bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In vitroandin vivorelaxation of urinary bladder smooth muscle by the selective myosin II inhibitor, blebbistatin
Authors: Zhang Xinhua , Kuppam Dwaraka Srinivasa R. , Melman Arnold , DiSanto Michael E.
Published: May 2010

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

Various pathological conditions of the bladder, including overactive bladder syndrome (OAB), are associated with unregulated increases in bladder smooth muscle (SM) contraction. Although a number of new pre‐clinical pharmacological agents for OAB have been identified, they predominantly target at the neural or detrusor cell membrane level rather than the SM contractile apparatus itself. The current study provides the first demonstration that blebbistatin, a novel small cell permeable molecule with demonstrated high affinity and selectivity toward the myosin II contractile molecule, potently and efficiently relaxes both rat and human bladder SMin vitroand also significantly alters urodynamic parametersin vivoto values reflective of decreased bladder overactivity.

OBJECTIVETo investigate thein vitroandin vivoeffects of blebbistatin (a small cell‐permeable molecule with high affinity and selectivity toward the myosin II contractile molecule) on bladder smooth muscle (SM) contractility, as antimuscarinic therapy is only 65–75% effective in treating overactive bladder (OAB) and is associated with considerable side‐effects, with a <25% continuation rate at 1 year.

MATERIALS AND METHODSBladder and aortic strips from adult male rats, and human bladder strips obtained from open prostatectomy, were used for organ‐bath studies of blebbistatin. Awake cystometry was also used in rats in both the presence and absence of intravesically delivered blebbistatin.

RESULTSBlebbistatin dose‐dependently and completely relaxed both KCl‐ and carbachol‐induced rat detrusor and endothelin‐1‐induced human bladder contraction. Pre‐incubation with 10 µmblebbistatin attenuated carbachol responsiveness by ≈65% while blocking electrical field stimulation‐induced bladder contraction reaching 50% inhibition at 32 Hz. The basal tone and amplitude of spontaneous contraction were also significantly diminished. Urodynamic variables were obviously altered by intravesical infusion with blebbistatin.

CONCLUSIONOur novel data show that blebbistatin strongly relaxes both rat and human bladder contraction induced by various physiological stimuli. Coupled with ourin vivodata showing that nanomole doses of blebbistatin significantly alter urodynamic variables to produce a less active bladder, our results suggest the possibility of intravesically administered blebbistatin binding at myosin II being developed as a therapeutic treatment for OAB via a novel targeting of the SM contractile apparatus.
Location and number of positive surgical margins as prognostic factors of biochemical recurrence after salvage radiation therapy after radical prostatectomy
Authors: Bastide Cyrille , Savage Caroline , Cronin Angel , Zelefsky Michael J. , Eastham James A. , Touijer Karim , Scardino Peter T. , Guillonneau Bertrand D.
Published: May 2010

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

OBJECTIVE

To determine if the location and number of positive surgical margins (PSMs) after radical prostatectomy (RP) are associated with recurrence after salvage external beam radiation therapy (sEBRT).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 60 patients with PSMs who underwent three‐dimensional conformal sEBRT for biochemical recurrence (BCR) or clinically detected local recurrence after RP between 1996 and 2007. PSMs were categorized as present or absent at three locations, and patients were classified as having either one or more than one PSM. BCR after RP was defined as a prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) level of ≥0.1 ng/mL. BCR after sEBRT was defined as a serum PSA level of ≥0.1 ng/mL above the PSA nadir after sEBRT.

RESULTS

In all, 24 (40%) patients had more than one PSM. Overall, the most common location of a PSM was the posterior prostate with 40 (66%) patients having a positive posterior margin. The location of PSMs was not significantly associated with secondary BCR (global P= 0.8). There was a borderline result between the number of PSMs and BCR: men with more than one PSM were less likely to recur compared with those with only one PSM (hazard ratio 0.42; P= 0.067).

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study to specifically analyse location and number of PSMs as prognostic factors for men who undergo sEBRT. There was no evidence to suggest that the location of a PSM predicted secondary BCR. Further research is needed to determine whether the number of PSMs is an important predictor of BCR after sEBRT.
The changing prevalence of diagnosed diabetes and its associated vascular complications in a large region of the UK*
Authors: Morgan C. L. , Peters J. R. , Currie C. J.
Published: May 2010

Diabet. Med. 27, 673–678 (2010)

Aims  To characterize the prevalence of diabetes in a large health district in 2004 and compare it with a previous estimate made in 1996.

Methods  The study population comprised the resident population of Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan. Routine record linkage was used to identify patients from various sources of hospital and mortality data. Patients with diabetes were identified according to biochemistry test results, coding on routine data or attendance at a diabetes‐related clinic. Diabetes‐related complications were ascribed according to coding on routine data.

Results  It was possible to identify 17 088 people with diabetes alive on 1 January 2005. Of these patients, 9064 (53.0%) were male and 8024 (47.0%) were female. Mean age (± sd) was 59.6 ± 18.9 years for males and 61.2 ± 20.4 years for females. The crude prevalence of diabetes in 2005 was 3.9% (3.4% adjusted) compared with 2.5% in 1996 (2.3% adjusted). With the exception of females aged ≥ 75 years, the prevalence of diabetes increased in all age‐ and sex‐specific subgroups. Within the 2005 cohort, over two‐thirds has no recorded complications compared with approximately one half of the 1996 cohort. The prevalence of individual complications decreased, with the exception of renal complications.

Conclusions  The prevalence of identified diabetes appears to have increased substantially over a relatively short period of 9 years to 2004. The increase in prevalence was 46%, with an increase in numbers of patients with diabetes of 53%. A number of factors are likely to have contributed to this, including an increase in case ascertainment.
Paediatric intensive care admissions for acute diabetes complications
Authors: Burns M. R. , Bodansky H. J. , Parslow R. C.
Published: May 2010

Diabet. Med. 27, 705–708 (2010)

Aim  To describe the admission characteristics and outcomes of children admitted to paediatric intensive care because of acute diabetes complications in England and Wales.

Methods  Retrospective review of children admitted to paediatric intensive care in England and Wales between April 2003 and March 2007 with acute diabetes complications using data from the Paediatric Intensive Care Audit Network (PICANet).

Results  There were 341 admissions in 330 patients for acute diabetes complications, comprising 0.6% of all 56 322 intensive care admissions. There was a steady annual increase during this period from 0.54% to 0.67%. The majority of admissions were for ketoacidosis (87%), with more female admissions than males (56% vs. 44%). Forty per cent of the diabetes admissions were aged 11–15 years. There were five deaths (1.5%), all female.

Conclusions  Acute diabetes complications are an increasing cause of admission to paediatric intensive care, particularly for teenage girls. The overall mortality rate was low for intensive care admissions for diabetes. Earlier diagnosis of new cases, heightened awareness of this condition and better management of existing diabetic patients may obviate the need for costly intensive care treatment.
Culturally appropriate health education for Type 2 diabetes in ethnic minority groups: a systematic and narrative review of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Hawthorne K. , Robles Y. , Cannings‐John R. , Edwards A. G. K.
Published: May 2010

Diabet. Med. 27, 613–623 (2010)

To determine if culturally appropriate health education is more effective than ‘usual’ health education for people with diabetes from ethnic minority groups living in high‐ and upper‐middle‐income countries. A systematic review with meta‐analysis, following the methodology of the Cochrane Collaboration. Electronic literature searches of nine databases were made, with hand searching of three journals and 16 author contacts. The criteria for inclusion into the analysis were randomized controlled trials of a specified diabetes health education intervention, and a named ethnic minority group with Type 2 diabetes. Data were collected on HbA1c, blood pressure, and quality‐of‐life measures. A narrative review was also performed. Few studies fitted the selection criteria, and were heterogeneous in methodologies and outcome measures, making meta‐analysis difficult. HbA1c showed an improvement at 3 months [weighted mean difference (WMD) −0.32%, 95% confidence interval (CI) −0.63, −0.01] and 6 months post intervention (WMD −0.60%, 95% CI −0.85, −0.35). Knowledge scores also improved in the intervention groups at 6 months (standardized mean difference 0.46, 95% CI 0.27, 0.65). There was only one longer‐term follow‐up study, and one formal cost‐effectiveness analysis. Culturally appropriate health education was more effective than ‘usual’ health education in improving HbA1c and knowledge in the short to medium term. Due to poor standardization between studies, the data did not allow determination of the key elements of interventions across countries, ethnic groups and health systems, or a broad view of their cost‐effectiveness. The narrative review identifies learning points to direct future research.
Assessing the Impact of Agricultural Technology Adoption on Farmers' Well‐being Using Propensity‐Score Matching Analysis in Rural China
Authors: Wu Haitao , Ding Shijun , Pandey Sushil , Tao Dayun
Published: May 2010

The present paper assesses the impact of improved upland rice technology on farmers' well‐being. The study uses propensity‐score matching to address the problem of ‘self‐selection,’ because technology adoption is not randomly assigned. It applies this procedure to household survey data collected in Yunnan, China in 2000, 2002 and 2004. The findings indicate that improved upland rice technology has a robust and positive effect on farmers' well‐being, as measured by income levels and the incidence of poverty. The effect of technology on well‐being shows a diminishing impact on producers' incomes. This implies that newer innovations are continuously needed to replace older technologies that have reached their saturation points.
Urban‐biased Policies and the Increasing Rural–Urban Expenditure Gap in Vietnam in the 1990s
Authors: Fesselmeyer Eric , Le Kien T.
Published: May 2010

There was a significant and widening rural–urban gap during the economic boom in Vietnam in the 1990s. Using an econometric decomposition, we find that differences in individual characteristics such as education, ethnicity and age are the primary explanation for this widening gap, whereas differences in the returns to these characteristics are the primary explanation for the increase in the gap at higher percentiles. We then argue that government investment policies and the manipulation of price incentives were important factors behind the gap. In particular, we argue that government policies created some benefit to urban dwellers at the expense of rural areas, lending support to Lipton's urban‐bias hypothesis, which states that government, under strong political pressure from the urban population, directs resources from rural to urban areas without consideration of efficiency or equity.
Cost Efficiency of the Banking Sector in Vietnam: A Bayesian Stochastic Frontier Approach with Regularity Constraints
Authors: Vu Ha Thu , Turnell Sean
Published: May 2010

This paper investigates the cost efficiency of the Vietnamese banking industry. To obtain an appropriate estimate of cost efficiency, monotonicity and concavity constraints are incorporated in the estimation of the cost frontier using the Bayesian approach. Overall, the level of cost efficiency of Vietnam's banking sector is relatively high, around 87 percent. The findings reveal minor and insignificant differences in the cost efficiency of different groups of banks classified by ownership. Furthermore, throughout the estimation period, the industry faced a slight decrease in cost efficiency. This could be explained by increases in the costs of managing diverse activities, the enlargement of branch networks and the upgrading of the banking technology platform.
Dynamic bicultural brains: fMRI study of their flexible neural representation of self and significant others in response to culture primes
Authors: Ng Sik Hung , Han Shihui , Mao Lihua , Lai Julian C. L.
Published: May 2010

Where in the brain are the self and significant others (e.g. mother) represented? Neuroscientists have traced self‐representation to the ventral medial prefrontal cortex for both Westerners and East Asians. However, significant others were represented alongside the self in the same brain area for East Asians but not for Westerners. In this experiment, Westernized bicultural Chinese were scanned using functional magnetic resonance imaging while performing trait judgments that referenced the self, mother, or a non‐identified person (NIP) after Western or Chinese culture priming. Consistent with Western independent self‐construals and Chinese interdependent self‐construals, Western priming increased, whereas Chinese priming decreased the neural differentiation of mother and NIP from self.
Psychosocial ramifications of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games
Authors: Liu Li , Hong Ying‐yi
Published: May 2010

The Beijing Olympic Games, one of the most significant social events for contemporary China, is a milestone for China's efforts for globalization. ‘One World, One Dream’, the motto of the Beijing Olympic Games, is an embodiment of the encounter between Chinese culture and Western civilization, and a symbol of integration between China and the rest of the world. This Special Section seeks to address the psychosocial ramifications of the Beijing Olympic Games and, thereby, to shed light on China's domestic situation and its international relations from a social psychological perspective. Moving beyond the psychology of athletic excellence, the four papers included use a wide range of methods, ranging from longitudinal tracking to priming, to examining self‐construal and volunteering, to representations of China's past and future, competition towards foreigners, and perceived intercultural differences. Consistently found across the papers, patriotism was associated with ingroup cohesion, whereas nationalism was associated with competition and differentiation towards outgroups. This Special Section thereby pays tribute to the social psychological significance of the Beijing Olympic Games to China and the world.
THE OPTIMAL DIVISION OF GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE BETWEEN PUBLIC GOODS AND TRANSFER PAYMENTS
Authors: CREEDY JOHN , MOSLEHI SOLMAZ
Published: May 2010

This paper examines the optimal ratio of transfer payments to expenditure on public goods, for a given income tax rate. The transfer payment is then determined by the government's budget constraint. The optimal ratio of transfers to public good expenditure per person is expressed as a function of the ratio of the median to the arithmetic mean wage, and of the tax rate. Reductions in the skewness of the wage rate distribution are associated with reductions in transfer payments relative to public goods expenditure, at a decreasing rate. Furthermore, increases in the tax rate, from relatively low levels, are associated with increases in the relative importance of transfer payments. But beyond a certain level, further tax rate increases are associated with a lower ratio of transfers to public goods, because of adverse incentive effects.
WHEN ARE VOLUNTARY EXPORT RESTRAINTS VOLUNTARY? A DIFFERENTIAL GAME APPROACH
Authors: FUJIWARA KENJI
Published: May 2010

We revisit voluntariness of voluntary export restraints (VERs) in a differential game model of duopoly with sticky prices. We show that a VER set at the free trade level has no effect on equilibrium under open‐loop strategies while the same policy results in a smaller profit for the exporting firm, i.e. it is involuntary under a non‐linear feedback strategy. Moreover, we prove an extended proposition of Dockner and Haug (1991) on voluntariness of VERs under a linear feedback strategy.
PROFIT TAX AND FIRM MOBILITY IN A THREE‐COUNTRY MODEL
Authors: JOHDO WATARU
Published: May 2010

We construct a three‐country model that incorporates international relocation by imperfectly competitive firms and examine both the effects of each country's profit tax reduction on the consumption and welfare of all countries, and the incentive for the countries to decrease the profit tax. In such a model, both the terms of trade and international relocation of firms offer the key to understanding the impacts of one country's profit tax policy. In particular, we note that the relocation of firms from the other two countries is positively related to the wage incomes of the third country through a shift in labour demand, and the terms‐of‐trade improvement is not only positively related to the wage incomes, but also negatively related to profit incomes through a shift in world consumption demand. We show that (i) in a three‐country world economy, regardless of the reduction's source, the profit tax reduction of each country leads to relocation of firms away from foreign countries toward its own economy and deteriorates the terms of trade of its economy and (ii) this becomes a ‘beggar‐thy‐neighbour’ policy in the sense that it lowers the welfare of the other foreign countries.
Fatigue in multiple sclerosis: associations with health‐related quality of life and physical performance
Authors: Smedal T. , Beiske A. G. , Glad S. B. , Myhr K.‐M. , Aarseth J. H. , Svensson E. , Gjelsvik B. , Strand L. I.
Published: May 2010

Background and purpose:  Fatigue is a common, but still one of the least understood symptoms in multiple sclerosis (MS). We aimed to investigate whether fatigue was associated with demographic‐, clinical‐, health‐related quality of life (HRQoL)‐ and physical performance variables, and whether change in fatigue after treatment was associated with changes in HRQoL and physical performance.

Methods:  Sixty patients were included for inpatient physiotherapy. Fifty‐six patients completed the study and were available for analysis. Fatigue (Fatigue Severity Scale; FSS), HRQoL (Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale; MSIS‐29) and physical performance (walking ability and balance) were assessed at screening, baseline, after treatment and at follow‐up after 3 and 6 months. We analysed possible associations between fatigue and other variables at baseline by regression models, and between change in fatigue versus changes in both HRQoL and physical performance variables after physiotherapy by correlation analysis.

Results:  Fatigue at baseline was associated with HRQoL (explained 21.9% of variance), but not with the physical performance tests. Change in fatigue was correlated with change in HRQoL, but not with changes in physical performance. All measures were improved after treatment (P ≤ 0.001). While improvements in fatigue and HRQoL were lost at follow‐up, improvements in physical performance tests were maintained for at least 6 months (P ≤ 0.05).

Conclusions:  Fatigue was associated with HRQoL at baseline. Improvement in fatigue seemed to be related to other factors than improvement in physical performance. A broader strategy including both physical and psychological dimensions seems to be needed to improve fatigue over the long‐term.
Loan Sales and Loan Market Competition*
Authors: AHN JUNG‐HYUN
Published: May 2010

In this article, I suggest a theoretical explanation for the recent spectacular growth of the loan sales market in terms of both quantity and quality. I show that banks can use loan sales as a strategic tool in order to preserve their informational advantage in a competitive environment. I consider a two‐period competition model where banks acquire private information about their clientele during the lending relationship and where there is informational asymmetry in the loan sales market. In spite of the information dilution costs incurred in selling high‐quality loans, banks have an incentive to imitate low‐quality loan holders by selling their loans in order to avoid communicating negative signals about the quality of their clientele to potential competitors. As a result, loan market competition can lead to the emergence of a liquid loan sales market in which both low‐ and high‐quality loans coexist, thereby improving the quantity and quality of the loan sales market.
Super‐obesity and risk for early and late pre‐eclampsia
Authors: Mbah AK , Kornosky JL , Kristensen S , August EM , Alio AP , Marty PJ , Belogolovkin V , Bruder K , Salihu HM
Published: May 2010

Please cite this paper as: Mbah A, Kornosky J, Kristensen S, August E, Alio A, Marty P, Belogolovkin V, Bruder K, Salihu H. Super‐obesity and risk for early and late pre‐eclampsia. BJOG 2010;117:997–1004.

Objective  To examine the association between obesity subtypes and risk of early and late pre‐eclampsia.

Design  Population‐based retrospective study.

Setting  State of Missouri maternally linked birth cohort files.

Population  All singleton live births in the state of Missouri from 1989 to 2005.

Methods  The body mass index (BMI) was used to classify women as normal weight (BMI = 18.5–24.9 kg/m2), class I obesity (BMI = 30–34.9 kg/m2), class II obesity (BMI = 35–39.9 kg/m2), class III obesity (BMI = 40–49.9 kg/m2) or super‐obesity (BMI ≥ 50 kg/m2). Adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association between obesity and the risk of pre‐eclampsia were obtained from logistic regression models with adjustment for intracluster correlation.

Results  The rate of pre‐eclampsia increased with increasing BMI, with super‐obese women having the highest incidence (13.4%). Compared with normal weight women, obese women (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) had a higher risk for pre‐eclampsia (OR = 2.59, 95% CI = 2.87–3.01). This risk remained approximately the same for late‐onset pre‐eclampsia (pre‐eclampsia occurring at 34 weeks or more of gestation) and was slightly reduced for early‐onset pre‐eclampsia (pre‐eclampsia occurring at 34 weeks or less of gestation). Within each BMI category, the risk of pre‐eclampsia increased with the rate of weight gain. Compared with normal weight mothers with moderate weight gain, super‐obese women with a high rate of weight gain had the greatest risk for pre‐eclampsia (OR = 7.52, 95% CI = 2.70–21.0).

Conclusion  BMI and rate of weight gain are synergistic risk factors that amplify the burden of pre‐eclampsia among super‐obese women.
The proton‐coupled amino acid transporter, SLC36A1 (hPAT1), transports Gly‐Gly, Gly‐Sar and other Gly‐Gly mimetics
Authors: Frølund S , Holm R , Brodin B , Nielsen CU
Published: May 2010

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The intestinal proton‐coupled amino acid transporter, SLC36A1, transports zwitterionic α‐amino acids and drugs such as vigabatrin, gaboxadol and δ‐aminolevulinic acid. We hypothesize that SLC36A1 might also transport some dipeptides. The aim of the present study was to investigate SLC36A1‐mediated transport of Gly‐Gly and Gly‐Gly mimetics, and to investigate Gly‐Sar transport via SLC36A1 and the proton‐coupled dipeptide/tripeptide transporter, SLC15A1 in Caco‐2 cells.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Transport of a compound via SLC36A1 was determined by its ability to induce an increase in the inward current of two‐electrode voltage clamped SLC36A1 cRNA‐injected Xenopus laevis oocytes. SLC36A1‐mediated l‐[3H]Pro uptake in Caco‐2 cells was measured in the absence and presence of Gly‐Gly or Gly‐Sar. In addition, apical [14C]Gly‐Sar uptake was measured in the absence and presence of the SLC36A1 inhibitor 5‐hydroxy‐l‐tryptophan (5‐HTP) or the SLC15A1 inhibitor l‐4,4′‐biphenylalanyl‐l‐proline (Bip‐Pro).

KEY RESULTS In SLC36A1‐expressing oocytes, an inward current was induced by Gly‐Sar, Gly‐Gly, δ‐aminolevulinic acid, β‐aminoethylglycine, δ‐aminopentanoic acid, GABA, Gly and Pro, whereas Val, Leu, mannitol, 5‐HTP and the dipeptides Gly‐Ala, Gly‐Pro and Gly‐Phe did not evoke currents. In Caco‐2 cell monolayers, the apical uptake of 30 mM Gly‐Sar was inhibited by 20 and 22% in the presence of 5‐HTP or Bip‐Pro, respectively, and by 48% in the presence of both.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS Our results suggest that whereas Gly‐Gly amid bond bioisosteres are widely accepted by the hPAT1 carrier, dipeptides in general are not; and therefore, Gly‐Sar might structurally define the size limit of dipeptide transport via SLC36A1.
Intraoral Registration Coping Formation Using an Interim Restoration as a Matrix
Authors: Stamoulis Kostas
Published: May 2010

An intraoral procedure for registration coping fabrication is described. The indirectly constructed shell of the interim fixed partial denture is used as a matrix, and a light‐cured resin is added directly to form the copings. The proposed technique reduces the total number of clinical sessions and can be useful in cases when tooth preparations and final impressions can be completed at the same appointment.
Oil Currency and the Dollar Standard: A Simple Analytical Model of an International Trade Currency
Authors: DEVEREUX MICHAEL B. , SHI KANG , XU JUANYI
Published: May 2010

The U.S. dollar is the central reference currency for international trade pricing and the main invoicing currency for primary commodities. This paper links these two observations within a stylized theoretical framework, and shows how to obtain a quantitative estimate of the gain to the U.S. economy when the dollar is a reference currency. With dollar invoicing of primary commodities, U.S. firms bear less exchange rate risk than foreign firms. This asymmetry leads to a dollar standard in international goods pricing. We then derive a simple analytical formula to calculate the gains and find that they are extremely small.
Cross‐Border Bank M&As and Risk: Evidence from the Bond Market
Authors: CHOI SUNGHO , FRANCIS BILL B. , HASAN IFTEKHAR
Published: May 2010

The impact of cross‐border bank M&As on bank risk remains an open question. Though geographically diversifying bank M&As have the potential to reduce the risk of bank insolvency, they also have the potential to increase that risk due to the increase in risk‐taking incentives by bank managers and stockholders following these transactions. This paper empirically investigates whether cross‐border bank M&As increase or decrease the risk of acquiring banks as captured by changes in acquirers' yield spreads. This paper also investigates how differences in the institutional environments between bidder and target countries affect changes in yield spreads following M&A announcements. The study finds that bondholders, in general, perceive cross‐border bank M&As as risk‐increasing activities, unlike domestic bank mergers. Specifically, on average, yield spreads increase by 4.13 basis points following the announcement of cross‐border M&As. This study also finds that these yield spreads are significantly affected by the differences in investor‐protection and deposit insurance environments between the transacting countries. However, the study does not find that the regulatory and supervisory environment in the home countries of the transacting parties significantly affects the changes in yield spreads. The overall evidence suggests that regulators should judge the relative environment in both the home and the host countries in evaluating the associated risks of an active multinational financial institution and in setting the sufficiency of the banks' reserve positions.
The Role of Self‐identity in the Theory of Planned Behavior: A Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Rise Jostein , Sheeran Paschal , Hukkelberg Silje
Published: May 2010

The present study used meta‐analysis to evaluate the role of self‐identity in the theory of planned behavior (TPB). Altogether, 40 independent tests (N = 11607) could be included in the review. A large, sample‐weighted average correlation between self‐identity and behavioral intention was observed (r+ = .47). Multiple regression analyses showed that self‐identity explained an increment of 6% of the variance in intention after controlling for the TPB components, and explained an increment of 9% of the variance when past behavior and the TPB components were controlled. The influence of self‐identity on behavior was largely mediated by the strength of behavioral intentions. Theoretical implications of the findings are discussed.
Explaining Internet Banking Behavior: Theory of Reasoned Action, Theory of Planned Behavior, or Technology Acceptance Model?
Authors: Yousafzai Shumaila Y. , Foxall Gordon R. , Pallister John G.
Published: May 2010

A key objective of information technology (IT) research is to assess the value of technology for users and to understand the factors that determine this value in order to deploy IT resources better. This paper uses structural equation modeling to ascertain the extent to which 3 popular models of users' behavior—theory of reasoned action (TRA), theory of planned behavior (TPB), and technology acceptance model (TAM)—are predictive of consumers' behavior in the context of Internet banking. Unlike other tests of these models, this paper employs independent measures of actual behavior, as well as behavioral intention. The results indicate that TAM is superior to the other models and highlights the importance of trust in understanding Internet banking behavior.
What Matters in Social Accounts? The Roles of Account Specificity, Source Expertise, and Outcome Loss on Acceptance
Authors: Frey Francis M. , Cobb Anthony T.
Published: May 2010

Although we know that social accounts favorably affect fairness outcomes, we still do not know what makes them work. An experimental design was used to assess the impact of message specificity, source expertise, and outcome loss on account acceptance. Also examined was how account acceptance mediates the relationship between these factors and a range of fairness outcomes. Specificity had a main effect on acceptability, but interacted with expertise across levels of loss. Expertise had a slight positive effect on acceptance under low loss conditions, but its effect turned sharply negative under conditions of higher loss. Acceptability partially mediated the relationship between specificity and all fairness outcomes, and fully mediated the impact on commitment to the trainer.
Effects of elevated CO2 associated with maize on multiple generations of the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera
Authors: Yin Jin , Sun Yucheng , Wu Gang , Ge Feng
Published: May 2010

Under elevated environmental carbon dioxide (CO2), leaf chewers tend to compensate for decreased leaf nutritional quality with increased consumption; mortality and development times also increase and cause a reduction in the fitness of leaf chewers. However, the effect of elevated CO2 on multiple successive generations of these and other insects is not well understood. Furthermore, information about the direct effects of increased environmental CO2 on developmental time and consumption of herbivores is lacking. In this paper, we tested the hypothesis that cascade effects of elevated CO2 through plants, rather than the direct effects of elevated CO2, are the main factors decreasing the fitness of cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). We used two series of experiments to quantify the growth, development, and consumption of H. armigera fed on an artificial diet or C4 plants (maize) grown under two CO2 levels (ambient vs. double ambient). In the first series of experiments, elevated CO2 had no effect on the population abundance or individual consumption for three successive generations of cotton bollworms fed on an artificial diet. In the second series of experiments, elevated CO2 reduced population abundance of cotton bollworm larvae for two successive generations when they were fed maize milky grains. The specific effects were longer larval duration, lower fecundity, and decreased rm of cotton bollworms. Furthermore, elevated CO2 increased individual consumption when cotton bollworm was fed maize milky grains for two successive generations and decreased the population’s total consumption in the first generation but increased it in the second generation. The results from this study indicate that: (1) The effects of elevated CO2 on three successive generations of cotton bollworm fed on artificial diet were weak, or even non‐existent, and (2) elevated CO2 increased the consumption when cotton bollworm were fed maize. Our study also suggests that the damage inflicted by cotton bollworm on maize (a C4 plant) will be seriously affected by the increases in atmospheric CO2, which is unlike our previous results for spring wheat (a C3 plant).
Variation in the mechanical properties of flight feathers of the blackcapSylvia atricapillain relation to migration
Authors: De La Hera Iván , Hedenström Anders , Pérez‐Tris Javier , Tellería José Luis
Published: May 2010

Migration causes temporal and energetic constraints during plumage development, which can compromise feather structure and function. In turn, given the importance of a good quality of flight feathers in migratory movements, selection may have favoured the synthesis of feathers with better mechanical properties than expected from a feather production constrained by migration necessities. However, no study has assessed whether migratory behaviour affects the relationship between the mechanical properties of feathers and their structural characteristics. We analysed bending stiffness (a feather mechanical property which is relevant to birds’ flight), rachis width and mass (two main determinants of variation in bending stiffness) of wing and tail feathers in migratory and sedentary blackcapsSylvia atricapilla. Migratory blackcaps produced feathers with a narrower rachis in both wing and tail, but their feathers were not significantly lighter; in addition, bending stiffness was higher in migratory blackcaps than in sedentary blackcaps. Such unexpected result for bending stiffness remained when we statistically controlled for individual variation in rachis width and feather mass, which suggests the existence of specific mechanisms that help migratory blackcaps to improve the mechanical behaviour of their feathers under migration constraints.
Extrapair paternity and genetic diversity: the white‐throated dipperCinclus cinclus
Authors: Øigarden Trond , Borge Thomas , Lifjeld Jan T.
Published: May 2010

Passerine bird species vary considerably in the frequency of extrapair paternity, but the factors causing this variation are not well understood. There is some comparative evidence that extrapair paternity is associated with the population level of genetic diversity, but there is no consensus of how genetic diversity should be measured and compared across species or populations. Here we report a low frequency of extrapair paternity (2% extrapair offspring) in a Norwegian population of the white‐throated dipperCinclus cinclus, which shows strong signs of reduced genetic diversity. We encountered difficulties in constructing a robust parentage analysis system for the species, largely due to consistently low polymorphism levels in 100 heterologous microsatellite markers. Furthermore, single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were almost absent in intron sequences in 10 nuclear genes (>5 kb) that are much more polymorphic in other species. Hence, our results seem consistent with the genetic diversity hypothesis that predicts a low frequency of extrapair paternity in species with low genetic diversity. Heterologous microsatellite markers are generally unsuitable for interspecific comparisons of genetic diversity as they show strong phylogenetic dependency in polymorphism levels. We suggest that SNP rates at homologous nuclear introns, like those presented here, can provide a useful method for obtaining unbiased estimates of genome‐wide genetic diversity across populations and species.
Low incidence of hepatitis B virus reactivation during chemotherapy among diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma patients who are HBsAg‐negative/ HBcAb‐positive: a multicenter retrospective study
Authors: Ji Dongmei , Cao Junning , Hong Xiaonan , Li Junmin , Wang Jianmin , Chen Fangyuan , Wang Chun , Zou Shanhua
Published: May 2010

Background:  Reactivation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is less common in lymphoma patients with prior resolved HBV infection [characterized by hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)‐negative/hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb)‐positive status] compared with chronic HBV infection (HBsAg positive) when receiving chemotherapy alone. The use of rituximab in chemotherapy regimen might increase the risk of HBV reactivation in patients with prior resolved HBV infection. However, the incidence of HBV reactivation is uncertain, and prophylactic antiviral treatment for this group of patients during rituximab‐containing chemotherapy is controversial. The objective of this study was to determine the incidence of HBV reactivation in HBsAg‐negative/HBcAb‐positive patients diagnosed of diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and treated with CHOP‐like or RCHOP‐like regimen. In addition, this study also aims to explore the relationship of HBV reactivation and HBV serology.

Methods:  Patients were identified using data from six university hospitals collected between January 1998 and November 2008. Four hundred and thirty‐seven patients with complete data were selected based on the diagnosis of CD20+ DLBCL, availability of HBV serum markers prior to initiation of chemotherapy and during the development of hepatitis, completion of at least four cycles of chemotherapy using CHOP‐like or RCHOP‐like regimen, and follow‐up for at least 6 months after completion of treatment. The characteristics of the HBsAg‐negative/HBcAb‐positive patients treated with CHOP‐like regimen were compared to those treated with RCHOP‐like regimen.

Results:  Eighty‐eight patients of the total 437 patients had pretreatment serology of prior resolved hepatitis B, with a prevalence of 20.1%. Among them, 45 patients received CHOP‐like regimen while 43 patients received RCHOP‐like regimen. Five patients developed hepatitis during treatment, two from CHOP group and three from RCHOP group. Only one patient treated with RCHOP had hepatitis associated with HBV reactivation, while the other four patients did not have evidence of HBV reactivation. Those four patients also demonstrated positive HBsAb at baseline, while the only patient who suffered from HBV reactivation had negative HBsAb status. This patient was successfully treated with antiviral medications. There were no statistically significant risk factors predictive of HBV reactivation.

Conclusions:  The present study revealed a low HBV reactivation rate of 2.3% in prior resolved hepatitis B among DLBCL patients undergoing RCHOP‐like therapy.
Prevalence of the MspI and Ile462Val SNPs of Cytochrome P‐450 1A1 in Hidradenitis Suppurativa
Authors: Lukowsky Ansgar , Sterry Wolfram , Schneider‐Burrus Sylke
Published: May 2010

Please cite this paper as: Prevalence of the MspI and Ile462Val SNPs of Cytochrome P‐450 1A1 in Hidradenitis Suppurativa. Experimental Dermatology 2010; 19: 541–542.

Abstract:  Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that affects the hair follicles in the axillary, perianal and inguinal area. Its cause and pathogenesis are unknown, but cigarette smoking increases the risk of developing HS conceivably by accumulating toxic metabolites in sweat. The xenobiotic compounds from tobacco are metabolized by the cytochromes P‐450. The cytochrome P‐450 1A1 (CYP1A1), one of the most active isoenzymes, harbours several polymorphisms. Two of them, MspI and Ile462Val single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), are associated with enhanced activity and inducibility. Performing direct DNA sequencing, we investigated the frequencies of these SNP in 51 patients with HS, 45 of these were smokers. We found similar overall SNP rates in our patients in comparison with previous data for Caucasian or German controls. Obviously, there is no relation between the occurrence of these SNPs and the risk of developing HS.
Sex‐specific association between leptin receptor polymorphisms and leptin levels and BMI in healthy adolescents*
Authors: Riestra P , García‐Anguita A , Schoppen S , López‐Simón L , De Oya M , Garcés C
Published: May 2010

Aim:  To examine the relationship of three common polymorphisms in the leptin receptor (LEPR) gene, implicated in the regulation of body weight, with leptin levels and obesity‐related phenotypes in a population‐based sample of healthy pubertal children in Spain.

Methods:  The study included 806 boys and girls aged 12–16 whose anthropometrical data and body composition were recorded. Serum leptin levels were determined by ELISA. The LEPR Q223R, K109R and K656N polymorphisms were determined by TaqMan® allelic discrimination assays.

Results:  When analysing the Q223R polymorphism, we observed that female carriers of the RR genotype had significantly higher plasma leptin levels (18.2 vs. 15.1 ng/mL p = 0.016) and significantly higher mean BMI values (22.5 vs. 21.3 Kg/m2 p = 0.032) than QR carriers. Furthermore, the frequency of the RR genotype in overweight‐obese girls was significantly higher than that found in normal‐weight girls. No significant differences were observed in boys. Neither boys nor girls showed significant differences when comparing leptin levels, anthropometric variables or body composition by K109R or K656N genotype.

Conclusion:  The fact, that the Q223R polymorphism in the LEPR gene is significantly associated with leptin levels and BMI only in girls, suggests a sex‐specific influence of this polymorphism on these variables.
Temporal changes in the island flora at different scales in the archipelago of SW Finland
Authors: Hannus Jens‐Johan , Von Numers Mikael
Published: May 2010

Question: How have species richness and vegetation patterns changed in a group of islands in the northern Baltic Sea over a 58‐yr period of changing land use and increasing eutrophication?

Location: A group of 116 islands, the Brunskär sub‐archipelago, in SW Finland.

Methods: A complete survey of vascular plant species performed in 1947–1949 by Skult was repeated by our group using the same methodology in 2005–2007 (historical versus contemporary, respectively). DCAs were performed and total number of species, extinction–colonization rates, species frequency changes and mean Ellenberg indicator values for light, moisture and nitrogen and Eklund indicator values for dependence of human cultural influence were obtained for each island and relevé.

Results: Species richness has declined on large islands and increased on small islands. The increase in number of species on small islands is driven by a strong increase in frequency of shore species, which in turn is induced by more productive shores. The decrease in species richness on large islands is related to overgrowth of open semi‐natural habitats after cessation of grazing and other agricultural practices.

Conclusions: After the late 1940s, open habitats, which were created and maintained by cattle grazing and other traditional agricultural activities, have declined in favour of woody shrub and forest land. Shores have been stabilized and influenced by the eutrophication of the Baltic Sea, and the vegetation has become more homogeneous. This development, resulting in lower species diversity, poses a challenge for the preservation of biodiversity both on a local and on a landscape level.
Effect of walking on pressure variations that occur at the interface between elastic stockings and the skin
Authors: De Godoy José Maria Pereira , Braile Domingo Marcolino , Perez Fernanda Brandão , De Fátima Guerreiro Godoy Maria
Published: May 2010

The aim of this work was to dynamically study pressure variations exerted by elastic compression stockings during walking. While study participants walked, the pressure variations at the interface between elastic stockings and the skin were measured dynamically. Three healthy individuals wearing 10/20 and 20/30 elastic compression stockings manufactured by Sigvaris® (Jundiai, São Paulo‐Brazil) were requested to walk along a course for ten times at a constant speed. For every event, an apparatus specifically developed for the study and programmed to take readings at half‐second intervals was used to measure the pressure exerted by the elastic stockings. The pressure exerted by the 10/20 stockings varied between 5 and 32 mmHg and for the 20/30 stockings it varied from 10 to 52 mmHg. Elastic stockings with larger pressures generate larger pressure variations during muscle activity (P‐value < 0·001). In conclusion, muscle movements during walking cause the pressure exerted by elastic stockings on the leg to vary; thus, the pressure is not constant but has peaks and troughs according to the type of muscle movement and the gradient of the stockings.
Chronic, painful lower extremity wounds: postoperative pain management through the use of continuous infusion of regional anaesthesia supplied by a portable pump device
Authors: Scimeca Christy L , Fisher Timothy K , Bharara Manish , Armstrong David G
Published: May 2010

Reducing and preventing postoperative pain are currently a topic of great interest. There are different modalities for providing analgesia that can provide an alternative or adjunct to opioid therapy. One mode of therapy involves the use of portable pain pump devices that can deliver continuous local anaesthesia directly to the site of interest. A considerable amount of attention in literature has been dedicated to using regional anaesthesia postoperatively for various surgical applications. However, to our knowledge, little or no work has been published concerning the use of infusion of regional anaesthesia in the treatment of painful lower extremity wounds. We present a case report of a 55‐year‐old gentleman with a complex past medical history, 2‐year history of opioid dependency and a 2‐week history of intractable pain associated with the combination of debilitating painful diabetic neuropathy and painful lower extremity wounds. After surgical debridement of the lower extremity wounds, substantial analgesia was achieved postoperatively through the implantation of a portable direct infusion pump device. The device supplied 2 ml/hour of 0·25% bupivacaine and resulted in a reduction in pain within the first hour of implantation. Although the device achieved maximal analgesia at 6 hours, we found that this could have been likely reduced through the use of a 5‐ml bolus dose of 0·25% bupivacaine at the time of implantation. The device provided sufficient analgesia to the patient without any observed adverse effects, and showed significant potential in avoiding an increase in his requirement for other systemic analgesia including opioids.
Severe ulcerated ‘bodybuilding acne’ caused by anabolic steroid use and exacerbated by isotretinoin
Authors: Voelcker Verena , Sticherling Michael , Bauerschmitz Jürgen
Published: May 2010

We report a case of severe “bodybuilding acne” in a 22‐year‐old patient. Treatment with isotretinoin paradoxically led to exaceibation and occurrence of pyogenic granuloma‐like lesions.