bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Population genetic consequences of geographic disjunction: a prairie plant isolated on Great Lakes alvars
Authors: HAMILTON J. A. , ECKERT C. G. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractSpecies may often exhibit geographic variation in population genetic structure due to contemporary and historical variation in population size and gene flow. Here, we test the predictions that populations on the margins of a species’ distribution contain less genetic variation and are more differentiated than populations towards the core of the range by comparing patterns of genetic variation at five microsatellite loci between disjunct and core populations of the perennial, allohexaploid herbGeum triflorum. We sampled nine populations isolated on alvar habitat within the eastern Great Lakes region in North America, habitats that include disjunct populations of several plant species, and compared these to 16 populations sampled from prairie habitat throughout the core of the species’ distribution in midwestern Canada and the USA. Alvar populations exhibited much lower within‐population diversity and contained only a subset of alleles found in prairie populations. We detected isolation by distance across the species’ range and within alvar and prairie regions separately. As predicted, genetic differentiation was higher among alvar populations than among prairie populations, even after controlling for the geographic distance between sampled populations. Low diversity and high differentiation can be accounted for by the greater contemporary spatial isolation of alvar populations. However, the genetic structure of alvar populations may also have been influenced by postglacial range expansion and contraction. Our results are consistent with alvar populations being founded during an expansion of prairie habitat during the warmer, hypsithermal period ∼5000bpand subsequently becoming stranded on isolated alvar habitat as the climate grew cooler and wetter.
PrpJ, a PP2C‐type protein phosphatase located on the plasma membrane, is involved in heterocyst maturation in the cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC 7120
Authors: Jang Jichan , Wang Li , Jeanjean Robert , Zhang Cheng‐Cai 
Published: March 2007

SummaryProtein phosphatases play important roles in the regulation of cell growth, division and differentiation. The cyanobacterium Anabaena PCC 7120 is able to differentiate heterocysts specialized in nitrogen fixation. To protect the nitrogenase from inactivation by oxygen, heterocyst envelope possesses a layer of polysaccharide and a layer of glycolipids. In the present study, we characterized All1731 (PrpJ), a protein phosphatase from Anabaena PCC 7120. prpJ was constitutively expressed in both vegetative cells and heterocysts. Under diazotrophic conditions, the mutant ΔprpJ (S20) did not grow, lacked only one of the two heterocyst glycolipids, and fragmented extensively at the junctions between developing cells and vegetative cells. No heterocyst glycolipid layer could be observed in the mutant by electron microscopy. The inactivation of prpJ affected the expression of hglEA and nifH, two genes necessary for the formation of the glycolipid layer of heterocysts and the nitrogenase respectively. PrpJ displayed a phosphatase activity characteristic of PP2C‐type protein phosphatases, and was localized on the plasma membrane. The function of prpJ establishes a new control point for heterocyst maturation because it regulates the synthesis of only one of the two heterocyst glycolipids while all other genes so far analysed regulate the synthesis of both heterocyst glycolipids.
Development of a sequence‐specific PCR marker linked to the Ku gene which removes the vernalization requirement in narrow‐leafed lupin
Authors: Boersma J. G. , Buirchell B. J. , Sivasithamparam K. , Yang H. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractWild types of Lupinus angustifolius require vernalization to promote flowering. Modern domesticated cultivars carry the early‐flowering gene Ku which removes this requirement. A microsatellite‐anchored fragment length polymorphism marker was identified as co‐segregating with the Ku gene in a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from a domesticated × wild‐type cross. DNA sequencing showed that the marker contained a 7 bp insertion/deletion polymorphism, as well as a single nucleotide polymorphism. A pair of sequence‐specific primers was designed and successfully converted the size polymorphism into a simple polymerase chain reaction based co‐dominant marker. This marker is closely linked to the Ku gene, as it co‐segregates with the Ku phenotyping in a population consisting of 106 RILs.
Propofol‐ketamine vs propofol‐fentanyl for sedation during pediatric upper gastrointestinal endoscopy
Authors: TOSUN ZEYNEP , AKSU RECEP , GULER GULEN , ESMAOGLU ALIYE , AKIN AYNUR , ASLAN DURAN , BOYACI ADEM 
Published: March 2007

SummaryBackground:  The aim of this study was to compare the clinical efficacy and safety of propofol‐ketamine with propofol‐fentanyl in pediatric patients undergoing diagnostic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGIE).Methods:  This was a prospective, randomized, double blinded comparison of propofol‐ketamine with propofol‐fentanyl for sedation in patients undergoing elective UGIE. Ninety ASA I–II, aged 1 to 16‐year‐old patients were included in the study. Heart rate (HR), systolic arterial pressure, peripheral oxygen saturation, respiratory rate (RR) and Ramsey sedation scores of all patients were recorded perioperatively. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either propofol‐ketamine (PK; n = 46) or propofol‐fentanyl (PF; n = 44). PK group received 1 mg·kg−1 ketamine + 1.2 mg·kg−1 propofol, and PF group received 1 μg·kg−1 fentanyl + 1.2 mg·kg−1 propofol for sedation induction. Additional propofol (0.5–1 mg·kg−1) was administered when a patient showed discomfort in either group.Results:  The number of patients who needed additional propofol in the first minute after sedation induction was eight in Group PK (17%), and 22 in Group PF (50%) (P < 0.01) and those who did not need additional propofol throughout the endoscopy were 14 in Group PK (30%) and three in Group PF (7%) (P < 0.01). HR and RR values after induction in Group PF were significantly lower than Group PK (P < 0.01).Conclusions:  Both PK and PF combinations provided effective sedation in pediatric patients undergoing UGIE, but the PK combination resulted in stable hemodynamics and deeper sedation though more side effects.
Decrease in functional residual capacity and ventilation homogeneity after neuromuscular blockade in anesthetized preschool children in the lateral position1
Authors: VON UNGERN‐STERNBERG BRITTA S. , REGLI ADRIAN , FREI FRANZ J. , HAMMER JÜRG , JORDI RITZ EVA‐MARIA , ERB THOMAS O. 
Published: March 2007

SummaryBackground:  While functional residual capacity (FRC) is reduced in children undergoing general anesthesia, the lateral position leads to an increase in FRC compared with the supine position. The impact of neuromuscular blockade remains unknown. We tested the hypothesis that neuromuscular blockade leads to a decrease in FRC and increase in lung clearance index (LCI) while the application of positive endexpiratory pressure (PEEP) of 6 cmH2O leads to a restoration in both parameters.Methods:  After approval of the local Ethics Committee, we studied 18 preschool children (2–6 years) without cardiopulmonary disease, who were scheduled for elective surgery. Anesthesia was standardized using propofol and fentanyl. FRC and LCI were calculated by a blinded observer using a SF6 multibreath washout technique with an ultrasonic transit‐time airflow meter (Exhalyzer D). Measurements were taken in the left lateral position (PEEP 3 cmH2O) after 1. intubation with a cuffed tracheal tube, 2. neuromuscular blockade with rocuronium, and 3. the additional application of PEEP (6 cmH2O).Results:  Functional residual capacity mean (sd) decreased from 31.6 (4.4) ml·kg−1 to 27.6 (4.2) ml·kg−1 (P < 0.001) following neuromuscular blockade while the LCI increased from 6.54 (0.6) to 7.0 (0.6) (P ≤ 0.001). After the application of PEEP (6 cmH2O), FRC increased to 32.4 (5.0) ml·kg−1 whereas the LCI decreased to 6.58 (0.5) showing no significant changes from baseline measurements.Conclusions:  In the lateral position, neuromuscular blockade led to a significant decrease in FRC associated with a small increase in ventilation inhomogeneity. FRC and LCI were restored to baseline levels with the application of PEEP 3 cmH2O that is in addition to a background of PEEP 3 cmH2O giving a total of 6 cmH2O PEEP.
Fine‐touch pressure thresholds in the adult penis
Authors: Sorrells Morris L. , Snyder James L. , Reiss Mark D. , Eden Christopher , Milos Marilyn F. , Wilcox Norma , Van Howe Robert S. 
Published: March 2007

OBJECTIVETo map the fine‐touch pressure thresholds of the adult penis in circumcised and uncircumcised men, and to compare the two populations.SUBJECTS AND METHODSAdult male volunteers with no history of penile pathology or diabetes were evaluated with a Semmes‐Weinstein monofilament touch‐test to map the fine‐touch pressure thresholds of the penis. Circumcised and uncircumcised men were compared using mixed models for repeated data, controlling for age, type of underwear worn, time since last ejaculation, ethnicity, country of birth, and level of education.RESULTSThe glans of the uncircumcised men had significantly lower mean (sem) pressure thresholds than that of the circumcised men, at 0.161 (0.078) g (P = 0.040) when controlled for age, location of measurement, type of underwear worn, and ethnicity. There were significant differences in pressure thresholds by location on the penis (P < 0.001). The most sensitive location on the circumcised penis was the circumcision scar on the ventral surface. Five locations on the uncircumcised penis that are routinely removed at circumcision had lower pressure thresholds than the ventral scar of the circumcised penis.CONCLUSIONSThe glans of the circumcised penis is less sensitive to fine touch than the glans of the uncircumcised penis. The transitional region from the external to the internal prepuce is the most sensitive region of the uncircumcised penis and more sensitive than the most sensitive region of the circumcised penis. Circumcision ablates the most sensitive parts of the penis.
Epigenetic events, remodelling enzymes and their relationship to chromatin organization in prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia and prostatic adenocarcinoma
Authors: Mohamed Mahmoud A. , Greif Philipp A. , Diamond James , Sharaf Osama , Maxwell Perry , Montironi Rodolfo , Young Robert A.M. , Hamilton Peter W. 
Published: March 2007

OBJECTIVETo explore the nuclear chromatin phenotype, overall epigenetic mechanisms, chromatin remodelling enzymes and their role as diagnostic biomarkers in prostate lesions, using high‐resolution computerized quantitative digital image analysis (DIA).MATERIALS AND METHODSA tissue microarray (TMA) was constructed using paraffin wax‐embedded prostatic tissues from 78 patients, containing 30 cores of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), 10 of low‐grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (LGPIN), 38 of prostate adenocarcinoma, 20 of BPH tissue excised at 0.6–1 mm from LGPIN lesions, and 10 of BPH prostatic tissues obtained 0.6–1 mm from high‐grade PIN (HGPIN) lesions. Chromatin phenotype was assessed on haematoxylin‐stained sections using high‐resolution texture analysis. For quantitative immunohistochemistry, antibodies raised against acetylated histone H3 lysine 9 (AcH3K9), 5′methylcytidine (5MeC) and the chromatin remodelling ATPase ISWI (SNF2H and SNF2L) were used. The immunodensity was measured using DIA to determine the epigenetic profile of the cases. At least 60 nuclei were measured from each case.RESULTSThere were many statistically significant differences in staining intensity and nuclear distribution patterns in chromatin phenotype and immunostaining (p ≤ 0.001). These changes allowed the differentiation between the various pathological subgroups with a classification accuracy of 76–100% using chromatin phenotype or immunostaining measuring epigenetic and chromatin remodelling changes (5MeC, AcH3K9 and ISWI). In PIN lesions, there was a high chromatin content with DNA‐hypermethylation, while in prostatic adenocarcinoma there was a lower chromatin content with DNA‐hypomethylation and H3K9‐hypoacetylation. There was significantly more ISWI protein in neoplastic tissues. There were malignancy‐associated changes (MAC) in chromatin phenotype and overall epigenetic events in BPH tissues adjacent to PIN lesions.CONCLUSIONSThe present study confirms the ability of high‐resolution computerized digital imaging of nuclear texture features to detect changes in chromatin phenotype, epigenetic events and the presence of chromatin remodelling, factors that can be used to distinguish between different prostatic pathologies, i.e. BPH, LGPIN, HGPIN and prostate adenocarcinoma, and further allow the detection of MAC near PIN lesions. These results provide a base for future diagnostic applications of DIA combined with immunohistochemistry. Our experiments underscore the importance of epigenetic mechanisms during carcinogenesis. Further studies are needed to elucidate the complex interplay between chromatin structure, its modifications and the progression of prostate cancer.
Association of vitamin‐D receptor (Fok‐I) gene polymorphism with bladder cancer in an Indian population
Authors: Mittal Rama D. , Manchanda Parmeet K. , Bhat Sanjay , Bid Hemant K. 
Published: March 2007

OBJECTIVETo explore the association of vitamin‐D receptor (VDR) genotypes and haplotypes (variants at the Fok‐I, and Taq‐I sites) with the risk of bladder cancer, as vitamin D is antiproliferative and reported to induce apoptosis in human bladder tumour cells in vitro.PATIENTS, SUBJECTS AND METHODSA case‐control study using polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism was conducted in 130 patients with bladder cancer and 346 normal healthy individuals in a north Indian population. Patients were also categorized according to grade and stage of tumour.RESULTSThere was a significant difference in genotype and allelic distribution of VDR (Fok‐I) polymorphism in the patients (P = 0.033 and = 0.017, respectively). The FF genotype was associated with twice the risk for bladder cancer (odds ratio 2.042, 95% confidence interval, CI, 0.803–5.193). There was no significant difference in genotypic distribution or allelic frequencies of the VDR (Taq‐I) polymorphism (P = 0.477 and 0.230) when compared with the controls. The stage and grade of the bladder tumours had no association with VDR (Fok‐I and Taq‐I) genotypes. There was a significant difference in the frequency distribution of the haplotypes FT and fT (P < 0.001); these haplotypes had a protective effect in the control group (odds ratio 0.167, 95% CI 0.096–0.291, and 0.079, 0.038–0.164).CONCLUSIONThese data suggest that VDR (Fok‐I) polymorphism is associated with the risk of bladder cancer. Further, the results for the haplotype FT and fT indicate that patients with this haplotype have a lower risk of developing bladder cancer than those with other haplotypes.
Cerebral mechanisms and voiding function
Authors: DasGupta Ranan , Kavia Rajesh B. , Fowler Clare J. 
Published: March 2007

Some of the most recent work investigating the cerebral mechanisms involved in bladder control has been very helpful in adding to our understanding of bladder dysfunction. The group behind this work, from London, presents a mini‐review which will help to update our knowledge in this area.Authors from Australia present a review describing the interactions between bone and prostate cancer cells in metastatic disease. This area has generated much interest and is something for which we should develop a full understanding, to optimise our treatments for this condition.
THE NATURE OF CITIES AND THE ANALYSIS OF THEIR CULTURAL PROBLEMS
Authors: CLAVAL PAUL 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTUrban geographers had for a long time mainly approached culture through its material aspects. The situation changed with the cultural turn of the discipline. As a result a re‐evaluation of the former results was made. The basic concepts of community and society are taking a new significance at the time of globalisation. An increasing attention is devoted to counter‐cultures and cultures of resistance. Landscapes have ceased to appear essentially as expressions of urban functions. They play a fundamental role in the assertion of identities: hence the harsh competition for the control of public space. In contemporary urban archipelagos, culture has become a key factor in shaping forms. It often expresses deep conflicts and feelings of frustration.
Concordant molecular and phenotypic data delineate new taxonomy and conservation priorities for the endangered mountain yellow‐legged frog
Authors: Vredenburg V. T. , Bingham R. , Knapp R. , Morgan J. A. T. , Moritz C. , Wake D. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe mountain yellow‐legged frogRana muscosa sensu lato, once abundant in the Sierra Nevada of California and Nevada, and the disjunct Transverse Ranges of southern California, has declined precipitously throughout its range, even though most of its habitat is protected. The species is now extinct in Nevada and reduced to tiny remnants in southern California, where as a distinct population segment, it is classified as Endangered. Introduced predators (trout), air pollution and an infectious disease (chytridiomycosis) threaten remaining populations. A Bayesian analysis of 1901 base pairs of mitochondrial DNA confirms the presence of two deeply divergent clades that come into near contact in the Sierra Nevada. Morphological studies of museum specimens and analysis of acoustic data show that the two major mtDNA clades are readily differentiated phenotypically. Accordingly, we recognize two species,Rana sierrae, in the northern and central Sierra Nevada, andR. muscosa, in the southern Sierra Nevada and southern California. Existing data indicate no range overlap. These results have important implications for the conservation of these two species as they illuminate a profound mismatch between the current delineation of the distinct population segments (southern California vs. Sierra Nevada) and actual species boundaries. For example, our study finds that remnant populations ofR. muscosaexist in both the southern Sierra Nevada and the mountains of southern California, which may broaden options for management. In addition, despite the fact that only the southern California populations are listed as Endangered, surveys conducted since 1995 at 225 historic (1899–1994) localities from museum collections show that 93.3% (n=146) ofR. sierraepopulations and 95.2% (n=79) ofR. muscosapopulations are extinct. Evidence presented here underscores the need for revision of protected population status to include both species throughout their ranges.
AUTONOMIC CORRELATES OF THE SPONTANEOUS K‐COMPLEX
Authors: Johnson Laverne , Karpan Wayne E. 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTSpontaneous K‐complexes during stage 2 sleep were scored on nine subjects to study 1) rate of occurrence and 2) autonomic correlates, specifically the heart rate response, number of finger vasoconstrictions, number of galvanic skin responses, and number of skin potential responses. Records for two nights of sleep were available for five subjects.Spontaneous K‐complexes occur with considerable regularity at a rate of 1.21 per minute with a range over subjects from. 75 to 1.93 per minute. There was no significant change in this rate over six hours of sleep nor was there a significant difference over two nights of sleep.When compared with control portions of the record, spontaneous K‐complexes were significantly associated on both nights one and two with an increase in heart rate, increased frequency of vasoconstrictions, an increase in number of GSRs, and an increase in number of skin potential responses. There were no autonomic changes associated with isolated sleep spindles.
SELECTIVE ATTENTION AND INSTRUMENTAL MODIFICATION OF THE GSR
Authors: Martin Randall , Dean Sanford , Shean Glenn 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTA series of experiments were conducted on instrumental modification of the Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) in a discrimination procedure where preparatory signals indicated which discriminative stimulus was to occur. When shock avoidance was contingent upon the presence of a response the GSR was enhanced; when shock avoidance was contingent upon the inhibition of a response there was a decrement in reactivity. Heart rate acceleration occurred to Respond stimuli while deceleration occurred to Inhibit stimuli. Various types of cognitive strategies were reported by the subjects from attempts to control attention by attending less to stimuli associated with inhibition to attempts to arouse a response by thinking of exciting events and to inhibit by thinking of calming events. Postexperimental recognition of words tended to be negatively related to magnitude of response. When the verbal stimuli served directly as discriminative stimuli, however, these relationships tended to be reversed.
Selective processing of two‐dimensional visual stimuli in young and old subjects: Electrophysiological analysis
Authors: KENEMANS J. LEON , SMULDERS FREN T. Y. , KOK ALBERT 
Published: March 2007

AbstractIn this study, we compared selection of conjunctions of spatial frequency and orientation in young and old subjects, using performance and event‐related brain potential (ERP) measures. Responses to target conjunctions were slightly but significantly slower in older subjects; lateralized readiness potential (LRP) onsets did not differ between groups. Older subjects made more false‐positive responses to stimuli sharing only spatial frequency with the target. Difference waves associated with selection of separate dimensions included frontal positivity and occipital and central negativity and were 20–50 ms slower in older subjects. Later parts of these difference waves had smaller amplitudes in older subjects. Sensory discrimination, assessed through the effects of physical stimulus parameters on ERPs, was not clearly affected by age. Data are interpreted in terms of a relationship in older subjects between longer latencies of difference waves but equal LRP onsets and a higher false‐alarm rate.
Event‐related potentials to airway occlusion in young and old subjects
Authors: HARVER ANDREW , SQUIRES NANCY K. , BLOCH‐SALISBURY ELISABETH , KATKIN EDWARD S. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractEvent‐related potentials (ERPs) were recorded to both inspiratory and expiratory airway occlusion in young (21‐28 years) and old (55–67 years) subjects under both attend and ignore conditions. Early and late components of the ERP (N1, P2, N2, P3) were observed to both types of occlusions in both conditions. Variations in these components were consistent in both direction and degree with those observed in oddball tasks employing exteroceptive stimuli. ERPs for breathing may serve to clarify sensory attributes of respiratory stimuli in humans and to identify central processing abnormalities in patient populations.