bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The intra‐operative incidence of Fallopian canal dehiscence during surgery for cholesteatoma: a prospective case–control study and review of the literature
Authors: Trinidade A. , Yung M.W. 
Published: May 2014

ObjectiveTo investigate Fallopian canal dehiscence (FCD) during cholesteatoma surgery.Study designProspective case–control study.PatientsFour hundred and one patients with cholesteatoma and 172 with otosclerosis.InterventionsTherapeutic.SettingDistrict general hospital.Main outcome measures(i) Intra‐operative incidence of FCD during (a) surgery for cholesteatoma versus a homogeneous control group (patients with otosclerosis); (b) revision surgery for cholesteatoma as compared to primary surgery. (ii) Intra‐operative incidence of a fistula if FCD is present.ResultsData were prospectively collected and analysed using chi‐square tests. FCD was found in 19% of cases versus 5.2% of controls. Intra‐operative incidence of (i) FCD during cholesteatoma surgery versus otosclerosis surgery was statistically very highly significant (P < 0.0001, OR = 5.43); (ii) FCD during revision versus primary cholesteatoma surgery was not statistically significant (P = 0.83); and (iii) encountering a fistula in the presence of FCD during cholesteatoma surgery was statistically very highly significant (P < 0.0001, OR = 6.71).ConclusionsA surgeon is more likely to encounter FCD during cholesteatoma surgery than in stapes surgery. If during cholesteatoma surgery FCD is found, then a fistula is also more likely to be present, mainly of the semicircular canal. The incidence of FCD is not increased in revision surgery. These findings are very relevant for any otologist undertaking cholesteatoma surgery.
Frequent Stock Repurchases, False Signaling, and Corporate Governance: Evidence from Korea
Authors: Han Seung Hun , Lee Bong‐Soo , Song Minji 
Published: May 2014

AbstractManuscript TypeEmpiricalResearch Question/IssueWe examine the relation between stock repurchases and their potential false signaling of undervaluation using unique Korean data.Research Findings/InsightsWe find that the firms that repurchase stocks frequently are less undervalued and have lower post‐announcement operating performance than firms that repurchase stocks infrequently. We further find that agency cost and industry‐adjusted Tobin's Q of frequent repurchase firms negatively affect abnormal returns from the repurchase announcement. Corporate governance, especially ownership structure and board independence, affects the probability of frequent signaling.Theoretical/Academic ImplicationsOur results suggest that the main motivation for frequent stock repurchases is likely to be false signaling, and that corporate governance can mitigate false signaling caused by agency cost.Practitioner/Policy ImplicationsFrequent stock repurchases are not necessarily motivated by firm undervaluation. Rather, the degree of agency problems and managers' abuse of information asymmetry tend to increase the frequency of stock repurchases. Therefore, frequent stock repurchases are associated with false signaling by managers; this false signaling can be lowered through better corporate governance. This finding supports the monitoring effect of corporate governance systems.
Variations in the quality and sustainability of long‐term glycaemic control with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion
Authors: Nixon R. , Folwell R. , Pickup J. C. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractAimsTo investigate the pattern of changes in HbA1c in people with Type 1 diabetes managed by long‐term Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion.MethodsWe studied HbA1c changes using computerized clinic records in 35 adult people with Type 1 diabetes and an elevated HbA1c (≥ 64 mmol/mol, 8.0%) on multiple daily insulin injections, who were then switched to continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion for at least 5 years.ResultsWe identified three subgroups with similar baseline HbA1c but different long‐term responses to pump therapy: group A—those with improvement followed by deterioration (57%); group B—those with improvement that was sustained throughout the 5 years (31%); and group C—those where HbA1c did not change significantly from baseline (12%). The patients in group C had a higher BMI: 31.0 ± 5.2 vs. 25.9 ± 3.3 vs. 25.2 ± 3.1 kg/m2 (group C vs. group A and group B; P = 0.02).ConclusionsImproved glycaemic control with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion was maintained over 5 years by 88% of people with Type 1 diabetes in this study, but there were variations in the long‐term efficacy, with some people improving and worsening, others maintaining strict control and a few subcutaneous insulin infusion ‘non‐responders’.
Mesenchymal stem cell therapies: the quest for fine‐tuning
Authors: Goodrich Angelina Daisy , Hematti Peiman 
Published: May 2014

AbstractMesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have a vastly unharnessed therapeutic potential with close to 400 studies currently registered on clinicaltrials.gov for evaluation of their clinical promises. While many of these investigations are for immune‐mediated disorders, there is no established consensus on how to optimize the immunomodulatory properties of MSCs. Factors that could be used to predict efficacy of MSC therapies include donor heterogeneity, recipient environment and drug interactions. Incorporating pertinent quality control parameters to maximize the clinical potential of MSCs through good manufacturing practice (GMP) production of clinical grade cells could lead to the realization of greater therapeutic success.
Influenza A viral nucleoprotein interacts with cytoskeleton scaffolding protein α‐actinin‐4 for viral replication
Authors: Sharma Shipra , Mayank Adarsh K. , Nailwal Himani , Tripathi Shashank , Patel Jenish R. , Bowzard John B. , Gaur Pratibha , Donis Ruben O. , Katz Jacqueline M. , Cox Nancy J. , Lal Renu B. , Farooqi Humaira , Sambhara Suryaprakash , Lal Sunil K. 
Published: May 2014

Influenza A virus (IAV), similar to other viruses, exploits the machinery of human host cells for its survival and replication. We identified α‐actinin‐4, a host cytoskeletal protein, as an interacting partner of IAV nucleoprotein (NP). We confirmed this interaction using co‐immunoprecipitation studies, first in a coupled in vitro transcription‐translation assay and then in cells either transiently co‐expressing the two proteins or infected with whole IAV. Importantly, the NP–actinin‐4 interaction was observed in several IAV subtypes, including the 2009 H1N1 pandemic virus. Moreover, immunofluorescence studies revealed that both NP and actinin‐4 co‐localized largely around the nucleus and also in the cytoplasmic region of virus‐infected A549 cells. Silencing of actinin‐4 expression resulted in not only a significant decrease in NP, M2 and NS1 viral protein expression, but also a reduction of both NP mRNA and viral RNA levels, as well as viral titers, 24 h post‐infection with IAV, suggesting that actinin‐4 was critical for viral replication. Furthermore, actinin‐4 depletion reduced the amount of NP localized in the nucleus. Treatment of infected cells with wortmannin, a known inhibitor of actinin‐4, led to a decrease in NP mRNA levels and also caused the nuclear retention of NP, further strengthening our previous observations. Taken together, the results of the present study indicate that actinin‐4, a novel interacting partner of IAV NP, plays a crucial role in viral replication and this interaction may participate in nuclear localization of NP and/or viral ribonucleoproteins.Structured digital abstract•NP physically interacts with actinin-4 by anti bait coimmunoprecipitation (1, 2)•NP and actnin-4 colocalize by fluorescence microscopy (View interaction)•NP physically interacts with actinin-4 by anti bait coimmunoprecipitation (View interaction)•NP binds to actinin-4 by anti tag coimmunoprecipitation (1, 2)•NP physically interacts with actinin-4 by anti bait coimmunoprecipitation (View interaction)•NP physically interacts with actinin-4 by anti tag coimmunoprecipitation (View interaction)•NP physically interacts with actinin-4 by anti bait coimmunoprecipitation (View interaction) •NP physically interacts with actinin-4 by anti bait coimmunoprecipitation (View interaction) •NP physically interacts with actinin-4 by two hybrid (1, 2) •NP physically interacts with actinin-4 by anti bait coimmunoprecipitation (View interaction)
The electrostatic interactions of relaxin‐3 with receptor RXFP4 and the influence of its B‐chain C‐terminal conformation
Authors: Wang Xin‐Yi , Guo Yu‐Qi , Zhang Wei‐Jie , Shao Xiao‐Xia , Liu Ya‐Li , Xu Zeng‐Guang , Guo Zhan‐Yun 
Published: May 2014

Relaxin‐3 (also known as insulin‐like peptide 7) is an insulin/relaxin‐superfamily peptide hormone that can bind and activate three relaxin‐family peptide receptors: RXFP3, RXFP4, and RXFP1. Recently, we identified key electrostatic interactions between relaxin‐3 and its cognate receptor RXFP3 by using a charge‐exchange mutagenesis approach. In the present study, the electrostatic interactions between relaxin‐3 and RXFP4 were investigated with the same approach. Mutagenesis of the negatively charged extracellular residues of human RXFP4 identified a conserved EXXXD(100–104) motif that is essential for RXFP4 activation by relaxin‐3. Mutagenesis of the conserved positively charged Arg residues of relaxin‐3 demonstrated that B12Arg, B16Arg and B26Arg were all involved in the binding and activation of RXFP4, especially B26Arg. The activity complementation between the mutant ligands and the mutant receptors suggested two probable electrostatic interaction pairs: Glu100 of RXFP4 versus B26Arg of relaxin‐3, and Asp104 of RXFP4 versus both B12Arg and B16Arg of relaxin‐3. For interaction with the essential EXXXD motifs of both RXFP3 and RXFP4, a folding‐back conformation of the relaxin‐3 B‐chain C‐terminus seems to be critical, because it brings B26Arg sufficiently close to B12Arg and B16Arg. To test this hypothesis, we replaced the conserved B23Gly‐B24Gly dipeptide of relaxin‐3 with an Ala‐Ser dipeptide that occupied the corresponding position of insulin‐like peptide 5 and resulted in an extended helical conformation. The mutant relaxin‐3 showed a significant decrease in receptor‐activation potency towards both RXFP3 and RXFP4, suggesting that a folding‐back conformation of the B‐chain C‐terminus was important for relaxin‐3 to efficiently interact with the EXXXD motifs of both receptors.Structured digital abstract

RXFP4 and relaxin-3 physically interact by competition binding (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
Flow regulation by dams affects ecosystem metabolism in Mediterranean rivers
Authors: Aristi Ibon , Arroita Maite , Larrañaga Aitor , Ponsatí Lydia , Sabater Sergi , von Schiller Daniel , Elosegi Arturo , Acuña Vicenç 
Published: May 2014

Summary

Large dams regulate river hydrology and influence water chemistry, sediment dynamics, channel form and biotic communities. These effects may translate into important changes in river ecosystem processes, especially in rivers naturally subject to strong seasonality, such as those under Mediterranean climate.

The effects of flow regulation on ecosystem metabolism [i.e. gross primary production (GPP) and ecosystem respiration (ER)] were analysed by means of open‐stream measurements. Organic matter accrual and metabolism were measured in reaches upstream and downstream from large reservoirs in three tributaries of the Ebro River (NE Iberian Peninsula) during three sampling campaigns.

Dams reduced downstream hydrological variability, dampened floods and increased the duration of interflood periods. Benthic organic matter increased twofold and chlorophyll‐a eightfold. GPP increased by 59% on average, whereas ER increased by 75%.

In general, flow regulation intensified the capacity of downstream river reaches to store and process materials and energy, therefore increasing the amount of organic carbon processed and altering the whole flux of materials and energy along the river continuum.
Physiological, biochemical, and genome‐wide transcriptional analysis reveals that elevated CO2 mitigates the impact of combined heat wave and drought stress in Arabidopsis thaliana at multiple organizational levels
Authors: Zinta Gaurav , AbdElgawad Hamada , Domagalska Malgorzata A. , Vergauwen Lucia , Knapen Dries , Nijs Ivan , Janssens Ivan A. , Beemster Gerrit T.S. , Asard Han 
Published: May 2014

AbstractClimate changes increasingly threaten plant growth and productivity. Such changes are complex and involve multiple environmental factors, including rising CO2 levels and climate extreme events. As the molecular and physiological mechanisms underlying plant responses to realistic future climate extreme conditions are still poorly understood, a multiple organizational level analysis (i.e. eco‐physiological, biochemical, and transcriptional) was performed, using Arabidopsis exposed to incremental heat wave and water deficit under ambient and elevated CO2. The climate extreme resulted in biomass reduction, photosynthesis inhibition, and considerable increases in stress parameters. Photosynthesis was a major target as demonstrated at the physiological and transcriptional levels. In contrast, the climate extreme treatment induced a protective effect on oxidative membrane damage, most likely as a result of strongly increased lipophilic antioxidants and membrane‐protecting enzymes. Elevated CO2 significantly mitigated the negative impact of a combined heat and drought, as apparent in biomass reduction, photosynthesis inhibition, chlorophyll fluorescence decline, H2O2 production, and protein oxidation. Analysis of enzymatic and molecular antioxidants revealed that the stress‐mitigating CO2 effect operates through up‐regulation of antioxidant defense metabolism, as well as by reduced photorespiration resulting in lowered oxidative pressure. Therefore, exposure to future climate extreme episodes will negatively impact plant growth and production, but elevated CO2 is likely to mitigate this effect.
Recombinant factorIX: discrepancies between one‐stage clotting and chromogenic assays
Authors: Wilmot H. V. , Hogwood J. , Gray E. 
Published: May 2014

SummaryNew and modified recombinant factor IX (rFIX) products are in development and accurate potency estimation is important to ensure the consistency of production and efficacy of these therapeutics. Collaborative study data obtained during the replacement of the 3rd International Standard (IS) for FIX concentrate suggested that there was a discrepancy between potency estimates forrFIXusing clotting and chromogenic methods, when therFIXcandidate was measured against the plasma‐derived FIX (pdFIX) IS. This study explores potential chromogenic and one‐stage clotting method discrepancies in more detail. Five batches each ofrFIXand pdFIX were assayed against the 4th IS FIX concentrate (a pdFIX) by activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) one‐stage clotting assay and specific functional chromogenic assay. The potency ofrFIXby chromogenic assay was consistently around 70% of the one‐stage clotting potency (average 78 and 108 IU mL−1respectively). These differences were not observed with pdFIX, which had similar potencies (average 96 IU mL−1) by each assay method. In addition, different APTT reagents yielded different potency estimates forrFIXwhen assayed against the pdFIX IS, with a variation of up to 23%. In all cases, the differences were largely resolved when arFIXreference was used as the standard. This study highlights some of the challenges associated with assay ofrFIXproducts in the laboratory and that careful consideration needs to be given to the choice of reference material used. This is especially important with the imminent arrival of new and modifiedrFIXproducts.
An efficient system for secretory production of fibrinogen using a hepatocellular carcinoma cell line
Authors: Matsumoto Michinori , Matsuura Tomokazu , Aoki Katsuhiko , Maehashi Haruka , Iwamoto Takeo , Ohkawa Kiyoshi , Yoshida Kiyotsugu , Yanaga Katsuhiko , Takada Koji 
Published: May 2014

AimDespite an increasing demand, blood products are not always safe because most are derived from blood donations. One possible solution is the development and commercialization of recombinant fibrinogen, but this process remains poorly developed. This study aimed to develop an effective production system for producing risk‐free fibrinogen using human hepatocellular cell lines and serum‐free media.MethodsThree human liver cancer cell lines (HepG2, FLC‐4 and FLC‐7) were cultivated in a serum‐supplemented medium or two serum‐free media (ASF104N and IS‐RPMI) to compare their fibrinogen secretion abilities. Fibrinogen subunit gene expression was estimated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Massive fibrinogen production was induced using a 5‐mL radial flow bioreactor (RFB) while monitoring glucose metabolism. Subsequently, fibrinogen's biochemical characteristics derived from these cells were analyzed.ResultsFLC‐7 cell culture combined with IS‐RPMI resulted in significantly better fibrinogen production (21.6 μg/107 cells per day). ASF104N had more positive effects on cell growth compared with IS‐RPMI, whereas fibrinogen production was more efficient with IS‐RPMI than with ASF104N. Changing the medium from ASF104N to IS‐RPMI led to significantly increased fibrinogen gene expression and glucose consumption. In the RFB culture, the fibrinogen secretion rate of FLC‐7 cells reached 0.73 μg/mL per day during a 42‐day cultivation period. The subunit composition and clot formation activity of FLC‐7 cell‐derived fibrinogen corresponded to those of plasma fibrinogen.ConclusionThe FLC‐7 cell culture system is suitable for large‐scale fibrinogen preparation production.
The ‘Golden Age of Historiography’: Records and Writers in the Reign of Henry II
Authors: Hosler John D. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractThe study of the reign of King Henry II of England (1154‐1189) has been vibrant since the 19th century. As sources for his reign have been discovered, edited and printed, a host of scholars have attempted to assess his impact upon medieval diplomacy, law, politics, and warfare. The array of narrative texts, record documents, and financial records, however, is dizzying in both number and size and can be confusing for non‐specialists. Sorting through the sources by type, as well as situating them within a historiographical context, is a necessary first step towards a fuller understanding of the modern scholarship.
The Ottoman Economy, c.1300‐c.1585
Authors: Fleet Kate 
Published: May 2014

AbstractThis article examines the Ottoman economy from the rise of the state in around 1300 to the major debasement of c.1585. After a brief assessment of the problems of sources and an overview of the economy, it investigates the nature of the Ottoman economy, considering the model proposed by Mehmet Genç based on provisionalism, traditionalism and fiscalism, and arguing that what characterised the early Ottoman economy was decentralisation, regional diversity and the pragmatic application of control.
Salivary duct carcinoma and the concept of early carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma
Authors: Griffith Christopher C , Thompson Lester D R , Assaad Adel , Purgina Bibianna M , Lai Chi , Bauman Julie E , Weinreb Ilan , Seethala Raja R , Chiosea Simion I 
Published: May 2014

AimsThe data on the histological type of carcinomatous component and the extent of extracapsular invasion for salivary carcinomas ex pleomorphic adenoma (PA) are conflicting. We aimed to determine the prognostic value of extracapsular invasion in salivary duct carcinomas (SDC) ex PA.Methods and resultsA total of 117 patients with SDC were identified retrospectively; 44 cases involving major salivary glands had pre‐existing PA (44 of 117, 37%). The morphological spectrum of SDC ex PA was characterized. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS). Most SDC ex PA were widely invasive at presentation (27 of 44; 61%). Five patients with intracapsular SDC ex PA experienced no disease progression. The assessment of extracapsular invasion was precluded in eight cases (e.g. positive margins of resection). The rate of lymph node involvement was similar in cases with extracapsular invasion of ≤2 mm (two of three) and >7 mm (22 of 26). Only pT correlated with OS [116 months, 95% confidence interval (CI) 22–210 months for pT1 versus 20 months (95% CI 6–34) for pT4; P = 0.013].ConclusionsIntracapsular SDC ex PA are potentially indolent. SDC ex PA with extracapsular invasion of ≤2 mm are rare, and appear to be clinically aggressive. Several histological parameters preclude assessment of extracapsular invasion.
Sociodemographic and knowledge influence on attitudes towards food safety certification in restaurants
Authors: Uggioni Paula Lazzarin , Salay Elisabete 
Published: May 2014

AbstractFood safety certification can provide a level of assurance that restaurants attain satisfactory sanitary standards. Attitude is a possible predictor of behaviour and has been shown to vary according to consumer characteristics. The objective of this study was to identify consumer attitude with respect to the voluntary private certification of safety of restaurants. The relationship among attitude and consumer knowledge of safe practices to prevent microbiological contamination in restaurants and sociodemographic characteristics were also studied. The data were collected in the city of Campinas, Brazil in 2010, by interviewing 350 individuals using a survey instrument with two scales previously validated (attitude and knowledge) and sociodemographic questions. Attitude was measured using a 7‐point response scale. Basic descriptive statistics and comparison tests were applied to the data using the software PASW, 18.0. The mean score of 5.3 indicates a positive attitude in respect to certification. The highest attitude scores were observed for the factor 5 (affect and inspection) and factor 4 (certification and consumer information). Comparing the scores, significant differences can be seen between total attitude and the age ranges (P = 0.040) and levels of knowledge (P = 0.014), individuals younger and with lower knowledge showing lower attitude scores. Higher knowledge was related to a more positive attitude score for factor ‘certification substitutes’; and higher income and education level to a lower score for the ‘importance of certification’ factor. It is possible to stimulate both the development and promotion of restaurant certifications aimed at food safety.
Understanding the buying behaviour of young consumers regarding packaging attributes and labels
Authors: Aday Mehmet Seckin , Yener Ugur 
Published: May 2014

AbstractThis study was conducted in Turkey (the place is the bridge between Europe and Asia) and several factors that might influence the young consumer's behaviour at the point of sale were highlighted. Self‐administered questionnaire consisting of 31 questions were filled out by 324 participants. A big part of respondents (87.34%) were young people between 18 and 25 years of age and majority of the test takers were single (91.05%), whereas only 8.95% of them were married. Relationships and connections between questions were displayed in detail with graphics in a multidimensional space and were analysed with multiple correspondence analysis tests. The results indicated that glass packages attracted the consumers with their protective structure, transparency and healthy nature, whereas plastic and paperboard packages attracted the consumers with their resistance to physical impacts and easy‐to‐use abilities. The majority of consumers checked the labels to get information; however, consumers indicated that label content was hard to understand. Production, best before dates and ingredients were identified as important information on the labels by consumers. Fat content was chosen as the most important part of labels by female consumers, whereas male consumers were more concerned about the protein content. Participants indicated that low price and special offered products were setting the basis for their unplanned shopping. The obtained results confirmed that packaging attributes and labels were the most important factors that might affect consumers' purchasing behaviours.