bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Distinct differences in tachykinin gene expression in ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease and diverticular disease: a role for hemokinin‐1?
Authors: Liu L. , Markus I. , Saghire H. E. , Perera D.S , King D. W. , Burcher E.
Published: February 2011

Background  In the intestine, the tachykinins substance P (SP) and neurokinin A (NKA) are found in neurons and have key roles in motility, secretion, and immune functions. A new tachykinin, hemokinin (HK‐1), has been identified in non‐neuronal cells in recent years and its role in intestinal inflammation is unclear. We aimed to examine the expression of genes encoding tachykinin peptides and receptors in colon from patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), Crohn’s disease (CD), and acute diverticular disease (DD).

Methods  Human colon segments were dissected into mucosa and muscle, and evaluated for tachykinin and tachykinin receptor gene expression by real‐time PCR.

Key Results  In UC mucosa, the TAC4 gene (encoding HK‐1) was 10‐fold more abundant than in control mucosa (P < 0.01). Similarly, TAC1 (encoding SP and NKA) and TACR1 (encoding NK1 receptor) displayed 6‐fold and 12‐fold upregulation, respectively, in UC mucosa, but no change occurred in UC muscle. In contrast to UC, no difference was observed for any tachykinin genes in CD mucosa. In CD muscle, expression of TAC1 (P < 0.01), TAC4 and TACR1 (both P < 0.05) were moderately upregulated. In DD, there was a decrease in TACR1 (P < 0.05), and TACR2 (encoding NK2 receptor, P < 0.0001) in muscle compared with control. Histological staining showed increased collagen fibers between muscle bundles in DD smooth muscle.

Conclusions & Inferences  We provide evidence for the first time that HK‐1, like SP, may be involved in the pathophysiology of inflammatory bowel disease. Distinctly different expression patterns of tachykinin‐related genes occur in UC, CD and DD.
Shoot‐supplied ammonium targets the root auxin influx carrier AUX1 and inhibits lateral root emergence in Arabidopsis
Authors: LI BAOHAI , LI QING , SU YANHUA , CHEN HAO , XIONG LIMING , MI GUOHUA , KRONZUCKER HERBERT J. , SHI WEIMING
Published: February 2011

Deposition of ammonium (NH4+) from the atmosphere is a substantial environmental problem. While toxicity resulting from root exposure to NH4+ is well studied, little is known about how shoot‐supplied ammonium (SSA) affects root growth. In this study, we show that SSA significantly affects lateral root (LR) development. We show that SSA inhibits lateral root primordium (LRP) emergence, but not LRP initiation, resulting in significantly impaired LR number. We show that the inhibition is independent of abscisic acid (ABA) signalling and sucrose uptake in shoots but relates to the auxin response in roots. Expression analyses of an auxin‐responsive reporter, DR5:GUS, and direct assays of auxin transport demonstrated that SSA inhibits root acropetal (rootward) auxin transport while not affecting basipetal (shootward) transport or auxin sensitivity of root cells. Mutant analyses indicated that the auxin influx carrier AUX1, but not the auxin efflux carriers PIN‐FORMED (PIN)1 or PIN2, is required for this inhibition of LRP emergence and the observed auxin response. We found that AUX1 expression was modulated by SSA in vascular tissues rather than LR cap cells in roots. Taken together, our results suggest that SSA inhibits LRP emergence in Arabidopsis by interfering with AUX1‐dependent auxin transport from shoot to root.
Multifocal epithelial hyperplasia in a community in the Mayan area of Mexico
Authors: González‐Losa Maria R. , Suarez‐Allén Rosa E. , Canul‐Canche Jaqueline , Conde‐Ferráez Laura , Eljure‐Lopez Nixma
Published: February 2011

Background  Multifocal epithelial hyperplasia is a pathology of the oral mucosa which has been reported in diverse ethnic groups. Human papillomavirus (HPV) types 13 and 32 DNA has been detected in these lesions. The aims of this paper are to describe the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of an outbreak in a rural community in the Mayan area of Mexico and to identify a possible route of transmission through saliva.

Methods  A cross‐sectional study was conducted in Chemax (Yucatan, Mexico). Clinical and epidemiological data were obtained through direct interviews. Samples of oral cells and saliva were taken. HPV 13 and 32 were identified by polymerase chain reaction using specific primers.

Results  A total of 57 patients were studied, of whom 79.1% were aged <15 years, 38.6% were male, and 61.3% were female. The duration of lesions ranged from one month to 50 years. Lesions were located on the lips, jugal mucosa, and more frequently, the tongue. HPV 13 was found in all the patients and HPV 32 in none. A total of 42 saliva samples were positive for HPV 13.

Conclusions  Human papillomavirus type 13 is involved in multifocal epithelial hyperplasia among the Mexican Mayan population. The presence of HPV 13 in cells from saliva, combined with poor hygiene behaviors, may explain the familial distribution of the pathology.
Shared Decision Making: Vision to Reality
Authors: Barry Michael , Levin Carrie , MacCuaig Morgan , Mulley Al , Sepucha Karen ,   Boston ISDM Planning Committee
Published: February 2011

See also The importance and complexity of regret in the measurement of good decisions: a systematic review and a content analysis of existing assessment instruments, by Joseph‐Williams et al.
Characteristics of atopic children with pandemic H1N1 influenza viral infection: Pandemic H1N1 influenza reveals ‘occult’ asthma of childhood
Authors: Hasegawa Shunji , Hirano Reiji , Hashimoto Kunio , Haneda Yasuhiro , Shirabe Komei , Ichiyama Takashi
Published: February 2011

To cite this article: Hasegawa S, Hirano R, Hashimoto K, Haneda Y, Shirabe K, Ichiyama T. Characteristics of atopic children with pandemic H1N1 influenza viral infection: Pandemic H1N1 influenza reveals ‘occult’ asthma of childhood. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2011; 22: e119–e123.

The number of human cases of pandemic H1N1 influenza viral infection has increased in Japan since April 2009, as it has worldwide. This virus is widespread in the Yamaguchi prefecture in western Japan, where most infected children exhibited respiratory symptoms. Bronchial asthma is thought to be one of the risk factors that exacerbate respiratory symptoms of pandemic H1N1‐infected patients, but the pathogenesis remains unclear. We retrospectively investigated the records of 33 children with pandemic H1N1 influenza viral infection who were admitted to our hospital between October and December 2009 and analyzed their clinical features. The percentage of children with asthma attack, with or without abnormal findings on chest radiographs (pneumonia, atelectasis, etc.), caused by pandemic H1N1 influenza infection was significantly higher than that of children with asthma attack and 2008–2009 seasonal influenza infection. Of the 33 children in our study, 22 (66.7%) experienced an asthma attack. Among these children, 20 (90.9%) did not receive long‐term management for bronchial asthma, whereas 7 (31.8%) were not diagnosed with bronchial asthma and had experienced their first asthma attack. However, the severity of the attack did not correlate with the severity of the pulmonary complications of pandemic H1N1 influenza viral infection. The pandemic H1N1 influenza virus greatly increases the risk of lower respiratory tract complications such as asthma attack, pneumonia, and atelectasis, when compared to the seasonal influenza virus. Furthermore, our results suggest that pandemic H1N1 influenza viral infection can easily induce a severe asthma attack, pneumonia, and atelectasis in atopic children without any history of either an asthma attack or asthma treatment.
Coagulation in xenotransplantation
Authors: Ramackers W. , Friedrich L. , Tiede A. , Schuettler W. , Bergmann S. , Broecker V. , Schwinzer R. , Winkler M.
Published: February 2011

After xenogenic kidney transplantation or perfusion activation of porcine endothelial cells and of the recipients coagulation system can be observed. There are several factors contributing to this pathology including reperfusion injury, binding of xenoreactive natural antibodies, complement activation, secretion of TNF, activation of human blood cells, thrombocyte activation and incompatibilities of molecules regarding to control coagulation. To investigate the following processes after the contact of the human blood with the porcine endothelium we developed an ex vivo perfusion model where porcine kidneys were perfused with either porcine (autologous) or human (xenogenic) blood. During perfusion blood samples were collected and the coagulation parameters D Dimer, Thrombin‐antithrombin complexes (TAT), fibrinogen and antithrombin were measured. At the end of perfusion tissue samples were obtained for histological analyses and QPCR. The xenogenic perfusion experiments revealed a profound activation of the human blood coagulation shown by increase of D Dimer and TAT and decrease of fibrinogen and antithrombin. In addition, on histology could be multiple microthrombi observed. During the autologous perfusion, no signs of activation of the blood coagulation could be observed. The D dimer and TAT remained low and there was no consumption of fibrinogen and antithrombin. Assessment of endothelial cell activation showed a drastic increase of the activation markers VCAM‐1 and E‐Selectin only after xenogenic perfusion. Addition of the natural anticoagulant activated protein C abolished the derangement of coagulation and was able to reduce endothelial cell activation. To achieve normal haemostasis and endothelial cell function after xenotransplantation it is important to overcome the known molecular incompatibilities, to reliably prevent the derangement of coagulation and endothelial cell activation.
Cellular immunological barriers in xenotransplantation: current status and prospects for avoidance of graft destruction
Authors: Plege A. , Schwinzer R.
Published: February 2011

Genetic modification of pigs (e.g. transgenic expression of human complement regulatory molecules or inactivation of α1,3galactosyltransferase) enabled the development of promising strategies to overcome hyperacute rejection after pig‐to‐primate xenotransplantation. However, cellular rejection still remains a hurdle for successful xenograft survival. Cellular rejection of porcine cells in xenotransplantation models is mediated by macrophages, T cells and NK cells. Activation of human monocytes by pig cells is partly due to the incapacity of porcine ligands to bind the inhibitory receptor SIRPα (signal regulatory protein α). Thus, one approach to impair the ability of human macrophages to phagocyte porcine cells is the overexpression of the human ligand for SIRPα in porcine cells. To inhibit human NK cell reactivity after xenotranslantation transgenic expression of HLA‐E in pigs has been shown to be a promising concept. Cells from these pigs were partially protected from lysis by human NK cells. Our group focuses on manipulation of human anti‐pig T cell responses by negative costimulatory signals. Thus, we asked whether overexpression of PD‐L1 on porcine cells can (i) downregulate human anti‐pig cellular responses in vitro, and (ii) inhibit rat anti‐pig cellular immune responses in vivo. Pig cells overexpressing PD‐L1 triggered reduced proliferation and low amounts of IL‐2, IFNγ, TNF‐alpha, IL‐4, and IL‐5 in human CD4+ T cells compared to control pig cells. The concentration of IL‐10, however, was increased. In long‐term cultures of human CD4+ T cells and PD‐L1 transfectants a high frequency of CD4+ CD25high FoxP3+ cells showed up which had the capacity to suppress the activation of conventional CD4+ T cells. Cytotoxic CD8+ T cells and NK cells lysed pig control cells very efficiently. In contrast, PD‐L1 transfected pig cells were partially protected from lysis by human effector cells. Overexpression of PD‐L1 on porcine cells was not sufficient to prevent rejection after transplantation under the rat kidney capsule. However, in rats that had been grafted with PD‐L1 expressing cells we observed reduced cellular infiltrates in the kidneys and lower antibody responses compared to rats grafted with control cells. Together these observations support the assumption that PD‐1/PD‐Ligand pathways are interesting targets to prevent cellular immune responses after xenotransplantation. PD‐L overexpression might not only impede the initiation of an anti‐pig T cell response by suppressing CD4+ T cells but may also protect pig cells from destruction by cytotoxic effectors.

Supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (Transregio Forschergruppe “Xenotransplantation”, FOR 535).
Infectious risk and retroviral restriction factors in xenotransplantation
Authors: Dörrschuck E. , Münk C. , Tönjes R. R.
Published: February 2011

The clinical application of xenotransplantation evokes immunological and microbiological as well as virological challenges.

Porcine pathogens that do not show any symptoms in their natural host could exhibit a risk of fatal infections to humans. The presence of pig infectious agents including zoonotic and dissimilar agents should be reduced by specific pathogen free (spf) breeding of donor animals. However, the genetic information of porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERV) is integrated in the pig genome and can not be eradicated by spf breeding. The concerns about PERV for human xenograft recipients are based on data of in vitro replication of PERV in some human cell lines. So far, viral replication of PERV has been difficult to demonstrate in non‐human primate cell lines and in preclinical studies of non‐human primates receiving porcine xenografts, respectively. In this regard, natural and effective mechanisms of human and porcine cells counteracting productive infections caused by PERV are important to investigate. Intracellular proteins and components of the innate immune system including endogenous “antiretroviral restriction factors” act at various steps in retroviral replication. The cellular front is composed by several constitutively expressed genes which prevent or suppress retroviral infections. Some of these factors such as members of the tripartite motif (TRIM) and the apolipoprotein B mRNA‐editing polypeptide (APOBEC) families as well as tetherin and zinc‐finger antiviral protein (ZAP) could be useful in the management of PERV in xenotransplantation. The risks of infection and the potential role of antiretroviral restriction factors in xenotransplantation are presented in detail.
Cardiac xenotransplantation—state of the art 2010
Authors: Reichart B. , McGregor C.
Published: February 2011

The availability of double transgenic pigs (Gal‐KO, CD46) is a major step towards clinical xenogenic heart transplantation. The addition of further transgenes (e.g. with human thrombomodulin/hemoxygenase‐1) will further advance the field. An expanded predictable breeding program to allow adequate numbers of donors for preclinical trials is now a priority.

It is now an appropriate time to consider potential indications for clinical application. Clearly, there are patients who have difficulties in finding appropriate donor allotransplants such as those with low body surface areas <1.5m2, the obese and the hypersensitized (HLA does not crossreact with SLA). Also terminally ill patients needing biventricular assist devices would be potential recipients, since the mid‐ and long‐term results of total artificial hearts or biventricular devices are significantly worse when compared to those patients with left ventricular assist devices alone. At least at the beginning of the clinical experience, heterotopic thoracic heart transplantations (according to the techniques of Losman and Barnard) should be considered with both donor and recipient organs contributing to the cardiac output. Thereafter an allotransplantation could be performed leaving the xenotransplant in place while replacing the (diseased) recipient heart. This strategy had been proven successful in the past and in the clinical setting of allotransplant vasculopathy.

Finally, in regard to safety issues: Initially the few worldwide available designated pathogen free units would be sufficient to supply appropriate animals. A prerequisite for this would be a change in the European legislation allowing the import of live animal stock from other countries.
Xenogeneic infection risk: limits to individual right restrictions
Authors: González J. G.
Published: February 2011

One day even clinical organ xenotransplantation (XTx) will be a reality; this will mean assuming an uncertain infection risk for patients, their close contacts and society in general. Legislation will have to consider and cope with this xenogeneic infection risk (XIR) as well as reduce it as much as possible. It has to be determined, when, if, how and which legal instruments may be used to prevent XIR. The chief focus here will concern individual rights restrictions.

The utility of this analysis is double: to have a legal basis ready when XTxs are deemed prepared for the first clinical experiments; and to offer new arguments to the discussion of if XTx should be authorized—on the basis of what would be currently legally possible, or if the law would have to be changed instead.

The view of current European law (especially EU, Spanish, German and English Law) facing these—to date—hypothetical problems will be considered. The well‐established legal institutions of proportionality and reasonableness will provide the foundations for the legal analysis. They will answer the questions of whether and how law should or must act as well as which individual rights can be constrained in a concrete situation, and consider time or rather risk (from the XTx until the appearance of a XZn or beyond) as an independent variable.

Individual risk reduction would imply that at least XTx recipients would have to observe certain measures in order to prevent xenogeneic transmissions. Either these patients may oblige themselves with a private law instrument to do so; or they can be obliged to with a public law instrument, as it is always allowed to constrain individual rights if higher public interests are threatened. According to the legal systems analysed, the XIR must be a real or direct menace if individual rights are to be significantly constrained. Hence any use of the precautionary principle cannot be a firm legal basis for such individual rights restrictions.

Factual and theoretical legal aspects limit the present and traditional law as an instrument to prevent XIR. Due to the essential value of fundamental rights, law can only react when a real XIR directly threatens society. And even in this case it is doubtful if legal repression is the best way to face infectious diseases with regard to human beings.
Xenotransplantation literature update: November–December, 2010
Authors: Schneider Mårten K. J. , Seebach Jörg D.
Published: February 2011

Schneider MKJ, Seebach JD. Xenotransplantation literature update: November–December, 2010. Xenotransplantation 2011; 18: 73–76. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.
Comparison of immunogenicity and porcine‐to‐rhesus lamellar corneal xenografts survival between fresh preserved and dehydrated porcine corneas
Authors: Li Aipeng , Pan Zhiqiang , Jie Ying , Sun Yajie , Luo Fei , Wang Li
Published: February 2011

Li A, Pan Z, Jie Y, Sun Y, Luo F, Wang L. Comparison of immunogenicity and porcine‐to‐rhesus lamellar corneal xenografts survival between fresh preserved and dehydrated porcine corneas. Xenotransplantation 2011; 18: 46–55. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Abstract:  Background:  To compare the immunogenicity of fresh preserved and dehydrated lamellar porcine corneas in porcine‐to‐mouse heterotopic transplantation and to investigate the survival of preserved porcine corneas as xenografts in porcine‐to‐rhesus lamellar corneal transplantation.

Methods:  Dehydrated and fresh preserved, endothelium deprived, porcine corneas were cut into fragments and grafted beneath the kidney capsule of BALB/c mice. Porcine‐specific delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) and antibody (IgM, IgG) immune responses of the recipient mice were assessed. In addition, fresh preserved and dehydrated porcine corneas were used in porcine‐to‐rhesus lamellar corneal xenotransplantation. The rhesus recipients were divided into three groups. Dehydrated corneas were applied to Group 1 and 3, and fresh preserved corneas were applied to Group 2. Only Group 3 received subconjunctival injections with triamcinolone acetonide for 1 month. All xenografts were evaluated by slit‐lamp microscopy for 6 months. Two recipients in each group were examined by in vivo confocal microscopy and then killed for corneal histopathological staining 3 months after surgery.

Results:  Neither fresh preserved nor dehydrated corneal fragments evoked any measurable change in mice recipient humoral immune status, but both could induce porcine‐specific DTH at 1, 2, and 4 week after being grafted. However, the intensity of the DTH responses evoked by dehydrated corneas was lower than that evoked by fresh preserved corneas. In porcine‐to‐rhesus lamellar keratoplasty, with the exception one graft in Group 2 that developed characteristics of rejection, all the xenografts remained transparent or translucent up to 6 month after surgery. Histopathological examination of Group 1 showed that the infratemporal xenografts were much thicker and displayed some inflammatory cell infiltration in the peripheral portion of the graft and bed interface. However, in Group 3, which was treated with triamcinolone acetonide, there was an easily identified scar at the lamellar interface with no inflammatory cells present. In the rejected graft in Group 2, infiltrating cells included a few eosinophils and massive lymphocytes. Confocal microscopy examination showed that activated keratocytes localized in the anterior stroma and highly reflective tissue at the interface of the graft and bed.

Conclusions:  Porcine corneas might be an ideal source for clinical lamellar corneal xenotransplantation. In cases of tectonic lamellar transplantation, the possibility to use dehydrated pig material may become an option in the future.
Preterm infants fed nutrient‐enriched formula until 6 months show improved growth and development
Authors: Jeon Ga Won , Jung Yu Jin , Koh Sun Young , Lee Yeon Kyung , Kim Kyung Ah , Shin Son Moon , Kim Sung Shin , Shim Jae Won , Chang Yun Sil , Park Won Soon
Published: February 2011

Background:  The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of feeding nutrient‐enriched preterm formula to preterm infants until 6 months' corrected age (CA) on growth and development in the first 18 months of life.

Methods:  Very low‐birthweight preterm infants were fed preterm formula until term (40 weeks CA). Infants were then assigned to one of three groups and were fed term formula until 6 months' CA (group 1, n= 29); preterm formula to 3 months' CA and then term formula to 6 months' CA (group 2, n= 30); or preterm formula until 6 months' CA (group 3, n= 31). Anthropometry was performed at term, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, and at s18 months' CA. Mental and psychomotor development were assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development II at 18 months' CA.

Results:  Although body weight, length, head circumference and z score for CA at term in group 3 were significantly lower than those of groups 1 and 2, growth rates of these parameters were significantly higher in group 3 up to 18 months CA', as compared to groups 1 and 2. The mental developmental index and psychomotor developmental index of the Bayley test were not significantly different between the three groups.

Conclusions:  Very low‐birthweight preterm infants fed nutrient‐enriched preterm formula until 6 months' CA demonstrated significantly improved growth rates for bodyweight, length and head circumference, and comparable mental and psychomotor development throughout the first 18 months of life.
Intravenous immune globulin plus corticosteroids in refractory Kawasaki disease
Authors: Jibiki Toshiaki , Kato Izumi , Shiohama Tadashi , Abe Katsuaki , Anzai Satoshi , Takeda Nobue , Yamaguchi Ken‐ichi , Kanazawa Masaki , Kurosaki Tomomichi
Published: February 2011

Background:  The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of i.v. immune globulin (IVIG) therapy combined with corticosteroids for additional treatment of acute Kawasaki disease (KD) unresponsive to initial IVIG treatment.

Methods:  In 50 prospective KD patients, six IVIG non‐responders without clinical improvement within 24–48 h after completion of initial IVIG, received 2 g/kg IVIG concurrently with 2 mg/kg i.v. prednisolone sodium succinate (PSL) until normalization of C‐reactive protein level. Treatment was then changed to oral PSL, which was tapered over time. Clinical and coronary artery lesion (CAL) outcomes were compared with those of 13 IVIG non‐responders who received additional heterogeneous therapies in 125 retrospective KD patients. In addition, the scoring system of Kobayashi et al. for prediction of non‐responsiveness to initial IVIG treatment was retrospectively verified in 175 KD subjects, consisting of 50 prospective and 125 retrospective patients in order to evaluate the efficacy of the re‐treatment regimen.

Results:  Incidence of CAL in the study patients was lower than in the control patients, although differences were not significant both in the acute stage (within 1 month: 1/6, 16.7% vs 7/13, 53.8%; P= 0.177) and in the convalescent stage (after 1 month: 0/6, 0.0% vs 4/13, 30.8%; P= 0.255). According to the non‐responder prediction system, the scores of six study and 13 control patients before initial IVIG treatment were similar (7.2 ± 1.9 vs 5.3 ± 3.1; P= 0.200). No serious adverse effects related to each treatment were noted in patients of either group.

Conclusions:  Additional IVIG combined with concurrent PSL appears to be safe and worth evaluation for the treatment of acute KD unresponsive to initial IVIG treatment.
Hypospadias in Istanbul: Incidence and risk factors
Authors: Akin Yasemin , Ercan Oya , Telatar Berrin , Tarhan Fatih , Comert Serdar
Published: February 2011

Background:  The aim of the present prospective study was to determine the incidence of hypospadias in newborns in one of the busiest teaching hospitals of Istanbul, and to investigate the risk factors.

Methods:  All live‐born boys delivered between September 2007 and December 2008 were screened for hypospadias. A questionnaire was given to the parents of the hypospadias and control subjects for investigation.

Results:  Out of 1750 boys examined, 34 had hypospadias, that is, the frequency was 19.4 per 1000 male live‐births and 93.7 per 10 000 total live‐born deliveries. The incidence of additional coexistent anomalies was 29.4%, predominantly urogenital (17.6%), the majority of which were cryptorchidism (14.7%). Twelve (35.3%) of the 34 hypospadiac boys had a second family member with a genital anomaly, nine (26.5%) of whom had hypospadias, three (8.8%) being the fathers. Mean birthweight, length and head circumference were significantly lower in the hypospadiac infants than the control group (P= 0.003, P= 0.025, P= 0.002). Although parity, parental consanguinity, hypospadias in family members, and low birthweight also varied significantly among the groups, logistic regression analysis indicated that maternal age, prematurity, coexistence of cryptorchidism and presence of genital anomaly among family members were independent risk factors for hypospadias (P= 0.016, P= 0.0001, P= 0.041, P= 0.0001, respectively).

Conclusions:  Genetic predisposition and placental insufficiency in early gestation might play a role in the etiology of hypospadias.
Solitary and small (≤3 mm) apical positive surgical margins are related to biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy
Authors: May Matthias , Brookman‐May Sabine , Weißbach Lothar , Herbst Hermann , Gilfrich Christian , Papadopoulos Thomas , Roigas Jan , Hofstädter Ferdinand , Wieland Wolf F , Burger Maximilian
Published: February 2011

Objectives:  To evaluate the prognostic value of positive surgical margins (PSM) in radical prostatectomy (RPE) specimens in relation to multifocality, localization and size.

Methods:  A total of 1036 patients who underwent RPE and staged pT2–3a,pN0,M0 were evaluated. None had received adjuvant or neoadjuvant therapy. All specimens were routinely processed by complete whole mount sectioning. Exact number, localization and size of PSM were reassessed, and patients were followed up for a mean of 60 months.

Results:  A total of 267 patients (26%) showed PSM (20% pT2, 48% pT3a). Preoperative prostate‐specific antigen, Gleason score (GS) and PSM were independent predictors of biochemical recurrence (BCR). BCR‐free survival rates for patients with and without PSM were 59% and 80%, respectively (HR 2.1; P < 0.001). PSM were related to biochemical failure in pT2 and pT3a tumors (P = 0.001 and P = 0.015). A total of 64% of solitary PSM were apical. Multifocality, localization and size of PSM had no significant impact on BCR.

Conclusions:  Solitary apical and small PSM in RPE have a significant impact on BCR‐free survival in localized stages.
Serum γ‐glutamyltransferase and associated damage among a She Chinese population
Authors: Lin Y. , Xu Y. , Chen G. , Huang B. , Yao J. , Chen Z. , Yao L. , Lin F. , Qiao Y. , Chen Z. , Zhu S. , Huang H. , Wen J.
Published: February 2011

Diabet. Med. 28, 924–931 (2011)

Objective  It has been suggested that serum γ‐glutamyltransferase is independently associated with cardiovascular mortality and atherosclerosis. The present study is to investigate the relationship between serum γ‐glutamyltransferase and potential associated damage in an adult She Chinese population.

Method  A multistage, stratified, cluster, random sampling method was used to select an ethnically representative group of individuals aged 20–80 years in the general population. Brachial–ankle pulse‐wave velocity was used to assess arterial stiffness in the general population and the Toronto Clinical Neuropathy Scoring System was used to detect diabetic peripheral polyneuropathy among populations with diabetes.

Results  A total of 5385 subjects were entered into the analysis. Serum γ‐glutamyltransferase levels were classified into four groups using the 25th, 50th and 75th percentiles as cut points (males: < 20, 20–29, 29–52 and > 52 U/l; females: < 13, 13–18, 18–25 and > 25 U/l). As compared with the first quartile, the relative risks of arterial stiffness were 1.418, 1.667 and 2.394 in the other three categories, respectively (test for trend P < 0.05). After adjustment in five models, serum γ‐glutamyltransferase was still a risk factor of arterial stiffness. We found inverted U‐shape curves in both genders and the third quartile (male: 29 52 U/l; female: 18–25 U/l) had the highest odds ratios of 1.640 and 1.529, respectively.

Conclusions  We demonstrated that high serum γ‐glutamyltransferase concentrations were directly associated with the increased risk of arterial stiffness, in general, and with peripheral polyneuropathy in subjects with diabetes in an ethnic She Chinese population. Alcohol use, gender, BMI and blood pressure were related to serum γ‐glutamyltransferase and were involved in the relationship between serum γ‐glutamyltransferase and brachial–ankle pulse‐wave velocity.
The EU as a Norm Entrepreneur: the case of lifelong learning
Authors: Kleibrink Alexander
Published: February 2011

The EU has become one of the most prominent promoters of lifelong learning policies. Inside the European single market, EU member states have strong incentives to adopt similar approaches to lifelong learning and recognition of educational attainments in order to foster labour mobility. More surprisingly, countries neighbouring the EU also develop costly and radical reforms of their lifelong learning policies similar to those of EU member states. They do this despite the uncertain outcome of these policies on their specific labour markets and even though they are not likely to benefit from the potential gains of labour mobility. For making sense of this puzzle, this article conceptualises the underpinning mechanisms that led to these similar approaches to lifelong learning. The European Commission has created a specific script for lifelong learning that became an accepted norm inside the EU and was then diffused to neighbouring countries. Policy change according to this norm may be driven by competitive pressure, coercion, the pursuit of legitimacy or learning. While the EU seeks to diffuse its norm to neighbouring countries, these efforts initiated quite different processes in recipient countries. An illustration from neighbouring countries highlights two of these mechanisms. Remarkably, those countries that are potential candidate countries of the EU rather unreflectively emulated the norm because they strive for more legitimacy on their way to EU membership. In contrast, most neighbouring countries without any prospect of becoming EU members engaged in a process of bounded learning in which they adopt single aspects of the EU norm that fit their context and capacities.
New Foundations of Transnational Private Regulation
Authors: Cafaggi Fabrizio
Published: February 2011

In section I of this article, the factors driving towards the emergence of new transnational private regulation (TPR) are identified in comparison with, on the one hand, merchant law and, on the other, international public regimes. In section II, the focus is on the private sphere, looking at both the different conflicts of interests arising in the regulatory relationships and the need for governance responses. In section III, institutional complementarity between public and private regimes is examined. In light of this approach, the claim that differences between public and private at the global level exist is substantiated. The public‐private divide is analysed, comparing the domestic and the transnational level. Four different models of interaction are identified: hybridization, collaborative law‐making, coordination, and competition. Section IV summarizes the results of the analysis, reconsidering the boundaries between public and private at transnational level.
The Crystallization of Regulatory Norms
Authors: Casey Donal , Scott Colin
Published: February 2011

This article investigates the processes through which regulatory norms generally, and in the context of transnational private regulation (TPR) in particular, become effective. We argue that institutionalization – the embedding of norms within some wider structures which impact upon their distribution, enforcement, and mode of transmission – is generally central to the processes through which regulatory norms are crystallized. We note that, within processes of crystallization of TPR norms, the potential for managing legitimacy has been exploited through the institutionalization of policies, structures, and processes which are responsive to the beliefs, expectations or interests of the relevant legitimacy communities. However, we suggest that the focus of such legitimating strategies on the making of rules and standards exposes weaknesses and limits to the potential of such legitimation attaching to actions which implement such norms through monitoring and enforcement, particularly where such processes are embedded within supply‐chain contracts.
Competition Law and Transnational Private Regulatory Regimes: Marking the Cartel Boundary
Authors: Maher Imelda
Published: February 2011

Cartels today are prohibited under competition regimes around the world, although seen historically (in Europe at least) as a public good to be tolerated or even encouraged by governments. Despite the prohibition, illegal cartels are still prevalent, and there are circumstances where cartel‐like conduct is allowed under competition rules. This article explores the extent to which such conduct can be both subject to one regulatory regime (competition law) while also carrying out regulatory functions, and hence can be construed as transnational private regulatory regimes (TPRERs). There are three categories of cartel‐like arrangements: private contractual arrangements that fall outside the realm of competition law; self‐regulatory arrangements designed to exclusively advance the interests of regulatees; and hybrid regimes where private arrangements have been co‐opted as a form of regulation which operate in the shadow of competition law and are often seen as advancing competition objectives.
The Meta‐regulation of Transnational Private Regulation
Authors: Bomhoff Jacco , Meuwese Anne
Published: February 2011

This article starts from the assertion that Transnational Private Regulatory Regimes (TPRERs) construct relationships of recognition with the plurality of public and private normative orders and actors that surround them. We argue that the strategies and norms adopted to manage these relationships are reflexive responses to competing legitimacy demands and to issues of regulatory conflict and that they have a meta‐regulatory character. More specifically, we explore two disciplines and professional fields, Better Regulation (BR) and Private International Law (PIT), as direct sources of meta‐norms and as more indirect sources of inspiration for meta‐regulatory strategies. Building on literature that has cast transnational governance and conflict of laws thinking as abstract repositories of potentially useful meta‐regulatory ideas, we explore the actual potential for – and limitations of – the migration of disciplinary practices and perspectives in the context of TPR.
A DYNAMIC MODEL FOR “SCIENCE AND RELIGION”: INTERACTING SUBCULTURES
Authors: Olson Richard
Published: February 2011

Abstract: I argue that for psychological and social reasons, the traditional “Conflict Model” of science and religion interactions has such a strong hold on the nonexpert imagination that counterexamples and claims that interactions are simply more complex than the model allows are inadequate to undermine its power. Taxonomies, such as those of Ian Barbour and John Haught, which characterize conflict as only one among several possible relationships, help. But these taxonomies, by themselves, fail to offer an account of why different relationships prevail among different communities and how they succeed one another within particular communities—that is, they contain no dynamic elements. To undermine the power of the “Conflict Model,” we should be seeking to offer alternative models for science and religion interactions that can both incorporate the range of stances articulated by scholars like Barbour and which can offer an account of the process by which differing attitudes succeed one another. As a step toward this goal, I propose a general “interacting subcultures model” and illustrate its applicability in a small number of mini‐case studies from Early Modern Britain and France and with glances toward contemporary America.
Provincialising God: Anglicanism, Place, and the Colonisation of Australian Land
Authors: LAKE MEREDITH
Published: February 2011

This article investigates the importance of Anglican religion and the physical structures of faith to how some believers understood their surrounds in a British settler colony. Its central figure, William Grant Broughton, was head of the Church of England in Australia during the 1830s and 1840s. At the time when the position of the Church was changing both at home and abroad, it was his responsibility to establish the physical and spiritual presence of Anglicanism throughout the colony. He faced the particular challenges of negotiating the Church's formal relationship to the land and Anglicanism's cultural contribution to settler notions of local place and community. In meeting these challenges, Broughton “provincialised God” by articulating the Anglican faith with consequences specific to his Australian context and particularly to the British colonisation of Aboriginal territory.
On Puṇyapariṇāmanā in Nāgārjuna's Works
Authors: MITRIKESKI DRASKO
Published: February 2011

An important but rarely discussed feature in Nāgārjuna's works is the presence of a dedicatory verse (puṇyapariṇāmanā) in some and its absence in others. The paper looks at all reliably attributed works by Nāgārjuna, examining similarities in those that dedicate merit and similarities in those that do not. In addition, the paper establishes the criterion by which the author classes some of his works as merit generating so that he, as a practising bodhisattva can transfer it. The paper concludes that, contrary to the established opinions, the motive of obtaining puṇya has been of the highest importance for Nāgārjuna.
AVOIDING OR CHANGING THE PAST?
Authors: GODDU G.C.
Published: February 2011

Some philosophers argue that any attempt to model changing the past will either be contradictory or really model avoiding the past. Using Nicholas Smith's (1997) argument as a basis, I formulate a generic version of this Avoidance Argument. I argue that the Avoidance Argument fails because (i) it involves an equivocation of what is meant by ‘bifurcation of the time of an event’ and (ii) resolving the equivocation results in the falsity of at least one of the premises. Hence, the Avoidance Argument will not support the claim that changing the past is logically impossible.
THE MORAL STATUS OF ENABLING HARM
Authors: RICKLESS SAMUEL C.
Published: February 2011

According to the Doctrine of Doing and Allowing, it is more difficult to justify doing harm than it is to justify allowing harm. Enabling harm consists in withdrawing an obstacle that would, if left in place, prevent a pre‐existing causal sequence from leading to foreseen harm. There has been a lively debate concerning the moral status of enabling harm. According to some (e.g. McMahan, Vihvelin and Tomkow), many cases of enabling harm are morally indistinguishable from doing harm. Others (e.g. Foot, Hanser) support the Equivalence Hypothesis, according to which enabling harm is morally equivalent to allowing harm. Here I argue that there is every reason to embrace, and no reason to reject, the Equivalence Hypothesis.
The M100 component of evoked magnetic fields differs by scaling factors: Implications for signal averaging
Authors: Zacharias Norman , Sielużycki Cezary , Kordecki Wojciech , König Reinhard , Heil Peter
Published: February 2011

MEG and EEG studies of event‐related responses often involve comparisons of grand averages, requiring homogeneity of the variances. Here, we examine the possibility, implied by the nature of neural sources and the measuring principles involved, that the M100 component of auditory‐evoked magnetic fields of different subjects, hemispheres, to different stimuli, and at different sensors differs by scaling factors. Such a multiplicative model predicts a linear increase in the standard deviation with the mean, and thus would have important implications for averaging and comparing such data. Our analyses, at the sensor and the source level, clearly show that the multiplicative model applies. We therefore propose geometric, rather than arithmetic, averaging of the M100 component across subjects and suggest a novel and superior normalization procedure. Our results question the justification of the common practice of subtracting arithmetic grand averages.
Effectiveness of a Newly Created Oxbow Lake to Mitigate Habitat Loss and Increase Biodiversity in a Regulated Floodplain
Authors: Gallardo Belinda , Cabezas Álvaro , Gonzalez Eduardo , Comín Franciso A.
Published: February 2011

In 2005, an oxbow lake was constructed in a degraded floodplain area of the Ebro River (NE Spain) to mitigate habitat loss. In this study, we address the effectiveness of this restoration project through the analysis of the macroinvertebrate community that colonized the newly constructed lake, in comparison with a nearby natural oxbow lake and the adjacent river channel. To that end, water and macroinvertebrate samples were taken every 2 months in 2006. Ground movements during construction, wind‐driven bottom resuspension, shore scouring, and lack of vegetation resulted in distinctive water chemistry in the constructed and natural lakes. Regarding biodiversity, only 8 months after the digging of the constructed lake the abundance, richness, Shannon, and trait diversity of macroinvertebrates exceeded that of the natural lake. It is suggested that the constructed lake provided habitat for new mobile species that rapidly dispersed to other wetlands, thus enhancing the biological diversity of the floodplain at a local scale. Furthermore, biodiversity is predicted to continue increasing in the following years, although isolation can lead to early clogging of the system. By showing a dramatic increase in aquatic biodiversity in constructed wetlands, our study suggests that wetland construction can be very effective in mitigating habitat loss and increasing biodiversity in highly degraded floodplain areas. Further monitoring is nevertheless needed to evaluate the sustainability of the newly created habitat in the long term.
Effects of Double‐Crested Cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus Less.) on Island Vegetation, Seedbank, and Soil Chemistry: Evaluating Island Restoration Potential
Authors: Boutin Céline , Dobbie Tammy , Carpenter David , Hebert Craig E.
Published: February 2011

The unique plant community on Middle Island, Lake Erie, Canada, has been greatly modified by double‐crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus Less.) whose population has increased enormously in the last two decades. The aims of this study were to assess the impact of cormorants on island tree canopy, understorey vegetation, soil seedbank, and soil chemistry. The ultimate objective was to assess the resilience of the vegetation community for recovery should cormorant nest densities decrease significantly. Forty‐three point stations were established in a grid system covering the entire island. The herbaceous and woody vegetation was surveyed over 2 years and tree crown damage was assessed at each point station. In 2008, soil samples were collected for both chemical analysis and a seedbank inventory. Vegetation and seedbank species richness were impoverished compared to the vegetation surveyed prior to cormorant colonization. Cormorants affected not only the tree canopy where they nested but also the understorey vegetation. Exotic plant species were very common in the standing vegetation and constituted the bulk of the abundance in the seedbank. However, there was little relationship between aboveground vegetation and seedbank composition. Cormorants appeared to have little influence on seedbank richness, abundance, and composition. Notably, several species of conservation interest were found in the aboveground vegetation and in the seedbank providing a positive sign for future efforts to restore island plant communities.