bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adult astroglia is competent for Na+/Ca2+ exchanger‐operated exocytotic glutamate release triggered by mild depolarization
Authors: Paluzzi Silvio , Alloisio Susanna , Zappettini Simona , Milanese Marco , Raiteri Luca , Nobile Mario , Bonanno Giambattista
Published: August 2007

Glutamate release induced by mild depolarization was studied in astroglial preparations from the adult rat cerebral cortex, that is acutely isolated glial sub‐cellular particles (gliosomes), cultured adult or neonatal astrocytes, and neuron‐conditioned astrocytes. K+ (15, 35 mmol/L), 4‐aminopyridine (0.1, 1 mmol/L) or veratrine (1, 10 μmol/L) increased endogenous glutamate or [3H]d‐aspartate release from gliosomes. Neurotransmitter release was partly dependent on external Ca2+, suggesting the involvement of exocytotic‐like processes, and partly because of the reversal of glutamate transporters. K+ increased gliosomal membrane potential, cytosolic Ca2+ concentration [Ca2+]i, and vesicle fusion rate. Ca2+ entry into gliosomes and glutamate release were independent from voltage‐sensitive Ca2+ channel opening; they were instead abolished by 2‐[2‐[4‐(4‐nitrobenzyloxy)phenyl]ethyl]isothiurea (KB‐R7943), suggesting a role for the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger working in reverse mode. K+ (15, 35 mmol/L) elicited increase of [Ca2+]i and Ca2+‐dependent endogenous glutamate release in adult, not in neonatal, astrocytes in culture. Glutamate release was even more marked in in vitro neuron‐conditioned adult astrocytes. As seen for gliosomes, K+‐induced Ca2+ influx and glutamate release were abolished by KB‐R7943 also in cultured adult astrocytes. To conclude, depolarization triggers in vitro glutamate exocytosis from in situ matured adult astrocytes; an aptitude grounding on Ca2+ influx driven by the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger working in the reverse mode.
Transthyretin enhances nerve regeneration
Authors: Fleming Carolina E. , Saraiva Maria J. , Sousa Mónica M.
Published: August 2007

Mutations in transthyretin (TTR) are associated with familial amyloid polyneuropathy, a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by TTR deposition in the PNS. The aim of this study was to unravel whether TTR has a role in nerve physiology that could account for its preferential accumulation in the PNS, when mutated. The sensorimotor performance of wild‐type and TTR knockout (KO) littermate mice was compared and showed impairment in mice lacking TTR. Given the possibility that, upon regeneration, the consequences arising from TTR absence might be exacerbated, nerve crush was performed in both strains. TTR KO mice presented delayed functional recovery resulting from decreased number of myelinated and unmyelinated fibers. Moreover, in transgenic mice in a TTR KO background, expressing human TTR in neurons, this phenotype was rescued, reinforcing that TTR enhances nerve regeneration. In vitro assays showed that neurite outgrowth and extension were decreased in the absence of TTR, probably underlying the decreased number of regenerating axons in TTR KO mice. Our findings demonstrate that TTR participates in nerve physiology and that it enhances nerve regeneration. Moreover, the assignment of a TTR function in nerve biology and repair, may explain its preferential deposition, when mutated, in the PNS of familial amyloid polyneuropathy patients.
Cyclic AMP‐dependent protein kinase (PKA) phosphorylates Ser362 and 467 and protein kinase C phosphorylates Ser550 within the M3/M4 cytoplasmic domain of human nicotinic receptor α4 subunits
Authors: Pollock Veronica V. , Pastoor Tina E. , Wecker Lynn
Published: August 2007

Studies have suggested that the expression, translocation, and function of α4β2 nicotinic receptors may be modulated by α4 subunit phosphorylation, but little direct evidence exists to support this idea. The objective of these experiments was to identify specific serine/threonine residues on α4 subunits that are phosphorylatedin vivoby cAMP‐dependent protein kinase and protein kinase C (PKC). To accomplish this, DNAs coding for human α4 subunits containing alanines in place of serines/threonines predicted to represent phosphorylation sites were constructed, and transiently transfected with the DNA coding for wild‐type β2 subunits into SH‐EP1 cells. Cells were pre‐incubated with32Pi and incubated in the absence or presence of forskolin or phorbol 12,13‐dibutyrate. Immunoprecipitated α4 subunits were subjected to immunoblot, autoradiographic and phosphoamino acid analyses, and two‐dimensional phosphopeptide mapping. Results confirmed the presence of two α4 protein bands, a major band of 71/75 kDa and a minor band of 80/85 kDa. Phosphoamino acid analysis of the major band indicated that only serine residues were phosphorylated. Phosphopeptide maps demonstrated that Ser362 and 467 on the M3/M4 cytoplasmic domain of the α4 subunit represent major cAMP‐dependent protein kinase phosphorylation sites, while Ser550 also contained within this major intracellular loop is a major site for protein kinase C phosphorylation.
Characterization of polymorphic microsatellite markers for the blowfly Chrysomya albiceps (Diptera: Calliphoridae)
Authors: TORRES TATIANA TEIXEIRA , DE AZEREDO‐ESPIN ANA MARIA LIMA
Published: August 2007

Chrysomya albiceps is a blowfly of great medical, sanitary and forensic importance widely distributed in the Afrotropical, southern Palaearctic, northern Oriental regions and, recently, in Central and South Americas. Here, we report the characterization of 13 polymorphic microsatellite markers for C. albiceps. The number of alleles ranged from three to 13 alleles with expected heterozygosities ranging from 0.4668 to 0.8408. These markers will be extremely useful for investigating many important aspects of this species such as population structure, dispersal and colonization dynamics.
Development and characterization of microsatellites markers from the macaw
Authors: NUCCI S. M. , AZEVEDO‐FILHO J. A. , COLOMBO C. A. , PRIOLLI R. H. G. , COELHO R. M. , MATA T. L. , ZUCCHI M. I.
Published: August 2007

Macaw (Acrocomia aculeata) is a native palm tree from tropical forests, highly abundant in Brazil and cited as one of the principal sources of plant oil, thus presenting a high potential for biodiesel production. We have optimized and utilized a set of eight polymorphic microsatellite markers for A. aculeata from an enriched genomic library. Automatic sequencing and fluorescence detection were employed to analyse 43 individuals from natural populations. In this study, we have obtained an average number of five alleles per locus. These loci will be employed in future studies of population genetics by providing subsidy information for the species conservation and genetic breeding.
PERMANENT GENETIC RESOURCES: Fifteen polymorphic microsatellite DNA loci from Hawaii's Metrosideros polymorpha (Myrtaceae: Myrtales), a model species for ecology and evolution
Authors: CRAWFORD NICHOLAS G. , HAGEN CRIS , SAHLI HEATHER F. , STACY ELIZABETH A. , GLENN TRAVIS C.
Published: August 2007

We developed 15 polymorphic microsatellite loci from the Hawaiian tree Metrosideros polymorpha. These loci were screened against two varieties from several populations and from 23 individuals from one mid‐elevation population on Hawaii Island. Loci were variable with the number of alleles per locus ranging from three to 24. Polymorphic information content ranged from 0.222 to 0.941, and observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.261 to 0.955.
PERMANENT GENETIC RESOURCES: Eighteen new polymorphic microsatellite markers for the endangered Florida manatee, Trichechus manatus latirostris
Authors: TRINGALI MICHAEL D. , SEYOUM SEIFU , CARNEY SUSAN L. , DAVIS MICHELLE C. , RODRIGUEZ‐LOPEZ MARTA A. , REYNOLDS III JOHN E. , HAUBOLD ELSA
Published: August 2007

Here we describe 18 polymorphic microsatellite loci for Trichechus manatus latirostris (Florida manatee), isolated using a polymerase chain reaction‐based technique. The number of alleles at each locus ranged from two to four (mean = 2.5) in specimens from southwest (n = 58) and northeast (n = 58) Florida. Expected and observed heterozygosities ranged from 0.11 to 0.67 (mean = 0.35) and from 0.02 to 0.78 (mean = 0.34), respectively. Departures from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium occurred at two loci. There was no evidence of genotypic disequilibrium for any pair of loci. For individual identification, mean random‐mating and θ‐corrected match probabilities were 9.36 × 10−7 and 1.95 × 10−6, respectively.
PERMANENT GENETIC RESOURCES: Microsatellite DNA primers for the candy darter, Etheostoma osburni and variegate darter, Etheostoma variatum, and cross‐species amplification in other darters (Percidae)
Authors: SWITZER JOHN F. , WELSH STUART A. , KING TIM L.
Published: August 2007

In order to investigate a potential hybrid zone between the candy darter, Etheostoma osburni, and variegate darter, Etheostoma variatum, and examine population variation within E. osburni, a suite of primers for 15 polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed. The average number of alleles per locus was 5.5 in E. osburni and 7.6 in E. variatum, and the average observed heterozygosities were 62.5% and 71.4%, respectively. There were no deviations from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium and no observed linkage disequilibrium after Bonferroni correction. The utility of these primers was also tested in 11 species of darters representing all four genera of darters. Success of cross‐species amplification was largely consistent with phylogenetic relationships of darters.
Stromatolite branching in the Neoproterozoic of the Centralian Superbasin, Australia: an investigation into sedimentary and microbial control of stromatolite morphology
Authors: PLANAVSKY NOAH , GREY KATHLEEN
Published: August 2007

The extensive and well‐preserved Neoproterozoic Acaciella australica Stromatolite assemblage of Australia is ideal for examining the relative roles of microbial and environmental influences on stromatolite branching and stromatolite macrostructure across a wide geographical area. Detailed sedimentological analyses indicate that the basal hemispheroidal section of bioherms contains abundant sediment. By contrast, the columnar sections of bioherms are composed almost exclusively of micritic laminae. These micritic laminae display little evidence for environmental, especially sedimentary, control over stromatolite morphology. The change from a hemispheroidal morphology to branching morphology is linked to variations in the relative contributions of sediment and framework growth. The shift to columns appears to be closely linked to a decrease in sediment supply that resulted in a more stable environment in which microbially mediated framework growth began to control stromatolite morphology. Branching in the A. australica assemblage stromatolites appears to be caused by shifting sedimentary and microbial control on stromatolite morphology.
Calorie restriction extends the chronological lifespan of Saccharomyces cerevisiae independently of the Sirtuins
Authors: Smith, Jr Daniel L. , McClure Julie M. , Matecic Mirela , Smith Jeffrey S.
Published: August 2007

Calorie restriction (CR) extends the mean and maximum lifespan of a wide variety of organisms ranging from yeast to mammals, although the molecular mechanisms of action remain unclear. For the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae reducing glucose in the growth medium extends both the replicative and chronological lifespans (CLS). The conserved NAD+‐dependent histone deacetylase, Sir2p, promotes replicative longevity in S. cerevisiae by suppressing recombination within the ribosomal DNA locus and has been proposed to mediate the effects of CR on aging. In this study, we investigated the functional relationships of the yeast Sirtuins (Sir2p, Hst1p, Hst2p, Hst3p and Hst4p) with CLS and CR. SIR2, HST2, and HST4 were not major regulators of CLS and were not required for the lifespan extension caused by shifting the glucose concentration from 2 to 0.5% (CR). Deleting HST1 or HST3 moderately shortened CLS, but did not prevent CR from extending lifespan. CR therefore works through a Sirtuin‐independent mechanism in the chronological aging system. We also show that low temperature or high osmolarity additively extends CLS when combined with CR, suggesting that these stresses and CR act through separate pathways. The CR effect on CLS was not specific to glucose. Restricting other simple sugars such as galactose or fructose also extended lifespan. Importantly, growth on nonfermentable carbon sources that force yeast to exclusively utilize respiration extended lifespan at nonrestricted concentrations and provided no additional benefit when restricted, suggesting that elevated respiration capacity is an important determinant of chronological longevity.
Evaluating the efficiency of a two‐stage production process using data envelopment analysis
Authors: Rho Sangkyu , An Jungnam
Published: August 2007

Data envelopment analysis (DEA) has been widely used to evaluate the comparative efficiencies of production processes. Most of the DEA applications assume that production processes consist of one stage. However, many production processes such as IT investments have more than one stage. In a two‐stage production process, the first stage inputs produce intermediate outputs, which are used as inputs to the second stage to produce the final outputs. In such cases, using single‐stage DEA may result in inaccurate efficiency evaluation. To address such problems, DEA models assuming two‐stage production processes have been developed. In this paper, we extend two‐stage DEA models by considering input and output slacks. We apply our model to the data from the banking industry and compare the results with those of the previous two‐stage DEA models. Our model can identify weakly efficient units of evaluation that could not be identified by the previous models.
Data transformation in the evidential reasoning‐based decision making process
Authors: Sonmez Mahmut
Published: August 2007

This paper describes the application of an evidential reasoning (ER)‐based decision making process to multiple‐criteria decision making (MCDM) problems having both quantitative and qualitative criteria. The ER approach is based on the decision theory and the theory of evidence and it uses the concept of ‘degree of belief’ to assess decision alternatives on each attribute. When faced with MCDM problems, evaluation and selection or ranking of alternatives appear to be both challenging and vital to arrive at a rational and robust decision. In the presence of both qualitative and quantitative evaluations in an MCDM problem, it is necessary, when using the ER‐based decision making process, to transform or convert quantitative data into a belief structure using a number of grades so that the converted belief structure and the original quantitative data are equivalent in values or utilities. This paper suggests three scenarios for data transformation and examines how the ranking of decision alternatives is changed when different scenarios of data transformation are used. Ranking of UK universities using the ER approach is illustrated as an example.
DETECTION OF ANCIENT MARBLE FORGERY: TECHNIQUES AND LIMITATIONS*
Authors: POLIKRETI K.
Published: August 2007

Since 1960, scientific results have replaced aesthetic judgements in marble authentication studies and the technology to perform analytical tests on micro‐samples has developed rapidly. However, no single method can be used to determine the authenticity of a piece of marble. A ‘detective‐like’ investigation is usually adopted by using optical microscopy, ultraviolet‐induced fluorescence, provenance determination techniques and mineralogical, chemical and morphological analyses of the patina. A newly proposed thermoluminescence methodology calculates the ‘burial age’ of recently excavated objects or distinguishes artefacts exposed to sunlight since antiquity from those exposed recently. The technique shows a lot of potential; however, much work remains to be done.
Medicaid HMO Penetration and Its Mix: Did Increased Penetration Affect Physician Participation in Urban Markets?
Authors: Adams E. Kathleen , Herring Bradley
Published: August 2007

Objective. To use changes in Medicaid health maintenance organization (HMO) penetration across markets over time to test for effects on the extent of Medicaid participation among physicians and to test for differences in the effects of increased use of commercial versus Medicaid‐dominant plans within the market.

Data Sources/Study Setting. The nationally representative Community Tracking Study's Physician Survey for three periods (1996–1997, 1998–1999, and 2000–2001) on 29,866 physicians combined with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and InterStudy data.

Study Design. Market‐level estimates of Medicaid HMO penetration are used to test for (1) any participation in Medicaid and (2) the degree to which physicians have an “open” (i.e., nonlimited) practice accepting new Medicaid patients. Models account for physician, firm, and local characteristics, Medicaid relative payment levels adjusted for geographic variation in practice costs, and market‐level fixed effects.

Principal Findings. There is a positive effect of increases in commercial Medicaid HMO penetration on the odds of accepting new Medicaid patients among all physicians, and in particular, among office‐based physicians. In contrast, there is no effect, positive or negative, from expanding the penetration of Medicaid‐dominant HMO plans within the market. Increases in cost‐adjusted Medicaid fees, relative to Medicare levels, were associated with increases in the odds of participation and of physicians having an “open” Medicaid practice. Provider characteristics that consistently lower participation among all physicians include being older, board certified, a U.S. graduate and a solo practitioner.

Conclusions. The effects of Medicaid HMO penetration on physician participation vary by the type of plan. If states are able to attract and retain commercial plans, participation by office‐based physicians is likely to increase in a way that opens existing practices to more new Medicaid patients. Other policy variables that affect participation include the presence of a federally qualified health center (FQHC) in the county and cost‐adjusted Medicaid fees relative to Medicare.
Assessing the Value of the NHIS for Studying Changes in State Coverage Policies: The Case of New York
Authors: Long Sharon K. , Graves John A. , Zuckerman Stephen
Published: August 2007

Research Objective. (1) To assess the effects of New York's Health Care Reform Act of 2000 on the insurance coverage of eligible adults and (2) to explore the feasibility of using the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) as opposed to the Current Population Survey (CPS) to conduct evaluations of state health reform initiatives.

Study Design. We take advantage of the natural experiment that occurred in New York to compare health insurance coverage for adults before and after the state implemented its coverage initiative using a difference‐in‐differences framework. We estimate the effects of New York's initiative on insurance coverage using the NHIS, comparing the results to estimates based on the CPS, the most widely used data source for studies of state coverage policy changes. Although the sample sizes are smaller in the NHIS, the NHIS addresses a key limitation of the CPS for such evaluations by providing a better measure of health insurance status. Given the complexity of the timing of the expansion efforts in New York (which encompassed the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks), we allow for difference in the effects of the state's policy changes over time. In particular, we allow for differences between the period of Disaster Relief Medicaid (DRM), which was a temporary program implemented immediately after September 11th, and the original components of the state's reform efforts—Family Health Plus (FHP), an expansion of direct Medicaid coverage, and Healthy New York (HNY), an effort to make private coverage more affordable.

Data Sources. 2000–2004 CPS; 1999–2004 NHIS.

Principal Findings. We find evidence of a significant reduction in uninsurance for parents in New York, particularly in the period following DRM. For childless adults, for whom the coverage expansion was more circumscribed, the program effects are less promising, as we find no evidence of a significant decline in uninsurance.

Conclusions. The success of New York at reducing uninsurance for parents through expansions of both public and private coverage offers hope for new strategies to expand coverage. The NHIS is a strong data source for evaluations of many state health reform initiatives, providing a better measure of insurance status and supporting a more comprehensive study of state innovations than is possible with the CPS.
Agreement between Self‐Reported and Administrative Race and Ethnicity Data among Medicaid Enrollees in Minnesota
Authors: McAlpine Donna D. , Beebe Timothy J. , Davern Michael , Call Kathleen T.
Published: August 2007

Objective. This paper measures agreement between survey and administrative measures of race/ethnicity for Medicaid enrollees. Level of agreement and the demographic and health‐related characteristics associated with misclassification on the administrative measure are examined.

Data Sources. Minnesota Medicaid enrollee files matched to self‐report information from a telephone/mail survey of 4,902 enrollees conducted in 2003.

Study Design. Measures of agreement between the two measures of race/ethnicity are computed. Using logistic regression, we also assess whether misclassification of race/ethnicity on administrative files is associated with demographic factors, health status, health care utilization, or ratings of quality of health care.

Data Extraction. Race/ethnicity fields from administrative Medicaid files were extracted and merged with self‐report data.

Principal Findings. The administrative data correctly classified 94 percent of cases on race/ethnicity. Persons who self‐identified as Hispanic and those whose home language was English had the greater odds (compared with persons who self‐identified as white and those whose home language was not English) of being misclassified in administrative data. Persons classified as unknown/other on administrative data were more likely to self‐identify as white.

Conclusions. In this case study in Minnesota, researchers can be reasonably confident that the racial designations on Medicaid administrative data comport with how enrollees self‐identify. Moreover, misclassification is not associated with common measures of health status, utilization, and ratings of quality of care. Further replication is recommended given variation in how race information is collected and coded by Medicaid agencies in different states.
Incidence of psychiatric side effects during pegylated interferon‐ α retreatment in nonresponder hepatitis C virus‐infected patients
Authors: Quarantini Lucas C. , Bressan Rodrigo A. , Galvão Amanda , Batista‐Neves Susana , Paraná Raymundo , Miranda‐Scippa Ângela
Published: August 2007

Objective:Evaluate the incidence of mental disorders using pegylated interferon plus ribavirin retreatment in nonresponder hepatitis C virus‐infected patients.

Method:The Mini‐International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) was used to evaluate 30 hepatitis C virus‐infected interferon‐nonresponder patients at baseline and following 4, 12 and 24 weeks of pegylated interferon retreatment.

Results:During the pegylated interferon/ribavirin retreatment, 5(16.6%) patients developed psychiatric side effects: 3(10%) were diagnosed with major depressive disorder, 1(3.3%) had a brief psychotic disorder and 1(3.3%) presented with panic attacks.

Conclusion:This is the first prospective study evaluating the incidence of neuropsychiatric side effects during interferon retreatment of hepatitis C virus‐infected patients, suggesting that the risk of acquiring serious psychiatric symptoms during retreatment with interferon‐α (IFN‐α) may not be higher than during the first antiviral therapy. This finding challenges the hypothesis that during a second treatment with IFN‐α, patients with hepatitis C may be at greater risk for neuropsychiatric side effects than naïve patients.
Evolution of hepatitis C virus non‐structural 5A gene in the progression of liver disease to hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: De Mitri Maria Stella , Cassini Romina , Bagaglio Sabrina , Morsica Giulia , Andreone Pietro , Marino Nicoletta , Bernardi Mauro
Published: August 2007

Background:The interaction between the hepatitis C virus (HCV) non‐structural 5A (NS5A) protein of HCV and the protein kinase R (PKR), which is an effector of the cellular antiviral response and has been defined as a tumour suppressor, may affect the control of protein synthesis and cell growth.

Aim:We investigated the genetic evolution of the NS5A region in the NS5A PKR‐binding domain (NS5A‐PKRbd) of patients with HCV 1b‐related cirrhosis who subsequently developed or not hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Patients and Methods:The quasispecies composition of NS5A‐PKRbd was inferred by sequencing an average of 15 clones per sample in specimens obtained from 26 patients with cirrhosis who developed or not HCC during a follow‐up of 5 years.

Results:At baseline, 13/17 patients with final HCC and six out of nine patients with cirrhosis who subsequently did not develop HCC harboured a wild‐type (wt) strain master sequence. Over time, the prevalence of wt strain was higher in patients who developed HCC with respect to those who maintained the cirrhosis status (15/17 vs 4/9, respectively;P=0.0166).

Conclusion:The maintenance of or evolution to the wt strain of the NS5A domain in cirrhotic patients with final HCC highlights the central role of NS5A protein in the viral life cycle and in the progression of liver disease.
Development of autoimmune hepatitis in primary biliary cirrhosis
Authors: Gossard Andrea A. , Lindor Keith D.
Published: August 2007

Aim/Background: Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a chronic cholestatic liver disease of unknown aetiology. Up to 10% of patients with typical features of PBC will have additional features of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). A subset, however, have no such features but go on to develop a ‘sequential’ AIH overlap syndrome.

Objectives: Describe our experience with eight patients who developed AIH after the diagnosis of PBC was made.

Methods: We reviewed the charts of all PBC patients over a 9‐year period (from 1996 to 2005). Only PBC patients with no features of AIH were included.

Results: There were 1476 patients with PBC. Of these, eight patients developed features of AIH overlap syndrome based on biochemical and histological parameters. Treatment included prednisone and azathioprine for 24 or more months. The majority of patients remained on ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) throughout treatment. Response to therapy was defined by improvement in enzymes, and was rapid for all patients. One patient was able to discontinue treatment with prednisone and azathioprine, while seven have continued on therapy to date.

Conclusions: A ‘sequential’ overlap syndrome of AIH with PBC can occur. Treatment with prednisone and azathioprine may lead to a rapid improvement in aminotransferase levels.
Serum C‐reactive protein levels predict survival in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Nagaoka Sakae , Yoshida Takafumi , Akiyoshi Junji , Akiba Jun , Torimura Takuji , Adachi Hisashi , Kurogi Junichi , Tajiri Nobuyoshi , Inoue Kinya , Niizeki Takashi , Koga Hironori , Imaizumi Tsutomu , Kojiro Masamichi , Sata Michio
Published: August 2007

Background/Aims: C‐reactive protein (CRP) was recently identified as a prognostic factor for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after surgical resection. We investigated the relationship between the serum levels of high sensitivity CRP (H‐CRP) and the prognosis of HCC patients.

Method: We conducted a cohort study of 90 HCC patients enrolled from 1997 to 1998. All patients were treated and followed for a mean period of 3.2 years. Clinical variables were compared between patients positive for H‐CRP (serum H‐CRP levels ≥3.0 mg/L, n=47) and those negative for H‐CRP (serum H‐CRP levels <3.0 mg/L, n=43). We also determined the relationship between serum H‐CRP and prognosis in HCC patients.

Results: The survival rate of patients of the H‐CRP‐positive group was lower than that of H‐CRP‐negative patients. Tumour stage (stages 3 or 4), total bilirubin ≥1.2 mg/dL, albumin (Alb) <3.5 g/dL, des‐γ‐carboxy prothrombin ≥40 mAU/mL, positive H‐CRP and initial treatment (transcatheter arterial chemoembolization, hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy or best supportive care) were identified as significant poor prognostic factors by univariate analysis, while positive H‐CRP [hazard ratio (HR), 1.58; P=0.048], Alb<3.5 g/dL (HR, 2.10; P=0.004), tumour stage (stages 3 or 4; HR, 3.05; P=0.001) and initial treatment (HR, 1.88; P=0.029) were considered to be significant determinants of poor prognosis by multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis.

Conclusions: The prognosis of H‐CRP‐positive patients was poorer compared with H‐CRP‐negative patients. This study confirmed that H‐CRP, like CRP, is a marker of poor prognosis in HCC patients.
Tissue Engineering of Trachea‐like Cartilage Grafts by Using Chondrocyte Macroaggregate: Experimental Study in Rabbits
Authors: Wu Wei , Cheng Xiaobing , Zhao Yiming , Chen Fulin , Feng Xinghua , Mao Tianqiu
Published: August 2007

Abstract:  Treatment and management of tracheal defects remain challenges in head and neck surgery. The purposes of this study were to explore a novel strategy to fabricate tissue‐engineered trachea by using chondrocyte macroaggregate, and evaluate the feasibility of creating tracheal cartilage equivalents grown in the shape of cylindrical structure without scaffold. Chondrocytes from rabbit cartilage were expanded and seeded into a culture dish at high density to form mechanically stable chondrocyte macroaggregate. Once the chondrocyte macroaggregate was harvested by scrapping technique, it was wrapped around a silicon tube and implanted subcutaneously into the cell donor rabbit. Eight weeks later, specimens were harvested and analyzed for gross appearance, and histological, biochemical, and biomechanical properties. These values were compared with native rabbit cartilage. It was found that expanded chondrocytes could be harvested as a coherent cellular macroaggregate and could be fabricated into a tubelike graft. After in vivo implantation, cartilage‐like tissue with cylindrical structure was regenerated successfully. Histological analysis showed engineered trachea cartilage consisted of evenly spaced lacunae embedded in a matrix rich in proteoglycans; type II collagen was also highly expressed in this engineered trachea cartilage. In a conclusion, based on the chondrocyte macroaggregate strategy, tracheal cartilage equivalents with cylindrical shape could be successfully reconstructed. This construct has advantages of high cell‐seeding efficiency, good nutritional perfusion, and minimal inflammatory reaction, which provided a highly effective cartilage graft substitute and could be useful in many situations of trachea–cartilage loss encountered in clinical practice.
Clinical Research in Interventional Pain Management Techniques: The Clinician's Point of View
Authors: Van Zundert Jan
Published: August 2007

Abstract:  Interventional pain management techniques are considered for patients whose pain proves refractory to conventional treatment. According to the evidence‐based medicine (EBM) guidelines, the highest level of evidence for efficacy and safety of a treatment is generated in high‐quality randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews. A randomized controlled trial is defined as an experiment that determines the influence of an intervention on the natural history of the disease, which means that the comparative group should receive placebo, which is a sham intervention in case of the interventional pain management techniques. The systematic review summarizes in a structured way the results of the available information. When randomized controlled trials are available, observational studies will often be discarded. As new information on a treatment becomes available the perceived value may change, thus determining the survival time of clinical evidence. This survival time is not different when based on randomized or nonrandomized studies.

The inclusion criteria are an important component of the randomized controlled trial and are designed to test a treatment in a homogeneous patient population. As interventional pain management techniques are mainly used for the management of spinal pain, it needs to be stressed that there is no gold standard for the diagnosis. This lack of validated standard diagnostic procedures is at the origin of different patient selection criteria, which makes the interpretation of the different randomized controlled trials and the meta‐analyses very difficult. Moreover, the extrapolation of randomized controlled trials with carefully selected patient populations to daily practice is a major problem.

Randomized controlled trials in interventional pain management techniques often prove to be underpowered, which can be attributed to the difficulty in motivating patients and the referring physicians to participate in a trial where there is 50% chance of receiving a placebo/sham for intractable pain. Furthermore, the validity of sham intervention as a reflection of the natural course of the disease is questioned. It is stated that any new technique should prove to be at least equally effective as the best available treatment option, which offers the possibility of comparing two groups, both receiving active treatment. The reference treatment may be pharmacological or a rehabilitation program (cognitive behavioral) in which case blinding becomes a problem. It has been demonstrated that large observational studies with a cohort or case–control design do not systematically overestimate the magnitude of the associations between exposure and outcome as compared with the results of randomized controlled trials. There is an urgent need for guidelines on performing prospective cohort trials that should be designed to confirm or refute the anecdotal findings from retrospective studies.
Liquidity, Return and Order‐Flow Linkages Between REITs and the Stock Market
Authors: Subrahmanyam Avanidhar
Published: August 2007

This article represents the first exploration of liquidity and order flow spillovers across New York Stock Exchange stocks and real estate investment trusts (REITs). Impulse response functions and Granger causality tests indicate the existence of persistent liquidity spillovers running from REITs to non‐REITs. Specifically, REIT liquidity indicators are forecastable from non‐REIT ones, at both daily and monthly horizons. I also provide evidence of a liquidity premium inherent in REIT returns. While REIT prices appear to be set efficiently in that neither REIT nor non‐REIT order flows forecast REIT returns, I find that order flows and returns in the stock market negatively forecast REIT order flows. This result is consistent with the notion that real estate markets are viewed as substitute investments for the stock market, which causes down‐moves in the stock market to increase money flows to the REIT market.
Gastric Hypomotility Following Epicardial Vagal Denervation Ablation to Treat Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: PISANI CRISTIANO F. , HACHUL DENISE , SOSA EDUARDO , SCANAVACCA MAURICIO
Published: August 2007

We report a case of a 55‐year‐old man with vagal paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) who was submitted to selective epicardial and endocardial atrial vagal denervation with the objective of treating AF. Radiofrequency pulses were applied on epicardial and endocardial surface of the left atrium close to right pulmonary veins (PVs) and also on epicardial surface close to left inferior PV. Following the procedure, patient presented with symptoms of gastroparesis, which was documented on CT scan and gastric emptying scintigraphy. Symptoms were transient and the patient recovered completely.

[Correction added after online publication, 16 August, 2007: The abstract title “Treating Atrial Fibrillation” has been amended to “Gastric Palsy Following AF Vagal Ablation.”]
Treatment of Pyridostigmine‐Induced AV Block with Hyoscyamine in a Patient with Myasthenia Gravis
Authors: GEHI ANIL , BENATAR MICHAEL , LANGBERG JONATHAN
Published: August 2007

Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disorder of the nervous system typically mediated by antibodies against the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor at the neuromuscular junction. Treatment of myasthenia gravis frequently involves the use of cholinesterase inhibitors such as pyridostigmine. Treatment with these agents has been associated with bradycardia and syncope requiring pacemaker implantation. We report a case of a 60‐year‐old man with a 1‐year history of myasthenia gravis treated with pyridostigmine who presented with syncope due to high degree AV block. Before committing the patient to a permanent pacemaker, a trial of medical therapy with hyoscyamine was attempted. Hyoscyamine is a muscarinic antagonist commonly used to block cholinergic side effects associated with pyridostigmine without reducing its efficacy at the neuromuscular junction. Treatment with hyoscyamine resulted in complete resolution of AV block, thereby avoiding pacemaker implantation.
Expenditure on different categories of meat in Greece: the influence of changing tastes
Authors: Morrison J.A. , Balcombe K. , Bailey A. , Klonaris S. , Rapsomanikis G.
Published: August 2007

This paper employs a latent variable approach to isolate the effects of changing tastes on the share of total meat expenditure on different categories of meat products in Greece during the period 1965–1995. We find that changes in the relative expenditure on different categories of meat cannot be explained by changes in the relative prices of the different meat products and increased expenditure alone. For pork products in particular, the increase in the share of expenditure has been greater than would be expected as a result of the relative fall in their price. The increase can therefore be associated with changes in taste. This finding is of general interest to those conducting empirical research into consumer behaviour both in economies where there have been significant changes in patterns of food consumption, and where, as in the case of many less industrialised economies, rapid structural changes in food consumption patterns are still to come. It is also of importance to policy makers in assessing die effectiveness of advertising or promotional campaigns in influencing longer term changes in consumer preferences for different products.
Predicting technology adoption to improve research priority—setting
Authors: Batz Franz‐J. , Janssen Willem , Peters Kurt J.
Published: August 2007

This paper presents an improved approach for predicting the speed and ceiling of technology adoption, which is a crucial information for research priority setting. In the models it is assumed that both the speed and ceiling of adoption depend on the perceived characteristics of technologies. Knowing the characteristics that have determined adoption in the past provides relevant information about the characteristics which will enable new technologies to be quickly and widely adopted in the future. Using a case study from Meru District in Kenya, it is shown that relative investment, relative risk and relative complexity significantly influenced the speed and ceiling of adoption of dairy technologies in the past. These empirical results are used to predict the speed and ceiling of adoption of potential new dairy technologies to be developed by the Dairy Cattle Research Programme (DCRP) of the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI). The approach is theoretically sound and based on empirical evidence. It clearly distinguishes promising technologies from less promising technologies and is transparent to participants in priority setting exercises. Allowing for the participation of all interest groups within the research system, the approach improves the quality of the assessment and hence the credibility of results.
Institutions and agricultural productivity in Sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Fulginiti Lilyan E. , Perrin Richard K. , Yu Bingxin
Published: August 2007

Agricultural productivity in 41 Sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA) countries from 1960 to 1999 is examined by estimating a semi‐nonparametric Fourier production frontier. Over the four decades the estimated rate of productivity change was 0.83% per year, although the average rate from 1985 to 1999 was a strong 1.90% per year. Former UK colonies exhibited significantly higher productivity gains than others, while Liberia and countries that had been colonies of Portugal or Belgium exhibited net reductions in productivity. We measure a significant reduction in productivity during political conflicts and wars, and a significant increase in productivity among those countries with higher levels of political rights and civil liberties.
Strategies to increase agricultural productivity and reduce land degradation: evidence from Uganda
Authors: Pender John , Nkonya Ephraim , Jagger Pamela , Sserunkuuma Dick , Ssali Henry
Published: August 2007

This paper estimates a structural econometric model of household decisions regarding income strategies, participation in programs and organisations, crop choices, land management, and labour use, and their implications for agricultural production and soil erosion; based upon a survey of over 450 households and their farm plots in Uganda. Many factors have context‐specific impacts and involve trade‐offs between increasing production and reducing land degradation. Government agricultural extension and training programs contribute to higher value of crop production in the lowlands, but to soil erosion in the highlands. By contrast, non‐governmental organization (NGO) programs focusing on agriculture and environment help to reduce erosion, but have less favourable impacts on production in the lowlands. Education increases household incomes, but also reduces crop production in the lowlands. Poverty has mixed impacts on agricultural production, depending on the nature of poverty: smaller farms obtain higher crop production per hectare, while households with fewer livestock have lower crop production. Population pressure contributes to agricultural intensification, but also to erosion in the densely populated highlands. Several household income strategies contribute to increased value of crop production, without significant impacts on soil erosion. We find little evidence of impact of access to markets, roads and credit, land tenure or title on agricultural intensification and crop production and land degradation. In general, the results imply that the strategies to increase agricultural production and reduce land degradation must be location‐specific, and that there are few ‘win‐win’ opportunities to simultaneously increase production and reduce land degradation.
The impact of transport‐and transaction‐cost reductions on food markets in developing countries: evidence for tempered expectations for Burkina Faso
Authors: Rujis Arjan , Schweigman Caspar , Lutz Clemens
Published: August 2007

Reductions in transport and transaction costs are expected to have a major effect on the functioning of food markets in developing countries. For Burkina Faso, this is a relevant issue as it may have important consequences for the food markets in urban and rural deficit areas. A partial equilibrium model is presented to analyze the short‐term effects of reduced costs on price formation, inter‐regional cereal trade, and farmers' and traders' storage strategies. Our results show that the high expectations with regard to the direct effects of cost reductions on food prices and food availability require some nuance. The effects of a reduction of transport costs will be small. Moreover, also the unintended negative consequences on the competitive position of farmers and traders in other regions that do not profit from road construction should be taken into account. Finally, it is concluded that only if transport and transaction costs are reduced simultaneously, will both the consumers and farmers benefit significantly.
Courts and contract enforcement in transition agriculture: theory and evidence from Poland
Authors: Beckmann Volker , Boger Silke
Published: August 2007

The paper investigates theoretically and empirically the role of courts for contract enforcement in transition agriculture. In a survey of 306 Polish farmers conducted in 1999, only 38.5% respondents reported to believe that they could use courts to enforce contracts with their most important customer. Furthermore, those who believed the legal system could be used would accept significant financial losses before taking action. We develop a theoretical model, based on the costs and benefits of court enforcement, which captures the boundary between contracts to be regarded as ‘enforceable’ and ‘not‐enforceable’ and, simultaneously, the threshold of taking legal action. The empirical analysis strongly supports our model: (1) the farmers' responses can be explained by cost‐benefit calculations regarding the use of courts, (2) the legal ‘enforceability’ of contracts depends not only on the efficiency of the legal system but also on the attributes of the transaction, the contracts and the relationship between buyer and seller and (3) the threshold of taking legal action is significantly influenced by indirect costs of court enforcement, such as the disruption of a valuable business relationship, and by the availability of alternative enforcement mechanisms.
Do counter‐cyclical payments in the 2002 US Farm Act create incentives to produce?⋆
Authors: Antón Jesús , Mouël Chantal Le
Published: August 2007

Analytical results in the literature suggest that counter‐cyclical payments create risk‐related incentives to produce even if they are ‘decoupled’ under certainty [Hennessy, D. A., 1998. The production effects of agricultural income support polices under uncertainty. Am. J. Agric. Econ. 80, 46–57]. This paper develops a framework to assess the risk‐related incentives to produce created by commodity programmes like the loan deficiency payments (LDPs) and the counter‐cyclical payments (CCPs) in the 2002 US Farm Act. Because CCPs are paid based on fixed production quantities they have a weaker risk‐reducing impact than LDPs. The latter have a direct impact through the variance of the producer price distributions, while the impact of CCPs is due only to the covariance between the CCP and the producer price distributions. The methodology developed by [Chavas, J.‐P., Holt, M. T., 1990. Acreage decisions under risk: the case of corn and soybeans. Am. J. Agric. Econ. 72 (3), 529–538] is applied to calculate the appropriate variance‐covariance matrix of the truncated producer price distributions under the 2002 Farm Act. Risk premia are computed showing that the risk‐related incentives created by CCPs are significant and do not disappear for levels of production above the base production on which CCPs are paid.
Measuring productivity growth when technological change is biased–a new index and an application to UK agriculture
Authors: Bailey Alastair , Irz Xavier , Balcombe Kelvin
Published: August 2007

Productivity growth is conventionally measured by indices representing discreet approximations of the Divisia TEP index under the assumption that technological change is Hicks‐neutral. When this assumption is violated, these indices are no longer meaningful because they conflate the effects of factor accumulation and technological change. We propose a way of adjusting the conventional TFP index that solves this problem. The method adopts a latent variable approach to the measurement of technical change biases that provides a simple means of correcting product and factor shares in the standard Tornqvist‐Theil TFP index. An application to UK agriculture over the period 1953–2000 demonstrates that technical progress is strongly biased. The implications of that bias for productivity measurement are shown to be very large, with the conventional TFP index severely underestimating productivity growth. The result is explained primarily by the fact that technological change has favoured the rapidly accumulating factors against labour, the factor leaving the sector.