bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Complete mesocolic excision in colon cancer surgery: a comparison between open and laparoscopic approach
Authors: Gouvas N. , Pechlivanides G. , Zervakis N. , Kafousi M. , Xynos E. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractBackground  Complete mesocolic excision (CME) with central vessel ligation (CVL) as performed in Erlangen offers the best long‐term outcome for colon cancer. The aim of this study was to assess specimens after laparoscopic vs open CME‐CVL macroscopically and morphometrically in patients with left and right colon cancers.Method  All specimens were freshly photographed. Precise tumour morphometry and grading of the surgical plane were performed as described by pathologists in Leeds, UK.Results  Thirty‐four specimens from right‐sided cancers were divided into 18 transverse colon cancers (nine laparoscopic vs nine open) and 16 caecum–ascending colon cancers (seven laparoscopic vs nine open) and 56 specimens from left‐sided cancers (33 laparoscopic vs 23 open). There was no difference between laparoscopically and open acquired left‐ and right‐sided specimens. Specimens of transverse colon displayed differences in length of central ligation to tumour (open 11.67 cm vs laparoscopic 8.72 cm, P = 0.049), length of central ligation to bowel wall (open 9.11 cm vs laparoscopic 6.5 cm, P = 0.015) and lymph node clearance (open 46.33 vs laparoscopic 39.33, P = 0.033).Conclusion  Laparoscopy seems to offer specimens of similar quality after CME‐CVL surgery for colon cancer to the open approach. Issues of completeness of excision from laparoscopy are raised for tumours located in the transverse colon.
Response of glutathione S‐transferase Pi (GSTP1) to neoadjuvant therapy in rectal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Bedford M. R. , Anathhanam S. , Saleh D. , Hickson A. , McGregor A. K. , Boyle K. , Burke D. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractAim  The response of rectal adenocarcinoma to neoadjuvant therapy is variable. Accurate prediction of response would enable selective administration of therapy. The enzyme glutathione S‐transferase Pi (GSTP1) has been shown to influence response to therapy in some solid tumours. Few data are available for rectal cancer.Method  The GSTP1 levels in rectal adenocarcinoma and adjacent normal mucosa were quantified before and after exposure to neoadjuvant therapy. Venous blood samples and biopsies of normal rectal mucosa and tumour were prospectively obtained from patients with primary rectal cancer. Patients were stratified by exposure to neoadjuvant therapy or surgery alone. GSTP1 was quantitatively measured using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.Results  Ninety‐two patients (54 men; median age 68 years) were recruited. The median GSTP1 level was significantly higher in rectal adenocarcinoma than in matched normal mucosa [6.59 μg/mg vs 4.57 μg/mg; P < 0.001]. The median tumour GSTP1 level was significantly lower in the therapy group compared with unmatched samples from the no‐therapy group [4.47 μg/mg vs 7.76 μg/mg; P < 0.001].Conclusion  The GSTP1 level is increased in rectal adenocarcinoma compared with adjacent normal mucosa. It decreases following neoadjuvant therapy. Future studies correlating pre‐therapy GSTP1 levels with pathological response would be of interest.
Molecular systematics of the ‘Navanax aenigmaticus’ species complex (Mollusca, Cephalaspidea): coming full circle
Authors: Ornelas‐Gatdula Elysse , Camacho‐García Yolanda , Schrödl Michael , Padula Vinicius , Hooker Yuri , Gosliner Terrence M. , Valdés ÁNgel 
Published: March 2012

Ornelas‐Gatdula, E., Camacho‐García, Y., Schrödl, M., Padula, V., Hooker, Y., Gosliner, T. M. & Valdés, Á. (2012). Molecular systematics of the ‘Navanax aenigmaticus’ species complex (Mollusca, Cephalaspidea): Coming full circle. —Zoologica Scripta, 41, 374–385.Molecular evidence from the mitochondrial COI and 16S genes and the nuclear H3 gene indicate that the traditionally recognized cephalaspidean sea slug species Navanax aenigmaticus consists of three deeply divergent lineages with disjunct ranges in the eastern Pacific, western Atlantic and eastern Atlantic. Each of these allopatric lineages is highly variable in colour and body size, which hampers identification of some possible consistent differences between them. Some conchological differences between the three lineages seem to be correlated with the groupings resulting from the analyses of molecular data, but the results of the morphological studies are inconclusive. Because of the presence of well‐supported divergences and molecular synapomorphies, these lineages are herein considered to be three separate cryptic species. A review of the literature and available type material was conducted to determine the valid name for each of the three species. In other to promote nomenclatural stability, the oldest name with a description that allows a positive identification was selected over older, taxonomically ambiguous names. The conclusion of this revision is that the valid names for the species are Navanax nyanyanus (Edmunds 1968) – eastern Atlantic, Navanax gemmatus (Mörch 1863) – western Atlantic and Navanax aenigmaticus (Bergh 1893) – eastern Pacific.
Trade Marks and Performance in Services and Manufacturing Firms: Evidence of Schumpeterian Competition through Innovation
Authors: Greenhalgh Christine , Rogers Mark 
Published: March 2012

AbstractWe develop Lancaster's model of consumer behaviour under product differentiation to analyse Schumpeterian creative destruction. Launching new products with novel characteristics enables firms to temporarily steal market share from rivals. Product launch is monitored by using trade marks, patents and research and development. The dataset covers a large sample of UK service and manufacturing firms. We find that stock market value is positively associated with own trade mark activity and trade mark‐active firms achieve significantly higher value‐added. Greater trade mark activity by competitors reduces net output of firms, but raises their stock market value. This is consistent with the Schumpeterian process of competition through innovation.
Policy Forum: Designing a Carbon Price Policy: Empirical Uncertainties in Climate Policy Implementation
Authors: Pearce David 
Published: March 2012

AbstractDespite the passing of the carbon price legislation, implementation of climate policy must confront a number of challenges. These include the uncertain nature of benefits from the policy, uncertainty surrounding the cost of abatement within Australia, uncertainties about international action and challenges in the interaction between policy instruments (for example, between the carbon price and large subsidies to renewable energy). Each of these issues implies a substantial empirical challenge for the Australian Government and the independent agencies charged with implementation. Effort should be focused on increasing the knowledge base, rather than relying on simplified scenarios from a narrow range of economic models.
Globalization, Tax Distortions, and Public‐Sector Retrenchment*
Authors: Andersen Torben M. , Sørensen Allan 
Published: March 2012

AbstractIt is widely perceived that globalization inevitably leads to a retrenchment of tax‐financed public‐sector activities. The argument is that tax distortions increase when production is more easily relocated across countries (the elasticity argument). We question this perception in a model that captures standard mechanisms from trade and open‐economy models. Importantly, the retrenchment argument overlooks the fact that the basic effect of integration (i.e., gains from trade) tends to lower the marginal costs of public funds. Moreover, the elasticity argument is not unambiguously supported, and there is no race to the bottom as a result of the perceived terms‐of‐trade effects of non‐cooperative fiscal policies.
Agricultural lands as ecological traps for grizzly bears
Authors: Northrup J. M. , Stenhouse G. B. , Boyce M. S. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractHuman–carnivore conflicts on agricultural lands are a global conservation issue affecting carnivore population viability, and human safety and livelihoods. Locations of conflicts are influenced by both human presence and carnivore habitat selection, although these two aspects of conflict rarely have been examined concurrently. Advances in animal tracking have facilitated examination of carnivore habitat selection and movements affording new opportunities to understand spatial patterns of conflict. We reviewed 10 years of data on conflicts between grizzly bears and humans in southwestern Alberta, Canada. We used logistic regression models in a geographic information system to map the probability of bear–human conflict from these data, and the relative probability of grizzly bear habitat selection based on global positioning system radiotelemetry data. We overlaid these maps to identify ecological traps, as well as areas of secure habitat. The majority of the landscape was seldom selected by bears, followed by ecological traps where most conflicts occurred. Only a small portion of the landscape was identified as secure habitat. Such mapping methods can be used to identify areas where conflict reduction strategies have the greatest potential to be effective. Our results highlight the need for comprehensive management to reduce conflicts and to identify areas where those conflicts are most problematic. These methods will be particularly useful for carnivores known to be in conflict with agriculture, such as large carnivores that prey on livestock, or pose a threat to human safety.
Cross‐scale predictions allow the identification of local conservation priorities from atlas data
Authors: Bombi P. , Salvi D. , Bologna M. A. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractFor planning practical measures aimed at biodiversity protection, conservation priorities must be identified at a local scale. Unfortunately, identifying local conservation priorities requires high‐resolution data on species distribution, and these are often unavailable. Atlases of species distribution provide data for several groups of organisms in many different areas but are often too coarse in resolution to provide valuable information. We explored the possibility of cross‐scale modelling species distributions and we clarified, for the first time, its effect on prioritization exercises. We used different modelling techniques for scaling down atlas data forSardinian reptiles, validated the outcomes with detailed, field‐sampled data, and compared conservation priorities deriving from atlas maps and downscaled models. Doing this, we obtained as a further result the identification of priority species and areas for future conservation strategies. Our results encourage us to experiment further with this approach. Through the downscaling procedure, we obtain high‐resolution models with strong variations in predictive performances, although most of the models show satisfactory/excellent scores. This testifies that low‐resolution data can be downscaled maintaining low rates of omission and commission errors. Increasing the resolution of distribution maps used for prioritization influences the spatial patterns of priority but does not modify the evaluation of species representation. Overall, we show that atlases can meet the large demand for distribution data by decision makers if appropriate downscaling procedures are adopted. In addition, we provide practical instruments for the conservation of reptiles inSardinia by identifying priority species and areas that require strict management.
Variation in terrestrial mammal abundance on pastoral and conservation land tenures in north‐eastern Australian tropical savannas
Authors: Kutt A. S. , Gordon I. J. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThe introduction of domestic cattle into systems that have had little historical grazing by large herbivores, such as the case in Australia, can lead to both direct and indirect changes in native flora and fauna. In this study, we investigate the differences in native mammal abundance between pastoral land managed for cattle production and conservation land in Australian tropical savannas. We systematically sampled 68 sites for mammals in north‐eastern Queensland representing the two land tenures, which represent land with introduced stock and native herbivores present, and land where only native herbivores occur. We recorded 17 species of mammals representing five families and two functional groups (small mammals and macropods). Generalized linear mixed effects models identified that there was a significant positive relationship between increasing total ground cover and small mammal abundance and also the abundance of two species, Pseudomys desertor and P. gracilicaudatus. We recorded a reduction in abundance on pastoral land for macropods and small mammals, and four species, M. robustus, M. rufus, Leggadina lakedownensis, P. gracilicaudatus. Total ground cover and perennial grass cover was lower on pastoral land. Small mammal abundance on pastoral land was less even with increasing ground cover. Our results suggest that on pastoral land, native mammal abundance is affected and this has some relationship to ground cover changes. We recognize that there are other confounding management differences between pastoral and conservation lands such fire use, dingo baiting, and the manner of weed invasion and control that could influence mammal pattern. We conclude that conservation strategies for mammals in Australia's tropical savannas need to include a variety of land management schemes and tenures including land free from grazing by domestic livestock.
Associations between Polymorphisms Related to Calcium Metabolism and Human Height: The Tromsø Study
Authors: Jorde Rolf , Svartberg Johan , Joakimsen Ragnar Martin , Grimnes Guri 
Published: March 2012

SummaryA number of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) related to height have been detected. Calcium metabolism is important for the skeleton and accordingly also for adult height. Therefore, in the present study, nine SNPs related to the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene and serum levels of 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), calcium, phosphate and parathyroid hormone (PTH) were related to height in 9471 subjects. Relation with height was evaluated with linear regression for trend across SNP genotypes with age and gender as covariates. After correcting for multiple testing, significant associations with height were found for two SNPs related to the VDR gene (rs1544410 (Bsml) and rs7975232 (Apal)), one SNP related to serum 25(OH)D (rs3829251 at the DHCR7/NADSYN1 gene), one SNP related to serum calcium (rs1459015 at the PTH gene) and one SNP related to serum phosphate (rs1697421 at the ALPL gene). For rs3829251, the mean differences in height between major and minor homozygotes were 1.5–2.0 cm (P < 0.01) and were seen in both genders and all age groups tested, whereas for the other SNPs, the differences were less than 1 cm. In conclusion, several SNPs related to calcium metabolism are associated with height, in particular rs3829251 at the DHCR7/NADSYN1 gene.
Further evidence of validity of the Modified Melbourne Assessment for neurologically impaired children aged 2 to 4 years
Authors: RANDALL MELINDA , IMMS CHRISTINE , CAREY LEEANNE 
Published: March 2012

Aim  This paper reports the second phase of a study to extend the Melbourne Assessment for use with children with neurological impairment aged 2 to 4 years. The aim was to establish if (1) children’s scores on the Modified Melbourne Assessment (MMA) and the Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test (QUEST) showed a moderate to high, positive relation, (2) children had comparable behaviours for task and time demands on both tools, and (3) scores on the MMA could discriminate between children with mild, moderate, and severe levels of upper limb impairment.Method  An observational study of 30 children (19 males, 11 females) with neurological impairment aged 2 to 4 years. Twenty‐four children had spasticity (20 with a unilateral and four with a bilateral impairment) and two children presented with athetosis, two with ataxia, and two with hypotonia.Results  A high, positive relation was found between children’s scores on the MMA and the QUEST (ρ=0.90; p=0.001). The clinical use of the MMA was comparable to the QUEST. MMA scores were able to discriminate between children’s levels of upper limb impairment as determined by clinicians’ ratings (F2,27=67.76, p=0.001).Interpretation  These findings suggest the MMA can be clinically useful for children as young as 2.5 years and has the advantage of being valid for use with older children. Scores from the tool can also provide therapists with a quantitative means of consistently reporting level of upper limb impairment.
9‐Methyl‐β‐carboline‐induced cognitive enhancement is associated with elevated hippocampal dopamine levels and dendritic and synaptic proliferation
Authors: Gruss Michael , Appenroth Dorothea , Flubacher Armin , Enzensperger Christoph , Bock Jörg , Fleck Christian , Gille Gabriele , Braun Katharina 
Published: March 2012

J. Neurochem. (2012) 121, 924–931.Abstractβ‐Carbolines (BCs) belong to the heterogenous family of carbolines, which have been found exogenously, that is, in various fruits, meats, tobacco smoke, alcohol and coffee, but also endogenously, that is, blood, brain and CSF. These exogenous and endogenous BCs and some of their metabolites can exert neurotoxic effects, however, an unexpected stimulatory effect of 9‐methyl‐β‐carboline (9‐me‐BC) on dopaminergic neurons in primary mesencephalic cultures was recently discovered. The aim of the present study was to extend our knowledge on the stimulatory effects of 9‐me‐BC and to test the hypothesis that 9‐me‐BC may act as a cognitive enhancer. We found that 10 days (but not 5 days) of pharmacological treatment with 9‐me‐BC (i) improves spatial learning in the radial maze, (ii) elevates dopamine levels in the hippocampal formation, and (iii) results after 10 days of treatment in elongated, more complex dendritic trees and higher spine numbers on granule neurons in the dentate gyrus of 9‐me‐BC‐treated rats. Our results demonstrate that beyond its neuroprotective/neurorestorative and anti‐inflammatory effects, 9‐me‐BC acts as a cognitive enhancer in a hippocampus‐dependent task, and that the behavioral effects may be associated with a stimulatory impact on hippocampal dopamine levels and dendritic and synaptic proliferation.
Retinoic acid mediates the expression of glutamate transporter‐1 in rat astrocytes through genomic RXR action and non‐genomic protein kinase C signaling pathway
Authors: Chan Ti‐Ju , Her Lu‐Shiun , Liaw Hung‐Jiun , Chen Mei‐Chun , Tzeng Shun‐Fen 
Published: March 2012

J. Neurochem. (2012) 121, 537–550.AbstractAstrocytic glutamate transporter‐1 (GLT‐1) is responsible for 90% of forebrain glutamate uptake in the adult CNS. Retinoic acid (RA) is a potent regulator of neural cell differentiation and neuronal maturation in the developing CNS through activation of RA receptors/retinoic X receptors (RXRs) or non‐genomic mechanisms. Although rat GLT‐1 contains several RXR binding regions, RA‐triggered RXR mechanisms regulating GLT‐1 expression remain unknown. RA applied at submicromolar concentrations for 24 h significantly reduced GLT‐1 mRNA and membrane levels in astrocytes and dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP)‐primed astrocytes. An RXR agonist reduced astrocytic GLT‐1 mRNA expression, whereas an RXR antagonist blocked the effects of RA on the reduction of astrocytic GLT‐1 mRNA expression. Electrophoresis motility shift assay indicated that RA‐treatment increased astrocytic RXR‐DNA binding activity. RA‐induced reduction in GLT‐1 mRNA expression was also observed in dbcAMP‐primed astrocytes. Through lentivirus‐mediated astrocytic over‐expression of rat GLT‐1, levels of GLT‐1 in the processes of dbcAMP‐treated astrocytes were attenuated by exposure to RA. The protein kinase C inhibitor, Bis I, restored GLT‐1 distribution in the processes of RA‐treated dbcAMP‐primed astrocytes. These results suggest that RA reduces astrocytic GLT‐1 levels through both RXR‐mediated inhibition at the transcriptional level and triggering activation of protein kinase C which reduces cell surface GLT‐1 levels.
The intrathecal CD163‐haptoglobin–hemoglobin scavenging system in subarachnoid hemorrhage
Authors: Galea James , Cruickshank Garth , Teeling Jessica L. , Boche Delphine , Garland Patrick , Perry V. Hugh , Galea Ian 
Published: March 2012

J. Neurochem. (2012) 121, 785–792.AbstractDelayed cerebral ischemia resulting from extracellular hemoglobin is an important determinant of outcome in subarachnoid hemorrhage. Hemoglobin is scavenged by the CD163‐haptoglobin system in the circulation, but little is known about this scavenging pathway in the human CNS. The components of this system were analyzed in normal cerebrospinal fluid and after subarachnoid hemorrhage. The intrathecal presence of the CD163‐haptoglobin–hemoglobin scavenging system was unequivocally demonstrated. The resting capacity of the CD163‐haptoglobin–hemoglobin system in the normal CNS was 50 000‐fold lower than that of the circulation. After subarachnoid hemorrhage, the intrathecal CD163‐haptoglobin–hemoglobin system was saturated, as shown by the presence of extracellular hemoglobin despite detectable haptoglobin. Hemoglobin efflux from the CNS was evident, enabling rescue hemoglobin scavenging by the systemic circulation. Therefore, the CNS is not capable of dealing with significant intrathecal hemolysis. Potential therapeutic options to prevent delayed cerebral ischemia ought to concentrate on augmenting the capacity of the intrathecal CD163‐haptoglobin–hemoglobin scavenging system and strategies to encourage hemoglobin efflux from the brain.
An unexpected pattern of migration revealed in the Subalpine Warbler Sylvia cantillans complex by mitochondrial DNA analyses
Authors: BRAMBILLA MATTIA , VITULANO SEVERINO , FERRI ANDREA , SPINA FERNANDO , FABBRI ELENA , RANDI ETTORE 
Published: March 2012

Genetic markers are often used to trace the geographical origin of migrating birds. Such an approach has been used to attribute individuals of a given species to a given population, but it could also be applied to cryptic species, which are not fully diagnosable on the basis of their morphological appearance alone, despite often being genetically distinct. We sampled migrants of the Sylvia cantillans complex, which include cryptic taxa not readily identified on the basis of their appearance, at spring stopover sites in the central Mediterranean. We identified these individuals taxonomically using mitochondrial DNA sequence data. Molecular analyses enabled us to establish that four different taxa/clades of the Sylvia cantillans complex (two S. c. cantillans clades, S. c. albistriata and S. subalpina) migrate through the central‐western Mediterranean from Africa.
Acute onset of dyspnea associated with Oslerus osleri infection in a dog
Authors: Reagan Jennifer K. , Aronsohn Michael G. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractObjectiveTo describe an unusual clinical presentation of Oslerus osleri infection in the dog and to review current diagnostic and treatment strategies for this infection.Case SummaryA 2‐year‐old Briard presented as an emergency for evaluation of acute respiratory distress. Radiographs of the thorax revealed an intratracheal masses near the bifurcation of the trachea. Biopsies of the masses identified parasitic fragments consistent with O. osleri infection. The patient was successfully treated with fenbendazole and the patient's clinical signs have not reoccurred over the last 5 months.Unique Information ProvidedThis report documents an uncommon presentation of acute respiratory distress associated with O. osleri infection in the dog, as previously reported cases usually report a history of chronic cough. In this case, the patient presented with an acute onset of dyspnea and no history of chronic cough suggesting that O. osleri infection may be a consideration in any young dog presented with acute respiratory distress.