bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Insulinemia and the risk of breast cancer and its relapse
Authors: Formica V. , Tesauro M. , Cardillo C. , Roselli M. 
Published: April 2012

A fairly large body of evidence has shown that insulin is a tumour‐promoting agent, especially for breast cancer. High circulating and microenvironmental levels of insulin may directly increase the risk of breast cancer via the activation of cognate receptors expressed on normal and cancer cells and indirectly be associated with other known metabolic risk factors of cancer that usually are present in conjunction with the hyperinsulinic state.The focus of this review is to analyse and discuss available data in the literature on the possible causative/prognostic role of insulin resistance/hyperinsulinemia in breast cancer development and progression.
The Role of Emotional Reactivity, Self‐regulation, and Puberty in Adolescents' Prosocial Behaviors
Authors: Carlo Gustavo , Crockett Lisa J. , Wolff Jennifer M. , Beal Sarah J. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThis study was designed to examine the roles of emotional reactivity, self‐regulation, and pubertal timing in prosocial behaviors during adolescence. Participants were 850 sixth graders (50 percent female, mean age = 11.03, standard deviation = .17) who were followed up at the age of 15. In hierarchical regression models, measures of emotional reactivity, self‐regulation, pubertal timing, and their interactions were used to predict (concurrently and over time) adolescents' prosocial behaviors in the home and with peers. Overall, the findings provide evidence for pubertal and temperament‐based predictors of prosocial behaviors expressed in different contexts. Self‐regulation was positively related to both forms of prosocial behavior, concurrently and longitudinally. Emotional reactivity showed moderately consistent effects, showing negative concurrent relations to prosocial behavior with peers and negative longitudinal relations (4 years later) to prosocial behavior at home. Some curvilinear effects of temperament on prosocial behaviors were also found. Effects of pubertal timing were found to interact with gender, such that boys who were early maturers showed the highest levels of prosocial behavior at home concurrently. Discussion focuses on the role of temperament‐based mechanisms in the expression of prosocial behaviors in different contexts in adolescence.
The social side of human–wildlife interaction: wildlife can learn harmful behaviours from each other
Authors: Donaldson R. , Finn H. , Bejder L. , Lusseau D. , Calver M. 
Published: April 2012

Read the Commentaries on this Feature Paper: Individual dolphins as tools for conservation ; Wildlife social learning should inform sustainable tourism management; Conservation issues arising from maladaptive behaviours spreading sociallyResponse from the authors: Social learning of risky behaviour: importance for impact assessments, conservation and management of human‐wildlife interactions
On how nucleus‐endplate integration is achieved at the fibrillar level in the ovine lumbar disc
Authors: Wade Kelly R. , Robertson Peter A. , Broom Neil D. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThe intervertebral disc nucleus has traditionally been viewed as a largely unstructured amorphous gel having little obvious integration with the cartilaginous endplates (CEPs). However, recent work by the present authors has provided clear evidence of structural cohesion across the nucleus‐endplate junction via a distinctive microanatomical feature termed insertion nodes. The aim of this study was to explore the nature of these insertion nodes at the fibrillar level. Specially prepared vertebra‐nucleus‐vertebra composite samples from ovine lumbar motion segments were extended axially and chemically fixed in this stretched state, and then decalcified. Sections taken from the samples were prepared for examination by scanning electron microscopy. A close morphological correlation was obtained between previously published optical microscopic images of the nodes and those seen using low magnification SEM. Progressively high magnifications provided insight into the fibrillar‐level modes of structural integration across the nucleus‐endplate junction. The closely packed fibrils of the CEP were largely parallel to the vertebral endplate and formed a dense, multi‐layer substrate within which the nodal fibrils appeared to be anchored. Our idealised structural model proposes a mechanism by which this integration is achieved. The nodal fibrils, in curving into the CEP, are locked in place within its close‐packed layers of transversely aligned fibrils, and probably at multiple levels. Secondly, there appears to be a subtle interweaving of the strongly aligned nodal fibrils with the multi‐directional endplate fibrils. It is suggested that this structural integration provides the nucleus with a form of tethered mobility that supports physiological functions quite distinct from the primary strength requirements of the disc.
Efficacy of a reading and language intervention for children with Down syndrome: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Burgoyne Kelly , Duff Fiona J. , Clarke Paula J. , Buckley Sue , Snowling Margaret J. , Hulme Charles 
Published: April 2012

Background:  This study evaluates the effects of a language and literacy intervention for children with Down syndrome.Methods:  Teaching assistants (TAs) were trained to deliver a reading and language intervention to children in individual daily 40‐min sessions. We used a waiting list control design, in which half the sample received the intervention immediately, whereas the remaining children received the treatment after a 20‐week delay. Fifty‐seven children with Down syndrome in mainstream primary schools in two UK locations (Yorkshire and Hampshire) were randomly allocated to intervention (40 weeks of intervention) and waiting control (20 weeks of intervention) groups. Assessments were conducted at three time points: pre‐intervention, after 20 weeks of intervention, and after 40 weeks of intervention.Results:  After 20 weeks of intervention, the intervention group showed significantly greater progress than the waiting control group on measures of single word reading, letter‐sound knowledge, phoneme blending and taught expressive vocabulary. Effects did not transfer to other skills (nonword reading, spelling, standardised expressive and receptive vocabulary, expressive information and grammar). After 40 weeks of intervention, the intervention group remained numerically ahead of the control group on most key outcome measures; but these differences were not significant. Children who were younger, attended more intervention sessions, and had better initial receptive language skills made greater progress during the course of the intervention.Conclusions:  A TA‐delivered intervention produced improvements in the reading and language skills of children with Down syndrome. Gains were largest in skills directly taught with little evidence of generalization to skills not directly taught in the intervention.
Alternative oxidase modulates leaf mitochondrial concentrations of superoxide and nitric oxide
Authors: Cvetkovska Marina , Vanlerberghe Greg C. 
Published: April 2012

Summary
The nonenergy‐conserving alternative oxidase (AOX) has been hypothesized to modulate the amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) in plant mitochondria but there is sparse direct in planta evidence to support this.
Laser scanning fluorescent confocal microscopy and biochemical methods were used to directly estimate in planta leaf concentrations of superoxide (), nitric oxide (NO), peroxynitrite (ONOO−) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in wildtype (Wt) tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) and transgenic tobacco with altered amounts of AOX.
We found that plants lacking AOX have increased concentrations of leaf mitochondrial‐localized and leaf NO in comparison to the Wt, while leaf concentrations of H2O2 were similar or lower in the AOX‐suppressed plants.
Based on our results, we suggest that AOX respiration acts to reduce the generation of ROS and RNS in plant mitochondria by dampening the leak of single electrons from the electron transport chain to O2 or nitrite. This may represent a universal role for AOX in plants. More work is now needed to establish the functional implications of this role, such as during abiotic and biotic stress.
Alpha‐synuclein impairs normal dynamics of mitochondria in cell and animal models of Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Xie Weilin , Chung Kenny K. K. 
Published: April 2012

J. Neurochem. (2012) 122, 404–414.AbstractAlpha‐synuclein (α‐syn) is a synaptic protein that mutations have been linked to Parkinson’s disease (PD), a common neurodegenerative disorder that is caused by the degeneration of the dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc). How α‐syn can contribute to neurodegeneration in PD is not conclusive but it is agreed that mutations or excessive accumulation of α‐syn can lead to the formation of α‐syn oligomers or aggregates that interfere with normal cellular function and contribute to the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons. In this study, we found that α‐syn can impair the normal dynamics of mitochondria and this effect is particular prominent in A53T α‐syn mutant. In mice expressing A53T α‐syn, age‐dependent changes in both mitochondrial morphology and proteins that regulate mitochondrial fission and fusion were observed. In the cellular model of PD, we found that α‐syn reduces the movement of mitochondria in both SH‐SY5Y neuroblastoma and hippocampal neurons. Taken together, our study provides a new mechanism of how α‐syn can contribute to PD through the impairment of normal dynamics of mitochondria.
Genome‐wide miRNA signatures of human longevity
Authors: ElSharawy Abdou , Keller Andreas , Flachsbart Friederike , Wendschlag Anke , Jacobs Gunnar , Kefer Nathalie , Brefort Thomas , Leidinger Petra , Backes Christina , Meese Eckart , Schreiber Stefan , Rosenstiel Philip , Franke Andre , Nebel Almut 
Published: April 2012

SummaryLittle is known about the functions of miRNAs in human longevity. Here, we present the first genome‐wide miRNA study in long‐lived individuals (LLI) who are considered a model for healthy aging. Using a microarray with 863 miRNAs, we compared the expression profiles obtained from blood samples of 15 centenarians and nonagenarians (mean age 96.4 years) with those of 55 younger individuals (mean age 45.9 years). Eighty miRNAs showed aging‐associated expression changes, with 16 miRNAs being up‐regulated and 64 down‐regulated in the LLI relative to the younger probands. Seven of the eight selected aging‐related biomarkers were technically validated using quantitative RT‐PCR, confirming the microarray data. Three of the eight miRNAs were further investigated in independent samples of 15 LLI and 17 younger participants (mean age 101.5 and 36.9 years, respectively). Our screening confirmed previously published miRNAs of human aging, thus reflecting the utility of the applied approach. The hierarchical clustering analysis of the miRNA microarray expression data revealed a distinct separation between the LLI and the younger controls (P‐value < 10−5). The down‐regulated miRNAs appeared as a cluster and were more often reported in the context of diseases than the up‐regulated miRNAs. Moreover, many of the differentially regulated miRNAs are known to exhibit contrasting expression patterns in major age‐related diseases. Further in silico analyses showed enrichment of potential targets of the down‐regulated miRNAs in p53 and other cancer pathways. Altogether, synchronized miRNA–p53 activities could be involved in the prevention of tumorigenesis and the maintenance of genomic integrity during aging.
Relationship between peak cardiac pumping capability and indices of cardio‐respiratory fitness in healthy individuals
Authors: Jakovljevic Djordje G , Popadic‐Gacesa Jelena Z , Barak Otto F , Nunan David , Donovan Gay , Trenell Michael I , Grujic Nikola G , Brodie David A 
Published: April 2012

SummaryCardiac power output (CPO) is a unique and direct measure of overall cardiac function (i.e. cardiac pumping capability) that integrates both flow‐ and pressure‐generating capacities of the heart. The present study assessed the relationship between peak exercise CPO and selected indices of cardio‐respiratory fitness. Thirty‐seven healthy adults (23 men and 14 women) performed an incremental exercise test to volitional fatigue using the Bruce protocol with gas exchange and ventilatory measurements. Following a 40‐min recovery, the subjects performed a constant maximum workload exercise test at or above 95% of maximal oxygen consumption. Cardiac output was measured using the exponential CO2 rebreathing method. The CPO, expressed in W, was calculated as the product of the mean arterial blood pressure and cardiac output. At peak exercise, CPO was well correlated with cardiac output (r = 0·92, P<0·01), stroke volume (r = 0·90, P<0·01) and peak oxygen consumption (r = 0·77, P<0·01). The coefficient of correlation was moderate between CPO and anaerobic threshold (r = 0·47, P<0·01), oxygen pulse (r = 0·57, P<0·01), minute ventilation (r = 0·53, P<0·01) and carbon dioxide production (r = 0·56, P<0·01). Small but significant relationship was found between peak CPO and peak heart rate (r = 0·23, P<0·05). These findings suggest that only peak cardiac output and stroke volume truly reflect CPO. Other indices of cardio‐respiratory fitness such as oxygen consumption, anaerobic threshold, oxygen pulse, minute ventilation, carbon dioxide production and heart rate should not be used as surrogates for overall cardiac function and pumping capability of the heart.
Prognostic value of tumour‐associated macrophages in canine mammary tumours
Authors: Raposo T. , Gregório H. , Pires I. , Prada J. , Queiroga F. L. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractTumour‐associated macrophages (TAMs) have already been associated in human breast cancer to a poor prognosis. As a part of a tumoural microenvironment, TAMs have an important contribution influencing neoplastic progression. Hitherto, in canine mammary tumours (CMT) the prognostic value of TAMs has not been reported. In this study, MAC387 immunohistochemical expression was evaluated in 59 CMTs (20 benign and 39 malignant). The TAM value was significantly higher in malignant than benign CMT (P = 0.011). In malignant CMT, TAMs were associated with skin ulceration (P = 0.022), histological type (P = 0.044), nuclear grade (P = 0.031) and tubular differentiation (P = 0.042). The survival analysis revealed a significant association between tumours with higher levels of TAMs and the decrease in overall survival (P = 0.030). TAMs have proven to have a prognostic value. These findings suggest the future possibility of using TAMs as a novel therapeutic target in CMT.
Association of Malaysian Helicobacter pylori Virulence Polymorphisms with Severity of Gastritis and Patients’ Ethnicity
Authors: Alfizah Hanafiah , Ramelah Mohamed , Rizal Abdul M. , Anwar Abdullah S. , Isa Mohamed R. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractBackground and aim:  Polymorphisms of Helicobacter pylori cagA and vacA genes do exist and may contribute to differences in H. pylori infection and gastroduodenal diseases among races in the Malaysian population. This study was conducted to characterize the polymorphisms in H. pylori cagA and vacA in Malaysian population.Methods:  A total of 110 H. pylori isolates were genotyped by PCR and sequenced for cagA and PCR‐RFLP for vacA.Results:  East Asian cagA was predominantly detected (64.5%), whereas vacA s1m1 and s1m2 alleles were detected in 60.9 and 37.3% of strains, respectively. A statistical association between cagA type with patients’ ethnicity (p < .0001) and age group >50 years old (p = .027) was identified. vacA alleles showed significant association with age group >50 years old (p = .017) and increased neutrophil activity in gastric mucosa (p = .028 and p = .016 for moderate and marked activity, respectively). Further identification of vacA polymorphism revealed that 84% of strains from Malays and Indians showed one RFLP pattern (RFLP‐1), whereas more than one RFLP patterns (RFLP‐2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8) were predominantly observed in strains from Chinese (82%) (p < .0001). Increasing severity of gastric inflammation was observed in gastric mucosa infected with strains carrying RFLP‐2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 (p = .037). About 86.6% of H. pylori strains with East Asian cagA were vacA RFLP‐2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8, and 88% of Western cagA strains were vacA RFLP‐1 (p < .0001). Chinese and Indians are susceptible to different virulence genotypes of H. pylori, whereas Malays showed a mixed virulence genotypes.Conclusion:  Marked differences in the polymorphisms of cagA and vacA were observed among strains in Malaysian population. This provides a new insight into the pathogenicity of H. pylori in multiracial population.
A Robust Unsupervised Method for Fraud Rate Estimation
Authors: Ai Jing , Brockett Patrick L. , Golden Linda L. , Guillén Montserrat 
Published: April 2012

AbstractIf one is interested in managing fraud, one must measure the fraud rate to be able to assess the degree of the problem and the effectiveness of the fraud management technique. This article offers a robust new method for estimating fraud rate, PRIDIT‐FRE (PRIDIT‐based Fraud Rate Estimation), developed based on PRIDIT, an unsupervised fraud detection method to assess individual claim fraud suspiciousness. PRIDIT‐FRE presents the first nonparametric unsupervised estimator of the actual rate of fraud in a population of claims, robust to the bias contained in an audited sample (arising from the quality or individual hubris of an auditor or investigator, or the natural data‐gathering process through claims adjusting). PRIDIT‐FRE exploits the internal consistency of fraud predictors and makes use of a small audited sample or an unaudited sample only. Using two insurance fraud data sets with different characteristics, we illustrate the effectiveness of PRIDIT‐FRE and examine its robustness in varying scenarios.
Does Security Impact E‐procurement Performance? Testing a Model of Direct and Moderated Effects
Authors: Vaidyanathan Ganesh , Devaraj Sarv , D'Arcy John 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTDespite the widespread adoption of e‐procurement and the critical role of information security in these situations, academic research examining the relationship between information security and e‐procurement performance has been surprisingly minimal. This study represents an interdisciplinary approach to present and test a theoretical model that links security in e‐procurement processes to e‐procurement performance. E‐procurement performance is measured as a combination of cost savings, order quality, and satisfaction of fulfillment as perceived by buyers. The model also posits that two aspects of the procurement process will enhance the value of security in e‐procurement, namely, process complexity and process interdependence. We empirically examine these relationships using data collected from procurement managers. Our results have important implications for managing the e‐procurement process.
Relationship between Intellectual Capital and Knowledge Management: An Empirical Investigation
Authors: Hsu I‐Chieh , Sabherwal Rajiv 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTTwo important streams of the literature have examined intellectual capital (IC) and knowledge management (KM). Surprisingly, they have developed in parallel, without any empirical research on the relationship between them. This article empirically examines how IC and KM affect each other, and also investigates their consequences, viewing three intermediate consequences (dynamic capabilities, efficiency, and innovativeness) to mediate their effects on firm performance. In addition, this article examines the effects of the organization's culture on IC and KM. To address these issues, a comprehensive model is developed and tested using a combination of survey and secondary data of 533 companies in Taiwan. The results support the theoretical model. Major findings include the following: IC affects KM and dynamic capabilities; KM facilitates innovation but not dynamic capabilities or IC; a learning culture facilitates IC and innovation but not KM; firm performance depends on efficiency and innovation, but not directly on dynamic capabilities; and efficiency does not depend on any of the other constructs in the study. The article's implications for research and practice are examined.
Western mental health training for Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners
Authors: Lam T. P. , Mak K. Y. , Goldberg D. , Lam K. F. , Sun K. S. 
Published: April 2012

Lam TP, Mak KY, Goldberg D, Lam KF, Sun KS. Western mental health training for Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners.Objective:  To investigate the impact of a Western mental health training course for Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioners.Method:  A combined qualitative and quantitative approach was applied to examine the changes in the TCM practitioners’ clinical practice characteristics and attitudes. Focus groups and structured questionnaire surveys were conducted to compare their responses before and after the Course.Results:  After a 10‐week training course conducted by psychiatrists and family physicians, there were significant changes in confidence of the TCM practitioners for diagnosis (33% being confident before the Course vs. 76% after the Course) and management (24% vs. 55%) of common mental health problems. The causal effects of better classifications to recognition of mental health problems were explained by the qualitative responses. Proportion of TCM practitioners being confident of referring mental health patients to other healthcare professionals doubled from 25% to 50% after the Course. Nonetheless, there was no significant change in percentage of these patients being recommended to Western doctors owing to a lack of formal referral channel.Conclusions:  Western mental health training for TCM practitioners has positive impact on their clinical practice. However, the practical barriers in making referrals highlight the need of closer collaboration between conventional and traditional medicine.
Structural imaging techniques in schizophrenia
Authors: Perlini C. , Bellani M. , Brambilla P. 
Published: April 2012

Perlini C, Bellani M, Brambilla P. Structural imaging techniques in schizophrenia.Objective:  The aim of this overview study is to translate the technical terminology regarding structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging (sMRI) post‐processing analysis into a clinical clear description.Method: We resumed and explained the most popular post‐processing methods for structural MRI (sMRI) data applied in psychiatry and their main contributions to the comprehension of the biological basis of schizophrenia.Results: The region‐of‐interest (ROI) technique allows to investigate specific brain region size by manual tracing; it is anatomically precise and requires a priori hypothesis, but also it is time‐consuming and operator‐dependent. The voxel‐based morphometry (VBM) detects gray matter density across the whole brain by comparing voxel to voxel; it is operator‐independent, does not require a priori hypothesis, and is relatively fast; however, it is limited by multiple comparisons and poor anatomical definition. Finally, computational neuroanatomical analyses have recently been applied to automatically discriminate subjects with schizophrenia from healthy subjects on the basis of MRI images.Conclusion: Structural MRI represents a useful tool in understanding the biological underpinnings of schizophrenia and in planning focused interventions, thus assisting clinicians especially in the early phases of the illness.