bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Body cavity fluid can induce epithelial and mesothelial differentiation from CD34 positive peripheral blood stem cells in vitro
Authors: Kataoka H. , Kobayashi T. K. , Amano S. , Yamada E. , Ishida M. , Kushima R. , Okabe H.
Published: July 2011

H. Kataoka, T. K. Kobayashi, S. Amano, E. Yamada, M. Ishida, R. Kushima and H. Okabe

Body cavity fluid can induce epithelial and mesothelial differentiation from CD34 positive peripheral blood stem cells in vitro

Objective:  Primary culture of CD34 positive stem cells collected from human peripheral blood was performed with and without supplementation with concentrated ascitic fluid; morphological and immunocytochemical pictures of cultured cells were taken chronologically and compared.

Methods:  CD34‐positive stem cells collected from peripheral blood were cultured for 1, 24 and 48 hours. Concentrated ascitic fluid was added to the plates for the 24‐and 48‐hour cultures. For immunocytochemical studies, CD34, AE1/AE3, Ber‐Ep4 (EA), EMA, EGFR, CD31, CA125 and D2‐40 monoclonal antibodies were used.

Results:  After culture, small round cells with naked nuclei began to enlarge and to exhibit various changes in the cytoplasm and nucleus. Supplementation with concentrated body cavity fluid enhanced these changes. CD34‐positive cells with small round cell features were detected 1 hour after culture and these had no epithelial or mesothelial markers. After 24 hours, CD34‐positive cells had disappeared and cells weakly positive for EGFR, EMA, CA125 and D2‐40 were detected. Cells with strong and moderate positive reactions for EGFR, AE1/AE3, EA, EMA, D2‐40 and CA125 were detected after 48 hours. Supplementation with concentrated body cavity fluid increased the intensity and number of positive cells for these markers compared with the control group. The positive reaction, not only for the epithelial markers such as EGFR and AE1/AE3, but also for mesothelial markers such as CA125 and D2‐40, was found to be increased in small numbers of cells in direct proportion to the duration of the primary culture of the peripheral blood cells. CD31, characteristically expressed in endothelial cells, was negative in the cultured cells.

Conclusion:  Supplementation of peripheral blood CD34‐positive stem cells with body cavity fluid in vitro enhanced their differentiation toward cells of an epithelial or mesothelial phenotype, concomitant with loss of immunoreactivity for CD34. It is assumed that the routine cytological observation of cells obtained from body cavity fluid might cause possible cytomorphological and immunophenotypical changes due to the action of the growth factors contained in the body cavity fluid.
Intraperitoneal free cancer cells in non‐gynaecological adenocarcinomas: a reproducibility study
Authors: Piaton E. , Villeneuve L. , Maurice C. , Paulin C. , Cottier M. , Fontanière B. , Salle M. , Seigneurin D. , Vancina S. , Decullier E. , Gilly F. N. , Cotte E.
Published: July 2011

E. Piaton, L. Villeneuve, C. Maurice, C. Paulin, M. Cottier, B. Fontanière, M. Salle, D. Seigneurin, S. Vancina, E. Decullier, F. N. Gilly and E. Cotte

Intraperitoneal free cancer cells in non‐gynaecological adenocarcinomas: a reproducibility study

Objective:  In recent years, therapeutic approaches including cytoreductive surgery followed by intraperitoneal chemotherapy have proven effective in peritoneal carcinomatosis of colorectal origin. If cytology is to be used to include patients in aggressive treatment regimens, it is necessary to evaluate its performance, particularly in terms of specificity. The aim of this study was to assess interobserver agreement for the detection of intraperitoneal free cancer cells (IFCCs) in patients with non‐gynaecological adenocarcinomas.

Methods:  Over a 5‐year period, 1223 patients were recruited in 19 French surgery departments. Peritoneal samples were examined in 14 dispersed pathology laboratories. Giemsa‐stained slides were sent to a control reader blind to the previous diagnosis. Discordant cases, concordant positive results and a random selection of negative concordant cases were reviewed by a panel of seven cytopathologists. The ‘final diagnosis’ was that of the consensus meetings but took into account locally‐processed slides.

Results:  Gathering dubious cases with negative results, a 95.6% concordance was achieved between local readers and the control reader. IFCCs were ascertained by the panel in 85 cases (7.0%). Eight of 873 colorectal cancers cases viewed locally were falsely positive (0.9%). Radiotherapy and neoadjuvant therapy had no impact on the false‐positive rate as assessed by final validation by the panel (P > 0.05). Samples initially considered as dubious were reclassified as negative by the panel in 24 of 25 cases (96.0%).

Conclusions:  The panel consensus allowed reclassification of most dubious/equivocal peritoneal cytology cases, whereas clearcut distinction between benign and malignant cases was correctly achieved in almost all cases.
Analytical approximations of bulk and shear moduli for dry rock based on the differential effective medium theory
Authors: Li Hongbing , Zhang Jiajia
Published: July 2011

Differential effective medium theory has been applied to determine the elastic properties of porous media. The ordinary differential equations for bulk and shear moduli are coupled and it is more difficult to obtain accurate analytical formulae about the moduli of dry porous rock. In this paper, in order to decouple these equations we first substitute an analytical approximation for the dry‐rock modulus ratio into the differential equation and derive analytical solutions of the bulk and shear moduli for dry rock with three specific pore shapes: spherical pores, needle‐shaped pores and penny‐shaped cracks. Then, the validity of the analytical approximations is tested by integrating the full differential effective medium equation numerically. The analytical formulae give good estimates of the numerical results over the whole porosity range for the cases of the three given pore shapes. These analytical formulae can be further simplified under the assumption of small porosity. The simplified formulae for spherical pores are the same as Mackenzie's equations. The analytical formulae are relatively easy to analyse the relationship between the elastic moduli and porosity or pore shapes and can be used to invert some rock parameters such as porosity or pore aspect ratio. The predictions of the analytical formulae for experimental data show that the formulae for penny‐shaped cracks are suitable to estimate the elastic properties of micro‐crack rock such as granite, they can be used to estimate the crack aspect ratio while the crack porosity is known and also to estimate the crack porosity evolution with pressure if the crack aspect ratio is given.
Changes in nursing practice: associations with responses to and coping with errors
Authors: Karga Mary , Kiekkas Panagiotis , Aretha Diamanto , Lemonidou Chrisoula
Published: July 2011

Aims and objective.  To investigate emotional responses of nurses and perceived senior staff responses to errors, error‐coping strategies used by nurses and how these are associated with constructive or defensive changes in nursing practice.

Background.  Healthcare professionals have generally reported distressing emotional responses to errors and fear concerns about their consequences. However, errors can also be part of a developmental process, by offering opportunities for learning and leading to constructive changes in clinical practice.

Design.  Prospective, correlational, multicentre study.

Methods.  Five hundred and thirty‐six structured questionnaires completed from nurses employed in various hospital departments were considered eligible for data extraction. The revised questionnaire used was evaluated for content validity.

Results.  Data analysis indicated that positive perceived senior staff responses (p = 0·030), accepting error responsibility (p = 0·031) and seeking social support (p = 0·019) predicted constructive changes in nursing practice, while negative perceived senior staff responses (p = 0·040) and error escape‐avoidance (p = 0·041) predicted defensive changes.

Conclusions.  Errors promote constructive changes in clinical practice when nurses are encouraged to use adaptive error‐coping strategies within a supportive, non‐blaming culture.

Relevance to clinical practice.  These findings highlight the role of senior staff in the establishment of a supportive, trustful ward climate, so that nurses can learn from errors, prevent their recurrence and improve patient safety.
The dgt gene of Escherichia coli facilitates thymine utilization in thymine‐requiring strains
Authors: Itsko Mark , Schaaper Roel M.
Published: July 2011

The Escherichia coli dGTP triphosphohydrolase (dGTPase) encoded by the dgt gene catalyses the hydrolysis of dGTP to deoxyguanosine and triphosphate. The recent discovery of a mutator effect associated with deletion of dgt indicated participation of the triphosphohydrolase in preventing mutagenesis. Here, we have investigated the possible involvement of dgt in facilitating thymine utilization through its ability to provide intracellular deoxyguanosine, which is readily converted by the DeoD phosphorylase to deoxyribose‐1‐phosphate, the critical intermediate that enables uptake and utilization of thymine. Indeed, we observed that the minimal amount of thymine required for growth of thymine‐requiring (thyA) strains decreased with increased expression level of the dgt gene. As expected, this dgt‐mediated effect was dependent on the DeoD purine nucleoside phosphorylase. We also observed that thyA strains experience growth difficulties upon nutritional shift‐up and that the dgt gene facilitates adaptation to the new growth conditions. Blockage of the alternative yjjG (dUMP phosphatase) pathway for deoxyribose‐1‐phosphate generation greatly exacerbated the severity of thymine starvation in enriched media, and under these conditions the dgt pathway becomes crucial in protecting the cells against thymineless death. Overall, our results suggest that the dgt‐dependent pathway for deoxyribose‐1‐phosphate generation may operate under various cell conditions to provide deoxyribosyl donors.
Therapeutic drug monitoring is essential for intravenous busulfan therapy in pediatric hematopoietic stem cell recipients
Authors: Malär Reta , Sjöö Fredrik , Rentsch Katharina , Hassan Moustapha , Güngör Tayfun
Published: July 2011

Malär R, Sjöö F, Rentsch K, Hassan M, Güngör T. Therapeutic drug monitoring is essential for intravenous busulfan therapy in pediatric hematopoietic stem cell recipients. Pediatr Transplantation 2011: 15: 580–588. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Abstract:  Busulfan is widely used for myeloablative conditioning in HSCT. Intravenous busulfan has been introduced to reduce interindividual variability in plasma levels especially in pediatric patients. TDM of intravenous busulfan was performed in 34 pediatric HSCT patients with malignant (n = 9) and non‐malignant (n = 25) diseases (50% of patients <three yr) in a single‐center analysis (2006–2009). Intravenous busulfan was administered twice daily in a four‐h infusion according to recommended weight‐based doses. Busulfan drug levels were measured, and pharmacokinetic analysis was performed. The targeted busulfan exposure was aimed to range between AUC of 9000–12 000 ng/mL/h. In 23/34 patients (68%), the busulfan dose had to be adjusted at least once. In 16/23 patients (70%), the dose had to be increased in a range of 7 to 33%, while in 7/23 patients (30%), the dose had to be decreased by 7–20%. The need of dose adjustment was not related to weight, age, or underlying disease. Seven out of 34 patients (21%) <20 months experienced VOD despite that their total AUCs were within the target AUC. TDM of intravenous busulfan is essential to increase the efficacy and safety of busulfan‐based conditioning protocols in pediatric HSCT recipients.
Genetic resistance to Hymenoscyphus pseudoalbidus limits fungal growth and symptom occurrence in Fraxinus excelsior
Authors: McKinney L. V. , Thomsen I. M. , Kjær E. D. , Nielsen L. R.
Published: July 2011

The European common ash (Fraxinus excelsior) is currently threatened by a pathogenic fungus, Hymenoscyphus pseudoalbidus, which seems to enter the trees through the leaves. Continuous assessments of 39 clones in Danish field trials have shown that there are significant differences in the susceptibility of clones to the new disease. Interestingly, clones that showed early leaf senescence in the autumn were in general less susceptible to the disease than late‐senescing clones. Thus, variation in susceptibility could be owing to phenological differences associated with the infection biology. To test whether differences in susceptibility are driven by genetically based factors other than phenology, we compared inoculations with H. pseudoalbidus on four highly susceptible clones with those of four less susceptible clones. Development of necrosis was hereafter followed regularly. The growth of the fungus in the inner bark was further detected with species‐specific PCR primers. The severity of the response to infection shows significant differentiation among clones and significant correlation with clone susceptibility, as assessed from natural infections in field trials. The fungus was detected in tissues immediately surrounding the necrosis but showed some signs of endophytic growth. The results suggest that healthier clones are able to limit the growth and spread of the fungus and thereby minimize the occurrence of symptoms. This gives hope for the future preservation of F. excelsior in Europe through selection and breeding.
Alternative air vehicles for sterile insect technique aerial release
Authors: Tan L. T. , Tan K. H.
Published: July 2011

The majority of current sterile insect technique (SIT) programmes release chilled adult sterile insects into the wild by means of small fixed‐wing aircraft or occasionally helicopters. Besides being the fastest method of release, it has been demonstrated to provide uniform distribution over target areas and to help ensure sterile insect quality and survivability. It is, however, also the most expensive method of release, and on average, current aerial release contracts constitute about 40% of the annual operating budget of sterile fly emergence and release centres. This is mainly due to the fact that the aircraft used are highly over‐specified relative to the requirements of small to medium SIT aerial release programmes. Furthermore, this stage of the SIT process has traditionally been neglected, while research and process optimization efforts have focused mainly on the mass rearing and sterilization of insects. This study addresses this gap by presenting an extensive survey of other forms of aerial transport, of which five alternative types of aerial vehicles are identified as having the potential to make significant cost savings compared with the current aircraft of SIT programmes. These different alternatives were further evaluated against the requirements of current SIT programmes and also compared in terms of cost. Of these, two fulfilled all requirements, but given that an unmanned aircraft could bring even more cost savings, we present two further proposals for unmanned vehicles, the first a custom‐built fixed‐wing unmanned aerial vehicle or long‐range radio‐controlled aircraft and the second an unmanned dirigible, which is easier to control remotely in view of its natural tendency to stay airborne. Both these alternative aircraft proposals present major cost savings in terms of pilot wages, maintenance and fuel consumption, with the largest cost saving made by eliminating the need for a pilot, as the take‐off weight is the largest source of fuel consumption. Considering that current aerial release contracts represent a significant proportion of the operating budget of SIT programmes, the financial savings of implementing either of these options will have a significant impact on the financial attractiveness of the overall SIT process. Cheaper alternatives to currently used aircraft will also allow smaller SIT programmes to use aerial release methods, thereby widening applicability of aerial release methods.
The best time of day to monitor and manipulate weaver ant colonies in biological control
Authors: Peng R. , Christian K. , Gibb K.
Published: July 2011

The weaver ant, Oecophylla smaragdina (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), is a successful predator and repellent of a range of insect pests of many economically important crops and forest trees. To use the ant as a biocontrol agent, extension officers and farmers need to know the best time of day to identify and transplant the ant colonies and to measure the abundance of the ant. To answer these questions, it is important to know about ant activity over a 24‐h period at the colony level. Ant activities of three weaver ant colonies on the Tiwi campus of Charles Darwin University, Darwin, were measured in both dry and wet seasons in 1997 and 1998. The activity patterns on three types of ant trails showed that ants were least active between the hours of 10:30 and 14:00, and their activity peaked between 16:00 and 21:00 h. There was also a smaller activity peak from 8:00 to 9:00 h. The best time of day to identify ant colonies and to measure ant abundance is from 16:00 to 21:00 h (late afternoon to dusk). The best time to transplant weaver ant colonies is between 10:30 and 14:00 h (midday).
Black yeast‐like fungi in skin and nail: it probably matters
Authors: Saunte D. M. , Tarazooie B. , Arendrup M. C. , de Hoog G. S.
Published: July 2011

Black yeast‐like fungi are rarely reported from superficial infections. We noticed a consistent prevalence of these organisms as single isolations from mycological routine specimens. To investigate the prevalence of black yeast‐like fungi in skin, hair and nail specimens and to discuss the probability of these species to be involved in disease. Slow‐growing black yeast‐like fungi in routine specimens were prospectively collected and identified. A questionnaire regarding patient information was sent to physicians regarding black yeast‐like fungus positive patients. A total of 20 746 dermatological specimens were examined by culture. Black yeast‐like fungi accounted for 2.2% (n = 108) of the positive cultures. Only 31.0% of the samples, culture positive for black yeast‐like fungi were direct microscopy positive when compared with overall 68.8% of the culture positive specimens. The most prevalent species were Phialophora europaea (n = 29), Coniosporium epidermidis (n = 12), Ochroconis cf. humicola (n = 6) and Cladophialophora boppii (n = 4). These are not common saprobes and thus less likely to be coincidental colonizers. In 10/30 cases, discolouration of nail/skin had been noticed. A limited number of black yeast‐like fungi were repeatedly isolated from routine specimens suggesting that they may play a role in superficial infections or as colonizers.
Causes of renal forniceal rupture
Authors: Gershman Boris , Kulkarni Naveen , Sahani Dushyant V. , Eisner Brian H.
Published: July 2011

Study Type – Diagnostic (exploratory cohort) Level of Evidence 2b

What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add?

Renal forniceal rupture is a common finding in patients with ureteral obstruction. It is thought to be due to increased renal pelvis pressure from backup of urine, causing one or more renal fornices to leak urine. This phenomenon has not been systematically studied. Herein we retrospectively review the causes and associated clinical findings in over 100 cases of renal forniceal rupture.

OBJECTIVE

• To perform a retrospective review aiming to identify causes of renal forniceal rupture.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

• A retrospective review was performed of the longitudinal medical record and CT records for patients identified as having renal ‘forniceal rupture’ or ‘calyceal rupture’ using a radiological database.

RESULTS

• In total, 108 patients were identified with the CT diagnosis of renal ‘forniceal’ or ‘calyceal’ rupture.

• Forniceal rupture was caused by ureteric stones in 80 cases (74.1%), malignant extrinsic ureteric compression in nine cases (8.3%), benign extrinsic ureteric compression in two cases (1.9%), pelvic‐ureteric junction obstruction in two cases (1.9%), vesico‐ureteric junction (VUJ) obstruction in one case (0.9%), bladder outlet obstruction in one case (0.9%) and iatrogenic causes in four cases (3.7%).

• No definitive cause was found in nine cases (8.3%). For patients in whom a ureteric stone was the cause of forniceal rupture, the level of obstruction was proximal ureter in 24.3% of cases, distal ureter in 17.6% of cases and VUJ in 58.1% of cases.

• Mean (sd) stone size was 4.09 (2.0) mm. Mean (sd) stone size was 5.34 (1.87) mm for proximal stones, 4.08 (1.69) mm for distal stones and 3.53 (1.96) mm for VUJ stones (P= 0.005).

• Urinary tract infection was present in five out of 97 patients (5.2%) in whom data were available for analysis.

CONCLUSION

• The most common aetiology of renal forniceal rupture is obstruction caused by distal ureteric stones followed by malignant extrinsic ureteric compression.
Obesity and prostate enlargement in men with localized prostate cancer
Authors: Kopp Ryan P. , Han Misop , Partin Alan W. , Humphreys Elizabeth , Freedland Stephen J. , Parsons J. Kellogg
Published: July 2011

Study Type – Prevalence (retrospective cohort) Level of Evidence 2b

What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add?

Obesity is associated with prostate enlargement in men without prostate cancer. This study demonstrates an association between obesity and prostate enlargement in men with prostate cancer, and leads to possible implications for prostate cancer screening and diagnosis.

OBJECTIVE

• To determine if obesity is associated with prostate size in men with prostate cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

• We examined preoperative body mass index (BMI) and whole prostate weight in a cohort of 16 325 patients undergoing radical prostatectomy for localized prostate cancer from 1975 to 2008 at a single institution.

• We used multivariable regression modelling adjusting for age, year of surgery, preoperative serum prostate‐specific antigen (PSA), pathological stage and Gleason grade.

RESULTS

• Of the entire cohort, 13 343 (82%) patients had a prostate weight of at least 40 g. These men were older (P < 0.001), had a higher preoperative BMI (P < 0.002), higher preoperative PSA (P < 0.001), and were more likely to have pT2 disease (P < 0.001).

• In multivariable regression, preoperative BMI was associated with increased prostate weight: for each 1 kg/m2 increase in BMI, prostate weight increased by 0.45 g (95% CI 0.35–0.55, P‐trend < 0.001).

• Compared with men with BMI < 25 kg/m2, men with a BMI ≥35 kg/m2 had a 40% (odds ratio 1.40, 95% CI 1.01–1.95) increased risk of prostate weight of at least 40 g and a 70% (odds ratio 1.70, 95% CI 1.32–2.20) increased risk of prostate weight of at least 50 g.

CONCLUSIONS

• In men with localized prostate cancer, obesity is associated with an increased risk of prostate enlargement.

• These data validate other observations linking obesity with prostate enlargement and may have important ramifications for prostate cancer diagnosis in obese men.
In young adults with a low body mass index ultrasonography is sufficient as a diagnostic tool for ureteric stones
Authors: Pichler Renate , Skradski Viktor , Aigner Friedrich , Leonhartsberger Nicolai , Steiner Hannes
Published: July 2011

Study Type – Diagnostic (case series) Level of Evidence 4

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?

Although CT has become the gold standard for stone diagnosis, this study provides data suggesting that ultrasonography (US) is sufficient as primary diagnostic method for ureteral stones avoiding high costs, unnecessary radiation and long‐term risk of cancer. To our knowledge the identification of additional factors affecting diagnostic accuracy of US for ureteral stone diagnosis has not been established to date.

OBJECTIVE

• To identify additional factors that might improve the diagnosis of ureteric stones using ultrasonography (US) as the primary diagnostic method.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

• We performed a retrospective study of 228 patients who underwent rigid ureterorenoscopy (URS) for obstructive ureteric stones.

• Patient age, sex, body mass index (BMI) and stone location and size were recorded.

• All patients underwent US for stone detection before surgery.

• If no cause of the flank pain was found by US, computer tomography (CT) was performed to confirm the absence of ureteric stones.

RESULTS

• In 57 (25%), 15 (6.6%) and 156 (68.4%) patients a stone was localized on the proximal, mid‐ and distal ureter, respectively.

• In 96 (42.1%), 122 (53.5%) and 10 (4.4%) patients the stone measured 0–5, 6–10 and >10 mm, respectively.

• The mean (range) BMI of the patients was 24.7 (17.3–37.2) kg/m2.

• The overall stone detection rate using US was 86.4% overall, and 96.4% in adults ≤35 years. In 72/197 patients (36.5%) the stones found using US measured ≤5 mm and in 24/31 patients (77.4%) the stones found using CT measured ≤5 mm.

• Age (P= 0.008), stone size (P < 0.001) and BMI (P= 0.013) were factors that independently affected ureteric stone diagnosis using US.

CONCLUSION

• Although CT has served as the ‘gold standard’ for stone detection, its high costs and radiation dose, together with the high detection rate of US in the hands of experienced radiologists, lead us to conclude that US should be the first choice for primary diagnostic purposes, especially in young slim adults as no patient ≤35 years with a BMI ≤24 kg/m2 needed unenhanced CT for ureteric stone diagnosis.
The Popularity of British Prime Ministers
Authors: Denver David , Garnett Mark
Published: July 2011

Prime ministers have been crucial figures in British politics for nearly three centuries and the media now give them more prominence than ever. Polling data on prime ministerial popularity suggest that there has been an increasing tendency for voters to take a negative view of the incumbent prime minister. Moreover, almost every post-war premier has left office less popular than when he or she took over. This trend has not affected opposition leaders, however. Despite the fact that they dominate media coverage of British politics, voters’ reactions to prime ministers are less good predictors of party preferences than appraisals of the general competence of the government. This suggests that while valence theorists are right to draw attention to the role of party leaders as a means of providing voters with a ‘short cut’ in decision-making, the importance of leader evaluations should not be exaggerated.
Information Content in Small and Large Trades
Authors: Dey Malay K. , Stern Hal , Zhang Hongmei
Published: July 2011

We estimate the probabilities of informed trading (PIN) for small and large trades and then investigate their determinants. We model a competitive dealership market for equities with two order sizes using a Poisson process mixture model and use TORQ data to estimate the parameters for the model via the method of maximum likelihood. The PIN for small and large trades are functions of the resulting parameter estimates. In our empirical tests, we find that although for the majority of securities information contents in small and large trades are similar, the average PIN for small trades is significantly higher than that in large trades. We also find that trading volume and institutional trading are the primary determinants of information content in small and large trades, respectively, but not of both. A further investigation of the securities with the largest differences in terms of PINs for small and large trades reveals that trade size alone distinguishes those firms from the rest – all eight firms reside in the lowest quartile in terms of average trade size.
Defence Measures and Earnings Management in an Owner Dominant Context
Authors: Bona‐Sánchez Carolina , Pérez‐Alemán Jerónimo , Santana‐Martín Domingo J.
Published: July 2011

Abstract:  The aim of this research is to examine the effect of defensive measures (DMs) on earnings management in an owner dominant environment such as Continental Europe, where control is assumed to be exercised by large shareholders. Thus, compared to the manager dominant context of the US/UK, in the owner dominant environment firms operate in a setting with weaker investor protection, less developed capital markets and a larger presence of dominant owners with the ability and incentives to influence corporate decisions. Using a defensive index that captures the level of defence measures in Spanish listed firms’ by‐laws, we find a positive relation between the presence of DMs and earnings management. Our results are consistent with DMs promoting dominant shareholders’ entrenchment and increasing their incentives to manage earnings in order to avoid unnecessary scrutiny from market participants and regulators in a context where political rent‐seeking activities are prevalent.
Distribution and mechanisms of overpressure generation and deflation in the late Neoproterozoic to early Cambrian South Oman Salt Basin
Authors: KUKLA P. A. , REUNING L. , BECKER S. , URAI J. L. , SCHOENHERR J.
Published: July 2011

Late Neoproterozoic to early Cambrian intra‐salt Ara reservoirs of the South Oman Salt Basin represents a unique self‐charging petroleum play with respect to hydrocarbon and overpressure generation and dissipation. Reservoir bodies (termed ‘stringers’) are isolated in salt and frequently contain low‐permeable dolomites that are characterized by high initial production rates because of hard overpressures. A database of more than 30 wells has been utilized to understand the distribution and generation of overpressures in intra‐salt reservoirs that can be separated by up to 350 m of salt. A temporal relationship of increasingly overpressured reservoirs within stratigraphically younger units is observed, and two distinctly independent trends emerge from the Oman dataset; one hydrostatic to slightly above hydrostatic and one overpressured from 17 to 22 kPa m−1, almost at lithostatic pressures. Structural, petrophysical and seismic data analysis suggests that overpressure generation is driven by fast burial of the stringers in salt, with a significant contribution by thermal fluid effects and kerogen conversion. Structural and geometric information indicates that present‐day hydrostatic stringers have been overpressured in their earlier geologic evolution. Evidence for these initial overpressures in currently hydrostatic reservoirs is provided by hydrocarbon‐veined cores from halite overlying the reservoirs. A proposed pressure deflation mechanism can be related to the complex interplay of salt tectonics and fast deposition of early Cambrian to Ordovician age clastics.
Tumor necrosis factor‐α synthesis inhibitor, 3,6′‐dithiothalidomide, reverses behavioral impairments induced by minimal traumatic brain injury in mice
Authors: Baratz Renana , Tweedie David , Rubovitch Vardit , Luo Weiming , Yoon Jeong Seon , Hoffer Barry J. , Greig Nigel H. , Pick Chaim G.
Published: July 2011

J. Neurochem.(2011)118, 1032–1042.

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) patients do not show clear structural brain defects and, in general, do not require hospitalization, but frequently suffer from long‐lasting cognitive, behavioral and emotional difficulties. Although there is no current effective treatment or cure for mTBI, tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α), a cytokine fundamental in the systemic inflammatory process, represents a potential drug target. TNF‐α levels increase after mTBI and may induce or exacerbate secondary damage to brain tissue. The present study evaluated the efficacy of the experimental TNF‐α synthesis inhibitor, 3,6′‐dithiothalidomide, on recovery of mice from mTBI in a closed head weight‐drop model that induces an acute elevation in brain TNF‐α and an impairment in cognitive performance, as assessed by the Y‐maze, by novel object recognition and by passive avoidance paradigms at 72 h and 7 days after injury. These impairments were fully ameliorated in mice that received a one time administration of 3,6′‐dithiothalidomide at either a low (28 mg/kg) or high (56 mg/kg) dose provided either 1 h prior to injury, or at 1 or 12 h post‐injury. Together, these results implicate TNF‐α as a drug target for mTBI and suggests that 3,6′‐dithiothalidomide may act as a neuroprotective drug to minimize impairment.
Intracellular distribution of functional M1‐muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in N1E‐115 neuroblastoma cells
Authors: Uwada Junsuke , Anisuzzaman Abu Syed Md , Nishimune Atsushi , Yoshiki Hatsumi , Muramatsu Ikunobu
Published: July 2011

J. Neurochem. (2011) 118, 958–967.

Signaling by muscarinic agonists is thought to result from the activation of cell surface acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) that transmit extracellular signals to intracellular systems. In N1E‐115 neuroblastoma cells, we detected both plasma membrane and intracellular M1‐mAChRs using both biochemical and pharmacological methods. In intact cells, both plasma membrane and intracellular M1‐mAChRs were detected by the hydrophobic ligand probe, 1‐quinuclidinyl‐[phenyl‐4‐3H]‐benzilate ([3H]‐QNB) whereas the hydrophilic probe, 1‐[N‐methyl‐3H] scopolamine ([3H]‐NMS), detected only cell surface receptors. These probes detected comparable numbers of receptors in isolated membrane preparations. Immunohistochemical studies with M1‐mAChR antibody also detected both cell‐surface and intracellular M1‐mAChRs. Carbachol‐stimulated phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis and Ca2+ mobilization were completely inhibited by a cell‐impermeable M1 antagonist, muscarinic toxin ‐7 and the Gq/11 inhibitor YM‐254890. However, carbachol‐stimulated extracellular‐regulated kinase 1/2 activation was unaffected by muscarinic toxin‐7, but was blocked by the cell‐permeable antagonist, pirenzepine. extracellular regulated kinase 1/2 phosphorylation was resistant to blockade of Gq/11 (YM‐254890) and protein kinase C (bisindolylmaleimide I). Our data suggest that the geographically distinct M1‐mAChRs (cell surface versus intracellular) can signal via unique signaling pathways that are differentially sensitive to cell‐impermeable versus cell‐permeable antagonists. Our data are of potential physiological relevance to signaling that affects both cognitive and neurodegenerative processes.
THE COLOURED TESSERAE DECORATING THE VAULTS OF THE FARAGOLA BALNEUM (ASCOLI SATRIANO, FOGGIA, SOUTHERN ITALY)
Authors: GLIOZZO E. , SANTAGOSTINO BARBONE A. , TURCHIANO M. , MEMMI I. , VOLPE G.
Published: July 2011

Twenty‐six tesserae (red, orange, yellow, light amber, green, blue and white) from the balneum of the villa at Faragola (Ascoli Satriano, Foggia) have been examined by colorimetry, ICP–MS, ICP–OES and SEM–EDS. Different types of calcareous sands have been used as the source of silica (network former), also providing the stabilizing agent. A natron‐type soda source served as the network modifier; however, the use of a sodium‐rich plant ash and the recycling process have been hypothesized for the production of two tesserae (FT 1 red and FT 3 orange). The colouring and opacifying agents were Cu oxide (cuprite, orange), metallic copper (red), Pb antimonates (yellow), Ca antimonates (white), a mixture of copper (Cu2+) and Pb antimonates (green), a mixture of cobalt (Co2+) or copper (Cu2+) and Ca antimonates (blue). The light amber tesserae should owe their colour to iron (Fe3+) alone or associated with sulphide (S2−) and Ca antimonates. It is likely that the Faragola tesserae were locally produced in a secondary glass workshop.
Testing the protozoan hypothesis for Ediacaran fossils: a developmental analysis ofPalaeopascichnus
Authors: ANTCLIFFE JONATHAN B. , GOODAY ANDREW J. , BRASIER MARTIN D.
Published: July 2011

Abstract: The hypothesis that the Ediacara biota were giant protozoans is tested by considering the external morphology, internal organization, suggested fossil representatives and molecular phylogeny of the xenophyophores. From this analysis, we find no case to support a direct relationship. Rather, the xenophyophores are here regarded as a group of recently evolved Foraminifera and are hence unlikely to have a record from the Ediacaran Period. Further from the growth dynamics of Foraminifera, they are also unlikely to be related to thePalaeopascichnusorganism. We also find significant distinctions in the growth dynamics ofPalaeopascichnusand organisms usually referred to the Ediacara biota, such asCharniaandDickinsonia. Developmental analysis of thePalaeopascichnus– central to the xenophyophore hypothesis – reveals unusual, protozoan features, including evidence for chaotic repair structures, for mergence of coeval forms, as well as complex bifurcations. These observations suggest thatPalaeopascichnusis a body fossil of an unidentified protozoan but is unrepresentative of Ediacaran body construction, in general.
The interdependence of horizontal family relationships and friendships relates to higher well‐being
Authors: WRZUS CORNELIA , WAGNER JENNY , NEYER FRANZ J.
Published: July 2011

Assuming individual differences in the satisfaction of affiliative needs, the authors hypothesize that people maintain friendships differently depending on the number and the quality of their horizontal family relationships, and this relates to differences in subjective well‐being. These predictions were tested in 2 studies involving German adults aged 30 to 86 years. Contrary to previous studies, the authors studied the importance of friends in relation to family relationships and identified friends in participants' networks based on predefined criteria. Results showed that less close relationships with horizontal family were accompanied by greater closeness to friends and vice versa, and this was related to higher well‐being. The findings demonstrate that people shape their relationships in accordance to their social environment, and benefit from doing so by enhanced well‐being.
Silencing of P2Y2 receptors reduces intraocular pressure in New Zealand rabbits
Authors: Martin‐Gil Alba , de Lara María Jesús Perez , Crooke Almudena , Santano Concepción , Peral Assumpta , Pintor Jesus
Published: July 2011

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

P2 receptors are involved in the regulation of ocular physiological processes like intraocular pressure (IOP). In the present study, the involvement of P2Y2 receptors in the hypertensive effect of nucleotides was investigated by use of antagonists and of a siRNA designed for the P2Y2 receptor.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

Agonists of the P2Y2 receptor a as well as P2 antagonists were applied to eyes of New Zealand rabbits, and the changes in IOP were followed for up to 6 h. Cloning of the P2Y2 receptor cDNA was done using a combination of degenerate reverse transcription PCR (RT‐PCR) and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). siRNA was synthesized and tested by immunohistochemistry.

KEY RESULTS

Single doses of 2‐thioUTP, UTP‐γ‐S and UTP increased IOP. This behaviour was concentration‐dependent and partially antagonized by reactive blue 2. Silencing the P2Y2 receptor was observed in the ciliary body by immunohistochemistry labelling, where a reduction in the immunofluorescence was observed. This reduction in the expression of the P2Y2 receptor was concomitant with a reduction in IOP, which was measurable 24 h after treatment with the siRNA, maximal after 2 days, followed by a slow increase towards control values for the following 5 days. Application of the P2Y2 agonists after pretreatment of the animals with this siRNA did not produce any change in IOP.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

P2Y2 receptors increase IOP in New Zealand rabbits. The application of a siRNA for this receptor significantly reduced IOP, suggesting that this technology might be used for the treatment of glaucoma.
Use of inotropes and vasopressor agents in critically ill patients
Authors: Bangash Mansoor N , Kong Ming‐Li , Pearse Rupert M
Published: July 2011

Inotropes and vasopressors are biologically and clinically important compounds that originate from different pharmacological groups and act at some of the most fundamental receptor and signal transduction systems in the body. More than 20 such agents are in common clinical use, yet few reviews of their pharmacology exist outside of physiology and pharmacology textbooks. Despite widespread use in critically ill patients, understanding of the clinical effects of these drugs in pathological states is poor. The purpose of this article is to describe the pharmacology and clinical applications of inotropic and vasopressor agents in critically ill patients.

LINKED ARTICLES This article is commented on by Bracht et al., pp. 2009–2011 and De Backer and Scolletta, pp. 2012–2014 of this issue. To view Bracht et al. visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1476‐5381.2011.01776.x and to view De Backer and Scolletta visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1476‐5381.2011.01746.x
Exploring till bed kinematics using AMS magnetic fabrics and pebble fabrics: the Weedsport drumlin field, New York State, USA
Authors: GENTOSO MATTHEW J. , EVENSON EDWARD B. , KODAMA KENNETH P. , IVERSON NEAL R. , ALLEY RICHARD B. , BERTI CLAUDIO , KOZLOWSKI ANDREW
Published: July 2011

Gentoso, M. J., Evenson, E. B., Kodama, K. P., Iverson, N. R., Alley, R. B., Berti, C. & Kozlowski, A. 2012 (January): Exploring till bed kinematics using AMS magnetic fabrics and pebble fabrics: the Weedsport drumlin field, New York State, USA. Boreas, Vol. 41, pp. 31–41. 10.1111/j.1502‐3885.2011.00221.x. ISSN 0300‐9483.

Thick, relatively homogeneous basal tills exposed in the drumlins and flutes of the Weedsport drumlin and flute field in New York State exhibit anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) and pebble fabrics that are consistently oriented parallel to the streamlined bedforms. The pebble fabrics and AMS fabrics are concordant. In this study, six drumlins and five flutes were sampled. Thermally induced, incremental reduction of isothermal remanent magnetization indicates that AMS is caused by primarily elongate maghaemite grains. The orientations of principal axes of maximum susceptibility (k1) are generally parallel to pebble long‐axis orientations, and tend to plunge mildly up‐glacier. Fabric directions are generally parallel to drumlin long‐axis orientations, but deviate by 12°–23° from flute directions. Fabrics of the flutes are stronger and more unidirectional than those of the drumlins. These results support the use of AMS as a fast and objective method for characterizing fabrics in tills, and suggest hypotheses about basal processes linked to glacially streamlined landforms.
Dyskeratosis Congenita—Two Siblings with a New Missense Mutation in the DKC1 Gene
Authors: COELHO JOANA DIAS , LESTRE SARA , KAY TERESA , LOPES MARIA JOÃO PAIVA , FIADEIRO TERESA , APETATO MARGARIDA
Published: July 2011

Abstract:  Dyskeratosis congenital is reported in two siblings. They presented with the classic triad of mucocutaneous features: leukoplakia of the tongue, dystrophic nails, and a widespread reticulate pigmentation on the neck and upper chest. A genetic analysis was performed and a new missense mutation S356P, hemizygous, was identified in the DKC1 gene in both patients. Acitretin was started at a low‐dose in both patients, resulting in clinical improvement and important, positive psychosocial effects.
The cognitive consequence of resecting nonlesional tissues in epilepsy surgery—Results from MRI‐ and histopathology‐negative patients with temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Helmstaedter Christoph , Petzold Inga , Bien Christian G.
Published: July 2011

Purpose:  Because more selective and individual versus extended standard surgery in the treatment of epilepsy appears to result in similar seizure outcomes, the issue of sparing nonlesional and hypothetically still‐functioning tissues has become a central topic in epilepsy surgery. Within this framework we hypothesized that surgery in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)‐ and histopathologically negative patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) may serve as a proof of principle about the negative cognitive consequences of resecting nonlesional tissue.

Methods:  Verbal and figural memory outcomes after temporal lobe surgery in 15 MRI‐ and histopathologically negative patients (MRH−) were compared to those obtained in 15 MRI‐ and histopathologically positive patients (MRH+). In the MRH− group, 53% were male, 66% were resected on the left side, 13% underwent selective amygdalohippocampectomy, and 20% became seizure‐free. MRH+ patients were selected from >1,000 TLE patients, and provided matched pairs in regard to chronological age, sex, IQ, attention performance, onset of epilepsy, side and type of surgery, age at surgery, and seizure outcome. Individual and combined standardized scores for verbal/figural memory were evaluated.

Key findings:  Preoperatively, memory was significantly better and less frequently impaired in MRH− as opposed to MRH+ patients. Postoperatively, memory losses in MRH− were more severe as opposed to MRH+ patients who did not change, on average. Losses in individual test parameters were seen in between 27% and 80% in MRH− patients as compared to between 13% and 47% in MRH+ patients. After surgery, outcomes for both groups were at comparably poor performance levels.

Significance:  Preoperative group differences in memory and the finding that, after surgery, both groups had comparably poor performance levels indicate a major relevance of morphologic structural lesions for memory impairment in TLE. The findings in particular confirm the negative impact of the resection of nonlesional functional tissue for cognitive surgical outcome. Absence of MRI lesion and unimpaired memory appear as significant risk factors for postoperative memory loss in temporal lobe surgery.
Form Over Matter: Differences in the Incentives to Convert Using Full Versus Partial Demutualization in the U.S. Life Insurance Industry
Authors: Erhemjamts Otgontsetseg , Phillips Richard D.
Published: July 2011

Abstract

We explore the recent wave of demutualizations in the U.S. life insurance industry and analyze if the motives were similar for mutual life insurers that fully demutualized versus those that converted to mutual holding company (MHC) form. We find that fully demutualizing insurers were primarily motivated by a desire to gain access to external capital markets while those that chose MHC were motivated by other incentives including a tax‐based incentive. We also document that after conversion, fully demutualizing insurers more aggressively increase their exposure to risks they have a comparative advantage to bear than do firms that convert to MHC.