bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prokaryotic expression of nucleoprotein gene of Transmissible gastroenteritis virus and development of ELISA based on the expressed protein
Authors: Zhen-Hui Song , Wan-Zhu Guo , Ying-Jun Zhang 
Published: January 2010

AbstractThe recombinant PET-N plasmid, which includes the N gene of the Transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV), was transformed into Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3), and induced at 37°C with 1.0 mmol/l IPTG (isopropyl β-d-1-thiogalactopyranoside). An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detecting the TGEV nucleocapsid protein antibody was developed after the reactogenicity of the recombinant protein was demonstrated by Western blot. The operating conditions for the ELISA, an antigen concentration of 15 μg/ml, serum dilution of 1:40, blocking solution of 0.5% fetal bovine serum (FBS), serum sample incubation for 90 min, a concentration of horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-spa of 1:5000, incubated for 60 min, incubation of the substrate at room temperature for 10 min, and a cutoff value for the ELISA OD450⩾0.35, were carried out using a checkerboard titration method. The sensitivity and specificity of this method relative to the Svanova TGEV/PRCV antibody diagnosis kit were 93.5% and 93.8%, respectively.
A cognitive behavioural model for maintaining processes in burnout
Authors: Tyrrell Zoe 
Published: January 2010

AbstractCan a cognitive behavioural approach offer a fresh understanding of the maintaining processes in burnout? This paper considers the enduring nature of burnout symptoms over time. It examines the hypothesis that some of the actions associated with ‘coping’ in burnout may conversely serve to perpetuate burnout symptoms. This model is considered in the context of mental-health workers and is discussed in the light of current research. It implies the need to adopt an approach to burnout that incorporates the challenging of burnout-related cognitions and the elimination of safety behaviours, rather than having a sole focus on self-care strategies.
Inhibition of Akt/GSK3β signalling pathway byLegionella pneumophilais involved in induction of T-cell apoptosis
Authors: Takamatsu Reika , Takeshima Eriko , Ishikawa Chie , Yamamoto Kei , Teruya Hiromitsu , Heuner Klaus , Higa Futoshi , Fujita Jiro , Mori Naoki 
Published: January 2010

Legionella pneumophila is the causative agent of human Legionnaires' disease. L. pneumophila has been shown to induce apoptosis of T-cells and this may be important pathologically and clinically. The present study has determined the molecular mechanisms underlying L. pneumophila-induced apoptosis, which were unclear. Wild-type L. pneumophila and flagellin-deficient Legionella, but not L. pneumophila lacking a functional type IV secretion system Dot/Icm, replicated in T-cells. However, apoptosis was efficiently induced in T-cells only by wild-type L. pneumophila, and not flagellin-deficient or Dot/Icm-deficient Legionella. Induction of apoptosis involved activation of the initiator caspase 9 and effector caspase 3. Infection with L. pneumophila inhibited phosphorylation of Akt (also known as protein kinase B) and the Akt substrate GSK3β (glycogen synthase kinase 3β), and reduced the levels of β-catenin, a transcriptional activator regulated by GSK3β. It also caused the activation of the pro-apoptotic protein Bax and inhibited the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein XIAP (X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis) via inhibition of the Akt pathway. In conclusion, L. pneumophila induces mitochondria-mediated T-cell apoptosis through inhibition of the Akt/GSK3β signalling pathway.
Decoupled Farm Payments and the Role of Base Acreage and Yield Updating Under Uncertainty
Authors: Bhaskar Arathi , Beghin John C. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractWe analyze the coupling effect of expectations about base acreage and yield updating in future farm policy on production decisions in the presence of price, yield, and policy uncertainty for a risk‐averse farmer producing a single crop. The farmer receives market revenue and government payments. Using stochastic dynamic programming, optimum decisions under present value calculations positively link current acreage and fertilizer decisions to future government payments through expected updates of base acreage and yield in the future regime. Moving from a zero probability of updating to a probability of one increases optimum acreage and yield by 6.25% and 0.134%, respectively.
Bayesian inference for finite mixtures of univariate and multivariate skew-normal and skew-t distributions
Authors: Frühwirth-Schnatter Sylvia , Pyne Saumyadipta 
Published: January 2010

AbstractSkew-normal and skew-t distributions have proved to be useful for capturing skewness and kurtosis in data directly without transformation. Recently, finite mixtures of such distributions have been considered as a more general tool for handling heterogeneous data involving asymmetric behaviors across subpopulations. We consider such mixture models for both univariate as well as multivariate data. This allows robust modeling of high-dimensional multimodal and asymmetric data generated by popular biotechnological platforms such as flow cytometry.We develop Bayesian inference based on data augmentation and Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) sampling. In addition to the latent allocations, data augmentation is based on a stochastic representation of the skew-normal distribution in terms of a random-effects model with truncated normal random effects. For finite mixtures of skew normals, this leads to a Gibbs sampling scheme that draws from standard densities only. This MCMC scheme is extended to mixtures of skew-t distributions based on representing the skew-t distribution as a scale mixture of skew normals.As an important application of our new method, we demonstrate how it provides a new computational framework for automated analysis of high-dimensional flow cytometric data. Using multivariate skew-normal and skew-t mixture models, we could model non-Gaussian cell populations rigorously and directly without transformation or projection to lower dimensions.
Micro‐particle‐induced X‐ray emission mapping of elemental distribution in roots of a Mediterranean‐type sclerophyll,Agathosma betulina(Berg.) Pillans, colonized byCryptococcus laurentii
Authors: CLOETE KAREN J. , PRZYBYLOWICZ WOJCIECH J. , MESJASZ‐PRZYBYLOWICZ JOLANTA , BARNABAS ALBAN D. , VALENTINE ALEXANDER J. , BOTHA ALFRED 
Published: January 2010

ABSTRACTThe role of rhizosphere yeasts as plant nutrient‐scavenging microsymbionts in resource‐limited Mediterranean‐type heathlands is unknown. This study, therefore, focused on quantitative elemental distribution within the roots of a medicinal sclerophyll,Agathosma betulina(Berg.) Pillans, grown under nutrient‐poor conditions, and colonized byCryptococcus laurentii. Micro‐particle‐induced X‐ray emission (PIXE) was used to assess quantitative elemental distribution within the roots ofA. betulinainoculated with viableC. laurentii, as well as within roots of control plants that received autoclaved yeast. To aid in the interpretation of heterogeneous elemental distribution patterns, apoplastic barriers (Casparian bands) in root tissues were located using fluorescence microscopy. In addition, root cross‐sections were examined for endophyticC. laurentiiusing light and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The average concentrations of P, Fe and Mn were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in roots of yeast‐inoculated plants, compared to control plants. Casparian bands were observed in the exodermal cells of both treatments, and the presence of these bands was correlated with elemental enrichment in the epi/exodermal‐outer cortical tissues. Light and TEM micrographs revealed that the yeast was not a root endophyte. This is the first report describing the role of a soil yeast as a plant nutrient‐scavenging microsymbiont.
Regulation by light of ammonium transport systems in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Authors: ERMILOVA ELENA V. , ZALUTSKAYA ZHANNETA M. , NIKITIN MAXIM M. , LAPINA TATYANA V. , FERNÁNDEZ EMILIO 
Published: January 2010

ABSTRACTThe unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is able to take up methylammonium/ammonium from the medium at different stages of its sexual life cycle. Vegetative cells and pre‐gametes mostly used a low‐affinity system (LATS) component, but gametes obtained after light treatment of N‐deprived pre‐gametes expressed both LATS and high‐affinity system (HATS) components for the uptake of methylammonium/ammonium. The activity of the LATS component was stimulated by light in only 5 min in a process independent of protein synthesis. By using the lrg6 mutant that produces sexually competent gametes in the dark, light effects on ammonium transport and gamete differentiation have been separately analysed. We have found light regulation of four Amt1 genes: Amt1; 1, Amt1; 2, Amt1; 4 and Amt1; 5. Whereas light‐dependent expression of Amt1; 1, Amt1; 2 and Amt1; 4 was independent of gametogenesis, and that of Amt1; 5 was activated in the lrg6 mutant, suggesting a connection between this transporter and the subsequent events taking place during gametogenesis.
Prognostic significance of survivin‐expressing circulating tumour cells in T1G3 bladder cancer
Authors: Gradilone Angela , Petracca Arianna , Nicolazzo Chiara , Gianni Walter , Cortesi Enrico , Naso Giuseppe , Vincenzi Bruno , Cristini Cristiano , De Berardinis Ettore , Di Silverio Franco , Aglianò Anna Maria , Gazzaniga Paola 
Published: January 2010

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the prognostic significance of survivin in tumour tissues and that of survivin‐expressing circulating tumour cells (CTCs) in T1G3 bladder tumours, as the prognosis of T1G3 bladder cancer is highly variable and unpredictable from clinical and pathological prognostic factors.PATIENTS AND METHODSThe study included 54 patients with T1G3 non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer. Additional inclusion criteria were: tumour size <3 cm, absence of carcinoma in situ and multifocality. The planned follow‐up was 24 months. Survivin was evaluated by reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction in tumour tissues. CTCs were isolated from blood by CELLectionTM Dynabeads (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA, USA) coated with the monoclonal antibody towards the human epithelial cell adhesion molecule. Cells were lysed and Dynabeads Oligo(dT) was used to capture poly A + mRNA. cDNA was synthesized and analysed for the expression of CD45, CK8 and survivin. The primary endpoint was disease‐free survival (DFS); the favourable group at 24 months was defined as that with no clinical evidence of disease; the unfavourable group was that with evidence of recurrent disease or progressive disease. Tumour survivin expression and presence of CTC were correlated with DFS. Multivariate analysis was used to investigate whether the presence of CTC was an independent indicator of DFS.RESULTSSurvivin was found in half of the tumours; patients with survivin‐negative tumours had a longer DFS than those with survivin‐positive tumours (chi‐square, P = 0.029). CTCs were found in 24/54 patients (44%); 92% of CTC expressed survivin. The difference in DFS between CTC–ve and CTC+ve patients was statistically significant (chi‐square, P < 0.001). The presence of CTC was an independent prognostic factor for DFS (P < 0.001).CONCLUSIONThe presence of CTC is an independent prognostic factor in patients with T1G3 bladder cancer.
Prognostic significance of a positive surgical margin in pathologically organ‐confined prostate cancer
Authors: Ahyai Sascha A. , Zacharias Mario , Isbarn Hendrik , Steuber Thomas , Eichelberg Christian , Köllermann Jens , Fisch Margit , Karakiewicz Pierre I. , Huland Hartwig , Graefen Markus , Chun Felix K.‐H. 
Published: January 2010

Study Type – Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4OBJECTIVETo identify risk factors of a positive surgical margin (PSM) and the significance of a PSM after radical prostatectomy (RP) on biochemical recurrence (BCR) in exclusively pathologically confirmed organ‐confined (OC) prostate cancer, as despite an excellent prognosis after RP, some patients with pathologically confirmed OC disease have BCR, and the prognostic significance of a PSM in these men remains unclear.PATIENTS AND METHODSWe assessed 932 men with pathologically OC disease who were treated with RP by nine different surgeons between 1992 and 2004. The prognostic significance of clinical and pathological variables, including tumour volume (TV) and percentage of high‐grade TV (%HGTV) were assessed. Logistic and Cox regression models were fitted to identify risk factors of a PSM and BCR. BCR was defined as a prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) level of 0.1 ng/mL and increasing after an undetectable PSA level.RESULTSThe total PSM rate was 12.9% (120 men); the mean TV (P < 0.001), but not %HGTV (P= 0.2) was significantly higher in patients with PSM. TV, nerve‐sparing RP technique and surgical volume were independent risk factors for a PSM (P= 0.03). After a median follow‐up of 35 months the overall BCR rate was 8.8% (82 men). Patients with a PSM had significantly higher BCR rates (21.7% vs 6.9%; P < 0.001). In univariable analysis, a high %HGTV (70.4%) was the most informative risk factor of BCR, followed by RP Gleason score (65.8%) and PSM (65.7%). Removal of PSM from a multivariable Cox model decreased the accuracy by 12.1% (P < 0.001).CONCLUSIONSOur findings show that in OC prostate cancer, the risk of a PSM depends on TV, surgical technique and surgical volume. PSM is a significant risk factor for BCR. However, only 20% men with OC disease and a PSM develop BCR; conversely, 80% of men are cured despite a PSM. Therefore, adjuvant therapy must be considered, with caution to avoid unnecessary overtreatment.
Face, content and construct validation of the first virtual reality laparoscopic nephrectomy simulator
Authors: Brewin James , Nedas Tim , Challacombe Ben , Elhage Oussama , Keisu Jonas , Dasgupta Prokar 
Published: January 2010

Study Type – Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4OBJECTIVETo evaluate the face, content and construct validity, and to identify whether participants improved with practice, for the Procedicus MIST Nephrectomy™ simulator (Mentice, Gothenburg, Sweden), which incorporates force feedback and can record numerous performance measures (metrics) during the simulation, and which is the first virtual reality simulator for laparoscopic nephrectomy.SUBJECTS AND METHODSEight expert urological laparoscopic surgeons, 10 novices and 10 trainee urologists completed at least one simulated retroperitoneal radical nephrectomy. They completed a structured questionnaire to assess face and content validity; the performance of experts and novices were then compared to evaluate construct validity.RESULTSFace validity was established by the experts who all felt the simulator was a good training tool. Content validity was established by the experts who rated all aspects of the simulator as above average for realism. When performance metrics were analysed, experts completed the simulated nephrectomy significantly faster than novices, with fewer errors, less simulated haemorrhage and less tool travel, which established construct validity. After practice, both novices and trainees were able to perform the simulation faster, with fewer errors, less blood loss and less tool travel.CONCLUSIONSThis study has established the face, content and construct validity for the Procedicus MIST Nephrectomy. The simulator can distinguish experts from novices and it has potential as a laparoscopic training tool for urology.
Two susceptible diabetogenic variants near/in MTNR1B are associated with fasting plasma glucose in a Han Chinese cohort
Authors: Kan M. Y. , Zhou D. Z. , Zhang D. , Zhang Z. , Chen Z. , Yang Y. F. , Guo X. Z. , Xu H. , He L. , Liu Y. 
Published: January 2010

Diabet. Med. 27, 598–602 (2010)AbstractAims  To investigate the two variants (rs1387153 and rs10830963) near/in the melatonin receptor 1B gene (MTNR1B) and to determine their association with Type 2 diabetes, as well as with the regulation of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) in Han Chinese subjects.Methods  The two variants were genotyped in 1912 unrelated Type 2 diabetic patients and 2041 healthy individuals. Association with Type 2 diabetes was calculated by logistic regression with adjustments for sex, age and body mass index. The possible connection between the risk alleles and FPG was analysed by multiple linear regression.Results  The two polymorphisms were associated with FPG levels in the healthy individuals (P = 0.003 and P = 0.002, respectively), and the G allele of rs10830963 was also associated with an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes in our patient sample (odds ratio, 1.12; 95% confidence interval, 1.02–1.23; P = 0.024). Moreover, the linkage disequilibrium degree of two single nucleotide polymorphisms was high (r2 = 0.66), which is similar to that of Europeans.Conclusions  The common variant in MTNR1B confers the risk of Type 2 diabetes and modulates FPG in both the Han Chinese and European populations.
Top Management Team Advice Seeking and Exploratory Innovation: The Moderating Role of TMT Heterogeneity
Authors: Alexiev Alexander S. , Jansen Justin J. P. , Van den Bosch Frans A. J. , Volberda Henk W. 
Published: January 2010

abstractResearch on strategic decision making has considered advice‐seeking behaviour as an important top management team attribute that influences organizational outcomes. Yet, our understanding about how top management teams utilize advice to modify current strategies and pursue exploratory innovation is still unclear. To uncover the importance of advice seeking, we delineate between external and internal advice seeking and investigate their impact on exploratory innovation. We also argue that top management team heterogeneity moderates the impact of advice seeking on exploratory innovation. Findings indicated that both external and internal advice seeking are important determinants of a firm's exploratory innovation. In addition, we observed that top management team heterogeneity facilitates firms to act upon internal advice by combining different perspectives and developing new products and services. Interestingly, heterogeneous top management teams appeared to be less effective to leverage external advice and pursue exploratory innovation.
Agency Perspectives on Corporate Governance of Multinational Enterprises
Authors: Filatotchev Igor , Wright Mike 
Published: January 2010

abstractThis paper argues for a greater focus on an agency theory (AT) perspective in understanding corporate governance in multinational enterprises (MNEs) since, despite recent developments, the traditional internalization theory approach limits our understanding of the behaviour of these firms. We analyse the contribution of an AT perspective to understanding various aspects of corporate governance in MNEs: internationalization, international joint ventures (IJVs), headquarters–subsidiary relationships, and new forms of global business groups. From this analysis, we suggest that even with the emerging AT literature's focus on the role of ownership as a key governance factor, there is substantial need for research on several key corporate governance mechanisms; namely, the role and nature of dominant owners, the composition of boards of directors, the separation of CEOs and board chairs, executive remuneration, and the role of the market for corporate control. There is scope to examine further the implications of different institutional environments for AT perspectives on the behaviour of MNEs.
Appetite control: methodological aspects of the evaluation of foods
Authors: Blundell J. , De Graaf C. , Hulshof T. , Jebb S. , Livingstone B. , Lluch A. , Mela D. , Salah S. , Schuring E. , Van Der Knaap H. , Westerterp M. 
Published: January 2010

SummaryThis report describes a set of scientific procedures used to assess the impact of foods and food ingredients on the expression of appetite (psychological and behavioural). An overarching priority has been to enable potential evaluators of health claims about foods to identify justified claims and to exclude claims that are not supported by scientific evidence for the effect cited. This priority follows precisely from the principles set down in the PASSCLAIM report. The report allows the evaluation of the strength of health claims, about the effects of foods on appetite, which can be sustained on the basis of the commonly used scientific designs and experimental procedures. The report includes different designs for assessing effects on satiation as opposed to satiety, detailed coverage of the extent to which a change in hunger can stand alone as a measure of appetite control and an extensive discussion of the statistical procedures appropriate for handling data in this field of research. Because research in this area is continually evolving, new improved methodologies may emerge over time and will need to be incorporated into the framework. One main objective of the report has been to produce guidance on good practice in carrying out appetite research, and not to set down a series of commandments that must be followed.
Option‐Adjusted Delta Credit Spreads: a Cross‐Country Analysis
Authors: Becchetti Leonardo , Carpentieri Andrea , Hasan Iftekhar 
Published: January 2010

Abstract This study analyses the determinants of the variation in option‐adjusted credit spreads (OASs) using a unique database and enlarges the traditional analysis to include disaggregated indexes, new variables, and a complete set of markets (USA, UK, and the Eurozone). An extended set of regressors explains almost half the variability of OASs in the three markets. We find that institutional trading activity significantly affects corporate bond spreads, signalling either variation in perceptions of risk or the existence of an indirect measure of liquidity. We also find that US business cycle indicators significantly affect the variability of OASs in the UK and the Eurozone. Finally, we find evidence that stock returns have more influence on high‐yield bonds in the Eurozone than in the USA.
Pathways to the diagnosis of ovarian cancer in the UK: a cohort study in primary care
Authors: Barrett J , Sharp DJ , Stapley S , Stabb C , Hamilton W 
Published: January 2010

Please cite this paper as: Barrett J, Sharp D, Stapley S, Stabb C, Hamilton W. Pathways to the diagnosis of ovarian cancer in the UK: a cohort study in primary care. BJOG 2010;117:610–614.Objective  To identify the routes patients with ovarian cancer take between first symptom presentation and diagnosis.Design  Cohort study.Setting  The study took place in 39 general practices in Devon, UK.Population  All ovarian cancer patients identified in the practices, with a diagnosis between 2000 and 2007 inclusive.Methods  All patients had their cancer symptoms, referrals, and diagnoses identified and dated using their doctors’ records.Main outcome measures  Numbers of patients taking specific routes to diagnosis, together with the time taken to diagnosis.Results  Three main routes to diagnosis emerged. The first was the expected route of outpatient referral: 195 (92% of the total) had at least one of the seven ovarian cancer symptoms or an abdominal mass. A total of 123 (58%) were referred to a specialist, although only 65 (31%) were referred to a gynaecologist. Thirty‐five (17%) were initially investigated within primary care by ultrasound scanning, and a further 35 (17%) were admitted as emergencies. The interval from first symptom to referral was similar across the different pathways, with a median (interquartile range) time between the first symptom presenting to primary care and first investigation or referral being 2.5 (0, 27.5) days. The median interval from first symptom reported in primary care to diagnosis was 74.5 (32, 159) days.Conclusions  Only a minority of ovarian cancer patients follow the expected route to diagnosis, of urgent referral to a gynaecologist. In most women, GPs rapidly identified the need to investigate. Avoidable delays generally occurred after the decision to investigate was made.