bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Small CGG repeat expansion alleles of FMR1 gene are associated with parkinsonism
Authors: Loesch DZ , Khaniani MS , Slater HR , Rubio JP , Bui QM , Kotschet K , D’Souza W , Venn A , Kalitsis P , Choo AKH , Burgess T , Johnson L , Evans A , Horne M 
Published: October 2009

Fragile X‐associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) affects older males carrying premutation, that is, expansions of the CGG repeat (in the 55–200 range), in the FMR1 gene. The neurological changes are linked to the excessive FMR1 messenger RNA (mRNA), becoming toxic through a ‘gain‐of‐function’. Because elevated levels of this mRNA are also found in carriers of the smaller expansion (grey zone) alleles, ranging from 40 to 54 CGGs, we tested for a possible role of these alleles in the origin of movement disorders associated with tremor.We screened 228 Australian males affected with idiopathic Parkinson's disease and other causes of parkinsonism recruited from Victoria and Tasmania for premutation and grey zone alleles. The frequencies of either of these alleles were compared with the frequencies in a population‐based sample of 578 Guthrie spots from consecutive Tasmanian male newborns (controls). There was a significant excess of premutation carriers (Fisher's exact test p = 0.006). There was also a more than twofold increase in grey zone carriers in the combined sample of the Victorian and Tasmanian cases, with odds ratio (OR ) = 2.36, and 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.20–4.63, as well as in Tasmanian cases only (OR = 2.33, 95% CI: 1.06–5.13), compared with controls. The results suggest that the FMR1 grey zone alleles, as well as premutation alleles, might contribute to the aetiology of disorders associated with parkinsonism.
Predicting potential distribution of chestnut phylloxerid (Hemiptera: Phylloxeridae) based on GARP and Maxent ecological niche models
Authors: Wang X. Y. , Huang X. L. , Jiang L. Y. , Qiao G. X. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe chestnut phylloxerid, Moritziella castaneivora, has been recently recorded as a forest pest in China. It heavily damaged chestnut trees and has caused serious economic losses in some main chestnut production areas. In order to effectively monitor and manage this pest, it is necessary to investigate its potential geographical distribution worldwide. In this study, we used two ecological niche models, Genetic Algorithm for Rule‐set Production (GARP) and Maximum Entropy (Maxent), along with the geographical distribution of the host plants, Japanese chestnut (Castanea crenata) and Chinese chestnut (Castanea mollissima), to predict the potential geographical distribution of M. castaneivora. The results suggested that the suitable distribution areas based on GARP were general consistent with those based on Maxent, but GARP predicted distribution areas that extended more in size than did Maxent. The results also indicated that the suitable areas for chestnut phylloxerid infestations were mainly restricted to Northeast China (northern Liaoning), East China (southern Shandong, northern Jiangsu and western Anhui), North China (southern Hebei, Beijing and Tianjin), Central China (eastern Hubei and southern Henan), Japan (Kinki, Shikoku and Tohoku) and most parts of the Korean Peninsula. In addition, some provinces of central and western China were predicted to have low suitability or unsuitable areas (e.g. Xinjiang, Qinghai and Tibet). A jackknife test in Maxent showed that the average precipitation in July was the most important environmental variable affecting the distribution of this pest species. Consequently, the study suggests several reasonable regulations and management strategies for avoiding the introduction or invasion of this high‐risk chestnut pest to these potentially suitable areas.
The Adverse Effect of Phytoestrogens on the Synthesis and Secretion of Ovarian Oxytocin in Cattle
Authors: Mlynarczuk J , Wrobel MH , Kotwica J 
Published: October 2009

ContentsThe current investigations were undertaken to study the mechanism of the adverse effect of phytoestrogens on the function of bovine granulosa (follicles >1< cm in diameter) and luteal cells from day 1–5, 6–10, 11–15, 16–19 of the oestrous cycle. The cells were incubated with genistein, daidzein or coumestrol (each at the dose of 1 × 10−6 m). The viability and secretion of estradiol (E2), progesterone (P4) and oxytocin (OT) were measured after 72 h of incubation. Moreover, the expression of mRNA for neurophysin‐I/OT (NP‐I/OT; precursor of OT) and peptidyl‐glycine‐α‐amidating monooxygenase (PGA, an enzyme responsible for post‐translational OT synthesis) was determined after 8 h of treatment. None of the phytoestrogens used affected the viability of cells except for coumestrol. The increased secretion of E2 and P4 was only obtained by coumestrol (p < 0.05) from granulosa cells from follicles <1 cm in diameter and decreased from luteal cells on days 11–15 of the oestrous cycle, respectively. All three phytoestrogens stimulated (p < 0.05) OT secretion from granulosa and luteal cells in all stages of the oestrous cycle and the expression of NP‐I/OT mRNA in the both types of cells. The expression of mRNA for PGA was stimulated (p < 0.05) by daidzein and coumestrol in granulosa cells, and by genistein and coumestrol in luteal cells. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that these phytoestrogens can impair the ovary function in cattle by adversely affecting the synthesis of OT in follicles and in corpus luteum. However, their influence on the ovarian steroids secretion was less evident.
Laparoscopic upper gut surgery
Authors: Gotley David C 
Published: October 2009

AbstractAustralian surgeons have been prominent in the introduction, development, and consolidation of laparoscopic surgery of the upper gut. In doing this, some of the very best principles of surgical innovation have been in evidence: preliminary animal work in which to test hypotheses and techniques, followed by careful application and documentation in the clinical setting, randomized clinical trials and finally academic reporting and ongoing development. This review documents the introduction of laparoscopic surgery for gastroesophageal reflux, hiatus hernia, achalasia, gastroesophageal malignancy, obesity, and a range of emergency conditions in Australia. Those involved are regarded as world leaders in their field. A vital component of this success has been the close cooperation between surgeons and gastroenterologists within the Gastroenterological Society of Australia.
Discovery of rotavirus: Implications for Child health
Authors: Bishop Ruth 
Published: October 2009

AbstractFor centuries, acute diarrhea has been a major worldwide cause of death in young children, and until 1973, no infectious agents could be identified in about 80% of patients admitted to hospital with severe dehydrating diarrhea. In 1973 Ruth Bishop, Geoffrey Davidson, Ian Holmes, and Brian Ruck identified abundant particles of a ‘new’ virus (rotavirus) in the cytoplasm of mature epithelial cells lining duodenal villi and in feces, from such children admitted to the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne. Rotaviruses have now been shown to cause 40–50% of severe acute diarrhea in young children worldwide in both developing and developed countries, and > 600 000 young children die annually from rotavirus disease, predominantly in South‐East Asia and sub‐Saharan Africa. Longitudinal surveillance studies following primary infection in young children have shown that rotavirus reinfections are common. However the immune response that develops after primary infection is protective against severe symptoms on reinfection. This observation became the basis for development of live oral rotavirus vaccines. Two safe and effective vaccines are now licensed in 100 countries and in use in 17 countries (including Australia). Rotarix (GSK) is a single attenuated human rotavirus, representative of the most common serotype identified worldwide (G1P[8]). RotaTeq (Merck) is a pentavalent mixture of naturally attenuated bovine/human rotavirus reassortants representing G1, G2, G3, G4, and P(8) serotypes. Preliminary surveillance of the numbers of children requiring hospitalization for severe diarrhea, in USA, Brazil, and Australia, after introduction of these vaccines, encourages the hope that rotavirus infection need no longer be a threat to young children worldwide.
Liver transplantation: Issues for the next 20 years
Authors: Perera M Thamara PR , Mirza Darius F , Elias Elwyn 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe growing numbers of potential transplant recipients on waiting lists is increasingly disproportionate to the supply of cadaveric donor organs. The hope for the next 20 years is that supply will satisfy demand. This requires both a reduction in indications for the procedure and an increase in the transplants performed. A multi‐pronged approach is needed to increase cadaveric organ donation, generating enthusiasm for donation among both the general public and hospital staff. Accurate assessment of marginal grafts with stringent criteria known to predict graft function will diminish wastage of organs. Methods of rehabilitating marginal grafts during extracorporeal perfusion will increase organ availability. Supply of non‐heart beating donors can be greatly expanded and protocols developed with ethical consent to optimize their initial function despite warm ischemia. Splitting livers that fulfill selection criteria, thus providing for two recipients, should be universally applied with acceptable incentives to those units who do not directly benefit. A proportion of recipients, though not those transplanted for autoimmune disease, will be spared the side‐effects of immunosuppression thanks to immune tolerance. Protocols for close monitoring of those patients for rejection during treatment withdrawal must be carefully observed. In addition to gene therapy, it is highly likely that hepatocyte transplantation will replace orthotopic grafting in patients without cirrhosis, especially for inherited metabolic diseases. It is much more difficult to envisage that heterologous stem cell transplantation or xenotransplantation will have clinical impact in the next 20 years, although research in those areas has obvious long‐term potential.
Obstacles to the establishment of liver transplantation in Australia
Authors: Strong Russell W 
Published: October 2009

AbstractA quarter of a century ago the commencement of liver transplantation in Australia was controversial and surrounded by medical and political intrigue. The medical opposition to its establishment was led by the Medical Journal of Australia with scathing condemnation, especially with regard to the transplantation of children. Interstate political rivalry, most prominently between the Queensland and Victorian and Federal Governments was at the forefront and was a fertile field for media attention. Despite all the obstacles, liver transplantation came to fruition and the results achieved have more than justified its introduction and continued performance. In addition, contributions from Australia have had a significant impact around the world.
The nature of tobacco resistance against Botrytis cinerea depends on the infection structures of the pathogen
Authors: El Oirdi Mohamed , Trapani Adeline , Bouarab Kamal 
Published: October 2009

SummaryTo protect themselves, plants have evolved an armoury of defences in response to pathogens and other stress situations. These include the production of pathogenesis‐related (PR) proteins and the accumulation of antimicrobial molecules such as phytoalexins. Here we report that resistance of tobacco to Botrytis cinerea is cultivar specific. Nicotiana tabacum cv. Petit Havana but not N. tabacum cv. Xanthi or cv. samsun is resistant to B. cinerea. This resistance is correlated with the accumulation of the phytoalexin scopoletin and PR proteins. We also show that this resistance depends on the type of B. cinerea stage. Nicotiana tabacum cv. Petit Havana is more resistant to spores than to mycelium of B. cinerea. This reduced resistance of N. tabacum cv. Petit Havana to the mycelium compared with spores is correlated with the suppression of PR proteins accumulation and the capacity of the mycelium, not the spores, to metabolize scopoletin. These data present an important advance in understanding the strategies used by B. cinerea to establish its disease on tobacco plants.
Seasonal population dynamics and trophic role of planktonic nanoflagellates in coastal surface waters of the Southern Baltic Sea
Authors: Piwosz Kasia , Pernthaler Jakob 
Published: October 2009

SummaryWe investigated the temporal dynamics and trophic role of different nanoflagellates in surface waters of the Gulf of Gdańsk (Baltic Sea) between April and October 2007. Two 18S rRNA gene clone libraries were constructed from samples collected in spring and summer, and weekly changes in the abundances of five phylogenetic groups were studied by fluorescence in situ hybridization with newly designed probes. Stramenopiles affiliated with MAST‐6 and Pedinellales were most numerous in spring but rare in summer. Both groups formed short‐lived blooms during a sudden drop of salinity due to riverine influx (from 7.1 to 6.2 practical salinity units). The analysis of food vacuole content suggested that MAST‐6 nanoflagellates were herbivorous, whereas bacterivory was found both in plastidic and aplastidic pedinellid populations. Members of an uncultured lineage of aplastidic, bacterivorous cercozoans distantly related to Ebria tripartita were more abundant in summer when water temperatures exceeded 17°C. Multicellular trophonts and/or free‐living single cell stages of two lineages of Group 1 parasitic Syndiniales (alveolates) were present in spring and early summer. One of these alveolate populations repeatedly peaked before and after the freshwater influx, but was conspicuously absent throughout the period of decreased salinity. Our results indicate that nanoflagellate populations in coastal surface waters may form short‐lived blooms that can only be detected by high‐frequency sampling, and that may be related both to seasonal development and to sporadic (e.g. mixing) events. In view of their trophic diversity we moreover suggest that nanoflagellates in eutrophic coastal waters should not be regarded as a single functional unit.
ON THE LONG‐TERM EFFECTS OF FISCAL POLICY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM: THE CASE FOR A GOLDEN RULE
Authors: Creel Jérôme , Monperrus‐Veroni Paola , Saraceno Francesco 
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACTThis paper uses the SVAR methodology to investigate the effects of public investment on GDP and, more specifically, the effects of the introduction of a golden rule of public finance. We extend the existing literature by estimating a model for the British economy that takes into account long‐run factors such as public debt accumulation and policy interactions. We find that in such a long‐run framework, public investment has a significant and permanently positive effect on GDP; this result runs counter to the most recent literature on the topic using SVAR, which was limited to a short‐run specification. We further find, by comparing different subsamples, that the introduction of the golden rule in 1997 strengthened the positive effect of public investment.
CONFRONTING OBJECTIONS TO PERFORMANCE PAY: THE IMPACT OF INDIVIDUAL AND GAIN‐SHARING INCENTIVES ON JOB SATISFACTION
Authors: Pouliakas K. , Theodossiou I. 
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACTThe increasing use of incentive pay schemes in recent years has raised concerns about their potential detrimental effect on intrinsic job satisfaction (JS), job security and employee morale. This study explores the impact of pay incentives on the overall JS of workers in the United Kingdom and their satisfaction with various facets of jobs. Using data from eight waves (1998–2005) of the British Household Panel Survey (BHPS) and a uniquely designed well‐being dataset (EPICURUS), a significant positive impact on JS is only found for those receiving fixed‐period bonuses. These conclusions are robust to unobserved heterogeneity, and are shown to depend on a number of job‐quality characteristics that have not been controlled for in previous studies.
Learning Through Shared Christian Praxis: Reflective Practice in the Classroom
Authors: Wong Arch Chee Keen , McAlpine Bill , Moore Tim , Brotherton Dave , Charter Ian R. , Emgård Emma , Buszowski Fern 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe cultivation of reflective practice has become a commonly accepted goal of theological education. However, theological educators must face the challenge of teaching and assessing reflective practice. Hypothesizing that this concern is best addressed in community, the authors of this article devised a collaborative action‐research project using Thomas Groome's “shared Christian praxis” model. They describe the ways in which they have, over the course of the project, modified their pedagogy to improve their students' reflection on practice.
Challenging the Objectivist Paradigm: Teaching Biblical Theology with J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and Guillermo del Toro
Authors: Lief Jason 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe dissimilarity that exists between the historical and cultural situation of North American college students and the world described by the biblical authors poses a problem for theological and religious education. While the biblical authors tell fantastic stories of miracle and magic, the scientific and technological paradigm prevalent in western culture emphasizes the gathering of objective facts in the name of efficiency and pragmatism. Theological education tends to respond to this situation by embracing either a program of historical criticism or a form of Biblicism, both of which reinforce an objectivist approach to education. What is needed in theological education is an approach that “re‐mythologizes” the Bible, enabling students to hear the theological message of the text addressed to their cultural and historical situation. One way this approach can be encouraged is through the teaching of the biblical text in conversation with the contemporary stories found in popular culture.
Human Timeline: A Spatial‐Kinesthetic Exercise in Biblical History
Authors: Wolfe Lisa M. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe Human Timeline invites students to physically re‐create biblical history. Each student holds a card that denotes an event randomly selected from the biblical timeline. They then arrange themselves chronologically to learn the correct flow of biblical history. Because of the movement involved and the arbitrary layout of the cards among their classmates, learners engage their spatial‐kinesthetic intelligences through this activity. The exercise proves popular among students who identify themselves as “visual” learners, and ultimately serves the biblical studies classroom by reinforcing biblical history as a necessary framework for understanding the biblical text.
Let Me Entertain You: The Exciting Perks and Perils of Teaching American Religion as a Vaudeville (or Burlesque?) Performer
Authors: Shrout Katy E. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractWhile teaching a course on religion and consumer culture in the United States, the author was intensely preoccupied with holding the interest of her undergraduate students during class sessions. Inspired in part by the subject matter of the course, she reflects here upon the extent that her courses on American religion drew upon the semiotics of commercial entertainment. While acknowledging the limitations and distortions possible in thinking of the teacher as an entertainer, this paper explores the teaching metaphor of the Vaudevillian Performer, arguing that if put in context with the work on reception in cultural studies, it can be a helpful model in the classroom.
Immunophenotypic aspects of cylindroma and nodular hidradenoma
Authors: Canedo T , De Almeida MP , Cuzzi T , Ramos‐e‐Silva M 
Published: October 2009

AbstractBackground  Some adnexal tumours have many controversies about their histogenesis.Objectives  To evaluate the eccrine and/or apocrine differentiation phenotype in cases of cylindroma and clear cell hidradenoma with CD15 and p63 antibodies.Methodology  Slides and blocks of six cases of cylindroma and seven cases of nodular hidradenoma (clear cells) were analyzed by the technique of immunohistochemistry with CD15 and p63 antibodies.Results  In all cases of cylindroma we obtained negative results for CD15 antibody and positive for p63 antibody. In five of seven cases of nodular hidradenoma (clear cell), we could easily observe clear cells between 20% and 50% of tumour cells. In the two other cases, cystic lesions were present and occasional clear cells could be seen. The reaction with CD15 antibody was positive in granular and cytoplasmic pattern in six of seven cases, especially in cells with suggestive clear cytoplasm in lower proportion than this clear cells could be seen in haematoxylin and eosin. The positivity for p63 antibody, nuclear pattern, was observed in six of seven cases, in the major part of tumour cells. In only one case, the positivity was in 20% of cells.Limitation  Samples are in small number because these are relatively rare tumours.Conclusions  The present study suggests eccrine origin for both tumours: cylindroma and clear cell hidradenoma.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Being a member of a self‐advocacy group: experiences of intellectually disabled people
Authors: Gilmartin Ann , Slevin Eamonn 
Published: October 2009

Accessible summary

People with intellectual disabilities talked about how it felt to be a member of a self‐advocacy group.
They felt their lives had improved and were more fulfilled as a result of being part of their self‐advocacy group.
It is important that people know how self advocacy groups help people with intellectual disabilities.

SummaryA phenomenological methodology was used to explore the lived experiences of belonging to a self‐advocacy group for people with intellectual disabilities. Thirteen persons with intellectual disabilities who attend three self‐advocacy day centre based groups in a city in the west of Ireland were the sample identified for the study. Changes affected by self‐advocacy group membership occurred in the day centres the self‐advocating participants attended. In addition being a member of a self‐advocate group was found to enhance the personal lives of the participants. Empowerment occurred for the participants’ both at an individual and collective basis. The evidence produced suggests that opportunities should be provided for adults with an intellectual disability who are not attending day services to join self‐advocacy groups in a community setting as there were clear benefits identified in this study from group membership. A recognition that service providers need to take on board the value that can result from self‐advocacy groups was apparent. The need to conduct larger scale studies over larger geographical areas and longitudinal research in this area is highlighted.