bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Leaf development in Xylopia aromatica (Lam) Mart. (Annonaceae): implications for palatability to Stenoma scitiorella Walker 1864 (Lepidoptera: Elachistidae)
Authors: Varanda EM. , Costa AA. , Barosela JR.
Published: February 2009

Variations in specific foliar mass and water content, nitrogen, soluble carbohydrates and tannins were studied during the growth and maturation processes of the Xylopia aromatica leaves, to determine the effects of such alterations on the herbivory of Stenoma scitiorella caterpillars. This work was carried out in the physiognomy of the typical cerrado of the Parque Estadual de Vassununga, Gleba Pé-de Gigante, Santa Rita do Passa Quatro, São Paulo State, Brazil. While nutritional quality (water and nitrogen) decreases during expansion and maturation of Xylopia aromatica leaves, the chemical (tannins) and physical (sclerophylly) defenses are raised. In agreement with the observations on herbivory, the results support the hypothesis that the reduction in palatability and increase in chemical defenses of Xylopia aromatica leaves account for the caterpillars' preference for young expanding leaves.
Biodiversity of the Pantanal: response to seasonal flooding regime and to environmental degradation
Authors: Alho CJR.
Published: February 2009

Seasonal flooding is the most important ecological phenomenon in the Pantanal. Every year many parts of the biome change from terrestrial into aquatic habitats and vice-versa. The degree of inundation creates a range of major habitats. Flooding occupies about 80% of the whole Pantanal. In contrast, during the dry season, most of the flooded areas stay dry, when the water returns to the river beds or evaporates. The Pantanal is a large continental savanna wetland (147,574 km² in Brazil), touching Bolivia to the north and Paraguay to the south. The maze of fluctuating water levels, nutrients, and biota forms a dynamic ecosystem. The vegetation comprises 1,863 phanerogam plant species listed for the floodplain and 3,400 for the whole basin and 250 species of aquatic plants. The complex vegetation cover and seasonal productivity support a diverse and abundant fauna within the floodplain: 263 species of fish, 41 of amphibians, 113 of reptiles (177 for the basin), 463 of birds and 132 mammal species. Many endangered species occur, including jaguar (Panthera onca Linnaeus, 1758). Waterfowl are exceptionally abundant during the dry season. Analysis of the root causes of the threats to biodiversity indicated that deforestation (17% of the Pantanal and 63% of the surrounding uplands) with modification and loss of natural habitats due to cattle ranching, unsustainable agriculture, mining, environmental contamination (including mercury, pesticides, urban sewage), non organized tourism, fire, disturbances at the upstream region modifying hydrological flow, erosion, weak implementation and enforcement of legislation are the major issues to face conservation action and sustainable use. Under an evolutionary focus, local biodiversity seems to be well adapted to seasonal shrinking and expansion of natural habitats due to flooding. However, the conversion of natural vegetation due to human occupation is a real threat to biodiversity.
Neotropical coastal lagoons: an appraisal of their biodiversity, functioning, threats and conservation management
Authors: Esteves FA. , Caliman A. , Santangelo JM. , Guariento RD. , Farjalla VF. , Bozelli RL.
Published: February 2009

Neotropical coastal lagoons (NCL) are human-dominated ecosystems. Their distribution along densely populated coastal areas of developing countries makes these systems among the most threatened in the world. Here, we summarize some aspects of the causes and consequences of NCL biodiversity, their functioning, their importance to the surrounding populations, their fragility, and their responses to local and global anthropogenic impacts and the challenges that Neotropical countries face in conserving these systems. Although still scarce and geographically concentrated, a growing body of studies has shown that NCLs are physiographically diversified systems, which harbor a considerable and particular proportion of the Neotropical inland aquatic biodiversity. Despite the fact that coastal lagoons are ecotones that are intricately connected to surrounding environments, they develop mechanisms for structural and functional regulation, which confer to these systems higher productivity and carrying capacities than surrounding ecosystems. Such traits attract residential developments and subsidize local traditional populations with important economic and aesthetic ecosystem revenues such as fisheries and scenic beauty. However, the disorganized human occupation around NCLs are causing profound impacts such as eutrophication, salinization, exotic species introduction, as well as other effects, which are ultimately imposing major habitat degradations and biodiversity extirpations in NCLs. We argue that interdisciplinary conservation strategies, which integrate scientific expertise, government officials, private companies and the general public, are the most likely to overcome the geographic and economic obstacles to NCL conservation.
Benthic macroinvertebrates in the Paranapanema reservoir cascade (southeast Brazil)
Authors: Jorcin A. , Nogueira MG.
Published: February 2009

In this study, the composition, specific richness and abundance of benthic macroinvertebrates (<250 µm) from sediments of eight reservoirs of the Paranapanema River (southeast Brazil), as well as from the main tributaries (Taquari, Pardo and Tibagi) and the mouth zone into the Paraná River were analyzed. Nineteen points distributed along 700 km were sampled quarterly (8 campaigns) during a two-year period (2000 and 2001). The zoobenthos was characterized by a high species richness, (c.a. 100 taxa), with the predominance of Diptera Chironomidae (c.a. 50 taxa). There was a great spatial variation in the assemblage structure, mainly when compared the lacustrine zones of the reservoirs in relation to the fluvial stretches. The Oligochaeta Narapa bonettoi was dominant in sampling stations with sandy sediments and high water velocity, mainly in the Pardo River and in the upstream and downstream of the Paranapanema river mouth (Paraná River). Branchiura sowerbyi, other numerically important Oligochaeta, was abundant in regions of the upper and middle Paranapanema basin. The mollusk bivalve Corbicula fluminea was widely distributed, occurring in most stations and sampling periods. A certain increment in richness and abundance of taxa occurred in the middle Paranapanema. Lower depth, higher flow and increase in the trophic conditions seem to favor the benthic fauna development in this region. A seasonal variation pattern during the two years of study could not be detected, especially concerning the zoobenthos abundance.
Phytoplankton biodiversity changes in a shallow tropical reservoir during the hypertrophication process
Authors: Crossetti LO. , Bicudo DC. , Bicudo CEM. , Bini LM.
Published: February 2009

Study aimed at evaluating phytoplankton biodiversity changes in a shallow tropical reservoir during its hypertrophication process. Samplings were carried out monthly during 8 consecutive years (1997-2004) in 5 depths. Conspicuous limnological changes in the reservoir derived from the presence and/or removal of the water hyacinth, characterized 3 different phases. Over the time series, reservoir changed from a typical polymictic eutrophic system to hypertrophic one, leading to a reduction of approximately 70 species (average 37%). Chlorophyceae accounted for the highest species richness (46%) among all algal classes and strictly followed total species richness variation. Internal feedback mechanisms intensification over phase III clearly promoted the sharp decrease in biodiversity. Highest decreases, mainly during springs, occurred simultaneously to the highest Cyanobacteria blooms. Increased turbidity due to heavy phytoplankton blooms suppressed all other algal groups, so that at the end of the present study even Cyanobacteria species richness decreased. Total dissolved phosphorous was included in most of the best selected models used to analyze the temporal patterns in species richness loss. Present data show that biodiversity loss following trophic change was not a single dimension of a single factor but, rather, a template of factors (e.g. light, stability) co-varying in consequence of the larger levels of biomass supported in the reservoir.
The ecological dynamics of Barra Bonita (Tietê River, SP, Brazil) reservoir: implications for its biodiversity
Authors: Tundisi JG. , Matsumura-Tundisi T. , Abe DS.
Published: February 2009

Barra Bonita reservoir is located in the Tietê River Basin - São Paulo state - 22° 29" to 22° 44" S and 48° 10° W and it is the first of a series of six large reservoirs in this river. Built up in 1963 with the aim to produce hydroelectricity this reservoir is utilized for several activities such as fish production, irrigation, navigation, tourism and recreation, besides hydroelectricity production. The seasonal cycle of events in this reservoir is driven by the hydrological features of the basin with consequences on the retention time and on the limnological functions of this artificial ecosystem. The reservoir is polymitic with short periods of stability. Hydrology of the basin, retention time of the reservoir and cold fronts have an impact in the vertical and horizontal structure of the system promoting rapid changes in the planktonic community and in the succession of species. Blooms of Microcystis sp. are common during periods of stability. Superimposed to the climatological and hydrological forcing functions the human activities in the watershed produce considerable impact such as the discharge of untreated wastewater, the high suspended material contributions and fertilizers from the sugar cane plantations. The fish fauna of the reservoir has been changed extent due to the introduction of exotic fish species that exploit the pelagic zone of the reservoir. Changes in the primary productivity of phytoplankton in this reservoir, in the zooplankton community in the diversity and organization of trophic structure are a consequence of eutrophication and its increase during the last 20 years. Control of eutrophication by treating wastewater from urban sources, adequate agricultural practices in order to diminish the suspended particulate matter contribution, revegetation of the watershed and riparian forests along the tributaries are some possible restoration measures. Another action that can be effective is the protection of wetlands in the main tributaries as an effort to control eutrophication and particulate material load. Hydrology, climatic forcing and retention time are major forcing functions that promote the circulation (vertical and horizontal) in the reservoir and probably have a strong effect on dissolved and particulate material distribution. The 114 tributaries are systems that enhance spatial heterogeneity promoting diversity throughout ecological niches. Switches of control systems of this artificial ecosystem seems to be related with physical - physical forces; physical - biological forces during short periods of time, and biological - biological interactions at varying degrees during the seasonal cycle.
Diversity and distribution of the free-living freshwater Cyclopoida (Copepoda: Crustacea) in the Neotropics
Authors: Silva WM.
Published: February 2009

Cyclopoida species from the Neotropics are listed and their distributions are commented. The results showed 148 species in the Neotropics, where 83 species were recorded in the northern region (above upon Equator) and 110 species in the southern region (below the Equator). Species richness and endemism are related more to the number of specialists than to environmental complexity. New researcher should be made on to the Copepod taxonomy and the and new skills utilized to solve the main questions on the true distributions and Cyclopoida diversity patterns in the Neotropics.
The value of biodiversity
Authors: Alho CJR.
Published: February 2009

In addition to its intrinsic value (nature working as it is; species are the product of a long history of continuing evolution by means of ecological processes, and so they have the right to continued existence), biodiversity also plays a fundamental role as ecosystem services in the maintenance of natural ecological processes. The economic or utilitarian values of biodiversity rely upon the dependence of man on biodiversity; products that nature can provide: wood, food, fibers to make paper, resins, chemical organic products, genes as well as knowledge for biotechnology, including medicine and cosmetic sub-products. It also encompasses ecosystem services, such as climate regulation, reproductive and feeding habitats for commercial fish, some organisms that can create soil fertility through complex cycles and interactions, such as earthworms, termites and bacteria, in addition to fungi responsible for cycling nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur and making them available to plant absorption. These services are the benefits that people indirectly receive from natural ecosystem functions (air quality maintenance, regional climate, water quality, nutrient cycling, reproductive habitats of commercial fish, etc.) with their related economic values.
Dams and the fish fauna of the Neotropical region: impacts and management related to diversity and fisheries
Authors: Agostinho AA. , Pelicice FM. , Gomes LC.
Published: February 2009

Reservoirs have been built in almost all of the hydrographic basins of Brazil. Their purposes include water supply for cities, irrigation and mainly, generation of electricity. There are more than 700 large dams and associated reservoirs in the large rivers of the country. These reservoirs favor local and regional economic development, but they also bring serious and irreversible alterations in the natural hydrologic regime of rivers, affecting habitat quality and the dynamics of the biota. In the impounded area, the main impact is the change from lotic to lentic water, which influences aquatic fauna, including fishes. Impacts of reservoirs present relevant spatiotemporal variations. Immediately after reservoir formation, fish species richness usually increases due to incorporation of surrounding habitats, but richness decreases as reservoirs age. However, impacts downstream of dams appear to be similar or stronger than those that occur within the reservoir. Dams promote discharge control, altering the seasonal cycles of floods. These effects are augmented when dams are constructed in cascades. Therefore, dams profoundly influence composition and structure of fish assemblages. Most affected species are the rheophilics and long distance migratory that require distinct habitats to fulfill their life cycles. Populations of migratory species may collapse or even disappear in intensely regulated stretches. Management actions taken to minimize impacts of dams in Brazil historically considered construction of fish passages, fishery control and stocking. The results of these actions are questionable and/or with clear failures. In this paper, we give emphasis to the Paraná River basin, the most affected by dams in Brazil. We describe some patterns in the alteration and decline in fish diversity in areas influenced by dams. We also discuss negative consequences in the fishery and ecosystems functioning. Finally, we argue the relevance and the success of the management actions taken and present some suggestions to improve conservation of the ichthyofauna in South American basins influenced by dams.
The influence of lithification on Cenozoic marine biodiversity trends
Authors: Hendy Austin J. W.
Published: February 2009

Recent research has corroborated the long-held view that the diversity of genera within benthic marine communities has increased from the Paleozoic to the Cenozoic as much as three- to fourfold, after mitigating for such biasing influences as secular variation in time-averaging and environmental coverage. However, these efforts have not accounted for the considerable increase in the availability of unlithified fossiliferous sediments in strata of late Mesozoic and Cenozoic age. Analyses presented here on the Cenozoic fossil record of New Zealand demonstrate that unlithified sediments not only increase the amount of fossil material and hence the observed diversity therein, but they also preserve a pool of taxa that is compositionally distinct from lithified sediments. The implication is that a large component of the difference in estimates of within-community diversity between Paleozoic and Cenozoic assemblages may relate to the increased availability of unlithified sediments in the Cenozoic.
Revisiting Raup: exploring the influence of outcrop area on diversity in light of modern sample-standardization techniques
Authors: Wall Patrick D. , Ivany Linda C. , Wilkinson Bruce H.
Published: February 2009

Since David Raup's seminal 1976 work, paleontologists have been aware of the relationship between outcrop area and diversity. By incorporating lithologic data derived from Alexander Ronov and coworkers into our own data on areas of mapped outcrops from worldwide geologic maps, we are able to establish a quantitative connection between area of sedimentary rock exposure and diversity from the same general depositional environments. Significant power-law relations are observed at both global and continental scales of consideration. The addition of data on areas of habitable area estimated from paleogeographic maps does not substantially affect these correlations between outcrop area and diversity, indicating that the relation between outcrop area and diversity is primarily a function of sampling and not a common cause such as sea level. We observe a significant diversity-area effect, first noted by Jack Sepkoski in the marine realm. Unlike Sepkoski's, however, our diversity-area effect appears to play a substantial role in influencing diversity through time; a true global diversity signal appears to be contained in the rock record despite the impacts of variable sampling.

Greater outcrop area can serve to increase estimated diversity by increasing both the sample size and the range of habitats and biogeographic provinces sampled. After standardizing for pure sampling intensity by rarefying the number of taxon occurrences, outcrop area continues to explain a substantial portion of global marine diversity. This indicates that coverage, or sampling from multiple habitats and biogeographic provinces, is even more important than sampling intensity. If we remove the effect of outcrop area from our estimate of global biodiversity, we do not observe a net increase in diversity toward the present, lending support to other studies that have not supported a substantial, long-term global increase in biodiversity during the Phanerozoic.
Functional morphology and evolution of early Paleozoic dasycladalean algae (Chlorophyta)
Authors: LoDuca Steven T. , Behringer Ernest R.
Published: February 2009

Biophysical modeling and morphologic data from the fossil record were used to investigate the functional significance of changes in thallus morphology during the early evolutionary history of dasycladalean algae (dasyclads), a clade of benthic marine macroalgae. Modeling results indicate that the addition of cylindrical appendages (laterals) to an upright main axis, a key morphological innovation in the evolution of dasyclad thallus form, can provide for large gains in light interception efficiency, near-maximum gains in this regard being achieved when the ratio of total lateral surface area to main axis surface area is 4 or greater. Among the 13 early Paleozoic study taxa, all but one was found to exceed this value. Modeling of surface area to volume ratios for early Paleozoic dasyclads indicates that laterals for these forms conveyed only modest gains in this regard and, therefore, likely played little role in improving nutrient uptake. For survivorship, it appears that increasing thallus complexity by developing laterals conveyed important benefits by imparting both compartmentalization and redundancy, thereby increasing the likelihood that lateral-bearing forms would survive attacks by early mesograzers. Trends and patterns in the fossil record support such a survival-enhancing role for laterals and are consistent with the initial evolution of these structures as an early manifestation of an evolutionary arms race between macroalgae and herbivores initiated near the Proterozoic/Phanerozoic boundary.
Mutational analysis of the BRAF, RAS and EGFR genes in human adrenocortical carcinomas
Authors: Kotoula Vassiliki , Sozopoulos Elias , Litsiou Helen , Fanourakis Galinos , Koletsa Triantafyllia , Voutsinas Gerassimos , Tseleni-Balafouta Sophia , Mitsiades Constantine S , Wellmann Axel , Mitsiades Nicholas
Published: February 2009

The serine/threonine kinase B-Raf plays a key role in the Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK pathway that relays extracellular signals for cell proliferation and survival. Several types of human malignancies harbor activating BRAF mutations, most frequently a V600E substitution. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), a transmembrane tyrosine kinase (TK) receptor that mediates proliferation and survival signaling, is expressed in a wide variety of normal and neoplastic tissues. EGFR inhibitors have produced objective responses in patients with non-small cell lung carcinomas harboring activating EGFR TK domain somatic mutations. We evaluated the presence of mutations in BRAF (exons 11 and 15), KRAS (exons 1 and 2), NRAS (exons 1 and 2), and EGFR (exons 18–21) in adrenal carcinomas (35 tumor specimens and two cell lines) by DNA sequencing. BRAF mutations were found in two carcinomas (5.7%). Four carcinomas (11.4%) carried EGFR TK domain mutations. One specimen carried a KRAS mutation, and another carried two NRAS mutations. No mutations were found in the two adrenocortical cell lines. BRAF- and EGFR-mutant tumor specimens exhibited stronger immunostaining for the phosphorylated forms of the MEK and ERK kinases than their wild-type counterparts. EGFR-mutant carcinomas exhibited increased phosphorylation of EGFR (Tyr 992) compared with wild-type carcinomas. We conclude that BRAF, RAS, and EGFR mutations occur in a subset of human adrenocortical carcinomas. Inhibitors of the Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK and EGFR pathways represent candidate targeted therapies for future clinical trials in carefully selected patients with adrenocortical carcinomas harboring respective activating mutations.
Clinical aspects of SDHx-related pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma
Authors: Timmers Henri J L M , Gimenez-Roqueplo Anne-Paule , Mannelli Massimo , Pacak Karel
Published: February 2009

Paragangliomas (PGLs) derive from either sympathetic chromaffin tissue in adrenal and extra-adrenal abdominal or thoracic locations, or from parasympathetic tissue of the head and neck. Mutations of nuclear genes encoding subunits B, C, and D of the mitochondrial enzyme succinate dehydrogenase (SDHB 1p35-p36.1, SDHC 1q21, SDHD 11q23) give rise to hereditary PGL syndromes PGL4, PGL3, and PGL1 respectively. The susceptibility gene for PGL2 on 11q13.1 remains unidentified. Mitochondrial dysfunction due to SDHx mutations have been linked to tumorigenesis by upregulation of hypoxic and angiogenesis pathways, apoptosis resistance and developmental culling of neuronal precursor cells. SDHB-, SDHC-, and SDHD-associated PGLs give rise to more or less distinct clinical phenotypes. SDHB mutations mainly predispose to extra-adrenal, and to a lesser extent, adrenal PGLs, with a high malignant potential, but also head and neck paragangliomas (HNPGL). SDHD mutations are typically associated with multifocal HNPGL and usually benign adrenal and extra-adrenal PGLs. SDHC mutations are a rare cause of mainly HNPGL. Most abdominal and thoracic SDHB-PGLs hypersecrete either norepinephrine or norepinephrine and dopamine. However, only some hypersecrete dopamine, are biochemically silent. The biochemical phenotype of SDHD-PGL has not been systematically studied. For the localization of PGL, several positron emission tomography (PET) tracers are available. Metastatic SDHB-PGL is the best localized by [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose PET. The identification of SDHx mutations in patients with PGL is warranted for a tailor-made approach to the biochemical diagnosis, imaging, treatment, follow-up, and family screening.
Omissions and Errors in the Institute of Medicine’s Report on Scientific Evidence of Treatment for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Authors: Lee Christopher W. , Schubert Sarah
Published: February 2009

A recently released report by the Institute of Medicine (IOM, 2008) commissioned by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs examined the evidence for psychotherapeutic and pharmacological treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It concluded that the evidence was inadequate to determine the efficacy of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) in the treatment of PTSD. However, a critical examination of the basis for this conclusion reveals errors in three areas. First, the findings of key studies that reported positive outcomes for EMDR were misrepresented; second, a number of positive studies were excluded without apparent justification; and, finally, the IOM report failed to consider additional readily available studies that also reported benefits for EMDR. These factors appear to explain why the conclusions of the IOM report are at odds with the numerous meta-analyses and practice guidelines of PTSD treatments issued by other scientific committees worldwide.
Treatment of Dissociation With EMDR When War Interrupts the Process The Integration of EMDR With E-Mail Therapy
Authors: Cohen Alan
Published: February 2009

This article describes the integration of e-mail correspondence with EMDR treatment for a woman with a fear of driving and a diagnosis of dissociative disorder, not otherwise specified (DDNOS). When the client first presented for treatment, her diagnosis was unrecognized, and treatment showed limited success. With recognition of the DDNOS diagnosis, the treatment contract was renegotiated, with the focus of therapy shifting to addressing her dissociative experiences. Therapeutic progress was being made when the course of the treatment was interrupted by war in the north of Israel, and regular meetings became impossible. Communication was maintained by e-mail correspondence. When face-to-face sessions recommenced, the e-mail therapy continued because writing had become a powerful therapeutic tool. Therapy concluded with the successful treatment of both the dissociative disorder and the fear of driving. Cautions regarding the use of e-mail therapy are provided.
Survival Determinants for Online Retailers
Authors: Nikolaeva Ralitza , Kalwani Manohar U , Robinson William T , Sriram S.
Published: February 2009

Survival determinants can influence important strategic decisions. Analysis of longitudinal data on 418 online retailers in fourteen Bizrate product categories yields insights into key survival determinants. Survival tends to be easier for introductory versus growth stage entrants. Survival, however, is more difficult for e-tailers who sell touch and feel products and for pure e-tailers who do not have the support of either brick and mortar stores or catalog operations. While introductory stage entrants have higher survival rates versus growth stage entrants, there is no significant impact for rank order of entry or pioneer leadtime. These mixed results point to modest early mover advantages in online retailing. While some e-tailers like Amazon.com benefited from moving early, many others suffered from pioneer burnout.
Effect of Naga Parpam, a Zinc-Based Siddha Medicine, on Hyperlipidemia in Rats
Authors: Balakrishnan Ilango , Sharief Sultan Dawood , Krishnamurthy Vinoth Kumar , Raman Rajkumar , Subramanian Viswanathan , Ethirajan Sukumar
Published: February 2009

A zinc-based preparation of Siddha medicine, Naga Parpam (NP), is prescribed in the treatment of a variety of diseases. In folklore practice, NP is added as an ingredient in medicaments to treat obesity. Hence it was studied for antihyperlipidemic activity in cholesterol-fed rats with continuous administration for 30 days in doses of 10 and 20 mg / kg body weight. The drug prevented the elevation of total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) in serum, liver and heart tissues in a dose-dependent manner when compared to control animals.
Brownian pump with an unbiased external force
Authors: Liu Yang , Ai Bao-quan
Published: February 2009

We investigate Brownian pump transport in the presence of an unbiased external force. The pumping system is embedded in a finite region bounded by two particle reservoirs. In the adiabatic limit, we obtain the analytical expressions of the current and the concentration ratio. We find that Brownian particles can be pumped through an asymmetric potential from a particle reservoir at low concentration to one at the same or higher concentration in the presence of an unbiased external force.
The asymptotic iteration method applied to certain quasinormal modes and non Hermitian systems
Authors: Özer Okan , Roy Pinaki
Published: February 2009

We study the Schrödinger equation with potentials admitting quasinormal modes using the asymptotic iteration method (AIM). We also study non-Hermitian PT symmetric potentials using AIM. The spectra, in all cases, are found to be in excellent agreement with exact results.
Targeted cationic poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles for gene delivery to cultured cells
Authors: Díez Sonsoles , Miguéliz Itziar , Tros de Ilarduya Conchita
Published: February 2009

We developed a new targeted cationic nanoparticulate system composed of poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), 1,2-dioleoyl-3-(trimethylammonium) propane (DOTAP) and asialofetuin (AF), and found it to be a highly effective formulation for gene delivery to liver tumor cells. The nanoparticles (NP) were prepared by a modified solvent evaporation process that used two protocols in order to encapsulate (NP1 particles) or adsorb (NP2 particles) plasmid DNA. The final particles are in the nanoscale range. pDNA loaded in PLGA/DOTAP/AF particles with high loading efficiency showed a positive surface charge. Targeted asialofetuin-nanoparticles (AF-NP) carrying genes encoding for luciferase and interleukin-12 (IL-12) resulted in increased transfection efficiencies compared to free DNA and to plain (non-targeted) systems, even in the presence of 60% fetal bovine serum (FBS). The results of transfections performed on HeLa cells, defective in asialoglycoprotein receptors (ASGPr-), confirmed the receptor-mediated endocytosis mechanism. In summary, this is the first time that asialoglycoprotein receptor targeting by PLGA/DOTAP/DNA nanoparticles carrying the therapeutic gene IL-12 has been shown to be efficient in gene delivery to liver cancer cells in the presence of a very high concentration of serum, and this could be a potential system for in vivo application.
Potassium currents in human myogenic cells from healthy and congenital myotonic dystrophy foetuses
Authors: Nurowska Ewa , Constanti Andrew , Dworakowska Beata , Mouly Vincent , Furling Denis , Lorenzon Paola , Pietrangelo Tiziana , Dołowy Krzysztof , Ruzzier Fabio
Published: February 2009

The whole-cell patch clamp technique was used to record potassium currents in in vitro differentiating myoblasts isolated from healthy and myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) foetuses carrying 2000 CTG repeats. The fusion of the DM1 myoblasts was reduced in comparison to that of the control cells. The dystrophic muscle cells expressed less voltage-activated K+ (delayed rectifier and non-inactivating delayed rectifier) and inward rectifier channels than the age-matched control cells. However, the resting membrane potential was not significantly different between the control and the DM1 cells. After four days in a differentiation medium, the dystrophic cells expressed the fast-inactivating transient outward K+ channels, which were not observed in healthy cells. We suggest that the low level of potassium currents measured in differentiated DM1 cells could be related to their impaired fusion.
The Association Drepanoclado Uncinati-Heliospermetum Pusilli (Arabidetalia Caeruleae, Thlaspietea Rotundifolii) in the Trnovski Gozd Plateau (Slovenia, NW Dinaric Mts)
Authors: Surina Boštjan , Vreš Branko
Published: February 2009

The AssociationDrepanoclado Uncinati-Heliospermetum Pusilli (Arabidetalia Caeruleae, Thlaspietea Rotundifolii)in the Trnovski Gozd Plateau (Slovenia, NW Dinaric Mts)

The phytosociology and ecology ofHeliosperma pusillumin freezing ravines of the Trnovski gozd plateau (Slovenia, NW Dinaric Mts) are discussed. The species thrive on shadowy, moist, cold and stable screes of boulders with long-lasting snow cover. The stands belonged to the associationDrepanoclado uncinati-Heliospermetum pusilli (Salicion retusae, Arabidetalia caeruleae, Thlaspietea rotundifolii). Due to close proximity to the Julian Alps, the stands host a significant number of SE - Alpine and N-Illyrian species. Therefore, a new geographical variantPaederota luteais described. Differential species for the geographical variant arePhyteuma scheuchzerissp.columnae, Valeriana saxatilis, Rhodothamnus chamaecistus, andSaxifraga cuneifolia.For less stable screes with smaller rocky particles a new subassociationsalicetosum retusaeis described, and the differential species for the subassociation areSalix retusaandPoa alpina.Stands of the associationDrepanoclado-Heliospermetumvar. geogr.Paederota luteafrom the Trnovski gozd plateau are on the north-westernmost part of the distribution area of the Dinaric allianceSalicion retusae.
The Burqa inVogue
Authors: McLarney Ellen
Published: February 2009

In the months leading up to 9/11 and in its immediate aftermath, the media demonized the burqa as “Afghanistan’s veil of terror,” a tool of extremists and the epitome of political and sexual repression. Around the time of Afghanistan’s presidential and parliamentary elections in 2004 and 2005, there were noticeable shift s in apprehensions of the burqa in the Western media. In Fall 2006, burqa images even appeared on the Paris runways and in Vogue fashion spreads. This article charts the burqa’s evolution from “shock to chic” and the process of its commodification in the Western media. The article specifically analyzes Vogue magazine’s appropriation of the burqa as haute couture.
House of Obedience
Authors: Shehada Nahda
Published: February 2009

Based on 14 months of fieldwork, this paper examines the influence of social norms, individual agency, and historical contingency on the practice of House of Obedience (bayt al-ta‘a) in the shari‘a courts of the Gaza Strip. It argues that the text of Islamic family law is only one dimension in the administration of House of Obedience. Aspects concerning the wider sociopolitical context are crucial, notably the preeminence of the notion of family honor (sharaf), the mutually constitutive relation between the shari‘a court and the community, and the specificities of court cases. As an ideological construct, the law does not necessarily correspond to a social milieu full of inconsistencies, oppositions, contradictions, and tensions. Thus, the practice of law has always been characterized by pluralism, flexibility, and a degree of ambiguity, whereas the text remains characterized by rigidity, restriction, stability, and in some aspects, superficial clarity.
Estimating Intervention Effects in a Complex Multi-Level Smoking Prevention Study
Authors: Falcaro Milena , Povey Andrew  C. , Fielder Anne , Nahit Elizabeth , Pickles Andrew
Published: February 2009

This paper illustrates how to estimate cumulative and non-cumulative treatment effects in a complex school-based smoking intervention study. The Instrumental Variable method is used to tackle non-compliance and measurement error for a range of treatment exposure measures (binary, ordinal and continuous) in the presence of clustering and drop-out. The results are compared to more routine analyses. The empirical findings from this study provide little encouragement for believing that poorly resourced school-based interventions can bring about substantial long-lasting reductions in smoking behaviour but that novel components such as a computer game might have some short-term effect.
Actinomycetes for Marine Drug Discovery Isolated from Mangrove Soils and Plants in China
Authors: Hong Kui , Gao An-Hui , Xie Qing-Yi , Gao Hao Gao , Zhuang Ling , Lin Hai-Peng , Yu Hai-Ping , Li Jia , Yao Xin-Sheng , Goodfellow Michael , Ruan Ji-Sheng
Published: February 2009

The mangrove ecosystem is a largely unexplored source for actinomycetes with the potential to produce biologically active secondary metabolites. Consequently, we set out to isolate, characterize and screen actinomycetes from soil and plant material collected from eight mangrove sites in China. Over 2,000 actinomycetes were isolated and of these approximately 20%, 5%, and 10% inhibited the growth of Human Colon Tumor 116 cells, Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus, respectively, while 3% inhibited protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B), a protein related to diabetes. In addition, nine isolates inhibited aurora kinase A, an anti-cancer related protein, and three inhibited caspase 3, a protein related to neurodegenerative diseases. Representative bioactive isolates were characterized using genotypic and phenotypic procedures and classified to thirteen genera, notably to the genera Micromonospora and Streptomyces. Actinomycetes showing cytotoxic activity were assigned to seven genera whereas only Micromonospora and Streptomyces strains showed anti-PTP1B activity. We conclude that actinomycetes isolated from mangrove habitats are a potentially rich source for the discovery of anti-infection and anti-tumor compounds, and of agents for treating neurodegenerative diseases and diabetes.
Antimicrobial Activity of Five Herbal Extracts Against Multi Drug Resistant (MDR) Strains of Bacteria and Fungus of Clinical Origin
Authors: Khan Rosina , Islam Barira , Akram Mohd , Shakil Shazi , Ahmad Anis Ahmad , Ali S. Manazir , Siddiqui Mashiatullah , Khan Asad U.
Published: February 2009

Antimicrobial activities of the crude ethanolic extracts of five plants were screened against multidrug resistant (MDR) strains of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Candida albicans. ATCCstrains of Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus bovis, Pseudimonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhimurium, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Candida albicans were also tested. The strains that showed resistance against the maximum number of antibiotics tested were selected for an antibacterial assay. The MDR strains were sensitive to the antimicrobial activity of Acacia nilotica, Syzygium aromaticum and Cinnamum zeylanicum, whereas they exhibited strong resistance to the extracts of Terminalia arjuna and Eucalyptus globulus. Community-acquired infections showed higher sensitivity than the nosocomial infections against these extracts. The most potent antimicrobial plant was A. nilotica (MIC range 9.75-313µg/ml), whereas other crude plant extracts studied in this report were found to exhibit higher MIC values than A. nilotica against community acquired as well as nosocomial infection. This study concludes that A. nilotica, C. zeylanicum and S. aromaticum can be used against multidrug resistant microbes causing nosocomial and community acquired infections.
Stereochemistry of 16a-Hydroxyfriedelin and 3-Oxo-16-methylfriedel-16-ene Established by 2D NMR Spectroscopy
Authors: Duarte Lucienir Pains , Silva de Miranda Roqueline Rodrigues , Rodrigues Salomão Bento Vasconcelos Rodrigues , De Fátima Silva Grácia Divina , Filho Sidney Augusto Vieira , Knupp Vagner Fernandes
Published: February 2009

Friedelin (1), 3b-friedelinol (2), 28-hydroxyfriedelin (3), 16a-hydroxyfriedelin (4), 30-hydroxyfriedelin (5) and 16a,28-dihydroxyfriedelin (6) were isolated through fractionation of the hexane extract obtained from branches of Salacia elliptica. After a week in CDCl3 solution, 16a-hydroxyfriedelin (4) reacted turning into 3-oxo-16-methylfriedel-16-ene (7). This is the first report of a dehydration followed by a Nametkin rearrangement of a pentacyclic triterpene in CDCl3 solution occurring in the NMR tube. These seven pentacyclic triterpenes was identified through NMR spectroscopy and the stereochemistry of compound 4 and 7 was established by 2D NMR (NOESY) spectroscopy and mass spectrometry (GC-MS). It is also the first time that all the 13C-NMR and 2D NMR spectral data are reported for compounds 4 and 7.
El Ateneo Español de México y el exilio intelectual republicano
Authors: López Sánchez José María
Published: February 2009

El Ateneo Español de México, fundado en 1949, fue una institución cultural que, desde sus orígenes, tuvo una doble finalidad. Por un lado, pretendió ser una especie de “hogar de espíritu” que encarnase los valores más cercanos a la tradición cultural liberal y democrática española. Por otra parte, el Ateneo siempre asumió la responsabilidad que como organización del exilio republicano le tocaba en su lucha contra la dictadura franquista y trató de favorecer la unidad de las fuerzas republicanas en el exilio en su lucha por un objetivo común, el cambio de la situación política en España.
Los artistas españoles del éxodo y el llanto bajo el techo azteca
Authors: Cabañas Bravo Miguel
Published: February 2009

El presente artículo trata de las características que rodearon y singularizaron al artista español exiliado en México tras la guerra civil, especialmente las referidas a número, actividad profesional, instalación e integración, agrupaciones, medios profesionales e influencias. Por tanto, el análisis se dirige a ilustrar el conjunto de su trayectoria y acción colectiva, resaltando las vinculaciones de esta extensión del arte español del siglo XX con los aspectos y condicionantes socio-políticos y culturales de inscripción.
Zwischen Tradition und Innovation: Karl von den Steinens völkerkundliche Forschungen im Xingu-Quellgebiet (1883-1887) und ihre Bedeutung für die deutsche Amerikanistik des 19. Jahrhunderts
Authors: Rebok Sandra
Published: February 2009

Este artículo analiza los estudios antropológicos llevados a cabo por el viajero y científico alemán Karl von den Steinen a finales del siglo XIX en la región del río Xingú en Brasil Central. En primer lugar se ofrece una breve introducción sobre las dos expediciones por él dirigidas así como sobre los intereses científicos que las motivaron. A continuación se contrapone la orientación ideológica y temática del americanismo de la época con la investigación de Karl von den Steinen en Brasil, con objeto de ver en qué sentido ha trabajado siguiendo las pautas metodológicas habituales de su época y en qué aspectos ha abandonado ese marco tradicional a fin de desarrollar innovaciones en la investigación. Tras este análisis de la contribución de von den Steinen al desarrollo del americanismo alemán, el artículo se dedica a contestar la pregunta de hasta qué punto sus estudios son aún de relevancia para nosotros hoy día, y si su metodología y resultados siguen siendo válidos en la actualidad. Finalmente, se presentan los vínculos de su orientación ideológica en relación con los de sus predecesores y sucesores, a fin de detectar quién pudo influir en Karl von den Steinen y, a la inversa, quién pudo imbuirse de sus ideas.
Highly Selective Iridium‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Trifluoromethyl Olefins: A New Route to Trifluoromethyl‐ Bearing Stereocenters
Authors: Engman Mattias , Cheruku Pradeep , Tolstoy Päivi , Bergquist Jonas , Völker Sebastian F. , Andersson Pher G.
Published: February 2009

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Fluorine‐containing compounds are useful in many applications ranging from pharmaceuticals to ferroelectric crystals. We have developed a new, highly enantioselective synthetic route to trifluoromethyl‐bearing stereocenters in up to 96% ee via asymmetric hydrogenation using N,P‐ligated iridium catalysts. We also hydrogenated an isomeric mixture of olefins; this reaction gave the hydrogenation product highly enantioselectively (87% ee), and only the E isomer was present after the reaction had reached 56% conversion.
Common and rare variants of DAOA in bipolar disorder
Authors: Maheshwari Manjula , Shi Jiajun , Badner Judith A. , Skol Andrew , Willour Virginia L. , Muzny Donna M. , Wheeler David A. , Gerald Fowler R. , Detera‐Wadleigh Sevilla , McMahon Francis J. , Potash James B. , Gershon Elliot S. , Liu Chunyu , Gibbs Richard A.
Published: February 2009

The D‐amino acid oxidase activator (DAOA, previously known as G72) gene, mapped on 13q33, has been reported to be genetically associated with bipolar disorder (BP) in several populations. The consistency of associated variants is unclear and rare variants in exons of the DAOA gene have not been investigated in psychiatric diseases. We employed a conditional linkage method—STatistical Explanation for Positional Cloning (STEPC) to evaluate whether any associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) account for the evidence of linkage in a pedigree series that previously has been linked to marker D13S779 at 13q33. We also performed an association study in a sample of 376 Caucasian BP parent‐proband trios by genotyping 38 common SNPs in the gene region. Besides, we resequenced coding regions and flanking intronic sequences of DAOA in 555 Caucasian unrelated BP patients and 564 mentally healthy controls, to identify putative functional rare variants that may contribute to disease. One SNP rs1935058 could “explain” the linkage signal in the family sample set (P = 0.055) using STEPC analysis. No significant allelic association was detected in an association study by genotyping 38 common SNPs in 376 Caucasian BP trios. Resequencing identified 53 SNPs, of which 46 were novel SNPs. There was no significant excess of rare variants in cases relative to controls. Our results suggest that DAOA does not have a major effect on BP susceptibility. However, DAOA may contribute to bipolar susceptibility in some specific families as evidenced by the STEPC analysis. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
SERS‐Marker für die Anregung mit rotem Laserlicht: Glasverkapselte SAMs auf Gold/Silber‐Nanoschalen
Authors: Küstner Bernd , Gellner Magdalena , Schütz Max , Schöppler Friedrich , Marx Alexander , Ströbel Philipp , Adam Patrick , Schmuck Carsten , Schlücker Sebastian
Published: February 2009

SAM im Glashaus: Glasverkapselte selbstorganisierte Monolagen (SAMs) auf durchstimmbaren Gold/Silber‐Nanoschalen wurden als Markierungsreagens für die oberflächenverstärkte Raman‐Streuung (SERS) eingesetzt. Dieses Konzept vereint die spektroskopischen Vorteile einer maximalen Oberflächenbedeckung und der einheitlichen molekularen Orientierung der Raman‐Markermoleküle innerhalb der vollständigen Monolage mit der hohen Stabilität einer Glashülle.

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Was ist wirklich nötig, um Komplexe später Übergangsmetalle mit terminalen Oxo‐Liganden zu stabilisieren?
Authors: Limberg Christian
Published: February 2009

Überraschend stabil: Edelmetall‐Komplexe mit terminalen Oxo‐Liganden werden häufig als Intermediate postuliert, gelten aber als schwer fassbar, da ihre d‐Elektronen die MO‐Einheiten destabilisieren. Bis vor kurzem war man der Ansicht, dass die Isolierung solcher Verbindungen nur mit starken Akzeptor‐Liganden gelingt, doch nun wurde ein bemerkenswert stabiler PtO‐Komplex mit einem einfachen Pinzetten‐Liganden erhalten.

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Giant Pores in a Chromium 2,6‐Naphthalenedicarboxylate Open‐Framework Structure with MIL‐101 Topology
Authors: Sonnauer Andreas , Hoffmann Frank , Fröba Michael , Kienle Lorenz , Duppel Viola , Thommes Matthias , Serre Christian , Férey Gérard , Stock Norbert
Published: February 2009

Groß, größer …︁ Der Austausch von 1,4‐Benzoldicarboxylat gegen 2,6‐Naphthalindicarboxylat in der MIL‐101‐Struktur ergibt ein isoretikuläres mesoporöses Netzwerk mit Käfigen von 39 und 46 Å Durchmesser. Hochdurchsatzmethoden wurden eingesetzt, um die optimalen Reaktionsbedingungen zu finden. Die mikrokristalline Verbindung wurde durch Struktursimulation sowie Pulverröntgenbeugungs‐, N2‐Sorptions‐ und TEM‐Messungen charakterisiert.

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