bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical Signs, Treatment, and Outcome in 15 Cattle With Sinonasal Cysts
Authors: Schmid Tanja , Braun Ueli , Hagen Regine , Grest Paula , Hug Sophie A. , Nuss Karl 
Published: January 2014

ObjectiveTo evaluate clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment and outcome of cattle with sinonasal cysts.Study DesignCase series.AnimalsCattle (n = 15).MethodsMedical records (2004–2011) of cattle with a fluid‐filled mass in the nasal cavity, conchae, and/or paranasal sinuses were evaluated. Data retrieved and analyzed were reason of presentation, clinical signs, diagnostic techniques, surgical treatment, complications, and outcome.ResultsCommon presenting clinical signs were abnormal respiratory noise, nasal discharge, and abnormal respiratory effort. Mean age of affected cattle was 21.7 months. In 9 animals, cysts were identified by endoscopy. Radiographic signs included a mass in the paranasal sinuses or conchae (13), nasal septum deviation (12), fluid lines (10), and bone atrophy (5). Ten cattle were treated surgically with osteoplastic flap techniques to gain access to the frontal or maxillary sinus (5), nasal extraction of the cyst under endoscopic control (3) or a combination of both techniques (2). Nine cattle returned to be productive members of their herd and had no recurrence (mean follow‐up, 20.7 months).ConclusionsSinonasal cysts should be considered as a primary differential diagnosis in cattle with abnormal respiratory noise, particularly in younger animals. Multiple cysts were common, which underlines the importance of a thorough preoperative examination using appropriate imaging modalities. Despite the often expansive nature of sinonasal cysts, the prognosis with surgical treatment was good.
Small Reduction of the Piezoelectric d33 Response in Potassium Sodium Niobate Thick Films
Authors: Pavlič Jernej , Malič Barbara , Rojac Tadej 
Published: January 2014

We have investigated the electromechanical response of potassium sodium niobate (K0.5Na0.5NbO3 or KNN) thick films. The high‐field strain hysteresis loops and weak‐field converse piezoelectric d33 coefficient of the films were measured and compared with those of KNN bulk ceramics under the same electric field conditions. The converse d33 values of the thick films and bulk ceramics were equal to 82.5 and 138 pm/V, respectively, at 0.4 kV/mm. The fundamental difference between the piezoelectric response of the KNN films and the ceramics was studied in terms of the effective (“clamped”) piezoelectric d33 coefficient. The reduction in the piezoelectric d33 coefficient of the KNN films, resulting from the clamping by the substrate, was compared to lead‐based ferroelectric thick films, including Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 (PZT) and (1 − x)Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3−xPbTiO3 (PMN‐PT). We propose a possible explanation, based on the particular elastic properties of KNN, for the small relative difference observed between the “clamped” and “unclamped” (“bulk”) d33 of KNN, in comparison with lead‐based systems.
Apelin inhibits the proliferation and migration of rat PASMCs via the activation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signal and the inhibition of autophagy under hypoxia
Authors: Zhang Hongyu , Gong Yongsheng , Wang Zhouguang , Jiang Liping , Chen Ran , Fan Xiaofang , Zhu Huanmian , Han Liping , Li Xiaokun , Xiao Jian , Kong Xiaoxia 
Published: January 2014

AbstractApelin is highly expressed in the lungs, especially in the pulmonary vasculature, but the functional role of apelin under pathological conditions is still undefined. Hypoxic pulmonary hypertension is the most common cause of acute right heart failure, which may involve the remodeling of artery and regulation of autophagy. In this study, we determined whether treatment with apelin regulated the proliferation and migration of rat pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (SMCs) under hypoxia, and investigated the underlying mechanism and the relationship with autophagy. Our data showed that hypoxia activated autophagy significantly at 24 hrs. The addition of exogenous apelin decreased the level of autophagy and further inhibited pulmonary arterial SMC (PASMC) proliferation via activating downstream phosphatidylinositol‐3‐kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/the mammalian target of Rapamycin (mTOR) signal pathways. The inhibition of the apelin receptor (APJ) system by siRNA abolished the inhibitory effect of apelin in PASMCs under hypoxia. This study provides the evidence that exogenous apelin treatment contributes to inhibit the proliferation and migration of PASMCs by regulating the level of autophagy.
RUNX3 regulates vimentin expression via miR‐30a during epithelial–mesenchymal transition in gastric cancer cells
Authors: Liu Zhifang , Chen Long , Zhang Xinchao , Xu Xia , Xing Huaixin , Zhang Yingjie , Li Wenjuan , Yu Han , Zeng Jiping , Jia Jihui 
Published: January 2014

AbstractRunt‐related transcription factor 3 (RUNX3) is a putative tumour suppressor via regulating the expression of a series of target genes. Clinical studies demonstrated that loss of RUNX3 expression is associated with gastric cancer progression and poor prognosis, but the underlying mechanism is not entirely clear. Accumulating evidence shows that the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays an important role in cancer relapse and metastasis. Therefore, we addressed whether RUNX3 has a role in the EMT in gastric cancer. Knockdown of RUNX3 promoted cell invasion and increased the protein expression of the mesenchymal marker vimentin in human gastric cancer cells. Overexpression of RUNX3 suppressed cell invasion and decreased the protein expression of vimentin in the cells and inhibited gastric cancer cells colonization in nude mice. Furthermore, overexpression of RUNX3 increased the expression of microRNA‐30a (miR‐30a), and miR‐30a directly targeted the 3′ untranslated region of vimentin and decreased its protein level. miR‐30a inhibitor abrogated RUNX3‐mediated inhibition of cell invasion and downregulation of vimentin. Thus, RUNX3 suppressed gastric cancer cell invasion and vimentin expression by activating miR‐30a. In gastric cancer patients, levels of RUNX3 were positively correlated with miR‐30a and negatively associated with the levels of vimentin. Collectively, our data suggest a novel molecular mechanism for the tumour suppressor activity of RUNX3. Effective therapy targeting the RUNX3 pathway may help control gastric cancer cell invasion and metastasis by inhibiting the EMT.
Evaluation of the non‐functional tooth contact in patients with temporomandibular disorders by using newly developed electronic system
Authors: Funato M. , Ono Y. , Baba K. , Kudo Y. 
Published: January 2014

SummaryThe aims of this study were to introduce a novel electronic system for reliable evaluation of the non‐functional tooth contact in patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) and investigate the possible associations between the non‐functional tooth contact and some characteristics of the patients with TMD. We designed and installed a software program to send emails regarding the non‐functional tooth contact to the subjects' preregistered cellular phones at intervals of 20 ± 9 min daily for 10 consecutive days. Twelve patients with TMD and 12 gender‐ and age‐matched healthy subjects responded via emails to one of 3 choices: no tooth contact, tooth contact during oral functions or tooth contact not associated with oral functions. The influence of subjective stress, anxiety, depression, personality and daily activities on tooth contact was then assessed. The frequency of the non‐functional tooth contact was significantly higher in the patients with TMD than in the healthy subjects (35·0% vs. 9·6%, P < 0·001), while no significant group difference was found for the frequency of functional tooth contact, the stress, anxiety, depression and personality.
Phenotypic variation in resource acquisition influences trade‐off between number and mass of offspring in a burying beetle
Authors: Smiseth P. T. , Andrews C. P. , Mattey S. N. , Mooney R. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractUnderstanding the consequences of phenotypic variation in resource acquisition is an important problem in evolutionary ecology because such variation may impact on how parents balance resource investment in individual offspring against other life‐history priorities. Here we investigate the effects of phenotypic variation in resource acquisition on the number and mass of offspring and the trade‐off between the two in the burying beetle Nicrophorus vespilloides. We manipulate resource acquisition in adults by providing some females with a small mouse carcass (5–10 g) and other females with a large mouse carcass (15–20 g). We found that females breeding on larger carcasses produced both more and larger offspring than females breeding on smaller carcasses. Furthermore, an increase in brood size had a stronger negative effect on offspring mass in broods produced on smaller carcasses than in broods produced on larger carcasses. We conclude that phenotypic variation in resource acquisition had a strong effect on the number and mass of offspring and the trade‐off between the two. Our study contributes to our understanding of phenotypic variation in resource acquisition by showing that females with more resources produce both more and larger offspring in situations where such variation is not associated with anatomical or physiological differences between females.
Survival analysis of high‐intensity focused ultrasound therapy vs. transarterial chemoembolization for unresectable hepatocellular carcinomas
Authors: Cheung Tan To , Poon Ronnie T. P. , Jenkins Caroline R. , Chu Ferdinand S. K. , Chok Kenneth S. H. , Chan Albert C. Y. , Tsang Simon H. Y. , Dai Wing Chiu , Yau Thomas C. C. , Chan See Ching , Fan Sheung Tat , Lo Chung Mau 
Published: January 2014

AbstractBackground & AimsHigh‐intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) ablation is a non‐invasive treatment for unresectable hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs), but long‐term survival analysis is lacking. This study was to analyse its outcome compared to that of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE).MethodsFrom October 2003 to September 2010, 113 patients received HIFU ablation as a treatment of HCCs at our hospital. Twenty‐six patients had HCCs sized 3–8 cm. Fifty‐two patients with matched tumour characteristics having TACE as primary treatment were selected for comparison. Short‐term outcome and long‐term survival were analysed.ResultsIn the HIFU group (n = 26), 46 tumours were ablated. The median age of the patients was 69 (49–84) years. The median tumour size was 4.2 (3–8) cm. In the TACE group (n = 52), the median age of the patients was 67 (44–84) years. The median tumour size was 4.8 (3–8) cm. There was no hospital mortality in any of the groups. In the HIFU group, the rates of complete tumour response, partial tumour response, stable disease and progressive disease were 50%, 7.7%, 25.6% and 7.7% respectively, according to the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours. The TACE group had the corresponding rates at 0%, 21.2%, 63.5% and 15.4% respectively (P < 0.0001). The 1‐year, 3‐year and 5‐year survival rates were 84.6%, 49.2% and 32.3% respectively, in the HIFU group and 69.2%, 29.8% and 2.3% respectively, in the TACE group (P = 0.001).ConclusionHIFU ablation is a safe and effective method for unresectable HCCs. A survival benefit is observed over sole TACE.
Exercise‐Induced Capillary Growth in Human Skeletal Muscle and the Dynamics of VEGF
Authors: Hoier Birgitte , Hellsten Ylva 
Published: January 2014

AbstractIn skeletal muscle, growth of capillaries is an important adaptation to exercise training that secures adequate diffusion capacity for oxygen and nutrients even at high‐intensity exercise when increases in muscle blood flow are profound. Mechanical forces present during muscle activity, such as shear stress and passive stretch, lead to cellular signaling, enhanced expression of angiogenic factors, and initiation of capillary growth. The most central angiogenic factor in skeletal muscle capillary growth is VEGF. During muscle contraction, VEGF increases in the muscle interstitium, acts on VEGF receptors on the capillary endothelium, and thereby stimulates angiogenic processes. A primary source of muscle interstitial VEGF during exercise is the skeletal muscle fibers which contain large stores of VEGF within vesicles. We propose that, during muscle activity, these VEGF‐containing vesicles are redistributed toward the sarcolemma where the contents are secreted into the extracellular fluid. VEGF mRNA expression is increased primarily after exercise, which allows for a more rapid replenishment of VEGF stores lost through secretion during exercise. Future studies should focus on elucidating mechanisms and regulation of VEGF secretion.
Functional characterization of kinetochore protein, Ctf19 in meiosis I: an implication of differential impact of Ctf19 on the assembly of mitotic and meiotic kinetochores in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Mehta Gunjan D. , Agarwal Meenakshi , Ghosh Santanu K. 
Published: January 2014

SummaryMeiosis is a specialized cell division process through which chromosome numbers are reduced by half for the generation of gametes. Kinetochore, a multiprotein complex that connects centromeres to microtubules, plays essential role in chromosome segregation. Ctf19 is the key central kinetochore protein that recruits all the other non‐essential proteins of the Ctf19 complex in budding yeast. Earlier studies have shown the role of Ctf19 complex in enrichment of cohesin around the centromeres both during mitosis and meiosis, leading to sister chromatid cohesion and meiosis II disjunction. Here we show that Ctf19 is also essential for the proper execution of the meiosis I specific unique events, such as non‐homologous centromere coupling, homologue pairing, chiasmata resolution and proper orientation of homologues and sister chromatids with respect to the spindle poles. Additionally, this investigation reveals that proper kinetochore function is required for faithful chromosome condensation in meiosis. Finally, this study suggests that absence of Ctf19 affects the integrity of meiotic kinetochore differently than that of the mitotic kinetochore. Consequently, absence of Ctf19 leads to gross chromosome missegregation during meiosis as compared with mitosis. Hence, this study reports for the first time the differential impact of a non‐essential kinetochore protein on the mitotic and meiotic kinetochore ensembles and hence chromosome segregation.
Groups, Decision Rules, and Negotiation Outcomes: Simulating the Negotiator's Dilemma
Authors: Urlacher Brian R. 
Published: January 2014

The negotiator's dilemma is a vexing problem (structurally similar to the prisoner's dilemma), but it is made more complicated by the fact that many negotiations involve teams of negotiators. Although it is widely recognized that the behavior of groups of people can deviate in important ways from the behavior of individuals, the implications of this for the negotiator's dilemma are unclear.For this article, I have used a computer simulation to explore the impact of different decision rules (majority rule, consensus, and weakest link) on how the approach of groups to negotiations might differ. The results suggest that the use of different decision rules can greatly complicate negotiations. While the majority rule is quite versatile in multiple contexts, a pairing of weakest link and consensus decision rules is highly problematic for finding a negotiated settlement.
Psychometric goodness of the Mini Sleep Questionnaire
Authors: Natale Vincenzo , Fabbri Marco , Tonetti Lorenzo , Martoni Monica 
Published: January 2014

AimThe current study was conducted to evaluate the psychometric properties and analyze the convergent validity of the Italian version of the Mini Sleep Questionnaire (MSQ). In addition, it was aimed to put forward cut‐off values to be used in screening protocols.MethodsThe MSQ was administered to 1830 participants (age range 18–87 years), of whom 1208 also completed the Sleep Disorder Questionnaire (age range 18–87 years). A subgroup of 187 (age range 18–71 years) participants was randomly chosen to test the test–retest reliability. A complete psychometric evaluation was performed on the MSQ. To study the validity of the tool, the Sleep Disorder Questionnaire was used as an external criterion to validate the MSQ. Using the Youden index, we calculated the cut‐off values that performed best. Finally, we created receiver–operator curves to test the accuracy of each cut‐off value identified.ResultsFor the MSQ, Cronbach's alpha score was 0.77 while homogeneity was 0.26. Factorial analyses confirmed the presence of two dimensions: sleep (Cronbach's alpha 0.75; homogeneity 0.37) and wake (Cronbach's alpha 0.75; homogeneity 0.44). For each dimension, a cut‐off value was identified (>16 and >14, respectively). Both cut‐off values obtained an area under the curve higher than 0.80.ConclusionsPsychometric evaluation of the MSQ was satisfactory. The cut‐off values analyzed in the present study showed good performance. On the whole, the results of this study suggest that the MSQ can be a useful screening tool.
Mitochondrial DNA variation and increased oxidative damage in euthymic patients with bipolar disorder
Authors: Chang Cheng‐Chen , Jou Shaw‐Hwa , Lin Ta‐Tsung , Liu Chin‐San 
Published: January 2014

AimThe aim of this study was to compare alterations of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number, single nucleotide polymorphisms, and oxidative damage of mtDNA in clinically stable patients with bipolar I disorder (BD).MethodsPatients meeting DSM‐IV diagnostic criteria for BD were recruited from the psychiatric outpatient clinic at Changhua Christian Hospital, Taiwan. They were clinically stable and their medications had not changed for at least the preceding 2 months. Exclusion criteria were substance‐induced psychotic disorder, eating disorder, anxiety disorder or illicit substance abuse. Comparison subjects did not have any history of major psychiatric disorders and they were non‐smokers. By analyzing peripheral blood leukocytes, copy number, single nucleotide polymorphisms and oxidative damage of mtDNA were compared between the two groups.ResultsThe median age of the subjects was 38 years and 41.5 years in the comparison and BD groups, respectively. The leukocyte mtDNA copy number of the BD group was significantly lower than that of the comparison group (P < 0.001). BD patients had significantly higher mitochondrial oxidative damage than the comparison group (6.1 vs 3.9, P < 0.001). After generalized linear model adjusting with age, sex, smoking, family history, and psychotropic use, mtDNA copy number was still significantly lower in the BD group (P < 0.001). MtDNA oxidative damage was positively correlated with age (P = 0.034), although mtDNA oxidative damage was similar between these two groups.ConclusionPossible involvement of oxidative stress and mitochondria in the pathophysiology of BD needs more large‐scale studies. It is important that psychiatrists retain a high level of suspicion for mitochondrial dysfunction in patients with bipolar disorder.
Trade Openness, Corruption and Factor Abundance: Evidence from a Dynamic Panel
Authors: Marjit Sugata , Mandal Biswajit , Roy Suryadipta 
Published: January 2014

AbstractUsing the Heckscher–Ohlin–Samuelson–Vanek (HOSV) framework, this paper illustrates a relationship between corruption and the pattern of international trade that depends on the factor endowments of countries. The relationship between trade openness and corruption is empirically investigated by using a panel dataset on trade openness, corruption and capital–labor ratio, and applying estimation techniques developed for dynamic panels. The regression results provide strong support to the hypothesis that the effect of corruption on trade openness depends on relative factor abundance.
Gender‐specific Human Capital, Openness and Growth: Exploring the Linkages for South Asia
Authors: Cooray Arusha , Mallick Sushanta , Dutta Nabamita 
Published: January 2014

AbstractUsing data covering 1970–2008 for South Asia, this study investigates the influence of human capital disaggregated by gender, on economic growth. We use an extended version of the Solow growth model with per capita gross domestic product (GDP) a function of the key variables, viz. physical capital accumulation, human capital accumulation, trade openness and capital flows, fiscal policy and financial development. The key contribution of this study is to show that openness when interacted with the human capital stock disaggregated by gender, has differential impacts on economic growth. While the positive impact of male secondary schooling captures the direct skill effect relative to primary schooling, the marginal influence of female primary/secondary schooling fails to show a positive impact on growth at higher levels of openness. An implication stemming from this study is that educational opportunities for females at the secondary level should be increased for South Asia.
Technological Change and Wages in China: Evidence from Matched Employer–Employee Data
Authors: Mishra Vinod , Smyth Russell 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThe relationship between research and development (R&D) intensity and wages is examined using a unique matched employer–employee dataset. The ordinary least squares estimates suggest that a one standard deviation increase in R&D intensity is associated with an increase in the hourly wage rate between 3.4% and 6.9% for the full sample, depending on the exact specification. The instrumental variable estimates are that a one standard deviation increase in R&D intensity is associated with an increase in the hourly wage rate between 5.5% and 11.4%. The wage elasticity with respect to R&D intensity is found to be higher in larger firms as well as for better educated workers and workers with technical skills. Consistent with the rent‐sharing hypothesis it is also found that the wage elasticity with respect to R&D intensity is higher for workers who belong to the Communist Party or union.
The (Im)possibility of Distinguishing Horizontal and Vertical Motivations for FDI
Authors: Lankhuizen Maureen 
Published: January 2014

AbstractSkill differences between parent and host countries are considered a key variable for distinguishing horizontal and vertical motivations within aggregate foreign direct investment (FDI). This paper tests the robustness of the skill difference term in the knowledge‐capital model for FDI in a sample of Organisation for Economic Co‐operation and Development (OECD) countries. The evidence in this paper indicates that skill differences per se do not properly explain FDI: the skill level of the host country is also important. This paper argues that both horizontal and vertical FDI may increase in the skill level of the host. It follows that the distinction between vertical and horizontal motivations for FDI with respect to skills is less straightforward than generally assumed in the literature.
Temporary Migration and the Flow of Savings to the Source Country
Authors: Djajić Slobodan 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThe saving behavior of temporary migrants when the duration of their stay abroad is set by the immigration policy of the host country is studied in this paper. The focus is on the implied flow of savings back to the source country and how it depends on migration costs, duration of the work permit, and international wage, interest and price‐level differentials. The amount of time that migrants are allowed to work in the host country is shown to be a key policy variable that affects the flow of savings repatriated to the source country.