bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Demonstration of lipids in plastic resin‐embedded sections of skin material
Authors: MEYER W. , SCHMIDT J. , BUSCHE R. , JACOB R. , NAIM H.Y. 
Published: January 2009

SummaryTwo different fluorescence stains, green: 5‐hexadecanoylaminofluorescein, and red: BODIPY® 665/676 [(E,E)‐3, 5‐bis‐(4‐phenyl‐1,3‐butadienyl)‐4,4‐difluoro‐4‐bora‐3a, 4a‐diaza‐s‐indacene, produced good results regarding the demonstration of glycolipids, free fatty acids and triglycerides in mammalian skin material that had been embedded in a water miscible plastic resin (Technovit® 7100). In this way, functional aspects of specific structures (epidermal barrier region, sebaceous glands) could be characterized histochemically in the integument of five mammalian species with sparse or dense hair coats.
Measurements of the surface microroughness with the scanning electron microscope
Authors: PALUSZYŃSKI J. , SLÓWKO W. 
Published: January 2009

SummaryA three‐dimensional reconstruction system for scanning electron microscope consisting of a quadruple scintillator detector, a four‐channel frame‐grabber and PC‐based processing unit was developed. The authors explored a method that takes advantage of the angular distribution of secondary electron emission to obtain quantitative topography contrast and surface profiles. Software processing algorithms were developed to carry out the reconstruction process and compensate for several types of errors, inherent in the method. After pre‐calibration, the system allows obtaining surface topography with calculation of microroughness and waviness statistical parameters. The roughness estimation procedure was tested on metal roughness standards for machining and etched silicon surfaces. The main advantages of the system are almost real‐time operation and reliable, composition‐independent reconstruction for a broad class of materials.
Aberration‐corrected microscopy for structural biology applications
Authors: ZIEGLER A. , ROCKEL B. , HEGERL R. , FREITAG B. , LÜCKEN U. , PLITZKO J.M. 
Published: January 2009

SummaryThis study explores the potential of a Cs‐corrected transmission electron microscope for structural studies of biological samples, in particular isolated macromolecular complexes. A 300‐kV transmission electron microscope, equipped with a Cs corrector was employed to record sets of images at different defocus and Cs settings. The experiments were designed to determine whether imaging with large defocus benefits from Cs correction. Defocus contrast in biological imaging has a stronger influence on image resolution than any other parameter. We find the results are in good agreement with theoretical framework, verifying that the typical imaging conditions required for biological investigations are not affected by Cs correction.
EBSD: a powerful microstructure analysis technique in the field of solidification
Authors: BOEHM‐COURJAULT E. , GONZALES F. , JACOT A. , KOHLER F. , MARIAUX A. , NIEDERBERGER C. , SALGADO‐ORDORICA M.A. , RAPPAZ M. 
Published: January 2009

SummaryThis paper presents a few examples of the application of electron back‐scatter diffraction (EBSD) to solidification problems. For directionally solidified Al–Zn samples, this technique could reveal the change in dendrite growth directions from <100> to <110> as the composition of zinc increases from 5 to 90 wt%. The corresponding texture evolution and grain selection mechanisms were also examined. Twinned dendrites that form under certain solidification conditions in Al–X specimens (with X = Zn, Mg, Ni, Cu) were clearly identified as <110> dendrite trunks split in their centre by a (111) twin plane. In Zn–0.2 wt% Al hot‐dip galvanized coatings on steel sheets, EBSD clearly revealed the preferential basal orientation distribution of the nuclei as well as the reinforcement of this distribution by the faster growth of <1010> dendrites. Moreover, in Al–Zn–Si coatings, misorientations as large as 10° mm−1 have been measured within individual grains. Finally, the complex band and lamellae microstructures that form in the Cu–Sn peritectic system at low growth rate could be shown to constitute a continuous network initiated from a single nucleus. EBSD also showed that the α and β phases had a Kurdjumov–Sachs crystallographic relationship.
Perioperative concentrations of catecholamines in the cerebrospinal fluid and plasma during spinal anesthesia
Authors: OEHMKE M. J. , PODRANSKI T. , MANN M. , FRICKEY N. , KUHN D. F. M. , HEMPELMANN G. 
Published: January 2009

Background:Catecholamine release is a physiological response to stress. The extent to which perioperative stress provokes the central release of catecholamines, which modulate pain perception in the spinal cord, still remains unknown. The perioperative course of catecholamine concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma was examined.Methods:A prospective study was performed in 25 patients (ASA III, 60–84 years) undergoing elective hip joint replacement in spinal catheter anesthesia. The concentrations of dopamine, epinephrine and norepinephrine in the CSF and plasma were measured before anesthesia, immediately after surgery, and 6 and 24 h post‐operatively.Results:In most patients, dopamine and epinephrine were not detectable in CSF. CSF–norepinephrine concentrations decreased from median [interquartile‐range] 159 [124;216] pre‐anesthesia to 116 [79;152] pmol/l immediately post‐operatively and were slightly elevated 24 h post‐operatively (180 [134;302] pmol/l) (P=0.05). Dopamine plasma concentrations were not detectable or were barely above the detection threshold. Plasma epinephrine increased from 61 [28;77] pmol/l pre‐anesthesia to 112 [69;138] pmol/l 6 h post‐operatively and returned to baseline 24 h post‐operatively (P=0.001). Plasma norepinephrine concentrations increased intra‐operatively from 298 [249;422] to 556 [423;649] pmol/l and remained elevated 24 h after surgery (P=0.009). There was no association between changes in CSF or plasma norepinephrine or epinephrine concentrations and changes in heart rate (HR) or mean arterial pressure (MAP).Conclusion:During spinal anesthesia for elective hip joint replacement, norepinephrine concentrations were greater in plasma than in CSF. CSF dopamine and epinephrine concentrations were essentially undetectable. The changes in CSF‐norepinephrine concentrations and the changes of plasma norepinephrine concentrations showed no association with each other; nor were there correlations between clinical stress parameters (HR, MAP) or visual analog scale pain, and the changes in CSF norepinephrine concentrations.
Multi‐detector computed tomography in critically ill patients
Authors: AHVENJÄRVI L. K. , LAURILA J. J. , JARTTI A. , YLIPALOSAARI P. , ALA‐KOKKO T. I. , SYRJÄLÄ H. P. 
Published: January 2009

Background: There is a lack of studies showing the overall impact of multi‐detector computed tomography (MDCT) on the treatment of critically ill patients in a general intensive care unit (ICU) setting.Methods: A prospective observational study on the effects of MDCT on the treatment of patients in a 12‐bed medical–surgical ICU in a university hospital providing tertiary care.Results: During the 9‐month study period, there were 343 admissions with ICU length of stay longer than 48 h. Of these patients, 64 (19%) had had inconclusive findings with other modalities of radiological imaging, and they underwent altogether 82 MDCT examinations. Fifty examinations (61%) resulted in a change of treatment. The changes included 22 surgical interventions, 16 percutaneous or paranasal interventions, 15 changes of antimicrobial therapy, three withdrawals of active treatment, and four other changes of treatment. Eight patients underwent two and one patient underwent three changes of treatment. Twenty examinations (24%) were regarded as otherwise necessary for clinical decision‐making, although no change in the treatment was indicated. Twelve examinations (15%) failed to provide any additional information relevant to the patient's treatment.Conclusion: Sixty‐one percent of the MDCT examinations led to a change of treatment, and 24% of them otherwise contributed to or supported clinical decision‐making, suggesting that MDCT examination is helpful in the case of general ICU patients, with inconclusive findings with other imaging modalities.
Evaluation of the antifungal potential of Brazilian Cerrado medicinal plants
Authors: E Silva Fernanda Melo , De Paula José Elias , Espindola Laila Salmen 
Published: January 2009

SummaryTherapeutic limitations, development of fungal drug resistance, drug‐related toxicity, drug interactions and insufficient bioavailability of the currently available antifungal drugs have made the development of drugs necessary that would be able to treat the emerging fungal infections. The Cerrado is the second greater biome of Brazil and it was identified as one of the most distinguished biomes of South America, becoming an important source of innovative vegetal molecules to treat several conditions. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the antifungal potential of Cerrado plants, mainly those used to treat infections and wounds. A total of 57 extracts were screened by the agar‐well diffusion technique against Candida albicans and Trichophyton rubrum. The most promising extracts were tested in smaller concentrations and their minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were determined by microdilution method. Results were analysed statistically by anova tests. Extracts of Kielmeyera coriacea, Renealmia alpinia, Stryphnodendron adstringens and Tabebuia caraiba were very active against T. rubrum, presented geometric means of the MIC values between 170.39 and 23.23 μg ml−1. Extracts of Cerrado plants are of particular interest as source of new agents for the treatment of dermatophytic infections.
Laryngeal histoplasmosis in an immunocompetent patient from a non‐endemic region: case report
Authors: Ferrari Teresa C. A. , Soares João Marcos A. , Salles José Maria P. , Handam Júnia S. , Azevedo Rosana C. S. , Xavier Marcelo A. P. , Faria Luciana C. 
Published: January 2009

Abstract Histoplasma capsulatum infection involving the larynx is a rare manifestation, especially in immunocompetent individuals and a high index of suspicion is needed to establish the diagnosis correctly. We report a case of a 50‐year‐old Brazilian man who presented with progressive hoarseness and throat pain for 4 months. Laryngoscopy showed a supraglottic vegetant lesion, and the biopsies chronic granulomatous inflammation without any specific agent. A second laryngoscopy with biopsies was performed and after 17 days of incubation in specific medium, H. capsulatum was isolated. The patient was successfully treated with amphotericin B.
Normative data on Benton Visual Form Discrimination Test for older adults and impaired scores in Clinical Dementia Rating 0.5 participants: Community‐based study. The Osaki–Tajiri Project
Authors: Kasai Mari , Ishizaki Junichi , Ishii Hiroshi , Yamaguchi Satoshi , Yamadori Atsushi , Meguro Kenichi 
Published: January 2009

Aims:  The Benton Visual Form Discrimination test (VFD) is one of the non‐verbal tests to assess the capacity for complex visual form discrimination. The purposes of the present study were to investigate the effects of age and education level of the VFD in healthy elderly subjects, rigorously excluding participants with Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) 0.5, and the characteristics of VFD patterns in CDR 0.5 participants.Methods:  The 597 participants included CDR 0 (healthy elderly, n = 405), CDR 0.5 (mild cognitive impairment, n = 161), and CDR 1 and 2 (dementia, n = 31). The VFD, Digit Forwards, Digit Backwards and Rey–Osterrieth Complex Figure Test (RCFT) copying were used for neuropsychological assessment.Results:  There were significant effects of age and education level on the VFD in healthy participants, and the CDR 0.5 group had a lower score on the VFD than the healthy group. Low performance on the VFD was associated with Digit Backward and RCFT copying in both healthy and CDR 0.5 participants.Conclusions:  CDR 0.5 participants exhibit deficits of visual form discrimination related to attention, visual construction and organization.
Health impact of disaster‐related stress on pregnant women living in the affected area of the Noto Peninsula earthquake in Japan
Authors: Hibino Yuri , Takaki Jiro , Kambayashi Yasuhiro , Hitomi Yoshiaki , Sakai Akemi , Sekizuka Naomi , Ogino Keiki , Nakamura Hiroyuki 
Published: January 2009

Aims:  The present study assessed the health impact of stress on women who were pregnant during, or immediately after, a major earthquake and were living in the disaster area. Inherent resistance against the stress induced by the earthquake was also assessed.Methods:  The panel study consisted of 99 women who provided responses before and after delivery (response rate, 77.9%). Psychological impact was assessed on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and stress resistance was assessed on the Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC).Results:  In adjusted multivariate models, the significant earthquake factor that predicted postnatal depression (EPDS) was ‘existing anxiety about an earthquake’ (β = 0.27, P = 0.01) and ‘parity’ (β = −0.26, P = 0.02). The SOC during pregnancy significantly moderated between ‘existing anxiety about an earthquake’ and ‘EPDS’ (β = −0.21, P = 0.02). During pregnancy the EDPS was a significant predictor of a physical abnormality during pregnancy or childbirth (odds ratio, 1.21; 95% confidence interval: 1.04–1.41). The SOC during pregnancy did not moderate between a physical abnormality and earthquake‐related stress.Conclusions:  Provision of an adequate support system and improvement of the SOC of young women affected by a disaster may be two ways of reducing the deleterious effects of disaster‐related stress on maternal well‐being.
Dopamine promotes striatal neuronal apoptotic death via ERK signaling cascades
Authors: Chen Jun , Rusnak Milan , Lombroso Paul J. , Sidhu Anita 
Published: January 2009

AbstractAlthough the mechanisms underlying striatal neurodegeneration are poorly understood, we have shown that striatal pathogenesis may be initiated by high synaptic levels of extracellular dopamine (DA). Here we investigated in rat striatal primary neurons the mobilization of the mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways after treatment with DA. Instead of observing an elevation of the archetypical pro‐cytotoxic MAPKs, p‐JNK and p‐p38 MAPK, we found that DA, acting through D1 DA receptors, induced a sustained stimulation of the phosphorylated form of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (p‐ERK) via a cAMP/protein kinase A (PKA)/Rap1/B‐Raf / MAPK/ERK kinase (MEK) pathway. Blockade of D2 DA receptors, β‐adrenergic receptors orN‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptors with receptor‐specific antagonists had no significant effect on this process. Activation of D1 DA receptors and PKA by DA caused phosphorylation and inactivation of the striatal‐enriched tyrosine phosphatase, an important phosphatase for the dephosphorylation and subsequent inactivation of p‐ERK in the striatum. Interestingly, p‐ERK was primarily retained in the cytoplasm, with only low amounts translocated to the nucleus. The scaffold protein β‐arrestin2 interacted with both p‐ERK and D1 DA receptor, triggering the cytosolic retention of p‐ERK and inducing striatal neuronal apoptotic death. These data provide unique insight into a novel role of p‐ERK in striatal neurodegeneration.
ALK (Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase) expression in DRG neurons and its involvement in neuron–Schwann cells interaction
Authors: Degoutin Joffrey , Brunet‐de Carvalho Nicole , Cifuentes‐Diaz Carmen , Vigny Marc 
Published: January 2009

AbstractAnaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) is a receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) transiently expressed in specific regions of the central and peripheral nervous systems. In this study, we focused on the rat developing dorsal root ganglion (DRG). This ganglion is composed of heterogeneous sensory neurons characterized by the expression of RTK for neurotrophic factors, such as the nerve growth factor receptor TrkA or the glial‐derived neurotrophic factor family receptor Ret, which are specifically detected in nociceptive neurons. In DRG, ALK expression reached a maximum around birth. We showed that ALK is specifically present in a subtype of neurons during DRG development, and that the majority of these neurons co‐expressed TrkA and Ret. Interestingly, we identified only one form (220 kDa) of ALK in DRG neurons both in vivo and in vitro. On the opposite, in transfected cells as well as in brain extracts, ALK was identified as two forms (220 and 140 kDa). The DRG is composed of neurons and glial cells, principally satellite Schwann cells. Thus, we hypothesized that the presence of satellite Schwann cells was involved in the absence of truncated ALK. Using two different cell types, HEK293 cells stably expressing ALK, and MSC80 cells, a previously described Schwann cell line, we showed that a factor secreted by the Schwann cells is likely involved in the absence of ALK cleavage. All these data hence open new perspectives concerning the role of ALK in the specification of nociceptive DRG neurons and in the neurons–Schwann cells interaction.
More than a matter of getting ‘unstuck’: flexible thinkers use more abstract representations than perseverators
Authors: Kharitonova Maria , Chien Sarina , Colunga Eliana , Munakata Yuko 
Published: January 2009

AbstractWhy do people perseverate, repeating prior behaviours that are no longer appropriate? Many accounts point to isolated deficits in processes such as inhibition or attention. We instead posit a fundamental difference in rule representations: flexible switchers use active representations that rely on later‐developing prefrontal cortical areas and are more abstract, whereas perseverators use latent representations that rely on earlier‐developing posterior cortical and subcortical areas and are more stimulus‐specific. Thus, although switchers and perseverators should apply the rules they use to familiar stimuli equally reliably, perseverators should show unique limitations in generalizing their rules to novel stimuli, a process that requires abstract representations. Two behavioural experiments confirmed this counterintuitive prediction early in development. Three‐year‐old children sorted cards by one rule, were asked to switch to another rule, and then were asked simply to continue their behaviour, with novel cards. Perseverators applied the rule they were using (the first rule) just as reliably as switchers applied the rule they were using (the second rule) with familiar cards; however, only switchers generalized their rule to novel cards. This finding supports an early link between active representations that support switching and abstract representations that support generalization. We interpret this synergy in terms of prefrontal cortical development.
Minimum Shareholding Requirements for Insiders: Evidence from Taiwanese SMEs
Authors: Hung Jung‐Hua , Chen Hsiang‐Ju 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACTManuscript Type: EmpiricalResearch Question/Issue: This study aims to evaluate the suitability of Taiwan's minimum shareholding requirement for small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs), and to examine whether stewardship theory and both incentive and entrenchment effects can characterize the ownership‐performance relationship simultaneously.Research Findings/Results: We apply new empirical methods to a balanced panel dataset including 496 firm‐level observations of 62 Taiwanese SMEs publicly traded from 1999 to 2006. The results show a nonlinear ownership‐performance relationship, first negative then positive, with a single threshold value of insider ownership (5.4 per cent). This indicates that both effects combine and that the current regulated minimum level of insider shareholdings for public SMEs may be too high.Theoretical Implications: Our evidence supports both convergence‐of‐interests and entrenchment effects and suggests a better specification that prevents spurious relations obtained from traditional methods. The stewardship theory does work in Taiwan. Insiders behave as loyal stewards rather than motivated by desire for entrenchment. Our empirical evidence suggests an avenue of future research, specifically to form better strategies for those involved in corporate governance.Practical Implications: We suggest that Taiwanese authorities should lessen ownership obligations, thereby leading to improved corporate governance by increasing the independence of the boards of directors. Emerging markets can learn from the Taiwan experience and then formulate their own regulations. Publicly traded SMEs could offer compensation to insiders such as stock options and performance shares. Asymmetric information problems often experienced by outside stockholders and foreign investors can be alleviated by these signals of insider ownership.
Jumping off and being careful: children's strategies of risk management in everyday life
Authors: Christensen Pia , Mikkelsen Miguel Romero 
Published: January 2009

AbstractThis article addresses the complexity of children's risk landscapes through an ethnography of 10‐ to 12‐year‐old Danish children. The data revealed how children individually and collectively engaged with risk in their everyday activities. The children assessed risks in relation to their perceptions of their health as strength and control, negotiated the conditions of playing, and attuned their responses to situations of potential social and physical conflict. In the paper this risk engagement is illustrated in a variety of contexts: children's decisions to wear or not to wear a bicycle helmet; playing and games and routine pushing and shoving at school. In looking after themselves, children negotiate rules of participation and they safeguard personal and collective interests. Gender differences in these processes are addressed and discussed. The article argues that risk engagement is an important resource through which children also learn from their own mistakes. This is a necessary learning process when children engage with their personal health and safety. The article critically discusses different sociological frameworks and shows the significance of the study for the growing literature on understanding the meaning of risk in childhood.
Autism and social movements: French parents’ associations and international autistic individuals’ organisations
Authors: Chamak Brigitte 
Published: January 2009

AbstractThe aim of this empirical investigation is to analyse the social movements brought about by autism‐related issues. It is suggested that both the autism‐category changes in the late 1980s, and the development of educational and behavioural methods in the United States, have given rise to a large‐scale mobilisation around the changes in the definition of autism and interventions in many countries. The present paper highlights the historical dynamics of the mobilisation of French parents’ associations and the engagement of autistic persons’ organisations. The role of the French parents’ associations has been studied over the last 40 years to show how they have contributed to shaping public policy in France and how they have favoured the American model of autism despite the French professionals’ resistance. At the international level, the newly‐born associations of autistic individuals have introduced new actors who sometimes reproach the parents’ associations for speaking on their behalf. These new associations, such as self‐help groups, have a political identity problem. Their members no longer want to be considered as patients but as individuals with a different cognitive mode of functioning. Their actions can be analysed in the broader context of the disability movement. If the disability movement is considered as the latest generation of social movements, the action of autistic persons can be viewed as the latest generation of the disability movements.