bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
‘Not even semblance’: exploring the interruption of identification with Lacan
Authors: Hoedemaekers Casper
Published: May 2010

This article explores the question of identification through a Lacanian lens, paying specific attention to the interruption of identification in the self-presentation of employees. Jacques Lacan’s notion of the Real is taken up here as a conceptualization of the limits inherent in representation, and the unexpected effects of signification that go beyond the meaning effects engendered in the process of speaking. Identification is viewed here as an iterative condensation and simplification of recurrent significations within a local organizational context, aiming to displace and repress the indeterminacy of meaning and the failure of intentionality in discourse. Interview material from a public sector case study is used to analyse identifications with images of the ‘ideal employee’, which can be interpreted through interviewees’ moves to demarcate themselves from images of the ‘non-ideal’. The analysis then turns to examine interruptions in this self-presentation in the form of slips, contradictions and breakdowns of the narrative. The article concludes that the examined interruptions indicate considerable space for resistance and re-signification in identifications.
A supply-demand model of party-system institutionalization: The Russian case
Authors: Rose Richard , Mishler William
Published: May 2010

An accountable democracy requires institutionalized parties. A supply—demand model hypothesizes that institutionalization is a function of four sets of influences: stability in election law, persisting commitments to parties by political elites and by voters, and learning by elites and by voters. The hypotheses are tested with aggregate data from nine nationwide elections in Russia since 1993, in which institutionalization and its complement, volatility, are decomposed. Survey data from the 2007—8 round of Russian elections is then used to test the extent of institutionalization through party identification. Logit analysis shows that the high level of support for President Putin’s new party, United Russia, is based on temporary rather than durable influences. The political elite’s volatile supply of parties has created a ‘floating’ party system and a delegative democracy with implications for new democracies on other continents.
Declining memberships, changing members? European political party members in a new era
Authors: Scarrow Susan E. , Gezgor Burcu
Published: May 2010

In recent years, membership in established political parties has been shrinking, but at the same time members of some parties have received increased powers to help select candidates, leaders and party policies. These twin trends make it important to re-examine who is joining today’s smaller parties. As parties shrink, do they attract a changed mixture of members, possibly with different political priorities? Using data from two sets of European surveys, our study investigates this question to study longitudinal change in party membership. The data show a growing gap between the age of party members and the general population. In most other respects, however, party members seem to be becoming more, not less, like their fellow citizens. This suggests that today’s smaller but more powerful memberships still have the potential to help link their parties to a wider electoral base.
CCAAT/enhancer binding protein α, β and δ gene variants: associations with obesity related phenotypes in the Leeds Family Study
Authors: Bennett Claire E , Nsengimana Jérémie , Bostock Jacqueline A , Cymbalista Charlotte , Futers T Simon , Knight Bernice L , McCormack Lynn J , Prasad Usha K , Riches Kirsten , Rolton Daniel , Scarrott Thomas , Barrett Jennifer H , Carter Angela M
Published: May 2010

Objective: To identify novel polymorphisms in the genes encoding the transcription factors CCAAT/enhancer binding protein α, β and δ ( CEBPA, CEBPB, CEBPD) and investigate associations between polymorphisms and obesity-related phenotypes. Methods: Denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to screen for novel gene variants and polymorphisms were genotyped in stored DNA from participants of the Leeds Family Study (537 subjects from 89 families). Genotype and haplotype analyses were carried out in STATA and PBAT, respectively. Results: Twenty-five polymorphisms were identified; 11 in CEBPA, 12 in CEBPB and 2 in CEBPD. Several allelic variants were associated at a nominal 5% level with waist-to-hip ratio (-919G>A in CEBPA, -412G>T and 646C>T in CEBPB), leptin (1558G>A in CEBPA, -1051A>G and 1383T>- in CEBPB) and adiponectin (1382G>T and 1903G>T in CEBPB). Effects of CEBPA and CEBPB allelic variants were independent, but variants within each gene were in linkage disequilibrium. Several associations were observed between other obesity-related traits and allelic variants in CEBPA and CEBPB, but not CEBPD. Conclusion: These findings suggest that common allelic variants in CEBPA and CEBPB could influence abdominal obesity and related metabolic abnormalities associated with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease in healthy White Northern European families, although results require independent confirmation.
Who’s Calling? The Impact of Caller ID on Telephone Survey Response
Authors: Callegaro Mario , McCutcheon Allan L. , Ludwig Jack
Published: May 2010

The Gallup Organization conducted a caller ID randomized study with a pre-and postexperimental design to test the impact of different caller ID displays (names) on the response, contact, and cooperation rates for telephone surveys. This research focuses on the impact of caller ID listing on the frequency of final dialing dispositions. The authors find initial evidence for the hypothesis that the caller ID transmission works as a sort of “condensed survey research organization business card” that can trigger brand awareness, thus legitimating the survey and diminishing suspicions of collector or telemarketing calls.
Recruiting and Keeping African American Women in an Ethnographic Study of Pregnancy: The Community-Based Partnership Model
Authors: Anthony Jean S. , Lee Rebecca C. , Barry Detrice G. , Kappesser Mary
Published: May 2010

The authors report here on the application of the community-based participatory research (CBPR) model to recruit and retain African American women in an ethnographic study of how urban African American women learn mothering skills and experience pregnancy. The project facilitated collaboration among academics, neighborhood leaders, and community agencies. Using the CBPR strategy, seven participants were recruited to and were retained in the study through two interviews, an average of 6 weeks apart.
Prime-Time Island: Television Program and Format Importation into the United States
Authors: Kunz William M.
Published: May 2010

There is long-standing debate over the flow of television across national borders. The rise of production centers around the world and the increase in contra-flows fueled claims that television had entered a new era, one with unfettered circulation of programs in all directions. The United States is central to such discussions, both as an exporter of products and as a proponent of free trade, but such contra-flows have not reached American soil. The debut fall schedules for the mainstream broadcast networks over six seasons, 2004—5 through 2009—10, reveal a total absence of finished programs from outside the United States. There were imported program formats, including fictional dramas and comedies, but no finished programs. The analysis also shows the market dominance of six media conglomerates, with an ownership interest in between 85.9 and 94.7 percent of the attributable programs on the debut schedules of the networks.
Feasibility of a 6-Month Exercise and Recreation Program to Improve Executive Functioning and Memory in Individuals With Chronic Stroke
Authors: Rand Debbie , Eng Janice J. , Liu-Ambrose Teresa , Tawashy Amira E.
Published: May 2010

Background. Physical activity is beneficial for improving cognitive function in healthy older adults. However, research results on the benefits of physical activity on cognitive performance after stroke are limited. Objective. To determine if a combined exercise and recreation program can improve the executive functioning and memory of individuals with chronic stroke. Methods. In all, 11 ambulatory participants with chronic stroke (mean age 67 ± 10.8 years) participated in a 6-month program of exercise for 2 hours and recreation for 1 hour weekly. Executive functions and memory were assessed at baseline and at 3 and 6 months by a battery of standard neuropsychological tests, including response inhibition, cognitive flexibility, dual task (motor plus cognitive), and memory. Motor ability was also assessed. Nonparametric statistics were used to obtain the differences between the 3 assessments. Results . At baseline, substantial deficits in all aspects of executive functioning were revealed. From baseline to 3 months, the mean improvement was 10% ± 14% for the dual task (Walking While Talking), -3% ± 22% (χ 2 = 2.4; P > .05) for response inhibition (Stroop Test), and 61% ± 69% for memory (Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test—long delay). From baseline to 6 months, the mean improvement was 7% ± 7.5% for response inhibition (Stroop Test). In addition, knee strength and walking speed improved significantly at 3 months. Conclusions. This pilot study suggests that exercise and recreation may improve memory and executive functions of community-dwelling individuals with stroke. Further studies require a larger sample size and a control group.
Uncovering a New Guilty Pleasure: A Qualitative Study of the Emotions of Personal Web Usage at Work
Authors: Stratton Micheal T.
Published: May 2010

This longitudinal field study uncovers the emotional meaning that defines personal Web usage (PWU) at work. To explore this emergent workplace phenomenon, the author conducted 67 semistructured interviews and collected archival documents at a local government municipality in the United States. After a phenomenological analysis of the informants’ emotion-laden narratives, the findings suggest that users defined their PWU as a guilty pleasure. For some informants, this type of emotional ambivalence was resolved and manifested into continued PWU devoid of guilt. For others, however, they continued to define their PWU behaviors as a push-and-pull battle between self-control and short-term benefit. Nevertheless, PWU persisted. Based on the themes analyzed in the data, two models are presented that depict the characteristics of the ambivalence and the overarching emotion-behavior process, respectively. The author concludes by discussing the contributions to existing research and directions for further inquiry.
Indirect Crossover of Psychological Contract Underfulfillment: A Leader—Member Analysis
Authors: Bull Schaefer Rebecca A.
Published: May 2010

A total of 84 pairs of supervisors and subordinates participated in this dyadic study exploring how unique evaluations of psychological contracts can crossover from leaders to members. Results indicate that when leaders reported more psychological contract underfulfillment (PCUF), they communicated their strain to members in the form of cynicism, emotional displays, and exploring different job opportunities. Additionally, despite controlling for leader—member exchange, cynicism communicated by the leaders to members about organization underfulfillment maintained a significant mediating crossover relationship between leader and member PCUF. Findings suggest that leaders’ experiences with their unique contracts may influence how members experience PCUF.
Defining the Alpha Female: A Female Leadership Measure
Authors: Ward Rose Marie , Popson Halle C. , DiPaolo Donald G.
Published: May 2010

The change in women’s social roles has led to the development of the concept of the alpha female, but currently there is no way to measure the construct. The present study discusses the development of a 14-item measure of an alpha female personality that is consistent with current definitions and examines the measure with respect to similar constructs (e.g., self-esteem, emotional intelligence, leadership, and sex-role). The three scales of the Alpha Female Inventory (leadership, strength, and low introversion) were positively related to self-esteem, emotional intelligence, the Student Leadership Profile Inventory, and masculine traits as measured by Bem’s Sex-Role Inventory. The Alpha Female Inventory can be used to identify women who embody alpha leadership qualities and to aid in our overall understanding of women as leaders.
Lessons From the Military: A New Framework for Managing Change (C5)
Authors: Dool Richard
Published: May 2010

The environment of continuous, serial change has increased employee stress and leads to a condition known as enervative change. Enervative change reflects the stage where the energy mobilized by the change process is beginning to run down and increased job stress occurs. U.S. military research, experiences, and practices into “combat stress” as well as the “adaptive enterprise” have been used as the basis for a proposed new change management framework (“C5”) to be deployed as a means to moderate the stress related to organizational change leading to increased adaptability. Combat stress is analogous in many ways to enervative change, with similar cognitive and emotional stressors and employee/soldier reactions.
Air permeability and thermal performance of concrete block wall specimens
Authors: Becker R.
Published: May 2010

Air permeability of 1.25 × 1.25 m2 block wall specimens was measured in the 0—600 Pa range using a pressure box described later in the text. Extrapolating results to a standard 100 m2 dwelling in a multi-story residential building indicated that (a) autoclaved aerated concrete block walls are extremely airtight (0.22 ± 0.04 m3/m2/h at 150 Pa), leading to estimated rates of 0.01—0.02 air changes per hour (ACH) under a pressure difference of 150 Pa across the front or side wall; and (b) regular and lightweight aggregate concrete block walls, are highly permeable (121.3 ± 0.9 and 74.2 ± 0.9 at 150 Pa, respectively), with estimated rates of ∼ 2.3—9.5 ACH under pressure differences of 50—150 Pa across the front or side wall. An exterior 3 mm brown coat reduced these values to 0.07—0.2 ACH. A 10 mm interior lime—cement rendering had a similar effect. Both layers reduced them to 0.01—0.07 ACH. An insulated hot box was used to study the effect of a small positive pressure difference (0.1—1.2 Pa) across the hollow-core block wall specimens on their thermal performance. The small pressure differences did not affect estimated R-values.
The sleep of (criminological) reason: Knowledge—policy rupture and New Labour’s youth justice legacy
Authors: Goldson Barry
Published: May 2010

For over a decade, three successive New Labour administrations have subjected the English youth justice system to a seemingly endless sequence of reforms. At the root of such activity lies a core tension between measured reason and punitive emotion; between an expressed commitment to ‘evidence-based policy’ and a populist rhetoric of ‘tough’ correctionalism. By engaging a detailed analytical assessment of New Labour’s youth justice programme, this article advances an argument that the trajectory of policy has ultimately moved in a diametrically opposed direction to the route signalled by research-based knowledge and practice-based evidence. Moreover, such knowledge— policy rupture has produced a youth justice system that ultimately comprises a conduit of social harm. All of this raises serious questions of knowledge/evidence—policy relations and, more fundamentally, of democracy, power and accountability.
Out of Care30 years on
Authors: Smith David
Published: May 2010

The article recalls the writing of Out of Care, often regarded as a key text for juvenile justice policy and practice in England and Wales in the 1980s. It dispels some misconceptions about the book’s arguments, showing that it argued for a ‘welfare’ rather than a ‘justice’ approach to juvenile offending, and offered a set of prescriptions for face-to-face practice as well as for a critical understanding of the local juvenile justice system. The article acknowledges some contradictions and ambiguities in Out of Care, but shows that it is a mistake to treat it as advocating minimum (as opposed to targeted) intervention, or as arguing that the content of direct work with young people is unimportant. The article traces some of the processes by which the ideas in the book were made available to audiences of practitioners and policy-makers, and how changes in policy in particular local authorities encouraged a wider process of reform.
Devolution and youth justice in Wales
Authors: Drakeford Mark
Published: May 2010

This article discusses youth justice services in Wales in the context both of devolution and the wider social policy agenda of successive Welsh Assembly Governments. It sets out the operating arrangements and outcomes achieved by Youth Offending Teams in Wales, before arguing that a specific approach has been developed to policy and practice in this field in the post-devolution period. The article traces the main features of this approach, locating it in the wider contexts of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the development of broader children’s policy in Wales. The discussion ends with an account of the most recent developments in Welsh youth justice, suggesting that it provides ample points of interest for those concerned both with the development of devolution in general, and services for children and young people in trouble with the law, in particular.
Restaurant Profitability Management
Authors: Thompson Gary M.
Published: May 2010

While the term restaurant revenue management was defined in this journal in 1998, the history of publications in the Cornell Hospitality Quarterly ( CHQ) related to managing restaurant profitability spans nearly fifty years. Of the 160 published articles related to restaurant profitability, more than one-quarter have appeared in the CHQ, which is more than three times that of any other journal. This article presents a new, decision-based framework for restaurant profitability, which expands on the earlier revenue-focused framework. The existing CHQ articles are categorized using the framework, and the gaps are used as the basis for identifying a large number of worthwhile, but as yet unanswered research questions related to restaurant profitability.
Oncogenic epidermal growth factor receptor up-regulates multiple elements of the tissue factor signaling pathway in human glioma cells
Authors: Magnus Nathalie , Garnier Delphine , Rak Janusz
Published: May 2010

Cancer cells frequently overexpress tissue factor (TF) and become procoagulant. This conversion may be driven by genetic transformation, including through the expression of the oncogenic epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and its mutant, EGFRvIII, present in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Here we show that the EGFRvIII-dependent GBM cell transformation is associated with the onset of the simultaneous overexpression of TF, protease-activated receptors 1 and 2 (PAR1 and PAR2), and ectopic synthesis of factor VII (FVII). Efficient generation of factor Xa by these cells still requires exogenous FVIIa. However, as a result of EGFRvIII-dependent transformation, GBM cells become hypersensitive to TF/PAR-mediated signaling and produce ample angiogenic factors (vascular endothelial growth factor and interleukin-8) on exposure to FVIIa and PAR1- or PAR2-activating peptides. Thus, oncogenes may cause complex changes in the ability of GBM cancer cells to interact with the coagulation system, thereby exacerbating its influence on angiogenesis and disease progression.
MOTIPS: Automated Motif Analysis for Predicting Targets of Modular Protein Domains
Authors: Lam Hugo YK , Kim Philip M , Mok Janine , Tonikian Raffi , Sidhu Sachdev S , Turk Benjamin E , Snyder Michael , Gerstein Mark B
Published: May 2010

Background

Many protein interactions, especially those involved in signaling, involve short linear motifs consisting of 5-10 amino acid residues that interact with modular protein domains such as the SH3 binding domains and the kinase catalytic domains. One straightforward way of identifying these interactions is by scanning for matches to the motif against all the sequences in a target proteome. However, predicting domain targets by motif sequence alone without considering other genomic and structural information has been shown to be lacking in accuracy.

Results

We developed an efficient search algorithm to scan the target proteome for potential domain targets and to increase the accuracy of each hit by integrating a variety of pre-computed features, such as conservation, surface propensity, and disorder. The integration is performed using naïve Bayes and a training set of validated experiments.

Conclusions

By integrating a variety of biologically relevant features to predict domain targets, we demonstrated a notably improved prediction of modular protein domain targets. Combined with emerging high-resolution data of domain specificities, we believe that our approach can assist in the reconstruction of many signaling pathways.
A predicted physicochemically distinct sub-proteome associated with the intracellular organelle of the anammox bacterium Kuenenia stuttgartiensis
Authors: Medema Marnix H , Zhou Miaomiao , van Hijum Sacha AFT , Gloerich Jolein , Wessels Hans JCT , Siezen Roland J , Strous Marc
Published: May 2010

Background

Anaerobic ammonium-oxidizing (anammox) bacteria perform a key step in global nitrogen cycling. These bacteria make use of an organelle to oxidize ammonia anaerobically to nitrogen (N2) and so contribute ~50% of the nitrogen in the atmosphere. It is currently unknown which proteins constitute the organellar proteome and how anammox bacteria are able to specifically target organellar and cell-envelope proteins to their correct final destinations. Experimental approaches are complicated by the absence of pure cultures and genetic accessibility. However, the genome of the anammox bacterium Candidatus "Kuenenia stuttgartiensis" has recently been sequenced. Here, we make use of these genome data to predict the organellar sub-proteome and address the molecular basis of protein sorting in anammox bacteria.

Results

Two training sets representing organellar (30 proteins) and cell envelope (59 proteins) proteins were constructed based on previous experimental evidence and comparative genomics. Random forest (RF) classifiers trained on these two sets could differentiate between organellar and cell envelope proteins with ~89% accuracy using 400 features consisting of frequencies of two adjacent amino acid combinations. A physicochemically distinct organellar sub-proteome containing 562 proteins was predicted with the best RF classifier. This set included almost all catabolic and respiratory factors encoded in the genome. Apparently, the cytoplasmic membrane performs no catabolic functions. We predict that the Tat-translocation system is located exclusively in the organellar membrane, whereas the Sec-translocation system is located on both the organellar and cytoplasmic membranes. Canonical signal peptides were predicted and validated experimentally, but a specific (N- or C-terminal) signal that could be used for protein targeting to the organelle remained elusive.

Conclusions

A physicochemically distinct organellar sub-proteome was predicted from the genome of the anammox bacterium K. stuttgartiensis. This result provides strong in silico support for the existing experimental evidence for the existence of an organelle in this bacterium, and is an important step forward in unravelling a geochemically relevant case of cytoplasmic differentiation in bacteria. The predicted dual location of the Sec-translocation system and the apparent absence of a specific N- or C-terminal signal in the organellar proteins suggests that additional chaperones may be necessary that act on an as-yet unknown property of the targeted proteins.
Predictors of inhospital mortality and re-hospitalization in older adults with community-acquired pneumonia: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Neupane Binod , Walter Stephen D , Krueger Paul , Marrie Tom , Loeb Mark
Published: May 2010

Background

A better understanding of potentially modifiable predictors of in-hospital mortality and re-admission to the hospital following discharge may help to improve management of community-acquired pneumonia in older adults. We aimed to assess the associations of potentially modifiable factors with mortality and re-hospitalization in older adults hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia.

Methods

A prospective cohort study was conducted from July 2003 to April 2005 in two Canadian cities. Patients aged 65 years or older hospitalized for community-acquired pneumonia were followed up for up to 30 days from initial hospitalization for mortality and these patients who were discharged alive within 30 days of initial hospitalization were followed up to 90 days of initial hospitalization for re-hospitalization. Separate logistic regression analyses were performed identify the predictors of mortality and re-hospitalization.

Results

Of 717 enrolled patients hospitalized for community-acquired pneumonia, 49 (6.8%) died within 30 days of hospital admission. Among these patients, 526 were discharged alive within 30 days of hospitalization of whom 58 (11.2%) were re-hospitalized within 90 days of initial hospitalization. History of hip fracture (odds ratio (OR) = 4.00, 95% confidence interval (CI) = (1.46, 10.96), P = .007), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR = 2.31, 95% CI = (1.18, 4.50), P = .014), cerebrovascular disease (OR = 2.11, 95% CI = (1.03, 4.31), P = .040) were associated with mortality. Male sex (OR = 2.35, 95% CI = (1.13, 4.85), P = .022) was associated with re-hospitalization while vitamin E supplementation was protective (OR = 0.37 (0.16, 0.90), P = .028). Lower socioeconomic status, prior influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations, appropriate antibiotic prescription upon admission, and lower nutrition risk were not significantly associated with mortality or re-hospitalization.

Conclusion

Chronic comorbidities appear to be the most important predictors of death and re-hospitalization in older adults hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia while vitamin E supplementation was protective.
Clinical research on liver reserve function by 13C-phenylalanine breath test in aged patients with chronic liver diseases
Authors: Zhang Gan-sheng , Bao Zhi-jun , Zou Jian , Yin Shu-ming , Huang Yi-qin , Huang Hai , Qiu De-kai
Published: May 2010

Background

The objective of this study was to investigate whether the13C-phenylalanine breath test could be useful for the evaluation of hepatic function in elderly volunteers and patients with chronic hepatitis B and liver cirrhosis.

Methods

L-[1-13C] phenylalanine was administered orally at a dose of 100 mg to 55 elderly patients with liver cirrhosis, 30 patients with chronic hepatitis B and 38 elderly healthy subjects. The breath test was performed at 8 different time points (0, 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120 min) to obtain the values of Delta over baseline, percentage13CO2exhalation rate and cumulative excretion (Cum). The relationships of the cumulative excretion with the13C-%dose/h and blood biochemical parameters were investigated.

Results

The13C-%dose/h at 20 min and 30 min combined with the cumulative excretion at 60 min and 120 min correlated with hepatic function tests, serum albumin, hemoglobin, platelet and Child-Pugh score. Prothrombin time, total and direct bilirubin were significantly increased, while serum albumin, hemoglobin and platelet, the cumulative excretion at 60 min and 120 min values decreased by degrees of intensity of the disease in Child-Pugh A, B, and C patients (P < 0.01).

Conclusions

The13C-phenylalanine breath test can be used as a non-invasive assay to evaluate hepatic function in elderly patients with liver cirrhosis. The13C-%dose/h at 20 min, at 30 min and cumulative excretion at 60 min may be the key value for determination at a single time-point.13C-phenylalanine breath test is safe and helpful in distinguishing different stages of hepatic dysfunction for elderly cirrhosis patients.
Ki-67 expression is superior to mitotic count and novel proliferation markers PHH3, MCM4 and mitosin as a prognostic factor in thick cutaneous melanoma
Authors: Ladstein Rita G , Bachmann Ingeborg M , Straume Oddbjørn , Akslen Lars A
Published: May 2010

Background

Tumor cell proliferation is a predictor of survival in cutaneous melanoma. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prognostic impact of mitotic count, Ki-67 expression and novel proliferation markers phosphohistone H3 (PHH3), minichromosome maintenance protein 4 (MCM4) and mitosin, and to compare the results with histopathological variables.

Methods

202 consecutive cases of nodular cutaneous melanoma were initially included. Mitotic count (mitosis per mm2) was assessed on H&E sections, and Ki-67 expression was estimated by immunohistochemistry on standard sections. PHH3, MCM4 and mitosin were examined by staining of tissue microarrays (TMA) sections.

Results

Increased mitotic count and elevated Ki-67 expression were strongly associated with increased tumor thickness, presence of ulceration and tumor necrosis. Furthermore, high mitotic count and elevated Ki-67 expression were also associated with Clark's level of invasion and presence of vascular invasion. High expression of PHH3 and MCM4 was correlated with high mitotic count, elevated Ki-67 expression and tumor ulceration, and increased PHH3 frequencies were associated with tumor thickness and presence of tumor necrosis. Univariate analyses showed a worse outcome in cases with elevated Ki-67 expression and high mitotic count, whereas PHH3, MCM4 and mitosin were not significant. Tumor cell proliferation by Ki-67 had significant prognostic impact by multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

Ki-67 was a stronger and more robust prognostic indicator than mitotic count in this series of nodular melanoma. PHH3, MCM4 and mitosin did not predict patient survival.
Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in Pudong New Area of Shanghai using three proposed definitions among Chinese adults
Authors: Xu Wang-hong , Ruan Xiao-nan , Fu Xiao-jin , Zhu Qiu-li , Zhang Hong , Bai Yun , Wu Hong-yan , Zhou Yi , Qiu Hua , Sun Qiao , Jiang Qing-wu , Yang Li-ming , Gu Jian-jun , Zhao Gen-ming
Published: May 2010

Background

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) has been increasing in China in recent years. The aim of this study is to estimate and compare the prevalence of MS among Chinese adults in Shanghai, one of the most economic developed areas in China, using definitions proposed by World Health Organization (WHO), National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel (modified ATP III) and International Diabetes Federation (IDF).

Methods

This cross-sectional study included 5,584 adults at age 20-79 randomly selected from Pudong New Area of Shanghai, China, through a three-stage sampling. All participants were interviewed in-person between April and July of 2008 to collect information on demographic and lifestyle characteristics. At the interview, anthropometry and blood pressure were measured and bio-specimens were collected.

Results

The prevalence estimates for the MS increased with age for each definition in men and women, but the estimates varied greatly between the definitions and by sex. The prevalence of the MS was higher in men (20.2%) than in women (18.7%) using WHO definition but this sex difference was reversed when using the modified ATP III (28.4% for men vs. 35.1% for women) and the IDF (15.9% for men vs. 26.7% for women) criteria. The most common metabolic disorder in this population was dyslipidaemia, regardless of the definition used. Substantial agreement, estimated using the kappa statistic, was found between the modified ATP III and IDF definition, whereas the lowest agreement was observed between the WHO and ATP III criteria.

Conclusions

The MS is highly prevalent among Chinese adults in Pudong New Area of Shanghai and the most prevalent component was dyslipidemia. These findings underscore the importance of prevention and control efforts for the MS in this area and the need for a unified predictive definition for the syndrome for use by clinical practitioners and public health agencies.
Challenging the holy grail of hospital accreditation: A cross sectional study of inpatient satisfaction in the field of cardiology
Authors: Sack Cornelia , Lütkes Peter , Günther Wolfram , Erbel Raimund , Jöckel Karl-Heinz , Holtmann Gerald J
Published: May 2010

Background

Subjective parameters such as quality of life or patient satisfaction gain importance as outcome parameters and benchmarks in health care. In many countries hospitals are now undergoing accreditation as mandatory or voluntary measures. It is believed but unproven that accreditations positively influence quality of care and patient satisfaction. The present study aims to assess in a defined specialty (cardiology) the relationship between patient satisfaction (as measured by the recommendation rate) and accreditation status.

Methods

Consecutive patients discharged from 25 cardiology units received a validated patient satisfaction questionnaire. Data from 3,037 patients (response rate > 55%) became available for analysis. Recommendation rate was used as primary endpoint. Different control variables such as staffing level were considered.

Results

The 15 accredited units did not differ significantly from the 10 non-accredited units regarding main hospital (i.e. staffing levels, no. of beds) and patient (age, gender) characteristics. The primary endpoint "recommendation rate of a given hospital" for accredited hospitals (65.6%, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 63.4 - 67.8%) and hospitals without accreditation (65.8%, 95% CI 63.1 - 68.5%) was not significantly different.

Conclusion

Our results support the notion that - at least in the field of cardiology - successful accreditation is not linked with measurable better quality of care as perceived by the patient and reflected by the recommendation rate of a given institution. Hospital accreditation may represent a step towards quality management, but does not seem to improve overall patient satisfaction.
Application of simple fed-batch technique to high-level secretory production of insulin precursor using Pichia pastoris with subsequent purification and conversion to human insulin
Authors: Gurramkonda Chandrasekhar , Polez Sulena , Skoko Natasa , Adnan Ahmad , Gäbel Thomas , Chugh Dipti , Swaminathan Sathyamangalam , Khanna Navin , Tisminetzky Sergio , Rinas Ursula
Published: May 2010

Background

The prevalence of diabetes is predicted to rise significantly in the coming decades. A recent analysis projects that by the year 2030 there will be ~366 million diabetics around the world, leading to an increased demand for inexpensive insulin to make this life-saving drug also affordable for resource poor countries.

Results

A synthetic insulin precursor (IP)-encoding gene, codon-optimized for expression inP. pastoris, was cloned in frame with theSaccharomyces cerevisiaeα-factor secretory signal and integrated into the genome ofP. pastorisstrain X-33. The strain was grown to high-cell density in a batch procedure using a defined medium with low salt and high glycerol concentrations. Following batch growth, production of IP was carried out at methanol concentrations of 2 g L-1, which were kept constant throughout the remaining production phase. This robust feeding strategy led to the secretion of ~3 gram IP per liter of culture broth (corresponding to almost 4 gram IP per liter of cell-free culture supernatant). Using immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography (IMAC) as a novel approach for IP purification, 95% of the secreted product was recovered with a purity of 96% from the clarified culture supernatant. Finally, the purified IP was trypsin digested, transpeptidated, deprotected and further purified leading to ~1.5 g of 99% pure recombinant human insulin per liter of culture broth.

Conclusions

A simple two-phase cultivation process composed of a glycerol batch and a constant methanol fed-batch phase recently developed for the intracellular production of the Hepatitis B surface antigen was adapted to secretory IP production. Compared to the highest previously reported value, this approach resulted in an ~2 fold enhancement of IP production usingPichiabased expression systems, thus significantly increasing the efficiency of insulin manufacture.
Reproducibility of fetal heart volume by 3D-sonography using the XI VOCAL method
Authors: Barreto Enoch Q , Milani Hérbene F , Júnior Edward Araujo , Haratz Karina K , Rolo Liliam C , Nardozza Luciano M , Filho Hélio A Guimarães , Moron Antonio F
Published: May 2010

Background

To assess the reliability of fetal heart volume measurement by three-dimensional sonography (3DUS) using the eXtended Imaging Virtual Organ Computer-aided AnaLysis (XI VOCAL) method.

Methods

This reliability study enrolled 30 pregnant women with singleton healthy pregnancies between 19 and 34 weeks of gestation. All volume acquirements were performed with a convex volumetric transducer (C3-7ED) coupled to an Accuvix XQ sonography device (Medison, Korea). The XI VOCAL 10 planes was the method of choice for volumetric measurement. 3D datasets were analyzed by two observers (EQSB and HJFM); fetal heart volume was measured twice by the first and once by the second observer to calculate intra and interobserver reproducibility. Statistical analysis used pareated Student's t test (p) and calculated Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Bland-Altman plots were also constructed.

Results

We observed an excellent intra- and interobserver reliability for fetal cardiac volume assessed by XI VOCAL. For the intraobserver the ICC was 0.998 (95% CI: 0.997; 0.999), with mean of differences of 0.12 cm3 (95% limits of agreement: -0.84; +0.84; p = 0.130). For interobserver the ICC was 0.899 (95%CI: 0.996; 0.998), mean of differences 0.05 cm3 (95% limits of agreement: -0.84; +0.84; p = 0.175).

Conclusion

Fetal cardiac volume assessed by 3DUS using XI VOCAL method is highly reproducible between 19 to 34 gestational weeks.
Molecular cloning and expression of a new gene, GON-SJTU1 in the rat testis
Authors: Yang Zhao-juan , Sun Ning , Wang Shu-qin , Tian Geng G , Wu Ji
Published: May 2010

Background

Spermatogenesis is a complex process involving cell development, differentiation and apoptosis. This process is governed by a series of genes whose expressions are highly regulated. Male infertility can be attributed to multiple genetic defects or alterations that are related to spermatogenesis. The discovery, cloning and further functional study of genes related to spermatogenesis is of great importance to the elucidation of the molecular mechanism of spermatogenesis. It is also physiologically and pathologically significant to the therapy of male infertility.

Methods

GON-SJTU1 was identified and cloned from rat testis by cDNA library screening and 3'-and 5'-RACE. The products of GON-SJTU1 were assessed by Northern and Western blotting. The expression of GON-SJTU1 was also examined by In situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry.

Results

Here we identified and cloned a new gene, GON-SJTU1, with the biological process of spermatogenesis. GON-SJTU1 is highly expressed in the testis from day 1 to 15 and then decreased, suggesting that GON-SJTU1 might be a time-related gene and involved in the early stage of spermatogenesis. And the expression of GON-SJTU1 in the testis occurred in some male germ cells, particularly in gonocytes and spermatogonial stem cells.

Conclusion

GON-SJTU1 may play a role in the biological process of spermatogenesis.
Aspirin-Exacerbated Asthma
Authors: Varghese Mathew , Lockey Richard F.
Published: May 2010

This review focuses on aspirin-exacerbated asthma (AEA). The review includes historical perspective of aspirin, prevalence, pathogenesis, clinical features and treatment of AEA. The pathogenesis of AEA involves the cyclooxygenase and lipooxygenase pathway. Aspirin affects both of these pathways by inhibiting the enzyme cycooxygenase-1 (COX-1). Inhibition of COX-1 leads to a decrease in prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). The decrease in PGE2 results in an increase in cysteinyl leukotrienes by the lipooxygenase pathway involving the enzyme 5-lipooxygenase (5-LO). Leukotriene C4 (LTC4) synthase is the enzyme responsible for the production of leukotriene C4, the chief cysteinyl leukotriene responsible for AEA. There have been familial occurences of AEA. An allele of the LTC4synthase gene in AEA is known as allele C. Allele C has a higher frequency in AEA. Clinical presentation includes a history of asthma after ingestion of aspirin, nasal congestion, watery rhinorrhea and nasal polyposis. Treatment includes leukotriene receptor antagonists, leukotriene inhibitors, aspirin desinsitaztion and surgery. AEA is the most well-defined phenotype of asthma. Although AEA affects adults and children with physician-diagnosed asthma, in some cases there is no history of asthma and AEA often goes unrecognized and underdiagnosed.
The Changing Microbial Environment and Chronic Inflammatory Disorders
Authors: Rook Graham A.W.
Published: May 2010

There is much to be gained from examining human diseases within the expanding framework of Darwinian medicine. This is particularly true of those conditions that change in frequency as populations develop from the human "environment of evolutionary adaptedness" to the living conditions of the rich industrialized countries. This development entails major changes in lifestyle, leading to reductions in contact with environmental microorganisms and helminths that have evolved a physiologic role as drivers of immunoregulatory circuits. It is suggested that a deficit in immunoregulation in rich countries is contributing not only to increases in the incidence of allergic disorders but also to increases in other chronic inflammatory conditions that are exacerbated by a failure to terminate inappropriate inflammatory reponses. These include autoimmunity, neuroinflammatory disorders, atherosclerosis, depression associated with raised inflammatory cytokines, and some cancers.
Ragweed as an Example of Worldwide Allergen Expansion
Authors: Oswalt Matthew L. , Marshall Gailen D.
Published: May 2010

Multiple factors are contributing to the expansion of ragweed on a worldwide scale. This review seeks to examine factors that may contribute to allergen expansion with reference to ragweed as a well-studied example. It is our hope that increased surveillance for new pollens in areas not previously affected and awareness of the influence the changing environment plays in allergic disease will lead to better outcomes in susceptible patients.
Chitosan Interferon-γ Nanogene Therapy for Lung Disease: Modulation of T-Cell and Dendritic Cell Immune Responses
Authors: Kong Xiaoyuan , Hellermann Gary R. , Zhang Weidong , Jena Prasanna , Kumar Mukesh , Behera Aruna , Behera Sumita , Lockey Richard , Mohapatra Shyam S.
Published: May 2010

The use of chitosan nanoparticles as carriers for expression plasmids represents a major improvement in gene expression technology. We demonstrated previously that treatment with chitosan interferon-γ (IFN-γ) plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) nanoparticles (chitosan interferon-γ nanogene [CIN]) led to in situ production of IFN-γ and a reduction in inflammation and airway reactivity in mice, but the mechanism underlying the immunomodulatory effects of CIN remains unclear. In this report, the effect of CIN treatment on the immune responses of CD8+T cells and dendritic cells was examined in a BALB/c mouse model of ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic asthma. OT1 mice (OVA-T cell receptor [TCR] transgenic) were also used to test the effects of CIN on OVA-specific CD8+T cells. CIN treatment caused a reduction in IFN-γ production in a subpopulation of OVA-specific CD8+T cells cultured in vitro in the presence of OVA. CIN also reduced apoptosis of the CD8+T cells. Examination of dendritic cells from lung and lymph nodes indicated that CIN treatment decreased their antigen-presenting activity, as evident from the reduction in CD80 and CD86 expression. Furthermore, CIN treatment significantly decreased the number of CD11c+b+dendritic cells in lymph nodes, suggesting that endogenous IFN-γ expression may immunomodulate dendritic cell migration and activation. CIN therapy results in a reduction in proinflammatory CD8+T cells and decreases the number and antigen-presenting activity of dendritic cells.
Peanut Allergy: An Overview
Authors: Al-Ahmed Nasser , Alsowaidi Shirina , Vadas Peter
Published: May 2010

Peanut allergies have been increasing in prevalence in most industrialized countries. Onset is typically in early childhood, with a trend towards earlier ages of presentation. The allergy is lifelong in most affected children, although 15-22% will outgrow their peanut allergy, usually before their teenage years. Manifestations of peanut allergy range from mild to severe, and risk factors predisposing to severe reactions are discussed. However, even in the absence of risk factors, peanut allergic individuals may still experience life-threatening anaphylactic reactions. Approaches to investigation and treatment, patterns of cross-reactivity and possible causes of rising prevalence are discussed.
Focal-adhesion targeting links caveolin-1 to a Rac1-degradation pathway
Authors: Nethe Micha , Anthony Eloise C. , Fernandez-Borja Mar , Dee Rob , Geerts Dirk , Hensbergen Paul J. , Deelder André M. , Schmidt Gudula , Hordijk Peter L.
Published: May 2010

Directional cell migration is crucially dependent on the spatiotemporal control of intracellular signalling events. These events regulate polarized actin dynamics, resulting in protrusion at the front of the cell and contraction at the rear. The actin cytoskeleton is regulated through signalling by Rho-like GTPases, such as RhoA, which stimulates myosin-based contractility, and CDC42 and Rac1, which promote actin polymerization and protrusion. Here, we show that Rac1 binds the adapter protein caveolin-1 (Cav1) and that Rac1 activity promotes Cav1 accumulation at Rac1-positive peripheral adhesions. Using Cav1-deficient mouse fibroblasts and depletion of Cav1 expression in human epithelial and endothelial cells mediated by small interfering RNA and short hairpin RNA, we show that loss of Cav1 induces an increase in Rac1 protein and its activated, GTP-bound form. Cav1 controls Rac1 protein levels by regulating ubiquitylation and degradation of activated Rac1 in an adhesion-dependent fashion. Finally, we show that Rac1 ubiquitylation is not required for effector binding, but regulates the dynamics of Rac1 at the periphery of the cell. These data extend the canonical model of Rac1 inactivation and uncover Cav1-regulated polyubiquitylation as an additional mechanism to control Rac1 signalling.