bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molecular identification of a phytoplasma associated with Elm witches’‐broom in China
Authors: Gao R. , Wang J. , Shao Y.‐H. , Li X.‐D. , Yang B.‐H. , Chang W.‐C. , Zhao W.‐J. , Zhu S.‐F.
Published: September 2010

Elm samples with and without witches’‐broom symptoms (EWB) were collected from Tai’an and Zhaoyuan, Shandong Province, China. Phytoplasmal cells were observed in the phloem cells of symptomatic plants under electron microscope. Specific fragments of about 1.2 kb in length were amplified with nested‐PCR from symptomatic samples, while no fragment was obtained from healthy plants. The 16S rRNA gene sequences of the phytoplasmas associated with elm witches’‐broom in Tai’an (EWB‐TA) and Zhaoyuan (EWB‐ZHY) had high similarities, and formed a sublineage in phylogenetic tree, with members of subgroup B or D of aster yellows group (16SrI). Computer simulated restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of 16S rRNA gene revealed that EWB‐TA and EWB‐ZHY patterns had similarity coefficients of 1.00 with the pattern from the representative strains of subgroup 16SrI‐B, and had a similarity coefficient of lower than 0.97 with representatives of other subgroups. These results indicated that the phytoplasma strain associated with elm witches’‐broom in China was very closely related to ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris’ OAY, belonging to subgroup‐B of aster yellows group (16SrI‐B). This is the first report of a phytoplasma associated with elm witches’‐broom disease in China.
Antioxidant Defence System of Boar Cauda Epididymidal Spermatozoa and Reproductive Tract Fluids
Authors: Koziorowska‐Gilun M , Koziorowski M , Fraser L , Strzeżek J
Published: September 2010

Contents

Antioxidants secreted by the reproductive tract protect spermatozoa against the toxic effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS) after ejaculation. This study aimed at characterizing the level of antioxidant protection in boar cauda epididymidal spermatozoa and fluids of the cauda epididymidis, vesicular and prostate glands. Also, this study investigated the effect of a 5‐h period of dialysis on the antioxidant capacity of boar seminal plasma. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione transferase (GST) and phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (PHGPx) activities were monitored in the cauda epididymidal spermatozoa or reproductive tract fluids. Also, the concentrations of total glutathione (GSH + GSSG), l‐ergothioneine (ERT) and l‐ascorbate and the total antioxidant status (TAS) of the fluids were measured. It was found that the cauda epididymidal spermatozoa exhibited high SOD activity and relatively low activity of PHGPx. The relative amounts of GPx, GR and GST activities in the cauda epididymidal spermatozoa were negligible, whereas CAT activity was undetectable. Greater SOD activity was found in the fluids of the cauda epididymidis and prostate gland. Furthermore, the prostate gland fluid appeared to be the main source of CAT activity in the seminal plasma, whereas the highest level of GPx activity was derived from the cauda epididymidal fluid. The reproductive tract fluids exhibited negligible amounts of GR and GST activities. It seemed that the significant amounts of GSH + GSSG, ERT and l‐ascorbate in the reproductive tract fluids could have an ameliorative effect on the level of TAS in the seminal plasma. Dialysis had a marked effect on the total antioxidant capacity of the seminal plasma, which was manifested in greater activity of SOD and GPx. The findings of this study confirmed that the scavenging potential of the seminal plasma is dependent on the contributions of different antioxidants, originating in various fluids of boar reproductive tract.
Differential mRNA Expression in Rabbit In vivo Pre‐implantatory Embryos
Authors: Saenz‐de‐Juano MD , Peñaranda DS , Marco‐Jiménez F , Llobat L , Vicente JS
Published: September 2010

Contents

To study genes involved in embryo developmental competence and implantation in rabbits, the expression of a panel of genes related to pluripotency, angiogenesis, proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation were evaluated in late rabbit blastocysts. Thirty nulliparous does were used to obtain a total of 184 in vivo‐derived blastocysts on days 4, 5 and 6 of development. The relative transcript abundance of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), epidermal growth factor receptor 3 (erbB3), transforming growth factor β2 (TGF β2) and transcription factor OCT‐4 were analysed from eight pools of each stage of development, using quantitative real‐time reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (qrtRT‐PCR). mRNA expression was detected for all genes in 4‐, 5‐ and 6‐day‐old blastocysts, according to blastocyst growth and implantation proximity. Significant differences in OCT‐4, VEGF and TGF β2 expression were observed between days of development. Results show a down‐regulation of OCT‐4 from the 4th day, contrasting with the up‐regulation of VEGF and TGF β2 at 6‐day‐old blastocyst. These findings corroborate the importance of VEGF and TGF β2 in rabbit embryo development and implantation and suggest a possible regulator role of OCT‐4 in embryonic angiogenetic factors. On the other hand, no differences were found for erbB3 expression. Therefore, the study of specific gene transcripts in rabbit blastocyst could provide novel embryo developmental competence markers and might be used as a new tool for further studies of embryo quality and in vitro development.
Failure of islet β‐cell compensation for insulin resistance causes type 2 diabetes: What causes non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease and non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis?
Authors: Nolan Christopher J
Published: September 2010

See article in J. Gastroenterol. Hepatol. 2010; 25: 1687–1691.
Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease's prevalence and impact on alanine aminotransferase associated with metabolic syndrome in the Chinese
Authors: Hou Xu‐hong , Zhu Yun‐xia , Lu Hui‐juan , Chen Hui‐fen , Li Qiang , Jiang Shan , Xiang Kun‐san , Jia Wei‐ping
Published: September 2010

Background and Aim:  Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is becoming a major public health hazard in China. The present study aimed to estimate the prevalence of NAFLD, NAFLD with abnormal serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, and determine the potential associations of ALT levels with the components of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in the absence or presence of NAFLD in Chinese adults.

Methods:  A population‐based cross‐sectional survey was conducted with 2226 participants. Physical examinations, laboratory tests and hepatic ultrasounds were performed. Individuals were further stratified into higher or lower ALT subgroups with the upper quartiles of ALT in this population. The MetS was identified according to the criteria of the Chinese Joint Committee for Developing Chinese Guidelines (JCDCG).

Results:  The standardized prevalence of NAFLD was 23.3% (NAFLD with abnormal ALT levels, 3.1%), 26.5% (NAFLD with abnormal ALT levels, 5.1%) in males, and 19.7% (NAFLD with abnormal ALT levels, 0.9%) in females. Multivariate logistic analysis revealed that higher ALT was significantly associated with elevated triglyceride (TG) in the non‐NAFLD participants, independent of age, smoking status, drinking status, and other MetS‐related measures with odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) of 3.4 (1.6–7.1) and 2.3 (1.4–3.7) in males and females, respectively. On the other hand, the higher ALT was statistically associated with elevated TG and hyperglycemia in the NAFLD cases with odds ratios of 2.2 to 2.5 (P < 0.05).

Conclusions:  The prevalence of NAFLD has become epidemic in Shanghai adults. NAFLD combined with ALT levels may be used to identify the individuals at the different risk levels of metabolic disorders.
Single photon emission computed tomography in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension
Authors: SOLER Xavier , HOH Carl K. , TEST Victor J. , KERR Kim M. , MARSH James J. , MORRIS Timothy A.
Published: September 2010

Background and objective:  The management of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is largely dependent on the extent of obstruction in the pulmonary arteries. Planar perfusion scans are commonly used to quantify perfusion defects in CTEPH patients. However, planar scans typically under‐represent the extent of vascular obstruction in CTEPH. We conducted this study to test the hypothesis that SPECT lung perfusion scans are more accurate than planar scans for determining the location and extent of perfusion defects in patients with CTEPH.

Methods:  Planar ventilation scans, planar and SPECT perfusion scans were performed preoperatively in patients undergoing pulmonary thromboendarterectomy for treatment of CTEPH. Two clinical experts independently documented the segmental anatomy of the vascular obstructions by reviewing clinical records, pulmonary and CT angiograms, and surgical specimens. A nuclear medicine expert documented the segmental anatomy of the perfusion defects observed by planar and SPECT scans independently.

Results:  Clinical/pathological evaluation disclosed 241 obstructed and 99 unobstructed lung segments in 17 patients. Sensitivity for detecting obstructed segments was significantly higher for SPECT than for planar scanning (63.5 ± 3.1% vs 42.7 ± 3.2%, respectively; P < 0.01). Specificities of SPECT and planar scanning were not significantly different (62.6 ± 4.8% vs 76.8 ± 4.2%, respectively; P = 0.092).

Conclusions:  The SPECT is more sensitive than planar perfusion scanning for identifying obstructed segments in CTEPH. However, even SPECT under‐represents the true extent of the vascular occlusions in CTEPH.
The effects of bushfire smoke on respiratory health
Authors: DENNEKAMP Martine , ABRAMSON Michael J.
Published: September 2010

Bushfire smoke has the potential to affect millions of people and is therefore a major public health problem. The air pollutant that increases most significantly as a result of bushfire smoke is particulate matter (PM). During bushfire smoke episodes, PM concentrations are usually much higher than urban background concentrations, at which effects on respiratory health have been observed. The smoke can cover large areas including major cities and even small increases in the risk of respiratory health effects can cause large public health problems.

The association between respiratory morbidity and exposure to bushfire smoke is consistent with the associations found with urban air pollution. Although using different methods, all studies looking at Emergency Department presentations in relation to a bushfire smoke event have found associations and most studies have also found an association with hospital admissions. However, only a few studies have distinguished between the effects of bushfire PM10 (particles with a median aerodynamic diameter less than 10 µm) and background PM10. These studies suggest that PM10 from bushfire smoke is at least as toxic as urban PM10, but more research is needed.
Biomarkers of lung injury after one‐lung ventilation for lung resection
Authors: BASTIN Anthony J. , SATO Hiroe , DAVIDSON Simon J. , QUINLAN Gregory J. , GRIFFITHS Mark J.
Published: September 2010

Background and objective:  Acute lung injury contributes to the mortality of patients after lung resection and one‐lung ventilation (OLV). The objective of this study was to characterise the effect of lung resection and OLV on proposed biomarkers of lung injury in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) and plasma.

Methods:  In adults undergoing lung resection, EBC was collected before and at 30‐min intervals during OLV. Inflammatory mediators were assayed in plasma samples taken preoperatively, immediately postoperatively and 24 h postoperatively.

Results:  EBC pH decreased from 6.51 ± 0.43 preoperatively, to 6.17 ± 0.78 and 6.09 ± 0.83 at 30 and 60 min, respectively (mean ± SD, P = 0.034, n = 20). Plasma concentrations of the receptor for advanced glycation end‐products, von Willebrand factor and interleukin‐6 increased comparing preoperative and postoperative samples (all P < 0.001, n = 30). By contrast, levels of Krebs von den Lungen‐6 and surfactant protein‐D decreased (P < 0.001, n = 30), and correlated inversely with the extent of lung resected.

Conclusions:  Lung resection and OLV was associated with a rapid reduction in EBC pH and differential changes in plasma biomarkers of lung injury. Further investigation of EBC pH as a marker of ventilator‐induced lung injury is warranted.
Pulmonary hypertension in sarcoidosis: A review
Authors: CORTE Tamera J. , WELLS Athol U. , NICHOLSON Andrew G. , HANSELL David M. , WORT Stephen J.
Published: September 2010

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a well‐recognized complication of sarcoidosis. Patients with sarcoidosis‐associated PH (SAPH) have poorer functional status and greater supplemental oxygen requirements than sarcoidosis patients without PH, and are more likely to be listed for lung transplantation. PH is an independent risk factor for mortality in sarcoidosis patients awaiting lung transplantation. The pathophysiology of SAPH is complex, with multiple mechanisms contributing to pathogenesis, including the fibrous destruction of the pulmonary vascular bed, extrinsic compression of the central pulmonary vessels and an intrinsic vasculopathy. Recognition of SAPH may be delayed as it can be masked by the clinical picture of underlying pulmonary sarcoidosis, and right heart catheter remains the gold‐standard for diagnosis. Management of SAPH is based on reversal of resting hypoxaemia, treatment of comorbidities and treatment of the underlying sarcoidosis. The use of corticosteroids in SAPH is controversial. Specific PH therapy is not routinely recommended in SAPH as there are no successful placebo‐controlled trials, although there is limited data to suggest that endothelin receptor antagonists and phosphodiesterase‐5 inhibitors may be useful.
Diagnostic accuracy of dilatation and curettage for abnormal uterine bleeding
Authors: Yarandi Fariba , Izadi‐Mood Narges , Eftekhar Zahra , Shojaei Hadi , Sarmadi Soheila
Published: September 2010

Aim:  The objective of this study was to compare the histological findings of dilatation and curettage (D&C) with those on subsequent hysterectomy in patients with abnormal uterine bleeding.

Methods:  Between October 1998 and September 2003 a retrospective clinical study of 311 patients was conducted, including all patients who underwent D&C and within 2 months, hysterectomy because of histological findings on D&C or persistence of symptoms. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value and accuracy of D&C were studied.

Results:  The mean age of our patients was 46.6 years. In 164 of 311 patients (52.7%), D&C failed to detect intrauterine disorders subsequently found at hysterectomy. The sensitivity was 30.2%, the specificity was 72.3%, the positive predictive value was 77.1%, and the negative predictive value was 25.1%. The accuracy was 40.5% overall.

Conclusion:  D&C is an inadequate diagnostic tool for uterine focal lesions, but the accuracy of D&C in the detection of endometrial hyperplasia and carcinoma is relatively high (92.1%).
Relationship between enlargement of the lateral ventricle and periventricular leukomalacia in infants
Authors: Kato Akihiko , Ibara Satoshi , Maruyama Yuko , Terahara Masahito
Published: September 2010

Aim:  To examine if we could predict periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) from the area of the lateral ventricle (LV).

Methods:  Six neonates in whom cystic PVL could be detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) but not by ultrasound (US) were termed the ‘invisible group’. Six neonates in whom cystic PVL could be detected by MRI and US were termed the ‘visible group’. Eleven neonates in whom cystic PVL could not be detected by MRI or US were termed the ‘control group’. The ratio of LV to head circumference (HC) was calculated as the area of LV (cm2)/HC (cm) × 100. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was carried out to find the cutoff value.

Result:  There were no significant differences among the three groups with respect to gestational age, birthweight, postnatal age and HC. The ratio of LV to HC in the control group was a median value of 0.38, it was 0.79 in the invisible group, and 0.96 in the visible group. The ratio was significantly higher in the visible group (P < 0.001) and in the invisible group (P < 0.05) than in the control group. This ratio was low in the two infants who had PVL only in the collateral trigone. The ROC curve suggested a cutoff value of 0.6 (sensitivity 79.17%, specificity 100%) to suspect PVL.

Conclusion:  We may need to suspect PVL in infants whose lateral ventricle is enlarged even if cystic PVL is not detected by ultrasound. PVL present only in the collateral trigone needs to be evaluated using cerebral MRI.
Application of infrared thermography to study crack growth and fatigue life extension procedures
Authors: JONES R. , KRISHNAPILLAI M. , CAIRNS K. , MATTHEWS N.
Published: September 2010

This paper shows how Lock‐in thermography can be used to address problems associated with crack growth and fatigue life extension. To this end particular attention is paid to the question of plasticity induced crack tip closure, composite repairs to cracked metallic structural components and to the potential of supersonic particle deposition for reducing crack growth.
Differential distribution of KCC2 along the axo‐somato‐dendritic axis of hippocampal principal cells
Authors: Báldi Rita , Varga Csaba , Tamás Gábor
Published: September 2010

The neuron‐specific potassium‐chloride cotransporter 2 (KCC2) plays a crucial role in adjusting intracellular Cl− concentrations. The lack of KCC2 in the plasma membrane of the axon initial segment (AIS) of pyramidal cells contributes to variable reversal potentials for perisomatic γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)A receptor‐mediated postsynaptic potentials, but the distribution of KCC2 in pyramidal dendrites remains to be established. We applied high‐resolution pre‐embedding immunolocalization to quantify KCC2 concentrations along dendritic, somatic and axonal regions of rat hippocampal principal cells. Confirming our results on neocortical pyramidal cells, membranes of AIS of CA1 pyramidal cells and dentate granule cells contained 6.4 ± 11.9% and 6.6 ± 14.1% of somatic KCC2 concentrations, respectively. Concentrations of KCC2 in basal dendritic shafts of stratum (str.) oriens were similar to somatic levels (109.2 ± 48.8%). Along apical dendritic shafts of CA1 pyramidal cells, the concentration of KCC2 showed a complex profile: normalized to somatic levels, the density of KCC2 was 124.5 ± 15.7%, 79 ± 12.4% and 98.2 ± 33.5% in the proximal and distal part of str. radiatum and in str. lacunosum moleculare, respectively. Dendritic spines of CA1 receiving excitatory inputs contained 39.9 ± 8.5% of KCC2 concentration measured in shafts of the same dendritic segments targeted by GABAergic inputs. Dendrites of dentate granule cells showed higher KCC2 concentration compared with the soma (148.9 ± 54%), but no concentration gradient was detected between proximal and distal dendrites. In conclusion, the density of KCC2 in hippocampal principal cells increases along the axo‐somato‐dendritic axis with cell type‐specific distribution profiles within the dendritic tree.
Personally familiar faces are perceived categorically in face‐selective regions other than the fusiform face area
Authors: Ramon Meike , Dricot Laurence , Rossion Bruno
Published: September 2010

Neuroimaging studies of humans have provided inconsistent evidence with respect to the response properties of the fusiform face area (FFA). It has been claimed that neural populations within this region are sensitive to subtle differences between individual faces only when they are perceived as distinct identities [P. Rotshtein et al. (2005)Nature Neuroscience, 8, 107–113]. However, sensitivity to subtle changes of identity was found in previous studies using unfamiliar faces, for which categorical perception is less pronounced. Using functional magnetic resonance adaptation and morph continua of personally familiar faces, we investigated sensitivity to subtle changes between faces that were located either on the same or opposite sides of a categorical perceptual boundary. We found no evidence for categorical perception within the FFA, which exhibited reliable sensitivity to subtle changes of face identity whether these were perceived as distinct identities, or not. On the contrary, both the posterior superior temporal sulcus and prefrontal cortex exhibited categorical perception, as subtle changes between faces perceived as different identities yielded larger release from adaptation than those perceived as the same identity. These observations suggest that, whereas the FFA discriminates subtle physical changes of personally familiar faces, other regions encode faces in a categorical fashion.
Pediatric heart transplantation: demographics, outcomes, and anesthetic implications*
Authors: Schure Annette Y. , Kussman Barry D.
Published: September 2010

The evolving demographics, outcomes, and anesthetic management of pediatric heart transplant recipients are reviewed. As survival continues to improve, an increasing number of these patients will present to our operating rooms and sedation suites. It is therefore important that all anesthesiologists, not only those specialized in cardiac anesthesia, have a basic understanding of the physiologic changes in the transplanted heart and the anesthetic implications thereof.
A cell culture model for Nosema ceranae and Nosema apis allows new insights into the life cycle of these important honey bee‐pathogenic microsporidia
Authors: Gisder Sebastian , Möckel Nadine , Linde Andreas , Genersch Elke
Published: September 2010

The population of managed honey bees has been dramatically declining in the recent past in many regions of the world. Consensus now seems to be that pathogens and parasites (e.g. the ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor, the microsporidium Nosema ceranae and viruses) play a major role in this demise. However, little is known about host–pathogen interactions for bee pathogens and attempts to develop novel strategies to combat bee diseases have been hampered by this gap in our knowledge. One reason for this dire situation is the complete lack of cell cultures for the propagation and study of bee pathogens. Here we present a cell culture model for two honey bee‐pathogenic microsporidian species, Nosema apis and N. ceranae. Our cell culture system is based on a lepidopteran cell line, which proved to be susceptible to infection by both N. ceranae and N. apis and enabled us to illustrate the entire life cycle of these microsporidia. We observed hitherto undescribed spindle‐shaped meronts and confirmed our findings in infected bees. Our cell culture model provides a previously unavailable means to explore the nature of interactions between the honey bee and its pathogen complex at a mechanistic level and will allow the development of novel treatment strategies.
Analysis of sulfur‐related transcription by Roseobacter communities using a taxon‐specific functional gene microarray
Authors: Rinta‐Kanto Johanna M. , Bürgmann Helmut , Gifford Scott M. , Sun Shulei , Sharma Shalabh , del Valle Daniela A. , Kiene Ronald P. , Moran Mary Ann
Published: September 2010

The fraction of dissolved dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSPd) converted by marine bacterioplankton into the climate‐active gas dimethylsulfide (DMS) varies widely in the ocean, with the factors that determine this value still largely unknown. One current hypothesis is that the ratio of DMS formation : DMSP demethylation is determined by DMSP availability, with ‘availability’ in both an absolute sense (i.e. concentration in seawater) and in a relative sense (i.e. proportionally to other labile organic S compounds) proposed as the critical factor. We investigated these models during an experimentally induced phytoplankton bloom using a taxon‐specific microarray targeting DMSP‐related gene transcription in members of the Roseobacter clade, a group hypothesized to play an important role in the surface ocean sulfur cycle and well represented by genome sequences. The array consisted of 1578 probes to 431 genes and was designed to target diverse Roseobacter communities in natural seawater by using hierarchical probe design based on 13 genome sequences. The prevailing pattern of Roseobacter gene transcription showed relative depletion of DMSP‐related transcripts during the peak of the bloom, despite increasing absolute concentrations and flux of DMSP‐related compounds. DMSPd thus appeared to be assimilated by Roseobacter populations in proportion to its relative abundance in the organic matter pool (the ‘relative sense’ hypothesis), rather than assimilated in preference to other labile organic sulfur or carbon compounds produced during the bloom. The relative investment of the Roseobacter community in DMSP demethylation was not useful for predicting the formation of DMS, however, suggesting a complex regulatory process that may involve multiple taxa and alternative fates of DMSPd.
Early oncological outcomes for bladder urothelial carcinoma patients treated with robotic‐assisted radical cystectomy
Authors: Kauffman Eric C. , Ng Casey K. , Lee Ming Ming , Otto Brandon J. , Wang Gerald J. , Scherr Douglas S.
Published: September 2010

Study Type – Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4

OBJECTIVE

To determine oncological outcomes including early survival rates among unselected bladder urothelial carcinoma (BUC) patients treated with robotic‐assisted radical cystectomy (RRC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Clinicopathologic and survival data were prospectively gathered for 85 consecutive BUC patients treated with RRC.

The decision to undergo a robotic rather than open approach was made without regard to tumor volume or surgical candidacy.

Kaplan–Meier survival rates were determined and stratified by tumor stage and LN positivity, and multivariate analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of survival.

RESULTS

Patients were relatively old (25% >80 years; median 73.5 years), with frequent comorbidities (46% with ASA class ≥3). Of these patients 28% had undergone previous pelvic radiation or pelvic surgery, and 20% had received neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Extended pelvic lymphadenectomy was performed in 98% of patients, with on average 19.1 LN retrieved.

On final pathology, extravesical disease was common (36.5%).

Positive surgicalmargins were detected in five (6%) patients, all of whom had extravesical tumors with perineural and/or lymphovascular invasion, and most of whom were >80 years old.

At a mean postoperative interval of 18 months, 20 (24%) patients had developed recurrent disease, but only three (4%) patients had recurrence locally. Disease‐free, cancer‐specific and overall survival rates at 2 years were 74%, 85% and 79%, respectively. Patients with low‐stage/LN(−) cancers had significantly better survival than extravesical/LN(−) or any‐stage/LN(+) patients, with stage being the most important predictor on multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSION

RRC can achieve adequately high LN yields with a low positive margin rate among unselected BUC patients.

Early survival outcomes are similar to those reported in contemporary open series, with an encouragingly low incidence of local recurrence, however long‐term follow‐up and head‐to‐head comparison with the open approach are still needed.
Lymphatic vessel density as a predictor of lymph node metastasis and its relationship with prognosis in urothelial carcinoma of the bladder
Authors: Zhou Mi , He Leye , Zu Xiongbing , Zhang Huihui , Zeng Huaide , Qi Lin
Published: September 2010

Study Type – Therapy (case series)

Level of Evidence 4

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

VEGF‐C has been found up‐regulated in some kind of tumour tissues. In this study, we found that the expression of VEGF‐C was also increased in bladder cancer. The increase of VEGF‐C may have an influence on lymphatic node metastasis of bladder cancer.

OBJECTIVE

• To determine the correlation of lymphatic vessel density (LVD) with lymph node metastasis (LNM), investigate the impact of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)‐C mRNA expression on LVD, and evaluate the impact of LVD on prognosis of bladder urothelial carcinoma (BUC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

• In 56 samples of BUC, the lymphatic vessels were immunostained with polyclonal antibodies against VEGF receptor 3 (VEGFR‐3). LVD was evaluated in both intratumoural and peritumoural tissues.

• The expression level of VEGF‐C mRNA was assessed by reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction.

• The correlation of LVD with VEGF‐C mRNA and other clinicopathological parameters was also investigated.

RESULTS

• VEGFR‐3 was expressed in lymphatic vessel endothelial cytoplasm. As the expression level of VEGF‐C became higher, the intratumoural and peritumoural LVD increased significantly (P < 0.05).

• At the same time, increased intratumoural and peritumoural LVD also presented in patients with lymphatic vessel invasion and LNM of BUC (P < 0.05).

• In addition, increased peritumoural LVD and LNM predicted a poor recurrence‐free survival (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

• It is suggested that in BUC, VEGF‐C expression may contribute to lymphangiogenesis.

• Patients with high peritumoural LVD and LNM tend to have a poor prognosis.

• Inhibition of the blocking VEGF‐C/VEGFR‐3 pathway may attenuate lymphangiogenesis and represent a new target for investigational treatment of urothelial carcinoma of the bladder.
Head‐to‐head comparison of two online nomograms for prostate biopsy outcome prediction
Authors: Oliveira Mário , Marques Vera , Carvalho António Pedro , Santos Américo
Published: September 2010

Study Type – Diagnosis (exploratory cohort) Level of Evidence 2b

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

In recent years, several nomograms were developed in an effort to decrease the number of unnecessary prostate biopsies. The European SWOP‐PRI and the North American PCPT are among the most popular. However, evidence on the relative predictive accuracy is lacking.

A head‐to‐head comparison on the diagnostic accuracy of two previously validated prostate cancer risk predictors on biopsy confirmed the superiority of these tools over PSA alone. Moreover, in the studied population, the European SWOP‐PRI proved to be more accurate than the North American PCPT‐CRC.

OBJECTIVE

• To compare the diagnostic accuracy of two previously validated prostate cancer risk predictors on biopsy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

• In total, 390 consecutive patients submitted to 10‐core systematic transrectal prostate biopsy at our institution were included in this retrospective study.

• External validation of a European (European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer derived Prostate Risk Indicator; SWOP‐PRI) and a North American (Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial Cancer Risk Calculator; PCPT‐CRC) nomogram was performed.

• The predictive accuracy of these online available nomograms was calculated based on the area under the curve derived from receiver–operator characteristic curves and then compared using the DeLong method.

RESULTS

• Both tools were confirmed to be superior to prostate‐specific antigen alone. Moreover, the SWOP‐PRI (77.9%) displays a 7.96% increase in the predictive accuracy compared to the PCPT‐CRC (69.9%) in a statistically significant fashion (P= 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

• The results obtained in the present study confirm the utility of nomograms with respect to biopsy outcome prediction in patients with suspicion of prostate cancer.

• In the current sample of patients, the European‐based nomogram appears to be more accurate than the North American nonogram, which lacks information regarding prostate volume and prostatic ultrasonographic lesions.

• To our knowledge, this is the first study to compare the accuracy of these popular risk calculators in a specific population.
Everyday Mediation: The Politics of Public Service Delivery in Gujarat, India
Authors: Berenschot Ward
Published: September 2010

This article follows a municipal councillor in Ahmedabad (Gujarat, India) on his daily routine in order to explore the various ways in which politicians in India operate as mediators between state institutions and citizens. Political mediation is deeply entrenched in the procedures, policies and habits that guide the daily functioning of Gujarat's state institutions. This article argues that this institutionalization of political mediation is the outcome of a dialectic between the limited capacity of the state to provide public services and the strategies that local politicians employ to win elections.
Redefining ‘Aid’ in the China–Africa Context
Authors: Tan‐Mullins May , Mohan Giles , Power Marcus
Published: September 2010

Discussions on the politics of Chinese engagement with African development have been marked by increasing concern over Chinese use of aid in exchange for preferential energy deals. Normative liberal discourse criticizes the Chinese for disbursing ‘rogue aid’ and undermining good governance in the African continent. These criticisms not only ignore the longer‐term motivations and modalities of Chinese aid and the historical diversity of Chinese relations with Africa, but also uncritically assume ‘Western’ aid to be morally ‘superior’ and ‘more effective’ in terms of development outcomes. This paper consists of three parts. First, it will discuss the debates surrounding Chinese engagement in Africa, especially around aid and development issues. Second, the paper maps the historical development of China–Africa engagement and investigates the impacts of the changing modalities of Chinese aid with reference to case studies of two countries: Angola and Ghana. It then offers a comparative analysis of the similarities and differences between these two cases. The principal argument is that Chinese and Western donors employ different ideologies and practices of governance to conceal their own interests and political discourses in the African continent.
Diabetes resolution and hyperinsulinaemia after metabolic Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass
Authors: Ashrafian H. , Athanasiou T. , Li J. V. , Bueter M. , Ahmed K. , Nagpal K. , Holmes E. , Darzi A. , Bloom S. R.
Published: September 2010

The global prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose metabolism continues to rise in conjunction with the pandemic of obesity. The metabolic Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass operation offers the successful resolution of diabetes in addition to sustained weight loss and excellent long‐term outcomes in morbidly obese individuals. The procedure consists of the physiological BRAVE effects: (i) Bile flow alteration; (ii) Reduction of gastric size; (iii) Anatomical gut rearrangement and altered flow of nutrients; (iv) Vagal manipulation and (v) Enteric gut hormone modulation. This operation provides anti‐diabetic effects through decreasing insulin resistance and increasing the efficiency of insulin secretion. These metabolic outcomes are achieved through weight‐independent and weight‐dependent mechanisms. These include the foregut, midgut and hindgut mechanisms, decreased inflammation, fat, adipokine and bile metabolism, metabolic modulation, shifts in gut microbial composition and intestinal gluconeogenesis. In a small minority of patients, gastric bypass results in hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia that may lead to nesidioblastosis (pancreatic beta‐cell hypertrophy with islet hyperplasia). Elucidating the precise metabolic mechanisms of diabetes resolution and hyperinsulinaemia after surgery can lead to improved operations and disease‐specific procedures including ‘diabetes surgery’. It can also improve our understanding of diabetes pathogenesis that may provide novel strategies for the management of metabolic syndrome and impaired glucose metabolism.
The costs and benefits of land fragmentation of rice farms in Japan*
Authors: Kawasaki Kentaro
Published: September 2010

Land fragmentation, in which a farm operates multiple, separate plots of land, is a common phenomenon in Japan and many other countries. Usually, land fragmentation is regarded as a harmful phenomenon as it increases production costs and reduces the advantages of scale economies. However, it is also known that fragmentation may have beneficial effects in reducing risk through spatial dispersion of plots. Thus, land fragmentation has both costs and benefits, and whether it is beneficial or harmful is determined by the magnitude of these costs and benefits. This article investigates the costs and benefits of land fragmentation empirically using panel data from Japanese rice farms. The empirical results reveal that fragmentation increases production costs and offsets economies of size, and these impacts strengthen as farm size increases. Moreover, although fragmentation does reduce production risk, its monetary value is far below the cost of land fragmentation. From these findings, we conclude that land fragmentation is an impediment to efficient rice production in Japan.
A Matter of Learning: How Human Resources Affect Organizational Performance
Authors: Camps Joaquín , Luna‐Arocas Roberto
Published: September 2010

Recently, a number of studies have tried to examine the processes that explain the influence of high performance work systems (HPWS) on company performance, in an attempt to understand which variables mediate this relationship and to what extent they do so. The importance of the organizational learning capability (OLC) construct has traditionally been outlined as being essential for a company's survival and effective performance. Thus, it seems important to establish whether HPWS can be considered an antecedent of OLC, and consequently to confirm whether OLC acts as a mediating variable in the HPWS–company performance linkage. Bearing in mind that HPWS represent a ‘bundle’ of mutually reinforcing, overlapping and synergistic individual human resource practices, this positive connection between HPWS and OLC seems reasonable. We tested our hypotheses by applying a structural equation methodology to a sample of 163 Spanish companies. Our findings show that the effects of HPWS on organizational performance are mediated by OLC.
THE ANATOMY OF A HIGH POTENTIAL
Authors: Ready Doug , Conger Jay , Hill Linda , Stecker Emily
Published: September 2010

Companies have long been interested in identifying high‐potential employees, but few firms know how to convert top talent into game changers — people who can shape the future of the business. Doug Ready, Jay Conger, Linda Hill and Emily Stecker have found the ‘X factors’ that can make your high‐potential list into a strong competitive advantage.
THE LORDS OF IDEAS
Authors: Crainer Stuart
Published: September 2010

Stuart Crainer meets the true originators of modern strategy, thanks to an introduction from Walter Kiechel.
FACE VALUES: GOING FOR GLOBAL GROWTH
Authors: Tyson Laura
Published: September 2010

Stuart Crainer discusses global economic issues with Laura Tyson, the former Dean of London Business School, professor at University California Berkeley and current advisor to President Obama.
PROFILE: LYNDA GRATTON
Authors: Crainer Stuart
Published: September 2010

The early 20th century marked the dawn of modern enterprise management, and no one influenced its practice more than Frederick W. Taylor, inventor of ‘scientific management’. The early 21st century marks a radical transformation of management, and among the few thinkers most influencing this transformation is Lynda Gratton, London Business School Professor of Management Practice
ENTREPRENEURIALISM IN THE GLOBALISING CITY‐REGION OF TANGIER, MOROCCO
Authors: KANAI MIGUEL , KUTZ WILLIAM
Published: September 2010

This paper inspects the territorial and state restructuring of the globalising city‐region of Tangier. It argues that recent economic growth and transnational connections follow new forms of entrepreneurial development that aggravate social and spatial inequalities. The analysis shows that these forms of urban and regional management are embedded in the neoliberalised, yet monarch‐centric Moroccan state. Analysis of local governance arrangements demonstrates the pivotal importance of an elite cadre of urban managers within the monarchic power structure. Fieldwork evidence documents the emergence of megaprojects as preferred vehicles for entrepreneurial development through site observations, indepth interviews and archival research. The Tanger City Center project presents a case that illustrates the social and spatial implications of a restructuring territorial economy and the effects of new polarities being overlaid on existing urban and regional geographies. The paper concludes with a reflection on the comparative and relational lessons that can be drawn from Tangier's restructuring.
How Historians Begin: Openings in Historical Discourse
Authors: DEAN TREVOR
Published: September 2010

Why is the problem of beginning – much discussed in literary scholarship – not dealt with in similar depth by historians? This article attempts an answer to this question, and does so in three ways. First, it examines literary scholarship on textual openings, showing the various ways in which the beginning is given significance. Then, it examines and challenges the common presentation of historical discourse as distinct from fiction. Finally, it examines two sets of data: the openings of 100 historical monographs are analysed for their ‘fictionality’, and the openings of 200 research articles are analysed for their rhetorical structures.
Evangelicalism and Scandal in Victorian England: The Case of the Pearsall Smiths
Authors: ROBERTS M. J. D.
Published: September 2010

Contemporary, sociology‐assisted, enthusiasm for the study of ‘scandal’ has opened a rich field of possibilities for historians of Victorian England including historians of Victorian religious thought and practice. While exploration of this field has so far focused on the scandals of the culturally marginalized (notably Roman Catholics), the role of scandal in shaping mainstream Protestant evangelical culture in an age of ‘media‐generated celebrity’ remains largely unmapped. This article aims to demonstrate the power of scandal to shape the culture of the Victorian Protestant mainstream by an investigation and appraisal of the unfolding, contemporary interpretation, management, and ultimate resolution of a scandal which enveloped the American evangelist couple, Robert and Hannah Pearsall Smith, on their visits to England between 1873 and 1875. The outcome of these events, it is argued, was a triumph for those opposed to the ‘Americanization’ of English religious practice and cultural values, especially values linked to the regulation of sexual desire.
Expectations of Grassroots Community Leadership in Times of Normality and Crisis
Authors: Boehm Amnon , Enoshm Guy , Michal Shamai
Published: September 2010

The article compares the preferences of community members for the transformational and transactional leadership styles of grassroots leaders at times of normality with those during a crisis. A structured questionnaire was administered to members of a community that experienced security crises on the Lebanese border of Israel before the 2006 Lebanon War. It reveals differences in the dominance of preferred leadership styles depending on the type of situation – normality or crisis. The article discusses these differences, compares the findings with those of other studies and considers their practical implications.
Estimation of methane flux offshore SW Taiwan and the influence of tectonics on gas hydrate accumulation
Authors: CHUANG P.‐C. , YANG T. F. , HONG W.‐L. , LIN S. , SUN C.‐H. , LIN A. T.‐S. , CHEN J.‐C. , WANG Y. , CHUNG S.‐H.
Published: September 2010

Widely distributed bottom simulating reflectors (BSRs) imply the potential existence of gas hydrates offshore southwestern Taiwan. To compare the distribution of methane concentrations along passive and active margins in the region, bottom waters and cored sediments were collected during four cruises from 2005 to 2006. The results reveal that sites with high methane concentrations are predominantly distributed in the active margin and site GS5 is the only site that contains very high methane concentrations in the passive margin of studied area. Anomalously high methane fluxes still can be obtained from the calculation of diffusive methane flux, although there might be some gas leakage during or after sampling procedures. The profiles of methane and sulfate concentration reveal very shallow depths of the sulfate–methane interface (SMI) at some sites. There is evidence that sulfate reduction is mainly driven by the process of anaerobic methane oxidation. Thus, sulfate fluxes can be used as a proxy for methane fluxes through the use of diffusion equations; and the results show that the fluxes are very high in offshore southwestern Taiwan. The depths of the SMI are different at sites GH6 and C; however, both methane profiles reveal parallel methane gradients below the SMI. This might be because of methane migration to surface sediments from the same reservoir with the same diffusion rates. Although BSRs are widely distributed both in the active margin and in the passive margin, most sites with high methane concentrations have been found in the active margin. Therefore, the specific tectonic settings in offshore SW Taiwan might strongly control the stability of gas hydrates, and thus affect the methane concentrations and fluxes of the sediments and sea waters. Furthermore, the carbon isotopic composition of methane shows that a biogenic gas source is dominant at shallower depth; however, some thermogenic gases might be introduced through the fracture/fault zones from deeper source in the active region of studied area.
Macrophages increase microparticle uptake by enterocyte‐like Caco‐2 cell monolayers
Authors: Moyes Siobhan M. , Morris John F. , Carr Katharine E.
Published: September 2010

Caco‐2 cells form an enterocyte‐like monolayer that has been used to explore small intestinal microparticle uptake. They are a useful functional model for the investigation of in vivo drug delivery systems and the uptake of particulate environmental pollutants. The aim of this paper was to determine if the previously reported decrease in Caco‐2 transepithelial resistance following exposure to macrophages was matched by increased microparticle uptake, especially as macrophage phagocytosis simulates removal of particles from the subepithelial compartment. Caco‐2 cells were grown as a monoculture for 21 days on insert membranes. A compartmentalised model involved Caco‐2 cells in the upper compartment, with THP‐1‐derived macrophages adhering to the base of the underlying well, the two cell populations communicating only through the shared culture medium. Caco‐2 cells were also cultured in macrophage‐conditioned medium and all groups were exposed apically to 2 μm latex particles for 5 or 60 min. Parameters measured were: transepithelial resistance; cytokine levels; cell dimensions and the distribution of nuclei, actin and junctional proteins. Subepithelial particle numbers, defined as those located below the insert membrane, were also counted and were significantly increased in the Caco‐2/macrophage model, with over 90% associated with the macrophages. Other changes induced by the presence of macrophages included decreased transepithelial resistance levels, diffuse localisation of some junctional proteins, higher proinflammatory cytokine levels, disorganisation of cell shape and decreased cell height associated with actin reorganisation. Macrophage‐conditioned medium produced a smaller transepithelial resistance decrease than the Caco‐2/macrophage model and there were few other changes. In conclusion, culture of Caco‐2 cells with underlying macrophages produced a lower, less organised epithelium and greater microparticle uptake.