bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Overcompensation as a Partial Solution to Commitment and Renegotiation Problems: The Case of Ex Post Moral Hazard
Authors: Boyer M. Martin 
Published: August 2010

AbstractIn a Costly State Verification world, an agent who has private information regarding the state of the world must report what state occurred to a principal, who can verify the state at a cost. An agent then has what is called ex post moral hazard: he has an incentive to misreport the true state to extract rents from the principal. Assuming the principal cannot commit to an auditing strategy, the optimal contract is such that: (1) the agent's expected marginal utility when there is an accident (high‐ and low‐loss states) is equal to his marginal utility when there is no accident; (2) the lower loss is undercompensated, while the higher loss is overcompensated; and (3) the welfare of the agent is greater under commitment than under no‐commitment. Result 2 is contrary to the results obtained if the principal can commit to an auditing strategy (higher losses underpaid and lower losses overpaid). The reason is that by increasing the difference between the high and the low indemnity payments, the probability of fraud is reduced.
Price Regulation in Secondary Insurance Markets
Authors: Bhattacharya Jay , Goldman Dana , Sood Neeraj 
Published: August 2010

AbstractSecondary life insurance markets are growing rapidly. From nearly no transactions in 1980, a wide variety of similar products in this market has developed, including viatical settlements, accelerated death benefits, and life settlements and as the population ages, these markets will become increasingly popular. Eight state governments, in a bid to guarantee sellers a “fair” price, have passed regulations setting a price floor on secondary life insurance market transactions, and more are considering doing the same. Using data from a unique random sample of HIV+ patients, we estimate welfare losses from transactions prevented by binding price floors in the viatical settlements market (an important segment of the secondary life insurance market). We find that price floors bind on HIV patients with greater than 4 years of life expectancy. Furthermore, HIV patients from states with price floors are significantly less likely to viaticate than similarly healthy HIV patients from other states. If price floors were adopted nationwide, they would rule out transactions worth $119 million per year. We find that the magnitude of welfare loss from these blocked transactions would be highest for consumers who are relatively poor, have weak bequest motives, and have a high rate of time preference.
The effect of human placenta cytotrophoblast cells on the maturation and T cell stimulating ability of dendritic cellsin vitro
Authors: Talayev V Yu , Matveichev A V , Lomunova M A , Talayeva M V , Tsaturov M E , Zaichenko I Ye , Babaykina O N 
Published: August 2010

SummaryThe success of pregnancy depends upon regulatory mechanisms that allow the fetus to survive and develop to term in the uterus, despite maternal immune cells' awareness of paternal alloantigens. At least some of these specific mechanisms are mediated by the effect of fetal trophoblast cells. In the present study we examine the effect of human placental cytotrophoblast cells (CTCs) on the maturation of dendritic cells (DCs) in vitro. For that purpose, CTCs were isolated from samples of placentae at 5–11 weeks of gestation and co-cultured with peripheral blood monocytes under conditions inducing DC maturation. CTC were shown to alter the morphology, phenotype and functional properties of DCs. As a result, a significant portion of cells acquire fibroblast-like morphology and some of the cells retain the expression of CD14. DCs matured in the presence of CTCs do not differ from usual DCs in terms of CD80, CD83 and CD86 expression, as well as the ability to induce allogenic lymphocytes proliferation. However, CTCs reduce significantly the ability of DCs to stimulate interferon-γ production and the loss of CD62L by T cells. The results obtained indicate that DCs may be involved in pregnancy-associated changes of cytokine production and T cell migration.
Genetic differentiation, behavioural reproductive isolation and mixis cues in three sibling species of Monogonont rotifers
Authors: SCHRÖDER THOMAS , WALSH ELIZABETH J. 
Published: August 2010

Summary1. Many aquatic species usually considered to be ‘cosmopolitan’ have been identified as cryptic species complexes, based on deep genetic differentiation. However, reproductive isolation among sibling cryptic species has rarely been studied, and interspecific hybridisation is common in some taxa.2. We investigated isolation mechanisms and possible introgression among three cyclical parthenogenetic rotifer species in the Epiphanes senta complex that are found in very different freshwater habitats: temperate floodplains, subtropical desert rock pools and a tropical alpine lake. Whereas Epiphanes ukera is reproductively isolated from E. chihuahuaensis and E. hawaiiensis, the latter hybridise under laboratory conditions.3. While reproductive isolation is incomplete, RAPD profiles indicated unique genetic signatures and showed no evidence for introgression, indicating that these three species are diverging and have independent evolutionary trajectories.4. Testing cues for sexual reproduction in these cyclic parthenogens demonstrated that mixis in E. chihuahuaensis and E. ukera is influenced by population density, whereas E. hawaiiensis females rarely produce mictic offspring regardless of density. Different mixis cues are likely to separate sexual periods and effectively cause reproductive isolation between the species. Epiphanes ukera and E. chihuahuaensis males display mate‐guarding behaviour, and E. ukera males distinguish between conspecific and heterospecific females in mate‐choice experiments. Geographic isolation, along with different cues for mixis induction and mate recognition, acts as reproductive barrier among these sibling species.
p16 Immunoreactivity in unusual types of cervical adenocarcinoma does not reflect human papillomavirus infection
Authors: Houghton Oisin , Jamison Jackie , Wilson Robbie , Carson James , McCluggage W Glenn 
Published: August 2010

Houghton O, Jamison J, Wilson R, Carson J & McCluggage W G (2010) Histopathology 57, 342–350 p16 Immunoreactivity in unusual types of cervical adenocarcinoma does not reflect human papillomavirus infectionAims:  The association between human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical carcinoma is well known, with HPV being identifiable in almost all cervical squamous carcinomas and most adenocarcinomas. However, the prevalence of HPV in unusual morphological types of cervical adenocarcinoma has not been investigated extensively. The aim was to determine HPV status in a series of primary cervical adenocarcinomas, enriched for unusual morphological types. The relationship between HPV and p16 immunoreactivity in these neoplasms was also investigated, as it is generally assumed that in cervical neoplasms diffuse p16 expression is predictive of the presence of high‐risk HPV.Methods and results:  Sixty‐three cervical adenocarcinomas, comprising those of usual type (n = 43), minimal deviation type (n = 4), gastric type (n = 3), intestinal type (n = 3), mesonephric type (n = 3), clear cell type (n = 4), serous type (n = 2) and hepatoid type (n = 1) underwent linear array HPV genotyping and immunohistochemistry for p16. Overall, HPV was identified in 32 of 56 cases (57%) in which sufficient DNA was present for analysis. The most common HPV types were 16 and 18, with these being identified in 20 and 18 cases, respectively, either alone or in combination. Seventy‐eight per cent of usual‐type adenocarcinomas were HPV‐positive, as was the single serous carcinoma in which there was sufficient DNA for analysis. In contrast, all minimal deviation adenocarcinomas and those of gastric, intestinal, mesonephric and clear cell types were HPV‐negative, as was the single hepatoid carcinoma. All usual‐type adenocarcinomas exhibited p16 immunoreactivity (diffuse staining in all but one case), as did 11 of 20 of those of unusual morphological type (five focal, six diffuse).Conclusions:  Most, but not all, cervical adenocarcinomas of usual type contain HPV, but those of unusual morphological type are almost always HPV‐negative. This has implications for the efficacy of HPV vaccination in the prevention of cervical adenocarcinoma. A significant proportion of cervical adenocarcinomas are p16‐positive in the absence of HPV, illustrating that in these neoplasms diffuse p16 immunoreactivity is not a reliable surrogate marker of the presence of high‐risk HPV.
Screen‐detected pleomorphic lobular carcinoma in situ (PLCIS): risk of concurrent invasive malignancy following a core biopsy diagnosis
Authors: Carder Pauline J , Shaaban Abeer , Alizadeh Yalda , Kumarasuwamy Vidya , Liston Joyce C , Sharma Nisha 
Published: August 2010

Carder PJ, Shaaban A, Alizadeh Y, Kumarasuwamy V, Liston JC & Sharma N (2010) Histopathology 57, 472–478 Screen‐detected pleomorphic lobular carcinoma in situ (PLCIS): risk of concurrent invasive malignancy following a core biopsy diagnosisAims:  Pleomorphic lobular carcinoma in situ (PLCIS) is an uncommon, recently recognized variant of lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS). Its natural history, biological behaviour and clinical characteristics are uncertain. The aim was to review the radiological and pathological findings in a series of screen‐detected PLCIS diagnosed on needle core biopsy with a view to determining the diagnostic features, immunohistological profile and risk of concurrent invasive malignancy.Methods and results:  Ten cases of core biopsy‐diagnosed, screen‐detected PLCIS were identified. Core biopsy findings were compared with pathological findings at subsequent surgery. Two cases were associated with possible microinvasion on the core. Two of 10 had invasive lobular carcinoma and one had microinvasive lobular carcinoma on subsequent surgical excision (positive predictive value for malignancy = 30%). There was associated conventional LCIS on either core or excision biopsy in all cases except one. All three cases of oestrogen receptor (ER)‐negative PLCIS arose in the context of ER+ conventional LCIS.Conclusions:  PLCIS is a potentially more aggressive lesion than conventional LCIS and may present as mammographic calcification through a breast screening programme. Diagnosis may be problematic and immunohistochemical markers including ER may prove a useful diagnostic adjunct. There is a significant risk of concurrent invasive carcinoma following a core biopsy diagnosis.
Specific intraepithelial localization of mast cells in differentiated vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia and its possible contribution to vulvar squamous cell carcinoma development
Authors: Van De Nieuwenhof Hedwig P , Hebeda Konny M , Bulten Johan , Otte‐Holler Irene , Massuger Leon F A G , De Hullu Joanne A , Van Kempen Leon C L T 
Published: August 2010

van de Nieuwenhof H P, Hebeda K M, Bulten J, Otte‐Holler I, Massuger L F A G, de Hullu J A & van Kempen L C L T (2010) Histopathology 57, 351–362 Specific intraepithelial localization of mast cells in differentiated vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia and its possible contribution to vulvar squamous cell carcinoma developmentAims:  The aetiology of vulvar squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) that are not causally associated with high‐risk human papillomavirus remains largely elusive. The aim of this study was to analyse the inflammatory response in its presumed precursor lesions, lichen sclerosus (LS) and differentiated vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (dVIN), and provide evidence that dVIN is a likely precursor of vulvar SCC.Methods and results:  Immunohistochemical analyses for CD4+, CD8+, CD20+, CD68+, S100+ and tryptase‐positive immune cells were performed and quantified in LS (n = 7), dVIN (n = 19), SCC (n = 11), and normal vulvar tissue (n = 8). The subepithelial inflammatory response in dVIN and SCC was comparable, but absent in LS. Abundant intraepithelial mast cells were observed in dVIN only, and confirmed by electron microscopy, toluidine blue staining and cKIT expression. Adjacent keratinocytes displayed increased proliferation as determined by MIB‐1 positivity. Electron microscopy revealed intraepithelial mast cell degranulation. Intraepithelial mast cells were not or infrequently observed in vulvar hyperplasia (n = 13), condylomata acuminata (n = 5), keratinocytic intraepidermal neoplasia of sun‐exposed skin (n = 15), epidermal hyperplasia of head and neck (n = 12), and psoriasis (n = 3).Conclusions:  These data indicate that dVIN can be recognized by intraepithelial mast cells and that they might promote the progression of dVIN to SCC.
Effects of oral commensal and pathogenic bacteria on human dendritic cells
Authors: Chino T. , Santer D. M. , Giordano D. , Chen C. , Li C. , Chen C.‐H. , Darveau R. P. , Clark E. A. 
Published: August 2010

Background/aims:  The oral cavity harbors a diverse and complex microbial community. Bacteria accumulate on both the hard and soft oral tissues in sessile biofilms and engage the host in an intricate cellular dialog, which normally constrains the bacteria to a state of commensal harmony. Dendritic cells (DCs) are likely to balance tolerance and active immunity to commensal microorganisms as part of chronic inflammatory responses. While the role played by DCs in maintaining intestinal homeostasis has been investigated extensively, relatively little is known about DC responses to oral bacteria.Methods:  In this study, we pulsed human monocyte‐derived immature DCs (iDCs) with cell wall extracts from pathogenic and commensal gram‐positive or gram‐negative oral bacteria.Results:  Although all bacterial extracts tested induced iDCs to mature and produce cytokines/chemokines including interleukin‐12p40, tumor necrosis factor‐α, and monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1), the most important factor for programming DCs by oral bacteria was whether they were gram‐positive or gram‐negative, not whether they were commensal or pathogenic. In general, gram‐negative oral bacteria, except for periodontopathic Porphyromonas gingivalis, stimulated DC maturation and cytokine production at lower concentrations than gram‐positive oral bacteria. The threshold of bacteria needed to stimulate chemokine production was 100‐fold to 1000‐fold lower than that needed to induce cytokines. In addition, very low doses of oral commensal bacteria triggered monocytes to migrate toward DC‐derived MCP‐1.Conclusion:  Oral commensal and pathogenic bacteria do not differ qualitatively in how they program DCs. DC‐derived MCP‐1 induced in response to oral commensal bacteria may play a role, at least in part, in the maintenance of oral tissue integrity by attracting monocytes.
Effects of recombinase A deficiency on biofilm formation by Streptococcus mutans
Authors: Inagaki S. , Matsumoto‐Nakano M. , Fujita K. , Nagayama K. , Funao J. , Ooshima T. 
Published: August 2010

Background/aim:  Recombinase A (RecA) is essential for the transformation of both plasmid and chromosomal DNA in Streptococcus pneumoniae and is considered to be related to the SOS‐response in Streptococcus mutans.Methods:  In the present study, a RecA‐deficient mutant strain (RAD) was constructed by insertional inactivation of the recA gene encoding the RecA protein in strain MT8148 of S. mutans, after which the biological functions of acid tolerance and biofilm formation were investigated.Results:  RAD showed reduced acid tolerance and produced lower density biofilm compared with the wild‐type strain. In addition, confocal microscopic observation indicated that the biofilm produced by RAD was composed of cells with significantly lower viability compared with that produced by strain MT8148.Conclusion:  These results suggest that RecA has a relationship with biofilm formation.
Role of lysine in interaction between surface protein peptides of Streptococcus gordonii and agglutinin peptide
Authors: Koba H. , Okuda K. , Watanabe H. , Tagami J. , Senpuku H. 
Published: August 2010

Introduction:  Streptococcus gordonii interacts with the salivary pellicle on the tooth surface and plays an important role in dental biofilm formation. Reports show that the analog Ssp peptide (A11K; alanine to lysine at position 11 in the arranged sequence, 1DYQAKLAAYQAEL13) of SspA and SspB of S. gordonii increased binding to the salivary agglutinin (gp‐340/DMBT1) peptide (scavenger receptor cysteine‐rich domain 2: SRCRP2). To determine the role of lysine in the binding of the Ssp(A11K) peptide to SRCRP2, we investigated whether an additional substitution by lysine influenced the binding of Ssp(A11K) peptide to SRCRP2 using a BIAcore biosensor assay.Methods:  Six analogs of the Ssp peptide with positive charges in surface positions on the structure were synthesized using substitution at various positions.Results:  The binding activity of analog Ssp(A4K–A11K) peptide was significantly higher than the other Ssp analogs. The binding activity rose under low ionic strength conditions. The distance between positively charged amino acids in the Ssp(A4K–A11K) peptide between 4K and 11K was 1.24 ± 0.02 nm and was close to the distance (1.19 ± 0.00 nm) between Q and E, presenting a negative charged area, on SRCRP2 using chemical computing graphic analysis. The molecular angle connecting 1D–11K–4K in the Ssp(A4K–A11K) peptide secondary structure was smaller than the other peptide angles (1D–11K–XK). The Ssp(A4K–A11K) peptide showed higher inhibiting activity for Streptococcus mutans binding to saliva‐coated hydroxyapatite than the (A11K) peptide.Conclusion:  The positioning of lysine is important for binding between Ssp peptide and SRCRP2, and the inhibiting effect on S. mutans binding to the tooth surface.
Platelet Concentrates Stored in Synthetic Medium after Filtration
Authors: Bertolini Francesco , Rebuild Paolo , Marangoni Francesco , Sirchia Girolamo 
Published: August 2010

AbstractPlatelet concentrates prepared from pooled buffy coats (BCPC) were stored in Plasma‐Lyte A, a glucose‐free synthetic medium, after leukocyte depletion by filtration through Pall PL 50, and compared to paired unfiltered BCPC stored in the same medium. Each pair of BCPC units was prepared from a pool of 10 buffy coats split into two indentical units. Platelet and leukocyte counts per unit of BCPC were 2.70±0.19 × 1011 and 3.8±2.8×106 (filtered BCPC), 2.59 ±0.27×1011 and 79±56×106 (control BCPC), respectively. Filtration procedures did not affect in vitro parameters of platelet quality and function such as osmotic reversal, ATP release and aggregation in response to collagen and ADP during 15‐day storage. A similar decrease of platelet membrane glycoprotein Ib and a similar rise of activation markers GMP‐140, gp 53 and platelet‐bound fibrinogen were observed during storage of filtered and control BCPC. Our study indicates that storage of BCPC after filtration is feasible and that a reduction in leukocyte content by filtration to mean cell counts of less than five millions per unit has probably no effect on platelet storage lesion.
Interlaboratory variation in the detection of HPA‐specific alloantibodies and in molecular HPA typing
Authors: Allen D. , Ouwehand W. H. , De Haas M. , Kekomaki R. , Kaplan C. , Metcalfe P. 
Published: August 2010

Background and Objectives  Platelet immunology quality assurance exercises have been organized by National Institute for Biological Standards and Control since 1991 and, as of 2006, 35 laboratories participate in the serology section. Molecular human platelet antigen (HPA) typing has been included in the exercises since 1998 and, as of 2006, 29 laboratories participate in this part of the exercise. This report details the performance of laboratories in these two areas.Materials and Methods  Every 6 months laboratories are sent up to four coded serum/plasma samples for testing in their in‐house assays for HPA antibody detection/identification and four coded whole blood samples to be typed for HPA‐1, ‐2, ‐3 ‐5 and (since 2003) ‐15 by their molecular typing assays (‘genotyping’).Results  Fifty‐two sera containing HPA‐specific alloantibodies and 13 sera that were inert, contained only human leucocyte antigen (HLA) class I or high‐titre anti‐A+B antibodies were distributed; 15 sera were issued in more than one exercise. The percentage of participating laboratories that were able to detect HPA‐specific alloantibodies ranged from 15·0 to 100%; the percentage that were able to correctly determine the specificities also ranged from 15·0 to 100%. Over the 20 serology exercises the percentage of laboratories classified as poor performers ranged from 3·1 to 36·7%. A total of 12 780 individual HPA genotyping results were assessed. The overall error rate was 0·7% but there was considerable variation between HPA alleles. Over 11 exercises the percentage of laboratories classified as poor performers varied from 6·3 to 26·3%.Conclusions  The ability to detect and to identify platelet‐specific alloantibodies varied widely between laboratories and between various examples of antibodies issued. An increase in the number of laboratories screening for HPA‐15 antibodies was seen, although detection and identification of these antibodies was problematic. The majority of examples of HPA‐3a antibodies and some examples of HPA‐1a and ‐5b were also difficult to detect and identify. In addition, this scheme has shown that despite the apparent reliability of molecular typing techniques, mistakes do occur, particularly with certain systems. Approximately one in five laboratories participating in the serology exercises and one in seven participating in the genotyping exercises were classified as poor performer at one point or more during the series of exercises.
Red cell transfusion for iron‐deficiency anaemia: a retrospective audit at a tertiary hospital
Authors: Grey D. E. , Finlayson J. 
Published: August 2010

Background and Objectives  The role of red cell transfusion in the management of iron‐deficiency anaemia is controversial. This audit was undertaken to monitor the overall transfusion practices of patients admitted to a 600‐bed acute tertiary hospital with confirmed severe iron deficiency.Materials and Methods  Data from 615 consecutive patients with iron deficiency and no evidence of iron therapy during the period from 1 March 2001 to 30 September 2005 were retrospectively reviewed.Results  Of the 615 iron‐deficient patients, 39·2% were transfused. Overall transfused patients were significantly older (mean 73 years old vs. 53 years old; P < 0·0001) with more comorbidities than those not transfused. The pretransfusion haemoglobin (Hb) was < 90 g/l in 92·5% compared to 15·4% of patients not transfused. The post‐transfusion Hb was ≥ 100 g/l in 75·0% of patients and ≥ 110 g/l in 44·2%. Although currently rare (2·5% patients) our speculative data suggest that single red cell transfusions may be appropriate in ≤ 29% of patients if restrictive thresholds were adopted.Conclusion  Red cell transfusions are commonly administered to elderly patients with severe iron‐deficiency anaemia. They may be necessary to alleviate severe morbidity until the time at which iron therapy becomes clinically effective. However, greater emphasis should be given to restrictive transfusion strategies and dosing. Transfusion of single red cell units followed by clinical assessment will determine the need for subsequent units and ensure that this valuable resource is appropriately used.