bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Analysis of environmental transcriptomes by DNA microarrays
Authors: Parro Víctor , Moreno‐Paz Mercedes , González‐Toril Elena 
Published: October 2006

SummaryIn this work we investigated the correlations between global gene expression patterns and environmental parameters in natural ecosystems. We studied the preferential gene expression of the iron oxidizer bacterium Leptospirillum ferrooxidans to adapt its physiology to changes in the physicochemical parameters in its natural medium. Transcriptome analysis by DNA microarrays can proportionate an instant picture about the preferential gene expression between two different environmental samples. However, this type of analysis is very difficult and complex in natural ecosystems, mainly because of the broad biodiversity and multiple environmental parameters that may affect gene expression. The necessity of high‐quality RNA preparations as well as complicated data analysis are also technological limitations. The low prokaryotic diversity of the extremely acidic and iron‐rich waters of the Tinto River (Spain) ecosystem, where L. ferrooxidans is abundant, allows the opportunity to achieve global gene expression studies and to associate gene function with environmental parameters. We applied a total RNA amplification protocol validated previously for the amplification of the environmental transcriptome (meta‐transcriptome). The meta‐transcriptome of two sites from the Tinto River mainly differing in the salt and oxygen contents were amplified and analysed by a L. ferrooxidans DNA microarray. The results showed a clear preferential induction of genes involved in certain physicochemical parameters like: high salinity (ectAB, otsAB), low oxygen concentration (cydAB), iron uptake (fecA‐exbBD‐tonB), oxidative stress (carotenoid synthesis, oxyR, recG), potassium (kdpBAC) or phosphate concentrations (pstSCAB), etc. We conclude that specific gene expression patterns can be useful indicators for the physiological conditions in a defined ecosystem. Also, the upregulation of certain genes and operons reveals information about the environmental conditions (nutrient limitations, stresses, etc.).
On the Credibility of Currency Boards*
Authors: Feuerstein Switgard , Grimm Oliver 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe paper compares the credibility of currency boards and (standard) pegs. Abandoning a currency board requires a time‐consuming legislative process and an abolition will thus be well‐anticipated. Therefore, a currency board solves the time‐inconsistency problem of monetary policy. However, policy can react to unexpected shocks only with a time lag, thus the threat of large shocks makes the abolition more likely. Currency boards are more credible than standard pegs if the time‐inconsistency problem dominates. In contrast, standard pegs, that can be left at short notice, are more credible if exogenous shocks are highly volatile and constitute the dominant problem.
Trade Union Rights, Democracy, and Exports: a Gravity Model Approach*
Authors: Kucera David , Sarna Ritash 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe paper uses a gravity trade model to evaluate the effects of trade union rights and democracy on exports for the 1993 to 1999 period for four classifications of manufacturing industries by labor‐intensity. The model includes data for 162 countries and used eight indicators of trade union rights and democracy, including those constructed by the authors. The paper finds robust relationships between stronger trade union rights and higher total manufacturing exports and between stronger democracy and higher total exports, total manufacturing exports, and labor‐intensive manufacturing exports. The paper finds that the relationship between trade union rights and labor‐intensive manufacturing exports is highly sensitive to the classification of labor‐intensive manufacturing industries and to model specification, yielding statistically significant results of opposite sign depending on assumptions.
Bayesian Estimation of Willingness‐to‐pay Where Respondents Mis‐report Their Preferences*
Authors: Balcombe K. , Bailey A. , Chalak A. , Fraser I. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractWe introduce a modified conditional logit model that takes account of uncertainty associated with mis‐reporting in revealed preference experiments estimating willingness‐to‐pay (WTP). Like Hausman et al. [Journal of Econometrics (1988) Vol. 87, pp. 239–269], our model captures the extent and direction of uncertainty by respondents. Using a Bayesian methodology, we apply our model to a choice modelling (CM) data set examining UK consumer preferences for non‐pesticide food. We compare the results of our model with the Hausman model. WTP estimates are produced for different groups of consumers and we find that modified estimates of WTP, that take account of mis‐reporting, are substantially revised downwards. We find a significant proportion of respondents mis‐reporting in favour of the non‐pesticide option. Finally, with this data set, Bayes factors suggest that our model is preferred to the Hausman model.
Increased error‐related negativity (ERN) in childhood anxiety disorders: ERP and source localization
Authors: Ladouceur Cecile D. , Dahl Ronald E. , Birmaher Boris , Axelson David A. , Ryan Neal D. 
Published: October 2006

Background:  In this study we used event‐related potentials (ERPs) and source localization analyses to track the time course of neural activity underlying response monitoring in children diagnosed with an anxiety disorder compared to age‐matched low‐risk normal controls.Methods:  High‐density ERPs were examined following errors on a flanker task from 12 children between 8 and 14 years old diagnosed with an anxiety disorder (ANX) and 13 age‐matched low‐risk normal controls (LRNC).Results:  Children diagnosed with an anxiety disorder had increased error‐related negativity (ERN) amplitude. The neural generators of the ERN in the ANX group were estimated to be localized in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). There were no significant group differences in PE amplitude.Conclusions:  These data provide evidence for increased ERN amplitude localized to the ACC in children diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, suggesting altered maturational patterns of the ACC circuitry early in the course of this illness.
Childhood onset schizophrenia: cortical brain abnormalities as young adults
Authors: Greenstein Deanna , Lerch Jason , Shaw Philip , Clasen Liv , Giedd Jay , Gochman Peter , Rapoport Judith , Gogtay Nitin 
Published: October 2006

Background:  Childhood onset schizophrenia (COS) is a rare but severe form of the adult onset disorder. While structural brain imaging studies show robust, widespread, and progressive gray matter loss in COS during adolescence, there have been no longitudinal studies of sufficient duration to examine comparability with the more common adult onset illness.Methods:  Neuro‐anatomic magnetic resonance scans were obtained prospectively from ages 7 through 26 in 70 children diagnosed with COS and age and sex matched healthy controls. Cortical thickness was measured at 40,962 points across the cerebral hemispheres using a novel, fully automated, validated method. Patterns of patient–control differences in cortical development were compared over a 19‐year period.Results:  Throughout the age range, the COS group had significantly smaller mean cortical thickness compared to controls. However, the COS brain developmental trajectory appeared to normalize in posterior (parietal) regions, and remained divergent in the anterior regions (frontal and temporal) regions, and the pattern of loss became more like that seen in adults.Conclusions:  Cortical thickness loss in COS appears to localize with age to prefrontal and temporal regions that are seen for both medication naïve and medicated adult onset patients.
Electrocortical reflections of face and gaze processing in children with pervasive developmental disorder
Authors: Kemner C. , Schuller A‐M. , Van Engeland H. 
Published: October 2006

Background:  Children with pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) show behavioral abnormalities in gaze and face processing, but recent studies have indicated that normal activation of face‐specific brain areas in response to faces is possible in this group. It is not clear whether the brain activity related to gaze processing is also normal in children with PDD.Methods:  Event‐related brain potentials (ERPs) were measured during two spatial attention tasks in which a centrally presented stimulus served as cue for the location of a forthcoming target. In one task faces were used as cues, and in the other arrows. Seventeen children with PDD and 18 age‐ and IQ‐matched control children were tested.Results:  Face stimuli elicited the same specific ERP activity in both groups. Also, both children with PDD and controls showed shorter reaction times as well as larger amplitudes and shorter latency times of several ERP peaks to congruently cued targets than to incongruently cued targets in both tasks. However, children with PDD showed abnormally small occipital ERPs in response to both face and arrow stimuli.Conclusions:  The results provide evidence for the capability of normal processing of face and gaze change in children with PDD. The smaller occipital activity might be related to more general abnormalities in perception.
Mitochondrial damage modulates alternative splicing in neuronal cells: implications for neurodegeneration
Authors: Maracchioni Alessia , Totaro Antonio , Angelini Daniela F. , Di Penta Alessandra , Bernardi Giorgio , Carrì Maria Teresa , Achsel Tilmann 
Published: October 2006

AbstractMitochondrial damage is linked to many neurodegenerative conditions, such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. These diseases are associated with changes in the splicing pattern of individual mRNAs. Here, we tested the hypothesis that mitochondrial damage modulates alternative splicing, not only of a few mRNAs, but in a general manner. We incubated cultured human neuroblastoma cells with the chemical agent paraquat (a neurotoxin that interferes with mitochondrial function, causing energy deficit and oxidative stress) and analysed the splicing pattern of 13 genes by RT‐PCR. For all mRNAs that are alternatively spliced, we observed a dose‐ and time‐dependent increase of the smaller isoforms. In contrast, splicing of all constitutive splicing exons that we monitored did not change. Using other drugs, we show that the modulation of alternative splicing correlates with ATP depletion, not with oxidative stress. Such drastic changes in alternative splicing are not observed in cell lines of non‐neuronal origin, suggesting a selective susceptibility of neuronal cells to modulation of splicing. As a significant percentage of all mammalian mRNAs undergo alternative splicing, we predict that mitochondrial failure will unbalance a vast number of isoform equilibriums, which would give an important contribution to neurodegeneration.
Fourteen polymorphic microsatellite loci in the field gudgeon, Gnathopogon elongatus elongatus
Authors: KOIZUMI NORIYUKI , TAKAHASHI HIDEAKI , MINEZAWA MITSURU , TAKEMURA TAKESHI , OKUSHIMA SHUJI 
Published: October 2006

AbstractWe isolated and characterized 14 polymorphic microsatellite loci for the field gudgeon, Gnathopogon elongatus elongatus, a popular freshwater species in streams including agricultural canals in Japan. The number of observed alleles for each locus ranged from 9 to 24, and the values of observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.750 to 1.000 and from 0.832 to 0.953, respectively. These microsatellite markers will be useful for studies of population genetic structure and genetic variability of the field gudgeon.
Evaluation of hematological, chemistry and blood gas values in dogs receiving hemoglobin glutamer‐200
Authors: Kerl Marie E. , Langdon Paige F. , Wiedmeyer Charles E. , Branson Keith R. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractObjective: To evaluate the degree of interference that administration of hemoglobin glutamer‐200 (Hb‐200) caused for complete blood counts (CBC), biochemical profiles, cooximetry, and point of care (POC) testing in healthy dogs.Design: Prospective, longitudinal experimental study.Setting: Veterinary medical teaching hospital.Animals: Six purpose‐bred research hounds.Interventions: Dogs were administered FDA‐approved hemoglobin‐based oxygen carrier (Hb‐200) intravenously at 7.5 mL/kg over 2 hours. Arterial and venous blood samples were obtained before administration (Time 0) and at 3, 8, 14, 26, 50, 74, 98, 122, and 146 hours following administration.Measurements and main results: No adverse health effects were observed in any of the dogs. Characteristic mucous membrane, serum, and plasma color changes occurred following administration of Hb‐200. Laboratory values that were significantly lower than baseline included packed cell volume, red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, creatinine, cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase. Laboratory values that were significantly greater than baseline included mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, arterial pH, arterial total carbon dioxide, arterial bicarbonate, amylase, albumin, total protein, globulin, calcium, phosphorous, total bilirubin, carboxyhemoglobin, and methemoglobin. All values returned to baseline by the completion of the 146‐hour monitoring period.Conclusions: In normal dogs, administration of Hb‐200 resulted in statistically significant changes in multiple laboratory parameters; however, these changes are not likely to be clinically significant in the care of critically ill dogs.
Comparison of performance on different host plants between the B biotype and a non‐B biotype of Bemisia tabaci from Zhejiang, China
Authors: Zang Lian‐Sheng , Chen Wei‐Qiang , Liu Shu‐Sheng 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe capacity of the B biotype of the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae), to invade has often been linked to its presumably wider host range than the non‐B indigenous biotypes. However, there are few experimental studies of the relative performance of the B biotype and non‐B biotypes on different host‐plant species. Here, we compared the performance of the B biotype and an indigenous non‐B biotype (China‐ZHJ‐1) of B. tabaci from Zhejiang, China on five commonly cultivated host plants, each from a different family: cotton, tobacco, cabbage, squash, and kidney bean. We also examined the effect of rearing host plants on the performance of the B biotype. Overall, the performance of the B biotype on the five species of plants was much better than that of the indigenous non‐B population. On tobacco, cabbage, and kidney bean, no individuals of ZHJ‐1 completed development to adulthood, whereas the B biotype developed successfully from egg to adult on all three plants. On squash, the B biotype survived better, developed to adulthood earlier and had a higher fecundity than ZHJ‐1. The two biotypes performed more equally on cotton, but even on this plant the B biotype female adults lived nearly twice as long as that of ZHJ‐1 and may have realized a higher life‐time fecundity. The B biotype also showed a substantial capacity to acclimatize to alternative host plants for improved survival and reproduction, on both highly suitable and marginally suitable host plants. We conclude that the host range of the B biotype of B. tabaci may be much wider than those of some indigenous biotypes, and this advantage of the B biotype over the non‐B biotypes may assist in its invasion and displacement of some indigenous biotypes in the field.
Brain activation measured using functional magnetic resonance imaging during the Tower of London task
Authors: Rasmussen Inge-Andre , Antonsen Ida Kristin , Berntsen Erik Magnus , Xu Jian , Lagopoulos Jim , Håberg Asta Kristine 
Published: October 2006

Background:Individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) often suffer from a number of enduring cognitive impairments such as in attention, memory, speed of processing information and dual-task performance.Objective:The aim of this study was to assess the patterns of regional brain activation in response to the Tower of London (ToL) task in a group of patients suffering from chronic TBI using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).Methods:fMRI was performed during performance of the ToL planning task in 10 patients suffering from severe TBI and in 10 age- and sex-matched controls using a 3 T magnetic resonance scanner.Results:Performance data showed no difference in response accuracy between the TBI group and the healthy control group. Statistical parametric brain maps showed that the TBI group activates larger and additional areas of the cerebral cortex than the healthy control group both for tasks and for a subtraction contrast between the tasks.Conclusions:The results of this study are interpreted as a cortical reorganization inside the executive system of vigilance and working memory in patients with TBI. Both parietal and frontal areas are recruited to compensate for damaged brain tissue.
Cutaneous malignant lymphomas: Update 2006
Authors: Burg Günter , Kempf Werner , Cozzio Antonio , Döbbeling Udo , Feit Josef , Golling Philippa , Michaelis Sonja , Schärer Leo , Nestle Frank , Dummer Reinhard 
Published: October 2006

SummaryCutaneous lymphomas represent a unique group of lymphomas and are the second most frequent extranodal lymphomas. As with other neoplasias, the pathogenesis is based mainly on a stepwise accumulation of mutations of suppressor genes and oncogenes caused by genetic, environmental or infectious factors. The diagnostic work‐up includes clinical, histological, imaging and hematological investigations and in many cases immunohistochemical and molecular biological analyses.The current WHO/EORTC classification of cutaneous lymphomas differentiates “mature T‐cell and NK‐cell lymphomas”, “mature B‐cell lymphomas” and “immature hematopoietic malignancies”, their variants and subgroups. It is compatible with the WHO classification for neoplasias of the hematopoietic and lymphoid tissue and respects the organ‐specific peculiarities of primary cutaneous lymphomas.The assignment of the various types of cutaneous lymphomas into prognostic categories (pre‐lymphomatous “abortive” disorders; definite malignant lymphomas of low‐grade malignancy; definite malignant lymphomas of high‐grade malignancy) provides essential information on the biological behavior and allows an appropriate planning of the therapeutic strategy, which may be topical or systemic and aggressive or non‐aggressive. Besides the classical options for therapy, there are new and “experimental” strategies, the efficacy of which has to be studied in clinical trials.
Antidepressant-Induced Inhibition of Genital Vascular Responses is Reversed by Vardenafil in Female Rabbits
Authors: Angulo Javier , Cuevas Pedro , Cuevas Begona , Bischoff Erwin , De Tejada Iñigo Saenz 
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Administration of serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRI) or serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI) relieves depressive symptoms but may cause sexual dysfunction in women and men.

Aim
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of the phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor, vardenafil, on inhibition of genital vascular responses (GVR) induced by SRI or SNRI administration in female rabbits.

Methods
Vaginal and clitoral vasodilatory responses to pelvic nerve electrical stimulation were measured by laser Doppler flow needle probes.

Results
GVR were significantly potentiated by vardenafil even at the low dose of 0.1 mg/kg, in clitoris and vagina (181 ± 22% and 180 ± 31% of control, in vagina and clitoris, respectively, at 8 Hz). The selective SRI, paroxetine (5 mg/kg), significantly inhibited GVR in female rabbits (54 ± 5% and 48 ± 6% of control). GVR were also significantly inhibited by the SNRIs, venlafaxine (5 mg/kg) (57 ± 3% and 32 ± 11%) and duloxetine (1 mg/kg) (40 ± 7% and 28 ± 5%). Treatment with vardenafil (0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg) completely reversed the inhibition of GVR induced by paroxetine, venlafaxine, or duloxetine.

Conclusions
Potentiation of the nitric oxide (NO) pathway by vardenafil improves vascular sexual responses in female rabbits and overcomes the inhibitory effects of acutely administered antidepressants on GVR, irrespective of the underlying pathophysiologic mechanism, i.e., disruption of the NO pathway or enhancement of α-adrenergic mechanisms. PDE5 inhibition may represent a reasonable approach to treat SRI- or SRNI-induced female sexual dysfunction, in particular, arousal disorders.
A population of high-redshift type 2 quasars – II. Radio properties
Authors: Martínez-Sansigre Alejo , Rawlings Steve , Garn Timothy , Green David A. , Alexander Paul , Klöckner Hans-Rainer , Riley Julia M. 
Published: October 2006

Abstract
We present multi-frequency radio observations of a sample of z∼ 2 obscured (type 2) quasars in the Spitzer extragalactic First Look Survey area. We combine the public data at 1.4 GHz, used in the selection of these sources, with new observations at 610 MHz (Giant Meterwave Radio Telescope) and at 4.9 GHz (Very Large Array). We find that the sample includes sources with steep, flat and gigahertz-peaked spectra. There are no strong correlations between the presence or absence of emission lines in the optical spectra and the radio spectral properties of the sample. However, there are no secure flat-spectrum type 2 quasars with narrow emission lines which would be problematic for unified schemes. Most of the population have straight radio spectra with spectral index α∼ 1 as is expected for developed, potentially Fanaroff–Riley type I-like jets in which continuous injection of relativistic electrons is accompanied by inverse Compton losses against the cosmic microwave background.
Blowing the whistle on healthcare fraud: Should I?
Authors: Hannigan Norma Stephens 
Published: October 2006

AbstractPurpose:The purpose of this article is to explore some of the factors involved when a nurse practitioner (NP) is confronted with a healthcare fraud situation. Ethical concepts and decision‐making strategies are provided, as well as practical legal considerations.Data sources:Government Internet Web sites; healthcare management, ethics, and nursing journals.Conclusions:There are many forms of healthcare fraud. Healthcare fraud saps financial resources from the healthcare system and from individuals. The decision to blow the whistle on a colleague or organization is not an easy one and has potential for great discomfort. There are ethical decision‐making strategies and practical considerations for the process of whistle‐blowing should it become necessary.Implications for practice:NPs may be confronted daily with billing and reimbursement issues. Being prepared to recognize healthcare fraud and knowing the ramifications of whistle‐blowing are important tools to have in one’s practice repertoire.
The salt water intrusion problem and water conservation practices in southeast Georgia, USA
Authors: Gibbison Godfrey A. , Randall James 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThis paper presents the results of investigations into the attitudes to the environmental risk posed by salt water intrusion into underground aquifers in the south‐eastern United States. Also investigated is whether individuals have adopted water conservation practices in light of the salt water intrusion threat. Both bivariate analysis and results from logistic regression are presented. It is shown that while a majority of respondents agree that salt water intrusion is a serious threat to the region's water supply, only a small proportion of residents practise conservation on a regular basis. It is suggested that state and local government provide incentives for residents to change their water‐use technology, which might be more effective than price mechanisms.