bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interactions between the implementation of marine protected areas and right‐based fisheries management in Australia
Authors: BAELDE P.
Published: January 2005

Abstract  The declaration of marine protected areas (MPAs) in Australia generates much confusion and controversy between government conservation and fisheries agencies, the fishing industry and NGOs. There are fundamental differences between the principles and practices underpinning the implementation of MPAs and fisheries management. This paper analyses the interactions between these two approaches to natural resource management and highlights the difficulties in integrating them effectively. The major challenges for governments are: poor cooperation between fisheries and conservation agencies; in principle inconsistencies between allocation of fishing rights by fisheries agencies and loss of these rights through MPA declaration; re‐allocation of resources between user groups through spatial zoning; lack of fisheries expertise in conservation planning, and inappropriate single‐species/single‐issue approach to fisheries management. As fisheries agencies are now considering developing their own MPAs as tools for fisheries management, the need to address inconsistencies between conservation and fisheries approaches to the spatial management of natural resources increases further. Better collaboration between government agencies and better coordination of their activities would help more effective and less conflicting management of marine resources.
The equivalent resistance and power requirements of electric fishing electrodes
Authors: BEAUMONT W. R. C. , LEE M. J. , PEIRSON G.
Published: January 2005

Abstract  The empirical relationship between different sizes of electric fishing anodes, water conductivity and equivalent resistance was modelled for a range of electric fishing ring anode designs currently in use. In addition, equivalent resistance values were measured for several cathode designs. Knowledge of the equivalent electrode resistance allowed determination of the input power required to energise an electric fishing system for a range of water conductivities, circuit voltages and electrical waveforms. The values of equivalent electrode resistance did not correspond well with values obtained from previously published theoretical methods for calculating equivalent electrode resistance.
Effects of exploitation on age, growth and mortality of the blackspot snapper,Lutjanus fulviflamma, at Mafia Island, Tanzania
Authors: KAMUKURU A. T. , HECHT T. , MGAYA Y. D.
Published: January 2005

Abstract Estimates of the growth parameters (L∞andK), mortality coefficients (Z, MandF) and exploitation rate (E) for the blackspot snapper,Lutjanus fulviflamma(Forsskål) from the Mafia Island Marine Park (MIMP) and adjacent intensively fished areas in Tanzania were determined. Sectioned otoliths showed thatL. fulviflammain the MIMP attained a maximum age of 18 years, with a high proportion of fish between 6 and 10 years old. The maximum age was 8 years in the intensively fished areas, with a preponderance of 2‐ and 4‐year‐old fish. The size structures of the populations in the MIMP and that in the intensively fished areas were markedly different, with the MIMP fish averaging (±SE) 211.4 ± 0.38 mm TL, but 154.6 ± 0.32 mm TL in the intensively fished areas. The von Bertalanffy growth parameters wereL∞ = 290.3 mm TL,K = 0.15 year−1andt0 = −2.7 years. There was no significant difference in growth between the four populations (L∞:F‐stat = 0.14,P = 1.000, andK:F‐stat = 0.26,P = 0.992). Total mortality was 0.55 and 1.64 year−1in the MIMP and intensively fished areas, respectively, natural mortality 0.27 year−1and fishing mortality 0.18 and 1.37 year−1in the MIMP and intensively fished areas, respectively. The exploitation rate was 0.51 and 0.84 in the MIMP and intensively fished areas, respectively. The artisanal seine net fishery is directed mainly at younger fish in the intensively fished areas resulting in growth overfishing. The protracted life span, the slow growth and natural mortality rates imply thatL. fulviflammais vulnerable to overfishing and that the protection provided by the park, although limited, is vital for sustaining the fishery at Mafia Island.
Changes in the fish catches during a trial opening of sluice gates on a run‐of‐the river reservoir in Thailand
Authors: JUTAGATE T. , KRUDPAN C. , NGAMSNAE P. , LAMKOM T. , PAYOOHA K.
Published: January 2005

Abstract  Changes in catch‐per‐unit‐effort (CPUE) were evaluated when all the sluice gates on the Pak Mun Dam, Mun River, Thailand, were opened between July 2001 and June 2002. CPUE ranged from 0.38 to 1.70 and 0.61 to 2.71 kg fisherman−1 night−1, downstream and upstream of the dam, respectively. No statistical differences (P > 0.05) among months were observed in both areas. The monthly percentage index of relative importance (%IRI) of the fish species caught varied between months.
Natural and artificially‐induced habitat complexity and freshwater fish species composition
Authors: FREITAS C. E. C. , PETRERE M. , BARRELLA W.
Published: January 2005

Abstract  The effects of habitat complexity, induced by construction of artificial reefs, on the fish assemblages in the Barra Bonita reservoir, Brazil, and in the lotic zone immediately below the dam were studied. Four artificial reefs were constructed in each habitat at variable distances from the shore. Multiple correspondence analysis showed that the factors distance from the shore and type of habitat were determinants for the group formation, and artificial reefs had a lesser effect. Fish species composition was about the same at locations with and without reefs.
Analysis of Lolium temulentum geographical differentiation by microsatellite and AFLP markers
Authors: SENDA T , SAITO M , OHSAKO T , TOMINAGA T
Published: January 2005

The genetic diversity and relationships of 48 Lolium temulentum accessions derived from eight countries (Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia, Italy, Ethiopia, Pakistan, Nepal and Japan) were analysed using seven microsatellite and 44 AFLP polymorphic loci to investigate the origin and distribution of genetic variation. Cluster analysis was performed using the unweighted pair‐group method with arithmetic averages (UPGMA) based on the simple matching coefficient of similarity. Nei's gene diversity (h) and the coefficient of gene differentiation (Gst) were calculated. The results from microsatellite analysis indicated that accessions from the same country did not always cluster together, probably because of the limited number of loci used. In contrast, AFLP clearly separated clusters between countries and/or regions; Pakistan–Nepal complex, the Mediterranean region, Ethiopia and Japan. The h value was much higher for microsatellite than for AFLP analysis, indicating that microsatellites are the more variable markers. For AFLP analyses, h values were highest in accessions from Pakistan–Nepal complex, and from the Mediterranean region. These are in agreement with proposals that the origin of L. temulentum lies between the South‐western Asia and the Mediterranean basin. The clear groupings of accessions from each country and/or region with high Gst (0.688) indicate that exchange of seeds between them is limited.
Differential phytotoxicity of glyphosate in maize seedlings following applications to roots or shoot
Authors: ALISTER C , KOGAN M , PINO I
Published: January 2005

The transport and differential phytotoxicity of glyphosate was investigated in maize seedlings following application of the herbicide to either roots or shoots. One‐leaf maize seedlings (Zea mays L.) were maintained in graduated cylinders (250 mL) containing nutrient solution. Half of the test plants were placed in cylinders (100 mL) containing different 14C‐glyphosate concentrations; the remainder received foliar appliation of 14C‐glyphosate. After 26 h, the roots and the treated leaves were washed with distilled water, and the plants placed again in cylinders (250 mL) containing fresh nutrient solution for 5 days. Plants were weighed, and split into root, seed, cotyledon, coleoptile, mesocotyl, first leaf and apex. The recovery of 14C‐glyphosate was over 86%. For both application treatments, the shoot apex was the major sink of the mobilized glyphosate (47.9 ± 2.93% for root absorption and 45.8 ± 2.91% for foliar absorption). Expressed on a tissue fresh weight basis, approximately 0.26 μg a.e. g−1 of glyphosate in the apex produced a 50% reduction of plant fresh weight (ED50) when the herbicide was applied to the root. However, the ED50 following foliar absorption was only 0.042 μg a.e. g−1 in the apex, thus maize seedlings were much more sensitive to foliar application of the herbicide.
Burial depth and cultivation influence emergence and persistence of Phalaris paradoxa seed in an Australian sub‐tropical environment
Authors: TAYLOR I N , WALKER S R , ADKINS S W
Published: January 2005

Emergence and persistence characteristics of Phalaris paradoxa seeds in no‐ and minimum‐till situations and at different burial depths were studied in a sub‐tropical environment. Three experiments were carried out using naturally shed seeds. In the first experiment, seedlings emerged from May through to September each year, although the majority of seedlings emerged in July. In the second experiment with greater seed density, cultivation in March of each year stimulated seedling emergence, altered the periodicity of emergence and accelerated the decline of seeds in the seedbank compared with plots that received no cultivation. The majority of seedlings in the cultivated plots emerged in May whereas the majority of seedlings in the undisturbed plots emerged in July. Emergence accounted for only 4–19% of the seedbank in both experiments over 2 years. Seed persistence was short in both field experiments, with less than 1% remaining 2 years after seed shed. In the third experiment, burial depth and soil disturbance significantly influenced seedling emergence and persistence of seed. Seedlings emerged most from seed mixed in the top 10 cm when subjected to annual soil disturbance, and from seed buried at 2.5 and 5.0 cm depths in undisturbed soil. Emergence was least from seed on the soil surface, and buried at 10 and 15 cm depths in undisturbed soil. Seeds persisted longest when shed onto the soil surface and persisted least when the soil was tilled. These results suggest that strategic cultivation may be a useful management tool, as it will alter the periodicity of emergence allowing use of more effective control options and will deplete the soil seedbank more rapidly.
Critical period of weed interference in chickpea
Authors: MOHAMMADI G , JAVANSHIR A , KHOOIE F R , MOHAMMADI S A , ZEHTAB SALMASI S
Published: January 2005

The critical period of weed interference in one variety of chickpea was determined in field experiments carried out at two sites, Tabriz 2002 and Kermanshah 2003, Iran. Chickpea culture was either kept free of weeds for 0, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60 days after crop emergence (DAE) or weeds were allowed to grow for 0, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60 DAE. In these experiments, chickpea yield increased with increasing duration of weed‐free period and was reduced by increasing duration of weed‐infested period. Unweeded conditions for the entire growing season caused 66.4% and 48.3% seed yield reduction when compared with the treatment that was weed‐free throughout the growing season, at Tabriz 2002 and Kermanshah 2003, respectively. The results indicated that chickpea must be kept weed‐free between the five‐leaf and full flowering stages (24–48 DAE) and from the four‐leaf to beginning of flowering stages (17–49 DAE) at the two sites, respectively, in order to prevent >10% seed yield loss. At both sites, reduction in seed yield, because of the increased weed interference period, was accompanied by simultaneous reduction in plant dry weight, number of branches, pods per plant and 100‐seed weight. This was supported by significant and positive correlations between these traits and chickpea seed yield. There was no significant correlation between the number of seeds per pod and seed yield. A linear regression model was used to describe the relationship between weed dry weight and seed yield loss.
Streets, Malls, and Supermarkets
Authors: Smith Howard , Hay Donald
Published: January 2005

We develop a model of competition between shopping centers, comparing competitive outcomes in three alternative modes of retail organization, namely: streets (in which neither developers or retailers internalize agglomeration effects between products); malls (in which developers internalize); and supermarkets (in which both developers and retailers internalize). For a fixed number of centers: (i) converting streets to malls intensifies developer (but not retailer) competition, which increases product range (i.e., the number of shops built by the developers) and consumer surplus, reduces profits, and has ambiguous effects on welfare; (ii) converting streets to supermarkets intensifies retailer and developer competition, has ambiguous effects on product range (number of shops), reduces profits, and increases social welfare. With free entry both conversions reduce the number of centers and, if there is excess entry, conversion to supermarkets (but not malls) unambiguously increases welfare.
Price Dispersion and Consumer Reservation Prices
Authors: Anderson Simon P. , De Palma André
Published: January 2005

We describe firm pricing when consumers follow simple reservation price rules. In stark contrast to other models in the literature, this approach yields price dispersion in pure strategies even when firms have the same marginal costs. At the equilibrium, lower price firms earn higher profits. The range of price dispersion increases with the number of firms: the highest price is the monopoly price, while the lowest price tends to marginal cost. The average transaction price remains substantially above marginal cost even with many firms. The equilibrium pricing pattern is the same when prices are chosen sequentially.
Chain‐Store Pricing Across Local Markets
Authors: Dobson Paul W. , Waterson Michael
Published: January 2005

Chain‐stores now dominate most areas of retailing. While retailers may operate nationally or even internationally, the markets they compete in are largely local. How should they best operate pricing policy in respect of the different markets served—price uniformly across the local markets or on a local basis according to market conditions? We model this by allowing local market differences, with retail markets differing by their size and the number of players present. We show that practising price discrimination is not always best for a chain‐store. Competitive conditions exist under which uniform pricing can raise profits.
Winner Take All: Competition, Strategy, and the Structure of Returns in the Internet Economy
Authors: Noe Thomas , Parker Geoffrey
Published: January 2005

In this paper, we develop an economic rationale for the following stylized fact: Web‐based firms spend profligately on advertising and marketing and usually lose money. Our rationale is based on the winner‐take‐all structure of high fixed cost, low marginal cost, markets for information goods. This market structure ensures that market participation and investment policy are highly stochastic. Moreover, if a firm chooses to participate in a Web market, it is optimal to act very aggressively through saturation advertising. Although increases in advertising costs reduce the probability of entry, once the decision to enter is made, firm strategies are insensitive to advertising price. Consistent with empirical studies of the profitability of internet firms (Hand, 2001), our model predicts returns that are highly positively skewed, that is, even the firms that survive the competition for market position have a small chance of huge gains combined with a large probability of very modest returns. In dynamic competition, firms weakened by early rounds are less likely to challenge in subsequent rounds. However, when a challenge is attempted, it is always aggressive. In addition, because large expenditures in the first period produce valuable strategic real options in later periods, which are treated as expenses using traditional accounting methodology, the financial valuation of Internet firms may actually be negatively related to performance when using standard accounting measures of profitability that fail to capitalize these strategic real options.
Keeping Two Sets of Books: The Relationship Between Tax and Incentive Transfer Prices
Authors: Hyde Charles E. , Choe Chongwoo
Published: January 2005

Multinational enterprises use two types of transfer prices: the tax transfer price to achieve optimal tax outcomes and the incentive transfer price to provide appropriate incentives to offshore managers. The two optimal transfer prices are independent if taxable income is assessed using the formula apportionment approach. Under the separate entity approach, however, they are interdependent: they both decrease as the penalty for noncompliance with the arm's length principle increases; and the tax transfer price decreases and the incentive transfer price increases as the marginal cost of production increases. We also examine the case where the incentive transfer price is negotiated rather than dictated by the parent. The results are robust to different market structures and tax environments.
Envy and Compassion in Tournaments
Authors: Grund Christian , Sliwka Dirk
Published: January 2005

Many experiments and field studies indicate that most individuals are not purely motivated by material self‐interest but also care about the well being of others. In this paper, we examine tournaments among inequity averse agents, who dislike disadvantageous inequity (envy) and advantageous inequity (compassion). It turns out that inequity averse agents exert higher efforts than purely self‐interested agents for a given prize structure. Contrary to standard tournament theory, first‐best efforts cannot be implemented when prizes are endogenous. Furthermore, the choice between vertical and lateral promotions is examined and it is shown that inequity costs have to be traded off against losses in human capital.
Vertical Disintegration
Authors: Chen Yongmin
Published: January 2005

With economies of scale, a vertically integrated firm can lower its upstream cost by supplying downstream competitors. The competitors may strategically choose not to purchase from the integrated firm, unless the latter's price for the intermediate good is sufficiently lower than those of alternative suppliers. In a simple model of dynamic scale economies through learning by doing, equilibrium vertical disintegration occurs if and only if total industry profit is higher under vertical separation than under integration. The model bridges a logical gap in George Stigler's classic theory on vertical organization, and sheds light on the widely observed phenomenon of vertical disintegration.
EFFECTS OF PHYTONCIDES ON BLOOD PRESSURE UNDER RESTRAINT STRESS IN SHRSP
Authors: Kawakami Kohei , Kawamoto Mai , Nomura Masato , Otani Hiroki , Nabika Toru , Gonda Tatsuo
Published: January 2005

1. Phytoncides are volatile substances released mainly from trees. We studied whether phytoncides can reduce stress responses in stroke‐prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP).

2. Under the restraint stress, SHRSP exposed to phytoncides showed lower blood pressure than those without the exposure (186.8 ± 3.9 vs 207.7 ± 3.4 mmHg, respectively, P < 0.01 by Student's t‐test).

3. Consistent with the observation above, the plasma concentration of catecholamines under the restraint stress was lower in the phytoncides group than in the control group.

4. Based on these results, we concluded that phytoncides reduced the cardiovascular response to restraint stress in SHRSP.
OBESITY, EMERGING RISK IN CHINA: TREND OF INCREASING PREVALENCE OF OBESITY AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH HYPERTENSION and HYPERCHOLESTEROLAEMIA AMONG THE CHINESE
Authors: Liu Longjian , Ikeda Katsumi , Chen Ming , Yin Wei , Mizushima Shunsaku , Miki Tomohiro , Nara Yasuo , Yamori Yukio
Published: January 2005

1. The aim of the present study was to investigate the trend of the prevalence of obesity in China and its association with hypertension and hypercholesterolemia.

2. A multicentre cross‐sectional study was conducted in Chinese men and women aged 48–56 years between 1985 and 2000. In the report, three study periods were classified as survey 1 (1985), survey 2 (1988–1989) and survey 3 (1997–2000) in order to describe the long‐term trend.

3. The results show that: (i) mean body mass index (BMI), prevalence of obesity (BMI ≥ 28 kg/m2) and overweight (BMI ≥ 25 and < 28 kg/m2) increased significantly from 1985 to 2000 in both sexes (P < 0.001); (ii) similar to the trend for BMI, the prevalence of hypertension and hypercholesterolaemia (total cholesterol (TC) ≥ 220 mg/dL) also increased significantly from 1985 to 2000 (P < 0.001); (iii) partial correlation and multiple linear regression analyses indicated that increased BMI was significantly positively correlated with blood pressure and TC and negatively correlated with serum high‐density lipoprotein– cholesterol (P < 0.01 or P < 0.001); and (iv) multiple logistics regression analysis models indicated that obese subjects had a 3.9‐fold higher risk of being hypertensive (relative risk (RR) 4.9; 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.4–7.3) compared with those subjects who had a BMI less than 25 kg/m2. The corresponding RR (95% CI) of obesity for hypercholesterolaemia was 2.63 (1.57–4.40).

4. In conclusion, the results highlight the epidemic of obesity, an emerging risk in China. Great efforts must be made to alter this unwelcome trend.
STUDIES ON THE EXPRESSION LEVELS OF STEROL‐METABOLIZING ENZYMES IN THE OBESE MODEL SHR/NDmcr‐cp RATS
Authors: Kudo Makiko , Noshiro Mitsuhide , Aoyama Yuri , Yoshida Yuzo
Published: January 2005

1. Expression levels of four key enzymes of cholesterol metabolism, namely 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG‐CoA) reductase, lanosterol 14‐demethylase (CYP51), cholesterol 7α‐hydroxylase (CYP7A1) and sterol 12α‐hydroxylase (CYP8B1), in metabolic syndrome model rats (SHR/NDmcr‐cp) were examined.

2. Decreased expression of CYP51, which may be linked to the development of obesity, was found in the rats.

3. Expression of CYP8B1 was significantly higher in young rats.

4. No substantial change was observed in the mRNA levels of the dominant rate‐limiting enzymes of sterol metabolism, namely HMG‐CoA reductase and CYP7A1, in the rats.

5. These findings suggest that the expression levels of two key enzymes managing the downstream parts of the cholesterol‐metabolizing pathways are altered in the rats, although little change was observed in the expression levels of the dominant rate‐limiting enzymes of cholesterol metabolism.
ANTITUMOUR ACTIVITY OF CORDYCEPIN IN MICE
Authors: Yoshikawa Noriko , Nakamura Kazuki , Yamaguchi Yu , Kagota Satomi , Shinozuka Kazumasa , Kunitomo Masaru
Published: January 2005

1. The antitumour effect of orally administered cordycepin, a component isolated from water extracts of Cordyceps sinensis, was examined in mice inoculated with B16 melanoma (B16‐BL6) cells.

2. B16‐BL6 (1 × 106) cells were inoculated subcutaneously into the right footpad of mice. At 2 weeks after the cell inoculation, the enlarged primary tumour lump was weighed. Cordycepin (0, 5 and 15 mg/kg per day) was administered orally to the mice for 2 weeks from the date of tumour inoculation. Cordycepin (15 mg/kg per day) significantly reduced by 36% the wet weight of the primary tumour lump compared to that of the untreated control mice, without any loss of bodyweight or systemic toxicity.

3. Cordycepin (15 mg/kg per day) administered orally for 2 weeks inhibited the tumour enlargement in the right thigh inoculated with B16‐BL6 cells premixed with extracellular matrix (Matrigel).

4. These results indicate that orally administered cordycepin inhibits melanoma cell growth in mice with no adverse effects.
ANTI‐HYPERTENSIVE EFFECTS OF BRAZILIAN PROPOLIS IN SPONTANEOUSLY HYPERTENSIVE RATS
Authors: Kubota Yoko , Umegaki Keizo , Kobayashi Kyoko , Tanaka Naoko , Kagota Satomi , Nakamura Kazuki , Kunitomo Masaru , Shinozuka Kazumasa
Published: January 2005

1. Changes in the cardiovascular parameters of Wistar–Kyoto rats (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were examined following a 4‐week diet of either Brazilian propolis or Eucommia uloides OLIVER (tochu).

2. A 4‐week diet of propolis or tochu resulted in significant reductions in systolic blood pressure in SHR but had no effect on WKY. Experiments using aorta isolated from animals fed a diet of propolis or tochu revealed increased acetylcholine‐induced relaxation in SHR and no change in acetylcholine‐induced relaxation in WKY. Sodium nitroprusside‐induced relaxation was unaffected by propolis or tochu in both animal groups.

3. These results suggest that propolis and tochu produce an antihypertensive effect that may be mediated by potentiation of acetylcholine‐induced vasodilatation.
ASSOCIATION OF LUNG FUNCTION WITH ATHEROSCLEROTIC RISK FACTORS AMONG JAPANESE AMERICANS: SEATTLE NIKKEI HEALTH STUDY
Authors: Taneda Kenichiro , Namekata Tsukasa , Hughes Deborah , Suzuki Kenji , Knopp Robert , Ozasa Kotaro
Published: January 2005

1. Impaired lung function has been reported to be associated with mortality from all causes, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV). The aim of the present study was to examine the association between impaired lung function and atherosclerotic risk factors, including PWV, blood pressure, lipids, smoking and alcohol intake, among Japanese Americans.

2. The study subjects were 678 adult Japanese Americans who participated in CVD screening conducted under the Seattle Nikkei Health Study. Subjects with abnormal lung function were defined as those with forced vital capacity (FVC%) < 80% of predicted or forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1%) < 80% of predicted. We conducted logistic regression analyses by using abnormal lung function as dependent variables.

3. The significant predictors positively associated with abnormal FVC% were age (60 years or older) and hypertension. Being a current drinker or an ex‐drinker was independently and negatively associated with abnormal FVC%. The significant predictors positively associated with abnormal FEV1% were age (60 years or older), sex (male), hypertension and being a current smoker. Being a current drinker was independently and negatively associated with abnormal FEV1%.

4. In conclusion, the present study does not support the previously reported association of abnormal lung function with PWV. However, our findings imply that light and moderate drinking may be a protective factor of lung function and that hypertension and smoking may impair lung function.
SOY ISOFLAVONE TABLETS REDUCE OSTEOPOROSIS RISK FACTORS AND OBESITY IN MIDDLE‐AGED JAPANESE WOMEN
Authors: Mori Mari , Aizawa Toru , Tokoro Minoru , Miki Tomohiro , Yamori Yukio
Published: January 2005

1. This study examines whether the supplementation of isoflavones (ISO) exerts beneficial effects on the bone mineral density (BMD) measured by dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DEXA).

2. Eighty‐one healthy Japanese pre‐ and postmenopausal women were randomly assigned to the following two groups taking either ISO (100 mg) tablets (ISO group) or placebo tablets (P group) containing vitamins C (25 mg) and E (5 mg) daily for 24 weeks in a double‐blind placebo controlled parallel design.

3. Seventy women completed the intervention study (34 on ISO, 36 on P), only ISO group was proven to increase significantly BMD (P < 0.05 vs before) and to significantly decrease body fat measured by the DEXA (P < 0.0001 vs before and P < 0.05 vs P group), while BMI was maintained in ISO group despite significant BMI increase in P group. Thus, percent changes in BMI were significantly different between ISO and P groups (P < 0.05) 24 weeks after the intervention.

4. This prospective DEXA study confirmed a long‐term ISO supplementation, 100 mg/day could not only prevent menopausal bone resorption but also increase BMD and decrease body fat concomitantly with BMI reduction. Enough ISO supplementation may contribute to the risk reduction of osteoporosis and obesity and, thus to overall health promotion in menopausal women.
SOY ISOFLAVONES IMPROVE BONE METABOLISM IN POSTMENOPAUSAL JAPANESE WOMEN
Authors: Mori Mari , Sagara Miki , Ikeda Katsumi , Miki Tomohiro , Yamori Yukio
Published: January 2005

1. This study examines whether the supplementation of isoflavones (ISO) exerts beneficial effects on serum and urinary biomarkers of bone metabolism.

2. A total of 102 women were randomly assigned to three groups taking either ISO (40 mg) tablets, tablets containing vitamins C (25 mg) and E (5 mg) (V) or placebo tablets (vehicle only) (P) daily for 4 weeks, in a double‐blind parallel placebo controlled design.

3. Among the 67 women who completed the study (24 on ISO, 24 on V, 19 on P), only ISO tablets were proven to decrease significantly urinary deoxypyridinoline (Dpd) excretion (P < 0.05 vs before), a specific biomarker of bone resorption, but there was no significant difference in serum bone gamma‐carboxyglutamic acid‐containing protein (BGP), a specific serum biomarker of bone formation.

4. Among the 67, 25 women were postmenopausal (8 on ISO, 12 on V, 8 on P) and only ISO tablets decreased significantly urinary Dpd excretion (P < 0.05 vs before) in them. The reduction rate of Dpd in ISO group was also significantly greater than that in P group (P < 0.01).

5. Dietary supplementation of vitamins C 25 mg and E 5 mg did not affect urinary Dpd.
SERUM LIPID EFFECTS OF A MONOUNSATURATED (PALMITOLEIC) FATTY ACID‐RICH DIET BASED ON MACADAMIA NUTS IN HEALTHY, YOUNG JAPANESE WOMEN
Authors: Hiraoka‐Yamamoto Junko , Ikeda Katsumi , Negishi Hiroko , Mori Mari , Hirose Akiko , Sawada Sayuri , Onobayashi Yuko , Kitamori Kazuya , Kitano Satoko , Tashiro Misao , Miki Tomohiro , Yamori Yukio
Published: January 2005

1. Recent studies have identified potential beneficial effects of eating nuts, most of which have substantial amounts of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA). Macadamia nuts consist of 75% fat by weight, 80% of which is MUFA (palmitoleic acid).

2. To examine variations in serum lipid levels in response to a high‐MUFA diet based on macadamia nuts, 3 week interventions of macadamia nuts, coconuts and butter were determined in young, healthy Japanese female students.

3. After 3 weeks intervention, serum concentrations of total cholesterol and low‐density lipoprotein–cholesterol were significantly decreased in the macadamia nut and coconut diets and bodyweight and body mass index were decreased in the group fed macadamia nuts, although there were no statistically significant changes in the group fed butter.
FISH and LIFESTYLE‐RELATED DISEASE PREVENTION: EXPERIMENTAL AND EPIDEMIOLOGICAL EVIDENCE FOR ANTI‐ATHEROGENIC POTENTIAL OF TAURINE
Authors: Yamori Yukio , Murakami Shigeru , Ikeda Katsumi , Nara Yasuo
Published: January 2005

1. Taurine supplementation attenuated the development of hypertension and stroke in stroke‐prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP).

2. WHO‐CARDIAC (Cardiovascular Diseases Alimentary Comparison) study revealed wide differences in 24‐h urinary taurine excretion, which were inversely associated with age‐adjusted mortality rates of coronary heart diseases (CHD).

3. Hypercholesterolemia as well as arterial fat deposition related to the cause of CHD was attenuated by dietary taurine supplementation in SHRSP on high‐fat cholesterol diet.

4. Taurine affected the gene expression of 7α‐hydroxylase and thus regulated serum cholesterol level through the control of the rate limiting step of cholesterol excretion into bile acids.

5. Taurine attenuated atherogenesis due to the control of oxidative stress through the inhibition of the production of oxidative LDL and to its scavenger effect on hypochlorous acid (HOCl) from leucocytes and macrophages.

6. Taurine may act as an immunomodulator of cytokine production, which is involved in atherogenesis.
Which may be effective to reduce blood loss after cardiac operations in cyanotic children: tranexamic acid, aprotinin or a combination?
Authors: BULUTCU FÜSUN S. , ÖZBEK UĞUR , POLAT BÜLENT , YALÇIN YALIM , KARACI A.R. , BAYINDIR OSMAN
Published: January 2005

Background:  Children with cyanotic heart disease undergoing cardiac surgery in which cardiopulmonary bypass is used are at increased risk of postoperative bleeding. In this study, the authors investigated the possibility of reducing postoperative blood loss by using aprotinin and tranexamic acid alone or a combination of these two agents.

Methods:  In a prospective, randomized, blind study, 100 children undergoing cardiac surgery were investigated. In group 1 (n = 25) patients acted as the control and did not receive either study drugs. In group 2 (n = 25) patients received aprotinin (30.000 KIU·kg−1 after induction of anesthesia, 30.000 KIU·kg−1 in the pump prime and 30.000 KIU·kg−1 after weaning from bypass). In group 3 (n = 25) patients received tranexamic acid (100 mg·kg−1 after induction of anesthesia, 100 mg·kg−1 in the pump prime and 100 mg·kg−1 after weaning from bypass). In group 4 (n = 25) patients received a combination of the two agents in the same manner. Total blood loss and transfusion requirements during the period from protamine administration until 24 h after admission to the intensive care unit were recorded. In addition, hemoglobin, platelet counts and coagulation studies were recorded.

Results:  Postoperative blood loss was significantly higher in the control group (group 1) compared with children in other groups who were treated with aprotinin, tranexamic acid or a combination of the two agents (groups 2, 3 and 4) during the first 24 h after admission to cardiac intensive care unit (40 ± 18 ml·kg−1·24 h−1, aprotinin; 35 ± 16 ml·kg−1·24 h−1, tranexamic acid; 34 ± 19 ml·kg−1·24 h−1, combination; 35 ± 15 ml·kg−1·24 h−1). The total transfusion requirements were also significantly less in the all treatment groups. Time taken for sternal closure was longer in the control group (68 ± 11 min) compared with treatment groups 2, 3 and 4, respectively (40 ± 18, 42 ± 11, 42 ± 13 min, P < 0.05). The coagulation parameters were not found to be significantly different between the three groups.

Conclusions:  Our results suggested that both agents were effective to reduce postoperative blood loss and transfusion requirements in patients with cyanotic congenital heart disease. However, the combination of aprotinin and tranexamic acid did not seem more effective than either of the two drugs alone.
Spinal anesthesia for diagnostic cardiac catheterization in high‐risk infants
Authors: Katznelson Rita , Mishaly David , Hegesh Theodor , Perel Azriel , Keidan Ilan
Published: January 2005

Background : The main goals of diagnostic cardiac catheterization (DCC) in infants are to evaluate the anatomy and physiology of congenital and acquired cardiac defects while maintaining normal respiratory and hemodynamic variables. The aims of anesthesia for infants undergoing DCC are to prevent pain and movement during the procedure. General anesthesia (GA) or deep sedation could have undesirable respiratory and hemodynamic effects for conducting such studies. Furthermore, GA is associated with increased risks, especially in high‐risk infants. Spinal anesthesia (SA) is a successful alternative to GA in surgery on infants with a history of prematurity and respiratory problems, with minimal respiratory and hemodynamic changes.

Methods : We studied whether those advantages were applicable to DCC, and used a predetermined SA protocol in a cohort of 12 infants with compromised respiratory status. Success rate, study completion, complications, hemodynamic and respiratory effects and recovery profile were recorded.

Results : Failure rate was significantly higher in infants older than 6 months. There was no significant difference between baseline and intraprocedure hemodynamic and respiratory parameters. The time to discharge was relatively short (33 ± 12 min).

Conclusions : Spinal anesthesia apparently provides stable hemodynamics and respiratory variables, rapid recovery and discharge time, and may be a viable alternative to GA or deep sedation in high‐risk infants <6 months old undergoing DCC.
Spinal anesthesia in an extremely low birth weight infant
Authors: NICKEL U.S. , MEYER R.R. , BRAMBRINK A.M.
Published: January 2005

A case of spinal anesthesia in an extremely low birth weight male infant (body weight of 930 g at time of surgery) is presented. He was born prematurely at a gestational age of 27 weeks because of a placenta tumor and had to undergo inguinal herniotomy at 34 weeks postconceptional age. He had bronchopulmonary dysplasia and oxygen supply was still required because of frequent deterioration of oxygen saturation. Spinal anesthesia was performed successfully without any complications. Relevant aspects concerning the technique and management of spinal anesthesia in preterm infants are discussed.
Unexpected ST segment changes in children – a case report
Authors: ALFIREVIC ANDREJ , MOSSAD EMAD , NIEZGODA JULIE
Published: January 2005

In children, myocardial ischemic changes during anesthesia are a rare event unless there is underlying pathology. The patient in this case report was an apparently healthy child scheduled for adenoidectomy and bilateral tympanostomy. Occurrence of significant ST changes as well as intraoperative and postoperative hypoxemia required further diagnostic work‐up. Postoperative echocardiographic findings were suspicious of intrapulmonary right to left shunting. The pulmonary arteriovenous fistula is probably the major pathophysiological factor for the development of hypoxemia and paradoxical air embolism especially during positive pressure ventilation in our patient. Unexpected ST segment changes might also occur in patients with anomalous origin of coronary arteries. Although diagnostic work‐up was inconclusive, it is necessary to rule out any underlying pathological process. Further follow‐up is also important in order to learn more about these disease states that often have subclinical, but potentially fatal presentation.
A rare tracheal lesion
Authors: BIRCH CRAIG WALTER , SALKELD LESLEY JOAN
Published: January 2005

We report a potentially life‐threatening tracheal lesion that caused postextubation stridor in a child following dental surgery. The child developed a cough, dysphonia, stridor, and respiratory distress hours after his operation. Standard therapy for postextubation stridor was ineffective. A lateral neck X‐ray suggestive of subglottic pathology prompted an endoscopy. This revealed a fibrinous membrane that was attached to the anterior trachea and required mechanical ablation. The child made an uneventful recovery. This lesion has not been reported in children before and we believe that it is important in the differential diagnosis of postextubation stridor as it requires specific therapy.
Anesthetic management of a patient with MERRF syndrome
Authors: VILELA HUGO , GARCÌA‐FERNÁNDEZ JAVIER , PARODI ELBA , REINOSO‐BARBERO FRANCISCO , DURÁN PILAR , GILSANZ FERNANDO
Published: January 2005

There are several specific considerations regarding anesthesia in patients with mitochondrial disease. We describe the successful administration of a combined general and epidural anesthesia with sevoflurane maintenance in a patient with myoclonic epilepsy with ragged red fibers (MERRF syndrome) scheduled for surgical treatment of bilateral clubfoot.
Sevoflurane sedation in infants undergoing MRI: a preliminary report
Authors: SURY MICHAEL R.J. , HARKER HELEN , THOMAS MARK L.
Published: January 2005

Background : Stillness during natural sleep after feeding may not be sufficient for successful magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in small infants less than 5 kg. Sedation, using an oral agent, is often successful although the timing and depth of sedation is variable. In contrast anesthesia is always effective but is invasive and is associated with postanesthesia apnea and bradycardia in preterm and ex‐preterm infants. We are developing an alternative technique involving insufflation of sevoflurane and present our initial experience.

Methods : Infants presenting for MRI were sedated by nasal insufflation of sevoflurane carried by 2 l·min−1 oxygen. We recorded the sevoflurane administered, timing of sedation and scanning, conscious level, oxygen saturations, and recovery profile.

Results : Of the 13 infants studied (median postconceptional age: 46 weeks, range: 40–70 weeks; median weight: 4.4 kg, range: 3.3–6.5 kg), sevoflurane caused sleep and enabled successful imaging in 12. Six infants fell asleep within 10 min and the median maximum sevoflurane vaporizer setting for successful sedation was 4% (range: 4–8%). Before scanning, 10 infants remained easily roused by touch and two became unresponsive; one desaturated to 85% and required repositioning of the head to maintain a clear airway. Immediately after scanning all infants were easily roused by touch.

Conclusions : Sedation by insufflation of sevoflurane in small infants is a simple and practical alternative technique for painless imaging such as MRI; further experience is necessary to determine its limitations.
Bacterial community composition determined by culture‐independent and ‐dependent methods during propane‐stimulated bioremediation in trichloroethene‐contaminated groundwater
Authors: Connon Stephanie A. , Tovanabootr Adisorn , Dolan Mark , Vergin Kevin , Giovannoni Stephen J. , Semprini Lewis
Published: January 2005

An in situ co‐metabolic air sparging (CAS) study was carried out at McClellan Air Force Base (MAFB), Sacramento, CA, USA, in a trichloroethene‐ (TCE) and cis‐dichloroethene (cis‐DCE)‐contaminated aquifer where one test zone received 2% propane in air and the other served as a control and received only air. As part of that study, bacterial population shifts were evaluated by length heterogeneity polymerase chain reaction (LH‐PCR). The results showed that an organism(s) that had a fragment size of 385 bp was positively correlated with propane removal rates. The 385 bp fragment consisted of up to 83% of the total fragments in the analysis when propane removal rates peaked. A 16S rRNA clone library made from the bacteria sampled from the propane‐sparged groundwater included clones of a TM7 division bacterium that had a 385 bp LH‐PCR fragment; no other bacterial species with this fragment size were detected. Both propane removal rates and the 385 bp LH‐PCR fragment decreased as nitrate levels in the groundwater decreased. Extinction culturing in natural unamended groundwater medium was used to assess the bacterial diversity of the culturable fraction of microorganisms in both CAS and air‐sparged groundwater and to bring novel species into culture for further study. The dominant cultures acquired from the CAS groundwater were from the Herbaspirillum/Oxalobacter clade. The dominant cultures from the air‐sparged groundwater were from a novel beta‐Proteobacterial clade, which we named after isolate HTCC333.
Neorickettsia risticii is vertically transmitted in the trematode Acanthatrium oregonense and horizontally transmitted to bats
Authors: Gibson Kathryn E. , Rikihisa Yasuko , Zhang Chunbin , Martin Carole
Published: January 2005

Potomac horse fever is known to be transmitted through the ingestion of caddisflies parasitized with Neorickettsia (formerly Ehrlichia) risticii‐infected metacercaria. However, the species of trematode involved and how N. risticii is maintained in nature are unknown. In this study, gravid trematodes were recovered from the intestines of 12 out of 15 Eptesicus fuscus big brown bats and eight out of nine Myotis lucifugus little brown bats from various sites in Pennsylvania, USA. Trematode specimens isolated from six E. fuscus bats contained N. risticii DNA. The trematode was identified as Acanthatrium oregonense. N. risticii was detected within individual trematode eggs by polymerase chain reaction as well as by immunofluorescence labelling with an anti‐N. risticii antibody, indicating that N. risticii is vertically transmitted (from adult to egg) in A. oregonense. Furthermore, N. risticii DNA was detected in the blood, liver or spleen of 23 out of 53 E. fuscus and M. lucifugus bats, suggesting that N. risticii can also be transmitted horizontally from trematode to bat. These results indicate that A. oregonense is a natural reservoir and probably a vector of N. risticii.
Rhizodeposition and the enhanced mineralization of 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid in soil from the Trifolium pratense rhizosphere
Authors: Shaw Liz J. , Burns Richard G.
Published: January 2005

Enhanced biodegradation of organic xenobiotic compounds in the rhizosphere is frequently recorded although the specific mechanisms are poorly understood. We have shown that the mineralization of 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4‐D) is enhanced in soil collected from the rhizosphere of Trifolium pratense[e.g. maximum mineralization rate = 7.9 days−1 and time at maximum rate (t1) = 16.7 days for 12‐day‐old T. pratense soil in comparison with 4.7 days−1 and 25.4 days, respectively, for non‐planted controls). The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of the plant–microbe interactions involved in rhizosphere‐enhanced biodegradation by narrowing down the identity of the T. pratense rhizodeposit responsible for stimulating the microbial mineralization of 2,4‐D. Specifically, we investigated the distribution of the stimulatory component(s) among rhizodeposit fractions (exudates or root debris) and the influence of soil properties and plant species on its production. Production of the stimulatory rhizodeposit was dependent on soil pH (e.g. t1 for roots grown at pH 6.5 was significantly lower than for those grown at pH 4.4) but independent of soil inorganic N concentration. Most strikingly, the stimulatory rhizodeposit was only produced by T. pratense grown in non‐sterile soil and was present in both exudates and root debris. Comparison of the effect of root debris from plant species (three each) from the classes monocotyledon, dicotyledon (non‐legume) and dicotyledon (legume) revealed that legumes had by far the greatest positive impact on 2,4‐D mineralization kinetics. We discuss the significance of these findings with respect to legume–rhizobia interactions in the rhizosphere.
Detection and quantification of the human‐specific HF183 Bacteroides 16S rRNA genetic marker with real‐time PCR for assessment of human faecal pollution in freshwater
Authors: Seurinck Sylvie , Defoirdt Tom , Verstraete Willy , Siciliano Steven D.
Published: January 2005

The human‐specific HF183 Bacteriodes 16S rRNA genetic marker can be used to detect human faecal pollution in water environments. However, there is currently no method to quantify the prevalence of this marker in environmental samples. We developed a real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay using SYBR Green I detection to quantify this marker in faecal and environmental samples. To decrease the amplicon length to a suitable size for real‐time PCR detection, a new reverse primer was designed and validated on human and animal faecal samples. The use of the newly developed reverse primer in combination with the human‐specific HF183 primer did not decrease the specificity of the real‐time PCR assay but a melting curve analysis must always be included. This new assay was more sensitive than conventional PCR and highly reproducible with a coefficient of variation of less than 1% within an assay and 3% between assays. As the Bacteroides species that carries this human‐specific marker has never been isolated, a bacteria real‐time assay was used to determine the detection efficiency. The estimated detection efficiency in freshwater ranged from 78% to 91% of the true value with an average detection efficiency of 83 ± 4% of the true value. Using a simple filtration method, the limit of quantification was 4.7 ± 0.3 × 105 human‐specific Bacteroides markers per litre of freshwater. The aerobic incubation of the human‐specific Bacteroides marker in freshwater for up to 24 days at 4 and 12°C, and up to 8 days at 28°C, indicated that the marker persisted up to the end of the incubation period for all incubation temperatures.