bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Native nephrectomy for autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease: before or after kidney transplantation?
Authors: Kirkman Matthew A. , van Dellen David , Mehra Sanjay , Campbell Babatunde A. , Tavakoli Afshin , Pararajasingam Ravi , Parrott Neil R. , Riad Hany N. , McWilliam Lorna , Augustine Titus
Published: December 2010

Study Type – Therapy (case series)

Level of Evidence 4

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

The indications and timing of native nephrectomy in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is controversial, especially for those undergoing renal transplantation.

Post‐transplant unilateral native nephrectomy appears to be the preferred intervention compared to pre‐transplant native nephrectomy. There seems to be substantial additive risk to bilateral over unilateral nephrectomy, especially prior to transplantation. Pre‐transplant native nephrectomy should only be carried out when there are clear indications such as massive size preventing allograft placement, severe pain, early satiety, recurrent bleeding and infections, or suspected malignancy.

OBJECTIVE

To analyse indications, timing and outcomes of native nephrectomy in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) patients listed for kidney transplantation.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective analysis of all ADPKD patients who had a native nephrectomy prior to or following transplantation between January 2003 and December 2009 at a single centre, including those undergoing the sandwich technique (removal of the most severely affected native kidney prior to transplantation, and the other afterwards), was undertaken.

RESULTS

There were 35 individuals in our cohort (M : F = 16 : 19), with a median age of 51.5 years (range 43–65).

Twenty patients were in the pre‐transplant nephrectomy group, 12 in the post‐transplant group, and three underwent the sandwich technique.

Indications for nephrectomy varied but were most commonly pain/discomfort, space for transplantation, ongoing haematuria, recurrent infections, and gastrointestinal pressure symptoms (early satiety).

Seven individuals in the pre‐transplant group and three in the post‐transplant group required critical care admission after nephrectomy.

Transient renal graft dysfunction occurred in two post‐transplant bilateral nephrectomy patients.

Two patients in the bilateral nephrectomy pre‐transplant group and one in the bilateral nephrectomy post‐transplant group died in the immediate post‐operative period.

No complications were noted in the sandwich technique group.

CONCLUSION

Native nephrectomy in ADPKD is a major undertaking associated with significant morbidity especially in the pre‐transplant group.

Post‐transplant unilateral nephrectomy appears to be the safest approach with fewest complications.
RENAL nephrometry score predicts surgical outcomes of laparoscopic partial nephrectomy
Authors: Hayn Matthew H. , Schwaab Thomas , Underwood Willie , Kim Hyung L.
Published: December 2010

Study Type – Therapy (case series)

Level of Evidence 4

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

For small renal tumours, partial nephrectomy provides excellent cancer control and preserves renal function. The RENAL Nephrometry Score is useful for quantifying anatomic features relevant to surgical decision‐making.

In patients undergoing laparoscopic partial nephrectomy, this study shows a correlation between RENAL Nephrometry Score and estimated blood loss, warm ischemia time, and length of hospital stay, suggesting that the RENAL Nephrometry Score may be useful for predicting the technical challenge posed by a renal tumour.

OBJECTIVE

• To assess the use of the RENAL Nephrometry Score (RNS), which has been proposed as an anatomical classification system for renal masses, aiming to predict surgical outcomes for patients undergoing laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

• In the present study, 159 consecutive patients who underwent LPN were reviewed and RNS was calculated for 141 patients with solitary renal masses who had complete radiographic data.

• Renal tumours were categorized by RNS as low (nephrometry sum 4–6), intermediate (sum 7–9) and high (sum 10–12).

RESULTS

• Of the 141 patients, there were 43 (30%) low, 91 (65%) intermediate and seven (5%) high score lesions. There was no statistically significant difference in the demographics of the three groups.

• There was a significant difference in warm ischaemia time (16 vs 23 vs 31 min; P < 0.001), estimated blood loss (163 vs 312 vs 317 mL; P= 0.034) and length of hospital stay (1.2 vs 1.9 vs 2.3 days; P < 0.001) between the low, intermediate and high score groups, respectively. There was no difference in overall operative time (P= 0.862), transfusion rate (P= 0.665), complication rate (P= 0.419), preoperative creatinine clearance (P= 0.888) or postoperative creatinine clearance (P= 0.473) between the groups.

• Sixty‐one lesions (43%) were anterior and 80 (57%) were posterior. No difference was found among any intra‐operative, pathological or postoperative outcomes when comparing anterior vs posterior lesions.

CONCLUSIONS

• In patients undergoing LPN, a higher RNS was significantly associated with an increased estimated blood loss, warm ischaemia time and length of hospital stay.

• The RNS may stratify tumours based on the technical difficulty of performing LPN.
Local recurrence after tumour enucleation for renal cell carcinoma with no ablation of the tumour bed: results of a prospective single‐centre study
Authors: Minervini Andrea , Serni Sergio , Tuccio Agostino , Raspollini Maria Rosaria , Di Cristofano Claudio , Siena Giampaolo , Vittori Gianni , Saleh Omar , Lapini Alberto , Carini Marco
Published: December 2010

Study Type – Therapy (individual cohort)  Level of Evidence 2b

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

Tumour enucleation was demonstrated to be an oncologically safe conservative treatment for small renal masses in agreement with the EAU guidelines. Nevertheless, the theoretical increased risk of positive surgical margins and local recurrence, led some authors to hypothesize a possible key role of laser or diathermy ablation of the tumour bed to free the kidney parenchyma from any tumour cells that extended in the kidney parenchyma.

Our pathological and clinical results showed that tumour enucleation with no ablation of the tumour bed (e.g. diathermy, argon beam or Nd‐YAG laser) can ensure negative surgical margins and it is not associated with an increased risk of local recurrence.

OBJECTIVE

To prospectively evaluate the risk of positive surgical margins and local recurrence after blunt tumour enucleation (TE) with no ablation of the tumour bed.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between 2005 and 2007, data were gathered prospectively from 201 consecutive patients who had open TE with no ablation of the tumour bed.

Overall, 164 consecutive patients had TE for single sporadic renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

All patients had an abdominal computed tomography (CT) at the last follow‐up visit.

RESULTS

The pathological review showed that 70.2% of tumours were pT1a, 18.9% were pT1b, 1.8% were pT2 and 9.1% were pT3a.

The mean (range, interquartile range) tumour greatest dimension was 3.5 (0.5–12.5, 2.4–4.1) cm.

Although no deliberate attempt to resect normal parenchyma was performed, the pathological analysis showed the presence of a thin layer of parenchyma with a mean (range) thickness of 0.97 (0.31–1.60) mm, around the tumour. None of the patients had positive surgical margins.

At a mean (median, range) follow up of 40 (38, 25–62) months, three (1.8%) patients had local recurrence, of whom one (0.6%) had a true local recurrence at the enucleation site detected 35 months after surgery, while two had kidney recurrence elsewhere associated with concurrent systemic metastases diagnosed 16 and 13 months after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

TE with no ablation of the tumour bed is a safe technique with a local recurrence rate of 0.6%.

The histopathological analysis showed the presence of a minimal tumour‐free surgical margin, although no deliberate attempt to resect normal parenchyma is performed.
NEGATIVE PUBLICITY AND CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
Authors: DILLS ANGELA K. , HERNÁNDEZ‐JULIÁN REY
Published: December 2010

Between 1990 and 2007, the number of Catholic schools in the United States decreased by 14% and enrollment diminished by 7%. We generate two measures of publicity of sexual abuse at the diocesan level—public disclosure and news coverage. Dioceses with higher rates of negative publicity had a larger decline in both the number of Catholic schools and overall Catholic school enrollment. We estimate that publicity arising from sexual offenders within the Church explains 5% of the decline in the availability of Catholic schooling. (JEL I21, H52, H44)
HUMAN CAPITAL AND INTERETHNIC MARRIAGE DECISIONS
Authors: FURTADO DELIA
Published: December 2010

Common explanations for the generally negative relationship between education and ethnic endogamy include (1) education makes immigrants and their children better able to adapt to native culture thereby eliminating the need for a same‐ethnicity spouse and (2) education raises the likelihood of leaving ethnic enclaves, thereby decreasing the probability of meeting potential same‐ethnicity spouses. This paper considers a third option, the role of assortative matching on education. If education distributions differ by ethnicity, then spouse‐searchers may trade similarities in ethnicity for similarities in education when choosing spouses. U.S. Census data on second‐generation immigrants provide strong support for the assortative matching mechanism.(JELJ12, I21, J61)
Exploring the perceptual spaces of faces, cars and birds in children and adults
Authors: Tanaka James W. , Meixner Tamara L. , Kantner Justin
Published: December 2010

While much developmental research has focused on the strategies that children employ to recognize faces, less is known about the principles governing the organization of face exemplars in perceptual memory. In this study, we tested a novel, child‐friendly paradigm for investigating the organization of face, bird and car exemplars. Children ages 3–4, 5–6, 7–8, 9–10, 11–12 and adults were presented with 50/50 morphs of typical and atypical face, bird and car parent images. Participants were asked to judge whether the 50/50 morph more strongly resembled the typical or the atypical parent image. Young and older children and adults showed a systematic bias to the atypical faces and birds, but no bias toward the atypical cars. Collectively, these findings argue that by the age of 3, children encode and organize faces, birds and cars in a perceptual space that is strikingly similar to that of adults. Category organization for both children and adults follows Krumhansl’s (1978) distance‐density principle in which the similarity between two exemplars is jointly determined by their physical appearance and the density of neighboring exemplars in the perceptual space.
COORDINATION IN MARKETS WITH CONSUMPTION EXTERNALITIES: ADVERTISING AND PRODUCT QUALITY
Authors: PASTINE IVAN , PASTINE TUVANA
Published: December 2010

In this paper we study advertising in markets with positive consumption externalities. In such markets, we show that firms may engage in advertising competition to coordinate consumer expectations on their own brand as long as they produce goods of similar quality. The firm with the lower‐quality product has a greater incentive to advertise. Hence in equilibrium, the lower‐quality product will often be more popular.
AN ANALYSIS OF ADVERTISING WARS
Authors: CHAKRABARTI SUBHADIP , HALLER HANS
Published: December 2010

Comparative advertising by one brand against another showcases its merits versus the demerits of the other. In a two‐stage game with finitely many firms, firms decide first how much to advertise against whom. In the second stage, given the advertising configuration, firms compete as Cournot oligopolists. In the symmetric case, equilibrium advertising constitutes a clear welfare loss. In the asymmetric case, depending on parameter values, a variety of outcomes are possible in equilibrium. An a priori disadvantaged firm (in terms of advertising costs or advertising effectiveness) may advertise more. Advertising can affect firms that are not advertisers or targets themselves.
IDENTITY IN A SECOND‐PRICE SEALED BID AUCTION: AN EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION
Authors: SHAHRIAR QUAZI
Published: December 2010

Identity is a person's sense of self, derived from her membership in a group. Previous experimental studies have shown that people take more favorable actions toward the members of their own group (in‐group favoritism). This paper proposes a simple model of identity to capture this in‐group favoritism in a private‐value second‐price sealed bid auction and reports the result of an experiment designed to test the predictions of the model. Consistent with the predictions, the data reveal that bids and seller revenue are higher when the seller belongs to the same group as the buyers compared with when the seller belong to a different group.
USING COST OBSERVATION TO REGULATE A MANAGER WHO HAS A PREFERENCE FOR EMPIRE‐BUILDING
Authors: BORGES ANA PINTO , CORREIA‐DA‐SILVA JOÃO
Published: December 2010

We study regulation of a manager who has a preference for empire‐building (high output), in the presence of moral hazard (unobservable effort) and adverse selection (unobservable productivity). We find that the optimal contract is linear in cost, being composed by a fixed payment plus a partial cost reimbursement. The preference for higher output reduces the manager's tendency to announce that his or her productivity is low, allowing a more powered incentive scheme (a lower fraction of the cost is reimbursed), which alleviates the problem of moral hazard.
R&D AS A PRISONER'S DILEMMA AND R&D‐AVOIDING CARTELS
Authors: AMIR RABAH , GARCIA FILOMENA , HALMENSCHLAGER CHRISTINE , PAIS JOANA
Published: December 2010

Duopoly firms engaged in a standard two‐stage game of R&D and Cournot competition are caught in a prisoner's dilemma for their R&D decisions whenever spillover effects are low. This effect works to the advantage of consumers and society. This result provides an interesting perspective on the well‐known wedge between private and social incentives for R&D. The prisoner's dilemma is the key effect behind this wedge under low spillovers. The latter take over when sufficiently high, as is widely recognized. This mutually exclusive nature of the prisoner's dilemma and significant spillovers also serves to explain the incentives to form R&D cartels.
Ferrans and Powers’ Quality of life index applied in urinary incontinence research – a pilot study
Authors: Rannestad Toril , Skjeldestad Finn Egil
Published: December 2010

Scand J Caring Sci; 2011; 25; 410–416
 
Ferrans and Powers’ Quality of life index applied in urinary incontinence research – a pilot study

Background:  The aim of this study was to explore the usefulness of applying a global, evaluation‐based quality of life (QoL) questionnaire in assessing the impact of urinary incontinence (UI) on women’s lives.

Methods:  The study population comprised long‐term gynaecological cancer survivors (n = 160) and controls from the general population (n = 493). The presence of UI was assessed by the question ‘Do you leak urine?’ while UI perceived as a problem was assessed on a five‐point scale from ‘No problem’ to ‘A very large problem’. QoL was measured by Ferrans & Powers’ QoL index (QLI), generic version II.

Results:  UI was distributed equally among women with a history of gynaecological cancer and among women from the general population (34%). UI has a negative impact on overall QLI as well as a wide range of items. Approximately 20% of the incontinent women defined UI as no problem, with QLI scores similar to continent women. Only 5% experienced UI as a large/very large problem; with exceptionally low QLI scores. The psychometric testing of QLI (acceptability, internal consistency reliability and known‐group validity) supports the use of QLI in UI‐studies.

Conclusions:  The Ferrans & Powers’ QLI is considered an acceptable tool for UI research, but further psychometric testing is required.
Large‐Sample Evidence on Firms’ Year‐over‐Year MD&A Modifications
Authors: BROWN STEPHEN V. , TUCKER JENNIFER WU
Published: December 2010

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has expressed concern about the informativeness of firms’ Management Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) disclosures. A firm's MD&A is potentially uninformative if it does not change appreciably from the previous year after significant economic changes at the firm. We introduce a measure for narrative disclosure—the degree to which the MD&A differs from the previous disclosure—and provide three findings on the usefulness of MD&A disclosure. First, firms with larger economic changes modify the MD&A more than those with smaller economic changes. Second, the magnitude of stock price responses to 10‐K filings is positively associated with the MD&A modification score, but analyst earnings forecast revisions are unassociated with the score, suggesting that investors—but not analysts—use MD&A information. Finally, MD&A modification scores have declined in the past decade even as MD&A disclosures have become longer; the price reaction to MD&A modification scores has also weakened, suggesting a decline in MD&A usefulness.
HCN channelopathy in epilepsy
Authors: Poolos Nicholas P.
Published: December 2010

Hyperpolarization‐activated, cyclic nucleotide‐gated (HCN) channels are voltage‐gated ion channels that influence neuronal excitability in brain regions implicated in both focal and generalized epilepsies. Dysregulation of HCN channel function occurs in many animal models of epilepsy; understanding HCN channel regulation may lead to novel therapies for the prevention and treatment of human epilepsy. For an expanded treatment of this topic see Jasper’s Basic Mechanisms of the Epilepsies, Fourth Edition (Noebels JL, Avoli M, Rogawski MA, Olsen RW, Delgado‐Escueta AV, eds) published by Oxford University Press (available on the National Library of Medicine Bookshelf [NCBI] at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books).
Imaging of hippocampal circuits in epilepsy
Authors: Takano Hajime , Coulter Douglas A.
Published: December 2010

Seizures and epilepsy are fundamentally neuronal circuit phenomena. This article describes the development and application of multiple dynamic imaging techniques that, in combination, facilitate the elucidation of hippocampal circuit function in animal models of epilepsy. This combined approach has significant promise in furthering our understanding of the mechanisms underlying epilepsy. For an expanded treatment of this topic see Jasper’s Basic Mechanisms of the Epilepsies, Fourth Edition (Noebels JL, Avoli M, Rogawski MA, Olsen RW, Delgado‐Escueta AV, eds) published by Oxford University Press (available on the National Library of Medicine Bookshelf [NCBI] at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books).
Neocortical posttraumatic epileptogenesis
Authors: Prince David A. , Parada Isabel , Li Huifang , McDonald Whitney , Graber Kevin
Published: December 2010

Development of new excitatory connectivity and decreases in γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic inhibition are mechanisms underlying posttraumatic epileptogenesis in animal models. Experimental strategies that interfere with these processes, applied between the trauma and seizure onset, are antiepileptogenic in the laboratory, and have promise for prophylaxis of epileptogenesis after cortical injury in humans. For an expanded treatment of this topic see Jasper’s Basic Mechanisms of the Epilepsies, Fourth Edition (Noebels JL, Avoli M, Rogawski MA, Olsen RW, Delgado‐Escueta AV, eds) National Library of Medicine Bookshelf [NCBI] at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books).
Head trauma and epilepsy
Authors: Pitkänen Asla , Bolkvadze Tamuna
Published: December 2010

Posttraumatic epilepsy (PTE) is defined as a recurrent seizure disorder due to injury to the brain following head trauma. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) accounts for 20% of symptomatic epilepsy in the general population and 5% of all epilepsy. Prevention or suppression of the development of PTE is a major unmet challenge in medicine. For an expanded treatment of this topic see Jasper’s Basic Mechanisms of the Epilepsies, Fourth Edition (Noebels JL, Avoli M, Rogawski MA, Olsen RW, Delgado‐Escueta AV, eds) published by Oxford University Press (available on the National Library of Medicine Bookshelf [NCBI] at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books).
Fever, febrile seizures, and epileptogenesis
Authors: Dubé Céline M. , McClelland Shawn , Choy ManKin , Brewster Amy L. , Noam Yoav , Baram Tallie Z.
Published: December 2010

Febrile seizures (FS) are common and are associated with increased probability of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). However, whether FS can provoke TLE in the nonpredisposed brain is unknown. Using an immature rat model, we established that long FS cause TLE, and that duration of FS governed the severity of epilepsy. Epileptogenesis was accompanied, perhaps causally, by ion channel dysfunction and inflammatory changes. Because FS are a prevalent antecedent of TLE, studying the epileptogenesis that follows them provides powerful insight and potential therapies for epilepsy. For an expanded treatment of this topic see Jasper’s Basic Mechanisms of the Epilepsies, Fourth Edition (Noebels JL, Avoli M, Rogawski MA, Olsen RW, Delgado‐Escueta AC, eds) published by Oxford University Press (available on the National Library of Medicine Bookshelf [NCBI] at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books).
Alterations in synaptic function in epilepsy
Authors: Bernard Christophe
Published: December 2010

Epilepsy often results from a brain insult. Herein, I describe the complex time‐dependent alterations in glutamatergic and γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic circuitry triggered by the initial insult. I will relate these modifications to the occurrence of the first spontaneous seizure, the development of epileptogenic networks, and associated cognitive deficits. For an expanded treatment of this topic see Jasper’s Basic Mechanisms of the Epilepsies, Fourth Edition (Noebels JL, Avoli M, Rogawski MA, Olsen RW, Delgado‐Escueta AV, eds) published by Oxford University Press (available on the National Library of Medicine Bookshelf [NCBI] at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books).
GABAA receptor plasticity in alcohol withdrawal
Authors: Olsen Richard W. , Spigelman Igor
Published: December 2010

Chronic intermittent ethanol (CIE) treatment and withdrawal in rats produces behavioral changes that models human alcohol dependence, including increased seizure susceptibility, and can be explained by plastic changes in inhibitory neurotransmission involving γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)A receptors. For an expanded treatment of this topic see Jasper’s Basic Mechanisms of the Epilepsies, Fourth Edition (Noebels JL, Avoli M, Rogawski MA, Olsen RW, Delgado‐Escueta AC, eds) published by Oxford University Press (available on the National Library of Medicine Bookshelf [NCBI] at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books).
Chloride homeostasis and GABA signaling in temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Kaila Kai , Miles Richard
Published: December 2010

Two electron‐neutral, cation‐chloride cotransporters control intraneuronal chloride ion concentration (Cl−). The Na‐K‐2Cl cotransporter‐1 mediates Cl− influx while the K‐Cl cotransporter‐2 (KCC2) extrudes Cl−, assuring that γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic signals hyperpolarize neurons. KCC2 is downregulated in pyramidal cells from human temporal lobe epilepsy and experimental focal epilepsy, inducing a depolarizing shift in response to GABA. For an expanded treatment of this topic see Jasper’s Basic Mechanisms of the Epilepsies, Fourth Edition (Noebels JL, Avoli M, Rogawski MA, Olsen RW, Delgado‐Escueta AV, eds) published by Oxford University Press (available on the National Library of Medicine Bookshelf [NCBI] at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books).
Glia–neuron interactions: Neurosteroids
Authors: Biagini Giuseppe , Avoli Massimo
Published: December 2010

Glial cells have both beneficial and detrimental effects on recovery from brain damage and play a role in epileptogenesis. Herein, we summarize evidence indicating that the ability of astrocytes to produce neurosteroids that reinforce γ‐aminobutyric acid receptor A (GABAA) functions impinge on epileptogenesis, as shown in temporal lobe epilepsy models. For an expanded treatment of this topic see Jasper’s Basic Mechanisms of the Epilepsies, Fourth Edition (Noebels JL, Avoli M, Rogawski MA, Olsen RW, Delgado‐Escueta AV, eds) published by Oxford University Press (available on the National Library of Medicine Bookshelf [NCBI] at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books).
Na+ channel mutations and epilepsy
Authors: Catterall William A.
Published: December 2010

Voltage‐gated Na+ channels are the molecular targets for mutations that cause several epilepsy syndromes. Mutations that impair the function of NaV1.1 channels cause reduced Na+ currents and failure of electrical excitability in γγ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic interneurons, providing a potential mechanism for hyperexcitability in a spectrum of Na+ channel epilepsy syndromes. For an expanded treatment of this topic see Jasper’s Basic Mechanisms of the Epilepsies, Fourth Edition (Noebels JL, Avoli M, Rogawski MA, Olsen RW, Delgado‐Escueta AV, eds) published by Oxford University Press (available on the National Library of Medicine Bookshelf [NCBI] at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books).
Voltage‐gated calcium channel mutations andabsence epilepsy
Authors: Noebels Jeffrey L.
Published: December 2010

Spontaneous mutation of the gene encoding theP/Q voltage‐gated calcium ion channel alpha subunit proved to be the first identified cause of absence epilepsy, and subsequent exploration of other members within this gene family has had a major impact on our understanding of how inherited errors of single genes lead to specific epileptic phenotypes. For an expanded treatment of this topic see Jasper’s Basic Mechanisms of the Epilepsies, Fourth Edition (Noebels JL, Avoli M, Rogawski MA, Olsen RW, Delgado‐Escueta AV, eds) published by Oxford University Press (available on the National Library of Medicine Bookshelf [NCBI] at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books).
The GABAAγ2(R43Q) mouse model of humangenetic epilepsy
Authors: Petrou Steven
Published: December 2010

γ‐Aminobutyric acid (GABA)A receptors mediate phasic and tonic inhibition in the brain, and epilepsy‐associated mutations are found in GABAA genes. This chapter discusses a mouse model of human genetic epilepsy and how it has informed our understanding of the role of GABAA receptor dysfunction in patients. For an expanded treatment of this topic see Jasper’s Basic Mechanisms of the Epilepsies, Fourth Edition (Noebels JL, Avoli M, Rogawski MA, Olsen RW, Delgado‐Escueta AV, eds) published by Oxford University Press (available on the National Library of Medicine Bookshelf [NCBI] at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books).
Genetic epilepsies and GABAA receptor mutations
Authors: Macdonald Robert L. , Kang Jing‐Qiong , Gallagher Martin J.
Published: December 2010

Idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE) syndromes are associated with ion channel gene mutations including GABAA receptor subunit gene (GABR) mutations. GABAA receptors are the primary mediators of central nervous system (CNS) inhibitory synaptic transmission, and GABR mutations have been shown to produce GABAergic disinhibition by altering GABAA receptor function and/or impairing receptor biogenesis. For an expanded treatment of this topic see Jasper’s Basic Mechanisms of the Epilepsies, Fourth Edition (Noebels JL, Avoli M, Rogawski MA, Olsen RW, Delgado‐Escueta AV, eds) published by Oxford University Press (available on the National Library of Medicine Bookshelf [NCBI] at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books).
Aristaless‐related homeobox mutations
Authors: Marsh Eric D. , Golden Jeffrey A.
Published: December 2010

Mutations in the Aristaless‐related homeobox gene (ARX) are linked to infantile spasms and other developmental epilepsies. How loss of Arx leads to epilepsy is not well understood. This review will discuss the spectrum of Arx disorders and the emerging evidence, from animal models, of the function of Arx during development and the potential role in generating an epilepsy phenotype. For an expanded treatment of this topic see Jasper’s Basic Mechanisms of the Epilepsies, Fourth Edition (Noebels JL, Avoli M, Rogawski MA, Olsen RW, Delgado‐Escueta AV, eds) published by Oxford University Press (available on the National Library of Medicine Bookshelf [NCBI] at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books).
Myoclonin1/EFHC1 disease mechanisms in JME
Authors: Grisar Thierry , LoTurco Joseph , Daga Andrea , Delgado‐Escueta Antonio V.
Published: December 2010

Myoclonin1/EFHC1 mutations cause 9% of juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) by impairing apoptosis in neurons/synapses where R type voltage dependent calcium channel function is altered, imbuing susceptibility to myoclonic and grand mal seizures. By disrupting mitotic spindle assembly and radial migration of neuroblasts, mutations could produce abnormal intracortical architecture upon which epileptogenesis is established. For an expanded treatment of this topic see Jasper’s Basic Mechanisms of the Epilepsies, Fourth Edition (Noebels JL, Avoli M, Rogawski MA, Olsen RW, Delgado‐Escueta AV, eds) published by Oxford University Press (available on the National Library of Medicine Bookshelf [NCBI] at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books).
Unverricht‐Lundborg disease and ceroid lipofuscinoses
Authors: Lehesjoki Anna‐Elina , Gardiner Richard Mark
Published: December 2010

Unverricht‐Lundborg disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by stimulus‐sensitive myoclonus, epileptic seizures, and ataxia. It is associated with mutations in the Cystatin B gene. The neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses are a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by the intracellular accumulation of autofluorescent lipopigment. Mutations in eight genes have been identified. For an expanded treatment of this topic see Jasper’s Basic Mechanisms of the Epilepsies, Fourth Edition (Noebels JL, Avoli M, Rogawski MA, Olsen RW, Delgado‐Escueta AC, eds) published by Oxford University Press (available on the National Library of Medicine Bookshelf [NCBI] at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books).
Migraine and epilepsy: Shared mechanisms?
Authors: Rogawski Michael A.
Published: December 2010

Migraine and epilepsy are comorbid conditions that have many clinical similarities. There are also cellular physiologic similarities, and some antiepileptic drugs are prophylactic in migraine, suggesting common pathophysiologic elements. The most compelling evidence comes from familial hemiplegic migraine, in which migraine and epilepsy can be caused by mutations in the same gene. For an expanded treatment of this topic see Jasper’s Basic Mechanisms of the Epilepsies, Fourth Edition (Noebels JL, Avoli M, Rogawski MA, Olsen RW, Delgado‐Escueta AV, eds) published by Oxford University Press (available on the National Library of Medicine Bookshelf [NCBI] at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books).
Targeting SV2A for discovery of antiepileptic drugs
Authors: Kaminski Rafal M. , Gillard Michel , Klitgaard Henrik
Published: December 2010

Levetiracetam’s (Keppra) binding site and its subsequent identification as the synaptic vesicle protein 2A (SV2A) enabled the discovery of high affinity SV2A ligands with promising anticonvulsant properties. Among these, brivaracetam was selected for further development. SV2A represents an important antiepileptic drug target validated in both preclinical and clinical studies. For an expanded treatment of this topic see Jasper’s basic mechanisms of the epilepsies. 4th ed. (Noebels JL, Avoli M, Rogawski MA, Olsen RW, Delgado‐Escueta AV, eds) published by Oxford University Press (available on the National Library of Medicine Bookshelf [NCBI] at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books).
Mechanisms of ketogenic diet action
Authors: Masino Susan A. , Rho Jong M.
Published: December 2010

Metabolic changes likely related to the anticonvulsant efficacy of the ketogenic diet include—but are not limited to—ketosis, reduced glucose, elevated fatty acid levels, and enhanced bioenergetic reserves. This review highlights the complex interrelationships between reduced seizures and metabolic adaptations that modulate neuronal excitability and may even afford neuroprotection. For an expanded treatment of this topic see Jasper’s basic mechanisms of the epilepsies. 4th ed. (Noebels JL, Avoli M, Rogawski MA, Olsen RW, Delgado‐Escueta AV, eds) published by Oxford University Press (available on the National Library of Medicine Bookshelf [NCBI] at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books).
Gene therapy of focal‐onset epilepsy by adeno‐associated virus vector‐mediated overexpression of neuropeptide Y
Authors: Noe’ Francesco M. , Sørensen Andreas T. , Kokaia Merab , Vezzani Annamaria
Published: December 2010

Adeno‐associated virus (AAV)–mediated neuropeptide Y (NPY) overexpression in areas of seizure onset or generalization may be effective for the treatment of pharmacoresistant seizures in focal onset epilepsy. NPY overexpression mediates anticonvulsant activity in various seizures models and antiepileptogenic effects in kindling. Side effects are limited thus suggesting that this therapeutic approach could be effective and relatively safe. For an expanded treatment of this topic see Jasper’s basic mechanisms of the epilepsies. 4th ed. (Noebels JL, Avoli M, Rogawski MA, Olsen RW, Delgado‐Escueta AV, eds) published by Oxford University Press (available on the National Library of Medicine Bookshelf [NCBI] at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books).
Analysis of RhCE variants among 806 individuals in France: considerations for transfusion safety, with emphasis on patients with sickle cell disease
Authors: Pham Bach‐Nga , Peyrard Thierry , Juszczak Genevieve , Beolet Marylise , Deram Geneviève , Martin‐Blanc Stéphanie , Dubeaux Isabelle , Roussel Michèle , Kappler‐Gratias Sandrine , Gien Dominique , Poupel Sylvie , Rouger Philippe , Le Pennec Pierre‐Yves
Published: December 2010

BACKGROUND: DNA testing has enabled the documenting of numerous variants of RHCE alleles, especially in individuals of African origin. The risk for production of clinically significant alloantibodies to Rh antigens of patients carrying variant RHCE alleles has led us to analyze the different RhCE variants investigated by molecular biology. Alloimmunization was analyzed regarding the RHCE genetic profile.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Samples from 806 individuals with altered expression of RhCE antigens and/or producing anti‐RhCE in the presence of the corresponding antigen were analyzed.

RESULTS: A total of 572 individuals were shown to express RhCE variants. Variant RHCE*ce alleles and RH haplotypes were identified in 83% of cases, the most frequent ones being the RN haplotype, the ceMO allele, the (C)ces haplotype/ces1006 allele, and the ceAR allele identified in 36, 23, 20, and 17% of the tested samples, respectively. The absence of a high‐prevalence Rh antigen was documented in 93 individuals. Partial C and partial e were expressed by 53% of individuals with RhCE variants. Rh antibodies were identified in 127 (20%) of 623 patients. They were found to be alloantibodies in 48 (38%) of these 127 patients. Alloimmunization against a high‐prevalence Rh antigen was detected in 25% of cases.

CONCLUSION: The challenge in clinical red blood cell (RBC) transfusion of patients with sickle cell disease, notably, would be to provide not only phenotypically matched, but also genetically matched, RBC units regarding RhCE variants.
Among very‐low‐birth‐weight neonates is red blood cell transfusion an independent risk factor for subsequently developing a severe intraventricular hemorrhage?
Authors: Baer Vickie L. , Lambert Diane K. , Henry Erick , Snow Gregory L. , Butler Allison , Christensen Robert D.
Published: December 2010

BACKGROUND: A severe intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in a preterm neonate can result in life‐long disabilities or death. Pathogenic mechanisms responsible for IVH are incompletely understood. We postulated that if the timing of a severe IVH could be approximated by serial ultrasound, potentially relevant antecedents could be identified.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We retrospectively identified all very‐low‐birth‐weight (VLBW) neonates in our health system, over a 5‐year period, with an initial head ultrasound showing no hemorrhage but a subsequent ultrasound showing a Grade 3 or 4. Controls that did not develop an IVH were matched with cases using demographic features and degree of illness measures.

RESULTS: Fifty‐four cases were matched (1:2) with controls. No differences were found between cases and controls in initial pH, sepsis, ventilation, coagulation studies, or proportion with severe thrombocytopenia. However, during the period when the head ultrasound was normal, cases were more likely to have had a red blood cell (RBC) transfusion (p < 0.001). In 94% of the cases the sequence was 1) no IVH, 2) RBC transfusion, and 3) severe IVH. With the use of logistic regression, each subsequent RBC transfusion during the first week was determined to double the risk of a severe IVH (each transfusion increases relative risk, 2.02; 95% confidence interval, 1.54‐3.33). Sensitivity analysis indicated a high likelihood that RBC transfusion, independent of hemoglobin level or other factors, increases the risk of developing a severe IVH.

CONCLUSION: These findings suggest a new hypothesis. Namely, RBC transfusions given before the development of an IVH are an independent risk factor for developing a severe IVH.
Milked for All They are Worth: Hokkaido Dairies and Chinese Workers
Authors: Hansen Paul
Published: December 2010

This article underscores the desperation of two very different groups of people; the owners of Hokkaido dairy farms and the economic migrant workers, often young Chinese nationals, who labor for them. The central argument is that rural economic and social decline in Hokkaido is due in part to Japan's centralist political and economic policies; policies that, by and large, are based on a model of rice production and this practice's often perceived linkage with socio‐cultural homogeneity. Such official policy is, however, viewed by many Hokkaido locals as a hindrance wherein the “Otherness” of the region and of dairy work are not accounted for. What follows is based on the assumption that the reader is not a specialist in Japanese area studies but is interested in comparing and thinking philosophically about humans, agriculture, and policy. It begins with a brief explanation of how the topic was “discovered” during ethnographic research. It then shifts to the history and image of Hokkaido and of dairy work as “Other,” as a form of agriculture perceived to be on the periphery of normative Japanese domestic daily life—an irony given the official government status of dairy as the only essential food industry alongside rice production. It underscores why exploitative practices are deemed necessary by owners and acceptable by staff. This is followed by the thrust of the article, an ethnographic example detailing the experiences of one dairy owner and of two young workers from Outer Mongolia. It also contrasts the otherness of their dairy farm experience with Japanese employees; notably young Japanese “furiita‐” (non‐permanent staff). Finally, the paper addresses the challenges that marginal agriculturalists face in their search for economic, social, and ontological security.
Dishonest Behavior: The Impact of Prior Self‐Regulatory Exertion and Personality
Authors: Gotlib Tomer , Converse Patrick
Published: December 2010

The current study examined how prior self‐regulatory exertion and the personality characteristics of self‐control, integrity, and conscientiousness contribute to dishonest behavior. Participants completed measures of these 3 personality characteristics, followed by either a self‐control typing task or a non‐self‐control version of the task. They were then told to complete a clerical task, for which they were compensated, until the end of the experiment session. Participants were left alone during this task, and had the opportunity to leave before the designated end time. Results indicated that participants who initially completed the self‐control task were more likely to leave the experiment early than were participants who initially completed the non‐self‐control task. In addition, self‐control and integrity were negatively associated with dishonest behavior.
Death Qualification as Systematic Exclusion of Jurors With Certain Religious and Other Characteristics
Authors: Summers Alicia , Hayward R. David , Miller Monica K.
Published: December 2010

The death‐qualification process has been criticized because it tends to eliminate certain groups of individuals at a higher rate than others. This study examined whether the process systematically excludes jurors based on religious characteristics, justice philosophy, cognitive processing, and demographics. Results indicated that death qualification can be predicted by religious affiliation, devotionalism, fundamentalism, and Biblical interpretism; but not evangelism. Death qualification is predicted by the belief that murderers deserved to die, but not by beliefs that criminals deserve mercy, forgiveness, or payback. Cognitive processing had no impact on death qualification. Finally, gender and race predicted death qualification, while age and prior jury duty did not. These results are discussed in terms of implications for perceived legitimacy of the system.
A Comparison of Outcome for Stroke Patients in Barbados and South London
Authors: Smeeton Nigel C. , Corbin David O. C. , Hennis Anselm J. M. , Hambleton Ian R. , Rose Angela M. C. , Fraser Henry S. , Heuschmann Peter U. , Wolfe Charles D. A.
Published: December 2010

Background and aims

Little is known about the poststroke outcome in Caribbean populations. We investigated differences in the activities of daily living, level of social activities, living circumstances and survival for stroke patients in Barbados and London.

Methods

Data were collected from the South London Stroke Register and the Barbados Register of Strokes for patients with a first-ever stroke registered between January 2001 and December 2004. The ability to perform activities of daily living was measured by the Barthel Index and level of social activities by the Frenchay Activities Index. Living circumstances were categorised into private household vs. institutional care. Death and dependency, activities of daily living and social activities were assessed at three-months, one- and two-years using logistic regression, adjusted for differences in demographic, socioeconomic and stroke severity characteristics.

Results

At three-months, a high level of social activities was more likely for the Barbados Register of Strokes (odds ratio 1·84; 95% confidence interval 1·03–3·29); there were no differences in activities of daily living; and Barbados Register of Strokes patients were less likely to be in institutional care (relative risk ratio 0·38; 95% confidence interval 0·18–0·79). Following adjustment, Barbados Register of Strokes patients had a higher risk of mortality at three-months (relative risk ratio 1·85; 95% confidence interval 1·03–3·30), one-year (relative risk ratio 1·83; 95% confidence interval 1·08–3·09) and two-years (relative risk ratio 1·82; 95% confidence interval 1·08–3·07). This difference was due to early poststroke deaths; for patients alive at four-weeks poststroke, survival thereafter was similar in both settings.

Conclusions

In Barbados, there was evidence for a healthy survivor effect, and short-term social activity was greater than that in the South London Stroke Register.
CARBONIFEROUS NON‐MARINE SOURCE ROCKS FROM SPITSBERGEN AND BJØRNØYA: COMPARISON WITH THE WESTERN ARCTIC
Authors: van Koeverden J.H. , Karlsen D. A. , Backer‐Owe K.
Published: December 2010

In this paper, we demonstrate that Carboniferous coaly and lacustrine strata have significant liquid hydrocarbon potential in an area extending from the Norwegian Barents Sea in the east to the Canadian Arctic in the west. Organic geochemical analyses were conducted on seven coals and coaly shales from the islands of Spitsbergen (Svalbard archipelago) and Bjørnøya (Norwegian Barents Sea). The results were interpreted in the context of published data from the two areas, and of time‐equivalent non‐marine successions on the Finnmark Platform (Norwegian Barents Sea), East Greenland, and the Sverdrup Basin (Canadian Arctic). In each of these areas, a warm and humid climate, together with the onset of rifting on the northern Pangea margin, facilitated the deposition and preservation of organic‐rich non‐marine sediments on a regional scale. All of the sediments have an elevated content of liptinitic macerals, dominated by alginite or sporinite. In the studied areas, the prolific younger source rocks which may be common in adjacent regions are often immature or absent. The identification of Carboniferous terrestrial strata with source rock potential may therefore enhance the petroleum potential of the studied regions.
ORGANIC GEOCHEMISTRY OF POTENTIAL SOURCE ROCKS IN THE TERTIARY DINGQINGHU FORMATION, NIMA BASIN, CENTRAL TIBET
Authors: Wang Licheng , Wang Chengshan , Li Yalin , Zhu Lidong , Wei Yushuai
Published: December 2010

The Tertiary Nima Basin in central Tibet covers an area of some 3000 km2 and is closely similar to the nearby Lunpola Basin from which commercial volumes of oil have been produced. In this paper, we report on the source rock potential of the Oligocene Dingqinghu Formation from measured outcrop sections on the southern and northern margins of the Nima Basin.

In the south of the Nima Basin, potential source rocks in the Dingqinghu Formation comprise dark‐coloured marls with total organic carbon (TOC) contents of up to 4.3 wt % and Hydrogen Index values (HI) up to 849 mg HC/g TOC. The organic matter is mainly composed of amorphous sapropelinite corresponding to Type I kerogen. Rock‐Eval Tmax (430–451°C) and vitrinite reflectance (Rr) (average Rr= 0.50%) show that the organic matter is marginally mature. The potential yield (up to 36.95 mg HC/g rock) and a plot of S2 versus TOC suggest that the marls have moderate to good source rock potential. They are interpreted to have been deposited in a stratified palaeolake with occasionally anoxic and hypersaline conditions, and the source of the organic matter was dominated by algae as indicated by biomarker analyses.

Potential source rocks from the north of the basin comprise dark shales and marls with a TOC content averaging 9.7 wt % and HI values up to 389 mg HC/g TOC. Organic matter consists mainly of amorphous sapropelinite and vitrinite with minor sporinite, corresponding to Type II‐III kerogen. This is consistent with the kerogen type suggested by cross‐plots of HI versus Tmax and H/C versus O/C. The Tmax and Rr results indicate that the samples are immature to marginally mature. These source rocks, interpreted to have been deposited under oxic conditions with a dominant input of terrigenous organic matter, have moderate petroleum potential. The Dingqinghu Formation in the Nima Basin therefore has some promise in terms of future exploration potential.
‘Platoon’ Friendship of the Soviet Academic Diaspora
Authors: Isaakyan Irina
Published: December 2010

This article responds toBrubaker's (2005)concerns about the ‘“diaspora” diaspora’ effect on sociology of national identity and migration, and the related thought byKaplan (2007)about a national community as something more tangible and close‐knit than just ‘imagined’ byAnderson (1991). I refer to the ideas of the occupational ‘platoon’– derived fromShils (1957)andHearn (2006)– and platoon friendship as representing the occupation–friendship–nationalism conflation. Having conducted narrative‐biographic interviews with twenty‐five Russian academics now residing in the United Kingdom and the United States, I look at how they understand their new, diasporic spaces as impacted by their Soviet platoon friendship – a feature that could be used as a criterion for recognising a putative diaspora.