bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is Asymptomatic Vasospasm Associated With Poor Outcome in Subarachnoid Hemorrhage?
Authors: Latorre Julius Gene S. , Lodi Yahia , El-Zammar Ziad , Devasenapathy Ashok
Published: July 2011

Background: Vasospasm occurs in up to 70% of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH), but only half becomes symptomatic. It is unclear whether asymptomatic vasospasm (AV) detected by noninvasive testing affects outcome. Prophylactic hemodilutional, hypertensive, and hypervolemic (HHH) therapy is widely used but the benefit remains unproven. We aim to determine whether AV increases the risk of poor outcome and whether HHH is safe. Methods: A total of 175 consecutive patients with aSAH without clinical vasospasm were included. Patients with sonographic (transcranial doppler) or radiologic (computed tomography [CT] Angiography) vasospasm were assigned to AV group, while those without were assigned to no vasospasm (NV) group. Logistic regression was used to determine the association between AV and HHH on poor outcome, defined as modified Rankin scale (mRS) >3 at discharge or 3 to 6 months' follow-up. Results: In all, 106 patients had NV and 25 received HHH. A total of 69 patients had AV and 54 received HHH. Asymptomatic vasospasm compared to NV was not associated with poor outcome (odds ratio [OR] 2.6, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.75-8.9; P = .1). Hemodilutional, hypertensive, and hypervolemic use in patients with AV did not improve the outcome (OR 0.16, 95%CI: 0.009-2.84; P = .2). In patients with NV, HHH use showed trend toward poor outcome after multivariable adjustment (OR 12.6, 95%CI: 1.08-146.5 P = .04). Conclusion: Asymptomatic vasospasm does not appear to be associated with poor outcome in aSAH. Hemodilutional, hypertensive, and hypervolemic therapy in AV was not associated with improved outcome and may be harmful to patients who do not have vasospasm. Further research is needed to validate this finding.
Quantifying physical activity in daily life with questionnaires and motion sensors in COPD
Authors: Pitta F. , Troosters T. , Probst V. S. , Spruit M. A. , Decramer M. , Gosselink R.
Published: July 2011

Accurate assessment of the amount and intensity of physical activity in daily life is considered very important due to the close relationship between physical activity level, health, disability and mortality. For this reason, assessment of physical activity in daily life has gained interest in recent years, especially in sedentary populations, such as patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The present article aims to compare and discuss the two kinds of instruments more commonly used to quantify the amount of physical activity performed by COPD patients in daily life: subjective methods (questionnaires, diaries) and motion sensors (electronic or mechanical methods). Their characteristics are summarised and evidence of their validity, reliability and sensitivity is discussed, when available.

Subjective methods have practical value mainly in providing the patients' view on their performance in activities of daily living and functional status. However, care must be taken when using subjective methods to accurately quantify the amount of daily physical activity performed. More accurate information is likely to be available with motion sensors rather than questionnaires. The selection of which motion sensor to use for quantification of physical activity in daily life should depend mainly on the purpose of its use.
A rare case of "switch on and off" multi-system Langerhans cell histiocytosis in an adult patient
Authors: Karpathiou Georgia , Koutsopoulos Anastasios , Froudarakis Marios E
Published: July 2011

Introduction

We report the case of a 24-year-old Greek woman with histologically proven osseous and pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis whose lesions had progressively regressed with a "switch on and off" mode. This is the first report in the literature of this mode of presentation of Langerhans cell histiocytosis.

Case presentation

The patient had first presented at the age of 20 years with a solitary lesion of the humerus which spontaneously regressed. At that time, no therapy or smoking cessation was indicated. Four years later she presented with bilateral pneumothorax and pulmonary lesions of Langerhans cell histiocytosis. She had pleurodesis for this disease-related complication, and no further systemic treatment was applied, except with regard to smoking cessation. During the follow-up period, her pulmonary lesions regressed without recurrence six years after the initial lung involvement.

Conclusion

This uncommon case of remission of multi-system Langerhans cell histiocytosis indicates the unpredictable evolution of the disease, raising the question of conservative management in such a patient.
Fault Reporting in Partially Known Networks and Folk Theorems
Authors: Tomala Tristan
Published: July 2011

We consider a group of players who perform tasks repeatedly. The players are nodes of a communication network and observe their neighbors' actions. Players have partial knowledge of the network and only know their set of neighbors. We study the existence of protocols for fault reporting: whenever a player chooses a faulty action, the communication protocol starts and the output publicly reveals the identity of the faulty player. We consider two setups. In the first one, players do not share authentication keys. We show that existence of a protocol for fault reporting is equivalent to the 2-vertex-connectedness of the network: no single vertex deletion disconnects the graph. In the second setup, we allow players to share authentication keys. We show that existence of a distribution of the keys and of a protocol for fault reporting is equivalent to the 2-edge-connectedness of the network: no single edge deletion disconnects the graph. We give applications to the implementation of socially optimal outcomes in repeated games.
Different effects of corticotropin-releasing factor and urocortin 2 on apoptosis of prostate cancer cells in vitro
Authors: Jin Lai , Zhang Qichun , Guo Rui , Wang Lina , Wang Juejin , Wan Rong , Zhang Rongjian , Xu Youhua , Li Shengnan
Published: July 2011

Urocortin (Ucn), a corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF)-related neuropeptide binding both CRF type 1 receptor (CRFR1) and CRFR2, has recently been found in prostate cancer. However, no report has yet been known to elucidate the roles of Ucn in prostate cancer via the two receptors. In this study, the expression of both CRFR1 and CRFR2 in the mouse prostate cancer cell line RM-1 were detected and cellular apoptosis was monitored in the presence of CRF or Ucn2, the CRFR1- and CRFR2-selective agonist respectively. CRF promoted apoptosis while Ucn2 exerted the opposite effect. CRF reduced Bcl-2 expression, induced Bax expression, and hyperpolarized the mitochondrial membrane potential to activate caspase-9. On the contrary, Ucn2 increased Bcl-2 expression and decreased Bax expression, in which phosphorylation of Akt and cyclic AMP response element-binding (CREB) was involved. Pretreatment with phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase/Akt inhibitor (LY-294002) prior to Ucn2 led to downregulation of CREB phosphorylation and hence reduced Bcl-2 expression. These effects of CRF and Ucn2 were abolished by antalarmin (Anta) and antisauvagine-30, the CRFR1- and CRFR2-selective antagonist respectively. In LNCaP cell line, similar effects on cell apoptosis by CRF and Ucn2 were observed. In summary, our results demonstrated CRFR1 and CRFR2 expression in prostate cancer and indicated the opposite apoptotic roles of the two different CRFRs. These data may contribute to uncovering the pathophysiological function of endogenous Ucn in prostate tumorigenesis and progression.
Stromal Cell–Derived Factor‐1 Significantly Induces Proliferation, Migration, and Collagen Type I Expression in a Human Periodontal Ligament Stem Cell Subpopulation
Authors: Du Lingqian , Yang Pishan , Ge Shaohua
Published: July 2011

Background: The pivotal role of chemokine stromal cell–derived factor‐1 (SDF‐1) in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells recruitment and tissue regeneration has already been reported. However, its roles in human periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) remain unknown. PDLSCs are regarded as candidates for periodontal tissue regeneration and are used in stem cell–based periodontal tissue engineering. The expression of chemokine receptors on PDLSCs and the migration of these cells induced by chemokines and their subsequent function in tissue repair may be a crucial procedure for periodontal tissue regeneration.

Methods: PDL tissues were obtained from clinically healthy premolars extracted for orthodontic reasons and used to isolate single‐cell colonies by the limited‐dilution method. Immunocytochemical staining was used to detect the expression of the mesenchymal stem cell marker STRO‐1. Differentiation potentials were assessed by alizarin‐red staining and oil‐red O staining. The expression of SDF‐1 receptor CXCR4 was evaluated by real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunocytochemical staining. 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and bromodeoxyuridine incorporation assay were used to determine the viability and proliferation of the PDLSC subpopulation. Expression of collagen type I and alkaline phosphatase was detected by real‐time PCR to determine the effect of SDF‐1 on cells differentiation.

Results: Twenty percent of PDL single‐cell colonies expressed STRO‐1 positively, and this specific subpopulation was positive for CXCR4 and formed minerals and lipid vacuoles after 4 weeks induction. SDF‐1 significantly increased proliferation and stimulated the migration of this PDLSC subpopulation at concentrations between 100 and 400 ng/mL. CXCR4 neutralizing antibody could block cell proliferation and migration, suggesting that SDF‐1 exerted its effects on cells through CXCR4. SDF‐1 promoted collagen type I level significantly but had little effect on alkaline phosphatase level.

Conclusion: SDF‐1 may have the potential of promoting periodontal tissue regeneration by the mechanism of guiding PDLSCs to destructive periodontal tissue, promoting their activation and proliferation and influencing the differentiation of these stem cells.
Seed, Oil, and Protein Yields of Canola under Combinations of Irrigation and Nitrogen Application
Authors: Hamzei Javad
Published: July 2011

Canola (Brassica napus L.), an important oilseed crop in Iran, is intensively managed with high inputs of N and irrigation water. Understanding N and water use characteristics of canola will help improve N and water use efficiency (WUE) and reduce production costs. Here, the effects of irrigation levels (IL1, 750; IL2, 450; and IL3, 300 mm water ha−1) and N rates (NR1, 0; NR2, 40; NR3, 80; NR4, 120; and NR5, 160 kg N ha−1) on canola production are evaluated during 2006 and 2007 growing seasons. Data showed that irrigation levels and N rates and their interaction had significant effects on WUE for seed, oil, and protein as well as seed, oil, and protein yields/ha. The maximum values of seed, oil, and protein yields ha−1, WUE for these traits and seed weight plant−1 were achieved at IL2 × NR4 treatment. The highest values of seed N concentration and seed N uptake were produced at IL2 treatment. Among N rates, maximum averages of seed and straw N concentration were observed at 160 kg N/ha. The highest significant value of straw N uptake was observed at IL1 treatment. Also, maximum N uptake for both seed and straw was the same at 120 and 160 kg N ha−1. Total N uptake achieved significantly in IL2 × NR4 treatment. With decreasing irrigation water and increasing N rates, N use efficiency decreased significantly. In general, consumption of 450 mm water ha−1 season−1 and supplying 120 kg N ha−1 can produce the highest seed, oil, and protein yields ha−1, while increasing WUE and decreasing N leaching.
Jumping plant-louse Cacopsylla (Hepatopsella) bidens (Sulc, 1907) (Hemiptera, Psyllidae) new pest on pear in Serbia
Authors: Jerinic-Prodanovic Dusanka
Published: July 2011

The problem of jumping plant - lice, an important pest on pear, appeared in
the middle of the twentieth century and represents a direct consequence of
pear cultivation on large areas with intensive application of agrotechnical,
pomotechnical and chemical protection measures. Three species of jumping
plant - lice are known on pear in Serbia: Cacopsylla pyri, C. pyrisuga i C.
pyricola, among which C. pyri is the most important pest in intensive
orchards. During jumping plant - lice fauna research in Serbia, besides these
three species, another one was determined as well - Cacopsylla bidens. In the
period from 2005 to 2010, the presence and harmfulness of C. bidens were
determined at 56 localities, both in intensive and extensive pear orchards.
Besides on cultivated pears, C. bidens was also determined on wild species of
Pyrus genus. In our conditions, C. bidens overwinters in adult stage on pear.
The activation of the adults that have overwintered occurs at the beginning
of March. The extended period of oviposition provides permanent presence of
all developmental stages on plant, so the generations overlap. It can develop
3 to 4 generations per year. Since this is the first record of the species in
Serbia, this paper describes basic morphological characteristics of the
species, development cycle and distribution.
The use of a Kalman filter in geodesy and navigation
Authors: Bezručka J.
Published: July 2011

The use of a Kalman filter in geodesy and navigation

A Kalman filter is an optimal linear estimator developed in 1960. It is a recursive algorithm, i.e. it uses its output as an input for the next cycle. It allows to effectively estimate the dynamic parameters and predict their future values.

Although huge number of papers have been written on this topic, this paper intends to introduce the processes within a Kalman filter and allow them to be fully understood without the need for a broad mathematical background. Several examples of a Kalman filter based on situations in geodesy, surveying and navigation are solved step by step to explicitly show the performance of this approach to linear estimations.
Shoreline Change along Sheltered Coastlines: Insights from the Neuse River Estuary, NC, USA
Authors: Cowart Lisa , Corbett D. Reide , Walsh J.P.
Published: July 2011

Coastlines are constantly changing due to both natural and anthropogenic forces, and climate change and associated sea level rise will continue to reshape coasts in the future. Erosion is not only apparent along oceanfront areas; shoreline dynamics in sheltered water bodies have also gained greater attention. Additional estuarine shoreline studies are needed to better understand and protect coastal resources. This study uses a point-based approach to analyze estuarine shoreline change and associated parameters, including fetch, wave energy, elevation, and vegetation, in the Neuse River Estuary (NRE) at two contrasting scales, Regional (whole estuary) and Local (estuary partitioned into eight sections, based on orientation and exposure). With a mean shoreline-change rate of –0.58 m yr−1, the majority (93%) of the NRE study area is eroding. Change rates show some variability related to the land-use land-cover classification of the shoreline. Although linear regression analysis at the Regional Scale did not find significant correlations between shoreline change and the parameters analyzed, trends were determined from Local Scale data. Specifically, erosion rates, fetch, and wave exposure increase in the down-estuary direction, while elevation follows the opposite trend. Linear regression analysis between mean fetch and mean shoreline-change rates at the Local Scale provide a first-order approach to predict shoreline-change rates. The general trends found in the Local Scale data highlight the presence of underlying spatial patterns in shoreline-change rates within a complex estuarine system, but Regional Scale analysis suggests shoreline composition also has an important influence.
Beclin-1 Targeting for Viral Immune Escape
Authors: Münz Christian
Published: July 2011

Macroautophagy is a catabolic pathway in eukaryotic cells that has recently been shown to facilitate pathogen detection, pathogen restriction and pathogen-derived antigen presentation to CD4+ T cells. Due to these protective functions during immune responses, several pathogens, including RNA and DNA viruses, have developed strategies to inhibit autophagosome generation or maturation. Interestingly, most of the respective viral proteins exert these functions via binding to Beclin-1, an essential macroautophagy protein that constitutes part of the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase complexes that mark membranes for autophagosome generation and facilitate autophagosome fusion with lyososomes. The viruses that inhibit macroautophagy by this pathway include herpesviruses, HIV and influenza A virus. Inhibition either before or after autophagosome formation seems to benefit their viral replication by different mechanisms, which are discussed here.
Les transferts de technologie des firmes japonaises dans l'industrie électronique chinoise
Authors: Huchet Jean-François
Published: July 2011

Les transferts de technologie des entreprises japonaises dans l'industrie électronique chinoise ont progressé de manière significative depuis la politique d'ouverture du gouvernement chinois en 1978. Après une stratégie prudente en matière d'investissement et la recherche d'intérêts commerciaux à court terme durant les années 1980, les firmes japonaises ont commencé à investir massivement sur le territoire chinois au début des années 1990. L'évolution des stratégies technologiques du gouvernement chinois et des entreprises japonaises au début des années 1990 a renforcé les effets de la hausse du yen et de l'attrait du marché chinois, et dopé les investissements directs japonais à destination de la Chine. Les opportunités d'apprentissages technologiques restent cependant confinées au transfert de capacités technologiques élémentaires de production au niveau de l'atelier et du management intermédiaire. Les transferts apparaissent limités dès que l'on monte dans l'échelle des capacités technologiques, à savoir dans les capacités d'investissement et d'innovation. On retrouve le même phénomène dans les relations qu'entretiennent les implantations avec le tissu industriel local où l'on constate une faible intégration de la production, limitant ainsi la diffusion de capacités technologiques auprès des entreprises chinoises du secteur électronique. On constate de manière générale une autonomie décisionnelle réduite sur le plan technologique, la vocation des implants étant limitée à assurer une production compétitive de produits standardisés dans le cadre d'un projet de renforcement de la coordination des activités des grands groupes japonais en Asie.
Phobies sociales au Japon
Authors: Jugon Jean-Claude
Published: July 2011

Social phobias were first described in Occident by the end of the XIXth century. The taijin kyôfushô term first appeared in Japan in the works of Dr. Morita (1920). Particular to Japan are certain social phobias such as « commensalophobia » or « physionomophobia » which are not described in the West. After having introduced the Japanese anthropophobe's personnality and proposed two clinical observations, we put forth a psychoanalytical interpretation of this mental disease based on both paranoid and depressive phases as described by M. Klein. It is our belief that the Japanese anthropophobe falters on the depressive phase obstacle. We would like to conclude this article with the following question : is anthropophobia a syndrome unique to Japan ? We have to answer with the negative with the provision that the Japanese psyche global estroversion such as it is revealed for instance in the social interrelations set up could greatly induce the appearence of such social phobias in Japan.
Le paysage scolaire à la veille de la restauration de Meiji : écoles et manuels
Authors: Galan Christian
Published: July 2011

Plus que quantitatif, le bilan de l'époque d'Edo en matière d'éducation est avant tout qualitatif et tient en trois points : l'existence d'un réseau d'écoles couvrant tout le pays, l'acceptation par une grande partie de la population de la nécessité de l'éducation, l'existence de pratiques pédagogiques et d'ouvrages à finalité scolaire utilisés plusieurs siècles durant.

La présentation de l'instruction scolaire durant cette période souffre trop souvent de généralisations ou de simplifications qui empêchent notamment d'appréhender correctement la réalité des pratiques pédagogiques. Ne retenir, par exemple, que les oppositions écoles de fiefs/écoles du peuple (hankô / terakoya) ou études classiques /études pratiques n'est pas suffisant : non seulement il existait d'autres types d'institutions scolaires, mais à l'intérieur même d'une même catégorie d'écoles les enseignements dispensés pouvaient être très différents en fonction du lieu et de la période de l'époque d'Edo considérée.

L'objectif de cet article est donc d'essayer de donner une image un peu plus précise du paysage éducatif de l'époque d'Edo en présentant les différents types d'institutions scolaires qui existaient à la veille de la Restauration de Meiji, ainsi que les ouvrages qui y étaient utilisés en tant que manuels scolaires.
Proverbe, dicton, anecdote ?
Authors: Velmezova Ekaterina
Published: July 2011

Proverbs? Sayings? Jokes?

The so-called ‘new Russian proverbs (poslovicy) and sayings (pogovorki)’ very popular in the modem urban folklore in Russia, are analysed in the article. Several ways of their derivation from the ‘traditionaľ Russian proverbs are presented, as well as certain difficulties concerning the définition of their genre (could they be classified as proverbs, as sayings or as jokes?). The study permits to raise once again the question of the relevant character of the genre notion as to the folklore. The problems of classification of proverbs in general are presented in the study in the light of the analysis of ‘new Russian proverbs’.
Boris Pasternak et la philologie russe des années 1910-1920
Authors: Catherine Depretto
Published: July 2011

Борис Пастернак и русская филологическая жизнь 1910-1920-х гг.

Статья посвящена изучению как личных так и интеллектуальных связей, существовавших между Б. Пастернаком и русскими формалистами Москвы (МЛК) и Петрограда (ОПОЯЗ). Цель статьи – не столько определить, в какой степени Пастернак освоил идеи формализма, сколько выявить место поэта в критической системе критиков-формалистов. К тому же внимание автора обращено не только на главные фигуры течения, но и на менее известных лиц (таких, как напр. Александр И. Ромм), не только на «старшее» (Тынянов, Эйхенбаум, Шкловский, Якобсон...), но и на «младшее» поколение (Б. Бухштаб, Лидия Гинзбург, Н. Степанов...). В центре статьи – анализ работы Б. Бухштаба, посвященной поэзии Пастернака, написанной в 1928 г., но так в то время и не опубликованной. Работа Бухштаба не только представляет собой безусловный вклад в пастернаковедение, но также связана с кругом вопросов, касающихся постформализма.
The Src Family Kinase Fgr Is Critical for Activation of Mast Cells and IgE-Mediated Anaphylaxis in Mice
Authors: Lee Jun Ho , Kim Jie Wan , Kim Do Kyun , Kim Hyuk Soon , Park Hye Jin , Park Dong Ki , Kim A-Ram , Kim Bokyung , Beaven Michael A. , Park Kui Lea , Kim Young Mi , Choi Wahn Soo
Published: July 2011

Mast cells are critical for various allergic disorders. Mast cells express Src family kinases, which relay positive and negative regulatory signals by Ag. Lyn, for example, initiates activating signaling events, but it also induces inhibitory signals. Fyn and Hck are reported to be positive regulators, but little is known about the roles of other Src kinases, including Fgr, in mast cells. In this study, we define the role of Fgr. Endogenous Fgr associates with FcεRI and promotes phosphorylation of Syk, Syk substrates, which include linkers for activation of T cells, SLP76, and Gab2, and downstream targets such as Akt and the MAPKs in Ag-stimulated mast cells. As a consequence, Fgr positively regulates degranulation, production of eicosanoids, and cytokines. Fgr and Fyn appeared to act in concert, as phosphorylation of Syk and degranulation are enhanced by overexpression of Fgr and further augmented by overexpression of Fyn but are suppressed by overexpression of Lyn. Moreover, knockdown of Fgr by small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) further suppressed degranulation in Fyn-deficient bone marrow-derived mast cells. Overexpression of Fyn or Fgr restored phosphorylation of Syk and partially restored degranulation in Fyn-deficient cells. Additionally, knockdown of Fgr by siRNAs inhibited association of Syk with FcεRIγ as well as the tyrosine phosphorylation of FcεRIγ. Of note, the injection of Fgr siRNAs diminished the protein level of Fgr in mice and simultaneously inhibited IgE-mediated anaphylaxis. In conclusion, Fgr positively regulates mast cell through activation of Syk. These findings help clarify the interplay among Src family kinases and identify Fgr as a potential therapeutic target for allergic diseases.
Delphinidin Inhibits HER2 and Erk1/2 Signaling and Suppresses Growth of HER2-Overexpressing and Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cell Lines
Authors: Ozbay Tuba , Nahta Rita
Published: July 2011

Delphinidin is a polyphenolic compound found in many brightly colored fruits and vegetables. Delphinidin is also the major bioactive component found in many dietary supplements that are currently consumed as complementary cancer medicine including pomegranate extract. The purpose of the current study was to determine the in vitro biological effects of delphinidin on established breast cancer cell lines of varying molecular subtypes in comparison to non-transformed breast epithelial cells. We examined cell proliferation, apoptosis, and growth inhibition in response to delphinidin using a tetrazolium salt-based assay, DNA fragmentation assay and anchorage-independent growth assay. In comparison to vehicle control, delphinidin inhibited proliferation ( P < 0.05), blocked anchorage-independent growth ( P < 0.05), and induced apoptosis ( P < 0.05) of ER-positive, triple negative, and HER2-overexpressing breast cancer cell lines with limited toxicity to non-transformed breast epithelial cells. MAPK signaling was partially reduced in triple negative cells and ER-negative chemically transformed MCF10A cells after treatment with delphinidin. In addition, delphinidin induced a significant level of apoptosis in HER2-overexpressing cells in association with reduced HER2 and MAPK signaling. Since delphinidin is often consumed as a complementary cancer medicine, the effect of delphinidin on response to specific HER2-targeted breast cancer therapies was examined by proliferation assay. Results of these drug combination studies suggested potential antagonism between delphinidin and HER2-directed treatments. In summary, the data presented here suggest that single agent delphinidin exhibits growth inhibitory activity in breast cancer cells of various molecular subtypes, but raise concerns regarding potential drug antagonism when used in combination with existing targeted therapies in HER2-overexpressing breast cancer.
Comparison of a Travoprost BAK-Free Formulation Preserved with Polyquaternium-1 with BAK-Preserved Travoprost in Ocular Hypertension or Open-Angle Glaucoma
Authors:   Travoprost Bak-Free Clinical Study Group, Gandolfi Stefano , Paredes Tania , Goldberg Ivan , Coote Michael , Wells Anthony , Volksone Lasma , Pillai Manju R. , Stalmans Ingeborg , Denis Philippe
Published: July 2011

Purpose

To demonstrate that the intraocular pressure (IOP)–lowering effect of travoprost 0.004% preserved with polyquaternium-1 (travoprost benzalkonium chloride [BAK]-free) is non-inferior to that of travoprost 0.004% preserved with benzalkonium chloride (travoprost BAK) in patients with ocular hypertension or open-angle glaucoma.

Methods

A total of 371 patients randomly received travoprost BAK-free (n=185) or travoprost BAK (n=186) dosed once daily in the evening for 3 months. Patients were evaluated at 9 AM, 11 AM, and 4 PM at baseline, weeks 2 and 6, and month 3. Intraocular pressure was also evaluated 36 and 60 hours after the month 3 visit.

Results

Travoprost BAK-free is non-inferior to travoprost BAK. The 95% upper confidence limits for the difference in mean IOP at month 3 (primary efficacy) were 0.5 mmHg, 0.6 mmHg, and 0.5 mmHg, at 9 AM, 11 AM, and 4 PM, respectively. Mean IOP reductions from baseline ranged from 7.6 to 8.7 mmHg in the travoprost BAK-free group and from 7.7 to 9.2 mmHg in the travoprost BAK group. At 36 and 60 hours after the last dose, mean IOP remained 6.8 mmHg and 5.7 mmHg below baseline in the travoprost BAK-free group, vs 7.3 mmHg and 6.0 mmHg in the travoprost BAK group, respectively. The safety profile of travoprost BAK-free was similar to that of travoprost BAK.

Conclusions

Travoprost BAK-free safely and effectively lowers IOP in eyes with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. This BAK-free formulation has comparable safety, efficacy, and duration of IOP-lowering effect to travoprost preserved with BAK. Travoprost BAK-free is an effective option for IOP reduction while avoiding BAK exposure.
Topical Cyclosporine a Administration after Pterygium Surgery
Authors: Özülken Kemal , Koç Mustafa , Ayar Orhan , Hasiripi Hikmet
Published: July 2011

Purpose

To evaluate the success rate of topical cyclosporine A (tCsA) (Restasis®, Allergan) in preventing the recurrence of pterygium excision and conjunctival flap rotation technique in patients applying to our clinic and diagnosed with pterygium.

Methods

A total of 56 eyes with primary pterygium in 56 patients were examined and operated with pterygium excision and conjunctival flap rotation technique between October 2008 and September 2009. A total of 26 eyes of these 56 patients were treated with tCsA (Restasis®, Allergan) for 6 months during the postoperative period and assigned as the treatment group. The other 30 eyes of 56 patients were assigned as the control group. The operated patients were followed up for approximately 11 months.

Results

The 2 groups were similar in age, sex, and pterygial size. The largest percentage of the patients were farmers (30.3%). The pterygium recurred in 8 (14.2%) of 56 patients; 2 of them were in the treatment group (7.7%) and 6 of them were in the control group (20.0%). There was not any complication threatening vision among operated patients. Recurrence rates between the control and treatment group were statistically significant (p<0.05). The complication and postoperative compliance rates were lower in the treatment group than the control group. The difference between preoperative and postoperative Schirmer I test results among the treatment and control group was statistically significant (p<0.05). The Schirmer I test results increased after tCsA treatment for patients assigned to the treatment group.

Conclusions

The results suggest that tCsA (Restasis®, Allergan) can be used safely and effectively after pterygium surgery to obtain lower rates of recurrence.
Lithium-induced dielectric relaxations in potassium tantalate ceramics
Authors: Tkach A , Almeida A , Moreira J Agostinho , Espinha A , Chaves M R , de la Cruz J Perez , Vilarinho P M
Published: July 2011

This work reports the effect of lithium doping on the dielectric and polar properties of potassium tantalate. Experimental data were obtained in K1−x
Li
x
TaO3 ceramics with x = 0, 0.02, 0.05 and 0.10 by measuring both the dielectric permittivity from 102 to 108 Hz, and polarization under an ac electric field driven at 2.5 Hz, for temperatures from 10 to 300 K. The dielectric permittivity exhibits all the relaxations reported for K1−x
Li
x
TaO3 single crystals. Two dielectric relaxations observed at 40–125 K are ascribed to the individual hopping by 90° and 180° of dipoles created by the off-centre Li ions. Another relaxation observed at 100–200 K is related to 180°-flips of Li pairs for x = 0.02 and of polar clusters of interacting Li ions for x = 0.05 and 0.10. In addition to that, an additional relaxation not reported before is presented at 135–235 K for x = 0.10 and attributed to 90°-reorientation of Li polar clusters. Both the change from an Arrhenius to a Vogel–Fulcher dependence with increasing lithium content, and the emergence of slim P (E) hysteresis loops around the relaxation temperatures show that the relaxation dynamics in K1−x
Li
x
TaO3 can be understood if a crossover from a dipolar glass to a relaxor-like behaviour is assumed.
North American Oriented Strand Board Markets, Arbitrage Activity, and Market Price Dynamics: A Smooth Transition Approach
Authors: Goodwin Barry K. , Holt Matthew T. , Prestemon Jeffrey P.
Published: July 2011

Price dynamics for North American oriented strand board markets are examined. The role of transactions costs are explored vis‐à‐vis the law of one price. Nonlinearities induced by unobservable transactions costs are modeled by estimating time‐varying smooth transition autoregressions (TV‐STARs). Results indicate that nonlinearity and structural change are important features of these markets; price parity relationships implied by economic theory are generally supported by the estimated models. Implications for the efficiency of spatial market linkages and the dynamics associated with price adjustments are also examined.
Extinction after retrieval: Effects on the associative and nonassociative components of remote contextual fear memory
Authors: Costanzi Marco , Cannas Sara , Saraulli Daniele , Rossi-Arnaud Clelia , Cestari Vincenzo
Published: July 2011

Long-lasting memories of adverse experiences are essential for individuals' survival but are also involved, in the form of recurrent recollections of the traumatic experience, in the aetiology of anxiety diseases (e.g., post-traumatic stress disorder [PTSD]). Extinction-based erasure of fear memories has long been pursued as a behavioral way to treat anxiety disorders; yet, such a procedure turns out to be transient, context-dependent, and ineffective unless it is applied immediately after trauma. Recent evidence indicates that, in both rats and humans, extinction training can prevent the return of fear if administered within the reconsolidation window, when memories become temporarily labile and susceptible of being updated. Here, we show that the reconsolidation–extinction procedure fails to prevent the spontaneous recovery of a remote contextual fear memory in a mouse model of PTSD, as well as the long-lasting behavioral abnormalities induced by traumatic experience on anxiety and in both social and cognitive domains (i.e., social withdrawal and spatial learning deficits). Such a failure appears to be related to the ineffectiveness of the reconsolidation–extinction procedure in targeting the pathogenic process of fear sensitization, a nonassociative component of traumatic memory that causes animals to react aberrantly to harmless stimuli. This indicates fear sensitization as a major target for treatments aimed at mitigating anxiety and the behavioral outcomes of traumatic experiences.
Butanol Production from Crystalline Cellulose by Cocultured Clostridium thermocellum and Clostridium saccharoperbutylacetonicum N1-4
Authors: Nakayama Shunichi , Kiyoshi Keiji , Kadokura Toshimori , Nakazato Atsumi
Published: July 2011

We investigated butanol production from crystalline cellulose by cocultured cellulolytic
Clostridium thermocellum
and the butanol-producing strain,
Clostridium saccharoperbutylacetonicum
(strain N1-4). Butanol was produced from Avicel cellulose after it was incubated with
C. thermocellum
for at least 24 h at 60°C before the addition of strain N1-4. Butanol produced by strain N1-4 on 4% Avicel cellulose peaked (7.9 g/liter) after 9 days of incubation at 30°C, and acetone was undetectable in this coculture system. Less butanol was produced by cocultured
Clostridium acetobutylicum
and
Clostridium beijerinckii
than by strain N1-4, indicating that strain N1-4 was the optimal strain for producing butanol from crystalline cellulose in this coculture system.
The Endolysin-Binding Domain Encompasses the N-Terminal Region of the Mycobacteriophage Ms6 Gp1 Chaperone
Authors: Catalão Maria João , Gil Filipa , Moniz-Pereira José , Pimentel Madalena
Published: July 2011

The intermolecular interactions of the mycobacteriophage Ms6 secretion chaperone with endolysin were characterized. The 384-amino-acid lysin (lysin
384
)-binding domain was found to encompass the N-terminal region of Gp1, which is also essential for a lysis phenotype in
Escherichia coli
. In addition, a GXXXG-like motif involved in Gp1 homo-oligomerization was identified within the C-terminal region.
An
acpXL
Mutant of Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. phaseoli Lacks 27-Hydroxyoctacosanoic Acid in Its Lipid A and Is Developmentally Delayed during Symbiotic Infection of the Determinate Nodulating Host Plant Phaseolus vulgaris
Authors: Brown Dusty B. , Huang Yu-Chu , Kannenberg Elmar L. , Sherrier D. Janine , Carlson Russell W.
Published: July 2011

Rhizobium leguminosarum
is a Gram-negative bacterium that forms nitrogen-fixing symbioses with compatible leguminous plants via intracellular invasion and establishes a persistent infection within host membrane-derived subcellular compartments. Notably, an unusual very-long-chain fatty acid (VLCFA) is found in the lipid A of
R. leguminosarum
as well as in the lipid A of the medically relevant pathogens
Brucella abortus
,
Brucella melitensis
,
Bartonella henselae
, and
Legionella pneumophila
, which are also able to persist within intracellular host-derived membranes. These bacterial symbionts and pathogens each contain a homologous gene region necessary for the synthesis and transfer of the VLCFA to the lipid A. Within this region lies a gene that encodes the specialized acyl carrier protein AcpXL, on which the VLCFA is built. This study describes the biochemical and infection phenotypes of an
acpXL
mutant which lacks the VLCFA. The mutation was created in
R. leguminosarum
bv. phaseoli strain 8002, which forms symbiosis with
Phaseolus vulgaris
, a determinate nodulating legume. Structural analysis using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry revealed that the mutant lipid A lacked the VLCFA. Compared to the parent strain, the mutant was more sensitive to the detergents deoxycholate and dodecyl sulfate and the antimicrobial peptide polymyxin B, suggesting a compromise to membrane stability. In addition, the mutant was more sensitive to higher salt concentrations. Passage through the plant restored salt tolerance. Electron microscopic examination showed that the mutant was developmentally delayed during symbiotic infection of the host plant
Phaseolus vulgaris
and produced abnormal symbiosome structures.
Multiple Types of 8-Vinyl Reductases for (Bacterio)Chlorophyll Biosynthesis Occur in Many Green Sulfur Bacteria
Authors: Liu Zhenfeng , Bryant Donald A.
Published: July 2011

Two 8-vinyl reductases, BciA and BciB, have been identified in chlorophototrophs. The
bciA
gene of
Chlorobaculum tepidum
was replaced with genes similar to
bciB
from other green sulfur bacteria. Pigment analyses of the complemented strains showed that the
bciB
homologs encode 8-vinyl reductases similar to those of cyanobacteria.
Effects of increased systolic Ca2+ and phospholamban phosphorylation during β-adrenergic stimulation on Ca2+ transient kinetics in cardiac myocytes
Authors: Roof Steve R. , Shannon Thomas R. , Janssen Paul M. L. , Ziolo Mark T.
Published: July 2011

Previous studies demonstrated higher systolic intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) amplitudes result in faster [Ca2+]i decline rates, as does β-adrenergic (β-AR) stimulation. The purpose of this study is to determine the major factor responsible for the faster [Ca2+]i decline rate with β-AR stimulation, the increased systolic Ca2+ concentration levels, or phosphorylation of phospholamban. Mouse myocytes were perfused under basal conditions [1 mM extracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]o)], followed by high extracellular Ca2+ (3 mM [Ca2+]o), washout with 1 mM [Ca2+]o, followed by 1 μM isoproterenol (ISO) with 1 mM [Ca2+]o. ISO increased Ser16 phosphorylation compared with 3 mM [Ca2+]o, whereas Thr17 phosphorylation was similar. Ca2+ transient (CaT) (fluo 4) data were obtained from matched CaT amplitudes with 3 mM [Ca2+]o and ISO. [Ca2+]i decline was significantly faster with ISO compared with 3 mM [Ca2+]o. Interestingly, the faster decline with ISO was only seen during the first 50% of the decline. CaT time to peak was significantly faster with ISO compared with 3 mM [Ca2+]o. A Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CAMKII) inhibitor (KN-93) did not affect the CaT decline rates with 3 mM [Ca2+]o or ISO but normalized ISO's time to peak with 3 mM [Ca2+]o. Thus, during β-AR stimulation, the major factor for the faster CaT decline is due to Ser16 phosphorylation, and faster time to peak is due to CAMKII activation.
Combination of Atorvastatin with Sulindac or Naproxen Profoundly Inhibits Colonic Adenocarcinomas by Suppressing the p65/β-Catenin/Cyclin D1 Signaling Pathway in Rats
Authors: Suh Nanjoo , Reddy Bandaru S. , DeCastro Andrew , Paul Shiby , Lee Hong Jin , Smolarek Amanda K. , So Jae Young , Simi Barbara , Wang Chung Xiou , Janakiram Naveena B. , Steele Vernon , Rao Chinthalapally V.
Published: July 2011

Evidence supports the protective role of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) and statins against colon cancer. Experiments were designed to evaluate the efficacies atorvastatin and NSAIDs administered individually and in combination against colon tumor formation. F344 rats were fed AIN-76A diet, and colon tumors were induced with azoxymethane. One week after the second azoxymethane treatment, groups of rats were fed diets containing atorvastatin (200 ppm), sulindac (100 ppm), naproxen (150 ppm), or their combinations with low-dose atorvastatin (100 ppm) for 45 weeks. Administration of atorvastatin at 200 ppm significantly suppressed both adenocarcinoma incidence (52% reduction, P = 0.005) and multiplicity (58% reduction, P = 0.008). Most importantly, colon tumor multiplicities were profoundly decreased (80%–85% reduction, P < 0.0001) when given low-dose atorvastatin with either sulindac or naproxen. Also, a significant inhibition of colon tumor incidence was observed when given a low-dose atorvastatin with either sulindac (P = 0.001) or naproxen (P = 0.0005). Proliferation markers, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, cyclin D1, and β-catenin in tumors of rats exposed to sulindac, naproxen, atorvastatin, and/or combinations showed a significant suppression. Importantly, colon adenocarcinomas from atorvastatin and NSAIDs fed animals showed reduced key inflammatory markers, inducible nitric oxide synthase and COX-2, phospho-p65, as well as inflammatory cytokines, TNF-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-4. Overall, this is the first report on the combination treatment using low-dose atorvastatin with either low-dose sulindac or naproxen, which greatly suppress the colon adenocarcinoma incidence and multiplicity. Our results suggest that low-dose atorvastatin with sulindac or naproxen might potentially be useful combinations for colon cancer prevention in humans. Cancer Prev Res; 4(11); 1895–902. ©2011 AACR.
Incidence, clinical course, and prognosis of secondary monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance in patients with multiple myeloma
Authors: Wadhera Rishi K. , Kyle Robert A. , Larson Dirk R. , Dispenzieri Angela , Kumar Shaji , Lazarus Hillard M. , Rajkumar S. Vincent
Published: July 2011

During the course of multiple myeloma (MM), new monoclonal proteins of an isotype distinct from the original clone, referred to as secondary monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), have been described. We report on the frequency, characteristics, and outcome of secondary MGUS. Of the 1942 patients with MM, 128 (6.6%) developed a secondary MGUS, at a median of 12 months from the diagnosis of MM. The median duration of secondary MGUS was 5.9 months. Secondary MGUS was more common in patients after stem cell transplantation than in those who had not undergone such treatment (22.7% vs 1.6%, P < .001). Overall survival was significantly superior in MM patients who developed secondary MGUS compared with the rest of the cohort (73 vs 38 months, respectively; P < .001). The time of onset and the duration of secondary MGUS, as well as failure to resolve spontaneously, had an effect on overall survival and require further study.
Firm Strategies in the “Mid Tail” of Platform-Based Retailing
Authors: Jiang Baojun , Jerath Kinshuk , Srinivasan Kannan
Published: July 2011

While millions of products are sold on its retail platform, Amazon.com itself stocks and sells only a very small fraction of them. Most of these products are sold by third-party sellers who pay Amazon a fee for each unit sold. Empirical evidence clearly suggests that Amazon tends to sell high-demand products and leave long-tail products for independent sellers to offer. We investigate how a platform owner such as Amazon, facing ex ante demand uncertainty, may strategically learn from these sellers' early sales which of the “mid-tail” products are worthwhile for its direct selling and which are best left for others to sell. The platform owner's “cherry-picking” of the successful products, however, gives an independent seller the incentive to mask any high demand by lowering his sales with a reduced service level (unobserved by the platform owner).

We analyze this strategic interaction between a platform owner and an independent seller using a game-theoretic model with two types of sellers—one with high demand and one with low demand. We show that it may not always be optimal for the platform owner to identify the seller's demand. Interestingly, the platform owner may be worse off by retaining its option to sell the independent seller's product, whereas both types of sellers may benefit from the platform owner's threat of entry. The platform owner's entry option may reduce consumer surplus in the early period, although it increases consumer surplus in the later period. We also investigate how consumer reviews influence the market outcome.
Do Cultural Differences Between Contracting Parties Matter? Evidence from Syndicated Bank Loans
Authors: Giannetti Mariassunta , Yafeh Yishay
Published: July 2011

We investigate whether cultural differences between professional decision makers affect financial contracts in a large data set of international syndicated bank loans. We find that more culturally distant lead banks offer borrowers smaller loans at a higher interest rate and are more likely to require third-party guarantees. These effects do not disappear following repeated interaction between borrower and lender and are economically sizable: A one-standard-deviation increase in cultural distance, approximately the distance between Canada and the United States or between Japan and South Korea, is associated with a 6.5 basis point higher loan spread; the loan spread increases by about 23 basis points if the bank-firm match involves culturally more distant parties, for example, from Japan and the United States. We also find that cultural differences not only affect the relation between borrower and lender, but also hamper risk sharing between participant banks and culturally distant lead banks.

This paper was accepted by Brad Barber, Teck Ho, and Terrance Odean, special issue editors.