bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The impact of transgenic plants on natural enemies: a critical review of laboratory studies
Authors: Lövei G.L. , Arpaia S. 
Published: January 2005

AbstractWe reviewed laboratory tests which studied the impact of genetically modified plants on arthropod natural enemies. A total of 18 species of predators and 14 species of parasitoids have been tested, most in only a few experiments. Certain groups (braconid wasps) or species (the green lacewing,Chrysoperla carnea) have attracted much effort, while representatives of others, including whole orders (e.g., Diptera), have never had a species tested. We conclude that laboratory tests are not the ‘worst case’ scenarios intended by the experimental designs, and are not often ecologically realistic: they typically provided ad libitum feeding, no prey choice, single prey type, no combination of stress factors and usually uniform temperatures. None of these are representative of field conditions, yet most could be easily mimicked in more complex laboratory tests. In most cases (94.6%), the studies were unable to indicate the level of power required to detect any impact. Small sample size and large variability are factors that mask all but very large differences in potential effects. For predators, 126 parameters were quantified, most commonly including survival/mortality (37 cases), development time (22), and body mass/size (20). For parasitoids, 128 parameters were quantified, the majority involving lectins or proteinase inhibitors. Most frequent measurements were: fecundity (23 experiments), adult longevity, extent of parasitism (17 each), body size, mortality, and larval development time. An aggregative scoring (summarising all quantified parameters) indicated that the laboratory tests quantified a remarkable number of cases (30% for predators, 39.8% for parasitoids), where the impacts of the genetically modified plant were significantly negative. These involve various parameters, organisms, test methods, and significance levels, but collectively they indicate that the use of genetically modified crops may result in negative effects on the natural enemies of crop pests.
Immunohistochemical differentiation of eosinophilic heart diseases using antibodies against eosinophil activation markers
Authors: Grabellus F , Mall G , Schnabel P A , Wieneke H , Pfeifer U , Kersting C , Schmitz K J , Wohlschläger J , Sigusch H H , Bierhoff E , Kamler M , Scheld H‐H , Baba H A 
Published: January 2005

Aims : Eosinophilic heart syndromes are rare in Western countries and include endocarditis parietalis fibroplastica (EPF) and hypersensitivity myocarditis (HM). There are striking differences in natural history and morphological findings. Since diagnosis can be difficult when analysing small myocardial biopsies lacking the characteristic histological features, we studied a set of immunohistochemical markers in order to characterize the activation status of the infiltrating eosinophils to distinguish between these two entities.Methods and results : This study is based on the investigation of seven explanted hearts and one left ventricular specimen collected during implantation of a left ventricular assist device from a total of seven patients with HM. Also investigated were three right and three left ventricular specimens from five patients with EPF. We used antibodies (Ab) against EG1, and EG2, CD44, and CD69 which have been described as markers to distinguish between resting and activated eosinophils. The EG1 to EG2 ratio of eosinophils and the immunoreactivity against CD44 showed no differences between the two entities. However, eosinophils in the EPF were completely negative for CD69, whereas eosinophils reacted positively within the HM group.Conclusion : The immunohistochemical investigation of eosinophilic heart diseases using antibodies against CD69 can be a useful tool to distinguish between hypersensitivity myocarditis and endocarditis parietalis fibroplastica.
Elevated expression of hyaluronan and its CD44 receptor in the duodenal mucosa of coeliac patients
Authors: Kemppainen T , Tammi R , Tammi M , Ågren U , Julkunen R , Böhm J , Uusitupa M , Kosma V‐M 
Published: January 2005

Aims : Since hyaluronan (HA) metabolism is disturbed in some malignant tumours and in inflammatory diseases, we analysed HA and its receptor CD44 as well as the expression of the Ki67 nuclear protein, a marker of cell proliferation, in histological sections of duodenal biopsies of coeliac disease patients and controls.Methods and results : The study group consisted of 52 patients with coeliac disease in remission, 40 patients with newly diagnosed disease and 10 healthy control subjects. HA was detected with a specific biotinylated probe prepared from cartilage aggrecan and link protein, and CD44 with an antibody recognizing all forms of CD44 and another specific for its v6 variant. For the expression of the nuclear protein, monoclonal antibody MIB‐1 was used. The percentage of HA‐positive cells in surface epithelium was higher in newly diagnosed patients (13%) compared with patients in remission (11%) and controls (2%). In addition, HA intensity in the lamina propria was decreased in the newly diagnosed patients. In patients with active disease, 22–26% of the surface epithelium was CD44+, whereas the corresponding figure in patients in remission was 5%, and that of controls 1%. The more intensive MIB‐1 labelling in the duodenal epithelium of coeliac patients without treatment was normalized after gluten‐free diet.Conclusions : The HA‐positive coat on surface epithelium seen even in patients in remission suggests persistent or even permanent changes in the epithelial permeability barrier in coeliac disease.
Hypertrophic eosinophilic gastroenteropathy is associated with reduced enterocyte apoptosis
Authors: Cuperus R , Schäppi M G , Shah N , Lindley K J , Milla P J , Smith V V 
Published: January 2005

Aims : To investigate the cause of grossly elongated villi in four children presenting with obstruction due to a novel form of eosinophilic gastroenteropathy in which there was profound hyperplasia of the intestinal villi with grossly increased villous/crypt ratio and prominent mucosal eosinophilia. Increased eosinophils were also present in the muscularis propria and submucosa. All had intermittent diarrhoea and signs of a protein‐losing enteropathy.Methods and results : The cause of the grossly elongated villi was investigated by studying enterocyte proliferation (Ki67), survival factors (bcl‐2) and apoptosis (TUNEL) in these patients (n = 4) and normal (jejunum n = 6, ileum n = 6) and disease (n = 6) controls. The most remarkable finding was that apoptotic enterocytes were undetectable in the elongated villi.Conclusions : It seems likely that a defect in the regulation of apoptosis of the epithelium occurs which could explain the remarkable hyperplasia of the villi seen.
PPARγ expression in breast cancer: clinical value and correlation with ERβ
Authors: Papadaki I , Mylona E , Giannopoulou I , Markaki S , Keramopoulos A , Nakopoulou L 
Published: January 2005

Aims : To examine the expression of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ (PPARγ) in invasive breast carcinoma in relation to known clinicopathological features, ERβ, and relapse‐free and overall patient survival. PPARγ is a ligand‐activated transcriptional factor that regulates the transcription of various target genes and has been implicated in human breast cancer.Methods and results : We performed immunohistochemistry to detect PPARγ, ERα, PR and ERβ in 170 infiltrative breast carcinomas. The results were subjected to statistical analysis. PPARγ was detected in the cytoplasm of 58% of breast carcinoma samples. PPARγ did not differ with regard to any of the clinicopathological parameters except for histological grade, to which it was found to be inversely correlated (P = 0.019), and ERβ, to which it was positively related (P = 0.016). As regards relapse‐free survival, in univariate statistical analysis PPARγ was found to exert a marginally favourable impact on all the patients (P = 0.076), but a strong one on patients with ductal carcinoma (P = 0.027), whereas Cox's regression analysis depicted PPARγ to be an independent prognosticator for patients with ductal carcinoma (P = 0.039). No association was found between PPARγ expression and overall survival.Conclusion : These results indicate the favourable impact of PPARγ expression on disease‐free survival of patients with ductal breast carcinoma and its possible cooperation with ERβ in exerting that favourable effect.
Towards the enhancement of e‐democracy: identifying the notion of the ‘middleman paradox’
Authors: Mahrer Harald , Krimmer Robert 
Published: January 2005

Abstract. The challenge towards e‐democracy, through the electronic transformation of political systems, has become increasingly evident within developed economies. It is regarded as an approach for increased and better quality citizen participation in the democratic processes. E‐democracy forms a component of overall e‐government initiatives where technology adoption and diffusion, to enhance wider access to, and the delivery of, government services, are apparent. However, previous research demonstrates that very few e‐democracy proposals survive the stage of formal political decision‐making to become substantive e‐government projects within national or international agendas. Furthermore, the implementation  of  e‐democracy  projects  is  undertaken  at  a  much  slower  pace and with dramatically less support than the implementation of other, so‐called e‐administration, activities in the public sector.The research in this paper considers the notion of the ‘middleman paradox’, presenting theoretical and empirical evidence that further investigates the phenomenon associated with potential e‐democracy improvements. Specifically, the paper adds a new dimension to existing theories on the hesitant evolution of e‐democracy that clearly identifies politicians as an inhibiting factor. Proposals are made for an enhancement of these processes, and suggestions for further applicable research are demonstrated.
Does desertification diminish biodiversity? Enhancement of ant diversity by shrub invasion in south‐western USA
Authors: Bestelmeyer Brandon T. 
Published: January 2005

ABSTRACTThe conversion of desert grasslands to shrublands is a long‐standing concern in the south‐western United States, but the effects of this change on native animals defy generalization. Here, I consider evidence that shrub invasion and encroachment, particularly that of honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa), has led to increasing ecological dominance and diversity of ants in general, as well as increases in specific native taxa. The effects of shrub invasion on ants were measured at two scales: (1) between Chihuahuan Desert landscapes that vary slightly in temperature and strongly in the dominance of mesquite, and (2) across variation in mesquite density occurring within a generally mesquite‐dominated landscape. Ant richness and numerical dominance was measured at pitfall traps over 2 years and baits were used to assess ecological dominance across different temperatures. The mesquite‐dominated Jornada site harboured four times the number of ant foragers found at the relatively ‘pristine’ Sevilleta site, with several ecologically dominant taxa driving this pattern, especially Dorymyrmex bicolor. Species richness and ecological dominance were also greatest at the Jornada. Within the Jornada landscape, turnover in species composition was related to mesquite density, but local richness and abundance was unrelated to mesquite density. Coupled with the results of previous manipulative experiments and comparative studies, there is support for the notion that ant diversity is not negatively affected by shrub invasion but that several taxa prosper from it. The Jornada is uniquely saturated by dominant ant taxa, perhaps as a consequence of an overall high level of shrub availability that provides a reliable source of carbohydrate‐rich plant exudates. This raises important questions about the relationship between environmental degradation, ecosystem productivity, and animal diversity.
Associations among spring‐dependent aquatic assemblages and environmental and land use gradients in a Mojave Desert mountain range
Authors: Sada Donald W. , Fleishman Erica , Murphy Dennis D. 
Published: January 2005

ABSTRACTIn many arid landscapes, springs provide the only reliable source of water. Accordingly, both native species and human land uses, including diversion of water, livestock grazing, and recreation, tend to concentrate around springs and spring‐fed riparian areas. We examined whether species richness and composition of aquatic macroinvertebrates at 45 springs in the Spring Mountains, an isolated mountain range in the eastern Mojave Desert (Nevada, USA), could be predicted using readily measured environmental gradients and estimates of disturbance intensity. The Spring Mountains is a focus of regional conservation planning, and managers are charged with prioritizing its springs for conservation and rehabilitation. Our results suggested that species richness of aquatic macroinvertebrates in the Spring Mountains system may be greatest at intermediate levels of natural and human disturbance. Discharge and springbrook length appeared to be only weakly correlated with species richness, whereas neither elevation, nor water temperature, nor electrical conductance was significantly associated with species richness. Nestedness analyses demonstrated that species present in relatively depauperate locations tended to be subsets of the species present in locations that were richer in species, but that pattern did not appear to be driven by either disturbance intensity or by the environmental variables we measured. Disturbance intensity was not associated with the extent to which species presences and absences were predictable. Although our results should not be interpreted to mean that major environmental gradients and disturbance intensity have no effect on distributional patterns of aquatic invertebrates in the Spring Mountains, the ability of these variables to serve as predictors of species richness and composition may be relatively low. Springs and other wetlands in arid landscapes are characterized by isolation and unpredictable disturbances, and faunal responses to environmental gradients may tend to be individualistic and taxon‐specific.
Testing the intermediate disturbance hypothesis: when will there be two peaks of diversity?
Authors: Johst Karin , Huth Andreas 
Published: January 2005

ABSTRACTSuccession after disturbances generates a mosaic of patches in different successional stages. The intermediate disturbance hypothesis predicts that intermediate disturbances lead to the highest diversity of these stages on a regional scale resulting in a hump‐shaped diversity–disturbance curve. We tested this prediction using field data of forest succession and hypothetical succession scenarios in combination with analytical and simulation models. According to our study the main factors shaping the diversity–disturbance curve and the position of the diversity maximum were the transition times between the successional stages, the transition type, neighbourhood effects and the choice of diversity measure. Although many scenarios confirmed the intermediate disturbance hypothesis we found that deviations in the form of two diversity maximums were possible. Such bimodal diversity–disturbance curves occurred when early and late successional stages were separated by one or more long‐lived (compared to the early stages) intermediate successional stages. Although the field data which met these conditions among all those tested were rare (one of six), the consequences of detecting two peaks are fundamental. The impact of disturbances on biodiversity can be complex and deviate from a hump‐shaped curve.
Interaction of calbindin D28k and inositol monophosphatase in human postmortem cortex: possible implications for bipolar disorder
Authors: Shamir Alon , Elhadad (Rosolio) Naama , Belmaker Robert H , Agam Galila 
Published: January 2005

Objectives:  Therapeutically relevant concentrations of lithium (Li) exert an uncompetitive inhibition on inositol monophosphatase (IMPase). It has recently been shown that calbindin D28k (calbindin) activates IMPase. Purified calbindin attaches to a specific amino acid sequence on purified IMPase enhancing its activity by several hundred fold. We studied whether calbindin activates IMPase in postmortem human brain crude homogenate, whether differences in calbindin levels between lymphocytes and brain may be responsible for our previous finding of reduced IMPase activity in lymphocytes but not brain of bipolar patients, and whether calbindin protein levels are altered in postmortem brain from bipolar patients versus control subjects and schizophrenic and major depressive patients.Methods:  IMPase activity in human postmortem brain specimens with or without 10 μM human recombinant calbindin was quantified spectrophotometrically in an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) reader. Calbindin protein levels in postmortem brain were determined using Western blot analysis.Results:  Supplementation of human recombinant calbindin to postmortem human brain crude homogenate enhanced IMPase activity by 3.5‐fold. No difference in postmortem temporal cortex calbindin protein levels was found between bipolar patients versus comparison groups. Two‐fold higher calbindin protein levels were found in Li‐treated bipolar patients compared with other bipolar patients. Subchronic Li treatment in mice did not affect brain calbindin protein levels significantly. Chronic Li treatment reduced calbindin protein levels in the frontal cortex but not in the hippocampus.Conclusions:  Calbindin is a physiological activator of IMPase in human brain. Protein levels of calbindin are not altered in postmortem temporal cortex of bipolar patients.
Bipolar disorder and myo‐inositol: a review of the magnetic resonance spectroscopy findings
Authors: Silverstone Peter H , McGrath Brent M , Kim Hyeonjin 
Published: January 2005

Objectives:  Myo‐inositol is an important component of the phosphatidylinositol second messenger system (PI‐cycle). Alterations in PI‐cycle activity have been suggested to be involved in the pathophysiology and/or treatment of bipolar disorder. More specifically, lithium has been suggested to act primarily by lowering myo‐inositol concentrations, the so‐called inositol‐depletion hypothesis. myo‐Inositol concentrations can be measured in vivo with magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS).Methods:  The current review primarily examines animal and human MRS studies that evaluated the role of myo‐inositol in bipolar illness and treatment.Results:  Studies have been carried out in patients who are manic, depressed, and euthymic, both on and off treatment. However, there are several limitations of these studies.Conclusions:  The preclinical and clinical MRS findings were generally supportive of the involvement of myo‐inositol in bipolar disorder and its treatment. Overall, in bipolar patients who are manic or depressed there are abnormalities in brain myo‐inositol concentrations, with changes in frontal and temporal lobes, as well as the cingulate gyrus and basal ganglia. These abnormalities are not seen in either euthymic patients or healthy controls, possibly due to a normalizing effect of treatment with either lithium or sodium valproate. There is also increasing evidence that sodium valproate may also act upon the PI‐cycle. Nonetheless, it remains uncertain if these changes in myo‐inositol concentration are primary or secondary. Findings regarding the specific inositol‐depletion hypothesis are also generally supportive in acutely ill patients, although it is not yet possible to definitively confirm or refute this hypothesis based on the current MRS evidence.
Relationship between Oxygen Consumption and Sex of Bovine In Vitro Fertilized Embryos
Authors: Agung B , Otoi T , Abe H , Hoshi H , Murakami M , Karja NWK , Murakami MK , Wongsrikeao P , Watari H , Suzuki T 
Published: January 2005

ContentsThe present study was conducted to examine the relationship between the oxygen consumption rate and sex ratio of bovine in vitro fertilized embryos on each day of blastocyst formation. The quality of blastocysts collected on day 7, 8, and 9 after in vitro fertilization (IVF) were categorized as ranks A and B (excellent and good, respectively) based on microscopic observation of the morphology. The oxygen consumption rate and sex of individual blastocysts were evaluated using two novel techniques: scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) and loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), respectively. The oxygen consumption rates of embryos of rank A were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than those of rank B, irrespective of the day of blastocyst appearance after IVF. Neither did the proportion of male embryos of ranks A and B differ significantly from each other at any of the days examined, nor from the average proportion (53%). The oxygen consumption rate of embryos of rank B collected on day 8 was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in female embryos than in male embryos collected on the same day. However, there were no apparent differences of oxygen consumption rates at each day of blastocyst appearance between male and female embryos of rank A. These results indicate that the oxygen consumption rate of individual embryos reflects their quality but does not correlate with the sex ratio of embryos of excellent quality.
Evaluation of the Lipid Content in Bovine Oocytes and Embryos with Nile Red: a Practical Approach
Authors: Leroy JLMR , Genicot G , Donnay I , Van Soom A 
Published: January 2005

ContentsIn this study, the fluorescent lipid dye Nile Red, was used to demonstrate that the lipid content of immature bovine oocytes is correlated with the morphological appearance of the ooplasm. Oocytes with a uniform dark cytoplasm contained significantly more intracellular lipids in lipid droplets compared with oocytes with a granulated or pale cytoplasm (p < 0.05). Furthermore, this lipid‐analysing technique was applied for the first time on single bovine in vitro embryos, showing a significant increase of the lipid content in lipid droplets after culture in the presence of serum (p < 0.05).
What's the Point of Reciprocal Trade Negotiations? Exports, Imports, and Gains from Trade
Authors: Wonnacott Paul , Wonnacott Ronald 
Published: January 2005

This paper explains why trade‐policy makers may prefer reciprocal trade negotiations (RTN) to unilateral tariff reductions (UTR) foreconomicreasons. It answers puzzles like ‘Why WTO reciprocity?’ and strengthens the unnecessarily weak case made for the WTO by those who downplay or dismiss benefits from foreign tariff reductions (FTR).RTN is superior to UTR because it provides economic benefits that UTR cannot – namely, FTR benefits which are clearer than potentially important UTR benefits: Whereas each policy offers efficiency gains, any terms‐of‐trade effect of UTR generally detracts from these gains, while any terms‐of‐trade effect of FTR is typically beneficial (especially for a small price‐taking country) with this benefit augmenting FTR's efficiency gains. Moreover, benefits from reductions in foreign barriers may come from several sources; they are not solely the result of terms‐of‐trade improvement – or economies of scale (the two benefits already noted in the literature, though often dismissed). For example, with foreign NTB elimination, possible home benefits are shown even with rising costs and terms‐of‐trade deterioration. RTN is also superior to UTR because, by eliminating protection in either NTB or tariff form, RTN provides an escape from not only a terms‐of‐trade prisoners’ dilemma, but many other previously unrecognised prisoners’ dilemmas, including one in international rent transfers, and several others with no economies‐of‐scale or terms‐of‐trade motivation.Of course, if superior RTN is not an option, UTR may well be desirable. If reciprocityisan option, but only in a narrower CU or FTA form, such reciprocitymaystill be superior to UTR, or it may be inferior; theory cannot unambiguously rank these.