bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Economic Information on International Markets: French Strategies in the Italian Mirror (Nineteenth–Early Twentieth Centuries)
Authors: Stanziani Alessandro
Published: August 2009

During 1870–1914, business actors were concerned about the increasing uncertainty and occasional cheating in commercial relationships. In such situations, economic actors seek to improve the information they have, so as to benefit from strong comparative advantages over their competitors. This essay analyzes the acquisition and circulation of information and the actors and rules involved between 1870 and 1914, through a comparative approach (France and Italy). It considers individual trading firms, professional associations, information intermediating agencies, and state offices. We argue that these agencies (and therefore markets and institutions) acted much less as rivals than as complements in this era. Indeed, product information is different from information on the reputation of economic actors, the latter generating further distinctions between reputation for payment, respect of deadlines, and fidelity to the terms and objects of the contract. In turn, such kinds of situated micro-information differ from general statistics on market evolution and prices. We show that most economic actors were much more interested in the former (specifics) than in the latter kinds of information. To demonstrate this point, we compare the way traders, their associations, and private and state agencies intervened in the gathering, circulation, and interpretation of economic information in two countries, Italy and France, between 1870 and 1914. We argue that their opposite outcomes were not simply the result of different “mentalities” or attitudes to risk (as exogenously given), but rather can be traced to the different institutional settings and economic segmentation of the market for information in these two countries. In fact, unlike the Italian government, French ministries refused to provide their traders with micro-information on potential overseas correspondents and product characteristics. That is to say, “attitude to risk” and “animal spirits” are not exogenous and cannot be studied outside a given historical and institutional context.
Effect of Hurricane Katrina on the Incidence of Acute Coronary Syndrome at a Primary Angioplasty Center in New Orleans
Authors: Gautam Sandeep , Menachem Jonathan , Srivastav Sudesh K. , Delafontaine Patrice , Irimpen Anand
Published: August 2009

Background: In August 2005, New Orleans was hit by Hurricane Katrina, the costliest natural disaster in US history. Previous studies have shown an increase in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in the immediate hours to weeks after natural disasters. The goals of our study were to detect any long-term increase in the incidence of AMI after Katrina and to investigate any pertinent contributing factors.

Methods: This was a single-center retrospective cohort observational study. Patients admitted with AMI to Tulane Health Sciences Center hospital in the 2 years before Katrina and in the 2 years after the hospital reopened (5 months after Katrina) were identified from hospital records. The 2 groups (pre- and post-Katrina) were compared for prespecified demographic and clinical data.

Results: In the post-Katrina group, there were 246 admissions for AMI, out of a total census of 11,282 patients (2.18%), as compared with 150 AMI admissions out of a total of 21,229 patients (0.71%) in the pre-Katrina group (P < 0.0001). The post-Katrina group had a significantly higher prevalence of unemployment (P = 0.0003), lack of medical insurance (P < 0.0001), medication noncompliance (P = 0.0001), smoking (P = 0.001), substance abuse (P = 0.03), first-time hospitalization (P < 0.001), local residents rather than visitors affected (P < 0.0001), and people living in temporary housing (P = 0.003).

Discussion: The role of chronic stress in the pathogenesis of AMI is poorly understood, especially in the aftermath of natural disasters. Our data suggest that Katrina was associated with prolonged loss of employment and insurance, decreased access to preventive health services, and an increased incidence of AMI. In addition, it appears that chronic stress after a natural disaster can be associated with tobacco abuse and medication and therapeutic noncompliance.

Conclusions: We found a 3-fold increased incidence of AMI more than 2 years after Hurricane Katrina. Even allowing for the loss of some local hospitals after the disaster, this represents a significant change in overall health of the study population and supports the need for further study into the health effects of chronic stress. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2009;3:144–150)
Sperm length is not influenced by haploid gene expression in the flies
Drosophila melanogaster
and
Scathophaga stercoraria
Authors: Pitnick Scott , Dobler Ralph , Hosken David J.
Published: August 2009

Recent theoretical models have postulated a role for haploid–diploid conflict and for kin selection favouring sperm cooperation and altruism in the diversification and specialization of sperm form. A critical assumption of these models—that haploid gene expression contributes to variation in sperm form—has never been demonstrated and remains contentious. By quantifying within-male variation in sperm length using crosses between males and females from populations that had been subjected to divergent experimental selection, we demonstrate that haploid gene expression does not contribute to variation in sperm length in both
Drosophila melanogaster
and
Scathophaga stercoraria
. This finding casts doubt on the importance of haploid–diploid conflict and kin selection as evolutionary influences of sperm phenotypes.
Ecological and life-history factors influencing the evolution of maternal antibody allocation: a phylogenetic comparison
Authors: Addison BriAnne , Klasing Kirk C. , Robinson W. Douglas , Austin Suzanne H. , Ricklefs Robert E.
Published: August 2009

Maternally derived yolk antibodies provide neonates with immune protection in early life at negligible cost to mothers. However, developmental effects on the neonate's future immunity are potentially costly and thus could limit yolk antibody deposition. The benefits to neonatal immunity must be balanced against costs, which may depend on neonate vulnerability to pathogens, developmental trajectories and the immunological strategies best suited to a species' pace of life. We measured yolk antibodies and life-history features of 23 species of small Neotropical birds and assessed the evidence for each of several hypotheses for life history and ecological effects on the evolution of yolk antibody levels. Developmental period and yolk antibodies are negatively related, which possibly reflect the importance of humoral immune priming through antigen exposure, and selection to avoid autoimmunity, in species with a slower pace of life. There is also a strong relationship between body size and yolk antibody concentration, suggesting that larger species are architecturally equipped to produce and transfer higher concentrations of antibodies. These results suggest that developmental effects of maternally derived antibodies, such as imprinting effects on B-cell diversity or autoimmune effects, are important and deserve more consideration in future research.
Older and stronger object memories are selectively destabilized by reactivation in the presence of new information
Authors: Winters Boyer D. , Tucci Mark C. , DaCosta-Furtado Melynda
Published: August 2009

Reactivation can destabilize previously consolidated memories, rendering them vulnerable to disruption and necessitating a process of reconsolidation in order for them to be maintained. This process of destabilization and reconsolidation has commonly been cited as a means by which established memories can be updated or modified. However, little direct evidence exists to support this view. The present study addressed this issue by analyzing the influence of novel salient information present at the time of memory reactivation on the likelihood of the reactivated memory to become destabilized and vulnerable to disruption. Rats explored sample objects and, some time later, received systemic injections of the N-methyl-d-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor antagonist MK-801 or saline prior to memory reactivation. When object memories were relatively young or weakly encoded, MK-801 significantly disrupted reconsolidation regardless of the reactivation conditions. However, increasing the amount of sample object exploration or the interval between the sample phase and reactivation abolished the effect of MK-801 on reconsolidation unless salient novel contextual information was present during memory reactivation. These results highlight the dynamic nature of memory storage and retrieval and indicate an important interaction between the age and strength of a memory, its probability of being destabilized upon reactivation, and the stimulus conditions during reactivation. The essential involvement of novel encoding in destabilizing certain memories supports the idea that the reconsolidation process enables modification of existing memories.
The 10 most important things known about addiction
Authors: Sellman Doug
Published: August 2009

If you were asked: ‘What are the most important things we know about addiction?’ what would you say? This paper brings together a body of knowledge across multiple domains and arranged as a list of 10 things known about addiction, as a response to such a question. The 10 things are: (1) addiction is fundamentally about compulsive behaviour; (2) compulsive drug seeking is initiated outside of consciousness; (3) addiction is about 50% heritable and complexity abounds; (4) most people with addictions who present for help have other psychiatric problems as well; (5) addiction is a chronic relapsing disorder in the majority of people who present for help; (6) different psychotherapies appear to produce similar treatment outcomes; (7) ‘come back when you're motivated’ is no longer an acceptable therapeutic response; (8) the more individualized and broad‐based the treatment a person with addiction receives, the better the outcome; (9) epiphanies are hard to manufacture; and (10) change takes time. The paper concludes with a call for unity between warring factions in the field to use the knowledge already known more effectively for the betterment of tangata whaiora (patients) suffering from addictive disorders.
Classification of R1 resections for pancreatic cancer: the prognostic relevance of tumour involvement within 1 mm of a resection margin
Authors: Campbell Fiona , Smith Richard A , Whelan Philip , Sutton Robert , Raraty Michael , Neoptolemos John P , Ghaneh Paula
Published: August 2009

Aims:  The current Royal College of Pathologists guidelines for pancreatoduodenectomy specimen reporting recommend that microscopic evidence of tumour within 1 mm of a resection margin (RM) should be classified as R1. No clinical evidence exists to justify this classification. The aim of this study was to identify the proportion of pancreatoduodenectomy specimens in which ‘equivocal’ RMs are present (tumour involvement within 1 mm of, but not directly reaching, one or more resection margins) and whether the survival of these patients was similar to that of patients with ‘unequivocal’ RM involvement.

Methods and results:  Patients with histologically confirmed pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy between 1997 and 2007 (n = 163) were identified from a prospective database. One hundred and twenty‐eight cases (79%) were classified as R1. Of these, 57 (45% of all R1 cases) were based on ‘equivocal’ margin involvement. There was no significant difference in overall survival between equivocal and unequivocal R1 resections (log rank, P = 0.102). All R1 resections had a poorer survival on univariate (log rank, P = 0.013), but not multivariate, analysis (Cox, P = 0.132).

Conclusions:  Our results indicate that cases with microscopic tumour involvement within 1 mm of a resection margin should be considered synonymous with incomplete excision for resected pancreatic cancer.
Cancer stem cell marker CD133+ tumour cells and clinical outcome in rectal cancer
Authors: Wang Qi , Chen Zhi‐Guo , Du Chang‐Zheng , Wang Hong‐Wei , Yan Li , Gu Jin
Published: August 2009

Aims:  The CD133 antigen has been identified as a putative stem cell marker in colorectal cancer tissues. According to the cancer stem cell hypothesis, CD133+ cells determine long‐term tumour growth and are therefore suspected of influencing clinical outcome. The aim was to investigate the prognostic value of CD133 expression in rectal cancer patients after preoperative radiation and curative resection.

Methods and results:  The expression of the CD133 stem cell antigen in a series of 73 patients with rectal cancer of various ypTNM stages was analysed by immunohistochemistry on formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded sections. The prognostic value of CD133 expression and other clinicopathological factors was evaluated. On multivariate survival analysis, the proportion of CD133+ cells was a significant (P < 0.05) prognostic factor for adverse disease‐free survival and overall survival independent of ypTNM stage, tumour differentiation or lymphovascular invasion.

Conclusions:  CD133 stem cell antigen expression correlates with patient survival in rectal cancer, lending support to the current cancer stem cell hypothesis.
Lizard community structure along environmental gradients
Authors: Buckley Lauren B. , Jetz Walter
Published: August 2009

1.  How the total number of individuals in a community is divided among its species is governed by both the distribution of species along landscape‐scale environmental gradients and by local resource partitioning. In vertebrate ectotherms, abiotic environmental conditions may constrain geographic distributions more strongly than local population densities due to thermal constraints on resource acquisition and due to behavioural thermoregulation.

2.  We investigate whether local density and species richness are decoupled for lizard communities within the Southwest US by comparing 18 species‐abundance distributions.

3.  While species richness decreases strongly with decreasing temperature, there is no significant relationship between temperature or resource availability (net primary productivity) and the total number of individuals within a community. Consequently, in more species‐rich communities species have lower mean abundances.

4.  This suggestion that lizard species richness is not a function of an area’s capacity to support more individuals questions for this group species diversity theories based on this assumption.
Atom probe tomography analysis of poly(3‐alkylthiophene)s
Authors: PROSA T.J. , KEENEY S. KOSTRNA , KELLY T.F.
Published: August 2009

Pulsed‐laser atom‐probe tomography is used to compare the field‐evaporation mass spectrum and spatial distribution of molecular fragments from various poly(3‐alkylthiophene) films deposited on sharpened aluminium specimen carriers using two different deposition methods. Films deposited via a modified solution‐cast methodology yield small fragments with a uniform structural morphology whereas films deposited via an electrospray ionization methodology yield a wide range of fragments with a very non‐uniform structural morphology. The main field‐evaporated chemical species identified for both deposition types were, in order of typical relative abundance, C2H5+, CH3+, C2H4+, followed by C3H7,8+/SC+and SCH+. Thick electrospray depositions allowed investigation of the influence of laser‐pulse energy on the analysis. Evidence is presented supporting the presence of a critical laser‐pulse energy whereby changes in film morphology are signalled by the appearance of a new mass fragment at 190 Da.
Streptomyces coelicolor Dps‐like proteins: differential dual roles in response to stress during vegetative growth and in nucleoid condensation during reproductive cell division
Authors: Facey P. D. , Hitchings M. D. , Saavedra‐Garcia P. , Fernandez‐Martinez L. , Dyson P. J. , Del Sol R.
Published: August 2009

The Dps protein, a member of the ferritin family, contributes to DNA protection during oxidative stress and plays a central role in nucleoid condensation during stationary phase in unicellular eubacteria. Genome searches revealed the presence of three Dps‐like orthologues within the genome of the Gram‐positive bacterium Streptomyces coelicolor. Disruption of the S. coelicolor dpsA, dpsB and dpsC genes resulted in irregular condensation of spore nucleoids in a gene‐specific manner. These irregularities are correlated with changes to the spacing between sporulation septa. This is the first example of these proteins playing a role in bacterial cell division. Translational fusions provided evidence for both developmental control of DpsA and DpsC expression and their localization to sporogenic compartments of aerial hyphae. In addition, various stress conditions induced expression of the Dps proteins in a stimulus‐dependent manner in vegetative hyphae, suggesting stress‐induced, protein‐specific protective functions in addition to their role during reproductive cell division. Unlike in other bacteria, the S. coelicolor Dps proteins are not induced in response to oxidative stress.
Effect of behaviour change communication on qualified medical care‐seeking for sick neonates among urban poor in Lucknow, northern India: a before and after intervention study
Authors: Awasthi Shally , Srivastava Neeraj M. , Agarwal Girdhar G. , Pant Shubha , Ahluwalia Tej P.
Published: August 2009

Objective  To assess the impact of a behaviour change communication (BCC) intervention on qualified medical care‐seeking for sick newborns in urban Lucknow, northern India.

Methods  Before and after intervention study conducted at two urban public hospitals at Lucknow. Neonates who did not have any morbidity or congenital malformation and were residents of Lucknow were enrolled within 48 h of birth and followed once between 6 and 8 weeks at the outpatients’ clinic or home to assess the primary outcome measure which was qualified medical care‐seeking for any neonatal illness. Mothers in the after‐intervention phase received BCC intervention at enrolment, targeted at identification of danger signs of neonatal illnesses and promotion of qualified medical care‐seeking. Analysis was by intention to treat.

Results  In the before‐intervention phase, 510 neonates were enrolled (from March 2007 to August 2007) and 481 (94.3%) were followed up. In the after‐intervention phase, 510 neonates were enrolled (September 2007–April 2008) and 490 (96.1%) were followed up. Neonatal morbidity was 50.3% (242/481) and 44.3% (217/490) in before and after intervention phases, respectively. Qualified medical care‐seeking for neonatal illnesses was significantly higher among mothers after‐intervention (OR = 2.12; 95% CI = 1.42–3.16; P = 0.0001).

Conclusion  Since the behaviour change intervention package led to significant improvement in qualified medical care‐seeking for sick newborns, this may be tested for effectiveness in other settings and considered for scaling up here, with rising proportion of institutional deliveries.
Pancreas transplantation alone in children: a case report
Authors: Perosa Marcelo , Crescentini Fabio , Antunes Irina , Rangel Erika , Guimaro Melissa , De Sá João Roberto , Carneiro Arie , Yonezawa Eva , Genzini Tercio
Published: August 2009

Abstract:  Pancreas transplantation (PT) is a relatively uncommon therapy for non‐uremic type 1 diabetes, as the severity of diabetes must warrant the risk of immunosuppression. In pediatric diabetic patients, who are less likely to display uremia because of the duration of diabetes, there is very little experience with pancreas transplantation alone (PTA). This report describes a 13‐yr‐old male PTA recipient. This patient was initially diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus at the age of four yr. Following a multidisciplinary evaluation, PTA was found to be indicated based on a history of severe labile diabetes and hypoglycemic unawareness resulting in frequent episodes of hypoglycemia and hospital admissions. Because of the failure of medical management of the patient’s diabetes, a whole organ bladder and systemic drained PTA was performed. Immunosuppression included thymoglobulin, tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, and steroids. Early outcome was uneventful and patient was discharged 12 d after surgery normoglycemic and insulin‐free. An episode of acute rejection (Maryland grade II) 20‐d post‐transplant was successfully treated with corticosteroids. A second and more severe episode of rejection (Maryland grade IV) occurred 13 months post‐transplant, requiring treatment with thymoglobulin and conversion from steroid to sirolimus. On tacrolimus, sirolimus, and mycophenolic acid, he remains euglycemic and insulin‐free 38 months after PTA. His quality‐of‐life is judged to be superior to his insulin dependent state prior to transplantation. According to the medical literature, this is the youngest patient ever to undergo PTA.
Relationship between a validated molecular cardiac transplant rejection classifier and routine organ function parameters
Authors: Cadeiras Martin , Shahzad Khurram , John Manju M. , Gruber Dorota , Bayern Manuel von , Auerbach Scott , Sinha Anshu , Latif Farhana , Unniachan Sreevalsa , Memon Sarfaraz , Mital Seema , Restaino Susan , Marboe Charles C. , Addonizio Linda J. , Deng Mario C.
Published: August 2009

Cadeiras M, Shahzad K, John MM, Gruber D, von Bayern M, Auerbach S, Sinha A, Latif F, Unniachan S, Memon S, Mital S, Restaino S, Marboe CC, Addonizio LJ, Deng MC. Relationship between a validated molecular cardiac transplant rejection classifier and routine organ function parameters. Clin Transplant 2010: 24: 321–327. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Abstract: Background:  As acute cellular cardiac allograft rejection is a systemic process affecting the entire organism, we hypothesized that scores of a peripheral blood mononuclear cell gene expression profiling (GEP) test developed and validated to rule out International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) grade ≥3A/2R acute cellular cardiac allograft rejection also reflects biologically plausible changes of the routinely assessed clinical parameters.

Methods:  We retrospectively analyzed 76 patients who underwent GEP testing, at the time of their routine clinical follow‐up in our Institution between February 1, 2006 and January 31, 2007. Data were analyzed with t‐test, nonparametric tests, bivariate Spearman’s correlation, and multivariate linear regression modeling.

Results:  More activated GEP‐score correlated with longer corrected QT (QTc)‐interval (r = 0.377, p = 0.001, n = 63), longer QRS duration (r = 0.231, p = 0.03, n = 66), higher heart rate (r = 0.221, p = 0.037, n = 66), higher serum creatinine (r = 0.26, p = 0.01, n = 75), higher gamma‐glutamyl transferase (GGT) GGT (r = 0.266, p = 0.037, n = 46), lower pulmonary artery oxygen saturation (r = −0.313, p = 0.003, n = 76), lower platelet count (r = −0.372, p = 0.001, n = 74), lower monocyte count (r = −0.208, p = 0.040, n = 72), and lower high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) HDL level (r = −0.242, p = 0.041, n = 53). Multivariate analysis showed a significant amount of variance in the GEP score independently explained by the variability of QTc‐interval (β = 1.998, p = 0.001) and platelet count (β = −1.540, p = 0.017). Post hoc analysis of the 11 individual GEP‐classifier genes showed WDRA40 (p = 0.02) and ras homolog gene family, member U (RHOU) RHOU (p = 0.01) independently related to mixed venous O2Sat%.

Conclusion:  A GEP test developed and validated to detect the absence of cardiac rejection correlates with electrocardiographic and hemodynamic cardiac parameters as well as renal, hepatic, bone marrow, and lipid metabolism parameters suggesting a complex relationship between rejection, leukocytes, and organ function within the continuum between alloimmunological quiescence and rejection.
FTY720 and everolimus in de novo renal transplant patients at risk for delayed graft function: results of an exploratory one‐yr multicenter study
Authors: Tedesco‐Silva H. , Lorber M.I. , Foster C.E. , Sollinger H.W. , Mendez R. , Carvalho D.B. , Shapiro R. , Rajagopalan P.R. , Mayer H. , Slade J. , Kahan B.D. ,   for the FTY720A2202 clinical study group
Published: August 2009

Abstract:  This exploratory, multicenter, open‐label study evaluated the efficacy and safety of FTY720, as a part of an immunosuppressive regimen, in combination with everolimus and steroids in de novo renal transplant recipients at increased risk of delayed graft function (DGF). Patients received FTY720 (5 mg) and everolimus (4 mg) 2–12 h pre‐transplantation, followed by 2.5 mg/d FTY720 and concentration‐controlled everolimus (4–8 ng/mL) post‐transplant for 12 months. Induction therapy was prohibited. After enrollment of 56 of the planned 200 patients between 2000 and 2002, the recruitment was terminated. The primary endpoint, rate of graft loss, or death at three months was 15.4% and the biopsy‐confirmed acute rejection was 42.3%. Death or graft loss at 12 months in the DGF and non‐DGF arms was 36.0% and 25.9%, respectively. The mean estimated creatinine clearance at three months was 63 and 55 mL/min in the non‐DGF and DGF groups, respectively, while at 12 months it was 56 mL/min in both the groups. Although there was no comparator arm, the results from this exploratory study (compared with data from other phases II and III trials) indicated no apparent benefits of FTY720‐based regimens for prevention of acute rejection and preservation of renal function in renal transplant recipients at high risk of DGF.
Fungi isolated from Picea abies infested by the bark beetle Ips typographus in the Białowieża forest in north‐eastern Poland
Authors: Kirisits T.
Published: August 2009

The assemblage of fungi occurring in the sapwood of Norway spruce (Picea abies) and in bark beetle galleries following attack by the Eurasian spruce bark beetle Ips typographus was investigated in the Białowieża forest in north‐eastern Poland. Fungi were isolated from blue‐stained sapwood of beetle‐infested spruce trees in June 2002, and a few isolates were also obtained from ascospores and conidia taken from perithecia and asexual structures occurring in the gallery systems of the insects. The mycobiota of I. typographus in the Białowieża forest was dominated by ophiostomatoid fungi, which were represented by seven species. Four species, including Ceratocystis polonica, Grosmannia penicillata, Ophiostoma ainoae and Ophiostoma bicolor were isolated at high frequencies, whereas three other taxa, Ceratocystiopsis minuta, Ceratocystiopsis alba and a Pesotum sp. were rare. The anamorphic fungus Graphium fimbriisporum and yeasts also occurred occasionally. In addition, the basidiomycete Gloeocystidium ipidophilum was relatively common. The pathogenic blue‐stain fungus C. polonica was the dominant fungal associate of I. typographus in the Białowieża forest, which is consistent with a previous study at this area in the 1930s. Ceratocystis polonica was the most frequently isolated species at the leading edge of fungal colonization in the sapwood and had on an average penetrated deeper into the wood than other fungal associates. This suggests that it acts as a primary invader into the sapwood after attack by I. typographus in the Białowieża forest, followed by O. bicolor, O. ainoae, G. ipidophilum and G. penicillata. Thus far, the Białowieża forest is one of the few areas in Europe, where C. polonica has been reported as a dominate fungal associate of I. typographus.
Modelling cost‐effectiveness of high‐dose chemotherapy as treatment for relapsed aggressive non‐Hodgkin lymphoma in an Australian setting
Authors: Prajogo J. , Neil A. , Duke J. , Zhang H. , Stokes B. , Rowlings P.
Published: August 2009

Background: Since 1995 patients with relapsed aggressive non‐Hodgkin lymphoma have been treated with high‐dose chemotherapy (HDC) instead of standard dose chemotherapy (SC) because of superior survival shown in the ‘Parma study’. As HDC involves hospital admission and intensive supportive care, the cost of HDC would be predicted to be higher than for SC. The aim of this study was to calculate the incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio for HDC compared with SC using Australian costs.

Methods: Cost of treatment was determined on 21 patients receiving HDC with characteristics similar to the Parma study from the HDC database of the Calvary Mater Newcastle Hospital. Drug, transfusion, inpatient and outpatient attendance and additional relevant data from start of treatment for relapse and up to 100 days following HDC were obtained and costed. SC costs required modelling as all suitable patients are planned to receive HDC if possible; therefore there are no concurrent SC arms. A lifetime estimate of patient years gained by HDC versus SC was calculated from the area under survival curves (AUC) of HDC and SC. The incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio was calculated according to the following formula:

image

Results: Costs for HDC and SC were A$37 490 and A$33 360, respectively, and the AUC0‐infinity were 4.09 and 3.5 patient life years, respectively, giving an incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio of A$7070 per discounted life year gained.

Conclusion: Compared with published studies in multiple myeloma and solid organ transplant, these results support HDC as a cost‐effective treatment in relapsed aggressive non‐Hodgkin lymphoma.
Storage and secretion of β‐NAD, ATP and dopamine in NGF‐differentiated rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells
Authors: Yamboliev Ilia A. , Smyth Lisa M. , Durnin Leonie , Dai Yanping , Mutafova‐Yambolieva Violeta N.
Published: August 2009

In nerve–smooth muscle preparations β‐nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (β‐NAD) has emerged as a novel extracellular substance with putative neurotransmitter and neuromodulator functions. β‐NAD is released, along with noradrenaline and adenosine 5′‐triphosphate (ATP), upon firing of action potentials in blood vessels, urinary bladder and large intestine. At present it is unclear whether noradrenaline, ATP and β‐NAD are stored in and released from common populations of synaptic vesicles. The answer is unattainable in complex systems such as nerve–smooth muscle preparations. Adrenal chromaffin cells are thus used here as a single‐cell model to examine mechanisms of concomitant neurosecretion. Using high‐performance liquid chromatography techniques with electrochemical and fluorescence detection we simultaneously evaluated secretion of dopamine (DA), ATP, adenosine 5′‐diphosphate, adenosine 5′‐monophosphate, adenosine, β‐NAD and its immediate metabolites ADP‐ribose and cyclic ADP‐ribose in superfused nerve growth factor‐differentiated rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells. β‐NAD, DA and ATP were released constitutively and upon stimulation with high‐K+ solution or nicotine. Botulinum neurotoxin A tended to increase the spontaneous secretion of all substances and abolished the high‐K+‐evoked release of β‐NAD and DA but not of ATP. Subcellular fractionation by continuous glycerol and sucrose gradients along with immunoblot analysis of the vesicular marker proteins synaptophysin and secretogranin II revealed that β‐NAD, ATP and DA are stored in both small synaptic‐like vesicles and large dense‐core‐like vesicles. However, the three substances appear to have different preferential sites of release upon membrane depolarization including sites associated with SNAP‐25 and sites not associated with SNAP‐25.
IGF‐I promotes neuronal migration and positioning in the olfactory bulb and the exit of neuroblasts from the subventricular zone
Authors: Hurtado‐Chong Anahí , Yusta‐Boyo María J. , Vergaño‐Vera Eva , Bulfone Alessandro , De Pablo Flora , Vicario‐Abejón Carlos
Published: August 2009

While insulin‐like growth factor‐I (IGF‐I) supports neuronal and glial differentiation in the CNS, it is largely unknown whether IGF‐I also influences neuronal migration and positioning. We show here that the pattern of olfactory bulb (OB) layering is altered in Igf‐I −/− mice. In these animals, Tbr1+‐glutamatergic neurons are misplaced in the mitral cell layer (ML) and the external plexiform layer (EPL). In addition, there are fewer interneurons in the glomerular layer and the EPL of the Igf‐I −/− mice, and fewer newborn neurons are incorporated into the OB from the forebrain subventricular zone (SVZ). Indeed, neuroblasts accumulate in the postnatal/adult SVZ of Igf‐I −/− mice. Significantly, the positioning of Tbr1+‐cells in a primitive ML is stimulated by IGF‐I in cultured embryonic OB slices, an effect that is partially repressed by the phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K) inhibitor. In OB cell cultures, IGF‐I increases the phosphorylation of disabled1 (P‐Dab1), an adaptor protein that is a target of Src family kinases (SFK) in the reelin signalling pathway, whereas reduced P‐Dab1 levels were found in Igf‐I −/− mice. Neuroblast migration from the rostral migratory stream (RMS) explants of postnatal Igf‐I −/− was similar to that from Igf‐I +/+ explants. However, cell migration was significantly enhanced by IGF‐I added to the explants, an effect that was repressed by PI3K and SFK inhibitors. These findings suggest that IGF‐I promotes neuronal positioning in the OB and support a role for IGF‐I in stimulating neuroblast exit from the SVZ into the RMS, thereby promoting the incorporation of newly formed neurons into the OB.
Wrinkles in the rare biosphere: pyrosequencing errors can lead to artificial inflation of diversity estimates
Authors: Kunin Victor , Engelbrektson Anna , Ochman Howard , Hugenholtz Philip
Published: August 2009

Massively parallel pyrosequencing of the small subunit (16S) ribosomal RNA gene has revealed that the extent of rare microbial populations in several environments, the ‘rare biosphere’, is orders of magnitude higher than previously thought. One important caveat with this method is that sequencing error could artificially inflate diversity estimates. Although the per‐base error of 16S rDNA amplicon pyrosequencing has been shown to be as good as or lower than Sanger sequencing, no direct assessments of pyrosequencing errors on diversity estimates have been reported. Using only Escherichia coli MG1655 as a reference template, we find that 16S rDNA diversity is grossly overestimated unless relatively stringent read quality filtering and low clustering thresholds are applied. In particular, the common practice of removing reads with unresolved bases and anomalous read lengths is insufficient to ensure accurate estimates of microbial diversity. Furthermore, common and reproducible homopolymer length errors can result in relatively abundant spurious phylotypes further confounding data interpretation. We suggest that stringent quality‐based trimming of 16S pyrotags and clustering thresholds no greater than 97% identity should be used to avoid overestimates of the rare biosphere.
Testosterone levels in patients with metastatic prostate cancer treated with luteinizing hormone‐releasing hormone therapy: prognostic significance?
Authors: Perachino Massimo , Cavalli Valerio , Bravi Fabio
Published: August 2009

Study Type – Prognosis (case series) Level of Evidence 4

OBJECTIVE

To determine if the testosterone level achieved with androgen‐deprivation therapy (ADT) is directly related to survival and risk of death in men with metastatic prostate cancer, as agonistic analogues of luteinizing hormone‐releasing hormones (LHRH) are indicated for palliative treatment of these patients, but there is no consensus about the utility of serum testosterone measurements during the follow‐up, and their possible prognostic value.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 129 consecutive patients with a histological diagnosis of metastatic bony‐only prostate cancer and previously untreated with ADT. They were treated with 3 months of goserelin. Testosterone and prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) levels were measured in all patients every 3 months for the duration of the follow‐up. The following variables were recorded: age, stage, Gleason score, basal PSA level, basal testosterone level, PSA nadir, time to PSA nadir, testosterone after 6 months, testosterone nadir and time to testosterone nadir. Data were analysed using Cox’s proportional hazards models, with the primary endpoint being cancer‐specific survival.

RESULTS

The mean (sd) basal PSA level was 185.8 (344.1) ng/mL, and the mean nadir PSA level 2.7 (8.6) ng/mL. The mean testosterone levels at baseline, 6 months and the nadir were 440 (200), 40 (40) and 21 (15) ng/dL. With a mean follow‐up of 47.5 (29.7) months, 71 patients were dead (55%) and 78 were alive (45%) at the time of analysis. Statistical analysis using Cox’s model showed that in these patients the risk of death was directly correlated not only to Gleason score (P < 0.01) and to the 6‐month PSA level (P < 0.01), but also to the 6‐month serum testosterone level (hazard ratio 1.32, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

These results suggest a direct correlation between the risk of death and testosterone levels achieved during ADT. Based on the present results, lowering the testosterone level as much as possible should be the goal of ADT in patients with metastatic prostate cancer, as this might affect patient survival.
FDI Liberalization as a Source of Comparative Advantage in China
Authors: Claro Sebastian
Published: August 2009

Two features of China's trade patterns suggest that elements beyond factor abundance explain its export performance. The high penetration in world markets of labor‐intensive products has been accompanied by: (i) a high share in exports of productivity‐advanced foreign‐invested enterprises (FIEs) and (ii) a high penetration of FIEs in labor‐intensive sectors. We show that FDI liberalization endogenously introduces Ricardian features to an otherwise standard endowment‐based trade model, strengthening China's natural comparative advantage in labor‐intensive products. We discuss how capital accumulation, productivity growth, rural–urban migration, incentives for foreign investment, and distortions in financial markets affect this bias.
The role of social networks in determining migration and labour market outcomes
Authors: Rainer Helmut , Siedler Thomas
Published: August 2009

This paper empirically examines social network explanations for migration decisions in the context of German reunification. Using longitudinal data from the German Socio‐Economic Panel, we first show that the presence of a family in West Germany is an important predictor for the migration hazard rate of East Germans. We then explore whether pre‐migration networks have a discernible impact on the economic and social assimilation of East German immigrants in West Germany. We find that East German immigrants are more likely to be employed and to hold higher paying jobs when socially connected to the West prior to emigrating.
The East German wage structure after transition1
Authors: Orlowski Robert , Riphahn Regina T.
Published: August 2009

Abstract We extend the literature on transition economies’ wage structures by investigating the returns to tenure and experience. This study applies recent panel data and estimation approaches that control for hitherto neglected biases. We compare the life‐cycle structure of East and West German wages for fulltime employed men in the private sector. The patterns in the returns to seniority are similar for the two regional labour markets. The returns to experience lag behind in the East German labour market, even almost 20 years after unification, with significant differences particularly for high‐skill workers. The results are robust when only individuals who started their labour market career in the market economy are considered. We expect that the different returns are related to the heterogeneity of work experience gathered in East as compared with West Germany.
How does entry regulation influence entry into self‐employment and occupational mobility?1
Authors: Prantl Susanne , Spitz‐Oener Alexandra
Published: August 2009

We analyse how an entry regulation that imposes a mandatory educational standard affects entry into self‐employment and occupational mobility. We exploit German reunification as a natural experiment and identify regulatory effects by comparing differences between regulated and unregulated occupations in East Germany with the corresponding differences in West Germany after reunification. Consistent with our expectations, we find that entry regulation reduces entry into self‐employment and occupational mobility after reunification more in regulated occupations in East Germany than in West Germany. Our findings are relevant for transition or emerging economies as well as for mature market economies requiring large structural changes after unforeseen economic shocks.
Gruppe 47: Literature, Politics, and the Political Economy of Postwar Publishing
Authors: Rebien Kristin
Published: August 2009

Scholars have long acknowledged the significance of Gruppe 47's close ties to the literary market. Group meetings from the early 1950s onward included a large number of media and publishing representatives. This is generally seen as a strong indicator of the group's success. However, the circumstances under which the group was able to form these market connections remain poorly understood. Studies tend to imply that there was a natural transition from literary merit to widespread public attention. This article reveals that the common perception hinges on a teleological bias. Gruppe 47's rise to success was neither linear nor self‐evident. Most importantly, the group's success was not brought about by literary merit. Other factors had a far greater impact, including political orientation, and an organisational structure that facilitated market connections. As a model, the particular case of Gruppe 47 is indicative of both the potential and the drawbacks of any such institution: While a cultural organisation with close ties to the market is exceptionally effective at promoting and popularising talent, it is equally effective at eclipsing commensurate talent, especially outside its boundaries.
System variables in eyewitness identification: Control experiments and photospread evaluation1
Authors: Kurosawa Kaoru
Published: August 2009

Abstract: An incident was staged in front of approximately 140 college students. Three months later, 48 of them tried to identify the person of the incident (the target) in a nine‐person photospread (Experiment 1). Assisted with a verbal description of the target, 77 less confident students similarly tried to identify him (Experiment 2). Additionally, 69 students from another class tried to choose the target with the verbal description only (Experiment 3: a mock‐witness control experiment). Results of Experiment 1 showed that although more than half of the participants correctly identified the target, a similarly high proportion of control participants falsely identified a specific foil as the target. In the three experiments, correct and false identification patterns were similar, and the variables of target presence and distracter similarity independently affected probability estimates for selected photographs to be the target's. The implications for actual eyewitness identification are discussed.
Use and Abuse of the Film in Recording the Behaviour and Reactions of the Newborn Infant*
Authors: ENGEL C. E. , HANSELL P.
Published: August 2009

The apparatus, methods and evaluation for film recording are outlined, with particular emphasis on standardisation for comparability. Questions of finance and administration must be decided in relation to other requirements. A comprehensive programme of standardised visual recording promises to contribute to the establishment of what constitutes a normal newborn. From this it may be possible to diagnose abnormalities at a very much earlier age than at present, and to assess the effectiveness of treatment and education with enhanced accuracy.

Usage et abus de Ľenregistrement filmé du comportement et des réactions du nouveau‐né Appareils, méthodes et évaluations sont décrits avec référence particulière à la normalisation dans un but de comparaison. Il s'agit de trancher de questions financières et administratives par rapport àďautres besoins dans le cadre général de la conférence. Cependant un programme rationnel ďenregistrement visuel permet de contribuer àĽétablissement de ce qui constitue un nouveau‐né normal. Cette méthode permettra de diagnostiquer les anomalies à un âge beaucoup plus précoce qu'aujourďhui et ďapprécier Ľefficacité du traitement et de Ľéducation avec une précision accrue.

Gebrauch und Missbrauch des Films für die Wiedergabe des Benehmens und der Reaktionen des Neugeborenen

Apparate, Methoden und Bestimmungen werden beschrieben, mit besonderer Rücksicht auf Vergleiche gestattende Normierung. Finanz‐ und Verwaltungsfragen müssen in Verbindung mit anderen Forderungen im allgemeinen Rahmen der Konferenz gelösst werden. Ein umfassendes Programm für normierte Wiedergabe erlaubt es jedoch, zur Festsetzung der Züge eines normalen Neugeborenen beizutragen. Es wird dadurch möglich werden, Abnormitäten in einem viel früheren Alter als gegenwärtig zu erkennen und die Wirksamkeit der Behandlung und Erziehung mit erhöhter Genauigkeit abzuschätzen.
The Dental Care of the Cerebral Palsied Child
Authors: SWALLOW J. N.
Published: August 2009

Successful treatment of the cerebral palsied depends on the co‐operation of skilled individuals of different disciplines. This paper outlines the role of the dental surgeon in this team, and ways in which the other members can assist in the maintenance of healthy oral tissues in the cerebral palsied child.

The maintenance of healthy oral tissues in cerebral palsied children is not only the responsibility of the dental profession. Co‐operation is needed in this work.

Dental disease is to a great extent preventable. Refined carbohydrates, such as sweets and other confections, are largely to blame for dental caries, and in the cerebral palsied child they should be reduced to the minimum and only taken at meal‐times. Any remaining food must be removed by tooth brushing, which should be taught to both the child and his parent, and practised after every meal.

Specially designed clinics are needed if dental care for these children is to be a reality.

Les soins dentaires de Ľenfant encéphalopathe

Les membres des professions dentaires ne sont pas seuls responsables du maintien en bon état de santé des tissus buccaux des enfants encéphalopathes. La coopération est nécessaire en cette matière.

On peut prévenir les affections dentaires dans une large mesure. Les hydrates de carbone raffinés, tels que les bonbons et autres préparations, sont, dans une large mesure, responsables des caries dentaires, et chez les enfants encéphalopathes il y a lieu de les réduire au minimum et de ne les absorber qu'aux heures des repas. Il faut apprendre àĽenfant et à ses parents que les aliments résiduels doivent être éliminés en brossant les dents et que ce brossage doit étre pratiqué après chaque repas.

Des cliniques spécialisées sont nécessaires si ces enfants ont besoin de soins dentaires.

Die Zahnpflege beim Kind mit Zerebrallähmung

Für das Gesundhalten der Gewebe des Mundes bei Kindern mit Zerebrallähmung ist der zahnärztliche Beruf nicht allein verantwortlich. Zusammenarbeit ist für diese Arbeit nötig.

Zahnkrankheiten sind in gossem Masse verhütbar. RafBnierte Kohlenhydrate wie Bonbons und anderes Konfekt sind zum grossen Teil an Zahnkaries schuldig und sie müssen beim Kind mit Zerebrallähmung aufs Minimum herabgesetzt und nur während der Mahlzeiten genossen werden. Man muss dem Kinde und seinen Eltern beibringen dass alle Speisereste durch bürsten der Zähne, nach alien Mahlzeiten zu beseitigen.

Spezialisierte Kliniken sind nötig wenn Zahnpflege für diese Kinder eine Wirklichkeit sein soil.