bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Corporate governance practices and auditor's client acceptance decision: empirical evidence from Egypt
Authors: El‐Sayed Ebaid Ibrahim
Published: April 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of corporate governance practices on auditors' decisions (judgments), especially, the client acceptance decision in Egypt, where corporate governance is neither mandatory nor legally binding.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was carried out through a 2×2 experimental design with a strong level of corporate governance (the board of directors and audit committee) versus a weak level of corporate governance (the board of directors and audit committee).

Findings

The findings of the study revealed that strong corporate governance is associated with more favorable acceptance judgments than weak corporate governance. These results suggest that the voluntary adoption of corporate governance practices by Egyptian companies enhances the quality of financial reporting process and, therefore, affects auditors' decisions (judgments).

Research limitations/implications

The results of the study should be considered by regulators in Egypt in order to begin the necessary actions for legally pending the Egypt Code of Corporate Governance, issued on October 2005. However, owing to the relatively small sample size, these findings should be interpreted with caution.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the limited body of research on the impact of corporate governance on auditor's client acceptance decision by examining this impact in Egypt, where corporate governance is still not mandatory.
Lifetime value model in the medical sector: a case study of a restoration and beauty clinic
Authors: Zare‐Hoseini Z. , Tarokh M.J. , Jabbari Nooghabi H.
Published: April 2011

Purpose

Acquiring and retaining profitable customers are major concerns of a business. In this paper, the customers of the Restoration and Beauty Clinic of Iran University are segmented using three value types: current value, expected value, and loyalty in a case study to predict the probability of customer churn and future purchase services in the clinic.

Design/methodology/approach

This study utilized customers' data records with nine data fields (socio‐demographic and transactional) from three year's transactions of the clinic. Logistic regression as a data mining technique is then used to predict the future behavior of the customers. In addition, the verification and the validation of the models are done using lift charts.

Findings

This research segments the customers of the clinic into four categories based on three values (current value, expected value, and loyalty). Then simple marketing strategies that might be adopted are suggested. These strategies might help the shareholders and experts of the clinic to promote relationships with patients and deliver better services to attract and retain their customers.

Originality/value

The results of this research enable public health agencies to evaluate the effectiveness of their policies and detect their shortcomings in order to better serve patients. Also, it will help to increase their profits from the clinics and raise customer satisfaction.
Assessing the factors of adoption of agrochemicals by plantain farmers in Ghana
Authors: Egyir Irene S. , Owusu‐Benoah E. , Anno‐Nyako F.O. , Banful B.
Published: April 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify and assess the key factors that influence the adoption of agrochemicals on plantain farms in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper employs probit estimation using data from a stratified random sample of 249 farmers in four districts in Ghana.

Findings

The results show that adoption of agrochemicals is positively associated with: being literate, older than 40 years of age, having higher income from sales, living in villages distant to Accra (capital of Ghana), having access to hi‐tech machinery, being migrant, and being linked to extension services and financial institutions. Contrary to expectation, a farmer's gender and association with farmer‐based organizations (FBO) and non‐governmental organizations (NGO) did not make a difference.

Practical implications

The results suggest that there are no exclusions to innovation systems such as agrochemical adoption based on gender or living in rural areas; women are just as technologically empowered as men, while rural farmers have an option to retain their indigenous management practices or adopt new and improved practices such as using agrochemicals. Major efforts to improve access to agrochemical adoption lie with government extension officers, as the functions of FBO and NGO have yet to make a significant difference. More needs to be done to bring young, illiterate, low income and indigene farmers into inclusive plantain science techniques and applications in Ghana.

Originality/value

The paper reveals how vulnerable groups such as rural populations and women plantain farmers are being included in systems that support agrochemical adoption.
Green technological trajectories in eco‐industrial parks and the selected environment
Authors: Guo Li , Hu Xiaomin
Published: April 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe green technological trajectories in eco‐industrial parks and reveal the effect of the selected environment on the trajectories in China, by means of case studies of the Lubei Group and the Guitang Group.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper opted for content analysis from various sources, including annual reports of listed companies, newspapers, web sites and academic articles. It adopts contrast analysis, in order to show the different technological evolution trend and the diversified dynamics of the selected environment.

Findings

The study provides the empirical insights about how green technology evolves and affects the evolution of the eco‐industrial park. The green technology development of the Lubei Group forms self‐reinforcing mechanism through learning process, economies of scale in production and network externalities, while that of the Guitang Group is under way. Additionally, the paper discusses how the selected environment affects the green technology, referring to the six factors constituting the selected environment: environmental regulation, financial support, knowledge accumulation, market environment, organizational culture and resource endowment.

Originality/value

The paper analyzes the evolution process, drivers and operational risks of eco‐industrial parks in the perspective of green technological trajectories. Some practical suggestions, such as eco‐industrial parks should put the focus on environmental intellectual property protection, green core competencies construction and green technology transfer strategies are proposed. What is more, the Lubei Group is a large, state‐owned enterprise and the Guitang Group used to be. The contrast analysis tends to disclose the context‐embedded knowledge of eco‐industrial parks development in an emerging market.
Essential role of the Hedgehog signaling pathway in human glioma‐initiating cells
Authors: Takezaki Tatsuya , Hide Takuichiro , Takanaga Hiromi , Nakamura Hideo , Kuratsu Jun‐ichi , Kondo Toru
Published: March 2011

Recent findings have demonstrated that malignant tumors, including glioblastoma multiforme, contain cancer‐initiating cells (also known as cancer stem cells), which self‐renew and are malignant, with features of tissue‐specific stem cells. As these cells are resistant to irradiation and anti‐cancer drugs, it is important to characterize them and find targeting therapies. In this study, we established two primary human glioma cell lines from anaplastic oligodendroglioma and glioblastoma multiforme. These lines were enriched in glioma‐initiating cells, as just 10 cells formed malignant glioma when injected into mouse brain. We used these cell lines to examine the roles of the Notch, Hedgehog and Wnt signaling pathways, which are involved in stem‐cell maintenance and tumorigenesis, to determine which of these pathways are crucial to glioma‐initiating cells and their regulation. Here we show that the Hedgehog pathway is indispensable for glioma‐initiating cell proliferation and tumorigenesis; the Hedgehog signaling inhibitors prevented glioma‐initiating cell proliferation, while signaling inhibitors for Notch or Wnt did not. Overexpression of Gli2ΔC, a C‐terminal‐truncated form of Gli2 that antagonizes Gli transcription factor functions, blocked glioma‐initiating cell proliferation in culture and tumorigenesis in vivo. Knockdown of the Gli downstream factor Cdc2 also prevented glioma‐initiating cell proliferation. Taken together, these results show that the Hedgehog→ Gli→ Cdc2 signaling cascade plays a role in the proliferation and malignancy of glioma‐initiating cells. (Cancer Sci 2011; 102: 1306–1312)
Antitumor activity of NVP‐AUY922, a novel heat shock protein 90 inhibitor, in human gastric cancer cells is mediated through proteasomal degradation of client proteins
Authors: Lee Kyung‐Hun , Lee Ju‐Hee , Han Sae‐Won , Im Seock‐Ah , Kim Tae‐You , Oh Do‐Youn , Bang Yung‐Jue
Published: March 2011

Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) is a molecular chaperone required for the stability of key regulators of cell survival and is an emerging target of cancer therapy. NVP‐AUY922, a novel and potent inhibitor of HSP90, was evaluated against gastric cancer cell lines. NVP‐AUY922 significantly inhibited the proliferation of all tested gastric cancer cell lines with 50% inhibitory concentration in the range of 2–40 nM and potently induced the degradation of growth factor receptors and other client proteins including HER‐2, Akt and thymidylate synthase. HSP70 was induced by NVP‐AUY922 and its binding with client proteins led to their proteasomal degradation. Moreover, the combination of NVP‐AUY922 with cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents such as 5‐fluorouracil and oxaliplatin created a synergistic effect. Taken together, these preclinical data demonstrate the potent activity of NVP‐AUY922 against gastric cancer cells and offer a rationale for clinical development of the agent alone or in combination with other chemotherapeutic drugs to effectively treat gastric cancer. (Cancer Sci 2011; 102: 1388–1395)
Spider assemblages associated with leaf litter of three tree species in central South Africa (Arachnida: Araneae)
Authors: Butler Vivian P. , Haddad Charles R.
Published: March 2011

Spiders were collected by sifting leaf litter of three common tree species, Cussonia paniculata sinuata, Olea europaea africana and Searsia lancea, in an undisturbed grassland habitat in central South Africa. The study aimed to collect baseline data on spider assemblage structure, seasonality and the effects of litter structure on spider assemblages. In total, 1385 spiders were collected, representing 26 families and 56 species. Four species, Obatala sp. (Amaurobiidae, 22.7%), Camillina maun Platnick & Murphy (Gnaphosidae, 17.0%), Proevippa sp. (Lycosidae, 11.4%) and Zelotes frenchi Tucker (Gnaphosidae, 9.2%) dominated the fauna. Spider abundance was the highest in Olea litter (n = 607), followed by Searsia (n = 453) and Cussonia (n = 325). Searsia had the greatest number of species (41 spp.), followed by Olea (35 spp.) and Cussonia (30 spp.). Both spider abundance and species richness per sample varied significantly between the tree species. Of the ten most abundant species, all but two showed a significant preference for particular litter types. Mean spider abundance and species richness per sample were the lowest in Cussonia litter, which was the deepest litter type, but with the most interstitial space, whereas mean abundance and species richness per sample were the highest in Olea litter, which was the shallowest and moderately compact in structure.
Licensing and labelling of drugs in a paediatric oncology ward
Authors: van den Berg Henk , Tak Nanda
Published: March 2011

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT

• High percentages of off‐label and unlicensed drug use are common in paediatrics.

• Data in paediatric oncology patients hardly exist.

• Extemporaneously prepared formulations are common.

WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS

• Off‐label and unlicensed use is substantially higher for cytostatic drugs in paediatric as compared with adult oncology.

• Comparison with other paediatric reports on drug use cannot be made due to different percentages of diseases in the reports and other rules to dispense medication in the out‐patient setting.

• There is an urgent need for suitable formulations, licensing of dosages and provision of data on safety and efficacy in children with malignancies.

AIM Paediatric drug prescriptions are known for their high percentages of off‐label and unlicensed use. In paediatric oncology data available are scarce. The aim of this paper is an analysis of the licensing and labelling status of all prescribed medication over a 2 week period in a Dutch paediatric oncology centre.

METHODS An analysis of the delivery of medication by the hospital pharmacy to patients admitted to the paediatric oncology centre was carried out.

RESULTS In total 268 precriptions were filed for 39 patients. In 87% of children unlicensed medication was used. Fifty‐nine per cent of the children received at least two unlicensed drugs. In total 72% of the drugs were used licensed and on‐label was found in 57% of the prescriptions. There was a trend that in younger children percentages were lower. International and local guidelines necessitated in many cases unlicensed use, e.g. intrathecal prednisolone, low dose medication such as heparin, ethanol and vancomycin for locking intravenous devices and higher intravenous vancomycin dosages. There were no major differences with respect to type of malignancy.

CONCLUSION Our figures are substantially higher than the figures reported from adult oncology. Comparison with other paediatric reports are cumbersome, due to different percentages of diseases in the reports and other rules to dispense medication in the outpatient setting. Our data are in line with reports mentioning the higher percentages of unlicensed and off‐label use. Our data further underpin the need for more research on suitable formulations, dosages, safety and efficacy in these children.
A High Arctic soil ecosystem resists long‐term environmental manipulations
Authors: LAMB ERIC G. , HAN SUKKYUN , LANOIL BRIAN D. , HENRY GREG H. R. , BRUMMELL MARTIN E. , BANERJEE SAMIRAN , SICILIANO STEVEN D.
Published: March 2011

We evaluated above‐ and belowground ecosystem changes in a 16 year, combined fertilization and warming experiment in a High Arctic tundra deciduous shrub heath (Alexandra Fiord, Ellesmere Island, NU, Canada). Soil emissions of the three key greenhouse gases (GHGs) (carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide) were measured in mid‐July 2009 using soil respiration chambers attached to a FTIR system. Soil chemical and biochemical properties including Q10 values for CO2, CH4, and N2O, Bacteria and Archaea assemblage composition, and the diversity and prevalence of key nitrogen cycling genes including bacterial amoA, crenarchaeal amoA, and nosZ were measured. Warming and fertilization caused strong increases in plant community cover and height but had limited effects on GHG fluxes and no substantial effect on soil chemistry or biochemistry. Similarly, there was a surprising lack of directional shifts in the soil microbial community as a whole or any change at all in microbial functional groups associated with CH4 consumption or N2O cycling in any treatment. Thus, it appears that while warming and increased nutrient availability have strongly affected the plant community over the last 16 years, the belowground ecosystem has not yet responded. This resistance of the soil ecosystem has resulted in limited changes in GHG fluxes in response to the experimental treatments.
Reliability and validity of the Impact of Event Scale (IES): version for Brazilian burn victims
Authors: Echevarria‐Guanilo Maria E , Dantas Rosana AS , Farina Jr Jayme A , Alonso Jordi , Rajmil Luis , Rossi Lídia A
Published: March 2011

Aims.  The aims of this study were to assess the internal reliability (internal consistency), construct validity, sensitivity and ceiling and floor effects of the Brazilian‐Portuguese version of the Impact of Event Scale (IES).

Design.  Methodological research design.

Method.  The Brazilian‐Portuguese version of the IES was applied to a group of 91 burned patients at three times: the first week after the burn injury (time one), between the fourth and the sixth months (time two) and between the ninth and the 12th months (time three). The internal consistency, construct validity (convergent and dimensionality), sensitivity and ceiling and floor effects were tested.

Results.  Cronbach’s alpha coefficients showed high internal consistency for the total scale (0·87) and for the domains intrusive thoughts (0·87) and avoidance responses (0·76). During the hospitalisation (time one), the scale showed low and positive correlations with pain measures immediately before (r = 0·22; p < 0·05) and immediately after baths and dressings (r = 0·21; p < 0·05). After the discharge, we found strong and negative correlations with self‐esteem (r = −0·52; p < 0·01), strong and positive with depression (r = 0·63; p < 0·01) and low and negative with the Bodily pain (r = −0·24; p < 0·05), Social functioning (r = −0·34; p < 0·01) and Mental health (r = −0·27; p < 0·05) domains of the SF‐36 at time two. Regarding the sensitivity, no statistically significant differences were observed between mean scale scores according to burned body surface (p = 0·21). The floor effect was observed in most of the IES items.

Conclusion.  The adapted version of the scale showed to be reliable and valid to assess postburn reactions on the impact of the event in the group of patients under analysis.

Relevance to clinical practice.  The Impact of Event Scale can be used in research and clinical practice to assess nursing interventions aimed at decreasing stress during rehabilitation.
Care needs of older patients in the intensive care units
Authors: Chang Ching‐Wen , Chen Yuh‐Min , Su Ching‐Ching
Published: March 2011

Aims.  To explore the care needs of older patients in the intensive care units.

Background.  As the numbers of older patients admitted to the intensive care units are growing, care quality of critically ill older patients has become an important issue. However, there are few studies directly investigating perceived care needs of hospitalised older patients and the studies on care needs of older patients in the intensive care units are even fewer. The identification of care needs from older patients’ perspective will help develop qualified nursing practice.

Design.  A qualitative exploratory design.

Methods.  Purposive sampling was performed to recruit 35 older patients from three hospitals in Taiwan. The interview transcripts were analysed by qualitative content analysis.

Results.  The results revealed that care needs of older patients in the intensive care units are multidimensional, including physical, informational and psychosocial dimensions. Older patients’ needs of the physical dimension included relieving pain and discomfort, starting oral intake as soon as possible and having continuous sleep. Informational needs included adequate explanations about their disease progression and prognosis and information on recovery‐promoting activity. Psychosocial needs included caring behaviour of intensive care units staff, flexible visiting hours, increase in control ability and maintenance of good communication with intensive care units staff.

Conclusion.  The findings can assist nurses in understanding the interventions necessary to meet care needs of critically ill older patients. The critically ill older adults need more than medical–technical care. They need more holistic care. The psychosocial and informational needs must be considered commensurate with the presenting physical needs.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Nurses have an important role in meeting intensive care units older patients’ care needs. Intensive care units nurses should conduct comprehensive assessment regarding older patients’ needs at the beginning and at various points in their intensive care units stay and match these needs with appropriate nursing interventions.
A systematic review of factors contributing to outcomes in patients with traumatic brain injury
Authors: Kim Young‐Ju
Published: March 2011

Aim and objective.  To review, systematically, factors contributing to outcomes in patients with traumatic brain injury.

Background.  Traumatic brain injury is a leading cause of death and disability. Several studies have determined the significant predictors of outcomes after traumatic brain injury. The comprehensive identification of these reliable factors for traumatic brain injury is critical to both clinical practice and research.

Design.  Systematic literature review.

Methods.  Eligible studies that combined at least two variables to predict outcomes in patient with traumatic brain injury were identified via electronic database searches, footnote chasing and contact with clinical experts. Quality of selected studies was assessed in terms of internal and external validity using 15 questions. Two reviewers independently examined titles, abstracts and whether each met the predefined inclusion criteria.

Results.  A total of 46 studies which met review criteria were finally selected. Most studies satisfied internal validity in terms of validity of research variables and multivariate analysis, but few were validated externally. The following factors were significantly associated with unfavourable outcomes: sociodemographic factors such as older age, male gender, lower level of education; clinical factors such as lower Glasgow Coma Scale score, injury caused by motor vehicle crash, hypotension, hypoxia, increased intracranial pressure, no pupil reaction, hypo‐ or hyperglycaemia, anaemia, coagulopathy, hypo‐ or hyperthermia, abnormal level of electrolytes, duration of coma; higher level of computed tomography classification by Marshall category; type of intracerebral lesions.

Conclusion.  Further studies on integrating the sociodemographic factors, the course of the clinical condition and a unified CT scoring system, are recommended for the evaluation and improvement of the prognosis of traumatic brain injury.

Relevance to clinical practice.  A systematic review of factors contributing to outcome for patients with traumatic brain injury will be invaluable in triage criteria, injury prognostication, care and discharge planning, resource use and patient and family counselling.
An evaluation of a structured learning programme as a component of the clinical practicum in final year bachelor of nursing programme: a pre–post‐test analysis
Authors: Watt Elizabeth , Murphy Maria , Pascoe Elizabeth , Scanlon Andrew , Gan Sharon
Published: March 2011

Aim and objective.  To evaluate the impact of a structured learning programme as a component of the clinical practicum in final year bachelor of nursing course on the student’s report of their anxiety and self‐efficacy pre–post programme participation.

Background.  Student anxiety and low levels of self‐efficacy are known to affect the quality of clinical learning. A three‐day structured learning programme at the commencement of an acute care clinical placement was designed to reduce student anxiety and enhance self‐efficacy.

Design.  A pre–post test design.

Method.  Outcome measures: The hospital anxiety and depression scale (The HAD) and the general self‐efficacy scale (GSES‐12) were administered prior to the commencement of the structured learning programme (time one) and at the end of the programme (time two).

Results.  One hundred and twenty final year students undertaking an acute care clinical placement participated in the programme in three cohorts and completed the questionnaires at time one and 118 at time two.

Findings.  Students levels of anxiety >8 with The HAD pre–post programme 53 vs. 30% (p < 0·001). Levels of self‐efficacy <40 with the GSES‐12 pre–post programme were 7 vs. 4% (p < 0·001).

Conclusions.  Participation in the structured learning programme resulted in a statistically significant reduction in student anxiety and increase in self‐efficacy across the three cohort groups. This effect can be achieved with the development of a relatively low cost/low technology structured learning programme that is part of an acute care clinical placement.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Nurse educators should not assume that students are less anxious about their acute care clinical placements as the semester proceeds. There is a typical correlation between increased anxiety and decreased self‐efficacy which is likely to impact on student learning in the clinical setting. Significant results can be achieved with a relatively low cost and a low technology enabling intervention.
Quantification of surviving cerebellar granule neurones and abnormal prion protein (PrPSc) deposition in sporadic Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease supports a pathogenic role for small PrPSc deposits common to the various molecular subtypes
Authors: Faucheux B. A. , Morain E. , Diouron V. , Brandel J.‐P. , Salomon D. , Sazdovitch V. , Privat N. , Laplanche J.‐L. , Hauw J.‐J. , Haïk S.
Published: March 2011

B. A. Faucheux, E. Morain, V. Diouron, J.‐P. Brandel, D. Salomon, V. Sazdovitch, N. Privat, J.‐L. Laplanche, J.‐J. Hauw and S. Haïk (2011) Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology37, 500–512

Quantification of surviving cerebellar granule neurones and abnormal prion protein (PrPSc) deposition in sporadic Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease supports a pathogenic role for small PrPSc deposits common to the various molecular subtypes

Aims: Neuronal death is a major neuropathological hallmark in prion diseases. The association between the accumulation of the disease‐related prion protein (PrPSc) and neuronal loss varies within the wide spectrum of prion diseases and their experimental models. In this study, we investigated the relationships between neuronal loss and PrPSc deposition in the cerebellum from cases of the six subtypes of sporadic Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (sCJD; n = 100) that can be determined according to the M129V polymorphism of the human prion protein gene (PRNP) and PrPSc molecular types. Methods: The numerical density of neurones was estimated with a computer‐assisted image analysis system and the accumulation of PrPSc deposits was scored. Results: The scores of PrPSc immunoreactive deposits of the punctate type (synaptic type) were correlated with neurone counts – the higher the score the higher the neuronal loss – in all sCJD subtypes. Large 5‐ to 50‐µm‐wide deposits (focal type) were found in sCJD‐MV2 and sCJD‐VV2 subtypes, and occasionally in a few cases of the other studied groups. By contrast, the highest scores for 5‐ to 50‐µm‐wide deposits observed in sCJD‐MV2 subtype were not associated with higher neuronal loss. In addition, these scores were inversely correlated with neuronal counts in the sCJD‐VV2 subtype. Conclusions: These results support a putative pathogenic role for small PrPSc deposits common to the various sCJD subtypes. Furthermore, the observation of a lower loss of neurones associated with PrPSc type‐2 large deposits is consistent with a possible ‘protective’ role of aggregated deposits in both sCJD‐MV2 and sCJD‐VV2 subtypes.
Metabolism of grazed vs. zero‐grazed dairy cows throughout the vegetation period: hepatic and blood plasma parameters
Authors: Kaufmann L. D. , Dohme‐Meier F. , Münger A. , Bruckmaier R. M. , van Dorland H. A.
Published: March 2011

Grass may have a differential impact on the metabolism of the dairy cow, depending on the grazing system applied. In this study, the hypothesis was tested that metabolism of grazed vs. zero‐grazed dairy cows is differently regulated throughout the vegetation period. The study included three experimental periods (p1, p2 and p3) of 14 days each, and two treatments [grazing from pasture, PASTURE, n = 9; or zero‐grazing in a free‐stall barn (BARN, n = 9)]. Blood and liver samples were collected at the end of each period when the cows were on average 64, 120 and 197 DIM. Concentrations of metabolites and hormones, and activities of various enzymes were determined in plasma. Liver samples were measured for mRNA abundance of genes encoding enzymes and nuclear receptors involved in metabolic pathways. PASTURE cows had higher plasma concentrations of T3, BHB, and total protein than BARN cows across periods (p < 0.05). BARN cows had higher concentrations of NEFA (in p1) and urea (in p1 and p2) in relation PASTURE cows (p < 0.05), and had higher mRNA abundance of liver‐X‐receptor‐α and glycerol‐3‐phosphate‐acyltransferase across periods (p < 0.05). The results confirm the hypothesis that metabolism is different between BARN and PASTURE cows throughout the vegetation period, and show that the observed differences are mainly reflected in parameters of lipid metabolism.
Infections with Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae and Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae in Fattening Pigs. Influence of Piglet Production Systems and Influence on Production Parameters
Authors: Holmgren N. , Lundeheim N. , Wallgren P.
Published: March 2011

Two hundred and sixty‐four feeder pigs from an age‐segregated herd (A‐pigs) and 264 feeder pigs from a continuous production system (C‐pigs) were transferred into identical but separate rooms in a fattening herd employing all‐in all‐out production. On arrival, none of the A‐pigs and 39% of the C‐pigs were seropositive to Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (M. hyo). At slaughter 30% of the A‐pigs and 99% of the C‐pigs were seropositive to M. hyo. Pigs with acute swine enzootic pneumonia (SEP) at slaughter and pigs that seroconverted to M. hyo late in the rearing period showed a lower growth rate compared with pigs with chronic SEP or pigs that seroconverted to M. hyo early or not at all.

No A‐pigs and 12% of the C‐pigs were seropositive to Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae 2 (A. pp 2) at arrival to the fattening herd. At slaughter, 10% of the A‐pigs and 13% of the C‐pigs were seropositive to A. pp 2. On arrival, the prevalence of pigs seropositive to A. pp 3 was lower among A‐pigs than C‐pigs. During the fattening period the situation was reversed.

The prevalence of pleuritis at slaughter was low (2.7–4.2%) and there were no associations between pleuritis at slaughter and developments of antibodies to A. pp 2 or 3. However, pigs with pleuritis developed antibodies to M. hyo to a greater extent than pigs without pleuritis.

Pigs with pleuropneumonia at slaughter and pigs that seroconverted to A. pp 2 or 3 had, during certain periods of the rearing, higher growth rates compared with pigs without pleuropneumonia or pigs that did not seroconvert to A. pp 2 or 3.
Phenotypical Characterization of Peripheral Blood Leucocytes in the Newborn Calf
Authors: Menge Ch. , Neufeld B. , Hirt W. , Bauerfeind R. , Baljer G. , Wieler L. H.
Published: March 2011

The present study was undertaken to establish reference values for the composition of blood leucocyte populations in neonatal calves by differential leucocyte counts and immunophenotyping. Neonatal calves 1 h post partum (p.p.) were found to have a very high absolute number of granulocytes while the number of peripheral blood mononuclear cells was lower than in calves aged 3–9 weeks. The relative numbers of T cell subpopulations were similar in newborn and older calves, but newborn calves had lower percentages of B cells and MHC class II positive cells. Within the first 4 h of life the relative numbers of CD2+, CD6+, and CD8+ T cells declined in colostrum‐fed as well as in colostrum‐deprived calves. In contrast, the percentage of MHC class II positive cells and monocytes increased from 1 h to 4 h p.p. particularly in colostrum‐fed calves. Although there is some evidence for immaturity of lymphocytes in neonatal calves, the immune system of these animals seems to be fully present at birth.
Two complementary dominant genes control flowering time in albus lupin (Lupinus albus L.)
Authors: Adhikari Kedar , Buirchell Bevan , Yan Guijun , Sweetingham Mark
Published: March 2011

With 2 tables

Albus lupin (Lupinus albus L.) is an important grain legume for fertile and well‐drained loamy soils of Western Australia (WA). WA experiences constant terminal drought and early flowering varieties are essential to avoid the drought stress. Inheritance of flowering time was studied in two breeding populations by examining F1, F2 and F2‐derived F3 generations. Early flowering was controlled by two complementary dominant genes, Ef1 and Ef2: when both dominant genes were present (Ef1_, Ef2_) the phenotype was early flowering, when both dominant genes were absent (ef1ef1, ef2ef2) the phenotype was late flowering and if only one gene was present (Ef1_, ef2ef2 or ef1ef1, Ef2_), the phenotype was intermediate. The identification of early flowering lines and understanding of the genetic control of flowering time will facilitate breeding for early flowering albus lupins. The qualitative nature of this trait is also amenable for developing DNA‐based markers for marker‐assisted selection.
Follicular variant of peripheral T‐cell lymphoma mimicking follicular lymphoma: A case report with a review of the Literature
Authors: Goto Naoe , Tsurumi Hisashi , Sawada Michio , Kanemura Nobuhiro , Hara Takeshi , Kasahara Senji , Kito Yusuke , Takada Katsuyoshi , Sato Yasuharu , Yoshino Tadashi , Moriwaki Hisataka , Takami Tsuyoshi
Published: March 2011

Peripheral T‐cell lymphoma (PTCL) with a follicular growth pattern is very rare. Herein, a case of follicular variant of PTCL in a 50‐year‐old man who complained of tonsillar and generalized lymph node swelling is reported. The resected tonsil revealed a vague nodular growth pattern of atypical cells, medium to large in size, with abundant pale cytoplasm. The lymphoma cells were CD3+ CD4+ CD5+ CD8‐ CD10+ CD56‐ CD57‐ BCL6+ PD‐1+ CXCL13+ and were associated with a meshwork of CD21+ follicular dendritic cells. Molecular studies revealed clonal rearrangement of the T‐cell receptor gamma chain gene but not of the immunoglobulin gene. Cytogenetic analysis disclosed a complex abnormality in 18 of 20 cells with the exclusion of t(5; 9). These findings suggest that the present case is a follicular variant of PTCL derived from follicular T‐helper cells.
Is deinstitutionalization working in our community?
Authors: Hamden Ann , Newton Richard , McCauley‐Elsom Kay , Cross Wendy
Published: March 2011

This exploratory study examined the impact of deinstitutionalization on consumers admitted to a regional community care unit (CCU) between 1996 and 2007, and looked at lengths of stay and re‐admissions to acute psychiatric care units and the impact this might have on quality of life. The results showed that the original and current residents of CCU have improved quality of life through friendships, a home‐like environment, and reduced re‐admissions to acute psychiatric care units; however, further improvements can be made with more emphasis on employment/vocational services and social inclusion. More concerning is those who are unable to access a CCU bed due to chronic CCU bed shortages. This group, referred to as the ‘new chronic patients’, tend to become victims of ‘the revolving door phenomenon’, homelessness, and substance abuse. The assertive community treatment model of care and community packages are recommended for people on waiting lists for CCU, or those who do not fit the CCU criteria, to try and reduce the level of disability that is likely to occur from frequent relapses.
Psychological characteristics of Japanese gynecologic cancer patients after learning the diagnosis according to the hospital anxiety and depression scale
Authors: Suzuki Nao , Ninomiya Masato , Maruta Satoko , Hosonuma Shinji , Nishigaya Yoshiko , Kobayashi Yoichi , Kiguchi Kazushige , Ishizuka Bunpei
Published: March 2011

Aim:  Anxiety and depression are common in cancer patients, because diagnosis of cancer raises the fear of death. Although mental problems are often overlooked in cancer patients, it is important to control psychological distress, improve the quality of life, encourage patients to express requests about cancer therapy appropriately, and reduce the burden on family members.

Material & Methods:  There were 214 patients admitted to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of St. Marianna University Hospital for treatment of cancer between January 2007 and December 2008. At 2 weeks after learning the diagnosis of cancer, these patients completed a Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) questionnaire, and their psychological characteristics were investigated in relation to age, tumor type and time after learning the diagnosis. The cut‐off value for intervention to manage maladjustment and major depression was set at a HADS score of 11.

Results:  The HADS score was 11 in 118 of the 214 patients (55.1%). The HADS score for anxiety was higher in younger patients, while the HADS score for depression was higher in older patients. There were no significant correlations between the HADS score and the type of gynecologic cancer (cervical cancer, endometrial cancer and ovarian cancer) or the time after learning the diagnosis.

Conclusion:  Assessment based on the HADS score revealed a high prevalence of psychological problems after announcement of the diagnosis of gynecologic cancer. This emphasizes the importance of psychiatric intervention when patients are informed of their condition.
Underuse of ovarian transposition in reproductive‐aged cancer patients treated by primary or adjuvant pelvic irradiation
Authors: Han Seung‐Su , Kim Yun Hwan , Lee Sang‐Hoon , Kim Gwang Jun , Kim Hak Jae , Kim Jae Weon , Park Noh‐Hyun , Song Yong‐Sang , Kang Soon‐Beom
Published: March 2011

Aim:  To investigate the application status of ovarian transposition (OT) in reproductive‐aged cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy.

Material & Methods:  Between November 1999 and December 2008, 2524 patients had received pelvic irradiation at Seoul National University Hospital. We filtered the patients with the indications of (i) within 12 to 40 years of age, and (ii) receiving primary or adjuvant pelvic irradiation. There were 241 patients within 12 to 40 years of age. After excluding 133 patients with metastatic disease or under palliative radiation treatment, 108 patients were discovered appropriate for OT. We analyzed the application status of OT, surgical types of OT, cancer types and radiation types in those 108 patients.

Results:  Cervical cancer was the major indication (n = 68, 62.9%). Another 37.1% of indicated disease were composed of rectal cancer (n = 19), vulvo‐vaginal cancer (n = 4), non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma (n = 3), and other pelvic tumors (n = 14). Among the 108 patients, only 31 (28.7%) patients had received OT before pelvic irradiation. Most of the operations were applied on cervical cancer patients (n = 29) and only two procedures on rectal and endometrial cancer, respectively. OT had been mostly performed during laparotomy. Laparoscopic procedure was applied in only one case with advanced cervical cancer.

Conclusions:  Although OT could be a preventive measure of premature ovarian failure from radiation therapy, this procedure has been considerably underused at our institution. This procedure should be applied more widely to preserve the fertility and improve the quality of life in reproductive‐aged cancer patients.
Correlation between the cervical length and the amount of bleeding during cesarean section in placenta previa
Authors: Mimura Takashi , Hasegawa Junichi , Nakamura Masamitsu , Matsuoka Ryu , Ichizuka Kiyotake , Sekizawa Akihiko , Okai Takashi
Published: March 2011

Aim:  To investigate the association between the amount of bleeding during a cesarean section and the effacement of the uterine cervix in patients with placenta previa.

Methods:  This study reviewed 115 singleton pregnancies with placenta previa. In cases of placenta previa, the thickness of the uterine muscle and cervical length were retrospectively measured and compared with the amount of bleeding during the cesarean section.

Results:  No correlation was found between the amount of bleeding during the cesarean operation and the thickness of the uterine isthmus. There was a significantly negative correlation between the amount of bleeding and cervical length (r = −0.344, P < 0.001). The threshold cervical length associated with massive bleeding (>2500 mL) was 25 mm, based on an ROC curve. The relative risk for massive bleeding in cases with a short cervical length (<25 mm) was 7.2 (95% CI, 2.3–22.3) in comparison to cases with a long cervical length.

Conclusions:  This study demonstrated that a short cervical length in cases with placenta previa was associated with massive bleeding during the operation. Short cervical length seems to be one of the warning signs for massive bleeding during the operation for placenta previa.
Perception of oral contraceptives among women of reproductive age in Japan: A comparison with the USA and France
Authors: Matsumoto Yasuyo , Yamabe Shingo , Sugishima Toru , Geronazzo Dan
Published: March 2011

Aim:  In order to reveal the differences between oral contraceptives (OC) perceptions and actual needs, we performed a web‐based study in the USA, France, and Japan.

Materials and Methods:  The study was carried out using a web‐based questionnaire in May 2009. Two hundred women each from the three countries who were in their 20s, 30s, or 40s were randomly selected and asked about contraception.

Results:  The most frequently used contraceptive method was OC in the USA and France and condoms in Japan. The most commonly used OC information source was doctors in the USA and France, but the media in Japan. The main reason for taking OC was ‘contraception’ in the USA and France, but it was relief from menstruation‐related problems in Japan. Partner agreement was highest in France, and partner disagreement was highest in the USA. The most common reason for discontinuing OC use was ‘contraception became unnecessary’ in all three countries. The second most common reason was ‘troublesome to take everyday’ in the USA and France but ‘troublesome to get a doctor's prescription’ in Japan. The most common reason for never taking OC was also ‘troublesome to get a doctor's prescription’ in Japan. As a non‐contraceptive benefit, ‘relief of dysmenorrhea’ was well known in all three countries; however, other non‐contraceptive benefits were little known among Japanese.

Conclusions:  There are several differences in the patterns of OC use in the three countries studied. Providers should know more about current OC usage patterns in order to improve the quality of care.
A finely tuned regulatory circuit of the nicotinic acid degradation pathway in Pseudomonas putida
Authors: Jiménez José Ignacio , Juárez Javier F. , García José Luis , Díaz Eduardo
Published: March 2011

The biochemistry of nicotinic acid (NA) degradation is known but the transcriptional control of the genes involved is still poorly studied. We report here the transcriptional regulatory circuit of the nic genes responsible for the aerobic degradation of NA in Pseudomonas putida KT2440. The three NA‐inducible catabolic operons, i.e. nicAB, encoding the upper pathway that converts NA into 6‐hydroxynicotinic acid (6HNA), and the nicCDEFTP and nicXR operons, responsible for channelling 6HNA to the central metabolism, are driven by the Pa, Pc and Px promoters respectively. The nicR regulatory gene encodes a MarR‐like protein that represses the activity of the divergent Pc and Px promoters being 6HNA the inducer molecule. A new gene, nicS, that is associated to the nicAB genes in the genomes of different γ‐ and β‐Proteobacteria, encodes a TetR‐like regulator that represses the activity of Pa in the absence of the NA/6HNA inducers. The NA regulatory circuit in P. putida has evolved an additional repression loop based on the NicR‐dependent cross regulation of the nicS gene, thus assuring a tight transcriptional control of the catabolic genes that may prevent depletion of this vitamin B3 when needed for the synthesis of essential cofactors.
Cost‐effectiveness and efficiency of shockwave lithotripsy vs flexible ureteroscopic holmium:yttrium‐aluminium‐garnet laser lithotripsy in the treatment of lower pole renal calculi
Authors: Koo Vincent , Young Michael , Thompson Trevor , Duggan Brian
Published: March 2011

Study Type – Therapy (cost effectiveness)

Level of Evidence 2b

What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add?

Stone management economics is a complex issue. FURS and SWL are recognised treatment option for lower pole kidney stones. There are paucity of data comparing cost implication and effectiveness of both treatment options.

Both treatment modalities are equally efficacious. FURS incurred greater cost burden compared to SWL in the UK setting. In the present economic circumstance, clinicians should also consider cost‐impact, patient’s preference and specific clinical indication when counselling patients for treatment.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the cost‐effectiveness and outcome efficiency of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) vs intracorporeal flexible ureteroscopic laser lithotripsy (FURS) for lower pole renal calculi ≤20 mm.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients who had treatment for their radio‐opaque lower pole renal calculi were categorized into SWL and FURS group.

The primary outcomes compared were: clinical success, stone‐free, retreatment and additional procedure rate, and perceived and actual costs.

Clinical success was defined as stone‐free status or asymptomatic insignificant residual fragments <3 mm.

Perceived cost was defined as the cost of procedure alone, and the actual cost included the cost of additional procedures as well as the overhead costs to result in clinical success.

RESULTS

The FURS (n= 37) and SWL (n= 51) group were comparable with respect to sex, age, stone size and the presence of ureteric stent.

The final treatment success rate (100% vs 100%), stone‐free rate (64.9% vs 58.8%), retreatment rate (16.2% vs 21.6%) and auxillary procedure rate (21.6% vs 7.8%) did not differ significantly.

The mean perceived cost of each FURS and SWL procedure was similar (£249 vs £292, respectively); however, when all other costs were considered, the FURS group was significantly more costly (£2602 vs £426, P= 0.000; Mann–Whitney U‐test).

CONCLUSION

SWL was efficacious and cost‐effective for the treatment of lower pole renal calculi ≤20 mm.