bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of weight loss induced by gastric bypass on proinflammatory interleukin‐18, soluble tumour necrosis factor‐α receptors, C‐reactive protein and adiponectin in morbidly obese patients
Authors: Vilarrasa N. , Vendrell J. , Sánchez‐Santos R. , Broch M. , Megia A. , Masdevall C. , Gomez N. , Soler J. , Pujol J. , Bettónica C. , Aranda H. , Gómez J. M.
Published: July 2007

Objective  Interleukin‐18 (IL‐18) is a potent proinflammatory cytokine whose role in human obesity has recently been suggested. The aim of our study was to analyse in morbidly obese patients undergoing gastric bypass, the relationship of IL‐18 with insulin resistance and with proinflammatory cytokines (tumour necrosis factor‐α receptors, sTNFR), C‐reactive protein (CRP) and with adiponectin.

Design  Observational and prospective study.

Patients  Sixty‐five morbidly obese patients, aged 45 ± 8·9 years, were studied before and 12 months after gastric bypass.

Measurements  We analysed plasma concentrations of IL‐18, sTNFR, CRP and adiponectin.

Results  Plasma concentrations of sTNFR2, IL‐18 and CRP were decreased and adiponectin significantly increased after bypass surgery. In the multiple regression analysis, preoperative values of IL‐18 remained significantly associated with preoperative triglycerides (β = 0·47, P = 0·005) and TNFR2 (β = 0·47, P = 0·004). R2 for the model = 0·38. Postoperative IL‐18 concentrations in the multiple regression analysis were significantly associated with postoperative homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) (β = 0·092, P = 0·019) and triglycerides (β = 0·40, P = 0·036). R2 for the model = 0·46. IL‐18 did not correlate with body mass index, fat mass, fat‐free mass or body fat. No relationship was either found between adiponectin and IL‐18, TNFR1 and ‐2 and CRP.

Conclusions  Massive weight loss induced by gastric bypass reduces IL‐18, TNFR2 and CRP. IL‐18 might be a marker of the chronic inflammatory process underlying insulin resistance but its lack of association with anthropometric and body composition parameters does not support a major secretion by human adipocytes. IL‐18 and sTNFR1 and ‐2 do not play a main role in the inhibition of the secretion of adiponectin.
Natural hybridization between a clonally propagated crop, cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) and a wild relative in French Guiana
Authors: DUPUTIÉ ANNE , DAVID PATRICE , DEBAIN CHANTAL , MCKEY DOYLE
Published: July 2007

Because domestication rarely leads to speciation, domesticated populations often hybridize with wild relatives when they occur in close proximity. Little work has focused on this question in clonally propagated crops. If selection on the capacity for sexual reproduction has been relaxed, these crops would not be expected to hybridize with their wild relatives as frequently as seed‐propagated crops. Cassava is one of the most important clonally propagated plants in tropical agriculture. Gene flow between cassava and wild relatives has often been postulated, but never demonstrated in nature. We studied a population of a wild Manihot sp. in French Guiana, which was recently in contact with domesticated cassava, and characterized phenotypes (10 morphological traits) and genotypes (six microsatellite loci) of individuals in a transect parallel to the direction of hypothesized gene flow. Wild and domesticated populations were strongly differentiated at microsatellite loci. We identified many hybrids forming a continuum between these two populations, and phenotypic variation was strongly correlated with the degree of hybridization as determined by molecular markers. Analysis of linkage disequilibrium and of the diversity of hybrid pedigrees showed that hybridization has gone on for at least three generations and that no strong barrier prevents admixture of the populations. Hybrids were more heterozygous than either wild or domesticated individuals, and phenotypic comparisons suggested heterosis in vegetative traits. Our results also suggest that this situation is not uncommon, at least in French Guiana, and demonstrate the need for integrated management of wild and domesticated populations even in clonally propagated crops.
Meeting review: American Genetics Association Symposium on the genetics of speciation
Authors: ORTIZ‐BARRIENTOS DANIEL , KANE NOLAN C.
Published: July 2007

Yeast can be engineered to carry human chromosomes; highly diverged ducks can produce viable, fertile offspring; and mitochondrial genes can move between widely divergent groups of plants. Some sunflower or oak species have porous genomes; mice, crickets, birds, and butterflies form hybrid zones; and bacterial lineages have been exchanging genes for several billion years. Even so, nature is discrete and full of species. Here, we discuss some of the ingredients that make nature discrete and can lead to clustering even in the presence of gene flow. Many of these results have been recently published, in this issue and elsewhere, and were discussed at the Genetics of Speciation Symposium held at the annual meeting of the American Genetics Association, Vancouver, Canada, in 2006.
Variation in multiple paternity in natural populations of a free‐spawning marine invertebrate
Authors: JOHNSON SHERI L. , YUND PHILIP O.
Published: July 2007

For free‐spawning marine invertebrates, fertilization processes control the genetic diversity of offspring. Each egg can potentially be fertilized by a sperm from a different male, and hence genetic diversity within a brood varies with levels of multiple paternity. Yet, few studies have characterized the frequency of multiple paternity in natural spawns. We analysed patterns of multiple paternity in two populations of the colonial ascidian Botryllus schlosseri using microsatellites. Because previous studies have shown that at moderate to high population densities, competition among male‐phase B. schlosseri colonies results in the nearest male dominating the paternity of a brood, we specifically tested the effect of population density on patterns of paternity. Paternity was estimated using three multilocus indices: minimum number of fathers, counts of sperm haplotypes, and effective paternity (KE). Multiple paternity was evident in more than 92% of the broods analysed, but highly variable, with a few broods displaying unequal contributions of different males. We found no effect of population density on multiple paternity, suggesting that other factors may control paternity levels. Indirect benefits from increasing the genetic diversity of broods are a possible explanation for the high level of multiple paternity in this species.
Annotatingebonyon the fly
Authors: KOHN MICHAEL H. , WITTKOPP PATRICIA J.
Published: July 2007

The distinctive black phenotype ofebonymutants has made it one of the most widely used phenotypic markers inDrosophilagenetics. Without doubt,ebonyshowcases the fruits of the fly community's labours to annotate gene function. As of this writing, FlyBase lists 142 references, 1277 fly stocks, 15 phenotypes and 44 alleles. In addition to its namesake pigmentation phenotype,ebonymutants affect other traits, including phototaxis and courtship. With phenotypic consequences ofebonyvariants readily apparent in the laboratory, does natural selection also see them in the wild? In this issue ofMolecular Ecology, Pool & Aquadro investigate this question and found signs of natural selection on theebonygene that appear to have resulted from selection for darker pigmentation at higher elevations in sub‐Saharan populations ofDrosophila melanogaster. Such findings from population genomic analysis of wild‐derived strains should be included in gene annotations to provide a more holistic view of a gene's function. The evolutionary annotation ofebonyadded by Pool & Aquadro substantiates that pigmentation can be adaptive and implicates elevation as an important selective factor. This is important progress because the selective factors seem to differ between populations and species. In addition, the study raises issues to consider when extrapolating from selection at the molecular level to selection at the phenotypic level.
Dry type leishmanial lymphadenitis presented as two large parotid and cervical masses
Authors: Esfandiarpour I. , Dabiri S. H. , Yousefi K.
Published: July 2007

Background  Cutaneous leishmanisis (CL) is a common disease in Iran, particularly in Kerman and Bam and Kerman province. Lymphadenitis resulting from leishmania tropica (dry type) with, or without, cutaneous lesion is rare. Localized leishmanial lymphadenitis (LLA) is a specific clinico‐pathologic presentation of inflammatory changes caused by leishmanial parasites or antigen within an isolated lymph node without any systemic manifestation.

Case report  A 55‐year‐old Iranian woman presented with two slow growing large nodules (masses) on the left preauricular and the left cervical areas. The nodules were large, painless, mobile, multilobulated, and associated with a small skin papule on the left‐side of the cheek distal to the masses.

Results  Histopathologic examination of both the skin lesion and the lymph nodes suggested the leishmanial etiology of skin papule and lymphadenitis. The Leishman‐bodies (amastigotes) were demonstrated in two lymph nodes and a skin lesion. The clinical picture plus pathological finding and the response to meglumine‐antimoniate confirmed LLA.

Conclusion  Lymph node involvement is another rare manifestation of dissemination of infection with dermotropic leishmania. This presentation of CL should not be treated with the ordinary local treatments such as curettage, cryotherapy or surgical excision.
The cuticular purse string suture: a modified purse string suture for the partial closure of round postoperative wounds
Authors: Cohen Philip R. , Martinelli Paul T. , Schulze Keith E. , Nelson Bruce R.
Published: July 2007

Background  The purse string suture can be used to provide primary closure for small skin defects or as a partial closure for larger round wounds. The size of the defect is reduced secondary to the tension placed on the suture, which uniformly advances the skin from the entire periphery of the wound.

Methods  We reviewed retrospectively the features of 98 consecutive patients for whom a total of 100 cuticular purse string sutures were used to partially close their postoperative surgical defects. The location and types of the tumors removed were also summarized.

Results  Postoperative wounds were created following Mohs’ micrographic excision of nonmelanoma skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma, 44; squamous cell carcinoma, 25), wide local excision of melanoma (29), or conservative excision of benign cutaneous neoplasms (two). The incidence of purse string suture for partial closure of each tumor was 4.1% for basal cell carcinoma, 7.3% for squamous cell carcinoma, and 46.3% for melanoma. The tumors were equally distributed on the trunk, head and neck, and extremities; however, purse string closures for basal cell carcinomas were more frequent on the trunk, head, and neck, relative to squamous cell carcinomas and melanomas, which were more common on the extremities. Concurrent medical problems and/or the use of an agent with anticoagulant or antiplatelet effects were noted in more than 50% of patients. Absorbable material of thicker diameter was most frequently used for the suture, and the postoperative wound area decreased by 6–90% (mean, 60%) following purse string partial closure. The suture was usually removed after 3–4 weeks. Postoperative complications occurred in six patients: allergic contact dermatitis in two, wound infection in two, exuberant granulation tissue in one, and hypertrophic scar in one. All of the wounds healed completely with either a round or linear scar.

Conclusion  The cuticular purse string suture is a rapid and simple procedure that provides complete or partial closure of round skin defects and excellent long‐term cosmetic and functional results. This closure provides uniform tension to the wound, enhances hemostasis at the tissue edge, and significantly decreases the size of the defect. Partial wound closure with the purse string suture may be advantageous following the local excision of melanoma, either as definitive surgical wound management or as a temporary partial wound closure prior to subsequent complete repair of the surgical defect. The purse string suture is also useful following nonmelanoma skin cancer removal in patients who insist on maintaining an active lifestyle in the immediate postoperative period, who are receiving one or more systemic anticoagulant and/or antiplatelet agents, and who have large surgical wounds that would require either a skin graft or a local cutaneous flap in order to close the postoperative defect.
Response of transglutaminase activity and bound putrescine to changes in light intensity under natural or controlled conditions in Quercus ilex leaves
Authors: Pintó‐Marijuan Marta , De Agazio Marina , Zacchini Massimo , Santos Maria Asunción , Torné Josep Maria , Fleck Isabel
Published: July 2007

In order to further study a previously observed relationship between polyamine (PA) content and changes in irradiation, we examined the level of free and bound PAs, the activity of transglutaminase (TGase, EC 2.3.2.13) and chlorophyll fluorescence in holm oak (Quercus ilex L.) leaves in response to different levels of light intensity and amount. A diurnal trend of free and bound putrescine (F‐Put and B‐Put, respectively) and TGase activity was observed in plants under natural conditions in the forest, with the highest value corresponding to the maximum light intensity and amount of light received by the leaves. In another set of experiments, potted Q. ilex plants in experimental fields were subjected to a range of periods of natural photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) by covering or not covering the whole trees. Under a natural photoperiod (uncovered leaves), B‐Put content and TGase activity paralleled the diurnal PPFD pattern, reaching a maximum at the highest PPFD; prior to this maximum, free PAs showed a significant rise. Plants that were in darkness until midday and suddenly exposed to high light intensity showed enhanced TGase activity, resulting in the maximum accumulation of B‐Put. The involvement of the accumulation of B‐Put reflected in the changes of the B‐Put/bound spermidine ratio during the photoprotective responses to high light stress in forest plants is discussed in relation to the chlorophyll fluorescence parameters observed.
The involvement of nitric oxide in ultraviolet‐B‐inhibited pollen germination and tube growth of Paulownia tomentosa in vitro
Authors: He Jun‐Min , Bai Xiao‐Ling , Wang Rui‐Bin , Cao Bing , She Xiao‐Ping
Published: July 2007

The role of nitric oxide (NO) in the ultraviolet‐B radiation (UV‐B)‐induced reduction of in vitro pollen germination and tube growth of Paulownia tomentosa Steud. was studied. Results showed that exposure of the pollen to 0.4 and 0.8 W m−2 UV‐B radiation for 2 h resulted in not only the reduction of pollen germination and tube growth but also the enhancement of NO synthase (NOS, EC 1.14.13.39) activity and NO production in pollen grain and tube. Also, exogenous NO donors sodium nitroprusside and S‐nitrosoglutathione inhibited both pollen germination and tube growth in a dose‐dependence manner. NOS inhibitor NG‐nitro‐l‐Arg‐methyl eater (l‐NAME) and NO scavenger 2‐(4‐carboxyphenyl)‐4,4,5,5‐tetramethylimidazoline‐1‐oxyl‐3‐oxide (c‐PTIO) not only largely prevented the NO generation but also partly reversed the UV‐B‐inhibited pollen germination and tube growth. These results indicate that UV‐B radiation inhibits pollen germination and tube growth partly via promoting NO production in pollen grain and tube by a NOS‐like enzyme. Additionally, a guanylyl cyclase inhibitor 6‐anilino‐5,8‐quinolinequinone (LY‐83583) prevented both the UV‐B‐ and NO donors‐inhibited pollen germination and tube growth, suggesting that the NO function is mediated by cyclic guanosine 5′‐monophosphate. However, the effects of c‐PTIO, l‐NAME and LY‐83583 on the UV‐B‐inhibited pollen germination and tube growth were only partial, suggesting that there are NO‐independent pathways in UV‐B signal networks.
Abundant, diverse, and consequentialPelements segregate in promoters of small heat‐shock genes inDrosophilapopulations
Authors: CHEN B. , WALSER J.‐C. , RODGERS T. H. , SOBOTA R. S. , BURKE M. K. , ROSE M. R. , FEDER M. E.
Published: July 2007

The present study extends evidence thatDrosophilaheat‐shock genes are distinctively evolvable because of insertion of transposable elements by examining the genotypic diversity and phenotypic consequences of naturally occurringPelement insertions in the proximal promoter regions of two small heat‐shock genes. Detailed scrutiny of two populations revealed 16 distinctivePtransposable elements collectively segregating in proximal promoters of two small heat‐shock genes,Hsp26andHsp27. These elements vary in size, orientation and insertion site. Frequencies ofPelement‐containing alleles varied from 5% to 100% in these populations. TwoHsp26elements chosen for detailed study,RsP26andD2Pm, reduced or abolishedHsp26expression respectively. TheRsP26element increased or did not affect inducible tolerance of high temperature, increased fecundity, but decreased developmental rate. On the other hand, theD2Pmelement decreased thermotolerance and fecundity. In lines subjected to experimental evolution, the allelic frequency of theRsP26Pelement varied considerably, and was at lower frequencies in lines selected for increased longevity and for accelerated development than in controls. Transposable element insertions into smallHspgenes inDrosophilapopulations can have dramatic fitness consequences, and therefore create variation on which selection can act.
Basal metabolic rate: heritability and genetic correlations with morphological traits in the zebra finch
Authors: RØNNING B. , JENSEN H. , MOE B. , BECH C.
Published: July 2007

Studies of genetic variation in metabolic traits have so far not focused on birds. In our study population of captive zebra finches we found evidence for a significant heritable genetic component in basal metabolic rate (BMR). Heritability of all morphological traits investigated (body mass, head length, tars length and wing length) was significantly larger than zero. All traits were positively phenotypically correlated. Eight of 10 genetic correlations presented in this study differed significantly from zero, all being positive, suggesting the possibility of correlated responses to any selection acting on the traits. When conditioned on the genetic variance in body mass, the heritability of BMR was reduced from 25% to 4%. Hence, our results indicate that genetic changes in BMR through directional selection are possible, but the potential for adaptation independent of body mass may be limited.
Direct comparison between transrectal and transperineal extended prostate biopsy for the detection of cancer
Authors: Kawakami Satoru , Yamamoto Shinya , Numao Noboru , Ishikawa Yuichi , Kihara Kazunori , Fukui Iwao
Published: July 2007

Aim:  To establish whether extended transrectal (TR) and extended transperineal (TP) biopsies are equivalent in detecting prostate cancer.

Methods:  Due to an elevated prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) greater than 2.5 ng/mL or abnormal digital rectal examination findings, 783 men underwent a transrectal ultrasound‐guided three‐dimensional 26‐core biopsy, a combination of TR 12‐core and TP 14‐core biopsies. Using recursive partitioning, the best combination of sampling sites that gave the highest cancer detection rate at a given number of biopsy cores was selected either with a TR or a TP approach. The cancer detection rate and characteristics of detected cancers were compared between the TP 14‐core and the TR 12‐core biopsies and between selected subset biopsy schemes.

Results:  Prostate cancer was detected in 283 of the 783 men (36%). There was no statistical difference in cancer detection rate or in the characteristics of detected cancers between TP 14‐core and TR 12‐core biopsies. As far as the best combination of sampling sites was selected, there was no statistical difference in cancer detection rates or in the characteristics of detected cancers between the TP and the TR subset biopsy schemes up to 12 cores. TP and TR biopsies performed equally, regardless of a history of negative biopsy, a digital rectal examination finding, the PSA level or the prostate volume.

Conclusions:  We demonstrated for the first time that extended TP biopsy is as effective as its TR counterpart in detecting cancer and the characteristics of detected cancers, as far as sampling sites are selected to maximize the cancer detection rate.
Prognostic impact of carbonic anhydrase IX expression in human renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Sandlund Johanna , Oosterwijk Egbert , Grankvist Kjell , Oosterwijk‐Wakka Jeannette , Ljungberg Börje , Rasmuson Torgny
Published: July 2007

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the prognostic information of carbonic anhydrase (CA) IX expression in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC), as increased expression of CA IX is correlated with a worse prognosis in several malignancies.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

CA IX expression was assessed in RCC tumours from 228 patients, using a tissue microarray technique on archival material. The expression was related to RCC cell type, Tumour‐Node‐Metastasis (TNM) stage, nuclear grade and survival.

RESULTS

CA IX expression was significantly higher (P < 0.001) in 183 conventional than in 31 papillary RCC and 14 chromophobe RCC. For conventional RCC there was no correlation of CA IX expression with TNM stage or nuclear grade. To evaluate the prognostic information conventional RCC tumours were subdivided arbitrarily into three groups according to the CA IX expression, of 0–10%, 11–90% and 91–100% expression, respectively. Patients with tumours with 0–10% expression had a less favourable prognosis than those with 11–90% and 91–100% expression (P = 0.012, and 0.001), respectively. A multivariate analysis of prognostic factors for patients with conventional RCC showed that TNM stage, nuclear grade and CA IX were independent predictors of prognosis.

CONCLUSION

These results show that CA IX expression is higher in conventional than other RCC cell types; furthermore, patients with conventional RCC with low CA IX expression had a less favourable prognosis.
Plain abdominal radiography with transabdominal native tissue harmonic imaging ultrasonography vs unenhanced computed tomography in renal colic
Authors: Mitterberger Michael , Pinggera Germar Michael , Pallwein Leo , Gradl Johannes , Feuchtner Gudrun , Plattner Raffael , Neururer Richard , Bartsch Georg , Strasser Hannes , Frauscher Ferdinand
Published: July 2007

In the first paper in this section, the authors from Austria compare plain film plus transabdominal native‐tissue harmonic ultrasonography with unenhanced CT for the diagnosis of urinary calculi in patients with acute flank pain. In this prospective study, they found that CT is the most accurate method of diagnosis, but that the other method of diagnosis compared favourably, with excellent results.

OBJECTIVE

To compare plain film kidney, ureter and bladder radiography (KUB) with transabdominal native tissue harmonic imaging ultrasonography (NTHI‐US) vs unenhanced computed tomography (CT) for the diagnosis of urinary calculi in patients with acute flank pain.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In all, 112 patients who presented to the urological department with clinical suspicion of ureteric calculi were included. These patients had KUB with NTHI‐US and unenhanced CT. Of the 112 patients, 14 were lost to follow‐up and therefore excluded. For the remaining 98 patients (53 men, 45 women; mean age 43.3 years, range: 19–74) the KUB with NTHI‐US findings were compared with the CT findings, which served as the ‘gold standard’.

RESULTS

In all, 75 patients were confirmed to have ureteric calculi. KUB with transabdominal NTHI‐US detected 72 of the 75 patients with calculi (sensitivity 96%, specificity 91%, and accuracy 95%). Unenhanced CT detected urolithiasis in all 75 patients (sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 100%). Both techniques showed further extra‐urinary pathologies.

CONCLUSION

This prospective study shows that CT is the most accurate technique for detecting urolithiasis. However, KUB with transabdominal NTHI‐US is an alternative to unenhanced CT with comparable results.
Resource Configuration in Family Firms: Linking Resources, Strategic Planning and Technological Opportunities to Performance
Authors: Eddleston Kimberly A. , Kellermanns Franz Willi , Sarathy Ravi
Published: July 2007

abstract We apply the resource‐based view of the firm to the study of family firms by investigating how a family specific resource (reciprocal altruism) and a firm specific resource (innovative capacity) contribute to family firm performance. We then examine how the impact of these resources is moderated by strategic planning and technological opportunities. Our findings suggest that family firms can benefit from emphasizing the positive aspects of kinship and from developing innovative capacities. As such, we demonstrate that not only do firm specific resources contribute to family firm performance, but also that family relationships can be a source of competitive advantage for a family firm. In addition, we found a heightened importance of reciprocal altruism in environments rich in technological opportunities, and that strategic planning is more important for those family firms that lack innovative capacities.
The exteriority of ethics in management and its transition into justice: a Levinasian approach to ethics in business
Authors: Aasland Dag G.
Published: July 2007

Levinas did not present any new ethical theories; he did not even give any normative recommendations. But his phenomenological investigations help us to understand how the idea of ethics emerges and how we try to cope with it. The purpose of this paper is to suggest some implications from a reading of Levinas on how ethical challenges are handled within a management perspective. The paper claims that management, both in theory and in practice, is necessarily egocentric and thus ethically biased. Therefore, ethics, defined as the idea that it is possible to do otherwise than pursue one's own interest, must have its source outside the scope of management. Levinas identifies this source as the call for responsibility from the Other, beyond the reach of managerial control. He also suggests how this idea of ethics is put into practice, especially in economic life: the existence of money makes it both possible and necessary to compare unique and incomparable others. Management tools may be used in the service of always more justice, as it also may be used for the opposite purpose. Instead of trying to draw a normative conclusion from Levinas, we may distinguish between two ways of experiencing reality: one through language and knowledge, covering both descriptive and normative knowledge, including ‘business ethics’, and the other through the particular events of encounters, from where this knowledge is continuously questioned through the call for responsibility, and thereby may provide possibilities for continuous improvements towards always more justice.
Fire the manager to improve performance? Managerial turnover and incentives after privatization in the Czech Republic
Authors: Fidrmuc Jana P. , Fidrmuc Jan
Published: July 2007

This paper analyses the effect of the introduction of managerial incentives and new human capital on enterprise performance immediately after privatization in the Czech Republic. We find weak evidence for the presence of managerial incentives: only from 1997, 3 to 4 years after privatization, does poor performance significantly increase the probability of managerial change. Nevertheless, replacing the managing director in a newly privatized firm improves subsequent performance. This indicates that the privatized firms operate below potential under the incumbent management. We show that the institutional framework matters as well: managerial turnover improves performance only if the management is closely interconnected with the board of directors and thus holds effective executive authority.
Ownership structure and investment finance in transition economies A survey of evidence from large firms in Hungary and Poland1
Authors: Filatotchev Igor , Isachenkova Natalia , Mickiewicz Tomasz
Published: July 2007

Using survey data on 157 large private Hungarian and Polish companies this paper investigates links between ownership structures and CEOs’ expectations with regard to sources of finance for investment. The Bayesian estimation is used to deal with the small sample restrictions, while classical methods provide robustness checks. We found a hump‐shaped relationship between ownership concentration and expectations of relying on public equity. The latter is most likely for firms where the largest investor owns between 25 percent and 49 percent of shares, just below the legal control threshold. More profitable firms rely on retained earnings for their investment finance, consistent with the ‘pecking order’ theory of financing. Finally, firms for which the largest shareholder is a domestic institutional investor are more likely to borrow from domestic banks.
The effects of difficulty and gain versus loss on vocal physiology and acoustics
Authors: Johnstone Tom , Van Reekum Carien M. , Bänziger Tanja , Hird Kathryn , Kirsner Kim , Scherer Klaus R.
Published: July 2007

To examine the basis of emotional changes to the voice, physiological and electroglottal measures were combined with acoustic speech analysis of 30 men performing a computer task in which they lost or gained points under two levels of difficulty. Predictions of the main effects of difficulty and reward on the voice were not borne out by the data. Instead, vocal changes depended largely on interactions between gain versus loss and difficulty. The rate at which the vocal folds open and close (fundamental frequency;f0) was higher for loss than for gain when difficulty was high, but not when difficulty was low. Electroglottal measures revealed thatf0changes corresponded to shorter glottal open times for the loss conditions. Longer closed and shorter open phases were consistent with raised laryngeal tension in difficult loss conditions. Similarly, skin conductance indicated higher sympathetic arousal in loss than gain conditions, particularly when difficulty was high. The results provide evidence of the physiological basis of affective vocal responses, confirming the utility of measuring physiology and voice in the study of emotion.
Functional genomic approach to identify novel genes involved in the regulation of oxidative stress resistance and animal lifespan
Authors: Kim Yongsoon , Sun Hong
Published: July 2007

Genetic studies in many organisms suggest that an increased animal lifespan phenotype is often accompanied by enhanced resistance toward reactive oxygen species (ROS). In Caenorhabditis elegans, mutations in daf‐2, which encode an insulin/insulin‐like growth factor 1 receptor‐like molecule, lead to an extended animal lifespan and increased resistance to ROS. We have optimized an assay to monitor ROS resistance in worms using the ROS‐generating chemical paraquat. We have employed this assay to screen the RNAi library along chromosomes III and IV for genes that, when silenced, confer paraquat resistance. The positive RNAi clones were subsequently screened for a lifespan extension phenotype. Using this approach, we have identified 84 genes that, when inactivated by RNAi, lead to significant increases in animal lifespan. Among the 84 genes, 29 were found to act in a manner dependent on daf‐16. DAF‐16, a forkhead transcription factor, is known to integrate signals from multiple pathways, including the daf‐2 pathway, to regulate animal lifespan. Most of the 84 genes have not been previously linked to aging, and potentially participate in important cellular processes such as signal transduction, cell–cell interaction, gene expression, protein degradation, and energy metabolism. Our screen has also identified a group of genes that potentially function in a nutrient‐sensing pathway to regulate lifespan in C. elegans. Our study provides a novel approach to identify genes involved in the regulation of aging.
The Europeanisation of national party organisations: A conceptual analysis
Authors: POGUNTKE THOMAS , AYLOTT NICHOLAS , LADRECH ROBERT , LUTHER KURT RICHARD
Published: July 2007

Abstract. The likely effects of the ongoing process of European integration on the internal workings of national political parties have hitherto attracted surprisingly little attention in comparative research. This conceptual article discusses how the increasing relevance of European‐level decision making may have changed the balance of power within national political parties. It identifies two groups of party actors who are most likely to benefit from the process of Europeanisation of national political parties. First, the ‘executive bias’ of European Union (EU) decision making is likely to work in favour of party elites in general. However, while they may gain power in intra‐party decision making, their control over the national policy agenda is likely to become increasingly eroded through a general shift of policy control to the European level. Second, EU specialists (i.e., those who specialise in EU affairs) are likely to have more access to resources and more control over policy decisions within national parties because of the growing importance of European integration. These propositions are discussed in detail and are then assessed with reference to the main findings from a major empirical study of the topic.
Craniotomy with Cystoperitoneal Shunting for Treatment of Intracranial Arachnoid Cysts in Dogs
Authors: DEWEY CURTIS W. , KROTSCHECK URSULA , BAILEY KERRY S. , MARINO DOMINIC J.
Published: July 2007

Objective— To describe a technique of decompressive craniotomy with cystoperitoneal shunt (CPS) placement for treatment of canine intracranial arachnoid cyst (IAC), and to evaluate outcome in 4 dogs.

Study Design— Retrospective study.

Animals— Dogs (n=4) with IAC.

Methods— Medical records of dogs diagnosed with IAC by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI; 3 dogs) or computed tomography (CT; 1 dog) were evaluated. All dogs had varying degrees of neurologic dysfunction before surgery. A combined lateral (rostrotentorial)/suboccipital craniotomy was performed sacrificing the transverse sinus on the operated side. The rostral (ventricular) end of a low‐pressure valve shunt (3.0 mm outer diameter, 7.0 cm length) was placed transversely into the cyst cavity; the distal end was placed in the peritoneal cavity. All dogs were rechecked at various intervals by ≥1 of the authors either directly, by telephone consultation with owners, or both. Three dogs were imaged postoperatively (CT–1 dog; MRI–1; ultrasonography–1).

Results— Intraoperative complications were limited to excessive transverse sinus hemorrhage requiring blood transfusion in 1 dog. There were no postoperative complications. Clinical signs of neurologic dysfunction resolved in 3 dogs and improved substantially in 1 dog. The latter dog required long‐term, low‐dose corticosteroid therapy. No dogs required repeat surgery. Mean follow‐up time was 23.8 months (range, 12–43 months). Collapse of the intracranial cyst was verified in 3 dogs with repeat imaging. In 2 dogs, there was no evidence of the cyst on CT or MRI; in the third dog, a small amount of fluid was demonstrated rostral to the cerebellum on ultrasonography, but there was no identifiable cyst. In 1 dog, the rostral aspect of the shunt had shifted; however, this was not associated with any clinical deterioration.

Conclusion— Craniotomy with CPS placement was well tolerated and resulted in sustained improvement or resolution of dysfunction. Cyst decompression was verified in 3 dogs that were re‐imaged. None of the patients required re‐operation. Excessive transverse sinus hemorrhage is a potential danger that may necessitate blood transfusion. Other IAC patients treated with this method will need to be evaluated to fully evaluate its effectiveness.

Clinical Significance— Craniotomy with CPS placement may be an effective treatment method for dogs clinically affected with IAC.
Assessment of Decompressive Surgery in Dogs with Degenerative Lumbosacral Stenosis Using Force Plate Analysis and Questionnaires
Authors: SUWANKONG NIYADA , MEIJ BJÖRN P. , VAN KLAVEREN NICOLIEN J. , VAN WEES ANK M.T.C. , MEIJER ELLEN , VAN DEN BROM WALTER E. , HAZEWINKEL HERMAN A.W.
Published: July 2007

Objective—To evaluate the long‐term outcome after decompressive surgery in dogs with degenerative lumbosacral stenosis (DLS), using force plate analysis (FPA) and owner questionnaires.

Study Design—Prospective clinical study.

Animals—Dogs with DLS (n=31) and 24 clinically normal Labrador Retrievers.

Methods—FPA was performed before surgery (31 dogs) and at 3 days, 6 weeks, 6 months (each, 31 dogs) and ≥1.5 years (12 dogs) after surgery. Peak vertical forces (Fz+), braking (Fy+), and propulsive forces (Fy−), and the corresponding impulses were determined. Questionnaires were completed by the owners before and at 6 months and ≥1.5 years after surgery.

Results—Fy−of the pelvic limbs and the ratio pelvic/thoracic of Fy−(P/TFy−) were significantly smaller in dogs with DLS than controls. Fy−and P/TFy−decreased significantly 3 days after surgery, and increased during 6 months follow‐up, but with long‐term follow‐up the values remained the same and were smaller than controls. From questionnaires there was a significant improvement after surgery compared with function before surgery. Most owners were satisfied with outcome after surgery.

Conclusions—Propulsive forces of the pelvic limbs in dogs with DLS are impaired and are partially restored by decompressive surgery.

Clinical Relevance—Owner's questionnaires illustrate that decompressive surgery restores function as perceived by owners whereas FPA continues to show impaired propulsive forces for the pelvic limbs.
Preliminary Anatomic Investigation of Three Approaches to the Equine Cranium and Brain for Limited Craniectomy Procedures
Authors: KRAMER JOANNE , COATES JOAN R. , HOFFMAN ANTON G. , FRAPPIER BRIAN L.
Published: July 2007

Objective—To describe surgical approaches to the equine cranium and brain for limited craniectomy.

Study Design—Descriptive anatomic study.

Sample Population—Equine cadavers (n=7).

Methods—Head and neck sections from cadavers were used to establish techniques for exposing areas of the equine brain. Three basic approaches were used: rostrotentorial, suboccipital, and transfrontal. Techniques were adapted from small animal descriptions and modified to account for anatomic differences.

Results—Descriptions of the rostrotentorial, suboccipital, and transfrontal approaches to the equine cranium and brain were defined.

Conclusions—Dorsal, caudal, lateral, and rostral aspects of the cranium and underlying cerebral cortex can be accessed using the rostrotentorial, suboccipital, and transfrontal approaches. Access to the dorsal, dorsolateral, and rostral aspects of the cerebral cortex is uncomplicated and more superficial compared with access to the extreme caudolateral cerebrum and cerebellum, which is complicated by the location of the transverse and temporal sinuses and deep exposure.

Clinical Relevance—Many cases of equine brain disorders involve intracranial abscessation or hematoma formation because of trauma. Components of therapy may include microbial culture and surgical drainage or decompression of the affected area through limited craniectomy procedures. Increased use of advanced imaging in equine brain disease has resulted in earlier diagnosis and more precise lesion localization. Subsequently, the number of horses likely to improve with limited surgical intervention has increased. When surgery is indicated, descriptions of surgical approaches to the equine cranium and brain provide important information.
Three‐Dimensional Printing of Nanolaminated Ti3AlC2 Toughened TiAl3–Al2O3 Composites
Authors: Yin Xiaowei , Travitzky Nahum , Greil Peter
Published: July 2007

Nanolaminates with a layered MN+1AXN crystal structure (with M: transition metal, A: group element, X: carbon or nitrogen, and N=1, 2, 3) offer great potential to toughen ceramic composites. A ternary Ti3AlC2 carbide containing ceramic composite was fabricated by three‐dimensional printing of a TiC+TiO2 powder mixture and dextrin as a binder. Subsequent pressureless infiltration of the porous ceramic preform with an Al melt at 800°–1400°C in an inert atmosphere, followed by reaction of Al with TiC and TiO2 finally resulted in the formation of a dense multiphase composite of Ti3AlC2–TiAl3–Al2O3. A controlled flaw/strength technique was utilized to determine fracture resistance as a function of crack extension. Rising R‐curve behavior with increasing crack extension was observed, confirming the operation of wake‐toughening effects on the crack growth resistance. Observations of crack/microstructure interactions revealed that extensive crack deflection along the (0001) lamellar sheets of Ti3AlC2 was the mechanism responsible for the rising R‐curve behavior.
Preparation of Monolithic Silica Aerogel of Low Thermal Conductivity by Ambient Pressure Drying
Authors: Wei Te‐Yu , Chang Tso‐Fu , Lu Shih‐Yuan , Chang Yu‐Cheng
Published: July 2007

Monolithic silica aerogels with thermal conductivity as low as 0.036 W·(m·K)−1 and porosity as high as 97% were successfully prepared by ambient pressure drying through a multiple modification approach. This approach may replace the more costly and dangerous operation of supercritical drying. The tetraethoxysilane (TEOS)‐derived wet gel was made hydrophobic with multiple treatments of trimethylchlorosilane and dried under ambient pressure. The multiple treatments were found to be necessary to achieve sufficient modification of the wet gel for reduction in drying‐induced surface tension force to maintain product integrity and high porosity. Comparisons in nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy for surface bonding and contact angle measurement for hydrophobicity between the no, single, and multiple surface modification (MSM) samples were conducted to reveal the difference in the extent of the resulting surface modification. In conclusion, the MSM procedure reduced the volume shrinkage, increased the monolithicity and porosity, and lowered the thermal conductivity of the resulting aerogels.
Influence of V2O5 Additions to 5Li2O–1Nb2O5–5TiO2 Ceramics on Sintering Temperature and Microwave Dielectric Properties
Authors: Zeng Qun , Li Wei , Shi Jian‐lin , Dong Xian‐lin , Guo Jing‐kun
Published: July 2007

The effects of the addition of V2O5 on the sintering behavior, microstructure, and microwave dielectric properties of 5Li2O–1Nb2O5–5TiO2 (LNT) ceramics have been investigated. With low‐level doping of V2O5 (≤3 wt%), the microstructure of the LNT ceramic changed from a special two‐level intergrowth structure into a two‐phase composite structure with separate grains. And the sintering temperature of the LNT ceramics could be lowered to around 900°C by adding a small amount of V2O5 without much degradation in microwave dielectric properties. Typically, better microwave dielectric properties of ɛr=41.7, Q×f=7820 GHz, and τf=45 ppm/°C could be obtained for the 1 wt% V2O5‐doped ceramics sintered at 900°C.
Properties of Compositionally Graded BiScO3–PbTiO3Thin Films Fabricated by a Sol–Gel Process
Authors: Wen Hai , Wang Xiaohui , Zhong Caifu , Shu Like , Li Longtu
Published: July 2007

The compositionally graded BiScO3–PbTiO3(BSPT) thin films were fabricated on Pt/Ti/SiO2/Si by a sol–gel method. For the up‐graded thin film, the PbTiO3content increased from the film–substrate interface to the surface of the film, while the down‐grade thin film showed the opposite trend. The graded thin films exhibited single‐phase structures and dense microstructures. The dielectric and ferroelectric properties of the thin films were investigated. The results showed that the compositionally graded BSPT thin films had similar remanent polarization value but a higher dielectric constant, dielectric tunability, and piezoelectric coefficientd33compared with the homogeneous thin film with a composition of 0.36BiScO3–0.64PbTiO3at the morphotropic phase boundary.
Decomposition and Crystallization of a Sol–Gel‐Derived PbTiO3 Precursor
Authors: Selbach Sverre M. , Wang Guozhong , Einarsrud Mari‐Ann , Grande Tor
Published: July 2007

A lead titanate (PbTiO3) precursor, prepared by the Pechini method, has been heat treated to study the transformation from amorphous to crystalline PbTiO3. Nucleation of PbTiO3 in the temperature interval 400°–475°C occurred before completion of the thermal decomposition of the polymeric precursor, resulting in nanocrystalline PbTiO3 with an unexpectedly high tetragonality (c/a ratio). Annealing and crystallite growth at 600°C resulted in an increasing c/a ratio with annealing time in line with the expected finite size effect of PbTiO3. The unusually high c/a ratios observed in PbTiO3 nucleated at 400°–475°C are discussed in relation to partial reduction and point defects in PbTiO3.
Detection of the human GPR50 orphan seven transmembrane protein by polyclonal antibodies mapping different epitopes
Authors: Hamouda Hassina Ould , Chen Patty , Levoye Angélique , Sözer‐Topçular Nejla , Daulat Avais M. , Guillaume Jean‐Luc , Ravid Rivka , Savaskan Egemen , Ferry Gilles , Boutin Jean A. , Delagrange Philippe , Jockers Ralf , Maurice Pascal
Published: July 2007

Abstract:  GPR50 is an orphan seven transmembrane protein related to the melatonin receptor subfamily comprising MT1 and MT2 receptors. In the absence of any known ligand for GPR50, other tools are critical for the characterization of this protein. Here, we describe the generation, purification and characterization of the first rabbit polyclonal antibodies generated against peptides corresponding to the N‐terminus, C‐terminus and two additional regions within the intracellular tail of GPR50. Immune sera were purified on peptide‐antigen affinity columns. Antibodies specifically recognized a GPR50‐YFP fusion protein on the plasma membrane of HEK 293 cells in immunofluorescence experiments. In Western blot experiments, the monomeric and dimeric forms of GPR50 were detected as proteins of 66 and 130 kDa, respectively. In addition, these new antibodies were sufficiently sensitive to detect GPR50 in brain slices of the rat pituitary and human hippocampus. In conclusion, we successfully produced antibodies against the orphan GPR50 protein that will become valuable tools for functional studies of this protein.