title: Synthesis, biological evaluation, and structure−activity relationships of dithiolethiones as inducers of cytoprotective phase 2 enzymes

authors: Munday, Rex

subjects: dithiolethiones

abstract: Dithiolethiones are a family of promising cancer chemopreventive agents, and induction of phase 2 enzymes is key to their chemopreventive activities. Two dithiolethiones have been evaluated in humans for cancer prevention. While some chemopreventive activities were detected in several human studies, potential side effects are a concern. Herein, we report structure−activity relationships of 25 dithiolethiones. Several compounds show exceedingly potent and bladder specific activity in phase 2 enzyme induction. Structural features responsible for such activity, as well as those inhibiting the activity, are discussed. Moreover, the compounds activate and depend on Nrf2 for their inductive activities. Nrf2 is a major transcriptional stimulator of cytoprotective genes and is critical for cancer prevention. Thus, several new dithiolethiones that are highly promising for bladder cancer prevention have been identified. Because the compounds act specifically in the bladder, the likelihood of potential systemic toxicity may be low.

text: Synthesis, biological evaluation, and structure−activity relationships of dithiolethiones as inducers of cytoprotective phase 2 enzymes Dithiolethiones are a family of promising cancer chemopreventive agents, and induction of phase 2 enzymes is key to their chemopreventive activities. Two dithiolethiones have been evaluated in humans for cancer prevention. While some chemopreventive activities were detected in several human studies, potential side effects are a concern. Herein, we report structure−activity relationships of 25 dithiolethiones. Several compounds show exceedingly potent and bladder specific activity in phase 2 enzyme induction. Structural features responsible for such activity, as well as those inhibiting the activity, are discussed. Moreover, the compounds activate and depend on Nrf2 for their inductive activities. Nrf2 is a major transcriptional stimulator of cytoprotective genes and is critical for cancer prevention. Thus, several new dithiolethiones that are highly promising for bladder cancer prevention have been identified. Because the compounds act specifically in the bladder, the likelihood of potential systemic toxicity may be low.

year: 2010

title: Connectivity and complexity of floodplain habitats govern zooplankton dynamics in a large temperate river system

authors: Górski, Konrad

subjects: flood pulse

abstract: 1.	Large river–floodplain systems are characterised by seasonal flow variability. High flows lead to hydrological connection between the main channel and inundated off-channel lakes, wetlands and floodplains, which provide essential habitats for riverine biota. We tested the following hypotheses: (i) that crustacean zooplankton are more abundant in connected lentic habitats such as riverine lakes and wetlands and have a different community composition compared with the main channel and (ii) that vegetation structure will moderate abundances of crustacean zooplankton in the lower reaches of the Waikato River, New Zealand.
2.	Zooplankton densities in main channel inflows and inundated floodplains showed clear seasonal changes, with cladoceran and copepod abundance peaks occurring in the majority of sites 2–3 weeks following the peak spring discharges (coinciding with the retreat of water from floodplains into the main channel).
3.	Mean densities of zooplankton were highest in the inflows originating from riverine lakes (10–20 ind. Lˉ¹) where rotifers were dominant. We recorded significantly higher abundances of copepods in peat bog and swamp wetland inflows (c. 5 ind. Lˉ¹) relative to the main river channel and riverine lake inflows (0.1–1 ind. Lˉ¹). Some lake inflows also had high numbers of cladocerans (5–10 ind. Lˉ¹). 
4.	Inundated floodplains displayed heterogeneity in zooplankton community composition in relation to their structural complexity. Flooded forest accommodated higher numbers of copepods (c. 8 ind. Lˉ¹) and cladocerans (c. 17 ind. Lˉ¹) than flooded grassland, where zooplankton assemblages resembled those in the main river channel and were characterised by dominance of rotifers and low overall zooplankton densities (1–2 ind. Lˉ¹).
5.	Our results suggest that seasonal flow and flood pulses, which determine the degree of connectivity of the main channel with the floodplain and off-channel habitats, govern zooplankton densities and community structure in this large temperate river. Furthermore, the structural complexity of floodplain habitats may play an important role in enhancing riverine zooplankton diversity. We postulate that the post-flood peak of large-bodied cladocerans and copepods might have historically played an important role in the provision of food for juvenile fish such as migrating Galaxiidae.

text: Connectivity and complexity of floodplain habitats govern zooplankton dynamics in a large temperate river system 1.	Large river–floodplain systems are characterised by seasonal flow variability. High flows lead to hydrological connection between the main channel and inundated off-channel lakes, wetlands and floodplains, which provide essential habitats for riverine biota. We tested the following hypotheses: (i) that crustacean zooplankton are more abundant in connected lentic habitats such as riverine lakes and wetlands and have a different community composition compared with the main channel and (ii) that vegetation structure will moderate abundances of crustacean zooplankton in the lower reaches of the Waikato River, New Zealand.
2.	Zooplankton densities in main channel inflows and inundated floodplains showed clear seasonal changes, with cladoceran and copepod abundance peaks occurring in the majority of sites 2–3 weeks following the peak spring discharges (coinciding with the retreat of water from floodplains into the main channel).
3.	Mean densities of zooplankton were highest in the inflows originating from riverine lakes (10–20 ind. Lˉ¹) where rotifers were dominant. We recorded significantly higher abundances of copepods in peat bog and swamp wetland inflows (c. 5 ind. Lˉ¹) relative to the main river channel and riverine lake inflows (0.1–1 ind. Lˉ¹). Some lake inflows also had high numbers of cladocerans (5–10 ind. Lˉ¹). 
4.	Inundated floodplains displayed heterogeneity in zooplankton community composition in relation to their structural complexity. Flooded forest accommodated higher numbers of copepods (c. 8 ind. Lˉ¹) and cladocerans (c. 17 ind. Lˉ¹) than flooded grassland, where zooplankton assemblages resembled those in the main river channel and were characterised by dominance of rotifers and low overall zooplankton densities (1–2 ind. Lˉ¹).
5.	Our results suggest that seasonal flow and flood pulses, which determine the degree of connectivity of the main channel with the floodplain and off-channel habitats, govern zooplankton densities and community structure in this large temperate river. Furthermore, the structural complexity of floodplain habitats may play an important role in enhancing riverine zooplankton diversity. We postulate that the post-flood peak of large-bodied cladocerans and copepods might have historically played an important role in the provision of food for juvenile fish such as migrating Galaxiidae.

year: 2013

title: Maori and psychology: Research and practice (full conference proceedings)

authors: Robertson, Neville

subjects: Maori

abstract: This is the full proceedings of the symposium sponsored by the Maori and Psychology Research Unit at the University of Waikato: Maori and psychology: Research and practice. The publication of the proceedings of this symposium marks a significant milestone for the Maori and Psychology Research Unit (MPRU). Since its inception in 1997, the unit has played an important role in nurturing and supporting students to engage in Maori-focussed research. They have played, and continue to play, an important part in our research activities as interviewers, analysts, coordinators and writers. 
The MPRU symposium was organised to serve as a platform to profile the work of our students, to disseminate research results and to invite other researchers to witness the nature of the MPRU’s work.

text: Maori and psychology: Research and practice (full conference proceedings) This is the full proceedings of the symposium sponsored by the Maori and Psychology Research Unit at the University of Waikato: Maori and psychology: Research and practice. The publication of the proceedings of this symposium marks a significant milestone for the Maori and Psychology Research Unit (MPRU). Since its inception in 1997, the unit has played an important role in nurturing and supporting students to engage in Maori-focussed research. They have played, and continue to play, an important part in our research activities as interviewers, analysts, coordinators and writers. 
The MPRU symposium was organised to serve as a platform to profile the work of our students, to disseminate research results and to invite other researchers to witness the nature of the MPRU’s work.

year: 1999