bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nestin‐positive cells in the spinal cord: a potential source of neural stem cells
Authors: Xu Renshi , Wu Chengsi , Tao Yuhui , Yi Juan , Yang Yunzhu , Zhang Xiong , Liu Rugao 
Published: June 2008

AbstractSome literatures have reported neural precursor cells (NPCs) exist in spinal cord of adult mammal, however, the NPCs distribution feature in spinal cord of adult mice so far is not described in detail. In order to observe and compare the distribution feature of NPCs in various spinal cord regions of adult mice, to research a potential source of neural stem cells (NSCs), we obtained NPCs distribution feature by analyzing the distribution of the nestin‐containing cells (NCCs) in spinal cord of adult nestin second‐intron enhancer controlled LacZ reporter transgenic mice (pNes‐Tg) with LacZ staining and positive cell quantification. The results showed that: NCCs were observed in various regions of spinal cord of adult mice, but amount of NCCs was different in distinct region, the rank order of NCCs amount in various spinal cord regions was dorsal horn region greater than central canal greater than the ventral and lateral horn. NCCs in dorsal horn region mainly distributed in substantia gelatinosa, NCCs in central canal mainly distributed in ependymal zone, on the contrary, NCCs in ventral, lateral horn, medullae, nucleus regions of spinal cord were comparatively less. The rank order of NCCs amount in various spinal cord segments was cervical segment greater than lumbar sacral segment greater than thoracic segment. There was no significantly difference between NCCs amount in the left and right sides, and within cervical 1–7, thoracic 1–12, lumbar 1–5, sacral segment of spinal cord in adult mice. These data collectively indicate that NPCs extensively distribute in various regions of spinal cord of adult mice, especially in substantia gelatinosa and ependymal zone. NPCs in cervical segment are abundant, NPCs in thoracic segment are the least while compared the different spinal cord segment, the NPCs in various regions of spinal cord of adult mice are a potential source of NSCs.
Impact of type 2 diabetes on manifestations and treatment outcome of pulmonary tuberculosis
Authors: WANG C. S. , YANG C. J. , CHEN H. C. , CHUANG S. H. , CHONG I. W. , HWANG J. J. , HUANG M. S. 
Published: June 2008

SUMMARYDiabetes mellitus (DM) is a known risk factor for pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). This study aimed to determine if type 2 DM alters manifestations and treatment outcome of PTB. Records of 217 consecutive culture-proven PTB patients were analysed retrospectively. The manifestations and treatment outcomes of 74 patients with type 2 DM (PTB-DM group) were compared to 143 patients without DM (PTB group). PTB-DM patients showed higher frequencies of fever, haemoptysis, positive acid-fast bacilli sputum smears, and consolidation, cavity, and lower lung field lesions on chest radiographs, and higher mortality rate. Furthermore, type 2 DM, age ⩾65 years, and extensive radiographic disease were factors independently associated with an unfavorable outcome. This study confirmed that clinical manifestations and chest radiographs of PTB patients associated with type 2 DM significantly depart from the typical presentation. Type 2 DM seems to have a negative effect on treatment outcome of PTB.
A multi-state outbreak of Salmonella Saintpaul in Australia associated with cantaloupe consumption
Authors: MUNNOCH S. A. , WARD K. , SHERIDAN S. , FITZSIMMONS G. J. , SHADBOLT C. T. , PIISPANEN J. P. , WANG Q. , WARD T. J. , WORGAN T. L. M. , OXENFORD C. , MUSTO J. A. , McANULTY J. , DURRHEIM D. N. 
Published: June 2008

SUMMARYA multi-state outbreak of Salmonella enterica serovar Saintpaul infection occurred in Australia during October 2006. A case-control study conducted in three affected jurisdictions, New South Wales, Victoria and Australian Capital Territory, included 36 cases with the outbreak-specific strain of S. Saintpaul identified by multiple locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) in a faecal specimen and 106 controls. Consumption of cantaloupe (rockmelon) was strongly associated with illness (adjusted OR 23·9 95%, 95% CI 5·1–112·4). S. Saintpaul, with the outbreak MLVA profile, was detected on the skin of two cantaloupes obtained from an implicated retailer. Trace-back investigations did not identify the specific source of the outbreak strain of S. Saintpaul, but multiple Salmonella spp. were detected in environmental samples from farms and packing plants investigated during the trace-back operation. Cantaloupe production and processing practices pose a potential public health threat requiring regulatory and community educational interventions.
School randomised trial on prevention of excessive weight gain by discouraging students from drinking sodas
Authors: Sichieri Rosely , Paula Trotte Ana , de Souza Rita Adriana , Veiga Gloria V 
Published: June 2008

AbstractObjectiveTo determine whether an educational programme aimed at discouraging students from drinking sugar-sweetened beverages could prevent excessive weight gain.DesignForty-seven classes in twenty-two schools were randomised as intervention or control.SubjectsParticipants were 1140, 9–12-year-old fourth graders (435 in the intervention group and 608 in the control group). Sugar-sweetened beverages and juice intake were measured through one 24 h recall at baseline and another at the end of the trial. The main outcome was the change in BMI (BMI = weight (kg)/height (m2)), measured at the beginning and at the end of the school year. Intention-to-treat analysis was performed taking into account the cluster (classes) effect.ResultsA statistically significant decrease in the daily consumption of carbonated drinks in the intervention compared to control (mean difference = −56 ml; 95 % CI −119, −7 ml) was followed by a non-significant overall reduction in BMI, P = 0·33. However, among those students overweight at baseline, the intervention group showed greater BMI reduction (−0·4 kg/m2 compared with −0·2 kg/m2 in the control group (P = 0·11)), and this difference was statistically significant among girls (P = 0·009). Fruit juice consumption was slightly increased in the intervention group (P = 0·08), but not among girls.ConclusionDecreasing sugar-sweetened beverages intake significantly reduced BMI among overweight children, and mainly among girls. Efforts to reduce energy intake through liquids need to emphasise overall sweetened beverages and addition of sugar on juices.
Transcription of the chickenGrin1gene is regulated by the activity of SP3 and NRSF in undifferentiated cells and neurons
Authors: Moreno-González Gabriel , López-Colomé Ana María , Rodríguez Gabriela , Zarain-Herzberg Angel 
Published: June 2008

The NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptors are important in the regulation of neuronal development, synaptic plasticity, learning and memory, and are involved in several brain pathologies. The NR1 subunit is essential for the assembly of functional receptors, as it forms the calcium-permeable ion channel and contains the obligatory co-agonist binding site. Previous studies have shown that NR1 gene (Grin1) expression is up-regulated during neuronal differentiation and its expression is widespread in the central nervous system. We have previously cloned the chicken Grin1 gene and 1.9 kb of the 5′-regulatory region. In the present study, we analysed the molecular mechanisms that regulate chicken Grin1 gene transcription in undifferentiated cells and neurons. By functional analysis of chicken Grin1–luciferase gene 5′-regulatory region constructs, we demonstrate that the basal promoter is delimited within 210 bp upstream from the main transcription initiation site. DNA–protein binding and functional assays revealed that the 5′-UTR (untranslated region) has one consensus NRSE (neuron-restrictive silencing element) that binds NRSF (neuron-restrictive silencing factor), and one SP (stimulating protein transcription factor) element that binds SP3, both repressing Grin1 gene transcription in undifferentiated P19 cells (embryonic terato-carcinoma cells) and PC12 cells (phaeochromocytoma cells). The promoter region lacks a consensus TATA box, but contains one GSG/SP (GSG-like box near a SP-consensus site) that binds SP3 and up-regulates gene transcription in embryonic chicken cortical neurons. Taken together, these results demonstrate a dual role of SP3 in regulating the expression of the Grin1 gene, by repressing transcription in the 5′-UTR in undifferentiated cells as well as acting as a transcription factor, increasing Grin1 gene transcription in neurons.
Individual differences in coping with criticism of one's physical appearance among Taiwanese students
Authors: Lu Luo , Kao Shu‐Fang , Chang Ting‐Ting , Lee Ya‐Wen 
Published: June 2008

When someone is criticized for some failure or deficiency, he or she is faced with a dilemma about whether or how to respond. To date, most research on responses to criticism has adopted a communication approach and has focused on general social complaints. The present study instead adopted the perspective of stress and coping and aimed to delineate possible responses to criticism pertaining to one's physical appearance. We investigated the efficacy of three coping styles, namely acceptance, avoidance, and retaliation in explaining emotional reactions towards such criticism, and we additionally controlled for personality characteristics, in particular assertion and harmony beliefs. A sample of Taiwanese university students (N = 300) was surveyed for their coping styles and psychological outcomes, and personality traits were examined as possible predictors of response options. We found that (1) acceptance, retaliation, and avoidance were three broad coping styles in this problematic social situation; (2) the individual trait of assertion was negatively related to the use of avoidance, while harmony beliefs were positively related to acceptance and avoidance, but negatively related to retaliation; and (3) the use of acceptance and avoidance were positively related to positive emotions, whereas retaliation was positively related to negative emotions. Males tended to use more acceptance. Implications of these findings were discussed in relation to existing studies of communication, stress and coping. Possible influences of the Chinese collectivist culture on people's responses to criticism were also delineated, such as valuing interpersonal harmony and face‐work in social situations.
KATP‐mediated Vasodilation is Impaired in Obese Zucker Rats
Authors: HODNETT BENJAMIN L. , XIANG LUSHA , DEARMAN JENNIFER A. , CARTER CORY B. , HESTER ROBERT L. 
Published: June 2008

ABSTRACTObjective: Skeletal muscle blood flow during exercise is impaired in obesity. We tested the hypothesis that the attenuated vasodilation in skeletal muscle arterioles of obese Zucker rats (OZR) is due to altered KATP channel‐mediated vasodilation.Materials and Methods: KATP channel function was determined in isolated skeletal muscle arterioles in response to the KATP opener cromakalim (0.1–10 μ M) during normal myogenic tone and α ‐adrenergic‐mediated tone (0.1 μ M phenylephrine). The spinotrapezius muscle was prepared and the vasodilatory responses to muscle stimulation or iloprost (0.028–2.8 μ M) were observed before and after the application of the KATP inhibitor, glibenclamide (10 μ M). Channel subunit expression was determined by using western blot analyses.Results: Cromakalim concentration‐response curves were shifted in OZR as compared to lean controls. OZR exhibited impaired functional and iloprost‐induced vasodilation as compared to the lean controls. Glibenclamide inhibited the functional and iloprost‐induced dilation in the lean rats with no effects in the obese animals. Channel subunit expression was similar in femoral arteries.Conclusion:The impaired functional vasodilation in the OZR is associated with altered KATP channel sensitivity.
Connexin Isoform Expression in Smooth Muscle Cells and Endothelial Cells of Hamster Cheek Pouch Arterioles and Retractor Feed Arteries
Authors: HAKIM CHADY H. , JACKSON WILLIAM F. , SEGAL STEVEN S. 
Published: June 2008

ABSTRACTObjective: Gap junction channels formed by connexin (Cx) protein subunits enable cell‐to‐cell conduction of vasoactive signals. Given the lack of quantitative measurements of Cx expression in microvascular endothelial cells (EC) and smooth muscle cells (SMC), the objective was to determine whether Cx expression differed between EC and SMC of resistance microvessels for which conduction is well‐characterized.Methods: Cheek pouch arterioles (CPA) and retractor feed arteries (RFA) were hand‐dissected and dissociated to obtain SMC or endothelial tubes. In complementary experiments, small intestine was dissociated to obtain SMC. Following reverse transcription, quantitative Real‐Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT‐PCR) was performed by using specific primers and fluorescent probes for Cx37, Cx40, and Cx43. Smooth muscle α‐actin (SMAA) and platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule‐1 (PECAM‐1) served as respective reference genes.Results: Transcript copy numbers were similar for each Cx isoform in EC from CPA and RFA (∼0.5 Cx/PECAM‐1). For SMC, Cx43 transcript in CPA and RFA (<0.1 Cx/SMAA) was less (p < 0.05) than that in small intestine (∼0.4 Cx/SMAA). Transcripts for Cx37 and Cx40 were also detected in SMC. Punctate immunolabeling for each Cx isoform was pronounced at EC borders and that for Cx43 was pronounced in SMC of small intestine. In contrast, Cx immunolabeling was not detected in SMC of CPA or RFA.Conclusions: Connexin expression occurs primarily within the endothelium of arterioles and feed arteries, supporting a highly effective pathway for conducting vasoactive signals along resistance networks. The apparent paucity of Cx expression within SMC underscores discrete homocellular coupling and focal localization of myoendothelial gap junctions.
The Lophius budegassa component of monkfish catches in Scottish waters
Authors: Laurenson Chevonne H. , Dobby Helen , McLay H. Anne 
Published: June 2008

Abstract
Laurenson, C. H., Dobby, H., and McLay, H. A. 2008. The Lophius budegassa component of monkfish catches in Scottish waters. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 65: 1346–1349. To date, research efforts on Lophius species in waters around Scotland (ICES Divisions IVa, VIa, and VIb) have focused almost exclusively on Lophius piscatorius. Here, the characteristics and distribution of the Lophius budegassa component of the catch are described using data collected by observers during commercial fishing trips and scientific surveys on chartered commercial fishing vessels between 1998 and 2006. At Rockall Bank (VIb), L. budegassa were rare, just 0.1% of the catch of Lophius spp., whereas west of Scotland (VIa) and around the Shetland Islands (IVa), they made up 18 and 2% of catches, respectively, with greatest prevalence towards the shelf edge. Fish length ranged from 16 to 89 cm with a modal length at 40 cm. Greater proportions of large individuals were recorded around the Shetland Islands than in other parts of the study area. Overall, the sex ratio was 1:1, and lengths at 50% maturity were estimated to be 70.4 cm for females and 49.4 cm for males.
Both Subunits of the Circadian RNA-Binding Protein CHLAMY1 Can Integrate Temperature Information
Authors: Voytsekh Olga , Seitz Stefanie B. , Iliev Dobromir , Mittag Maria 
Published: June 2008

AbstractThe circadian RNA-binding protein CHLAMY1 from the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii consists of two subunits named C1 and C3. Changes in the C1 level cause arrhythmicity of the phototaxis rhythm, while alterations in the level of C3 lead to acrophase shifts. Thus, CHLAMY1 is involved in maintaining period and phase of the circadian clock. Here, we analyzed the roles of the two subunits in the integration of temperature information, the basis for other key properties of circadian clocks, including entrainment by temperature cycles and temperature compensation. Applied temperatures (18°C and 28°C) were in the physiological range of C. reinhardtii. While C1 is hyperphosphorylated at low temperature, the C3 expression level is up-regulated at 18°C. An inhibitor experiment showed that this up-regulation occurs at the transcriptional level. Promoter analysis studies along with single promoter element mutations revealed that individual replacement of two DREB1A-boxes lowered the amplitude of c3 up-regulation at 18°C, while replacement of an E-box abolished it completely. Replacement of the E-box also caused arrhythmicity of circadian-controlled c3 expression. Thus, the E-box has a dual function for temperature-dependent up-regulation of c3 as well as for its circadian expression. We also found that the temperature-dependent regulation of C1 and C3 as well as temperature entrainment are altered in the clock mutant per1, indicating that a temperature-controlled network of C1, C3, and PER1 exists.
Glycerol-3-Phosphate Levels Are Associated with Basal Resistance to the Hemibiotrophic Fungus Colletotrichum higginsianum in Arabidopsis
Authors: Chanda Bidisha , Venugopal Srivathsa C. , Kulshrestha Saurabh , Navarre Duroy A. , Downie Bruce , Vaillancourt Lisa , Kachroo Aardra , Kachroo Pradeep 
Published: June 2008

Abstract
Glycerol-3-phosphate (G3P) is an important component of carbohydrate and lipid metabolic processes. In this article, we provide evidence that G3P levels in plants are associated with defense to a hemibiotrophic fungal pathogen Colletotrichum higginsianum. Inoculation of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) with C. higginsianum was correlated with an increase in G3P levels and a concomitant decrease in glycerol levels in the host. Plants impaired in utilization of plastidial G3P (act1) accumulated elevated levels of pathogen-induced G3P and displayed enhanced resistance. Furthermore, overexpression of the host GLY1 gene, which encodes a G3P dehydrogenase (G3Pdh), conferred enhanced resistance. In contrast, the gly1 mutant accumulated reduced levels of G3P after pathogen inoculation and showed enhanced susceptibility to C. higginsianum. Unlike gly1, a mutation in a cytosolic isoform of G3Pdh did not alter basal resistance to C. higginsianum. Furthermore, act1 gly1 double-mutant plants were as susceptible as the gly1 plants. Increased resistance or susceptibility of act1 and gly1 plants to C. higginsianum, respectively, was not due to effects of these mutations on salicylic acid- or ethylene-mediated defense pathways. The act1 mutation restored a wild-type-like response in camalexin-deficient pad3 plants, which were hypersusceptible to C. higginsianum. These data suggest that G3P-associated resistance to C. higginsianum occurs independently or downstream of the camalexin pathway. Together, these results suggest a novel and specific link between G3P metabolism and plant defense.
Factors affecting the intentions of customers in Malaysia to use mobile phone credit cards
Authors: Amin Hanudin 
Published: June 2008

PurposeMobile phones have provided an opportunity for banking institutions to introduce new services to the public. The latest service, which is now available in Malaysian banking institutions, is the mobile phone credit card. The purpose of this paper is to provide a preliminary investigation of the factors that determine whether Malaysia's bank customers will use the new mobile phone credit card technology.Design/methodology/approachThis paper extends the applicability of the technology acceptance model (TAM) to mobile phone credit cards and includes “perceived credibility (PC)”, the “amount of information about mobile phone credit cards (AIMCs)” and “perceived expressiveness (PE)”, in addition to “perceived usefulness (PU)” and “perceived ease of use (PEOU)”.FindingsThe results indicate that PU, PEOU, PC and the amount of information contained on mobile phone credit cards are important determinants to predicting the intentions of Malaysian customers to use mobile phone credit cards. However, PE is not an important determinant in predicting the intentions of Malaysian customers to use mobile phone credit cards.Research limitations/implicationsThe study conducted in Eastern Malaysia contains a small size of sample and a limited number of measures in the model developed for the study. Nevertheless, it provides new information about an emerging market and technology.Practical implicationsThe results will be primarily of benefit to the commercial banks in Malaysia since this study offers banking institutions an insight on the intentions of their customers to use mobile phone credit cards.Originality/valueThe study extends the understanding of TAM to newly emerging contexts such as the mobile phone credit card.
Challenges in building the capacity of human resource development in decentralized local governments
Authors: Antwi K.B. , Analoui F. 
Published: June 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore and try to understand the human side of public sector reform (PSR) in local government in Ghana in the context of the challenges facing human resource capacity building and development policies.Design/methodology/approachAdopting an exploratory case study design, the paper triangulates both secondary and primary sources of data. Primary data were generated from self‐completing questionnaire and interview schedule tools covering 105 local government employees selected from national, regional and district levels. Semi‐structured interviews also solicited views from 16 senior public officers and managers in nine public and quasi‐public organizations. These primary sources were complemented with relevant secondary documents from the organisations investigated.FindingsIt was found that Ghana's PSR has significantly influenced the strategic direction of human resource development policies of the decentralized local government service. Major challenges in human resource capacity manifest themselves as related to policy, task, skill and organisation issues and performance motivation.Practical implicationsAddressing the human resource capacity challenges has enormous strategic and financial resource implications for policy makers in transitional and developing economies, due to their over‐reliance on external donors for funding.Originality/valueUnlike previous studies, this paper did not explore HR capacity issues of elected officials; rather, it focused on the public servants (technocrats) implementing local political decisions. Of much value is that the results were derived from the experience of frontline local government staff, whose day‐to‐day inputs are critical for effective decentralization.
Pay referent comparison and pay level satisfaction
Authors: Shittu Ola 
Published: June 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine satisfaction level among food retail employees concerning their pay and to compare pay referent and pay level satisfaction of employees in supermarkets and discount stores in the UK.Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire was used to gather data from a sample of 246 higher, middle level management and shop floor staff. The study selected ten leading retail organisations, five each from the supermarket and discount sectors. All had strong perceived image and quality, selling both national and own‐brands. All were located in London.FindingsThe study revealed that generally, UK retail employees are not satisfied with their pay. However, supermarket employees recorded higher levels of satisfaction compared with their counterparts in the discount stores.Research limitations/implicationsThe results are limited to the UK food retail sector and, therefore, should not be generalised or be regarded as an indication of the general reaction of the UK workers in this area of study.Practical implicationsThe UK grocery retailers may need to review their general approach to employee reward systems in order to induce pay level satisfaction among their employees.