bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The alternative oxidase family of Vitis vinifera reveals an attractive model to study the importance of genomic design
Authors: Costa José Hélio , De Melo Dirce Fernandes , Gouveia Zélia , Cardoso Hélia Guerra , Peixe Augusto , Arnholdt‐Schmitt Birgit
Published: July 2009

‘Genomic design’ refers to the structural organization of gene sequences. Recently, the role of intron sequences for gene regulation is being better understood. Further, introns possess high rates of polymorphism that are considered as the major source for speciation. In molecular breeding, the length of gene‐specific introns is recognized as a tool to discriminate genotypes with diverse traits of agronomic interest. ‘Economy selection’ and ‘time‐economy selection’ have been proposed as models for explaining why highly expressed genes typically contain small introns. However, in contrast to these theories, plant‐specific selection reveals that highly expressed genes contain introns that are large. In the presented research, ‘wet’Aox gene identification from grapevine is advanced by a bioinformatics approach to study the species‐specific organization of Aox gene structures in relation to available expressed sequence tag (EST) data. Two Aox1 and one Aox2 gene sequences have been identified in Vitis vinifera using grapevine cultivars from Portugal and Germany. Searching the complete genome sequence data of two grapevine cultivars confirmed that V. vinifera alternative oxidase (Aox) is encoded by a small multigene family composed of Aox1a, Aox1b and Aox2. An analysis of EST distribution revealed high expression of the VvAox2 gene. A relationship between the atypical long primary transcript of VvAox2 (in comparison to other plant Aox genes) and its expression level is suggested. V. vinifera Aox genes contain four exons interrupted by three introns except for Aox1a which contains an additional intron in the 3′‐UTR. The lengths of primary Aox transcripts were estimated for each gene in two V. vinifera varieties: PN40024 and Pinot Noir. In both varieties, Aox1a and Aox1b contained small introns that corresponded to primary transcript lengths ranging from 1501 to 1810 bp. The Aox2 of PN40024 (12 329 bp) was longer than that from Pinot Noir (7279 bp) because of selection against a transposable‐element insertion that is 5028 bp in size. An EST database basic local alignment search tool (BLAST) search of GenBank revealed the following ESTs percentages for each gene: Aox1a (26.2%), Aox1b (11.9%) and Aox2 (61.9%). Aox1a was expressed in fruits and roots, Aox1b expression was confined to flowers and Aox2 was ubiquitously expressed. These data for V. vinifera show that atypically long Aox intron lengths are related to high levels of gene expression. Furthermore, it is shown for the first time that two grapevine cultivars can be distinguished by Aox intron length polymorphism.
Comparison of photoselective vaporization and standard transurethral resection of the prostate on urodynamics in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia
Authors: Nomura Hiroyuki , Seki Narihito , Yamaguchi Akito , Naito Seiji
Published: July 2009

Objectives:  To compare photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP) and transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Methods:  Patients were enrolled in a prospective non‐randomized trial and underwent PVP (n = 78) and TURP (n = 51). Primary outcome variables included: International Prostate Symptom Score, quality‐of‐life score, urinary peak flow and post‐void residual urine volume at 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively. Secondary outcomes were urodynamic variables, including the index of bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) and detrusor contractility.

Results:  Improvement in all outcome variables after PVP was comparable to that after TURP within 12 months. Outcome based on urodynamic parameters was also similar. Pre/post median value of the BOO index was 63/2 in the PVP group and 61/5 in the TURP group. Pre/post rate of detrusor overactivity was 49%/27% in the PVP and 53%/29% in the TURP group. There was minimal change in detrusor contractility. Overall, morbidity was comparable in the two groups.

Conclusions:  The 12‐month outcome after PVP is similar to that of TURP with an effective relief from BOO and detrusor overactivity and minimal change in detrusor contractility.
The role of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance in nature
Authors: Aminov Rustam I.
Published: July 2009

Investigations of antibiotic resistance from an environmental prospective shed new light on a problem that was traditionally confined to a subset of clinically relevant antibiotic‐resistant bacterial pathogens. It is clear that the environmental microbiota, even in apparently antibiotic‐free environments, possess an enormous number and diversity of antibiotic resistance genes, some of which are very similar to the genes circulating in pathogenic microbiota. It is difficult to explain the role of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance in natural environments from an anthropocentric point of view, which is focused on clinical aspects such as the efficiency of antibiotics in clearing infections and pathogens that are resistant to antibiotic treatment. A broader overview of the role of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance in nature from the evolutionary and ecological prospective suggests that antibiotics have evolved as another way of intra‐ and inter‐domain communication in various ecosystems. This signalling by non‐clinical concentrations of antibiotics in the environment results in adaptive phenotypic and genotypic responses of microbiota and other members of the community. Understanding the complex picture of evolution and ecology of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance may help to understand the processes leading to the emergence and dissemination of antibiotic resistance and also help to control it, at least in relation to the newer antibiotics now entering clinical practice.
Towards the human intestinal microbiota phylogenetic core
Authors: Tap Julien , Mondot Stanislas , Levenez Florence , Pelletier Eric , Caron Christophe , Furet Jean‐Pierre , Ugarte Edgardo , Muñoz‐Tamayo Rafael , Paslier Denis L. E. , Nalin Renaud , Dore Joel , Leclerc Marion
Published: July 2009

The paradox of a host specificity of the human faecal microbiota otherwise acknowledged as characterized by global functionalities conserved between humans led us to explore the existence of a phylogenetic core. We investigated the presence of a set of bacterial molecular species that would be altogether dominant and prevalent within the faecal microbiota of healthy humans. A total of 10 456 non‐chimeric bacterial 16S rRNA sequences were obtained after cloning of PCR‐amplified rDNA from 17 human faecal DNA samples. Using alignment or tetranucleotide frequency‐based methods, 3180 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were detected. The 16S rRNA sequences mainly belonged to the phyla Firmicutes (79.4%), Bacteroidetes (16.9%), Actinobacteria (2.5%), Proteobacteria (1%) and Verrumicrobia (0.1%). Interestingly, while most of OTUs appeared individual‐specific, 2.1% were present in more than 50% of the samples and accounted for 35.8% of the total sequences. These 66 dominant and prevalent OTUs included members of the genera Faecalibacterium, Ruminococcus, Eubacterium, Dorea, Bacteroides, Alistipes and Bifidobacterium. Furthermore, 24 OTUs had cultured type strains representatives which should be subjected to genome sequence with a high degree of priority. Strikingly, 52 of these 66 OTUs were detected in at least three out of four recently published human faecal microbiota data sets, obtained with very different experimental procedures. A statistical model confirmed these OTUs prevalence. Despite the species richness and a high individual specificity, a limited number of OTUs is shared among individuals and might represent the phylogenetic core of the human intestinal microbiota. Its role in human health deserves further study.
In situ measurement of methane fluxes and analysis of transcribed particulate methane monooxygenase in desert soils
Authors: Angel Roey , Conrad Ralf
Published: July 2009

Aerated soils are a biological sink for atmospheric methane. However, the activity of desert soils and the presence of methanotrophs in these soils have hardly been studied. We studied on‐site atmospheric methane consumption rates as well as the diversity and expression of the pmoA gene, coding for a subunit of the particulate methane monooxygenase, in arid and hyperarid soils in the Negev Desert, Israel. Methane uptake was only detected in undisturbed soils in the arid region (∼90 mm year−1) and vertical methane profiles in soil showed the active layer to be at 0–20 cm depth. No methane uptake was detected in the hyperarid soils (∼20 mm year−1) as well as in disturbed soils in the arid region (i.e. agricultural field and a mini‐catchment). Molecular analysis of the methanotrophic community using terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T‐RFLP) and cloning/sequencing of the pmoA gene detected methanotrophs in the active soils, whereas the inactive ones were dominated by sequences of the homologous gene amoA, coding for a subunit of the ammonia monooxygenase. Even in the active soils, methanotrophs (as well as in situ activity) could not be detected in the soil crust, which is the biologically most important layer in desert soils. All pmoA sequences belonged to yet uncultured strains. Transcript analysis showed dominance of sequences clustering within the JR3, formerly identified in Californian grassland soils. Our results show that although active methanotrophs are prevalent in arid soils they seem to be absent or inactive in hyperarid and disturbed arid soils. Furthermore, we postulate that methanotrophs of the yet uncultured JR3 cluster are the dominant atmospheric methane oxidizers in this ecosystem.
Microbial diversity in modern marine stromatolites, Highborne Cay, Bahamas
Authors: Baumgartner Laura K. , Spear John R. , Buckley Daniel H. , Pace Norman R. , Reid R. Pamela , Dupraz Christophe , Visscher Pieter T.
Published: July 2009

Living marine stromatolites at Highborne Cay, Bahamas, are formed by microbial mat communities that facilitate precipitation of calcium carbonate and bind and trap small carbonate sand grains. This process results in a laminated structure similar to the layering observed in ancient stromatolites. In the modern marine system at Highborne Cay, lamination, lithification and stromatolite formation are associated with cycling between three types of microbial communities at the stromatolite surface (Types 1, 2 and 3, which range from a leathery microbial mat to microbially fused sediment). Examination of 923 universal small‐subunit rRNA gene sequences from these communities reveals that taxonomic richness increases during transition from Type 1 to Type 3 communities, supporting a previous model that proposed that the three communities represent different stages of mat development. The phylogenetic composition also changes significantly between these community types and these community changes occur in concert with variation in biogeochemical rates. The dominant bacterial groups detected in the stromatolites include Alphaproteobacteria, Planctomycetes, Cyanobacteria and Bacteroidetes. In addition, the stromatolite communities were found to contain novel cyanobacteria that may be uniquely associated with modern marine stromatolites. The implications of these findings are discussed in the context of current models for stromatolite formation.
OmpA influences Escherichia coli biofilm formation by repressing cellulose production through the CpxRA two‐component system
Authors: Ma Qun , Wood Thomas K.
Published: July 2009

Previously we discovered that OmpA of Escherichia coli increases biofilm formation on polystyrene surfaces (González Barrios et al., Biotechnol Bioeng, 93:188–200, 2006a). Here we show OmpA influences biofilm formation differently on hydrophobic and hydrophilic surfaces since it represses cellulose production which is hydrophilic. OmpA increased biofilm formation on polystyrene, polypropylene, and polyvinyl surfaces while it decreased biofilm formation on glass surfaces. Sand column assays corroborated that OmpA decreases attachment to hydrophilic surfaces. The ompA mutant formed sticky colonies, and the extracellular polysaccharide that caused stickiness was identified as cellulose. A whole‐transcriptome study revealed that OmpA induces the CpxRA two‐component signal transduction pathway that responds to membrane stress. CpxA phosphorylates CpxR and results in reduced csgD expression. Reduced CsgD production represses adrA expression and results in reduced cellulose production since CsgD and AdrA are responsible for 3,5‐cyclic diguanylic acid and cellulose synthesis. Real‐time polymerase chain reaction confirmed csgD and adrA are repressed by OmpA. Biofilm and cellulose assays with double deletion mutants adrA ompA, csgB ompA, and cpxR ompA confirmed OmpA decreased cellulose production and increased biofilm formation on polystyrene surfaces through CpxR and AdrA. Further evidence of the link between OmpA and the CpxRA system was that overproduction of OmpA disrupted the membrane and led to cell lysis. Therefore, OmpA inhibits cellulose production through the CpxRA stress response system, and this reduction in cellulose increases biofilm formation on hydrophobic surfaces.
Symptomatic anastomotic leakage diagnosed after hospital discharge following low anterior resection for rectal cancer
Authors: Matthiessen P. , Lindgren R. , Hallböök O. , Rutegård J. , Sjödahl R. ,   on behalf of the RECTODES (Rectal Cancer Trial on Defunctioning Stoma) Study Group
Published: July 2009

Objective  The aim of this study was to investigate patients with symptomatic anastomotic leakage diagnosed after hospital discharge.

Method  Patients (n = 234) undergoing low anterior resection of the rectum for cancer who were included in a prospective multicentre trial (NCT 00636948) and who developed symptomatic anastomotic leakage diagnosed after hospital discharge (late leakage, LL; n = 18) were identified. Patient characteristics, operative details, recovery on postoperative day 5, length of hospital stay, and how the leakage was diagnosed were recorded. A comparison with those who did not develop symptomatic leakage (no leakage, NL; n = 189) was made. The minimum follow up was 24 months.

Results  In the LL patients the median age was 69 years, 61% were female patients, and 6% had stage IV cancer disease. On postoperative day 5, the LL group had a postoperative course similar to the NL group regarding temperature, oral intake and bowel function. The proportion of patients on antibiotic treatment on postoperative day 5, regardless of indication, was 28% in the LL compared with 4% in the NL group (P < 0.001). The median initial hospital stay was 10 days for both groups. When readmission for any reason was added, the hospital stay rose to a median of 21.5 and 13 days in the LL and the NL groups respectively (P < 0.001).

Conclusion  Symptomatic anastomotic leakage diagnosed after hospital discharge following low anterior resection of the rectum for cancer is not uncommon and has an immediate clinical postoperative course which may appear uneventful.
Clinical manifestations of cataracts in small breed dogs
Authors: Park Shin Ae , Yi Na Young , Jeong Man Bok , Kim Won Tae , Kim Se Eun , Chae Je Min , Seo Kang Moon
Published: July 2009

Objective To determine the incidence, etiology, and concurrent ophthalmic findings in small breed dogs that presented with cataracts.

Animal studied Five hundred and sixty‐one small breed dogs (942 eyes) were presented to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital of Seoul National University between July 2002 and December 2007 with cataract.

Procedure The medical records of small breed dogs with cataract were reviewed. The reason for presentation, cataract duration, bilaterality, breed, gender, age, vision, etiology, stage of cataract development, concurrent ophthalmic findings, IOP, ocular ultrasonography findings, and scotopic electroretinography (ERG) findings were investigated.

Results The most frequently presented breeds were the Miniature/Toy Poodle (n = 112, 20.0%), Yorkshire Terrier (n = 110, 19.6%), and Shih Tzu (n = 95, 16.9%). The Miniature/Toy Poodle showed a significantly higher odds ratio for cataract formation (2.6). The proportion of female cataract patients was significantly higher than that of male cataract patients in the overall population (P < 0.05). The Miniature/Toy Poodles had significantly higher numbers of females affected with cataract (P < 0.01). The mean age for cataract formation was 8.3 ± 3.9 years. The mean age at onset in the Miniature/Toy Poodle and Yorkshire Terrier was significantly higher, whereas that in the Miniature Schnauzer group was significantly lower (P < 0.0001). Clinical signs related to lens induced uveitis had a tendency to increase with cataract progression (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the b‐wave amplitude for mixed rod cone response by stage (P = 0.137).

Conclusions Small breed dogs with cataracts had characteristics with regard to age of onset and gender distribution, depending on the breed.
Immunohistochemical detection of NOD1 and NOD2 in the healthy murine and canine eye
Authors: Scurrell Emma , Stanley Rachael , Schöniger Sandra
Published: July 2009

The innate immune system provides the immediate defense against pathogens. NOD1 and NOD2 proteins are intracytoplasmic signaling receptors of the innate immune system and recognize conserved microbial molecular structures. The aim of this study was to analyze the expression of NOD1 and NOD2 proteins in healthy mouse and dog eyes using immunohistochemistry on formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded globes. In both the mouse and dog globes, a strong immunosignal for NOD1 and NOD2 was present within corneal epithelium, corneal endothelium and conjunctival epithelium. Scattered cells in the conjunctival substantia propria displayed moderate immunopositivity for NOD1 and NOD2. Additionally, in dog eyes, nonpigmented iridal epithelium was immunopositive for NOD1 and NOD2. No other examined ocular tissues were immunopositive for NOD1 or NOD2. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first description of an immunohistochemical study on NOD1 and NOD2 expression in healthy mouse and dog eyes. Since signaling molecules of the innate immune system mediate pro‐inflammatory responses in numerous organs, they likely also contribute to the pathogenesis of ocular inflammation.
Conjunctival effects of canine distemper virus‐induced keratoconjunctivitis sicca
Authors: De Almeida Denize E. , Roveratti Cristina , Brito Fábio L. C. , Godoy Guilherme S. , Duque Juan C. M. , Bechara Gervásio H. , Laus José L.
Published: July 2009

Objective This study compared the histopathology of canine distemper virus (CDV)‐induced keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) to non‐infectious KCS in conjunctival tissues.

Animals studied Forty mongrel dogs were assigned to three distinct groups: (i) non‐infectious KCS (G1,n = 10), (ii) CDV‐induced KCS (G2,n = 20), and (iii) healthy animals without any ocular alterations (G3,n = 10).

Procedure IgG titers and physical and ophthalmic examinations (e.g. Schirmer tear test [STT], tonometry, biomicroscopy, indirect biomicroscopy, and fluorescein test) were performed on all dogs. Conjunctival biopsies were collected and examined microscopically.

Results Non‐infectious and CDV‐induced KCS demonstrated similar histopathological changes. Both types of KCS correlated with low STT, conjunctival hyperemia, mucopurulent ocular discharge, predominant lymphoplasmacytic infiltration, and acantholysis and keratinization of the ocular surface. G1 had lower conjunctival goblet cell counts than G3. Inclusion bodies were sporadically found in conjunctival samples of dogs from G2. The severity of ocular lesions in G1 and G2 did not correlate with the histopathological findings.

Conclusions Dogs with non‐infectious and CDV‐induced KCS had very similar conjunctival histopathology. Our findings suggest that the pathophysiology of CDV‐induced KCS is likely to be the same as non‐infectious KCS, that is, a result of lacrimal deficiency and inflammation of the ocular surface.
Antimicrobial susceptibility ofStaphylococciisolated from naturally occurring canine external ocular diseases
Authors: Varges Renato , Penna Bruno , Martins Gabriel , Martins Rodrigo , Lilenbaum Walter
Published: July 2009

Objective The purpose of this study was to describe the species distribution and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns ofStaphylococciisolated from naturally occurring canine ocular diseases.

Samples and Procedures Samples obtained from 68 dogs with signs of external eye disease were processed for isolation of bacteria of the genusStaphylococcussp. Isolates were identified by biochemical reactions and tested for susceptibility to 11 antimicrobials of six classes.

Results Forty (58.8%) samples yieldedStaphylococcussp. in pure culture. Coagulase‐positiveStaphylococciwere most common andStaphylococcus intermediuswas the most frequent (45%) species, followed byS.aureus(22.5%) and the coagulase‐negative speciesS. epidermidis(20%), andS.simulans(12.5%). Resistance to at least one drug was observed in 92.5% of the isolates, and multidrug resistance was a common finding (72.5%). The most effective drugs againstStaphylococcusstrains isolated from extra‐ocular canine ocular diseases were ceftiofur and cefalexin.

Conclusion This study highlights the presence ofStaphylococcussp. genus in naturally occurring extra‐ocular canine ocular disease and the emergence of resistant strains to common antimicrobial drugs. It also emphasizes the need for bacterial culture with species identification and susceptibility testing in order to choose the appropriate antimicrobial therapy.
Surgical removal of a dermoid cyst from the bony part of the nasolacrimal duct in a Scottish highland cattle heifer
Authors: Steinmetz Andrea , Locher Lena , Delling Uta , Ionita Jean‐Claude , Ludewig Eberhard , Oechtering Gerhard , Wittek Thomas
Published: July 2009

The ophthalmologic, radiologic and surgical findings of a 2‐year‐old Scottish Highland Cattle heifer with a dermoid cyst within the bony part of the nasolacrimal duct and the successful treatment are presented.
Feline entropion: a case series of 50 affected animals (2003–2008)
Authors: Williams David L. , Kim Joon‐Young
Published: July 2009

Aim To evaluate the signalment, clinical signs, and etiopathogenesis of entropion in 50 cats.

Methods Signalment and history of 50 cases of entropion in cats presented to a referral ophthalmology clinic. Animals were examined with direct and indirect ophthalmoscopy and slit‐lamp biomicroscopy. Animals were treated surgically with a Hotz‐Celsus procedure and results of surgery were evaluated between 4 and 22 weeks.

Results Sixteen cats were young (mean age 4.1 ± 3.6 years) with pre‐existing irritative ocular surface conditions such as conjunctivitis, corneal ulceration or sequestrum. Twenty‐six cats were relatively older (mean age 11.3 ± 2.2 years) with involutional entropion with or without enophthalmos, presumed to result from a reduction in orbital tissue. Five cats were Persians with entropion associated with brachycephalic facial anatomy, whereas three were entire young adult male Maine Coones with in‐turning associated with excessive facial ‘jowl’ tissue. Surgical treatment was curative in the majority of cases after one surgery although an increased amount of eyelid tissue was required to be removed for correction compared with similar surgery in the dog.

Discussion This study has shown that entropion in cats may be caused in young animals as a result of continued blepharospasm related to irritative causes such as conjunctivitis or corneal ulceration or in older animals with lid laxity or globe enophthalmos. Lid in‐turning was also seen in Persian and Maine Coone breeds.
Collective Dynamics of Citizenship Behaviour: What Group Characteristics Promote Group‐Level Helping?
Authors: Choi Jin Nam
Published: July 2009

abstract

A basic tenet of research on organizational citizenship behaviour (OCB) is that OCB aggregated across individuals improves organizational performance. Departing from the typical focus on individual‐level OCB, the construct of group‐level OCB (GOCB) recently emerged as a critical group function that affects various group effectiveness measures. Despite the clear link between GOCB and team performance, the existing literature provides a limited understanding with regard to the antecedents of GOCB, mostly focusing on leadership variables. Establishing helping behaviour (a core dimension of OCB) as a collective construct, this study substantially expands the antecedents of group‐level helping, and empirically tests their effects using three different operationalizations of group‐level helping. The results, based on a sample of 96 work units, show that membership diversity in gender and education decreased group‐level helping, whereas diversity in tenure increased it. Group‐level helping was also positively related to leadership characteristics (supportive unit manager, transformational top management) and perceived competence of unit members. In addition, the analysis further indicated that perceived competence is a positive predictor of group‐level helping only when the unit members also believe that others are trustworthy in terms of integrity and benevolent motivation. From a methodological standpoint, the study provides important insights by comparing different ways of operationalizing collective constructs.
The Impact of Horizontal Mergers on Rivals: Gains to Being Left Outside a Merger
Authors: Clougherty Joseph A. , Duso Tomaso
Published: July 2009

abstract

It is commonly perceived that firms do not want to be outsiders to a merger between competitor firms. We instead argue that it is beneficial to be a non‐merging rival firm to a large horizontal merger. Using a sample of mergers with expert identification of relevant rivals and the event‐study methodology, we find rivals generally experience positive abnormal returns at the merger announcement date. We also find that the stock reaction of rivals to merger events is not sensitive to merger waves; hence, ‘future acquisition probability’ does not drive the positive abnormal returns of rivals. Further, we find the positive (or non‐negative) abnormal returns of rivals to be robust when considering heterogeneity in merger and rival characteristics.
A Capability‐Based Framework for Open Innovation: Complementing Absorptive Capacity
Authors: Lichtenthaler Ulrich , Lichtenthaler Eckhard
Published: July 2009

abstract

We merge research into knowledge management, absorptive capacity, and dynamic capabilities to arrive at an integrative perspective, which considers knowledge exploration, retention, and exploitation inside and outside a firm's boundaries. By complementing the concept of absorptive capacity, we advance towards a capability‐based framework for open innovation processes. We identify the following six ‘knowledge capacities’ as a firm's critical capabilities of managing internal and external knowledge in open innovation processes: inventive, absorptive, transformative, connective, innovative, and desorptive capacity. ‘Knowledge management capacity’ is a dynamic capability, which reconfigures and realigns the knowledge capacities. It refers to a firm's ability to successfully manage its knowledge base over time. The concept may be regarded as a framework for open innovation, as a complement to absorptive capacity, and as a move towards understanding dynamic capabilities for managing knowledge. On this basis, it contributes to explaining interfirm heterogeneity in knowledge and alliance strategies, organizational boundaries, and innovation performance.
Methods, Theories and Evidence: A Reply to Arzheimer
Authors: Lister Michael
Published: July 2009

Kai Arzheimer's careful and thorough comment upon my earlier BJPIR article raises a number of important issues. While engaging in a thorough critique of the original article's methods, he also points to the (perhaps) inherent problems any quantitative approach may encounter in this area. The consequences of this are that if we wish to assess whether there are social determinants to participation, quantitative methods are limited. In the light of this, after addressing some mis-characterisations in his comment, this reply seeks to provide qualitative evidence that there may well be a link between welfare state institutions and outputs and participation.
Financialisation, Financial Literacy and Asset-Based Welfare
Authors: Finlayson Alan
Published: July 2009

This article examines New Labour's policies of asset-based welfare in the broader context of financialisation. It argues that these are indicative of a mode of government concerned to alter individual outlooks and aspirations, and that asset-based welfare, as developed by New Labour, is primarily a strategy for enhancing financial literacy. Exploring and identifying the general contours of New Labour's reform of welfare provision (particularly the rise of conditionality and personalisation), the article presents a case study of the Child Trust Fund, its development and marketing. The article closes with reflections on the fate of such policies after the sub-prime mortgage crisis.
‘We All Live in a Robbie Fowler House’: The Geographies of the Buy to Let Market in the UK
Authors: Leyshon Andrew , French Shaun
Published: July 2009

The buy to let market, produced through the re-regulation of the private rented market in the late 1980s and the promotion of a new mortgage product by the Association of Residential Letting Agents and private sector lenders in the 1990s, accounted for 12 per cent of all UK mortgage lending by 2007. Buy to let is popularly understood as a vehicle for speculative investment and as a means for securing long-term financial security through capital gains via property, and it represents an important aspect of financialisation, helping to call forth new investor subjectivities, which promulgate individualised forms of financial responsibility. Buy to let was also a profitable income stream for financial institutions in the UK which outperformed the mainstream mortgage market until problems in this market became apparent. This article reports on research carried out on the buy to let market and draws attention to the highly geographical nature of the market, which has distinctive regional and urban geographies. These geographies help to explain the differing fortunes of the buy to let market.
Causal Inference in Outcome-Dependent Two-Phase Sampling Designs
Authors: Wang Weiwei , Scharfstein Daniel , Tan Zhiqiang , MacKenzie Ellen J.
Published: July 2009

We consider estimation of the causal effect of a treatment on an outcome from observational data collected in two phases. In the first phase, a simple random sample of individuals is drawn from a population. On these individuals, information is obtained on treatment, outcome and a few low dimensional covariates. These individuals are then stratified according to these factors. In the second phase, a random subsample of individuals is drawn from each stratum, with known stratum-specific selection probabilities. On these individuals, a rich set of covariates is collected. In this setting, we introduce five estimators: simple inverse weighted; simple doubly robust; enriched inverse weighted; enriched doubly robust; locally efficient. We evaluate the finite sample performance of these estimators in a simulation study. We also use our methodology to estimate the causal effect of trauma care on in-hospital mortality by using data from the National Study of Cost and Outcomes of Trauma.
Detecting Changes in the Mean of Functional Observations
Authors: Berkes István , Gabrys Robertas , Horváth Lajos , Kokoszka Piotr
Published: July 2009

Principal component analysis has become a fundamental tool of functional data analysis. It represents the functional data as Xi(t) = μ(t)+Σ1≤l<∞ηi, l+ vl(t), where μ is the common mean, vl are the eigenfunctions of the covariance operator and the ηi, l are the scores. Inferential procedures assume that the mean function μ(t) is the same for all values of i. If, in fact, the observations do not come from one population, but rather their mean changes at some point(s), the results of principal component analysis are confounded by the change(s). It is therefore important to develop a methodology to test the assumption of a common functional mean. We develop such a test using quantities which can be readily computed in the R package fda. The null distribution of the test statistic is asymptotically pivotal with a well-known asymptotic distribution. The asymptotic test has excellent finite sample performance. Its application is illustrated on temperature data from England.
A Bayesian Discovery Procedure
Authors: Guindani Michele , Müller Peter , Zhang Song
Published: July 2009

We discuss a Bayesian discovery procedure for multiple-comparison problems. We show that, under a coherent decision theoretic framework, a loss function combining true positive and false positive counts leads to a decision rule that is based on a threshold of the posterior probability of the alternative. Under a semiparametric model for the data, we show that the Bayes rule can be approximated by the optimal discovery procedure, which was recently introduced by Storey. Improving the approximation leads us to a Bayesian discovery procedure, which exploits the multiple shrinkage in clusters that are implied by the assumed non-parametric model. We compare the Bayesian discovery procedure and the optimal discovery procedure estimates in a simple simulation study and in an assessment of differential gene expression based on microarray data from tumour samples. We extend the setting of the optimal discovery procedure by discussing modifications of the loss function that lead to different single-thresholding statistics. Finally, we provide an application of the previous arguments to dependent (spatial) data.
A Hierarchical Eigenmodel for Pooled Covariance Estimation
Authors: Hoff Peter D.
Published: July 2009

Although the covariance matrices corresponding to different populations are unlikely to be exactly equal they can still exhibit a high degree of similarity. For example, some pairs of variables may be positively correlated across most groups, whereas the correlation between other pairs may be consistently negative. In such cases much of the similarity across covariance matrices can be described by similarities in their principal axes, which are the axes that are defined by the eigenvectors of the covariance matrices. Estimating the degree of across-population eigenvector heterogeneity can be helpful for a variety of estimation tasks. For example, eigenvector matrices can be pooled to form a central set of principal axes and, to the extent that the axes are similar, covariance estimates for populations having small sample sizes can be stabilized by shrinking their principal axes towards the across-population centre. To this end, the paper develops a hierarchical model and estimation procedure for pooling principal axes across several populations. The model for the across-group heterogeneity is based on a matrix-valued antipodally symmetric Bingham distribution that can flexibly describe notions of ‘centre’ and ‘spread’ for a population of orthogonal matrices.
Identification of new genotypic cut‐off levels to predict the efficacy of lopinavir/ritonavir and darunavir/ritonavir in the TITAN trial
Authors: Hill A , Marcelin A‐G , Calvez V
Published: July 2009

Background
Genotypic algorithms used to predict the clinical efficacy of lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r) have included a range of mutation lists and efficacy endpoints. Normally, HIV clinical trials are powered to detect a difference between treatment arms of 10–12% for the endpoint of viral load suppression <50 HIV‐1 RNA copies/mL. The TITAN trial evaluated LPV/r vs. darunavir/ritonavir (DRV/r) in treatment‐experienced patients with viral load >1000 copies/mL. This analysis aimed to re‐evaluate resistance algorithms for LPV/r in the TITAN trial.

Methods
Baseline genotype data were classified using seven genotypic resistance algorithms: International AIDS Society USA (IAS‐USA) LPV mutations (current cut‐off=6), Abbott 2007 mutation list (cut‐off=3), ANRS mutations (cut‐off=4), FDA mutations (cut‐off=3), Stanford, REGA and IAS‐USA major protease inhibitor (PI) mutations. Efficacy in the TITAN trial (HIV‐1 RNA <50 copies/mL at week 48) was correlated with the number of mutations from each list, to show the ‘efficacy advantage cut‐off level’: the number of mutations from each list associated with a difference in efficacy between treatment arms of at least 12%.

Results
Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified lower genotypic cut‐off levels than previously reported where there was at least 12% lower efficacy for LPV/r vs. DRV/r. These efficacy advantage cut‐off levels were: IAS‐USA LPV mutations, cut‐off=3; Abbott 2007, cut‐off=2; ANRS LPV, cut‐off=3; FDA LPV mutations, cut‐off=2; major IAS‐USA PI mutations, cut‐off=1; Stanford algorithm, cut‐off=low‐level LPV resistance; REGA algorithm, cut‐off=intermediate‐level LPV resistance. There were linear falls in HIV‐1 RNA suppression rates with rising mutation counts in the TITAN, French LPV ATU, BMS‐045 and RESIST trials.

Conclusions
The analysis identified more sensitive cut‐off levels for LPV genotypic algorithms, below those currently used.
The Usefulness of the DBC‐ASA as a Screening Instrument for Autism in Children with Intellectual Disabilities: A Pilot Study
Authors: Deb Shoumitro , Dhaliwal Akal‐Joat , Roy Meera
Published: July 2009

Aims  To explore the validity of Developmental Behaviour Checklist‐Autism Screening Algorithm (DBC‐ASA) as a screening instrument for autism among children with intellectual disabilities.

Method  Data were collected from the case notes of 109 children with intellectual disabilities attending a specialist clinic in the UK.

Results  The mean score of the DBC‐ASA was significantly higher (t = 6.1; P < 0.001) among children with autism compared with those without. The DBC‐ASA score of 20 yielded a sensitivity of 0.9 and specificity of 0.6, and a score of 18 yielded a sensitivity of 0.92 and specificity of 0.5. The receiver–operating characteristic for the DBC‐ASA score of 20 yielded a large area under the curve (AUC) (0.864) for children with intellectual disabilities when compared against the International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision, Research Diagnostic Criteria (ICD10 DRC) diagnosis of autism.

Conclusions  The DBC‐ASA score may be able to discriminate between children with intellectual disabilities with and without autism.
Interoceptive awareness declines with age
Authors: Khalsa Sahib S. , Rudrauf David , Tranel Daniel
Published: July 2009

Aging has been shown to increase sensory thresholds for a variety of exteroceptive and proprioceptive stimuli. However, the influence of aging on interoceptive awareness has received relatively little empirical attention. Here we report an inverse association between aging and interoception, as indexed by the ability to sense the heartbeat at rest. In a group of 59 participants ranging in age from 22 to 63 years, age inversely predicted heartbeat detection ability, both within and across several measurement sessions. On average, age accounted for 30% of the variance in heartbeat detection accuracy. Other attribute variables including body mass index and sex were not related to heartbeat detection ability. These findings provide clear empirical evidence that interoception, much like exteroception and proprioception, declines with age.
A NEW METHOD FOR THE DETERMINATION OF THE PROVENANCE OF WHITE MARBLES BY CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF INCLUSION FLUIDS: THE MARBLES OF THE MAUSOLEUM OF BELEVI/TURKEY*
Authors: PROCHASKA W. , GRILLO S. M.
Published: July 2009

A new method is presented in this paper to pinpoint the origin of white marbles using the chemical analysis of fluids occurring as micro‐inclusions in calcitic or dolomitic marbles. Beside the conventional methods usually applied for this purpose, the analyses of significant anions and cations in fluids extracted from white marbles were used to characterize different types of marbles. Using this new approach it is possible to distinguish different groups of marbles which cannot be separated isotopically. A case study was performed on the mausoleum of Belevi, close to Ephesus in Turkey, and the quarries in the area of the mausoleum. The marbles used for the architecture of the mausoleum cannot be distinguished isotopically but were split into two groups when using fluid inclusion analysis. The corresponding quarry for the high‐quality marble (cella walls, columns etc.) turned out to be the Kentli Çiftli?i quarry, which also supplied the marbles for the classical Artemision. According to the chemical and fluid data it can be shown, however, that neither the adjacent famous antique quarry of Belevi nor the underground mine of Kusini, some 5 km away from the mausoleum, are the sources for the marbles used for the construction or decoration of the mausoleum.
The value of microsurgery in liver research
Authors: Aller Maria‐Angeles , Mendez Marta , Nava Maria‐Paz , Lopez Laudino , Arias Jorge‐Luis , Arias Jaime
Published: July 2009

The use of an operating microscope in rat liver surgery makes it possible to obtain new experimental models and improve the already existing macrosurgical models. Thus, microsurgery could be a very valuable technique to improve experimental models of hepatic insufficiency. In the current review, we present the microsurgical techniques most frequently used in the rat, such as the portacaval shunt, the extrahepatic biliary tract resection, partial and total hepatectomies and heterotopic and orthotopic liver transplantation. Hence, reducing surgical complications allows for perfecting the resulting experimental models. Thus, liver atrophy related to portacaval shunt, prehepatic portal hypertension secondary to partial portal vein ligation, cholestasis by resection of the extrahepatic biliary tract, hepatic regeneration after partial hepatectomies, acute liver failure associated with subtotal or total hepatectomy and finally complications derived from preservation or rejection in orthotopic and heterotopic liver transplantation can be studied in more standardized experimental models. The results obtained are therefore more reliable and facilitates the flow of knowledge from the bench to the bedside. Some of these microsurgical techniques, because of their simplicity, can be performed by researchers without any prior surgical training. Other more complex microsurgical techniques require in‐depth surgical training. These techniques are ideal for achieving a complete surgical training and more select microsurgical models for hepatology research.
Pathogenesis and symptomatology of hallucinations (delusions) of organic brain disorder and schizophrenia
Authors: HORIGUCHI Jun , MIYAOKA Tsuyoshi , SHINNO Hideto
Published: July 2009

In this review article, in order to explore the mechanisms underlying the hallucinations/delusions of schizophrenia, we discuss the contribution of the following four questions: (i) can an understanding of dreams contribute to our understanding of the genesis of halluciations and/or delusions; (ii) are the mechanisms underlying psychotropic drug‐induced psychoses the same as those underlying the hallucinations and/or delusions in schizophrenia; (iii) does disturbed consciousness contribute to the manifestation of psychotic features; and (iv) are the psychoses caused by organic brain disorders any different to the hallucinations and/or delusions seen in schizophrenia? We conclude that there is a strong association between drug‐induced hallucinations or hallucinations associated with organic brain disorders and simple hallucinosis or fluctuations in arousal level. Because intermediate configurations and/or cross‐staining phenomena exist for hallucinations and delusions, especially in schizophrenic disorders, it is difficult to isolate the hallucinations and to recognize them as being abnormal experiences.
Neuropsychological profile of dementia with Lewy bodies
Authors: ODA Haruhiko , YAMAMOTO Yasuji , MAEDA Kiyoshi
Published: July 2009

Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) accounts for 10–25% of all dementia cases in clinical populations and is considered to be the second most common degenerative dementia in elderly people after Alzheimer's disease (AD). Dementia with Lewy bodies is characterized by the presence of cognitive, psychiatric, and motor symptoms. Although the neuropsychological profiles of patients with DLB often differ from those of patients with AD, the diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of these profiles remain largely unknown. The present paper reviews the neuropsychological profiling of DLB and attempts the neuropsychological differentiation of DLB from AD.
Frontotemporal lobar degeneration and dementia with Lewy bodies: Clinicopathological issues associated with antemortem diagnosis
Authors: YOKOTA Osamu
Published: July 2009

Currently, the clinical diagnostic criteria of frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) are well known to neurologists and psychiatrists. However, the accuracy of the clinical diagnosis of these diseases in autopsy series is not always adequate. For example, FTLD is a syndrome rather than a clinicopathological disease entity that is comprised of various pathological substrates, including Pick's disease, FTLD with microtubule‐associated protein tau gene mutation, FTLD with tau‐negative ubiquitin‐positive inclusions (FTLD‐U), FTLD‐U with progranulin gene mutation, corticobasal degeneration, basophilic inclusion body disease, and neuronal intermediate filament inclusion disease. Whether these underlying pathologies can be identified clinically is one of the greatest interests in neuropathological research. The pathophysiological relationship between Lewy pathology and Alzheimer pathology in DLB is explored with interest because it may be associated with the accuracy of clinical diagnoses. For example, although Lewy pathology may progress from the brain stem nuclei to the cerebral cortex in Parkinson's disease, recent studies have demonstrated that the progression pattern in DLB is not always identical to that in Parkinson's disease. It is also considered that the progression pattern of Lewy pathology correlates with the evolution of clinical symptoms and that the progression pattern of Lewy pathology may be altered when Alzheimer pathology coexists. In the present paper, the clinicopathological features of two demented cases are presented, and some pathological issues associated with the clinical diagnosis of FTLD and DLB are discussed.
Novel therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative disease
Authors: TANIMUKAI Hitoshi , KUDO Takashi , TANAKA Toshihisa , GRUNDKE‐IQBAL Inge , IQBAL Khalid , TAKEDA Masatoshi
Published: July 2009

The activity of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is compromised and believed to be the cause of the abnormal hyperphosphorylation of tau in Alzheimer's disease (AD) brain. Activity of PP2A is regulated by two endogeneous inhibitor proteins, called as I1PP2A and I2PP2A. Previously, we reported that: (i) I1PP2A and I2PP2A are upregulated with cleavage of I2PP2A holoprotein and translocation of its amino terminal fragment from the nucleus to the cytoplasm in neuronal cells in AD brains; and (ii) translocated I2PP2A colocalized not only with the PP2A catalytic subunit, but also with phosphorylated tau in neuronal cytoplasm. Furthermore, according to preliminary data, the cleavage site of I2PP2A is located between amino acids 175 and 176 of the I2PP2A sequence. Because the sequence from amino acids 168 to 181 on I2PP2A presumably functions as a nuclear localization signal (NLS), inhibition of break down of the NLS in I2PP2A is expected to be a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.