bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exploiting predators for pest management: the need for sound ecological assessment
Authors: Furlong Michael J. , Zalucki Myron P. 
Published: April 2010

AbstractMost people agree that arthropod natural enemies are good for insect pest management in agriculture. However, the population suppressive effects of predators, which consume their prey and often leave no direct evidence of their activity, are more difficult to study than the effects of parasitoids, which can be sampled from host populations relatively easily. We critically reviewed field studies which investigated the relationship between lepidopteran pests and their associated predatory fauna, published in 11 leading entomology and applied ecology journals between 2003 and 2008. Each study was appraised to determine whether or not it demonstrated that predators had an impact on prey (pest) populations and, if so, whether it was conducted at an ecological scale relevant to pest management. Less than half (43%) of the 54 field studies adopted methodologies that allowed the impact of predators on target pest populations to be measured. Furthermore, 76% of the studies were conducted at the scale of experimental plots rather than at the ecological scale which determines pest and predator population dynamics or at which pest‐management decisions are made. In almost one‐third of the studies, predator abundance and/or diversity was measured, but this metric was not linked with pest suppression or mortality. We conclude that much current research does not provide evidence that predatory arthropods suppress target lepidopteran pest populations and, consequently, that it has little relevance to pest management. Well‐designed ecological experiments combined with recent advances in molecular techniques to identify predator diets and the emergence of organic agriculture provide both the mechanisms and a platform upon which many predator–prey interactions can be investigated at a scale relevant to pest management. However, benefits will only be reaped from this opportunity if current approaches to research are changed and relevant ecological data are collected at appropriate ecological scales.
Detection of centrosome aberrations in disease‐unrelated cells from patients with tumor treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors
Authors: Giehl Michelle , Leitner Armin , Haferlach Claudia , Duesberg Peter , Hofmann Wolf‐Karsten , Hofheinz Ralf , Seifarth Wolfgang , Hochhaus Andreas , Fabarius Alice 
Published: April 2010

AbstractObjectives:Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) target various pathways associated with proliferation of aberrant clones in malignant diseases. Despite good response and acceptable tolerability, little is known concerning long‐term toxicity. Furthermore, the influence of these inhibitors on disease‐unrelated cells is not investigated yet.Methods:Centrosome aberrations are hallmarks of various cancers. We sought to evaluate the effect of TKIs on centrosomes of disease‐unrelated cells. We examined cells of the oral mucosa (OM) and fibroblasts of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) treated with dasatinib and bosutinib. Results were compared with data from patients with CML treated with imatinib or nilotinib and with data from patients suffering from renal and hepatocellular carcinomas (RCC/HCC) treated with sorafenib or sunitinib. Cells of healthy donors served as controls.Results:OM cells (n = 12) and fibroblasts (n = 7) of patients with CML treated with dasatinib and OM cells of three patients with CML treated with bosutinib showed centrosomal alterations (mean, 14%) compared with 16 (10 OM and 6 fibroblasts) controls (mean, 3%). OM cells of five patients with CML and one patient with systemic mastocytosis treated with imatinib or nilotinib and of eight patients with RCC or HCC treated with sorafenib or sunitinib showed centrosome defects in a mean of 15%.Conclusions:Our data have shown that TKI treatment of tumor patients may influence centrosomes in disease‐unrelated cells or tissues. This may be important with regard to various observed side effects.
Genetic diversity of Forest and Savannah chicken populations of Ghana as estimated by microsatellite markers
Authors: OSEI‐AMPONSAH Richard , KAYANG Boniface B. , NAAZIE Augustine , OSEI Yaa D. , YOUSSAO Issaka A. K. , YAPI‐GNAORE Valentine C. , TIXIER‐BOICHARD Michèle , ROGNON Xavier 
Published: April 2010

ABSTRACTThe characterization of indigenous animal genetic resources is a requisite step in providing needed information for the conservation of useful genotypes against future needs. Thus, in this study, 22 microsatellite markers were used to genotype 114 local chickens from the Forest (n = 59) and Savannah (n = 55) eco‐zones of Ghana and the results compared to those of the ancestral red junglefowl (n = 15) and two European commercial chicken populations – a broiler (n = 25) and white leghorn (n = 25). A total of 171 alleles were observed, with an average of 7.8 alleles per locus. The local Ghanaian chickens showed higher diversity in terms of the observed number of alleles per locus (6.6) and observed heterozygosity (0.568) compared with the combined control populations (6.0 and 0.458, respectively). However, Wright's F‐statistics revealed negligible genetic differentiation (FST) in local Ghanaian chicken populations. In addition, 65% of the Savannah chickens were inferred to be more likely from the Forest, suggesting a south‐north dispersal of chickens from their probable original location in the Forest zone to the Savannah areas. It is concluded that the Forest and Savannah chickens of Ghana are a single, randomly mating unselected population, characterized by high genetic diversity and constitute a valuable resource for conservation and improvement.
KIAA0495/PDAM Is Frequently Downregulated in Oligodendroglial Tumors and Its Knockdown by siRNA Induces Cisplatin Resistance in Glioma Cells
Authors: Pang Jesse Chung‐Sean , Li Kay Ka‐Wai , Lau Kin‐Mang , Ng Yeung Lam , Wong John , Chung Nellie Yuk‐Fei , Li Hiu‐Ming , Chui Yiu‐Loon , Lui Vivian Wai Yan , Chen Zhong‐ping , Chan Danny Tat‐Ming , Poon Wai Sang , Wang Yin , Mao Yin , Zhou Liangfu , Ng Ho‐Keung 
Published: April 2010

AbstractCo‐deletion of chromosomes 1p and 19q is a common event in oligodendroglial tumors (OTs), suggesting the presence of OT‐related genes. The aim of this study was to identify the target genes residing in the minimally deleted regions on chromosome 1p36.31–p36.32 that might be involved in OTs. A novel gene KIAA0495/p53‐dependent apoptosis modulator (PDAM) was found frequently deregulated, with 37 of 58 (63.8%) OTs examined showing reduced expression compared with normal brain. Chromosome 1p loss and epigenetic modifications were the major mechanisms contributing to PDAM downregulation. The role of PDAM in chemosensitivity was also evaluated. PDAM knockdown had no effect on sensitivity to vincristine, lomustine, temozolomide and paclitaxel, but could induce cisplatin resistance in glioma cells harboring wild‐type p53. B‐cell CCL/lymphoma 2 (BCL2)‐like 1 (BCL2L1) exhibited significant upregulation, while BCL2 showed partial derepression in PDAM‐silenced cells after cisplatin treatment, suggesting that alteration of anti‐apoptotic genes contributed in part to cisplatin resistance. Knockdown of BCL2L1 abrogated the induced cisplatin‐resistant phenotype. Moreover, our data suggested that PDAM might function as a non‐protein‐coding RNA. Collectively, these findings suggest that PDAM deregulation may play a role in OT development and that PDAM may possess the capacity to modulate apoptosis via regulation of p53‐dependent anti‐apoptotic genes.
Reproductive efficiency of Thoroughbred and Standardbred horses in north‐east Victoria
Authors: Nath LC , Anderson GA , McKinnon AO 
Published: April 2010

Objective To evaluate the reproductive efficiency of horse farms in north‐east Victoria and identify aspects of management to be targeted for improving reproductive efficiency.Design Retrospective study.Procedure Records from seven Thoroughbred (TB) and four Standardbred (STB) studs in north‐east Victoria from 1990 to 2001 were reviewed; 8813 cycles in 4455 mares were analysed. TB mares were inseminated by natural mating, whereas STB mares (89%) were artificially inseminated.Results The overall early pregnancy rate per cycle was 68.8% for TB mares and for STB mares, 68.3%. Multiple pregnancy per cycle was more frequent in TB (8.3%) than in STB (4.6%) mares (P < 0.001). Early embryonic death occurred in 7.1% of TB and 7.5% of STB pregnancies. TB mares had fewer inseminations per cycle (1.03) than STB mares (1.43) (P < 0.001). There was a significantly lower proportion of barren reproductive status within the TB than the STB mares. Pregnancy rate per cycle among stallions ranged from 48% to 79%.Conclusions On‐farm pregnancy rates in both breeds were higher than previously reported and likely reflect improvements in reproductive management. The disparity between breeds in the inseminations per cycle and proportion of barren mares exposed the differing structures of the two industries, and presents a target for improving the reproductive efficiency in STBs. The difference between breeds in the multiple pregnancy rate per cycle likely reflects the higher ovulation rate of TB mares. The variability in pregnancy rate per cycle between the 22 stallions was associated with differences in individual inherent fertility and the quality of stallion management.
Effects of Infrared‐A Irradiation on Skin: Discrepancies in Published Data Highlight the Need for an Exact Consideration of Physical and Photobiological Laws and Appropriate Experimental Settings
Authors: Piazena Helmut , Kelleher Debra K. 
Published: April 2010

AbstractSkin exposure to infrared (IR) radiation should be limited in terms of irradiance, exposure time and frequency in order to avoid acute or chronic damage. Recommendations aimed at protecting humans from the risks of skin exposure to IR (e.g. ICNIRP, ACGIH) are only defined in terms of acute effects (e.g. heat pain and cardiovascular collapse), whereas the actual exposure conditions (e.g. spectral distribution, exposure geometry, frequency and number of exposures, thermal exchange with the environment, metabolic energy production and regulatory responses) are not taken into consideration. Since the IR component of solar radiation reaching the Earth’s surface is mainly IR‐A, and considering the increased use of devices emitting artificially generated IR‐A radiation, this radiation band is of special interest. A number of in vitro and/or in vivo investigations assessing cellular or tissue damage caused by IR‐A radiation have been undertaken. While such studies are necessary for the development of safety recommendations, the results of measurements undertaken to examine the interaction between skin and IR radiation emitted from different sources presented in this study, together with the detailed examination of the literature reveals a wide spectrum of contradictory findings, which in some instances may be related to methodological shortcomings or fundamental errors in the application of physical and photobiological laws, thus highlighting the need for physically and photobiologically appropriate experiments.
5,6‐Dihydroxyindole Oxidation in Phosphate Buffer/Polyvinyl Alcohol: A New Model System for Studies of Visible Chromophore Development in Synthetic Eumelanin Polymers
Authors: Pezzella Alessandro , Ambrogi Veronica , Arzillo Marianna , Napolitano Alessandra , Carfagna Cosimo , D’Ischia Marco 
Published: April 2010

AbstractThe determinants of the broadband absorption spectrum of eumelanins are still largely unknown. Herein we report a novel approach to investigate eumelanin chromophore which is based on the biomimetic oxidation of the key monomer precursor, 5,6‐dihydroxyindole (DHI, 1), with peroxidase/hydrogen peroxide in phosphate buffer, pH 7, containing 1–5% polyvinylalcohol (PVA, 27 000 Da). This approach relies on the discovery that as low as 1% PVA can prevent precipitation of the growing melanin polymer thus allowing investigation of the chromophoric phases accompanying oxidation of DHI without confounding scattering effects. Spectrophotometric monitoring showed the initial development of a band around 530 nm persisting for about 1 h before gradually changing into the typical broadband spectrum of eumelanin. Reductive treatment caused a significant absorbance decrease in the visible region without affecting an absorption band around 320 nm. Initial product analysis indicated an altered formation ratio of 2,4′‐biindolyl (2) and 2,7′‐biindolyl (3) relative to control experiments. Overall, these results demonstrate for the first time that the development in solution of visible chromophores since the early oligomer stages is independent of strong aggregation/precipitation phenomena.
Floodplain agricultural systems: functionality, heritage and conservation
Authors: Cook H.F. 
Published: April 2010

AbstractFloodplain infrastructural features reduce flood risk and have the potential to enhance habitat, biodiversity, water quality and provide societal benefits. Man‐made water management systems common in southern England are both flood tolerant and form part of the functional floodplain. Historic floodplain features should be incorporated into agri‐environmental policy, as climate change and increasing climate variability makes flood detention areas ever more desirable. Of major importance are floodplain meadows, grazing marshes, water meadows and riparian vegetation, and there is a trend to restore river channels to more natural conditions. This paper describes the operation of historic floodplain water management systems and considers the features associated with canals and mills. The major themes in achieving conservation and restoration goals are presented, and it is demonstrated that a refinement of policies on the ground is required.
THE SERMON AT THE TULSA ECUMENICAL SERVICE
Authors: Thomas M.M. 
Published: April 2010

Again the Kingdom of heaven is like unto a treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath and buyeth that field.Again the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls; who when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. (Matthew 13.44–46.)
Recent Books on Protestant‐Roman Catholic Dialogues, Relations and Common Practices
Authors: van der Bent Ans J. 
Published: April 2010

Baptism and Eucharist: Ecumenical Convergence in Celebration, eds Max Thurian and Geoffrey Wainwright. Geneva: WCC, and Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans, 1983, 258pp. (Faith and Order Paper No. 117).The Churches as Peacemakers? An Analysis of Recent Church Statements on Peace, Disarmament and War. Rome: IDOC‐International, 1985, 88pp.Congar, Yves: Diversity and Communion. London: SCM Press, 1984, 232pp. (Translated from the French Diversités et communion. Paris: Editions du Cerf, 1982).Derr, Thomas Sieger: Barriers to Ecumenism: the Holy See and the World Council of Churches on Social Questions. Maryknol, NY: Orbis Books, 1983, 102pp.Desseaux, Jacques Elisée: Dialogues théologiques et accords oecuméniques. Paris: Editions du Cerf, 1982, 199pp.Dialogi Ecumenici Ufficiali: Bilanci e Prospettive, a cura di Donato Valentini. Roma: Libreria Ateneo Salesiano, 1983, 168pp. (Biblioteca di Scienze Religiose, 53).Ecumenical Perspectives on Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry, ed. Max Thurian. Geneva: WCC, 1983, 246pp. (Faith and Order Paper, No. 116).Die Eucharistie der einen Kirche — Eucharistische Ekklesiologie: Perspektiven und Grenzen, eds. Albert Rauch and Paul Imhof. Munich: Verlagsgesellschaft Gerhard Kaffke, 1983, 231pp. (Koinonia. Schriftenreihe des Ostkirchlichen Instituts Regensburg, Band III).Fries, Heinrich and Rahner, Karl: Unity of the Churches: an Actual Possibility. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, and New York: Paulist Press, 1985, 146pp. (Translated from the German Einigung der Kirchen — Reale Möglichkeit. Freiburg: Herder, 1983).Huwyler, Christoph: Das Problem der Interkommunion: Dargestellt anhand kirchlicher Verlautbarungen, Ökumenischer Dokumente und der theologischen Diskussion. Bad Honneff: Bock und Herrchen Verlag, 1984, 2 volumes.Lazareth, William H.: Growing Together in Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry: a Study Guide. Geneva: WCC, 1982, 107pp. (Faith and Order Paper No. 114).Local Ecumenism: How Church Unity is Seen and Practised by Congregations, ed. André Birmelé. Geneva: WCC, 1984, 37pp.Peace and Disarmament: Documents of the World Council of Churches and the Roman Catholic Church. Geneva: (WCC) Commission of the Churches on International Affairs, and Rome: Pontifical Commission “Iustitia et Pax”, 1983, 255pp.Wachsende Übereinstimmung in Taufe, Eucharistie und Amt: Hilfen zur Beschäftigung mit den Lima‐Erklärungen. Im Auftrag der ökumenischen Kommission der katholischen Bistümer in Bayern, herausgegeben von Gerhard Voss. Freising: Kyrios‐Verlag, and Paderborn: Verlag Bonifatius, 1984, 96pp.Wainwright, Geoffrey: The Ecumenical Moment: Crisis and Opportunity for the Church. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans, 1983, 263pp.
Dialogue in the Context of Development
Authors: Devananda Yohan , Fernando Sarath 
Published: April 2010

Interfaith dialogue is much more than an intellectual activity of learning about and witnessing to the different religious convictions of the partners involved. Genuine dialogue often takes place in actual life situations. Thrown together into the common struggles of life, dialogue between people of different religious convictions becomes an inevitable way of life.Here is an illustration of such dialogue from Sri Lanka. In a deeply divided nation, facing many contradictions in its social and economic life, there are groups of people — Buddhists, Christians, Hindus and Muslims — committed to human development and, within that commitment, living in dialogue with one another.This is an abridged version of a paper entitled “How do we live the gospel today?” In the introductory part of the paper, not included here, the authors deal with the ashram tradition and the earlier movements in Sri Lanka for indigenization and development within the churches. The concluding sections have also been left out for reasons of space.
In and Out of Rights: Security, Migration, and Human Rights Talk in Postwar Guatemala
Authors: Burrell Jennifer 
Published: April 2010

RESUMENEste artículo investiga las interconexiones entre la seguridad, la migración y los derechos humanos en una comunidad de Mam Maya en Guatemala durante la posguerra. Explora los así llamados “maras” (las pandillas, generalmente de jóvenes emigrantes de sueldo‐trabajo regresados de EEUU) y los comités de seguridad que se han formado para controlarlos. En el nexo resultante de relaciones y contradicciones poderosas, los individuos mueven en y fuera de los derechos reconocidostanto en Guatemala como en los Estados Unidos, produciendo un concepto flexible y líquido de derechos, de sus significados, y de los usos posibles de tales. Enfocándome en un caso específico, muestro cómo nombrándoles “mara” a los jóvenes rebeldes migratorios tiene la consecuencia de negar sus derechos y justifica formas de justicia, ni justa ni impuesto mayormente por el estado, sino por sus propias comunidades. Estos temas están sumergidos en conflictos comunitarios entre las generaciones y en contextos históricos tanto locales como nacionales. Más allá de cuestiones sobre la conmensurabilidad de derechos y preocupaciones sobre seguridad, esta problemática implica una crisis en la capacidad de imaginarse un futuro colectivo.
An investigation of the relationship between race performance and superficial digital flexor tendonitis in the Thoroughbred racehorse
Authors: O'MEARA B. , BLADON B. , PARKIN T. D. H. , FRASER B. , LISCHER C. J. 
Published: April 2010

SummaryReasons for performing study:There is limited information regarding the number of races and the period for evaluation of outcome which is critical for assessment of SDF tendonitis treatments.Objective:To evaluate the re‐injury rate and racing performance of Thoroughbred racehorses that sustain SDF tendonitis in relation to matched controls in terms of number of races post treatment and maximum racing performance ratings before and after injury.Study design:Clinical records and racing histories of 401 racehorses with a first occurrence of SDF tendonitis diagnosed by ultrasonography. Controls were of the same age, sex and were horses training in the same establishment at the time of injury as the case horses and where the trainer reported that the horse had not had a previous SDF tendon injury or treatment.Results:Eighty percent of both case and control horses returned to racing after the date of injury, and the re‐injury proportion within 3 years of treatment was 53%. The difference in Racing Post Rating(max)(RPR(max)) and the Racing Post Rating in the race immediately before the treatment date was significantly smaller in case horses (mean = 9.6 lbs; range = 0–75) compared to control horses (mean = 17.0 lbs; range = 0–79). No significant decrease in RPR(max)was noted post injury. No difference between case and control horses was found for return to racing and racing 3 times, but control horses were significantly more likely to compete 5 races post treatment date than case horses.Conclusion and clinical relevance:Injury was associated with an individual's pre‐injury maximum performance level and return to racing and completion of 3 races are not useful indicator of the outcome of horses with SDF tendonitis. The assessment of the outcome of horses with an SDF injury in a population of racehorses using the number of races post injury requires a minimum of 5 races post injury to be a useful indicator. Further, a re‐injury proportion in a population of horses in training for 3 years post treatment.
First Detection of an Invasive
Staphylococcus aureus
Strain (D958) with Reduced Susceptibility to Glycopeptides in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Al-Obeid S. , Haddad Q. , Cherkaoui A. , Schrenzel J. , François P. 
Published: April 2010

ABSTRACT

Strain D958, a methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
strain with reduced susceptibility to vancomycin, was isolated from a 69-year-old Saudi male patient presenting with severe sepsis immediately after admission. Despite high serum levels of vancomycin, the same
S. aureus
strain was isolated from five blood culture sets during 1 week. Treatment failure under therapeutic levels of vancomycin prompted us to investigate the resistance profile of this strain in further detail. The MIC values for vancomycin as determined by Etest and microdilution were 3.0 and 2.0 mg/liter, respectively, and remained unchanged during the treatment course. The macro-Etest method showed a MIC of 4 mg/liter. The strain showed liquid vancomycin and lysostaphin MBCs of 2.0 and 5.0 mg/liter, respectively. The isolates were confirmed as heterogeneously vancomycin-intermediate
S. aureus
(hVISA) by vancomycin population analysis profile. The areas under these curves were similar for Mu3 and D958 for vancomycin and teicoplanin (ratio values were 1 and 1.1 for vancomycin and teicoplanin, respectively). Extensive genotyping and molecular characterization demonstrated that the strain harbored a staphylococcal cassette chromosome
mec
element (SCC
mec
) type III cassette and was of sequence type ST241, a single-locus variant of the successful multiresistant clone ST239. Microarray results demonstrated that D958 contained numerous resistance determinants (generally plasmid or phage encoded). These results suggest that this strain is constitutively expressing an altered susceptibility to vancomycin. Further studies are warranted to assess the clonal distribution of such strains displaying reduced susceptibility to vancomycin prior to any antimicrobial therapy.