bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of bony pelvic dimensions measured by preoperative magnetic resonance imaging on performing robot‐assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy
Authors: Hong Sung Kyu , Lee Seung Tae , Kim Sung Soo , Min Kyung Eun , Hwang In Sik , Kim Myung , Jeong Seong Jin , Byun Seok‐Soo , Hwang Sung Il , Lee Sang Eun 
Published: May 2009

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of bony pelvic dimensions measured by preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on performing robot‐assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP).PATIENTS AND METHODSIn this exploratory study, we analysed the data of 141 patients who underwent RALP for clinically localized prostate cancer after undergoing MRI at our institution. Associations of various clinicopathological factors were analysed, including pelvic dimensions measured by preoperative MRI, with operative duration, estimated blood loss (EBL), surgical margin status, and postoperative urinary continence and erectile function.RESULTSFor operative duration, no pelvic dimension had a significant association on univariate analysis, with only the newly developed variable of pelvic cavity index approaching significance (P = 0.071). Only prostate volume had a significant association with operative duration on multivariate analysis (P = 0.015). For EBL, no bony pelvic dimension had a significant association on univariate analysis, with only intertuberous distance and interspinous distance approaching significance (P = 0.087 and P = 0.072, respectively). Again, only prostate volume was significantly associated with EBL on univariate analysis (P = 0.045). No pelvic dimension had any significant effect on surgical margin status, recovery of urinary continence or erectile function at 6 months after RALP.CONCLUSIONBony pelvic dimensions may not be a significant factor contributing to the technical difficulty of RALP among Korean patients compared with other patient‐related factors such as prostate volume.
Outcome after radical cystectomy in patients with clinical T2 bladder cancer in whom neoadjuvant chemotherapy has failed
Authors: Manoharan Murugesan , Katkoori Devendar , Kishore Thekke A. , Kava Bruce , Singal Rakesh , Soloway Mark S. 
Published: May 2009

OBJECTIVETo analyse the outcome after radical cystectomy (RC) in patients with clinical T2 bladder cancer not responding to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC).PATIENTS AND METHODSIn a retrospective analysis, study patients received NAC for clinical T2 disease before RC and a control group had RC for clinical T2 disease with no NAC. Patients treated with NAC were further grouped based on the pathological response; failure to respond was defined as ‘no change in T stage or a higher T stage in the RC specimen (≥pT2)’, and the relevant clinical and pathological data were analysed.RESULTSIn all, 53 patients satisfied the inclusion criteria for the study group and 200 for the control group. In the study group 18 (34%) responded to NAC (group 1) of whom 11 (61%) were pT0 and seven (39%) pT1, and among the non‐responders (group 2) 19 (54%) were pT3/pT4 and 16 (46%) were pT2; 16 (46%) patients in group 2 had lymph node metastasis. The mean follow‐up was 26 months. In group 2, local recurrence occurred in six (17%) vs none in group 1. Seven patients (20%) in group 2 developed metastases, vs one (5%) in group 1 (P = 0.01). The 5‐year disease‐free survival was significantly lower for group 2 (40%) than group 1 (91%, P = 0.007) and the control group (67%, P = 0.04). There were 14 deaths from bladder cancer in group 2, vs one in group I (P = 0.01). The 5‐year disease‐specific survival was significantly lower for group 2 (52%) than group 1 (83%, P = 0.008) and the control group (70%, P = 0.001).CONCLUSIONA lack of response to NAC is associated with a significantly higher local and distant recurrence, and with lower survival.
Screening: should more biopsies be taken in larger prostates?
Authors: Van Leeuwen Pim , Van Den Bergh Roderick , Wolters Tineke , Schröder Fritz , Roobol Monique 
Published: May 2009

OBJECTIVETo assess the number of missed prostate cancers and the frequency of aggressive disease when taking lateralized sextant prostate biopsies, irrespective of the total prostate volume (Pvol), during screening for prostate cancer.SUBJECTS AND METHODSMen participating in the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer, Rotterdam section, aged 55–74 years, with a prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) level of ≥3.0 ng/mL, and a negative sextant biopsy result at the initial screening round, were followed for 8 years. Cases of prostate cancer detected during the follow‐up by screening, or detected clinically as interval cancers, were assessed. Pvol at the initial screening round was related to the number of cancers found during the follow‐up. Furthermore, the frequency of aggressive cancer (N1 or M1, PSA >20 ng/mL, Gleason >7) was evaluated using multivariate logistic regression analysis, including age, PSA level and Pvol.RESULTSIn the total of 1305 men, 152 prostate cancers were detected during 8 years of follow‐up (11.6%); 23 were classified as aggressive (15.1%), and 50 (32.9%) were detected as interval cancers. There was a significant relation between a larger Pvol at the initial screening round and fewer cancers (odds ratio 0.1, P < 0.001). In multivariate logistic regression, the initial PSA level (odds ratio 3.21, 95% confidence interval, CI 1.2–8.3) and smaller Pvol (0.08, 95% CI 0.03–0.26) were statistically significant predictors for all cancers and aggressive cancers (PSA odds ratio 70.37, 95% CI 13.5–366.2; Pvol odds ratio 0.03, 95% CI 0.01–0.35).CONCLUSIONSMen with a smaller Pvol and an initially high PSA level were at greater risk of cancer detection and of an aggressive cancer during the follow‐up. The use in clinical practice of volume‐adjusted biopsy schemes should not be implemented automatically in screening programmes with repeated screening.
Impact of International Financial Reporting Standard adoption on key financial ratios
Authors: Lantto Anna‐Maija , Sahlström Petri 
Published: May 2009

AbstractAlthough previous research has investigated the economic consequences of International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) adoption, there is little evidence on the impact of IFRS adoption on key financial ratios. To fill this gap, we examine this issue in a continental European country (Finland). Our results show that the adoption of IFRS changes the magnitude of the key accounting ratios. Moreover, we extend the literature by showing that the adoption of fair value accounting rules and stricter requirements on certain accounting issues are the reasons for the changes observed in accounting figures and financial ratios.
Dividend preference of tradable‐share and non‐tradable‐share holders in Mainland China
Authors: Cheng Louis T. W. , Fung Hung‐Gay , Leung Tak Yan 
Published: May 2009

AbstractComprehensive data on corporate announcements of Chinese firms allows us to examine the preference for, and determinants of, cash and stock dividends. The results indicate that Chinese public investors prefer stock dividends over cash dividends, which are preferred by large state and legal person shareholders generally. Stock dividends, which do not require an explicit cash outflow from a firm, are found to be positively related to higher earnings, supporting the signalling hypothesis of dividend policy. In an imperfect market, these results have some implications for government regulation of financial markets.
The Impact of Institutional and Human Resource Distance on International Entry Strategies
Authors: Estrin Saul , Baghdasaryan Delia , Meyer Klaus E. 
Published: May 2009

abstract‘Distance’ between organizational contexts has been a prime concern of scholarly research into international business strategies. We extend this research by exploring the complementary roles of institutional and human resource distances on foreign investors' entry strategies. Combining institutional and resource‐based theories suggests that: (1) human resource differences complement institutional differences; (2) the effects of some aspects of distance are curvilinear; and (3) the impact of distance differs between first and subsequent entries. We find empirical support for these arguments on a unique dataset of foreign direct investment in six emerging economies that incorporates multiple host as well as multiple home countries.
BACKWARD LINKAGES OF CROSS‐BORDER PRODUCTION NETWORKS OF TAIWANESE PC INVESTMENT IN THE PEARL RIVER DELTA, CHINA
Authors: YANG CHUN , LIAO HAIFENG 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACTIn the new era of globalisation, participation in the global production network (GPN) initiated by transnational corporations (TNC) has created upgrading possibilities for local firms in developing countries, through the backward linkages of TNCs. Drawing upon the GPN approach with emphasis on its conceptualisation of embeddedness, this study demonstrates that cross‐border production networks of Taiwanese PC investment in Dongguan could be regarded as an exclusive network, which is characterised by closed backward linkages with pre‐established Taiwanese electronics suppliers while relatively weak ties with local suppliers in Dongguan. One of the results is that cross‐border production of Taiwanese PC investment has not substantially brought about industrial upgrading of Dongguan over the past two decades, which is different from previous empirical experiences of TNC‐driven clusters in other countries and regions in East Asia.
GOVERNING ‘SPACES OF INTERACTION’ FOR SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES
Authors: BUSH SIMON R. 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACTThis paper introduces the concept of ‘spaces of interaction’ to determine how existing market‐based governance tools improve participation and deliberation between actors along fish value chains. Exploring these linkages through the sociology of environmental flows and interactive governance theory the paper discusses: (1) how market‐based governance tools facilitate interaction within national and international value chains; (2) which links they target; and (3) what key actors they involve. Three market‐based governance tools are compared −Das Fisch‐o‐Meter, the Scottish Sustainable Haddock Project and the Marine Stewardship Council − to illustrate the structure and function of different market‐based spaces of interaction. The paper concludes that by understanding the kinds of interactions that are facilitated by market‐based governance arrangements we can determine their potential for fostering changes in consumption and production practices which ultimately lead to sustainable fisheries.
Dihydrotestosterone modulates spatial working‐memory performance in male mice
Authors: Benice Ted S. , Raber Jacob 
Published: May 2009

AbstractAndrogens affect cognitive processes in both humans and animals. The effects of androgens may be limited to certain cognitive domains, specifically spatial memory, but this hypothesis remains elusive. Here, we tested castrated and sham‐operated mice in various behavioral tasks to ask whether androgens affect multiple or specific cognitive domains in male mice. Castration impaired spatial working memory performance in the delayed matching to place water maze task following a 1‐h, but not a 1‐min, retention interval, as has been reported for rats. In contrast, castration had no effect on novel object recognition memory, spatial reference memory in the water maze, motor coordination, or passive avoidance memory. Castration increased anxiety‐like behavior in the open field test, but not the elevated zero maze. Finally, we assessed the effects of androgen replacement with non‐aromatizable dihydrotestosterone on spatial working memory following various retention intervals. Dihydrotestosterone recovered spatial memory performance following a 24‐h, but not a 1‐h retention interval, and had no effect at other retention intervals. These data support that in male mice androgens specifically affect spatial working memory performance, and that the neurobiological processes underlying spatial memory formation may be differentially affected by androgens.
Muscleblind‐like 2: circadian expression in the mammalian pineal gland is controlled by an adrenergic‐cAMP mechanism
Authors: Kim Jong‐So , Coon Steven L. , Weller Joan L. , Blackshaw Seth , Rath Martin F. , Møller Morten , Klein David C. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractMuscleblind‐like 2 (Mbnl2) is a zinc finger protein first identified in Drosophila. It appears to be essential for photoreceptor development and to be involved in RNA splicing. Here we report that Mbnl2 is strongly expressed in the rat pineal gland. The abundance of pineal Mbnl2 transcripts follows a marked circadian rhythm with peak levels approximately sevenfold higher at night than day levels. Mbnl2 protein exhibits a similar rhythm. In vitro studies indicate that the abundance of Mbnl2 transcripts and protein are controlled by an adrenergic/cAMP mechanism.
A hypersaline microbial mat from the Pacific Atoll Kiritimati: insights into composition and carbon fixation using biomarker analyses and a 13C‐labeling approach
Authors: BÜHRING S. I. , SMITTENBERG R. H. , SACHSE D. , LIPP J. S. , GOLUBIC S. , SACHS J. P. , HINRICHS K.‐U. , SUMMONS R. E. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractModern microbial mats are widely recognized as useful analogs for the study of biogeochemical processes relevant to paleoenvironmental reconstruction in the Precambrian. We combined microscopic observations and investigations of biomarker composition to investigate community structure and function in the upper layers of a thick phototrophic microbial mat system from a hypersaline lake on Kiritimati (Christmas Island) in the Northern Line Islands, Republic of Kiribati. In particular, an exploratory incubation experiment with 13C‐labeled bicarbonate was conducted to pinpoint biomarkers from organisms actively fixing carbon. A high relative abundance of the cyanobacterial taxa Aphanocapsa and Aphanothece was revealed by microscopic observation, and cyanobacterial fatty acids and hydrocarbons showed 13C‐uptake in the labeling experiment. Microscopic observations also revealed purple sulfur bacteria (PSB) in the deeper layers. A cyclic C19:0 fatty acid and farnesol were attributed to this group that was also actively fixing carbon. Background isotopic values indicate Calvin–Benson cycle‐based autotrophy for cycC19:0 and farnesol‐producing PSBs. Biomarkers from sulfate‐reducing bacteria (SRB) in the top layer of the mat and their 13C‐uptake patterns indicated a close coupling between SRBs and cyanobacteria. Archaeol, possibly from methanogens, was detected in all layers and was especially abundant near the surface where it contained substantial amounts of 13C‐label. Intact glycosidic tetraether lipids detected in the deepest layer indicated other archaea. Large amounts of ornithine and betaine bearing intact polar lipids could be an indicator of a phosphate‐limited ecosystem, where organisms that are able to substitute these for phospholipids may have a competitive advantage.
Biogeochemical changes induced in uranium mining waste pile samples by uranyl nitrate treatments under anaerobic conditions
Authors: GEISSLER A. , MERROUN M. , GEIPEL G. , REUTHER H. , SELENSKA‐POBELL S. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractResponse of the subsurface soil bacterial community of a uranium mining waste pile to treatments with uranyl nitrate over different periods of time was studied under anaerobic conditions. The fate of the added U(VI) without supplementation with electron donors was investigated as well. By using 16S rRNA gene retrieval, we demonstrated that incubation with uranyl nitrate for 4 weeks resulted in a strong reduction in and even disappearance of some of the most predominant bacterial groups of the original sample. Instead, a strong proliferation of denitrifying and uranium‐resistant populations of Rahnella spp. from Gammaproteobacteria and of Firmicutes occurred. After longer incubations for 14 weeks with uranyl nitrate, bacterial diversity increased and populations intrinsic to the untreated samples such as Bacteroidetes and Deltaproteobacteria propagated and replaced the above‐mentioned uranium‐resistant groups. This indicated that U(VI) was immobilized. Mössbauer spectroscopic analysis revealed an increased Fe(III) reduction by increasing the incubation time from four to 14 weeks. This result signified that Fe(III) was used as an electron acceptor by the bacterial community established at the later stages of the treatment. X‐ray absorption spectroscopic analysis demonstrated that no detectable amounts of U(VI) were reduced to U(IV) in the time frames of the performed experiments. The reason for this observation is possibly due to the low level of electron donors in the studied oligotrophic environment. Time‐resolved laser‐induced fluorescence spectroscopic analysis demonstrated that most of the added U(VI) was bound by organic or inorganic phosphate phases both of biotic origin.
Cysteine‐independent inhibition of the CFTR chloride channel by the cysteine‐reactive reagent sodium (2‐sulphonatoethyl) methanethiosulphonate
Authors: Li M‐S , Demsey AFA , Qi J , Linsdell P 
Published: May 2009

Background and purpose:  Methanethiosulphonate (MTS) reagents are used extensively to modify covalently cysteine side chains in ion channel structure‐function studies. We have investigated the interaction between a widely used negatively charged MTS reagent, (2‐sulphonatoethyl) methanethiosulphonate (MTSES), and the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) Cl‐ channel.Experimental approach:  Patch clamp recordings were used to study a ‘cys‐less’ variant of human CFTR, in which all 18 endogenous cysteine residues have been removed by mutagenesis, expressed in mammalian cell lines. Use of excised inside–out membrane patches allowed MTS reagents to be applied to the cytoplasmic face of active channels.Key results:  Intracellular application of MTSES, but not the positively charged MTSET, inhibited the function of cys‐less CFTR. Inhibition was voltage dependent, with a Kd of 1.97 mmol·L−1 at −80 mV increasing to 36 mmol·L−1 at +80 mV. Inhibition was completely reversed on washout of MTSES, inconsistent with covalent modification of the channel protein. At the single channel level, MTSES caused a concentration‐dependent reduction in unitary current amplitude. This inhibition was strengthened when extracellular Cl‐ concentration was decreased.Conclusions and implications:  Our results indicate that MTSES inhibits the function of CFTR in a manner that is independent of its ability to modify cysteine residues covalently. Instead, we suggest that MTSES functions as an open channel blocker that enters the CFTR channel pore from its cytoplasmic end to physically occlude Cl‐ permeation. Given the very widespread use of MTS reagents in functional studies, our findings offer a broadly applicable caveat to the interpretation of results obtained from such studies.
Cadmium Flows Caused by the Worldwide Production of Primary Zinc Metal
Authors: Achternbosch Matthias , Kupsch Christel , Sardemann Gerhard , Bräutigam Klaus‐Rainer 
Published: May 2009

SummaryMaterial flows of the economic cycle can contain toxic substances, which enter the economy as impurities in raw materials or are intentionally added as minor or even main constituents during the manufacture of industrial or consumer goods. Cadmium, predominantly associated with zinc minerals, is a by‐product of the primary zinc production. Cadmium is generated when zinc is extracted from zinc ores and concentrates, an intermediate product resulting from flotation processing after the zinc ore has been mined and milled. Information on the amount of cadmium generated from zinc extraction is rarely published. In this article, we assess generation and fate of cadmium accumulating worldwide in the production of primary zinc from ores and concentrates. Model calculations for the beginning of the 21st century show that annually about 30,000 tonnes of cadmium were generated, but only approximately 16,000 tonnes were converted to primary cadmium metal, key material for the production of other cadmium compounds (e.g., cadmium oxide), and cadmium‐containing goods (e.g., nickel−cadmium batteries). Hence, about 14,000 tonnes of cadmium must have been transferred somewhere else. The fate of about 5,500 tonnes can be plausibly explained, but it is difficult to determine what happens to the rest.
Posttransplant thrombotic microangiopathy: sensitivity of proposed new diagnostic criteria
Authors: Kennedy Glen A. , Bleakley Shane , Butler Jason , Mudie Kari , Kearey Natasha , Durrant Simon 
Published: May 2009

BACKGROUND: Objective diagnosis of transplantation‐associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TA‐TMA) has traditionally been difficult due to the multiple potential etiologies of thrombocytopenia and red blood cell fragmentation occurring after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (SCT). To attempt to address this issue of diagnostic uncertainty, two new diagnostic criteria for TA‐TMA have recently been proposed: the Bone Marrow Transplant Clinical Trials Network (BMT‐CTN) and the International Working Group (IWG) criteria. However, both newly proposed criteria are yet to be clinically validated.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: All 15 cases of TA‐TMA previously diagnosed at the authors' institution between December 2001 and March 2008 were retrospectively reclassified under the newly proposed BMT‐CTN and IWG criteria.RESULTS: Potential diagnostic pitfalls were identified in both the BMT‐CTN and the IWG TA‐TMA criteria. The main limitation of the BMT‐CTN criteria appeared to be need for concurrent renal and/or neurologic dysfunction to be manifest at TA‐TMA diagnosis, which was present in only 73% of our patient cohort. For the IWG criteria, the main limitation to TA‐TMA diagnosis appeared to be the requirement for schistocytosis of more than 4%, which was present in only 27% of these patients.CONCLUSION: Our experience suggests that potentially significant diagnostic pitfalls remain with both recently proposed TA‐TMA diagnostic criteria, pitfalls that are likely to limit the diagnostic sensitivity of both. It is recommended that further clinical correlation of both the BMT‐CTN and the IWG criteria be undertaken before either is routinely adapted into SCT practice.
Virus inactivation during the freeze‐drying processes as used for the manufacture of plasma‐derived medicinal products
Authors: Unger Ulrike , Poelsler Gerhard , Modrof Jens , Kreil Thomas R. 
Published: May 2009

BACKGROUND: Freeze‐drying is a technology widely used during the production of plasma‐derived medicinal products. Several studies have shown that freeze‐drying can also result in virus inactivation and particularly of hepatitis A virus (HAV). To date, however, the variables critical for virus inactivation during freeze‐drying have not been investigated systematically.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Five different lyophilization processes covering the range used for different plasma‐derived medicinal products (Factor [F]VII, FVIII, F IX, FVIII inhibitor bypassing activity, and fibrin sealer protein [FSP]) were investigated for their potential to inactivate HAV as well as bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) and pseudorabies virus (PRV).RESULTS: Our investigation demonstrates that freeze‐drying results in significant inactivation of HAV, with reduction factors between 2.5 and 5.9 log [TCID50]. Also, BVDV and PRV were inactivated, although to a lesser extent. While the specific details of the freeze‐drying processes investigated only had a minor influence on virus inactivation, the different compositions of product intermediates had a rather pronounced impact.CONCLUSION: Lyophilization contributes to the safety of plasma derivatives, in particular with the inactivation of HAV. The extent of HAV inactivation is strongly influenced by the respective product matrix rather than the design of the lyophilization cycle, which will require a case‐to‐case assessment for each product intermediate.