Anatomical Differences across Cerebellar Neuronal Networks in Valproic Acid (VPA) Induced Rats

The cortico-cerebellar circuits are highly involved in the coordination of sensorimotor processes and are crucial for the expression of sensorimotor and, with more recent literature, cognitively demanding behaviors in early childhood. Through these circuits, cerebellar differences could impact behavioral changes characterized in many neurological disorders, including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Despite the increasing prevalence of the disorder, insights into the anatomical differences across cerebellar neuronal networks in ASD remain poorly understood. The objective of this thesis is to characterize the cerebellar circuitry in a valproic acid (VPA)-induced animal model of ASD. Tissues were stained with Cresyl violet and captured with a confocal microscope. First, we examined the counts in (1) Purkinje cell (PC) and (2) Deep cerebellar nuclei (DCN) cells while measuring their density. Consistent with our hypothesis, we found that there were: (1) significant losses in PC density in the posterior inferior regions of lobules Crus I, Crus II, PM, and Cop of the hemisphere, and (2) significantly higher DCN density of the medial nuclei, contrary to our hypothesis, in the VPA-exposed rats compared to the control. Then, we examined the granule cell layer (GCL) thickness measurements across the lobules of the vermis and hemisphere and found that GCL thickness of Lobule 6 was lower, while Lobule 7-8-9 and Lobule 10 were higher in the VPA-exposed rats compared to control. Finally, we found a correlation and cross-covariance between the PC and GCL thickness measurements in the lobules of the posterior lobe. These findings suggest alterations in cerebellar anatomy affected by the VPA, and therefore further support the implication of the cerebellum and cerebellar circuits in VPA-exposed rats

Internal Determinants Promoting Corporate Entrepreneurship in Established Organizations: A Systematic Literature Review

Due to the increasing dynamics and complexity in the corporate environment, the importance of Corporate Entrepreneurship (CE) for the development and long-term sustainability of established companies' competitive advantages is continuously increasing. However, the literature still lacks a CE framework that consolidates and integrates the different research findings illustrating the impact of particular CE drivers. We conduct a systematic literature review of the current CE research to ascertain which internal determinants promote CE in established organizations and how they nurture creativity and innovation. Building on a four-dimensional CE framework, we identify several central determinants of CE and provide practitioners in established organizations with guidelines for successful implementation of CE. By identifying several topical and outstanding issues, the paper encourages further debate and research activity. Implications for Central European audience: This paper advanced the current CE research by systematically consolidating and integrating top management literature invoking multiple research streams and discussing several directions for further research. The developed framework reflects the current state of CE research and hence can serve as a guide for successful implementation of CE in established organizations, as well as for further investigation of the CE concept. Thus, this paper makes an important contribution to solving the puzzle of successful implementation of CE in established corporations.O

High-Grade Hydronephrosis Predicts Poor Outcomes After Radical Cystectomy in Patients with Bladder Cancer

We examined whether the presence and severity of preoperative hydronephrosis have prognostic significance in patients who underwent radical cystectomy for transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. The medical records of 457 patients who underwent radical cystectomy for bladder cancer between 1986 and 2005 were retrospectively reviewed. Following the Society for Fetal Urology grading system, patients were divided into low-, and high-grade hydronephrosis groups. Clinicopathologic factors associated with preoperative hydronephrosis and survival were evaluated. Of a total of 406 patients, unilateral hydronephrosis was found in 74 (18.2%), bilateral hydronephrosis in 11 (2.7%), and no hydronephoris in 321 (79.1%). Low-grade hydronephrosis was found in 57 (12.2%) patients and high-grade hydronephrosis in 28 (6%). Preoperative hydronephrosis was related to higher pT stage and lymph node invasion. In univariate analysis, the presence of hydronephrosis, hydronephrosis grade, age, pT and pN stage, tumor grade, surgical margin, number of retrieved nodes, carcinoma in situ, and lymphovascular invasion were significant prognostic factors for cancer-specific survival. In multivariate analysis, bilateral hydronephrosis and high-grade hydronephrosis remained significant predictors for decreased survival. The presence of preoperative hydronephrosis, and high-grade hydronephrosis are significant prognostic factors in patients with bladder cancer after radical cystectomy

Long-term performance of mergers and acquisitions in ASEAN countries

© 2015 Elsevier B.V. The study looks at mergers and acquisitions (M&As) in ASEAN countries and examines the post-M&A performance using data from 2001 to 2012. The industry-adjusted operating performance tends to decline in the 3 years following an M&A. Yet, the results suggest that M&As completed during the financial crisis are more profitable than those implemented before and/or after the crisis. We argue that this is mainly due to the synergies created between the firms' resources during the crisis which augur well for firms' economic performance. We find that, during the crisis, certain characteristics of the firms like the relative size of the target, cross-border nature of deals, acquirer's cash reserves and friendly nature of deals are important determinants of long-term post-M&A operating performance. However, for M&As during the crisis, there appears to be no relationship between performance and firms' characteristics linked to M&A activity such as payment method, industry relatedness and percentage of target's share acquired

Effects of Tamsulosin, Solifenacin, and Combination Therapy for the Treatment of Ureteral Stent Related Discomforts

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of tamsulosin, solifenacin, and combination therapy of two agents in improving the lower urinary tract symptoms of patients with indwelling double-J ureteral stents. Materials and Methods: A total of 168 patients underwent placement of a double-J ureteral stent after retrograde ureteroscopy for urinary stone disease. All patients received polyurethane double-J ureteral stents (6 Fr, 24 or 26 cm), which were removed a mean of 14 days postoperatively. A total of 48 patients were given no medication (Group 1), 43 patients were given tamsulosin 0.2 mg once daily (Group 2), 45 patients were given solifenacin 5 mg once daily (Group 3), and 32 patients were given a combination of two agents postoperatively (Group 4). International Prostate Symptom Score/quality of life (IPSS/QoL) and visual analogue pain scale (VAPS) questionnaires were completed by each patient at 1 day postoperatively and on the day of stent removal. Results: In the total group of patients, the mean age was 50.24±12.90 years. There was a significant difference in the IPSS total score between group 1 and groups 3 and 4. Group 4 also differed significantly from group 1 in the irritative subscore. The obstructive subscore differed between groups 2 and 4 and group 1. There was a statistically significant difference between group 1 and group 4 in the QoL score. There were no significant differences in the VAPS. Conclusions: Combination therapy with tamsulosin and solifenacin improved both irritative and obstructive symptoms more than in the other groups. Combination therapy should be strongly considered for patients who complain of stent-related symptoms. Key Words: Pain; Stents; Ureter This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Licens

Quantitative plane-resolved crystal growth and dissolution kinetics by coupling in situ optical microscopy and diffusion models : the case of salicylic acid in aqueous solution

The growth and dissolution kinetics of salicylic acid crystals are investigated in situ by focusing on individual microscale crystals. From a combination of optical microscopy and finite element method (FEM) modeling, it was possible to obtain a detailed quantitative picture of dissolution and growth dynamics for individual crystal faces. The approach uses real-time in situ growth and dissolution data (crystal size and shape as a function of time) to parametrize a FEM model incorporating surface kinetics and bulk to surface diffusion, from which concentration distributions and fluxes are obtained directly. It was found that the (001) face showed strong mass transport (diffusion) controlled behavior with an average surface concentration close to the solubility value during growth and dissolution over a wide range of bulk saturation levels. The (1̅10) and (110) faces exhibited mixed mass transport/surface controlled behavior, but with a strong diffusive component. As crystals became relatively large, they tended to exhibit peculiar hollow structures in the end (001) face, observed by interferometry and optical microscopy. Such features have been reported in a number of crystals, but there has not been a satisfactory explanation for their origin. The mass transport simulations indicate that there is a large difference in flux across the crystal surface, with high values at the edge of the (001) face compared to the center, and this flux has to be redistributed across the (001) surface. As the crystal grows, the redistribution process evidently can not be maintained so that the edges grow at the expense of the center, ultimately creating high index internal structures. At later times, we postulate that these high energy faces, starved of material from solution, dissolve and the extra flux of salicylic acid causes the voids to close