bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Organizational Ecology of National Self-Help/Mutual-Aid Organizations
Authors: Archibald Matthew E.
Published: September 2007

Although a considerable amount of research on modern self-help/mutual aid has been undertaken during the past several decades, studies have yet to address the question What are the organizational dynamics underlying the institutionalization of self-help/mutual aid? As a partial answer to this question, the author describes the central patterns of growth, decline, and persistence of national self-help/mutual-aid organizations, their formal diversification, and the extent to which subpopulations gain market share. In addition to using an organizational—ecological focus to map the trajectory of voluntary organizations, this article builds on resource partitioning theory by applying its central insights to subtypes of organizations. Expansion of self-help/mutual aid is remarkably similar to the trajectories of commercial and bureaucratic populations, but expectations that generalist concentration fosters growth of specialist organizations are not supported. Specialists dominate generalists except among medical self-help/ mutual aid. Implications for future research are discussed.
Why Are Nonprofits Exempt From the Corporate Income Tax?
Authors: Rushton Michael
Published: September 2007

This article considers the nonprofit exemption from the corporate income tax (CIT), which has typically been justified with either subsidy or base-defining reasons. A different rationale is introduced: The corporate tax as applied to for-profit businesses is meant to capture in the tax base income ultimately owned by individuals that might otherwise escape tax, and the nonprofit exemption is a consequence of nonprofit income`s not being attributable to any individual. To explain why nonprofits are exempt from the CIT, scholars should begin by asking why there is a CIT at all rather than by asking what is so special about nonprofits. The argument is then applied to the debate over the rationale for the unrelated business income tax.
With Strings Attached: Nonprofits and the Adoption of Donor Choice
Authors: Barman Emily
Published: September 2007

Donors' ability to attach strings to their contributions has become increasingly prevalent in the nonprofit sector. Using the case of workplace charity, this article examines the determinants of nonprofit organizations' adoption of donor choice as a mode of fund-raising. Drawing from a nationwide survey, it tests three competing tenets to explain United Ways' implementation of donor choice. Employing logistic regression analysis, the findings indicate that United Ways allow for donor control when facing donors' demands for choice, regardless of the composition of the local market or fundraisers' organizational characteristics.
Moving Beyond the EE and ESD Disciplinary Debate in Formal Education
Authors: MCKeown Rosalyn , Hopkins Charles
Published: September 2007

Many educators think of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) on a disciplinary level—what is Environmental Education's (EE) contribution to a more sustainable future? Briefly, we describe differences and similarities between EE and ESD. Next, we examine four levels of activity—disciplinary, whole school, educational system, and international—that are necessary for progress in ESD. At the disciplinary level we outline some of the contributions of geography and workplace education to ESD. At the international level, we describe three transboundary educational issues—HIV/AIDS, education of girls and women, and education for and about refugees—which require multinational responses. It is apparent that more than a disciplinary approach to ESD is needed in the formal sector. Effort on all four levels and cooperation between levels is important for education to fulfil its role of moving communities and nations toward a more sustainable future.
Getting Set to Go
Authors: Khandelwal Rajiv , Gilbert Elon
Published: September 2007

In the context of areas that have little prospect in the medium term of providing even minimal livelihoods locally for their overwhelming poor and increasingly migration-dependent rural populations, what does education for sustainable development (ESD) mean? Do efforts to qualitatively improve migration offer a viable strategy for reducing poverty and fostering sustainable development in the source areas? What skills and knowledge enhancement can concurrently improve the livelihoods of migration-dependent households? This paper examines these questions through a narrative on the formative years of the Aajeevika Bureau, an innovative programme dedicated to the improvement in livelihood opportunities for poor, migrant labourers of Rajasthan, India.
Higher Education for Sustainability
Authors: Wright Tarah
Published: September 2007

From 27 to 29 October 2005, 35 experts in higher education for sustainability (HES) representing 17 countries, gathered in Halifax, Nova Scotia. This consultation represents the first gathering of HES researchers in Canada, and brought Canadian and international researchers together to further intellectual understanding of HES research and to explore the development of research priorities for the future. The Delphi Technique was used at this workshop in order to aid in the development of a preliminary research strategy for HES research. The Delphi exercise was the primary focus of the workshop. This report summarises both the workshop information and results.
Strategy for ESD in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Paden Mary
Published: September 2007

The UNESCO Regional Office for Education in Africa has spearheaded development of a draft regional strategy for the implementation of the UNDESD in sub-Saharan Africa. The strategy aims to harmonize implementation of ESD; broaden public awareness; promote an education system that enhances African culture, especially when it contributes to sustainable development; strengthen the quality of education; and consolidate and diversify partners. It promotes strengthening both vocational and technical education and non-formal education. All regions of sub-Saharan Africa were invited to contribute to the strategy and it is expected to change in response to stakeholder needs over the decade.
Rhodes University EE and Sustainability Unit
Authors: Sisitka Heila Lotz , Schudel Ingrid
Published: September 2007

In the early 1990s, in response to the emphasis laid on environment and development issues by the new South African Constitution, Rhodes University undertook several initiatives such as establishing the first Chair of Environmental Education (EE) in Africa. Another important initiative was the introduction of an open-entry participatory course for environmental educators. Owing to its flexible format and practice-based methodology, the course gained rapid popularity, necessitating the setting up of a Service Centre to help meet the increased demand. The Chair and the Service Centre have been providing a range of short courses in environment and sustainability education to professionals, and are today widely known as the Rhodes University Environmental Education and Sustainability Unit (RUEESU). The Unit offers PhD and Masters level programmes in EE, encourages meaningful research in key thematic areas, and is actively involved in publishing, and policy transformation. It also endeavours to define the role of Universities in enabling sustainability education.
Instruments for Evaluating Shared Medical Decision Making
Authors: Dy Sydney Morss
Published: September 2007

The author conducted a structured literature review of instruments for evaluating shared medical decision making. She included relevant instruments that were generalizable beyond specific situations and had been formally evaluated and organized them by domains of values or preferences, information and communication in decision making, and other aspects of decision making. For values or preferences, the author identified 11 instruments, mostly on preferences for roles and information. For information and communication, she found a systematic review of instruments for observational assessment of decision making, 3 additional observational instruments, and 3 questionnaires. For other aspects of decision making, the author identified 3 instruments in domains such as decision self-efficacy and 4 multidimensional instruments. Although instrument development tended to cluster in several areas and there were clear gaps in the literature, the diversity of instruments demonstrates the broad range of constructs involved in assessing shared decision making.
Re-emerging infections
Authors: Mayon-White R.
Published: September 2007

One of the earliest triumphs of public health was to reduce the mortality caused by gastrointestinal infections in many parts of the world. Cholera and typhoid have become rare diseases in developed countries, but one of the failures of public health has been that large numbers of people in poorer communities do not have clean drinking water and uncontaminated food. This mixture of success and failure, of triumph and disaster, is a reason why any signs of the re-emergence of cholera and the increase in salmonellosis in the last 20 years caused confusion and panic.
Delivering an infection control link nurse programme: an exploration of the experiences of the link nurses
Authors: Cooper T.
Published: September 2007

This is the third in a series of articles describing a research study that examined the efficacy of an infection control link nurse programme, which had an educational programme based upon adult learning theory, delivered using an action research approach. This article describes the results of a qualitative study that explored the experiences of the link nurses who participated in the programme. Implications for practice are discussed.
A winter with PAM — a personal perspective of the NHS Estates' Primary Care Audit Matrix
Authors: Huyton R.
Published: September 2007

n 2003 NHS Estates launched the Primary Care Audit Matrix (PAM) to facilitate the auditing of decontamination practices in primary and community care. This article evaluates PAM following the author's experiences of using it within general medical services. PAM is a valuable tool within the clinical governance framework and provides organisations with information that is useful for both National Standards and contract monitoring purposes. However, PAM is also complex and time-consuming to use. This is the the author's personal (but balanced) view of a winter spent auditing GP practices with PAM.
Views and understanding of senior nursing staff in relation to infection control
Authors: Scott AA , Hughes J. , Hall D.
Published: September 2007

ittle research has been conducted into the broad themes of the factors that encourage nurses to comply with infection control procedures — experimental approaches have dominated previous research. A qualitative study into the views and understanding of senior nurses related to infection control procedures was undertaken at a large district general hospital.

This paper looks at a number of themes, which emerged as important bases for compliance with infection control procedures. This included the importance of role models, leadership, efficacy of link groups and communication links.
The need for skin preparation prior to injection: point — counterpoint
Authors: Pratt RJ , Hoffman PN , Robb FF
Published: September 2007

urrent recommendations to discontinue routine pre-injection skin preparation may jeopardise patient safety and increase the risk of infection. However, the best available evidence and theoretical rationale may offer sufficient support for recommendations to abandon this practice. Both sides of this argument are explored in this `point-counterpoint' review.
A study to determine whether the use of a preconnect urinary catheter system reduces the incidence of nosocomial urinary tract infections
Authors: Madeo M. , Barr B. , Owen E.
Published: September 2007

osocomial urinary tract infection (NUTI) is a common problem in the UK and is often related to the use of urinary catheters. In the UK urinary catheters account for approximately 25 per cent of all healthcare-associated infections and can have a considerable financial burden on the health service. Bacteria may gain entry into the bladder of a catheterised patient via the intra-luminal route especially if accidental disconnection arises. A prospective study was undertaken to determine the NUTI rates in patients using a preconnected catheter system compared to a traditional bag and catheter system on three medical wards. A total of 205 patients were included in the study. The catheter-associated urinary tract infection rate (CAUTI) in the baseline was 37.8 per 1,000 catheter days and 22.4 per 1000 catheter days in the intervention group. The rates of CAUTI was 41 per cent lower in the intervention group. The data in this sample group suggests the use of the preconnected catheter offers some protection against infection. The use of the preconnected system is a new concept in the UK and further studies are required to evaluate its effectiveness. The results from this study suggest their use may help to reduce the risk of CAUTI in certain clinical areas.
A study of the factors affecting the likelihood of patients participating in a campaign to improve staff hand hygiene
Authors: Duncanson V. , Pearson LS
Published: September 2007

his study aimed to seek patient opinion on being asked to participate in a campaign to improve staff compliance with handwashing and to identify factors that may influence the likelihood of patients asking staff to wash their hands.

A descriptive survey of 200 patients (150 participants, response rate 75 per cent) about to be discharged from an acute NHS Trust was completed. The age, gender, previous experience, opinions and personality traits of participants were explored. The results showed that 118 (79 per cent) thought they should be involved in helping staff improve hand hygiene and that extraversion was the only personality trait with a significant association with this tendency of wanting to be involved. Age was a significant factor in how likely participants were to ask different groups of staff and how they would feel about asking, with older people being more reluctant. Participants valued measures that facilitated them asking — staff wearing badges was the most popular of these.

Groups of patients in this and other studies (National Patient Safety Agency, 2004) indicate that patients want to be involved in helping to improve hand hygiene. In practice, we need to acknowledge the complex nature of involving individuals in challenging staff to improve their own care, and also that hand hygiene is ultimately the responsibility of health professionals.
The strengthening of infection control practice by the use of professional portfolios for infection control link professionals
Authors: Vaughan N. , Randle J.
Published: September 2007

Effective solutions to reduce the rate of healthcare-associated infection necessitate direct action at many different levels. One of the many strategies at a large teaching hospital in the UK has been the introduction and development of the infection control link role. This paper describes the development of this role via the use of a professional portfolio. Monthly seminars were conducted with infection control link professionals. The aim of the seminars was to help members to develop their infection control knowledge base and practice. To achieve this, portfolios were introduced and used by the infection control link professionals. The factors influencing the development of the role and portfolio usage are identified and the implications for nursing practice, in the context of infection control practice are addressed.
Research at the cutting edge of practice
Authors: Pratt RJ , Pellowe CM , Loveday HP , Jones Srlj
Published: September 2007

uccess in reducing the rate of preventable healthcare-associated infections in the NHS can only occur if infection prevention and control practice is firmly based on the best available evidence of effectiveness. We know best evidence when we see it, because we have systematically searched for it, appraised its methodological quality and assessed its clinical relevance. Without evidence, we would be back in the dark ages of practice, being guided only by diverse expert opinion and ritual. Identifying evidence and processing it so that the best available evidence can be incorporated into everyday clinical practice is an essential component of HCAI research. Developing new areas of enquiry to expand the evidence base for preventing infection during health care is equally important. As the Department of Health this month establishes a national HCAI Research Network in the Richard Wells Research Centre at Thames Valley University (TVU) London, this review describes the work of the only nursing research centre in a British university focused on preventing HCAI.
Prevention of healthcare-associated infections including meticillin-resistant Staphyloccus aureus in Ireland — the way forward
Authors: Wills T.
Published: September 2007

ospital- or healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) cause a substantial problem to the health sector, toH patients and their carers both in terms of incidence and the economic burden imposed on the hospital sector (Pirson et al, 2005; Plowman et al, 1999). These infections continue to thrive due to a multiplicity of dynamic factors. Ireland has one of the highest incidence of meticillin-resistant Staphyloccus aureus (MRSA) in Europe (45 per cent), along with Southern Europe, Israel, and the UK, according to a recently published report from the European Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System (EARSS) (Tiemersma et al, 2004). Reducing the incidence and controlling HAIs has now become a national imperative and is high on the political and scientific agenda in Ireland. This paper presents an overview of developments in Ireland in relation to the implementation of a nationwide infection control campaign to prevent HAIs including MRSA.
Tuberculosis and infection control: a review of the evidence
Authors: Curran ET , Hoffman PN , Pratt RJ
Published: September 2007

xposure to patients with infectious tuberculosis is a well-recognised hazard of health care and although the risks associated with this hazard cannot be completely eliminated, they can be controlled and minimised. Risk reduction strategies rely upon a hierarchy of control measures to prevent the nosocomial transmission of tuberculosis in healthcare settings. In this article, the authors discuss the background to these strategies and review the evidence that underpins clinically effective administrative and engineering controls and personal respiratory protection. The authors conclude with recommendations and guide readers to further sources of reliable information.
Personal respiratory protection and tuberculosis: national evidence-based guidelines in England and Wales
Authors: Pratt RJ , Curran ET
Published: September 2007

In our review published in the previous issue, we noted that contradictory infection prevention and control recommendations have resulted in confusion in practice and inconsistent use of personal respiratory protection when caring for patients with infectious respiratory tuberculosis in hospitals and other healthcare facilities. Recent national evidence-based guidelines in England and Wales have sought to clarify this issue by making firm recommendations for tuberculosis infection prevention and control. We describe and discuss this guidance, focusing on our concerns over the illogical recommendations for the use of personal respiratory protection.
Panton-valentine leucocidinproducing Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Brown A.L.
Published: September 2007

n recent months, there has been considerable media interest in the new `killer bug' Panton-Valentine Leucocidin-producing Staphylococcus aureus . The death of a Royal Marine from overwhelming infection due to this organism prompted the chief medical officer to issue interim guidelines detailing the diagnosis and management of infection in this situation. This article outlines what Panton-Valentine Leucocidin-producing S. aureus can do, how it does it and how it can be managed.
Healthcare workers' knowledge and attitudes to glove use
Authors: Flores A. , Pevalin D.J.
Published: September 2007

he aim of this study was to examine healthcare workers' knowledge and attitudes to glove use. A cross-sectional survey was carried out in two district general hospitals in southern England, using a self-completion questionnaire. The results showed a good overall knowledge of glove use, although knowledge could be improved in relation to standard precautions. Respondents had positive attitudes towards the use of gloves to protect against acquiring an infection, the availability of gloves, and acting as a role model to other staff. Respondents had negative attitudes towards the effect of gloves on dexterity. Interventions could be aimed at staff education and training regarding glove use. Attitudes to glove use could be improved by interventions that emphasise the advantages of wearing gloves and counteract the perceived disadvantages.
Healthcare workers' compliance with glove use and the effect of glove use on hand hygiene compliance
Authors: Flores A. , Pevalin D.J.
Published: September 2007

espite considerable evidence that appropriate hand hygiene is the leading measure to prevent healthcare-associated infection, compliance with infection control recommendations remains low among healthcare workers. Literature regarding the role that concomitant glove use has on compliance with hand hygiene is limited and conflicting. The aims of this study were to examine healthcare workers' glove use by observation and to evaluate the effect that glove use has on compliance with hand hygiene. Non-participant observation was carried out on 12 randomly-selected wards in two district general hospitals. Although the overall compliance rate for glove use was high at 92%, gloves were also overused. The proportion of glove overuse was 42%. Overall hand hygiene compliance was 64%. However, hand hygiene compliance was significantly worse following glove overuse, demonstrating that inappropriate glove use may be a component of poor hand hygiene compliance. Recommendations arising from these results are that, in order to improve adherence to hand hygiene recommendations, multi-faceted interventions should be aimed at changing healthcare workers' glove use behaviour.
Qualitative research: a challenging paradigm for infection control
Authors: Cole M.
Published: September 2007

he importance of high-quality research to address our knowledge deficits in relation to the causes of hospital-acquired infection has been acknowledged by the Department of Health. However, the contribution of nursing research may be restricted by confusion over the use of different paradigms and the discipline's lack of research pedigree. This paper discusses how nursing and infection control has historically favoured quantitative methods as they are associated with rigour, objectivity, generalisation and increased credibility. However, increasingly nurse researchers are turning to qualitative methods as they better explain the complex behavioural issues that affect practice. The paper describes a number of qualitative methods and infection control studies that have adopted these approaches. It concludes by suggesting that infection control nurses, because of their close relationship with practice are well placed to consider the merits of qualitative research as a way of contributing towards the discipline's research agenda.
Have you got a pen? A delegate's guide to sales exhibitions
Authors: Jeanes A.
Published: September 2007

Sales exhibitions often accompany conferences or educational events. An understanding of the requirements of delegates and representatives assists with organising the exhibition. Careful prioritisation and planning will ensure delegates and exhibitors benefit from such events.
How infection prevention professionals can make it easier for designers and planners
Authors: Colville A. , Weaving P. , Cooper T.
Published: September 2007

nfection prevention and control is a fundamental part of healthcare design and needs to be consid- I ered at the earliest stage in any planning process, and certainly well before construction plans and room layouts are drawn. This is not only true for new builds, but also for any change of use, with or without physical alterations to the environment. If patients are involved either directly or indirectly there are almost certainly infection control implications.
Review: Rho kinase as a therapeutic target in the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Fernandes Lynette B. , Henry Peter J. , Goldie Roy G.
Published: September 2007

Asthma is a complex inflammatory disease of the airways involving reversible bronchoconstriction. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is typified by inflammation and airflow limitation that has an irreversible component. There is now substantial evidence that Rho kinase is involved in many of the pathways that contribute to the pathologies associated with these respiratory diseases including bronchoconstriction, airway inflammation, airway remodelling, neuromodulation and exacerbations due to respiratory tract viral infection. Indeed the Rho kinase inhibitor Y-27632 causes bronchodilatation and reduces pulmonary eosinophilia trafficking and airways hyperresponsiveness. Furthermore, accumulating evidence suggests that inhibition of Rho kinase could have a major beneficial impact on symptoms and disease progression in asthma and COPD by modulating several other systems and processes. Thus, the Rho kinase pathway may indeed be a worthwhile therapeutic target in the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Review: Safety of long-acting β2 -agonists in the treatment of asthma
Authors: Cazzola Mario , Matera Maria Gabriella
Published: September 2007

Several studies suggested an association between the regular use of β2-agonists and asthma deaths. Whether this association represents adverse effects of β -agonist use or is entirely due to disease severity is a matter of ongoing debate. Previous literature indicates that confounding by poor asthma control may explain the apparent deleterious effects of inhaled β2-agonists. Tolerance to nonbronchodilator effects of β2-agonists may account for the increase in reactivity to indirect bronchoconstrictor challenges and explain why some studies have demonstrated enhanced bronchoconstriction in patients with asthma after regular β 2-agonist therapy. Nonetheless, the salmeterol multi-centre asthma research trial (SMART) found more asthma deaths (13 vs 3) and life-threatening asthma events (37 vs 22) in the salmeterol-treated asthmatic patients, although it was documented that among African-Americans, 5 times as many deaths and near-deaths from asthma occurred in those given salmeterol than in those given placebo, and among patients with asthma not using an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) as a preventive (controller) medication, again more deaths and near-deaths from asthma occurred in those given salmeterol than in those given placebo. Only 38% of the African-Americans who participated in the study used an ICS. As a result of the findings from the SMART, FDA issued a public health advisory to highlight that long-acting β2-agonists (LABAs) should not be the first medicine used to treat asthma. LABAs should be added to the asthma treatment plan only if other medicines, including the use of low-or-medium dose ICSs, do not control asthma. However, despite all of the concerns raised by the SMART, inhaled β2-agonists remain the most effective bronchodilators available for the immediate relief of asthma symptoms and, as such, remain an important component of asthma management. Obviously, there are concerns about LABA treatment as monotherapy for asthma. Patients with asthma should be initiated and maintained on sufficiently high doses of ICSs and only patients whose asthma cannot be controlled should receive additional LABAs on a regular basis.
Review: Analysis of exhaled breath condensate in respiratory medicine: methodological aspects and potential clinical applications
Authors: Montuschi Paolo
Published: September 2007

Analysis of exhaled breath condensate (EBC) is a noninvasive method for studying the composition of airway lining fluid and has the potential for assessing lung inflammation. EBC is mainly formed by water vapor, but also contains aerosol particles in which several biomolecules including leukotrienes, 8-isoprostane, prostaglandins, hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide-derived products, and hydrogen ions, have been detected in healthy subjects. Inflammatory mediators in EBC are detected in healthy subjects and some of them are elevated in patients with different lung diseases. Analysis of EBC is completely noninvasive, is particularly suitable for longitudinal studies, and is potentially useful for assessing the response to pharmacological therapy. Identification of selective profiles of biomarkers of lung diseases might also have a diagnostic value. However, EBC analysis currently has important limitations. The lack of standardized procedures for EBC analysis and validation of some analytical techniques makes it difficult comparison of results from different laboratories. Analysis of EBC is currently more useful for relative measures than for quantitative assessment of inflammatory mediators. Reference analytical techniques are required to provide definitive evidence for the presence of some inflammatory mediators in EBC and for their accurate quantitative assessment in this biological fluid. Several methodological issues need to be addressed before EBC analysis can be considered for clinical applications. However, further research in this area is warranted due to the relative lack of noninvasive methods for assessing lung inflammation.
Review: Do we need new antibiotics for treating exacerbations of COPD?
Authors: Miravitlles Marc
Published: September 2007

Exacerbations may produce permanent impairment in lung function and health status in patients with COPD. Up to 70% of episodes have a bacterial etiology, being of mixed viral infection in some cases. The new, more active antibiotics have demonstrated better eradication of bacteria in the airways and, consequently, prolongation of the time to the next exacerbation. However, the ability of bacteria to develop resistance to the antibiotics currently used warrants novel research into new families of antimicrobials, and the adoption of new strategies such as the prevention of exacerbations, nebulized antibiotic treatment or the use of antibiotics in combination.
An orally bioavailable parthenolide analog selectively eradicates acute myelogenous leukemia stem and progenitor cells
Authors: Guzman Monica L. , Rossi Randall M. , Neelakantan Sundar , Li Xiaojie , Corbett Cheryl A. , Hassane Duane C. , Becker Michael W. , Bennett John M. , Sullivan Edmund , Lachowicz Joshua L. , Vaughan Andrew , Sweeney Christopher J. , Matthews William , Carroll Martin , Liesveld Jane L. , Crooks Peter A. , Jordan Craig T.
Published: September 2007

Leukemia stem cells (LSCs) are thought to play a central role in the pathogenesis of acute leukemia and likely contribute to both disease initiation and relapse. Therefore, identification of agents that target LSCs is an important consideration for the development of new therapies. To this end, we have previously demonstrated that the naturally occurring compound parthenolide (PTL) can induce death of human LSCs in vitro while sparing normal hematopoietic cells. However, PTL has relatively poor pharmacologic properties that limit its potential clinical use. Consequently, we generated a family of PTL analogs designed to improve solubility and bioavailability. These studies identified an analog, dimethylamino-parthenolide (DMAPT), which induces rapid death of primary human LSCs from both myeloid and lymphoid leukemias, and is also highly cytotoxic to bulk leukemic cell populations. Molecular studies indicate the prevalent activities of DMAPT include induction of oxidative stress responses, inhibition of NF-κB, and activation of p53. The compound has approximately 70% oral bioavailability, and pharmacologic studies using both mouse xenograft models and spontaneous acute canine leukemias demonstrate in vivo bioactivity as determined by functional assays and multiple biomarkers. Therefore, based on the collective preclinical data, we propose that the novel compound DMAPT has the potential to target human LSCs in vivo.
Solitary pulmonary nodule evaluation with99mTc-methoxy isobutyl isonitrile in a tuberculosis-endemic area
Authors: Schuurmans M. M. , Ellmann A. , Bouma H. , Diacon A. H. , Dyckmans K. , Bolliger C. T.
Published: September 2007

High prevalence of tuberculosis increases the odds for nonmalignant solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs). Positron emission tomography (PET) using18F-fluorodeoxyglucose is the method of choice for the identification of malignant SPNs requiring curative surgery. However, PET is not widely available. Technetium-99m methoxy isobutyl isonitrile (MIBI) is inexpensive, widely available and shows increased uptake in malignant SPNs. The aim of the present study was to prospectively evaluate the diagnostic value of MIBI single photon emission computed tomography to distinguish between benign and malignant SPNs in a tuberculosis-endemic area.

In total, 49 patients with radiologically indeterminate SPNs (single lesion ≤6 cm in diameter) were prospectively evaluated with MIBI. The final diagnosis was established with bronchoscopy, fine-needle aspiration, surgical resection or clinical follow-up for ≥2 yrs.

A total of 12 (92%) out of 13 malignant lesions showed increased uptake of MIBI, while no uptake was observed in 33 (92%) out of 36 benign lesions. MIBI uptake indicated malignancy with a sensitivity and specificity of 92% and a negative predictive value of 97%.

In this tuberculosis-endemic area, technetium-99m methoxy isobutyl isonitrile single photon emission computed tomography evaluation of solitary pulmonary nodules had a high negative predictive value. Therefore, it has the potential to prevent unnecessary surgical resections of benign nodules and serve as a low-cost alternative when positron emission tomography is not available.
ExperimentalPseudomonas aeruginosapneumonia: evaluation of the associated inflammatory response
Authors: Sibila O. , Agustí C. , Torres A. , Baquero S. , Gando S. , Patrón J. R. , Morato J. G. , Goffredo D. H. , Bassi N. , Luna C. M.
Published: September 2007

An abnormal inflammatory response (IR) in pneumonia is associated with poor outcomes and high mortality. Animal models could help to better understand the relationship between the pulmonary infection and the associated IR. The aims of the present study were to validate an experimental model of pneumonia induced by the inoculation ofPseudomonas aeruginosain ventilated piglets and to study the associated IR over a long period of time (96 h).

Five Lagerwhite–Landrace piglets were ventilated for 4 days. After intubation, a solution containing 75 mL ofP. aeruginosa(106 colony-forming units·mL−1) was bronchoscopically inoculated. Physiological and laboratory parameters were monitored throughout the study. Pro-inflammatory cytokines were measured in serum and in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). Histopathology of the lungs and cultures from blood, BAL and lungs were performed.

All the animals developed histopathological evidence of pneumonia. Microbiological studies of both BAL and lung confirmed the presence ofP. aeruginosain all the samples. Throughout the study, an increase in interleukin-6 was observed in serum and in BAL.

In conclusion, the experimental model of pneumonia induced by the inoculation of high concentrations ofPseudomonas aeruginosain ventilated piglets is feasible and could be appropriate for the evaluation of different aspects of the associated inflammatory response.
Tuberculosis and airflow obstruction: evidence from the PLATINO study in Latin America
Authors: Menezes A. M. B. , Hallal P. C. , Perez-Padilla R. , Jardim J. R. B. , Muiño A. , Lopez M. V. , Valdivia G. , Montes de Oca M. , Talamo C. , Pertuze J. , Victora C. G.
Published: September 2007

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association between history of tuberculosis and airflow obstruction.

A population-based, multicentre study was carried out and included 5,571 subjects aged ≥40 yrs living in one of five Latin American metropolitan areas: Sao Paulo (Brazil); Montevideo (Uruguay); Mexico City (Mexico); Santiago (Chile); and Caracas (Venezuela). Subjects performed pre- and post-bronchodilator spirometry and were asked whether they had ever been diagnosed with tuberculosis by a physician.

The overall prevalence of airflow obstruction (forced expiratory volume in one second/forced vital capacity post-bronchodilator <0.7) was 30.7% among those with a history of tuberculosis, compared with 13.9% among those without a history. Males with a medical history of tuberculosis were 4.1 times more likely to present airflow obstruction than those without such a diagnosis. This remained unchanged after adjustment for confounding by age, sex, schooling, ethnicity, smoking, exposure to dust and smoke, respiratory morbidity in childhood and current morbidity. Among females, the unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios were 2.3 and 1.7, respectively.

In conclusion, history of tuberculosis is associated with airflow obstruction in Latin American middle-aged and older adults.
Perforin, granzyme B, and FasL expression by peripheral blood T lymphocytes in emphysema
Authors: Morissette Mathieu C , Parent Julie , Milot Julie
Published: September 2007

Background

It is generally accepted that emphysematous lungs are characterized by an increase in the numbers of neutrophils, macrophages, and CD8+ T lymphocytes, the lasts having increased cytotoxic activity. Because systemic inflammation is also a component of emphysema, we hypothesize that peripheral CD8+ T lymphocytes of emphysematous smokers who show evidence of systemic inflammation will have higher expression of cytotoxic molecules.

Methods

We assessed parameters of systemic inflammation in normal individuals (smokers or non-smokers) and in emphysematous subjects with an active smoking history by measuring serum interleukine-6, C-reactive protein, and tumor necrosis factor. Expression of perforin, granzyme B, and FasL protein by CD8+ T lymphocytes, CD4+ T lymphocytes, and natural killer cells were assessed by flow cytometry while perforin, granzyme B, and FasL mRNA expression were measured on purified systemic CD8+ T lymphocytes by real-time PCR.

Results

Emphysematous smokers had higher levels of serum interleukine-6 than normal subjects. Even with the presence of systemic inflammation in emphysematous smokers, the percentage of peripheral CD8+ T lymphocytes, CD4+ T lymphocytes, and NK cells expressing perforin and granzyme B protein was not different between the three groups.

Conclusion

Despite evidence of systemic inflammation, peripheral T lymphocytes of emphysematous smokers did not show higher levels of cytotoxic markers, suggesting that increase of activated T lymphocytes in the emphysematous lung may be due to either activation in the lung or specific peripheral recruitment.
Automated recognition of cell phenotypes in histology images based on membrane- and nuclei-targeting biomarkers
Authors: Karaçalı Bilge , Vamvakidou Alexandra P , Tözeren Aydın
Published: September 2007

Background

Three-dimensional in vitro culture of cancer cells are used to predict the effects of prospective anti-cancer drugs in vivo. In this study, we present an automated image analysis protocol for detailed morphological protein marker profiling of tumoroid cross section images.

Methods

Histologic cross sections of breast tumoroids developed in co-culture suspensions of breast cancer cell lines, stained for E-cadherin and progesterone receptor, were digitized and pixels in these images were classified into five categories using k-means clustering. Automated segmentation was used to identify image regions composed of cells expressing a given biomarker. Synthesized images were created to check the accuracy of the image processing system.

Results

Accuracy of automated segmentation was over 95% in identifying regions of interest in synthesized images. Image analysis of adjacent histology slides stained, respectively, for Ecad and PR, accurately predicted regions of different cell phenotypes. Image analysis of tumoroid cross sections from different tumoroids obtained under the same co-culture conditions indicated the variation of cellular composition from one tumoroid to another. Variations in the compositions of cross sections obtained from the same tumoroid were established by parallel analysis of Ecad and PR-stained cross section images.

Conclusion

Proposed image analysis methods offer standardized high throughput profiling of molecular anatomy of tumoroids based on both membrane and nuclei markers that is suitable to rapid large scale investigations of anti-cancer compounds for drug development.
Recruitment and retention of low-income minority women in a behavioral intervention to reduce smoking, depression, and intimate partner violence during pregnancy
Authors: El-Khorazaty M Nabil , Johnson Allan A , Kiely Michele , El-Mohandes Ayman AE , Subramanian Siva , Laryea Haziel A , Murray Kennan B , Thornberry Jutta S , Joseph Jill G
Published: September 2007

Background

Researchers have frequently encountered difficulties in the recruitment and retention of minorities resulting in their under-representation in clinical trials. This report describes the successful strategies of recruitment and retention of African Americans and Latinos in a randomized clinical trial to reduce smoking, depression and intimate partner violence during pregnancy. Socio-demographic characteristics and risk profiles of retained vs. non-retained women and lost to follow-up vs. dropped-out women are presented. In addition, subgroups of pregnant women who are less (more) likely to be retained are identified.

Methods

Pregnant African American women and Latinas who were Washington, DC residents, aged 18 years or more, and of 28 weeks gestational age or less were recruited at six prenatal care clinics. Potentially eligible women were screened for socio-demographic eligibility and the presence of the selected behavioral and psychological risks using an Audio Computer-Assisted Self-Interview. Eligible women who consented to participate completed a baseline telephone evaluation after which they were enrolled in the study and randomly assigned to either the intervention or the usual care group.

Results

Of the 1,398 eligible women, 1,191 (85%) agreed to participate in the study. Of the 1,191 women agreeing to participate, 1,070 completed the baseline evaluation and were enrolled in the study and randomized, for a recruitment rate of 90%. Of those enrolled, 1,044 were African American women. A total of 849 women completed the study, for a retention rate of 79%. Five percent dropped out and 12% were lost-to-follow up. Women retained in the study and those not retained were not statistically different with regard to socio-demographic characteristics and the targeted risks. Retention strategies included financial and other incentives, regular updates of contact information which was tracked and monitored by a computerized data management system available to all project staff, and attention to cultural competence with implementation of study procedures by appropriately selected, trained, and supervised staff. Single, less educated, alcohol and drug users, non-working, and non-WIC women represent minority women with expected low retention rates.

Conclusion

We conclude that with targeted recruitment and retention strategies, minority women will participate at high rates in behavioral clinical trials. We also found that women who drop out are different from women who are lost to follow-up, and require different strategies to optimize their completion of the study.
DNA methods for identification of Chinese medicinal materials
Authors: Yip Pui Ying , Chau Chi Fai , Mak Chun Yin , Kwan Hoi Shan
Published: September 2007

As adulterated and substituted Chinese medicinal materials are common in the market, therapeutic effectiveness of such materials cannot be guaranteed. Identification at species-, strain- and locality-levels, therefore, is required for quality assurance/control of Chinese medicine. This review provides an informative introduction to DNA methods for authentication of Chinese medicinal materials. Technical features and examples of the methods based on sequencing, hybridization and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) are described and their suitability for different identification objectives is discussed.
Continuous active-source seismic monitoring of C O2 injection in a brine aquifer
Authors: Daley Thomas M. , Solbau Ray D. , Ajo-Franklin Jonathan B. , Benson Sally M.
Published: September 2007

Continuous crosswell seismic monitoring of a small-scale [Formula: see text] injection was accomplished with the development of a novel tubing-deployed piezoelectric borehole source. This piezotube source was deployed on the [Formula: see text] injection tubing, near the top of the saline aquifer reservoir at [Formula: see text] depth, and allowed acquisition of crosswell recordings at [Formula: see text] intervals during the multiday injection. The change in traveltime recorded at various depths in a nearby observation well allowed hour-by-hour monitoring of the growing [Formula: see text] plume via the induced seismic velocity change. Traveltime changes of [Formula: see text] (up to 8%) were observed, with no change seen at control sensors placed above the reservoir. The traveltime measurements indicate that the [Formula: see text] plume reached the top of the reservoir sand before reaching the observation well, where regular fluid sampling was occuring during the injection, thus providing information about the in situ buoyancy of [Formula: see text].
Estimating permeability of carbonate rocks from porosity and vp ∕ vs
Authors: Fabricius Ida L. , Baechle Gregor , Eberli Gregor P. , Weger Ralf
Published: September 2007

We present a method for predicting permeability from sonic and density data. The method removes the porosity effect on the ratio [Formula: see text] of dry rock, and it addresses the specific surface as an indirect measure of permeability. We look at ultrasonic data, porosity, and the permeability of 114 carbonate core plugs. In doing so, we establish an empirical relationship between the specific surface of the solid phase (as calculated by Kozeny’s equation) and [Formula: see text] (linearly transformed to remove the porosity effect). One must view the specific surface derived by using Kozeny’s equation as an effective specific surface because Kozeny’s equation only holds for homogeneous rock with interconnected pores. The ratio [Formula: see text] of dry rocks, on the other hand, seems to be controlled by the true specific surface, pointing to an inherent limitation in the method. The 114 carbonate plugs originate in three geological settings and comprise 83 calcitic and 31 dolomitic samples. Their depositional texture varies from mud-dominated to grain-dominated and recrystallized types. Our research applies the relationship to 137 carbonate samples from two different depositional settings. We find a reasonable match between predicted and measured permeability. The match is better for samples with carbonate mud-filled depositional textures than for carbonate mud-poor depositional textures. Diagenetic factors such as vuggy porosity decrease the predictability of permeability.