bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Biodiversity, conservation, and the ‘Taxonomic impediment’
Authors: Giangrande Adriana 
Published: August 2003

Abstract
This paper highlights the poor esteem in which taxonomy, as autonomous science, is held and the relative implications of this for conservation biology.
In recent times, taxonomy at the species level has tended to be neglected not just within ecological researches, but also in the identification and justification for the selection of the marine protected areas (MPA). A traditional criterion for choosing an MPA is the conservation of biodiversity, but most of the Italian MPA were chosen without initial detailed studies on their biodiversity, so that lists of species of the main invertebrate groups are not available.
The identification of organisms within communities to species level is one of the greatest constraints in terms of time and costs in ecological studies. Some studies have suggested that working at a taxonomic level higher than species does not result in an important loss of information (Taxonomic sufficiency). It does, however, lead to an inaccuracy of biodiversity evaluation which is, especially important when comparing different areas, and can lead to an ‘a priori’ exclusion of some entities before understanding their role in ecology.
Taxonomy has always been considered a marginal science even during the pioneer descriptive period of ecology, and traditionally has received little financial support. The result was the production of many misidentifications and erroneous records. During recent years, the developing experimental ecological approach has led to an improvement in scientific methods, but concurrently to a reduction in the number of expert taxonomists for many invertebrate groups. Descriptive works, historically so common in the Mediterranean area, are now considered obsolete, despite having an intrinsic value.
Biodiversity, particularly ‘species richness’ has long been thought to influence temporal variability and it seems that efforts to clarify the biodiversity/temporal variability relationship or to demonstrate the lack of such a relationship should continue. Such information is essential in order to maintain the ecological function despite the loss of component species, an important topic not only to ecologists but also to policy makers. Many species appear to have overlapping niches, and as such it could be argued that it is not essential for all species to be present. In contrast the crucial role of keystone species has been embraced in conservation biology as a tool to help highlight species requiring priority for protection.
Present knowledge of marine systems has led to the conclusion that, before developing theories and experimental design, we need an appropriate description of the system under investigation. A basic knowledge of the general biodiversity in term of species richness of a proposed MPA for example is essential, with a detailed survey providing the taxonomic lists necessary for biotope characterization and a reference data set for future comparisons.
Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Linking form and function: towards an eco‐hydromorphic approach to sustainable river restoration
Authors: Clarke Stewart J. , Bruce‐Burgess Lydia , Wharton Geraldene 
Published: August 2003

Abstract
River restoration is now widely undertaken and may be considered an increasingly important aspect of river management. Recent developments in European legislation (Habitats Directive and the Water Framework Directive) should give further impetus to river restoration across EU member states, as this legislation places greater emphasis on the processes that support river ecology.
Traditional river restoration approaches have been reach‐focused and opportunistic, capitalizing on flood defence works and the cooperation of sympathetic landowners.
Furthermore, many schemes have been species‐ or habitat‐driven and, thus, have sought to recreate channel forms believed to be favoured by particular species or associated with particular habitats. Such approaches have not always given due attention to the underlying geomorphological processes that create channel form and, consequently, the schemes have not been self‐sustaining, requiring continued management input.
Consistent with the ethos of the Water Framework Directive, an eco‐hydromorphic approach to river restoration is proposed here. This approach views spatial and temporal heterogeneity as fundamental characteristics of fluvial systems and advocates recreating a framework within which natural processes, such as sediment transport and nutrient dynamics, can occur.
Mesoscale habitat approaches are considered as one possible way to plan and achieve this framework, providing the potential to link the wide range of spatial and temporal scales that characterize river systems.
It is argued that river restoration will only be sustainable if it is undertaken within a process‐driven and strategic framework with inputs from a wide range of specialists. Such an approach needs to be reviewed constantly in light of appraisal and monitoring of previous river restoration schemes.
Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Beyond catchment considerations in the conservation of lotic biodiversity
Authors: Wishart M. J. , Davies B. R. 
Published: August 2003

Abstract
The history of river conservation has largely focused on preservation of the physical and structural properties of lotic ecosystems in an attempt to ensure safe and potable water supplies for human consumption. Such strategies are increasingly being implemented at the catchment or basin scale.
Although these reflect positive developments in the conceptualization of conservation issues pertaining to lotic systems and provide the logical economic, sociological and/or political units for management, we question whether they represent the appropriate scale for the protection of lotic biodiversity and biological processes. We argue that this requires considerations that extend beyond the protection of physical habitat to ensure protection of population processes.
Although many species can be successfully conserved using the catchment as the basic management unit, many others cannot. We review evidence from genetic studies of aquatic populations to examine movement in relation to catchments, recognizing that organisms with poor dispersal characteristics during their life cycles exhibit a high degree of genetic structure, whilst organisms with robust dispersal characteristics typically exhibit a homogeneous genetic structure.
Species with poor dispersal characteristics are more easily conserved at the catchment level, whereas those with high dispersal characteristics can only be safely conserved at bio‐regional supra‐catchment levels.
Modern technological advances aimed at redistributing water from areas with perceived surpluses to those with perceived deficits (inter‐basin water transfers), demonstrated to transfer organisms between historically isolated catchments, pose a potential threat to the conservation of biodiversity by mixing genetically distinct populations and hence altering evolutionary processes and pathways.
If our arguments hold, then it appears that conservation authorities need to reappraise the current dominant paradigm of the catchment as the basic unit for conservation and management, and incorporate broader, strategic landscape planning in water resource management.
Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stem cell plasticity, cell fusion, and transdifferentiation
Authors: Eisenberg Leonard M. , Eisenberg Carol A. 
Published: August 2003

AbstractOne of the most contentious issues in biology today concerns the existence of stem cell plasticity. The term “plasticity” refers to the capacity of tissue‐derived stem cells to exhibit a phenotypic potential that extends beyond the differentiated cell phenotypes of their resident tissue. Although evidence of stem cell plasticity has been reported by multiple laboratories, other scientists have not found the data persuasive and have remained skeptical about these new findings. This review will provide an overview of the stem cell plasticity controversy. We will examine many of the major objections that have been made to challenge the stem cell plasticity data. This controversy will be placed in the context of the traditional view of stem cell potential and cell phenotypic diversification. What the implications of cell plasticity are, and how its existence may modulate our present understanding of stem cell biology, will be explored. In addition, we will examine a topic that is usually not included within a discussion of stem cell biology—the direct conversion of one differentiated cell type into another. We believe that these observations on the transdifferentiation of differentiated cells have direct bearing on the issue of stem cell plasticity, and may provide insights into how cell phenotypic diversification is realized in the adult and into the origin of cell phenotypes during evolution. Birth Defects Research (Part C) 69:209–218, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cell‐based therapies for birth defects: A role for adult stem cell plasticity?
Authors: Fang Te‐Chao , Poulsom Richard 
Published: August 2003

AbstractCell therapy can offer a reasonable approach to the treatment of specific birth defects, particularly those for which hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) can be used to restore (even partially) the number of cells, protein levels, or enzyme activity. Relatively few clinical experiences have been published on this subject, but when a natural selective advantage exists for the cell graft, a degree of “rescue” is possible. Strategies have been developed to confer a selective advantage through genetic engineering of donor cells, and this approach may prove valuable in the treatment of birth defects, as it is in hematological malignancy. Stem cell (SC) plasticity, or transdifferentiation, may offer another route for delivery of cells to established or developing organs. A wide variety of studies support the concept that adult tissue‐specific SCs can, if displaced from their normal niche to another, be reprogrammed to produce cell types appropriate to their new environment. Clinical observations reveal that persistent tissue microchimerism develops not only in blood lineages after transfusion, but also in thyroid follicular epithelium via transplacental exchange. In addition, hepatic and renal parenchyma also become chimeric following allografts or bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Experimental models indicate that a renal glomerulosclerosis phenotype can be transferred by grafting whole BM, and that a severe liver disorder in fah–/– mice can be overcome by grafting HSCs and then exerting a selection pressure. It may be possible in the future to exploit the ability of adult SCs to contribute to diverse tissues; however, our understanding of the processes involved is at a very early stage. Birth Defects Research (Part C)69:238‐249 2003. ©2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cathodic electrochemiluminescence of Ru(bpy)/Naﬁon coated on graphite oxide electrode in purely aqueous solution
Authors: Cui Hua , Zhao Xiao‐Yu , Lin Xiang‐Qin 
Published: August 2003

AbstractTwo cathodic electrochemiluminescence (ECL) peaks have been obtained at −0.99 and −1.80 V (vs. SCE), respectively, from Ru(bpy)/Naﬁon coated onto a graphite oxide electrode in purely aqueous solution under cyclic voltammetric (CV) conditions, without addition of any reducing or oxidative reagents. These two ECL peaks were found to correlate to initial scan direction, pH, and reversal potential. Naﬁon played an important role in the generation of these two ECL peaks because no cathodic emission was observed in the system without Naﬁon. It seems that a part of Ru(bpy) electrogenerated at positive potential can remain in the Naﬁon, even at negative potentials. It was conﬁrmed that Ru(bpy)+ was formed at −1.80 V by addition of S2O. The ECL peak at −0.99 V is attributed to the reaction of Ru(bpy)3+ and OH−. The ECL peak at −1.80 V is probably due to the annihilation reaction of Ru(bpy)3+ and Ru(bpy)+. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reactivation of horseradish peroxidase with imidazole for continuous determination of hydrogen peroxide using a microﬂow injection–chemiluminescence detection system
Authors: Nozaki Osamu , Kawamoto Hiroko 
Published: August 2003

AbstractA method for reactivation of inactivated horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was studied and exploited in an assay for hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Addition of imidazole into a mobile phase made continuous determination of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) possible by microﬂow injection based on horseradish‐catalysed luminol chemiluminescence. For reproducible determination of H2O2 with HRP, the inactivation of HRP via protonation of the active sites of HRP caused by reaction with H2O2 must be avoided. We successfully reactivated protonated HRP (inactive HRP) with exogenous imidazole in the mobile phase of the microﬂow injection system. The imidazole successfully removed the attached proton from the inactive sites of the HRP. This assay was reproducible (within‐run reproducibility, CV = 4.0%) and the detection limit for H2O2 was 5 pmol. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Expression of ﬁreﬂy luciferase gene in Erwinia amylovora
Authors: Gentilomi Giovanna , Zeri Lisa , Ghini Severino , Zerbini Marialuisa , Zufﬁ Elisa , Musiani Monica , Girotti Stefano 
Published: August 2003

AbstractIn this study we describe an efﬁcient stable genetic transformation of the phytopathogenic bacterium Erwinia amylovora using a recombinant expression vector encoding the ﬁreﬂy luciferase gene of Photinus pyralis, which is further controlled by IPTG‐inducible promoter. Stably transformed E. amylovora cells maintain the same infectivity as the wild‐type strain and, after induction with IPTG, produce luciferase. Luminescence produced by the action of luciferase on an exogenous substrate was easily detectable by a simple and rapid bioluminescent assay (BL). The transformed E. amylovora strain maintains the same high emission level, even after passage in pears, until about 15 days post‐infection. Our ﬁndings therefore show that the luciferase assay can be conveniently used to follow the bacterial movement in plant tissue and its dissemination in controlled environments.
Prospective study of peritoneal recurrence after curative surgery for gastric cancer
Authors: Roviello F , Marrelli D , de Manzoni G , Morgagni P , Di Leo A , Saragoni L , De Stefano A 
Published: August 2003

Abstract

Background
Peritoneal carcinomatosis is a common cause of failure after surgery for gastric cancer. The present longitudinal study was designed to evaluate the incidence and potential predictors of peritoneal recurrence after curative resection for gastric cancer.

Methods
Four hundred and forty-one patients who underwent potentially curative resections for gastric cancer in three surgical centres between 1988 and 1996 were evaluated. All patients were followed using a standard protocol following discharge from hospital. The correlation between tumour recurrence and clinicopathological variables was studied by univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results
Gastric cancer recurred in 215 (49 per cent) of 441 patients. Peritoneal recurrence was observed in 77 patients (17 per cent), locoregional recurrence in 96 patients and haematogenous recurrence in 75. Multivariate logistic regression analysis of factors associated with peritoneal recurrence identified diffuse–mixed histological type (relative risk (RR) 4·31, P &lt; 0·001), infiltration of the serosa (RR 3·36, P = 0·001), lymph node involvement (RR 2·67, P = 0·023) and tumour size (RR 1·11, P = 0·050) as significant independent variables. In the diffuse–mixed histological subtype, the 5-year cumulative risk of peritoneal recurrence was 12 per cent in the absence of serosal invasion, and 69 per cent in patients with infiltration of the serosa; in the intestinal subtype, the cumulative risk in patients with serosa-negative and -positive tumours was 4 and 21 per cent respectively.

Conclusion
Radical surgery offers a low probability of cure in patients with diffuse–mixed type of gastric cancer and involvement of the serosa, due to a high risk of peritoneal recurrence. These patients might benefit from adjuvant therapies to prevent peritoneal carcinomatosis.
Human model of duodenogastro-oesophageal reflux in the development of Barrett's metaplasia
Authors: Dresner S M , Griffin S M , Wayman J , Bennett M K , Hayes N , Raimes S A 
Published: August 2003

Abstract

Background
Patients with an intrathoracic oesophagogastrostomy after subtotal oesophagectomy experience profound duodenogastro-oesophageal reflux (DGOR). This study investigated the degree of mucosal injury and histopathological changes in oesophageal squamous epithelium after subtotal oesophagectomy with gastric interposition in relation to the extent of postoperative DGOR.

Methods
Serial endoscopic assessment and systematic biopsy at the oesophagogastric anastomosis was undertaken in 40 patients following curative radical subtotal oesophagectomy and reconstruction with a gastric conduit subjected to a pyloroplasty. Thirty patients subsequently underwent combined 24-h ambulatory pH and bilirubin monitoring.

Results
Grade I–III oesophagitis was identified in 14 patients and oesophageal columnar epithelium in 19 patients. Biopsies from columnar regeneration revealed cardiac-type epithelium in ten patients and intestinal metaplasia in nine. Seven patients followed serially showed progression from cardiac-type epithelium to intestinal metaplasia. The incidence of Barrett's metaplasia was similar irrespective of the histological subtype of the resected tumour. Patients with oesophageal columnar epithelium had significantly higher acid (P = 0·015) and bilirubin (P = 0·011) reflux.

Conclusion
Severe DGOR occurs following subtotal oesophagectomy and provides an environment for the acquisition of Barrett's metaplasia via a sequence of cardiac epithelium and eventual intestinal metaplasia.
Management of aortic aneurysm infected with Salmonella
Authors: Hsu R B , Tsay Y G , Wang S S , Chu S H 
Published: August 2003

Abstract

Background
This study reviewed the clinical outcomes of patients with an aortic aneurysm infected with Salmonella treated by a single centre over 6 years.

Methods
Data were collected by a retrospective case-note review.

Results
Between September 1995 and December 2001, 121 patients with non-typhoid Salmonella bacteraemia were treated, of whom 24 patients had an aortic aneurysm infected with Salmonella. Ten had a suprarenal and 14 an infrarenal aortic infection. The most common responsible pathogen was group C Salmonella (12 patients). All of the 20 patients who had combined medical and surgical therapy survived, whereas two of four who had medical therapy alone died. There were two late deaths during a mean follow-up of 23 (range 3–63) months.

Conclusion
The incidence of aortic infection in patients with non-typhoid Salmonella bacteraemia was high in Taiwan. Timely surgical intervention and prolonged intravenous antibiotic therapy resulted in excellent outcomes.
Renal dysfunction and prolonged visceral ischaemia increase mortality rate after suprarenal aneurysm repair
Authors: Bicknell C D , Cowan A R , Kerle M I , Mansfield A O , Cheshire N J W , Wolfe J H N 
Published: August 2003

Abstract

Background
Elective juxtarenal abdominal aneurysm repair has a significantly lower mortality rate than suprarenal repair. Identification of factors affecting outcome may lead to a reduction in mortality rate for suprarenal repair.

Methods
Data were collected prospectively between 1993 and 2000 for 130 patients who underwent type IV thoracoabdominal aneurysm (TAA) repair and 44 patients who had juxtarenal aneurysm (JRA) repair. Preoperative risk factors and operative details were compared between groups and related to outcome after TAA repair (there were only two deaths in the JRA group).

Results
The in-hospital mortality rate was significantly higher following TAA repair (20·0 per cent; 26 of 130 patients) than JRA repair (4·5 per cent; two of 44). Raised serum creatinine concentration was the only preoperative factor (P = 0·013) and visceral ischaemia the only significant operative factor (P = 0·001) that affected mortality after TAA repair.

Conclusion
JRA repair was performed with similar risks to those of infrarenal aneurysm repair. Impaired preoperative renal function was related to death following TAA repair and conservative treatment should be considered for patients with a serum creatinine level above 180 µmol/l. Reducing the duration of visceral ischaemia might improve outcome.
Cytokine gene polymorphisms and the inflammatory response to abdominal aortic aneurysm repair
Authors: Bown M J , Horsburgh T , Nicholson M L , Bell P R F , Sayers R D 
Published: August 2003

Abstract

Background
Cytokines are key mediators of the inflammatory response to surgery and polymorphic sites in their genes have been shown to affect cytokine production in vitro. The aim of this study was to determine whether cytokine gene polymorphisms affect cytokine production in vivo in patients undergoing abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair.

Methods
One hundred patients admitted for elective AAA repair had plasma levels of interleukin (IL) 1β, IL-6, IL-10 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF) α measured at induction of anaesthesia and 24 h after operation. Genotypes for each patient were determined using induced heteroduplex genotyping for the following loci: IL-1β + 3953, IL-6 − 174, IL-10 − 1082/−592 and TNF-α − 308.

Results
Patients with an IL-10 − 1082 A allele had a significantly higher IL-10 response to surgery than those without an A allele (P = 0·030) and there was also a significant difference in IL-10 response between patients with IL-10 − 1082 AA genotypes and those with GG genotypes (P = 0·030).

Conclusion
Elective AAA repair results in a measurable cytokine response. In this study the magnitude of this response was not affected by the individual patient's cytokine gene polymorphisms.
l-Arginine-induced relaxation of the internal anal sphincter is not mediated by nitric oxide
Authors: Acheson A G , Griffin N , Scholefield J H , Wilson V G 
Published: August 2003

Abstract

Background
Topical application of l-arginine, the precursor of nitric oxide, reduces resting anal pressure without significant side-effects and may therefore be of benefit in the treatment of anal fissure. This in vitro study investigated the effect of l-arginine on sheep and human isolated internal anal sphincter (IAS) to ascertain the role played by nitric oxide and guanosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate.

Methods
Strips of sheep and human IAS were mounted in isolated organ baths. The effects on myogenic tone of increasing concentrations of l-arginine, d-arginine and other amino acids were evaluated.

Results
l-Arginine, d-arginine and other basic amino acids (l-lysine and l-ornithine) all caused a concentration-dependent reduction in myogenic tone. l-Arginine was the most effective and produced a mean(s.e.m.) maximal reduction in myogenic tone of 78·2(7·1) and 40·2(9·3) per cent in sheep and human tissue respectively. These responses were not affected by NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester, a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, or 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]-quinoxalin-1-one, an inhibitor of soluble guanylyl cyclase. Changes in pH per se were unable to explain the relaxation fully, but an equiosmolar sodium chloride solution produced a concentration–response relationship similar to that of l-arginine.

Conclusion
The ability of l-arginine to reduce myogenic tone is independent of nitric oxide. This effect may be partially pH dependent but the osmolality of the solution appears to be a major factor. Hyperosmolar solutions might be worthy of further investigation as agents that affect anal tone.