bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nonselective innervation of lamina I projection neurons by cocaine‐ and amphetamine‐regulated transcript peptide (CART)‐immunoreactive fibres in the rat spinal dorsal horn
Authors: Kozsurek Márk , Lukácsi Erika , Fekete Csaba , Puskár Zita 
Published: May 2009

AbstractCocaine‐ and amphetamine‐regulated transcript (CART) peptides have been implicated in spinal pain transmission. A dense plexus of CART‐immunoreactive fibres has been described in the superficial laminae of the spinal cord, which are key areas in sensory information and pain processing. We demonstrated previously that the majority of these fibres originate from nociceptive primary afferents. Using tract tracing, multiple immunofluorescent labelling and electronmicroscopy we determined the proportion of peptidergic primary afferents expressing CART, looked for evidence for coexistence of CART with galanin in these afferents in lamina I and examined their targets. Almost all (97.9%) randomly selected calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP)‐immunoreactive terminals were substance P (SP)‐positive (+) and CART was detected in approximately half (48.6%) of them. Most (81.4%) of the CGRP/SPergic boutons were galanin+ and approximately half (49.0%) of these contained CART. Many (72.9%) of the CARTergic boutons which expressed CGRP were also immunoreactive for galanin, while only 8.6% of the CARTergic terminals were galanin+ without CGRP. Electron microscopy showed that most of the CART terminals formed asymmetrical synapses, mainly with dendrites. All different morphological and neurochemical subtypes of spinoparabrachial projection neurons in the lamina I received contacts from CART‐immunoreactive nociceptive afferents. The innervation density from these boutons did not differ significantly between either the different neurochemical or the morphological subclasses of these cells. This suggests a nonselective innervation of lamina I projection neurons from a subpopulation of CGRP/SP afferents containing CART peptide. These results provide anatomical evidence for involvement of CART peptide in spinal pain transmission.
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY INVESTMENT AND SOCIAL OBJECTIVES: AN EXAMINATION ON SOCIAL WELFARE INVESTMENT OF CHINESE STATE OWNED ENTERPRISES
Authors: Bo Hong , Li Tao , Toolsema Linda A. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractWe apply the theory of corporate social responsibility to analyse social welfare investment undertaken by Chinese State Owned Enterprises (SOEs). We present a simple theoretical model to illustrate how the presence of social objectives in the firm's objective function changes its investment behaviour. Our theoretical model accommodates special features of Chinese SOEs, whose social welfare investment is driven by both social objectives and profit concerns. The model is then tested using a panel of Chinese enterprises during the period 1995–1999. The empirical analysis indicates that despite of the corporatization reform social welfare investment undertaken by Chinese SOEs is still inefficient due to the lack of profit concerns, suggesting that social objectives still dominate profit concerns in motivating the SOEs' social welfare investment. However, we do obtain clear‐cut evidence showing that social objectives become less important as time progresses.
DO STOCK MARKETS VALUE EFFICIENCY?
Authors: Amess Kevin , Girma Sourafel 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACTAn empirical model determining the relationship between changes in firm‐level productivity and changes in firm value is estimated using an unbalanced panel of 706 public limited companies observed over the period 1996–2002. We find a positive relationship between efficiency and the market value of manufacturing sector firms controlling for traditional accounting measures of performance such as earnings per share and the return on capital employed. This evidence is consistent with the stock market valuing the adoption of better management practices that lead to better resource utilisation. By contrast, we find no such evidence for service sector firms.
HIGH‐SKILLED MIGRATION AND THE EXERTION OF EFFORT BY THE LOCAL POPULATION
Authors: Epstein Gil S. , Kunze Astrid , Ward Melanie E. 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACTThe optimal design of immigration policy is a topical issue, both in the policy debate and the economic literature. In this paper, we present empirical evidence from a firm level dataset collected in 2000 on the demand for high‐skilled workers, including foreign workers, in Europe and its determinants. Our major findings are that the fraction of high‐skilled workers recruited from the international labour market is very small, and that foreign and domestic workers are very similar in terms of their formal education (measured by specialization subject) and their job characteristics. We suggest an efficiency wage model to explain why firms recruit foreign workers in small numbers, and why they are willing to pay immigrants the same wage as local workers, whilst at the same time also paying for their moving costs, despite the similar human capital profile of immigrants to domestic workers.
TRADITION AND FASHION IN CONSUMER CHOICE: BAGGING THE SCOTTISH MUNROS
Authors: Bentley Alex , Ormerod Paul 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACTEvidence is growing that in many markets consumers select not simply on the basis of the perceived attributes of products, but their preferences are modified by the behaviour of others. Economists have paid relatively little attention to such markets. We consider evidence from the activity of hill‐walking. The Munros are a list of Scottish hills over 3000 feet in height. We analyse completions of both the Munros themselves, and the Munro Tops, a difficult and time‐consuming extension of the Munros. The classic Bass diffusion model incorporates the imitation of others as a part of the behavioural rules used by consumers in making choice. We extend the Bass model to be able to apply it to long‐term case studies where substantial changes over time in the population making choices at any given point have to be taken into account. The Munros are a particular illustration of this, but the extension can be used in other situations where such population changes are important. Our results show that Top completions are dominated by the ‘fashion’ component, suggesting there was a cohort among which Tops completions became fashionable, but which has not been sustained. Both our extended model and the standard model can account for this. In contrast, our extension is needed to explain why Munro completions have remained close to their peak level for a decade now, a fact for which the standard Bass model is unable to account.
A large French prospective cohort of HIV‐infected patients: the Nadis Cohort
Authors: Pugliese P , Cuzin L , Cabié A , Poizot‐Martin I , Allavena C , Duvivier C , El Guedj M , De La Tribonnière X , Valantin MA , Dellamonica P ,   the Nadis Group
Published: May 2009

ObjectivesThe aim of this article is to describe the development of a dynamic French cohort of HIV‐infected patients, the methodological issues and decisions made, and the characteristics of the patients currently enrolled.MethodsData are collected during medical encounters. Data quality is ensured by automated checks during data capture, by regular controls, by annual assessments, and by ad hoc processes before any scientific analysis is performed.ResultsIn September 2007, 10 458 patients representing 59 383 patient‐years of follow‐up were followed in our centres, including 446 with a first HIV diagnosis in the past year. Among these recently diagnosed patients, 25.6% presented with late diagnosis. Our cohort included 3017 women (28.8%). The women were less likely to be receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) than men, and when treated were less likely to be receiving nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI)‐based regimens. Our network includes medical centres in overseas territories (1105 patients living overseas). In this particular population, women represented 38.5% of the patients, and the probable route of infection was heterosexual in 75.7% of the patients. Despite epidemiological and social disparities, more patients had nondetectable viral loads when receiving HAART in overseas departments than in metropolitan France.ConclusionThe Nadis Cohort represents a collaboration of major French HIV treatment centres. In September 2007, the cohort database contained up‐to‐date information on more than 10 000 patients, of whom a significant proportion were women. As a consequence of the choices made when building the cohort and the efforts made to ensure the quality of the database, scientific studies are regularly performed using this cohort.
MRI evidence of reperfusion injury associated with neurological deficits after carotid revascularization procedures
Authors: Cho A‐H. , Suh D‐C. , Kim G. E. , Kim J. S. , Lee D. H. , Kwon S. U. , Park S. M. , Kang D‐W. 
Published: May 2009

Background and purpose:  Some patients develop major neurological complications after carotid revascularization procedures, despite the lack of new infarcts or classical hyperperfusion syndrome.Methods:  In four patients who developed major neurological deficits after carotid revascularization procedures, but without evidence of new ischemic infarcts or hyperperfusion, we performed post‐procedural MRI [diffusion‐weighted image (DWI), perfusion‐weighted image (PWI), pre‐and post‐contrast fluid‐attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) image] immediately after and 1 day after the procedure.Results:  Post‐gadolinium FLAIR images on 1 day after the procedures showed prominent leptomeningeal enhancements in the revascularized hemispheres. These radiological findings disappeared on follow‐up FLAIR images accompanied by the clinical improvement over the following several days after the procedures.Conclusion:  Reperfusion syndrome may be associated with transient severe neurological deficits after carotid revascularization in patients without new ischemic events or classical hyperperfusion syndrome.
Psychological assessment of malingering in psychogenic neurological disorders and non‐psychogenic neurological disorders: relationship to psychopathology levels
Authors: Van Beilen M. , Griffioen B. T. , Gross A. , Leenders K. L. 
Published: May 2009

Background and purpose:  It remains unknown whether psychological distress causes malingering in patients with psychogenic symptoms.Methods:  We studied 26 patients with psychogenic neurological disorders on psychopathology and malingering in comparison with 26 patients with various neurological conditions and 18 matched healthy controls (HC).Results:  Psychogenic patients showed the highest levels of psychological complaints and malingering, but non‐psychogenic neurological patients also showed significantly more psychological distress and malingering compared with HC. Psychological distress was related to the degree of malingering, in both patient groups.Conclusion:  This data does not formally support a causal relationship between psychological distress and psychogenic neurological disorders, but suggests that a part of the psychological complaints is a general result of having an illness. The clinical implication of this study is that psychological distress is not sufficient for diagnosing functional complaints. Also, if a patient scores normal on a test for malingering, this does not mean that he or she is not suffering from psychogenic symptoms.
Prevalence of epilepsy amongst adolescents in Huesca, Spain: a community‐based study
Authors: Benavente I. , Rubio E. , Morales C. , Tajada N. , Tamargo P. 
Published: May 2009

Background and purpose:  The goal of this work was to investigate the prevalence of epilepsy in adolescence in the province of Huesca, a region situated in the north of Spain, and to compare the findings with other studies.Methods:  All patients aged 10–19 with epilepsy on January 2003 residing in this area, were identified from multiple sources. We followed the guidelines of the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) for epidemiological studies. Collected data were examined by experts in the field of epilepsy, and all the patients were reevaluated using a diagnostic questionnaire. We identified the type of epilepsy, age at onset, duration, etiological agents and development.Results:  One hundred twenty‐two cases of active epilepsy were found, and 23 in remission. The prevalence for active epilepsy was 6.3/1000 (95% CI 5.2–7.4); slightly higher in women and the 15–19 age group. We observed a predominance of generalized seizures. The age of onset ranged from 7 months to 16 years. Duration ranged from 1 to 18 years. Eighty percentage of cases were classified as idiopathic or cryptogenic and 19.7% as symptomatic.Conclusion:  Our results are comparable with the majority of studies carried out in industrialized countries.
No increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes for women with myasthenia gravis: a nationwide population‐based study
Authors: Wen J.‐C. , Liu T.‐C. , Chen Y.‐H. , Chen S.‐F. , Lin H.‐C. , Tsai W.‐C. 
Published: May 2009

Background:  This study aims to examine the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes [low birthweight (LBW), preterm birth, cesarean sections (CS) and babies born small for gestational age (SGA)] in pregnant women with myasthenia gravis (MG), using a 3‐year population‐based database, taking characteristics of infant and mother into consideration.Methods:  This study used two nationwide population‐based datasets: the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Dataset and the Taiwan birth certificate registry. We identified 163 pregnant women with MG during 2001–2003 as the study cohort and 815 randomly selected pregnant women as a comparison cohort. Conditional logistic regression analyses were performed.Results:  The results showed that, although these patterns did not reach a statistically significant level, mothers with MG had higher percentages of LBW (6.8%, vs. 5.6%), SGA (17.8%, vs. 14.1%) and cesarean deliveries (44.8%, vs. 37.4%), except for preterm births (8.1%, vs. 8.1%). After adjusting for highest maternal education level, marital status, family monthly income and infant gender and parity, the odds ratios (OR) of LBW, preterm birth, SGA infants, and cesarean delivery for mothers with MG were 1.19 (95% CI = 0.60–2.38), 1.00 (95% CI = 0.54–1.87), 1.30 (95% CI = 0.83–2.04), and 1.33 (95% CI = 0.94–1.88), respectively, as compared to unaffected mothers.Conclusions:  We conclude that there were no statistically significant differences in the risk of having preterm, LBW, SGA infants and cesarean deliveries between women with and without MG.
The Financial Turmoil and EU Policy Co‐operation in 2008*
Authors: QUAGLIA LUCIA , EASTWOOD ROBERT , HOLMES PETER 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThis article analyses the response of the European Union (EU) to the financial crisis in 2008 under the headings of liquidity, recapitalization and ownership of banks, macroeconomic policies and regulatory policy. It is argued that although at the onset of the crisis governments tended to focus on national‐level responses, they quickly realized that international co‐ordination would be required. This proved difficult to achieve in many areas, although monetary policy was an exception. Here co‐ordination was rapid, not only in the euro area but also between the European Central Bank and other EU national central banks. Even so, within the euro area, the lender of last resort function was carried out by national central banks. Fiscal policy and bank recapitalization were similar across countries, but independently agreed. Competition rules were the one supranational EU regime, but did not act as a significant constraint on Member States.
Left cardiac isomerism in the Sonic hedgehog null mouse
Authors: Hildreth Victoria , Webb Sandra , Chaudhry Bill , Peat Jonathan D. , Phillips Helen M. , Brown Nigel , Anderson Robert H. , Henderson Deborah J. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractSonic hedgehog (Shh) is a secreted morphogen necessary for the production of sidedness in the developing embryo. In this study, we describe the morphology of the atrial chambers and atrioventricular junctions of the Shh null mouse heart. We demonstrate that the essential phenotypic feature is isomerism of the left atrial appendages, in combination with an atrioventricular septal defect and a common atrioventricular junction. These malformations are known to be frequent in humans with left isomerism. To confirm the presence of left isomerism, we show that Pitx2c, a recognized determinant of morphological leftness, is expressed in the Shh null mutants on both the right and left sides of the inflow region, and on both sides of the solitary arterial trunk exiting from the heart. It has been established that derivatives of the second heart field expressing Isl1 are asymmetrically distributed in the developing normal heart. We now show that this population is reduced in the hearts from the Shh null mutants, likely contributing to the defects. To distinguish the consequences of reduced contributions from the second heart field from those of left–right patterning disturbance, we disrupted the movement of second heart field cells into the heart by expressing dominant‐negative Rho kinase in the population of cells expressing Isl1. This resulted in absence of the vestibular spine, and presence of atrioventricular septal defects closely resembling those seen in the hearts from the Shh null mutants. The primary atrial septum, however, was well formed, and there was no evidence of isomerism of the atrial appendages, suggesting that these features do not relate to disruption of the contributions made by the second heart field. We demonstrate, therefore, that the Shh null mouse is a model of isomerism of the left atrial appendages, and show that the recognized associated malformations found at the venous pole of the heart in the setting of left isomerism are likely to arise from the loss of the effects of Shh in the establishment of laterality, combined with a reduced contribution made by cells derived from the second heart field.
The effect of inulin as a prebiotic on the production of probiotic fibre‐enriched fermented milk
Authors: DE SOUZA OLIVEIRA RICARDO PINHEIRO , PEREGO PATRIZIA , CONVERTI ATTILIO , DE OLIVEIRA MARICÊ NOGUEIRA 
Published: May 2009

We investigated the effect of inulin as a prebiotic on the production of probiotic fibre‐enriched fermented milk. The kinetics of acidification of inulin‐supplemented milk (0, 0.01, 0.02 and 0.04 g/g), as well as probiotic survival, pH and firmness of fermented milk stored at 4°C for 24 h and 7 days after preparation were examined. Probiotic fibre‐enriched fermented milk quality was influenced both by the amount of inulin and by the co‐culture composition. Depending on the co‐culture, inulin addition to milk influenced acidification kinetic parameters, probiotic counts, pH and the firmness of the product.
Optimization of conditions for expression and activation of a splice variant of prochymosin lacking exon 6 in Escherichia coli
Authors: BADIEFAR L , AHMADIAN G , ASGARANI E , GHANDILI S , SALEK ESFAHANI M , KHODABANDEH M 
Published: May 2009

A splice form of prochymosin lacking exon‐6 was subcloned and expressed. Expression was optimized by changing various parameters. The maximum amount of protein expressed by this method was 44.61% of total cellular protein, compared to the 45.4% predicted by the Qualitek‐4 software. The expressed protein was then purified using ion exchange chromatography. Activation of the recombinant prochymosin was carried out by changing different parameters. Optimal conditions for activation involved reduction of pH to 5 and 4 h of incubation with the acidic solution, followed by neutralization and 2 h of incubation under neutralized conditions. The activity of the subsequent enzyme sample was 26 units/mL.
Comparative survival and evaluation of functional probiotic properties of spray‐dried lactic acid bacteria
Authors: REDDY KANCHI BHASKER PRAVEEN KUMAR , MADHU ARENAHALLI NINGEGOWDA , PRAPULLA SIDDALINGAIYA GURUDUTT 
Published: May 2009

The effect of spray drying on the viability and retention of key probiotic properties like acid and bile tolerance and cholesterol assimilation of three probiotic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) (Lactobacillus plantarum CFR 2191, Lactobacillus salivarius CFR 2158 and Pediococcus acidilactici CFR 2193) has been studied. More than 97% survival was exhibited by the three LAB (1% cell suspension) spray dried with maltodextrin and nonfat skimmed (NFSM) as carriers. LAB cultures spray dried with maltodextrin showed significantly greater (P ≤ 0.05) retention of functional properties than those with NFSM. The results highlight a cost‐effective way of producing large quantities of selected probiotic cultures with functional properties for neutraceutical application.
Atherosclerosis measured by whole body magnetic resonance angiography and carotid artery ultrasound is related to arterial compliance, but not to endothelium‐dependent vasodilation – the Prospective Investigation of the Vasculature in Uppsala Seniors (PIVUS) study
Authors: Lind Lars , Andersson Jessika , Hansen Tomas , Johansson Lars , Ahlström Håkan 
Published: May 2009

SummaryBackground:  Arterial compliance and endothelium‐dependent vasodilation are two characteristics of the vessel wall. In the Prospective Investigation of the Vasculature in Uppsala Seniors (PIVUS) study, we studied the relationships between arterial compliance and endothelium‐dependent vasodilation versus atherosclerosis as measured with two imaging modalities.Methods:  In the population‐based PIVUS study (1016 subjects aged 70), arterial compliance was determined by ultrasound in the carotid artery and the stroke volume to pulse pressure ratio by echocardiography, while endothelium‐dependent vasodilation was assessed by the invasive forearm technique with acetylcholine and brachial artery ultrasound. Intima‐media thickness was evaluated by ultrasound in the carotid artery (n = 954). Stenosis in the carotid, aorta, renal, upper and lower leg arteries were determined by magnetic resonance angiography in a random subsample of 306 subjects.Results:  After adjustments for gender, Framingham risk score, obesity, myocardial infarction and stroke, distensibility in the carotid artery and the stroke volume to pulse pressure ratio were both significantly related to a weighted index of stenosis in the five arterial territories evaluated by magnetic resonance angiography (p<0·02 for both). Distensibility in the carotid artery (P = 0·021), but not the stroke volume to pulse pressure ratio (P = 0·08), was also significantly related to intima‐media thickness.Conclusion:  In the elderly population, atherosclerosis is mainly related to arterial compliance, but not to endothelium‐dependent vasodilation in peripheral conduit or resistance vessels.