bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Retinal ganglion cells – spatial organization of the receptive field reduces temporal redundancy
Authors: Tokutake Yoichiro , Freed Michael A.
Published: August 2008

According to the ‘redundancy reduction’ hypothesis, a visual neuron removes correlations from an image to reduce redundancy in the spike train, thus increasing the efficiency of information coding. However, all elaborations of this general hypothesis have treated spatial and temporal correlations separately. To investigate how a retinal ganglion cell responds to combined spatial and temporal correlations, we selected those cells with center–surround receptive field and presented a stimulus with strong spatiotemporal correlations: we presented a random sequence of intensities (of white noise) to the receptive field center and then activated the surround with the same sequence. We found that, for most cells, activating the surround reduced temporal redundancy in the spike train. Although the surround often reduced the information rate of the spike train it always increased the amount of information per spike. However, when the surround was modulated by a different white‐noise sequence than the center, eliminating spatial–temporal correlations, the surround no longer reduced redundancy or increased information per spike. The proposed mechanism for redundancy reduction is based on the temporal properties of the center and surround: the surround signal is delayed behind the center signal and subtracted from it; this implements a differentiator which removes low frequencies from the stimulus, thus reducing redundancy in the spike train. These results extend the redundancy reduction hypothesis by indicating that the spatial organization of the receptive field into center and surround can reduce temporal redundancy within the spike train of a ganglion cell.
Functional organization of inferior parietal lobule convexity in the macaque monkey: electrophysiological characterization of motor, sensory and mirror responses and their correlation with cytoarchitectonic areas
Authors: Rozzi Stefano , Ferrari Pier Francesco , Bonini Luca , Rizzolatti Giacomo , Fogassi Leonardo
Published: August 2008

The general view on the functional role of the monkey inferior parietal lobule (IPL) convexity mainly derives from studies carried out more than two decades ago and does not account for the functional complexity suggested by more recent neuroanatomical findings. We investigated this issue by recording multi‐ and single units in the IPL convexity of two monkeys and characterizing their somatosensory, visual and motor responses, using a naturalistic (ethologically relevant) approach. These properties were then matched with IPL cytoarchitectonic parcellation. A further aim of this study was to describe the general properties and the localization of IPL mirror neurons, until now not investigated in detail. Results showed that each studied cytoarchitectonic subdivision of the IPL (PF, PFG, PG) is characterized by specific sensory and motor properties. A key feature of the recorded motor neurons is that of coding goal‐directed motor acts. Motor responses are somatotopically organized in a rostro‐caudal fashion, with mouth, hand and arm represented in PF, PFG and PG, respectively, with a certain degree of overlap between adjacent representations. In each subdivision the motor activity is associated with specific somatosensory and visual responses, suggesting that each area organizes motor acts in different space sectors. Mirror neurons have been found mainly in area PFG and their general features appear to be very similar to those of ventral premotor mirror neurons. The present data suggest that the IPL plays an important role in both action organization and action understanding and should be considered part of the motor system.
Developmental profile of GABAA‐mediated synaptic transmission in pyramidal cells of the somatosensory cortex
Authors: Kobayashi Masayuki , Hamada Tomohiro , Kogo Mikihiko , Yanagawa Yuchio , Obata Kunihiko , Kang Youngnam
Published: August 2008

Inhibitory synaptic transmission mediated by γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)A receptors is involved in regulation of experience‐dependent cortical plasticity. However, little information is available on their presynaptic and postsynaptic developmental profiles. The present study aims to investigate the developmental changes of miniature and unitary inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs and uIPSCs) in mouse barrel cortex. mIPSCs recorded from supragranular pyramidal neurons showed a gradual increase in frequency during postnatal days 6–15 (PD6–15) followed by a marked increase at PD16–20, and mIPSCs frequency reached a plateau at about PD21–30. The amplitude of mIPSCs showed a transient decrease at PD10–12 followed by an increase during PD13–30, and reached a plateau at about PD30. Their decay time constant progressively decreased during the first 30 days postnatally, and reached a steady level at about PD30. Paired recordings from interneurons and synaptically coupled target pyramidal cells revealed that uIPSC amplitude increased with age up to PD30. In contrast, failure rate and coefficient of variation decreased during PD7–15 and showed little change at a later stage. Short‐term depression induced by presynaptic stimulation at 33 Hz progressively decreased during PD6–20, and was stabilized at about PD21–30. Quantal analysis revealed that the number of release sites increased with age up to PD30, while the release probability increased during PD6–12 and then reached a plateau level. These results suggest that the number of release sites and release probability of GABA and GABAA‐mediated IPSC kinetics show distinct developmental profiles, which could play roles in regulating the onset and offset of critical periods for experience‐dependent cortical plasticity.
Axonal GABAA receptors
Authors: Trigo Federico F. , Marty Alain , Stell Brandon M.
Published: August 2008

Type A GABA receptors (GABAARs) are well established as the main inhibitory receptors in the mature mammalian forebrain. In recent years, evidence has accumulated showing that GABAARs are prevalent not only in the somatodendritic compartment of CNS neurons, but also in their axonal compartment. Evidence for axonal GABAARs includes new immunohistochemical and immunogold data: direct recording from single axonal terminals; and effects of local applications of GABAAR modulators on action potential generation, on axonal calcium signalling, and on neurotransmitter release. Strikingly, whereas presynaptic GABAARs have long been considered inhibitory, the new studies in the mammalian brain mostly indicate an excitatory action. Depending on the neuron that is under study, axonal GABAARs can be activated by ambient GABA, by GABA spillover, or by an autocrine action, to increase either action potential firing and/or transmitter release. In certain neurons, the excitatory effects of axonal GABAARs persist into adulthood. Altogether, axonal GABAARs appear as potent neuronal modulators of the mammalian CNS.
Identification of receptors of main sex‐pheromone components of three Lepidopteran species
Authors: Mitsuno Hidefumi , Sakurai Takeshi , Murai Masatoshi , Yasuda Tetsuya , Kugimiya Soichi , Ozawa Rika , Toyohara Haruhiko , Takabayashi Junji , Miyoshi Hideto , Nishioka Takaaki
Published: August 2008

Male moths discriminate conspecific female‐emitted sex pheromones. Although the chemical components of sex pheromones have been identified in more than 500 moth species, only three components inBombyx moriandHeliothis virescenshave had their receptors identified. Here we report the identification of receptors for the main sex‐pheromone components in three moth species,Plutella xylostella,Mythimna separataandDiaphania indica. We cloned putative sex‐pheromone receptor genesPxOR1,MsOR1andDiOR1fromP. xylostella,M. separataandD. indica, respectively. Each of the three genes was exclusively expressed with anOr83borthologous gene in male olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) that are surrounded by supporting cells expressing pheromone‐binding‐protein (PBP) genes. By two‐electrode voltage‐clamp recording, we tested the ligand specificity ofXenopusoocytes co‐expressing PxOR1, MsOR1 or DiOR1 with an OR83b family protein. Among the seven sex‐pheromone components of the three moth species, the oocytes dose‐dependently responded only to the main sex‐pheromone component of the corresponding moth species. In our study, PBPs were not essential for ligand specificity of the receptors. On the phylogenetic tree of insect olfactory receptors, the six sex‐pheromone receptors identified in the present and previous studies are grouped in the same subfamily but have no relation with the taxonomy of moths. It is most likely that sex‐pheromone receptors have randomly evolved from ancestral sex‐pheromone receptors before the speciation of moths and that their ligand specificity was modified by mutations of local amino acid sequences after speciation.
The Third Food Regime: Neoliberal Globalism and Agricultural Biotechnology in North America
Authors: Pechlaner Gabriela , Otero Gerardo
Published: August 2008

The agricultural sector is currently being shaped by two powerful dynamics as many nations reorganise their national agriculture according to free trade and other supranational agreements while new agricultural biotechnologies are increasingly adopted. This interrelationship between regulatory change and genetic engineering appears set to form the basis of a new food regime. In this article, we compare the role of national and international regulations relating to the technology, and the impact of local resistance to it, in the advanced capitalist countries of Canada and the USA and the developing country of Mexico. Similar to food regime perspectives, our study concludes that neoliberal regulatory reorganisation is an important component of the evolving food regime. Further, Mexico bore the brunt of the technology's negative social impacts, demonstrating how it exacerbates existing inequalities between developed and developing nations. Resistance movements in the country have been sufficient to call into question the inevitability of a homogenous reorganisation of agriculture, however. Evidence suggests that such resistance could modify, or even derail, this technology's role in individual nations, and consequently, in the unfolding food regime as a whole.
Multiple Job Holding: Interpreting Economic, Labour Market and Social Change in Rural Communities
Authors: Robertson Nicola , Perkins Harvey C , Taylor Nick
Published: August 2008

This article reports research investigating the ways individuals and families in New Zealand have adapted to and created economic and social change through holding multiple jobs since the beginning of a period of restructuring in the 1980s. Our research has been stimulated by the very significant increase in multiple job holding in New Zealand over the whole workforce, and more particularly in rural areas over the last 25 years. We show how a focus on multiple job holding can contribute to interpretations of changing rural economic and social relations associated with work and employment.
Stifters Abdias: Kindheit in ästhetischer Spiegelung
Authors: Guarda Sylvain
Published: August 2008

Der Aufsatz untersucht Adalbert Stifters jüngst als antisemitisch gebrandmarkte Novelle Abdias unter der Perspektive der Kindheitserlebnisse des jüdischen Hauptprotagonisten. Dabei dient Eric Downings theoretische Studie Double Exposures (2000) als Folie zur Analyse der zugrundeliegenden Kindheitsutopien und des damit verbundenen, bisher von der Forschung kaum beachteten Spiegelmotivs. Das oftmals auftretende Spiegelmotiv trägt nicht nur zur chiastischen Verkehrung von Abdias’ und Dithas Kindheit, sondern auch zur Entstehung einer naiven, von jeglicher gedanklichen Reflexion fernen Welt bei. Indem Stifter der Schöpfung in naiver Weise nacheifert und zugleich deren Vergänglichkeit darlegt, hebt er ironisch den gebrechlichen Charakter des Schaffensprozesses selbst hervor. Dadurch versetzt Stifter dem mythischen Konstrukt vom Ewigen Juden einen Seitenhieb.
‘… Spottlust und viel ehrliches Mitleid’: Bertolt Brechts “Ah … nous pauvres!”
Authors: Hillesheim Jürgen
Published: August 2008

Nach der Schülerzeitschrift Die Ernte, die er herausgegeben hatte und deren insgesamt sechs Hefte 1913/1914 erschienen waren, trat Bertolt Brecht nach Ausbruch des Ersten Weltkriegs mit einer Reihe von Beiträgen in Erscheinung, die er für zwei Augsburger Tageszeitungen schrieb. Diese Texte sind hinsichtlich seiner literarischen Anfänge von großer Bedeutung und beschäftigen die Forschung immer wieder aufs Neue. Überraschend wurde jetzt ein an sehr abgelegener Stelle platzierter früher Beitrag Brechts wiedergefunden. Am 27. August 1914 erschienen, ist er überhaupt erst der neunte in einer Zeitung gedruckte Text Brechts. Er erhellt dessen Tätigkeit als ‘freier Mitarbeiter’ und verdeutlicht überdies seine mitfühlende, behutsame Zurückhaltung im Umgang mit französischen Kriegsgefangenen. Diese unterscheidet Brechts Beitrag von vielen anderen propagandistischen Pamphleten dieser Zeit.
‘Aus Blut und Schmerz geboren’: Maternal Grief and the Poetry of Frida Bettingen
Authors: Smale Catherine
Published: August 2008

This article analyses the impact of maternal grief on the literary creativity of the Expressionist poet Frida Bettingen (1865–1924). Examining the depiction of maternal love which emerges in Bettingen's later poems and her ambivalent attitude towards writing as a form of therapy, it argues that her verse offers an alternative to the responses to loss outlined by Freud in his essay on mourning and melancholia. Finally, the article explores the ways in which Bettingen's ambivalence leads her to experiment with the poetic medium. She engages with and adapts contemporary discourses in order to situate her grief within the collective response to the losses of the First World War whilst still retaining a sense of the private significance of her son's death.
Doktor Ascher und Seine Väter: Stefan Pollatschek's last Novel1
Authors: Ritchie J. M.
Published: August 2008

The Austrian writer Stefan Pollatschek published several novels in the 1930s, his greatest success being John Law. Roman der Banknote, Vienna 1936, based on the life of the Scotsman who became the first millionaire and the richest man in the world. After the ‘Anschluss’ Pollatschek, as a Socialist and Jew, like many of his friends and colleagues was forced to leave Austria for exile in England. Pollatschek had never enjoyed good health but, despite this, in exile he devoted his energies to a vast historical novel about the persecution of the Jews through the ages. After his early death in Epsom in 1942 his last novel remained unpublished for many years, but it has now been edited and made available in printed form as Doktor Ascher und seine Väter. Though the novel shows structural and stylistic weaknesses, the theme of the sustaining faith of the Jews in the coming of the Messiah and his ‘tausendjähriges Reich’, and the travesties of that belief both within Judaism and in its resentful, vengeful Gentile imitators are very powerfully conveyed.
From Luther to Hitler?‘Ordinary Germans’, National Socialism and Germany's Cultural Heritage in F. C. Delius's Bildnis der Mutter als junge Frau
Authors: Taberner Stuart
Published: August 2008

F. C. Delius's Bildnis der Mutter als junge Frau (2006) is one of a number of ‘family narratives’ focused on the Nazi past which have appeared in the course of the last decade responding to, and often tempering via a more empathetic perspective, the typically condemnatory tone of the ‘Väterliteratur’ of the 1970s and 1980s. What makes this short text stand out from other contemporary texts of this kind, however, is the intriguing contrast between its protagonist's evident limitations with regard to her knowledge of the world and experience and the allusive richness of the philosophical, theological and cultural markers which fill the mental universe she inhabits and which she strives to bring to bear on her daily reality in order to make sense of ideology, propaganda and war. This article explores the ways in which Delius offers a subtle exploration, in fiction, of the perspective that one ‘ordinary’ German – the author's mother – derived from the traditions into which she was born and of how she positioned herself in relation to the events of her time. In doing this, it neither relativises her passivity, or indeed her prejudices, nor denies her a degree of empathetic understanding.
Does literacy and numeracy training for adults increase employment and employability? Evidence from the Skills for Life programme in England
Authors: Meadows Pamela , Metcalf Hilary
Published: August 2008

The employment effects of participation in adult literacy and numeracy courses are assessed, one year after participation, using a matched comparison, longitudinal design, with difference‐in‐differences analysis. Employability improvements, but no employment effects, are found. Effects on employment may result in the longer term from an increased likelihood of subsequent training.
Explaining activity and exploring experience—findings from a survey of union learning representatives
Authors: Hollinrake Alison , Antcliff Valerie , Saundry Richard
Published: August 2008

This article draws on data from one of the largest surveys to date of union learning representatives (ULRs) in order to build a unique picture of ULR experience and activity. It is found that ULRs made a contribution to increased diversity and represented an injection of ‘new blood’ within workplace union structures. Moreover, ULRs with no previous union involvement were just as likely to be active in promoting learning as their more experienced colleagues. At the same time, we found that a significant minority of trained ULRs were not active in union learning. While ULR activity was not confined within traditionally unionised settings, active and effective ULRs were most likely to be found in workplaces with substantive structures and institutions that underpinned union learning and reflected a clear commitment from the employer. ULR activity was more difficult to start and to sustain in workplaces in which this support was absent. The article concludes that in order for ULR activity to permeate such environments, some degree of additional statutory support may be necessary.
Interfirm cooperation in training: group training in the UK and Australia
Authors: Cooney Richard , Gospel Howard
Published: August 2008

This article examines employer cooperation in the provision of training in the UK and Australia. These countries both have market‐based training systems where it might be thought there is little cooperative behaviour. Cooperative interfirm arrangements are, however, shown to be important, especially for the supply of intermediate level skills. The article compares the development of one of the most signficant forms of cooperative training, group training. Some striking differences exist between the two countries, in terms of the actual employment and direct training of apprentices. In both countries, the arrangements are heavily dependent upon government funding.
Vocational training and the labour market in liberal and coordinated economies
Authors: Bosch Gerhard , Charest Jean
Published: August 2008

In recent decades, the differences between the education and training systems in the liberal and coordinated market economies have increased. It is not possible to understand such different developments by focusing exclusively on the internal dynamics of vocational and general education systems. Vocational education and training (VET), and particularly apprenticeship systems rather than school‐based VET, are deeply embedded in the different national production, labour market, industrial relations and status systems. In order to contribute to a better understanding of the dynamics of VET, we examine recent developments in general and vocational training and its links to the labour and product market in five contrasting countries, namely, Denmark, Canada, Germany, Korea and the USA. In particular, differences in industrial relations, welfare states, income distribution and product markets are the main reason for the persistent high level of diversity in vocational training systems. The difference can perhaps be summarized as follows: in the coordinated market economies, the modernisation of vocational training is seen as a contribution to innovation in the economy, while in liberal market economies, it is seen as a siding into which weaker pupils can conveniently be shunted.
Green tea extracts interfere with the stress‐protective activity of PrPC and the formation of PrPSc
Authors: Rambold Angelika S. , Miesbauer Margit , Olschewski Diana , Seidel Ralf , Riemer Constanze , Smale Lindsay , Brumm Lisa , Levy Michal , Gazit Ehud , Oesterhelt Dieter , Baier Michael , Becker Christian F. W. , Engelhard Martin , Winklhofer Konstanze F. , Tatzelt Jörg
Published: August 2008

A hallmark in prion diseases is the conformational transition of the cellular prion protein (PrPC) into a pathogenic conformation, designated scrapie prion protein (PrPSc), which is the essential constituent of infectious prions. Here, we show that epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and gallocatechin gallate, the main polyphenols in green tea, induce the transition of mature PrPC into a detergent‐insoluble conformation distinct from PrPSc. The PrP conformer induced by EGCG was rapidly internalized from the plasma membrane and degraded in lysosomal compartments. Isothermal titration calorimetry studies revealed that EGCG directly interacts with PrP leading to the destabilizing of the native conformation and the formation of random coil structures. This activity was dependent on the gallate side chain and the three hydroxyl groups of the trihydroxyphenyl side chain. In scrapie‐infected cells EGCG treatment was beneficial; formation of PrPSc ceased. However, in uninfected cells EGCG interfered with the stress‐protective activity of PrPC. As a consequence, EGCG‐treated cells showed enhanced vulnerability to stress conditions. Our study emphasizes the important role of PrPC to protect cells from stress and indicate efficient intracellular pathways to degrade non‐native conformations of PrPC.
Controlling the mass action of α‐synuclein in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Kim Changyoun , Lee Seung‐Jae
Published: August 2008

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is an age‐related neurodegenerative disease with unknown etiology. Growing evidence from genetic, pathologic, animal modeling, and biochemical studies strongly support the theory that abnormal aggregation of α‐synuclein plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of PD. Protein aggregation is an alternative folding process that competes with the native folding pathway. Whether or not a protein is subject to the aggregation process is determined by the concentration of the protein as well as thermodynamic properties inherent to each polypeptide. An increase in cellular concentration of α‐synuclein has been associated with the disease in both familial and sporadic forms of PD. Thus, maintenance of the intraneuronal steady state levels of α‐synuclein below the critical concentration is a key challenge neuronal cells are facing. Expression of the α‐synuclein gene is under the control of environmental factors and aging, the two best‐established risk factors for PD. Studies also suggest that the degradation of this protein is mediated by proteasomal and autophagic pathways, which are two mechanisms that are related to the pathogenesis of PD. Recently, vesicle‐mediated exocytosis has been suggested as a novel mechanism for disposal of neuronal α‐synuclein. Relocalization of the protein to specific compartments may be another method for increasing its local concentration. Regulation of the neuronal steady state levels of α‐synuclein has significant implications in the development of PD, and understanding the mechanism may disclose potential therapeutic targets for PD and other related diseases.
Glucocorticoids trigger Alzheimer disease‐like pathobiochemistry in rat neuronal cells expressing human tau
Authors: Sotiropoulos Ioannis , Catania Caterina , Riedemann Therese , Fry Jonathan P. , Breen Kieran C. , Michaelidis Theologos M. , Almeida Osborne F. X.
Published: August 2008

Amyloid precursor protein (APP) mis‐processing and aberrant tau hyperphosphorylation are causally related to the pathogenesis and neurodegenerative processes that characterize Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Abnormal APP metabolism leads to the generation of neurotoxic amyloid beta (Aβ), whereas tau hyperphosphorylation culminates in cytoskeletal disturbances, neuronal dysfunction and death. Many AD patients hypersecrete glucocorticoids (GC) while neuronal structure, function and survival are adversely influenced by elevated GC levels. We report here that a rat neuronal cell line (PC12) engineered to express the human ortholog of the tau protein (PC12‐htau) becomes more vulnerable to the toxic effects of either Aβ or GC treatment. Importantly, APP metabolism in GC‐treated PC12‐htau cells is selectively shifted towards increased production of the pro‐amyloidogenic peptide C99. Further, GC treatment results in hyperphosphorylation of human tau at AD‐relevant sites, through the cyclin‐dependent kinase 5 (E.C. 2.7.11.26) and GSK3 (E.C. 2.7.11.22) protein kinases. Pulse‐chase experiments revealed that GC treatment increased the stability of tau protein rather than its de novo synthesis. GC treatment also induced accumulation of transiently expressed EGFP‐tau in the neuronal perikarya. Together with previous evidence showing that Aβ can activate cyclin‐dependent kinase 5 and GSK3, these results uncover a potential mechanism through which GC may contribute to AD neuropathology.
Genistein, a natural phytoestrogen from soy, relieves neuropathic pain following chronic constriction sciatic nerve injury in mice: anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant activity
Authors: Valsecchi Anna Elisa , Franchi Silvia , Panerai Alberto Emilio , Sacerdote Paola , Trovato Anna Elisa , Colleoni Mariapia
Published: August 2008

There is great interest in soy isoflavones as alternatives to endogenous estrogens not only in hormonal pathologies, but also in inflammatory, neurodegenerative diseases, and pain. We investigated the effect of the isoflavone genistein on neuropathic pain. Genistein binds estrogen receptors (ER) with higher affinity for the ERβ particularly expressed in neuronal and immune cells. Neuropathy was induced in mice by means of chronic sciatic nerve constriction, and the subcutaneous administration of genistein from the third day after the lesion reversed pain hypersensitivity in a time‐ and dose‐dependent manner. This effect may have been due to the activation of classical nuclear receptor and/or anti‐oxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and immunomodulating properties of genistein. The fact that a specific ERβ antagonist prevented both its anti‐allodynic and anti‐hyperalgesic action, whereas a specific ERα antagonist was ineffective and a non‐selective ER antagonist only reversed the anti‐allodynic effect, suggests the involvement of ERβ. Antioxidant effects are also involved as the anti‐nociceptive dose reversed the increase in reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde in injured paw tissues, and increased the activity of anti‐oxidant enzymes. The phytoestrogen had immunomodulatory and anti‐inflammatory activities as it reduced peripheral and central nuclear factor‐κB, nitric oxide system and pro‐inflammatory cytokine over‐activation. Taken together, our results suggest that genistein could ameliorate painful neuropathy by multiple mechanisms.
Functional implications for Kir4.1 channels in glial biology: from K+ buffering to cell differentiation
Authors: Olsen Michelle L. , Sontheimer Harald
Published: August 2008

Astrocytes and oligodendrocytes are characterized by a very negative resting potential and a high resting permeability for K+ ions. Early pharmacological and biophysical studies suggested that the resting potential is established by the activity of inwardly rectifying, Ba2+ sensitive, weakly rectifying Kir channels. Molecular cloning has identified 16 Kir channels genes of which several mRNA transcripts and protein products have been identified in glial cells. However, genetic deletion and siRNA knock‐down studies suggest that the resting conductance of astrocytes and oligodendrocytes is largely due to Kir4.1. Loss of Kir4.1 causes membrane depolarization, and a break‐down of K+ and glutamate homeostasis which results in seizures and wide‐spread white matter pathology. Kir channels have also been shown to act as critical regulators of cell division whereby Kir function is correlated with an exit from the cell cycle. Conversely, loss of functional Kir channels is associated with re‐entry of cells into the cell cycle and gliosis. A loss of functional Kir channels has been shown in a number of neurological diseases including temporal lobe epilepsy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, retinal degeneration and malignant gliomas. In the latter, expression of Kir4.1 is sufficient to arrest the aberrant growth of these glial derived tumor cells. Kir4.1 therefore represents a potential therapeutic target in a wide variety of neurological conditions.
Perceived versus reported social referent approval and romantic relationship commitment and persistence
Authors: ETCHEVERRY PAUL E. , LE BENJAMIN , CHARANIA MAHNAZ R.
Published: August 2008

The current study examined social network influence processes on romantic relationship outcomes by obtaining the reported opinions of social referents as well as romantic relationship members’ perceptions of social network members’ opinions. Participants were 254 (151 women) college students from the United States involved in romantic relationships along with a male and female friend who all completed surveys regarding the participants’ romantic relationship. This work demonstrated that perceived normative beliefs of social network members significantly mediated the effects of reported social network approval on relationship commitment. Participants’ reports of relationship commitment were found to mediate the effect of subjective norms on relationship persistence. Along with network members’ relationship approval, participants’ satisfaction was found to predict participants’ normative beliefs.
Conceptualization and assessment of disengagement in romantic relationships
Authors: BARRY ROBIN A. , LAWRENCE ERIKA , LANGER AMIE
Published: August 2008

Research examining relationship distress and dissolution highlights the importance of romantic disengagement. Nevertheless, prior conceptualizations and measures of romantic disengagement have tended to combine disengagement with related but distinct constructs hindering the study of romantic disengagement. The present research used exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses to clarify the conceptualization of romantic disengagement and to develop a novel measure—the Romantic Disengagement Scale (RDS). The RDS demonstrated adequate fit across samples of dating individuals (n= 203), married couples (n= 77), and women in physically aggressive relationships (n= 42) from the Midwestern United States. The RDS also demonstrated strong divergent and incremental validity. The discussion focuses on implications for enhancing conceptual models, research methodology, and clinical interventions.
A longitudinal test of the relational turbulence model of romantic relationship development
Authors: SOLOMON DENISE HAUNANI , THEISS JENNIFER A.
Published: August 2008

A longitudinal study evaluated associations between intimacy and relational uncertainty and characteristics of interdependence within nonmarital romantic relationships. Three hundred and fifteen college students in the United States completed a Web‐based survey about their relationship weekly for 6 weeks. Results indicated nonlinear associations between intimacy and relational uncertainty and perceptions of a partner’s interference (p < .001) that were inconsistent with hypotheses. Intimacy was positively associated with a partner’s influence in and facilitation of activities (p < .001). An interaction between intimacy and a partner’s influence predicted a partner’s interference, such that a partner’s influence was more positively associated with interference at low, compared to high, intimacy (p < .05). The implications of these findings for rethinking the relational turbulence model are discussed.
Attachment styles and interpersonal approach and avoidance goals in everyday couple interactions
Authors: LOCKE KENNETH D.
Published: August 2008

Sixty undergraduates at a public university in the northwest United States recorded their approach and avoidance communal (closeness), uncommunal (distance), agentic (assertion), and unagentic (submission) goals during a total of 836 naturalistic interactions with romantic partners. They also completed a self‐report measure of attachment style. Secure attachment predicted more approach than avoidance goals, especially agentic goals. Avoidant attachment predicted goals to avoid and not to approach closeness and submission. Anxious attachment predicted more intense and inconsistent goals; for example, anxiety predicted focusing more on avoiding distance yet less on creating closeness and predicted more within‐person variability across interactions in goals to approach distance, avoid closeness, avoid assertion, and avoid submission. In sum, the study revealed strong relationships between enduring attachment styles and momentary interpersonal goals in everyday life.
Attachment and daily sexual goals: A study of dating couples
Authors: IMPETT EMILY A. , GORDON AMIE M. , STRACHMAN AMY
Published: August 2008

This research provides the first empirical investigation of how both partners’ attachment orientations contribute to daily sexual goals. Both members of 84 dating couples who attended a large urban university on the West Coast in the United States completed a measure of attachment orientation, and 1 member completed a measure of sexual goals for 14 consecutive days. Analyses showed that attachment anxiety was associated with engaging in sex to please one’s partner and express love, whereas attachment avoidance was associated with engaging in sex to avoid negative relational consequences and was negatively associated with engaging in sex to express love. Daily sexual goals were also associated with the partner’s attachment orientation. Gender moderated many of these associations. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Equity and Accountability: The Impact of State Accountability Systems on School Finance
Authors: RUBENSTEIN ROSS , BALLAL SONALI , STIEFEL LEANNA , SCHWARTZ AMY ELLEN
Published: August 2008

Using an 11‐year panel data set containing information on revenues, expenditures, and demographics for every school district in the United States, we examine the effects of state‐adopted school accountability systems on the adequacy and equity of school resources. We find little relationship between state implementation of accountability systems and changes in school finance equity, though we do find evidence that states in which courts overturned the school finance system during the decade exhibited significant equity improvements. Additionally, while implementation of accountability per se does not appear linked to changes in resource adequacy, states that implemented strong accountability systems did experience improvements.
State Saving Behavior: Effects of Two Fiscal and Budgetary Institutions
Authors: HOU YILIN , DUNCOMBE WILLIAM
Published: August 2008

This paper explores how state saving behavior is affected by two fiscal/budgetary institutions—budget stabilization funds (BSF) and balanced budget requirements (BBR). While adopted for different reasons, BSF and BBR could have significant effects on state savings behavior depending on their design features. We empirically examine the effects of BSF and BBR using a panel data set that covers three business cycles, controlling for budgetary institutions, state economy, social services, politics, and business cycles. The paper finds that adopting BSF and BBR can raise savings by 2 and 3 percentage points, respectively; however, the effects depend crucially on the devices' design.
Consistency of immigrant and country‐of‐birth suicide rates: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Voracek M. , Loibl L. M.
Published: August 2008

Objective: Multifaceted evidence (family, twin, adoption, molecular genetic, geographic and surname studies of suicide) suggests genetic risk factors for suicide. Migrant studies are also informative in this context, but underused. In particular, a meta‐analysis of the associations of immigrant (IMM) and country‐of‐birth (COB) suicide rates is unavailable.

Method: Thirty‐three studies, reporting IMM suicide rates for nearly 50 nationalities in seven host countries (Australia, Austria, Canada, England, the Netherlands, Sweden and the USA), were retrieved.

Results: Total‐population IMM and COB suicide rates were strongly positively associated (combined rank‐order correlation across 20 eligible studies: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.56–0.73,P < 10−9). The effect generalized across both sexes, host countries and study periods.

Conclusion: Following the logic of the migrant study design of genetic epidemiology, the correspondence of IMM and COB suicide rates is consistent with the assumption of population differences in the prevalence of genetic risk factors for suicide.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Chorioamnionitis and Increased Galectin‐1 Expression in PPROM – An Anti‐Inflammatory Response in the Fetal Membranes?
Authors: Than Nandor Gabor , Kim Sung‐Su , Abbas Asad , Han Yu Mi , Hotra John , Tarca Adi L. , Erez Offer , Wildman Derek E. , Kusanovic Juan Pedro , Pineles Beth , Montenegro Daniel , Edwin Samuel S. , Mazaki‐Tovi Shali , Gotsch Francesca , Espinoza Jimmy , Hassan Sonia S. , Papp Zoltan , Romero Roberto
Published: August 2008

Problem Galectin‐1 can regulate immune responses upon infection and inflammation. We determined galectin‐1 expression in the chorioamniotic membranes and its changes during histological chorioamnionitis.

Method of study Chorioamniotic membranes were obtained from women with normal pregnancy (n = 5) and from patients with pre‐term pre‐labor rupture of the membranes (PPROM) with (n = 8) and without histological chorioamnionitis (n = 8). Galectin‐1 mRNA and protein were localized by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. Galectin‐1 mRNA expression was also determined by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction.

Results Galectin‐1 mRNA and protein were detected in the amniotic epithelium, chorioamniotic fibroblasts/myofibroblasts and macrophages, chorionic trophoblasts, and decidual stromal cells. In patients with PPROM, galectin‐1 mRNA expression in the fetal membranes was higher (2.07‐fold, P = 0.002) in those with chorioamnionitis than in those without. Moreover, chorioamionitis was associated with a strong galectin‐1 immunostaining in amniotic epithelium, chorioamniotic mesodermal cells, and apoptotic bodies.

Conclusion Chorioamnionitis is associated with an increased galectin‐1 mRNA expression and strong immunoreactivity of the chorioamniotic membranes; thus, galectin‐1 may be involved in the regulation of the inflammatory responses to chorioamniotic infection.
IPD meta‐analysis shows no effect of LC‐PUFA supplementation on infant growth at 18 months
Authors: Rosenfeld Eva , Beyerlein Andreas , Hadders‐Algra Mijna , Kennedy Katherine , Singhal Atul , Fewtrell Mary , Lucas Alan , Koletzko Berthold , Von Kries Rüdiger
Published: August 2008

Aim: Clinical trials on the effects of long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC‐PUFA) supplementation of formula milk on growth of term and preterm children have shown conflicting results. We examined the effects of LC‐PUFAs – especially docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (AA) – on growth at 18 months.

Methods: We performed a meta‐analysis based on individual patient data (IPD) of 901 children from four large, randomised clinical trials of formula milk with and without LC‐PUFAs. Anthropometrics were assessed by z‐scores based on weight for age, length for age, head circumference for age and body mass index (BMI) for age at 18 months. The studies differed in LC‐PUFA composition and infant characteristics (two studies on preterm children, two on term children).

Results: Multivariate regression analyses including the possible confounders, sex, gestational age, birth weight, smoking in the last trimester and maternal age, as well as interaction terms showed no significant effects of LC‐PUFA supplementation on any z‐score. Subgroup analyses on trials with high amounts of DHA and on studies with duration of supplementation of at least 6 months yielded the same result. These findings cannot be explained by the lack of power.

Conclusion: Our IPD meta‐analysis shows no evidence that LC‐PUFA supplementation affects children's growth at 18 months of age.
Toward a Geocentric Framework of Trust: An Application to Organizational Trust
Authors: Li Peter Ping
Published: August 2008

Integrating the typologies of trust dimensions and trust ideal-types with the new typologies of trust forms and trust bases, I propose a geocentric framework of trust in general and of organizational trust in particular. The typology of trust forms is built on the dimension of spatial strength to address the content of trust building from weak trust to strong trust and on the dimension of temporal stage to address the process of trust building from initial trust to mature trust. The typology of trust bases is built on the dimension of trust sources to address the bases of trust building from depersonalized sources to personalized sources and on the dimension of trust domains to address the bases of trust building from dyad domains to network domains. Together with its three pillars (trust-building mechanisms, leadership and trust-as-choice), the central theme of trust building connects all four trust typologies toward a geocentric framework that integrates and transcends the cultural values of the East and the West. This framework bears a special implication for theorizing about transaction cost and transaction value as a duality for interorganizational alliance.
Calcium‐sensing receptor mediates phenylalanine‐induced cholecystokinin secretion in enteroendocrine STC‐1 cells
Authors: Hira Tohru , Nakajima Shingo , Eto Yuzuru , Hara Hiroshi
Published: August 2008

Intraluminall‐phenylalanine (Phe) stimulates cholecystokinin (CCK) secretionin vivoandin vitro. However, the cellular mechanism by which CCK‐producing enteroendocrine cells sense Phe is unknown. The calcium‐sensing receptor (CaR) can sense amino acids, and is expressed in the gastrointestinal tract. In the present study, we examined whether CaR functions as a receptor for Phe in CCK‐producing enteroendocrine cells. CCK secretion and intracellular Ca2+concentration in response to Phe were measured in the murine CCK‐producing enteroendocrine cell line STC‐1 at various extracellular Ca2+concentrations or after treatment with a CaR antagonist. At more than 20 mm, Phe induced dose‐dependent CCK secretion and intracellular Ca2+mobilization in STC‐1 cells. In the presence of 3.0 mmextracellular Ca2+, 10 and 20 mmPhe induced significantly higher CCK secretion than under normal conditions (1.2 mmextracellular Ca2+). Intracellular Ca2+mobilization, induced by 10 or 20 mmPhe, was also enhanced by increasing extracellular Ca2+concentrations. In addition, intracellular Ca2+mobilization induced by addition of extracellular Ca2+was augmented by the presence of Phe. These results closely match the known CaR properties. Treatment with a specific CaR antagonist (NPS2143) completely inhibited Phe‐induced CCK secretion and the latter phase of intracellular Ca2+mobilization. CaR mRNA expression was demonstrated by RT‐PCR in STC‐1 cells, as well as in other mouse tissues including the kidney, thyroid, stomach and intestine. In conclusion, CaR functions as a receptor for Phe, stimulating CCK secretion in enteroendocrine STC‐1 cells.
A Comparative Study of α‐Dystroglycan Glycosylation in Dystroglycanopathies Suggests that the Hypoglycosylation of α‐Dystroglycan Does Not Consistently Correlate with Clinical Severity
Authors: Jimenez‐Mallebrera Cecilia , Torelli Silvia , Feng Lucy , Kim Jihee , Godfrey Caroline , Clement Emma , Mein Rachael , Abbs Stephen , Brown Susan C. , Campbell Kevin P. , Kröger Stephan , Talim Beril , Topaloglu Haluk , Quinlivan Ros , Roper Helen , Childs Anne M. , Kinali Maria , Sewry Caroline A. , Muntoni Francesco
Published: August 2008

Hypoglycosylation of α‐dystroglycan underpins a subgroup of muscular dystrophies ranging from congenital onset of weakness, severe brain malformations and death in the perinatal period to mild weakness in adulthood without brain involvement. Mutations in six genes have been identified in a proportion of patients. POMT1, POMT2 and POMGnT1 encode for glycosyltransferases involved in the mannosylation of α‐dystroglycan but the function of fukutin, FKRP and LARGE is less clear. The pathological hallmark is reduced immunolabeling of skeletal muscle with antibodies recognizing glycosylated epitopes on α‐dystroglycan. If the common pathway of these conditions is the hypoglycosyation of α‐dystroglycan, one would expect a correlation between clinical severity and the extent of hypoglycosylation. By studying 24 patients with mutations in these genes, we found a good correlation between reduced α‐dystroglycan staining and clinical course in patients with mutations in POMT1, POMT2 and POMGnT1. However, this was not always the case in patients with defects in fukutin and FKRP, as we identified patients with mild limb–girdle phenotypes without brain involvement with profound depletion of α‐dystroglycan. These data indicate that it is not always possible to correlate clinical course and α‐dystroglycan labeling and suggest that there might be differences in α‐dystroglycan processing in these disorders.
Radical Scavenging‐Linked Antioxidant Activity of Ethanolic Extracts of Diverse Types of Extra Virgin Olive Oils
Authors: Lee O.‐H. , Lee B.‐Y. , Kim Y.‐C. , Shetty K. , Kim Y.‐C.
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACT: The present study evaluated the radical scavenging‐linked antioxidant activity of hexane/80% ethanol extracts from several types of extra virgin olive oils (EVOOs) derived from varieties arbequina, hojiblanca, picual, their blends, and pure olive oil (POO). The antioxidant potential of the olive oil extracts was assessed by radical scavenging assays using DPPH (2, 2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl), ABTS (2, 2′‐azino‐bis (3‐ethylbenzthiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid), and hydroxyl radical, as well as hydrogen peroxide and superoxide anion inhibitory activities. Electron donating ability (EDA) using DPPH assay of 80% ethanol extracts from EVOOs, except arbequina oil, was significantly higher than POO. EDA was markedly higher in blended and picual EVOOs than the extracts from arbequina and hojiblanca EVOOs (P< 0.05). Similarly, ABTS radical scavenging activity of the extracts from the EVOOs was in order of picual EVOO > blended EVOO > hojiblanca EVOO ≥ POO ≥ arbequina EVOO. Further, the superoxide anion scavenging activity of blended, picual, and arbequina EVOOs was significantly higher than that of hojiblanca EVOO and POO, which were barely detectable. Hydroxyl radical scavenging activity of arbequina and hojiblanca was higher than that of blended, picual EVOOs, and POO. In addition, hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity of the extracts from blended, arbequina, hojiblanca, picual EVOOs, and POO was 63.1 ± 3.1%, 44.4 ± 10.2%, 52.0 ± 2.7%, 71.8 ± 2.5%, and 35.7 ± 10.0%, respectively. Our results indicate that ethanol extracts of several EVOOs contained higher radical scavenging and antioxidant activity than the POO. This antioxidant potential is partly due to the phenolic compounds present in different olive oil grade and is influenced by cultivar type.