bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phase II study of concomitant chemoradiotherapy with local hyperthermia and metronidazole for locally advanced fixed rectal cancer
Authors: Barsukov Yu. A. , Gordeyev S. S. , Tkachev S. I. , Fedyanin M. Yu. , Perevoshikov A. G. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractAimLocally advanced fixed T4 rectal cancer has a poor prognosis and no standard treatment strategy. The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy using hypofractionated radiotherapy combined with local hyperthermia, capecitabine, oxaliplatin and metronidazole.MethodRadiotherapy was given to a total dose of 40 Gy in 10 fractions. Capecitabine 650 mg/m2 twice a day was given on days 1−22 and intravenous oxaliplatin 50 mg/m2 was administered on days 3, 10 and 17. Local hyperthermia, 41−45°C for 60 min, was performed on days 8, 10, 15 and 17. Metronidazole 10 g/m2 was administered per rectum on days 8 and 15. Surgery was carried out within 6−8 weeks after neoadjuvant treatment. The primary end‐point was R0 resection rate. Secondary end‐points included 2‐year disease‐free survival, 2‐year overall survival, local recurrence rate, grade III−IV tumour regression (Dworak) and treatment toxicity.ResultsFrom July 2006 to February 2011, 64 previously untreated patients were enrolled. R0 resection was carried out in 59 (92.2%). Five (7.8%) remained inoperable. Seven (10.9%) patients had grade IV and 30 (46.9%) had grade III regression. The main grade III toxic events included diarrhoea (15.6%, n = 10), vomiting (3.1%, n = 2), proctitis (3.1%, n = 2) and skin reaction (1.6%, n = 1). Only one (1.6%) patient had grade IV diarrhoea and vomiting. The median follow‐up was 24.9 months. Two‐year overall survival was 91% and 2‐year disease‐free survival was 83%.ConclusionHyperthermia combined with chemotherapy to produce radiosensitization for locally advanced fixed primary rectal cancer is followed by a high R0 resection rate, with toxicity comparable with standard regimens.
The Idea of an Exact Number: Children's Understanding of Cardinality and Equinumerosity
Authors: Sarnecka Barbara W. , Wright Charles E. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractUnderstanding what numbers are means knowing several things. It means knowing how counting relates to numbers (called the cardinal principle or cardinality); it means knowing that each number is generated by adding one to the previous number (called the successor function or succession), and it means knowing that all and only sets whose members can be placed in one‐to‐one correspondence have the same number of items (called exact equality or equinumerosity). A previous study (Sarnecka & Carey, 2008) linked children's understanding of cardinality to their understanding of succession for the numbers five and six. This study investigates the link between cardinality and equinumerosity for these numbers, finding that children either understand both cardinality and equinumerosity or they understand neither. This suggests that cardinality and equinumerosity (along with succession) are interrelated facets of the concepts five and six, the acquisition of which is an important conceptual achievement of early childhood.
What are the Characteristics of Firms that Engage in Earnings Per Share Management Through Share Repurchases?
Authors: Farrell Kathleen A. , Yu Jin , Zhang Yi 
Published: May 2013

AbstractManuscript TypeEmpiricalResearch Question/IssueThis study examines US firms' share repurchases during 1997–2006 to determine what factors are associated with firms that use share repurchases to manage earnings per share (EPS). Specifically, we analyze firm and governance characteristics associated with firms that engage in share repurchases that increase annual EPS by at least one cent in a given year and that had EPS less than or equal to annual EPS forecast prior to the share repurchase.Research Findings/InsightsWe find that growth firms are less likely to use share repurchases to increase EPS for earnings management purposes. We also provide evidence that firms with a more independent board, a separation of the roles of CEO and chairman of the board, or a low entrenchment index (E‐Index) are less likely to engage in earnings management through share repurchases. Finally, we find evidence that high CEO share ownership restrains managers from using share repurchases as a mechanism to manage EPS.Theoretical/Academic ImplicationsOur empirical results support some of the best practices advocated by various shareholders groups regarding corporate governance. Also, strong shareholder rights can mitigate incentives to manage earnings, highlighting the importance of corporate governance mechanisms/provisions in ensuring the integrity of the financial reporting system.Practitioner/Policy ImplicationsThis research is important to investors in the face of the growing popularity of share repurchases. In particular, our study suggests strong corporate governance, strong shareholder rights, and high percentage CEO stock ownership discourages repurchase‐based earnings management.
Contingent interactions among biofilm‐forming bacteria determine preservation or decay in the first steps toward fossilization of marine embryos
Authors: Raff Elizabeth C. , Andrews Mary E. , Turner F. Rudolf , Toh Evelyn , Nelson David E. , Raff Rudolf A. 
Published: May 2013

SUMMARYFossils of soft tissues provide important records of early animals and embryos, and there is substantial evidence for a role for microbes in soft tissue fossilization. We are investigating the initial events in interactions of bacteria with freshly dead tissue, using marine embryos as a model system. We previously found that microbial invasion can stabilize embryo tissue that would otherwise disintegrate in hours or days by generating a bacterial pseudomorph, a three‐dimensional biofilm that both replaces the tissue and replicates its morphology. In this study, we sampled seawater at different times and places near Sydney, Australia, and determined the range and frequency of different taphonomic outcomes. Although destruction was most common, bacteria in 35% of seawater samples yielded morphology‐preserving biofilms. We could replicate the taphonomic pathways seen with seawater bacterial communities using single cultured strains of marine gammaproteobacteria. Each given species reproducibly generated a consistent taphonomic outcome and we identified species that yielded each of the distinct pathways produced by seawater bacterial communities. Once formed, bacterial pseudomorphs are stable for over a year and resist attack by other bacteria and destruction by proteases and other lytic enzymes. Competition studies showed that the initial action of a pseudomorphing strain can be blocked by a strain that destroys tissues. Thus embryo preservation in nature may depend on contingent interactions among bacterial species that determine if pseudomorphing occurs. We used Artemia nauplius larvae to show that bacterial biofilm replacement of tissue is not restricted to embryos, but is relevant for preservation of small multicellular organisms. We present a model for bacterial self‐assembly of large‐scale three‐dimensional tissue pseudomorphs, based on small‐scale interactions among individual bacterial cells to form local biofilms at structural boundaries within the tissue. Local biofilms then conjoin to generate the pseudomorph.
Defense against Pieris rapae in cabbage plants induced by Bemisia tabaci biotype B
Authors: Zhang Shi‐Ze , Huang Hong , Shan Hong‐Wei , Zhang Fan , Wan Fang‐Hao , Liu Tong‐Xian 
Published: May 2013

AbstractBemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) and Pieris rapae L. (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) are serious pests of vegetables, that can occur simultaneously on a single cabbage plant [Brassica oleracea var. capitata L. (Brassicaceae)]. We determined whether pre‐feeding or infestation by B. tabaci on cabbage could induce physiological and biochemical responses of the plant against P. rapae. Developmental time, length, and weight of immature P. rapae, and defense‐related plant compounds (SOD, superoxide dismutase; POD, peroxidase; CAT, catalase; APX, ascorbate peroxidase) were measured. Development of P. rapae larvae was 21% slower on B. tabaci‐pre‐infested plants than on plants without B. tabaci infestation. When feeding on B. tabaci‐pre‐infested plants, 22% of P. rapae larvae pupated as compared with 83% on B. tabaci‐free plants. Weights of P. rapae from first to fourth instars that fed on B. tabaci‐pre‐infested plants were also reduced, whereas those of fifth instars and pupae were not. Similarly, body length of P. rapae from first to fourth instars was affected by B. tabaci pre‐infestation, whereas that of the fifth instars was not. Peroxidase and APX activities of the B. tabaci‐pre‐infested plants increased more than SOD and CAT. Peroxidase and SOD activities of B. tabaci and P. rapae co‐infested plants increased as compared with those of P. rapae‐infested plants; however, CAT and APX activities were not different between B. tabaci‐ and P. rapae‐infested plants. These results showed that B. tabaci infestation had a negative effect on P. rapae when they occurred simultaneously on the same host plant. The implications of the induced plant changes on the herbivore are discussed.
Questioning the mutual benefits of myrmecochory: a stable isotope‐based experimental approach
Authors: CAUT STEPHANE , JOWERS MICHAEL J. , CERDA XIM , BOULAY RAPHAËL R. 
Published: May 2013

Mutualisms play a key part in ecological systems and drive the evolution of much of the world's biological diversity. Among them, myrmecochory, seed dispersal by ants, is a worldwide mechanism throughout many ecosystems. However, the classic representation of myrmechocory as a mutualism could be put into question if one of the two players did not garner a real advantage.
A controlled diet experiment was conducted in which ants were given five diets (supplemented or not with elaiosomes). First, using an ant‐seed mutualism system, the aim was to understand if elaiosome consumption could modify reproductive output and sex allocation. Second, nitrogen isotopic values were used as a nutrient tracer in the brood to estimate the consumption and selection of elaiosome in comparison to other diets.
A significant difference was found in the production of pupae between some diets, but pupae production was not linked to the elaiosome supplementation. Repartitions between pupa type and the effect of the diets were also not significantly different. Moreover, the nitrogen isotopic values of pupae differed among diets but not pupa types.
The mutualistic aspects of myrmechory remain unclear, especially when it comes to estimating the benefits to ants. It is clear that ants assimilate the elaiosome nutrients, but the effect of this assimilation on the reproductive output or sex allocation appears limited. Elaiosomes could provide a nutritional advantage under certain conditions when resources are scarce (qualitative or quantitative), but they are not nutritionally required, and thus represent a food source with no specific advantage to the ant.
NMDA receptors in the lateral hypothalamus have an inhibitory influence on the tachycardiac response to acute restraint stress in rats
Authors: Deolindo Milena V. , Reis Daniel G. , Crestani Carlos C. , Tavares Rodrigo F. , Resstel Leonardo B. M. , Corrêa Fernando M. A. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractThe aim of the present study was to investigate the role of the lateral hypothalamus (LH) and its local glutamatergic neurotransmission in the cardiovascular adjustments observed when rats are submitted to acute restraint stress. Bilateral microinjection of the nonspecific synaptic inhibitor CoCl2 (0.1 nmol in 100 nL) into the LH enhanced the heart rate (HR) increase evoked by restraint stress without affecting the blood pressure increase. Local microinjection of the selective N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptor antagonist LY235959 (2 nmol in 100 nL) into the LH caused effects that were similar to those of CoCl2. No changes were observed in the restraint‐related cardiovascular response after a local microinjection of the selective non‐NMDA glutamatergic receptor antagonist NBQX (2 nmol in 100 nL) into the LH. Intravenous administration of the muscarinic cholinergic receptor antagonist homatropine methyl bromide (0.2 mg/kg), a quaternary ammonium drug that does not cross the blood–brain barrier, abolished the changes in cardiovascular responses to restraint stress following LH treatment with LY235959. In summary, our findings show that the LH plays an inhibitory role on the HR increase evoked by restraint stress. Present results also indicate that local NMDA glutamate receptors, through facilitation of cardiac parasympathetic activity, mediate the LH inhibitory influence on the cardiac response to acute restraint stress.
Effect of park age, size, shape and isolation on ant assemblages in two cities of Southern Spain
Authors: Carpintero Soledad , Reyes‐López Joaquín 
Published: May 2013

AbstractIn the context of conservation biology, we have searched for the most influential characteristics of urban parks on ecological diversity. In this study, therefore, we studied the ant community of 24 parks in two cities of Southern Spain (Cordoba and Seville). In total, 46 species were found. Abundant and widely distributed species were synanthropic ones, such as Lasius grandis, Pheidole pallidula or Tapinoma nigerrimum, and exotic species such as Cardiocondyla mauritanica. However some parks also harbored natural habitat‐preferring species. Park size, shape and distance to city outskirts were the most important predictors of species richness and diversity. Likewise, park age influenced the composition of the ant fauna.
Enhancement of fruit quality in Capsicum annum through pollination by Hypotrigona gribodoi in Kakamega, Western Kenya
Authors: Kiatoko Nkoba , Raina Suresh Kumar , Muli Elliud , Mueke Jone 
Published: May 2013

AbstractA study was carried out in Kakamega forest, in the western region of Kenya, to evaluate the effectiveness of the stingless bee Hypotrigona gribodoi (Magretti, 1884) on the pollination of green pepper. Three treatments were applied and consisted of self‐pollination, pollination by feral pollinators in the open field and pollination by H. gribodoi in a net cage. The differences in fruit yield and seed quality were compared among treatments. Flowers pollinated by H. gribodoi produced the heaviest fruits with the highest seed numbers followed by feral pollinators and lastly self‐pollinated flowers. Moreover, seeds were significantly bigger in size in fruits resulting from flowers pollinated by H. gribodoi compared to fruits obtained from self‐pollinated flowers or flowers pollinated by feral insects. We, therefore, conclude that H. gribodoi is an efficient pollinator of green pepper in the tropical region of East Africa.
Linguistic Indicators of Wives' Attachment Security and Communal Orientation During Military Deployment
Authors: Borelli Jessica L. , Sbarra David A. , Randall Ashley K. , Snavely Jonathan E. , St. John Heather K. , Ruiz Sarah K. 
Published: May 2013

Military deployment affects thousands of families each year, yet little is known about its impact on nondeployed spouses (NDSs) and romantic relationships. This report examines two factors—attachment security and a communal orientation with respect to the deployment—that may be crucial to successful dyadic adjustment by the NDS. Thirty‐seven female NDSs reported on their relationship satisfaction before and during their partner's deployment, and 20 also did so 2 weeks following their partner's return. Participants provided a stream‐of‐consciousness speech sample regarding their relationship during the deployment; linguistic coding of sample transcripts provided measures of each participant's (a) narrative coherence, hypothesized to reflect attachment security with respect to their deployed spouse; and (b) frequency of first person plural pronoun use (we‐talk), hypothesized to reflect a communal orientation to coping. More frequent first person plural pronounuse—we‐talk—was uniquely associated with higher relationship satisfaction during the deployment, and greater narrative coherence was uniquely associated with higher relationship satisfaction during postdeployment. Discussion centers on the value of relationship security and communal orientations in predicting how couples cope with deployment and other types of relationship stressors.
Identification of the maternal source of young‐of‐the‐year Arctic charr in Lake Hazen, Canada
Authors: Sinnatamby R. Niloshini , Reist James D. , Power Michael 
Published: May 2013

Summary

A discriminant function analysis model based on carbon and nitrogen stable isotope values was used to identify offspring of piscivorous large‐form and non‐piscivorous small‐form Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus, morphotypes from Lake Hazen, Nunavut, Canada.

The ability to distinguish between morphotypes in Lake Hazen was based mainly on the separation of δ15N signatures because of adult occupation of significantly different trophic levels. A smaller difference between adult morphotype δ13C values, most likely combined with a potential increase in variation among individuals at the egg stage, a faster turnover rate in carbon relative to nitrogen and the size at which fish can be sampled in the open‐water season in Lake Hazen, probably contributes to the limited use of δ13C in distinguishing between morphotype offspring.

Based on young‐of‐the‐year (YOY) origin estimates, the adult morphotypes were estimated to contribute approximately equally to the YOY population; however, the morphotype offspring were differentially distributed among sampled nursery sites.

Unequal distribution corresponds with prerequisites suggested for the evolution of trophic specialists within a single population that experiences assortative mating based on trophic specialisation. Differential use of spawning areas and the more or less equal importance of both Lake Hazen forms found in this study, taken alongside previously noted morphological variation and available genetic evidence, suggest that Lake Hazen may be an example of early divergence relative to other Arctic charr populations described in the literature.
Efficacy of sorafenib as adjuvant therapy to prevent early recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after curative surgery: A pilot study
Authors: Wang Shen‐Nien , Chuang Shih‐Cheng , Lee King‐Teh 
Published: May 2013

AimUntil now, no effective adjuvant therapy to prevent early recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after curative treatment has been reported. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical benefit of sorafenib as adjuvant treatment in subjects with HCC after hepatic resection.MethodsThe pilot study was undertaken involving HCC patients who had undergone curative liver surgery with high recurrence risk factors. Time to recurrence and disease recurrence rate were assessed. Sorafenib 400 mg q.d. was administrated continuously for 4 months after hepatic resection.ResultsA total of 31 patients were enrolled and eligible for final data analysis. The median follow‐up time was 19 months (range, 9.5–30.2). Time to recurrence in the sorafenib arm was 21.45 ± 1.98 months (mean ± standard deviation), compared to 13.44 ± 2.66 months in the control arm (P = 0.006). The median recurrence‐free survival in the sorafenib arm did not reach the data cut‐off date compared to 8 months in the control arm (P = 0.006). The recurrence rate between the two groups was significantly different (29.4% vs 70.7%, P = 0.032). Cox regression analysis showed that taking study medicine was the only prognostic variable associated with HCC recurrence (hazard ratio = 0.24, 95% confidence interval = 0.08–0.75, P = 0.014).ConclusionThis study showed that setting sorafenib as adjuvant therapy for HCC to prevent early recurrence after hepatic resection could be a potential indication. The cumulative recurrence‐free survival rate also demonstrated the preventive effectiveness of sorafenib.
Matrix metalloproteinase‐9 as a therapeutic target for the progression of fulminant liver failure with hepatic encephalopathy: A pilot study in mice
Authors: Hori Tomohide , Uemoto Shinji , Walden Lindsay B. , Chen Feng , Baine Ann‐Marie T. , Hata Toshiyuki , Kogure Takayuki , Nguyen Justin H. 
Published: May 2013

AimIf progressive liver injury and subsequent hepatic encephalopathy can be prohibited in fulminant liver failure (FLF), it would be ideal for intensive care of FLF and provide an expanded opportunity for liver transplantation (LT). We hypothesized that matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐9 plays an important role in FLF progression, and investigated MMP‐9 behaviors in a murine FLF model, especially at the coma stage.MethodsThe murine FLF model with azoxymethane recapitulates FLF in humans. The detailed coma status was evaluated, on the assumption that LT is indicated at early, but not late, stage 3. To investigate whether MMP‐9 deletion or reduction has beneficial effects, an MMP‐9 inhibitor (GM6001) and transfection of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP)‐1 cDNA were used. Mice were divided into five groups: control; FLF; FLF with GM6001 pretreatment; FLF with TIMP‐1 plasmid transfection 24 h before disease onset; and FLF with TIMP‐1 plasmid transfection 48 h before disease onset. Neurological findings, including survival, were followed. Samples were obtained at early and late stage 3. Biochemical examinations and histopathological assessments were performed. The expression and function of MMP‐9 and TIMP‐1 were evaluated by western blotting and zymography. A brain permeability study was also performed.ResultsMMP‐9 was strongly increased in FLF. The MMP‐9 inhibitions worked well, and prolonged the survival, interval to stage 3 and duration of early stage 3. MMP‐9 inhibition improved the liver and subsequent brain injuries at early stage 3, with no remarkable improvements at late stage 3.ConclusionMMP‐9 has therapeutic potential for FLF progression.
Regional variation in mortality impact of the 2009 A(H1N1) influenza pandemic in China
Authors: Yu Hongjie , Feng Luzhao , Viboud Cecile G. , Shay David K. , Jiang Yong , Zhou Hong , Zhou Maigeng , Xu Zhen , Hu Nan , Yang Weizhong , Nie Shaofa 
Published: May 2013

BackgroundLaboratory‐confirmed deaths grossly underestimate influenza mortality burden, so that reliable burden estimates are derived from indirect statistical studies, which are scarce in low‐ and middle‐income settings.ObjectivesHere, we used statistical excess mortality models to estimate the burden of seasonal and pandemic influenza in China.MethodsWe modeled data from a nationally representative population‐based death registration system, combined with influenza virological surveillance data, to estimate influenza‐associated excess mortality for the 2004–2005 through 2009–2010 seasons, by age and region.ResultsThe A(H1N1) pandemic was associated with 11·4–12·1 excess respiratory and circulatory (R&C) deaths per 100 000 population in rural sites of northern and southern China during 2009–2010; these rates were 2·2–2·8 times higher than those of urban sites (P < 0·01). Influenza B accounted for a larger proportion of deaths than pandemic A(H1N1) in 2009–2010 in some regions. Nationally, we attribute 126 200 (95% CI, 61 000–248 400) excess R&C deaths (rate of 9·4/100 000) and 2 323 000 (1 166 000–4 533 000) years of life lost (YLL) to the first year of A(H1N1)pdm circulation.ConclusionsThe A(H1N1) pandemic posed a mortality and YLL burden comparable to that of interpandemic influenza in China. Our high burden estimates in rural areas highlight the need to enhance epidemiological surveillance and healthcare services, in underdeveloped and remote areas.