bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A randomized, placebo‐ and active‐controlled study of paliperidone extended release for the treatment of acute manic and mixed episodes of bipolar I disorder
Authors: Vieta Eduard , Nuamah Isaac F , Lim Pilar , Yuen Eric C , Palumbo Joseph M , Hough David W , Berwaerts Joris
Published: May 2010

Vieta E, Nuamah IF, Lim P, Yuen EC, Palumbo JM, Hough DW, Berwaerts J. A randomized, placebo‐ and active‐controlled study of paliperidone extended release for the treatment of acute manic and mixed episodes of bipolar I disorder. Bipolar Disord 2010: 12: 230–243. © 2010 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Objectives:  To evaluate the antimanic efficacy and safety of paliperidone extended‐release (ER) tablets in patients with bipolar I disorder.

Methods:  This study included a 3‐week, double‐blind, acute treatment phase (paliperidone ER versus placebo, with quetiapine as control), and a 9‐week, double‐blind, maintenance phase (paliperidone ER versus quetiapine). Patients [n = 493; Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) score ≥ 20] were randomized (2:2:1) to flexibly dosed paliperidone ER (3–12 mg/day), quetiapine (400–800 mg/day), or placebo for the acute treatment phase. During the maintenance phase, patients assigned to placebo were switched to paliperidone ER but not included in analysis of efficacy.

Results:  Paliperidone ER was superior to placebo at the 3‐week endpoint {primary outcome; least‐squares mean difference in change from baseline in YMRS scores [95% confidence interval (CI)]: −5.5 (−7.57; −3.35); p < 0.001} and noninferior to quetiapine at the 12‐week endpoint [least‐squares mean difference (95% CI): 1.7 (−0.47; 3.96)]. The median mode dose during the 12‐week treatment period was 9 mg for paliperidone ER and 600 mg for quetiapine. The most common (≥ 10%) treatment‐emergent adverse events during the 12‐week period were: headache (16%), somnolence (10%), and akathisia (10%) for paliperidone ER; somnolence (21%), sedation and dry mouth (17% each), headache (14%), and dizziness (13%) for quetiapine. Body weight increase ≥ 7% from baseline to 12‐week endpoint was 8% with paliperidone ER and 17% with quetiapine. A higher percentage of paliperidone ER (13.9%) versus quetiapine patients (7.5%) ‘switched to depression’ at the12‐week endpoint.

Conclusions:  Paliperidone ER (3–12 mg/day) was efficacious and tolerable in the treatment of acute mania.
The trophic blockage hypothesis is not supported by the diets of fishes on Seine Seamount
Authors: Hirch Stefanie , Christiansen Bernd
Published: May 2010

Several hypotheses exist about the trophic mechanisms that support fish stocks at seamounts. This study investigated the diets of benthopelagic fish species on the summit plateau of Seine Seamount (NE Atlantic), testing the sound‐scattering layer interception hypothesis. A combined approach of gut content, stable isotopes and fatty‐acid biomarker analyses was employed. Fish species included zooplanktivores, benthivores, piscivores and species with mixed crustacean/cephalopod/fish diets. Trophic coupling between pelagic food sources and benthopelagic fish consumers was apparent based on three main lines of evidence: (i) dominance of pelagic prey in the guts of zooplanktivores, (ii) stable isotope enrichment of consumers indicative of a pelagic prey source, and (iii) high proportions of fatty acids that are typical of phytoplankton and zooplankton in the storage lipids of fishes and their similarity with fatty acid signatures of pelagic prey. Elevated levels of arachidonic acid in a benthivorous species suggested a minor dietary contribution of rhodophytes. The lack of larger taxa that undergo diel vertical migrations in the fish guts suggests that it is horizontal fluxes of non‐, or weakly migrating zooplankton that are the main food supply to the resident fish consumers. Overall, there was no unambiguous support for the trophic blockage hypothesis. Differences in gut contents, trophic position and storage lipid fatty acid signatures of zooplanktivorous fishes indicate some degree of resource partitioning with respect to feeding habitats, prey selection and ontogenetic diet shifts. Irrespective of body size and feeding mode, the benthopelagic fishes occupied intermediate trophic positions between the 3rd and 4th trophic level in a food web composed mainly of omnivorous species.
Assemblage structure, but not diversity or density, change with depth on a northeast Pacific seamount
Authors: McClain Craig R. , Lundsten Lonny , Barry James , DeVogelaere Andrew
Published: May 2010

Although depth‐related patterns in assemblage structure are documented in several deep‐sea systems, variation in diversity, assemblage structure, and abundance with depth on individual seamounts remains unexplored. Knowledge of alpha‐ and beta‐diversity on single seamounts is needed for any robust generalization about large‐scale biodiversity patterns on seamounts. Here, we explore bathymetric variation in benthic megafauna, based on ROV video transects, on Davidson seamount (1246–3656 m) in the Northeast Pacific Ocean. We found that substantial change in assemblage structure can occur over vertical scales on an individual seamount. Changes of 50% in assemblage composition (beta‐diversity, faunal turnover) were observed over as little as a ∼1500 m depth interval down the flanks of the seamount, although bathymetric clines in composition were not uniform across major taxa. Diversity and density exhibit no consistent bathymetric pattern and can vary greatly on a single isobath. Our findings suggest that ecological and evolutionary processes may vary considerably on a single seamount. As such, seamounts should be viewed as patchworks of habitats where high beta‐diversity may ultimately increase total biodiversity.
Mounting evidence: near‐slope seamounts are faunally indistinct from an adjacent bank
Authors: Howell Kerry L. , Mowles Sophie L. , Foggo Andrew
Published: May 2010

Seamounts have been described as island habitats harbouring a unique fauna, and as biodiversity hotspots with high rates of endemism. However, recent research suggests that these generalisations are inappropriate and poorly supported, though appropriate on and off seamount comparative data are lacking. This study uses quantitative data derived from video analysis to compare epibenthic megafaunal community composition, diversity and potential species endemism on two seamounts and one bank in the Rockall Trough region of the NE Atlantic. Sample data were standardised for substratum type across all three features and as far as possible for depth and geomorphological variation. The results suggest that under similar environmental conditions, e.g. similar substratum, depth and geomorphology, there is little difference between the communities of the bank and seamounts in the Rockall Trough. Where differences are observed, the ‘guyot’ seamount is as different to the conical seamount as it is to the bank. The seamounts are no more or less diverse than the bank; endemism is low or non‐existent. The results are discussed in the context of the common generalisations made concerning seamount communities and the implications for conservation and management of the deep sea.
A test of the seamount oasis hypothesis: seamounts support higher epibenthic megafaunal biomass than adjacent slopes
Authors: Rowden Ashley A. , Schlacher Thomas A. , Williams Alan , Clark Malcolm R. , Stewart Robert , Althaus Franziska , Bowden David A. , Consalvey Mireille , Robinson Wayne , Dowdney Joanne
Published: May 2010

Seamounts have often been viewed as specialized habitats that support unique communities; this notion has given rise to several hypotheses about how seamount ecosystems are structured. One, the ‘seamount oasis hypothesis’, predicts that invertebrates are more abundant, speciose and attain higher standing stocks on seamounts compared to other deep‐sea habitats. Because this hypothesis has remained untested for biomass, we ask two questions: (i) Do seamounts support a higher benthic biomass than nearby slopes at corresponding depths? (ii) If they do, which particular taxa and trophic groups drive observed difference in biomass? Analysis of more than 5000 sea‐floor images reveals that the mean biomass of epibenthic megafauna on 20 southwest Pacific seamounts was nearly four times greater than on the adjacent continental slope at comparable depths. This difference is largely attributable to the scleractinian coral Solenosmilia variabilis, whose mean biomass was 29 times higher on seamounts. In terms of trophic guilds, filter‐feeders and filter‐feeders/predators made up a significantly greater proportion of biomass on seamounts, whereas deposit feeders and those with mixed feeding modes dominated at slope habitats. Notwithstanding support for the seamount oasis hypothesis provided by this study, the hypothesis needs to be critically tested for seamounts in less productive regions, for seamounts with a greater proportion of soft substratum, and in other parts of the oceans where scleractinian corals are not prevalent. In this context, testing of seamount paradigms should be embedded in a broader ecological context that includes other margin habitats (e.g. canyons) and community metrics (e.g. diversity and body size).
Do we need to flick the switch? The need for a broader conceptualization of iatrogenic course aggravation in clinical trials of bipolar disorder
Authors: Berk Michael , Ng Felicity , Dodd Seetal , Goldberg Joseph F. , Malhi Gin S.
Published: May 2010

The term ‘switching’ is often used in bipolar disorder when describing polarity changes in bipolar disorder, but this term is ambiguous and imprecise, and is sometimes used interchangeably with the term ‘cycling’. Furthermore, polarity changes in bipolar disorder can be understood in different ways, because their clinical manifestations range from the emergence of subthreshold symptoms to a full episode of the opposite pole. Besides the need to tighten the meaning of the term ‘switching’, this paper also argues that switching does not adequately describe the complex phenomena that occur with course aggravation of bipolar disorder, such as alteration in episode frequency or amplitude. A more‐fine grained approach to course aggravation in bipolar disorder is proposed, which incorporates trans‐polar switching, index polarity aggravation, as well as alterations in episodic amplitude, episodic duration, and inter‐episode length. This approach has the potential to capture a broader, more fine‐grained and clinically relevant picture of the process of aggravation of the bipolar cycle.
Ophthalmic and facial veins are not valveless
Authors: Zhang John , Stringer Mark D
Published: May 2010

Abstract

Background:  The ophthalmic and facial veins are frequently stated to be devoid of valves, facilitating the spread of infection from the mid‐face to the cavernous sinus.

Methods:  Twelve superior and eight inferior ophthalmic veins together with 13 angular and facial veins were harvested from adult cadavers. Each vein was opened longitudinally and examined by stereomicroscopy; the number, location and geometry of valve cusps were recorded.

Results:  Ten valves were identified in nine (75%) superior ophthalmic vein specimens: four valves were in the superior ophthalmic vein and the remainder were located near its origin from angular and supra‐orbital tributaries. No valves were seen in the inferior ophthalmic vein. Seventeen bicuspid valves were identified in tributaries of the angular vein or in the facial vein, but none were in the angular vein itself. Four of seven facial vein segments extending to the lower border of the mandible had valves. The orientation of valve cusps predicted the following blood flow: in the facial vein, inferiorly; in the superior ophthalmic vein, towards the cavernous sinus; and in the angular vein, to the facial or superior ophthalmic vein.

Conclusions:  This study demonstrates, for the first time, the existence of valves in the superior ophthalmic vein and its two main tributaries. Valves were also seen in the facial vein. It is not the absence of venous valves but the existence of communications between the facial vein and cavernous sinus and the direction of blood flow that is important in the spread of infection from the face.
Establishing species' environmental requirements to understand how the southernmost species of South American pitvipers (Bothrops, Viperidae) are distributed: A niche‐based modelling approach
Authors: DI COLA VALERIA , CHIARAVIGLIO MARGARITA
Published: May 2010

ThreeBothropsspecies are known to be present along an extensive and generally xeric band of the south‐eastern portion of South America. Yet, the environmental factors responsible for the maintenance of the structure of this community have remained undetermined. To have a better understanding of snakes' geographic range limits in Argentina, we modelled the ecological niche ofBothrops alternatus,B. ammodytoidesandB. diporusto identify areas of their occurrence and sympatry. We used snakes presence records and pseudo‐absence data with topographic (altitude and slope), vegetation and 19 bioclimatic variables as predictors. These variables were evaluated for each species, using Multiple Logistic Regression Analysis. The distribution ofB. alternatuswas correlated with temperature, precipitation and vegetation; that ofB. ammodytoideswith altitude, slope, precipitation, temperature and vegetation; and that ofB. diporusrelated only to precipitation and temperature variables. Five variables appeared in all three models (i.e. annual precipitation, precipitation seasonality, precipitation of the driest month, mean diurnal temperature range and temperature range), although with different effects in different species. Probable sympatry areas were identified, forB. alternatus – B. ammodytoidesin a narrow area, forB. diporus – B. alternatusin a wide area andB. ammodytoides – B. diporusin a small area. While some factors constrain the distribution of the southernmost pitvipers community in South America to spatially non‐overlapping ranges, others facilitate sympatry by allowing spatial coexistence. We found high sympatry between phylogenetically distantly related pitvipers. Niche‐based Geographic Information Systems modelling allowed us to identify the environmental factors correlated with each pitviper range in Argentina and in its contact zones, and to understand species distributional limits.
Altitudinal distribution of native and alien plant species in roadside communities from central Argentina
Authors: PAIARO VALERIA , CABIDO MARCELO , PUCHETA EDUARDO
Published: May 2010

Roadsides may homogenize the distribution of native species and act as corridors for the spread of alien taxa. We examined the variation in native and alien plant species richness and composition at two spatial scales defined by altitude and habitat type (edges and fill slopes), as well as the relationship between native and exotic species richness in roadside plant communities in mountains from central Argentina. Following a gradient from 1100 to 2200 m a.s.l. along a mountain road, plant species cover was recorded within sample plots of 30 m × 10 m systematically located at 100‐m altitude intervals on both roadside habitats. Although native species richness decreased with altitude and composition changed accordingly, the number of alien species peaked at both extremes of the elevation gradient and did not reflect an altitudinal replacement of chorological groups. The number of both native and alien species was higher in roadside edges, but a negative association between the richness of native and alien species occurred only on fill slopes, suggesting that roadside habitats differ in their susceptibility to plant species colonization and in the mechanisms driving native and alien species richness. Our results highlight the importance of altitude and roadside habitat as factors controlling plant species richness and composition along roadside communities in central Argentina. Although altitude acts as a filter for native plants, it apparently did not constrain the establishment of alien species along the studied roadsides, indicating that the influence of this road as a plant species corridor may increase with time, promoting the opportunities for aliens to expand their current distribution.
Individual growth rates do not predict aphid population densities under altered atmospheric conditions
Authors: Mondor Edward B. , Awmack Caroline S. , Lindroth Richard L.
Published: May 2010

Altered atmospheric composition, associated with climate change, can modify herbivore population dynamics through CO2 and/or O3‐mediated changes in plant quality.

Although pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum genotypes exhibit intraspecific variation in population growth in response to atmospheric composition, the proximate mechanisms underlying this variation are largely unknown.

By rearing single (green, pink) and mixed (green + pink) pea aphid genotypes on red clover Trifolium pratense at the Aspen Free Air CO2 and O3 Enrichment (Aspen FACE) site, we assessed whether: (i) elevated CO2 and/or O3 concentrations alter aphid growth and development and (ii) individual aphid growth rates predict aphid population densities.

We showed that growth and development of individual green and pink aphids were not influenced by CO2 and/or O3 concentrations when reared as individual or mixed genotypes. Individual growth rates, however, did not predict population densities.

Reared as a single genotype, green pea aphid populations decreased in response to elevated CO2 concentrations, but not in response to elevated CO2 + O3 concentrations. Pink pea aphid populations reared as a single genotype were unaffected by augmented CO2 or O3. Populations of mixed genotypes, however, were reduced under elevated CO2 concentrations, irrespective of O3 concentrations.

Herbivore population sizes may not readily be predicted from growth rates of individual organisms under atmospheric conditions associated with global climate change.
Single‐nucleotide polymorphisms within the antioxidant defence system and associations with aggressive prostate cancer
Authors: Abe Miyako , Xie Wanling , Regan Meredith M. , King Irena B. , Stampfer Meir J. , Kantoff Philip W. , Oh William K. , Chan June M.
Published: May 2010

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

Prior studies have identified potential interaction effects between antioxidant nutrients and germline gene variants with regards to prostate cancer risk. In particular, the rs4880 gene variant in SOD2 (or MnSOD) has been linked to several cancers, including prostate, and appears to interact with antioxidant status and cancer risk.

We identified additional variants in SOD2 and SOD1 that may affect risk of prostate cancer, or interact with selenium status to affect prostate cancer risk.

OBJECTIVE

To study the effects of oxidative stress on prostate cancer development as the exact biological mechanisms behind the relationship remain uncertain. We previously reported a statistically significant interaction between circulating selenium levels, variants in the superoxide dismutase 2 gene (SOD2; rs4880), and risk of developing prostate cancer and presenting with aggressive prostate cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We genotyped men with localized/regional prostate cancer for 26 loci across eight genes that are central to cellular antioxidant defence: glutathione peroxidase (GPX1, GPX4), peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ coactivator (PPARGC1A, PPARGC1B), SOD1, SOD2, and SOD3, and ‘X‐ray repair complementing defective repair in Chinese hamster cell 1’ (XRCC1). Among 489 men, we examined the relationships between genotypes, circulating selenium levels, and risk of presenting with aggressive prostate cancer at diagnosis, as defined by stage, grade and prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) level (213 aggressive cases).

RESULTS

Two variants in SOD2 were significantly associated with the risk of aggressive prostate cancer (rs17884057, odds ratio 0.83, 95% confidence interval 0.70–0.99; and rs4816407, 1.27, 1.02–1.57); men with A alleles at rs2842958 in SOD2 had lower plasma selenium levels (median 116 vs 121.8 µg/L, P= 0.03); and the association between plasma selenium levels and risk of aggressive prostate cancer was modified by SOD1 (rs10432782) and SOD2 (rs2758330).

CONCLUSION

While this study was cross‐sectional and these associations might be due to chance, further research is warranted on the potential important role of antioxidant defence in prostate cancer.
The Exclusion of (Failed) Asylum Seekers from Housing and Home: Towards an Oppositional Discourse
Authors: O'Mahony Lorna Fox , Sweeney James A.
Published: May 2010

‘Housing’– the practical provision of a roof over one's head – is experienced by users as ‘home’– broadly described as housing plus the experiential elements of dwelling. Conversely, being without housing, commonly described as ‘homelessness’, is experienced not only as an absence of shelter but in the philosophical sense of ‘ontological homelessness’ and alienation from the conditions for well‐being. For asylum seekers, these experiences are deliberately and explicitly excluded from official law and policy discourses. This article demonstrates how law and policy is propelled by an ‘official discourse’ based on the denial of housing and the avoidance of ‘home’ attachments, which effectively keeps the asylum seeker in a state of ontological homelessness and alienation. We reflect on this exclusion and consider how a new ‘oppositional discourse’ of housing and home – taking these considerations into account – might impact on the balancing exercise inherent to laws and policies concerning asylum seekers.
Creative Problem Solving in Second Life: An Action Research Study
Authors: Uribe Larach Diego , Cabra John F.
Published: May 2010

A digital Creative Problem‐Solving (CPS) process was facilitated in a 3D virtual world in order to assess whether such an environment was conducive to remote synchronous creative collaboration. IBM associates comprised the majority of the group that was involved in the process. Insights regarding the experience working within this virtual environment are discussed at length as seen through the eyes of the authors (CPS facilitators) of this paper and through the eyes of the participants. Data was gathered through a short feedback form administered to all participants, and informal interviews were also held to explore ways to improve the CPS experience. Results were encouraging. In common, participants reported that their experiences were deeply engaging and conducive to creative collaboration. An argument is made for the early adoption and use of this type of virtual worlds for remote‐synchronous creativity interactions. Finally, from a systems view of creativity, the authors identify opportunities for future research studies that examine the efficacy of creative collaboration within virtual worlds.
Tuning Users' Innovativeness During Ideation
Authors: Kristensson Per , Magnusson Peter R.
Published: May 2010

Although there is increasing acknowledgement that consumers can contribute useful ideas during the development of innovative services, there has been little empirical examination of how such users can best be managed in order to contribute their ideas to the ‘fuzzy front end’ of new service development. The present study examines the relationship between the nature of user‐created ideas regarding new technology‐based services and the characteristics of the users supplying the ideas. In particular, the study investigates whether users' ideas become more incremental or more radical depending on the users' awareness of technological restrictions and their utilization of use experience. The results show that idea creators with high use experience who are unaware of any technological restrictions tend to produce service ideas that are more radical in nature, whereas idea creators with high use experience who are aware of technological restrictions tend to produce service ideas that are more incremental in nature. The study provides empirical support that, in order to provide innovative ideas, ordinary users involved in ideation must both have a contextual use experience and not be restricted in their ideation by ‘too much’ technology information and restrictions on potential feasibility.
Integrating Customers in Product Innovation: Lessons from Industrial Development Contractors and In‐House Contractors in Rapidly Changing Customer Markets
Authors: Sandmeier Patricia , Morrison Pamela D. , Gassmann Oliver
Published: May 2010

Successful product innovation has increasingly been recognized as an outcome of integrating customers into the new product development (NPD) process. In this paper, we explore customer integration by investigating the continual consideration of customer contributions throughout the product innovation process. Through a comparison of the customer integration practices by development contractors with those of in‐house developers, we find that the iterative and adaptive innovation process structures of the development contractors facilitate the realization of the full customer contribution potential throughout the product innovation process. We also find additional support for the incorporation of open innovation into an organization's NPD activities. Our findings are based on in‐depth case studies of the NPD activities of in‐house developers and product development contractors.
Places and Spaces for Circus Performers and Show People as Australian Migratory Workers
Authors: Danaher P.A.
Published: May 2010

This article draws on an 18‐year continuing empirical and qualitative study of the educational opportunities and experiences of Australian circus performers and show people to engage with broader questions about the intersection among rural mobilities, fixities and inequalities. In particular, the distinction between place as the source of the centre's power and space as the scene of operation of various tactics of resistance to that power is deployed to demonstrate that place and space are actually mobile concepts that highlight the relational and situated character of such supposedly fixed binaries as mobile and permanently resident on the one hand and rural and urban on the other. This conceptual fluidity and mobility are both useful and crucial in understanding the life‐worlds of migratory workers such as circus performers and show people and more broadly in engaging with rural mobilities, fixities and inequalities, in Australia and elsewhere.
Rural Melting‐pots, Mobilities and Fragilities: Reflections on the Spanish Case
Authors: Oliva Jesús
Published: May 2010

New migration and residential patterns and increased commuting are significantly changing Spanish rurality. Perhaps the most important change is that these processes are creating a changing world of new rural melting‐pots with a mixture of residents (such as international labour and retirement migrants, returning pensioners, ex‐urban groups and neo‐rural residents). These mobilities led to the demographic revitalisation of many areas, supporting traditional productive sectors as well as expanding rural activities. On the other hand, automobility, as a systematic resource to compress time and space, has become a key dimension of rural social sustainability today. In many rural habitats, commuting plays a determining role for retaining young people, women and skilled workers, providing more effective combinations of residence, labour strategies and sociality. However, these processes also open up a new range of vulnerabilities and social inequalities. By analysing census data and research carried out in different regions we explore the impact of mobilities on these rural areas, their interrelation with local fixities and the fragilities underlying these relations.
The Challenge in Conducting Qualitative Research With Convicted Sex Offenders
Authors: BLAGDEN NICHOLAS , PEMBERTON SARAH
Published: May 2010

Abstract: There is a paucity of literature focusing on the challenges involved in undertaking qualitative research with convicted sexual offenders. This article will address the challenges faced by the researchers whilst conducting fieldwork with convicted sexual offenders in the prison environment and how they overcame them. Such obstacles included the recruitment of participants, informed consent, establishing researcher‐participant rapport, avoiding collusion and ensuring confidentiality and anonymity. This article further reflects on the social, political and ethical‐legal dilemmas, as well as the emotional aspects (both for the researcher and participant) of researching such populations. Although the focus here is on researching sexual offenders in prison, the experiences will no doubt have resonance for those undertaking research with other vulnerable populations.
The work–life balance strategies of USDAW: mobilising collective voice
Authors: O'Brien‐Smith Fiona , Rigby Mike
Published: May 2010

This article examines the articulation of member voice on work–life balance by USDAW at political, corporate and workplace levels. Despite eliciting favourable institutional responses at a political and corporate level, the necessary union role in policing and facilitating agreements at workplace level emphasises the interdependence of partnership and organising.
Ownership, corporate governance and industrial relations in the banking and telecommunications sectors: the case of Greece
Authors: Zambarloukou Stella
Published: May 2010

The article examines how changes in ownership and corporate governance have affected industrial relations systems by drawing on the recent experience of Greece in two sectors: banking and telecommunications. The findings show that despite the seeming institutional stability in industrial relations arrangements, substantive change has taken place in the aforementioned sectors, which has resulted in the decentralisation of bargaining procedures.
High resolution skin colorimetry, strain mapping and mechanobiology
Authors: Devillers C. , Piérard‐Franchimont C. , Schreder A. , Docquier V. , Piérard G. E.
Published: May 2010

Synopsis

Skin colours are notoriously different between individuals. They are governed by ethnicities and phototypes, and further influenced by a variety of factors including photoexposures and sustained mechanical stress. Indeed, mechanobiology is a feature affecting the epidermal melanization. High‐resolution epiluminescence colorimetry helps in deciphering the effects of forces generated by Langer’s lines or relaxed skin tension lines on the melanocyte activity. The same procedure shows a prominent laddering pattern of melanization in striae distensae contrasting with the regular honeycomb pattern in the surrounding skin.
Resistance of human hair cuticle after a shaking process in wet conditions: comparison between Chinese and Caucasian hair
Authors: Galliano A. , Saint Olive Baque C. , Marty G. , Nedelec B. , Gauchet L. , Littaye P. , Gu W. , Huguet E. , Querleux B. , Silberzan I. , Kravtchenko S. , Kempf J. Y.
Published: May 2010

Synopsis

Hair cuticle is the first protection shield of hair against external aggressions such as daily combing or brushing that induce friction, mechanical stress leading to ageing process. The identification of alterations of the hair surface induced by shaking process of various hair fibres, such as virgin and chemically treated Chinese and Caucasian hair, sheds some light on some specific features, e.g. Chinese cuticle is torn out in smaller particles than Caucasian, which seems to be related to geometrical rather than ethnic reasons. The present work also shows that two geometrical parameters of human hair, the inter‐scale distance and the scale angle are directly linked to fibre dimensions, regardless of ethnic origin. Representative of hair with an average larger cross‐sectional area, Chinese hair shows a slightly smaller inter‐scale distance as well as a higher scale angle. On the other hand, Chinese hair cuticle seems to be more sensitive to chemical treatment than Caucasian hair, at least for straightening treatment taken here as an example. Such an approach can be of interest in designing cosmetic products more suited to specific needs of human hair.
Comparative study of neural networks and least mean square algorithm applied to the optimization of cosmetic formulations
Authors: Balfagón A. C. , Serrano‐Hernanz A. , Teixido J. , Tejedor‐Estrada R.
Published: May 2010

Synopsis

In this work, a comparative study between two methods to acquire relevant information about a cosmetic formulation has been carried out. A Design of Experiments (DOE) has been applied in two stages to a capillary cosmetic cream: first, a Plackett–Burman (PB) design has been used to reduce the number of variables to be studied; second, a complete factorial design has been implemented.

With the experimental data collected from the DOE, a Least Mean Square (LMS) algorithm and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) have been utilized to obtain an equation (or model) that could explain cream viscosity. Calculations have shown that ANN are the best prediction method to fit a model to experimental data, within the interval of concentrations defined by the whole set of experiments.
To Trade or Not to Trade: The Strategic Trading of Insiders around News Announcements
Authors: Korczak Adriana , Korczak Piotr , Lasfer Meziane
Published: May 2010

Abstract:  We argue that insiders' decisions to trade in short windows before news announcements are likely to result from a trade‐off between the incentives to capitalize on the foreknowledge of the disclosure and the risk of regulatory scrutiny and reputation loss. We provide evidence that the decision of insiders to buy is driven by this trade‐off. We show that insiders strategically choose the amount of shares bought ahead of good news announcements, as they increase their purchases when the price impact of the news goes up, but the amount of shares purchased levels off as the news becomes extreme. In contrast, their sell trades are primarily influenced by the deterring effect of the regulatory and reputation risks, as the probability of their sell trades decreases significantly with the price impact of the forthcoming bad news. To further support our arguments on the importance of incentives and disincentives to trade, we show that the strategic trading is mainly observed in the most price‐sensitive groups of news announcements, and is clearly pronounced for best informed executives (CEOs), and that the trading patterns change with changes in regulations, and insiders with higher reputational risk limit their trading ahead of bad news.
How Do Restatements Begin? Evidence of Earnings Management Preceding Restated Financial Reports
Authors: Ettredge Michael , Scholz Susan , Smith Kevin R. , Sun Lili
Published: May 2010

Abstract:  Most earnings restatements are blamed on error, or misunderstanding of GAAP, but suspicion persists that many of these restatements are instead due to intentional earnings management. We analyze balance sheet bloat, or unusually high levels of working capital account balances, for evidence of sustained, income‐increasing earnings management prior to initial non‐GAAP financial reports. We establish a pattern of systematically increasing balance sheet bloat for firms later issuing clearly fraudulent financial reports. Next, we compare bloat for apparently non‐fraud restatements to fraud and control samples. We find non‐fraud restatement companies’ bloat is higher than control companies for two years preceding the initial misstated financial report. But, these firms accumulate less balance sheet bloat than companies with restatements clearly involving fraud. This suggests meaningful, but not pervasive, earnings management underlying even apparently non‐fraudulent restatements. We extend our analysis to discretionary accruals and real activity earnings management.
The Impact of Dual Class Structure on Earnings Management Activities
Authors: Nguyen Van Thuan , Xu Li
Published: May 2010

Abstract:  This paper hypothesizes and finds that firms with dual class structure are less likely to engage in earnings management activities than firms with single class structure. The paper also finds that within the sample of firms with dual class structure, earnings management activities are positively associated with managerial cash flow rights, but marginally and negatively associated with managerial voting rights. In addition, the divergence between voting rights and cash flow rights has a marginally negative impact on earnings management. Finally, in a sample of firms switching from dual class structure to single class structure, earnings management activities increase following the switch.
Is karyotyping couples experiencing recurrent miscarriage worth the cost?
Authors: Barber JCK , Cockwell AE , Grant E , Williams S , Dunn R , Ogilvie CM
Published: May 2010

Please cite this paper as: Barber J, Cockwell A, Grant E, Williams S, Dunn R, Ogilvie C. Is karyotyping couples experiencing recurrent miscarriage worth the cost? BJOG 2010;117:885–888.

Karyotyping couples that have had recurrent miscarriages detects balanced rearrangements in carrier parents who can be offered prenatal cytogenetic analysis to prevent the birth of a subsequent child with an unbalanced rearrangement. In four UK centres, over periods of 5–30 years, balanced rearrangements were found in 406 out of 20 432 parents that had experienced miscarriage (1.9%), but only four unbalanced rearrangements were found after referral for prenatal diagnosis because of a balanced parental translocation ascertained for recurrent miscarriages. At an estimated cost of £3–4 million, these data raise doubts about the cost effectiveness of current policies on the routine karyotyping of couples experiencing repeated miscarriages.
Human NK cells display major phenotypic and functional changes over the life span
Authors: Le Garff‐Tavernier Magali , Béziat Vivien , Decocq Julie , Siguret Virginie , Gandjbakhch Frédérique , Pautas Eric , Debré Patrice , Merle‐Beral Hélène , Vieillard Vincent
Published: May 2010

Aging is generally associated with an increased predisposition to infectious diseases and cancers, related in part to the development of immune senescence, a process that affects all cell compartments of the immune system. Although many studies have investigated the effects of age on natural killer (NK) cells, their conclusions remain controversial because the diverse health status of study subjects resulted in discordant findings. To clarify this situation, we conducted the first extensive phenotypic and functional analysis of NK cells from healthy subjects, comparing NK cells derived from newborn (cord blood), middle‐aged (18–60 years), old (60–80 years), and very old (80–100 years) subjects. We found that NK cells in cord blood displayed specific features associated with immaturity, including poor expression of KIR and LIR‐1/ILT‐2 and high expression of both NKG2A and IFN‐γ. NK cells from older subjects, on the other hand, preserved their major phenotypic and functional characteristics, but with their mature features accentuated. These include a profound decline of the CD56bright subset, a specific increase in LIR‐1/ILT‐2, and a perfect recovering of NK‐cell function following IL2‐activation in very old subjects. We conclude that the preservation of NK cell features until very advanced age may contribute to longevity and successful aging.
AMP‐activated protein kinase deficiency exacerbates aging‐induced myocardial contractile dysfunction
Authors: Turdi Subat , Fan Xiujuan , Li Ji , Zhao Junxing , Huff Anna F. , Du Min , Ren Jun
Published: May 2010

Aging is associated with myocardial dysfunction although the underlying mechanism is unclear. AMPK, a key cellular fuel sensor for energy metabolism, is compromised with aging. This study examined the role of AMPK deficiency in aging‐associated myocardial dysfunction. Young or old wild‐type (WT) and transgenic mice with overexpression of a mutant AMPK α2 subunit (kinase dead, KD) were used. AMPK α isoform activity, myocardial function and morphology were examined. DCF and JC‐1 fluorescence probes were employed to quantify reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), respectively. KD mice displayed significantly reduced α2 but not α1 AMPK isoform activity at both ages with a greater effect at old age. Aging itself decreased α1 isoform activity. Cardiomyocyte contractile function, intracellular Ca2+ handling, and SERCA2a levels were compromised with aging, the effects of which were exacerbated by AMPK deficiency. H&E staining revealed cardiomyocyte hypertrophy with aging, which was more pronounced in KD mice. TEM micrographs displayed severe disruption of mitochondrial ultrastructure characterized by swollen, irregular shape and disrupted cristae in aged KD compared with WT mice. Aging enhanced ROS production and reduced ΔΨm, the effects of which were accentuated by AMPK deficiency. Immunoblotting data depicted unchanged Akt phosphorylation and a significant decrease in mitochondrial biogenesis cofactor PGC‐1α in aged groups. AMPK deficiency but not aging decreased the phosphorylation of ACC and eNOS. Expression of membrane Glut4 and HSP90 was decreased in aged KD mice. Moreover, treatment of the AMPK activator metformin attenuated aging‐induced cardiomyocyte contractile defects. Collectively, our data suggest a role for AMPK deficiency in aging‐induced cardiac dysfunction possibly through disrupted mitochondrial function and ROS production.
Intersegmental vessel formation in zebrafish: requirement for VEGF but not BMP signalling revealed by selective and non‐selective BMP antagonists
Authors: Cannon JE , Upton PD , Smith JC , Morrell NW
Published: May 2010

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSEBone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) were first identified through their role in inducing bone and cartilage formation, but many other important functions have since been ascribed to BMPs, including dorsoventral patterning, angiogenesis and tissue homeostasis. Using dorsomorphin and LDN193189, selective small molecule inhibitors of BMP signalling, we investigated the role of BMP signalling in early vascular patterning in zebrafish.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACHThe effects of dorsomorphin and LDN193189 on vascular endothelial growth factor‐a (VEGF) and BMP signalling in developing zebrafish and in human pulmonary artery endothelial cells were determined using confocal microscopy, Western blotting and quantitative PCR.

KEY RESULTSWe showed that dorsomorphin, similar to the VEGF inhibitor SU5416, strongly inhibits intersegmental vessel formation in zebrafish and that this is due to inhibition of VEGF activation of VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2), leading to reduced VEGF‐induced phospho‐ERK (extracellular regulated kinase) 1/2 and VEGF target gene transcription. These effects occurred at concentrations of dorsomorphin that block BMP signalling. We also showed that LDN193189, an analogue of dorsomorphin, more potently blocks BMP signalling but has no effect on VEGF signalling in zebrafish and does not disrupt early vascular patterning.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONSDorsomorphin inhibits both BMP and VEGF signalling, whereas LDN193189 is a more selective BMP antagonist. Results obtained in cardiovascular studies using dorsomorphin need to be interpreted with caution, and use of LDN193189 would be preferable due to its selectivity. Our data also suggest that BMP signalling is dispensable for early patterning of intersegmental vessels in zebrafish.
The antihyperalgesic effect of levetiracetam in an inflammatory model of pain in rats: mechanism of action
Authors: Micov A , Tomić M , Popović B , Stepanović‐Petrović R
Published: May 2010

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Levetiracetam, a novel antiepileptic drug, has recently been shown to have antinociceptive effects in various animal models of pain. The purpose of this study was to investigate the antihyperalgesic effect of levetiracetam and its mechanism of action, by examining the involvement of GABAergic, opioidergic, 5‐hydroxytryptaminergic (5‐HTergic) and adrenergic systems in its effect, in a rat model of inflammatory pain.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Rats were intraplantarly injected with the pro‐inflammatory compound carrageenan. A paw pressure test was used to determine: (i) the effect of levetiracetam on carrageenan‐induced hyperalgesia; and (ii) the effects of bicuculline (selective GABAA receptor antagonist), naloxone (non‐selective opioid receptor antagonist), methysergide (non‐selective 5‐HT receptor antagonist) and yohimbine (selective α2‐adrenoceptor antagonist) on the antihyperalgesic action of levetiracetam.

RESULTS Levetiracetam (10–200 mg·kg−1; p.o.) significantly reduced, in a dose‐dependent manner, the inflammatory hyperalgesia induced by carrageenan. The antihyperalgesic effect of levetiracetam was significantly decreased after administration of bicuculline (0.5–2 mg·kg−1; i.p.), naloxone (1–3 mg·kg−1; i.p.), methysergide (0.25–1 mg·kg−1; i.p.) and yohimbine (1–3 mg·kg−1; i.p.).

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS These results show that levetiracetam produced antihyperalgesia which is at least in part mediated by GABAA, opioid, 5‐HT and α2‐adrenergic receptors, in an inflammatory model of pain. The efficacy of levetiracetam in this animal model of inflammatory pain suggests that it could be a potentially important agent for treating inflammatory pain conditions in humans.
Interaction between anandamide and sphingosine‐1‐phosphate in mediating vasorelaxation in rat coronary artery
Authors: Mair KM , Robinson E , Kane KA , Pyne S , Brett RR , Pyne NJ , Kennedy S
Published: May 2010

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSEAnandamide and sphingosine‐1‐phosphate (S1P) both regulate vascular tone in a variety of vessels. This study aimed to examine the mechanisms involved in the regulation of coronary vascular tone by anandamide and S1P, and to determine whether any functional interaction occurs between these receptor systems.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACHMechanisms used by anandamide and S1P to regulate rat coronary artery (CA) reactivity were investigated using wire myography. Interactions between S1P and the cannabinoid (CB)2receptor were determined using human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cells that stably over‐express recombinant CB2receptor.

KEY RESULTSAnandamide and S1P induced relaxation of the rat CA. CB2receptor antagonists attenuated anandamide‐induced relaxation, while S1P‐mediated relaxation was dependent on the vascular endothelium and S1P3. Anandamide treatment resulted in an increase in the phosphorylation of sphingosine kinase‐1 within the CA. Conversely, anandamide‐mediated relaxation was attenuated by inhibition of sphingosine kinase. Moreover, S1P3, specifically within the vascular endothelium, was required for anandamide‐mediated vasorelaxation. In addition to this, S1P‐mediated relaxation was also reduced by CB2receptor antagonists and sphingosine kinase inhibition. Further evidence that S1P functionally interacts with the CB2receptor was also observed in HEK293 cells over‐expressing the CB2receptor.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONSIn the vascular endothelium of rat CA, anandamide induces relaxation via a mechanism requiring sphingosine kinase‐1 and S1P/S1P3. In addition, we report that S1P may exert some of its effects via a CB2receptor‐ and sphingosine kinase‐dependent mechanism, where subsequently formed S1P may have privileged access to S1P3to induce vascular relaxation.