bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Trans‐obturator colonic suspension during Altemeier’s operation for full‐thickness rectal prolapse: preliminary results with a new technique
Authors: Boccasanta P. , Venturi M. , Spennacchio M. , Fratus G. , Despini L. , Roviaro G. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractAim  With the aim of reducing recurrence after perineal surgery for full‐thickness rectal prolapse, a new operation consisting of a trans‐obturator colonic suspension during Altemeier’s operation has been developed.Method  Eighteen women with full‐thickness rectal prolapse were examined clinically, with validated quality of life and continence scores, colonoscopy, anorectal manometry, anal EMG and sacral reflex latency. Ten had a newly diagnosed and eight a recurrent prolapse. The Altemeier operation was combined with a levatorplasty in all cases using two porcine collagen prostheses sutured to the descending colon and passed through the trans‐obturator space bilaterally. The operation was completed by a manual or stapled colo‐anal anastomosis. Clinical examination, with quality of life and continence scores, anorectal manometry, EMG and sacral reflex latency, was scheduled during follow up, with the recurrence of prolapse as the primary outcome measure.Results  There were no recurrences at 30 months. There was no mortality and no complications. All patients experienced significant improvement in quality of life and faecal continence scores (P < 0.01). Surgery did not affect anorectal pressures or sacral reflex latencies.Conclusion  The new technique appears to be relatively easy to perform and is complication free with no recurrence after a short period of follow up. A larger study with appropriate controls and longer follow up is now needed to assess its real effectiveness in reducing the risk of recurrence.
Production of recombinant human granulocyte macrophage‐colony stimulating factor in rice cell suspension culture with a human‐like N‐glycan structure
Authors: Shin Yun‐Ji , Chong Yun‐Jo , Yang Moon‐Sik , Kwon Tae‐Ho 
Published: August 2011

SummaryThe rice α‐amylase 3D promoter system, which is activated under sucrose‐starved conditions, has emerged as a useful system for producing recombinant proteins. However, using rice as the production system for therapeutic proteins requires modifications of the N‐glycosylation pattern because of the potential immunogenicity of plant‐specific sugar residues. In this study, glyco‐engineered rice were generated as a production host for therapeutic glycoproteins, using RNA interference (RNAi) technology to down‐regulate the endogenous α‐1,3‐fucosyltransferase (α‐1,3‐FucT) and β‐1,2‐xylosyltransferase (β‐1,2‐XylT) genes. N‐linked glycans from the RNAi lines were identified, and their structures were compared with those isolated from a wild‐type cell suspension. The inverted‐repeat chimeric RNA silencing construct of α‐1,3‐fucosyltransferase and β‐1,2‐xylosyltransferase (Δ3FT/XT)‐9 glyco‐engineered line with significantly reduced core α‐1,3‐fucosylated and/or β‐1,2‐xylosylated glycan structures was established. Moreover, levels of plant‐specific α‐1,3‐fucose and/or β‐1,2‐xylose residues incorporated into recombinant human granulocyte/macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (hGM‐CSF) produced from the N44 + Δ3FT/XT‐4 glyco‐engineered line co‐expressing ihpRNA of Δ3FT/XT and hGM‐CSF were significantly decreased compared with those in the previously reported N44‐08 transgenic line expressing hGM‐CSF. None of the glyco‐engineered lines differed from the wild type with respect to cell division, proliferation or ability to secrete proteins into the culture medium.
Managers’ Private Information, Investor Underreaction and Long‐Run SEO Performance
Authors: Bilinski Pawel , Strong Norman 
Published: August 2011

AbstractFor a sample of 2,879 SEOs by US stocks from 1970 to 2004, this paper decomposes an average three‐year post‐issue buy‐and‐hold abnormal return of −25.9% (relative to size‐ and B/M‐matched non‐issuing stocks) into two components. One component, representing 41% of the total, is due to lower risk exposure. The second component, representing the remaining 59%, is abnormal performance related to the surprise element of the issue decision, which the paper attributes to managers’ private information that the market does not incorporate into the announcement return. This second component results in abnormal returns during the 16 months after the offering.
What characterizes changing‐state speech in affecting short‐term memory? An EEG study on the irrelevant sound effect
Authors: Schlittmeier Sabine J. , Weisz Nathan , Bertrand Olivier 
Published: August 2011

AbstractThe irrelevant sound effect (ISE) describes reduced verbal short‐term memory during irrelevant changing‐state sounds which consist of different and distinct auditory tokens. Steady‐state sounds lack such changing‐state features and do not impair performance. An EEG experiment (N=16) explored the distinguishing neurophysiological aspects of detrimental changing‐state speech (3‐token sequence) compared to ineffective steady‐state speech (1‐token sequence) on serial recall performance. We analyzed evoked and induced activity related to the memory items as well as spectral activity during the retention phase. The main finding is that the behavioral sound effect was exclusively reflected by attenuated token‐induced gamma activation most pronounced between 50–60 Hz and 50–100 ms post‐stimulus onset. Changing‐state speech seems to disrupt a behaviorally relevant ongoing process during target presentation (e.g., the serial binding of the items).
How large the sin? A study of the event related potentials elicited by errors of varying magnitude
Authors: Arbel Yael , Donchin Emanuel 
Published: August 2011

AbstractWe report the results of an experiment designed to elucidate the extent to which the error related ERP components are affected by response and stimulus similarity. We examined the ERPs under varying degrees of mismatch between the representations of actual and appropriate responses. We replicated the design used in an earlier study, which demonstrated that response similarity rather than stimulus similarity affected the amplitude of the error related negativity (ERN). We report the results of a spatial‐temporal principal component analysis (PCA), which indicates that response similarity affects the amplitudes of the ERN and the fronto‐central positive component, but not those of the P300 and the frontal negativity. The results provide evidence to suggest that the ERN and the proceeding positive deflection are error related and are sensitive to the degree of the committed error, whereas the P300 and the frontal negativity are not.
Event‐related potentials increase the discrimination performance of the autonomic‐based concealed information test
Authors: Matsuda Izumi , Nittono Hiroshi , Ogawa Tokihiro 
Published: August 2011

AbstractThe concealed information test (CIT) assesses an examinee's crime‐relevant memory on the basis of physiological differences between crime‐relevant and irrelevant items. The CIT based on autonomic measures has been used for criminal investigations, while the CIT based on event‐related potentials (ERPs) has been suggested as a useful alternative. To combine these two methods, we developed a quantification method of ERPs measured in the autonomic‐based CIT where each item was repeated only 5 times. Results showed that the peak amplitude of the ERP difference wave between crime‐relevant and irrelevant items could discriminate between guilty and innocent participants effectively even when only 5 trials were used for averaging. This ERP measure could detect some participants who were missed by the autonomic measures. Combining the ERP and autonomic measures significantly improved the discrimination performance of the autonomic‐based CIT.
Targeting synaptic pathology in multiple sclerosis: fingolimod to the rescue?
Authors: Gillingwater Thomas H 
Published: August 2011

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disorder affecting the brain and spinal cord. Major hallmarks of MS typically include inflammation, demyelination and axon degeneration, although recent studies have also implicated synaptic dysfunction and degeneration in disease pathogenesis. The discovery that treatment with the orally active immunomodulatory drug fingolimod (FTY720) confers benefits in animal models and human patients has opened up new avenues for the treatment of MS. In the present issue of the BJP, Rossi and colleagues used a mouse model of MS [experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE)] to provide new evidence suggesting that fingolimod may target MS symptoms, at least in part, by ameliorating synaptic dysfunction. They demonstrated that fingolimod reversed modifications in glutamatergic transmission found in the striatum of EAE mice, accompanied by a reduction in the severity of dendritic spine loss. This report suggests that fingolimod treatment can have beneficial effects on synaptic pathology in MS, raising the intriguing possibility that fingolimod treatment may also be advantageous in other diseases of the nervous system where inflammation and synaptic pathology contribute to disease pathogenesis.LINKED ARTICLE This article is a commentary on Rossi et al., pp. 861–869 of this issue. To view this paper visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1476‐5381.2011.01579.x
Conformational switches in the VPAC1 receptor
Authors: Langer Ingrid 
Published: August 2011

The vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor 1 (VPAC1) belongs to family B of GPCRs and is activated upon binding of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and pituitary AC‐activating polypeptide neuropeptides. Widely distributed throughout body, VPAC1 plays important regulatory roles in human physiology and physiopathology. Like most members of the GPCR‐B family, VPAC1 receptor is predicted to follow the actual paradigm of a common ‘two‐domain’ model of natural ligand action. However the precise structural basis for ligand binding, receptor activation and signal transduction are still incompletely understood due in part to the absence of X‐ray crystal structure of the whole receptor and to significant structural differences with the most extensively studied family of receptor, the GPCR‐A/rhodopsin family. Here, we try to summarize the current knowledge of the molecular mechanisms involved in VPAC1 receptor activation and signal transduction. This includes search for amino acids involved in the two‐step process of VIP binding, in the stabilization of VPAC1 inactive and active conformations, and in binding and activation of G proteins.LINKED ARTICLES This article is part of a themed section on Secretin Family (Class B) G Protein‐Coupled Receptors. To view the other articles in this section visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2012.166.issue‐1
Atrial Fibrillation and Risk of Dementia: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Dublin Sascha , Anderson Melissa L. , Haneuse Sebastien J. , Heckbert Susan R. , Crane Paul K. , Breitner John C. S. , McCormick Wayne , Bowen James D. , Teri Linda , McCurry Susan M. , Larson Eric B. 
Published: August 2011

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with risk of incident dementia or Alzheimer's disease (AD), beyond its effect on stroke.DESIGN: Prospective cohort study.SETTING: An integrated healthcare delivery system.PARTICIPANTS: A population‐based sample of 3,045 community‐dwelling adults aged 65 and older without dementia or clinical stroke followed from 1994 to 2008.MEASUREMENTS: AF was identified from health plan electronic data using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, codes from inpatient and outpatient encounters. Covariates came from self‐report, study measures, and health plan data. Participants were screened every 2 years using the Cognitive Abilities Screening Instrument (range 0–100), with detailed neuropsychological and clinical assessment of those scoring less than 86. A multidisciplinary consensus committee determined diagnoses of all‐cause dementia and possible or probable AD using standard research criteria.RESULTS: AF was present in 132 (4.3%) participants at baseline and was diagnosed in 370 (12.2%) more over a mean of 6.8 years of follow‐up; 572 participants (18.8%) developed dementia (449 with AD). The adjusted hazard ratio associated with AF was 1.38 (95% confidence interval (CI)=1.10–1.73) for all‐cause dementia and 1.50 (95% CI=1.16–1.94) for possible or probable AD. Results were similar for participants with and without clinically recognized stroke during follow‐up and in sensitivity analyses examining only probable AD.CONCLUSION: AF is associated with higher risk of developing AD and dementia. Future studies should examine whether specific treatments, including optimal anticoagulation, can decrease this risk.
Clinical Significance of Postvoid Residual Volume in Older Ambulatory Women
Authors: Huang Alison J. , Brown Jeanette S. , Boyko Edward J. , Moore Elya E. , Scholes Delia , Walter Louise C. , Lin Feng , Vittinghoff Eric , Fihn Stephan D. 
Published: August 2011

OBJECTIVES: To examine the prevalence, natural history, and clinical significance of high postvoid residual (PVR) volume in ambulatory older women.DESIGN: Prospective cohort study.SETTING: Group health plan in Washington state.PARTICIPANTS: Nine hundred eighty‐seven ambulatory women aged 55 to 75.MEASUREMENTS: PVR was measured using bladder ultrasonography at baseline, 1 year, and 2 years. Participants completed questionnaires about urinary symptoms and provided urine samples for microbiological evaluation.RESULTS: Of the 987 participants, 79% had a PVR less than 50 mL, 10% of 50 to 99 mL, 6% of 100 to 199 mL, and 5% of 200 mL or greater at baseline. Of women with a PVR less than 50 mL, 66% reported at least one urinary symptom at baseline. Of women with a PVR of 200 mL or greater, 27% reported no significant symptoms at baseline. In adjusted analyses using data from all study visits, women with a PVR of 100 mL or greater were more likely to report urinating more than eight times during the day (odds ratio (OR)=1.42, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.07–1.87), and women with a PVR of 200 mL or greater were more likely to report weekly urgency incontinence (OR=1.50, 95% CI=1.03–2.18) than those with a PVR less than 50 mL. High PVR was not associated with greater risk of stress incontinence, nocturnal frequency, or urinary tract infection in adjusted analyses. Forty‐six percent of those with a PVR of 200 mL or greater and 63% of those with a PVR of 100 to 199 mL at baseline had a PVR less than 50 mL at 2 years.CONCLUSION: More than 10% of ambulatory older women may have a PVR of 100 mL or greater, which is associated with greater risk of some urinary symptoms, but many with high PVR are asymptomatic, and high PVR frequently resolves within 2 years. Symptom‐guided management of urinary symptoms may be more appropriate than PVR‐guided management in this population.
Influence of Prior Pneumococcal and Influenza Vaccination on Outcomes of Older Adults with Community‐Acquired Pneumonia
Authors: Manzur Adriana , Izquierdo Conchita , Ruiz Laura , Sousa Dolores , Bayas Jose‐María , Celorrio Jose‐Miguel , Varona Wenceslao , Nebot Manel , Salleras Lluis , Domínguez Angela , Carratalà Jordi ,   for the Working Group for the Study of Prevention of Community‐Acquired Pneumonia in the Elderly
Published: August 2011

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether prior pneumococcal and seasonal influenza vaccination improves outcomes in older adults hospitalized for community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP).
DESIGN: Prospective, observational, multicenter study.
SETTING: Five public hospitals providing universal free care to the whole population in three Spanish regions.
PARTICIPANTS: Individuals aged 65 and older admitted to the hospital with CAP through the emergency department.
MEASUREMENTS: Pneumococcal and influenza vaccination status. The primary study outcomes were intensive care unit (ICU) admission, length of hospital stay (LOS), and overall case‐fatality rate. Outcome variables of individuals vaccinated with both vaccines were compared with outcomes of those who were unvaccinated.
RESULTS: Two hundred thirty‐eight individuals had received 23‐valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine and seasonal influenza vaccination and were compared with 195 unvaccinated individuals. No differences were found with respect to combined antibiotic therapy between groups (38.0% vs 39.7%; P=.80). Similar percentages of vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals required ICU admission (7.2% vs 8.2%; P=.69). Mean LOS was significantly shorter in vaccinated individuals (9.9 vs 12.4 days; P=.04). Overall case‐fatality rates were similar in both groups (5.9% vs 5.1%; P=.73). After adjustment, LOS, risk of ICU admission, and overall case‐fatality rate were not associated with prior pneumococcal and seasonal influenza vaccination.
CONCLUSION: The clinical outcomes of vaccinated older adults hospitalized with CAP were not better than those observed in unvaccinated individuals.
Characteristics of Chronic Pain Associated with Sleep Difficulty in Older Adults: The Maintenance of Balance, Independent Living, Intellect, and Zest in the Elderly (MOBILIZE) Boston Study
Authors: Chen Qian , Hayman Laura L. , Shmerling Robert H. , Bean Jonathan F. , Leveille Suzanne G. 
Published: August 2011

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate pain severity and distribution in relation to sleep difficulty in older adults.DESIGN: Population‐based cross‐sectional study.SETTING: Community within a 5‐mile radius of the study center at the Institute for Aging Research, Hebrew SeniorLife (HSL), Boston.PARTICIPANTS: Seven hundred sixty‐five participants of the Maintenance of Balance, Independent Living, Intellect, and Zest in the Elderly (MOBILIZE) Boston Study aged 64 and older.MEASUREMENTS: Pain severity was measured using the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) Pain Severity Subscale. Musculoskeletal pain distribution was grouped according to no pain, single site, two or more sites, and widespread pain (upper and lower extremities and back pain). Three aspects of sleep difficulty were measured using items from the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, Revised (trouble getting to sleep, sleep more than usual, and restless sleep).RESULTS: Prevalence of trouble getting to sleep according to BPI severity was 17.8%, 19.7%, 32.0%, and 37.0% for the lowest to highest pain severity quartiles, respectively. Similar relationships between pain and sleep were observed across sleep measures according to pain severity and distribution. Adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics, chronic conditions, and health behaviors, chronic pain was strongly associated with trouble sleeping (≥1 d/wk) (single‐site pain, odds ratio (OR)=1.77, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.10–2.87; multisite pain, OR=2.38, 95% CI=1.48–3.83; widespread pain, OR=2.55, 95% CI=1.43–4.54, each compared with no pain). Similar associations were observed for restless sleep and sleeping more than usual. For specific pain sites alone or in combination with other sites of pain, only modest associations were observed with sleep problems.CONCLUSION: Widespread or other multisite pain and moderate to severe pain are strongly associated with sleep difficulty in older adults. Further research is needed to better understand the burden and consequences of pain‐related sleep problems in older adults.
Calcineurin regulation of cytoskeleton organization: a new paradigm to analyse the effects of calcineurin inhibitors on the kidney
Authors: Descazeaud Virginie , Mestre Elodie , Marquet Pierre , Essig Marie 
Published: August 2011

Abstract
Introduction
Calcineurin effects on neuronal cytoskeleton
Calcineurin effects on myocytes
Intracellular pathway involved in calcineurin‐induced effects on cytoskeletal organization
Calcineurin effects on kidney cells cytoskeleton
Conclusion
Calcineurin is a serine/threonine phosphatase originally involved in the immune response but is also known for its role as a central mediator in various non‐immunological intracellular signals. The nuclear factor of activated T cell (NFAT) proteins are the most widely described substrates of calcineurin, but ongoing work has uncovered other substrates among which are the cytoskeleton organizing proteins (i.e. cofilin, synaptopodin, WAVE‐1). Control over cytoskeletal proteins is of outmost interest because the phenotypic properties of cells are dependent on cytoskeleton architecture integrity, while rearrangements of the cytoskeleton are implicated in both physiological and pathological processes. Previous works investigating the role of calcineurin on the cytoskeleton have focused on neurite elongation, myocyte hypertrophic response and recently in kidney cells structure. Nuclear factor of activated T cell activation is expectedly identified in the signalling pathways for calcineurin‐induced cytoskeleton organization, however new NFAT‐independent pathways have also been uncovered. The aim of this review is to summarize the current knowledge on the effects of calcineurin on cytoskeletal proteins and related intracellular pathways. These newly described properties of calcineurin on cytoskeletal proteins may explain some of the beneficial or deleterious effects observed in kidney cells associated with the use of the calcineurin inhibitors, cyclosporine and tacrolimus.
In vitro analyses of the anti‐fibrotic effect of SPARC silencing in human Tenon’s fibroblasts: comparisons with mitomycin C
Authors: Seet Li‐Fong , Su Roseline , Toh Li Zhen , Wong Tina T. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractFailure of glaucoma filtration surgery (GFS) is commonly attributed to scarring at the surgical site. The human Tenon’s fibroblasts (HTFs) are considered the major cell type contributing to the fibrotic response. We previously showed that SPARC (secreted protein, acidic, rich in cysteine) knockout mice had improved surgical success in a murine model of GFS. To understand the mechanisms of SPARC deficiency in delaying subconjunctival fibrosis, we used the gene silencing approach to reduce SPARC expression in HTFs and examined parameters important for wound repair and fibrosis. Mitomycin C‐treated HTFs were used for comparison. We demonstrate that SPARC‐silenced HTFs showed normal proliferation and negligible cellular necrosis but were impaired in motility and collagen gel contraction. The expression of pro‐fibrotic genes including collagen I, MMP‐2, MMP‐9, MMP‐14, IL‐8, MCP‐1 and TGF‐β2 were also reduced. Importantly, TGF‐β2 failed to induce significant collagen I and fibronectin expressions in the SPARC‐silenced HTFs. Together, these data demonstrate that SPARC knockdown in HTFs modulates fibroblast functions important for wound fibrosis and is therefore a promising strategy in the development of anti‐scarring therapeutics.