bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Continuity in social cognition from infancy to childhood
Authors: Yamaguchi Mariko , Kuhlmeier Valerie A. , Wynn Karen , VanMarle Kristy 
Published: February 2009

AbstractResearch examining the development of social cognition has largely been divided into two areas: infant perception of intentional agents, and preschoolers’ understanding of others’ mental states and beliefs (theory of mind). Many researchers have suggested that there is continuity in social cognitive development such that the abilities observed in infancy are related to later preschool ability, yet little empirical evidence exists for this claim. Here, we present preliminary evidence that capacities specific to the social domain contribute to performance in social cognition tasks both during infancy and in early childhood. Specifically, looking time patterns in an infant social cognition task correlated with preschool theory of mind; however, no such relationship was found for infants in a nonsocial cognition task.
Thrombolysis in patients with acute ischemic stroke due to arterial extracranial dissection
Authors: Vergouwen M. D. I. , Beentjes P. A. C. A. , Nederkoorn P. J. 
Published: February 2009

Background and purpose:  No data of randomized controlled trials investigating the effect of thrombolysis in patients with ischemic stroke caused by an extracranial dissection are available. Previous case series suggested that thrombolysis in this group of patients is safe and improves outcome, however publication bias may play a role. The purpose of the present study was to describe outcome of consecutive patients with ischemic stroke caused by an extracranial dissection treated with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA), derived from a well‐defined ischemic stroke cohort.Methods:  All consecutive patients with a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or ischemic stroke admitted to the Academic Medical Center Amsterdam between January 1, 2007 and September 1, 2007 were prospectively registered. Cause of TIA/stroke, treatment, and 6‐months outcome were recorded.Results:  During the study period 252 patients were evaluated with TIA or ischemic stroke. Eight patients (3%) had an extracranial dissection. Of the six rtPA treated patients, five had good clinical outcome and one patient died. The two patients who were not treated with rtPA, because of minor stroke, had good clinical outcome 6 months after index event.Discussion:  Treatment with rtPA seems to be safe and feasible in ischemic stroke patients with an extracranial dissection.
Making a living at the interface of legality and illegality: Chinese migrant workers in Israel1
Authors: Minghuan Li 
Published: February 2009

AbstractSince the late 1990s, Israel has become a new destination for Chinese migrant workers. In the view of many studies conducted in Israel, the Chinese migrant workers are often a neglected and almost invisible group. The purpose of this paper is to explore the initiation of this migration trend and its social consequences. The major discussion of this study focuses on how the whole process of migration is carried out at the interface between legality and illegality. Research in the sending area suggests that the urgent need for manual labour in Israel provides possibilities to attract both documented and undocumented migrant workers and therefore turns labour transportation into a profitable business. Although no one agrees that undocumented working activities should continue, all of the factors interact and result in a permissive situation allowing this particular combination of the illegal but licit to persist in transnational labour migration. More than anything else, this micro‐level study attempts to find the true story from the individual voices of local people.
Association between the PD1.3A/G polymorphism of the PDCD1 gene and systemic lupus erythematosus in European populations: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Liu J‐L , Zhang F‐Y , Liang Y‐H , Xiao F‐L , Zhang S‐Q , Cheng Y‐L , Yuan C‐D , Chen Q‐P , Yang S , Zhang X‐J 
Published: February 2009

AbstractBackground  Linkage studies suggest a locus, SLEB2, involved in susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and programmed cell death 1 (PDCD1) gene locates in this region. The association of PDCD1 polymorphism (PD1.3A/G) with SLE has been widely investigated, but there are no unambiguous conclusions.Objective  To assess the combined evidence for the association between PD1.3A/G polymorphism and SLE and to summarize the effect size of the polymorphism associated with susceptibility to SLE.Methods  We surveyed studies on the PD1.3A/G polymorphism and SLE using comprehensive PubMed search up to May 2008. The pooled odds ratio (OR) was calculated using a fixed‐ or a random‐effects model. Heterogeneity was identified by sensitivity analysis and publication bias was examined by funnel plot and Egger's test. We also computed the power for a given number of samples.Results  A total of 20 datasets from eight studies that met our inclusion criteria were included. The studies comprised of a total of 2909 cases and 3995 controls. Stratified meta‐analysis demonstrated a significant association between PD1.3A and SLE among non‐Spanish European descents [OR, 1.290; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.098–1.516; z = 3.10, P = 0.002], while PD1.3G is the risk allele in Spanish populations (OR = 1.414, 95% CI = 1.075–1.862; z = 2.48, P = 0.013). Both results have sufficient power to support these findings. No publication bias presented in the studies analysed.Conclusions  This meta‐analysis demonstrates a significant association between PD1.3A and SLE among non‐Spanish European descents, while a negative association was observed in Spanish population.Conflicts of interestNone declared
Population‐based assessment of Mycoplasma genitalium in Vietnam – low prevalence among married women of reproductive age in a rural area
Authors: Olsen B , Lan PT , Stålsby Lundborg C , Khang TH , Unemo M 
Published: February 2009

AbstractObjective  To analyse the prevalence of Mycoplasma genitalium infection in a population‐based study among married women from a demographic surveillance site in a rural geographical area of Vietnam.Materials and methods  Women, aged 18–49 years, were randomly selected to participate. DNA was isolated from endocervical swabs sampled from 990 participating women. The M. genitalium MgPa adhesion gene was detected using a real‐time polymerase chain reaction with TaqMan probe.Results  Eight (0.8%; 95% confidence interval, 0.25–1.35%) of the included women were infected with M. genitalium. Two of these positive women reported clinical symptoms. One additional M. genitalium–positive but symptom‐free woman, however, showed clinical signs of vaginitis. None of the M. genitalium–positive women was concomitantly infected with Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, syphilis or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Furthermore, there was no obvious association between M. genitalium infection and vaginal douching, use of intrauterine device, or occurrence of bacterial vaginosis, candidiasis, or Trichomonas vaginalis.Conclusions  The prevalence of M. genitalium among married women in Vietnam was relatively low. However, more large, well‐designed and appropriately performed studies in other population groups including unmarried women and men, and in other geographical areas, rural as well as urban, are crucial in order to extract any evidence‐based conclusions regarding the overall prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including M. genitalium infections, in the Vietnamese society. The present study compiled with such future studies may form the basis for a national sexual health strategy for prevention, diagnosis, and surveillance of STIs, including M. genitalium infections, in Vietnam.Conflicts of interestNone declared.
Plasminogen activator activity is inhibited while neuroserpin is up‐regulated in the Alzheimer disease brain
Authors: Fabbro Shay , Seeds Nicholas W. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractAmyloid‐beta plaques are a pathological hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. Several proteases are known to cleave/remove amyloid‐beta, including plasmin, the product of tissue plasminogen activator cleavage of the pro‐enzyme plasminogen. Although plasmin levels are lower in Alzheimer brain, there has been little analysis of the plasminogen activator/plasmin system in the brains of Alzheimer patients. In this study, zymography, immunocapture, and ELISAs were utilized to show that tissue plasminogen activator activity in frontal cortex tissue of Alzheimer patients is dramatically reduced compared with age‐matched controls, while tissue plasminogen activator and plasminogen protein levels are unchanged; suggesting that plasminogen activator activity is inhibited in the Alzheimer brain. Analysis of endogenous plasminogen activator inhibitors shows that while plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 and protease nexin‐1 levels are unchanged, the neuroserpin levels are significantly elevated in brains of Alzheimer patients. Furthermore, elevated amounts of tissue plasminogen activator‐neuroserpin complexes are seen in the Alzheimer brain, and immunohistochemical studies demonstrate that both tissue plasminogen activator and neuroserpin are associated with amyloid‐beta plaques in Alzheimer brain tissue. Thus, neuroserpin inhibition of tissue plasminogen activator activity leads to reduced plasmin and may be responsible for reduced clearance of amyloid‐beta in the Alzheimer disease brain. Furthermore, decreased tissue plasminogen activator activity in the Alzheimer brain may directly influence synaptic activity and impair cognitive function.
Accounting Conservatism and the Efficiency of Debt Contracts
Authors: GIGLER FRANK , KANODIA CHANDRA , SAPRA HARESH , VENUGOPALAN RAGHU 
Published: February 2009

ABSTRACTIn this paper we examine how accounting conservatism affects the efficiency of debt contracting. We develop the statistical and informational properties of accounting reports under varying degrees of conditional and unconditional accounting conservatism, consistent with Basu's [1997] description of differential verifiability standards. Optimal debt covenants and interest rates on debt are derived from a natural tension between debt holders and equity claimants. We show how optimal covenants vary with the degree of conservatism and derive an efficiency metric that depends on the degree of conservatism. We find that accounting conservatism actually decreases the efficiency of debt contracts, contrary to the suggestions of Watts [2003] and contrary to the hypothesis in numerous empirical studies.
Modelling of α1‐adrenoceptor‐mediated temporal dynamics of inotropic response in rat heart to assess ligand binding and signal transduction parameters
Authors: Sermsappasuk P , Weiss M 
Published: February 2009

Background and purpose: In order to use the transient response to an antagonist (prazosin) to evaluate properties of agonist interactions with the α1‐adrenoceptor system, an integrative mechanistic model of cardiac uptake of prazosin and its competitive interaction with phenylephrine at the receptor site was developed. Based on the operational model of agonism, the aim was to evaluate both the receptor binding and signal transduction process as determinants of the inotropic effect of phenylephrine.Experimental approach: In Langendorff‐perfused rat hearts, prazosin outflow concentration and left ventricular developed pressure were measured, first in the presence of 12.3 µmol·L−1phenylephrine following a 1 min infusion of 1.27 nmol [3H]‐prazosin, and second, when after 30 min the phenylephrine concentration in perfusate was reduced to 6.1 µmol·L−1, the 1 min infusion of 1.27 nmol [3H]‐prazosin was repeated.Key results: The kinetic model accounted for cardiac uptake and receptor binding kinetics of prazosin (dissociation constant, mean ± SD: 0.057 ± 0.012 nmol·L−1), assuming that the competitive displacement of phenylephrine (dissociation constant: 101 ± 13 nmol·L−1) reduced the receptor occupation by the agonist and, consequently, contractility. This competitive binding process appeared to be the rate‐determining step in response generation. The relationship between receptor occupancy and inotropic response was described by an efficacy parameter (τ, ratio of receptor density and coupling efficiency) of 4.9.Conclusions and implications: Mechanistic pharmacodynamic modelling of the kinetics of antagonism by prazosin allows quantitative assessment of the α1‐adrenoceptor system both at the receptor and post‐receptor levels.
In vitroinduction of T cells that are resistant to A2adenosine receptor‐mediated immunosuppression
Authors: Ohta Akio , Kjaergaard J , Sharma S , Mohsin M , Goel N , Madasu M , Fradkov E , Ohta Akiko , Sitkovsky M 
Published: February 2009

Background and purpose: The increased levels of extracellular adenosine in inflamed tissues down‐regulate activated immune cells via the A2Aadenosine receptor. This A2Aadenosine receptor‐mediated immunosuppression is a disqualifying obstacle in cancer immunotherapy as it protects cancerous tissues from adoptively transferred anti‐tumour T cells. The aim of this study was to test whether the negative selection of T cells will produce T cells that are resistant to inhibition by extracellular adenosine.Experimental approach: Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) were developed by mixed lymphocyte culture in the presence or absence of the adenosine receptor agonist 5′‐N‐ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA). The sensitivity of CTL to adenosine analogues was characterized by cAMP induction, interferon‐γ production and cytotoxicity.Key results: CTL that could proliferate even in the presence of NECA were less susceptible to inhibition by A2Aadenosine receptor agonists, as shown by a much smaller accumulation of cAMP and less inhibition of interferon‐γ production compared with control CTL. The successful protocol to produce CTL that are both resistant to adenosine‐mediated immunosuppression and maintain strong cytotoxicity and interferon‐γ secretion required NECA to be added only during the expansion stage after the establishment of CTL. In contrast, the priming of resting T cells in the presence of NECA resulted in T cells with impaired effector functions.Conclusions and implications: Adenosine‐resistant effector T cells were successfully obtained by exposure of activated T cells to NECA. Thesein vitrostudies form the basis for future attempts to produce anti‐tumour T cells that are more effective in adoptive immunotherapy.
The dual PPARα/γ agonist tesaglitazar blocks progression of pre‐existing atherosclerosis in APOE*3Leiden.CETP transgenic mice
Authors: Van Der Hoorn JWA , Jukema JW , Havekes LM , Lundholm E , Camejo G , Rensen PCN , Princen HMG 
Published: February 2009

Background and purpose:  We have evaluated the effects of a peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor (PPAR)α/γ agonist on the progression of pre‐existing atherosclerotic lesions in APOE*3Leiden.cholesteryl ester transfer protein (E3L.CETP) transgenic mice.Experimental approach:  E3L.CETP mice were fed a high‐cholesterol diet for 11 weeks to induce atherosclerosis, followed by a low‐cholesterol diet for 4 weeks to obtain a lower plasma total cholesterol level of ∼10 mmol·L−1. Mice were divided into three groups, which were either killed before (baseline) or after an 8 week treatment period with low‐cholesterol diet without (control) or with the PPARα/γ agonist tesaglitazar (10 µg·kg−1·day−1). Atherosclerosis was assessed in the aortic root.Key results:  Treatment with tesaglitazar significantly reduced plasma triglycerides, total cholesterol, CETP mass and CETP activity, and increased high‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol. At baseline, substantial atherosclerosis had developed. During the 8 week low‐cholesterol diet, atherosclerosis progressed in the control group with respect to lesion area and severity, whereas tesaglitazar inhibited lesion progression during this period. Tesaglitazar reduced vessel wall inflammation, as reflected by decreased monocyte adhesion and macrophage area, and modified lesions to a more stabilized phenotype, with increased smooth muscle cell content in the cap and collagen content.Conclusions and implications:  Dual PPARα/γ agonism with tesaglitazar markedly improved the atherogenic triad by reducing triglycerides and very low‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol and increasing high‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol and additionally reduced cholesterol‐induced vessel wall activation. These actions resulted in complete inhibition of progression and stabilization of pre‐existing atherosclerotic lesions in E3L.CETP mice.
Radiation therapy for canine appendicular osteosarcoma
Authors: Coomer A. , Farese J. , Milner R. , Liptak J. , Bacon N. , Lurie D. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractRadiation therapy (RT) for the management of canine appendicular osteosarcoma (OSA) can be described as either palliative‐ or curative intent. Palliative RT uses coarsely fractionated external beam RT or radiopharmaceuticals to provide relief of pain and lameness associated with OSA while resulting in minimal, if any, radiation‐induced acute adverse effects. Limb amputation and chemotherapy are considered (together) the standard of care for curative‐intent treatment of canine appendicular OSA. When limb amputation is not possible, RT can be used for limb sparing and is supplemented with chemotherapy for presumed micrometastatic disease. Fractionated tumour irradiation with curative intent appears to be ineffective and local disease control can more likely be achieved when stereotactic radiosurgery or intra‐operative extracorporeal irradiation is combined with strict case selection and adjunctive chemotherapy. The availability of limb‐sparing RT is limited by experience and availability of specialised equipment. When planned and administered appropriately, radiation‐associated adverse effects are often mild and self‐limiting.
Pregabalin add‐on therapy using a flexible, optimized dose schedule in refractory partial epilepsies: A double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled, multicenter trial
Authors: Lee Byung In , Yi Sangdoe , Hong Seung Bong , Kim Myeong‐Kyu , Lee Sang Ahm , Lee Sang Kun , Shin Dong‐Jin , Kim Jae Moon , Song Hong Ki , Heo Kyoung , Lowe Wing , Leon Teresa 
Published: February 2009

SummaryPurpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of pregabalin (PGB) as adjunctive therapy, using a flexible‐dosing schedule in Korean patients with refractory partial‐onset seizures.Methods: This randomized, double‐blind (DB), placebo‐controlled trial consists of a 6‐week baseline, a 12‐week DB treatment, and a 1‐week taper phase. Patients having recurrent partial seizures (≥4 seizures during baseline phase) under adequate pharmacotherapy were recruited to be randomized to PGB or placebo (PLC) in a 2 to 1 ratio. Starting dose was 150 mg/day, increased every 2 weeks by 150‐mg/day increments up to maximum dose of 600 mg/day. The primary efficacy parameter was response ratio (RRatio) for all partial seizures.Results: A total of 178 patients (119 in PGB, 59 in PLC) were assigned to the study. Median daily doses of PGB and PLC were 367 and 420 mg/day, respectively. RRatio least squares (LS) mean was −35.8 in the PGB group and −23.2 in the PLC group, with estimated difference in RRatios being −12.6 [95% confidence interval (CI): −22.7 to −2.5, p = 0.015] in the intent‐to‐treat (ITT) population. Analysis of secondary efficacy measures showed a general trend favoring PGB over PLC. Seventy‐seven patients (64.7%) in the PGB group and 18 patients (30.5%) in the PLC group developed adverse events (AEs) related to the study drug. Seven patients (5.9%) in the PGB group discontinued the study prematurely because of AEs. In the post hoc analysis, a significant weight gain (≥7% of baseline body weight) was found in 24.8% of patients taking PGB, which was more frequent in patients with a lower body mass index (BMI ≤20).Discussion: PGB was effective and easily tolerable as add‐on treatment in an Asian population with refractory partial‐onset seizures.
Clinical, neuropsychological, neurophysiologic, and genetic features of a new Italian pedigree with familial cortical myoclonic tremor with epilepsy
Authors: Suppa Antonio , Berardelli Alfredo , Brancati Francesco , Marianetti Massimo , Barrano Giuseppe , Mina Concetta , Pizzuti Antonio , Sideri Giulio 
Published: February 2009

SummaryWe studied the clinical, neuropsychological, neurophysiologic, and genetic features of an Italian family with familial cortical myoclonic tremor with epilepsy (FCMTE). Clinically affected members of the family had limb and voice tremor, seizures, and myoclonus involving the eyelids during blinking. Neuropsychological testing disclosed visuospatial impairment, possibly due to temporal lobe dysfunction. Neurophysiologic findings suggested increased primary motor cortex excitability with normal sensorimotor integration. Linkage analysis excluded the 8q24 locus, where patients shared a common haplotype spanning 14.5 Mb in the pericentromeric region of chromosome 2.
Induction of complete wound healing in recalcitrant ulcers by low‐intensity laser irradiation depends on ulcer cause and size
Authors: Schindl M. , Kerschan K. , Schindl A. , Schön H. , Heinzl H. , Schindl L. 
Published: February 2009

Chronic skin ulcers still represent a therapeutic challenge in dermatology. Among the various non‐invasive treatment modalities used for the improvement of impaired wound healing, low‐intensity laser irradiations are gaining an increasing body of interest. We used low‐intensity laser irradiations delivered by a 30 mW helium‐neon laser at an energy density of 30 J/cm2 three times weekly for the induction of wound healing in ulcers of diverse causes. Twenty patients with the same number of ulcers, which had previously been treated by conventional wound care for a median period of 34 weeks (range: 3–120 weeks) without any significant evidence of healing, were included in the study. Concerning the underlying disorders, patients were divided into four groups: diabetes, arterial insufficiency, radio damage and autoimmune vasculitis. In all ulcers, complete epithelization could be induced by laser therapy. No amputation or any other surgical intervention was necessary and no adverse effects of any kind were noted during low‐intensity laser treatment. Regarding the different diagnoses, a statistically significant difference was noted (P=0.008): ulcers due to radio damage healed significantly faster than those caused by diabetes (6 weeks [range: 3–10 weeks] vs. 16 weeks [range: 9–45 weeks], P=0.005). Wound healing in autoimmune vasculitis (24 weeks [range: 20–35 weeks]) required longer than in radiodermitis, although the difference was not significant.In addition to the diagnosis, wound size was found to be an important factor influencing the duration of wound closure (P=0.028), whereas duration of previous conventional treatment (P=0.24) and depth (P=0.14) showed no effect. Our results indicate that low‐intensity laser irradiation could be a valuable non‐invasive tool for the induction of wound healing in recalcitrant ulcers, and that healing time is correlated with the ulcer cause and size.
The covering factor of high-redshift damped Lyman-α systems
Authors: Kanekar N. , Lane W. M. , Momjian E. , Briggs F. H. , Chengalur J. N. 
Published: February 2009

Abstract
We have used the Very Long Baseline Array to image 18 quasars with foreground damped Lyman-α systems (DLAs) at 327, 610 or 1420 MHz, to measure the covering factor f of each DLA at or near its redshifted H i 21 cm line frequency. Including six systems from the literature, we find that none of 24 DLAs at 0.09 &lt; z &lt; 3.45 has an exceptionally low covering factor, with f∼ 0.45–1 for the 14 DLAs at z &gt; 1.5 and f∼ 0.41–1 for the 10 systems at z &lt; 1, and consistent covering factor distributions in the two subsamples. The observed paucity of detections of H i 21 cm absorption in high-z DLAs thus cannot be explained by low covering factors and is instead likely to arise due to a larger fraction of warm H i in these absorbers.