Increasing Australian impoundment fisheries potential - Habitat enhancement to improve angling and productivity in impoundments

To investigate strategies for increasing Australian impoundment fisheries productivity and improving recreational angling and regional economic growth

The host range of four new biotypes of Dactylopius tomentosus (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae) from southern USA and their potential as biological control agents of Cylindropuntiaspp.(Cactaceae) in Australia: Part II.

Eight Cylindropuntia species have naturalised in Australia and pose serious economic, environmental and social impacts. Two biotypes of Dactylopius tomentosus have been used as bio-control agents to control different Cylindropuntia species. The host range of four additional biotypes of Dactylopius tomentosus from southern USA was investigated. Feeding and development were restricted to the genus Cylindropuntia. However, they showed differences in specificity within this genus and some biotypes discriminated between the provenances of C. rosea and C. tunicata. Efficacy trials were conducted to determine whether populations of each biotype could be sustained on the naturalised Cylindropuntia species and if these populations could retard the growth or kill these plants. The acanthocarpa biotype offers potential control of C. rosea (Lorne Station), while the cylindropuntia sp. biotype shows great potential to control C. rosea (Grawin). The cylindropuntia sp. biotype also had a high impact on C. kleiniae and C. imbricata, and a moderate impact on C. leptocaulis and C. prolifera. The acanthocarpa X echinocarpa biotype had its greatest impact on C. tunicata (Grawin), killing this plant in 18 weeks. A fourth biotype, leptocaulis, was damaging to some species, but was less effective than the other biotypes. Cylindropuntia spinosior is the only naturalised species in Australia where no effective biocontrol agent has been found.

A Comparative Study of Electrochemical Kinetic Parameters by the Potential Step Method. Electrode Reactions of CyDTA and EDTA Complexes of Cu(II) at DME

By using the same current-time (I-t) curves, electrochemical kinetic parameters are determined by two methods, (a) using the ratio of current at a given potential to the diffusion-controlled limiting current and (b) curve fitting method, for the reduction of Cu(II)–CyDTA complex. The analysis by the method (a) shows that the rate determining step involves only one electron although the overall reduction of the complex involves two electrons suggesting thereby the stepwise reduction of the complex. The nature of I-t curves suggests the adsorption of intermediate species at the electrode surface. Under these circumstances more reliable kinetic parameters can be obtained by the method (a) compared to that of (b). Similar observations are found in the case of reduction of Cu(II)–EDTA complex.

The diet-related health of the Australian population and potential opportunities for the food retail sector

This report describes the diet-related health of the Australian population and identifies potential opportunities for the food retail sector.

Youth master plans as potential roadmaps to creating child- and youth-friendly cities

Communities across the globe are focusing on the needs of young people and their families in an effort to create child- and youth-friendly cities. In an attempt to become more child and youth friendly, over 40 communities in the United States have developed youth master plans (YMPs), as of 2009; however, our understanding of these plans is limited. To broaden this understanding, this research employed a multiple-methods approach, including an online questionnaire, plan analysis and semi-structured interviews with key community informants. Findings show that YMPs often focus on collaboration among community entities and youth participation, yet include only general normative statements regarding the physical environment. Furthermore, urban planners do not typically take the lead in development of YMPs, and, in some cases, are not involved at all. To inform and improve future YMPs, this paper recommends greater focus on the physical environment, particularly in relation to safety, access to nature and sustainable transportation.

Synthesis of neoglycoconjugates and oligosaccharides with potential anti-Helicobacter pylori activity

The significance of carbohydrate-protein interactions in many biological phenomena is now widely acknowledged and carbohydrate based pharmaceuticals are under intensive development. The interactions between monomeric carbohydrate ligands and their receptors are usually of low affinity. To overcome this limitation natural carbohydrate ligands are often organized as multivalent structures. Therefore, artificial carbohydrate pharmaceuticals should be constructed on the same concept, as multivalent carbohydrates or glycoclusters. Infections of specific host tissues by bacteria, viruses, and fungi are among the unfavorable disease processes for which suitably designed carbohydrate inhibitors represent worthy targets. The bacterium Helicobacter pylori colonizes more than half of all people worldwide, causing gastritis, gastric ulcer, and conferring a greater risk of stomach cancer. The present medication therapy for H. pylori includes the use of antibiotics, which is associated with increasing incidence of bacterial resistance to traditional antibiotics. Therefore, the need for an alternative treatment method is urgent. In this study, four novel synthesis procedures of multivalent glycoconjugates were created. Three different scaffolds representing linear (chondroitin oligomer), cyclic (γ-cyclodextrin), and globular (dendrimer) molecules were used. Multivalent conjugates were produced using the human milk type oligosaccharides LNDFH I (Lewis-b hexasaccharide), LNnT (Galβ1-4GlcNAcβ1-3Galβ1-4Glc), and GlcNAcβ1-3Galβ1-4GlcNAcβ1-3Galβ1-4Glc all representing analogues of the tissue binding epitopes for H. pylori. The first synthetic method included the reductive amination of scaffold molecules modified to express primary amine groups, and in the case of dendrimer direct amination to scaffold molecule presenting 64 primary amine groups. The second method described a direct procedure for amidation of glycosylamine modified oligosaccharides to scaffold molecules presenting carboxyl groups. The final two methods that were created both included an oxime-linkage on linkers of different length. All the new synthetic procedures synthesized had the advantage of using unmodified reducing sugars as starting material making it easy to synthesize glycoconjugates of different specificity. In addition, the binding activity of an array of neoglycolipids to H. pylori was studied. Consequently, two new neolacto-based structures, Glcβ1-3Galβ1-4GlcNAcβ1-3Galβ1-4Glcβ1-Cer and GlcAβ1-3Galβ1-4GlcNAcβ1-3Galβ1-4Glcβ1-Cer, with binding activity toward H. pylori were discovered. Interestingly, N-methyl and N-ethyl amide modification of the GlcAβ1-3Galβ1-4GlcNAcβ1-3Galβ1-4Glcβ1-Cer glucuronic acid residue resulted in more effective H. pylori binding epitopes than the parent molecule.

Understanding teachers: The potential and possibility of discourse analysis

Understanding the ways in which teachers make sense of what they do and why is critical to a broader understanding of pedagogy. Historically, teachers have been understood through the thematic and content analysis of their beliefs or philosophies. In this paper, we argue that discourse analysis (DA) involves a much finer-grained analysis of the ‘lifeworlds’ of teachers and, in our view, provides a more detailed canvas from which inferences can be made. Our argument is structured in four parts. We begin by locating DA within the physical education (PE) literature and discuss what others have referred to as its relatively modest use. Following our location of DA, we outline a conceptual framework that we regard as useful, which contains six interrelated principles. We then introduce the idea of interpretive repertoires, which we consider to have particular explanatory power as well as being a sophisticated way to represent the subjectivities of PE teachers. Finally, we discuss the methodological strengths of interpretive repertoires. The paper concludes with a discussion on the theoretical and practical merits of adopting DA to analyse problems within PE.

A potent nonporphyrin class of photodynamic therapeutic agent: Cellular localisation, cytotoxic potential and influence of hypoxia

We have developed a totally new class of nonporphyrin photodynamic therapeutic agents with a specific focus on two lead candidates azadipyrromethene (ADPM)01 and ADPM06. Confocal laser scanning microscopy imaging showed that these compounds are exclusively localised to the cytosolic compartment, with specific accumulation in the endoplasmic reticulum and to a lesser extent in the mitochondria. Light-induced toxicity assays, carried out over a broad range of human tumour cell lines, displayed EC50 values in the micro-molar range for ADPM01 and nano-molar range for ADPM06, with no discernable activity bias for a specific cell type. Strikingly, the more active agent, ADPM06, even retained significant activity under hypoxic conditions. Both photosensitisers showed low to nondeterminable dark toxicity. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that ADPM01 and ADPM06 were highly effective at inducing apoptosis as a mode of cell death. The photophysical and biological characteristics of these PDT agents suggest that they have potential for the development of new anticancer therapeutics. © 2005 Cancer Research UK.

Synthesis of new 4-isopropylthiazole hydrazide analogs and some derived clubbed triazole, oxadiazole ring systems - A novel class of potential antibacterial, antifungal and antitubercular agents

In the present study a series of 4-isopropylthiazole-2-carbohydrazide analogs, derived clubbed oxadiazole-thiazole and triazole-thiazole derivatives have been synthesized and characterized by IR, H-1 NMR, C-13 NMR, elemental and mass spectral analyses. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for their preliminary in vitro antibacterial, antifungal and antitubercular activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H(37)Rv strain by broth dilution assay method. The synthesized compounds 7a, 7b, 7d and 4 showed an antitubercular efficacy considerably greater than that of the parent 4-isopropyl-1,3-thiazole-2-carbohydrazide 1, suggesting that the substituted 4-isopropylthiazole-2-carbohydrazide moiety plays an important role in enhancing the antitubercular properties of this class of compounds. Compounds 2c, 3, 4, 6d, 7a and 7b exhibited good or moderate antibacterial and antifungal activity. Compounds 4 and 7b showed appreciable cytotoxicity at a concentration of 250 mu M.

Nd2O3 : Eu3+ nanocrystalline phosphor - a new potential thermoluminescing material for dosimetry

Nanoparticles of trivalent Eu3+-doped Nd2O3 phosphors have been prepared using a low-temperature solution combustion method with metal nitrate as precursor and oxalyldihydrazide as a fuel at a fairly low temperature (<500 degrees C) and in a very short time (<5 min). A powder X-ray diffraction pattern reveals that cubic Nd2O3 : Eu3+ crystallites are directly obtained without the requirement of further calcinations. The crystallite size, evaluated from Scherer's formula, was found to be in the range of 20-30 nm. The microstructure and morphology were studied by scanning electron microscopy, which showed the phosphor to be foamy and fluffy in nature. Thermoluminescence characteristics of the Nd2O3 : Eu3+ have been studied using gamma irradiation. These demonstrate that the phosphor is suitable for use as a dosimeter.

The potential of certification for conservation and management of wild MAP resources

Medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) are an integral part of our biodiversity. In majority of MAP rich countries, wild collection practices are the livelihood options for a large number of rural peoples and MAPs play a significant role in socio-economic development of their communities. Recent concern over the alarming situation of the status of wild MAP resources, raw material quality, as well as social exploitation of rural communities, leads to the idea of certification for MAP resource conservation and management. On one hand, while MAP certification addresses environmental, social and economic perspectives of MAP resources, on the other hand, it ensures multi-stakeholder participation in improvement of the MAP sector. This paper presents an overview of MAP certification encompassing its different parameters, current scenario (Indian background), implementation strategies as well as stakeholders’ role in MAP conservation. It also highlights Indian initiatives in this direction.

Evaluation of anti-inflammatory potential of Chloranthus erectus (Buch.-Ham.) Verd. leaf extract in rats

Aim of the study: Chloranthus erectus (Buch.-Ham.) Verdcourt (Chloranthaceae) is a shrub native to tropical and temperate zone of Eastern Himalaya of India and South-East Asia and have traditionally been used as a folklore medicine to treat localised swelling, joint pain, skin inflammation, fever and bodyache. In this study, an attempthas been made to demonstrate the anti-inflammatory activity of methanol extract obtained from Chloranthus erectus leaves (MECEL) in acute, sub-acute and chronic mouse models. Materials and methods: Inflammation in the hind paw of Wistar albino rat was induced by carrageenan, histamine and serotonin, and tissue granuloma pouch was induced by cotton pellet method. Antiinflammatory drug-phenylbutazone was used as standard drug for comparison. Results: In acute carrageenan-induced rat hind paw edema, oral administration of MECEL at 200 mg/kg produced significant inhibition of edema by 38.34 % (p<0.01) while the histamine- and serotonin-induced sub-acute model, the inhibition of paw edema reached 52.54 % (p < 0.001) and 25.5 % (p < 0.01), respectively. in a 7-day study, MECEL at 20 and 50 mg/kg produced significant suppression of cotton pellet-induced tissue granuloma formation in rats. Conclusions: This preliminary study revealed that the methanol extract of Chloranthus erectus exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity in the tested models, and may provide the scientific rationale for its popular folk medicine as anti-inflammatory agent.

Placental abruption : Studies on incidence, risk factors and potential predictive biomarkers

Placental abruption, one of the most significant causes of perinatal mortality and maternal morbidity, occurs in 0.5-1% of pregnancies. Its etiology is unknown, but defective trophoblastic invasion of the spiral arteries and consequent poor vascularization may play a role. The aim of this study was to define the prepregnancy risk factors of placental abruption, to define the risk factors during the index pregnancy, and to describe the clinical presentation of placental abruption. We also wanted to find a biochemical marker for predicting placental abruption early in pregnancy. Among women delivering at the University Hospital of Helsinki in 1997-2001 (n=46,742), 198 women with placental abruption and 396 control women were identified. The overall incidence of placental abruption was 0.42%. The prepregnancy risk factors were smoking (OR 1.7; 95% CI 1.1, 2.7), uterine malformation (OR 8.1; 1.7, 40), previous cesarean section (OR 1.7; 1.1, 2.8), and history of placental abruption (OR 4.5; 1.1, 18). The risk factors during the index pregnancy were maternal (adjusted OR 1.8; 95% CI 1.1, 2.9) and paternal smoking (2.2; 1.3, 3.6), use of alcohol (2.2; 1.1, 4.4), placenta previa (5.7; 1.4, 23.1), preeclampsia (2.7; 1.3, 5.6) and chorioamnionitis (3.3; 1.0, 10.0). Vaginal bleeding (70%), abdominal pain (51%), bloody amniotic fluid (50%) and fetal heart rate abnormalities (69%) were the most common clinical manifestations of placental abruption. Retroplacental blood clot was seen by ultrasound in 15% of the cases. Neither bleeding nor pain was present in 19% of the cases. Overall, 59% went into preterm labor (OR 12.9; 95% CI 8.3, 19.8), and 91% were delivered by cesarean section (34.7; 20.0, 60.1). Of the newborns, 25% were growth restricted. The perinatal mortality rate was 9.2% (OR 10.1; 95% CI 3.4, 30.1). We then tested selected biochemical markers for prediction of placental abruption. The median of the maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) multiples of median (MoM) (1.21) was significantly higher in the abruption group (n=57) than in the control group (n=108) (1.07) (p=0.004) at 15-16 gestational weeks. In multivariate analysis, elevated MSAFP remained as an independent risk factor for placental abruption, adjusting for parity ≥ 3, smoking, previous placental abruption, preeclampsia, bleeding in II or III trimester, and placenta previa. MSAFP ≥ 1.5 MoM had a sensitivity of 29% and a false positive rate of 10%. The levels of the maternal serum free beta human chorionic gonadotrophin MoM did not differ between the cases and the controls. None of the angiogenic factors (soluble endoglin, soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1, or placental growth factor) showed any difference between the cases (n=42) and the controls (n=50) in the second trimester. The levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) showed no difference between the cases (n=181) and the controls (n=261) (median 2.35 mg/l [interquartile range {IQR} 1.09-5.93] versus 2.28 mg/l [IQR 0.92-5.01], not significant) when tested in the first trimester (mean 10.4 gestational weeks). Chlamydia pneumoniae specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin A (IgA) as well as C. trachomatis specific IgG, IgA and chlamydial heat-shock protein 60 antibody rates were similar between the groups. In conclusion, although univariate analysis identified many prepregnancy risk factors for placental abruption, only smoking, uterine malformation, previous cesarean section and history of placental abruption remained significant by multivariate analysis. During the index pregnancy maternal alcohol consumption and smoking and smoking by the partner turned out to be the major independent risk factors for placental abruption. Smoking by both partners multiplied the risk. The liberal use of ultrasound examination contributed little to the management of women with placental abruption. Although second-trimester MSAFP levels were higher in women with subsequent placental abruption, clinical usefulness of this test is limited due to low sensitivity and high false positive rate. Similarly, angiogenic factors in early second trimester, or CRP levels, or chlamydial antibodies in the first trimester failed to predict placental abruption.

Potential antioxidant response to coffee - A matter of genotype?

In a human intervention trial, a coffee, combining nature green coffee bean constituents and dark roast products was studied towards its potential to activate the Nrf2/ARE-pathway in PBLs. The study coffee was identified as a strong inducer of Nrf2 and downstream GST1A1 and UGT1A1 gene transcription. However, the response of the participants was found to depend on the respective genotype. The -651 SNP in the Nrf2 gene as well as the heterozygote 6/7 sequence in the UGT1A1 gene significantly down-regulated the susceptibility to respond to coffee, proposing the existing genotype to be critical for the response to the coffee.