bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Phenox Clot Retriever as Part of a Multimodal Mechanical Thrombectomy Approach in Acute Ischemic Stroke: Single Center Experience in 56 Patients
Authors: Prothmann Sascha , Lockau Hannah , Dorn Franziska , Poppert Holger , Förschler Annette , Zimmer Claus , Liebig Thomas
Published: April 2012

Purpose. We analyzed our experience with the phenox clot retriever as part of a multimodal mechanical thrombectomy (MTE) approach in acute ischemic stroke.Methods. 56 patients were treated by MTE with the phenox clot retriever alone or in combination with other modalities.Results. Overall we achieved TICI 2b/3 reperfusion rates of 61,9%. In multimodally treated patients we achieved reperfusion rates of 72,8%. There were 3 (5,5%) severe adverse events, all symptomatic intracranial hemorrhages. The mean angio to reperfusion times (ART) were 74 minutes for phenox-only procedures and 51 minutes for multimodal procedures. A chronological analysis showed a reduction of ART from 70,5 to 49,4 minutes and an increase of TICI 2b/3 recanalizations from 53,8% to 81,8%. Throughout the observation period there was a significant shift towards multimodal procedures with simultaneous increase of TICI 2b/3 reperfusions. Both effects are partially attributable to our institutional learning curve. NIHSS improvement could be seen in 54% () overall and in 73% () of MCA recanalizations.Conclusions. The phenox clot retriever is a safe and effective tool for MTE in acute stroke patients, with faster and better reperfusion results when used as part of a multimodal strategy. Clinical improvement is more frequent in MCA recanalizations.
Purification of human and avian influenza viruses using cellulose sulfate ester (Cellufine Sulfate) in the process of vaccine production
Authors: Sakoda Yoshihiro , Okamatsu Masatoshi , Isoda Norikazu , Yamamoto Naoki , Ozaki Koichi , Umeda Yasuto , Aoyama Shigeyuki , Kida Hiroshi
Published: April 2012

Affinity chromatography using sulfated, spherical cellulose beads (Cellufine Sulfate) was assessed for purification of influenza A and influenza B viruses. Recovery rates of viruses eluted from the beads were high for all tested virus strains. This method was also useful for removing chicken egg‐derived impurities from allantoic fluids containing influenza viruses; the hemagglutination activity per amount of protein in the eluted sample was significantly higher than that in the applied sample. These results suggest that use of Cellufine Sulfate is a practical method for primary purification of influenza viruses in the process of influenza vaccine production.
Characterization of different 5′‐untranslated exons of the ASIP gene in black‐and‐tan Doberman Pinscher and brindle Boxer dogs
Authors: Ciampolini Roberta , Cecchi Francesca , Spaterna Andrea , Bramante Assunta , Bardet Sylvia M. , Oulmouden Ahmad
Published: April 2012

Differential expression of the ASIP gene and its interaction with MC1R have provided basic insight into pigment‐type switching in mammals. Here, we report the characterization of a specific red‐haired skin transcript and a specific black‐haired skin transcript in the ASIP gene in the black‐and‐tan Doberman Pinscher. It is also shown that the brindle‐haired skin of the Boxer exhibits a deregulated expression resulting in various 5′‐untranslated exons. Comparative sequence analysis revealed a short interspersed element and a poly(A) stretch inserted within the promoter region of the ASIP in the Boxer. Genotyping studies have shown that both insertions are also present in brindle and fawn animals of the Boxer and Great Dane breeds. Furthermore, we genotyped MC1R and K loci for their known variants that affect coat color in dogs. As expected, all animals were homozygotes (EM/EM) for the mask mutation, and fawn animals were ky/ky. Unexpectedly, we found that all brindle animals were heterozygotes kB/ky. Our results suggest that differential expression of ASIP determine pigment‐type switching in a MC1R and K allele‐dependent manner in dogs.
The association between vitamin D status and type 2 diabetes in a Thai population, a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Chailurkit La‐or , Aekplakorn Wichai , Ongphiphadhanakul Boonsong
Published: April 2012

Objective

To explore vitamin D status in relation to diabetes, based on data from a national health examination survey in Thailand.

Design and Methods

A total of 2641 adults, aged 15–98 years, were randomly selected according to geographical region from the Thai 4th National Health Examination Survey sample. Logistic regressions were used to examine the cross‐sectional association between diabetes status and level of 25(OH)D separately by age groups and areas of residence.

Results

Fifty per cent of the subjects were men and 5·8% had diabetes. The mean level of 25(OH)D was 79·3 ± 0·8 nm. Based on cut‐off values of 50 and 75 nm, six per cent and 45% had vitamin D insufficiency, respectively. In a regression model, it was found that 25(OH)D3 and total 25(OH)D were positively associated with diabetes. In addition, logistic regression analysis showed that low circulating 25(OH)D3, but not 25(OH)D2, levels was significantly associated with an increased odds of diabetes in older persons (aged ≥70 years) in urban areas. However, for subjects residing in rural areas, no association between serum 25(OH)D3 or total 25(OH)D and diabetes was found. Furthermore, vitamin D insufficiency was associated with a higher risk of diabetes (OR, 1·56; 95% CI, 1·10–1·12) only in the urban elderly.

Conclusion

Low vitamin D status is modestly associated with a small increase in the risk of diabetes in the urban Thai elderly. The observation that higher vitamin D status is associated with increased diabetic risk in young adults needs to be further explored and confirmed.
Management of bleeding disorders: basic science
Authors: OFOSU F. A. , SANTAGOSTINO E. , GRANCHA S. , MARCO P.
Published: April 2012

Summary.  Development of factor VIII (FVIII) inhibitors is the most severe and challenging complication of haemophilia A treatment and represents the highest economic burden for a chronic disease. Therefore, major research efforts are ongoing to optimize the therapeutic approaches able to minimize this complication. FVIII inhibitors have variable immuno‐reactivity against different FVIII concentrates and generally have a lower reactivity against von Willebrand factor (VWF)‐containing FVIII concentrates than plasma‐derived FVIII (pdFVIII) or recombinant FVIII (rFVIII) that are devoid of VWF, in particular when the inhibitors are directed against the light chain of FVIII. This paper provides an overview of several in vitro and in vivo studies that compared three clinically available clinical FVIII products (Kogenate®, Bayer AG, Leverkusen, Germany; Advate®, Baxter Healthcare, Zurich, Switzerland; and Fanhdi®, Grifols S.A., Barcelona, Spain) in order to evaluate the functional actvity of the FVIII fractions in rFVIII that cannot bind VWF; explore the use of the thrombin generation assay (TGA) as a potential tool for optimizing the choice of FVIII concentrate for use in haemophilia A patients with inhibitors; compare the kinetics of the interactions between anti‐FVIII antibodies and FVIII both in the presence/absence of VWF, using surface plasmon resonance.
Infectivity study of Streptococcus phocae to seven fish and mammalian cell lines by confocal microscopy
Authors: Cortez‐San Martin M , González‐Contreras A , Avendaño‐Herrera R
Published: April 2012

Streptococcus phocae is a beta‐haemolytic bacterium that causes systemic infections in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., cultured in southern Chile and also in seals. In this study, the host–pathogen interaction between S. phocae and seven types of cell lines (fish and mammalian) was examined using an indirect fluorescent antibody and confocal microscopy (CM). Chinook salmon embryo (CHSE‐214), epithelioma papulosum cyprini (EPC), salmon head kidney (SHK‐1) and Atlantic salmon kidney were used as the fish cell lines, while human cervix epithelial adenocarcinoma (HeLa), African green monkey kidney fibroblast (Cos‐7) and mouse leukaemic monocyte macrophage (Raw 264.7) were included as mammalian cell lines. Streptococcus phocae type strain ATCC 51973T and isolates LM‐08‐Sp and P23 were selected as representatives from the salmon and seal host, respectively. For the CM examination, monolayers seeded on round coverslips were studied at 2‐ and 20‐h post‐inoculation (pi). The results showed that there is no common infectivity pattern between the three S. phocae strains at 2‐h pi and the cell lines tested, regardless of the source of isolation (seal or salmon). All S. phocae strains could internalize and were found inside the fish and mammalian cell cytoplasm after 20‐h pi. Regardless of the cells studied (fish or mammal) and incubation (2 and 20 h), S. phocae was never observed inside the nuclei. Seal and salmon isolates showed the highest number of bacteria entering into the primate cell lines (HeLa and Cos‐7) from 2‐h pi, while ATCC 51973T was not found outside or inside the HeLa and Cos‐7 cells.
The evolution of new lipoprotein subunits of the bacterial outer membrane BAM complex
Authors: Anwari Khatira , Webb Chaille T. , Poggio Sebastian , Perry Andrew J. , Belousoff Matthew , Celik Nermin , Ramm Georg , Lovering Andrew , Sockett R. Elizabeth , Smit John , Jacobs‐Wagner Christine , Lithgow Trevor
Published: April 2012

The β‐barrel assembly machine (BAM) complex is an essential feature of all bacteria with an outer membrane. The core subunit of the BAM complex is BamA and, in Escherichia coli, four lipoprotein subunits: BamB, BamC, BamD and BamE, also function in the BAM complex. Hidden Markov model analysis was used to comprehensively assess the distribution of subunits of the BAM lipoproteins across all subclasses of proteobacteria. A patchwork distribution was detected which is readily reconciled with the evolution of the α‐, β‐, γ‐, δ‐ and ε‐proteobacteria. Our findings lead to a proposal that the ancestral BAM complex was composed of two subunits: BamA and BamD, and that BamB, BamC and BamE evolved later in a distinct sequence of events. Furthermore, in some lineages novel lipoproteins have evolved instead of the lipoproteins found in E. coli. As an example of this concept, we show that no known species of α‐proteobacteria has a homologue of BamC. However, purification of the BAM complex from the model α‐proteobacterium Caulobacter crescentus identified a novel subunit we refer to as BamF, which has a conserved sequence motif related to sequences found in BamC. BamF and BamD can be eluted from the BAM complex under similar conditions, mirroring the BamC:D module seen in the BAM complex of γ‐proteobacteria such as E. coli.
Fusarium wilt‐resistant lines of Brazil banana (Musa spp., AAA) obtained by EMS‐induced mutation in a micro‐cross‐section cultural system
Authors: Chen Y. F. , Chen W. , Huang X. , Hu X. , Zhao J. T. , Gong Q. , Li X. J. , Huang X. L.
Published: April 2012

This study combined the micro‐cross‐section cultural system with in vitro mutagenesis induced by ethyl methanesulphonate (EMS) to screen for fusarium wilt‐resistant lines of Brazil banana (Musa spp., AAA). The results indicated that the optimum EMS concentration and duration for the treatment of micro‐cross‐sections cut from the pseudostem of tissue‐cultured plantlet were 300 mm and 60 min, respectively. Under the optimal treatment, an average of 2·2 regenerated shoots were produced from each explant. One hundred regenerated plantlets were used for screening for fusarium wilt‐resistant lines by the early screening technique. The initial disease symptom – yellowing in lower leaves of susceptible plantlets – was observed 2 weeks after inoculation. After 2 months, only six plants survived – the putative fusarium wilt‐resistant lines. The fusarium wilt pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense race 4, was identified in the preliminary test field by a SCAR marker technique. Of the six putative resistant lines, five survived the preliminary field test. The regenerated plantlets from these five fusarium wilt‐resistant lines were subjected to early screening again, where they showed markedly reduced disease incidences compared with regenerated plantlets of Brazil banana (control). It was concluded that EMS‐induced mutation of banana through the micro‐cross‐section cultural system is potentially useful for banana improvement.
Correlated evolution of phenotypic plasticity in metamorphic timing
Authors: MICHIMAE H. , EMURA T.
Published: April 2012

Phenotypic plasticity has long been a focus of research, but the mechanisms of its evolution remain controversial. Many amphibian species exhibit a similar plastic response in metamorphic timing in response to multiple environmental factors; therefore, more than one environmental factor has likely influenced the evolution of plasticity. However, it is unclear whether the plastic responses to different factors have evolved independently. In this study, we examined the relationship between the plastic responses to two experimental factors (water level and food type) in larvae of the salamanderHynobius retardatus, using a cause‐specific Cox proportional hazards model on the time to completion of metamorphosis. Larvae from ephemeral ponds metamorphosed earlier than those from permanent ponds when kept at a low water level or fed conspecific larvae instead of larval Chironomidae. This acceleration of metamorphosis depended only on the permanency of the larvae’s pond of origin, but not on the conspecific larval density (an indicator of the frequency of cannibalism) in the ponds. The two plastic responses were significantly correlated, indicating that they may evolve correlatively. Once plasticity evolved as an adaptation to habitat desiccation, it might have relatively easily become a response to other ecological factors, such as food type via the pre‐existing developmental pathway.
Epigeic spiders are not affected by the genetically modified maize MON 88017
Authors: Svobodová Z. , Habuštová O. , Sehnal F. , Holec M. , Hussein H. M.
Published: April 2012

The genetically modified (GM) maize MON 88017 facilitates weed management owing to its tolerance to glyphosate, and resists western corn rootworm (WCR), Diabrotica virgifera virgifera, owing to the expression of Cry3Bb1 toxin. MON 88017 could therefore contribute to the solution of two major problems of European agriculture: continuous WCR spreading and high use of herbicides. To assess possible unwanted environmental impacts of MON 88017, we compared communities of spiders in plots planted in three successive years with this maize, its near isogenic non‐GM cultivar treated or not treated with an insecticide and two unrelated maize cultivars. Each of the five treatments was applied on five 0.5 ha plots in a 14 ha field. Spiders were collected in five pitfall traps per plot five times per year. Upon reaching the waxy ripening stage, all plants of first‐year cultivation were shredded to small pieces and ploughed into the soil in the respective plot, whereas in the 2nd and 3rd year the harvest was used for biogas production and only digestate was returned to the field. Out of 79 spider species, Pardosa agrestis, Pachygnatha degeeri and Oedothorax apicatus made up 28%, 25% and 23% of the total spider count in the 1st year of study; 2%, 8% and 84% in the 2nd; and 40%, 8% and 35% in the 3rd year. Statistical analysis did not reveal any influence of GM maize on the spider abundance and biodiversity. The abundance, and in two years also the species diversity, was insignificantly higher on the plots with GM maize than on plots with the insecticide‐treated non‐GM maize. The composition and size of spider community varied year to year, probably reflecting weather conditions and differences in field fertilization with organic matter.
Confocal laser scanning microscopy as a new valuable tool in the diagnosis of onychomycosis – comparison of six diagnostic methods
Authors: Rothmund G. , Sattler E. C. , Kaestle R. , Fischer C. , Haas C. J. , Starz H. , Welzel J.
Published: April 2012

Onychomycosis is common and can mimic several different nail disorders. Accurate diagnosis is essential to choose the optimum antifungal therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) as new non‐invasive diagnostic tools in onychomycosis and to compare them with the established techniques. In a prospective trial, 50 patients with suspected onychomycosis and 10 controls were examined by CLSM and OCT. Parallel KOH preparation, culture, PAS‐staining and PCR were performed. PCR showed the highest sensitivity, followed by CLSM, PAS and KOH preparation. OCT offered the second best sensitivity but displayed the lowest specificity. CLSM and KOH preparation showed a high specificity and CLSM offered the best positive predictive value, similar to KOH preparation and OCT. Fungal culture showed the lowest sensitivity and the worst negative predictive value, yet culture and PCR are the only techniques able to identify genus and species. In summary, CLSM was comparable to PAS staining and superior to KOH preparation. Due to the low specificity we assess OCT not as appropriate. In the differentiation of species PCR outplays the fungal culture in terms of time and sensitivity.
Measurement of Alkaline Phosphatase in Canine Seminal Plasma – An Update
Authors: Schäfer‐Somi S , Fröhlich T , Schwendenwein I
Published: April 2012

Contents

In dogs, diagnosis of incomplete ejaculation and azoospermia can be made by measuring the activity of the enzyme alkaline phosphatase (AP) in seminal plasma. However, even though upper cut‐off value of 5000 IU / l is given in the literature, results by different assays may vary considerably. Furthermore, no data exist concerning the stability of the enzyme during storage of frozen seminal plasma, and no recommendations for pre‐analytic dilutions can be found. During the present study, we compared results from a conventional large scale wet chemistry analyzer to a widely used dry chemistry point of care system (POC) and established a best practice for pre‐analytical dilutions. Furthermore, stability of enzyme activities in seminal plasma during storage at −18°C for 24 h was evaluated. The average activity of AP in the 2nd fraction of normal ejaculates measured by Reflotron® was 107 328 IU / l. After 24 h of frozen storage, activities did not differ significantly (96 844 IU / l, p > 0.05). Fresh and frozen samples were analysed in parallel by the POC and conventional chemistry analyser, and the results compared that did not reveal a significant difference (p > 0.05). A dilution of seminal plasma with physiologic saline 1 : 100 prior to analysis was sufficient for the qualitative information whether AP activity is below or above 5000 IU / l. Present data show that AP measurement by a POC dry chemistry system is sufficiently accurate in diluted seminal plasma for the diagnosis of azoospermia and that seminal plasma can be stored frozen for 24 h before analysis.
Removal of Seminal Plasma Enhances Membrane Stability on Fresh and Cooled Stallion Spermatozoa
Authors: Barrier‐Battut I , Bonnet C , Giraudo A , Dubois C , Caillaud M , Vidament M
Published: April 2012

Contents

Fertility is reduced after semen cooling for a considerable number of stallions. The main hypotheses include alterations in plasma membrane following cooling and deleterious influence of seminal plasma. However, interindividual variability is controversial. We hypothesized that the removal of seminal plasma could enhance motility in some ‘poor cooler’ stallions, but could also affect, negatively or positively, membrane quality in some stallions. This study examined the effect of centrifugation, followed or not by removal of seminal plasma, on parameters indicating semen quality after 48 h at 4°C: motility, plasma membrane integrity as evaluated by hypo‐osmotic swelling test, acrosome integrity and response to a pharmacological induction of acrosome reaction using ionophore A23187. Sixty‐six ejaculates from 14 stallions were used, including stallions showing high or low sperm motility after cooled storage. Centrifugation without removal of seminal plasma did not affect sperm parameters. Removal of seminal plasma did not affect motility, but significantly stabilized sperm membranes, as demonstrated by a higher response to the osmotic challenge, and a reduced reactivity of the acrosome. Moreover, for the same semen sample, the response to an induction of acrosome reaction was significantly higher when the induction was performed in the presence of seminal plasma, compared with the induction in the absence of seminal plasma. This was observed both for fresh and cooled semen. When the induction of acrosome reaction with ionophore A23187 is used to evaluate sperm quality, care must therefore be taken to standardize the proportion of seminal plasma between samples. For the 10 stallions serving at least 25 mares, the only variable significantly correlated with fertility was motility. The influence of membrane stabilization regarding fertility requires further investigations.
Small leucine rich proteoglycan family regulates multiple signalling pathways in neural development and maintenance
Authors: Dellett Margaret , Hu Wanzhou , Papadaki Vasiliki , Ohnuma Shin‐ichi
Published: April 2012

The small leucine‐rich repeat proteoglycan (SLRPs) family of proteins currently consists of five classes, based on their structural composition and chromosomal location. As biologically active components of the extracellular matrix (ECM), SLRPs were known to bind to various collagens, having a role in regulating fibril assembly, organization and degradation. More recently, as a function of their diverse proteins cores and glycosaminoglycan side chains, SLRPs have been shown to be able to bind various cell surface receptors, growth factors, cytokines and other ECM components resulting in the ability to influence various cellular functions. Their involvement in several signaling pathways such as Wnt, transforming growth factor‐β and epidermal growth factor receptor also highlights their role as matricellular proteins. SLRP family members are expressed during neural development and in adult neural tissues, including ocular tissues. This review focuses on describing SLRP family members involvement in neural development with a brief summary of their role in non‐neural ocular tissues and in response to neural injury.
Interkinetic nuclear migration: A mysterious process in search of a function
Authors: Spear Philip C. , Erickson Carol A.
Published: April 2012

During interkinetic nuclear migration (INM), the nuclei in many epithelial cells migrate between the apical and basal surfaces, coordinating with the cell cycle, and undergoing cytokinesis at the apical surface. INM is observed in a wide variety of tissues and species. Recent advances in time‐lapse microscopy have provided clues about the mechanisms and functions of INM. Whether actin or microtubules are responsible for nuclear migration is controversial. How mitosis is initiated during INM is poorly understood, as is the relationship between the cell cycle and nuclear movement. It is possible that the disagreements stem from differences in the tissues being studied, since epithelia undergoing INM vary greatly in terms of cell height and cell fates. In this review we examine the reports addressing the mode and mechanisms that regulate INM and suggest possible functions for this dramatic event.
Ascidians as excellent chordate models for studying the development of the nervous system during embryogenesis and metamorphosis
Authors: Sasakura Yasunori , Mita Kaoru , Ogura Yosuke , Horie Takeo
Published: April 2012

The swimming larvae of the chordate ascidians possess a dorsal hollowed central nervous system (CNS), which is homologous to that of vertebrates. Despite the homology, the ascidian CNS consists of a countable number of cells. The simple nervous system of ascidians provides an excellent experimental system to study the developmental mechanisms of the chordate nervous system. The neural fate of the cells consisting of the ascidian CNS is determined in both autonomous and non‐autonomous fashion during the cleavage stage. The ascidian neural plate performs the morphogenetic movement of neural tube closure that resembles that in vertebrate neural tube formation. Following neurulation, the CNS is separated into five distinct regions, whose homology with the regions of vertebrate CNS has been discussed. Following their larval stage, ascidians undergo a metamorphosis and become sessile adults. The metamorphosis is completed quickly, and therefore the metamorphosis of ascidians is a good experimental system to observe the reorganization of the CNS during metamorphosis. A recent study has shown that the major parts of the larval CNS remain after the metamorphosis to form the adult CNS. In contrast to such a conserved manner of CNS reorganization, most larval neurons disappear during metamorphosis. The larval glial cells in the CNS are the major source for the formation of the adult CNS, and some of the glial cells produce adult neurons.
Development of larval motor circuits in Drosophila
Authors: Kohsaka Hiroshi , Okusawa Satoko , Itakura Yuki , Fushiki Akira , Nose Akinao
Published: April 2012

How are functional neural circuits formed during development? Despite recent advances in our understanding of the development of individual neurons, little is known about how complex circuits are assembled to generate specific behaviors. Here, we describe the ways in which Drosophila motor circuits serve as an excellent model system to tackle this problem. We first summarize what has been learned during the past decades on the connectivity and development of component neurons, in particular motor neurons and sensory feedback neurons. We then review recent progress in our understanding of the development of the circuits as well as studies that apply optogenetics and other innovative techniques to dissect the circuit diagram. New approaches using Drosophila as a model system are now making it possible to search for developmental rules that regulate the construction of neural circuits.
THE POLITICAL ECONOMY OF PUBLIC‐PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS AND ANALYSIS OF THEIR SOCIAL VALUE*
Authors: BOARDMAN Anthony E. , VINING Aidan R.
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACT: This article applies political economy theory to public‐private partnerships (PPPs). First, we propose that social welfare is the appropriate normative evaluation criterion to evaluate the social value of PPPs. Second, we specify the goals of PPP participants, including private‐sector partners and governments. Third, we review the observed outcomes of PPPs and analyze them from both a political economy perspective and a social welfare perspective. Fourth, based on a comparison of the actual outcomes of PPPs to normatively desirable social welfare outcomes, we propose some ‘rules for governments’ concerning the design of government PPP institutions and the management of PPPs. We argue that if governments were to adopt these rules there would be fewer PPPs in total, they would be more like traditional government contracts and there would be a greater likelihood of improved social welfare. However, political economy theory also explains why implementation of any reform will be difficult.
HOW TO OVERCOME SHAREHOLDER APATHY IN CORPORATE GOVERNANCE – THE ROLE OF INVESTOR ASSOCIATIONS IN GERMANY
Authors: STRÄTLING Rebecca
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACT: Investor apathy by private retail investors and highly diversified institutional investors is often blamed for poor managerial accountability and control of majority investors. Attempts to encourage shareholder activism tend to focus on large institutional investors and ignore retail investors. However, in Germany associations of private retail investors play an increasingly important role in organizing collective shareholder action and defining minority shareholder interests. The German example highlights a possible alternative to the US and UK model of shareholder activism, which is dominated by institutional investors.
Partisan Effects on Welfare State Retrenchment: Empirical Evidence from a Measurement of Government Intentions
Authors: Klitgaard Michael Baggesen , Elmelund‐Præstekær Christian
Published: April 2012

The effect of partisanship is disputed in the literature on welfare state retrenchment. The ‘new politics’ school argues that partisan conflicts are irrelevant to the understanding of retrenchment, but the second generation of retrenchment research concludes that such conflicts are still important. We engage in this debate by introducing a new empirical approach. Our method provides a necessary but currently missing link in the second generation of retrenchment studies which theorize on the input side of welfare state reform but conduct empirical studies on the output side. Our empirical approach entails a new type of data, compiled on the basis of content analysis of adopted laws, and we analyze the intentions pursued by incumbent governments in social policy‐making. Based on an empirical study, we find partisan effects in programmes protecting against social risks that are disproportionally distributed among social strata.
The British welfare state and mental health problems: the continuing relevance of the work of Claus Offe
Authors: Pilgrim David
Published: April 2012

It is now over thirty years since Claus Offe theorised the crisis tendencies of the welfare state in late capitalism. As part of that work he explored ongoing and irresolvable forms of crisis management in parliamentary democracies: capitalism cannot live with the welfare state but also cannot live without it. This article examines the continued relevance of this analysis by Offe, by applying its basic assumptions to the response of the British welfare state to mental health problems, at the turn of the twenty first century. His general theoretical abstractions are tested against the empirical picture of mental health service priorities, evident since the 1980s, in sections dealing with: re‐commodification tendencies; the ambiguity of wage labour in the mental health workforce; the emergence of new social movements; and the limits of legalism.
The Periphrastic Perfect in Ancient Greek: A Diachronic Mental Space Analysis1
Authors: Bentein Klaas
Published: April 2012

In the present article, I apply Fauconnier’s mental spaces theory to the diachronic analysis of the Ancient Greek periphrastic perfect. I argue that the periphrastic construction started out as a ‘resultative’ perfect, with FOCUS and EVENT located in the same mental space. I show that, contrary to what is sometimes believed, the construction was not limited to a purely stative meaning, but underwent the cross‐linguistically attested semantic shift from resultative to anterior, whereby an additional non‐FOCUS EVENT‐space was constructed. In fourth‐century Classical Greek, we witness the further extension of the periphrastic construction with regard to semantics, morphology and discourse context. I close the article with some remarks on the possible aoristicisation of the periphrastic perfect.
An Extension of the Wilcoxon Rank Sum Test for Complex Sample Survey Data
Authors: Natarajan Sundar , Lipsitz Stuart R. , Fitzmaurice Garrett M. , Sinha Debajyoti , Ibrahim Joseph G. , Haas Jennifer , Gellad Walid
Published: April 2012

In complex survey sampling, a fraction of a finite population is sampled. Often, the survey is conducted so that each subject in the population has a different probability of being selected into the sample. Further, many complex surveys involve stratification and clustering. For generalizability of the sample to the finite population, these features of the design are usually incorporated in the analysis. Although the Wilcoxon rank sum test is commonly used to compare an ordinal variable in bivariate analyses, no simple extension of the Wilcoxon rank sum test has been proposed for complex survey data. With multinomial sampling of independent subjects, the Wilcoxon rank sum test statistic equals the score test statistic for the group effect from a proportional odds cumulative logistic regression model for an ordinal outcome. Using this regression framework, for complex survey data, we formulate a similar proportional odds cumulative logistic regression model for the ordinal variable, and we use an estimating equations score statistic for no group effect as an extension of the Wilcoxon test. The method proposed is applied to a complex survey designed to produce national estimates of healthcare use, expenditures, sources of payment and insurance coverage.
Testing the Equality of Mean Functions of Ionospheric Critical Frequency Curves
Authors: Gromenko Oleksandr , Kokoszka Piotr
Published: April 2012

The paper develops a significance test for evaluating the equality of the mean functions in two samples of spatially indexed functional data. The problem is motivated by an important question in space physics research which is related to the hypothesis of ionospheric global cooling (as opposed to the conjectured global warming of near surface atmosphere). The critical electron frequency of the ionosphere's F2 region, foF2, can be used to test conjectures about the trends in the ionosphere empirically. We apply the proposed test to the foF2-records over eastern and western Europe to verify whether there is a conjectured difference between first-order behaviour of these records over regions with different magnetic inclinations. It is found that the difference between the means is statistically significant for night-time records. The implications of this result are discussed. Finite sample performance of the test proposed is validated via numerical simulations.
Age-Dependent Mixture Models for Recovery Data on Animals Marked at Unknown Age
Authors: McCrea Rachel S. , Morgan Byron J. T. , Cole Diana J.
Published: April 2012

Data are often collected from wild animals that have been marked at unknown age. As a result, standard probability models, fitted by maximum likelihood, cannot incorporate age dependence in probabilities of annual survival. We propose and fit new mixture models to ring–recovery data on birds ringed of unknown age, in which it is possible to incorporate age dependence in survival. It is shown that it is important to analyse simultaneously data on animals marked as young, and of known age, as otherwise the mixture model is parameter redundant. The potential of the approach is illustrated by a new analysis of data on mallards, Anas platyrhynchos, and the wider performance of the approach is demonstrated through simulation. The models provide a way of analysing correctly large numbers of historical data sets.
Shape Shifting Capital: New Management and the Bodily Metaphors of Spiritual Capitalism
Authors: GONZALEZ GEORGE
Published: April 2012

There is a burgeoning and increasingly institutionalized discourse within organizational theory and business practice dedicated to exploring the intersections of “religion” and “spirituality” at work. Turning especially to the broadly influential management theory of Margaret Wheatley, I locate “spiritual” management within a contemporary management ethos characterized by both an increasing interest in transitive phenomena and pre‐conscious understanding and the wholesale deregulation of industrial metaphors for society in favor of holistic, cybernetic and global metaphors for a networked society. Turning to the phenomenological and existential anthropology of the anthropologist, Michael Jackson, I argue that social theories, whether industrial or post‐industrial, can never claim a full and final grasp over the total processes of life itself. Methodologically, I argue that we might seek to attend to the personal and social dimensions of new “workplace spirituality” contexts by paying careful empirical attention to the practical deployments and personalizations of the lived metaphors of “spiritual” capitalism, considered for these purposes to be important “patterns of intersubjective experience”. What Jackson refers to as “phenomenological and existential deconstruction” has a political edge to it because it always seeks to force abstract theory into a more empirically grounded relationship with life as it is actually lived. As Marx and various critical theories have suggested, the particular experiences of workers often resist and confound the sanitized and universalized ideologies of capital.
Muscle force recovery in relation to muscle oxygenation
Authors: Ufland Pierre , Lapole Thomas , Ahmaidi Said , Buchheit Martin
Published: April 2012

The aim of this study was to investigate the relative contribution of human muscle reoxygenation on force recovery following a maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). Ten athletes (22·9 ± 4·0 years) executed a plantar‐flexion sequence including two repeated MVCs [i.e. a 30‐s MVC (MVC30) followed by a 10‐s MVC (MVC10)] separated by 10, 30, 60, 120 or 300 s of passive recovery. A 10‐min passive recovery period was allowed between each MVC sequence. This procedure was randomly repeated with two different recovery conditions: without (CON) or with (OCC) arterial occlusion of the medial gastrocnemius. During OCC, the occlusion was maintained from the end of MVC30 to the end of MVC10. Muscle oxygenation (Near‐infrared spectroscopy, NIRS, [Hbdiff]) was continuously measured during all MVC sequences and expressed as a percentage of the maximal changes in optical density observed during MVC30. Maximal Torque was analysed at the start of each contraction. Torque during each MVC10 was expressed as a percentage of the Torque during the previous MVC30. Torque recovery was complete within 300 s after MVC30 during CON (MVC10 = 101·8 ± 5·0%); 88·6 ± 8·9% of the Torque was recovered during OCC (P = 0·005). There was also a moderate correlation between absolute level of muscle oxygenation and Torque (r = 0·32 (90% CI, 0·09;0·52), P = 0·02). Present findings confirm the role of human muscle oxygenation in muscular force recovery during repeated‐maximal efforts. However, the correlation between absolute muscle oxygenation and force level during recovery is only moderate, suggesting that other mechanisms are likely involved in the force recovery process.
Gene Expression Changes in C57BL/6J and DBA/2J Mice Following Prenatal Alcohol Exposure
Authors: Downing Chris , Flink Stephen , Florez‐McClure Maria L. , Johnson Thomas E. , Tabakoff Boris , Kechris Katerina J.
Published: April 2012

Background

Prenatal alcohol exposure can result in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). Not all women who consume alcohol during pregnancy have children with FASD and studies have shown that genetic factors can play a role in ethanol teratogenesis. We examined gene expression in embryos and placentae from C57BL/6J (B6) and DBA/2J (D2) mice following prenatal alcohol exposure. B6 fetuses are susceptible to morphological malformations following prenatal alcohol exposure while D2 are relatively resistant.

Methods

Male and female B6 and D2 mice were mated for 2 hours in the morning, producing 4 embryonic genotypes: true‐bred B6B6 and D2D2, and reciprocal B6D2 and D2B6. On gestational day 9, dams were intubated with 5.8 g/kg ethanol, an isocaloric amount of maltose dextrin, or nothing. Four hours later, dams were sacrificed and embryos and placentae were harvested. RNA was extracted, labeled and hybridized to Affymetrix Mouse Genome 430 v2 microarray chips. Data were normalized, subjected to analysis of variance and tested for enrichment of gene ontology molecular function and biological process using the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID).

Results

Several gene classes were differentially expressed in B6 and D2 regardless of treatment, including genes involved in polysaccharide binding and mitosis. Prenatal alcohol exposure altered expression of a subset of genes, including genes involved in methylation, chromatin remodeling, protein synthesis, and mRNA splicing. Very few genes were differentially expressed between maltose‐exposed tissues and tissues that received nothing, so we combined these groups for comparisons with ethanol. While we observed many expression changes specific to B6 following prenatal alcohol exposure, none were specific for D2. Gene classes up‐ or down‐regulated in B6 following prenatal alcohol exposure included genes involved in mRNA splicing, transcription, and translation.

Conclusions

Our study identified several classes of genes with altered expression following prenatal alcohol exposure, including many specific for B6, a strain susceptible to ethanol teratogenesis. Lack of strain specific effects in D2 suggests there are few gene expression changes that confer resistance. Future studies will begin to analyze functional significance of the expression changes.
Plasma and Cerebrospinal Fluid Pharmacokinetic Parameters After Single‐Dose Administration of Intravenous, Oral, or Rectal Acetaminophen
Authors: Singla Neil K. , Parulan Cherri , Samson Roselle , Hutchinson Joel , Bushnell Rick , Beja Evelyn G. , Ang Robert , Royal Mike A.
Published: April 2012

Background:  This is the first study to compare plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pharmacokinetics of intravenous (IV), oral (PO), or rectal (PR) formulations of acetaminophen.

Methods:  Healthy male subjects (N = 6) were randomized to receive a single dose of IV (OFIRMEV®; Cadence) 1,000 mg (15 minute infusion), PO (2 Tylenol® 500 mg caplets; McNeil Consumer Healthcare), or PR acetaminophen (2 Feverall® 650 mg suppositories; Actavis) with a 1‐day washout period between doses. The 1,300 mg PR concentrations were standardized to 1,000 mg. Acetaminophen plasma and CSF levels were obtained at T0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 hours.

Results:  IV acetaminophen showed earlier and higher plasma and CSF levels compared with PO or PR administration. CSF bioavailability over 6 hours (AUC0–6) for IV, PO, and PR 1 g was 24.9, 14.2, and 10.3 μg·h/mL, respectively. No treatment‐related adverse events were reported. One subject was replaced because of premature failure of his lumbar spinal catheter. The mean CSF level in the IV group was similar to plasma from 3 to 4 hours and higher from 4 hours on. Absorption phase, variability in plasma, and CSF were greater in PO and PR groups than variability with IV administration.

Conclusions:  These results demonstrate that earlier and greater CSF penetration occurs as a result of the earlier and higher plasma peak with IV administration compared with PO or PR.
Intra‐amniotic inflammation predicts microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity but not spontaneous preterm delivery in preterm prelabor membrane rupture
Authors: COBO TERESA , KACEROVSKY MARIAN , HOLST ROSE‐MARIE , HOUGAARD DAVID M. , SKOGSTRAND KRISTIN , WENNERHOLM ULLA‐BRITT , HAGBERG HENRIK , JACOBSSON BO
Published: April 2012

Objective. To predict microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity (MIAC) and spontaneous preterm delivery within seven days using a panel of selected proteins from amniotic fluid in a Swedish population of preterm prelabor membrane rupture (PPROM). Design. Prospective cohort study. Setting. Evaluation of intra‐amniotic inflammation in preterm premature rupture of membranes. Population. Sixty‐six pregnant women with preterm prelabor membrane rupture at 22+0–33+6 weeks’ gestational age. Methods. Twenty‐seven amniotic fluid proteins were assayed by a multiple immunoassay. Main outcome measures. The intra‐amniotic inflammatory response was evaluated according to the presence of MIAC and the risk of spontaneous preterm delivery within seven days. A prediction model was constructed using logistic regression. Results. The overall rates of MIAC and spontaneous preterm delivery within seven days were 20 and 50%, respectively. There was a higher inflammatory response in women with MIAC than in those without. Earlier gestational age at delivery and lower birthweight were observed in the presence of microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity. Amniotic fluid interleukin (IL)‐6 and IL‐10 were the best predictors of MIAC in terms of sensitivity (69%), specificity (81%), positive predictive value (47%), negative predictive value (91%) and a positive likelihood ratio of 3.6. There were no differences in intra‐amniotic inflammatory response according to the risk of spontaneous preterm delivery within seven days. Conclusion. Amniotic fluid IL‐6 and IL‐10 are the best inflammatory biomarkers to predict MIAC in women with PPROM. Intra‐amniotic inflammation does not predict the occurrence of spontaneous preterm delivery within seven days of PPROM.
Determinants of emergency contraceptive use after unprotected intercourse: Who seeks emergency contraception and who seeks abortion?
Authors: Kozinszky Zoltan , Sikovanyecz János , Devosa Iván , Szabó Dávid , Barabás Katalin , Pál Attila , Arthur Joyce
Published: April 2012

Objective. To compare differences in contraceptive characteristics and the knowledge of emergency contraception (EC) between women who used EC after unprotected intercourse and those who sought abortion. Design. A questionnaire survey. Setting. A Hungarian university hospital. Sample. Two large clinical groups were enrolled: women who were prescribed EC after unprotected intercourse (n= 952) (EC group) and women who presented for termination of pregnancy who had not taken EC after a contraceptive failure despite being suitable candidates to take EC (n= 577) (control group). Methods. Questionnaire evaluation. Main outcome measures. Knowledge concerning, previous use of, and other factors related to EC use. Results. The EC group experienced a condom failure significantly more often (odds ratio (OR) = 3.07), while the control group reported more failures with the contraceptive pill (OR = 0.69) and with periodic abstinence (OR = 0.09). Use of EC depended on age, education level, place of residence, accurate knowledge of EC (OR = 3.87) and previous EC use (OR = 1.16). Awareness of EC was influenced by information obtained from healthcare providers (OR = 3.63) or by school education (OR = 1.28). Conclusions. Women who use less reliable contraceptive methods should be targeted for health education that stresses the importance of reliable contraception and provides more detailed knowledge on EC and when it should be used.
Impact of vertical loading on the implant‐bone interface
Authors: Mehl Christian , Becker Stephan T. , Acil Yahya , Harder Sönke , Wiltfang Jörg , Dabbagh‐Afrouz Arthur A. , de Buhr Wiebke , Kern Matthias
Published: April 2012

Objectives

The main aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of vertical loading occurring during removal of cemented restorations on the implant‐bone interface.

Methods

Thirty‐six titanium implants (Camlog 4.3 × 9 mm) were placed 1 mm supraosseous in the frontal skull of four minipigs. After a 13 week healing period the implants were exposed and the implant stability was measured. Three implants per minipig were vertically loaded using 20 or 100 impulses, respectively with an 18 Ns impulse imitating a crown removal. Three implants were left unloaded as control. The animals were sacrificed after 13 or 18 weeks. The harvested specimens were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), light and fluorescence microscopy.

Results

No post operative complications or deaths of the minipigs occurred. All implants osseointegrated. The average bone‐implant contact area (BIC) was 78 ± 5.1%. No statistically significant difference could be found when comparing the BIC areas of the control and the experimental groups between the sacrificed animals at 13 weeks and 18 weeks (P > 0.05). Therefore, the results of each subgroup were pooled. No significant differences regarding the BIC area could be detected between the control and the experimental groups (P > 0.05). Except one failing implant no cracks due to vertical loading could be evaluated in the SEM. Fluorescence microscopy revealed a significantly higher bone remodeling activity in the vertically loaded groups.

Conclusions

Removal of cemented implant restorations seems not to have an impact on the mechanical implant stability, but seems to increase bone remodeling activity.