bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Immunodetection of cells with a CD44+/CD24- phenotype in canine mammary neoplasms
Authors: Magalhães GeórgiaModé , Terra ErikaMaria , de Oliveira Vasconcelos Rosemeri , de Barros Bandarra Márcio , Moreira PamelaRodriguesReina , Rosolem Mayara Caroline , Alessi Antonio Carlos
Published: October 2013

Background

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are able to self-renew and to form metastases. Using flow cytometry, CSCs were detected in canine mammary tumors as cells CD44+and CD24-. The aim of this study was to detect these CSCs by immunohistochemistry and correlate their frequency with canine mammary neoplasm grade and histopathological type.

130 mammary neoplasm samples were selected from tissue blocks at the Department of Pathology at UNESP and classified according to (BJVP 4:153-180, 2011). These samples were composed by adenomas, lymph node metastases, solid carcinomas grades II and III, tubular, papillary and carcinomas in mixed tumor grades I, II and III. Immunohistochemistry was performed with antibodies against CD44 and CD24. Linear regression was performed using Pearson’s correlation test.

Results

The value at CD44 was positive and CD24 becomes zero was 46.75%. Cells with a CD44+/CD24-phenotype were detected in 40 out of 130 samples with an advantage of high grade tumors (II and III) and metastases among tubular, papillary and carcinomas in mixed tumors. In these samples, percentages of cells stained by CD44 and CD24 antibodies were 62.2% and 0%, respectively. Published reports usually correlate grade III tumors with the expression of CD44 but not with CD24 expression. Studies using flow cytometry have found CSC frequencies similar to those found in our study.

Conclusions

Immunohistochemistry was found to be a reliable technique for the detection of CSCs in canine mammary neoplasms, and the frequency of these cells positively correlates with grades II and III tumors (poor prognosis).
Energy metabolism and glutamate-glutamine cycle in the brain: a stoichiometric modeling perspective
Authors: Massucci Francesco A , DiNuzzo Mauro , Giove Federico , Maraviglia Bruno , Castillo Isaac Perez , Marinari Enzo , Martino Andrea De
Published: October 2013

Background

The energetics of cerebral activity critically relies on the functional and metabolic interactions between neurons and astrocytes. Important open questions include the relation between neuronal versus astrocytic energy demand, glucose uptake and intercellular lactate transfer, as well as their dependence on the level of activity.

Results

We have developed a large-scale, constraint-based network model of the metabolic partnership between astrocytes and glutamatergic neurons that allows for a quantitative appraisal of the extent to which stoichiometry alone drives the energetics of the system. We find that the velocity of the glutamate-glutamine cycle (V
cyc) explains part of the uncoupling between glucose and oxygen utilization at increasing V
cyc levels. Thus, we are able to characterize different activation states in terms of the tissue oxygen-glucose index (OGI). Calculations show that glucose is taken up and metabolized according to cellular energy requirements, and that partitioning of the sugar between different cell types is not significantly affected by V
cyc. Furthermore, both the direction and magnitude of the lactate shuttle between neurons and astrocytes turn out to depend on the relative cell glucose uptake while being roughly independent of V
cyc.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that, in absence of ad hoc activity-related constraints on neuronal and astrocytic metabolism, the glutamate-glutamine cycle does not control the relative energy demand of neurons and astrocytes, and hence their glucose uptake and lactate exchange.
Focused, high accuracy 5-methylcytosine quantitation with base resolution by benchtop next-generation sequencing
Authors: Masser Dustin R , Berg Arthur S , Freeman Willard M
Published: October 2013

Background

The growing interest in the role of epigenetic modifications in human health and disease has led to the development of next-generation sequencing methods for whole genome analysis of DNA methylation patterns. However, many projects require targeted methylation analysis of specific genes or genomic regions. We have developed an approach, termed BiSulfite Amplicon Sequencing (BSAS), for hypothesis driven and focused absolute DNA methylation analysis. This approach is applicable both to targeted DNA methylation studies as well as to confirmation of genome-wide studies.

Results

BSAS uses PCR enrichment of targeted regions from bisulfite-converted DNA and transposome-mediated library construction for rapid generation of sequencing libraries from low (1 ng) sample input. Libraries are sequenced using the Illumina MiSeq benchtop sequencer. Generating high levels of sequencing depth (>1,000 ×) provides for quantitatively precise and accurate assessment of DNA methylation levels with base specificity. Dual indexing of sequencing libraries allows for simultaneous analysis of up to 96 samples. We demonstrate the superior quantitative accuracy of this approach as compared to existing Sanger sequencing methods.

Conclusions

BSAS can be applied to any genomic region from any DNA source, including tissue and cell culture. Thus, BSAS provides a new validation approach for rapid and highly quantitative absolute CpG methylation analysis of any targeted genomic regions in a high throughput manner.
Assessing motivation to change in eating disorders: a systematic review
Authors: Hoetzel Katrin , von Brachel Ruth , Schlossmacher Lena , Vocks Silja
Published: October 2013

Background

Patients with anorexia and bulimia nervosa are often ambivalent about their eating disorder symptoms. Therefore, a lack of motivation to change is a frequent problem in the treatment of eating disorders. This is of high relevance, as a low motivation to change is a predictor of an unfavourable treatment outcome and high treatment dropout rates. In order to quantify the degree of motivation to change, valid and reliable instruments are required in research and practice. The transtheoretical model of behaviour change (TTM) offers a framework for these measurements.

Objective

This paper reviews existing instruments assessing motivation to change in eating disorders.

Method

We screenedN = 119 studies from the databases Medline and Psycinfo found by combinations of the search keywords ‘eating disorder’, ‘anorexia nervosa’, ‘bulimia nervosa’, ‘motivation’, ‘readiness to change’, ‘assessment’, ‘measurement’, and ‘questionnaire’.

Results

Ultimately,n = 15 studies investigating psychometric properties of different assessment tools of motivation to change in eating disorders were identified. Reviewed instruments can be divided into those assessing the stages of change according to the TTM (6 instruments) and those capturing decisional balance (3 instruments). Overall, the psychometric properties of these instruments are satisfactory to good.

Discussion

Advantages, disadvantages, and limitations of the reviewed assessment tools are discussed. So far, the TTM provides the only framework to assess motivation to change in eating disorders.
Effect of admission time on mortality in an intensive care unit in Mainland China: a propensity score matching analysis
Authors: Ju Min-Jie , Tu Guo-Wei , Han Yan , He Hong-Yu , He Yi-Zhou , Mao Hai-Lei , Wu Zhao-Guang , Yin Yi-Qing , Luo Jian-Feng , Zhu Du-Ming , Luo Zhe , Xue Zhang-Gang
Published: October 2013

Introduction

The relationship between admission time and intensive care unit (ICU) mortality is inconclusive and influenced by various factors. This study aims to estimate the effect of admission time on ICU outcomes in a tertiary teaching hospital in China by propensity score matching (PSM) and stratified analysis.

Methods

A total of 2,891 consecutive patients were enrolled in this study from 1 January 2009 to 29 December 2011. Multivariate logistic regression and survival analysis were performed in this retrospective study. PSM and stratified analysis were applied for confounding factors, such as Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score and admission types.

Results

Compared with office hour subgroup (n = 2,716), nighttime (NT, n = 175) subgroup had higher APACHE II scores (14 vs. 8, P < 0.001), prolonged length of stay in the ICU (42 vs. 24 h, P = 0.011), and higher percentages of medical (8.6% vs. 3.3%, P < 0.001) and emergency (59.4% vs. 12.2%, P < 0.001) patients. Moreover, NT admissions were related to higher ICU mortality [odds ratio (OR), 1.725 (95% CI 1.118–2.744), P = 0.01] and elevated mortality risk at 28 days [14.3% vs. 3.2%; OR, 1.920 (95% CI 1.171–3.150), P = 0.01]. PSM showed that admission time remained related to ICU outcome (P = 0.045) and mortality risk at 28 days [OR, 2.187 (95% CI 1.119–4.271), P = 0.022]. However, no mortality difference was found between weekend and workday admissions (P = 0.849), even if weekend admissions were more related to higher APACHE II scores compared with workday admissions.

Conclusions

NT admission was associated with poor ICU outcomes. This finding may be related to shortage of onsite intensivists and qualified residents during NT. The current staffing model and training system should be improved in the future.
Risk of developing severe sepsis after acute kidney injury: a population-based cohort study
Authors: Lai Tai-Shuan , Wang Cheng-Yi , Pan Sung-Ching , Huang Tao-Min , Lin Meng-Chun , Lai Chun-Fu , Wu Che-Hsiung , Wu Vin-Cent , Chien Kuo-Liong
Published: October 2013

Introduction

Sepsis has been a factor of acute kidney injury (AKI); however, little is known about dialysis-requiring AKI and the risk of severe sepsis after survival to discharge.

Methods

We conducted a population-based cohort study based on the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database from 1999 to 2009. We identified patients with AKI requiring dialysis during hospitalization and survived for at least 90 days after discharge, and matched them with those without AKI according to age, sex, and concurrent diabetes. The primary outcome was severe sepsis, defined as sepsis with a diagnosis of acute organ dysfunction. Individuals who recovered enough to survive without acute dialysis were further analyzed.

Results

We identified 2983 individuals (mean age, 62 years; median follow-up, 3.96 years) with dialysis-requiring AKI and 11,932 matched controls. The incidence rate of severe sepsis was 6.84 and 2.32 per 100 person-years among individuals with dialysis-requiring AKI and without AKI in the index hospitalization, respectively. Dialysis-requiring AKI patients had a higher risk of developing de novo severe sepsis than the non-AKI group. In subgroup analysis, even individuals with recovery from dialysis-requiring AKI were at high risk of developing severe sepsis.

Conclusions

AKI is an independent risk factor for severe sepsis. Even patients who recovered from AKI had a high risk of long-term severe sepsis.
Detecting somatic point mutations in cancer genome sequencing data: a comparison of mutation callers
Authors: Wang Qingguo , Jia Peilin , Li Fei , Chen Haiquan , Ji Hongbin , Hucks Donald , Dahlman Kimberly Brown , Pao William , Zhao Zhongming
Published: October 2013

Background

Driven by high throughput next generation sequencing technologies and the pressing need to decipher cancer genomes, computational approaches for detecting somatic single nucleotide variants (sSNVs) have undergone dramatic improvements during the past 2 years. The recently developed tools typically compare a tumor sample directly with a matched normal sample at each variant locus in order to increase the accuracy of sSNV calling. These programs also address the detection of sSNVs at low allele frequencies, allowing for the study of tumor heterogeneity, cancer subclones, and mutation evolution in cancer development.

Methods

We used whole genome sequencing (Illumina Genome Analyzer IIx platform) of a melanoma sample and matched blood, whole exome sequencing (Illumina HiSeq 2000 platform) of 18 lung tumor-normal pairs and seven lung cancer cell lines to evaluate six tools for sSNV detection: EBCall, JointSNVMix, MuTect, SomaticSniper, Strelka, and VarScan 2, with a focus on MuTect and VarScan 2, two widely used publicly available software tools. Default/suggested parameters were used to run these tools. The missense sSNVs detected in these samples were validated through PCR and direct sequencing of genomic DNA from the samples. We also simulated 10 tumor-normal pairs to explore the ability of these programs to detect low allelic-frequency sSNVs.

Results

Out of the 237 sSNVs successfully validated in our cancer samples, VarScan 2 and MuTect detected the most of any tools (that is, 204 and 192, respectively). MuTect identified 11 more low-coverage validated sSNVs than VarScan 2, but missed 11 more sSNVs with alternate alleles in normal samples than VarScan 2. When examining the false calls of each tool using 169 invalidated sSNVs, we observed >63% false calls detected in the lung cancer cell lines had alternate alleles in normal samples. Additionally, from our simulation data, VarScan 2 identified more sSNVs than other tools, while MuTect characterized most low allelic-fraction sSNVs.

Conclusions

Our study explored the typical false-positive and false-negative detections that arise from the use of sSNV-calling tools. Our results suggest that despite recent progress, these tools have significant room for improvement, especially in the discrimination of low coverage/allelic-frequency sSNVs and sSNVs with alternate alleles in normal samples.
A robust prognostic signature for hormone-positive node-negative breast cancer
Authors: Griffith Obi L , Pepin François , Enache Oana M , Heiser Laura M , Collisson Eric A , Spellman Paul T , Gray Joe W
Published: October 2013

Background

Systemic chemotherapy in the adjuvant setting can cure breast cancer in some patients that would otherwise recur with incurable, metastatic disease. However, since only a fraction of patients would have recurrence after surgery alone, the challenge is to stratify high-risk patients (who stand to benefit from systemic chemotherapy) from low-risk patients (who can safely be spared treatment related toxicities and costs).

Methods

We focus here on risk stratification in node-negative, ER-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer. We use a large database of publicly available microarray datasets to build a random forests classifier and develop a robust multi-gene mRNA transcription-based predictor of relapse free survival at 10 years, which we call the Random Forests Relapse Score (RFRS). Performance was assessed by internal cross-validation, multiple independent data sets, and comparison to existing algorithms using receiver-operating characteristic and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Internal redundancy of features was determined using k-means clustering to define optimal signatures with smaller numbers of primary genes, each with multiple alternates.

Results

Internal OOB cross-validation for the initial (full-gene-set) model on training data reported an ROC AUC of 0.704, which was comparable to or better than those reported previously or obtained by applying existing methods to our dataset. Three risk groups with probability cutoffs for low, intermediate, and high-risk were defined. Survival analysis determined a highly significant difference in relapse rate between these risk groups. Validation of the models against independent test datasets showed highly similar results. Smaller 17-gene and 8-gene optimized models were also developed with minimal reduction in performance. Furthermore, the signature was shown to be almost equally effective on both hormone-treated and untreated patients.

Conclusions

RFRS allows flexibility in both the number and identity of genes utilized from thousands to as few as 17 or eight genes, each with multiple alternatives. The RFRS reports a probability score strongly correlated with risk of relapse. This score could therefore be used to assign systemic chemotherapy specifically to those high-risk patients most likely to benefit from further treatment.
Prenatal maternal depression symptoms and nutrition, and child cognitive function
Authors: Barker Edward D. , Kirkham Natasha , Ng Jane , Jensen Sarah K. G.
Published: October 2013

Background

Little is currently known about how maternal depression symptoms and unhealthy nutrition during pregnancy may developmentally interrelate to negatively affect child cognitive function.

Aims

To test whether prenatal maternal depression symptoms predict poor prenatal nutrition, and whether this in turn prospectively associates with reduced postnatal child cognitive function.

Method

In 6979 mother–offspring pairs participating in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) in the UK, maternal depression symptoms were assessed five times between 18 weeks gestation and 33 months old. Maternal reports of the nutritional environment were assessed at 32 weeks gestation and 47 months old, and child cognitive function was assessed at age 8 years.

Results

During gestation, higher depressive symptoms were related to lower levels of healthy nutrition and higher levels of unhealthy nutrition, each of which in turn was prospectively associated with reduced cognitive function. These results were robust to postnatal depression symptoms and nutrition, as well as a range of potential prenatal and postnatal confounds (i.e. poverty, teenage mother, low maternal education, parity, birth complications, substance use, criminal lifestyle, partner cruelty towards mother).

Conclusions

Prenatal interventions aimed at the well-being of children of parents with depression should consider targeting the nutritional environment.
CARDIAC CONSIDERATIONS IN STROKE PREVENTION
Authors: Adams Robert J.
Published: October 2013

Cardiac considerations are important for most ischemic stroke patients for two reasons: (1) most stroke subtypes are most common in older adults where risk factors for cardiac disease are also prevalent (Gorelick et al, 1999); and (2) cardiac concerns may influence the management of patients with transient ischemic attack and stroke. In a perfect medical world, neurologists who become involved after stroke could deal with stroke-specific concerns with the knowledge that the internist, primary care physician, or cardiologist was managing general vascular and cardiac issues both before and after the stroke. However, this cannot always be assumed. Treatment choices need to balance competing risks and consider comorbid conditions. This chapter is aimed at common questions regarding cardiac disease that arise with ischemic stroke patients.
VASCULAR COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT
Authors: Nyenhuis David L.
Published: October 2013

Vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) is a term that encompasses vascular cognitive impairment, no dementia (vascular CIND), vascular dementia (VaD) and mixed VaD and other pathology (usually Alzheimer's disease [AD]). VCI is a common sequelae of stroke and small vessel ischemic disease. The neurocognitive deficits associated with VCI differ from those of AD and are typically characterized by more prominent executive dysfunction (eg, planning, organizing, multitasking), psychomotor slowing, and behavioral disturbance. These deficits may be less apparent within the structured setting of a medical evaluation than other neurocognitive changes, such as memory deterioration. Potentially modifiable risk factors for VCI include hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia, among others. Because of the close association of these factors with stroke, prevention of VCI is largely tied to control of stroke risk factors.
RISK FACTORS FOR STROKE, ASSESSING RISK, AND THE MASS AND HIGH-RISK APPROACHES FOR STROKE PREVENTION
Authors: Chong Ji Y. , Sacco Ralph L.
Published: October 2013

Identification of modifiable risk factors for stroke is necessary to assess risk and target prevention. Multiple studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of treating risk factors for lowering risk of stroke. This review will present common, modifiable risk factors for stroke. Assessment of risk and preventive strategies will also be discussed.
USE OF ANTICOAGULANT AGENTS FOR STROKE PREVENTION
Authors: Sloan Michael A.
Published: October 2013

Anticoagulant therapy has been used for the treatment and prevention of stroke since the late 1950s. Since that time, intense basic and clinical research has addressed the development and demonstration of efficacy of diverse anticoagulant agents for prevention of cerebrovascular disease in a wide variety of clinical states and disease processes. Early investigators in the pre-computed tomography (CT) scan era recognized that the major complication of anticoagulant therapy is bleeding, both systemic and intracranial, which for the most part is dose related. The high risk of intracranial hemorrhage in these pre-CT scan era studies may have been related to the use of high intensities of anticoagulant therapy, unsuspected initial intracerebral hemorrhage, suboptimal control of hypertension, and initiation of therapy in the acute phase of stroke (Levine et al, 2004). Recent investigators have examined putative risk factors associated with bleeding during anticoagulation therapy with an eye toward optimizing the use of anticoagulant therapy. This chapter has several objectives: (1) to review the pharmacology of available and emerging anticoagulant therapies; (2) to illustrate the system for evaluating the quality of clinical evidence and grading therapeutic recommendations; (3) to present a detailed evidence-based review of the use of anticoagulants for specific disease processes, as well as during pregnancy, and when possible, to supplement the clinical trial data by high-quality observational epidemiological studies and expert opinion; and (4) to discuss the occurrence of and risk factors for intracranial hemorrhage with anticoagulant therapy.
Is EM dead?
Authors: Knott Graham , Genoud Christel
Published: October 2013

Since electron microscopy (EM) first appeared in the 1930s, it has held centre stage as the primary tool for the exploration of biological structure. Yet, with the recent developments of light microscopy techniques that overcome the limitations imposed by the diffraction boundary, the question arises as to whether the importance of EM in on the wane. This Commentary describes some of the pioneering studies that have shaped our understanding of cell structure. These include the development of cryo-EM techniques that have given researchers the ability to capture images of native structures and at the molecular level. It also describes how a number of recent developments significantly increase the ability of EM to visualise biological systems across a range of length scales, and in 3D, ensuring that EM will remain at the forefront of biology research for the foreseeable future.
Unsteady flow affects swimming energetics in a labriform fish (Cymatogaster aggregata)
Authors: Roche Dominique G. , Taylor Mark K. , Binning Sandra A. , Johansen Jacob L. , Domenici Paolo , Steffensen John F.
Published: October 2013

Unsteady water flows are common in nature, yet the swimming performance of fishes is typically evaluated at constant, steady speeds in the laboratory. We examined how cyclic changes in water flow velocity affect the swimming performance and energetics of a labriform swimmer, the shiner surfperch, Cymatogaster aggregata. Using intermittent-flow respirometry, we measured critical swimming speed (Ucrit), oxygen consumption rate (ṀO2) and pectoral fin use in steady flow versus unsteady flows with either low (0.5 body lengths per second; BLs-1) or high amplitude (1.0 BLs-1) velocity fluctuations, with a 5 s period. Individuals in low amplitude unsteady flow performed as well as fish in steady flow. However, swimming costs in high amplitude unsteady flow were on average 25.3 % higher than in steady flow and 14.2% higher than estimated values obtained from simulations based on the non-linear relationship between swimming speed and oxygen consumption rate in steady flow. Time-averaged pectoral fin use (fin beat frequency measured over 300 s) was similar among treatments. However, measures of instantaneous fin use (fin beat period) and body movement in high amplitude unsteady flow indicate that individuals with greater variation in the duration of their fin beats were better at holding station and consumed less oxygen than fish with low variation in fin beat period. These results suggest that the costs of swimming in unsteady flows are context dependent in labriform swimmers, and may be influenced by individual differences in the ability of fishes to adjust their fin beats to the flow environment.
Pegylated leptin antagonist with strong orexigenic activity in mice is not effective in chickens
Authors: Gertler Arieh , Shinder Dmitri , Yosefi Sara , Shpilman Michal , Rosenblum Charles I. , Ruzal Mark , Seroussi Eyal , Friedman-Einat Miriam
Published: October 2013

A chicken gene orthologous to human leptin receptor (LEPR) has been characterized and found to be active in leptin signaling in vitro in response to a variety of recombinant leptins and leptin-containing blood samples. However, the endogenous ligand of chicken LEPR (cLEPR) - the putative chicken leptin - has been reported by us and others to be undetectable at the DNA, mRNA, protein and activity levels. These reports have raised questions as to cLEPR's role. Here we analyzed the effects of a pegylated superactive mouse leptin antagonist (PEG-SMLA) in chicken. We showed that the leptin antagonist efficiently and specifically blocks leptin signaling through the cLEPR in vitro. The effect of the leptin antagonist was then studied in vivo by daily administration of 10 mg/kg for 10 consecutive days to White Leghorn female chickens (G. gallus), at the age of two weeks. Despite the efficient attenuation of the cLEPR in vitro, no effect was observed on body weight, feed intake, feed efficiency or fat accumulation in the treated birds. Since similar treatment in rodents leads to a highly pronounced increase in appetite and body weight that are observed from the first day of treatment, it is concluded that the cLEPR is not implicated in the control of appetite or adipose homeostasis in chickens.
The Effect of Education on Adult Mortality and Health: Evidence from Britain
Authors: Clark Damon , Royer Heather
Published: October 2013

There is a strong, positive, and well-documented correlation between education and health outcomes. In this paper, we attempt to understand to what extent this relationship is causal. Our approach exploits two changes to British compulsory schooling laws that generated sharp across-cohort differences in educational attainment. Using regression discontinuity methods, we find the reforms did not affect health although the reforms impacted educational attainment and wages. Our results suggest caution as to the likely health returns to educational interventions focused on increasing educational attainment among those at risk of dropping out of high school, a target of recent health policy efforts. (JEL H52, I12, I21, I28)
The China Syndrome: Local Labor Market Effects of Import Competition in the United States
Authors: Autor David H , Dorn David , Hanson Gordon H
Published: October 2013

We analyze the effect of rising Chinese import competition between 1990 and 2007 on US local labor markets, exploiting cross-market variation in import exposure stemming from initial differences in industry specialization and instrumenting for US imports using changes in Chinese imports by other high-income countries. Rising imports cause higher unemployment, lower labor force participation, and reduced wages in local labor markets that house import-competing manufacturing industries. In our main specification, import competition explains one-quarter of the contemporaneous aggregate decline in US manufacturing employment. Transfer benefits payments for unemployment, disability, retirement, and healthcare also rise sharply in more trade-exposed labor markets. (JEL E24, F14, F16, J23, J31, L60, O47, R12, R23)
Urban Accounting and Welfare
Authors: Desmet Klaus , Rossi-Hansberg Esteban
Published: October 2013

We use a simple theory of a system of cities to decompose the determinants of the city size distribution into three main components: efficiency, amenities, and frictions. Higher efficiency and better amenities lead to larger cities but also to greater frictions through congestion and other negative effects of agglomeration. Using data on MSAs in the United States, we estimate these city characteristics. Eliminating variation in any of them leads to large population reallocations, but modest welfare effects. We apply the same methodology to Chinese cities and find welfare effects that are many times larger than those in the US. (JEL H71, O18, P25, R11, R23, R41)
The Cost of Contract Renegotiation: Evidence from the Local Public Sector
Authors: Gagnepain Philippe , Ivaldi Marc , Martimort David
Published: October 2013

Contract theory claims that renegotiation prevents attainment of the efficient solution that could be obtained under full commitment. Assessing the cost of renegotiation remains an open issue from an empirical viewpoint. We fit a structural principal-agent model with renegotiation on a set of contracts for urban transport services. The model captures two important features of the industry as only two types of contracts are used (fixed price and cost-plus) and subsidies are greater following a cost-plus contract than following a fixed-price one. We conclude that the welfare gains from improving commitment would be significant but would accrue mostly to operators. (JEL D82, D86, L51, L92, R42, R48)
Trading Away Wide Brands for Cheap Brands
Authors: Dhingra Swati
Published: October 2013

Firms face competing needs to expand product variety and reduce production costs. Access to larger markets enables innovation to reduce costs. Although firm scale increases, foreign competition reduces markups. Firms' ability to recapture lost markups depends on the interplay between within-firm competition and across-firm competition. Narrowing product variety eases within-firm competition but lowers market share. I provide a theory detailing the impact of trade policy on product and process innovation. Unbundling innovation provides new insights into welfare gains and innovation policy. Product innovation increases welfare beyond standard gains from trade. The relative returns to innovation policy change with trade liberalization. (JEL D24, F13, O31)
Do We Follow Others when We Should? A Simple Test of Rational Expectations: Comment
Authors: Ziegelmeyer Anthony , March Christoph , Krügel Sebastian
Published: October 2013

The payoff of actions is estimated and the resulting empirical payoff is controlled for in regression analyses to formulate a test of rational expectations in information cascade experiments. We show that the empirical payoff of actions is a function of estimates of choice probabilities and estimates of the information parameters of the game. We introduce an alternative empirical payoff of actions with true values of the information parameters. Our improved measure of the success of social learning confirms that rational expectations are violated, but deviations from rational expectations are statistically significantly smaller than in Weizsacher (2010). (JEL D82, D83, D84)
Desenvolvimento econômico dos municípios de Santa Catarina e a ação do estado
Authors: Raiher Augusta Pelinski
Published: October 2013

Este artigo analisa a influência dos fatores exógenos no desenvolvimento econômico dos municípios do Estado de Santa Catarina. Para isso, utilizaram-se dados referentes aos investimentos realizados pelo Estado (União e Estado) no período de 1986 a 2000 e dados sobre o índice de desenvolvimento humano de 2000. A associação entre desenvolvimento e inversões estatais foi delineada através de um modelo de regressão quadrática, na qual se verificou que o aumento nas inversões do Estado eleva o grau de desenvolvimento dos seus municípios, a taxas decrescentes. Desta forma, a ação do Estado no desenvolvimento dos municípios catarinense é relevante, com uma eficiência maior das suas inversões no início do processo; na medida em que o Estado intensifica seus investimentos, cria-se um dinamismo interno que conduz por si só o desenvolvimento econômico.
Competitividade em organizações agroindustriais: Aplicação metodológica em empresa do setor sucroalcooleiro no estado da Paraíba
Authors: Barbosa Maria de Fátima Nóbrega , Cândido Gesinaldo Ataíde
Published: October 2013

O objetivo deste artigo é apresentar uma metodologia para verificar e analisar o nível de competitividade de organizações agroindustriais, com ênfase na coordenação. Para isso, construiu-se um aparato metodológico a partir do modelo de Farina (1999) e do trabalho de Arbage (2004). Foi realizado um estudo de caso numa destilaria de álcool no estado da Paraíba. Os resultados constataram um nível de competitividade moderada do agente produtivo envolvido com a atividade sucroalcooleira. A contribuição deste artigo está vinculada à agregação do modelo de Farina (1999) ao trabalho de Arbage (2004) no que se refere à análise da coordenação e primordialmente a adoção de critérios para avaliação das variáveis da competitividade. Sugere-se que este constructo metodológico seja aplicado em outras empresas do setor sucroalcooleiro, bem como em outros sistemas agroindustriais.Palavras-chaves: Competitividade; Coordenação; Sistemas Agroindustriais.
Investigations: What Could, and Should, Be Taught?
Authors: Carson David
Published: October 2013

They are everywhere; inquiries. We all do it; investigate. Some people are employed to do it; detectives. Every genuine academic disciple requires it; the development of skills in identifying, collating, analysing, assessing, presenting, etc., facts as evidence for an essay, report, argument, trial. And yet no university, let alone one which proclaims the importance of encouraging multidisciplinary studies, provides a degree directly studying investigations in all their richness and variety. This article outlines the case for such a degree and identifies the core courses it should contain.
Chironomidae (Insecta: Diptera) of different habitats and microhabitats of the Vacacai-Mirim River microbasin, Southern Brazil
Authors: KONIG RODRIGO , SANTOS SANDRO
Published: October 2013

The Chironomidae family is one of the main groups of aquatic insects present in streams. This work aimed to investigate the influences of anthropogenic pressures and substrate types on chironomid community composition and structure. Chironomid larvae were collected during the summer of 2007 at four sites along the Vacacaí-Mirim River microbasin, chosen based on the different available benthic substrates. The organisms were identified in the laboratory at the genus level, and the density, the rarefied taxonomic richness and the Shannon diversity index were calculated. The faunal structure was subjected to an ANOVA to compare the metrics among sites and substrates. The community composition of the sites was subjected to a multivariate statistical analysis. Differences in the composition, richness, density, and diversity were observed among the sites due to differences in the levels of nutrients and solids generated by the presence of crops close to water bodies. Samples collected from sandy substrates exhibited a lower density and taxonomic richness because sand is a poorer substrate than the others that were sampled. In organic or mixed substrates with higher energy availability and better shelter conditions, the observed densities were higher. The physical and chemical conditions and the morphometric characteristics of the sites were more influential than the substrates.
Hawkmoth fauna (Sphingidae, Lepidoptera) in a semi-deciduous rainforest remnant: composition, temporal fluctuations, and new records for northeastern Brazil
Authors: PRIMO LUIS M. , DUARTE JOSE A. , MACHADO ISABEL C.
Published: October 2013

We carried out a qualitative and quantitative inventory of the hawkmoth fauna (Sphingidae) of an area of semi-deciduous seasonal rainforest in the state of Pernambuco (Tapacurá Ecological Station), northeastern Brazil. Hawkmoths were sampled monthly from October 2004 to February 2007 (27 months). We recorded 31 species from 16 genera, three tribes, and three families. Macroglossinae was the most abundant subfamily and represented ca. 71% of all species. Out of the 277 individuals collected, 88.4% were males. Five new records were made for northeastern Brazil: Enyo gorgon (Cramer, 1777), Perigonia stulta (Herrich-Schäffer, [1854]), Eupyrrhoglossum sagra (Poey, 1832), Nyceryx coffaeae (Walker, 1856) and Xylophanes chiron (Drury, 1773). Eight further species were recorded for the first time for the Pernambuco Endemism Center, showing the important role played by Tapacurá Station in preserving the biodiversity of this insect group. Species richness and abundance were directly related to rainfall: about 70% of all individuals were captured during the rainy season. Changes in Sphingidae populations may, however, be caused by other factors that directly affect either larvae and adults of those insects, such as matrix effect and forest fragment size, which influence migration processes and the presence of predators.
Active polyketides isolated from Penicillium herquei
Authors: MARINHO ANDREY M.R. , MARINHO PATRICIA S.B. , SANTOS LOURIVALDO S. , RODRIGUES FILHO EDSON , FERREIRA IZABEL C.P.
Published: October 2013

In this work we are reporting the isolation by classical methods of chromatography of six polyketides from Penicillium herquei. The compounds citreorosein ( 1) , emodin ( 2) , janthinone ( 3) , citrinin ( 4) , citrinin H1 ( 5) and dicitrinol ( 6) were identified by spectral methods of 1D and 2D NMR and MS. Compounds 1, 2 and 3 were tested against promastigotes forms of Leishmania brasiliensis and 1 and 2 were also assayed against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus subtilis and showed good activity.
Comparing column penetration and total–sounding data for lime–cement columns
Authors: Bergman Niclas , Larsson Stefan
Published: October 2013

In Sweden, the method commonly used for the quality control of lime–cement columns is the column penetration test. However, it is recommended for depths of no more than 8 m because the probe easily deviates from the column at greater depths. As an alternative to facilitate keeping the probe vertical, a centre hole is normally bored in the column using the total-sounding test method. The aim of this paper is to quantify the agreement between the two methods. If there is good agreement, it should be possible to use the less expensive and less time-consuming total-sounding test as a complement to the column penetration test. The analyses suggest good agreement between the methods, and it is therefore suggested that the total-sounding test be used as a complement to the column penetration test in evaluating the average strength properties of a group of medium- and high-strength lime–cement columns.
Assessing How Teachers Enhance Self-Regulated Learning: A Multiperspective Approach
Authors: Ewijk Charlotte Dignath-van , Dickhäuser Oliver , Büttner Gerhard
Published: October 2013

Teachers’ behavior in the classroom can be assessed from different perspectives using teacher ratings, student ratings, or classroom observations. This article presents an observation instrument to assess teachers’ promotion of self-regulated learning (SRL), capturing teachers’ instruction of self-regulation strategies as well as characteristics of the learning environment that should foster students’ self-regulation. Thirty-four classroom videotapes were systematically coded regarding teachers’ promotion of SRL. Moreover, student and teacher ratings were collected to compare different perspectives. For the prediction of students’ SRL, the value of observation data and of teacher and student ratings was analyzed. The results suggested that teacher and observer ratings did not agree, and that teacher and student ratings agreed to some extent. Regression analysis showed that the instruction of metacognitive strategies assessed through observations as well as through student ratings significantly predicted students’ SRL, whereas the ratings of the observed learning environment predicted student SRL and achievement negatively. In addition, teachers’ perceptions of fostering situated learning also predicted SRL of their students.
Racial and Socioeconomic Disparities in the Allocation of Expanded Criteria Donor Kidneys
Authors: Mohandas Rajesh , Casey Michael J. , Cook Robert L. , Lamb Kenneth E. , Wen Xuerong , Segal Mark S.
Published: October 2013

Background and objectives

In carefully selected individuals, receiving expanded criteria donor (ECD) kidneys confer a survival advantage over remaining on dialysis. However, wait lists for ECD kidneys often include a significant proportion of young patients, who have no predictable survival benefit from ECD kidneys. This study hypothesized that educational and socioeconomic factors might influence a younger patient’s decision to accept an ECD kidney.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

This study was a retrospective analysis of all first single-kidney transplants in the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients database from 2000 to 2009 in patients aged 18–40 years and waitlisted <3 years. The primary outcome measured was the odds of receiving an ECD kidney compared with an standard criteria donor kidney in different demographic subgroups. Race, income, and education were analyzed in main-effect and two-way interaction models, corrected for candidate panel reactive antibodies and sex.

Results

Of 13,615 ECD transplants, 591 kidneys (4.3%) went to recipients aged between 18 and 40 years who were waitlisted <3 years. African Americans (odds ratio, 1.71; 95% confidence interval, 1.26 to 2.33) or those with low education (odds ratio, 2.32; 95% confidence interval, 1.38 to 3.89) were more likely to receive an ECD kidney than Caucasians or those with a college degree, respectively. However, African Americans with higher education levels did not have significantly higher odds of receiving an ECD kidney than Caucasians with a college degree.

Conclusions

In patients aged <40 years and waitlisted <3 years, African Americans and those with lower educational status and low income are more likely to receive an ECD kidney than Caucasians or those with higher education. It is important that health care providers and patients understand such disparities to facilitate a more rational use of ECD kidneys.
Effect of the preparation route on the structure and microstructure of LaCoO3
Authors: Andoulsi Refka , Horchani-Naifer Karima , Férid Mokhtar
Published: October 2013

Lanthanum cobaltite oxide, LaCoO3, was prepared by the evaporation technique and the amorphous metal complex method. Powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and surface area measurements. The effect of the synthesis route on the phase purity, particle size, surface area, and morphology of the powders was studied. A single perovskite phase was synthesized at 700°C using the amorphous metal complex route. However, the evaporation technique required higher temperature for LaCoO3 crystallization. Based on the characterization results, low temperature formation of LaCoO3 was attributed to the homogeneity of the precursors. Such behavior also results in different microstructures. Powder synthesized by the amorphous metal complex method exhibited the highest surface area and the lowest particle size.
“Green synthesis” of benzothiazepine library of indeno analogues and their in vitro antimicrobial activity
Authors: Acharya Ashok , Kamble Rahul , Patil Snehalkumar , Hese Shrikant , Yemul Omprakash , Patil Sudhakar , Halale Shivshankar , Dawane Bhaskar
Published: October 2013

A novel series of indeno-benzothiazepine derivatives was synthesised via a “green” route. Synthesis of these compounds involves the treatment of dinucleophiles such as 2-aminobenzenethiols with α,β-unsaturated ketones in poly(oxyethylene) (poly(ethylene glycol), PEG-400) catalysed by acetic acid. The synthone α,β-unsaturated ketones were obtained by Claisen-Schmidt condensation of indan-1-one with substituted pyrazole-2-carbaldehydes prompted by bleaching earth (pH 12.5) as catalyst and PEG-400 as “green” reaction solvent. Screening of all the synthesised compounds for antimicrobial activity revealed that most of these compounds exhibited moderate to significant antimicrobial activity.
Physical Examination Tests for the Diagnosis of Posterior Cruciate Ligament Rupture: A Systematic Review
Authors: Kopkow Christian , Freiberg Alice , Kirschner Stephan , Seidler Andreas , Schmitt Jochen
Published: October 2013

Study Design

Systematic literature review.

Objectives

To summarize and evaluate research on the accuracy of physical examination tests for diagnosis of posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) tear.

Background

Rupture of the PCL is a severe knee injury that can lead to delayed rehabilitation, instability, or chronic knee pathologies. To our knowledge, there is currently no systematic review of studies on the diagnostic accuracy of clinical examination tests to evaluate the integrity of the PCL.

Methods

A comprehensive systematic literature search was conducted in MEDLINE from 1946, Embase from 1974, and the Allied and Complementary Medicine Database from 1985 until April 30, 2012. Studies were considered eligible if they compared the results of physical examination tests performed in the context of a PCL physical examination to those of a reference standard (arthroscopy, arthrotomy, magnetic resonance imaging). Methodological quality assessment was performed by 2 independent reviewers using the revised version of the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS-2) tool.

Results

The search strategy revealed 1307 articles, of which 11 met the inclusion criteria for this review. In these studies, 11 different physical examination tests were identified. Due to differences in study types, different patient populations, and methodological quality, meta-analysis was not indicated. Presently, most physical examination tests have not been evaluated sufficiently enough to be confident in their ability to either confirm or rule out a PCL tear.

Conclusions

The diagnostic accuracy of physical examination tests to assess the integrity of the PCL is largely unknown. There is a strong need for further research in this area.

Level of Evidence

Diagnosis, level 3a. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2013;43(11):804–813. Epub 10 October 2013. doi:10.2519/jospt.2013.4906
Changing pattern of resistant pathogens causing urinary tract infections in Karachi
Authors: Najmul H , Tanveer A
Published: October 2013

INTRODUCTION: The study under view is based under the aim to investigate the prevalence and susceptibility pattern of pathogens, causing urinary tract infections (UTIs), to antibiotics commonly used in routine medication. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Over a period of 10 months 100 isolates were collected for the determination of their susceptibility to chosen antibiotics, from a laboratory (MedPath Laboratories) in urban area of Karachi. All Gramnegative and Gram-positive urinary tract pathogens were re-identified by their morphological and biochemical characteristics and the susceptibility to seven antibiotics was determined. RESULTS: Pathogens were found as, Escherichia coli, Pseudomona spp, Klebsiella species, Enterobacter spp., and Staphylococci spp. In recent study, more than half of the Escherichia coli isolates were resistant to one or more of the all antimicrobial drugs tested. Resistance was most common to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and ofloxacin, cefixime, followed by gentamicin. Our results indicate that Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas spp. were the most common organisms causing UTI. Other organisms involved were Enterobacter spp., Staphylococcus spp., and Klebsiella spp. Increasing patterns of resistant to gentamicin, and ofloxacin were also observed. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, pattern of antibiotic susceptibility to first line antibiotics is changing hence antimicrobial susceptibility testing of all isolates is crucial for the treatment of UTI. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijim.v2i3.8069 Int J Infect Microbiol 2013;2(3):99-104