bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Shraddhanand Mahila Ashram: a quest for a future filled with dreams
Authors: Jha Sumi , Bhattacharyya Som Sekhar 
Published: July 2012

Subject area
Mission and vision for strategic management of non governmental organizations.

Study level/applicability
This case can be used for strategic management course (with a focus on vision and mission), particularly for the management of non governmental organizations (NGOs) (with a focus on discovering and defining directions).

Case overview
Shraddhanand Mahila Ashram completed 83 years of its existence in 2011. Sharadhanand Mahila Ashram has been managed by the Hindu women's welfare society. The organization for the last eight decades has been caring for destitute women, orphans up to six years old, and caring for girls till they reached 18 years of age. The Ashram has also been taking care of mentally and physically challenged orphans. The Ashram over the years changed its policies and practices to be in tune with the social requirements in the changing environment. Up to the close of the first decade of the 21st century the Ashram had been providing traditional training to the young ladies and then subsequently would marry them. In the last two decades beginning 1991, because of the economic development of India and the economic integration of India with the West, cultural changes had transpired in Indian society. Women in general have been becoming more empowered and economically independent. Given this context the committee members of the Ashram were contemplating on the future guidance to the girls of the Ashram for making them empowered and independent individuals. This would shift the established policies and practices of the Ashram and lead to a new vision.

Expected learning outcomes
The case would help students to reflect on the significance of mission and vision statement of an NGO. The case would further help students to understand the day to day working practices of an NGO as derived from mission and mission statements. The students will be able to comprehend the need for review and change in mission and vision statements. The students will also be able to understand how mission and vision statements aligned to the organizational practices and policies impact at ground zero and above.

Supplementary materials
Teaching notes are available.
The dream's door: a case of a MNC in Poland
Authors: Bourne Dorota Joanna 
Published: July 2012

Subject area
Leadership, change management, knowledge transfer, quality, car manufacture, organisational culture, staff training and development.

Study level/applicability
This case study is intended for undergraduate courses on principles of management, cross-cultural management and organisational behaviour; postgraduate and MBA courses as above in addition to leadership studies and change management courses.

Case overview
Globalisation inevitably led to attempts to transfer know-how and expertise to markets in different locations and cultures, where the particular organisation is willing to begin to operate. Hence, the need for understanding the conditions for successful knowledge transfer is especially important. The globalisation process in the Eastern bloc, which began in 1990, is a good example of knowledge transfer where the mutual meaning creation played a crucial role. This case study illustrates the process of international knowledge transfer between Western Europe and an emerging economy using the example of DAK Corporation and quality transfer to Poland. The case is especially useful for undergraduate and postgraduate students, including MBA students, studying general management as well as more specialised courses stemming from international management, for example, cross-cultural management and organisational behaviour. Since the material focuses on people management and development as well as organisational culture creation, current and future practitioners from the human resources department will find it particularly useful. Students considering a career in a multinational company can also use this case in their preparation for the challenges of operating in a global business environment.

Expected learning outcomes
These include: understanding of the process of international and cross-cultural knowledge transfer; identification of key cultural and organisational factors contributing to the success of international knowledge transfer; understanding of the organisational culture creation process; and exploration of the process of new staff development and training.

Supplementary materials
Teaching notes are available.
International market expansion of “Jintan Nude” in Thailand
Authors: Racela Olimpia C. , Thoumrungroje Amonrat 
Published: July 2012

Subject area
International marketing, new product development, international business expansion, small business management.

Study level/applicability
This case is intended for senior undergraduate or graduate MBA students taking a course in international business, international marketing, or small business management.

Case overview
Thai Jintan Company Limited (Thai Jintan) is a medium-sized importer, distributor, and marketer of premium confectionery and health care products in Thailand with the exclusive distribution arrangements of Morishita Jintan Company Limited (Morishita), one of Japan's oldest companies and a leader in the Japanese probiotic and confectionery industry. The case takes place in August 2009, approximately 18 months after Thai Jintan implemented its market launch of Morishita's technologically advanced breath and belly mint under the brand name of Jintan Nude. With a limited promotional budget of 8 million baht (€161,128) coupled with Thailand's regulatory environment for the marketing of food and drugs, Thai Jintan, a newcomer to the breath mint market, was faced with having to devise a resourceful marketing and promotional campaign. Thai Jintan management was confronted with assessing its past marketing plan and deciding on what to do to achieve its ambitious goal of capturing a 20 percent market share of the growing mint/menthol candy confectionery segment in Thailand.

Expected learning outcomes
After reading and discussing the case, students should have a better understanding of the following: the challenges faced by small businesses and new entrants; learning to apply different frameworks such as PEST or PESTEL, SWOT, and/or Five Forces to scan and assess a competitive environment; familiarizing themselves with different channels members’ roles in a distribution system; learning to evaluate a company's current marketing strategies and to recommend strategies to improve its segmentation, targeting, and positioning strategies and to design a new marketing mix for a new product launch in an overseas market; and learning how to effectively allocate a marketing budget.

Supplementary materials
Teaching notes are available.
A cladistic reconstruction of the ancestral mite harvestman (Arachnida, Opiliones, Cyphophthalmi): portrait of a Paleozoic detritivore
Authors: de Bivort Benjamin L. , Clouse Ronald M. , Giribet Gonzalo 
Published: July 2012

AbstractTwo character sets composed of continuous measurements and shape descriptors for mite harvestmen (Arachnida, Opiliones, Cyphophthalmi) were used to reconstruct the morphology of the cyphophthalmid ancestor and explore different methods for ancestral reconstruction as well as the influence of terminal sets and phylogenetic topologies. Characters common to both data sets were used to evaluate linear parsimony, averaging, maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods on seven different phylogenies found in earlier studies. Two methods—linear parsimony implemented in TNT and nested averaging—generated reconstructions that were (i) not predisposed to comprising simple averages of characters and (ii) in broad agreement with alternative methods commonly used. Of these two methods, linear parsimony yielded significantly similar reconstructions from two independent Cyphophthalmi data sets, and exhibited comparatively low ambiguity in the values of ancestral characters. Therefore complete sets of continuous characters were optimized using linear parsimony on trees found from “total evidence” data sets. The resulting images of the ancestral Cyphophthalmi suggest it was a small animal with robust appendages and a lens‐less eye, much like many of today’s species, but not what might be expected from hypothetical reconstructions of Paleozoic vegetation debris, where Cyphophthalmi likely originated.© The Willi Hennig Society 2012
Effects of caesarean section on serum levels of NT‐proBNP
Authors: Yamada Takashi , Koyama Takahiro , Furuta Itsuko , Takeda Masamitsu , Nishida Ryutaro , Yamada Takahiro , Morikawa Mamoru , Minakami Hisanori 
Published: July 2012

SummaryObjectiveTo determine the effects of delivery by caesarean on serum levels of N‐terminal fragment of precursor protein brain‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP).MethodsSerum NT‐proBNP levels were determined longitudinally at 24 and 36 weeks of gestation (GW) and on post‐partum day 3 and month 1 (PPD3 and PPM1, respectively) in 78 women with normotensive singleton pregnancies. Thirty‐nine women underwent caesarean delivery. Plasma renin activity (PRA) and plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) were determined on PPD3. Effects of maternal demographic characteristics on NT‐proBNP levels were also analysed.ResultsNT‐proBNP levels (pg/ml) either in pregnancy or on PPM1 did not differ between women with vaginal and caesarean deliveries (44 ± 24 vs 41 ± 30, 24 GW; 37 ± 22 vs 29 ± 22, 36 GW; 43 ± 28 vs 39 ± 24, PPM1, respectively). Levels on PPD3 were significantly higher (94 ± 105 vs 247 ± 186, P < 0·0001) in women with caesarean delivery. Among women with caesarean delivery, a larger rise of NT‐proBNP on PPD3 occurred in nulliparous than in multiparous women (319 ± 232 vs 185 ± 107, P = 0·023), while no rise occurred among multiparous women with vaginal delivery (108 ± 115 vs 47 ± 27). NT‐proBNP levels on PPD3 were significantly and negatively correlated with PRA, PAC and maternal weight loss after childbirth on PPD3. These 3 variables on PPD3 were significantly lower in women undergoing caesarean than vaginal delivery (0·8 ± 0·4 vs 1·9 ± 1·4 ng/ml/h for PRA; 70 ± 38 vs 136 ± 88 pg/ml for PAC; 2·7 ± 1·2 vs 4·3 ± 1·1 kg for weight loss, each P < 0·0001).ConclusionsThe transient post‐partum rise in serum NT‐proBNP may reflect transient volume overload after parturition and is remarkable in nulliparous women, especially after caesarean section.
Leishmania amazonensis fails to induce the release of reactive oxygen intermediates by CBA macrophages
Authors: ALMEIDA T. F. , PALMA L. C. , MENDEZ L. C. , NORONHA‐DUTRA A. A. , VERAS P. S. T. 
Published: July 2012

SummaryCBA mouse macrophages effectively control Leishmania major infection, yet are permissive to Leishmania amazonensis. It has been established that some Leishmania species are destroyed by reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, other species of Leishmania exhibit resistance to ROS or even down‐modulate ROS production. We hypothesized that L. amazonensis–infected macrophages reduce ROS production soon after parasite–cell interaction. Employing a highly sensitive analysis technique based on chemiluminescence, the production of superoxide () and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) by L. major‐ or L. amazonensis‐infected CBA macrophages were measured. L. major induces macrophages to release levels of 3·5 times higher than in uninfected cells. This production is partially dependent on NADPH oxidase (NOX) type 2. The level of accumulated H2O2 is 20 times higher in L. major‐than in L. amazonensis‐infected cells. Furthermore, macrophages stimulated with L. amazonensis release amounts of ROS similar to uninfected cells. These findings support previous studies showing that CBA macrophages are effective in controlling L. major infection by a mechanism dependent on both production and H2O2 generation. Furthermore, these data reinforce the notion that L. amazonensis survive inside CBA macrophages by reducing ROS production during the phagocytic process.
Proteomic Analysis of Differentially Expressed Proteins in Resistant Soybean Leaves after Phakopsora pachyrhizi Infection
Authors: Wang Yun , Yuan Xiaozhuan , Hu Hao , Liu Yan , Sun Weihong , Shan Zhihui , Zhou Xinan 
Published: July 2012

AbstractSoybean rust caused by Phakopsora pachyrhizi is a destructive foliar disease in nearly all soybean‐producing countries. Understanding the host responses at the molecular level is certainly essential for effective control of the disease. To identify proteins involved in the resistance to soybean rust, differential proteomic analysis was conducted in soybean leaves of a resistant genotype after P. pachyrhizi infection. A total of 41 protein spots exhibiting a fold change >1.5 between the non‐inoculated and P. pachyrhizi‐inoculated soybean leaves at 12 and 24 h postinoculation (hpi) were unambiguously identified and functionally grouped into seven categories. Twenty proteins were up‐regulated and four proteins were down‐regulated at 12 hpi, whereas 18 proteins were up‐regulated and eight proteins were down‐regulated at 24 hpi. Generally, proteins involved in photosynthesis were down‐regulated, whereas proteins associated with disease and defense response, protein folding and assembly, carbohydrate metabolism and energy production were up‐regulated. Results are discussed in terms of the functional implications of the proteins identified, with special emphasis on their putative roles in defense. Abundance changes of these proteins, together with their putative functions reveal a comprehensive picture of the host response in rust‐resistant soybean leaves and provide a useful platform for better understanding of the molecular basis of soybean rust resistance.
Testing for urinary tract colonization before high‐dose corticosteroid treatment in acute multiple sclerosis relapses: prospective algorithm validation
Authors: Rakusa M. , Murphy O. , McIntyre L. , Porter B. , Panicker J. , Fowler C. , Scott G. , Chataway J. 
Published: July 2012

Background and purposeTo evaluate a dipstick algorithm for urinary tract colonization, prior to high‐dose corticosteroid treatment in acute relapses of multiple sclerosis (MS).MethodsProspective cohort study of 267 consecutive patients with MS relapses requiring corticosteroid treatment in a hospital‐based, ambulatory, acute MS relapse clinic. A total of 18 participants met the exclusion criteria, leaving 249 for analysis. Main outcome measures were urinary dipstick sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and safety of antibiotic co‐treatment with high‐dose corticosteroids.ResultsSignificant bacteriuria (≥105 colonies ml) rate in this population was 11% (95% CI, 7.1–14.9). Specificity and sensitivity of positive leucocyte esterase or nitrite were 78% and 65%. Negative predictive value of urine dipstick was 96%. No clinical adverse events occurred in the 3% (95% CI, 0.9–5.1) of patients with a false‐negative dipstick. Eighteen per cent of patients were unnecessarily treated with antibiotics for 48 h.ConclusionUrinary dipstick testing allows for rapid and safe management of patients suffering from an acute MS relapse. The algorithm is conservative, and future work is needed to reduce the false‐positive rate.
Supratentorial and pontine MRI abnormalities characterize recessive spastic ataxia of Charlevoix‐Saguenay. A comprehensive study of an Italian series
Authors: Prodi E. , Grisoli M. , Panzeri M. , Minati L. , Fattori F. , Erbetta A. , Uziel G. , D'Arrigo S. , Tessa A. , Ciano C. , Santorelli F. M. , Savoiardo M. , Mariotti C. 
Published: July 2012

Background and purposeThe autosomal recessive spastic ataxia of Charlevoix‐Saguenay (ARSACS) is an early‐onset neurodegenerative disorder caused by mutations in the SACS gene. The disease, first described in Canadian families from Québec, is characterized by cerebellar ataxia, pyramidal tract involvement and peripheral neuropathy.MethodsAnalysis of SACS gene allowed the identification of 14 patients with ARSACS from 13 unrelated Italian families. Clinical phenotype, gene mutations and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings were analysed.ResultsWe found 16 novel SACS gene mutations, including a large in‐frame deletion. The age at onset was in infancy, but one patient presented the first symptoms at age 32. Progression of the disease was variable, and increased muscle tone was mostly recognized in later stages. Structural MRI showed atrophy of the superior cerebellar vermis, a bulky pons exhibiting T2‐hypointense stripes, identified as the corticospinal tract (CST), thinning of the corpus callosum and a rim of T2‐hyperintensity around the thalami in 100% of cases. The presence of iron or other paramagnetic substances was excluded. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) revealed grossly over‐represented transverse pontine fibres (TPF), which prevented reconstruction of the CST at this level (100% of cases). In all patients, significant microstructural alterations were found in the supratentorial white matter of forceps, cingulum and superior longitudinal fasciculus.ConclusionsOur findings further enlarge the genetic spectrum of SACS mutations and widen the study of clinical phenotype. MRI characteristics indicate that pontine changes and supratentorial abnormalities are diagnostic. The over‐representation of TPF on DTI suggests a developmental component in the pathogenesis of the disease.
Frequencies of falls and associated features at different stages of Parkinson's disease
Authors: Hiorth Y. H. , Lode K. , Larsen J. P. 
Published: July 2012

Background and purposeTo examine the frequencies and clinical characteristics of fallers and non‐fallers at different stages of Parkinson's disease (PD).MethodsThe sample consisted of 232 patients in an unselected cross‐sectional cohort of patients with PD, 207 newly diagnosed and drug naive patients and 175 controls. The examinations included the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), Hoehn and Yahr, Schwab and England, and Mini‐Mental State Examination. According to item 13 of the UPDRS, the participants were classified as fallers, rare‐fallers and non‐fallers.ResultsIn the cross‐sectional study cohort, 19% of the patients were classified as fallers and 25% as rare‐fallers. Higher scores on activity of daily living (UPDRS ADL score) and motor complications (UPDRS complication of therapy score) were significantly and independently associated with falling. In the cohort of newly diagnosed patients with PD 2% were classified as fallers and 15% as rare‐fallers. In the age‐ and sex‐matched control group, none were fallers, and only 2% were rare‐fallers. Patients with tremor‐dominated PD subtype in both study populations did not fall.ConclusionsFalls are a markedly increasing problem in patients with PD as the disease progresses. Healthcare workers should ask patients about falling, and specially focus on patients with motor complications or postural instability and gait disability‐dominated subtype of parkinsonism.
Transmembrane semaphorin5B is proteolytically processed into a repulsive neural guidance cue
Authors: Browne Kristen , Wang Wenyan , Liu Rachel Q. , Piva Matthew , O’Connor Timothy P. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractDeveloping neuronal growth cones respond to a number of post‐transcriptionally modified guidance cues to establish functional neural networks. The Semaphorin family has well‐established roles as both secreted and transmembrane guidance cues. Here, we describe the first evidence that a transmembrane Semaphorin, Semaphorin 5B (Sema5B), is proteolytically processed from its transmembrane form and can function as a soluble growth cone collapsing guidance cue. Over‐expression of A Disintegrin and Metalloprotease (ADAM)‐17, results in an enhanced release of the Sema5B ectodomain, while removal of a predicted ADAM‐17 cleavage site prevents its release. In contrast, knockdown of ADAM‐17 does not significantly reduce Sema5B release, indicating there are additional unknown compensating proteases. This modulation of the transmembrane Sema5B to a diffusible cue represents a sophisticated method to regulate neuronal guidance in vivo.
Positive feedback regulation of Akt‐FMRP pathway protects neurons from cell death
Authors: Jeon Se Jin , Han Seol‐Heui , Yang Sung‐Il , Choi Ji woong , Kwon Kyoung Ja , Park Seung Hwa , Kim Hahn Young , Cheong Jae Hoon , Ryu Jong Hoon , Ko Kwang Ho , Wells David G , Shin Chan Young 
Published: July 2012

J. Neurochem. (2012) 123, 226–238.AbstractFragile X syndrome (FXS), the most common single genetic cause of mental retardation and autistic spectrum disease, occurs when FMR1 gene is mutated. FMR1 encodes fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) which regulates translation of mRNAs playing important roles in the development of neurons as well as formation and maintenance of synapses. To examine whether FMRP regulates cell viability, we induced apoptosis in rat primary cortical neurons with glutamate in vitro and with middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in striatal neurons in vivo. Both conditions elicited a rapid, but transient FMRP expression in neurons. This up‐regulated FMRP expression was abolished by pre‐treatment with PI3K and Protein Kinase B (Akt) inhibitors: LY294002, Akt inhibitor IV, and VIII. Reduced FMRP expression in vitro or in vivo using small hairpin Fmr1 virus exacerbated cell death by glutamate or MCAO, presumably via hypophosphorylation of Akt and reduced expression of B‐cell lymphoma‐extra large (Bcl‐xL). However, over‐expression of FMRP using enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP)‐FMRP constructs alleviated cell death, increased Akt activity, and enhanced Bcl‐xL production. The pro‐survival role of Akt‐dependent up‐regulation of FMRP in glutamate‐stimulated cultured neuron as well as in ischemic brain may have a clinical importance in FXS as well as in neurodegenerative disorders and traumatic brain injury.
Inhibition of G1 cell cycle arrest in human gingival fibroblasts exposed to phenytoin
Authors: Takeuchi Reiri , Matsumoto Hiroko , Akimoto Yoshiaki , Fujii Akira 
Published: July 2012

AbstractGingival overgrowth is caused in response to the antiepileptic drug phenytoin (PHT). PHT‐induced gingival overgrowth is characterized by the proliferation of fibroblasts and increased collagen formation in gingiva. Fibroblast proliferation is regulated through the cell cycle. Thus, in the present study, we examined the effects of PHT on the cell cycle, the expression of cell cycle control proteins and the proliferation in human gingival fibroblasts (hGFs). Cells were stimulated in serum‐free DMEM with or without 0.25 μm PHT. Subsequently, the cell cycle phase distribution and the protein expression after 24 h and the cell proliferation after 24, 48 and 72 h were evaluated. PHT significantly inhibited synchronization at the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle in hGFs through serum starvation. Stimulation with PHT for 48 and 72 h significantly induced a proliferative response in hGFs. PHT decreased the expression of the Cdk‐inhibitory proteins p21 and p27 and increased the levels of the S phase‐promoting proteins phospho‐Thr160‐Cdk2 and phospho‐Ser807/811‐Rb in serum‐free DMEM. The inhibition of G1 cell cycle arrest in hGFs may result from an increase in phosphorylated Cdk2 and Rb proteins and decreased levels of p21 and p27 proteins by PHT. The gingival overgrowth may be caused by the failure of the G1 cell cycle arrest in GFs exposed to PHT.