bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Divergence in gene expression related to variation in host specificity of an ectomycorrhizal fungus
Authors: LE QUÉRÉ ANTOINE , SCHÜTZENDÜBEL ANDRES , RAJASHEKAR BALAJI , CANBÄCK BJÖRN , HEDH JENNY , ERLAND SUSANNE , JOHANSSON TOMAS , TUNLID ANDERS 
Published: November 2004

AbstractEctomycorrhizae are formed by mutualistic interactions between fungi and the roots of woody plants. During symbiosis the two organisms exchange carbon and nutrients in a specific tissue that is formed at the contact between a compatible fungus and plant. There is considerable variation in the degree of host specificity among species and strains of ectomycorrhizal fungi. In this study, we have for the first time shown that this variation is associated with quantitative differences in gene expression, and with divergence in nucleotide sequences of symbiosis‐regulated genes. Gene expression and sequence evolution were compared in different strains of the ectomycorrhizal fungusPaxillus involutus; the strains included Nau, which is not compatible with birch and poplar, and the two compatible strains Maj and ATCC200175. On a genomic level, Nau and Maj were very similar. The sequence identity was 98.9% in the 16 loci analysed, and only three out of 1075 genes analysed by microarray‐based hybridizations had signals indicating differences in gene copy numbers. In contrast, 66 out of the 1075 genes were differentially expressed in Maj compared to Nau after contact with birch roots. Thirty‐seven of these symbiosis‐regulated genes were also differentially expressed in the ATCC strain. Comparative analysis of DNA sequences of the symbiosis‐regulated genes in different strains showed that two of them have evolved at an enhanced rate in Nau. The sequence divergence can be explained by a decreased selection pressure, which in turn is determined by lower functional constraints on these proteins in Nau as compared to the compatible strains.
Distribution of genetic variation in the growth hormone 1 gene in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) populations from Europe and North America
Authors: RYYNÄNEN HEIKKI J. , PRIMMER CRAIG R. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractThe level and hierarchical distribution of genetic variation in complete sequences of the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) growth hormone (GH1) gene were investigated in populations from Europe and North America with a view to inferring the major evolutionary forces affecting genetic variation at this locus. Seventeen polymorphic sites were identified in complete sequences from nine populations, with levels of noncoding (intron and untranslated region sequences) nucleotide diversity being similar to those observed in other species. No variation, however, was observed in exonic sequences, indicating that nucleotide diversity in the Atlantic salmon GH1 gene is three and 25 times less than that estimated for human and Drosophila coding sequences, respectively. This suggests that purifying selection is the predominant contemporary force controlling the molecular evolution of GH1 coding sequences. Comparison of haplotype relationships within and between populations indicated that differentiation between populations from Europe and North America was greater than within‐continent comparisons. However, several haplotypes observed in the northernmost European populations were more similar to those observed in North American than to any other haplotypes observed in Europe. This is most likely to be a result of historical, rather than contemporary, gene flow. Neutrality test statistics, such as Tajima's D, were significantly positive in the European populations in which North American‐like haplotypes were observed. Although a positive Tajima's D is commonly interpreted as the signal of balancing selection, a more likely explanation in this case is that either historical migration or ascertainment bias, rather than within population local adaptation, has given rise to an excess of intermediate frequency alleles.
How does trust affect patient preferences for participation in decision‐making?
Authors: Kraetschmer Nancy , Sharpe Natasha , Urowitz Sara , Deber Raisa B. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractObjective Does trust in physicians aid or hinder patient autonomy? We examine the relationship between trust in the recipient's doctor, and desire for a participative role in decisions about medical treatment.Design We conducted a cross‐sectional survey in an urban Canadian teaching hospital.Setting and participants A total of 606 respondents in three clinics (breast cancer, prostate cancer, fracture) completed questionnaires.Variables studied The instrument included the Problem Solving Decision Making (PSDM) Scale, which used two vignettes (current health condition, chest pain) to categorize respondents by preferred role, and the Trust‐in‐Physician Scale.Results Few respondents preferred an autonomous role (2.9% for the current health condition vignette and 1.2% for the chest pain vignette); most preferred shared decision‐making (DM) (67.3% current health condition; 48.7% chest pain) or a passive role (29.6% current health condition; 50.1% chest pain). Trust‐in‐physician yielded 6.3% with blind trust, 36.1% with high trust, 48.6% moderate trust and 9.0% low trust. As hypothesized, autonomous patients had relatively low levels of trust, passive respondents were more likely to have blind trust, while shared respondents had high but not excessive trust. Trust had a significant influence on preferred role even after controlling for the demographic factors such as sex, age and education.Conclusions Very few respondents wish an autonomous role; those who do tend to have lower trust in their providers. Familiarity with a clinical condition increases desire for a shared (as opposed to passive) role. Shared DM often accompanies, and may require, a trusting patient–physician relationship.
Morphology and Innervation Pattern of the Feline Urogenital Junction
Authors: Wrobel K. H. , Gürtler A. 
Published: November 2004

SummaryThe feline urogenital junction is situated between the extratesticular rete and the spacious initial segments of the efferent ductules. The rete epithelium is cuboidal to low columnar. The rete cells forming the junction rest on a wavy basal lamina, display deep mutual invaginations, possess central nuclei with several infoldings and form a distinct border with the columnar epithelial cells of the initial segments of the ductuli efferentes. The epithelium of the initial segments is composed of ciliated cells and non‐ciliated principal cells. The latter are the dominating type and characterized by an apical brush‐border and a supranuclear endocytotic apparatus. The stroma of the extratesticular rete contains an abundance of collagen whereas contractile cells are here generally absent. In contrast, the initial segments of the efferent ductules are surrounded by elastic fibres and a layer of contractile cells. All nerves for the feline urogenital junction come from the nervus spermaticus superior. In the epididymal head, small nerve bundles deviate into the septa between the ductules. Single fibres establish a dense network within the muscular coat of the ductuli. At the transition to the extratesticular rete, this network ends abruptly. Nerve fibres in the confines of the rete are associated with blood vessels or proceed to the testicular interior, but establish no relationships with the rete epithelium or the myofibroblasts of the mediastinum. The nervous network in the walls of the efferent ductules and their initial segments is not only composed of sympathetic but also parasympathetic, non‐myelinated fibres. Particularly noteworthy is the abundance of calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP)‐ and substance P (SP)‐containing axons around the initial segments. Both neuroproteins are consistent markers for sensory neurones. Taken together, it can be assumed that the entry of seminal fluid and spermatozoa into the efferent ductules is controlled by a regulatory nervous chain provided with afferent and efferent components.
The Subchondral Split Line Patterns of the Medial Coronoid Process in Canine Ulnae
Authors: Künzel W. , Breit S. , Probst A. 
Published: November 2004

SummaryThe subchondral split line patterns of the canine medial coronoid process (MCP) were compared with fragmentation line patterns of the MCP in case of elbow dysplasia. Split line patterns were determined in paired ulnae from the killed 26 large‐breed dogs ranging in age between 0.8 and 15 years and in two ulnae affected by fragmentation of the MCP. The macerated ulnae were degreased with methylene chloride and decalcified in 5% nitric acid. The subchondral bony layer was pierced at right angles in regular intervals using a round needle that was dipped in black liquid acrylic colour. Three main types of split line patterns could be differentiated (i.e. a sagittal type, a transverse type and an intermediate type). In the sagittal type, split lines were aligned in parallel to the lateral border and at right angles to the rim of the tip and medial border of the MCP. In the transverse type, split lines were orientated in a transverse line to both collateral borders. The intermediate type was characterized as a transition type between sagittal and transverse type as the split lines were aligned obliquely to the longitudinal axis of the MCP. These three types corresponded well with the fissure and fragmentation line patterns of the MCP. The present findings strongly suggest an association between split line pattern and type of fragmentation of the MCP.
Effect of dietary clenbuterol and cimaterol on muscle composition, β‐adrenergic and androgen receptor concentrations in broiler chickens
Authors: Schiavone A. , Tarantola M. , Perona G. , Pagliasso S. , Badino P. , Odore R. , Cuniberti B. , Lussiana C. 
Published: November 2004

SummaryIllegal dietary supplementation withβ2‐agonists has been shown to increase protein deposition and decrease fat accretion in domestic animals. In poultry the metabolic and endocrine responses toβ2‐agonists are not fully elucidated. In this trial the effects of dietary clenbuterol (1 p.p.m.) and cimaterol (1 p.p.m.) on muscle composition and endocrine response of male broiler chickens were studied. Dietary clenbuterol induced a slight, but in general not significant, improvement of zootechnical performances and carcass yields. Chemical composition of muscle was not influenced by dietary treatments, even if a slight improvement of protein content was observed in treated groups. No effects on fatty acid composition of meat were detected. Both clenbuterol and cimaterol treatments caused a downregulation in testicular androgen receptors and in pulmonary, cardiac and central nervous systemβ‐adrenergic receptors.
Development of Post‐weaning Diarrhoea in Piglets. Relation to Presence ofEscherichia coliStrains and Rotavirus
Authors: Melin L. , Mattsson S. , Katouli M. , Wallgren P. 
Published: November 2004

SummaryWeaning of piglets complicated with an exposure to pathogenic strains ofEscherichia coliwas scrutinized in two sets. The first set comprised 20 animals representing two litters and the second set included 30 animals from five litters. The piglets were either left as controls or exposed to one or three pathogenic strains ofE. coli. Aiming to simulate a natural exposure the challenge strains were spread on the floor of the pens at weaning. In addition the pigs experienced several non‐infectious stress factors commonly occurring at that occasion. Some groups were given adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), aiming to simulate a stressful weaning. The balance and the composition of the faecal coliform populations, measured by a metabolic fingerprinting method, was disturbed among all animals following weaning. This disturbance was more pronounced and lasted longer among piglets exposed to pathogenic strains ofE. coli.All piglets exposed to pathogenicE. colished these strains in faeces. Diarrhoea was induced in the groups exposed toE. coli, but not among the control animals. Pigs not treated with ACTH and subjected to a single pathogenic strain ofE. colibecame infected but did not develop diarrhoea unless if coinciding with shed of rotavirus. Control pigs excreting rotavirus had no diarrhoea. Diarrhoea was most frequent in the groups exposed to three pathogenic strains ofE. coli, and in these groups diarrhoea was seen in the absence of rotavirus. ACTH administration amplified the clinical signs. The litter of origin influenced the development of post‐weaning diarrhoea.
Causative microorganisms of hospital‐acquired pneumonia and laboratory procedures for isolation and identification of causative microorganisms
Authors:   The committee for The Japanese Respiratory Society guidelines in management of respiratory infections
Published: November 2004

Causative microorganisms of hospital‐acquired pneumonia and laboratory procedures for isolation and identification of causative microorganisms The committee for The Japanese Respiratory Society guidelines in management of respiratory infections. Respirology 2004; 9: S6–S12
Revegetation of a wetland following control of the invasive woody weed, Mimosa pigra, in the Northern Territory, Australia
Authors: Paynter Quentin 
Published: November 2004

Summary  Methods for floodplain revegetation using native species were investigated, following clearance of the invasive shrub Mimosa pigra L. (Mimosaceae) in the Northern Territory of Australia. Prolific revegetation occurred naturally and several species were identified that have potential for revegetation at sites where natural regeneration is poor, namely: Spiny Mud Grass, Pseudoraphis spinescens, Awnless Barnyard Grass, Echinochloa colona, and an unidentified Panicum species. However, it may still be desirable to plant native perennial grasses, of which most species did not establish naturally. Stolons of the native floodplain grass Hymenachne acutigluma (Steud) Gilliland (Poaceae) established well when planted in wet mud and shallow water during the early dry season, as seasonal floodwaters subsided. Similar plantings during the early wet season were less successful. Sowing seed of several floodplain grasses and Eliocharis dulcis was unsuccessful in both seasons. Planting stolons of H. acutigluma as seasonal floodwaters subside may provide a reliable alternative to exotic floodplain grasses, Para Grass (Urochloa mutica), and Amity Aleman Grass (Echinochloa polystachya), which are also currently propagated vegetatively in Australia. However, planting H. acutigluma stolons had no tangible benefits in terms of suppressing Mimosa establishment, which was low in all treatments. Revegetation should not be considered an alternative to the diligent control of Mimosa seedlings; regenerating following control of Mimosa thickets.
Paediatric uveitis: a Sydney clinic experience
Authors: Azar Domit , Martin Frank 
Published: November 2004

Abstract Purpose: The aim of this study was to retrospectively review uveitis cases at The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, since its inception in 1997 to 2001, including patients presenting at the Camperdown, Sydney, campus between 1989 and 1997 attending Westmead for further care. Comparison is made with international centres. Methods: Information was obtained from medical records. Results: Forty patients (53 eyes) presented, of whom 23 (57.5%) were female and 17 (42.5%) were male (mean age 6.7 years). Of 53 eyes, 35 (66%) had anterior uveitis, three (5.7%) intermediate uveitis, seven (13.2%) posterior uveitis and eight (15.1%) panuveitis. Twenty‐seven (67.5%) patients had disease unilaterally and 13 (32.5%) bilaterally. Twenty‐four (60%) cases were idiopathic. Seven (17.5%) cases were associated with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, three (7.5%) with herpes zoster, two (5%) with herpes simplex, two (5%) with toxocara, one (2.5%) with toxoplasma, and one (2.5%) with ulcerative colitis. Complications included cataract in 14 (26.4%) eyes; band keratopathy in four (7.5%) eyes; macular scarring in three (5.7%) eyes; and glaucoma in four (7.5%) eyes. Last measured acuity was 6/6 for 19 (35.8%) eyes, ≤6/18 for 15 (28.3%) eyes and <6/60 for eight (15.1%) eyes. Conclusions: Despite small numbers, the comparisons of this study with some international studies, and its contrasts with other studies, are due to similarities and differences amongst these studies with respect to factors of referral bias, and the aetiological basis of disease.
Bacterial keratitis in Christchurch, New Zealand, 1997–2001
Authors: Hall Reece C , McKellar Malcolm J 
Published: November 2004

Abstract Purpose: To identify which organisms cause bacterial keratitis in a local community and to determine how patients with suspected bacterial keratitis should be initially treated. Methods: The results of all corneal scrapes performed in the ophthalmology department of Christchurch Hospital between 1997 and 2001 were reviewed. All samples were collected at the ‘bedside’ by a technician from the microbiology department and were processed immediately. Results: Eighty‐seven corneal scrapes were performed on 78 patients. There was a positive Gram stain in 43.7% (38/87) of scrapes. There was a positive culture in 58.6% (51/87) of scrapes. The commonest Gram‐positive organisms were coagulase negative Staphylococci (19.4%) and Corynebacterium spp. (16.1%). The commonest Gram‐negative organisms were Moraxella spp. (19.4%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (3.2%). Every Gram‐positive organism was sensitive to chloramphenicol and every Gram‐negative organism was sensitive to ciprofloxacin. In contrast, 89% of Gram‐negative organisms were sensitive to chloramphenicol and 88% of Gram‐positive organisms were sensitive to ciprofloxacin. Conclusion: The results are very different to those reported by other centres. Most notably, a much higher incidence of infection by Corynebacterium spp. and Moraxella spp. and a lower incidence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was found. In this centre it appears appropriate to initially treat patients with Gram‐positive organisms with chloramphenicol and patients with Gram‐negative organisms with ciprofloxacin. Patients with a negative Gram stain should be treated with alternating chloramphenicol and ciprofloxacin while awaiting culture results.
Analysis of optineurin (OPTN) gene mutations in subjects with and without glaucoma: the Blue Mountains Eye Study
Authors: Baird Paul N , Richardson Andrea J , Craig Jamie E , Mackey David A , Rochtchina Elena , Mitchell Paul 
Published: November 2004

Abstract Background: The optineurin (OPTN) gene has been reported to possess both causal as well as risk‐associated alleles for open‐angle glaucoma. However, these findings have so far only been reported in family and clinic based studies. The aim of this study was to investigate the spectrum of mutations and gene variants in OPTN that might be present in people with glaucoma from a population‐based study, the Blue Mountains Eye Study (BMES). Methods: A total of 108 subjects of Caucasian origin were identified at baseline in the BMES as having open‐angle glaucoma. Blood samples were available from 27 of these, of whom 18 had high‐tension glaucoma and the remaining nine had normal‐tension glaucoma. Ninety‐four control subjects were chosen at random from the BMES, who satisfied the criteria of not having glaucoma at baseline and were over age 70 years. The 13 coding exons (exons 4–16 inclusive) and their intron–exon boundaries of OPTN were screened by the use of single‐strand conformation polymorphism. Samples exhibiting mobility shifts were di‐deoxy nucleotide sequenced. The M98K polymorphism was additionally screened using the restriction enzyme Stu1 in all cases and controls in this study. Results: The M98K risk‐associated alteration was identified in 2/18 (11%) subjects with high‐tension glaucoma, 0/9 subjects (0%) with normal‐tension glaucoma and 3/94 (3.2%) controls. However, association of this variant with disease was not significant (P = 0.2 for each phenotype) for either high‐tension glaucoma or normal‐tension glaucoma. A novel variant (P556P in exon 16) was found in one subject with open‐angle glaucoma and a previously described variant (exon 7) was found in a further subject with open‐angle glaucoma and in one control. No other OPTN variants were identified in this study cohort. Conclusions: Cross‐sectional analysis from baseline observations of the BMES suggested that the M98K risk‐associated allele appeared at a higher prevalence in high‐tension glaucoma compared with controls, although this finding was not statistically significant.
Modular biased‐competition and cooperation: a candidate mechanism for selective working memory
Authors: Almeida Rita , Deco Gustavo , Stetter Martin 
Published: November 2004

AbstractPrefrontal cortex (PFC) has been suggested to play an important role in executive cognitive functions, participating in planning and controlling behaviour. The results of several recent electrophysiological studies indicate that PFC might be involved not only in the active maintenance of information but in doing so in a context‐ or task‐dependent manner. In a delayed‐match‐to‐sample paradigm, recordings from neurons in the PFC showed their ability to selectively represent information, which is needed for task completion, suggesting that task‐irrelevant information does not access working memory. We present a neurodynamical computational model of a part of the PFC to account for the selective representation of information in working memory. We show that a network of biological realistic integrate‐and‐fire excitatory and inhibitory neurons, implementing the mechanisms of local or modular biased‐competition, which is transmitted through cooperation to different subsets of neuronal pools, can explain the formation of selective context‐dependent working memory. The modes of operation of the network are characterized and the corresponding parameter settings revealed. Modular competition and cooperation might constitute general mechanisms for implementing context‐dependent formation of working memory.
Delayed onset of prepulse inhibition deficits following kainic acid treatment on postnatal day 7 in rats
Authors: Howland John G. , Hannesson Darren K. , Phillips Anthony G. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractAbnormal activity in corticolimbic circuits during development may be a predisposing factor for schizophrenia. Permanent or temporary lesions of limbic structures such as the ventral hippocampus and basolateral amygdala in rats on postnatal day (PND) 7 result in functional changes similar to some behavioural and cognitive signs of schizophrenia. The present experiments tested whether transient increases in the neural activity of corticolimbic circuits on PND 7 would result in similar behavioural changes. Long‐Evans rats were treated with either kainic acid (KA, 1.5 mg/kg, i.p.) or saline on PND 7 and tested for prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the acoustic startle response and spontaneous locomotor activity both in a novel environment and following amphetamine treatment before puberty (PND 35) and in early adulthood (PND 56). In subgroups of animals PPI was also measured following apomorphine administration (0.2 mg/kg) and spatial learning and memory were tested in the water maze. Rats treated with KA were indistinguishable from saline‐treated animals on PND 35. However, on PND 56, KA‐treated animals showed a subtle consistent decrease in PPI relative to control animals, but did not show increased sensitivity to the disruptive effects of a low dose of apomorphine on PPI. Locomotor responses to novelty or amphetamine were not reliably altered in the KA‐treated animals. KA‐ and saline‐treated animals performed similarly in the water maze. These results support the hypothesis that neural hyperactivity on PND 7 in rats causes behavioural changes in early adulthood that resemble some symptoms of schizophrenia. These pharmacological data suggest that the changes are not mediated by postsynaptic alterations in mesolimbic dopamine transmission.