bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Determinants of Food Industry Performance: Survey Data and Regressions for Denmark
Authors: Furtan W. H. , Sauer J. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThis paper investigates empirically the determinants of firms’ performance in the agri‐food sector by using recent survey data for Denmark. Treating sales per employee as a proxy for value added, we estimate several bootstrapped regression models to draw conclusions on the marginal effects of potential performance determinants such as the form and nature of ownership, stage of the food chain and commodity sector, new product development, staff quality, firms’ competitive stance, and elements of firms’ strategy. To draw robust inferences we apply, besides the ordinary heteroscedasticity‐corrected Tobit maximum likelihood estimator, a non‐parametric least absolute deviations estimator (LAD/CLAD) based on a quantile regression procedure. The results indicate that we cannot reject the hypothesis of no influence of dominant orientation on value added. Rather, firms’ focus on human capital, stage and commodity sector better explains their value addition. We reject the hypothesis that regional networks have no influence on value added. Location in Århus, emphasis on human capital and the negative influence of outsourcing on value added all provide supporting evidence. We reject the hypothesis of no influence of foreign direct investment (FDI), and moreover propose that FDI has targeted the Danish domestic market as a source of value added.
Intra‐abdominal adhesion formation induces anti‐oxidative injury, enhances cell proliferation, and prevents complement‐mediated lysis
Authors: Yu Sung‐Liang , Singh Sher , Chen Huei‐Wen , Chen Hsuan‐Yu , Chen Jeremy J. W. , Chen Wen‐Jone , Chen Han‐Shiang , Chen Shyr‐Chyr 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTWhether the alteration of gene expression is accompanied with intra‐abdominal adhesion formation is unclear. The aim of this study was to analyze the dynamic gene expression patterns in an animal model of intra‐abdominal adhesion formation. The mRNA was extracted from the jejunums of sham control mice and jejunum‐abrading mice at 1, 3, 7, and 14 days postsurgery. The mouse cDNA microarray was used to monitor the dynamic changes of the tested genes and up‐regulated and down‐regulated genes were calculated. Quantitative real‐time RT‐PCR, and immunohistochemistry staining were used to confirm the accuracy of microarray results at RNA and protein levels. The top 100 genes with the greatest change across all studied mice groups were identified and 93 of them were correct after sequencing verification. Of the 93 genes, 74 genes were up‐regulated and 19 were down‐regulated following jejunal abrasion. Gene expressions of complement‐mediated lysis, anti‐oxidative response, and cell proliferation were significantly induced during adhesion formation. Intra‐abdominal adhesion induces several genes to eliminate overfilled complement‐mediated lysis, prevent oxidative injuries, and enhance cell proliferation. These findings may provide insights into the pathogenesis of intra‐abdominal adhesion formation and might also help to identify some new target genes for specific diagnostic tools and novel therapeutic strategies.
Expression of transforming growth factor β isoforms and their roles in tendon healing
Authors: Chan Kai‐Ming , Fu Sai‐Chuen , Wong Yim‐Ping , Hui Wun‐Chun , Cheuk Yau‐Chuk , Wong Margaret Wan‐Nar 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTTransforming growth factor β (TGF‐β) plays active roles in tendon healing. However, the differential effects of TGF‐β isoforms on tendon healing have not been investigated. In cultured tendon fibroblasts, we tested the effects of TGF‐β1, β2, and β3 on the mRNA levels of COL1A1 and COL3A1 by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. We also investigated the expression of TGF‐β isoforms, TGF‐β receptors, procollagen Type I and Type III in a rat model of tendon healing. We found that TGF‐β3 exhibited the highest potency in stimulating COL1A1 and COL3A1. TGF‐β1 exerted antagonistic effects to TGF‐β2 and β3. All TGF‐β isoforms and procollagen Type I were confined to the edges of the healing tendon at day 28 postinjury. Our results indicated that interaction of TGF‐β isoforms exist in the regulation of collagen synthesis in tendon fibroblasts. Their effects may be further complicated by uneven spatial distribution of TGF‐β and TGF‐β receptors in healing tendons.
Identification of differentially regulated genes in fetal wounds during regenerative repair
Authors: Colwell Amy S. , Longaker Michael T. , Peter Lorenz Hermann 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTDuring mammalian skin development, wounds heal with regeneration rather than scar. Genomic microarray analysis of fetal (scarless) and postnatal (scarring) cutaneous wounds was performed to identify genes with differential expression and possible proregenerative function. Differentially expressed genes between the scarless and scarring wound transcriptomes were identified with significance analysis of microarrays. At early time points, the fraction of genes with increased expression was greater in the fetal wounds. Conversely, as time after injury increased, the fraction of genes with increased expression in postnatal wounds increased from 0% at 1 hour to 67% at 24 hours. The fetal 1‐ and 12‐hour wound transcriptomes identified genes important in DNA transcription and repair, cell cycle regulation, protein homeostasis, and intracellular signaling. The predominant expression patterns of these genes from 1 to 24 hours predominantly revealed rapid up‐regulation, followed by declining expression at 24 hours. Fewer genes with differential expression between the fetal scarless and postnatal scarring wound transcriptomes were identified at 24 hours, most of which had greater expression in the postnatal wound. Our data suggest that multiple gene products may be necessary for the coordination of skin regeneration during wound repair in the fetus.
Imaging the electric field associated with mouse and human skin wounds
Authors: Nuccitelli Richard , Nuccitelli Pamela , Ramlatchan Samdeo , Sanger Richard , Smith Peter J.S. 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTWe have developed a noninvasive instrument called the bioelectric field imager (BFI) for mapping the electric field between the epidermis and the stratum corneum near wounds in both mouse and human skin. Rather than touching the skin, the BFI vibrates a small metal probe with a displacement of 180 μm in air above the skin to detect the surface potential of the epidermis through capacitative coupling. Here we describe our first application of the BFI measuring the electric field between the stratum corneum and epidermis at the margin of skin wounds in mice. We measured an electric field of 177±14 (61) mV/mm immediately upon wounding and the field lines pointed away from the wound in all directions around it. Because the wound current flows immediately upon wounding, this is the first signal indicating skin damage. This electric field is generated at the outer surface of the epidermis by the outward flow of the current of injury. An equal and opposite current must flow within the multilayered epidermis to generate an intraepidermal field with the negative pole at the wound site. Because the current flowing within the multilayered epidermis is spread over a larger area, the current density and subsequent E field generated in that region is expected to be smaller than that measured by the BFI beneath the stratum corneum. The field beneath the stratum corneum typically remained in the 150–200 mV/mm range for 3 days and then began to decline over the next few days, falling to zero once wound healing was complete. The mean wound field strength decreased by 64±7% following the application of the sodium channel blocker, amiloride, to the skin near the wound and increased by 82±21% following the application of the Cl− channel activator, prostaglandin E2.
A technique to visualize wound bed microcirculation and the acute effect of negative pressure
Authors: Ichioka Shigeru , Watanabe Hiromi , Sekiya Naomi , Shibata Masahiro , Nakatsuka Takashi 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTAlthough previous studies have proved that subatmospheric pressure in vacuum assisted closure therapy increased blood flow at the wound edge, no reports have presented data on blood flow in the wound bed. This study examined a technique that visualized microcirculation of the wound bed and estimated the acute effect of negative pressure. The superficial stratum of the mouse gluteal skin was microsurgically excised preserving the subdermal vascular plexus. The preserved vessels were visualized as the wound bed microcirculation using an intravital microscope–video–computer system. Three levels of negative pressure (−125 mmHg [n=12], −500 mmHg [n=12], 0 mmHg [n=8]) were applied to the wound. Our experimental model successfully and quantitatively visualized wound bed microcirculation under negative pressure application. A negative pressure of −125 mmHg significantly increased wound bed blood flow immediately after pressure application, maintained for 1 minute after pressure release, whereas in the −500 mmHg group blood flow decreased with time and reached a statistically significant level 5 minutes after pressure application. These findings reinforce the hypothesis that enhanced blood flow in the wound bed as well as at the wound edge may contribute to the beneficial effects of certain levels of negative pressure therapy for wound perfusion.
Experience of German Red Cross blood donor services with nucleic acid testing: results of screening more than 30 million blood donations for human immunodeficiency virus‐1, hepatitis C virus, and hepatitis B virus
Authors: Hourfar Michael K. , Jork Christine , Schottstedt Volkmar , Weber‐Schehl Marijke , Brixner Veronika , Busch Michael P. , Geusendam Geert , Gubbe Knut , Mahnhardt Christina , Mayr‐Wohlfart Uschi , Pichl Lutz , Roth W. Kurt , Schmidt Michael , Seifried Erhard , Wright David J. ,   German Red Cross NAT Study Group
Published: May 2008

BACKGROUND: The risk of transfusion‐transmitted human immunodeficiency virus‐1 (HIV‐1), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections is predominantly attributable to donations given during the early stage of infection when diagnostic tests may fail. In 1997, nucleic acid amplification technique (NAT)‐testing was introduced at the German Red Cross (GRC) blood donor services to reduce this diagnostic window period (WP).STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 31,524,571 blood donations collected from 1997 through 2005 were screened by minipool NAT, predominantly with pool sizes of 96 donations. These donations cover approximately 80 percent of all the blood collected in Germany during that period. Based on these data, the WP risk in the GRC blood donor population was estimated by using a state‐of‐the‐art mathematic model.RESULTS: During the observation period, 23 HCV, 7 HIV‐1, and 43 HBV NAT‐only–positive donations were detected. On the basis of these data and estimated pre‐NAT infectious WPs, the residual risk per unit transfused was estimated at 1 in 10.88 million for HCV (95% confidence interval [CI], 7.51‐19.72 million), 1 in 4.30 million for HIV‐1 (95% CI, 2.39‐21.37 million), and 1 in 360,000 for HBV (95% CI, 0.19‐3.36 million). Based on observed cases of breakthrough infections, the risk of transfusion‐related infections may be even lower.CONCLUSION: The risk of a blood recipient becoming infected with HCV, HIV‐1, or HBV has reached an extremely low level. Introduction of individual donation testing for HCV and HIV‐1 would have a marginal effect on interception of WP donations.
The Important Role of Pulmonary Vein Carina Ablation as an Adjunct to Circumferential Pulmonary Vein Isolation
Authors: UDYAVAR AMEYA R. , CHANG SHIH‐LIN , TAI CHING‐TAI , LIN YENN‐JIANG , LO LI‐WEI , TUAN TA‐CHUAN , TSAO HSUAN‐MING , HSIEH MING‐HSIUNG , HU YU‐FENG , CHIANG SHUO‐JU , CHEN YI‐JEN , WONGCHAROEN WANWARANG , HIGA SATOSHI , UENG KWO‐CHANG , CHEN SHIH‐ANN 
Published: May 2008

Objectives and Background: The success rate of achieving electrical isolation by circumferential pulmonary vein ablation (CPVA) varies from 32% to 88%. We carried out ablation at the pulmonary vein carina to evaluate the elimination rates of the pulmonary vein potentials (PVPs) after one round of CPVA had failed to eliminate all the PVPs in the patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).
Methods: Ninety‐seven patients (75 males; mean age: 50 ± 12 years; 15 with persistent AF and 82 with paroxysmal AF) who underwent catheter ablation were analyzed. All patients underwent one round of CPVA with PVP elimination as the endpoint. The electrophysiology tracings were then analyzed to look for the presence of any gaps that were subsequently targeted by radiofrequency ablation. The patients in whom the PVPs still persisted underwent ablation at the pulmonary vein carina and the success rate of the PVP elimination was studied. The patients were followed up for a mean duration of 12.9 ± 8.2 months.
Results: One hundred ninety‐four ipsilateral pulmonary veins in 97 patients were subjected to CPVA with successful elimination of the PVPs in 110 ipsilateral pulmonary veins (success rate of 56.7%). A carina ablation was carried out in the remaining 84 ipsilateral pulmonary vein pairs harboring PVPs. Elimination of the PVPs was achieved in all the remaining ipsilateral pulmonary veins after the carina ablation.
Conclusion: Considering the limited efficacy of CPVA in eliminating the PVPs, pulmonary vein carina ablation is advisable to substantially increase the PVP elimination rate.
The History of Atrial Fibrillation: The Last 100 Years
Authors: PRYSTOWSKY ERIC N. 
Published: May 2008

Atrial fibrillation (AF) has had a rich history that has touched the careers of many of the great clinicians and investigators of the 20th century. More recently, there has been an explosion of research into various aspects of the mechanisms and therapy for AF, as evidenced by over 8,000 publications on AF from 2000 to 2007. A century of research and clinical observations, coupled with modern investigative technologies, has enabled modern investigators to have their own “fantastic voyage” as they travel beyond the cell borders into the ionic mechanisms responsible for AF and its many atrial perturbations. One can only imagine the satisfaction of Wenckebach, MacKenzie, and Lewis if they could see how their seeds of wisdom have grown into such sturdy ideas, or how delighted Scherf would be to learn that his ectopic focus theory for AF has been given new life. This paper on 100 years of AF was initially prepared for presentation as the Plenary Lecture at the AFib Summit for Heart Rhythm 2007 in Denver, Colorado. I have tried to provide the reader with some of the most important observations on AF, realizing that it would be impossible to include all or even most of the major research done during this time frame. I apologize to my many colleagues whose research has helped us to understand better the clinical and basic aspects of AF, yet who could not be cited for lack of space.
Temporary Occlusion of the Great Cardiac Vein and Coronary Sinus to Facilitate Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation of the Mitral Isthmus
Authors: D'AVILA ANDRE , THIAGALINGAM ARAVINDA , FOLEY LORI , FOX MELODIE , RUSKIN JEREMY N. , REDDY VIVEK Y. 
Published: May 2008

Introduction: Ablation of the mitral isthmus to achieve bidirectional conduction block is technically challenging, and incomplete block slows isthmus conduction and is often proarrhythmic. The presence of the blood pool in the coronary venous system may act as a heat‐sink, thereby attenuating transmural RF lesion formation. This porcine study tested the hypothesis that elimination of this heat‐sink effect by complete air occlusion of the coronary sinus (CS) would facilitate transmural endocardial ablation at the mitral isthmus.
Methods: This study was performed in nine pigs using a 30 mm‐long prototype linear CS balloon catheter able to occlude and displace the blood within the CS (the balloon was inflated with ∼5 cc of air). Using a 3.5 mm irrigated catheter (35 W, 30 cc/min, 1 minute lesions), two sets of mitral isthmus ablation lines were placed per animal: one with the balloon deflated (CS open) and one inflated (CS Occluded). After ablation, gross pathological analysis of the linear lesions was performed.
Results: A total of 17 ablation lines were placed: 7 with CS Occlusion, and 10 without occlusion. Despite similar biophysical characteristics of the individual lesions, lesion transmurality was consistently noted only when using the air‐filled CS balloon.
Conclusions: Temporary displacement of the venous blood pool using an air‐filled CS balloon permits transmurality of mitral isthmus ablation; this may obviate the need for ablation within the CS to achieve bidirectional mitral isthmus conduction.
Regarding the algorithm for the diagnosis of early mycosis fungoides proposed by the International Society for Cutaneous Lymphomas: suggestions from routine histopathology practice
Authors: Ferrara Gerardo , Di Blasi Arturo , Zalaudek Iris , Argenziano Giuseppe , Cerroni Lorenzo 
Published: May 2008

Background:  Routine clinicopathologic practice is expected to refine/validate the scoring system proposed in 2005 by the International Society for Cutaneous Lymphomas (ISCL) for the diagnosing early mycosis fungoides (eMF), classical type.Methods:  An evaluation of 72 cases of erythematous and scaling dermatoses was employed with a partial implementation of the ISCL algorithm.Results:  The selected cases fulfilled the clinical criteria proposed by the ISCL; routine histopathology allowed to reach the ISCL minimum score for a diagnosis of eMF in 45 cases. A clonal T‐cell population was found in 4 out of 12 cases tested with the polymerase chain reaction, three of which with an already established clinicopathologic diagnosis of eMF. An aberrant immunophenotype was found in 11 cases, all of which already labeled as eMF on the basis of clinical and histopathologic features. 6 out of 27 patients with inconclusive clinicopathologic data underwent a new skin biopsy, which allowed to reach a diagnosis of eMF in two cases.Conclusions:  The diagnosis of eMF still rests upon clinical features and conventional histology; a new skin biopsy is recommended for cases with no clear‐cut diagnostic features.
Biallelic deletion 13q14.3 in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia: cytogenetic, FISH and clinical studies
Authors: Chena Christian , Avalos Julio Sánchez , Bezares Raimundo F. , Arrossagaray Guillermo , Turdó Karina , Bistmans Alicia , Slavutsky Irma 
Published: May 2008

AbstractBackground and objective:  Monoallelic deletion of 13q14.3 (13q14x1) is the most common abnormality in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). As a sole alteration, it predicts a favorable outcome. Biallelic 13q14.3 (13q14x2) deletion or concomitant 13q14x1/13q14x2 has been scarcely evaluated in the literature. We present the clinical, cytogenetic and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis of six CLL patients with normal karyotypes and 13q14x2 and their comparison to cases with 13q14x1 as a single abnormality.Patients and methods:  A total of 103 CLL patients were studied. Cytogenetic and FISH analysis were performed on stimulated peripheral blood lymphocytes. Specific fluorescence DNA probes for CLL were used.Results:  Six out of 103 (5.8%) patients showed normal karyotypes and 13q14x2. It was observed as a single alteration in one patient and combined with 13q14x1 in five cases. Biallelic clones were larger than monoallelic ones in 3/5 patients (60%). The comparison of clinical and hematological data between 13q14x1 and 13q14x2 groups showed progression of the disease in all 13q14x2 patients respect to 12/32 (37.5%) cases with 13q14x1 (P = 0.008), significant differences in the distribution by Rai stage (P = 0.042) and a tendency of a higher lactate dehydrogenase level in 13q14x2 patients (P = 0.054). Treatment free survival for 13q14x2 group was 28.5 months, shorter than those observed in patients with 13q14x1 alone (49 months).Conclusions:  Our data would suggest that 13q14x2 could represent a more aggressive FISH anomaly than 13q14x1 alone, probably as a consequence of clonal evolution and/or due to the complete inactivation of this critical region by mean of more complex mechanisms.
FDG PET/CT findings in acute adult mononucleosis mimicking malignant lymphoma
Authors: Lustberg Maryam B. , Aras Omer , Meisenberg Barry R. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractWe report a case of acute Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection in which the clinical syndrome and pattern of F‐18‐2‐fluoro‐2‐deoxy‐d‐glucose (FDG) uptake mimicked malignant lymphoma. A 53‐yr‐old man presented with 2 wk of high fevers, night sweats, sinus congestion and severe fatigue. The patient was treated for 1 wk with broad‐spectrum antibiotics for acute sinusitis without any improvement. Persistence of fevers and presence of abnormal lymphadenopathy seen on the abdominal computed tomography (CT) were concerning lymphoma with B symptoms. FDG positron emission tomography (PET) showed avid FDG uptake in numerous abdominal/pelvic nodes, liver, spleen and bone marrow. These findings were highly suspicious for lymphoma. Patient underwent a pelvic lymph node biopsy which showed large granular lymphocytes that were predominantly T cells. Bone marrow biopsy showed diffuse infiltration with plasmocytoid cells that were not kappa lambda restricted. Additional diagnostic workup became available showing positive EBV IgM titers and negative IgG levels indicating acute infectious mononucleosis. Lymph node biopsy stained positively with EBV‐encoded RNA. We concluded that patient’s abnormal FDG PET was most likely secondary to acute EBV infection. After 2 months, follow‐up FDG PET/CT showed marked improvement in lymphadenopathy and decreased hypermetabolic activity in the liver and spleen. Other than EBV, there are many other FDG‐avid non‐malignant conditions that may lead to false‐positive PET scans. FDG accumulates in inflamed and infected lesions with increased glucose metabolism. This case underscores the importance of maintaining a broad differential and restricting use of PET scans for staging.
Promising approach for aggressive NK cell leukaemia with allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation
Authors: Ito Toshiro , Makishima Hideki , Nakazawa Hideyuki , Kobayashi Hikaru , Shimodaira Shigetaka , Nakazawa Yozo , Kitano Kiyoshi , Matsuda Kazuyuki , Hidaka Eiko , Ishida Fumihiro 
Published: May 2008

AbstractObjectives:  Aggressive natural killer cell leukaemia (ANKL) is a malignant disorder of mature NK cells with a poor prognosis, for which no effective therapeutic approach has been established. We investigated the role of allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantion (allo‐HCT) in ANKL.Patients and methods:  Three patients with ANKL received allo‐HCT and seven did not. Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) viral load (VL) of the whole blood was measured with real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction.Results:  We transplanted three patients using a myeloablative conditioning regimen with human leucocyte antigen (HLA) two‐loci mismatched cord blood (n = 2), or HLA‐matched sibling bone marrow (n = 1). In one patient, a second transplantation from the haploidentical mother was also performed at relapse. No patients were in complete remission (CR) at the time of conditioning. After allo‐HCT, all three achieved and maintained CR. One died from sepsis and the other relapsed, received the second transplantation and achieved a second CR. EBV VL was quite high in all three at presentation and its significant reduction was observed after allo‐HCT. Although their backgrounds were not different from those without allo‐HCT, patients with allo‐HCT had a better outcome.Conclusion:  Allo‐HCT might be a promising therapy for ANKL with curative potential.