bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Plant tissue cultures from four Tuscan globe artichoke cultivars
Authors: Bedini Laura , Lucchesini Mariella , Bertozzi Francesco , Graifenberg Alberto
Published: June 2012

The aim of the study was to examine the possibility of propagating in vitro four of the most common cultivars in Tuscany (central Italy): Terom, Violetto di Toscana, Chiusure and Empolese. The first three belong to the “Violetti” group, while cv Empolese belongs to the “Romaneschi” group. Explants were cultured on an induction medium (IM), which is a modified MS medium consisting of nitrate concentrations reduced by one quarter, 0.8 mg L−1 6-benzylaminopurine (BA) and 0.2 mg L−1 3-indole butyric acid (IBA). Explants were then transferred to a proliferation medium (PM) consisting of the same basal medium together with 0.03 mg L−1 BA and 0.05 mg L−1 gibberellic acid (GA3). A rooting double-phase was then established. The pre-rooting medium (PRM), consisting of a basal MS medium with half strength nitrate concentrations, 0.5 mg L−1 indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and 1 mg L−1 paclobutrazol (PBZ) was used for two weeks. Over the next four weeks, a rooting medium (MR) was used, consisting of a basal MS medium with 2 mg L−1 β-cyclodextrin and 2 mg L−1 α-naphthaleneacetic acid sodium salt (NAA). The cv Empolese provided the highest number of proliferated explants and rooted plantlets using the method described.
Quality Indicators of the Pre-Analytical Phase
Authors: Majkić-Singh Nada , Šumarac Zorica
Published: June 2012

Quality Indicators of the Pre-Analytical Phase

Quality indicatorsare tools that allow the quantification of quality in each of the segments of health care in comparison with selected criteria. They can be defined as an objective measure used to assess the critical health care segments such as, for instance, patient safety, effectiveness, impartiality, timeliness, efficiency, etc. In laboratory medicine it is possible to develop quality indicators or the measure of feasibility for any stage of the total testing process. The total process or cycle of investigation has traditionally been separated into three phases, the pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical phase. Some authors also include a »pre-pre« and a »post-post« analytical phase, in a manner that allows to separate them from the activities of sample collection and transportation (pre-analytical phase) and reporting (post-analytical phase). In the year 2008 the IFCC formed within its Education and Management Division (EMD) a task force calledLaboratory Errors and Patient Safety (WG-LEPS)with the aim of promoting the investigation of errors in laboratory data, collecting data and developing a strategy to improve patient safety. This task force came up with the Model of Quality Indicators (MQI) for the total testing process (TTP) including the pre-, intra- and post-analytical phases of work. The pre-analytical phase includes a set of procedures that are difficult to define because they take place at different locations and at different times. Errors that occur at this stage often become obvious later in the analytical and post-analytical phases. For these reasons the identification of quality indicators is necessary in order to avoid potential errors in all the steps of the pre-analytical phase.
Opportunities and restrictions for the local-endogenous development in metropolitan areas of high industrial concentration: the case of Thriasio Pedio in Attica
Authors: Christofakis Manolis , Tsampra Maria
Published: June 2012

Opportunities and restrictions for the local-endogenous development in metropolitan areas of high industrial concentration: the case of Thriasio Pedio in Attica

This paper investigates the development pattern of the urban area of Thriasio Pedio in the metropolitan region of Attica, which is characterised by a high concentration of industrial activities. The local-endogenous development model is discussed in the theoretical review of the paper, in the sense of the local socio-economic system's capacity to transform, react to external challenges, promote awareness and import specific forms of social regulation at the local level. On this ground, the main question of the paper concerns the nature of the area's development and more specifically, whether or not this is defined by endogenous factors (i.e. the operation of locally embedded production systems) along with predetermined exogenous factors (i.e. the allocation of central/metropolitan activities in Thriasio Pedio). The study is supported by the results of a sampling research in representative economic units of the Thriasio Pedio area. The analysis helped us to see whether the various applications of the local-endogenous development pattern, as defined in the paper, are incorporated into the overall productive system of the area. The prerequisites for the reinforcement of the local endogenous capacity were also identified in this analysis.
Possibilities of hyperlink application in spatial research
Authors: Janc Krzysztof
Published: June 2012

Possibilities of hyperlink application in spatial research

The main aim of the paper is to show the selected ways of analysing, the possible interpretations and expectations concerning the analyses of hyperlinks in spatial research. The connections existing in cyberspace for selected self-government websites of Lower Silesia were shown to illustrate the issue. The analyses were conducted for selected websites of self-government units at all levels functioning in Lower Silesia. The paper presents two approaches to the analysis of hyperlinks: analysis of outlinks and inlinks. The presented results allow us to identify some regularities regarding the functioning of connections in cyberspace versus the connections in the real world. From the perspective of self-government websites it can be concluded that the connections in cyberspace reflect the real connections. In the majority of the analysed cases there is a clear connection with the actual scope of activity. The remaining relationships with administrative cities reflect the significance of these cities for the functioning of self-government units in the social, economic, legal, and administrative conditions. Based on the conducted analyses it can be concluded that the study of hyperlinks may be useful in understanding the relationships between geographical space and cyberspace. They may form a new, interesting field of spatial research. We also found some challenges in the study of hyperlinks' spatial aspects: the identification of consistent criteria for determining the websites' ‘location in space’, the possibility of interpreting the research results and the dynamics of the Internet.
Characteristics of soaring birds' spring migration over inland SE Bulgaria
Authors: Shurulinkov Peter , Daskalova Girgina , Chakarov Nayden , Hristov Krassimir , Dyulgerova Silvia , Gocheva Yana , Cheshmedzhiev Svilen , Madzharov Minko , Dimchev Ivailo
Published: June 2012

Characteristics of soaring birds' spring migration over inland SE Bulgaria

We investigated the scale and characteristics of spring migration of soaring birds in Bourgas district, SE Bulgaria during three 5-day periods in March (27th-31st), April (20th-24th) and May (12th-16th) 2008. Simultaneous counts were carried out from six observation points in two separate areas (Karnobat and Sredets), located 24.5 km and 37.3 km inland from the Black Sea coast, respectively. In total, 31,049 soaring birds of at least 27 species were counted, by far the most numerous being the White Stork Ciconia ciconia (23,358 ind.), followed by the Lesser Spotted Eagle Aquila pomarina (3,112 ind.). In Karnobat area, situated farther from the Black Sea coast, the total number of soaring migrants (21,231) was more than two-fold higher than in Sredets area (9,818). Overall, there was a significant difference in flock size and flight altitude within separate area (i.e. among observation points) as well as between the two observation areas and the three 5-day periods. However, there was a substantial variance in factors significantly affecting the flock size and flight altitude among most numerous individual species. In general, birds passed at much higher altitude above Karnobat area (mean flight altitude 208.3 m ± 6.4) compared to Sredets area (mean flight altitude 130.5 m ± 4.4). In both observation areas, northern direction was the most commonly observed flight direction (46.3% of all recorded flight directions). The highest numbers of soaring migrants passed in the late afternoon, between 15.00 and 18.00 hrs - 11,554 individuals (43.0% of all birds counted). The study confirmed that the front of Western Black Sea migration route, or "Via Pontica" as part of the Mediterranean/Black Sea Flyway in SE Bulgaria, is rather wide, since the magnitude of inland migration in Bourgas district can be compared with that along the Black Sea coast, at least during spring migration. Both observation areas qualify as Important Bird Areas (IBA) of European importance according to the several BirdLife International criteria. We recommend that any new wind farms built should avoid the area of Hisar Hill south of Karnobat and the NW parts of Sredets Municipality.
Editorial Lifelong learning in the learning society - the magic spell?
Authors: Jõgi Larissa
Published: June 2012

Editorial Lifelong learning in the learning society - the magic spell?
Global identification of potential gene biomarkers associated with ozone-induced foliar injury in rice seedling leaves by correlating their symptom severity with transcriptome profiling
Authors: Cho Kyoungwon , Kubo Akihiro , Shibato Junko , Agrawal Ganesh Kumar , Saji Hikaru , Rakwal Randeep
Published: June 2012

A combined approach of evaluating ozone (O3)-caused foliar injury symptom and global gene expression profiling was used to identify potential genes associated with severity of injury on leaves of O3 (200 ppb)-fumigated (1, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h) two-week-old rice (cv. Nipponbare) seedling. Foliar injuries were evaluated up to 72 h using both qualitative visual scale and quantitative RGB (red-green-blue) image analysis methods. The (R-G)/(R+G) was an optimal quantitative RGB parameter to assess foliar injury. Large-scale transcript profiling of leaves identified 270 genes linked with foliar injury. Genes were subjected to Pearson’s correlation test between their expression changes and O3-induced foliar injury changes (relative (R-G)/(R+G) parameters). Expression of 146 genes was found to increase with increased foliar severity up to 72 h, showing a positive, tight correlation between a subset of gene expression and commonly observed O3-triggerred symptom of foliar injury with correlation coefficient below -0.80. Of 146 genes, genes involved in metabolism (25%) formed a major functional category. Metabolic networks with identified metabolic genes provided insight into cellular responses such as photorespiration, biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, and detoxification. The O3 effect on these cellular responses has been previously reported based on physiological and biochemical studies, validating our approach used in this study to globally identify O3-responsive biomarkers tightly linked with foliar injury symptom. This study provides evidence for presence of large number of genes associated with foliar injury symptom than thought before, serving as a resource of potential biomarkers to study mechanisms of visible injury development by O3.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijls.v6i1.6059
Fostering research skills in undergraduate medical students through Mentored Student Projects: Example from an Indian medical school
Authors: Devi V , Abraham R R , Adiga A , Ramnarayan K , Kamath A
Published: June 2012

Background Healthcare decision-making is largely reliant on evidence–based medicine; building skills in scientific reasoning and thinking among medical students becomes an important part of medical education. Medical students in India have no formal path to becoming physicians, scientists or academicians. Objectives This study examines students’ perceptions regarding research skills improvement after participating in the Mentored Student Project programme at Melaka Manipal Medical College, Manipal Campus, India. Additionally, this paper describes the initiatives taken for the continual improvement of the Mentored Student Project programme based on faculty and student perspectives. Methods At Melaka Manipal Medical College, Mentored Student Project was implemented in the curriculum during second year of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery programme with the intention of developing research skills essential to the career development of medical students. The study design was cross-sectional. To inculcate the spirit of team work students were grouped (n=3 to 5) and each group was asked to select a research project. The students’ research projects were guided by their mentors.  A questionnaire (Likert’s five point scale) on students’ perceptions regarding improvement in research skills after undertaking projects and guidance received from the mentor was administered to medical students after they had completed their Mentored Student Project . The responses of students were summarised using percentages. The median grade with inter-quartile range was reported for each item in the questionnaire. The median grade for all the items related to perceptions regarding improvement in research skills was 4 which reflected that the majority of the students felt that Mentored Student Project had improved their research skills. The problems encountered by the students during Mentored Student Project were related to time management for the Mentored Student Project and mentors. Results This study shows that students acknowledged that their research skills were improved after participating in the Mentored Student Project programme. Conclusions The Mentored Student Project programme was successful in fostering positive attitudes among medical students towards scientific research. The present study also provides scope for further improvement of the Mentored Student Project programme based on students’ and faculty perspectives.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/kumj.v8i3.6215 Kathmandu Univ Med J 2010;8(3):294-8
Nerve Conduction study in healthy individuals, a preliminary age based study
Authors: Thakur D , Paudel B H , Jha C B
Published: June 2012

Background Nerve conduction study assesses peripheral nerve functions and has clinical implication. Objectives To study the effect of age on nerve conduction study variables in healthy adults. Methods Cross sectional study was done from Jan 2006 to Dec 2006 in department of Physiology, BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal. The study was done in 34 (younger, n= 18, 17 to 29 years; older, n= 16, 30 to 57 years) consenting healthy adults of either sex. The compound muscle action potential and sensory nerve action potential were recorded using standard technique. Due to the non-normal distribution of data, the effect of age on nerve conduction study variables was analyzed using Mann Whitney U test. Results Younger vs. older individuals: older had lower Compound Muscle action potential amplitude (mV) in all motor nerves except radial and left ulnar nerves. Compound Muscle action potential duration (ms) was shorter in older (p<0.05) in ulnar, tibial, right median and left common peroneal motor nerves than the younger: right median (6.92±1.3 vs. 8.5±1.88), right ulnar (7.09±1.54vs. 8.2±1.31), left ulnar (10.56±1.44 vs. 12.06±1.5), right tibial (6.28±0.81vs. 7.28±1.12), and left tibial (9.58±1.52vs.10.78±1.71). Sensory nerve actional potential amplitude (?V) was smaller in older as compared to younger: right median (19.01±7.83 vs. 26.97±10.63), right ulnar (10.9±3.44 vs.16.09±5.85) and right radial (14.31±4.34 vs.19.72±6.47). SNAP duration (ms) was longer in older: right ulnar (1.34±0.17 vs.1.26± 0.18), left ulnar (1.46±0.14 vs. 1.29±0.26), and left median (1.11± 0.14 vs. 1± 0.14). Conclusions Age has definite effects on amplitude and duration of motor and sensory nerves. Different nerves have different timing of aging. Without adjustment for age, the sensitivity and specificity of nerve conduction study will decrease whenusing the same reference data in patients with different age.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/kumj.v8i3.6218 Kathmandu Univ Med J 2010;8(3):311-6
Pseudomembranous colitis in a pregnant woman
Authors: Mridula T , Pai R R , Mathai A M , Tantry B V , Adhikari P
Published: June 2012

Pseudomembranous colitis in association with pregnancy has not been well described in English literature. Recent studies show a drastic increase in the incidence and severity of Pseudomembranous colitis in pregnant women, who were once thought to be at low risk. We report here a case of Pseudomembranous colitis in a young healthy immunocompetent pregnant lady. An early suspicion of this entity with the characteristic appearance of pseudomembranes on colonoscopy and histology confirmed the diagnosis enabling prompt treatment and complete recovery without any serious consequences.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/kumj.v8i3.6226 Kathmandu Univ Med J 2010;8(3):345-7
Sind Naturwaldreservate naturnäher als der Schweizer Wald?
Authors: Heiri Caroline , Brändli Urs-Beat , Bugmann Harald , Brang Peter
Published: June 2012

Do strict forest reserves feature more naturalness than the Swiss forest?

In natural forest reserves (NFR), forests develop in the absence of direct human interference, primarily management. This increases their naturalness and should – in the long run – allow forests to regain primeval attributes. Based on stand structural data from the third National Forest Inventory (NFI) and 25 NFR in Switzerland, we investigate 1) whether NFR feature more naturalness than managed forests, 2) whether the naturalness of Swiss forests increases with the time elapsed since the cessation of management, and 3) to what extent NFR differ from Swiss forests that have not been managed during several decades. Thereby, we focus on the four main forest types beech, silver fir-beech, silver fir-Norway spruce and Norway spruce forests, and furthermore group the data according to the time since the last intervention (0–20, 21–50 and > 50 years.). The structural features investigated differ only slightly between NFR and managed forest (0–20 years). NFR feature a higher abundance of “giant” trees (dbh ≥ 80 cm), higher stem numbers and greater basal area, and thus a higher growing stock. The abundance of snags, however, is indistinguishable between the two types of forests. Naturalness in Swiss forests increases only slightly with time since the last intervention, indicated by a higher abundance of small snags and a slightly higher number of giant trees. By contrast, clear differences can be seen between NFR in which no intervention has taken place for at least 50 years, and other forests abandoned for a similarly long time, with NFR showing lower stem numbers, greater basal area and higher numbers of giant trees. Many of the investigated reserves are still affected by former management and are – from the point of view of primeval forest dynamics – still quite “young”. According to their naturalness, the NFR range between managed and primeval forests, although to date they are still closer to the former. Nevertheless, the differences found in our study indicate a steady development of the NFR towards stand structures that are characteristic of primeval forests.
Old-growth forest reserves in Slovenia: the past, present, and future
Authors: Nagel Thomas A. , Diaci Jurij , Rozenbergar Dusan , Rugani Tihomir , Firm Dejan
Published: June 2012

Old-growth forest reserves in Slovenia: the past, present, and future

Slovenia has a small number of old-growth forest remnants, as well as many forest reserves approaching old-growth conditions. In this paper, we describe some of the basic characteristics of these old-growth remnants and the history of their protection in Slovenia. We then trace the long-term development of research in these old-growth remnants, with a focus on methodological changes. We also review some of the recent findings from old-growth research in Slovenia and discuss future research needs. The conceptual understanding of how these forests work has slowly evolved, from thinking of them in terms of stable systems to more dynamic and unpredictable ones due to the influence of natural disturbances and indirect human influences. In accordance with this thinking, the methods used to study old-growth forests have changed from descriptions of stand structure to studies that address natural processes and ecosystem functions.
Potentiality and Boundaries of Use of Sorafenib in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Awaiting the Results of Ongoing Clinical Trials
Authors: Di Maio Massimo , Daniele Gennaro , Piccirillo Maria Carmela , Giordano Pasqualina , Signoriello Giuseppe , Daniele Bruno , Perrone Francesco
Published: June 2012

No systemic therapy had been proven effective in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) until 2007, when a large randomized trial with sorafenib demonstrated a clinically relevant prolongation of survival. Currently, sorafenib represents standard treatment for patients with advanced HCC and well-preserved liver function, whilst the evidence about its effectiveness in patients with more severe liver impairment is less robust. A randomized trial to demonstrate the efficacy of sorafenib in Child-Pugh B patients with advanced HCC is currently ongoing. In the meantime, several trials are testing the role of sorafenib in early HCC (as adjuvant treatment after potentially curative loco-regional therapies) and in intermediate stage (exploring different modalities of integration of sorafenib with trans-arterial chemo-embolization). The results of all these trials will better define the potentiality and the boundaries of use of sorafenib in HCC patients.
Ontogenic Expression Pattern and Genetic Polymorphisms of the Fatty Acid Transport Protein 4 (FATP4) Gene in Chinese Chicken Populations
Authors: Wang Yan , Zhu Qing , Yang Ling , Liu Yi-Ping
Published: June 2012

In the current research, the polymorphism of FATP4 gene was analyzed in Erlang Mountainous chickens. A total of nine genetic variants were identified by FATP4 gene sequencing analysis across the chicken samples. Significant associations (p < 0.05) were observed for two SNPs (g.5608778C>T and g.5608814G>A in exon 6) with certain carcass traits (such as live weight, carcass weight, eviscerated weight) in S01 and S05 populations, respectively. Meanwhile, in S05 population, haplotype 3 (T-G) and haplotype 2 (C-A) were associated with higher and lower partial carcass traits such as live weight, carcass weight, eviscerated weight and semi-eviscerated weight, respectively. Moreover, we investigated the expression profile of this gene during ontogenesis in Mountainous black-boned chicken. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis showed that FATP4 mRNA had the highest expression level in small intestine tissue over all other tissues examined. The FATP4 mRNA levels presented remarkable developmental changes with age in the various tissues. These results suggested that the FATP4 gene might play an important role in controlling chicken carcass traits.
Molding of Aluminum Foams by Using Hot Powder Extrusion
Authors: Shiomi Masanori , Tanino Yoshitaka
Published: June 2012

In order to form aluminum foams directly from powder, a combined process of hot powder extrusion and molding is proposed. Aluminum powder mixed with a foaming agent is extruded into the mold through the die heated to a temperature higher than the melting point, and the mold is filled with the aluminum foam. When a stainless steel pipe is used for a simple mold, an aluminum foam bar is obtained of which the relative density varies between 0.2 and 0.3. The molding of aluminum foam by using three types of mold shape shows the influence of gravity and friction. The effect of gravity is significant when a large step exists at the connection between the mold inlet and the die outlet, and friction is dominant in cases where foam is mold in a narrow space.
a-Anilinoketones, Esters and Amides: A Chemical Study
Authors: Qandil Amjad M. , Fakhouri Lara I.
Published: June 2012

A group of a-anilinoketones, 2-aminoalcohols, a-anilinoesters and a-anilinoamides were successfully synthesized and characterized by NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The yields were, in general, moderate to good (up to 75.4%), except for the a-anilinoesters (16.9–35.6%). The a-halocarbonyl starting materials showed different chemical reactivities. a-Haloketones and a-chloroacetates afforded monoalkylation, while small a-chloroamides afforded dialkylation. Finally, NMR spectroscopy revealed interesting structural features about the 2-aminoalcohols and diphenylamides.
The New Ecology of Vacancy: Rethinking Land Use in Shrinking Cities
Authors: Burkholder Sean
Published: June 2012

Urban environments are in continual transition. Yet, as many cities continue to grow and develop in ways deemed typical or standard, these transitions can be difficult to acknowledge. Narratives of continued growth and permanence become accepted and expected while the understanding of urban dynamics becomes lost. In many parts of the world, the shrinking cities phenomenon has given rise to a new awareness of urban transition that provides a laboratory of new conditions at the intersection of urbanism and ecology. With property vacancy rates easily exceeding 50% in certain locations, cities in the American Rust Belt look more like successional woodlands than bustling metropolises, yet these cities still contain significant numbers of urban residents. A central question that arises from this phenomenon is: how can vacant land, through the provision of ecosystem services, become a resource as opposed to a liability? This paper looks to recent studies in urban ecology as a lens for understanding the land use potential of shrinking cities, while discussing unconventional solutions for sustainable development of urban land.
Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Exploit the Immune Response Mediating Chemokines to Impact the Phenotype of Glioblastoma
Authors: Motaln Helena , Gruden Kristina , Hren Matjaž , Schichor Christian , Primon Monika , Rotter Ana , Lah Tamara T.
Published: June 2012

In contrast to the application of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) in regenerative medicine, only a limited number of studies are addressing their use in anticancer therapy. As the latter may represent a new hope to improve the survival of patients with glioblastoma multiformae (GBM), the most common and malignant form of the brain tumors, we aimed to investigate the interactions of hMSCs and GBM cells under in vitro conditions. Four hMSC clones and three different GBM cell lines were used to study their mutual paracrine interactions in cocultures compared to their monocultures, where cells were grown under the same experimental conditions. The effects on cell growth, proliferation, and invasion in Matrigel were quantified. Further, bioinformatics tools were used to relate these results to the data obtained from cytokine macroarrays and cDNA microarrays that revealed proteins and genes significantly involved in cellular cross-talk. We showed that hMSCs are responsible for the impairment of GBM cell invasion and growth, possibly via induction of their senescence. On the other hand, GBM cells inversely affected some of these characteristics in hMSCs. We found CCL2/MCP-1 to be the most significantly regulated chemokine during hMSC and U87-MG paracrine signaling in addition to several chemokines that may account for changed cocultured cells' phenotype by affecting genes associated with proliferation ( Pmepa-1, NF-κ B, IL-6, IL-1b), invasion ( EphB2, Sod2, Pcdh18, Col7A1, Gja1, Mmp1/2), and senescence ( Kiaa1199, SerpinB2). As we functionally confirmed the role of CCL2/MCP-1 in GBM cell invasion we thereby propose a novel mechanism of CCL2/MCP-1 antimigratory effects on GBM cells, distinct from its immunomodulatory role. Significant alterations of GBM phenotype in the presence of hMSCs should encourage the studies on the naive hMSC use for GBM treatment.
Increased Lymphatic Vessels in Patients with Encapsulating Peritoneal Sclerosis
Authors: Yaginuma Tatsuhiro , Yamamoto Izumi , Yamamoto Hiroyasu , Mitome Jun , Tanno Yudo , Yokoyama Keitaro , Hayashi Takenori , Kobayashi Tetsuya , Watanabe Michiaki , Yamaguchi Yutaka , Hosoya Tatsuo
Published: June 2012

♦ Background

The angiogenic response is partly involved in the progression of encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS). However, the details of the angiogenic response, especially for lymphatic vessels in patients with EPS, remain unclear. In addition, because of technical limitations, morphology studies reported to date have examined only the parietal peritoneum. The morphologies of parietal and visceral lymphatic vessels in patients with EPS both need to be analyzed.

♦ Methods

We examined peritoneal samples from 18 patients with EPS who underwent enterolysis of the visceral peritoneum and compared them with samples from 17 autopsy cases (controls). To examine the angiogenic response, we performed immunohistochemistry for the endothelial markers CD34 (blood vessels) and podoplanin (lymphatic vessels) and for the cell proliferation marker Ki-67. Immunogold electron microscopy analysis for podoplanin was also performed. In 7 of 18 cases, we compared differences in the angiogenic response of the parietal and visceral peritoneal membranes.

♦ Results

Angiogenic responses were more frequent in the compact zone than in regenerated layers. The number of capillaries positive for anti-CD34 and anti-podoplanin monoclonal antibodies per unit area of visceral peritoneal tissue was, respectively, 41.1 ± 29.3/mm2 in EPS patients and 2.7 ± 4.4/mm2 in controls ( p ≤ 0.01) and 48.1 ± 43.9/mm2 in EPS patients and 4.1 ± 5.4/mm2 in controls ( p ≤ 0.01). The percentage of capillaries positive for anti–Ki-67, CD34, and podoplanin was 4.6% in EPS patients ( p ≤ 0.01) and 0.8% in controls ( p = 0.09). The immunogold electron microscopy analysis revealed that podoplanin was localized to endothelial cells with anchoring filaments, a specific feature of lymphatic vessels. Furthermore, compared with parietal peritoneal membrane, visceral peritoneal membrane had a more prominent podoplanin-positive capillary profile, but not a prominent CD34-positive capillary profile. In addition, fibroblast-like cells double-positive for podoplanin and smooth muscle actin were markedly increased in the degenerated layer, as previously reported.

♦ Conclusions

Our study demonstrated that lymphatic vessels are increased in the visceral peritoneum of patients with EPS.
Seasonal Variation in the Activity of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: DUARTE-GARCÍA ALÍ , FANG HONG , TO CHI HUNG , MAGDER LAURENCE S. , PETRI MICHELLE
Published: June 2012

Objective.

To determine whether there is any seasonal variation in the activity of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) overall and by individual organs.

Methods.

The study group comprised 2102 patients with SLE who were followed in a prospective longitudinal cohort study. In this cohort, 92.3% of the patients were women. The mean ± SD age of the patients was 47.9 ± 13.9 years, 56.3% were white, 37.1% were African American, and 3.1% were Asian. Global disease activity was recorded by the Safety of Estrogens in Lupus Erythematosus National Assessment – Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SELENA-SLEDAI) and the physician’s global assessment. Activity of each organ was also recorded using SLEDAI terms and a visual analog scale (VAS; 0 to 3).

Results.

There was significant seasonal variation in photosensitive rash (p < 0.0001), which was more frequent in the spring and summer months (p < 0.0001). There was significantly more arthritis activity in spring and summer, as measured by both SELENA-SLEDAI (p = 0.0057) and the joint VAS (p = 0.0047). A decrease in renal activity was found in the summer months compared to the rest of the year (p = 0.0397). Serositis recorded by VAS had higher activity from August to October (p = 0.0392). Anti-dsDNA levels were significantly higher during October and November (p < 0.0001). There was significant seasonal variation in antiphospholipid antibody levels (p < 0.0001) and lupus anticoagulant (p = 0.0003). We found a significant variation in activity through the year in global disease activity as measured by SELENA-SLEDAI (p = 0.048).

Conclusion.

In the Hopkins Lupus Cohort, skin and joint activity is increased during the spring and summer, but other organs have different patterns. These seasonal variations likely reflect environmental factors that influence disease activity, including ultraviolet light and infections.
Prediction of Cardiovascular Events in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis and Psoriatic Arthritis: Role of Lipoproteins in a High-risk Population
Authors: SEMB ANNE GRETE , KVIEN TORE K. , DeMICCO DAVID A. , FAYYAD RANA , WUN CHUAN-CHUAN , LaROSA JOHN , BETTERIDGE JOHN , PEDERSEN TERJE R. , HOLME INGAR
Published: June 2012

Objective.

To evaluate lipids and apolipoproteins as predictors of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity (CVD) in patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA).

Methods.

In the pooled cohort of participants in the IDEAL, TNT, and CARDS trials, 50 had ankylosing spondylitis (AS), 36 had psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and 21,641 did not have AS or PsA (non-SpA). We compared lipid levels at baseline between AS or PsA and non-SpA, and hazard ratios (HR) for CVD were calculated in a Cox proportional hazard model.

Results.

Atherogenic lipids were lower in samples from AS, but not in PsA, compared to non-SpA. The HR for 1 SD increase in baseline lipids for future CVD was for total cholesterol 1.39 (95% CI 0.82, 2.36) in AS, 1.01 (95% CI 0.44, 2.31) in PsA, and 1.10 (95% CI 1.07, 1.14) in non-SpA. Both high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and apolipoprotein (ApoA-1) were significantly associated with CVD in AS (HR 3.67, 95% CI 1.47, 9.06, and HR 1.89, 95% CI 1.02, 3.54, respectively), in contrast to PsA (HDL: HR 1.03, 95% CI 0.49, 2.15; ApoA-1: HR 0.79, 95% CI 0.34, 1.89) and non-SpA (HDL: HR 0.86, 95% CI 0.84, 0.89; ApoA-1: HR 0.88, 95% CI 0.85, 0.91).

Conclusion.

HDL and ApoA-1 were surprisingly associated with increased risk of future CVD in patients with AS, whereas these lipids were protective in non-SpA.
Screening for Cognitive Impairment in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: HANLY JOHN G. , SU LI , OMISADE ANTONINA , FAREWELL VERNON T. , FISK JOHN D.
Published: June 2012

Objective.

We examined the association between responses on a screening questionnaire and objective performance on a computer-administered test of cognitive abilities in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods.

The Cognitive Symptom Inventory (CSI) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scales (HADS) questionnaires were compared in patients with SLE or rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics (ANAM) was used to evaluate cognitive performance in patients with SLE. Efficiency of performance was measured by “throughput” (number of correct responses per minute) and “inverse efficiency” (response speed/proportion of correct responses). Linear regression was applied to log-transformed CSI scores to examine their associations with ANAM scores and other factors.

Results.

Patients with SLE (n = 68) or RA (n = 33) were similar in age, sex, ethnicity, and education status (p > 0.05). Patients with SLE had higher total CSI scores (33.6 ± 10.5 vs 29.4 ± 6.8, respectively; p = 0.041) and attention/concentration subscale CSI scores (15.7 ± 5.3 vs 13.3 ± 3.4; p = 0.016) compared to patients with RA. In patients with SLE there was a positive association between CSI scores and neuropsychiatric (NP) events at the time of testing (p = 0.0006), HADS anxiety (p < 0.0001), and depression (p < 0.0001) scores. After adjustment for age, education, disease duration, and NP events at the time of testing, there was no significant association (p > 0.05) between ANAM and CSI scores in patients with SLE. The results were similar using either “throughput” or “inverse efficiency” or the number of impaired ANAM subscales after adjustment for simple reaction time.

Conclusion.

The CSI self-report questionnaire of cognitive symptoms does not reliably screen for efficiency of cognitive processing in patients with SLE. Rather, cognitive complaints reported in the CSI are influenced by the presence of anxiety and depression.
L'innovation sociale, une notion aux usages pluriels : Quels enjeux et défis pour l'analyse ?
Authors: Richez-Battesti Nadine , Petrella Francesca , Vallade Delphine
Published: June 2012

Résumé L’ampleur de la crise actuelle favorise un regain d’intérêt pour l’innovation supposée à l’origine d’un nouveau régime de croissance. Dans ce contexte l’innovation sociale apparaît comme la nouvelle solution, susceptible de favoriser non seulement la croissance, mais une forme de partage de ses fruits plus équitable, voire de redéfinir les politiques sociales. Elle est souvent présentée comme une façon de combiner l’aspiration au changement (une avancée vers une nouvelle modernité) et une forme de garantie d’équité et de justice sociale qui s’appuierait sur la créativité des acteurs et en particulier des acteurs privés. Mais sa définition reste encore floue et elle fait l’objet d’usages pluriels. Nous présentons les trois principales conceptions de l’innovation sociale qui coexistent aujourd’hui, puis nous identifions trois questionnements dominants : la nature de l’innovation, le sens et le périmètre de la dimension « sociale » de l’innovation, et enfin, les caractéristiques de l’entrepreneuriat (individuel ou collectif), en lien avec la forme de gouvernance et celle de la participation d’une pluralité de parties prenantes. Codes JEL : A13, A14
Innovation sociale et innovation de service : première ébauche d'un dialogue nécessaire
Authors: Djellal Faridah , Gallouj Faïz
Published: June 2012

Résumé Les problématiques de l’innovation sociale et de l’innovation de service se sont développées parallèlement durant ces deux dernières décennies en se croisant trop rarement. Pourtant elles ont de très nombreux points communs quand elles ne désignent pas tout simplement la même réalité socio-économique. Cet article vise à contribuer à établir un dialogue entre ces deux champs encore marginaux, mais prometteurs de la théorie économique et des sciences sociales en général. Il rend compte de manière succincte de ces deux champs, les met en perspective et examine de différentes manières les liens entre eux. Codes JEL : O30, L80, L31
Les monnaies sociales en tant que dispositifs innovants : une évaluation
Authors: Blanc Jérôme , Fare Marie
Published: June 2012

Résumé Ce texte cherche à montrer en quoi les monnaies sociales, ces dispositifs monétaires locaux émergents, constituent des innovations sociales. Il montre tout d’abord comment les modalités de diffusion des monnaies sociales ménagent la possibilité de l’innovation. Il se concentre ensuite sur quatre dimensions transversales caractérisant l’innovation sociale et que l’on retrouve dans les monnaies sociales : l’importance des finalités et de l’ancrage local, des logiques partenariales autour d’un projet fédérateur, une critique du modèle dominant et l’émergence de règles et de formes novatrices. Codes JEL : B52, O31, P40
L'innovation sociale par l'économie solidaire en Bolivie : une démocratisation des conventions de production et de genre
Authors: Hillenkamp Isabelle , Bessis Franck
Published: June 2012

Résumé L’article propose une grille d’interprétation de l’innovation sociale inspirée de théories du changement institutionnel et appliquée à l’économie solidaire latino-américaine. L’innovation sociale est conçue comme un changement de codification des rapports sociaux qui valide de nouveaux principes de coordination produits par des acteurs réflexifs. Cette grille est utilisée pour interpréter la transformation des rapports de production et de genre impulsée par des initiatives d’économie solidaire dans le cas de la ville d’El Alto, en Bolivie. Nous évaluons ainsi la portée de deux types d’innovation : l’affirmation d’un principe original de réciprocité au sein du mode de production et d’un principe d’égalité d’accès aux sphères publiques et productives. Codes JEL : B5, D02, O1, P4, Z13
Le petit producteur du commerce équitable, un entrepreneur (presque) comme les autres ? Une perspective aristotélicienne
Authors: Pouchain Delphine
Published: June 2012

Résumé Grâce aux organisations du commerce équitable, les petits producteurs des pays du Sud pourraient faire l’apprentissage du métier d’entrepreneur. Sensibilisés aux exigences propres aux marchés du Nord, les petits producteurs du commerce équitable s’apparenteraient pourtant à des entrepreneurs particuliers, indifférents à la logique de l’accumulation illimitée de richesse. Toutefois, des doutes subsistent quant à la possibilité de concevoir le petit producteur du commerce équitable comme un producteur vraiment original. Codes JEL : B3, L20, M11
Innovation technologique ou innovation sociale ? Usages et valorisation d'un outil informatisé de gestion dans l'IAE
Authors: Marrel Guillaume , Nonjon Magali
Published: June 2012

Résumé L’équipement numérique de l’accompagnement à l’emploi est incontestablement une innovation technologique et organisationnelle au sein d’un Plan Local d’Insertion par l’Économique (PLIE). L’article interroge la qualification « sociale » de cette innovation par les acteurs et promoteurs du logiciel de suivi des parcours d’insertion en question, à partir d’une enquête monographique, et au regard des propositions de consolidation théorique de l’« innovation sociale ». Une « innovation sociale de compétition » ? Les écarts observés entre justification des pratiques et catégorisations académiques, autour de la polysémie du « social », plaident pour une sociologie approfondie des usages de la qualification de l’innovation. Codes JEL : H75, I3, J2, J68, J78, L38, O17, O33, O38, R58
Appareil productif, territoire, dialogue social : pourquoi innover ?
Authors: Garnier Jacques
Published: June 2012

Résumé Cet article entend montrer que la notion d’innovation sociale ne saurait être réduite à la simple transposition au domaine du social du concept d’innovation élaboré par la théorie économique. Il s’en démarque à deux titres. D’abord parce que la notion d’innovation sociale, en contrepoint aux conceptions aujourd’hui dominantes de l’innovation, vise à valoriser des changements autres que technologiques ou commerciaux, centrés sur la satisfaction des besoins sociaux, sur la solidarité et la justice et qui peuvent être considérés comme tout aussi générateurs de bien-être et moteurs de progrès. Ensuite, parce que l’innovation sociale ne peut se mettre en œuvre que par des démarches, nettement différentes de la recherche-développement, impliquant des processus relationnels, des interactions et des initiatives « venant du bas ». Le territoire, précisément, est devenu une des instances privilégiées d’où peuvent émerger ces innovations sociales venant du bas. L’article, prenant appui sur le cas de la région Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (France) entend faire progresser l’analyse de la capacité innovante de ce dialogue en proposant une esquisse de typologie. Codes JEL : R11, R58, J52, J61
Syllogisme : Autoproduction accompagnée, innovation sociale et sociétale
Authors: Roustang Guy
Published: June 2012

Résumé Les économistes ne s’intéressent qu’à l’économie monétaire : le PIB qui mesure la richesse et le niveau de vie d’une nation ne prend que très marginalement en compte la production domestique et tout ce qui relève de l’autoproduction. Le Programme autoproduction et Développement social agit pour que les pouvoirs publics prennent conscience que le développement de l’autoproduction, notamment dans les domaines de l’alimentation et du logement, permet de lutter contre l’exclusion et de favoriser le développement durable. Le potentiel d’action des personnes prêtes à s’investir dans des projets qui les concernent représente de réelles ressources. Pour les valoriser, il faut identifier et agir sur une série d’obstacles tenant aux habitudes, aux mentalités ou aux fonctionnements institutionnels. Codes JEL : A13, A14
Le management à l'ère du capitalisme financier : un management hors sujet ?
Authors: Aubert Nicole
Published: June 2012

Résumé Dans cet article, nous tentons, en nous appuyant sur une recherche récemment menée au sein d’entreprises situées dans différents secteurs d’activité, de mettre en lumière les liens qui existent entre d’une part l’évolution générale du contexte économique, avec l’avènement et le triomphe du capitalisme financier, d’autre part les transformations du travail qui se sont opérées dans les entreprises, et enfin les différentes conséquences sur les individus du mode de management dont ils sont, dans ce nouveau contexte, les sujets... ou l’objet. Nous nous demandons s’il existe encore, dans le contexte de management « chaotique » qui s’est mis en place, fondé sur le changement permanent et centré sur la seule recherche d’efficacité immédiate, une possibilité sinon de réalisation et d’épanouissement de soi-même, au moins de prise en compte du Sujet, au-delà de l’individu ?
La subjectivité et la direction
Authors: Lapierre Laurent
Published: June 2012

Résumé En partant du constat que la direction est une pratique fondée sur le jugement, l’auteur adopte une approche analytique subjective. Il décrit comment l’agressivité contre l’autorité, corollaire de l’éducation que chacun subit, devient une source d’apprentissage à condition qu’elle soit canalisée vers l’action de façon constructive. Pour étudier en profondeur en quoi consistent ces styles de direction, l’auteur préconise une méthode de recherche subjective basée sur une démarche clinique : le storytelling . À partir des confidences du dirigeant, le chercheur explorera les univers intérieurs exprimés par un passage à l’action, trait caractéristique des dirigeants. Le récit de vie que le chercheur produira se veut un « révélateur » axé sur une pédagogie de la suggestion et sur l’identification projective qu’il cherche à provoquer.
Travail, subjectivité et confiance
Authors: Dejours Christophe , Gernet Isabelle
Published: June 2012

Résumé Dans cet article, les auteurs proposent une discussion sur la question de la confiance dans le cadre du travail. Ils présentent en quoi une définition du travail, qui accorde une place centrale à la subjectivité, ne se caractérise pas seulement par un engagement individuel dans l’activité mais implique des relations entre les agents qui président à la construction et à la formalisation de règles de travail. Ces règles sont au fondement des formes effectives de la coopération , qu’il convient de distinguer des formes prescrites de la coordination . De ces formes de coopération dans le travail dépend la construction de la confiance. À la fin de l’article est esquissé ce qu’implique pour le management le respect des conditions compatibles avec la construction de la confiance dans les rapports de travail. L’ensemble de l’analyse est fondé sur la clinique et la théorie de la psychodynamique du travail.
Culture de la reconnaissance et culture du résultat : aux sources d'une rencontre traumatique entre sujet et management
Authors: Chaine Laurent
Published: June 2012

Résumé Les rapports entre le sujet et le management sont envisagés sous l’angle d’une rencontre entre deux modes de subjectivation antagonistes, issus pour l’un de la culture de la reconnaissance et pour l’autre de la culture du résultat. La culture de la reconnaissance, rattachée à une anthropologie humaniste, fait émerger un sujet pathique (souffrant, vulnérable et sensible). À l’inverse, la culture du résultat, rattachée à une anthropologie guerrière, produit un sujet amputé de ses capacités pathique et éthique, résultant du processus d’efficastration. Les risques psychosociaux figurent le destin de cette rencontre, où les deux sujets s’affrontent, soutenus par des motions pulsionnelles caractérisées par la crise d’une part et l’emprise d’autre part. Bien que tiré du côté de la culture du résultat, le manager est tout autant sujet de la reconnaissance, dans sa propre dimension pathique mise à mal par l’efficastration. Il se pourrait alors que la catégorie du traumatisme constitue provisoirement l’espace commun à partir duquel chacun devra redéfinir sa trajectoire.