bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Shareholder Activism and Middle Management Equity Incentives
Authors: Marler Janet H. , Faugère Christophe 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACTManuscript Type: EmpiricalResearch Question/Issue: We examine how various types of shareholder activists (such as pension funds and large blockholders) impact the relative use of equity incentives at the middle management level of the firm and compare this with the impact on CEO incentive alignment.Research Findings/Insights: Using a sample of 124 US technology firms over the period 1997–2001, we find evidence indicating voice activist shareholders, using communication pressure, are associated with the greater use of equity incentives, and higher total compensation at middle managerial levels, relative to exit activists, who exert economic pressure. The results for CEO equity incentives are similar. We also find that as the presence of institutional ownership siding with management (banks and insurance companies) increases relative to voice activists, the use of equity incentives at middle managerial levels declines. Results for CEO equity incentives are not the same.Theoretical/Academic Implications: In agreement with contingent agency theory, we predict and find evidence of differing governance mechanisms used by voice activists (e.g., public pension funds) and exit activists (e.g., large shareholders). Voice activists face a higher cost of monitoring managers as compared to exit activists, and thus they will advocate for the heavier use of equity incentive compensation at the middle managerial level. In agreement with a managerial power perspective, however, we also find the use of equity incentives for middle managers decreases as the proportion of institutional ownership siding with the CEO increases.Practitioner/Policy Implications: Shareholder activism plays a key role in aligning managerial interests below the CEO level; however, different types of shareholders have different economic and political interests in how equity compensation is shaped to achieve this. Exit activists use monitoring and voice activists substitute equity compensation for monitoring. Shareholders siding with management may also reduce the use of equity incentives for middle managers. These differing interests should be considered in crafting policy responses.
Neuroprotective effects of ultra‐low‐molecular‐weight heparin in vitro and vivo models of ischemic injury
Authors: Zhang Zhi‐guo , Lü Tai‐sheng , Yuan Hong‐ying 
Published: June 2010

AbstractThis study was conducted to demonstrate ultra‐low‐molecular‐weight heparin’s neuroprotective effects on ischemic injury both in vivo and in vitro studies. In vitro, the effect of ultra‐low‐molecular‐weight heparin was tested in cultured PC12 cells exposed to Earle’s solution containing sodium dithionite, to identify its neuroprotection to PC12 cells damaged by oxygen‐glucose deprivation (OGD). The cell injury was detected by the tetrazolium salt 3‐(4,5‐dimethyl‐2‐thiazolyl)‐2,5 diphenyl‐2H tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. In vivo, male Wistar rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion were evaluated for infarct volume followed by the treatment with ultra‐low‐molecular‐weight heparin. The results in vitro showed that ultra‐low‐molecular‐weight heparin significantly inhibited PC12 cells damage induced by OGD. Results in vivo showed that vein injection of Ultra‐Low‐molecular‐weight heparin at doses of 0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg exerted significant neuroprotective effects on rats with focal cerebral ischemic injury by significantly reducing the infarct volume compared with the injury group. All the findings suggest that ultra‐low‐molecular‐weight heparin might act as a neuroprotective agent useful in the treatment of cerebral ischemia.
Occult hepatitis B virus infection in pregnant woman and its clinical implication
Authors: Kwon Chang‐II , Hwang Seong Gyu , Shin Seung Ju , Chang Sung Woon , Kim Su Youn , Ko Kwang Hyun , Hong Sung Pyo , Park Pil Won , Rim Kyu Sung , Kang Myung Seo , Chung Hyun Jae , Hong Sun Pyo 
Published: June 2010

AbstractBackground/Aims: The objective of this study was to document the prevalence rate of occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) in healthy pregnant woman and the possibility of transmission to the foetus.Methods: This study was performed prospectively with 202 healthy pregnant women. HBV‐DNA testing was performed using two specific quantitative tests with two independent sets of sera and cord blood. DNA sequencing analysis was carried out to confirm the specificity of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) product of HBV‐DNA testing.Results: Eight of 202 (4%) individuals with the TaqMan PCR assay and 23 of 202 (11.4%) with the COBAS Amplicor HBV Monitor test were HBV‐DNA positive. Six (3%) individuals were positive with both methods. Sequencing and genotyping analysis of HBV polymerase gene with sera of the 75th subject resulted in genotype C. HBV‐DNA testing with four cord blood samples showed that all were HBV‐DNA negative.Conclusion: Occult HBV infection shows a difference in prevalence rate depending on the test method but the existence has been confirmed by sequencing analysis. Our results also suggest that vertical transmission through the cord blood is not so high as to be clinical problems and warrants further investigation.
Atrophy of the residual alveolar ridge following tooth loss in an historical population
Authors: Reich KM , Huber CD , Lippnig WR , Ulm C , Watzek G , Tangl S 
Published: June 2010

Oral Diseases (2010) 17, 33–44Objectives:  To study the natural aetiopathology of jaw atrophy after tooth loss, unaltered by prosthetic procedures, an historical population without modern dental treatment was examined.Methods:  Based on the hypothesis that there are predictable changes in shape during jaw‐atrophy, frequency and degree of atrophy as well as clinical aspects of bone quality and resorption were determined in the skeletal remains of 263 individuals. The potential association between age and frequency/severity of atrophy was analysed.Results:  Atrophy in at least one jaw segment was present in 45.2% of the analysed jaw specimens. The residual ridge underwent a series of changes in shape and height following the pattern of resorption described for modern populations. The severity of these alterations was associated with the age of the individual and the region within the jaw. Atrophy was frequently related to structural degradation of the covering cortical layer.Conclusions:  These findings prove that atrophy of the jaw evidently does occur, displaying similar patterns of resorption in a population without modern prosthetics, where the negative effect of ill‐fitting dentures is excluded. The basic information about alterations of shape and the cortical layer covering the residual crest might help to provide a deeper insight into aetiopathological mechanisms of this common oral disease.
Improved visualization of low abundance oral fluid proteins after triple depletion of alpha amylase, albumin and IgG
Authors: Krief G , Deutsch O , Gariba S , Zaks B , Aframian DJ , Palmon A 
Published: June 2010

Oral Diseases (2010) 17, 45–52Objectives:  The aim of this study was to examine whether triple depletion of salivary‐α‐amylase (sAA), albumin (Alb) and immunoglobulins G (IgGs) may improve the visualization capability of proteins in two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis (2‐DE) of oral fluids (OF).Subjects and Methods:  Oral fluids from healthy volunteers were subjected sequentially to sAA removing device followed by application to an Alb and IgG immunoaffinity column (triple depletion). The depleted OF samples were analyzed using SDS‐PAGE followed by 2‐DE and protein identification using ion‐trap mass spectrometry (MS).Results:  This specific triple depletion technique unmasked spots never visualized before. A total of 36 new spots were observed after depletion (348 vs 312 before depletion). Moreover, 58 spots showed more than twofold increase intensity after depletion. In the 60–69 kDa area, the depletion procedure unmasked 14 proteins including HSP70, LTA4H, L‐Plastin, Desmoplakin that are known to be involved in disease pathogenesis.Conclusion:  The ability to selectively remove and elute the most abundant OF proteins visualized on the 2‐DE represents an important step in the characterization of human OF. The better visualization and gel resolution achieved will improve quantification abilities in 2‐DE and in tag‐MS leading to better identification of disease‐specific biomarkers. We further analyzed the eluted Alb and IgGs isoforms suggesting a new methodology venue for OF.
Inferring the Evolutionary History of the Plant Pathogen Pseudomonas syringae from Its Biogeography in Headwaters of Rivers in North America, Europe, and New Zealand
Authors: Morris C. E. , Sands D. C. , Vanneste J. L. , Montarry J. , Oakley B. , Guilbaud C. , Glaux C. 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACT

Nonhost environmental reservoirs of pathogens play key roles in their evolutionary ecology and in particular in the evolution of pathogenicity. In light of recent reports of the plant pathogen
Pseudomonas syringae
in pristine waters outside agricultural regions and its dissemination via the water cycle, we have examined the genetic and phenotypic diversity, population structure, and biogeography of
P. syringae
from headwaters of rivers on three continents and their phylogenetic relationship to strains from crops. A collection of 236 strains from 11 sites in the United States, in France, and in New Zealand was characterized for genetic diversity based on housekeeping gene sequences and for phenotypic diversity based on measures of pathogenicity and ice nucleation activity. Phylogenetic analyses revealed several new genetic clades from water. The genetic structure of
P. syringae
populations was not influenced by geographic location or water chemistry, whereas the phenotypic structure was affected by these parameters. Comparison with strains from crops revealed that the metapopulation of
P. syringae
is structured into three genetic ecotypes: a crop-specific type, a water-specific type, and an abundant ecotype found in both habitats. Aggressiveness of strains was significantly and positively correlated with ice nucleation activity. Furthermore, the ubiquitous genotypes were the most aggressive, on average. The abundance and diversity in water relative to crops suggest that adaptation to the freshwater habitat has played a nonnegligible role in the evolutionary history of
P. syringae
. We discuss how adaptation to the water cycle is linked to the epidemiological success of this plant pathogen.

IMPORTANCE
Many pathogens have life cycles that involve survival and multiplication in nonhost environmental habitats. For human pathogens, numerous studies have revealed how adaptation to environmental habitats is linked to the evolution of their pathogenicity and emergence of pathogens. For plant pathogens, the link between adaptation to nonhost habitats and pathogenicity has not been explored. Here we have examined the genetic and phenotypic diversity of the plant pathogen
Pseudomonas syringae
in headwaters of rivers on three continents and compared it to that of strains from crops. This model pathogen was chosen because it is widely abundant in habitats associated with the water cycle and in particular in pristine waters outside agricultural regions. This work reveals that there is considerable exchange of populations between freshwater and agricultural habitats and that those in the former contribute considerably to the diversification of
P. syringae
.
Biochemical analysis of the stress protein response in human oesophageal epithelium
Authors: Hopwood D , Moitra S , Vojtesek B , Johnston D A , Dillon J F , Hupp T R 
Published: June 2010

Background—The oesophageal epithelium is exposed routinely to noxious agents in the environment, including gastric acid, thermal stress, and chemical toxins. These epithelial cells have presumably evolved effective protective mechanisms to withstand tissue damage and repair injured cells. Heat shock protein or stress protein responses play a central role in protecting distinct cell types from different types of injury.Aim—To determine (i) whether biochemical analysis of stress protein responses in pinch biopsy specimens from human oesophageal epithelium is feasible; (ii) whether undue stresses are imposed on cells by the act of sample collection, thus precluding analysis of stress responses; and (iii) if amenable to experimentation, the type of heat shock protein (Hsp) response that operates in the human oesophageal epithelium.Methods—Tissue from the human oesophagus comprised predominantly of squamous epithelium was acquired within two hours of biopsy and subjected to an in vitro heat shock. Soluble tissue cell lysates derived from untreated or heat shocked samples were examined using denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis for changes in: (i) the pattern of general protein synthesis by labelling epithelial cells with 35S-methionine and (ii) the levels of soluble Hsp70 protein and related isoforms using immunochemical protein blots.Results—A single pinch biopsy specimen is sufficient to extract and analyse specific sets of polypeptides in the oesophageal epithelium. After ex vivo heat shock, a classic inhibition of general protein synthesis is observed and correlates with the increased synthesis of two major proteins of molecular weight of 60 and 70 kDa. Notably, cells from unheated controls exhibit a “stressed” biochemical state 22 hours after incubation at 37°C, as shown by inhibition of general protein synthesis and increased synthesis of the 70 kDa protein. These data indicate that only freshly acquired specimens are suitable for studying stress responses ex vivo. No evidence was found that the two heat induced polypeptides are previously identified Hsp70 isoforms. In fact, heat shock results in a reduction in the steady state concentrations of Hsp70 protein in the oesophageal epithelium.Conclusion—Systematic and highly controlled studies on protein biochemistry are possible on epithelial biopsy specimens from the human oesophagus. These technical innovations have permitted the discovery of a novel heat shock response operating in the oesophageal epithelium. Notably, two polypeptides were synthesised after heat shock that seem to differ from Hsp70 protein. In addition, the striking reduction in steady state concentrations of Hsp70 protein after heat shock suggests that oesophageal epithelium has evolved an atypical biochemical response to thermal stress.
Induction of intestinal lesions in nu/nu mice induced by transfer of lymphocytes from syngeneic mice infected with murine retrovirus
Authors: Suzuki K , Narita T , Yui R , Ohtsuka K , Inada S , Kimura T , Okada Y , Makino M , Mizuochi T , Asakura H , Fujiwara M 
Published: June 2010

Background—Murine leukemia virus, LP-BM5, induces severe immunodeficiency with abnormal lymphoproliferation in susceptible C57BL/6 mice. In a previous study, it was shown that a Sjögren’s syndrome-like systemic exocrinopathy is induced in the virus infected mice.Aims—To examine lymphocyte functions of the virus infected mice.Methods—Four-week old mice were inoculated with the virus and their spleen cells were transferred into syngeneic nu/nu mice. Their organs were examined by light and electron microscopy. Phenotypes of the colon infiltrating cells were examined by flow cytometry.Results—All nu/nu recipients had died by six weeks after cell transfer, showing runting disease like cachexia with diarrhoea and anal bleeding. Histopathological examination revealed that systemic exocrinopathy was adoptively transferable and that the colon became thickened due to mononuclear cell infiltration into the mucosal and submucosal layer with hyperplasia of intestinal epithelial cells. No virus particles were found in the colon. Flow cytometric analyses revealed that most of the infiltrating CD4+ T cells showed CD45RBlow. No intestinal lesions were observed in the virus infected mice nor in nu/nu mice inoculated with normal lymphocytes.Conclusion—Lymphocytes of the virus infected mice induced colitis and hyperplasia of intestinal epithelial cells as well as systemic exocrinopathy in nu/nu mice. Our experimental system may give some insight into intestinal lesions associated with virus infection.
Paradoxical sphincter contraction is rarely indicative of anismus
Authors: Voderholzer W A , Neuhaus D A , Klauser A G , Tzavella K , Müller-Lissner S A , Schindlbeck N E 
Published: June 2010

Background—Anismus is thought to be a cause of chronic constipation by producing outlet obstruction. The underlying mechanism is paradoxical contraction of the anal sphincter or puborectalis muscle. However, paradoxical sphincter contraction (PSC) also occurs in healthy controls, so anismus may be diagnosed too often because it may be based on a non-specific finding related to untoward conditions during the anorectal examination.Aims—To investigate the pathophysiological importance of PSC found at anorectal manometry in constipated patients and in patients with stool incontinence.Methods—Digital rectal examination and anorectal manometry were performed in 102 chronically constipated patients, 102 patients with stool incontinence, and in 18 controls without anorectal disease. In 120 of the 222 subjects defaecography was also performed. Paradoxical sphincter contraction was defined as a sustained increase in sphincter pressure during straining. Anismus was assumed when PSC was present on anorectal manometry and digital rectal examination and the anorectal angle did not widen on defaecography.Results—Manometric PSC occurred about twice as often in constipated patients as in incontinent patients (41.2% versus 25.5%, p<0.017) and its prevalence was similar in incontinent patients and controls (25.5% versus 22.2%). Oroanal or rectosigmoid transit times in constipated patients with and without PSC did not differ significantly (total 64.6 (8.9) hours versus 54.2 (8.1) hours; rectosigmoid 14.9 (2.4) hours versus 13.8 (2.5) hours).Conclusions—Paradoxical sphincter contraction is a common finding in healthy controls as well as in patients with chronic constipation and stool incontinence. Hence, PSC is primarily a laboratory artefact and true anismus is rare.
Non-alcoholic duct destructive chronic pancreatitis
Authors: Ectors N , Maillet B , Aerts R , Geboes K , Donner A , Borchard F , Lankisch P , Stolte M , Lüttges J , Kremer B , Klöppel G 
Published: June 2010

Background—The pathology of non-alcoholic chronic pancreatitis has not yet been sufficiently studied.Aims—To identify the major changes of pancreatic tissue in patients surgically treated for non-alcoholic chronic pancreatitis.Patients—Pancreatectomy specimens from 12 patients with non-alcoholic chronic pancreatitis, including four patients with autoimmune or related diseases (Sjögren’s syndrome, primary sclerosing cholangitis, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s disease), were reviewed.Methods—Morphological changes were studied histologically and immunohistochemically (to type inflammatory cells) and compared with the pancreatic alterations found in 12 patients with alcoholic chronic pancreatitis.Results—In patients with non-alcoholic chronic pancreatitis, with or without associated autoimmune or related diseases, pancreatic inflammation particularly involved the ducts, commonly resulting in duct obstruction and occasionally duct destruction. None of these features was seen in alcoholic chronic pancreatitis which, however, showed pseudocysts and calcifications.Conclusion—The pancreatic changes in patients with non-alcoholic chronic pancreatitis clearly differ from those with alcoholic chronic pancreatitis. The term chronic duct destructive pancreatitis is suggested for this type of pancreatic disease.
Oesophageal tone in patients with achalasia
Authors: González M , Mearin F , Vasconez C , Armengol J-R , Malagelada J-R 
Published: June 2010

Background—The diagnosis and classification of oesophageal motility disorders is currently based on assessment of the phasic contractile activity of the oesophagus. Tonic muscular contraction of the oesophageal body (oesophageal tone) has not been well characterised.Aim—To quantify oesophageal tonic activity in healthy subjects and in patients with achalasia.Patients—Oesophageal tone was measured in 14 patients with untreated achalasia and in 14 healthy subjects. In eight patients with achalasia, oesophageal tone was again measured one month after either endoscopic or surgical treatment.Methods—Tonic wall activity was quantified by means of a flaccid intraoesophageal bag, 5 cm long and of 120 ml maximal capacity, which was placed and maintained 5 cm above the lower oesophageal sphincter and connected to an external electronic barostat. The experimental design included measurement of oesophageal basal tone and compliance as well as the oesophageal tone response to a nitric oxide donor (0.5 ml amyl nitrite inhalation).Results—Oesophageal basal tone, expressed as the intrabag (intraoesophageal) volume at a minimal distending pressure (2 mm Hg), did not differ significantly between patients with achalasia and healthy controls (6.6 (2.5) ml versus 4.1 (0.8) ml, respectively). Oesophageal compliance (volume/pressure relation during intraoesophageal distension) was significantly increased in achalasia (oesophageal extension ratio: 3.2 (0.4) ml/mm Hg versus 1.9 (0.2) ml/mm Hg; p< 0.01). Amyl nitrite inhalation induced oesophageal relaxation both in patients and in controls, but the magnitude of relaxation was greater in the latter (intrabag volume increase: 15.3 (2.4) ml versus 36.2 (7.1) ml; p<0.01).Conclusion—In patients with achalasia, oesophageal tonic activity, and not only phasic activity, is impaired. Although oesophageal compliance is increased, residual oesophageal tone is maintained so that a significant relaxant response may occur after pharmacological stimulation.
Ten years’ experience of screening patients with Barrett’s oesophagus in a university teaching hospital
Authors: Macdonald C E , Wicks A C , Playford R J 
Published: June 2010

Background—Barrett’s metaplasia is a premalignant condition for which screening is recommended.Aims/methods—Annual screening endoscopies have been performed on all subjects suitable for surgery for many years. To examine the benefits to patients of continuing this policy 10 years’ experience of screening for Barrett’s oesophagus was reviewed.Results—Of the 29 374 endoscopies performed over this period, Barrett’s metaplasia was present in 1.4%. There was an approximate equal sex distribution with the majority of cases being identified in patients over 50 years old. Thirty five per cent of these patients were suitable to enter a yearly screening programme. During screening, the length of oesophagus involved did not vary over time. As a result of 379 endoscopies performed for screening purposes, only one patient was identified as developing carcinoma solely as a result of the screening programme. Two further patients had carcinoma identified as a result of progressive dysphagia requiring additional endoscopies. All three patients who developed carcinoma while in the screening programme had “long segment” (>8 cm) regions of Barrett’s metaplasia with a stricture present at the initial endoscopy.Conclusions—The poor yield from this screening programme suggests that the policy should be reconsidered. Resources may be better spent on focusing on patients who present with ulceration or stricture in addition to Barrett’s metaplasia.