bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ambiguous elections: the influence of non-electoral politics in Ethiopian democratisation
Authors: Tronvoll Kjetil 
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACTThe ‘non-electoral context’ of elections is often overlooked in democratisation studies, in order not to obscure an otherwise clear model or theory of transition. A key challenge for research on democratisation processes is to balance electoral ‘formalities’ with contextual factors, qualitative perceptions and non-electoral issues, in order to reach a more nuanced and comprehensive understanding of democratic transitions. This article advocates a multilayered approach to – or a ‘thick description’ of – elections, as this will capture the diversity of real life experiences and expose alternative power discourses competing with the electoralist one in influencing the path of democratisation. In so doing, it casts light on the crucial impact of the Eritrean–Ethiopian war on Ethiopia's 2005 election, in addition to other qualitative and contextual factors, which lead to the conclusion that the advancement of democracy through multiparty elections in Ethiopia under the Ethiopian Peoples' Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) has failed.
Temporal order memory deficits prior to clinical diagnosis in Huntington’s disease
Authors: PIROGOVSKY EVA , GOLDSTEIN JODY , PEAVY GUERRY , JACOBSON MARK W. , COREY-BLOOM JODY , GILBERT PAUL E. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe current study examined temporal order memory in preclinical Huntington’s disease (pre-HD). Participants were separated into less than 5 years (pre-HD near) and more than 5 years (pre-HD far) from estimated age of clinical diagnosis. Participants completed a temporal order memory task on a computerized radial eight-arm maze. On the study phase of each trial, participants viewed a random sequence of circles appearing one at a time at the end of each arm. On the choice phase, participants viewed two circles at the end of the study phase arms and chose the circle occurring earliest in the sequence. The task involved manipulations of the temporal lag, defined as the number of arms occurring in the sample phase sequence between the two choice phase arms. Research suggests that there is more interference for temporally proximal stimuli relative to temporally distal stimuli. There were no significant differences between the pre-HD far group and controls on the temporal order memory task. The pre-HD near group demonstrated significant impairments relative to the other groups on closer temporal lags, but were normal on the furthest temporal lag. Therefore, temporal order memory declines with increased temporal interference in pre-HD close to estimated diagnosis of HD. (JINS, 2009, 15, 662–670.)
Plasma membrane and nuclear envelope integrity during the blebbing stage of apoptosis: a time‐lapse study
Authors: Andrade Ricardo , Crisol Lorena , Prado Roberto , Boyano María Dolores , Arluzea Jon , Aréchaga Juan 
Published: July 2009

Background information. The execution phase of apoptosis is characterized by extensive blebbing of the plasma membrane, which usually results in secondary lysis in vitro. To analyse the permeability of cellular membranes during this process, we induced apoptosis in human melanoma A375 cells that had been transfected with fluorescently tagged proteins which were targeted to different subcellular locations.Results. The dual treatment of resveratrol and butyrate produced a synergistic induction of apoptosis by blocking different phases of the cell cycle. Changes in the plasma membrane, nuclear envelope and nucleoli were monitored by time‐lapse confocal microscopy. Fluorescently labelled proteins were not mis‐localized from their original locations in any of the cells undergoing blebbing for several hours. Thus the maintenance of karyophilic and nucleolar proteins within the nucleus during the blebbing stage and the accessibility of vital selective chromatin dyes confirmed a functional preservation of the nuclear compartment until the final necrotic blister. The translocation of phosphatidylserine to the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane was not detected during the blebbing period.Conclusion. These results show that the functional integrity of the nuclear envelope and plasma membrane may be conserved until the end of the execution phase of apoptosis.
RNase R mutants elucidate the catalysis of structured RNA: RNA-binding domains select the RNAs targeted for degradation
Authors: Matos Rute Gonçalves , Barbas Ana , Arraiano Cecília Maria 
Published: July 2009

The RNase II superfamily is a ubiquitous family of exoribonucleases that are essential for RNA metabolism. RNase II and RNase R degrade RNA in the 3′→5′ direction in a processive and sequence-independent manner. However, although RNase R is capable of degrading highly structured RNAs, the RNase II activity is impaired by the presence of secondary structures. RNase II and RNase R share structural properties and have a similar modular domain organization. The eukaryotic RNase II homologue, Rrp44/Dis3, is the catalytic subunit of the exosome, one of the most important protein complexes involved in the maintenance of the correct levels of cellular RNAs. In the present study, we constructed truncated RNase II and RNase R proteins and point mutants and characterized them regarding their exoribonucleolytic activity and RNA-binding ability. We report that Asp280 is crucial for RNase R activity without affecting RNA binding. When Tyr324 was changed to alanine, the final product changed from 2 to 5 nt in length, showing that this residue is responsible for setting the end-product. We have shown that the RNB domain of RNase II has catalytic activity. The most striking result is that the RNase R RNB domain itself degrades double-stranded substrates even in the absence of a 3′-overhang. Moreover, we have demonstrated for the first time that the substrate recognition of RNase R depends on the RNA-binding domains that target the degradation of RNAs that are ‘tagged’ by a 3′-tail. These results can have important implications for the study of poly(A)-dependent RNA degradation mechanisms.
Voltage-dependent anion channels 1 and 2 are expressed in porcine oocytes
Authors: Cassará María Carolina , Menzel Viviana Andrea , Hinsch Klaus-Dieter , Wrenzycki Christine , Hinsch Elvira 
Published: July 2009

The eukaryotic VDAC (voltage-dependent anion channel) is a pore-forming protein originally discovered in the outer membrane of mitochondria. It has been established as a key player in mitochondrial metabolism and ion signalling. In addition, in recent years, it has also been proposed that VDAC is present in extra-mitochondrial membranes, and it has been related to cytoskeletal structures. However, little is known about the presence and intracellular localization of VDAC subtypes in mammalian gametes. In the present study, we confirm the synthesis of VDAC1 and 2 subtypes in GV (germinal vesicle) and MII (meiosis II) stage porcine oocytes as well as their protein expression. A shift in the abundance of immunoreactive 32 kDa VDAC protein between GV and MII stage oocytes was observed with anti-VDAC2 antibody. Furthermore, subcellular localization by confocal laser microscopy demonstrated fluorescent labelling of VDAC1 over the entire oocyte surface, suggesting the presence of VDAC1 in the porcine oocyte plasma membrane and around the cortical area. Anti-VDAC2 immunostaining yielded ring-like clusters of structures distributed on the cortical area in some GV, but not in MII, stage oocytes. These results are the first data obtained for VDAC in mammalian female gametes and provide the basis for studying protein–protein interactions, distribution and possible functions of VDAC subtypes during maturation and fertilization of mammalian oocytes.
Evaluating the Effort Expended to Understand Speech in Noise Using a Dual-Task Paradigm: The Effects of Providing Visual Speech Cues
Authors: Fraser Sarah , Gagné Jean-Pierre , Alepins Majolaine , Dubois Pascale 
Published: July 2009

PurposeUsing a dual-task paradigm, 2 experiments (Experiments 1 and 2) were conducted to assess differences in the amount of listening effort expended to understand speech in noise in audiovisual (AV) and audio-only (A-only) modalities. Experiment 1 had equivalent noise levels in both modalities, and Experiment 2 equated speech recognition performance levels by increasing the noise in the AV versus A-only modality.MethodSixty adults were randomly assigned to Experiment 1 or Experiment 2. Participants performed speech and tactile recognition tasks separately (single task) and concurrently (dual task). The speech tasks were performed in both modalities. Accuracy and reaction time data were collected as well as ratings of perceived accuracy and effort.ResultsIn Experiment 1, the AV modality speech recognition was rated as less effortful, and accuracy scores were higher than A only. In Experiment 2, reaction times were slower, tactile task performance was poorer, and listening effort increased, in the AV versus the A-only modality.ConclusionsAt equivalent noise levels, speech recognition performance was enhanced and subjectively less effortful in the AV than A-only modality. At equivalent accuracy levels, the dual-task performance decrements (for both tasks) suggest that the noisier AV modality was more effortful than the A-only modality.
Accuracy of Consonant–Vowel Syllables in Young Cochlear Implant Recipients and Hearing Children in the Single-Word Period
Authors: Warner-Czyz Andrea D. , Davis Barbara L. , MacNeilage Peter F. 
Published: July 2009

Purpose
Attaining speech accuracy requires that children perceive and attach meanings to vocal output on the basis of production system capacities. Because auditory perception underlies speech accuracy, profiles for children with hearing loss (HL) differ from those of children with normal hearing (NH).

Method
To understand the impact of auditory history on emergence of speech capacities, the authors compared consonant–vowel (CV) syllable accuracy in early words in 4 NH children and 4 children with HL who received cochlear implantation (CI) before age 2 years. Participants were video-recorded monthly for 6 months following word onset. CV vocalizations were coded perceptually with broad phonetic transcription. Observed-to-expected ratios of CV productions and accuracy were tested with chi-square analysis. An ordered multinomial model tested level of accuracy, including both accuracy and error patterns.

Results
Most frequently produced sequences were most accurately produced across group and time. NH children were more accurate overall than children with CI. Both groups improved accuracy over time by decreasing partially accurate productions (accurate consonant–inaccurate vowel). Both groups favored CV patterns with compatible place of articulation between consonant and vowel in absolute frequency and level of accuracy.

Conclusion
Differences in emergence of CV syllable accuracy arise from differences in auditory perception between the NH and CI groups.
Relationship between the Prevalence of Methicillin-ResistantStaphylococcus aureusInfection and Indicators of Nosocomial Infection Control Measures A Population-Based Study in French Hospitals
Authors: Grammatico-Guillon Leslie , Thiolet Jean-Michel , Bernillon Pascale , Coignard Bruno , Khoshnood Babak , Desenclos Jean-Claude 
Published: July 2009

Objective.To assess whether infection control indicators are associated with the prevalence of methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) infection in French hospitals.Methods.We linked the database for the 2006 national prevalence survey of nosocomial infection with the database of infection control indicators (comprised of ICALIN, an indicator of infection control organization, resources, and action, and ICSHA, an indicator of alcohol-based handrub consumption) recorded from hospitals by the Ministry of Health. Data on MRSA infection were obtained from the national prevalence survey database and included the site and origin of infection, the microorganism responsible, and its drug resistance profile. Because the prevalence of MRSA infection was low and often nil, especially in small hospitals, we restricted our analysis to hospitals with at least 300 Patients. We used a multilevel logistic regression model to assess the joint effects of patient-level variables (eg, age, sex, or infection) and hospital-level variables (infection control indicators).Results.Two hundred two hospitals had at least 300 patients, for a total of 128,631 Patients. The overall prevalence of MRSA infection was 0.34% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.29%-0.39%). The mean value for ICSHA was 7.8 L per 1,000 patient-days (median, 6.1 L per 1,000 patient-days; range, 0-33 L per 1,000 patient-days). The mean value for ICALIN was 92 of a possible 100 points (median, 94.5;range, 67-100). Multilevel analyses showed that ICALIN scores were associated with the prevalence of MRSA infection (odds ratio for a score change of 1 standard deviation, 0.80;95% CI, 0.69-0.93). We found no association between prevalence of MRSA infection and ICSHA. Other variables significantly associated with the prevalence of MRSA infection were sex, vascular or urinary catheter, previous surgery, and the McCabe score.Conclusions.We found a significant association between the prevalence of MRSA infection and ICALIN that suggested that a higher ICALIN score may be predictive of a lower prevalence of MRSA infection.
New insights into the haemostatic function of platelets
Authors: Wei Andrew H. , Schoenwaelder Simone M. , Andrews Robert K. , Jackson Shaun P. 
Published: July 2009

SummaryConsiderable progress has been made over the last two decades in delineating the key molecular events regulating the haemostatic function of platelets. Much of this new insight has been derived from the study of mouse models, in which the expression or structure of one or more platelet proteins has been genetically altered. Despite these advances on the research front, clinical progress in diagnosing patients with unexplained surgical bleeding or recurrent haemorrhage from mucocutaneous sites has been comparatively limited. There is a dearth of literature available to help physicians integrate and apply the burgeoning knowledge on platelet biology to diagnosing patients with atypical or unexplained platelet dysfunction. The purpose of this review is to summarise the major primary platelet disorders relevant to pathological bleeding in humans (excluding those primarily due to thrombocytopenia or acquired functional disorders), with a focus on lesions identified in mouse models that could represent candidate molecules for study in patients with impaired platelet function.
Origin and fate of blood cells deficient in glycosylphosphatidylinositol‐anchored protein among patients with bone marrow failure
Authors: Sugimori Chiharu , Mochizuki Kanako , Qi Zhirong , Sugimori Naomi , Ishiyama Ken , Kondo Yukio , Yamazaki Hirohito , Takami Akiyoshi , Okumura Hirokazu , Nakao Shinji 
Published: July 2009

SummaryPeripheral blood from 489 recently diagnosed patients with aplastic anaemia (AA) and 316 with refractory anaemia (RA) of myelodysplastic syndrome was evaluated to characterize CD55−CD59− [paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH)]‐type blood cells associated with bone marrow (BM) failure. PNH‐type cells were detected in 57% and 20% of patients with AA and RA, respectively. The percentages of PNH‐type granulocytes ranged from 0·003% to 94·2% and the distribution was log‐normal with a median of 0·178%. Serial analyses of 75 patients with PNH‐type cells over 5 years revealed that the percentage of PNH‐type cells constantly increased in 13 (17%), persisted in 44 (59%), disappeared in the remaining 18 (24%) although even in the ‘Disappearance’ group, PNH‐type granulocytes persisted for at least 6 months. A scattergram profile of PNH‐type cells unique to each patient persisted regardless of the response to immunosuppressive therapy and only single PIGA mutations were detected in PNH‐type granulocytes sorted from four patients. These findings suggest that the PNH‐type cells in patients with BM failure are derived from single PIGA mutant haematopoietic stem cells even when their percentages are <1% and their fate depends on the proliferation and self‐maintenance properties of the individual PIGA mutants.
Influence of PI‐3K/Akt pathway on Wnt signalling in regulating myeloid progenitor cell proliferation. Evidence for a role of autocrine/paracrine Wnt regulation
Authors: Nteliopoulos Georgios , Marley Stephen B. , Gordon Myrtle Y. 
Published: July 2009

SummaryThe regulation of myeloid progenitor cell (granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐forming units, CFU‐GM) proliferation/differentiation by the Wnt and phosphatidylinositol‐3 kinase (PI‐3K) pathways was investigated using a colony‐replating assay. The PI‐3K pathway promoted differentiation of interleukin‐3 (IL‐3)‐stimulated myelopoiesis via Akt, because inhibition of the PI‐3K/Akt pathway with LY294002 or SH‐5 increased proliferation. The involvement of canonical and non‐canonical Wnt pathways was investigated using Wnt3a and Wnt5a respectively. Addition of the recombinant Wnts to IL‐3 increased CFU‐GM proliferation. Dkk‐1, when combined with the Wnt proteins, abrogated the effects of Wnt3a but not Wnt5a. Surprisingly, the addition of Dkk‐1 to LY294002 or SH‐5 blocked their proliferative effects. We hypothesized that increased proliferation induced by PI‐3K/Akt inhibitors was not mediated by downstream activation of the Wnt pathway but by induced endogenous production/release of Wnt proteins. The addition of SH‐5 to IL‐3 created an autocrine Wnt loop in CD34+ cells, resulting in the phosphorylation of lipoprotein‐receptor‐related‐protein 6. Furthermore, the addition of medium conditioned by CD34+ cells cultured in IL‐3 + SH‐5 to IL‐3 increased CFU‐GM proliferation. This effect was abrogated by Dkk‐1, suggesting that a Wnt in the conditioned medium increased proliferation. In summary, IL‐3 via the PI‐3K pathway promoted differentiation of myeloid progenitor cells through a decrease of endogenous Wnt production/release.
Biliary proteins and their redox status changes in gallstone patients
Authors: Grattagliano I. , Wang D. Q‐H , Di Ciaula A. , Diogo C.V. , Palasciano G. , Portincasa P. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractBackground  Proteins might act as pronucleating agents of cholesterol crystallization in bile. However, little is known about the redox status of biliary proteins in humans and their interaction with crystallization of biliary cholesterol.Materials and methods  Gallbladder biles were obtained at cholecystectomy from 86 symptomatic patients with either cholesterol gallstones (32 multiple and 32 solitary stones) or pigment stones (n = 22), and studied for protein redox status [carbonyl and sulfhydryl (PSH) concentrations], total lipid and protein levels and cholesterol saturation index (CSI). First appearance of cholesterol crystals in ultrafiltered bile (crystal observation time, COT) was studied with polarizing light microscopy during 21 days.Results  Patients with cholesterol stones had significantly shorter COT (3 days vs. >21 days, P < 0·05), higher CSI (149 ± 10% vs. 97 ± 7%, P < 0·05) and higher total biliary proteins (1·96 ± 0·1 mg mL−1 vs. 0·55 ± 0·1 mg mL−1, P < 0·05) than patients with pigment stones. Patients with cholesterol stones had significantly lower (P < 0·05) level of protein sulfhydryl concentrations (18 ± 4 nmol mg−1 protein vs. 49 ± 16 nmol mg−1 protein), while total lipid and carbonyl proteins concentrations were similar between cholesterol and pigment stone patients. Crystallization probability was influenced by the number/type of gallstones (multiple > solitary > pigment stones, P = 0·009) and total protein concentration (high > low levels, P = 0·004). COT was negatively correlated with total protein content (r = −0·45, P = 0·03).Conclusions  Biles with cholesterol stones show high CSI and total protein concentration, and rapid COT, which is even faster in patients with multiple stones and high protein concentration. Low PSH levels in cholesterol stone patients point to a biochemical shift, potentially able to affect cholesterol crystallization.
Discovery of the causeway and the mortuary temple of the Pyramid of Amenemhat II using near‐surface magnetic investigation, Dahshour, Giza, Egypt
Authors: Abdallatif T. , El Emam A.E. , Suh M. , El Hemaly I.A. , Ghazala H.H. , Ibrahim E.H. , Odah H.H. , Deebes H.A. 
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACTThe main outbuildings of the Amenemhat II pyramid complex in Dahsour were yet to be discovered due to a very long subjection of the area to the military authorities and also the demolition of the pyramid itself. We describe the discovery of some of these outbuildings using near‐surface magnetic investigations. A gradiometer survey was conducted in the area east of the pyramid to measure the vertical magnetic gradient with a high resolution instrument at 0.5 m sampling interval. The data showed some undesirable field effects such as grid discontinuities, grid slope, traverse stripe effects, spikes and high frequencies originating from recent ferrous contamination. These undesirable effects were addressed to produce an enhanced display. We have successfully detected four main structures in the area east of the pyramid; the causeway that connected the mortuary temple with the valley temple during the Middle Kingdom of the 12th Dynasty, the mortuary temple and its associated rooms, ruins of an ancient working area and an Egyptian‐style tomb structure called a Mastaba. An improved recognition for these structures was accomplished by using the analytic signal and Euler deconvolution techniques. Excavation of a small part within the study area has proven the reliability of magnetic discoveries and the shallowness and composition of the detected features.
Critical androgen‐sensitive periods of rat penis and clitoris development
Authors: Welsh Michelle , MacLeod David J. , Walker Marion , Smith Lee B. , Sharpe Richard M. 
Published: July 2009

SummaryAndrogen control of penis development/growth is unclear. In rats, androgen action in a foetal ‘masculinisation programming window’ (MPW; e15.5–e18.5)’ predetermines penile length and hypospadias occurrence. This has implications for humans (e.g. micropenis). Our studies aimed to establish in rats when androgen action/administration affects development/growth of the penis and if deficits in MPW androgen action were rescuable postnatally. Thus, pregnant rats were treated with flutamide during the MPW ± postnatal testosterone propionate (TP) treatment. To assess penile growth responsiveness, rats were treated with TP in various time windows (late foetal, neonatal through early puberty, puberty onset, or combinations thereof). Phallus length, weight, and morphology, hypospadias and anogenital distance (AGD) were measured in mid‐puberty (d25) or adulthood (d90) in males and females, plus serum testosterone in adult males. MPW flutamide exposure reduced adult penile length and induced hypospadias dose‐dependently; this was not rescued by postnatal TP treatment. In normal rats, foetal (e14.5–e21.5) TP exposure did not affect male penis size but increased female clitoral size. In males, TP exposure from postnatal d1–24 or at puberty (d15–24), increased penile length at d25, but not ultimately in adulthood. Foetal + postnatal TP (e14–postnatal d24) increased penile size at d25 but reduced it at d90 (due to reduced endogenous testosterone). In females, this treatment caused the biggest increase in adult clitoral size but, unlike in males, phallus size was unaffected by TP during puberty (d15–24). Postnatal TP treatment advanced penile histology at d25 to more resemble adult histology. AGD strongly correlated with final penis length. It is concluded that adult penile size depends critically on androgen action during the MPW but subsequent growth depends on later androgen exposure. Foetal and/or postnatal TP exposure does not increase adult penile size above its ‘predetermined’ length though its growth towards this maximum is advanced by peripubertal TP treatment.