bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Do preoperative factors predict subsequent diagnosis of Crohn’s disease after ileal pouch‐anal anastomosis for ulcerative or indeterminate colitis?
Authors: Melton G. B. , Kiran R. P. , Fazio V. W. , He J. , Shen B. , Goldblum J. R. , Achkar J.‐P. , Lavery Ian C. , Remzi Feza H. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractAim  The aim of this study was to determine preoperative clinical factors associated with subsequent diagnosis revision to Crohn’s disease (CD) following total proctocolectomy with ileal pouch‐anal anastomosis (IPAA) for ulcerative colitis (UC) or indeterminate colitis (IC) patients.Method  Presumed UC and IC patients undergoing IPAA from a large single‐institution prospective database with change of diagnosis to CD were identified and compared with patients without diagnosis change.Results  A total of 2814 patients (47% male, median age 37 years) with presumed UC (85%) or IC (15%) underwent primary IPAA. At a median follow up of 9.6 years, 184 (7%) had the diagnosis revised to CD from histopathological examination of the colectomy specimen immediately in 97 (53%) or at a median interval of 36 months in 87 (47%). CD and UC/IC patients had had a similar operative technique, length of stay and 30‐day morbidity. The postoperative CD diagnosis was associated with a preoperative diagnosis of IC (P < 0.0001) and perianal fistula (P = 0.002). Patients with a delayed diagnosis of CD were associated with a 3‐stage procedure (P < 0.0001, OR = 2.8) (95% CI = 1.8–4.4), colonic stricture (P = 0.04, OR = 2.9 [95% CI = 1.1–7.4]), perianal fistula (P = 0.02, OR = 2.9 [95% CI = 1.2–7.2]), oral ulceration (P = 0.009, OR = 3.8 [95% CI = 1.2–9.6]) and younger age (P < 0.0001, OR = 0.048 [95% CI = 0.011–0.19]).Conclusion  A few patients having IPAA for presumed UC/IC were subsequently diagnosed to have CD which was associated with perianal fistula and the diagnosis of postoperative preoperative IC. The delayed diagnosis of CD was associated with a three‐stage procedure, colorectal stricture, anal fissure, mouth ulceration and younger age.
Preoperative chemoradiation vs radiation alone for stage II and III resectable rectal cancer: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Latkauskas T. , Paskauskas S. , Dambrauskas Z. , Gudaityte J. , Saladzinskas S. , Tamelis A. , Pavalkis D. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractAim  The aim of this systematic literature review and meta‐analysis was to compare preoperative radiotherapy (RT) with preoperative chemoradiotherapy (ChRT) in patients with stage II and III resectable rectal cancer.Method  A comprehensive PubMed, Cohrane and Ovid electronic database search was performed. Articles published during the period 1960–2007 were included. The analysis included only randomized controlled trials, where patients with stage II and III resectable rectal cancer were randomized to one of at least two schedules of preoperative therapy including RT or ChRT followed by surgery. Secondary estimates for the experimental ChRT group were calculated and compared with the estimates pooled from trials which included short‐course radiotherapy (SRT).Results  We identified 1017 articles including 242 clinical trials, 65 of which were randomized studies. Five trials from these randomized studies compared preoperative RT with conventional ChRT and only one included a group having SRT. The complete response rate was significantly better after preoperative chemoradiation compared with preoperative RT alone but the rate of toxicity was higher. Theoretically higher curative resection rates with less morbidity were found after ChRT compared with preoperative SRT.Conclusion  Preoperative ChRT for patients with stage II and III resectable rectal cancer gives better complete response rates compared with RT alone but it also results in higher toxicity.
Optimization of preservatives in a topical formulation using experimental design
Authors: Rahali Y. , Pensé‐Lhéritier A.‐M. , Mielcarek C. , Bensouda Y. 
Published: July 2009

SynopsisOptimizing the preservative regime for a preparation requires the antimicrobial effectiveness of several preservative combinations to be determined. In this study, three preservatives were tested: benzoic acid, sorbic acid and benzylic alcohol. Their preservative effects were evaluated using the antimicrobial preservative efficacy test (challenge‐test) of the European Pharmacopeia (EP). A D‐optimal mixture design was used to provide a maximum of information from a limited number of experiments. The results of this study were analysed with the help of the Design Expert® software and enabled us to formulate emulsions satisfying both requirements A and B of the EP.
Factors impacting the demand for repair services of household products: the disappearing repair trades and the throwaway society
Authors: McCollough John 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe repair trades for common household appliances and products were once a viable trade in America, employing hundreds of thousands of skilled blue‐collar workers. However, over the past few decades, these trades have been dying out. The reason is that many household products are simply disposed of rather than repaired and reused, a result of the throwaway society. The disposal of household products, especially those considered ‘e‐waste’, can have negative consequences for the environment. Through time series analysis, this paper explores those factors that contribute to the decline in demand for repair services and, hence, the shrinking demand for employment within the repair trades. The purpose of this paper is to give the reader a greater understanding of those economic forces that contribute to a throwaway society.
Enhanced dopaminergic differentiation of human neural stem cells by synergistic effect of Bcl‐xL and reduced oxygen tension
Authors: Krabbe Christina , Courtois Elise , Jensen Pia , Jørgensen Jesper R. , Zimmer Jens , Martínez‐Serrano Alberto , Meyer Morten 
Published: July 2009

AbstractNeural stem cells constitute a promising source of cells for transplantation in Parkinson’s disease, but a protocol for controlled dopaminergic differentiation is not yet available. Here we investigated the effect of the anti‐apoptotic protein Bcl‐xL and oxygen tension on dopaminergic differentiation and survival of a human ventral mesencephalic stem cell line (hVM1). hVM1 cells and a Bcl‐xL over‐expressing subline (hVMbcl‐xL) were differentiated by sequential treatment with fibroblast growth factor‐8, forskolin, sonic hedgehog, and glial cell line‐derived neurotrophic factor. After 10 days at 20% oxygen, hVMbcl‐xL cultures contained proportionally more tyrosine hydroxylase(TH)‐positive cells than hVM1 control cultures. This difference was significantly potentiated from 11 ± 0.8% to 17.2 ± 0.2% of total cells when the oxygen tension was lowered to 3%. Immunocytochemistry and Q‐PCR‐analysis revealed expression of several dopaminergic markers besides of TH just as dopamine was detected in the culture medium by HPLC analysis. Although Bcl‐xL‐over‐expression reduced cell death in the cultures, it did not alter the relative content of GABAergic, neurons, while the content of astroglial cells was reduced in hVMbcl‐xL cell cultures compared with control. We conclude that Bcl‐xL and lowered oxygen tension act in concert to enhance dopaminergic differentiation and survival of human neural stem cells.
Adenosine A2A receptors enable the synaptic effects of cannabinoid CB1 receptors in the rodent striatum
Authors: Tebano Maria Teresa , Martire Alberto , Chiodi Valentina , Pepponi Rita , Ferrante Antonella , Domenici Maria Rosaria , Frank Claudio , Chen Jiang‐Fan , Ledent Catherine , Popoli Patrizia 
Published: July 2009

AbstractAdenosine A2A, cannabinoid CB1 and metabotropic glutamate 5 (mGlu5) receptors are all highly expressed in the striatum. The aim of the present work was to investigate whether, and by which mechanisms, the above receptors interact in the regulation of striatal synaptic transmission. By extracellular field potentials (FPs) recordings in corticostriatal slices, we demonstrated that the ability of the selective type 1 cannabinoid receptor (CB1R) agonist WIN55,212‐2 to depress synaptic transmission was prevented by the pharmacological blockade or the genetic inactivation of A2ARs. Such a permissive effect of A2ARs towards CB1Rs does not seem to occur pre‐synaptically as the ability of WIN55,212‐2 to increase the R2/R1 ratio under a protocol of paired‐pulse stimulation was not modified by ZM241385. Furthermore, the effects of WIN55,212‐2 were reduced in slices from mice lacking post‐synaptic striatal A2ARs. The selective mGlu5R agonist (RS)‐2‐chloro‐5‐hydroxyphenylglycine (CHPG) potentiated the synaptic effects of WIN55,212‐2, and such a potentiation was abolished by A2AR blockade. Unlike the synaptic effects, the ability of WIN55,212‐2 to prevent NMDA‐induced toxicity was not influenced by ZM241385. Altogether, these results show that the state of activation of A2ARs regulates the synaptic effects of CB1Rs and that A2ARs may control CB1 effects also indirectly, namely through mGlu5Rs.
Intra‐ versus extracellular effects of microglia‐derived cysteine proteases in a conditioned medium transfer model
Authors: Wendt Wiebke , Schulten Roxane , Stichel Christine C. , Lübbert Hermann 
Published: July 2009

AbstractActivated microglia release inflammatory mediators that display either beneficial or harmful effects on neuronal survival and signaling. In the present study we demonstrate that exposure to lipopolysaccharide leads to an increase in the lysosomal cysteine proteases, cathepsin B, K, S, and X, in culture supernatants of the microglia cell line BV‐2. In addition, we observed an up‐regulation of cathepsins in the cytoplasmic fraction in response to stimulation with lipopolysaccharide. Conditioned medium from these cells was toxic to the neuroblastoma cell line Neuro2a. Experiments with membrane‐permeable and membrane‐impermeable cysteine protease inhibitors suggested that blocking extracellular cathepsins had no effect on microglia‐mediated neuron death in this medium transfer model. However, intracellular cathepsins seem to trigger the release of neurotoxic factors. In lipopolysaccharide‐stimulated BV‐2 cells, inhibition of intracellular cathepsins significantly diminished microglial activation characterized by reduced expression of different proinflammatory cytokines, thereby reducing the neurotoxic effects of the medium. This hitherto unknown intracellular effect of cysteine proteases in activated microglia might connect chronic neuroinflammation with neurodegeneration.
Docosahexaenoic acid attenuates microglial activation and delays early retinal degeneration
Authors: Ebert Stefanie , Weigelt Karin , Walczak Yana , Drobnik Wolfgang , Mauerer Richard , Hume David A. , Weber Bernhard H. F. , Langmann Thomas 
Published: July 2009

AbstractMicrogliosis is a common phenomenon in neurodegenerative disorders including retinal dystrophies. We performed a detailed characterization of activated microglia in the retinoschisin (Rs1h)‐deficient (Rs1h−/Y) mouse model of inherited retinal degeneration. To visualize and isolate microglia, we crossed Rs1h−/Y animals with transgenic MacGreen mice, which express green fluorescent protein under the control of the macrophage‐specific csf1r promoter. Activated microglia were detected in retinal sections and whole‐mounts of early postnatal MacGreen/Rs1h−/Y mice before the onset of overt neuronal cell death. These activated microglia contained prominent lipid droplets and analysis of the retinal lipid composition showed decreased docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels in Rs1h−/Y retinas. To establish a link between microglia activation, reduced DHA levels, and neurodegeneration, a dietary intervention study was performed. Female Rs1h−/− mice and their Rs1h−/Y litter were either subjected to a diet enriched with DHA, or a control chow lacking DHA. Supplementation with DHA enhanced photoreceptor survival and converted activated microglia to a quiescent phenotype. Furthermore, DHA, but not docosapentaenoic acid or adrenic acid reduced pro‐inflammatory gene expression, migration, and lipid accumulation of cultured BV‐2 microglia. We conclude that retinal DHA levels control the activity of microglia and thereby may affect the progression and extent of retinal degeneration.
Inhibition of calpain attenuates encephalitogenicity of MBP‐specific T cells
Authors: Guyton Mary K. , Brahmachari Saurav , Das Arabinda , Samantaray Supriti , Inoue Jun , Azuma Mitsuyoshi , Ray Swapan K. , Banik Naren L. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractMultiple sclerosis (MS) is a T‐cell mediated autoimmune disease of the CNS, possessing both immune and neurodegenerative events that lead to disability. Adoptive transfer (AT) of myelin basic protein (MBP)‐specific T cells into naïve female SJL/J mice results in a relapsing–remitting (RR) form of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Blocking the mechanisms by which MBP‐specific T cells are activated before AT may help characterize the immune arm of MS and offer novel targets for therapy. One such target is calpain, which is involved in activation of T cells, migration of immune cells into the CNS, degradation of axonal and myelin proteins, and neuronal apoptosis. Thus, the hypothesis that inhibiting calpain in MBP‐specific T cells would diminish their encephalitogenicity in RR‐EAE mice was tested. Incubating MBP‐specific T cells with the calpain inhibitor SJA6017 before AT markedly suppressed the ability of these T cells to induce clinical symptoms of RR‐EAE. These reductions correlated with decreases in demyelination, inflammation, axonal damage, and loss of oligodendrocytes and neurons. Also, calpain : calpastatin ratio, production of truncated Bid, and Bax : Bcl‐2 ratio, and activities of calpain and caspases, and internucleosomal DNA fragmentation were attenuated. Thus, these data suggest calpain as a promising target for treating EAE and MS.
Determinants of regional and local diversity within the astroglial lineage of the normal central nervous system
Authors: Hewett James A. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractAstrocytes are a major component of the resident non‐neuronal glial cell population of the CNS. They are ubiquitously distributed throughout the brain and spinal cord, where they were initially thought to function in both structural and homeostatic capacities, providing the framework and environment in which neurons performed their parenchymal duties. However, this stroma‐like view of astrocytes is no longer satisfactory. Mounting evidence particularly within the last decade indicates that astrocytes do not simply support neuronal activity but directly contribute to it. Congruent with this evolving view of astrocyte function in information processing is the emergent notion that these glial cells are not a homogeneous population of cells. Thus, astrocytes in various anatomically distinct regions of the normal CNS possess unique phenotypic characteristics that may directly influence the particular neuronal activities that define these regions. Remarkably, regional populations of astrocytes appear to exhibit local heterogeneity as well. Many phenotypic traits of the astrocyte lineage are responsive to local environmental cues (i.e., are adaptable), suggesting that plasticity contributes to this diversity. However, compelling evidence suggests that astrocytes arise from multiple distinct progenitor pools in the developing CNS, raising the intriguing possibility that some astrocyte heterogeneity may result from intrinsic differences between these progenitors. The purpose of this review is to explore the evidence for and mechanistic determinants of regional and local astrocyte diversity.
Lipidomic profiling in mouse brain reveals differences between ages and genders, with smaller changes associated with α‐synuclein genotype
Authors: Rappley Irit , Myers David S. , Milne Stephen B. , Ivanova Pavlina T. , LaVoie Matthew J. , Brown H. Alex , Selkoe Dennis J. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractAdvances in lipidomics technology have facilitated the precise detection, identification and profiling of lipid species within tissues. Mass spectrometry allows for identification of lipids as a function of the total number of carbons and double bonds in their acyl chains. Such detailed descriptions of lipid composition can provide a basis for further investigation of cell signaling and metabolic pathways, both physiological and pathological. Here, we applied phospholipid profiling to mouse models relevant to Parkinson’s disease, using mice that were transgenic for human α‐synuclein (αSyn) or deleted of endogenous αSyn. Proposed functions of αSyn include phospholipid binding, regulation of membrane composition, and regulation of vesicular pools. We investigated whether αSyn gene dosage interacts with differences in phospholipid composition across brain regions or with age‐related changes in brain phospholipid composition. The most dramatic phospholipid changes were observed in αSyn wild‐type animals as a function of age and gender. αSyn genotype‐specific changes were also observed in aged, but not young, mice. Our results provide a detailed and systematic characterization of brain phospholipid composition in mice and identify age‐related changes relevant both to Parkinson’s disease and to normal aging.
Do IFRS Reconciliations Convey Information? The Effect of Debt Contracting
Authors: CHRISTENSEN HANS B. , LEE EDWARD , WALKER MARTIN 
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACTWe examine whether earnings reconciliation from U.K. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) convey information. As a result of debt contracting, mandatory accounting changes are expected to affect the likelihood of violating existing covenants based on rolling GAAP, leading to a redistribution of wealth between shareholders and lenders. Consistent with this prediction, we find significant market reactions to IFRS reconciliation announcements. These market reactions are more pronounced among firms that face a greater likelihood and costs of covenant violation and early announcements. While the association between later announcements and weaker market reactions is consistent with contractual implications of technical changes to earnings, which investors quickly learn to predict, it is inconsistent with IFRS forcing all firms in the sample to reveal firm‐specific information through accruals. Thus, by showing that mandatory IFRS also affects debt contracting, we expand on existing IFRS research that focuses on how accounting quality and cost of capital are impacted.
Using Financial Accounting Data to Examine the Effect of Foreign Operations Located in Tax Havens and Other Countries on U.S. Multinational Firms' Tax Rates
Authors: DYRENG SCOTT D. , LINDSEY BRADLEY P. 
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACTThis paper investigates the effect tax havens and other foreign jurisdictions have on the income tax rates of multinational firms based in the United States. We develop a new regression methodology using financial accounting data to estimate the average worldwide, federal, and foreign tax rates on worldwide, federal, and foreign pretax book income for a large sample of U.S. firms with and without tax haven operations. We find that on average U.S. firms that disclosed material operations in at least one tax haven country have a worldwide tax burden on worldwide income that is approximately 1.5 percentage points lower than firms without operations in at least one tax haven country. Our results also show that U.S. firms face a 4.4% current federal tax rate on foreign income whether or not they have tax haven operations. Finally, we find that U.S. firms with operations in some tax haven countries have higher federal tax rates on foreign income than other firms. This result suggests that in some cases, tax haven operations may increase U.S. tax collections at the expense of foreign country tax collections.
Earnings Management? Erroneous Inferences Based on Earnings Frequency Distributions
Authors: DURTSCHI CINDY , EASTON PETER 
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACTA vast literature following Hayn [1995] and Burgstahler and Dichev [1997] attributed the so‐called “discontinuities” in earnings distributions around zero to earnings management. Despite recent evidence that these discontinuities are likely caused by other factors, researchers and teachers continue to point to the shapes of these distributions as evidence of earnings management. We provide three sets of further evidence that these discontinuities are likely caused by factors other than earnings management: (1) we provide, as an example, a detailed analysis of the severe effects of sample selection in a recent study; this study erroneously concludes that the shape of an earnings distribution is evidence of earnings management, (2) we provide a simple explanation for the shape of the earnings distribution that is most often cited as evidence of earnings management; the relation between earnings and prices differs with the magnitude and the sign of earnings, and (3) we provide further examples that support the main point of our paper; evidence beyond the mere shape of a distribution must be brought to bear before researchers can draw conclusions regarding the presence/absence of earnings management.
Informing Packaging Design Decisions at Toyota Motor Sales Using Life Cycle Assessment and Costing
Authors: Early Claire , Kidman Tim , Menvielle Michelle , Geyer Roland , McMullan Ryan 
Published: July 2009

SummaryThroughout their life cycle stages—material production, package manufacture, distribution, end‐of‐life management—packaging systems consume natural resources and energy, generate waste, and emit pollutants. Each of these stages also carries a financial cost. Motivated by a desire to decrease environmental burdens while reducing financial costs associated with the packaging of accessory and service parts, Toyota Motor Sales (TMS) partnered with the Donald Bren School of Environmental Science & Management to build a life cycle assessment and costing tool to support packaging design decisions. The resulting Environmental Packaging Impact Calculator (EPIC) provides comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle costing (LCC). It allows packaging designers to identify environmentally and economically preferable packaging systems in daily decision‐making. EPIC's parameterized process flow model allows users to assess many different packaging systems using a single model. Its input/output interface is designed for users without preexisting knowledge of LCA theory or practice and calculates results based on relatively few input data. The main motivation behind this environmental design tool is to provide relevant information to those individuals who are in the best position to reduce life cycle impacts and costs from TMS's packaging and distribution systems.