bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessing the prevalence of intellectual disability among young male prisoners
Authors: Herrington V. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractBackground In recent years, academic debate has (re)focused on the extent of the co‐occurrence of intellectual disability (ID) and criminality, although findings from prevalence studies examining this link have been inconsistent. In April 2004, a process for transferring responsibility for commissioning healthcare services in UK prisons to Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) commenced. This development meant that it was important for PCTs to ascertain the need for specialist ID services in prisons in their areas. Because there were no reliable prevalence data, this research was commissioned by one such PCT.Method Using a stratified random sampling frame, data were collected from 185 young adult male prisoners aged 18 and 21 years old. Participants completed a semi‐structured research questionnaire, the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test (Second Edition) (KBIT2) and the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (Second Edition) (VABS2).Results Ten per cent had an IQ composite of 69 or below, indicating a significant impairment in cognitive functioning. A further 10% had IQ composite scores between 70 and 74, and 14% between 75 and 79. None of the sample had an Adaptive Behavior Composite (ABC) score of 69 or less, although 15% scored between 70 and 79 on this measure. While none of the sample could be classified as having an ID in strict diagnostic terms, 4% scored 69 or below on the KBIT2 and in the borderline (71–79) range on the VABS2, 4% had borderline ABCs and IQs between 70 and 74; and 3% had borderline ABCs and IQs less than 79. This equates to a point prevalence of borderline ID of 11%.Conclusions Eleven per cent of the sample had borderline ID, supporting suggestions that this group are prevalent – and easily hidden – in mainstream criminal justice settings. Differences between borderline ID inmates and non‐ID counterparts are discussed, and implications for service delivery are considered.
Speciation inPasserinabuntings: introgression patterns of sex‐linked loci identify a candidate gene region for reproductive isolation
Authors: CARLING MATTHEW D. , BRUMFIELD ROBB T. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractSex‐chromosomes are thought to play an important role in speciation, but few studies of non‐model organisms have investigated the relative influence of multiple sex‐linked markers on reproductive isolation. We collected 222 individuals along a geographical transect spanning the hybrid zone betweenPasserina amoenaandP. cyanea(Aves: Cardinalidae). Using maximum‐likelihood cline fitting methods, we estimated locus‐specific introgression rates for 10 z‐linked markers. Although the cline width estimates ranged from 2.8 to 584 km, eight of 10 loci had cline widths between 224 and 271 km. We also used coalescent‐based estimates of locus‐specific divergence times betweenP. amoenaandP. cyaneato test a recently proposed hypothesis of an inverse relationship between divergence time and cline width but did not find a significant association. The narrow width (2.8 km) of the cline estimated from theVLDLR9locus indicates strong selection retarding introgression of alleles at this locus across the hybrid zone. Interestingly, a mutation in the very low density lipoprotein receptor (VLDLR) gene, in whichVLDLR9is an intron, is known to reduce the egg‐laying ability of some chickens, suggesting a possible link between this gene region and reproductive isolation betweenP. amoenaandP. cyanea. These results underscore the importance of sampling multiple loci to investigate introgression patterns across a chromosome or genome and support previous findings of the importance of sex‐linked genes in speciation.
The limits of cryptic diversity in groundwater: phylogeography of the cave shrimp Troglocaris anophthalmus (Crustacea: Decapoda: Atyidae)
Authors: ZAKšEK VALERIJA , SKET BORIS , GOTTSTEIN SANJA , FRANJEVIĆ DAMJAN , TRONTELJ PETER 
Published: February 2009

AbstractRecent studies have revealed high local diversity and endemism in groundwaters, and showed that species with large ranges are extremely rare. One of such species is the cave shrimp Troglocaris anophthalmus from the Dinaric Karst on the western Balkan Peninsula, apparently uniform across a range of more than 500 kilometres. As such it contradicts the paradigm that subterranean organisms form localized, long‐term stable populations that cannot disperse over long distances. We tested it for possible cryptic diversity and/or unexpected evolutionary processes, analysing mitochondrial (COI, 16S rRNA) and nuclear (ITS2) genes of 232 specimens from the entire range. The results of an array of phylogeographical procedures congruently suggested that the picture of a widespread, continuously distributed and homogenous T. anophthalmus was wrong. The taxon is composed of four or possibly five monophyletic, geographically defined phylogroups that meet several species delimitation criteria, two of them showing evidence of biological reproductive isolation in sympatry. COI genetic distances between phylogroups turned out to be a poor predictor, as they were much lower than the sometimes suggested crustacean threshold value of 0.16 substitutions per site. Most results confirmed the nondispersal hypothesis of subterranean fauna, but the southern Adriatic phylogroup displayed a paradoxical pattern of recent dispersal across 300 kilometres of hydrographically fragmented karst terrain. We suggest a model of migration under extreme water‐level conditions, when flooded poljes could act as stepping‐stones. In the north of the range (Slovenia), the results confirmed the existence of a zone of unique biogeographical conflict, where surface fauna is concordant with the current watershed, and subterranean fauna is not.
Cryobanking of viable biomaterials: implementation of new strategies for conservation purposes
Authors: LERMEN DOMINIK , BLÖMEKE BRUNHILDE , BROWNE ROBERT , CLARKE ANN , DYCE PAUL W. , FIXEMER THOMAS , FUHR GÜNTER R. , HOLT WILLIAM V. , JEWGENOW KATARINA , LLOYD RHIANNON E. , LÖTTERS STEFAN , PAULUS MARTIN , REID GORDON MCGREGOR , RAPOPORT DANIEL H. , RAWSON DAVID , RINGLEB JENNIFER , RYDER OLIVER A. , SPÖRL GABRIELE , SCHMITT THOMAS , VEITH MICHAEL , MÜLLER PAUL 
Published: February 2009

AbstractCryobanking, the freezing of biological specimens to maintain their integrity for a variety of anticipated and unanticipated uses, offers unique opportunities to advance the basic knowledge of biological systems and their evolution. Notably, cryobanking provides a crucial opportunity to support conservation efforts for endangered species. Historically, cryobanking has been developed mostly in response to human economic and medical needs — these needs must now be extended to biodiversity conservation. Reproduction technologies utilizing cryobanked gametes, embryos and somatic cells are already vital components of endangered species recovery efforts. Advances in modern biological research (e.g. stem cell research, genomics and proteomics) are already drawing heavily on cryobanked specimens, and future needs are anticipated to be immense. The challenges of developing and applying cryobanking for a broader diversity of species were addressed at an international conference held at Trier University (Germany) in June 2008. However, the magnitude of the potential benefits of cryobanking stood in stark contrast to the lack of substantial resources available for this area of strategic interest for biological science — and society at large. The meeting at Trier established a foundation for a strong global incentive to cryobank threatened species. The establishment of an Amphibian Ark cryobanking programme offers the first opportunity for global cooperation to achieve the cryobanking of the threatened species from an entire vertebrate class.
The circular definition of populations and its implications for biological sampling
Authors: HARWOOD THOMAS D. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractApplication of population‐based theoretical models to the study of real world populations requires the relationship between the real and theoretical populations to be defined. Otherwise, it is not possible to take a representative field sample or census of a population. I demonstrate that the concept of a biological population is based on a circular definition and is logically untenable. A population is composed of a number of individuals whose membership of the population is determined by their relationship to the rest of the population. This has serious implications for common practice in a range of ecological and evolutionary disciplines.
Allelic and genotypic diversity in long‐term asexual populations of the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum in comparison with sexual populations
Authors: KANBE TAKASHI , AKIMOTO SHIN‐ICHI 
Published: February 2009

AbstractMany aphid species exhibit geographical variation in the mode of reproduction that ranges from cyclical parthenogenesis with a sexual phase to obligate parthenogenesis (asexual reproduction). Theoretical studies predict that organisms reproducing asexually should maintain higher allelic diversity per locus but lower genotypic diversity than organisms reproducing sexually. To corroborate this hypothesis, we evaluated genotypic and allelic diversities in the sexual and asexual populations of the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris). Microsatellite analysis revealed that populations in central Japan are asexual, whereas populations in northern Japan are obligatorily sexual. No mixed populations were detected in our study sites. Phylogenetic analysis using microsatellite data and mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequences revealed a long history of asexuality in central Japan and negated the possibility of the recent origin of the asexual populations from the sexual populations. Asexual populations exhibited much lower genotypic diversity but higher allelic richness per locus than did sexual populations. Asexual populations consisted of a few predominant clones that were considerably differentiated from one another. Sexual populations on alfalfa, an exotic plant in Japan, were most closely related to asexual populations associated with Vicia sativa L. The alfalfa‐associated sexual populations harboured one COI haplotype that was included in the haplotype clade of the asexual populations. Available evidence suggests that the sexuality of the alfalfa‐associated populations has recently been restored through the northward migration and colonization of alfalfa by V. sativa‐associated lineages. Therefore, our results support the theoretical predictions and provide a new perspective on the origin of sexual populations.
Hydrophobic peptides: novel regulators within bacterial membrane
Authors: Alix Eric , Blanc‐Potard Anne‐Béatrice 
Published: February 2009

SummaryIdentification of short coding sequences is challenging, both experimentally and in silico, and functional natural peptides (< 50 amino acids) have to a large extent been overlooked in Gram‐negative bacteria. Recent results have converged to highlight the role of hydrophobic peptides that form a novel class of active molecules in Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. These peptides can play a regulatory role by interacting with protein partners at the inner membrane and by modulating protein partner activity or stability. Genome‐wide analyses in both bacterial species have identified several conserved short open reading frames encoding a single transmembrane segment. We discuss the known and predicted membrane‐associated peptides and the tools for their identification. Besides the identification of novel regulatory networks, characterization of peptides with a single transmembrane helix segment and proteins that interact with them provides a powerful opportunity to study interactions between alpha helices within biological membranes. In addition, some bioactive membrane peptides could provide a basis for engineering membrane protein antagonists.
Solanum lycopersicum cv. Heinz 1706 chromosome 6: distribution and abundance of genes and retrotransposable elements
Authors: Peters Sander A. , Datema Erwin , Szinay Dóra , Van Staveren Marjo J. , Schijlen Elio G.W.M. , Van Haarst Jan C. , Hesselink Thamara , Abma‐Henkens Marleen H.C. , Bai Yuling , De Jong Hans , Stiekema Willem J. , Klein Lankhorst René M. , Van Ham Roeland C.H.J. 
Published: February 2009

SummaryWe studied the physical and genetic organization of chromosome 6 of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) cv. Heinz 1706 by combining bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) sequence analysis, high‐information‐content fingerprinting, genetic analysis, and BAC‐fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) mapping data. The chromosome positions of 81 anchored seed and extension BACs corresponded in most cases with the linear marker order on the high‐density EXPEN 2000 linkage map. We assembled 25 BAC contigs and eight singleton BACs spanning 2.0 Mb of the short‐arm euchromatin, 1.8 Mb of the pericentromeric heterochromatin and 6.9 Mb of the long‐arm euchromatin. Sequence data were combined with their corresponding genetic and pachytene chromosome positions into an integrated map that covers approximately a third of the chromosome 6 euchromatin and a small part of the pericentromeric heterochromatin. We then compared physical length (Mb), genetic (cM) and chromosome distances (μm) for determining gap sizes between contigs, revealing relative hot and cold spots of recombination. Through sequence annotation we identified several clusters of functionally related genes and an uneven distribution of both gene and repeat sequences between heterochromatin and euchromatin domains. Although a greater number of the non‐transposon genes were located in the euchromatin, the highly repetitive (22.4%) pericentromeric heterochromatin displayed an unexpectedly high gene content of one gene per 36.7 kb. Surprisingly, the short‐arm euchromatin was relatively rich in repeats as well, with a repeat content of 13.4%, yet the ratio of Ty3/Gypsy and Ty1/Copia retrotransposable elements across the chromosome clearly distinguished euchromatin (2:3) from heterochromatin (3:2).
Plasma B‐type natriuretic peptide levels in cardiac donors
Authors: Amir Nezar L. , Gerber Ivor L. , Edmond John J. , Langlands Janice M. , Richards A. Mark , Ruygrok Peter N. 
Published: February 2009

Abstract:  Introduction:  Elevated levels of plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and amino‐terminal BNP (NT‐proBNP) are associated with adverse cardiac outcomes. It is not known whether BNP and NT‐proBNP levels in heart donors can aid in selection and predict outcomes in transplant recipients.Methods:  Plasma BNP and NT‐proBNP were measured in 32 organ donors prior to removal from life‐support systems. Twelve hearts were accepted and 20 hearts were declined (no suitable recipient – 12, probable coronary artery disease – four, abnormal echocardiogram – three, other medical reasons – one). Records of heart transplant recipients were reviewed for: survival at 30 d, length of intensive care stay and need for intra‐aortic balloon counter‐pulsation (IABP).Results:  Donors were divided into three groups – Group 1 (n = 12): accepted hearts; Group 2 (n = 12): acceptable hearts not transplanted for logistic reasons; Group 3 (n = 8): declined because of probable cardiac disease. BNP and NT‐proBNP levels were significantly lower in donors with acceptable hearts (n = 24) compared with those with unacceptable hearts (n = 8) (p = 0.02 and 0.032, respectively). Of the 12 patients transplanted, four suffered a suboptimal outcome (two died, one required inotropic support and IABP, one prolonged hospitalization) while eight had good outcomes with no significant difference in BNP/NT‐proBNP levels between these groups.Conclusion:  BNP and NT‐proBNP levels were lower in organ donors whose hearts were acceptable for transplantation compared with those whose hearts were unsuitable. Measuring natriuretic peptides may be a useful adjunctive tool in the selection of donor hearts. We feel that further studies are warranted.
Impact of antenatal diagnosis of hypoplastic left heart syndrome on the clinical presentation and surgical outcomes: The Australian experience
Authors: Sivarajan Venkatesan , Penny Daniel J , Filan Peter , Brizard Christian , Shekerdemian Lara S 
Published: February 2009

Aim:  Antenatal diagnosis of severe congenital heart disease enables planning of perinatal care of affected infants. Congenital heart surgery is highly centralised in Australia, and surgery for hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) currently takes place at a single institution, in order to ensure case volume. The study aims to review the impact of antenatal diagnosis on the early clinical course of infants with HLHS in Australia.Methods:  Retrospective review was performed on all neonates who were admitted for management of HLHS between 2001 and 2005 at the Paediatric Cardiac Surgical Unit, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.Results:  Sixty neonates with HLHS were admitted, in whom an antenatal diagnosis was present in 46 (77%). Treatment was withdrawn in seven infants, of whom three had prenatal, and 4 had post‐natal diagnoses. Antenatally diagnosed infants were commenced on prostaglandin earlier than post‐natally diagnosed infants (age 1 h and 55 h respectively), and on paediatric intensive care unit admission had a higher pH (7.31 vs. 7.20), a lower lactate (3.0 vs. 6.7), a lower inspired oxygen fraction (0.21 vs. 0.96) and were less likely to be ventilated (10.8% vs. 92.9%). Infants with an antenatal diagnosis had lower peak creatinine (70 vs. 120) and alanine aminotransferase (29 vs. 242). The survival to intensive care discharge and stage 2 palliation was 74% and 68% respectively, and was not influenced by timing of diagnosis.Conclusions:  Antenatal diagnosis of HLHS was strongly associated with a superior pre‐operative clinical status, but did not influence early survival after surgical palliation.
Early renal post‐ischaemic tissue damage and dysfunction with contribution of A1‐adenosine receptor activation in rat
Authors: MOOSAVI SMS , BAYAT G , OWJI SM , PANJEHSHAHIN MR 
Published: February 2009

SUMMARYAim: This study investigated the effect of a selective A1‐adenosine receptor (A1‐AR) antagonist, 8‐cyclopentyl‐1,3‐dipropylxanthine (DPCPX), on the renal dysfunction and histological damage induced by ischaemia/reperfusion at an early stage.Methods: Pentobarbital anaesthetised rats were prepared for measuring renal functional variables. Ischaemia was induced by bilateral renal artery clamping for 30 min followed by a 4 h reperfusion period. In DPCPX‐treated rats, it was infused (i.v.) at 10 µg/kg per min before and after renal ischaemia. Both kidneys were examined using light and electron microscopy.Results: The renal ischaemic challenge resulted in major histological and ultrastructural damages, which were associated with decreased creatinine clearance, absolute potassium‐excretion and effective free‐water reabsorption, but increased fractional sodium‐excretion and urine flow during reperfusion period. In DPCPX‐treated rats, the histological and ultrastructural damage to the kidneys was improved along with the decrease in creatinine clearance and increase in fractional sodium‐excretion being smaller, but the increase in urine flow being larger than those of the non‐treated rats, while absolute potassium‐excretion and effective free‐water reabsorption were equal to those of the sham‐operated rats.Conclusion: These findings suggest that endogenous activation of A1‐AR contributes to the early development of renal ischaemia/reperfusion injury.
Protective effect of paraoxonase 1 of high‐density lipoprotein in type 2 diabetic patients with nephropathy
Authors: LI CHENGJIANG , GU QING 
Published: February 2009

SUMMARYAim:  Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) is an important antioxidative enzyme associated with high‐density lipoproteins (HDL). Recent data suggest that HDL antioxidative ability may be altered in type 2 diabetic patients. The aim of this study was, therefore, to investigate whether HDL‐PON1 activity and HDL antioxidative ability were related to the presence and severity of diabetic nephropathy.Methods:  Sixty type 2 diabetic patients, who were subdivided into normoalbuminuria, microalbuminuria and macroalbuminuria, and 20 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls were recruited. HDL was then isolated to measure PON1 activity, lipid peroxide and its ability in protecting low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) from oxidation.Results:  HDL‐PON1 activity and HDL antioxidative ability in protecting LDL from oxidation was preserved in diabetic patients with normoalbuminuria, but significantly decreased in those with microalbuminuria or macroalbuminuria. HDL peroxide was comparable between healthy controls and normoalbuminuric patients, but significantly increased in those with microalbuminuria or macroalbuminuria. On multiple analyses, urinary protein was an independent negative determinant of HDL‐PON1 activity, and HDL‐PON1 activity was positively associated with HDL antioxidative ability, and negatively associated with HDL peroxide.Conclusion:  HDL‐PON1 activity is decreased in type 2 diabetic patients with incipient or overt nephropathy, which relates to the reduced HDL antioxidative ability in protecting LDL from oxidation and increased peroxide in HDL.
Primary open angle glaucoma in subjects harbouring the predicted GLC1L haplotype reveals a normotensive phenotype
Authors: Sherwin Justin C , Hewitt Alex W , Bennett Sonya L , Baird Paul N , Craig Jamie E , Mackey David A 
Published: February 2009

AbstractPurpose:  Primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) is a complex heterogeneous disease. The aim of this study was to describe the POAG phenotype in individuals who harbour the novel GLC1L disease‐associated haplotype in a large pedigree where the Myocilin Gln368STOP mutation also segregates.Methods:  The clinical findings from 24 subjects with POAG from the GTAS02 family recruited as part of the Glaucoma Inheritance Study of Tasmania (GIST) were compared relative to genotype status. The previously identified GLC1L disease haplotype encompasses a chromosomal region of 8.3 centimorgans bounded by the markers D3S3521 and D3S1289 on 3p21‐22.Results:  In subjects with the GLC1L disease haplotype (with or without Gln368STOP), the POAG phenotype was characterized by a mean age at diagnosis of 54.3 years, and mean maximum recorded intraocular pressure (IOP) of 23.9 mmHg. The mean maximum recorded IOP was lower in subjects with the predicted disease haplotype and no Gln368STOP mutation, compared with subjects with the predicted disease haplotype and presence of the Gln368STOP mutation (P = 0.02). Presence of the Gln368STOP mutation was significantly more common in those with the predicted disease haplotype than those without (P = 0.04). In the four subjects carrying the GLC1L disease‐associated haplotype without the Gln368STOP mutation, a normotensive glaucoma (mean maximum recorded IOP 15 mmHg, range 13–17 mmHg) was present.Conclusions:  The GLC1L locus may be associated with glaucoma in the absence of elevated IOP. Discovery of the specific gene within the GLC1L locus on 3p21‐22 would provide a useful addition to our ability to offer genetic testing and counselling to POAG individuals and their families.