bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Autonomic innervation of immune organs and neuroimmune modulation
Authors: Mignini F. , Streccioni V. , Amenta F. 
Published: July 2003

Summary 1 Increasing evidence indicates the occurrence of functional interconnections between immune and nervous systems, although data available on the mechanisms of this bi‐directional cross‐talking are frequently incomplete and not always focussed on their relevance for neuroimmune modulation.

2 Primary (bone marrow and thymus) and secondary (spleen and lymph nodes) lymphoid organs are supplied with an autonomic (mainly sympathetic) efferent innervation and with an afferent sensory innervation. Anatomical studies have revealed origin, pattern of distribution and targets of nerve fibre populations supplying lymphoid organs.

3 Classic (catecholamines and acetylcholine) and peptide transmitters of neural and non‐neural origin are released in the lymphoid microenvironment and contribute to neuroimmune modulation. Neuropeptide Y, substance P, calcitonin gene‐related peptide, and vasoactive intestinal peptide represent the neuropeptides most involved in neuroimmune modulation.

4 Immune cells and immune organs express specific receptors for (neuro)transmitters. These receptors have been shown to respond in vivo and/or in vitro to the neural substances and their manipulation can alter immune responses. Changes in immune function can also influence the distribution of nerves and the expression of neural receptors in lymphoid organs.

5 Data on different populations of nerve fibres supplying immune organs and their role in providing a link between nervous and immune systems are reviewed. Anatomical connections between nervous and immune systems represent the structural support of the complex network of immune responses. A detailed knowledge of interactions between nervous and immune systems may represent an important basis for the development of strategies for treating pathologies in which altered neuroimmune cross‐talking may be involved.
The Impact of Institutional Differences on Derivatives Usage: a Comparative Study of US and Dutch Firms
Authors: Bodnar Gordon M. , Jong Abe de , Macrae Victor 
Published: July 2003

AbstractThis paper examines the influence of institutional differences on corporate risk management practices in the USA and the Netherlands. We compare results to surveys in each country using a strategy that corrects for differences over industry and size classes across the Dutch and US samples. We document several differences in the firms’ uses and attitudes towards derivatives and attempt to attribute them to the differences in the institutional environments between the USA and the Netherlands. We find that institutional differences appear to have an important impact on risk management practices and derivatives use across US and Dutch firms.
Incorporating Collateral Value Uncertainty in Loss Given Default Estimates and Loan‐to‐value Ratios
Authors: Jokivuolle Esa , Peura Samu 
Published: July 2003

AbstractWe present a model of risky debt in which collateral value is correlated with the possibility of default. The model is then used to study the expected loss given default, primarily as a function of collateral. The results obtained could prove useful for estimating losses given default in many popular models of credit risk which assume them constant. We also examine the problem of determining sufficient collateral to secure a loan to a desired extent. In addition to bank practitioners, regulators might find our analysis useful in reviewing banks’ lending standards relative to current collateral values. In particular, the current proposals for The New (Basel) Capital Accord involve options for the use of banks’ own loss given default estimates which might benefit from the analysis in this paper.
Strategic Management of Cost Efficiencies in Networks: Cross‐country Evidence on European Branch Banking
Authors: Hensel Nayantara D. 
Published: July 2003

AbstractThis paper examines the role of cost efficiencies on efficient management of branch networks in the contemporary European commercial banking industry. The analysis, which could be generalised to other industries, indicates that larger banks are more likely to have heavily utilised branch networks than smaller banks and to exhibit fewer cost efficiencies from building more branches. The finding of this result within each country suggests the role of internal firm size regardless of competitive conditions. The similar cross‐country finding suggests the impact of factors such as market structure/concentration levels and type of non‐price competition. Larger banks can generate less income per unit asset deployed. Cross‐border efficiency might be improved by greater use of banks with under‐used networks by banks with over‐used networks.
Paying People to Lie: the Truth about the Budgeting Process
Authors: Jensen Michael C. 
Published: July 2003

AbstractThis paper analyzes the counterproductive effects associated with using budgets or targets in an organisation's performance measurement and compensation systems. Paying people on the basis of how their performance relates to a budget or target causes people to game the system and in doing so to destroy value in two main ways: (a) both superiors and subordinates lie in the formulation of budgets and, therefore, gut the budgeting process of the critical unbiased information that is required to coordinate the activities of disparate parts of an organisation, and (b) they game the realisation of the budgets or targets and in doing so destroy value for their organisations. Although most managers and analysts understand that budget gaming is widespread, few understand the huge costs it imposes on organisations and how to lower them.My purpose in this paper is to explain exactly how this happens and how managers and firms can stop this counter‐productive cycle. The key lies not in destroying the budgeting systems, but in changing the way organisations pay people. In particular to stop this highly counter‐productive behaviour we must stop using budgets or targets in the compensation formulas and promotion systems for employees and managers. This means taking all kinks, discontinuities and non‐linearities out of the pay‐for‐performance profile of each employee and manager. Such purely linear compensation formulas provide no incentives to lie, or to withhold and distort information, or to game the system.While the evidence on the costs of these systems is not extensive, I believe that solving the problems could easily result in large productivity and value increases – sometimes as much as 50–100% improvements in productivity. I believe the less intensive reliance on such budget/target systems is an important cause of the increased productivity of entrepreneurial and LBO firms. Moreover, eliminating budget/target‐induced gaming from the management system will eliminate one of the major forces leading to the general loss of integrity in organisations. People are taught to lie in these pervasive budgeting systems because if they tell the truth they often get punished and if they lie they get rewarded. Once taught to lie in this system people generally cannot help but extend that behaviour to all sorts of other relationships in the organisation.
Expression of the Secondary Sigma Factor σ
X
in
Streptococcus pyogenes
Is Restricted at Two Levels
Authors: Opdyke Jason A. , Scott June R. , Moran, Charles P. 
Published: July 2003

ABSTRACT

Secondary RNA polymerase sigma factors in many bacteria are responsible for regulating a vast range of processes including virulence. A protein (σ
X
) in the gram-positive human pathogen
Streptococcus pyogenes
(the group A
Streptococcus
or GAS) was recently shown to function in vitro as a secondary sigma factor. We report here the isolation of a mutant in which both
sigX
genes are inactivated, show that σ
X
functions in GAS cells, and show that the amount of σ
X
is controlled at two levels. Primer extension analysis indicates that
sigX
transcription is low in GAS cells grown in Todd-Hewitt yeast broth, and immunoblot assays with a σ
X
-specific polyclonal antibody demonstrate that the protein does not accumulate in these cells. To increase the level of
sigX
transcription in GAS, we constructed a strain that constitutively expresses the
sigX
gene from a heterologous promoter. Expression of
sigX
from this promoter led to transcription of the σ
X
-dependent
cinA
promoter in GAS cells. We found that expression of the
sigX
gene in a
clpP
mutant strain resulted in greater accumulation of σ
X
protein, which resulted in higher levels of transcription from the σ
X
-dependent promoters
cinA
,
smf
, and
cglA
. In addition, a
clpP
mutant containing
sigX
only at its wild-type loci on the chromosome generated more transcription from the σ
X
-dependent
cinA
promoter than did the wild-type parental strain. Therefore, σ
X
activity in GAS is limited by low-level transcription of the
sigX
structural genes and by
clpP
, which appears to negatively regulate σ
X
accumulation.
PlmA, a New Member of the GntR Family, Has Plasmid Maintenance Functions in
Anabaena
sp. Strain PCC 7120
Authors: Lee Martin H. , Scherer Michael , Rigali Sébastien , Golden James W. 
Published: July 2003

ABSTRACT

The filamentous cyanobacterium
Anabaena
(
Nostoc
) sp. strain PCC 7120 maintains a genome that is divided into a 6.4-Mb chromosome, three large plasmids of more that 100 kb, two medium-sized plasmids of 55 and 40 kb, and a 5.5-kb plasmid. Plasmid copy number can be dynamic in some cyanobacterial species, and the genes that regulate this process have not been characterized. Here we show that mutations in an open reading frame,
all1076
, reduce the numbers of copies per chromosome of several plasmids. In a mutant strain, plasmids pCC7120δ and pCC7120ζ are both reduced to less than 50% of their wild-type levels. The exogenous pDU1-based plasmid pAM1691 is reduced to less than 25% of its wild-type level, and the plasmid is rapidly lost. The peptide encoded by
all1076
shows similarity to members of the GntR family of transcriptional regulators. Phylogenetic analysis reveals a new domain topology within the GntR family. PlmA homologs, all coming from cyanobacterial species, form a new subfamily that is distinct from the previously identified subfamilies. The
all1076
locus, named
plmA
, regulates plasmid maintenance functions in
Anabaena
sp. strain PCC 7120.
Characterization of a New LexA Binding Motif in the Marine Magnetotactic Bacterium Strain MC-1
Authors: Fernández de Henestrosa Antonio R. , Cuñé Jordi , Mazón Gerard , Dubbels Bradley L. , Bazylinski Dennis A. , Barbé Jordi 
Published: July 2003

ABSTRACTMC-1 is a marine, magnetotactic bacterium that is phylogenetically associated with the alpha subclass of theProteobacteriaand is the first and only magnetotactic coccus isolated in pure culture to date. By using a TBLASTN search, alexAgene was identified in the published genome of MC-1; it was subsequently cloned, and the protein was purified to >90% purity. Results from reverse transcription-PCR analysis revealed that the MC-1lexAgene comprises a single transcriptional unit with two open reading frames encoding proteins of unknown function and with arumA-like gene, a homologue of theEscherichia coli umuDgene. Mobility shift assays revealed that this LexA protein specifically binds both to its own promoter and to that of theumuDCoperon. However, MC-1 LexA does not bind to the promoter regions of other genes, such asrecAanduvrA, that have been previously reported to be regulated by LexA in bacterial species belonging to the alpha subclass of theProteobacteria. Site-directed mutagenesis of both thelexAandumuDCoperator regions demonstrated that the sequence CCTN10AGG is the specific target motif for the MC-1 LexA protein.
Cell Death in
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Biofilm Development
Authors: Webb Jeremy S. , Thompson Lyndal S. , James Sally , Charlton Tim , Tolker-Nielsen Tim , Koch Birgit , Givskov Michael , Kjelleberg Staffan 
Published: July 2003

ABSTRACT

Bacteria growing in biofilms often develop multicellular, three-dimensional structures known as microcolonies. Complex differentiation within biofilms of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
occurs, leading to the creation of voids inside microcolonies and to the dispersal of cells from within these voids. However, key developmental processes regulating these events are poorly understood. A normal component of multicellular development is cell death. Here we report that a repeatable pattern of cell death and lysis occurs in biofilms of
P. aeruginosa
during the normal course of development. Cell death occurred with temporal and spatial organization within biofilms, inside microcolonies, when the biofilms were allowed to develop in continuous-culture flow cells. A subpopulation of viable cells was always observed in these regions. During the onset of biofilm killing and during biofilm development thereafter, a bacteriophage capable of superinfecting and lysing the
P. aeruginosa
parent strain was detected in the fluid effluent from the biofilm. The bacteriophage implicated in biofilm killing was closely related to the filamentous phage Pf1 and existed as a prophage within the genome of
P. aeruginosa
. We propose that prophage-mediated cell death is an important mechanism of differentiation inside microcolonies that facilitates dispersal of a subpopulation of surviving cells.
Integration and Distribution of
Lactobacillus johnsonii
Prophages
Authors: Ventura Marco , Canchaya Carlos , Pridmore David , Berger Bernard , Brüssow Harald 
Published: July 2003

ABSTRACT

In
Lactobacillus johnsonii
strain NCC533, two prophages were integrated into tRNA genes and one was disrupted by integration. In a survey, the prophages were restricted to strains sharing an essentially identical restriction pattern. Microarray analysis showed that the prophage DNA represents about 50% of the NCC533 strain-specific DNA.
Analysis of the Interaction between the Transcription Factor σ
G
and the Anti-Sigma Factor SpoIIAB of
Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Evans Louise , Clarkson Joanna , Yudkin Michael D. , Errington Jeff , Feucht Andrea 
Published: July 2003

ABSTRACT

The activation of σ
G
, a transcription factor, in
Bacillus subtilis
is coupled to the completion of engulfment during sporulation. SpoIIAB, an anti-sigma factor involved in regulation of σ
F
, is also shown to form a complex with σ
G
in vitro. SpoIIAA, the corresponding anti-anti-sigma factor, can disrupt the SpoIIAB:σ
G
complex, releasing free σ
G
. The data suggest the existence of an as-yet-unknown mechanism to keep σ
G
inactive prior to engulfment.
Advances in String Theory in Curved Backgrounds: A Synthesis Report
Authors: Sanchez N. G. 
Published: July 2003

A synthetic report of the advances in the study of classical and quantum string dynamics in curved backgrounds is provided, namely : the new feature of Multistring solutions; the mass spectrum of Strings in Curved backgrounds; The effect of a Cosmological Constant and of Spacial Curvature on Classical and Quantum Strings; Classical splitting of Fundamental Strings; The General String Evolution in constant Curvature Spacetimes; The Conformal Invariance Effects; Strings on plane fronted and gravitational shock waves, string falling on spacetime singularities and its spectrum. New Developments in String Gravity and String Cosmology are reported: String driven cosmology and its Predictions; The primordial gravitational wave background; Non-singular string cosmologies from Exact Conformal Field Theories; Quantum Field Theory, String Temperature and the String Phase of de Sitter space-time; Hawking Radiation in String Theory and the String Phase of Black Holes; New Dual Relation between Quantum Field Theory regime and String regime and the "QFT/String Tango"; New Coherent String States and Minimal Uncertainty Principle in string theory.
Anxiolytic Effects of Acute Morphine Can Be Modulated by Nitric Oxide Systems
Authors: Shin Im-Chul , Kim Hyoung-Chun , Swanson Jeffrey , Hong Jin-Tae , Oh Ki-Wan 
Published: July 2003

This study was performed to investigate whether nitric oxide (NO) precursor (<i>L</i>-arginine), NO donor (S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine, SNAP) and NO synthase inhibitors [N<sup>G</sup>-nitro-<i>L</i>-arginine-methylester (<i>L</i>-NAME) and N<sup>G</sup>-nitro-<i>L</i>-arginine (<i>L</i>-NOARG)] modulate morphine-induced anxiolytic effects in the plus-maze. <i>L</i>-Arginine (100, 200 and 300 mg kg<sup>–1</sup>, i.p.) and SNAP (4, 8 and 10 mg kg<sup>–1</sup>, i.p.) reduced the anxiolytic effect of morphine (20 mg kg<sup>–1</sup>, s.c.). <i>L</i>-NAME (10, 20 and 40 mg/kg, i.p.) and <i>L</i>-NOARG (10, 15 and 20 mg kg<sup>–1</sup>, i.p.) enhanced the anxiolytic effects of morphine (20 mg kg<sup>–1</sup>, s.c.). On the other hand, <i>L</i>-arginine and SNAP increased the morphine-induced locomotor activity. <i>L</i>-NAME decreased the morphine-induced locomotor activity, but <i>L</i>-NOARG did not modify the morphine-induced locomotor activity. Therefore, these results suggest that the anxiolytic effects of morphine can be modulated by NO systems.
Intermediate-Dose Cyclophosphamide and Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor Is a Valid Alternative to High-Dose Cyclophosphamide for Mobilizing Peripheral Blood CD34+ Cells in Patients with Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Petrucci Maria Teresa , Avvisati Giuseppe , La Verde Giacinto , De Fabritiis Paolo , Ribersani Michela , Palumbo Giovanna , De Felice Lidia , Rusignuolo Alessandra , Simone Francesca , Meloni Giovanna , Mandelli Franco 
Published: July 2003

Peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) are widely used in the setting of dose-intensive chemotherapies in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). Although the granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), following chemotherapy or not, is considered the standard growth factor for mobilizing PBSC, the optimal chemotherapeutic regimen still remains to be defined. Cyclophosphamide (CTX) is an effective drug in the treatment of MM which is capable of mobilizing PBSC if followed by growth factors, even though administration of high-dose CTX (7 g/m<sup>2</sup>) results in severe toxicity requiring hospitalization and increasing costs. We have retrospectively analyzed the results obtained in 38 newly diagnosed MM patients treated with 1.2 g/m<sup>2</sup> CTX on days 1 and 3 combined with 40 mg dexamethasone daily for 4 days. The results were compared with those obtained in 25 newly diagnosed MM patients treated with 7 g/m<sup>2</sup> CTX. A higher number of CD34+ cells/kg was collected during the first leukapheresis and a statistically significant lower consumption of G-CSF was observed following two doses of 1.2 g/m<sup>2</sup> CTX compared to the 7 g/m<sup>2</sup> CTX dose. The possibility of treating patients with day-hospital regimens, with a satisfactory yield of hematopoietic cells harvested, may have relevant economic implications for treatment strategies in MM patients.
Effects of Forced Diuresis Achieved by Oral Hydration and Oral Diuretic Administration on Uroflowmetric Parameters and Clinical Waiting Time of Patients with Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms
Authors: Öztürk Bülent , Çetinkaya Mesut , Öztekin Volkan , İnal Gürdal , Adsan Öztuğ , Uğurlu Özgür , Özden Cüneyt 
Published: July 2003

<i>Introduction: </i>We studied the impact of diuresis forced by oral hydration or single-dose oral diuretic administration on uroflowmetric parameters and clinical waiting time of patients with lower urinary tract symptoms. <i>Patients and Methods:</i> A total of 58 patients with a mean age of 59 (range 41–77) years who presented with lower urinary tract symptoms were included in the study. The patients were grouped with respect to their International Prostate Symptom Scores as having mild, moderate, or severe symptoms. The prostatic volumes of the patients were calculated using transrectal ultrasound. Uroflowmetric measurements were performed on 3 consecutive days. On the 1st day, the test was performed without diuretic stimulation; on the 2nd day, oral hydration was applied, and on the 3rd day, the patients received 20 mg of furosemide orally. Voiding time, maximum flow rate, voided volume, and the time elapsed in minutes until voiding (waiting time) were recorded. <i>Results:</i> Diuretic stimulation did not significantly alter the uroflowmetric parameters in each symptom group, but the waiting time was significantly reduced. Forced diuresis caused acute urinary retention in 5 of 20 (25%) severely symptomatic patients. <i>Conclusions:</i> Forced diuresis with oral hydration or oral administration of diuretics improves patient comfort and test applicability by shortening clinical waiting time and reducing the number of attempts to reach the sufficient urine volume for reliable measurements and can be applied safely for mild and moderately symptomatic patients. On the other hand, the risk of 25% of acute urinary retentions should be reconsidered, and the decision about diuretic stimuli should be made carefully by the clinician in severely symptomatic patients.
Quality of Life, Functional Outcome and Durability of the AMS 800 Artificial Urinary Sphincter in Patients with Intrinsic Sphincter Deficiency
Authors: ter Meulen Ph.H. , Zambon V. , Kessels A.G.H. , van Kerrebroeck Ph.E.V. 
Published: July 2003

<i>Objective:</i> To evaluate the quality of life, functional outcome and durability of the AMS 800 artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) in patients with urinary incontinence due to intrinsic sphincter deficiency of mixed origin. <i>Patients and Methods:</i> Between 1991 and 2000, 34 AUS were implanted in 31 patients (24 males/7 females) with mean age of 59 (range 15–75) years. Using a questionnaire, patients’ urinary function and quality of life were assessed in 22 patients with an AUS in situ. To evaluate efficacy and durability of the device, the primary adequate function (P-AF) and additional procedure-assisted adequate function (APA-AF) rates were determined on the basis of a Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. <i>Results:</i> The social continence rate (0–1 pads/24 h) was 55% with a mean follow-up of 46 months. The revision rate was 26% and the explantation rate 35%. The 5-year P-AF and APA-AF rates were 41 and 44%, respectively. The pad score decreased from 2.95 to 1.23 after AUS implantation (p < 0.0001) leading to a high mean patient satisfaction (rated as 4.0 on a visual analog scale of 0–5). Twenty-one patients (95%) would undergo the procedure again under the same circumstances. Patients with previous anti-incontinence procedures showed a significantly higher explantation rate (p = 0.004). <i>Conclusion:</i> In spite of a relatively high re-operation rate and moderate social continence state, patient satisfaction was found to be great mainly due to the relative improvement in incontinence. The AMS 800 AUS is a reliable device with few mechanical complications. Extensive preoperative counseling is mandatory.