bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Placentation of the Indian Musk‐Shrew (Crocidura cserulea).
Authors: Sansom G. S.
Published: October 2010

The placentation of Crocidura in its general features resembles that of Sorex, as described by Hubrecht, but it is far more complex and exhibits many differences in detail, judging from Hubrecht's account. The ripe placenta, which is formed on the antimesometrial side, is of the hemochorialis type, in which maternal blood circulates in lacunze bounded by syncytio‐trophoblast, the allantoic capillaries lying between the lacunæ.

The late blastocyst of Crocidura has the typical form of a large thin‐walled vesicle with a lenticular embryonal knot (Pl. XXI. fig. 8). After the segregation of the endoderm a cleft arises in the embryonal ectodermal mass. The covering layer of the trophoblast and then the roof of this cleft disappear, with the result that the shield ectoderm becomes exposed on the surface (Pl. XXI. fig. 10). Over a localized discoidal area in the equatorial region of the vesicle, the trophoblast becomes thickened. This specialised area is apparently associated with the first attachment of the blastocyst to the uterine wall. The blastocyst lies in a deep pear‐shaped enlargement of the antimesometrial uterine lumen, which we have termed the implantation‐cavity. The uterine epithelium lining the cavity proliferates rapidly and gives rise to a thick layer of epithelial crypts (Pl. XXII. fig. 11). The blastocyst first becomes attached to the uterine wall by the small discoidal area of enlarged trophoblast‐cells in the equatorial plane. The trophoblast‐cells of this area penetrate rapidly into the uterine wall and destroy the hypertrophied uterine epithelium, with the result that a gap is produced in the thick layer of epithelial orypts. This gap is a constant and conspicuous feature in all the early stages of attachment (Pl. XXII. figs. 11, 14). The uterine epithelial crypts, the lumina of which are extremely narrow, rapidly increase in depth and form a series of radially arranged columns separated by richly vascularized sheets of maternal connective‐tissue, which frequently terminate in conspicuous enlargements containing many capillaries just inside the superficial layer of uterine epithelium (Pl. XXII. fig. 13).
Changes in the Salmon Skull
Authors: TCHERNAVIN V.
Published: October 2010

SUMMARY OF PART II.

The skulls of all species of Oncorhynchus which I have studied and examined (O. keta, O. gorbuscha, O. tschawytscha, O. kisutsch, and O. masu), although differing somewhat in each species, have similar general characteristic breeding changes which can be summarised as follows:‐

A great part of the elements of the skull are more or less affected by the breeding changes. Those most affected are the ethmoid region of the chondrocranium and all the tooth‐bearing bones.

The changes are greater in large specimens, and also in males than in females. The changes consist mainly in an enlargement of the affected parts, especially in length, and of the formation of new “breeding” teeth.

The breeding teeth of Oncorhynchus, unlike those of Salmo, have large ossified bases and are not set in sockets.

The teeth of the præmaxillary develop not only in the space covered by the bone but also in front of and behind it. The anterior of the tooth‐bases from the right and left sides overlap the tip of the “rostrum” and join together in front of it, but no space is left between them and no hollow is developed by the anterior parts of the præmaxillaries in front of the “rostrum” In breeding males of Oncorhynchus the lengthened and curved “rostrum” and the præmaxillaries project noticeably beyond the anterior end of the lower jaw. At the anterior end of the maxillary, teeth with large bases are also developed and, uniting with the curved end of the maxillary, completely fill this space. Thus, the maxillary in breeding specimens of Oncorhynchus becomes straight.

Very large tooth‐bases develop on the anterior end of the dentary. Uniting with the bone they form a kind of knob crowned with teeth. The anterior ends of both the dentaries grow closely together and no groove is formed between them.

Long needle‐shaped teeth develop on the pharyngeal plates.

All species of Oncorhynchus breed only once.

Comparing these changes with those of Salmo, we see that they are markedly different. In Salmo salar the breeding teeth have no ossified bases and the teeth are set in sockets. The lengthening of the præmaxillary is due exclusively to the growth of the bone itself. The anterior ends of the præmaxillaries grow beyond the forked “rostrum” and a large hollow is formed between them. No teeth grow beyond the præmaxillary or at the inwardly bent anterior end of the maxillary. The anterior ends of the dentaries themselves grow dorsally and form an upturned knob. A large hook, consisting of connective tissue, appears on the front end of the lower jaw, its base being fastened in a deep groove between the tips of the dentaries. The teeth take no part in the formation of this hook and are never fastened to it. The upper jaw in Salmo never projects beyond the anterior end of the lower.

All the breeding changes in Salmo are recurrent and the breeding characters disappear after spawning.
Clinical librarians as facilitators of nurses’ evidence‐based practice
Authors: Määttä Sylvia , Wallmyr Gudrun
Published: October 2010

Aim.  The aim of this study was to explore nurses’ and ward‐based clinical librarians’ reflections on ward‐based clinical librarians as facilitators for nurses’ use of evidences‐based practice.

Background.  Nurses’ use of evidence‐based practice is reported to be weak. Studies have suggested that clinical librarians may promote evidence‐based practice. To date, little is known about clinical librarians participating nurses in the wards.

Design.  A descriptive, qualitative design was adopted for the study.

Method.  In 2007, 16 nurses who had been attended by a clinical librarian in the wards were interviewed in focus groups. Two clinical librarians were interviewed by individual interviews. In the analysis, a content analysis was used.

Results.  Three themes were generated from the interviews with nurses: ‘The grip of everyday work’, ‘To articulate clinical nursing issues’ and ‘The clinical librarians at a catalyst’. The nurses experienced the grip of everyday work as a hindrance and had difficulties to articulate and formulate relevant nursing issues. In such a state, the nurses found the clinical librarian presence in the ward as enhancing the awareness of and the use of evidence‐based practice. Three themes emerged from the analysis with the librarians. They felt as outsiders, had new knowledge and acquired a new role as ward‐based clinical librarians.

Conclusions.  Facilitation is needed if nurses’ evidence‐based practice is going to increase. The combined use of nurses and clinical librarians’ knowledge and skills can be optimised. To achieve this, nurses’ skills in consuming and implementing evidence ought to be strengthened.

Relevance to clinical practice.  The fusion of the information and knowledge management skill of the ward‐based clinical librarian and the clinical expertise of the nurses can be of value. With such a collaborative model, nurse and ward‐based clinical librarian might join forces to increase the use of evidence‐based practice.
Is the ward sister role still relevant to the quality of patient care? A critical examination of the ward sister role past and present
Authors: Bradshaw Ann
Published: October 2010

Aims and objectives.  To examine the UK ward sister role in contemporary and historical context.

Background.  The ward sister role once key to nursing is now confused.

Design.  A critical examination of the changing role of the ward sister. Sources consulted: nursing textbooks 1877–1971, nursing and medical periodicals 1912–2010, official government reports 1947–2010, research studies on nursing 1960–2010, secondary works on nursing history.

Method.  An historiographical analysis of archival sources which interrogates primary and secondary evidence to make transparent interconnection, coherence, consistency and reliability.

Results.  As a consequence of professional, educational and managerial changes, the traditional authority of the ward sister for nursing standards, ward services and ward facilities is diminished. Ward sisters are primarily motivated by nursing rather than managerial values. Hence, there is disparity in the title ‘ward sister’ espoused by ward sisters and the public and the title ‘ward manager’ espoused by non‐nursing managers. This is not just terminology, but concerns the kind of values enshrined by the term and entrusted to the role.

Conclusions.  Until the late 1970s, the ward sister was key to maintaining standards of care. She was the trustee of a tradition and transmitted its values. Subsequent organisational and professional changes have diminished the authority of the role. History may suggest the need to examine and strengthen the ward sister role in the light of its original orientation.

Relevance to clinical practice.  The ward sister role could have a fundamental effect on the quality of patient care if it were to regain its former scope and authority.
The handling of peripheral venous catheters – from non‐compliance to evidence‐based needs
Authors: Hasselberg Daniella , Ivarsson Bodil , Andersson Roland , Tingstedt Bobby
Published: October 2010

Aim.  To study nurses’ compliance to national guidelines (Sweden) for peripheral venous catheters and to establish the complication frequency connected to time in situ and bore size.

Background.  Worldwide, there are no standard peripheral venous catheters guidelines, and the need for elective replacement has been challenged. Furthermore, the time interval and need for elective change of peripheral venous catheters has cost implications for hospitals.

Design.  Prospective register study.

Methods.  The health care professionals in one surgical ward in a university hospital in the south of Sweden prospectively registered peripheral venous catheters parameters. Four hundred and thirteen peripheral venous catheters were registered for time in situ, size and complications. A cost analysis was performed. Non‐parametric statistics were used, and p < 0·05 was regarded as significant.

Result.  Compliance to the guideline of time in situ was 30·2%, and the frequency of thrombophlebitis was 6·5%. Peripheral venous catheters left in situ for more than 72 hours caused more thrombophlebitis (p = 0·03). There was no difference in thrombophlebitis rate when peripheral venous catheters were changed within 24 hours compared with peripheral venous catheters that were changed within 72 hours. No difference was seen regarding complications between peripheral venous catheters sized 0·9 mm/22 gauge or 1·1 mm/20 gauge.

Conclusion.  The present Swedish national guidelines, advocating peripheral venous catheter change every 24 hours, should be altered since peripheral venous catheters left in situ for up to 72 hours were not found to be related to a greater risk of developing thrombophlebitis. Nor is it compatible with a greater risk to use a peripheral venous catheter of 1·1 mm/20 gauge instead of 0·9 mm/22 gauge. The change in guidelines would decrease money spent, 250 100 Euro in Sweden, thus allowing time for the nurses to do other tasks and save discomfort for the patients.

Relevance to clinical practice.  National guidelines should be based on evidence and current facts, and evaluation of guidelines should be given priority.
Organisation of care for Swedish patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator, a national survey
Authors: Bolse Kärstin , Johansson Ingela , Strömberg Anna
Published: October 2010

Aim.  To describe the clinical aspects of implantable cardioverter defibrillators care in Sweden with focus on organisation, the role and education of nurses, patient information and education and areas in need of improvement.

Background.  Implantable cardioverter defibrillators implantations have developed rapidly in recent years and are now an established arrhythmia treatment. The expanding indication for implantable cardioverter defibrillators implantation demands new competencies and resources in the implantable cardioverter defibrillators team members.

Methods.  Participants were recruited among physicians and nurses in all of the hospitals implanting implantable cardioverter defibrillators (n = 16). Data were collected by a questionnaire. Additionally, all written educational materials provided to patients pre‐ and postimplant were collected from all 16 hospitals. Deductive content analysis using Sarvimäki and Stenbock‐Hult’s five holistic dimensions was employed to ascertain how information was provided in brochures and information materials.

Results.  Half of the hospitals (n = 8) had nurse‐based outpatient clinics and several others planned to introduce them. Three hospitals carried out distance follow‐ups by means of tele‐monitoring. The nurses had received specific implantable cardioverter defibrillators education from implantable cardioverter defibrillators companies and/or various university courses. The biophysical dimension dominated in the information material, while the emotional, intellectual and socio‐cultural dimensions were scarcely described, and the spiritual‐existential was not referred to at all.

Conclusion.  Holistic care of implantable cardioverter defibrillators patients can be achieved by means of a multidisciplinary implantable cardioverter defibrillators team and more patient‐centred educational strategies. In Sweden, the organisation of implantable cardioverter defibrillators care and follow‐up is developing towards more nurse‐based clinics.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Development and implementation of structured care programmes with a more holistic approach can improve future implantable cardioverter defibrillators care. The content of the written educational materials need to be more holistic, rather than mainly focusing on the biophysical and technical aspects of living with an implantable cardioverter defibrillators.
The influence of hepatitis C and alcohol on liver‐related morbidity and mortality in Glasgow’s injecting drug user population
Authors: McDonald S. A. , Hutchinson S. J. , Mills P. R. , Bird S. M. , Cameron S. , Dillon J. F. , Goldberg D. J.
Published: October 2010

Summary.  Infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) is associated with the development of severe liver disease, but cofactors – namely alcohol abuse – in Scotland’s HCV‐positive population complicate estimation of the unique contribution of HCV. We compared the risk of hospital admission/death for a liver‐related cause in a large cohort of Glasgow’s injecting drug users (IDUs) testing HCV‐positive with IDUs testing HCV negative. Data for 6566 current/former IDUs who had been tested for anti‐HCV and/or HCV RNA by polymerase chain reaction in Greater Glasgow health board between 1993 and 2007 were linked to the national hospitalization database and deaths registry to identify all admissions and deaths from a liver‐related condition. Relative risks were estimated using Cox proportional hazards regression for recurrent events. Time at risk was censored at 2 years following an HCV test to address bias owing to unobserved seroconversion. The risk of hospitalization/death from a liver‐related or an alcoholic liver‐related condition following HCV testing was greater for those IDUs with no prior alcohol‐related hospitalization who tested positive [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) = 3.2, 95% CI: 1.5–6.7; 4.9, 95% CI: 1.8–13.1, respectively], compared with those who tested anti‐HCV negative, but not for those IDUs with a prior alcohol admission (HR = 0.8, 95% CI: 0.4–1.5; 0.8, 95% CI: 0.4–1.6). There was little evidence for an increased risk of hospitalization/death for an exclusively nonalcoholic liver condition for those testing positive (HR = 1.5, 95% CI: 0.8–2.7), after adjustment for previous alcohol‐related admission. Within Glasgow’s IDU population, HCV positivity is associated with an increased risk of a liver‐related outcome, but this is not observed for those IDUs whose problem alcohol use already increases their risk.
Contact dermatitis: a common adverse reaction to topical traditional Chinese medicine
Authors: Sen Priya , Ho Madeline SL , Ng See‐Ket , Yosipovitch Gil
Published: October 2010

Background  Over the past decade, there has been an increase in the use of topical traditional Chinese medicine (TTCM). The most common adverse event seen in the use of TTCM is contact dermatitis. This retrospective study was designed to determine the types of commonly used TTCM in Singapore causing contact dermatitis.

Methods  We retrospectively reviewed the case notes of 10 patients seen at the National Skin Centre over a 4‐month period with a diagnosis of adverse cutaneous reactions to TTCMs.

Results  A total of 10 patients were diagnosed with contact dermatitis to TTCM at our institution over a 4‐month period. The clinical manifestation ranged from eczematous lesions to urticarial plaques and blisters. Five of these patients were patch‐tested to our standard series, our in‐house TTCM series, as well as to the TTCM they had used. The other five patients declined patch testing. The results of patch testing confirmed the diagnosis of allergic contact dermatitis in three of the tested patients. Negative patch testing results inferred the diagnosis of irritant contact dermatitis to TTCM in the other two patients. Two of the patients with positive patch tests also had a positive reaction to balsam of peru and fragrance mix. The three positive patch tests were all caused by medicated oils.

Conclusions  These results suggest it is likely that essential oils present as constituents of the medicated oils could be the possible allergen. The study also confirms that contact dermatitis is a common adverse event associated with the use of TTCM.
Pemphigus vulgaris and herpesviruses: is there any relationship?
Authors: Esmaili Nafiseh , Hallaji Zahra , Abedini Robabeh , Soori Tahereh , Mortazavi Hossein , Chams‐Davatchi Cheyda
Published: October 2010

Background  Pemphigus is an autoimmune disorder, which results from interaction of exogenous and endogenous factors. One of these environmental factors is viral infections particularly, herpesviruses. We aimed to detect the presence of HSV 1 and 2 (herpes simplex virus) and HHV8 (human herpesvirus 8) in our patients who were suffering from pemphigus vulgaris.

Methods  In this cross‐sectional study, 38 patients (19 male and 19 female patients) with pemphigus vulgaris were entered, 32 skins and six peripheral blood cells samples were obtained from the study population. Thereafter, the presence of HHV8 and HSV DNA were evaluated by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Results  The mean age of patients was 45.05 ± 17.24 years (range: 16–81 years). Twelve patients mentioned history of herpes labial in the past (31.57%). Results of PCR test for detection of HSV and HHV8 DNA in all 32 skin samples and five peripheral blood samples and one case with skin and blood samples were reported negative.

Conclusion  Inability to detect HHV8 and HSV DNA in this study suggests that herpesviruses may be only occasional factors for development or exacerbation of pemphigus vulgaris.
Statins in dermatology
Authors: Jowkar Farideh , Namazi Mohammad Reza
Published: October 2010

Statins are competitive inhibitors of 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylyglutaryl‐coenzyme A reductase and reduce low‐density lipoprotein‐C levels. Statins are well‐tolerated drugs used for prevention of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events. Statins possess anti‐inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, metabolic, and possible anticancer effects. Statins are reported to be effective against psoriasis, dermatitis, graft‐versus‐host disease, uremic pruritus, vitiligo, and hirsutism. Topical forms of statins are employed in the treatment of acne, seborrhea, rosacea, and rhinophyma. Animal studies show the beneficial effect of statins against contact dermatitis and wound healing. They have promising anti‐HIV effects as well. This article succinctly reviews the various cellular and molecular effects of statins, their applications in cutaneous medicine and their side effects.
Actinic cheilitis: a treatment review
Authors: Shah Amishi Y. , Doherty Sean D. , Rosen Ted
Published: October 2010

All other factors being equal, the presence of actinic cheilitis, a pre‐invasive malignant lesion of the lips, doubles the risk of squamous cell carcinoma developing in this anatomic area. Various forms of local ablation,immunomodulation and surgical extirpation have been proposed as therapeutic interventions. This paper critically evaluates the available medical literature to highlight the evidence‐based strength of each recommended therapy for actinic cheilitis. Vermilionectomy remains the gold standard for efficacy; trichloroacetic acid application is easy and convenient, but the least efficacious overall.
Serum cytokine profile during Mycobacterium ulcerans infection (Buruli ulcer)
Authors: Zavattaro Elisa , Mesturini Riccardo , Dossou Ange , Melensi Matteo , Johnson Roch Christian , Sopoh Ghislain , Dianzani Umberto , Leigheb Giorgio
Published: October 2010

Background  Buruli Ulcer (BU) is a severe cutaneous and subcutaneous disease due to Mycobacterium ulcerans infection, mainly distributed in sub‐Saharan Africa and tropical areas. The role of T helper (TH) cytokines in the development and clinical course of the disease has been previously studied by investigating the in vitro immune response of lymphocytes from affected patients and immunohistochemical analyses of bioptic samples.

Methods  TH cytokine levels (IFNγ, TNF‐α, IL‐2, IL‐10, IL‐4, IL‐5, IL‐17) were evaluated in serum of 34 Beninese subjects by cytofluorimetric and immunoenzymatic assays: 16 patients affected with active BU, 4 patients who had healed after specific therapy, and 14 matched controls.

Results  Levels of IFNγ were higher in patients with late BU (>2 months from onset) and healed patients than in controls, and in ulcerative than in pre‐ulcerative patients. Analysis of 4 patients with “late” disease evaluated both at the beginning of antibiotic therapy and 6 months later showed that IFNγ levels were always lower in the second evaluation. By contrast, no differences were found in levels of the other cytokines.

Conclusions  IFNγ production is low in early BU, and increases in late BU and healing, suggesting a role of this cytokine in infection clearance. Moreover, evaluation of IFNγ serum levels may be a useful tool to monitor the immune response during the BU course.
Fluid and nutrient intake and risk of chronic kidney disease
Authors: STRIPPOLI GIOVANNI FM , CRAIG JONATHAN C , ROCHTCHINA ELENA , FLOOD VICTORIA M , WANG JIE JIN , MITCHELL PAUL
Published: October 2010

Aim:  We evaluated the association between fluid and nutrient intake and chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Methods:  Two cross‐sectional population‐based studies. Validated nutrition food frequency questionnaires (FFQ) administered to people >50 years, identified in a door‐to‐door census of a well‐defined suburban area. Based upon nutrition tables we calculated intakes of over 40 nutrients (factors) and total daily energy intake. Primary outcome was CKD. Fluid (total content of fluid and drinks assessed in the FFQ) and nutrient intake was stratified in quintiles and association with CKD analysed by logistic regression, expressed as unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios, with testing for linear trend.

Results:  The proportion of participants who completed the FFQ and had glomerular filtration rate (GFR) measures was 2744/3654 (75.0%) for the first and 2476/3508 (70.6%) for the second survey. CKD was present in 12.4–23.5% men and 14.9–28.7% women (mean ages 66.4–65.4 years), respectively. Participants who had the highest quintile of fluid intake (3.2 L/day) had a significantly lower risk of CKD (odds ratio 0.5, 95%CI 0.32 to 0.77, P for trend = 0.003). These findings were consistent across both study periods, both equations to calculate GFR and both GFR thresholds.

Conclusion:  Higher intakes of fluid appear to protect against CKD. CKD may be preventable at a population level with low‐cost increased fluid intake.
Treatment with a cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor, seliciclib, is effective in reducing glomerular macrophage numbers and the severity of established experimental glomerulonephritis
Authors: SHERYANNA ABDULMUNEM M , SMITH JENNIFER , BHANGAL GURJEET , BARNETT ANNA , McCLUE STEVEN , TAM FREDERICK WK , COOK TERENCE , PUSEY CHARLES D
Published: October 2010

Aim:  The cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor, seliciclib (R‐roscovitine, CYC202), has anti‐proliferative activity through its inhibition of cyclin‐dependent kinase 2. We hypothesized that treatment with seliciclib would reduce glomerular macrophage numbers and glomerular crescent formation in experimental crescentic glomerulonephritis even when treatment is started after onset of disease.

Method:  Nephrotoxic nephritis (NTN) was induced in Wistar Kyoto rats. In experiment 1, seliciclib (150 mg/kg per day) was given by oral gavage from 1 h before induction of NTN and continued to day 14. In experiment 2, treatment was started on day 4 of NTN and continued to day 14 in order to examine the effect of seliciclib in established glomerulonephritis.

Results:  In experiment 1, seliciclib reduced proteinuria (119.5 ± 13.9 vs 191.4 ± 18.8 mg/day, P < 0.01), serum creatinine (54.0 ± 3.0 vs 81.0 ± 2.5 µmol/L, P < 0.005) and glomerular crescent score (23.9 ± 2.1 vs 44.6 ± 2.2, P < 0.005) in comparison with controls. In experiment 2, seliciclib ameliorated established glomerulonephritis, with reduction in proteinuria (58 ± 16 vs 165 ± 13 mg/day, P < 0.005), serum creatinine (39 ± 3 vs 62 ± 5 µmol/L, P < 0.05), glomerular macrophage numbers (6.8 ± 2.5 vs 18.5 ± 1.2 ED1+ cells per glomerular cross section, P < 0.05), glomerular cell proliferation (1.2 ± 0.37 vs 4.2 ± 0.80 bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU)+ cells per glomerular section, P < 0.05) and crescent score (10.8 ± 1.6 vs 43.9 ± 1.4, P < 0.05), in comparison with the controls.

Conclusion:  Seliciclib is effective in both prevention and treatment of established crescentic glomerulonephritis in Wistar Kyoto rats, in association with a reduction in the number of glomerular macrophages. We suggest that seliciclib, or other cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitors, may represent a novel therapeutic approach for patients with proliferative glomerulonephritis.
Neurocognitive function in patients with β‐thalassemia major
Authors: Duman Ozgur , Arayici Sema , Fettahoglu Cigil , Eryilmaz Nurkan , Ozkaynak Sibel , Yesilipek Akif , Hazar Volkan
Published: October 2010

Background:  Children with β‐thalassemia major (β‐TM) have multiple risk factors for developing cognitive impairment. The aim of the present study was to evaluate cognitive function in patients with β‐TM.

Methods:  Twenty children with β‐TM were enrolled into the study and were compared with a control group consisting of 21 healthy children. All participants were evaluated with neuropsychological tests and event‐related potentials (ERP).

Results:  All of the participants had normal IQ scores, but the patient group had significantly lower full‐scale, performance, and verbal IQs compared with the control group (P < 0.05). The number of children with visuomotor dysfunction was higher in the patient group compared with the control group (P < 0.05). In the P300 test, the patient group had significantly prolonged N1, P2 and N2 latencies at the FZ, and a prolonged N1 latency at the Cz compared with the control group (P < 0.05). The patient group also had lower N1 and P3N4 amplitudes at the Fz, and lower N1, N1P2 and P3N4 amplitudes at the Cz when compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Mismatch negativity latency and duration were longer in the patient group (P < 0.05).

Conclusions:  Neuropsychological tests are safe, and reliable for the diagnosis of cognitive impairment in β‐TM patients, and the use of ERP may facilitate early diagnosis. The number of β‐TM patients in the present study was limited, however, and larger numbers of patients are required in further studies.
The potential for a two‐stage diabetes risk algorithm combining non‐laboratory‐based scores with subsequent routine non‐fasting blood tests: results from prospective studies in older men and women
Authors: Wannamethee S. G. , Papacosta O. , Whincup P. H. , Thomas M. C. , Carson C. , Lawlor D. A. , Ebrahim S. , Sattar N.
Published: October 2010

Diabet. Med. 28, 23–30 (2011)

Aim  To develop strategies based on simple clinical assessment and blood markers to identify older individuals at high risk for Type 2 diabetes.

Methods  A prospective study of non‐diabetic men (n = 3523) and women (n = 3404) aged 60–79 years followed for 7 years, during which there were 297 incident cases of Type 2 diabetes. Logistic regression was used to develop scores to predict incident cases, starting with clinical predictors and adding blood markers that predicted the incidence of diabetes. Receiving operating characteristic analyses were used to assess improvement in prediction.

Results  The area under the curve for a simple clinical assessment score, which included age, sex, family history of diabetes, smoking status, BMI, waist circumference, hypertension and recall of doctor diagnosis of coronary heart disease was 0.765 (0.740, 0.791); sensitivity and specificity in the top quintile of the score were 50.3 and 81.4%, respectively. Addition of simple fasting blood markers HDL cholesterol, triglyceride and glucose improved prediction [area under the curve = 0.817 (0.793, 0.840), P < 0.0001; sensitivity 63.8%; specificity 82.0%]. An alternative model adding blood markers not dependent on fasting yielded similar results. Further addition of C‐reactive protein made no improvement. Blood measurements made small differences to reclassification of risk in those in the lowest three quintiles of the non‐laboratory score.

Conclusion  In large population settings, simple clinical assessments could be used in the first instance to identify older adults who would benefit from further testing with routine (non‐fasting) blood markers to identify those at most likely to be at elevated diabetes risk.
The impact of company responses to exchange queries on the Australian equity market
Authors: Drienko Jozef , Sault Stephen J.
Published: October 2010

This study examines the impact of company responses to trading‐induced queries made by the Australian Securities Exchange over the period January 2007–December 2008, inclusive. We utilise event study methodology and a matched sample approach to assess the impact of trading query announcements. We use multivariate analysis to investigate any cross‐sectional determinants affecting abnormal returns and volume, and find significant positive shareholder wealth and volume effects associated with query announcements. Further, the unexplained abnormal returns observed prior to the announcement of the trading query persist post‐announcement. Subsequent analysis reveals the industry effect reported in the literature loses significance after accounting for sample selection bias.
Can Grammar Win Elections?
Authors: Fausey Caitlin M. , Matlock Teenie
Published: October 2010

The wording of political messages is known to affect voting behavior, including judgments about whether or not candidates will be elected. Yet the question remains whether voting behavior can be influenced by fine‐grained grammatical details of political messages. In this paper, two studies examined how subtly different grammatical forms in descriptions of political candidates' past actions can affect attitudes about electability. Specifically, participants read about a senator who was seeking reelection and then indicated whether they thought the politician would be reelected. In Study 1, the senator had done either negative or positive actions, and these were described using imperfective (was VERB + ing) or perfective (VERB + ed) aspect. In Study 2, the senator had done a negative and a positive action, one of which was described using imperfective and the other with perfective aspect. Results revealed that imperfective descriptions of negative actions resulted in greater confidence that the candidate would not be reelected. Imperfective descriptions also led people to think that the candidate had done more negative action. When a negative and positive action were described together, grammar again influenced electability such that people reasoned in line with whatever action was highlighted by imperfective aspect. In both studies, subtle differences in grammar influenced whether people thought a political candidate would be reelected. These findings provide novel insights about how language can shape thought in the political realm.
Should Britain Have a Written Constitution?
Authors: BOGDANOR VERNON , KHAITAN TARUNABH , VOGENAUER STEFAN
Published: October 2010

The question ‐ ought Britain to have a written, more properly, a codified constitution ‐ is perhaps wrongly put. The real question ought to be ‐ why should Britain not have such a constitution… She is, after all, one of just three democracies without one.

There are two reasons why Britain has lacked a constitution. The first is that, historically, Britain never had a constitutional moment; the second is the doctrine of parliamentary sovereignty. Today, however, Britain finds herself engaged in the process of gradually converting an uncodified constitution into a codified one. There is undoubtedly a case in principle for enacting a constitution, but perhaps it ought to wait until the process is completed.

There is, moreover, a tension between two types of codified constitution ‐ a lawyer's constitution which would be long and highly detailed, and a people's constitution which would be short, but, inevitably, broadly‐worded, and therefore open to interpretation by the courts.
THE ROAD TO LARISSA
Authors: Hyman John
Published: October 2010

In the Meno, Socrates asks why knowledge is a better guide to acting the right way than true belief. The answer he proposes is ingenious, but it fails to solve the puzzle, and some recent attempts to solve it also fail. I shall argue that the puzzle cannot be solved as long as we conceive of knowledge as a kind of belief, or allow our conception of knowledge to be governed by the contrast between knowledge and belief.
A Local Encoding of Syntactic Dependencies and Its Consequences for the Theory of Movement
Authors: Neeleman Ad , Van De Koot Hans
Published: October 2010

Abstract. In this paper we consider the impact of the theory of phrase structure for the encoding of syntactic dependencies and, in particular, for the way movement is represented. We show that the conception of movement as copying plus deletion (the so‐called copy theory of movement) is incompatible with well‐motivated conditions on phrase structure. The alternative we develop is a local encoding mediated by percolation of selectional requirements comparable to the slash features of HPSG. The proposed local encoding of movement is superior to the copy theory in at least three respects: (i) it explains why movement must target a c‐commanding position, (ii) it can account for surprising restrictions on scope reconstruction, and (iii) it can capture patterns of interaction between different types of movement. In the first two cases, the copy theory falls short of the mark; in the third, the theory proposed here seems more parsimonious.
Does familiarity with text breed complacency or vigilance?
Authors: Pilotti Maura , Chodorow Martin
Published: October 2010

Proofreading one's own writing is difficult due to the overfamiliarity of one's writing, which has been claimed to conceal errors, even extraneous errors inserted by someone else (as in collaborative writing). In the present research, we examined whether increasing one's familiarity with text can indeed have a negative influence on error detection. Participants were asked to identify word errors in different contexts: a passage that was unfamiliar, previously read, copied, memorised or paraphrased. These tasks represented a continuum of progressively more demanding and time‐consuming activities, which were thought to lead to comparable increases in text familiarity. Greater familiarity with the text to be proofread was expected to improve its predictability and thus the likelihood of overlooking errors. In agreement with the level‐of‐familiarity account, as the delay between memorising and proofreading increased so did the proportion of errors detected per minute.
Private Equity Acquisitions of Continental European Firms: the Impact of Ownership and Control on the Likelihood of Being Taken Private
Authors: Achleitner Ann‐Kristin , Betzer André , Goergen Marc , Hinterramskogler Bastian
Published: October 2010

This paper studies the motives behind private equity acquisitions of publicly listed firms in continental Europe. As corporate control and ownership in continental Europe tend to be highly concentrated, we argue that it is important to take into account the incentives of the incumbent large shareholder to monitor the management and the private benefits of control the latter may derive from the firm when measuring the likelihood of the firm being taken over by a private equity investor. We find strong and consistent evidence that both have a significant impact on the likelihood of a private equity acquisition.
A new DEA‐based method for fully ranking all decision‐making units
Authors: Du Juan , Liang Liang , Yang Feng , Bi Gong‐Bing , Yu Xiao‐Bo
Published: October 2010

Abstract: Decision makers always lay great emphasis on performance evaluation upon a group of peer business units to pick out the best performer. Standard data envelopment analysis models can evaluate the relative efficiency of decision‐making units (DMUs) and distinguish efficient ones from inefficient ones. However, when there are more than one efficient DMU, it is impossible to rank all of them solely according to standard efficiency scores. In this paper, a new method for fully ranking all DMUs is proposed, which is based on the combination of each efficient DMU's influence on all the other DMUs and the standard efficiency scores. This method is effective in helping decision makers differentiate all units' performance thoroughly and select the best performer.
A fuzzy self‐organizing map algorithm for biological pattern recognition
Authors: Karabulut Mustafa , İbrikci Turgay
Published: October 2010

Data clustering is a key task for various processes including sequence analysis and pattern recognition. This paper studies a clustering algorithm that aimed to increase accuracy and sensitivity when working with biological data such as DNA sequences. The new algorithm is a modified version of fuzzy C‐means (FCM) and is based on the well‐known self‐organizing map (SOM). In order to show the performance of the algorithm, seven different data sets are processed. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm has the potential to outperform SOM and FCM in terms of clustering and classification accuracy abilities. Additionally, a brief comparison is made the proposed algorithm with some previously studied ‘FCM‐SOM’ hybrid algorithms from the literature.
Overcoming ‘Simply Being’: Straight Sex, Masculinity and Physical Culture in Modern Egypt
Authors: Jacob Wilson Chacko
Published: October 2010

This article considers the specific deployment of gender and sexuality in interwar Egypt against the general backdrop of a universalising colonial modernity, which since around the middle of the nineteenth century aimed at producing a repeatable subject everywhere. It examines the magazine Physical Culture as an artefact of that colonial modernity and as a watermark of an ineffable style of performing gender and sexuality – a culmination of nearly five decades of historicising Egypt and of exercising Egyptians. That the cultivation of healthy and desirable bodies was constrained by Egypt's asymmetrical location in a global economic and political order constituted by colonialism was a well‐established fact of social life by the end of the 1920s; consequently, the problem of the modern subject in Egypt was posed in terms that were not exclusively nationalist and examined in terms that were keenly attuned to circulations of global cultural forms and discursive practices. In the resulting process of subject formation, a gendered and sexualised other was also produced, as a de‐formation, wherein the terms of its prior being would no longer be intelligible.
Imagining Cihuacoatl: Masculine Rituals, Nahua Goddesses and the Texts of the Tlacuilos
Authors: Sigal Pete
Published: October 2010

‘Imagining Cihuacoatl’ examines the conundrum of the multiple identities of the ‘serpent woman’, a Mexica goddess, analysing her relationship with other goddesses in the Nahua pantheon. She and the others were marked in a particular sexualised and gendered manner in the Nahua world. This article argues that Cihuacoatl and the fertility goddesses cannot be conceptualised in a symbolic universe that has binary divisions between male and female, nor can they be analysed by the methods currently employed in the social and cultural history of sexuality. This article follows images of various goddesses of warfare and fertility from pre‐conquest and early post‐conquest texts, suggesting ways in which the Spanish attempted to reconceptualise all of them into a framework of demonic sin. ‘Imagining Cihuacoatl’ will interrogate the sexual performance involved in Nahua ritual, lost in the translation not just from Nahuatl to Spanish but from a system that linked sex with rites of fertility to one that linked sex with sin. ‘Imagining Cihuacoatl’ shows that Gayle Rubin's call to develop a theory of sexuality separate from gender is a project fraught with contradictions, and one that remains incomplete.
Identification of CD44 as a cell surface marker for Müller glia precursor cells
Authors: Shinoe Toru , Kuribayashi Hiroshi , Saya Hideyuki , Seiki Motoharu , Aburatani Hiroyuki , Watanabe Sumiko
Published: October 2010

J. Neurochem. (2010) 115, 1633–1642.

In the retina, both neurons and glia differentiate from a common progenitor population. CD44 cell surface antigen is a hyaluronic acid receptor expressed on mature Müller glial cells. We found that in the developing mouse retina, expression of CD44 was transiently observed at or around birth in a subpopulation of c‐kit‐positive retinal progenitor cells. During in vitro culture, purified CD44/c‐kit‐positive retinal progenitor cells exclusively differentiated into Müller glial cells and not into neurons, suggesting that CD44 marks a subpopulation of retinal progenitor cells that are fated to become glia. Over‐expression of CD44 inhibited the extension of processes by Müller glial cells and neurons. Notch signaling is known to be involved in the specification of retinal progenitors into a glial fate. Activation of Notch signaling increased the number of CD44‐positive cells, and treatment with the Notch signal inhibitor, DAPT, at early, but not later, stages of retinal development abolished both CD44‐positive cells and Müller glial cells. Together, CD44 was identified as an early cell surface marker of the Müller glia lineage, and Notch signalling was involved in commitment of retinal progenitor cells to CD44 positive Müller glial precursor cells.
Anti‐inflammatory mechanism of ginsenoside Rh1 in lipopolysaccharide‐stimulated microglia: critical role of the protein kinase A pathway and hemeoxygenase‐1 expression
Authors: Jung Ji‐Sun , Shin Jin A. , Park Eun‐Mi , Lee Jung‐Eun , Kang Young‐Sook , Min Sung‐Won , Kim Dong‐Hyun , Hyun Jin‐Won , Shin Chan‐Young , Kim Hee‐Sun
Published: October 2010

J. Neurochem.(2010)115,1668–1680.

Microglia activation plays a pivotal role in neurodegenerative diseases, and thus controlling microglial activation has been suggested as a promising therapeutic strategy for neurodegenerative diseases. In the present study, we showed that ginsenoside Rh1 inhibited inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase‐2, and pro‐inflammatory cytokine expression in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐stimulated microglia, while Rh1 increased anti‐inflammatory IL‐10 and hemeoxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) expression. Suppression of microglial activation by Rh1 was also observed in the mouse brain following treatment with LPS. Subsequent mechanistic studies revealed that Rh1 inhibited LPS‐induced MAPK phosphorylation and nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB)‐mediated transcription without affecting NF‐κB DNA binding. As the increase of pCREB (cAMP responsive element‐binding protein) is known to result in suppression of NF‐κB‐mediated transcription, we examined whether Rh1 increased pCREB levels. As expected, Rh1 increased pCREB, which was shown to be related to the anti‐inflammatory effect of Rh1 because pre‐treatment with protein kinase A inhibitors attenuated the Rh1‐mediated inhibition of nitric oxide production and the up‐regulation of IL‐10 and HO‐1. Furthermore, treatment of HO‐1 shRNA attenuated Rh1‐mediated inhibition of nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species production. Through this study, we have demonstrated that protein kinase A and its downstream effector, HO‐1, play a critical role in the anti‐inflammatory mechanism of Rh1 by modulating pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory molecules in activated microglia.
AMPA receptor mediatedd‐serine release from retinal glial cells
Authors: Sullivan Steve J. , Miller Robert F.
Published: October 2010

J. Neurochem.(2010)115,1681–1689.

The N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor (NMDAR) co‐agonistd‐serine is important in a number of different processes in the CNS, ranging from synaptic plasticity to disease states, including schizophrenia.d‐serine appears to be the major co‐agonist acting on retinal ganglion cell NMDA receptors, but the cell type from which it originates and whether its release can be modulated by activity are unknown. In this study, we utilized a mutant mouse line with elevatedd‐serine to investigate this question. Direct measurements of extracellulard‐serine using capillary electrophoresis demonstrate thatd‐serine can be released from the intact mouse retina through an α‐amino‐3‐hydroxyl‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazole‐propionate receptor (AMPAR) dependent mechanism. α‐Amino‐3‐hydroxyl‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazole‐propionate‐evokedd‐serine release persisted in the presence of a cocktail of neural inhibitors but was abolished after administration of a glial toxin. These findings provide the first evidence that extracellulard‐serine levels in the retina can be modulated, and that such modulation is contingent upon glial cell activity.
Age‐related changes in mesenchymal stem cells derived from rhesus macaque bone marrow
Authors: Yu Ji Min , Wu Xiying , Gimble Jeffrey M. , Guan Xiaoyan , Freitas Michael A. , Bunnell Bruce A.
Published: October 2010

The regeneration potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) diminishes with advanced age and this diminished potential is associated with changes in cellular functions. This study compared MSCs isolated from the bone marrow of rhesus monkeys (rBMSCs) in three age groups: young (< 5 years), middle (8–10 years), and old (> 12 years). The effects of aging on stem cell properties and indicators of stem cell fitness such as proliferation, differentiation, circadian rhythms, stress response proteins, miRNA expression, and global histone modifications in rBMSCs were analyzed. rBMSCs demonstrated decreased capacities for proliferation and differentiation as a function of age. The production of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) were also reduced with increasing age. The level of a core circadian protein, Rev‐erb α, was significantly increased in rBMSCs from old animals. Furthermore, analysis of miRNA expression profiles revealed an up‐regulation of mir‐766 and mir‐558 and a down‐regulation of mir‐let‐7f, mir‐125b, mir‐222, mir‐199‐3p, mir‐23a, and mir‐221 in old rBMSCs compare to young rBMSCs. However, there were no significant age‐related changes in the global histone modification profiles of the four histone core proteins: H2A, H2B, H3, and H4 on rBMSCs. These changes represent novel insights into the aging process and could have implications regarding the potential for autologous stem cells therapy in older patients.