bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biopsy pathology of the gastrointestinal tract in human immunodeficiency virus‐associated disease: a 5 year experience in Zürich
Authors: STAMM B. , GRANT J. W.
Published: August 2010

Patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐associated disease are subject to a wide variety of unusual opportunistic infections and to the development of malignant tumours. These complications frequently manifest themselves within the gastrointestinal tract and endoscopic biopsies may contribute to their diagnosis. The results of 63 such biopsies from 28 patients are reviewed in this study. The diagnoses made included: upper gastrointestinal tract candidiasis (n=6); cytomegalovirus infection of large intestine (n=2); cryptosporidiosis (n=1); spirochaetosis (n=2); Kaposi's sarcoma (n=4); malignant lymphoma (n=3); and anal carcinoma (n=2). Many of the specimens also showed inflammatory changes with no demonstrable aetiological agent. No specific pattern could be recognized for HIV infection per se.
Pathology and breast screening
Authors: ELSTON C.W. , ELLIS I.O.
Published: August 2010

Following the publication of the Forrest Report in 1986. the Department of Health has established a national breast screening programme in the United Kingdom, to be fully implemented in 1990. Women aged between 50 and 64 years will be invited to undergo mammographic screening on a 3‐year cycle. Funding has been allocated on the basis that a basic screening unit will serve a population of half a million and that specialist assessment centres will cover the work from up to three basic units. The organization of screening services requires careful planning and close cooperation between specialties; histopathologists and cytopathologists must ensure that they are fully consulted. There will be a considerable impact on laboratories and appropriate funding and manpower are required for the additional workload. Pathologists will be asked to provide a specialist service in the interpretation of diagnostic samples from such techniques as fine needle aspiration cytology and needle localization biopsies. Diagnostic difficulties will be encountered in the assessment of impalpable screendetected abnormalities and special training in breast screening is being provided. To ensure the success of the programme a national quality assurance scheme is being implemented. This will include validation of pathology data through regional coordinators.
Breast cancers with extremely high oestrogen receptor protein status
Authors: WONG S.S. , KERNOHAN N.N. , WALKER F.
Published: August 2010

Seventeen cases of primary and one case of metastatic breast cancer which expressed greater than 900 fmol oestrogen receptor sites per mg soluble protein were examined. All these patients were post‐menopausal at the time of their presentation. These were a heterogeneous group of well‐differentiated cellular breast carcinomas, comprising cases of invasive duct carcinoma with extensive tubular differentiation or with focal argyrophilia, tubulolobular carcinoma, lobular carcinoma of mixed type containing abundant intracytoplasmic lumina, papillary carcinoma and type B colloid carcinoma. There was very little tumour necrosis. Nodal metastasis, tumour size and host inflammatory response did not appear to show any relationship with oestrogen receptor status. The patients, apart from two who died from other causes, remain alive (Fisher's exact test, P < 0.01). In contrast, 17 randomly selected cases of oestrogen receptor negative breast cancer in the same study period were focally necrotic, poorly‐differentiated invasive duct carcinomas. Six patients died from metastatic disease, seven were alive and well, one was alive with metastatic disease, one was lost to follow‐up and two died from diseases unrelated to breast cancer.
Sertoli cell types in the Sertoli‐cell‐only syndrome: relationships between Sertoli cell morphology and aetiology
Authors: NISTAL M. , JIMENEZ F. , PANIAGUA R.
Published: August 2010

Histological study of testicular biopsies from infertile men showing Sertoli‐cell‐only tubules due to hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, cryptorchidism, oestrogen treatment, chemotherapy or Del Castillo's syndrome, revealed four types of Sertoli cells: (1) normal adult mature cells showing an indented nucleus, grossly triangular in shape with a prominent tripartite nucleolus; (2) immature cells with round regularly outlined nuclei and immature cytoplasm; (3) dysgenetic cells showing immature nuclei and a nearly mature cytoplasm with less developed cytoplasmic organelles; and (4) involuting cells with very irregularly outlined nuclei and a mature cytoplasm containing abundant lipid droplets and residual bodies and atypical inter‐Sertoli junctional specializations. Testes from men with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism showed only immature Sertoli cells; cryptorchid testes showed dysgenetic cells and occasional normal cells; and after treatment with oestrogens or chemotherapy the testes showed involuting cells and normal cells. The testes of men with Del Castillo's syndrome could be classified into three groups, according to the Sertoli cell type present: mature, dysgenetic and involuting cells. This finding suggests that Del Castillo's syndrome may be due to at least three different aetiologies.
Angioleiomyomas: an immunohistological study
Authors: FOX S.B. , HERYET A. , KHONG T.Y.
Published: August 2010

In a series of nine angioleiomyorlias, nerves were identified immunohistologically within the capsule and interstitium only in those that were painful. We believe that it is stretching of capsular nerves that underlies most of the patients symptoms.
Nasopharyngeal and nasal malignant lymphoma: a clinicopathological study of 54 cases
Authors: YE Y‐L. , ZHOU M‐H. , LU X‐Y. , DAI Y‐R. , WU W‐X.
Published: August 2010

Forty‐one cases of nasopharyngeal and 13 cases of nasal malignant lymphoma have been examined histologically and immunohistochemically. All of the cases were non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma; one case was of follicular type and the remaining 53 were of diffuse type. Large cell lymphoma comprised 48% of cases and most of the immunoblastic lymphomas showing pleomorphism occurred in the nose. Twenty‐seven cases were of T‐cell and 21 of B‐cell phenotype. The predominance of T‐cell lymphoma was due to an increased incidence of these in the nose, the T: B ratio of 3.33:1 contrasting with a 1:1.05 ratio in the nasopharynx. Nasopharyngeal lymphomas seem to show an intermediate incidence between the T‐cell predominance in the nose and a B‐cell predominance in the oropharynx. Since the large cell type of lymphoma was predominant, the differential diagnosis from undifferentiated carcinoma is important and is facilitated by the use of immunostaining methods.
Medullary carcinoma of the breast: a tumour lacking keratin 19
Authors: LARSIMONT D. , LESPAGNARD L. , DEGEYTER M. , HEIMANN R.
Published: August 2010

The presence of keratin 19 (K19) was searched for by immunostaining in 16 medullary carcinomas, comprising 12 typical and four atypical cases, in 29 undifferentiated high‐grade carcinomas (NOS‐HG) with conspicuous lymphoid response and in 12 well differentiated low‐grade carcinomas (NOS‐LG). The medullary carcinomas were all negative whereas 23 of the high‐grade and all 12 low‐grade carcinomas expressed K19. Staining for K19 could be of value in the differential diagnosis of these tumours. Furthermore, these findings, with other observations, raise the possibility that medullary carcinoma cells could be linked to precursor cells of the terminal duct lobular units because both populations share several characteristics.
Pseudoangiomatous hyperplasia of male breast
Authors: BADVE S. , SLOANE J.P.
Published: August 2010

Ninety‐three male breast specimens have been examined for the presence of pseudoangiomatous hyperplasia of the mammary stroma which has hitherto been described almost exclusively in females. Forty‐four cases (47.4%) showed some degree of hyperplasia, varying from small microscopic foci to extensive change involving 90% of the mammary tissue. All but one were found in association with gynaecomastia, early and intermediate stage. The association between pseudoangiomatous hyperplasia and benign proliferative lesions mirrors that reported in the female breast, and our findings suggest that the change may represent a stage in the maturation of newly formed mammary stroma.
Discrepancies between clinical and autopsy diagnosis and the value of post mortem histology; a meta‐analysis and review
Authors: Roulson J , Benbow E W , Hasleton P S
Published: August 2010

The autopsy is in decline, despite the fact that accurate mortality statistics remain essential for public health and health service planning. The falling autopsy rate combined with the Coroners Review and Human Tissue Act have contributed to this decline, and to a falling use of autopsy histology, with potential impact on clinical audit and mortality statistics. At a time when the need for reform and improvement in the death certification process is so prominent, we felt it important to assess the value of the autopsy and autopsy histology. We carried out a meta‐analysis of discrepancies between clinical and autopsy diagnoses and the contribution of autopsy histology. There has been little improvement in the overall rate of discrepancies between the 1960s and the present. At least a third of death certificates are likely to be incorrect and 50% of autopsies produce findings unsuspected before death. In addition, the cases which give rise to discrepancies cannot be identified prior to autopsy. Over 20% of clinically unexpected autopsy findings, including 5% of major findings, can be correctly diagnosed only by histological examination. Although the autopsy and particularly autopsy histology are being undermined, they are still the most accurate method of determining the cause of death and auditing accuracy of clinical diagnosis, diagnostic tests and death certification.
Neovascularization in mucinous ductal carcinoma in situ suggests an alternative pathway for invasion
Authors: Gadre S A , Perkins G H , Sahin A A , Sneige N , Deavers M T , Middleton L P
Published: August 2010

Aims:  Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) associated with invasive mucinous carcinoma (IMC) has not been well characterized. The aim was to characterize mucinous DCIS (mDCIS) of the breast and to describe, to our knowledge for the first time, neovascularization in mucin.

Methods and results:  The pathology reports and slides were reviewed from 44 patients treated between 2003 and 2006 at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, whose diagnosis fulfilled the criteria of IMC or DCIS with mucin production. The patients, all female, had a mean age of 62 years. DCIS was present in 93% of cases and the predominant histological types were solid, cribriform and micropapillary. The DCIS was grade 1 in 12 of 41 cases (29.3%), grade 2 in 25 of 41 cases (61%) and grade 3 in four of 41 cases (9.8%). Mucin was seen in the lumen of the ducts involved by DCIS in 88% of cases, mucin and vessels in 63.4% of cases and neither mucin nor vessels in 12.2%. The DCIS was vascular endothelial growth factor‐positive, platelet‐derived growth factor receptor‐beta‐positive and CDX‐2‐negative (100%). Occasional luminal cells within the DCIS were immunopositive for CD68.

Conclusions:  A significant number of mDCIS showed neovascularization in intraluminal mucin. When identified on core needle biopsy, the presence of vascularized mucin should not be used alone to discriminate between invasive and in situ carcinoma. A hypothesis proposed for the source of recruitment of vessels in the mucin is that mucin can promote neovascularization and that tumour cells invade not into the adjacent fibroconnective tissue, but rather into the mucinous, richly vascularized stroma that they have induced. Alternatively, it is possible that both cells and their secretory product invade together. To our knowledge, this is the first study to characterize neovascularization within the mucinous component of DCIS associated with and without IMC.
Expression of β‐dystroglycan is reduced or absent in many human carcinomas
Authors: Cross S S , Lippitt J , Mitchell A , Hollingsbury F , Balasubramanian S P , Reed M W R , Eaton C , Catto J W , Hamdy F , Winder S J
Published: August 2010

Aims:  Dystroglycan is an important structural and signalling protein that is expressed in most human cells. α‐Dystroglycan has been investigated and found to be reduced in human cancers, but there is only one published study on the expression of β‐dystroglycan in human cancer and that was only on small numbers of breast and prostatic cancers. The aim was to conduct a comprehensive immunohistochemical survey of the expression of β‐dystroglycan in normal human tissues and common cancers.

Methods and results:  Triplicate tissue microarrays of 681 samples of normal human tissues and common cancers were stained using an antibody directed against the cytoplasmic component of β‐dystroglycan. β‐Dystroglycan was strongly expressed at the intercellular junctions and basement membranes of all normal human epithelia. Expression of β‐dystroglycan was absent or markedly reduced in 100% of oesophageal adenocarcinomas, 97% of colonic cancers, 100% of transitional cell carcinomas of the urothelium and 94% of breast cancers. In the breast cancers, the only tumours that showed any retention of β‐dystroglycan expression were small low‐grade oestrogen receptor‐positive tumours. The only cancers that showed retention of β‐dystroglycan expression were cutaneous basal cell carcinomas.

Conclusions:  There is loss or marked reduction of β‐dystroglycan expression (by immunohistochemistry) in the vast majority of human cancers surveyed. Since β‐dystroglycan is postulated to have a tumour suppressor effect, this loss may have important functional significance.
Assessment of study quality for systematic reviews: a comparison of the Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias Tool and the Effective Public Health Practice Project Quality Assessment Tool: methodological research
Authors: Armijo‐Olivo Susan , Stiles Carla R. , Hagen Neil A. , Biondo Patricia D. , Cummings Greta G.
Published: August 2010

Background  The Cochrane Collaboration is strongly encouraging the use of a newly developed tool, the Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias Tool (CCRBT), for all review groups. However, the psychometric properties of this tool to date have yet to be described. Thus, the objective of this study was to add information about psychometric properties of the CCRBT including inter‐rater reliability and concurrent validity, in comparison with the Effective Public Health Practice Project Quality Assessment Tool (EPHPP).

Methods  Both tools were used to assess the methodological quality of 20 randomized controlled trials included in our systematic review of the effectiveness of knowledge translation interventions to improve the management of cancer pain. Each study assessment was completed independently by two reviewers using each tool. We analysed the inter‐rater reliability of each tool's individual domains, as well as final grade assigned to each study.

Results  The EPHPP had fair inter‐rater agreement for individual domains and excellent agreement for the final grade. In contrast, the CCRBT had slight inter‐rater agreement for individual domains and fair inter‐rater agreement for final grade. Of interest, no agreement between the two tools was evident in their final grade assigned to each study. Although both tools were developed to assess ‘quality of the evidence’, they appear to measure different constructs.

Conclusions  Both tools performed quite differently when evaluating the risk of bias or methodological quality of studies in knowledge translation interventions for cancer pain. The newly introduced CCRBT assigned these studies a higher risk of bias. Its psychometric properties need to be more thoroughly validated, in a range of research fields, to understand fully how to interpret results from its application.
Practice Nurses’ and Health Visitors’ knowledge of obesity assessment and management
Authors: Green S. M. , McCoubrie M. , Cullingham C.
Published: August 2010

Background Obesity is increasing in prevalence in the UK. Practice Nurses (PNs) and to a lesser extent Health Visitors (HVs) may advise patients/clients on weight management. The aim of this survey was to examine HVs and PNs knowledge concerning the assessment and management of obesity by use of a questionnaire.

Method A postal questionnaire was sent to 35 HVs and 49 PNs based at 24 practices within one regional health authority. The practices had participated in a previous survey. A 54% (17 HVs and 28 PNs) response rate was achieved.

Results Responses indicated that little education concerning obesity had been received since professional registration, and a need for this was identified. Most respondents used a computer or chart to calculate BMI of patients/client. Three HVs and 21 PNs correctly identified that a BMI of > 29 or 30 indicated obesity, and six HVs and 21 PNs identified that centrally distributed obesity is associated with a greater risk of metabolic disease. Most respondents indicated they would advise a person with obesity to follow a low‐fat diet; however, a low‐energy diet was indicated by some. The majority were able to identify which of a number of foods were high in fat, although some low‐fat foods were frequently misclassified. Most respondents mentioned the importance of lifestyle change and physical activity. Recommended weight loss generally followed current guidelines.

Conclusion Recommendations for practice are outlined. These include closer liason with dietetic services, more emphasis on the assessment of eating habits and lifestyle, greater use of a client‐centred approach and use of appropriate guidelines on physical activity. Further research should be carried out to explore the results of this small‐scale study.
Territorialism versus Universalism: International Intellectual Property Law in the Internationalized Domain Name System
Authors: Xue Hong
Published: August 2010

This paper explores how the present international intellectual property law can be applied to resolve the new conflicts arising from the internationalized domain name system (DNS), in which non‐Latin characters are permissible for direct use in domain names. It also analyzes the two approaches to address this issue: one approach that territorializes the rights and disputes on the borderless Internet, and another that universalizes the rights on the global medium. By presenting a comprehensive study with respect to the relevant international intellectual property law and practices, this paper attempts to research whether a balanced solution to the conflict between the legal system and the technical system could be sought out through maintaining the principle of territoriality of intellectual property protection, and it also examines the alternative procedure built in the DNS for the resolution of intellectual property controversies, namely the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy, and assesses whether the alternative procedure that actually supersedes the principle of territoriality is consistent with the existing international intellectual property law and interoperable with the internationalized DNS.
Apheresis platelet concentrates contain platelet‐derived and endothelial cell‐derived microparticles
Authors: Rank A. , Nieuwland R. , Liebhardt S. , Iberer M. , Grützner S. , Toth B. , Pihusch R.
Published: August 2010

Background and Objectives  Microparticles (MP) are membrane vesicles with thrombogenic and immunomodulatory properties. We determined MP subgroups from resting platelets, activated platelets and endothelial cells in donors and apheresis platelet concentrates (PC).

Material and Methods  MP were double stained with annexin V and CD61 (platelet‐derived MP; PMP), P‐selectin or CD63 (MP from activated platelets) and CD144 plus E‐selectin (endothelial cell‐derived MP; EMP) and detected by flow cytometry in platelet donors (n = 36) and apheresis PC (n = 11; Trima™).

Results  PC contained MP, mainly from resting platelets [93% (90–95)], and minor fractions of PMP from activated platelets [P‐selectin+ or CD63+; 4·8% (3·2–7·7) and 2·6% (2·0–4·0)]. Compared to donors, levels of annexin V+ MP, PMP, P‐selectin+ and CD63+ MP were 1·7‐, 2·3‐, 8·6‐ and 3·1‐fold higher in PC (all P < 0·05). During storage (1–5 days), levels of annexin V+ MP and PMP did not increase, although small increases in the fraction of P‐selectin+ or CD63+ MP occurred (both P < 0·05). PC also contained EMP, which were 2·6‐ to 3·7‐fold enriched in PC compared to donors (P < 0·05).

Conclusions  Transfusion of apheresis PC also results in transfusion of HLA‐carrying PMP and EMP. This might counteract the aim of reducing transfused HLA load by leucodepletion. The increases in PMP exposing P‐selectin or CD63 reflect mild platelet activation during storage. We conclude that in leucodepleted platelet apheresis using fluidized particle bed technology, MP are harvested mainly from the donor by apheresis. Improvement in apheresis technology might reduce MP load.
Relationship between stump treatment coverage using the biological control product PG Suspension, and control of Heterobasidion annosum on Corsican pine, Pinus nigra ssp. laricio
Authors: Tubby K. V. , Scott D. , Webber J. F.
Published: August 2010

The relationship between the proportion of the stump surface covered by the biological stump treatment agent PG Suspension, containing Phlebiopsis gigantea and its efficacy against the pathogen Heterobasidion annosum sensu stricto was studied during a first thinning of Corsican pine (Pinus nigra ssp. laricio) in Thetford Forest, UK. PG Suspension was manually applied to 100%, 75%, 50% or 0% of the surface of 150 stumps. Spores of H. annosum were inoculated onto 75 of the stumps, and the remaining stumps exposed to natural airborne spore deposition. The relationship between coverage and efficacy was found to be quantitative. Covering all the stump surface with PG Suspension completely excluded the pathogen, whereas stumps not treated with PG Suspension (the 0% treatment) became infected with H. annosum. Partial (75%) PG Suspension coverage resulted in the pathogen colonizing 40% of stumps following artificial inoculation with H. annosum, and just 7% of stumps exposed to ambient H. annosum spore infection. Decreasing levels of coverage allowed increasing areas of the stump surface to be colonized by H. annosum. Some small gaps in coverage were closed by lateral growth of P. gigantea, but it is recommended that operators aim for full stump coverage to give complete protection against H. annosum.
Sirococcus conigenus, Sirococcus piceicola sp. nov. and Sirococcus tsugae sp. nov. on conifers: anamorphic fungi in the Gnomoniaceae, Diaporthales
Authors: Rossman A. Y. , Castlebury L. A. , Farr D. F. , Stanosz G. R.
Published: August 2010

Sirococcus is a genus of asexually reproducing fungi that includes important pathogens causing shoot blight and tip dieback of conifers. In this paper, the type species of Sirococcus, S. conigenus, is redescribed and illustrated, and an epitype designated. In addition, two new species are recognized. Sirococcus piceicola sp. nov. is described from species of Picea in Canada and Switzerland. A second new species, S. tsugae sp. nov., is known only from western North America on species of Cedrus and Tsuga. These three species can be distinguished based on morphological differences and molecular sequence data from four genes. The three species of Sirococcus on conifers vary in conidiomatal wall structure, shape of the conidiogenous cells, and shape and size of conidia.
Integrated watershed management: A planning methodology for construction of new dams in Ethiopia
Authors: Tefera Bezuayehu , Stroosnijder Leo
Published: August 2010

Integrated watershed management (IWM) is emerging as an alternative to the centrally planned and sectoral approaches that currently characterize the planning process for dam construction in Ethiopia. This report clarifies the concept of IWM, and reviews the major social, environmental and economic problems caused by dams in Ethiopia and elsewhere. Dams are planned from a top‐down perspective in Ethiopia, some people are relocated against their will, haphazard land‐use changes can occur, and soil erosion and reservoir sedimentation can increase. Many communities affected by dam constructions have not been sufficiently recognized or compensated, and environmental protection measures such as land‐use planning and soil and water conservation have not been adopted in watersheds in which construction of dams is occurring. Furthermore, revenues generated from hydropower and water supplies often benefit urban dwellers, or the national economy, at the expense of rural inhabitants in watersheds. Creation of a multistakeholder platform, integration of soft system methodology with hard system tools, and completion of environmental protection measures should be among the major components of an improved planning methodology for construction of new dams in Ethiopia. This translates into an environment wherein science and knowledge can help watershed inhabitants create a diversity of locally appropriate resource management solutions. Effective implementation of environmental policies and strategies could improve the quality of watershed‐based developments. The conclusion is that the IWM approach is a good alternative to effectively address the social, environmental and economic problems associated with planning and constructing new dams in Ethiopia.
The density current head velocity in expansion reaches
Authors: Fathi‐Moghadam M. , Poudeh H. Torabi , Ghomshi M. , Shafaei M.
Published: August 2010

The velocity of the density current head in the expansion reach in which a river enters a dam reservoir, lake or sea is a key parameter for evaluating the extent to which suspended material travels, and for determining the type and distribution of sediment in the water body. This study experimentally evaluated the effects of the reach degree of expansion on the density current head velocity. Experiments were conducted in a 6.0‐m‐long, 0.72‐m‐wide flume. The head velocity was measured at three expansion degrees (8; 12; 26) and two slopes (0.009; 0.016) for various discharges. For the same slope and discharge, the results illustrated that the head velocity increases in the reaches expanded up to 20 degrees, compared to that for a uniform cross‐section reach. As anticipated, the velocity head increased directly with the bed slope.
Bacterioplankton heterotrophic activity in relation to the phytoplankton compartment in a recently formed reservoir
Authors: Jugnia Louis‐B. , Dévaux J.
Published: August 2010

Seasonal and spatial variations in bacterial abundance, biomass and potential heterotrophic activity in a recently flooded reservoir were measured for two consecutive years, in conjunction with phytoplankton biomass (chlorophyll‐a concentration) and activity (primary production). The mean value of primary production remained constant between the two study years, while those of the chlorophyll‐a concentrations, bacterial abundance, bacterial biomass and bacterial heterotrophic activity decreased. The observed trends in the bacterial variables were linked to changes in the relative importance of allochthonous dissolved organic matter, in addition to selective grazing activity on bacterioplankton. Multivariate regression analyses identified bacterial abundance (29%) and temperature (17%) as dominant correlates of the bacterial potential heterotrophic activity. We concluded that, in a new reservoir, organic matter, other than that from phytoplankton, might be of great importance for bacterioplankton metabolism. Furthermore, grazing activity on bacteria by metazoa in a new reservoir represents, on occasion, an important trophic link between the top consumer and otherwise unavailable dissolved organic carbon sources. Finally, even if little energy is transferred to larger consumers, the microbial route is still important in re‐mineralizing organic matter in Sep Reservoir.
Simple model for monitoring Balkhash Lake water levels and Ili River discharges: Application of remote sensing
Authors: Propastin Pavel A.
Published: August 2010

Balkhash Lake and its environs are a very fragile ecosystem, whose dynamics exhibits large oscillations in magnitude caused by climatic factors and human impacts. The most recent oscillation was accompanied by construction of a water storage reservoir on the Ili River, the main inflow to the lake, leading to an additional decrease in the Balkhash Lake water level, and to dehydration of wetland landscapes in the Ili River delta. The main purpose of this study was to model the link between wetland biomass conditions in the Ili River delta and changes in the Balkhash Lake water level. A monthly, coarse‐resolution Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) dataset was used as an indicator of vegetation activity and biomass dynamics in the Ili River delta wetland for the period between 1982 and 2003. The NDVI displays significant intra‐annual and interannual variability strongly correlated with Ili River discharge and Balkhash Lake water level. This study also developed a simple model between NDVI and the two hydrological variables used in monitoring the hydrological regime of Balkhash Lake and its catchment basin.
Cytotoxic effect of the cytosine deaminase gene delivered by the adenovirus vector in murine gastric cancer
Authors: Long Cui , Yanzhen Lin , Guoxiang Jin , Dehong Yu , Yue Tu , Jun Gao , Xuehua Chen , Baoming Yu
Published: August 2010

OBJECTIVE: To improve the efficacy of gene delivery and to determine an effective way to kill gastric cancer cells by using a suicide gene.

METHODS: First, the cytosine deaminase (CD) gene was cloned into an adenovirus vector and the recombinant plasmid was packed, amplified and purified. Murine gastric cancer cell line MFC was injected subcutaneously into the flanks of 615 mice, and when tumors were palpable, 0.2 mL of the recombinant adenovirus solution was injected directly into xenografts following the daily administration of 5‐fluorocytosine (5‐Fc) for 35 days.

RESULTS: Positive clones were selected by using endonucleases to digest the recombinants, and the concentration of viral particles containing the CD gene was 1.2 × 1012particles/mL. An antitumor effect was observed in MFC–CD(+) tumors when the animals were given 5‐Fc via intraperitoneal injection. Pathologically, the tumors generated from MFC–CD(+) cells had widespread hemorrhagic necrosis within the tumor regions as compared with those of untreated animals, which had few necrotic regions.

CONCLUSIONS: The improved antitumor effect of this adenovirus vector suggests a basis for further research involving the direct transduction of the CD gene into tumors, as well as inducing an intensive bystander effect.
Evidence‐based practice in haemorrhoidectomy
Authors: Cheetham M. J. , Phillips R. K. S.
Published: August 2010

Objective

Haemorrhoidectomy has proven long‐term efficacy in the treatment of haemorrhoids, albeit at the price of increased pain and complications compared with other modalities. This study reviews the literature and describes best practice in the surgical treatment of haemorrhoids.

Methods

A Medline search was conducted using the keywords haemorrhoids or haemorrhoidectomy to identify clinical trials comparing different surgical treatments for haemorrhoids.

Results

Many studies were small and follow up was often short‐term only. Surrogate measures such as post‐operative pain scores and changes in anorectal physiology were commonly assessed in preference to efficacy in symptom reduction. Haemorrhoidectomy may be safely performed under general, local or regional anaesthesia according to patient fitness and local practice. Results of randomized controlled trials indicate that there open and closed techniques of haemorrhoidectomy are equivalent. There is no evidence to support the practice of laser haemorrhoidectomy. Diathermy haemorrhoidectomy achieves good haemostasis and permits an anal dressing to be omitted, but is not superior to conventional techniques. The use of preoperative lactulose and post‐operative oral metronidazole is supported by randomized controlled trials.

Conclusion

Haemorrhoidectomy is currently the most effective treatment for prolapsing haemorrhoids. There is little evidence to support the use of one surgical technique over another. With attention to detail and adjuncts to reduce post‐operative pain, haemorrhoidectomy may be performed as day surgery.
A comparison of the effect of loperamide in oral or suppository form vs placebo in patients with ileo‐anal pouches
Authors: Cohen L. D. , Levitt M. D.
Published: August 2010

Objective

The effect of the anti‐diarrhoeal drug, loperamide hydrochloride, on bowel function in patients with an ileo‐anal pouch was studied by means of a blinded, three‐tailed, case‐controlled and randomized crossover trial, using a daily dose of 12 mg in either oral (4 mg t.d.s.) or suppository (6 mg b.d.) form.

Patients and methods

Daily stool frequency was recorded in a diary and an objective measure of pouch motor function was obtained at the end of each treatment phase. Ten subjects (seven males, three females) aged 23–50 years (median 38 years) were studied 9–48 months (median 27 months) after ileostomy closure. Eight pouches had been constructed for ulcerative colitis and two for familial adenomatous polyposis (9J, 1W).

Results

Mean daily stool frequency during the oral loperamide phase was lower than during both the placebo (P=0.05) and suppository (P < 0.02) phases. Stool frequency did not differ significantly between placebo and suppository phases. There was a strong inverse correlation between mean daily stool frequency and pouch capacity (r=–0.82 after both oral and suppository phases). Large isolated pouch contractions were evident in five of eight subjects studied; suppression was observed in two of the five after oral loperamide and in three of the five after loperamide suppositories. Rhythmic pouch contractions were seen in four subjects and suppression was evident after loperamide suppositories (but not after oral loperamide) in three. A daily oral dose of 12 mg loperamide significantly lowered stool frequency in pouch patients and modified some aspects of pouch contraction. Loperamide suppositories produced more prominent suppression of pouch contractions but did not lower stool frequency.

Conclusion

This suggests that the beneficial effect of oral loperamide is primarily due to its action on intestine proximal to the pouch itself.
Vetigastropod phylogeny and a new concept of Seguenzioidea: independent evolution of copulatory organs in the deep‐sea habitats
Authors: Kano Yasunori
Published: August 2010

Bayesian and maximum‐likelihood phylogenies of Vetigastropoda (Mollusca: Gastropoda) were reconstructed by separate and combined analyses of one mitochondrial (cytochrome oxidase I, COI) and two nuclear (histone H3 and 18S rRNA) gene sequences, with an emphasis on dense taxonomic sampling. More than 70 vetigastropod species belonging to 13 families and 25 subfamilies constituted a robust clade against the two outgroup clades Neomphalina and Cocculinoidea. The phylogenetically controversial family Seguenziidae appeared as a derived Vetigastropoda and constituted a highly supported clade with eucycline and cataegine trochids, and three skeneimorphs (Adeuomphalus,VentsiaandXyloskenea). These taxa herein treated as the superfamily Seguenzioidea are morphologically very diverse and grouped only by the combination of symplesiomorphies in the shell, radular and head‐foot characters. Anatomical peculiarities of Seguenziidae, including the presence of the penis and seminal receptacle, are all apomorphic conditions independently derived from those in higher gastropod clades, as a consequence of the small size and in response to deep‐sea habitats, where sperm storage seems to be especially beneficial with low numerical density of individuals and limited periodic cues for gametogenesis. Indeed, internal or semi‐internal fertilization has been evolved at least six times in Vetigastropoda, essentially in deep‐sea lineages, with weak phylogenetic constraints. Other new vetigastropod clades with high support values include: Turbinidae + Tegulinae (Trochidae) + Skeneidaes.s., Clypeosectidae + Lepetodrilidae, Anatominae (Scissurellidae) + Bathyxylophila(Skeneidae) and Lepetodriloidea + Scissurellidae +Bathyxylophila.
Does corporate governance transparency affect the accuracy of analyst forecasts?
Authors: Bhat Gauri , Hope Ole‐Kristian , Kang Tony
Published: August 2010

Using country‐level proxies for corporate governance transparency, this paper investigates how differences in transparency across 21 countries affect the average forecast accuracy of analysts for the country's firms. The association between financial transparency and analyst forecast accuracy has been well documented in previous published literature; however, the association between governance transparency and analyst forecast accuracy remains unexplored. Using the two distinct country‐level factors isolated by Bushman et al. (2004), governance transparency and financial transparency, we investigate whether corporate governance information impacts on the accuracy of earnings forecasts over and above financial information. We document that governance transparency is positively associated with analyst forecast accuracy after controlling for financial transparency and other variables. Furthermore, our results suggest that governance‐related disclosure plays a bigger role in improving the information environment when financial disclosures are less transparent. Our empirical evidence also suggests that the significance of governance transparency on analyst forecast accuracy is higher when legal enforcement is weak.
The Cartagena Protocol: Implications for Regional Trade and Technology Development in Africa
Authors: Morris E. Jane
Published: August 2010

The majority of African countries have ratified or acceded to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, and many have received support through the Global Environment Facility and the UN Environment Programme for development of their National Biosafety Frameworks. This article examines the extent to which these frameworks are aligned with the goals of the Regional Economic and Regional Research Communities of which they are members. Many national approaches lack alignment with regional trade, economic, science and technology policies. The strict application of the precautionary principle and the imposition of costly administrative hurdles are likely to hinder intra‐regional trade and technology development.
Union Formation through Merger: The Case of Ver.di in Germany
Authors: Keller Berndt
Published: August 2010

This article is concerned with the recent merger of five German unions to form the new multi‐industry union, ver.di. Its focus is on the effects of the merger and on developments in the post‐merger phase. The article explores the various internal problems of the new union, concentrating on those that flow from the adoption of a matrix form of organisation. It deals also with the external relations of ver.di, with other unions and with the central organisation of German trade unions, the DGB. Central conclusions here are that the creation of ver.di is likely to exacerbate competition amongst German unions and further erode the position of the peak association.
Co‐determination, Efficiency and Productivity
Authors: FitzRoy Felix , Kraft Kornelius
Published: August 2010

We present the first panel estimates of the productivity effects of the unique German institution of parity, board‐level co‐determination. Although our data span two severe recessions when labour hoarding costs of co‐determination are probably highest, and the panel is too short to capture the likely long‐run benefits in terms of human capital formation and job satisfaction, we find positive productivity effects of the 1976 extension to parity co‐determination in large firms.
Policy-Making and Integration in the European Union: Do Economic Interest Groups Matter?
Authors: Verdun Amy
Published: August 2010

What lessons can be learnt about the role of economic interests in European integration? This article seeks to answer this question by looking at four themes: (1) the role of economic interest groups on national preference formation; (2) the role of economic interest groups on EU policy-making; (3) the effect of the EU on the economic interest groups; and (4) the role of economic interest groups on the process of European integration. This article finds that economic interests groups do not ‘a priori’ act in favour of European integration. Also we can conclude that economic interest groups seek to influence both national and EU level actors and institutions. Finally, the process of European integration affects the overall environment in which economic interest groups operate. Overall, economic interest groups appear to play a more prominent role in EU governance and policy-making than the literature on European integration theories typically has emphasised.
TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE: THE IDEA OF THE COROLLARY OF THE COASE THEOREM AND A POSSIBLE APPLICATION
Authors: Lai Lawrence W.C. , Yung P. , Ho Eric C.K.
Published: August 2010

Extant theories on the application of the Coase Theorem to the development market have focused on the effects of zoning on the environment or upon property prices. As an original contribution to the Coasian research on the interface between the development market and the statutory planning machinery, this article seeks to develop a Coasian proposition informed by what has been called the corollary of the Coase Theorem, which allows for an empirical examination of the impact of property prices on decisions to use resources under different institutional arrangements. Our proposition is that the procedural steps taken to consume resources are not contingent on property prices unless the associated transaction costs are positive or property rights ambiguous.
AGGLOMERATION ECONOMIES IN JAPAN: TECHNICAL EFFICIENCY, GROWTH AND UNEMPLOYMENT
Authors: Mitra Arup , Sato Hajime
Published: August 2010

This paper examines if the effects of agglomeration economies are manifested in technical efficiency and generate faster economic growth and higher (lower) levels of employment (unemployment). Using the prefecture level data for each of the two‐digit groups of industries in Japan, it estimates a region‐specific technical efficiency index based on the stochastic frontier production function framework. The factor analysis shows that in most of the industry‐groups, efficiency has a positive association with external scale variable(s). Though the relationship is not very strong, it would be erroneous to ignore the effect of agglomeration economies on efficiency. For some light goods industries, the agglomeration effect is relatively stronger. Economic growth varies positively with external scale variable(s) and the unemployment rate tends to fall with respect to growth and concentration. This suggests that measures against industrial concentration may be counter‐productive, particularly in the context of globalization when countries greatly need to raise productivity.
FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT AND REGIONAL PRODUCTIVITY SPILLOVERS IN US MANUFACTURING
Authors: Mullen J.K. , Williams Martin
Published: August 2010

This research examines how inward foreign direct investment (FDI) impacts manufacturing productivity in select industries across US regions. Although some evidence has documented the phenomenon of knowledge spillovers to national economies, little is known about how the regional penetration of foreign investment affects the productivity performance of local firms. The analysis proceeds in a novel fashion by adjusting aggregate data on industry operating statistics to “net out” the contaminating influence of foreign firms producing in each of the host regional economies. A cross section of state‐by‐industry observations is used to estimate labor productivity, controlling for FDI penetration both by region and by industry. In general, the results demonstrate that domestic firms do not reap productivity gains as a result of a larger presence of foreign affiliates. Related research efforts, although not specifically concerned with the regional transmission of FDI spillovers, offer corroborative support for these findings.
Why the European Union Should Adopt Formula Apportionment with a Sales Factor*
Authors: Eichner Thomas , Runkel Marco
Published: August 2010

Using a two‐country tax competition model with a multinational enterprise (MNE), this paper addresses the question of whether the European Union should replace separate accounting (SA) in corporate income taxation by formula apportionment (FA) and, if so, which apportionment factors should be used. Our main result is that FA with a sales factor may mitigate or even eliminate fiscal externalities caused by the countries' tax policy. Hence, our analysis provides a microfoundation for the sales apportionment factor. In an empirical calibration to the EU‐15 we show that the transition from SA to FA with a sales‐only formula raises average tax rates by 2% and average tax revenues by 1 billion euros or 0.1% of GDP. These effects result in an increase of welfare.
Rising Earnings Inequality in Sweden: The Role of Composition and Prices
Authors: Domeij David
Published: August 2010

The rise in cross‐sectional earnings inequality in Sweden between 1990 and 2002 is decomposed into changes in market prices of observable characteristics, changes in the composition of the labor force across demographic groups and industries, and changes in unobservables. The Swedish experience is then compared with that in the United States. In both countries, the rise in earnings inequality is a consequence of rising upper‐tail dispersion. Contrary to the U.S. experience, where the rise is largely driven by changing market prices of observables and increased residual dispersion, shifts in the Swedish labor‐force composition have contributed positively to the rise in the p90–p50 gap. The rise in the Swedish p99–p90 gap, however, is entirely accounted for by changes in prices and residual dispersion.
Sensitivity as a Privileged Predictor of Attachment: A Second Perspective on De Wolff and van IJzendoorn's Meta‐analysis
Authors: Nievar M. Angela , Becker Betsy Jane
Published: August 2010

De Wolff and van IJzendoorn's meta‐analysis supported the relation of parental behavior to attachment security; however, they concluded that sensitivity was not the best predictor of attachment security. This secondary analysis of their data re‐examined their conclusion and tested moderators of the relation between sensitivity and attachment, such as socioeconomic status and study methodology. A different grouping of studies combining behavior types of sensitivity, mutuality, and synchrony showed significantly higher correlations with attachment than did other types of maternal behavior. An analysis of a similar dataset of individual correlations defined sensitivity as synchronous, responsive, and appropriate behavior, producing similar results. Tests of moderators validated differences between studies using measures of sensitivity as compared to other measures of maternal behavior. Sensitivity was a weaker predictor of attachment in studies of low‐income families.
Prestige Case Forms and the Comp‐trace Effect
Authors: Sobin Nicholas
Published: August 2010

Abstract. Case in English is “dormant”—not valued or resolved in the syntax—unless it is “activated” by the EPP feature of T. Case‐activated DPs move to Spec,TP for Case valuation. Further extraction (e.g.,wh‐movement) of subjects requires “phase‐early” Case resolution, guaranteeing that the uninterpretable Case feature of a subject is resolved early, in Spec,TP, in compliance with the Earliness Principle. An inability to resolve an active Case feature early results in the C‐t effect. The dormant “object” case form is determined at PF either by a rule of default case (accusative) or by one of a set of rules assigning a prestige (usually nominative) case. This system correctly predicts a variety of details of the C‐t effect and the possible occurrence and distribution of prestige case forms (It is Iorbetween you and I ) where Case is dormant. The C‐t effect in Spanish, Russian, and Polish are also briefly considered.