bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Twigs on the tree of life? Neutral and selective models for integrating macroevolutionary patterns with microevolutionary processes in the analysis of asexuality
Authors: SCHWANDER TANJA , CRESPI BERNARD J. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractNeutral models characterize evolutionary or ecological patterns expected in the absence of specific causal processes, such as natural selection or ecological interactions. In this study, we describe and evaluate three neutral models that can, in principle, help to explain the apparent 'twigginess' of asexual lineages on phylogenetic trees without involving the negative consequences predicted for the absence of recombination and genetic exchange between individuals. Previously, such phylogenetic twiggyness of asexual lineages has been uncritically interpreted as evidence that asexuality is associated with elevated extinction rates and thus represents an evolutionary dead end. Our first model uses simple phylogenetic simulations to illustrate that, with sexual reproduction as the ancestral state, low transition rates to stable asexuality, or low rates of ascertained ‘speciation’ in asexuals, can generate twiggy distributions of asexuality, in the absence of high extinction rates for asexual lineages. The second model, developed by Janko et al. (2008), shows that a dynamic equilibrium between origins and neutral losses of asexuals can, under some conditions, generate a relatively low mean age of asexual lineages. The third model posits that the risk of extinction for asexual lineages may be higher than that of sexuals simply because asexuals inhabit higher latitudes or altitudes, and not due to effects of their reproductive systems. Such neutral models are useful in that they allow quantitative evaluation of whether empirical data, such as phylogenetic and phylogeographic patterns of sex and asexuality, indeed support the idea that asexually reproducing lineages persist over shorter evolutionary periods than sexual lineages, due to such processes as mutation accumulation, slower rates of adaptive evolution, or relatively lower levels of genetic variability.
The biogeography of Miniopterus bats (Chiroptera: Miniopteridae) from the Comoro Archipelago inferred from mitochondrial DNA
Authors: WEYENETH NICOLE , GOODMAN STEVEN M. , STANLEY WILLIAM T. , RUEDI MANUEL 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe endemic fauna of the Comoro Archipelago is composed of a mixture of taxa originating from Africa and Madagascar. Bats are the only native land dwelling mammals on this archipelago, but the biogeographical origins for the vast majority of species within this group are ambiguous. We report here genetic analyses based on two mitochondrial DNA markers to infer the origin of Comorian bats belonging to a reputed species complex of Miniopterus that is further distributed across Africa and Madagascar. Phylogenetic reconstructions show that east African M. minor are not closely related to the insular Miniopterus of Madagascar and the Comoros (Grande Comore and Anjouan). The latter cluster into two distinct, monophyletic clades (Clade 1 and Clade 2). Representatives of these clades occur sympatrically both on the Comoros and on Madagascar, and are distinguished by a large genetic distance (K2P: 9.9% for cytochrome b). No haplotypes are shared between any islands, suggesting the absence of contemporary gene flow. Populations of the widespread Clade 1 are furthermore characterized by a significant inter‐island structure (ΦCT = 0.249), and by high haplotype and nucleotide diversities (h = 0.90–0.98, π = 0.04–0.06). Demographic analyses of Clade 1 suggest secondary contact between two distinct phylogroups (Subclade 1 A and 1B) that reached Grande Comore and Anjouan, and a large, stable population with a long evolutionary history on Madagascar. These results and the current distribution of related lineages suggest that the Comoros were colonized independently at least two or three times by ancestors from Madagascar.
Sequencing over 13 000 expressed sequence tags from six subtractive cDNA libraries of wild and modern wheats following slow drought stress
Authors: ERGEN NESLIHAN Z. , BUDAK HIKMET 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTA deeper understanding of the drought response and genetic improvement of the cultivated crops for better tolerance requires attention because of the complexity of the drought response syndrome and the loss of genetic diversity during domestication. We initially screened about 200 wild emmer wheat genotypes and then focused on 26 of these lines, which led to the selection of two genotypes with contrasting responses to water deficiency. Six subtractive cDNA libraries were constructed, and over 13 000 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) were sequenced using leaf and root tissues of wild emmer wheat genotypes TR39477 (tolerant) and TTD‐22 (sensitive), and modern wheat variety Kiziltan drought stressed for 7 d. Clustering and assembly of ESTs resulted in 2376 unique sequences (1159 without hypothetical proteins and no hits), 75% of which were represented only once. At this level of EST sampling, each tissue shared a very low percentage of transcripts (13–26%). The data obtained indicated that the genotypes shared common elements of drought stress as well as distinctly differential expression patterns that might be illustrative of their contrasting ability to tolerate water deficiencies. The new EST data generated here provide a highly diverse and rich source for gene discovery in wheat and other grasses.
Inter‐ and intraspecific sequence variations of the chloroplast genome in wild and cultivated Raphanus
Authors: Yamagishi H. , Terachi T. , Ozaki A. , Ishibashi A. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractTo assess the differentiation of the chloroplast genome in wild and cultivated species of Raphanus, nucleotide sequence polymorphisms were investigated for approximately 2 kbp ranging from trnL (UAA) to psbG in R. raphanistrum and R. sativus. Eighteen plants of wild species, 10 Japanese wild radish plants (R. sativus), and 31 cultivated plants were used for sequence analysis. Intraspecific variations of the chloroplast genome were present both in wild and cultivated Raphanus. All three genes investigated (trnL, trnF and ndhJ) contained nucleotide substitutions within the genus. Whereas, larger numbers of mutations were observed in the intergenic regions. Using the detected variations, the 59 radish plants were classified into 11 haplotypes, seven of which were unique to wild species. Among the haplotypes, one type corresponded completely with the Ogura male sterile cytoplasm. All the cultivated radishes belonged to one of four types, of which three were also observed in Japanese wild radish. The haplotypes were classified into four groups by cluster analysis, and the distribution in the dendrogram confirmed that cultivated radish has multiple origins. On the other hand, the seven haplotypes uniquely observed in R. raphanistrum were considered as useful materials to provide genetic diversity of cytoplasm for breeding of cultivated radishes.
Maternal mortality over the last decade: A changing pattern of death due to alarming rise in hepatitis in the latter five‐year period
Authors: Rana Ashma , Pradhan Neelam , Manandhar Bekha , Bitsta Kesang Diki , Adhikari Silu , Gurung Geeta , Amatya Archana 
Published: November 2008

AbstractAims:  To study the causes of maternal mortality in two consecutive five year periods over a decade (1997–2001/2002–2006) in a university hospital.Method:  A maternal mortality over 10 years (1997–2006) was analyzed prospectively from the Obstetrics/Gynecology Department of Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital.Results:  The maternal mortality ratio of 267.5/100 000 live births was affected by 83 (41 [49.3%] direct, 36 [43.3%] indirect and six [7.2%] non‐obstetric) maternal deaths in 31 021 live births. Direct cause was led by infections (n = 23, 27.7%): 15 septic abortions (two [2.4%] spontaneous and 13 [15.6%] induced; seven of these occurred in 1997–2001); along with seven (8.6%) cases of puerperal sepsis; a case of antenatal septic shock; and a case of hemolysis, elevated liver enzyme levels, and low platelet count syndrome. There were eight (9.8%) cases of obstetric hemorrhage (six post‐partum hemorrhage; two abortions); eclampsia (n = 2); severe pregnancy‐induced hypertension with hemolysis, elevated liver enzyme levels, and low platelet count syndrome (n = 1); and cesarean complications included one from anesthesia and another surgical, which was included under post‐partum hemorrhage. There were two cases of pulmonary embolism and four unexplainable deaths. Indirect causes included infective hepatitis (n = 19, 22.8%) (13 of these occurred in the more recent 5‐year period [2002–2006]), followed by heart disease (n = 6), tuberculosis (n = 5, 6%), anemia (n = 3, 3.6%) and a case each of meningitis, chronic renal failure and diarrhea. Six non‐obstetric deaths occurred: one from a road traffic accident; and five due to suicidal (n = 1) and accidental (n = 4) burns.Conclusion:  Maternal mortality over a period of a decade in an institutional setting exhibited induced septic abortion as the main cause of maternal death during the first five years of the study period (1997–2001). In the second five years of the study period (2002–2006) an alarming rise in infective hepatitis became the main cause of maternal death.
Ecophysiological differences of betaproteobacterial populations in two hydrochemically distinct compartments of a subtropical lagoon
Authors: Alonso Cecilia , Zeder Michael , Piccini Claudia , Conde Daniel , Pernthaler Jakob 
Published: November 2008

SummaryWe studied the population sizes and substrate incorporation patterns of three phylogenetic groups of Betaproteobacteria in a coastal subtropical lagoon that is characterized by a sharp transition from humic freshwater to turbid brackish water. Various cellular processes were addressed by short‐term incubations with four radiolabelled compounds and microautoradiographic assessment of substrate incorporation. Group‐specific differences in the abundances and the respective physiological state of the three populations were observed upon transfer from the humic‐rich compartment to the main body of the lagoon (estimated at 1–2 days). Members of the clade B of Polynucleobacter (PnecB) experienced only an insignificant change in cell numbers, but displayed a general metabolic downshift, carbon metabolism (glucose incorporation) being most affected. By contrast, bacteria from the closely related Polynucleobacter C clade (PnecC) clearly differed in total abundances and in the numbers of DNA‐synthesizing or glucose incorporating cells. At the same time, PnecC bacteria maintained comparable levels of protein synthesis (leucine uptake) in both lagoon compartments, and the proportion of cells incorporating N‐acetylglucosamine was even higher in the main body of the lagoon. Members of the R‐BT lineage showed little changes in cell numbers, DNA synthesis and carbon metabolism. Altogether, the observed patterns of substrate metabolism suggest that different bacterial populations in the lagoon undergo specific physiological adjustments in response to changing environmental conditions.
Species‐sorting may explain an apparent minimal effect of immigration on freshwater bacterial community dynamics
Authors: Jones Stuart E. , McMahon Katherine D. 
Published: November 2008

SummaryLong distance atmospheric transport of bacterial cells is often implied as a driver of the apparent cosmopolitan distribution of bacterial taxa. Surprisingly, efforts to measure immigration in bacterial communities are rare. An 8‐week time series of within‐lake bacterial community composition and atmospheric deposition rates and composition were used to estimate the influence of immigration on bacterial community dynamics in two north temperate lakes. Characterization of bacterial community dynamics using automated ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis suggested moderate overlap in composition between the lakes and atmospherically deposited cells. However, taxa that appeared to be delivered by atmospheric deposition had a relatively minor influence on lake bacterial community dynamics. The weak influence of immigrating bacterial taxa suggests that a species‐sorting concept best describes aquatic bacterial metacommunity dynamics.
VESICAL CALCULUS IN NORFOLK
Authors: Thomas J. M. Ridley 
Published: November 2008

Summary1. No longer can Norfolk be considered an area where vesical calculus is common.2. Vesical calculus in children, once very common, has now become very rare.3. The disappearance coincides with the rise in the standard of living, and quite noticeably with the change to mixed farming in a county which was formerly grain‐ producing. This agricultural change took place between the years 1916 and 1925.4. Rationing of foodstuffs has, if anything, still further diminished the incidence5. At the present time approximately only 10 per cent. of patients with vesical calculi do not have an organic lesion in the urinary tract predisposing to the formation of calculus.
THE URINARY CITRATE EXCRETION IN PATIENTS WITH RENAL CALCULI
Authors: Conway Nancy S. , Maitland A. Ian L. , Rennie J. Basil 
Published: November 2008

SummaryIt has been suggested that an important factor in the formation of renal calculi is a deficiency of citrate excretion by the kidney. This we have failed to confirm and consider rather that any gross diminution of urinary citrate is due simply to infection of the urinary tract. The proof of this is as follows:‐1. In seven patients with calculi and a sterile tract the average citrate content of the urine was comparable with that found in controls.2. Seven patients with calculi, associated with infection, were all found to have less citrate in their urine than normals.3. Experiments in vitro confirmed that in this latter group citrate was destroyed particularly by E. colz, although with Kosers medium this splitting action was not detectable.
Genito‐urinary Complications of Brucellosis
Authors: IBRAHIM A. I. A. , AWAD R. , SHETIY S. D. , SAAD M. , BILAL N. E. 
Published: November 2008

Summary— Twelve cases of genito‐urinary complications of brucellosis are presented. Ten patients had epididymo‐orchitis, 1 presented with right hydronephrosis and 1 with haematuria and dysuria. The 10 cases of epididymo‐orchitis were compared with 15 cases of acute non‐specific epididymo‐orchitis. The former were of longer duration and were not associated with lower urinary tract symptoms; almost all of these patients had ingested unpasteurised milk. Non‐specific epididymo‐orchitis had a more acute onset, shorter duration and was associated more frequently with pyuria, lower urinary tract symptoms, higher leucocyte counts and insignificant brucella titres.The distinction between these two types of epididymo‐orchitis is essential, since the treatments are entirely different.
Validation of a Self‐administered Urological Questionnaire
Authors: BRITTON J. P. , DOWELL A. C. , WHELAN P. 
Published: November 2008

Summary— Self‐administered questionnaires are widely used in clinical practice and as an aid to research. However, their reliability as a means of eliciting symptoms of urological disease has not been established.A questionnaire designed to elicit symptoms of urological disease was validated in 120 patients (36 out‐patients, 27 in‐patients and 57 community patients). All found the questionnaire acceptable and the completion rate was 99%. Only 3 of 648 answers were changed on the test‐retest analysis. Consistency, as assessed by a comparison of responses by clinician and patient, was satisfactory in 11 of 15 questions relating to urological symptoms and the questionnaire successfully identified a high risk group of patients from the community requiring further urological evaluation.The need to include results of a preliminary validation study when reporting results obtained by a self‐administered questionnaire is emphasised.
Erythrocyte Stearic to Oleic Acid Ratio in Prostatic Carcinoma
Authors: PERSAD R. A. , GILLATT D. A. , HEINEMANN D. , HABIB N. A. , SMITH P. J. B. 
Published: November 2008

Summary— The red cell membrane stearic acid to oleic acid ratio was analysed in 34 men with histologically proven carcinoma of the prostate and distant metastases. This ratio was expressed as the saturation index (SI). A mean SI of 0.97 was found in control patients without evidence of any malignancy whereas all patients with advanced prostatic cancer showed a reduced stearic to oleic acid ratio (mean SI 0.466). Untreated patients had a significantly lower SI (mean 0.36) than those who had responded to hormonal therapy (mean 0.547; P < 0.0001). A drop in SI correlated well with more advanced disease as judged by radiological findings and serum PSA.It is suggested that red cell membrane SI correlates well with radiological and biochemical markers of advanced prostatic carcinoma and may be used as a marker to assess progress and response to treatment.
Prenatally Diagnosed Reflux: a Follow‐up Study
Authors: GORDON A. C. , THOMAS D. F. M. , ARTHUR R. J. , IRVING H. C. , SMITH S. E. W. 
Published: November 2008

Summary— This report analyses the characteristics and outcome of 25 infants with vesicoureteric reflux detected prenatally on the basis of dilatation of the fetal urinary tract. Sixteen infants had bilateral reflux—a total of 41 refluxing units.The high proportion of males (84%) contrasts with clinically presenting reflux, which is dominated by females. Prenatally diagnosed reflux is generally of a higher grade—usually grade IV.Eight children (32%) had coexistent congenital abnormalities. Chemoprophylaxis was completely effective in 17 children (68%), who remained infection‐free; 3 children (12%) had a single urinary infection and were managed conservatively whilst 5 (20%) experienced 2 or more infections and required reimplantation or vesicostomy. Spontaneous cessation of reflux was observed in 6 (35%) of 17 refluxing ureters reassessed after a mean interval of 2.1 years.The significance of isotope findings was sometimes difficult to assess but results in 30 refluxing units support the concept that focal renal scarring is usually a consequence of infected reflux in postnatal life.
Identification of Urinary Stone Composition by Pulsed Dye Laser
Authors: HOLDEN D. , WHITEHURST C. , RAO P. N. , KING T. A. , BLACKLOCK N. J. 
Published: November 2008

Summary— Stones were recovered from the urinary tract and their composition determined by X‐ray diffraction before exposure to a pulsed dye laser beam. The resultant fluorescent emissions were recorded using a scanning reticon and they appeared to be specifically related to the composition of each stone.This technique has a practical application as it may allow identification of the composition of urinary tract stones in vivo, and so indicate the best mode of lithotripsy.
Staghorn Calculi of the Kidney: Classification and Therapy
Authors: SILVERIO F. DI , GALLUCCI M. , ALPI G. 
Published: November 2008

Summary— Following the introduction of new techniques, the reclassification of staghorn calculi is indicated in order to establish the most suitable form of treatment.Of 269 patients with staghorn calculi treated over a 3‐year period, 56% underwent extracorporeal Shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) monotherapy; 16% required open surgery and the remaining 28% underwent percutaneous nephrolithotripsy (PCNL) with ultrasound in association with ESWL. The latter group has been reviewed, taking into account invasiveness, results, complications and cost effectiveness. A combination of PCNL and ESWL was beneficial in patients in whom percutaneous access through a single tract removed more than 70% of the stone. As a result of these findings, the authors propose a revised classification of staghorn calculi.
Continence after Total Bladder Replacement: Urodynamic Analysis of the Ileal Neobladder
Authors: BACHOR R. , FROHNEBERG D. , MILLER K. , EGGHART G. , HAUTMANN R. 
Published: November 2008

Summary— Since April 1986 we have carried out 103 bladder substitutions with the ileal neobladder; 91 of these were performed after radical cystectomy in males (group 1) and 12 after subtotal bladder resection (group 2); 55 patients in group 1 and 8 in group 2 were followed up by long‐term urodynamic investigations and by a questionnaire concerning micturition patterns and continence at home 3 months post‐operatively. The maximum bladder capacity was approximately 770 ml with an absolute intravesical pressure of 23 to 30 cm H2O. Intravesical pressure waves with a mean amplitude of 20 cm H2O were found in 38% of patients in group 1 and 25% in group 2; 61% of these patients were asymptomatic.The results showed that 85% of patients were continent by day and by night. We attribute this to our operative technique: the ileal loop is folded 4 times in a “W” or “M” shape to achieve complete detubularisation of the bowel and the external urethral sphincter is carefully preserved. Altogether, these data show the ileal neobladder technique to be a reliable and safe method of bladder substitution.
Treatment of Bladder Carcinoma Using a Germ Cell Chemotherapy Protocol
Authors: WILLIAMS GRANT , COLBECK R. A. , CRAWFORD S. M. 
Published: November 2008

Summary— Elevated levels of circulating β‐human chorionic gonadotrophin (β‐HCG) are commonly associated with a variety of tumours of germ cell origin. Other carcinomas may possess choriocarcinomatous elements but only rarely have there been reports of transitional cell carcinomas of the bladder associated with raised germ cell tumour markers, possibly because assays are not routinely performed.We present 3 patients with advanced transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder, 2 with metastatic and 1 with locally invasive disease, who had raised levels of germ cell tumour markers. These patients were therefore treated with combination chemotherapy appropriate to such tumours, with excellent results, as shown by clinical improvement and return to normal of tumour marker levels. Recent reports of the association between bladder carcinoma and ectopic synthesis of β‐HCG are reviewed. It was concluded that the production of β‐HCG is probably not rare, but that when it is found, the adoption of an appropriate chemotherapeutic regime may be successful.
The Intraprostatic Spiral. New Treatment for Urinary Retention
Authors: NIELSEN K. K. , KLARSKOV P. , NORDLING J. , ANDERSEN J. T. , HOLM H. H. 
Published: November 2008

Summary— In a series of 45 consecutive patients with acute or chronic urinary retention, 41 were treated by insertion of an intraprostatic spiral using ultrasonic guidance under local anaesthesia. Insertion was successful in 35 patients and in 6 the spiral was inserted endoscopically.During a follow‐up period of 12 months 8 patients died, all with a functioning spiral. The device was removed in 16 patients; in 6 cases the reasons for removal were related to the spiral and in 10 they were not. The spiral remained in situ in 17 patients and all had satisfactory voiding. This device is a good alternative to an indwelling catheter in patients awaiting prostatic surgery and also in those who are either unfit or unwilling to undergo prostatectomy.
Unilateral Testicular Torsion: Abnormal Histological Findings in the Contralateral Testis—Cause or Effect?
Authors: LAOR E. , FISCH H. , TENNENBAUM S. , SESTERHENN I. , MOSTOFI K. , REID R. E. 
Published: November 2008

Summary— A histological review of testicular biopsies of the contralateral testis, obtained at the time of surgical intervention for testicular torsion, was performed in 20 post‐pubertal men.Contralateral histological abnormalities were found in 12 specimens. The duration of torsion correlated well with the viability of the involved testis but not with the presence of contralateral abnormalities.The high incidence of contralateral histological abnormalities and their nature suggest that they existed prior to the torsion since they would be unlikely to appear at such an early stage. We believe that some patients who suffer testicular torsion probably have congenital anomalies of both testes. These abnormalities involve testicular parenchyma as well as the suspension system.