bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nanoparticle-mediated drug delivery to tumor vasculature suppresses metastasis
Authors: Murphy Eric A. , Majeti Bharat K. , Barnes Leo A. , Makale Milan , Weis Sara M. , Lutu-Fuga Kimberly , Wrasidlo Wolfgang , Cheresh David A.
Published: July 2008

Integrin ανβ3 is found on a subset of tumor blood vessels where it is associated with angiogenesis and malignant tumor growth. We designed an ανβ3-targeted nanoparticle (NP) encapsulating the cytotoxic drug doxorubicin (Dox) for targeted drug delivery to the ανβ3-expressing tumor vasculature. We observed real-time targeting of this NP to tumor vessels and noted selective apoptosis in regions of the ανβ3-expressing tumor vasculature. In clinically relevant pancreatic and renal cell orthotopic models of spontaneous metastasis, targeted delivery of Dox produced an antimetastatic effect. In fact, ανβ3-mediated delivery of this drug to the tumor vasculature resulted in a 15-fold increase in antimetastatic activity without producing drug-associated weight loss as observed with systemic administration of the free drug. These findings reveal that NP-based delivery of cytotoxic drugs to the ανβ3-positive tumor vasculature represents an approach for treating metastatic disease.
The recurrent Islamic crisis: cultural heritage and social progress
Authors: Marzouki Abou Yaareb
Published: July 2008

This article posits Arab and Muslim disunity as a function or corollary of a breakdown of imaginative creativity in the Muslim world, precipitated by a series of reactions to external factors which have derailed Islam from its natural role and proactive function as a process of perpetual reformation. The inherent pathology is that the terms of the debates have always been determined by exogenous factors. The potential, authentic avenues for social progress which are native to Islam, and the Islamic heritage which is entirely capable of providing an alternative to Western modernity, have been restricted or negated by this reactive stance, which has developed into a rigid, sterile and debilitating dogmatism. The article argues that the real root of the problem lies in the adoption by Muslims of alien methods and institutions, rather than in the considerable difficulties caused by foreign intervention, and suggests that the solution lies in the will to re-explore the analyses of some of Islam’s great original thinkers.
Sumoylation regulates lamin A function and is lost in lamin A mutants associated with familial cardiomyopathies
Authors: Zhang Yu-Qian , Sarge Kevin D.
Published: July 2008

Lamin A mutations cause many diseases, including cardiomyopathies and Progeria Syndrome. The covalent attachment of small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) polypeptides regulates the function of many proteins. Until now, no examples of human disease-causing mutations that occur within a sumoylation consensus sequence and alter sumoylation were known. We show that lamin A is sumoylated at lysine 201 and that two lamin A mutants associated with familial dilated cardiomyopathy, E203G and E203K, exhibit decreased sumoylation. E203 occupies the conserved +2 position in the sumoylation consensus ΨKXE. Lamin A mutants E203G, E203K, and K201R all exhibit a similar aberrant subcellular localization and are associated with increased cell death. Fibroblasts from an individual with the E203K lamin A mutation also exhibit decreased lamin A sumoylation and increased cell death. These results suggest that SUMO modification is important for normal lamin A function and implicate an involvement for altered sumoylation in the E203G/E203K lamin A cardiomyopathies.
Protease-activated receptor 1 activation is necessary for monocyte chemoattractant protein 1–dependent leukocyte recruitment in vivo
Authors: Chen Daxin , Carpenter Adam , Abrahams Joel , Chambers Rachel C. , Lechler Robert I. , McVey John H. , Dorling Anthony
Published: July 2008

Thrombin, acting through a family of protease-activated receptors (PARs), is known to amplify inflammatory responses, but the in vivo importance of PARs in inflammation is not fully appreciated. In a mouse heart-to-rat transplant model, where it is possible to distinguish graft (mouse) from systemic (rat) chemokines, we show that donor PAR-1 is required to generate the local monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 needed to recruit rat natural killer cells and macrophages into the hearts. We have confirmed the importance of this mechanism in a second model of thioglycollate-induced peritonitis and also show that PAR-1 is important for the production of MCP-3 and MCP-5. Despite the presence of multiple other mediators capable of stimulating chemokine production in these models, these data provide the first evidence that thrombin and PAR activation are required in vivo to initiate inflammatory cell recruitment.
Continuous engagement of a self-specific activation receptor induces NK cell tolerance
Authors: Tripathy Sandeep K. , Keyel Peter A. , Yang Liping , Pingel Jeanette T. , Cheng Tammy P. , Schneeberger Achim , Yokoyama Wayne M.
Published: July 2008

Natural killer (NK) cell tolerance mechanisms are incompletely understood. One possibility is that they possess self-specific activation receptors that result in hyporesponsiveness unless modulated by self–major histocompatability complex (MHC)–specific inhibitory receptors. As putative self-specific activation receptors have not been well characterized, we studied a transgenic C57BL/6 mouse that ubiquitously expresses m157 (m157-Tg), which is the murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV)–encoded ligand for the Ly49H NK cell activation receptor. The transgenic mice were more susceptible to MCMV infection and were unable to reject m157-Tg bone marrow, suggesting defects in Ly49H+ NK cells. There was a reversible hyporesponsiveness of Ly49H+ NK cells that extended to Ly49H-independent stimuli. Continuous Ly49H–m157 interaction was necessary for the functional defects. Interestingly, functional defects occurred when mature wild-type NK cells were adoptively transferred to m157-Tg mice, suggesting that mature NK cells may acquire hyporesponsiveness. Importantly, NK cell tolerance caused by Ly49H–m157 interaction was similar in NK cells regardless of expression of Ly49C, an inhibitory receptor specific for a self-MHC allele in C57BL/6 mice. Thus, engagement of self-specific activation receptors in vivo induces an NK cell tolerance effect that is not affected by self-MHC–specific inhibitory receptors.
ProteoWizard: open source software for rapid proteomics tools development
Authors: Kessner Darren , Chambers Matt , Burke Robert , Agus David , Mallick Parag
Published: July 2008

Summary: The ProteoWizard software project provides a modular and extensible set of open-source, cross-platform tools and libraries. The tools perform proteomics data analyses; the libraries enable rapid tool creation by providing a robust, pluggable development framework that simplifies and unifies data file access, and performs standard proteomics and LCMS dataset computations. The library contains readers and writers of the mzML data format, which has been written using modern C++ techniques and design principles and supports a variety of platforms with native compilers. The software has been specifically released under the Apache v2 license to ensure it can be used in both academic and commercial projects. In addition to the library, we also introduce a rapidly growing set of companion tools whose implementation helps to illustrate the simplicity of developing applications on top of the ProteoWizard library.

Availability: Cross-platform software that compiles using native compilers (i.e. GCC on Linux, MSVC on Windows and XCode on OSX) is available for download free of charge, at http://proteowizard.sourceforge.net. This website also provides code examples, and documentation. It is our hope the ProteoWizard project will become a standard platform for proteomics development; consequently, code use, contribution and further development are strongly encouraged.

Contact:  darren@proteowizard.org; parag@ucla.edu

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Chromosome numbers of three Tabebuia species (Bignoiaceae)
Authors: Alcorcés de Guerra Nilda , Rafael Méndez Natera Jesús
Published: July 2008

The chromosome number 2n=40 is reported for Tabebuia capitata, T. chrysantha, T. ochracea ssp. heterotricha and T. ochracea ssp. neochrysantha (Bignoniaceae). This is the first account of chromosomes for the four taxa.
An Examination of Auditor Choice using Evidence from Andersen's Demise
Authors: Bewley Kathryn , Chung Janne , McCracken Susan
Published: July 2008

The Enron/Andersen scandal provides a unique opportunity to examine the role of signaling in auditor choice. Not surprisingly, many clients dismissed Andersen quickly after Enron declared bankruptcy – in some cases even before a replacement auditor was engaged – and lawsuits against the audit firm were mounted. However, many clients did not dismiss Andersen until its auditing practice was shut down by the court. This study investigates why some clients did not make a quick auditor switch, that is: was the timing of the switch a signal? Our predictions are based on the theory that those that switched early (compared to those that switched late) were sending a signal that they were high‐quality financial reporters. We test a sample of 711 companies from the final portfolio of Andersen auditees. Consistent with our hypotheses, we find that subsequent to the change of auditors, management of those companies that dismissed earlier was more likely to initiate the restatement of their financial statements than those that dismissed later. It appears as though the early switchers were attempting to distance themselves from Andersen and the financial reporting used with Andersen. In contrast, those clients that dismissed Andersen later had more restatements imposed on them than those that dismissed earlier, suggesting that their financial statements were of lower quality.
Empirical Analysis of Delays in the Signing of Audit Reports in Spain
Authors: Bonsón‐Ponte Enrique , Escobar‐Rodríguez Tomás , Borrero‐Domínguez Cinta
Published: July 2008

This study sets out to analyse the factors that determine delays in the signing of audit reports. The delays are measured as a function of the number of days that elapse from the closure of the accounting period until the date when the audit report is signed. The study has been conducted in Spain, on 105 companies of the Spanish continuous market, from 2002 to 2005. The results obtained utilizing panel data methodology demonstrate that the two factors characterizing the companies that present less audit delay are: classification to sectors that are subject to regulatory pressure, such as the financial and energy sectors; and the size of company relative to its sector. Variables such as audit firm, qualifications or regulatory change show no significant relationship with audit delay in the Spanish context.
Determinants of Audit Fees: Evidence from a Small Capital Market with a Joint Audit Requirement
Authors: Thinggaard Frank , Kiertzner Lars
Published: July 2008

This paper examines audit fees paid by all 126 non‐financial companies listed on the Copenhagen Stock Exchange in 2002. The Danish institutional setting is theoretically interesting because listed companies are required to use two independent auditors, and the liberal regulation of auditor independence facilitates an examination of the association between consultancy fees and audit fees. Our results indicate that de facto joint audits, where both auditors have significant stakes in the audit, reduce audit fees compared with audits where one auditor is dominant, albeit only for larger companies. We attribute these results to competition between the auditors. Our results clearly confirm previous findings of a positive association between other fees and audit fees. On balance, we find the core audit fee determinants model to be well specified for the Danish data, although small companies seem to differ somewhat from large companies. Finally, we find no additional Big Four effect from the appointment of a second Big Four auditor. However, our results indicate that the use of PWC is associated with lower audit fees in large companies and higher audit fees in small companies.
Cucurbitacin B has a potent antiproliferative effect on breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Wakimoto Naoki , Yin Dong , O’Kelly James , Haritunians Talin , Karlan Beth , Said Jonathan , Xing Hongtao , Koeffler H. Phillip
Published: July 2008

Cucurbitacins are a group of diverse triterpenoid substances isolated from plants with medicinal properties. One particularly potent family member is cucurbitacin B (CuB). The antiproliferative effects of CuB against human breast cancer cells were tested. Six human breast cancer cell lines were examined because they represent a diverse mix of breast cancer subtypes varying in expression of estrogen receptor (ER), Her2/neu, and p53 mutation. The antiproliferative effect of CuB were also studied in vivo. The effective dose inhibiting 50% growth (ED50) was between 10−8 M and 10−7 M for this collection of breast cancer cell lines. These cells underwent rapid morphologic changes after 15–20 min exposure to CuB (5 × 10−7 M), which was associated with disruption of the microtubules and F‐actin, as observed by confocal microscopy. Human MDA‐MB‐231 (ER‐, p53 mutated) breast cancer cells were orthotopically implanted into the breasts of nude mice who intraperitoneally received either CuB 1.0 mg/kg or vehicle. Tumor volume was reduced by 55% in the group that received CuB for 6 weeks compared with vehicle controls. No apparent organ tissue damage was observed by pathological assessment. Interestingly, the experimental mice had lower serum glucose levels, consistent with use of CuB as an antidiabetic drug in China. This drug appears to be a third in a family of drugs targeting the microtubules (taxanes [e.g. taxol], vinca alkaloid [e.g. vincristine], and now CuB). Our in vitro and in vivo results suggest that CuB may be an effective, new approach for the treatment of ER‐, Her2/neu amplified, and p53 mutant breast cancers. (Cancer Sci 2008; 99: 1793–1797)
Gas seeps linked to salt structures in the Central Adriatic Sea
Authors: Geletti Riccardo , Del Ben Anna , Busetti Martina , Ramella Riccardo , Volpi Valentina
Published: July 2008

The analyses of about 800 km of Chirp sub‐bottom profilers and 600 km2 of Multibeam data acquired during the 2005 and 2007 surveys of the R/V OGS Explora, and their correlation with one new, and several public, multichannel seismic profiles, allow us to propose a relation between the distribution of gas seepages, fracture systems and deep salt features present in the Central Adriatic Sea. Gas seepage is evident from pockmarks on the seabed and in the shallow sub‐bottom, where acoustic chimneys and bright spots have been highlighted and analyzed. The Mid‐Adriatic Depression (MAD) is a distinct morphological feature in the Central Adriatic Sea elongated in a NE–SW direction. The area is affected by salt doming of Triassic evaporites which cause the two main alignments of the Mid‐Adriatic Ridge as far as the Palagruza High and the Jabuka Ridge. These salt tectonics have existed since, at least, Paleogene times and are still active: they characterize sectors with less resistance to deformation produced by successive regional compressive regimes that have affected the area differently during the different geodynamic phases. Gas‐seep features are distributed preferentially above and along the fracture systems produced above and around the salt mounds.
Identification of osteo–adipo progenitor cells in fat tissue
Authors: Lin Y. F. , Jing W. , Wu L. , Li X. Y. , Wu Y. , Liu L. , Tang W. , Long J. , Tian W. D. , Mo X. M.
Published: July 2008

Abstract.  Objectives: In this study, a group of cells that expressed both osteogenic and adipogenic characters was identified from murine adipose stromal cells. Materials and methods: These cells could be enriched in the Sca‐1−1 population and express both osteogenic and adipogenic genes. Osteogenic induction enhanced expression of osteogenic genes and inhibited expression of adipogenic genes, while adipogenic induction enhanced expression of adipogenic genes and inhibited expression of osteogenic genes. These cells have been called osteo–adipo progenitors (OAPs). Results: OAPs expressed transcription factor runt‐related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) and peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐γ (PPAR‐γ) proteins in cytoplasm. When OAPs were cultured in adipogenic medium, PPAR‐γ moved to the nucleus and the cells differentiated into adipocytes, while the RUNX2 remained in the cytoplasm. In contrast, when OAPs were cultured in osteogenic medium, RUNX2 moved to the nucleus and the cells differentiated to osteocytes, while the PPAR‐γ remained in the cytoplasm. Conclusions: These experiments suggest that osteoblasts and adipocytes share a common predecessor, the OAP, in murine adipose stromal cells.
Selective effects of CPAP on sleep apnoea‐associated manifestations
Authors: Vgontzas A. N. , Zoumakis E. , Bixler E. O. , Lin H‐M. , Collins B. , Basta M. , Pejovic S. , Chrousos G. P.
Published: July 2008

Background  Visceral adiposity and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) may be independently associated with daytime sleepiness/low performance, insulin resistance, hypercytokinaemia, and/or hypertension. The objectives of this study are to simultaneously test these associations at baseline and after 3 months of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy.

Materials and methods  Sixteen obese men with OSA; 13 non‐apnoeic, obese controls, and 15 non‐obese controls were monitored in the sleep laboratory for four consecutive nights. Objective measures of daytime sleepiness and performance, serial 24 h plasma measures of interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), TNF receptor 1 (TNF‐r1) and adiponectin, fasting blood glucose and insulin, visceral adiposity and blood pressure were obtained. Sleep apnoeics were re‐assessed using the same protocol after 3 months of CPAP.

Results  At baseline, IL‐6, TNF‐r1, and insulin resistance were highest in OSA patients, intermediate in obese controls, and lowest in non‐obese controls (P < 0·05). Visceral fat was significantly greater in sleep apnoeics than obese controls and predicted insulin resistance and IL‐6 levels, whereas OSA predicted TNF‐r1 levels (P < 0·05). CPAP decreased daytime sleepiness and blood pressure (P < 0·05), but did not affect fasting glucose or insulin or around the clock adiponectin, IL‐6, TNF‐α, or TNF‐r1 levels.

Conclusions  In obese sleep apnoeics, visceral fat is strongly associated with insulin resistance and inflammation. CPAP decreases sleepiness and moderates hypertension but does not affect visceral adiposity, insulin resistance, hypoadiponectinaemia or hypercytokinaemia, all of which are independent risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
Tumour‐specific induction of immune complexes: DCP‐IgM in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Beneduce L. , Pesce G. , Gallotta A. , Zampieri F. , Biasiolo A. , Tono N. , Boscato N. , Gatta A. , Pontisso P. , Fassina G.
Published: July 2008

Background   In the sera of liver, colorectal and prostate cancer patients, several biomarkers may be detected as IgM immune complexes. To determine whether the presence of immune complexes was correlated to an increase of IgMs, we measured the IgM content in the sera of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cirrhosis, and evaluated the occurrence of des‐gamma‐carboxy prothrombin (DCP) as immune complexes (DCP‐IgM) compared to the levels of DCP and alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP).

Patients and methods   Serum samples from 31 patients with cirrhosis, 33 untreated HCC patients diagnosed by ultrasound, computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance and confirmed by histopathology, when indicated, and 30 healthy controls were analysed. Concentrations of IgM and DCP‐IgM were determined by ELISAs.

Results   Circulating IgM in patients with HCC (median level = 1·79 mg mL−1) and cirrhosis (1·09 mg mL−1) were not significantly different (P = 0·1376) while DCP‐IgM were significantly higher in HCC patients (median level = 2171·2 AU mL−1) than in those with cirrhosis (1152 AU mL−1, P = 0·0047). No correlation was found between DCP‐IgM and IgM in HCC (r = 0·227) and cirrhosis patients (r = 0·475). DPC‐IgM was positive in 55% (18/33) of HCC patients and in 26% (8/31) of cirrhosis patients compared to 39% and 26% for DCP and 48% and 13% for AFP. DCP‐IgM, DCP and AFP tests had 100% specificity in healthy controls.

Conclusions   DCP‐IgM in HCC patients was not associated with an increase in IgM concentration. DCP‐IgM was more frequently detected in HCC patients than DCP and AFP, strengthening the diagnostic role of IgM immune complexes for liver cancer.
Size and phenotypic structure of microbial communities within soil profiles in relation to different playing areas on a UK golf course
Authors: Bartlett M. D. , James I. T. , Harris J. A. , Ritz K.
Published: July 2008

Amenity turf accounts for up to 4% of land‐use in urban areas, providing key refuges for both above‐ and below‐ground biodiversity. Golf courses occupy the largest surface area of all sports facilities; however, only a limited amount of microbial ecology has been carried out to investigate differences in the size and structure of microbial communities of the soil. The soil microbial community is a key agent in nutrient cycling and delivery of other ecosystem goods and services; however, there has been little work focused on amenity turf ecosystems in the UK. A study of soil microbial community size and structure, on the range of playing areas maintained for the game of golf at a single golf course in relation to depth through the soil profile, was carried out. Soil from different playing areas showed significant differences in the size (measured using chloroform fumigation extraction) of the microbial community (P < 0.01), with a greater concentration of microbial biomass at 0–75 mm from the surface, compared with deeper zones (P < 0.01). Principal component analysis of phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) biomarkers indicated that the community structure was significantly different at 0–75 mm from the surface on all areas of the golf course investigated (P < 0.05, in all cases). The PLFA biomarkers consistently associated with such discrimination were 16:0 and 18:1ω9 c. These findings suggest that there is a consistently larger and similarly structured microbial community associated with the surface thatch layer, commonly found in amenity turf.
Environmental preferences of longlining for yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) in the tropical high seas of the Indian Ocean
Authors: SONG LI MING , ZHANG YU , XU LIU XIONG , JIANG WEN XIN , WANG JIA QIAO
Published: July 2008

A survey of yellowfin tuna, Thunnus albacares, fishing ground was carried out on board of the Chinese longliners from September 15 to December 12, 2005 in the tropical high seas of the Indian Ocean. The depth at which each yellowfin tuna was hooked was estimated using a stepwise regression analysis of theoretical hook depth and observed average hook depth measured using a temperature depth recorder. Water temperature, salinity, chlorophyll a, dissolved oxygen and thermocline, which are important variables influencing yellowfin tuna habitats, were measured in the survey. Catch rates of yellowfin tuna were then analyzed with respect to depth, temperature, salinity, chlorophyll a, dissolved oxygen and thermocline. We suggest that the optimum ranges of swimming depth, water temperature, chlorophyll a and dissolved oxygen concentration for yellowfin tuna are 100.0–179.9 m, 15.0–17.9°C, 0.090–0.099 μg L−1, 2.50–2.99 mg L−1, respectively; that salinity has less influence on the vertical distribution of adult yellowfin tuna; and that yellowfin tuna are mainly distributed within the thermocline in the high seas of the Indian Ocean. Our results match the yellowfin tuna’s vulnerability to deep longline fishing gear well.
Horizontal current field, ADCP backscatter, and plankton distribution in Sagami Bay, Japan
Authors: TAKIKAWA TETSUTARO , KITAMURA MINORU , HORIMOTO NAHO
Published: July 2008

The dry mass of zooplankton and backscatter from an acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) used in Sagami Bay, Japan, from 9 to 13 April 2005 were well correlated (correlation coefficient = 0.72, root mean square dry weight = 2.5 mg m−3). The horizontal current field and zooplankton distribution were estimated from shipboard ADCP data. Although sea surface temperature and chlorophyll a concentration observed by satellite were consistent with the current field, a counterclockwise circulation associated with the Kuroshio meander, zooplankton were mainly distributed downstream of the phytoplankton population by horizontal current advection.
Larval fish assemblages along the south‐eastern Australian shelf: linking mesoscale non‐depth‐discriminate structure and water masses
Authors: KEANE JOHN P. , NEIRA FRANCISCO J.
Published: July 2008

We present findings of the first mesoscale study linking larval fish assemblages and water masses along shelf waters off south‐eastern Australia (southern Queensland‐New South Wales), based on vertical, non‐depth discriminate data from surveys in October 2002 and 2003 (spring) and July 2004 (winter). Clustering and ordination were employed to discriminate between larval assemblages and, for the first time, to define water masses from water column temperature frequencies. Surveys yielded 18 128 larval fishes comprising 143 taxa from 96 identifiable families, with small pelagics accounting for 53% of the total. Three major recurrent larval assemblages were identified during the study, each of which matched one of three water masses, namely East Australian Current to the north (EAC; 20.5–23.4°C), Tasman Sea to the south (TAS; 14.8–17.5°C), and mixed EAC–TAS water in between (MIX; 18.3–19.9°C). All three assemblages were present in spring, whereas only EAC and MIX occurred in the more northerly constrained winter survey. Furthermore, boundaries between the EAC, MIX and TAS assemblages were found to be dynamic, with locations shifting temporally and spatially depending on EAC extent. Assemblage composition differed significantly between water masses across surveys, with EAC–TAS being most dissimilar. Such contrast was due to the presence of tropical/temperate taxa in EAC, primarily temperate‐associated taxa in TAS, and a combination of EAC–TAS taxa within MIX consistent with the convergence of both waters. Results highlight the strength of employing larval assemblages as indicators of water masses, particularly in view of the potential effect of climate change on spawning habitats of shelf fishes.
Ichthyoplankton‐based spawning dynamics of blue mackerel (Scomber australasicus) in south‐eastern Australia: links to the East Australian Current
Authors: NEIRA FRANCISCO J. , KEANE JOHN P.
Published: July 2008

We describe findings of three ichthyoplankton surveys undertaken along south‐eastern Australia during spring (October 2002, 2003) and winter (July 2004) to examine spawning habitat and dynamics of blue mackerel (Scomber australasicus). Surveys covered ∼860 nautical miles between southern Queensland (Qld; 24.6°S) and southern New South Wales (NSW; 41.7°S), and were mainly centred on the outer shelf including the shelf break. Egg identifications were verified applying mtDNA barcoding techniques. Eggs (n = 2971) and larvae (n = 727; 94% preflexion) occurred both in spring and winter, and were confined to 25.0–34.6°S. Greatest abundances (numbers per 10 m2) of eggs (1214–7390) and larvae (437–1172) occurred within 10 nm shoreward from the break in northern NSW. Quotient analyses on egg abundances revealed that spawning is closely linked to a combination of bathymetric and hydrographic factors, with the outer shelf as preferred spawning area, in waters 100–125 m deep with mean temperatures of 19–20°C. Eggs and larvae in spring occurred in waters of the East Australian Current (EAC; 20.6–22.3°C) and mixed (MIX; 18.5–19.8°C) waters, with none occurring further south in the Tasman Sea (TAS; 16.0–17.0°C). Results indicate that at least some of the south‐eastern Australian blue mackerel stock spawns during winter‐spring between southern Qld and northern NSW, and that no spawning takes place south of 34.6°S due to low temperatures (<17°C). Spawning is linked to the EAC intrusion, which also facilitates the southward transport of eggs and larvae. Since spring peak egg abundances came from where the EAC deflects offshore, eggs and larvae are possibly being advected eastwards along this deflection front. This proposition is discussed based on recent data on blue mackerel larvae found apparently entrained along the Tasman Front.
An elemental and stable isotope assessment of water strider feeding ecology and lipid dynamics: synthesis of laboratory and field studies
Authors: JARDINE TIMOTHY D. , KIDD KAREN A. , POLHEMUS JOHN T. , CUNJAK RICHARD A.
Published: July 2008

1. Despite the ubiquity and abundance of water striders (Hemiptera: Gerridae) in temperate streams and rivers and their potential usefulness as sentinels in contaminant studies, little is known about their feeding ecology and lipid dynamics.

2. In this study we used stable isotopes of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) and elemental carbon to nitrogen ratios (C/N) to assess dietary habits and lipid content, respectively, for water striders.

3. To determine diet‐tissue fractionation factors, nymphs of the most common species in New Brunswick, Canada, Aquarius remigis were reared in the laboratory for 73 days and exhibited rapid isotopic turnover in response to a switch in diet (C half‐life = 1.5 days, N half‐life = 7.8 days). Their lipid content increased towards the end of the growing season and resulted in lower δ13C values. Diet‐tissue fractionation factors were established after correction of δ13C data for the confounding effect of de novo lipid synthesis (strider δ13Cadj– diet δ13Cadj = 0.1‰, strider δ15N – diet δ15N = 2.7‰).

4. Water striders from the majority of 45 stream sites (83%) in New Brunswick had less than 50% contribution of aquatic carbon to their diets but showed a gradual increase in the contribution of this carbon source to their diet with increasing stream size.

5. These data indicate that striders exhibit a strong connection to terrestrial carbon sources, making them important users of energy subsidies to streams from the surrounding catchment. However, this dependence on terrestrial organic matter may limit their utility as indicators of contamination of aquatic systems by heavy metals and other pollutants.
Modelling production caused changes in conductivity for a siliciclastic reservoir: a differential effective medium approach
Authors: Gelius Leiv‐J. , Wang Zhong
Published: July 2008

Marine controlled‐source electromagnetic sounding is a rapidly growing exploration technique that complements the seismic method in case of pore fluid discrimination between water and oil. Further development of the method is foreseen to be within reservoir monitoring involving permanent instrumentation on both seafloor and within wells. Such advanced applications demand a good understanding and description of the electric Earth model to ensure accurate modelling of possible Earth responses as well as successful inversion of measurement data. Based on earlier works carried out within petrophysics and resistivity‐logging, an extended effective‐medium scheme is derived that can be applied to model reservoir production effects. This rock‐physics model has the potential of taking into account the effect of important parameters like grain‐shape distribution, grain alignment, shaliness, salinity, saturation, temperature and stress, based on a uniform formulation. It has been calibrated by employing various core sample measurements. The effective‐medium scheme can easily be interfaced with an existing standard electromagnetic modelling program and several such examples are presented.
Forward modelling and inverse problem in the comprehensive interpretation of well logs
Authors: Woznicka U. , Jarzyna J. , Cichy A.
Published: July 2008

Comprehensive interpretation of well logs often consists in solving a set of equations with complex boundary conditions. For each log, the equation combines geological parameters and a response by the device. Minimization is a way of obtaining the best solution that involves finding the minimum of the defined error function. In the case discussed here, an error is a measure of the difference between recorded and theoretical logs.

The simplest and quickest way to determine a solution to the presented problem is to apply the conjugate gradient descent method to minimize the error function. This approach is not efficient in some cases when logging in regions with complex geology.

We prove that a special algorithm using the Monte Carlo method combined with the conjugate gradient descent method gives considerably better results in comprehensive interpretation. A measure of the quality of the proposed method is the discrepancy between the standard solution obtained from commercial software used in the petroleum industry and the new algorithm result.

We present examples of the application of the proposed algorithm for comprehensive interpretation in typical Zechstein dolomite beds and the Carboniferous sandstone layer in the Polish Lowland.
Application of the continuous wavelet transform on seismic data for mapping of channel deposits and gas detection at the CO2SINK site, Ketzin, Germany
Authors: Kazemeini Sayed Hesammoddin , Juhlin Christopher , Zinck‐Jørgensen Kim , Norden Ben
Published: July 2008

Conventional seismic data are band limited and therefore, provide limited geological information. Every method that can push the limits is desirable for seismic data analysis. Recently, time‐frequency decomposition methods are being used to quickly extract geological information from seismic data and, especially, for revealing frequency‐dependent amplitude anomalies. Higher frequency resolution at lower frequencies and higher temporal resolution at higher frequencies are the objectives for different time‐frequency decomposition methods. Continuous wavelet transform techniques, which are the same as narrow‐band spectral analysis methods, provide frequency spectra with high temporal resolution without the windowing process associated with other techniques. Therefore, this technique can be used for analysing geological information associated with low and high frequencies that normally cannot be observed in conventional seismic data. In particular, the continuous wavelet transform is being used to detect thin sand bodies and also as a direct hydrocarbon indicator. This paper presents an application of the continuous wavelet transform method for the mapping of potential channel deposits, as well as remnant natural gas detection by mapping low‐frequency anomalies associated with the gas. The study was carried out at the experimental CO2 storage site at Ketzin, Germany (CO2SINK). Given that reservoir heterogeneity and faulting will have significant impact on the movement and storage of the injected CO2, our results are encouraging for monitoring the migration of CO2 at the site. Our study confirms the efficiency of the continuous wavelet transform decomposition method for the detection of frequency‐dependent anomalies that may be due to gas migration during and after the injection phase and in this way, it can be used for real‐time monitoring of the injected CO2 from both surface and borehole seismics.
First‐order error propagation formulae for the Gassmann relations
Authors: Broadhead Michael K.
Published: July 2008

The Gassmann relations of poroelasticity provide a connection between the dry and the saturated elastic moduli of porous rock and are useful in a variety of petroleum geoscience applications. Because some uncertainty is usually associated with the input parameters, the propagation of error in the inputs into the final moduli estimates is immediately of interest. Two common approaches to error propagation include: a first‐order Taylor series expansion and Monte‐Carlo methods. The Taylor series approach requires derivatives, which are obtained either analytically or numerically and is usually limited to a first‐order analysis. The formulae for analytical derivatives were often prohibitively complicated before modern symbolic computation packages became prevalent but they are now more accessible. We apply this method and present formulae for uncertainty in the predicted bulk and shear moduli for two forms of the Gassmann relations. Numerical results obtained with these uncertainty formulae are compared with Monte‐Carlo calculations as a form of validation and to illustrate the relative characteristics of the two approaches. Particular emphasis is given to the problem of correlated variables, which are often ignored in naïve approaches to error analysis. Going out to the error level that the two methods were compared, the means agree and the variance of the Monte Carlo method for bulk modulus grows with input error.
Slowness surface approximations for qSV‐waves in transversely isotropic media
Authors: Stovas Alexey , Roganov Yuriy
Published: July 2008

The vertical slowness approximations are widely used in phase‐shift migration methods for quasi P‐ and quasi SV‐waves in transversely isotropic medium. The description of the vertical slowness needed for the migration application for shear waves in transverse isotrophy media is generally complicated. The reason is that this type of approximations results in much simpler expressions for the vertical slowness and, which is most important, they contain fewer parameters than exact expressions.

We derive slowness surface approximations valid for qSV‐wave propagation in transversely isotropic and tilted transversely isotropic media by applying an approximation extracted from acoustic approximation for qP‐wave propagation. One approximation has the same accuracy as a qP‐wave acoustic approximation for the same range of horizontal slowness, the other approximations are wide‐angle ones.
Hepatitis C: serological and molecular diagnosis and genotype in haemophilic patients at the Regional Hemocenter of Maringá, Maringá PR Brazil
Authors: FERREIRA M. R. M. N. , LONARDONI M. V. C. , BERTOLINI D. A.
Published: July 2008

Summary.  Prior to the process of viral inactivation in the 1980s most haemophilic patients were infected with hepatitis C virus, currently one of the disease’s main causes. The prevalence of infection by hepatitis C virus in haemophilic patients enrolled in the Hemocenter of the Regional University Hospital maintained by the State University of Maringá is evaluated from social and epidemiologic data and from serum and molecular tests. Possible association between haemophilia’s type and severity, type of treatment, data of start of treatment and hepatic enzyme rates of Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) was verified. Sixty‐nine haemophilic patients, 82.6% with haemophilia A and 17.4% with haemophilia B, in the 1 — 67 years age bracket, average age 22 years, were investigated. Whereas anti‐HCV was investigated with third generation immunoenzymatic test and confirmed by HCV‐RNA, LiPA technique determined genotypes. HCV‐prevalence infection reached 37.7% and 21.7% respectively when antibody anti‐HCV and HCV‐RNA detection and associated significantly (p<0.05) with type of treatment, date of start of treatment and ALT and AST hepatic enzyme rates are taken into account. HCV genotype 1 predominated (53.3%) followed by genotype 3 (40.0%) and genotype 2 (6.7%). HCV predominance is high in haemophilic patients although infection has not been reported in patients under the age of 17.
The role of physiotherapy after total knee arthroplasty in patients with haemophilia
Authors: LOBET S. , PENDEVILLE E. , DALZELL R. , DEFALQUE A. , LAMBERT C. , POTHEN D. , HERMANS C.
Published: July 2008

Summary.  With the availability of clotting factor concentrates, advances in surgical techniques, better implant design, and improvements in postoperative management, total knee arthroplasty has become the treatment of choice for haemophilia patients suffering from end‐stage haemophilic knee arthropathy. The success of this surgery is also dependent on close collaborations among the orthopaedic surgeon, the haematologist and the physiotherapist. Although haemophilic patients undergoing this surgery would likely benefit from a targeted rehabilitation programme, its specificities, modalities and limitations have thus far not been extensively studied. Employing the published data of rehabilitation after knee prosthesis in patients with osteoarthritis and haemophilic arthropathy along with clinical experience, the authors present a comprehensive and original review of the role of physiotherapy for patients with haemophilia undergoing knee arthroplasty.
Endothelial dysfunction in haemophilia patients
Authors: SARTORI M. T. , BILORA F. , ZANON E. , VARVARIKIS C. , SAGGIORATO G. , CAMPAGNOLO E. , PAGNAN A. , CELLA G.
Published: July 2008

Summary.  Haemophilia patients may develop cardiovascular diseases, suggesting that their clotting defect does not protect them completely from atherosclerosis and its complications. We aimed to evaluate cardiovascular risk factors and, for the first time, the presence of endothelial dysfunction in middle‐aged haemophilia patients. We studied 40 patients with haemophilia A and B (24 with moderate–severe disease and 16 with mild disease), and 40 healthy controls. Flow‐mediated dilation (FMD), carotid ultrasound (US) intima media thickness (IMT), arterial blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, insulin, lipoprotein(a) and homocysteine levels were measured, and PAI‐1 and t‐PA levels before and after venous occlusion (VO), and antibodies to HIV, HBV and HCV were assayed. At least one cardiovascular risk factor was detected in 87.5% of patients, and 2 or more in 47.5% of cases. At US exam, none of the patients had significant carotid stenosis or significant differences in IMT compared to controls. In contrast, all the patients had a significant FMD impairment, associated with a reduced t‐PA release after VO in 70% of cases. PAI‐1 levels significantly correlated with BMI, triglycerides and insulin values. Fifteen haemophilia patients with chronic viral hepatitis and/or HIV infection showed a significantly lower FMD than patients without active infection. We found an endothelial dysfunction with impaired FMD and t‐PA release in our haemophilia patients, usually associated with cardiovascular risk factors. Other pathogenic mechanisms, such as chronic viral infections, are likely to be involved in this endothelial damage, however.
Activation‐induced deaminase heterozygous MRL/lpr mice are delayed in the production of high‐affinity pathogenic antibodies and in the development of lupus nephritis
Authors: Jiang Chuancang , Zhao Ming Lang , Diaz Marilyn
Published: July 2008

We previously reported that activation‐induced deaminase (AID) heterozygous MRL/lpr mice have substantially lower levels of serum anti‐dsDNA autoantibodies than AID wild‐type littermates. Given the known functions of AID, here we examined whether this decrease in pathogenic autoantibodies in the heterozygotes was the result of a defect in class switch recombination, somatic hypermutation, or both. We report significant impairment of switch recombination to most isotypes except immunoglobulin G3 (IgG3) in vitro. However, serum levels of IgG were similar to AID wild‐type levels even in very young mice. Mutation accumulation in the B cells from Peyer’s patches also revealed reduced somatic hypermutation in the heterozygotes. Unlike the switch defect, the hypermutation defect probably resulted in an in vivo effect because the serum IgG antibodies from the heterozygotes were of strikingly lower affinity to dsDNA than serum IgG antibodies from wild‐type littermates. This suggests that the somatic hypermutation defect resulted in impaired affinity maturation of autoantibodies in these mice and explains the low levels of specific anti‐dsDNA antibodies in the heterozygotes. This correlated with a delay in the development of kidney damage. These results imply that AID levels impact the class switch recombination and somatic hypermutation mechanisms and directly implicate affinity maturation of autoantibodies in autoimmunity.
Suppression of cell proliferation and cytokine expression by HL‐p36, a tick salivary gland‐derived protein of Haemaphysalis longicornis
Authors: Konnai Satoru , Nakajima Chie , Imamura Saiki , Yamada Shinji , Nishikado Hideto , Kodama Michi , Onuma Misao , Ohashi Kazuhiko
Published: July 2008

Previously, a putative immunosuppressant‐coding gene was identified from a complementary DNA library derived from the salivary glands of partially‐fed Haemaphysalis longicornis. Using real‐time polymerase chain reaction, the gene was shown to be predominantly expressed during blood feeding with the site of expression being mainly in the salivary glands; this was confirmed by Western blotting analysis. To investigate the function of this novel protein, in this study, we examined the proliferative responses of bovine mononuclear cells and murine splenic cells as well as the expression of profiles of several cytokines in these cells in the presence of the recombinant protein (H. longicornis‐derived 36 000 molecular weight protein: rHL‐p36). The addition of rHL‐p36 at the beginning of the 72 hr cultivation period clearly inhibited proliferation of several mitogen‐stimulated cells in a dose‐dependent manner, with concomitantly significant down‐regulation of messenger RNA levels for interleukin‐2. The inhibitory response could be abrogated by blockage of HL‐p36 with antibody, suggesting the direct involvement of rHL‐p36 in the cell proliferation. Furthermore, the proliferative response of splenocytes isolated from rHL‐p36‐inoculated mice was significantly lower than for those from control mice, suggesting that rHL‐p36 could also directly suppress immune responses in vivo. Interestingly, microarray analysis of the splenocytes showed that the expression of several immunomodulating genes was down‐regulated by rHL‐p36 inoculation. In conclusion, these results suggest that HL‐p36 is an immunosuppressor that might play an important role in the modulation of host immune responses.
Transcriptomic profiles of Drosophila melanogaster third instar larval midgut and responses to oxidative stress
Authors: Li H.‐M. , Buczkowski G. , Mittapalli O. , Xie J. , Wu J. , Westerman R. , Schemerhorn B. J. , Murdock L. L. , Pittendrigh B. R.
Published: July 2008

Oligoarray analysis was used to determine the number and nature of genes expressed in third instar Drosophila melanogaster larval midguts. The majority of transcripts were associated with protein synthesis and metabolism. Serine proteases were the main proteolytic enzymes detected. Some 40% of the cytochrome P450 genes and 74% of the glutathione S transferases (GSTs) in the genome of D. melanogaster were observed to be expressed in the midgut by oligoarray analysis. We also identified potential transcription factor binding motifs (TFBMs) of P450s, GSTs and carboxylesterases. Many of the midgut‐expressed GST genes contained candidate TFBMs homologous to TFBMs in mammals that have been associated with responses to oxidative stress. We also investigated the response of GSTs in the midgut to dietary H2O2, which showed a dosage‐based differential response.