bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Heavy Metals Bioremediation from Polluted Water by Glass‐Ceramic Materials
Authors: García Ana M. , Villora José M. , Moreno Diego A. , Ranninger Carlos , Callejas Pío , Barba M. Flora
Published: July 2009

The objective of this research was to study the removal of cadmium and lead from an aqueous solution through a biological treatment. For this purpose a glass‐ceramic material was manufactured from industrial and urban wastes. Biofilms of microorganisms found in wastewater were developed on its surface, and continuous tests were conducted in the presence and absence of the biofilm to analyze the glass‐ceramic's ability to remove the heavy metals from an aqueous environment. The results suggest that this bioremediation process, developed on an industrial scale, could represent an alternative to the chemical processes currently used.
Properties of Aqueous Bismuth Titanate Suspensions Stabilized by Acrylic Acid/Acrylic Ester Copolymer
Authors: Kan Yanmei , Wang Peiling , Li Yongxiang , Cheng Yi‐Bing , Yan Dongsheng
Published: July 2009

The properties of an aqueous Bi4Ti3O12 suspension stabilized by an acrylic acid/acrylic ester copolymer have been investigated. The adsorption of a copolymer on Bi4Ti3O12 surface resulted in a dramatic increase in the absolute zeta potential at pH 3–11. Coincidentally, the rheological property of the suspension was significantly improved. The adsorption quantity increased with increasing copolymer concentration at first, then decreased as the copolymer concentration was beyond 1.5 wt%. The viscosity varied in a complicated manner with copolymer concentration, due to the variations in the adsorption quantity and adsorption configuration of the copolymer molecules on Bi4Ti3O12 particle surface. High‐quality tapes were prepared through tape casting.
Characteristics of Liquid Penetration into Undoped and Magnesia‐Doped Alumina
Authors: Ahn Jung Hyuck , Hong Seong‐Hyeon , Hwang Nong‐Moon , Kim Doh‐Yeon
Published: July 2009

Liquid‐forming impurities (CaO + SiO2) were placed on the top of undoped and MgO‐doped Al2O3 powder compacts, and the microstructural evolution and the extent of liquid penetration during heat treatment were investigated. Compared with the undoped specimen, abnormal grain growth was limited and the impurities penetrated more deeply in the MgO‐doped specimen. The homogenization of the microstructure and the enhanced liquid penetration in MgO‐doped specimens could be explained in terms of an interface roughening or a modification of the liquid‐(glass‐) phase characteristics, such as viscosity.
Oxygen Storage Capacity, Specific Surface Area, and Pore‐Size Distribution of Ceria–Zirconia Solid Solutions Directly Formed by Thermal Hydrolysis
Authors: Hirano Masanori , Suda Akihiko
Published: July 2009

The oxygen storage capacity (OSC) of CeO2–ZrO2 solid solutions that were directly formed as nanocrystals by thermal hydrolysis of acidic aqueous solutions of (NH4)2Ce(NO3)6 and ZrOCl2 at 150°C increased from 94 μmol of O2/g for pure CeO2 to >400 μmol of O2/g for compositions of CeO2/ZrO2 with molar ratios (C/Z) from 74.1/25.9 to 41.7/58.3 (maximum value of 431 μmol O2/g was reached at the composition C/Z = 51.7/48.3) and then decreased with increased ZrO2 content in the solid solutions. As compared with pure CeO2, the CeO2–ZrO2 solid solutions that contained <84.8 mol% ZrO2 maintained high specific surface area and large pore volume with nanosized pores (pore size at maximum pore volume) <10 nm in diameter after heat treatment at 700°C.
Grain‐Growth Behavior during Stepwise Sintering of Barium Titanate in Hydrogen Gas and Air
Authors: Jung Yang‐Il , Choi Si‐Young , Kang Suk‐Joong L.
Published: July 2009

To study the effect of oxygen partial pressure on grain growth in BaTiO3, TiO2‐excess samples have been sintered in air with and without a prior H2 heat treatment. Without prior H2 treatment, abnormal grain growth occurs below and above the eutectic temperature (Te). An introduction of H2 treatment before air sintering, however, increases the average grain size and suppresses the formation of abnormal grains during subsequent air sintering below and above Te. This H2 treatment effect has been explained in terms of a decrease of the driving force for the growth of faceted grains below a critical value for formation of abnormal grains. The observed grain‐growth behavior under various atmospheres demonstrates the possibility of having various microstructures via control of oxygen partial pressure and initial grain size.
Fabrication of Microcellular Ceramics Using Gaseous Carbon Dioxide
Authors: Kim Young‐Wook , Kim Shin‐Han , Wang Chunmin , Park Chul B.
Published: July 2009

A microcellular ceramic with cell densities >109 cells/cm3 and cells <10 μm was made with a preceramic mixture of polycarbosilane and polysiloxane. The preceramic compact was saturated with gaseous CO2, a large number of cells were nucleated and grown by using a thermodynamic instability induced by a rapid pressure drop, and the microcellular preceramic was transformed into a microcellular ceramic by pyrolysis.
Effect of Interparticle Potential on Forming Solid, Spherical Agglomerates during Drying
Authors: Fair Geoff E. , Lange Fred F.
Published: July 2009

The effect of the interparticle potential on the shapes of the agglomerates obtained by drying slurry droplets has been investigated using aqueous alumina slurries formulated in the dispersed and weakly attractive (dispersed + added salt) states. For the dispersed slurry, the droplets dried to irregular shapes with hollow centers. When just the right amount of salt was added to produce an attractive, but nontouching, particle network, the droplets dried as solid spheres. These results are discussed by relating both the nature of the particle network (repulsive or weakly attractive), the slurry rheology, and the consolidation mechanics of the networks to the requirements for maintaining a spherical geometry and uniform density during droplet drying.
Density, Surface Tension, and Viscosity of PbO‐B2O3‐SiO2 Glass Melts
Authors: Fujino Shigeru , Hwang Chawon , Morinaga Kenji
Published: July 2009

The density, surface tension, and viscosity of the melts from the PbO‐B2O3‐SiO2 system have been measured at temperatures in the range 1073–1473 K. The effect of composition on these properties was also investigated. The density of the melt was found to increase linearly with increasing PbO content. Molar volume was derived from the density data, and its deviation from the additivity of partial molar volumes was calculated. These deviations in molar volume from those obtained from additivity rules have been used along with the ratio of various coordination numbers of boron (as reported by Bray) to discuss the structure of the melts. The surface tension was found to decrease with decreasing SiO2/B2O3 ratio, and to increase in the range of the PbO content between 30 and 60 mol%, showing a maximum at ∼60 mol% PbO, and then decreased with further additions. This result suggested that the surface tension would be affected primarily by the B2O3 content in the range of the PbO content between 30–60 mol%, and mainly by the PbO content in the range of the PbO content >60 mol%, respectively. The viscosity of the melt was found to decrease linearly with increasing PbO content. The results obtained indicate that the increase in viscosity with B2O3 was half that of SiO2 (on a molar basis), and an empirical equation has been proposed for the viscosity as a function of mole fraction.
Hydroxyapatite Coating on Titanium Substrate by the Sol‐Gel Process
Authors: Hirai Shinji , Nishinaka Kazuhito , Shimakage Kazuyoshi , Uo Motohiro , Watari Fumio
Published: July 2009

Hydroxyapatite coatings on titanium were attempted by a sol‐gel process combined with conventional heat treatment and with UV irradiation at ambient temperature after dipping/ withdrawing a substrate into/from the sol. X‐ray diffraction data showed that a coating film prepared by heat treatment was amorphous and crystallized in Ca5(PO4)3(OH) at a temperature of 773–973 K. The infrared spectra for coating films that have been prepared by heat treatment at a temperature of 573–873 K were in fair agreement with those for a coating film prepared by UV irradiation. After ethylene oxide sterilization, the cytotoxicity of coating film decreased with increasing irradiation time in UV irradiation, whereas it decreased with increasing temperature in conventional heat treatment. In comparisons between ethylene oxide sterilization and autoclave sterilization, the coating film sterilized by autoclave had much lower cytotoxicity than that sterilized by ethylene oxide. Furthermore, an animal test in the transfemoral drill hole on a rat for 4 weeks was examined using an implant prepared by heat treatment and autoclave sterilization. The sol‐gel‐coated titanium had slightly higher bone apposition than uncoated titanium as a control material.
Direct Formation of Iron(III)‐Doped Titanium Oxide (Anatase) by Thermal Hydrolysis and Its Structural Property
Authors: Hirano Masanori , Joji Toyoko , Inagaki Michio , Iwata Hiroyuki
Published: July 2009

Anatase‐type TiO2 (titania) doped with iron up to 19.8 mol% was directly formed as nanometer‐sized particles from acidic precursor solutions of TiOSO4 and Fe(NO3)3 by simultaneous hydrolysis, under mild hydrothermal conditions at 180°3C. Iron content in the anatase‐type TiO2 was much less than that of the starting composition of the precursor solutions because of slower hydrolysis rate of Fe(NO3)3 than that of TiOSO4 at 180°3C. The XRD data, TEM selected‐area diffraction patterns, and Mössbauer effect measurement showed that iron(III) formed a solid solution in the anatase‐type TiO2 precipitates and that there was no iron oxide precipitated as secondary phase without making a solid solution with TiO2 present in the precipitates. Doping of Fe2O3 into TiO2 shifted the phase transformation from anatase‐type to rutile‐type structure to a low temperature. On the phase transformation from anatase to rutile, iron oxide was precipitated as Fe2TiO5 (pseudobrookite) phase. When the iron content was increased in the anatase phase, onset of optical absorption shifted to longer wavelengths, and absorption in the UV‐light region and in the visible‐light region over 400–600 nm clearly appeared in the diffuse reflectance spectra of the as‐prepared Fe(III)‐doped TiO2.
Spark‐Plasma‐Sintering Consolidation of SiC‐Whisker‐Reinforced Mullite Composites
Authors: Huang Zhengren , Shen Zhijian , Lin Luwei , Nygren Mats , Jiang Dongliang
Published: July 2009

Spark plasma sintering was applied to consolidate a series of SiC‐whisker‐reinforced mullite‐matrix composites containing up to 30 vol% of whiskers. Bodies with relative densities higher than 99% were obtained at 1400°3C, using a holding time of 3 min and a uniaxial pressure of 50 MPa. The analysis of densification kinetics revealed that a shrinkage rate of about 10‐3 s‐1 was obtained even with a high whisker load, showing that the spark plasma sintering process is a rapid technique for fabricating whisker composites. The very rapid densification that occurs during spark plasma sintering allows little time for growth of the matrix grains. This, in turn, leads to improved mechanical properties.
Field methylation silencing of the protocadherin 10 gene in cervical carcinogenesis as a potential specific diagnostic test from cervical scrapings
Authors: Wang Kai‐Hung , Liu Hwan‐Wun , Lin Shih‐Rung , Ding Da‐Ching , Chu Tang‐Yuan
Published: July 2009

PCDH10 is a member of the protocadherin cell adhesion molecule family, which are frequently downregulated in cancers. This study aimed to characterize the methylation silencing of the PCDH10 gene in the full spectrum of cervical carcinogenesis and to clarify if a field effect of methylation might be a target for a diagnostic test from cervical scrapings. Methylation silencing of PCDH10 was found in four of five cervical cancers and one of two cervical precancerous cell lines, which could be reversed by demethylation treatment. The same methylation was detected in 85.7% (24/28) of invasive cancer tissues, 36.4% (4/11) of high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, 20% (1/5) of low‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, and none (0/17) of the normal cervical tissues from non‐cancer subjects. In addition, methylation was also frequently found in histologically ‘normal’ cervical tissues adjacent to cancer lesions (7/13, 53.8%) and, less frequently, in vaginal and endometrial tissues (1/8, 12.5%). Further investigation of cervical scrapings revealed cancer‐specific methylation of PCDH10 with a methylation rate of 71% (22/31) in invasive cancer, 27.9% (12/43) in carcinoma in situ, and none in high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesions excluding carcinoma in situ (n = 12), low‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (n = 27), and normal controls (n = 66) (P < 10−16). Compared to the high‐risk human papilloma virus test, PCDH10 methylation testing of cervical scrapings was more specific (92 vs 60%) but less sensitive (71 vs 96%) in detecting invasive cervical cancer. This study demonstrated field methylation of the PCDH10 gene specifically in the invasion stage of cervical carcinogenesis, which might be used to develop a highly specific diagnostic test for cervical scrapings. (Cancer Sci 2009)
Enhanced colitis‐associated colon carcinogenesis in a novel Apc mutant rat
Authors: Yoshimi Kazuto , Tanaka Takuji , Takizawa Akiko , Kato Megumi , Hirabayashi Masumi , Mashimo Tomoji , Serikawa Tadao , Kuramoto Takashi
Published: July 2009

To establish an efficient rat model for colitis‐associated colorectal cancer, azoxymethane and dextran sodium sulfate (AOM/DSS)‐induced colon carcinogenesis was applied to a novel adenomatous polyposis coli (Apc) mutant, the Kyoto Apc Delta (KAD) rat. The KAD rat was derived from ethylnitrosourea mutagenesis and harbors a nonsense mutation in the Apc gene (S2523X). The truncated APC of the KAD rat was deduced to lack part of the basic domain, an EB1‐binding domain, and a PDZ domain, but retained an intact β‐catenin binding region. KAD rats, homozygous for the Apc mutation on a genetic background of the F344 rat, showed no spontaneous tumors in the gastrointestinal tract. At 5 weeks of age, male KAD rats were given a single subcutaneous administration of AOM (20 mg/kg, bodyweight). One week later, they were given DSS (2% in drinking water) for 1 week. At week 15, the incidence and multiplicity of colon tumors developed in the KAD rat were remarkably severe compared with those in the F344 rat: 100 versus 50% in incidence and 10.7 ± 3.5 versus 0.8 ± 1.0 in multiplicity. KAD tumors were dominantly distributed in the rectum and distal colon, resembling human colorectal cancer. Accumulation of β‐catenin protein and frequent β‐catenin mutations were prominent features of KAD colon tumors. To our knowledge, AOM/DSS‐induced colon carcinogenesis using the KAD rat is the most efficient to induce colon tumors in the rat, and therefore would be available as an excellent model for human colitis‐associated CRC.
Recording previous adverse drug reactions—a gap in the system
Authors: Shenfield Gillian M. , Robb Tanya , Duguid Margaret
Published: July 2009

Aims  To measure the accuracy of recording of previous adverse drug reaction (ADR) history in patients admitted to a teaching hospital before and after an education programme.

Methods  One month survey of patients on one medical and one surgical ward, repeated after a 1 month education programme. Patients answered a questionnaire about previous ADRs and this information was compared with that in all relevant sections of their medical records and medication charts.

Results  Of 117 patients at baseline, 50 had a total of 81 previous ADRs. Only 75% were recorded on medication charts and 57% and 64%, respectively, in medical and nursing notes. In the post education survey of 124 patients, 56 had 105 previous ADRs, 85% were recorded on medication charts and 64% and 70% in medical and nursing records. These differences were not significant. Serious ADRs were also poorly recorded at baseline but, due to intervention by ward pharmacists, their recording on medication charts improved significantly after education. Pharmacists also significantly improved the quality of description of previous ADRs in both parts of the study.

Conclusions  Previous ADR history obtainable from hospital patients is poorly recorded in medical records and an intensive education programme only produced a significant change in recording by ward pharmacists. Better strategies are needed to improve this essential aspect of history taking.
Intestinal metaplasia in liver of rats after partial hepatectomy and treatment with acetylaminofluorene
Authors: Barut V. , Sarraf C. E.
Published: July 2009

Objectives:  The liver is widely recognized for its ability to self‐regenerate after damage. Hepatocyte replication is the primary source of liver restoration, although hepatic stem cells (of one kind or another) may be a secondary font, only brought into effect when primary regeneration is severely compromised.

Materials and methods:  In experiments using small rodents, such an injury can be inflicted by surgically removing a large portion of the liver followed by treatment with hepatotoxin 2‐acetylaminofluorene. Regeneration by hepatocyte replication is blocked and thus, stem cell involvement is promoted. However, other responses may be stimulated and this study describes the presence of mucinous glandular structures in the healing liver after two‐thirds of its volume was removed via hepatectomy followed by treatment with 2‐acetylaminofluorene.

Results:  Unique observation of intestinal metaplastic cells was seen under alcian blue/periodic acid–Schiff staining.

Conclusion:  The existence of this phenotype (along with oval cells and small hepatocyte‐like cells) is evidence of multipotency of progenitors involved in the hepatic healing response.
Blocking T cell co-stimulation using a CD80 blocking small molecule reduces delayed type hypersensitivity responses in rhesus monkeys
Authors: Haanstra K G , Endell J , Estévâo D , Kondova I , Jonker M
Published: July 2009

Blockade of co-stimulation signals between T cells and antigen-presenting cells could be an important approach for treatment of autoimmune diseases and transplant rejection. Recently a series of small compound inhibitors which bind human CD80 (B7-1) and inhibit T cell co-stimulation has been described. To investigate their potency for clinical use, one of these compounds, RhuDex™, was evaluated for reactivity with rhesus monkey CD80. The in vitro biological effect on rhesus monkey lymphocytes, the potency for suppression of an inflammatory recall response and the protein-induced delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) response in the skin were studied. In a rhesus monkey T cell co-stimulation assay RhuDex™ inhibited proinflammatory cytokine release and cellular proliferation with micromolar potency. Systemic administration of RhuDex™ to rhesus monkeys inhibited the DTH response significantly, indicating that this compound may inhibit autoimmune mediated inflammatory processes where the target, CD80, is up-regulated.
The Tat-conjugated N-terminal region of mucin antigen 1 (MUC1) induces protective immunity against MUC1-expressing tumours
Authors: Yang H , Cho N-H , Seong S-Y
Published: July 2009

Mucin antigen 1 (MUC1) is overexpressed on various human adenocarcinomas and haematological malignancies and has long been used as a target antigen for cancer immunotherapy. Most of the preclinical and clinical studies using MUC1 have used the tandem repeat region of MUC1, which could be presented by only a limited set of major histocompatibility complex haplotypes. Here, we evaluated N-terminal region (2–147 amino acids) of MUC1 (MUC1-N) for dendritic cell (DC)-based cancer immunotherapy. We used Esherichia coli-derived MUC1-N that was fused to the protein transduction domain of human immunodeficiency virus Tat protein for three reasons. First, mature DCs do not phagocytose soluble protein antigens. Secondly, tumour cells express underglycosylated MUC1, which can generate epitopes repertoire that differs from normal cells, which express hyperglycosylated MUC1. Finally, aberrantly glycosylated MUC1 has been known to impair DC function. In our study, Tat-MUC1-N-loaded DCs induced type 1 T cell responses as well as cytotoxic T lymphocytes efficiently. Furthermore, they could break tolerance in the transgenic breast tumour mouse model, where MUC1-positive breast cancers grow spontaneously. Compared with DCs pulsed with unconjugated MUC1-N, DCs loaded with Tat-conjugated MUC1-N could delay tumour growth more effectively in the transgenic tumour model as well as in the tumour injection model. These results suggest that the recombinant N-terminal part of MUC1, which may provide a diverse epitope repertoire, could be utilized as an effective tumour antigen for DC-based cancer immunotherapy.
Prolonging microtubule dysruption enhances the immunogenicity of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia cells
Authors: Shaha S P , Tomic J , Shi Y , Pham T , Mero P , White D , He L , Baryza J L , Wender P A , Booth J W , Spaner D E
Published: July 2009

Cytotoxic chemotherapies do not usually mediate the expression of an immunogenic gene programme in tumours, despite activating many of the signalling pathways employed by highly immunogenic cells. Concomitant use of agents that modulate and complement stress-signalling pathways activated by chemotherapeutic agents may then enhance the immunogenicity of cancer cells, increase their susceptibility to T cell-mediated controls and lead to higher clinical remission rates. Consistent with this hypothesis, the microtubule inhibitor, vincristine, caused chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) cells to die rapidly, without increasing their immunogenicity. Protein kinase C (PKC) agonists (such as bryostatin) delayed the death of vincristine-treated CLL cells and made them highly immunogenic, with increased stimulatory abilities in mixed lymphocyte responses, production of proinflammatory cytokines, expression of co-stimulatory molecules and activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), p38 and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signalling pathways. This phenotype was similar to the result of activating CLL cells through Toll-like receptors (TLRs), which communicate ‘danger’ signals from infectious pathogens. Use of PKC agonists and microtubule inhibitors to mimic TLR-signalling, and increase the immunogenicity of CLL cells, has implications for the design of chemo-immunotherapeutic strategies.
Neither MafA/L‐Maf nor MafB is essential for lens development in mice
Authors: Takeuchi Takashi , Kudo Takashi , Ogata Kiyohito , Hamada Michito , Nakamura Megumi , Kito Katsumi , Abe Yasuhito , Ueda Norifumi , Yamamoto Masayuki , Engel James Douglas , Takahashi Satoru
Published: July 2009

The importance of the large Maf transcription factor family has been investigated in lens development in the chick, Xenopus and mammals. Previously we reported that c‐maf‐deficient mice exhibit severe defects in lens fibre cells. Here, we report the roles of other large Mafs, MafA/L‐Maf and MafB, during mouse lens development. MafA/L‐Maf and MafB were expressed in lens epithelial cells and fibre cells at E12.5 but had largely disappeared from the lens at E18.5. The lens of mafA‐, mafB‐deficient and mafA::mafB double‐deficient mice developed normally. In c‐maf‐deficient mice, the pattern of expression of MafA and MafB differed from their expression in wild‐type mice. Moreover, the expression of crystallin genes was unchanged in mafA‐, mafB‐ and mafA::mafB double‐deficient lens. These results indicate that c‐Maf alone is essential for lens development, and that MafA/L‐Maf and MafB are dispensable in mice.
Effect of warming and grazing on litter mass loss and temperature sensitivity of litter and dung mass loss on the Tibetan plateau
Authors: LUO CAIYUN , XU GUANGPING , CHAO ZENGGUO , WANG SHIPING , LIN XINGWU , HU YIGANG , ZHANG ZHENHUA , DUAN JICHUANG , CHANG XIAOFENG , SU AILING , LI YINGNIAN , ZHAO XINQUAN , DU MINGYUAN , TANG YANGHONG , KIMBALL BRUCE
Published: July 2009

Knowledge about the role of litter and dung decomposition in nutrient cycling and response to climate change and grazing in alpine ecosystems is still rudimentary. We conducted two separate studies to assess the relative role of warming and grazing on litter mass loss and on the temperature sensitivity of litter and dung mass loss. Experiments were conducted for 1–2 years under a controlled warming–grazing system and along an elevation gradient from 3200 to 3800 m. A free‐air temperature enhancement system (FATE) using infrared heaters and grazing significantly increased soil temperatures (average 0.5–1.6 °C) from 0 to 40 cm depth, but neither warming nor grazing affected soil moisture except early in the growing seasons at 30 cm soil depth. Heaters caused greater soil warming at night‐time compared with daytime, but grazing resulted in greater soil warming during daytime compared with night‐time. Annual average values of the soil temperature at 5 cm were 3.2, 2.4 and 0.3 °C at 3200, 3600 and 3800 m, respectively. Neither warming nor grazing caused changes of litter quality for the first year of the controlled warming–grazing experiment. The effects of warming and grazing on litter mass losses were additive, increasing litter mass losses by about 19.3% and 8.3%, respectively, for the 2‐year decomposition periods. The temperature sensitivity of litter mass losses was approximately 11%  °C−1 based on the controlled warming–grazing experiment. The annual cumulative litter mass loss was approximately 2.5 times that of dung along the elevation gradient. However, the temperature sensitivity (about 18%  °C−1) of the dung mass loss was about three times that of the litter mass loss. These results suggest greater warming at night‐time compared with daytime may accelerate litter mass loss, and grazing will enhance carbon loss to atmosphere in the region through a decrease of litter biomass and an increase of dung production with an increase of stocking rate in future warmer conditions.
Body size‐dependent responses of a marine fish assemblage to climate change and fishing over a century‐long scale
Authors: GENNER MARTIN J. , SIMS DAVID W. , SOUTHWARD ALAN J. , BUDD GEORGINA C. , MASTERSON PATRICIA , MCHUGH MATTHEW , RENDLE PETER , SOUTHALL EMILY J. , WEARMOUTH VICTORIA J. , HAWKINS STEPHEN J.
Published: July 2009

Commercial fishing and climate change have influenced the composition of marine fish assemblages worldwide, but we require a better understanding of their relative influence on long‐term changes in species abundance and body‐size distributions. In this study, we investigated long‐term (1911–2007) variability within a demersal fish assemblage in the western English Channel. The region has been subject to commercial fisheries throughout most of the past century, and has undergone interannual changes in sea temperature of over 2.0 °C. We focussed on a core 30 species that comprised 99% of total individuals sampled in the assemblage. Analyses showed that temporal trends in the abundance of smaller multispecies size classes followed thermal regime changes, but that there were persistent declines in abundance of larger size classes. Consistent with these results, larger‐growing individual species had the greatest declines in body size, and the most constant declines in abundance, while abundance changes of smaller‐growing species were more closely linked to preceding sea temperatures. Together these analyses are suggestive of dichotomous size‐dependent responses of species to long‐term climate change and commercial fishing over a century scale. Small species had rapid responses to the prevailing thermal environment, suggesting their life history traits predisposed populations to respond quickly to changing climates. Larger species declined in abundance and size, reflecting expectations from sustained size‐selective overharvesting. These results demonstrate the importance of considering species traits when developing indicators of human and climatic impacts on marine fauna.
Late‐glacial and Holocene vegetation, climate and fire dynamics in the Serra dos Órgãos, Rio de Janeiro State, southeastern Brazil
Authors: BEHLING HERMANN , SAFFORD HUGH DEFOREST
Published: July 2009

We present a high‐resolution pollen and charcoal record of a 218 cm long sediment core from the Serra dos Órgãos, a subrange of the coastal Serra do Mar, located at 2130 m altitude in campos de altitude (high elevation grass‐ and shrubland) vegetation near Rio de Janeiro in southeastern Brazil to reconstruct past vegetation, climate and fire dynamics. Based on seven AMS 14C ages, the record represents at least the last 10 450 14C yr bp (12 380 cal years bp), The uppermost region was naturally covered by campos de altitude throughout the recorded period. Diverse montane Atlantic rain forest (ARF) occurred close to the studied peat bog at the end of the Late‐glacial period. There is evidence of small Araucaria angustifolia populations in the study area as late as the early Holocene, after which point the species apparently became locally extinct. Between 10 380 and 10 170 14C yr bp (12 310–11 810 cal yr bp), the extent of campos de altitude was markedly reduced as montane ARF shifted rapidly upward to higher elevations, reflecting a very wet and warm period (temperatures similar to or warmer than present day) at the end of the Younger Dryas (YD) chronozone. This is in opposition to the broadly documented YD cooling in the northern Hemisphere. Reduced cross‐equatorial heat transport and movement of the Intertropical Convergence Zone over northeastern Brazil may explain the YD warming. Markedly extended campos de altitude vegetation indicates dry climatic conditions until about 4910 14C yr bp (5640 cal yr bp). Later, wetter conditions are indicated by reduced high elevation grassland and the extension of ARF into higher elevation. Fire frequency was high during the early Holocene but decreased markedly after about 7020 14C yr bp (7850 cal yr bp).
Thicket expansion in a South African savanna under divergent land use: local vs. global drivers?
Authors: WIGLEY BENJAMIN J. , BOND WILLIAM J. , HOFFMAN M. TIMM
Published: July 2009

Woody plant increase in grassy biomes has been widely reported over the last century. Increases have been attributed to local drivers associated with land use change, such as heavy grazing or fire suppression, or, controversially, to global drivers such as increased atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2). Here, we report a comparison of woody increase since the 1930s in three neighbouring areas with highly contrasting land use systems to help distinguish between local and global causes of woody increase. Aerial photography was used to measure changes in tree cover for three time intervals (1937, 1960, 2004) for three adjacent 25 km2 sites which remained under radically different tenure (conservation, commercial farms, and communal rangeland) over the study period. From previous studies on drivers affecting savanna dynamics, we predicted a decrease in tree cover for the conservation and communal sites and an increase in tree cover at the commercial site. The analyses showed highly significant increases in tree cover at all sites. Total tree cover increased from 14% in 1937 to 58% in 2004 at the conservation site, 3–50% in the commercial ranching area and 6–25% in the communal farming area. Reconstruction of past land use practices showed large differences in stocking rates, herbivore species, burning practices, human population densities and natural resource harvesting between the three sites. These land use differences are reflected in differences in woody cover among the three sites in 2004. However, despite major differences in land use, tree cover also increased significantly in all three areas. This suggests global drivers favouring woody plant increase in grassy vegetation regardless of land use practises. In our study area the most likely candidates are increased CO2 and/or atmospheric nitrogen deposition.
Evaluation of effectiveness of enhanced‐efficiency fertilizers as mitigation options for N2O and NO emissions from agricultural soils: meta‐analysis
Authors: AKIYAMA HIROKO , YAN XIAOYUAN , YAGI KAZUYUKI
Published: July 2009

Agricultural fields are an important anthropogenic source of atmospheric nitrous oxide (N2O) and nitric oxide (NO). Although many field studies have tested the effectiveness of possible mitigation options on N2O and NO emissions, the effectiveness of each option varies across sites due to environmental factors and field management. To combine these results and evaluate the overall effectiveness of enhanced‐efficiency fertilizers [i.e., nitrification inhibitors (NIs), polymer‐coated fertilizers (PCFs), and urease inhibitors (UIs)] on N2O and NO emissions, we performed a meta‐analysis using field experiment data (113 datasets from 35 studies) published in peer‐reviewed journals through 2008. The results indicated that NIs significantly reduced N2O emissions (mean: −38%, 95% confidential interval: −44% to −31%) compared with those of conventional fertilizers. PCFs also significantly reduced N2O emissions (−35%, −58% to −14%), whereas UIs were not effective in reducing N2O. NIs and PCFs also significantly reduced NO (−46%, −65% to −35%; −40%, −76% to −10%, respectively). The effectiveness of NIs was relatively consistent across the various types of inhibitors and land uses. However, the effect of PCFs showed contrasting results across soil and land‐use type: they were significantly effective for imperfectly drained Gleysol grassland (−77%, −88% to −58%), but were ineffective for well‐drained Andosol upland fields. Because available data for PCFs were dominated by certain regions and soil types, additional data are needed to evaluate their effectiveness more reliably. NIs were effective in reducing N2O emission from both chemical and organic fertilizers. Moreover, the consistent effect of NIs indicates that they are potent mitigation options for N2O and NO emissions.
The role of CXC chemokine ligand (CXCL)12‐CXC chemokine receptor (CXCR)4 signalling in the migration of neural stem cells towards a brain tumour
Authors: Van Der Meulen A. A. E. , Biber K. , Lukovac S. , Balasubramaniyan V. , Den Dunnen W. F. A. , Boddeke H. W. G. M. , Mooij J. J. A.
Published: July 2009

Aims:It has been shown that neural stem cells (NSCs) migrate towards areas of brain injury or brain tumours and that NSCs have the capacity to track infiltrating tumour cells. The possible mechanism behind the migratory behaviour of NSCs is not yet completely understood. As chemokines are involved in the migration of immune cells in the injured brain, they may also be involved in chemoattraction of NSCs towards a brain tumour.Methods:The expression profile of various chemokine receptors in NSCs, harvested from the subventricular zone of adult mice, was investigated by reverse transcriptase‐ polymerase chain reaction analysis. Furthermore, the functionality of the chemokine receptors was assessed inin vitrochemotaxis assays and calcium signalling experiments. To test thein vivomigration of NSCs, a syngeneic mouse model was developed, whereby a B16F10 melanoma cell line was grafted into one hemisphere and later NSCs were grafted in the contralateral hemisphere. Furthermore, the expression of chemokines in this melanoma cell line was investigated.Results and conclusions:Adult mouse NSCs functionally express various chemokine receptors of which CXC chemokine receptor (CXCR)4 shows the highest mRNA levels and most pronounced functional responsesin vitro. CXC chemokine ligand (CXCL)12, the ligand for CXCR4, is expressed by the melanoma cell line. In this mouse model for metastatic brain tumours, it is shown that NSCs express CXCR4 at their cell membranes while they migrate towards the tumour, which produces CXCL12. It is therefore suggested that the CXCR4/CXCL12 pathway plays a role in the mechanism underlying tumour‐mediated attraction of NSCs.
A Lucilia cuprina excretory–secretory protein inhibits the early phase of lymphocyte activation and subsequent proliferation
Authors: ELKINGTON R. A. , HUMPHRIES M. , COMMINS M. , MAUGERI N. , TIERNEY T. , MAHONY T. J.
Published: July 2009

The development of a protective immune response in sheep towards the presence of the larval stage of Lucilia cuprina has not been reported in the field. Upon investigation of the effects of larval excretory/secretory material on ovine T lymphocyte proliferation, we isolated a 56 kDa protein capable of inhibiting lymphocyte proliferation by at least 70%, compared with that in the presence of mitogen alone. This protein inhibited proliferation induced through cross‐linking of the T‐cell receptor as well as proliferation induced pharmacologically through the stimulation of the protein kinase C (PKC) pathway. The protein, named blowfly larval immunosuppressive protein (BLIP), was shown to bind directly to lymphocytes. Further investigation revealed that the BLIP prevented a proportion of lymphocytes from entering the first division following stimulation, by affecting the early events in lymphocyte activation. Subsequently, the BLIP reduced CD25 expression on T lymphocytes, reduced IL‐2 mRNA expression, in addition to IFN‐γ, IL‐4, IL‐10 and IL‐13 mRNA expression. Conversely, TNF‐α and TGF‐β gene expression was up‐regulated in response to the BLIP. These effects suggest suboptimal activation of T lymphocytes in the presence of the BLIP, and we propose that the BLIP presents an effective immune evasion tactic for the larvae of L. cuprina.
Opinion: Stomatal responses to light and CO2 depend on the mesophyll
Authors: MOTT KEITH A.
Published: July 2009

The mechanisms by which stomata respond to red light and CO2 are unknown, but much of the current literature assumes that these mechanisms reside wholly within the guard cells. However, responses of guard cells in isolated epidermes are typically much smaller than those in leaves, and there are several lines of evidence in the literature suggesting that the mesophyll is necessary for these responses in leaves. This paper advances the opinion that although guard cells may have small direct responses to red light and CO2, most of the stomatal response to these factors in leaves is caused by an unknown signal that originates in the mesophyll.
In vivo Extravasated Human Monocytes have an Altered Expression of CD16, HLA‐DR, CD86, CD36 and CX3CR1
Authors: Paulsson J. M. , Held C. , Jacobson S. H. , Lundahl J.
Published: July 2009

The phenotypic alterations in monocytes induced by extravasation in vivo are still largely unknown. We addressed the question whether a general phenotype of extravasated monocytes exists and whether this phenotype differs between healthy individuals and statin treated patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). In vivo extravasated monocytes from CAD patients and healthy controls were collected by use of the skin blister method and compared with peripheral circulating monocytes by flow cytometry. The number of CD14+CD16+ monocytes were significantly higher in the skin blister compared with peripheral circulation in both patients (P < 0.001) and controls (P = 0.005). In vivo extravasated monocytes had in comparison with peripheral monocytes a lower expression of CX3CR1, a higher expression of HLA‐DR, CD86 and CD36 and a higher binding of acetylated low density lipoprotein (acLDL) (significant for all markers). Skin blister fluid from CAD patients, compared with healthy controls, induced a 20% increase in monocyte CD36 expression (P = 0.008) following 18 h of in vitro incubation. The results indicate that the integrated response to the in vivo extravasation process is similar in statin treated stable CAD patients and healthy controls, with respect to phenotypic alterations. Such differences in CAD patients may, however, occur as a response to the inflammatory milieu.
The CD4+CD8+ and CD4+ Subsets of FOXP3+ Thymocytes Differ in their Response to Growth Factor Deprivation or Stimulation
Authors: Lehtoviita A. , Rossi L. H. , Kekäläinen E. , Sairanen H. , Arstila T. P.
Published: July 2009

The timing of thymic regulatory T (Treg) cell commitment remains unclear. Specifically, there is disagreement as to whether the CD4+CD8+ FOXP3+ thymocytes are precursors of mature CD4+ FOXP3+ Treg cells, or an independent Treg cell lineage. We reasoned that precursors should be more susceptible to apoptosis than mature Treg cells, and tested this by growth factor removal and anti‐CD3 stimulation. Both treatments resulted in an increase of CD4+ FOXP3+ thymocytes, whereas the frequency of CD4+CD8+ FOXP3+ thymocytes decreased significantly. These changes were accompanied by an increase of annexin+ apoptotic cells. Both of these FOXP3+ subsets expressed higher levels of Bcl‐2 and BIM than other thymocytes, and while in our setting expression of BIM seemed to predispose the cells to apoptosis, Bcl‐2 had no apparent protective effect. These results indicate that CD4+CD8+ FOXP3+ thymocytes are more susceptible to apoptosis than mature CD4+ FOXP3+ Treg cells. This is consistent with the view that they are still immature and thus likely to represent a precursor population.
Anomalous Immunogenic Properties of Serine Proteases
Authors: Darani H. Y. , Doenhoff M. J.
Published: July 2009

It has previously been shown that a ∼27 kDa serine protease of Schistosoma mansoni larvae, the cercarial elastase (CE), was a poor immunogen in as much as it failed to induce an antibody response. The CE has a critical role in enabling schistosome larvae to penetrate the skin of their definitive hosts, so the apparently poor immunogenicity of this enzyme is clearly of interest. To understand its lack of immunogenicity better and in particular to determine whether it is related to its proteolytic activity, we have measured antibody responses of mice to three different serine proteases. Groups of mice were immunized with porcine pancreatic trypsin (TRY), chymotrypsin (CHY) or elastase (ELA) and the resulting antibody response compared with antibody responses to two non‐protease antigens, chicken egg albumin (OVA) and Schistosoma japonicum glutathione S‐transferase (GST), all being administered with alum as an adjuvant. Of 12 mice that were injected five times at 14 day intervals with TRY, only one produced antibody reactive with this enzyme in ELISA. Immunizations with CHY or ELA induced somewhat better antibody responses than TRY, but the responses to the first and second injections of these two proteases nevertheless seemed comparatively lower than the responses to GST. Induction of antibody responses by OVA and GST was not affected when TRY was injected concomitantly. Thus, the antibody response to one of the serine proteases used in this study, mammalian trypsin, was anomalous.
Arabidopsis 14‐3‐3 lambda is a positive regulator of RPW8‐mediated disease resistance
Authors: Yang Xiaohua , Wang Wenming , Coleman Mark , Orgil Undral , Feng Jiayue , Ma Xianfeng , Ferl Robert , Turner John G. , Xiao Shunyuan
Published: July 2009

The RPW8 locus from Arabidopsis thaliana Ms‐0 includes two functional paralogous genes (RPW8.1 and RPW8.2) and confers broad‐spectrum resistance via the salicylic acid‐dependent signaling pathway to the biotrophic fungal pathogens Golovinomyces spp. that cause powdery mildew diseases on multiple plant species. To identify proteins involved in regulation of the RPW8 protein function, a yeast two‐hybrid screen was performed using RPW8.2 as bait. The 14‐3‐3 isoform lambda (designated GF14λ) was identified as a potential RPW8.2 interactor. The RPW8.2–GF14λ interaction was specific and engaged the C‐terminal domain of RPW8.2, which was confirmed by pulldown assays. The physiological impact of the interaction was revealed by knocking down GF14λ by T‐DNA insertion, which compromised basal and RPW8‐mediated resistance to powdery mildew. In addition, over‐expression of GF14λ resulted in hypersensitive response‐like cell death and enhanced resistance to powdery mildew via the salicylic acid‐dependent signaling pathway. The results from this study suggest that GF14λ may positively regulate the RPW8.2 resistance function and play a role in enhancing basal resistance in Arabidopsis.
Modulation of drought resistance by the abscisic acid receptor PYL5 through inhibition of clade A PP2Cs
Authors: Santiago Julia , Rodrigues Americo , Saez Angela , Rubio Silvia , Antoni Regina , Dupeux Florine , Park Sang‐Youl , Márquez José Antonio , Cutler Sean R. , Rodriguez Pedro L.
Published: July 2009

Abscisic acid (ABA) is a key phytohormone involved in adaption to environmental stress and regulation of plant development. Clade A protein phosphatases type 2C (PP2Cs), such as HAB1, are key negative regulators of ABA signaling in Arabidopsis. To obtain further insight into regulation of HAB1 function by ABA, we have screened for HAB1‐interacting partners using a yeast two‐hybrid approach. Three proteins were identified, PYL5, PYL6 and PYL8, which belong to a 14‐member subfamily of the Bet v1‐like superfamily. HAB1–PYL5 interaction was confirmed using BiFC and co‐immunoprecipitation assays. PYL5 over‐expression led to a globally enhanced response to ABA, in contrast to the opposite phenotype reported for HAB1‐over‐expressing plants. F2 plants that over‐expressed both HAB1 and PYL5 showed an enhanced response to ABA, indicating that PYL5 antagonizes HAB1 function. PYL5 and other members of its protein family inhibited HAB1, ABI1 and ABI2 phosphatase activity in an ABA‐dependent manner. Isothermal titration calorimetry revealed saturable binding of (+)ABA to PYL5, with Kd values of 1.1 μm or 38 nm in the absence or presence of the PP2C catalytic core of HAB1, respectively. Our work indicates that PYL5 is a cytosolic and nuclear ABA receptor that activates ABA signaling through direct inhibition of clade A PP2Cs. Moreover, we show that enhanced resistance to drought can be obtained through PYL5‐mediated inhibition of clade A PP2Cs.
The impact of ambient NO on online measurements of exhaled and nasal NO: The PIAMA study
Authors: Gehring Ulrike , Oldenwening Marieke , Brunekreef Bert , Wieringa Marjan H. , Kerkhof Marjan , Smit Henriette A. , Van Der Ent Cornelis K. , De Jongste Johan C.
Published: July 2009

The guidelines of the American Thoracic Society (ATS) and the European Respiratory Society (ERS) for standardized measurements of exhaled nitric oxide (NO) state that for online measurements the inhaled air should be free of NO. As it is not always possible to create an NO‐free environment, inhalation through an NO‐scrubber is used. To describe the relationship between ambient NO and measurements of fractional exhaled NO (FENO) and nasal NO (nNO) investigated according to the ATS–ERS guidelines in a large population of children. The present work makes use of data collected during the 8‐yr follow‐up of the Dutch PIAMA birth cohort study. FENO and nNO were measured in three hospitals in a total of 1005 children with a NIOX chemiluminescence analyser. In two hospitals, almost half of the measured ambient NO levels exceeded 5 p.p.b. Maximum levels were >100 p.p.b. in all hospitals. Despite its large variation, ambient NO did not have an effect on FENO, but it did have a significant impact on nNO in two of the three centres. The currently recommended technique including inhalation through an NO scrubber effectively deals with variable levels of ambient NO on FENO. In contrast, ambient NO has an effect on measurements of nNO.