bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Accumulation of a porin‐like mRNA and a metallothionein‐like mRNA in various clones of Norway spruce upon long‐term treatment with ozone
Authors: Buschmann K. , Etscheid M. , Riesner D. , Scholz F.
Published: June 2007

In a long‐term study six Norway spruce (Picea abies) clones from two different provenance regions were exposed to 150/μg/m3 and 300μg/m3 ozone in open top chambers. Differential screening of subtractive cDNA libraries made from mRNA of ozone‐treated trees identified several cDNA clones of ozone‐responsive genes, two of which were studied in more detail. One cDNA clone corresponded to a porin‐like mRNA, the other to a metallothionein‐like mRNA. Under moderate ozone exposure the accumulation of these two mRNAs was already detectable before damage symptoms became visible. The spruce clones varied in the level of accumulation for the mRNAs. This is discussed under the aspect of ozone‐induced early senescence rather than a defense reaction suppressing symptoms, because the two phenotypically most ozone‐‘tolerant’ spruce clones showed the lowest levels of accumulation for both mRNAs.
Relating germination dynamics of Melampsora pinitorqua teliospores to temperature and rainfall during overwintering
Authors: Desprez‐Loustau M.‐L. , Capron G. , Dupuis F.
Published: June 2007

The influence of overwintering conditions on the dynamics of Melampsora pinitorqua teliospore germination in spring was assessed in the Landes forest (south‐western France), over 3 years. January accumulated temperature was the variable most strongly linked to the date of optimum germinability (JDOG), in a negative direction. A linear regression using accumulated degree‐days and number of rainy days in January accounted for nearly 70% of overall variation in JDOG. Accumulated temperature from October 1 and January 1 to the date of optimum germinability showed lower coefficients of variation than JDOG. The best predictions of JDOG in an independent data set were obtained by using the accumulated temperature from January 1 to the date of optimum germinability or a linear regression based on accumulated temperature in January. The mean square root error of prediction was approximately 5 days. The ecological significance of the temperature‐dependent model is discussed in relation to the synchronization of rust and pine phenologies.
The 15‐lipoxygenase‐1 expression may enhance the sensitivity to non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug‐induced apoptosis in colorectal cancers from patients who are treated with the compounds
Authors: Yoshinaga Masahiro , Murao Hiroyuki , Kitamura Yosuke , Koga Koutaro , Tsuruta Satoru , Igarashi Hisato , Nakamura Kazuhiko , Takayanagi Ryoichi
Published: June 2007

Background and Aim:  Non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can prevent colorectal cancer (CRC), but their effect is limited. Recent studies have shown the involvement of 15‐lipoxygenase‐1 (15‐LOX‐1) in NSAID‐induced apoptosis in colorectal carcinoma cells. We evaluate whether 15‐LOX‐1 expression influences the sensitivity of NSAID‐induced apoptosis in CRCs.

Methods:  In 22 CRC surgical samples from NSAID users who had been constant for more than 5 years and 28 CRC surgical samples from NSAID non‐users, the expressions of 15‐LOX‐1, cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2), beta‐catenin, and p53 were analyzed using immunohistochemistry. TUNEL assay was also performed for samples. The effects of the transient transfection of 15‐LOX‐1 cDNA on indomethacin‐induced apoptosis were certified in HCT‐116 cells. The effects of adding 13‐S‐hydroxyoctadecadinoic acid (13‐S‐HODE) on indomethacin‐induced apoptosis were also examined in HCT‐116 cells. The levels of apoptosis were determined by the analysis of the floating‐cells ratio and DNA gel electrophoresis.

Results:  The expression of 15‐LOX‐1 on CRCs from NSAID users was significantly decreased compared with those from NSAID non‐users; however, the expressions of other molecules were not significantly different between two groups. The levels of TUNEL scoring in samples from NSAID users were similar to those from NSAID non‐users. Indomethacin (100 μM) induced less apoptosis in mocked cells, whereas the same concentrations of indomethacin enhanced the level of apoptosis in 15‐LOX‐1‐transfected cells. 13‐S‐HODE also increased the level of indomethacin‐induced apoptosis in cells.

Conclusion:  Results suggest that 15‐LOX‐1 expression may be one of the mechanisms which enhance the sensitivity to NSAID‐induced apoptosis in CRCs from patients who are treated with the compounds.
Role of ISGF3 in modulating the anti‐hepatitis B virus activity of interferon‐alpha in vitro
Authors: Zhang Quan , Wang Yan , Wei Lai , Jiang Dong , Wang Jiang Hua , Rao Hui Ying , Zhu Ling , Chen Hongsong , Fei Ran , Cong Xu
Published: June 2007

Background and Aim:  Although interferon‐α (IFN‐α) is an effective treatment for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, its precise mechanism of action has not been identified. In this study, we investigated the role of signal transduction pathways in the activation of anti‐HBV responses mediated by IFN‐α.

Methods:  Using an oligo microarray, we found that four genes in the IFN‐α signal pathway were markedly upregulated by IFN‐α in human hepatoma cells regardless of whether they had been transfected with a plasmid containing the HBV genome: signal transducers and activators of transcription 1 (STAT1), interferon regulatory factor‐9 (IRF‐9, also called ISGF3γ or P48), IFN‐α‐inducible protein 15 (IFI‐15) and IFN‐α‐inducible protein 6–16 (IFI‐6‐16). We also investigated the role of IFN‐stimulated gene factor3 (ISGF3) complex in IFN‐α‐mediated anti‐HBV responses in human hepatoma cells by measuring the mRNA of the three genes within ISGF3 (STAT1, STAT2 and IRF‐9) using semiquantitative reverse‐transcription PCR (RT‐PCR), and expression of the three proteins by western blot, and the mRNA and protein of dsRNA‐dependent protein kinase (PKR).

Results:  STAT1, STAT2, IRF‐9 and PKR mRNA as well as protein levels were upregulated by IFN‐α treatment. When cells were pretreated with genistein, STAT1, STAT2 and IRF‐9 mRNA levels remained unchanged after IFN‐α stimulation, but PKR mRNA levels decreased, and the expression of the STAT1, P‐STAT2, IRF‐9 and PKR proteins decreased. Levels of HBV DNA decreased in the supernatants of cells treated with IFN‐α, while ISGF3 levels increased. The quantity of HBV DNA remained unchanged by pretreating with genistein.

Conclusions:  These observations suggested that the Janus tyrosine kinase–STAT (JAK‐STAT) pathway may play a major role in mediating the effects of IFN‐α against HBV, and that ISGF3 might be a key factor.
Prospective multicenter clinical trial of Uretex Sup for surgical treatment of stress urinary incontinence
Authors: Cortesse Ariane , Jacquetin Bernard , Grise Philippe , Le Normand Loïc , Richard François , Haab François
Published: June 2007

Aim:  To evaluate in a prospective multicenter study the efficacy and safety of the suburethral support Uretex (Sofradim, Trevoux, France) delivered by a suprapubic approach in the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence.

Methods:  Between March 2002 and March 2003, 57 patients were treated for stress urinary incontinence with Uretex. Preoperative evaluation included urodynamic examination and questionnaires (symptoms and quality of life, Contilife). Forty patients had pure stress urinary incontinence and 17 mixed urinary incontinence. No associated procedure was performed. The objective cure rate was evaluated by clinical examination and pad‐test, and the subjective cure rate was assessed through questionnaires at 1, 3 and 12 months.

Results:  The mean follow‐up was 13 months (range 11–24 months). During follow up, chronic urinary retention requiring a tape section occurred in one patient, and in another patient a delay of vaginal healing was followed by a sling exposure and resection at 4 months. No infection or urethral erosion was reported. The objective cure rate was 96.2%, and the subjective cure rate was 79.2%; four patients reported low leakage on stress and nine patients complained of urge incontinence (four de novo and five persistent).

Conclusion:  The suprapubic Uretex Sup procedure is a safe and effective treatment for women with stress urinary incontinence.
Management of extrinsic malignant ureteral obstruction with urinary diversion
Authors: Kanou Takehiro , Fujiyama Chisato , Nishimura Kazushige , Tokuda Yuji , Uozumi Jiro , Masaki Zenjiro
Published: June 2007

Objective:  The effectiveness of urinary diversion for patients with renal insufficiency due to extrinsic ureteral obstruction was assessed.

Methods:  Between 1990 and 2003, 30 males and 45 females, ranging 36–90 years of age (average, 62.7) who had secondary ureteral obstruction due to either a retroperitoneal or pelvic invasion of malignant disease, underwent nephrostomy or ureteral stenting using a double‐J stent without side holes.

Results:  Ureteral stenting was attempted as an initial procedure in 51 of the 75 cases. The remaining 24 cases had a nephrostomy at the first step. Of 51, 37 cases were successfully stented, while internal stenting was unsuccessful in the remaining 14 cases. These 14 cases were treated with nephrostomy at the second step following the unsuccessful internal stenting. Eight cases of the 37 successfully stented cases were eventually changed to a nephrostomy because of catheter trouble. As a result, 29 cases could be managed by internal ureteral stenting up until the end of their life. The follow‐up period for the 75 cases who underwent urinary diversion ranged from 5 days to 19 months, averaging 5.7 months. The average period from diversion to death was 5.6 months in the internally stented group and 5.9 months in the nephrostomy group.

Conclusion:  The high patency rate of the internal ureteral stent in our cases might be due to our use of a stent without shaft vent holes.
Primary stenting in nonagenarian patients with acute myocardial infarction: A report of two cases
Authors: Mito Nanako , Sasao Hisataka , Ogata Hitoko , Hotta Daisuke
Published: June 2007

Previous studies suggested that mortality among elderly patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is higher than that of younger patients. On the other hand, previous studies also suggested that primary angioplasty for elderly patients with AMI is superior to thrombolytic therapy. However, little is known about the effectiveness of primary stenting for very elderly patients, especially, nonagenarian patients. We therefore report two nonagenarian patients with AMI treated by primary stenting. One patient discharged from our hospital after 24 days from admission. This patient is currently being carefully followed up by the referring physician. However, the other patient developed cardiogenic shock on admission, and she unfortunately died 2 days after admission. Primary stenting might not be contraindicated even for nonagenarian patients with AMI considering the limitation of conventional therapy.
Research Supplement 2
Authors: Wedell Klaus
Published: June 2007

Professor Wedell, Institute of Education, London University, reports the recommendations for research in special education which emerged from a symposium he convened in 1982 and a research workshop held in 1984. These two events were funded by the ESRC.
Finding a Voice on Disk
Authors: Rostron Andrew , Plant Richard
Published: June 2007

Andrew Rostron and Richard Plant, Educational Technology Research Group, Department of Psychology, Hull University, describe the prototype of a software package which can be used as an inexpensive and flexible speech synthesiser in schools and other centres.
How Can We Use an Extra Pair of Hands?
Authors: Fletcher‐Campbell Felicity
Published: June 2007

Classroom assistants are widely employed to support pupils with special educational needs. However, little attention has been paid to the way in which they are deployed and managed within the classroom. Drawing on research undertaken by the National Foundation for Educational Research, Felicity Fletcher‐Campbell, senior research officer, NFER, identifies elements of good practice.
Multi‐sensory environments: an exploration of their potential for young people with profound and multiple learning difficulties
Authors: Mount Helen , Cavet Judith
Published: June 2007

Helen Mount, Head of Language and Communication at Mont VaroufSchool, Guernsey, and Judith Cavet, a senior lecturer in social work at Staffordshire University, stress the need for a critical evaluation of multi‐sensory environments. The paucity of relevant, rigorous research and the lack of focus on educational benefits is highlighted.
Holding (Quasi‐)Autonomous EU Administrative Actors to Public Account
Authors: Curtin Deirdre
Published: June 2007

Abstract:  This article addresses problems of accountability in relation to two specific kinds of administrative actors in the EU system of multilevel governance, namely comitology committees and EU‐level agencies. With regard to both sets of actors, the accountability issue is often framed in terms of delegation from a principal to an agent. This article explores the delegation of powers discourse and the question whether this framing adequately covers accountability forums and mechanisms that are emerging as a matter of legal and institutional practice. The latter sub‐constitutional level is particularly relevant given the high degree of institutionalisation of both categories of administrative actors. Using these two categories of administrative actors as case studies, this article suggests that a delegation model of accountability in a democratic sense is not adequate and only captures part of emerging practice. A looser conceptual framing, understanding public accountability as a process in which power is checked and balanced by various actors, fits better within a more constitutional perspective on holding EU executive power to account.
Prevalence of depression in a 12‐month consecutive sample of patients with ALS
Authors: Wicks P. , Abrahams S. , Masi D. , Hejda‐Forde S. , Leigh P. N. , Goldstein L. H.
Published: June 2007

There is an impression both in clinical practice and in research literature that patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) possess ‘heroic stoicism with a low frequency of depression’. Reliance on specific interview methods may have contributed to differing estimates of mood disorder in people with ALS. The objective of the current study was to compare prevalence rates of depression and anxiety in ALS using different assessment tools. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Spielberger State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were sent to a 12‐month consecutive sample of 190 patients with ALS attending a tertiary referral clinic in the UK. Data were collected from 104 patients with ALS. Using BDI scores, 44% were categorized as not depressed, 37% were mild‐moderately depressed, 13% were moderately‐severely depressed, and 6% were severely depressed. In contrast, the HADS depression subscale identified 75% as not depressed, 13% were in the borderline range, and 13% were categorized as meeting ‘caseness’ for depression. Twenty‐five percent of the patients were using antidepressant medication. The estimated prevalence of mood disorder amongst patients with ALS may vary significantly depending on the measure used.
A comparison of the high‐affinity peripheral benzodiazepine receptor ligands DAA1106 and (R)‐PK11195 in rat models of neuroinflammation: implications for PET imaging of microglial activation
Authors: Venneti Sriram , Lopresti Brian J. , Wang Guoji , Slagel Susan L. , Mason N. Scott , Mathis Chester A. , Fischer Michelle L. , Larsen Niccole J. , Mortimer Amanda D. , Hastings Teresa G. , Smith Amanda D. , Zigmond Michael J. , Suhara Tetsuya , Higuchi Makoto , Wiley Clayton A.
Published: June 2007

Activated microglia are an important feature of many neurological diseases and can be imaged in vivo using 1‐(2‐chlorophenyl)‐N‐methyl‐N‐(1‐methylpropyl)‐3‐isoquinolinecarboxamide (PK11195), a ligand that binds the peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (PBR). N‐(2,5‐dimethoxybenzyl)‐N‐(5‐fluoro‐2‐phenoxyphenyl) acetamide (DAA1106) is a new PBR‐specific ligand that has been reported to bind to PBR with higher affinity compared with PK11195. We hypothesized that this high‐affinity binding of DAA1106 to PBR will enable better delineation of microglia in vivo using positron emission tomography. [3H]DAA1106 showed higher binding affinity compared with [3H](R)‐PK11195 in brain tissue derived from normal rats and the rats injected intrastriatally with 6‐hydroxydopamine or lipopolysaccharide at the site of the lesion. Immunohistochemistry combined with autoradiography in brain tissues as well as correlation analyses showed that increased [3H]DAA1106 binding corresponded mainly to activated microglia. Finally, ex vivo autoradiography and positron emission tomography imaging in vivo showed greater retention of [11C]DAA1106 compared with [11C](R)‐PK11195 in animals injected with either lipopolysaccaride or 6‐hydroxydopamine at the site of lesion. These results indicate that DAA1106 binds with higher affinity to microglia in rat models of neuroinflammation when compared with PK11195, suggesting that [11C]DAA1106 may represent a significant improvement over [11C](R)‐PK11195 for in vivo imaging of activated microglia in human neuroinflammatory disorders.
Primers and polymerase chain reaction conditions for DNA barcoding teleost fish based on the mitochondrial cytochrome b and nuclear rhodopsin genes
Authors: SEVILLA RAFAEL G. , DIEZ AMALIA , NORÉN MICHAEL , MOUCHEL OLIVIER , JÉRÔME MARC , VERREZ‐BAGNIS VÉRONIQUE , VAN PELT HILDE , FAVRE‐KREY LAURENCE , KREY GRIGORIOS , CONSORTIUM THE FISHTRACE , BAUTISTA JOSÉ M.
Published: June 2007

This report describes a set of 21 polymerase chain reaction primers and amplification conditions developed to barcode practically any teleost fish species according to their mitochondrial cytochrome b and nuclear rhodopsin gene sequences. The method was successfully tested in more than 200 marine fish species comprising the main Actinopterygii family groups. When used in phylogenetic analyses, its combination of two genes with different evolutionary rates serves to identify fish at the species level. We provide a flow diagram indicating our validated polymerase chain reaction amplification conditions for barcoding and species identification applications as well as population structure or haplotyping analyses, adaptable to high‐throughput analyses.
Cellular senescence in human myoblasts is overcome by human telomerase reverse transcriptase and cyclin‐dependent kinase 4: consequences in aging muscle and therapeutic strategies for muscular dystrophies
Authors: Zhu Chun‐Hong , Mouly Vincent , Cooper Racquel N. , Mamchaoui Kamel , Bigot Anne , Shay Jerry W. , Di Santo James P. , Butler‐Browne Gillian S. , Wright Woodring E.
Published: June 2007

Cultured human myoblasts fail to immortalize following the introduction of telomerase. The availability of an immortalization protocol for normal human myoblasts would allow one to isolate cellular models from various neuromuscular diseases, thus opening the possibility to develop and test novel therapeutic strategies. The parameters limiting the efficacy of myoblast transfer therapy (MTT) could be assessed in such models. Finally, the presence of an unlimited number of cell divisions, and thus the ability to clone cells after experimental manipulations, reduces the risks of insertional mutagenesis by many orders of magnitude. This opportunity for genetic modification provides an approach for creating a universal donor that has been altered to be more therapeutically useful than its normal counterpart. It can be engineered to function under conditions of chronic damage (which are very different than the massive regeneration conditions that recapitulate normal development), and to overcome the biological problems such as cell death and failure to proliferate and migrate that limit current MTT strategies. We describe here the production and characterization of a human myogenic cell line, LHCN‐M2, that has overcome replicative aging due to the expression of telomerase and cyclin‐dependent kinase 4. We demonstrate that it functions as well as young myoblasts in xenotransplant experiments in immunocompromized mice under conditions of regeneration following muscle damage.
3D Strain Field Measurement by Correlation of Volume Images Using Scattered Light: Recording of Images and Choice of Marks
Authors: Germaneau A. , Doumalin P. , Dupré J. C.
Published: June 2007

Abstract:  We have extended the Digital Image Correlation technique to the case in three dimensions. This new technique, allowing the full three‐dimensional (3D) strain measurement in the bulk of a solid, needs volume images containing a 3D variation of the grey levels. Generally, volume images are obtained by X‐ray computed tomography. In this paper, we present a procedure that is easier to implement and enables to generate volume image in transparent materials. The principle consists in the optical slicing of the specimen. To obtain a random distribution of grey levels within the volume image, we use the scattered light phenomenon induced by particles included in the specimen. The recording of 3D images by optical slicing is presented and the influence of different kinds of particles on the scattered light and on the accuracy of measurement is described. Through several tests involving rigid body displacements and a tensile test we show the performance of this technique and we evaluate the measurement error of displacement and strain components.
The Role of Medical Directors in Dialysis Facilities:Series Editor: Robert A. Gutman: Medical Direction of Dialysis—A Critical Leadership Role
Authors: Gutman Robert A.
Published: June 2007

The position of medical director of a dialysis unit is important, requires leadership, knowledge, interest, energy, and commitment. The position is mandated by the federal regulations and is necessary to quality and performance of the unit.
The Role of Medical Directors in Dialysis Facilities :Series Editor : Robert A. Gutman: The Dialysis Medical Director’s Role in Quality and Safety
Authors: Kliger Alan S.
Published: June 2007

The medical director of dialysis is responsible for leadership in a dialysis facility’s quality improvement activities and patient safety initiatives. The Director should have knowledge of, and an ability to utilize, Continuous Quality Improvement techniques, evidence‐based guidelines, standardized mortality, hospitalization and transplantation data and other modalities to improve systems of care.
The Role of Angiotensin Receptor Blockers in Heart Failure
Authors: Baruch Lawrence , Jamil Tariq
Published: June 2007

The effectiveness of ACE inhibitors in reducing morbidity and mortality in patients with heart failure is largely attributable to their suppression of angiotensin II production. Despite chronic therapy with ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II levels may be incompletely suppressed and contribute to the high mortality of patients with heart failure. Recently, angiotensin receptor blockers, which block the effects rather than the production of angiotensin II, have become available. Angiotensin receptor blockers have been evaluated as both monotherapy and in combination with ACE inhibitors. In short term studies, angiotensin receptor blocker monotherapy appears to share many of the hemodynamic and clinical features of ACE inhibitors. In a long term study, Losartan Heart Failure Survival Study, angiotensin receptor blockers failed to demonstrate any beneficial effect over that seen with ACE inhibitors. The addition of an angiotensin receptor blocker to an ACE inhibitor appears to exert favorable short term hemodynamic, clinical, and neuro‐hormonal effects. Four ongoing trials, Valsartan Heart Failure Trial, Candesartan in Heart Failure Assessment of Reduction in Mortality and Morbidity, Optimal Therapy in Myocardial Infarction with Angiotensin II Antagonist Losartan study, and Valsartan In Acute Myocardial Infarction study, are evaluating the role of angiotensin receptor blockers either alone or in combination with ACE inhibitors in the management of left ventricular dysfunction.
Clinical Decision Making in Patients With Congestive Heart Failure: The Role of Thoracic Electrical Bioimpedance
Authors: Wright Richard F. , Gilbert Joanne
Published: June 2007

Optimizing appropriate pharmacologic therapy in patients with congestive heart failure has been difficult due to a lack of easily obtainable hemodynamic information to guide the approach to the patient. Recently, thoracic electrical bioimpedance has allowed reliable outpatient determination of these hemodynamic variables, potentially allowing tailored adjustment of therapy in patients with cardiac dysfunction. Case studies are presented in which bioimpedance data were important contributing factors in optimizing patient management. Utilization of this new technology to individualize patient therapy should lead to improved outcomes and more efficient use of health care resources.
Differential Effects of Direct Antagonism of AII Compared to ACE Inhibitors on Serum Potassium Levels and Azotemia in Patients With Severe Congestive Heart Failure
Authors: Blake James , Devereux Richard B.
Published: June 2007

Objectives. The present study was undertaken to determine if direct blockade of angiotensin II receptors by losartan potassium as compared to ACE inhibition might result in greater tolerability in patients with congestive heart failure in whom ACE inhibition resulted in hyperkalemia and azotemia.

Background. Blockade of angiotensin II receptors by losartan potassium may produce similar benefits in congestive heart failure as ACE inhibition. However, some observations suggest losartan potassium may have different effects on renal function than ACE inhibition.

Methods. Five consecutive patients with severe congestive heart failure were identified in whom treatment with ACE inhibition was complicated by hyperkalemia (K>5.7) and azotemia. In three of these patients losartan potassium was substituted for ACE inhibition while losartan potassium was added to treatment with ACE inhibition in the remaining two. The mean of four serial values of potassium, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine were compared before and after change in treatment using a two tailed t test.

Results. The addition or substitution of losartan potassium resulted in statistically insignificant reductions in blood urea nitrogen and creatinine and a significant reduction in potassium from 5.7±0.1 to 4.9±0.3, p<0.03. Two patients who had required kayexalate were withdrawn. In all patients, hyperkalemia resolved and did not reoccur.

Conclusions. There appear to be fundamental differences between the effects of losartan potassium and ACE inhibitors on potassium excretion in congestive heart failure patients with mild to moderate renal insufficiency. Losartan potassium may also be associated with less azotemia in such patients. These differences may have important clinical implications, particularly in the subset of patients in whom ACE inhibition is poorly tolerated as a result of hyperkalemia and azotemia.
Medicare Initiatives to Improve Heart Failure Care: An Introduction
Authors: Ordin Diana L. , Masoudi Frederick A. , Havranek Edward P. , Krumholz Harlan M.
Published: June 2007

Purchasers of health care, patients, physicians, and other health care professionals are increasingly seeking to evaluate quality of health care. Scattered reports have suggested that there is currently marked variation in evaluation and treatment of heart failure and substantial gaps between guideline recommendations and care delivered to heart failure patients. Heart failure is the most common discharge diagnosis for Medicare beneficiaries and yet, until recently, relatively little national information was available to describe the quality of care and to identify opportunities to improve practice. To address the need to evaluate care of patients with heart failure and support national, state, and local efforts to improve care and outcomes, the Health Care Financing Administration has initiated three programs that stretch across much of the continuum of care: the National Heart Failure Quality Improvement Project, focusing on inpatient care; the Heart Failure Practice Improvement Effort (HF PIE), a pilot outpatient effort in 11 states; and the 2001 requirement for Medicare+Choice Organizations to initiate quality improvement efforts for their heart failure patients. This paper is the first in a series that will provide information about these programs. We hope that this series will stimulate discussion on how clinicians can join these national efforts to improve the care and outcomes of patients with heart failure.
Pacing Techniques in Heart Failure: Current Concepts and Future Outlook
Authors: Abi‐Samra Freddy M.
Published: June 2007

In addition to the well established benefits of traditional pacing methods, newer, left ventricular‐based pacing techniques appear to induce significant hemodynamic improvements, benefit cardiac remodeling, improve functional capacity, and may decrease hospitalizations in appropriately selected patients with advanced systolic heart failure and intraventricular conduction defects. Encouraging results have been suggested from preliminary observational studies as well as from controlled clinical trials. Despite the generally positive outlook, much remains to be learned about multisite pacing techniques, appropriate site and patient selection, and long‐term effectiveness.
Should Aspirin Be Used With Angiotensin‐Converting Enzyme Inhibitors in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure?
Authors: Park Myung H.
Published: June 2007

Aspirin and angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are widely used in combination to treat a wide spectrum of cardiac disorders. Theoretically, a rationale for interaction between these two agents exists in the possible counterbalancing prostaglandin inhibiting actions of aspirin and the vasodilatory prostaglandin promoting effects of ACE inhibitors. Animal and human studies suggest such an interaction, but most are plagued by small numbers or retrospective designs. Large‐scale trials are in progress to address this issue. Until then, the key factor in deciding whether a patient with ischemic heart disease on ACE inhibitor therapy should be placed on aspirin therapy may largely depend on the severity of heart failure. The more severe the heart failure, the more likely an appreciable interaction between aspirin and ACE inhibitors will occur. Treatment with either low‐dose aspirin or with alternative agents, such as warfarin or clopidogrel, may be the best therapeutic approach for patients with severe systolic heart failure.
Nontransplant Surgical Options for Congestive Heart Failure
Authors: Kherani Aftab R. , Garrido Mauricio J. , Cheema Faisal H. , Naka Yoshifumi , Oz Mehmet C.
Published: June 2007

A wide array of surgical options are currently available for the treatment of congestive heart failure ranging from traditional coronary artery bypass grafting to total artificial heart implantation. The indications for each procedure depend on the severity of disease and the individual patient's desires. Some surgical options are indicated for patients with moderate disease and prevent worsening heart failure, whereas other procedures are limited to patients who will only survive with high‐risk surgery. Ongoing technologic advances are increasing the number of patients that benefit from the reparative surgical treatment of congestive heart failure.
Drug Absorption in the Management of Congestive Heart Failure: Loop Diuretics
Authors: Sica Domenic A.
Published: June 2007

Congestive heart failure is a disease state distinguished by the regular presence of both renal and hepatic abnormalities in drug handling. One such abnormality involves flaws in the process of drug absorption. In most instances, congestive heart failure‐related abnormalities in drug absorption are of inconsequential significance. However, this is not the case with loop diuretics. Loop diuretic action ordinarily tracks the rate and extent of absorption if a sufficient amount of diuretic has been given to exceed the threshold for diuretic effect. In congestive heart failure, both the rate and absolute amount of loop diuretic absorbed can be reduced as a function of the heart failure state itself. In this setting, drug dissolution characteristics can assume added significance. Furosemide is the loop diuretic with the widest intra‐ and interpatient variability of absorption. Alternatively, the loop diuretic torsemide is rapidly and fairly completely absorbed independent of the heart failure state. This pattern of absorption establishes it as the preferred loop diuretic in the otherwise diuretic‐resistant heart failure patient. However, the exact role of torsemide in the outpatient management of congestive heart failure remains to be determined.
Percutaneous Transluminal Septal Myocardial Ablation in the Management of Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Feghali Georges , Alaeddini Jamshid , Ramee Stephen , Ventura Hector O.
Published: June 2007

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a complex genetic condition with a heterogeneous clinical course. Some patients remain asymptomatic throughout life while others develop one or more of the adverse clinical consequences including symptoms of congestive heart failure with exertional dyspnea and functional disability (usually with preserved left ventricular systolic function), atrial fibrillation, or sudden cardiac death. Because of this heterogenicity in the clinical presentations, management of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy includes a wide range of pharmacologic therapies as well as invasive approaches. In recent years, nonsurgical catheter‐based treatment of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy has been increasingly used in the management of a subset of these patients. The authors present a case of percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation in a patient with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy who was symptomatic despite maximal medical treatment.
Adherence to Antihypertensive Therapy With Fixed‐Dose Amlodipine Besylate/Benazepril HCl Versus Comparable Component‐Based Therapy
Authors: Taylor Addison A. , Shoheiber Omar
Published: June 2007

Adhering to medication regimens has the potential to significantly improve clinical outcomes for persons with high blood pressure. A patient‐related factor likely to affect adherence to treatment is the convenience of the prescribed drug regimen. The authors hypothesized that medication adherence would be superior and cost benefits would accrue in subjects who receive a once‐daily, single‐capsule, fixed‐dose combination product for blood pressure control, compared with subjects who receive a similar regimen of separate components. A managed care organization that provides benefits for members enrolled in various health plans provided the data for this retrospective analysis. The database was used to assess medication adherence patterns for two groups of hypertensive subjects. Group 1 included subjects who had been prescribed the single‐capsule, fixed‐dose combination of amlodipine besylate/benazepril HCl. Group 2 comprised subjects who had been prescribed a regimen including an angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor and a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker as separate drugs. Adherence was measured by the medication possession ratio, and medical resource utilization by the two groups was assessed during the study period. Group 1 (n=2754) and Group 2 (n=2978) were balanced with regard to age (mean, 53 years; range, 18–64 years) and sex (men, 50%; women, 50%). The overall medication possession ratio for Group 1 was significantly higher than that for Group 2 (80.8% vs. 73.8%; p<0.001). The average annual cost of cardiovascular‐related care per subject was significantly lower in Group 1 compared with Group 2 (p<0.001). Subjects receiving the once‐daily, single‐capsule, fixed‐dose combination of amlodipine/benazepril HCl demonstrated significantly better medication adherence and required fewer medical resources than did subjects receiving an angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor and a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker as separate components.
Accounting for Trends in Productivity and R&D: A Schumpeterian Critique of Semi‐Endogenous Growth Theory
Authors: HA JOONKYUNG , HOWITT PETER
Published: June 2007

This paper argues that long‐run trends in R&D and TFP are more supportive of fully endogenous “Schumpeterian” growth theory than they are of semi‐endogenous growth theory. The distinctive prediction of semi‐endogenous theory that sustained TFP growth requires sustained growth of R&D input is not supported by co‐integration tests and forecasting exercises, as TFP growth has been stationary even though the growth rate of R&D input has fallen three‐fold since the early 1950s. In contrast, the prediction of Schumpeterian theory that sustained TFP growth requires a sustained fraction of GDP to be spent on R&D is not contradicted by similar tests.
DETERMINING REPORTING SCHEDULES FOR ONGOING MANAGERIAL PROCESSES
Authors: HANNUM WILLIAM H.
Published: June 2007

Setting up a system for maintaining control over an ongoing administrative process involves the problem of determining how frequently control information should be obtained. In this article a model for determining optimum reporting frequencies is described and explored from a managerial point of view emphasizing the data inputs and interpretations necessary to make the model operationally meaningful. Several forms of reporting schedules are discussed and procedures are given for determining optimum schedules under various operating conditions. An appendix contains a detailed statement of the mathematics and computations of a recursive procedure for determining an optimum schedule for a particular reporting situation and flow charts of the computer programs used for calculating optimum schedules for general use.
SOME MONEY GAMES
Authors: RENSHEW EDWARD F. , RENSHAW VERNON
Published: June 2007

The authors consider three games which come directly to grips with important ideas in finance, are complex enough to be interesting, yet sufficiently simple to be explained and played in less than one class period. Their purpose is to help students become more involved in the art of economic model building and to impart a better understanding of the demand for money. It seems likely that these games can be used to test specific hypotheses about the learning process and human decision making under conditions of uncertainty.
THE ANALYSIS OF RAIL TRANSPORT PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS
Authors: DeHAYES DANIEL W.
Published: June 2007

This study was designed to suggest and evaluate empirically a series of variables to explain the behavior of two important rail transport system performance parameters: speed and reliability of transit time. Variables related to the carriers, the economic situation, the location and the nature of the shipper/carrier interaction were tested using a combination of factor analysis and regression analysis. The results support the premise that while distance is very important in explaining rail service, other variables also contribute substantially to understanding transit time by this transport mode.
QUANTITATIVE METHODS IN THE UNDERGRADUATE CURRICULA OF AACSB MEMBER INSTITUTIONS
Authors: BURFORD ROGER L. , WILLIAMS DONALD R.
Published: June 2007

Since the discipline of quantitative methods varies more widely from institution to institution than any other discipline, a survey was conducted to establish a profile of the undergraduate quantitative methods curricula. The survey was made among member institutions of the American Association of Collegiate Schools of Business in order to determine the current status of the structure and orientation of undergraduate programs in quantitative methods, faculty background and requirements, undergraduate course requirements for each of the major areas in business, and directions of future changes. This paper presents the survey results.
PERT: A DYNAMIC APPROACH
Authors: SHERRARD WILLIAM R. , MEHLICK FRED
Published: June 2007

This paper combines learning curves with a PERT network to produce a dynamic PERT model. The dynamic model takes cognizance of the fact that many projects are of a repetitive nature and that the network may vary between runs of the project through the addition or deletion of activities attendant to producing variations of a basic model. Thus, on any given run, the activities comprising a network will exhibit varying degrees of repetitiveness.

The proposed model treats the estimated completion times of activities comprising the network as a function of (1) the number of times the various activities have been repeated on prior runs of the project, and (2) the learning rate attendant to each activity. Thus, the estimated completion time for a run through the project changes as additional units are produced.

A sixteen event PERT network is simulated (using the proposed dynamic model) through twenty runs of a project. The simulation is conducted under three situations; namely, with learning taking place on (1) only noncritical activities, (2) only critical activities, and (3) all activities. In all three cases the results are compared to the static PERT model. The implications of the proposed model for improved decision making are presented in the concluding remarks of the paper.
A METHODOLOGY FOR DECISION MAKING THROUGH QUEUING ANALYSIS
Authors: Gupta Jatinder N. D. , Wyskida Richard M.
Published: June 2007

Many queuing situations present themselves in which multiple alternatives should be evaluated. This is especially true in cases where the alternatives refer to the number of service channels and types of service channels to be utilized. In such cases, it is appropriate to develop suitable queuing models and introduce the additional exogenous variables in the model graphically. This paper presents an example where such a methodology of model construction is feasible and helpful in deciding guidelines for making decisions. The working methodology is explained with a numerical illustration and guidelines for using the proposed methodology are described.
A SIMULATION STUDY OF DECENTRALIZED DECISION MAKING*
Authors: Philippakis Andreas S.
Published: June 2007

This study develops a heuristic procedure for decision making coordination in a decentralized organization structure. The procedure consists of simplified rules of iterative communication between decentralized units and a central agent. The central agent assigns budgeted profit levels and adjusts such levels guiding the system toward optimality.

The decision making procedure developed in this study is compatible with management by objectives practices and can serve as a prototype for decentralized management.
Tutorial and Survey
Authors: Ferratt Thomas W. , Mabert Vincent A.
Published: June 2007

This paper illustrates the use of the Box‐Jenkins methodology by analyzing the Ohio Electrical Power Consumption time series. The three basic analytical steps discussed are the following:

1) Model identification ‐ by matching sample autocorrelation functions against theoretical autocorrelation functions.

2) Non‐linear estimation of parameters ‐ by minimizing the sum of the squared residuals.

3) Diagnostic checking ‐ by analyzing the pattern of the autocorrelation function of the residuals.

Regular and adaptive forecasts are then developed using the appropriate model that emerges from the time series analysis.
A STOCHASTIC COST VOLUME PROFIT ANALYSIS
Authors: Kim Chaiho
Published: June 2007

In most models dealing with the cost‐volume‐profit analysis, the costs and price are usually assumed to be deterministic variables. In this paper, we build such models by explicitly assuming that they are stochastic variables. We then evaluate a number of statistical properties of these models and, in turn, consider the usefulness of the models for a short term financial analysis.
AN ANALYSIS OF THE DYNAMIC THEORY OF THE MULTI—PRODUCT FIRM USING THE CALCULUS OF VARIATIONS
Authors: Duvall Richard M. , Sanders Richard D.
Published: June 2007

The purpose of this paper is to present the theory of the multi‐product firm in situations where the revenue function depends not only on the rate of output but also on changes in the rate of output, and, similarly, where the cost function depends on changes in the rate of factor utilization as well as the rate of their utilization. Since the analysis will utilize the calculus of variations, a general introduction to this technique is also presented. The model analyzed assumes perfect foresight and knowledge concerning the revenue, cost, and production functions, and the calculus of variations is used to derive the conditions for an extremum. The first section presents the mathematical model and the model of the firm, and the optimality conditions are discussed in the second section.
METHODOLOGICAL ANALYSIS THROUGH SYSTEMS SIMULATION
Authors: King William R.
Published: June 2007

Simulation techniques are widely used for analyzing the policy decisions of managers. This paper presents a “higher‐level” use of simulation to analyze the modeling decisions of analysts, which models are, in turn, useful for policy analysis. Methodological systems simulation (MSS) is described in terms of a systems performance prediction problem. The MSS program is outlined and the two major uses of MSS‐evaluation of alternative models and simulation of the analyst–are described in terms of the results of simulation runs using the systems performance prediction context.
L1 ESTIMATION IN SMALL SAMPLES WITH LAPLACE ERROR DISTRIBUTIONS
Authors: Hunt Jerry G. , Dowling J. Malcolm , Glahe Fred R.
Published: June 2007

In this paper a Monte Carlo sampling study consisting of four experiments is described. Two error distributions were employed, the normal and the Laplace; and two small sample sizes (20 and 40) were tested. The question of simultaneous‐equation bias called for two‐stage estimators. The L1, norm was employed as a means of comparing the performance of the L1 or least squares estimators. A relatively new algorithm for computing the direct least absolute (DLA) and two‐stage least absolute (TSLA) estimators was employed for the experiments. The results confirmed the hypotheses that for non‐normal error distributions such as the Laplace the least absolute estimators were better.
A MODEL FOR EVALUATING IMPERFECT CONTROL SYSTEMS
Authors: Hannum William H.
Published: June 2007

A model is developed for evaluating alternative control systems for an ongoing managerial process in terms of expected contribution per unit time under conditions of imperfect information. A variety of process failure distributions and economic characteristics are accepted by the model. An example illustrates the versatility of this approach for comparing alternative systems and for performing sensitivity analysis on process and control system parameters.
DETERMINING THE MOST PROFITABLE RETAIL BRAND MIX FROM EMPIRICAL MEASURES OF BRAND PREFERENCE
Authors: Anderson Evan E.
Published: June 2007

This paper refers to the brand‐preference parameters of a previously accepted empirical model, and axiomatically generates several basic propositions and their proofs, which define the retail store's most profitable short‐run blend of product brands.