bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Talkingjihadand piety: reformist exertions among Islamist women in Bangladesh
Authors: Huq Maimuna 
Published: April 2009

This paper analyses the discursive regime of Islamic study circles within an organization of female students (BICSa) informally affiliated with the leading Islamic political party in South Asia, the Jamaat‐e‐Islami. I investigate this textual modality of Islamic socialization as a site where members partly discipline their sensibilities in accordance with BICSa's project of Islamization, which is grounded in thejihad(exertion)‐orientated model for Islamic reform in South Asia of the Islamist Abul Ala Maududi. I also explore group discussion dynamics arising from activists' daily experiences that not only critique conventional distinctions between the political, social, and religious, in accord with the Islamist worldview, but also facilitate argumentation interrogative of Islamist ideological‐textual boundaries. The simultaneously centripetal and centrifugal ethos of the study circle as a contemporary Bangladeshi Islamist pedagogical technique is analysed in relation to shifting discussions ofjihadamong Islamist women.RésuméL’auteur analyse le régime discursif des cercles d’études islamiques au sein d’une organisation d’étudiantes (la BICSa) affiliée de loin au principal parti politique islamique d’Asie du sud, le Jamaat‐e‐Islami. Elle explore la modalité textuelle de la socialisation islamique comme lieu où l’on discipline partiellement sa sensibilité, selon le projet d’islamisation de la BICSa, calqué sur le modèle de réforme islamique de l’Asie du sud formulé par l’islamiste Abu Sala Maududi et fondé sur lejihad, au sens d’effort. L’auteur explore également la dynamique des discussions de groupe qui naît de l’expérience quotidienne des activistes. Celle‐ci permet une critique des distinctions classiques entre politique, social et religieux, conformément à la vision du monde islamiste, mais facilite aussi une argumentation qui questionne les limites idéologiques et textuelles de l’islamisme. L’éthos à la fois centripète et centrifuge de ce cercle d’études, qui représente une technique de la pédagogie islamiste contemporaine au Bangladesh, est analysé en relation avec les discussions mouvantes dujihadparmi les femmes islamistes.
Determining factors leading affiliates to transfer from an individual accounts pension scheme to a pay‐as‐you‐go pension scheme: Evidence from Argentina
Authors: D'Elia Vanesa Valeria 
Published: April 2009

AbstractPrior to the recent implementation of the Argentine Integrated Social Security System (SIPA —Sistema Integrado Previsional Argentino), the 2007 reform represented the first major change in Argentina's old‐age social security system since 1994. For the first time, workers contributing to the private defined‐contribution individual accounts scheme were able to choose freely to move over to the public pay‐as‐you‐go (PAYG) scheme. This study is an attempt to analyse the special characteristics of those who opted for transfer to the public PAYG scheme and to discover whether the behaviour of these individuals is in line with that of a “simulated worker” attempting to optimize income. The analysis includes an estimate of the probability that individuals with certain characteristics will transfer.
The gender impact of National Pension reforms in the Republic of Korea
Authors: An Mi‐young 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThis article examines the gender impact of National Pension reforms in the Republic of Korea. In 2007, the Korean government introduced an income‐tested basic old‐age pension scheme paying flat‐rate benefits. It also introduced credited pension coverage periods for child rearing and changed entitlement conditions for divorcees and widows and widowers. This paper examines the impact of these policy changes for individuals with shorter working lives and lower wages, for survivors and for the traditional social protection role played by the family in Korea. Findings indicate that the reforms have some positive features. However, the reforms still offer better value for those with higher earnings and an uninterrupted employment history, both of which are more characteristic of male workers. Moreover, the important income security role played by the family is still strongly embedded in the provisions and the protection available to survivors remains weak.
Exchange‐mediated dilution of brain lactate specific activity: implications for the origin of glutamate dilution and the contributions of glutamine dilution and other pathways
Authors: Dienel Gerald A. , Cruz Nancy F. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThe magnitude of metabolic activation is greatly underestimated in autoradiographic studies using [1‐ or 6‐14C]glucose compared to parallel assays with [14C]deoxyglucose indicating that most of the label corresponding to the additional [14C]glucose consumed during activation compared to rest is quickly released from activated structures. Label could be lost by net release of [14C]lactate from brain or via lactate exchange between blood and brain. These possibilities were distinguished by comparison of glucose and lactate specific activities in arterial blood and brain before, during, and after generalized sensory stimulation and during spreading cortical depression. Over a wide range of brain lactate concentrations, lactate specific activity was close to the theoretical maximum, i.e. half that of [6‐14C]glucose, indicating that exchange‐mediated dilution of lactate is negligible and that efflux of [14C]lactate probably accounts for most of the label loss. Low lactate dilution also indicates that dilution of glutamate C4 fractional enrichment in [13C]glucose studies, currently ascribed predominantly to lactate exchange, arises from other unidentified pathways or factors. Alternative explanations for glutamate dilution (presented in Supporting Information) include poorly labeled amino acid pools and oxidative metabolism of minor substrates in astrocytes to first dilute the astrocytic glutamine pool, followed by dilution of glutamate via glutamate–glutamine cycling.
Mutations in human GLUD2 glutamate dehydrogenase affecting basal activity and regulation
Authors: Kanavouras Konstantinos , Borompokas Nikolas , Latsoudis Helen , Stagourakis Argiris , Zaganas Ioannis , Plaitakis Andreas 
Published: April 2009

AbstractGlutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) in human exists in GLUD1 and GLUD2 gene‐encoded isoforms (hGDH1 and hGDH2, respectively), differing in their regulation and tissue expression pattern. Whereas hGDH1 is subject to GTP control, hGDH2 uses for its regulation, a novel molecular mechanism not requiring GTP. This is based on the ability of hGDH2 to maintain a baseline activity of <10% of its capacity subject to full activation by rising ADP/l‐leucine levels. Here we studied further the molecular mechanisms regulating hGDH2 function by creating and analyzing hGDH2 mutants harboring single amino acid substitutions in the regulatory domain (antenna, pivot helix) of the protein. Five hGDH2 mutants were obtained: two with an amino acid change (Gln441Arg, Ser445Leu) in the antenna, two (Lys450Glu, His454Tyr) in the pivot helix, and one (Ser448Pro) in the junction between the two structures. Functional analyses revealed that, while the antenna mutations increased basal enzyme activity without affecting its allosteric properties, the pivot helix mutations drastically reduced basal activity and impaired enzyme regulation. On the other hand, the Ser448Pro mutation reduced basal activity but did not alter allosteric regulation. Also, compared with wild‐type hGDH2, the antenna mutants were relatively thermostable, whereas the pivot helix mutants were extremely heat labile. Hence, the present data further our understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in the function and stability of hGDH2, an enzyme thought to be of importance for nerve tissue biology.
Direct measurement of oxidative metabolism in the living brain by microdialysis: a review
Authors: Ronald Zielke H. , Zielke Carol L. , Baab Peter J. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThis review summarizes microdialysis studies that address the question of which compounds serve as energy sources in the brain. Microdialysis was used to introduce 14C‐labeled glucose, lactate, pyruvate, glutamate, glutamine, and acetate into the interstitial fluid of the brain to observe their metabolism to 14CO2. Although glucose uptake from the systemic system supplies the carbon source for these compounds, compounds synthesized from glucose by the brain are subject to recycling including complete metabolism to CO2. Therefore, the brain utilizes multiple compounds in its domain to provide the energy needed to fulfill its function. The physiological conditions controlling metabolism and the contribution of compartmentation into different brain regions, cell types, and subcellular spaces are still unresolved. The aconitase inhibitor fluorocitrate, with a lower inhibition threshold in glial cells, was used to identify the proportion of lactate and glucose that was oxidized in glial cells versus neurons. The fluorocitrate data suggest that glial and neuronal cells are capable of utilizing both lactate and glucose for energy metabolism.
DNA damage response and cellular senescence in tissues of aging mice
Authors: Wang Chunfang , Jurk Diana , Maddick Mandy , Nelson Glyn , Martin‐Ruiz Carmen , Von Zglinicki Thomas 
Published: April 2009

SummaryThe impact of cellular senescence onto aging of organisms is not fully clear, not at least because of the scarcity of reliable data on the mere frequency of senescent cells in aging tissues. Activation of a DNA damage response including formation of DNA damage foci containing activated H2A.X (γ‐H2A.X) at either uncapped telomeres or persistent DNA strand breaks is the major trigger of cell senescence. Therefore, γ‐H2A.X immunohistochemistry (IHC) was established by us as a reliable quantitative indicator of senescence in fibroblasts in vitro and in hepatocytes in vivo and the age dependency of DNA damage foci accumulation in ten organs of C57Bl6 mice was analysed over an age range from 12 to 42 months. There were significant increases with age in the frequency of foci‐containing cells in lung, spleen, dermis, liver and gut epithelium. In liver, foci‐positive cells were preferentially found in the centrilobular area, which is exposed to higher levels of oxidative stress. Foci formation in the intestine was restricted to the crypts. It was not associated with either apoptosis or hyperproliferation. That telomeres shortened with age in both crypt and villus enterocytes, but telomeres in the crypt epithelium were longer than those in villi at all ages were confirmed by us. Still, there was no more than random co‐localization between γ‐H2A.X foci and telomeres even in crypts from very old mice, indicating that senescence in the crypt enterocytes is telomere independent. The results suggest that stress‐dependent cell senescence could play a causal role for aging of mice.
Acute effects of sustained isometric knee extension on cerebral and muscle oxygenation responses
Authors: Pereira Marta Inez R. , Gomes Paulo Sergio C. , Bhambhani Yagesh N. 
Published: April 2009

SummaryCerebral contra‐lateral frontal lobe and the dominant vastus lateralis muscle oxygenation (Cox, Mox) and blood volume (Cbv, Mbv) were recorded simultaneously using near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) in 12 healthy volunteers (37·4 ± 9·9 years; 72·3 ± 16·1 kg; 171·0 ± 9·6 cm) during 2 min resting baseline, an isometric knee extension with the 1 RM load sustained to the point of fatigue, and 3 min recovery. The mean exercise duration was 19·1 ± 2·6 s. During the contraction, Cox and Cbv increased systematically with no sign of levelling off until the point of fatigue. In contrast, Mox and Mbv declined continuously until the termination of exercise. Qualitative analysis of these NIRS profiles suggested that maximal isometric performance under normoxic conditions was most likely not limited by central neuronal activation, but rather, was due to factors within the exercising muscle. It is likely that depletion of intramuscular stores of high energy phosphates and oxymyoglobin, as well as the accumulation of metabolites from anaerobic pathways, were implicated in fatigue during this sustained high intensity isometric contraction.
Inhibition of colonic motility and defecation by RS‐127445 suggests an involvement of the 5‐HT2B receptor in rodent large bowel physiology
Authors: Bassil AK , Taylor CM , Bolton VJN , Gray KM , Brown JD , Cutler L , Summerfield SG , Bruton G , Winchester WJ , Lee K , Sanger GJ 
Published: April 2009

Background:  5‐HT2B receptors are localized within the myenteric nervous system, but their functions on motor/sensory neurons are unclear. To explore the role of these receptors, we further characterized the 5‐HT2B receptor antagonist RS‐127445 and studied its effects on peristalsis and defecation.Experimental approach:  Although reported as a selective 5‐HT2B receptor antagonist, any interactions of RS‐127445 with 5‐HT4 receptors are unknown; this was examined using the recombinant receptor and Biomolecular Interaction Detection technology. Mouse isolated colon was mounted in tissue baths for isometric recording of neuronal contractions evoked by electrical field stimulation (EFS), or under an intraluminal pressure gradient to induce peristalsis; the effects of RS‐127445 on EFS‐induced and on peristaltic contractions were measured. Faecal output of rats in grid‐bottom cages was measured over 3 h following i.p. RS‐127445 and separately, validation of the effective doses was achieved by determining the free, unbound fraction of RS‐127445 in blood and brain.Key results:  RS‐127445 (up to 1 µmol·L−1) did not interact with the 5‐HT4 receptor. RS‐127445 (0.001–1 µmol·L−1) did not affect EFS‐induced contractions of the colon, although at 10 µmol·L−1 the contractions were reduced (to 36 ± 8% of control, n= 4). RS‐127445 (0.1–10 µmol·L−1) concentration‐dependently reduced peristaltic frequency (n= 4). RS‐127445 (1–30 mg·kg−1), dose‐dependently reduced faecal output, reaching significance at 10 and 30 mg·kg−1 (n= 6–11). In blood and brain, >98% of RS‐127445 was protein‐bound.Conclusions and implications:  High‐protein binding of RS‐127445 indicates that relatively high doses are required for efficacy. The results suggest that 5‐HT2B receptors tonically regulate colonic motility.
Bepridil up‐regulates cardiac Na+channels as a long‐term effect by blunting proteasome signals through inhibition of calmodulin activity
Authors: Kang L , Zheng MQ , Morishima M , Wang Y , Kaku T , Ono K 
Published: April 2009

Background and purpose: Bepridil is an anti‐arrhythmic agent with anti‐electrical remodelling effects that target many cardiac ion channels, including the voltage‐gated Na+channel. However, long‐term effects of bepridil on the Na+channel remain unclear. We explored the long‐term effect of bepridil on the Na+channel in isolated neonatal rat cardiomyocytes and in a heterologous expression system of human Nav1.5 channel.Experimental approach: Na+currents were recorded by whole‐cell voltage‐clamp technique. Na+channel message and protein were evaluated by real‐time RT‐PCR and Western blot analysis.Key results: Treatment of cardiomyocytes with 10 µmol·L−1bepridil for 24 h augmented Na+channel current (INa) in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner. This long‐term effect of bepridil was mimicked or masked by application of W‐7, a calmodulin inhibitor, but not KN93 [2‐[N‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)‐N‐(4‐methoxy benzenesulphonyl)]‐amino‐N‐(4‐chlorocinnamyl)‐N‐methylbenzylamine], a Ca2+/calmodulin‐dependent kinase inhibitor. During inhibition of protein synthesis by cycloheximide, theINaincrease due to bepridil was larger than the increase without cycloheximide. Bepridil and W‐7 significantly slowed the time course of Nav1.5 protein degradation in neonatal cardiomyocytes, although the mRNA levels of Nav1.5 were not modified. Bepridil and W‐7 did not increaseINaany further in the presence of the proteasome inhibitor MG132 [N‐[(phenylmethoxy)carbonyl]‐L‐leucyl‐N‐[(1S)‐1‐formyl‐3‐methylbutyl]‐L‐leucinamide]. Bepridil, W‐7 and MG132 but not KN93 significantly decreased 20S proteasome activity in a concentration‐dependent manner.Conclusions and implications: We conclude that long‐term exposure of cardiomyocytes to bepridil at therapeutic concentrations inhibits calmodulin action, which decreased degradation of the Nav1.5 α‐subunit, which in turn increased Na+current.
The role of the PDE4D cAMP phosphodiesterase in the regulation of glucagon‐like peptide‐1 release
Authors: Ong WK , Gribble FM , Reimann F , Lynch MJ , Houslay MD , Baillie GS , Furman BL , Pyne NJ 
Published: April 2009

Background and purpose:  Increases in intracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP) augment the release/secretion of glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1). As cAMP is hydrolysed by cAMP phosphodiesterases (PDEs), we determined the role of PDEs and particularly PDE4 in regulating GLP‐1 release.Experimental approach:  GLP‐1 release, PDE expression and activity were investigated using rats and GLUTag cells, a GLP‐1‐releasing cell line. The effects of rolipram, a selective PDE4 inhibitor both in vivo and in vitro and stably overexpressed catalytically inactive PDE4D5 (D556A‐PDE4D5) mutant in vitro on GLP‐1 release were investigated.Key results:  Rolipram (1.5 mg·kg−1 i.v.) increased plasma GLP‐1 concentrations approximately twofold above controls in anaesthetized rats and enhanced glucose‐induced GLP‐1 release in GLUTag cells (EC50∼1.2 nmol·L−1). PDE4D mRNA transcript and protein were detected in GLUTag cells using RT‐PCR with gene‐specific primers and Western blotting with a specific PDE4D antibody respectively. Moreover, significant PDE activity was inhibited by rolipram in GLUTag cells. A GLUTag cell clone (C1) stably overexpressing the D556A‐PDE4D5 mutant, exhibited elevated intracellular cAMP levels and increased basal and glucose‐induced GLP‐1 release compared with vector‐transfected control cells. A role for intracellular cAMP/PKA in enhancing GLP‐1 release in response to overexpression of D556A‐PDE4D5 mutant was demonstrated by the finding that the PKA inhibitor H89 reduced both basal and glucose‐induced GLP‐1 release by 37% and 39%, respectively, from C1 GLUTag cells.Conclusions and implications:  PDE4D may play an important role in regulating intracellular cAMP linked to the regulation of GLP‐1 release. British Journal of Pharmacology (2009) 157, 633–644; doi:10.1111/j.1476‐5381.2009.00194.x; published online 9 April 2009
3′,4′‐Dihydroxyflavonol down‐regulates monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 in smooth muscle: role of focal adhesion kinase and PDGF receptor signalling
Authors: Jiang F , Guo N , Dusting GJ 
Published: April 2009

Background and purpose:  We investigated the effects of a synthetic flavonol, 3′,4′‐dihydroxyflavonol (DiOHF) on the expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1) in rat vascular smooth muscle cells.Experimental approach:  MCP‐1 expression was assessed by quantitative real‐time PCR and protein phosphorylation by immunoprecipitation and Western blots.Key results:  DiOHF (1–30 µmol·L−1) concentration‐dependently reduced MCP‐1 expression in both quiescent cells and cells stimulated with platelet‐derived growth factor (PDGF) or interleukin 1‐β. The effect of DiOHF was associated with a suppression of focal adhesion kinase (FAK)‐mediated signalling. In vitro kinase assays demonstrated that DiOHF is a potent inhibitor of FAK kinase activity (EC50= 2.4 µmol·L−1). Expression of FAK‐related non‐kinase reduced basal MCP‐1 expression, but not that induced by PDGF or interleukin 1‐β. DiOHF also inhibited autophosphorylation of PDGF receptors. The PDGF receptor inhibitor AG‐1296 potently suppressed basal and PDGF‐induced MCP‐1 expression. Inhibition of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase activation by DiOHF, either directly or indirectly, may also be involved in its effects on MCP‐1 expression. DiOHF had no inhibitory effect on either p38 or nuclear factor‐κB activation. Moreover, DiOHF inhibited smooth muscle cell spreading (a FAK‐mediated response) and proliferation.Conclusions and implications:  This is the first report on a flavonoid compound (DiOHF) that is a potent FAK inhibitor. DiOHF also inhibits PDGF receptor autophosphorylation. These effects underlie the inhibitory action of DiOHF on MCP‐1 expression in smooth muscle cells. Our results suggest that DiOHF might be a useful tool for dissection of the (patho)physiological roles of FAK signalling. British Journal of Pharmacology (2009) 157, 597–606; doi:10.1111/j.1476‐5381.2009.00199.x; published online 9 April 2009
Cities vs. agriculture: A review of intersectoral water re‐allocation
Authors: Molle Francois , Berkoff Jeremy 
Published: April 2009

Abstract Water demand management, or making better use of the water we have — as opposed to augmenting supply — is increasingly proposed as a way of mitigating water‐scarcity problems. Moving water away from agriculture to uses with higher economic value is one of the main measures widely seen as desirable. Sectoral “allocation stress” is seen as resulting from the disproportionate share, and inefficient use of water in the agricultural sector. This apparent misallocation is often attributed to the failure of government to allocate water rationally. This paper revisits this commonly‐accepted wisdom and examines the nature of urban water scarcity, showing the importance of economic and political factors, shaped by incentives to decision‐makers, and sometimes compounded by climatic conditions. It shows that cities’ growth is not generally constrained by competition with agriculture. In general, rather than using a narrow financial criterion, cities select options that go along the “path of least resistance,” whereby economic, social and political costs are considered in conjunction. The question of allocation stress is thus reframed into an inquiry of how transfers effectively occur and can be made more effective.
Integrated Water Resources Management: From general principles to its implementation by the state. The case of Burkina Faso
Authors: Petit Olivier , Baron Catherine 
Published: April 2009

Abstract In 2000, the Global Water Partnership (GWP) as the main advocate of the concept of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), proposed a definition that is now the reference, despite the ambiguity that persists in its interpretation. At the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development, the State representatives committed themselves to launch “plans for integrated water resources management and water efficiency by 2005”. Some states immediately honoured this commitment by adopting new national water policies inspired by IWRM principles. Do these implementation plans respond to all the challenges of the IWRM? Or have these states simply reorganized their water resource policies to give an impression of conforming to the framework? In response to these questions, we present a history of IWRM and its conflicting interpretations followed by a case study of reforms enacted in Burkina Faso, to highlight some problems which are inherent to IWRM and how IWRM was transposed on a national scale.