bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase activity improves cognitive function in Tg2576 mice
Authors: Jin Peng , Choi Dong‐Young , Hong Jin Tae 
Published: September 2012

Summary
Deposition of β‐amyloid (Aβ) peptide is a defining pathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and is involved in memory impairment. Evidence suggests that activation of an extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) pathway is related to Aβ accumulation. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of an ERK inhibitor (U0126) on amyloidogenesis and cognitive function in Tg2576 mice.
Tg2576 mice were injected with U0126 (20 mg/kg, i.p.) or vehicle (1% dimethyl sulphoxide in sterile saline) once a day for 7 days and then cognitive function was assessed by the Morris water maze test and passive avoidance test. In addition, immunostaining, western blot analysis, ELISA and enzyme activity assays were used to examine the degree of Aβ deposition in the brains of Tg2576 mice.
Our results showed that U0126 attenuated memory impairment and inhibited Aβ deposition in the brains of Tg2576 mice. Further experiments revealed that the inhibition of Aβ deposition by U0126 was due to a reduction in β‐secretase and amyloid precursor protein expression in the brains of U0126‐treated Tg2576 mice.
These results suggest that the ERK pathway is associated with Aβ accumulation and consequent memory dysfunction in Tg2576 mice and that inhibition of the ERK pathway may be an appropriate intervention in the treatment of AD.
Matrix metalloproteinase‐2 inhibition by temocapril and its important role in peritoneal transport
Authors: Yamamoto Daisuke , Takai Shinji , Akimoto Tetsu , Hirahara Ichiro , Ito Chiharu , Muto Shigeaki , Kusano Eiji 
Published: September 2012

Summary
Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐2 plays an important role in tissue remodelling during peritoneal injury caused by peritoneal dialysis (PD), but MMP‐2 inhibitors have not yet been used clinically. Recently, it was reported that captopril, an angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI), can inhibit MMP‐2.
To investigate the potential usefulness of ACEI during PD, the molecular interaction between the MMP‐2 active site and the active form of temocapril (temocaprilat) was investigated using molecular modelling. Furthermore, the effects of temocapril on MMP‐2 activity in peritoneal effluents and the peritoneal solute transport rate of PD patients were determined.
Temocaprilat bound to the MMP‐2 active centre and recognized two hydrophobic substrate‐binding sites in the MMP‐2 molecular model. Matrix metalloproteinase‐2 activity in peritoneal effluents was directly inhibited by temocaprilat (IC50 0.47 μmol/L). In one patient given temocapril, the peritoneal solute transport rate decreased gradually during PD.
Temocapril may prove to be an important candidate for development as a novel therapeutic agent for MMP‐2 inhibition to prevent peritoneal injury caused by PD.
Adenosine A2A receptor antagonists are broad facilitators of antinicotinic neuromuscular blockade monitored either with 2 Hz train‐of‐four or 50 Hz tetanic stimuli
Authors: Pereira Monalisa W , Correia‐de‐Sá Paulo , Alves‐Do‐Prado Wilson 
Published: September 2012

Summary
The 2 Hz train‐of‐four ratio (TOFratio) is used to monitor the degree of patient curarization. Using a rat phrenic nerve–hemidiaphragm preparation, we showed that antinicotinic agents, such as hexamethonium, d‐tubocurarine and pancuronium, but not cisatracurium, decreased contractions produced by physiological nerve activity patterns (50 Hz) more efficiently than those caused by 2 Hz trains. Uncertainty about the usefulness of the TOFratio to control safe recovery from curarization prompted us to investigate the muscarinic and adenosine neuromodulation of tetanic (50 Hz) fade induced by antinicotinic agents at concentrations that cause a 25% reduction in the TOFratio (TOFfade).
Tetanic fade caused by d‐tubocurarine (1.1 μmol/L), pancuronium (3 μmol/L) and hexamethonium (5.47 mmol/L) was attenuated by blocking presynaptic inhibitory muscarinic M2 and adenosine A1 receptors with methoctramine (1 μmol/L) and 1,3‐dipropyl‐8‐cyclopentylxanthine (2.5 nmol/L), respectively. These compounds enhanced rather than decreased tetanic fade induced by cisatracurium (2.2 μmol/L), but they consistently attenuated cisatracurium‐induced TOFfade. The effect of the M1 receptor antagonist pirenzepine (10 nmol/L) on fade produced by antinicotinic agents at 50 Hz was opposite to that observed with TOF stimulation. Blockade of adenosine A2A receptors with ZM 241385 (10 nmol/L) attenuated TOFfade caused by all antinicotinic drugs tested, with the exception of the ‘pure’ presynaptic nicotinic antagonist hexamethonium. ZM 241385 was the only compound tested in this series that facilitated recovery from tetanic fade produced by cisatracurium.
The data suggest that distinct antinicotinic relaxants interfere with fine‐tuning neuromuscular adaptations to motor nerve stimulation patterns via activation of presynaptic muscarinic and adenosine receptors. These results support the use of A2A receptor antagonists together with atropine to facilitate recovery from antinicotinic neuromuscular blockade.
Going It Alone: Comparing Subtypes of Withdrawal on Indices of Adjustment and Maladjustment in Emerging Adulthood
Authors: Nelson Larry J. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractScholars have distinguished conceptually between multiple forms of social withdrawal among children and adolescents, but this distinction has yet to be investigated fully during emerging adulthood. Therefore, the overarching goal of this study was to employ a person‐oriented approach to examine differences between subtypes of withdrawal on indicators of internalizing issues and relationships in emerging adulthood. The sample for the current study (Mage = 19.60, SD = 1.85, range = 18–29) consisted of 791 undergraduate students (548 women, 243 men). Results revealed that three distinct forms of social withdrawal (shyness, avoidance, unsociable) can be identified in emerging adulthood, with each one uniquely related to indices of maladjustment in regard to internalizing problems and relationship difficulties. In general, both shy and avoidant individuals reported more problems of an internalizing nature and in their relationships. Far fewer problems appear to exist for unsociable individuals.
How about taking a low‐cost, small, and wireless EEG for a walk?
Authors: Debener Stefan , Minow Falk , Emkes Reiner , Gandras Katharina , de Vos Maarten 
Published: September 2012

AbstractTo build a low‐cost, small, and wireless electroencephalogram (EEG) system suitable for field recordings, we merged consumer EEG hardware with an EEG electrode cap. Auditory oddball data were obtained while participants walked outdoors on university campus. Single‐trial P300 classification with linear discriminant analysis revealed high classification accuracies for both indoor (77%) and outdoor (69%) recording conditions. We conclude that good quality, single‐trial EEG data suitable for mobile brain‐computer interfaces can be obtained with affordable hardware.
Assessing Habitat Suitability for Juvenile Atlantic Salmon in Relation to In‐Stream Restoration and Discharge Variability
Authors: Koljonen Saija , Huusko Ari , Mäki‐Petäys Aki , Louhi Pauliina , Muotka Timo 
Published: September 2012

AbstractIn‐stream restoration often aims at increasing the availability of the stream habitat suitable for salmonid fishes, thus creating potential for increased fish abundance. We assessed the success of in‐stream restoration of River Kiiminkijoki, northern Finland, by combining River2D habitat hydraulic modeling and fish density monitoring at the same sites, with data from multiple restored and reference reaches for 3 years both before and after restoration. We modeled the effects of restoration on the area suitable (weighted usable area, WUA) for juvenile Atlantic salmon from post‐hatching to age‐1 fish. Wetted width in the restored reaches increased by 8.1% on average compared with only −0.2% change in the reference reaches. Habitat time series across 10 years showed significant increases in the amount of suitable habitat under summer conditions for both age‐0 and age‐1 salmon. However, improvement of overwintering habitats was marginal or nonexistent. Densities of age‐1 salmon showed no response to restoration. Low river discharge during the winter was correlated with low salmon densities the following summer. It thus appears that variability in wintertime discharge, and associated high interannual variation of WUA values, overrode the almost 20% increase in average post‐ versus pre‐restoration summertime WUA. Our study shows that the combination of hydraulic modeling and biological monitoring is a promising approach to stream restoration assessment.
The Proportion of Three Foundation Plant Species and Their Genotypes Influence an Arthropod Community: Restoration Implications for the Endangered Southwestern Willow Flycatcher
Authors: Bangert Randy , Ferrier Sharon M. , Evans Luke , Kennedy Karla , Grady Kevin C. , Hersch‐Green Erika , Allan Gerard J. , Whitham Thomas G. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractAs part of a restoration project, multiple genotypes of two tree species, Fremont cottonwood (Populus fremontii) and Goodding's willow (Salix gooddingii), and one shrub species, Coyote willow (S. exigua), were experimentally planted in different proportions at the Palo Verde Ecological Reserve near Blythe, California, U.S.A. These common woody plant species are important to the endangered southwestern willow flycatcher, providing perch, nesting, and foraging habitat. We conducted this study to evaluate plant species proportion and plant genotype effects on the arthropod community, the prey base for the endangered southwestern willow flycatcher. Three patterns emerged. First, plant species proportions were important; the arthropod community had the greatest richness and diversity (H′) when Goodding's willow proportion was high and Fremont cottonwood proportion was lower; that is, fewer Fremont cottonwoods are required to positively affect overall arthropod diversity. Second, we found significant genotypic effects, for all three plant species, on arthropod species accumulation. Third, while both planting proportion and genotype effects were significant, we found that the effect of planting proportion on arthropod richness was about twice as large as the effect of plant genotype. This shows that both plant species proportions and genotype should be utilized in restoration projects to maximize habitat heterogeneity and arthropod richness. Similar studies can determine which planting proportion and specific genotypes may result in a more favorable arthropod prey base for the southwestern willow flycatcher and other species of concern. Greater attention to planting design and genotype can result in significant gains in diversity at little or no additional project cost.
Aboveground and Belowground Impacts Following Removal of the Invasive Species Baby's Breath (Gypsophila paniculata) on Lake Michigan Sand Dunes
Authors: Emery Sarah M. , Doran Patrick J. , Legge John T. , Kleitch Matthew , Howard Shaun 
Published: September 2012

AbstractThe removal of invasive species is often one of the first steps in restoring degraded habitats. However, studies evaluating effectiveness of invasive species removal are often limited in spatial and temporal scale, and lack evaluation of both aboveground and belowground effects on diversity and key processes. In this study, we present results of a large 3‐year removal effort of the invasive species, Gypsophila paniculata, on sand dunes in northwest Michigan (USA). We measured G. paniculata abundance, plant species richness, plant community diversity, non‐native plant cover, abundance of Cirsium pitcheri (a federally threatened species endemic to this habitat), sand movement, arbuscular mycorrhizal spore abundance, and soil nutrients in fifteen 1000 m2 plots yearly from 2007 to 2010 in order to evaluate the effectiveness of manual removal of this species on dune restoration. Gypsophila paniculata cover was greatly reduced by management, but was not entirely eliminated from the area. Removal of G. paniculata shifted plant community composition to more closely resemble target reference plant communities but had no effect on total plant diversity, C. pitcheri abundance, or other non‐native plant cover. Soil properties were generally unaffected by G. paniculata invasion or removal. The outlook is good for this restoration, as other non‐native species do not appear to be staging a “secondary” invasion of this habitat. However, the successional nature of sand dunes means that they are already highly invasible, stressing the need for regular monitoring to ensure that restoration progresses.
Early Development of Soil Microbial Communities on Rehabilitated Quarries
Authors: Zhang Hao , Chu L. M. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractThe ecological development of soil microbial communities was studied in terms of microbial composition and structure at different rehabilitated phases on three quarries, namely Turret Hill Quarry (TH), Lam Tei Quarry (LT), and Shek O Quarry (SO), in Hong Kong. Using individual fatty acid methylesters (FAMEs) as biomarkers, Gram− bacteria dominated at all sites, in which cy19:0 represented more than 15% of the total extracted FAMEs in all soils tested. Redundancy analysis showed that the abundance of Gram− bacteria and Gram+ bacteria correlated significantly with woody species richness, native species richness, organic C, total N, and extractable NO3‐N. Fungi (18:1w9c and 18:2w6) and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi (16:1w5c) decreased in abundance with increasing age in SO and LT, which were positively correlated with grass coverage, soil pH, extractable NH4‐N, and extractable P. Our study suggested that soil aeration and C availability in soils played a dominant role driving the changes in the composition and structure of Gram− bacteria and Gram+ bacteria communities. Available P was the limiting factor for regulating the fungal and AM fungal communities on our local quarries.
Enzyme induction with antiepileptic drugs: Cause for concern?
Authors: Brodie Martin J. , Mintzer Scott , Pack Alison M. , Gidal Barry E. , Vecht Charles J. , Schmidt Dieter 
Published: September 2012

SummarySeveral commonly prescribed antiepileptic drugs (AEDs)—including phenobarbital, phenytoin, and carbamazepine—stimulate the synthesis of a broad range of monooxygenase and conjugating enzymes. These agents are well known to reduce the duration and action of many lipid‐ and non–lipid‐soluble drugs, including anticoagulants, cytotoxics, analgesics, antiretrovirals, glucocorticoids, statins, antihypertensives, oral contraceptives, psychoactive drugs, immunosuppressants, and of course, other AEDs. This process, therefore, may be associated with a number of clinical problems including higher cancer mortality, progressive AIDS, transplant rejection, and unwanted pregnancy. Withdrawal of enzyme‐inducing AEDs will increase the concentration of induced drugs, bringing with it substantial risk of toxicity if doses are not concomitantly reduced. Yet the potential widespread adverse health consequences of these interactions, both with AED initiation and withdrawal, remain largely underappreciated. Furthermore, induction also affects enzymes involved in endogenous metabolic pathways, and can alter bone biochemistry, gonadal steroids, and lipid markers. Therefore, enzyme‐inducing AEDs may contribute to the development of a number of comorbidities, including osteoporosis, sexual dysfunction, and vascular disease. This process continues as long as the patient takes the inducer. Modern AEDs that do not possess this property have similar efficacy for the common epilepsies. Accordingly, perhaps consideration should be given to starting treatment with, or even switching patients to, non–enzyme‐inducing AEDs.
Loss of β1 accessory Na+ channel subunits causes failure of carbamazepine, but not of lacosamide, in blocking high‐frequency firing via differential effects on persistent Na+ currents
Authors: Uebachs Mischa , Albus Christina , Opitz Thoralf , Isom Lori , Niespodziany Isabelle , Wolff Christian , Beck Heinz 
Published: September 2012

SummaryPurpose:  In chronic epilepsy, a substantial proportion of up to 30% of patients remain refractory to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). An understanding of the mechanisms of pharmacoresistance requires precise knowledge of how AEDs interact with their targets. Many commonly used AEDs act on the transient and/or the persistent components of the voltage‐gated Na+ current (INaT and INaP, respectively). Lacosamide (LCM) is a novel AED with a unique mode of action in that it selectively enhances slow inactivation of fast transient Na+ channels. Given that functional loss of accessory Na+ channel subunits is a feature of a number of neurologic disorders, including epilepsy, we examined the effects of LCM versus carbamazepine (CBZ) on the persistent Na+ current (INaP), in the presence and absence of accessory subunits within the channel complex.Methods:  Using patch‐clamp recordings in intact hippocampal CA1 neurons of Scn1b null mice, INaP was recorded using slow voltage ramps. Application of 100 μm CBZ or 300 μm LCM reduced the maximal INaP conductance in both wild‐type and control mice.Key Findings:  As shown previously by our group in Scn1b null mice, CBZ induced a paradoxical increase of INaP conductance in the subthreshold voltage range, resulting in an ineffective block of repetitive firing in Scn1b null neurons. In contrast, LCM did not exhibit such a paradoxical increase, and accordingly maintained efficacy in blocking repetitive firing in Scn1b null mice.Significance:  These results suggest that the novel anticonvulsant LCM maintains activity in the presence of impaired Na+ channel β1 subunit expression and thus may offer an improved efficacy profile compared with CBZ in diseases associated with an impaired expression of β sub‐units as observed in epilepsy.
Human Work in Catholic Social Thought
Authors: FINN DANIEL 
Published: September 2012

AbstractIn Catholic Social Thought, work is at the center of issues related to morality and economic life. It is simultaneously objective and subjective. Workers are the real agents of production, and therefore labor should have priority over capital. The able‐bodied have a moral obligation to work to obtain the things they need, but everyone has a claim on the basic necessities of life. Hence the property claims of the well‐to‐do are not to exclude the poor from what they need. The property‐right claim of stockholders depends on the firm serving work and the interests of workers. In unions, workers' natural right to form associations aligns with the right to participate in decisions affecting their lives. Numerous groups and organizations have some degree of complicity in workplace injustice and some degree of responsibility to address it.
Human Nature from a Georgist Perspective
Authors: DAWSEY JAMES 
Published: September 2012

AbstractGeorge's view of human nature was also deeply rooted in the Judeo‐Christian tradition. Since God's creation was good, so too were humans intended for good—not evil. Through creation, each person was accorded dignity by God and equal status with all other humans, regardless of the accidents of birth. God established people as stewards rather than owners of the world; they were entrusted with the special labor of enacting just and eternal laws that would perpetuate creation itself and dispense God's bounty for all. He intended them to be rational beings, seekers of justice, communitarian and free. By allowing, participating in, and often benefitting from unjust structures regarding land ownership, Christians engaged in theft. It was thus up to George and others in “the movement” to build consensus, to persuade, to become politically involved, and ultimately to inaugurate, practice, and enforce land laws allowing equal opportunity to all.
Just War: A Catholic Perspective
Authors: HOGAN MARGARET MONAHAN 
Published: September 2012

AbstractJust peace is the desired condition and there exists a presumption against war. That presumption may be overridden by injustice that disrupts the just peace. Once the peace is broken, war is permissible under the following conditions: the war must be declared by the legitimate authority; there must be a just cause (defense against aggression, punishment against guilt, violation of rights, defending the innocent, or protecting those values required for decent human existence); the right intention (pursuit of stated cause, pursuit of lasting peace, and right attitude) must guide the move to war; the response of war must be proportional (producing more good than evil, appropriate to remedy the extent of injustice); success in waging war is probable; conformity to international law; all other attempts to remedy the injustice perpetrated or imminently threatened must have been attempted and exhausted.
Multiple Comparisons Using R by BRETZ, F., HOTHORN, T., and WESTFALL, P.
Authors: Dickhaus Thorsten 
Published: September 2012

Multiple Comparisons Using R(F. Bretz, T. Hothorn and P. Westfall)Thorsten DickhausThe Fundamentals of Modern Statistical Genetics(N. M. Laird and C. Lange)Nandita MitraClinical Trial Design: Bayesian and Frequentist Adaptive Methods(G. Yin)Meichun DingBayesian Model Selection and Statistical Modeling(T. Ando)Lawrence Pettit
Fair Trade Flowers: Global Certification, Environmental Sustainability, and Labor Standards
Authors: Raynolds Laura T. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractThis article analyzes the organization of the fair trade flower industry, integration of Ecuadorian enterprises into these networks, and power of certification to address key environmental and social concerns on participating estates. Pursuing a social regulatory approach, I locate fair trade within the field of new institutions that establish and enforce production criteria in international markets. My research finds that while firm owners and managers support fair trade's environmental and social goals, these commitments are delimited by mainstream market expectations related to production efficiency and product quality. In environmental arenas, certification helps ensure that conditions exceed legal mandates and industry norms. In social arenas, certification helps ensure that labor standards exceed legal and industry expectations and funds important programs benefiting workers and their families. Where unions are absent, fair trade's greatest impact may be in the establishment of workers' committees that can build collective capacity. Although these new labor organizations face numerous challenges, they may strengthen the social regulation of global flower networks, making firms accountable to their workers as well as to nongovernmental organizations, retailers, and consumers.
Novel Series of Low‐Firing Microwave Dielectric Ceramics: (1−x)Li3Bi2P3O12–xTiO2
Authors: Liu Xiaobin , Zhou Huanfu , Liang Fang , Chen Xiuli , Wang Wei , Wang Cheng , He Fen 
Published: September 2012

A new thermally stable microwave dielectric ceramic with low‐firing temperature in (1−x)Li3Bi2P3O12–xTiO2 [(1−x)LBP–xT, 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.6] ceramics system was obtained using conventional solid‐state reaction method. The phase transformation, microstructure, and microwave dielectric properties of materials were investigated using X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) , and a network analyzer. The LBP ceramic (x = 0) sintered at 725°C has optimum microwave dielectric properties with relative permittivity (εr) of 15.8, Q × f of 26 600 GHz and temperature coefficients of resonant frequency (τf) of −130 ppm/°C. The εr and τf of (1−x)LBP–xT ceramics were tailored with increasing x values. At x = 0.55, the ceramic exhibits improved microwave dielectric properties with εr = 22.1, Q × f = 14 900 GHz and τf = −2.6 ppm/°C.