bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Membrane fluidity determines sensitivity of filamentous fungi to chitosan
Authors: Palma‐Guerrero J. , Lopez‐Jimenez J. A. , Pérez‐Berná A. J. , Huang I.‐C. , Jansson H.‐B. , Salinas J. , Villalaín J. , Read N. D. , Lopez‐Llorca L. V. 
Published: January 2010

SummaryThe antifungal mode of action of chitosan has been studied for the last 30 years, but is still little understood. We have found that the plasma membrane forms a barrier to chitosan in chitosan‐resistant but not chitosan‐sensitive fungi. The plasma membranes of chitosan‐sensitive fungi were shown to have more polyunsaturated fatty acids than chitosan‐resistant fungi, suggesting that their permeabilization by chitosan may be dependent on membrane fluidity. A fatty acid desaturase mutant of Neurospora crassa with reduced plasma membrane fluidity exhibited increased resistance to chitosan. Steady‐state fluorescence anisotropy measurements on artificial membranes showed that chitosan binds to negatively charged phospholipids that alter plasma membrane fluidity and induces membrane permeabilization, which was greatest in membranes containing more polyunsaturated lipids. Phylogenetic analysis of fungi with known sensitivity to chitosan suggests that chitosan resistance may have evolved in nematophagous and entomopathogenic fungi, which naturally encounter chitosan during infection of arthropods and nematodes. Our findings provide a method to predict the sensitivity of a fungus to chitosan based on its plasma membrane composition, and suggests a new strategy for antifungal therapy, which involves treatments that increase plasma membrane fluidity to make fungi more sensitive to fungicides such as chitosan.
Natural variation in ozone sensitivity among Arabidopsis thaliana accessions and its relation to stomatal conductance
Authors: BROSCHÉ MIKAEL , MERILO EBE , MAYER FLORIAN , PECHTER PRIIT , PUZÕRJOVA IRINA , BRADER GÜNTER , KANGASJÄRVI JAAKKO , KOLLIST HANNES 
Published: January 2010

ABSTRACTGenetic variation between naturally occurring populations provides a unique source to unravel the complex mechanisms of stress tolerance. Here, we have analysed O3 sensitivity of 93 natural Arabidopsis thaliana accessions together with five O3‐sensitive mutants to acute O3 exposure. The variation in O3 sensitivity among the natural accessions was much higher than among the O3‐sensitive mutants and corresponding wild types. A subset of nine accessions with major variation in their O3 responses was studied in more detail. Among the traits assayed, stomatal conductance (gst) was an important factor determining O3 sensitivity of the selected accessions. The most O3‐sensitive accession, Cvi‐0, had constitutively high gst, leading to high initial O3 uptake rate and dose received during the first 30 min of exposure. Analyzing O3‐induced changes in stress hormone concentrations indicated that jasmonate (JA) concentration was also positively correlated with leaf damage. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping in a Col‐0 × Cvi‐0 recombinant inbred line (RIL) population identified three QTLs for O3 sensitivity, and one for high water loss of Cvi‐0. The major O3 QTL mapped to the same position as the water loss QTL further supporting the role of stomata in regulating O3 entry and damage.
Rebuilding fish stocks no later than 2015: will Europe meet the deadline?
Authors: Froese Rainer , Proelß Alexander 
Published: January 2010

AbstractMaintaining or restoring fish stocks at levels that are capable of producing maximum sustainable yield is a legal obligation under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and has been given the deadline of no later than 2015 in the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation of 2002. Here, we analyse stock assessment data of all major fish stocks of the Northeast Atlantic to determine whether Europe will be able to deliver on this commitment, which it has helped to bring about. The analysis shows that, if current fishing pressure continues, 91% of the European stocks will remain below target. If European ministers in charge of fisheries were serious about meeting their obligations, they would have to reduce drastically fishing pressure and halt fishing completely on some stocks. But even if fishing were halted in 2010, 22% of the stocks are so depleted that they cannot be rebuilt by 2015. If current trends continue, Europe will miss the 2015 deadline by more than 30 years. We argue that, from a legal perspective, such repeated enactment of fisheries management measures, which are incapable of maintaining or restoring Bmsy, does not comply with the requirements contained in UNCLOS and may constitute a breach of the precautionary principle of European Community law.
Can the Child Behavior Checklist be used to screen for motor impairment?
Authors: PIEK JAN P , BARRETT NICHOLAS C , DYCK MURRAY J , REIERSEN ANGELA M 
Published: January 2010

Aim  It has been suggested that one approach to identifying motor impairment in children is to use the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) as a screening tool. The current study examined the validity of the CBCL in identifying motor impairment.Method  A total of 398 children, 206 females and 192 males, aged from 3 years 9 months to 14 years 10 months were assessed on the McCarron Assessment of Neuromuscular Development to determine their motor ability. Parents completed the CBCL.Results  The ‘Clumsy’ item on the CBCL was found to predict motor ability independent of the child’s age, sex, and scores on other items of the CBCL. However, the sensitivity of the ‘Clumsy’ item in terms of identifying motor impairment was found to be a low 16.7% compared with specificity of 93.2%. The item ‘Not liked’ was also found to be a significant predictor of motor impairment.Interpretation  Although the ‘Clumsy’ and ‘Not liked’ items were found to have a relationship with motor ability, they should not be relied upon to categorize children as motor impaired versus not impaired. It is possible that these items may be better indicators of motor impairment in children with developmental disorders such as attention‐deficit‐hyperactivity disorder, but clinical samples are needed to address this.
Determinants of responsiveness to botulinum toxin, casting, and bracing in the treatment of spastic equinus in children with cerebral palsy
Authors: YAP RITA , MAJNEMER ANNETTE , BENAROCH THIERRY , CANTIN MARIE‐ANDREE 
Published: January 2010

Aim  The objective was to determine whether specific intrinsic (age, pattern of cerebral palsy [CP], child’s motivation) and extrinsic (number of treatments, parenting stress) characteristics were associated with responsiveness to botulinum toxin A (BoNT‐A) injections in children with CP 3 months after injection into the gastrocnemius muscle.Method  Children with hemiplegia or diplegia recruited from a BoNT‐A programme were evaluated before and 3 months following injection of BoNT‐A into the gastrocnemius. Outcome measures included muscle tone, range of motion, gait pattern, level of ambulation, gross motor function, and functional independence. Determinants of responsiveness to BoNT‐A considered were age, number of treatments, distribution of CP, parenting stress, and motivation.Results  Thirty‐one children were recruited (17 males, 14 females) – 22 with hemiplegia and nine with diplegia. Twenty‐eight were classified at Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level I and three at level III. The mean age was 6 years 4 months (SD 2y 11mo). Younger age (p=0.015) and fewer number (p=0.024) of BoNT‐A treatments were associated with greater change in gross motor function. Child’s motivation and parenting stress were significantly associated with improvements in muscle tone (p=0.006–0.017), passive range of motion (p=0.008–0.033), gait pattern (p=0.005–0.042), level of ambulation (p=0.001–0.043), and functional independence (p=0.004–0.027).Interpretation  The results indicate that child, family, and treatment characteristics influence the degree of responsiveness to BoNT‐A treatment. The contribution of contextual factors (personal and environmental) on responsiveness may be underappreciated in children with CP.
Systemic adverse events following botulinum toxin A therapy in children with cerebral palsy
Authors: NAIDU KRISHANT , SMITH KATHERINE , SHEEDY MARY , ADAIR BROOKE , YU XAVIER , GRAHAM H KERR 
Published: January 2010

Aim  We studied the incidence of incontinence and respiratory events in children with cerebral palsy who received injections of botulinum toxin A (BoNT‐A).Method  We used multivariable logistic regression to investigate relationships between (BoNT‐A) dose, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level, and the incidence of bladder or bowel incontinence, unplanned hospital admission, emergency department consultation or prescription of antibiotics for respiratory symptoms, and diagnosis of upper respiratory tract infection.Results  Of 1980 injection episodes in 1147 children (mean age 4y 7mo, SD 1y 10mo, range 9mo–23y), 488 (25%) were in children with unilateral involvement and 1492 (75%) in children with bilateral involvement. At the time of injection 440 (22.2%) of children were at GMFCS level I, 611 (30.9%) were at level II, 330 (16.7%) were at level III, 349 (17.6%) were at level IV, and 250 (12.6%) were at level V. The incidence of serious adverse events was low, with 19 episodes of incontinence (1% of injection episodes) and 25 unplanned hospital admissions due to respiratory symptoms (1.3%). Incontinence typically resolved spontaneously 1 to 6 weeks after injection. The incidence of adverse events was associated with GMFCS level and dose of BoNT‐A.Interpretation  The incidence of serious adverse events was low but suggests systemic spread as well as a procedural effect. We recommend reviewing upper dose limits for children at all GMFCS levels, particularly those at levels IV and V with a history of aspiration and respiratory disease. In these children, alternatives to mask anaesthesia may be particularly important.
Multisystemic Therapy (MST) for Youth Offending, Psychiatric Disorder and Substance Abuse: Case Examples from a UK MST Team
Authors: Wells Charles , Adhyaru Jai , Cannon Jacqueline , Lamond Moira , Baruch Geoffrey 
Published: January 2010

Background: The paper illustrates the MST treatment model with three types of presenting problem in young people aged 14–15.Method: The MST model is described and then illustrated with detailed case material from a violent young person convicted of robbery, a young person with a history of serious self‐harming behaviour and hospitalisation, and a young person persistently smoking cannabis.Results: All three cases improved after the MST intervention despite disparate presenting problems that included re‐offending, the elimination of self‐harming behaviour and a significant reduction in the use of cannabis. The three young people were re‐integrated into the education system.Conclusion: This case series illustrates the potential uses of the MST model in CAMHS although RCT data are needed to replicate the effectiveness of MST in the British context.
Preference Heterogeneity and Habit Persistence: The Case of Breakfast Cereal Consumption
Authors: Thunström Linda 
Published: January 2010

AbstractThe efficiency of information, price campaigns and economic incentive policies related to food depend on the degree of habit persistence in food consumption. This paper estimates the strength of state dependence associated with breakfast cereal consumption and its heterogeneity across households, where positive state dependence implies habit persistence and negative state dependence implies variety seeking in consumption. The analysis uses a detailed micro‐level dataset from the research institute GfK Sweden on household breakfast cereal consumption in 2003. The analysis relies on a mixed multinomial logit model and finds breakfast cereal consumption is generally highly habitual. The degree of habit persistence, however, exhibits heterogeneity across households. In addition, some households can be characterised as variety seeking. The strength of habit persistence is similar across income and educational groups. The strength of habit persistence seems to be weaker for households with several adults and children compared with one‐adult households.
Do the BRICs and Emerging Markets Differ in their Agrifood Imports?
Authors: Haq Zahoor , Meilke Karl 
Published: January 2010

AbstractThis study develops an import demand model to explore the role of income in explaining the trade performance of low‐, middle‐ and high‐income countries with a special emphasis on Brazil, Russia, India and China – the BRIC economies. The study estimates the impact of the growth in per capita income on the trade of agrifood products using data from 52 countries and 20 agrifood products for the years 1990–2006. The results suggest that China, Russia and Brazil now have more income elastic import demands than other middle‐income countries. Conversely, the income elasticities of import demand in India are similar to other low‐income countries and for the most part statistically equal to zero.
An Organisational Discussion of Incomplete Contracting and Transaction Costs in Conservation Contracts
Authors: Steele Scott 
Published: January 2010

AbstractConservation in the agricultural sector is difficult to achieve. A primary complicating factor in achieving conservation is the large number of public good environmental services provided by large numbers of individuals acting under diverse economic and ecological conditions. The complexity of the problem implies that additional consideration must be given to transaction cost economics and the theory of incomplete contracting. Drawing on insights from organisational economics, this paper argues that conservation policy and research could be improved with explicit consideration of the effects of ‘holdup problems’, transaction costs and trust on the provision of conservation services. ‘Bottom‐up’ approaches are promising as they directly incorporate these organisational issues, and the paper concludes with an example of a ‘bottom‐up’ conservation programme, the Ontario Environmental Farm Planning programme.
Discrepancies between metabolic activity and DNA content as tool to assess cell proliferation in cancer research
Authors: Quent Verena M.C. , Loessner Daniela , Friis Thor , Reichert Johannes C. , Hutmacher Dietmar W. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractCell proliferation is a critical and frequently studied feature of molecular biology in cancer research. Therefore, various assays are available using different strategies to measure cell proliferation. Metabolic assays such as AlamarBlue, water‐soluble tetrazolium salt and 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyl tetrazolium bromide, which were originally developed to determine cell toxicity, are used to assess cell numbers. Additionally, proliferative activity can be determined by quantification of DNA content using fluorophores such as CyQuant and PicoGreen. Referring to data published in high ranking cancer journals, these assays were applied in 945 publications over the past 14 years to examine the proliferative behaviour of diverse cell types. In these studies, however, mainly metabolic assays were used to quantify changes in cell growth yet these assays may not accurately reflect cellular proliferation rates due to a miscorrelation of metabolic activity and cell number. Testing this hypothesis, we compared the metabolic activity of different cell types, human cancer cells and primary cells, over a time period of 4 days using AlamarBlue and the fluorometric assays CyQuant and PicoGreen to determine their DNA content. Our results show certain discrepancies in terms of over‐estimation of cell proliferation with respect to the metabolic assay in comparison to DNA binding fluorophores.
Oxygen‐mediated endocytosis in cancer
Authors: Wang Yi , Ohh Michael 
Published: January 2010

Abstract

Introduction
Concluding remarks

Solid tumours invariably exhibit regions of hypoxia and up‐regulation of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) that trigger multiple signal pathways, including those that govern cell proliferation, survival and motility, ultimately contributing to oncogenesis. Although past studies have shown hypoxia‐dependent transcriptional and translational induction of several RTK expression and their respective ligands, recent evidence suggests that hypoxia regulates RTK signalling through endocytosis, a major deactivation pathway of RTKs. Hypoxia‐mediated endocytosis is also thought to modulate the activity of a growing list of other membrane‐associated proteins such as integrins and Na,K‐ATPase. These recent discoveries underscore the emergence of endocytosis as an important hypoxia‐mediated regulatory process in cancer.
Analysis of cytokine genes polymorphism as markers for inhibitor development in haemophilia A
Authors: Chaves D. , Belisário A. , Castro G. , Santoro M. , Rodrigues C. 
Published: January 2010

SummaryAntibodies that block factor VIII (FVIII) activity appear in some haemophilia A patients treated with FVIII replacement therapy and severely impaired treatment. To date, the mechanisms that lead to this immune response are unknown. In this work, haplotypes of cytokine interleukin 10 (IL‐10) gene have been associated with the presence of FVIII inhibitors in a group of Brazilian haemophilia A patients. The coexistence of a haplotype defining high IL‐10 synthesis and one defining an intermediate production of cytokines is found to be associated with the group of patients who have a history of inhibitor development. Additionally, the coexistence of haplotypes defining high and low IL‐10 syntheses is strongly associated with the group of negative inhibitors. These results have shown that the simple association considering only the presence or the absence of a haplotype and the development of inhibitors in haemophilia A is not sufficient. Data obtained in this work sustain the idea that the genetic studies may partly explain why only approximately 25% of haemophilia A patients develop FVIII inhibitors. Other genetic issues and details of the protein replacement therapy should be considered to measure the chances of a patient to develop anti‐FVIII antibodies.
Finding the Natural Interface: Graduate and Public Education at One University Natural History Museum
Authors: Cordell Linda S. 
Published: January 2010

ABSTRACTUniversity natural history museums are much like their public museum counterparts, yet they differ in some important ways including how they are funded and staffed and how they serve their parent institutions. These circumstances provide some unique opportunities for university‐based natural history museums but they also present challenges, especially for their public education goals. While there are surely a variety of creative solutions for resolving these dilemmas, this article explores how the graduate program at the University of Colorado Museum may be seen as an example serving as an interface between diverse facets of the Museum and its several audiences and constituencies. The usefulness of the program as a model and as a means of training and nurturing future museum professionals is discussed.
A Synopsis and Perspective of Concerns and Challenges for the International Community of University Museums
Authors: Tirrell Peter B. 
Published: January 2010

ABSTRACTUniversity museums and their collections are among the oldest and most significant in the world, yet their role and future is being questioned. They have critical needs for facilities, staff, and support. At risk are millions of objects that document our natural and cultural history and programs for research, teaching, and public education and exhibits. The museums are attempting to redefine, reposition, and clarify their educational mission. Museums such as the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural history are successfully meeting the challenges through strategic planning and funding for new facilities. Other museums are finding solutions with partnerships, links, and tailor‐made service programs. New leadership and management will need to emerge for university museums to reestablish their stature and relevance. Physical and intellectual access to the museums and their objects is a key to their future. The new technologies are tools that museums can use to improve their interpretive programs and increase the depth of their research. Facing shared concerns and challenges, the museums are generating a growning sense of collective urgency and a call for intenational organization, advocacy, and cooperation, resulting in formation of the International Committee for University Museums and Collections.
Working at Play: Informal Science Education on Museum Playgrounds
Authors: Chermayeff Jane Clark , Blandford Robert J. , Losos Carol M. 
Published: January 2010

Abstract  This article discusses the importance of play in informal science education and the growth of science playgrounds as an international trend among museums to create safe, challenging outdoor environments that use play to explore the foundations of science.Play is characterized by intrinsic motivation, active engagement, attention to means rather than ends, non‐literal behavior, and freedom from external rules, a means for acquiring information about and experiencing the environment. Successful exhibitions for children and families share these qualities and outdoor exhibitions encourage a degree of exploration and full‐body experience often not possible nor appropriate inside a museum.Two case studies are provided as evidence of the importance of play in the interpretation and design of science playgrounds. The first, Science Playground at the New York Hall of Science (opened 1997), uses an interpretive strategy in which evaluation and remediation are continually incorporated into the educational process. Experimental workshops were conducted to observe children's intuitive uses of the physics‐based exhibits, uninhibited by any authoritative explanations. From this evaluation, the institution elected not to produce interpretive signage at each unit, but rather to develop a guide for visitors and one for educators that outline the exhibition's basic physics principles and encourage visitors to experiment and make connection to their own experiences.The second case study, Exploration Park at Prisma, Zona Exploratoria de Puerto Rico in San Juan (opening 2002), outlines ten design criteria used to develop the playground. These include bringing together a diverse team to respond to institutional and audience needs, ages, interests, and cultural backgrounds; creating a specific sense of place, making use of the local environment and taking advantage of natural elements including water, soil, wind, and sun. Practical considerations of safety, materials, and prototyping are also addressed.The article concludes with the idea of play as essential not only in child development, but also in development of successful outdoor science exhibitions.
A Wonder Lost or Wander Lust: Tourists Visit Monkeys in the Wild
Authors: Marsh Laura K. 
Published: January 2010

ABSTRACTA pilot study was conducted on tourists' behavior in the Community Baboon Sanctuary, Belize, where tourists observed the Central American black howler monkey (Alouatta pigra). The most visited site was a 1.25‐ha semi‐deciduous forest fragment surrounded by private homes and tropical pine savanna. Out of 83 visits by tour groups, nine were longer than 25 minutes and six were less than two minutes. Eliminating the high and low values, an average of 12 minutes was spent by tourists viewing the monkeys (range 4.0–25.0 minutes). By comparison, great apes in captivity are also viewed for an average of 12 minutes. Thus, tourists watch wild primates approximately as long as they watch captive ones. This study challenges researchers to further investigate in situ ecotourism as it relates to the broader conservation goals of zoos.