turner) J. Agardh, Pterocladiella caerulescens (Kützing) Santelices & Hommersand [as Pterocladia caerulescens (Kützing) Santelices], Pterocladiella capillacea (Gmelin) Santelices & Hommersand [as Pterocladia capillacea (Gmelin) Bornet], and Ptilophora pectinata (A. & E.S. Gepp) R.E.Norris. These species are described and illustrated in detail along with previously unreported reproductive structures. Three species are newly recorded for the New South Wales mainland [Parviphycus antipae Celan, Gelidium crinale (Turner) Gaillon, and Pterocladiella caloglossoides (Howe) Santelices], and two species (Gelidium isabelae W.R.Taylor and Gelidium allanii V.J.Chapman) represent new records for the Australian continent. In addition, three new species are described: Gelidium bernabei sp. nov., Gelidium declerckii sp. nov., and Gelidium hommersandii sp. nov.
Comment on molecular dating of the age of eucalypts
Authors: Ladiges Pauline Y. , Udovicic Frank
Published: June 2005

Comment is provided on a recent paper by Crisp et al. (2004) that includes estimates of the age of divergence events for the eucalypt group. Deriving dates from sequence data has some inherent problems, and for the eucalypts these vary several fold compared with estimates based on other data.
Replication-associated strand asymmetries in mammalian genomes: Toward detection of replication origins
Authors: Touchon Marie , Nicolay Samuel , Audit Benjamin , Brodie of Brodie Edward-Benedict , d'Aubenton-Carafa Yves , Arneodo Alain , Thermes Claude
Published: June 2005

In the course of evolution, mutations do not affect both strands of genomic DNA equally. This imbalance mainly results from asymmetric DNA mutation and repair processes associated with replication and transcription. In prokaryotes, prevalence of G over C and T over A is frequently observed in the leading strand. The sign of the resulting TA and GC skews changes abruptly when crossing replication-origin and termination sites, producing characteristic step-like transitions. In mammals, transcription-coupled skews have been detected, but so far, no bias has been associated with replication. Here, analysis of intergenic and transcribed regions flanking experimentally identified human replication origins and the corresponding mouse and dog homologous regions demonstrates the existence of compositional strand asymmetries associated with replication. Multiscale analysis of human genome skew profiles reveals numerous transitions that allow us to identify a set of 1,000 putative replication initiation zones. Around these putative origins, the skew profile displays a characteristic jagged pattern also observed in mouse and dog genomes. We therefore propose that in mammalian cells, replication termination sites are randomly distributed between adjacent origins. Taken together, these analyses constitute a step toward genome-wide studies of replication mechanisms.
Complex-periodic spiral waves in confluent cardiac cell cultures induced by localized inhomogeneities
Authors: Hwang Seong-min , Kim Tae Yun , Lee Kyoung J.
Published: June 2005

Spatiotemporal wave activities in excitable heart tissues have long been the subject of numerous studies because they underlie different forms of cardiac arrhythmias. In particular, understanding the dynamics and the instabilities of spiral waves have become very important because they can cause reentrant tachycardia and their subsequent transitions to fibrillation. Although many aspects of cardiac spiral waves have been investigated through experiments and model simulations, their complex properties are far from well understood. Here, we show that intriguing complex-periodic (such as period-2, period-3, period-4, or aperiodic) spiral wave states can arise in monolayer tissues of cardiac cell culture
in vitro
, and demonstrate that these different dynamic states can coexist with abrupt and spontaneous transitions among them without any change in system parameters; in other words, the medium supports multistability. Based on extensive image data analysis, we have confirmed that these spiral waves are driven by their tips tracing complex orbits whose unusual, meandering shapes are formed by delicate interplay between localized conduction blocks and nonlinear properties of the culture medium.
Kinetic suppression of microtubule dynamic instability by griseofulvin: Implications for its possible use in the treatment of cancer
Authors: Panda Dulal , Rathinasamy K. , Santra Manas K. , Wilson Leslie
Published: June 2005

The antifungal drug griseofulvin inhibits mitosis strongly in fungal cells and weakly in mammalian cells by affecting mitotic spindle microtubule (MT) function. Griseofulvin also blocks cell-cycle progression at G
2
/M and induces apoptosis in human tumor cell lines. Despite extensive study, the mechanism by which the drug inhibits mitosis in human cells remains unclear. Here, we analyzed the ability of griseofulvin to inhibit cell proliferation and mitosis and to affect MT polymerization and organization in HeLa cells together with its ability to affect MT polymerization and dynamic instability
in vitro
. Griseofulvin inhibited cell-cycle progression at prometaphase/anaphase of mitosis in parallel with its ability to inhibit cell proliferation. At its mitotic IC
50
of 20 μM, spindles in blocked cells displayed nearly normal quantities of MTs and MT organization similar to spindles blocked by more powerful MT-targeted drugs. Similar to previously published data, we found that very high concentrations of griseofulvin (>100 μM) were required to inhibit MT polymerization
in vitro
. However, much lower drug concentrations (1–20 μM) strongly suppressed the dynamic instability behavior of the MTs. We suggest that the primary mechanism by which griseofulvin inhibits mitosis in human cells is by suppressing spindle MT dynamics in a manner qualitatively similar to that of much more powerful antimitotic drugs, including the vinca alkaloids and the taxanes. In view of griseofulvin's lack of significant toxicity in humans, we further suggest that it could be useful as an adjuvant in combination with more powerful drugs for the treatment of cancer.
Nonmetabolizable analogue of 2-oxoglutarate elicits heterocyst differentiation under repressive conditions in
Anabaena
sp. PCC 7120
Authors: Laurent Sophie , Chen Han , Bédu Sylvie , Ziarelli Fabio , Peng Ling , Zhang Cheng-Cai
Published: June 2005

In response to combined nitrogen starvation in the growth medium, the filamentous cyanobacterium
Anabaena
sp. PCC 7120 is able to develop a particular cell type, called a heterocyst, specialized in molecular nitrogen fixation. Heterocysts are regularly intercalated among vegetative cells and represent 5–10% of all cells along each filament. In unicellular cyanobacteria, the key Krebs cycle intermediate, 2-oxoglutarate (2-OG), has been suggested as a nitrogen status signal, but
in vivo
evidence is still lacking. In this study we show that nitrogen starvation causes 2-OG to accumulate transiently within cells of
Anabaena
PCC 7120, reaching a maximal intracellular concentration of ≈0.1 mM 1 h after combined nitrogen starvation. A nonmetabolizable fluorinated 2-OG derivative, 2,2-difluoropentanedioic acid (DFPA), was synthesized and used to demonstrate the signaling function of 2-OG
in vivo
. DFPA is shown to be a structural analogue of 2-OG and the process of its uptake and accumulation
in vivo
can be followed by
19
F magic angle spinning NMR because of the presence of the fluorine atom and its chemical stability. DFPA at a threshold concentration of 0.3 mM triggers heterocyst differentiation under repressing conditions. The multidisciplinary approaches using synthetic fluorinated analogues, magic angle spinning NMR for their analysis
in vivo
, and techniques of molecular biology provide a powerful means to identify the nature of the signals that remain unknown or poorly defined in many signaling pathways.
Continuous attraction toward phonological competitors
Authors: Spivey Michael J. , Grosjean Marc , Knoblich Günther
Published: June 2005

Certain models of spoken-language processing, like those for many other perceptual and cognitive processes, posit continuous uptake of sensory input and dynamic competition between simultaneously active representations. Here, we provide compelling evidence for this continuity assumption by using a continuous response, hand movements, to track the temporal dynamics of lexical activations during real-time spoken-word recognition in a visual context. By recording the streaming
x
,
y
coordinates of continuous goal-directed hand movement in a spoken-language task, online accrual of acoustic–phonetic input and competition between partially active lexical representations are revealed in the shape of the movement trajectories. This hand-movement paradigm allows one to project the internal processing of spoken-word recognition onto a two-dimensional layout of continuous motor output, providing a concrete visualization of the attractor dynamics involved in language processing.
Effects of unit formation on the perception of a changing sound
Authors: Crum Poppy A. C. , Bregman Albert S.
Published: June 2005

The effects of subunit formation on adult listeners’ ability to notice changes in a continuous spectral gradient of sound were studied. Results of this experiment support the idea that the auditory system processes information differently within a unit, and that this processing does not occur unless the perceptual system detects unit boundaries. In this experiment, silences were inserted into a continuously changing sound to cause the formation of short units. Listeners noticed the change earlier in conditions with silences inserted than in to conditions where the transition was either unbroken or broken by loud noise bursts. Results are discussed in terms of two processes, one that accentuates stimulus properties present at moments of onset and offset, and a second that uses onsets and offsets to signal the beginnings and ends of units and reduces the change perceived within units.
Functions of the Small Proteins in the TOM Complex of Neurospora crasssa
Authors: Sherman E. Laura , Go Nancy E. , Nargang Frank E.
Published: June 2005

The TOM (translocase of the outer mitochondrial membrane) complex of the outer mitochondrial membrane is required for the import of proteins into the organelle. The core TOM complex contains five proteins, including three small components Tom7, Tom6, and Tom5. We have created single and double mutants of all combinations of the three small Tom proteins of Neurospora crassa. Analysis of the mutants revealed that Tom6 plays a major role in TOM complex stability, whereas Tom7 has a lesser role. Mutants lacking both Tom6 and Tom7 have an extremely labile TOM complex and are the only class of mutant to exhibit an altered growth phenotype. Although single mutants lacking N. crassa Tom5 have no apparent TOM complex abnormalities, studies of double mutants lacking Tom5 suggest that it also has a minor role in maintaining TOM complex stability. Our inability to isolate triple mutants supports the idea that the three proteins have overlapping functions. Mitochondria lacking either Tom6 or Tom7 are differentially affected in their ability to import different precursor proteins into the organelle, suggesting that they may play roles in the sorting of proteins to different mitochondrial subcompartments. Newly imported Tom40 was readily assembled into the TOM complex in mitochondria lacking any of the small Tom proteins.
Cathepsin S, a novel biomarker of adiposity: relevance to atherogenesis
Authors: Taleb Soraya , Lacasa Danièle , Bastard Jean‐Philippe , Poitou Christine , Cancello Raffaella , Pelloux Veronique , Viguerie Nathalie , Benis Arriel , Zucker Jean‐Daniel , Bouillot Jean‐Luc , Coussieu Christiane , Basdevant Arnaud , Langin Dominique , Clement Karine
Published: June 2005

The molecular mechanisms by which obesity increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases are poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to identify candidate biomarkers overexpressed in adipose tissue of obese subjects that could link expanded fat mass to atherosclerosis. We compared gene expression profile in subcutaneous adipose tissue (scWAT) of 28 obese and 11 lean subjects using microarray technology. This analysis identified 240 genes significantly overexpressed in scWAT of obese subjects. The genes were then ranked according to the correlation between gene expression and body mass index (BMI). In this list, the elastolytic cysteine protease cathepsin S was among the highly correlated genes. RT‐PCR and Western blotting confirmed the increase in cathepsin S mRNA (P=0.006) and protein (P<0.05) in obese scWAT. The circulating concentrations of cathepsin S were also significantly higher in obese than in nonobese subjects (P<0.0001). Both cathepsin S mRNA in scWAT and circulating levels were positively correlated with BMI, body fat, and plasma triglyceride levels. In addition, we show that the proinflammatory factors, lipopolysaccharide, interleukin‐lβ, and tumor necrosis factor‐α increase cathepsin S secretion in human scWAT explants. This study identifies cathepsin S as a novel marker of adiposity. Since this enzyme has been implicated in the development of atherosclerotic lesions, we propose that cathepsin S represents a molecular link between obesity and atherosclerosis.
Sensitivity to dimethyl sulphide suggests a mechanism for olfactory navigation by seabirds
Authors: Nevitt Gabrielle A , Bonadonna Francesco
Published: June 2005

Petrels, albatrosses and other procellariiform seabirds have an excellent sense of smell, and routinely navigate over the world's oceans by mechanisms that are not well understood. These birds travel thousands of kilometres to forage on ephemeral prey patches at variable locations, yet they can quickly and efficiently find their way back to their nests on remote islands to provision chicks, even with magnetic senses experimentally disrupted. Over the seemingly featureless ocean environment, local emissions of scents released by phytoplankton reflect bathymetric features such as shelf breaks and seamounts. These features suggest an odour landscape that may provide birds with orientation cues. We have previously shown that concentrated experimental deployments of one such compound, dimethyl sulphide (DMS), attracts procellariiforms at sea, suggesting that some species can use it as a foraging cue. Here we present the first physiological demonstration that an Antarctic seabird can detect DMS at biogenic levels. We further show that birds can use DMS as an orientation cue in a non-foraging context within a concentration range that they might naturally encounter over the ocean.
Uncertainties in extreme surge level estimates from observational records
Authors: van den Brink H.W , Können G.P , Opsteegh J.D
Published: June 2005

Ensemble simulations with a total length of 7540 years are generated with a climate model, and coupled to a simple surge model to transform the wind field over the North Sea to the skew surge level at Delfzijl, The Netherlands. The 65 constructed surge records, each with a record length of 116 years, are analysed with the generalized extreme value (GEV) and the generalized Pareto distribution (GPD) to study both the model and sample uncertainty in surge level estimates with a return period of 10
4
years, as derived from 116-year records. The optimal choice of the threshold, needed for an unbiased GPD estimate from peak over threshold (POT) values, cannot be determined objectively from a 100-year dataset. This fact, in combination with the sensitivity of the GPD estimate to the threshold, and its tendency towards too low estimates, leaves the application of the GEV distribution to storm-season maxima as the best approach. If the GPD analysis is applied, then the exceedance rate,
λ
, chosen should not be larger than 4. The climate model hints at the existence of a second population of very intense storms. As the existence of such a second population can never be excluded from a 100-year record, the estimated 10
4
-year wind-speed from such records has always to be interpreted as a lower limit.
Operational storm surge forecasting in the Netherlands: developments in the last decade
Authors: Verlaan Martin , Zijderveld Annette , de Vries Hans , Kroos Jan
Published: June 2005

The accurate forecasting of storm surges is an important issue in the Netherlands. With the emergence of the first numerical hydrodynamic models for surge forecasting at the beginning of the 1980s, new demands and possibilities were raised. This article describes the main phases of the development and the present operational set-up of the Dutch continental shelf model, which is the main hydrodynamic model for storm surges in the Netherlands. It includes a brief discussion of applied data-assimilation techniques, such as Kalman filtering, the model calibration process and some thoughts on quality assurance in an operational environment. After further describing some select recent investigations, the paper concludes with some remarks on future developments in a European context.
Geophysical granular and particle-laden flows: review of the field
Authors: Hutter Kolumban
Published: June 2005

An introduction is given to the title theme, in general, and the specific topics treated in detail in the articles of this theme issue of the
Philosophical Transactions
. They fit into the following broader subjects: (i) dense, dry and wet granular flows as avalanche and debris flow events, (ii) air-borne particle-laden turbulent flows in air over a granular base as exemplified in gravity currents, aeolian transport of sand, dust and snow and (iii) transport of a granular mass on a two-dimensional surface in ripple formations of estuaries and rivers and the motion of sea ice.
The Mycobacterium tuberculosis serine/threonine kinases PknA and PknB: substrate identification and regulation of cell shape
Authors: Kang Choong-Min , Abbott Derek W. , Park Sang Tae , Dascher Christopher C. , Cantley Lewis C. , Husson Robert N.
Published: June 2005

The Mycobacterium tuberculosis genome contains 11 serine/threonine kinase genes including two, pknA and pknB, that are part of an operon encoding genes involved in cell shape control and cell wall synthesis. Here we demonstrate that pknA and pknB are predominantly expressed during exponential growth, and that overexpression of these kinases slows growth and alters cell morphology. We determined the preferred substrate motifs of PknA and PknB, and identified three in vivo substrates of these kinases: PknB; Wag31, an ortholog of the cell division protein DivIVA; and Rv1422, a conserved protein of unknown function. Expression of different alleles of wag31 in vivo alters cell shape, in a manner dependent on the phosphoacceptor residue in the protein produced. Partial depletion of pknA or pknB results in narrow, elongated cells. These data indicate that signal transduction mediated by these kinases is a novel mechanism for the regulation of cell shape in mycobacteria, one that may be conserved among gram-positive bacteria.
Protein flexibility prediction by an all‐atom mean‐field statistical theory
Authors: Pandey B.P. , Zhang Chi , Yuan Xianzhang , Zi Jian , Zhou Yaoqi
Published: June 2005

We extended a mean‐field model to proteins with all atomic detail. The all‐atom mean‐field model was used to calculate the dynamic and thermodynamic properties of a three‐helix bundle fragment of Staphylococcal protein A (Protein Data Bank [PDB] ID 1BDD) and α‐spectrin SH3 domain protein (PDB ID 1SHG). We show that a model with all‐atomic detail provides a significantly more accurate prediction of flexibility of residues in proteins than does a coarse‐grained residue‐level model. The accuracy of flexibility prediction is further confirmed by application of the method to 18 additional proteins with the largest size of 224 residues.
Improved membrane protein topology prediction by domain assignments
Authors: Bernsel Andreas , Von Heijne Gunnar
Published: June 2005

Topology predictions for integral membrane proteins can be substantially improved if parts of the protein can be constrained to a given in/out location relative to the membrane using experimental data or other information. Here, we have identified a set of 367 domains in the SMART database that, when found in soluble proteins, have compartment‐specific localization of a kind relevant for membrane protein topology prediction. Using these domains as prediction constraints, we are able to provide high‐quality topology models for 11% of the membrane proteins extracted from 38 eukaryotic genomes. Two‐thirds of these proteins are single spanning, a group of proteins for which current topology prediction methods perform particularly poorly.
Switching atypical antipsychotics: a review
Authors: Chue Pierre , Stip Emmanuel , Remington Gary , Kopala Lili
Published: June 2005

Background:

Atypical antipsychotics are increasingly used in the treatment of diverse psychiatric disorders; however, there is little information on the ‘why, when, and how’ of switching between the different atypical antipsychotics currently available.

Objective:

To review the data on switching and atypical antipsychotics.

Methods:

A literature search was initially conducted using the key words followed by a search of relevant articles including conference abstracts; relevant pharmaceutical companies were also contacted.

Results:

Clinical trial data are limited in terms of parameters measured, and case reports describe specific problems. Few studies are based on real world populations of psychiatric patients over the long-term. Careful patient and drug selections matched to a carefully supervised and appropriate cross titration based upon the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties of all of the drugs involved is important to avoid potential complications such as re-emergence or worsening of psychosis and withdrawal, rebound, and emergent phenomena including new or uncovered side-effects. Psychoeducation and involvement of patients and caregivers in the process are also necessary for a successful switch.

Conclusion:

Despite the prevalence of switching in real world clinical practice, there is a paucity of data to guide clinicians with respect to effective and safe strategies. There are no criteria defining a successful switch. With the increasing range and formulations of atypical antipsychotics available, there is a rationale for their early use to avoid the practical problems associated with switching from conventional antipsychotics as well as the opportunity to maintain patients on an optimal atypical antipsychotic monotherapy.
Sustained drug delivery optimizes long-term treatment of patients with schizophrenia
Authors: Chue Pierre S. , D'Hoore Peter , Michael Ramstack J.
Published: June 2005

Chronic disorders such as schizophrenia require long-term treatment programs in order to maintain patients at the lowest level of symptomatology, reduce the likelihood of psychotic relapse, and support achievement of remission and recovery. Evidence suggests that treatment with long-acting injectable antipsychotics reduces the impact of partial compliance and provides predictable release of medication, assuring continuous therapeutic coverage. Until recently, only conventional antipsychotic agents were available in long-acting formulations, thereby foregoing the advantages of the atypical class. Atypical agents which are given orally have been shown to provide long-term efficacy and tolerability benefits compared with conventional agents, but are limited by the need for daily administration. The most recent pharmacological strategy to achieve optimal maintenance treatment has been to combine the benefits of an atypical antipsychotic with delivery in a water-based long-acting formulation. The first antipsychotic to achieve this combination – long-acting risperidone – may thus represent an important advance in the optimization of long-term treatment outcomes in patients with schizophrenia.
Sleep quality in schizophrenia and the effects of atypical antipsychotic medication
Authors: Haffmans P. M. Judith , Oolders Hans J. , Hoencamp Erik , Schreiner Andreas
Published: June 2005

Background:

Sleep disorders are widespread among patients with schizophrenia and contribute to adverse clinical outcomes. Antipsychotic drugs exert varying effects on sleep, and the effects of atypical agents may differ from those of conventional neuroleptics.

Objective:

To review the literature on the effects of atypical medication on subjective and objective sleep quality in patients with schizophrenia.

Methods:

A non-systematic literature review of Medline was performed in August 2003 searching the period from January 1985 to August 2003 for studies of the effects of atypical antipsychotics on sleep.

Results:

We found published studies of clozapine, olanzapine, and risperidone, but none on quetiapine or ziprasidone. Studies with clozapine showed that it increased total sleep time, sleep efficiency, stage-2 non-rapid eye movement sleep and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep density, and decreased stage-4 sleep, slow wave sleep (SWS) and stage-1 sleep. Single-dose studies with olanzapine have shown that it increases SWS, sleep continuity, total sleeping time, subjective sleep quality, and delta sleep. Long-term studies with risperidone have shown improvements in total sleep, sleep efficiency, sleep continuity, SWS, and stage-2 sleep, and reductions in sleep latency, number of awakenings, and proportion of time awake. These benefits were paralleled by improvements in subjective sleep assessment and psychopathology, and psychosocial functioning.

Conclusions:

The evidence presented in this review suggests that atypical antipsychotics exert favorable effects on sleep profile compared with conventional agents, including improvement of subjective sleep quality and modification of specific sleep stages known to be associated with better clinical outcome.
Prevalence of psychiatric morbidity in Polish population – national health interview survey
Authors: Kiejna Andrzej , Wojtyniak Bogdan , Rymaszewska Joanna
Published: June 2005

Objective:

The aim was to evaluate the prevalence of psychiatric morbidity in Polish population.

Subjects and methods:

The national health interview survey was based on entire non-institutionalized Polish population by means of randomized, stratified (urban and rural census tracks) two-stage method (over 39 000 respondents). Prevalence of psychiatric morbidity was based on General Health Questionnaire-12.

Results:

Psychiatric morbidity was noted in almost 1/4 of women and 1/5 of men in Poland, with small differences between urban and rural population. Every 10th woman reported such complaints at the age up to 25 years and every second above 75 years of age. Divorced and widowed respondents, irrespective of gender, have psychiatric disorders more frequently than compared groups. Higher prevalence of psychiatric morbidity was noted in out of work and especially disabled persons. The higher the level of education, the lower the frequency of psychiatric morbidity was observed.

Conclusion:

Presented survey enabled to evaluate prevalence of psychiatric morbidity in Polish representative sample. Findings should trigger more extended epidemiological studies. The requirement for epidemiological investigations increases in reform-awaiting health care system in Poland, for at least one reason that the improvement of the quality of services is closely associated with a detailed recognition of the problem.
Comparative dynamics and phenotype of the murine immune response to Trichinella spiralis and Trichinella pseudospiralis
Authors: Furze R. C. , Selkirk M. E.
Published: June 2005

Infection of NIH mice with Trichinella spiralis and Trichinella pseudospiralis results in qualitatively comparable immune responses. Antigen‐specific proliferation by mesenteric lymph node cells was transient and temporally associated with intestinal infection, but in contrast was sustained throughout infection by splenocytes. Early cytokine production by mesenteric lymph node cells was dominated by interleukin 10, but also IL‐5 and IL‐4, with rapid resolution following parasite expulsion from the gut. Splenocytes showed a mixed profile of cytokine production, although again dominated by IL‐10 and sustained over 60 days of infection. All antibody classes were evident, with early production of IgA and IgG1, and subsequent secretion of other subclasses including IgG2a. Granulocytic infiltration of the spleen was significantly greater in T. spiralis infection. The concentration of serum corticosterone generally remained within normal boundaries, although was raised by day 60 in T. spiralis‐infected mice. We conclude that the systemic suppression of inflammation reported for T. pseudospiralis does not result from selective induction of regulatory cytokines, or a major difference in the immune response to infection with T. spiralis.
The relationship between patient blood pathology values and patient falls in an acute‐care setting: A retrospective analysis
Authors: O'Hagan Catherine , O'Connell Bev
Published: June 2005

Few studies have investigated the relationship between patient falls and patient blood pathology values, which can reveal objective information about the health and nutritional status of a patient. It could be that some abnormal values are associated with patients that fall. The objectives of the current study were to determine whether blood pathology values were different in patients who fell compared to patients who did not fall, and whether there was a difference in the type and number of currently documented risk factors for falls found for patients who fell compared to patients who did not fall. A retrospective audit of patient incident reports and medical records was conducted in an acute‐care hospital for 220 patients who fell and who did not fall. Faller and non‐faller patients were matched by casemix type and length of stay. Findings revealed a significant relationship between patients who fell and the variables of age, confusion status and alkaline phosphatase blood values.
Improved healing rates for chronic venous leg ulcers: Pilot study results from a randomized controlled trial of a community nursing intervention
Authors: Edwards Helen , Courtney Mary , Finlayson Kathleen , Lewis Caroline , Lindsay Ellie , Dumble Jean
Published: June 2005

Venous leg ulcers are a frequent source of chronic ill‐health and a considerable cost to health‐care systems. This paper reports pilot study results from a randomized controlled trial to determine the effectiveness of a community‐based ‘Leg Club’ environment on improving healing rates of venous leg ulcers. Leg Clubs offer a setting where people with similar problems can socialize in a supportive, information‐sharing environment. A sample of 33 clients with a below‐knee venous leg ulcer were randomized to treatment, either in their own homes or in a community Leg Club. Treatment was provided to all participants, whether in the control group or intervention group, by a team of trained wound‐care nurses following evidence‐based assessment and treatment guidelines. Data were collected on admission to the study and at 12 weeks from admission. Results showed a significant improvement in healing in the intervention group compared to the control group, as measured by ulcer area size and Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing scores. These results suggest that a community Leg Club environment provides benefits additional to wound care expertise and evidence‐based care. Knowledge gained from this study provides evidence to guide service delivery and improve client outcomes.