The pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy (DN) remains incompletely understood. In previous studies, we observed the activation of Tyr kinase Src by high glucose (HG) and showed that Src is required for MAPK activation and synthesis of collagen IV in cultured rat mesangial cells (MCs). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are also important mediators of DN, and our present study aimed to investigate the role of Src in HG-induced ROS generation. In MCs, we found that HG led to ROS accumulation that was blocked by Src inhibitors or Src-specific siRNA. Downstream of Src, Vav2 was phosphorylated/activated leading to Rac1-dependent NADPH oxidase activation. Long-term HG exposure resulted in Src-dependent Nox4 protein induction. Nox2-specific siRNA abrogated ROS production only in short-term HG, while Nox4-specific siRNA blocked ROS production only in long-term HG. Taken together, our data indicate Src to be important in mediating ROS generation from both Nox2- and Nox4-containing NADPH oxidases.

An average of three to five billion tons of ballast water (BW) is transported globally per year; 79 million tons of which is released into U. S. waters. Ballast water is necessary for large ships to maintain balance and stability while loading and unloading cargo as well as during transit. As a ship unloads it’s cargo at a port, it takes on ballast water and then when it loads cargo at the next port, it discharges the ballast water, thus transferring water from port to port. Aquatic organisms are transported around the globe via ballast water. These organisms can potentially cause serious environmental and human health impacts. Historically, transfer of macro-organisms such as fish, snails, and vascular plants via ballast water have been the focus of ballast water research. More recently, microorganisms such as toxin producing dinoflagellates and diatoms i.e. ‘harmful algal blooms’ and pathogenic bacteria (e.g. Vibrio cholerae), have been found to survive in ballast tanks for several weeks. These organisms have moved to the forefront of ballast water management (BWM) trepidations because they compose serious threats to human health as well as Marine Protected Area (MPA) ecosystems such as coral reefs. Ballasting activities of ships calling at the Port of Houston were used as a model for other major ports in U.S. Gulf States. Ballast water management reports, submitted to the U.S. Coast Guard by all overseas vessels calling at the Port of Houston in 2010 were examined for the ballast management strategies utilized prior to docking. Currently, all “coastwise” ships are not required to conduct ballast water exchanges (BWE) if they do not transit beyond the 200nm EEZ. Close inspection of BW management report forms for “overseas” ships determined that the degree of completeness was variable. By comparing the frequency of vessels entering the Port of Houston, ballast water capacities, the management types utilized, and the locations of ballast water exchanges and discharges, it can be concluded that larger vessels present the highest risk of bacterial transfer to coral reefs. Five coral diseases were discovered to be prevalent throughout the ballast management areas their presence has significantly increased in these areas over the past thirty years. The combination of this disease growth along with an increase in shipping and ballast exchanges suggests that the vector at which pathogens are being displaced must lie within the shipping lanes.

No description available.

No description available.

The problem of invasive alien species (IAS) is recognized as the second most serious threat to loss of biodiversity after habitat destruction. It is a problem largely created by humans as they transport and introduce species, deliberately and accidentally, from one part of the globe to another. The pressures exerted on biodiversity by international trade are one of the most serious aspects of the IAS problem. Although states are under obligations in international environmental law to prevent the entry of, and control, those alien species that threaten biodiversity, to date state practice has often been found wanting. In particular, quarantine regulation, which can be a state??s first line of defence against IAS, is mainly used by states to protect their farming and agricultural product sectors rather than biodiversity at large. The reasons for this include lack of domestic resources and lack of guidance at the international level. However, even if states were to expand the purview of quarantine, the question arises whether they would be able to use quarantine regulation to protect biodiversity from IAS while simultaneously fulfilling their international trade law obligations. This study seeks to answer this question by examining international environmental law and international trade law in their application to quarantine regulation. In doing so, the study identifies many areas of conflict. The different policies that underpin environmental and trade regimes mean that environmental concepts, such as the precautionary principle and the ecosystem approach, are difficult to apply within the international trade law regime. A way of achieving a more harmonized international response to the problem of IAS is suggested by incorporating environmental considerations into the international standards used by states to design and implement domestic quarantine measures. To facilitate the practical implementation of international standards the study further recommends appropriate financial and institutional capacity building mechanisms.

Invasive weeds inflict significant harm on native species, ecosystem processes, and natural disturbance regimes. When managing these weed threats, some of the most useful tools are the outputs of predictive distribution models. As they supplement existing distribution data to assess where in the landscape is most susceptible to weed invasion, they allow for more efficient weed management because the areas most suited to weed species may be targeted for control. This research develops a habitat suitability model for the weed lantana (Lantana camara L. sensu lato) in a portion of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area at present and under forecast warmer climates. A generalised additive model (GAM) is used, which fits the regression curve used for prediction to the calibration data themselves and allows for an exploration of which environmental conditions favour lantana as well as where in the landscape is most suitable for the weed. Temperature was positively correlated with suitable habitat and explained over 90% of the variation in lantana presence predicted by the model. 15% of the study area was found to be suitable for lantana at present, with this figure reaching 58% after a simulated 3??C rise in temperature. Mapping habitat suitability across the study area allowed for the identification of five distinct pathways for lantana to further invade the Blue Mountains. Responding to calls for the integration of weed management with biodiversity conservation, the research also integrates the habitat suitability model with information regarding the distribution of vegetation communities and endangered species in the Blue Mountains. Thirteen native vegetation communities were found to have more than 20% suitable habitat for lantana at present, and an additional three contained more than 80% suitable habitat after a simulated 3??C rise in temperature. Five of these communities are listed as threatened under relevant legislation and harbour at least 27 endangered species, placing additional urgency on their conservation. This research has successfully used modelling techniques to identify areas for targeted weed management integrated with biodiversity conservation. The methods are easily adaptable to other weeds and regions and could thus be used to illustrate the comprehensive threat weeds pose to Australia???s biodiversity.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.