bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Loss of Focal Adhesion Kinase Enhances Endothelial Barrier Function and Increases Focal Adhesions
Authors: Arnold Kimberly M. , Goeckeler Zoe M. , Wysolmerski Robert B. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the role of FAK in the regulation of endothelial barrier function.MethodsStable FAK knockdown HLEC were generated by lentiviral infection of FAK shRNA. Measurements of isometric tension and transendothelial electrical resistance were performed.ResultsA FAK knockdown human pulmonary endothelial cell line was generated by lentiviral infection with FAK shRNA and resulted in greater than 90% reduction in FAK protein with no change in Pyk2 protein. Loss of FAK altered cell morphology and actin distribution in both pre‐ and post‐confluent endothelial cells. Large, polygonal shaped endothelial cells with randomly organized stress fibers were identified in pre‐confluent cultures, while in confluent monolayers, endothelial cells were irregularly shaped with actin bundles present at cell margins. An increase in the number and size of vinculin plaques was detected in FAK‐depleted cells. FAK knockdown monolayers generated a greater transendothelial electrical resistance than controls. Thrombin treatment induced similar changes in TER in both FAK knockdown and control cell lines. FAK‐depleted endothelial cells developed a higher stable basal isometric tension compared to control monolayers, but the increase in tension stimulated by thrombin does not differ between the cell lines. Basal myosin II regulatory light chain phosphorylation was unaltered in FAK‐depleted cells. In addition, loss of FAK enhanced VE‐cadherin localization to the cell membrane without altering VE‐cadherin protein levels.ConclusionsThe loss of FAK in endothelial cells enhanced cell attachment and strengthened cell‐cell contacts resulting in greater basal tension leading to formation of a tighter endothelial monolayer.
Overexpression of CD39 protects in a mouse model of preeclampsia
Authors: McRae Jennifer L , Russell Prudence A , Chia Joanne SJ , Dwyer Karen M 
Published: April 2013

AbstractCD39 (NTPDase1), a critical immune and vascular ecto‐nucleotidase, hydrolyses pro‐inflammatory and pro‐thrombotic nucleotides (adenosine‐5′‐triphosphate (ATP) and adenosine diphosphate) to adenosine. In humans, CD39 is the dominant ecto‐nucleotidase in placental trophoblastic tissues and modulates ATP‐dependent trophoblastic functions. CD39 is an integral component of regulatory T cells (Treg), which are central to immunological tolerance and maintenance of normal pregnancy. We examined the impact of CD39 overexpression in a mouse model of preeclampsia. Matings were performed between virginal BALB/c female (wild‐type (WT) or CD39 transgenic (CD39TG)) and C57BL/6 male mice. On days 10 and 12 of pregnancy BALB/c Th1‐polarized cells were injected. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured throughout pregnancy. Mice were sacrificed at day 15 of pregnancy. Following transfer of Th1‐polarized cells, SBP of pregnant WT mice increased (118 ± 3 mmHg to 142 ± 5 mmHg). Although ultrastructural changes were evident in the kidney this was not accompanied by significant proteinuria. SBP remained unchanged (115 ± 2 mmHg to 114 ± 3 mmHg) in pregnant CD39TG mice without evidence of renal lesions. We conclude that gestational hypertension can be induced in mice following transfer of maternally derived Th1‐polarized cells and that overexpression of CD39 is protective in this model.
The Movement for Rule of Law in China
Authors: LI CHENG 
Published: April 2013

Though not much noticed in the West, a great debate is raging across China today, from the law faculties of its major universities to the Central Party School to the dissident community, over “constitutionalism” and the establishment of rule of law.In the wake of major corruption scandals, there are great expectations that the new leadership under Xi Jinping will respond to social pressure and pursue political reforms that have stalled over the last decade.A leading China scholar, Cheng Li, and the now famous blind civil rights advocate Chen Guangcheng, who dramatically escaped house arrest and fled to the US Embassy in Beijing last year, comment on where this debate is headed and what it might—or might not—produce.
China Has Good Laws, But They Should Apply to the Party
Authors: GUANGCHENG CHEN 
Published: April 2013

Though not much noticed in the West, a great debate is raging across China today, from the law faculties of its major universities to the Central Party School to the dissident community, over “constitutionalism” and the establishment of rule of law.In the wake of major corruption scandals, there are great expectations that the new leadership under Xi Jinping will respond to social pressure and pursue political reforms that have stalled over the last decade.A leading China scholar, Cheng Li, and the now famous blind civil rights advocate Chen Guangcheng, who dramatically escaped house arrest and fled to the US Embassy in Beijing last year, comment on where this debate is headed and what it might—or might not—produce.
Empirical evidence does not support an association between less ambitious pre‐treatment goals and better treatment outcomes: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Durant N. H. , Joseph R. P. , Affuso O. H. , Dutton G. R. , Robertson H. T. , Allison D. B. 
Published: April 2013

SummarySetting realistic weight loss goals may play a role in weight loss. We abstracted data from randomized controlled trials and observational studies conducted between 1998 and 2012 concerning the association of weight loss goals with weight loss. Studies included those that (i) were conducted in humans; (ii) delivered a weight loss intervention; (iii) lasted ≥6 weeks; (iv) assessed baseline weight loss goals; (vi) assessed pre‐ and post‐weight either in the form of body mass index or some other measure that could be converted to weight loss based on information included in the original study or later provided by the author(s); and (vii) assessed the correlation between weight loss goals and final weight loss or provided data to calculate the correlation. Studies that included interventions to modify weight loss goals were excluded. Eleven studies met inclusion criteria. The overall correlation between goal weight and weight at intervention completion was small and statistically insignificant (; P = 0.20). The current evidence does not demonstrate that setting realistic goals leads to more favourable weight loss outcomes. Thus, our field may wish to reconsider the value of setting realistic goals in successful weight loss.
Mycobacterium aviumsubsp.paratuberculosisDetected in the Reproductive Tract of Cows from an Infected Herd
Authors: Pribylova R , Slana I , Cech S , Kralova A , Pavlik I 
Published: April 2013

ContentsMycobacterium aviumsubspeciesparatuberculosis(MAP), the causal agent of paratuberculosis, was detected by quantitative real‐time IS900PCR in the follicular fluid from the reproductive tracts of cows originating from one infected herd. As well as being detected in follicular fluid of cows shedding bacteria in their faeces, MAP was also detected in the follicular fluid of one apparently healthy, non‐shedding individual cow. The finding of MAP in follicular fluid is unexpected and could contribute to the lower viability of embryos and resultant lower pregnancy rate. In addition to finding contaminated follicular fluid, vaginal and uterine flush fluids were determined to be positive for the presence of MAP in 75% and 56.3% of the time of the cattle currently shedding MAP in their faeces, respectively. The presence of MAP in different parts of the reproductive tract was seen in clinically as well as subclinically infected cows. These findings extend our currently scant and contradictory knowledge about the dissemination of MAP in the reproductive tract of female cattle.
To enforce or not to enforce? Judicialization, venue shopping, and global regulatory harmonization
Authors: De Bièvre Dirk , Poletti Arlo , Thomann Lars 
Published: April 2013

AbstractThe regulation of intellectual property rights takes place in a range of international venues. This proliferation of international venues greatly enhances the potential for venue shopping. We argue that different levels of domestic regulation and differing degrees of judicialization account for actors' preferences over institutional venues. We take into consideration two scenarios. Conceiving of judicialization as the delegation of adjudication to an independent third party and the enforcement through multilaterally authorized sanctions, we show that: (i) upward regulatory harmonization leads actors preferring weak regulatory intellectual property rights standards to strive for venues with low degrees of judicialization, whereas those favoring stringent intellectual property rights protection prefer highly judicialized venues; and (ii) downward harmonization leads to the opposite constellation of institutional preferences. We show how these expectations hold by way of in‐depth case studies of two instances of global intellectual property rights regulation: the regulation of plant genetic resources and intellectual property rights for medicines.
Significant association between asthma risk and the GSTM1 and GSTT1 deletion polymorphisms: An updated meta‐analysis of case–control studies
Authors: Liang Siqiao , Wei Xuan , Gong Chen , Wei Jinmei , Chen Zhangrong , Chen Xiaoli , Wang Zhibo , Deng Jingmin 
Published: April 2013

AbstractPolymorphisms in GSTM1 and GSTT1 may be associated with asthma risk, yet several studies and meta‐analyses have reported inconclusive results. Therefore, an updated meta‐analysis was conducted. Literature searches were performed using the Pubmed, Embase and Web of Science databases until October 2012. Variant ‘null’ genotype was compared with wild‐type ‘present’ in the pooled data. All statistical analyses were performed using STATA 11.0. A total of 26 case–control studies were suitable for inclusion in the meta‐analysis. In the overall population, a significant association was found for both the GSTM1 (odds ratio (OR) = 1.452; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.192–1.770) and GSTT1 polymorphism (OR = 1.792; 95% CI:1.293–2.483). For subgroup analysis by age, GSTM1 significantly increased risk for both children (OR = 1.368; 95% CI: 1.051–1.781) and adults (OR = 1.859; 95% CI: 1.183–2.921). For GSTT1, a significant association was only found in the adult population (OR = 2.312; 95%CI: 1.204–4.439). Based on subgroup analysis by ethnicity, a significant association for GSTM1 was found in Europe (OR = 1.303; 95% CI: 1.018–1.667), Africa (OR = 2.175; 95%CI: 1.560–3.031) and Latin America (OR = 2.265; 95%CI: 1.375–3.729). For GSTT1, significantly increased risk was found only for Asian (OR = 2.105; 95% CI: 1.101–4.025) and Russian (OR = 2.747; 95% CI: 1.071–7.046) populations. This meta‐analysis provides evidence that GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms may be risk factors for asthma.
Titration effectiveness of two autoadjustable continuous positive airway pressure devices driven by different algorithms in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea
Authors: Damiani Mario Francesco , Quaranta Vitaliano Nicola , Tedeschi Ersilia , Drigo Riccardo , Ranieri Teresa , Carratù Pierluigi , Resta Onofrio 
Published: April 2013

AbstractBackground and objectiveNocturnal application of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the standard treatment for patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Determination of the therapeutic pressure (CPAP titration) is usually performed by a technician in the sleep laboratory during attended polysomnography. One possible alternative to manual titration is automated titration. Indeed, during the last 15 years, devices have been developed that deliver autoadjustable CPAP (A‐CPAP). The aim of the present study was to compare the titration effectiveness of two A‐CPAP devices using different flow‐based algorithms in patients with OSA.MethodsThis is a randomized study; 79 subjects underwent two consecutive unattended home A‐CPAP titration nights with two different devices (Autoset Resmed; Remstar Auto Respironics); during the third and the fourth night, patients underwent portable monitoring in the sleep laboratory during fixed CPAP at the A‐CPAP recommended pressure.ResultsBland Altman plots showed good agreement between the recommended median and maximal pressure levels obtained with the two devices. A significant improvement was observed in all the sleep parameters by both A‐CPAP machines to a similar degree.ConclusionsIt was observed that the two A‐CPAP devices using different algorithms are equally effective in initial titration of CPAP.
Structural Change, Urban Congestion, and the End of Growth
Authors: Grossmann Volker 
Published: April 2013

AbstractThis paper develops a two‐sector R&D‐based growth model with congestion effects from increasing urban population density. We show that endogenous technological progress causes structural change if there are positive productivity spillovers from the modern to the traditional sector and Engel's law holds. In turn, urban congestion effects cause a productivity slowdown in the modern sector. Eventually, economic growth may cease in the long‐run. We also show that land dilution by a larger workforce may give rise to negative scale effects on (GDP) per capita.
Globalization, Skill Accumulation and the Skill Premium
Authors: Borissov Kirill , Hellier Joël 
Published: April 2013

AbstractWe analyze the impact of globalization upon the skill premium (inequality) in advanced countries from a two‐goods North–South model with skill accumulation. Globalization consists of an increase in the size of the South. Its impact on inequality depends on its intensity and on the pre‐globalization proportion of skilled workers. The post‐globalization inequality is a non‐monotonic function of the pre‐globalization proportion of skilled workers and of the globalization intensity. The impact is different for the generation in work and for the following generations. There is a threshold value of the skill endowment under (above) which inequality is lower (higher) after than before globalization.
A Cross‐country Causal Panorama of Human Development and Sustainability
Authors: Mayer‐Foulkes David 
Published: April 2013

AbstractThis paper conducts a multivariate causal analysis for: human development, demographic transition, urbanization, technology, sustainability, democracy/autocracy, good administration, and economic integration. A 15 × 18 causal coefficient matrix is estimated using a cross‐country panel for the 1985–2010 quinquennia. Each matrix entry is estimated using three types of instrumented regressions: (a) levels regressions; (b) growth regressions; (c) growth regressions also containing the contemporary growth of independent variables. The instruments are the 1970–1980 values of the variables. It is found that from 1980 to 2005 income and human development reacted relatively quickly and positively to globalization. However, institutions changed slowly, and the fundamental long‐term causes of divergence, namely demographic transition, urbanization, and technology, were weakly and even negatively affected by integration. The results also suggest human development and sustainability are complementary. Hence technology transfer to the poor and poor regions may provide a sustainable policy tool for development, promoting demographic transition, human development, and convergence.
The Rise of the Maquiladoras: A Mixed Blessing
Authors: Heid Benedikt , Larch Mario , Riaño Alejandro 
Published: April 2013

AbstractMexico experienced a tremendous expansion of its export‐processing maquila sector during the 1990s. Since one of the main objectives of the maquiladora program was to promote formal employment, we study how the rapid increase in maquiladora activity has affected labor market outcomes and welfare in Mexico. We develop a heterogeneous‐firm model with imperfect labor markets that captures salient features of the Mexican economy such as the differences between maquila and non‐maquila manufacturing plants and the existence of an informal sector. We calibrate the model's parameters to match key cross‐sectional moments characterizing the Mexican economy. We find that the expansion of the maquila sector during the 1990s was a mixed blessing for Mexico. Our quantitative model indicates that the skill premium decreased by 2.7%, informality increased by 0.9%, and overall welfare decreased by 3.7%.
Product Quality, Informality, and Child Labor
Authors: Fotoniata Eugenia , Moutos Thomas 
Published: April 2013

AbstractThis paper studies how the interactions between the structure of product demand and relative wages affect the incidence of child labor. One sector (the agrarian) produces a homogeneous good, and the other (the modern) produces a vertically differentiated product. The modern sector is segmented according to quality: high‐quality varieties are produced by formal firms which employ only adult labor, whereas low‐quality varieties are produced by informal firms which employ child labor as well. Differences in tastes and incomes across households generate demand for both high‐quality and low‐quality varieties. Stricter enforcement of child‐labor regulations and increases in minimum wages can have beneficial effects regarding the incidence of child labor and the size of the formal sector. However, since these policies have undesirable welfare effects among segments of wage‐earning households, they may not garner the necessary political support.
Offshoring and Trade Balance in Developed and Emerging Economies
Authors: Kumar Sanjeev 
Published: April 2013

AbstractThis paper analyzes the effects of off‐shore outsourcing for international trade, especially for the emerging and poor economies, in a two‐sector specific factor model, with a nontraded good being one of the sectors. The phenomenon of offshoring is modeled by incorporating the reduced use of domestic labor in the production function. This is regarded as a characteristic feature of offshoring in the literature. We find that increased offshoring leads to an increase in the relative price of the nontraded good. Given that this relative price can be interpreted as the real exchange rate, increased offshoring leads to exchange rate appreciation. This suggests that offshoring actually makes the goods and services from the emerging economies more competitive in the world market, and thus can be a contributory factor in the positive trade balance experienced by many emerging economies since early 2000s.
Short Communication: Prevalence of antibodies against Coxiella burnetii (Q fever) in children in The Gambia, West Africa
Authors: van der Hoek Wim , Sarge‐Njie Ramu , Herremans Tineke , Chisnall Thomas , Okebe Joseph , Oriero Eniyou , Versteeg Bart , Goossens Bart , van der Sande Marianne , Kampmann Beate , Nwakanma Davis 
Published: April 2013

AbstractObjectiveTo estimate the prevalence of antibodies against Coxiella burnetii (Q fever) among children in eight villages in The Gambia, West Africa.MethodsSera of 796 children aged 1–15 years were tested for presence of antibodies against phase II of C. burnetii by ELISA.ResultsIgG and/or IgM phase II antibodies against C. burnetii were detectable in 8.3% (66/796) of all serum samples analysed with significant differences in seroprevalence between villages. Highest prevalence was found in the age group 1–4 years.ConclusionsExposure to C. burnetii is considerable in the early years of life in The Gambia, and further studies are warranted to estimate the role of Q fever in acute febrile illness in The Gambia and elsewhere in Africa.
The systematic position of Ergasticus (Decapoda, Brachyura) and allied genera, a molecular and morphological approach
Authors: Marco‐Herrero Elena , Torres Asvin P. , Cuesta José A. , Guerao Guillermo , Palero Ferran , Abelló Pere 
Published: April 2013

The complete larval series (zoea I, zoea II and megalopa) of the crab Ergasticus clouei is described and illustrated based on plankton samples from Mediterranean waters. The zoea II and megalopal stages, previously unknown, are described here for the first time. Nucleotide sequence analysis of two gene regions (16S rDNA and Cox1 genes) confirmed the assignment of these larvae to Ergasticus clouei. The molecular analyses and the morphology of the larval stages revealed large differences between Ergasticus and Inachus, the type genus of the family Inachidae. In fact, E. clouei larvae presented a series of morphological characters, such as antennal shape and mouthparts setation pattern that placed them closer to the family Oregoniidae. The phylogenetic analyses also showed significant support for the monophyly of the Oregoniidae + Ergasticus group. The data argue for removal of Ergasticus and the related genera (Bothromaia, Pleisticanthoides, Parapleisticantha and Pleistacantha) from the Inachidae and their placement within the Oregoniidae as a separate subfamily, Pleistacanthinae Števčić, 2005. Our results demonstrate that larval stages provide reliable morphological traits, independent from those of adults, to help resolving relationships among Majoidea genera.
A simple approach to measure computed tomography (CT) modulation transfer function (MTF) and noise‐power spectrum (NPS) using the American College of Radiology (ACR) accreditation phantom
Authors: Friedman Saul N. , Fung George S. K. , Siewerdsen Jeffrey H. , Tsui Benjamin M. W. 
Published: April 2013

Purpose:To develop an easily‐implemented technique with free publicly‐available analysis software to measure the modulation transfer function (MTF) and noise‐power spectrum (NPS) of a clinical computed tomography (CT) system from images acquired using a widely‐available and standardized American College of Radiology (ACR) CT accreditation phantom.Methods:Images of the ACR phantom were acquired on a Siemens SOMATOM Definition Flash system using a standard adult head protocol: 120 kVp, 300 mAs, and reconstructed voxel size of 0.49 mm × 0.49 mm × 4.67 mm. The radial (axial) MTF was measured using an edge method where the boundary of the third module of the ACR phantom, originally designed to measure uniformity and noise, was used as a circular edge. The 3D NPS was measured using images from this same module and using a previously‐described methodology that quantifies noise magnitude and 3D noise correlation.Results:The axial MTF was radially symmetrical and had a value of 0.1 at 0.62 mm−1. The 3D NPS shape was consistent with the filter‐ramp function of filtered‐backprojection reconstruction algorithms and previously reported values. The radial NPS peak value was ∼115 HU2mm3 at ∼0.25 mm−1 and dropped to 0 HU2mm3 by 0.8 mm−1.Conclusions:The authors have developed an easily‐implementable technique to measure the axial MTF and 3D NPS of clinical CT systems using an ACR phantom. The widespread availability of the phantom along with the free software the authors have provided will enable many different institutions to immediately measure MTF and NPS values for comparison of protocols and systems.
Complete Genome Sequence of an
Acinetobacter
Strain Harboring the NDM-1 Gene
Authors: Sun Yang , Song Yang , Song Hongbin , Liu Jun , Wang Pengzhi , Qiu Shaofu , Chen Shuo , Zhu Lingwei , Ji Xue , Wang Zhongqiang , Liu Nan , Xia Liliang , Chen Weijun , Feng Shuzhang 
Published: April 2013

ABSTRACT

The NDM-1 gene is a significant public health concern.
Acinetobacter
is one of the most prevalent opportunistic pathogens causing recent nosocomial infections with NDM-1, and drug-resistant strains pose serious threats to public health worldwide. Herein, we present the genomic sequence of
Acinetobacter calcoaceticus
subsp.
anitratus
XM1570, a multidrug-resistant isolate that carries the
bla
NDM-1
gene.