bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Label-free in vitro toxicity and uptake assessment of citrate stabilised gold nanoparticles in three cell lines
Authors: Vetten Melissa A , Tlotleng Nonhlanhla , Tanner Rascher Delia , Skepu Amanda , Keter Frankline K , Boodhia Kailen , Koekemoer Leigh-Anne , Andraos Charlene , Tshikhudo Robert , Gulumian Mary
Published: October 2013

Background

Reliable in vitro toxicity testing is needed prior to the commencement of in vivo testing necessary for hazard identification and risk assessment of nanoparticles. In this study, the cytotoxicity and uptake of 14 nm and 20 nm citrate stabilised gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in the bronchial epithelial cell line BEAS-2B, the Chinese hamster ovary cell line CHO, and the human embryonic kidney cell line HEK 293 were investigated.

Methods

Cytotoxicity of the AuNPs was assessed via traditional XTT-, LDH-, and ATP-based assays, followed by cell impedance studies. Dark-field imaging and hyperspectral imaging were used to confirm the uptake of AuNPs into the cells.

Results

Interference of the AuNPs with the XTT- and ATP-based assays was overcome through the use of cell impedance technology. AuNPs were shown to be relatively non-toxic using this methodology; nevertheless CHO cells were the most sensitive cell type with 20 nm AuNPs having the highest toxicity. Uptake of both 14 nm and 20 nm AuNPs was observed in all cell lines in a time- and cell type-dependent manner.

Conclusions

Using the cell impedance and dark-field hyperspectral imaging technologies, it was possible to study the toxicity of AuNPs in different cell lines and show that these cells could internalize AuNPs with their subsequent intracellular aggregation. It was also possible to show that this toxicity would not correlate with the level of uptake but it would correlate with cell-type and the size of the AuNPs. Therefore, these two label-free methodologies used in this study are suitable for in vitro studies on the effects of AuNPs, and could present themselves as appropriate and valuable methodologies for future nanoparticle toxicity and uptake studies.
Outcome measures in rheumatoid arthritis randomised trials over the last 50 years
Authors: Kirkham Jamie J , Boers Maarten , Tugwell Peter , Clarke Mike , Williamson Paula R
Published: October 2013

Background

The development and application of standardised sets of outcomes to be measured and reported in clinical trials have the potential to increase the efficiency and value of research. One of the most notable of the current outcome sets began nearly 20 years ago: the World Health Organization and International League of Associations for Rheumatology core set of outcomes for rheumatoid arthritis clinical trials, originating from the OMERACT (Outcome Measures in Rheumatology) Initiative. This study assesses the use of this core outcome set by randomised trials in rheumatology.

Methods

An observational review was carried out of 350 randomised trials for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis identified through The Cochrane Library (up to and including September 2012 issue). Reports of these trials were evaluated to determine whether or not there were trends in the proportion of trials reporting on the full set of core outcomes over time. Researchers who conducted trials after the publication of the core set were contacted to assess their awareness of it and to collect reasons for non-inclusion of the full core set of outcomes in the study.

Results

Since the introduction of the core set of outcomes for rheumatoid arthritis, the consistency of measurement of the core set of outcomes has improved, although variation in the choice of measurement instrument remains. The majority of trialists who responded said that they would consider using the core outcome set in the design of a new trial.

Conclusions

This observational review suggests that a higher percentage of trialists conducting trials in rheumatoid arthritis are now measuring the rheumatoid arthritis core outcome set. Core outcome sets have the potential to improve the evidence base for health care, but consideration must be given to the methods for disseminating their availability amongst the relevant communities.
Radiotherapy in langerhans cell histiocytosis - a rare indication in a rare disease
Authors: Kriz Jan , Eich Hans Theodor , Bruns Frank , Heyd Reinhard , Schäfer Ulrich , Haverkamp Uwe , Büntzel Jens , Seegenschmiedt Heinrich , Micke Oliver
Published: October 2013

Introduction

Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (LCH) represents a rare benign disorder, previously designated as “Histiocytosis X”, “Type II Histiocytosis” or “Langerhans Cell Granulomatosis”. Clinical presentation includes osteolysis, ulcerations of skin and soft tissues but also involvement of the CNS is described.

Because treatment concepts are not well defined the German Cooperative Group on Radiotherapy for Benign Diseases performed a retrospective analysis.

Methods and material

Eight closely cooperating centres collected patients’ data of the past 45 years. As study endpoints disease free survival, recurrent disease, death and therapy related side effects were defined.

Results

A total of 80 patients with histologically proven LCH were irradiated within the past 45 years. According to the LCH classification of Greenberger et al. 37 patients had stage Ia, 21 patients stage Ib, 13 patients stage II and 9 patients stage IIIb and the median age was 29 years. The median Follow up was 54 months (range 9–134 months). A total of 39 patients had a surgical intervention and 23 patients a chemotherapy regimen.

Radiation treatment was carried out with a median total dose of 15 Gy (range 3–50.4 Gy). The median single fraction was 2 Gy (range 1.8-3 Gy).

Overall, 77% patients achieved a complete remission and 12.5% achieved a partial remission. The long-term control rate reached 80%. Within an actuarial overall 5-year survival of 90% no radiogenic side and late effects ≥EORTC/RTOG II° were observed.

Conclusion

In the present study a large collective of irradiated patients was analysed. Radiotherapy (RT) is a very effective and safe treatment option and even low RT doses show sufficient local control.
Quantifying respiratory complications post-adenotonsillectomy in patients with normal or inconclusive overnight oximetry
Authors: Lee Terence TN , Lefebvre Claire E , Gans Nathalie E , Daniel Sam J
Published: October 2013

Background

Children with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) are at risk of developing post-operative respiratory complications following adenotonsillectomy (T&A). Our goal was to describe and quantify these complications following T&A in children with clinical SDB but with a pre-operative overnight home oximetry score of “normal/inconclusive” (McGill Oximetry Score (MOS) of 1), and to determine whether these children could safely undergo surgery in peripheral hospitals or outpatient surgical centers.

Methods

We performed a retrospective chart review of patients 3 years and older who had T&A between 2003 and 2010 at 2 of our institution's hospitals. To be included in the study, in addition to not having severe comorbidities, children had to have undergone an overnight home oximetry within 12 months of surgery that was normal or inconclusive (MOS of 1). This was defined as fewer than 3 episodes of oxygen desaturation below 90% and stable baseline saturation over 95%. Medical charts were reviewed for major and minor postoperative respiratory complications. The main outcome measure was post-T&A respiratory complications.

Results

Out of 2708 T&A patients, 231 met the inclusion criteria. No patient had a major postoperative respiratory complication requiring re-intubation or admission to the intensive care unit. Five patients (2.16%) had minor respiratory complications but only one required admission to the ward.

Conclusions

An overnight home oximetry that is “normal/inconclusive” (MOS of 1) can be used as a screening tool to identify patients with sleep-disordered breathing who can be safely sent to peripheral hospitals or outpatient surgical centers for T&A.
Burden of illness and quality of life in patients being treated for seasonal allergic rhinitis: a cohort survey
Authors: Small Mark , Piercy James , Demoly Pascal , Marsden Helen
Published: October 2013

Background

Allergic Rhinitis is an inflammatory disease which is characterised by burdensome nasal and/or ocular symptoms. This study aimed to assess the impact of symptoms (number of symptom‐free days (SFD) and Quality of Life (QoL)) in patients with Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis (SAR) being treated with fluticasone furoate (FF), mometasone furoate (MF) or fluticasone propionate (FP).

Methods

In a cross‐sectional, non‐interventional, cohort analysis, primary care physicians and allergy specialists in France, Germany, and Spain were recruited via telephone interviews. Each physician prospectively recruited 4 SAR patients ‐ 2 receiving FF, 1 receiving MF and 1 receiving FP ‐ during June 2009. Patients answered questions on symptoms and completed questionnaires on QoL (mini‐rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire, RQLQ) and burden of illness (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index).

Results

A total of 540 patients were recruited during June 2009. 88 patients were subsequently found to be ineligible and excluded from the analyses. In the 4 weeks prior to assessment, patients reported a mean of 14.58 (±8.42) SFD. Patients receiving FF had more SFD (mean 15.45 ±8.29) than patients receiving MF (adjusted mean difference ‐1.22, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) [‐3.16 to 0.72], p=0.434) or FP (adjusted mean difference ‐1.95, 95% CI [‐3.87 to ‐0.03], p=0.092), although statistical significance was not achieved. The mean RQLQ score was 1.54 (±1.06). Patients receiving FF had a better quality of life in the previous week (mini‐RQLQ score: mean 1.42, ±1.04) than patients receiving MF (adjusted mean difference 0.28, 95% CI [0.03 to 0.52], p=0.052) or FP (adjusted mean difference 0.18, 95% CI [‐0.05 to 0.41], p=0.244). Again, none of these results achieved statistical significance.

Conclusions

At the height of the allergy season, patients with SAR suffer symptoms approximately 50% of the time, and report an impact on their QoL. No significant differences were observed between FF, FP and MF related to SFD or QoL.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01199757
Initial serum sodium concentration determines the decrease in sodium level after terlipressin administration in patients with liver cirrhosis
Authors: Kang Yeo-Jin , Bae Eun Jin , Hwang Kyungo , Jeon Dae-Hong , Jang Ha Nee , Cho Hyun Seop , Chang Se-Ho , Park Dong Jun
Published: October 2013

Background

Terlipressin, as a prodrug of vasopressin, has agonistic effects on the V1 receptor and partial agonistic effects on renal vasopressin V2 receptors. However, its effects on serum sodium concentration are controversial.

Methods

This study retrospectively investigated 127 patients with liver cirrhosis to examine the incidence and risk factors for the decrease in serum sodium level following terlipressin administration.

Results

Terlipressin was prescribed for bleeding control (99) and management of hepatorenal syndrome (28). Serum sodium level decreased from 134.0 ± 6.5 mmol/L to 130.4 ± 6.2 mmol/L during or after terlipressin treatment (P < 0.001) in all patients. In 45 patients (35.4%), the serum sodium concentration decreased by > 5 mmol/L, in 29 patients (22.8%); by 5–10 mmol/L; and in 16 patients (12.6%), by > 10 mmol/L. Five patients in the latter group showed neurological manifestations. In the univariate analysis, several factors including age, purpose of use, serum creatinine, and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score, representing liver function, were significantly associated with the decrease in serum sodium after terlipressin administration. However, a multivariate analysis revealed that only initial sodium level was the most powerful predictor of terlipressin-induced reduction in serum sodium.

Conclusion

An acute reduction in serum sodium concentration was not uncommon during terlipressin treatment, and the baseline serum sodium level was closely related to the reduction in serum sodium concentration.
EMG amplitude of the biceps femoris during jumping compared to landing movements
Authors: Padulo Johnny , Tiloca Alessandra , Powell Douglas , Granatelli Giampietro , Bianco Antonino , Paoli Antonio
Published: October 2013

Hamstrings injury is a common occurrence in athletic performance. These injuries tend to occur during a deceleration or landing task suggesting the negative work may be a key component in hamstrings injury. The purpose of this study was to investigate the muscular activity (EMG) of the biceps femoris (BF) in different phases (concentric vs. eccentric) of a Counter Movement Jump (CMJ), Squat Jump (SJ) and the Braking Phase (BP) of a landing task. Twelve female volleyball players performed 5 CMJs, SJs and BPs while surface EMG was recorded using a MuscleLab (BoscoSystemTM, Norway). EMG values were normalized to an maximal voluntary contraction. A repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare mean normalized EMG values of the concentric and eccentric portions of the CMJ with the BP and SJ. The ANOVA revealed significantly lower BF activation in the concentric and eccentric portions of the CMJ compared to the BP (64%, p < 0.001) and SJ (7%, p = 0.02), respectively. These findings suggest that the CMJ relies on a greater contribution of elastic tissues during the concentric and eccentric portions of the movement and thus requires less muscle activation of the BF.
Application of the variable projection scheme for frequency-domain full-waveform inversion
Authors: Li Maokun , Rickett James , Abubakar Aria
Published: October 2013

We found a data calibration scheme for frequency-domain full-waveform inversion (FWI). The scheme is based on the variable projection technique. With this scheme, the FWI algorithm can incorporate the data calibration procedure into the inversion process without introducing additional unknown parameters. The calibration variable for each frequency is computed using a minimum norm solution between the measured and simulated data. This process is directly included in the data misfit cost function. Therefore, the inversion algorithm becomes source independent. Moreover, because all the data points are considered in the calibration process, this scheme increases the robustness of the algorithm. Numerical tests determined that the FWI algorithm can reconstruct velocity distributions accurately without the source waveform information.
First-break traveltime tomography with the double-square-root eikonal equation
Authors: Li Siwei , Vladimirsky Alexander , Fomel Sergey
Published: October 2013

First-break traveltime tomography is based on the eikonal equation. Because the eikonal equation is solved at fixed-shot positions and only receiver positions can move along the raypath, the adjoint-state tomography relies on inversion to resolve possible contradicting information between independent shots. The double-square-root (DSR) eikonal equation allows not only the receivers but also the shots to change position, and thus describes the prestack survey as a whole. Consequently, its linearized tomographic operator naturally handles all shots together, in contrast with the shotwise approach in the traditional eikonal-based framework. The DSR eikonal equation is singular for the horizontal waves, which require special handling. Although it is possible to recover all branches of the solution through postprocessing, our current forward modeling and tomography focuses on the diving wave branch only. We consider two upwind discretizations of the DSR eikonal equation and show that the explicit scheme is only conditionally convergent and relies on nonphysical stability conditions. We then prove that an implicit upwind discretization is unconditionally convergent and monotonically causal. The latter property makes it possible to introduce a modified fast matching method thus obtaining first-break traveltimes efficiently and accurately. To compare the new DSR eikonal-based tomography and traditional eikonal-based tomography, we perform linearizations and apply the same adjoint-state formulation and upwind finite-differences implementation to both approaches. Synthetic model examples justify that the proposed approach converges faster and is more robust than the traditional one.
The Effects of Testosterone Deprivation and Supplementation on Proteasomal and Autophagy Activity in the Skeletal Muscle of the Male Mouse: Differential Effects on High-Androgen Responder and Low-Androgen Responder Muscle Groups
Authors: Serra Carlo , Sandor Nicolae Lucian , Jang Hyeran , Lee Daniel , Toraldo Gianluca , Guarneri Tyler , Wong Siu , Zhang Anqi , Guo Wen , Jasuja Ravi , Bhasin Shalender
Published: October 2013

Men with prostate cancer who receive androgen deprivation therapy show profound skeletal muscle loss. We hypothesized that the androgen deficiency activates not only the ubiquitin-proteasome systems but also the autophagy and affects key aspects of the molecular cross talk between protein synthesis and degradation. Here, 2-month-old male mice were castrated and treated with either testosterone (T) propionate or vehicle for 7 days (short term) or 43 days (long term), and with and without hydroxyflutamide. Castrated mice showed rapid and profound atrophy of the levator ani muscle (high androgen responder) at short term and lesser atrophy of the triceps muscle (low androgen responder) at long term. Levator ani and triceps muscles of castrated mice showed increased level of autophagy markers and lysosome enzymatic activity; only the levator ani showed increased proteasomal enzymatic activity. The levator ani muscle of the castrated mice showed increased level and activation of forkhead box protein O3A, the inhibition of mechanistic target of rapamicyn, and the activation of tuberous sclerosis complex protein 2 and 5′-AMP-activated protein kinase. Similar results were obtained in the triceps muscle of castrated mice. T rescued the loss of muscle mass after orchiectomy and inhibited lysosome and proteasome pathways dose dependently and in a seemingly IGF-I-dependent manner. Hydroxyflutamide attenuated the effect of T in the levator ani muscle of castrated mice. In conclusion, androgen deprivation in adult mice induces muscle atrophy associated with proteasomal and lysosomal activity. T optimizes muscle protein balance by modulating the equilibrium between mechanistic target of rapamicyn and 5′-AMP-activated protein kinase pathways.
The Effects of Dickkopf-4 on the Proliferation, Differentiation, and Apoptosis of Osteoblasts
Authors: Hiramitsu Shiro , Terauchi Masakazu , Kubota Toshiro
Published: October 2013

The Dickkopf family of proteins is comprised of four members (Dkk1, Dkk2, Dkk3, Dkk4) that are known to modulate Wnt/β-catenin signaling, which is activated during bone formation. Although the effects of Dkk1 on Wnt/β-catenin signaling have been well studied, little is known about the effects of Dkk4. Therefore, to evaluate the role of Dkk4 in osteoblastogenesis, we used the mouse osteoblastic cell line MC3T3-E1, in which Dkk4 expression was suppressed by small interfering RNA knockdown. Our results showed that the suppression of Dkk4 expression promoted osteoblast proliferation and differentiation and suppressed apoptosis. In colony-forming unit alkaline phosphatase assay, Dkk4 knockdown cells possessed markedly higher alkaline phosphatase activity compared with Dkk1 knockdown cells. Reduced Dkk4 expression also led to the up-regulation of β-catenin levels, β-catenin/T cell factor activity, and Wnt-target genes. In contrast, overexpression of Dkk4 in MC3T3-E1 cells led to inhibition of osteoblast differentiation. Our findings reveal that Dkk4 functions as an inhibitor of osteoblastogenesis through Wnt/β-catenin signaling, providing new insights into the relationship between Wnt/β-catenin signaling and Dkk4 in bone formation.
Exendin-4 Improves β-Cell Function in Autophagy-Deficient β-Cells
Authors: Abe Hiroko , Uchida Toyoyoshi , Hara Akemi , Mizukami Hiroki , Komiya Koji , Koike Masato , Shigihara Nayumi , Toyofuku Yukiko , Ogihara Takeshi , Uchiyama Yasuo , Yagihashi Soroku , Fujitani Yoshio , Watada Hirotaka
Published: October 2013

Autophagy is cellular machinery for maintenance of β-cell function and mass. The implication of autophagy failure in β-cells on the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes and its relation to the effect of treatment of diabetes remains elusive. Here, we found increased expression of p62 in islets of db/db mice and patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Treatment with exendin-4, a glucagon like peptide-1 receptor agonist, improved glucose tolerance in db/db mice without significant changes in p62 expression in β-cells. Also in β-cell-specific Atg7-deficient mice, exendin-4 efficiently improved blood glucose level and glucose tolerance mainly by enhanced insulin secretion. In addition, we found that exendin-4 reduced apoptotic cell death and increased proliferating cells in the Atg7-deficient islets, and that exendin-4 counteracted thapsigargin-induced cell death of isolated islets augmented by autophagy deficiency. Our results suggest the potential involvement of reduced autophagy in β-cell dysfunction in type 2 diabetes. Without altering the autophagic state in β-cells, exendin-4 improves glucose tolerance associated with autophagy deficiency in β-cells. This is mainly achieved through augmentation of insulin secretion. In addition, exendin-4 prevents apoptosis and increases the proliferation of β-cells associated with autophagy deficiency, also without altering the autophagic machinery in β-cells.
Smad2 and Smad3 cooperate and antagonize simultaneously in vertebrate neurogenesis
Authors: Míguez David G. , Gil-Guiñón Estel , Pons Sebastián , Martí Elisa
Published: October 2013

The transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) pathway plays key roles in development and cancer. (TGF-β) signaling converges on the Smad2 and Smad3 effectors, which can either cooperate or antagonize to regulate their transcriptional targets. Here we performed in vivo and in silico experiments to study how such cooperativity and antagonism might function during neurogenesis. In vivo electroporation experiments in the chick embryo neural tube show that Smad2 and Smad3 cooperate to promote neurogenesis, as well as the transcription of Smad3 specific targets. Smad2 knockdown enhances neurogenesis and the transcription of Smad3 specific targets. A mathematical model of the TGF-β pathway fits the experimental results and predicts that the proportions of the three different trimeric complexes formed dictates the transcriptional responses of the R-Smads. As such, Smad2 targets are activated solely by the Smad2-Smad2-Smad4 complex, while Smad3 targets are activated both by Smad2-Smad3 Smad4 and Smad3- Smad3-Smad4 trimers. Since we have modeled the Smad responses onto arbitrary genes, we propose that this mechanism might be extended to additional activities of TGF-β in development and disease.
Short length transmembrane domains having voluminous exoplasmic halves determine retention of Type II membrane proteins in the Golgi complex
Authors: Quiroga Rodrigo , Trenchi Alejandra , Montoro Ayelén González , Taubas Javier Valdez , Maccioni Hugo J. F.
Published: October 2013

It is still unclear why some proteins that travel along the secretory pathway are retained in the Golgi complex while others follow their way to the plasma membrane (PM). Recent bioinformatic analyses on a large number of single spanning membrane proteins support the hypothesis that specific features of the Trans-Membrane Domain (TMD) are relevant to the sorting of these proteins to particular organelles. Here we experimentally test this hypothesis for Golgi and PM proteins. Using the Golgi SNARE Sft1 and the PM SNARE Sso1 from Saccharomyces cerevisiae as model proteins, we modified the length of their TMDs and the volume of their exoplasmic hemi-TMD, and determined their subcellular localization both in yeast and mammalian cells. We found that short TMDs with voluminous exoplasmic hemi-TMDs confer Golgi membrane residence, while TMDs having less voluminous exoplasmic hemi-TMDs, being either short or long, confer PM residence to these proteins. Results indicate that the shape of the exoplasmic hemi-TMD, in addition to the length of the entire TMD, determine retention in the Golgi or exit to the PM of Type II membrane proteins.
Glycosylation of closely spaced acceptor sites in human glycoproteins
Authors: Shrimal Shiteshu , Gilmore Reid
Published: October 2013

Asparagine linked glycosylation of proteins by the oligosaccharyltransferse (OST) occurs when acceptor sites or sequons (N-X≠P-T/S) on nascent polypeptides enter the lumen of the rough endoplasmic reticulum. Metazoan organisms assemble two isoforms of the oligosaccharyltransferase that have different catalytic subunits (STT3A or STT3B) and partially non-overlapping cellular roles. Potential glycosylation sites move past the translocation channel associated STT3A complex at the protein synthesis elongation rate. Here, we have investigated whether close spacing between acceptor sites in a nascent protein promotes site skipping by the STT3A complex. Biosynthetic analysis of four human glycoproteins revealed that closely spaced sites are efficiently glycosylated by an STT3B-independent process unless the sequons contain non-optimal sequence features including extreme close spacing between sequons (e.g., NXTNXT) or the presence of paired NXS sequons (e.g., NXSANXS). Many, but not all, glycosylation sites that are skipped by the STT3A complex can be glycosylated by the STT3B complex. Analysis of a murine glycoprotein database revealed that closely spaced sequons are surprisingly common, and are enriched for paired NXT sites when the gap between sequons is less than three residues.
Explaining Charter School Effectiveness
Authors: Angrist Joshua D , Pathak Parag A , Walters Christopher R
Published: October 2013

Lottery estimates suggest Massachusetts' urban charter schools boost achievement well beyond that of traditional urban public schools students, while nonurban charters reduce achievement from a higher baseline. The fact that urban charters are most effective for poor nonwhites and low-baseline achievers contributes to, but does not fully explain, these differences. We therefore link school-level charter impacts to school inputs and practices. The relative efficacy of urban lottery sample charters is accounted for by these schools' embrace of the No Excuses approach to urban education. In our Massachusetts sample, Non-No-Excuses urban charters are no more effective than nonurban charters. (JEL H75, I21, I28)
Employment, Wages, and Voter Turnout
Authors: Charles Kerwin Kofi , Stephens Melvin
Published: October 2013

Using county-level data across several decades, and various OLS and TSLS models, we find that higher local wages and employment lower turnout in elections for governor, senator, US Congress and state House of Representatives, but have no effect on presidential turnout. We also find that the share of people voting in one election but not in another on the same ballot increases as local labor market conditions improve. We argue that these results are most consistent with information-based models of voting, and use individual level panel data to show that increased employment lowers media usage and political knowledge. (JEL D72, D83, J22, J31, R23)
Asymmetric Information between Employers
Authors: Kahn Lisa B
Published: October 2013

This study explores whether potential employers have the same information about worker ability as the incumbent firm. I develop a model of asymmetric learning that nests the symmetric learning case and allows the degree of asymmetry to vary. I then show how predictions in the model can be tested with compensation data. Using the NLSY, I test the model and find strong support for asymmetric information. My estimates imply that in one period, outside firms reduce the average expectation error over worker ability by only a third of the reduction made by incumbent firms. (JEL D82, J24, J31, M12)
The Impact of Intergovernmental Transfers on Education Outcomes and Poverty Reduction
Authors: Litschig Stephan , Morrison Kevin M
Published: October 2013

This paper provides regression discontinuity evidence on development impacts of intergovernmental transfers. Extra transfers in Brazil increased local government spending per capita by about 20 percent over a 4 year period with no evidence of crowding out own revenue or other revenue sources. Schooling per capita increased by about 7 percent and literacy rates by about 4 percentage points. In line with the effect on human capital, the poverty rate was reduced by about 4 percentage points. Somewhat noisier results also suggest that the reelection probability of local incumbent parties in the 1988 elections improved by about 10 percentage points. (JEL H72, H75, I21, I28, I32, I38, O15)
Risk Protection, Service Use, and Health Outcomes under Colombia's Health Insurance Program for the Poor
Authors: Miller Grant , Pinto Diana , Vera-Hernández Marcos
Published: October 2013

Unexpected medical care spending imposes considerable financial risk on developing country households. Based on managed care models of health insurance in wealthy countries, Colombia's Régimen Subsidiado is a publicly financed insurance program targeted to the poor, aiming both to provide risk protection and to promote allocative efficiency in the use of medical care. Using a “fuzzy” regression discontinuity design, we find that the program has shielded the poor from some financial risk while increasing the use of traditionally underutilized preventive services—with measurable health gains. (JEL G22, I13, I18, I38, O15)
Deterrence and Geographical Externalities in Auto Theft
Authors: Gonzalez-Navarro Marco
Published: October 2013

Understanding the degree of geographical crime displacement is crucial for the design of crime prevention policies. This paper documents changes in automobile theft risk that were generated by the plausibly exogenous introduction of Lojack, a highly effective stolen vehicle recovery device, into a number of new Ford car models in some Mexican states, but not others. Lojack-equipped vehicles in Lojack-coverage states experienced a 48 percent reduction in theft risk due to deterrence effects. However, 18 percent of the reduction in thefts was displaced toward unprotected Lojack models in non-Lojack states, providing new evidence of geographical crime displacement in auto theft. (JEL H76, H77, K42, O17, O18, R23)
Rrp47 functions in RNA surveillance and stable RNA processing when divorced from the exoribonuclease and exosome-binding domains of Rrp6
Authors: Garland William , Feigenbutz Monika , Turner Martin , Mitchell Phil
Published: October 2013

The eukaryotic exosome exoribonuclease Rrp6 forms a complex with Rrp47 that functions in nuclear RNA quality control mechanisms, the degradation of cryptic unstable transcripts (CUTs), and in the 3′ end maturation of stable RNAs. Stable expression of Rrp47 is dependent upon its interaction with the N-terminal domain of Rrp6 (Rrp6NT). To address the function of Rrp47 independently of Rrp6, we developed a DECOID (decreased expression of complexes by overexpression of interacting domains) strategy to resolve the Rrp6/Rrp47 complex in vivo and employed mpp6Δ and rex1Δ mutants that are synthetic lethal with loss-of-function rrp47 mutants. Strikingly, Rrp47 was able to function in mpp6Δ and rex1Δ mutants when separated from the catalytic and exosome-binding domains of Rrp6, whereas a truncated Rrp47 protein lacking its C-terminal region caused a block in cell growth. Northern analyses of the conditional mutants revealed a specific block in the 3′ maturation of box C/D snoRNAs in the rex1 rrp47 mutant and widespread inhibition of Rrp6-mediated RNA surveillance processes in the mpp6 rrp47 mutant. In contrast, growth analyses and RNA northern blot hybridization analyses showed no effect on the rrp47Δ mutant upon overexpression of the Rrp6NT domain. These findings demonstrate that Rrp47 and Rrp6 have resolvable functions in Rrp6-mediated RNA surveillance and processing pathways. In addition, this study reveals a redundant requirement for Rrp6 or Rex1 in snoRNA maturation and demonstrates the effective use of the DECOID strategy for the resolution and functional analysis of protein complexes.
Density but not climate affects the population growth rate of guanacos (Lama guanicoe) (Artiodactyla, Camelidae)
Authors: Zubillaga María , Skewes Oscar , Soto Nicolás , Rabinovich Jorge E
Published: October 2013

We analyzed the effects of population density and climatic variables on the rate of population growth in the guanaco (Lama guanicoe), a wild camelid species in South America. We used a time series of 36 years (1977-2012) of population sampling in Tierra del Fuego, Chile. Individuals were grouped in three age-classes: newborns, juveniles, and adults; for each year a population transition matrix was constructed, and the population growth rate (λ) was estimated for each year as the matrix highest positive eigenvalue. We applied a stepwise regression analysis with population growth rate (λ) as dependent variable, and total guanaco population (in natural logs), annual mean precipitation, and winter mean temperature as independent variables, with and without time lags. The effect of population size was statistically significant, but the effect of the climatic variables on guanaco population growth rate was not significant.
Manufacturer and Retailer Strategies to Impact Store Brand Share: Global Integration, Local Adaptation, and Worldwide Learning
Authors: Steenkamp Jan-Benedict E. M. , Geyskens Inge
Published: October 2013

Although store brands (SBs) are becoming increasingly important across the world, their success varies dramatically across consumer packaged goods categories and countries. The purpose of this paper is to provide insight into how such differences in SB success originate. Using a unique data set that combines scanner data for a three- to five-year period with consumer survey data (n = 20,987) for scores of food, household care, and personal care categories from 23 countries around the world, we identify cross-national regularities as to the role of nine manufacturer and retailer factors in explaining SB market share. For each manufacturer and retailer factor, we determine whether it can be part of a global integration strategy, whether it can be included in a local adaptation strategy, or whether it is a candidate for worldwide learning. Our findings have important implications for national brand manufacturers and retailers.
Morphing Banner Advertising
Authors: Urban Glen L. , Liberali Guilherme (Gui) , MacDonald Erin , Bordley Robert , Hauser John R.
Published: October 2013

Researchers and practitioners devote substantial effort to targeting banner advertisements to consumers, but they focus less effort on how to communicate with consumers once targeted. Morphing enables a website to learn, automatically and near optimally, which banner advertisements to serve to consumers to maximize click-through rates, brand consideration, and purchase likelihood. Banners are matched to consumers based on posterior probabilities of latent segment membership, which are identified from consumers' clickstreams.

This paper describes the first large-sample random-assignment field test of banner morphing—more than 100,000 consumers viewed more than 450,000 banners on CNET.com. On relevant Web pages, CNET's click-through rates almost doubled relative to control banners. We supplement the CNET field test with an experiment on an automotive information-and-recommendation website. The automotive experiment replaces automated learning with a longitudinal design that implements morph-to-segment matching. Banners matched to cognitive styles, as well as the stage of the consumer's buying process and body-type preference, significantly increase click-through rates, brand consideration, and purchase likelihood relative to a control. The CNET field test and automotive experiment demonstrate that matching banners to cognitive-style segments is feasible and provides significant benefits above and beyond traditional targeting. Improved banner effectiveness has strategic implications for allocations of budgets among media.
Modeling Choice Interdependence in a Social Network
Authors: Wang Jing , Aribarg Anocha , Atchadé Yves F.
Published: October 2013

This paper investigates how individuals' product choices are influenced by the product choices of their connected others and how the influence mechanism may differ for fashion- versus technology-related products. We conduct a novel field experiment to induce and observe choice interdependence in a closed social network. In our experiment, we conceptualize individuals' choices to be driven by multiattribute utilities, and we measure their initial attribute preferences prior to observing their choice interdependence and collecting network information. These design elements help alleviate concerns in identifying social interaction effects from other confounds. Given that we have complete information on choices and their sequence, we use a discrete-time Markov chain model. Nonetheless, we also use a Markov random field (MRF) model as an alternative when the information on choice sequence is missing. We find significant social interaction effects. Our findings show that whereas experts exert asymmetrically greater influence on a technology-related product, popular individuals exert greater influence on a fashion-related product. In addition, we find choices made by early decision makers to be more influential than choices made later for the technology-related product. Finally, using the MRF with snapshot data can also provide good out-of-sample predictions for a technology-related product.
Clinical Efficacy of Intravitreal Injection of Dobesilate for Reversing Choroidal Angiogenesis in Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Authors: Cuevas P. , Outeiriño L.A. , Azanza C. , Angulo J. , Giménez-Gallego G.
Published: October 2013

Wet age-related macular degeneration is associated with chronic ischemia and inflammation that upregulate several inflammatory cytokines and growth factors, particularly vascular endothelial growth factor and fibroblast growth factor which promote the growth of choroidal neovascularization. Only with the introduction of drugs that directly inhibit the actions of vascular endothelial growth factor have ophthalmologists been able to offer patients with wet age-related macular degeneration reasonable hope for improvement of vision. However, intravitreal administration of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drugs could be associated with unexpected ocular and systemic side effects. We present consecutive case series of 64 eyes of 64 patients with wet age-related macular degeneration treated with a single intravitreal injection of Dobesilate, a synthetic fibroblast growth factor inhibitor. The end points were the improvement from baseline visual acuity and normalization of retinal histology at 1 month. Intravitreal Dobesilate injection results in a significant improvement in functional and anatomic outcomes from the first month after injection. There were no cases of treatment-associated complications.
Possible Role of the Transglutaminases in the Pathogenesis of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Authors: Iannaccone Martina , Titta Federica , Marra Fabiana , Gentile Vittorio
Published: October 2013

Transglutaminases are ubiquitous enzymes which catalyze posttranslational modifications of proteins. Recently, transglutaminase-catalyzed post-translational modifications of proteins have been shown to be involved in molecular mechanisms responsible for human diseases. Transglutaminase-catalyzed post-translational modifications of proteins have been hypothesized to be involved also in the pathogenetic mechanisms responsible for several human neurodegenerative diseases. Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease, supranuclear palsy, Huntington’s disease, and other polyglutamine diseases, are characterized in part by aberrant cerebral transglutaminase activity and by increased cross-linked proteins in affected brains. This review focuses on the possible molecular mechanisms by which transglutaminase activity could be involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases, and on the possible therapeutic effects of selective transglutaminase inhibitors for the cure of patients with diseases characterized by aberrant transglutaminase activity.
Stem Cell Therapy in Some Rheumatic Diseases: Is Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation A Hope for Refractory Autoimmune Diseases?
Authors: EL Gendi Salwa S.
Published: October 2013

Stem cells are cells with the potential to develop into many different types of cells in the body. They serve as a repair system for the body. There are two main types of stem cells: embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells.
Doctors and scientists are excited about stem cells because they have potential in many different areas of health and medical research. Immunoablative therapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is an intensive treatment modality aimed at‘resetting’ the dysregulated immune system of a patient with immunoablative therapy and allow outgrowth of a nonautogressive immune system from reinfused hematopoietic stem cells, either from the patient (autologous HSCT) or a healthy donor (allogeneic HSCT).
Animal studies have demonstrated that HSCs play an important role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases AD. Adoptive transfer of HSCs after immunoablative therapy caused, prevented, or cured AD.
Multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are of a rapidly moving field in rheumatology, initially based on their cartilage/bone differentiation potential now partly eclipsed by their capacity to counteract adverse host immune responses, improve angiogenesis and prevent fibrosis. Indeed, MSCs are the progenitors of multiple tissues including bone, cartilage, muscle, fat and tendon. At present, MSCs seem to be the best candidates for cell therapy to regenerate injured tissue as they are easily isolated from bone marrow (BM) or adipose tissue and can be rapidly amplified. This has open novel therapeutic applications for various diseases including RA, bone and cartilage genetic disorders as well as bone metastasis.
In this review I discuss role of stem cell therapy in various rheumatic diseases.
Data Warehouse Governance Programs in Healthcare Settings: A Literature Review and
a Call to Action
Authors: Elliott Thomas E. , Holmes John H. , Davidson Arthur J. , La Chance Pierre-Andre , Nelson Andrew F. , Steiner John F.
Published: October 2013

Purpose: Given the extensive data stored in healthcare data warehouses, data
warehouse governance policies are needed to ensure data integrity and privacy. This
review examines the current state of the data warehouse governance literature as it
applies to healthcare data warehouses, identifies knowledge gaps, provides
recommendations, and suggests approaches for further research.Methods: A comprehensive
literature search using five data bases, journal article title-search, and citation
searches was conducted between 1997 and 2012. Data warehouse governance documents from
two healthcare systems in theUSA were also reviewed. A modified version of nine
components from the Data Governance Institute Framework for data warehouse governance
guided the qualitative analysis.Results: Fifteen articles were retrieved. Only three
were related to healthcare settings, each of which addressed only one of the nine
framework components. Of the remaining 12 articles, 10 addressed between one and seven
framework components and the remainder addressed none. Each of the two data warehouse
governance plans obtained from healthcare systems in theUSA addressed a subset of the
framework components, and between them they covered all nine.Conclusions: While
published data warehouse governance policies are rare, the 15 articles and two
healthcare organizational documents reviewed in this study may provide guidance to
creating such policies. Additional research is needed in this area to ensure that data
warehouse governance polices are feasible and effective. The gap between the development
of data warehouses in healthcare settings and formal governance policies is substantial,
as evidenced by the sparse literature in this domain.
Re-producing western goods for transnational markets: Case studies in rebranding and revaluing second-hand clothes
Authors: Botticello Julie
Published: October 2013

In an age of consumer plenty, the over abundance of clothing available to western consumers has, through rapid cycles of consumption and disposal, generated a surfeit of unwanted, yet clearly still useful, second-hand clothing. While some of these garments are sold in charity shops, many find their way to commercial sorters who specialize in transforming these waste items to wanted, and resalable, goods in new contexts. This is done by adding value to the garments, through selection from the waste pile, by giving further care through washing or mending, and by specially choosing new market outlets for optimum resale. Through these means, old clothes are effectively rebranded with a metaphorical quality mark of the person or company reprocessing them. Based on three case studies with middlemen resellers who operate on local, national and transnational scales, this article shows that the reinvigoration of second-hand clothes is embedded in person-to-person and person-to-clothing relations, whereby new value is given to old clothes that often supersedes the designations of brand names and labels granted during original production.
The Wonders of Norwegian Wool
Authors: Hebrok Marie , Klepp Ingun G.
Published: October 2013

This article draws from research undertaken as part of the Valuing Norwegian Wool project. Here, we will discuss the Norwegianess of Norwegian wool as found and used in Norwegian wardrobes following a wardrobe studies methodology. As a method, the wardrobe study aims to consider the materiality of garments in clothes research outside of but in addition to more usual studies of dress. Analysing the materiality of objects in connection with the social and cultural aspects of clothing facilitates a greater knowledge of the relations between materiality and practice (object and wear). This article addresses the fundamental questions and responses arising from this project: What constitutes Norwegian wool in the minds of Norwegians? How are material, cultural and social aspects of wool co-produced, and how do they relate to each other?