bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Join the Union and Be Safe: The Effects of Unionization on Occupational Safety and Health in the European Union
Authors: Economou Athina , Theodossiou Ioannis 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThis paper investigates the effect of unionization on occupational safety and health, as measured by the fatal and non‐fatal work accidents, after controlling for the country's gross domestic product. It uses a panel sample of 10 European Union countries, for the period 1982–2006. The study takes into account the time persistence in work injuries and the endogenous nature of the work injuries–union density relationship. In addition, the effect of union density is decomposed into a temporary and permanent effect. It is shown that increasing union density is associated with a decrease in the number of both fatal and non‐fatal work injuries.
Employer Changes and Wage Changes: Estimation with Measurement Error in a Binary Variable
Authors: Bergin Adele 
Published: April 2015

AbstractSelf‐reported tenure is often used to determine job changes. We show there are substantial inconsistencies in these responses; consequently, we risk misclassifying job changes as stays and vice versa. An estimator from Hausman et al. is applied to a job change model for Ireland, and we find that ignoring misclassification may substantially underestimate the true number of changes and lead to diminished covariate effects. The main contribution of the paper is to control for misclassification when estimating the wage effects of job mobility. A two‐step approach is adopted. We find ignoring misclassification leads to a significant downwards bias in the wage impact, and we provide an estimate that corrects for measurement error.
Medullary nephrocalcinosis in Schimke immuno‐osseous dysplasia
Authors: Yavuz Sevgi , Bayazıt Aysun Karabay , Anarat Ali , Gonlusen Gulfiliz , Alsancak Perihan 
Published: April 2015

AbstractSchimke immuno‐osseous dysplasia (SIOD) is a rare hereditary disease characterized by skeletal dysplasia, immune deficiency and progressive renal disease. Kidney involvement mainly determines the prognosis. The most common renal pathology is focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). Medullary nephrocalcinosis refers to the diffuse deposition of calcium salts in renal medulla and has not previously been identified in SIOD. Here we report the first case of a pediatric patient having typical features of SIOD with medullary nephrocalcinosis.
Novel DCX mutation‐caused lissencephaly in a boy and very mild heterotopia in his mother
Authors: Takeshita Satoru , Higuchi Machiko , Suyama Megumi , Koide Wakato , Maki Kanemasa , Ushijima Katsumi , Ban Kyoko , Saito Mariko , Kato Mitsuhiro , Saitoh Shinji 
Published: April 2015

AbstractWe describe a novel mutation in DCX in a family in which a proband boy had classical lissencephaly and his mother had extremely mild subcortical band heterotopia. No factors that would make the mother's symptoms milder, such as somatic mosaicism or skewed X chromosome inactivation, were observed. From this family, we conclude that a DCX mutation causes a pleiotropic phenotype in the female even if X chromosome inactivation pattern is not skewed, and the novel missense mutation in DCX produced relatively mild dysfunction of the doublecortin protein.
Angioplasty for recurrent renal artery stenosis in flare‐up of Hashimoto's thyroiditis
Authors: Lee Meng‐Luen , Wang Yu‐Mei 
Published: April 2015

AbstractTakayasu arteritis is the most common disease seen in children presenting with renovascular hypertension (RVH) in Asia, and can manifest anatomically as renal artery stenosis (RAS). We report the case of a 16‐year‐old girl presenting with RVH due to recurrent and novel RAS in Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) flare‐up. After treatment with thyroxin and percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty (PTRA), she was free of hypothyroidism and systemic hypertension. RVH due to recurrent and novel RAS in HT flare‐up has not previously been reported in the English‐language literature. PTRA is the procedure of choice, providing there is no renal artery dissection or aneurysm.
Severe visual loss caused by unrecognized malignant hypertension in a 15‐year‐old girl
Authors: Cortina Gerard , Hofer Johannes , Giner Thomas , Jungraithmayr Therese 
Published: April 2015

AbstractA 15‐year‐old girl presented with acute bilateral loss of central visual acuity due to hypertensive retinopathy level IV. She was found to have unrecognized malignant arterial hypertension associated with end‐stage renal failure. At the time of diagnosis she also had severe left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). Hypertension was successfully treated with combined anti‐hypertensive therapy, but renal function did not recover. The patient underwent successful kidney transplant 4 months later and over a period of 20 months hypertensive retinopathy and LVH gradually resolved. This report emphasizes the importance of routine measurement of blood pressure and describes the possible consequences of unrecognized arterial hypertension in children. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are necessary to avoid development and progression of target organ damage and promote better long‐term cardiovascular prognosis.
Unique case of epidermoid cyst located in the omentum
Authors: Deaconu Diana‐Elena , Buccoliero Anna Maria , Martin Alessandra , Messineo Antonio , Ghionzoli Marco 
Published: April 2015

AbstractCystic lesions deriving from the omentum are rare benign clinical conditions of uncertain etiopathogenesis. In this report we describe a case of antenatal diagnosed intra‐abdominal cystic mass, which, due to the absence of symptomatology and constant ultrasound morphology over time, did not require immediate treatment. The present patient was followed up until surgery, which was performed at 4 years of age: on laparoscopy a cyst within the greater omentum was identified and excised. Histopathology indicated a cyst with epidermoid structure, which is unusual among the omental cysts reported in the literature.
Japanese familial case of myoclonus–dystonia syndrome with a splicing mutation in SGCE
Authors: Wada Takahito , Takano Kyoko , Tsurusaki Yoshinori , Miyake Noriko , Nakashima Mitsuko , Saitsu Hirotomo , Matsumoto Naomichi , Osaka Hitoshi 
Published: April 2015

AbstractMyoclonus–dystonia syndrome (MDS) is a rare autosomal‐dominant movement disorder characterized by brief, frequently alcohol‐responsive myoclonic jerks that begin in childhood or early adolescence, caused by mutations in the ε‐sarcoglycan gene (SGCE). The patient was a 6‐year‐old boy. At 2 years 8 months, he had abnormal movement when he ran due to dystonia of his left leg. At 3 years 5 months, he exhibited dystonia and myoclonic movement of his arms when eating. Myoclonus was likely to develop when he felt anxiety or exhaustion. Genomic DNA showed a heterozygous mutation in SGCE (c.109 + 1 G > T). His father and uncle with the same mutation also experienced milder dystonia or myoclonic movements. SGCE mutation can cause a broad range of clinical symptoms between and within families. We should consider MDS as a differential diagnosis for patients with paroxysmal walking abnormalities and/or myoclonic movements.
Are regulatory agencies independent in practice? Evidence from board members in Spain
Authors: Fernández‐i‐Marín Xavier , Jordana Jacint , Bianculli Andrea C. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractAre the board members of regulatory agencies (regulators), taken as a particular cluster within the public sphere, independent of elected politicians and tenured bureaucrats? How can we assess their independence in practice, beyond formal rules? To address these questions, this paper delves into two key dimensions: board members' social connections and their security of tenure in office. Firstly, we focus on regulators' identity as policy adjudicators and examine their political and administrative relations. In doing so, we expect to understand better how regulators' social and political situations may influence their behavior. Secondly, we assess their political vulnerability through political cycles in order to measure their de facto independence over time. Additionally, variations in these two dimensions are compared with respect to the effect of different de jure appointment rules. We contrast these expectations with the empirical evaluation of board members of regulatory agencies in Spain (1979–2010). Thus, we confirm that regulators who have an administrative profile are more vulnerable to political changes than those with political ties, while appointment rules have an influence on their political vulnerability.
Property Rights, Governance, and Economic Development
Authors: Auerbach Jan U. , Azariadis Costas 
Published: April 2015

AbstractIn this review article we give an intuitive account of why good institutions in general, and secure property rights in particular, matter for economic growth and development. We also discuss implications for good governance, defined as the efficient provision of property rights and other aspects of governance. Finally, we briefly touch on political institutions that might be conducive to good governance and thus economic development.
Non‐Homothetic Multisector Growth Models
Authors: Jensen Bjarne S. , Lehmijoki Ulla , Rovenskaya Elena 
Published: April 2015

AbstractMultisector growth (MSG) models are dynamic versions of computable general equilibrium (CGE) models. Non‐homothetic preference (utility) functions are required for the evolution of factor allocations and industrial structures in accordance with consumption expenditure patterns implied by the non‐unitary income elasticities observed in all budget data since Engel in the 1850s. But comparative static general equilibrium solutions and particularly solving the dynamics of MSG models require explicit specifications of all demand and cost (price) functions. On the demand side, the constant differences of elasticity of substitution (CDES) non‐homothetic indirect utility functions and Roy's identity provide the explicit Marshallian demand functions and budget shares. Sectorial constant elasticity of substitution (CES) cost functions and Shephard's lemma provide the explicit relative commodity price functions and the sectorial cost shares and capital–labor ratios. Walrasian equilibria are given by one equation and the multisector dynamics by three differential equations. Benchmark solutions are given for three cost regimes of a 10‐sector MSG model. History patterns of industrial/allocational evolutions are recognized.
Credit in Times of Stress: Lessons from Latin America during the Global Financial Crisis
Authors: Montoro Carlos , Rojas‐Suarez Liliana 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe 2008–2009 global financial crisis disrupted the provision of credit in Latin America less than in previous crises. This paper tests whether specific characteristics at both the bank and country levels at the onset of the global crisis contributed to the behavior of real credit growth in this region during the crisis. As shown, financial soundness characteristics of Latin American banks, such as capitalization, liquidity, and bank efficiency in the pre‐crisis period, played a role in explaining the dynamics of real credit during the crisis. We also found that foreign banks and banks that had expanded credit growth more before the crisis were also those that cut credit the most. Among country‐specific characteristics, we found evidence that balance sheet measures such as the economy's overall currency mismatches and external debt ratios (measuring either total debt or short‐term debt) were key variables in explaining credit growth resilience.
Comparison of the diuretic effect of furosemide by different methods of administration in healthy dogs
Authors: Harada Kayoko , Ukai Yoshimi , Kanakubo Kayo , Yamano Shigeki , Lee Junseok , Kurosawa Tsumugi Anne , Uechi Masami 
Published: April 2015

AbstractObjectiveTo compare the diuretic effects of subcutaneous (SC) administration of furosemide to conventional methods of administration including intravenous (IV), per os (PO), and constant rate infusion (CRI) in healthy dogs.DesignProspective, randomized, cross‐over study.SettingVeterinary university research facility.AnimalsSeven healthy, adult mongrel dogs (3 males, 4 females).InterventionEach dog in the study was randomly assigned to receive a 2 mg/kg dose of furosemide via a single SC, IV, or PO dose at the beginning (time 0) of an 8‐hour study, or via CRI during an 8‐hour study period. Urine was collected by emptying the bladder using an indwelling catheter and blood samples were obtained via venipuncture at time 0 for baseline measurements and at 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 hours into the study. Hourly urine output was calculated in all dogs for each study. Complete blood count, plasma total protein, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and renin concentration were measured for each sample.Measurements and Main ResultsThe SC administration of furosemide resulted in a urine output per hour (UOP/h) that peaked at 1 hour with UOP/h returning to baseline at 4 hours after injection. Following IV administration, UOP/h also peaked at 1 hour but returned more rapidly to baseline levels at 2 hours after injection. With PO administration, UOP/h reached a maximum UOP/h at 2 hours but time to return to baseline levels was prolonged to 6 hours after administration. With CRI administration, the time to the maximum UOP/h was delayed to 4 hours after injection but UOP/h was then maintained throughout the study period.ConclusionsTotal urine output following SC administration of furosemide in healthy dogs was similar when compared to the IV and PO route. Subcutaneous route may be an effective means for administration of furosemide in dogs, particularly when IV access is difficult.
Implications of Efficient Hepatic Delivery by Tenofovir Alafenamide (GS-7340) for Hepatitis B Virus Therapy
Authors: Murakami Eisuke , Wang Ting , Park Yeojin , Hao Jia , Lepist Eve-Irene , Babusis Darius , Ray Adrian S. 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACT

Tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) is a prodrug of tenofovir (TFV) currently in clinical evaluation for treatment for HIV and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections. Since the target tissue for HBV is the liver, the hepatic delivery and metabolism of TAF in primary human hepatocytes
in vitro
and in dogs
in vivo
were evaluated here. Incubation of primary human hepatocytes with TAF resulted in high levels of the pharmacologically active metabolite tenofovir diphosphate (TFV-DP), which persisted in the cell with a half-life of >24 h. In addition to passive permeability, studies of transfected cell lines suggest that the hepatic uptake of TAF is also facilitated by the organic anion-transporting polypeptides 1B1 and 1B3 (OATP1B1 and OATP1B3, respectively). In order to inhibit HBV reverse transcriptase, TAF must be converted to the pharmacologically active form, TFV-DP. While cathepsin A is known to be the major enzyme hydrolyzing TAF in cells targeted by HIV, including lymphocytes and macrophages, TAF was primarily hydrolyzed by carboxylesterase 1 (CES1) in primary human hepatocytes, with cathepsin A making a small contribution. Following oral administration of TAF to dogs for 7 days, TAF was rapidly absorbed. The appearance of the major metabolite TFV in plasma was accompanied by a rapid decline in circulating TAF. Consistent with the
in vitro
data, high and persistent levels of TFV-DP were observed in dog livers. Notably, higher liver TFV-DP levels were observed after administration of TAF than those given TDF. These results support the clinical testing of once-daily low-dose TAF for the treatment of HBV infection.
Antimalarial Activity of Tulathromycin in a Murine Model of Malaria
Authors: Villarino Nicolas , Denny Joshua E. , Schmidt Nathan W. 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACT

There is an urgent need for new antimalarial agents and strategies to treat and control malaria. This study shows an antiplasmodium effect of tulathromycin in mice infected with
Plasmodium yoelii
. The administration of tulathromycin around the time of infection prevented the progression of disease in 100% of the animals. In addition, highly parasitized mice treated with tulathromycin showed a decreased parasite burden and cleared the parasite faster than did untreated infected mice.
Blocking Hsp70 Enhances the Efficiency of Amphotericin B Treatment against Resistant Aspergillus terreus Strains
Authors: Blatzer Michael , Blum Gerhard , Jukic Emina , Posch Wilfried , Gruber Peter , Nagl Markus , Binder Ulrike , Maurer Elisabeth , Sarg Bettina , Lindner Herbert , Lass-Flörl Cornelia , Wilflingseder Doris 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACT

The polyene antifungal amphotericin B (AmB) is widely used to treat life-threatening fungal infections. Even though AmB resistance is exceptionally rare in fungi, most
Aspergillus terreus
isolates exhibit an intrinsic resistance against the drug
in vivo
and
in vitro
. Heat shock proteins perform a fundamental protective role against a multitude of stress responses, thereby maintaining protein homeostasis in the organism. In this study, we elucidated the role of heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) family members and compared resistant and susceptible
A. terreus
clinical isolates. The upregulation of cytoplasmic Hsp70 members at the transcriptional as well as translational levels was significantly higher with AmB treatment than without AmB treatment, particularly in resistant
A. terreus
isolates, thereby indicating a role of Hsp70 proteins in the AmB response. We found that Hsp70 inhibitors considerably increased the susceptibility of resistant
A. terreus
isolates to AmB but exerted little impact on susceptible isolates. Also, in
in vivo
experiments, using the
Galleria mellonella
infection model, cotreatment of resistant
A. terreus
strains with AmB and the Hsp70 inhibitor pifithrin-μ resulted in significantly improved survival compared with that achieved with AmB alone. Our results point to an important mechanism of regulation of AmB resistance by Hsp70 family members in
A. terreus
and suggest novel drug targets for the treatment of infections caused by resistant fungal isolates.
Genome Sequence of Aspergillus flavus NRRL 3357, a Strain That Causes Aflatoxin Contamination of Food and Feed
Authors: Nierman William C. , Yu Jiujiang , Fedorova-Abrams Natalie D. , Losada Liliana , Cleveland Thomas E. , Bhatnagar Deepak , Bennett Joan W. , Dean Ralph , Payne Gary A. 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACT

Aflatoxin contamination of food and livestock feed results in significant annual crop losses internationally.
Aspergillus flavus
is the major fungus responsible for this loss. Additionally,
A. flavus
is the second leading cause of aspergillosis in immunocompromised human patients. Here, we report the genome sequence of strain NRRL 3357.
Complete Genome Sequence of Bifidobacterium kashiwanohense JCM 15439
T
, Isolated from Feces from a Healthy Japanese Infant
Authors: Morita Hidetoshi , Toh Hidehiro , Nakano Akiyo , Oshima Kenshiro , Takagi Misako , Suda Wataru , Tanabe Soichi , Hattori Masahira 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACT

We isolated
Bifidobacterium kashiwanohense
JCM 15439 from the feces of a healthy Japanese infant and proposed it as the type strain of a novel species within the genus
Bifidobacterium
. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of this organism.
Draft Genome Sequences of Eight Type Strains of the Genus
Demequina
Authors: Hamada Moriyuki , Ichikawa Natsuko , Oguchi Akio , Komaki Hisayuki , Tamura Tomohiko , Fujita Nobuyuki 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACT

Here, we report the draft genome sequences of the type strains of
Demequina aestuarii
,
Demequina aurantiaca
,
Demequina flava
,
Demequina globuliformis
,
Demequina lutea
,
Demequina oxidasica
,
Demequina salsinemoris
, and
Demequina sediminicola
. The genome sequences presented here will facilitate taxonomical, ecological, and functional studies of members of the genus
Demequina
.
Draft Genome Sequence of Enterobacter aerogenes, a DDE-Degrading and Plant Growth-Promoting Strain Isolated from
Cucurbita pepo
Authors: Eevers Nele , Van Hamme Jonathan D. , Bottos Eric M. , Weyens Nele , Vangronsveld Jaco 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACT

We report here the draft genome of
Enterobacter aerogenes
, a Gram-negative bacterium of the
Enterobacteriaceae
isolated from
Cucurbita pepo
root tissue. This bacterium shows 2,2-
bis
(
p
-chlorophenyl)-1,1-dichloroethylene (DDE)-degrading potential and plant growth-promoting capacity. An analysis of its 4.5-Mb draft genome will enhance the understanding of DDE degradation pathways and phytoremediation applications for DDE-contaminated soils.
Phenotypic Heterogeneity in Expression of the K1 Polysaccharide Capsule of Uropathogenic Escherichia coli and Downregulation of the Capsule Genes during Growth in Urine
Authors: King Jane E. , Aal Owaif Hasan A. , Jia Jia , Roberts Ian S. 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACT

Uropathogenic
Escherichia coli
(UPEC) is the major causative agent of uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTI). The K1 capsule on the surface of UPEC strains is a key virulence factor, and its expression may be important in the onset and progression of UTI. In order to understand capsule expression in more detail, we analyzed its expression in the UPEC strain UTI89 during growth in rich medium (LB medium) and urine and during infection of a bladder epithelial cell line. Comparison of capsule gene transcription using a chromosomal
gfp
reporter fusion showed a significant reduction in transcription during growth in urine compared to that during growth in LB medium. When examined at the single-cell level, following growth in both media, capsule gene expression appears to be heterogeneous, with two distinct green fluorescent protein (GFP)-expressing populations. Using anti-K1 antibody, we showed that this heterogeneity in gene expression results in two populations of encapsulated and unencapsulated cells. We demonstrated that the capsule hinders attachment to and invasion of epithelial cells and that the unencapsulated cells within the population preferentially adhere to and invade bladder epithelial cells. We found that once internalized, UTI89 starts to produce capsule to aid in its intracellular survival and spread. We propose that this observed phenotypic diversity in capsule expression is a fitness strategy used by the bacterium to deal with the constantly changing environment of the urinary tract.