bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Stratum oriens stimulation‐evoked modulation of hippocampal long‐term potentiation involves the activation of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors and the inhibition of Kv7/M potassium ion channels
Authors: Suzuki Etsuko , Okada Takashi 
Published: May 2012

AbstractAcetylcholine is considered to be an endogenous modulator of hippocampal neurotransmission and synaptic plasticity. The activation of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) reportedly enhances hippocampal synaptic plasticity, which plays an important role in memory function; however, the mechanism by which it enhances synaptic plasticity remains unclear. Here, we examined the involvement of the inhibition of Kv7/M K+ channels, which are targets of mAChR modulation, during mAChR activation‐induced enhancement of long‐term potentiation (LTP) at rat hippocampal Schaffer collateral (SC)–CA1 synapses. When an electrical stimulus was applied to the stratum oriens before tetanic stimulation of the SCs, the magnitude of the induced SC–CA1 synapse LTP was enhanced as compared with that induced without stratum oriens stimulation. In the presence of the mAChR antagonist atropine, tetanic stimulation induced stable LTP, but the stratum oriens stimulation‐evoked enhancement of LTP was abolished. The additional application of XE991, a selective blocker of Kv7/M K+ channels, rescued the atropine‐induced inhibition of LTP enhancement. The phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor U‐73122 inhibited the stratum oriens stimulation‐evoked enhancement of LTP. Application of the T/R‐type voltage‐dependent Ca2+channel (VDCC) blocker Ni2+abolished the stratum oriens stimulation‐evoked enhancement of LTP. In addition, tetanic stimulation with preceding stratum oriens stimulation was able to induce LTP during N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor blockade. We therefore propose that stratum oriens stimulation inhibits Kv7/M K+ channels through mAChR activation‐induced PLC activation, which leads to VDCC activation, and hence causes sufficient Ca2+ influx to enhance LTP.
Selection on non‐social traits limits the invasion of social cheats
Authors: Morgan Andrew D. , Quigley Benjamin J. Z. , Brown Sam P. , Buckling Angus 
Published: May 2012

AbstractWhile the conditions that favour the maintenance of cooperation have been extensively investigated, the significance of non‐social selection pressures on social behaviours has received little attention. In the absence of non‐social selection pressures, patches of cooperators are vulnerable to invasion by cheats. However, we show both theoretically, and experimentally with the bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens, that cheats may be unable to invade patches of cooperators under strong non‐social selection (both a novel abiotic environment and to a lesser extent, the presence of a virulent parasite). This is because beneficial mutations are most likely to arise in the numerically dominant cooperator population. Given the ubiquity of novel selection pressures on microbes, these results may help to explain why cooperation is the norm in natural populations of microbes.
Increasing crude and adjusted mortality rates for colorectal cancer in a developing South American country
Authors: Zarate A. J. , Alonso F. T. , Garmendia M. L. , López‐Köstner F. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractAim  Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major cause of cancer death worldwide. We examined temporal trends in death rates from colorectal cancer in Chile from 1983 to 2008.Method  We analysed the mortality database in Chile from 1983 to 2008. Cases were selected using ICD‐9/10 codes. We calculated mortality rates per 100 000 inhabitants according to sex, age group and type of cancer – colon (CC) or rectal (RC). The rates were adjusted by a direct method using the WHO‐2000 standard population. Time trends were assessed with Prais–Winsten regression models.Results  There were 26 250 deaths from CRC (75.7% for CC). There was a higher frequency of deaths from CC (57.6%) in women than in men, who had a higher frequency of deaths from RC (51.3%). The crude CC mortality rate increased by 116% (from 3.6 to 7.8), while the overall RC rate increased by 71% (from 1.4 to 2.4). After adjusting for age, a significant increase in mortality rate was found for CC (coefficient 0.09, 95% CI 0.08–0.11, P < 0.001) and RC (coefficient 0.02, 95% CI 0.009–0.04, P = 0.002) in men. In women, this increase was significant for CC (coefficient 0.03, 95% CI 0.005–0.05; P = 0.02), but not for RC (coefficient −0.007, 95% CI −0.02 to 0.005, P = 0.23).Conclusion  The crude mortality rate from CRC has doubled in Chile in this period. After adjustment of mortality rates, it appears that much of this increase is due to the aging population. However, part of this increase could be explained by other factors.
Prevalence and significance of anaemia in patients receiving long‐course neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for rectal carcinoma
Authors: Walter C. J. , Bell L. T. O. , Parsons S. R. , Jackson C. , Borley N. R. , Wheeler J. M. D. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractAim  The study aimed to assess the prevalence and significance of anaemia during long‐course neoadjuvant radiotherapy for rectal cancer at our centre.Method  Hospital coding and a prospective oncology database were used to identify all patients undergoing long‐course neoadjuvant radiotherapy for rectal cancer at our centre between 2004 and 2009. A retrospective review of computerized records was used to extract individual patient data. Anaemia was defined as a haemoglobin level of < 11.5 g/dl for women and of < 13 g/dl for men. Downstaging was assessed by comparing radiological stage (rTNM) with histological stage (ypTNM). Tumour regression after radiotherapy was assessed using the Rectal Cancer Regression Group (RCRG) scores of 1–3. The results were analysed using Gnu PSPP statistical software.Results  There were 70 patients (51 men) of median age 66 (interquartile range 60–72.75) years. Of these, 24 were anaemic. Two (3%) had no haemoglobin level recorded and were excluded. Forty‐two per cent of anaemic patients demonstrated mural (T) downstaging compared with 68% of nonanaemic patients (P = 0.03). There was no difference in nodal downstaging between the groups. The RCRG scores showed more tumour regression in nonanaemic patients than in anaemic patients, as follows: RCRG 1, 59%vs 30%; RCRG 2, 11%vs 17%; and RCRG 3, 38%vs 46% (P < 0.001).Conclusion  The prevalence of anaemia in patients undergoing long‐course neoadjuvant radiotherapy was 35%. Anaemia during long‐course neoadjuvant radiotherapy was associated with significant reductions in tumour downstaging and regression.
Visceral obesity is a strong predictor of perioperative outcome in patients undergoing laparoscopic radical nephrectomy
Authors: Hagiwara Masayuki , Miyajima Akira , Hasegawa Masanori , Jinzaki Masahiro , Kikuchi Eiji , Nakagawa Ken , Oya Mototsugu 
Published: May 2012

Study Type – Therapy (case series)Level of Evidence 4What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?Obesity is a common and growing problem in industrialized countries, and metabolic syndrome has been the focus of much attention recently, particularly with respect to obesity. Obesity is thought to be a major factor influencing surgical complexity during abdominal surgery, including laparoscopic surgery.In this study, we focused on visceral obesity which has been recognized as the most important pathogenic factor in metabolic syndrome. We found that a high visceral fat area was a significant risk factor for a prolonged operating time. We believe that visceral obesity may greatly affect surgical complexity and may be a suitable index for predicting the degree of operating difficulty associated with laparoscopic nephrectomy.OBJECTIVE
To examine the impact of visceral fat on surgical complexity in patients undergoing laparoscopic nephrectomy.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
We reviewed the medical records of 121 patients who underwent laparoscopic nephrectomy from 2006 to 2010 at our institution.
The total fat area, visceral fat area (VFA) and subcutaneous fat area were measured at the level of the umbilicus using computed tomography (CT).
To identify the type of obesity, we divided VFA into ≥100 cm2 and <100 cm2. A VFA ≥100 cm2 was used as the definition of visceral obesity.
We evaluated the impact of the VFA on technical difficulties encountered during laparoscopic nephrectomy by measuring operating time.
RESULTS
A significant correlation was observed between body mass index (BMI) and operating time (P < 0.001, r= 0.316) in the patients undergoing laparoscopic nephrectomy.
VFA was also significantly correlated with operating time (P < 0.001, r= 0.348), and the correlation coefficient of VFA was higher than that of BMI.
Multivariate analysis showed that a high VFA was an independent risk factor for prolonged operating time (P= 0.009, odds ratio; 3.70), whereas BMI was not found to be a risk factor.
CONCLUSIONS
The present data indicate that measurement of VFA by CT is of benefit for predicting the technical difficulty associated with laparoscopic radical nephrectomy.
Visceral obesity, which is one factor involved in metabolic syndrome, has a greater impact than BMI on the complexity of laparoscopic radical nephrectomy.
The view from the office is not all bad: conservation evaluation as a ‘sexy’ research goal
Authors: Howe C. , Milner‐Gulland E. J. 
Published: May 2012

Read the Feature Paper: Evaluating indices of conservation success: a comparative analysis of outcome‐ and output‐based indicesCommentaries on this Feature Paper: Getting what you pay for: the challenge of measuring success in conservation; How can we sell evaluating, analyzing and synthesizing to young scientists?
Glucose transporter/T1R3‐expressing cells in rat tracheal epithelium
Authors: Merigo Flavia , Benati Donatella , Cristofoletti Mirko , Amarù Fabio , Osculati Francesco , Sbarbati Andrea 
Published: May 2012

AbstractGlucose transport plays an important role in maintaining low sugar concentration in airway surface liquid (ASL), which is critical for mucociliary clearance and bacterial colonization. Experimental evidence indicates that glucose/hexose uptake in lung/airway cells occurs by means of two structurally distinct glucose transporter pathways: the Na+‐dependent glucose transporters (SGLT family) and the facilitative glucose transporters (GLUT family). In this study, we examined the expression of the major glucose transporters of the intestine, GLUT2, GLUT5, SGLT1 and T1R3 taste receptor subunit, in the trachea of rats using immunohistochemistry and immunoelectron microscopy, and compared them using double‐labeled confocal microscopy. We found that GLUT2, GLUT5, SGLT1 and T1R3 are selectively expressed in different cell types. T1R3 and GLUT2 are predominantly expressed in subsets of solitary chemoreceptor cells (SCCs) and ciliated cells, GLUT5 is present in subsets of SCCs and in secretory cells, and SGLT1 is exclusively expressed in a unique cell type, SCCs. Furthermore, we demonstrated that T1R3 is colocalized with SGLT1 in SCCs and with GLUT2 transporter in ciliated cells. In conclusion, these findings reveal that different cell types are associated with the uptake of glucose in ASL and that, due to their T1R3 expression, SCCs and ciliated cells are most likely to participate in the chemosensory process in ASL.
FFA1‐selective agonistic activity based on docking simulation using FFA1 and GPR120 homology models
Authors: Takeuchi Masato , Hirasawa Akira , Hara Takafumi , Kimura Ikuo , Hirano Tatsuya , Suzuki Takayoshi , Miyata Naoki , Awaji Takeo , Ishiguro Masaji , Tsujimoto Gozoh 
Published: May 2012

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The free fatty acid FFA1 receptor and GPR120 are GPCRs whose endogenous ligands are medium‐ and long‐chain FFAs, and they are important in regulating insulin and GLP‐1 secretion respectively. Given that the ligands of FFA1 receptor and GPR120 have similar properties, selective pharmacological tools are required to study their functions further.EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH We used a docking simulation approach using homology models for each receptor. Biological activity was assessed by phosphorylation of ERK and elevation of intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) in cells transfected with FFA1 receptor or GPR120. Insulin secretion from murine pancreatic beta cells (MIN6) was also measured.KEY RESULTS Calculated hydrogen bonding energies between a series of synthetic carboxylic acid compounds and the homology models of the FFA1 receptor and GPR120, using docking simulations, correlated well with the effects of the compounds on ERK phosphorylation in transfected cells (R2= 0.65 for FFA1 receptor and 0.76 for GPR120). NCG75, the compound with the highest predicted selectivity for FFA1 receptors from this structure‐activity relationship analysis, activated ERK and increased [Ca2+]i as potently as the known FFA1 receptor‐selective agonist, Compound 1. Site‐directed mutagenesis analysis based on the docking simulation showed that different amino acid residues were important for the recognition and activation by FFA1 receptor agonists. Moreover, NCG75 strongly induced ERK and [Ca2+]i responses, and promoted insulin secretion from MIN6 cells, which express endogenous FFA1 receptors.CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS A docking simulation approach using FFA1 receptor and GPR120 homology models could be useful in predicting FFA1 receptor‐selective agonists.
A Novel Method for Measuring Catheter Lock Spillage: An In Vitro Study
Authors: Polaschegg Hans‐Dietrich 
Published: May 2012

AbstractCatheters are widely used for blood purification, parenteral nutrition, and for the infusion of drugs. Previous work on catheter lock spillage has focused on the theory and in vitro demonstration of catheter lock spillage caused by the laminar flow profile and by fluid exchange caused by density differences. This work describes an in vitro test with a method that potentially allows measurement of catheter lock spillage in vivo without sampling. The method is based on the change of the electrical resistance of the catheter when the lock solution is injected. This method was tested in vitro with human blood at 36°C using 46.7% trisodium citrate as catheter lock solution. The catheter tip was placed in a beaker filled with whole blood. A stainless steel rod in the beaker served as one electrode and an Arrow‐Johans ECG adapter, which was placed on the distal end of the catheter, served as a second electrode. Conductivity was measured with a 5V (rms) 310 Hz sinus voltage and a 10 kOhm resistor in series to the catheter. The driving voltage and the voltage drop at the catheter was continuously measured with a program written under LabView (National Instruments), and the results were converted into mean trisodium citrate concentrations. Within 20 min, the mean trisodium citrate concentration in the catheter decreased to less than 5%. Unlike the previous methods used for catheter lock spillage measurement, this principle can be employed to measure the time course of catheter lock spillage in vivo.
Periventricular nodular heterotopia functionally couples with the overlying hippocampus
Authors: Kitaura Hiroki , Oishi Makoto , Takei Nobuyuki , Fu Yong‐Juan , Hiraishi Tetsuya , Fukuda Masafumi , Takahashi Hitoshi , Shibuki Katsuei , Fujii Yukihiko , Kakita Akiyoshi 
Published: May 2012

SummaryPatients with periventricular nodular heterotopia (PVNH) often have severe epilepsy. However, it is unclear how the heterotopia contributes to epileptogenesis. Recently, electrophysiologic studies using intraoperative depth electrodes have indicated that interaction between the heterotopia and overlying cortex is crucial for seizure onset. We performed an in vitro physiologic study using slices of resected brain from a 22‐year‐old man with PVNH, who manifested medically refractory mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. Preoperative evaluation indicated that the right mesial temporal structure and PVNH were the epileptogenic focus. The resected tissue was immediately immersed in cold artificial cerebrospinal fluid, and then slices of the brain tissue including the heterotopic nodules and overlying hippocampus were prepared. We electrically stimulated the incubated slices, and the elicited neural activities were analyzed as changes in the flavoprotein fluorescence signals. When we stimulated either the heterotopic nodule or the overlying hippocampus, clear functional coupling of neural activities between these structures was observed. The coupling response evoked by stimulation of the subiculum and developing within the heterotopic nodule was enhanced by application of bicuculline. Therefore, activities of the hippocampus and the nodule are closely correlated.
A Biomechanical Evaluation of a Hybrid Dynamic Compression Plate and a CastLess Arthrodesis Plate for Pancarpal Arthrodesis in Dogs
Authors: Meeson Richard L. , Goodship Allen E. , Arthurs Gareth I. 
Published: May 2012

ObjectiveTo determine mechanical differences between two plates with different requirements for supplementary casting after pancarpal arthrodesis (PCA): the Veterinary Instrumentation Hybrid Dynamic Compression Plate (HDCP), and the OrthoMed CastLess Arthrodesis Plate (CLP).Study DesignIn vitro mechanical analysis.Sample PopulationHDCP(n = 10), CLP(10).MethodsSingle‐cycle load to failure using a materials‐testing machine and cyclic loading between 38 and 380 N ± 5% to simulate estimated in vivo loads until failure or 106 cycles.ResultsSingle‐cycle to failure: bending stiffness was significantly higher for the HDCP(2269 ± 175 N/mm) than CLP(1754 ± 88 N/mm; P < .001). Bending structural stiffness was higher for the HDCP(3.8 ± 0.3 Nm2) versus CLP(2.9 ± 0.2 Nm2; P= .0022). A difference between the 2 plates for bending strength was not demonstrated; HDCP= 13.9 ± 1.4 Nm, CLP13.2 ± 0.5 Nm (P= .24). Cyclic Loading: no failures occurred with either plate type when plates were cycled to 106 cycles.ConclusionThere is no mechanical advantage in bending resistance afforded by the CLPover the HDCP. Fatigue failure of either plate during the convalescent period of an estimated 150,000–250,000 cycles is unlikely. Based on the bending performance, there is no evidence to support the use of the CLPover the HDCPfor castless PCA.
Mortality Portfolio Risk Management
Authors: Cox Samuel H. , Lin Yijia , Tian Ruilin , Zuluaga Luis F. 
Published: May 2012

ABSTRACTWe provide a new method, the “MV+CVaR approach,” for managing unexpected mortality changes underlying annuities and life insurance. The MV+CVaR approach optimizes the mean–variance trade‐off of an insurer's mortality portfolio, subject to constraints on downside risk. We apply the method of moments and the maximum entropy method to analyze the efficiency of MV+CVaR mortality portfolios relative to traditional Markowitz mean–variance portfolios. Our numerical examples illustrate the superiority of the MV+CVaR approach in mortality risk management and shed new light on natural hedging effects of annuities and life insurance.
Capital Market Development, Competition, Property Rights, and the Value of Insurer Product‐Line Diversification: A Cross‐Country Analysis
Authors: Berry‐Stölzle Thomas R. , Hoyt Robert E. , Wende Sabine 
Published: May 2012

AbstractIn this article, we show that the effect of product diversification on performance is not homogeneous across countries. Diversified insurance companies perform significantly worse than their focused competitors in countries with well‐developed capital markets, high levels of property rights protection, and high levels of competition. In addition, we find that the diversification–performance relationship for insurance companies depends on company size. For large insurers operating in countries with less developed capital markets, diversification significantly increases performance. Our results suggest that the optimal organizational structure may be different for insurers operating in emerging economies than for insurers operating in developed countries.
A Divided Government, an Ideological Parliament, and an Insecure Leader: Turkey's Indecision about Joining the Iraq War*
Authors: Taydaş Zeynep , Özdamar Özgür 
Published: May 2012

ObjectivesOn March 1, 2003, the Turkish parliament rejected a government motion that would involve Turkey in the Iraq war and allow U.S. forces to use Turkish territory in an offensive against Iraq. This decision has been considered as a significant departure from traditional Western‐oriented Turkish foreign policy. We investigate the reasons behind this rather unexpected foreign policy decision.MethodTo systematically examine the decision‐making process and the outcome, we utilize the “decision‐units framework.” We present primary and secondary evidence from government and media sources and utilize interviews conducted with some of the high‐level decisionmakers that were involved in decision making at the time. This article combines traditional methodological tools, such as elite interviews and process tracing, with novel approaches in foreign policy analysis studies.ResultsThe nature of the decision‐unit, decision‐making rules, the extraordinary circumstances surrounding the AKP (Adalet and Kalkinma Partisi—Justice and Development Party) leadership, and the absence of a strong and decisive leader shaped the outcome.ConclusionThe Turkish parliament's decision on its role in the Iraq war is an interesting and informative case for foreign policy studies. It challenges the conventional wisdom on parliamentary influence in foreign policy making in parliamentary regimes. Under certain circumstances—even when a single‐party enjoys parliamentary majority—parliaments can be major players in foreign policy decision making.
Hot Forging of Spherical Particles with Nanocrystalline Microstructures
Authors: Keshavan Hrishikesh , Petersson Anders , Roger Cannon W. 
Published: May 2012

An alternate method for fabricating ceramics with fine‐ or nano‐ scale microstructures is presented. Powder consisting of 2–25 μm diameter spherical particles (average 16 μm) obtained by plasma melting of spray‐dried powder and quenching into water, were hot pressed and hot forged. Three different compositions were studied: eutectic alumina‐zirconia, the eutectic composition with 1%Y2O3, and the eutectic composition with borosilicate glass. As‐quenched particles (Al2O3–(1%Y2O3)ZrO2) contained both amorphous material and 50–80 nm crystallites. Microstructural development of the Al2O3–(1%Y2O3) ZrO2 was followed from room temperature up to hot pressing/hot forging temperatures. When fully dense after forging at 1350°C, the microstructure contained ZrO2 phases <100 nm in diameter embedded in the Al2O3 matrix. Al2O3 grains had an irregular morphology and were on the scale of ~1 μm diameter. A higher order structure designated as cells, containing a few of these grains, were enclosed by boundaries decorated with ZrO2 particles.
Handicap et écarts salariaux en Europe: discrimination ou moindre productivité?
Authors: MALO Miguel Á. , PAGÁN Ricardo 
Published: May 2012

Résumé.Les auteurs évaluent la discrimination salariale à l'encontre des personnes handicapées après avoir contrôlé les effets des écarts de productivité liés au handicap. Partant de données relatives à 11 pays européens, ils estiment les équations salariales des personnes suivantes: celles qui sont handicapées jusque dans leurs activités quotidiennes, celles qui sont handicapées sans que cela affecte ces activités et celles qui ne souffrent pas de handicap. Dans la plupart des pays, on ne relève pas d'écart salarial significatif entre les deuxième et troisième catégories. Lorsque cet écart existe, il tient surtout à une moindre productivité et non à une discrimination. Toutefois, par comparaison avec les personnes sans handicap, celles qui sont affectées jusque dans leurs activités quotidiennes subissent une moindre productivité et une discrimination salariale.