bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Creating digital value: at the heart of the I‐E‐I framework
Authors: Foster Tim
Published: July 2005

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to provide a better understanding on the use of web sites for creating value in industrial buyer‐seller relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

Through an extensive yet not exhaustive review of previous studies on business‐to‐business (B2B) web site development, the extranet level of a conceptual model (the I‐E‐I framework) is tested in an industrial setting in Sweden. Using four research questions as a guide, a qualitative, case study approach is followed in order to uncover both the industrial sellers' and buyers' perspectives on the true value of an industrial extranet.

Findings

The findings show that, for true value to be created at this level, both the seller and the buyer must not only take value out, but also put it in. Value in this setting focuses on information as the heart of true value creation, and the view that the extranet can indeed be considered the “super‐glue” of such seller‐buyer relationships.

Research limitations/implications

Although the aim of qualitative research is rarely to generalize in any way, it does allow one to probe more deeply and uncover detailed clues and descriptions of what is happening in an area of research that is itself dynamic and constantly changing. What practitioners can take from this study is that extranets can be developed to serve and create true value at the (core) seller‐buyer relationship.

Originality/value

Empirical evidence regarding extranets in such settings has been limited. This study helps to fill this gap and provide a foundation for future research efforts within the area.
Supply chain management and business cycles
Authors: Heng Michael S.H. , Chung William Wang Yu , He Xianghua
Published: July 2005

Purpose

The purpose of this research note is to investigate the implications of supply chain management of e‐business for the macroeconomic phenomenon of business cycles.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides a list of propositions, which form the broad basis of an empirical research agenda, to explore and investigate the mechanisms through which supply chain innovations can influence business cycle.

Findings

Economic research literature has pointed out that there are linkages between inventory investment and business cycle fluctuation. Given that the e‐business supply chain management drastically alters inventory investment across a range of industries, it is likely to affect the behaviour of economic fluctuation.

Originality/value

This research has the potential to contribute to a better‐informed formulation of economic policies at national and global level.
Collaborative commerce or just common sense? Insights from vegetable supply chains in Ho Chi Minh City
Authors: Cadilhon Jean‐Joseph , Fearne Andrew P. , Thi Giac Tam Phan , Moustier Paule , Poole Nigel D.
Published: July 2005

Purpose

To demonstrate that collaborative commerce is not restricted to trade in branded products between large, multi‐national organisations.

Design/methodology/approach

Insights from extensive field research in Viet Nam.

Findings

The benefits from collaborative commerce are plain for all to see yet very little of it is being practices in retail food chains at present, due primarily to incompatible organisational cultures and a competitive market environment that drives large corporations towards transactional relationships based on price competition. The insights from the Vietnamese vegetable supply chain demonstrate the simplicity of the principles of collaborative commerce and the ease with which they are adopted when the culture is conducive to collaboration and a partnership approach to trading relationships.

Research limitations/implications

Findings are based on research conducted in and around Ho Chi Minh city and on a narrow product range, but anecdotal evidence suggests the principles apply across all commodities and extend beyond the South of the country.

Practical implications

Demonstrates the importance of organisational culture in collaborative commerce, so businesses who wish to benefit from collaboration in the supply chain need to look at ways of developing an organisational culture that is conducive to collaboration.

Originality/value

This paper sheds new light on the application of the principles of collaborative commerce in a developing country context and in a low value‐high risk food category, without major investment in IT systems.
Stronger supply chain relationships: learning from research on strong families
Authors: Bullington Kimball E. , Bullington Stanley F.
Published: July 2005

Purpose

The need for long‐term relationships between customer and supplier has been suggested for some time. The literature of supply chain management often compares customer‐supplier relationships to a marriage. The purpose of this paper is to apply results of research on successful families to supply chain management in order to improve these critical business relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

The family strengths research is based on surveys and interviews of more than 6,000 successful families over a period exceeding 20 years, and has been summarized in six characteristics of successful families, which are used as the basis of a model of a successful supply chain relationship. The proposed model for successful supply chain relationships is then compared with the existing literature that addresses relationship success and failure.

Findings

Support for the characteristics in the supply chain relationships model was found in the literature. One weakness of the model was the failure to explicitly emphasize supplier performance.

Originality/value

The characteristics of principles‐centered relationships and the need for appreciation were new contributions. Generally, this aspect is not emphasized in the supply chain management literature. The supply chain relationships model provides a conceptual framework that should be useful in communicating the desired final state.
Improving chemical industry performance through enhanced railcar utilization
Authors: Closs David J. , Mollenkopf Diane A. , Keller Scott B.
Published: July 2005

Purpose

The chemical industry is struggling to improve its supply chain performance, and improved asset utilization may help get the industry headed in the right direction. Since most chemical firms own or lease their rail fleets, rail utilization can have a substantial impact on overall asset utilization. The paper aims to focus on current managerial processes and situational factors that impact railcar asset performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Rail car cycle data are analyzed, focusing on major sources of variation in transit inventory as railcars move from plant to customer and back.

Findings

Findings include the importance of establishing and adhering to policies regarding supply chain practices; substantial differences exist between hopper and tank car performance; distance is not a major predictor of total cycle time variance; and vendor‐managed inventory relationships can operate with less customer inventory.

Research limitations/implications

This paper addresses only one component of supply chain performance: railcar cycle time. Further analysis is needed to investigate differences between hopper car and tank car transit times. Additional research should also involve the railroad companies as participants in chemical firms' supply chains.

Practical implications

The paper provides several practical recommendations for chemical company supply chain managers relating to process controls, focusing on large customer accounts, managing transit time and variation of rail cars between plant and factory. The findings and recommendations can be applied across many industries.

Originality/value

This paper focuses on supply chain practices in the chemical industry, which has been slow to adopt supply chain practices. In particular, this paper investigates railcar coordination as one means of enhancing supply chain performance, reducing both inventory and transportation assets.
The impact of decision‐making sharing between supplier and manufacturer on their collaboration performance
Authors: Kim Bowon , Oh Heungshik
Published: July 2005

Purpose

IThe purpose of this paper is to focus on manufacturers and suppliers who engage in strategic relationships for quality improvement and new product development. Depending on the balance of bargaining power in the relationship, each partner's resource commitment to the activities such as quality improvement and new product development may vary. This has implications for both manufacturer and supplier profitability. Therefore the paper aims to investigate how variations in the structure of the decision‐making process (i.e. manufacturer dominated, supplier dominated, or balanced) affect the performance of each partner in strategic collaborative relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to answer the research question, the paper uses real data from a telecommunications company to develop a simulation model and conduct a what‐if analysis.

Findings

The analysis shows that sharing the decision‐making process has indeed a significant impact on the collaboration performance: an optimal outcome would have been achieved should the objective function have taken into account both partners' profit maximization at the same time. Although the outcome may be bound by the specific context of the case, the paper puts forth that the supply chain partners could expect better performance from their collaboration when both of their perspectives are accommodated equally.

Originality/value

In conducting the research, unlike most of the previous studies using qualitative methods, this paper employed the system dynamics simulation to develop an analysis model by calibrating the real data. Therefore, the paper's conclusions are more analytical and generalizable than others based only on qualitative reasoning.
A competence‐based strategic management model factoring in key success factors and benchmarking
Authors: Chen Hsiu‐Li
Published: July 2005

Purpose

To establish a comprehensive model of strategic management emphasized on the interactions of the organization with its external and internal environments and also to further develop a strategy based on competitive advantage.

Design/methodology/approach

By using key success factor and benchmarking methodologies as well as Multi‐Dimensional Space technique, the operational customer's needs fall into four strategic cells: “anchoring”, “narrowing”, “following‐up”, and “catching‐up”, which can be improved in accordance with strategic moves.

Findings

The empirical study examines Taipei International Airport (TPE) and undertakes a comparison with its six major competitors in Asia. It has been found that Singapore as well as Hong Kong international airports prevailed over other competitors in the overall performance and thus were selected as the benchmarking airports. While the TPE outperforms the benchmarking airports in the Core Functional Area, it lags well behind in the Support Area. It is therefore strongly suggested that the TPE should develop its ability to build up Key Success Factors as well as to benchmark efficiently and effectively if it is to secure competitive advantage over the benchmarking airports.

Originality/value

The quantitative and strategic management model we built could help organizational members to analyze corporation's current position, to reach more competitive strategies, and to evaluate/change strategies effectively.
A business model for uncertainty management
Authors: Koh S.C.L. , Gunasekaran A. , Saad S.M.
Published: July 2005

Purpose

To present the application of a business model for holistic uncertainty management for twenty‐first century manufacturing enterprises.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire survey is carried out to UK manufacturing enterprises to collect relevant data, and analysis of variance (ANOVA), correlation analysis and cluster analysis are performed to infer the results.

Findings

It can be concluded that different manufacturing environments suffer different effects of underlying causes of uncertainty on product tardy delivery. The product tardy delivery performance in make‐to‐order (MTO) manufacturing environment is found significantly affected by a wide range of underlying causes of uncertainty. It is interesting to find that mixed‐mode (MM) manufacturing environment has an opposite outcome. Correlation results provide significant evidence that underlying causes of uncertainty do not have linear association with product tardy delivery. This finding reinforces the proposition that the effects of uncertainty are difficult to quantify due to the compound effect. The cluster analyses of the business environmental factors of the manufacturing enterprises in MM, make‐to‐stock (MTS) and MTO environments found that size of enterprise, product variety, product complexity, number of parts, ratio of buy vs make parts, the use of rough‐cut capacity planning, and the use of buffering or dampening techniques in production, influence the effects of underlying causes of uncertainty on product tardy delivery.

Research limitations/implications

Only UK manufacturing enterprises are investigated. The results will be relevant to MTO, MM and MTS manufacturing environments.

Practical implications

The application of the business model has provided useful knowledge to MM, MTS and MTO manufacturing enterprises on which underlying causes of uncertainty are significantly affecting their product tardy delivery performance.

Originality/value

A holistic approach such as the business model has given a solid foundation for the enterprises to evaluate their performance. Using the knowledge of significant underlying causes of uncertainty, the enterprises could then prioritise the effort and devise suitable buffering or dampening techniques.
Engineering sustainable solutions program
Authors: Paten Cheryl J.K. , Palousis Nicholas , Hargroves Karlson , Smith Michael
Published: July 2005

Purpose

While a number of universities in Australia have embraced concepts such as project/problem‐based learning and design of innovative learning environments for engineering education, there has been a lack of national guidance on including sustainability as a “critical literacy” into all engineering streams. This paper was presented at the 2004 International Conference on Engineering Education in Sustainable Development (EESD) in Barcelona, Spain, outlining a current initiative that is seeking to address the “critical literacy” dilemma.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents the positive steps taken by Australia's peak engineering body, the Institution of Engineers Australia (EA), in considering accreditation requirements for university engineering courses and its responsibility to ensure the inclusion of sustainability education material. It then describes a current initiative called the “Engineering Sustainable Solutions Program – Critical Literacies for Engineers Portfolio” (ESSP‐CL), which is being developed by The Natural Edge Project (TNEP) in partnership with EA and Unesco.

Findings

Content for the module was gathered from around the world, drawing on research from the publication The Natural Advantage of Nations: Business Opportunities, Innovation, and Governance in the Twenty‐first Century. Parts of the first draft of the ESSP‐CL have been trialled at Griffith University, Queensland, Australia with first year environmental engineering students, in May 2004. Further trials are now proceeding with a number of other universities and organisations nationally and internationally.

Practical implications

It is intended that ESSP‐CL will be a valuable resource to universities, professional development activities or other education facilities nationally and internationally.

Originality/value

This paper fulfils an identified information/resources need.
Influence of the N‐terminal domain on the aggregation properties of the prion protein
Authors: Frankenfield Kristen N. , Powers Evan T. , Kelly Jeffery W.
Published: July 2005

Prion diseases appear to be caused by the aggregation of the cellular prion protein (PrPC) into an infectious form denoted PrPSc. The in vitro aggregation of the prion protein has been extensively investigated, yet many of these studies utilize truncated polypeptides. Because the C‐terminal portion of PrPSc is protease‐resistant and retains infectivity, it is assumed that studies on this fragment are most relevant. The full‐length protein can be distinguished from the truncated protein because it contains a largely structured, α‐helical, C‐terminal region in addition to an N terminus that is unstructured in the absence of metal ion binding. Herein, the in vitro aggregation of a truncated portion of the prion protein (PrP 90–231) and a full‐length version (PrP 23–231) were compared. In each case, concentration‐dependent aggregation was analyzed to discern whether it proceeds by a nucleation‐dependent pathway. Both protein constructs appear to aggregate via a nucleated polymerization with a small nucleus size, yet the later steps differ. The full‐length protein forms larger aggregates than the truncated protein, indicating that the N terminus may mediate higher‐order aggregation processes. In addition, the N terminus has an influence on the assembly state of PrP before aggregation begins, causing the full‐length protein to adopt several oligomeric forms in a neutral pH buffer. Our results emphasize the importance of studying the full‐length protein in addition to the truncated forms for in vitro aggregation studies in order to make valid hypotheses about the mechanisms of prion aggregation and the distribution of aggregates in vivo.
Crystal structure of the human vascular adhesion protein‐1: Unique structural features with functional implications
Authors: Airenne Tomi T. , Nymalm Yvonne , Kidron Heidi , Smith David J. , Pihlavisto Marjo , Salmi Marko , Jalkanen Sirpa , Johnson Mark S. , Salminen Tiina A.
Published: July 2005

The expression of human vascular adhesion protein‐1 (hVAP‐1) is induced at sites of inflammation where extravasation of lymphocytes from blood to the peripheral tissue occurs. We have solved the X‐ray structure of hVAP‐1, a human copper amine oxidase (CAO), which is distinguished from other CAOs in being membrane‐bound. The dimer structure reveals some intriguing features that may have fundamental roles in the adhesive and enzymatic functions of hVAP‐1, especially regarding the role of hVAP‐1 in inflammation, lymphocyte attachment, and signaling. Firstly, Leu469 at the substrate channel may play a key role in controlling the substrate entry; depending on its conformation, it either blocks or gives access to the active site. Secondly, sugar units are clearly observed at two of the six predicted N‐glycosylation sites. Moreover, mutagenesis analysis showed that all of the predicted sites were glycosylated in the protein used for crystallization. Thirdly, the existence of a solvent‐exposed RGD motif at the entrance to each active site in hVAP‐1 suggests that it may have a functional role.
HCA and HML isolated from the red marine algae Hypnea cervicornis and Hypnea musciformis define a novel lectin family
Authors: Nagano Celso S. , Debray Henri , Nascimento Kyria S. , Pinto Vicente P.T. , Cavada Benildo S. , Saker‐Sampaio Silvana , Farias Wladimir R.L. , Sampaio Alexandre H. , Calvete Juan J.
Published: July 2005

HCA and HML represent lectins isolated from the red marine algae Hypnea cervicornis and Hypnea musciformis, respectively. Hemagglutination inhibition assays suggest that HML binds GalNAc/Gal substituted with a neutral sugar through 1–3, 1–4, or 1–2 linkages in O‐linked mucin‐type glycans, and Fuc(α1–6)GlcNAc of N‐linked glycoproteins. The specificity of HCA includes the epitopes recognized by HML, although the glycoproteins inhibited distinctly HML and HCA. The agglutinating activity of HCA was inhibited by GalNAc, highlighting the different fine sugar epitope‐recognizing specificity of each algal lectin. The primary structures of HCA (9193±3 Da) and HML (9357±1 Da) were determined by Edman degradation and tandem mass spectrometry of the N‐terminally blocked fragments. Both lectins consist of a mixture of a 90‐residue polypeptide containing seven intrachain disulfide bonds and two disulfide‐bonded subunits generated by cleavage at the bond T50–E51 (HCA) and R50–E51 (HML). The amino acid sequences of HCA and HML display 55% sequence identity (80% similarity) between themselves, but do not show discernible sequence and cysteine spacing pattern similarities with any other known protein structure, indicating that HCA and HML belong to a novel lectin family. Alignment of the amino acid sequence of the two lectins revealed the existence of internal domain duplication, with residues 1–47 and 48–90 corresponding to the N‐ and C‐terminal domains, respectively. The six conserved cysteines in each domain may form three intrachain cysteine linkages, and the unique cysteine residues of the N‐terminal (Cys46) and the C‐terminal (Cys71) domains may form an intersubunit disulfide bond.
Soluble domains of telomerase reverse transcriptase identified by high‐throughput screening
Authors: Jacobs Steven A. , Podell Elaine R. , Wuttke Deborah S. , Cech Thomas R.
Published: July 2005

Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein complex responsible for extending the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes. Structural and biophysical studies of this enzyme have been limited by the inability to produce large amounts of recombinant protein. Here we perform a high‐throughput screen to map regions of the Tetrahymena thermophila TERT (Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase) protein that are overexpressed in a soluble form in Escherichia coli using a GFP‐fusion system. Many of the soluble protein domains identified do not coincide with domains inferred from multiple sequence alignment, so screening for fluorescent colonies provided information not otherwise readily obtained. The method revealed an essential, independently folded N‐terminal domain that was expressed and purified with high yield and found to be suitable for structural analysis. These results provide a tool for future structural and biophysical studies of TERT.
Overexpression of Fos‐related antigen‐1 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Mangone Flavia R. R. , Brentani M. Mitzi , Nonogaki Suely , Begnami Maria Dirlei F. S. , Campos Antonio Hugo J. F. M. , Walder Fernando , Carvalho Marcos B. , Soares Fernando A. , Torloni Humberto , Kowalski Luiz P. , Federico Miriam H. H.
Published: July 2005

The activating protein‐1 (AP‐1) family of transcription factors has been implicated in the control of proliferation and differentiation of keratinocytes, but its role in malignant transformation is not clear. The aim of this study is to assess the pattern of mRNA expression of jun‐fos AP‐1 family members in 45 samples of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) and matched adjacent mucosa by means of Northern blot analysis. Transcripts of all family members were identified, except for JunB that was detected only by means of reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Neither c‐Fos nor JunD or FosB mRNA differed between tumours and normal tissues. We observed a strong Fos‐related antigen‐1 (Fra‐1) and Fra‐2 expression, but only Fra‐1 mRNA densitometric values were higher in tumour, compared to normal adjacent mucosa (t‐test, P = 0.006). A direct relationship between the positive expression of Fra‐1 mRNA, above tumour median, was associated with the presence of compromised lymph nodes (Fischer exact test, P = 0.006). In addition, Fra‐1 protein staining was assessed in a collection of 180 tumours and 29 histologically normal samples adjacent to tumours in a tissue array. Weak reactivity, restricted to the basal cell layer, was detected in 79% of tumour adjacent normal tissues, opposed to the intense reactivity of cancer tissues. In the subgroup of oral cancers, we have observed a shift in Fra‐1 immunoreactivity, as long as the number of patients in each category, cytoplasmic or nuclear/cytoplasmic staining, was analysed (Fischer exact test, P = 0.0005). Thus, Fra‐1 gene induction and accumulation of Fra‐1 protein may contribute to the neoplastic phenotype in HNSCC.
Hyperproduction of fibrin and inefficacy of antithrombin III and α2 macroglobulin in the presence of bacterial porins
Authors: Di Micco Biagio , Di Micco Pierpaolo , Lepretti Marilena , Stiuso Paola , Donnarumma Giovanna , Iovene Maria R. , Capasso Rita , Tufano Maria A.
Published: July 2005

Bacterial porins enhance the thrombin activity upon chromogen substrate chromozym. Should porin‐dependent enhancement of thrombin activity take place also upon fibrinogen in vivo, this might greatly increase the fibrin production which, in turn, might lead to blood vessel obstruction. In this study, we demonstrate fibrin hyperproduction in a simplified coagulative system, consisting of fibrinogen and thrombin‐pure molecules, in the presence of bacterial porins. In particular, bacterial porins, in the presence of thrombin, significantly increased the fibrin production compared with thrombin alone. Also, fibrin hyperproduction took place even in the presence of the thrombin inhibitors antithrombin III (AT III) or α2 macroglobulin (α2M). However, the thrombin–fibrinogen reaction in the presence of AT III or α2M did not generate fibrin, unless porins were present. In conclusion, porins not only enhance thrombin activity but also inhibit the antithrombin activity exerted by AT III or α2M. We hypothesize that, because of porins activity, fibrin is largely generated due to thrombin hyperactivation. Moreover, further fibrin is produced by thrombin, which is not blocked by two serpins for the presence of porins. These results might be relevant as to the occurrence of disseminated intravascular coagulation in sepsis by gram‐negative bacteria, which are known to produce porins.
Purchasing Portfolio Models: A Critique and Update
Authors: Gelderman Cees J. , Van Weele Arjan J.
Published: July 2005

Purchasing portfolio models have spawned considerable discussion in the literature. Many advantages and disadvantages have been put forward, revealing considerable divergence in opinion on the merits of portfolio models. This study addresses the question of whether or not the use of purchasing portfolio models is considered as a sign of purchasing sophistication. Using data from a broad sample of industries, it was found that purchasing sophistication is a two‐dimensional construct: purchasing's professionalism and purchasing's position within companies. Results revealed that the position and the professionalism of purchasing are both positively related to the greater use of purchasing portfolio models. Findings indicate that portfolio usage is definitely a sign of purchasing sophistication.
Gaining Competitive Advantage From Integrating Enterprise Resource Planning and Total Quality Management
Authors: Laframboise Kevin , Reyes Felipe
Published: July 2005

Using the complex aerospace industry as a backdrop, this exploratory study examines the coexistence of enterprise resource planning (ERP) applications and quality management initiatives, as they relate to competitive advantage and supplier influence. Using a qualitative methodology, the results support the following: (a) a resource‐based view that ERP implementation influences competitive position and performance only indirectly through interactions with other resources; (b) that ERP applications do not adequately address the procedural and system complexities of the existing quality programs used by aerospace manufacture; and (c) that ERP implementation increases the influence of the focal firm over the suppliers' quality improvement system.
Diagnostic criteria for monoclonal B‐cell lymphocytosis
Authors: Marti Gerald E. , Rawstron Andy C. , Ghia Paolo , Hillmen Peter , Houlston Richard S. , Kay Neil , Schleinitz Thérèse A. , Caporaso Neil ,   The International Familial CLL Consortium
Published: July 2005

Very low levels of circulating monoclonal B‐cell subpopulations can now be detected in apparently healthy individuals using flow cytometry. We propose the term ‘monoclonal B‐cell lymphocytosis’ (MBL) to describe this finding. The aim of this document is to provide a working definition of MBL for future clinical, epidemiological and laboratory studies. We propose that the detection of a monoclonal B‐cell population by light chain restriction is sufficient to define this condition in individuals not meeting the diagnostic criteria for other B‐lymphoproliferative disorders. The majority of individuals with MBL will have cells that are indistinguishable from chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). However, this blood cell clonal expansion of CD5+ or CD5− B‐lymphocytes is age‐dependent and immunophenotypic heterogeneity is common. Longitudinal studies are required to determine whether MBL is a precursor state to CLL or other B‐lymphoproliferative disease in a situation analogous to a monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance and myeloma. Future studies of MBL should be directed towards determining its relationship to clinical disease, particularly in individuals from families with a genetic predisposition to developing CLL.
Transient familial haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis reactivation post‐CD34 haematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Almousa H. , Ouachée‐Chardin M. , Picard C. , Radford‐Weiss I. , Caillat‐Zucman S. , Cavazzana‐Calvo M. , Blanche S. , de Saint Basile G. , Le Deist F. , Fischer A.
Published: July 2005

Familial haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (FHLH) is a genetic disorder caused by defective lymphocyte cytotoxicity, resulting in impaired lymphocyte homeostasis and macrophage infiltration of solid tissues and bone marrow, with extensive haemophagocytosis. It is invariably fatal unless treated by allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). In a retrospective analysis of 11 cases of FHLH, transplanted in one centre between January 1999 and December 2003, it was found that host T cell expansion occurred early after HSCT in a setting of a viral infection (cytomegalovirus and Epstein–Barr virus respectively) in two cases who received T cell‐depleted HSCT. Transient recurrence of clinical and biological manifestations of FHLH was observed, despite evidence for donor cell engraftment. Secondary development of donor T cells led to stable mixed chimaerism and sustained remission of FHLH. Detection of host‐derived T cells soon after HSCT in a patient with FHLH should thus not mistakenly be taken as a manifestation of graft rejection.
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection as a complement to gonadotrophin treatment in infertile men with hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism
Authors: ZORN BRANKO , PFEIFER MARIJA , VIRANT‐KLUN IRMA , MEDEN‐VRTOVEC HELENA
Published: July 2005

In this study we sought to determine whether intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) could improve the efficacy of treatment with gonadotrophins in gonadotrophin‐deficient men in terms of pregnancy. A series of six adult men (aged 26–47 years) with hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism (HH) is reported: four men with prepubertal isolated idiopathic HH (IIHH) and two adult‐onset HH, as part of hypopituitarism secondary to surgical treatment of a pituitary tumour. All were azoospermic. To restore spermatogenesis, all received hormonal treatment with intramuscular human menopausal gonadotrophins (HMG) and human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) for 2 to 23 months. High basal serum inhibin B was predictive of rapid and complete recovery of spermatogenesis. In the two adult‐onset HH, a natural pregnancy was achieved within 3 months. The four men with IIHH underwent ICSI because of poor sperm quality. ICSI using fresh or frozen‐thawed ejaculated spermatozoa was performed after 6–23 months of gonadotrophin treatment. ICSI provided good clinical results in terms of fertilization and embryo quality, and resulted in three pregnancies that ended in three term deliveries. In men with oligozoospermia related to prepubertal IIHH, ICSI shortens the hormonal treatment and enhances the chances of pregnancy.
Sperm concentration in Latvian military conscripts as compared with other countries in the Nordic–Baltic area
Authors: TSAREV IGOR , GAGONIN VALERIJ , GIWERCMAN ALEKSANDER , ERENPREISS JURIS
Published: July 2005

Recent studies of semen quality in men from the general population gave rise to the hypothesis of an East–West gradient in semen quality in the Nordic–Baltic area, with the highest sperm counts in Estonia, Lithuania and Finland, and the lowest in Denmark (30% difference in mean concentration). Genetic, lifestyle‐related and environmental factors – alone or in combination – were suggested to be responsible for these differences. The aim of this study was to assess sperm concentration in men from the general population in Latvia and to investigate the impact of ethnic and lifestyle‐related factors on this marker of male reproductive health. A total of 133 military conscripts from Latvia were investigated. We found that sperm counts among Latvian adolescents were at the same level (mean 74, median 63 × 106/mL) as those previously reported from Estonia, Lithuania and Finland. Sperm concentration was somewhat higher than in Sweden without reaching the level of statistical significance (mean difference 3 × 106/mL; 95% CI: −10, 16 × 106/mL), and statistically significantly higher that in Denmark (mean difference: 17 × 106/mL; 95% CI: 5, 2 × 106/mL). The study also revealed an impact of ethnic factors on sperm numbers. Sperm concentration was significantly higher in men with both parents born in Latvia (77 ± 60 × 106/mL), compared with men with both parents born outside Latvia (55 ± 45 × 106/mL, p = 0.03).
Sites of residual spermatozoa after irrigation of the distal vas deferens using normal saline solution during vasectomy in a rat model
Authors: SUKAPIRIYA CHAWIN , CHANPALAKORN NIRAMOL , CHALERMSANYAKORN PANAS , LEUNGWATTANAKIJ SOMBOON
Published: July 2005

We have previously reported that irrigation of the distal vas deferens using a normal saline solution (NSS) is successful in removing a large amount of spermatozoa from the tract. However, this technique does not completely remove all the motile spermatozoa from the ejaculate. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the location of the residual spermatozoa after distally irrigating the vas deferens. Twenty male Sprague‐Dawley rats (400–450 g) constitute our study population. The animals were divided into two groups: group 1, control group (n = 10), rats that undergo only vasectomy and group 2, experimented group (n = 10), rats that undergo vasectomy and distal irrigation of the vas deferens using 3 mL of NSS. In both groups, the middle and terminal parts of the vas deferens including the seminal vesicles are removed and sent for spermatozoa count. The post‐vasectomy urine samples containing spermatozoa are obtained by mid‐ventral cystocentesis and the concentration is determined using a haemocytometer. More spermatozoa was found in the urine samples of the experimented group than the control (21.3 ± 10.61 vs. 0.2 ± 0.20 million/ml, p‐value = 0.068), and lesser residual sperms reside at both the middle and the terminal parts of the vas deferens (0.5 ± 0.31 vs. 3.0 ± 0.00; p = 0.008 and 1.1 ± 0.99 vs. 2.0 ± 0.00; p = 0.036 respectively). No sperms were present in the seminal vesicles of the control group, but two of 10 rats in the experimented group had few to moderate amount of sperms in their seminal vesicles (p = 0.180). After the distal irrigation of the vas deferens using NSS, some residual sperms resided in the middle and more at the distal part of the vas with a few that escaped into the seminal vesicles.
The chromatoid body in spermatogenesis
Authors: PARVINEN MARTTI
Published: July 2005

All germ cells throughout the animal kingdom contain cytoplasmic cloud‐like accumulations of material called nuage. Polar bodies in Drosophila oocytes are probably the best known forms of nuage. In spermatogenic cells, the nuage is called chromatoid body (CB). In early spermatids of the rat, it has a diameter of 1–1.5 μm and a finely filamentous lobular structure. Typically, it is associated with a multitude of vesicles. It is first clearly seen in mid‐ and late pachytene spermatocytes as an intermitochondrial dense material. During early spermiogenesis it is seen near the Golgi complex and frequently connected by material continuities through nuclear pore complexes with intranuclear particles. In living cells, the CB moves around the Golgi complex and has frequent contacts with it. The CB also moves perpendicularly to the nuclear envelope, and even through cytoplasmic bridges to the neighbour spermatids. One of the major components of the CB is a DEAD‐box RNA helicase VASA that belongs to a class of proteins thought to act as RNA chaperones. It is a general marker of all germ cells and best characterized in Drosophila. The mouse VASA homologue was recently used as a marker of sperm formation from embryonic stem cells. It becomes generally accepted that the CB with its associated structures constitute a mechanism of post‐transcriptional processing and storage of several mRNA species that are shared between neighbour cells and used for translation when the genome of the spermatids becomes inactive.
Intracellular Calcium Involvement in Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase‐Activating Polypeptide Stimulation of Growth Hormone and Gonadotrophin Secretion in Goldfish Pituitary Cells
Authors: Sawisky G. R. , Chang J. P.
Published: July 2005

The involvement of intracellular Ca2+ stores and their regulatory mechanisms in mediating pituitary adenylate cyclase‐activating polypeptide (PACAP) stimulation of growth hormone (GH) and maturational gonadotrophin (GTH‐II) secretion from goldfish pituitary cells was investigated using a cell column perifusion system. Pretreatment with caffeine abolished the GH and GTH‐II responses to PACAP. Dantrolene attenuated PACAP‐elicited GTH‐II release but did not affect the GH response, whereas ryanodine and 8‐bromo‐cADP ribose did not alter PACAP‐induced GH and GTH‐II release. Two endoplasmic/sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA) inhibitors, thapsigargin and cyclopiazonic acid, augmented PACAP‐induced GTH‐II release; similarly, thapsigargin elevated GH responses to PACAP. Treatment with carbonyl cyanide m‐chlorophenylhydrazone, a mitochondrial uncoupler, reduced PACAP‐stimulated GH release; however, inhibition of the mitochondrial Ca2+ uniport by Ru360 did not affect GH and GTH‐II responses. The phosphatidyl inositol (PI)‐specific phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor ET‐18‐OCH3 inhibited, whereas the phosphatidyl‐choline (PC)‐specific PLC inhibitor D609 enhanced, PACAP‐stimulated GH and GTH‐II responses. On the other hand, the IP3 receptor blocker xestospongin D had no effect on PACAP‐induced GTH‐II response and potentiated the GH response. These results suggest that, despite some differences between GH and GTH‐II cells, PACAP actions in both cell types generally rely on a caffeine‐sensitive, but a largely ryanodine receptor‐independent, mechanism. PC‐PLC and some SERCA negatively modulate PACAP actions but mitochondrial Ca2+ stores per se are not important. A novel PI‐PLC mechanism, which does not involve the traditional IP3/Ca2+ pathway, is also suggested.
Stimulation and Inhibition of Prolactin Release by Prolactin‐Releasing Peptide in Rat Anterior Pituitary Cell Aggregates
Authors: Swinnen E. , Boussemaere M. , Denef C.
Published: July 2005

Although the G‐protein coupled receptor GPR10 is highly expressed in the anterior pituitary, the action of its ligand prolactin‐releasing peptide‐31 (PrRP) in this tissue is controversial. The present study examined the acute effect of this peptide on prolactin secretion in perifused rat pituitary reaggregate cell cultures from adult male rats. PrRP readily and dose‐dependently stimulated prolactin release at concentrations of 10 and 100 nM, although with a magnitude several times lower than that of thyrotropin‐releasing hormone. Surprisingly, PrRP inhibited prolactin release at 0.1 and 1 nm in a pertussis toxin‐sensitive manner. Inhibition was markedly favoured by long‐term culture. Stimulation and inhibition were differentially affected by the presence of hormones during culture: dexamethasone favoured the inhibitory effect and decreased the magnitude of the stimulatory effect, while oestradiol and triiodothyronine strongly reduced stimulation, as well as inhibition. PrRP, even at 1 nm, counteracted the inhibition of prolactin release by dopamine. There was no effect of PrRP on growth hormone release in aggregates cultured either in the absence or presence of hormones. The present results confirm the prolactin‐releasing capacity of PrRP at nanomolar doses and reveal a hitherto unrecognized inhibitory activity of this peptide. Furthermore, dopamine inhibition of prolactin release is antagonized by PrRP, irrespective of the PrRP dose.
Importance of secondary inoculum of Plasmopara viticola to epidemics of grapevine downy mildew
Authors: Gobbin D. , Jermini M. , Loskill B. , Pertot I. , Raynal M. , Gessler C.
Published: July 2005

To quantify the magnitude and the spatial spread of grapevine downy mildew secondary sporangia, 4685 Plasmopara viticola single lesion samples were collected from 18 plots spread across central Europe. Disease symptoms were collected on two to 22 sampling dates per plot between 2000 and 2002. Four multiallelic microsatellite markers were used for genotypic identification of pathogen samples. Genetic analysis showed more than 2300 site‐specific P. viticola genotypes, indicating that populations are genetically rich demographic units. Approximately 70% of the genotypes were sampled once and 14% were sampled twice throughout the various epidemics. In the 18 populations only seven genotypes (0.3%) were identified more than 50 times. Three genotypes particularly successful in causing disease through secondary cycles showed mainly a clustered distribution. The distance of sporangial migration per secondary cycle was less than 20 m and their plot colonization rate was calculated at around 1–2 m2 day−1. Downy mildew epidemics of grapevine are therefore the result of the interaction of a multitude of genotypes, each causing limited (or a few) lesions, and of a dominant genotype able to spread stepwise at plot‐scale. These findings contrast with current theories about grapevine downy mildew epidemiology, which postulate that there is massive vineyard colonization by one genotype and long‐distance migration of sporangia.
Correlation of molecular markers and biological properties in Verticillium dahliae and the possible origins of some isolates
Authors: Collins A. , Mercado‐Blanco J. , Jiménez‐Díaz R. M. , Olivares C. , Clewes E. , Barbara D. J.
Published: July 2005

Haploid and amphihaploid Verticillium dahliae isolates were studied using PCR‐based molecular markers which: (i) discriminate the defoliating and nondefoliating pathotypes (two primer pairs INTD2f/r and INTND2f/r), and (ii) are species‐specific (primer pair 19/22). The results were compared with some known biological and other molecular properties of the isolates. Five discrete sequences of the 19/22 amplicon were found. Sequence 4 was associated with both defoliating isolates from Spain and nondefoliating isolates from Spain and USA; these pathotypes were separated by the primer pairs INTD2f/r and INTND2f/r, but the data showed that the primer espdef01 (derived from the 19/22 amplicon) cannot be used for this purpose. Amplicon sizes and sequences with primers 19/22 divided amphihaploid isolates from crucifers (thought to be interspecific hybrids) into those corresponding to the previously reported α and β groups. The β‐group isolates had either sequence 4 or 5 (these two differing by a single base). The distinct amplicon sequence 3 given by the α‐group isolates demonstrated that the V. dahliae‐like ‘parent’ of this group was molecularly unlike any haploid isolate yet studied. The overall results are discussed in relation to phytosanitary considerations and the probability of defoliating or crucifer pathotypes arising de novo within Europe, either by selection or by interspecific hybridizations.
In vitro leaf inoculation studies as an indication of tree foliage susceptibility to Phytophthora ramorum in the UK
Authors: Denman S. , Kirk S. A. , Brasier C. M. , Webber J. F.
Published: July 2005

Leaves of 11 coniferous and 23 broad‐leaved tree species important to UK forestry were tested for their susceptibility to the quarantine pathogen Phytophthora ramorum using a detached leaf assay. Two European and two USA isolates were used. Wounded and unwounded leaves were dipped in zoospore suspensions during summer; conifers were also tested in winter. Successful infection of tissue and amount of necrosis were assessed. Highly susceptible broad‐leaved hosts included Aesculus hippocastanum, Fraxinus excelsior, Quercus ilex, Ulmus procera and, to a lesser extent, Castanea sativa, Q. cerris and Q. petraea, together with Umbellularia californica and rhododendrons. Acer pseudoplatanus, Alnus glutinosa, Carpinus betulus, Corylus avellana, Fagus sylvatica, Prunus avium, Q. robur, Q. rubra and Q. suber showed consistently low susceptibility. Conifer species including Abies procera, Picea abies, P. sitchensis, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Sequoia sempervirens and Tsuga heterophylla were also susceptible. Pseudotsuga menziesii and A. procera were severely affected. Pinus contorta, P. nigra var. maritima and P. sylvestris were virtually resistant, while Taxus baccata was only slightly affected. Increased necrosis was apparent on leaves that were wounded prior to inoculation. These results extend the known range of trees that P. ramorum is able to attack and confirm its relative host‐nonspecificity.
The Oxaya anticline (northern Chile): a buckle enhanced by river incision?
Authors: Zeilinger Gerold , Schlunegger Fritz , Simpson Guy
Published: July 2005

A prominent structure in the Western Escarpment of the Andes of northern Chile is the Oxaya anticline, dissected at the culmination by >1500 m deep valleys. The distribution of fault and fold structures indicates that the anticline could represent a simple buckle. Buckling thus appears to have accommodated crustal shortening in the plate overriding the subducting plate, between the trench and the Western Cordillera. Cross‐cutting relationships between structures and dated strata indicated that the time interval of enhanced buckling coincides with the period when rates of valley formation were enhanced. We thus propose that the formation of this anticline was enhanced by fluvial incision, which is consistent with the results of published theoretical models.