bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neuregulin1/ErbB4-induced migration in ST14A striatal progenitors: calcium-dependent mechanisms and modulation by NMDA receptor activation
Authors: Pregno Giulia , Zamburlin Pollyanna , Gambarotta Giovanna , Farcito Silvia , Licheri Valentina , Fregnan Federica , Perroteau Isabelle , Lovisolo Davide , Bovolin Patrizia 
Published: November 2011

Abstract

Background
A number of studies have separately shown that the neuregulin1 (NRG1)/ErbB4 system and NMDA-type glutamate receptors (NMDARs) are involved in several aspects of neuronal migration. In addition, intracellular calcium fluctuations play central roles in neuronal motility. Stable expression of the tyrosine kinase receptor ErbB4 promotes migratory activity in the neural progenitor cell line ST14A upon NRG1 stimulation. In this work we analyzed the potential interactions between the NRG1/ErbB4 system and NMDARs in the ST14A migratory process as well as its calcium dependence.

Results
RT-PCR studies have shown that both native ST14A cells (non-expressing ErbB4), as well as ErbB4-transfected cells express low levels of a restricted number of NMDAR subunits: NR1, NR2C, NR2D and NR3B. The resulting NMDAR would form Ca2+ channels characterized by low Mg2+-sensitivity and low Ca2+-permeability, generating small, long-lasting currents. Ca2+-imaging experiments showed slow [Ca2+]i increases in 45% of the cells following 8 μM NMDA stimulation. Basal migration of ErbB4-transfected ST14A cells was unaffected by 18 hrs NMDA incubation. However, over the same incubation time, NMDA was able to significantly enhance NRG1-induced migration. Pre-incubation with the intracellular calcium chelator BAPTA-AM reduced both NRG1- and NRG1/NMDA-stimulated migration, suggesting the involvement of Ca2+ in these processes. NRG1 stimulation of ErbB4-transfected ST14A cells induced a sustained, long-lasting increase in [Ca2+]i, in 99% of the cells. These intracellular Ca2+ signals could be ascribed to both release from intracellular stores and influx from the extracellular medium trough a mechanism of store-operated calcium entry (SOCE). Short-time co-incubation of NMDA and NRG1 did not substantially modify the NRG1-induced intracellular calcium signals.

Conclusions
In summary, NRG1 stimulation of the ErbB4 receptor exerts a sustained [Ca2+]i increase in ST14A neural progenitors; NRG1-induced migration is Ca2+-dependent and can be positively modulated by activation of the NMDA receptor.
DIP/WISH deficiency enhances synaptic function and performance in the Barnes maze
Authors: Asrar Suhail , Kaneko Keiko , Takao Keizo , Negandhi Jaina , Matsui Makoto , Shibasaki Koji , Miyakawa Tsuyoshi , Harrison Robert V , Jia Zhengping , Salter Michael W , Tominaga Makoto , Fukumi-Tominaga Tomoko 
Published: November 2011

Abstract

Background
DIP (diaphanous interacting protein)/WISH (WASP interacting SH3 protein) is a protein involved in cytoskeletal signaling which regulates actin cytoskeleton dynamics and/or microtubules mainly through the activity of Rho-related proteins. Although it is well established that: 1) spine-head volumes change dynamically and reflect the strength of the synapse accompanying long-term functional plasticity of glutamatergic synaptic transmission and 2) actin organization is critically involved in spine formation, the involvement of DIP/WISH in these processes is unknown.

Results
We found that DIP/WISH-deficient hippocampal CA1 neurons exhibit enhanced long-term potentiation via modulation of both pre- and post-synaptic events. Consistent with these electrophysiological findings, DIP/WISH-deficient mice, particularly at a relatively young age, found the escape hole more rapidly in the Barnes maze test.

Conclusions
We conclude that DIP/WISH deletion improves performance in the Barnes maze test in mice probably through increased hippocampal long-term potentiation.
Pivotal Advance: Characterization of mouse liver phagocytic B cells in innate immunity
Authors: Nakashima Masahiro , Kinoshita Manabu , Nakashima Hiroyuki , Habu Yoshiko , Miyazaki Hiromi , Shono Satoshi , Hiroi Sadayuki , Shinomiya Nariyoshi , Nakanishi Kuniaki , Seki Shuhji 
Published: November 2011

ABSTRACTAlthough B cells in vertebrates have been thought to lack phagocytic activity, there has been a recent report of such ability by the B cells of early vertebrates such as fish and frogs. Here, we show for the first time that mouse liver IgM+ B cells actively phagocytose microsphere beads and Escherichia coli and that they effectively kill bacterial cells. Such phagocytic activity is not observed in other liver MNCs, except for F4/80+ Kupffer cells. In the presence of fresh mouse serum (but not heat-inactivated serum), the heat-killed E. coli phagocytic activity of liver B cells increased significantly but was inhibited significantly by anticomplement component C3 antibody, suggesting E. coli opsonization by serum factors, including complement components. Upon i.v. injection of FITC-labeled E. coli into mice, a substantial proportion of liver B cells phagocytosed the bacteria, as compared with spleen B cells. Functional phagolysosome formation in liver B cells was supported by several reagents showing an acidic change and lysosomes in the phagocytosed vacuoles. Indeed, mouse liver B cells killed viable E. coli more efficiently than did spleen B cells in vitro. Further, E. coli-phagocytic liver B cells produced a substantial amount of IL-12. These results indicate that liver B cells have phagocytic and bactericidal activities similar to those of dedicated phagocytes and may contribute to bacterial clearance.
Lipid-cytokine-chemokine cascades orchestrate leukocyte recruitment in inflammation
Authors: Sadik Christian D , Luster Andrew D 
Published: November 2011

ABSTRACTChemoattractants are pivotal mediators of host defense, orchestrating the recruitment of immune cells into sites of infection and inflammation. Chemoattractants display vast chemical diversity and include bioactive lipids, proteolytic fragments of serum proteins, and chemokines (chemotactic cytokines). All chemoattractants induce chemotaxis by activating seven-transmembrane-spanning GPCRs expressed on immune cells, establishing the concept that all chemoattractants are related in function. However, although chemoattractants have overlapping functions in vitro, recent in vivo data have revealed that they function, in many cases, nonredundantly in vivo. The chemically diverse nature of chemoattractants contributes to the fine control of leukocyte trafficking in vivo, with sequential chemoattractant use guiding immune cell recruitment into inflammatory sites. Lipid mediators frequently function as initiators of leukocyte recruitment, attracting the first immune cells into tissues. These initial responding immune cells produce cytokines locally, which in turn, induce the local release of chemokines. Local chemokine production then markedly amplifies subsequent waves of leukocyte recruitment. These new discoveries establish a paradigm for leukocyte recruitment in inflammation—described as lipid-cytokine-chemokine cascades—as a driving force in the effector phase of immune responses.
Managing an Available-to-Promise Assembly System with Dynamic Short-Term Pseudo-Order Forecast
Authors: Gao Long , Xu Susan H. , Ball Michael O. 
Published: November 2011

We study an order promising problem in a multiclass, available-to-promise (ATP) assembly system in the presence of pseudo orders. A pseudo order refers to a tentative customer order whose attributes, such as the likelihood of an actual order, order quantity, and confirmation timing, can change dynamically over time. A unit demand from any class is assembled from one manufactured unit and one inventory unit, where the manufactured unit takes one unit of capacity and needs a single period to produce. An accepted order must be filled before a positive delivery lead time. The underlying order acceptance decisions involve trade-offs between committing resources (production capacity and component inventory) to low-reward firm orders and reserving resources for high-reward orders. We develop a Markov chain model that captures the key characteristics of pseudo orders, including demand lumpiness, nonstationarity, and volatility. We then formulate a stochastic dynamic program for the ATP assembly system that embeds the Markov chain model as a short-term forecast for pseudo orders. We show that the optimal order acceptance policy is characterized by class prioritization, resource-imbalance-based rationing, and capacity-inventory-demand matching. In particular, the rationing level for each class is determined by a critical value that depends on the resource imbalance level, defined as the net difference between the production capacity and component inventory levels. Extensive numerical tests underscore the importance of the key properties of the optimal policy and provide operational and managerial insights on the value of the short-term demand forecast and the robustness of the optimal policy. This paper was accepted by Martin Lariviere, operations management.
Transporters in cholelithiasis
Authors: Stokes Caroline S. , Lammert Frank 
Published: November 2011

Abstract
Gallstones are a common and costly disease with a projected increase in prevalence due to the increasing ageing population. Numerous endogenous and environmental factors are aetiologically related to this multifactorial disease, and genetic studies continue to unravel the pathobiological mechanisms related to gallstone formation. In particular, variants of genes encoding hepatobiliary transporters have been implicated in gallstone disease and, given their ability to influence biliary lipid composition, have undergone considerable investigation. Here we summarize the role of enterohepatic transporters in cholelithogenesis with a particular focus on pertinent ATP-binding cassette transporters (ABCB4, ABCB11, ABCC7, and ABCG5/G8).
Genetic diversity of tufted ducks (Aythya fuligula, Anatidae) in Eastern Europe
Authors: Tubelyte Vaida , Švažas Saulius , Sruoga Aniolas , Butkauskas Dalius , Paulauskas Algimantas , Baublys Vykintas , Viksne Janis , Grishanov Gennady , Kozulin Alexander 
Published: November 2011

Abstract
The tufted duck (Aythya fuligula, Anatidae) is widespread in the Palaearctic across Northern Eurasia. Birds breeding in Northern and Eastern Europe are highly migratory, while populations from Western Europe are partially migratory or resident. The aim of this study is to explore genetic variation within and between ducks breeding in Latvia and migrants sampled in North West Russia and Belarus. The technique of random amplified polymorphic DNA was applied using five random primers (ol-1, ol-9-12). Genetic variability was measured for all tufted ducks investigated and for different sub-populations from various regions. Individual genetic structure and genetic variability was higher in ducks collected from Latvia. Gene diversity of amplified DNA bands in birds of Latvian origin was 24% with 80% polymorphism. Means of gene diversity and polymorphism for tufted ducks sampled in other countries varied from 12 to 14% and from 27 to 40%, respectively. A high number of unique bands characterized ducks breeding in Latvia. The oligonucleotide primers used in this study were suitable to analyze differences among tufted ducks of different origin. Possible explanations for the variation observed among the studied ducks are discussed.
The Posthumanity of “the Son of Man”: Heroes as Postmodern Apocalypse
Authors: Aichele George 
Published: November 2011

Abstract: As a serial narrative, the TV series Heroes cannot end and yet its story is impossible without the continual threat of an end of the world. However, this inability to end also connects these narratives with biblical narratives of the end, which are always “apocalypse without apocalypse” (Derrida). Even in its ancient forms, this revelation that does not reveal is a postmodern phenomenon, as that which “puts forward the unpresentable in presentation itself” (Lyotard). Although the show rarely cites the Bible, in juxtaposition to the biblical texts' “son of man” language, Heroes opens up an intertextual context through which the “sons of man” of Daniel 7 and elsewhere in the Bible acquire meaning as posthuman beings, even as the mysterious forces producing the TV show's varied characters are interrogated.
The Great Mice at Cordoba: De-Mythologizing and Re-Mythologizing Religious Imagery in David Petersen's Mouse Guard
Authors: Christie Niall 
Published: November 2011

Abstract: This article explores the use of religious images and ideas in David Petersen's comic book series, Mouse Guard. Through a discussion of both the text and the artwork presented in the series, we consider the ways in which these are adapted to the needs of the narrative and the world that Petersen has created. In the process we demonstrate that Petersen mostly removes the religious values traditionally associated with the images and concepts in question, replacing them with a different morality and theology that reflects the values and concerns of his diminutive heroes and their enemies while avoiding explicit expressions of belief in higher deities.
A Latter Day Eve: Reading Twilight through Paradise Lost
Authors: Lampert-Weissig Lisa 
Published: November 2011

Abstract: Critics have demonstrated how Stephenie Meyer's Twilight saga reinforces the notion that the appropriate roles for women are those of wife and mother. Viewed from a literary historical perspective, however, the Twilight saga can also be seen as reinterpretation of the Genesis story, told from a female point of view as a vampire narrative. Meyer's “New Eve” is part of a literary tradition that springs from Paradise Lost. Meyer's portrayal of the concept of free will and her connected depiction of the redemptive power of motherhood emphasizes elements in the Latter Day Saints tradition that present a more positive view of Eve, and by extension of “Woman,” than is common in traditional portrayals of Genesis.
Mortality Plays: Pain, Penance, and Admonition in Se7en and Saw
Authors: Wills Deborah , Wilson Andrew 
Published: November 2011

Abstract: The 1990s noir-horror film Se7en and the ongoing Saw franchise both preach a pedagogy of pain whereby victims are either fatally punished for their sins or reformed through macabre penitential ordeals. These films challenge the values of the modern, post-enlightenment world, recalling an idealized medieval world as an alternative. This paper explores the way these films articulate this conflict and draw on conflicting elements of the Christian tradition and the conventions of the horror genre. Investigating the films' tropes of vision and spectacle and their provocative practice of homiletics, this paper ultimately considers the solution proffered a fallen world and whether this solution might offer more hope than despair.
Formulation and Evaluation of Gastroretentive Dosage Form of Ofloxacin
Authors: Veerareddy Prabhakar Reddy , Bajjuri Spandana , Sanka Krishna , Jukanti Raju , Bandari Suresh , Ajmeru RK , Potu Appa Rao 
Published: November 2011

The aim of the present investigation was to develop and evaluate gastroretentive drug delivery tablets (GRDDTs) of ofloxacin using different polymers such as HPMC K4M, HPMC K15M, Polyethylene oxide WSR 303, Carbopol 971P, Xanthan Gum in different ratios for local action in gastric region to eradicate Helicobacter pylori infection. The GRDDTs were prepared by wet granulation method and evaluated for physical characteristics such as hardness, thickness, friability, drug content and floating properties. The optimized formula F4 showed better sustained drug release and which also had good floating properties and fitted best to be Korsmeyer-Peppas model with R2 value of 0.9848. As the n value for the Korsmeyer- Peppas model was found be less than 0.45 it follows Fickian diffusion mechanism. FT-IR result showed that there is no drug excipient interaction. In vivo radiographic studies were conducted with BaSO4 loaded tablets to examine the increased gastric residence time of the prepared tablets. The study revealed that the tablet remained in the stomach for 300±10min which indicates the increase in the gastric residence time for the effective localized action of the ofloxacin in the treatment of Helicobacter pylori caused peptic ulcer. Key words: Ofloxacin; Helicobacter pylori; gastric residence time; gastroretentive drug delivery system.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/sjps.v4i1.8861SJPS 2011; 4(1): 9-18
Detection of Formalin in Fish Samples Collected from Dhaka City, Bangladesh
Authors: Uddin Riaz , Wahid Moin Ibna , Jasmeen Tasbira , Huda Naz Hasan , Sutradhar Kumar Bishwajit 
Published: November 2011

Fish is an important food stuff and source of protein all over the world. In Bangladesh fisheries sector contributes a lot in case of earning foreign currency and meeting domestic need of animal protein. To meet the domestic need Bangladesh imports fish and fish products from neighboring countries. But it is evident from several studies that fish items in Bangladesh contain formalin which is a highly hazardous and carcinogenic chemical. An attempt was taken to detect the extent of formalin use in fish available in Dhaka city. From five different local markets five species of fishes were collected and presence of formalin was detected using the “formalin detection kit in fish” developed by Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR). The study indicates that 70% Rui fish is formalin contaminated and almost 50% of fish samples contain formalin. Key words: Formaldehyde; BCSIR; Formalin detection kit; Carcinogen; Fisheries; Livestock. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/sjps.v4i1.8866 SJPS 2011; 4(1): 49-52
Evaluation of Antioxidant and Antinociceptive Properties of Methanolic Extract of <i>Clerodendrum viscosum</i> Vent.
Authors: Rahman Md Mostafizur , Rumzhum Nowshin N , Zinna Kudrat-E-Khuda 
Published: November 2011

The PDF for this article was updated on 18/11/2011.NN Rumzhum and K Zinna were added as authors on 18/11/2011.The methanolic extract of Clerodendrum viscosum vent. (Verbenaceae) was evaluated for in vitro antioxidant activity by determination of total antioxidant capacity, assay of nitric oxide scavenging activity and reducing power test and in vivo antinociceptive effect in acetic acid induced writhing model in swiss albino mice. The results revealed the presence of pronounced antioxidant property as compared with ascorbic acid used as standard and a dose-dependent (250 and 500 mg/kg) analgesic effect in Clerodendrum viscosum vent. The antioxidant and antinociceptive activities obtained seem to be in good accordance with the traditional uses of Clerodendrum viscosum. Key words: Clerodendrum viscosum; Verbenaceae; Antioxidant; Ascorbic acid; Antinociceptive; Swiss albino mice DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/sjps.v4i1.8873 SJPS 2011; 4(1): 74-78
Genomics of Compositae weeds: EST libraries, microarrays, and evidence of introgression
Authors: Lai Zhao , Kane Nolan C. , Kozik Alex , Hodgins Kathryn A. , Dlugosch Katrina M. , Barker Michael S. , Matvienko Marta , Yu Qian , Turner Kathryn G. , Pearl Stephanie Anne , Bell Graeme D. M. , Zou Yi , Grassa Chris , Guggisberg Alessia , Adams Keith L. , Anderson James V. , Horvath David P. , Kesseli Richard V. , Burke John M. , Michelmore Richard W. , Rieseberg Loren H. 
Published: November 2011

• Premise of study: Weeds cause considerable environmental and economic damage. However, genomic characterization of weeds has lagged behind that of model plants and crop species. Here we describe the development of genomic tools and resources for 11 weeds from the Compositae family that will serve as a basis for subsequent population and comparative genomic analyses. Because hybridization has been suggested as a stimulus for the evolution of invasiveness, we also analyze these genomic data for evidence of hybridization.• Methods: We generated 22 expressed sequence tag (EST) libraries for the 11 targeted weeds using Sanger, 454, and Illumina sequencing, compared the coverage and quality of sequence assemblies, and developed NimbleGen microarrays for expression analyses in five taxa. When possible, we also compared the distributions of Ks values between orthologs of congeneric taxa to detect and quantify hybridization and introgression.• Results: Gene discovery was enhanced by sequencing from multiple tissues, normalization of cDNA libraries, and especially greater sequencing depth. However, assemblies from short sequence reads sometimes failed to resolve close paralogs. Substantial introgression was detected in Centaurea and Helianthus, but not in Ambrosia and Lactuca.• Conclusions: Transcriptome sequencing using next‐generation platforms has greatly reduced the cost of genomic studies of nonmodel organisms, and the ESTs and microarrays reported here will accelerate evolutionary and molecular investigations of Compositae weeds. Our study also shows how ortholog comparisons can be used to approximately estimate the genome‐wide extent of introgression and to identify genes that have been exchanged between hybridizing taxa.
Intégration régionale et politique de la concurrence dans l'espace CEDEAO
Authors: NGOM Mbissane 
Published: November 2011

Organisation sous-régionale dont la vocation est l’intégration de ses États membres pour assurer leur développement économique, la CEDEAO n’a commencé à s’intéresser à l’encadrement de la compétition économique qu’au début du XXI e siècle. Ce n’est qu’en 2008 qu’elle s’est dotée d’un cadre de promotion et d’encadrement de la concurrence dans ses États membres, enfaisant de la politique de la concurrence un élément central de son dispositif de création d’un marché communautaire ouest-africain. Mais l’analyse du droit matériel de la concurrence de la CEDEAO montre que celui-ci répond peu aux besoins des populations et des entreprises de cette zone. Il semble plus orienté vers la promotion des investisseurs que vers la réponse à un réel besoin d’encadrement de la concurrence. En effet, la politique de la concurrence de la CEDEAO promeut peu la compétitivité des entreprises locales et ne les protège pas contre les multinationales. On peut donc douter de l’efficacité de ce droit de la concurrence dans la perspective du développement économique. Par ailleurs, ce droit est concurrencé dans sa zone d’influence par le droit de l’UEMOA, plus ancien, ainsi que par ses instances de mise en œuvre. Il s’ensuit une concurrence normative qui brouille les repères de l’application du droit de la concurrence et ne favorise guère son appropriation par les acteurs économiques locaux. Il reste cependant que les instances nationales et communautaires de la concurrence utilisent les outils modernes de l’analyse économique et de la régulation pour préserver le caractère concurrentiel des différents marchés auxquels elles s’intéressent.
Les filles dans les écoles supérieures de commerce en France pendant l'entre-deux-guerres
Authors: Thivend Marianne 
Published: November 2011

Résumé Neuf Écoles supérieures de commerce ( esc ) de province s’ouvrent aux filles à partir de 1915 et jusqu’aux années 1950, ces dernières forment environ le quart des effectifs des esc mixtes. Cet article cherche à comprendre comment elles furent accueillies dans ces écoles. Quels furent leurs parcours scolaires dans le cadre d’une mixité « bricolée », qui tente d’instaurer des parcours spécifiques pour les femmes (secrétariat de direction) dans le cadre de la formation générale des futurs chefs de service et directeurs d’entreprises. Pour autant, toutes et tous sortent des écoles avec un seul diplôme et les filles, issues en majorité des classes moyennes, provenant des filières post-primaire et du lycée, obtiennent de meilleurs résultats que les garçons. L’usage professionnel qu’elles font de leur diplôme est en revanche plus difficile à définir. D’après les annuaires d’anciens, l’éventail de métiers est moins large pour les femmes que pour les hommes, mais la seule présence de patronnes, de chefs de service et de cadres parmi les anciennes élèves montre que ces parcours sont désormais possibles pour une partie des diplômées.