bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Serum inflammatory factors and circulating immunosuppressive cells are predictive markers for efficacy of radiofrequency ablation in non-small-cell lung cancer
Authors: Schneider T , Sevko A , Heussel C P , Umansky L , Beckhove P , Dienemann H , Safi S , Utikal J , Hoffmann H , Umansky V
Published: January 2015

In recent years, percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has been developed as a new tool in the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in non-surgical patients. There is growing evidence that RFA-mediated necrosis can modulate host immune responses. Here we analysed serum inflammatory factors as well as immunosuppressive cells in the peripheral blood to discover possible prognostic indicators. Peripheral blood and serum samples were collected before RFA and within 3 months after the treatment in a total of 12 patients. Inflammatory cytokines and growth factors were measured in serum by the Bio-Plex assay. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and regulatory T cells (Tregs) were evaluated in the peripheral blood via flow cytometry. In patients developing local or lymphogenic tumour relapse (n = 4), we found an early significant increase in the concentration of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α as well as chemokine (C-C motif) ligand (CCL)-2 and CCL-4 compared to patients without relapse (n = 4) and healthy donors (n = 5). These changes were associated with an elevated activity of circulating MDSC indicated by an increased nitric oxide (NO) production in these cells. Elevated serum levels of TNF-α, CCL-2 and CCL-4 associated with an increased NO production in circulating MDSCs might be an early indicator of the incomplete RFA and subsequently a potential tumour relapse in NSCLC.
Use of sonic instruments for implant biopsy retrieval
Authors: Ferri Mauro , Lang Niklaus P. , Angarita Alfonso Edwin Elías , Bedoya Quintero Iván Darío , Burgos Enrique Mejía , Botticelli Daniele
Published: January 2015

Objective

To evaluate in vitro the quality of dental implant biopsies collected using trephines or a sonic instrument.

Method

Sixty implants, 4 mm long and 2.4 mm in diameter, were installed in twelve fresh bovine ribs. Biopsies were collected after using three different methods for retrieval, 20 biopsies representing each group: (A) A trephine used concentrically; (B) a trephine used eccentrically; and (C) a sonic device (Sonosurgery®). The time used for biopsy collection was recorded, and an evaluation of the quality of the biopsies obtained was performed. The specimens were subsequently prepared for ground sections, and tissue‐to‐implant contact percentages (TIC%) were evaluated in a stereomicroscope.

Results

Time needed for biopsy collection in Groups A and B was between 2 and 3 min, while in C, it amounted to 10–11 min. The differences between Group C and the other two groups were statistically significant (P < 0.00006). Group C showed significantly greater volumes of tissue around the apex of the implants compared with the other two groups (P < 0.027). Groups A and C showed biopsies with higher quality compared with Group B (P < 0.05). Group C presented a higher TIC% compared with the other two groups (P < 0.008).

Conclusion

Compared with the use of trephines, the use of a sonic device for harvesting biopsies resulted in higher‐quality biopsies and generated smaller residual defects. However, the harvesting was more time‐consuming and was limited to one aspect of the implants.
Leptin: A Potential Anxiolytic by Facilitation of Fear Extinction
Authors: Wang Wei , Liu Song‐Lin , Li Kuan , Chen Yu , Jiang Bo , Li Yan‐Kun , Xiao Jun‐Li , Yang Si , Chen Tao , Chen Jian‐Guo , Li Jia‐Geng , Wang Fang
Published: January 2015

Aims

Anxiety disorders are characterized by a deficient extinction of fear memory. Evidence is growing that leptin influences numerous neuronal functions. The aims of this study were to investigate the effects and the mechanism of leptin on fear extinction.

Methods and results

Leptin (1 mg/kg, i.p) was applied to evaluate the anxiolytic effect in rat behavioral tests. Field potentials recording were used to investigate the changes in synaptic transmission in the thalamic‐lateral amygadala (LA) pathway of rat. We found that leptin produced strong anxiolytic effects under basal condition and after acute stress. Systemic administration and intra‐LA infusions of leptin facilitated extinction of conditioned fear responses. The antagonist of NMDA receptor, MK‐801, blocked the effect of leptin on fear extinction completely. Furthermore, these effects of leptin on fear extinction were accompanied by a reversal of conditioning‐induced synaptic potentiation in the LA. Leptin facilitated NMDA receptor‐mediated synaptic transmission, and reversed amygdala long‐term potentiation (LTP) in a dose‐dependent manner in vitro, and this LTP depotentiation effect was mediated by NMDA receptor and MAPK signaling pathway.

Conclusions

These results identify a key role of leptin in dampening fear conditioning‐induced synaptic potentiation in the LA through NMDA receptor and indicate a new strategy for treating anxiety disorders.
The Company You Keep: The Effect of Other Large Shareholders in Family Firms
Authors: Sacristán‐Navarro María , Cabeza‐García Laura , Gómez‐Ansón Silvia
Published: January 2015

Manuscript Type

Empirical

Research Question/Issue

Using a panel of non‐financial listed firms over a seven‐year period, the authors analyse how the value of family firms is potentially affected by the existence of multiple shareholders, by other large shareholders’ voting rights in relation to the family's, by the final power distribution (that is, whether the family's voting rights exceed those of other shareholders), by the identity of the blockholders, and the existence of shareholder agreements.

Research Findings/Insights

After controlling for possible self‐selection bias and for endogeneity issues, the results of a Heckman two‐stage method suggest that other large shareholders’ voting rights in relation to the family's do not affect family firm value. The results indicate that what seems to matter is who controls the company in terms of voting power, i.e., whether there is just one large shareholder or other major blockholders as well, and whether they have more or fewer voting rights than the largest owner. The market favors a firm that has multiple large shareholders provided that the family retains control by holding most of the voting rights. However, when there is just one family owner or when other blockholders have more voting power than the family, industry‐adjusted family firm value is negatively affected. The existence of shareholder agreements and families and non‐financial firms as other blockholders has no impact on company performance, while foreign shareholders tend to increase family firm value.

Theoretical/Academic Implications

Academics should take the presence of multiple large shareholders into account as this can affect family power. It is not a question of collusion or contestability per se. The market seems to value other large investors’ ability to balance family power only if families retain control by holding the majority of the votes. The preferred model therefore resembles that of a king amid nobility, a “primus inter pares”, with other large blockholders (nobility) providing a credible and strong but not overwhelming opposition that benefits minority owners.

Practitioner/Policy Implications

When multiple large owners exist, firm value is increased if the family retains power. Ownership structure matters and the effect of other large shareholders’ voting rights on minority investors’ wealth has to be considered. New variables to describe particular situations in family firms are needed.
Acute response of peripheral CCr5 chemoreceptor and NK cells in individuals submitted to a single session of low‐intensity strength exercise with blood flow restriction
Authors: Dorneles Gilson Pires , Colato Alana Schraiber , Galvão Simone Lunelli , Ramis Thiago Rozales , Ribeiro Jerri Luiz , Romão Pedro Roosevelt , Peres Alessandra
Published: January 2015

The purpose of this study was to compare the peripheral expression of natural killers and CCR5 in a session of low‐intensity strength training with vascular occlusion and in high‐intensity training. Young males were randomized into session groups of a high‐intensity strength training (HI) and a session group of low‐intensity strength training with vascular occlusion (LI‐BFR). The exercise session consisted in knee extension and bicep curl in 80% 1RM (HI) and 30% 1RM (LI‐BFR) with equalized volumes. Blood collection was made before, immediately after and 24 h after each training session. Immunophenotyping was carried out through CD195+ (CCR5) e CD3‐CD16+CD56+ (NK) in peripheral blood and analysed by flow cytometry and presented in frequency (%). Peripheral frequency of NK cells showed no significant difference in LI‐BFR group in time effect, while a gradual reduction of NK cells was identified in HI group in before‐24 h postexercise and after‐24 h postexercise comparison. However, significant differences have been found in relative change of NK cells immediately after exercise between sessions. In addition, HI and LI‐BFR groups showed a significant reduction in the cells expressed CCR5 during 24 h postsession compared to the postsession, but CCR5 also differed when comparing before‐24 h after session in the HI group. No differences were observed amongst the groups. LIO induced CCR5 response similar to the HI session, while the NK cells remained in similar frequency during the studied moments in LI‐BFR, but not in HI group, suggesting that local hypoxia created by the blood flow restriction was able to prevent a change in the frequency of peripheral cells and a possible immunosuppression.
Clinical‐scale in vitro expansion preserves biological characteristics of cardiac atrial appendage stem cells
Authors: Windmolders S. , Willems L. , Daniëls A. , Linsen L. , Fanton Y. , Hendrikx M. , Koninckx R. , Rummens J.‐L. , Hensen K.
Published: January 2015

Objectives

Cardiac atrial appendage stem cells (CASCs) have recently emerged as an attractive candidate for cardiac regeneration after myocardial infarction. As with other cardiac stem cells, CASCs have to be expanded ex vivo to obtain clinically relevant cell numbers. However, foetal calf serum (FCS), which is routinely used for cell culturing, is unsuitable for clinical purposes, and influence of long‐term in vitro culture on CASC behaviour is unknown.

Materials and methods

We examined effects on CASC biology of prolonged expansion, and evaluated a culture protocol suitable for human use.

Results

In FCS‐supplemented medium, CASCs could be kept in culture for 55.75 ± 3.63 days, before reaching senescence. Despite a small reduction in numbers of proliferating CASCs (1.37 ± 0.52% per passage) and signs of progressive telomere shortening (0.04 ± 0.02 kb per passage), their immunophenotype and myocardial differentiation potential remained unaffected during the entire culture period. The cells were successfully expanded in human platelet plasma supernatant, while maintaining their biological properties.

Conclusions

We successfully developed a protocol for long‐term culture, to obtain clinically relevant CASC numbers, while retaining their cardiogenic potential. These insights in CASC biology and optimization of a humanized platelet‐based culture method are an important step towards clinical application of CASCs for cardiac regenerative medicine.
Klinisches Management bei Pruritus
Authors: Ständer Sonja , Zeidler Claudia , Magnolo Nina , Raap Ulrike , Mettang Thomas , Kremer Andreas E. , Weisshaar Elke , Augustin Matthias
Published: January 2015

Die Versorgung von Patienten mit chronischem Pruritus als Symptom unterschiedlicher Erkrankungen stellt weiterhin eine diagnostische und therapeutische Herausforderung in der Dermatologie dar. Doch ist es bereits durch eine strukturierte Anamnese und körperliche Untersuchung möglich, den Kreis der Differenzialdiagnosen einzukreisen. In der Therapie sind verschiedene Aspekte zu beachten: Im Vordergrund steht neben der Reduktion der Pruritusintensität an erster Stelle der Patientenwunsch, die zugrundeliegende Ursache zu finden und entsprechend zu therapieren. Führt dies nicht zu einer Besserung des Pruritus, sind eine Reihe topischer und systemischer Therapien zur symptomatischen Therapie in der aktuellen Leitlinie beschrieben. Durch Manifestation des Symptoms an der Haut (z. B. Xerosis durch Nutzung irritierender Substanzen, sekundäre Kratzläsionen) werden Dermatologen oft von den betroffenen Patienten konsultiert, es erfordert jedoch in den meisten Fällen eine interdisziplinäre Versorgung, um die internistischen, neurologischen oder psychosomatischen Aspekte zu identifizieren und behandeln. Obwohl die Grundlagenforschung bereits große Fortschritte gemacht hat, das Symptom in der Entstehung zu charakterisieren, sind spezifische Therapien noch rar und eine genaue Kenntnis der Rahmenbedingungen zur Umsetzung der Leitlinie (z. B. Off‐Label‐Use) ist unerlässlich.

Der vorliegende CME‐Artikel gibt einen Überblick über die Ursachen, Versorgung und Therapieoptionen bei chronischem Pruritus und bespricht sowohl die Grundlagen als auch das in den letzten Jahren neu gewonnene klinische Wissen.
Haut‐ und Wunddekontamination bei multiresistenten bakteriellen Erregern durch Koagulation mit kaltem Atmosphärendruck‐Plasma
Authors: Daeschlein Georg , Napp Matthias , Lutze Stine , Arnold Andreas , von Podewils Sebastian , Guembel Denis , Jünger Michael
Published: January 2015

Hintergrund und Ziel der Studie

Um die weitere Verbreitung multiresistenter Erreger zu verhindern, sind neue Therapiekonzepte dringend notwendig. Die koagulation mit kaltem Atmosphärendruck‐Plasma (cold atmospheric plasma, CAP) hat signifikante antibakterielle Effekte. Daher sollte im Rahmen der vorliegenden Studie vergleichend evaluiert werden, inwieweit in chronischen Wunden multiresistente Erreger (MRE) im Vergleich zu nicht‐multiresistenten Erregern durch diese Methode eliminiert werden können.

Methoden

Elf Patienten mit insgesamt 18 stark kolonisierten Wunden wurden mit einer CE‐zertifizierten kommerziell erhältlichen CAP‐Quelle für 10 s/cm2 in einer Sitzung behandelt. Die antimikrobielle Effizienz wurde durch Berechnung der Keimlast vor und nach der Behandlung berechnet.

Ergebnisse

Eine CAP‐Einzelbehandlung reduzierte MRE in allen Wunden. Bei 14 Behandlungen (63,6 %) und 16 Pathogenen (66,7 %) wurde eine 100%ige Reduzierung der Keimlast erreicht. Bei 11 von 17 (64,7 %) MRE und bei 5 von 7 (71,4 %) nicht‐MRE‐Keimen wurde eine komplette Eradikation erreicht. Die übrigen 8 Behandlungen führten zu Reduktionen der Keimlast um 77,5 ± 18,6 % und der übrigen Keime um 74,8 ± 25,7 %.

Schlussfolgerungen

Als “proof of principle” ist die argonbasierte CAP eine potente Therapieoption zur Sanierung der MRE‐Kolonisation. Eine mögliche Rolle der CAP bei der klinischen MRE‐Dekontaminierung muss in weiteren klinischen Studien untersucht werden, bei denen wiederholte CAP‐Behandlungen in ein umfassendes hygienisches Dekontaminationskonzept eingebunden sind.
Angiogenese beim malignen Melanom
Authors: Felcht Moritz , Thomas Markus
Published: January 2015

Das maligne Melanom (MM) bleibt trotz aller neuen erfolgreichen Therapieansätze ein schwer zu behandelnder Tumor. Die Bedeutung des Gefäßnetzes für die Metastasierung des MM konnte in unterschiedlichen Studien nachgewiesen werden. Die therapeutischen Effekte von unterschiedlichen anti‐angiogenen Substanzen wurden und werden in Studien für die Therapie des MM getestet. Der Großteil davon konzentriert sich auf eine Inhibition des VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor)‐Signalweges. Daneben wird der Effekt von Multikinaseinhibitoren und durch Inhibition von angiogener Integrinaktivität untersucht. Jedoch konnte bisher noch keine anti‐angiogene Substanz das Gesamtüberleben von Melanompatienten signifikant verlängern. Unterschiedliche Arbeiten haben den Nachweis erbracht, dass gerade das MM über verschiedene Möglichkeiten verfügt, Resistenzen gegenüber einer Mono‐anti‐VEGF‐Therapie zu erlangen. Neben VEGF stellt Angiopoietin‐2 (Ang‐2) ein Schlüsselmolekül der Angiogenese dar und Ang‐2‐Inhibitoren werden als Anti‐Angiogenese‐Therapie der zweiten Generation angesehen. Auch beim Melanom konnte in präklinischen Studien gezeigt werden, dass Ang‐2 einerseits als Marker für Melanommetastasenbildung dient und sich andererseits auch als therapeutische Zielstruktur eignet. Zukünftige Studien werden zeigen, bessere Ergebnisse bei der Therapie des MM in der Klinik erzielen werden.
Novel stenting method for malignant right colonic stenosis using ultra‐thin endoscopy: Report of four cases
Authors: Kobayashi Yoshiya , Komazawa Yoshinori , Kusunoki Maho , Takahashi Yoshiko , Uno Goichi , Yuki Mika , Sugiyama Akira , Shizuku Toshihiro , Kinoshita Yoshikazu
Published: January 2015

Placement of a self‐expandable metallic stent (SEMS) is recognized as a safe and effective procedure for patients with malignant severe colonic stenosis. However, reports of this stent for right‐sided colonic stenosis are limited, possibly as a result of technical difficulties. We report a new method for delivering SEMS to the site of right‐sided colonic stenosis in four patients with malignant right‐sided colonic stenosis. Technical success was obtained with sequential use of a double‐balloon endoscope and ultrathin endoscope, while we also injected non‐ionic contrast agent into the submucosal layer as a marker for stenting under fluoroscopy. There were no adverse events noted during the procedure and clinical improvement was seen in all four cases. In conclusion, SEMS placement for right‐sided malignant colonic stenosis with our newly developed method appears to be safe and effective, and can be used for decompression of the right colon.
Using basic plant traits to predict ungulate seed dispersal potential
Authors: Albert Aurélie , Mårell Anders , Picard Mélanie , Baltzinger Christophe
Published: January 2015

Habitat fragmentation contributes to the decline of plant species by decreasing gene flow among populations. Restoring connectivity among habitat patches is therefore a major issue for plant conservation. However, deciding where to focus restoration efforts requires identifying suitable dispersers for each target plant species. We collected data from the literature on wild and domesticated ungulates, known to be effective seed dispersers, and on the plants they dispersed in Europe via epi‐ and/or endozoochory. We performed a systematic literature review to identify plant and animal traits relevant for seed dispersal. We first modeled the relationships between epi‐ or endozoochory and a priori selected plant traits (diaspore releasing height, length, shape and morphology, and habitat openness). The differences we underlined between the two dispersal mechanisms justified splitting our analyses accordingly. Then, for each dispersal mechanism, we asked whether basic plant traits could be used to predict specific traits of ungulates as endozoochorous or epizoochorous seed dispersers. We modeled the relationships between a priori selected ungulate traits for epizoochory (habitat openness, shoulder height, hair curliness, and hair length) and for endozoochory (habitat openness, body mass, feeding type and digestive system) and plant traits. Plant habitat openness and diaspore morphology were the predictors that most often explained differences among ungulates for epizoochory, whereas plant habitat openness and diaspore releasing height most often explained differences for endozoochory. Our trait‐based predictive models can help improve our ability to propose more precise management decisions for the conservation of plant populations worldwide by taking into account ungulate dispersers.
Applying the dark diversity concept to plants at the European scale
Authors: Ronk Argo , Szava‐Kovats Robert , Pärtel Meelis
Published: January 2015

Large‐scale biodiversity maps are essential to macroecology. However, between‐region comparisons can be more useful if patterns of observed species richness are supplemented by variations in dark diversity – the absent portion of the species pool. We aim to quantify and map plant diversity across Europe by using a measure that accounts for both observed and dark diversity. To do this we need to delimit suitable species pools, and evaluate the potential and limitation of a large‐scale dataset. We used Atlas Florae Europaeae (ca 20% of European plant species mapped within 50 × 50 km grid cells) and defined for each grid cell several species pools by applying various geographical and environmental filters: geographic species pool (number of species within 500 km radius), biogeographic species pool (additionally incorporating species distribution patterns, i.e. dispersion fields), site‐specific species pool (additionally integrating environmental preferences of species based on species co‐occurrence). We integrated dark diversity and observed diversity at a relative scale to calculate the completeness of site diversity: logistic expression of observed and dark diversity. We tested whether our results are robust against regional variation in data availability. We used independent regional databases to test if Atlas Florae Europaeae is a representative subset of total species richness. Environmental filtering was the most influential determinant of species pool size with more species filtered out in southern Europe. Both observed and dark diversity adhered to the well‐known latitudinal gradient, but completeness of site diversity varied throughout Europe with no latitudinal trend. Dark diversity patterns were fairly insensitive to variations in regional sampling intensity. Atlas Florae Europaeae represented well the total variation in plant diversity. In summary, dark diversity and completeness of site diversity add valuable information to broad‐scale diversity patterns since observed diversity is expressed at a relative scale.
Mapping the coherence of ictal high frequency oscillations in human extratemporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Cotic Marija , Zalay Osbert C. , Chinvarun Yotin , del Campo Martin , Carlen Peter L. , Bardakjian Berj L.
Published: January 2015

Objective

High frequency oscillations (HFOs) have recently been recorded in epilepsy patients and proposed as possible novel biomarkers of epileptogenicity. Investigation of additional HFO characteristics that correlate with the clinical manifestation of seizures may yield additional insights for delineating epileptogenic regions. To that end, this study examined the spatiotemporal coherence patterns of HFOs (80–400 Hz) so as to characterize the strength of HFO interactions in the epileptic brain. We hypothesized that regions of strong HFO coherence identified epileptogenic networks believed to possess a pathologic locking nature in relation to regular brain activity.

Methods

We applied wavelet phase coherence analysis to the intracranial EEG (iEEG)s of patients (n = 5) undergoing presurgical evaluation of drug‐resistant extratemporal lobe epilepsy (ETLE). We have also computed HFO intensity (related to the square‐root of the power), to study the relationship between HFO amplitude and coherence.

Results

Strong HFO (80–270 Hz) coherence was observed in a consistent and spatially focused channel cluster during seizures in four of five patients. Furthermore, cortical regions possessing strong ictal HFO coherence coincided with regions exhibiting high ictal HFO intensity, relative to all other channels.

Significance

Because HFOs have been shown to localize to the epileptogenic zone, and we have demonstrated a correlation between ictal HFO intensity and coherence, we propose that ictal HFO coherence can act as an epilepsy biomarker. Moreover, the seizures studied here showed strong spatial correlation of ictal HFO coherence and intensity in the 80–270 Hz frequency range, suggesting that this band may be targeted when defining seizure‐related regions of interest for characterizing ETLE.
The Value of Artificial Stimuli in Behavioral Research: Making the Case for Egg Rejection Studies in Avian Brood Parasitism
Authors: Hauber Márk E. , Tong Lainga , Bán Miklós , Croston Rebecca , Grim Tomáš , Waterhouse Geoffrey I. N. , Shawkey Matthew D. , Barron Andrew B. , Moskát Csaba
Published: January 2015

Experimentation is at the heart of classical and modern behavioral ecology research. The manipulation of natural cues allows us to establish causation between aspects of the environment, both internal and external to organisms, and their effects on animals' behaviors. In recognition systems research, including the quest to understand the coevolution of sensory cues and decision rules underlying the rejection of foreign eggs by hosts of avian brood parasites, artificial stimuli have been used extensively, but not without controversy. In response to repeated criticism about the value of artificial stimuli, we describe four potential benefits of using them in egg recognition research, two each at the proximate and ultimate levels of analysis: (1) the standardization of stimuli for developmental studies and (2) the disassociation of correlated traits of egg phenotypes used for sensory discrimination, as well as (3) the estimation of the strength of selection on parasitic egg mimicry and (4) the establishment of the evolved limits of sensory and cognitive plasticity. We also highlight constraints of the artificial stimulus approach and provide a specific test of whether responses to artificial cues can accurately predict responses to natural cues. Artificial stimuli have a general value in ethological research beyond research in brood parasitism and may be especially critical in field studies involving the manipulation of a single parameter, where other, confounding variables are difficult or impossible to control experimentally or statistically.
Dual inhibition of Cdc2 protein kinase activation during apoptosis in Xenopus egg extracts
Authors: Tsuchiya Yuichi , Murai Shin , Yamashita Shigeru
Published: January 2015

When intracellular damage accumulates in proliferating somatic cells, the cell cycle usually arrests in G1 or G2 in a checkpoint‐dependent manner, either to repair the damage or to die by apoptosis. In contrast, early embryonic cells lack checkpoint‐mediated cell‐cycle arrest, and it is not clear whether apoptosis in early embryonic cells occurs at a specific cell cycle stage or at random points. Here, we examined the functional molecular link between the embryonic cell cycle and apoptosis using Xenopus egg extracts. When apoptosis was induced in egg extracts by addition of exogenous cytochrome c during cell‐cycle progression, cyclin B accumulation was inhibited, Cdc2 was not activated, and the cell cycle arrested at interphase. However, addition of recombinant cyclin B failed to activate Cdc2 due to the strong inhibitory phosphorylation of Cdc2 Tyr15 in apoptotic egg extracts. We found that endogenous Cdc25C, which activates the Cdc2–cyclin B complex by dephosphorylating Cdc2 Tyr15, was inactivated by caspase‐mediated cleavage at two sites in the N‐terminal regulatory domain. When the hyperactive Cdc25A catalytic fragment was added together with recombinant cyclin B to artificially dephosphorylate Cdc2 Tyr15, M‐phase induction was restored in apoptotic egg extracts, indicating that the blockage of cyclin B accumulation and the caspase‐mediated inactivation of Cdc25C dually inhibited Cdc2 activation. Apoptosis induction in cytostatic factor‐arrested metaphase egg extracts resulted in inactivation of Cdc2 without cyclin B degradation. These results suggest that apoptotic inactivation of Cdc25C plays an important role in arresting the embryonic cell cycle at interphase during apoptosis.
Cumulative fatigue damage evaluations on spot‐welded joints using 590 MPa‐class automobile steel
Authors: Tanegashima R. , Ohara I. , Akebono H. , Kato M. , Sugeta A.
Published: January 2015

This study focused on local strain behaviour near the slit edge of spot‐welded joints, where the fatigue crack initiated, and investigated methods of evaluating cumulative fatigue damage. A method of evaluating local strain amplitude by following modified Goodman's law gave almost the same result as an evaluation approach based on the external force and provided reasonable result on general strength design. An approach based on Smith–Watson–Topper's equation was easy to evaluate cumulative fatigue damage compared with the method based on modified Goodman's law and gave a good agreement with a criterion of the modified Miner's rule.
Increasing hydrologic variability threatens depleted anadromous fish populations
Authors: Ward Eric J. , Anderson Joseph H. , Beechie Tim J. , Pess George R. , Ford Michael J.
Published: January 2015

Predicting effects of climate change on species and ecosystems depend on understanding responses to shifts in means (such as trends in global temperatures), but also shifts in climate variability. To evaluate potential responses of anadromous fish populations to an increasingly variable environment, we performed a hierarchical analysis of 21 Chinook salmon populations from the Pacific Northwest, examining support for changes in river flows and flow variability on population growth. More than half of the rivers analyzed have already experienced significant increases in flow variability over the last 60 years, and this study shows that this increase in variability in freshwater flows has a more negative effect than any other climate signal included in our model. Climate change models predict that this region will experience warmer winters and more variable flows, which may limit the ability of these populations to recover.
A global meta‐analysis of forest bioenergy greenhouse gas emission accounting studies
Authors: Buchholz Thomas , Hurteau Matthew D. , Gunn John , Saah David
Published: January 2015

The potential greenhouse gas benefits of displacing fossil energy with biofuels are driving policy development in the absence of complete information. The potential carbon neutrality of forest biomass is a source of considerable scientific debate because of the complexity of dynamic forest ecosystems, varied feedstock types, and multiple energy production pathways. The lack of scientific consensus leaves decision makers struggling with contradicting technical advice. Analyzing previously published studies, our goal was to identify and prioritize those attributes of bioenergy greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions analysis that are most influential on length of carbon payback period. We investigated outcomes of 59 previously published forest biomass greenhouse gas emissions research studies published between 1991 and 2014. We identified attributes for each study and classified study cases by attributes. Using classification and regression tree analysis, we identified those attributes that are strong predictors of carbon payback period (e.g. the time required by the forest to recover through sequestration the carbon dioxide from biomass combusted for energy). The inclusion of wildfire dynamics proved to be the most influential in determining carbon payback period length compared to other factors such as feedstock type, baseline choice, and the incorporation of leakage calculations. Additionally, we demonstrate that evaluation criteria consistency is required to facilitate equitable comparison between projects. For carbon payback period calculations to provide operational insights to decision makers, future research should focus on creating common accounting principles for the most influential factors including temporal scale, natural disturbances, system boundaries, GHG emission metrics, and baselines.
Is the useful field of view a good predictor of at‐fault crash risk in elderly Japanese drivers?
Authors: Sakai Hiroyuki , Uchiyama Yuji , Takahara Miwa , Doi Shun'ichi , Kubota Fumiko , Yoshimura Takayoshi , Tachibana Atsumichi , Kurahashi Tetsuo
Published: January 2015

Aim

Although age‐related decline in the useful field of view (UFOV) is well recognized as a risk factor for at‐fault crash involvement in elderly drivers, there is still room to study its applicability to elderly Japanese drivers. In the current study, we thus examined the relationship between UFOV and at‐fault crash history in an elderly Japanese population. We also explored whether potential factors that create awareness of reduced driving fitness could be a trigger for the self‐regulation of driving in elderly drivers.

Methods

We measured UFOV and at‐fault crash history from 151 community‐dwelling Japanese aged 60 years or older, and compared UFOV of at‐fault crash‐free and crash‐involved drivers. We also measured self‐evaluated driving style using a questionnaire.

Results

UFOV in crash‐involved drivers was significantly lower than that in crash‐free drivers. No significant difference was found in self‐evaluated driving style between crash‐free and crash‐involved drivers. In addition, there was no significant association between UFOV and self‐evaluated driving style.

Conclusions

The present study showed that UFOV is a good predictor of at‐fault crash risk in elderly Japanese drivers. Furthermore, our data imply that it might be difficult for elderly drivers to adopt appropriate driving strategies commensurate with their current driving competence. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2015; 15: 659–665.
Personal mastery, multisystem physiological dysregulation and risk of functional decline in older adults: A prospective study in Taiwan
Authors: Wu I‐Chien , Hsiung Chao A , Chang I‐Shou , Wu Ming‐Shiang , Chang Yu‐Hung , Hsu Chih‐Cheng
Published: January 2015

Aim

Personal mastery has been associated with physical function maintenance later in life. Less is known about the relationship between lack of personal mastery and functional decline in Asian populations, and whether multisystem physiological dysregulation explains this relationship.

Methods

Participants (n = 487) from the Social Environment and Biomarkers of Aging Study, a population‐based prospective cohort study in Taiwan, received baseline measurements of personal mastery using the Pearlin Mastery Scale. Multisystem physiological dysregulation at baseline was assessed as a summary score based on the levels of 16 biomarkers of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, the sympathetic nervous system, the cardiovascular system, the metabolic system and the immune system functioning. Function in activities of daily living was determined at baseline and at a 7‐year follow up.

Results

Participants in the lowest quartile of the personal mastery score were more likely to experience functional decline than those in the higher quartiles (OR comparing the lowest with highest 3 quartiles 2.99, 95% CI 1.71–5.21). After adjusting for confounders, personal mastery remained significantly associated with functional changes (adjusted OR 2.09, 95% CI 1.05–4.14). Greater sense of personal mastery was associated with significantly less multisystem physiological dysregulation (P for trend = 0.001). When the levels of physiological dysregulation were added to the multivariate models, the association between a poor sense of personal mastery and functional decline was attenuated.

Conclusions

Lack of personal mastery is independently associated with an increased risk of functional decline in older adults. Multisystem physiological dysregulation partially explains this relationship. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2015; 15: 707–714.
Valued life abilities among veteran cancer survivors
Authors: Karel Michele J. , Mulligan Elizabeth A. , Walder Annette , Martin Lindsey A. , Moye Jennifer , Naik Aanand D.
Published: January 2015

Background

When patients have multiple chronic illnesses, it is not feasible to provide disease‐based care when treatments for one condition adversely affect another. Instead, health‐care delivery requires a broader person‐centred treatment plan based on collaborative, patient‐oriented values and goals.

Objective

We examined the individual variability, thematic content, and sociodemographic correlates of valued life abilities and activities among multimorbid veterans diagnosed with life‐altering cancer.

Setting and participants

Participants were 144 veterans in the ‘Vet‐Cares’ study who completed a health‐care values and goals scale 12 months after diagnosis of head and neck, gastro‐oesophageal, or colorectal cancer. They had mean age of 65 years and one quarter identified as Hispanic and/or African American.

Design

At twelve months post‐diagnosis, participants rated 16 life abilities/activities in their importance to quality of life on a 10‐point Likert scale, during an in‐person interview. Scale themes were validated via exploratory factor analysis and examining associations with sociodemographic variables.

Results

Participants rated most life abilities/activities as extremely important. Variability in responses was sufficient to identify three underlying values themes in exploratory factor analysis: self‐sufficiency, enjoyment/comfort, and connection to family, friends and spirituality. Veterans with a spouse/partner rated self‐sufficiency as less important. African American veterans rated connection as more important than did White veterans.

Conclusions

It is feasible yet challenging to ask older, multimorbid patients to rate relative importance of values associated with life abilities/activities. Themes related to self‐sufficiency, enjoyment/comfort in daily life and connection are salient and logically consistent with sociodemographic traits. Future studies should explore their role in goal‐directed health care.
Effect of several intracanal medicaments on the push‐out bond strength of ProRoot MTA and Biodentine
Authors: Nagas E. , Cehreli Z. C. , Uyanik M. O. , Vallittu P. K. , Lassila L. V. J.
Published: January 2015

Aim

To evaluate the effect of prior application of several intracanal medicaments on the push‐out bond strength of ProRoot MTA and Biodentine.

Methodology

Sixty freshly extracted maxillary anterior teeth were sectioned below the cementoenamel junction, and the root canals instrumented using rotary files. Thereafter, a parallel post drill was used to obtain a standardized root canal dimension. The roots were randomly assigned into one of the following groups with respect to the intracanal medicament applied: group 1: calcium hydroxide (CH) powder (Merck, Darmstadt, Germany) mixed with distilled water; group 2: a mixture of metronidazole, ciprofloxacin and minocycline (triple antibiotic paste); group 3: a combination of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid (Augmentin; Champs Pharmacy, San Antonio, TX, USA); group 4: an antibiotic–corticoid compound paste (Ledermix; Riemser, Greifswald, Germany); and group 5: no medicament (control). Following removal of medicaments with instrumentation and irrigation, the roots were cut into 1‐mm‐thick parallel transverse sections in a coronal‐to‐apical direction (5 slices/tooth). Thereafter, the specimens were divided into two subgroups according to the calcium silicate cement applied (n = 30/group): (i) ProRoot MTA (Dentsply Tulsa Dental, Tulsa, OK, USA) and (ii) Biodentine (Septodont, Saint‐Maur‐des‐Fosses, France). A push‐out test was performed, and the data were analysed statistically using two‐way anova and Tukey's post hoc test.

Results

Regardless of the type of intracanal medicament used, Biodentine had significantly higher bond strength than MTA (P < 0.05). The highest push‐out bond strength results were obtained in CH‐treated dentine. Compared with other medicaments, this value was only significantly higher than that of Ledermix (P < 0.05). In both the MTA and Biodentine groups, pairwise comparisons between other medicaments showed similar debonding values (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

Biodentine had a higher bond strength to root canal dentine than ProRoot MTA. Prior CH in distilled water intracanal placement increased the dislodgment resistance of both calcium silicate cements.
Transitional probability predicts native and non‐native use of formulaic sequences
Authors: Appel Randy , Trofimovich Pavel
Published: January 2015

Formulaic sequences (FSs), or prefabricated multi‐word structures (e.g. on the other hand), are often difficult to identify objectively, and current corpus‐driven methods yield structurally incomplete, overlapping, or overly extended structures of questionable psychological validity and pedagogical usefulness. To address these limitations, this study evaluated transitional probability as a potential metric to improve the identification ofFSsby presenting 100 four‐word sequences from theBritishNationalCorpus, varying in transitional probabilities between words, to native and non‐native speakers ofEnglish (N= 293) in a sequence completion task (e.g. for the sake__). Results revealed that the application of transitional probability reduces many of the problems associated with current approaches toFSidentification and can produce lists ofFSsthat are more functionally salient and psychologically valid.
Endoglin expression in upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma is associated with intravesical recurrence after radical nephroureterectomy
Authors: Fujita Kazutoshi , Ujike Takeshi , Nagahara Akira , Uemura Motohide , Tanigawa Go , Shimazu Kohki , Fushimi Hiroaki , Yamaguchi Seiji , Nonomura Norio
Published: January 2015

Objectives

To evaluate the expression and prognostic significance of endoglin in patients with upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma.

Methods

zArchival formalin‐fixed and paraffin‐embedded tissues from 99 cases of primary upper urinary tract urothelial carcinomas treated with nephroureterectomy were retrieved. Tissue microarrays were constructed with triplicate tumor samples and paired non‐neoplastic urothelium. Tissue microarrays were analyzed using immunohistochemistry for endoglin, and the associations between clinicopathological parameters and outcome were studied.

Results

Endoglin expression was significantly higher in the endothelium of upper urinary tract urothelial carcinomas than in paired benign urothelium (P < 0.001). Endoglin expression was not associated with pathological T stage or tumor grade, and it was not associated with increased hazard ratios for cancer‐specific mortality, tumor recurrence in the lymph node or distant metastasis. However, expression of endoglin was significantly associated with intravesical recurrence, when adjusting for other relevant clinicopathological variables (P = 0.015).

Conclusions

Endoglin is overexpressed in the endothelium of upper urinary tract urothelial carcinomas when compared with normal urothelium, and this overexpression seems to be associated with a higher risk of intravesical recurrence. Therefore, endoglin could be a biomarker for the prediction of intravesical recurrence, as well as a potential therapeutic target.
A service evaluation describing a nurse‐led prostate cancer service in NHS, Ayrshire and Arran
Authors: McGlynn Brian , White Lillian , Smith Kathleen , Hollins Graham , Gurun Murat , Little Brian , Clark Ross , Nair Biju , Glen Hilary , Ansari Jawaher , Mahmood Rana , Nairn Robert , Balsitis Margaret , Chanock David , McLaughlin George , Meddings Robert
Published: January 2015

From 1999, the NHS Ayrshire and Arran Health Board implemented an innovative nurse‐led collaborative care model for the management of patients with prostate cancer (PC). This article describes the model and presents the results of a local evaluation to assess its impact. The evaluation comprised a retrospective audit of the service against national standards for PC management, undertaken in 2012. Seventy‐one patients, who were under the care of the service during June 2008, were included. Patient and staff satisfaction were also assessed using questionnaires distributed to 75 patients undergoing outpatient or telephone reviews during April 2012 and 7 one‐to‐one semi‐structured staff interviews. The patient audit showed good compliance with standards relating to selection of appropriate PC treatments according to tumour stage and grade; radiotherapy dosing and referral‐to‐treatment times. Areas requiring improvement were the documentation of patients' risk and performance status and provision of verbal and written information to patients and carers. Seventy‐three per cent of the patient questionnaires were returned, with 96% of respondents rating their overall care as ‘excellent’ or ‘very good’. Staff satisfaction was also high and interviewees described many benefits of the service for patients, hospital staff, GPs and the NHS/health board. Negative responses related mainly to demand/capacity issues. Overall, the evaluation showed good compliance with many national standards and high levels of patient and staff satisfaction. This suggests that with trained and competent nursing staff and collaborative multidisciplinary team working, safe and appropriate care can be achieved for more complex, as well as very stable PC patients.
Non‐Tradable Share Reform, Liquidity, and Stock Returns in China
Authors: Hung Chi‐Hsiou D. , Chen Qiuliang , Fang Victor
Published: January 2015

This article studies the influence of the non‐tradable share reform in the cross‐section of stock returns in China. Prior research has generally neglected this important development in the Chinese stock market. We find that the firm‐specific illiquidity measures that reflect direct transaction costs, price impact and difficulties in trading immediacy, exhibit a positive and significant relationship with stock returns. These effects are particularly pronounced after the non‐tradable share reform. Furthermore, in the post‐reform era, portfolios with high illiquidity (i.e. high relative bid–ask spread, high Amihud illiquidity, low Amivest liquidity ratio) significantly outperform portfolios with low illiquidity, controlling for size, and book‐to‐market effects.
More than providing ‘solutions’: towards an understanding of customer‐oriented citizenship behaviours of IS professionals
Authors: Deng Xuefei (Nancy) , Wang Tawei , Galliers Robert D.
Published: January 2015

Information systems (IS) support in organizations has undergone dramatic changes over the years. IS professionals in the support function have become an important knowledge source to colleagues who seek assistance with their IS usage. Our understanding of IS professionals' customer‐oriented behaviours is limited, however. Focusing on IS post‐implementation support and drawing upon organizational citizenship behaviour (OCB) theory, this paper seeks to understand IS professionals' citizenship behaviours in supporting colleagues. Our analysis of 630 support tasks performed by IS professionals with regard to two systems at three periods reveals five types of customer‐oriented OCB: anticipation, education, justification, personalization‐technology and personalization‐business. Our results also show different associations between four contextual factors of IS support (i.e. system, user, task and problem) and the OCBs. In instances of user deficiency, more personalization‐business and anticipation OCBs were observed across all the four problem domains (functionality, data, workflow and role). By contrast, in instances of system deficiency, more personalization‐technology OCBs were observed among the two problem domains of data and functionality. Moreover, the occurrence of OCBs revealed a temporal pattern such that personalization‐business OCBs are more pronounced in early post‐implementation periods whereas anticipation OCBs and personalization‐technology OCBs become more dominant later. The categorization scheme of the customer‐oriented OCB, the OCB dynamics and the patterns between OCB types and the contextual factors advance our understanding of the evolving and challenging work of organizational IS support. Our findings extend the OCB literature on customer orientation and enrich the limited studies on knowledge‐intensive IS support work. Practical implications of the findings on IS management and policies are discussed.