bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Treatment with a cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor, seliciclib, is effective in reducing glomerular macrophage numbers and the severity of established experimental glomerulonephritis
Authors: SHERYANNA ABDULMUNEM M , SMITH JENNIFER , BHANGAL GURJEET , BARNETT ANNA , McCLUE STEVEN , TAM FREDERICK WK , COOK TERENCE , PUSEY CHARLES D 
Published: October 2010

ABSTRACTAim:  The cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor, seliciclib (R‐roscovitine, CYC202), has anti‐proliferative activity through its inhibition of cyclin‐dependent kinase 2. We hypothesized that treatment with seliciclib would reduce glomerular macrophage numbers and glomerular crescent formation in experimental crescentic glomerulonephritis even when treatment is started after onset of disease.Method:  Nephrotoxic nephritis (NTN) was induced in Wistar Kyoto rats. In experiment 1, seliciclib (150 mg/kg per day) was given by oral gavage from 1 h before induction of NTN and continued to day 14. In experiment 2, treatment was started on day 4 of NTN and continued to day 14 in order to examine the effect of seliciclib in established glomerulonephritis.Results:  In experiment 1, seliciclib reduced proteinuria (119.5 ± 13.9 vs 191.4 ± 18.8 mg/day, P < 0.01), serum creatinine (54.0 ± 3.0 vs 81.0 ± 2.5 µmol/L, P < 0.005) and glomerular crescent score (23.9 ± 2.1 vs 44.6 ± 2.2, P < 0.005) in comparison with controls. In experiment 2, seliciclib ameliorated established glomerulonephritis, with reduction in proteinuria (58 ± 16 vs 165 ± 13 mg/day, P < 0.005), serum creatinine (39 ± 3 vs 62 ± 5 µmol/L, P < 0.05), glomerular macrophage numbers (6.8 ± 2.5 vs 18.5 ± 1.2 ED1+ cells per glomerular cross section, P < 0.05), glomerular cell proliferation (1.2 ± 0.37 vs 4.2 ± 0.80 bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU)+ cells per glomerular section, P < 0.05) and crescent score (10.8 ± 1.6 vs 43.9 ± 1.4, P < 0.05), in comparison with the controls.Conclusion:  Seliciclib is effective in both prevention and treatment of established crescentic glomerulonephritis in Wistar Kyoto rats, in association with a reduction in the number of glomerular macrophages. We suggest that seliciclib, or other cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitors, may represent a novel therapeutic approach for patients with proliferative glomerulonephritis.
Neurocognitive function in patients with β‐thalassemia major
Authors: Duman Ozgur , Arayici Sema , Fettahoglu Cigil , Eryilmaz Nurkan , Ozkaynak Sibel , Yesilipek Akif , Hazar Volkan 
Published: October 2010

AbstractBackground:  Children with β‐thalassemia major (β‐TM) have multiple risk factors for developing cognitive impairment. The aim of the present study was to evaluate cognitive function in patients with β‐TM.Methods:  Twenty children with β‐TM were enrolled into the study and were compared with a control group consisting of 21 healthy children. All participants were evaluated with neuropsychological tests and event‐related potentials (ERP).Results:  All of the participants had normal IQ scores, but the patient group had significantly lower full‐scale, performance, and verbal IQs compared with the control group (P < 0.05). The number of children with visuomotor dysfunction was higher in the patient group compared with the control group (P < 0.05). In the P300 test, the patient group had significantly prolonged N1, P2 and N2 latencies at the FZ, and a prolonged N1 latency at the Cz compared with the control group (P < 0.05). The patient group also had lower N1 and P3N4 amplitudes at the Fz, and lower N1, N1P2 and P3N4 amplitudes at the Cz when compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Mismatch negativity latency and duration were longer in the patient group (P < 0.05).Conclusions:  Neuropsychological tests are safe, and reliable for the diagnosis of cognitive impairment in β‐TM patients, and the use of ERP may facilitate early diagnosis. The number of β‐TM patients in the present study was limited, however, and larger numbers of patients are required in further studies.
The potential for a two‐stage diabetes risk algorithm combining non‐laboratory‐based scores with subsequent routine non‐fasting blood tests: results from prospective studies in older men and women
Authors: Wannamethee S. G. , Papacosta O. , Whincup P. H. , Thomas M. C. , Carson C. , Lawlor D. A. , Ebrahim S. , Sattar N. 
Published: October 2010

Diabet. Med. 28, 23–30 (2011)AbstractAim  To develop strategies based on simple clinical assessment and blood markers to identify older individuals at high risk for Type 2 diabetes.Methods  A prospective study of non‐diabetic men (n = 3523) and women (n = 3404) aged 60–79 years followed for 7 years, during which there were 297 incident cases of Type 2 diabetes. Logistic regression was used to develop scores to predict incident cases, starting with clinical predictors and adding blood markers that predicted the incidence of diabetes. Receiving operating characteristic analyses were used to assess improvement in prediction.Results  The area under the curve for a simple clinical assessment score, which included age, sex, family history of diabetes, smoking status, BMI, waist circumference, hypertension and recall of doctor diagnosis of coronary heart disease was 0.765 (0.740, 0.791); sensitivity and specificity in the top quintile of the score were 50.3 and 81.4%, respectively. Addition of simple fasting blood markers HDL cholesterol, triglyceride and glucose improved prediction [area under the curve = 0.817 (0.793, 0.840), P < 0.0001; sensitivity 63.8%; specificity 82.0%]. An alternative model adding blood markers not dependent on fasting yielded similar results. Further addition of C‐reactive protein made no improvement. Blood measurements made small differences to reclassification of risk in those in the lowest three quintiles of the non‐laboratory score.Conclusion  In large population settings, simple clinical assessments could be used in the first instance to identify older adults who would benefit from further testing with routine (non‐fasting) blood markers to identify those at most likely to be at elevated diabetes risk.
The impact of company responses to exchange queries on the Australian equity market
Authors: Drienko Jozef , Sault Stephen J. 
Published: October 2010

AbstractThis study examines the impact of company responses to trading‐induced queries made by the Australian Securities Exchange over the period January 2007–December 2008, inclusive. We utilise event study methodology and a matched sample approach to assess the impact of trading query announcements. We use multivariate analysis to investigate any cross‐sectional determinants affecting abnormal returns and volume, and find significant positive shareholder wealth and volume effects associated with query announcements. Further, the unexplained abnormal returns observed prior to the announcement of the trading query persist post‐announcement. Subsequent analysis reveals the industry effect reported in the literature loses significance after accounting for sample selection bias.
Should Britain Have a Written Constitution?
Authors: BOGDANOR VERNON , KHAITAN TARUNABH , VOGENAUER STEFAN 
Published: October 2010

The question ‐ ought Britain to have a written, more properly, a codified constitution ‐ is perhaps wrongly put. The real question ought to be ‐ why should Britain not have such a constitution… She is, after all, one of just three democracies without one.There are two reasons why Britain has lacked a constitution. The first is that, historically, Britain never had a constitutional moment; the second is the doctrine of parliamentary sovereignty. Today, however, Britain finds herself engaged in the process of gradually converting an uncodified constitution into a codified one. There is undoubtedly a case in principle for enacting a constitution, but perhaps it ought to wait until the process is completed.There is, moreover, a tension between two types of codified constitution ‐ a lawyer's constitution which would be long and highly detailed, and a people's constitution which would be short, but, inevitably, broadly‐worded, and therefore open to interpretation by the courts.
THE ROAD TO LARISSA
Authors: Hyman John 
Published: October 2010

AbstractIn the Meno, Socrates asks why knowledge is a better guide to acting the right way than true belief. The answer he proposes is ingenious, but it fails to solve the puzzle, and some recent attempts to solve it also fail. I shall argue that the puzzle cannot be solved as long as we conceive of knowledge as a kind of belief, or allow our conception of knowledge to be governed by the contrast between knowledge and belief.
Private Equity Acquisitions of Continental European Firms: the Impact of Ownership and Control on the Likelihood of Being Taken Private
Authors: Achleitner Ann‐Kristin , Betzer André , Goergen Marc , Hinterramskogler Bastian 
Published: October 2010

AbstractThis paper studies the motives behind private equity acquisitions of publicly listed firms in continental Europe. As corporate control and ownership in continental Europe tend to be highly concentrated, we argue that it is important to take into account the incentives of the incumbent large shareholder to monitor the management and the private benefits of control the latter may derive from the firm when measuring the likelihood of the firm being taken over by a private equity investor. We find strong and consistent evidence that both have a significant impact on the likelihood of a private equity acquisition.
A fuzzy self‐organizing map algorithm for biological pattern recognition
Authors: Karabulut Mustafa , İbrikci Turgay 
Published: October 2010

AbstractData clustering is a key task for various processes including sequence analysis and pattern recognition. This paper studies a clustering algorithm that aimed to increase accuracy and sensitivity when working with biological data such as DNA sequences. The new algorithm is a modified version of fuzzy C‐means (FCM) and is based on the well‐known self‐organizing map (SOM). In order to show the performance of the algorithm, seven different data sets are processed. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm has the potential to outperform SOM and FCM in terms of clustering and classification accuracy abilities. Additionally, a brief comparison is made the proposed algorithm with some previously studied ‘FCM‐SOM’ hybrid algorithms from the literature.
Identification of CD44 as a cell surface marker for Müller glia precursor cells
Authors: Shinoe Toru , Kuribayashi Hiroshi , Saya Hideyuki , Seiki Motoharu , Aburatani Hiroyuki , Watanabe Sumiko 
Published: October 2010

J. Neurochem. (2010) 115, 1633–1642.AbstractIn the retina, both neurons and glia differentiate from a common progenitor population. CD44 cell surface antigen is a hyaluronic acid receptor expressed on mature Müller glial cells. We found that in the developing mouse retina, expression of CD44 was transiently observed at or around birth in a subpopulation of c‐kit‐positive retinal progenitor cells. During in vitro culture, purified CD44/c‐kit‐positive retinal progenitor cells exclusively differentiated into Müller glial cells and not into neurons, suggesting that CD44 marks a subpopulation of retinal progenitor cells that are fated to become glia. Over‐expression of CD44 inhibited the extension of processes by Müller glial cells and neurons. Notch signaling is known to be involved in the specification of retinal progenitors into a glial fate. Activation of Notch signaling increased the number of CD44‐positive cells, and treatment with the Notch signal inhibitor, DAPT, at early, but not later, stages of retinal development abolished both CD44‐positive cells and Müller glial cells. Together, CD44 was identified as an early cell surface marker of the Müller glia lineage, and Notch signalling was involved in commitment of retinal progenitor cells to CD44 positive Müller glial precursor cells.
Anti‐inflammatory mechanism of ginsenoside Rh1 in lipopolysaccharide‐stimulated microglia: critical role of the protein kinase A pathway and hemeoxygenase‐1 expression
Authors: Jung Ji‐Sun , Shin Jin A. , Park Eun‐Mi , Lee Jung‐Eun , Kang Young‐Sook , Min Sung‐Won , Kim Dong‐Hyun , Hyun Jin‐Won , Shin Chan‐Young , Kim Hee‐Sun 
Published: October 2010

J. Neurochem.(2010)115,1668–1680.AbstractMicroglia activation plays a pivotal role in neurodegenerative diseases, and thus controlling microglial activation has been suggested as a promising therapeutic strategy for neurodegenerative diseases. In the present study, we showed that ginsenoside Rh1 inhibited inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase‐2, and pro‐inflammatory cytokine expression in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐stimulated microglia, while Rh1 increased anti‐inflammatory IL‐10 and hemeoxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) expression. Suppression of microglial activation by Rh1 was also observed in the mouse brain following treatment with LPS. Subsequent mechanistic studies revealed that Rh1 inhibited LPS‐induced MAPK phosphorylation and nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB)‐mediated transcription without affecting NF‐κB DNA binding. As the increase of pCREB (cAMP responsive element‐binding protein) is known to result in suppression of NF‐κB‐mediated transcription, we examined whether Rh1 increased pCREB levels. As expected, Rh1 increased pCREB, which was shown to be related to the anti‐inflammatory effect of Rh1 because pre‐treatment with protein kinase A inhibitors attenuated the Rh1‐mediated inhibition of nitric oxide production and the up‐regulation of IL‐10 and HO‐1. Furthermore, treatment of HO‐1 shRNA attenuated Rh1‐mediated inhibition of nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species production. Through this study, we have demonstrated that protein kinase A and its downstream effector, HO‐1, play a critical role in the anti‐inflammatory mechanism of Rh1 by modulating pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory molecules in activated microglia.
AMPA receptor mediatedd‐serine release from retinal glial cells
Authors: Sullivan Steve J. , Miller Robert F. 
Published: October 2010

J. Neurochem.(2010)115,1681–1689.AbstractThe N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor (NMDAR) co‐agonistd‐serine is important in a number of different processes in the CNS, ranging from synaptic plasticity to disease states, including schizophrenia.d‐serine appears to be the major co‐agonist acting on retinal ganglion cell NMDA receptors, but the cell type from which it originates and whether its release can be modulated by activity are unknown. In this study, we utilized a mutant mouse line with elevatedd‐serine to investigate this question. Direct measurements of extracellulard‐serine using capillary electrophoresis demonstrate thatd‐serine can be released from the intact mouse retina through an α‐amino‐3‐hydroxyl‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazole‐propionate receptor (AMPAR) dependent mechanism. α‐Amino‐3‐hydroxyl‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazole‐propionate‐evokedd‐serine release persisted in the presence of a cocktail of neural inhibitors but was abolished after administration of a glial toxin. These findings provide the first evidence that extracellulard‐serine levels in the retina can be modulated, and that such modulation is contingent upon glial cell activity.
Age‐related changes in mesenchymal stem cells derived from rhesus macaque bone marrow
Authors: Yu Ji Min , Wu Xiying , Gimble Jeffrey M. , Guan Xiaoyan , Freitas Michael A. , Bunnell Bruce A. 
Published: October 2010

SummaryThe regeneration potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) diminishes with advanced age and this diminished potential is associated with changes in cellular functions. This study compared MSCs isolated from the bone marrow of rhesus monkeys (rBMSCs) in three age groups: young (< 5 years), middle (8–10 years), and old (> 12 years). The effects of aging on stem cell properties and indicators of stem cell fitness such as proliferation, differentiation, circadian rhythms, stress response proteins, miRNA expression, and global histone modifications in rBMSCs were analyzed. rBMSCs demonstrated decreased capacities for proliferation and differentiation as a function of age. The production of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) were also reduced with increasing age. The level of a core circadian protein, Rev‐erb α, was significantly increased in rBMSCs from old animals. Furthermore, analysis of miRNA expression profiles revealed an up‐regulation of mir‐766 and mir‐558 and a down‐regulation of mir‐let‐7f, mir‐125b, mir‐222, mir‐199‐3p, mir‐23a, and mir‐221 in old rBMSCs compare to young rBMSCs. However, there were no significant age‐related changes in the global histone modification profiles of the four histone core proteins: H2A, H2B, H3, and H4 on rBMSCs. These changes represent novel insights into the aging process and could have implications regarding the potential for autologous stem cells therapy in older patients.
The Economic Cost of Growing Up Poor: Estimating the GDP Loss Associated with Child Poverty*
Authors: Blanden Jo , Hansen Kirstine , Machin Stephen 
Published: October 2010

AbstractOne of the motivations for the UK government's target to reduce (and eventually eliminate) child poverty is the perception of a significant long‐term economic cost of growing up in poverty. This perception arises from the observation that individuals who experience poverty in their childhood earn less as adults, are less likely to be in employment, are more likely to engage in criminal or anti‐social activities and are more likely to experience poor health and lower life satisfaction. This paper quantifies these effects, and expresses them in terms of GDP losses to the nation. We begin by focusing on lost earnings that arise from poorer skills and reduced employment opportunities, and then move on to the wider costs associated with the higher crime rates, poorer health and reduced well‐being that are linked with growing up poor. We find a sizeable economic cost, with the cost of growing up in poverty amounting to at least 1 per cent of GDP.
Determining the strength of exploitative competition from an introduced fish: roles of density, biomass and body size
Authors: Britton J. R. , Cucherousset J. , Grey J. , Gozlan R. E. 
Published: October 2010

Britton JR, Cucherousset J, Grey J, Gozlan RE. Determining the strength of exploitative competition from an introduced fish: roles of density, biomass and body size. Ecology of Freshwater Fish 2011: 20: 74–79. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/SAbstract –  As species introductions can result in increased resource competition for coexisting species in the receiving ecosystems, the effects of increased exploitative competition for limited food resources from an introduced fish (Pseudorasbora parva) on a coexisting fish (Cyprinus carpio) were tested experimentally using a substitutive–additive design. Additive treatments revealed that the growth of C. carpio was significantly suppressed following the introduction of P. parva with the magnitude of growth suppression directly proportional to P. parva density and biomass. A substitutive treatment that tested for the effect of intraspecific competition revealed that when C. carpio were introduced at a similar biomass to P. parva, there was no significant difference in the extent of the suppressed growth. At the same density, however, the effect of C. carpio (higher biomass) on growth was significantly above that of P. parva (lower biomass). This was independent of the initial body sizes of the introduced fishes. Thus, the interspecific competition imposed by P. parva was only as strong as the intraspecific competition of C. carpio when present at a similar biomass.
Diabetes induced immunological and biochemical changes in human colostrum
Authors: Morceli G , França EL , Magalhães VB , Damasceno DC , Calderon IMP , Honorio‐França AC 
Published: October 2010

AbstractAim:  This article describes the changes and relationships between biochemical and immunological parameters in the colostrum and serum of diabetic women.Methods:  Colostrum and blood samples were collected from 30 diabetic and 15 normoglycaemic women. Glucose, total protein, antibody, complement proteins (C3 and C4), fat and calorie content, amylase, lipase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were determined.Results:  Glucose was higher in both the colostrum and serum of diabetic mothers compared to that of their normoglycaemic counterparts. In both groups, total protein was higher in colostrum than in serum. IgA and IgG were lower in the colostrum of hyperglycaemic mothers, whereas IgM did not vary between the groups. Colostral C3 protein was significantly lower in diabetic mothers, but colostral C4 protein was similar between normoglycaemic and hyperglycaemic mothers. Fat content was lower in the colostrum of the diabetic mothers, although calorie content did not vary between the groups. Amylase was lower in colostrum than in serum in both groups. Lipase was higher in the colostrum and serum of diabetic mothers. Colostral SOD was similar between the groups.Conclusions:  Our results support the hypothesis that the colostrum of diabetic mothers suffers biochemical and immunological alterations that affect the levels of its components.
COMPARISON OF SEXUAL FUNCTION IN FEMALES RECEIVING HAEMODIALYSIS AND AFTER RENAL TRANSPLANTATION
Authors: Noohi Sima , Azar Mahyar , Behzadi Ashkan Heshmatzade , Barbati Mohammad E. , Haghshenas Arezoo , Amoozgar Behzad , Karami Mehdi 
Published: October 2010

SUMMARYThe aim of this study is to compare the sexual function of kidney transplant recipients and end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) patients receiving haemodialysis (HD) in female patients. In the sample population of this study, there were 72 women in the transplant group and 40 women in the HD group. To test the differences in the quantitative variables between these two groups, an independent sample Student's t‐test was performed. Sexual relationship, sexual function, sexual frequency and sexual fear in the renal transplant patients are significantly better than HD patients. Sexual intercourse satisfaction was apparently higher in the kidney recipients than in the HD patients. Twenty‐one patients in transplanted group described number was 6 (15%) (p = 0.03). This study indicated that female kidney transplant recipients experienced a significantly better sexual relationship compared with the ESRD patients receiving HD.
CE: Continuing Education Article  PREVENTION OF INFECTION IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE PART 1: APPLICATION OF INFECTION CONTROL PRINCIPLES TO THE RENAL CARE ENVIRONMENT
Authors: Pugh‐Clarke Karen , Donlon Sheila , McCann Margaret 
Published: October 2010

SUMMARYThis first paper, in a three‐part CE series on the prevention of infection in patients with chronic kidney disease, focuses on infection susceptibility in this patient population and the application of infection control principles to the renal care environment. The second and third papers in this series will focus on specific aspects of infection control including the prevention and management of blood‐borne virus and other healthcare‐associated infections.
CE: Continuing Education Article  INTEGRATION OF PALLIATIVE CARE FOR PATIENTS WITH STAGE 5 CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE*
Authors: Sedgewick John , Noble Helen , Ho Tai Mooi , Kafkia Theodora , Van Waeleghem Jean‐Pierre 
Published: October 2010

SUMMARYPatients with advanced chronic kidney disease (Stage 5 CKD) have palliative care needs similar to patients with cancer. The decision not to commence dialysis or to withdraw from active treatment can have a profound impact upon all those closely involved in the patient's care. It is essential that every effort is made to minimise the physical and psycho‐social symptoms experienced by patients who require palliative care. Effective teamwork across professional boundaries and specialities will ensure that patients and their families are provided with maximum comfort during their final days. All members of the healthcare team must strive to ensure patient and family are actively encouraged in the decision‐making process surrounding palliative care needs.