bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Social experience affects neuronal responses to male calls in adult female zebra finches
Authors: Menardy F. , Touiki K. , Dutrieux G. , Bozon B. , Vignal C. , Mathevon N. , Del Negro C. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractPlasticity studies have consistently shown that behavioural relevance can change the neural representation of sounds in the auditory system, but what occurs in the context of natural acoustic communication where significance could be acquired through social interaction remains to be explored. The zebra finch, a highly social songbird species that forms lifelong pair bonds and uses a vocalization, the distance call, to identify its mate, offers an opportunity to address this issue. Here, we recorded spiking activity in females while presenting distance calls that differed in their degree of familiarity: calls produced by the mate, by a familiar male, or by an unfamiliar male. We focused on the caudomedial nidopallium (NCM), a secondary auditory forebrain region. Both the mate’s call and the familiar call evoked responses that differed in magnitude from responses to the unfamiliar call. This distinction between responses was seen both in single unit recordings from anesthetized females and in multiunit recordings from awake freely moving females. In contrast, control females that had not heard them previously displayed responses of similar magnitudes to all three calls. In addition, more cells showed highly selective responses in mated than in control females, suggesting that experience‐dependent plasticity in call‐evoked responses resulted in enhanced discrimination of auditory stimuli. Our results as a whole demonstrate major changes in the representation of natural vocalizations in the NCM within the context of individual recognition. The functional properties of NCM neurons may thus change continuously to adapt to the social environment.
Short‐term crossmodal plasticity of the auditory steady‐state response in blindfolded sighted individuals
Authors: Lazzouni Latifa , Voss Patrice , Lepore Franco 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThis study investigated the effect of short‐term visual deprivation on auditory steady‐state response (ASSR) to amplitude‐modulated tones. Magnetoencephalography data were acquired while subjects performed an auditory detection task under both monaural and dichotic presentation conditions. Analyses were performed on the spectral power, mean amplitudes and dipole positions of the ASSR at the onset of blindfolding, as well as after 2, 4 and 6 h of visual deprivation. Results show a modulation of the spectral power of the ASSR at the frequencies that were present in the stimulus after 6 h of sensory deprivation, and this was especially true for the dichotic condition. Moreover, participants showed two spectral peaks in the occipital cortex at the end of the visual deprivation period, a phenomenon normally observed in the auditory cortex. Our results shed light not only on the timeline associated with short‐term crossmodal recruitment of input‐deprived sensory cortices but also demonstrate that the visual cortex can display auditory cortex‐like functioning in response to the ASSR. Importantly, our results also highlight the importance of taking into consideration individual differences when investigating crossmodal plastic phenomena. Indeed, the occipital spectral peaks were only observed in half the subjects following short‐term deprivation.
The IHF regulon of exponentially growing Pseudomonas putida cells
Authors: Silva‐Rocha Rafael , Chavarría Max , Kleijn Roelco J. , Sauer Uwe , de Lorenzo Víctor 
Published: April 2012

SummaryIntegration host factor (IHF) sites are largely absent from intergenic regions of ORFs encoding central metabolic functions in Pseudomonas putida mt‐2. To gain an insight into this unequal distribution of otherwise abundant IHF‐binding sequences, the transcriptome of IHF‐plus and IHF‐minus cells growing exponentially on glucose as sole carbon source was examined. In parallel, the cognate metabolic fluxes of the wild‐type P. putida strain and its ihfA derivative were determined by culturing cells to a steady‐state physiological regime with 13C‐labelled glucose. While expression of many transcripts was altered by the lack of IHF, flux balance analysis revealed that the ihfA mutation did not influence central carbon metabolism. Identification of multiple IHF sites adjacent to genes responsive to the factor allowed a refinement of the consensus and the mapping of the preferred binding positions for activation or repression of associated promoters. That few (if any) of the genes affected by IHF involved core pathways suggested that the central carbon metabolism tolerates the loss of the factor. Instead, IHF controlled various cell surface‐related functions and downregulated genes encoding ribosomal proteins, the alpha subunit of RNA polymerase and components of the ATP synthase. These results were confirmed with lacZ fusions to a suite of promoters detected in the transcriptome as affected by IHF. Taken together, the data suggest that IHF plays a role in the physiological shift that sets P. putida for entering stationary phase.
Phylogeny of woodcreepers of the genusLepidocolaptes(Aves, Furnariidae), a widespread Neotropical taxon
Authors: Arbeláez‐Cortés Enrique , Navarro‐Sigüenza Adolfo G. , García‐Moreno Jaime 
Published: April 2012

Arbeláez‐Cortés, E., Navarro‐Sigüenza, A. G. & García‐Moreno J. (2012). Phylogeny of woodcreepers of the genusLepidocolaptes(Aves, Furnariidae), a widespread Neotropical taxon. —Zoologica Scripta,41, 363–373.Phylogeny of woodcreepers of the genusLepidocolaptes(Aves, Furnariidae), a widespread Neotropical taxon. The phylogeny of the genusLepidocolapteswas reconstructed based on three mitochondrial DNA regions and one nuclear DNA intron, using Bayesian analysis. A general pattern of diversification among the lowland species followed by the diversification of highland species, and a close relationship among montane species with the two Atlantic Forest endemics, seem to depict the history of this genus. Results also showed that the two Mesoamerican species are sister‐taxa with high support. Finally, our data also suggest the existence of previously unknown intraspecific genetic structure within some taxa, especially among populations ofLepidocolaptes souleyetii.
Efficacy of Psoralen UV‐A therapy vs. Narrowband UV‐B therapy in chronic plaque psoriasis: a systematic literature review
Authors: Archier E. , Devaux S. , Castela E. , Gallini A. , Aubin F. , Le Maître M. , Aractingi S. , Bachelez H. , Cribier B. , Joly P. , Jullien D. , Misery L. , Paul C. , Ortonne J.‐P. , Richard M.‐A. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractBackground  Oral 8‐methoxypsoralen‐UV‐A (PUVA) and Narrowband UV‐B (NB‐UVB or UVB TL‐01) are well established treatments for chronic plaque psoriasis but there is limited evidence regarding their respective efficacy.Objectives  To prepare for evidence‐based recommendations concerning the practical use of oral 8‐methoxypsoralen‐UV‐A and Narrowband UV‐B in psoriasis, a systematic review to assess respective response rates, remission duration and predictive factors of efficacy was performed.Methods  A systematic search was carried out in PubMed, Cochrane and Embase databases, using the key words ‘Psoriasis’, ‘UVB therapy’, ‘UVA therapy’ for the period from 1980 to December 2010.Results  The initial literature search identified 773 articles. The final selection included 29 randomized controlled trials: 18 were about the efficacy of PUVA, eight about the efficacy of NB‐UVB and three directly compared PUVA vs. NB‐UVB. The response rate defined by 75% or more improvement in PASI was 80% with PUVA vs. 70% with NB‐UVB. The meta‐analysis of the three comparative studies found a higher probability of remission at 6 months with PUVA than with NB‐UVB [OR = 2.73 (95% CI 1.19‐6.27), P = 0.02].The choice of initial dose, according to skin type, the minimal erythemal dose or minimal phototoxic dose, incremental regimen and periodicity of the sessions did not appear to be predictive factors of efficacy for PUVA or NB‐UVB.Despite methodological limitations in trials, the number of sessions needed for psoriasis clearance appeared to be lower with PUVA than with NB‐UVB (approx. 17 vs. 25, respectively).Conclusion  PUVA and NB‐UVB are both effective therapies in treatment of psoriasis. Our results suggest that compared with NB‐UVB, PUVA tends to clear psoriasis more reliably, with fewer sessions, and provides with longer lasting clearance. However, the long‐term safety of PUVA, especially its cutaneous carcinogenic risk, and the easier administration procedure often lead dermatologists to prefer NB‐UVB as first line phototherapy treatment in plaque type psoriasis.
Adherence to topical treatment in psoriasis: a systematic literature review
Authors: Devaux S. , Castela A. , Archier E. , Gallini A. , Joly P. , Misery L. , Aractingi S. , Aubin F. , Bachelez H. , Cribier B. , Jullien D. , Le Maître M. , Richard M.‐A. , Ortonne J.‐P. , Paul C. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractBackground  Treatment adherence has been recognized as an important issue in the management of chronic diseases such as psoriasis.Objective  The aim of this work was to analyse data about topical treatment adherence in psoriasis.Methods Systematic literature review (62 references) between 1980 and 2011 (database: PubMed, Embase and Cochrane; Mesh keywords: Patient Compliance [Mesh] OR Medication Adherence [Mesh] AND Psoriasis [Mesh]; limits: date of publication >1980, humans subjects, written in French or English, aged ≥19 years). Two parameters were evaluated: (i) the ratio of number of product applications performed vs. number of applications expected according to physician recommendations, (ii) the ratio of amount of product used vs. amount of product prescribed.Results  A total of 22 studies were selected. Nine studies reported on the frequency of topical treatment application in a real world setting. Five studies showed a frequency of applications varying between 50% and 60% of those expected. Because of the high variability in medication adherence assessment methods, the data could not be combined. Twelve articles reported on the frequency of topical treatment application in randomized controlled trials with adherence varying between 55% and 100%. Concerning the amount of product use, four studies showed patients applied between 35% and 72% of the recommended dose during a treatment period of 14 days to 8 weeks. The most frequently mentioned reasons for non‐adherence to topical treatment were low efficacy, time consumption and poor cosmetic characteristics of topical agents. Patients experiencing adherence issues were significant younger, were men, had younger age at onset of psoriasis and had a higher self‐assessed severity. To improve adherence, the following strategies were suggested: to give patients information about psoriasis, to recognize social impact, to give written instructions for use such as a care plan, to explain side effects of topical therapies, to choose treatment and its cosmetic properties in agreement with the patient.Conclusions  Literature data about topical treatment adherence are heterogeneous and scarce. They confirm the limited topical treatment adherence in psoriasis in real life, much lower than what is reported in randomized controlled trials. Therapeutic education and clear instructions on the use of topical agents are necessary to improve adherence. Studies are needed to identify predictors of limited adherence and to identify interventions improving adherence to topical medications in psoriasis.
An introduction to systematic reviews and meta‐analyses in health care
Authors: Rudnicka Alicja R , Owen Christopher G 
Published: April 2012

Citation information: Rudnicka AR & Owen CG. An introduction to systematic reviews and meta‐analyses in health care. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2012, 32, 174–183. doi: 10.1111/j.1475‐1313.2012.00901.xAbstractImportant issues in medical research are often examined in a number of studies, sometimes using different study designs. Data from such studies are often reviewed to provide a consensus in support or arguing against a particular hypothesis, such as the use of a new therapy/treatment or public health policy. However, it is important to recognise that while reviews can provide a rapid synthesis of the findings on a given issue, they may not represent a panacea of evidence. Evidence they provide is heavily dependent on the quality of studies that contribute to that review. Reviews of studies of good quality will provide stronger evidence for the research question under investigation, compared to reviews of studies with weaker methodology. Reviewers who ‘cherry pick’ studies to be included may bias findings towards a preconceived hypothesis. Hence, it is important when reviewing evidence that all studies on a given topic are identified and included where possible, i.e. the review is systematic, reproducible and representative of the totality of evidence; a so called ‘systematic review’. This article aims to familiarise those in the ophthalmic sector with methods/guidelines used to improve the quality of studies and systematic reviews. It will also outline how numerical data obtained from a systematic review can be combined using statistical methods called ‘meta‐analysis’. By combining numerical estimates from different studies we can be more precise about the estimate for an effect or outcome of interest.
3‐Nitropropionic acid induces autophagy by forming mitochondrial permeability transition pores rather than activatiing the mitochondrial fission pathway
Authors: Solesio Maria E , Saez‐Atienzar Sara , Jordan Joaquin , Galindo Maria F 
Published: April 2012

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Huntington's disease is a neurodegenerative process associated with mitochondrial alterations. Inhibitors of the electron–transport channel complex II, such as 3‐nitropropionic acid (3NP), are used to study the molecular and cellular pathways involved in this disease. We studied the effect of 3NP on mitochondrial morphology and its involvement in macrophagy.EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Pharmacological and biochemical methods were used to characterize the effects of 3NP on autophagy and mitochondrial morphology. SH‐SY5Y cells were transfected with GFP‐LC3, GFP‐Drp1 or GFP‐Bax to ascertain their role and intracellular localization after 3NP treatment using confocal microscopy.KEY RESULTS Untreated SH‐SY5Y cells presented a long, tubular and filamentous net of mitochondria. After 3NP (5 mM) treatment, mitochondria became shorter and rounder. 3NP induced formation of mitochondrial permeability transition pores, both in cell cultures and in isolated liver mitochondria, and this process was inhibited by cyclosporin A. Participation of the mitochondrial fission pathway was excluded because 3NP did not induce translocation of the dynamin‐related protein 1 (Drp1) to the mitochondria. The Drp1 inhibitor Mdivi‐1 did not affect the observed changes in mitochondrial morphology. Finally, scavengers of reactive oxygen species failed to prevent mitochondrial alterations, while cyclosporin A, but not Mdivi‐1, prevented the generation of ROS.CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS There was a direct correlation between formation of mitochondrial permeability transition pores and autophagy induced by 3NP treatment. Activation of autophagy preceded the apoptotic process and was mediated, at least partly, by formation of reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial permeability transition pores.LINKED ARTICLE This article is commented on by González‐Polo et al., pp. 60–62 of this issue. To view this commentary visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1476‐5381.2012.02203.x
A review of the contemporary management of fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia in an Australian tertiary obstetric hospital
Authors: Cook Timothy J. , Qiu Charles C. , Dickinson Jan E. 
Published: April 2012

BackgroundFetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FNAIT) is the most common cause of severe perinatal thrombocytopenia, arising from the transplacental passage of maternal antibodies directed at paternally inherited antigens on fetal platelets.AimTo review the occurrence, management and perinatal outcomes of pregnancies complicated by FNAIT from a single tertiary obstetric hospital in Western Australia.Materials and MethodsThe study was conducted as a retrospective review of cases with prenatally recognised FNAIT between 2001 and 2011, with the treatment modalities and outcomes analysed.ResultsOver the 10‐year period, 20 cases of clinically significant FNAIT in 13 women were managed at our centre. Three cases were complicated by antenatal intracranial haemorrhage (15%), and in all 3, this was the presenting feature leading to diagnosis. In 17/20 (85%) cases, anti‐HPA 1a was the responsible antibody, with the remainder being anti‐HPA 5b. In 16/17 cases with pre‐pregnancy recognition, intravenous gammaglobulin (IVGG) was administered antenatally (gestation at commencement ranging from 13 to 26 weeks) with adjuvant prednisolone in three cases. Postnatal treatment (IVGG or platelet transfusion) was provided in 4/16 cases. There was no intracranial haemorrhage or demise in any case receiving prenatal therapy.ConclusionsFNAIT is a rare and serious condition. In our small single‐centre study, there was variability in the therapeutic strategies, although IVGG was central to all prenatally managed pregnancies. None of the treated pregnancies was complicated by intracranial haemorrhage or fetal death. There is a need for ongoing refinement of FNAIT management protocols, both in the prenatal and in the postnatal period.
Effect of Different Root Canal Obturating Materials on Push‐Out Bond Strength of a Fiber Dowel
Authors: Aggarwal Vivek , Singla Mamta , Miglani Sanjay , Kohli Sarita 
Published: April 2012

AbstractPurpose: During dowel space preparation, the instrumentation forms a thick smear layer along with sealer‐occluded dentinal tubules. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of different obturating materials on push‐out bond strength of a fiber dowel.Materials and Methods: Fifty human uniradicular teeth were decoronated and prepared using the step‐back technique. The specimens were divided into five groups on the basis of obturating materials: group I received no obturation; group II (ZOE) gutta‐percha and zinc oxide eugenol sealer; group III (ZOAH) gutta‐percha and AH plus sealer; group IV (GF) GuttaFlow; and group V (RE) with Resilon Epiphany system. Dowel spaces were made with manufacturer's provided drills, and a fiber dowel was luted. Horizontal slices were obtained from the middle third, and push‐out bond strength (S) was evaluated. Statistical analysis was carried out using one‐way ANOVA and post hoc Tukey's test.Results: The push‐out bond strength values in the control group, ZOE, ZOAH, GF, and RE were 9.303 ± 0.565 MPa, 8.859 ± 0.539 MPa, 8.356 ± 0.618 MPa, 9.635 ± 0.435 MPa, and 8.572 ± 0.256 MPa, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between the S values of all the groups (p > 0.05).Conclusion: There was no effect of different tested obturating materials on the push‐out bond strength of fiber dowels; however, further studies should be conducted.
Why Firms Use Currency Derivatives
Authors: GÉCZY CHRISTOPHER , MINTON BERNADETTE A. , SCHRAND CATHERINE 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTWe examine the use of currency derivatives in order to differentiate among existing theories of hedging behavior. Firms with greater growth opportunities and tighter financial constraints are more likely to use currency derivatives. This result suggests that firms might use derivatives to reduce cash flow variation that might otherwise preclude firms from investing in valuable growth opportunities. Firms with extensive foreign exchange‐rate exposure and economies of scale in hedging activities are also more likely to use currency derivatives. Finally, the source of foreign exchange‐rate exposure is an important factor in the choice among types of currency derivatives.
On The Robustness of Size and Book‐to‐Market in Cross‐Sectional Regressions
Authors: KNEZ PETER J. , READY MARK J. 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTWe use a robust regression estimator to analyze the risk premia on size and book‐to‐market. We find that the risk premium on size that was estimated by Fama and French (1992) completely disappears when the 1 percent most extreme observations are trimmed each month. We also show that the negative average of the monthly size coefficients reported by Fama and French can be entirely explained by the 16 months with the most extreme coefficients. We argue that further investigation of these results could lead to an understanding of the economic forces underlying the size effect, and may also yield important insights into how firms grow.
Approximating the Asset Pricing Kernel
Authors: CHAPMAN DAVID A. 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTThis article tests a simple consumption‐based asset pricing model by approximating the true asset pricing kernel using low‐order orthonormal polynomials based on the model's state variables. Approximated kernels based solely on next period's consumption growth are not rejected by overall measures of model fit, but they produce statistically and economically large pricing errors. Approximated kernels based on two quarters of future consumption growth and technology shocks have substantially improved overall fit. In particular, the best of these kernels are capable of eliminating the small firm effect.
Defensive Mechanisms and Managerial Discretion
Authors: GIAMMARINO RONALD , HEINKEL ROBERT , HOLLIFIELD BURTON 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTWe study a model where firms may possess free cash flow and takeovers may be disruptive. We show that the possibility of a takeover, combined with defensive mechanisms and the ability to pay greenmail, can solve the free cash flow problem in an efficient way. The payment of greenmail reveals information that generates a stock price decline that exceeds the value of the greenmail payment, even though the payment of greenmail is value maximizing. Optimal defensive measures limit takeover attempts if the target stock price is too low. We also provide cross‐sectional implications of the analysis.
CEO Contracting and Antitakeover Amendments
Authors: BOROKHOVICH KENNETH A. , BRUNARSKI KELLY R. , PARRINO ROBERT 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTThis article examines incentives for adopting antitakeover charter amendments (ATAs) that are associated with compensation contracts. The evidence is consistent with the hypothesis that antitakeover measures such as ATAs help managers protect above‐market levels of compensation. Chief executive officers (CEOs) of firms that adopt ATAs receive higher salaries and more valuable option grants than CEOs at similar firms that do not adopt them. Furthermore, the magnitude of this difference increases following ATA adoption. The evidence is inconsistent with the hypothesis that ATAs facilitate the writing of efficient compensation contracts.
Institutions and Individuals at the Turn‐of‐the‐Year
Authors: SIAS RICHARD W. , STARKS LAURA T. 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTThis article evaluates the tax‐loss‐selling hypothesis against the window‐dressing hypothesis as explanations for turn‐of‐the‐year anomalies. We examine differences between securities dominated by individual investors versus those dominated by institutional investors and find that the effect is more pervasive in the former. Controlling for capitalization, we find that in early January (late December), stocks with greater individual investor interest outperform (underperform) stocks with greater institutional investor interest. These results hold for both stocks that previously appreciated in value and stocks that previously depreciated in value. The results are most consistent with the tax‐loss‐selling hypothesis as an explanation for the turn‐of‐the‐year effect.