bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
AFLP analysis of genetic variability among Stylosanthes guianensis accessions resistant and susceptible to the stylo anthracnose
Authors: Jiang C.‐S. , Ma X.‐R. , Zhou D.‐M. , Zhang Y.‐Z. 
Published: November 2005

Abstract Stylosanthes guianensis, belonging to the genus Stylosanthes, is one of the most important tropical forage legumes and is native to South and Central America and Africa. Anthracnose, caused by the fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Penz.) Sacc., is a major constraint to the extensive use of Stylosanthes as tropical forage. Forty‐two accessions of S. guianensis were assessed with amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) for genetic diversity and for resistance to anthracnose. In AFLP analysis, four selective primer combinations screened from 96 primer combinations were used to analyse these accessions, and a total of 225 clear bands were used for genetic similarity (GS) analysis, showing a 95.5% level of polymorphism on average. GS from 31.0% to 95.0% among the accessions was calculated with ntsys‐pc software. The dendrogram was constructed with unweighted pair group method of averages (UPGMA) based on the AFLP data, and five clusters were defined at 48% GS. Two typical strains of C. gloeosporioides from Stylosanthes in China were used for anthracnose resistance screening. Most of the plant accessions showed variation in the reaction to two strains, and the correlation of resistance had a value of 0.904 (P < 0.01), suggesting common resistance to the two strains. The resistance accessions were randomly distributed in different groups of UPGMA clustering. These results demonstrate that AFLP analysis is an efficient method for evaluating the genetic diversity among S. guianensis accessions.
Identification of asymmetrically localized transcripts along the animal–vegetal axis of the Xenopus egg
Authors: Kataoka Kensuke , Tazaki Akira , Kitayama Atsushi , Ueno Naoto , Watanabe Kenji , Mochii Makoto 
Published: November 2005

In many organisms, proper embryo development depends on the asymmetrical distribution of mRNA in the cytoplasm of the egg. Here we report comprehensive screening of RNA localized in the animal or vegetal hemisphere of the Xenopus egg. Macroarrays including over 40 000 independent embryonic cDNA clones, representing at least 17 000 unigenes, were differentially hybridized with labeled probes synthesized from the mRNA of animal or vegetal blastomeres. After two rounds of screening, we identified 33 clones of transcripts that may be preferentially distributed in the vegetal region of the early stage embryo, but transcripts localized in the animal region were not found. To assess the array results, we performed northern blot and quantitative real‐time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction analysis. As a result, 21 transcripts of the 33 were confirmed to be localized in the vegetal region of the early stage embryo. Whole‐mount in situ hybridization analysis revealed that 11 transcripts, including 7 previously reported genes, were localized in the vegetal hemisphere of the egg. These 11 transcripts were categorized into three groups according to their expression patterns in the egg. The first group, which contained four transcripts, showed uniform expression in the vegetal hemisphere, similar to VegT. The second group, which contained three transcripts, showed gradual expression from the vegetal pole to the equator, similar to Vg1. The last group, which contained three transcripts, was expressed at the germ plasm, similar to Xdazl. One transcript, Xwnt11, showed both the second and the third expression patterns.
Scaling up keystone effects from simple to complex ecological networks
Authors: Brose Ulrich , Berlow Eric L. , Martinez Neo D. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractPredicting the consequences of species loss requires extending our traditional understanding of simpler dynamic systems of few interacting species to the more complex ecological networks found in natural ecosystems. Especially important is the scaling up of our limited understanding of how and under what conditions loss of ‘keystone’ species causes large declines of many other species. Here we explore how these keystone effects vary among simulations progressively scaled up from simple to more complex systems. Simpler simulations of four to seven interacting species suggest that species up to four links away can strongly alter keystone effects and make the consequences of keystone loss potentially indeterminate in more realistically complex communities. Instead of indeterminacy, we find that more complex networks of up to 32 species generally buffer distant influences such that variation in keystone effects is well predicted by surprisingly local ‘top‐down’, ‘bottom‐up’, and ‘horizontal‘ constraints acting within two links of the keystone subsystem. These results demonstrate that: (1) strong suppression of the competitive dominant by the keystone may only weakly affect subordinate competitors; (2) the community context of the target species determines whether strong keystone effects are realized; (3) simple, measurable, and local attributes of complex communities may explain much of the empirically observed variation in keystone effects; and (4) increasing network complexityper sedoes not inherently make the prediction of strong keystone effects more complicated.
Expenditure freeze: the metabolic response of small mammals to cold environments
Authors: Humphries Murray M. , Boutin Stan , Thomas Donald W. , Ryan John D. , Selman Colin , McAdam Andrew G. , Berteaux Dominique , Speakman John R. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractThere is renewed focus on the ecological determinants of animal metabolism and recent comparative analyses support the physiological expectation that the field metabolic rate (FMR) of homeotherms should increase with declining ambient temperature. However, sustained elevation of FMR during prolonged, seasonal cold could be prevented by intrinsic limits constraining FMR to some multiple of basal metabolic rate (BMR) or extrinsic limits on resource abundance. We analysed previous measures of mammalian FMR and BMR to establish the effect of ambient temperature on both traits and found no support for intrinsic limitation. We also measured the FMR of a northern population of red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) exposed to ambient temperatures much colder than all but one previous study of mammal FMR. These measurements revealed levels of energy expenditure that are, unexpectedly, among the lowest ever recorded in homeotherms and that actually decrease as it gets colder. Collectively, these results suggest the metabolic niche space of cold climate endotherms may be much larger than previously recognized.
Novel and simple method for isolating autologous mesothelial cells from the tunica vaginalis
Authors: Asano Touko , Takazawa Ryoji , Yamato Masayuki , Kageyama Yukio , Kihara Kazunori , Okano Teruo 
Published: November 2005

OBJECTIVETo report the development of a new method of isolating autologous mesothelial cells from the tunica vaginalis that are easily obtained and generally free from the effects of abdominal cancer, and to investigate whether transplanting these mesothelial cells is effective in preventing postoperative adhesions.MATERIALS AND METHODSThe tunica vaginalis was resected from male Lewis rats, and mesothelial cells were collected by enzymatic disaggregation. To investigate the efficacy of mesothelial cells in preventing adhesion, harvested cells were transplanted into a rat intestinal hernia adhesion model.RESULTSCells isolated from the tunica vaginalis were homogenous, polygonal when confluent, expressed cytokeratin and vimentin, and the cell surface was covered with microvilli, which is the characteristic appearance of endogenous mesothelial cells. The transplantation of autologous mesothelial cell sheets reduced peritoneal adhesion.CONCLUSIONWe developed a new method of obtaining autologous mesothelial cells from the tunica vaginalis. These cells may provide a valuable option for treating patients at risk of postoperative adhesions.
Concomitant management of renal calculi and pelvi‐ureteric junction obstruction with robotic laparoscopic surgery
Authors: Atug Fatih , Castle Erik P. , Burgess Scott V. , Thomas Raju 
Published: November 2005

Authors from the USA describe their experience using robotic‐assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty and stone extraction, and present their technical recommendations. They point out the not unexpected finding that concurrent stone extraction and pyeloplasty was rather longer than in patients having pyeloplasty alone.OBJECTIVETo present technical recommendations for robotic‐assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty (RALP) and stone extraction, as patients with kidney stones proximal to a pelvi‐ureteric junction obstruction (PUJO) present a technical challenge, and have traditionally been managed with open surgery or percutaneous antegrade endopyelotomy.PATIENTS AND METHODSFrom November 2002 to April 2005, 55 patients had RALP for PUJO; eight of these had concomitant renal calculi. Stone burden and location were assessed with a preoperative radiological examination. Before completing the PUJO repair, one robot working arm (cephalad one) was temporarily undocked to allow passage of a flexible nephroscope into the renal pelvis and collecting systems under direct vision. Stones were extracted with graspers or basket catheters and removed via the port. The surgical‐assistant port in the subxiphoid area was used to introduce laparoscopic suction and other instruments.RESULTSThe Anderson‐Hynes dismembered pyeloplasty was the preferred reconstructive technique in all patients. Operations were completed robotically with no conversions to open surgery. All patients were rendered stone‐free, confirmed by imaging, and there were no intraoperative or delayed complications during a mean (range) follow‐up of 12.3 (4–22) months. The mean operative time was 275.8 min, 61.7 min longer than in patients who did not have concomitant stone removal.CONCLUSIONSConcurrent stone extraction and PUJO repair can be successful with RALP. Operative times are longer than in patients with isolated PUJO repair, but this is to be expected as there is an additional procedure.
Renal oncocytoma: a clinicopathological analysis of 45 consecutive cases
Authors: Gudbjartsson Tomas , Hardarson Sverrir , Petursdottir Vigdis , Thoroddsen Asgeir , Magnusson Jonas , Einarsson Gudmundur V. 
Published: November 2005

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical behaviour and pathology of renal oncocytoma in a well‐defined population over a 30‐year period.PATIENTS AND METHODSIn a retrospective population‐based study we assessed relevant clinical and pathological factors in 45 patients (31 men and 14 women) diagnosed with renal oncocytoma in Iceland between 1971 and 2000. Clinical presentation, pathology, survival and causes of death were evaluated.RESULTSThe age‐standardized incidence was 0.3 per 100 000 per year for both men and women, the incidence of oncocytomas being 5.5% of renal cell carcinomas (RCCs) diagnosed during the same period in Iceland. Fourteen patients were diagnosed at autopsy for an unrelated disease. Of 31 living patients (mean age 70.5 years), seven were diagnosed incidentally (23%), and the others had presented with haematuria (32%), abdominal pain (29%), and weight loss (10%). All the patients had a radical nephrectomy, except for one with bilateral oncocytoma who had a partial nephrectomy. The mean (range) tumour size was 5.7 (0.9–12) cm. Eighteen patients (58%) were diagnosed at Tumour‐Node‐Metastasis stage I, 10 at stage II (32%) and three at stage III (10%), all of those at stage III having renal capsular penetration or tumour invasion into perirenal fat tissue (T3aN0M0). No patients were diagnosed with lymph node or distant metastasis. Two cases of coexisting RCC were detected. After a median follow‐up of 8.3 years there were no recurrences or deaths from oncocytoma (100% disease‐specific survival). The overall 5‐year survival was 63%, with most patients dying from cardiovascular diseases or nonrenal cancers.CONCLUSIONSIn most cases renal oncocytoma behaves like a benign tumour; the long‐term prognosis is excellent. Thus, in the present patients, radical nephrectomy could be regarded as an over‐treatment and nephron‐sparing surgery as more appropriate, especially in patients with small tumours. However, both coexisting RCC and perirenal fat invasion, a hallmark of malignant behaviour, might indicate that more radical surgery is warranted in some of these patients.
Protective effects of grape suspension on in vivo ischaemia/reperfusion of the rabbit bladder
Authors: Lin Alpha Dian‐Yu , Mannikarottu Anita , Chaudhry Ahsen , Whitbeck Catherine , Kogan Barry A. , Chichester Paul , Levin Robert M. 
Published: November 2005

OBJECTIVETo investigate the potential protective effect of a grape suspension in a rabbit model of in vivo bilateral ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R), which is a causal factor in obstructive bladder dysfunction.MATERIALS AND METHODSSix groups of four New Zealand White rabbits were treated by twice‐daily gavage with aqueous grape suspension (groups 1–3) or sugar‐water vehicle (groups 4–6) for 3 weeks. Groups 1 and 4 then received bilateral ischaemia for 2 h, and groups 2 and 5 received bilateral ischaemia for 2 h and reperfusion (recovery) for 1 week. Groups 3 and 6 were controls (sham‐operated). The effects on cystometry, in vitro contractile responses, and morphology were evaluated.RESULTSIschaemia resulted in significant reductions in the contractile responses to all forms of stimulation in vehicle‐fed rabbits, whereas there were no reductions in grape‐fed rabbits. Contractile responses were significantly reduced in both I/R groups, but significantly more in vehicle‐fed than in grape‐fed rabbits. Immunohistochemical studies showed less hypoxia in the bladders of grape‐fed rabbits than in vehicle‐fed rabbits for both ischaemia‐only and I/R groups.CONCLUSIONSFeeding rabbits with grape suspension provided significant protection against the hypoxic effects of bilateral ischaemia and I/R.
Changes in bladder nerve‐growth factor and p75NTR genetic expression in streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rats
Authors: Tong Yat‐Ching , Cheng Juei‐Tang 
Published: November 2005

OBJECTIVETo assess changes associated with diabetes in urinary bladder nerve‐growth factor (NGF) and NGF receptor p75NTR expression using a streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced diabetic rat model.MATERIALS AND METHODSMale Wistar rats (32) were divided into four equal groups: group I, vehicle‐treated normal rats; group II, vehicle‐treated 9‐week STZ‐diabetic rats; group III, insulin‐treated 9‐week STZ‐diabetic rats; group IV, phlorizin‐treated 9‐week STZ‐diabetic rats. Bladder NGF levels were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Expressions of the mRNAs that encoded NGF and NGF receptor p75NTR in the rat bladder were evaluated using reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction.RESULTSThe mean (sem) NGF level in the STZ‐diabetic rat bladder was significantly lower than in the control group, at 56.56 (8.28) and 84.33 (11.05) pg/µg protein, respectively (P < 0.01). The mRNA expressions of bladder NGF and p75NTR in the diabetic rats were significantly lower than in the control group (P < 0.05 and <0.001, respectively). Treatment with either insulin or phlorizin restored the normal blood sugar level; moreover, the bladder NGF levels and the expressions of both NGF and p75NTR mRNAs were normal.CONCLUSIONThe decrease in the genetic expression of NGF and p75NTR might be responsible for the pathogenesis of diabetic cystopathy while hyperglycaemia is part of the cause of these changes.
The natural history of lower urinary tract dysfunction in men: minimum 10‐year urodynamic follow‐up of untreated detrusor underactivity
Authors: Thomas Alun W. , Cannon Andrea , Bartlett Esther , Ellis‐Jones Julie , Abrams Paul 
Published: November 2005

There are two papers from Bristol on the natural history of lower urinary tract dysfunction in men, in both cases with a minimum 10‐year follow‐up. The first of these is a urodynamic study of neurologically untreated men with untreated detrusor underactivity, most of whom remained untreated with a mean follow‐up of 13.6 years. The results provide important information on the natural history of this condition, and show that there are minimal symptomatic and urodynamic changes with time.In the second of these papers the natural history of untreated BOO in men is described. The authors showed that patients with untreated BOO show no significant urodynamic deterioration in the long‐term, with only a minority having worsening of their symptoms.OBJECTIVESTo assess the long‐term symptomatic and urodynamic outcomes of men with untreated detrusor underactivity (DUA) as there has been little long‐term follow‐up information on men with DUA, a cause of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in a significant minority of men.PATIENTS AND METHODSNeurologically intact men aged > 18 years who were investigated in our department between 1972 and 1986, diagnosed with DUA, and who initially opted for no specific treatment were invited for a repeat symptomatic and urodynamic evaluation. Identical methods of assessment were used, allowing results to be compared directly.RESULTSIn all, 224 men were initially diagnosed with DUA; 87 (39%) of these died. Of the 69 men who initially opted for a conservative approach and attended for repeat assessment, 58 (84%) remained untreated, with a mean follow‐up of 13.6 years. There were no significant changes in symptoms over the follow‐up. The only significant urodynamic finding was an increase in the proportion of patients with detrusor overactivity, but with no apparent worsening of chronic retention. Of the 11 men in who failed the conservative approach , eight proceeded to surgery for LUTS, and three for acute urinary retention.CONCLUSIONSThese results provide important information on the natural history of DUA. In men with DUA presenting with LUTS there are few symptomatic and urodynamic changes with time.
How broker ability affects institutional trading costs
Authors: Comerton‐Forde Carole , Fernandez Christian , Frino Alex , Oetomo Teddy 
Published: November 2005

AbstractThe present paper shows that broker research and trade execution ability has a significant impact on the cost of institutional trading. The results reveal that there is significant variation in the ability of brokers to control execution costs. Trades executed by brokers with stronger research ability exhibit a higher permanent price impact, whereas those executed by brokers with better execution ability exhibit a lower temporary price impact. Brokers are also found to specialize on an industry level that gives rise to variation in ability within a brokerage house.
Statistical Methods for Regular Monitoring Data
Authors: Stein Michael L. 
Published: November 2005

SummaryMeteorological and environmental data that are collected at regular time intervals on a fixed monitoring network can be usefully studied combining ideas from multiple time series and spatial statistics, particularly when there are little or no missing data. This work investigates methods for modelling such data and ways of approximating the associated likelihood functions. Models for processes on the sphere crossed with time are emphasized, especially models that are not fully symmetric in space–time. Two approaches to obtaining such models are described. The first is to consider a rotated version of fully symmetric models for which we have explicit expressions for the covariance function. The second is based on a representation of space–time covariance functions that is spectral in just the time domain and is shown to lead to natural partially nonparametric asymmetric models on the sphere crossed with time. Various models are applied to a data set of daily winds at 11 sites in Ireland over 18 years. Spectral and space–time domain diagnostic procedures are used to assess the quality of the fits. The spectral-in-time modelling approach is shown to yield a good fit to many properties of the data and can be applied in a routine fashion relative to finding elaborate parametric models that describe the space–time dependences of the data about as well.
Maximum Likelihood Estimation of Linear Continuous Time Long Memory Processes with Discrete Time Data
Authors: Tsai Henghsiu , Chan K. S. 
Published: November 2005

SummaryWe develop a new class of time continuous autoregressive fractionally integrated moving average (CARFIMA) models which are useful for modelling regularly spaced and irregu-larly spaced discrete time long memory data. We derive the autocovariance function of a stationary CARFIMA model and study maximum likelihood estimation of a regression model with CARFIMA errors, based on discrete time data and via the innovations algorithm. It is shown that the maximum likelihood estimator is asymptotically normal, and its finite sample properties are studied through simulation. The efficacy of the approach proposed is demonstrated with a data set from an environmental study.
Bayesian Inference for Stochastic Multitype Epidemics in Structured Populations Via Random Graphs
Authors: Demiris Nikolaos , O'Neill Philip D. 
Published: November 2005

SummaryThe paper is concerned with new methodology for statistical inference for final outcome infectious disease data using certain structured population stochastic epidemic models. A major obstacle to inference for such models is that the likelihood is both analytically and numerically intractable. The approach that is taken here is to impute missing information in the form of a random graph that describes the potential infectious contacts between individuals. This level of imputation overcomes various constraints of existing methodologies and yields more detailed information about the spread of disease. The methods are illustrated with both real and test data.
HEGEMONY, IMPERIALISM, AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF RELIGION IN EAST AND SOUTHEAST ASIA1
Authors: DUBOIS THOMAS DAVID 
Published: November 2005

ABSTRACTEdward Said's concept of Orientalism portrays the high tide of nineteenth‐century imperialism as the defining moment in the establishment of a global discursive hegemony, in which European attitudes and concepts gained a universal validity. The idea of “religion” was central to the civilizing mission of imperialism, and was shaped by the interests of a number of colonial actors in a way that remains visibly relevant today. In East and Southeast Asia, however, many of the concerns that statecraft, law, scholarship, and conversion had for religion transcended the European impact. Both before and after the period of European imperialism, states used religion to engineer social ethics and legitimate rule, scholars elaborated and enforced state theologies, and the missionary faithful voiced the need for and nature of religious conversion. The real impact of this period was to integrate pre‐existing concerns into larger discourses, transforming them in the process. The ideals of national citizenship and of legal and scholarly impartiality recast the state and its institutions with a modernist sacrality, which had the effect of banishing the religious from the public space. At the same time, the missionary discourse of transformative conversion located it in the very personal realm of sincerity and belief. The evolution of colonial‐era discourses of religion and society in Asia since the departure of European imperial power demonstrates both their lasting power and the degree of agency that remains implicit in the idea of hegemony.