bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Akt2/PKBβ‐sensitive regulation of renal phosphate transport
Authors: Kempe D. S. , Ackermann T. F. , Boini K. M. , Klaus F. , Umbach A. T. , Dërmaku‐Sopjani M. , Judenhofer M. S. , Pichler B. J. , Capuano P. , Stange G. , Wagner C. A. , Birnbaum M. J. , Pearce D. , Föller M. , Lang F. 
Published: March 2010

AbstractAim: The protein kinase B (PKB)/Akt is known to stimulate the cellular uptake of glucose and amino acids. The kinase is expressed in proximal renal tubules. The present study explored the influence of Akt/PKB on renal tubular phosphate transport.Methods: The renal phosphate transporter NaPi‐IIa was expressed inXenopusoocytes with or without PKB/Akt and Na+phosphate cotransport determined using dual electrode voltage clamp. Renal phosphate excretion was determined in Akt2/PKBβ knockout mice (akt2−/−) and corresponding wild‐type mice (akt2+/+). Transporter protein abundance was determined using Western blotting and phosphate transport by32P uptake into brush border membrane vesicles.Results: The phosphate‐induced current in NaPi‐IIa‐expressingXenopusoocytes was significantly increased by the coexpression of Akt/PKB. Phosphate excretion [μmol per 24 h per g BW] was higher by 91% inakt2−/−than inakt2+/+mice. The phosphaturia ofakt2−/−mice occurred despite normal transport activity and expression of the renal phosphate transporters NaPi‐IIa, NaPi‐IIc and Pit2 in the brush border membrane, a significantly decreased plasma PTH concentration (by 46%) and a significantly enhanced plasma 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3concentration (by 46%). Moreover, fractional renal Ca2+excretion was significantly enhanced (by 53%) and bone density significantly reduced (by 11%) inakt2−/−mice.Conclusions: Akt2/PKBβ plays a role in the acute regulation of renal phosphate transport and thus contributes to the maintenance of phosphate balance and adequate mineralization of bone.
UV Exposition During Typical Lifestyle Behavior in an Urban Environment
Authors: Schmalwieser Alois W. , Enzi Claudia , Wallisch Silvia , Holawe Franz , Maier Bernhard , Weihs Philipp 
Published: March 2010

AbstractIn this study the personal exposure to solar UV radiation in an urban environment was measured. Lifestyle in an urban environment is characterized by staying indoors during most of the day. Furthermore, the ambient UV radiation is mitigated by shadowing by buildings. The aim of the study was to find out activities which may contribute to UV‐induced health risk in a low exposure environment. Exposure was measured during typical outdoor activities: shopping, walking, sitting in a sidewalk café, cycling, sightseeing and at an open‐air pool (solar elevation: 10°–70°). Measurements were taken with an optoelectronic device which was fixed on the chest. Besides the UV Index we used the sun burn time (SBT) for risk assessments. Generalization of our results was made by calculating ratios of personal exposure to the ambient UV radiation. UV exposure was by far the highest when our study subject stayed at the swimming pool. The SBT was around 30 min for melano‐compromised skin type. For all other activities, except shopping, the SBT range up to 1 h. With respect to photodamage we found that at high solar elevation (>45°) photoprotective measures should be applied for certain activities even within a city.
Imaging, Chemical and Spectroscopic Studies of the Methylation‐induced Decomposition of Melanosomes†
Authors: Kempf Valerie R. , Wakamatsu Kazumasa , Ito Shosuke , Simon John D. 
Published: March 2010

AbstractThe morphological and chemical changes associated with the exposure of melanosomes to methyl iodide are assessed by a variety of analytical, imaging and spectroscopic methods. Scanning electron microscopy, light scattering and N2 adsorption measurements all indicate significant changes in the morphology of the pigment following methylation. Solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance (SS‐NMR) spectroscopy and chemical degradation analysis reveals the methylation results in the introduction of ester groups into the pigment structures. Amino acid analysis further reveals that Arg, Cys, His, Ser and Tyr undergo methylation; the SS‐NMR data provide additional evidence for the methylation of the sulfur of Cys. Methylation results in increased solubility of the melanosome; the absorption properties of the dissolved material are characterized by an absorption maximum at 225 nm, with a long tail throughout the UV‐A and UV‐B, indicating that the solubilized material is a combination of protein and pigment. The methylation‐induced decomposition of the melanosomes provides new insights into both the observed increase in O‐methyl derivatives of the indolic precursor to eumelanin in the urine of melanoma patients and how increased levels of biologic methylating agents in the brain induce symptoms that resemble Parkinson’s disease.
Consequences of Displacement after the Gulf Crisis: A Study of the Responses of 207 Displaced Palestinian and Jordanian Workers
Authors: Ahmed Hisham H. , Williams Mary A. 
Published: March 2010

AbstractThroughout the war period and immediately thereafter, punitive measures were instituted against Jordanian nationals working in the Gulf; hundreds of thousands were dismissed from their jobs without compensation, and many more were expelled from the Gulf, leaving behind personal belongings, as well as bitter memories.The purpose of this study is to: (1) investigate the effects of the Gulf Crisis on the amount of annual contributions to Jordan's economy by Gulf workers; (2) measure the amount of property loss incurred by Gulf workers as a result of the displacement; (3) examine the duration of unemployment caused among the displaced workers; and (4) measure attitudinal changes among the displaced workers regarding their economic future and the future of Jordan's economy.
Integration by Migration?
Authors: Shafik Nemat 
Published: March 2010

Book reviewed in this article:AbstractIn terms of trade and capital flows, the Middle East is one of the least economically integrated regions of the world. The major exception is labor mobility, where intraregional migration flows are extensive. The explanation for this pattern lies in the extreme differences in factor endowments across the region and development policies adopted by both labor‐importing and exporting countries. Because the obstacles to trade in goods have been greater than the obstacles to migration, labor mobility and its associated capital flows have been the most important mechanism through which the benefits of the oil windfall have been spread to the poorer states of the region. There is evidence that incomes across the Middle East have become more equal.
Al‐Junayd on Unification and Its Stages: A Critical Examination
Authors: C. Inati Shams , Omran Elsayed M. H. 
Published: March 2010

AbstractThe purpose of this paper is to present a critical examination of al‐Junayd's notion of unification (tawhid).1 Al‐Junayd is without doubt one of the most prominent Sufi leaders of the tenth century A.D. who left their mark on the Sufi traditions. He is remembered especially for his strong advocacy of strict adherence by Sufis to the Quar'an and the Sunnah of the Prophet. His Sufi views called for thorough introspection, purification of one's heart and soul, and conformity to the highest morals.To acquire a more accurate and comprehensive understanding of tawhid, however, some other related Junaydian notions need to be presented where appropriate. The following issues will be discussed in this order: human beings' relationship to God, fana'2 (perishing), unification and its stages, sahw3 (sobriety), and, finally, whether the state of unification is reached by an act of free will and whether this state is purely subjective, i.e., not subject to public demonstration.
Review
Authors: Silverburg Sanford R. 
Published: March 2010

Book reviewed in this article:The Partition of Palestine: Decision Crossroads in the Zionist Movement, Itzhak GalnoorIsrael at the Crossroads: The Challenge of Peace, Efraim Karsh and Gregory Mahler, editorsIsrael at the Polls, 1992, Daniel J. Elazar and Shmuel Sandler, editors
Review
Authors: Aman Mohammed M. 
Published: March 2010

Book reviewed in this article:Iraq's Road to War, Amatzia Baram and Barry Rubin, editorsIran‐Iraq:The Politics and Strategy of Nuclear Weapons in the Middle East, Shlomo Aronson with Oded BroshIran‐Iraq:The Social Origins of the Iran‐Iraq War, W. Thom Workman
Bridging the Unbridgeable in the History of the Middle East: The Arab and the Raj; Paul Rich
Authors: Merchant David 
Published: March 2010

Rosemarie Said Zahlan, The Making of the Modern Gulf States: Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Oman.Efraim Karsh and Inari Karsh, Empires of the Sand: The Struggle for Mastery in the Middle East, 1789–1923.
Toward a Strategy to Deploy the Internet in Developing Countries
Authors: Mahmoud Nabil Salah 
Published: March 2010

ABSTRACInternet access is highly concentrated in developed countries. Developing countries are interested in Internet applications in order to enter the global market and improve development plans. A strategy to deploy the Internet in developing countries must be viewed within the comprehensive economic development perspective. It should emphasize three goals: overcoming barriers to information; overcoming barriers to economic opportunities; and overcoming barriers to participation. To achieve these goals, two sets of plans are required: first, there must be plans to activate a research environment, using the requirements of Internet access; and second, priorities of Internet applications must be decided. According to the suggested strategy, applications follow this sequence: e‐government; e‐learning; and e‐commerce.
Integrating the Internet into the Arabic Curriculum
Authors: Alqudsi‐Ghabra Taghreed , Shoukairy Lina Mostafa 
Published: March 2010

ABSTRACTThe increasing scope of the Internet into all spheres of life has become an added burden for educators, requiring that they incorporate Internet use into the school curriculum. Exploiting the Internet to support the educational process presents an opportunity as well as a challenge. A plan to support the Arabic curriculum has been presented at the Al‐Bayan Bilingual School. Its potential success and adoption by other schools represents an opportunity for improving the educational process in Kuwait.
The Permeability of the Middle East: The Predicament of Regional and Global Forces: a Review Easy
Authors: El‐Aswad El‐Sayed 
Published: March 2010

Book reviewed in this article:Persistent Permeability? regionalism, localism, and globalization in the Middle East: by Bassel F. Salloukh and Rex Brynen, eds.A History of the Modern Middle East: by William L. ClevelandMiddle East at the Crossroads: the Changing Political Dynamics and the Foreign Policy Challenges: by Manochehr Dorraj, ed.Conflict and Peace in the Middle East: National Perceptions and United States‐Jordan Relations: by Hatem Shareef Abu‐LebdehNation‐Building: A Middle East Recovery Program: by Jerry M. Rosenberg
Iraqi Perceptions of Out‐groups: Effects of Ethnicity, Religion, and Location
Authors: Gresham Jon 
Published: March 2010

AbstractAt the Iraq “liberation” in 2003, many asked, “Could Sunni, Shi'a and Kurdish factions be brought together, or is it likely that ethnic conflicts would lead to civil war?” This pilot project addressed: 1) How do Iraqis' self‐reported ethnic/religious identities (their membership in their personal in‐groups) relate to their perceptions of other unlike groups (out‐groups)?, and 2) How does a place of residence relate to Iraqi perceptions of out‐groups?My team collected 479 surveys of Iraqi opinions in Iraq, Jordan, and The Netherlands, asking for perceptions of Those Other Groups, their out‐groups. I found that background items of religion, ethnic origin, and location, taken by themselves, did not relate strongly to respondents' attitudes towards out‐groups. But, some combinations of background items did give significant differences in perceptions towards other groups.For example, moderate Arabs (with respect to ethnic importance) in Iraq were the group most opposed to foreigners, and were the group most opposed to expatriate Iraqis returning to Iraq.In this paper I explain important terms (out‐group and wiki); report on my findings in the midst of a period of regime change in Iraq; mention the use of an alternate way to disseminate research findings over the internet via a wiki; and describe follow‐up projects on social capital among Iraqis. My hope is that this will contribute to a base from which researchers and fieldworkers can develop theories to explore and explain elements of civil society in Iraq and other societies.This paper presents the following major sections: Abstract; Introduction; Purpose; Background; Methodology; Results; Conclusions; Further; Work; Appendixes; and End Notes
Iran: Island of Stability orLand in Turmoil
Authors: Nasri Grace 
Published: March 2010

AbstractIran is a critical state in international relations because of its natural resources, its strategic location, its controversial conservative Islamic regime and its effect on shifting the balance of power in the Middle East. As a result, Iran is facing pressure from all sides. There are currently four possible future scenarios for Iran: the Iranian regime will remain stable; the Iranian regime will become increasingly unstable; the stability of the Iranian regime depends on international action; the Iranian regime will reform itself from within. It is only by improving its image, that the U.S. can positively affect any of these scenarios.Iran has historically been an essential actor in the international arena because ofits strategic location and its position as a major oil producer; Iran is currently the fourth largest producer of crude oil, the third largest holder of proven oil reserves and the second largest holder of natural gas reserves. Today, Iran remains a critical state, not only because of its strategic location and its abundance of natural resources, but also because of its alleged role as a “state sponsor of terror,” its nuclear program, its human rights abuses, its controversial conservative Islamic regime which is at odds with America, and its effect on shifting the balance of power in the Middle East, especially in light of the U.S. removal of the Taliban and Hussein regimes, two of Iran's biggest threats (Stockman, 2004).It is because of a combination of these factors that the Iranian government is feeling much pressure from all angles. Domestically, the Iranian regime is feeling pressure from the Iranian society as the regime is shifting back from a trend towards liberalism as represented by the Khatami government, towards Ahmadinejad's more conservative and traditional regime. Manifestations of this disapproval were seen in the 2007 municipal elections, in which reformers won the plurality of votes (Not Pro‐Prez or Pro‐Reform, 2006).Internationally, Iran has been accused of being a state sponsor of terror and has been labeled by the American government as a member of the “axis of evil,” and as a violator of human rights. Finally, within the regime itself, Ahmadinejad's confrontational foreign policy has caused a split within the conservative block; dividing the pragmatists who want to engage in trade and resume relations with the West, and those who adhere to a strict interpretation of the Islamic Revolution by welcoming confrontation with the West. Furthermore, tensions exist, not only between the reform minded Majlis and the conservative Council of Guardians, but also between the Majlis and the president, who has recently been criticized for his aggressive foreign policy that is isolating Iran from the world.
The Role of Digital Libraries in Egyptian Higher Education
Authors: Taie Eman Salman , Mohamed Khaled A. 
Published: March 2010

AbstractExploring the students' information, communication technology (ICT) profile and how it may affect their attitudes towards the Egyptian university digital library (EUDL) and the role of the digital library in the educational and research activities in faculties of nursing and education in Egypt is the main concern of this study. A questionnaire was distributed to students in the faculties of Nursing and Education at five Egyptian universities. A total of 4008 responses have been received and analyzed. The results showed that nursing students are more active in implementing ICT and they have positive attitudes towards the digital library. The results also revealed that the digital library played a more positive role in the Nursing faculties than faculties of Education. The study also revealed five barriers for not using the digital library by the students: the restriction of accessing EDUL as a source of information for research and education, insufficient Internet access, lack of search skills, insufficient computer labs and the cost of using the available labs. The direct implementation of this study could be in the administration level of the quality assurance programs in the studied faculties. The results of the study could also be generalized to other similar programs in the Egyptian universities.
On the minimal ramification problem for ℓ-groups
Authors: Kisilevsky Hershy , Sonn Jack 
Published: March 2010

AbstractLet ℓ be a prime number. It is not known whether every finite ℓ-group of rank n≥1 can be realized as a Galois group over ${\Bbb Q}$ with no more than n ramified primes. We prove that this can be done for the (minimal) family of finite ℓ-groups which contains all the cyclic groups of ℓ-power order and is closed under direct products, (regular) wreath products and rank-preserving homomorphic images. This family contains the Sylow ℓ-subgroups of the symmetric groups and of the classical groups over finite fields of characteristic not ℓ. On the other hand, it does not contain all finite ℓ-groups.
Antibiotic Dose Impact on Resistance Selection in the Community: a Mathematical Model of β-Lactams and
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Dynamics
Authors: Opatowski Lulla , Mandel Jonas , Varon Emmanuelle , Boëlle Pierre-Yves , Temime Laura , Guillemot Didier 
Published: March 2010

ABSTRACT

Streptococcus pneumoniae
is a major pathogen in the community and presents high rates of resistance to the available antibiotics. To prevent antibiotic treatment failure caused by highly resistant bacteria, increasing the prescribed antibiotic dose has recently been suggested. The aim of the present study was to assess the influence of β-lactam prescribed doses on the emergence of resistance and selection in the community. A mathematical model was constructed by combining
S. pneumoniae
pharmacodynamic and population-dynamic approaches. The received-dose heterogeneity in the population was specifically modeled. Simulations over a 50-year period were run to test the effects of dose distribution and antibiotic exposure frequency changes on community resistance patterns, as well as the accuracy of the defined daily dose as a predictor of resistance. When the frequency of antibiotic exposure per year was kept constant, dose levels had a strong impact on the levels of resistance after a 50-year simulation. The lowest doses resulted in a high prevalence of nonsusceptible strains (≥70%) with MICs that were still low (1 mg/liter), whereas high doses resulted in a lower prevalence of nonsusceptible strains (<40%) and higher MICs (2 mg/liter). Furthermore, by keeping the volume of antibiotics constant in the population, different patterns of use (low antibiotic dose and high antibiotic exposure frequency versus high dose and low frequency) could lead to markedly different rates of resistance distribution and prevalence (from 10 to 100%). Our results suggest that pneumococcal resistance patterns in the community are strongly related to the individual β-lactam doses received: limiting β-lactam use while increasing the doses could help reduce the prevalence of resistance, although it should select for higher levels of resistance. Surveillance networks are therefore encouraged to collect both daily antibiotic exposure frequencies and individual prescribed doses.
Persistent Interactions between Biguanide-Based Compound NB325 and CXCR4 Result in Prolonged Inhibition of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Infection
Authors: Thakkar Nina , Pirrone Vanessa , Passic Shendra , Keogan Shawn , Zhu Wei , Kholodovych Vladyslav , Welsh William , Rando Robert , Labib Mohamed , Wigdahl Brian , Krebs Fred C. 
Published: March 2010

ABSTRACTWe previously demonstrated that the biguanide-based compound NB325 inhibits human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection by interacting with the CXCR4 viral coreceptor. This interaction also appeared to be persistent, since HIV-1 infection was inhibited even when the virus was introduced subsequent to the removal of NB325 from the cell culture medium. The present studies were conducted to determine the extent and mechanism of this prolonged antiviral activity. Persistent inhibition of HIV-1 infection by NB325 was concentration dependent and was apparent up to 8 h after removal of the compound. Flow cytometric analyses of stimulated CD4+T lymphocytes exposed to NB325 demonstrated concentration-dependent reductions in CXCR4 extracellular loop 2 epitope recognition that were maintained up to 24 h after removal of the compound. CXCL12-induced chemotaxis was also persistently inhibited following pre-exposure to NB325. These results demonstrate that persistent inhibition of X4 HIV-1 infection by NB325 involves extended perturbation of the viral coreceptor CXCR4.
Effect of Ceftaroline on Normal Human Intestinal Microflora
Authors: Panagiotidis Georgios , Bäckström Tobias , Asker-Hagelberg Charlotte , Jandourek Alena , Weintraub Andrej , Nord Carl Erik 
Published: March 2010

ABSTRACT

Ceftaroline is a new broad-spectrum cephalosporin being developed for the treatment of serious bacterial infections, including those caused by aerobic Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of administration of ceftaroline on the intestinal flora of healthy subjects. Twelve healthy subjects (6 males and 6 females), 20 to 41 years of age, received ceftaroline (600 mg) by intravenous infusion every 12 h (q12h) for 7 days. Plasma and feces were collected for determination of ceftaroline concentration and analysis of fecal flora. Fecal specimens were cultured on nonselective and selective media. Different colony types were counted, isolated in pure culture, and identified to the genus level. All new strains of colonizing bacteria were tested for susceptibility to ceftaroline. The concentrations of ceftaroline in plasma were as follows: on day 2, 17.5 to 34.8 mg/liter; on day 5, 19.7 to 33.2 mg/liter; and on day 7, 18.0 to 29.8 mg/liter. No ceftaroline concentrations were found on day −1, 9, 14, or 21. No measurable concentrations in feces were found on day −1, 2, 5, 7, 9, 14, or 21. There was a minor impact on the numbers of
Escherichia coli
strains, while the numbers of enterococci and
Candida albicans
strains were not affected. There were moderate decreases in the numbers of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli during the first 7 days, while the numbers of clostridia increased during the same period. No impact on the numbers of
Bacteroides
bacteria was noticed. No new colonizing aerobic or anaerobic bacteria resistant to ceftaroline (MIC ≥ 4 mg/liter) were found. Ceftaroline had no significant ecological impact on the human intestinal microflora.