bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Human sensory evaluation of tennis balls for quality improvement
Authors: Steele C , Jones R , Leaney P G
Published: July 2007

Tennis balls are one of the most widely used commodities in the sporting goods industry as pressurized balls can be deemed unfit for play as soon as nine games after opening. This paper utilizes sensory evaluation techniques to collect aesthetic quality attribute information for tennis balls at varying stages of wear. These quality attributes play an important role in quality function deployment and are of particular importance when considering differentiation between commodity products. Professional tennis players performed ranking evaluations with two trials of worn tennis balls, eliciting characteristics associated with aesthetic quality and performance. Five customer quality attributes were identified from the trials: ball colour, logo condition, stiffness, size and shape, and fuzziness. Quality rankings suggest an optimum range of fuzziness, surrounding the condition of a new ball, that is preferred by players. As visual evaluations also influenced the perception of non-aesthetic ball properties, it is suggested that these quality attributes offer manufacturers design solutions to suit a range of customer product preferences and improve product differentiation in the commodity market.
Kaposi's sarcoma of the recto sigmoid colon in a patient with HIV infection and a high CD4 count
Authors: Acharya S , Ross J D C
Published: July 2007

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is a well-recognized, HIV-associated opportunistic tumour, which was first described in 1872 by a Hungarian dermatologist, Moritz Kaposi. It predominantly affects homosexual men and heterosexual patients from Africa infected with HIV. The lesions can arise anywhere in the body but occur more frequently on the skin. Despite a trend towards lower CD4 counts at the time of KS presentation, the use of antiretroviral therapy has been associated with a reduction in mortality compared with the pre-ART era. Prior to the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy, 40% of people with KS skin lesions were reported to have lesions in the intestine. Conversely, KS can also develop systemically in the absence of skin lesions. We present a case of KS affecting the distal sigmoid colon and rectum in a patient with a relatively preserved CD4 T-cell count, demonstrating that a less common presentation of KS may occur at any CD4 count.
Clinical features of HIV/AIDS patients presenting to an inner city clinic in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Authors: Klotz Stephen A , Nguyen Hao Cong , Van Pham Tam , Nguyen Liem Thanh , Ngo Dong Thi Anh , Vu Son Nhoc
Published: July 2007

An outpatient HIV clinic was opened in March 2005 in Binh Thanh District, a poor section of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Over 1500 patients were seen in the first year. The average age of patients was 27 years. Men represented 77% of the clinic population, women, 23% and children under the age of 16 years of age, 5% of the population. The most common risk factor among men was being an injecting drug user (IDU), 76%, and among women, being married to an IDU HIV-positive man, 35%. Physical signs of disease were uncommon: lymphadenopathy in 24% and hepatomegaly and splenomegaly in 4% and 3%, respectively. Men and women were anaemic at presentation, with a mean haemoglobin of 11.9 g/dL and 11.1 g/dL, respectively. An overwhelming majority of patients had profound immunodeficiency. The mean CD4+ cell count was 164 cells/mL and the median was 69 cells/mL. No correlation was found between the World Health Organization's stage of disease and the CD4+ cell count. Thus, the former is a poor predictor of immunity in this population. Data regarding opportunistic infections diagnosed at the first visit were studied. Candidiasis of the oral pharynx, oesophagus or vagina was found in 34.5% of the patients, and pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis was found in 32% of the patients. Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) was diagnosed in only 3% of the patients. Cotrimoxazole prophylaxis is advocated for HIV-infected Vietnamese, but the incidence of PCP is negligible and resources could be spent elsewhere. The various opportunistic infections seen in this resource-poor clinic setting is likely to be a pattern of presentation of HIV-infected Vietnamese for some time to come.
The clinical manifestations of anorectal infection with lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) versus non-LGV strains of Chlamydia trachomatis: a case–control study in homosexual men
Authors: Hamill M , Benn P , Carder C , Copas A , Ward H , Ison C , French P
Published: July 2007

Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) has recently been reported in men who have sex with men. In a case–control study we compared behavioural and clinical features of 32 men with LGV (cases) and 31 men with non-LGV chlamydial proctitis (controls). LGV was associated with rectal discharge (odds ratio [OR] 4.15, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.42, 12.2), and there was a tendency to association with HIV infection (OR 3.60, CI 0.67–19.4), sexual contact in the UK (OR 3.03, CI 1.02–9.01) and fisting (OR 5.04, CI 0.98–26.1). LGV should be considered a possible diagnosis in men with rectal discharge.
Has episodic treatment of recurrent genital herpes come of age?
Authors: Patel Raj , Rutland Emma
Published: July 2007

Genitourinary medicine physicians have two main treatment options for the management of recurrent genital herpes: patient-initiated episodic or continuous suppressive therapy. As well as effective disease control, important factors in selecting a regimen include patient acceptability and potential improvements in quality of life. Traditionally suppressive therapy has been favoured by many genitourinary physicians who have often been sceptical of the benefits of episodic therapy. This view has been challenged by several recent studies demonstrating the efficacy and the comparable psychological benefits of very short patient-initiated episodic therapy compared with suppressive therapy. In this article, we review the theory and development of episodic therapy, and discuss the recent evidence that suggests the benefits of ultra short episodic therapies for recurrent genital herpes may be much greater than previously demonstrated.
Primary syphilis presenting as balanitis
Authors: Babu Chitra Sharma , Vitharana Suni , Higgins Stephen P
Published: July 2007

The classical lesion of primary syphilis is a solitary, indurated, painless chancre. Atypical presentations, such as herpetiform ulceration, are well recognized. However, there are few references in the medical literature to primary syphilis presenting as balanitis or balanoposthitis. We report two cases of primary syphilitic balanitis in homosexual men.
Glossary of terms used in toxicology, 2nd edition (IUPAC Recommendations 2007)
Authors: Duffus John H. , Nordberg Monica , Templeton Douglas M.
Published: July 2007

This glossary, a revision of the IUPAC "Glossary for Chemists of Terms Used in Toxicology" [Pure Appl. Chem.
65, 2003 (1993)] incorporating new and redefined terms from the "Glossary of Terms Used in Toxicokinetics" [Pure Appl. Chem.
76, 1033 (2004)], contains definitions and explanatory notes, if needed, for terms frequently used in the multidisciplinary field of toxicology. The glossary is compiled primarily for those scientists and others who now find themselves working in toxicology or requiring a knowledge of the subject, especially for hazard and risk assessment. Many medical terms are included because of their frequent occurrence in the toxicological literature. There are three annexes, one containing a list of abbreviations and acronyms used in toxicology, one containing a list of abbreviations and acronyms used by international bodies and by legislation relevant to toxicology and chemical safety, and one describing the classification of carcinogenicity according to the weight of evidence available.
Dietary intake and time budget in two desert rodents: a diurnal herbivore,
Psammomys obesus, and a nocturnal granivore, Meriones crassus
Authors: Khokhlova Irina S. , Krasnov Boris R. , Kuznetsov Vladimir , E. Sartor Carmen , Zan Meta , Salek Lyubomir , Ghazaryan Lusine , Kam Michael , Degen Allan A.
Published: July 2007

We studied dietary intakes and time budgets in two desert gerbillids,
Psammomys obesus, a diurnal herbivore, and Meriones crassus, a nocturnal
granivore. P. obesus was offered fresh leaves of Atriplex halimus while M. crassus
was offered millet seeds and Atriplex halimus, mainly as a source of water.
We predicted that the (1) nocturnal rodent will feed mainly at night and the
diurnal rodent mainly during the day; and (2) the herbivore consuming a
relatively low energy diet will spend more time feeding than the granivore
consuming a relatively high energy diet. The latter prediction was confirmed
in that P. obesus spent more time feeding than M. crassus. Number of feeding
sessions in M. crassus was the same as in P. obesus but each feeding session was
shorter. However, the former prediction was only partially confirmed.
Feeding during the dark phase was significantly longer than the light phase in
the nocturnal M. crassus, as predicted; but feeding did not differ between diel
phases in the diurnal P. obesus. The large amount of forage required by P. obesus
necessitated consumption throughout the light and dark phases at the
same rates of intake.
Distribution trend of the Eurasian lynx Lynx lynx populations in France
Authors: Vandel Jean-Michel , Stahl Philippe
Published: July 2007

The changes in the distribution of the lynx populations in France were
analysed with 3,760 data gathered between 1974 and 2002. Maps were
drawn for successive three-year periods on a fixed 3 km × 3 km grid. Lynx
were assumed "present" in every 3 × 3 km grid with one or several data, as
well as in the eight surrounding grids, i.e. in a total area of 81 km2. In 2000-
2002, the total and permanent lynx range covered, respectively, 8,622 km2
and 5,823 km2 in the French Jura mountains (11,500 km2 and at least
6,000 km2 for the whole French and Swiss Jura Massif). Almost all forested
mountain massifs are already occupied by lynx in that region. The total and
permanent lynx range covered 3,159 km2 and 1,962 km2 in the Vosges
Massif. This small range and still precarious status of the population 20 years
after the first lynx re-introductions, should be related to the high mortality
rate of the released lynx and low number of founders. Exchanges between the
Jura and the Vosges lynx populations could however be expected in the near
future. The total lynx range covered 4,365 km2 in the Alps but no permanent
area of presence was noticed. The regular increase in the number of islets of
presence and the progressive colonization from the north towards the extreme
south of the Alps suggested an insufficient observation pressure rather than
the absence of any established population in the French Alps. In the future,
the status of these three reintroduced populations should probably be
comforted by exchanges between the Jura and the Vosges mountains and the
Jura and the northern Alps.
Functional significance of bronchial sphincters in two Southwestern Atlantic Dolphins: Pontoporia blainvillei and Lagenorhynchus obscurus: a comparative approach
Authors: Crespo Fabián Alberto , Cidre Lilia Lauria De
Published: July 2007

The existence of myoelastic sphincters in the terminal airways of some
cetaceans is well established. Although several studies have tried to explain the
functional role of these structures, none of them has been based on a comparative
analysis. The present study was initiated with the purpose of investigating
whether differences in the morphology of myoelastic sphincters are
related to different diving patterns. We have compared serial histological
lungs sections from two dolphin species with different diving patterns. In
Pontoporia blainvillei, a shallow diving dolphin, myoelastic sphincters are thin
rings with irregular distribution, which occasionally strangle the airway.
Lagenorhynchus obscurus, with deeper dives and faster vertical displacements,
presents thicker sphincters with regular distribution, generally strangling the
airway completely. We conclude that these morphologies could be related to
different functional demands. We suggest the existence of two groups of dolphins,
one shallow diver, comprising small cetaceans with less developed
sphincters whose functional activity is uncertain, and another group with a
wider diving range, having strong and functional sphincters.
Small mammal communities of tropical forest habitats in Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, southern India
Authors: Venkataraman Meena , Shanker Kartik , Sukumar Raman
Published: July 2007

Small mammal communities were studied in four tropical habitats (dry
thorn, dry and moist deciduous, and semi-evergreen forests) in Mudumalai
Wildlife Sanctuary, southern India. Species composition, community structure,
and population variables of small mammals in these habitats were examined.
The relationship between small mammal community structure and
select habitat variables was also examined. Six species of rodents and one
insectivore were represented by 396 captures of 195 individuals out of a total
of 7,425 trap nights (5.3% capture rate). Small mammals showed distinct distribution
patterns across habitat types. Community structure, species richness,
species diversity, relative abundance, and biomass varied across habitats,
with each type having a different dominant species. Cremnomys blanfordi,
which was the most abundant species, comprised 39%, Mus platythrix 29%,
Rattus rattus 12%, M. musculus 9%, Tatera indica 5%, Suncus montanus 5%,
and Platacanthomys lasiurus 1% of captures. Deciduous forest habitats supported
the highest abundance and biomass of small mammals. However,
based on the distinct distribution patterns, all four forest types are believed to
be important for maintaining the local diversity of small mammal populations.
Small mammal abundance was positively correlated with habitat heterogeneity.
Although the community structure of small mammals is broadly
determined by habitat structure, the specific microhabitat preferences of individual
species could not be determined from these data.
Mensural discrimination of Myotis (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae) in the southeastern United States
Authors: Menzel Michael A. , Castleberry Steven B. , Boone James L. , Haag Michelle , Menzel Jennifer M.
Published: July 2007

Discriminant functions were constructed using external and cranial measurements
to distinguish the six species of Myotis that occur in the southeastern
United States. Twenty-three morphological characters were measured from
161 specimens of Myotis. Differences among species for morphological characters
were examined using analysis of variance and discriminant analysis. A
bootstrap procedure was used to validate the final discriminant model using
all six species. Differences were observed among species for all 23 characters
measured in univariate tests, but the range of values for most species overlapped
the range of other species. Bootstrap analyses indicated that our discriminant
functions constructed using both external and cranial measures
allowed correct identification of 99.4% of specimens examined. Discriminant
models constructed using only cranial characters permitted correct identification of 96.9% of specimens examined. Univariate analyses were not
reliable because variation within species prevented unambiguous identification
of any species based on a single character. However, Myotis species in the
southeastern United States can be distinguished with a high level of accuracy
using multivariate techniques when a sufficient number of measurements are
used.
Bats of the Potaro Plateau region, western Guyana
Authors: Shapley Rebecca L. , Wilson Don E. , Warren Adrian N. , Barnett Adrian A.
Published: July 2007

This paper present species records and inferable habitat preferences of a total of 35 bat species in 25 genera that were captured during three separate studies on the Potaro Plateau, western Guyana. One,Carollia castanea, is a new country record. Reproductive data is presented for seven species. Measurements and habitat data given forPlatyrrhinus aurarius, a little-known species. The composition of the Potaro Plateau bat community is contextualized by comparison with 13 other sites in the north-east South America. A map shows all known bat collection localites in Guyana, for which a gazetteer provides supporting information.
Building Capacity for Local Governance: An Application of Interactional Theory to Developing a Community of Interest*
Authors: Pavey Jamey L. , Muth Allyson B. , Ostermeier David , Davis Miriam L. E. Steiner
Published: July 2007

Abstract  The Emory‐Obed Watershed in Tennessee, like many other rural areas throughout the United States, is experiencing changes in economic activities and social values associated with natural resources. Informed by the interactional approach to community development, this effort strove to build community capacity so community members could more fully govern their life according to their values and interests. We utilized key informant and focus group interviews to gain information about the watershed and to obtain different perspectives on resource‐related issues. Data from key informant interviews led to the selection of a geographic community in which a community of interest was nurtured throughout a year involving monthly meetings, a community assessment and submission of a development grant application. It was found that gaining entry into the community and building trust among participants, and between participants and researchers, were critical in this in‐place participatory community research. Lessons drawn from this experience applicable to similar efforts are discussed.
‘My Grandfather Would Roll Over in His Grave’: Family Farming and Tree Plantations on Farmland*
Authors: Neumann Pamela D. , Krogman Naomi T. , Krahn Harvey J. , Thomas Barb R.
Published: July 2007

Abstract In this paper we hypothesize that farmers with a stronger valuation of family farming will be more resistant to converting farmland to tree plantations. Our survey data analysis from 106 farmers in northern Alberta reveals that general opposition to trees on farmland is the strongest predictor of farmers' resistance to the establishment of poplar tree plantations on privately‐owned land. Valuation of family farming is the strongest determinant of resistance to trees on farmland. Among the potential intervening variables influencing support for tree plantations, including county, age, gender, number of children, and percent of income from farming, number of children and percent of income from farming had significant direct effects on valuation of family farming. This study suggests that economic incentives alone are unlikely to influence farmers' willingness to convert their land to non‐traditional uses, and that intergenerational transfer of land, and its relationship to valuation of family farming, deserves further attention in rural sociological scholarship.
Municipal Underbounding: Annexation and Racial Exclusion in Small Southern Towns*
Authors: Lichter Daniel T. , Parisi Domenico , Grice Steven Michael , Taquino Michael
Published: July 2007

Abstract  This paper examines patterns of annexation, including municipal “underbounding,” in nonmetropolitan towns in the South; that is, whether blacks living adjacent to municipalities are systematically excluded from incorporation. Annexation‐or the lack of annexation‐can be a political tool used by municipal leaders to exclude disadvantaged or low‐income populations, including minorities, from voting in local elections and from receiving access to public utilities and other community services. To address this question, we use Tiger files, GIS, and other geographically disaggregated data from the Summary Files of the 1990 and 2000 decennial censuses. Overall, 22.6 percent of the fringe areas “at risk” of annexation in our study communities was African American, while 20.7 percent of the areas that were actually annexed during the 1990s was African American. However, communities with large black populations at the fringe were significantly less likely than other communities to annex at all‐either black or white population. Largely white communities that faced a “black threat”‐which we defined in instances where the county “percent black” was higher than the place “percent black”‐were also less likely to annex black populations during the 1990s. Finally, predominately white communities were much less likely to annex black populations, even when we controlled for the size of the black fringe population at risk of annexation. Such results provide evidence of racial exclusion in small southern towns.
Circulating hormones and estrous stage predict cellular and stromal remodeling in murine uterus
Authors: Wood Geoffrey A , Fata Jimmie E , Watson Katrina L M , Khokha Rama
Published: July 2007

The understanding of how estrogen and progesterone (P4) drive uterine remodeling in rodents has largely been based on studies involving administration of exogenous hormones, using steroid receptor-deficient mice, or relying on vaginal smears. In all these cases, the actual serum levels of 17β-estradiol (E2) and P4 are not directly measured, and the relationship between physiological levels of female sex hormones and uterine remodeling in cycling mice has not been fully explored. Here, we measured the circulating levels of E2 and P4 in cycling mice and performed correlation analysis between hormone levels and epithelial and stromal uterine parameters, irrespective of the estrous stage. In parallel, these parameters were analyzed in relation to the more conventional method of vaginal smear classification of estrous stage. We found that circulating P4 inversely correlated with uterine width, luminal epithelial proliferation, stromal apoptosis, and degradation of luminal epithelial basement membrane collagen type-IV. Circulating E2 positively correlated with uterine width, stromal cell proliferation, and collagen type-I content, while it negatively correlated with glandular epithelial proliferation, loss of collagen type-IV surrounding glandular epithelium, and apoptosis in luminal, glandular, and stromal compartments. Our findings indicate that measuring P4 or E2 levels can predict many concurrent cellular and stromal events in the mouse uterus, suggesting that in naturally cycling mice cellular responses to hormone changes are not delayed, but occur very rapidly.
Chronic intestinal pseudoobstruction due to visceral myopathy
Authors: Kovács Márta , Veres Gábor , Szőnyi László , Dezsőfi Antal , Bodánszky Hedvig , Illyés György , Schaff Zsuzsa , Arató András
Published: July 2007

A szerzők egy 6 éves gyermeknél jelentkező, letális kimenetelű chronicus intestinalis pseudoobstructio (CIPO) esetét ismertetik. A klinikai tünetek és a képalkotó vizsgálatok ileus képét mutatták mechanikus elzáródás nélkül. Az ápolás során neurológiai tünetek alakultak ki, bal oldali mydriasis, majd grand mal görcsroham laktát-acidosis mellett. A konzervatív kezelés teljes parenterális táplálást, folyadék-elektrolit pótlást, erythromycin és szomatosztatin adását, acidosis korrekciót foglalt magában. A beteg halálát a 48. ápolási napon hirtelen fellépő keringési elégtelenség, szívmegállás okozta. A tisztázatlan eredetű gastrointestinalis és neurológiai tünetek, laktátacidosis alapján mitochondriális myopathia lehetősége merült fel a kórkép hátterében. A postmortem hisztopatológiai vizsgálat viscerális myopathiát bizonyított. A molekuláris genetikai vizsgálatok mitochondriális DNS-mutációt nem igazoltak.
Revegetating Russian Knapweed (Acroptilon repens) and Green Rabbitbrush (Ericameria teretifolia) Infested Rangeland in a Single Entry
Authors: Sheley Roger L.
Published: July 2007

The objective of this study was to test the potential for using a single-entry procedure to revegetate Russian knapweed– and green rabbitbrush–infested rangeland. I hypothesized that simultaneously applying an herbicide and seeding in the fall would produce the highest establishment and growth of desired species. For Russian knapweed, treatments included three seeding rates (zero, low, and high) and two herbicides (with and without clopyralid plus 2,4-D) applied in either the spring (2003) or fall (2004). The seed mixture included pubescent wheatgrass, Siberian wheatgrass, and alfalfa. Grasses were seeded on October 21, 2003 (fall dormant), and April 5, 2004 (spring), using a no-till rangeland drill. The seeding rates consisted of 3.4, 6.8, and 9.3 (low) or 5.0, 9.0, and 12.3 (high) kg ha−1of alfalfa, Siberian wheatgrass, and pubescent wheatgrass, respectively. For green rabbitbrush, treatments included two seeding levels (13.5 kg ha−1of Siberian wheatgrass and not seeded) and three herbicides (clopyralid, dicamba, and 2,4-D) and a control applied in July. Clopyralid plus 2,4-D (0.21 plus 1.12 kg ha−1) and dicamba at 2.1 kg ha−1gave 61 and 66% control of Russian knapweed and green rabbitbrush, respectively. Herbicides interacted with seeding to provide the highest density of seeded species on the Russian knapweed site. These data support the hypothesis that simultaneously applying an herbicide and seeding in the fall would produce the highest establishment and growth of desired species. Conversely, only seeding affected Siberian wheatgrass establishment on the rabbitbrush sites. It may be reasonable to seed Siberian wheatgrass without controlling rabbitbrush if forage production is the primary objective.
No Evidence of Clonal Dominance in Primates up to 4 Years Following Transplantation of Multidrug Resistance 1 Retrovirally Transduced Long-Term Repopulating Cells
Authors: Bozorgmehr Farastuk , Laufs Stefanie , Sellers Stephanie E. , Roeder Ingo , Zeller Walter J. , Dunbar Cynthia E. , Fruehauf Stefan
Published: July 2007

Previous murine studies have suggested that retroviral multidrug resistance 1 (MDR1) gene transfer may be associated with a myeloproliferative disorder. Analyses at a clonal level and prolonged long-term follow-up in a model with more direct relevance to human biology were lacking. In this study, we analyzed the contribution of individual CD34-selected peripheral blood progenitor cells to long-term rhesus macaque hematopoiesis after transduction with a retroviral vector either expressing the multidrug resistance 1 gene (HaMDR1 vector) or expressing the neomycin resistance (NeoR) gene (G1Na vector). We found a total of 122 contributing clones from 8 weeks up to 4 years after transplantation. One hundred two clones contained the G1Na vector, whereas only 20 clones contained the HaMDR1 vector. Here, we show for the first time real-time polymerase chain reaction based quantification of individual transduced cell clones constituting 0.0008% ± 0.0003% to 0.0041% ± 0.00032% of primate peripheral blood cells. No clonal dominance was observed.

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Pharmacological Regulation of Adult Stem Cells: Chondrogenesis Can Be Induced Using a Synthetic Inhibitor of the Retinoic Acid Receptor
Authors: Kafienah Wael , Mistry Sanjay , Perry Mark J. , Politopoulou Galatia , Hollander Anthony P.
Published: July 2007

Conventional methods for regulating the differentiation of stem cells are largely based on the use of biological agents such as growth factors. We hypothesize that stem cell differentiation could be driven by specific synthetic molecules. If true, this would offer the possibility of screening chemical libraries to develop pharmacological agents with improved efficacy. To test our hypothesis, we have determined which, if any, of the nuclear receptor superfamily might be involved in chondrogenesis. We used fluorescence-activated cell sorting, as well as quantitative polymerase chain reaction, to study expression of a range of nuclear receptors in the undifferentiated mesenchymal population and after growth factor-driven differentiation of these cells to chondrocytes. In this way, we identified retinoic acid receptor β (RARβ) as a potential pharmacological target. A low molecular weight synthetic inhibitor of the RARα and RARβ receptors was able to induce chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells derived from osteoarthritis patients, in the absence of serum and growth factors. Furthermore, the pathway is independent of SOX9 upregulation and does not lead to hypertrophy. When mesenchymal cells were seeded on to polyglycolic acid scaffolds and cultured with LE135, there was a dose-dependent formation of cartilage, demonstrated both histologically and by biochemical analysis of the collagen component of the extracellular matrix. These results demonstrate the feasibility of a pharmacological approach to the regulation of stem cell function.

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
A Heterogeneous Expression Pattern for Nanog in Embryonic Stem Cells
Authors: Singh Amar M. , Hamazaki Takashi , Hankowski Katherine E. , Terada Naohiro
Published: July 2007

Nanog is a critical homeodomain factor responsible for maintaining embryonic stem (ES) cell self-renewal and pluripotency. Of interest, Nanog expression is not homogeneous in the conventional culture of murine ES cells. A Nanog-high population expresses markers for pluripotent ES cells, whereas a Nanog-low population expresses markers for primitive endoderm, such as Gata6. Since the inner cell mass of early blastocysts has recently been reported to be heterogeneous in terms of Nanog and Gata6 expression, ES cells appear to closely resemble the developing stage from which they originate. We further demonstrate that Nanog can directly repress Gata6 expression through its binding to the proximal promoter region of the Gata6 gene and that overexpression of Nanog reduces heterogeneity during ES cell maintenance. Interestingly, Nanog heterogeneity does not correlate with the heterogeneous expression of stage-specific embryonic antigen-1, suggesting that multiple but overlapping levels of heterogeneity may exist in ES cells. These findings provide insight into the factors that control ES cell self-renewal and the earliest lineage commitment to primitive endoderm while also suggesting methods to promote homogeneity during ES cell maintenance.

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Generation of Insulin-Producing Cells from Human Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells by Genetic Manipulation
Authors: Karnieli Ohad , Izhar-Prato Yael , Bulvik Shlomo , Efrat Shimon
Published: July 2007

β Cell replacement is a promising approach for treatment of type 1 diabetes; however, it is limited by a shortage of pancreas donors. The pluripotent MSC in adult bone marrow (BM) offer an attractive source of stem cells for generation of surrogate β cells. BM-MSC can be obtained with relative ease from each patient, allowing potential circumvention of allograft rejection. Here, we report a procedure for expansion of BM-MSC in vitro and their differentiation into insulin-producing cells. The pancreatic duodenal homeobox 1 (Pdx1) gene was expressed in BM-MSC from 14 human donors, and the extent of differentiation of these cells toward the β-cell phenotype was evaluated. RNA and protein analyses documented the activation of expression of all four islet hormones. However, the cells lacked expression of NEUROD1, a key transcription factor in differentiated β cells. A significant insulin content, as well as glucose-stimulated insulin release, were demonstrated in vitro. Cell transplantation into streptozotocin-diabetic immunodeficient mice resulted in further differentiation, including induction of NEUROD1, and reduction of hyperglycemia. These findings were reproducible in BM-MSC from 9 of 14 donors of both sexes, ages 19–62. These results suggest a therapeutic potential for PDX1-expressing BM-MSC in β-cell replacement in patients with type 1 diabetes.

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
The simultaneous determination of air permeability and gas diffusion through ice layers in the field
Authors: Fortin G. , van Bochove E. , Jones H.G. , Thériault G. , Bernier M.
Published: July 2007

A coupled air permeameter–gas chamber has been used to measure both the air permeability and diffusion coefficient of an inert gas through natural ice layers. The apparatus was designed to take sequential measurements of both these parameters for the same sample without any intermediate manipulation of the specimen. In avoiding manipulation, errors related to the structural variations between different replicates are eliminated. The apparatus is portable, allowing measurements to be made directly at the study site. The permeability is directly measured in situ by the air permeameter while gas samples used in the diffusion experiments are collected and subsequently analysed at the laboratory. The validation of the apparatus was accomplished by comparing theoretical values for the permeability of beds of spherical beads with known dimensions. Measured permeability values,for different ice samples vary from 0.005 × 10−10 to 12.9 × 10−10 m2. Mean diffusion coefficients ranged from 0.013 to 0.028 cm2 s−1. These values are situated in the range for those found between hard packed snow and loose compacted soil.
Dependence of spectral distribution of inherent optical properties of lake waters on the concentrations of different water constituents
Authors: Paavel Birgot , Arst Helgi , Herlevi Antti
Published: July 2007

The study focuses on the analysis of inherent optical properties of lake waters characterized by consisting of several optically active substances (OAS) (phytoplankton, suspended particles and dissolved organic matter). The results obtained can be useful for deriving the algorithms of optical remote sensing models which need the spectral data on inherent optical properties of the aquatic environment. The spectral absorption and attenuation coefficients were measured in situ using the instrument ac-9 for eight wavelengths in the range of 400–700 nm. The investigation sites were five Finnish and six Estonian lakes. The concentrations of chlorophyll a and total suspended particulate matter, as well as the absorption coefficient of coloured dissolved organic matter (at 380 nm) were determined in a laboratory from water samples taken concurrently with ac-9 measurements. There are three main objectives: (1) to calculate the values of absorption and specific absorption coefficients of tripton on the basis of ac-9 and laboratory data; (2) to estimate the contribution of pure water, chlorophyll a, dissolved organic matter and tripton to the total absorption and attenuation coefficients (results for ac-9 wavelengths and also for the PAR region, 400–700 nm); and (3) to determine the slope (and its variability) of the scattering coefficient spectrum for each measurement series and to estimate the reasons of this variability. At the wavelength of 532 nm the values of the specific absorption coefficient of tripton varied between 0.013 and 0.098 L mg−1 m−1, while the slope of its spectrum ranged from 0.0060 to 0.0109 nm−1. The contributions of different components of the aquatic medium to the total absorption/attenuation coefficients varied noticeably from lake to lake. The slope of the scattering coefficient spectrum was in the range of 0.32–2.5, the multiple regression between the slope and three main optically active substances jointly gave the determination coefficient R2(adjusted)=0.655.
Riparian wetlands for enhancing the self-purification capacity of streams
Authors: D'Arcy B.J. , McLean N. , Heal K.V. , Kay D.
Published: July 2007

Best Management Practices (BMPs) are increasingly used to restore river water quality but design guidance is limited. An alternative approach to remediating diffuse pollution loads is to identify the most polluting high flows from pollutographs and hydrographs and spill these flows into riparian treatment wetlands for treatment before drainage back into the watercourse. The approach is demonstrated for two contrasting catchments in Scotland impacted by diffuse pollution. The Caw Burn receives industrial estate drainage with high suspended solids, hydrocarbons, BOD and ammoniacal-nitrogen concentrations. Applying the proposed design criteria demonstrated that the existing retrofit BMP system at the site is undersized (4950 m2) compared to the required wetland area (11,800 m2), but accommodating the additional area is likely to be expensive. The second case-study is Brighouse Bay where bathing waters are impacted by faecal indicator organisms derived primarily from livestock runoff. In this catchment the riparian wetland area required to retain runoff so that E. coli bacteria would die-off to concentrations below bathing water standards was estimated to be 3–6 ha (0.5–1% of catchment area). Further refinement and testing of the design approach is required, including consideration of other factors such as vegetation type, ownership and maintenance, to develop a more holistic approach to river restoration.
Nitrate in aquifers beneath agricultural systems
Authors: Burkart M.R. , Stoner J.D.
Published: July 2007

Research from several regions of the world provides spatially anecdotal evidence to hypothesize which hydrologic and agricultural factors contribute to groundwater vulnerability to nitrate contamination. Analysis of nationally consistent measurements from the U.S. Geological Survey's NAWQA program confirms these hypotheses for a substantial range of agricultural systems. Shallow unconfined aquifers are most susceptible to nitrate contamination associated with agricultural systems. Alluvial and other unconsolidated aquifers are the most vulnerable and also shallow carbonate aquifers that provide a substantial but smaller contamination risk. Where any of these aquifers are overlain by permeable soils the risk of contamination is larger. Irrigated systems can compound this vulnerability by increasing leaching facilitated by additional recharge and additional nutrient applications. The system of corn, soybean, and hogs produced significantly larger concentrations of groundwater nitrate than all other agricultural systems because this system imports the largest amount of N-fertilizer per unit production area. Mean nitrate under dairy, poultry, horticulture, and cattle and grains systems were similar. If trends in the relation between increased fertilizer use and groundwater nitrate in the United States are repeated in other regions of the world, Asia may experience increasing problems because of recent increases in fertilizer use. Groundwater monitoring in Western and Eastern Europe as well as Russia over the next decade may provide data to determine if the trend in increased nitrate contamination can be reversed. If the concentrated livestock trend in the United States is global, it may be accompanied by increasing nitrogen contamination in groundwater. Concentrated livestock provide both point sources in the confinement area and intense non-point sources as fields close to facilities are used for manure disposal. Regions where irrigated cropland is expanding, such as in Asia, may experience the greatest impact of this practice on groundwater nitrate.
Modeling the effects of climate change on different land uses
Authors: Göncü S. , Albek E.
Published: July 2007

This study deals with the effects of the expected climate change on the hydrology of watersheds. The watershed response in terms of the water produced by the watershed has been modeled using HSPF (Hydrological Simulation Program-FORTRAN) for a time period which encompasses the first half of the twenty-first century. Climate change scenarios have been prepared based on trends expected in western Turkey and a hypothetical watershed with different land uses has been simulated. The trends have been extracted from the results of a general circulation model. The simulations have revealed that watersheds with no vegetative cover will respond to the trends in temperature and precipitation more rigorously than vegetated watersheds. Pasture or watersheds with deciduous or coniferous forests respond less to climate change due to the buffering mechanism of the vegetative cover and also due to the large quantities of water they transpire. It has also been found that monthly variations are important in predicting the future response of watersheds. While changes might seem small on a yearly scale, there are large differences in response among seasons.
WFD and agriculture activity of the EU: first linkages between the CAP and the WFD at EU Level
Authors: Mohaupt V. , Crosnier G. , Todd R. , Petersen P. , Dworak T.
Published: July 2007

Within the “WFD and agriculture activity” both communities agreed to co-operate during implementation of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and further development of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) at EU, Commission and the Member States levels. In intensive discussions including two congresses and biannual working group meetings, seven information reports were produced. Rural Development programmes are unanimously considered to be very powerful instrument to support WFD implementation. However, limited budgets, combined with the large extent of agricultural pressures will considerably restrain the results this instrument might deliver. Limited effects are also expected from the cross-compliance standards, mainly because: the standards do not cover all WFD aspects, and the existing legislation is not implemented with the same rigour in all the Member States. WFD provides additional powerful tools (River Basin Management Planning and Water Pricing discussion) to improve the situation, but the timetables of WFD and CAP do not fit each other. The activity should be continued with an intensive discussion on case and success stories in all the mentioned tools informing both policy areas for the planned evaluation of cross-compliance in 2007, and a mid-term evaluation on rural development in 2009.
Optimum management scheme to control nonpoint pollution in Korea
Authors: Hwang D.-H. , Choi J.-Y.
Published: July 2007

Comprehensive measures to control nonpoint source were developed by the Office of the Prime Minister, Korea in March 2004. These management measures present the government's policies and directions relating to nonpoint source management by 2020. However, the government has encountered difficulties since the government implemented such policies without preparing legal and institutional arrangements associated with nonpoint source management practices. Particularly, there was no legal system to manage the workplaces and construction sites that discharge the polluted runoff. To provide legal arrangements to achieve efficient implementation of the government's nonpoint source management policies, amendments to the “Water Quality Preservation Act” were proposed in the congress in March 2005 and took effect from April 2006. Subsequently, the nationally mandated nonpoint source control system was to be applied to such industries and construction sites. This paper attempts to propose the scope of the nonpoint source control system and effective strategies applied to the construction sites and industrial workplaces in Korea.
Assessment of uncertainty in Great Barrier Reef catchment models
Authors: Herr A. , Kuhnert P.M.
Published: July 2007

This paper addresses uncertainty in socio-economic and sediment-nutrient models that are being developed for the assessment of change in the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) area. The catchments draining into the GBR lagoon are sources of pollutants. The Reef Water Quality Management Plan of the Queensland Government identified sediments and nutrients transported to the GBR lagoon as the major long-term threats to the reef and inshore ecosystems and the wellbeing of the human communities. The plan clearly indicates that changes in land management are required by 2013 to reduce pollutant inputs and, at the same time, maintain or enhance the benefits from using the inland waters. Science that provides decision tools for natural resource management and improves socio-economic and biophysical understanding is required to enable managers to make better decisions. A major research activity (the Water for a Healthy Country Flagship) aims to address social, economic and biophysical outcomes of land management change in the GBR. It contains research activities that provide information for integrated model development. Currently, however, these models lack the ability to estimate the uncertainty associated with prediction. This project aims to provide statistical methods for assessing uncertainty in models of sediment transportation to the GBR. Furthermore, it provides a link between the models and the decision-making process that allows assessment of uncertainty, a step pertinent to the risk analysis of policy options. This paper describes current and ongoing approaches for assessing uncertainty using a sediment modelling example and provides a way forward for the integration of applied socio-economic and biophysical models used in the decision-making process.
Effective lake basin management institutions: lessons from African lakes
Authors: Muhandiki V.S. , Ballatore T.J.
Published: July 2007

Weak or non-existent institutions are often cited as a major constraint facing management of many lake basins in Africa. By their nature lake basins cut across many sectoral and jurisdictional interests and therefore it is always the case that management of the basins is affected by actions within the various sectors and jurisdictions. Because of the complex nature of issues within lake basins, authority over management of lake basins is dispersed among several institutions, with no single institution having overall authority. Under these circumstances, a major challenge in lake basin management is how to ensure effective coordination among the various players. This paper reviews the situation of lake basin management at eight African lake basins and draws important lessons about lake basin management institutions. It is noted that fragmented approaches, lack of coordination across sectors, and lack of monitoring and enforcement are major institutional weaknesses. Also, it is observed that political will and commitment are essential for the management of African lake basins.
Anaerobic treatment of vinasses by a sequentially mixed moving bed biofilm reactor
Authors: Sheli C. , Moletta R.
Published: July 2007

Wine distillery wastewater, commonly called vinasses, was treated by an anaerobic moving bed biofilm reactor (AMBBR) with 32.9 litre available volume. The reactor was filled with 66% cylindrical polyethylene supports with density 0.84 g cm−3 as a biofilm carrier. The reactor was sequentially mixed by a submerged centrifugal pump fixed to the bottom, and each mixing time just lasted 1.25 minutes. The organic loading rate (OLR) of the reactor were increased from 1.6 to 29.6 g sCOD l−1 d−1 (soluble chemical oxygen demands −sCOD) and hydraulic retention time (HRT) was decreased from 6.33 to 1.55 days accordingly. Soluble COD removal efficiency was 81.3–89.2% at an OLR of 29.6 g sCOD l−1d−1. At the end of the experiment, 83.4% total biomass was attached on support and the specific density of support in the reactor was 0.93–1.05 g cm−3, which increased by about 10.7–25% compared with that at the beginning of the study.