bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
For a symmetrical understanding of organizing and arguing
Authors: Corvellec Hervé
Published: October 2006

Purpose

Braiding organization theory and argumentation theory, the paper seeks to unfold how organizations act as social loci for the production, diffusion and development of arguments.

Design/methodology/approach

A Swedish association dedicated to the defense and promotion of nuclear power,Miljövänner För Kärnkraft(approximatelyEnvironmentalists for Nuclear Power) serves as a case study, describing the association's argumentative activity with a particular focus on its argument that “nuclear power is environment friendly as it produces no greenhouse gas emissions”.

Findings

The manner in which the association contextualizes this key argument illustrates the inter‐relationships that exist between organizing and arguing.

Originality/value

Organizing and arguing belong to each other's conditions of possibility, and it is therefore argued that an understanding of the organized character of argumentation is symmetrical to the argumentative character of organizing.
Do NGOs influence entrepreneurship?
Authors: Auplat Claire
Published: October 2006

Purpose

This paper aims to base the exploration of entrepreneurship on the study of the creation of new technological ventures in the emerging fields of bio and nanotechnologies.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on the study of various databases and media archives, internet searches, business cases and in‐depth interviews, the study examines how regulation, institutional funding and R&D orientations constitute key components of the success of new technological ventures involving bio‐and nanotechnologies applications. It then studies what impact the actions of non‐governmental organisations (NGOs) can have on these components, and therefore, what influence they can have on entrepreneurship.

Findings

Finds that by introducing shifts in the environment leading to new technological ventures, NGOs influence entrepreneurship.

Originality/value

This new approach of entrepreneurship will begin to fill an existing gap in the literature concerning the study of the interface between NGOs and business. The model which is proposed will hopefully lead to further theorization concerning the relations between institutional change and entrepreneurship.
A comparative study of intragastric acidity during post‐breakfast and pre‐dinner administration of low‐dose proton pump inhibitors: a randomized three‐way crossover study
Authors: MIKI M. , ADACHI K. , AZUMI T. , KOSHINO K. , FURUTA K. , KINOSHITA Y.
Published: October 2006

Background

The absorption and bioavailability of proton pump inhibitors is influenced by food intake. Proton pump inhibitors bind to the parietal cell active proton pump, which is maximally stimulated after dinner: usually the largest meal of the day. However, it has not been fully clarified whether the efficacy of proton pump inhibitors differs between post‐breakfast and pre‐dinner dosing.

Aim

To perform a pH‐monitoring study to clarify this issue for two low‐dose proton pump inhibitors.

Subjects and methods

The subjects were 20 healthy male volunteers (seven Helicobacter pylori‐positive and 13 H. pylori‐negative), who were divided into two groups of 10 and administered 15 mg lansoprazole or 10 mg rabeprazole, respectively. All subjects underwent ambulatory intragastric 24‐h pH‐ monitoring under three conditions allocated randomly: (i) without medication, (ii) seventh day of post‐breakfast administration and (iii) eighth day of pre‐dinner administration of each drug.

Results

There was no significant difference in the percentage time during which pH ≥4.0 in the 24‐h period between post‐breakfast and pre‐dinner administration of both drugs (56.6% vs. 55.8%; P = 0.557), although intragastric acidity during administration of both drugs was significantly lower than that without medication.

Conclusions

The timing of drug administration does not significantly influence the efficacy of low‐dose proton pump inhibitors.
Third‐line rescue therapy with levofloxacin is more effective than rifabutin rescue regimen after two Helicobacter pylori treatment failures
Authors: GISBERT J. P. , GISBERT J. L. , MARCOS S. , MORENO‐OTERO R. , PAJARES J. M.
Published: October 2006

Background

In patients with a first eradication failure, a second (rescue) therapy still fails in > 20% of cases.

Aim

To compare rifabutin and levofloxacin rescue regimens in patients with two consecutive Helicobacter pylori eradication failures.

Methods

Patients, in whom first treatment with omeprazole–clarithromycin–amoxicillin and a second trial with omeprazole–bismuth–tetracycline–metronidazole (or ranitidine bismuth citrate with these antibiotics) had failed, received 10 days of treatment with either rifabutin (150 mg b.d.) or levofloxacin (500 mg b.d.), plus amoxicillin (1 g b.d.) and omeprazole (20 mg b.d.). Cure rates were evaluated by the 13C‐urea breath test.

Results

Twenty patients received rifabutin, and 20 levofloxacin. All the patients returned for follow‐up. Compliance in the rifabutin group was 100%. Four patients in the levofloxacin group did not take the medication correctly (in two cases due to adverse effects: myalgia and rash). Side effects in the rifabutin and levofloxacin groups were reported in 60% and 50% of the cases, respectively. Five patients (25%) treated with rifabutin presented with leucopenia, and six (30%) treated with levofloxacin presented with myalgias. Per‐protocol cure rates were 45% (95% confidence interval, 26–66%) in the rifabutin group, and 81% (57–93%) in the levofloxacin group (P < 0.05). Intention‐to‐treat cure rates were, 45% (26–66%) and 85% (64–95%), respectively (P < 0.01).

Conclusions

After two previous H. pylori eradication failures, a 10‐day triple levofloxacin‐based rescue regimen is more effective than the same regimen with rifabutin.
Can quantification of faecal occult blood predetermine the need for colonoscopy in patients at risk for non‐syndromic familial colorectal cancer?
Authors: LEVI Z. , ROZEN P. , HAZAZI R. , VILKIN A. , WAKED A. , MAOZ E. , BIRKENFELD S. , NIV Y.
Published: October 2006

Background

Patients at risk for non‐syndromic (Lynch or polyposis) familial colorectal neoplasia undergo colonoscopic surveillance at intervals determined by clinically ascertained protocols. The quantitative immunochemical faecal occult blood test for human haemoglobin is specific and sensitive for significant colorectal neoplasia (cancer or advanced adenomatous polyp).

Aim

To determine immunochemical faecal occult blood test efficacy for identifying significant neoplasia in at‐risk patients undergoing elective colonoscopy.

Methods

We retrospectively identified consecutive at‐risk patients who provided three immunochemical faecal occult blood tests before colonoscopy. Quantitative haemoglobin analysis was performed by the OC‐MICRO automated instrument using the 100 ng Hb/mL threshold to determine positivity.

Results

In 252 at‐risk patients undergoing colonoscopy; five had cancer, 14 an advanced adenoma and 46 a non‐advanced adenoma. The immunochemical faecal occult blood test was positive in 31 patients (12.3%). Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values for cancer were: 100%, 90%, 16% and 100%, and for all significant neoplasia: 74%, 93%, 45% and 98%. With 88% fewer colonoscopies, all colorectal cancers and 74% of all significant neoplasia would have been identified by this one‐time immunochemical faecal occult blood test screening.

Conclusions

A sensitive, non‐invasive, interval screening test might be useful to predetermine the need for colonoscopy in this at‐risk population and minimize unnecessary examinations. This favourable retrospective evaluation will be extended to a prospective study.
p53 but not bcl‐2 is expressed by most cholangiocarcinomas: a study of 28 cases
Authors: Arora D S , Ramsdale J , Lodge J P A , Wyatt J I
Published: October 2006

Aims

To examine the frequency and pattern of expression of p53 and bcl‐2 in archival material from patients with cholangiocarcinomas and to evaluate their respective roles in its pathogenesis, diagnosis and prognosis.

Methods and results

Twenty‐eight surgical cases of cholangiocarcinomas diagnosed at St James's University Hospital and 16 control cases were immunostained with monoclonal antibodies to p53 and bcl‐2 using streptavidin–biotin complex method. Pressure cooker was used for antigen retrieval. Of the cholangiocarcinomas, 85.7% (24/28) overexpressed p53. The intensity of staining in these cases varied from 1+ in 2, 2+ in 10 and 3+ in 12 cases. None of the 28 tumours expressed bcl‐2. The well differentiated nature of the tumour made assessment of dysplasia difficult, however, where present it did not express p53 or bcl‐2. The bile duct epithelium adjacent to the tumour and in the control cases did not show any significant nuclear staining for either antigen.

Conclusions

Overexpression of p53 appears to play an important role as a late event in the pathogenesis of cholangiocarcinomas, while we found no evidence of bcl‐2 overexpression. The expression of p53 in 86% of the invasive tumours, as compared to its lack in the adjacent normal bile duct epithelium, makes it potentially useful in the diagnostic histopathology of these cases.
Income breeding allows an aquatic snake Seminatrix pygaea to reproduce normally following prolonged drought‐induced aestivation
Authors: WINNE CHRISTOPHER T. , WILLSON JOHN D. , GIBBONS J. WHITFIELD
Published: October 2006

Capital breeding is an ideal reproductive strategy for many ectotherms because it provides a disassociation between feeding and reproduction, a necessary requirement for animals that become anorexic during pregnancy. Among ectotherms, some viviparous snakes (e.g. Viperidae) exemplify the capital breeding strategy because many species (i) do not feed during pregnancy due to behavioural conflicts between reproduction and foraging, and (ii) take more than one season to accumulate sufficient energetic stores for reproduction.

Isolated wetlands often exhibit extreme annual fluctuations in environmental conditions with prolonged droughts periodically leaving wetlands completely dry and devoid of prey. Following droughts, however, wetlands can be extremely productive, rendering prey resources virtually unlimited for some species.

This study examines drought survival strategy and reproductive ecology of a small aquatic snake Seminatrix pygaea (Cope) in an isolated wetland. Seminatrix pygaea are atypical from most sympatric snake species in that (i) their small body size, reliance on aquatic prey, and high rates of evaporative water loss make them ill‐suited to overland movement, and (ii) they may not be subject to costs typically associated with feeding during pregnancy.

We hypothesized that S. pygaea would survive periodic multiyear droughts by aestivating within the dried wetland, a survival strategy heretofore undocumented in snakes. Further, we hypothesized that if S. pygaea rely on ‘typical’ snake reproductive strategies of ‘adaptive anorexia’ and capital breeding, reproductive output would be reduced in the first wet year following drought.

By encircling a 10‐ha wetland with a continuous drift fence before it refilled we were able to demonstrate that S. pygaea were present within the dried wetland prior to the onset of spring rains that refilled the wetland in 2003. Our results suggest that S. pygaea are capable of surviving multiyear droughts by aestivating within the dried wetland.

Despite having presumably depleted energy reserves during the drought, S. pygaea reproduced with the same frequency and fecundity during the first season following refilling of the wetland as in pre‐drought years.

The ability of S. pygaea to rebound rapidly from the stresses of prolonged drought is due in part to their reproductive ecology. Seminatrix pygaea readily feed throughout pregnancy and consequently can rapidly translate high prey abundances into reproductive output through income breeding.
Experimental evidence that the introduced fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, does not competitively suppress co‐occurring ants in a disturbed habitat
Authors: KING JOSHUA R. , TSCHINKEL WALTER R.
Published: October 2006

The fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, is a globally distributed invasive ant that is largely restricted to disturbed habitats in its introduced range. For more than half a century, biologists have believed its success results from superior competitive abilities relative to native ant species, as well as an escape from their natural enemies.

We used large volumes of hot water to kill fire ant colonies, and only fire ant colonies, on experimental plots in pastures, and found that populations and diversity of co‐occurring ants did not subsequently increase.

These results are contrary to classical predictions and indicate that S. invicta is not a superior competitor that suppresses native ants, and that the low diversity and abundance of native ants in degraded ecosystems does not result from interaction with fire ants. Instead, other factors such as prior disturbance and recruitment limitation may be the primary limiting factors for native species in these habitats.
Evolutionary diversification of the bean beetle genus Callosobruchus (Coleoptera: Bruchidae): traits associated with stored‐product pest status
Authors: TUDA M. , RÖNN J. , BURANAPANICHPAN S. , WASANO N. , ARNQVIST G.
Published: October 2006

Despite the fact that many plant‐feeding insects are pests, little effort has been made to identify key evolutionary trait transitions that allow taxa to acquire or lose pest status. A large proportion of species in the genus Callosobruchus are economically important pests of stored, dry postharvest beans of the tribe Phaseoleae. However, the evolution of this feeding habit is poorly understood. Here, we present a reconstruction of the phylogeny of the Asian and African Callosobruchus based on three mitochondrial genes, and assess which traits have been associated with the evolutionary origin or loss of ability to reproduce on dry beans. Our phylogenetic analysis showed that species group into the chinensis and the maculatus clades, which are also supported by genital morphology, and an additional paraphyletic group. Ancestral ability to use dry beans has been lost in the chinensis clade but acquired again in C. chinensis. Dry‐bean use and host‐plant use were both phylogenetically constrained and transitions in the two were significantly correlated. Host shifts from the subtribe Phaseolinae to Cajaninae were more common than the reverse and were more likely in species using young beans. The ability to use dry beans was more likely gained when using Phaseolinae hosts and promoted habitat shifts from tropical to temperate regions. Adaptation to arid climate was also associated with the ability to reproduce on dry beans and on Phaseolinae. Thus, our analysis suggests that physiological adaptations to an arid climate and to Phaseolinae hosts both render beetles predisposed to become pests of cultivated beans.
Housing and health in Indigenous communities: Key issues for housing and health improvement in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
Authors: Bailie Ross S. , Wayte Kayli J.
Published: October 2006

Indigenous people living in remote communities face some particular difficulties with regard to housing and its impact on their health. This paper reviews the contemporary international understanding of the relationship between housing and health, the history of settlement and housing conditions in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and some of the recent initiatives to improve housing in these communities.
Impact of support initiatives on retaining rural general practitioners
Authors: Gardiner Maria , Sexton Roger , Kearns Hugh , Marshall Kelly
Published: October 2006

Objective:  This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the dr doc program, a rural doctor workforce support program, which consists of social and psychological support and practical interventions, on the well‐being and retention of rural GPs.

Design:  Rural GPs were assessed on different aspects of well‐being and their intentions to leave rural general practice, and these were compared with similar data collected two years prior.

Setting:  Rural general practices in South Australia.

Participants:  Two hundred and twenty‐one rural GPs (55% of South Australian rural GP workforce).

Main outcome measures:  GPs completed a questionnaire assessing their levels of support, intention to leave rural practice, use of the dr doc program, and psychological health.

Results:  Improvements were found in the support networks and in the physical and emotional health of rural GPs from time 1 to time 2. There was also a reduction in the number of GPs wanting to leave rural general practice in the short to medium term (from 30% to 25%).

Conclusions:  The initial study in this series suggested that improving psychological well‐being might influence rural GPs’ intentions to leave rural practice. The current study confirms these suggestions by demonstrating that programs targeted at psychological and physical well‐being do indeed impact on rural GPs’ intentions to leave. The results of this study highlight the role of psychological well‐being in retaining rural GPs and emphasise the value of developing psychologically based programs to not only boost the physical and mental health of GPs, but also to reduce departure from rural areas.
Combined positron emission tomography/computed tomography for evaluation of presumed choroidal metastases
Authors: Donaldson Mark J , Pulido Jose S , Mullan Brian P , Inwards David J , Cantrill Herb , Johnson Max R , Han Min‐Kyu
Published: October 2006

Abstract

Background:  Choroidal metastases are the most common intraocular malignancy and are the first sign of systemic malignancy in approximately one‐third of patients. Of patients with no previous diagnosis of cancer, oncological evaluation fails to find the primary lesion in approximately 50% of cases. Newer imaging modalities such as combined positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) may improve the yield of the systemic work‐up.

Methods:  Consecutive patients presenting with presumed choroidal metastases were evaluated with whole body combined PET/CT scanning.

Results:  Four patients presenting to a tertiary referral hospital with choroidal metastases as the first sign of systemic malignancy were evaluated. In all four cases, PET/CT demonstrated the ocular lesion, and the primary malignancy which was confirmed by tissue biopsy. False‐negative results were seen in two cases of cerebral metastases. PET/CT demonstrated lesions not visible on CT or magnetic resonance imaging in two cases.

Conclusions:  Combined PET/CT is a useful addition to the work‐up of patients with choroidal metastases. It provides the opportunity to detect lesions not visible with other imaging modalities and the ability to image patients with contraindications to magnetic resonance imaging. It is essential to correlate PET images with clinical information and the results of other imaging modalities and tissue biopsy remains the gold standard in the diagnosis of malignancy. False positives and negatives can occur with PET/CT, and further research is needed before this promising technology becomes a routine part of the evaluation of patients with choroidal metastases.
Fluorescein enhanced confocal microscopy in vivo for the evaluation of corneal epithelium
Authors: Mocan Mehmet C , Irkec Murat
Published: October 2006

Abstract

Background:  In vivo confocal microscopy is being increasingly used to evaluate corneal disorders. This study aimed to evaluate whether topical fluorescein application prior to in vivo confocal microscopy had any effect on the imaging characteristics of the corneal epithelium.

Methods:  Confocal microscopy in vivo with Confoscan 3.0 (Vigonza, Italy) was performed on 22 corneas of 22 study patients before and 1 min after application of unpreserved 2% fluorescein solution on the cornea. Ten patients with normal corneal findings served as control. The quality of superficial epithelial (SE) visualization, the SE density, the image intensity and the presence of hyperreflective SE cells were evaluated.

Results:  Eleven patients had normal corneal epithelium (group 1), six had keratoconus (group 2) and five had overt epitheliopathy (group 3). The visibility of SE layers of all subjects appeared to be enhanced in the post‐fluorescein images. There was a significant difference between the mean pre‐fluorescein (857.2 + 319.4 cells/mm2) and post‐fluorescein (1378.0 ± 292.1 cells/mm2) SE densities of all study subjects (paired t‐test, P < 0.001). Hyperreflective SE cells were more common in the post‐fluorescein images of groups 2 (83.3%), and group 3 (80%) compared with group 1 patients (36.4%). These differences were not significant between the two consecutive corneal images of control patients who received unpreserved artificial tears instead of fluorescein.

Conclusions:  Topical fluorescein application appears to enhance the visualization of the corneal epithelium. This technique may enable better evaluation of the corneal epithelium quantitatively and qualitatively in both normal subjects and patients with epithelial involvement.
Defining the core competency of professionalism based on the patient’s perception
Authors: Davis Romona L , Wiggins Michael N , Mercado Cynthia C , O’Sullivan Patricia S
Published: October 2006

Abstract

Background:  To better define professionalism using a 10‐question multiple‐choice survey of patient preferences.

Methods:  One hundred and ninety‐one adult patients (response rate: 52% ± 5%) completed a survey over a 3‐week period in resident and faculty ophthalmology clinics in a university setting in a rural portion of the southern USA. Most patients voluntarily provided information on gender, race and age. Data are reported at proportions ± 95% confidence intervals.

Results:  Patients desire a degree of formality from their physicians in the form of a handshake (61% ± 7%), greeting of family members (69% ± 7%) and in addressing oneself as doctor. They also prefer note taking by the physician while speaking with them. However, patients do not think that the wearing of a white coat is necessary. Most patients assume (84% ± 5%) that the physician washes his/her hands. Surprisingly, patients (60% ± 7%) are willing to maintain a relationship with a physician despite the use of medical jargon. We found few differences related to gender and none related to race. Women (64% ± 9%) preferred a closed door during the exam. Men (81% ± 8%) either did not want the physician to wear a white coat or said that it made no difference. Those younger than 46 years (67% ± 10%) preferred the door closed compared with those who were older (45% ± 10%).

Conclusions:  Our study helps to define professionalism by providing concrete examples of the expectations of patients in the southern USA during physician interaction. Minor adjustments to the patient encounter based on these findings may increase patients’ perception of professionalism, creating a higher level of trust. These are teachable precepts that can be incorporated into residency training.
Outcomes in retinoblastoma, 1974–2005: The Children’s Hospital, Westmead
Authors: Berman Edwina L , Donaldson Craig E , Giblin Michael , Martin Frank J
Published: October 2006

Abstract

Background:  To report the 31‐year experience of outcomes in retinoblastoma from a single centre.

Methods:  A retrospective analysis of consecutive cases of retinoblastoma diagnosed and treated at the Westmead Children’s Hospital, Sydney between 1974 and 2005 was performed. The subjects were analysed as two groups: those diagnosed between 1974 and 1989 (series α) and those diagnosed between 1990 and 2005 (series β).

Results:  There were a total of 142 patients included in the study, with a median follow up of 72 months. There were 84 patients with unilateral disease and 58 patients (116 eyes) with bilateral disease. The total enucleation rate remained high throughout both series for those with unilateral disease: 89% (series α) and 95% (series β). There was a reduction in enucleations performed for those with bilateral disease from 68.4% (series α) to 43.6% (series β) (P < 0.025). There were no bilateral enucleations performed after 1995. Actuarial Kaplan–Meier curves showed that 56% of all preserved eyes had not recurred at a median follow up of 95 months and 78.1% had avoided enucleation. Overall 43% of preserved eyes attained a visual acuity better than or equal to 6/12 and 55% achieved a visual acuity better than 6/60. There were four deaths due to retinoblastoma. Five patients were diagnosed with a second non‐ocular malignancy. The most common treatment‐related complications were cataracts, facial deformity, sepsis and febrile neutropaenia.

Conclusions:  The introduction of newer globe‐preserving treatments for retinoblastoma was associated with equivalent visual outcomes, stable mortality rate and a greater number of short‐term complications but avoided the late side‐effects associated with external beam radiotherapy.
Changing Gender: The Discursive Construction of Equal Opportunities
Authors: Nentwich Julia C.
Published: October 2006

This article provides a discursive perspective on the dilemmas of sameness and difference feminisms and their consequences for change projects. It explores how equal opportunity officers dealing with gender issues and introducing equality legislation in practice construct the meaning of equal opportunities. The analysis of the interpretative repertoires and ideological dilemmas drawn upon in ten interviews shows the highly context‐specific use of four different repertoires constructing gender equality: the sameness, difference, bandwidth and deconstructive repertoire. Interpreting the shifts between repertoires from the perspective of the ideological dilemma, new avenues for change are explored. The article concludes that the simultaneous use of all possible theoretical perspectives might be a worthwhile objective.
Equality Bargaining: Where, Who, Why?
Authors: Heery Edmund
Published: October 2006

It is common to identify a role for trade unions in combating sex inequality at work through collective bargaining. This article uses a survey of paid union officers to identify the context in which equality bargaining by unions is likely to occur, using the specific issue of bargaining on equal pay. It concludes that equality bargaining is a function of women’s voice within unions, the characteristics and preferences of bargainers themselves and of a favourable public policy environment. Bargaining on equal pay is also more likely in centralized negotiations that cover multiple employers.
Consent as Resistance, Resistance as Consent: Re‐Reading Part‐Time Professionals’ Acceptance of Their Marginal Positions
Authors: Dick Penny , Hyde Rosie
Published: October 2006

The part‐time employee has traditionally occupied a marginal position in organizations. The recent increase in the numbers of part‐time professionals, however, has been seen as offering potential for the status of the part‐time employee to improve. Evidence to date suggests that this improvement has not taken place and that the part‐time professional is also marginalized. Interestingly, research suggests that part‐time professionals may not experience their subordinate positions as problematic, often believing that the drawbacks of reduced hours working are a legitimate consequence of their ‘choice’ to work part‐time. Such ‘choices’ are frequently attributed to part‐timers’ prioritization of non‐work activities. In this article, using a Foucauldian approach to identity, we argue that choices need to be understood as both situated in time and space and constituted through discourse. Using these ideas we provide a re‐reading of part‐timers’ consent to their marginalization, arguing that their responses to their positions at work can also be understood as resistance to some of the dominant norms of professionalism. We set out the conditions that might be implicated in translating subjective resistance into more material actions.
Super‐gentrification in Barnsbury, London: globalization and gentrifying global elites at the neighbourhood level
Authors: Butler Tim , Lees Loretta
Published: October 2006

In this paper we argue that a process of super‐gentrification, similar to that first identified by Lees (2003 Urban Studies 40 2487–509) in Brooklyn Heights, New York City, is occurring in the already gentrified, inner London neighbourhood of Barnsbury. A new group of super wealthy professionals working in the City of London is slowly imposing its mark on this inner London housing market in a way that differentiates it and them both from traditional gentrifiers and from the traditional urban upper classes. We suggest that there is a close interaction between work in the newly globalizing industries of the financial services economy, elite forms of education, particularly Oxbridge, and residence in Barnsbury which is very different from other areas of gentrified inner London.
Genes or environment to determine alcoholic liver disease and non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Day C. P.
Published: October 2006

Abstract: While the vast majority of heavy drinkers and individuals with obesity, insulin resistance, and the metabolic syndrome will have steatosis, only a minority will ever develop steatohepatitis, fibrosis, and cirrhosis. Genetic and environmental risk factors for advanced alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) seem likely to include factors that influence the severity of steatosis and oxidative stress, the cytokine milieu, the magnitude of the immune response, and/or the severity of fibrosis. For ALD, the dose and pattern of alcohol intake, along with obesity are the most important environmental factors determining disease risk. For NAFLD, dietary saturated fat and antioxidant intake and small bowel bacterial overgrowth may play a role. Family studies and interethnic variations in susceptibility suggest that genetic factors are important in determining disease risk. For ALD, functional polymorphisms in the alcohol dehydrogenases and aldehyde dehydrogenase alcohol metabolising genes play a role in determining susceptibility in Oriental populations. No genetic associations with advanced NAFLD have been replicated in large studies. Preliminary data suggest that polymorphisms in the genes encoding microsomal triglyceride transfer protein, superoxide dismutase 2, the CD14 endotoxin receptor, TNF‐α, transforming growth factor‐β, and angiotensinogen may be associated with steatohepatitis and/or fibrosis.
Liver involvement in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia: consensus recommendations
Authors: Buscarini Elisabetta , Plauchu Henry , Garcia Tsao Guadalupe , White Robert I. , Sabbà Carlo , Miller Franklin , Saurin Jean Cristophe , Pelage Jean Pierre , Lesca Gaetan , Marion Marie Jeanne , Perna Annalisa , Faughnan Marie E.
Published: October 2006

Abstract: Study Purpose: To formulate recommendations about clinical management of liver involvement in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), using a formal consensus development process.

Consensus Process: A nominal group technique was used. A list of main clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic issues about liver involvement in HHT was generated by the organizing committee. Panel members then scored their agreement with each statement; the median score, and standard deviation for each statement were determined for each of the three successive panel rounds. These consensus statements formed the basis for recommendations graded with the strength and quality of supporting evidence.

Recommendation Statements: Doppler US is sufficiently accurate and suitable for first‐line imaging of the liver in the general HHT population. Liver biopsy in any patient with proven or suspected HHT should be avoided. Liver involvement in HHT is generally asymptomatic; in the minority of patients where it is symptomatic, morbidity and mortality can be substantial. The prevalence of focal nodular hyperplasia is much higher in patients with liver involvement by HHT than in the general population. Invasive therapies for liver involvement by HHT (namely liver transplantation) should be considered only in patients who have failed to respond to intensive medical therapy.
Impact of liver steatosis on the antiviral response in the hepatitis C virus‐associated chronic hepatitis
Authors: Soresi M. , Tripi S. , Franco V. , Giannitrapani L. , Alessandri A. , Rappa F. , Vuturo O. , Montalto G.
Published: October 2006

Abstract: Background/Aim: Liver steatosis (LS) has been variably associated with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) but whether it affects sustained virological response to antiviral treatment and by what mechanisms is a question still under debate, at least for some genotypes. The aim of this work was to assess the frequency of LS, its relationship with host and viral factors and to what extent it can influence the response to antiviral combination therapy with pegylated interferon (INF)+ribavirin in a group of patients with CHC from a single center.

Patients: One hundred and twelve patients with histologically proven CHC were treated with Peg INF‐α 2a 180 μg a week subcutaneously for 48 weeks plus ribavirin 1000 or 1200 mg/day, according to the patient's body weight. Steatosis was graded according to Brunt et al.

Results: Forty‐six out of 112 patients (41.1%) were sustained virological responders (SVR). Seventy‐two out of 112 (64.3%) presented with LS at histology; in this group, there were 24 patients (33.3%) with SVR compared with 22 (55%) of the non‐steatosis group (χ2=6.5, P<0.02). Variables associated with the steatosis group were: higher serum levels of AST (P<0.04), alanine aminotransferase (P<0.02), γ‐GT (P<0.004), genotype 3a (P<0.03) and severity of histology (staging P<0.05) but at multiple linear regression analysis only genotype 3a and staging were significantly associated with LS. In the SVR group, age and body mass index (BMI) were significantly lower (P<0001 and P<0.03, respectively) compared with non‐responders; moreover, genotype 1 was more frequent in the NR group, while genotype 3 was more frequent in the SVR group. At histology, grading and staging were also lower in the SVR group. Multiple logistic regression showed that only the grade of steatosis and genotype 3a were the variables independently associated with SVR.

Conclusions: This study showed a frequency of LS on the higher side of the range so far reported in the literature and confirmed that it negatively influences response to therapy. Genotype1 was confirmed to be the most frequent type in our area. It is more frequent in patients with mild–moderate steatosis and seems to condition therapeutic response negatively, together with BMI and age. In contrast, genotype 3a is more frequent in patients with severe steatosis, but is a favorable predictor of successful therapy.
Light scattering in the C57BL/6 mouse lens
Authors: Meyer Linda M. , Dong Xiuqin , Wegener Alfred , Söderberg Per
Published: October 2006

Purpose:  To characterize inherent light scattering in the C57BL/6 mouse lens.

Methods:  Lenses from 20 6‐week‐old female C57BL/6 mice were extracted from freshly enucleated globes and microsurgically cleaned of remnants of the ciliary body. Lens light scattering was measured quantitatively with a light dissemination meter (LDM). Morphological properties of the mouse lenses were documented using grid‐ and dark‐field illumination photography. Analysis of variance was performed to establish variance for animals, variance between left and right eyes and variance for measurements.

Results:  Average inherent light scattering in the C57BL/6 mouse lens is 0.16 ± 0.02 tEDC (transformed equivalent diazepam concentration). The mean size of a mouse lens at 6 weeks is 1.9 mm in diameter. Two lenses featured pre‐existing cortical lens opacities. Variance for animals was assessed to be 7.9 10− 4 tEDC2, variance for measurements was 1.6 10− 4 tEDC2, and variance between left and right eyes was 8.8 10− 4 tEDC2. The tolerance limit for non‐pathological light scattering was determined to 0.26 tEDC. No significant difference in light scattering between left and right mouse lenses was found. The minimum number of C57BL/6 mice required for detection of a 10% experimentally induced change in light scattering intensity was estimated to be 50 for independent group experiments and 25 for paired design experiments.

Conclusions:  The C57BL/6 mouse is a suitable animal in which to conduct experiments on light scattering or cataractogenesis with high precision at reasonable sample sizes. Before including C57BL/6 mice into a study on cataractogenesis, pre‐existing lens opacities such as congenital cataract must be excluded.
Short‐term effects of intravitreal triamcinolone on retinal vascular leakage and trunk vessel diameters in diabetic macular oedema
Authors: Vinten Martin , Larsen Michael , Lund‐Andersen Henrik , Sander Birgit , La Cour Morten
Published: October 2006

Purpose:  To assess retinal vascular permeability and vessel diameter changes after intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) injection in eyes with persistent foveal thickening after photocoagulation for diabetic macular oedema (DMO).

Methods:  We calculated the blood–retinal barrier permeability as measured by vitreous fluorophotometry, artery and venous vessel diameter at the temporal vascular arcades as measured on digital fundus photos, and retinal thickness as measured by optical coherence tomography. Seven patients with type 2 diabetes and DMO were examined immediately before and 1 week after IVTA 2 mg. The study was designed as an open‐label interventional case series using the fellow eyes as untreated controls.

Results:  One week after IVTA, we observed that, compared with baseline values, blood–retinal barrier permeability had decreased to 27.2 ± 3.6% (p < 0.0001), retinal artery diameter had decreased to 94.9 ± 0.02% (p = 0.05), retinal vein diameter had decreased to 89.2 ± 0.03% (p = 0.02) and foveal thickness had decreased to 68.7 ± 6.9% (p = 0.004). Visual acuity (VA) improved by 7.4 ± 2.2 letters (p = 0.01). No significant change was observed in control eyes except that mean VA deteriorated by 2.6 ± 0.9 letters (p = 0.03). Changes in permeability were closely correlated to changes in retinal thickness (R = 0.84) and venoule diameter (R = 0.93) in treated eyes.

Conclusions:  Intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide in eyes with DMO is followed by a marked reduction in retinal vascular leakage and a concomitant reduction in retinal vessel calibre.
Landmarks in understanding the central nervous control of the cardiovascular system
Authors: Coote John H.
Published: October 2006

In this Paton Lecture I have tried to trace the key experiments that have developed ideas on how the brain regulates the cardiovascular system. It is a personal view and inevitably, owing to constraints on space and time, I have not been able to cover areas such as the nucleus tractus solitarius and cardiac vagal neurones, although I acknowledge that some may consider the story is incomplete without them. Starting with the crucial discovery of vasomotor nerves and ‘vasomotor tone’, the patterns of activity in sympathetic nerves which led to the important idea of central oscillating networks of neurones are described. I discuss how this knowledge has informed current controversies on the origin of vasomotor activity in presympathetic neurones in the ventral medulla, which identify intrinsic pacemaker activity or synaptic input from multiple oscillators as prime mechanisms. I present an emerging view that the role of other regions of the brain, in particular supramedullary sites, has been underplayed. These regions are pivotal for the non‐uniform distribution of cardiac output that is unique to each reflex and behavioural state. I discuss the most recent evidence for ‘central command’ neurones that offers a plausible explanation for how these patterns of sympathetic activity are achieved. Finally, I stress the importance of these current ideas to the understanding of pathological changes in sympathetic activity in cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension or congestive heart failure.
REISSNER–NORDSTRÖM SOLUTIONS AND ENERGY IN TELEPARALLEL THEORY
Authors: NASHED GAMAL G. L.
Published: October 2006

We give three different spherically symmetric spacetimes for the coupled gravitational and electromagnetic fields with charged source in the tetrad theory of gravitation. One of these contains an arbitrary function and generates the others. These spacetimes give the Reissner–Nordström metric black hole. We then calculated the energy associated with these spacetimes using the superpotential method. We find that unless the time-space components of the tetrad field go to zero faster than [Formula: see text] at infinity, one gets different results for the energy.
AN INVESTIGATION OF THE 16O+16O ELASTIC SCATTERING BY USING ALPHA–ALPHA DOUBLE FOLDING POTENTIAL IN OPTICAL MODEL FORMALISM
Authors: KURKCUOGLU M. E. , AYTEKIN H. , BOZTOSUN I.
Published: October 2006

In this paper, a simultaneous analysis of the elastic scattering data of the 16 O +16 O system for the energy range 5–10 MeV/nucleon is performed theoretically within the framework of the optical model formalism, by using the α–α double folding cluster potential. The α–α double folding cluster potential is evaluated by using the α-cluster distribution densities in the usual nucleon–nucleon double folding process with an effective α–α interaction potential. The results of the α–α double folding cluster potential analysis are compared with the findings of the phenomenological Woods–Saxon squared and nucleon–nucleon double folding potentials. All potentials have exhibited a very good agreement with the experimental measurements for the elastic scattering angular distributions. Furthermore, it is shown that, the α–α double folding cluster potential and nucleon–nucleon double folding potential calculations provide very consistent results with each other. Thus, the 16 O+ 16 O system has been described by optical potentials having a deep real potential part and a weak absorptive imaginary potential part.
FIELD-THEORETICAL AND PHENOMENOLOGICAL DESCRIPTION OF ABSORPTION OF PARTICLES IN NUCLEI
Authors: NAZARUK V. I.
Published: October 2006

The complicated processes in medium (decays, reactions and [Formula: see text] transitions) involving final state absorption are considered. The calculations in the framework of field-theoretical and phenomenological approaches are compared. The reasons for disagreement are studied. The field-theoretical approach can tend to increase the total process probability as well as probability of channel corresponding to absorption, in comparison with phenomenological model.
DISCRETE COORDINATE REALIZATIONS OF THE q-OSCILLATOR WHEN q>1
Authors: ATAKISHIYEV N. M. , KLIMYK A. U.
Published: October 2006

We elaborate on the Macfarlane–Biedenharn q-oscillator when q>1. In this case the position operator Q = a†+a and the momentum operator P = i(a†-a) are symmetric, but not self-adjoint. For this reason, one cannot specify spectra of Q and P. Since these operators have one-parameter families of self-adjoint extensions with different spectra, the common definition of such q-oscillator is not complete. We derive an action of Q and P (as well as of the related Hamiltonian) upon functions given on the corresponding coordinate spaces, on which Q and P are self-adjoint operators. To each self-adjoint extension of Q there corresponds an appropriate coordinate space (a spectrum of this self-adjoint extension). Thus, for every fixed q>1 one obtains a one-parameter family of non-equivalent q-oscillators in their coordinate spaces.
BÉZIER CURVES IN THE MODELING OF BOUNDARY GEOMETRY FOR 2D BOUNDARY PROBLEMS DEFINED BY HELMHOLTZ EQUATION
Authors: ZIENIUK EUGENIUSZ , BOLTUC AGNIESZKA
Published: October 2006

The paper uses analytical modification of the classical boundary integral equations (BIEs) for the Helmholtz equation to facilitate the process of practical definition of the boundary geometry. Instead of defining the boundary by means of a boundary integral, the modification makes use of Bézier curves exclusively. As a result, a new parametric integral equation system (PIES) is obtained in which boundary geometry is taken into account in original fundamental boundary solutions. Such boundary definition makes it easy to approximate boundary functions. The proposed method to obtain numerical solution of the PIES for the Helmholtz equation is characterized by high effectiveness.
A GAME MODEL OF COUNTERPROLIFERATION, WITH MULTIPLE ENTRANTS
Authors: McCORMICK GORDON H. , OWEN GUILLERMO
Published: October 2006

We consider a game-theoretic model of counterproliferation, in which a single Incumbent (holding nuclear weapons) is faced with a sequence of potential Entrants (who are considering developing and deploying a nuclear capability or other weapons of mass destruction of their own). The Incumbent can either choose to act preemptively, with certain costs, or allow the Entrants to deploy a nuclear capability, with consequent costs due to the potential for nuclear blackmail. How should each of the players decide?

The players' decisions are optimally based not only on their own cost functions (which each knows) but also on their opponent's cost structure (which is known only in probability). Entrants (other than the first) can learn something about the Incumbent's cost structure from decisions they have made in the past. It turns out that, depending on a would-be Entrant's cost structure, a record of preemption by the Incumbent can have either a deterrent or provocation effect. Understanding the basis for each of these contradictory effects is critical to designing an optimal counterproliferation strategy.
REPUTATION BY IMITATION: AN EVOLUTIONARY MODEL WITH STRATEGIC MATCHING
Authors: VIGNOLO THIERRY
Published: October 2006

This paper shows how strategic matching generates reputation-building behavior in an evolutionary chain-store game. Strategic matching means the possibility for an entrant to choose in a strategic way the local market into which it will move. Players are boundedly rational and follow behavioral rules simply requiring that the frequency of any strategy enjoying the highest payoff should never decrease. In preventing the random entries in markets of "fighting monopolists", strategic matching reinforces the reputation effects. Using the bounded rationality set-up offered by evolutionary game theory, the paper follows Selten (1978)'s intuition underlying the necessity of a limited rationality approach in order to capture reputation effects.
HYPERGEOMETRIC SERIES AND HODGE CYCLES OF FOUR DIMENSIONAL CUBIC HYPERSURFACES
Authors: MOVASATI H. , REITER S.
Published: October 2006

In this article we find connections between the values of Gauss hypergeometric functions and the dimension of the vector space of Hodge cycles of four-dimensional cubic hypersurfaces. Since the Hodge conjecture is well-known for those varieties we calculate values of hypergeometric series on certain CM points. Our methods are based on the calculation of the Picard–Fuchs equations in higher dimensions, reducing them to the Gauss equation and then applying the Abelian Subvariety Theorem to the corresponding hypergeometric abelian varieties.