bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The different role of sex hormones on female cardiovascular physiology and function: not only oestrogens
Authors: Salerni Sara , Di Francescomarino Samanta , Cadeddu Christian , Acquistapace Flavio , Maffei Silvia , Gallina Sabina 
Published: April 2015

AbstractHuman response to different physiologic stimuli and cardiovascular (CV) adaptation to various pathologies seem to be gender specific. Sex‐steroid hormones have been postulated as the major contributors towards these sex‐related differences. This review will discuss current evidence on gender differences in CV function and remodelling, and will present the different role of the principal sex‐steroid hormones on female heart. Starting from a review of sex hormones synthesis, receptors and CV signalling, we will summarize the current knowledge concerning the role of sex hormones on the regulation of our daily activities throughout the life, via the modulation of autonomic nervous system, excitation–contraction coupling pathway and ion channels activity. Many unresolved questions remain even if oestrogen effects on myocardial remodelling and function have been extensively studied. So this work will focus attention also on the controversial and complex relationship existing between androgens, progesterone and female heart.
Using discussion groups as a strategy for postgraduate implant dentistry students to reflect
Authors: Koole S. , Fine P. , De Bruyn H. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractIntroductionMore than undergraduates, postgraduate students have the day‐to‐day clinical experience to reflect upon. Nevertheless, reflection in postgraduate dental education is less well studied. Hence, the purpose was to investigate the attitude towards reflection and the content of reflections in postgraduate implant dentistry education in the UK and Belgium.Materials and MethodsTo investigate the attitude towards reflection, a questionnaire was administered to the 10 postgraduates at UCL Eastman Dental Institute (EDI) and 6 postgraduates at Ghent University (UGent). Additionally, students were invited to attend two reflective sessions (60‐90 minutes). The sessions’ audio recordings were transcribed and analysed using a thematic approach.ResultsIn total, 16 postgraduate implant dentistry students participated. Although the majority reported prior experience with reflection, there was variation in the provided definitions of reflection. EDI students agreed with reflection being beneficial for professional development/clinical reasoning and were positive about discussing clinical experiences in groups, but were divided about individual/group reflections. Their UGent counterparts were more indecisive (=neutral), but were positive about discussing clinical experiences. Thematic analysis identified recurring themes as individual learning process, learning and clinical experiences, attitude towards implant dentistry and course programme. EDI postgraduates’ reflections focussed on specific clinical situations, while UGent postgraduates’ reflections described general considerations.ConclusionAlthough students/professionals often report to reflect, it is not clear whether/how they actually reflect, due to the all‐purpose word reflection has become. A strategy, using group discussions along with supervision/guidance in how to reflect, demonstrated to expand clinical reasoning into reflections about postgraduate students’ clinical actions and professional growth.
Business as Usual? An Institutional View of the Relationship Between Management Control Systems and Strategy
Authors: Tucker Basil P. , Parker Lee D. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe relationship between management control systems (MCS) and strategy has received considerable attention in the management control literature. Contingency‐based approaches, however, have traditionally dominated this research, with limited attention devoted specifically to how MCS and strategy may combine in organisations operating within highly institutionalised environments. Adopting an institutional perspective, the current study is based on interviews with CEOs and senior executives in 32 Australian Not‐for‐Profit organisations. Our findings indicate a tendency for these organisations to decouple informal control from MCS, producing a ‘business as usual’ mentality via the pervasive informal approach to control, supplanting contingency‐based predictions relating to MCS‐strategy relations.
The Cascade of Fear: Policy Implementation and Financial Management Reform in the European Commission
Authors: Levy Roger P. , Barzelay Michael , Gomez Antonio‐Martin Porras 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe complexity of managing European Union (EU) spending programmes is the subject of much comment but relatively little academic analysis. Using a multi‐disciplinary analytical framework drawn from the management, policy and social sciences, this fieldwork‐based case study examines the reform of financial management within the European Commission. In constructing an agent focussed narrative of a specific reform episode, it contributes to a growing literature on public management reform analysed from this perspective and also to the lightly developed field of EU financial management.
The Influence of Management Accounting Departments Within German Municipal Administrations
Authors: Hirsch Bernhard , Nitzl Christian , Schauß Joachim 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe achievement of better performance from municipal administrations is an ongoing challenge. We use the contingency theory perspective, which concentrates on the specific environmental settings of organisations, to examine the influence of management accounting departments within German municipal administrations. Our findings indicate that as the size of municipalities increases, the level of their administrative performance decreases. We additionally show that this negative effect can be mitigated when management accounting is seen as being highly relevant and when the management accounting department performs well. Furthermore, a comparison of the accounting systems (cash versus accrual accounting) used in municipal administrations reveals that a successful working management accounting department can only exert a positive effect when the municipal administration acts under an accrual accounting regime.
Tensions Arising from Imposing NPM in Australian Public Universities: A Management Perspective
Authors: Christopher Joe , Leung Philomena 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThis study seeks to identify the characteristics causing tensions in the move towards a corporate culture in Australian public universities. The findings reveal ongoing structural, competency and behavioral issues contributing to the tensions. Two theoretical propositions have emerged regarding the status of the change process. First, the change to a corporate culture is slow but continuing. Second, universities have accepted that public sector, collegial and corporate cultures have to co‐exist, thus adopting an adapted version of new public management (NPM). These findings provide avenues for further research to confirm both the characteristics and theoretical propositions.
The Removal of a Specialist Oversight Body for Local Public Audit: Insights from the Health Service in England
Authors: Ellwood Sheila , Garcia‐Lacalle Javier 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe abolition of the Audit Commission in England and Wales removes the ‘protector of the public purse’. The oversight body and its audit practice are largely replaced by the private sector regime and audit firms. We analyse the audit market for health service foundation trusts, an area of local public audit that operates without oversight from the Commission. We find evidence of premiums paid to some Big4 firms and that the presence of specialist public service auditors results in fee discounts. The firms limit their liability and assurance of audit quality is reduced under new audit regimes and governance structures.
Subchronic administration of riparin III induces antidepressive‐like effects and increases BDNF levels in the mouse hippocampus
Authors: Vasconcelos Auriana S. , Oliveira Iris C.M. , Vidal Laura T.M. , Rodrigues Gabriel C. , Gutierrez Stanley J.C. , Barbosa‐Filho José M. , Vasconcelos Silvânia M.M. , de França Fonteles Marta M. , Gaspar Danielle M. , de Sousa Francisca C.F. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractRiparin III (Rip III) is an alcamide isolated from Aniba riparia that has presented effects of antidepressant and anxiolytic activities in acute stress behavioral models. The trial's goal was to investigate the activity of Rip III in mice exposed to corticosterone‐induced chronic depression model. Swiss female mice, 22–25 g, were distributed in following experimental groups: control group (vehicle1: saline containing 0.1% dimethyl sulfoxide and 0.1% Tween‐80, SC+ vehicle 2: distilled water emulsified with 2% Tween‐80, PO); stressed group (corticosterone, 20 mg/kg, SC, + vehicle 2, orally); Rip III group (50 mg/kg, orally); and fluvoxamine (Flu) group (50 mg/kg, orally). The mice were exposed to the behavioral tests, and posteriorly, Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor protein levels were assessed in hippocampal samples. Statistical analysis of the data was performed by one‐way anova, followed by Newman–Keuls test. Both administrations of Rip III and Flu significantly reduced the immobility time in tail suspension and forced swimming tests after 21 days without affecting locomotor function. There was also an increase in BDNF protein levels in the mice hippocampus. These findings further support the hypothesis that Rip III could be a new pharmacological target for the treatment of mood disorders.
The effect of various morphine weaning regimens on the sequelae of opioid tolerance involving physical dependency, anxiety and hippocampus cell neurodegeneration in rats
Authors: Motaghinejad Majid , Karimian Seyed Morteza , Motaghinejad Ozra , Shabab Behnaz , Asadighaleni Majid , Fatima Sulail 
Published: April 2015

AbstractChronic consumption of morphine induces physical dependency, anxiety, and neurodegeneration. In this study, morphine on its own has been used for the management of morphine‐induced dependency, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. Forty‐eight male rats were randomly divided into six groups. Rats in groups 1–5 were made morphine dependent by an increasing manner of morphine for 7 days (15–45 mg/kg). For the next 14 days, morphine was administered using the following regimen: (i) once daily 45 mg/kg (positive controls), (ii) the same dose at additional intervals (6 h longer than the previous intervals each time), (iii) 45 mg/kg of morphine at irregular intervals like of 12, 24, 36 h, (iv) decreasing dose once daily (every time 2.5 mg/kg less than the former dosage). Group 5 received 45 mg/kg of morphine and 10 mg/kg of SOD mimetic agent (M40401) injection per day. Group 6 (negative control) received saline solution only. On day 22, all animals received naloxone (3 mg/kg) and their Total Withdrawal Index (TWI) and blood cortisol levels were measured. After drug treatment, hippocampus cells were isolated, and oxidative, antioxidative, and apoptotic factors were evaluated. Various regimens of morphine reduced TWI, cortisol levels, Bax activity, caspase‐3, caspase‐9, TNF‐α, and IL‐1β and lipid peroxidation. In all treatment groups, GSH level, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and Bcl‐2 activity were significantly increased. Furthermore, SOD mimetic agent c diminished morphine effect on SOD activity. Thus, varying the dosage regimen of morphine can reduce the severity of morphine‐induced dependency and neurodegeneration.
In situ adaptive response to climate and habitat quality variation: spatial and temporal variation in European badger (Meles meles) body weight
Authors: Byrne Andrew W. , Fogarty Ursula , O'Keeffe James , Newman Chris 
Published: April 2015

AbstractVariation in climatic and habitat conditions can affect populations through a variety of mechanisms, and these relationships can act at different temporal and spatial scales. Using post‐mortem badger body weight records from 15 878 individuals captured across the Republic of Ireland (7224 setts across ca. 15 000 km2; 2009–2012), we employed a hierarchical multilevel mixed model to evaluate the effects of climate (rainfall and temperature) and habitat quality (landscape suitability), while controlling for local abundance (unique badgers caught/sett/year). Body weight was affected strongly by temperature across a number of temporal scales (preceding month or season), with badgers being heavier if preceding temperatures (particularly during winter/spring) were warmer than the long‐term seasonal mean. There was less support for rainfall across different temporal scales, although badgers did exhibit heavier weights when greater rainfall occurred one or 2 months prior to capture. Badgers were also heavier in areas with higher landscape habitat quality, modulated by the number of individuals captured per sett, consistent with density‐dependent effects reducing weights. Overall, the mean badger body weight of culled individuals rose during the study period (2009–2012), more so for males than for females. With predicted increases in temperature, and rainfall, augmented by ongoing agricultural land conversion in this region, we project heavier individual badger body weights in the future. Increased body weight has been associated with higher fecundity, recruitment and survival rates in badgers, due to improved food availability and energetic budgets. We thus predict that climate change could increase the badger population across the Republic of Ireland. Nevertheless, we emphasize that, locally, populations could still be vulnerable to extreme weather variability coupled with detrimental agricultural practice, including population management.
Plant community structure regulates responses of prairie soil respiration to decadal experimental warming
Authors: Xu Xia , Shi Zheng , Li Dejun , Zhou Xuhui , Sherry Rebecca A. , Luo Yiqi 
Published: April 2015

AbstractSoil respiration is recognized to be influenced by temperature, moisture, and ecosystem production. However, little is known about how plant community structure regulates responses of soil respiration to climate change. Here, we used a 13‐year field warming experiment to explore the mechanisms underlying plant community regulation on feedbacks of soil respiration to climate change in a tallgrass prairie in Oklahoma, USA. Infrared heaters were used to elevate temperature about 2 °C since November 1999. Annual clipping was used to mimic hay harvest. Our results showed that experimental warming significantly increased soil respiration approximately from 10% in the first 7 years (2000–2006) to 30% in the next 6 years (2007–2012). The two‐stage warming stimulation of soil respiration was closely related to warming‐induced increases in ecosystem production over the years. Moreover, we found that across the 13 years, warming‐induced increases in soil respiration were positively affected by the proportion of aboveground net primary production (ANPP) contributed by C3 forbs. Functional composition of the plant community regulated warming‐induced increases in soil respiration through the quantity and quality of organic matter inputs to soil and the amount of photosynthetic carbon (C) allocated belowground. Clipping, the interaction of clipping with warming, and warming‐induced changes in soil temperature and moisture all had little effect on soil respiration over the years (all P > 0.05). Our results suggest that climate warming may drive an increase in soil respiration through altering composition of plant communities in grassland ecosystems.
Equivocal ALK fluorescence in‐situ hybridization (FISH) cases may benefit from ancillary ALKFISH probe testing
Authors: Selinger Christina , Cooper Wendy , Lum Trina , McNeil Catriona , Morey Adrienne , Waring Paul , Amanuel Benhur , Millward Michael , Peverall Joanne , Van Vliet Chris , Christie Michael , Tran Yen , Diakos Connie , Pavlakis Nick , Gill Anthony J , O'Toole Sandra 
Published: April 2015

AimsAccurate assessment of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene rearrangement in non‐small‐cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) is critical to identify patients who are likely to respond to crizotinib. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ALK/EML4 TriCheck FISH probe in a series of NSCLCs enriched for tumours with equivocal ALK status.Methods and resultsALK FISH was prospectively performed on 45 NSCLCs with the ALK/EML4 TriCheck probe (ZytoVision) and the Vysis ALK break‐apart probe (Abbott Molecular). ALK immunohistochemistry was performed with 5A4 and D5F3 antibodies. Fourteen cases had equivocal ALK status, based on borderline or focal FISH positivity, an atypical FISH pattern, or discrepancy between ALK FISH and immunohistochemistry. Four of the 14 equivocal cases showed discordance between the two FISH probes. All other cases were concordant. The TriCheck probe showed that, of 31 unequivocal cases, 15 were ALK‐rearranged, and 60% of these had EML4 as the translocation partner. Within the group of 14 equivocal cases, 12 showed rearrangement with the Tricheck probe; only one of these showed EML4 rearrangement. Of the six equivocal cases that received crizotinib, four showed clinical benefit.ConclusionsThe ALK/EML4 TriCheck FISH probe may be useful for the detection of ALK rearrangements, especially in borderline or atypical cases, where an additional unique ALK FISH probe may provide further confirmation of rearrangement.
Clinical outcomes and histological findings of patients with advanced metastatic germ cell tumors undergoing post‐chemotherapy resection of retroperitoneal lymph nodes and residual extraretroperitoneal masses
Authors: Nakamura Terukazu , Oishi Masakatsu , Ueda Takashi , Fujihara Atsuko , Nakanishi Hiroyuki , Kamoi Kazumi , Naya Yoshio , Hongo Fumiya , Okihara Koji , Miki Tsuneharu 
Published: April 2015

AbstractObjectivesTo assess clinical outcomes of patients with advanced germ cell tumor undergoing post‐chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection with or without extraretroperitoneal mass resection.MethodsBetween 1998 and 2013, 175 retroperitoneal lymph node dissections for advanced metastatic germ cell tumors were carried out at Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan. Of patients receiving retroperitoneal lymph node dissections, 156 underwent post‐chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection with or without extraretroperitoneal mass resection as first surgery after completion of chemotherapy. Of these 156 patients, 47 underwent both post‐chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection and extraretroperitoneal mass resection.ResultsThe histological findings were necrosis in 59.6%, teratoma in 31.4% and viable cancer in 9.0% at retroperitoneal lymph node. At extraretroperitoneal mass resection, necrosis was present in 59.6%, teratoma in 31.9% and viable cancer in 8.5%. Overall histological discordance between retroperitoneal lymph node and extraretroperitoneal mass was found in 31.9%. Five‐year disease‐free survival stratified by retroperitoneal lymph node histology in 156 patients was 91.3% for necrosis, 78.7% for teratoma and 63.5% for viable cancer (log–rank, P = 0.009). Antegrade ejaculation was preserved in 80.9%. In the worst histology of post‐chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection or extraretroperitoneal mass resection in 156 patients, 5‐year disease‐free survival was 93.2% for necrosis, 79.0% for teratoma and 63.4% for viable cancer (log–rank, P < 0.001). Independent prognostic factors for disease‐free survival were presence of viable cancer in retroperitoneal lymph node histology and salvage chemotherapy.ConclusionThe presence of viable cancer at the retroperitoneal lymph node is an independent predictor of disease recurrence. In approximately one‐third of cases, there is a histological discordance between retroperitoneal lymph node and extraretroperitoneal mass. Resection of residual retroperitoneal lymph node and extraretroperitoneal masses remains an important procedure in the management of advanced germ cell tumors.
Building Criminal Authority: A Comparative Analysis of Drug Gangs in Rio de Janeiro and Recife
Authors: Wolff Michael Jerome 
Published: April 2015

AbstractWhy do drug gangs develop sophisticated authority functions in some places and not in others? Comparing two Brazilian cities, Rio de Janeiro and Recife, this article argues that territorially embedded informal authority structures from earlier times, coupled with sporadic and extremely violent policing, encouraged drug gangs in Rio de Janeiro to develop authoritative functions and residents to acquiesce to them. In Recife, by contrast, drug gangs inherited diffuse and territorially independent authority structures and confronted a much less lethally violent police force. Consequently, they failed to find common cause with local residents, and their organizational development was truncated.
Voting for Democracy: Campaign Effects in Chile's Democratic Transition
Authors: Boas Taylor C. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractIn a global context in which authoritarian regimes often hold elections, defeating dictators at the polls can play a key role in transitions to democracy. When the opposition is allowed to campaign for votes in such elections, there are strong reasons to believe that its efforts will be more persuasive than those of the authoritarian incumbent. This article examines the effect of televised campaign advertising on vote choice in the 1988 plebiscite that inaugurated Chile's transition to democracy. Using matching to analyze postelectoral survey data, it shows that the advertising of the opposition's no campaign made Chileans more likely to vote against dictator Augusto Pinochet, whereas the advertising of the government's yes campaign had no discernible effect. These findings suggest that the no campaign played an important causal role in the change of political regime.
Notch receptor expression in human brain arteriovenous malformations
Authors: Hill‐Felberg Sandra , Wu Hope Hueizhi , Toms Steven A. , Dehdashti Amir R. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe roles of the Notch pathway proteins in normal adult vascular physiology and the pathogenesis of brain arteriovenous malformations are not well‐understood. Notch 1 and 4 have been detected in human and mutant mice vascular malformations respectively. Although mutations in the human Notch 3 gene caused a genetic form of vascular stroke and dementia, its role in arteriovenous malformations development has been unknown. In this study, we performed immunohistochemistry screening on tissue microarrays containing eight surgically resected human brain arteriovenous malformations and 10 control surgical epilepsy samples. The tissue microarrays were evaluated for Notch 1–4 expression. We have found that compared to normal brain vascular tissue Notch‐3 was dramatically increased in brain arteriovenous malformations. Similarly, Notch 4 labelling was also increased in vascular malformations and was confirmed by western blot analysis. Notch 2 was not detectable in any of the human vessels analysed. Using both immunohistochemistry on microarrays and western blot analysis, we have found that Notch‐1 expression was detectable in control vessels, and discovered a significant decrease of Notch 1 expression in vascular malformations. We have demonstrated that Notch 3 and 4, and not Notch 1, were highly increased in human arteriovenous malformations. Our findings suggested that Notch 4, and more importantly, Notch 3, may play a role in the development and pathobiology of human arteriovenous malformations.