bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A genetic linkage map of Physocarpus, a member of the Spiraeoideae (Rosaceae), based on RAPD, AFLP, RGA, SSR and gene specific markers
Authors: Sutherland B. G. , Tobutt K. R. , Marchese A. , Paternoster G. , Simpson D. W. , Sargent D. J. 
Published: May 2008

Abstract Physocarpus opulifolius is a deciduous shrub native to North America belonging to the Spiraeoideae subfamily of the Rosaceae. The cultivars ‘Luteus’ and ‘Diabolo’ are grown in gardens for their ornamental foliage, golden and purple respectively. We developed a linkage map of P. opulifolius with a view to detecting markers for the leaf colour genes, which are under major gene control. A total of 162 molecular markers (128 RAPDs, 27 AFLPs, three RGA, three STS markers and one SSR) and the leaf colour genes Pur and Aur were scored in the Physocarpus progeny and used to create a linkage map covering 586.1 cM over nine linkage groups. There was an average of 18.2 markers per linkage group and a mean linkage group length of 65.1 cM. Both leaf colour genes were mapped. This is the first reported linkage map of a member of the Spireaeoideae and the mapping of a small number of transferable markers has demonstrated its utility to comparative mapping, which will complement existing comparative mapping efforts in other rosaceous subfamilies.
Clinicopathological characteristics of gastrointestinal mesenchymal tumors and diagnostic value of endoscopic ultrasonography
Authors: Ji Feng , Wang Zi‐Wei , Wang Li‐Jun , Ning Jian‐Wen , Xu Guo‐Qiang 
Published: May 2008

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Gastrointestinal mesenchymal tumors (GIMTs) are tumors which arise from mesenchymal cells other than lymphocytes or epithelial cells and include gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), smooth muscle tumors, neurogenic tumors, fibroblast tumors, and liparomphalus. Here, we studied the clinicopathologic characteristics of GIMTs and determined the diagnostic value of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) in GIMTs.Methods:  The morphological characteristics of 415 GIMT cases were observed using light microscopy. The expression of CD117, CD34, smooth muscle actin (SMA), S‐100, and Ki‐67 were detected using immunohistochemistry. EUS results were retrospectively analyzed in 76 cases.Results:  Among the 415 GIMT cases, there were 229 GIST cases, 178 smooth muscle tumor cases, and eight neurogenic tumor cases. Diffuse strong expression of CD117 was observed in 202 (88.2%) GISTs and strong expression of CD34 was observed in 135 (59.0%) GISTs. SMA and S‐100 expression was detected in smooth muscle tumors (leiomyomas/leiomyosarcoma) and neurogenic tumors, respectively. Of the 12 cases with GISTs, nine cases with positive ki‐67 expression and accompanied with more mitosis were pathologically diagnosed as malignant GISTs. Most of the borderline and malignant tumors were found in male patients. EUS was 98.7% accurate in determining GIMT locations, 82.9% accurate in diagnosing GIMTs, and 80.3% accurate in differentiating benign from malignant tumors.Conclusions:  GISTs, rather than leiomyomas, are the most common GIMTs. Immunohistochemical markers, such as CD117, CD34, SMA, and S‐100, can differentiate GISTs from smooth muscle and neurogenic tumors. The expression of Ki‐67 in patients with significant karyokinesis supports a malignant tumor diagnosis. EUS is an accurate method for detecting GIMTs and differentiating between benign and malignant tumors. Use of endoscopic ultrasound–guided fine‐needle aspiration biopsies may enable clinicians to make more accurate diagnoses than currently used methods.
Physical activity interventions in Hispanic American girls and women
Authors: Sharma M. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryThe purpose of this article was to review physical activity interventions done with Hispanic American girls and women that were published between 1994 and 2007, and suggest ways of enhancing these interventions. A total of 12 such interventions were found. Majority of the interventions focused on both physical activity and nutrition behaviours. Only half of the interventions were based on a behavioural theory. Social cognitive theory was the most popular theory, which was operationalized by four interventions. The interventions ranged from 3 weeks to 2 years in duration. The impact was not necessarily linked to the length of the intervention. The most popular physical activity that was promoted was walking, which was utilized by four interventions. Most of the interventions utilized a classroom format for imparting instruction in being physically active. All the interventions utilized individual‐level behaviour change as an approach, and none tried to address broader policy and environmental‐level changes. Process evaluation was done by very few interventions and must be done more systematically. In terms of the impact, half of the interventions were successful in influencing the outcomes. Recommendations for enhancing the effectiveness of physical activity interventions in Hispanic American girls and women are presented.
‘Subclinical MS’: follow‐up of four cases
Authors: Hakiki B. , Goretti B. , Portaccio E. , Zipoli V. , Amato M. P. 
Published: May 2008

Background and purpose:  Subclinical multiple sclerosis (S‐MS) can be defined as the discovery of characteristic lesions at magnetic resonance (MR) or at autopsy, in the absence of clinical evidence consistent with MS. To describe four cases of S‐MS cases followed‐up with clinical and MR examinations.Methods:  The four patients were initially evaluated because of accidental MRI findings suggestive of MS that fulfilled the Barkhof criteria. At the moment of MR examination, patients were asymptomatic or complained of unspecific symptoms. The objective examinations as well as the clinical history were negative. An extensive diagnostic work‐up excluded alternative diagnoses.Results:  Case 1: 40‐year woman undergoing MR examination due to trivial cervical trauma. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis showed an IgG Index of 3.32 and presence of oligoclonal bands (OCB). New MR enhancing lesions were detected in the brain and cervical cord after 2 and 5 years. The patient remained clinically asymptomatic. Neuropsychological assessment (NPS) performed after 5 years revealed moderate deficits of attention/concentration and executive functions. Case 2: 35‐ year man, undergoing MR due to recent‐onset headache. CSF analysis showed an IgG Index of 1.54 and presence of OCB. At baseline, NPS assessment revealed moderate deficit on complex attention tasks. New MR enhancing lesions were detected in the brain after 1 and 3 years. Four years after the first MR, the patient presented double vision with internuclear ophthalmoplegia. He fulfilled Polman’s criteria for MS and he started interferon beta therapy. He remained stable at a 8‐year follow‐up. Case 3: 32‐year man, undergoing MR due to brief loss of consciousness following neck hyperextension. CSF analysis showed absence of OCB and normal IgG Index. At baseline, NPS assessment revealed mild deficits of attention and executive functions. Over a 5‐year follow‐up the subject remained asymptomatic and MR was unchanged. Case 4: 40‐year woman, sister of an MS patient. MR was required during a period of marked tiredness taking into account the family history. The patient did not present any relevant symptoms and MRI remained unchanged over a 6‐year follow‐up. NPS evaluation performed after 7 years showed moderate impairment of memory, attention and executive functions.Conclusion:  With the increased use of MR, S‐MS cases can be identified more often. In our series, despite the absence of any typical symptoms, an NPS assessment detected cognitive impairments consistent with those reported in MS.
Aortic calcification on plain chest radiography predicts embolic complications during carotid artery stenting
Authors: Gröschel K. , Pilgram S. M. , Ernemann U. , Schnaudigel S. , Nägele T. , Knauth M. , Kastrup A. 
Published: May 2008

Background and purpose:  Aortic arch calcification (AC) on conventional angiograms has recently been shown to be associated with embolic complications during carotid artery stenting (CAS). Because conventional angiography is not routinely carried out in patients prior to CAS, a less invasive, commonly available diagnostic modality is warranted to identify AC.Methods:  We investigated the occurrence of AC on routinely acquired chest radiographs and its influence on diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) lesions as surrogate markers for stroke.Results:  A total of 152 patients (mean age: 67.5 ± 8.9 years, 112 men) underwent CAS and completed pre‐ and post‐procedural DWI. AC larger than 1 cm in length was classified as relevant and could be detected in 63 patients (41.4%) on plain chest radiographs. In patients with AC, significantly more new DWI‐lesions were found than in patients without AC [median 2; interquartile range (IQR): 0–7 vs. median 1, IQR: 0–2; P < 0.05]. After multivariate regression analysis, AC was independently associated with new post‐procedural DWI lesions.Discussion:  AC is a common finding in patients with a high‐grade carotid stenosis and predicts embolic complications during CAS. Since AC can be detected on plain chest radiography, this diagnostic tool is useful to identify high‐risk patients for CAS.
Inflation Targeting in a Small Open Economy*
Authors: Cuche‐Curti Nicolas A. , Dellas Harris , Natal Jean‐Marc 
Published: May 2008

AbstractIn this paper we offer a justification for the observed wide variation in monetary practices across industrial countries. We claim that differences in the monetary policy rule adopted may simply reflect differences in economic structure and, in particular, in the types of shocks encountered and nominal rigidities present in various countries. We find that a case for inflation targeting can be made when external shocks are the prevalent source of volatility in the economy – a likely scenario for a small open economy. A policy of strict inflation targeting performs best when the main source of nominal rigidity is to be found in the labour market, while a policy of flexible inflation targeting that also puts some emphasis on exchange rate volatility has superior performance when the main source of nominal rigidity is in the goods market. Domestic supply shocks, on the other hand, call for greater tolerance of short‐run inflation movements, especially in the presence of nominal wage rigidities.
Cognitive Functioning and Survival in the Elderly: The SSADH C538T Polymorphism
Authors: De Rango F. , Leone O. , Dato S. , Novelletto A. , Bruni A. C. , Berardelli M. , Mari V. , Feraco E. , Passarino G. , De Benedictis G. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryThe variability of the Succinic Semialdehyde Dehydrogenase (SSADH, or ALDH5A1) gene affects both pathological and normal phenotypes correlated to cognitive function. We tested the association between the C538T polymorphism of the SSADH gene and preservation of cognitive function in the elderly, and its possible effects on survival. A sample from southern Italy (514 subjects; 18–107 years) was screened for C538T variability. We found that, within the 65–85 years age range, the T/T genotype is overrepresented in subjects with impaired cognitive function (MMSE ≤ 23) compared to those with conserved cognitive function (MMSE > 23). Furthermore, we found that the T/T genotype affects survival after 65 years of age. In fact, after this age, the survival function of T/T homozygous subjects is lower than that of the others. Given that the enzymatic activity of the protein encoded by allele T is 82.5% of the activity of the protein encoded by allele C, our results suggest that the efficiency of the SSADH enzyme is important for the preservation of cognitive function and survival in the elderly.
A Genome‐wide Scan in an Amish Pedigree with Parkinsonism
Authors: Lee S. L. , Murdock D. G. , McCauley J. L. , Bradford Y. , Crunk A. , McFarland L. , Jiang L. , Wang T. , Schnetz‐Boutaud N. , Haines J. L. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryThe identification of familial Parkinson Disease (PD) genes is yielding important molecular pathogenetic insights. In an effort to identify additional PD genes, we studied an eight generation Amish pedigree with apparent autosomal dominant parkinsonism with incomplete penetrance. Phenotypic variability ranged from idiopathic PD to progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), with the average age at onset 53 years (range of 39 to 74 years). We identified markers on chromosome 3 and 7 that were significant at a genome‐wide level by parametric and nonparametric criteria, lod > 3 and non‐parametric P‐value < 0.10, respectively. We also identified markers on chromosomes 10 and 22 with lod > 3. These data suggest that parkinsonism in this pedigree is genetically complex, with contributions from several loci.
Four SNPS on Chromosome 9p21 Confer Risk to Premature, Familial CAD and MI in an American Caucasian Population (GeneQuest)
Authors: Abdullah K. G. , Li L. , Shen G.‐Q. , Hu Y. , Yang Y. , MacKinlay K. G. , Topol E. J. , Wang Q. K. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryGenome‐wide association studies have separately identified four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on chromosome 9p21 that confer susceptibility to coronary artery disease (CAD) and myocardial infarction (MI). This study presents the first analysis of these SNPs (rs10757274, rs2383206, rs2383207, and rs10757278) in a premature, familial CAD/MI population (GeneQuest). We performed a case‐control analysis of the GeneQuest Caucasian population with 310 cases with premature CAD and MI (average age at onset of 40.3 ± 5.1) and 560 non‐CAD controls to determine if these SNPs are associated with risk of CAD using both the population‐based and family‐based association study designs. The four SNPs are significantly associated with premature and familial MI and CAD in the GeneQuest Caucasian population (allelic P= 6.61 × 10−7 to 1.87 × 10−8). Sib‐TDT analysis showed that three of the four SNPs could confer significant susceptibility to premature CAD and MI. These results indicate that the four SNPs on chromosome 9p21 are also associated with premature, familial CAD.
Swimming behavior in relation to buoyancy in an open swimbladder fish, the Chinese sturgeon
Authors: Watanabe Y. , Wei Q. , Yang D. , Chen X. , Du H. , Yang J. , Sato K. , Naito Y. , Miyazaki N. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe swimbladder of fishes is readily compressed by hydrostatic pressure with depth, causing changes in buoyancy. While modern fishes can regulate buoyancy by secreting gases from the blood into the swimbladder, primitive fishes, such as sturgeons, lack this secretion mechanism and rely entirely on air gulped at the surface to inflate the swimbladder. Therefore, sturgeons may experience changes in buoyancy that will affect their behavior at different depths. To test this prediction, we attached data loggers to seven free‐ranging Chinese sturgeons Acipenser sinensis in the Yangtze River, China, to monitor their depth utilization, tail‐beating activity, swim speed and body inclination. Two distinct, individual‐specific, behavioral patterns were observed. Four fish swam at shallow depths (7–31 m), at speeds of 0.5–0.6 m s−1, with ascending and descending movements of 1.0–2.4 m in amplitude. They beat their tails continuously, indicating that their buoyancy was close to neutral with their inflated swimbladders. In addition, their occasional visits to the surface suggest that they gulped air to inflate their swimbladders. The other three fish spent most of their time (88–94%) on the river bottom at a depth of 106–122 m with minimum activity. They occasionally swam upwards at speeds of 0.6–0.8 m s−1 with intense tailbeats before gliding back passively to the bottom, in a manner similar to fishes that lack a swimbladder. Their bladders were probably collapsed by hydrostatic pressure, resulting in negative buoyancy. We conclude that Chinese sturgeons behave according to their buoyancy, which varies with depth due to hydrostatic compression of the swimbladder.
Ocelot home range, overlap and density: comparing radio telemetry with camera trapping
Authors: Dillon A. , Kelly M. J. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractBecause ocelots Leopardus pardalis and other solitary carnivores are elusive and hard to study, little is known about their density and population status. In the past few years, camera trapping and mark–recapture statistics have been used to estimate the density of a number of felids. Although camera trapping is now providing baseline data for managers and conservationists alike, recent doubts have been raised concerning the accuracy of the standard camera trapping procedure. We used radio telemetry to gain new information on ocelot home‐range size and spatial organization in Central America, and compared the radius of our average ocelot home range with the standard camera trapping buffer. We compared the resulting density estimates to assess the current camera trapping methodology's ability to estimate animal density. Five adult ocelots (two male and three female) were tracked to determine an average ocelot home range of 26.09 km2 (95% fixed kernel) and 18.91 km2 (100% minimum convex polygon), with males demonstrating larger ranges than females. All ocelots had larger home ranges in the dry season. Male–male home‐range overlap averaged 9% while female–female overlap averaged 21%. Males shared 56% of their range with a primary female and 16% with a second and third female, while females shared 58% of their home range with a primary male and 3% with a secondary male. Density estimates based on the average home‐range radius (11.24–12.45 ocelots per 100 km2) were less than those determined from standard camera trapping methods (25.88 ocelots per 100 km2), but similar to those determined using twice the camera trapping buffer to estimate density (12.61 ocelots per 100 km2). Our results suggest that a standard camera trapping protocol may overestimate ocelot density. Accurate representation of animal densities and standardization of density estimation techniques are paramount for comparative analyses across sites and are vital for felid conservation.
Age‐specific feeding cessation in male red deer during rut
Authors: Mysterud A. , Bonenfant C. , Loe L. E. , Langvatn R. , Yoccoz N. G. , Stenseth N. C. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractTactics for resource‐use involve both using stored reserves (capital breeding) and feeding while reproducing (income breeding). In polygynous ungulates, males often use an income breeding strategy when young and shift to a capital breeding tactic at prime age. Little is known regarding why prime‐aged males stop or largely reduce eating during rut but still remain inactive for as much time as before rut. A detailed exploration of how rumen content correlates with age and date may shed light on the ultimate causes of why some males stop eating. We provide quantitative empirical data on rumen content from red deer Cervus elaphus during the rutting season in Norway. In male red deer, rumen content declined with age, up to around 6 years of age. Above this age, rumen content was low and stable. A time‐of‐year effect on rumen content was best described with a second‐order polynomial term, as rumen fill was lowest during mid‐October when the mass loss of males and the ovulation rate of females both peak. We present two new hypotheses related to why males reduce eating (physical rest and parasite hypotheses). Two related patterns need to be explained and better documented: (1) why are resting times stable before, after and during rut, and (2) why do non‐prime‐aged males eat more between rutting activities?
Vascularization of the lateral line organ in the Atlantic cod: involvement of the secondary vascular system
Authors: Bielecki J. , Skov P. V. , Tranum‐Jensen J. , Steffensen J. F. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractSections of the lateral line organ, primary and secondary blood vessels and skin from the Atlantic cod Gadus morhua, Linnaeus 1758, were examined by light and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The lateral line organ showed a structural analogy to the semicircular canals of the mammalian inner ear. A pericanalicular sinus (PCS), a canal of very loose connective tissue, surrounded the lateral line canal (LLC), separated by a multilayered epithelial wall. Located dorsal and ventral to the lateral line organ secondary vessels of capillary dimensions were found in association with the PCS. TEM of the wall of these dorso‐ventral vessels showed single tight junction contacts between the endothelial cells, allowing paracellular fluid exchange between the secondary vascular system and the PCS, an indication supported by horseradish peroxidase (HRP) tracer experiments, which showed reaction products in the PCS within 2 h after injecting HRP into the systemic circulation. The multilayered epithelial wall of the LLC showed multiple tight junctions between cells, making this boundary permeable only through transcellular transport.
Turning blue and ultraviolet: sex‐specific colour change during the mating season in the Balkan moor frog
Authors: Ries C. , Spaethe J. , Sztatecsny M. , Strondl C. , Hödl W. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractVisual signals are hitherto assumed to play only a minor role in intra‐specific communication in temperate anurans. However, in contrast to most species, males of the Balkan moor frog Rana arvalis wolterstorffi develop a conspicuous dorsal body coloration during the breeding season; its functional significance, however, remains to be clarified. In a first step, we quantified the colour change by measuring the spectral reflection of the eardrum, flank and back of males during immigration and the spawning climax by means of a spectrophotometer between 300 and 700 nm. We found that males change their body colour from dull brown with a more equal reflection spectrum to a bright ultraviolet (UV)‐blue with strong reflection between 350 and 450 nm. In contrast, females stay dull brown. A cage experiment revealed no effect of the presence/absence of direct physical contact between females and males on the UV‐blue body coloration in males. Moreover, none of the measured colour parameters, that is overall intensity, peak wavelength, UV and blue chroma, were found to correlate with the body condition index of males, indicating that body coloration is not affected by the physical condition of the male. Based on our results and data reported in the literature, we hypothesize that the UV‐bluish nuptial coloration, additionally to its assumed function as fitness indicator of the males, may constitute an intra‐sexual signal to prevent males from mispairing with other males in high‐density mating aggregations.
Innate sound production in the cichlid Oreochromis niloticus
Authors: Longrie N. , Fine M. L. , Parmentier E. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe mouthbrooding cichlid Oreochromis niloticus is one of the world's best‐studied fish and is raised extensively for aquaculture. Although it is a common behavioural model, its acoustic communication has been neglected. Because of extensive parental care, the species is a good candidate for vocal learning. In male O. niloticus, we investigated for the first time sound production in agonistic interactions during nest construction. Males produce short‐duration (250–400 ms), often double‐pulse sounds. Most energy is below 200 Hz and includes three main low‐frequency peaks although energy extends beyond 1 kHz. Males (separated as eggs and raised in isolation) produce similar sounds in the same context as parental fish, indicating that the ability to produce sounds and the basic properties of the sounds are innate.