bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High chloroplast haplotype diversity in Greek populations of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.)
Authors: Hatziskakis S. , Papageorgiou A. C. , Gailing O. , Finkeldey R.
Published: September 2008

The distribution of chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) variations in Greek beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) populations was studied using chloroplast microsatellite markers. Thirteen haplotypes were identified from 40 populations by combining three different primers. Most of the cpDNA variation was distributed among populations, but a considerable variation was also observed within populations. The total diversity was very high for all regions. The Nst/Gst comparison was significant, indicating phylogenetic subdivision, but no strong spatial structure was detected, suggesting complex post‐glacial migration patterns. Possible scenarios explaining this diversity pattern include the existence of several separated refugia in the region, the recolonisation of mountains by different beech lineages and the formation of an introgression zone between two different beech subspecies in the eastern part of the country.
Ice encapsulation protects rather than disturbs the freezing lichen
Authors: Bjerke J. W.
Published: September 2008

Arctic and alpine terricolous lichens are adapted to harsh environments and are tolerant to extremely low temperatures when metabolically inactive. However, there are reports indicating that freezing can be lethal to metabolically active lichens. With a projected warmer and more unstable climate, winter precipitation at high latitudes will fall more frequently as rain, causing snowmelt and encapsulating terricolous lichens in ice or exposing them to large temperature fluctuations. Lichens are a major winter food source for reindeer in most parts of the circumpolar region. A laboratory experiment tested how three hydrated reindeer forage lichen species covered by snow, encapsulated in ice, or uncovered responded to storage at freezing temperatures and subsequent warming. Photosynthetic performance (maximal fluorescence of dark‐adapted samples and net photosynthetic rates) was significantly lower in lichens not insulated by snow or ice, whereas there were few differences between the snow and ice treatments. It is suggested that snow and ice provide sufficiently moist environments to improve extracellular and reduce intracellular ice nucleation activity. Ice encapsulation, which is often lethal to vascular plants, did not have any negative effects on the studied lichens. The results indicate that complete snow and ice melt followed by refreezing can be detrimental to terricolous lichen ecosystems. Reduced lichen biomass will have a negative effect both on reindeer winter survival and the indigenous peoples who herd reindeer.
Pollination by deceit in Paphiopedilum barbigerum (Orchidaceae): a staminode exploits the innate colour preferences of hoverflies (Syrphidae)
Authors: Shi J. , Luo Y.‐B. , Bernhardt P. , Ran J.‐C. , Liu Z.‐J. , Zhou Q.
Published: September 2008

Paphiopedilum barbigerum T. Tang et F. T. Wang, a slipper orchid native to southwest China and northern Vietnam, produces deceptive flowers that are self‐compatible but incapable of mechanical self‐pollination (autogamy). The flowers are visited by females of Allograpta javana and Episyrphus balteatus (Syrphidae) that disperse the orchid’s massulate pollen onto the receptive stigmas. Measurements of insect bodies and floral architecture show that the physical dimensions of these two fly species correlate with the relative positions of the receptive stigma and dehiscent anthers of P. barbigerum. These hoverflies land on the slippery centralised wart located on the shiny yellow staminode and then fall backwards through the labellum entrance. They are temporarily trapped in the inflated chamber composed of the interconnected labellum and column. The attractive staminode of P. barbigerum strongly reflects the colour yellow (500–560 nm), a colour preferred innately by most pollen‐eating members of the Syrphidae. No scent molecules were detected using GC mass spectrometry analysis, showing that the primary attractant in this system is visual, not olfactory. Pollination‐by‐deceit in P. barbigerum is contrasted with its congener, P. dianthum, a brood site mimic that is pollinated by ovipositing females of E. balteatus. As the natural rate of fruit set in P. barbigerum (mean 26.3% pooled over three seasons) is lower than that of P. dianthum (mean 58.5% over two seasons), the evolution of false brood sites in some Paphiopedilum spp. should be selectively advantageous as they may provide an increase in the attention and return rates of dependable pollinators to flowers that always lack a reward.
Population genetic structure inMyrtus communisL. in a chronically fragmented landscape in the Mediterranean: can gene flow counteract habitat perturbation?
Authors: Albaladejo R. G. , Carrillo L. F. , Aparicio A. , Fernández‐Manjarrés J. F. , González‐Varo J. P.
Published: September 2008

Ancient managed landscapes provide ideal opportunities to assess the consequences of habitat fragmentation on the patterns of genetic diversity and gene flow in long‐lived plant species. Using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and allozyme markers, we quantified seed‐mediated gene flow and population genetic diversity and structure in 14 populations ofMyrtus communis(myrtle), a common endozoochorous shrub species of forest patches in lowland agricultural Mediterranean areas. Overall, allozyme diversity for myrtle was low (P95 = 25%; A = 1.411; He = 0.085) compared to other known populations, and a significant portion of populations (57%) had lower levels of allelic diversity and/or heterozygosity than expected at random, as shown by simulated resampling of the whole diversity of the landscape. We found significant correlations between allozyme variability and population size and patch isolation, but no significant inbreeding in any population. Genetic differentiation among populations for both allozyme and AFLP markers was significant (ΦST = 0.144 and ΦST = 0.142, respectively) but an isolation‐by‐distance pattern was not detected. Assignment tests on AFLP data indicated a high immigration rate in the populations (ca.20–22%), likely through effective seed dispersal across the landscape by birds and mammals. Our results suggest that genetic isolation is not the automatic outcome of habitat destruction since substantial levels of seed‐mediated gene flow are currently detectable. However, even moderate rates of gene flow seem insufficient in this long‐lived species to counteract the genetic erosion and differentiation imposed by chronic habitat destruction.
Systematization, Distribution and Territory of the Middle Cerebral Artery on the Brain Surface in Chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera)
Authors: De Araujo A. C. P. , Campos R.
Published: September 2008

The aim of the present study was to analyse thirty chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera) brains, injected with latex, and to systematize and describe the distribution and the vascularization territories of the middle cerebral artery. This long vessel, after it has originated from the terminal branch of the basilar artery, formed the following collateral branches: rostral, caudal and striated (perforating) central branches. After crossing the lateral rhinal sulcus, the middle cerebral artery emitted a sequence of rostral and caudal convex hemispheric cortical collateral branches on the convex surface of the cerebral hemisphere to the frontal, parietal, temporal and occipital lobes. Among the rostral convex hemispheric branches, a trunk was observed, which reached the frontal and parietal lobes and, in a few cases, the occipital lobe. The vascular territory of the chinchilla’s middle cerebral artery included, in the cerebral hemisphere basis, the lateral cerebral fossa, the caudal third of the olfactory trigone, the rostral two‐thirds of the piriform lobe, the lateral olfactory tract, and most of the convex surface of the cerebral hemisphere, except for a strip between the cerebral longitudinal fissure and the vallecula, which extended from the rostral to the caudal poles bordering the cerebral transverse fissure.
Intratumoral lymphangiogenesis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and relationship with regulatory factors and prognosis
Authors: Inoue Akemi , Moriya Hiromitsu , Katada Natsuya , Tanabe Satoshi , Kobayashi Nobuyuki , Watanabe Masahiko , Okayasu Isao , Ohbu Makoto
Published: September 2008

The clinical and pathological significance of intratumoral lymphangiogenesis (ITL) with human esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (ESCC) remains unclear, as does the role of signaling molecules such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)‐A,C, platelet‐derived growth factor (PDGF)‐A, and p53, in the regulation of ITL. Lymphatic vessel density (LVD) was significantly increased in VEGF‐A and VEGF‐C immunohistochemical score 1 and 2–3 groups as compared to the score 0 group and also with high of VEGF‐A, VEGF‐C and PDGF‐A mRNA expression. Both LVD and blood vessel density (BVD) were significantly greater in the p53 gene mutant group than in the wild‐type group. Lymph node metastasis was significantly more frequent with than without ITL and Kaplan–Meier analysis indicated a significantly poorer prognosis. Multivariate analysis using Cox proportional hazard method showed that invasion depth, lymph node metastasis and ITL were independent prognostic factors.
Tubular carcinoma and grade 1 (well‐differentiated) invasive ductal carcinoma: Comparison of flat epithelial atypia and other intra‐epithelial lesions
Authors: Kunju Lakshmi P. , Ding Ying , Kleer Celina G.
Published: September 2008

The distinction between tubular carcinomas (TC) and invasive well‐differentiated (grade 1) ductal carcinoma (IDC) is important given treatment and prognostic differences. Studies have described a strong association between flat epithelial atypia (FEA) and TC. The incidence of FEA associated with grade 1 IDC is not well established. The aim of the present study was to assess morphology and intra‐epithelial lesions between 14 TC and 18 grade 1 IDC matched for size. Of 14 TC, eight (57%) had associated FEA, seven (50%) had micropapillary atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH), three (21%) had low nuclear grade ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), and four (29%) had lobular neoplasia. Notably, only two of 18 (11%) grade 1 IDC had associated FEA. Three of 18 (16%) grade 1 IDC had ADH, two (11%) had lobular neoplasia, and seven (39%) had DCIS. All tubular carcinomas were estrogen receptor (ER) positive and negative for Her‐2/neu overexpression. All grade 1 IDC were ER positive but 5% also overexpressed Her‐2/neu. Axillary lymph node metastasis was present in 11% of grade 1 IDC and absent in TC. A strong association was found between TC, FEA, and micropapillary ADH, which may reflect a biological progression. Despite matching for tumor size, grade 1 IDC have a higher incidence of lymph node metastasis and may have Her‐2‐neu overexpression compared to TC.
Expression of E‐ and N‐cadherin and clinicopathology in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Cho Sung Bum , Lee Kyung Hwa , Lee Jae Hyek , Park Sun Young , Lee Wan Sik , Park Chang Hwan , Kim Hyun Soo , Choi Sung Kyu , Rew Jong Sun
Published: September 2008

Loss or reduced E‐cadherin expression and aberrant expression of N‐cadherin have been associated with invasiveness of human carcinoma cells and poor prognosis. The role of E‐ and N‐cadherin, however, in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not yet been elucidated. The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression pattern of E‐ and N‐cadherin in surgically resected HCC specimens according to their relationship with clinicopathological features. The expression patterns of E‐ and N‐cadherin were evaluated on immunohistochemistry in 68 specimens of HCC and adjacent non‐tumor tissue. The most different expression pattern between HCC and non‐tumor tissue was the decreased staining intensity of E‐cadherin (n = 37, 54%) and the dot‐like discontinuous staining of N‐cadherin (n = 35, 55%). Decreased intensity of E‐cadherin and discontinuous staining of N‐cadherin in HCC was correlated with advanced stage. The risk factors for expression patterns related to recurrence were loss of E‐cadherin expression (odds ratio (OR) = 3.6; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.1–12.4) and discontinuous staining of N‐cadherin (OR = 1.6; 95% CI: 0.8–3.2). In conclusion, discontinuous staining of N‐cadherin and loss of E‐cadherin expression in HCC predicts a high risk of recurrence after surgical treatment.
Hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma producing both granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor and parathyroid hormone‐related protein
Authors: Tamura Kanae , Yoshinaga Tomoaki , Tanino Mishie , Kimura Taichi , Yamada Noriyuki , Nishimura Masaharu , Fukuda Satoshi , Nishihara Hiroshi , Shindoh Masanobu , Tanaka Shinya
Published: September 2008

A 57‐year‐old woman was admitted to Hokkaido University Hospital because of dysphagia. Laryngoscopy indicated hypopharyngeal tumor histologically diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). A combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy was performed for 2 months, and the hypopharyngeal lesion completely regressed. After 4 months, fever, anorexia, and malaise appeared, and chest X‐ray and CT indicated two large tumors in the right lung. Transbroncheal lung biopsy (TBLB) specimens were diagnosed as SCC. Laboratory data showed high levels of serum granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF) and parathyroid hormone‐related protein (PTHrP). Subsequently, positron emission tomography (PET) showed multiple metastases to several organs including the liver, spine, skull, and thigh. Two months after readmission, the patient died with no success of chemotherapy. At autopsy, the lung tumor was clearly positive for both G‐CSF and PTHrP on immunohistostaining. Retrospectively, examination showed that the primary pharyngeal tumor was focally positive for these two cytokines. Thus, a certain population of hypopharyngeal cancer producing G‐CSF and PTHrP, spread to various organs and contributed to the rapid progression and poor prognosis. This case is presented with a discussion of several other cases in the literature.
Amiodarone‐related pulmonary mass and unique membranous glomerulonephritis in a patient with valvular heart disease: Diagnostic pitfall and new findings
Authors: Kimura Tokuhiro , Kuramochi Shigeru , Katayama Takaharu , Yoshikawa Tsutomu , Yamada Taketo , Ueda Yoshihiko , Okada Yasunori
Published: September 2008

Amiodarone is an anti‐arrhythmic drug for life‐threatening tachycardia, but various adverse effects have been reported. Reported herein is an autopsy case of valvular heart disease, in a patient who developed a lung mass (1.5 cm in diameter) and proteinuria (2.76 g/day) after treatment with amiodarone for a long time. The lung mass was highly suspected to be lung cancer on CT and positron emission tomography, but histologically the lesion was composed of lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates in alveolar walls and intra‐alveolar accumulation of foamy macrophages containing characteristic myelinoid bodies, indicating that it was an amiodarone‐related lesion. In addition, the lung tissue had unevenly distributed hemosiderin deposition, and abnormally tortuous capillaries were seen in the mass and in heavily hemosiderotic lung portions outside the mass. In the kidneys, glomeruli had membrane spikes, prominent swelling of podocytes and subepithelial deposits, which were sometimes large and hump‐like. Autoimmune diseases, viral hepatitis, malignant neoplasms or other diseases with a known relationship to membranous glomerulonephritis were not found. The present case highlights the possibility that differential diagnosis between an amiodarone‐related pulmonary lesion and a neoplasm can be very difficult radiologically, and suggests that membranous glomerulonephritis might be another possible complication of amiodarone treatment.
EBV‐associated diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma arising in the chest wall with surgical mesh implant
Authors: Fujimoto Masakazu , Haga Hironori , Okamoto Miki , Obara Emi , Ishihara Misa , Mizuta Naomi , Nishimura Koichi , Manabe Toshiaki
Published: September 2008

In Japan, most cases of malignant lymphoma arising in the thorax are pyothorax‐associated lymphoma, which develops in patients who have undergone artificial pneumothorax, used in the past as surgical therapy for pulmonary tuberculosis. Pyothorax‐associated lymphoma consist mostly of diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma and have a strong association with EBV. Herein is reported the case of a diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma arising in the left thoracic wall after left lung resection for squamous cell carcinoma and chest wall reconstruction with polyethylene terephthalate (PET) surgical mesh. The tumor was found 20 years after the operation and was confined to the chest wall adjacent to the PET mesh. The patient did not have a clinical history of pyothorax after surgery. The lymphoma cells were of the large cell type and were positive for CD20, EBV‐encoded small RNA–in situ hybridization, LMP‐1 and EBNA‐2. The present case demonstrates that EBV‐related B‐cell lymphoma can occur after surgery other than artificial pneumothorax. In the present case, long‐standing chronic inflammation induced by PET mesh may have been associated with the development of lymphoma.
Myelinated, synapsing cultures of murine spinal cord – validation as an in vitro model of the central nervous system
Authors: Thomson C. E. , McCulloch M. , Sorenson A. , Barnett S. C. , Seed B. V. , Griffiths I. R. , McLaughlin M.
Published: September 2008

Research in central nervous system (CNS) biology and pathology requires in vitro models, which, to recapitulate the CNS in vivo, must have extensive myelin and synapse formation under serum‐free (defined) conditions. However, finding such a model has proven difficult. The technique described here produces dense cultures of myelinated axons, with abundant synapses and nodes of Ranvier, that are suitable for both morphological and biochemical analysis. Cellular and molecular events were easily visualised using conventional microscopy. Ultrastructurally, myelin sheaths were of the appropriate thickness relative to axonal diameter (G‐ratio). Production of myelinated axons in these cultures was consistent and repeatable, as shown by statistical analysis of multiple experimental repeats. Myelinated axons were so abundant that from one litter of embryonic mice, myelin was produced in amounts sufficient for bulk biochemical analysis. This culture method was assessed for its ability to generate an in vitro model of the CNS that could be used for both neurobiological and neuropathological research. Myelin protein kinetics were investigated using a myelin fraction isolated from the cultures. This fraction was found to be superior, quantitatively and qualitatively, to the fraction recovered from standard cultures of dissociated oligodendrocytes, or from brain slices. The model was also used to investigate the roles of specific molecules in the pathogenesis of inflammatory CNS diseases. Using the defined conditions offered by this culture system, dose‐specific, inhibitory effects of inflammatory cytokines on myelin formation were demonstrated, unequivocally. The method is technically quick, easy and reliable, and should have wide application to CNS research.
Embryonic motor activity and implications for regulating motoneuron axonal pathfinding in zebrafish
Authors: Menelaou Evdokia , Husbands Erin E. , Pollet Robin G. , Coutts Christopher A. , Ali Declan W. , Svoboda Kurt R.
Published: September 2008

Zebrafish embryos exhibit spontaneous contractions of the musculature as early as 18–19 h post fertilization (hpf) when removed from their protective chorion. These movements are likely initiated by early embryonic central nervous system activity. We have made the observation that narrowminded mutant embryos (hereafter, nrd −/−) lack normal embryonic motor output upon dechorionation. However, these mutants can swim and respond to tactile stimulation by larval stages of development. nrd −/− embryos exhibit defects in neural crest development, slow muscle development and also lack spinal mechanosensory neurons known as Rohon–Beard (RB) neurons. At early developmental stages (i.e. 21–22 hpf) and while still in their chorions, nrd siblings (nrd +/?) exhibited contractions of the musculature at a rate similar to wild‐type embryos. Anatomical analysis indicated that RB neurons were present in the motile embryos, but absent in the non‐motile embryos, indicating that the non‐motile embryos were nrd −/− embryos. Further anatomical analysis of nrd −/− embryos revealed errors in motoneuron axonal pathfinding that persisted into the larval stage of development. These errors were reversed when nrd −/− embryos were raised in high [K+] beginning at 21 hpf, indicating that the abnormal axonal phenotypes may be related to a lack of depolarizing activity early in development. When activity was blocked with tricaine in wild‐type embryos, motoneuron phenotypes were similar to the motoneuron phenotypes in nrd −/− embryos. These results implicate early embryonic activity in conjunction with other factors as necessary for normal motoneuron development.
UK Multinationals' Effective Use of Financial Currency‐Hedge Techniques: Estimating and Explaining Foreign Exchange Exposure Using Bilateral Exchange Rates
Authors: Makar Stephen D. , Huffman Stephen P.
Published: September 2008

Using a unique dataset of recently available accounting disclosures, this study examines the relationship between UK multinationals' stock returns and changes in the principal exchange rate to which each firm is most exposed. We find more firms with significant foreign exchange exposure estimates using this firm‐specific principal currency data, compared with those exposure estimates using the broad exchange rate index data prevalent in prior studies. The cross‐sectional variations in such principal‐currency exposure estimates are explained in relation to the financial currency‐hedge techniques that each firm specifically identifies as being used to manage its currency risk. In particular, we provide evidence that firms effectively use foreign currency derivatives and foreign‐denominated debt to reduce the currency risk associated with the bilateral exchange rate to which they are most exposed. This study is important to both the academic and the practitioner communities because it represents the first use of publicly available UK disclosures to improve the estimation and explanation of foreign exchange exposure.
International Variation in Bank Accounting Information Content
Authors: Zhao Ronald , He Yihong
Published: September 2008

This study explores the cross‐country impact of financial system and banking regulations on the information content of bank earnings and book value. Test results provide empirical evidence that financial system and banking regulations have a joint effect on the association of equity price with earnings and book value components in Germany, France, the United Kingdom and United States. This effect is explainable by the objective bank function, which shows that earnings of the period determine the terminal book value, thus consistent with the clean surplus accounting approach. Cross‐country variation in bank accounting information content calls for caution in interpreting international bank financial and operating ratios.
Analyst Following, Institutional Investors and Pricing of Future Earnings: Evidence from Korea
Authors: Choi Bobae , Jung Kooyul
Published: September 2008

This paper examines the role of sophisticated investors in pricing future earnings in Korea. Using the future earnings response coefficient (FERC) model, we test the effect of analyst following and institutional ownership on the informativeness of stock returns for future earnings. We find that the informativeness of stock returns for future earnings, measured as the FERC, increases with the analyst following and institutional ownership. We also investigate how the recently introduced Regulation Fair Disclosure in Korea affects the informativeness of stock returns for future earnings and its relation with analyst following and institutional ownership. The results show that the regulation decreases the FERC in general and its relation with analyst following, suggesting that analysts' superior ability is impaired after the regulation.
LIBERALIZATION AND PRIVATIZATION OF PUBLIC UTILITIES: ORIGINS OF THE DEBATE, CURRENT ISSUES AND CHALLENGES FOR THE FUTURE
Authors: Bognetti Giuseppe , Obermann Gabriel
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACT*:  Public utilities, public enterprises, privatizations, liberalizations and related topics have been the object of far reaching and intense debate among economists, politicians and practitioners for more than a century. Ideas have frequently changed, and practical solutions chosen to manage public utilities have also undergone significant changes over time. Presently we are witnessing a renewed debate on the relative opportunity of public and private enterprise. In the last twenty years privatization and liberalization have dominated the field. The outcome of this process has produced mixed results. Merits and demerits of privatization, liberalization and regulation are reviewed and discussed in the first part of the paper.

The second part of the paper provides an overview of the scientific work of CIRIEC related to issues of public enterprises and services of general interest. It refers primarily to relevant research activities done in the International Scientific Commission ‘Public services/Public enterprises’. Over the past two decades CIRIEC contributed some recognized theoretical and empirical studies dealing with the functioning, governance and reform of public enterprises, based on an international perspective.

Theoretical arguments and empirical findings put forward in this paper leads to the conclusion, that the often stated dominant position against public enterprises is not at all convincing. In order to arrive at a fair and valid evaluation of public utilities, it is indispensable to look more closely to the particular circumstances of the technological, economic and social environment and the goals of the provision of a concrete service of public interest.
PUBLIC ENTERPRISES AND SERVICE PROVIDERS IN INSTITUTIONAL COMPETITION AND UNDERGOING STRUCTURAL CHANGE New challenges to the theory of public economics and public services in Germany
Authors: Cox Helmut
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACT**:  In recent years the public sector has undergone structural changes: privatization, competition, compulsory competitive tendering, award of public service provision to private bidders, state as guarantor of public service provision. It must be asked, whether these changes are causing the dualistic structure of the specific German Social Market Economy to move in the direction of a more uniform typically private economy. One must ask also, which are the impacts of these changes on the German Theory of Public and Social Economy. This is characterized by the dualism of public and private economy. In this contribution the German system of Social Market Economy and the German Theory of Public Enterprises will be analyzed for this purpose. It results from the analysis that there will be in future a more or less intensive institutional competition on public services between public, public‐private, task regulated private enterprises, cooperatives, and social organisations. Therefore the German Theory of Public Enterprises must be newly defined, adapted and developed to a new Theory of Public Services in a competitive environment.
REDUCING THE NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES OF IDENTITY: A POTENTIAL ROLE FOR THE NONPROFIT SECTOR IN THE ERA OF GLOBALIZATION
Authors: Ben‐Ner Avner , Hill Claire A.
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACT*:  People of diverse backgrounds – most notably, diverse ethnic, racial and religious backgrounds – increasingly live in close proximity to one another. The trajectory is inexorable, and has many benefits. However, it also has had significant costs, including violent conflict between people with different identities, especially ethnic and religious identities. One important way to deal with this conflict starts with the recognition that people have multiple dimensions to their identities – in Amartya Sen's words, people's identities are ‘inescapably plural’. A person's identities may change over time: various contexts, and stages of life, make different dimensions of identity more salient. Society can aim to strengthen alternative identity dimensions that would substitute for and weaken ethnic, religious, and other identity dimensions that may lead to conflict and violence, instead of complementing and strengthening them. We argue that the nonprofit sector is well situated to help in this endeavor. Nonprofit organizations may provide suitable circumstances for the encouragement of single alternative identity dimensions, such as musical and sports identities, or for the development of a set of complementary dimensions of identity that do not involve ethnicity and religion. Such organizations would engage in the provision of relational goods, thus playing on the nonprofit sector's relative advantage. The paper makes a concrete proposal for a community center model that could contribute to the reduction of negative effects of identity.
THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR AND PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: THE CASE OF HUNGARY
Authors: Rose‐Ackerman Susan
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACT**:  Government policymakers need to be accountable to citizens, but much government policymaking occurs in ministries that are imperfectly monitored and controlled by the popularly elected legislature. There are good reasons for such delegation, grounded in the expertise of officials and the scarce time of legislators, but the affirmative justifications for delegation do not vitiate the need for public officials to consult with the public and with organized civil society advocacy groups. This article argues that the new democracies of Central Europe have underemphasized this consultative aspect of the transition to democracy. To illustrate, it concentrates on the case of environmental policymaking in Hungary, one of the more advanced democracies in the region. A handful of voluntary civil society organizations play an important role, but the relative weakness of the organizational landscape and of the groups' legal rights to participate in policymaking limit their impact. The article proposes ways to strengthen the role of civil society advocacy groups in emerging democracies.
THE CO‐OPERATIVE MOVEMENT AND THE SOCIAL ECONOMY TRADITIONS: REFLECTIONS ON THE MINGLING OF BROAD VISIONS
Authors: MacPherson Ian
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACT*:  The idea of the Social Economy and the co‐operative movement originated in the nineteenth century but took on added significance in the twentieth century. This paper examines the relationships between the international movement and the Social Economy between 1909, when the forerunner of the CIRIEC Review and the International Co‐operative Alliance Bulletin began publication. It discusses the complexities that characterized the relationship between the movement and the idea of the Social Economy as it developed and considers why that relationship is important for both, especially in the contemporary period.
Human Capital and Economic Growth in Asia 1890–2000: A Time‐series Analysis*
Authors: Van Leeuwen Bas , Foldvari Peter
Published: September 2008

There is a general consensus that human capital is a major factor behind long‐run economic growth. Yet, on a macro level, the empirical results do not always seem to concur with this view. To explain this gap between theory and empirics, more focus has been laid on measurement error and data quality. Using an alternative estimate of the stock of human capital, based on Judson (2002), we find evidence that the two major views on the role of human capital in economic development by Lucas (1988) and Romer (1990) coexist and are by no means mutually exclusive. Using a Johansen cointegration test, we find that in India and Indonesia the level of human capital is cointegrated with the level of aggregate income during the whole 20th century, which confirms the theory of Lucas (1988). In Japan, however, the Lucasian approach can be verified only for the first half of the century, while after 1950 there is cointegration between the growth rate of aggregate income and the level of human capital, which is in line with Romer's view.
INSTITUTIONS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Authors: Ostrom Elinor
Published: September 2008

Scholars have tended to recommend ‘optimal’ solutions for coping with open‐access problems related to common‐pool resources such as fisheries, forests and water systems. Examples exist of both successful and unsuccessful efforts to rely on private property, government property and community property. After briefly reviewing how the often‐recommended solutions have worked in the field, I suggest that institutional theorists move from touting simple, optimal solutions to analysing adaptive, multi‐level governance as related to complex, evolving resource systems.
DOES THE IMPACT OF INSTITUTIONAL QUALITY ON ECONOMIC GROWTH DEPEND ON INITIAL INCOME LEVEL?
Authors: Aixalá José , Fabro Gema
Published: September 2008

The aim of this paper is to determine the most adequate institutional variables to introduce into a growth model, depending on the income levels of countries. The results show that, for rich countries, the rule of law is fundamental while, for poor countries, it is control of corruption. This has important implications for any agenda of institutional reform in either type of country.
A SECURITISED MARKET FOR HUMAN CAPITAL
Authors: Yu Wei‐Choun , Salyards Donald M.
Published: September 2008

This paper proposes a simple finance innovation with an income‐contingent repayment system to supplement our current fixed‐interest rate student loan system. Income‐contingent repayments could be pooled and securitised while lenders could sell these lifetime equity‐like human capital securities to investors who seek to diversify their existing portfolios. Without increasing the government's fiscal burden, this innovation would significantly reduce entry barriers facing finance‐constrained college students in a continually rising cost environment.
RAPID GROWTH IN CHINA AND THE ASIAN ECONOMIES: SOME STYLISED FREE‐MARKET POLICY INFERENCES
Authors: Das Dilip K.
Published: September 2008

The focus of this article is on the rapid growth of the Chinese economy and its ongoing interaction with the rest of Asia. It concludes that rapid growth in both Asia and China has resulted from free‐market‐oriented neoclassical economic policies and principles. Owing to its economy's size, its openness and the briskness of its GDP growth, China has influenced economies across the globe as well as the more proximate regional economy.
THE ENTREPRENEURIAL EMPLOYEE
Authors: Fulda Joseph S.
Published: September 2008

The business world goes around not just because of entrepreneurs, small and large, but because of entrepreneurial employees, as well. We discuss this insight and provide some illustrations.
Involvement of nuclear factor‐kappa B in bcl‐xL‐induced interleukin 8 expression in glioblastoma
Authors: Gabellini Chiara , Castellini Laura , Trisciuoglio Daniela , Kracht Michael , Zupi Gabriella , Del Bufalo Donatella
Published: September 2008

We recently reported that bcl‐xL regulates interleukin 8 (CXCL8) protein expression and promoter activity in glioblastoma cells. In this paper we demonstrate that CXCL8 induction by bcl‐xL is mediated through a nuclear factor‐kappa B (NF‐kB)‐dependent mechanism. Mutational studies on the CXCL8 promoter showed that NF‐kB binding site was required for bcl‐xL‐induced promoter activity and an enhanced nuclear expression of NF‐kB subunits p65 and p50 was observed after bcl‐xL over‐expression. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay showed an increased DNA‐binding activity of NF‐kB in bcl‐xL over‐expressing cells and the use of specific antibodies confirmed the involvement of p65 and p50 in NF‐kB activity on CXCL8 promoter sequence. NF‐kB activity regulation by bcl‐xL involved IkBα and IKK complex signaling pathway. In fact, bcl‐xL over‐expression induced a decrease of cytoplasmic expression of the IkBα protein, paralleled by an increase in the phosphorylation of the same IkBα and IKKα/β. Moreover, the down‐regulation of the ectopic or endogenous bcl‐xL expression through RNA interference confirmed the ability of bcl‐xL to modulate NF‐kB pathway, and the transient expression of a degradation‐resistant form of the cytoplasmic NF‐kB inhibitor IkBα in bcl‐xL transfectants confirmed the involvement of that inhibitor in bcl‐xL‐induced CXCL8 expression and promoter activity. In conclusion, our results demonstrate the role of NF‐kB as the mediator of bcl‐xL‐induced CXCL8 up‐regulation in glioblastoma cells.
Phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy 2 h after perinatal cerebral hypoxia‐ischemia prognosticates outcome in the newborn piglet
Authors: Cady Ernest B. , Iwata Osuke , Bainbridge Alan , Wyatt John S. , Robertson Nicola J.
Published: September 2008

Phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P MRS) often reveals apparently normal brain metabolism in the first hours after intrapartum hypoxia‐ischemia (HI) at a time when conventional clinical assessment of injury severity is problematic. We aimed to elucidate very‐early, injury‐severity biomarkers. Twenty‐seven newborn piglets underwent cerebral HI: 31P‐MRS measures ∼2 h after HI were compared between injury groups defined by secondary‐energy‐failure severity as quantified by the minimum nucleotide triphosphate (NTP) observed after 6 h. For severe and moderate injury versus baseline, [Pi]/[total exchangeable high‐energy phosphate pool (EPP)] was increased (p < 0.001 and < 0.02, respectively), and [NTP]/[EPP] decreased (p < 0.03 and < 0.006, respectively): severe‐injury [Pi]/[EPP] was also increased versus mild injury (p < 0.04). Mild‐injury [phosphocreatine]/[EPP] was increased (p < 0.004). Severe‐injury intracellular pH was alkaline versus baseline (p < 0.002). For severe and moderate injury [total Mg]/[ATP] (p < 0.0002 and < 0.02, respectively) and [free Mg] (p < 0.0001 and < 0.02, respectively) were increased versus baseline. [Pi]/[EPP], [phosphocreatine]/[Pi] and [NTP]/[EPP] correlated linearly with injury severity (p < 0.005, < 0.005 and < 0.02, respectively). Increased [Pi]/[EPP], intracellular pH and intracellular Mg ∼2 h after intrapartum HI may prognosticate severe injury, whereas increased [phosphocreatine]/[EPP] may suggest mild damage. In vivo31P MRS may have potential to provide very‐early prognosis in neonatal encephalopathy.
Normobaric hyperoxia inhibits NADPH oxidase‐mediated matrix metalloproteinase‐9 induction in cerebral microvessels in experimental stroke
Authors: Liu Wenlan , Sood Rohit , Chen Qingchuan , Sakoglu Unal , Hendren Jill , Çetin Özdemir , Miyake Minoru , Liu Ke Jian
Published: September 2008

Matrix metalloproteinase‐9 (MMP‐9) and NADPH oxidase contribute to blood–brain barrier (BBB) disruption after ischemic stroke. We have previously shown that normobaric hyperoxia (NBO) treatment reduces MMP‐9 and oxygen free radical generation in ischemic brain. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that NBO protects the BBB through inhibiting NADPH oxidase‐mediated MMP‐9 induction in transient focal cerebral ischemia. Male Sprague–Dawley rats (n = 69) were given NBO (95% O2) or normoxia (21% O2) during 90‐min filament occlusion of the middle cerebral artery. Cerebral microvessels were isolated for analyzing MMP‐9 and NADPH oxidase. BBB damage was non‐invasively quantified with magnetic resonance imaging. In normoxic rats, both NADPH oxidase catalytic subunit gp91phox and MMP‐9 expression were up‐regulated in ischemic hemispheric microvessels after 90‐min middle cerebral artery occlusion with 22.5 h reperfusion. Inhibition of NADPH oxidase with apocynin reduced the MMP‐9 increase, indicating a causal link between NADPH oxidase‐derived superoxide and MMP‐9 induction. NBO treatment inhibited gp91phox expression, NADPH oxidase activity, and MMP‐9 induction, which led to significantly less BBB damage and brain edema in the ischemic brain. These results suggest that gp91phox containing NADPH oxidase plays an important role in MMP‐9 induction in ischemic BBB microvasculature, and that NBO treatment may attenuate MMP‐9 induction and brain edema through inhibiting NADPH oxidase after transient cerebral ischemia.
Cystamine prevents haloperidol‐induced decrease of BDNF/TrkB signaling in mouse frontal cortex
Authors: Pillai Anilkumar , Veeranan‐Karmegam Rajalakshmi , Dhandapani Krishnan M. , Mahadik Sahebarao P.
Published: September 2008

The role of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been implicated in the pathophysiology as well as treatment outcome of schizophrenia. Rodent studies indicate that several antipsychotic drugs have time‐dependent (and differential) effects on BDNF levels in the brain. Earlier studies from our laboratory have indicated that long‐term treatment with haloperidol (HAL) decreases BDNF, reduced GSH and anti‐apoptotic marker, Bcl‐xl protein levels and increases the expression of pro‐apoptotic proteins in rat frontal cortex. Furthermore, findings from human as well as rodent studies suggest that treatment of schizophrenia must involve the neuroprotective strategies to improve the neuropathology and thereby clinical outcome. In the present study, we investigated the potential of cystamine (CYS), an anti‐oxidant and anti‐apoptotic compound, to prevent HAL‐induced reduction in BDNF, GSH, and Bcl‐xl protein levels in mice and the signaling mechanism(s) involved in the beneficial effects of CYS. The results indicated that CYS as well as cysteamine (the FDA‐approved precursor of CYS) increased BDNF protein levels in mouse frontal cortex 7 days after treatment. CYS co‐treatment prevented chronic HAL treatment‐induced reduction in BDNF, GSH, and Bcl‐xl protein levels. CYS treatment enhanced TrkB‐tyrosine phosphorylation and activated Akt and extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK)1/2, downstream molecules of TrkB signaling. In addition, in vitro experiments with mouse cortical neurons showed that CYS prevented the HAL‐induced reduction in neuronal cell viability and BDNF protein levels, and increase in apoptosis. BDNF‐neutralizing antibody as well as K252a, a selective inhibitor of neurotrophin signaling blocked the CYS‐mediated neuroprotection. Moreover, CYS‐mediated neuroprotection is also blocked by LY294002, a phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase inhibitor or PD98059, a mitogen‐activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitor. Thus, CYS protects cortical neurons through a mechanism involving TrkB receptor activation, and a signaling pathway involving phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase and MAPK. The findings from the present study may be helpful for the development of novel neuroprotective strategies to improve the treatment outcome of schizophrenia.
Neuroprotective effect of sonic hedgehog up‐regulated in Schwann cells following sciatic nerve injury
Authors: Hashimoto Manabu , Ishii Kunihiro , Nakamura Yasuko , Watabe Kazuhiko , Kohsaka Shinichi , Akazawa Chihiro
Published: September 2008

The physiological roles of sonic hedgehog (Shh) have been intensively characterized in development of various organs. However, their functions in adult tissues have not been fully elucidated. We investigated the expression and the potential function of Shh in crush‐injured adult rat sciatic nerves. The Shh expression was up‐regulated in Schwann cells adjacent to the injured site. The time‐course analyses of various neurotrophic factors revealed the up‐regulation of Shh mRNA followed by that of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA. The continuous administration of cyclopamine, a hedgehog signal inhibitor, to the injured site suppressed the increase of BDNF expression and deteriorated the survival of motor neurons in lumbar spinal cord. Treatment of exogenous Shh in cultured Schwann cells enhanced the BDNF expression. The BDNF promoter activity (exon I and II) was increased in IMS32 cells co‐transfected with Shh and its receptor Smoothened. These findings imply that the up‐regulated expression of Shh in Schwann cells may play an important role in injured motor neurons through the induction of BDNF.
Up‐regulation of the SOX3 gene expression by retinoic acid: characterization of the novel promoter‐response element and the retinoid receptors involved
Authors: Nikčević Gordana , Savić Tijana , Kovačević‐Grujičić Nataša , Stevanović Milena
Published: September 2008

Sox3/SOX3 gene is considered to be one of the earliest neural markers in vertebrates and it is implicated in the genetic cascades that direct brain formation. We have previously shown that early phases of differentiation and neural induction of NT2/D1 embryonal carcinoma cells by retinoic acid (RA) involve up‐regulation of the SOX3 gene expression. Here, we present identification of a novel positive regulatory promoter element involved in RA‐dependent activation of the SOX3 gene expression in NT2/D1 cells. This element represents a direct repeat 3‐like motif that directly interacts with retinoid X receptor (RXR) α in a sequence‐specific manner. It is capable of independently mediating the RA effect in a heterologous promoter context and its disruption caused significant reduction of RA/RXR transactivation of the SOX3 promoter. Furthermore, by using synthetic antagonists of retinoid receptors, we have shown for the first time, that RA‐induced SOX3 gene expression could be significantly down‐regulated by the synthetic antagonist of RXR. Also, this data showed that RXRs, but not RA receptors, are mediators of RA effect on the SOX3 gene up‐regulation in NT2/D1 cells. Presented data will be valuable for future investigation of SOX3 gene expression, not only in NT2/D1 model system, but also in diverse developmental, physiological and pathological settings.
Regulatory role of C‐terminus in the G‐protein coupling of the metabotropic glutamate receptor 1
Authors: Tateyama Michihiro , Kubo Yoshihiro
Published: September 2008

The signaling property of metabotropic glutamate receptor 1α (mGlu1α) is different from that of short‐form splice variants. This could be caused by the exposure of a cluster of positively charged amino acid residues, RRKK, in the proximal C‐tail which is thought to be masked by the long C‐tail of mGlu1α. We found that the RRKK residues, when exposed, attenuate Gq coupling and decrease the basal activity and the surface expression of mGlu1, in agreement with previous results. Moreover, these residues abolish the Gi/o coupling of mGlu1, but do not affect glutamate‐induced dimeric rearrangement and protein kinase A‐dependent modulation of mGlu1. These results suggest that the RRKK residues do not inhibit the conformational change upon glutamate binding and protein accessibility to the intracellular loops where G‐protein coupling occurs, but rather act as an inhibitory domain against G‐protein coupling in a different manner depending on the type of G protein.