bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fosinopril and Losartan Regulate Klotho Gene and Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate Oxidase Expression in Kidneys of Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats
Authors: Tang Rong , Zhou Qiao-ling , Ao Xiang , Peng Wei-sheng , Veeraragoo Pouranan , Tang Tian-feng
Published: June 2011

Background/Aims: Klotho, a newly identified antiaging gene, predominantly detected in the kidney, has pleiotropic protective effects on kidney diseases. Several studies have confirmed the association between Klotho and oxidative stress. The present studies were performed to explore effects of fosinopril (Fos) and losartan (Los) on Klotho and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase expression in kidneys of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Methods: Twenty-four male 22-week-old SHR were randomly divided into three groups: model group, Fos group and Los group. Wistar-Kyoto rats were taken as control. After 8 weeks, urinary N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAGase), 24 h urinary protein (Upro), serum creatinine (Scr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and renal pathological changes were detected. Renal mRNA and protein expression of Klotho and three subunits of NADPH oxidase protein expression were evaluated. Results: As compared to the model group, NAGase, Upro, Scr and BUN were decreased; the typical renal pathological damage was relieved in the Fos or Los group. Fos or Los inhibited the reduction of Klotho expression, and reduced the elevation of NADPH oxidase expression. Conclusion: Abnormal expression of Klotho and NADPH oxidase plays important roles in progression of hypertensive renal damage. Fos and Los can increase Klotho expression, and inhibit NADPH oxidase expression, which may be one of the mechanisms of their protective effects in hypertensive renal damage.
Evaluation of Elution and Mechanical Properties of Two Injectable Chemotherapeutic Bone Cements
Authors: Handal John A. , Schulz Jacob F. , Pahys Joshua M. , Williams Eric A. , Kwok Simon C.M. , Samuel Solomon P.
Published: June 2011

Chemotherapeutic bone cements can both stabilize the bone fractures as well as deliver chemotherapy agents directly to the bone metastatic site and adjacent soft tissue tumors. This study evaluated the in vitro elution and flexural properties of Vertebroplastic™ and Confidence Ultra™ bone cements (Depuy Spine Inc., Raynham, Mass., USA) containing methotrexate. In vitro elution was measured by placing bone cement specimens containing 4 different methotrexate amounts in 20 ml saline, and the methotrexate elution was measured at regular intervals for 672 h. The flexural properties of bone cement containing 2 different initial methotrexate amounts after storage in physiological saline were measured using a 3-point bending test. The drug elution rate depended on the initial methotrexate amount added and the type of bone cement used. The relationship between the initial drug amount added and the drug elution rate was not linear. Methotrexate elution decreased the flexural modulus and strength of specimens; this decrease was not proportional to the initial amount of methotrexate added. The results show that bone cements are well suited for use with chemotherapy agents. However, the elution and mechanical properties of each bone cement-drug amount combination should be thoroughly quantified in vitro before using such a combination in a clinical setting.
Long-Term Antihypertensive Effect of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitory Peptide LAP
Authors: Ming Luo , Yi Shen , Chi Liu , Zheng Huan , Li Zhanxia , Deng Yuqing , Huang Junlin , Li Lingxia , Fang Hong
Published: June 2011

Objective: To study the antihypertensive effects of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitory peptide LAP on blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Methods: A cohort of 12-week-old SHRs was randomly divided into 2 distinct groups, and ACE-inhibitory peptide LAP (experimental group) or physiological saline (controls) were administered. Caudal arterial blood pressure was then measured at specific time points (0, 4, 8 and 12 weeks). Results: Systolic blood pressure of the SHRs showed a significant decrease after intraperitoneal injection with the ACE-inhibitory peptide LAP. Moreover, this depressurization effect lasted for over 1 month. Conclusion: Systolic blood pressure of SHRs could effectively be depressed in the long term by antihypertensive activity mediated by the ACE-inhibitory peptide LAP.
Heme Oxygenase-1 Overexpression Fails to Attenuate Hypertension when the Nitric Oxide Synthase System Is Not Fully Operative
Authors: Polizio Ariel H. , Santa-Cruz Diego M. , Balestrasse Karina B. , Gironacci Mariela M. , Bertera Facundo M. , Höcht Christian , Taira Carlos A. , Tomaro Maria L. , Gorzalczany Susana B.
Published: June 2011

Heme oxygenase (HO) is an enzyme that is involved in numerous secondary actions. One of its products, CO, seems to have an important but unclear role in blood pressure regulation. CO exhibits a vasodilator action through the activation of soluble guanylate cyclase and the subsequent production of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). The aim of the present study was to determine whether pathological and pharmacological HO-1 overexpression has any regulatory role on blood pressure in a renovascular model of hypertension. We examined the effect of zinc protoporyphyrin IX (ZnPP-IX) administration, an inhibitor of HO activity, on mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate in sham-operated and aorta-coarcted (AC) rats and its interaction with the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) pathway. Inhibition of HO increased MAP in normotensive rats with and without hemin pretreatment but not in hypertensive rats. Pretreatment with NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester blocked the pressor response to ZnPP-IX, suggesting a key role of NOS in the cardiovascular action of HO inhibition. In the same way, AC rats, an experimental model of hypertension with impaired function and low expression of endothelial NOS (eNOS), did not show any cardiovascular response to inhibition or induction of HO. This finding suggests that eNOS was necessary for modulating the CO response in the hypertensive group. In conclusion, the present study suggests that HO regulates blood pressure through CO only when the NOS pathway is fully operative. In addition, chronic HO induction fails to attenuate the hypertensive stage induced by coarctation as a consequence of the impairment of the NOS pathway.
The Effect of Sinus Rhythm Restoration on High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein Levels and Their Association with Long-Term Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence after Electrical Cardioversion
Authors: Celebi Ozlem Ozcan , Celebi Savas , Canbay Alper , Ergun Gökhan , Aydogdu Sinan , Diker Erdem
Published: June 2011

Objective: Recent studies have shown that high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) measured before cardioversion (CV) plays a significant role in predicting atrial fibrillation (AF) relapse. The time course of changes in hs-CRP after successful electrical CV remains controversial. The aim of the present study was to assess the prognostic value of pre- and post-CV hs-CRP levels in predicting the long-term risk of AF. Additionally, we evaluated changes in hs-CRP levels over time following a successful CV. Methods: This prospective study comprised 216 patients with persistent AF who underwent CV (mean age 51.94 ± 8.07 years; 55.6% men). hs-CRP levels were examined in all patients, and blood samples were taken prior to and 1, 2, 7 and 30 days after CV. AF relapse was determined by 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring and 12-lead standard ECG during 12 months of follow-up. We further divided the study population into two groups according to their rhythm at the end of the follow-up period (group A: patients with AF at the end of follow-up; group B: patients with sinus rhythm at the end of the follow-up period). Results: The AF recurrence rate was 42.2% throughout the 12-month follow-up period. The basal hs-CRP levels were higher in patients with an AF relapse than in those without (1.68 ± 0.57 vs. 1.12 ± 0.53 mg/dl; p < 0.01). The hs-CRP levels were significantly decreased at 30 days in group B, whereas there was no significant decrease in group A (from 1.12 ± 0.53 to 0.69 ± 0.33 mg/dl, p < 0.01, and from 1.68 ± 0.57 to 1.69 ± 0.76 mg/dl, p > 0.05, respectively). By multivariate Cox analysis, the independent predictors of AF relapse time points were the basal and day-2 hs-CRP levels. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the cutoff value of hs-CRP on the 2nd day for predicting AF relapse was 1.85 mg/dl, with a sensitivity of 62%, a specificity of 82%, a positive predictive value of 85.7% and a negative predictive value of 81.6%. Conclusion: The hs-CRP levels both prior to and after CV predict the long-term risk of AF relapse. In the present study, hs-CRP levels were significantly decreased in patients who remained in sinus rhythm at the end of the study. In contrast, hs-CRP levels remained high throughout the follow-up in patients with an AF relapse.
Optimization of Small-Cell Lung Cancer Chemotherapy with Heparin: A Comprehensive Retrospective Study of 239 Patients Treated in a Single Specialized Center
Authors: Lebeau Bernard , Baud Mariette , Masanes Marie-José , Febvre Michel , Mokhtari Tarik , Chouaïd Christos
Published: June 2011

Purpose: In first-line management for small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), the combination of a platinum salt and etoposide is recommended, with thoracic radiotherapy and prophylactic cranial irradiation in selected patients. Anticoagulants, including heparin, are rarely used. We analyzed the results of these different treatments in a comprehensive population of patients with SCLC. Patients and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed clinical and therapeutic characteristics of SCLC patients managed in our center during the period 1990–2002. Results: First-, second- and third-line chemotherapy was received by 98.3, 47.3 and 11.7%, respectively; 55% received curative heparin. The 2-year survival rates were 31 and 7% among patients with localized and metastatic disease, 33 and 15% among patients treated with the PCDE (cisplatin-cyclophosphamide-doxorubicin-etoposide) regimen with and without heparin, and 27 and 12% among patients treated with the PE (cisplatin or carboplatin-etoposide) regimen with and without heparin, respectively. The 2-year survival rate among the 27 patients who received an optimal combination of PCDE, heparin, thoracic radiotherapy and prophylactic cranial irradiation was 44.2%. In multivariate analysis, localized disease, younger age, use of heparin and inclusion in a clinical trial were independently associated with a better outcome. Conclusion: Despite the bias inherent in a retrospective, single-center study, these results support chemotherapy optimization for SCLC patients and confirm the value of heparin in this setting.
Higher Serum Levels of Free ĸ plus λ Immunoglobulin Light Chains Ameliorate Survival of Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Thilo Florian , Caspari Christina , Scholze Alexandra , Tepel Martin
Published: June 2011

Background/Aims: Impaired immune function is common in patients with chronic renal failure. Now, we determined whether serum levels of free immunoglobulin light chains predict mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease stage 5 on hemodialysis. Methods: We performed a prospective cohort study of 160 hemodialysis patients with a median follow-up of 15 months (interquartile range, 3–44 months). Serum levels of free ĸ and λ immunoglobulin light chains were measured at the start of the study. The primary end point was mortality from any cause. Results: In survivors, median serum levels of free ĸ plus λ immunoglobulin light chains were significantly higher compared with nonsurvivors (p < 0.05). Survival was significantly longer in those patients who had serum levels of free ĸ plus λ immunoglobulin light chains above the median compared with patients with serum levels below the median of 210 mg/l (χ2 = 5.91; p = 0.015 by log-rank, Mantel-Cox, test). We performed univariate and multivariate regression analysis showing that older age and lower serum levels of free ĸ plus λ immunoglobulin light chains predicted mortality in hemodialysis patients. Conclusion: Higher serum levels of free ĸ plus λ immunoglobulin light chains ameliorate survival in hemodialysis patients.
Correlation of Clinical Changes with Regard to Thyroxine Replacement Therapy in Hypothyroid Patients – Focusing on the Change of Renal Function
Authors: Chou Kuei-Mei , Chiu Sherry Yueh-Hsia , Chen Chih-Huang , Yang Ning-I , Huang Be-Yi , Sun Chiao-Yin
Published: June 2011

Thyroid dysfunction has an important role in renal insufficiency. The aim of the study was to correlate the change of renal function with other clinical factors after thyroxine therapy in hypothyroid patients. A prospective study was designed and 30 hypothyroid patients were included. All study subjects received 0.15–0.2 mg/day thyroxine for 12 weeks. Diastolic blood pressure and serum levels of creatine phosphokinase (CPK) and myoglobulin decreased significantly after thyroxine therapy. Serum creatinine decreased (0.87 ± 0.22 vs. 0.70 ± 0.17 mg/dl, p < 0.001) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) increased significantly (82.06 ± 31.08 vs. 100.31 ± 31.79 ml/min/1.73 m2; p < 0.001) after thyroxine replacement. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was significantly increased after thyroxine replacement (64.47 ± 11.94 vs. 72.40 ± 13.89%, p = 0.026). No significant vascular functional changes of peripheral (pulse wave velocity) and renal interlobar arteries (pulsatility index and resistance index) were noted. The change of eGFR significantly correlated with the changes of serum-free T4 (fT4), CPK, myoglobulin and LVEF. The correlation between the change of eGFR and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level was not significant. In conclusion, the GFR of hypothyroid patients increased significantly after thyroxine replacement. The change of GFR was significantly correlated with the changes of fT4, CPK, myoglobulin and LVEF, but not with TSH.
Effects of Beraprost Sodium, a Prostaglandin I2 Analog, on High Glucose-Induced Proliferation and Oxidative Stress in a Rat Glomerular Mesangial Cell Line
Authors: Zhang Lan-Yu , Zou Jun-Jie , Liu Zhi-Min
Published: June 2011

To investigate the effects of beraprost sodium on the proliferation and oxidative stress of glomerular mesangial cells under high glucose conditions, a rat mesangial cell line (rat mesangial cells; RMCs) was treated with beraprost sodium in the presence of high glucose concentrations. Proliferation rates of mesangial cells were detected by MTT assays and BrdU incorporation analyses. Levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected by DCFH-DA probes. The mRNA expression levels of CuZnSOD, MnSOD, catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (Gpx), and collagen IV were detected by RT-PCR, and the protein levels of antioxidants (i.e. CuZnSOD, CAT, and MnSOD) and collagen IV were detected by Western blot. Beraprost sodium treatment significantly decreased the proliferation and ROS levels of RMCs cultured in high glucose conditions in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.05). Beraprost sodium treatment decreased the mRNA and protein levels of CuZnSOD, CAT, and collagen IV in cells under high glucose conditions, while it increased MnSOD protein levels in cells under normal glucose conditions. Therefore, beraprost sodium inhibits high glucose-induced cellular proliferation and the generation of ROS, and it improves the antioxidant capacities of rat glomerular mesangial cells.
Temporal Increases in Urinary Carboxymethyllysine Correlate with Albuminuria Development in Diabetes
Authors: Coughlan Melinda T. , Forbes Josephine M.
Published: June 2011

Background/Aims: Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) mediate progressive tissue damage in diabetic nephropathy; however, their utility as a noninvasive reliable biomarker of progressive diabetic nephropathy remains to be determined. In this study, we investigated the temporal accumulation of the AGE carboxymethyllysine (CML) at various sites in a model of experimental diabetic nephropathy. Methods: Diabetic rats were followed for 1, 4, 8, 16 and 32 weeks. Glomerular filtration rate and urinary albumin excretion were measured. CML was determined in the plasma, urine, renal cortical mitochondria and cytosol by an in-house ELISA. Gene expression of AGE receptors were quantified by real-time PCR and urinary excretion of 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) was determined by EIA. Results: Four weeks after diabetes induction, urinary CML excretion was increased, which preceded the excretion of urinary albumin and continued to rise progressively until 32 weeks. Circulating, mitochondrial and cytosolic CML content and urinary excretion of 8-OHdG were increased 4 weeks after diabetes induction, but did not increase further with diabetes duration. Renal gene expression of AGE receptors was transiently upregulated at 1 week of diabetes, but this was not a sustained phenomenon. Conclusions: The most informative marker of progressive renal damage linked to the AGE pathway in experimental diabetic nephropathy is urinary excretion of CML, which now warrants clinical investigation as a potential noninvasive sensitive marker of progressive diabetic nephropathy.
Laparoscopy-Assisted Distal Gastrectomy Compared to Open Distal Gastrectomy in Early Gastric Cancer
Authors: Han Jae-Hong , Lee Hyuk-Joon , Suh Yun-Suhk , Han Dong-Seok , Kong Seong-Ho , Yang Han-Kwang
Published: June 2011

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) in early gastric cancer (EGC) with special interest in a learning curve effect. Methods: The clinical outcomes of EGC patients who underwent LADG (n = 100) and sex-, age- and body mass index- (BMI) matched EGC patients who underwent open distal gastrectomy (ODG; n = 100) were compared retrospectively. In addition, the outcomes between the early (n = 50) and late LADG group (n = 50) were compared. Results: The mean number of retrieved lymph nodes was significantly smaller in the LADG group than in the ODG group (29.3 vs. 36.4, p < 0.001). The operative time of the LADG group was significantly longer than in the ODG group (249.1 vs. 152.9 min, p < 0.001). The complication rates were comparable between both groups (14 vs. 13%, p = 0.84). No cancer-related death was observed in either group. Between early and late LADG groups, the operative time was shorter (p < 0.001) and the number of retrieved lymph nodes was higher (p = 0.016) in the late group. Conclusions: LADG seems to be a safe and feasible procedure in treating EGC, as it shows comparable outcomes with ODG. The potential disadvantages of LADG, such as longer operation time and smaller number of retrieved lymph nodes, diminished after overcoming the learning curve.
Apparent Diffusion Coefficient Values Measured by Diffusion-Weighted Imaging Predict Chemoradiotherapeutic Effect for Advanced Esophageal Cancer
Authors: Aoyagi Tomoyoshi , Shuto Kiyohiko , Okazumi Shinichi , Shimada Hideaki , Kazama Toshiki , Matsubara Hisahiro
Published: June 2011

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess whether apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) predict responses to chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and/or patient prognosis. Methods: Magnetic resonance images were acquired to construct the diffusion-weighted images, and the ADC values were calculated before CRT in 80 patients with ESCC. A high-ADC group responded better to CRT than did a low-ADC group (p < 0.01). We divided the 80 patients into two groups based on the operating characteristic analysis: one group comprised patients with ADC values higher than the average ADC of the esophageal cancer tissue (1.10 × 10–3 mm2/s), and the other group comprised those whose ADC values were less than the average value. A Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the survival rate in the high-ADC group was significantly better than that in the low-ADC group (p = 0.04). Conclusion: Our results indicate that the ADC value may be a useful marker to predict treatment response as well as survival for patients with ESCC.
Sex and Race Differences in Right Ventricular Structure and Function
Authors: Kawut Steven M. , Lima João A.C. , Barr R. Graham , Chahal Harjit , Jain Aditya , Tandri Harikrishna , Praestgaard Amy , Bagiella Emilia , Kizer Jorge R. , Johnson W. Craig , Kronmal Richard A. , Bluemke David A.
Published: June 2011

Background—

Right ventricular (RV) morphology is an important predictor of outcomes in heart and lung disease; however, determinants of RV anatomy have not been well studied. We examined the demographic factors associated with RV morphology and function in a population-based multiethnic sample free of clinical cardiovascular disease.

Methods and Results—

In the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA), cardiac magnetic resonance imaging was performed on 5098 participants. Right ventricular volumes and mass were available for 4204 participants. Normative equations for RV parameters were derived with an allometric approach. The study sample (n=4123) was 61.5±10.1 years of age and 47.5% men. Older age was associated with lower RV mass (≈5% lower mass per decade), with larger age-related decrements in men than in women (
P
<0.05 for interaction). Older age was also associated with higher RV ejection fraction, an association that differed between races/ethnicities (
P
≤0.01 for interaction). Overall, men had greater RV mass (≈8%) and larger RV volumes than women, but had lower RV ejection fraction (4% in absolute terms;
P
<0.001). Blacks had lower RV mass than whites (
P
≤0.002), whereas Hispanics had higher RV mass (
P
≤0.02). When the derived normative equations were used, 7.3% (95% confidence interval, 6.5 to 8.1) met the criteria for RV hypertrophy, and 5.9% (95% confidence interval, 5.2 to 6.6) had RV dysfunction.

Conclusion—

Age, sex, and race are associated with significant differences in RV mass, RV volumes, and RV ejection fraction, potentially explaining distinct responses of the RV to cardiopulmonary disease.
Comparison of host recognition, invasion, development and reproduction of Meloidogyne graminicola and M. incognita on rice and tomato
Authors: Dutta Tushar K. , Powers Stephen J. , Kerry Brian R. , Gaur Hari S. , Curtis Rosane H.C.
Published: June 2011

The rice root-knot nematode Meloidogyne graminicola normally infects rice, wheat and several other graminaceous plants. Meloidogyne incognita is a serious pest of dicotyledonous crops, although it can infect and reproduce on some cereals. This paper demonstrates and compares host recognition, development and reproduction of these two species of root-knot nematodes on rice and tomato plants. Attraction bioassays in pluronic gel clearly showed that M. incognita preferred tomato roots to rice or mustard roots, whilst M. graminicola was more attracted towards rice compared with tomato or mustard roots. Based on the attraction data from this study, it can be hypothesised that either: i) the blend of attractants and repellents are different in good and poor hosts; or ii) relatively long-range attractants, together with shorter-range repellents, might affect nematode movement patterns. Some host specific attractants might also be involved. Meloidogyne incognita was able to invade and develop to adult female but did not produce eggs in rice roots. By contrast, M. graminicola developed and reproduced faster on both rice and tomato plants compared with M. incognita. Nevertheless, second-stage juveniles of both these root-knot nematodes showed a similar pattern of distribution inside the roots, preferring to accumulate at the root tips of rice or in the vascular cylinder and cortical region of tomato.
Paratylenchus conicephalus sp. n. from Iran with notes on P. similis Khan, Prasad & Mathur, 1967 (Nematoda: Paratylenchinae)
Authors: Van den Berg Esther , Eskandari Ali , Tiedt Louwrens R. , Karegar Akbar
Published: June 2011

During nematode surveys in Iran two Paratylenchus
populations were found. Paratylenchus conicephalus sp. n.
is described and figured from the rhizosphere of Prangos
ferulacea (L.) Lindl. and is characterised by having a 365-501
μm long body, stylet 29.5-35 μm long,
a conical lip region with four or five indistinct annuli, large submedian
lobes and four large flaps around the stoma opening, these structures
appearing as a small cap-like structure when viewed laterally with the light
microscope, four lines in the lateral field, and a sharply pointed tail
25.5-46 μm long. Paratylenchus similis is
described and figured from the rhizosphere of Artemisia
aucheri Boiss. and compared with the various descriptions of
this species.
Resistance of wheat, barley and oat to Heterodera avenae in the Pacific Northwest, USA
Authors: Smiley Richard W. , Yan Guiping , Pinkerton John N.
Published: June 2011

The cereal cyst nematode, Heterodera avenae, occurs in at
least seven western states of the USA and reduces grain yield in localised
regions and in selected crop management systems. Virulence phenotypes for
H. avenae populations in North America have not been
reported. Nine individual assays in six experiments were conducted to
determine the reactions of barley, oat and wheat cultivars to five
H. avenae populations in the Pacific Northwest (PNW)
states of Idaho, Oregon and Washington. Three populations were evaluated for
virulence to 23 entries of the 'International Test Assortment for
Defining Cereal Cyst Nematode Pathotypes', plus selected local
cultivars and entries representing a greater diversity of resistance genes.
The virulence phenotype(s) for populations of H. avenae in
the PNW did not correspond to any of the 11 pathotypes defined by the Test
Assortment. Five PNW populations exhibited affinities with Group 2 but were
not defined by pathotypes Ha12 and Ha22. Reproduction was prevented or
greatly inhibited by barley carrying the Rha3 resistance
gene and by most carriers of Rha2 resistance, and by
selected oat cultivars with multigenic resistance. Wheat cultivars carrying
the Cre1 resistance gene were highly effective in
suppressing H. avenae reproduction. Current PNW wheat
cultivars do not carry the Cre1 resistance gene. Crosses
between Ouyen, an Australian bread wheat with Cre1
resistance, and several PNW wheat cultivars were resistant. The
CreR gene also prevented H. avenae
reproduction in the trial where it was tested. Intermediate levels of
reproduction occurred on wheat cultivars carrying the Cre5,
Cre7 and Cre8 resistance genes, each
of which was considered useful for pyramiding into cultivars with
Cre1 resistance. This research identified genetic
resources of value in PNW cereal crop breeding programmes.
Effect of disturbances on trophic groups in soil nematode assemblages
Authors: McSorley Robert
Published: June 2011

Free-living nematodes in soil ecosystems are vital in the decomposition of organic matter and recycling of nutrients. The effects of various types of disturbances on nematode assemblages were examined in several experiments on a single soil: a short-term detrimental disturbance from solarisation, a short-term beneficial disturbance from amendment addition, and a long-term detrimental disturbance from bare ground without plant cover. Comparison of solarised and non-solarised field plots revealed lower numbers of fungivores in solarised plots. As a result, indices involving ratios of fungivores to bacterivores and fungivores to total free-living nematodes were decreased as well. Addition of an amendment increased numbers of bacterivores. This change was also reflected in calculated indices that expressed trophic groups as percentages of the total free-living nematodes. A severely disturbed site with bare ground that was without plant cover for more than 5 years was compared with an adjacent site maintained in grass. No plant-parasitic nematodes were recovered from the bare ground site, which contained lower numbers of nematodes in all trophic groups than the grass site. However, the structure of the free-living nematode assemblages in both sites was similar, as indicated by the proportions of various trophic groups and by ratios of fungivores and bacterivores. The free-living nematode assemblage in a site with a perceived severe long-term disturbance maintained a trophic structure similar to a site with perennial plant cover.
Bursaphelenchus trypophloei sp. n. (Nematoda: Parasitaphelenchinae) – an associate of the bark beetle, Trypophloeus asperatus (Gyll.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae), in aspen, Populus tremula L.
Authors: Tomalak Marek
Published: June 2011

Bursaphelenchus trypophloei sp. n. is described from weakened and dead twigs of living or recently fallen aspen trees, Populus tremula, in Poland. All propagative stages of the nematode were present in larval galleries of a bark beetle, Trypophloeus asperatus, and its dauer juveniles could be found in the haemocoel of older larvae, pupae and adult beetles. Characteristic morphology of the male spicules with distinct cucullus, extended anterior vulval lip, lateral fields with four incisures, and number and arrangement of male caudal papillae indicate that B. trypophloei sp. n. is closely related to the xylophilus group. This relation has been further confirmed by DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the 28S and ITS-1 rDNA region. Bursaphelenchus trypophloei sp. n. can be separated from other species in the xylophilus group by the morphology of spicules which have a shorter capitulum and unique rostrum which is pointed somewhat anteriorly, relatively thick vulval flap, which is straight, parallel to the body long axis or bent towards the body wall at its distal end, and other morphological and morphometric characters, i.e., shape of female tail, position of excretory pore at or posterior to nerve ring, spicule length of 25.7 (23.1-28.0) μm (as measured along arc) and shape, moderate length, i.e., L = 702 (603-946) μm in females and L = 679 (543-828) μm in males, and slender body (a = 39.2 (33.0-45.2) and 40.9 (32.0-46.4) in female and male, respectively). The taxonomic separation of the new species is also confirmed by the unique molecular profile of the ITS region (ITS-RFLP). Full reproductive incompatibility of B. trypophloei sp. n. with B. xylophilus, B. mucronatus, B. fraudulentus, B. populi and B. doui has been demonstrated in in vitro diallelic cross-breeding. The newly described nematode revealed limited ability to develop and reproduce on Botrytis cinerea cultures although it produced large populations on laboratory cultures of Cytospora chrysosperma – a fungus naturally associated with galleries of the nematode vector, T. asperatus.
Steinernema lamjungense n. sp. (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae), a new species of entomopathogenic nematode from Lamjung district, Nepal
Authors: Khatri-Chhetri Hari Bahadur , Waeyenberge Lieven , Spiridonov Sergei , Manandhar Hira Kaji , Moens Maurice
Published: June 2011

A new species of entomopathogenic nematode, Steinernema
lamjungense n. sp., was recovered from soil samples collected
from Tarku, Lamjung district of Nepal, during a survey in 2007. The analysis
of ITS-rDNA sequence placed S. lamjungense n. sp. in the
arenarium-glaseri-karii-longicaudum group. The nematode
can be separated from other described species of the group by morphological
and morphometric characteristics of different stages and by
characterisations and phylogeny of DNA sequences of the D2D3 domain of the
LSU or ITS regions of rDNA. For infective juveniles, the new species can be
recognised by medium-long body length of 832 (690-950) μm,
pharynx length of 127 (110-142) μm, H% = 61 (55-69) and E%
= 79 (69-97). The lateral field pattern is 2, 6, 7, 8, 3, 2. The males have
well curved, yellowish-brown spicules with a prominent velum. The spicule
terminus is blunt with a longitudinal ventral notch. Spicule length is 87
(81-94) μm and gubernaculum length is 57 (50-66)
μm in the first generation males. A tail mucron is
absent in first but present in second generation males. First generation
males have a lateral field with a single ridge. A post-anal swelling is not
developed in first generation females but is well developed in second
generation females. Three other isolates of the same species were recovered
from the neighbourhood of the type locality and yet another isolate was
collected from Swarketari, Syangja district.
Steinernema citrae n. sp. (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae), a new entomopathogenic nematode from South Africa
Authors: Stokwe Nomakholwa F. , Malan Antoinette P. , Nguyen Khuong B. , Knoetze Rinus , Tiedt Louwrens
Published: June 2011

During a survey for entomopathogenic nematodes in citrus orchards throughout
South Africa, a new species of Steinernema was isolated
from a citrus orchard on Rietkloof farm, near the town of Piketberg in the
Western Cape Province, South Africa. The nematode was isolated from soil
using the Galleria-baiting technique. Steinernema
citrae n. sp. is characterised by the following morphological
characters: third-stage infective juvenile with a body length of 754
(623-849) μm, distance from head to excretory pore of 56
(49-64) μm, tail length of 71 (63-81) μm,
and ratio E value of 110 (85-132). The lateral pattern for the new species
is 2, 7, 8, 6, 4, 2 and is not typical for the genus. Steinernema
citrae n. sp. is closely related the
feltiae-group. The body length of the IJ is close to that
of S. texanum and S. weiseri, though it
differs in body diam., the length of the pharynx and E%. The male of
S. citrae n. sp. differs from S.
feltiae in the length and shape of the spicule and body diam.
Steinernema citrae n. sp. differs from all species in
the feltiae-group in the morphology of the vulva, as it has
a single flapped, low, epiptygma. It also differs from the most closely
related species, S. feltiae, as there is no interbreeding
between the two species. In addition, the new nematode differs from other
species of the feltiae-group by characteristics of the ITS
and D2D3 regions of its rDNA.
Atmospheric Responses of Gill-Type and Lindzen–Nigam Models to Global Warming
Authors: An Soon-Il
Published: June 2011

The equatorial Pacific atmosphere responds differently to global warming in the Gill-type and Lindzen–Nigam models. Under an assumption of no change in the zonal sea surface temperature (SST) gradient in the Gill-type model, the Walker circulation is intensified in a warmer climate relative to current climatic conditions, while slightly weakened in the Lindzen–Nigam model. Furthermore, for more accurate derivation of the surface wind, the free atmosphere in the Gill-type model is combined with the atmospheric boundary layer. This modified Gill-type model actually produces weaker surface wind than the Gill-type model would, but the sensitivity of the Walker circulation to the warmer climate is similar to that obtained from the Gill-type model. These results may explain why the zonal gradient of equatorial Pacific SST during the twentieth century is observed to strengthen while the Walker circulation is not, even though they are dynamically linked.
A Laboratory Study of Nonlinear Western Boundary Currents, with Application to the Gulf Stream Separation due to Inertial Overshooting*
Authors: Pierini Stefano , Falco Pierpaolo , Zambardino Giovanni , McClimans Thomas A. , Ellingsen Ingrid
Published: June 2011

Various dynamical aspects of nonlinear western boundary currents (WBCs) have been investigated experimentally through physical modeling in a 5-m-diameter rotating basin. The motion of a piston with a velocity up that can be as low as up = 0.5 mm s−1 induces a horizontally unsheared current of homogeneous water that, flowing over a topographic beta slope, experiences westward intensification. First, the character of WBCs for various degrees of nonlinearity is investigated. By varying up, flows ranging from the highly nonlinear inertial Charney regime down to a weakly nonlinear regime can be simulated. In the first case, the dependence of zonal length scales on up is found to be in agreement with Charney’s theory; for weaker flows, a markedly different functional dependence emerges describing the initial transition toward the linear, viscous case. This provides an unprecedented coverage of nonlinear WBC dependence on an amplitude parameter in terms of experimental data. WBC separation from a wedge-shaped continent past a cape (simulating Cape Hatteras) due to inertial overshooting is then analyzed. By increasing current speed, a critical behavior is identified according to which a very small change of up marks the transition from a WBC that follows the coast past the cape to a WBC (nearly dynamically similar to a full-scale Gulf Stream) that separates from the cape without any substantial deflection, as with the Gulf Stream Extension. The important effect of the deflection angle of the continent is analyzed as well. Finally, the qualitative effect of a sloping sidewall along a straight coast is considered: the deflection of the flow away from the western wall due to the tendency to preserve potential vorticity clearly emerges.
Evaluation of Collocated Measurements of Radar Reflectivity and Particle Sizes in Ice Clouds
Authors: Pokharel Binod , Vali Gabor
Published: June 2011

Measured 94-GHz reflectivity in midlevel, stratiform ice clouds was compared with reflectivity calculated from size distributions determined with a particle imaging probe. The radar and the particle probe were carried on the same aircraft, the Wyoming King Air, ensuring close spatial correspondence between the two measurements. Good overall agreement was found within the range from −18 to +16 dBZ, but there is an important degree of scatter in the results. Two different assumptions about particle density led to calculated values that bracket the observations. The agreement found for reflectivity supports the use of the data for establishing relationships between the measured reflectivity and ice water content and between precipitation rate and reflectivity. The resulting equation for ice water content (IWC vs Z) agrees with the results of Liu and Illingworth within a factor of 2 over the range of overlap between the two datasets. The equation here reported for precipitation rate (PR vs Z) has a shallower slope in the power-law relationship than that reported by Matrosov as a consequence of sampling particles of greater densities. Because the radar and the particle probe were collocated on the same platform, errors arising from differences in sampling locations and volumes were minimized. Therefore it is concluded that the roughly factor-of-10 spread in IWC and in PR for given Z is, primarily, a result of variations in ice crystal shape and density. Retrievals of IWC and PR from cloud radar data can be expected to have that level of uncertainty.
A Robust Error-Based Rain Estimation Method for Polarimetric Radar. Part I: Development of a Method
Authors: Pepler Acacia S. , May Peter T. , Thurai Merhala
Published: June 2011

The algorithms used to estimate rainfall from polarimetric radar variables show significant variance in error characteristics over the range of naturally occurring rain rates. As a consequence, to improve rainfall estimation accuracy using polarimetric radar, it is necessary to optimally combine a number of different algorithms. In this study, a new composite method is proposed that weights the algorithms by the inverse of their theoretical error. A number of approaches are discussed and are investigated using simulated radar data calculated from disdrometer measurements. The resultant algorithms show modest improvement over composite methods based on decision-tree logic—in particular, at rain rates above 20 mm h−1.
The Accuracy of Radar Estimates of Ice Terminal Fall Speed from Vertically Pointing Doppler Radar Measurements
Authors: Protat Alain , Williams Christopher R.
Published: June 2011

Doppler radar measurements at different frequencies (50 and 2835 MHz) are used to characterize the terminal fall speed of hydrometeors and the vertical air motion in tropical ice clouds and to evaluate statistical methods for retrieving these two parameters using a single vertically pointing cloud radar. For the observed vertical air motions, it is found that the mean vertical air velocity in ice clouds is small on average, as is assumed in terminal fall speed retrieval methods. The mean vertical air motions are slightly negative (downdraft) between the melting layer (5-km height) and 6.3-km height, and positive (updraft) above this altitude, with two peaks of 6 and 7 cm s−1at 7.7- and 9.7-km height. For the retrieved hydrometeor terminal fall speeds, it is found that the variability of terminal fall speeds within narrow reflectivity ranges is typically within the acceptable uncertainties for using terminal fall speeds in ice cloud microphysical retrievals. This study also evaluates the performance of previously published statistical methods of separating terminal fall speed and vertical air velocity from vertically pointing Doppler radar measurements using the 50-/2835-MHz radar retrievals as a reference. It is found that the variability of the terminal fall speed–radar reflectivity relationship (Vt–Ze) is large in ice clouds and cannot be parameterized accurately with a single relationship. A well-defined linear relationship is found between the two coefficients of a power-lawVt–Zerelationship, but a more accurate microphysical retrieval is obtained using Doppler velocity measurements to better constrain theVt–Zerelationship for each cloud. When comparing the different statistical methods to the reference, the distribution of terminal fall speed residual is wide, with most residuals being in the ±30–40 cm s−1range about the mean. The typical mean residual ranged from 15 to 20 cm s−1, with different methods having mean residuals of <10 cm s−1at some heights, but not at the same heights for all methods. The so-calledVt–Zetechnique was the most accurate above 9-km height, and the running-mean technique outperformed the other techniques below 9-km height. Sensitivity tests of the running-mean technique indicate that the 20-min average is the best trade-off for the type of ice clouds considered in this analysis. A new technique is proposed that incorporates simple averages of Doppler velocity for each (Ze,H) couple in a given cloud. This technique, referred to as DOP–Ze–H, was found to outperform the three other methods at most heights, with a mean terminal fall residual of <10 cm s−1at all heights. This error magnitude is compatible with the use of such retrieved terminal fall speeds for the retrieval of microphysical properties.
Disability Discrimination by Association: A Case of the Double Yes?
Authors: Stewart Ann , Niccolai Silvia , Hoskyns Catherine
Published: June 2011

In July 2008, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled in Coleman v Attridge Law (Case C-303/06) that the European prohibition of discrimination based on disabilities (Directive 2000/78) applies when the direct victim of discrimination is a person associated with the disabled person, such as a parent who is the primary carer for a disabled child. This decision has major implications for the scope and application of European anti-discrimination law, and in particular for the new anti-discrimination directives. Coleman raises questions relating to the complex relationship between paid work and caring. While being a case relating to disability discrimination, it has been heralded as a victory for carers. This article seeks to explain why and explore the extent to which this ruling reconstructs the concept of the worker as a subject whose caring relationships are recognized and valued. It begins by setting the judgment within the wider debates relating to care and work before considering the significance of the ruling for ECJ anti-discrimination jurisprudence. The article concludes with a discussion of the implications of the ruling and its aftermath in the UK, particularly for contemporary feminist analysis of the relationship between caring and paid work.
Governing (Through) Rights: Statistics as Technologies of Governmentality
Authors: Sokhi-Bulley Bal
Published: June 2011

An increasing amount of attention is being given to the use of human rights measurement indicators in monitoring ‘progress’ in rights and there is consequently a growing focus on statistics and information. This article concentrates on the use of statistics in rights discourse, with reference to the new human rights institution for the European Union: the Fundamental Rights Agency. The article has two main objectives: first, to show that statistics operate as technologies of governmentality — by explaining that statistics both govern rights and govern through rights. Second, the article discusses the implications that this has for rights discourse — rights become a discourse of governmentality, that is a normalizing and regulating discourse. In doing so, the article stresses the importance of critique and questioning new socio-legal methodologies, which involve the collection and dissemination of information and data (statistics), in rights discourse.
Spatio-Therapeutics: Drug Treatment Courts and Urban Space
Authors: Moore Dawn , Freeman Lisa , Krawczyk Marian
Published: June 2011

This article explores the intersection of geography, law and treatment through the lens of drug treatment courts. We show how the courts facilitate addiction treatment in part through specific definitions of urban spaces as either healthy or unhealthy. We argue that these definitions rely on the problematic notions that drug use is a geographically fixed activity and that neighbourhoods deemed unhealthy (because of either drug using or criminal activity) are essentially bad, void of any supportive features. These observations lead us to a broader framework of ‘spatio-therapeutics’ which is simultaneously productive and repressive.
‘A Brighter and Nicer New Life’: Security as Pacification
Authors: Neocleous Mark
Published: June 2011

The article argues that the process of securing the insecurity of capitalist accumulation might best be understood as a process of pacification. Pacification is closely connected to the Vietnam War, but the article suggests that pacification has a much longer history, linking the original accumulation in the colonies with the movement towards capitalism in the West. Read in this way, pacification is a form of police power, securing the insecurity of capitalist order. This helps us make sense of the permanent ‘wars on ... ’ being declared by capitalist states, from the war on drugs to the war on terror, and suggests that ‘pacification’ is a crucial concept for understanding security.
Is Arithmetic Useful for the Teaching and Learning of Algebra?
Authors: Banerjee Rakhi
Published: June 2011

Teaching and learning of algebra has been one of the most debated areas in mathematics education. There are various ways to introduce algebra, but the most common practice has been to introduce algebra after students have undergone some amount of arithmetic instruction. In recent years, a fresh look is being taken at this approach. In this article, I wish to review a section of research literature which deals with identification of difficulties which students face in learning algebra, and their connection to arithmetic. Further, I will discuss various kinds of teaching experiments carried out so that students make more sense of the algebraic symbols and operations on them, thus explicating the arithmetic–algebra connection. Based on this review of literature, I will argue for a better and broader understanding of the arithmetic–algebra connection and will broadly describe the kind of arithmetic that is needed to be able to make a transition to algebra.