bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Body size of insular carnivores: evidence from the fossil record
Authors: Lyras George A. , van der Geer Alexandra A. E. , Rook Lorenzo 
Published: April 2010

AbstractAim  Our goals here are to: (1) assess the generality of one aspect of the island rule – the progressive trend towards decrease in size in larger species – for fossil carnivores on islands; (2) offer causal explanations for this pattern and deviations from it – as far as fossil carnivores are concerned; and (3) estimate the speed of this trend.Location  Oceanic and oceanic‐like islands world‐wide.Methods  Body size estimates of fossil insular carnivores and of their phylogenetically closest mainland relative were obtained from our own data and the published literature. Our dataset consisted of 18 species from nine islands world‐wide. These data were used to test whether the body size of fossil insular carnivores varies as a function of body size of the mainland species in combination with characteristics of the island ecosystem.Results  Dwarfism was observed in two canid species. Moderate decrease in body mass was observed in one hyena species. Gigantism was observed in one otter species. Moderate body mass increase was observed in two otter species, one galictine mustelid and perhaps one canid. Negligible or no change in body mass at all was observed in five otter species, three galictine mustelids and one genet. Size changes in teeth do not lag behind in comparison to skeletal elements in the dwarfed canids. The evolutionary speed of dwarfism in a canid lineage is low.Main conclusions  Size change in fossil terrestrial insular carnivores was constrained by certain ecological conditions, especially the availability of prey of appropriate body size. When such alternative prey was not available, the carnivores retained their mainland size. The impact of competitive carnivores seems negligible. The case of (semi‐)aquatic carnivores is much less clear. The species that maintained their ancestral body mass may have changed their diet, as is evidenced by their dentition. Among the otters, one case of significant size increase was observed, perhaps best explained as being due to it entering the niche of an obligate aquatic otter. Dwarfism was not observed in otters. The island rule seems to apply to fossil carnivores, but with exceptions. The dependency of the island rule on resource availability is emphasized by the present study.
Characterization of two members of the cryptochrome/photolyase family from Ostreococcus tauri provides insights into the origin and evolution of cryptochromes
Authors: HEIJDE MARC , ZABULON GÉRALD , CORELLOU FLORENCE , ISHIKAWA TOMOKO , BRAZARD JOHANNA , USMAN ANWAR , SANCHEZ FRÉDÉRIC , PLAZA PASCAL , MARTIN MONIQUE , FALCIATORE ANGELA , TODO TAKESHI , BOUGET FRANÇOIS‐YVES , BOWLER CHRIS 
Published: April 2010

ABSTRACTCryptochromes (Crys) are blue light receptors believed to have evolved from the DNA photolyase protein family, implying that light control and light protection share a common ancient origin. In this paper, we report the identification of five genes of the Cry/photolyase family (CPF) in two green algae of the Ostreococcus genus. Phylogenetic analyses were used to confidently assign three of these sequences to cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD) photolyases, one of them to a DASH‐type Cry, and a third CPF gene has high homology with the recently described diatom CPF1 that displays a bifunctional activity. Both purified OtCPF1 and OtCPF2 proteins show non‐covalent binding to flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), and additionally to 5,10‐methenyl‐tetrahydrofolate (MTHF) for OtCPF2. Expression analyses revealed that all five CPF members of Ostreococcus tauri are regulated by light. Furthermore, we show that OtCPF1 and OtCPF2 display photolyase activity and that OtCPF1 is able to interact with the CLOCK:BMAL heterodimer, transcription factors regulating circadian clock function in other organisms. Finally, we provide evidence for the involvement of OtCPF1 in the maintenance of the Ostreococcus circadian clock. This work improves our understanding of the evolutionary transition between photolyases and Crys.
Increasing Antiviral Activity of Surfactant Protein D Trimers by Introducing Residues from Bovine Serum Collectins: Dissociation of Mannan‐Binding and Antiviral Activity
Authors: Hartshorn K. L. , White M. R. , Smith K. , Sorensen G. , Kuroki Y. , Holmskov U. , Head J. , Crouch E. C. 
Published: April 2010

AbstractCollectins contribute to host defence through interactions with glycoconjugates on pathogen surfaces. We have prepared recombinant trimeric neck and carbohydrate recognition domains (NCRD) of collectins, and we now show that the NCRD of bovine conglutinin and CL‐46 (like that of CL‐43) have greater intrinsic antiviral activity for influenza A virus (IAV) than the human SP‐D NCRD (hSP‐D‐NCRD). The three serum collectins differ from SP‐D by having insertions adjacent to amino acid 325 and substitution of hydrophobic residues for arginine 343. We previously showed that a three amino acid (RAK) insertion, as found in CL‐43, increases antiviral activity and mannan‐binding activity of the hSP‐D‐NCRD, while the substitution of valine at 343, as in conglutinin, more strongly increased these activities. Mannan‐binding activity of collectins has been considered to predict for ability to bind to high mannose glycans on viruses or other pathogens. We now show, however, that combined mutants containing the RAK insertion and R343V or R343I substitutions have greatly increased mannan‐binding ability, but lower IAV binding or inhibiting activity than mutants containing R343V or R343I substitutions only. These findings indicate differences in the recognition of glycan structures of mannan and IAV by the NCRD and emphasize the importance of the flanking sequences in determining the differing interactions of human SP‐D and bovine serum collectins with mannose‐rich glycoconjugates on IAV and other pathogens. Of interest, we show conservation of some monoclonal antibody‐binding epitopes between bovine collectin NCRD and hSP‐D, suggesting shared structural motifs.
Hepatic encephalopathy as a complication of liver cirrhosis: An Asian perspective
Authors: Moriwaki Hisataka , Shiraki Makoto , Iwasa Junpei , Terakura Yoichi 
Published: April 2010

AbstractHepatic encephalopathy is one of the most important clinical manifestations in decompensated liver cirrhosis. Accepted concepts regarding the pathophysiology of hepatic encephalopathy are that the endogenous neurotoxic substances, including ammonia: (i) escape from catabolism by the liver due both to the impaired function of the cirrhotic liver and also to the presence of portal systemic shunting; (ii) circulate at elevated concentrations in the systemic blood flow; (iii) reach the brain through the blood‐brain barrier; and (iv) impair cerebral function leading to disturbances of consciousness. The majority of these toxic substances are produced in the intestine by the bacterial flora, and are absorbed into the portal venous flow. The epidemiology of liver cirrhosis depends particularly on its etiology, and shows a marked geographic difference worldwide between Western, and Asian countries. Hepatic encephalopathy developed at an annual rate of 8% in cirrhotics in Far Eastern studies. In Eastern and Far East countries, therapeutic options are similar to those in the western hemisphere, but pronounced application of dietary restriction, antimicrobial agents, disaccharides, shunt obliteration and branched chain amino acids is noted. In spite of improved therapeutic options for encephalopathy, the long‐term survival is still low. Thus, hepatic encephalopathy remains a serious complication of liver cirrhosis. Establishment of truly effective prevention modalities and broader application of liver transplantation will help rescue patients suffering from this complication of liver cirrhosis in the near future.
Hepatitis B reactivation in patients receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy: Diagnosis and management
Authors: Lubel John S , Angus Peter W 
Published: April 2010

AbstractNearly one third of the world's population have been infected with hepatitis B and the virus is endemic in many Asian countries. With increasing life expectancy and the expected global increase in cancer, chemotherapy induced reactivation of hepatitis B is likely to become an increasing problem. Patients with significant levels of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA in serum prior to chemotherapy and patients receiving intensive chemotherapy for hematological malignancies appear particularly at risk. Most patients who suffer reactivation of hepatitis B are positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) prior to chemotherapy and are therefore easily identifiable by routine screening. In addition, the very large population of patients who have been exposed to the virus and have apparently cleared the virus as assessed by serological testing (HBsAg negative/hepatitis B core antibody [HBcAb] positive) may also be at risk of reactivation. These patients should be monitored and in some cases receive prophylaxis during chemotherapy. Published experience with antiviral prophylaxis has largely been limited to the nucleoside analogue, lamivudine. The commencement of antiviral prophylaxis prior to chemotherapy and its continuation until restitution of normal host immunity is the cornerstone to effective prevention of hepatitis B reactivation. This review summarizes the important issues related to HBV reactivation and suggests an algorithm for managing these patients in the clinical setting.
Difference in response to botulinum toxin type A treatment between patients with benign essential blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm
Authors: Cannon Paul S , MacKenzie Kenneth R , Cook Anne E , Leatherbarrow Brian 
Published: April 2010

AbstractBackground:  Botulinum toxin (BTX) is the first‐line treatment in managing benign essential blepharospasm (BEB) and hemifacial spasm (HFS). We wished to assess the difference in duration of effect and the number of BTX treatments required to treat patients with BEB and HFS.Methods:  A prospective study of patients attending the BTX clinic in Manchester Royal Eye Hospital over 6 months. All treatments were administered by a single experienced ophthalmologist. A questionnaire was completed for each patient. In patients with BEB where the BTX was injected bilaterally, one side was randomized to compare with HFS patients. Patient demographics, cumulative dose of BTX, duration of BTX effect with patient satisfaction and the number of previous BTX injections were recorded.Results:  Sixty‐four patients were included in the study. The mean age was 60.8 years. Among them, 30 patients had BEB and 34 had HFS. Patients with HFS received a lower mean dose of BTX than patients with BEB (12.23 units vs. 16.2 units). The patients with HFS had a longer duration of effect than patients with BEB, with fewer BTX treatments. Of all patients, 90% with HFS and BEB were satisfied with the effect of their last BTX injection. Three unsatisfied patients in the BEB group were referred on for surgical management of their disorder.Conclusions:  We have shown that patients with BEB have a shorter duration of effect with BTX and require more frequent BTX treatments than patients with HFS, highlighting that facial dystonias in patients with BEB is more challenging to manage.
Make, Buy or Ally? Theoretical Perspectives on Knowledge Process Outsourcing through Alliances
Authors: Mudambi Susan M. , Tallman Stephen 
Published: April 2010

abstractOutsourcing knowledge and innovation activities offer cost savings and superior performance, but can also put a firm's unique resources and capabilities at risk. Characterizations of outsourcing as a make‐or‐buy decision do not fit well with decisions on knowledge process outsourcing (KPO). KPO is a make‐or‐ally decision, as firms seek a governance structure that will both protect and leverage their strategic knowledge assets, with the final decision often coming down to a choice between different alliance forms. Our new conceptualization provides an integrated perspective on resource integration and transaction specificity in the knowledge governance decision. The model illustrates the dynamics and learning involved in knowledge outsourcing by identifying two distinct paths to KPO alliances.
Reconceptualizing the Firm in a World of Outsourcing and Offshoring: The Organizational and Geographical Relocation of High‐Value Company Functions
Authors: Contractor Farok J. , Kumar Vikas , Kundu Sumit K. , Pedersen Torben 
Published: April 2010

abstractIn the largest sense, global strategy amounts to (1) the optimal disaggregation or slicing of the firm's value chain into as many constituent pieces as organizationally and economically feasible, followed by (2) decisions as how each slice should be allocated geographically (‘offshoring’) and organizationally (‘outsourcing’). Offshoring and outsourcing are treated as strategies that need to be simultaneously analysed, where just ‘core’ segments of the value chain are retained in‐house, while others are optimally dispersed geographically, as well as dispersed over allies and contractors. This amounts to a reconsideration of the nature of the firm that captures the dynamic changes in global configuration and a reconsideration of what constitutes ‘core’ activities that need to be retained internally. The article proposes a new research agenda that searches for each firm's optimal degree of disaggregation and global dispersion given that further scattering of value chain activities entail benefits as well as increased complexity and costs.
Factors Determining Offshore Location Choice for R&D Projects: A Comparative Study of Developed and Emerging Regions
Authors: Demirbag Mehmet , Glaister Keith W. 
Published: April 2010

abstractThis paper examines empirically the determinants of offshore location choice between country clusters. Based on a dataset of 1722 R&D projects by MNEs located in developed and emerging countries, we examine the impact of home and host country, industry, and firm level variables on choice of location. We draw on the extended OLI paradigm to develop our hypotheses. Using the EU15 as a base group, a multinomial logit model is estimated between the regions of USA&Canada, Eastern Europe&Russia, emerging countries of Asia, and India&China. At the regional level, findings show that the R&D wage difference and knowledge infrastructure difference between home and host countries, the science and engineering talent pool size, and political risk level of host countries are important determining factors. At the firm level, experience of overseas R&D projects and prior experience of research in the host country are found to be important location determinants. A distinguishing feature of the paper is that we examine regions in relation to a base region, and then further examine the impact of a marginal change in independent variables on the likelihood of the choice of a region for new offshore R&D projects.
Antenatal interventions for overweight or obese pregnant women: a systematic review of randomised trials
Authors: Dodd JM , Grivell RM , Crowther CA , Robinson JS 
Published: April 2010

Please cite this paper as: Dodd J, Grivell R, Crowther C, Robinson J. Antenatal interventions for overweight or obese pregnant women: a systematic review of randomised trials. BJOG 2010;117:1316–1326.Background  Overweight and obesity during pregnancy is an increasing health problem.Objective  A systematic review to assess the benefits and harms of antenatal dietary or lifestyle interventions for pregnant women who are overweight or obese.Search strategy  The Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (CENTRAL) was searched (last search January 2010). Reference lists of retrieved studies were searched by hand. No date or language restrictions were used.Selection criteria  Randomised controlled trials comparing antenatal dietary and/or lifestyle or other interventions with no treatment for overweight or obese women were considered. Studies were evaluated independently for appropriateness for inclusion and methodological quality. The primary outcome was large‐for‐gestational‐age infants.Data collection and analysis  Nine randomised controlled trials were included involving 743 women who were overweight or obese during pregnancy. Seven trials compared a dietary intervention with standard antenatal care.Main results  There were no statistically significant differences identified between women who received an antenatal intervention and those who did not for the large‐for‐gestational‐age infant outcome (three studies; 366 women; risk ratio 2.02; 95% CI 0.84, 4.86) or mean gestational weight gain [four studies; 416 women; weighted mean difference −3.10 kg; 95% CI −8.32, 2.13 (random‐effects model)]. There were no statistically significant differences identified for other reported outcomes.Author’s conclusions  The effect of providing an antenatal dietary intervention for overweight or obese pregnant women on maternal and infant health outcomes remains unclear.
A randomised controlled trial of 300 versus 225 IU recombinant FSH for ovarian stimulation in predicted normal responders by antral follicle count
Authors: Jayaprakasan K , Hopkisson J , Campbell B , Johnson I , Thornton J , Raine‐Fenning N 
Published: April 2010

Please cite this paper as: Jayaprakasan K, Hopkisson J, Campbell B, Johnson I, Thornton J, Raine‐Fenning N. A randomised controlled trial of 300 versus 225 IU recombinant FSH for ovarian stimulation in predicted normal responders by antral follicle count. BJOG 2010;117:853–862.Objective  To test the hypothesis that among women predicted to have a normal ovarian response, ovarian stimulation using 300 IU follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) results in the retrieval of more mature oocytes than 225 IU during in vitro fertilisation (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment.Design  Prospective randomised controlled study.Setting  University‐based assisted conception unit.Population  A cohort of 131 women predicted to have a normal ovarian response to gonadotrophin stimulation, based on antral follicle count.Methods  Subjects undergoing their first cycle of IVF/ICSI were randomised to receive a fixed daily dose of 300 (experimental arm) or 225 IU (control arm) of recombinant FSH (Gonal‐F).Main outcome measures  Number of mature oocytes retrieved and live birth rates.Results  The number (mean ± standard deviation) of mature oocytes retrieved (8.2 ± 5.0 versus 9.0 ± 4.8, for 300 and 225 IU, respectively; P = 0.34) was similar in each group. There were no differences between the 300‐ and 225 IU arms in live birth rates (31 versus 41%, respectively; P = 0.25), cycle cancellations resulting from insufficient ovarian response (0 versus 6.1%, respectively; P = 0.12), and prevalence of moderate (3.1 versus 3.0, respectively; P = 1.0) and severe (0 versus 1.5%, respectively; P = 1.0) ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.Conclusions  The use of a higher daily dose of 300 IU of recombinant FSH for ovarian stimulation does not improve the number of mature oocytes retrieved, or live birth rates, among women with a predicted normal response during conventional IVF/ICSI.
Possible involvement of DNA methylation in NKCC1 gene expression during postnatal development and in response to ischemia
Authors: Lee Hae‐Ahm , Hong Su‐Hyung , Kim Jung‐Wan , Jang Il‐Sung 
Published: April 2010

J. Neurochem. (2010) 114, 520–529.AbstractIn CNS, GABAA receptor‐mediated responses switch from depolarization to hyperpolarization during postnatal development. This switch is mediated by developmental down‐regulation of inwardly directed Na+‐K+‐2Cl− co‐transporter type 1 (NKCC1) and up‐regulation of outwardly directed K+‐Cl− co‐transporter type 2. While several factors have been shown to regulate K+‐Cl− co‐transporter type 2 expression, little is known about the mechanisms by which the expression of NKCC1 is regulated during postnatal development. Here, we report a novel epigenetic mechanism underlying the developmental regulation of NKCC1 gene expression in the rat cerebral cortex. In vitro DNA methylation of the NKCC1 promoter region, which contains a high density of cytosine‐phosphodiester‐guanine islands, significantly decreased the expression of NKCC1 mRNA, and the degree of methylation of the NKCC1 promoter region significantly increased during postnatal development. In addition, treatment with 5‐aza‐2′‐deoxycytidine, a specific DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, elicited an increase in the expression of NKCC1 mRNA and protein in cortical slice cultures. Focal ischemic injury induced by the occlusion of the middle cerebral artery led to the re‐expression of NKCC1 mRNA and protein even in the mature rat cortex. The re‐expression of NKCC1 mRNA and protein in the injured cerebral cortex was related to a decrease in the methylation status of the NKCC1 promoter region. Our results indicate that epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation, might be involved in the regulation of NKCC1 gene expression during postnatal development as well as under pathological conditions.
Arteriovenous fistula of the vertebral artery in a female infant with hypotonia and cephalocorporal disproportion
Authors: Núñez F , Martínez‐Costa C , Soler F , Guijarro‐Martínez R , Castelló ML , Brines J 
Published: April 2010

AbstractBackground:  Congenital arteriovenous fistulas are exceptional in childhood and imply a therapeutic challenge.Case report: A 9‐month‐old female infant was studied for cephalocorporal disproportion, hypotonia, progressive muscular atrophy and hyperreflexia. Computed tomography of the brain and electroencephalography were normal. Electromyographic patterns suggested proximal myopathic involvement. A continuous murmur with systolic reinforcement was audible in the neck. Angioresonance detected intracranial aneurysmal dilatations behind the bulbo‐medullary junction and cerebral panangiography evidenced a direct vertebrovertebral fistula with extra‐ and intra‐cranial varices and extreme medullary compression. Occlusion of the afferent vessel to the aneurismal sack was successfully achieved with a mixture of Histoacryl and 75% lipiodol via a microcatheter.Conclusion:  Clinical signs of an arteriovenous fistula may be atypical. Considerable cephalocorporal disproportion and a bruit in the cervical or retromastoidal regions must suggest its existence. Complete obliteration with endovascular embolization permits somatic and neurological recovery.
The Plight of the “Able Student”: Ruth Wright Hayre and the Struggle for Equality in Philadelphia's Black High Schools, 1955–1965
Authors: Delmont Matthew 
Published: April 2010

Within a large city… it would be most unwise to attempt to say what is the correct curriculum or organization of all the high schools under the management of the city school board… I am convinced American secondary education can be made satisfactory without any radical changes in the basic pattern. This can only be done, however, if the citizens in many localities display sufficient interest in their schools and are willing to support them. The improvement must come school by school and be made with due regard for the nature of the community (Dr. James Conant, The American High School Today, 1959).Educational opportunity must be equal for all young people, regardless of the neighborhood they live in and the school they attend (Dr. Ruth Wright Hayre, Principal, William Penn High School for Girls, 1961).