bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Expression of Toll‐like receptor 4 in rat liver during the course of carbon tetrachloride‐induced liver injury
Authors: Hua Jing , Qiu De Kai , Li Ji Qiang , Li Eng Lin , Chen Xiao Yu , Peng Yan Sheng 
Published: May 2007

AbstractBackground and Aim:  It has recently been reported that Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) is involved in cellular responses to lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and early liver injury induced by LPS. The aim of the present study was to investigate the alterations of TLR4 gene expression in liver tissues and Kupffer cells during the course of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)‐induced chronic liver injury and fibrosis and its role in liver injury.Methods:  Rats were induced with liver injury and fibrosis by CCl4 administered subcutaneously twice weekly for up to 8 weeks. The Kupffer cells were isolated by the combined collagenase–pronase perfusion method and incubated with varying doses of LPS. The mRNA expression of TLR4 in liver tissues and Kupffer cells was measured by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. The levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α in Kupffer cell culture supernatants were determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. The plasma levels of the endotoxin were determined by chromogenic substrate limulus amebocyte lysate assay. The association of the endotoxin receptor expression with plasma endotoxin levels was assessed.Results:  CCl4 administration elicited extensive changes in liver morphology, including steatosis, inflammation, necrosis, and fibrosis. Low levels of TLR4 mRNA were detected in normal rat liver tissues, but no expression was detected in the Kupffer cells. The expression of TLR4 mRNA in liver tissues and Kupffer cells was increased 2 weeks after CCl4 administration, peaked at 4 and 6 weeks, and declined at 8 weeks. Basic TNF‐α production of Kupffer cells isolated from CCl4‐treated rats at 4 and 6 weeks was significantly higher than that of normal rats (P < 0.05). Upon LPS stimulation, production of TNF‐α was markedly increased in Kupffer cells isolated from normal and 2‐,4‐, and 6‐week CCl4‐treated rats. Moreover, LPS‐induced TNF‐α production was dose‐dependent. The plasma levels of the endotoxin were increased during the time of liver injury. There was a correlation between plasma endotoxin levels and TLR4 gene expression in the early and middle stage of liver injury.Conclusion:  The gene expression of TLR4 was upregulated during the course of CCl4‐induced liver injury, which is associated with the degree of liver injury and Kupffer cell activation. The gut‐derived endotoxin may be involved in the upregulation of TLR4 expression.
Useful marker for the estimation of a recombination pair in the partial azoospermia factor c (gr/gr) deletion using quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction
Authors: SUZUKI HIROMI , MATSUI FUTOSHI , KOH EITETSU , FUKUSHIMA MASATO , CHOI JIN , MAEDA YUJI , NAMIKI MIKIO , YOSHIDA ATSUMI 
Published: May 2007

Background and aims:  Azoospermia factor c (AZFc) microdeletions are associated with male infertility and are caused by intrachromosal recombination between homologous repetitive sequence segments. Partial AZFc deletion (gr/gr) has been reported in male factor infertility. In the present study, we established detecting the copy number using quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) with the genome DNA, and assessed the association of the recombination pair set of gr/gr deletion and deleted in azoospermia copies. Furthermore, we determined the clinical significance of differential recombination patterns of gr/gr deletion, and compared them with azoospermia and proven fertile volunteers, with both groups having gr/gr deleted Japanese subjects.Materials and methods:  A total of 16 Japanese subjects with idiopathic azoospermia, and 13 proven fertile men with gr/gr deletion, were studied. qRT‐PCR was used for the estimation of an identical site number.Results:  The g1/g2 deletion was found in 69.2% (9/13) in proven fertile men and in 75% (12/16) of idiopathic infertile men. The gr/gr deletion could result in the recombination of g1/g2 segments. Furthermore, there was no difference in the position of deletion between azoospermic patients and controls (P = 0.59).Conclusion:  There was no association between the loss of DAZ cluster and azoospermia in gr/gr deletion. This suggests that most of the partial deletions are neutral variants.
Effect of protopanaxatriol saponin on spermatogenic stem cell survival in busulfan‐treated male mice
Authors: JI MINYOUNG , MINAMI NAOJIRO , YAMADA MASAYASU , IMAI HIROSHI 
Published: May 2007

Background and aims: Panax ginsengC.A. Meyer is a medicinal herb widely used in Asian countries. Many of its pharmacological actions are attributed to ginsenosides (saponin). However, the pharmacological effects or functions of ginsenosides on mammalian spermatogenesis are unclear.Methods: In the present study study, we investigated the therapeutic and prophylactic effects of protopanaxatriol saponin (PT) on testicular organ weight and morphology, testicular germ cells, proliferation, differentiation and spermatogenesis after induction of toxicity by a chemotherapeutic agent, busulfan, in male mice.Results: Intraperitoneally (IP) busulfan treatment markedly decreased the organ weight of testis, caput and cauda epididymis. After the treatment, the testes had collapsed seminiferous tubules with incomplete spermatogenesis. However, a single dose of busulfan treatment followed by PT injection showed milder damage on seminiferous tubules than busulfan alone.Conclusion: These results suggest that PT is effective in recovery of the male reproductive organ, and induced an increase in the number and viability of germ cells overcoming busulfan toxicity. PT might have applications in the recovery of male infertility arising from azoospermia and oligospermia.
Effect of fatty acids bound to bovine serum albumin‐V on acrosome reaction and utilization of glucose in boar spermatozoa
Authors: HOSSAIN MD SHAROARE , HYEONG LEE JUN , MIAH ABDUL GAFFAR , TSUJII HIROTADA 
Published: May 2007

Aim:  The present study has been designed with the objective of determining if fatty acids bound to bovine serum albumin‐V (BSA‐V) can improve motility, viability, and increase acrosome reaction (AR) and utilization of glucose in boar spermatozoa.Methods:  Boar spermatozoa were washed, swum‐up and incubated at 37°C for 6 h in TALP medium supplemented with fatty acids bound to bovine serum albumin fraction V (BSA‐V), fatty acid free BSA (BSA‐FAF), polyvinyl alcohol + main fatty acids bound to BSA‐V (PVA + FA) and PVA. Sperm motility, viability, AR, and the incorporation and oxidation of 14C‐glucose were evaluated during 6 h of incubation.Results:  The results show that the BSA‐V was superior to BSA‐FAF and PVA in improving motility and AR. Viability was significantly increased (P < 0.05) by only BSA‐V compared with PVA. When the main fatty acids compound of BSA‐V were added to PVA, the sperm motility, viability and AR became almost the same as with BSA‐V. The rate of incorporation and oxidation of 14C‐glucose were significantly increased (P < 0.05) by BSA‐V compared with BSA‐FAF and PVA. Fatty acids bound to BSA‐V are important for improvement of sperm functions.Conclusions:  The present study postulates that fatty acids bound to BSA‐V are important to acrosome reaction and the utilization of glucose in boar spermatozoa.
Sexual activity in normal married couples in Japan: Investigation by questionnaire
Authors: NAGAO K. 
Published: May 2007

Aims:  After sildenafil, an inhibitor of type‐5 phosphodiesterase (PDE5), was put on the Japanese market in March 1999 and then vardenafil emerged later in June 2004, the diagnosis and therapy of erectile dysfunction (ED) has changed dramatically in Japan. However, there have been few studies in the meantime concerning the actual sexual activity in married couples. It has been almost impossible to understand and access the target(s), and the information regarding sex‐life between couples in order to establish medical treatment for patients with ED.Methods:  In the present study, a questionnaire survey was carried out to examine the frequency, periodicity and foreseeability of sexual intercourse and other relevant matters in 300 married couples who had previously revealed that they had sexual intercourse once or more in 3 months.Results:  The results obtained clearly show that very few couples have sexual intercourse more than once when the opportunity of intercourse arises, and a majority of them had intercourse at night. Furthermore, the results indicated that more than 80% of the couples could not foresee sexual intercourse 30 min earlier.Conclusion:  It was concluded that drugs used to treat ED should be fast acting and make it possible to have sexual intercourse without feeling uncomfortable.
Community‐based processes behind species richness gradients: contrasting abundance–extinction dynamics and sampling effects in areas of low and high productivity
Authors: Carnicer Jofre , Brotons Lluís , Sol Daniel , Jordano Pedro 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTAim To consider the role of local colonization and extinction rates in explaining the generation and maintenance of species richness gradients at the regional scale.Location A Mediterranean biome (oak forests, deciduous forests, shrublands, pinewoods, firwoods, alpine heathlands, crops) in Catalonia, Spain.Methods We analysed the relative importance of direct and indirect effects of community size in explaining species richness gradients. Direct sampling effects of community size on species richness are predicted by Hubbell's neutral theory of biodiversity and biogeography. The greater the number of individuals in a locality, the greater the number of species expected by random direct sampling effects. Indirect effects are predicted by the abundance–extinction hypothesis, which states that in more productive sites increased population densities and reduced extinction rates may lead to high species richness. The study system was an altitudinal gradient of forest bird species richness.Results We found significant support for the existence of both direct and indirect effects of community size in species richness. Thus, both the neutral and the abundance–extinction hypotheses were supported for the altitudinal species richness gradient of forest birds in Catalonia. However, these mechanisms seem to drive variation in species richness only in low‐productivity areas; in high‐productivity areas, species richness was uncorrelated with community size and productivity measures.Main conclusions Our results support the existence of a geographical mosaic of community‐based processes behind species richness gradients, with contrasting abundance–extinction dynamics and sampling effects in areas of low and high productivity.
Firm Turnarounds: an Integrative Two‐Stage Model*
Authors: Arogyaswamy Kamala , Barker Vincent L. , Yasai‐Ardekani Masoud 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTThis paper presents a model proposing that turnaround firms exhibit two classes of response to decline: (a) decline‐stemming strategies that reverse the dysfunctional consequences of decline, and (b) recovery strategies that position the firm to better compete in its industry. We further propose that effective top management actions supportingbothof these strategies are vital to recovering from decline. Our model of the turnaround process questions some existing assumptions about turnarounds and extends theory in several key areas. First, we argue that success in initially stemming decline requires managers to go beyond retrenchment or focusing on financial issues to include effective management of a firm's external stakeholders and internal climate and decision processes. Second, we outline important contingencies impacting each class or stage of response to decline and discuss the interaction between stages. Finally, we demonstrate how our model provides explanations for several unresolved issues regarding turnarounds and has implications for management practice.
Believing Is Seeing: Joint Ventures and Organization Learning*
Authors: Inkpen Andrew C. , Crossan Mary M. 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTThis paper develops a conceptual framework for the study of organization learning and applies it to learning in joint ventures (JVs). the framework presents a multilevel view of the phenomenon, suggesting that learning in organizations occurs at the individual, group and organization levels. the framework integrates behavioural and cognitive perspectives of organization learning and delineates both learning processes and outcomes. Four key elements of organization learning are addressed: the nature of managerial learning experiences, the sharing and integration of managerial learning within an organization, the insti‐tutionalization of learning, and the relationship between organization learning and performance. In applying the framework to a study of learning and JVs, we observed firms with explicit learning objectives unable to put into place the appropriate mechanisms and systems to transfer knowledge from the JV to the parent. While individual managers in the JVs were often enthusiastic and positive about their learning experiences, integration of the learning experience at the parent firm level was problematic, limiting the institutionalized learning. the fundamental position in this paper is that a rigid set of managerial beliefs associated with an unwillingness to cast off or unlearn past practices can severely limit the effectiveness of organization learning.
PERCEPTIONS OF BENEFIT FRAUD STAFF IN THE UK: GIVING P.E.A.C.E. A CHANCE?
Authors: WALSH DAVID , MILNE REBECCA 
Published: May 2007

This article reports a study concerning perceptions of benefit fraud staff and of management concerning their own interviewing techniques and standards, and their views pertaining to a preferred model of interviewing. Interviewing fraud suspects forms an important task performed by Fraud Investigators (FIs) within the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) in the UK. Given this significance, it is surprising that there has been little analysis of the skills used to do this task. Current training consists of a course centred on an interviewing framework called the PEACE model, which was originally developed for police use.The research outlined in this paper examined both FIs and their managers’ perceptions and attitudes of the model and of their own practices. It was found that, while there was general support for the model, reservations were voiced over how effective PEACE may actually be in practice. These reservations centred on insufficient time to prepare for investigations along with a perceived inflexibility over the model’s framework. In, addition, it was highlighted that the absence of any national supervisory framework for investigative interviews should give the organization cause for concern in ensuring standards.
INDIVIDUALS AND THE DYNAMICS OF POLICY LEARNING: THE CASE OF THE THIRD BATTLE OF NEWBURY
Authors: DUDLEY GEOFFREY 
Published: May 2007

In recent years, the phenomenon whereby key individuals introduce effective ideas into policy processes has been identified as a vital agent in the redefinition of policy issues. In turn, this raises the basic question of how these individuals themselves undergo processes of learning and change. The article examines three models of policy learning in order to analyse what they may tell us about the dynamics of individual learning: the advocacy coalition framework; the process of learning by means of ‘development’; and issue redefinition through processes of punctuated equilibria.The models are examined in the context of the learning dynamics of three key individuals within the salient anti‐bypass group the ‘Third Battle of Newbury’. The article’s conclusion identifies three apparent paradoxes in individual learning dynamics and attempts to answer these with particular reference to the concepts of frame reflection and regulation by means of norm setting.
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF RELATIONAL CONTRACTING IN A TEMPORARY PUBLIC ORGANIZATION: INTENSIVE COLLABORATION BETWEEN AN ENGLISH LOCAL AUTHORITY AND PRIVATE CONTRACTORS
Authors: DAVIS PAUL 
Published: May 2007

This article evaluates the factors that shaped the effectiveness of three strategic contracts pursued with private firms by a local authority in the English West Midlands. The contracts generated highly political outputs that supported the council’s defence of the core interests of local residents. The analysis explores the form taken by the contracts; the mechanisms that delivered and integrated them; and the wider structural factors that helped to secure apparently benign contractual outputs. The evaluative yardsticks used to support the analysis were: relationality; flexibility; and performativity.The article argues that relationality is crucial in determining quality in temporary, project‐based organizations. Relationality yields flexibility and effective performance, based on mutual regard and loyalty. The case study highlights the need to explore perceptual gaps between the parties; the importance of the time‐path of relationality; the significance of ‘value residuals’ in incentivizing substantive loyalty; and the potential contribution of zones of flexibility to performance.
SUPRANATIONAL GOVERNANCE OR NATIONAL BUSINESS‐AS‐USUAL? THE NATIONAL ADMINISTRATION OF EU STRUCTURAL FUNDS IN THE NETHERLANDS AND DENMARK
Authors: YESILKAGIT KUTSAL , BLOM‐HANSEN JENS 
Published: May 2007

The partnership principle in EU cohesion policy was introduced in order to involve subnational authorities and interest organizations in policy formulation and implementation. In this article we examine how the member states have reacted to this call for a new way of making public policy.We argue that the multi‐level governance literature and the critics of the multi‐level governance framework have not examined implementation structures properly, but have focused on regional influence. We conduct a comparative analysis of the Dutch and Danish implementations of the European Social Fund and the European Regional Development Fund. Our findings show that when examining implementation structures it becomes clear that member states are in full control of the re‐allocation of EU funds. They show that Denmark and The Netherlands have been able to absorb EU cohesion policy within already existing national implementation structures of labour market policies and regional development. One central theoretical implication of our study is that the focus of studies of any fundamental re‐allocation of power resources in cohesion studies should comprise the entire network of implementation rather than the strategies of its individual component actors.
Human Service organizations: an Australian perspective
Authors: Martin Elaine Wilson 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTTheoretical models or frameworks of change in human service organizations, both governmental and non‐governmental, must adapt to the changing circumstances faced by such organizations in the later 1980s and 1990s. Too often change no longer means innovation initiated from within a service organization in order to improve service to its clients, but rather change engendered or enforced from outside the organization which may have uncertain or adverse implications for clients, target groups, or staff. Major changes may have to be implemented within tight time limits and in situations of high intra‐ and inter‐organizational conflict. In such situations, sequential models of organizational change based upon a rational problem solving process, developed during the more favourable era of the 1970s, may be of limited use. A complementary framework for analysis and action planning can be built upon four dimensions of change identified here as rational‐empirical, social‐systems, power‐politics and values‐vision. These dimensions offer a comprehensive framework for understanding and intervening in various aspects of the change process, such as assessing the forces for and against change, preparing an organization for change, building up a change system, selecting change strategies, and evaluating a change process. Such a framework can be useful to those seeking to influence change in various alternative directions.
Spurious Regression and Trending Variables*
Authors: Noriega Antonio E. , Ventosa‐Santaulària Daniel 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThis paper analyses the asymptotic and finite‐sample implications of different types of non‐stationary behaviour among the dependent and explanatory variables in a linear spurious regression model. We study cases when the non‐stationarity in the dependent and explanatory variables is deterministic as well as stochastic. In particular, we derive the order in probability of the t‐statistic in a spurious regression equation under a variety of empirically relevant data generation processes, and show that the spurious regression phenomenon is present in all cases when both dependent and explanatory variables behave in a non‐stationary way. Simulation experiments confirm our asymptotic results.
A model for clubfoot based on micro‐CT data
Authors: Windisch Gunther , Salaberger Dietmar , Rosmarin Walter , Kastner Johann , Exner Gerhard Ulrich , Haldi‐Brändle Verena , Anderhuber Friedrich 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThe pathological anatomy of idiopathic clubfoot has been investigated for more than 180 years using anatomy, computed tomography (CT), histology and microscopy. Seven idiopathic clubfeet and two normal feet of aborted fetuses were dissected in the present study, with special emphasis on the shape of the cartilage and bones. A three‐dimensional (3D) micro‐CT system, which generates a series of X‐ray attenuation measurements, was used to produce computed reconstructed 3D data sets of each of the separated bones. Based on the micro‐CT data scans a high‐definition 3D colour printing system was used to make a four times enlarged clubfoot model, precisely presenting all the bony malformations. This model reflects the complexity of the anatomy of this disease and is designed to be used in the workshops of orthopaedic surgeons and physiotherapists, for training in new surgical and manipulation techniques.
Glutamate‐mediated neuronal–glial transmission
Authors: Verkhratsky Alexei , Kirchhoff Frank 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThe brain is the most complex organ of the human body. It is composed of several highly specialized and heterogeneous populations of cells, represented by neurones (e.g. motoneurons, projection neurons or interneurons), and glia represented by astrocytes, oligodendrocytes and microglia. In recent years there have been numerous studies demonstrating close bidirectional communication of neurons and glia at structural and functional levels. In particular, the excitatory transmitter glutamate has been shown to evoke a variety of responses in astrocytes and oligodendrocytes in the healthy as well as the diseased brain. Here we overview the multitude of glutamate sensing molecules expressed in glia and describe some general experiments which have been performed to identify the glutamate‐responsive molecules, i.e. the ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptors as well as the glutamate transporters. We also discuss a transgenic mouse model that permits detailed and specific investigations of the role of glial glutamate receptors.