bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High Aldehyde Dehydrogenase Activity: A Novel Functional Marker of Murine Prostate Stem/Progenitor Cells
Authors: Burger Patricia E. , Gupta Rashmi , Xiong Xiaozhong , Ontiveros Christopher S. , Salm Sarah N. , Moscatelli David , Wilson E. Lynette 
Published: May 2009

AbstractWe have shown previously that prostatic stem/progenitor cells can be purified from isolated prostate ducts, based on their high expression of the Sca-1 surface antigen. We now report that high levels of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity are present in a subset of prostate epithelial cells that coexpress a number of antigens found on stem/progenitor cells of other origins (CD9, Bcl-2, CD200, CD24, prominin, Oct 3/4, ABCG2, and nestin). Almost all of these cells expressing high levels of ALDH activity also express Sca-1 and a third of them express high levels of this antigen. The cells with high levels of ALDH activity have greater in vitro proliferative potential than cells with low ALDH activity. Importantly, in an in vivo prostate reconstitution assay, the cells expressing high levels of ALDH activity were much more effective in generating prostatic tissue than a population of cells with low enzymatic activity. Thus, a high level of ALDH activity can be considered a functional marker of prostate stem/progenitor cells and allows for simple, efficient isolation of cells with primitive features. The elucidation of the role of ALDH in prostate stem/progenitor cells may lead to the development of rational therapies for treating prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia.Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Visual evoked potentials in succinate semialdehyde dehydrogenase (SSADH) deficiency
Authors: Di Rosa G. , Malaspina P. , Blasi P. , Dionisi‐Vici C. , Rizzo C. , Tortorella G. , Crutchfield S. R. , Gibson K. M. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryIn mammals, increased GABA in the central nervous system has been associated with abnormalities of visual evoked potentials (VEPs), predominantly manifested as increased latency of the major positive component P100. Accordingly, we hypothesized that patients with a defect in GABA metabolism, succinate semialdehyde dehydrogenase (SSADH) deficiency (in whom supraphysiological levels of GABA accumulate), would manifest VEP anomalies. We evaluated VEPs on two patients with confirmed SSADH deficiency. Whereas the P100 latencies and amplitudes for binocular VEP analyses were within normal ranges for both patients, the P100 latencies were markedly delayed for left eye (OS) (and right eye (OD), patient 1) and monocular OS (patient 2): 134–147 ms; normal <118 ms. We hypothesize that elevated GABA in ocular tissue of SSADH patients leads to a use‐dependent downregulation of the major GABAergic receptor in eye, GABAC, and that the VEP recordings’ abnormalities, as evidenced by P100 latency and/or amplitude measurements, may be reflective of abnormalities within visual systems. This is a preliminary finding that may suggest the utility of performing VEP analysis in a larger sample of SSADH‐deficient patients, and encourage a neurophysiological assessment of GABAC receptor function in Aldh5a1−/− mice to reveal new pathophysiological mechanisms of this rare disorder of GABA degradation.
Electrostatically Shielded Quantum Confined Stark Effect Inside Polar Nanostructures
Authors: Riyopoulos Spilios 
Published: May 2009

Abstract
The effect of electrostatic shielding of the polarization fields in nanostructures at high carrier densities is studied. A simplified analytical model, employing screened, exponentially decaying polarization potentials, localized at the edges of a QW, is introduced for the ES-shielded quantum confined Stark effect (QCSE). Wave function trapping within the Debye-length edge-potential causes blue shifting of energy levels and gradual elimination of the QCSE red-shifting with increasing carrier density. The increase in the e−h wave function overlap and the decrease of the radiative emission time are, however, delayed until the “edge-localization” energy exceeds the peak-voltage of the charged layer. Then the wave function center shifts to the middle of the QW, and behavior becomes similar to that of an unbiased square QW. Our theoretical estimates of the radiative emission time show a complete elimination of the QCSE at doping densities ≥1020 cm−3, in quantitative agreement with experimental measurements.
Effects of amino acid neurotransmitters on spontaneous muscular activity of the rumen amphistome, Gastrothylax crumenifer
Authors: Verma P.K. , Kumar D. , Tandan S.K. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractAmino acid neurotransmitters play an important role in regulating neuromuscular activity of helminth parasites. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of different amino acid neurotransmitters [l-glutamate, glycine, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)] on spontaneous muscular activity of isometrically mounted Gastrothylax crumenifer. l-Glutamate caused a significant increase in the amplitude and frequency of spontaneous contractions of rumen fluke at 10− 7–10− 4 m and at 10− 5–10− 4 m concentrations, respectively. Glycine application (10− 7–10− 3 m) produced a significant decrease in the amplitude and frequency of spontaneous muscular contractions in a concentration-dependent manner, as compared to control amplitude (0.53 ± 0.02 g) and frequency (51 ± 4.65/5 min). Similarly, GABA produced a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in amplitude, baseline tension and frequency of spontaneous muscular contractions of G. crumenifer. To further substantiate the GABA effect, GABAA receptor antagonists, picrotoxin and bicuculline were applied. Picrotoxin (10− 5–10− 3 m) caused a significant (P < 0.05) increase in amplitude, baseline tension and frequency of the rumen fluke as compared to control; whereas bicuculline did not elicit any observable effect in these attributes in isometrically mounted rumen flukes. These observations suggested that l-glutamate has an excitatory, whereas GABA and glycine have an inhibitory, effect on the spontaneous muscular activity of G. crumenifer.
Neuroendocrine response to violence during pregnancy – impact on duration of pregnancy and fetal growth
Authors: VALLADARES ELIETTE , PEÑA RODOLFO , ELLSBERG MARY , PERSSON LARS ÅKE , HÖGBERG ULF 
Published: May 2009

AbstractObjective. To study the neuroendocrine release of cortisol in response to perceived stress among pregnant women exposed to partner violence and how this affects the duration of pregnancy and the intrauterine growth of the infant. Design. Cross‐sectional community‐based study. Setting. Health and Demographic Surveillance System of León, Nicaragua. Population. One‐hundred and forty‐seven pregnant women. Methods. Standardized scales to measure intimate partner violence, social resources, perceived stress, and socio‐economic conditions were applied. Two salivary samples for cortisol were collected in the morning and afternoon on the same day. Linear regression and path analysis were used. Main outcome measures. Cortisol levels, gestational age, and weight at delivery. Results. Partner violence during the pregnancy, low social resources, and perceived maternal stress were associated with high level of salivary cortisol. Pregnant women with high cortisol levels were significantly more likely to give birth to small‐for‐gestational age babies, but not to deliver preterm. A substantial decrease of birthweight, 121–186 g, was associated with an increase in cortisol in association with violence exposure. Conclusion. Partner violence during pregnancy is a stressor that provokes high levels of cortisol, which is associated with reduction of birthweight.
The Potential of Agent-Based Modelling for Performing Economic Analysis of Adaptive Natural Resource Management
Authors: Loomis John , Bond Craig , Harpman David 
Published: May 2009

Abstract
This paper explores how individual agent-based modelling can be used by economists and others to evaluate the economic aspects of adaptive management of natural resources. To date, economists have had few tools to perform economic analysis on adaptive natural resource management strategies and there has been limited economic analysis of adaptive management. Part of the reason for this situation may be the inherent nature of adaptive management which involves a series of ‘if-then’ in situ experiments in which expected outputs are not known with certainty, and future management actions depend on the outcome of the experiments. Individual agent-based modelling allows simulation of system wide emergent ecosystem properties that can reflect adaptation of individual agents with bounded rationality to their environment and to the interaction with other agents. These simulations can be used to mimic adaptive management experiments when insufficient information is available for more structured equation-based simulation models. The distribution of simulated outputs from individual agent-based models along with costs of the management actions may give economists the ability to better apply economic analysis to evaluate alternative adaptive management strategies.
Structural Conservation Practices in US Wheat Production: A Cost-Function Technology Adoption Approach
Authors: Schaible Glenn D. , Lambert Dayton M. , Kim C. S. , Stefanova Stella 
Published: May 2009

Abstract
Based on 2004 CEAP-ARMS Phase II data, higher-sales farms not participating in a conservation programme adopted farmland conservation structures much more intensively on wheat fields than did any other farm-size type among conservation programme participants or non-participants. Survey results suggest that wheat farms not participating in a conservation programme more frequently adopted infield conservation structures, while conservation programme participants more often installed field perimeter conservation structures. Wheat producers, particularly those not participating in a conservation programme, recognize productivity and profitability benefits of infield structures as sufficient to promote their adoption without programme incentives. However, for field perimeter structures, programme incentives may be needed to encourage their adoption because benefits are more commonly off-site. To supplement univariate comparisons between conservation programme participants and non-participants, we used a cost-function based acreage allocation model to examine adoption of structural conservation practices, including such practices as strip cropping, terraces, grassed waterways, field borders, and stream-side herbaceous buffers. To accurately assess the potential environmental impacts of conservation programmes, it is important to account for the variability in on-site field, farm, and environmental conditions influencing producer adoption decisions. Econometric models suggest that not accounting for factors such as field, farm, operator, and environmental attributes will likely under- or overestimate adoption of conservation structures with respect to input and commodity prices, regardless of programme participation status.
Estimating the Willingness to Pay for the Benefit of AES Using the Contingent Valuation Method
Authors: Haile Daniel T. , Slangen Louis 
Published: May 2009

Abstract
This paper presents results of a contingent valuation study based on responses from household members living in Winterswijk, The Netherlands. The respondents are asked to report their preferences on a range of willingness to pay (WTP) for agri-environmental schemes (AES) provided by farmers. Estimated WTP based on both two-step Heckman selection and Tobit model is reported. Results indicate that the willingness to pay appears to depend positively on the level of trust and membership status of household members towards environmental organizations.
The effect of genetic and environmental variation on metabolic gene expression
Authors: SCOTT CINDA P. , WILLIAMS DEAN A. , CRAWFORD DOUGLAS L. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractWhat is the relationship between genetic or environmental variation and the variation in messenger RNA (mRNA) expression? To address this, microarrays were used to examine the effect of genetic and environmental variation on cardiac mRNA expression for metabolic genes in three groups of Fundulus heteroclitus: (i) individuals sampled in the field (field), (ii) field individuals acclimated for 6 months to laboratory conditions (acclimated), or (iii) individuals bred for 10 successive generations in a laboratory environment (G10). The G10 individuals have significantly less genetic variation than individuals obtained in the field and had a significantly lower variation in mRNA expression across all genes in comparison to the other two groups (P = 0.001). When examining the gene specific variation, 22 genes had variation in expression that was significantly different among groups with lower variation in G10 individuals than in acclimated individuals. Additionally, there were fewer genes with significant differences in expression among G10 individuals vs. either acclimated or field individuals: 66 genes have statistically different levels of expression vs. 107 or 97 for acclimated or field groups. Based on the permutation of the data, these differences in the number of genes with significant differences among individuals within a group are unlikely to occur by chance (P < 0.01). Surprisingly, variation in mRNA expression in field individuals is lower than in acclimated individuals. Relative to the variation among individual within a group, few genes have significant differences in expression among groups (seven, 2.3%) and none of these are different between acclimated and field individuals. The results support the concept that genetic variation affects variation in mRNA expression and also suggests that temporal environmental variation associated with estuarine environments does not increase the variation among individuals or add to the differences among groups.
Reduced genetic diversity, increased isolation and multiple introductions of invasive giant hogweed in the western Swiss Alps
Authors: HENRY P. , LE LAY G. , GOUDET J. , GUISAN A. , JAHODOVÁ Š. , BESNARD G. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThe giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) has successfully invaded 19 European countries as well as parts of North America. It has become a problematic species due to its ability to displace native flora and to cause public health hazards. Applying population genetics to species invasion can help reconstruct invasion history and may promote more efficient management practice. We thus analysed levels of genetic variation and population genetic structure ofH. mantegazzianumin an invaded area of the western Swiss Alps as well as in its native range (the Caucasus), using eight nuclear microsatellite loci together with plastid DNA markers and sequences. On both nuclear and plastid genomes, native populations exhibited significantly higher levels of genetic diversity compared to invasive populations, confirming an important founder event during the invasion process. Invasive populations were also significantly more differentiated than native populations. Bayesian clustering analysis identified five clusters in the native range that corresponded to geographically and ecologically separated groups. In the invaded range, 10 clusters occurred. Unlike native populations, invasive clusters were characterized by a mosaic pattern in the landscape, possibly caused by anthropogenic dispersal of the species via roads and direct collection for ornamental purposes. Lastly, our analyses revealed four main divergent groups in the western Swiss Alps, likely as a consequence of multiple independent establishments ofH. mantegazzianum.
Microsatellite markers reveal shallow genetic differentiation between cohorts of the common sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus (Lamarck) in northwest Mediterranean
Authors: CALDERÓN I. , PALACÍN C. , TURON X. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractTemporal variability was studied in the common sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus through the analysis of the genetic composition of three yearly cohorts sampled over two consecutive springs in a locality in northwestern Mediterranean. Individuals were aged using growth ring patterns observed in tests and samples were genotyped for five microsatellite loci. No reduction of genetic diversity was observed relative to a sample of the adult population from the same location or within cohorts across years. FST and amova results indicated that the differentiation between cohorts is rather shallow and not significant, as most variability is found within cohorts and within individuals. This mild differentiation translated into estimates of effective population size of 90–100 individuals. When the observed excess of homozygotes was taken into account, the estimate of the average number of breeders increased to c. 300 individuals. Given our restricted sampling area and the known small‐scale heterogeneity in recruitment in this species, our results suggest that at stretches of a few kilometres of shoreline, large numbers of progenitors are likely to contribute to the larval pool at each reproduction event. Intercohort variation in our samples is six times smaller than spatial variation between adults of four localities in the western Mediterranean. Our results indicate that, notwithstanding the stochastic events that take place during the long planktonic phase and during the settlement and recruitment processes, reproductive success in this species is high enough to produce cohorts genetically diverse and with little differentiation between them. Further research is needed before the link between genetic structure and underlying physical and biological processes can be well established.
Pre‐operative and Operative Difficulties During Bovine Caesarean Section in Belgium and Associated Risk Factors
Authors: Kolkman I , Opsomer G , Lips D , Lindenbergh B , De Kruif A , De Vliegher S 
Published: May 2009

ContentsThe aim of this study was to describe the difficulties encountered during caesarean section (CS) in practice on mainly Belgian Blue (BB) cows and to identify the associated risk factors. Data were collected using a questionnaire completed by veterinarians of the Ambulatory Clinic of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University (Belgium), immediately after performing a CS. Results revealed that the BB breed had fewer severe pre‐operative problems than animals of other breeds, most probably due to the fact that CSs in this breed are performed in a very early stage of parturition. Mild as well as severe difficulties were more likely to happen during surgery in cows that had undergone a CS before. Cows at their second or third surgery had a significantly higher proportion of larger calves and more skin scar tissue was present, both increasing the risk of abdominal wall muscular and uterine haemorrhage. These factors can all lead to problems with exteriorization and suturing of the uterus; hence special attention is needed when performing a CS on a cow which has experienced the procedure before. The more experienced veterinarians were less likely to report difficulties during the operation than less experienced surgeons.
Quantity versus quality: A new approach to examine the relationship between technology use and student outcomes
Authors: Lei Jing 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThe author argues that to examine the relationship between technology use and student outcomes, the quality of technology use—how, and what, technology is used—is a more significant factor than the quantity of technology use—how much technology is used. This argument was exemplified by an empirical study that used both angles to examine the association between technology use and student outcomes. When only the quantity of technology use was examined, no significant association was observed. However, when the quality of technology was examined by investigating the specific types of technology uses, a significant association was identified between technology use and all student outcomes. Furthermore, different types of technology use showed different influences on specific student outcomes. General technology uses were positively associated with student technology proficiency, while subject‐specific technology uses were negatively associated with student technology proficiency. Social‐communication technology uses were significantly positively associated with developmental outcomes such as self‐esteem and positive attitude towards school. Entertainment/exploration technology use showed significant positive association with student learning habits. None of these technology uses had significant influence on student academic outcome. Specific suggestions for integrating technology into schools and future research were provided.
Systemic working in learning disability services: a UK wide survey
Authors: Kaur Gurpreet , Scior Katrina , Wilson Suzanne 
Published: May 2009

Accessible summary

Systemic therapy focuses not just on the individual, but the family or a group of people who are important in someone’s life. We call this group of people ‘a system’. The system may include family, friends or care providers who support the person.
Systems theory, the big idea behind this approach, starts from the idea that something that happens to one member of ‘the system’ affects everyone else.
Systemic therapists try to help the system find ways forward at times of difficulty or when complex issues or decisions present themselves.
Systemic therapy is increasingly being offered as part of learning disability services in the NHS.
There is a need to find out what systemic therapy is being offered and how helpful it is.

SummarySystemic therapy works not just with the individual but those around them in trying to address difficulties and find ways forward. This approach has received increasing attention in learning disability settings over recent years. To date little is known about the provision of systemic therapy in learning disability services in the UK. This article provides an overview of systemic therapy and reports findings from a UK wide survey of NHS learning disability services. A questionnaire was designed for the purposes of this study and distributed through a number of routes to attempt to reach all learning disability practitioners interested in systemic work. Two key recruitment routes were through electronic member lists of professional associations. Because of their data protection policies it was not possible to calculate response rates. In total 14 services took part, providing information regarding 55 clinicians who use this approach in learning disability services. A range of formats and therapeutic models under the umbrella of systemic therapy were in evidence. Training levels varied widely as did the use of technical resources. The findings are discussed and the need for more evaluation of systemic work in learning disability settings is emphasised.