bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acute and chronic effects of desvenlafaxine on gastrointestinal transit and motility in dogs
Authors: Song J. , Yin J. , Chen J. D. Z.
Published: July 2013

Background

Antidepressants are commonly used for treating functional gastrointestinal (GI) diseases. However, little is known whether antidepressants improve or impair GI motility. This study aimed at exploring possible effects of a serotonin‐norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, desvenlafaxine succinate (DVS), on GI motility in dogs.

Methods

Eight dogs chronically implanted with a duodenal cannula and a colon cannula were used in the study. Experiments were performed to assess the effects of a single dose of DVS (50 or 100 mg) and DVS given 50 mg once a day for 2 weeks on gastric emptying of solid, small intestinal transit, and colon transit and contractions.

Key Results

(1) DVS significantly delayed gastric emptying of solid at a single dose of 50 or 100 mg. The inhibitory effect on gastric emptying was completely blocked by guanethidine (an adrenergic blocking agent). (2) DVS at a single dose of 50 or 100 mg accelerated colon transit, but showed no effects on small bowel transit. (3) DVS at a single dose of 50 mg enhanced colon contractions and guanethidine blocked the effect. (4) Surprisingly, DVS given at 50 mg once daily for 2 weeks did not alter gastric emptying, small bowel transit or colon transit.

Conclusions & Inferences

Acute DVS delays gastric emptying of solid and enhances the contractions of the colon, which may be mediated via the sympathetic mechanism. Acute DVS promotes the transit of the colon but not the small intestine. However, chronic administration of DVS does not seem to alter GI motility.
A suicide survivor: the life of aChinese worker
Authors: Chan Jenny
Published: July 2013

In 2010, 18 employees working forFoxconn inChina attempted suicide. These shocking events focused the world's attention on the manufacturing supply chains ofChina's export industry and the experience of working within them. What had driven these young, migrant, assembly line workers to commit such a desperate act? This article provides a first‐hand account of the experiences of one of those who survived a suicide attempt, 17‐year‐oldTianYu. Her personal narrative is embedded within the broader context of labour process, work organisation and managerial practice atFoxconn, theTaiwanese‐owned multinational that provides products and components forApple and others. The factory conditions are further shaped by the company trade union and Chinese government policies. The paper concludes with additional contextualisation indicating the emergence of an alliance of workers, students, scholars and transnational labour movement activists who are campaigning for Chinese workers' rights.
Emotions and the spatialisation of social relations in text‐based computer‐mediated communication
Authors: Baralou Evangelia , McInnes Peter
Published: July 2013

This paper advances our knowledge of emotions in virtual teams using text‐based computer‐mediated communication. The literature's preoccupation with the absence of physical cues of emotion has meant we lack both an understanding of how emotions are co‐constructed through interaction and an explanation of their role in the social relations of virtual teams. Adopting a communicative view of emotion, we present the findings of a longitudinal study of a virtual team within a transnational collaborative project. We present three aspects of interaction that demonstrate how team members' experience and understanding of the emotions expressed through, and suppressed from, text‐based messages are influenced by the styles and patterns of interaction enabled by technology. Where our three aspects tend towards stasis, we argue that emotion provides a temporal dimension to a process of ‘spatialising’ social relations by connoting what should change, or what should endure, between people.
The Impact of Thin‐Capitalization Rules on External Debt Usage – A Propensity Score Matching Approach
Authors: Wamser Georg
Published: July 2013

Thin‐capitalization rules (TCRs) aim at limiting the tax advantage of internal debt financing by restricting the tax deductibility of the corresponding interest expenses. This article examines how subsidiaries of multinational firms respond to a change in the German thin‐capitalization legislation. The empirical analysis not only demonstrates that the TCR effectively restricts internal debt financing, it also suggests that firms are able to avoid taxation of interest by substituting external for internal debt. The empirical approach applies propensity score matching techniques and exploits the German tax reform 2001 to solve endogeneity problems.
Temperature response of in vivo Rubisco kinetics and mesophyll conductance in Arabidopsis thaliana: comparisons to Nicotiana tabacum
Authors: WALKER BERKLEY , ARIZA LOREN S. , KAINES SARAH , BADGER MURRAY R. , COUSINS ASAPH B.
Published: July 2013

Biochemical models of photosynthesis use the temperature dependency of ribulose‐1,5‐bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) kinetics and mesophyll conductance to
CO

2 (g
m). However, the in vivo temperature response of Rubisco kinetics and g
m has only been measured in the warm adapted Nicotiana tabacum; therefore, we determined these parameters in the cool‐adapted Arabidopsis thaliana to see how species‐dependent differences impact modeled rates of photosynthesis. While the individual Rubisco kinetic parameters in N. tabacum and A. thaliana were similar across temperatures, they collectively resulted in significantly different modeled rates of photosynthesis. Additionally, g
m increased with temperature in N. tabacum but not in A. thaliana.

Commentary: New challenges in modeling photosynthesis: temperature dependencies of Rubisco kinetics
Synergy between enzastaurin doxorubicin in inducing melanoma apoptosis
Authors: Romano Simona , Nappo Giovanna , Calì Gaetano , Wang Samuel Y.‐S. , Staibano Stefania , D'Angelillo Anna , Ilardi Gennaro , Sorrentino Antonio , Di Pace Anna Laura , Siano Maria , Bisogni Rita , Romano Maria Fiammetta
Published: July 2013

Melanoma is resistant to most standard chemotherapeutics. We analysed the combined effect of doxorubicin and enzastaurin on cell death of four melanoma cell lines, namely G361, SK‐MEL3, A375 and SAN. Enzastaurin IC50 was calculated by measure of growth inhibition with MTS assay and corresponded to 2 μM; the half maximal cytotoxicity of doxorubicin was obtained at 3 μM dose. Evaluation of combination index showed synergism (CI > 1) or additive effect (CI = 1) with all melanoma cell lines, with enzastaurin doses ≥0.6 μM and doxorubicin doses ≥1 μM. Combination of the two drugs resulted in increase in caspase 3 and 8 activation, in comparison with activation by single agents. Caspase 8 activation was impaired by TNFR‐1 blocking. Our results show doxorubicin‐stimulated production of TNFα, whereas enzastaurin‐stimulated TNFR‐1 expression on plasma membrane. The effect on TNFR‐1 appeared to be mediated by PKCζ inhibition. Taken together, our findings suggest that enzastaurin increases doxorubicin‐induced apoptosis of melanoma by a mechanism involving, at least in part, activation of the TNF‐α signal.
Effect of the Phospholipid Chain Length and Head Group on Beta‐Phase Formation of Poly(9,9‐dioctylfluorene) Enclosed in Liposomes
Authors: Tapia María J. , Monteserín María , Burrows Hugh D. , Seixas de Melo João S. , Estelrich Joan
Published: July 2013

We have studied the effect of head group and alkyl chain length on β‐phase formation in poly(9,9‐dioctylfluorene) (PFO) solubilized in phospholipid liposomes. Systems studied have three different alkyl chain lengths (1,2‐dimyristoyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphatidylcholine [DMPC], 1,2‐didodecanoyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphatidylcholine [DLPC], 1,2‐dipalmitoyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphatidylcholine [DPPC]) and head groups (1,2‐dimyristoyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphate monosodium salt [DMPA], 1,2‐dimyristoyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphoethanolamine [DMPE] and 1,2‐dimyristoyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phospho‐l‐serine sodium salt [DMPS]). Changes in liposome size upon addition of PFO are followed by dynamic light scattering. All the phospholipids induce the formation of PFO β‐phase, which is followed by the emission intensity and deconvolution of the absorption spectra. Both the head group and alkyl chain length affect the yield of β‐phase. The photophysics of PFO incorporated in liposomes is characterized by stationary and time‐resolved fluorescence, whereas the polymer‐phospholipid interactions have been studied by the effect of the PFO concentration on the phospholipid phase transitions (differential scanning calorimetry [DSC]).
Virulence loss and amastigote transformation failure determine host cell responses to Leishmania mexicana
Authors: Ali K. S. , Rees R. C. , Terrell‐Nield C. , Ali S. A.
Published: July 2013

The effect of alterations in virulence and transformation by long‐term in vitro culture of Leishmania mexicana promastigotes on infectivity and immune responses was investigated. Fresh parasite cultures harvested from Balb/c mice were passaged 20 times in vitro. Infectivity was decreased and was completely avirulent after 20 passages. The qPCR results showed a down‐regulation of GP63, LPG2, CPC, CPB2, CPB2.8, CHT1, LACK and LDCEN3 genes after passage seven concomitant with a reduced and absence of infectivity by passages seven and 20, respectively. Parasites at passages one and 20 are referred to as virulent and avirulent, respectively. The growth of avirulent and virulent parasite was affected by conditioned media derived from macrophages or monocytes infected with parasites for 2 h. Giemsa staining showed the failure of avirulent but not virulent parasites to transform to the amastigote stage in infected host cells with both virulent and avirulent modulating the expression of CCL‐22, Tgad51, Cox2, IL‐1, IL‐10, TGF‐β, TNF‐α, Rab7, Rab9 and A2 genes; virulent but not avirulent L. mexicana significantly up‐regulated Th2‐associated cytokines, but down‐regulated Rab7 and Rab9 gene expression. In conclusion, a model for L. mexicana is reported, which is of potential value in studying host–parasite interaction.
Hepatocyte nuclear factor‐1 α inactivated hepatocellular adenomas in patient with congenital absence of the portal vein: A case report
Authors: Tateishi Yoko , Furuya Mitsuko , Kondo Fukuo , Torii Ikuo , Nojiri Kazunori , Tanaka Yukichi , Umeda Shigeaki , Okudela Koji , Inayama Yoshiaki , Endo Itaru , Ohashi Kenichi
Published: July 2013

Hepatocellular adenomas (HCAs) have been recognized recently as a heterogeneous group, and are subclassified according to genotype as well as morphological characteristics. We report a case of a 35‐year‐old Japanese woman who exhibited hepatocyte nuclear factor (HNF)‐1α‐inactivated HCA in the background of the congenital absence of the portal vein (CAPV). On a dynamic contrast computed tomography (CT) scan, the hypovascular tumor enlarged from 1 cm to 3 cm and another tumor emerged in the course of 7 years. Because the possibility of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with multiple metastases was not excluded, partial hepatectomy was performed. On a cut section, two well‐demarcated tumors were observed and one tumor had a central fibrous scar. The histological features of these tumors were similar to those of focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) with a central scar and HCA; however, these tumors were diagnosed as HNF‐1α‐inactivated HCA by immunohistochemistry according to the criteria of the current World Health Organization (WHO) classification. In non‐tumorous liver tissue, an abnormal architecture of the vessels and a vague nodular appearance of lobuli were observed, which were likely to be those of nodular regenerated hyperplasia (NRH). We discuss its pathogenesis and relationship with CAPV.
Hybrid schwannoma/perineurioma of the spinal nerve: Multifocal occurrence, and recurrence as an intraneural perineurioma
Authors: Hayashi Tomayoshi , Hirose Takanori , Nishimura Yukimasa , Fukuoka Junya , Kishikawa Masao
Published: July 2013

A 63‐year‐old Japanese man complained of lower back pain and numbness and was diagnosed as intradural tumors at the T11/12 and L1 level. The thoracic tumor originated from the posterior nerve root, and the lumbar tumor originated from the cauda equina. Five months after surgical resection, the patient developed recurrent tumor consisting of enlargement of multiple caudal nerves. Pathologically, the primary tumors showed a nodular and lobular pattern, including spindle cells in a fascicular, whorl and storiform pattern, with variable cellularity, nuclear palisading and frequent small onion bulb structures. Mild pleomorphism was present, and there were four mitoses per 10 high power fields. Many cells showed immunoreactivity for S‐100 and Sox10. There were also claudin‐1‐positive spindle cells, but no epithelial membrane antigen (EMA)‐positive cells. The cells in onion bulb structures were positive for claudin‐1 and glucose transporter 1 (GLUT‐1). These findings led to a diagnosis of hybrid schwannoma/perineurioma. The features of high cellularity, pleomorphism and a Ki‐67 index over 10% suggested a low‐malignant nature. The recurrent tumor also showed high proliferative activity, as reflected by mitotic figures and a Ki‐67 index of 20%. This is the first case of spinal nerve hybrid schwannoma/perineurioma with low malignant potential and peculiar intraneural perineurioma component.
Pulmonary sclerosing papillary adenoma
Authors: Allen Timothy Craig , Amrikachi Mojgan , Cagle Philip T.
Published: July 2013

Pulmonary papillary adenomas are very rare benign neoplasms, with approximately 24 cases reported in the English literature. They typically do not contain any more than an occasional focal area of sclerosis. Indeed, sclerotic interstitium within a sclerosing hemangioma has been reported to be a criterion used to distinguish it from pulmonary papillary adenoma. We present a case of pulmonary sclerosing papillary adenoma, with extensive sclerotic stroma and scattered areas containing typical papillary architecture.
Clickstream Data and Inventory Management: Model and Empirical Analysis
Authors: Huang Tingliang , Van Mieghem Jan A.
Published: July 2013

We consider firms that feature their products on the Internet but take orders offline. Click and order data are disjoint on such non‐transactional websites, and their matching is error‐prone. Yet, their time separation may allow the firm to react and improve its tactical planning. We introduce a dynamic decision support model that augments the classic inventory planning model with additional clickstream state variables. Using a novel data set of matched online clickstream and offline purchasing data, we identify statistically significant clickstream variables and empirically investigate the value of clickstream tracking on non‐transactional websites to improve inventory management. We show that the noisy clickstream data is statistically significant to predict the propensity, amount, and timing of offline orders. A counterfactual analysis shows that using the demand information extracted from the clickstream data can reduce the inventory holding and backordering cost by 3% to 5% in our data set.
Dynamic Pricing and Inventory Management with Regular and Expedited Supplies
Authors: Zhou Sean X. , Chao Xiuli
Published: July 2013

We consider a periodic‐review inventory system with regular and expedited supply modes. The expedited supply is faster than the regular supply but incurs a higher cost. Demand for the product in each period is random and sensitive to its selling price. The firm determines its order quantity from each supply in each period as well as its selling price to maximize the expected total discounted profit over a finite or an infinite planning horizon. We show that, in each period if it is optimal to order from both supplies, the optimal inventory policy is determined by two state‐independent thresholds, one for each supply mode, and a list price is set for the product; if only the regular supply is used, the optimal policy is a state‐dependent base‐stock policy, that is, the optimal base‐stock level depends on the starting inventory level, and the optimal selling price is a markdown price that decreases with the starting inventory level. We further study the operational impact of such supply diversification and show that it increases the firm's expected profit, reduces the optimal safety‐stock levels, and lowers the optimal selling price. Thus that diversification is beneficial to both the firm and its customers. Building upon these results, we conduct a numerical study to assess and compare the respective benefit of dynamic pricing and supply diversification.
Optimal Per‐Use Rentals and Sales of Durable Products and Their Distinct Roles in Price Discrimination
Authors: Gilbert Stephen M. , Randhawa Ramandeep S. , Sun Haoying
Published: July 2013

We consider a setting in which consumers experience distinct instances of need for a durable product at random intervals. Each instance of need is associated with a random utility and the consumers are differentiated according to the frequency with which they experience such instances of need. We use our model of consumer utility to characterize the firm's optimal strategy of whether to sell, rent, or do a combination of both in terms of the transaction costs and consumers' usage characteristics. We find that the two modes of operation serve different roles in allowing the firm to price discriminate. While sales allow the firm to discriminate among consumers of different usage frequencies, rentals allow it to discriminate according to consumers' realized valuations. Consequently, even when transaction costs are negligible, it is often optimal for the firm to simultaneously rent and sell its product. In addition, we find that although sales and rentals are substitutes and that the offering of sales weakly increases rental prices, it is possible that the introduction of rentals to a pure selling operation can either increase or decrease the optimal sales prices.
Strategic Motive for Introducing Internet Channels in a Supply Chain
Authors: Hsiao Lu , Chen Ying‐Ju
Published: July 2013

Rapid advances of information technology in recent years have enabled both the manufacturers and the retailers to operate their own Internet channels. In this study, we investigate the interaction between the capabilities of introducing the Internet channels, the pricing strategies, and the channel structure. We classify consumers into two segments: grocery shoppers attach a higher utility from purchasing through the physical channel, whereas a priori Internet shoppers prefer purchasing online. We find that when the Internet shoppers are either highly profitable or fairly unimportant, the manufacturer prefers to facilitate the channel separation either through his own Internet channel or the retailer's. In the intermediate region, however, the manufacturer encroaches the grocery shoppers and steals the demand from the retailer's physical channel. With horizontal competition between retailers, a priori symmetric retailers may adopt different channel strategies as a stable market equilibrium. The manufacturer may willingly give up his Internet channel and leverage on the retailer competition. When the manufacturer sells through an online e‐tailer, Internet shoppers may be induced to purchase through the physical channel. This reverse encroachment strategy emerges because selling through the e‐tailer leads to a more severe double marginalization problem.
Updating Inventories of Substitutable Resources in Response to Forecast Updates
Authors: Bansal Saurabh , Dyer James S.
Published: July 2013

We show simple yet optimal results to update the inventory/capacity levels, expected profit, fill rates, and service levels of substitutable resources in response to an updating of the mean demand forecasts for the resources. We find that a change in the mean demand of one resource does not affect the optimal inventory level of any other resource. The results are obtained for demands with location‐scale distribution, and for a revenue structure satisfying a triangle property such that the manager will always use the inventory of a resource to meet her own demand first before using it for substitution. The results for updating the performance measures also extend to managers who maintain non‐optimal inventory/capacity levels. Implications for procurement, sales and operational planning, and multi‐store operations are discussed.
Quantitative trait loci associated with resistance to a potato isolate of Verticillium albo‐atrum in Medicago truncatula
Authors: Negahi A. , Ben C. , Gentzbittel L. , Maury P. , Nabipour A. R. , Ebrahimi A. , Sarrafi A. , Rickauer M.
Published: July 2013

Verticillium albo‐atrum is responsible for considerable yield losses in many economically important crops, among them alfalfa (Medicago sativa). Using Medicago truncatula as a model for studying resistance and susceptibility to V. albo‐atrum, previous work has identified genetic variability and major resistance quantitative trait loci (QTLs) to Verticillium. In order to study the genetic control of resistance to a non‐legume isolate of this pathogen, a population of recombinant inbred lines (RILs) from a cross between resistant line F83005.5 and susceptible line A17 was inoculated with a potato isolate of V. albo‐atrum, LPP0323. High genetic variability and transgressive segregation for resistance to LPP0323 were observed among RILs. Heritabilites were found to be 0·63 for area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) and 0·93 for maximum symptom score (MSS). A set of four QTLs associated with resistance towards LPP0323 was detected for the parameters MSS and AUDPC. The phenotypic variance explained by each QTL (R2) was moderate, ranging from 4 to 21%. Additive gene effects showed that favourable alleles for resistance all came from the resistant parent. The four QTLs are distinct from those described for an alfalfa V. albo‐atrum isolate, confirming the existence of several resistance mechanisms in this species. None of the QTLs co‐localized with regions involved in resistance against other pathogens in M. truncatula.
The Gender Gap in Real Estate Sales: Negotiation Skill or Agent Selection?
Authors: Seagraves Philip , Gallimore Paul
Published: July 2013

This study examines differences in net selling price for residential real estate across male and female agents. A sample of 2,020 home sales transactions from Fulton County, Georgia, are analyzed in a two‐stage least squares, geospatial autoregressive corrected, semi‐log hedonic model to test for gender and gender selection effects. Although agent gender seems to play a role in naïve models, its role becomes inconclusive as variables controlling for possible price and time on market expectations of the buyers and sellers are introduced to the models. Clear differences in real estate sales prices, time on market and agent incomes across genders are unlikely due to differences in negotiation performance between genders or the mix of genders in a two‐agent negotiation. The evidence suggests an interesting alternative to agent performance: that buyers and sellers with different reservation price and time on market expectations, such as those selling foreclosure homes, tend to select agents along gender lines.
Long‐Term Growth in Housing Prices and Stock Returns
Authors: Louis Henock , Sun Amy X.
Published: July 2013

A firm's long‐term stock returns are negatively related to past growth in housing prices in the state where the firm is located. The housing price effect is persistent and robust to controlling for the long‐term stock return reversal effect, changes in mortgage interest rates across the states, cyclicality in housing prices and overall local economic conditions. There is no evidence that extant asset pricing models can adequately explain the effect. The study discusses potential explanations for, and the implications of, the cross‐regional housing price effect.
REIT Asset Sales: Opportunistic Versus Liquidation
Authors: Wiley Jonathan A.
Published: July 2013

This study provides novel evidence that the outcome from REIT sales of office and apartment property is signaled in the transaction price managers accept relative to the fundamental value. The identification strategy recognizes opportunistic sales as sold at prices above fundamental value. Opportunistic sales are followed by positive abnormal returns, measured relative to the market and associated benchmark indices. Assets sold below fundamental value are liquidated by firms with low profitability, low cash and low investment opportunities. Discounted transactions experience zero abnormal returns. Returns following asset sales are influenced by accounting measures, the flow of funds and financial constraints.
A Closer Look at the U.S. Housing Market: Modeling Relationships among Regions
Authors: Yunus Nafeesa , Swanson Peggy E.
Published: July 2013

This article investigates the dynamic interactions among nine U.S. regional housing markets by estimating the multivariate cointegration model using both autoregressive (AR) and moving average (MA) representations over the period from 1975 to 2010. Long‐run results indicate that the extent of convergence among the regional housing markets substantially increased over time and more so after the housing bubble burst in the latter part of 2006. Common stochastic trend analysis reveals that the housing regions of New England, Mid‐Atlantic and the Pacific were the primary regional drivers that led the regions toward long‐run equilibrium during the 1975 to 2006 subperiod. Further analysis indicates that the relationships among the regions cannot be attributed to trends in two important macroeconomic fundamentals: regional per capita income and regional GDP. Finally, short‐run analysis reveals substantial lead lag relationships among all the markets.
Bidding Wars for Houses
Authors: Han Lu , Strange William C.
Published: July 2013

This article analyzes the time series and cross‐sectional patterns of bidding wars for houses. Bidding wars were once rare, a fairly constant 3–4% of transactions. This led to treating list price as a ceiling in empirical and theoretical research on housing. The bidding war share roughly tripled between 1995 and 2005, rising to more than 30% in some markets. The share fell during the subsequent bust, but it remains approximately twice as high as previously. The article shows bidding war incidence to be greater during macroeconomic and housing booms. The article also considers other potential contributing factors, including buyer irrationality, the use of the Internet in home purchases and land use regulation.
The Impact of Second Loans on Subprime Mortgage Defaults
Authors: Eriksen Michael D. , Kau James B. , Keenan Donald C.
Published: July 2013

An estimated 12.6% of primary mortgage loans were simultaneously originated with a second loan from 2004 until 2008, although relatively little is known about how the presence of such subordinate loans affects the default decisions of borrowers. We use a novel data series of loan servicing records from 2002 until 2010 to identify such borrowers and find evidence that the default behavior of these borrowers significantly differs from borrowers without second loans. Estimating a discrete‐time proportional odds hazard model, we find borrowers with a second loan were 62.7% more likely to default each month on their primary loan when conditioning alone on the attributes of the primary loan. However, borrowers of second loans were 58.3% less likely to default on their primary loan as compared to single‐loan borrowers with equivalent current combined attributes (i.e., loan‐to‐value, balance and interest rate). We hypothesize and provide empirical evidence that this occurs because borrowers with second loans have the option to sequentially default on each loan since subordinate lenders will not pursue foreclosure if borrowers have insufficient equity. Lenders of defaulted subordinate debt may revisit their decision to foreclose in the future after housing markets start to recover, thus prompting a new round of foreclosures.
Pricing Relocation–Redevelopment Projects for City Expansion: The Case in China
Authors: Chen Jiajin , Lai Rose N.
Published: July 2013

A solution to city expansion under limited land availability is relocation of existing habitants, demolition of existing buildings and redevelopment of new buildings. In the case of Chinese cities, however, such strategies have become a channel for municipalities to increase their revenue from sale of land and productivity from increased development, at the expense of low compensation to former occupants and vacant housing after development. We utilize a sequential real options pricing approach to find conditions when relocation/demolition and redevelopment in a finite time horizon are optimal and also to show what factors the governments can influence to delay or speed up redevelopment.
Zest for life among 65‐ and 75‐year‐olds in Northern Finland and Sweden – a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Glasberg Ann‐Louise , Pellfolk Tony , Fagerström Lisbeth
Published: July 2013

Background

Zest for life refers to being satisfied with life and having the energy and courage to look for new experiences. Research into zest for life among older people is scarce, even though it is an important topic. Similarly related concepts such as life satisfaction, quality of life and purpose in life have received more attention.

Aim

The aim of this study was to investigate zest for life and factors and variables associated with zest for life among 65‐ and 75‐year‐olds.

Method

A descriptive cross‐sectional design was used, employing data from a cross‐sectional survey in Northern Finland and Sweden with a total of 3372 respondents. Sociodemographic data were gathered: social contacts; helping relatives; activities; involvement in society; health; use of social services; economic situation; ageism; crises in life; and well‐being. Logistic regression analysis was employed to examine independent factors associated with zest for life.

Results

A total of 2854 respondents (nearly 85%) reported having zest for life, with only 47 (1.4%) having no zest for life. Several factors were significantly associated with zest for life. Using logistic regression analysis, the following factors were found to be determinants of zest for life: no diseases (OR = 9.1), general health (OR = 6.1), not discriminated against due to age (OR = 5.4), no crises in life last year (OR = 7.0), experienced depression never/seldom (OR = 88.4) and experienced meaning in life (OR = 10.4).

Conclusions

In general, 65‐ and 75‐year‐olds in Finland and Sweden have a zest for life. Even though the study sample shows that only a small number of respondents have no zest for life, zest for life is a concept worth investigating in that there exists a strong association between no zest for life and depression. Physical and psychological health and well‐being are important determinates of zest for life and, seemingly, a determinate for successful ageing.
Depositional architecture and evolution of progradationally stacked lobe complexes in the Eocene Central Basin of Spitsbergen
Authors: Grundvåg Sten‐Andreas , Johannessen Erik P. , Helland‐Hansen William , Plink‐Björklund Piret
Published: July 2013

The down‐dip portion of submarine fans comprises terminal lobes that consist of various gravity flow deposits, including turbidites and debrites. Within lobe complexes, lobe deposition commonly takes place in topographic lows created between previous lobes, resulting in an architecture characterized by compensational stacking. However, in some deep water turbidite systems, compensational stacking is less prominent and progradation dominates over aggradation and lateral stacking. Combined outcrop and subsurface data from the Eocene Central Basin of Spitsbergen provide a rare example of submarine fans that comprise progradationally stacked lobes and lobe complexes. Evidence for progradation includes basinward offset stacking of successive lobe complexes, a vertical change from distal to proximal lobe environments as recorded by an upward increase in bed amalgamation, and coarsening and thickening upward trends within the lobes. Slope clinoforms occur immediately above the lobe complexes, suggesting that a shelf‐slope system prograded across the basin in concert with deposition of the lobe complexes. Erosive channels are present in proximal axial lobe settings, whereas shallow channels, scours and terminal lobes dominate further basinward. Terminal lobes are classified as amalgamated, non‐amalgamated or thin‐bedded, consistent with turbidite deposition in lobe axis, off‐axis and fringe settings, respectively. Co‐genetic turbidite–debrite beds, interpreted as being deposited from hybrid sediment gravity flows which consisted of both turbulent and laminar flow phases, occur frequently in lobe off‐axis to fringe settings, and are rare and poorly developed in channels and axial lobe environments. This indicates bypass of the laminar flow phase in proximal settings, and deposition in relative distal unconfined settings. Palaeocurrent data indicate sediment dispersal mainly towards the east, and is consistent with slope and lobe complex progradation perpendicular to the NNW–SSE trending basin margin.
Effect of ethnicity, gender and age on the amount and composition of residual skin surface components derived from sebum, sweat and epidermal lipids
Authors: Shetage Satyajit S. , Traynor Matthew J. , Brown Marc B. , Raji Mahad , Graham‐Kalio Diepiriye , Chilcott Robert P.
Published: July 2013

Background/purpose

The superficial layer on the skin surface, known as the acid mantle, comprises a mixture of sebum, sweat, corneocyte debris and constituents of natural moisturizing factor. Thus, the phrase ‘residual skin surface components’ (RSSC) is an appropriate term for the mixture of substances recovered from the skin surface. There is no general agreement about the effects of ethnicity, gender and age on RSSC. The aim of this human volunteer study was to evaluate RSSC in relation to ethnicity, gender and age. A suitable acquisition medium for RSSC collection was identified and samples of RSSC were subsequently analysed using gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) and gravimetry.

Methods

A total of 315 volunteers participated in the study from a range of self‐declared ethnic backgrounds. Six acquisition media were compared to determine the most suitable media for RSSC collection. The effect of age, gender and ethnicity on RSSC collection was evaluated by gravimetric analysis while GC‐MS was used to determine the composition of RSSC.

Results

Of the six candidate materials assessed, cigarette paper provided the most practical and reproducible sample acquisition medium. There was no significant difference in the amount of RSSC collected when based on gender and ethnicity and no significant correlation between RSSC recovery and age. Up to 49 compounds were detected from human RSSC when analysed by GC‐MS.

Conclusions

The results of the present study suggest that RSSC can be effectively collected using cigarette paper and analysed by GC‐MS. Ethnicity, gender and age had no significant impact on the quantity of RSSC recovered from the skin surface.
LOV‐domain photoreceptor, encoded in a genomic island, attenuates the virulence of Pseudomonas syringae in light‐exposed Arabidopsis leaves
Authors: Moriconi Victoria , Sellaro Romina , Ayub Nicolás , Soto Gabriela , Rugnone Matías , Shah Rashmi , P. Pathak Gopal , Gärtner Wolfgang , Casal Jorge J.
Published: July 2013

In Arabidopsis thaliana, light signals modulate the defences against bacteria. Here we show that light perceived by the LOV domain‐regulated two‐component system (Pst–Lov) of Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 (Pst DC3000) modulates virulence against A. thaliana. Bioinformatic analysis and the existence of an episomal circular intermediate indicate that the locus encoding Pst–Lov is present in an active genomic island acquired by horizontal transfer. Strains mutated at Pst–Lov showed enhanced growth on minimal medium and in leaves of A. thaliana exposed to light, but not in leaves incubated in darkness or buried in the soil. Pst–Lov repressed the expression of principal and alternative sigma factor genes and their downstream targets linked to bacterial growth, virulence and quorum sensing, in a strictly light‐dependent manner. We propose that the function of Pst–Lov is to distinguish between soil (dark) and leaf (light) environments, attenuating the damage caused to host tissues while releasing growth out of the host. Therefore, in addition to its direct actions via photosynthesis and plant sensory receptors, light may affect plants indirectly via the sensory receptors of bacterial pathogens.
Targeted expression of SbMATE in the root distal transition zone is responsible for sorghum aluminum resistance
Authors: Sivaguru Mayandi , Liu Jiping , Kochian Leon V.
Published: July 2013

Aluminum (Al) toxicity is one of the major limiting factors for crop production on acid soils that comprise significant portions of the world's lands. Aluminum resistance in the cereal crop Sorghum bicolor is mainly achieved by Al‐activated root apical citrate exudation, which is mediated by the plasma membrane localized citrate efflux transporter encoded by SbMATE. Here we precisely localize tissue‐ and cell‐specific Al toxicity responses as well as SbMATE gene and protein expression in root tips of an Al‐resistant near‐isogenic line (NIL). We found that Al induced the greatest cell damage and generation of reactive oxygen species specifically in the root distal transition zone (DTZ), a region 1–3 mm behind the root tip where transition from cell division to cell elongation occurs. These findings indicate that the root DTZ is the primary region of root Al stress. Furthermore, Al‐induced SbMATE gene and protein expression were specifically localized to the epidermal and outer cortical cell layers of the DTZ in the Al‐resistant NIL, and the process was precisely coincident with the time course of Al induction of SbMATE expression and the onset of the recovery of roots from Al‐induced damage. These findings show that SbMATE gene and protein expression are induced when and where the root cells experience the greatest Al stress. Hence, Al‐resistant sorghum plants have evolved an effective strategy to precisely localize root citrate exudation to the specific site of greatest Al‐induced root damage, which minimizes plant carbon loss while maximizing protection of the root cells most susceptible to Al damage.
Deficiency of the Cog8 Subunit in Normal and CDG‐Derived Cells Impairs the Assembly of the COG and Golgi SNARE Complexes
Authors: Laufman Orly , Freeze Hudson H. , Hong Wanjin , Lev Sima
Published: July 2013

Multiple mutations in different subunits of the tethering complex Conserved Oligomeric Golgi (COG) have been identified as a cause for Congenital Disorders of Glycosylation (CDG) in humans. Yet, the mechanisms by which COG mutations induce the pleiotropic CDG defects have not been fully defined. By detailed analysis of Cog8 deficiency in either HeLa cells or CDG‐derived fibroblasts, we show that Cog8 is required for the assembly of both the COG complex and the Golgi Stx5‐GS28‐Ykt6‐GS15 and Stx6‐Stx16‐Vti1a‐VAMP4 SNARE complexes. The assembly of these SNARE complexes is also impaired in cells derived from a Cog7‐deficient CDG patient. Likewise, the integrity of the COG complex is also impaired in Cog1‐, Cog4‐ and Cog6‐depleted cells. Significantly, deficiency of Cog1, Cog4, Cog6 or Cog8 distinctly influences the production of COG subcomplexes and their Golgi targeting. These results shed light on the structural organization of the COG complex and its subcellular localization, and suggest that its integrity is required for both tethering of transport vesicles to the Golgi apparatus and the assembly of Golgi SNARE complexes. We propose that these two key functions are generally and mechanistically impaired in COG‐associated CDG patients, thereby exerting severe pleiotropic defects.
Factors affecting umbilical cord blood stem cell suitability for transplantation in an in utero collection program
Authors: Keersmaekers Christine L. , Mason Brian A. , Keersmaekers Jan , Ponzini Matthew , Mlynarek Ryan A.
Published: July 2013

Background

The greatest limiting factor in the use of umbilical cord blood (UCB) for transplantations is the number of stem cells available in any given collected unit. This study examines maternal, neonatal, and obstetric factors that influence the suitability for banking and transplantation of UCB units collected in utero.

Study Design and Methods

This study examined 7839 UCB units collected in utero at two hospitals from August 1, 2008, to August 31, 2011. The variables were collected from cord blood records, patient charts, delivery records, and data processed by StemCyte, Inc. (Covina, CA), our parent bank. The mean total nucleated cell (TNC) count between units selected for transplant and those banked but not selected for transplant were also compared.

Results

Of the 11 variables evaluated, six had a significant influence on the acceptable banking TNC count of at least 90 × 107. Of these, cord blood volume was the best predictor. The other variables that were predictors of the acceptable TNC count of significance were gestational age, infant race, parity, birthweight, and infant sex. The minimal bankable TNC count for banking is considerably lower than the mean TNC count of units actually selected for transplantation.

Conclusion

Maternal, neonatal, and obstetric factors can all influence the acceptability of a cord blood unit collected in utero for banking. Furthermore, units with high TNC counts are more likely to be selected for banking. Identifying these variables in potential donors can likely increase the number of adequate collections.
Three‐dimensional conformal radiation therapy alone or in combination with surgery for treatment of canine intracranial meningiomas
Authors: Keyerleber M. A. , McEntee M. C. , Farrelly J. , Thompson M. S. , Scrivani P. V. , Dewey C. W.
Published: July 2013

Treatment protocols, treatment planning methods and tumour types in studies evaluating radiotherapy for canine brain tumours have been varied. This case series retrospectively evaluated the outcome of definitive, three‐dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D‐CRT) as either a sole modality or as an adjuvant to surgery in 31 dogs diagnosed with meningioma by histopathology (n = 10) or cross‐sectional imaging of the head (n = 21, assessed independently by two board certified radiologists). Prescribed dose ranged from 45 to 54 Gy in 2.5 to 3 Gy fractions. Median overall survival was 577 days (interquartile range = 272–829 days; range = 30–1942 days) when all deaths were considered and 906 days (interquartile range = 336–912 days; range = 101–1942 days) when only dogs dying due to meningioma were considered. No significant difference in survival time was detected for the defined clinical or imaging findings or between treatment with radiotherapy alone versus adjuvant radiotherapy, suggesting that3D‐CRTmay be a viable alternative to surgery.
Whole‐genome comparison of meticillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus CC22 SCCmecIV from people and their in‐contact pets
Authors: Loeffler Anette , McCarthy Alex , Lloyd David H. , Musilová Eva , Pfeiffer Dirk U. , Lindsay Jodi A.
Published: July 2013

Background

Meticillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections remain important medical and veterinary challenges. The MRSA isolated from dogs and cats typically belong to dominant hospital‐associated clones, in the UK mostly EMRSA‐15 (CC22 SCCmecIV), suggesting original human‐to‐animal transmission. Nevertheless, little is known about host‐specific genetic variation within the same S. aureus lineage.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To identify host‐specific variation amongst MRSA CC22 SCCmecIV by comparing isolates from pets with those from in‐contact humans using whole‐genome microarray.

Methods

Six pairs of MRSA CC22 SCCmecIV from human carriers (owners and veterinary staff) and their respective infected in‐contact pets were compared using a 62‐strain whole‐genome S. aureus microarray (SAM‐62). The presence of putative host‐specific genes was subsequently determined in a larger number of human (n = 47) and pet isolates (n = 93) by PCR screening.

Results

Variation in mobile genetic elements (MGEs) occurred frequently and appeared largely independent of host and in‐contact pair. A plasmid (SAP078A) encoding heavy‐metal resistance genes (arsR, arsA, cadA, cadC, mco and copB) was found in three of six human and none of six animal isolates. However, only two of four resistance genes were associated with human hosts (P = 0.015 for arsA and cadA).

Conclusions and clinical importance

The variation found amongst MGEs highlights that genetic adaptation in MRSA continues. However, host‐specific MGEs were not detected, which supports the hypothesis that pets may not be natural hosts of MRSA CC22 and emphasizes that rigorous hygiene measures are critical to prevent contamination and infection of dogs and cats. The host specificity of individual heavy‐metal resistance genes warrants further investigation into different selection pressures in humans and animals.
Variability of hormetic dose responses of the antiauxin PCIB on Lactuca sativa in a plant bioassay
Authors: Belz R G , Piepho H P
Published: July 2013

Some herbicidal agents that damage plants at high doses stimulate their growth at low doses. This phenomenon of hormesis constitutes an alternative possible use of herbicidal agents that is, however, compromised by the apparent variability of the phenomenon. However, studies demonstrating and quantifying this apparent variability are lacking. The auxin‐inhibitor PCIB [2‐(p‐chlorophenoxy)‐2‐methylpropionic acid] was therefore investigated to determine whether interassay variability of stimulatory effects exceeds those of inhibitory effects and which hormetic quantity is most variable. Reparameterisation of the dose–response model used to estimate the hormetic dose range allowed including this feature as an explicit parameter. In bioassays with lettuce and root length as response variable, the variability of PCIB effects was evaluated in 33 complete dose–response assays. In a meta‐analysis, the occurrence of PCIB hormesis proved highly reproducible. However, the variability of effects was dose‐dependent and increased with decreasing dose. The response before the maximum stimulatory response and the absolute magnitude of hormesis proved most variable. Comparing the frequency distribution of effective doses demonstrated there was a risk of a previously hormetic dose causing a loss of hormesis or inhibitory effects in a subsequent experiment. Therefore, selecting a hormetic dose that will induce hormesis under any circumstances will be a major challenge.