bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An IRBIT homologue lacks binding activity to inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate receptor due to the unique N‐terminal appendage
Authors: Ando Hideaki , Mizutani Akihiro , Mikoshiba Katsuhiko 
Published: February 2009

AbstractIRBIT is an inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate (IP3) receptor (IP3R)‐binding protein that inhibits the activation of IP3R by competing with IP3 for the common binding site on IP3R. In this study, we characterize an IRBIT homologue, termed Long‐IRBIT. Long‐IRBIT is highly homologous to IRBIT (∼88%) and heteromerizes with IRBIT. In spite of complete conservation of critical amino acids required for the interaction with IP3R and comparable phosphorylations on critical four Ser residues for IP3R‐binding, Long‐IRBIT retains little ability to interact with IP3R. Deletion mutagenesis analysis revealed that this low affinity to IP3R is attributable to an inhibitory effect of the Long‐IRBIT specific N‐terminal appendage (LISN domain). Immunohistochemical analysis revealed the distinct distribution of Long‐IRBIT and IRBIT in mouse cerebellar cortex, that is, Long‐IRBIT is mainly expressed in interneurons such as basket cells, while IRBIT is mainly expressed in glial cells. Furthermore, Long‐IRBIT, but not IRBIT, underwent phosphorylation during neuronal differentiation in neuroblastoma cells and this phosphorylation was dependent on the LISN domain. These results suggest that Long‐IRBIT has a different function from IRBIT.
The transferability of distribution models across regions: an amphibian case study
Authors: Zanini Flavio , Pellet Jérôme , Schmidt Benedikt R. 
Published: February 2009

ABSTRACTAim Predicting species distribution is of fundamental importance for ecology and conservation. However, distribution models are usually established for only one region and it is unknown whether they can be transferred to other geographical regions. We studied the distribution of six amphibian species in five regions to address the question of whether the effect of landscape variables varied among regions. We analysed the effect of 10 variables extracted in six concentric buffers (from 100 m to 3 km) describing landscape composition around breeding ponds at different spatial scales. We used data on the occurrence of amphibian species in a total of 655 breeding ponds. We accounted for proximity to neighbouring populations by including a connectivity index to our models. We used logistic regression and information‐theoretic model selection to evaluate candidate models for each species.Location Switzerland.Results The explained deviance of each species’ best models varied between 5% and 32%. Models that included interactions between a region and a landscape variable were always included in the most parsimonious models. For all species, models including region‐by‐landscape interactions had similar support (Akaike weights) as models that did not include interaction terms. The spatial scale at which landscape variables affected species distribution varied from 100 m to 1000 m, which was in agreement with several recent studies suggesting that land use far away from the ponds can affect pond occupancy.Main conclusions Different species are affected by different landscape variables at different spatial scales and these effects may vary geographically, resulting in a generally low transferability of distribution models across regions. We also found that connectivity seems generally more important than landscape variables. This suggests that metapopulation processes may play a more important role in species distribution than habitat characteristics.
Perturbation‐resilient block‐iterative projection methods with application to image reconstruction from projections
Authors: Davidi R. , Herman G.T. , Censor Y. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractA block‐iterative projection algorithm for solving the consistent convex feasibility problem in a finite‐dimensional Euclidean space that is resilient to bounded and summable perturbations (in the sense that convergence to a feasible point is retained even if such perturbations are introduced in each iterative step of the algorithm) is proposed. This resilience can be used to steer the iterative process towards a feasible point that is superior in the sense of some functional on the points in the Euclidean space having a small value. The potential usefulness of this is illustrated in image reconstruction from projections, using both total variation and negative entropy as the functional.
Unintended Consequences of Granting Small Firms Exemptions from Securities Regulation: Evidence from the Sarbanes‐Oxley Act
Authors: GAO FENG , WU JOANNA SHUANG , ZIMMERMAN JEROLD 
Published: February 2009

ABSTRACTThis paper provides evidence about the unintended consequences arising when small companies are exempted from costly regulations—these firms have incentives to stay small. Between 2003 and 2008, the SEC postponed compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes‐Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX) for “non‐accelerated filers” (firms with public float less than $75 million). We hypothesize and find that some of these firms had an incentive to remain below this bright line threshold. Moreover, we document that these firms remained small by undertaking less investment, making more cash payouts to shareholders, reducing the number of shares held by non‐affiliates, making more bad news disclosures, and reporting lower earnings than control firms. Finally, there is no evidence that firms remaining small are doing so to maintain insiders' private control benefits. These findings have implications beyond SOX because numerous federal and state regulations exempt small firms via bright line size thresholds.
A Lobbying Approach to Evaluating the Sarbanes‐Oxley Act of 2002
Authors: HOCHBERG YAEL V. , SAPIENZA PAOLA , VISSING‐JØRGENSEN ANNETTE 
Published: February 2009

ABSTRACTWe evaluate the impact of the Sarbanes‐Oxley Act (SOX) on shareholders by studying the lobbying behavior of investors and corporate insiders in order to affect the final implemented rules under SOX. Investors lobbied overwhelmingly in favor of strict implementation of SOX, while corporate insiders and business groups lobbied against strict implementation. We identify firms most affected by the law as those whose insiders lobbied against strict implementation. Such firms appear to be characterized by agency problems, rather than motivated by concerns over compliance costs. Cumulative stock returns during the five and a half months leading up to SOX passage were approximately 7% higher for corporations whose insiders lobbied against SOX disclosure‐related provisions than for similar non‐lobbying firms, consistent with an expectation that SOX would reduce agency problems. Analysis of returns in the post‐passage implementation period suggests that investors' positive expectations with regards to the effects of these provisions were warranted.
Financial Globalization, Governance, and the Evolution of the Home Bias
Authors: KHO BONG‐CHAN , STULZ RENÉ M. , WARNOCK FRANCIS E. 
Published: February 2009

ABSTRACTWe merge portfolio theories of home bias with corporate finance theories of insider ownership to create the optimal corporate ownership theory of the home bias. The theory has two components: (1) foreign portfolio investors exhibit a large home bias against countries with poor governance because their investment is limited by high optimal ownership by insiders (the “direct effect” of poor governance) and domestic monitoring shareholders (the “indirect effect”) in response to the governance and (2) foreign direct investors from “good governance” countries have a comparative advantage as insider monitors in “poor governance” countries, so that the relative importance of foreign direct investment is negatively related to the quality of governance. Using both country‐level data on U.S. investors' foreign investment allocations and Korean firm‐level data, we find empirical evidence supporting our optimal corporate ownership theory of the home bias.
Migrainous Vertigo: Results of Caloric Testing and Stabilometric Findings
Authors: Teggi Roberto , Colombo Bruno , Bernasconi Luca , Bellini Chiara , Comi Giancarlo , Bussi Mario 
Published: February 2009

Background.— Association between migraine and vertigo has been widely studied during the last years. A central or peripheral vestibular damage may occur in patients with migrainous vertigo. Despite much evidence, at present the International Headache Society classification does not include a specific category for migrainous vertigo.Objectives.— To assess the prevalence of central and peripheral vestibular disorders and postural abnormalities in patients diagnosed as affected by definite migrainous vertigo according to Neuhauser.Methods.— Thirty patients with migraine and acute vertigo lasting from minutes to hours underwent a full otoneurological screening for spontaneous, positional, and positioning nystagmus with head‐shaking and head‐thrust (Halmagyi) tests, an audiometric examination, and videonystagmography with bithermal stimulation according to Freyss. Videonystagmographic findings were compared with those of 15 migraineurs without lifetime vertigo (group M). Next day, a static posturography was performed; posturographic results have been compared with those of a second control group of 30 healthy patients matched for age and sex (group C).Results.— In total, 14 subjects with migrainous vertigo showed otovestibular disorders; 6 subjects showed impaired vestibulo‐oculomotor reflexes (20%). Five more patients had bilateral increased responses (16.6%). Five patients showed signs of central brainstem or cerebellar disorders for altered pursuit or saccades or positional direction changing nystagmus. Stabilometric results returned higher values of Length and Surface above all when testing was performed in eyes closed conditions compared with the normal control group. The subgroup of 14 subjects with migrainous vertigo and vestibular abnormalities performed poorly in stabilometric exams and seemed to rely more on visual cues in balance control than the subgroup of 16 subjects with migrainous vertigo but without abnormalities.Discussion.— Our results indicate that vestibular functional damage may occur in all vestibular pathways; central and peripheral signs are equally represented. Our data are not inconsistent with the hypothesis that a vestibulo‐spinal dysfunction is the causal factor for the posturographic results. Moreover, the Visual Romberg Index is significant for increased visual cue dependence in migraineurs.
Serotonin Depletion Increases Nociception‐Evoked Trigeminal NMDA Receptor Phosphorylation
Authors: Maneepak Montree , Le Grand Supang , Srikiatkhachorn Anan 
Published: February 2009

Objective.— To investigate the effect of serotonin depletion on phosphorylation and expression of NR1 subunit of N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor in trigeminal nucleus caudalis (TNC), and on trigeminal nociception evoked by dural inflammation.Background.— Migraine is associated with low serotonin condition and an increased neuronal excitability. NMDA receptor is implicated in central plasticity change that leads to neural sensitization. Alteration in NMDA receptor phosphorylation or expression in TNC may be responsible for increased trigeminal nociception in serotonin‐depleted state.Methods.— Adult male Wistar rats were separated into normal and low serotonin groups. Serotonin was depleted by intraperitoneal injection with para‐chlorophenylalanine 3 days before the experiment. Trigeminal nociception was induced by applying inflammatory soup on exposed dura. Two hours after induction, phosphorylated NR1, NR1, and Fos expressions were studied in TNC by immunohistochemistry.Results.— Dural application of inflammatory soup led to the activation of trigeminal nociceptive system as well as the phosphorylation of NR1, which were further enhanced in the low serotonin condition. There was a strong relationship between NR1 phosphorylation and trigeminal nociception. However, neither meningeal inflammation nor serotonin depletion altered NR1 expression.Conclusions.— Low serotonin condition facilitates dural inflammation‐induced NR1 phosphorylation and trigeminal nociception. It is suggested that the mechanism of nociceptive facilitation in serotonin‐depleted state may involve the increase in NR1 phosphorylation rather than the upregulation of NR1 subunit of NMDA receptor.
The mitochondrial death pathway: a promising therapeutic target in diseases
Authors: Gupta Sanjeev , Kass George E.N. , Szegezdi Eva , Joseph Bertrand 
Published: February 2009

Introduction
Mitochondria and cell death
Mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP): point of no return
Mitochondrial IMS: poison cabinet
Mitochondrial pathway of cell death and disease pathogenesis
Therapeutic strategies that promote MOMP and cell death
Therapeutic strategies that inhibit MOMP and cell death
Conclusion and future directions

AbstractThe mitochondrial pathway to apoptosis is a major pathway of physiological cell death in vertebrates. The mitochondrial cell death pathway commences when apoptogenic molecules present between the outer and inner mitochondrial membranes are released into the cytosol by mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP). BCL‐2 family members are the sentinels of MOMP in the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway; the pro‐apoptotic B cell lymphoma (BCL)‐2 proteins, BCL‐2 associated x protein and BCL‐2 antagonist killer 1 induce MOMP whereas the anti‐apoptotic BCL‐2 proteins, BCL‐2, BCL‐xl and myeloid cell leukaemia 1 prevent MOMP from occurring. The release of pro‐apoptotic factors such as cytochrome c from mitochondria leads to formation of a multimeric complex known as the apoptosome and initiates caspase activation cascades. These pathways are important for normal cellular homeostasis and play key roles in the pathogenesis of many diseases. In this review, we will provide a brief overview of the mitochondrial death pathway and focus on a selection of diseases whose pathogenesis involves the mitochondrial death pathway and we will examine the various pharmacological approaches that target this pathway.
Early healing of implants placed into fresh extraction sockets: an experimental study in the beagle dog. De novo bone formation
Authors: Vignoletti Fabio , Johansson Carina , Albrektsson Tomas , De Sanctis Massimo , San Roman Fidel , Sanz Mariano 
Published: February 2009

AbstractObjectives: Describe the early phases of tissue integration in implants placed into fresh extraction sockets and test whether a new implant surface nano‐topography (DCD nano‐particles, Nanotite™) promotes early osseointegration when compared with minimally rough surface implants (DAE, Osseotite®).Material and Methods: Sixteen beagle dogs received 64 test and control implants randomly installed into the distal socket of 3P3 and 4P4. Histomorphometric analysis of bone to implant contact (BIC) and bone area was performed at 4 h, 1, 2, 4 and 8 weeks.Results: Wound healing initiated with a coagulum that was substituted by a provisional matrix at 1 week. Bone formation started concomitant to a marked bone resorption. At 2 weeks, woven bone formation was evident and gradually remodelled into lamellar bone at 4 and 8 weeks. BIC increased similarly throughout the study in both groups with a tendency to higher percentages for the test devices at 2 and 4 weeks. The influence of the DCD nano‐particles was more evident at the fourth premolar site.Conclusion: Osseointegration occurred similarly at both implant groups, although the socket dimension appeared to influence bone healing. It is suggested that the enhanced nano‐topography has a limited effect in the immediate implant surgical protocol.
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors in a baboon, a spider monkey, and a chimpanzee and a review of the literature
Authors: Bommineni Y.R. , Dick, Jr E.J. , Hubbard G.B. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractBackground  Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are believed to originate from the intestinal pacemaker cells (interstitial cells of Cajal) or their progenitor cells. Spontaneous tumors have been reported in dogs, horses, rhesus, and a chimpanzee and they have been produced experimentally in mice and rats. GISTs represent a diagnostic challenge because they cannot be differentiated from non‐lymphoid mesenchymal tumors without using human c‐kit (CD117) immunohistochemistry.Methods  Three neoplasms were incidental findings at necropsy in the stomachs of a baboon and a spider monkey and in the rectum of a chimpanzee.Results  The GISTs were initially diagnosed grossly and histologically with hematoxylin and eosin as leiomyomas. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that all three were c‐kit (CD117) positive.Conclusions  These are the first reports of GISTs in the baboon and spider monkey and the second in a chimpanzee. The occurrence of GISTs in non‐human primates may provide a unique opportunity to study these tumors.
The presence of Merkel cells and CD10‐ and CD34‐positive stromal cells compared in benign and malignant oral tumors
Authors: Gao HW , Ho JY , Lee HS , Yu CP 
Published: February 2009

Background:  To describe sequential changes in Merkel cells (MC), and CD10+ and CD34+ stromal cells (SC) during the transition from benign to malignant oral lesions and correlate with clinicopathologic parameters.Materials and methods:  Changes in cytokeratin 20‐positive (CK20+) Merkel cells, CD10+ and CD34+ SC were immunohistochemically examined in specimens of 28 oral verrucous carcinomas (VC), 32 squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) and 36 benign squamous lesions (BSL). Immunoreactivity and localized inflammation were measured quantitatively and/or semiquantitatively, and between‐group results were statistically compared.Results:  The mean number of CD34+ SC was significantly lower in VC (57.36) and SCC (33.81) than BSL (351.56, P < 0.001). However, the three tumor types had similar staining level and number of CD10+ SC. We found a significant difference in the density of MC between BSL and VC (P < 0.001) or SCC (P < 0.001). The number of CK20+ MC was significantly lower in highly inflamed specimens than mildly inflamed specimens (P = 0.001).Conclusion:  CD34+ SC and to a lesser extent MC, but not CD10+ SC, reveal statistically different density during the transition from benign to malignant oral lesions. The correlations between the CD34+ SC expression and squamous lesions may be associated with epithelial dysplasia and/or tumor invasion.
Reliable Estimation of the Proportion of Minor Stroke Due to Intracerebral Haemorrhage
Authors: Lovelock C. E. , Redgrave J. N. , Briley D. , Rothwell P. M. 
Published: February 2009

Background A previous hospital clinic-based study estimated that 3·5% of minor strokes are due to primary intracerebral haemorrhage, but the confidence intervals were wide. Moreover this figure may be an underestimate in older patients, who are less likely to be referred to secondary care, and who may have higher rates of intracerebral haemorrhage. Further studies are required to validate and increase the precision of this estimate and to determine any association with age, in order to plan appropriate services for minor stroke. Method We determined the frequency of intracerebral haemorrhage and haemorrhagic transformation of infarction in consecutive patients presenting with minor stroke (National Institute of Health Stroke Scal ≥ 3) in two separate cohorts: a population-based study (Oxford Vascular Study) scanned early with computed tomography, and a hospital-based stroke clinic cohort, scanned with magnetic resonance imaging. We then pooled these data in a meta-analysis with published data from similar studies identified from a systematic literature review. Results In the Oxford Vascular Study, of 334 cases with minor stroke (58% men, median age 75 years), 17 had intracerebral haemorrhage (5·1%, 95% confidence interval 3·2-8·0%) and four had haemorrhagic transformation of infarction (1·2%, 0·5-3·0%). In the hospital-clinic cohort, of 280 patients with minor stroke (59% men, median age 73 years), 15 had intracerebral haemorrhage (5·4%, 3·3-8·7%) and six had haemorrhagic transformation of infarction (2·1%, 1·0-4·6%). There was no trend for an increase in the frequency of intracerebral haemorrhage with age, with the lowest frequency in patients aged ≥85 years (0-3%). We identified only one previous study with a reliable estimate of the proportion of minor stroke due to intracerebral haemorrhage, and in a pooled analysis including 842 patients, the overall frequency of intracerebral haemorrhage was 4·8% (4·5-5·0%). Conclusion We have shown that the proportion of minor stroke due to intracerebral haemorrhage was very similar in a population-based cohort and a hospital clinic-based cohort using different imaging strategies, and that the frequency is independent of age. A frequency of between 4·5 and 5·0% appears to be a reliable estimate at all ages.
Tenuifolin, an extract derived from tenuigenin, inhibits amyloid‐β secretion in vitro
Authors: Lv J. , Jia H. , Jiang Y. , Ruan Y. , Liu Z. , Yue W. , Beyreuther K. , Tu P. , Zhang D. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractAim:  Previous studies have shown that tenuigenin, a crude extract of Polygala tenuifolia Willd. that is commonly used in traditional Chinese herbal medicine for memory loss, can reduce the secretion of Aβ from cultured cells. However, the mechanism underlying this effect and the active compound derived from tenuigenin is unknown. In this study, a purified component of tenuigenin, tenuifolin, was examined and revealed to be an effective compound in vitro.Methods:  Aβ secretion from three sets of COS‐7 cells, each carrying a plasmid expressing a different form of APP was examined following the treatment with tenuifolin. Initially, tenuifolin was determined to have no inherent toxicity to either the transfected or wild type cells at the effective concentrations. Cells were then treated with 0.5–2.0 μg mL−1 tenuifolin for 12 h and their media were examined via an ELISA for Aβ1‐40 and Aβ‐42.Results:  We found that treatment with 2.0 μg mL−1 tenuifolin significantly decreased Aβ secretion from COS‐7 cells without altering the ratio of Aβ1‐40 and Aβ‐42. This effect is most probably due to inhibition of the β‐site APP cleaving enzyme as Aβ secretion was not inhibited from cells expressing the C99 fragment.Conclusion:  Tenuifolin is an effective compound from tenuigenin. We believe that this finding should lead the way for future experiments to determine the exact mechanism for tenuifolin’s effect on Aβ secretion.
Cycling the City: Movement, Meaning and Method
Authors: Spinney Justin 
Published: February 2009

AbstractConceptualisations of movement and mobility within geography are increasingly complicating reductive and sedentarist understandings that have tended to theorise mobility either as meaningless, or as the practical outcome of ‘rational’ decision makers. Until quite recently there has been a sedentarist bias in cultural geographic enquiry that has resulted in negative readings of mobility as insensate, polluting and harmful. Conversely, while transport geography has long explored people's daily mobility, it has used a primarily quantitative toolkit to explore the ‘rational’ reasons why movement occurs. The corollary of this has been an assumption that meaning is derived from points A and B, and an emphasis on explaining travel choice by eliciting linguistic accounts of movement. More recent research has begun to problematise such understandings and in doing so illuminate potential avenues of enquiry. Consequently, this review makes an argument for research into cycling to explore the content of the line between A and B in order to highlight the often fleeting and ephemeral meanings that can contribute significantly to what movement means. An essential part of this project is for research to focus on the ‘immaterial’ embodied and sensory aspects of mobility that have previously been neglected or marginalised. In order to realise these goals, this article also makes a case for broadening out the palette of methods used to study mobility and discusses the use of video as one possible way to provide more nuanced accounts of people's journeys.