bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
What organic and Fair Trade labels do not tell us: towards a place‐based understanding of certification
Authors: Getz Christy , Shreck Aimee 
Published: August 2006

AbstractCertified organic and Fair Trade food products are making their way into the mainstream among Western consumers and, as such, are increasingly viewed as sustainable and preferable alternatives to the conventional food system, with its many negative social and environmental externalities. Two case studies discussed in this paper indicate, however, that operationalizing the goals for organic and Fair Trade food via certification can be a complex and difficult process. Specifically, the implementation of certification creates a disconnect between expectations raised by labels and the ‘lived experience’ of small farmers. In the case of small farmers in Mexico growing certified organic tomatoes and herbs, certification exacerbated socio‐economic inequality and disrupted local social norms by creating a hyperfocus on surveillance. In the case of small farmers in the Dominican Republic growing Fair Trade bananas, the certification process prioritized the demands of the market to such a degree that the farmers were largely unaware that they were participating in anything ‘alternative’, and it simultaneously reinforced socio‐economic inequalities within the communities. These findings suggest that if the appeal of certified labels rests on the integrity of what the label represents to consumers, then such consumer movements would benefit from a more robust analysis of how certification intersects with and affects local spaces, cultures and communities at the point of production.
Creating markets for eco‐labelling: are consumers insignificant?
Authors: Gulbrandsen Lars H. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractThe proliferation of voluntary certification and labelling schemes for environmentally and socially responsible production is often seen as driven by companies and consumer demand. Through a careful examination of the initiation and spread of such initiatives in the fishery and forestry sectors, this paper challenges a rational–economic perspective that sees the spread of nonstate governance schemes primarily as a market‐driven phenomenon. Drawing on a political consumerism perspective, the paper argues that transnational environmental group networks and their targeting of firms were key to the emergence of nonstate eco‐labelling schemes, and that most firms decided to support or participate in such schemes only after intensive environmental group pressure. The paper opposes the view that nonstate governance challenges traditional state authority, by showing that states, through public procurement policies and support, contributed to create markets for forestry and fishery labelling in many countries. Although some states have been more sceptical of fishery labelling, largely because of the way fishery resources are managed, they have come to accept it as a helpful supplement to public rules and regulations.
Beyond organic: consumer interest in new labelling schemes in the Central Coast of California
Authors: Howard Philip H. , Allen Patricia 
Published: August 2006

AbstractProducers are interested in developing labelling schemes that go ‘beyond organic’ to address ethical criteria not included the US Department of Agriculture organic standards. However, consumer interests in labels that are not as widely available as organic in the market are poorly understood. This study reports results of focus‐group research and a survey of 1000 households in the Central Coast region of California to determine which standards consumers are most interested in supporting through their purchases. The results indicate that standards for the humane treatment of animals have the highest level of support, followed by a standard for local origin, and for a living wage for workers involved in producing food. Logistic regression analysis suggests that humane is more likely to be chosen by women, European‐Americans, younger people and frequent organic purchasers. Locally grown was preferred by older people and households with children. A living wage for workers involved in food production was selected more often by Latinos. Although a characterization of trends is not possible due to a cross‐sectional design, the results suggest some potential directions for producers in this region who are willing to supply unmet consumer demands for ethical criteria. There are three basic directions that new and emerging labels may take with respect to US national organic standards: (1) separate from organic; (2) institutionally separate, but tightly integrated with organic; and (3) intended to supplant organic. The success of each of these strategies will depend on how much trust consumers continue to place in government oversight of organic food. The study results also suggest that the movement for a more sustainable food system would benefit from devoting more attention to issues of animal rights and social justice.
Potential role of hepatic progenitor cells expression in cases of chronic hepatitis C and their relation to response to therapy: a clinicopathologic study
Authors: Tsamandas Athanassios C. , Syrokosta Ioulia , Thomopoulos Konstantinos , Zolota Vassiliki , Dimitropoulou Dimitra , Liava Anna , Coupoulou Anna Antona , Siagris Dimitrios , Petsas Theodore , Karatza Chrisoula , Gogos Charalambos A 
Published: August 2006

Abstract: Background: This study investigates the correlation of hepatic progenitor cells (HPC) expression with treatment response in patients with chronic hepatitis C.Design: The study comprised 77 liver biopsies with chronic hepatitis C (HCV). All patients were PCR‐HCV (+) and received antiviral therapy with interferon or pegylated interferon α‐2b and ribavirin. Twenty‐nine patients were assigned as responders (group A), 29 as nonresponders (group B) and 19 as relapsers (group C). Ten normal liver biopsies were used as controls. Liver paraffin sections were subjected (a) to immunohistochemistry using antibodies for cytokeratins 19 (CK19) and 7 (CK7), α‐fetoprotein (AFP), leukocyte common antigen (LCA) and CD34 antigen (b) to in situ hybridization for AFP mRNA and (c) to immunohistochemistry+in situ hybridization. Results were expressed as % of positive cells following morphometric analysis.Results: HPC expression was present in all 87 specimens. In the control biopsies, rare HPC were detected. In the CH cases and according to AFP mRNA expression, the grade for % HPC expression was: group B: 53.2±2.6> group C: 48.37±1.8> group A: 31.4±1.6 (group A vs B P<0.01, group A vs C P<0.01, group B vs C P>0.05. Double stain revealed that HPC coexpressed CK19/AFP mRNA, CK7/AFP mRNa and AFP protein/AFP mRNA. HPC‐percentages were directly correlated with total HAI score (P<0.01), fibrosis stage (P<0.01), and transaminase values (P<0.05).Conclusions: This study demonstrates that in cases of chronic hepatitis C, the significant association of HPC expression with the severity of disease and more specifically with the response to treatment implies that HPC development and proliferation may provide additional prognostic information and predict prognosis in such cases.
Foramen Ovale Electrodes Can Identify a Focal Seizure Onset When Surface EEG Fails in Mesial Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
Authors: Velasco Tonicarlo R. , Sakamoto Américo C. , Alexandre Veriano , Walz Roger , Dalmagro Charles L. , Bianchin Marino M. , Araújo David , Santos Antônio C. , Leite João P. , Assirati João A. , Carlotti Carlos 
Published: August 2006

Summary:  Purpose: We analyze a series of patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) associated with hippocampal sclerosis (HS) submitted to presurgical investigation with scalp sphenoidal, followed by foramen ovale electrodes (FO), and, when necessary, with depth temporal electrodes. We sought to evaluate the clinical utility of FO in patients with MTLE‐HS. Methods: We included patients who had phase I investigation with bitemporal independent seizures, nonlateralized ictal onsets, or ictal onset initiating in the side contralateral to the side of hippocampal sclerosis. Patients whose implanted FO failed to demonstrate an unambiguous unilateral ictal onset were later evaluated with depth hippocampal electrodes. Results: Between May 1994 and December 2004, 64 patients met our inclusion criteria: 33 female (51.5%) and 31 male subjects (48.5%). The mean age at enrollment was 37.66 ± 10.6 years (range, 12–56 years). The groups with nonlateralized surface ictal EEG onsets and contralateral EEG onsets had a greater chance of lateralization with FO when compared with the group with bilateral independent seizures on surface EEG (p < 0.01). Foramen ovale electrodes lateralized the seizures in 60% of patients. Seventy percent of patients became seizure free after temporal lobectomy. Five patients were implanted with depth temporal electrodes after FO video‐EEG monitoring. The depth‐electrode EEG onsets confirmed the results of FO video‐EEG monitoring in all patients, and the surgery was refused. Conclusions: In MTLE‐HS, FO is a reliable method for lateralization of seizures that are not clearly recorded by surface EEGs.
LIGHT ABSORPTION AND QUANTUM YIELD FOR GROWTH IN FIVE SPECIES OF MARINE MACROALGA1
Authors: Markager Stiig 
Published: August 2006

ABSTRACTLight utilization efficiency in five species of marine macroalgae was measured in laboratory growth experiments (13–41 days duration) at different irradiances at 7°C. All species acclimated to irradiance by changing their light absorption, resulting in a peak in light absorption between 2 and 15 μmol·m−2.s−1. Light absorption increased with thallus‐specific chlorophyll and carbon content according to linear inverse relationships between chlorophyll content (chlarea−1) and log[transmission] and between log[carbon content, Carea−1] and log[transmission]. Quantum yields for light‐limited growth and estimated gross photosynthesis were calculated based on incident and absorbed light. Quantum yield for photosynthesis based on light absorbed by pigments was high (mean = 114 mmol C·mol−1 photons) and similar among the species. Quantum yield for net growth based on incident light was also high but more variable, between 22 and 75 mmol C·mol−1 photons. Differences among species were mainly due to differences in light absorption. In conclusion, all species acclimated to low light by increasing light absorption to the maximum attainable, and growth efficiencies based on absorbed light were close to the maximum theoretically possible.
GENETIC VARIABILITY OF GELIDIUM CANARIENSIS (RHODOPHYTA) DETERMINED BY ISOZYME ELECTROPHORESIS1
Authors: Sosa Pedro A. , Garcia‐Reina Guillermo 
Published: August 2006

ABSTRACTThe populations of Gelidium canariensis (Grunow) Seoane‐Camba from the Canary Islands were analyzed for genetic variability by isozyme electrophoresis in 1989 and 1990. Each population was divided into sporophytic and gametophytic subpopulations. Twenty‐three to 27 putative alleles corresponding to 22 gene loci were analyzed. Sev‐enteen loci were monomorphic in all six subpopulations, and five were polymorphic in at least one subpopulation. Significant deviations from Hardy‐Weinberg equilibrium were found. The amount of genetic variability (percentage of polymorphic loci, mean number of alleles per locus, and average gene diversity) of haploid subpopulations was lower than that of diploid subpopulations. No correlation between genetic distance and geographical distance was found. Low genetic differentiation between sporophytic and gametophytic subpopulations of the same locality was obsewed in two populations. The low genetic diversity and genetic differentiation suggest that the genetic structure of the populations of G. canariensis from the Canary Islands is due to a combination of founder effects and the predominance of asexual reproduction. Initial differences in gene frequencies may have persisted because of insufficient time to reach a higher level of differentiation.
The Opi1p Transcription Factor Affects Expression of
FLO11
, Mat Formation, and Invasive Growth in
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Reynolds Todd B. 
Published: August 2006

ABSTRACT

Mat formation in the bakers' yeast
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
is a surface-associated phenomenon in which yeast cells spread over the surface of a low-density agar petri plate as a complex film. This spreading growth occurs by sliding motility and is dependent on the adhesion protein (adhesin) Flo11p. In order to identify molecular pathways that govern mat formation, whole-genome transcriptional profiling was used to compare cells growing as a mat to cells growing in a suspension culture (planktonic cells). This analysis revealed that
S. cerevisiae
upregulates a subset of genes in response to growth on a surface. These genes included the
INO1
gene, which encodes the
myo
-inositol-1-phosphate synthase, which carries out the rate-limiting step in inositol biosynthesis. Further inquiry revealed that a transcription factor that controls
INO1
expression, called Opi1p, participates in the regulation of mat formation. Opi1p appears to modulate mat formation by influencing the expression of
FLO11
. The
opi1Δ
mutant was found to exhibit reduced
FLO11
levels. Consequently, the
opi1Δ
mutant perturbs the
FLO11
-dependent phenotype of invasive growth. The
opi1Δ
mutant's defects in mat formation and invasive growth are dependent on the transcriptional activator Ino2p. These results indicate that Opi1p affects mat formation and invasive growth by participating in the regulation of
FLO11
.
Trypanosoma congolense
Procyclins: Unmasking Cryptic Major Surface Glycoproteins in Procyclic Forms
Authors: Utz Silvia , Roditi Isabel , Kunz Renggli Christina , Almeida Igor C. , Acosta-Serrano Alvaro , Bütikofer Peter 
Published: August 2006

ABSTRACT

In the tsetse fly, the protozoan parasite
Trypanosoma congolense
is covered by a dense layer of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored molecules. These include a protease-resistant surface molecule (PRS), which is expressed by procyclic forms early in infection, and a glutamic acid- and alanine-rich protein (GARP), which appears at later stages. Since neither of these surface antigens is expressed at intermediate stages, we investigated whether a GPI-anchored protein of 50 to 58 kDa, previously detected in procyclic culture forms, might constitute the coat of these parasites. We therefore partially purified the protein from
T. congolense
Kilifi procyclic forms, obtained an N-terminal amino acid sequence, and identified its gene. Detailed analyses showed that the mature protein consists almost exclusively of 13 heptapeptide repeats (EPGENGT). The protein is densely N glycosylated, with up to 13 high-mannose oligosaccharides ranging from Man
5
GlcNAc
2
to Man
9
GlcNAc
2
linked to the peptide repeats. The lipid moiety of the glycosylphosphatidylinositol is composed of
sn
-1-stearoyl-2-
lyso
-glycerol-3-HPO
4
-1-(2-
O
-acyl)-
d
-
myo
-inositol. Heavily glycosylated proteins with similar repeats were subsequently identified in
T. congolense
Savannah procyclic forms. Collectively, this group of proteins was named
T. congolense
procyclins to reflect their relationship to the EP and GPEET procyclins of
T. brucei
. Using an antiserum raised against the EPGENGT repeat, we show that
T. congolense
procyclins are expressed continuously in the fly midgut and thus form the surface coat of cells that are negative for both PRS and GARP.
Membrane Topology and Transient Acylation ofToxoplasma gondiiGlycosylphosphatidylinositols
Authors: Kimmel Jürgen , Smith Terry K. , Azzouz Nahid , Gerold Peter , Seeber Frank , Lingelbach Klaus , Dubremetz Jean-François , Schwarz Ralph T. 
Published: August 2006

ABSTRACTUsing hypotonically permeabilizedToxoplasma gondiitachyzoites, we investigated the topology of the free glycosylphosphatidylinositols (GPIs) within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane. The morphology and permeability of parasites were checked by electron microscopy and release of a cytosolic protein. The membrane integrity of organelles (ER and rhoptries) was checked by protease protection assays. In initial experiments, GPI biosynthetic intermediates were labeled with UDP-[6-3H]GlcNAc in permeabilized parasites, and the transmembrane distribution of the radiolabeled lipids was probed with phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC). A new early intermediate with an acyl modification on the inositol was identified, indicating that inositol acylation also occurs inT. gondii. A significant portion of the early GPI intermediates (GlcN-PI and GlcNAc-PI) could be hydrolyzed following PI-PLC treatment, indicating that these glycolipids are predominantly present in the cytoplasmic leaflet of the ER. PermeabilizedT. gondiiparasites labeled with either GDP-[2-3H]mannose or UDP-[6-3H]glucose showed that the more mannosylated and side chain (Glc-GalNAc)-modified GPI intermediates are also preferentially localized in the cytoplasmic leaflet of the ER.
GPR-4 Is a Predicted G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Required for Carbon Source-Dependent Asexual Growth and Development inNeurospora crassa
Authors: Li Liande , Borkovich Katherine A. 
Published: August 2006

ABSTRACTThe filamentous fungusNeurospora crassais able to utilize a wide variety of carbon sources. Here, we examine the involvement of a predicted G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), GPR-4, during growth and development in the presence of different carbon sources inN. crassa. Δgpr-4mutants have reduced mass accumulation compared to the wild type when cultured on high levels of glycerol, mannitol, or arabinose. The defect is most severe on glycerol and is cell density dependent. The genetic and physical relationship between GPR-4 and the threeN. crassaGα subunits (GNA-1, GNA-2, and GNA-3) was explored. All three Gα mutants are defective in mass accumulation when cultured on glycerol. However, the phenotypes of Δgna-1and Δgpr-4Δgna-1mutants are identical, introduction of a constitutively activatedgna-1allele suppresses the defects of the Δgpr-4mutation, and the carboxy terminus of GPR-4 interacts most strongly with GNA-1 in the yeast two-hybrid assay. Although steady-state cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels are normal in Δgpr-4strains, exogenous cAMP partially remediates the dry mass defects of Δgpr-4mutants on glycerol medium and Δgpr-4strains lack the transient increase in cAMP levels observed in the wild type after addition of glucose to glycerol-grown liquid cultures. Our results support the hypothesis that GPR-4 is coupled to GNA-1 in a cAMP signaling pathway that regulates the response to carbon source inN. crassa. GPR-4-related GPCRs are present in the genomes of several filamentous ascomycete fungal pathogens, raising the possibility that a similar pathway regulates carbon sensing in these organisms.
Postconditioning fails to prevent radial artery endothelial dysfunction induced by ischemia and reperfusion: evidence from a human in vivo study
Authors: Dragoni Saverio , Di Stolfo Giuseppe , Sicuro Silvia , Lisi Monica , Parker John D. , Forconi Sandro , Gori Tommaso 
Published: August 2006

Animal studies have shown that, as compared with unrestricted reperfusion, exposure to brief periods of controlled ischemia (postconditioning) at the end of a prolonged ischemia reduces the extent of tissue damage. We set out to test whether postconditioning can prevent endothelial dysfunction induced by ischemia and reperfusion in a human in vivo model. Ten healthy young non-smoking volunteers were enrolled in this cross-over, controlled, investigator-blinded study. Subjects were exposed to 15 min of forearm ischemia followed by either unrestricted reperfusion or postconditioning (3 periods of 20 s of ischemia separated by 10 s of reperfusion). Endothelium-dependent flow-mediated dilation (FMD) was measured at the level of the radial artery before and after ischemia (with or without postconditioning). Forearm ischemia blunted FMD in both study visits (unrestricted reperfusion visit: before ischemia, 7.7% ± 1.3%; after ischemia, 2.5% ± 1.4%; and postconditioning visit: before, 7.3% ± 1.2%; after, 2.6 ± 1.6%; P < 0.05 for both, P = not significant (NS) between visits). In contrast with data from animal studies, postconditioning (20 s ischemia – 10 s reperfusion repeated 3 times) does not limit post-ischemic endothelial dysfunction in this human in vivo model. Further human studies are necessary to evaluate other reperfusion protocols in an attempt to limit post-ischemic tissue damage.
Inhibitory effects of astragaloside IV on diabetic peripheral neuropathy in rats
Authors: Yu Junxian , Zhang Yindi , Sun Shi , Shen Jianping , Qiu Jun , Yin Xiaoxing , Yin Honglin , Jiang Shaojun 
Published: August 2006

Astragaloside IV (AGS-IV), a new glycoside of cycloartane-type triterpene isolated from the root of Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge, has been used experimentally for its potent immune-stimulating, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidative actions. A recent study has shown AGS-IV to be an aldose-reductase inhibitor and a free-radical scavenger. This study examined the effects of AGS-IV on motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV), tailflick threshold temperature, biochemical indexes, and the histology of the sural nerve after diabetes was induced in rats with 75 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ). AGS-IV (3, 6, 12 mg/kg, twice a day) was administered by oral gavage for 12 weeks after diabetes was induced. Compared with control (nondiabetic) rats, obvious changes in physiological behaviors and a significant reduction in sciatic MNCV in diabetic rats were observed after 12 weeks of STZ administration. Morphological analysis showed that AGS-IV suppressed a decrease in myelinated fiber area, an increase in myelinated fiber density, and an increase in segmental demyelination in diabetic rats. The protective mechanism of AGS-IV involved a decrease in declining blood glucose concentration and HbA1C levels, and an increase in plasma insulin levels. AGS-IV increased the activity of glutathione peroxidase in nerves, depressed the activation of aldose reductase in erythrocytes, and decreased the accumulation of advanced glycation end products in both nerves and erythrocytes. Moreover, AGS-IV elevated Na+,K+-ATPase activity in both the nerves and erythrocytes of diabetic rats. These results indicate that AGS-IV exerts protective effects against the progression of peripheral neuropathy in STZ-induced diabetes in rats through several interrelated mechanisms.
Effect of AT2 blockade on cardiac hypertrophy as induced by high dietary salt in the proatrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) gene-disrupted mouse
Authors: Angelis Ekaterini , Tse M. Yat , Adams Michael A. , Pang Stephen C. 
Published: August 2006

The role of the angiotensin II type 2 receptor (AT2) during alterations in cardiac size remains largely unclear. Through employment of an AT2 antagonist, the present study explored a possible involvement of the AT2 receptor during salt-induced cardiac hypertrophy in the proatrial natriuretic peptide gene-disrupted mouse (ANP−/−). ANP−/− mice received either saline solution or the AT2 antagonist, PD123319, and were then placed on a high salt diet (8.0% NaCl) for 3 weeks. Cardiac and pulmonary size, expression of the renin–angiotensin system (RAS), and the behaviour of various hypertrophy marker genes were assessed. PD123319 caused enhanced expression of the systemic RAS, yet the cardiac RAS was largely unaffected. Although AT2 blockade did not alter whole cardiac mass, right ventricle mass, as well as pulmonary mass-to-body mass ratios were significantly decreased. Collagen type I was decreased in the latter tissues, likely contributing to the regression in mass. Several players essential in the maintenance of myocardial extracellular matrix homeostasis including B-type natriuretic peptide, matrix metalloproteinase-2, tumour necrosis factor, and transforming growth factor were also significantly altered by PD123319. These data suggest that AT2 blockade is involved in significant changes in myocardial extracellular matrix components translating into decreases in tissue mass in the salt-sensitive ANP−/− animal.