bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effects of microcomputers on the work of professional accountants
Authors: Ferguson Colin 
Published: February 2009

AbstractA model of the interrelations between perceptions, anxieties, attitudes, microcomputer use and work outcomes of professional accountants is developed and tested on 157 Big Six accountants. The results show that job satisfaction of professional accountants is directly affected by their attitude toward using microcomputers and by microcomputer use itself. Job performance appears to be only directly affected by microcomputer attitudes, but microcomputer use does not directly affect job performance. Along with perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness, computer anxiety is shown to be an important determinant of microcomputer attitudes—higher levels of computer anxiety negatively affect these attitudes. Conversely, higher levels of perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness heighten individuals' positive attitudes toward using microcomputers. Perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness also indirectly affect microcomputer attitudes through their effect on computer anxiety. The results show that higher levels of perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness result in lower levels of computer anxiety. A surprising result from the study is that while perceived ease of use is shown to directly affect the level of microcomputer usage, perceived usefulness and attitude toward using microcomputers do not.
Determinants of voluntary disclosure of segment information: A re‐examination of the role of diversification strategy
Authors: Aitken Michael , Hooper Cameron , Pickering Joanne 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThis paper explores the determinants of management's decision to voluntarily disclose segment information. It is an extension of McKinnon and Dalimunthe (1993) who investigate the role of six hypothesised determinants. Their results indicate that firm size, industry membership, ownership diffusion, and the level of minority interest are related to the voluntary disclosure of segment information. However, they find that leverage and diversification into related versus unrelated industries are not related to this disclosure. It is the diversification finding that motivates our work. This paper explores the effect of differences in data, differences in samples, and differences in the measurement of diversification on the McKinnon and Dalimunthe (1993) results. Using an alternative definition of diversification, we find diversification strategy, firm size, and the level of minority interest to be related to segment disclosure while the results for ownership diffusion and industry are mixed. We find no support for a leverage effect.
Estimating unobservable valuation parameters for illiquid assets
Authors: Boyle Glenn , Guthrie Graeme , Quigley Neil 
Published: February 2009

AbstractA problem that often arises in applied finance is one where decision‐makers need to choose a value for some parameter that will affect the cash flows between two parties involved in the operation of an illiquid asset. Because the values of the cash flows also depend on various unobservable parameters, identifying the value of the policy parameter that achieves the desired allocation between the parties is no simple task, often resulting in disputes and the invocation of ad hoc approaches. We show how this problem can be solved using an extension of the well‐known ‘implied volatility’ technique from option pricing, and apply it to the determination of equilibrium rental rates on ground leases of commercial land.
Social workers' attitudes to the law: an Israeli perspective
Authors: Doron Israel , Karpel Mirit , Or‐Chen Keren 
Published: February 2009

Doron I, Karpel M, Or‐Chen K. Social workers' attitudes to the law: an Israeli perspective Int J Soc Welfare 2010: 19: 95–103 © 2009 The Author(s), Journal compilation © 2009 Blackwell Publishing Ltd and the International Journal of Social Welfare.In recent years, there has been a general shift towards integration and cooperation between lawyers and social workers, both professionally and ideologically. The goal of this study was to explore the general attitudes of social workers toward the law. The hypothesis was that, due to the recent legal and professional changes in Israel, social workers would express positive attitudes towards the law. For the purpose of this study, a closed questionnaire containing 25 statements regarding the law and its relationship to social work was used. The research population consisted of 202 social workers from Haifa and the Northern region of Israel. The findings of this study support the hypothesis that there is indeed a tendency to closer ideological and professional proximity between social work and the law in Israel. However, especially regarding courts and the litigation process, their attitudes in response to the statements were relatively less favourable.
HO‐1‐mediated macroautophagy: a mechanism for unregulated iron deposition in aging and degenerating neural tissues
Authors: Zukor Hillel , Song Wei , Liberman Adrienne , Mui Jeannie , Vali Hojatollah , Fillebeen Carine , Pantopoulos Kostas , Wu Ting‐Di , Guerquin‐Kern Jean‐Luc , Schipper Hyman M. 
Published: February 2009

J. Neurochem. (2009)109, 776–791.AbstractOxidative stress, deposition of non‐transferrin iron, and mitochondrial insufficiency occur in the brains of patients with Alzheimer disease (AD) and Parkinson disease (PD). We previously demonstrated that heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) is up‐regulated in AD and PD brain and promotes the accumulation of non‐transferrin iron in astroglial mitochondria. Herein, dynamic secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) and other techniques were employed to ascertain (i) the impact of HO‐1 over‐expression on astroglial mitochondrial morphologyin vitro, (ii) the topography of aberrant iron sequestration in astrocytes over‐expressing HO‐1, and (iii) the role of iron regulatory proteins (IRP) in HO‐1‐mediated iron deposition. Astroglial hHO‐1 over‐expression induced cytoplasmic vacuolation, mitochondrial membrane damage, and macroautophagy. HO‐1 promoted trapping of redox‐active iron and sulfur within many cytopathological profiles without impacting ferroportin, transferrin receptor, ferritin, and IRP2 protein levels or IRP1 activity. Thus, HO‐1 activity promotes mitochondrial macroautophagy and sequestration of redox‐active iron in astroglia independently of classical iron mobilization pathways. Glial HO‐1 may be a rational therapeutic target in AD, PD, and other human CNS conditions characterized by the unregulated deposition of brain iron.
Neural progenitor cell death is induced by extracellular ATP via ligation of P2X7 receptor
Authors: Delarasse Cécile , Gonnord Pauline , Galante Micaela , Auger Rodolphe , Daniel Hervé , Motta Iris , Kanellopoulos Jean M. 
Published: February 2009

J. Neurochem. (2009) 109, 846–857.AbstractNeural progenitor cells (NPCs) are capable of self‐renewal and differentiation into neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes, and have been used to treat several animal models of CNS disorders. In the present study, we show that the P2X7 purinergic receptor (P2X7R) is present on NPCs. In NPCs, P2X7R activation by the agonists extracellular ATP or benzoyl ATP triggers opening of a non‐selective cationic channel. Prolonged activation of P2X7R with these nucleotides leads to caspase independent death of NPCs. P2X7R ligation induces NPC lysis/necrosis demonstrated by cell membrane disruption accompanied with loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. In most cells that express P2X7R, sustained stimulation with ATP leads to the formation of a non‐selective pore allowing the entry of solutes up to 900 Da, which are reportedly involved in P2X7R‐mediated cell lysis. Surprisingly, activation of P2X7R in NPCs causes cell death in the absence of pore formation. Our data support the notion that high levels of extracellular ATP in inflammatory CNS lesions may delay the successful graft of NPCs used to replace cells and repair CNS damage.
Comparison of transduction efficiency of recombinant AAV serotypes 1, 2, 5, and 8 in the rat nigrostriatal system
Authors: McFarland Nikolaus R. , Lee Jeng‐Shin , Hyman Bradley T. , McLean Pamela J. 
Published: February 2009

J. Neurochem. (2009) 109, 838–845.AbstractEnhanced delivery and expression of genes in specific neuronal systems is critical for the development of genetic models of neurodegenerative disease and potential gene therapy. Recent discovery of new recombinant adeno‐associated viral (rAAV) capsid serotypes has resulted in improved transduction efficiency, but expression levels, spread of transgene, and potential toxicity can differ depending on brain region and among species. We compared the transduction efficiency of titer‐matched rAAV 2/1, 2/5, and 2/8 to the commonly used rAAV2/2 in the rat nigrostriatal system via expression of the reporter transgene, enhanced green fluorescent protein. Newer rAAV serotypes 2/1, 2/5, and 2/8 demonstrated marked increase in transduction and spread of enhanced green fluorescent protein expression in dopaminergic nigrostriatal neurons and projections to the striatum and globus pallidus compared to rAAV2/2 at 2 weeks post‐injection. The number of nigral cells transduced was greatest for rAAV2/1, but for serotypes 2/5 and 2/8 was still two‐ to threefold higher than that for 2/2. Enhanced transduction did not cause an increase in glial cell response or toxicity. New rAAV serotypes thus promise improved gene delivery to nigrostriatal system with the potential for better models and therapeutics for Parkinson disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.
Nicotine is neuroprotective when administered before but not after nigrostriatal damage in rats and monkeys
Authors: Huang Luping Z. , Parameswaran Neeraja , Bordia Tanuja , Michael McIntosh J. , Quik Maryka 
Published: February 2009

J. Neurochem. (2009) 109, 826–837.AbstractNicotine reduces dopaminergic deficits in parkinsonian animals when administered before nigrostriatal damage. Here we tested whether nicotine is also beneficial when given to rats and monkeys with pre‐existing nigrostriatal damage. Rats were administered nicotine before and after a unilateral 6‐hydroxydopamine lesion of the medial forebrain bundle, and the results compared with those in which rats received nicotine only after lesioning. Nicotine pre‐treatment attenuated behavioral deficits and lessened lesion‐induced losses of the striatal dopamine transporter, and α6β2* and α4β2* nicotinic receptors (nAChRs). By contrast, nicotine administered 2 weeks after lesioning, when 6‐hydroxydopamine‐induced neurodegenerative effects are essentially complete, did not improve these same measures. Similar results were observed in 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine‐lesioned monkeys. Nicotine did not enhance striatal markers when administered to monkeys with pre‐existing nigrostriatal damage, in contrast to previous data that showed improvements when nicotine was given to monkeys before lesioning. These combined findings in two animal models suggest that nicotine is neuroprotective rather than neurorestorative against nigrostriatal damage. Receptor studies with 125I‐α‐conotoxinMII and the α‐conotoxinMII analog E11A were next performed to determine whether nicotine treatment pre‐ or post‐lesioning differentially affected expression of α6α4β2* and α6(nonα4)β2* nAChR subtypes in striatum. The observations suggest that protection against nigrostriatal damage may be linked to striatal α6α4β2* nAChRs.
VIP down‐regulates the inflammatory potential and promotes survival of dying (neural crest‐derived) corneal endothelial cells ex vivo: necrosis to apoptosis switch and up‐regulation of Bcl‐2 and N‐cadherin
Authors: Koh Shay‐Whey M. , Cheng Jason , Dodson Rebecca M. , Ku Chao‐Yar T , Abbondandolo Cara J. 
Published: February 2009

J. Neurochem. (2009) 109, 792–806.AbstractThe neuropeptide vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is anti‐inflammatory and protective in the immune and nervous systems, respectively. This study demonstrated in corneal endothelial (CE) cells injured by severe oxidative stress (1.4 mM H2O2) in bovine corneal organ cultures that VIP pre‐treatment (0, 10−10, 10−8, and 10−6 M; 15 min), in a VIP concentration‐dependent manner, switched the inflammation‐causing necrosis to inflammation‐neutral apoptosis (showing annexin V‐binding, chromatin condensation, and DNA fragmentation) and upheld ATP levels in a VIP antagonist (SN)VIPhyb‐sensitive manner, while up‐regulated mRNA levels of the anti‐apoptotic Bcl‐2 and the differentiation marker N‐cadherin in a kinase A inhibitor‐sensitive manner. As a result, VIP, in a concentration‐dependent and VIP antagonist‐sensitive manners, promoted long‐term CE cell survival. ATP levels, a determining factor in the choice of apoptosis versus necrosis, measured after VIP pre‐treatment and 0.5 min post‐H2O2 were 39.6 ± 3.3, 50.8 ± 6.2, 60.1 ± 4.8, and 53.6 ± 5.3 pmoles/μg protein (mean ± SEM), respectively (p < 0.05, anova). VIP treatment alone concentration‐dependently increased levels of N‐cadherin (Koh et al. 2008), the phosphorylated cAMP‐responsive‐element binding protein and Bcl‐2, while10−8 M VIP, in a VIP antagonist (SN)VIPhyb‐sensitive manner, increased ATP level by 38% (p < 0.02) and decreased glycogen level by 32% (p < 0.02). VPAC1 (not VPAC2) receptor was expressed in CE cells. Thus, CE cell VIP/VPAC1 signaling is both anti‐inflammatory and protective in the corneal endothelium.
Post‐translational modifications of tubulin in the nervous system
Authors: Fukushima Nobuyuki , Furuta Daisuke , Hidaka Yuji , Moriyama Ryutaro , Tsujiuchi Toshifumi 
Published: February 2009

J. Neurochem. (2009) 109, 683–693.AbstractMany studies have shown that microtubules (MTs) interact with MT‐associated proteins and motor proteins. These interactions are essential for the formation and maintenance of the polarized morphology of neurons and have been proposed to be regulated in part by highly diverse, unusual post‐translational modifications (PTMs) of tubulin, including acetylation, tyrosination, detyrosination, Δ2 modification, polyglutamylation, polyglycylation, palmitoylation, and phosphorylation. However, the precise mechanisms of PTM generation and the properties of modified MTs have been poorly understood until recently. Recent PTM research has uncovered the enzymes mediating tubulin PTMs and provided new insights into the regulation of MT‐based functions. The identification of tubulin deacetylase and discovery of its specific inhibitors have paved the way to understand the roles of acetylated MTs in kinesin‐mediated axonal transport and neurodegenerative diseases such as Huntington’s disease. Studies with tubulin tyrosine ligase (TTL)‐null mice have shown that tyrosinated MTs are essential in normal brain development. The discovery of TTL‐like genes encoding polyglutamylase has led to the finding that polyglutamylated MTs which accumulate during brain development are involved in synapse vesicle transport or neurite outgrowth through interactions with motor proteins or MT‐associated proteins, respectively. Here we review current exciting topics that are expected to advance MT research in the nervous system.
Effects of tramadol and dexketoprofen on analgesia and gastrointestinal transit in mice
Authors: Miranda H.F. , Puig M.M. , Romero M.A. , Prieto J.C. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe purpose of the present study was to evaluate the nature of the antinociceptive interaction among dexketoprofen (DEX), a mixed inhibitor of the cyclo‐oxygenases, and tramadol (TRAM), a weak opioid with monoaminergic activity that inhibits norepinephrine and serotonin re‐uptake. We assessed antinociception in the acetic acid writhing test, the tail flick and the formalin (FT) tests, and gastrointestinal transit (GIT) after the administration of a charcoal meal. The analysis of the interaction was carried out using isobolograms and interaction indexes or the fixed‐dose method GIT. The administration of DEX or TRAM individually induced dose–dependent antinociception in all the algesiometric tests. In the three tests, TRAM was between 5.2 (FT, phase I) and 35 times (FT, Phase II) more potent than DEX. When testing combinations at different potency ratios (1 : 1, 1 : 3, 3 : 1), we could demonstrate synergy in all algesiometric tests, only when drugs were combined in a 1 : 1 proportion. Interestingly, the proportion of the drugs in the combination could change the type of interaction from synergy to antagonism. On the inhibition of GIT, a dose‐related inhibition was established for TRAM, but not for DEX. Using a fixed‐dose protocol, we could demonstrate antagonism between DEX and TRAM on the inhibition of GIT. The results of the present study suggest that a combination of DEX and TRAM in a 1 : 1 proportion could be adequate to use in future clinical trials in humans.
Interest of using genetically manipulated mice as models of depression to evaluate antidepressant drugs activity: a review
Authors: Gardier Alain M. , Guiard Bruno P. , Guilloux Jean‐Philippe , Repérant Christelle , Coudoré François , David Denis J. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractAmong the multiple possibilities to study human depressive disorders, animal models remain important preclinical tools. They allow the understanding of the mechanisms of action of antidepressant drugs. Primarily developed in rat, animal models of depression have been adapted to the mouse, an easy‐to‐use mammal with better genetic possibilities than rats. As an example, genetic manipulation of the serotoninergic 5‐hydroxytryptamine‐HT; (5‐HT) system provided important opportunities to investigate the role of this monoamine in mood disorders. The contribution of either constitutive knockout (KO), tissue specific, or inducible KO mice and animal models in the current knowledge of the pathophysiology and treatment of depression is unanimously recognized. The phenotype of genetically manipulated animals is strongly influenced by both the genetic background of the animal as well as environmental factors. For these reasons, it is necessary to underline that KO mice have been generated on various genetic backgrounds, which strongly influence the behavioral and neurochemical responses to the tests. The present review will thus focus on KO mice lacking G protein‐coupled monoaminergic receptors (e.g; 5‐HT1B, 5‐HT1A, and 5‐HT4 receptors) and the 5‐HT serotonin transporter, which is the main target of antidepressant drugs (or strategies). The importance of KO mice for neurotrophic factors, particularly for brain‐derived neurotrophic factor and its main receptor displaying a tyrosine kinase activity, will also be addressed to illustrate the fact that in preclinical studies, combination of genetic manipulations with pharmacological ones should allow further progress in the field of neuropsychopharmacology.
Tacrolimus pharmacokinetic drug interactions: effect of prednisone, mycophenolic acid or sirolimus
Authors: Park Sung‐In , Felipe Claudia R. , Pinheiro‐Machado Paula G. , Garcia Riberto , Fernandes Fernanda B. , Casarini Dulce E. , Tedesco‐Silva Helio , Medina‐Pestana Jose O. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThis study was conducted to evaluate time‐dependent pharmacokinetic changes and drug interactions over the first 6 months after transplantation in kidney transplant recipients receiving tacrolimus (TAC), prednisone (PRED) and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) or sirolimus (SRL). Pharmacokinetic assessments were carried out at day 7 and months 1, 3, and 6 in kidney transplant recipients receiving TAC plus PRED with either MMF (2 g/day,n = 13) or SRL (15 mg loading dose, 5 mg for 7 days followed by 2 mg/day,n = 12). There were no differences in the main demographic characteristics or in mean PRED doses during the first 6 months after transplant. From day 7 to month 6, there was a 65% increase in TAC dose corrected exposure (dose corrected area under the curve; AUC) in patients receiving MMF (P = 0.005) and a 59% increase in TAC dose corrected exposure in patients receiving SRL (P = 0.008). From day 7 to month 6, there was a 72% increase in mycophenolate dose corrected exposure (P = 0.001) and a 65% increase in SRL dose corrected exposure (P = 0.008). TAC dose corrected exposure was 23% lower in patients receiving SRL compared with MMF (P = 0.012) on average over the study period. PRED dose reduction was associated with increase in TAC (in patients receiving SRL,P = 0.040) and mycophenolic acid (MPA) (P = 0.070) drug exposures. Tercile distribution of TAC drug exposure showed a positive correlation with mean SRL exposures (P = 0.016). Conversely, tercile distribution of SRL drug exposure showed a positive correlation with mean TAC exposures (P = 0.004). Time‐dependent increases in TAC, MPA and SRL drug exposures occur up to 6 months after transplantation. Drug‐to‐drug interactions indicate that intense therapeutic drug monitoring is required to avoid under‐ or over‐immunosuppression.
Interactions between ingested kaolinite and the intestinal mucosa in rat: proteomic and cellular evidences
Authors: Reichardt François , Habold Caroline , Chaumande Bertrand , Ackermann Alain , Ehret‐Sabatier Laurence , Le Maho Yvon , Angel Fabielle , Liewig Nicole , Lignot Jean‐Hervé 
Published: February 2009

AbstractAlthough some of the effects of clay ingestion by humans and animals, such as gastrointestinal wellness and the increase in food efficiency are well known, the underlying mechanisms are not yet fully understood. Therefore, the interactions between the intestinal mucosa and kaolinite particles and their effects on mucosal morphology were observed using light microscopy (LM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), conventional (CSEM) and environmental (ESEM) scanning electron microscopy combined with an EDX micro‐analysis system. Kaolinite consumption, given with free access to rats, varied considerably from one animal to the other but was regular through time for each individual. Some kaolinite particles appeared chemically dissociated in the lumen and within the mucus barrier. Aluminium (Al) originating from ingested clay and present in the mucus layer could directly cross the intestinal mucosa. A significant increase in the thickness of the villi with large vacuoles at the base of the mucosal cells and a decrease in the length of enterocyte microvilli characterized complemented animals. The proteomic analyses of the intestinal mucosa of complemented rats also revealed several modifications in the expression level of cytoskeleton proteins. In summary, kaolinite particles ingested as food complement interact with the intestinal mucosa and modify nutrient absorption. However, these data, together with the potential neurotoxicity of Al, need further investigation.