bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Kidney graft dysfunction in simultaneous pancreas–kidney recipients after pancreas failure: analysis of early and late protocol biopsies
Authors: Viglietti Denis , Serrato Tomas , Abboud Imad , Antoine Corinne , Pillebout Evangéline , Busson Marc , Desgrandchamps François , Meria Paul , Godin Michel , Hurault de Ligny Bruno , Thervet Eric , Legendre Christophe , Suberbielle Caroline , Verine Jérome , Glotz Denis , Peraldi Marie‐Noëlle 
Published: February 2013

AbstractBackgroundKidney graft survival in simultaneous pancreas–kidney (SPK) recipients is known to decrease after pancreas graft failure.MethodsSixty‐three consecutive SPK recipients were retrospectively reviewed. Kidney graft function and proteinuria were evaluated at three months after the transplantation and at last follow‐up. Histopathologic findings of protocol biopsies performed three months and one yr after transplantation were analyzed.ResultsTwelve patients lost the pancreas graft. Donors' characteristics were similar in patients with or without pancreas failure. After a median follow‐up of 36 months, mean eGFR with a functional pancreas was 69.5 mL/min/1.73 m² vs. 56.3 mL/min/1.73 m² (p = 0.01) after pancreas loss. Patients who lost pancreas had a median proteinuria of 0.28 g vs. 0.13 g per 24 h (p = 0.02). Analysis of three‐month protocol biopsies revealed more frequent isolated glomerulitis after pancreas failure (p = 0.0001), without peritubular capillaritis or C4d deposition. No donor‐specific anti‐HLA antibodies were detectable in these patients. Chronic tubulointerstitial changes were more frequent in patients with pancreas loss. There was no evidence of diabetic nephropathy recurrence.ConclusionSPK recipients develop an early kidney graft dysfunction after pancreas failure. Histopathologic findings revealed frequent glomerulitis without antibody‐mediated rejection and early chronic changes.
The factors that influence attitudes toward organ donation for transplantation among UK university students of Indian and Pakistani descent
Authors: Gauher Salman T. , Khehar Ravi , Rajput Gaurav , Hayat Alia , Bakshi Bhavagaya , Chawla Hanmeet , Cox Benita M. , Warrens Anthony N. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractBackgroundThe shortage of organs donated for transplantation is particularly severe among ethnic minorities. Previous work has often studied ethnic minorities in broad groups, failing to differentiate by age or country of education. We investigated the younger generation of UK‐educated ethnically Indian and Pakistani students to determine their attitudes toward organ donation.MethodsWe conducted nine focus groups and eight semi‐structured interviews. Participants were divided by ethnicity, gender, and medical/non‐medical background. Interview transcripts were analyzed by thematic analysis.ResultsSix key factors influencing attitudes toward organ donation were found: religion, awareness of the importance of donation, impact of medical education, culture‐specific factors, treatment of donors and their organs, and influence of family. The attitude of Islam to donation was highly relevant to Pakistani participants, more than other factors; for Indians, all six factors were similarly relevant. We found that medical education specifically had an important effect on shaping attitudes toward donation. Cultural changes suggested the younger generation may differ from their elders as they adopt British culture. Awareness of donation was universally low.ConclusionsIndian and Pakistani students are hesitant to donate organs because of multiple factors, which if addressed in a culturally relevant manner could substantially improve donation rates.
Coherent neocortical 40‐Hz oscillations are not present during REM sleep
Authors: Castro Santiago , Falconi Atilio , Chase Michael H. , Torterolo Pablo 
Published: February 2013

AbstractDuring cognitive processes there are extensive interactions between various regions of the cerebral cortex. Oscillations in the gamma frequency band (≈40 Hz) of the electroencephalogram (EEG) are involved in the binding of spatially separated but temporally correlated neural events, which results in a unified perceptual experience. The extent of these interactions can be examined by means of a mathematical algorithm called ‘coherence’, which reflects the ‘strength’ of functional interactions between cortical areas. The present study was conducted to analyse EEG coherence in the gamma frequency band of the cat during alert wakefulness (AW), quiet wakefulness (QW), non‐rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Cats were implanted with electrodes in the frontal, parietal and occipital cortices to monitor EEG activity. Coherence values within the gamma frequency (30–100 Hz) from pairs of EEG recordings were analysed. A large increase in coherence occurred between all cortical regions in the 30–45 Hz frequency band during AW compared with the other behavioral states. As the animal transitioned from AW to QW and from QW to NREM sleep, coherence decreased to a moderate level. Remarkably, there was practically no EEG coherence in the entire gamma band spectrum (30–100 Hz) during REM sleep. We conclude that functional interactions between cortical areas are radically different during sleep compared with wakefulness. The virtual absence of gamma frequency coherence during REM sleep may underlie the unique cognitive processing that occurs during dreams, which is principally a REM sleep‐related phenomenon.
Reelin and the Cdc42/Rac1 guanine nucleotide exchange factor αPIX/Arhgef6 promote dendritic Golgi translocation in hippocampal neurons
Authors: Meseke Maurice , Rosenberger Georg , Förster Eckart 
Published: February 2013

AbstractIn the cerebral cortex of reeler mutant mice lacking reelin expression, neurons are malpositioned and display misoriented apical dendrites. Neuronal migration defects in reeler have been studied in great detail, but how misorientation of apical dendrites is related to reelin deficiency is poorly understood. In wild‐type mice, the Golgi apparatus transiently translocates into the developing apical dendrite of radially migrating neurons. This dendritic Golgi translocation has recently been shown to be promoted by reelin. However, the underlying signalling mechanisms are largely unknown. Here, we show that the Cdc42/Rac1 guanine nucleotide exchange factor αPIX/Arhgef6 promoted translocation of Golgi cisternae into developing dendrites of hippocampal neurons. Reelin treatment further increased the αPIX‐dependent effect. In turn, overexpression of exchange activity‐deficient αPIX or dominant‐negative (dn) Cdc42 or dn‐Rac1 impaired dendritic Golgi positioning, an effect that was not compensated by reelin treatment. Together, these data suggest that αPIX may promote dendritic Golgi translocation, as a downstream component of a reelin‐modulated signalling pathway. Finally, we found that reelin promoted the translocation of the Golgi apparatus into the dendrite that was most proximal to the reelin source. The distribution of reelin may thus contribute to the selection of the process that becomes the apical dendrite.
Lack of galectin‐3 speeds Wallerian degeneration by altering TLR and pro‐inflammatory cytokine expressions in injured sciatic nerve
Authors: Mietto Bruno Siqueira , Jurgensen Sofia , Alves Lucinéia , Pecli Cyntia , Narciso Marcelo Sampaio , Assunção‐Miranda Iranaia , Villa‐Verde Dea Maria Serra , de Souza Lima Flávia Regina , de Menezes João Ricardo Lacerda , Benjamim Cláudia Farias , Bozza Marcelo Torres , Martinez Ana Maria Blanco 
Published: February 2013

AbstractWallerian degeneration (WD) comprises a series of events that includes activation of non‐neuronal cells and recruitment of immune cells, creating an inflammatory milieu that leads to extensive nerve fragmentation and subsequent clearance of the myelin debris, both of which are necessary prerequisites for effective nerve regeneration. Previously, we documented accelerated axon regeneration in animals lacking galectin‐3 (Gal‐3), a molecule associated with myelin clearance. To clarify the mechanisms underlying this enhanced regeneration, we focus here on the early steps of WD following sciatic nerve crush in Gal‐3−/− mice. Using an in vivo model of nerve degeneration, we observed that removal of myelin debris is more efficient in Gal‐3−/− than in wild‐type (WT) mice; we next used an in vitro phagocytosis assay to document that the phagocytic potential of macrophages and Schwann cells was enhanced in the Gal‐3−/− mice. Moreover, both RNA and protein levels for the pro‐inflammatory cytokines IL‐1β and TNF‐α, as well as for Toll‐like receptor (TLR)‐2 and ‐4, show robust increases in injured nerves from Gal‐3−/−mice compared to those from WT mice. Collectively, these data indicate that the lack of Gal‐3 results in an augmented inflammatory profile that involves the TLR–cytokine pathway, and increases the phagocytic capacity of Schwann cells and macrophages, which ultimately contributes to speeding the course of WD.
Human dermal exposure to galaxolide from personal care products
Authors: Correia P. , Cruz A. , Santos L. , Alves A. 
Published: February 2013

SynopsisMusks are synthetic fragrances applied on personal care and household products as fixatives, by retarding the release of other fragrances with higher volatility. Galaxolide is the most used polycyclic musk since the 90th decade, and it has been detected in several environmental and biological matrices, particularly in human tissues and fluids. For exposure assessment purposes, large‐monitoring data need to be obtained and rapid but reliable analytical techniques are requested. The main objective of this study is to develop and validate a new and fast analytical methodology to quantify galaxolide in personal care products and to apply this method to real matrices like skin care products (creams and lotions), shower products (soap bar), hair care products (shampoo and hair conditioner) and oral care products (toothpaste), to evaluate the human dermal exposure risk. A dispersive solid‐phase extraction is proposed, using QuEChERS methodology, followed by HPLC with fluorescence detection. Some extraction parameters were studied, like the ratio of sample/solvent amounts, the homogenization time, the salt addition effect and the used sorbents. The validation parameters of the developed method were the following: a linearity range of 0.005–1.002 mg kg−1 sample, a limit of detection of 0.001 mg kg−1 sample, repeatability between 0.7% and 11.3% (variation coefficient of six standard injections), an intermediate precision of 2.5% (variation coefficient of six independent analysis of the same sample), mean recoveries ranging from 65% (soap bar) to 95% (body cream) and 3% of global uncertainty in most of the working range. The time of analysis, including the extraction steps, is 60 min, allowing a throughput of 4 samples h−1. Galaxolide was detected in all of the seven analysed products in concentrations ranging from 0.04 ± 0.01 mg kg−1 sample (toothpaste) to 280.78 ± 8.19 mg kg−1 sample (perfumed body cream), which may correspond to a significant estimated daily human dermal exposure of 904 μg day−1.
Long‐Run Stock and Operating Performance of Underwriter Warrants: Evidence from Seasoned Equity Offerings
Authors: Bae Sung C. , Chang Kiyoung , Jo Hoje 
Published: February 2013

AbstractWe examine the long‐run stock and operating performance of firms issuing underwriter warrants. Using matched samples, we found significant long‐run underperformance of seasoned equity offerings (SEOs) with warrant compensation, relative to SEOs with cash compensation, following offering announcements. Profitability measures of firms issuing underwriter warrants are also significantly lower over the post‐offering period. In sharp contrast to these results, growth measures of warrant‐issuing firms are greater for both pre‐ and post‐offering periods. Combined together, our results suggest that underwriter warrants are offered in a way to take advantage of the higher growth potential of issuing firms in the short term, whose growth trend is, however, transitory and not materialized into higher stock or operating performance over the long‐run, post‐offering period. We interpret our results as suggesting that the certification effect of SEOs with warrant compensation through growth signaling does not last in the long run. We further offer a behavioral approach as explanations of the short‐run outperformance of SEO firms with warrant compensation with empirical evidence supporting the Miller's divergence of opinion hypothesis.
A ‘Property‐Owning Democracy’ or ‘Generation Rent’?
Authors: Lund Brian 
Published: February 2013

Abstract‘A property owning democracy’ has been at the centre of Conservative Party social policy since Noel Skelton coined the phrase in 1924. The idea has been underpinned by contrasting the independent, hygienic, suburban homeowner with the urban, managed, flat‐dwelling, high‐density council tenant. No Conservative‐led government has left office with a homeownership rate lower than when it came to power and the right to buy has enabled this growth to be maintained. However, in 2005, homeownership started to decline and this drop has continued into the Coalition government's term of office with more households now exiting owner‐occupation into the private landlord sector than entering owner‐occupation from private renting. The ‘reinvigorating’ the right to buy is an attempt put a ‘property owning democracy’ back on track but, should it fail, the Conservative Party may turn to more radical policies such as sale on vacant possession of ‘high value’ local authority and housing association houses.
Public Opinion and Military Intervention: Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya
Authors: Clements Ben 
Published: February 2013

AbstractBritain has participated in several military interventions of varying duration, extent and political controversy in recent years. This article analyses public opinion towards the most recent intervention in Libya in 2011, looking at three different aspects of the topic. First, it examines differences in cross‐national attitudes towards military action in Libya amongst NATO countries. Secondly, it then looks in detail at which social groups were more or less likely to approve of British involvement, comparing this with group attitudes towards Britain's role in Afghanistan and Iraq. Thirdly, it assesses how public opinion shifted during the course of the action in Libya, looking at three key indicators of the popular mood: whether Britain was right or wrong to take military action; how well the war is going; and assessments of David Cameron's handling of the conflict. Broader reflections are then made about public opinion towards British involvement in future military action.
Arrogant Posh Boys? The Social Composition of the Parliamentary Conservative Party and the Effect of Cameron's ‘A’ List
Authors: Hill Michael 
Published: February 2013

AbstractIn the light of the recent controversy over Andrew Mitchell's alleged ‘pleb’ comments to police officers and Nadine Dorries’ characterisation of David Cameron and George Osborne as ‘arrogant posh boys, this article examines the social composition of the parliamentary Conservative Party. It looks at previous attempts to widen the social base of the PCP and analyses the effect of Cameron's priority or ‘A’ list of candidates on the composition of the 2010 PCP. The article asks whether the perception that the Conservatives are the party of the rich has damaged the party's electoral appeal and if so what can be done to rectify the situation.
Future Discounting by Slum‐Dwelling Youth Versus University Students in Rio de Janeiro
Authors: Ramos Dandara , Victor Tânia , Seidl‐de‐Moura Maria Lucia , Daly Martin 
Published: February 2013

We compared Future Discounting (FD, preference for smaller, sooner rewards over larger, later ones) by 160 Brazilian youth (16–30 years old; 71 women and 89 men). University students and slum‐dwelling (favela) youth were compared. Participants completed a monetary FD task, a scale of youngsters′ view of their neighborhood, and self‐reported exposure to violence (EV). Favela youth discounted the future more than students; favela men more than women. However, university women discounted more than men, an unexpected result. Predicted differences in the participants′ view of their neighborhood between the two groups were observed. The interaction context × EV scores was a significant predictor of FD. These youth have apparently adjusted trade‐offs between the short and long term in a context‐sensitive, adaptive manner.
Building Developmental Assets to Empower Adolescent Girls in Rural Bangladesh: Evaluation of Project Kishoree Kontha
Authors: Scales Peter C. , Benson Peter L. , Dershem Larry , Fraher Kathleen , Makonnen Raphael , Nazneen Shahana , Syvertsen Amy K. , Titus Sarah 
Published: February 2013

Kishoree Kontha (“Adolescent Girls' Voices”) was implemented in Bangladeshi villages to build the developmental assets (e.g., support from others, social competencies) of rural girls through peer education in social skills, literacy, and school learning. The Developmental Assets Profile (DAP) measured the project's impact on ecological and individual assets. Analysis of two cohorts involving more than 600 intervention and 400 control adolescents (Mage = 13.5) showed a significant increase in project girls' developmental assets, with an average effect size, net of contamination and control group scores, of .80. The results suggest the Project's effectiveness in improving human and social capital for vulnerable adolescent girls living in rural Bangladesh villages, and the utility of the DAP as a cross‐culturally relevant measurement tool.
Angiographic and Clinical Outcomes after Implantation of Drug Eluting Stents in Bifurcation Lesions with Crush or Kissing Stent Technique
Authors: CHEEMA ASIM N. , JOLLY SANJIT S. , BURSTEIN JASON M. , SHARIEFF WASEEM , MOHAMMAD ATIF , YEOH EUNICE , MANCINI G.B. JOHN , CANTOR WARREN J. , KUTRYK MICHAEL J.B. , STRAUSS BRADLEY H. , CHISHOLM ROBERT J. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractBackgroundLong‐term outcome after bifurcation stenting with drug‐eluting stents (DES) for obstructive coronary artery disease is poorly understood. In this study, we report 6–9‐month angiographic follow‐up and long‐term clinical outcomes after implantation of drug‐eluting stents by crush and kissing stent technique for coronary bifurcation lesions.MethodsConsecutive patients undergoing bifurcation stenting with DES by crush or kissing stent technique were enrolled in a prospective registry. Angiographic follow‐up was obtained at 6–9 months and clinical follow‐up completed for a median of 38 months.ResultsA total of 86 patients participated in the study. Bifurcation stenting by crush technique was performed in 73 (85%) and by kissing stent in 13 (15%) patients. Stenting of left main bifurcation was applied in 24 (28%) patients. Angiographic follow‐up was completed in 75 (87%) patients and showed restenosis in the main for 8 (11%) and side branch for 20 (27%) patients. Clinical follow‐up was available for a median duration of 38 months. During follow‐up, 2 (2%) patients died, 4 (5%) experienced myocardial infarction (MI), and 11 (13%) underwent target vessel revascularization (TVR) with an overall major adverse cardiac event (MACE) rate of 16%. In left main cohort, angiographic restenosis occurred in 9 (37%) patients, and 3 (12%) patients required TVR. There were no deaths or stent thrombosis. A comparison of crush and kissing stent technique showed significantly higher angiographic restenosis with crush (26% vs 13% in kissing stent patients, P = 0.046) and 95% of restenosis in crush group involved ostium of the side branch. There was no difference in clinical outcomes between the crush and kissing stent groups. Final kissing balloon dilatation (FKB) was successful in 65 (89%) patients in the crush group and associated with a significant reduction in MACE (8% in FKB successful vs 37% in FKB unsuccessful, P = 0.04) during follow‐up.ConclusionBifurcation stenting with crush or kissing stent technique is safe and associated with a low rate of TLR and MACE on long‐term follow‐up. Crush stenting is associated with a significantly higher rate of side branch restenosis compared to kissing stent technique. FKB is associated with significant reduction in MACE during follow‐up. (J Interven Cardiol 2013;26:145–152)
Perceptions of Effective Support Services to Families with Disabled Children whose Behaviour is Severely Challenging: A Multi‐Informant Study
Authors: McConkey Roy , Gent Clare , Scowcroft Emma 
Published: February 2013

BackgroundSpecialist short break services aim to provide enhanced support to family carers as a means of preventing children whose behaviours severely challenge from being placed in full‐time residential care. To date, there is limited evidence as to the functioning and effectiveness of such services.MethodsIn all, 17 children were selected at random from the 123 who were currently receiving services or had done so in the past 2 years from three specialist short break and community support services. For each child, interviews were conducted with a parent, the child's key worker within the service and the professional (mostly social workers) who had referred families to the services.ResultsFive core themes captured the informants’ common experiences: the complexities underlying the provision of services; the negotiations required to implement, maintain and adjust service packages; the relationships forged by the services; and the benefits they brought to children and families plus concerns about the future also featured.ConclusionsSpecialist short break services can make a vital contribution to retaining children within their families, but under some important conditions which this study has identified: notably, the management of complexity, the formation of trusted relationships and creation of tangible benefits for the family and for the child.
Family history of diabetes, lifestyle factors, and the 7‐year incident risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus in middle‐aged Japanese men and women
Authors: Sakurai Masaru , Nakamura Koshi , Miura Katsuyuki , Takamura Toshinari , Yoshita Katsushi , Sasaki Satoshi , Nagasawa Shin‐ya , Morikawa Yuko , Ishizaki Masao , Kido Teruhiko , Naruse Yuchi , Suwazono Yasushi , Nakagawa Hideaki 
Published: February 2013

AbstractAims/IntroductionThis cohort study of middle‐aged Japanese participants investigated the relationship between family history of diabetes, the incident risk of type 2 diabetes and the interaction of these variables with other factors.Materials and MethodsStudy participants were 3,517 employees (2,037 men and 1,480 women) of a metal products factory in Japan. Baseline health examinations included questions about medical history, physical examination, anthropometric measurements, questions about lifestyle factors, such as smoking, alcohol consumption and habitual exercise, and a self‐administered diet history questionnaire. Family history of diabetes was defined as having at least one‐first‐degree relative with diabetes. The incidence of diabetes was determined in annual medical examinations over a 7‐year period. Hazard ratios (HRs) for type 2 diabetes were estimated by Cox proportional hazards analysis.ResultsOf the 3,517 participants, 630 (18%) had a family history of diabetes mellitus. During the study, 228 participants developed diabetes. The age and sex‐adjusted HR for type 2 diabetes in participants with a family history of diabetes was 1.82 (95% confidence interval 1.36–2.43) as compared with those without a family history of diabetes. HRs did not change after adjustment for body mass index and lifestyle factors. We found no interactions with body mass index, insulin resistance, pancreatic β‐cell function or lifestyle factors.ConclusionsFamily history of diabetes was associated with the incident risk of diabetes, and these associations were independent of other risk factors, such as obesity, insulin resistance, and lifestyle factors in Japanese men and women.