bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Weekly intravenous bortezomib is effective and well tolerated in relapsed/refractory myeloma
Authors: Moore Sally , Atwal Sangeeta , Sachchithanantham Sajitha , Streetly Matthew , Khan Iftekhar , Percy Laura , Narat Santosh , D'Sa Shirley , Rabin Neil , Johnston Rosalynd , Schey Steve , Yong Kwee
Published: January 2013

Objectives

Bortezomib is an effective antimyeloma therapy, but clinical benefits can be limited by neurotoxicity. In newly diagnosed, older patients, modification of the biweekly dosing schedule to weekly regimens improves tolerability whilst maintaining efficacy. There is less information on the efficacy and tolerability of weekly bortezomib regimens in the relapsed/refractory setting. Here, we report our experience of weekly intravenous bortezomib in clinical practice in relapsed/refractory patients.

Methods

We analysed fifty‐two patients who received weekly bortezomib for relapsed/refractory MM.

Results

Thirty‐one per cent of patients received bortezomib beyond first relapse. Almost all (94%) also received steroids and 48% also received an alkylator. The median cumulative dose was 22.6 mg/m2, and median length of treatment was 164 d. Three patients reported grade 2 sensory neuropathy, and one reported grade 3 motor neuropathy. There were no grade 4 neurotoxicities. Eighty‐three per cent achieved a PR or greater, and the median PFS for the whole group was 13 months. One‐year PFS and OS were 53% (95% CI 39–66.6%) and 78% (95% CI 66.7–89.6%), respectively.

Conclusions

Weekly intravenous bortezomib when used in combination with steroids ± alkylator is effective in relapsed/refractory MM, producing outcomes comparable with biweekly regimens and with lower rates of peripheral neuropathy.
Enduring increases in anxiety‐like behavior and rapid nucleus accumbens dopamine signaling in socially isolated rats
Authors: Yorgason Jordan T. , España Rodrigo A. , Konstantopoulos Joanne K. , Weiner Jeffrey L. , Jones Sara R.
Published: January 2013

Social isolation (SI) rearing, a model of early life stress, results in profound behavioral alterations, including increased anxiety‐like behavior, impaired sensorimotor gating and increased self‐administration of addictive substances. These changes are accompanied by alterations in mesolimbic dopamine function, such as increased dopamine and metabolite tissue content, increased dopamine responses to cues and psychostimulants, and increased dopamine neuron burst firing. Using voltammetric techniques, we examined the effects of SI rearing on dopamine transporter activity, vesicular release and dopamine D2‐type autoreceptor activity in the nucleus accumbens core. Long–Evans rats were housed in group (GH; 4/cage) or SI (1/cage) conditions from weaning into early adulthood [postnatal day (PD) 28–77]. After this initial housing period, rats were assessed on the elevated plus‐maze for an anxiety‐like phenotype, and then slice voltammetry experiments were performed. To study the enduring effects of SI rearing on anxiety‐like behavior and dopamine terminal function, another cohort of similarly reared rats was isolated for an additional 4 months (until PD 174) and then tested. Our findings demonstrate that SI rearing results in lasting increases in anxiety‐like behavior, dopamine release and dopamine transporter activity, but not D2 activity. Interestingly, GH‐reared rats that were isolated as adults did not develop the anxiety‐like behavior or dopamine changes seen in SI‐reared rats. Together, our data suggest that early life stress results in an anxiety‐like phenotype, with lasting increases in dopamine terminal function.
Motion parallax processing in pigeon (Columba livia) pretectal neurons
Authors: Xiao Qian , Frost Barrie J.
Published: January 2013

In the visual system of invertebrates and vertebrates there are specialised groups of motion‐sensitive neurons, with large receptive fields, which are optimally tuned to respond to optic flow produced by the animals' movement through the 3‐D world. From their response characteristics, shared frame of reference with the vestibular or inertial system, and anatomical connections, these neurons have been implicated in the stabilisation of retinal images, the control of posture and balance, and the animal's motion trajectories through the world. Using standard electrophysiological techniques and computer‐generated stimuli, we show that some of these flow‐field neurons in the pretectal nucleus lentiformis mesencephali in pigeons appear to be processing motion parallax. Two large overlapping planes of random dots moving independently were used to simulate motion parallax, in which one with larger dots was moved fast and the other with smaller dots was moved slowly in the opposite direction. Their neural responses to these two superimposed planes were facilitated above those produced by a single plane of moving dots and those produced by two layers moving in the same direction. Furthermore, some of these neurons preferred backward motion in the visual field and others preferred forward motion, suggesting that they may separately code visual objects ‘nearer’ and ‘farther’ than the stabilised (‘on’) plane during forward translational motion. A simple system is proposed whereby the relative activity in ‘near’, ‘far’ and ‘on’ populations could code depth through motion parallax in a metameric manner similar to that employed to code color vision and stereopsis.
Predictors of quality of life among multiple sclerosis patients: a comprehensive analysis
Authors: Yamout B. , Issa Z. , Herlopian A. , El Bejjani M. , Khalifa A. , Ghadieh A. S. , Habib R. H.
Published: January 2013

Background and purpose

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a debilitating neurological disease of young people with substantial consequences on patients' quality of life (QOL). A variety of QOL instruments have been used to evaluate the efficacy of treatments. However, no study assessed the role of the different demographic, clinical, physical, social, economic and psychological parameters in the perception of patients with MS of their QOL.

Methods

Two‐hundred and one consecutive patients attending outpatient clinics were prospectively studied and objectively assessed using Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), 8‐m walk test, and Symbol Digit Modality Test. Patients completed the following questionnaires: MS QOL‐54, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Fatigue Severity Scale, Brief Pain Inventory Average Pain Score, Drug Side‐Effects Severity Scale, Social Support, Religiosity, Physiotherapy and Exercise, and Socioeconomic Profile. Overall, QOL, physical (PHCS) and mental (MHCS) health composite scores were computed as outcome measures from MSQOL‐54.

Results

Depression, social support, religiosity, education years and living area predicted overall QOL by linear regression (R2 = 0.43). Unemployment and absence of fatigue correlated with poor and good QOL, respectively. Fatigue, pain, depression, EDSS, social support, MS type and anti‐cholinergic treatment predicted PHCS (R2 = 0.81). Fatigue, pain, depression, education years and social support predicted MHCS (R2 = 0.70).

Conclusion

The QOL in patients with MS is not solely determined by physical disability, but rather by the level of social support, living area, depression, level of education, employment, fatigue and religiosity. Accordingly, we suggest that these should be evaluated in every patient with MS as they may be modified by targeted interventions.
Characterization of patients with recurrent ischaemic stroke using the ASCO classification
Authors: Wolf M. E. , Sauer T. , Hennerici M. G. , Chatzikonstantinou A.
Published: January 2013

Background and purpose

The ASCO score has the advantage of allowing a more comprehensive characterization of ischaemic stroke patients and their risk factors, as reflected in different grades of evidence of atherosclerotic changes (A), small vessel disease (S), potential cardiac (C) or other (O) sources. It might also help to characterize patients with recurrent ischaemic stroke and document the etiology of stroke recurrence as well as the further development of risk factor constellations.

Methods

We prospectively screened our stroke database for patients with recurrent ischaemic stroke between 2004 and 2011, and classified each stroke using ASCO. The distribution of etiologies was analysed, and changes in the ASCO score were documented for each patient.

Results

We identified 131 patients with recurrence of ischaemic stroke. At the first event, the distribution of etiologies and their grade of evidence was 97 grade 1 (A = 18/S = 32/C = 44/O = 3), six grade 2 (A = 2/S = 1/C = 3/O = 0), 199 grade 3 (A = 85/S = 83/C = 23/O = 8), 204 grade 0 (A = 26/S = 14/C = 44/O = 120) and 18 grade 9 (A = 0/S = 1/C = 17/O = 0). At stroke recurrence, 98 grade 1 (A = 16/S = 24/C = 55/O = 3), 11 grade 2 (A = 2/S = 5/C = 4/O = 0), 210 grade 3 (A = 94/S = 92/C = 13/O = 11), 171 grade 0 (A = 16/S = 9/C = 26/O = 117) and 34 grade 9 (A = 0/S = 1/C = 33/O = 0) were identified. Analysis of each individual showed a modification of the score in 85 patients (64.9%).

Conclusions

Recurrent ischaemic stroke does not always have the same etiology as the previous one(s). Among variable changes of grade 1 etiologies, an increasing prevalence of cardioembolism – often insufficiently treated – at stroke recurrence was a major finding. ASCO proved to be highly useful to monitor risk factor constellations.
Vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia as a risk factor for cerebral microbleeds
Authors: Park J.‐M. , Koo J.‐S. , Kim B.‐K. , Kwon O. , Lee J. J. , Kang K. , Lee J. S. , Lee J. , Bae H.‐J.
Published: January 2013

Background

Both vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia (VBD) and cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) are related with the risk of intracerebral hemorrhage. We aimed to examine the relationship between the VBD and CMB in ischaemic stroke patients.

Methods

A consecutive series of 182 patients hospitalized because of ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA), and who underwent gradient echo brain magnetic resonance imaging were retrospectively recruited from a prospective stroke registry. CMB locations were categorized into anterior and posterior circulation. Ectasia was defined as basilar artery (BA) diameter > 4.5 mm, and dolichosis, as either BA bifurcation above the suprasellar cistern or lateral to the margin of the clivus or dorsum sellae. Whether VBD is associated with CMB anywhere in the brain or in anterior or posterior circulation territories was analysed using binary and multinomial logistic regression models.

Results

Twenty‐four subjects (13.2%) had VBD and 48 (26.4%) had CMBs. CMBs were more frequently observed in patients with VBD than without (66.7% vs. 20.3%, P < 0.001). VBD was significantly associated with CMBs in any location (crude odds ratio, 7.88; 95% confidence interval, 3.10–20.02), in the posterior circulation territory only (9.63; 2.60–34.94), and in both territories (9.25; 3.40–26.29), but not in the anterior circulation only (1.14; 0.009–11.20). These associations remained unchanged after adjusting for age, gender, hypertension, leukoaraiosis and stroke subtype.

Conclusions

VBD in patients with ischaemic stroke or TIA is independently associated with CMBs, especially in the posterior circulation territory.
Wealth and welfare? Can fisheries management succeed in achieving multiple objectives? A case study of Lake Victoria, East Africa
Authors: Nunan Fiona
Published: January 2013

Fisheries policies often pursue multiple objectives, which may, in some instances, be in conflict or competition with each other. It may not be possible, for example, to create or maintain employment and generate increasing volumes of revenue for government whilst also sustaining stocks and biodiversity. Two approaches to fisheries management, one focused on capturing wealth and limiting access and the other on maintaining access for employment and providing community development and welfare, present contrasting policy advice, with different points of emphases and objectives. This article examines the case of Lake Victoria, where the three main commercial fisheries are seen to contribute to different objectives for the lake's fisheries. Insights from the debate between wealth‐based and welfare‐based approaches to fisheries management provide a framework for the analysis of fisheries policy and practice on the lake. From the analysis, it is concluded that whilst there is much rhetoric in support of a wealth‐based approach, this has not been followed through in implementation, reflecting the lack of political support for new taxation and limiting access. The welfare functions of the fisheries are significant, but could be substantially strengthened through greater investment in the provision of services to fisheries communities. The approaches are not mutually exclusive, but pursuing wealth‐based management must support livelihoods, employment and development, as well as fisheries management objectives. Without the incorporation of welfare objectives, fisheries policies will not be politically accepted or fully implemented, suggesting the need for a balance between wealth and welfare objectives and measures.
Clinical Trials Update – 2012: Year in Review
Authors: Peroutka Stephen J.
Published: January 2013

An annual review of the status of recently completed and ongoing major clinical trials involving common headache disorders is presented. The review will focus on multicenter trials of new therapies as well as novel formulations of previously approved therapeutics. The article also presents a tabulated summary of the major therapeutic headache trials that are ongoing at the present time, according to data obtained from both the “ClinicalTrials.gov” Web site and corporate press releases.
Spina bifida occulta: Not to be overlooked in children with nocturnal enuresis
Authors: Shin Sang Hee , Im Young Jae , Lee Mi‐Jung , Lee Yong Seung , Choi Eun Kyoung , Han Sang Won
Published: January 2013

Objective

Previous reports have suggested that the incidence of spina bifida occulta in patients with nocturnal enuresis is higher than in the general population. However, the effect of spina bifida occulta on the response to nocturnal enuresis treatment is controversial. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between spina bifida occulta and response to treatment of nocturnal enuresis.

Methods

Between 2006 and 2009, the records of 160 children with nocturnal enuresis were reviewed. Children with other organic urological disease or symptoms suggestive of spinal dysraphism were excluded. Plain radiography for the kidney–ureter–bladder was carried out before the start of the nocturnal enuresis treatment. Response to treatment of children with and without spina bifida occulta was compared.

Results

Of 160 children, 53 were girls; the mean age was 7.8 ± 2.06 years. The mean duration of treatment was 8.7 ± 9.29 months. Spina bifida occulta was detected in 43 children (26.9%). Spina bifida occulta affected L4 in four children, L5 in 12 children, S1 in 26 children and S2 in one child. There was a significant difference between the spina bifida occulta and non‐spina bifida occulta groups in terms of outcome (P = 0.002), with a complete response more likely in children without spina bifida occulta (P = 0.005). None of the children with primary non‐mono symptomatic nocturnal enuresis and spina bifida occulta showed a complete response.

Conclusions

The presence of spina bifida occulta significantly affects the response to treatment in patients with nocturnal enuresis. Thus, verifying spina bifida occulta in this patient population can facilitate the prediction of the response to nocturnal enuresis treatment.
Diabetes predicts metastasis after radical prostatectomy in obese men: results from the SEARCH database
Authors: Wu Chenwei , Aronson William J. , Terris Martha K. , Presti Joseph C. , Kane Christopher J. , Amling Christopher L. , Freedland Stephen J.
Published: January 2013

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

Diabetes is known to be associated with a slightly lower risk of prostate cancer. Only a limited number of studies have examined the impact of diabetes on prostate cancer outcomes, with mixed results.

This study builds on our prior work showing that on the whole, diabetes is not a risk factor for progression to metastases after surgery. However, intriguingly we found a significant interaction with obesity for modifying the relationship between diabetes and progression. If confirmed in future studies, this suggests the mechanisms by which diabetes alters prostate cancer aggressiveness may differ in obese and non‐obese men.

Objective

To examine the association between diabetes and metastasis risk after radical prostatectomy (RP) and to determine if race or obesity modifies this relationship.

Patients and Methods

Patients comprised 2058 US veterans with prostate cancer (PCa) enrolled in the Shared Equal‐Access Regional Cancer Hospital (SEARCH) database and treated with RP between 1988 and 2010.

The association of diabetes with metastasis risk or secondary treatment rates was examined using Cox proportional hazards, adjusting for preoperative and, separately, clinical and postoperative findings.

The effect modification by race (black vs white) and obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥30 vs <30 kg/m2) was tested via interaction terms.

Results

Men with diabetes had higher BMIs and were more likely to be non‐white (all P ≤ 0.001).

On multivariable analysis, diabetes was not associated with metastasis risk (P ≥ 0.45), but, among men with diabetes, longer diabetes duration was associated with higher metastasis risk (P ≤ 0.035).

When stratified by obesity, diabetes was linked with higher metastasis risk in obese but not in non‐obese men (P‐interaction ≤ 0.037), but there was no significant interaction with race (P‐interaction ≥ 0.56).

Diabetes also predicted more aggressive secondary treatment among obese men but less aggressive treatment among non‐obese men (hazard ratio 1.39 vs 0.63, P‐interaction = 0.006).

Where applicable, results were similar for both pre‐ and postoperative models.

Conclusions

Diabetes was not associated with metastasis risk overall.

Stratification by obesity yielded significant differences, with diabetes linked to a fourfold higher metastasis risk in obese men, despite predicting more aggressive secondary treatment. Longer diabetes duration was also associated with increased metastasis risk.
Taming the Beast: Managing Hydrology to Control Carolina Willow (Salix caroliniana) Seedlings and Cuttings
Authors: Quintana‐Ascencio Pedro F. , Fauth John E. , Castro Morales Luz M. , Ponzio Kimberli J. , Hall Dianne , Snyder Ken
Published: January 2013

Historically, wetlands along the St. Johns River, Florida, were dominated by herbaceous marshes. However, in the last 50 years many areas transformed to shrub‐dominated wetlands, at the same time a system of levees and canals was constructed to control flooding. We tested the role of water management in controlling Carolina willow (Salix caroliniana), a native shrub that accounts for most of this shift. We assessed survival and growth of seedlings and cuttings on four artificial islands. We planted willow seedlings and cuttings at the spring waterline and at three higher levels (+17.5, +35, and +50 cm) and evaluated their responses to natural hydrologic fluctuations. Overall, seedlings had lower survival than cuttings. Highest mortality occurred during summer floods and willows greater than 50 cm above marsh surface had the highest survivorship. Surviving seedlings attained similar height and biomass among elevations, but the cuttings had greater stem diameter, stem height, and biomass at higher elevations. In the second experiment, we planted seedlings and short (25 cm) and tall (50 cm) cuttings at the waterline and at three higher levels (+25, +35, and +50 cm) in artificial ponds with controlled water levels. Before flooding, seedlings at the highest elevation suffered some mortality due to desiccation, but after flooding, they had the highest survival. Elevation did not affect cutting survival, but those at the lowest elevation had the greatest height and biomass. Hydrologic manipulation can be a powerful tool to control willow establishment. However, its success depends on timely and prolonged inundation or water drawdown.
Mechanistic insights into antibiotic action on the ribosome through single‐molecule fluorescence imaging
Authors: Wang Leyi , Wasserman Michael R. , Feldman Michael B. , Altman Roger B. , Blanchard Scott C.
Published: January 2013

Single‐molecule fluorescence imaging has provided unprecedented access to the dynamics of ribosome function, revealing transient intermediate states that are critical to ribosome activity. Imaging platforms have now been developed that are capable of probing many hundreds of molecules simultaneously at temporal and spatial resolutions approaching the sub‐millisecond time and the sub‐nanometer scales. These advances enable both steady‐ and pre‐steady state measurements of individual steps in the translation process as well as processive reactions. The data generated using these methods have yielded new, quantitative structural and kinetic insights into ribosomal activity. They have also shed light on the mechanisms of antibiotic targeting the translation apparatus, revealing features of the structure–function relationship that would be difficult to obtain by other means. This review provides an overview of the types of information that can be obtained using such imaging platforms and a blueprint for using the technique to assess how small‐molecule antibiotics alter macromolecular functions.
Growth of PbSe Quantum Dots Within High‐Index Lead‐Phosphate Glass for Infrared Saturable Absorbers
Authors: Kannan Pradeesh , Choudhary Amol , Mills Benjamin , Feng Xian , Shepherd David P.
Published: January 2013

PbSe quantum dots (QDs) were grown in high‐refractive‐index low‐melting‐temperature lead‐phosphate glass. The lowest energy exciton transition of the QDs was tuned over a wide range within the infrared spectral region (0.93–2.75 μm) by a controlled heat treatment. The measured QD radius ranged between 2 and 5.3 nm, with a time (t) dependence of t0.29 for long dwelling times during the heat treatment, indicating that the QD growth mechanism tends to follow Lifshitz‐Slyozov‐Wagner theory. The QD saturable absorber behavior at 1.2 μm had a measured saturation fluence of ~2.1 μJ/cm2.
Structure and Luminescence of New Red‐Emitting Materials‐Eu3+‐Doped Triple Orthovanadates NaALa(VO4)2 (A = Ca,Sr,Ba)
Authors: Qin Chuanxiang , Huang Yanlin , Seo Hyo Jin
Published: January 2013

The new red‐emitting phosphors of Eu3+‐doped triple orthovanadates NaALa(VO4)2 (A = Ca, Sr, Ba) were prepared by the high‐temperature solid‐state reaction. The formation of single phase compound with isostructural structure of Ba3(VO4)2 was verified through X‐ray diffraction (XRD) studies. The photoluminescence excitation and emission spectra, the fluorescence decay curves and the dependence of luminescence intensity on doping level were investigated. The phosphor can be efficiently excited by near UV and blue light to realize an intense red luminescence (613 nm) corresponding to the electric dipole transition 5D0→7F2 of Eu3+ ions. Their potential applications as red‐emitting phosphors for solid‐state lighting were evaluated in comparison with the Eu3+‐doped lanthanum orthovanadate LaVO4 and other reported references. The luminescence was discussed in detail on the base of the crystal structures. The luminescence thermal stability on temperature was investigated and the thermal activated energy was calculated. The phosphors can be suggested to be a potential red‐emitting phosphor for the application on white LEDs under irradiation of near‐UV or blue chips.
Luminescence of Eu‐Doped Transparent LuPO4 Glass‐Ceramics
Authors: Liu XueYun , Wei YunLe , Guo Hai
Published: January 2013

Dual valence Eu‐doped transparent glass‐ceramics containing LuPO4 nanocrystals were fabricated by melt‐quenching technique in air atmosphere. Their luminescent properties were systematically investigated by excitation, emission spectra, and decay lifetime measurements. The prominent Stark splitting, low forced electric‐dipole 5D0–7F2 transition and long decay lifetimes of Eu3+ emission for glass‐ceramics reveal the incorporation of Eu3+ into LuPO4 nanocrystals. The enhanced Eu2+ emission and reduction mechanism of Eu3+ to Eu2+ after crystallization are discussed briefly. Our results indicate that transparent LuPO4 glass‐ceramics may find applications in photonics.
Evaluation of Oak Chips Treatment on Volatile Composition and Sensory Characteristics of Merlot Wine
Authors: Schumacher Rafael , Alañón M. Elena , Castro‐Vázquez Lucia , Pérez‐Coello M. Soledad , Díaz‐Maroto M. Consuelo
Published: January 2013

The effect of treatment with different oak chips on the volatile composition and sensory characteristics of Merlot wine was evaluated. Seasoned and toasted oak chips from different geographical origins and species were tested: American (Quercus alba), French (Quercus petraea) and Rumanian (Quercus robur). Differences in the lactone content, volatile phenols (eugenol and 6‐methoxyeugenol) and derivatives of vanillin were found according to the different species used. The major differences were found in wines aged with toasted chips as the concentrations of lignin derivatives increased while furan compounds appeared. The treatment with nontoasted chips increased the flavor complexity of wine due to the pleasant attributes imparted by oak wood. Rumanian chips imparted the lowest intensity of aged flavor into the wines. Meanwhile, wines treated with toasted oak chips were negatively assessed by the tasters due to the strong perception of smoke or tobacco attributes that masked the rest of the notes.

Practical Applications

The use of oak chips is a new alternative to barrels used in red wine aging. The oak treatments with seasoned American, French and Rumanian oak chips improved and enhanced the volatile profile of Merlot red wines. However, the chemical composition of aged wines varied in relationship to the chips use. This fact implied different sensory characteristics in the resulting Merlot wines.

The toasting process is a common treatment applied to oak barrels to improve their aromatic potential. However, the toasting treatment applied to chips must be dealt carefully by winemakers. It was observed that the use of medium toasted chips produced strong intensities of smoke and tobacco impressions that masked the rest of the notes detected in aged wine. Therefore, these aspects must be taken into account by the winemakers in the choice of the type of oak chips to guarantee the success of the wine obtained.
Brain injury‐induced proteolysis is reduced in a novel calpastatin‐overexpressing transgenic mouse
Authors: Schoch Kathleen M. , von Reyn Catherine R. , Bian Jifeng , Telling Glenn C. , Meaney David F. , Saatman Kathryn E.
Published: January 2013

The calpain family of calcium‐dependent proteases has been implicated in a variety of diseases and neurodegenerative pathologies. Prolonged activation of calpains results in proteolysis of numerous cellular substrates including cytoskeletal components and membrane receptors, contributing to cell demise despite coincident expression of calpastatin, the specific inhibitor of calpains. Pharmacological and gene‐knockout strategies have targeted calpains to determine their contribution to neurodegenerative pathology; however, limitations associated with treatment paradigms, drug specificity, and genetic disruptions have produced inconsistent results and complicated interpretation. Specific, targeted calpain inhibition achieved by enhancing endogenous calpastatin levels offers unique advantages in studying pathological calpain activation. We have characterized a novel calpastatin‐overexpressing transgenic mouse model, demonstrating a substantial increase in calpastatin expression within nervous system and peripheral tissues and associated reduction in protease activity. Experimental activation of calpains via traumatic brain injury resulted in cleavage of α‐spectrin, collapsin response mediator protein‐2, and voltage‐gated sodium channel, critical proteins for the maintenance of neuronal structure and function. Calpastatin overexpression significantly attenuated calpain‐mediated proteolysis of these selected substrates acutely following severe controlled cortical impact injury, but with no effect on acute hippocampal neurodegeneration. Augmenting calpastatin levels may be an effective method for calpain inhibition in traumatic brain injury and neurodegenerative disorders.
Acute Inhibition of Central c‐Jun N‐terminal Kinase Restores Hypothalamic Insulin Signalling and Alleviates Glucose Intolerance in Diabetic Mice
Authors: Benzler J. , Ganjam G. K. , Legler K. , Stöhr S. , Krüger M. , Steger J. , Tups A.
Published: January 2013

The hypothalamus has been identified as a main insulin target tissue for regulating normal body weight and glucose metabolism. Recent observations suggest that c‐Jun‐N‐terminal kinase (JNK)‐signalling plays a crucial role in the development of obesity and insulin resistance because neuronal JNK‐1 ablation in the mouse prevented high‐fat diet‐induced obesity (DIO) and increased energy expenditure, as well as insulin sensitivity. In the present study, we investigated whether central JNK inhibition is associated with sensitisation of hypothalamic insulin signalling in mice fed a high‐fat diet for 3 weeks and in leptin‐deficient mice. We determined whether i.c.v. injection of a pharmacological JNK‐inhibitor (SP600125) improved impaired glucose homeostasis. By immunohistochemistry, we first observed that JNK activity was increased in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) and the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) in both mouse models, relative to normoglycaemic controls. This suggests that up‐regulation of JNK in these regions is associated with glucose intolerance and obesity, independent of leptin levels. Acute i.c.v. injection of SP600125 ameliorated glucose tolerance within 30 min in both leptin‐deficient and DIO mice. Given the acute nature of i.c.v. injections, these effects cannot be attributed to changes in food intake or energy balance. In a hypothalamic cell line, and in the ARC and VMH of leptin‐deficient mice, JNK inhibition by SP600125 consistently improved impaired insulin signalling. This was determined by a reduction of phospho‐insulin receptor substrate‐1 [IRS‐1(Ser612)] protein in a hypothalamic cell line and a decline in the number of pIRS‐1(Ser612) immunoreactive cells in the ARC and VMH. Serine 612 phosphorylation of IRS‐1 is assumed to negatively regulate insulin signalling. In leptin‐deficient mice, in both nuclei, central inhibition of JNK increased the number of cells immunoreactive for phospho‐Akt (Ser473) and phospho‐GSK‐3β (Ser9), which are important markers of insulin signalling. Collectively, our data suggest that the acute inhibition of central JNK improves impaired glucose homeostasis and is associated with sensitisation of hypothalamic insulin signalling.
Characteristics of Consumers of Unpasteurized Milk in the United States
Authors: BUZBY JEAN C. , HANNAH GOULD L. , KENDALL MAGDALENA E. , JONES TIMOTHY F. , ROBINSON TRISHA , BLAYNEY DON P.
Published: January 2013

Despite considerable scientific evidence about the health risks of drinking unpasteurized (raw) milk, advocates continue to lobby for the reduction of state regulatory restrictions on the sale of unpasteurized milk. Multivariate analyses were performed on 1998–1999, 2002–2003 and 2006–2007 FoodNet Population Survey data to determine characteristics of unpasteurized milk consumers. Across all years of the survey, 3.4% of respondents reported consuming unpasteurized milk at some point in the previous seven days. Our findings indicate that unpasteurized milk drinkers in the states covered by the analysis are more likely to be Hispanic, less educated and of lower income than non‐drinkers and they are more likely to report drinking unpasteurized juice.
A longitudinal study of well‐being in older workers and retirees: The role of engaging in different types of activities
Authors: Potočnik Kristina , Sonnentag Sabine
Published: January 2013

This study examines the impact of engaging in seven types of activities on depression and quality of life in retirees and older workers over a period of 2 years, using a sample from the survey of health, ageing and retirement in Europe. Longitudinal data were available from 2,813 retirees and 1,372 older employees. Our results showed that volunteering, providing help and going to sports or social clubs at the baseline improved retirees' quality of life over a period of 2 years. No direct effects of engaging in activities were found for older employees. Moreover, higher depression at the baseline fostered the depression experience at the follow‐up in those retirees and older employees who were caring for disabled adults at baseline. In retirees with higher depression at baseline, participation in religious organizations was associated with a greater decrease in depression at follow‐up than in those who had lower levels of depression at baseline. For older employees, taking part in political or community organizations at baseline was related to a greater decrease in depression at follow‐up than in those employees who experienced higher initial depression.

Practitioner points

Practitioners should make attempts to reduce physical demands and time pressure exerted over older employees to improve their well‐being over time.

Practitioners should design intervention programmes and preventive measures that focus on how to stimulate retirees' and older employees' engagement in community and leisure activities to achieve successful ageing.
The Role of Foreign Direct Investments in the Development of Brazil and India: A Comparative Analysis
Authors: Baer Werner , Sirohi Rahul A.
Published: January 2013

In this paper we concentrate on FDI and argue that the contrasting FDI policies in Brazil and India can be traced back to differences in the respective colonial (or semi‐colonial) experiences of the two nations during the 19th century. Our comparative analysis of FDI in Brazil and India shows the importance of historical and institutional awareness in gaining an understanding of the manner in which each society perceived the role of foreign investments in their societies. By doing this, we gain an understanding of the reasons these countries adopted different attitudes and policies towards foreign capital.
Ethnic Group Inequalities and Governance: Evidence from Developing Countries
Authors: Kyriacou Andreas P.
Published: January 2013

Institutional quality has been increasingly identified as crucial for economic development. In line with previous work which has explored the determinants of good institutions, this paper examines the impact of economic and social inequalities between ethnic groups on government quality. I hypothesize that greater inequalities between groups will tend to undermine institutions both because they tend to legitimize corruption in the eyes of disadvantaged groups and because of the efforts of better‐off groups to maintain their privileges. Based on a panel of 29 developing countries, I find that socio‐economic ethnic group inequalities reduce government quality, something which suggests the convenience of policies that can level the playing field in ethnically heterogeneous societies.
Rational Irrationality and the Political Process of Repeal: The Women's Organization for National Prohibition Reform and the 21st Amendment
Authors: Thomas Michael D. , Thomas Diana W. , Snow Nicholas A.
Published: January 2013

The theory of rational irrationality suggests that voters are biased and do not face sufficient incentives to choose rationally; instead they vote for various private reasons. As a result, socially and economically destructive policies can receive widespread public support. Furthermore, because there is no private benefit of learning from experience, such policies can persist over time. We argue here that despite this otherwise dismal outlook on public policy, the theory of rational irrationality leaves two avenues for economically sensible reform: First, when the ex post costs of irrationality are higher than expected, rationally irrational voters will reduce their consumption of irrationality and demand more rational policies. Second, rationally irrational voters can be convinced to rationally update their policy preferences through the use of appealing rhetoric and persuasion by experts. We discuss these two avenues for reform using the example of the repeal of the 18thamendment, which, as we will show, relied on both updating as well as persuasive campaigning.
Intergametophytic selfing and microgeographic genetic structure shape populations of the intertidal red seaweed Chondrus crispus
Authors: Krueger‐Hadfield S. A. , Roze D. , Mauger S. , Valero M.
Published: January 2013

Understanding how abiotic factors influence the spatial distribution of genetic variation provides insight into microevolutionary processes. The intertidal seascape is characterized by highly heterogeneous habitats which probably influence the partitioning of genetic variation at very small scales. The effects of tidal height on genetic variation in both the haploid (gametophytes) and diploid (tetrasporophytes) stages of the red alga Chondrus crispus were studied. Fronds were sampled every 25 cm within a 5 m × 5 m grid and along a 90‐m transect at two shore heights (high and low) in one intertidal site in France. The multilocus genotype of 799 fronds was determined (Nhaploid = 586; Ndiploid = 213) using eight microsatellite loci to test the following hypotheses: (i) high and low shore fronds belong to genetically differentiated populations, (ii) gene flow is restricted within the high shore habitat due to tidal‐influenced isolation and (iii) significant FIS values are driven by life history characteristics. Pairwise FST estimates between high and low shore levels supported the hypothesis that high and low shore fronds were genetically differentiated. The high shore was characterized by the occurrence of within‐shore genetic differentiation, reduced genetic diversity and increased levels of intergametophytic selfing, suggesting it is a marginal environment. These results suggest at fine scales within the intertidal seascape the same mechanisms as those over the species’ distributional range are at work with core and marginal population dynamics.
Visual Consciousness and The Phenomenology of Perception
Authors: McClamrock Ron
Published: January 2013

Ideally, psychological and phenomenological studies of visual experience should be mutually informative. In that spirit, this article outlines parts of Maurice Merleau‐Ponty's phenomenological view of visual experience as a kind of independently active opaque bodily synthesis, and uses those views to (a) help ground and extend Alva Noë's rejection of the “snapshot” theory of visual experience in favor of a more enactive view of visual content, (b) critique a failing of Noë's account, and (c) show how the assumptions underlying more internalist and Cartesian views of visual experience can illegitimately creep in even when they are being carefully criticized.
On Progress in Philosophy
Authors: Mironov Vladimir V.
Published: January 2013

This article seeks to clarify the concept of progress in philosophy. It treats progress as a kind of development. But not every development is a progress. When we talk about progress, what really matters is the direction of development. In some cases it is relatively easy to reach agreement about this direction. But not in the case of philosophy, if we abstract it from the obvious and the trivial, like the number of books on philosophy. As a result, the article concludes that there cannot be progress in philosophy. Instead we see a continual multiplication of interpretations.
Does Current Social Philosophy Develop Progressively?
Authors: Momdjan Karen
Published: January 2013

This article begins with clarification of the notion of progress. The author believes that it is possible to consider progress objectively, if by progress we understand a positive change in the effectiveness of something. He mentions two types of progress: progress of improvement and progress of augmentation. He then distinguishes evaluative from reflective philosophy. Evaluative philosophy gives answers to the second and third of Kant's famous three questions; reflective philosophy answers the first, dealing with the limits of human knowledge. Progress in evaluative philosophy takes the form of augmentation. But in reflective philosophy it could take the form of improvement. The author believes, however, that it is not an easy task to improve contemporary social philosophy. Three main obstacles are: the “anthropological turn” in philosophy, the challenge of postmodernism, and the turning of social philosophy into a kind of useful knowledge.
Kantian and Consequentialist Ethics: The Gap Can Be Bridged
Authors: Forschler Scott
Published: January 2013

Richard Hare argues that the fundamental assumptions of Kant's ethical system should have led Kant to utilitarianism, had Kant not confused a norm's generality with its universality, and hence adopted rigorist, deontological norms. Several authors, including Jens Timmermann, have argued contra Hare that the gap between Kantian and utilitarian/consequentialist ethics is fundamental and cannot be bridged. This article shows that Timmermann's claims rely on a systematic failure to separate normative and metaethical aspects of each view, and that Hare's attempt to bridge the gap between Kantian and consequentialist ethics is immune to Timmermann's criticisms. Furthermore, the term “Kantian ethics” is often misleading, and should typically be qualified as either “Kantian rationalism” or “Kantian deontology” in order to avoid confusions of the sort Timmermann falls into.
Philosophical Sensitivity
Authors: Lone Jana Mohr
Published: January 2013

Although much has been written about the nature of philosophy and how the discipline can be defined, little attention has been paid to the ways we develop the facility to reflect philosophically or why cultivating this ability is valuable. This article develops a conception of “philosophical sensitivity,” a perceptual capacity that facilitates our awareness of the philosophical dimension of experience. Based in part onAristotle's notion of a moral perceptual capacity, philosophical sensitivity starts with most people's natural inclinations as children to reflect about life's fundamental mysteries; when this capacity is cultivated with training over time, our attentiveness to the philosophical features of ordinary life becomes almost second nature. In much the same way an aesthetically sensitive person notices certain qualities of experience not readily perceptible by others, philosophical sensitivity involves the development of a particular way of seeing the world.
Emerging trade‐offs – impact of photoprotectants (PsbS, xanthophylls, and vitamin E) on oxylipins as regulators of development and defense
Authors: Demmig‐Adams Barbara , Cohu Christopher M. , Amiard Véronique , van Zadelhoff Guus , Veldink Gerrit A. , Muller Onno , Adams William W.
Published: January 2013

This review summarizes evidence for a mechanistic link between plant photoprotection and the synthesis of oxylipin hormones as regulators of development and defense. Knockout mutants of Arabidopsis, deficient in various key components of the chloroplast photoprotection system, consistently produced greater concentrations of the hormone jasmonic acid or its precursor 12‐oxo‐phytodienoic acid (OPDA), both members of the oxylipin messenger family. Characterized plants include several mutants deficient in PsbS (an intrinsic chlorophyll‐binding protein of photosystem II) or pigments (zeaxanthin and/or lutein) required for photoprotective thermal dissipation of excess excitation energy in the chloroplast and a mutant deficient in reactive oxygen detoxification via the antioxidant vitamin E (tocopherol). Evidence is also presented that certain plant defenses against herbivores or pathogens are elevated for these mutants. This evidence furthermore indicates that wild‐type Arabidopsis plants possess less than maximal defenses against herbivores or pathogens, and suggest that plant lines with superior defenses against abiotic stress may have lower biotic defenses. The implications of this apparent trade‐off between abiotic and biotic plant defenses for plant ecology as well as for plant breeding/engineering are explored, and the need for research further addressing this important issue is highlighted.
Failure of auditors: The lack of compliance for business combinations inChina
Authors: Taplin Ross , Zhao Yafang , Brown Alistair
Published: January 2013

This empirical study investigates the compliance of 344Chinese listed companies with theAccountingStandard forEnterprises No. 20‐BusinessCombination, a mandatory reporting standard applicable to companies involved in business combinations.China has recently reformed its auditing sector, enabling private firms to provide auditing services. The results of the study show a low level of compliance byChinese listed companies. While companies audited byChinese domestic auditors have significantly lower compliance than companies audited byBigFour auditors on supplementary disclosure that is mandatory under theChinese accounting standards, compliance remains low even after companies receive unqualified reports from these international auditors. There appears to be a lack of commitment, and possibly expertise, amongBigFour auditors, in fully applying the reporting requirements of the business combination standard in aChinese setting. This raises concerns about the independence ofChinese auditing in disclosing reliable information about business combinations. Broader theoretical contributions of the paper go beyond theChinese context by problematizing whether well‐resourced international auditors uphold internationally expected standards or succumb to local non‐compliant practices.
Development of a Scale to Assess Knowledge about Suicide Postvention using Item Response Theory
Authors: Nader Ingo W. , Niederkrotenthaler Thomas , Schild Anne H. E. , Koller Ingrid , Tran Ulrich S. , Kapusta Nestor D. , Sonneck Gernot , Voracek Martin
Published: January 2013

Knowledge about suicide postvention (KSPV) is an important distal outcome in the evaluation of suicide prevention programs that focus on the bereaved. However, most scales are specifically tailored to the evaluation study in question and psychometric properties are often unsatisfactory. Therefore, we developed the KSPV scale. Scale properties were investigated with Rasch trees, a newly developed method in the framework of item response theory. Additionally, we provide cues for convergent validity. In summary, the scale shows satisfactory properties for assessing KSPV and could be used to evaluate suicide postvention programs more effectively.