bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Non‐clamped partial nephrectomy: techniques and surgical outcomes
Authors: Smith Gjanjé L. , Kenney Patrick A. , Lee Yoojin , Libertino John A. 
Published: October 2010

Study Type – Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4 What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add? Ishemic injury to the kidney normally occurs as a result of clamping the renal artery during a partial nephrectomy. Several years ago we described and presented the technique for partial nephrectomy without clamping the renal artery, thus avoiding renal ischemic injury. This study describes the technique and establishes the safety and efficacy of the technique. It adds a new technique to the surgical armamentarium for patients with renal tumours.OBJECTIVE• To describe our technique of partial nephrectomy (PN) without vascular clamping with perioperative and short‐term data to determine the safety, impact on renal function and oncological efficacy of this approach.PATIENTS AND METHODS• We performed a retrospective review of 952 PNs done at our institution between 1987 and 2009. Patients undergoing ex vivo PN with auto‐transplantation, patients with Von Hippel–Lindau disease and patients with incomplete follow‐up information were excluded from the analysis.• The four‐variable modification of diet in renal disease equation was used to calculate estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).• The percentage change in eGFR at 1 year was compared between the two groups.RESULTS• The analysed cohort comprised 116 PNs done with renal vascular clamping (group A) and 192 PNs done without clamping (group B). The median tumour size was slightly larger in group B than in group A (3.0 vs 2.8 cm, P = 0.002).• There was no difference in preoperative eGFR (P = 0.304) or the prevalence of solitary kidney (P = 0.69).• Median estimated blood loss was 300 mL higher in the unclamped group (P < 0.001) and was associated with a higher rate of transfusion (P = 0.001). There was no difference the positive margin rate or rate of recurrence (P = 0.60).• The median percentage change in eGFR was a 12.3% decrease for group A and a 9.8% decrease for group B at 1 year (P = 0.037). In the subset of patients with solitary kidneys, the median change in eGFR was a 21% decrease in group A and a 4.4% decrease in group B at 1 year (P = 0.027).• The rate of complications was similar in groups A and B (11.2 vs 9.9%, P = 0.72). There were no perioperative deaths.CONCLUSIONS• Partial nephrectomy can be safely performed without vascular clamping in appropriately selected patients.• Although PN without vascular clamping is associated with higher estimated blood loss, it is also associated with better preservation of renal function without compromising oncological efficacy, as evidenced by the solitary kidney cohort.
Broker recommendations and Australian small‐cap equity fund management
Authors: Comerton‐Forde Carole , Gallagher David R. , Lai Joyce , Walter Terry 
Published: October 2010

AbstractThis study examines whether the abnormal performance of active Australian small‐cap equity fund managers is associated with broker recommendations. Our evidence supports the investment value of broker recommendations, showing significant abnormal returns (ARs) both pre‐ and post‐broker recommendations. We find that when a factor‐mimicking portfolio based on broker recommendations is added to a Carhart (1997) model, annual alphas are reduced by 48 basis points. Using transaction‐level data, buy trades following broker recommendations earn significant cumulative ARs of 1.56 per cent after 60 days. Overall, we find that broker recommendations account for an economically significant component of alphas.
A Regression Model for the Conditional Probability of a Competing Event: Application to Monoclonal Gammopathy of Unknown Significance
Authors: Allignol Arthur , Latouche Aurélien , Yan Jun , Fine Jason P. 
Published: October 2010

SummaryCompeting risks are classically summarized by the cause-specific hazards and the cumulative incidence function. To obtain a full understanding of the competing risks, these identifiable quantities should be viewed simultaneously for all events. Another available quantity is the conditional probability of a competing risk, which is defined as the cumulative probability of having failed from a particular cause given that no other (competing) events have occurred. When one event is of a particular interest, this quantity provides useful insights, as it displays a probability adjusted on the other competing events. In certain applications, this interpretation may be preferable to that for the cumulative incidence function in quantifying cause-specific cumulative failure probabilities. The use of the conditional probability has been limited by the lack of a regression modelling strategy. We apply recently developed regression methodology to the conditional probability function and illustrate, by using a data set on patients suffering from monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance, the insights that are gained from this methodology.
Young people’s risk of suicide attempts in relation to parental death: a population‐based register study
Authors: Jakobsen Ida Skytte , Christiansen Erik 
Published: October 2010

Background:  The objective of this study was to examine the association between the death of a biological parent and subsequent suicide attempts by young people (aged 10–22 years), and to explore sociodemographic factors as modifying factors in the process.Methods:  The study used a nested case–control design. The full study population was obtained from the Danish longitudinal registers and included all individuals born between 1983 and 1989 (n = 403,431 individuals). The 3,465 registered suicide attempters from that group were matched with 75,300 population‐based control subjects. Potentially confounding variables including age and gender were controlled for by conditional logistic regression analyses.Results:  The findings indicated that young people who had lost one biological parent showed a significantly increased risk of attempting suicide (relative risk = 1.71, 95% confidence interval = 1.49–1.96). Losing the remaining parent nearly doubled the risk (relative risk = 2.7, 95% confidence interval = 1.48–5.06).Conclusion:  Experiencing the death of one or both biological parents increased the risk of suicide attempts in young people. Relative risk was moderated by high income of the father.
Recent insights into antioxidant defenses of legume root nodules
Authors: Becana Manuel , Matamoros Manuel A. , Udvardi Michael , Dalton David A. 
Published: October 2010

SummaryLegume root nodules are sites of intense biochemical activity and consequently are at high risk of damage as a result of the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS). These molecules can potentially give rise to oxidative and nitrosative damage but, when their concentrations are tightly controlled by antioxidant enzymes and metabolites, they also play positive roles as critical components of signal transduction cascades during nodule development and stress. Thus, recent advances in our understanding of ascorbate and (homo)glutathione biosynthesis in plants have opened up the possibility of enhancing N2 fixation through an increase of their concentrations in nodules. It is now evident that antioxidant proteins other than the ascorbate‐glutathione enzymes, such as some isoforms of glutathione peroxidases, thioredoxins, peroxiredoxins, and glutathione S‐transferases, are also critical for nodule activity. To avoid cellular damage, nodules are endowed with several mechanisms for sequestration of Fenton‐active metals (nicotianamine, phytochelatins, and metallothioneins) and for controlling ROS/RNS bioactivity (hemoglobins). The use of ‘omic’ technologies has expanded the list of known antioxidants in plants and nodules that participate in ROS/RNS/antioxidant signaling networks, although aspects of developmental variation and subcellular localization of these networks remain to be elucidated. To this end, a critical point will be to define the transcriptional and post‐transcriptional regulation of antioxidant proteins.

Contents

Summary
960

I.
Introduction
961

II.
Ascorbate
961

III.
Thiols
963

IV.
Ascorbate–glutathione pathway
963

V.
Superoxide dismutases and catalases
964

VI.
Thiol peroxidases: glutathione peroxidases  and peroxiredoxins
966

VII.
Protein disulfide reductases: thioredoxins  and glutaredoxins
967

VIII.
Glutathione S‐transferases
967

IX.
Antioxidants and metal sequestration
968

X.
Antioxidants of nodule bacteroids
969

XI.
Other molecules with antioxidative properties in nodules
969

XII.
Antioxidants and oxidative/nitrosative signaling
970

XIII.
Antioxidants and oxidative/nitrosative stress
971

XIV.
Conclusions and perspectives
972

Acknowledgements
973

References
973
Ethnic differences in cardiovascular‐somatosensory interactions and in the central processing of noxious stimuli
Authors: Mechlin Beth , Heymen Steven , Edwards Christopher L. , Girdler Susan S. 
Published: October 2010

AbstractEthnic differences in central sensitization of pain processing and stress‐relevant endogenous pain regulatory mechanisms were examined. Forty‐four African Americans (AAs; 50% women) and 44 non‐Hispanic Whites (nHWs; 50% women) matched for socioeconomic status, were tested for pain responses to the temporal summation of heat pulses and ischemic and cold pain. Resting and stress blood pressure (BP) and norepinephrine (NE) were assessed. AAs had heightened pain responses to all 3 pain tasks relative to nHWs. In nHWs, higher BP and NE were related to reduced pain. In AAs, there was no relationship between BP and pain, but higher NE was related to increased pain. This study provides evidence for ethnic differences in centrally mediated pain and extends prior research demonstrating ethnic differences in endogenous pain regulatory mechanisms. These results have implications for understanding biobehavioral factors contributing to ethnic disparities in clinical pain.
Farmers' Market consumers: a Scottish perspective
Authors: Carey Lindsey , Bell Pauline , Duff Audrey , Sheridan Mandy , Shields Margie 
Published: October 2010

AbstractFarmers' Markets in Scotland have gradually developed since 1999 as an alternative retail outlet for consumers. Throughout the UK, shoppers have become increasingly concerned about the quality and safety of their food and as a result seek healthier, locally grown organic and non‐organic produce. Thus, the growth of Farmers' Markets is directly related to consumer demand for fresh foods, direct from source, with the high quality of products being a primary reason for shopping. Farmers' Markets are not only seen as a place to buy ‘good food’ but also as a means to express consumer values associated with food choices. Scottish Government efforts to revitalize rural economies through local enterprise initiatives is evidenced by funding the initial establishment of the Scottish Association of Farmers' Market (SAFM), formed in 2000 by market organizers to further their development. The benefits of fresh local produce for Scottish consumers, the revival of a sense of community and the concept of ‘new consumption spaces’ tied to locality means the rural economy benefits from the increase in activity and profits through direct sales. This research investigates consumption habits at farmers' markets through the use of attitudinal theories along with food behaviours and motivations for purchasing. The results demonstrate that a positive attitude is important but the influence of others and barriers are not. Consumers are particularly motivated towards resource conservation and there are distinct differences in attitude between urban and rural shoppers. This research provides a unique insight into the attitudes that influence and motivate Farmers' Market consumers in Scotland.
When Does Information Asymmetry Affect the Cost of Capital?
Authors: ARMSTRONG CHRISTOPHER S. , CORE JOHN E. , TAYLOR DANIEL J. , VERRECCHIA ROBERT E. 
Published: October 2010

ABSTRACTThis paper examines when information asymmetry among investors affects the cost of capital in excess of standard risk factors. When equity markets are perfectly competitive, information asymmetry has no separate effect on the cost of capital. When markets are imperfect, information asymmetry can have a separate effect on firms’ cost of capital. Consistent with our prediction, we find that information asymmetry has a positive relation with firms’ cost of capital in excess of standard risk factors when markets are imperfect and no relation when markets approximate perfect competition. Overall, our results show that the degree of market competition is an important conditioning variable to consider when examining the relation between information asymmetry and cost of capital.
Pharmacological recruitment of the GABAergic tail of the ventral tegmental area by acute drug exposure
Authors: Kaufling Jennifer , Waltisperger Elisabeth , Bourdy Romain , Valera Antoine , Veinante Pierre , Freund‐Mercier Marie‐José , Barrot Michel 
Published: October 2010

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSEThe tail of the ventral tegmental area (tVTA), also called the rostromedial tegmental nucleus, is a newly defined brain structure and a potential control centre for dopaminergic activity. It was identified by the induction of DeltaFosB following chronic cocaine exposure. In this work, we screened 20 drugs for their ability to induce FosB/DeltaFosB in the tVTA.EXPERIMENTAL APPROACHImmunohistochemistry following systemic drug administration was used to study FosB/DeltaFosB induction in the tVTA of adult rats. Double‐staining was used to determine whether dopamine or GABA neurones are involved in this induction.KEY RESULTSThe acute injection of the psychostimulant drugs cocaine, D‐amphetamine, (+/−)‐3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), methylphenidate or caffeine, induced the expression of FosB/DeltaFosB in the tVTA GABAergic cells. No induction was observed following exposure to ethanol, diazepam, γ‐hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), morphine, ketamine, phencyclidine (PCP), Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), sodium valproic acid or gabapentin. To evaluate the role of monoamine transporters in the psychostimulant‐induced expression of FosB/DeltaFosB, we tested the antidepressant drugs reboxetine, nortriptyline, fluoxetine and venlafaxine (which target the noradrenaline and/or the 5‐hydroxytryptamine transporters), the 5‐hydroxytryptamine releasing agent dexfenfluramine, and the dopamine transporter inhibitor GBR12909. Only GBR12909 was able to induce FosB/DeltaFosB expression in the tVTA, showing that this induction is mediated by dopamine.CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONSNewly described brain structures may help to increase our knowledge of brain function, pathology and targets for treatments. FosB/DeltaFosB induction in the tVTA is a common feature of drugs sharing psychostimulant properties but not of drugs sharing risk of abuse.
Cardioprotective effect of a dual acting epoxyeicosatrienoic acid analogue towards ischaemia reperfusion injury
Authors: Batchu SN , Lee SB , Qadhi RS , Chaudhary KR , El‐Sikhry H , Kodela R , Falck JR , Seubert JM 
Published: October 2010

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) are cytochrome P450 epoxygenase metabolites of arachidonic acid that are metabolized into dihydroxyepoxyeicosatrienoic acids (DHET) by soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH). The current investigations were performed to examine the cardioprotective effects of UA‐8 (13‐(3‐propylureido)tridec‐8‐enoic acid), a synthetic compound that possesses both EET‐mimetic and sEH inhibitory properties, against ischaemia‐reperfusion injury.EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Hearts from C57BL/6 mice were perfused in Langendorff mode and subjected to ischaemia reperfusion. Mechanistic studies involved co‐perfusing hearts with either 14,15‐EEZE (a putative EET receptor antagonist), wortmannin or PI‐103 (class‐I PI3K inhibitor). H9c2 cells were utilized to investigate the protective effects against mitochondrial injury following anoxia reoxygenation.KEY RESULTS Perfusion of UA‐8 significantly improved postischaemic left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP) and reduced infarction following ischaemia reperfusion compared with control and 11,12‐EET. UA‐7 (13‐(2‐(butylamino)‐2‐oxoacetamido)tridec‐8(Z)‐enoic acid), a compound lacking sEH inhibitory properties, also improved postischaemic LVDP, while co‐perfusion with 14,15‐EEZE, wortmannin or PI‐103 attenuated the improved recovery. UA‐8 prevented anoxia‐reoxygenation induced loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and cell death in H9c2 cells, which was blocked by co‐treatment of PI‐103.CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS UA‐8 provides significant cardioprotection against ischaemia reperfusion injury. The effects are attributed to EETs mimetic properties, which limits mitochondrial dysfunction via class‐I PI3K signalling.
Cholecystectomy increases hepatic triglyceride content and very‐low‐density lipoproteins production in mice
Authors: Amigo Ludwig , Husche Constanze , Zanlungo Silvana , Lütjohann Dieter , Arrese Marco , Miquel Juan Francisco , Rigotti Attilio , Nervi Flavio 
Published: October 2010

AbstractBackground & aims: Bile acid (BA) pool size remains unchanged after cholecystectomy (XGB) but it circulates faster, exposing the enterohepatic system to an increased flux of BA. Triglyceride (TG) and BA metabolisms are functionally inter‐related. We investigated whether ablation of the gallbladder (GB) modifies hepatic TG metabolism.Methods: Male mice were subjected to XGB and fed a normal diet. In some experiments, mice received a 1% nicotinic acid diet to block lipolysis. Parameters of BA and TG metabolism, and microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTTP) activity were measured 1–2 months after XGB. Serum parameters, hepatic lipids and mRNA expression of genes of lipid metabolism were determined.Results: BA pool size and synthesis were normal, but biliary BA secretion doubled during the diurnal light phase in XGB mice. Serum and hepatic TG concentrations increased 25% (P<0.02), and hepatic very‐low‐density lipoproteins (VLDL)–TG and apoB‐48 productions increased 15% (P<0.03) and 50% (P<0.01), respectively, after XGB. Feeding a 1% nicotinic acid did normalize VLDL production. MTTP activity increased 15% (P<0.005) after XGB. Hepatic free fatty acid (FFA) synthesis and content, and mRNA levels of lipid metabolism‐related genes remained normal in XGD mice.Conclusions: XGB increased serum and hepatic TG levels, and VLDL production, which were restored to normal by nicotinic acid. The results suggest that FFA flux from adipose tissue to the liver is increased in XGB mice. They support the hypothesis that the GB has a role in the regulation of hepatic TG metabolism and that XGB may favour the accumulation of fat in the liver.
Effects of insulin‐like growth factor‐I administration on in vivo regulation of urea synthesis in normal subjects and patients with cirrhosis
Authors: Sandahl Thomas D. , Aagaard Niels K. , Thomsen Karen L. , Grøfte Thorbjørn , Greisen Jacob , Christiansen Jens S. , Vilstrup Hendrik 
Published: October 2010

AbstractBackground: The anabolic effects of insulin‐like growth factor‐I (IGF‐I) may involve a decrease of hepatic nitrogen (N) clearance, but this has never been studied in humans. Patients with cirrhosis have low levels of IGF‐I and might benefit from IGF‐I therapy. Conversely, a possible decrease in hepatic N clearance by IGF‐I could increase the risk of hepatic encephalopathy.Aims: To examine the effects of 1‐week IGF‐I administration on the functional hepatic N clearance (FHNC), viz. the linear slope of the relationship between blood‐α‐amino‐N concentration and urea‐N synthesis rate as controlled by an infusion of alanine.Methods: A randomized sequence‐crossover placebo‐controlled study. Eight healthy volunteers and eight patients with alcoholic cirrhosis received injections of saline or IGF‐I twice daily (50 μg/kg) for 7 days.Results: IGF‐I levels at baseline were lower in the patients than those in the controls. The IGF‐I treatment normalized patient levels and caused an increase in the controls to supra‐physiological levels. FHNC was lower in patients compared with healthy subjects (23.0 vs 36.5 L/h, P=0.03). IGF‐I treatment reduced FHNC by 30% in healthy subjects (from 36.5 to 25.7 L/h, P=0.02), whereas no effect was found in the patients.Conclusion: IGF‐I downregulates urea synthesis in normal subjects. This may be part of the explanation behind the anabolic effects of IGF‐I. The normalization of IGF‐I in cirrhosis patients without an effect on urea synthesis implies that the patients were resistant to IGF‐I with regard to reduction of hepatic amino‐N elimination. IGF‐I treatment of cirrhosis patients evidently carries no risk of N accumulation.
A Review of Failure Modes in Teeth Restored with Adhesively Luted Endodontic Dowels
Authors: Rasimick Brian J. , Wan Jeffrey , Musikant Barry L. , Deutsch Allan S. 
Published: October 2010

Abstract Purpose: Previous clinical studies indicated loss of retention between dowel and tooth was a major cause of failure for passive endodontic dowels. Advances in luting cement technology may have improved the retention of dowels. The purpose of this systematic review was to determine the clinical failure modes for dowel/core/crown restorations luted using resin‐based cements that are either self‐etching or used in conjunction with a bonding agent. Materials and Methods: PubMed was searched for English language, peer‐reviewed clinical research following restorations for 2 years or longer. For inclusion, a study group must have followed more than 50 permanent teeth restored using a dowel luted with resin cement and a bonding agent. Furthermore, more than 80% of the restorations must have received a nonresin crown. Results: Fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria and reported a total of 187 failures from 3046 restorations. The commonly reported causes of failure were dowel debonding (37% of all failures and primary cause in 8 of the 17 reporting study groups) and endodontic lesions (37% of all failures and primary cause in 6 of the 11 reporting study groups). Conclusions: Loss of retention remains a major mode of failure even for passive, nonmetal dowels luted by resin cements with a bonding agent. The exact nature and underlying causes of debonding have not been adequately investigated.
As China Hits No. 2, Opportunity Is Shrinking in America
Authors: SPENCE MICHAEL 
Published: October 2010

The United States accuses China of subsidizing its entire export economy through artificially undervaluing its currency. China accuses the United States of fiscal profligacy while flooding the world with easy credit to keep its economy afloat. This dispute reflects the reality that the world's two largest economies are built on opposite dynamics of production and savings vs. consumerism and debt. In Europe, the wages of unsustainable debt that financed the welfare state have also come due.Rebalancing the global economy in this context is not only a matter of fixing exchange or interest rates and extending the retirement age. It must also involve a recalibration of democracy in both East and West. Two Nobel economists, the Greek prime minister, a ranking Chinese economist and the former chief economist of the IMF address these issues.