bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Indirect evidence from DNA sequence diversity for genetic degeneration of the Y‐chromosome in dioecious species of the plant Silene: the SlY4/SlX4 and DD44‐X/DD44‐Y gene pairs
Authors: LAPORTE V. , FILATOV D. A. , KAMAU E. , CHARLESWORTH D.
Published: February 2005

The action of natural selection is expected to reduce the effective population size of a nonrecombining chromosome, and this is thought to be the chief factor leading to genetic degeneration of Y‐chromosomes, which cease recombining during their evolution from ordinary chromosomes. Low effective population size of Y chromosomes can be tested by studying DNA sequence diversity of Y‐linked genes. In the dioecious plant, Silene latifolia, which has sex chromosomes, one comparison (SlX1 vs. SlY1) indeed finds lower Y diversity compared with the homologous X‐linked gene, and one Y‐linked gene with no X‐linked homologue has lower species‐wide diversity than a homologous autosomal copy (SlAp3Y vs. SlAp3A). To test whether this is a general pattern for Y‐linked genes, we studied two further recently described X and Y homologous gene pairs in samples from several populations of S. latifolia and S. dioica. Diversity is reduced for both Y‐linked genes, compared with their X‐linked homologues. Our new data are analysed to show that the low Y effective size cannot be explained by different levels of gene flow for the X vs. the Y chromosomes, either between populations or between these closely related species. Thus, all four Y‐linked genes that have now been studied in these plants (the two studied here, and two previously studied genes, have low diversity). This supports other evidence for an ongoing degeneration process in these species.
Phylogenetic congruence of mealybugs and their primary endosymbionts
Authors: DOWNIE D. A. , GULLAN P. J.
Published: February 2005

Tight interactions between unrelated organisms such as is seen in plant–insect, host–parasite, or host–symbiont associations may lead to speciation of the smaller partners when their hosts speciate. Totally congruent phylogenies of interacting taxa have not been observed often but a number of studies have provided evidence that various hemipteran insect taxa and their primary bacterial endosymbionts share phylogenetic histories. Like other hemipterans, mealybugs (Pseudococcidae) harbour multiple intracellular bacterial symbionts, which are thought to be strictly vertically inherited, implying codivergence of hosts and symbionts. Here, robust estimates of phylogeny were generated from four fragments of three nuclear genes for mealybugs of the subfamily Pseudococcinae, and a substantial fragment of the 16S–23S rDNA of their P‐endosymbionts. Phylogenetic congruence was highly significant, with 75% of nodes on the two trees identical, and significant correlation of branch lengths indicated coincident timing of cladogenesis. It is suggested that the low level of observed incongruence was influenced by uncertainty in phylogenetic estimation, but evolutionary outcomes other than congruence, including host shifts, could not be rejected.
Selfing and resource allocation in Schiedea salicaria (Caryophyllaceae), a gynodioecious species
Authors: Weller S. G. , Sakai A. K.
Published: February 2005

Levels of selfing and resource allocation patterns were investigated in Schiedea salicaria (Caryophyllaceae), a gynodioecious species with high levels of inbreeding depression and nuclear control of male sterility. Selfing levels were higher in hermaphrodites than females, especially when adjusted for early acting inbreeding depression. The sexes of S. salicaria were similar in most allocation patterns including number of flowers and capsules per inflorescence, seeds per flower, and seed mass. Seeds produced by females had higher levels of germination than seeds of hermaphrodites, a likely result of high selfing levels and the expression of inbreeding depression in the progeny of hermaphrodites. Invasion of females in populations of S. salicaria is probably related to the expression of inbreeding depression at germination and in later life history stages. Comparisons with related species of Schiedea that also have nuclear control of male sterility suggest that reallocation of resources in hermaphrodites to male function occurs as females increase in frequency, but that resource reallocation is not important for the success of females when they first invade populations.
When morphometry meets genetics: inferring the phylogeography ofCarabus solieriusing Fourier analyses of pronotum and male genitalia
Authors: GARNIER S. , MAGNIEZ‐JANNIN F. , RASPLUS J.‐Y. , ALIBERT P.
Published: February 2005

Population differentiation is a crucial step in the speciation process and is therefore a central subject in studies of microevolution. Assessing divergence and inferring its dynamics in space and time generally require a wide array of markers. Until now however, most studies of population structure are based on molecular markers and those concerning morphological traits are more scarce. In the present work, we studied morphological differentiation among populations of the ground beetleCarabus solieri,and tested its congruence with genetic population structure. The shape of pronotum and aedeagus was assessed using Dual Axis Fourier Shape Analysis.manovaon Fourier coefficients revealed highly significant morphological variation between populations and a similar geographical pattern of differentiation for both structures. On the whole, morphological and genetic patterns were also found to be congruent. Our analysis confirms the phylogeographical scenario proposing that two entities ofC. solieridifferentiated during the last glaciation events before recolonizing the actual range of the species. It also indicates a large introgression between the two differentiated entities in the centre of the range.
Probability models for pine twisting rust (Melampsora pinitorqua) damage in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) stands in Finland
Authors: Mattila U.
Published: February 2005

Factors affecting the probability that pine twisting rust (Melampsora pinitorqua) damage occur in a Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) stand were analysed using the 7th Finnish National Forest Inventory data (NFI7) from southern Finland in 1977–1983. The inventory was based on systematic sampling. The NFI7 data was measured in clusters, each of which consisted of 21 sample plots. In addition to the stand and site characteristics measured for forest management planning purposes, the data included records of damage by pine twisting rust and occurrence of aspens (Populus tremula, the other host plant of the pathogen) in the stands. Two multilevel logit models were developed for predicting the overall probability of pine twisting rust damage and the probability of severe pine twisting rust damage. Site and stand characteristics were used as explanatory variables in the models. Residual variance in the models was studied on the inventory crew, cluster and year levels. The occurrence of aspens and site fertility were the most important factors increasing the probability that pine twisting rust damage will occur in a stand. The damage probability also decreased with increasing effective temperature sum calculated for the location. The overall damage probability was equally high on peatlands and on mineral soil if there were aspens in the stand. If, however, there were no aspens in the stand, the probability of damage was higher on mineral soils than on peatlands. In addition, the overall probability was lower in naturally regenerated stands than in planted or sown stands, and it decreased with increasing mean age of pines. In both models, the residual variance was significant on the both the inventory crew and the cluster levels.
Racodium snow blight in Japan
Authors: Sakamoto Y. , Miyamaoto T.
Published: February 2005

The current knowledge of Racodium snow blight, one of the major snow blight diseases in Japan, is reviewed. This disease was discovered in Aomori Prefecture in 1951. The causal fungus (Racodium therryanum) is distributed in the Ao layer and affects the seedlings and seeds of many conifers. Hence, it is considered one of the inhibitors of the natural regeneration in the forests of Hokkaido. The perspectives for future research on this disease are discussed.
Genetic diversity of European populations of the oak fine‐root pathogen Phytophthora quercina
Authors: Cooke D. E. L. , Jung T. , Williams N. A. , Schubert R. , Oßwald W. , Duncan J. M.
Published: February 2005

The recently discovered oak‐specific fine root plant pathogen Phytophthora quercina is a significant factor in the current phase of European oak decline but its origins and ecology are poorly understood. A genome‐wide analysis of 260 amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers was used to examine the genetic diversity of 72 isolates from five oak species at 28 sites in Germany (particularly Bavaria), Italy, France, Hungary and the UK. Within‐site diversity was examined at 16 sites. The limited genetic diversity (within and between sites) and lack of genetic substructuring according to geographic origin or host species suggest the rapid spread of a relatively recently introduced species. Two subgroups were distinguished and these may reflect an initial introduction of isolates of two different genetic backgrounds. The relatively low genetic diversity is probably because of the predominantly inbreeding (homothallic) nature of P. quercina. However, evidence of limited intra‐site diversity, temporal variation and the lack of clonality within the European population suggest that some diversity is being maintained by occasional outcrossing and turnover of a reservoir of long‐lived soil‐borne oospore (sexually derived) inoculum.
Pathogenicity of seed‐associated fungi to Podocarpus falcatus in vitro
Authors: Gure A. , Wahlström K. , Stenlid J.
Published: February 2005

Twenty‐nine fungi that were isolated from seeds and female cones of Podocarpus falcatus from natural forests in Ethiopia, were assessed for their impact on seeds and seedlings of the same host. Based on the results from in vitro seed inoculation tests, we could group the fungi into five categories as: (i) isolates that were pathogenic only to seeds and had no obvious impacts on the germlings; (ii) isolates that were pathogenic only to the germlings; (iii) isolates that were pathogenic both to seeds and the emerging germlings; (iv) isolates that were more or less harmless; and (v) isolates that were germination promoters. Inoculation tests were also performed on 4–7‐day‐old aseptically grown seedlings. Fusarium oxysporum and Polyporus sp., were strongly pathogenic to both seeds and seedlings, while Nectria gliocladioides, Peniophora cinerea and Pestalotiopsis neglecta also demonstrated pathogenicity but to a lesser extent. Other isolates, e.g. Diaporthe spp. resulted in increased germination of P. falcatus seeds and no pathogenicity to seedlings. However, further investigations are required in order to find out how these fungi behave under nursery or field conditions.
Fungi associated with Ips typographus on Picea abies in southern Poland and their succession into the phloem and sapwood of beetle‐infested trees and logs
Authors: Jankowiak R.
Published: February 2005

This study dealt with the species distribution and frequency of fungi associated with the bark beetle Ips typographus (Scolytidae) on spruce trees of various states of health in southern Poland. The spruce trees were assessed by their degree of defoliation and damage of their crowns and trunks after attack by I. typographus. The state of health of trees from which samples were obtained was related to varying stages of brood development of I. typographus. Fungi were isolated from phloem taken from and around insect galleries and the sapwood underneath brood systems. Samples were taken from ‘healthy‐looking’, weakened, wind‐fallen and wind‐broken trees as well as from trap trees. The mycobiota associated with I. typographus was quite diverse in respect of the number of detected species, 65 fungal taxa were obtained from the phloem of trees infested by I. typographus, and 36 taxa occurred in the sapwood underneath insect galleries. The spectrum of fungi mainly consisted of ascomycetes and anamorphic fungi. The ophiostomatoid fungi were represented by 14 species and were the most numerously represented group in all niches examined. The most frequent ophiostomatoid species were Ceratocystis polonica, Ophiostoma ainoae, O. bicolor, O. penicillatum, O. piceae and O. piceaperdum. The frequency of occurrence of ophiostomatoid fungi differed significantly between the phloem and sapwood as well as in relation to the varying states of health of the spruce trees. These quantitative differences in the mycobiota of I. typographus between spruce trees belonging to different health categories can be explained by successional patterns of fungal colonization of host tissues following attack by I. typographus. The pathogenic species C. polonica was the primary invader, occurring most frequently in the sapwood of ‘healthy‐looking’ trees. Ophiostoma bicolor, O. penicillatum and O. piceaperdum also occurred during the early stages of brood development of I. typographus on ‘healthy‐looking’ trees, but they mainly colonized the phloem. In contrast, O. ainoae, O. minuta and O. piceae likely follow the aforementioned species as secondary and tertiary invaders into the phloem and the sapwood of spruce trees.
Production of fertile transgenic Brassica napus by Agrobacterium‐mediated transformation of protoplasts
Authors: Wang Y. P. , Sonntag K. , Rudloff E. , Han J.
Published: February 2005

A protocol for Agrobacterium tumefaciens‐mediated transformation of Brassica napus mesophyll protoplasts is described. A strain with a neomycin phosphotransferase (nptII) gene and a KCS gene under control of a napin promoter was used at co‐cultivation. Transformed protoplasts were regenerated to fertile and morphologically normal transgenic plants. Transformants were confirmed by PCR of the nptII gene and NAP/KCS expression cassette, and Southern blot analysis. Seeds of the transformants showed a changed fatty acid profile: two transformants had a higher erucic acid level and differed significantly from that of B. napus. Genetic analysis of the progeny revealed that the kanamycin resistance introduced was inherited in a Mendelian fashion.
Efficient haploid induction in wheat by using pollen of Imperata cylindrica
Authors: Chaudhary H. K. , Sethi G. S. , Singh S. , Pratap A. , Sharma S.
Published: February 2005

Intergeneric hybridization between wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and a wild weedy species, Imperata cylindrica (2n = 20) resulted in the recovery of a high frequency of wheat haploids, which were obtained through the elimination of I. cylindrica chromosomes. Cytological analysis of the root tips revealed the somatic chromosome count of the regenerants equalled 21. Haploid regenerants were also obtained in all the crosses of wheat F1s with I. cylindrica, implying the genotype nonspecific nature of wheat x I. cylindrica hybridization. Variation among wheat F1 hybrids was observed with respect to seed formation (44.9‐84.5%), embryo formation (15.1‐47.7%) and regeneration (27.0‐75.0%) in crosses with I. cylindrica. Comparisons based on the efficiency of I. cylindrica and maize (Zea mays) as pollen sources indicated that Imperata‐mediated haploid production is equally efficient. There is natural coincidence of flowering period of I. cylindrica with that of wheat under sub‐temperate conditions which is advantageous compared with maize, which cannot be grown during the winter season in the sub‐temperate regions.
Inheritance of resistance to Verticillium wilt (Verticillium dahliae) in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)
Authors: Mert M. , Kurt S. , Gencer O. , Akiscan Y. , Boyaci K. , Tok F. M.
Published: February 2005

Verticillium wilt, caused by Verticillium dahliae Kleb., is a major constraint to cotton production in almost all countries where cotton is cultivated. Developing new cotton cultivars resistant to Verticillium wilt is the most effective and feasible way to combat the problem. Little is known about the inheritance of resistance to Verticillium wilt of cotton, especially that caused by the defoliating (D) and nondefoliating (ND) pathotypes of the soil‐borne fungus V. dahliae. The objective of this study was to determine the inheritance of resistance in cotton against both pathotypes of V. dahliae. Crosses were made between the susceptible parent ‘Cukurova 1518’ and each of four resistant parents PAUM 401, PAUM 403, PAUM 405 and PAUM 406 to produce F2 generations in 2002 and F2:3 families in 2003. Disease responses of parent and progeny populations to the D and ND pathotypes were scored based on a scale of 0‐4 (0, resistant; 4, susceptible). F2 populations inoculated with the D pathotype showed a 3 : 1 (resistant : susceptible) plant segregation ratio. Tests of F2:3 families confirmed that resistance was controlled by a single dominant gene. In contrast, analysis of data from F2‐ and F2‐derived F3 families suggested that resistance to the ND pathotype is controlled by dominant alleles at two loci.
Microsatellite variability and its use in the characterization of cultivated clones of Hevea brasiliensis
Authors: Saha T. , Roy C. Bindu , Nazeer M. A.
Published: February 2005

Microsatellite markers were developed and evaluated in Hevea brasiliensis, an important crop species producing natural rubber of commercial utility. Of eight microsatellite markers, four were found to be highly informative, amplifying a total of 19 alleles when evaluated against 27 cultivated Hevea clones/genotypes. Power of discrimination of the microsatellite loci was in the range of 0.62‐0.89, with a mean of 0.76 indicating these microsatellites could be valuable genetic markers for diversity characterization. A combination of four microsatellite markers was successfully used to discriminate uniquely all the 27 Hevea clones and some clone‐specific allelic profiles were generated. Cross‐species amplification of the markers developed in H. brasiliensis had also been demonstrated with two other Hevea species, H. benthamiana and H. spruceana, indicating a high degree of sequence homology at the flanking regions. Sequence analysis of the repeat region at the 3′‐UTR of the hydroxymethylglutaryl‐coenzyme A reductase gene, containing clusters of AG repeats in 15 clones, revealed the existence of two alleles based on the repeat length polymorphisms. Homozygosity as well as heterozygosity for both the alleles had also been detected among the clones. Frequency of homozygotes for the smaller allele (allele‐1) was found to be lower than the larger allele (allele‐2) among the primary clones of H. brasiliensis.
The responses of small mammals to patches regenerating after fire and rainfall in the Simpson Desert, central Australia
Authors: Letnic M. , Dickman C. R.
Published: February 2005

Abstract  Patch‐burning is frequently advocated as a management tool to enhance the biodiversity and pasture values of spinifex (Triodia) grasslands. In this study we compare the capture rates of small mammals in habitats regenerating shortly after fire (aged 1–5 years) and in long‐unburnt habitats (aged >25 years). To unravel the effects of temporally and spatially variable rainfall on capture rates, the study was replicated at three locations spaced over 50 km apart that experience different rainfall regimes. Ten species of small mammals were captured over the course of the study, between October 1999 and June 2001. Pseudomys desertor showed a strong preference for long‐unburnt habitats. Notomys alexis, Sminthopsis youngsoni and Sminthopsis hirtipes showed some preferences for regenerating habitats, but these were not consistent throughout the study. Factors indicative of temporal and spatial variation in rainfall, time and site had important effects on capture rates. High rainfalls associated with the La Niña phase of the El Niño/Southern Oscillation in 2000 increased seed production and prompted eruptions of rodent species and the carnivorous Dasycercus cristicauda. The greatest numbers of captures were made at the sites that received the highest rainfalls. We conclude that patch‐burning regimes do not benefit small mammals directly, but are likely to increase the resilience of ‘fire‐sensitive’ species that are dependent on dense spinifex by reducing the extent of wildfires.
Frequent mowing is better than grazing for the conservation value of lowland tussock grasssland at Pontville, Tasmania
Authors: Verrier Frances J. , Kirkpatrick J. B.
Published: February 2005

Abstract  The effects of an unusual high frequency mowing regime, which involved the removal of slash, were compared to moderate grazing through the method of paired quadrats across a fenceline, which was orthogonal to a weak environmental gradient. The mown plots proved superior in their conservation characteristics to the moderately grazed plots. The mowing regime produced greater cover of rare or threatened species, greater native cover and lesser exotic grass cover. It thus presents an opportunity for maintaining or improving the condition of previously grazed remnants in reserves without resorting to the use of stock or fire for biomass reduction.
Does biogeographical history matter? Diversity and distribution of lotic midges (Diptera: Chironomidae) in the Australian Wet Tropics
Authors: G. MKie Brendan , Pearson Richard G. , Cranston Peter S.
Published: February 2005

Abstract  We examined broad scale patterns of diversity and distribution of lotic Chironomidae (Diptera) within the Wet Tropics bioregion of northern Queensland, Australia. Field surveys across broad latitudinal and altitudinal gradients within the Wet Tropics revealed a fauna of 87 species‐level taxa in 49 genera comprising three main elements: a small genuinely tropical fraction, and larger cosmopolitan and Gondwanan components. The latter group originated when Australia, as part of the ancient Gondwana supercontinent, was situated over Antarctic latitudes with a cooler, wetter climate than today. In the Wet Tropics, cool Gondwanan taxa occurred predominantly in upland and shaded lowland sites, but no species appeared narrowly temperature restricted, and there was no faunal zonation with altitude. Most chironomid species occurred at all latitudes within the Wet Tropics, with no evidence for an enduring effect of the historical rainforest contractions on current‐day distribution patterns. These findings contrast with those for aquatic faunas elsewhere in the world and for the terrestrial Wet Tropics fauna. We relate this to the generally broad environmental tolerances of Australian chironomids, and comment on why the latitudinal diversity gradient does not apply to the Australian chironomid fauna.
Do Eucalyptus plantations host an insect community similar to remnant Eucalyptus forest?
Authors: Cunningham Saul A. , Floyd Robert B. , Weir Tom A.
Published: February 2005

Abstract  We examined the potential of forest plantations to support communities of forest‐using insects when planted into an area with greatly reduced native forest cover. We surveyed the insect fauna of Eucalyptus globulus (Myrtaceae) plantations and native Eucalyptus marginata dominated remnant woodland in south‐western Australia, comparing edge to interior habitats, and plantations surrounded by a pastoral matrix to plantations adjacent to native remnants. We also surveyed insects in open pasture. Analyses focused on three major insect orders: Coleoptera, Lepidoptera and Hymenoptera. Plantations were found to support many forest‐using insect species, but the fauna had an overall composition that was distinct from the remnant forest. The pasture fauna had more in common with plantations than forest remnants. Insect communities of plantations were different from native forest both because fewer insect species were present, and because they had a few more abundant insect species. Some of the dominant species in plantations were known forestry pests. One pest species (Gonipterus scutellatus) was also very abundant in remnant forest, although it was only recently first recorded in Western Australia. It may be that plantation forestry provided an ecological bridge that facilitated invasion of the native forest by this nonendemic pest species. Plantation communities had more leaf‐feeding moths and beetles than remnant forests. Plantations also had fewer ants, bees, evanioid wasps and predatory canopy beetles than remnants, but predatory beetles were more common in the understory of plantations than remnants. Use of broad spectrum insecticides in plantations might limit the ability of these natural enemies to regulate herbivore populations. There were only weak indications of differences in composition of the fauna at habitat edges and no consistent differences between the fauna of plantations adjacent to remnant vegetation and those surrounded by agriculture, suggesting that there is little scope for managing biodiversity outcomes by choosing different edge to interior ratios or by locating plantations near or far from remnants.
The impact of introduced ship rats (Rattus rattus) on seedling recruitment and distribution of a subantarctic megaherb (Pleurophyllum hookeri)
Authors: Shaw Justine D. , Hovenden Mark J. , Bergstrom Dana M.
Published: February 2005

Abstract The impact of introduced ship rats (Rattus rattus) on recruitment of the megaherbPleurophyllum hookeriBuchan. (Asteraceae) was examined on subantarctic Macquarie Island, an island with no extant native terrestrial vertebrates.Pleurophyllum hookeri(Asteraceae) forms a dominant component of the Macquarie Island vegetation and is restricted to the subantarctic. The Macquarie Island population ofP. hookeriis the most extensive and intact. Introduced ship rats (Rattus rattus) are well established in tall tussock grassland of Macquarie Island. We detected rat activity for the first time withinP. hookeriherbfields, in autumn 2000. We found rats were destroying up to 90% of racemes. By excluding rats from caches of inflorescences that they had formed, we found they were having a significant negative effect on initial recruitment and seedling survival within the caches. However, because of high seedling mortality after 1 year, there was no sustained impact of the exclosures onP. hookeriseedling density.
Cataracts in experimentally diabetic mouse: morphological and apoptotic changes
Authors: Hegde K. R. , Varma S. D.
Published: February 2005

Aim:  The objective of these investigations was to extend our earlier study on the induction of cataracts in diabetic mice, a low aldose reductase (AR) animal model at morphological level. Previous studies were done primarily at biochemical level.

Methods:  Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal administration of streptozotocin. The lenses isolated after the establishment of diabetes were then subjected to histologic and electron microscopic studies.

Results:  Morphological alterations were characterized by shrinkage, elongation and lobulization of the nuclei of the epithelial cells. This was associated with chromatin condensation and its margination. Similar structural aberrations were also observed in a significant number of the subepithelial fibre cells representing defect in fibre maturation. More interestingly, unlike that in other common animal models of diabetic cataract, such abnormally nucleated cells were also found to be prevalent in the posterior subcapsular region, a finding common in human diabetics also.

Conclusion:  The present studies further affirm the suitability of the mouse model for a study of cataractogenesis induced by diabetes. Because of the findings reported herein, as well as the known biochemical similarity between the lenses of the mice and humans in respect of AR deficiency, contrary to the rat model where it is very high, use of this species is considered more useful towards understanding the basic aetiology as well as for evaluating the efficacy of various referred nutritional and metabolic antioxidants against such cataracts.
Improvement of glucose tolerance in Zucker diabetic fatty rats by long‐term treatment with the dipeptidyl peptidase inhibitor P32/98: comparison with and combination with rosiglitazone
Authors: Wargent E. , Stocker C. , Augstein P. , Heinke P. , Meyer A. , Hoffmann T. , Subramanian A. , Sennitt M. V. , Demuth H.‐U. , Arch J. R. S. , Cawthorne M. A.
Published: February 2005

Aim:  The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of long‐term treatment with the dipeptidyl peptidase inhibitor P32/98 and its combination with rosiglitazone on blood glucose control and islet of Langerhans histology in male Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats, when treatment begins before or after the development of overt diabetes.

Methods:  ZDF rats were treated with P32/98 from the age of 9, 12 or 15 weeks. Rosiglitazone maleate was given to a separate group from the age of 13 weeks. P32/98 was given to all of these rosiglitazone‐treated rats from 16 weeks of age. Rosiglitazone maleate was also given from 16 weeks of age to half the rats that were given P32/98 from 9 weeks of age. The compounds were given by oral gavage until the rats were 14 weeks old and then in the diet. The experiment was terminated at the age of 20–21 weeks. Blood glucose, plasma insulin and oral glucose tolerance were measured at intervals; islet histology was assessed terminally.

Results:  P32/98 improved glucose tolerance after both single and multiple doses when treatment started at 9 weeks of age, also after the third week of treatment when treatment began at 12 or 15 weeks of age. P32/98 reduced daytime blood glucose when treatment began at 12 weeks. Treatment with rosiglitazone increased food intake and body weight, and after 2 weeks, reduced daytime blood glucose, water intake and the area under the glucose tolerance curve. A single dose of P32/98 markedly improved glucose tolerance in rosiglitazone‐treated rats. When treatment had begun at 9 weeks of age, P32/98 stimulated insulin secretion in some glucose tolerance tests. Neither P32/98 nor rosiglitazone affected pancreatic insulin content, nor did they have clear effects on islet histology.

Conclusion:  P32/98 elicited a sustained improvement in glucose tolerance in both prediabetic and diabetic ZDF rats. The effects of P32/98 on glucose and insulin were similar to those of rosiglitazone, and in contrast to rosiglitazone, P32/98 did not increase food intake or body weight. However, neither compound was especially effective at improving diabetes in ZDF rats when treatment began at 9, 12 or 15 (P32/98) or 13 (rosiglitazone) weeks of age.
Weight loss‐associated changes in acute effects of nateglinide on insulin secretion after glucose loading: results of glucose loading on 2 consecutive days
Authors: Mori Y. , Mamori S. , Tajima N.
Published: February 2005

Aim:  The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of changes in insulin resistance and early insulin secretion on the insulin secretagogic effects of nateglinide.

Methods:  Oral glucose tolerance testing (OGTT, 75 g) was performed in obese patients before and after weight loss on 2 consecutive days (first day OGTT without nateglinide, second day OGTT with nateglinide), to compare any weight loss associated changes in the nateglinide‐induced insulin response to glucose loading.

Results:  Reductions in visceral fat, liver fat, skeletal muscle fat and homeostasis model assessment (HOMA)‐R due to weight loss were associated with increased Δ insulin 30 min/Δ glucose 30 min (ΔI30/ΔG30), and reduced area under the curve (AUC) for plasma glucose as seen in OGTT results. Results from OGTT showed that nateglinide administration was associated with reductions in plasma glucose AUC, both before and after weight loss. Before weight loss, although there was a significant elevation of ΔI30/ΔG30 associated with nateglinide treatment, no major change in the insulin‐secreting dynamics after glucose loading was observed. After weight loss, nateglinide administration produced a significant increase in ΔI30/ΔG30, with insulin secretion peaking more quickly.

Conclusion:  Insulin response to nateglinide after glucose loading varied greatly in conjunction with weight loss. This may be accounted for not only by the enhancement of early insulin response to nateglinide associated with the improvement of early insulin response with weight loss but also by the reduced visceral fat, which in turn led to reduced levels of free fatty acids in portal blood and hepatic triglycerides, as well as increased hepatic insulin clearance.
A mobile screening programme for the cardiovascular and microvascular complications of Type 2 diabetes in primary care
Authors: Sampson M. J. , Barrie P. , Dozio N. , Flatman M. , Hadley‐Brown M. , Harvey I. , Heyburn P. J. , Jones C. , Mann R. , Temple R. C. , Greenwood R. H.
Published: February 2005

The Diabetes National Service framework (NSF), and the quality payments in the new contract for UK General Practitioners, promote regular screening for diabetes complications. The new contract also includes immediate incentives to meet screening and quality targets, but it will be difficult to meet these targets in primary care. We have developed a mobile ‘annual review’ programme for patients with Type 2 diabetes managed solely in primary care, that screens for cardiovascular disease, hypertension, retinopathy and neuropathy at the patient's general practice, and gives written foot care, dietary advice and level 1 smoking cessation advice to all patients.
How diabetic patients think about and manage their illness in Taiwan
Authors: Lai W. A. , Lew‐Ting C.‐Y. , Chie W.‐C.
Published: February 2005

Aims Type 2 diabetes is becoming more prevalent in Taiwan. Growing evidence suggests a patient‐centred approach is more effective in facilitating self‐management than a professional‐centred one. The aim of this qualitative study was to investigate Chinese diabetic patients’ perceptions about their illness and treatment strategies to facilitate patient‐centred, culture‐sensitive clinical skills.

Methods We used in‐depth interviews to collect perspectives from 22 participants recruited from a rural Taiwan community. All interviews were audio‐taped and the transcripts were analysed by editing and immersion/crystallization. Emerging themes were compared with current medical knowledge to determine their clinical significance.

Results Generally, Chinese diabetic patients had variable perceptions about different treatment strategies. All agreed that dietary restriction and exercise were beneficial. The former, mainly understood as reducing carbohydrate intake, was thought to be most important; exercise, to the point of sweating, was seen as a way to eliminate pharmaceutical toxins. Taking medicine was regarded with ambivalent attitudes due to concerns about adverse effects (especially renal injury).

Conclusions Patients regarded all treatment strategies as integrative and intertwined in daily life. There are three misconceptions which we found should be clarified during medical consultations: (i) focusing on sugar‐control only; (ii) benefit of sweating to eliminate toxins; (iii) fear of renal toxicity of hypoglycaemic agents. The renaming of diabetes, to such as ‘metabolic syndrome’, may bring new, acceptable insight to Chinese diabetic patients.
Insulin sensitivity at diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes is not associated with subsequent cardiovascular disease (UKPDS 67)
Authors: Adler A. I. , Levy J. C. , Matthews D. R. , Stratton I. M. , Hines G. , Holman R. R.
Published: February 2005

Aims  Insulin resistance is common in Type 2 diabetes which, in turn, is associated with a markedly increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Whether insulin sensitivity measured after diagnosis of diabetes is associated with incident cardiovascular disease was evaluated in this prospective study.

Methods  Three thousand five hundred and eighty‐two subjects with newly diagnosed diabetes, recruited to the UK Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS), free of cardiovascular disease, and with complete information on insulin sensitivity and potential confounders, were followed prospectively to the first occurrence of (i) fatal or non‐fatal myocardial infarction, MI (ii) fatal or non‐fatal stroke, and (iii) coronary heart disease, CHD (fatal or non‐fatal MI, sudden death or ischaemic heart disease). Insulin sensitivity was measured by Homeostatic Model Assessment (HOMA).

Results  Insulin sensitivity as measured by HOMA was not associated with subsequent MI, stroke, or CHD in univariate or multivariate models controlling for age, sex, ethnicity, HbA1c, body mass index, plasma triglycerides, cholesterol and smoking. The hazard ratio associated with a doubling of insulin sensitivity with fatal or non‐fatal MI in a multivariate model was 0.92 (95% confidence interval, CI, 0.80–1.05). These results were not changed by the exclusion of overweight patients randomized to metformin.

Discussion  Estimation of insulin sensitivity provides no additional useful information with respect to the risk of the first occurrence of cardiovascular disease in patients with newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetes. Among patients with Type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance is not a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
Routine diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes mellitus in general practice and hospitals: how do patients differ?
Authors: Drivsholm T. , Olivarius N. de F.
Published: February 2005

Objective  To study how Type 2 diabetic patients diagnosed by routine case‐finding in primary care differ from patients diagnosed in secondary care with regard to clinical characteristics, symptom‐burden and prevalence of complications.

Research design and methods  A Danish population‐based sample of 1633 newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetic patients, of whom we had detailed information of sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, biochemical measurements, and complications among 1381. Blood and urine analyses were centralized.

Results  Of the patients, 76.8% were diagnosed in general practice. Compared with those diagnosed in secondary care, patients diagnosed in general practice on average had higher levels of cardiovascular risk factors (BMI: 29.8 vs. 28.5 kg/m2, P < 0.001; systolic blood pressure: 149.4 vs. 143.2 mmHg, P < 0.001; diastolic blood pressure: 85.2 vs. 82.5 mmHg, P < 0.001; haemoglobin A1c: 10.1 vs. 8.4%, P < 0.0001; total cholesterol: 6.4 vs. 6.1 mmol/l, P < 0.01), more frequently presented with hyperglycaemic symptoms (80.1 vs. 63.4%, P < 0.0001), while fewer had macrovascular complications (28.5 vs. 43.6%, P < 0.0001).

Conclusions  Judged from their risk profile, Type 2 diabetic patients diagnosed in primary care are at no less risk of developing diabetic complications than those diagnosed in secondary care.
Improvement of glycaemic control with rebound following orlistat initiation and cessation associated with minimal weight change
Authors: González S. , Kilpatrick E. S. , Atkin S. L.
Published: February 2005

A 57‐year‐old Caucasian woman with Type 2 diabetes treated for seven years with diet and oral combination hypoglycaemic therapy was referred because of the progressive deterioration of glycaemic control.

She was obese (77 kg, BMI = 39.9), hypertensive, hypercholesterolaemic with marked osmotic symptoms (HbA1c 12.2%), therefore she was started on insulin (Human Mixtard 30 b.d.) with metformin therapy. Dietary counselling, recommendations to increase physical activity, and supervised self‐injection technique with titration of her insulin were also provided. She was routinely followed‐up to assess her progress.

Two years later, her glycaemic control remained suboptimal. Average HbA1c was 10.4% despite an increasingly high dose of insulin (94 units/day) although it improved when metformin was increased to 1 g t.d.s. (HbA1c = 9.3%). Her BMI progressively rose from 39.9 to 42.1 (77 to 82.5 kg) despite dietary advice.

A trial of orlistat (three months) was commenced, after intensive dietary counselling, that reduced her body weight by 1.5 kg (2% reduction, BMI 41.3). However, her HbA1c improved by 0.5% (from 9.3 to 8.8%). Six months after orlistat was stopped her HbA1c rose to 10.5% and weight increased to 81.8 kg (BMI 41.8). Despite the orlistat treatment broaching NICE guidelines should it have been continued?
Nutritional aspects of oilseeds
Authors: McKevith B.
Published: February 2005

Summary  Oilseeds, such as soybean, cottonseed, rapeseed (canola), sunflower seed and peanut, are annual plants (O’Brien et al. 2000). They are the largest source of vegetable oils even though most oil‐bearing tree fruits provide the highest oil yields (e.g. olive, coconut and palm trees) (Gunstone 2002). Oilseeds are also used in animal feed because of their high protein content. Their seeds contain energy for the sprouting embryo mainly as oil, compared with cereals, which contains the energy in the form of starch (Lucas 2000). This article reviews the main types of oilseeds; their production and processing into oil. It focuses on the role of oilseeds and their by‐products in human health and disease, and highlights new developments that may provide even more benefits for health in the future.
Salt and health: the CASH and BPA perspective
Authors: Gilbert P. A. , Heiser G.
Published: February 2005

Summary  This paper reviews the strong evidence that links our current high salt intakes to high blood pressure and current evidence for less established links with other adverse health effects such as stomach cancer and osteoporosis. It looks at our current salt intake in relation to recommendations, together with the sources of salt in our diet. The current situation with the food industry and retailers salt reduction programmes is highlighted and further necessary steps are discussed. This paper also discusses the confusion behind salt labelling and simple ways we can all lower our salt intake.
Neutral Property Taxation
Authors: ARNOTT RICHARD
Published: February 2005

A major difficulty in implementing land/site value taxation is imputing the land value of built‐on sites. The literature has focused on two alternatives. The first, residual site value, measures postdevelopment site value as property value less structure value, with structure value measured as depreciated construction costs. Residual site value would be relatively easy to estimate, but a residual site value tax system, which taxes land value before development and residual site value after development at the same rate is distortionary, discouraging density. The second, raw site value, measures postdevelopment site value as “what the land would be worth were there no building on the site (though in fact there is).” Raw site value taxation is neutral (does not distort the timing and density of development), but the estimation of postdevelopment raw site value would be complex so that assessment would likely be less fair and more arbitrary, contentious, and prone to abuse. This paper asks the question: Is it not possible to design a property tax system (taxation of predevelopment land value, postdevelopment structure value, and postdevelopment site value at possibly different rates) that employs the administratively simpler residual definition of postdevelopment site value and achieves neutrality? Under restrictive assumptions and subject to an important qualification, the paper provides an affirmative answer, and characterizes the tax rates that achieve neutrality. It also briefly discusses issues of practical implementation.
Leading by Example and International Collective Action
Authors: DE OLIVEIRA ANDRÉ ROSSI , FARIA JOÃO RICARDO , ARCE M. DANIEL G.
Published: February 2005

This paper investigates leading by example as a policy prescription for international collective action to provide summation public goods. A country leads by example by committing to a minimal level of provision, and by matching higher contributions there beyond. In an evolutionary game‐theoretic setting, we establish conditions for leading by example to be a neutrally stable strategy; i.e., to noncooperatively implement the cooperative outcome. These conditions are related to the degree of concavity of the contributors' utility functions and the incentives for free riding. They can be tested against empirical estimates of the public benefits of an international regime.
Externality Policy Reform: A General Equilibrium Analysis
Authors: MURTY SUSHAMA , RUSSELL R. ROBERT
Published: February 2005

We characterize Pareto‐improving and equilibrium‐preserving policy reforms in a second‐best (Diamond/Mirrlees) world with a consumption externality. A counterintuitive finding is that, starting from an initial equilibrium with no direct quantity control on the externality, it is possible that all Pareto‐improving and equilibrium‐preserving directions of change require an increase in a negative externality. We provide intuition for these results by establishing a nexus between Guesnerie's approach to designing (tax) policy reforms and the standard Kuhn–Tucker technique for identifying the manifold of feasible Pareto‐optimal states, given the instruments available to the policy maker.
Ehri's model of phases of learning to read: a brief critique
Authors: Beech John R.
Published: February 2005

A theory of how children progress through different phases of reading should be an asset both to reading researchers and teachers alike. The present paper provides a brief review of Ehri's influential four phases of reading development: pre‐alphabetic, partial alphabetic, full alphabetic and consolidated alphabetic. The model is flexible enough to acknowledge that children do not necessarily progress through these phases in strict sequence. Such flexibility is perhaps both a strength and a weakness. Despite some minor problems (such as weak operational definition, little attempt to relate to underlying developing cognitive structure, a final phase that seems removed from mature skilled reading) the model has served reasonably well as a flexible framework rather than as a set of falsifiable scientific hypotheses.
Abdominal radical trachelectomy: a fertility‐preserving option for women with early cervical cancer
Authors: Ungár László , Pálfalvi László , Hogg Russell , Siklós Pál , Boyle Deborah C.M. , Del Priore Giuseppe , Smith J. Richard
Published: February 2005

Abdominal radical trachelectomy is a fertility‐preserving alternative to radical hysterectomy or chemoradiation for young women with stage IA2 to IB cervical cancers. Thirty‐three patients were offered this procedure. The mean age was 30.5 years (range 23–37). Three procedures were abandoned because of positive pelvic nodes (two patients) and involvement of the margin between the amputated cervix and uterine fundus (one patient). Of the remaining 30 patients, 10 had stage IA2 tumours, 15 had stage IB1 and 5 had stage IB2. During follow up of a median of 47 months (mean 32 months, range 14–75 months), no recurrences have been detected. A normal menstrual pattern resumed within eight weeks of surgery in all but two patients. Five patients attempted to conceive. Three women have fallen pregnant, resulting in one first trimester miscarriage and two caesarean section deliveries at term. Our experience suggests that abdominal radical trachelectomy provides a method of treating women with stage IA2 to IB cervical cancers with conservation of fertility without apparently compromising recurrence or survival rates. It appears to provide equivalent oncological safety to a standard Wertheim hysterectomy using a technique familiar to all practising gynaecologic oncologists.
HIV seropositive in pregnant South African women who initially refuse routine antenatal HIV screening
Authors: Mseleku M. , Smith T.H. , Guidozzi F.
Published: February 2005

This study was instituted primarily to determine the HIV seroprevalence of pregnant South African women who refused routine HIV testing at the antenatal clinic of the Johannesburg Hospital, South Africa. Fifty such patients were identified, who, after being fully counselled and informed, agreed to participate in the study, provided total anonymity was adhered to: they did not want to know their results, irrespective of outcome. Blood specimens were given a laboratory reference number only, with no other reference to the patient and analysed utilising the ELISA immunoassay. Twenty‐two of the 50 blood specimens, or 44% of patients analysed, tested positive for HIV. This is an alarming statistic, as the HIV prevalence in the general antenatal population at the Johannesburg Hospital is 29.4%.