bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Presenilin‐1 controls the growth and differentiation of endothelial progenitor cells through its β‐catenin‐binding region
Authors: Nakajima Mitsunari , Ogawa Minetaro , Shimoda Yuri , Hiraoka Shuichi , Iida Midori , Koseki Haruhiko , Shirasawa Takuji , Furukawa Kiyoshi 
Published: December 2005

AbstractPresenilin‐1 (PS1) is a gene responsible for the development of early‐onset familial Alzheimer's disease. Targeted disruption of the PS1 gene in mice suggested that PS1 might be involved in angiogenesis. We have used an in vitro embryonic stem (ES) cell culture system to prepare endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) lacking PS1 and investigated the roles of PS1 in endothelial cell lineage. With this system, Flk‐1+ E‐cadherin− EPC were generated from PS1‐deficient ES cells, and the EPC lacking PS1 as well as wild‐type EPC grew to form VE‐cadherin+ endothelial colonies supported by a layer of OP9 stromal cells. Although the endothelial colonies from PS1‐deficient EPC showed morphology similar to those from wild‐type EPC, the PS1‐deficient EPC formed a large number of the colonies compared to wild‐type EPC. The enhanced colony‐forming ability of PS1‐deficient EPC was attenuated by the inductions of wild‐type human PS1. To differentiate multiple activities of PS1 for colony‐forming ability, we used two types of human PS1 mutants: one (hPS1D257A) with the aspartate to alanine mutation at residue 257 that impairs the proteolytic activity of PS1, and the other (hPS1Δcat) deleting amino acids 340–371 of the cytosolic loop sequence essential for β‐catenin binding. hPS1D257A showed activity to regulate the colony‐forming ability of PS1‐deficient EPC, while hPS1Δcat failed to exhibit this activity. These results suggest that PS1 regulates the growth and differentiation of endothelial progenitor cells through its β‐catenin‐binding region and that the defect of PS1 function in endothelial cell lineage could contribute to the induction of vascular pathology.
Stage‐dependent analgesia of electro‐acupuncture in a mouse model of cutaneous cancer pain
Authors: Mao‐Ying Qi‐Liang , Cui Ke‐Mi , Liu Qiong , Dong Zhi‐Qiang , Wang Wei , Wang Jun , Sha Hong , Wu Gen‐Cheng , Wang Yan‐Qing 
Published: December 2005

AbstractAcupuncture is one of the most effective alternative medical treatments in pain management with the advantages of simple application, low cost and minimal side effects. However its scientific evidence and laws of action are not very clear in cancer pain relieving. The aim of this study was to examine the immediate and therapeutic anti‐hyperalgesic effect of electro‐acupuncture (EA) on a mouse model of cutaneous cancer pain. B16‐BL6 melanoma cells were inoculated into the plantar region of unilateral hind paw and the thermal hyperalgesia was measured by using radiant heat test and hot plate test. C57BL/6 mice showed moderate and marked hyperalgesia during days 8–12 and from day 14 after the orthotopic inoculation of B16‐BL6 melanoma cells into the hind paw. Single EA on day 8 after inoculation showed significant analgesic effect immediately after the treatment, the analgesic effect reached its maximum within 15–30 min and declined to its minimum at 50 min after EA treatment. Single EA treatment on day 20 showed no significant analgesic effect; Repeated EA treatments (started from day 8, once every other day) showed therapeutic analgesic effect, while it showed no therapeutic effect when started from day 16, a relatively late stage of this cancer pain model. The results demonstrated that EA had anti‐hyperalgesic effect on early stage of cutaneous cancer pain but not on late stage. These results indicated a tight correlation of EA anti‐hyperalgesic effects with the time window of cancer pain.
Neuroinflammation and regeneration in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease pathology
Authors: Hoozemans J.J.M. , Veerhuis R. , Rozemuller J.M. , Eikelenboom P. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractThe initial stages of Alzheimer's disease pathology in the neocortex show upregulation of cell cycle proteins, adhesion and inflammation related factors, indicating the early involvement of inflammatory and regenerating pathways in Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis. These brain changes precede the neurofibrillary pathology and the extensive process of neurodestruction and (astro)gliosis. Amyloid β deposition, inflammation and regenerative mechanisms are also early pathogenic events in transgenic mouse models harbouring the pathological Alzheimer's disease mutations, while neurodegenerative characteristics are not seen in these models. This review will discuss the relationship between neuroinflammation and neuroregeneration in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis.
Differential transcription ofBarhl1homeobox gene in restricted functional domains of the central nervous system suggests a role in brain patterning
Authors: Rachidi Mohammed , Lopes Carmela 
Published: December 2005

AbstractThe mouseBarhl1homeogene, member of theBarHsubfamily, play a crucial role in the cerebellum development and its human orthologBARHL1has been proposed as a positional and functional candidate gene for the Joubert syndrome, a form of cerebellar ataxia. TheBarhl1expression has been demonstrated to be induced by the transcription factor Math1 involved in BMP responses. We isolated the mouseBarhl1by screening of a cDNA library with theXenopus Xvent‐2, member of theBarHsubfamily, which acts in the BMP4 pathway during embryonic patterning and neural plate differentiation. We studied the detailedBarhl1expression pattern and showed its transcription in spatio‐temporally and functionally restricted domains of the developing central nervous system (CNS). Using our new optical microscopy technology, we compare the transcript steady state level and cell density in theBarhl1‐expressing regions. We found thatBarhl1was transcribed in superior and inferior colliculi in the dorsal mesencephalon at a relatively low transcriptional level. In the diencephalon,Barhl1was found higher expressed first within the basal plate and later in the mammillary region. In the cerebellum,Barhl1showed the highest transcriptional level restricted to the anterior and posterior rhombic lips giving rise to the external and internal cerebellar granular cells and to the deep nuclei. In the spinal cord,Barhl1showed similar expression level than in the cerebellum and is delimited to a subset of dorsal interneurons. Therefore, our results indicated thatBarhl1homeodomain gene is exclusively transcribed in restricted CNS domain at differential transcription levels which suggest a highly regulated transcriptional mechanism. In addition, these regional and cellular specificities indicated thatBarhl1may be involved in the differentiation of the specific subsets of neuronal progenitors.
Learning, communication, and the bullwhip effect
Authors: Wu Diana Yan , Katok Elena 
Published: December 2005

AbstractWe investigate the effect of learning and communication on the bullwhip effect in supply chains. Using the beer distribution game in a controlled laboratory setting, we test four behavioral hypotheses – bounded rationality, experiential learning, systems learning, and organizational learning – by systematically manipulating training and communication protocols. We find that order variability decreases significantly in a setting in which participants start with hands‐on experience, and are then allowed to formulate team strategies collaboratively. This result indicates that while training may improve individuals’ knowledge and understanding of the system, it does not improve supply chain performance unless supply chain partners are allowed to communicate and share this knowledge. Our results indicate that the bullwhip effect is, at least in part, caused by insufficient coordination between supply chain partners.
Faster, better, cheaper: A study of NPD project efficiency and performance tradeoffs
Authors: Swink Morgan , Talluri Srinivas , Pandejpong Temyos 
Published: December 2005

AbstractIn this paper, we develop a theory of efficiency and performance tradeoffs for new product development (NPD) projects. Data from 137 completed NPD projects are analyzed for evidence pointing to tradeoffs in performance patterns manifested in the data. In addition, we investigate hypothesized relationships between certain NPD practices and a holistic, efficiency based measure of NPD performance. We demonstrate a new approach to the operationalization of holistic new product development (NPD) project performance, employing a sequential data envelopment analysis (DEA) methodology that simultaneously incorporates multiple factors including new product development cost, product cost, product quality, and project lead time.The results of the data analysis support our hypothesis that tradeoffs among NPD performance outcomes are manifested more strongly in highly efficient projects when compared to inefficient projects. The presence of three distinct subgroups in highly efficient projects is suggestive of several modes of efficiency which appear to achieve equally effective market success. The absence of such patterns in less efficient projects supports a theory of performance frontiers that may impose the need for tradeoffs more strongly as NPD projects achieve higher levels of efficiency. The findings also point to the importance of project management experience, balanced management commitment, and cross‐functional integration in achieving high levels of NPD project efficiency. We discuss the implications of the findings for practice and for future research.
TQM practice in maquiladora: Antecedents of employee satisfaction and loyalty
Authors: Jun Minjoon , Cai Shaohan , Shin Hojung 
Published: December 2005

AbstractIn this study, we investigate the transferability of TQM practices to offshore manufacturing firms by validating direct and indirect relationships among top management commitment, HR‐focused TQM practices, employee satisfaction, and employee loyalty. Our research objective is to isolate critical TQM practices that would enhance employee satisfaction and loyalty among maquiladora workers. On‐site surveys were conducted at two leading maquiladora firms that have long implemented TQM. The statistical results indicate that employee empowerment, teamwork, and employee compensation have a significant and positive influence on employee satisfaction. The improved employee satisfaction leads to a higher level of employee loyalty. In addition, the results indicate that the effects of top management commitment on employee empowerment and teamwork are significantly mediated by employee training, implying that the success of employee empowerment and quality teams can be dependent upon the level of employee training.
Information systems outsourcing: Replicating an existing framework in a different cultural context
Authors: Samaddar Subhashish , Kadiyala Savitha 
Published: December 2005

AbstractIn order for any field of study to refine the promising concepts and weed out the weaker concepts it is necessary that researchers revisit earlier studies from time to time and evaluate their general applicability to new contexts. Replication is an important technique for researchers to embrace in order to achieve this goal. In this study, we test one of the frameworks of technology outsourcing developed in the West, by changing the cultural context. Following Kodak's historic outsourcing decision, technology outsourcing has assumed significant importance among researchers and practitioners. Most of the research in relation to technology outsourcing has been conducted in the Western culture (including the USA and the UK), so our goal in this study is to extend the understanding of technology outsourcing research conducted in the West to another culture‐that of Korea, through replication.We focused on information systems (IS) outsourcing decision making as a case in point and found both similarities and dissimilarities in relation to the current understanding of the same. These similarities and differences in turn, reveal the distinctions between the Western and the Korean approaches toward achieving outsourcing success. The similarities are the partial preference for short‐term contracts and contracting out to external vendors. However, the two cultures differed in their decision making in the way they pursue contractual completeness, whether in‐house departments competes or not, design of contract to include partnership measures, criticality of tasks outsourced, familiarity with the outsourced task, postponing a few outsourcing decisions, and withholding a piece of a contract as bait. We also found “trust” and “task partitioning to gain advantage of varied expertise” to be important for achieving outsourcing success in the Korean organization. In addition, we observed that outsourcing success is achieved by maximizing reliability and relationship in the Korean context rather than by maximizing flexibility and control, as was observed in the Western context. We argue that this difference is a function of cultural diversity.
Airway Complications from Topical Mitomycin C
Authors: Hueman Elizabeth McCurdy , Simpson C. Blake 
Published: December 2005

OBJECTIVETopical application of mitomycin C appears to be a useful adjunct in reducing cicatricial scarring of the airways. Human and animal studies have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of mitomycin C topically in the treatment of airway stenosis at concentrations ranging from 0.4 mg/mL to 10 mg/mL. Although no reports of mitomycin C toxicity have been reported in the otolaryngology literature, the ophthalmologic literature has documented serious, vision‐threatening complications resulting from the use of topical mitomycin C. The purpose of this study is to report complications related to mitomycin C use in the treatment of glottic and subglottic stenosis. Risk factors associated with these complications are identified.STUDY DESIGN AND SETTINGA retrospective chart review of all patients treated by the senior author for laryngotracheal stenosis with endoscopic CO2 laser incisions/dilation and adjuvant topical mitomycin C was performed to determine the incidence of complications. Variables studied included patient age and gender, location and severity of stenosis, medical comorbidities, length of procedure, postoperative instrumentation of the airway, and mitomycin C concentration.RESULTSEighty‐five cases of adjuvant topical mitomycin C use after CO2 laser endoscopic treatment and dilation for upper airway stenosis were identified in a total of 44 patients. Complications that were believed to be caused by the local toxicity of mitomycin C occurred in 4 cases out of 85 (or 4.7%), manifested by accumulation of fibrinous debris at the operative site, resulting in partial airway obstruction and the need for emergent airway intervention.CONCLUSIONSCaution should be exercised when topical mitomycin C is used in the treatment of airway stenosis.EBM RATING: B‐3
Fractional integration in daily stock market indexes
Authors: Gil‐Alana L.A. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractI use parametric and semiparametric methods to test for the order of integration in stock market indexes. The results, which are based on the EOE (Amsterdam), DAX (Frankfurt), Hang Seng (Hong Kong), FTSE100 (London), S&P500 (New York), CAC40 (Paris), Singapore All Shares, and the Japanese Nikkei, show that in almost all of the series the unit root hypothesis cannot be rejected. The Hang Seng and the Singapore All Shares seem to be the most nonstationary series with orders of integration higher than one, and the S&P500 is the less nonstationary series, with values smaller than one and showing mean reversion.
Dietary Gangliosides Enhance in Vitro Lipid Uptake in Weanling Rats
Authors: Birecki Celina J , Drozdowski Laurie A , Suh Miyoung , Park Eek Joong , Clandinin M Tom , Thomson Alan B. R 
Published: December 2005

ABSTRACTBackground:The intestine adapts morphologically or functionally in response to environmental stimuli. Dietary lipids modify brush border membrane (BBM) permeability and nutrient transporter activities. Gangliosides (GANG) are glycolipids in human milk that are present only in low amounts in infant formula. Exogenous GANG are incorporated into cell membranes and increase their permeability. The objective of this study was to determine whether feeding a GANG‐enriched diet alters in vitro intestinal lipid absorption.Methods:Weanling rats were fed either (1) GANG‐enriched diet; (2) diet enriched with polyunsaturated long‐chain fatty acids; or (3) isocaloric control diet for 2 weeks, after which in vitro intestinal lipid uptake was measured.Results:Feeding GANG did not alter weight gain or intestinal morphology. Enhanced uptake of stearic acid (18:0) in the ileum and stearic and linoleic acid (18:2) in the jejunum was not associated with a change in the abundance of the ileal lipid binding protein (ILBP), the intestinal fatty acid binding protein (I‐FABP), or the liver fatty acid binding protein (L‐FABP).Conclusion:We speculate that the enhanced uptake of long‐chain fatty acids in weanling rats fed GANG may be caused by a modification in physical properties of the BBM.
Nutritional Supplementation with Transforming Growth Factor‐β, Glutamine, and Short Chain Fatty Acids Minimizes Methotrexate‐Induced Injury
Authors: Harsha Wendy T. F , Kalandarova Ellina , McNutt Patrick , Irwin Robert , Noel James 
Published: December 2005

ABSTRACTObjective:Gastrointestinal (GI) damage caused by methotrexate (MTX) results in mucosal injury, bacterial invasion, and activation of an immune system that is reduced in function. Diets enriched with glutamine, short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β have demonstrated decreased infection, weight loss, and GI damage in Crohn disease. We, therefore, sought to study the cytoprotective effects of a diet enriched in glutamine, TGF‐β, and SFCAs (Modulen) in Fischer 344 rats exposed to MTX.Methods:Rats were divided into five groups: two receiving normal saline and three receiving MTX and fed either normal chow, Modulen supplemented chow starting with the first MTX dose, or Modulen supplemented chow beginning 3 days before MTX injection. Rats were weighed daily. On day 5, albumin and bicarbonate levels were drawn, and rats were killed for examination of their intestinal mucosa by a pathologist unaware of groupings.Results:Rats pretreated with Modulen supplemented chow maintained weight (2.6 vs, 12.3 g weight loss), albumin levels (3.13 vs, 2.43 mg/dL), and bicarbonate levels (23.8 vs. 18.1 mg/dL) as compared with rats fed normal chow throughout MTX treatment (P < 0.05). Pretreatment with Modulen also protected against crypt cell loss, villus atrophy, crypt abscesses, crypt/villus ratio, and overall histologic damage (P < 0.05).Conclusion:When administered before and during MTX treatment, Modulen supplementation provided statistically significant protection against weight loss, hypoalbuminemia, acidosis, and GI damage in a rat model. Future animal research of Modulen's protective effects with other chemotherapeutic agents is needed before human trials.
Eradication of Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth in the Cystic Fibrosis Mouse Reduces Mucus Accumulation
Authors: De Lisle Robert C , Roach Eileen A , Norkina Oxana 
Published: December 2005

ABSTRACTObjectives:Mucus accumulation in cystic fibrosis (CF) is involved in blockage of the distal small intestine. Because expression of mucin genes and mucus secretion can be increased by infection and previous work indicated that small intestinal bacterial overgrowth occurs in CF, we tested whether reduction of bacterial load by antibiotic treatment would reduce mucin gene expression and mucus accumulation in the CF mouse small intestine.Methods:CF transmembrane conductance regulator null (cftrtm1UNC) and wild type littermates were treated with ciprofloxacin and metronidazole for 3 weeks. Muc2 and Muc3 gene expression were measured by quantitative reverse‐transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Periodic acid Schiff (PAS) staining and morphometry were used to measure the size of mucus droplets within goblet cells and dilation of the intestinal crypt lumen, as estimates of mucus secretion and accumulation.Results:Antibiotic treatment did not significantly affect Muc2 and Muc3 gene expression in CF mice. In untreated CF mice, the crypt lumen was almost sevenfold wider than wild type. Antibiotic treatment of CF mice reduced the intensity of PAS crypt lumen staining, and the lumen width was decreased by approximately 25%. The area occupied by PAS‐positive material in goblet cells was significantly greater in tissues from antibiotic treated mice.Conclusions:Eradication of bacterial overgrowth in CF mice significantly decreased mucus secretion and accumulation in intestinal crypts without an effect on mucin gene expression. It is proposed that bacterial overgrowth stimulates mucus secretion, which contributes to its accumulation in the small intestine. Control of bacterial overgrowth is expected to reduce mucus accumulation and may improve intestinal function and overall health in CF.
Outcome after Portoenterostomy in Biliary Atresia: Pivotal Role of Degree of Liver Fibrosis and Intensity of Stellate Cell Activation
Authors: Shteyer Eyal , Ramm Grant A , Xu Chunxia , White Frances V , Shepherd Ross W 
Published: December 2005

ABSTRACTObjectives:Biliary atresia (BA), a congenital idiopathic obliterative cholangiopathy, rapidly leads to liver cirrhosis and liver failure if untreated. A timely Kasai portoenterostomy (KP) variably alters this natural history. We evaluated liver fibrogenesis by the intensity of α‐smooth‐muscle actin (SMA) expression, which is a marker for hepatic stellate cell activation. We hypothesized that liver fibrogenesis as determined by intensity of α‐SMA is already progressing at the time of KP, is related to age and degree of fibrosis at KP, and predicts outcome after KP.Methods:BA patients at KP (n = 22, age 22‐84 days, median 59) had wedge liver biopsies assessed by quantitative morphometry of immunohistochemistry for α‐SMA expression. Fibrosis was scored by blinded pathologists. Outcome, reflected by conjugated bilirubin concentration 3 months after KP (CBili3m), survival of the native liver, need for liver transplant, or death, were assessed for 2 to 10 years after KP.Results:At KP, age, fibrosis score, and α‐SMA expression were significantly correlated. Moderate‐severe fibrosis and intense α‐SMA expression was observed in 15 of 22 (68%) patients. Severe fibrosis and high α‐SMA expression were significantly associated with CBili3m greater than 2 g/dL and unfavorable liver survival (>90% of these ultimately underwent liver transplantation or died). Conversely, those with mild fibrosis and low α‐SMA expression had normal CBili3m and favorable liver survival.Conclusion:Intense liver fibrogenesis is already established in many cases of BA at the time of KP. Fibrosis scores and intensity of α‐SMA expression may be predictors of outcome after KP and may indicate those patients who might benefit from trials of potential antifibrotic agents early in the course of BA.