bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Five‐year longitudinal effect of radical perineal prostatectomy on health‐related quality of life in Japanese men, using general and disease‐specific measures
Authors: Inoue Shogo , Shiina Hiroaki , Hiraoka Takeo , Wake Koji , Sumura Masahiro , Honda Satoshi , Urakami Shinji , Igawa Mikio , Usui Tsuguru 
Published: March 2009

OBJECTIVETo investigate the longitudinal alteration of health‐related quality of life (HRQL) up to 5 years after radical perineal prostatectomy (RPP) among Japanese patients with localized prostate cancer.PATIENTS AND METHODSIn all, 194 patients who had RPP were included in this longitudinal survey. The validated RAND 36‐Item Health Survey (SF‐36) and the University of California, Los Angeles Prostate Cancer Index (UCLA‐PCI) were used to evaluate the HRQL.RESULTSAmong the UCLA‐PCI urinary domains, urinary function scores decreased at 3 months after RPP, but they increased 6 months after RPP. Likewise, urinary bother showed a transient decrease at 3 months, but had returned to the baseline level 6 months after RPP. Sexual function (SF) was drastically decreased at 3 months after RPP, but had slightly increased 1 year after RPP. Patients who had a nerve‐sparing (NS) RPP showed better SF‐related HRQL than those who did not at 6 months after RPP. This favourable alteration involving SF‐related HRQL was closely associated with the NS procedure, but not with the patient age. Multivariate analysis showed that later recovery of SF was essentially related to the use of NS RPP, while early recovery of sexual bother was closely related to the patient age.CONCLUSIONSOur results confirmed the positive effect of RPP on the long‐term HRQL in Japanese patients. Although NS surgery conferred the benefit of the recovery of SF, older Japanese patients were not greatly concerned about their decreased SF‐related HRQL. The current results provide primary evidence for predicting the alteration of HRQL and understanding the effect of patient age and NS surgery on HRQL after RPP.
Microbiological tined‐lead examination: does prolonged sacral neuromodulation testing induce infection?
Authors: Huwyler Mirjam , Kiss Gustav , Burkhard Fiona C. , Madersbacher Helmut , Kessler Thomas M. 
Published: March 2009

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether prolonged sacral neuromodulation (SNM) testing induces a substantial risk of infection because of the percutaneous passage of the extension wire.PATIENTS AND METHODSA consecutive series of 20 patients with negative prolonged SNM testing for ≥14 days who underwent tined‐lead explantation were prospectively evaluated. The explanted tined leads were sent for microbiological examination. The tined lead, gluteal, and extension wire incision sites were investigated for clinical signs of infection according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention classification system.RESULTSIn all, 17 patients had bilateral and three unilateral implanted tined leads. The median (range) test period was 30 (21–62 days). Bacterial growth (Staphylococcus species) was detected in four of 20 (20%) patients on seven of 37 (19%) explanted tined leads. There were clinical signs of infection in one of 20 (5%) patients at none of 37 tined lead, one of 20 (5%) gluteal, and none of 20 extension wire incision sites. There were no clinical signs of infection in the remaining three of four patients with bacterial growth.CONCLUSIONSAfter prolonged tined‐lead testing, we found an infection rate comparable to that reported with the usual short test period. In addition, most patients with bacterial growth on tined leads showed no clinical signs of infection. Thus, prolonged tined‐lead testing does not seem to induce clinically relevant infection, warranting randomized trials.
The 7‐year outcome of the tension‐free vaginal tape procedure for treating female stress urinary incontinence
Authors: Song Phil Hyun , Kim Young Don , Kim Hyun Tae , Lim Hwa Su , Hyun Chang Ho , Seo Joon Hyung , Yoo Eun Sang , Park Choal Hee , Jung Hee Chang 
Published: March 2009

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the long‐term results and predictive risk factors for efficacy after the tension‐free vaginal tape (TVT) procedure for treating female stress urinary incontinence (SUI).PATIENTS AND METHODSInall, 306 women (mean age 50.7 years, sd 8.7) who had a TVT procedure for SUI were selected and followed ≥7 years (mean 92.3 months, range 84–110) after surgery. We analysed the long‐term results, the variables predictive of cure rates, and patient satisfaction.RESULTSThe overall 7‐year cure rate was 84.6%, with a satisfaction rate of 69.3%. The cure rates were lower in patients with high‐grade SUI (50% in grade III, 82.8% in grade II and 90.7% in grade I; P < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, there were no independent risk factors related to cure rate, and urgency was the only factor independently associated with patient satisfaction (P = 0.008; odds ratio 2.47). Seventy‐one patients (23.2%) had complications at the 1‐month follow‐up after surgery, but only eight (2.6%) had complications at the 7‐year follow‐up, including mesh exposure in six and de novo urgency in two.CONCLUSIONThe absence of long‐term adverse events associated with the TVT procedure, and high subjective and objective 7‐year success rates with no independent predictive factors affecting the long‐term cure rate, make the TVT procedure a recommendable surgical treatment for female SUI.
Political Market Power Reflected in Milk Pricing Regulations
Authors: Ahn Byeong‐Il , Sumner Daniel A. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractWe investigate revealed political market power reflected in the pattern of price discrimination by end use that is the hallmark of U.S. milk marketing orders. We show that the pattern of prices that would maximize producer profits, if producers operated a cartel with monopoly power in a regional market, is far above actual government‐set price differentials between milk used for fluid products and that used for manufactured products. The pattern of actual price differentials is consistent with political welfare weights for producers relative to consumers that are small compared to the weights that would yield maximum producer profits.
Aid, Volatility, and Growth Again: When Aid Volatility Matters and When it Does Not
Authors: Chauvet Lisa , Guillaumont Patrick 
Published: March 2009

AbstractIn previous papers the authors have argued that aid is likely to mitigate the negative effects of external shocks on economic growth (i.e. that aid is more effective in countries which are more vulnerable to external shocks). Recently an important debate has emerged about the possible negative effects of aid volatility itself. However, the cushioning effect of aid may involve some volatility in aid flows, which then is not necessarily negative for growth. In this paper the authors examine to what extent the time profile of aid disbursements may contribute to an increase or a decrease of aid effectiveness. They first show that aid, even if volatile, is not clearly as pro‐cyclical as is often argued, and, even if pro‐cyclical, is not necessarily destabilizing. They measure aid volatility by several methods and assess pro‐cyclicality of aid with respect to exports, thus departing from previous literature, which usually assess pro‐cyclicality of aid with respect to national income or fiscal receipts. The stabilizing/destabilizing nature of aid is measured by the difference in the volatility of exports and the volatility of the aid plus export flows. Then, in order to take into account the diversity of shocks to which aid can respond, they consider the effect of aid on income volatility and again find that aid is making growth more stable, while its volatility reduces this effect. They finally show through growth regressions that the higher effectiveness of aid in vulnerable countries is to a large extent due to its stabilizing effect.
Infrastructure Investment and Maintenance Expenditure: Optimal Allocation Rules in a Growing Economy
Authors: AGÉNOR PIERRE‐RICHARD 
Published: March 2009

AbstractThis paper studies the allocation of public expenditure between infrastructure investment and maintenance in an endogenous growth framework. In the basic model, maintenance spending affects both the durability and efficiency of public capital. The balanced growth path is derived and transitional dynamics associated with a revenue‐neutral increase in expenditure on maintenance are analyzed. The model is then extended to account for the possibility that public spending on maintenance affects also the durability of private capital. The growth‐maximizing tax rate and share of infrastructure investment are calculated in both cases. First‐ and second‐best welfare‐maximizing solutions are also discussed.
Spoor density as a measure of true density of a known population of free‐ranging wild cheetah in Botswana
Authors: Houser A. M. , Somers M. J. , Boast L. K. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractKnowledge of the abundance of animal populations is essential for their management and conservation. Determining reliable measures of abundance is, however, difficult, especially with wide‐ranging species such as cheetah Acinonyx jubatus. This study generated a correction factor to calculate true cheetah density from spoor survey data and subsequently tested its accuracy using the following season's data. Data were collected from October 2005 to December 2006 on a known population of wild, free‐ranging cheetah in the Jwana Game Reserve, Botswana. The cheetahs in the area were captured, tagged and photographed. The reserve was divided into twelve 9 km transects covering all vegetation types and prey densities. The total sampling distance was 8226 km, with a spoor density of 2.32 individual cheetah spoor per 100 km2. To determine a precise and accurate spoor density, it was necessary to sample for a longer period during the dry season (April–September) than during the wet season (October–March). This difference may be due to cheetah behavioural changes with seasonal variations in habitat and prey. The true density was 5.23 cheetahs  per 100 km2 ranging from 3.33 to 7.78 at the low and high points of the population, respectively. A positive linear correlation between spoor and true density was observed. This relationship differed in the wet and dry season and required refinement with the following season's data. Correction factors may be viable, but require further testing taking the behavioural responses to seasonal, habitat and prey variations into consideration.
Can a spider web be too sticky? Tensile mechanics constrains the evolution of capture spiral stickiness in orb‐weaving spiders
Authors: Agnarsson I. , Blackledge T. A. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractOrb‐weaving spiders rely on sticky capture threads to retain prey long enough to be located and attacked. The evolution of viscid silk is associated with the high diversity of araneoid orb‐weaving spiders, in part because it is cheaper to produce than the primitive dry cribellate fibrous adhesive used by deinopoid orb‐weaving spiders. Unlike cribellate threads, viscid glue contributes little to the tensile strength of the capture spiral it decorates. However, viscid silk utilizes a unique suspension bridge mechanism, absent in cribellate silk, which increases total stickiness by recruiting the adhesion of multiple glue droplets. Here, we analyze the relationship between stickiness of viscid silk and various biomechanical and architectural features of webs that may influence its evolution, across a sample of 17 ecribellate orb‐weaving species. The force required to break capture spiral fibers is the single most important factor explaining about 90% of the variation in stickiness among orb spiders. Stickiness increases linearly with capture spiral strength, but with a significant safety factor because stickiness is always less than the force required to break the silk. Our results thus indicate that evolutionary changes in the stickiness of the capture spiral are largely constrained by the strength of the fiber the glue is placed on rather than by the chemistry of the glue itself. This implies that orb webs function optimally when threads are able to detach and adhere repeatedly to struggling prey.
Can separation along the temperature niche axis promote coexistence between native and invasive species?
Authors: Priddis Edmund , Rader Russell , Belk Mark , Schaalje Bruce , Merkley Steven 
Published: March 2009

AbstractAim Western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) have been linked with the decline of native fish and amphibians throughout the world. Separation along the temperature niche axis may promote the long‐term coexistence of introduced western mosquitofish, with native species in temperate regions. Recent research has shown that western mosquitofish can reduce the recruitment of native least chub (Iothichthys phlegethontis) endemic to the Bonneville Basin. We tested the hypotheses that cold temperatures (≤ 15 °C in the summer, freezing winters) would: (1) reduce the aggressive and predatory effects of western mosquitofish on least chub, and (2) eliminate the overwinter survival and recruitment of western mosquitofish while having little effect on least chub recruitment.Location Bonneville Basin of Utah, USA.Methods We used short‐term tests in the laboratory at the level of individuals and manipulated temperature (warm, cold and seasonal treatments) in long‐term experiments using mesocosms at the population level.Results Cold temperatures (≤ 15 °C) reduced the aggression and predation of western mosquitofish on least chub at the level of individuals. At the population level, however, cool summers (≤ 15 °C) eliminated recruitment in both species because they required warm summers (c. 20–30 °C) to survive freezing winters. Although least chub had an overwinter advantage in survival (75% least chub, 45% western mosquitofish), it was overwhelmed by the rapid reproduction of western mosquitofish as temperatures increased in the summer.Main conclusions Studies at the level of populations are necessary to understand the ultimate effects of introduced species on native taxa. Separation along the temperature niche axis was not sufficient to promote coexistence between these species in habitats with warm summers (c. 30 °C). Although coexistence may be possible in habitats with cool summers (≤ 20 °C) and freezing winters, the ability of niche separation to promote long‐term coexistence between native and introduced species may ultimately depend on their respective rates of evolution. Long‐term coexistence may not be possible if introduced species can adapt to new environmental conditions faster than native species can evolve mechanisms to reduce their harmful effects.
Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase imparts human endothelial cells with extended replicative lifespan and enhanced angiogenic capacity in a high glucose environment
Authors: Borradaile Nica M. , Pickering J. Geoffrey 
Published: March 2009

SummaryEndothelial dysfunction is a characteristic of aging‐related vascular disease and is worsened during diabetes. High glucose can impair endothelial cell (EC) function through cellular accumulation of reactive oxygen species, an insult that can also limit replicative lifespan. Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (Nampt), also known as PBEF and visfatin, is rate‐limiting for NAD+ salvage from nicotinamide and confers resistance to oxidative stress via SIRT1. We therefore sought to determine if Nampt expression could resist the detrimental effects of high glucose and confer a survival advantage to human vascular EC in this pathologic environment. Human aortic EC were infected with retrovirus encoding eGFP or eGFP‐Nampt, and FACS‐selected to yield populations with similar, modest transgene expression. Using a chronic glucose exposure model we tracked EC populations to senescence, assessed cellular metabolism, and determined in vitro angiogenic function. Overexpression of Nampt increased proliferation and extended replicative lifespan, and did so preferentially during glucose overload. Nampt expression delayed markers of senescence and limited reactive oxygen species accumulation in high glucose through a modest increase in aerobic glycolysis. Furthermore, tube networks formed by Nampt‐overexpressing EC were more extensive and glucose‐resistant, in accordance with SIRT1‐mediated repression of the anti‐angiogenic transcription factor, FoxO1. We conclude that Nampt enables proliferating human EC to resist the oxidative stress of aging and of high glucose, and to productively use excess glucose to support replicative longevity and angiogenic activity. Enhancing endothelial Nampt activity may thus be beneficial in scenarios requiring EC‐based vascular repair and regeneration during aging and hyperglycemia, such as atherosclerosis and diabetes‐related vascular disease.
Humorous Assaults on Patriarchal Ideology*
Authors: Case Charles E. , Lippard Cameron D. 
Published: March 2009

Humor is a significant weapon in interpersonal and intergroup conflict and competition. Over the centuries, males have used humor and jokes to create and perpetuate patriarchal ideals, relationships, and structures. Today, feminists and other proponents of gender equality use humor to deconstruct patriarchal ideologies and sexist stereotypes. This exploratory study analyzes a collection of over 1,700 jokes identified as feminist and women's humor to discover what these jokes suggest with regard to the male‐dominant structure in society and how these jokes are subversive in attempting to disrupt gender stereotypes and roles. We find that the humor of women and feminists seeks, in part, to discredit assumptions of males’ superiority, masterfulness, sexual prowess, and extraordinary value to women and society. These jokes may, however, also work to reinforce stereotypes associated with men and women:“If they could send a man to the moon, why not just send all of them?”
Glycogen synthase kinase 3: more than a namesake
Authors: Rayasam Geetha Vani , Tulasi Vamshi Krishna , Sodhi Reena , Davis Joseph Alex , Ray Abhijit 
Published: March 2009

Glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3), a constitutively acting multi‐functional serine threonine kinase is involved in diverse physiological pathways ranging from metabolism, cell cycle, gene expression, development and oncogenesis to neuroprotection. These diverse multiple functions attributed to GSK3 can be explained by variety of substrates like glycogen synthase, τ protein and β catenin that are phosphorylated leading to their inactivation. GSK3 has been implicated in various diseases such as diabetes, inflammation, cancer, Alzheimer's and bipolar disorder. GSK3 negatively regulates insulin‐mediated glycogen synthesis and glucose homeostasis, and increased expression and activity of GSK3 has been reported in type II diabetics and obese animal models. Consequently, inhibitors of GSK3 have been demonstrated to have anti‐diabetic effects in vitro and in animal models. However, inhibition of GSK3 poses a challenge as achieving selectivity of an over achieving kinase involved in various pathways with multiple substrates may lead to side effects and toxicity. The primary concern is developing inhibitors of GSK3 that are anti‐diabetic but do not lead to up‐regulation of oncogenes. The focus of this review is the recent advances and the challenges surrounding GSK3 as an anti‐diabetic therapeutic target. British Journal of Pharmacology (2009) doi:10.1111/j.1476‐5381.2008.00085.x
β‐1 and β‐2, but not α‐1 and α‐2, adrenoceptor blockade delays rat cutaneous wound healing
Authors: Romana‐Souza Bruna , Santos Jeanine S. , Monte‐Alto‐Costa Andréa 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACTThe sympathetic nervous system plays an important role in wound healing, but its mechanism of action is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of β‐ and α‐adrenoceptor blockade on cutaneous wound healing. Male rats were treated with propranolol (β1‐ and β2‐antagonist), atenolol (β1‐antagonist), or phentolamine (α1‐ and α2‐antagonist) dissolved in drinking water. A full‐thickness excisional lesion was created and the wound area was measured. Fourteen days after wounding, lesions and adjacent skin were removed, formalin‐fixed, and paraffin‐embedded. Sections were stained with hematoxylin–eosin and toluidine blue, and immunostained for α‐smooth muscle actin and proliferating cell nuclear antigen. Wound contraction was delayed in propranolol‐ and atenolol‐treated animals but not in phentolamine‐treated animals. Reepithelialization was decreased only in propranolol‐treated animals. β1‐ and β2‐adrenoceptor blockade delayed leukocyte migration, epidermal and connective tissue cell proliferation, myofibroblastic differentiation, and mast cell migration. The volume density of blood vessels was increased in the propranolol‐ and atenolol‐treated animals compared with controls. The levels of matrix metalloproteases (MMP‐2 and MMP‐9) decreased in the propranolol‐ and atenolol‐treated animals. α1‐ and α2‐adrenoceptor blockade only affected leukocyte migration, epithelial and connective tissue cell proliferation, and pro‐MMP‐9 levels. In conclusion, β‐1 and β‐2, but not α‐1 and α‐2, adrenoceptor blockade delays cutaneous wound healing.
Migration of bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells induced by tumor necrosis factor‐α and its possible role in wound healing
Authors: Fu Xiaobing , Han Bing , Cai Sa , Lei Yonghong , Sun Tongzhu , Sheng Zhiyong 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACTWe aimed to investigate the effect of tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) on the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1 (VCAM‐1) in the migration ability of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the context of wound healing. We also explored the role of p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase and extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathways in the migration of MSCs. MSCs were isolated from the bone marrow and cultured. Immunocytochemistry, Western blotting, and reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction were used to observe the effect of TNF‐α on the expression of ICAM‐1 and VCAM‐1 in MSCs. The chemotaxis effect of TNF‐α on MSCs was investigated by the trans‐well system and the inhibition effect of TNF‐α using its antibody. Western blotting analysis was used to observe the activation of JAK‐STAT and mitogen‐activated protein kinase signaling pathways, and ERK was inhibited with PD98059 and p38 with SB203580 to observe the effect of TNF‐α on MSC migration and ICAM‐1 expression. The expression of ICAM‐1 could be up‐regulated by 50 μg/L TNF‐α (p<0.05), whereas that of VCAM‐1 remained unchanged (p>0.05). Also, TNF‐α showed a chemotaxis effect by enhancing the migration ability of MSCs (p<0.05). TNF‐α at 50 μg/L increased the expression of phospho‐ERK and phospho‐p38, and SB203580, but not PD98059, could suppress the chemotaxis effect and up‐regulation of ICAM‐1 induced by TNF‐α in MSCs (p<0.05). Thus, TNF‐α could up‐regulate the expression of ICAM‐1 in MSCs and enhance the cells' migration ability, and the p38 signaling pathway might be involved in the TNF‐α–induced migration ability for a role in wound repair and regeneration.