bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Regulation of mitochondrial bioenergetic function by hydrogen sulfide. Part II. Pathophysiological and therapeutic aspects
Authors: Módis Katalin , Bos Eelke M , Calzia Enrico , van Goor Harry , Coletta Ciro , Papapetropoulos Andreas , Hellmich Mark R , Radermacher Peter , Bouillaud Frédéric , Szabo Csaba
Published: September 2013

Emerging work demonstrates the dual regulation of mitochondrial function by hydrogen sulfide (H2S), including, at lower concentrations, a stimulatory effect as an electron donor, and, at higher concentrations, an inhibitory effect on cytochrome C oxidase. In the current article, we overview the pathophysiological and therapeutic aspects of these processes. During cellular hypoxia/acidosis, the inhibitory effect of H2S on complex IV is enhanced, which may shift the balance of H2S from protective to deleterious. Several pathophysiological conditions are associated with an overproduction of H2S (e.g. sepsis), while in other disease states H2S levels and H2S bioavailability are reduced and its therapeutic replacement is warranted (e.g. diabetic vascular complications). Moreover, recent studies demonstrate that colorectal cancer cells up‐regulate the H2S‐producing enzyme cystathionine β‐synthase (CBS), and utilize its product, H2S, as a metabolic fuel and tumour‐cell survival factor; pharmacological CBS inhibition or genetic CBS silencing suppresses cancer cell bioenergetics and suppresses cell proliferation and cell chemotaxis. In the last chapter of the current article, we overview the field of H2S‐induced therapeutic ‘suspended animation’, a concept in which a temporary pharmacological reduction in cell metabolism is achieved, producing a decreased oxygen demand for the experimental therapy of critical illness and/or organ transplantation.

Linked Articles

This article is part of a themed issue on Mitochondrial Pharmacology: Energy, Injury & Beyond. To view the other articles in this issue visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2014.171.issue‐8
Human cumulative culture: a comparative perspective
Authors: Dean Lewis G. , Vale Gill L. , Laland Kevin N. , Flynn Emma , Kendal Rachel L.
Published: September 2013

Many animals exhibit social learning and behavioural traditions, but human culture exhibits unparalleled complexity and diversity, and is unambiguously cumulative in character. These similarities and differences have spawned a debate over whether animal traditions and human culture are reliant on homologous or analogous psychological processes. Human cumulative culture combines high‐fidelity transmission of cultural knowledge with beneficial modifications to generate a ‘ratcheting’ in technological complexity, leading to the development of traits far more complex than one individual could invent alone. Claims have been made for cumulative culture in several species of animals, including chimpanzees, orangutans andNewCaledonian crows, but these remain contentious. Whilst initial work on the topic of cumulative culture was largely theoretical, employing mathematical methods developed by population biologists, in recent years researchers from a wide range of disciplines, including psychology, biology, economics, biological anthropology, linguistics and archaeology, have turned their attention to the experimental investigation of cumulative culture. We review this literature, highlighting advances made in understanding the underlying processes of cumulative culture and emphasising areas of agreement and disagreement amongst investigators in separate fields.
Structure and function of the hearts of lizards and snakes
Authors: Jensen Bjarke , Moorman Antoon F. M. , Wang Tobias
Published: September 2013

With approximately 7000 species, snakes and lizards, collectively known as squamates, are by far the most species‐rich group of reptiles. It was from reptile‐like ancestors that mammals and birds evolved and squamates can be viewed as phylogenetically positioned between them and fishes. Hence, their hearts have been studied for more than a century yielding insights into the group itself and into the independent evolution of the fully divided four‐chambered hearts of mammals and birds. Structurally the heart is complex and debates persist on rudimentary issues such as identifying structures critical to understanding ventricle function. In seeking to resolve these controversies we have generated three‐dimensional (3D) models in portable digital format (pdf) of the anaconda and anole lizard hearts (‘typical’ squamate hearts) and the uniquely specialized python heart with comprehensive annotations of structures and cavities. We review the anatomy and physiology of squamate hearts in general and emphasize the unique features of pythonid and varanid lizard hearts that endow them with mammal‐like blood pressures. Excluding pythons and varanid lizards it is concluded that the squamate heart has a highly consistent design including a disproportionately large right side (systemic venous) probably due to prevailing pulmonary bypass (intraventricular shunting). Unfortunately, investigations on rudimentary features are sparse. We therefore point out gaps in our knowledge, such as the size and functional importance of the coronary vasculature and of the first cardiac chamber, the sinus venosus, and highlight areas with implications for vertebrate cardiac evolution.
Seed and Establishment Limitation: Effects on Plant Diversity in an Amazonian Rain Forest
Authors: Vargas Ivonne N. , Stevenson Pablo R.
Published: September 2013

Recruitment limitation (seed limitation and establishment limitation) has been proposed to contribute to the maintenance of high diversity of plants in tropical forests. This hypothesis suggests that diversity is maintained by slowing down competitive exclusion. In this study we: (1) quantified the relative importance of seed limitation and establishment limitation on recruitment for 4–7 species, testing the impact of seed predators and competition; (2) evaluated the effect of recruitment limitation on the diversity of seedling communities: if recruitment limitation is a diversity‐promoting mechanism, then removing the limitation should have a negative effect on diversity. To evaluate the magnitude and effects of recruitment limitation we used data from 400 seed traps, we executed seed addition experiments with and without vertebrate exclusion, and we conducted seedling transplant experiments during 2 yr in an Amazonian rain forest in Colombia. On the basis of seed traps, we found that seed limitation was strong; however, seed addition experiments showed that establishment limitation is more important than seed limitation for recruitment in all species considered. The addition/transplant experiments did not affect diversity of the surrounding seedlings, lending no support to the theory that recruitment limitation affects diversity. Establishment limitation was stronger at the seed–seedling transition than in older seedling transitions, as shown by high survival in the seedling transplants experiment. We found that seed dispersal increases regenerating plant diversity, and that predation is an important factor affecting seed establishment. We highlight the role of animals in these processes and therefore in the maintenance of diversity in tropical rain forests.
Prodrugs Design Based on Inter‐ and Intramolecular Chemical Processes
Authors: Karaman Rafik
Published: September 2013

This review provides the reader a concise overview of the majority of prodrug approaches with the emphasis on the modern approaches to prodrug design. The chemical approach catalyzed by metabolic enzymes which is considered as widely used among all other approaches to minimize the undesirable drug physicochemical properties is discussed. Part of this review will shed light on the use of molecular orbital methods such as DFT, semiempirical and ab initio for the design of novel prodrugs. This novel prodrug approach implies prodrug design based on enzyme models that were utilized for mimicking enzyme catalysis. The computational approach exploited for the prodrug design involves molecular orbital and molecular mechanics (DFT, ab initio, and MM2) calculations and correlations between experimental and calculated values of intramolecular processes that were experimentally studied to assign the factors determining the reaction rates in certain processes for better understanding on how enzymes might exert their extraordinary catalysis.
Interprofessional collaboration: self‐reported successful collaboration by teachers and social workers in multidisciplinary teams
Authors: Hesjedal Elisabeth , Hetland Hilde , Iversen Anette Christine
Published: September 2013

The aim of this paper is to address facilitators for successful interprofessional collaboration (IPC) between social workers (SWs) and teachers. Individual interviews were carried out with seven SWs employed in municipal child welfare services and six teachers from primary and secondary schools. The informants had at least two years' experience within multidisciplinary teams. The transcripts were analysed using an inductive thematic approach and the NVIVO9 computer software package for qualitative data analysis. Thematic analysis revealed three themes: ‘personal commitments’, ‘creating a positive atmosphere for IPC’ and ‘pulling together towards future goals’. Results are discussed in relation to the Norwegian context concerning IPC in multidisciplinary teams for children at risk.
Safe use of highly steatotic livers by utilizing a donor/recipient clinical algorithm
Authors: Chavin Kenneth D. , Taber David J. , Norcross Melissa , Pilch Nicole A. , Crego Heather , McGillicuddy John W. , Bratton Charles F. , Lin Angello , Baliga Prabhakar K.
Published: September 2013

The aim of this study was to assess the long‐term safety and clinical outcomes associated with the utilization of highly steatotic donor livers utilizing a specific donor/recipient matching algorithm. This was a prospective, observational, single‐center, 10‐yr follow‐up study. Highly steatotic livers were utilized according to a donor/recipient algorithm that guided the surgeon to use highly steatotic donor organs judiciously in low‐risk recipients. This study initially compared fat assessment based on frozen‐section Ehrlich's hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) to reperfusion biopsy fat assessment and demonstrated that H&E is an insensitive analysis to determine degree of steatosis. Patients were divided into three groups based on donor steatosis (group 1: <30% steatosis, group 2: 30–60% steatosis, group 3: >60% steatosis), and clinical outcomes were assessed. One hundred and sixteen patients were included in the analysis. Patients that received severely steatotic livers (>60% fat) showed increased reperfusion liver injury and delayed return of liver function in the early postoperative period, demonstrated by biochemical markers. However, there were no differences in primary non‐function, postoperative complications, length of stay, and patient and graft survival. Using rigorous donor/recipient matching through a detailed algorithm, these data demonstrate that normal liver allograft outcomes are not superior to those in highly steatotic grafts.
Luther's Radical Conception of Faith: God, Christ, and Personhood in a Post‐Metaphysical Age
Authors: Hansen Guillermo
Published: September 2013

Luther's exposition of Paul's letter to the Galatians offers a premier window into a deconstruction of the tandem God, ego and symbolic order of the law by proposing a radical “technology of the self,” a new understanding of what it means to be a person in light of God's own becoming in the flesh—a new subjective perspective. This places the event of belief as a displacement of a socially and ecclesiastically constructed ego‐consciousness and the emergence of a new (social) center of subjectivity—Christ consciousness, that is, faith. For Luther the “person” emerges as a radical break with the self‐referentiality of the ego and through the perspectival assimilation of God's own subjective experience in the flesh.
Freedom from and Freedom for: Luther's Concept of Freedom for the Twenty‐First Century
Authors: Largen Kristin Johnston
Published: September 2013

This article examines Martin Luther's two fundamental claims around Christian freedom. Drawing on Luther, I suggest three primary characteristics of Christian freedom that should be recovered and championed in our twenty‐first‐century context: it is relational, it is a gift; and it contains within it an ethical imperative for the sake of the neighbor. Together, these three characteristics point to the fact that in a Christian understanding, “freedom” is never considered by itself, but only in the larger context of “freedom from” and “freedom for.”
Happy Danes and Deep Incarnation
Authors: Peters Ted
Published: September 2013

The new Copenhagen School of Deep Incarnation posits that, in Jesus Christ, God has become incarnate and therefore present “in, with, and under” all physical and biological processes. This claim raises the issue of “compatibilism,” according to which divine action and creaturely action are compatible, and “incompatibilism,” according to which divine action must be absent to allow for free creaturely action. Niels Henrik Gregersen, representing the Copenhagen School, affirms both compatibilism at the quantum level of physical activity and incompatibilism at the level of nature's self‐organization. This article points out the incoherence of this position along with the positions proffered by process theologians and kenotic theologians.
Deep Incarnation and Kenosis: In, With, Under, and As: A Response to Ted Peters
Authors: Gregersen Niels Henrik
Published: September 2013

In this response to Ted Peters, I relate the proposal of deep incarnation to Luther's theology of the real presence of the humanity of Christ in creation. Based on a typology of four distinctive models of kenosis, I furthermore argue that a kenotic view of incarnation and divine creativity does not necessarily imply a divine absence and withdrawal from creation, as presupposed by Professor Peters. Deep incarnation is consistent with a compatibilist view of kenosis, but not with ideas of divine abdication, or metamorphosis. Finally I situate the view of deep incarnation to Scandinavian creation theology and to research programs at the Centre for Naturalism and Christian Semantics, Copenhagen University.
The role of serotonin receptor alleles and environmental stressors in the development of post‐concussive symptoms after pediatric mild traumatic brain injury
Authors: Smyth Kim , Sandhu Sandeep S , Crawford Susan , Dewey Deborah , Parboosingh Jillian , Barlow Karen M
Published: September 2013

Aim

To determine whether post‐injury depressive symptoms, and pre‐injury major life stressors and genetic factors (HTR1A C(‐1019)G alleles; rs6295) are more common in children with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) who develop postconcussion syndrome (PCS) symptoms compared with children with asymptomatic mTBI.

Method

This was a cross‐sectional study of 47 symptomatic children (32 males, 15 females; mean age 14y [SD 3y 3mo]) who experienced post‐concussive symptoms for 7 or more days and 42 asymptomatic children (26 males 16 females; mean age 13y 6mo [SD 3y 1mo]) after mTBI. Outcome measures were the Postconcussion Symptoms Inventory (PCSI), the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI), standard questionnaire of previous life events, and buccal DNA analysis to determine genotype and allele frequencies for the HTR1A C(‐1019)G polymorphism.

Results

Depressive symptoms were uncommon. CDI scores did not differ between groups. Allelic and genotypic frequencies for HTR1A C(‐1019)G were similar in both groups. Symptomatic children continued to have elevated PCS scores compared with asymptomatic children 1.72 (SD 0.69) years later and had experienced significantly more life stressors (Wald (1)=8.51, p=0.004).

Interpretation

HTR1A polymorphisms do not differ in children with PCS. Children who have experienced more significant life stresses are more likely to develop PCS symptoms after mTBI.
Do oval posts improve fracture resistance of teeth with oval root canals?
Authors: Krastl Gabriel , Lorch Heiner , Zitzmann Nicola U. , Addison Owen , Dietrich Thomas , Weiger Roland
Published: September 2013

Aim

To determine whether the use of oval posts increases fracture resistance of root canal treated teeth with oval‐shaped canals.

Methods

Extracted mandibular premolars with similar dimensions were decoronated. After root canal treatment, standardized post space preparations were performed to simulate the presence of oval‐shaped root canal morphologies. Specimens were randomly assigned to 3 groups (n = 3 × 24). In group SFP (small fiber post), circular posts with a cervical diameter of 1.5 mm were used without additional form‐congruent post space preparation. In group LFP (large fiber post), a circular post space preparation was performed to adapt posts with a cervical diameter of 1.9 mm. In group OFP (oval fiber post), oval posts with a long cervical diameter of 1.9 mm and short cervical diameter of 1.3 mm were utilized without additional post space preparation. Posts were cemented with dual‐cure resin. All specimens were restored with standardized direct composite crowns. After thermo‐mechanical loading in a computer‐controlled masticator, all specimens underwent fracture resistance testing. Means and standard deviations were calculated. Data were analyzed using the Kruskal–Wallis test (α = 0.05).

Results

The highest mean fracture load was observed in group OFP (273N ± 51), the lowest in group LFP (258N ± 72). Kruskal–Wallis indicated no significant differences in fracture resistance among the three experimental groups.

Conclusions

Within the limitations of this laboratory study, oval posts did not reveal increased fracture resistance of root canal‐treated premolars with oval‐shaped root canals compared with circular posts.
Host tissue reactions of non‐demineralized autogenic and xenogenic dentin blocks implanted in a non‐osteogenic environment. An experimental study in rabbits
Authors: Al‐Asfour Adel , Farzad Payam , Andersson Lars , Joseph Bobby , Dahlin Christer
Published: September 2013

Dentoalveolar ankylosis with osseous replacement is often seen after replantation of avulsed teeth, and this process may be used for preservation of alveolar crests after trauma. Its exact mechanisms with regard to osteoinductive properties are not yet fully understood and need to be systematically investigated. Dentin can possibly act as a slow‐releasing carrier of bone morphogenic proteins (BMP), and this property of dentin has been proposed to be used as an alternative or supplement to bone grafting in the maxillofacial region. We aimed to initially asses host tissue reactions to dentin by implanting dentin blocks of autogenic and xenogenic human origin in rabbit connective tissue of the abdominal wall and femoral muscle. Animals were sacrificed after a period of 3 months, and histological processing, sectioning and examinations were carried out. Bone formation, cell counts and thickness of capsule surrounding the grafts were evaluated. Only minor signs of heterotopic bone formation were seen. There were no significant differences between autografts and xenografts or grafts implanted in connective tissue or muscle with regards to tissue reactions except for a significant difference (P = 0.018) in findings of more local inflammatory cells in relation to grafts placed in connective tissue in the autograft group. We conclude that during the time frame of this study, non‐demineralized dentin, whether autogenous or xenogenic did not have the potential to induce bone formation when implanted in non‐osteogenic areas such as the abdominal wall and abdominal muscle of rabbits.
Large‐bodied fish migration and residency in a flood basin of the Sacramento River, California, USA
Authors: Sommer Ted R. , Harrell William C. , Feyrer Frederick
Published: September 2013

River–floodplain complexes represent some of the most variable and diverse habitats on earth, yet they are among our planet's most threatened ecosystems. Use of these habitats by large‐bodied fishes is especially poorly understood, particularly in temperate regions. To provide insight into the factors that affect floodplain assemblages and migration, we sampled large‐bodied fishes with a fyke trap for 7 years in the Yolo Bypass, the primary flood basin of the Sacramento River, California. We collected a total of 18,336 individual fish comprised of 27 species, only 41% of which were native. Year‐round resident species white catfish Ameiurus catus, channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus and common carp Cyprinus carpio (all alien species) were the most abundant and comprised 74% of the total catch. Splittail Pogonichthys macrolepidotus (3.8%), white sturgeon Acipenser transmontanus (2.3%) and Sacramento sucker Catostomus occidentalis (1.1%) were the primary native species. We found that seasonal variation in water temperature and flood stage were important factors affecting the fish assemblage structure and the presence of migratory species. American shad Alosa sapidissima, an alien species, showed highest abundance during the early summer upstream migration, when temperatures were warmer. For native species, the abundances of white sturgeon, splittail, Sacramento pikeminnow Ptychocheilus grandis and Sacramento sucker were all highest during flood pulses. While our results suggest that flow alone is not sufficient to control alien species, the strong linkage between native fish migration and flow pulses highlights the importance of river–floodplain connectivity for the conservation of native fishes.
Simple and complex acoustic regularities are encoded at different levels of the auditory hierarchy
Authors: Althen Heike , Grimm Sabine , Escera Carles
Published: September 2013

The detection of auditory stimuli that deviate from a simple or complex auditory regularity is reflected by the mismatch negativity component of the human auditory evoked potential. Moreover, simple deviants of an oddball paradigm modulate the preceding middle‐latency response of the auditory evoked potential. For the frequency oddball paradigms it has been shown that the Nb wave, at approximately 40 ms from stimulus onset, is enhanced in response to deviant compared with standard stimuli. In this study we tested whether the detection of auditory deviants in a (frequency‐location) feature‐conjunction paradigm is reflected by modulations of the Na, Pa or Nb wave of healthy human participants. In addition, a frequency oddball paradigm was applied to directly contrast the results of a simple and a complex invariance. Feature‐conjunction deviants did not elicit any modulations of the tested middle‐latency waves. Deviants of the frequency oddball paradigm, by contrast, elicited an enhancement of the Nb wave, confirming the outcome of precedent studies. In both conditions a significant mismatch negativity component was elicited, which showed larger amplitudes and shorter latencies in the oddball condition than in the feature‐conjunction condition. These findings corroborate the idea that simple auditory regularities are encoded upstream of those of more complex auditory features and are in line with the idea of a hierarchically working auditory novelty system.
Evaluation of mesenchymal stem cell migration after equine tendonitis therapy
Authors: Carvalho A. M. , Yamada A. L. M. , Golim M. A. , Álvarez L. E. C. , Hussni C. A. , Alves A. L. G.
Published: September 2013

Reasons for performing study

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been used to treat equine tendonitis with promising results; however, little is known about the potential migration of these cells.

Objectives

To assess the possible migration of MSCs from an implantation site in the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) to a lesion in the SDFT of the contralateral limb.

Study design

In vivo experimental study.

Methods

Adipose‐derived MSCs were isolated from 4 healthy horses. Lesions were induced in the SDFTs of both forelimbs, followed by intralesional implantation of autologous adipose‐derived MSCs labelled with nanocrystals into one of the limbs. Flow cytometry of the peripheral blood mononuclear cells and fluorescence microscopy of biopsies of the SDFT lesions were used to search for the labelled cells.

Results

Labelled cells were detected among the peripheral blood mononuclear cells in all animals, but labelled cells were present only in the SDFTs that were treated with the intralesional implants.

Conclusion

Nanocrystals were a valuable in vivo marker of MSCs to be used for tendonitis treatment. Although migration of MSCs to the bloodstream was observed, it was not possible to identify the labelled cells in the untreated tendons.
Unravelling the molecular complexity of GPCR‐mediated EGFR transactivation using functional genomics approaches
Authors: George Amee J. , Hannan Ross D. , Thomas Walter G.
Published: September 2013

To influence physiology and pathophysiology, G protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs) have evolved to appropriate additional signalling modalities, such as activation of adjacent membrane receptors. Epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFRs) mediate growth and remodelling actions of GPCRs, although the precise network of gene products and molecular cascades linking GPCRs to EGFRs (termed EGFR transactivation) remains incomplete. In this review, we describe the current view of GPCR–EGFR transactivation, identifying the established models of receptor cross‐talk. We consider the limitations in our current knowledge, and propose that recent advances in molecular and cell biology technology, including functional genomics approaches, will allow a renewed focus of efforts to understand the mechanism underlying EGFR transactivation. Using an unbiased approach for identification of the molecules required for GPCR‐mediated EGFR transactivation will provide a contemporary and more complete representation from which to extrapolate therapeutic control in diseases from cardiovascular remodelling to cancer.
Physics‐based multiscale damage criterion for fatigue crack prediction in aluminium alloy
Authors: Zhang J. , Johnston J. , Chattopadhyay A.
Published: September 2013

In this paper, a physics‐based multiscale approach is introduced to predict the fatigue life of crystalline metallic materials. An energy‐based and slip‐based damage criterion is developed to model two important stages of fatigue crack initiation: the nucleation and the coalescence of microcracks. At the microscale, a damage index is developed on the basis of plastic strain energy to represent the growing rate of a nucleated microcrack. A statistical volume element model with high computational efficiency is developed at the mesoscale to represent the microstructure of the material. Also, the formation of a major crack is captured by a coalescence criterion at mesoscale. At the macroscale, a finite element analysis of selected test articles including lug joint and cruciform is conducted with the statistical volume element model bridging two scale meshes. A comparison between experimental and simulation results shows that the multiscale damage criterion is capable of capturing crack initiation and predicting fatigue life.
Temperature dependence of material length scale for strain gradient plasticity and its effect on near‐tip opening displacement
Authors: Qian X. , Zhang S. , Swaddiwudhipong S. , Shen L.
Published: September 2013

This paper investigates the temperature dependence of the material length scale in the conventional mechanism‐based strain gradient (CMSG) plasticity theory. The work reported here also examines the plastic strain gradient effect on the opening displacement near a sharp crack tip. The study examines the mechanical properties of two typical structural steels (S355 and S690) in onshore and offshore structures at two different temperatures (20 and 300 °C) through both the uniaxial tension test and the indentation test. The CMSG‐based finite element analysis then confirms a constant material length scale for these two steels at the two tested temperatures, despite the apparent temperature dependence of the macroscopic material parameters measured from the tension test. Using the calibrated material length scale, the subsequent numerical study demonstrates that the magnitude of the near‐tip crack opening displacement computed by the CMSG theory remains significantly lower than that computed from the classical plasticity.
Optimising Atlantic salmon smolt survival by use of hydropower simulation modelling in a regulated river
Authors: Fjeldstad H.‐P. , Alfredsen K. , Boissy T.
Published: September 2013

Studies on downstream passage of diadromous fishes in northern Europe are rare, and in Norway, the problem is strongly linked to demands for efficient hydropower production. The current study explored mitigating measures using a hydropower simulation model for Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., smolt migration. Migration pattern and route choice at a hydropower intake for 22 years were described for a river in southern Norway, based on simulated data for discharge and water temperature. Subsequently, the potential for controlling the migration pattern and smolt routing past the intake by altering release patterns from the reservoirs was tested. Modelling of a general annual increase in bypass discharge from 3 to 15 m3 s−1 increased average bypass migration from 30 to 43% at the cost of 14 € per fish. Individual release schedules from reservoirs for selected years indicated that bypass rates could be increased to 80% at an average cost of 4.5 € per fish and 2.2 € in the best years. Mitigating measures presumably depend on the specific site, but the methods developed in this study represent a general technique for evaluating increased smolt survival past hydropower intakes.
It Is Private, Not Public Finances that Are Out of Whack
Authors: Koo Richard C.
Published: September 2013

When the private sector as a whole is forced into debt minimization following the bursting of a debt-financed bubble, the money multiplier turns negative at the margin and government borrowing and spending become essential in maintaining both the GDP and money supply. With unborrowed private savings languishing in the financial system, the market also encourages government borrowing in the form of low bond yields which is a natural corrective mechanism of an economy suffering from balance sheet recession. In the eurozone, this corrective mechanism fails because of the ease of capital flight between government bond markets within the currency zone.
Balanced Budget Requirements and Debt Brakes Feasibility and Enforcement
Authors: Heun Werner
Published: September 2013

Balanced budget requirements should achieve fiscal sustainability, avoid a burden on future generations and allow for flexible reactions to cyclical fluctuations in the economy. There are many types of balanced budget requirements and debt limitations with different stringency. These budget restraints have a significant effect when they are applicable. The overall effect on public debt is small since there are many ways to circumvent or evade the restraints. Therefore budget restraints have substantial negative side effects. Public debt is transferred into less controllable budget areas, the structure of governments becomes fragmented and the balance of power is shifted away from the democratically accountable legislature.
Update on positron emission tomography for imaging of prostate cancer
Authors: Kitajima Kazuhiro , Murphy Robert C , Nathan Mark A , Sugimura Kazuro
Published: September 2013

Prostate cancer is the most common non‐cutaneous malignancy among men in the Western world, and continues to be a major health problem. Imaging has recently become more important in the clinical management of prostate cancer patients, including diagnosis, staging, choice of optimal treatment strategy, treatment follow up and restaging. Positron emission tomography, a functional and molecular imaging technique, has opened a new field in clinical oncological imaging. The most common positron emission tomography radiotracer, 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose, has been limited in imaging of prostate cancer. Recently, however, other positron emission tomography tracers, such as 11C‐acetate and 11C‐ or 18F‐choline, have shown promising results. In the present review article, we overview the potential and current use of positron emission tomography or positron emission tomography/computed tomography imaging employing the four most commonly used positron emission tomography radiotracers, 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose, 11C‐acetate and 11C‐ or 18F‐choline, for imaging evaluation of prostate cancer.
Bacillus Calmette–Guérin treatment of urothelial carcinoma arising in the ileal neobladder after radical cystectomy
Authors: Yamashita Ryo , Matsuzaki Masato , Niwakawa Masashi , Ito Ichiro
Published: September 2013

In January 2005, a 66‐year‐old man underwent radical cystectomy and ileal neobladder reconstruction for invasive bladder cancer. A total of 3 years after the cystectomy, left‐side ureteral cancer was diagnosed, and a nephroureterectomy was carried out in May 2008. In October 2011, he complained of asymptomatic macroscopic hematuria. We detected multiple papillary pedunculated and broad‐based tumors in the left side and the dome of the neobladder. The patient underwent transurethral resection of the bladder tumor, and a pathological diagnosis of high‐grade pTa urothelial carcinoma was made. A total of 4 months later, tumors recurred in the right side and anterior wall of the neobladder. We carried out transurethral resection of the bladder tumor again; the pathological diagnosis was high‐grade pTa urothelial carcinoma with carcinoma in situ. Bacillus Calmette–Guérin instillation was carried out seven times into the neobladder, without any severe side‐effects. Tumor recurrence was not observed up to 8 months after bacillus Calmette–Guérin treatment.
Responses to CES‐D: European American Versus Korean American Adolescents
Authors: Kim Eunjung , Landis Andrea M. , Cain Kevin K.
Published: September 2013

Problem

No study has examined variations in the responses to CES‐D (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale) scoring among different ethnic group adolescents.

Methods

This study compared response differences to CES‐D between 51 European American and 58 Korean American (KA) adolescents.

Findings

Thirty‐nine percent of KA adolescents reported higher depressive symptoms compared to 33% European American adolescents. Controlling for child age, significant mean differences were found on six items between the two groups. When within‐group difference was examined among KA adolescents using a bi‐dimensional acculturation approach, no differences were found except one item.

Conclusions

KA adolescents did not show response bias toward positive affect items in CES‐D when compared to European American adolescents.
Potential association between prediabetic conditions and gingival and/or periodontal inflammation
Authors: Andriankaja Oelisoa Mireille , Joshipura Kaumudi
Published: September 2013

Aims/Introduction

Prediabetic conditions, which include impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), might be associated with chronic gingival and/or periodontal inflammation. However, the occurrence of this oral inflammation in prediabetic conditions is poorly understood. The present study aimed to assess the association between prediabetes and gingival and/or periodontal inflammation.

Materials and Methods

A total of 94 Puerto Rican men and women aged 40–65 years, who were residents of San Juan, Puerto Rico, and free of diabetes, were included in the study. All participants had at least one tooth site with clinical attachment loss ≥3 mm. Fasting and 2‐h plasma glucose were collected. Gingival/periodontal inflammation was assessed by bleeding on gentle probing of the sulcus at six sites per tooth.

Results

Participants with the percentage of teeth with bleeding on probing (BOP) equal to or greater than the median were compared with those with the percentage of teeth with BOP less than median. Participants with high BOP tended to present higher IFG (odds ratio [OR] 5.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2–25.3) and/or prediabetic condition (OR 3.6, 95% CI 1.0–13.2) than those with a low percentage of BOP, adjusting for age, sex, smoking, alcohol consumption, waist circumference and number of missing teeth. Using the continuous form of the outcome, the corresponding adjusted least squares means of percentage of BOP were 26.8 (standard error of the mean [SEM] 2.3) and 43.8 (SEM 6.0) in normal and IFG, respectively (P = 0.01), and 27.0 (SEM 2.4) and 39.0 (SEM 5.3) among healthy and prediabetic individuals, respectively (P = 0.05).

Conclusion

IFG and/or prediabetes are strongly associated with BOP, a marker of chronic gingival/periodontal inflammation.
Occurrence of the Chilean devil ray Mobula tarapacana (Elasmobranchii: Batoidea: Myliobatiformes) in the Sea of Okhotsk: first record from cold temperate waters
Authors: Tomita T. , Kawai T. , Matsubara H. , Nagata R.
Published: September 2013

The northernmost record for Chilean devil ray Mobula tarapacana, a circumglobal species that occurs in tropical, subtropical and limited warm temperate waters, is described. An adult female was caught incidentally in the Sea of Okhotsk on 17 September 2011. This specimen is the first confirmed occurrence of devil rays Mobula spp. in cold temperate waters.
Patterns of saccular afferent innervation in sciaenids
Authors: Selckmann G. M. , Ramcharitar J.
Published: September 2013

In this study, saccular afferent arborization patterns in Atlantic croaker Micropogonias undulatus, red drum Sciaenops ocellatus and spot Leiostomus xanthurus were characterized. Leiostomus xanthurus showed the simplest configuration while M. undulatus displayed the most complex. In addition, hair‐cell densities at sites sampled along the rostro‐caudal axis of the saccular epithelia correlated with the observed patterns of arborization.
Histological and computed tomographic evaluation of a parasitic conjoined twin in hybrid catfish (Ictalurus punctatus [Rafinesque] X Ictalurus furcatus [Lesueur])
Authors: Leach C A , Thomas M W , Cooley A J , Waldbieser G C , Bosworth B G , Torrans E L , Khoo L H
Published: September 2013

There is growing use of hybrid catfish (Ictalurus punctatus ♀ X Ictalurus furcatus ♂) in commercial aquaculture to utilize hybrid vigour to improve production A conjoined twin specimen found during the course of production studies by the United States Department of Agriculture Catfish Genetic Research Unit (USDA‐CGRU) was submitted to the Aquatic Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (ARDL). After preliminary inspection, it was transported to Mississippi State University, College of Veterinary Medicine for further evaluation. The specimen was examined using both computed radiography and computed tomography antemortem. Following humane euthanasia, the specimen was examined both grossly and histologically. Tissues from both fish were also submitted for genetic analysis to determine whether twins were derived from the same egg. This report records the presentation and examination of a pair of conjoined hybrid catfish (I. punctatus X Ictalurus furcatus).
Immunohistochemical sweat gland profiles
Authors: Noël Fanchon , Piérard Gérald E , Delvenne Philippe , Quatresooz Pascale , Humbert Philippe , Piérard‐Franchimont Claudine
Published: September 2013

Background

Human sweat glands are heterogeneous in their structures and functions. Accordingly, eccrine, apocrine, and apoeccrine glands are distinguished.

Aims

Some immunohistochemical markers are expected to distinguish the sweat gland types in their secretory and excretory parts.

Methods

This study used two sets of antibodies. The first panel was composed of antibodies directed to well‐defined sweat gland structures. The molecular targets included the low‐molecular‐weight cytokeratins CAM 5.2, the S100‐B protein, the epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and the lectin Ulex europaeus agglutinin‐1 (UEA‐1). A second exploratory panel of antibodies targeted syndecan‐1 (CD138), NKI‐C3 (CD63), and CD68. They were used to disclose some undescribed antigen expressions in human sweat glands.

Results

The first set of antibodies confirmed previous findings. The immunoreactivities of the three sweat gland types were similar in the excretory ducts. By contrast, they were distinguished in the deeper coiled secretory portions of the glands.

Conclusion

Clues supporting their distinction and probably their functional activity were obtained by immunohistochemistry using the S100‐B protein, CEA and CD63 antibodies. The immunoreactivity to the S100‐B protein, CEA and CD63 possibly help identifying apoeccrine sweat glands or a peculiar functional activity of eccrine sweat glands.
New application of the long‐pulsed Nd‐YAG laser as an ablative resurfacing tool for skin rejuvenation: a 7‐year study
Authors: Alshami Mohammad Ali
Published: September 2013

Background

Carbon dioxide (CO2) and erbium–yttrium aluminum garnet (Er‐YAG) lasers are the gold standards in ablative skin resurfacing. Neodymium‐doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd‐YAG) laser is considered a nonablative skin resurfacing laser whose usage is limited due to its high cost.

Aim

To assess the efficacy and safety of Nd‐YAG as an ablative resurfacing laser and to compare the results with those previously published for CO2 and Erbium‐YAG lasers.

Patients/Methods

A total of 296 patients (251 female and 45 male) with Fitzpatrick skin types III‐IV and dermatological conditions amenable to ablative skin resurfacing participated in this study. Nd‐YAG laser parameters assessed were wavelength (1064 nm), pulse duration (5 ms), fluence (10 J/cm2), and spot size (8–10 mm). Efficacy of Nd‐YAG laser was assessed by comparing pre‐ and posttreatment photographs.

Results

An improvement of 30–80% was observed in treated patients. The degree of improvement correlated positively with the number of laser sessions. The most common side effect was hyperpigmentation. Other side effects were less common and mild in intensity compared with published results for gold standard ablative lasers.

Conclusion

Not only was the Nd‐YAG laser found to be as effective as Er‐YAG and CO2 lasers, but treated patients also had shorter recovery and treatment times, and at lower cost.
Seeking the Ideal Level of Design Newness: Consumer Response to Radical and Incremental Product Design
Authors: Mugge Ruth , Dahl Darren W.
Published: September 2013

To develop successful new products, new product development managers need to have a thorough understanding of the consumer adoption process, specifically in how consumers evaluate new products. This research examines the value of product design for consumers' evaluation of radical and incremental innovations. The primary goal was to empirically test how design newness affects consumer response to product innovations. Design newness (also referred to as novelty or atypicality) is defined as the deviation in a product design from the current design state of a certain product category. Although prior research has suggested that higher levels of design newness may have a positive effect on consumers' evaluations of new products, higher levels of design newness may also have negative consequences for consumer response to radical innovations.

An experimental context (n = 130) using systematically designed products for three product categories was used to test how consumers respond to high and low levels of design newness for both radical and incremental innovations. The findings show that for radical innovations, embodying the product in a design with a low (versus high) level of design newness led to more positive evaluations and less learning‐cost inferences. Because the functional attributes of a radical innovation are incongruent to existing products, consumers find it difficult to access the relevant product category schema in order to transfer knowledge to the new product. Because of this poor knowledge transfer, consumers may feel that they lack the ability to make effective use of the radical innovation, resulting in greater learning costs. In this case, a product design with a low level of design newness can provide consumers with a frame of reference for understanding the radical innovation.

Contrasting this result, no difference was found between a low and a high level of design newness for incremental innovations. For incremental innovations, by definition the functional attributes characteristic to the innovation are highly comparable with those products that are already stored in consumers' memory. Thus, there is no need for an additional reconfirmation of the preexisting schema through product design, and consumers are able to access the relevant schema regardless of the level of design newness inherent in the product. These findings are integrated into a discussion of the managerial implications and the potential avenues for future research.
Suspending Group Debate and Developing Concepts
Authors: Stam Daan , de Vet Arne , Barkema Harry G. , De Dreu Carsten K. W.
Published: September 2013

The ability of new product development (NPD) teams to generate ideas and develop high‐quality concepts for new products is a crucial determinant of NPD success. Although prior research in this area has developed various interventions to enhance the ability of teams to generate ideas, such interventions have limited impact on innovation management theory and practice. Partly, this is because of practical reasons: The interventions are often costly and impractical. However, there are also more fundamental, theoretical issues regarding these interventions: Knowledge of which interventions are effective in what situations is lacking. Even more importantly, there is no theory (or empirical evidence) about the effects of these interventions on the success of developing initial ideas into concepts. Together, this has caused the usefulness of these interventions for NPD teams to be uncertain at best.

To remedy this situation, this study focuses on a costless and easy‐to‐implement intervention: suspending group debate. Suspending group debate refers to a team idea generation and concept development process in which groups debate a problem, ideas for solutions are generated individually, and these ideas are debated and developed into concepts collectively. The authors developed a new theory about the impact of suspending group debate on idea generation and on further concept development. Specifically, they argue that suspending group debate causes groups to generate a higher number of ideas, a higher number of original ideas, and a more diverse set of ideas, but that only the number of original ideas and the diversity of the set of ideas will translate into higher concept quality. The authors also developed new theory about when suspending group debate is especially effective. Specifically, they argue that suspending group debate is especially effective when at least one group member is low on extraversion.

This theory is tested using an experimental design in which groups generated ideas and developed concepts for a specific organizational problem. Some groups suspend group debate, while others do not. Results show that suspending group debate indeed causes groups to generate a higher number of ideas, a higher number of original ideas, and a more diverse set of ideas. Importantly, results demonstrate that the effects of suspending group debate are more pronounced for groups with one or more group members that are low on extraversion. Furthermore, suspending group debate also affects concept quality, mediated by the number of original ideas and the diversity of ideas that groups generate (and thus not by the sheer number of ideas generated). Specifically, results show that both the diversity of the idea set as well as the number of original ideas positively influence the innovativeness of the final concept, while only the diversity of the idea set influences the comprehensiveness of the final concept.