bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Distribution of the uncultured protist MAST‐4 in the Indian Ocean, Drake Passage and Mediterranean Sea assessed by real‐time quantitative PCR
Authors: Rodríguez‐Martínez Raquel , Labrenz Matthias , Del Campo Javier , Forn Irene , Jürgens Klaus , Massana Ramon 
Published: October 2008

SummaryMolecular surveys of marine picoeukaryotes have revealed a large number of sequences unrelated to cultured organisms, such as those forming the marine stramenopile (MAST)‐4 clade. Recent FISH (fluorescent in situ hybridization) data have shown that MAST‐4 cells are uncultured heterotrophic flagellates of 2–3 μm in size that have a global distribution in non‐polar marine waters. However, FISH is time‐consuming and hard to apply to the many samples generated during oceanographic cruises, so we developed a real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Q‐PCR) protocol to determine rapidly the abundance of this group using environmental DNA. We designed a primer set targeting the 18S rRNA genes (rDNA) of MAST‐4 and optimized and calibrated the Q‐PCR protocol using a plasmid with the target sequence as insert. The Q‐PCR was then applied to quantify MAST‐4 rDNA molecules along three marine transects, longitudinal in the Indian Ocean, latitudinal in the Drake Passage and coastal–offshore in the Mediterranean Sea, and to a temporal study in a Mediterranean Sea coastal station. MAST‐4 was detected in all samples processed (averaged abundances between 500 and 1000 rDNA molecules ml−1) except in mesopelagic and Antarctic samples, where it was virtually absent. In general, it was more abundant in the coast than offshore and in the deep chlorophyll maximum than at surface. A comparison of Q‐PCR and FISH signals in well‐controlled microbial incubations indicated that MAST‐4 cells have around 30 copies of the rDNA operon. This Q‐PCR assay quickly yielded quantitative data of uncultured MAST‐4 cells and confirmed their wide distribution and putative ecological importance.
Linking microbial oxidation of arsenic with detection and phylogenetic analysis of arsenite oxidase genes in diverse geothermal environments
Authors: Hamamura N. , Macur R. E. , Korf S. , Ackerman G. , Taylor W. P. , Kozubal M. , Reysenbach A.‐L. , Inskeep W. P. 
Published: October 2008

SummaryThe identification and characterization of genes involved in the microbial oxidation of arsenite will contribute to our understanding of factors controlling As cycling in natural systems. Towards this goal, we recently characterized the widespread occurrence of aerobic arsenite oxidase genes (aroA‐like) from pure‐culture bacterial isolates, soils, sediments and geothermal mats, but were unable to detect these genes in all geothermal systems where we have observed microbial arsenite oxidation. Consequently, the objectives of the current study were to measure arsenite‐oxidation rates in geochemically diverse thermal habitats in Yellowstone National Park (YNP) ranging in pH from 2.6 to 8, and to identify corresponding 16S rRNA and aroA genotypes associated with these arsenite‐oxidizing environments. Geochemical analyses, including measurement of arsenite‐oxidation rates within geothermal outflow channels, were combined with 16S rRNA gene and aroA functional gene analysis using newly designed primers to capture previously undescribed aroA‐like arsenite oxidase gene diversity. The majority of bacterial 16S rRNA gene sequences found in acidic (pH 2.6–3.6) Fe‐oxyhydroxide microbial mats were closely related to Hydrogenobaculum spp. (members of the bacterial order Aquificales), while the predominant sequences from near‐neutral (pH 6.2–8) springs were affiliated with other Aquificales including Sulfurihydrogenibium spp., Thermocrinis spp. and Hydrogenobacter spp., as well as members of the Deinococci, Thermodesulfobacteria and β‐Proteobacteria. Modified primers designed around previously characterized and newly identified aroA‐like genes successfully amplified new lineages of aroA‐like genes associated with members of the Aquificales across all geothermal systems examined. The expression of Aquificales aroA‐like genes was also confirmed in situ, and the resultant cDNA sequences were consistent with aroA genotypes identified in the same environments. The aroA sequences identified in the current study expand the phylogenetic distribution of known Mo‐pterin arsenite oxidase genes, and suggest the importance of three prominent genera of the order Aquificales in arsenite oxidation across geochemically distinct geothermal habitats ranging in pH from 2.6 to 8.
Representation of People with Intellectual Disabilities in a British Newspaper in 1983 and 2001
Authors: Wilkinson Penny , McGill Peter 
Published: October 2008

Background  Media representation of people with intellectual disabilities may contribute to general perceptions held about them and reflect changes in policy and service provision.Materials and Methods  Articles from The Guardian newspaper in 2001 were analysed and compared to a previous analysis of material published in 1983.Results  There was much more coverage of people with autism or Down syndrome than expected from their actual frequency in the British population of people with intellectual disabilities. Newspaper reports continued to be about children more often than expected when about autism or Down syndrome, but not when about people with other intellectual disabilities. Medically related representations were less than in the past but juxtaposition with other client groups continued. More ‘people‐first’ terminology was now used except in respect of people with autism. Articles systematically under‐represented complexity and severity of need.Conclusions  Policy and service changes may have contributed to the decline of medically‐ and child‐related representations within non‐specific intellectual disabilities. The continued over‐representation of children in articles about autism and Down syndrome, and the generally increased reference to people with those syndromes, suggests growing differentiation within the population of people with intellectual disabilities. The focus on people with less severe or complex disabilities echoes criticisms of Valuing People.
Antipsychotic Medication and People with Intellectual Disabilities: Their Knowledge and Experiences
Authors: Crossley Rachel , Withers Paul 
Published: October 2008

Background  Antipsychotics are the most frequently prescribed psychotropic medication for people with intellectual disabilities. Many people are prescribed this medication for ‘challenging behaviours’ without having had a formal diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder. Antipsychotics have been reported to have severe side‐effect profiles, which can hamper quality of life.Materials and Methods  Grounded theory qualitative methodology was employed to organize and analyse data from interviews conducted with eight adults with intellectual disabilities about their experiences of antipsychotic medication.Results  Respondents had little knowledge about their medication, beyond knowing their regime. Despite participants experiencing side effects, they were accepting of these effects. A ‘model of compliance’ was generated from the analysis.Conclusions  The prescription and administration of medication is another area where people with intellectual disabilities experience lack of control and disempowerment. ‘Services’ need to do more to include and inform people with intellectual disabilities about their medication.
Identifying Rarer Genetic Variants for Common Complex Diseases: Diseased Versus Neutral Discovery Panels
Authors: Curtin K. , Iles M. M. , Camp N. J. 
Published: October 2008

SummaryThe power of genetic association studies to identify disease susceptibility alleles fundamentally relies on the variants studied. The standard approach is to determine a set of tagging‐SNPs (tSNPs) that capture the majority of genomic variation in regions of interest by exploiting local correlation structures. Typically, tSNPs are selected from neutral discovery panels ‐ collections of individuals comprehensively genotyped across a region. We investigated the implications of discovery panel design on tSNP performance in association studies using realistically‐simulated sequence data. We found that discovery panels of 24 sequenced ‘neutral’ individuals (similar to NIEHS or HapMap ENCODE data) were sufficient to select well‐powered tSNPs to identify common susceptibility alleles. For less common alleles (0.01–0.05 frequency) we found neutral panels of this size inadequate, particularly if low‐frequency variants were removed prior to tSNP selection; superior tSNPs were found using panels of diseased individuals. Only large neutral panels (200 individuals) matched diseased panel performance in selecting well‐powered tSNPs to detect both common and rarer alleles. The 1000 Genomes Project initiative may provide larger neutral panels necessary to identify rarer susceptibility alleles in association studies. In the interim, our results suggest investigators can boost power to detect such alleles by sequencing diseased individuals for tSNP selection.
Evolutionary history of the critically endangered Cozumel dwarf carnivores inferred from mitochondrial DNA analyses
Authors: McFadden K. W. , Gompper M. E. , Valenzuela D. G. , Morales J. C. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractThe pygmy raccoon Procyon pygmaeus and dwarf coati Nasua nelsoni, both endemic to Cozumel Island, Mexico, are two of the most endangered carnivores in the world, and their persistence requires active management. However, the taxonomic status of these populations remains unclear. Therefore we investigated mitochondrial DNA variation using the control region to examine the genetic uniqueness and evolutionary history of these taxa. Using strict phylogenetic criteria, species‐level uniqueness of the Cozumel taxa was difficult to discern based solely on haplotype groupings and identification of unique alleles. However, population genetic approaches indicate significant population differentiation between Cozumel and mainland populations and we suggest that these taxa should be treated as distinct management units from their mainland conspecifics. Coalescent analysis indicated that the pygmy raccoon diverged from the mainland about 3050–200 111 years before present (ybp) and the Cozumel coati 1263–82 896 ybp; dates that can be further constrained by incorporating known‐age subfossil specimens from Cozumel as well as the geological history of the island. Thus, although it is likely that the island taxa colonized Cozumel before the Mayan peoples populated the island, we are unable to definitively reject the hypothesis that colonization by these taxa was not human facilitated.
Chordate phylogeny and evolution: a not so simple three‐taxon problem
Authors: Stach T. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractTraditional concepts of chordate phylogeny have recently been in turmoil: in a large‐scale molecular study, the traditional hypothesis that cephalochordates are sister taxon to craniates was replaced by the hypothesis of a sister group relationship between tunicates and craniates. It was claimed that the morphological evidence that supported traditional phylogeny was weak and that morphological characters at least equally strong could be mustered in support of the ‘new phylogeny.’ In the present review, it is shown that the uncritical use of published codings of morphological characters in recent phylogenetic analyses is responsible for this perception. To ameliorate this situation, the main focus of the present publication is a review of the morphological evidence that has been deemed relevant in chordate phylogeny. Characters are presented in enough detail to allow readers to make self‐reliant informed decisions on character coding. I then analyze these characters cladistically, and it is demonstrated that support of the traditional hypothesis is substantial. I briefly evaluate molecular systematic studies and criticize ‘evo‐devo’ studies for lack of cladistic rigor in the evolutionary interpretations of their data by (1) failing to formally code their characters (2) failing to subject their data to the congruence test with other characters, the crucial test in phylogenetic analyses. Finally, a short and by necessity eclectic discussion of suggested evolutionary scenarios is presented.
Boys will be boys: social affinity among males drives social segregation in western grey kangaroos
Authors: MacFarlane A. M. , Coulson G. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractIn many sexually dimorphic and polygynous species, individuals exhibit social segregation by grouping with others of their own sex. Several proximate mechanisms have been proposed to explain social segregation: female avoidance of males, male avoidance of females, avoidance of harassment, male social affinity, female social affinity and activity budget asynchrony. Some of these have been tested in ungulate species, but few previous studies have been able to rigorously test, or distinguish between, these mechanisms because they have failed to examine the fission/fusion dynamics of groups. We tested these proximate mechanisms simultaneously in western grey kangaroos Macropus fuliginosus, by examining whether females, small males or large males instigated segregation by leaving mixed‐sex groups or joining individuals of their own sex or size class. Females, small males and large males left mixed‐sex groups as if leaving were independent of sex–size class. In contrast, large males joined male‐only groups more frequently than expected. These results suggest that the need for males to maintain contact with other males can contribute to the cohesion of male‐only groups and promote segregation. As male–male competition occurs in many polygynous species that sexually segregate, a comparable mechanism might be operating in other taxa, and should be examined further.
Pregnancy outcomes following hospitalisation for a fall in Washington State from 1987 to 2004*
Authors: Schiff MA 
Published: October 2008

Objective  To evaluate the risk of adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes among pregnant women hospitalised following falls.Design  A population‐based retrospective cohort study.Setting  Washington State, USA.Population  Pregnant women with a fetal death or live birth certificate linked to the hospitalisation discharge data from 1987 to 2004.Methods  Pregnant women who experienced a fall (n = 693) were identified by the presence of an International Classification of Disease—9th Edition external causation code of E880 through E888 and were compared with a randomly chosen group of pregnant women (n = 2079) not experiencing a fall hospitalisation during pregnancy. Poisson regression analysis was used to estimate adjusted relative risks (RR) and 95% CI for associations between falls and pregnancy outcomes.Main outcome measures  Preterm labour and delivery, placental abruption, fetal distress, and fetal hypoxia.Results  This study found an incidence rate of 48.9 pregnant fall hospitalisations per 100 000 deliveries. The majority of the fall hospitalisations occurred in the third trimester (79.3%), with 11.3% in the second trimester and 9.4% in the first trimester. The majority of injuries due to falls were fractures (47.4%), especially of the lower extremity, followed by contusions (18.0%) and sprains (17.3%). Falls were associated with an increased risk of preterm labour (RR 4.4, 95% CI 3.4–5.7), placental abruption (RR 8.0, 95% CI 4.3–15.0), fetal distress (RR 2.1, 95% CI 1.6–2.8), and fetal hypoxia (RR 2.9, 95% CI 1.3–6.5).Conclusion  In light of the increased risk of adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes associated with major falls resulting in hospitalisation, careful maternal and fetal monitoring following a major fall is warranted.
Does miscarriage in an initial pregnancy lead to adverse obstetric and perinatal outcomes in the next continuing pregnancy?
Authors: Bhattacharya S , Townend J , Shetty A , Campbell D , Bhattacharya S 
Published: October 2008

Objective  To explore pregnancy outcomes in women following an initial miscarriage.Design  Retrospective Cohort Study.Setting  Aberdeen Maternity Hospital, Aberdeen, Scotland.Population  All women living in the Grampian region of Scotland with a pregnancy recorded in the Aberdeen Maternity and Neonatal Databank between 1986 and 2000.Main outcome measures  (A) Maternal outcomes: Pre‐eclampsia, antepartum haemorrhage, threatened miscarriage, malpresenation, induced labour, instrumental delivery, Caesarean delivery, postpartum haemorrhage and manual removal of placenta. (B) Perinatal outcomes: preterm delivery, low birth weight, stillbirth, neonatal death, Apgar score at 5 minutes.Methods  Retrospective cohort study comparing women with a first pregnancy miscarriage with (a) women with one previous successful pregnancy and (b) primigravid women. Data were extracted on perinatal outcomes in all women from the Aberdeen Maternity and Neonatal Databank between 1986 and 2000.Results  We identified 1561 women who had a first miscarriage (1404 in the first trimester and 157 in the second trimester), 10 549 who had had a previous live birth (group A) and 21 118 primigravidae (group B). The miscarriage group faced a higher risk of pre‐eclampsia (adj OR 3.3, 99% CI 2.6–4.6), threatened miscarriage (adj OR 1.7, 99% CI 1.5–2.0), induced labour (adj OR 2.2, 99% CI 1.9–2.5), instrumental delivery (adj OR 5.9, 99% CI 5.0–6.9), preterm delivery (adj OR 2.1, 99% CI 1.6–2.8) and low birthweight (adj OR 1.6, 99% CI 1.3–2.1) than group A. They were more likely to have threatened miscarriage (adj OR 1.5, 99% CI 1.4–1.7), induced labour (adj OR 1.3, 99% CI 1.2–1.5), postpartum haemorrhage (adj OR 1.4, 99% CI 1.2–1.6) and preterm delivery (adj OR 1.5, 99% CI 1.2–1.8) than group B.Conclusion  An initial miscarriage is associated with a higher risk of obstetric complications.
Non‐invasive quantification of brain glycogen absolute concentration
Authors: Morgenthaler Florence D. , Van Heeswijk Ruud B. , Xin Lijing , Laus Sabrina , Frenkel Hanne , Lei Hongxia , Gruetter Rolf 
Published: October 2008

AbstractThe only currently available method to measure brain glycogen in vivo is 13C NMR spectroscopy. Incorporation of 13C‐labeled glucose (Glc) is necessary to allow glycogen measurement, but might be affected by turnover changes. Our aim was to measure glycogen absolute concentration in the rat brain by eliminating label turnover as variable. The approach is based on establishing an increased, constant 13C isotopic enrichment (IE). 13C‐Glc infusion is then performed at the IE of brain glycogen. As glycogen IE cannot be assessed in vivo, we validated that it can be inferred from that of N‐acetyl‐aspartate IE in vivo: After [1‐13C]‐Glc ingestion, glycogen IE was 2.2 ± 0.1 fold that of N‐acetyl‐aspartate (n = 11, R2 = 0.77). After subsequent Glc infusion, glycogen IE equaled brain Glc IE (n = 6, paired t‐test, p = 0.37), implying isotopic steady‐state achievement and complete turnover of the glycogen molecule. Glycogen concentration measured in vivo by 13C NMR (mean ± SD: 5.8 ± 0.7 μmol/g) was in excellent agreement with that in vitro (6.4 ± 0.6 μmol/g, n = 5). When insulin was administered, the stability of glycogen concentration was analogous to previous biochemical measurements implying that glycogen turnover is activated by insulin. We conclude that the entire glycogen molecule is turned over and that insulin activates glycogen turnover.
Mandatory IFRS Reporting around the World: Early Evidence on the Economic Consequences
Authors: DASKE HOLGER , HAIL LUZI , LEUZ CHRISTIAN , VERDI RODRIGO 
Published: October 2008

ABSTRACTThis paper examines the economic consequences of mandatory International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) reporting around the world. We analyze the effects on market liquidity, cost of capital, and Tobin's q in 26 countries using a large sample of firms that are mandated to adopt IFRS. We find that, on average, market liquidity increases around the time of the introduction of IFRS. We also document a decrease in firms' cost of capital and an increase in equity valuations, but only if we account for the possibility that the effects occur prior to the official adoption date. Partitioning our sample, we find that the capital‐market benefits occur only in countries where firms have incentives to be transparent and where legal enforcement is strong, underscoring the central importance of firms' reporting incentives and countries' enforcement regimes for the quality of financial reporting. Comparing mandatory and voluntary adopters, we find that the capital market effects are most pronounced for firms that voluntarily switch to IFRS, both in the year when they switch and again later, when IFRS become mandatory. While the former result is likely due to self‐selection, the latter result cautions us to attribute the capital‐market effects for mandatory adopters solely or even primarily to the IFRS mandate. Many adopting countries make concurrent efforts to improve enforcement and governance regimes, which likely play into our findings. Consistent with this interpretation, the estimated liquidity improvements are smaller in magnitude when we analyze them on a monthly basis, which is more likely to isolate IFRS reporting effects.
On the Value Relevance of Asymmetric Financial Reporting Policies
Authors: SUIJS JEROEN 
Published: October 2008

ABSTRACTThis paper considers an overlapping generations model where investors trade in a firm's stock. Investment risk is partly determined by the volatility of the stock price at which current investors can sell their shares to the next generation of investors. It is shown that asymmetric reporting of good and bad news is value relevant as it affects the allocation of risk among future generations of shareholders.
Cerebral Venous Thrombosis in Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension
Authors: Schievink Wouter I. , Maya Menahem Marcel 
Published: October 2008

Background and Objective.— The occurrence of cerebral venous thrombosis has been reported among patients with spontaneous intracranial hypotension, but a causal relationship has not been clearly established. We reviewed our experience with spontaneous intracranial hypotension and cerebral venous thrombosis and we reviewed the relevant literature to evaluate the relationship between these 2 entities.Methods.— We reviewed the medical records and imaging studies of a consecutive group of patients with spontaneous intracranial hypotension evaluated at a tertiary care center between 1/1/2001 and 12/31/2007. The main search strategy was a systemic review of journal articles in MEDLINE (1966 to January 2008).Results.— Among 141 patients with spontaneous intracranial hypotension, 3 (2.1%) were also diagnosed with cerebral venous thrombosis. Among these 3 patients and the 17 reported in the literature there were 11 men and 9 women with a mean age of 39.5 years. Radiographic or clinical evidence for spontaneous intracranial hypotension preceding cerebral venous thrombosis was found in most patients, while there was no evidence for cerebral venous thrombosis preceding spontaneous intracranial hypotension in any patient. Eight (40%) of the 20 patients were found to have a change in their headache pattern believed to be due to the development of cerebral venous thrombosis. Complications of cerebral venous thrombosis, eg, cerebral venous infarction, occurred in 8 patients (40%).Conclusions.— Spontaneous intracranial hypotension is a risk factor for cerebral venous thrombosis, but cerebral venous thrombosis is found in only about 2% of patients with spontaneous intracranial hypotension. A change in headache pattern is not a reliable predictor of the development of cerebral venous thrombosis in patients with spontaneous intracranial hypotension.