bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ganciclovir exposure under a 450 mg daily dosage of valganciclovir for cytomegalovirus prevention in kidney transplantation: a prospective study
Authors: Manuel Oriol , Pascual Manuel , Perrottet Nancy , Lamoth Frédéric , Venetz Jean‐P. , Decosterd Laurent A. , Buclin Thierry , Meylan Pascal R.
Published: January 2010

Manuel O, Pascual M, Perrottet N, Lamoth F, Venetz J‐P, Decosterd LA, Buclin T, Meylan PR. Ganciclovir exposure under a 450 mg daily dosage of valganciclovir for cytomegalovirus prevention in kidney transplantation: a prospective study.  Clin Transplant 2010: 24: 794–800. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Abstract:  This prospective study aimed at determining the ganciclovir exposure observed under a daily dosage of 450 mg valganciclovir routinely applied to kidney transplant recipients with a GFR above 25 mL/min at risk for cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease. Ganciclovir levels at trough (Ctrough) and at peak (C3 h) were measured monthly. Ganciclovir exposure (area under the curve [AUC0–24]) was estimated using Bayesian non‐linear mixed‐effect modeling (NONMEM). Thirty‐six patients received 450 mg of valganciclovir daily for three months. Median ganciclovir C3 h was 3.9 mg/L (range: 1.3–7.1), and Ctrough was 0.4 mg/L (range 0.1–2.7). Median AUC0–24 of ganciclovir was 59.3 mg h/L (39.0–85.3) in patients with GFRMDRD 26–39 mL/min, 35.8 mg h/L (24.9–55.8) in patients with GFRMDRD 40–59 mL/min, and 29.6 mg h/L (22.0–43.2) in patients with GFRMDRD ≥ 60 mL/min. No major differences in adverse events according to ganciclovir exposure were observed. CMV viremia was not detected during prophylaxis. After discontinuing prophylaxis, CMV viremia was seen in 8/36 patients (22%), and 4/36 patients (11%) developed CMV disease. Ganciclovir exposure after administration of valganciclovir 450 mg daily in recipients with GFR ≥60 mL/min was comparable to those previously reported with oral ganciclovir. A routine daily dose of 450 mg valganciclovir appears to be acceptable for CMV prophylaxis in most kidney transplant recipients.
The impact of cytomegalovirus infection ≥1 year after primary renal transplantation
Authors: Browne Barry J. , Young Jo‐Anne , Dunn Ty B. , Matas Arthur J.
Published: January 2010

Browne BJ, Young J‐A, Dunn TB, Matas AJ. The impact of cytomegalovirus infection ≥1 yr after primary renal transplantation. Clin Transplant 2010: 24: 572–579. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Abstract:  We studied the impact of a first post‐transplant cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection greater than one year after primary kidney transplantation. Risk factors for developing late CMV were acute rejection and donor–recipient CMV status. Of those developing late CMV, 35% were donor (D) positive, recipient (R) negative; however, 23% were D+R+, 22% D−R+, and 15% D−R−. Late CMV was associated with significantly decreased patient and graft survival.
When the Ghost of Predation has Passed: Do Rodents from Islands with and without Fox Predators Exhibit Aversion to Fox Cues?
Authors: Orrock John L.
Published: January 2010

Anti‐predator behavior can alter the dynamics of prey populations, but little is known about the rate at which anti‐predator behavior is lost from prey populations following predator removal. The Channel Islands differ in whether they have historically contained a top predator, the Island Fox (Urocyon littoralis), in evolutionary time (approximately 6200–10 000 yr). On a historically fox‐containing island and two historically fox‐free islands in 2007, I deployed live traps that contained olfactory cues of fox predators (fox feces), olfactory cues of an herbivore (horse feces) or a no‐feces control. Due to a captive breeding program, foxes on the historically fox‐containing island were effectively removed from 1998 to 2004. Rodents from one of the historically fox‐free islands did not respond to fox cues, whereas rodents on the historically fox‐containing island were more likely to be captured in a control trap and less likely to be captured in a fox‐cue trap. Results from the other historically fox‐free island that experienced a recent population bottleneck and period of captive rearing exhibited a preference for horse‐scented traps. These results suggest that, on islands where foxes are the primary predators, anti‐predator behavior in response to olfactory cues is not likely to be rapidly lost by short‐term removals of foxes, although the nature of anti‐predator behavior may depend upon founder events and recent population dynamics (e.g. population bottlenecks or several generations in captivity).
Roving and Service Quality in the Cleaner Wrasse Labroides bicolor
Authors: Oates Jennifer , Manica Andrea , Bshary Redouan
Published: January 2010

The cleaner wrasse Labroides dimidiatus occupies fixed ‘cleaning stations’ on coral reefs, which ‘client’ reef fish visit repeatedly to have parasites removed. Conflict arises because cleaners prefer to cheat by feeding on client mucus instead of parasites. Clients can prevent L. dimidiatus from always cheating using control mechanisms such as chasing and partner switching, which depend on repeated interactions. These control mechanisms would be undermined in the absence of frequent repeated interactions, if cleaners roved over large areas. Roving behaviour has been anecdotally described for the closely related cleaner wrasse Labroides bicolor. Here we report field data comparing these two species in Moorea, French Polynesia. Our results confirmed that L. bicolor home ranges are much larger than L. dimidiatus home ranges, and showed that cleaning interactions occurred all over the L. bicolor home range: home range of cleaning interactions increased with total home range size. Moreover, we found that cleaner initiation of interactions increased with home range size in L. bicolor, which would give L. bicolor with large home ranges additional leverage to increase cheating. In line with these results, we found that client jolt rate (used as a measure of cheating) was higher among clients of cleaners with large home ranges. Our results emphasise the importance of game structure and control over initiating interactions as parameters in determining the nature of interactions in mutualisms.
Development of a Double‐inoculation Method to Assess Resistance to Anthracnose in Trispecies Capsicum Hybrid
Authors: Temiyakul Patiporn , Taylor Paul W. J. , Mongkolporn Orarat
Published: January 2010

Chilli anthracnose is caused by a complex of Colletotrichum species. Breeding for resistance to anthracnose has been focused on introgressing resistance from Capsicum chinense and C. baccatum into commercial C. annuum cultivars. Trispecies hybrids of C. annuum cv. Bangchang, C. chinense PBC932 and C. baccatum PBC80 were successfully produced. Assessments for resistance in F1 progeny to Colletotrichum capsici isolate 158ci (Cc158ci) and C. acutatum isolate MJ5 (CaMJ5) were carried out by inoculating fruit using a laboratory microinjection method. Due to the poor fruit set of the F1 hybrid, a double‐inoculation method was developed to inoculate the same chilli fruit with two isolates of two Colletotrichum species. The positions (apex, centre, end) at which the fruit were inoculated with either isolate did not affect disease development. At 7 days after inoculation, Cc158ci produced larger lesions on chilli fruit than CaMJ5; and lesions from single inoculation were larger than those from double inoculation. The double‐inoculation technique was applied to the trispecies F1 hybrid to select individual F1 plants that contained resistance to both Colletotrichum species. Of the nine F1 plants that produced fruits for inoculation, all were resistant to Cc158ci at both mature green and ripe fruit stages. Two plants were also resistant to CaMJ5 at both fruit maturity stages, and one plant was resistant at the ripe fruit stage but susceptible at the green fruit stage.
Isolated symptomatic cutaneous disease in hypereosinophilic syndrome
Authors: Preda Veronica , Henderson Christopher , Woods Jane
Published: January 2010

A 41‐year‐old Phillipino man presented with a 3‐year history of a relapsing and remitting generalized chronic pruritic erythematous papular and plaque‐like eruption. Investigations showed a persistently elevated eosinophil count. His disease was limited to cutaneous involvement with an absence of demonstrable internal organ involvement, despite extensive investigations and multidisciplinary review. Other causes of eosinophilia were excluded. A diagnosis of idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome was made. Our patient's presentation raises a number of issues related to hypereosinophilic syndrome. In particular, relating to managing hypereosinophilic syndrome and the challenge of minimizing therapy side‐effects. Our case highlights the considerable morbidity of untreated isolated cutaneous disease, for which he was hospitalized with suicidal ideations. In a minority of reports, skin involvement is the only manifestation of hypereosinophilic syndrome.
Silicification of pelitic schist in the Ryoke low‐pressure/temperature metamorphic belt, Southwest Japan: Origin of competent layers in the middle crust
Authors: Terabayashi Masaru , Yamamoto Hiroshi , Hiwatashi Eri , Kitajima Kouki
Published: January 2010

We propose that competent layers composed of silicified rocks in the Cretaceous Ryoke low‐pressure/temperature (low‐P/T) metamorphic belt in the Iwakuni–Yanai area, Southwest Japan, may be an exhumed equivalent of a seismically‐reflective bright‐layer in the middle crust. Silicified rocks crop out as layers or long lenticular bodies several to fifteen meters in thickness, and they are restricted to the area of greenschist facies conditions within a structural thickness of about one kilometer. The silicified rock layers exhibit a sharp contact with subjacent biotite schist but a gradational contact with overlying pelitic schist. Silicified rock is mainly composed of fine‐grained quartz and minor muscovite and biotite, and some colored minerals have been variably decolorized by alteration. This implies that silicification turned the color of pelitic schists to pale gray or milky white. Quartz veins cutting schistosity at high angles were preferentially developed in the silicified rocks, while schistosity‐parallel quartz veins, which underwent viscous flow, were observed in the underlying biotite schists. En echelon quartz veins and fishnet‐like quartz veins are characteristic of silicified rocks. The modes of occurrence of quartz veins indicate that silicified rocks were competent relative to underlying biotite schist. The combination of contact with high‐competence contrast adjacent to low‐permeability silicified rocks may be a good reflector of seismic waves. If the silicified rocks were distributed in the middle crust to a considerable extent, they may result in seismic bright‐layer reflections.
Osteopontin, a single marker for predicting the prognosis of patients with tumor‐node‐metastasis stage I hepatocellular carcinoma after surgical resection
Authors: Chen Rong‐Xin , Xia Yun‐Hong , Cui Jie‐Feng , Xue Tong‐Chun , Ye Sheng‐Long
Published: January 2010

Background and Aim:  Osteopontin (OPN) has been linked to clinical outcomes in several solid tumors. However, it has not been fully evaluated whether OPN could be used as a single marker for the prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), particularly in patients of the tumor‐node‐metastasis (TNM) stage I.

Methods:  A total of 151 patients with HCC who underwent surgical resection were enrolled, including 112 patients of the TNM stage I. OPN expression was evaluated using immunohistochemistry in the tissue microarrays derived from these patients. Immunoreactivity was classified according to the percentage and intensity of staining: negative (−), weak (+) and strong (++). The impact of OPN expression on survival of patients was analyzed.

Results:  In total, 65.6% (99 of 151) of HCC tissues expressed OPN. Overall survival in patients of OPN (−) group was significantly higher than those of OPN (+) or OPN (++) group (P = 0.049 and P = 0.001). Interestingly, in patients of the TNM stage I, OPN expression was correlated with the early recurrence after surgical resection (P = 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that OPN expression was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival and disease‐free survival in patients with the TNM stage I HCC (hazard ratio, 2.272, P = 0.014 and 1.982, P = 0.037).

Conclusions:  These results suggest that OPN is commonly expressed in HCC and is a useful marker for predicting the prognosis of patients with the TNM stage I HCC, contributing to determining which individual patient needs adjuvant therapy to prevent the early recurrence after surgical resection.
Childhood minimally invasive follicular carcinoma: Clinical features and immunohistochemistry analysis
Authors: Zou Chao Chun , Zhao Zheng Yan , Liang Li
Published: January 2010

Aim:  To report on two cases of childhood thyroid minimally invasive follicular carcinoma (MIFC) to highlight the clinical features, laboratory findings and diagnosis of this rare disease.

Methods:  The patients' age, gender, clinical features, laboratory findings, pathology and therapy were reviewed. Immunohistochemistry analysis was performed on the resected masses section.

Results:  From 2000 to 2008, a total of 15 cases of thyroid cancer were confirmed by pathological analysis, which account for about 2.16% of all malignant solid tumours. They included nine of thyroid papillary carcinoma, two of MIFC and one of undifferentiated thyroid carcinoma. For the two children with MIFC, one was an 8‐year‐boy and one was a 12‐year‐old girl. Thyroid mass was found as the primary sign. Imaging findings showed well‐defined heterogeneous mass and radionuclide scintigraphy with 99mTc demonstrated small cold nodules in the right lobe of thyroid in two cases. Histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of MIFC. Immunohistochemical staining was positive for thyroglobulin, thyroid transcription factor‐1, galectin‐3, Hector Battifora mesothelial antigen‐1, cytokeratin‐AE1/AE3, cytokeratin‐19, proliferating cell nuclear antigen and E‐cadherin in two cases, and S‐100 in one case, while CD56, vimentin and desmin were negative. One case was undertaken lobectomy and the other was undertaken subtotal thyreoidectomy with L‐T4 replacement therapy.

Conclusion:  MIFC is exceedingly rare in children and should be included in the differential diagnosis of thyroid mass. The diagnosis of MIFC depends mainly on the pathological findings.
Ultrasonography findings and symptoms in acute rotavirus gastroenteritis
Authors: Yamashita Yasuhiro , Yuge Ken , Tanaka Nobuo , Maeda Kohji , Yamakawa Ryo‐ichi , Matsuyuki Makado , Fsujisawa Takuji , Kimura Akihiko
Published: January 2010

Background:  The aim of the present study was to better understand how clinical events in acute rotavirus gastroenteritis are depicted on ultrasonography.

Methods:  The relationship between abdominal ultrasonography and clinical course and symptoms was evaluated in 92 patients with acute rotavirus gastroenteritis (51 boys, 41 girls) with an average age of 30.7 ± 24.6 months.

Results:  Significant correlations were observed between ultrasonography score and duration of illness after ultrasonography (P= 0.0232). It was also interesting that ultrasonography findings (score: 3.1 ± 1.0 vs 3.6 ± 1.2; P= 0.0118), clinical symptoms (3.1 ± 1.7 score vs 3.8 ± 1.8 score, P= 0.0293), and duration of illness after ultrasonography (4.4 ± 1.4 days vs 3.8 ± 1.1 days, P= 0.0301) were significantly different between patients examined on ultrasonography <1 day after illness onset (n= 50, but duration of illness after ultrasonography followed only in 42) and those examined ≥2 days after onset (n= 42, but duration of illness after ultrasonography followed only in 35).

Conclusion:  The ability of abdominal ultrasonography to indicate severity of disease makes abdominal ultrasonography an important guide to therapy.
Detection of p16 promoter methylation in premature rats with chronic lung disease induced by hyperoxia
Authors: Yue Xiaohong , Fu Jianhua , Xue Xindong , Gao Hong , Liu Dongyan , Zong Zhihong , Wang Wei , Li Hui , Yuan Zhengwei
Published: January 2010

Background:  The aim of the present study was to investigate p16 promoter methylation in premature rats with chronic lung disease (CLD) induced by hyperoxia.

Methods:  Eighty Wistar rats were randomized into the hyperoxia group (fraction of inspired oxygen [FiO2]= 900 mL/L) or the control group (FiO2= 210 mL/L), 40 for each group. Semi‐nested methylation‐specific polymerase chain reaction (sn‐MSP) was applied to detect p16 promoter hypermethylation in lung tissues. Additionally, p16 mRNA and protein expression was detected on reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR), western blot and the strept actividin–biotin complex method.

Results:  Extended exposure to hyperoxia led to increased methylation, and the methylation level reached a peak in the period of maximum pulmonary fibrosis in the hyperoxia group, while the methylation did not occur in the control group. The methylation rates on semi‐nested PCR (sn‐PCR) and nested‐MSP were, respectively, 52.5% and 42.5% in the hyperoxia group. There was no statistically significant difference between the two methods. The p16 mRNA and protein expression was significantly higher in those with p16 promoter hypermethylation than those without.

Conclusion:  Exposure to hyperoxia may induce p16 promoter hypermethylation in lung tissues in premature rats, and methylation risk increases as exposure extends. p16 promoter methylation induced by hyperoxia may be one of the mechanisms for low p16 mRNA and protein expression.
Aberrantly increased mRNA expression of betaglycan, an inhibin co‐receptor in the ovarian tissues in women with polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Zhu Rui , Zhou Xiping , Chen Youguo , Qiu Chenqiao , Xu Wenxin , Shen Zongji
Published: January 2010

Aim:  To compare the gene expressional levels of receptors for activins and inhibins in ovarian tissues between women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and normal controls, and to analyze their biologically relevant associations with serum hormone levels.

Methods:  Total RNA of ovarian tissues from PCOS (n = 14) and normal controls (n = 21) were isolated during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. Real‐time PCRs were performed to examine the relative mRNA expression levels of the activin receptors, including activin receptor type IA (ActRIA), type IB (ActRIB), type IIA (ActRIIA), and type IIB (ActRIIB), and the inhibin receptors, betaglycan and an inhibin binding protein (InhBP/p120). At the same time, the serum levels of estradiol (E2), testosterone (T), follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), inhibin B and activin A were measured.

Results:  The PCOS patients showed endocrine characteristics with higher concentrations of LH, T and inhibin B, and a lower concentration of activin A. Real‐time PCR demonstrated that the relative expression level of betaglycan against that of GAPDH was increased 1.5‐fold in the ovarian tissues during the follicular phase of PCOS patients when compared with normal controls, while the activin receptors ActRIA, ActRIB, ActRIIA, ActRIIB, and the inhibin co‐receptor InhBP/p120 were unchanged. Moreover, the betaglycan mRNA expression showed biologically relevant associations with serum FSH, LH, E2 and inhibin B levels in both the PCOS and normal controls.

Conclusions:  This is the first report to demonstrate the aberrantly increased expression of betaglycan mRNA in PCOS ovaries. The mechanism by which betaglycan contributes to the pathologic process of PCOS remains to be clarified.
Risk factors and algorithms for chlamydial and gonococcal cervical infections in women attending family planning clinics in Thailand
Authors: Rugpao Sungwal , Rungruengthanakit Kittipong , Werawatanakul Yuthapong , Sinchai Wanida , Ruengkris Tosaporn , Lamlertkittikul Surachai , Pinjareon Sutham , Koonlertkit Sompong , Limtrakul Aram , Sriplienchan Somchai , Wongthanee Antika , Sirirojn Bangorn , Morrison Charles S. , Celentano David D.
Published: January 2010

Aim:  To identify risk factors associated with and evaluate algorithms for predicting Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) cervical infections in women attending family planning clinics in Thailand.

Methods:  Eligible women were recruited from family planning clinics from all regions in Thailand. The women were followed at 3‐month intervals for 15–24 months. At each visit, the women were interviewed for interval sexually transmitted infection (STI) history in the past 3 months, recent sexual behavior, and contraceptive use. Pelvic examinations were performed and endocervical specimens were collected to test for CT and NG using polymerase chain reaction.

Results:  Factors associated with incident CT/NG cervical infections in multivariate analyses included region of country other than the north, age ≤25 years, polygamous marriage, acquiring a new sex partner in the last 3 months, abnormal vaginal discharge, mucopurulent cervical discharge, and easily induced bleeding of the endocervix. Three models were developed to predict cervical infection. A model incorporating demographic factors and sexual behaviors had a sensitivity of 61% and a specificity of 71%. Incorporating additional factors did not materially improve test performance. Positive predictive values for all models evaluated were low.

Conclusion:  In resource‐limited settings, algorithmic approaches to identifying incident cervical infections among low‐risk women may assist providers in the management of these infections.
Vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia: A retrospective analysis of clinical features and colpohistology
Authors: Boonlikit Sathone , Noinual Nattakul
Published: January 2010

Aim:  To analyze the clinical features and colpohistology of women with vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VAIN).

Methods:  Patients with VAIN treated at Rajavithi Hospital between April 1986 and October 2007.

Results:  Of 68 patients, 52.9% had VAIN2/3. The mean age of patients was 50.85 ± 13.17 years (range: 22–80). The most common presentation was abnormal cytology. History of prior pelvic radiation, associated neoplasia of the lower genital tract and history of prior hysterectomy were documented in 7.4, 67.6 and 54.4% of patients, respectively. Median intervals from previous lower genital tract neoplasia to current diagnosis of VAIN, and between hysterectomy to diagnosis of VAIN were 23.9 and 29.7 months, respectively. The upper third of the vagina was the most common site of VAIN (86.8%). The most common colposcopic finding was the presence of acetowhite epithelium. Punctation was significantly associated with VAIN2/3 (P < 0.05). Mosaic was rare and found in VAIN3.

Conclusion:  VAIN can occur at any age and is commonly associated with neoplasia of the lower genital tract. Most patients have disease located in the upper third of the vagina. The most common colposcopic finding is acetowhite epithelium while punctation and mosaic pattern are more prevalent in VAIN2/3.
Tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin‐6 and interleukin‐10 polymorphisms in preeclampsia
Authors: Vural Pervin , Degirmencioglu Sevgin , Saral Neslihan Y. , Demirkan Ayse , Akgul Cemil , Yildirim Gokhan , Issever Halim , Eroglu Hacer
Published: January 2010

Aim:  Preeclampsia (PE) is one of the most serious disorders of pregnancy. The imbalance between pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory cytokines may play a role in its etiology. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether cytokine gene polymorphism is associated with PE, and to evaluate the relationship between genotypes and clinical/laboratory manifestation of PE.

Methods:  We investigated single nucleotide polymorphisms of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α(‐308 G/A), interleukin (IL)‐6 (‐174 G/C), IL‐10 (‐1082 G/A) genes in DNA from peripheral blood leukocytes of 101 PE patients and 95 healthy control women.

Results:  In PE, there was a significant increase of the IL‐10 (‐1082) A allele frequency (P = 0.04). No significant differences were found in genotypes or allele frequencies of TNFα(‐308) and IL‐6 (‐174) genes between PE women and controls. While TNFα(‐308) and IL‐6 (‐174) genotypes did not influence clinical/laboratory parameters in PE, IL‐10 (‐1082) A allele carrying genotypes (AG + AA) were associated with higher glucose and lower HDL‐cholesterol levels.

Conclusion:  Because women with IL‐10 (‐1082) AA genotype have 3.38‐fold increased risk of developing PE according to GG genotype (95% CI 1.21–9.4, P = 0.01), we suggest that IL‐10 (‐1082) variant A allele is associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia, which is independent from its metabolic effects.
Feasibility and safety of total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH) using the Hohl instrument in nonobese and obese women
Authors: Mueller Andreas , Thiel Falk , Lermann Johannes , Oppelt Peter , Beckmann Matthias W. , Renner Stefan P.
Published: January 2010

Aim:  The aim of the present study was to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and complication rates of total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH) using the Hohl instrument in nonobese and obese women.

Methods:  A prospective controlled trail (Canadian Task Force classification II‐1) was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erlangen University Hospital, Erlangen‐Nuremberg, Germany. Two hundred and fifty‐seven women underwent total laparoscopic hysterectomy using the Hohl instrument between January 2006 and May 2008. The laparoscopic approach was used when the patient had undergone previous pelvic abdominal operation and/or had a reduced vaginal capacity. Women were classified according to their body mass index (BMI), with a cutoff point of 30 kg/m2. Total laparoscopic hysterectomy was performed using the Hohl instrument.

Results:  One ureteral injury, one bladder injury, one vaginal injury, and one injury to the epigastric vessels occurred. Blood transfusion was necessary in one patient. One conversion to abdominal hysterectomy was performed in a woman with a uterus weighing 893 g. In the postoperative phase, suture dehiscence at the vaginal closure occurred in three patients, one patient had bladder infection, one woman developed unexplained fever, and a hematoma without infection at the vaginal vault occurred in one woman. All complications occurred in women with BMI < 30 kg/m2.

Conclusion:  TLH using the Hohl instrument is feasible and safe in nonobese and obese patients.
Basal ganglia control of sleep–wake behavior and cortical activation
Authors: Qiu Mei‐Hong , Vetrivelan Ramalingam , Fuller Patrick M. , Lu Jun
Published: January 2010

The basal ganglia (BG) are involved in numerous neurobiological processes that operate on the basis of wakefulness, including motor function, learning, emotion and addictive behaviors. We hypothesized that the BG might play an important role in the regulation of wakefulness. To test this prediction, we made cell body‐specific lesions in the striatum and globus pallidus (GP) using ibotenic acid. We found that rats with striatal (caudoputamen) lesions exhibited a 14.95% reduction in wakefulness and robust fragmentation of sleep–wake behavior, i.e. an increased number of state transitions and loss of ultra‐long wake bouts (> 120 min). These lesions also resulted in a reduction in the diurnal variation of sleep–wakefulness. On the other hand, lesions of the accumbens core resulted in a 26.72% increase in wakefulness and a reduction in non‐rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep bout duration. In addition, rats with accumbens core lesions exhibited excessive digging and scratching. GP lesions also produced a robust increase in wakefulness (45.52%), and frequent sleep–wake transitions and a concomitant decrease in NREM sleep bout duration. Lesions of the subthalamic nucleus or the substantia nigra reticular nucleus produced only minor changes in the amount of sleep–wakefulness and did not alter sleep architecture. Finally, power spectral analysis revealed that lesions of the striatum, accumbens and GP slowed down the cortical electroencephalogram. Collectively, our results suggest that the BG, via a cortico‐striato‐pallidal loop, are important neural circuitry regulating sleep–wake behaviors and cortical activation.
Advanced paternal age is associated with alterations in discrete behavioural domains and cortical neuroanatomy of C57BL/6J mice
Authors: Foldi Claire J. , Eyles Darryl W. , McGrath John J. , Burne Thomas H. J.
Published: January 2010

Advanced paternal age (APA) is associated with an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and schizophrenia. A previous study in mice suggested that the offspring of aged sires have altered locomotion and avoidance learning. The aim of the current study was to conduct a comprehensive behavioural screen in adult offspring of mice of APA. We also examined brain morphology in neonate and adult mice. The adult offspring of 12‐ to18‐month‐old (APA) and 4‐month‐old (control) male C57BL/6J mice underwent a behavioural test battery comprising tests for locomotion, anxiety, exploration, social behaviour, learned helplessness and sensorimotor gating. The brains of these mice were collected at 3 months and imaged ex vivo using a 16.4T MRI scanner to assess gross neuroanatomy. Neuroanatomy was also examined at birth in a separate cohort of animals. Overall, the APA mouse model was associated with subtle behavioural changes and altered cortical morphology. The behavioural phenotype of female APA mice included increased anxiety‐related behaviour, increased exploration and decreased learned helplessness compared to control females. Male APA mice had thinner cortices at birth and increased cortical volume as adults. This animal model may assist in exploring the mechanism of action linking APA with disorders such as schizophrenia and autism.
Disruption of hippocampus‐regulated behavioural and cognitive processes by heterozygous constitutive deletion of SynGAP
Authors: Muhia Mary , Yee Benjamin K. , Feldon Joram , Markopoulos Foivos , Knuesel Irene
Published: January 2010

The brain‐specific Ras/Rap‐GTPase activating protein (SynGAP) is a prime candidate linking N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptors to the regulation of the ERK/MAP kinase signalling cascade, suggested to be essential for experience‐dependent synaptic plasticity. Here, we evaluated the behavioural phenotype of SynGAP heterozygous knockout mice (SG+/−), expressing roughly half the normal levels of SynGAP. In the cognitive domain, SG+/− mice demonstrated severe working and reference memory deficits in the radial arm maze task, a mild impairment early in the transfer test of the water maze task, and a deficiency in spontaneous alternation in an elevated T‐maze. In the non‐cognitive domain, SG+/− mice were hyperactive in the open field and appeared less anxious in the elevated plus maze test. In contrast, object recognition memory performance was not impaired in SG+/− mice. The reduction in SynGAP thus resulted in multiple behavioural traits suggestive of aberrant cognitive and non‐cognitive processes normally mediated by the hippocampus. Immunohistochemical evaluation further revealed a significant reduction in calbindin‐positive interneurons in the hippocampus and doublecortin‐positive neurons in the dentate gyrus of adult SG+/− mice. Heterozygous constitutive deletion of SynGAP is therefore associated with notable behavioural as well as morphological phenotypes indicative of hippocampal dysfunction. Any suggestion of a possible causal link between them however remains a matter for further investigation.
Visual restoration and transplant connectivity in degenerate rats implanted with retinal progenitor sheets
Authors: Seiler M. J. , Aramant R. B. , Thomas B. B. , Peng Q. , Sadda S. R. , Keirstead H. S.
Published: January 2010

The aim of this study was to determine whether retinal progenitor layer transplants form synaptic connections with the host and restore vision. Donor retinal sheets, isolated from embryonic day 19 rat fetuses expressing human placental alkaline phosphatase (hPAP), were transplanted to the subretinal space of 18 S334ter‐3 rats with fast retinal degeneration at the age of 0.8–1.3 months. Recipients were killed at the age of 1.6–11.8 months. Frozen sections were analysed by confocal immunohistochemistry for the donor cell label hPAP and synaptic markers. Vibratome slices were stained for hPAP, and processed for electron microscopy. Visual responses were recorded by electrophysiology from the superior colliculus (SC) in 12 rats at the age of 5.3–11.8 months. All recorded transplanted rats had restored or preserved visual responses in the SC corresponding to the transplant location in the retina, with thresholds between −2.8 and −3.4 log cd/m2. No such responses were found in age‐matched S334ter‐3 rats without transplants, or in those with sham surgery. Donor cells and processes were identified in the host by light and electron microscopy. Transplant processes penetrated the inner host retina in spite of occasional glial barriers between transplant and host. Labeled neuronal processes were found in the host inner plexiform layer, and formed apparent synapses with unlabeled cells, presumably of host origin. In conclusion, synaptic connections between graft and host cells, together with visual responses from corresponding locations in the brain, support the hypothesis that functional connections develop following transplantation of retinal layers into rodent models of retinal degeneration.
A WINNING PROPOSITION: THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF SUCCESSFUL NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE FRANCHISES
Authors: DAVIS MICHAEL C. , END CHRISTIAN M.
Published: January 2010

Research has demonstrated that a Super Bowl victory increases the personal income of the individuals in the metropolitan area from which the winning teams come. We argue that the economic benefits should extend beyond just the championship team’s city to the cities of teams that experience seasonal success, and thus, the winning percentages of National Football League teams were included in our model. When controlling for sources of bias, winning percentage of the local professional football team had a significant positive effect on real per capita personal income. Explanations for these conclusions are offered from a psychological perspective.(JELL83, R19)
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
Authors: AURA SAKU , HESS GREGORY D.
Published: January 2010

This article analyzes two broad questions: Does your first name matter? And how did you get your first name anyway? Using data from the National Opinion Research Centers General Social Survey, we find evidence that, even after controlling for a myriad of exogenous background factors, first name features are predictors of many lifetime economic outcomes that are related to labor productivity such as education, happiness, and early fertility. However, we also find evidence, based on the differential impacts of gender and race on the “blackness” of a name, that identity could be an important channel for linking first name to lifetime economic outcomes. (JEL D1, J1, J7)
THE LAW OF GENIUS AND HOME RUNS REFUTED
Authors: DINARDO JOHN , WINFREE JASON
Published: January 2010

In a lively, provocative article, DeVany claims inter alia that the size distribution of home runs follows a continuous “power law” distribution which is nested in a larger class of “stable” statistical distributions characterized by an infinite variance. He uses this putative fact about the size distribution of home runs to argue that concern about the use of steroids to enhance home run ability is necessarily misplaced. In this article, we show that the initial claim is false and argue that the subsequent claim about the potential importance of steroid use does not follow from the first. We also show that the method used to establish that the size distribution of home runs is characterized by an infinite variance is unreliable and will find evidence “consistent” with infinite variance in all but the most trivial of data sets generated by processes with finite variance. Despite a large and growing literature that spans several fields and uses methods and arguments similar to DeVany’s, we argue that mere inspection of the unconditional distribution of some human phenomenon is unlikely to yield much insight. (JEL C16, L83)
CONTESTS WITH STOCHASTIC ABILITIES
Authors: KONRAD KAI A. , KOVENOCK DAN
Published: January 2010

We consider the properties of perfectly discriminating contests in which players’ abilities are stochastic, but become common knowledge before efforts are expended. Players whose expected ability is lower than that of their rivals may still earn a positive expected payoff from participating in the contest, which may explain why they participate. We also show that an increase in the dispersion of a player’s own ability generally benefits this player. It may benefit or harm his rival but cannot benefit the rival more than it benefits himself. We also explore the role of stochastic ability for sequential contests with the same opponent (multibattle contests) and with varying opponents (elimination tournaments) and show that it reduces the strong discouragement effects and holdup problems that may otherwise emerge in such games. High own ability dispersion selects such players into the contest and favors them in elimination contests.(JELD72, D74)
GENDER‐BASED RISK AVERSION AND RETIREMENT ASSET ALLOCATION
Authors: ARANO KATHLEEN , PARKER CARL , TERRY RORY
Published: January 2010

This research examines whether women have higher risk aversion than men as demonstrated by their retirement asset allocation. The analysis is extended to investigate how retirement asset investment decisions are made in married households. Initial results suggest controlling for demographic, income, and wealth differences lead to no significant difference in the proportion of retirement assets held in stocks between women and male faculty. For married households with joint investment decision making, results indicate that gender differences are a significant factor in explaining individual retirement asset allocation. Our estimates imply that women faculty are more risk averse than their male spouse. (JEL J16, G11, D10)
BEQUEST RECEIPT AND FAMILY SIZE EFFECTS
Authors: GRAWE NATHAN D.
Published: January 2010

This article tests the connection between credit constraints and negative family size effects on child earnings using bequest receipt to signal access to credit markets. The dominant economic model of fertility predicts a negative relationship between family size and child achievement. In the model, limits on borrowing create this “quality‐quantity trade‐off.” This article tests for the relevance of credit constraints using Panel Study of Income Dynamics data to compare family size effects across groups defined by bequest receipt. Contrary to the credit constraints explanation, those receiving large bequests exhibit large family size effects, while those not receiving bequests show little to no effect. (JEL J13, D1, I2)
PORTFOLIO CHOICE AND RISK ATTITUDES: AN EXPERIMENT
Authors: CHARNESS GARY , GNEEZY URI
Published: January 2010

Using financial incentives, we study how portfolio choice (how much to invest in a risky asset) depends on three well‐known behavioral phenomena: ambiguity aversion, the illusion of control, and myopic loss aversion. We find evidence that these phenomena are present and test how the level of investment is affected by these motivations; at the same time, we investigate whether participants are willing to explicitly pay a small sum of money to indulge preferences for less ambiguity, more control, or more frequent feedback/opportunities to choose the investment level. First, the observed preference for “control” did not affect investment behavior and in fact disappeared when participants were asked to actually pay to gain more control. Second, while people were indeed willing to pay for less ambiguity, the level of ambiguity did not influence investment levels. Finally, participants were willing to pay to have more frequent feedback opportunities to change their portfolio, even though prior research has shown that people invest less in risky assets (and earn less) in this case. (JEL B49, C91, D81, G11, G19)
THE EFFECT OF PRAYER ON GOD’S ATTITUDE TOWARD MANKIND
Authors: HECKMAN JAMES
Published: January 2010

This paper uses data available from the National Opinion Research Center’s (NORC) survey on religious attitudes and powerful statistical methods to evaluate the effect of prayer on the attitude of God toward human beings. (JEL C21, Z12)
ESTIMATION AND IMPACT OF GENDER DIFFERENCES IN RISK TOLERANCE
Authors: NEELAKANTAN URVI
Published: January 2010

This paper provides numerical estimates of the distributions of risk tolerance for men and women. A simple model of individual portfolio choice is calibrated to data on Individual Retirement Accounts from the Health and Retirement Study to obtain the estimates. Results show that women tend to be less risk‐tolerant than men. The estimates are then used to measure the impact of risk tolerance on wealth accumulation. Simulations show that the difference in risk tolerance can account for around 10% of the gender difference in accumulated wealth. (JEL J16, G11, D81)
POINT SHAVING IN COLLEGE BASKETBALL: A CAUTIONARY TALE FOR FORENSIC ECONOMICS
Authors: BERNHARDT DAN , HESTON STEVEN
Published: January 2010

Point shaving is the practice by favored teams of attempting to win by less than the point spread to yield profits for gamblers who bet on the underdog. Consistent with point shaving, strong favorites are anomalously likely to win by less than the spread. To distinguish between innocent and criminal explanations, we (1) exploit information in line movements and (2) isolate games without betting lines to identify games where point shaving is implausible and document similar patterns. The data are better explained by strategic efforts to maximize the probability of winning. These findings highlight the importance of methodology design. (JEL L83, K42)
MUTUAL ADMIRATION CLUBS
Authors: SUEN WING
Published: January 2010

This article proposes a theory of group formation based on the motive to seek informed opinion. Because an individual evaluates whether others are informed or not using his own priors, he identifies people with similar beliefs to be more informed than those with different beliefs. The result is an equilibrium in which like‐minded individuals self‐select into distinct groups, with members of each group believing that their own group is superior. (JEL D71, D81, D83, D85)
Stable individual differences in number discrimination in infancy
Authors: Libertus Melissa E. , Brannon Elizabeth M.
Published: January 2010

Previous studies have shown that as a group 6‐month‐old infants successfully discriminate numerical changes when the values differ by at least a 1:2 ratio but fail at a 2:3 ratio (e.g. 8 vs. 16 but not 8 vs. 12). However, no studies have yet examined individual differences in number discrimination in infancy. Using a novel numerical change detection paradigm, we present more direct evidence that infants’ numerical perception is ratio‐dependent even within the range of discriminable ratios and thus adheres to Weber’s Law. Furthermore, we show that infants’ numerical discrimination at 6 months reliably predicts their numerical discrimination abilities but not visual short‐term memory at 9 months. Thus, individual differences in numerical discrimination acuity may be stable within the first year of life and provide important avenues for future longitudinal research exploring the relationship between infant numerical discrimination and later developing math achievement.
659. CYTINUS VISSERI
Authors: Smithies Shirley J. , Burgoyne Priscilla M.
Published: January 2010

Summary. The rediscovery, distribution, morphology and pollination of a rare parasite, Cytinus visseri Burgoyne, are discussed and illustrated. A description is given and its cultivation is considered.
661. OROBANCHE CARYOPHYLLACEA
Authors: Rumsey Fred
Published: January 2010

Summary. The distribution, ecology and taxonomic history of bedstraw broomrape, Orobanche caryophyllacea Sm. are discussed with particular reference to the British Isles, and the species is described and illustrated. The use of species of Orobanche as horticultural subjects is briefly considered.
662. PHELYPAEA BOISSIERI
Authors: Cullen James
Published: January 2010

Phelypaea boissieri (Reuter) Stapf, a spectacular root‐parasitic plant, is described and illustrated from plants cultivated near Cambridge. The history of the genus Phelypaea is described and a key to the species is provided. Instructions for its cultivation are given.
Scrambling to the Edge
Authors: Hiraiwa Ken
Published: January 2010

Abstract. It has been well known sinceSaito 1989that scrambling in Japanese is subject to the Proper Binding Condition (PBC; seeFiengo 1977). As I will show, remnant movement in Japanese is heavily constrained, and in fact, no remnants created by scrambling or topicalization can be moved over extracted elements. This article argues that the alleged cases for the PBC in Japanese should be reconsidered in favor of elimination of the PBC, and its effects should be derived from the architecture of the narrow syntax: interactions between Cyclic Multiple Spell‐Out, the Phase Impenetrability Condition, and a refined mechanism of probing. Specifically, I argue that scrambling in Japanese uniformly targets the edge of a phase. Under this theory, ‘‘remnant movement’’ just reduces to an artifact, and it follows that there is no special constraint on remnant movement per se. I will demonstrate that my theory brings significant new empirical advantages and that the same mechanism provides a unified account for various unexplained constraints on scrambling.
IS E‐GOVERNMENT LEADING TO MORE ACCOUNTABLE AND TRANSPARENT LOCAL GOVERNMENTS? AN OVERALL VIEW
Authors: Pina Vicente , Torres Lourdes , Royo Sonia
Published: January 2010

This paper seeks to assess to what extent e‐government enables accountability and transparency in EU local governments. It also provides an overall view about how local governments are implementing ICTs initiatives to bring citizens closer to governments. Although the mere capacity of the Internet for the dissemination of information improves accountability and makes benchmarking easier, our results show that the expected benefits are far from being achieved because e‐government projects are still in the early stages. The results also show that, at present, ICTs have not had a dramatic impact on EU local government accountability.
LOCAL AUTHORITY E‐GOVERNMENT PARTNERSHIPS IN ENGLAND: A CASE STUDY
Authors: Hodges Ron , Grubnic Suzana
Published: January 2010

This paper uses a case study of an e‐government partnership of ten local authorities to consider how governance structures, financial arrangements and performance management systems may promote or inhibit successful collaborative working. The case is considered within the contexts of continuing new public management reforms including the balance between formal performance measurement indicators imposed by higher authorities and the scope for dialogue in the development of performance management systems. The case supports a view that collaborative working can benefit from a governance structure supporting a consistency of objectives of the partners operating within similar political and regulatory environments. Externally imposed performance indicators are significant to the partner authorities but their influence does not exclude the possibility of more dialogue‐driven performance management systems being developed within the partnership. Sustainability of the partnership is never assured and tensions develop as a result of developing priorities of individual authorities, the possibility of local government reorganisation and changing national policy initiatives.
A curious metaphor. Engaging with trauma: an analytical perspective
Authors: Waldron Sharn
Published: January 2010

Abstract:  This paper explores the metaphor of in vitro fertilization in respect to those parts of the individual ‘frozen’ through early trauma. It describes the conditions necessary for the reintroduction of the frozen ‘embryo’ in the therapeutic relationship through use of an extended example. The role of the analytic relationship and the analyst's countertransference are highlighted within the context of implications for the process of therapy.