bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deciphering spousal intentions: An fMRI study of couple communication
Authors: Gunther Max L. , Beach Steven R. H. , Yanasak Nathan E. , Miller L. Stephen
Published: December 2009

Several relational theories suggest that advice, particularly advice in areas important to the self, may be cognitively processed differently than other types of support (e.g., nondirective support) or low importance advice. Little is known, however, about the neurocognitive substrates of such complex social behaviors. We hypothesized that the Superior Temporal Sulcus (STS) and the Medial Prefrontal Cortex (MPFC), cortical regions previously linked to Theory of Mind (ToM), would be more active for high than low importance advice. Results indicated that high importance advice was associated with greater activation in the left MPFC and bilaterally in the STS. Similar results were obtained when compared to positive comments. These findings indicate that when given advice individuals may be attempting to infer motivation.
Avoidance among adolescents in conversations about their parents’ relationship: Applying the Theory of Motivated Information Management
Authors: Afifi Walid A. , Afifi Tamara D.
Published: December 2009

Awareness of the importance of avoidance in parent-child interactions has grown exponentially in the past decade. This investigation applies the Theory of Motivated Information Management (W. Afifi & Weiner, 2004) to better understand adolescents’ avoidance in conversations with a parent about the parents’ relationship. Because of the known impact of divorce on parent-adolescent conversations, we also compare divorced and nondivorced families on their experience of these interactions. One-hundred and twelve parent-adolescent dyads, divided almost equally between divorced and non-divorced families, participated in the investigation. Results generally support the utility of TMIM in this context and expand our knowledge of parent-adolescent relationships by showing important similarities and differences between divorced and nondivorced families’ experience of these interactions.
Divorce following the September 11 terrorist attacks
Authors: Cohan Catherine L. , Cole Steve W. , Schoen Robert
Published: December 2009

We investigated the effect of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on marital stability. Previous research showed rates of divorce changed in opposite directions following natural disaster versus terrorist disaster. Using a prospective, longitudinal design and time series analysis, we examined rates of divorces filed by month, with respect to the World Trade Center attack in New York City (NYC). To examine whether effects radiated beyond NYC according to geographic proximity or psychological proximity, we examined four other counties of varying distance from NYC. Results showed geographic and psychological proximity effects. Following a major manmade disaster characterized by death, divorce rates decreased in NYC and Bergen County, NJ, geographically proximal locales, and in Los Angeles and Philadelphia, psychologically proximal locales.
Understanding Gender Differences in Early Adolescents’ Sexual Prejudice
Authors: Mata Jessieka , Ghavami Negin , Wittig Michele A.
Published: December 2009

Drawing on social dominance theory and the contact hypothesis, we developed and tested a two-mediator model for explaining gender differences in early adolescents’ attitudes toward gay males and lesbians. Data from more than 400 ninth graders were analyzed. As predicted, gender differences in attitudes toward gay males were partially explained by social dominance orientation (SDO) and knowing a gay male. Gender differences in attitudes toward lesbians were partially mediated by SDO, while knowing a lesbian was not a mediating variable. Beyond their mediating roles, both SDO and knowing a member of the target group each significantly added to the prediction of attitudes toward each target group. Implications for policies to reduce victimization of sexual minorities in schools are discussed.
Market Responsiveness to Societal Interests
Authors: Gonzalez-Padron Tracy L. , Nason Robert W.
Published: December 2009

The authors provide evidence that firms can enhance their own objectives by internalizing the objectives of most stakeholder groups. This suggests that society’s objectives, as defined by stakeholders to the firm, can be augmented by the self-interest motivation at the heart of a market system. Specifically examined was the impact of stakeholder responsiveness on innovativeness. The second objective of this study was to explore the impact of compliance-based versus strategic-based regulation approaches on firm innovation and overall corporate social responsibility (CSR). Findings suggest that regulatory responsiveness decreases innovation when firms expend resources only on compliance. Firms adopting strategic-based approaches, such as voluntary regulatory programs and collaborative strategies between the firm and government, however, are more innovative and demonstrate greater CSR. This study presents empirical tests that provide a strong first step in understanding how society’s goals can be further internalized into the engine of the market system. The implication is that both firms and regulators can find areas of win—win, with society as the beneficiary.
Place Development: Attributes and Business Customer Satisfaction in Tien Giang Province, Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Tho D.
Published: December 2009

This study explores place attributes and their impacts on business customer satisfaction in Tien Giang, a province in the Mekong delta of Vietnam. In-depth interviews with place marketers and business customers identify three groups of place attributes— business infrastructure (basic infrastructure, land and labor costs, and quality of technical schools), government support (incentives, trade assistance, and government services), and quality of life. The results of the quantitative study indicate that, among these attributes, only quality of technical schools, government services, investment incentives and quality of life play significant roles in business customer satisfaction. In addition, the level of satisfaction of privately owned firms is lower than that of firms of other ownership types. Firm characteristics, such as the number of employees, number of years in business, and type of business, have no impact on business customer satisfaction. Some implications for economic development are discussed.
Culture and Self in Career Development: Working With American Indians
Authors: Juntunen Cindy L. , Cline Kara
Published: December 2009

The career development concerns of American Indians continue to receive limited attention in the vocational or career literature. To address this deficit, the current article will apply the cultural formulation approach to career counseling with American Indians. This article presents information on factors related to cultural and self-identity for American Indians, followed by a discussion of a culturally informed perspective on career concerns. A discussion of therapeutic issues and a case study of a young Lakota woman are provided. The article concludes with suggestions for how to approach the case using the cultural formulation approach.
Sustaining the Ivory Tower: Oxbridge Formal Dining as Organizational Ritual
Authors: Di Domenico MariaLaura , Phillips Nelson
Published: November 2009

In this ethnographic study of formal hall ritual in Oxbridge Colleges, the authors show how this special form of dining plays a key role in organizational cohesion, demarcation, and continuity. Formal hall serves as a central organizing principle of the colleges, having social, political, and pedagogic facets. Drawing upon participant observation of 22 formal dinners, this article explores its significance on different levels. It examines how formal hall creates social stability, provides historical continuity, reaffirms hierarchy and bureaucratic order, perpetuates exclusivity and reverence, and provides college level space for organizational politicking, relationship-building, and information exchange. It also cements important stakeholder relations at broader societal levels. Furthermore, these outcomes feed into its overriding purpose of solidifying shared elite identity through selective membership and participation. Transgressions against this elitist formal dining ritual are also addressed, being conceptualized on a continuum from “higher order” to “lower order” according to degree of potential threat to the ritual. The authors conclude with a discussion of their findings’ implications for research on organizational ritual, whereby inclusion, exclusion, and identity issues lie at the heart of the ritual’s power over organizational processes, and the social control of actors not solely within but also beyond immediate organizational boundaries.
Patron Saint of Organizational Research?
Authors: Rousseau Denise M.
Published: November 2009

The challenges the organizational research community faces in promoting evidence-based management and practices parallel circumstances institutional entrepreneurs and reformers commonly face. This essay links these challenges to lessons derived from the actions and insights of the exemplary institutional reformer Teresa of Avila, who reintroduced an authentic spirituality into organizations within the Catholic Church following the Reformation. Framed as a letter nominating Teresa as the patron saint of organizational research, the essay addresses the risks and vulnerabilities associated with institutional transformations, and evidence-based management and practices specifically, and the Teresian processes pertinent to overcoming these.
Rigor and Relevance in Organization Studies
Authors: Palmer Donald , Dick Brian , Freiburger Nathaniel
Published: November 2009

Many organization studies (OS) scholars are motivated by the desire to generate theory and research that is relevant to practicing managers. But concerns about the irrelevance of OS theory and research surfaced early in the field's development and have intensified recently. Many believe that a growing preoccupation with theoretical and methodological rigor underpin the increasing generation of theory and research that is irrelevant to managers. But there is little empirical research on: 1) historical trends in theoretical and methodological rigor, 2) historical trends in relevance, and 3) the relationship between the two. This is partly because the measurement of theoretical and methodological rigor, as well as of relevance, is fraught with conceptual problems. This article describes a study that attempts to address these gaps in our knowledge, partly by tackling the conceptual problems responsible for them. We then present preliminary findings from that study. We conclude by pondering the value of research aimed at assessing the level and determinants of the relevance of OS scholarship.
What Happened to Organization Theory?
Authors: Miller Danny , Greenwood Royston , Prakash Rajshree
Published: November 2009

The ability to design complex organizations to meet challenges such as globalization, outsourcing, and capability development has become ever more important. Yet the field of organization theory has for long neglected the fine-grained study of design. It has opted instead for truncated characterizations of this complex phenomenon, or, more commonly, has ignored the subject entirely. As a result, the field has failed to develop insights that can inform practice. We argue that this is a serious problem that was avoided by the founders of our discipline, and describe its roots in the social climate and publishing constraints of our discipline. We conclude by presenting options for how design can be more thoroughly and usefully studied in a manner that is practical for researchers and revealing to academics and practitioners alike.
Crossing Boundaries to Increase Relevance in Organizational Research
Authors: Polzer Jeffrey T. , Gulati Ranjay , Khurana Rakesh , Tushman Michael L.
Published: November 2009

In this volume, Palmer et al. and Miller et al. take different approaches to assessing the relevance debate in organizational studies. After commenting on these papers, we recommend that a “full-cycle” approach to conducting research can help organizational scholars increase the relevance of their work. We then describe how key elements of this approach can be incorporated into Organizational Behavior doctoral programs to help students produce research that is both rigorous and relevant. This approach can help faculty and doctoral students alike take advantage of our field’s position at the intersection of the social science disciplines, other business school constituents, and the organizational world of practice.
A Double-Edged Sword? Exploring the Curvilinear Relationship Between Organizational Tenure Diversity and Team Innovation: The Moderating Role of Team-Oriented HR Practices
Authors: Chi Nai-Wen , Huang Yin-Mei , Lin Shu-Chi
Published: November 2009

Although team diversity facilitates team innovation, research on the relationship between organizational tenure diversity and team innovation has produced mixed findings. To reconcile these inconsistent past findings, the present study is designed to investigate the possible curvilinear relationship between organizational tenure diversity and team innovation, and the moderating effect of team-oriented HR practices. We collect data from 67 R&D teams, including 321 engineers, for our sample, and hierarchical regression analyses are conducted to test hypotheses. The results show that the curvilinear relationship does exist between organizational tenure diversity and team innovation, and this nonlinear relationship is moderated by team-oriented HR practices.
The Mediating Role of Feedback Avoidance Behavior in the LMX—Performance Relationship
Authors: Moss Sherry E. , Sanchez Juan I. , Brumbaugh Anne M. , Borkowski Nancy
Published: November 2009

The literature on leader—member exchange theory (LMX) has consistently demonstrated the positive relationship between member perceptions of the quality of their relationship with the leader and member performance. The process through which relationship quality influences member performance, however, is still not fully understood.The present study provides an explanatory mechanism for this process. Specifically, feedback avoiding behavior, a feedback management strategy used by poor performers to minimize exposure to negative feedback from their leaders, fully mediates the relationship between LMX and member performance. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.
Reflecting Absence or Presence? Public Space and Historical Memory at Ground Zero
Authors: Watts Linda S.
Published: December 2009

Ever since 9/11, the nation has attempted to come to grips with the day and its commemoration. At each relevant site—the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania where Flight 93 crashed—memorials are either in place or in progress. Decisions about how to mark the events in which these locations figured, however, have proven anything but unifying for stakeholders. In particular, the people of New York have engaged in debates, often quite heated ones, concerning the future fate of the site of the World Trade Center bombings, an area at the north end of Manhattan’s financial district now known worldwide as Ground Zero. After a design competition in which applicants proposed plans for the land’s future use, a decision was made to go forward with Daniel Libeskind’s master site plan, which featured the Freedom Tower, an underground memorial, and Michael Arad’s plaza design for “Reflecting Absence,” a space of tribute including demarcation of the footprints of the original twin towers. Above all, placemakers at Ground Zero would do well to remain future-minded, taking into consideration how future generations will read the cultural landscape they construct. Will it remain legible, rich, and relevant for visitors fifty or one hundred years from now? This seems the greater stake in how historical memory takes shape at Ground Zero.
Adolescents’ Favourite Places: Redefining the Boundaries between Private and Public Space
Authors: Abbott-Chapman Joan , Robertson Margaret
Published: December 2009

This article examines favourite places of samples of adolescents living in the island state of Tasmania, Australia. Results from four separate but related studies are presented which relate the discursive geographies of youth to their leisure pursuits.Young people’s reasons for choosing places which make them feel good, and the sorts of leisure activities which they enjoy there, are examined in relation to theories of space as a cultural construct and international studies of place attachment and place experience. The analysis combines ethnographic and quantitative methods to explore the meanings of private and public space for youth. Goffman’s concepts of frontstage and backstage regions are used to explain the relationship between adolescents’ use of inside and outside space. Findings suggest that adolescent preferences for home, own bedroom, and places in the natural environment express ways of redefining the boundaries of private space as the practical embodiment of intergenerational power relationships.
Observation, Replication, and Measurement in Sports Economics
Authors: Fort Rodney
Published: December 2009

This paper provides an introduction to the special edition as well as my contribution on the topics covered in this special edition—observation, replication, and measurement issues relevant to sports economists. The papers cover issues related to the professional conveyance of first-hand experience, interaction with related sports analysis communities not governed by peer review or our usual citation requirements, data integrity, data and result replication, and second-hand measurement relevant to particular economic questions. My contribution is in brief descriptions concerning how these issues have intruded on some of my own work.
Hemiparetic Stepping to the Beat: Asymmetric Response to Metronome Phase Shift During Treadmill Gait
Authors: Pelton Trudy A. , Johannsen Leif , Huiya Chen  , Wing Alan M.
Published: December 2009

Background. Walking in time with a metronome is associated with improved spatiotemporal parameters in hemiparetic gait; however, the mechanism linking auditory and motor systems is poorly understood. Objective. Hemiparetic cadence control with metronome synchronization was examined to determine specific influences of metronome timing on treadmill walking. Methods. A within-participant experiment examined correction processes used to maintain heel strike synchrony with the beat by applying perturbations to the timing of a metronome. Eight chronic hemiparetic participants (mean age = 70 years; standard deviation = 12) were required to synchronize heel strikes with metronome pulses set according to each individual’s comfortable speed (mean 0.4 m/s). During five 100-pulse trials, a fixed-phase baseline was followed by 4 unpredictable metronome phase shifts (20% of the interpulse interval), which amounted to 10 phase shifts on each foot. Infrared cameras recorded the motion of bilateral heel markers at 120 Hz. Relative asynchrony between heel strike responses and metronome pulses was used to index compensation for metronome phase shifts. Results. Participants demonstrated compensation for phase shifts with convergence back to pre—phase shift asynchrony. This was significantly slower when the error occurred on the nonparetic side (requiring initial correction with the paretic limb) compared with when the error occurred on the paretic side (requiring initial nonparetic correction). Conclusions . Although phase correction of gait is slowed when the phase shift is delivered to the nonparetic side compared with the paretic side, phase correction is still present. This may underlie the utility of rhythmic auditory cueing in hemiparetic gait rehabilitation.
Evaluation of the Royal College of Nursing’s ‘Dignity: at the heart of everything we do’ campaign: exploring challenges and enablers
Authors: Baillie Lesley , Gallagher Ann
Published: December 2009

Dignity in care has become a key policy, practice and political priority. This development has become more pressing as media, anecdotal and research reports have highlighted dignity deficits in care. In response to such reports and to concerns of the membership and general public, the Royal College of Nursing initiated a high-profile campaign (Dignity: at the heart of everything we do) involving engagement with stakeholders, a survey of members and the development and dissemination of educational and practice development materials. This article details findings from part of the evaluation of the Royal College of Nursing dignity campaign, which used a qualitative case study design across seven UK sites. The study used interviews with 51 staff members, direct observation of the physical care environment and document analysis, and data were analysed using thematic analysis. The article focuses on two areas: enablers (staff receptivity and creativity; organisational support and leadership; and campaign educational materials) and challenges (time constraints; and staff attitudes and insight).
Melphalan 200 mg/m2 versus melphalan 100 mg/m2 in newly diagnosed myeloma patients: a prospective, multicenter phase 3 study
Authors: Palumbo Antonio , Bringhen Sara , Bruno Benedetto , Falcone Antonietta Pia , Liberati Anna Marina , Grasso Mariella , Ria Roberto , Pisani Francesco , Cangialosi Clotilde , Caravita Tommaso , Levi Anna , Meloni Giovanna , Nozza Andrea , Pregno Patrizia , Gabbas Attilio , Callea Vincenzo , Rizzo Manuela , Annino Luciana , De Stefano Valerio , Musto Pellegrino , Baldi Ileana , Cavallo Federica , Petrucci Maria Teresa , Massaia Massimo , Boccadoro Mario
Published: December 2009

High-dose (200 mg/m2, MEL200) and intermediate-dose melphalan (100 mg/m2, MEL100) showed significant activity in myeloma. In a phase 3 study, 298 patients were randomly assigned to receive 2 autologous transplantations after conditioning with MEL200 or MEL100. Ninety-six of 149 (64%) completed MEL200 and 103 of 149 (69%) MEL100. Best response to MEL200 was: complete remission 22 of 149 (15%); partial remission 95 of 149 (64%), for an overall response rate of 79%. Best response to MEL100 was: complete remission 12 of 149 (8%); partial remission 95 of 149 (64%), for an overall response rate of 72%. Overall survival did not differ (P = .13); median progression-free survival (31.4 vs 26.2 months, P = .01), median time to progression (34.4 vs 27.0 months, P = .014) were longer in the MEL200. Treatment-related mortality was 3.1% in the MEL200 and 2.9% in the MEL100 group. Severe neutropenia and infections were marginally superior, whereas severe thrombocytopenia, mucositis, gastrointestinal adverse events, and the overall occurrence of at least 1 nonhematologic grade 3 or 4 adverse event were significantly higher in the MEL200 cohort. We conclude that MEL200 leads to longer remission duration and should be considered the standard conditioning regimen for autologous transplantation. This study was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT00950768.
Differential regulation of muscarinic M1 receptors by orthosteric and allosteric ligands
Authors: Davis Christopher N , Bradley Stefania Risso , Schiffer Hans H , Friberg Mikael , Koch Kristian , Tolf Bo-Ragnar , Bonhaus Douglas W , Lameh Jelveh
Published: December 2009

Background

Activation of muscarinic M1receptors is mediatedviainteraction of orthosteric agonists with the acetylcholine binding site orviainteraction of allosteric agonists with different site(s) on the receptor. The focus of the present study was to determine if M1receptors activated by allosteric agonists undergo the same regulatory fate as M1receptors activated by orthosteric agonists.

Results

The orthosteric agonists carbachol, oxotremorine-M and pilocarpine were compared to the allosteric agonists AC-42, AC-260584,N-desmethylclozapine and xanomeline. All ligands activated M1receptors and stimulated interaction of the receptors with β-arrestin-1. All ligands reduced cell surface binding and induced the loss of total receptor binding. Receptor internalization was blocked by treatment with hypertonic sucrose indicating that all ligands induced formation of clathrin coated vesicles. However, internalized receptors recycled to the cell surface following removal of orthosteric, but not allosteric agonists. Whereas all ligands induced loss of cell surface receptor binding, no intracellular vesicles could be observed after treatment with AC-260584 or xanomeline. Brief stimulation of M1receptors with AC-260584 or xanomeline resulted in persistent activation of M1receptors, suggesting that continual receptor signaling might impede or delay receptor endocytosis into intracellular vesicles.

Conclusion

These results indicate that allosteric agonists differ from orthosteric ligands and among each other in their ability to induce different regulatory pathways. Thus, signaling and regulatory pathways induced by different allosteric ligands are ligand specific.
Treatment of head lice with dimeticone 4% lotion: comparison of two formulations in a randomised controlled trial in rural Turkey
Authors: Kurt Özgür , Balcıoğlu I Cüneyt , Burgess Ian F , Limoncu M Emin , Girginkardeşler Nogay , Tabak Tuba , Muslu Hasan , Ermiş Özge , Sahin M Turhan , Bilac Cemal , Kavur Hakan , Özbel Yusuf
Published: December 2009

Background

Dimeticone 4% lotion was shown to be an effective treatment for head louse infestation in two randomised controlled trials in England. It is not affected by insecticide resistance but efficacy obtained (70-75%) was lower than expected. This study was designed to evaluate efficacy of dimeticone 4% lotion in a geographically, socially, and culturally different setting, in rural Turkey and, in order to achieve blinding, it was compared with a potential alternative formulation.

Methods

Children from two village schools were screened for head lice by detection combing. All infested students and family members could participate, giving access to treatment for the whole community. Two investigator applied treatments were given 7 days apart. Outcome was assessed by detection combing three times between treatments and twice the week following second treatment.

Results

In the intention to treat group 35/36 treated using dimeticone 4% had no lice after the second treatment but there were two protocol violators giving 91.7% treatment success. The alternative product gave 30/36 (83.3%) treatment success, a difference of 8.4% (95% CI -9.8% to 26.2%). The cure rates per-protocol were 33/34 (97.1%) and 30/35 (85.7%) respectively. We were unable to find any newly emerged louse nymphs on 77.8% of dimeticone 4% treated participants or on 66.7% of those treated with the alternative formulation. No adverse events were identified.

Conclusion

Our results confirm the efficacy of dimeticone 4% lotion against lice and eggs and we found no detectable difference between this product and dimeticone 4% lotion with nerolidol 2% added. We believe that the high cure rate was related to the lower intensity of infestation in Turkey, together with the level of community engagement, compared with previous studies in the UK.

Trial Registration

Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN10431107
The cutoff values of visceral fat area and waist circumference for identifying subjects at risk for metabolic syndrome in elderly Korean: Ansan Geriatric (AGE) cohort study
Authors: Seo Ji A , Kim Byoung Gwon , Cho Hyunjoo , Kim Hye Sook , Park Juri , Baik Sei Hyun , Choi Dong Seop , Park Moon Ho , Jo Sangmee Ahn , Koh Young Ho , Han Changsu , Kim Nan Hee
Published: December 2009

Background

In Korea, the cutoff values of waist circumference (WC) for the identification of metabolic syndrome (MetS) were suggested to be 90 cm for men and 85 cm for women based on the analysis mainly in middle-aged adults. As aging is associated with increased fat, especially abdominal visceral fat, the cutoff value of WC may differ according to age. In addition, the usefulness of visceral abdominal fat area (VFA) to predict MetS in the elderly has not been studied yet. We aimed to suggest WC and VFA criteria and to compare the predictability of WC and VFA to identify people at risk for MetS.

Methods

A total of 689 elderly subjects aged ≥63 years (308 men, 381 women) were chosen in this cross-sectional study from an ongoing, prospective, population-based study, the Ansan Geriatric (AGE) cohort study. VFA was measured by single slice abdominal computed tomography scanning. The metabolic risk factors except WC (plasma glucose, blood pressure, serum triglycerides and HDL cholesterol levels) were defined using modified NCEP-ATP III criteria. We estimated the accuracy of VFA and WC for identifying at least two of these factors by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

Results

Two hundred three of 308 men and 280 of 381 women had ≥2 metabolic risk factors. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) value for VFA to predict the presence of ≥2 metabolic risk factors was not significantly different from that for WC (men, 0.735 and 0.750; women, 0.715 and 0.682; AUC values for VFA and WC, respectively). The optimal cutoff points for VFA and WC for predicting the presence of ≥2 metabolic risk factors were 92.6 cm2and 86.5 cm for men and 88.9 cm2and 86.5 cm for women.

Conclusion

WC had comparable power with VFA to identify elderly people who are at risk for MetS. Elderly Korean men and women had very similar cutoff points for both VFA and WC measurements for estimating the risk of MetS. Age-specific cutoff point for WC might be considered to identify subjects at risk for MetS.
Continuing medical education challenges in chronic fatigue syndrome
Authors: Brimmer Dana J , McCleary K Kimberly , Lupton Teresa A , Faryna Katherine M , Reeves William C
Published: December 2009

Background

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) affects at least 4 million people in the United States, yet only 16% of people with CFS have received a diagnosis or medical care for their illness. Educating health care professionals about the diagnosis and management of CFS may help to reduce population morbidity associated with CFS.

Methods

This report presents findings over a 5-year period from May 2000 to June 2006 during which we developed and implemented a health care professional educational program. The objective of the program was to distribute CFS continuing education materials to providers at professional conferences, offer online continuing education credits in different formats (e.g., print, video, and online), and evaluate the number of accreditation certificates awarded.

Results

We found that smaller conference size (OR = 80.17; 95% CI 8.80, 730.25), CFS illness related target audiences (OR = 36.0; 95% CI 2.94, 436.34), and conferences in which CFS research was highlighted (OR = 4.15; 95% CI 1.16, 14.83) significantly contributed to higher dissemination levels, as measured by visit rates to the education booth. While print and online courses were equally requested for continuing education credit opportunities, the online course resulted in 84% of the overall award certificates, compared to 14% for the print course. This remained consistent across all provider occupations: physicians, nurses, physician assistants, and allied health professionals.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that educational programs promoting materials at conferences may increase dissemination efforts by targeting audiences, examining conference characteristics, and promoting online continuing education forums.
Hepatitis C virus core protein induces apoptosis-like caspase independent cell death
Authors: Berg Christoph P , Schlosser Stephan F , Neukirchen Dorothee KH , Papadakis Costa , Gregor Michael , Wesselborg Sebastian , Stein Gerburg M
Published: December 2009

Background

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) associated liver diseases may be related to apoptotic processes. Thus, we investigated the role of different HCV proteins in apoptosis induction as well as their potency to interact with different apoptosis inducing agents.

Methods and Results

The use of a tightly adjustable tetracycline (Tet)-dependent HCV protein expression cell system with the founder osteosarcoma cell line U-2 OS allowed switch-off and on of the endogenous production of HCV proteins. Analyzed were cell lines expressing the HCV polyprotein, thecoreprotein, protein complexes of thecore, envelope proteinsE1,E2andp7, and non-structural proteinsNS3andNS4A,NS4BorNS5AandNS5B. Apoptosis was measured mainly by the detection of hypodiploid apoptotic nuclei in the absence or presence of mitomycin C, etoposide, TRAIL and an agonistic anti-CD95 antibody. To further characterize cell death induction, a variety of different methods like fluorescence microscopy, TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-catalyzed deoxyuridinephosphate (dUTP)-nick end labeling) assay, Annexin V staining, Western blot and caspase activation assays were included into our analysis.

Two cell lines expressing thecoreprotein but not the total polyprotein exerted a strong apoptotic effect, while the other cell lines did not induce any or only a slight effect by measuring the hypodiploid nuclei. Cell death induction was caspase-independent since it could not be blocked by zVAD-fmk. Moreover, caspase activity was absent in Western blot analysis and fluorometric assays while typical apoptosis-associated morphological features like the membrane blebbing and nuclei condensation and fragmentation could be clearly observed by microscopy. None of the HCV proteins influenced the apoptotic effect mediated via the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway while only thecoreprotein enhanced death-receptor-mediated apoptosis.

Conclusion

Our data showed a caspase-independent apoptosis-like effect of thecoreprotein, which seems to be inhibited in the presence of further HCV proteins like the non structural (NS) proteins. This observation could be of relevance for the viral spread since induction of an apoptosis-like cell death by the core protein may have some impact on the release of the HCV particles from the host cell.
EZH2-dependent chromatin looping controls INK4a and INK4b, but not ARF, during human progenitor cell differentiation and cellular senescence
Authors: Kheradmand Kia Sima , Solaimani Kartalaei Parham , Farahbakhshian Elnaz , Pourfarzad Farzin , von Lindern Marieke , Verrijzer C Peter
Published: December 2009

Background

The INK4b-ARF-INK4a tumour suppressor locus controls the balance between progenitor cell renewal and cancer. In this study, we investigated how higher-order chromatin structure modulates differential expression of the human INK4b-ARF-INK4a locus during progenitor cell differentiation, cellular ageing and senescence of cancer cells.

Results

We found that INK4b and INK4a, but not ARF, are upregulated following the differentiation of haematopoietic progenitor cells, in ageing fibroblasts and in senescing malignant rhabdoid tumour cells. To investigate the underlying molecular mechanism we analysed binding of polycomb group (PcG) repressive complexes (PRCs) and the spatial organization of the INK4b-ARF-INK4a locus. In agreement with differential derepression, PcG protein binding across the locus is discontinuous. As we described earlier, PcG repressors bind the INK4a promoter, but not ARF. Here, we identified a second peak of PcG binding that is located ~3 kb upstream of the INK4b promoter. During progenitor cell differentiation and ageing, PcG silencer EZH2 attenuates, causing loss of PRC binding and transcriptional activation of INK4b and INK4a. The expression pattern of the locus is reflected by its organization in space. In the repressed state, the PRC-binding regions are in close proximity, while the intervening chromatin harbouring ARF loops out. Down regulation of EZH2 causes release of the ~35 kb repressive chromatin loop and induction of both INK4a and INK4b, whereas ARF expression remains unaltered.

Conclusion

PcG silencers bind and coordinately regulate INK4b and INK4a, but not ARF, during a variety of physiological processes. Developmentally regulated EZH2 levels are one of the factors that can determine the higher order chromatin structure and expression pattern of the INK4b-ARF-INK4a locus, coupling human progenitor cell differentiation to proliferation control. Our results revealed a chromatin looping mechanism of long-range control and argue against models involving homogeneous spreading of PcG silencers across the INK4b-ARF-INK4a locus.
Abnormal muscle in the anterior compartment of the forearm: a case report
Authors: Rodrigues Vincent , Nayak Satheesha B , Rao Mohandas KG , Vollala Venkataramana , Somayaji Nagabhooshana , Rao Ashutosh S
Published: December 2009

During routine dissection for the undergraduate medical students, we encountered an unusual, additional muscle in the anterior compartment of the forearm. This muscle took origin from the anterior surface of the radius in common with the flexor digitorum superficialis muscle. It had a tendon of origin and a tendon of insertion. Its fleshy radial belly and the tendon of insertion, crossed superficial to the median nerve. The muscle was inserted partly to the flexor retinaculum and partly to the undersurface of palmar aponeurosis. The observations made by us in the present case will supplement our knowledge of variations of the muscles in this region which could be useful for hand surgeons as it could possibly compress the median nerve because of its close relationship to it.
A rare case of suture material obstructing the closure mechanism of a prosthetic aortic valve: a case report
Authors: Kidher Emaddin S , Perera Ryan , Rao Christopher , Rehman Syed M , Sutaria Nilesh , Athanasiou Thanos
Published: December 2009

Prosthetic aortic valve dysfunction presenting as aortic regurgitation is a complication of mechanical valve replacement. We describe a case of late valve dysfunction caused by an annular suture of excessive length obstructing the closure mechanism of a bileaflet prosthetic valve.

We present this rare cause of valve dysfunction in an 80-year-old male patient who presented with haemolysis and dyspnoea. At the time of operation it was found that a long vertically positioned annular valve suture was interfering with the normal closure mechanism of one of the prosthetic leaflets causing eccentric regurgitation jets. These findings were misdiagnosed as paravalvular leaks on the preoperative transoesophageal echo. No paravalvular leak was identified intraoperatively. After removal of the responsible suture normal prosthetic valve function was restored.

Whilst early aortic valve dysfunction caused by suture material has previously been reported, this is the first report of suture material causing late dysfunction.
A multicenter, double-blind, randomized, controlled phase III clinical trial of chicken type II collagen in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Wei Wei , Zhang Ling-Ling , Xu Jian-Hua , Xiao Feng , Bao Chun-De , Ni Li-Qing , Li Xing-Fu , Wu Yu-Qing , Sun Ling-Yun , Zhang Rong-Hua , Sun Bao-Liang , Xu Sheng-Qian , Liu Shang , Zhang Wei , Shen Jie , Liu Hua-Xiang , Wang Ren-Cheng
Published: December 2009

Introduction

Chicken type II collagen (CCII) is a protein extracted from the cartilage of chicken breast and exhibits intriguing possibilities for the treatment of autoimmune diseases by inducing oral tolerance. A 24-week, double-blind, double-dummy, randomized, methotrexate (MTX)-controlled study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of CCII in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods

Five hundred three RA patients were included in the study. Patients received either 0.1 mg daily of CCII (n = 326) or 10 mg once a week of MTX (n = 177) for 24 weeks. Each patient was evaluated for pain, morning stiffness, tender joint count, swollen joint count, health assessment questionnaire (HAQ), assessments by investigator and patient, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein (CRP) by using the standard tools at baseline (week 0) and at weeks 12 and 24. Additionally, rheumatoid factor (RF) was evaluated at weeks 0 and 24. Measurement of a battery of biochemical parameters in serum, hematological parameters, and urine analysis was performed to evaluate the safety of CCII.

Results

Four hundred fifty-four patients (94.43%) completed the 24-week follow-up. In both groups, there were decreases in pain, morning stiffness, tender joint count, swollen joint count, HAQ, and assessments by investigator and patient, and all differences were statistically significant. In the MTX group, ESR and CRP decreased. RF did not change in either group. At 24 weeks, 41.55% of patients in the CCII group and 57.86% in the MTX group met the American College of Rheumatology 20% improvement criteria (ACR-20) and 16.89% and 30.82%, respectively, met the ACR 50% improvement criteria (ACR-50). Both response rates for ACR-20 and ACR-50 in the CCII group were lower than those of the MTX group, and this difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The DAS28 (disease activity score using 28 joint counts) values of the two treatment groups were calculated, and there was a statistically significant difference between the two treatment groups (P < 0.05). Gastrointestinal complaints were common in both groups, but there were fewer and milder side effects in the CCII group than in the MTX group. The incidence of adverse events between the two groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

CCII is effective in the treatment of RA and is safe for human consumption. CCII exerts its beneficial effects by controlling inflammatory responses through inducing oral tolerance in RA patients.

Trials Registration

Clinical trial registration number: ChiCTR-TRC-00000093.
Regulation of Class A scavenger receptor-mediated cell adhesion and surface localization by PI3K: identification of a regulatory cytoplasmic motif
Authors: Cholewa Jill , Nikolic Dejan , Post Steven R
Published: December 2009

A novel mechanism for enhancing cell adhesion through recruitment of SR-A to the cell surface.

The importance of cytoplasmic motifs in differentially regulating SR-A function was demonstrated by deleting the first 49 cytoplasmic aa (SR-AΔ1–49), which abolished SR-A-mediated ligand internalization without reducing cell adhesion. To identify additional cytoplasmic motifs within the first 49 aa that regulate SR-A function, the acidic residues in a conserved motif (EDAD) were changed to their amide derivatives (SR-AQNAN). The function and regulation of SR-AQNAN were compared with that of SR-AΔ1–49 and SR-A in transfected HEK-293 cells. Blocking PI3K activation inhibited SR-A, but not SR-AΔ1–49- or SR-AQNAN-mediated cell adhesion. Although deleting (SR-AΔ1–49) or mutating (SR-AQNAN) the EDAD motif abolished the PI3K sensitivity of SR-A-mediated cell adhesion, these mutations did not affect ligand internalization or PI3K activation during cell adhesion. To define the mechanism by which PI3K regulates SR-A-mediated cell adhesion, the cellular localization of wild-type and mutant SR-A was examined. PI3K inhibition reduced surface localization of SR-A but not of SR-AΔ1–49 or SR-AQNAN. The regulation of SR-A surface localization by PI3K was confirmed in peritoneal macrophages, which endogenously express SR-A. Together, these results suggest a pathway in which SR-A binding to an immobilized ligand activates PI3K to recruit more receptor to the plasma membrane and enhances cell adhesion.
Transient β-catenin stabilization modifies lineage output from human thymic CD34+CD1a– progenitors
Authors: Valencia Jaris , Hernández-López Carmen , Martínez Víctor G , Hidalgo Laura , Zapata Agustín G , Vicente Ángeles , Varas Alberto , Sacedón Rosa
Published: December 2009

Transient activation of canonical Wnt signaling pathway promotes subsequent NK cell development and inhibits the differentiation of DCs and monocytes from human thymic progenitors.

Increasing evidence includes Wnt proteins inside the group of master-signaling pathways that govern immune and nonimmune differentiation systems, fundamental for normal development and homeostasis. Although their precise functions in bone marrow and thymus are still controversial, numerous studies have shown that Wnt signaling is able to control the proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells and thymic progenitors and might also affect their cell-fate decisions and subsequent maturation. In the present work, we analyze the effect of transient stimulation of the canonical Wnt pathway in the differentiation potential of Lin–CD34+ CD1a– human thymic progenitors, a multipotent and heterogeneous cell population that has the capacity to develop into T cells, NK cells, monocytes, cDC, and pDC. Our results demonstrate that giving a boost to canonical Wnt signaling, triggered by transient exposure to Wnt3a or LiCl, the differentiation capacity of thymic progenitors changes, enhancing NK cell production. On the contrary, Wnt3a- or LiCl-pretreated thymic progenitors generate a significantly lower number of myeloid lineage cells, monocytes, and cDC and exhibit a reduced capacity to differentiate into pDC lineage. As a possible mechanism for this effect, we show that Wnt3a- and LiCl-pretreated progenitors change their membrane levels of receptors for cytokines pivotal for their expansion and differentiation, such as Flt3L. Moreover, canonical Wnt pathway stimulation modifies the transcription factor profile of CD34+CD1– thymocytes, increasing Hes-1 and ID3 expression levels.
CD70 expression by dendritic cells plays a critical role in the immunogenicity of CD40-independent, CD4+ T cell-dependent, licensed CD8+ T cell responses
Authors: Van Deusen Katherine E , Rajapakse Rohan , Bullock Timothy N J
Published: December 2009

Helper-dependent, CD40-independent, CD8+ T cell responses are shown to be CD70-dependent, demonstrating alternative mechanisms by which CD4+ T cells induce CD70 expression on DC.

The stimulation of DC by CD4+ T cells is known to condition DC to activate naïve CD8+ T cells, predominantly via CD40-CD40L interactions. It has been proposed that a critical consequence of DC conditioning is the induction of CD70 expression. Whether and how CD70 induction contributes to CD8+ T cell responses in the absence of CD40-CD40L interactions are unknown. CD8+ T cell responses to adenoviral- or DC-based immunization of CD40-deficient mice revealed a CD40-independent, CD4+ T cell-dependent pathway for CD70 induction on conventional DC. This pathway and subsequent CD8+ T cell responses were enhanced by, but not dependent on, concomitant activation of TLR and in part, used TRANCE and LIGHT/LTαβ stimulation. Blocking TRANCE and LIGHT/LTαβ during stimulation reduced the immunogenicity of CD40-deficient DC. These data support the hypothesis that induction of CD70 expression on DC after an encounter with activated CD4+ T cells is a major component of CD4+ T cell-mediated licensing of DC. Further, multiple pathways exist for CD4+ T cells to elicit CD70 expression on DC. These data in part explain the capacity of CD40-deficient mice to mount CD8+ T cell responses and may provide additional targets for immunotherapy in situations when CD40-mediated licensing is compromised.