bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Distribution and ultrastructural features of the serotonin innervation in rat and squirrel monkey subthalamic nucleus
Authors: Parent Martin , Wallman Marie‐Josée , Descarries Laurent 
Published: March 2010

AbstractThe main purpose of this light and electron microscopic immunocytochemical study was to characterize and compare the serotonin (5‐HT) innervation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) in rats and squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) following labeling with an antibody against the 5‐HT transporter (SERT). Unbiased counts of SERT+ axon varicosities revealed an average density of 5‐HT innervation higher in monkeys (1.52 × 106 varicosities/mm3) than rats (1.17 × 106), particularly in the anterior half of the nucleus (1.70 × 106). As measured by electron microscopy, SERT+ axon varicosity profiles in the STN of both species were smaller than unlabeled profiles. The number of SERT+ profiles displaying a synaptic junction indicated that, in both rat and monkey STN, approximately half of 5‐HT axon varicosities were asynaptic. In monkeys, all synaptic junctions made by SERT+ varicosities were asymmetrical, as opposed to only 77% in rats. Despite the higher density of 5‐HT innervation in the anterior half of monkey STN, the ultrastructural features of its SERT+ varicosities, including synaptic incidence, did not significantly differ from those in its posterior half. These findings suggest that, throughout the rat and monkey STN, 5‐HT afferents may exert their influence via both synaptic delivery and diffusion of 5‐HT, and that an ambient level of 5‐HT maintained in STN by these two modes of transmission might also modulate neuronal activity and influence motor behavior. A better understanding of the factors governing the complex interplay between these signaling processes would greatly improve our knowledge of the physiopathology of the STN.
Proposal for the management of the unexpected difficult pediatric airway
Authors: WEISS MARKUS , ENGELHARDT THOMAS 
Published: March 2010

SummaryThe incidence of unanticipated difficult or failed airway in otherwise healthy children is rare, and routine airway management in pediatric patients is easy in experienced hands. However, difficulties with airway management in healthy children are not infrequent in nonpediatric anesthetists and are a main reason for pediatric anesthesia‐related morbidity and mortality. Clear concepts and strategies are, therefore, required to maintain oxygenation and ventilation in children. Several complicated algorithms for the management of the unanticipated difficult adult and pediatric airway have been proposed, but a simple structured algorithm for the pediatric patient with unanticipated difficult airway is missing. This paper proposes a simple step‐wise algorithm for the unexpected difficult pediatric airway based on an adult Difficult Airway Society (DAS) protocol, discusses the role of recently introduced airway devices, and suggests a content of a pediatric airway trolley. It is intended as an easy to memorize and a practical guide for the anesthetist only occasionally involved in pediatric anesthesia care as well as a call to stimulate discussion about the management of the unanticipated difficult pediatric airway.
Designing a Highly Immersive Interactive Environment: The Virtual Mine
Authors: Soares L. P. , Pires F. , Varela R. , Bastos R. , Carvalho N. , Gaspar F. , Dias M. S. 
Published: March 2010

Abstract To achieve a full‐scale simulation of a pyrite mine, a highly immersive environment becomes necessary and this research has led to a complex system enabling users to walk through a virtual mine in real time, presenting all the behaviours present in such environment. Some of the problems encountered are the tunnels behaviours, including highly contrasted images due to the presence of the head light, narrow paths, elevators, sound reverberation and tunnels texture shades. The use of immersive virtual reality enables the generation of high‐quality simulations, because it is possible to control several feedback mechanisms such as the degree of luminance of produced imagery and spatial sound. In this research, a projection infrastructure and tracking system were specified and developed, aiming at producing the best results for this kind of simulation. To achieve our purposes, distributed algorithms were developed to run in a cluster solution that drives a four‐sided CAVE‐like environment. The complete production pipeline is presented, ranging from the developed authoring techniques, enabling fast production of new content for the simulation, to the tracking techniques produced for the improvement of the interaction.
Does Firm Size Affect Self‐selection and Learning‐by‐Exporting?
Authors: Máñez‐Castillejo Juan A. , Rochina‐Barrachina María E. , Sanchis‐Llopis Juan A. 
Published: March 2010

AbstractThe trade literature has long discussed the existence of some benefits attributed to exporting, among others, the improvement of firm productivity. This paper examines whether firm size plays a role in this supposedly favourable relationship between exporting and total factor productivity (TFP). To examine this, we investigate, separately for large and small firms, whether firms starting to export perform better ex ante (self‐selection) than non‐exporting firms and, conditional on this fact, if they are also more productive ex post (learning‐by‐exporting). With this purpose, we use both stochastic dominance and matching techniques. The dataset is a representative sample of Spanish manufacturing firms drawn from the Encuesta sobre Estrategias Empresariales for 1990–2002. Our results shed light on the importance of considering differences in firm size when analysing both self‐selection into exporting and post‐entry productivity changes. They confirm the existence of a binding process of self‐selection into exporting among small firms, but not among large firms. Post‐entry productivity growth, although with different time patterns, is significant both for small and large firms.
From Innovation to Exporting or Vice Versa?
Authors: Damijan Jože P. , Kostevc Črt , Polanec Sašo 
Published: March 2010

AbstractFirm productivity and export decisions are closely related to innovation activity. Innovation may play a more important role in the decision to start exporting, and successful exporting may drive process innovation. This suggests that the causality between innovation and exporting may run in both directions. Using detailed microdata from innovation surveys, industrial production surveys, and trade information for Slovenian firms in 1996–2002, we investigate the bidirectional causal relationship between firm innovation and export activity. We find no evidence for the hypothesis that either product or process innovations increase the probability of becoming a first‐time exporter, but we do find evidence in both the innovation survey and the industrial production survey that exporting leads to productivity improvements. These, however, are likely to be related to process rather than product innovations, and are observed only in a sample of medium and large first‐time exporters. This finding makes a case in favour of the learning‐by‐exporting hypothesis by demonstrating that these learning effects from exporting occur through the mechanism of process innovation enhancing firm technical efficiency.
Offshoring and Firm Performance: Evidence from French Manufacturing Industry
Authors: Jabbour Liza 
Published: March 2010

AbstractThis paper examines the implications of offshoring by French manufacturing firms on their productivity and profitability. Offshoring is considered as endogenous and its impact is estimated onex postmeasures of firm performance. The dataset used allows the distinction between two forms of offshoring: vertical foreign direct investment (FDI) and international outsourcing. It also gives us the possibility of distinguishing between offshoring to developed and developing countries. The results show, first, that offshoring has a stronger effect on profitability and, second, that the implications on performance are significant only in the case of international outsourcing to developing countries.
‘It’s all changed:’ carers’ experiences of caring for adults who have Down’s syndrome and dementia
Authors: McLaughlin Katrina , Jones Dr Aled 
Published: March 2010

Accessible summary

People who care for someone with Down’s syndrome and dementia were asked about what it was like being a carer. Four of the carers were brothers or sisters of the person who had dementia, and two were paid carers not family members.
All carers say that they want more information about some of the health and social problems that come with having dementia.
Carers said that they want to know more information and meet other carers and other people who have dementia.

SummaryA qualitative interview study was undertaken to determine the information and support needs of carers of adults who have Down’s syndrome and dementia. The data were analysed thematically. Carers’ information and support needs were seen to change at pre‐diagnosis, diagnosis and post‐diagnosis. Helping carers to manage the changing nature of the adult with dementia is seen to be an essential part of the health professional’s role.
The application of failure mode diagrams for exploring the roles of fluid pressure and stress states in controlling styles of fracture‐controlled permeability enhancement in faults and shear zones
Authors: COX S. F. 
Published: March 2010

Geofluids (2010) 10, 217–233AbstractPermeability enhancement associated with deformation processes in faults and shear zones plays a key role in facilitating fluid redistribution between fluid reservoirs in the crust. Especially in high fluid flux hydrothermal systems, fracture‐controlled permeability can be relatively short‐lived, unless it is repeatedly regenerated by ongoing deformation. Failure mode diagrams in pore fluid factor and differential stress space, here termed λ–σ failure mode diagrams, provide a powerful tool for analysing how fluid pressure and stress states drive failure, associated permeability enhancement and vein styles during deformation in faults and shear zones. During fault‐valve behaviour in the seismogenic regime, relative rates of recovery of pore fluid factor, differential stress and fault cohesive strength between rupture events impact on styles of veining and associated, fracture‐controlled permeability enhancement in faults and shear zones. Examples of vein‐rich fault zones are used to illustrate how constraints can be placed, not just on fluid pressure and stress states at failure, but also on the fluid pressurization and loading paths associated with failure and transitory permeability enhancement in faults and shear zones. This provides insights about when, during the fault‐valve cycle, various types of veins can form. The use of failure mode diagrams also provides insights about the relative roles of optimally oriented faults and misoriented faults as hydraulically conductive structures. The analysis highlights the dynamics of competition between fluid pressures and loading rates in driving failure and repeated permeability regeneration in fracture‐controlled, hydrothermal systems.
Loneliness in adolescence: gene × environment interactions involving the serotonin transporter gene
Authors: Van Roekel Eeske , Scholte Ron H.J. , Verhagen Maaike , Goossens Luc , Engels Rutger C.M.E. 
Published: March 2010

Background:  Loneliness is assumed to peak in early adolescence and to decrease throughout middle and late adolescence, but longitudinal confirmation of this tendency is lacking. Behavioral genetic studies with twin designs have found a significant genetic component for loneliness in children and adults, but no molecular genetic studies have been conducted to reveal the functional polymorphisms involved.Methods:  Associations among the serotonin transporter gene (5‐HTTLPR), sex, parental support, and loneliness were examined in a longitudinal study spanning five annual waves (N = 306).Results:  Using latent growth curve modeling (LGCM), loneliness was found to be highest in early adolescence and slowly declined throughout adolescence. The 5‐HTTLPR genotype was related to the development of loneliness, in that short allele carriers remained stable in loneliness over time, whereas adolescents with the long‐long genotype decreased in loneliness. Interactions were found between maternal support and 5‐HTTLPR genotype, showing that adolescents who perceived little support from their mothers and carried a short allele were at increased risk for developing loneliness.Conclusions:  Our study is the first to chart adolescent loneliness longitudinally and to examine the genetic underpinnings of loneliness. Our results contribute to a further understanding of the environmental and genetic basis of loneliness. Replication of our results is needed in both population‐based and clinical samples.
The psychological impact of forced displacement and related risk factors on Eastern Congolese adolescents affected by war
Authors: Mels Cindy , Derluyn Ilse , Broekaert Eric , Rosseel Yves 
Published: March 2010

Background:  While the current knowledge base on the mental health effects of displacement is mainly limited to refugees residing in industrialised countries, this paper examines the impact of war‐induced displacement and related risk factors on the mental health of Eastern Congolese adolescents, and compares currently internally displaced adolescents to returnees and non‐displaced peers.Methods:  Data were collected from a community sample of 819 adolescents aged 13 to 21 years, attending one of 10 selected schools across the Ituri district in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Respondents completed culturally adapted self‐report measures of posttraumatic stress symptoms (using the Impact of Event Scale – Revised) and internalising and externalising behaviour problems (by means of the Hopkins Symptoms Checklist – 37 for Adolescents). Associated factors studied were age, sex, parental death, exposure to war‐related violence and daily stressors.Results:  Internally displaced persons (IDPs) reported highest mean scores for the IES‐R and the HSCL‐37A internalising scale, followed by returnees, while non‐displaced adolescents scored significantly lower. However, ANCOVA tests showed that posttraumatic stress and internalising symptoms were mainly associated with traumatic exposure and daily stressors and not with displacement status. Externalising problem scores were associated with traumatic exposure, daily stressors and displacement. Remarkably, death of father was associated with fewer externalising problems. Sex was differently associated with internalising and externalising problems through traumatic and daily stressors.Conclusions:  As IDPs are highly exposed to violence and daily stressors, they report most psychological distress, when compared to returnees and non‐displaced peers. The distinct mental health outcomes for returned youngsters illustrate how enhancing current socio‐economic living conditions of war‐affected adolescents could stimulate resilient outcomes, despite former trauma or displacement.
Incorporating sociocultural adaptive capacity in conservation hotspot assessments
Authors: Sexton Jason P. , Schwartz Mark W. , Winterhalder Bruce 
Published: March 2010

AbstractAim  To highlight the importance of combining the geographies of sociocultural adaptation and biodiversity risk for creating global change conservation strategies.Location  Global.Methods  We review global conservation adaptation strategies and the geographies that influence biological risk, as well as sociocultural capacity to set priorities for a conservation response. We then describe relationships among these geographies and discuss criteria for prioritizing areas that will have the greatest potential for effective adaptive action.Results  Strategic conservation requires integrating biological geographies with physical and cultural geographies to maximize potential success with limited resources.Main conclusions  Biogeography is important for strategic conservation, but it is not the only geography that matters. There is a physical geography of global change providing a complex backdrop against which biodiversity is responsive. Additionally, there is a human geography that drives the degree of threat through variations in anthropogenic disturbance of natural systems and also drives variation in potential mitigation through sociocultural capacity for conservation action. Conservation biogeography typically considers the physical geography of change and the biogeography of threat; it must expand to consider the sociocultural geography of intervention, negative and positive, if it is to be effective. Consideration of these varying geographies also drives different choices for how to implement conservation strategies.
Pre‐clinical properties of the α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor partial agonists varenicline, cytisine and dianicline translate to clinical efficacy for nicotine dependence
Authors: Rollema H , Shrikhande A , Ward KM , Tingley III FD , Coe JW , O'Neill BT , Tseng E , Wang EQ , Mather RJ , Hurst RS , Williams KE , de Vries M , Cremers T , Bertrand S , Bertrand D 
Published: March 2010

Background and purpose: Smoking cessation trials with three high‐affinity partial agonists of α4β2 neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) have demonstrated differences in their clinical efficacy. This work examines the origin of the differences by taking into account brain exposure and pharmacological effects at human α4β2 nAChRs.Experimental approach: Rat plasma and brain pharmacokinetics were characterized and used to predict human steady‐state plasma and brain concentrations following recommended doses of each of the three compounds. The pharmacological characterization includedin vitroaffinities at different nAChR subtypes, functional efficacies and potencies at the human α4β2 nAChR, as well asin vivoeffects on rat mesolimbic dopamine turn‐over.Key results: A comparison of predicted human brain concentrations following therapeutic doses demonstrated that varenicline and nicotine, but not dianicline and cytisine, can extensively desensitize and, to a lesser extent, activate α4β2 nAChRs. The limited clinical efficacy of dianicline may be accounted for by a combination of weak functional potency at α4β2 nAChRs and moderate brain penetration, while recommended doses of cytisine, despite its highin vitropotency, are predicted to result in brain concentrations that are insufficient to affect α4β2 nAChRs.Conclusions and implications: The data provide a plausible explanation for the higher abstinence rate in smoking cessation trials following treatment with varenicline than with the two other α4β2 nAChR partial agonists. In addition, this retrospective analysis demonstrates the usefulness of combiningin vitroandin vivoparameters with estimated therapeutic human brain concentrations for translation to clinical efficacy.
Increased morphine analgesia and reduced side effects in mice lacking thetac1gene
Authors: Bilkei‐Gorzo A , Berner J , Zimmermann J , Wickström R , Racz I , Zimmer A 
Published: March 2010

Background and purpose: Although morphine is a very effective analgesic, its narrow therapeutic index and severe side effects limit its therapeutic use. Previous studies indicated that the pharmacological responses of opioids are modulated by genetic and pharmacological invalidation of tachykinin receptors. Here we address the role of substance P and neurokinin A, which are both encoded by the tachykinin 1 (tac1) gene, as modulators of opioid effects.Experimental approach: The analgesic and side effect potential of morphine was compared between wild‐type andtac1null mutant mice.Key results: Morphine was a more potent analgesic intac1null mutant mice, that is, in the absence of substance P/neurokinin A signalling. Interestingly, the most serious side effect of acute morphine, that is respiratory depression, was reduced intac1−/−animals. Comparing the addictive potential of morphine in wild‐type and knockout animals we found that morphine preference was similar between the genotypes. However, the aversive effect of withdrawal precipitated by naloxone in morphine‐dependent animals was significantly reduced intac1knockout mice. Behavioural sensitization, the underlying mechanism of addiction, was also significantly lower intac1−/−mice.Conclusion and implications: The analgesic potential of morphine was increased intac1knockout mice. In contrast, both the ventilatory suppressing effect and the addictive potential of morphine were reduced. These results suggest that reducing activity of the tachykinin system may be a possible strategy to improve the pharmacological potential of morphine.
Genistein aglycone improves skin repair in an incisional model of wound healing: a comparison with raloxifene and oestradiol in ovariectomized rats
Authors: Marini H , Polito F , Altavilla D , Irrera N , Minutoli L , Calò M , Adamo EB , Vaccaro M , Squadrito F , Bitto A 
Published: March 2010

Background and purpose:  Oestrogen loss at menopause is frequently related to poor wound healing. Genistein has been tested in anti‐ageing cosmetic preparations with interesting results on skin health. Here, we investigated the effects of the genistein aglycones, given systemically, in an incisional model of wound healing, compared to systemic oestradiol and raloxifene.Experimental approach:  Six months after ovariectomy (OVX), rats were randomly assigned to groups of 12 animals each and treated daily with genistein aglycone (1 and 10 mg·kg−1 s.c.), raloxifene hydrochloride (0.05 and 0.5 mg·kg−1 s.c.) or 17‐α‐ethinyl oestradiol (0.003 and 0.03 mg·kg−1 s.c.) for 12 weeks. Untreated OVX and sham OVX rats were used as controls. Then, 14 or 7 days before the end of the experiment, an incisional wound healing procedure was performed and skin specimens were collected to evaluate molecular, histological and functional measurements.Key results:  Seven and fourteen days after wounding, samples from OVX rats showed a decrease in transforming growth factor‐β1, tissue transglutaminase 2 and vascular endothelial growth factor compared to samples from sham OVX rats. Oestradiol, raloxifene and genistein all significantly modified this decrease, but the lowest genistein dose exerted a greater effect than the other treatments. Moreover, the lowest dose of genistein was the most effective in improving skin healing and wound tensile strength.Conclusions and implications:  Genistein aglycone might be an alternative therapy for the management of skin wound healing.