bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Harnessing cultural and human capital for economic sustainability: a New Brunswick model
Authors: Tremblay Tony
Published: October 2009

Purpose

What is the role of culture in economic development? Is there any hope for the local in the larger frame of the global? The purpose of this paper is to examine the role that culture plays in economic development and sustainability. To do that, the author examines the values underlying responsible government in Atlantic Canada in the early days of settlement, broadening to a consideration of how those values might apply today.

Design/methodology/approach

Beginning with a brief history of neo‐liberalism that roots globalization in sixteenth century mercantilism, this paper illustrates how economic development in Atlantic Canada and New Brunswick is sustained by attention to cultural and civic enterprise.

Findings

This paper uses Benedict Anderson's theory of social narrative – that culture and other imaginative labours play a direct and important role in identity‐formation – to suggest that a robust local identity is the raw material for economic vitality in enterprising communities.

Research limitations/implications

This paper calls for a larger treatment. Because the topic is so large, the author can only skim the surface.

Practical implications

This paper will be of interest to all politicians and policy makers faced with the challenge of retooling their economies in a time of globalization and market shift.

Originality/value

This discussion of the role of culture in economic development and sustainability in Atlantic Canada, particularly New Brunswick, is timely and crucially given the recent collapse of the region's largely resource‐based economy. The relationship between culture and economic sustainability will resonate for readers in various sectors and territories.
Water and development in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia
Authors: Wagner John R. , White Kasondra
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the history of water governance in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia and the challenges now facing the region as a consequence of rapid growth and global warming. The paper seeks to examine the possible benefits that might accrue from applying a distributed, multilevel approach to water governance in this and other settings.

Design/methodology/approach

Interviews with over 100 fruit growers and ranchers and with ten water managers in the Okanagan Valley between 2005 and 2009 are conducted. Archival materials documenting the history of agriculture and irrigation in the valley are examined to provide historical depth to the study. An interdisciplinary review of theoretical literature on multilevel governance is conducted and also a comparative review of water governance systems in Canada and elsewhere.

Findings

The evidence supports the conclusion that distributed, multilevel governance systems offer an effective means of managing water in diverse settings, and that they are preferable, for a variety of reasons, to top‐down approaches that concentrate regulatory authority in state‐level institutions.

Practical implications

On a global scale, current water governance practices are proving inadequate to meet the challenges of increasing scarcity and competition. This paper describes a governance model that can be applied in many settings and which can help resolve conflict while facilitating sustainable management.

Originality/value

This paper integrates empirical and theoretical material from a variety of disciplines and diverse physical settings to construct a model of water governance designed to facilitate the combined goals of ecological sustainability, affordability, and equitable access to water resources.
Self‐employed craft production is embedded work
Authors: Lynda Harling Stalker L.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate how self‐employed craft producers are embedded in social relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

To explore this question, narrative analysis and case study methodology is employed.

Findings

It is found that despite doing work that speaks to local values, self‐employed craft producers in Newfoundland narrate tensions that exist between themselves and locals.

Originality/value

This paper takes on the notion of a “global village” where the local is no longer seen as important to work and labour. It contributes to the understanding of work as embedded within a place.
Differential impact of advertising and distribution expenditure on Tobin's Q
Authors: Sahay Arvind , Pillai Anandan
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand the impact of components of marketing expenditures, i.e. advertising and distribution expenditures on intangible value of firm (measured in terms of Tobin's Q). The relationship is studied in the context of branding approaches (corporate and house of brands) that various firms follow.

Design/methodology/approach

The data are collected from databases of Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) and from the web site of National Stock Exchange. Time series regression is performed using SPSS software to test the model.

Findings

Advertising expenditure has a positive impact on the intangible value of the firm and this relationship is stronger for firms following corporate branding than for firms that follow house of brands strategy. Distribution expenditure has negative impact on the intangible value of the firm and this relationship is stronger for firms following corporate branding than for firms that follow house of brands strategy.

Research limitations/implications

Since most of the data retrieved for the analysis were of B2B (business to business) firms, the findings may not be generalized for all firms.

Practical implications

Advertising expenditure has a diminishing marginal utility in creating intangible value. It would be useful for firms to understand where they are on this continuum and whether their advertising expenditure is giving adequate returns or may be better spent elsewhere.

Originality/value

In the literature, researchers have expressed mixed viewpoints regarding the impact of total marketing spend on intangible value. The marketing expenditures are found to have both positive and negative impact on intangible value, with respect to various contexts. However, the impact of major components of marketing expenditures is not addressed. This gap is addressed in this research paper.
Managerial ethos of the Indian tradition: relevance of a wisdom model
Authors: Ranjan Chatterjee Samir
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a broad historical review of critical wisdom literature of ancient Indian tradition and examine how these precepts can complement and enrich the contemporary managerial frames.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper attempts to critically review remarkably deep religious and secular traditions of India and integrate them in a conceptual model.

Findings

The paper findings point towards the need for a holistic frame in overcoming fragmented viewpoints of contemporary management by strengthening the reflective domains of the managerial world.

Research limitations/implications

The limitation of the paper lies in its didactic nature and the specificity of the contextual boundary limiting its ready transferability.

Practical implications

The paper provides a pointer in extending horizons of business or non‐business organizations in opening up their possibilities for achieving holistic managerial perspectives by combining economic, social and other higher order sustainable goals.

Originality/value

The paper's contribution is in its integrative value of some of the key themes of Indian wisdom literature and demonstrating their relevance to the modern management.
The effect of auditing firms' tone at the top on auditors' job autonomy, organizational‐professional conflict, and job satisfaction
Authors: Bamber E. Michael , Iyer Venkataraman
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between auditors' perception of their firm's tone at the top and attributes of their professional environment and their job satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

Research hypotheses are developed based on prior research including research on social judgment theory. Structural equation modeling is used to analyze the data collected through a survey of auditors.

Findings

The results show that the tone at the top affects job autonomy and organizational‐professional conflict. Each of these variables directly or indirectly affects job satisfaction. This paper also provides evidence that the tone at the top filters down to at least the senior rank.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations include the usual caveats associated with the survey method. Notwithstanding these limitations, the results suggest that a tone at the top that emphasizes audit effectiveness may not only improve the quality of today's audits, but by improving job satisfaction have long‐term benefits for audit firms' culture.

Originality/value

This paper empirically measures “tone at the top” and it shows that a tone at the top emphasis on audit effectiveness is consistent with auditors' own professionalism and may not only improve the quality of today's audits, but by improving job satisfaction have long‐term benefits for audit firms' culture.
Economic freedom, equity performance and market volatility
Authors: Chen Carl R. , Sophie Huang Ying
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationships between the Index of Economic Freedom, equity market performance and its volatility.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines whether the level of economic freedom is significant for a country's stock market performance and volatiling.

Findings

Regression results show that adjusted stock returns bear little relationship with economic freedom. On the other hand, economic freedom is associated with lower stock market volatility.

Originality/value

The results imply that a country with greater economic freedom provides investors with better mean‐variance investment efficiency.
A new rapid home test for faecal calprotectin in ulcerative colitis
Authors: ELKJAER M. , BURISCH J. , VOXEN HANSEN V. , DEIBJERG KRISTENSEN B. , SLOTT JENSEN J.‐K. , MUNKHOLM P.
Published: October 2009

Background  Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is a time‐consuming method for the measurement of faecal calprotectin. Two new quantitative rapid tests have been developed.

Aim  To compare the new rapid tests with ELISA as ‘Gold Standard’.

Methods  Quantitative analysis involved the application of a sample onto the ‘Lateral Flow Device’. The colour intensity of a test line was read using a laptop computer linked to a scanner (rapid test scanning). A picture taken with a mobile phone (HT photo) of the same ‘Lateral Flow Device’ was sent to a server via Mobile Internet and the result appeared on the phone screen after 15 s.

Results  A total of 404 faecal samples were analysed. Mean differences of 1.7 mg/kg (range −23.4–20.1) ELISA vs. rapid test scanning, 6.8 mg/kg (−28–14.5) ELISA vs. HT photo and 2.9 mg/kg (−10.3–4.5) rapid test scanning vs. HT photo were found with good agreement calculated using kappa statistic (86%, 87% and 95% respectively). The Coefficients of Variation for HT photo was <10%, with a sensitivity of 96.2% and a specificity of 90.1%.

Conclusions  The new rapid tests are accurate and useful in clinical settings. Feasibility of the home test as part of disease control and self‐management is currently being investigated.

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 31, 323–330
Who are the nonresponders to standard treatment with tricyclic antidepressant agents for cyclic vomiting syndrome in adults?
Authors: HEJAZI R. A. , LAVENBARG T. H. , FORAN P. , MCCALLUM R. W.
Published: October 2009

Background Cyclic vomiting syndrome in adults is a disorder characterized by recurrent and stereotypic episodes of severe nausea and vomiting separated by symptom‐free periods.

Aims To investigate the demographic and clinical characteristics of adult cyclic vomiting syndrome patients not responding to standard tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) therapy.

Methods A total of 132 adults (62 men) with cyclic vomiting syndrome were followed for a mean of 1.6 years. Of these, 17 (eight men) patients were identified as nonresponders based on the criteria of unchanged, increased or minimally changed (<25%) frequency/duration of episodes and/or emergency department visits/hospitalizations. Demographic and clinical characteristics at baseline and annually up to 4 years were investigated.

Results The nonresponders were receiving TCAs at an average dose of 90 mg/day compared to a mean dose of 85 mg/day in responders. Compared with the responders, the nonresponders were significantly more likely to have a history of migraine (P < 0.05); co‐existing psychological disorders (P < 0.05); chronic marijuana use (P < 0.05) and reliance on narcotics for pain control between cyclic vomiting syndrome episodes (P < 0.05).

Conclusions (1) Nonresponse to standard therapy in adult cyclic vomiting syndrome patients occurs in approximately 13% and is not explained by under dosing with TCA therapy. (2) The main risk factors for nonresponse are: co‐existing migraine headache, psychiatric disorder, chronic narcotic and marijuana use, which should be addressed aggressively when symptom exacerbations continue during attempts to induce remission in cyclic vomiting syndrome with high‐dose TCA therapy.

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 31, 295–301
Lipid metabolism, begging behaviour and nestling obesity in a pelagic seabird
Authors: Riou Samuel , Hamer Keith C.
Published: October 2009

1. Several alternative explanations have been proposed to account for the evolution of nestling obesity in a variety of avian groups. These predict quite different patterns of fat storage, utilization and food solicitation by chicks of different ages, yet surprisingly few studies have measured changes in begging behaviour or use of fat stores during chick development.

2. We tested the applicability of these hypotheses for Manx shearwatersPuffinus puffinus, by direct measurement of changes in plasma lipid metabolites (non‐esterified fatty acids and β‐hydroxybutyrate) and begging behaviour throughout the chick’s development until fledging.

3. Chicks metabolized fat reserves during periods of parental absence throughout their development but there was no evidence that even the poorest fed chicks were close to exhausting these reserves during the period of mass growth. Chicks begged more vigorously during the period of mass loss at the end of the nestling period than at any previous stage of their development, and mobilization of fat stores was also at a maximum during this period in well‐fed chicks, coinciding with a decrease in food provisioning by parents. Increases in lipid metabolite levels occurred at an earlier age in poorly‐fed chicks than in well‐fed chicks and were followed by a marked decline only in poorly‐fed chicks, indicating that they were exhausting their fat stores.

4. These findings are incompatible with several of the proposed explanations for nestling obesity and mainly support the hypothesis that fat stores fuel chicks through a period of several weeks of reduced food provisioning prior to fledging, when parents are unable or unwilling to maintain earlier levels of food provisioning, despite increased solicitation from chicks.
Patterns and determinants of mammal species occurrence in India
Authors: Karanth Krithi K. , Nichols James D. , Hines James E. , Karanth K. Ullas , Christensen Norman L.
Published: October 2009

1. Many Indian mammals face range contraction and extinction, but assessments of their population status are hindered by the lack of reliable distribution data and range maps.

2. We estimated the current geographical ranges of 20 species of large mammals by applying occupancy models to data from country‐wide expert. We modelled species in relation to ecological and social covariates (protected areas, landscape characteristics and human influences) based on a priori hypotheses about plausible determinants of mammalian distribution patterns.

3. We demonstrated that failure to incorporate detection probability in distribution survey methods underestimated habitat occupancy for all species.

4. Protected areas were important for the distribution of 16 species. However, for many species much of their current range remains unprotected. The availability of evergreen forests was important for the occurrence of 14 species, temperate forests for six species, deciduous forests for 15 species and higher altitude habitats for two species. Low human population density was critical for the occurrence of five species, while culturally based tolerance was important for the occurrence of nine other species.

5. Rhino Rhinoceros unicornis, gaur Bos gaurus and elephant Elephas maximus showed the most restricted ranges among herbivores, and sun bear Helarctos malayanus, brown bear Ursus arctos and tiger Panthera tigris were most restricted among carnivores. While cultural tolerance has helped the survival of some mammals, legal protection has been critically associated with occurrence of most species.

6. Synthesis and applications. Extent of range is an important determinant of species conservation status. Understanding the relationship of species occurrence with ecological and socio‐cultural covariates is important for identification and management of key conservation areas. The combination of occupancy models with field data from country‐wide experts enables reliable estimation of species range and habitat associations for conservation at regional scales.
Conservation implications of rainforest use patterns: mature forests provide more resources but secondary forests supply more medicine
Authors: Gavin Michael C.
Published: October 2009

1. Tropical rainforests are a global conservation priority. Robust arguments supporting rainforest conservation can attract funding and shape land‐use management. However, some popular assertions regarding the value of tropical forests remain largely untested.

2. This study tests the validity of two arguments in support of mature tropical rainforest conservation: first, that these forests should be conserved based on their value as potential sources of medicine. This argument requires mature forests to be better sources of medicine than alternative land‐use types, including secondary forests. Second, secondary forest use may help conserve mature forests by providing sufficient resources to buffer against resource extraction in mature forests.

3. The research was conducted in three communities in the Cordillera Azul, Peru, where 369 individuals from 66 households were surveyed. Participants recorded all flora and fauna collected in mature (>20 years) and secondary forests over 180 days in six use categories (food, medicine, wood, weavings, adornments and ‘other’). Ecological knowledge of secondary and mature forest species was assessed for male and female household heads.

4. Households used 346 folk species (as defined by local classification systems) from 3668 collection events. Individuals had better knowledge of secondary forest species, but more access to mature forests. Participants collected significantly more medicines from secondary than from mature forests. In other major use categories (food, wood, weaving, adornment), secondary forests provided fewer resources than mature forests. Participants collected a different set of species from secondary and mature forests, with only 130 folk species (38%) collected in both secondary and mature forests.

5. Synthesis and applications. The arguments to protect mature rainforests as sources of new drugs may be overstated, because secondary forests can provide more medicinal plant resources than mature forests, and landscapes that incorporate forests of different ages can maximize availability of medicinal plant species. Conservation efforts must take a landscape level approach given the spread of resource use across different forest types. Because of the heterogeneity of resource availability and use among community members, and the dynamic nature of resource use on forest frontiers, conservation should embrace participatory adaptive management approaches that incorporate a variety of resource users.
Priority research areas for ecosystem services in a changing world
Authors: Nicholson Emily , Mace Georgina M. , Armsworth Paul R. , Atkinson Giles , Buckle Simon , Clements Tom , Ewers Robert M. , Fa Julia E. , Gardner Toby A. , Gibbons James , Grenyer Richard , Metcalfe Robert , Mourato Susana , Muûls Mirabelle , Osborn Dan , Reuman Daniel C. , Watson Charlene , Milner‐Gulland E. J.
Published: October 2009

1. Ecosystem services are the benefits humans obtain from ecosystems. The importance of research into ecosystem services has been widely recognized, and rapid progress is being made. However, the prevailing approach to quantifying ecosystem services is still based on static analyses and single services, ignoring system dynamics, uncertainty and feedbacks. This is not only partly due to a lack of mechanistic understanding of processes and a dearth of empirical data, but also due to a failure to engage fully with the interdisciplinarity of the problem.

2. We argue that there is a tendency to ignore the feedbacks between and within both social and ecological systems, and a lack of explicit consideration of uncertainty. Metrics need to be developed that can predict thresholds, which requires strong linkages to underlying processes, while the development of policy for management of ecosystem services needs to be based on a broader understanding of value and drivers of human well‐being.

3. We highlight the complexities, gaps in current knowledge and research, and the potentially promising avenues for future investigation in four priority research areas: agendas, processes, metrics and uncertainty.

4. Synthesis and applications. The research interest in the field of ecosystem services is rapidly expanding, and can contribute significantly to the sustainable management of natural resources. However, a narrow disciplinary approach, or an approach which does not consider feedbacks within and between ecological and social systems, has the potential to produce dangerously misleading policy recommendations. In contrast, if we explicitly acknowledge and address uncertainties and complexities in the provision of ecosystem services, progress may appear slower but our models will be substantially more robust and informative about the effects of environmental change.
Growth history and crown vine coverage are principal factors influencing growth and mortality rates of big‐leaf mahogany Swietenia macrophylla in Brazil
Authors: Grogan James , Matthew Landis R.
Published: October 2009

1. Current efforts to model population dynamics of high‐value tropical timber species largely assume that individual growth history is unimportant to population dynamics, yet growth autocorrelation is known to adversely affect model predictions. In this study, we analyse a decade of annual census data from a natural population of big‐leaf mahogany Swietenia macrophylla King to quantify the strength and duration of growth autocorrelation, and experimentally investigate the role of crown vine coverage, a major predictor of performance.

2. The sample population consisted of 358 trees >10 cm diameter. The relative contributions of predictor variables including diameter, crown vine coverage and growth history to models of growth and mortality were evaluated using Akaike’s Information Criterion. Autocorrelation among trees was incorporated into growth models using generalized least squares. We experimentally removed vines from heavy‐laden trees to test the strength and persistence of their impact on stem diameter growth.

3. Previous growth explained the highest amount of variation in annual diameter growth; the best‐fitting model of autocorrelation was an AR(7) autoregressive model, indicating that autocorrelation persisted throughout the study period. Other factors explaining variation in growth were, in decreasing order of importance: year of measurement, crown vine coverage, diameter, crown illumination and fruit production. The best logistic regression model for mortality retained diameter growth plus crown vine coverage as predictors of risk.

4. The vine release experiment strongly supported these results. Released trees grew faster than control trees but required ≥5 years to approach growth rates of trees with minimal vine coverage. Trees with heavy vine coverage also experienced higher mortality rates.

5. Synthesis and applications. These results indicate that growth autocorrelation is strong, persistent, and an important predictor of future performance; demographic models for tree growth and yield projections can be improved by accounting for growth history. Our results also indicate that targeted silvicultural practices such as vine cutting can increase long‐term growth and timber yield. These findings further current understanding of tropical tree growth and survival, and offer improved management tools for sustainable harvest practices for mahogany and similar species.
Dispersal and establishment limitation reduces the potential for successful restoration of semi‐natural grassland communities on former arable fields
Authors: Öster Mathias , Ask Kristina , Cousins Sara A. O. , Eriksson Ove
Published: October 2009

1. Ex‐arable fields have been suggested as potential sites for re‐creation of semi‐natural grasslands, but information is still limited on the temporal scales needed for the natural assembly of these communities and whether colonization is related to dispersal or establishment limitation.

2. We investigated grazed ex‐arable fields of different age and adjacent semi‐natural grasslands in terms of species richness of plants, community similarity, colonization pattern and recruitment ability of 16 sown grassland species. The functional trait distribution of successful and unsuccessful colonizing species was compared using five traits related to dispersal and persistence: seed mass, seed bank persistence, specific leaf area, plant height and potential for lateral spread.

3. The youngest ex‐arable fields had the lowest species richness and contained communities with the lowest similarity to semi‐natural grassland. Species richness and similarity to semi‐natural grassland both increased with time since grazing started on ex‐arable fields, but were still significantly lower than in semi‐natural grasslands even after more than 50 years of grazing.

4. Colonization was not related to any of the investigated functional traits. The rank order of the species in terms of abundance was correlated between young and old ex‐arable fields suggesting that species performance remains the same with field age.

5. Recruitment after sowing was generally lower in ex‐arable fields than in semi‐natural grasslands, although the basic recruitment ability varied between species. Recruitment did not change with field age, suggesting that dispersal limitation rather than establishment limitation caused the temporal pattern of colonization. However, establishment limitation may act as a filter for colonization of all ex‐arable fields, regardless of their age.

6. Synthesis and applications. This study demonstrates that the temporal scale for natural assembly of semi‐natural grassland communities in ex‐arable fields extends over 50 years, even when source pools are nearby. Results suggest that a field age‐independent establishment limitation, combined with dispersal limitation, cause the delayed assembly in ex‐arable fields. Management that aims to re‐create semi‐natural grassland communities in ex‐arable fields should consider introducing seeds or improving germination conditions at the sites.
The performance of haematuria reagent strips for the rapid mapping of urinary schistosomiasis: field experience from Southern Sudan
Authors: Robinson Emily , Picon Diana , Sturrock Hugh J. , Sabasio Anthony , Lado Mounir , Kolaczinski Jan , Brooker Simon
Published: October 2009

The implementation of programmes to control neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) requires up‐to‐date information on the prevalence and distribution of each NTD. This study evaluated the performance of reagent strip testing for haematuria to diagnose Schistosoma haematobium infection among school‐aged children in the context of a rapid mapping survey in Southern Sudan. The reagent strips were highly sensitive (97.8%) but only moderately specific (58.8%). The proportion of false positive diagnoses was significantly higher among girls than boys, especially among girls aged 5–10 years. These findings suggest that reagent strips alone are not sufficient for rapid mapping surveys. A two‐step approach is thus recommended whereby haematuria‐positive urine samples are subsequently examined using urine filtration.
Triage and mortality in 2875 consecutive trauma patients
Authors: MEISLER R. , THOMSEN A. B. , ABILDSTRØM H. , GULDSTAD N. , BORGE P. , RASMUSSEN S. W. , RASMUSSEN L. S.
Published: October 2009

Background: Most studies on trauma and trauma systems have been conducted in the United States. We aimed to describe the factors predicting mortality in European trauma patients, with focus on triage.

Methods: We prospectively registered all trauma patients in Eastern Denmark over 12 consecutive months. We analysed the flow of trauma patients through the system, the time spent at different locations, and we assessed the risk factors of mortality.

Results: We included 2875 trauma patients, of whom 158 (5.5%) died before arrival at the hospital. Most patients (75.3%) were brought to local hospitals and patients primarily (n=82) or secondarily triaged (n=203) to the level I trauma centre were the most severely injured. Secondarily transferred patients spent a median of 150 min in the local hospital before transfer to the level I trauma centre and 48 min on transportation. Severe injury with an injury severity score >15 was seen in 345 patients, of whom 118 stayed at the local hospital. They had a significantly higher mortality than 116 of those secondarily transferred [45/118, 38.1% vs. 11/116, 9.7% (P<0.0001)]. Mortality within 30 days was 4.3% in admitted patients, and significant risk factors of death were violence [odds ratio (OR)=5.72], unconsciousness (OR=4.87), hypotension (OR=4.96), injury severity score >15 (OR=27.42), and age.

Conclusions: Around 50% of all trauma deaths occurred at the scene. Increased survival of severely injured patients may be achieved by early transfer to highly specialised care.
The potential for μ‐opioid receptor agonists to be anti‐emetic in humans: a review of clinical data
Authors: JOHNSTON KEVIN D.
Published: October 2009

In animal models of vomiting, μ‐opioid (MOP, OP3) receptors mediate both emesis and anti‐emesis. μ‐receptors within the blood–brain barrier, mediating anti‐emesis, are more rapidly accessible to lipid‐soluble μ‐opioid receptor agonists such as fentanyl than to morphine, and fentanyl has broad‐spectrum anti‐emetic effects in a number of species. Whether a similar situation exists in humans is not known. A search was performed for clinical studies comparing the emetic side effects of opioids administered peri‐operatively in an attempt to identify differences between morphine and more lipid‐soluble μ‐receptor‐selective agonists such as fentanyl. Overall, the evidence appears to suggest that fentanyl and other phenylpiperidines are associated with less nausea and vomiting than morphine, but not all studies support this, and fentanyl‐like drugs are associated with nausea and vomiting per se. Good evidence, however, exists to show that fentanyl and alfentanil do not cause more nausea and vomiting than the ultra fast‐acting remifentanil. Because remifentanil is cleared rapidly post‐operatively, such trials suggest that the emetic side effects of fentanyl and alfentanil are minimal. The clinical evidence, although limited, is at least consistent with the possibility that central μ‐opioid receptors may mediate anti‐emesis in humans. It is possible that the role of μ‐opioid agonists in anti‐emesis may become clearer in the future as a result of the use of peripheral μ‐opioid receptor antagonists.
Dexamethasone decreases oxycodone consumption following osteotomy of the first metatarsal bone: a randomized controlled trial in day surgery
Authors: MATTILA K. , KONTINEN V. K. , KALSO E. , HYNYNEN M. J.
Published: October 2009

Background: Dexamethasone may improve multimodal pain management following painful orthopedic day surgery procedures, and decrease the need for post‐operative opioids. We hypothesized that dexamethasone would reduce the need for oxycodone after surgical correction of hallux valgus.

Methods: Sixty patients planned to undergo unilateral osteotomy of the first metatarsal as a day surgery procedure were randomized to receive pre‐operatively and 24 h afterwards, orally either dexamethasone 9 mg or placebo. For pain medication, paracetamol and oxycodone capsules for rescue medication were given. The study ended on the evening of the third post‐operative day (POD). The primary endpoint was the cumulative oxycodone consumption. Secondary endpoints were maximal pain scores before oxycodone intake and daily oxycodone doses. In addition, adverse effects were documented.

Results: Twenty‐five patients in both groups completed the study. The total median (range) oxycodone consumption during the study period was 45 (0–165) mg in the dexamethasone group and 78 (15–175) mg in the placebo group (P=0.049). The major differences in oxycodone consumption were seen on PODs 0–1. In the dexamethasone group, patients reported significantly lower pain scores on PODs 0–1, and significantly less nausea on POD 1. On PODs 2–3 no differences were seen. However, at 2 weeks post‐operatively, patient satisfaction to drug therapy did not differ – in both groups 81% would have chosen the same medication again.

Conclusion: Oral dexamethasone combined with paracetamol significantly reduced total oxycodone consumption following surgical correction of hallux valgus.
Sevoflurane‐induced post‐conditioning has no beneficial effects on neuroprotection after incomplete cerebral ischemia in rats
Authors: LEE H.‐M. , LEE D.‐H. , CHOI J.‐H. , LEE S.‐R. , KIM Y.‐W. , JEE D.‐L. , DO H.‐S. , LEE H.‐M. , PARK S.‐J.
Published: October 2009

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate whether sevoflurane‐induced post‐conditioning has a neuroprotective effect against incomplete cerebral ischemia in rats.

Methods: After cerebral ischemia by right common carotid artery occlusion in combination with hemorrhagic hypotension (35 mmHg) for 30 min, 1.0 minimum alveolar concentration of sevoflurane was administered for 15 min (Post‐C 15, n=8), 30 min (Post‐C 30, n=8), or 60 min (Post‐C 60, n=8) in rats. Sevoflurane was not administered in control (n=8) and sham control rats (n=8). Neurologic evaluations were performed at 24, 48, and 72 h after ischemia. Degrees of neuronal damage in ischemic hippocampal CA1 and the cortex were assessed by counting eosinophilic neurons, and detection of DNA fragmentation was performed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP nick end‐labeling (TUNEL) staining.

Results: Neurologic deficit scores in the Post‐C 60 group were higher than in the control group at 48 and 72 h post‐ischemia (P<0.05). No differences were observed in the percentages of eosinophilic neurons among the control (CA1: 37.3 ± 25.4, cortex: 26.0 ± 8.9), Post‐C 15 (CA1: 54.0 ± 21.4, cortex: 30.8 ± 19.9), or Post‐C 30 (CA1: 68.4 ± 17.5, cortex: 38.0 ± 11.0) groups in ischemic CA1 and cortices. However, in the Post‐C 60 group, the percentages of eosinophilic neurons were higher than in the control group in CA1 and cortices (P<0.05). The percentages of TUNEL‐positive cell were similar in the control group and the post‐conditioned groups.

Conclusion: These findings show that sevoflurane administration after ischemia does not provide neuroprotection in rats subjected to incomplete cerebral ischemia.
Reliability and normal ranges for the Patient’s Perception of Intensity of Urgency Scale in asymptomatic women
Authors: Cartwright Rufus , Panayi Demetri , Cardozo Linda , Khullar Vik
Published: October 2009

Study Type – Symptom prevalence (prospective cohort) Level of Evidence 1b

OBJECTIVE

To measure the test‐retest reliability of a 7‐day bladder diary incorporating the Patient’s Perception of Intensity of Urgency Scale (PPIUS), and to establish the normal values of the scale in a population of asymptomatic women.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Women volunteers, aged ≥18 years, were screened with the International Consultation on Incontinence Modular Questionnaire – Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Long Form, to exclude those with bothersome lower urinary tract symptoms. Participants completed two separate 7‐day bladder diaries with a 1‐week interval between. Reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation, Spearman’s correlation, and Student’s t‐test.

RESULTS

Forty volunteers were recruited. Most (67.5%) reported no urgency episodes. Convenience voids accounted for 26.8% of all voids. There was a significant positive effect of age (r = 0.34, P = 0.034) on urgency episodes, but no effect on mean urge scores (r = −0.03, P = 0.843). The reliability of assessment of frequency (0.86), nocturia (0.84), and the mean urge scores (0.85), were better than the reliability of assessment of urgency episodes (0.56), which occurred infrequently. The 95th centile for daily urinary frequency was 7.27 and for weekly urgency episodes was 2.00.

CONCLUSION

The PPIUS is a reliable tool for assessing urinary urge sensation in women. Inclusion of this measure in bladder diaries does not compromise the recording of other variables.
Features and outcomes of renal cell carcinoma of native kidneys in renal transplant recipients
Authors: Klatte Tobias , Seitz Christian , Waldert Matthias , De Martino Michela , Kikic Željko , Böhmig Georg A. , Haitel Andrea , Schmidbauer Jörg , Marberger Michael , Remzi Mesut
Published: October 2009

Study Type – Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4

OBJECTIVE

To outline the features and outcomes of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in native kidneys of renal transplant recipients, who are at increased risk of developing this disease.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively studied the clinicopathological features and survival of 28 surgically treated RCCs, which developed in 24 renal transplant recipients. Features and outcomes were compared with 671 patients with RCC who had no renal transplant.

RESULTS

The median interval between renal transplantation and the occurrence of RCC was 5.6 years. Acquired cystic kidney disease was present in 83% of the transplanted patients. Compared with the patients with RCC and no renal transplant, RCCs of native kidneys in transplant recipients were more frequently incidental findings (92% vs 77%,P = 0.092), multifocal (39% vs 15%,P < 0.001), bilateral (17% vs 4%,P = 0.006), had lower T stages (P = 0.040), were smaller (P = 0.027), of lower grades (P = 0.010), were more frequently papillary (43% vs 19%,P = 0.019) and occurred at a significantly younger age (P = 0.022). After a median follow‐up of 6.7 years, eight renal transplant recipients had died (33%), but only two deaths were due to RCC. Survival with metastatic RCC was only 4 months, if a full resection of all metastatic sites was not achieved. In multivariate analysis the presence of a renal transplant had no effect on survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Most RCCs in renal transplant recipients are incidental low‐stage, low‐grade tumours with a favourable prognosis. The outstanding pathological findings are bilateral occurrence, papillary subtype and multifocality. Prognosis of metastatic RCC is poor but might be favourable if all metastases are resected. Screening for early detection of asymptomatic RCC is advocated.
PHILLIPS CURVES AND UNEMPLOYMENT DYNAMICS: A CRITIQUE AND A HOLISTIC PERSPECTIVE
Authors: Karanassou Marika , Sala Hector , Snower Dennis J.
Published: October 2009

Abstract The conventional wisdom that inflation and unemployment are unrelated in the long run implies the compartmentalization of macroeconomics. While one branch of the literature models inflation dynamics and estimates the unemployment rate compatible with inflation stability, another one determines the real economic factors that drive the natural rate of unemployment. In the context of the new Phillips curve, we show that frictional growth, i.e. the interplay between lags and growth, generates an inflation–unemployment trade‐off in the long run. We thus argue that a holistic framework, such as the chain reaction theory (CRT), should be used to jointly explain the evolution of inflation and unemployment. A further attraction of the CRT approach is that it provides a synthesis of the traditional structural macroeconometric models and the (structural) vector autoregressions.
Antioxidant kinetics of plant‐derived substances and extracts
Authors: Silva A. R. , Menezes P. F. C. , Martinello T. , Novakovich G. F. L. , Praes C. E. O. , Feferman I. H. S.
Published: October 2009

Synopsis

The antioxidant activity (AA) of substances present in several plant species has been widely studied which reflects their fundamental role in the protection of skin tissue against the harmful action of reactive oxygen species. Given the importance of effective and long‐lasting protection against ultraviolet radiation, we studied the AA of several plant derivatives and extracts over time. Several chemical in vitro methods may be used to evaluate antioxidant capability, among which the 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method stands out, despite its unspecificity, as the most cited and described method in the literature. In this work the AA was evaluated by measuring their capacity to reduce DPPH in 30 min, which is suggested in the literature, and additionally at different times up to 8 h from the baseline reading. The methodology used to evaluate the AA over time was validated. It is important to emphasize that this study proposes to modify the conventional DPPH method, although considered to be non‐specific, to be used to test new antioxidant agents. This represents a considerable advantage because some substances show no significant activity during the first 30 min of reaction. Among other plant products, we tested a proantocyanidin‐rich grapeseed extract, a hesperidin derivative, a rutin‐containing ginkgo extract, a polyphenol‐containing yerba maté extract and tocopheryl acetate, all of which were properly standardized. As they have different antioxidant profiles, each ingredient showed a specific behaviour over time, which may promote the selection of anti‐radical compounds capable of offering protection against external agents. Combining extracts and plant derivatives that present fast, medium and slow antioxidant kinetic it is possible to create complexes capable of offering an effective protection from the moment of application up to several hours later. It is a perfectly feasible method, and such combinations prove to be more effective and have more durable effect.
RAPA: a novel in vitro method to evaluate anti‐bacterial skin cleansing products
Authors: Ansari S. A. , Gafur R. B. , Jones K. , Espada L. A. , Polefka T. G.
Published: October 2009

Synopsis

Development of efficacious anti‐bacterial skin cleansing products has been limited by the availability of a pre‐clinical (in vitro) method to predict clinical efficacy adequately. We report a simple and rapid method, designated as rapid agar plate assay (RAPA), that uses the bacteriological agar surface as a surrogate substrate for skin and combines elements of two widely used in vivo (clinical) methods (Agar Patch and Cup Scrub). To simulate the washing of the human hand or forearm skin with the test product, trypticase soy agar plates were directly washed with the test product and rinsed under running tap water. After air‐drying the washed plates, test bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus or Escherichia coli) were applied and the plates were incubated at 37°C for 18–24 h. Using S. aureus as the test organism, anti‐bacterial bar soap containing triclocarbanilide showed a strong linear relationship (R2 = 0.97) between bacterial dose and their per cent reduction. A similar dose‐response relationship (R2 = 0.96) was observed for anti‐bacterial liquid hand soap against E. coli. RAPA was able to distinguish between anti‐bacterial products based on the nature and level of actives in them. In limited comparative tests, results obtained by RAPA were comparable with the results obtained by clinical agar patch and clinical cup scrub methods. In conclusion, RAPA provides a simple, rugged and reproducible in vitro method for testing the relative efficacy of anti‐bacterial skin cleansing products with a likelihood of comparable clinical efficacy. Further testing is warranted to improve the clinical predictability of this method.
An analytical method for the determination of betaine (trimethylglycine) from hair
Authors: Pulliainen K. , Nevalainen H. , Väkeväinen H. , Jutila K. , Gummer C. L.
Published: October 2009

Synopsis

Hair fibres have no active renewable protective mechanisms yet hair (wool and fur) provides an essential protective function. Therefore, it is possible that hair contains a number of internal components to maintain fibre and protein structure and function through a range of normal environmental conditions. Trimethylglycine (betaine) provides cellular and protein protection during times of high osmotic stress and low water concentrations. These conditions are very pertinent to everyday cosmetic procedures such as shampooing, bleach or perming. Therefore, we have conducted preliminary investigations to establish the presence of natural betaine in hair as a possible ingredient to provide protection and maintain protein function. Using an high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) technique designed for the analysis of betaine in blood and urine, we have demonstrated, via simple hot water extraction, a measurable level of betaine in blood and human hair. Further, we have demonstrated, in principle, the possibility of adding betaine back to the fibre via cosmetic products such as shampoos.
Effect of konjac glucomannan hydrolysates and probiotics on the growth of the skin bacterium Propionibacterium acnes in vitro
Authors: Al‐Ghazzewi F. H. , Tester R. F.
Published: October 2009

Synopsis

The synbiotic ability of probiotic bacteria and konjac glucomannan hydrolysates (GMH) to inhibit acne‐inducing bacterium, Propionibacterium acnes growth was studied in vitro. All probiotic bacteria strains tested were able to inhibit the growth of this species of skin bacterium where the inhibition was significantly (P < 0.01) enhanced by the presence of the GMH prebiotic. As the current treatment of acne is based on topical or systemic drugs, it is worth examining further the biotherapeutic activities of the GMH and selected probiotics with a view to future use as prophylactic or therapeutic synbiotics for treating acne infections.