bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
North–South Outsourcing, Immigration, and Skilled Wages: Through the Lens of Incomplete Contracts
Authors: Beladi Hamid , Chakrabarti Avik , Marjit Sugata 
Published: July 2011

AbstractThe forces of immigration and offshore outsourcing are subject to factors that leave sufficient room for incompleteness in a contract. The authors present a model that allows one to compare the effects of immigration and offshore outsourcing, on skilled wage, when both are subject to contractual incompleteness. They capture the sensitivity of the effect on the skilled wage, of immigration and offshore outsourcing to complementarities between firm‐specific human capital and human capital that is transferable across firms manufacturing intermediate goods. In particular, the authors show that the North–South gap in skilled wages is likely to (i) increase through the forces of immigration when the intermediate goods' technology is super‐modular in the North but sub‐modular in the South and (ii) decrease through the forces of outsourcing when the intermediate goods' technology is sub‐modular in the North but super‐modular in the South.
Environmental Product Standards in North–South Trade
Authors: Ishikawa Jota , Okubo Toshihiro 
Published: July 2011

AbstractConsumption is one channel through which the environment is damaged. To protect the environment, various product standards have been introduced across the world. This paper uses a new economic geography framework to explore the effects of environmental product standards on environment in a North–South trade model. It examines the situation in which the North unilaterally introduces an environmental product standard. Specifically, those products that do not meet the standard are not allowed to be sold in the North's market. It is found that such a standard may worsen the North's environment but improve the South's environment as a result of firm relocation.
Intra‐industry Knowledge Spillovers from Foreign Direct Investment in Research and Development: Evidence from China's “Silicon Valley”
Authors: Todo Yasuyuki , Zhang Weiying , Zhou Lei‐An 
Published: July 2011

AbstractThis study examines a specific channel of technology diffusion from multinational enterprises to domestic firms in less developed regions: research and development (R&D) activities of multinational enterprises in the host country. Using firm‐level panel data from a Chinese science park, known as China's “Silicon Valley,” we find that the R&D stock of foreign‐owned firms has a positive effect on the productivity of domestic firms in the same industry, while the capital stock of foreign firms has no such effect. These results suggest that foreign firms' knowledge spills over within industries through their R&D activities, but not through their production activities. In addition, we find no evidence of spillovers from domestic firms or firms from Hong Kong, Macao, or Taiwan, suggesting that the size of knowledge spillovers is larger when the technology gap between source and recipient firms is larger.
What is the expert's option on antiplatelet therapy in moyamoya disease? Results of a worldwide Survey
Authors: Kraemer M. , Berlit P. , Diesner F. , Khan N. 
Published: July 2011

Background and purpose:  Moyamoya disease (MMD) is a rare idiopathic vasculopathy characterized by an extensive network of fine collaterals in the setting of bilateral progressive stenosis and finally occlusion of the intracranial portion of the internal carotid artery and proximal anterior and medial arteries of Circle of Willis. Owing to the rarity of the disease and ethical concerns, double‐blinded, randomized controlled trials about treatment options are completely lacking. The appropriate conservative treatment instead, before or after revascularization surgery, is nearly completely neglected in scientific literature, even in Asia.Methods:  We developed a questionnaire with response options offered in the multiple choice method. The survey was sent with the request to reply within September 2010 to January 2011 by email to experts in the treatment of MMD. As an international expert, authors were selected who had written more than one scientific article or book chapter on the subject. We took special care not to select only Asian scientists, but also considered experts on the disease in Caucasian patients.Results:  Among the 77 physicians surveyed, 32 (41.55%) responded. Twenty‐one (65.6%) Asian experts and 11 (34.4%) non‐Asian experts participated in this survey. The majority of experts thought that long‐term antiplatelet therapy is not essential in the treatment of MMD. Ten of 32 (31%) participants agreed to long‐term antiplatelet treatment with acetylsalicylic acid 100 mg/day. There was a significant difference in answers between Asian and non‐Asian experts (P = 0.0128).Conclusion:  It is interesting that the majority of Non‐Asian respondents recommend antiplatelet drugs, while this is an unusual approach in MMD of the Asian experts. Perhaps, this significant difference is well founded by the different experiences of the experts related to the difference in disease presentation between Asians and Caucasians. The role of conservative and surgical treatment in MMD needs further evaluation with larger cohorts and a focus on long‐term clinical outcome.
Brain endothelial barrier passage by monocytes is controlled by the endothelin system
Authors: Reijerkerk Arie , Lakeman Kim A. M. , Drexhage Joost A. R. , van het Hof Bert , van Wijck Yolanda , van der Pol Susanne M. A. , Kooij Gijs , Geerts Dirk , de Vries Helga E. 
Published: July 2011

J. Neurochem. (2012) 121, 730–737.AbstractHomeostasis of the brain is dependent on the blood–brain barrier (BBB). This barrier tightly regulates the exchange of essential nutrients and limits the free flow of immune cells into the CNS. Perturbations of BBB function and the loss of its immune quiescence are hallmarks of a variety of brain diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS), vascular dementia, and stroke. In particular, diapedesis of monocytes and subsequent trafficking of monocyte‐derived macrophages into the brain are key mediators of demyelination and axonal damage in MS. Endothelin‐1 (ET‐1) is considered as a potent pro‐inflammatory peptide and has been implicated in the development of cardiovascular diseases. Here, we studied the role of different components of the endothelin system, i.e., ET‐1, its type B receptor (ETB) and endothelin‐converting enzyme‐1 (ECE‐1) in monocyte diapedesis of a human brain endothelial cell barrier. Our pharmacological inhibitory and specific gene knockdown studies point to a regulatory function of these proteins in transendothelial passage of monocytes. Results from this study suggest that the endothelin system is a putative target within the brain for anti‐inflammatory treatment in neurological diseases.
The cost effectiveness of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in the routine infant immunisation programme of The Gambia
Authors: Touray Morro M L , Hutubessy Raymond , Acharya Arnab 
Published: July 2011

AbstractObjectivesTo evaluate the cost effectiveness of the use of nine-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine in a routine infant immunisation programme based on the Pneumococcal Vaccine Trial (PVT) study in The Gambia.MethodsThis was a clinical trial-based cost-effectiveness study conducted as part of the PVT study. The PVT was an intention-to-treat double-blind placebo-controlled trial of a nine-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine. The trial was conducted in the eastern parts of The Gambia, West Africa and recruited 17 437 children aged 40–364 days. A deterministic static cohort model was developed to evaluate direct benefits and costs of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in The Gambia's routine immunisation programme. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (iCER) is defined as vaccinating infants against pneumococcal disease compared with no vaccination from a public provider's perspective using The Gambia's 2005 projected under-one-year population.Key findingsThe results show the use of the vaccine in The Gambia's routine infant vaccination programme to be cost effective using an assumed price of US$5.00 per vial in single-dose vials. Compared with offering no vaccination, the incremental cost per DALYs averted would be 30 DALYs from the public provider perspective. At least 1569 and 340 invasive childhood pneumococcal illnesses and deaths respectively among the cohort would be prevented. In the absence of the vaccine 16 871 DALYs would be lost while with the use of the vaccine 7804 DALYs would be lost. Given the average treatment cost of pneumococcal illnesses to be US$191 (95% confidence interval 180 to 203) the introduction of the vaccine programme would lead to an additional cost of US$274 279 (about US$8.43/child).ConclusionsThe availability of a cost-effective vaccine that can prevent thousands of pneumococcal illnesses and related deaths is a major development towards improving the disease burden in sub-Saharan African countries. This study supports the introduction of nine-valent pneumococcal vaccine into the infant immunisation programme of The Gambia as it is cost effective and will avert many preventable deaths and illnesses. Despite differences in distribution of serotypes between countries, the static model used in the analysis makes the results applicable to other developing countries, particularly those in sub-Saharan Africa.
EndothelinA-endothelinB receptor cross-talk and endothelin receptor binding
Authors: Rapoport Robert M , Zuccarello Mario 
Published: July 2011

Abstract

Background and objective
The magnitude of inhibition of an endothelin (ET)-1 response by selective blockade of the ETA or ETB receptors can be limited by apparent compensation mediated by the unblocked receptor. While the mechanism underlying this functionally defined interaction, or ‘cross-talk’, is not clear, binding studies suggest an interaction between the ET receptor subtypes.

Key findings
These binding studies are reviewed and suggest that, in general, they support the hypothesis that ETA and ETB receptor activation of intracellular signalling pathways influence ET-1 binding to these receptor subtypes.

Summary
However, the relationship of these binding studies to functional effects and, thus, functional ETA-ETB receptor cross-talk, remains largely untested.
Chemotherapeutic Resistance: Surviving Stressful Situations
Authors: Gilbert Luke A. , Hemann Michael T. 
Published: July 2011

Abstract
Chemotherapeutic regimens involve the systemic administration of genotoxic compounds that induce cancer cell death via well-established DNA damage response signaling networks. Less understood is how the treatment of other cell types within the tumor microenvironment affects the therapeutic response. Here we discuss recent work that shows that tumor-adjacent cells can respond to genotoxic stress by activating a paracrine secretory program. Although this secretory response serves to protect progenitor cells and promote tissue regeneration in conditions of cellular stress, it can also be coopted by tumor cells to survive frontline chemotherapy. Thus, local prosurvival signaling may present a fundamental barrier to tumor clearance by genotoxic agents, suggesting that effective treatments need to target both cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment. Cancer Res; 71(15); 5062–6. ©2011 AACR.
The Effect of Ergothioneine on Clastogenic Potential and Mutagenic Activity
Authors: Schauss Alexander G. , Béres Erzsébet , Vértesi Adél , Frank Zsuzsanna , Pasics Ilona , Endres John , Aruoma Okezie I. , Hirka Gábor 
Published: July 2011

L-(+)-ergothioneine has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in vitro and in vivo and has uses as a dietary supplement and as an ingredient in foods, cosmetics, and as a pharmaceutical additive. The clastogenic potential and mutagenic of ergothioneine were assessed in vitro and in vivo. Ergothioneine concentrations up to 5000 μg/mL, with and without metabolic activation, was tested in the chromosome aberration assay with CHL cells and found not to induce structural chromosome aberrations. In the in vivo mammalian erythrocyte micronucleus test, ergothioneine was administered orally to male mice at doses up to 1500 mg/kg for potential genotoxic activity. No increase in the frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes was observed. Overall, ergothioneine was not genotoxic in these studies and provides additional experimental evidence supporting the safety of its use as a potential dietary supplement.
Antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of methanol extract, fractions and compounds from the stem bark of Entada abyssinica Stend ex A. Satabie
Authors: Teke Gerald N , Lunga Paul K , Wabo Hippolyte K , Kuiate Jules-Roger , Vilarem Gerard , Giacinti Geraldine , Kikuchi Haruhisa , Oshima Yoshiteru 
Published: July 2011

Abstract

Background
The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the methanol extract, fractions and isolated compounds from Entada abyssinica stem bark, plant used traditionally against gastrointestinal infections.

Methods
The methanol extract of E. abyssinica stem bark was pre-dissolved in a mixture of methanol and water, and then partitioned between n-hexane, ethyl acetate and n-butanol. The ethyl acetate portion was fractionated by column chromatography and the structures of isolated compounds elucidated by analysis of spectroscopic data and comparison with literature data. Antimicrobial activity was assayed by broth microdilution techniques on bacteria and yeasts. The antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH radical scavenging method.

Results
Four known compounds [(5S,6R,8aR)-5-(carboxymethyl)-3,4,4a,5,6,7,8,8a-octahydro-5,6,8a-trimethylnaphthalenecarboxylic acid (1), methyl 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoate (2), benzene-1,2,3-triol (3) and 2,3-dihydroxypropyltriacontanoate (4)] were isolated. Compared to the methanol extract, fractionation increased the antibacterial activities of the n-hexane and ethyl acetate fractions, while the antifungal activities increased in ethyl acetate, n-butanol and aqueous residue fractions. The isolated compounds were generally more active on bacteria (9.7 to 156.2 μg/ml) than yeasts (78.1 to 312.5 μg/ml). Apart from compound 1, the three others displayed DPPH· scavenging activity (RSa), with RSa50 values of 1.45 and 1.60 μg/ml.

Conclusion
The results obtained from this study support the ethnomedicinal use of E. abyssinica in the treatment of gastrointestinal infections and the isolated compounds could be useful in the standardisation of antimicrobial phytomedicine from this plant.
Serum cytokine profiles in healthy young and elderly population assessed using multiplexed bead-based immunoassays
Authors: Kim Hyun Ok , Kim Han-Soo , Youn Jong-Chan , Shin Eui-Cheol , Park Sungha 
Published: July 2011

Abstract

Background
Lipid metabolites and cytokines, including chemokines and growth factors, are the key regulators of immune cell function and differentiation, and thus, dysregulation of these regulators is associated with various human diseases. However, previous studies demonstrating a positive correlation of cytokine levels with aging may have been influenced by various environmental factors and underlying diseases. Also, data regarding cytokine profiling in the elderly are limited to a small subset of cytokines.

Methods
We compared the profiles of 22 cytokines, including chemokines and growth factors, in a case-controlled study group of a gender-matched, healthy cohort of 55 patients over the age of 65 and 55 patients under the age of 45. Assessment of serum cytokine concentrations was performed using commercially-available multiplex bead-based sandwich immunoassays.

Results
Soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) and transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-α) levels were significantly higher in the elderly patients, whereas granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), granulocyte-monocyte colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) levels were significantly lower in the elderly patients. The partial correlation analysis demonstrating the correlation between cytokine levels when controlled for gender, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglyceride, and serum creatinine levels further demonstrated that G-CSF, GM-CSF, and MCP-1 had significant negative correlations with age, whereas sCD40L and TGF-α had significant positive correlations.

Conclusions
Future studies will focus on examining the significance of these age-related changes in circulating cytokines and other biological markers and their potential contribution to the development of different age-associated diseases.
On the eleventh question of Allen Shields
Authors: Yousefi Bahmann , Kashkooly Ali Iloon 
Published: July 2011

AbstractIn this article, we will give sufficient conditions for the boundedness of the analytic projection on the set of multipliers of the formal Laurent series spaces. This answers a question that has been raised by A. L. Shields. Also, we will characterize the fixed points of some weighted composition operators acting on weighted Hardy spaces.AMS Subject Classification: Primary 47B37; Secondary 47B38.
Modeling the NF-κB mediated inflammatory response predicts cytokine waves in tissue
Authors: Yde Pernille , Mengel Benedicte , Jensen Mogens H , Krishna Sandeep , Trusina Ala 
Published: July 2011

AbstractBackgroundWaves propagating in "excitable media" is a reliable way to transmit signals in space. A fascinating example where living cells comprise such a medium is Dictyostelium D. which propagates waves of chemoattractant to attract distant cells. While neutrophils chemotax in a similar fashion as Dictyostelium D., it is unclear if chemoattractant waves exist in mammalian tissues and what mechanisms could propagate them.ResultsWe propose that chemoattractant cytokine waves may naturally develop as a result of NF-κB response. Using a heuristic mathematical model of NF-κB-like circuits coupled in space we show that the known characteristics of NF-κB response favor cytokine waves.ConclusionsWhile the propagating wave of cytokines is generally beneficial for inflammation resolution, our model predicts that there exist special conditions that can cause chronic inflammation and re-occurrence of acute inflammatory response.
Influence of atorvastatin on coronary calcifications and myocardial perfusion defects in systemic lupus erythematosus patients: a prospective, randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled study
Authors: Plazak Wojciech , Gryga Krzysztof , Dziedzic Hanna , Tomkiewicz-Pajak Lidia , Konieczynska Malgorzata , Podolec Piotr , Musial Jacek 
Published: July 2011

Abstract
Introduction
Mortality in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients is influenced by an increased occurrence of severe cardiovascular complications. Statins have been proven to protect a wide spectrum of SLE patients from these complications. This study was conducted to determine the possible efficacy of atorvastatin in SLE patients as assessed by multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT)-based coronary calcium scoring and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) of the myocardium.

Methods
Sixty SLE patients in stable clinical conditions were randomized to receive either atorvastatin (40 mg daily; n = 28) or placebo (n = 32). Clinical and biochemical evaluation together with MDCT-based coronary calcium scoring and SPECT studies (Tc-99 m sestamibi) were performed at the time of randomization and after 1 year of treatment.

Results
At randomization, SPECT revealed perfusion defects at rest in 22 (36.7%) patients and exercise-induced defects in 8 (13.3%), whereas MDCT revealed coronary calcifications in 15 subjects (25%). Coronary calcium deposits increased after 1 year in the placebo group (plaque volume change from 35.2 ± 44.9 to 62.9 ± 72.4, P < 0.05; calcium score from 32.1 ± 39.1 to 59.5 ± 64.4; P < 0.05), but not in the atorvastatin group (plaque volume 54.5 ± 62.4 vs. 51.0 ± 47.6, P not significant; calcium score 44.8 ± 50.6 vs. 54.9 ± 62.5, P not significant). The atorvastatin group showed a decrease in total serum cholesterol (from 5.1 ± 1.2 to 4.4 ± 0.7 mmol/L, P < 0.05), LDL cholesterol (2.9 ± 1.0 to 2.3 ± 0.6 mmol/L, P < 0.05), triglycerides (1.6 ± 0.6 to 1.2 ± 0.5 mmol/L, P < 0.05), and C-reactive protein (CRP) (4.4 ± 4.1 to 2.7 ± 1.7 mg/L, P < 0.05). There was no change in the mean Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) score in patients from both groups. Perfusion defects observed at randomization showed no change after one year treatment with atorvastatin.

Conclusions
In SLE patients 40 mg of atorvastatin daily for 1 year led to a decrease in serum lipids and CRP levels. Additionally the progression of atherosclerosis, as assessed by MDCT-based coronary calcium scoring, is restrained by atorvastatin treatment. The value of statin treatment in patients with SLE free from cardiovascular disease clinical symptoms should be addressed in large, prospective clinical trials.
The Unconventional Role of Acid Sphingomyelinase in Regulation of Retinal Microangiopathy in Diabetic Human and Animal Models
Authors: Opreanu Madalina , Tikhonenko Maria , Bozack Svetlana , Lydic Todd A. , Reid Gavin E. , McSorley Kelly M. , Sochacki Andrew , Perez Gloria I. , Esselman Walter J. , Kern Timothy , Kolesnick Richard , Grant Maria B. , Busik Julia V. 
Published: July 2011

OBJECTIVEAcid sphingomyelinase (ASM) is an important early responder in inflammatory cytokine signaling. The role of ASM in retinal vascular inflammation and vessel loss associated with diabetic retinopathy is not known and represents the goal of this study.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSProtein and gene expression profiles were determined by quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot. ASM activity was determined using Amplex Red sphingomyelinase assay. Caveolar lipid composition was analyzed by nano-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. Streptozotocin-induced diabetes and retinal ischemia-reperfusion models were used in in vivo studies.RESULTSWe identify endothelial caveolae-associated ASM as an essential component in mediating inflammation and vascular pathology in in vivo and in vitro models of diabetic retinopathy. Human retinal endothelial cells (HREC), in contrast with glial and epithelial cells, express the plasma membrane form of ASM that overlaps with caveolin-1. Treatment of HREC with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) specifically reduces expression of the caveolae-associated ASM, prevents a tumor necrosis factor-α–induced increase in the ceramide-to-sphingomyelin ratio in the caveolae, and inhibits cytokine-induced inflammatory signaling. ASM is expressed in both vascular and neuroretina; however, only vascular ASM is specifically increased in the retinas of animal models at the vasodegenerative phase of diabetic retinopathy. The absence of ASM in ASM−/− mice or inhibition of ASM activity by DHA prevents acellular capillary formation.CONCLUSIONSThis is the first study demonstrating activation of ASM in the retinal vasculature of diabetic retinopathy animal models. Inhibition of ASM could be further explored as a potential therapeutic strategy in treating diabetic retinopathy.
Formes d'héritages dans le débat macro-économique contemporain
Authors: Pestieau Pierre 
Published: July 2011

Formas de herencia en el debate macroeconómico contemporáneo,
por Pierre Pestieau.

En este artículo se muestra cómo se integran los diferentes tipos de herencia - accidentales, altruistas, paternas y estratégicas - en el debate relativo a la neutralidad de las políticas macroeconómicas y a la eficatia dinámica de los mercados en competencia. Esto pone claramente de manifiesto que la mayoría de tipos de herencia son mucho más compatibles con la visión keynesiana de un mundo donde el horizonte de los agentes es finito, que con la visión neoclásica. Los mercados pueden ser ineficaces, pero la política macroeconómica puede desempeñar un papel positivo.