bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Expression of Sox11 in adult neurogenic niches suggests a stage‐specific role in adult neurogenesis
Authors: Haslinger Anja , Schwarz Tobias J. , Covic Marcela , Chichung Lie D. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractIn the mammalian brain, neural stem and progenitor cells in the subventricular zone of the lateral ventricles and the subgranular zone of the dentate gyrus generate new neurons throughout adulthood. The generation of new functional neurons is a complex process that is tightly controlled by extrinsic signals and that is characterized by stage‐specific gene expression programs and cell biological processes. The transcription factors regulating such stage‐specific developmental steps in adult neurogenesis are largely unknown. Here we report that Sox11, a member of the group C Sox transcription factor family, is prominently expressed in the neurogenic areas of the adult brain. Further analysis revealed that Sox11 expression is strictly confined to doublecortin‐expressing neuronally committed precursors and immature neurons but that Sox11 is not expressed in non‐committed Sox2‐expressing precursor cells and mature neurons of the adult neurogenic lineage. Finally, overexpression of Sox11 promotes the generation of doublecortin‐positive immature neurons from adult neural stem cells in vitro. These data indicate that Sox11 is involved in the transcriptional regulation of specific gene expression programs in adult neurogenesis at the stage of the immature neuron.
A specific role for posterior dorsolateral striatum in human habit learning
Authors: Tricomi Elizabeth , Balleine Bernard W. , O’Doherty John P. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractHabits are characterized by an insensitivity to their consequences and, as such, can be distinguished from goal‐directed actions. The neural basis of the development of demonstrably outcome‐insensitive habitual actions in humans has not been previously characterized. In this experiment, we show that extensive training on a free‐operant task reduces the sensitivity of participants’ behavior to a reduction in outcome value. Analysis of functional magnetic resonance imaging data acquired during training revealed a significant increase in task‐related cue sensitivity in a right posterior putamen–globus pallidus region as training progressed. These results provide evidence for a shift from goal‐directed to habit‐based control of instrumental actions in humans, and suggest that cue‐driven activation in a specific region of dorsolateral posterior putamen may contribute to the habitual control of behavior in humans.
Compartments in a marine food web associated with phylogeny, body mass, and habitat structure
Authors: Rezende Enrico L. , Albert Eva M. , Fortuna Miguel A. , Bascompte Jordi 
Published: May 2009

AbstractA long‐standing question in community ecology is whether food webs are organized in compartments, where species within the same compartment interact frequently among themselves, but show fewer interactions with species from other compartments. Finding evidence for this community organization is important since compartmentalization may strongly affect food web robustness to perturbation. However, few studies have found unequivocal evidence of compartments, and none has quantified the suite of mechanisms generating such a structure. Here, we combine computational tools from the physics of complex networks with phylogenetic statistical methods to show that a large marine food web is organized in compartments, and that body size, phylogeny, and spatial structure are jointly associated with such a compartmentalized structure. Sharks account for the majority of predatory interactions within their compartments. Phylogenetically closely related shark species tend to occupy different compartments and have divergent trophic levels, suggesting that competition may play an important role structuring some of these compartments. Current overfishing of sharks has the potential to change the structural properties, which might eventually affect the stability of the food web.
Reduced endogenous secretory receptor for advanced glycation end products (esRAGE) in young people with Type 1 diabetes developing microalbuminuria
Authors: Marcovecchio M. L. , Giannini C. , Dalton R. N. , Widmer B. , Chiarelli F. , Dunger D. B. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractAims  The endogenous secretory receptor for advanced glycation end products (esRAGE) appears to work as a scavenger for AGEs and it has been implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications. The aim of the present study was to perform a longitudinal evaluation of esRAGE in young people with Type 1 diabetes (T1D) in relation to the development of microalbuminuria (MA).Methods  Serum esRAGE levels were measured in longitudinally collected blood samples from 49 T1D patients with MA (MA+) and 49 matched normoalbuminuric patients (MA−), followed in the Oxford Regional Prospective Study. esRAGE levels were compared between MA+ and MA− subjects in relation to the time of MA onset.Results  Overall, esRAGE levels were significantly lower in MA+ than in MA− subjects (0.727 ± 0.396 vs. 0.936 ± 0.433 ng/ml; P = 0.015). These differences between the two groups were present both before (0.725 ± 0.410 vs. 0.956 ± 0.505 ng/ml, P = 0.038) and after the onset of MA (0.750 ± 0.433 vs. 0.948 ± 0.418 ng/ml, P = 0.04). In a longitudinal analysis there was no effect of age, duration, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) or body mass index standard deviation scores on esRAGE levels (all P > 0.05). In a Cox model, esRAGE levels significantly contributed to the probability of developing MA [Exp(B)(95% confidence interval): 0.34(0.12–0.98); P = 0.04), independently of HbA1c.Conclusions  In this longitudinal study of young people with T1D, esRAGE levels were reduced in MA+ subjects, even before the onset of MA, and appeared to be related to its development, thus suggesting a potential role of esRAGE in the pathogenesis of this complication.
Glycinebetaine‐induced water‐stress tolerance in codA‐expressing transgenic indica rice is associated with up‐regulation of several stress responsive genes
Authors: Kathuria Hitesh , Giri Jitender , Nataraja Karaba N. , Murata Norio , Udayakumar Makarla , Tyagi Akhilesh K. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryRice (Oryza sativa L.), a non‐accumulator of glycinebetaine (GB), is highly susceptible to abiotic stress. Transgenic rice with chloroplast‐targeted choline oxidase encoded by the codA gene from Arthrobacter globiformis has been evaluated for inheritance of transgene up to R5 generation and water‐stress tolerance. During seedling, vegetative and reproductive stages, transgenic plants could maintain higher activity of photosystem II and they show better physiological performance, for example, enhanced detoxification of reactive oxygen species compared to wild‐type plants under water‐stress. Survival rate and agronomic performance of transgenic plants is also better than wild‐type following prolonged water‐stress. Choline oxidase converts choline into GB and H2O2 in a single step. It is possible that H2O2/GB might activate stress response pathways and prepare transgenic plants to mitigate stress. To check this possibility, microarray‐based transcriptome analysis of transgenic rice has been done. It unravelled altered expression of many genes involved in stress responses, signal transduction, gene regulation, hormone signalling and cellular metabolism. Overall, 165 genes show more than two‐fold up‐regulation at P‐value < 0.01 in transgenic rice. Out of these, at least 50 genes are known to be involved in plant stress response. Exogenous application of H2O2 or GB to wild‐type plants also induces such genes. Our data show that metabolic engineering for GB is a promising strategy for introducing stress tolerance in crop plants and which could be imparted, in part, by H2O2‐ and/or GB‐induced stress response genes.
Technology Transfer and the South's Participation in an International Environmental Agreement*
Authors: Qiu Larry D. , Yu Zhihao 
Published: May 2009

AbstractWe develop a North–South model of international trade and transboundary pollution to analyze the relationship between environmental technology transfer and the South's incentive to join an international environmental agreement (IEA). We find necessary and sufficient conditions under which technology transfer will increase the South's incentive to join the IEA. We also find necessary and sufficient conditions under which the South's participation in the IEA will increase the market incentive for technology transfer. Results have clear policy implications for (i) the sequence of technology transfer and the South's IEA membership, and (ii) the legitimacy of the South's subsidies for technology transfer.
The Political Economy of Strategic Trade Policies*
Authors: Fung K. C. , Lin Chelsea C. , Chang Ray‐Yun 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThis paper applies Grossman and Helpman's (1994) common agency model to investigate the formation of strategic export subsidy and strategic import tariff under both Cournot competition and Bertrand competition. The results of this paper indicate that even with political pressure, the Grossman–Helpman politically‐determined export policy is identical to the rent‐shifting export policy, which is export subsidy (export tax) in Cournot (Bertrand) competition. The politically‐determined import tariff will be higher than the optimal level. This paper highlights the possibility that lobbying can restore the level of trade intervention to a more efficient one in the absence of the benevolent dictator.
Effects of Changes in the Unemployment Insurance Eligibility Requirements on Job Duration — Swedish Evidence
Authors: Hägglund Pathric 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThis paper investigates the impact of the unemployment insurance (UI) entrance requirement on employment duration among earlier unemployed in Sweden. I exploit changes in the rules taking place in 1994 and 1997 to study behavioural adjustments in the timing of job separation in 1992, 1996, and 1998, respectively. Performing across‐year analyses with years involving different working requirements, I find some evidence of clustering of job exits at the time of UI qualification. By using predicted hazard rates for each week, I calculate an approximate 2.3‐week extension in average employment duration between 1996 and 1998, due to the 5‐week prolonging of the entrance requirement.
Effect ofAtropa belladonnaL. on skin wound healing: Biomechanical and histological study in rats and in vitro study in keratinocytes, 3T3 fibroblasts, and human umbilical vein endothelial cells
Authors: Gál Peter , Toporcer Tomáš , Grendel Tomáš , Vidová Zuzana , Smetana Karel , Dvořánková Barbora , Gál Tomáš , Mozeš Štefan , Lenhardt L'udovít , Longauer František , Sabol Marián , Sabo Ján , Bačkor Martin 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACTThe effect ofAtropa belladonnaL. (AB) aqueous extract on skin wound healing was studied in male Sprague–Dawley rats subjected to two parallel full‐thickness skin incisions on the back. Specimens for histological evaluation were collected on days 2 and 5 whereas for biomechanical testing, they were collected on day 5. In the in vitro study, a different concentration of AB extract was used to test the differentiation of keratinocytes using a panel of selected antibodies, proliferation, and cell survival of 3T3 fibroblasts and human umbilical vein endothelial cells using the MTT‐assay. Results of the in vivo experiments showed in AB‐treated wounds a shortened process of inflammation and accelerated collagen formation, as well as significantly increased wound stiffness as compared with control tissues. The in vitro examination showed that control keratinocytes were cytokeratin 19 free, while samples exposed to the highest AB extract concentration expressed CK19. Moreover, all concentrations were stimulatory to human umbilical vein endothelial cell proliferation. In addition, only the AB extract at the lowest tested concentration increased fibroblast growth, but higher concentrations decreased cell survival. In conclusion, our results indicate that the AB water extract positively affects early phases of skin wound healing in rats. However, the in vitro results on the inverse relation between the concentration of the AB extract and its effects on cell proliferation may be important for future research.
Validity of the orthopedic POSSUM scoring system for the assessment of postoperative mortality in patients with pressure ulcers
Authors: Kurita Masakazu , Ichioka Shigeru , Tanaka Yukari , Umekawa Kouhei , Oshima Yoshio , Ohura Norihiko , Kinoshita Mikio , Harii Kiyonori 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACTIn the treatment of pressure ulcers, assessment of systemic problems is an important yet difficult step in selecting either conservative or surgical therapeutic intervention. The surgical auditing system called the Physiological and Operative Severity Score for enUmeration of Mortality and Morbidity (POSSUM) and its orthopedic version (O‐POSSUM), which gives a predictive mortality rate for the first 30 postoperative days, may be useful for assessing systemic status, but have yet to be sufficiently validated for patients with pressure ulcers. To assess the validity of POSSUM and O‐POSSUM, 71 procedures on 50 cases were retrospectively statistically analyzed using receiver operating characteristic curves and goodness‐of‐fitness testing with the Hosmer–Lemeshow χ2 test for logistic regression modeling. POSSUM and O‐POSSUM showed satisfactory discriminatory power in receiver operating curve analysis. The validity of the values obtained by POSSUM and O‐POSSUM was also confirmed. O‐POSSUM was superior to POSSUM in both analyses. O‐POSSUM is useful in assessing the systemic status of patients with pressure ulcers. Some patients with pressure ulcers show extreme systemic conditions. Assessment of systemic status with O‐POSSUM contributes to daily clinical practice and future studies of treatments for pressure ulcers.
Evaluation of the use of prognostic information for the care of individuals with venous leg ulcers or diabetic neuropathic foot ulcers
Authors: Kurd Shanu K. , Hoffstad Ole J. , Bilker Warren B. , Margolis David J. 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACTThis is a randomized factorial design clinical trial that investigates the efficacy and feasibility of providing prognostic information on wound healing. Prognostic information was provided based on baseline or 4‐week wound characteristics. Healing rates were then determined at 24 weeks for venous leg ulcers and 20 weeks for diabetic neuropathic foot ulcers. Centers that had access to baseline information for venous leg ulcer prognosis had an odds ratio (OR) of healing of 1.42 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03, 1.95) while centers that had access to information at 4 weeks had an OR of healing of 1.43 (95% CI: 1.05, 1.95) compared with controls. Diabetic neuropathic foot ulcer patients treated in centers that had been randomized to receive only 4‐week prognostic information were more likely to heal than individuals seen in centers randomized to receive no intervention (OR 1.50, 95% CI: 1.05, 2.14). Our study found that it is feasible and efficacious to provide prognostic information on venous leg ulcers and diabetic neuropathic foot ulcers in a wound care setting using an existing administrative database. This intervention was easy to administer and likely had low associated costs. This method of dispersing prognostic information to healthcare providers should be expanded to include recently published treatment algorithms.
The effect of topical analgesics on ex vivo skin growth and human keratinocyte and fibroblast behavior
Authors: Harris Kathryn L. , Bainbridge Natalie J. , Jordan Nigel R. , Sharpe Justin R. 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACTThe application of topical analgesics to the donor site of split thickness skin grafts has been proven to be an effective method of pain management but little is known about their effects on wound reepithelialization. This study compares the effect of four analgesics on human keratinocytes and fibroblasts and whole skin explants in vitro to determine whether epithelial cell behavior is affected by topical analgesics. The effect of diclofenac, bupivacaine, lidocaine, and ketorolac was studied at concentrations between 10 mM and 1 nM. The effect on epithelial growth was measured using an ex vivo skin explant model. In addition, cell proliferation, and cytotoxicity were measured in cultured primary human keratinocytes and fibroblasts. Epithelial growth from the explant model was most inhibited by diclofenac with a significant reduction at 100 μM (p=>0.001). Diclofenac also exhibited the strongest inhibitory effect on cell proliferation especially in keratinocytes. Ketorolac was the most cytotoxic. Bupivacaine showed cytotoxicity in a dose‐dependent manner with only the very highest concentrations having a significant inhibitory effect. Lidocaine showed no evidence of cytotoxicity at the concentrations tested in either the in vitro cell studies or the ex vivo explant model. Topical analgesics alter keratinocyte and fibroblast behavior and such inhibition may affect wound healing.
De novo follicular regeneration of the skin by wingless int 3 and bone morphogenetic protein 2 genes introduced into dermal fibroblasts and fibroblast growth factor‐2 protein
Authors: Ono Ichiro , Akasaka Yoshikiyo , Kamiya Takafumi , Sato Makito , Kobune Masayoshi , Hamada Hirofumi , Yamashita Toshiharu 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACTIn this study, we regenerated skin and its appendages by transplanting cultured normal dermal fibroblasts, into which morphogen genes had been introduced. We cultured normal dermal fibroblasts obtained from Fisher 344 rats on the surface of hydroxyapatite beads, and then adsorbed them onto the surface of a collagen sponge, which was transplanted into a full‐thickness skin defect prepared on the backs of rats. Before transplantation, genes were introduced into the dermal fibroblasts via adenovirus vector (ad)‐bone morphogenetic protein 2 and ad‐wingless int 3 genes in addition to fibroblast growth factor‐2 protein. By Week 4, the appearance of follicle germs or primitive hair germs was observed only in the ad‐bone morphogenetic protein 2+ad‐wingless int 3 combined with the fibroblast growth factor‐2 protein group. By Week 16, in that same group, hair follicles having mature pilosebaceous systems with equally spaced localization had formed in the ulcer wound.
LIGHT‐INDUCED MOTILE RESPONSES OF THE ESTUARINE BENTHIC DIATOMS NAVICULA PERMINUTA AND CYLINDROTHECA CLOSTERIUM (BACILLARIOPHYCEAE)1
Authors: McLachlan Deirdre H. , Brownlee Colin , Taylor Alison R. , Geider Richard J. , Underwood Graham J. C. 
Published: May 2009

Motility of estuarine epipelic (mud‐inhabiting) diatoms is an important adaptation to living in biofilms present within fine sediments. Motility allows cells to migrate within the photic zone in response to a wide range of environmental stimuli. The motile responses of two species of benthic diatoms to photon fluence rates and spectral quality were investigated. Cultures of Navicula perminuta (Grunow) in van Heurck and Cylindrotheca closterium (Ehrenb.) J. C. Lewin et Reimann both exhibited photoaccumulation at ∼200 μmol · m−2 · s−1 and photodispersal from photon flux densities (PFDs) of ∼15 μmol · m−2 · s−1. Photokinesis (changing cell speed) contributed toward photodispersal for both species, and red light (λ = 681–691 nm) was most effective at inducing this process. N. perminuta showed a phototactic (directional) response, with active movement in response to a light gradient. Although this response was exhibited in white light, these directional responses were only elicited by wavelengths from 430 to 510 nm. In contrast, C. closterium did not exhibit phototaxis under any light conditions used in this study. Motile benthic diatoms thus exhibit complex and sophisticated responses to light quantity and quality, involving combinations of photokinesis and phototaxis, which can contribute toward explaining the patterns of large‐scale cell movements observed in natural estuarine biofilms.
An Outpatient Multifactorial Falls Prevention Intervention Does Not Reduce Falls in High‐Risk Elderly Danes
Authors: Vind Ane B. , Andersen Hanne E. , Pedersen Kirsten D. , Jørgensen Torben , Schwarz Peter 
Published: May 2009

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of multifactorial fall prevention in community‐dwelling people aged 65 and older in Denmark.DESIGN: Randomized, controlled clinical trial.SETTING: Geriatric outpatient clinic at Glostrup University Hospital.PARTICIPANTS: Three hundred ninety‐two elderly people, mean age 74, 73.7% women, who had visited the emergency department or had been hospitalized due to a fall.INTERVENTION: Identification of general medical, cardiovascular, and physical risk factors for falls and individual intervention in the intervention group. Participants in the control group received usual care.MEASUREMENTS: Falls were registered prospectively in falls diaries, with monthly telephone calls for collection of data. Outcomes were fall rates and proportion of participants with falls, frequent falls, and injurious falls in 12 months.RESULTS: Groups were comparable at baseline. Follow‐up exceeded 90.0%. A total of 422 falls were registered in the intervention group, 398 in the control group. Intention‐to‐treat analysis revealed no effect of the intervention on fall rates (relative risk=1.06, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.75–1.51), proportion with falls (odds ratio (OR)=1.20, 95% CI 0.81–1.79), frequent falls (OR=0.97, 95% CI=0.60–1.56), or injurious falls (OR=0.97, 95% CI=0.57–1.62).CONCLUSION: A program of multifactorial fall prevention aimed at elderly Danish people experiencing at least one injurious fall was not effective in preventing further falls.
Using Acupressure and Montessori‐Based Activities to Decrease Agitation for Residents with Dementia: A Cross‐Over Trial
Authors: Lin Li‐Chan , Yang Man‐Hua , Kao Chieh‐Chun , Wu Shiao‐Chi , Tang Sai‐Hung , Lin Jaung‐Geng 
Published: May 2009

OBJECTIVES: To explore the effectiveness of acupressure and Montessori‐based activities in decreasing the agitated behaviors of residents with dementia.DESIGN: A double‐blinded, randomized (two treatments and one control; three time periods) cross‐over design was used.SETTING: Six special care units for residents with dementia in long‐term care facilities in Taiwan were the sites for the study.PARTICIPANTS: One hundred thirty‐three institutionalized residents with dementia.INTERVENTION: Subjects were randomized into three treatment sequences: acupressure‐presence‐Montessori methods, Montessori methods‐acupressure‐presence and presence‐Montessori methods‐acupressure. All treatments were done once a day, 6 days per week, for a 4‐week period.MEASUREMENT: The Cohen‐Mansfield Agitation Inventory, Ease‐of‐Care, and the Apparent Affect Rating Scale.RESULTS: After receiving the intervention, the acupressure and Montessori‐based‐activities groups saw a significant decrease in agitated behaviors, aggressive behaviors, and physically nonaggressive behaviors than the presence group. Additionally, the ease‐of‐care ratings for the acupressure and Montessori‐based‐activities groups were significantly better than for the presence group. In terms of apparent affect, positive affect in the Montessori‐based‐activities group was significantly better than in the presence group.CONCLUSION: This study confirms that a blending of traditional Chinese medicine and a Western activities program would be useful in elderly care and that in‐service training for formal caregivers in the use of these interventions would be beneficial for patients.