bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lower circulating levels of complement split proteins C3a and C4a in maternal plasma of women with gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Lappas M. 
Published: May 2011

Diabet. Med. 28, 906–911 (2011)AbstractAim  The aim of this study was to determine the effect of gestational diabetes mellitus on maternal circulating levels of C3a, C4a and C5a.Methods  Anaphylatoxin C3a, C4a and C5a levels were measured in maternal and cord plasma from 42 women with normal glucose tolerance and 40 women with gestational diabetes at the time of term elective Caesarean section. Maternal plasma C3a, C4a and C5a concentrations were determined by enzyme‐linked immunoassay.Results  Maternal C3a and C4a concentrations were significantly lower in women with gestational diabetes compared with women with normal glucose tolerance at the time of term delivery (P < 0.05, Student’s t‐test). There was, however, no difference in maternal circulating C5a levels between the two groups. Additionally, there was no difference in C3a, C4a and C5a levels in cord plasma obtained from women with normal glucose tolerance and those with gesational diabetes. However, a significant positive correlation was observed between maternal and cord complement split levels.Conclusions  Gestational diabetes is characterized by lower levels of C3a and C4a in the maternal circulation at the time of term Caesarean delivery.
International equity valuation: the relative importance of country and industry factors versus company‐specific financial reporting information
Authors: Foster George , Kasznik Ron , Sidhu Baljit K. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractThe relative importance of country‐ and industry‐specified factors vis‐à‐vis company‐specific financial statement–based information in explaining equity valuation multiples in an international setting is examined. Both country‐specific effects via previously identified variables and an indicator variable approach are analysed. While company‐specific factors are predominant in explaining cross‐sectional differences in valuation, country and industry factors have sizable incremental explanatory power over them; the latter are not independent, so their relative importance is influenced by how we adjust for this commonality. Using country indicators provides larger incremental explanatory power than using country‐specific factors, suggesting that previously identified factors may be measured with sizeable error or omitted factors are important.
Neoliberalization of the Developmental State: Tokyo's Bottom‐Up Politics and State Rescaling in Japan
Authors: TSUKAMOTO TAKASHI 
Published: May 2011

AbstractIn order to pursue the contradictory goals of effective economic development and equal spatial distribution, the Japanese Developmental State (JDS) under the Liberal Democratic Party tried to strike a balance between concentrated growth in Tokyo and redistribution to the rest of Japan. However, in recent years government leaders have been de‐emphasizing the balance and introducing state devolution and market‐based policy choices. Meanwhile, mixing such neoliberalism‐style measures with government activism, state leaders have endorsed redevelopment in Tokyo. These political developments exhibit marked resemblance to the neoliberal glocalization observed in Western Europe. Nevertheless, Japan's neoliberalization displays fundamental differences from that of Western experiences. This study investigates how Japan's recent neoliberalization has come to take shape. Findings indicate that Tokyo had an important effect on Japan's state rescaling, not by functioning as Japan's economic engine in the global economy, but by playing the political and symbolic center of the JDS. It indicates the persistence of the JDS's ideology and Tokyo's special position therein. Neoliberalism is now treated as a ‘solution’ to what is considered the cause of Japan's prolonged economic problems, but its introduction relied on the strength of the JDS's deep‐seated values.RésuméPour atteindre les buts contradictoires d'un essor économique performant et d'une répartition spatiale uniforme, ‘l'État développeur’ japonais mis en place par le parti libéral démocrate a tenté d'équilibrer une croissance concentrée à Tokyo et une redistribution au reste du Japon. Cependant, ces dernières années, les dirigeants gouvernementaux ont peu à peu levé cette priorité d'équilibre, à travers un État décentralisé et des choix de politiques publiques répondant au marché. Parallèlement, mêlant mesures néolibérales de ce type et activisme gouvernemental, les dirigeants de l'État ont avalisé le redéveloppement de Tokyo. Ces évolutions politiques montrent une nette ressemblance avec la ‘glocalisation’ néolibérale observée en Europe de l'Ouest. Toutefois, la néolibéralisation du Japon présente des différences fondamentales comparée aux expériences occidentales. Cette étude examine comment la récente néolibéralisation nippone a fini par prendre forme. Il en ressort que Tokyo a influé sur le redimensionnement de l'État japonais, non pas comme moteur économique national au sein de l'économie mondialisée, mais comme pôle politique et symbolique de l'État développeur. L'idéologie de cette démarche demeure donc et Tokyo y occupe une place spéciale. Le néolibéralisme est désormais traité comme une ‘solution’à ce qui est estiméêtre la cause des problèmes économiques persistants du Japon, mais sa mise en place a reposé sur la solidité des valeurs profondément ancrées de l'État développeur japonais.
Fractures in Meta‐Narratives of Development: An Interpretive Institutionalist Account of Land Use Development in the Boston City‐Region
Authors: GIBBS DAVID , KRUEGER ROB 
Published: May 2011

AbstractThis article explores economy‐environment relations in urban areas through a focus upon the reorientation of development in the Boston city‐region in Massachusetts around a vision of smart growth. The article draws upon the evolving tradition of critical economy‐environment research from a broadly regulationist perspective. However, to date research has tended to mask the politics and mediations of the development agenda by actors locked in struggle to shape their social, economic and environmental landscapes. It is argued that reducing institutions to their stylized forms ignores the real politics associated with institutional formation and outcome. A more fruitful approach, we suggest, is to draw upon recent work on institutions and institutional change. In particular the article utilizes a decentered institutional analysis put forth by political scientists Mark Bevir and Rod Rhodes and investigates empirical data from secondary sources and interviews in the Boston city‐region with reference to Bevir and Rhodes' three concepts of dilemmas, traditions and beliefs.RésuméCet article explore les relations entre économie et environnement dans les zones urbaines à travers le cas de la région métropolitaine de Boston (Massachusetts) dont le développement a été réorienté autour d’une perspective de croissance intelligente. L’article s’appuie sur la tradition évolutive des analyses critiques des rapports économie‐environnement selon un axe globalement régulationniste. Toutefois, les études à ce jour ont eu tendance à masquer la politique et les médiations du programme de développement par des acteurs prisonniers de luttes pour façonner leurs propres paysages social, économique et environnemental. Ramener les institutions à leur forme schématique néglige la politique réelle associée à la configuration institutionnelle et à ses conséquences. Une approche plus fructueuse devrait tirer parti des travaux récents sur les institutions et le changement institutionnel. En exploitant notamment l’analyse institutionnelle décentrée des politistes Mark Bevir et Rod Rhodes, l’article examine les données empiriques issues de sources secondaires ou d’entretiens dans la région métropolitaine de Boston, à la lumière des trois concepts élaborés par les deux scientifiques : dilemmes, traditions et croyances.
Phosphorylation of Ser45 and Ser59 of αB‐crystallin and p38/extracellular regulated kinase activity determine αB‐crystallin‐mediated protection of rat brain astrocytes from C2‐ceramide‐ and staurosporine‐induced cell death
Authors: Li Rongyu , Reiser Georg 
Published: May 2011

J. Neurochem. (2011) 118, 354–364.AbstractWe previously demonstrated that αB‐crystallin and protease‐activated receptor (PAR) are involved in protection of astrocytes against C2‐ceramide‐ and staurosporine‐induced cell death [Li et al. (2009) J. Neurochem.110, 1433–1444]. Here, we further investigated the mechanism of cytoprotection by αB‐crystallin. Our current data revealed that after down‐regulation of αB‐crystallin by siRNA, cell death caused by C2‐ceramide and staurosporine is increased. Furthermore, we investigated the mechanism of cytoprotection of astrocytes by intracellular αB‐crystallin. Application of specific inhibitors of p38 and extracellular regulated kinase (ERK) abrogates the protection of astrocytes by over‐expression of αB‐crystallin. Thus, p38 and ERK contribute to protective processes by αB‐crystallin. To reveal the molecular mechanism of αB‐crystallin‐mediated cytoprotection, we mimicked phosphorylation or unphosphorylation of αB‐crystallin. In these experiments, we found that the phosphorylation of αB‐crystallin at Ser45 and Ser59 is required for protection. Ser19 phosphorylation of αB‐crystallin does not contribute to protection. Moreover, we detected that PAR‐2 activation increases the phosphorylation level of αB‐crystallin at Ser59, but does not affect the expression level of αB‐crystallin. Thus, endogenous αB‐crystallin has protective capacity employing a mechanism, which involves regulation of the phosphorylation status of αB‐crystallin and p38 and ERK activity. Moreover, we report that PAR‐2 activation evokes the phosphorylation of αB‐crystallin to increase astrocytes survival.
Cellular senescence increases expression of bacterial ligands in the lungs and is positively correlated with increased susceptibility to pneumococcal pneumonia
Authors: Shivshankar Pooja , Boyd Angela R. , Le Saux Claude J. , Yeh I‐Tien , Orihuela Carlos J. 
Published: May 2011

SummaryCellular senescence is an age‐associated phenomenon that promotes tumor invasiveness owing to the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, proteases, and growth factors. Herein we demonstrate that cellular senescence also potentially increases susceptibility to bacterial pneumonia caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae (the pneumococcus), the leading cause of infectious death in the elderly. Aged mice had increased lung inflammation as determined by cytokine analysis and histopathology of lung sections. Immunoblotting for p16, pRb, and mH2A showed that elderly humans and aged mice had increased levels of these senescence markers in their lungs vs. young controls. Keratin 10 (K10), laminin receptor (LR), and platelet‐activating factor receptor (PAFr), host proteins known to be co‐opted for bacterial adhesion, were also increased. Aged mice were found to be highly susceptible to pneumococcal challenge in a PsrP, the pneumococcal adhesin that binds K10, dependent manner. In vitro senescent A549 lung epithelial cells had elevated K10 and LR protein levels and were up to 5‐fold more permissive for bacterial adhesion. Additionally, exposure of normal cells to conditioned media from senescent cells doubled PAFr levels and pneumococcal adherence. Genotoxic stress induced by bleomycin and oxidative stress enhanced susceptibility of young mice to pneumonia and was positively correlated with enhanced p16, inflammation, and LR levels. These findings suggest that cellular senescence facilitates bacterial adhesion to cells in the lungs and provides an additional molecular mechanism for the increased incidence of community‐acquired pneumonia in the elderly. This study is the first to suggest a second negative consequence for the senescence‐associated secretory phenotype.
DLP1‐dependent mitochondrial fragmentation mediates 1‐methyl‐4‐phenylpyridinium toxicity in neurons: implications for Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Wang Xinglong , Su Bo , Liu Wanhong , He Xiaohua , Gao Yuan , Castellani Rudy J. , Perry George , Smith Mark A. , Zhu Xiongwei 
Published: May 2011

SummarySelective degeneration of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson’s disease (PD) can be modeled by the administration of the neurotoxin 1‐methyl‐4‐phenylpyridinium (MPP+). Because abnormal mitochondrial dynamics are increasingly implicated in the pathogenesis of PD, in this study, we investigated the effect of MPP+ on mitochondrial dynamics and assessed temporal and causal relationship with other toxic effects induced by MPP+ in neuronal cells. In SH‐SY5Y cells, MPP+ causes a rapid increase in mitochondrial fragmentation followed by a second wave of increase in mitochondrial fragmentation, along with increased DLP1 expression and mitochondrial translocation. Genetic inactivation of DLP1 completely blocks MPP+‐induced mitochondrial fragmentation. Notably, this approach partially rescues MPP+‐induced decline in ATP levels and ATP/ADP ratio and increased [Ca2+]i and almost completely prevents increased reactive oxygen species production, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, enhanced autophagy and cell death, suggesting that mitochondria fragmentation is an upstream event that mediates MPP+‐induced toxicity. On the other hand, thiol antioxidant N‐acetylcysteine or glutamate receptor antagonist D‐AP5 also partially alleviates MPP+‐induced mitochondrial fragmentation, suggesting a vicious spiral of events contributes to MPP+‐induced toxicity. We further validated our findings in primary rat midbrain dopaminergic neurons that 0.5 μm MPP+ induced mitochondrial fragmentation only in tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)‐positive dopaminergic neurons in a similar pattern to that in SH‐SY5Y cells but had no effects on these mitochondrial parameters in TH‐negative neurons. Overall, these findings suggest that DLP1‐dependent mitochondrial fragmentation plays a crucial role in mediating MPP+‐induced mitochondria abnormalities and cellular dysfunction and may represent a novel therapeutic target for PD.
Dental care and treatment needs of elderly in nursing homes in Saarland: perceptions of the homes managers
Authors: Rabbo Mohammad Abed , Mitov Gergo , Gebhart Florian , Pospiech Peter 
Published: May 2011

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2010.00409.x

Dental care and treatment needs of elderly in nursing homes in Saarland: perceptions of the homes managersObjective:  To investigate nursing home managers’ perceptions and attitudes towards oral health care and access to dental services for aged care facility residents.Method:  Questionnaires containing 28 closed‐ended questions were mailed to all 114 nursing homes in Saarland, Germany. Descriptive statistics were calculated for response items.Results:  Facility response rate was 39%. None of the nursing homes in this study offered systematic dental health care. Initial dental screening was carried out only in one facility. In 81%, dental examinations only took place if required. Although stationary dental equipment was available only in one home, dental treatment was carried out in 71% of the cases by a dentist in the nursing home. Eighty‐four per cent of the homes’ managements rated the state of the dentition of the inhabitants as satisfying. Over half of the managers indicated satisfaction with the know‐how of their nursing staff concerning oral hygiene procedures. The most significant barriers to provision of dental care in the facilities according to their managers were staff shortage, lack of interest of the inhabitants and financial concerns.Conclusions:  The results of this study showed an urgent need for estimating a programme for systematic dental care for institutionalised elder people in the federal state of Saarland.
Is Europe prepared to meet the oral health needs of older people?
Authors: Kossioni Anastassia E. 
Published: May 2011

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2010.00445.x

Is Europe prepared to meet the oral health needs of older people?Objective:  To discuss the preparedness of the social and health care systems and the health workforce in Europe to manage the increasing general and oral health care needs of older adults.Background and discussion:  There are large inequalities across European countries and regions in the demographic, socioeconomic and health status of the elderly. The ageing of the population and the economic crisis put at risk the existing social and health care systems and are expected to further widen the existing inequalities. Despite the increase in funding for the general health care, public funding for dental care has reduced, limiting the access for the disadvantaged elderly. Dental care is isolated from health care policies and funding. At the same time there is a significant shortage of adequately trained personnel in the care of the elderly and a shortage of training opportunities particularly at a postgraduate and continuing education level.Conclusion:  Immediate action is needed and appropriate strategies need to be implemented. Oral health prevention, delivery policies and funding should be integrated within the general health care system. Clinical protocols and guidelines need to be developed on the oral care of the elderly. Interdisciplinary training in the care of the elderly needs to be implemented for all health care workers (dentists, physicians, nurses, health care aids, social workers) at all education levels to enhance comprehensive care.
Oral health of the elderly living in residential homes in Slovenia
Authors: Petelin Milan , Cotič Jasna , Perkič Katja , Pavlič Alenka 
Published: May 2011

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2011.00497.x

Oral health of the elderly living in residential homes in SloveniaObjectives: To evaluate oral health status of the elderly, living in eight randomly selected residential homes for senior citizens across the country.Background:  The percentage of the elderly is growing worldwide. With ageing, risks of various oral diseases, including dental caries and periodontal disease, are growing.Methods:  Altogether 296 elderly people (88 men, 208 women) of average age 79.89 ± 7.4 years were questioned about their medical condition and oral health practice and examined orally. Evaluation of clinical examination was carried out by DMFT, plaque index (Silness and Löe, 1964) and Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Need (CPITN).Results:  Of 296 participants, 106 (35.8%) were edentulous, 95 (32.1%) had one to nine teeth and 95 persons (32.1%) had 10 or more teeth. The average number of teeth in an individual was small: 6.76 ± 7.47. The average number of teeth with caries lesions was 3.59 ± 4.70, filled teeth 1.94 ± 3.63 and teeth without caries or fillings 1.19 ± 2.41. The average DMFT value was 30.75. In 69.5% of participants, dental plaque was visible with the naked eye. Of 171 subjects, in whom CPITN index was appraised, 81.9% would need oral hygiene education, 56.7% would need scaling and root planning and 21.6% would need periodontal surgical treatment.Conclusions:  The results of this study indicate poor oral health of the elderly living in residential homes situated in different towns in Slovenia. It is of utmost importance to highlight the necessity of improving oral health care of this population.
Structural basis of p63α SAM domain mutants involved in AEC syndrome
Authors: Sathyamurthy Aruna , Freund Stefan M. V. , Johnson Christopher M. , Allen Mark D. , Bycroft Mark 
Published: May 2011

p63 is a member of the p53 tumour suppressor family that includes p73. The p63 gene encodes a protein comprising an N‐terminal transactivation domain, a DNA binding domain and an oligomerization domain, but varies in the organization of the C‐terminus as a result of complex alternative splicing. p63α contains a C‐terminal sterile α motif (SAM) domain that is thought to function as a protein–protein interaction domain. Several missense and heterozygous frame shift mutations, encoded within exon 13 and 14 of the p63 gene, have been identified in the p63α SAM domain in patients suffering from ankyloblepharon–ectodermal dysplasia–clefting syndrome. Here we report the solution and high resolution crystal structures of the p63α SAM domain and investigate the effect of several mutations (L553F/V, C562G/W, G569V, Q575L and I576T) on the stability of the domain. The possible effects of other mutations are also discussed.Database
Coordinates are available in the Protein Data Bank database under the accession numbers 2Y9U and 2Y9T.
Positive Outcomes of High Hemoglobin Target in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease Not on Dialysis: A Randomized Controlled Study
Authors: Akizawa Tadao , Gejyo Fumitake , Nishi Shinichi , Iino Yasuhiko , Watanabe Yuzou , Suzuki Masashi , Saito Akira , Akiba Takashi , Hirakata Hideki , Fukuhara Shunichi , Morita Satoshi , Hiroe Michiaki , Hada Yoshiyuki , Suzuki Makoto , Akaishi Makoto , Iwasaki Manabu , Tsubakihara Yoshiharu ,   KRN321 STUDY Group
Published: May 2011

AbstractCorrecting anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) to higher hemoglobin (Hb) levels may be associated with increased risk. No optimal target for Hb has been established. This controlled study examined 321 patients with CKD who were not on dialysis, had a Hb level of <10 g/dL, and a serum creatinine of 2.0 to 6.0 mg/dL. They were randomized into two target Hb groups: 161 to high Hb (11.0–13.0 g/dL) to receive darbepoetin alfa and low Hb to 160 (9.0–11.0 g/dL) to receive recombinant erythropoietin. The study lasted 48 weeks. Of 154 and 153 patients with adverse events, cardiovascular adverse events developed in 42 and 51 patients in the high and low Hb groups, respectively, with no significant difference in the incidence. All quality of life scores improved in the high Hb group and vitality improved significantly more with high Hb (P = 0.025). The left ventricular mass index (LVMI) remained stable in the low Hb group, but there was a significant decrease in LVMI in the high group (P < 0.001). There were no safety concerns with targeting a higher Hb level during the 48 weeks of this study. Patients with a higher Hb target had comparatively better outcomes with respect to quality of life and LVMI.