bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Crisis Management in the Catholic Church: Lessons for Public Administrators
Authors: Barth Tom
Published: September 2010

The Catholic Church offers a timely, significant case study of institutional failure. Looking at an in‐depth examination of the sex abuse scandal conducted by the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, the author discusses how the church crisis relates to classic public administration and crisis management theory. Given the similarities between the church and the government as public bureaucratic institutions, public administrations have much to learn from the case. Lessons include immediately sharing harsh truths with the public, accepting the stark realities of higher “public” expectations, establishing appropriate accountability systems, and fostering trust by building close community relationships. It is equally important to consider that church leaders neither fully considered nor absorbed key lessons from existing administrative theory. Concepts such as inappropriate organizational culture, bureaucracy, technicism, and goal displacement often blind leaders to adopting best practices based on well‐established theory.
Guiding Regionalism and Reform from the Court: Judge John Feikens
Authors: Zeemering Eric S.
Published: September 2010

For decades, federal district court judges have been deeply involved in the reform of state and local government agencies. Some scholars describe such a judicial role in institutional reform as “managerial.” This profile examines the managerial role of Judge John Feikens, who, since 1977, has supervised the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department's attempts to comply with federal laws on wastewater treatment and water quality. Through his sustained, effective oversight, Feikens became an influential mediator of metropolitan cooperation. His persistence in resolving metropolitan conflict may be viewed with concern by those who worry about lengthy court involvement in public administration. However, this insightful profile underscores poignant contemporary lessons, even from judicial actions, for enhancing metropolitan problem solving.
Administration and Governance in a Compound Republic: Martha Derthick’s Contributions to the Study of American Federalism
Authors: Conlan Tim
Published: September 2010

Martha Derthick is among the most influential scholars of American federalism, administrative behavior, and domestic policy making. Her work over a half century has pioneered the study of policy implementation, administrative and political relationships in federal grant programs, intergovernmental policy making, as well as the evolution of the federal system. This essay reviews her major intellectual contributions to the fields of federalism, public administration, and intergovernmental relations.
Individual variation in organ histogenesis as a causative factor in the developmental origins of health and disease: Unnoticed congenital anomalies?
Authors: Otani Hiroki , Udagawa Jun , Hatta Toshihisa , Kagohashi Yukiko , Hashimoto Ryuju , Matsumoto Akihiro , Satow Fumio , Nimura Masayuki
Published: September 2010

Morphological studies of congenital anomalies have mainly focused on abnormal shape (i.e. malformation) and thus on disturbed organogenesis. However, in regard to postnatal functions of organs that develop through branching mechanisms, organ size is another important morphological feature. These organs consist of a large number of structural and functional units, such as nephrons in the kidney, and the total number of these units, that is approximately proportional to the organ size, has been shown to vary widely among individuals. Organ‐specific cells are differentiated and organized to form structural units and realize organ‐specific functions during the histogenetic period (i.e. from mid‐gestation to the early postnatal period). The total number of units is attained at the end of histogenesis and determines the total functional capacity, including the functional reserve of the organ, and thus may be related to predispositions to postnatal organ‐based diseases, because the functional reserve decreases during the course of life and eventually become short of the minimum requirement of each organ. Therefore, it may be hypothesized that a smaller number of units of organs at the end of histogenesis is one of the predisposing factors for postnatal diseases (i.e. a form of unnoticed but late‐manifested congenital anomalies), in this era of extended longevity. However, the mechanisms that control the total number of units in each organ during histogenesis and the possible relationship among the numbers of units in different organs remain unknown. Here, we review our trials based on the above hypothesis in order to (1) mathematically analyze the morphometric data of the different organs in fetuses to elucidate relationship among developing organs, (2) analyze the developing neuro‐immuno‐endocrine network as a series of mechanisms to systemically correlate the histogenesis of multiple organs, and (3) examine the maternal environment, including dietary fat, as a factor to influence histogenesis and thus the predisposition to type 1 diabetes.
Carbohydrate binding sites in Candida albicans exo‐β‐1,3‐glucanase and the role of the Phe‐Phe ‘clamp’ at the active site entrance
Authors: Patrick Wayne M. , Nakatani Yoshio , Cutfield Susan M. , Sharpe Miriam L. , Ramsay Rochelle J. , Cutfield John F.
Published: September 2010

Candida albicans exo‐β‐1,3‐glucanase (Exg; EC 3.2.1.58) is implicated in cell wall β‐d‐glucan remodelling through its glucosyl hydrolase and/or transglucosylase activities. A pair of antiparallel phenylalanyl residues (F144 and F258) flank the entrance to the active site pocket. Various Exg mutants were studied using steady‐state kinetics and crystallography aiming to understand the roles played by these residues in positioning the β‐1,3‐d‐glucan substrate. Mutations at the Phe‐Phe entranceway demonstrated the requirement for double‐sided CH/π interactions at the +1 subsite, and the necessity for phenylalanine rather than tyrosine or tryptophan. The Tyr‐Tyr double mutations introduced ordered water molecules into the entranceway. A third Phe residue (F229) nearby was evaluated as a possible +2 subsite. The inactive double mutant E292S/F229A complexed with laminaritriose has provided the first picture of substrate binding to Exg and demonstrated how the Phe‐Phe arrangement acts as a clamp at the +1 subsite. The terminal sugar at the −1 site showed displacement from the position of a monosaccharide analogue with interchange of water molecules and sugar hydroxyls. An unexpected additional glucose binding site, well removed from the active site, was revealed. This site may enable Exg to associate with the branched glucan structure of the C. albicans cell wall.
New evidence for the role of calcium in the glycosidase reaction of GH43 arabinanases
Authors: de Sanctis Daniele , Inácio José M. , Lindley Peter F. , de Sá‐Nogueira Isabel , Bento Isabel
Published: September 2010

Endo‐1,5‐α‐l‐arabinanases are glycosyl hydrolases that are able to cleave the glycosidic bonds of α‐1,5‐l‐arabinan, releasing arabino‐oligosaccharides and l‐arabinose. Two extracellular endo‐1,5‐α‐l‐arabinanases have been isolated from Bacillus subtilis, BsArb43A and BsArb43B (formally named AbnA and Abn2, respectively). BsArb43B shows low sequence identity with previously characterized 1,5‐α‐l‐arabinanases and is a much larger enzyme. Here we describe the 3D structure of native BsArb43B, biochemical and structure characterization of two BsArb43B mutant proteins (H318A and D171A), and the 3D structure of the BsArb43B D171A mutant enzyme in complex with arabinohexose. The 3D structure of BsArb43B is different from that of other structurally characterized endo‐1,5‐α‐l‐arabinanases, as it comprises two domains, an N‐terminal catalytic domain, with a 3D fold similar to that observed for other endo‐1,5‐α‐l‐arabinanases, and an additional C‐terminal domain. Moreover, this work also provides experimental evidence for the presence of a cluster containing a calcium ion in the catalytic domain, and the importance of this calcium ion in the enzymatic mechanism of BsArb43B.
Exits from Self-Employment: Is There a Native-Immigrant Difference in Sweden?
Authors: Joona Pernilla Andersson
Published: September 2010

It is well established that non-western immigrants in Sweden are more likely to be self-employed than natives. Whether there is also a difference in the exit rate out of self-employment remains an unexplored question. Using panel data for the period 1998–2002, this study analyzes the exit rates by looking at all exits, and also at exits to different labor market states. We find that the exit rate is about 7% points higher among non-western immigrants than among natives and exits to unemployment is 14% points higher. Decomposing these differences, we find that differences in industry and earlier labor market status are important explanatory factors.
Immigrant Wage Disadvantage in Sweden and the United Kingdom: Wage Structure and Barriers to Opportunity
Authors: Kesler Christel
Published: September 2010

This article examines immigrant/native-born wage inequalities among workers in two Western European countries: Sweden, social democratic and with comparatively low wage dispersion, and the United Kingdom, economically liberal and with comparatively high wage dispersion. The analysis includes immigrants from 26 countries of origin. Findings demonstrate that inequalities in terms of real wages are smaller in more egalitarian Sweden. However, in terms of relative positions within the labor market, inequalities are if anything smaller in the UK. These findings highlight the role of wage dispersion in magnifying immigrant disadvantage, but also the limits of wage compression for ameliorating barriers to immigrant opportunity.
Wages Differences between Temporary and Permanent Immigrants
Authors: Brownell Peter B.
Published: September 2010

Temporary “guestworker” programs are often assumed to have less impact on native-born workers than permanent immigration. However, there are theoretical reasons to expect temporary immigrants to accept lower wages and thus for temporary migration to have a greater adverse impact on receiving country wages. This article develops these theoretical insights and tests for differences in wages paid to temporary and permanent undocumented Mexican immigrants. Survey data from Mexico shows that temporary immigrants earned wages about 12% lower than permanent immigrants. Controlling for human and social capital, a 7.4% difference in wages remains. Among married immigrants, temporary immigrants earn 9.6% lower wages with these same controls.
Union Formation and Partner Choice in a Transnational Context: The Case of Descendants of Turkish Immigrants in France
Authors: Milewski Nadja , Hamel Christelle
Published: September 2010

This paper examines the transition to a first union of descendants of Turkish immigrants in France. We use data from the project The Integration of the European Second Generation, 2007, and apply event-history techniques. We find that descendants of Turkish immigrants who grew up in France enter a first union earlier and more often in a direct marriage than do young adults without an immigrant background. We then describe the type of union in more detail and estimate the likelihood of a transnational partner choice, that is, between a young adult born in France of Turkish immigrant parentage and an immigrant from Turkey. We pay attention to social factors such as education, city of residence, and to cultural factors such as the rules of affinity in Turkey and the attachment to the norm of virginity at marriage as factors that orient partner choice. Finally, we discuss what anthropological methods could contribute to this research.
The Causes of Pro-Immigration Voting in the United States Supreme Court
Authors: Ocepek Melissa G. , Fetzer Joel S.
Published: September 2010

During the pre-confirmation debate over Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, critics accused her of allowing her background to influence her judicial decisions. This article assesses the validity of such a claim for all sitting justices from 1875 to 2007 in one relevant policy area, immigration. In this article, we look at all 185 immigration-related decisions by the Supreme Court from its creation through 2007. Logistic general estimating equation regression analysis of Supreme Court voting on these cases suggests that justices who were nominated by Democratic presidents, who were urbanites, and who had previous judicial experience were more likely to vote in favor of immigration. However, justices who grew up in the Southwest, had Southern European ancestors, or were ideological conservatives were more hostile to immigration. Although public opinion, the unemployment rate, and the percent foreign-born in a given year did not affect justices’ votes, non-asylum cases and appeals from the Eighth Circuit were more likely to receive favorable treatment. The mean level of racial liberalism of the Senators in office during a particular justice's confirmation hearings likewise had a large impact on his or her subsequent rulings. These findings suggest that Supreme Court voting on immigration is substantially influenced by justices’ background and political preferences as well as by some political and legal structures. These results thus support Legal Realism and New Institutionalism instead of the Traditional Legal Model of Supreme Court behavior.
When in Rome, Do as the Romans Do: The Acculturation of Generalized Trust among Immigrants in Western Europe
Authors: Dinesen Peter Thisted , Hooghe Marc
Published: September 2010

The purpose of the article is to examine whether an acculturation of trust takes place among non-western immigrants upon migrating to Western Europe and whether inclusionary integration policies have an effect on this process. Building on the second and third wave of the European Social Survey (ESS) we show that an acculturation of trust does take place, but that integration policy does not affect this process. In spite of some variation across destination countries, we also find that second generation immigrants tend to adapt more to the level of trust of natives in the destination country than first generation immigrants do. This indicates that the acculturation of trust is strengthened with the second generation in the country. The results hold up when controlling for confounding variables including the trust in the country of origin of immigrants.
A Tale of Two Counties: Natives’ Opinions toward Immigration in North Carolina
Authors: O'Neil Kevin , Tienda Marta
Published: September 2010

This article compares native residents’ opinions and perceptions regarding immigration using a representative survey from a pair of matched North Carolina counties – one that experienced recent growth of its foreign-born population and one that did not. Drawing from several theoretical perspectives, including group threat, contact theory, and symbolic politics, we formulate and empirically evaluate several hypotheses. Results provide limited evidence that competition and threat influence formation of opinions about immigration, with modest support for claims that parents with school-aged children harbor more negative views of immigration than their childless counterparts. Except for residents in precarious economic situations, these negative opinions appear unrelated to the immigrant composition of the community. Claims that the media promotes negative views of immigration receive limited support, but this relationship is unrelated to the volume of local immigration. Finally, sustained contacts with foreign-born residents outside work environments are associated with positive views of immigration, but superficial contacts appear to be conducive to anti-immigration sentiments. Political orientation, educational attainment, and indicators of respondents’ tolerance for diversity explain most of the difference between the two counties in overall support for immigration.
Impact of splenectomy in patients with liver cirrhosis: Results from 18 patients in a single center experience
Authors: Imura Satoru , Shimada Mitsuo , Utsunomiya Tohru , Morine Yuji , Ikemoto Tetsuya , Mori Hiroki , Hanaoka Jun , Iwahashi Shuichi , Saito Yu , Yamanaka‐Okumura Hisami , Takeda Eiji
Published: September 2010

Aim:  With the recent advances in medical or surgical treatments in chronic hepatic disorders, the indications for splenectomy in hepatic disorders have greatly expanded. We performed splenectomy for cirrhotic patients and investigated the effects of splenectomy on hepatic functional reserve and nutrition metabolism.

Methods:  Eighteen patients (Child–Pugh B/C: 12/6; Child–Pugh A: excluded) who underwent splenectomy at our institute between 2005 and 2008 were enrolled. Twelve patients (67%) had hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), eight of whom met the Milan criteria.

Results:  Overall survival rate was 83.3% at 1 year and 62.7% at 2 years. The survival rate of six patients with liver cirrhosis classified a Child–Pugh C was 80.0% at 1 year and 60.0% at 2 years. Three patients underwent hepatic resection and nine patients received ablation therapy against hepatocelluar carcinoma. Portal pressure decreased after splenectomy in most patients (mean decrease, 4.7 mmHg). Four weeks after the operation, the markers of hepatic functional reserve, indocyanine green retention rate at 15 min (ICGR15) and Technetium‐99m‐galactosyl human serum albumin value (99mTc‐GSA), improved from 38.5% to 35.1% and from 0.773 to 0.788 (LHL15), respectively. The non‐protein respiratory quotient (npRQ) did not change in short period after the operation. Other outcomes, including liver function test in cirrhotic patients with long‐term (1 year) follow‐up after splenectomy (n = 7), did not improve significantly. Post‐operative complications included portal thrombus (n = 2), ascites (n = 2) were observed in six patients (33%).

Conclusion:  Splenectomy improved hepatic functional reserve and nutritional metabolism in some cases. However, the long‐term outcomes should still be evaluated.
Effects of late evening snack on diurnal plasma glucose profile in patients with chronic viral liver disease
Authors: Suzuki Kazutomo , Kagawa Kagemasa , Koizumi Kazuhito , Suzuki Kazuyoshi , Katayama Hiromi , Sugawara Miwa
Published: September 2010

Aim:  Glycemic control is important to improve the prognosis in cirrhotic patients with complications from diabetes. A late evening snack (LES) has been recommended for cirrhotic patients. We investigated the effects of LES on diurnal plasma glucose levels.

Methods:  Subjects comprised 47 patients with chronic viral liver disease (chronic hepatitis, n = 11; cirrhosis, n = 36) treated in the Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Dokkyo Medical University Koshigaya Hospital. Diurnal variations in plasma glucose were first investigated with three meals/day, in accordance with the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) guidelines. Starting the next day, patients were given four meals including a LES, without changing meal content. Diurnal variations in plasma glucose were examined on day 7, and urine C‐peptide immunoreactivity (CPR), and homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) were investigated.

Results:  With a LES, plasma glucose levels in patients with chronic hepatitis were significantly lower 2 hours before and 2 hours after dinner. In cirrhotic patients, significant decreases in plasma glucose levels were seen 2 hours after breakfast, before lunch, and before dinner. Significant decreases were noted in average plasma glucose levels and highest plasma glucose levels with four meals including a LES in patients with liver cirrhosis. This decrease was greater when maximum plasma glucose levels were higher on the three‐meal regimen.

Conclusions:  Improvements in plasma glucose levels were seen with four meals per day, including a LES, in viral chronic liver disease, particularly cirrhosis.
Hepatic steatosis in chronic hepatitis C is a significant risk factor for developing hepatocellular carcinoma independent of age, sex, obesity, fibrosis stage and response to interferon therapy
Authors: Kurosaki Masayuki , Hosokawa Takanori , Matsunaga Kotaro , Hirayama Itsuko , Tanaka Tomohiro , Sato Mitsuaki , Yasui Yutaka , Tamaki Nobuharu , Ueda Ken , Tsuchiya Kaoru , Kuzuya Teiji , Nakanishi Hiroyuki , Itakura June , Takahashi Yuka , Asahina Yasuhiro , Enomoto Nobuyuki , Izumi Namiki
Published: September 2010

Aim:  Hepatic steatosis is linked to development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in non‐viral liver disease such as non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis. The present study aimed to assess whether hepatic steatosis is associated with the development of HCC in chronic hepatitis C.

Methods:  We studied a retrospective cohort of 1279 patients with chronic hepatitis C who received interferon (IFN) therapy between 1994 and 2005 at a single regional hospital in Japan. Of these patients, 393 had a sustained virological response (SVR) and 886 had non‐SVR to IFN therapy. After IFN therapy, these patients were screened for development of HCC every 6 months. The average period of observation was 4.5 years.

Results:  HCC developed in 68 patients. The annual incidence of HCC was 2.73% for patients with a steatosis grade of 10% or greater and 0.69% for patients with a steatosis grade of 0–9%. On multivariate analysis, higher grade of steatosis was a significant risk factor for HCC independent of older age, male sex, higher body mass index (BMI), advanced fibrosis stage and non‐SVR to IFN therapy. The adjusted risk ratio of hepatic steatosis was 3.04 (confidence interval 1.82–5.06, P < 0.0001), which was higher than that of older age (1.09), male sex (2.12), non‐SVR to IFN (2.43) and higher BMI (1.69).

Conclusion:  Hepatic steatosis is a significant risk factor for development of HCC in chronic hepatitis C independent of other known risk factors, which suggest the possibility that amelioration of hepatic steatosis may prevent hepatocarcinogenesis.
Significance of interferon‐β for the treatment of hepatitis C virus infection in hemodialyzed patients
Authors: Zeniya Mikio , Yokoyama Keitaro , Imamura Noritsugu , Murai Seizo , Ishikawa Tomohisa , Hokari Atsushi , Koike Kazuhiko , Takahashi Hiroki , Sadaoka Syunichi
Published: September 2010

Aim:  We evaluated the adverse effects and efficacy associated with interferon‐β (IFN‐β) for the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in 20 hemodialyzed (HD) patients.

Methods:  IFN‐β was administrated at a dose of 3 MIU three times a week for 24 weeks simultaneously at the time of HD for the patients of genotype 2a whose viral loads were less than 150 KIU/mL and considered to respond well to IFN therapy.

Results:  There was a sustained virological response (SVR) rate of this treatment in 90% of the patients, and sex, age and HD duration had no affect. Slight adverse effects such as fever, malaise and itching were observed during the treatment periods but none serious in any of the patients. Also, no significant difference in adverse effect was observed between 3 MIU and higher dose (6 MIU) groups.

Conclusion:  Because IFN‐β can be administrated easily into the circuit of HD, adverse effects can be monitored earlier and taken measures against quickly. Taken together, IFN‐β‐based therapy has a potential for HCV treatment in HD patients but further studies for the patients who have higher viral loads will be required to confirm this.
Epidemiological survey of Japanese children infected with hepatitis B and C viruses
Authors: Iitsuka Toshiyuki , Murakami Jun , Nagata Ikuo , Kanzaki Susumu , Shiraki Kazuo
Published: September 2010

Aim:  The lack of a nationwide survey on hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections in Japan led us to investigate the epidemiological profiles of these infections among Japanese children.

Methods:  We conducted a questionnaire survey of children (<20 years of age) infected with either HBV (n = 136) or HCV (n = 114), who visited 636 pediatric institutions in Japan from 2003 through 2005. Most HBV‐infected subjects (94%) were born in 1986 or after when a nationwide immunization program for infants born to HBe antigen‐positive carriers was initiated. The transmission routes were divided into five groups: maternal, horizontal (subdivided into intrafamilial, iatrogenic and other horizontal), and unknown transmission.

Results:  Comparison of subjects born in 1990 or after and those born in 1989 or before, when anti‐HBc and anti‐HCV (c100‐3) screening tests of blood donors began, showed a shift in the relative proportions of maternal, intrafamilial, iatrogenic, other horizontal, and unknown transmission from 52%, 19%, 4%, 7% and 19% to 70%, 14%, 6%, 1% and 9%, respectively, for HBV, which was statistically insignificant (P = 0.120), and from 14%, 0%, 76%, 4% and 7% to 89%, 2%, 4%, 0% and 5%, respectively, for HCV, which was statistically significant (P < 0.001). HBV horizontal transmission did not decrease in proportion. No transfusion‐acquired HCV infection was reported in subjects born in 1993 or after.

Conclusion:  Maternal transmission is a prominent source of HCV infection among Japanese children. The implementation of measures to prevent HBV horizontal infection is also essential, and the present system of selective vaccination should be expanded to universal vaccination.
Improved diagnosis of well‐differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma with gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging and Sonazoid contrast‐enhanced ultrasonography
Authors: Kawada Natsuko , Ohkawa Kazuyoshi , Tanaka Sachiko , Matsunaga Takashi , Uehara Hiroyuki , Ioka Tatsuya , Takano Yasuna , Takakura Rena , Imanaka Kazuho , Tamai Chie , Kawaguchi Tsukasa , Tomita Yasuhiko , Nakanishi Katsuyuki , Katayama Kazuhiro
Published: September 2010

Aim:  Two new imaging modalities have been developed recently that are directed at the focal liver lesions: gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (Gd‐EOB‐DTPA)‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and Sonazoid contrast‐enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS). We investigated the usefulness of these modalities for the diagnosis of small (<2 cm), well‐differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods:  A total of 15 nodules from 13 patients, which were histologically diagnosed as well‐differentiated HCC, were subjected to this study. Lesions that showed hypervascularity in the arterial phase and washout in the portal or late non‐hemodynamic phase were regarded as HCC in the dynamic studies of all imaging modalities.

Results:  By multidetector computed tomography (MDCT), six of 15 (40%) nodules were diagnosed as HCC. Gd‐EOB‐DTPA‐enhanced MRI diagnosed HCC in nine of the 15 (60%) nodules. Of the nine nodules that were not diagnosed by MDCT, four could be diagnosed by Gd‐EOB‐DTPA‐enhanced MRI. In Sonazoid CEUS, 10 of 15 nodules (67%) were diagnosed as HCC. Four of nine nodules that could not be diagnosed as HCC by MDCT, were diagnosed by Sonazoid CEUS. A total of 11 of the 15 (73%) nodules were diagnosed as HCC by Gd‐EOB‐DTPA‐enhanced MRI and Sonazoid CEUS in addition to MDCT.

Conclusion:  Gd‐EOB‐DTPA‐enhanced MRI and Sonazoid CEUS had greater diagnostic value for small, well‐differentiated HCC than did conventional MDCT.
ABCB4 deficiency: A family saga of early onset cholelithiasis, sclerosing cholangitis and cirrhosis and a novel mutation in the ABCB4 gene
Authors: Denk Gerald U. , Bikker Hennie , Lekanne dit Deprez Ronald H. , Terpstra Valeska , Van Der Loos Chris , Beuers Ulrich , Rust Christian , Pusl Thomas
Published: September 2010

Gallstones are very common. However, there is a small group of patients with low phospholipid‐associated cholelithiasis (LPAC) that is characterized by symptomatic cholelithiasis at a young age (<40 years), recurrence of biliary symptoms despite cholecystectomy and concrements or sludge in the intra‐ and extrahepatic biliary system. The LPAC syndrome is associated with mutations of the adenosine triphosphate‐binding cassette, subfamily B, member 4 (ABCB4) gene encoding the hepatobiliary phospholipid translocator multidrug resistance protein 3 (MDR3). Impairment of MDR3 leads to a reduction of biliary phosphatidyl choline levels resulting in a lithogenic and toxic bile. This causes recurrent cholelithiasis, continuous irritations of the biliary tract with cholangitis, chronic cholestasis and even biliary cirrhosis. Here we report on a family with ABCB4 deficiency and LPAC syndrome associated with a novel mutation (c.3203T>A) in the ABCB4 gene.
Adipocytokine involvement in hepatocellular carcinoma after sustained response to interferon for chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Fukushima Nobuyoshi , Kuromatsu Ryoko , Arinaga‐Hino Teruko , Ando Eiji , Takata Akio , Sumie Shuji , Nakano Masahito , Kawaguchi Takumi , Ide Tatsuya , Torimura Takuji , Sata Michio
Published: September 2010

Aim: Interferon (IFN) dramatically reduces the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after a sustained virological response (SVR) to chronic hepatitis C (CH‐C). However, HCC still develops in some patients after SVR. To evaluate metabolic factors in patients with HCC occurring after SVR and to determine whether insulin resistance and adipocytokines were involved in this etiology.

Methods: We examined clinical and biochemical features, histological findings and serum levels of adipocytokine prior to IFN therapy and at the detection of HCC in nine patients who were diagnosed with HCC. As controls, 27 patients were included who showed SVR but had not been diagnosed with HCC for at least 5 years after SVR.

Results: Three of four patients who developed HCC within 5 years after SVR showed liver cirrhosis when HCC was diagnosed. Prior to IFN therapy, four of nine HCC patients were diagnosed as having type 2 diabetes mellitus. Serum levels of leptin and insulin, Homeostatic Model of Assessment of Insulin Resistance and body mass index (BMI) were significantly higher and serum adiponectin was significantly lower in HCC patients at the time of HCC detection than in control patients more than 5 years after SVR. Six HCC patients had increased BMI and one HCC patient had a decreased BMI during the observation period.

Conclusion: Hepatic fibrosis may be tightly related to the emergence of HCC after SVR. Insulin resistance and adipocytokine disorders may be implicated in hepatocarcinogenesis after SVR, in part by promoting hepatic fibrosis.
Lower circulating levels of dehydroepiandrosterone, independent of insulin resistance, is an important determinant of severity of non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis in Japanese patients
Authors: Sumida Yoshio , Yonei Yoshikazu , Kanemasa Kazuyuki , Hara Tasuku , Inada Yutaka , Sakai Kyoko , Imai Shunsuke , Hibino Sawako , Yamaguchi Kanji , Mitsuyoshi Hironori , Yasui Kohichiroh , Minami Masahito , Itoh Yoshito , Naito Yuji , Yoshikawa Toshikazu , Okanoue Takeshi
Published: September 2010

Aim: The biological basis of variability in histological progression of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) remains unknown. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), the most abundant steroid hormone, has been shown to influence sensitivity to reactive oxygen species, insulin sensitivity and expression of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐α. Our aim was to determine whether more histologically advanced NAFLD is associated with low circulating levels of DHEA in Japanese patients.

Methods: Serum samples were obtained in 133 Japanese patients with biopsy‐proven NAFLD and in 399 sex‐ and age‐matched healthy people undergoing health checkups. Serum levels of sulfated DHEA (DHEA‐S) were measured by chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay.

Results: Serum DHEA‐S levels in NAFLD patients were similar to those in the control group. Of 133 patients, 90 patients were diagnosed as non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH): 73 patients had stage 0–2, and 17 had stage 3 or 4. Patients with advanced NAFLD (NASH with fibrosis stage 3 or 4) had lower plasma levels of DHEA‐S than patients with mild NAFLD (simple steatosis or NASH with fibrosis stage 0–2). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for DHEA in separating patients with and without advanced fibrosis was 0.788. A “dose effect” of lower DHEA‐S and incremental fibrosis stage was observed with a mean DHEA‐S of 170.4 ± 129.2, 137.6 ± 110.5, 96.2 ± 79.3, 61.2 ± 46.3 and 30.0 ± 32.0 µg/dL for fibrosis stages 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. The association between DHEA‐S and severity of NAFLD persisted after adjusting for age, sex and insulin resistance.

Conclusion: Low circulating DHEA‐S might have a role in the development of advanced NASH.
Legislative alchemy: the US state chiropractic practice acts
Authors: Bellamy Jann J
Published: September 2010

Chiropractors claim the ability to detect ‘subluxations’, an ill‐defined, unproved spinal pathology of no known clinical significance. Patients are advised that subluxations can adversely affect organ function and general health even if the patient is asymptomatic. The removal of vertebral subluxations through chiropractic treatment is posited to restore ‘neural integrity’, facilitating the body's self‐healing ability. Despite the deficiencies of these concepts, the 50 state chiropractic practice acts essentially define chiropractic as the detection and correction of subluxations and assume their significance to human health, allowing a broad scope of practice. Because the chiropractic profession seems unwilling to abandon these discredited concepts, reform of the state chiropractic practice acts to eliminate subluxation‐based chiropractic practice may be the only viable solution to the perpetration of unscientific and unproved healthcare practices.
Classic flaws in clinical CAM research
Authors: Ernst Edzard
Published: September 2010

Frequently, CAM research is less than rigorous. This has, of course, many causes. For this review, I have selected a few ‘classic flaws’ of CAM research, which, in my experience, occur regularly and have the potential to mislead us. My hope is that this selection will help the reader to avoid the mistakes I and others have made in the past and, ultimately, will contribute to improvements in CAM research.
Bias in (complementary) medical research
Authors: Pittler Max H
Published: September 2010

Evidence‐based decision‐making is entirely dependent on identifying all relevant studies. However, a significant proportion of clinical trials are never published. Most forms of bias operate equally in mainstream and CAM research although some forms seem to be particularly relevant to CAM such as language bias. It seems clear that the dissemination of mainstream and CAM research findings is a biased process. Whether CAM is more prone to bias than mainstream medicine is debatable. It is important that the risk of bias is taken into account when involved in evidence‐based decision‐making in order to avoid unnecessary patient suffering and waste of limited resources.

An important step towards reducing the risk of publication bias is the prospective registration of all studies at the stage of study inception. The policy of compulsory trial registration was adopted by the International Committee of Medical Journals Editors (ICMJE) in 2004 which was influential but not sufficient to entirely prevent publication bias. Registered trials need to be publicly accessible in order to facilitate the identification and location of ongoing or unpublished trials. One such trial register has been established at the Institute of Medical Biometry and Statistics, University of Freiburg in close collaboration with the German Cochrane Centre. It is a primary register in the World Health Organization (WHO) registry network meeting the specific criteria of the ICMJE. Other trial registers exist for trials conducted in the USA or China. Ultimately, compulsory registering of studies with the additional help of government regulations and compulsory publishing may be required to prevent publication bias.
Heart rate reduces when stroke patients are touched . . . And??
Authors: Barlas P , Hernández TD , McFadden KL
Published: September 2010

McFadden KL, Hernández TD.

Cardiovascular benefits of acupressure (Jin Shin) following stroke.

Complement Ther Med 2010; 18: 42–8.
Improvement in QoL with concomitant Chinese herbal medicine during chemotherapy for non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Clement Y
Published: September 2010

Chen S, Flower A, Ritchie A, Liu J, Molassiotis A, Yu H, Lewith G.

Oral Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) as an adjuvant treatment during chemotherapy for non‐small cell lung cancer: a systematic review.

Lung Cancer 2010; 68: 137–45.
Chiropractic for headache?
Authors: Ernst E , Haas M , Spegman A , Peterson D , Aickin M , Vavrek D
Published: September 2010

Haas M, Spegman A, Peterson D, Aickin M, Vavrek D.

Dose response and efficacy of spinal manipulation for chronic cervicogenic headache: a pilot randomized controlled trial.

Spine J 2010; 10: 117–28.
Chiropractic for asthma?
Authors: Ernst E
Published: September 2010

Kaminskyj A, Frazier M, Johnstone K, Gleberzon BJ.

Chiropractic care for patients with asthma: a systematic review of the literature.

J Can Chiropr Assoc 2010; 54: 24–32.
Short‐term reduction of stress, anxiety and depression with massage for breast cancer patients
Authors: Huntley AL
Published: September 2010

Listing M, Krohn M, Liezmann C, Kim I, Reisshauer A, Peters E, Klapp BF, Rauchfuss M.

The efficacy of classical massage on stress perception and cortisol following primary treatment of breast cancer.

Arch Women's Ment Health 2010; 13: 165–73.
Yoga practice may be useful after post‐traumatic stress
Authors: Kraft K , Telles S
Published: September 2010

Telles S, Singh N, Joshi M, Balkrishna A.

Post traumatic stress symptoms and heart rate variability in Bihar flood survivors following yoga: a randomized controlled study.

BMC Psychiatry 2010; 10: 18–28.
TCM acupuncture provides clinically relevant improvement in depression during pregnancy
Authors: Lee H
Published: September 2010

Manber R, Schnyer RN, Lyell D, Chamgers AS, Caughey AB, Druzin M, Carlyel E, Celio C, Gress JL, Huang MI, Kalista T, Martin‐Okada R, Allen JJB.

Acupuncture for depression during pregnancy. A randomized controlled trial.

Obstet Gynecol 2010; 115: 511–20.
Topical capsaicin may reduce migraine pain
Authors: Holt S , Cianchetti C
Published: September 2010

Cianchetti C.

Capsaicin jelly against migraine pain.

Int J Clin Pract 2010; 64: 457–9.

doi: 10.1111/j.1742‐1241.2009.02294x
Topical Hypericum perforatum (St John's wort) for wound healing and scar formation
Authors: Rotblatt MD , Khadivzadeh T
Published: September 2010

Samadi S, Khadivzadeh T, Emami A, Moosave NS, Tafaghodi M, Behnam HR.

The effect of Hypericum perforatum on the wound healing and scar of cesarean.

J Altern Complement Med 2010; 16: 113–17.

doi: 10.1089/acm.2009.0317
Product-Induced Gene Expression, a Product-Responsive Reporter Assay Used To Screen Metagenomic Libraries for Enzyme-Encoding Genes
Authors: Uchiyama Taku , Miyazaki Kentaro
Published: September 2010

A reporter assay-based screening method for enzymes, which we named product-induced gene expression (PIGEX), was developed and used to screen a metagenomic library for amidases. A benzoate-responsive transcriptional activator, BenR, was placed upstream of the gene encoding green fluorescent protein and used as a sensor.
Escherichia coli
sensor cells carrying the
benR-gfp
gene cassette fluoresced in response to benzoate concentrations as low as 10 μM but were completely unresponsive to the substrate benzamide. An
E. coli
metagenomic library consisting of 96,000 clones was grown in 96-well format in LB medium containing benzamide. The library cells were then cocultivated with sensor cells. Eleven amidase genes were recovered from 143 fluorescent wells; eight of these genes were homologous to known bacterial amidase genes while three were novel genes. In addition to their activity toward benzamide, the enzymes were active toward various substrates, including
d
- and
l
-amino acid amides, and displayed enantioselectivity. Thus, we demonstrated that PIGEX is an effective approach for screening novel enzymes based on product detection.
Differences in Methylation at GATC Sites in Genomic DNA of
Campylobacter coli
from Turkeys and Swine
Authors: Wright Sandra , Wilson Simone , Miller William G. , Mandrell Robert E. , Siletzky Robin M. , Kathariou Sophia
Published: September 2010

A significant fraction (46/108, 43%) of swine isolates of
Campylobacter coli
but none of 81 isolates of
C. coli
from turkeys had genomic DNA that was resistant to digestion by MboI, suggesting methylation of adenines at GATC sites. No consistent association was noted between antimicrobial resistance and MboI resistance. Seven swine-associated multilocus sequence typing-based sequence types (STs) were detected among multiple isolates with MboI-resistant DNA. The data suggest host-associated DNA modification system(s) specific for adenine at GATC sites in
C. coli
from swine.
Secretion of Flavins by Three Species of Methanotrophic Bacteria
Authors: Balasubramanian Ramakrishnan , Levinson Benjamin T. , Rosenzweig Amy C.
Published: September 2010

We detected flavins in the growth medium of the methanotrophic bacterium
Methylocystis
species strain M. Flavin secretion correlates with growth stage and increases under iron starvation conditions. Two other methanotrophs,
Methylosinus trichosporium
OB3b and
Methylococcus capsulatus
(Bath), secrete flavins, suggesting that flavin secretion may be common to many methanotrophic bacteria.
Virus-Bacterium Coupling Driven by both Turbidity and Hydrodynamics in an Amazonian Floodplain Lake
Authors: Barros Nathan , Farjalla Vinicius F. , Soares Maria C. , Melo Rossana C. N. , Roland Fábio
Published: September 2010

The importance of viruses in aquatic ecosystem functioning has been widely described. However, few studies have examined tropical aquatic ecosystems. Here, we evaluated for the first time viruses and their relationship with other planktonic communities in an Amazonian freshwater ecosystem. Coupling between viruses and bacteria was studied, focusing both on hydrologic dynamics and anthropogenic forced turbidity in the system (Lake Batata). Samples were taken during four hydrologic seasons at both natural and impacted sites to count virus-like particles (VLP) and bacteria. In parallel, virus-infected bacteria were identified and quantified by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Viral abundance ranged from 0.5 × 10
7
± 0.2 × 10
7
VLP ml
−1
(high-water season, impacted site) to 1.7 × 10
7
± 0.4 × 10
7
VLP ml
−1
(low-water season, natural site). These data were strongly correlated with the bacterial abundance (
r
2
= 0.84;
P
< 0.05), which ranged from 1.0 × 10
6
± 0.5 × 10
6
cells ml
−1
(high water, impacted site) to 3.4 × 10
6
± 0.7 × 10
6
cells ml
−1
(low water, natural site). Moreover, the viral abundance was weakly correlated with chlorophyll
a
, suggesting that most viruses were bacteriophages. TEM quantitative analyses revealed that the frequency of visibly infected cells was 20%, with 10 ± 3 phages per cell section. In general, we found a low virus-bacterium ratio (<7). Both the close coupling between the viral and bacterial abundances and the low virus-bacterium ratio suggest that viral abundance tends to be driven by the reduction of hosts for viral infection. Our results demonstrate that viruses are controlled by biological substrates, whereas in addition to grazing, bacteria are regulated by physical processes caused by turbidity, which affect underwater light distribution and dissolved organic carbon availability.
Environmental Factors Shape Sediment Anammox Bacterial Communities in Hypernutrified Jiaozhou Bay, China
Authors: Dang Hongyue , Chen Ruipeng , Wang Lin , Guo Lizhong , Chen Pingping , Tang Zuwang , Tian Fang , Li Shaozheng , Klotz Martin G.
Published: September 2010

Bacterial anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) is an important process in the marine nitrogen cycle. Because ongoing eutrophication of coastal bays contributes significantly to the formation of low-oxygen zones, monitoring of the anammox bacterial community offers a unique opportunity for assessment of anthropogenic perturbations in these environments. The current study used targeting of 16S rRNA and
hzo
genes to characterize the composition and structure of the anammox bacterial community in the sediments of the eutrophic Jiaozhou Bay, thereby unraveling their diversity, abundance, and distribution. Abundance and distribution of
hzo
genes revealed a greater taxonomic diversity in Jiaozhou Bay, including several novel clades of anammox bacteria. In contrast, the targeting of 16S rRNA genes verified the presence of only “
Candidatus
Scalindua,” albeit with a high microdiversity. The genus “
Ca
. Scalindua” comprised the apparent majority of active sediment anammox bacteria. Multivariate statistical analyses indicated a heterogeneous distribution of the anammox bacterial assemblages in Jiaozhou Bay. Of all environmental parameters investigated, sediment organic C/organic N (OrgC/OrgN), nitrite concentration, and sediment median grain size were found to impact the composition, structure, and distribution of the sediment anammox bacterial community. Analysis of Pearson correlations between environmental factors and abundance of 16S rRNA and
hzo
genes as determined by fluorescent real-time PCR suggests that the local nitrite concentration is the key regulator of the abundance of anammox bacteria in Jiaozhou Bay sediments.
Specific Degradation of the Mucus Adhesion-Promoting Protein (MapA) of
Lactobacillus reuteri
to an Antimicrobial Peptide
Authors: Bøhle Liv Anette , Brede Dag Anders , Diep Dzung B. , Holo Helge , Nes Ingolf F.
Published: September 2010

The intestinal flora of mammals contains lactic acid bacteria (LAB) that may provide positive health effects for the host. Such bacteria are referred to as probiotic bacteria. From a pig, we have isolated a
Lactobacillus reuteri
strain that produces an antimicrobial peptide (AMP). The peptide was purified and characterized, and it was unequivocally shown that the AMP was a well-defined degradation product obtained from the mucus adhesion-promoting protein (MapA); it was therefore termed AP48-MapA. This finding demonstrates how large proteins might inherit unexpected pleiotropic functions by conferring antimicrobial capacities on the producer. The MapA/AP48-MapA system is the first example where a large protein of an intestinal LAB is shown to give rise to such an AMP. It is also of particular interest that the protein that provides this AMP is associated with the binding of the bacterium producing it to the surface/lining of the gut. This finding gives us new perspective on how some probiotic bacteria may successfully compete in this environment and thereby contribute to a healthy microbiota.