bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Metabolic and genetic perturbations accompany the modification of galactomannan in seeds of Medicago truncatula expressing mannan synthase from guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.)
Authors: Naoumkina Marina , Vaghchhipawala Sanchita , Tang Yuhong , Ben Yuxing , Powell Ronald J. , Dixon Richard A. 
Published: April 2008

SummaryGalactomannan gums are widely used in the food and oil industries, and there is considerable interest in applying biotechnological approaches to improve their physical properties. A mannan synthase from guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) was expressed under the control of a bean β‐phaseolin promoter in transgenic Medicago truncatula. Although the expression of exogenous mannan synthase caused a slight decrease in galactomannan levels in Medicago, the molecular weight and viscosity of the polymer were significantly increased, although the mannose to galactose ratio and degree of polydispersity remained unchanged. At the same time, expression of about 2.8% of the genes was altered significantly in the seeds of transgenic Medicago lines analysed by Affymetrix genome chip, with a particularly striking induction of putative trehalose phosphate synthase genes. Mannan synthase expression also caused large alterations in the levels of a number of sugars and sugar alcohols, suggesting that over‐expression of a processive glycosyltransferase perturbs the mechanisms of sugar sensing and/or homeostasis, possibly involving signalling via trehalose‐6‐phosphate.
PROCREATIVE REASONS‐RELEVANCE: ON THE MORAL SIGNIFICANCE OF WHY WE HAVE CHILDREN
Authors: LOTZ MIANNA 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACTAdvances in reproductive technologies – in particular in genetic screening and selection – have occasioned renewed interest in the moral justifiability of the reasons that motivate the decision to have a child. The capacity to select for desired blood and tissue compatibilities has led to the much discussed ‘saviour sibling’ cases in which parents seek to ‘have one child to save another’. Heightened interest in procreative reasons is to be welcomed, since it prompts a more general philosophical interrogation of the grounds for moral appraisal of reasons‐to‐parent, and of the extent to which such reasons are relevant to the moral assessment of procreation itself. I start by rejecting the idea that we can use a distinction between ‘other‐regarding’ and ‘future‐child‐regarding’ reasons as a basis on which to distinguish good from bad procreative reasons. I then offer and evaluate three potential grounds for elucidating and establishing a relationship between procreative motivation and the rightness/wrongness of procreative conduct: the predictiveness, the verdictiveness, and the expressiveness of procreative reasons.
Developing communities of practice within and outside higher education institutions
Authors: Hodgkinson‐Williams Cheryl , Slay Hannah , Siebörger Ingrid 
Published: April 2008

AbstractHigher education institutions (HEIs) are largely built on the assumption that learning is an individual process best encouraged by explicit teaching that is, on the whole, separated from social engagement with those outside the university community. This perspective has been theoretically challenged by those who argue for a social constructivist learning theory and a more collaborative approach to learning. Information and communication technologies (ICTs) afford lecturers and students an opportunity for extending the boundaries of a learning experience, not merely beyond the lone individual, but beyond the limits of discipline boundaries within a specific university community and beyond the institution into the local community. This paper illustrates how a collaborative effort between lecturers and students from the Computer Science and Education Departments at Rhodes University, teachers from the local community, the provincial Department of Education and a non‐governmental organisation developed into an unfolding virtual and physical community of practice which enabled ICT take‐up in a number of schools in the Grahamstown District, South Africa. This discussion of what has become known as the e‐Yethu project provides an example of how ICTs, underpinned by the insights of social constructivism, the notion of ‘community of practice’ and in particular Hoadley and Kilner's C4P Framework for Communities of Practice, can serve to help HEIs understand ways in which ICTs can provide opportunities for developing collaborative learning within HEIs, and between the HEI and the local community.
Can International Factor Mobility Reduce Wage Inequality in a Dual Economy?*
Authors: Beladi Hamid , Chaudhuri Sarbajit , Yabuuchi Shigemi 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThis paper analyzes the consequences of international factor movements on the skilled–unskilled wage inequality in a dual‐economy set‐up that includes unemployment and three intersectorally mobile factors of production—unskilled labor, skilled labor, and capital. Thus far, theoretical literature on this subject has adopted the full‐employment framework and hence ignored the problem of unemployment. The analysis in this paper reveals that the results crucially depend on the difference in the intersectoral factor intensities between skilled labor and capital. In particular, it demonstrates the existence of a possibility of deterioration in wage inequality following foreign unskilled‐labor inflow.
Economic Integration, Process and Product Innovation, and Relative Skill Demand
Authors: Braun Sebastian 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe interaction between economic integration, product and process innovation, and relative skill demand is analyzed in a model of international oligopoly. Lower trading barriers increase the degree of foreign competition. The competing enterprises respond by investing more aggressively in lowering marginal costs of production. Moreover, firms reduce the substitutability of their products through additional investment in product innovation. The paper also shows that the relative demand for skilled workers may increase as a result.
A new perspective on Darwin’s Pangenesis
Authors: Liu Yongsheng 
Published: April 2008

AbstractIn 1868 Charles Darwin proposed Pangenesis, a developmental theory of heredity. He suggested that all cells in an organism are capable of shedding minute particles he called gemmules, which are able to circulate throughout the body and finally congregate in the gonads. These particles are then transmitted to the next generation and are responsible for the transmission of characteristics from parent to offspring. If any cells of the parent undergo changes as a result of environmental change, they will consequently transmit modified gemmules to their offspring. Soon after Darwin’s pangenetic theory was published, Francis Galton designed a series of blood transfusion experiments on differently pigmented rabbits to test its validity. He found no evidence in support of the existence of Darwin’s gemmules and the concept of Pangenesis was largely abandoned. In this article, recent reports of successful induction of heritable changes by blood transfusion are reviewed. Detection of circulating nucleic acids and prions in plant sap and animal blood is considered as fresh evidence for the existence of gemmules. It is now apparent that a considerable revision of views on Darwin’s Pangenesis must occur before a new comprehensive genetic theory can be achieved.
Visualizing the lateral somitic frontier in the Prx1Cre transgenic mouse
Authors: Durland J. Logan , Sferlazzo Matteo , Logan Malcolm , Burke Ann Campbell 
Published: April 2008

AbstractChanges in the organization of the musculoskeletal system have accounted for many evolutionary adaptations in the vertebrate body plan. The musculoskeletal system develops from two mesodermal populations: somitic mesoderm gives rise to the axial skeleton and all of the skeletal muscle of the body, and lateral plate mesoderm gives rise to the appendicular skeleton. The recognition of embryonic domains resulting from the dynamics of morphogenesis has inspired new terminology based on developmental criteria. Two mesodermal domains are defined, primaxial and abaxial. The primaxial domain includes musculoskeletal structures comprising just somitic cells. The abaxial domain contains somitic myoblasts in connective tissue derived from lateral plate mesoderm, as well as lateral plate‐derived skeletal structures. The boundary between these two domains is the lateral somitic frontier. Recent studies have described the developmental relationship between these two domains in the chick. In the present study, we describe the labelling pattern in the body of the Prx1/Cre/Z/AP compound transgenic mouse. The enhancer employed in this transgenic leads to reporter expression in the postcranial, somatic lateral plate mesoderm. The boundary between labelled and unlabelled cell populations is described at embryonic day (E)13.5 and E15.5. We argue that the distribution of labelled cells is consistent with the somatic lateral plate lineage, and therefore provides an estimate of the position of the lateral somitic frontier. The role of the frontier in both development and evolution is discussed.
The pedagogical genealogy of Terrance J. Beveridge – A legacy of bonds
Authors: LOWER S. K 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACTTerrance J. Beveridge (TJB) was a professor at the University of Guelph for nearly three decades. He died on September 10, 2007. TJB was a pioneer who pushed the frontier of microbiology and bacteriology. His legacy includes 22 postdoctoral scholars and 24 graduate students. His two dozen graduate student progeny have, in turn, mentored at least 52 additional graduate students. This paper presents TJB's pedagogical tree and touches on many of the topics that he studied during his life including: bacteria cell surfaces, biomineralization, biofilms, and geomicrobiology.
Professionalism and psychiatry: the profession speaks
Authors: Bhugra D. 
Published: April 2008

Objective:  Recently in the USA and the UK, the medical profession as a whole and psychiatry in particular have felt ‘deprofessionalised’. This study aimed to explore ideas about professionalism and the threat of deprofessionalisation from psychiatrists themselves.Method:  Attendees at three meetings related to the activities of the Royal College of Psychiatrists were invited to respond to a short questionnaire. These were meetings on different days and different people attended these. The questionnaire had only five simple questions. In two meetings, all attendees answered and in the third meeting only two of 20 attendees did so.Results:  Seventy‐three completed questionnaires were received. Of these, a vast majority, 89% of 66, believed that professionalism is important in modern day clinical practice; key threats to professionalism are the government, the media and other specialties and disciplines. There was broad agreement that the Royal College of Psychiatrists should lead and define professionalism.Conclusion:  The ownership of professionalism by the professionals themselves is the most important factor; ethics, standards, attitudes and skills are seen as significant components of professionalism and should be taught early to trainees.
Task division between dentists and dental hygienists in Norway
Authors: Abelsen Birgit , Olsen Jan A. 
Published: April 2008

Abstract –  Objective:  The aim of the study was to investigate the attitudes among dentists and dental hygienists to the policy objective in Norway of delegating more dental work from dentists to dental hygienists.Method:  A questionnaire was mailed to a random sample of 1111 dentists and 268 dental hygienists in 2005. The response rates were 45% (504) among the dentists and 42% (112) among the dental hygienists. The survey sought to explore any discrepancies between current and preferred mix of different work tasks, as well as attitudes to the idea of substituting dentists with dental hygienists for certain work tasks. Logistic regression was used to analyse how answers differed by respondent characteristics.Results:  Dentists spent only half of their total working hours on complex dental services, i.e. tasks that only dentists are skilled to undertake. Nearly 40% of their time was spent on tasks that dental hygienists are qualified to perform; examinations, screening and basic treatments. Still, the mix of work tasks that dentists preferred would involve slight changes: on average only 2% points more complex treatment and 3–4% points less of those tasks that dental hygienists are permitted to provide. Seemingly contrary, as many as 60% of dentists answered that it was ‘desirable to delegate’ more tasks to dental hygienist. However, only 21% of the dentists agreed that dental hygienists should be the entry point for dental services. Dental hygienists would prefer to do relatively more basic treatments and fewer examinations and screening, and the vast majority among them supported the idea that they could be the entry point for dental services.Conclusion:  The results suggest that there will not be major changes in the division of labour between dentists and dental hygienists in Norway, if dentists are to be held responsible for taking such initiatives. Although dentists agree that more of their current work could– in principle – be delegated to dental hygienists, they do not prefer to reduce much of their own current activity of those work tasks that dental hygienists are qualified to perform.
Insulin‐like growth factor binding proteins: a proposed superfamily
Authors: Hwa V , Oh Y , Rosenfeld RG 
Published: April 2008

Hwa V, Oh Y, Rosenfeld RG. Insulin‐like growth factor binding proteins: a proposed superfamily. Acta Pzdiatr 1999; Suppl 428:37‐45. Stockholm. ISSN 0803‐5326The conventional concept is that the insulin‐like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs) are cysteine‐rich proteins, with conserved N‐ and C‐domains, that are capable of binding insulin‐like growth factors (IGFs) with high affinity. This dogma was recently challenged by the discovery of a group of cysteine‐rich proteins that share important structural similarities with the IGFBPs, but have demonstrably lower affinity for IGFs. It is therefore proposed that these IGFBP‐related proteins (IGFBP‐rPs) and the IGFBPs constitute an IGFBP superfamily. We speculate that the IGFBP superfamily is derived from an ancestral gene/protein that was critically involved in the regulation of cell growth and was capable of binding IGF peptides. Over the course of evolution, some members (IGFBPs) evolved into high‐affinity IGF binders and others (IGFBP‐rPs) into low‐affinity IGF binders, thereby conferring on the IGFBP superfamily the ability to influence cell growth by both IGF‐dependent and IGF‐independent means. 0 Insulin‐like growth factor binding protein, insulin‐like growth factor binding protein‐related protein, superfamily
Insulin resistance in short children with intrauterine growth retardation
Authors: Chiarelli F , Ricco L di , Mohn A , Martino M De , Verrotti A 
Published: April 2008

Chiarelli F, di Ricco L, Mohn A, De Martino M, Verrotti A. Insulin resistance in short children with intrauterine growth retardation. Acta Pædiatr 1999; Suppl 428: 62–5. Stockholm. ISSN 0803–5326Scientific evidence is accumulating for an association between intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and an increased risk of developing adult degenerative diseases, such as essential hypertension, non‐insulin‐dependent diabetes mellitus and ischaemic heart disease. A possible underlying mechanism for these conditions is insulin resistance. In this paper, mechanisms and methods of measurement of insulin resistance are briefly reviewed, and recent studies on the evaluation of insulin resistance in short children with IUGR are summarized. In our experience, short prepubertal children with IUGR show consistent insulin resistance, which becomes particularly evident during pubertal development. □Intrauterine growth retardation, insulin resistance, short children
Evidence for an association between birth weight and blood pressure
Authors: Hindmarsh PC , Brook CGD 
Published: April 2008

Hindmarsh PC, Brook CGD. Evidence for an association between birth weight and blood pressure. Acta Pædiatr 1999; Suppl 428: 66–9. Stockholm. ISSN 0803–5326Evidence is presented to support the concept that there is an association between birth weight and blood pressure in humans. This relationship probably reflects an interaction between the genetic make‐up of the individual and the environment. On average, a decrease in birth weight is associated with a rise in blood pressure in adult life. □Birth weight, blood pressure, fetal growth, hypertension
Final height of growth hormone‐treated patients with growth hormone deficiency: the North American experience
Authors: Hintz RL 
Published: April 2008

Hintz RL. Final height of growth hormone‐treated patients with growth hormone deficiency: the North American experience. Acta Pædiatr 1999; Suppl 428: 70–1. Stockholm. ISSN 0803–5326The results of treatment of growth hormone (GH)‐deficient patients with recombinant GH are better than the results of treatment with pituitary GH. The reasons for this improvement include higher dosages, more consistent treatment, and daily administration. Under ideal circumstances, final height in patients with GH deficiency (GHD) can be within the normal range for adult height with GH treatment, and brought close to their target height. To achieve this result, it is important to diagnose and treat GHD early, use adequate doses of GH, and continue treatment until final height. □Growth hormone, growth hormone deficiency, final height
High‐dose growth hormone (GH) treatment in prepubertal GH‐deficient children
Authors: Yokoya S , Araki K , Igarashi Y , Kohno H , Nishi Y , Hasegawa Y , Fujita K , Iwatani N , Tachibana K , Ohyama Y , Seino Y , Satoh M , Fujieda K , Tanaka T 
Published: April 2008

Yokoya S, Araki K, Igarashi Y, Kohno H, Nishi Y, Hasegawa Y, Fujita K, Iwatani N, Tachibana K, Ohyama Y, Seino Y, Satoh M, Fujieda K, Tanaka T. High‐dose growth hormone (GH) treatment in prepubertal GH‐deficient children. Acta Pædiatr 1999; Suppl 428: 76–9. Stockholm. ISSN 0803–5326Two clinical studies were conducted to determine the effect of different doses of growth hormone (GH) on prepubertal growth in GH‐deficient boys. In one study, GH doses of 1.0 and 1.5 IU/kg/week (0.33 and 0.5 mg/kg/week) were given to groups of five children and compared with a conventional Japanese dose of 0.5 IU/kg/week (0.17 mg/kg/week) in 15 children. A significant dose‐dependent increase in height velocity occurred in the first year of treatment, but differences between doses were not significant thereafter. In a second study, GH was administered to ten boys at a dose of 0.5 IU/kg/week for the first year, 0.75 IU/kg/week for the second year, 1.0 IU/kg/week for the third year and 0.5 IU/kg/week for the fourth and subsequent years (0.17, 0.25, 0.33 and 0.17 mg/kg/week, respectively). During the second and third years of GH treatment, these boys had significantly higher growth rates than controls, who were given GH at 0.5 IU/kg/week (0.17 mg/kg/week) throughout, indicating successful reduction in‘waning’of the treatment effect. At the end of the fourth year, the different protocols from the two studies had both resulted in a greater height SDS than the controls, and did not advance bone maturation. In conclusion, these protocols may be effective in increasing prepubertal height gain in children with GH deficiency. □Growth hormone, growth hormone deficiency, high dose
Can growth hormone counteract the effects of glucocorticoids on protein metabolism?
Authors: Beaufrère B 
Published: April 2008

Beaufrère B. Can growth hormone counteract the effects of glucocorticoids on protein metabolism? Acta Pædiatr 1999; Suppl 428: 97–9. Stockholm. ISSN 0803–5326The size of the body's protein pool depends on the equilibrium between protein synthesis and breakdown. Glucocorticoids, the most potent catabolic hormones, act primarily by increasing protein breakdown, both in muscle and at the whole‐body level. Growth hormone (GH) counteracts the catabolic effects of glucocorticoids by stimulating protein synthesis. Part of its effects are mediated via insulin‐like growth factor I (IGF‐I). The effects of combined GH‐IGF‐I treatment are discussed. □Glucocorticoids, growth hormone, insulin, insulin‐like growth factor I, protein breakdown, protein synthesis
Methodological considerations in the assessment of health‐related quality of life in children
Authors: Erling A 
Published: April 2008

Erling A. Methodological considerations in the assessment of health‐related quality of life in children. Acta Pædiatr 1999; Suppl 428: 106–7. Stockholm. ISSN 0803–5326Health‐related quality of life (HRQL) can be described as the psychological and social aspects of a patient's health, and as the patient's view of his or her condition and its treatment. Doctors, parents and children have different views of a child's HRQL. This is not because one has the right perception and the others are wrong, but because they see different aspects of the child's HRQL. Only the children themselves can provide a subjective perception of their HRQL. The practical and conceptual considerations required when assessing children's HRQL are discussed. □Children, health‐related quality of life
Peer relationships and quality of life
Authors: Bukowski WM , Sandberg D 
Published: April 2008

Bukowski WM, Sandberg D. Peer relationships and quality of life. Acta Pædiatr 1999; Suppl 428: 108–9. Stockholm. ISSN 0803–5326Measures of peer relationships during childhood have been shown to be reliable predictors of several indicators of functioning during adulthood. Within each of these areas of functioning, children who have troubled peer relationships are more likely to show signs of distress than are other children. In addition, experiences with peers appear to provide a context for the development of many fundamental human capacities (e.g., moral judgement, conflict resolution skills, emotional regulation, etc.). Three interrelated levels of analysis can be used to assess a child's experiences with peers: the level of the individual (i.e., what the child is like); the level of the dyad (e.g., experiences with friends); and the level of the group (e.g., experiences with the set of individuals with whom the child typically associates). By determining a child's functioning at these three levels of analysis (using assessments from teachers, parents, and peers), it is possible to obtain a good assessment of a central portion of the quality of a child's life. Such measures have been used to assess the quality of life of children across the height spectrum and preliminary findings show that the peer experiences of children who are substantially shorter than their peers are remarkably similar to those of other children. □Behavioural development, Paediatric development, peer experience, quality of life