bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Have Rating Agencies Become More Conservative? Implications for Capital Structure and Debt Pricing
Authors: BAGHAI RAMIN P. , SERVAES HENRI , TAMAYO ANE 
Published: September 2014

ABSTRACTRating agencies have become more conservative in assigning corporate credit ratings over the period 1985 to 2009; holding firm characteristics constant, average ratings have dropped by three notches. This change does not appear to be fully warranted because defaults have declined over this period. Firms affected more by conservatism issue less debt, have lower leverage, hold more cash, are less likely to obtain a debt rating, and experience lower growth. Their debt spreads are lower than those of unaffected firms with the same rating, which implies that the market partly undoes the impact of conservatism on debt prices. This evidence suggests that firms and capital markets do not perceive the increase in conservatism to be fully warranted.
Private Equity Performance: What Do We Know?
Authors: HARRIS ROBERT S. , JENKINSON TIM , KAPLAN STEVEN N. 
Published: September 2014

ABSTRACTWe study the performance of nearly 1,400 U.S. buyout and venture capital funds using a new data set from Burgiss. We find better buyout fund performance than previously documented—performance has consistently exceeded that of public markets. Outperformance versus the S&P 500 averages 20% to 27% over a fund's life and more than 3% annually. Venture capital funds outperformed public equities in the 1990s, but underperformed in the 2000s. Our conclusions are robust to various indices and risk controls. Performance in Cambridge Associates and Preqin is qualitatively similar to that in Burgiss, but is lower in Venture Economics.
Oral mucosal lesions and immune status inHIV‐infected Indian children
Authors: Subramaniam Priya , Kumar Krishna 
Published: September 2014

ObjectivePediatricHIVis growing at an alarming rate in developing countries. Due to their compromised immune status, children infected withHIVare prone to a number of opportunistic infections. Oral manifestations are the first signs of the disease in many of them. To assess the oral mucosal status of Indian children withHIV, based on theirCD4 cell counts.MethodologyTwo hundred and twenty oneHIVinfected children aged 6–18 years from variousHIVcenters, were divided into three groups, based on theirCD4 cell counts; Group 1: ≥500, Group 2: 201–499 and Group 3: ≤200 cells. The children in each group were further considered as ‘prior to antiretroviral treatment (ART)’ and ‘onART’. Oral mucosal examination was done based on presumptive criteria given by Ramos‐Gomez for diagnosis of oro‐facial lesions commonly associated withHIVinfection in children. Data obtained was subjected to statistical analysis.ResultsAngular cheilitis and pseudomembranous candidiasis were the frequently seen oral lesions. Children withCD4 cell count ≥500 had significantly fewer oral lesions each.ConclusionA high percentage ofHIV‐infected children were affected with oral mucosal lesions. There was a significant association between immune status and frequency of oral lesions.
Low rate of oropharyngeal human papillomavirus infection of women with cervical lesions and their partners: new data from Brazilian population
Authors: Marques Ana Elizia Mascarenhas , Barra Gustavo Barcelos , de Resende Oyama Ceres Nunes , Guerra Eliete Neves Silva 
Published: September 2014

BackgroundAlthough the natural history of cervical and oral infection by human papillomavirus (HPV) has been intensely investigated, the ability of this virus to infect oral and genital mucosae in the same individual and its potential of communicability are still unclear.ObjectivesThis study aimed at assessing the presence of oropharyngeal HPV infection in women with cervical lesions and in their current sexual partners in a Brazilian population.MethodsIt included a total of 65 patients, 43 women and 22 male partners. Medical history and the sociobehavioral profile were assessed through interviews that included the association of oropharyngeal HPV and the sexual behavior of patients, and also extra and intra‐oral examinations were performed. Brushing was used to collect cells from the oropharyngeal mucosa. HPV DNA was checked through nested PCR with primers PGMY09/11 and GP5+/6+, and Pappilocheck to genotyping.ResultsOropharyngeal HPV infection was detected in four of 65 (6.15%) cases, with one of 43 (2.3%) women, and three of 22 (13.6%) male partners. Clinically no patient showed HPV‐related oral lesions. Pappilocheck assay showed the absence of HPV genotype commonly found in cervical mucosa. Moreover, there was no correlation between the presence of oropharyngeal HPV and sexual behavior risk factors.ConclusionsThe results suggest that the presence of cervical lesions does not lead to HPV oropharyngeal infection. It also highlights the low rate of HPV infection in the oropharyngeal mucosa of women with cervical lesions and their partners in a researched sample.
Fordyce granules and hyperplastic mucosal sebaceous glands as distinctive stigmata in Muir–Torre syndrome patients: characterization with reflectance confocal microscopy
Authors: Ponti Giovanni , Meschieri Andrea , Pollio Annamaria , Ruini Cristel , Manfredini Marco , Longo Caterina , Mandel Victor D. , Ciardo Silvana , Tomasi Aldo , Giannetti Luca , Pellacani Giovanni 
Published: September 2014

BackgroundThe Muir–Torre syndrome (MTS), a variant of Lynch syndrome (LS), is characterized by the presence of sebaceous skin adenomas and/or carcinomas and keratoacanthomas associated with visceral malignancies. Fordyce granules (FGs) are oral mucosal lesions previously found in association with LS. The aim of this study was to analyze the specific frequency of FGs in sporadic individuals and gene carriers patients with MTS of known mismatch repair genes mutations. The secondary aim was to characterize FGs by means of reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM).MethodsA total of 13 patients belonging to nine different genetically unrelated MTS kindreds (MLH1 gene mutation n = 2; MSH2 gene mutation n = 11) and 140 genetically unrelated healthy controls were examined. Depending on the clinical examination of the oral mucosa surface, subjects were categorized as either FGs positive or FGs negative.ResultsFGs were diagnosed in 13 of 13 (100%) of MMR gene carriers patients with MTS vs. 9 of 140 (6.4%) controls. The most common site for FGs in MTS was the vestibular oral mucosa, compared with the gingival mandibular and retromandibular pad in controls. RCM examination found multiple sebaceous acinar cells that appear as round or oval hyper‐refractive globules and that create a lobular aspects of the sebaceous glands defined as ‘moruliform’ or ‘berry‐like’ structures.ConclusionsClinical and RCM evidences of our study suggest that an activation of the sebaceous glands system occurs in patients with MTS. Fordyce granules and intra‐oral sebaceous hyperplasia may constitute an additional clinical parameter, which may be adopted to distinguish individuals with highest likelihood of being affected from MTS.
Oral lichenoid lesions and serum antinuclear antibodies in Thai patients
Authors: Prucktrakul Chalakorn , Youngnak‐Piboonratanakit Pornpan , Kanjanabuch Patnarin , Prueksrisakul Titipong , Thongprasom Kobkan 
Published: September 2014

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate the presence of serum antinuclear antibodies (ANA) in Thai oral lichenoid drug reaction (OLDR) and oral lichen planus (OLP) patients.Materials and methodsThis study comprised 20 patients diagnosed with OLDR, 23 patients with OLP, and 24 healthy control subjects. Participants' blood samples were assayed for ANA staining patterns and serum ANA titer levels by immunofluorescence using human epithelial type 2 (HEp‐2) as a substrate. The serum ANA titer levels were defined as low (1:40–1:80), medium (1:160–1:320), and high (>1:640).ResultsSerum ANA were detected in 73.9%, 70%, and 25% of OLP, OLDR, and control subjects, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between the number of serum‐ANA‐positive subjects in the OLP or OLDR groups and the control group (P < 0.01), but no significant difference between the OLP and OLDR groups. The speckled pattern was the most commonly found staining pattern, present in 60.9%, 55.0%, and 20.8% of the OLP, OLDR, and control subjects, respectively. The number of subjects with low ANA titers in the OLP and OLDR groups was significantly higher than that of the control group (P < 0.01). Medium ANA titers were found in 15%, 4.4%, and 4.2% of the OLDR, OLP, and control subjects, respectively, while high ANA titers were not found in any group.ConclusionsThe number of serum‐ANA‐positive OLP and OLDR patients was significantly higher than the control group. Speckled pattern and low titer levels were the most common findings in both OLP and OLDR groups
Role of gastric acid inhibition, prostaglandins and endogenous-free thiol groups on the gastroprotective effect of a proteolytic fraction from Vasconcellea cundinamarcensis latex
Authors: Araujo e Silva Ana Candida , de Oliveira Lemos Fernanda , Gomes Marco Túlio Ribeiro , Salas Carlos Edmundo , Lopes Miriam Teresa Paz 
Published: September 2014

Abstract

Objectives
The aim of this study was to extend our knowledge about the mechanism involved in the gastroprotective effect of P1G10, a proteolytic fraction rich in cysteine proteinases from Vasconcellea cundinamarcensis (syn. Carica candamarcensis) latex, which demonstrated gastric healing and protection activities in rats.

Methods
Wistar rats were submitted to gastric lesions by indomethacin and treated with P1G10 (10 mg/kg). Free thiol groups and prostaglandin E2 content were measured in gastric mucosal and gastrin levels in blood samples. To evaluate the participation of nitric oxide (NO) or proteolytic activity of P1G10 on its gastroprotective effect, animals were treated with an inhibitor of NO production (L-NAME) or the fraction inhibited by iodoacetamide, respectively. Gastric secretion study (acidity and pepsin activity) was also performed.

Key findings
P1G10 (10 mg/kg) inhibited the occurrence of gastric lesions by indomethacin, restored the free thiol groups content on gastric mucosa and increased moderately prostaglandin E2 levels (34%). Furthermore, the treatment decreased the gastrin levels (95%), suggesting a possible modulation of secretory activity. This effect was accordant with attenuation of gastric acidity (42%) and pepsin activity (69%) seen in animals subjected to pyloric ligation. The inhibition of NO production or the proteolytic activity of P1G10 does not affect the gastroprotective effect.

Conclusions
These results can explain the gastroprotective activity of P1G10 and serve a basis for further studies of this active principle.
Aspiration pneumonia in the Irish wolfhound: a possible breed predisposition
Authors: Greenwell C. M. , Brain P. H. 
Published: September 2014

BackgroundAnecdotal reports suggest a recent high prevalence of aspiration pneumonia in Irish wolfhounds, prompting further investigation into the incidence of the disease in this breed.ObjectivesTo investigate the possibility that Irish wolfhounds have an increased incidence of aspiration pneumonia, and to consider possible predisposing causes in this breed.MethodsRetrospective review of medical records from the Small Animal Specialist Hospital, Sydney, from January 2008 to December 2012 inclusive to determine the total hospital incidence and individual breed incidences of aspiration pneumonia.ResultsThe total hospital incidence of aspiration pneumonia was 0 · 5%. The Irish wolfhound had the highest breed incidence, with 9 of 25 dogs (36%) diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia. Four of the Irish wolfhounds had a predisposing cause identified; one having a choking episode, one having gastric bloat, while two were diagnosed with laryngeal paralysis after it was specifically investigated because of clinical suspicion. Five had no underlying cause of their aspiration pneumonia determined.Clinical SignificanceOn the basis of the hospital population studied, the Irish wolfhound has a high incidence of aspiration pneumonia. Further investigation into the possible predisposing cause(s) in this breed is warranted.
Is sleep‐related verbal memory consolidation impaired in sleepwalkers?
Authors: Uguccioni Ginevra , Pallanca Olivier , Golmard Jean‐Louis , Leu‐Semenescu Smaranda , Arnulf Isabelle 
Published: September 2014

SummaryIn order to evaluate verbal memory consolidation during sleep in subjects experiencing sleepwalking or sleep terror, 19 patients experiencing sleepwalking/sleep terror and 19 controls performed two verbal memory tasks (16‐word list from the Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test, and a 220‐ and 263‐word modified story recall test) in the evening, followed by nocturnal video polysomnography (n = 29) and morning recall (night‐time consolidation after 14 h, n = 38). The following morning, they were given a daytime learning task using the modified story recall test in reverse order, followed by an evening recall test after 9 h of wakefulness (daytime consolidation, n = 38). The patients experiencing sleepwalking/sleep terror exhibited more frequent awakenings during slow‐wave sleep and longer wakefulness after sleep onset than the controls. Despite this reduction in sleep quality among sleepwalking/sleep terror patients, they improved their scores on the verbal tests the morning after sleep compared with the previous evening (+16 ± 33%) equally well as the controls (+2 ± 13%). The performance of both groups worsened during the daytime in the absence of sleep (−16 ± 15% for the sleepwalking/sleep terror group and −14 ± 11% for the control group). There was no significant correlation between the rate of memory consolidation and any of the sleep measures. Seven patients experiencing sleepwalking also sleep‐talked during slow‐wave sleep, but their sentences were unrelated to the tests or the list of words learned during the evening. In conclusion, the alteration of slow‐wave sleep during sleepwalking/sleep terror does not noticeably impact on sleep‐related verbal memory consolidation.
A thermosensitive defect in the ATP binding pocket of FtsA can be suppressed by allosteric changes in the dimer interface
Authors: Herricks Jennifer R. , Nguyen Diep , Margolin William 
Published: September 2014

SummaryIn Escherichia coli, initial assembly of the Z ring for cell division requires FtsZ plus the essential Z ring‐associated proteins FtsA and ZipA. Thermosensitive mutations in ftsA, such as ftsA27, map in or near its ATP binding pocket and result in cell division arrest at non‐permissive temperatures. We found that purified wild‐type FtsA bound and hydrolysed ATP, whereas FtsA27 was defective in both activities. FtsA27 was also less able to localize to the Z ring in vivo. To investigate the role of ATP transactions in FtsA function in vivo, we isolated intragenic suppressors of ftsA27. Suppressor lesions in the ATP site restored the ability of FtsA27 to compete with ZipA at the Z ring, and enhanced ATP binding and hydrolysis in vitro. Notably, suppressors outside of the ATP binding site, including some mapping to the FtsA‐FtsA subunit interface, also enhanced ATP transactions and exhibited gain of function phenotypes in vivo. These results suggest that allosteric effects, including changes in oligomeric state, may influence the ability of FtsA to bind and/or hydrolyse ATP.
The role of +TIPs in directional tip expansion
Authors: Zhu Yili , Lee Wei‐Lih 
Published: September 2014

SummaryAspergillus nidulans is an ideal model to study nuclear migration and intracellular transport by dynein and kinesin owing to its long neuron‐like hyphae, conserved transport mechanisms, and powerful genetics. In this organism, as in other filamentous fungi, microtubules have been implicated in patterning cell shape through polarized tip growth – the hallmark mode of growth that generates the elongated hyphae. Exactly how microtubules regulate tip growth is incompletely understood and remains a fascinating question for various cell types, such as pollen tubes and root hairs. Zeng et al. (2014) describe important new findings in A. nidulans regarding the role of EBA, the master regulator of microtubule plus end‐tracking proteins, in specifying microtubule dynamics required for directional tip growth at the hyphal tip.
Microtubule plus end‐tracking proteins play critical roles in directional growth of hyphae by regulating the dynamics of cytoplasmic microtubules in Aspergillus nidulans
Authors: Zeng Cui J. Tracy , Kim Hye‐Ryun , Vargas Arispuro Irasema , Kim Jung‐Mi , Huang An‐Chi , Liu Bo 
Published: September 2014

SummaryCytoplasmic microtubules (MTs) serve as a rate‐limiting factor for hyphal tip growth in the filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans. We hypothesized that this function depended on the MT plus end‐tracking proteins (+TIPs) including the EB1 family protein EBA that decorated the MT plus ends undergoing polymerization. The ebAΔ mutation reduced colony growth and the mutant hyphae appeared in an undulating pattern instead of exhibiting unidirectional growth in the control. These phenotypes were enhanced by a mutation in another +TIP gene clipA. EBA was required for plus end‐tracking of CLIPA, the Kinesin‐7 motor KipA, and the XMAP215 homologue AlpA. In addition, cytoplasmic dynein also depended on EBA to track on most polymerizing MT plus ends, but not for its conspicuous appearance at the MT ends near the hyphal apex. The loss of EBA reduced the number of cytoplasmic MTs and prolonged dwelling times for MTs after reaching the hyphal apex. Finally, we found that colonies were formed in the absence of EBA, CLIPA, and NUDA together, suggesting that they were dispensable for fundamental functions of MTs. This study provided a comprehensive delineation of the relationship among different +TIPs and their contributions to MT dynamics and unidirectional hyphal expansion in filamentous fungi.
The GroEL protein of Porphyromonas gingivalis accelerates tumor growth by enhancing endothelial progenitor cell function and neovascularization
Authors: Lin F‐Y. , Huang C‐Y. , Lu H‐Y. , Shih C‐M. , Tsao N‐W. , Shyue S‐K. , Lin C‐Y. , Chang Y‐J. , Tsai C‐S. , Lin Y‐W. , Lin S‐J. 
Published: September 2014

SummaryPorphyromonas gingivalis is a bacterial species that causes destruction of periodontal tissues. Additionally, previous evidence indicates that GroEL from P. gingivalis may possess biological activities involved in systemic inflammation, especially inflammation involved in the progression of periodontal diseases. The literature has established a relationship between periodontal disease and cancer. However, it is unclear whether P. gingivalis GroEL enhances tumor growth. Here, we investigated the effects of P. gingivalis GroEL on neovasculogenesis in C26 carcinoma cell‐carrying BALB/c mice and chick eggs in vivo as well as its effect on human endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) in vitro. We found that GroEL treatment accelerated tumor growth (tumor volume and weight) and increased the mortality rate in C26 cell‐carrying BALB/c mice. GroEL promoted neovasculogenesis in chicken embryonic allantois and increased the circulating EPC level in BALB/c mice. Furthermore, GroEL effectively stimulated EPC migration and tube formation and increased E‐selectin expression, which is mediated by eNOS production and p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase activation. Additionally, GroEL may enhance resistance against paclitaxel‐induced cell cytotoxicity and senescence in EPC. In conclusion, P. gingivalis GroEL may act as a potent virulence factor, contributing to the neovasculogenesis of tumor cells and resulting in accelerated tumor growth.
Double accessory mental foramina: report of an anatomical variant
Authors: Ahmed S. , Jasani V. , Ali A. , Avery C. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThe presence of accessory mental foramina (AMF) in mandible is a rare anatomical variation. Single accessory mental foramen is reported in a few studies, but double AMF (DAMF) is very uncommon. We present an unusual case of DAMF, with accessory nerves, which were identified during maxillofacial oncology surgery. The nerves were protected by a modified mandibulotomy. It is essential that surgeons to be aware of the possibility of AMF existence and are prepared to take appropriate actions to avoid iatrogenic nerve injury.
Development of an optimal sampling schedule for children receiving ketamine for short‐term procedural sedation and analgesia
Authors: Sherwin Catherine M.T. , Stockmann Chris , Grimsrud Kristin , Herd David W. , Anderson Brian J. , Spigarelli Michael G. 
Published: September 2014

SummaryBackgroundIntravenous racemic ketamine is commonly administered for procedural sedation, although few pharmacokinetic studies have been conducted among children. Moreover, an optimal sampling schedule has not been derived to enable the conduct of pharmacokinetic studies that minimally inconvenience study participants.MethodsConcentration‐time data were obtained from 57 children who received 1–1.5 mg·kg−1 of racemic ketamine as an intravenous bolus. A population pharmacokinetic analysis was conducted using nonlinear mixed effects models, and the results were used as inputs to develop a D‐optimal sampling schedule.ResultsThe pharmacokinetics of ketamine were described using a two‐compartment model. The volume of distribution in the central and peripheral compartments were 20.5 l∙70 kg−1 and 220 l∙70 kg−1, respectively. The intercompartmental clearance and total body clearance were 87.3 and 87.9 l·h−1∙70 kg−1, respectively. Population parameter variability ranged from 34% to 98%. Initially, blood samples were drawn on 3–6 occasions spanning a range of 14–152 min after dosing. Using these data, we determined that four optimal sampling windows occur at 1–5, 5.5–7.5, 10–20, and 90–180 min after dosing. Monte Carlo simulations indicated that these sampling windows produced precise and unbiased ketamine pharmacokinetic parameter estimates.ConclusionAn optimal sampling schedule was developed that allowed assessment of the pharmacokinetic parameters of ketamine among children requiring short‐term procedural sedation.
Identification of loci governing eight agronomic traits using a GBS‐GWAS approach and validation by QTL mapping in soya bean
Authors: Sonah Humira , O'Donoughue Louise , Cober Elroy , Rajcan Istvan , Belzile François 
Published: September 2014

SummarySoya bean is a major source of edible oil and protein for human consumption as well as animal feed. Understanding the genetic basis of different traits in soya bean will provide important insights for improving breeding strategies for this crop. A genome‐wide association study (GWAS) was conducted to accelerate molecular breeding for the improvement of agronomic traits in soya bean. A genotyping‐by‐sequencing (GBS) approach was used to provide dense genome‐wide marker coverage (>47 000 SNPs) for a panel of 304 short‐season soya bean lines. A subset of 139 lines, representative of the diversity among these, was characterized phenotypically for eight traits under six environments (3 sites × 2 years). Marker coverage proved sufficient to ensure highly significant associations between the genes known to control simple traits (flower, hilum and pubescence colour) and flanking SNPs. Between one and eight genomic loci associated with more complex traits (maturity, plant height, seed weight, seed oil and protein) were also identified. Importantly, most of these GWAS loci were located within genomic regions identified by previously reported quantitative trait locus (QTL) for these traits. In some cases, the reported QTLs were also successfully validated by additional QTL mapping in a biparental population. This study demonstrates that integrating GBS and GWAS can be used as a powerful complementary approach to classical biparental mapping for dissecting complex traits in soya bean.