bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence of water availability on fertility restoration of CMS lines with the ‘M35’, A4 and ‘9E’ CMS‐inducing cytoplasms of sorghum
Authors: Elkonin L. A. , Kozhemyakin V. V. , Ishin A. G. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractMale fertility restoration in new types of sorghum cytoplasmic male sterility‐inducing cytoplasms (A4, ‘9E’, ‘M35’), characterized by the formation of non‐dehiscent anthers, is difficult. Lines with fertility‐restorer genes for these unique cytoplasms do occur, but rarely, and when found tend to be unstable in their inheritance and expression. The aim of this research was to explore reasons for this instability. Seven lines in three unique cytoplasms, ‘9E’, A4 and ‘M35’, and six lines that restore with these cytoplasms were grown at the Agricultural Research Institute for South‐East Region in Saratov, Russia from 1993 to 2004. Levels of male fertility restoration and various environmental factors were recorded. It is reported that for sorghum hybrids in the A4, ‘9E’ and ‘M35’ male‐sterile cytoplasms, the level of plant male fertility is determined by the level of water available to plants during anther and pollen formation that which ‘switches on’ the expression of fertility‐restoring genes, and is possibly involved in an unusual type of male fertility inheritance in these cytoplasms. The creation of reliable line‐fertility restorers capable of the restoration of male fertility of F1 hybrids in ‘M35’ cytoplasm under conditions of water stress is also reported. Current research explore mechanisms involved possible in responses to water levels at various growth stages and their influence on fertility within these cytoplasms.
Relationships between water‐use traits and photosynthesis in Brassica oleracea resolved by quantitative genetic analysis
Authors: Hall N. M. , Griffiths H. , Corlett J. A. , Jones H. G. , Lynn J. , King G. J. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractThe genetic control of water‐use and photosynthetic traits in Brassica oleracea is resolved by genetic analysis of quantitative trait loci (QTL). Variations in leaf conductance, photosynthetic assimilation rate, leaf thickness and leaf nitrogen content were assessed in a segregating population of F1‐derived doubled haploid (DH) B. oleracea lines. In addition, stable carbon isotope ratios in leaf organic material were used as a surrogate measure of plant water‐use efficiency. Analysis of an existing linkage map for the population revealed significant QTL on seven linkage groups. Single significant QTL explained between 3.4% and 36.6% of the phenotypic variance in each of the traits measured. The locations of QTL for several traits were found to coincide in a physiologically meaningful way; stable carbon isotope discrimination had QTL co‐locating with leaf level water‐use efficiency, photosynthetic capacity with leaf thickness and nitrogen content and stomatal density with leaf thickness. Taken together, these results suggest that single genes or clusters of genes at these loci may have an influence on the expression of physiologically related traits controlling water‐use and photosynthesis.
Smad7 induces G0/G1 cell cycle arrest in mesenchymal cells by inhibiting the expression of G1 cyclins
Authors: Kitamura Koki , Aota Shin‐ichi , Sakamoto Ruriko , Emori Takashi , Okazaki Kenji 
Published: November 2005

The major Smad pathways serve in regulating the expression of genes downstream of TGFβ signals. In this study, we examined the effects of sustained Smad7 expression in cultured cells. Interestingly, Smad7 caused various mesenchymal cells, including NIH3T3 fibroblast and ST2 bone‐marrow stromal cells, to undergo a marked morphological alteration into a flattened cell shape, but kept them alive for as long as 60 days. Furthermore, Smad7 arrested the proliferation of the cells even before they reached confluence. These cells became quiescent in G0/G1 phase and accumulated a hypophosphorylated form of retinoblastoma. The cytostatic effect of Smad7 was closely associated with a preceding decrease in the levels of G1 cyclins, such as cyclin D1 and cyclin E. Accordingly, ectopic cyclin E was able to overcome the Smad7‐induced arrest of proliferation. These results indicate that Smad7 functions upstream of G1 cyclins and suggest a novel role for Smad7 as an antiproliferative factor. In contrast to the growth of mesenchymal cells, that of epithelial cells was little susceptible to Smad7. The present findings raise the possibility that a link between Smad7 and the G1 to S phase transition may also contribute to the cell cycle control by certain Smad7‐inducing stimuli in a cell‐type‐dependent fashion.
Alternative growth and energy storage responses to mortality threats in damselflies
Authors: Stoks Robby , De Block Marjan , McPeek Mark A. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractThe role of physiology in mediating the growth/predation risk trade‐off has been largely ignored. We examined effects of predation risk on relationships between growth and storage molecules in Enallagma aspersum and Ischnura verticalis damselfly larvae that differ in this trade‐off. In laboratory and field experiments, both species had similar growth and mortality rates and similar concentrations of storage molecules in the absence of mortality threats. However, in the presence of dragonfly predators Ischnura larvae had higher mortality rates and grew faster than Enallagma larvae. Consistent with the difference in growth rate, Enallagma's total protein concentrations decreased under predation risk while those of Ischnura did not. Glucose and glycogen concentrations were not affected, while triglyceride concentrations were lower under predation risk in Enallagma but not in Ischnura. Species differences at the physiological level to the presence of mortality threats may be crucial to understanding patterns in metamorphic and post‐metamorphic traits.
A tumour stem cell hypothesis for the origins of prostate cancer
Authors: Maitland Norman J. , Collins Anne 
Published: November 2005

The articles in the mini‐review section once again cover a wide spectrum of topics which should be of interest to the reader. First there is an outstanding paper on a tumour cell hypothesis for the origins of prostate cancer, by one of the leading international experts in the field. The author points out the central role of stem cells, and how their presence may explain both prostate tumour heterogeneity and the variable responses of prostate cancer to several types of treatment.The other papers compare various technologies in the treatment of small renal tumours, describe some emerging minimally invasive techniques for localized prostate cancer, and present the current status of dynamic lymphoscintigraphy and sentinel lymph‐node biopsy in urological malignancies.SUMMARYCancer stem cells undoubtedly exist in many tumour types, including the prostate. This hypothesis can explain both the heterogeneity of prostate tumours and their variable responses to several conventional therapies. In the longer term, therapies directed against tumour stem cells should offer a real possibility of long‐term cure, rather than current palliative therapy. Identifying specific tumour stem‐cell markers will enhance this process, but the scarcity of these cells within the mass of more differentiated amplifying progeny that comprise >99.9% of most cancers makes this a severe technical challenge. In addition, many tumour stem‐cell markers are probably shared with normal stem cells, both in prostate and in stem cells from other tissues, but tumour‐specific patterns of gene expression, probably designed to allow the tumour stem cell to survive outside its protective ‘niche’ in normal tissues, will be the best initial targets for new therapeutic agents.
The natural history of lower urinary tract dysfunction in men: minimum 10‐year urodynamic follow‐up of untreated bladder outlet obstruction
Authors: Thomas Alun W. , Cannon Andrea , Bartlett Esther , Ellis‐Jones Julie , Abrams Paul 
Published: November 2005

OBJECTIVESTo assess the long‐term outcomes of untreated bladder outlet obstruction (BOO), assuming that, if there is little or no deterioration, a conservative approach to management is justified, as there is little information on the natural history of untreated BOO and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in men, and studies to date suggest that neither BOO nor LUTS inevitably progress to a stage at which prostatectomy is required.PATIENTS AND METHODSMen aged >45 years who were investigated in our department between 1972 and 1986, diagnosed with BOO, and who initially opted for no specific treatment were invited for repeat symptomatic and urodynamic evaluation. Identical methods of assessment were used, allowing results to be compared directly.RESULTSIn all, 1068 men were initially diagnosed with BOO; 428 (40%) of these died. Of the 170 men who initially opted for a conservative approach and attended for repeat assessment, 141 (83%) remained untreated, with a mean follow‐up of 13.9 years. The only significant urodynamic changes were a reduction in detrusor contractility and an increased prevalence of detrusor overactivity. Most patients reported no change in their symptoms but a significant minority experienced a gradual deterioration. Of the 29 men in whom the conservative approach failed, 22 proceeded to surgery for LUTS, and seven for acute urinary retention.CONCLUSIONSPatients with untreated BOO do not significantly deteriorate urodynamically in the long term, with only a minority deteriorating symptomatically. These findings justify a conservative approach to men with LUTS associated with BOO.
An epidemiological survey of overactive bladder symptoms in Japan
Authors: Homma Yukio , Yamaguchi Osamu , Hayashi Kunihiko ,   the members of the Neurogenic Bladder Society Committee
Published: November 2005

OBJECTIVETo report an epidemiological survey of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) to determine the prevalence of overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms (defined as a symptom complex of daily urinary frequency of eight or more times and urgency once or more per week) in Japan.SUBJECTS AND METHODSA self‐administered questionnaire was mailed to 10 096 Japanese men and women aged ≥ 40 years selected by a two‐stage randomized process. Survey questions, developed by members of the Japan Neurogenic Bladder Society Committee, covered four areas: demographic characteristics, LUTS, health‐related quality of life (HRQoL), and hospital attendance.RESULTSThe responses from 4570 respondents (mean age 61 years) were analysed. The estimated prevalence of OAB was 12.4% (men 14%, women 11%). Prevalence rates for OAB with and without urgency incontinence (one or more episode/week) were 6.4% and 6.0%, respectively. Prevalence rates increased with age; 5% of respondents aged 40–49 and 37% of those aged ≥ 80 years had OAB. HRQoL was compromised in 53% of respondents with OAB symptoms, specifically emotions (42%), sleep/vitality (37%), physical limitation (34%), role limitation (29%), and social limitation (22%). Among those whose HRQoL was affected, 23% (men 36%, women 8%) had visited a medical institution because of their urinary problems.CONCLUSIONThe results from this survey indicate that the prevalence of OAB was high and increased with age, but the rate of hospital attendance was low. Public awareness of OAB should be increased so that there can be optimum management of this condition.
Treatment of symptomatic simple renal cysts by percutaneous aspiration and ethanol sclerotherapy
Authors: Mohsen Tarek , Gomha Mohamed A. 
Published: November 2005

OBJECTIVETo report our experience with the use of 95% ethanol as sclerotherapy for symptomatic simple renal cysts.PATIENTS AND METHODSSixty patients with 64 symptomatic simple renal cysts were treated by ultrasonography (US)‐guided percutaneous aspiration and injection of 95% ethanol (31 men and 29 women, mean age 46 years, sd 22). The main presentation was renal pain in 34 patients, renal mass in nine, hypertension in 11 and haematuria in six; 24 cysts were on the right, 32 on the left and four bilateral. Patients were evaluated after 1 month and then every 6 months by clinical assessment, US and intravenous urography. Success was defined as complete when there was total ablation of the cyst and partial when there was a recurrence of less than half the original cyst volume with the resolution of symptoms. Failure was defined as the recurrence of more than half of cyst volume and/or persistent symptoms.RESULTSAfter aspiration and ethanol sclerotherapy, there was microscopic haematuria in two patients and low‐grade fever (<38.3°C) in two, but no major complications. During a mean (range) follow‐up of 19 (14–40) months there was complete cyst ablation in 54 cysts and partial resolution in 10. Pain disappeared or was much improved in all patients. After cyst ablation hypertension was well controlled with no medication in all 11 hypertensive patients and haematuria disappeared in all six affected patients.CONCLUSIONSEthanol sclerotherapy for symptomatic simple renal cysts is simple, minimally invasive and highly effective. We recommend it as the first therapeutic option in these patients.
Persistent and occasional nocturnal enuresis in orthotopic urinary diversion: is there a urodynamic difference?
Authors: El‐Bahnasawy Magdy S. , Osman Yasser , Gomha Mohamed A. , Shaaban Atallah A. 
Published: November 2005

Authors from Mansoura attempted to determine the urodynamic criteria differentiating patients who have an ileal neobladder and who are either persistently enuretic or are occasionally enuretic. They found that all enuretic patients had significantly higher residual urine volumes than continent patients, and that there were differences in the two groups of enuretics, suggesting areas that can be targeted therapeutically.OBJECTIVETo establish urodynamic criteria differentiating between men with a radical cystoprostatectomy and ileal neobladder who are persistently enuretic and those who are occasionally enuretic.PATIENTS AND METHODSFifty enuretic men at least 1 year after a radical cystoprostatectomy and ileal neobladder (hemi‐Kock or ‘W’ neobladders) were divided into two groups according to the persistence of their complaint; 17 men were persistently enuretic (nightly) and 33 were occasionally enuretic (<3 episodes/week). Both groups were compared with 50 fully continent men with similar reservoirs. Uroflowmetry, enterocystometry and urethral pressure profilometry were carried out according to International Continence Society standards and terminology.RESULTSBoth enuretic groups had significantly higher residual urine volumes, pressure at mid‐capacity and at maximum enterocystometric capacity, amplitude of uninhibited contractions, and lower compliance than continent men. Men with occasional enuresis also had a significantly higher frequency and duration of uninhibited contractions than continent men. Men with persistent enuresis had significantly lower average and maximum urinary flow rates than continent men, and significantly lower functional urethral length and maximum urethral pressure. Uroflowmetric and urethral pressure differences were dissimilar between men with occasional enuresis and controls.CONCLUSIONEnuretic men had significantly higher residual urine volumes and enterocystometric pressure variables than continent men. Men with persistent enuresis had significantly lower flow rates and less urethral resistance. Pharmacological inhibition of reservoir contraction and/or management of residual urine by clean intermittent catheterization before sleep might cure occasional enuresis.
Influence of weather on New Zealand financial securities
Authors: Keef Stephen P. , Roush Melvin L. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractThe present study examines the influence of four independent facets of the local weather in the two major cities of New Zealand on the interest rates of bank bills and government bonds and the returns of stock indices. Factor analysis of the local weather variables generates four independent facets measuring temperature, sunshine, wind in Auckland and wind in Wellington. The analysis is based on a repeated measures design. Two results, which are consistent within a given financial security, are observed. The prices of bank bills are positively influenced by the level of the sunshine factor. The prices of stock indices are negatively influenced by the level of the Wellington wind factor. The influence of the level of sunshine on the returns of stock indices is susceptible to two interpretations.
Exchange rate exposure among European firms: evidence from France, Germany and the UK
Authors: Rees William , Unni Sanjay 
Published: November 2005

AbstractWe investigate the pre‐Euro exposure to exchange rate changes of large firms in the UK, France and Germany. We find that the exchange rate sensitivity is considerably stronger than previously thought. In all three countries, firms typically gain value when their local currency depreciates against the US dollar, yet most UK firms lose value when sterling depreciates against the European currency unit. We also document the existence of an intriguing intervalling effect in the measurement of exchange rate exposure, which suggests that share prices might exhibit a delayed response to information, and prevents us from making robust generalizations concerning other exchange rate sensitivities.
THE HISTORY AND THEORY OF EMPIRES
Authors: POMPER PHILIP 
Published: November 2005

ABSTRACTContemporary histories and theories of empire generally remain within boundaries inspired by varieties of liberalism, and by Marxian theory and its hybrids, in which changing modes of production determine the forms of power, including empire. Liberal theorists and historians of empire generally trace a complex process in which expanding imperial power systems led ultimately to nation‐states, democracy, and market economies. For Marxists and postmodern theorists, the formal aspects of empire remain unimportant compared to the broader workings of modes of production and particularly, the global power of capitalism. Michael Hardt and Antonio Negri use the word “empire” to describe the workings of contemporary capitalism and its myriad forms of power.Whether they rely upon the formal definitions of empire or the Marxian‐postmodern one, theories of empire often descend from modern utopian visions: perhaps the Kantian variety emphasizing a peaceful union of states and collective learning, or the Marxian one, although now taking into account changes in the mode of production and victims unattended to by Marx and Engels. New technologies and communications networks impress all contemporary theorists. Some proclaim the end of modern power systems and empire; others find empire in a new, postmodern form. Nonetheless, there are stubborn continuities with the modern in the very persistence of modern utopias, the dominance of nation‐states, the pursuit of democracy, and the durability of capitalism. Theorists of power and empire have to explain these and other continuities, alongside the disappearance of the more than 400‐year‐old balance‐of‐power system in which imperial powers in the European core finally delivered vast power to the United States and the Soviet Union, and created new technologies that strengthen human connection as well as threaten vast destruction. The question of the power of the United States and its imperial status commands the center of attention.
MOVING BEYOND BIOPOWER: HARDT AND NEGRI'S POST‐FOUCAULDIAN SPECULATIVE PHILOSOPHY OF HISTORY
Authors: FILLION RÉAL 
Published: November 2005

ABSTRACTI argue in this paper that the attempt by Michael Hardt and Antonio Negri in Empire and Multitude to “theorize empire” should be read both against the backdrop of speculative philosophy of history and as a development of the conception of a “principle of intelligibility” as this is discussed in Michel Foucault's recently published courses at the Collège de France. I also argue that Foucault's work in these courses (and elsewhere) can be read as implicitly providing what I call “prolegomena to any future speculative philosophy of history.” I define the latter as concerned with the intelligibility of the historical process considered as a whole. I further suggest, through a brief discussion of the classical figures of Kant, Hegel, and Marx, that the basic features of speculative philosophy of history concern the articulation of both the telos and dynamics of history. My claim is that Hardt and Negri provide an account of the telos and dynamics of history that respects the strictures imposed on speculative philosophy of history by Foucault's work, and thus can be considered as providing a post‐Foucauldian speculative philosophy of history. In doing so, they provide a challenge to other “theoretical” attempts to account for our changing world.
Access to Care and Children's Primary Care Experiences: Results from a Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Seid Michael , Stevens Gregory D. 
Published: November 2005

Objective.To examine whether and how different kinds of access to care (financial, potential, and realized) predict parent‐report child primary care experiences in an urban community sample.Data Sources/Study Setting.A prospective cohort study was performed. Baseline survey data were collected (67 percent response rate) from 3,406 parents of kindergarten through sixth grade students in a large urban school district in California during the 1999–2000 school year. A 1‐year survey (80.4 percent response rate) resulted in a final sample of 2,738.Study Design.Data were analyzed using multiple regression models with robust estimation. The dependent variable was Time 2 parent reports of primary care experiences, assessed via the Parents' Perceptions of Primary Care (P3C) measure. The independent variables were financial access (insurance status), potential access (presence of a regular source of care), and realized access (foregone care), controlling for child and family characteristics (race/ethnicity, parent's language, mother's education level, and child chronic health condition status) and baseline P3C scores.Data Collection.Data were collected by mail, telephone, and in person in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Tagalog.Principal Findings.Controlling for baseline P3C scores and child and family characteristics, having no health insurance at both baseline and Time 2 was associated with a 6.2‐point lower Time 2 P3C score, relative to having had health insurance at both time points. Having a regular provider at Time 2 (either always having had one or gaining one during the year) was associated with, on average, a 10‐point higher Time 2 P3C score, compared to children without a regular provider (either never having had one or losing one during the year). Episodes of foregone care during the year were associated with 10.7 points lower Time 2 P3C scores, relative to children whose parents did not report foregone care. Similar relationships were found between all three measures of access to care and each of the sub‐domain measures of primary care experience.Conclusions.Financial, potential, and realized access to care are associated prospectively with the full range of primary care experiences—comprehensiveness, communication, coordination, and contextual knowledge—beyond continuity and accessibility. Access to a regular source of care and to needed care are each associated with larger effects on primary care experiences than is the presence of health insurance. Gaining insurance or a regular source of care results in primary care experiences similar to always having had these, while losing a regular source of care has a more immediate effect than losing insurance on primary care experiences.