bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of monochromatic excimer light on palmoplantar pustulosis: A clinical study performed in a private clinic by a dermatological specialist
Authors: Fumimori Takeaki , Tsuruta Daisuke , Kawakami Tamihiro , Ohata Chika , Furumura Minao , Hashimoto Takashi
Published: December 2013

Palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP) is currently treated with various modalities, including excimer light, a form of ultraviolet lamp. This study reports effect of excimer light treatment in 34 Japanese PPP patients treated at a private clinic by one doctor, who was certified as a dermatological specialist by the Japanese Dermatological Association. The statistical analyses were performed upon a collaborative basis with faculties in universities. Disease response scores were determined by response to excimer light treatment. Scores of 1, 2, 3 or 4 were assigned to patients whose palmoplantar pustular psoriasis area and severity index (PPPASI) decreased to 25% or less, 25.1–50%, 50.1–75% or more than 75.1% of pretreatment PPPASI, respectively. In this study, 44.1% PPP cases had scores of 1 or 2, and considered good responders to excimer light treatment. There were no statistical differences between males and females, and between older (≥40 years) and younger groups (≤39 years) in terms of disease response score. Disease duration did not show any significant difference among these scores. Treatment times, total amount of ultraviolet and total treatment duration showed significant differences between score 1 and score 4 groups (P = 0.0164, =0.0137 and =0.0267, respectively). Particular interest was paid to smoking habits. Smoking in male patients was significantly higher than that in female patients (P = 0.0169). There was no statistical difference between smokers and non‐smokers in terms of response to excimer light. In conclusion, this study suggested that excimer light is useful for both initial regimen and suppression of exacerbation in treatments of PPP.
Upregulation of S100P, receptor for advanced glycation end products and ezrin in malignant melanoma
Authors: Zhu Li , Ito Takamichi , Nakahara Takeshi , Nagae Konosuke , Fuyuno Yoko , Nakao Masayoshi , Akahoshi Maki , Nakagawa Rieko , Tu Yating , Uchi Hiroshi , Furue Masutaka
Published: December 2013

S100P is a member of the S100 family. Increased levels of S100P have been documented in various malignancies. Binding of extracellular S100P to receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) or coupling of intracellular S100P with a cytoskeletal protein, ezrin, play a crucial role in tumor growth, invasion and metastasis. However, little is known about the expression of S100P, RAGE and ezrin in malignant melanoma. We immunostained these three molecules in 20 primary and 20 metastatic melanomas. Samples of 20 benign nevus pigmentosus and 10 of normal skin were tested as controls. The expression levels (percentage of positively stained cells) of S100P, RAGE and ezrin were significantly higher in melanomas than in nevus pigmentosus. Moreover, slightly but significantly higher expression levels were observed in metastatic than in primary melanomas. Significant positive correlations were evident between the expression levels of S100P and RAGE, S100P and ezrin, and RAGE and ezrin, respectively. In conclusion, the coordinate upregulation of S100P, RAGE and ezrin may possibly facilitate malignant transformation of melanoma.
Clinical utility of loop‐mediated isothermal amplification assay for the diagnosis of common alpha herpesvirus skin infections
Authors: Kobayashi Tsukane , Yagami Akiko , Suzuki Kayoko , Ihira Masaru , Yoshikawa Tetsushi , Matsunaga Kayoko
Published: December 2013

Loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is a nucleic acid amplification method with a high specificity, efficiency and speed. No reports exist regarding the usefulness of LAMP for clinically suspected skin infections caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV) or varicella zoster virus (VZV). The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical usefulness of LAMP in the diagnosis of common cutaneous alpha herpesvirus (HSV type 1 and 2, and VZV) infections. LAMP and real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were performed using swab samples collected from 106 patients with clinically suspected alpha herpesvirus skin infections. The results of LAMP performed with DNA extraction did not differ from those performed without DNA extraction. The sensitivity of LAMP tested against real‐time PCR was 96% in herpes simplex, 78% in eczema herpeticum, 93% in herpes zoster and 100% in varicella. No viral DNA was detected by LAMP in all negative real‐time PCR samples. Viral DNA load was significantly lower in samples with false‐negative LAMP results than in the LAMP‐positive samples. LAMP enables confirmation of clinically suspected cutaneous HSV and VZV infections. However, the sensitivity of LAMP is lower than real‐time PCR. The accuracy of LAMP may increase if sufficient viral DNA is obtained from lesions. LAMP performed without DNA extraction remains sensitive; thus, LAMP represents a quick and economical method for the diagnosis of common alpha herpesvirus skin infections.
Ultraviolet B irradiation increases the expression of inflammatory cytokines in cultured sebocytes
Authors: Lee Weon Ju , Park Kyung Hea , Sohn Mi Yeung , Lee Won Chae , Lee Seok‐Jong , Kim Do Won
Published: December 2013

Sebaceous gland hyperplasia and increased sebum secretion after irradiation of ultraviolet (UV)‐B has been widely accepted. This study was performed to clarify expression of inflammatory cytokines after irradiating UV‐B in cultured sebocytes. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was performed to measure gene expression of inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐8 and tumor necrosis factor‐α, in cultured sebocytes after exposure to 40 and 70 mJ/cm2 UV‐B. Protein expression of inflammatory cytokines and lipid production in cultured sebocytes after exposure to UV‐B were measured using enzyme‐linked immunoassay and lipid analysis kit. The expression of inflammatory cytokines, especially IL‐1β and IL‐8, was significantly increased in cultured sebocytes after treatment with UV‐B. Many more studies on the effect of UV‐B on sebaceous glands should be performed to reveal the pathogenic mechanism of acne.
Simple identification of Trichophyton tonsurans by chlamydospore‐like structures produced in culture media
Authors: Mochizuki Takashi , Anzawa Kazushi , Sakata Yuichi , Fujihiro Machiko
Published: December 2013

Trichophyton tonsurans is known to be the causative agent of a worldwide epidemic of dermatophytoses among contact sports practitioners, and is spreading among the general population of Japan. Prompt and simple identification of T. tonsurans in diagnostic laboratories is crucial to control infection. The present study evaluated the availability of observation of chlamydospore‐like structures grown in culture media as a characteristic for identification of T. tonsurans. Twenty‐five strains of T. tonsurans and five strains each of Trichophyton verrucosum, Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes were inoculated on Mycosel agar plates and inoculated Petri dishes were observed by light microscopy from the reverse side. Twenty‐three of 25 T. tonsurans strains showed chlamydospore‐like structures within 5 days, and all strains at day 8. The numbers of chlamydospore‐like structures were very abundant in most strains. The majority of strains of other species showed no chlamydospore‐like structures, or very few when present. Positive for chlamydospore‐like structures among 15 strains other than T. tonsurans was one strain at day 5 and six strains at day 8. As for the identification of T. tonsurans, presence of chlamydospore‐like structures showed 92.0% sensitivity (23/25) and 93.3% specificity (14/15) at day 5, and 100% sensitivity (25/25) and 60.0% specificity (9/15) at day 8. Electron microscopic findings suggest chlamydospore‐like structures are not true chlamydospores but are produced by inflation of actively growing hyphae by developing vacuoles in cells. In conclusion, observation of development of chlamydospore‐like structures in culture media is the simplest method for identification of T. tonsurans.
Clinical analysis of leg ulcers and gangrene in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Hasegawa Michiko , Nagai Yayoi , Sogabe Yoko , Hattori Tomoyasu , Inoue Chizuru , Okada Etsuko , Tago Osamu , Ishikawa Osamu
Published: December 2013

Leg ulcers are often complicated in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), however, the etiology is multifactorial. We examined the cases of leg ulceration or gangrene in seven RA patients who were hospitalized over the past 3 years. One patient was diagnosed as having pyoderma gangrenosum. Although vasculitis was suspected in three patients, no histological evidence was obtained from the skin specimens. In these patients, angiography revealed the stenosis or occlusion of digital arteries. In the remaining three patients, leg ulcers were considered to be due to venous insufficiency. Treatment should be chosen depending on the causes of leg ulcers.
Restoring Social Creativity to Immoderate Publics: The Case of the Financially Incontinent Citizen
Authors: Vass Jeff
Published: December 2013

The ‘financially incontinent citizen’ is a recent phenomenon and is increasingly the focus of policy-makers: international, national and local as well as the financial services industry. The social construction of the financially profligate consumer-citizen was produced in the merger of social democratic and neoliberal discourses in political economy as well as the success of neoliberalism in aligning itself with media and public consensus. This paper (1) provides an examination of the production of the profligate citizen in neoliberal policy-making and reveals the more recent roles behavioural economics and psychology have had in developing the means to define behavioural standards and guidelines to remedy the ‘defective autonomy’ of consumer-citizens; and (2) argues a sociological counter-position drawing on the recent turn to pragmatist theories of social action, and empirical studies, that emphasize the forms of social creativity and innovation that actors in rapidly changing lifecourse scenarios develop. The complexity of the lifecourse can also be too challenging, but the remedy is not the remediation of a ‘defective’ actor.
Rethinking Moderation in a Pragmatist Frame
Authors: Holmwood John
Published: December 2013

This paper addresses moderation in the context of an immoderate populist politics and claims that social integration requires inculcation in the values of a dominant culture, especially by those perceived as originating from outside the political community. The paper argues, instead, for a deep pluralism and for the idea of multiculturalism as friendship and the means of securing moderation in public debate. In making these arguments, it draws upon the pragmatist approach of John Dewey and the significance of his idea of a ‘public’ and on the work of Danielle Allen and her idea of political friendship. The paper concludes with the argument that political friendship requires motivation and that this will be secured by an orientation toward social justice.
Epilogue: The Moderation of Rhetoric
Authors: Baines Rt Revd Nicholas
Published: December 2013

This article reflects on the challenges new forms of social media confront activists, media practitioners, religious leaders and social scientists, particularly those engaged with an important genre of expertise: religion. Drawing on personal experiences of blogging and writing for both broadcast and print media about interfaith dialogue, its challenges and opportunities, the article acknowledges the central role language and rhetoric play in the making and marking of social norms, particularly in relation to recent controversies that have descended upon the Church of England such as, for example, on faith schools and the recognition of Sharia law. The article argues that forms of language themselves demand respect – even reverence, one might suggest – if we are to succeed in the making of a public space that enshrines and protects values of moderation: civility, dialogue, reflexivity and tolerance for opposing viewpoints.
Extensification versus Intensification in Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Agriculture: Insights from Norway
Authors: Blandford David , Gaasland Ivar , Vårdal Erling
Published: December 2013

Norwegian agriculture makes a disproportionate contribution to the country's emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) relative to its contribution to gross domestic product (GDP) – a picture that is repeated globally. Using a detailed economic model we examine the implications of imposing a tax on GHG emissions from Norwegian agriculture under a continuation of existing agricultural policies. We find that this would result in a reduction of agricultural production, particularly for GHG‐intensive commodities such as beef and sheepmeat. The use of feed and fertiliser would fall. There would be an extensification of production and emissions per hectare would decline. In contrast, if farmers are rewarded for carbon sequestration through agro‐forestry, this would lead to intensification. More inputs would be applied to land that remained in agriculture and emissions per unit of agricultural land would increase. Although the numerical results are specific to the Norwegian setting, they are illustrative of global issues. If agriculture is to meet the needs of an expanding world population while simultaneously contributing to mitigation of GHG emissions, this will require the intensification of production – higher output per unit of land with higher emissions per unit of land area, but with lower emissions per unit of agricultural production.
Can Nutrition Policy Evaluation be Evidence Based? Examples and Dilemmas
Authors: Bruce Traill W. , Mazzocchi Mario , Shankar Bhavani
Published: December 2013

There is much talk about the need for policies to be evidence‐based; an admirable objective but not easily achievable, as illustrated in this article with reference to policies to improve diets. The evidence base requires estimates of policy effectiveness (the impact of policy on diets), of the impact of dietary change on health, and an estimate of the cost‐effectiveness of the measure. Each is problematic. Randomised Control Trials are not suitable for estimating policy effectiveness in a market environment so alternative statistical approaches have used existing secondary data, but these approaches suffer from a lack of longitudinal data, the need to use data collected for other purposes, and the absence of harmonised data across Europe. Also, there are often insufficient observations to make meaningful assessments for relevant population sub‐groups such as the poor, elderly or ethnic minorities. Converting dietary change into health change requires data on dose‐response functions that are almost entirely absent, as are reliable estimates of the likely lags between poor diets and poor health outcomes. Cost effectiveness approaches differ between economists and public health professionals; each makes different (if implicit) assumptions about the behaviour of consumers that leads to poor diets and about the need to distinguish between private and social costs. Neither approach is unambiguously correct. Despite all the limitations, the need for policy action is urgent; fortunately the mounting evidence suggests most policies cause a small improvement in diets and that these are cost effective. They are also widely accepted by the public at large.
How Effective are New Entrant Schemes for Farmers?
Authors: Davis John , Caskie Paul , Wallace Michael
Published: December 2013

The two main policy approaches to promoting structural adjustment in EU agriculture are Farmer Early Retirement Schemes and New Entrant Schemes for Farmers. The evidence suggests that the former do not represent value for money. We report the results of a farm business modelling exercise using a sample of Northern Irish farm businesses from the Farm Accountancy Data Network to compare and contrast ex ante the effectiveness of two alternative approaches to a New Entrant Scheme, a working capital installation grant and an interest subsidy on a farm development loan. The interest rate subsidy on a farm development loan appeared to provide much better value for money in that it resulted in consistently superior performance across all of the farm performance indicators used. These outcomes were achieved despite the assumption of a very modest return of 3 per cent on the investment in the farm business. We postulate that the benefits of the interest rate subsidy are associated with the potential dynamic impacts of the farm investments, linked to the long‐term effects of differences in age related lifecycle goals. The reform proposals for the post‐2013 CAP to assist the setting up of young farmers could potentially capture these farm business dynamic effects.
Cross‐trade in Biofuels: How Uncoordinated Environmental Legislation Fuels Resource Use and GHG Emissions
Authors: Meyer Seth , Schmidhuber Josef , Barreiro‐Hurlé Jesús
Published: December 2013

The uncoordinated and distinct biofuel policies in Brazil and the US have induced cross‐trade of physically identical, but legislatively differentiated, ethanol between the two countries. US biofuel policy distinguishes between biofuels based primarily on feedstocks and estimated greenhouse gas reduction scores. In doing so, the US treats ethanol produced from maize starch differently than that produced from sugarcane, giving preference to sugarcane ethanol. Alternatively, Brazil makes no distinction between feedstocks, instead setting a minimum ethanol inclusion rate for retail gasoline blends, giving rise to arbitrage opportunities through biofuel exchange between the two countries. Under the US Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, future cross‐trade between the two countries could be multiples of what has been seen to date and recent actions by the EU commission concerning the Renewable Energy Directive could draw it into the trilateral trade of biofuels. The proposed ‘book and claim’ system could allow countries to maintain individual policy objectives and mitigate the negative externalities – additional transport costs and greenhouse gas emissions – of biofuel cross‐trade due to uncoordinated biofuel policies.
Vitamin D levels and bone metabolism in Chinese adult patients with inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Tan Bei , Li Pan , Lv Hong , Li Yue , Wang Ou , Xing Xiao Ping , Qian Jia Ming
Published: December 2013

Objective

We aimed to investigate the serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D3 (25[OH]D3) levels and bone metabolism in adult Chinese patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and to evaluate the correlation between vitamin D levels and the disease activity as well as the potential risk factors.

Methods

Age‐ and gender‐matched cohort of IBD patients (124 with ulcerative colitis [UC] and 107 with Crohn's disease [CD]) and 122 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Serum levels of 25(OH)D3 and bone mineral density (BMD) were measured, and the correlation between the two parameters and the severity of the disease as well as the clinical risk factors were analyzed.

Results

Serum 25(OH)D3 levels were lower in UC (10.32 ± 4.46 ng/mL, P < 0.001) and CD patients (11.57 ± 5.02 ng/mL, P = 0.029) than that in healthy controls (12.87 ± 4.40 ng/mL). 25(OH)D3 levels were negatively correlated with the disease severity of both UC (r = −0.371, P < 0.001) and CD (r = −0.285, P = 0.030). The incidences of osteopenia and osteoporosis were high in the IBD patients (37.9% and 3.2% in UC and 30.8% and 4.7% in CD, respectively). Cumulative quantity of glucocorticoids use was significantly associated with osteopenia and osteoporosis in both UC (odds ratio [OR] 1.219, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.054−1.410, P = 0.008) and CD patients (OR 1.288, 95% CI 1.033−1.606, P = 0.025).

Conclusions

Vitamin D deficiency is likely to occur in Chinese patients with IBD and is closely associated with the severity of the disease. Glucocorticoids accumulation is a risk factor for osteopenia and osteoporosis.
Detection of small hepatocellular carcinoma using gadoxetic acid‐enhanced MRI: Is the addition of diffusion‐weighted MRI at 3.0T beneficial?
Authors: Zhao Xiang Tian , Li Wei Xia , Chai Wei Min , Chen Ke Min
Published: December 2013

Objective

To determine whether adding diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) to gadoxetic acid‐enhanced 3.0T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can improve the detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), particularly for small lesions (≤2 cm) in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Methods

Data of patients diagnosed with focal liver lesions who had undergone gadoxetic acid‐enhanced 3.0T MRI and DWI were retrospectively reviewed. Two radiologists (the observers) reviewed independently MRI images in two reading sessions, that is, gadoxetic acid‐enhanced images alone and the combination of DWI (b values: 0 and 600 s/mm2) and gadoxetic acid‐enhanced images. They assigned to each lesion a confidence level based on a five‐point scale. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC), sensitivity and positive predictive value (PPV) for the detection of HCC were calculated.

Results

Both observers found the AUROC of the gadoxetic acid‐enhanced images was slightly higher than that of the combined DWI and gadoxetic acid‐enhanced MRI images in the detection of HCC (observer 1: 0.947 ± 0.030 vs 0.896 ± 0.042, Z = 1.478, P = 0.139; observer 2: 0.917 ± 0.038 vs 0.868 ± 0.048, Z = 1.296, P = 0.195). The sensitivity for the gadoxetic acid set alone was slightly higher than that for the combined set for observer 1 (97% vs 84%) and slightly lower for observer 2 (74% vs 82%). The PPVs were slightly higher for the gadoxetic acid set alone than for the combined set for both observers (observer 1, 89% vs 80%; observer 2, 93% vs 78%); however, none of the differences were statistically significant (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

There is no benefit in adding DWI to gadoxetic acid‐enhanced MRI for the detection of HCC at 3.0T.
Term Structure Modeling and Forecasting of Government Bond Yields
Authors: Ullah Wali , Matsuda Yasumasa , Tsukuda Yoshihiko
Published: December 2013

Accurate modelling and precise estimation of the term structure of interest rate are of crucial importance in many areas of finance and macroeconomics as it is the most important factor in the capital market and probably the economy. This study compares the in‐sample fit and out‐of‐sample forecast accuracy of the Cox–Ingersoll–Ross (CIR) and Nelson–Siegel models. For the in‐sample fit, there is a significant lack of information on the short‐term CIR model. The CIR model should also be considered too poor to describe the term structure in a simulation‐based context. It generates a downward slope average yield curve. Contrary to CIR model, Nelson–Siegel model is not only compatible to fit attractively the yield curve but also accurately forecast the future yield for various maturities. Furthermore, the non‐linear version of the Nelson–Siegel model outperforms the linearised one. In a simulation‐based context, the Nelson–Siegel model is capable to replicate most of the stylised facts of the Japanese market yield curve. Therefore, it turns out that the Nelson–Siegel model (non‐linear version) could be a good candidate among various alternatives to study the evolution of the yield curve in Japanese market.
The ASEAN Stock Market Performance and Economic Policy Uncertainty in the United States
Authors: Sum Vichet
Published: December 2013

This study investigates if the changes of economic policy uncertainty in the U.S. can explain the returns on stock markets of Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. This study also examines how the stock market returns in the five countries respond to the changes in economic policy uncertainty in the U.S. The Granger causality tests are also performed to determine if the changes in economic policy uncertainty cause the returns on the five stock markets. The results, from analysing monthly date from 1985:2 to 2012:2, show that the changes in economic policy uncertainty in the U.S. are negatively linked to the returns on the five ASEAN stock markets. Controlling for the effect of the U.S stock market, only Philippines coefficient becomes insignificant. The vector autoregressive analyses show that returns on the five ASEAN stock markets negatively respond to the changes in economic policy uncertainty immediately. The Granger causality tests reveal that the changes in economic policy uncertainty in the U.S. cause the returns on the Singapore and Malaysia stock markets; the same cannot said for the case of Indonesia, Philippines and Thailand.
Emissions Pricing, “Complementary Policies” and “Direct Action” in the Australian Electricity Supply Sector: Some Conditions for Cost‐Effectiveness
Authors: Naughten Barry
Published: December 2013

For Labor, the core approach to mitigating climate change is the pricing of carbon emissions. The primary purpose of this article is to defend this approach, specifically in the electricity sector and under Australian conditions. In so doing, it rebuts recent arguments to the contrary put by the Liberal National Party Coalition (LNP). The article underscores the longer run impact of emission pricing, and price expectations, when the key mechanism is about switching investment toward less emissions‐intensive technologies. This core approach of emission pricing is also supported by so‐called “complementary policies”. These can assist in the cost‐effective reduction of emissions, for example by addressing certain “imperfect information”, “market failure” problems and institutional distortions, as well as uncertain expectations about future emission price trajectories. For the LNP, the core policy is presented as “direct action”. However, at least some “complementary policies” can also be described as “direct action”. Properly applied, selected “direct action” policies (however labelled) can contribute to achieving emission targets at least cost, providing that distortions due to rent‐seeking are avoided, notably through transparent, accountable and evidence‐based policy‐making.
Class Attendance and Academic Performance: A Panel Data Analysis
Authors: Latif Ehsan , Miles Stan
Published: December 2013

This study uses data from business students taking an introductory statistics course at a primarily undergraduate Canadian university to examine the impact of class attendance on examination performance. To control for unobserved individual‐specific heterogeneity, the study utilises a panel data framework. The study finds that after controlling for factors related to ability and effort, class attendance has a significant positive impact on grade. The results further suggest that completion of online assignments also has a positive impact on grade, indicating that both class attendance and online assignments have independent effects on grades.
Return of the Rent‐Seeking Society?
Authors: Banks Gary
Published: December 2013

Australia’s structural reforms from the 1980s seemingly brought an end to the ‘protection all round’ regime that Bert Kelly fought against over many years. The benefits to the community have been large. But if Kelly were alive today, he would have cause to question whether Australia had entirely escaped its past. ‘Innovation’ has become the new touchstone for government assistance and, when combined with alleged benefits fir ‘the environment’, has been a magnet for rent seeking. This was aided by the Mining Boom, which generated the fiscal wherewithal, and by the Global Financial Crisis, which removed the restraints. A more costly legacy of the Crisis, however, was the circumvention of policy making processes designed to ensure that such transfers are in the public interest.
Embryonic expression of the common progeroid lamin A splice mutation arrests postnatal skin development
Authors: McKenna Tomás , Rosengardten Ylva , Viceconte Nikenza , Baek Jean‐Ha , Grochová Diana , Eriksson Maria
Published: December 2013

Hutchinson–Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) and restrictive dermopathy (RD) are two laminopathies caused by mutations leading to cellular accumulation of prelamin A or one of its truncated forms, progerin. One proposed mechanism for the more severe symptoms in patients with RD compared with HGPS is that higher levels of farnesylated lamin A are produced in RD. Here, we show evidence in support of that hypothesis. Overexpression of the most common progeroid lamin A mutation (LMNA c.1824C>T, p.G608G) during skin development results in a severe phenotype, characterized by dry scaly skin. At postnatal day 5 (PD5), progeroid animals showed a hyperplastic epidermis, disorganized sebaceous glands and an acute inflammatory dermal response, also involving the hypodermal fat layer. PD5 animals also showed an upregulation of multiple inflammatory response genes and an activated NF‐kB target pathway. Careful analysis of the interfollicular epidermis showed aberrant expression of the lamin B receptor (LBR) in the suprabasal layer. Prolonged expression of LBR, in 14.06% of the cells, likely contributes to the observed arrest of skin development, clearly evident at PD4 when the skin had developed into single‐layer epithelium in the wild‐type animals while progeroid animals still had the multilayered appearance typical for skin at PD3. Suprabasal cells expressing LBR showed altered DNA distribution, suggesting the induction of gene expression changes. Despite the formation of a functional epidermal barrier and proven functionality of the gap junctions, progeroid animals displayed a greater rate of water loss as compared with wild‐type littermates and died within the first two postnatal weeks.
Combined administration of testosterone plus an ornithine decarboxylase inhibitor as a selective prostate‐sparing anabolic therapy
Authors: Jasuja Ravi , Costello James C. , Singh Rajan , Gupta Vandana , Spina Catherine S. , Toraldo Gianluca , Jang Hyeran , Li Hu , Serra Carlo , Guo Wen , Chauhan Pratibha , Narula Navjot S. , Guarneri Tyler , Ergun Ayla , Travison Thomas G. , Collins James J. , Bhasin Shalender
Published: December 2013

Because of its anabolic effects on muscle, testosterone is being explored as a function‐promoting anabolic therapy for functional limitations associated with aging; however, concerns about testosterone's adverse effects on prostate have inspired efforts to develop strategies that selectively increase muscle mass while sparing the prostate. Testosterone's promyogenic effects are mediated through upregulation of follistatin. We show here that the administration of recombinant follistatin (rFst) increased muscle mass in mice, but had no effect on prostate mass. Consistent with the results of rFst administration, follistatin transgenic mice with constitutively elevated follistatin levels displayed greater muscle mass than controls, but had similar prostate weights. To elucidate signaling pathways regulated differentially by testosterone and rFst in prostate and muscle, we performed microarray analysis of mRNAs from prostate and levator ani of castrated male mice treated with vehicle, testosterone, or rFst. Testosterone and rFst shared the regulation of many transcripts in levator ani; however, in prostate, 593 transcripts in several growth‐promoting pathways were differentially expressed after testosterone treatment, while rFst showed a negligible effect with only 9 transcripts differentially expressed. Among pathways that were differentially responsive to testosterone in prostate, we identified ornithine decarboxylase (Odc1), an enzyme in polyamine biosynthesis, as a testosterone‐responsive gene that is unresponsive to rFst. Accordingly, we administered testosterone with and without α‐difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), an Odc1 inhibitor, to castrated mice. DFMO selectively blocked testosterone's effects on prostate, but did not affect testosterone's anabolic effects on muscle. Co‐administration of testosterone and Odc1 inhibitor presents a novel therapeutic strategy for prostate‐sparing anabolic therapy.
Early Regenerative Response in the Intrathoracic Porcine Esophagus—The Impact of the Inflammation
Authors: Jönsson Linus , Friberg Lars‐Göran , Gatzinsky Vladimir , Jennische Eva , Sandin Anders , Abrahamsson Kate
Published: December 2013

In order to improve the treatment of children born with long‐gap esophageal atresia, a porcine model was developed for studying esophageal regrowth using a bridging graft composed of a silicone stented Biodesign mesh. The aim of the study was to investigate how leakage and contact between the native muscle and Biodesign mesh affected the early healing response. Resection of 3 cm of intrathoracic esophagus was performed in 10 newly weaned piglets. They were fed through a gastrostomy 8–10 days prior to sacrifice. In order to achieve nonleaking anastomoses, the silicone stent and suturing technique had to be adjusted between the first four and second six piglets. The technical adjustment decreased leakage. A nonleaking anastomosis could not be achieved when the native muscle layers were sewn less central on the bridging graft compared with the mucosa. If there was leakage, the inflammatory response increased, with islets of perivascular T‐lymphocytes and infiltration of macrophages in the native muscle layers. In the bridging area, new vessels were seen in the submucosa in 9 of 10 piglets between 4 and 10 days after surgery. Smooth muscle cells also appeared to move from the cut muscle edges of both the muscularis mucosa and the lamina muscularis and were seen as a layer of several cells under newly formed mucosa. Double staining of the basal membrane of the ingrowing vessels and the pericytes showed that the basal membrane was thinner over some of the pericytes, but there was no accumulation of immature‐looking cells in the submucosa of the bridging area. In this porcine model, where esophageal regrowth was studied by using a bridging graft composed of a silicone stented Biodesign mesh, we can conclude that leakage increased the inflammatory response in early healing. Ingrowth of new vessels was seen in the bridging area and movement of smooth muscle cells was found under newly formed mucosa.
Tenacity: The American Pursuit of Corporate Responsibility
Authors: Goodpaster Kenneth E.
Published: December 2013

This article attempts to answer the question, “What are the most important ideas from serving as Executive Editor of the five‐year history project that culminated in the book, Corporate Responsibility: The American Experience?” The ideas focus on (1) clarifying the phenomenon of tenacity; (2) looking at three foundations of our tenacity; and (3) asking “How fragile is our tenacity?” This article also presents three foundational principles that underlie the American experience of corporate responsibility. First, the Checks & Balances Principle tells us that there are checks and balances in democratic capitalism which give us confidence that the pursuit of economic goals will be moderated for the common good. Second, the Moral Projection Principle shows that there is good reason to consider the corporation not only as a legal person under corporate law but also as a moral person. And, last, the Moral Common Ground Principle reflects that there are shared moral values ascertainable by well‐developed consciences in individuals and in corporations. The article concludes with this argument: The tenacity regarding corporate responsibility that has been so characteristic of American capitalism is fragile—calling for serious vigilance if it is to endure.
Intervention: Critical physical geography
Authors: Lave Rebecca , Wilson Matthew W. , Barron Elizabeth S. , Biermann Christine , Carey Mark A. , Duvall Chris S. , Johnson Leigh , Lane K. Maria , McClintock Nathan , Munroe Darla , Pain Rachel , Proctor James , Rhoads Bruce L. , Robertson Morgan M. , Rossi Jairus , Sayre Nathan F. , Simon Gregory , Tadaki Marc , Van Dyke Christopher
Published: December 2013

A recent opinion piece rekindled debate as to whether geography's current interdisciplinary make‐up is a historical relic or an actual and potential source of intellectual vitality. Taking the latter position, we argue here for the benefits of sustained integration of physical and critical human geography. For reasons both political and pragmatic, we term this area of intermingled research and practice critical physical geography (CPG). CPG combines critical attention to power relations with deep knowledge of biophysical science or technology in the service of social and environmental transformation. We argue that whether practiced by individuals or teams, CPG research can improve the intellectual quality and expand the political relevance of both physical and critical human geography because it is increasingly impractical to separate analysis of natural and social systems: socio‐biophysical landscapes are as much the product of unequal power relations, histories of colonialism, and racial and gender disparities as they are of hydrology, ecology, and climate change. Here, we review existing CPG work; discuss the primary benefits of critically engaged integrative research, teaching, and practice; and offer our collective thoughts on how to make CPG work.
The embeddedness of bank branch networks in immigrant gateways
Authors: Li Wei , Lo Lucia , Oberle Alex
Published: December 2013

Employing the concepts of embeddedness and ethnic assets, and using a mixed methods approach of in‐depth interviews and the mapping of spatial data, this article examines the role of branches of various types of banks in immigrant integration in Vancouver and San Francisco. We find that the mainstream banking sector is less territorially embedded and the ethnic banking sector is more socially embedded, especially in the deployment of ethnic assets. Many banks actively pursue business opportunities by designing products and services that cater to the needs of immigrants of high socioeconomic status. Few are active in engaging unbanked and under‐banked immigrants. Banks in Vancouver are more proactive in reaching out to their immigrant clientele, but those in San Francisco have begun to reach out to immigrants of lower socio‐economic status. Such findings suggest policy implications for differential embeddedness and the utility of ethnic assets as a conceptual notion in financial geography and immigration studies.
Toward cumulative effects assessment and management in the Athabasca watershed, Alberta, Canada
Authors: Noble Bram F. , Skwaruk Jesse S. , Patrick Robert J.
Published: December 2013

This article examines watershed cumulative effects assessment and management (CEAM) in the Athabasca watershed, Alberta, Canada. Using a focus group and semi‐structured interviews with 30 key informants from government, industry, NGOs, and First Nations, watershed CEAM was examined based on eight requisites to support CEAM: the presence of a lead agency; enabling legislation; financial and human resources; data management and coordination; multi‐scaled monitoring; CEAM baselines, indicators, and thresholds; multi‐stakeholder collaboration; and vertical and horizontal linkages. Results show that while there was broad agreement amongst participants concerning the necessity for these requisites, there was also considerable uncertainty respecting these requisite performances in this watershed. Several contributing factors may help explain this uncertainty. Participants noted a lack of willingness to share data to support CEAM, especially spatial data, as well as a lack of confidence in the integrity of water monitoring data. An absence of coordination and leadership for watershed CEAM has contributed to financial, human, and technical capacity limitations as well as power asymmetries respecting multi‐stakeholder engagement. Our results suggest that notwithstanding investment in cumulative effects science and monitoring in the Athabasca, advancing watershed CEAM requires much greater attention to the institutional requisites to implement and sustain CEAM programs.
The Effects of Exenatide Microsphere on Serum BGP and ALP Levels in ZDF Rats after Implantation
Authors: Zhou Wenjuan , Liu Zhonghao , Yao Jie , Chi Fei , Dong Kai , Yue Xilong , Teng Teng , Rausch Xiaohui
Published: December 2013

Purpose

The aim of this project is to investigate the impact of diabetes mellitus and different glycemic control times on early osseointegration of dental implants by expression and significance of serum bone Gla protein (BGP) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels in Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats after implantation.

Materials and Methods

The animals were divided into three groups, each group with 11 rats and each rat with two dental implants (33 rats and 66 implants in total): group A, diabetic rats with dental implants (controls); group B, diabetic rats treated with insulin and implants placed simultaneously; and group C, diabetic rats treated with insulin until serum glucose at a constant level and then implants be placed. Levels of BGP and ALP in the serum were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay in each group. The software program SPSS (version 17.0 for Windows) was used to analyze all data; p < .05 was set as the level of statistical significance.

Results

At the 7th day, serum levels of BGP in group B and C were lower than that in group A (p > 0.05). At the 14th day, serum levels of BGP in group C were significantly higher (p < 0.05). After 30 days, compared with group A, the serum levels of BGP in group B and C seems to be lower. Compared with group A, the serum levels of ALP in group B and C were significantly higher, whereas the serum levels of ALP in group C seems to be higher than B (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

The present results suggest that injection of delayed release microsphere of exenatide on ZDF rats can release exenatide at a steady rate and the blood glucose can be controlled at a constant level. Implant survival rates could be enhanced in DM subjects when blood plasma glucose level is under control; the serum levels of BGP in this study seems to have no relationship with local osseointegration, whereas the serum levels of ALP might offer insights into the activity of osseointegration around the implant surface.
The Effect of Implant Angulation on the Transfer Accuracy of External‐Connection Implants
Authors: Alikhasi Marzieh , Siadat Hakimeh , Rahimian Susan
Published: December 2013

Background

Accurate recording of implant location is required in every implant‐supported prostheses. Implant angulation, which is inevitable in various clinical situations, could affect the impression accuracy.

Purpose

The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare the transfer accuracy of straight and tilted implants of All‐on‐4 protocol with implant or abutment level impression making and different techniques of direct and indirect.

Materials and Methods

One reference model of edentulous maxilla with four external connection implants (Brånemark) inserted according to All‐on‐4 protocol was made. Forty impressions of this model were made at implant (groups 1 and 2) or abutment (groups 3 and 4) levels with different techniques of direct or indirect, respectively. Impressions were poured with type IV dental stone. Coordinate measuring machine was used to record x, y, and z coordinates and also angular dislocation of implants. These measurements were compared with the equals calculated on the reference model. Data were analyzed with univariate analysis of variance and t‐test at α = 0.05.

Results

The results showed that abutment level impression making (groups 3 and 4), either with direct or indirect technique, produced the same results for straight and tilted implants of Δr variable (p > .05), though in implant level groups (groups 1 and 2), it was statistically significant (p < .05). However, only implant level impression making with direct technique (group 1) had the same results of angular accuracy for straight and tilted implants.

Conclusion

Impression technique (direct or indirect) had significant effect on the impression accuracy of tilted implants, and direct technique produced less inaccuracy. Also, abutment level impressions showed more accuracy than implant level impressions.
Impact of left ventricular geometry on long‐term survival in elderly men and women
Authors: Selmeryd Jonas , Sundstedt Milena , Nilsson Göran , Henriksen Egil , Hedberg Pär
Published: December 2013

Background

Adverse loading conditions and cardiac injury lead to remodelling of the heart into different patterns of left ventricular (LV) geometry. Geometry can be classified into LV hypertrophy (LVH), concentric remodelling (CR) or normal geometry (NG). The prognostic implications of the different geometric patterns have been extensively studied in middle‐aged subjects, but data are scarcer for elderly populations.

Methods

From a community‐based random sample of 75‐year‐old men and women, subjects with normal LVEF were selected (n = 303). All‐cause and cardiovascular mortality was analysed by LV geometry with Cox regression (unadjusted and adjusted for sex, prevalent hypertension, smoking, diabetes and prevalent ischaemic heart disease). Median follow‐up time was 9·9 years.

Results

Prevalence of CR and LVH was 19% and 17%, respectively. Hazard ratios (HRs) for CR were 0·93 (95% CI 0·54–1·58) for all‐cause and 1·13 (0·48–2·65) for cardiovascular mortality. HRs for LVH were 2·01 (1·30–3·10) for all‐cause and 3·55 (1·89–6·67) for cardiovascular mortality. As non‐proportionality was present in the form of an increasing hazard for LVH, we partitioned the follow‐up time at the median event time (approximately 7 years) and performed Cox regression separately within each time period. HRs for LVH during the first period were 1·23 (0·63–2·42) for all‐cause and 1·79 (0·69–4·65) for cardiovascular mortality, while HRs for the second period were 3·06 (1·73–5·41) for all‐cause and 6·60 (2·82–15·39) for cardiovascular mortality.

Conclusion

In this community‐based sample of 75‐year‐old men and women with normal LVEF, LVH was associated with an adverse prognosis during long‐term follow‐up, whereas CR was not.
Outcome of tonsillectomy for recurrent IgA nephropathy after kidney transplantation
Authors: Koshino Katsuhiro , Ushigome Hidetaka , Sakai Kazuki , Suzuki Tomoyuki , Nobori Syuji , Okajima Hideaki , Masuzawa Naoko , Yoshimura Norio
Published: December 2013

Since 2007, we have performed tonsillectomies for patients with recurrent immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) after kidney transplantation. Seven patients with primary IgAN showed biopsy‐proven recurrent IgAN after living‐donor kidney transplantation. They had persistent proteinuria or hematuria for an average of 40.3 months, and tonsillectomy was performed, on average, 75.6 months after kidney transplantation. In six patients with observation periods of more than one yr, good remission of urinary findings was observed after tonsillectomy. We classified the seven patients into three types of renal injury based on histological findings: severe, moderate, and mild. Two patients classified with severe renal injury at the time of tonsillectomy had other problems, such as refractory hypertension and bilateral sinusitis. They followed a rapidly progressive clinical course. One case already had moderate histological renal injury. He demonstrated prompt amelioration of urinary findings after tonsillectomy but immediate deviation from remission of proteinuria and hematuria. In the four cases presenting mild renal injury at tonsillectomy, the improved urinary findings and serum creatinine value after tonsillectomy have persisted. In conclusion, tonsillectomy may be a favorable treatment for cases of mild‐grade IgAN. However, other treatments such as antihypertensive agents and diet therapy may be necessary in other grades.