bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Expression of pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory cytokines in relation to apoptotic genes in Egyptian liver disease patients associated with HCV‐genotype‐4
Authors: Zekri Abdel‐Rahman N , Bahnassy Abeer A , Abdel‐Wahab Sabrin A , Khafagy Medhat M , Loutfy Samah A , Radwan Hessam , Shaarawy Sabry M 
Published: November 2008

AbstractBackground:  Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common tumors worldwide strongly linked to hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. However, the exact pathogenetic mechanisms are still unclear.Methods:  We assessed the expression of apoptosis genes (GSK3‐B, AKT‐1, Bcl‐2), inflammatory cytokines (TNFα, TNF‐RI, TNF‐RII, IL‐6, IL‐6R), anti‐inflammatory IL‐10, CRP and αFP by reverse transcription—polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) in 33 HCC, 25 chronic hepatitis and 16 asymptomatic HCV carrier positive for HCV subjects. Also, pooled normal liver tissues and HepG2 cells were used as controls.Results:  Hepatocellular carcinoma and liver disease (LD) showed reduced expression of GSK‐3β, TNFα, TNF‐R I, TNF‐RII, IL‐10 and overexpression of IL‐6R and CRP with no significant difference between the two groups. AFP was expressed in HCC only (33%). AKT, BCL2 and IL‐6 showed normal, reduced and overexpression in studied patients with a significant difference between AFP, AKT overexpression (67% and 30%), BCL2 overexpression (49% and 10%) and reduced IL‐6 in between HCC and LD. The morphologically normal tissues adjacent to tumors showed aberrant expression of AKT, IL‐6, CRP, TNFα and TNFRI. A significant relation was observed between cirrhosis and GSK‐3β, AKT and IL‐6 (P = 0.0018, P = 0.018, P = 0.0001; respectively).Conclusions:  Aberrant expressions of AKT, GSK3‐B, and BCL2 are common events in HCV‐associated LD and HCC. AKT, GSK3‐B and IL‐6 are significantly associated with cirrhosis and could be used as biomarkers for both early detection and molecular target therapy for the prevention of HCC development. TNFRII, GSK3‐B and s‐AFP could be used as prognostic factors that can predict the clinical outcome of HCC patients.
Stress concentration factors of a general triaxial ellipsoidal cavity
Authors: CHIANG CHUN‐RON 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTThe equivalent inclusion method is applied to solve the stress concentration problem concerning the disturbing effect of a general triaxial ellipsoidal cavity on an otherwise uniform normal stress state. Several useful solutions in simple form for limiting cases are derived and numerical results for general cases are obtained. These findings show the general features of the stress concentration factors around the base equator of the cavity. It is found that (1) when Poisson's ratio of the material is zero, the stress concentration factor does not vary along the equator of the cavity; (2) When the aspect ratio c/b of the cavity is very small, the stress concentration factor is also constant along the equator; (3) In general, the variation of stress concentration factors around the equator is less than 0.17 regardless of Poisson's ratio of the material. Thus, it is concluded that the stress concentration factor may be treated as constant around the equator of an ellipsoidal cavity with only a slight error.
Feeding by short‐snouted weevils on seedlings of seven tree species planted beneath Norway spruce at differing stand densities
Authors: Löf M. , Welander N. T. 
Published: November 2008

Abstract1 Short‐snouted weevils, including Strophosoma spp. and related species, may damage tree seedlings. We investigated the damage caused by these weevils feeding on seedlings of seven tree species planted in clear‐cuts and under shelterwoods with three densities (control, dense, and sparse).2 There were no pronounced differences in damage caused by short‐snouted weevils in the various shelterwood densities. Most feeding occurred in the clear‐cuts during the first year, whereas more seedlings were damaged in the shelterwoods of all densities in the second year. In the third year, virtually no feeding occurred in either the clear‐cuts or shelterwoods. We cannot explain this pattern of damage, but a fallow period of 2 years seems to prevent short‐snouted weevil damage.3 We determined the general feeding preferences for short‐snouted weevils to be cherry, lime > beech, oak, spruce > maple, ash. However, although Strophosoma mellanogrammum [Correction added after online publication 8 December 2008: Strophosoma melanogrammum corrected to Strophosoma mellanogrammum] was observed feeding on seedlings, no full short‐snouted weevil inventory was conducted, so caution must be exercised when drawing conclusions from this study regarding weevil damage patterns and feeding preferences.4 Short‐snouted weevils can sometimes occur in large numbers and may destroy entire reforestation projects, but in our study their influence on seedling growth and survival was minor.
Recombinant aryl hydrocarbon receptors for bioassay of aryl hydrocarbon receptor ligands in transgenic tobacco plants
Authors: Kodama Susumu , Okada Kumiko , Akimoto Keiko , Inui Hideyuki , Ohkawa Hideo 
Published: November 2008

SummaryDioxin residues widely contaminate soil and agricultural products at low concentrations and may accumulate in organisms at the top of food chains owing to their physicochemical properties. In this study, we have developed novel, dioxin‐inducible, reporter gene expression systems regulated by recombinant aryl hydrocarbon receptors (AhRs). The recombinant AhRs, referred to as XDVs, consist of the DNA‐binding domain of the bacterial repressor protein LexA, a 90‐kDa heat shock protein‐ and ligand‐binding regulatory domain from mouse AhR, and the transactivation domain of herpes simplex virus regulatory protein VP16. Transgenic tobacco plants carrying XDVs absorb various AhR ligands, including 3‐methylcholanthrene, β‐naphthoflavone and indigo from solid medium and vermiculite, and show dose‐ and time‐dependent expression of theβ‐glucuronidasereporter gene. The results clearly suggest that XDVs are functional transcription factors that respond to AhR ligands, and that the XDV‐mediated reporter gene expression system is applicable to bioassays for dioxin residues in the environment.
BUREAUCRACIES REMEMBER, POST‐BUREAUCRATIC ORGANIZATIONS FORGET?
Authors: POLLITT CHRISTOPHER 
Published: November 2008

The paper examines the hypothesis that post‐bureaucratic forms of organization perform less well than traditional bureaucracies with respect both to organizational memory and learning from experience. First, the paper discusses the meanings of the main terms and concepts to be used in the argument, and delimits its domain. Second, it identifies a series of mechanisms that are likely to bring about memory loss. Third, it examines the empirical literature in search of evidence to confirm or disconfirm the existence and effects of these mechanisms. Fourth, it reflects on its own limitations. Finally, it sets out some broad conclusions concerning the state of organizational memories in the public sector. The aim is to develop new theory, identify relevant generative mechanisms, set this model alongside such evidence as is available, and suggest lines for further research.The new men of the Empire are the ones who believe in fresh starts, new chapters, clean pages; I struggle on with the old story, hoping that, before it is finished, it will reveal to me why it was that I thought it worth the trouble. (J. M. Coetzee,Waiting for the Barbarians, 1980, p. 26)
Luther and the Girls: Religious Denomination and the Female Education Gap in Nineteenth‐century Prussia*
Authors: Becker Sascha O. , Woessmann Ludger 
Published: November 2008

AbstractMartin Luther urged each town to have a girls' school so that girls would learn to read the Gospel, thereby evoking a surge of building girls' schools in Protestant areas. Using county‐ and town‐level data from the first Prussian census of 1816, we show that a larger share of Protestants decreased the gender gap in basic education. This result holds when using only the exogenous variation in Protestantism due to a county's or town's distance to Wittenberg, the birthplace of the Reformation. Similar results are found for the gender gap in literacy among the adult population in 1871.
Gender Differences in Educational Attainment: Evidence on the Role of Tracking from a Finnish Quasi‐experiment
Authors: Pekkarinen Tuomas 
Published: November 2008

AbstractIn this paper we study the relationship between the timing of tracking of pupils into vocational and academic secondary education and gender differences in educational attainment and income. It is argued that in a comprehensive system, where students are tracked into vocational and academic schools relatively late (age 15–16), girls are more likely to choose the academic track than boys. We exploit the Finnish comprehensive school reform of the 1970s to analyse this hypothesis. This changed the Finnish school system from a selective to a comprehensive structure and postponed tracking from the age of 10–11 to 15–16. Since the reform was not implemented at the same time throughout the country, we can observe members of the same cohorts under both systems. The shift to a comprehensive system was found to increase gender differences in the probability of choosing an academic secondary education and of continuing onto academic tertiary education. Moreover, the reform decreased the gender wage gap in adult income by four percentage points.
Inter‐agency Cooperation and New Approaches to Employability
Authors: Lindsay Colin , McQuaid Ronald W. , Dutton Matthew 
Published: November 2008

Abstract This article examines the role of inter‐agency cooperation, which is one form of ‘partnership’, in new approaches to employability in the UK. The article articulates a ‘model for effective partnership working’ on employability. This model is applied first in a general review of employability policy and then to discuss case study research on the recent ‘Pathways to Work’ and ‘Working Neighbourhoods’ pilots. It is argued that successful partnerships need a clear strategic focus based on a necessity for inter‐agency cooperation and institutional arrangements that allow for shared ownership, trust and mutualism, and flexibility in resource‐sharing. While some of these factors are apparent in UK employability services, an over‐reliance on contractualism and centralized organizational structures may undermine partnership‐based approaches. Many of the success factors associated with effective partnership working appeared to be in place, even though the role of the Public Employment Service was fundamentally different in each case (as a key actor in implementing the first pilot, but largely withdrawing from the implementation role in the second). The article concludes by outlining the relevance of this model and the case study findings to discussions of the future development of employability policies and related partnership working.
Social and Family Policies in Italy: Not Totally Frozen but Far from Structural Reforms
Authors: Naldini Manuela , Saraceno Chiara 
Published: November 2008

Abstract This article analyses the main shifts in the political and public discourse about families, children, elderly people, care needs and women‐friendly policies in Italy over the last two decades. It shows that while family and gender relationships have become an ideologically highly charged public issue, policies at the practical level have remained largely stagnant, marginal and fragmentary. At the same time, important institutional changes (such as the constitutional reform of 2001, which introduced a form of federalism) have created new problems of governance. The authors argue that in the face of inadequate policies, the recourse of individuals and families to old (family solidarity) and new (migrant labour) solutions may cause new tensions and inequalities.
Back to Work after Incapacity Benefit: Differences between Ethnic Minority and Native Dutch Workers
Authors: Snel Erik , Linder Frank 
Published: November 2008

Abstract Contemporary pleas for an activating welfare state and social security system emphasize that getting benefit claimants back to work is more important than providing income compensation for social risks connected with unemployment or illness. The Dutch system of incapacity benefits, however, is far removed from this normative ideal of a proactive social security system. Resumption of work after a spell of incapacity benefit is the exception rather than the rule. This article examines possible ethnic differences in resumption of work following incapacity benefit. We use a unique register data file from Statistics Netherlands that contains information about all incapacity benefit claimants in the Netherlands in 1999. In the analysis we follow these benefit claimants for three years and examine what their labour market position was in 2002. We find that resumption of work after incapacity benefit is even more the exception for migrant workers with a Turkish or Moroccan ethnic background. Contrary to our assumption, this difference from native Dutch workers cannot be explained by unfavourable personal characteristics of Turkish or Moroccan benefit claimants – their personal characteristics (gender, age, low educational level) appear to be rather favourable for resumption of work. In the current literature, these differences in outcomes between ethnic groups are often attributed to certain ‘ethnic‐specific’ or cultural factors. This article argues that we should be careful of explaining different outcomes between ethnic groups by (alleged) cultural phenomena. There are other explanations possible such as differences in work motivation, lack of ‘transition facilities’ in companies and differential treatment by employers or social security officials.
Predictors of the scleroderma phenotype in fibroblasts from systemic sclerosis patients
Authors: Qi Q , Guo Q , Tan G , Mao Y , Tang H , Zhou C , Zeng F 
Published: November 2008

AbstractBackground  Fibroblasts from skin lesions generally exhibit the scleroderma phenotype in the early stage of in vitro culture, and act as one of the most important samples to investigate systemic sclerosis. However, not all cell lines from patients show the scleroderma phenotype, and little prospective evidence can be relied on to predict the phenotype of fibroblasts from systemic sclerosis patients.Objective  This study aims to find the predictive factors related to fibroblast phenotypes.Methods  Fibroblast lines from 15 patients with systemic sclerosis were established through explant culture, with their scleroderma phenotypes being determined by real‐time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) of procollagen transcription. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyse the clinical data of these patients. Haematoxylin–eosin staining was performed to observe histopathological differences. Expression of methylation‐related factors was detected by real‐time reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction.Results  Eight of the 15 fibroblast cell lines from patients with systemic sclerosis exhibited the scleroderma phenotype. Logistic regression analysis yielded an equation (Y = –9.718 + 2.525X1) in which X1 significantly represents the Valentini Disease Activity Index. Histopathology results demonstrated that the scleroderma phenotype was positively correlated with leucocyte infiltration. Further laboratory observations showed increased expression of Dnmt1 in the positive phenotype fibroblasts and a positive correlation between elevations of Dnmt1 and the maintenance period of the scleroderma phenotype.Conclusions  The results of this study suggest that the Valentini Disease Activity Index and expression of Dnmt1 may act as indicators of the scleroderma phenotype in fibroblasts. Additionally, these data also imply that epigenetic factors, such as Dnmt1, may be involved in the maintenance of the scleroderma phenotype. Our analyses may be beneficial to the research in systemic sclerosis.Conflicts of interestNone declared
Population Structure in Contemporary Sweden—A Y‐Chromosomal and Mitochondrial DNA Analysis
Authors: Lappalainen T. , Hannelius U. , Salmela E. , Von Döbeln U. , Lindgren C. M. , Huoponen K. , Savontaus M.‐L. , Kere J. , Lahermo P. 
Published: November 2008

SummaryA population sample representing the current Swedish population was analysed for maternally and paternally inherited markers with the aim of characterizing genetic variation and population structure. The sample set of 820 females and 883 males were extracted and amplified from Guthrie cards of all the children born in Sweden during one week in 2003. 14 Y‐chromosomal and 34 mitochondrial DNA SNPs were genotyped. The haplogroup frequencies of the counties closest to Finland, Norway, Denmark and the Saami region in the north exhibited similarities to the neighbouring populations, resulting from the formation of the Swedish nation during the past millennium. Moreover, the recent immigration waves of the 20th century are visible in haplogroup frequencies, and have led to increased diversity and divergence of the major cities. Signs of genetic drift can be detected in several counties in northern as well as in southern Sweden. With the exception of the most drifted subpopulations, the population structure in Sweden appears mostly clinal. In conclusion, our study yielded valuable information of the structure of the Swedish population, and demonstrated the usefulness of biobanks as a source of population genetic research. Our sampling strategy, nonselective on the current population rather than stratified according to ancestry, is informative for capturing the contemporary variation in the increasingly panmictic populations of the world.
Association of a Polymorphism in the Intron 7 of the SREBF1 Gene with Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head in Koreans
Authors: Lee H.‐J. , Choi S.‐J. , Hong J. M. , Lee W. K. , Baek J.‐I. , Kim S.‐Y. , Park E. K. , Kim S.‐Y. , Kim T.‐H. , Kim U.‐K. 
Published: November 2008

SummaryReduction or disruption of the blood supply to the bone is involved in the pathogenesis of osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). An altered lipid metabolism is one of the major risk factors for ONFH. Sterol regulatory element binding protein, SREBF1 activates genes regulating lipid biosynthesis. The aim of this study was to examine the association between the polymorphisms of the SREBF1 gene and ONFH susceptibility in the Korean population. The SREBF1 gene in 24 unrelated Korean individuals was sequenced and two polymorphisms were detected. Two variants, IVS6 − 48 C > T and IVS7 + 117 A > G, were genotyped in 423 ONFH patients and 348 controls. The genotype frequency of IVS7 + 117 A > G in ONFH patients was significantly different from that of the control group with P value < 0.0001 (Adjusted OR; 6.88, 95% CI; 3.74‐12.67). Moreover, the IVS7 + 117 A > G genotype showed an association with men, and further analysis stratified by etiological factors indicated that the genotype data was significantly associated with a high risk for patients with alcohol‐induced ONFH (P < 0.0001). We found that the IVS7 + 117 A > G polymorphism of the SREBF1 gene is associated with an increased risk of ONFH in the Korean population.
Facial asymmetry in young healthy subjects evaluated by statistical shape analysis
Authors: Ercan Ilker , Ozdemir Senem Turan , Etoz Abdullah , Sigirli Deniz , Tubbs R. Shane , Loukas Marios , Guney Ibrahim 
Published: November 2008

AbstractStatistical shape analysis, a relatively a new method for biological research, compares body forms by using specific landmarks determined by anatomical prominences. In this study, we aimed to identify normal facial asymmetry between the right and the left sides of the face. Facial landmark data were collected from two‐dimensional digital images of 321 young healthy subjects (150 males and 171 females). These data were analysed using Euclidean distance matrix analysis. The number of significantly asymmetric linear distances between the two halves of the face was greater in females than in males. We found that the left side of the face was most commonly dominant in both males and females. Such data may be useful in establishing a database for future similar studies.
Loss of translation elongation factor (eEF1A2) expression in vivo differentiates between Wallerian degeneration and dying‐back neuronal pathology
Authors: Murray Lyndsay M. , Thomson Derek , Conklin Annalijn , Wishart Thomas M. , Gillingwater Thomas H. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractWallerian degeneration and dying‐back pathology are two well‐known cellular pathways capable of regulating the breakdown and loss of axonal and synaptic compartments of neurons in vivo. However, the underlying mechanisms and molecular triggers of these pathways remain elusive. Here, we show that loss of translation elongation factor eEF1A2 expression in lower motor neurons and skeletal muscle fibres in homozygous Wasted mice triggered a dying‐back neuropathy. Synaptic loss at the neuromuscular junction occurred in advance of axonal pathology and by a mechanism morphologically distinct from Wallerian degeneration. Dying‐back pathology in Wasted mice was accompanied by reduced expression levels of the zinc finger protein ZPR1, as found in other dying‐back neuropathies such as spinal muscular atrophy. Surprisingly, experimental nerve lesion revealed that Wallerian degeneration was significantly delayed in homozygous Wasted mice; morphological assessment revealed that ~80% of neuromuscular junctions in deep lumbrical muscles at 24 h and ~50% at 48 h had retained motor nerve terminals following tibial nerve lesion. This was in contrast to wild‐type and heterozygous Wasted mice where < 5% of neuromuscular junctions had retained motor nerve terminals at 24 h post‐lesion. These data show that eEF1A2 expression is required to prevent the initiation of dying‐back pathology at the neuromuscular junction in vivo. In contrast, loss of eEF1A2 expression significantly inhibited the initiation and progression of Wallerian degeneration in vivo. We conclude that loss of eEF1A2 expression distinguishes mechanisms underlying dying‐back pathology from those responsible for Wallerian degeneration in vivo and suggest that eEF1A2‐dependent cascades may provide novel molecular targets to manipulate neurodegenerative pathways in lower motor neurons.
The fatty acid levels and physicochemical properties of herby brined cheese, a traditional Turkish cheese
Authors: TEMIZ HASAN , TARAKCI ZEKAI , AYKUT UMUT , TURHAN SADETTIN 
Published: November 2008

In this study, some gross chemical compositions and fatty characteristics of herby cheeses were investigated. In the present study, the cheeses used as materials were collected from 10 different plants. The cheeses were made from sheep milk, cow's milk or a mixture of them, and stored in brine at 7–8°C and analysed for some proximate chemical compositions and fatty acid composition after 150 days of ripening. Capric acid, palmitic acid, oleic acid, short‐chain fatty acids, medium‐chain fatty acids, long‐chain fatty acids, saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids and other fatty acids as g in 100 g fatty acids were determined.