bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Internet and the Globalization of Counterfeit Drugs
Authors: deKieffer Donald E.
Published: September 2006

Most Internet users receive unsolicited invitations to enhance their health through the purchase of online medications. Often these medications are illegal and may even be counterfeit. However, there are a few legitimate online pharmacies. The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy has established the Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites program, which certifies the legitimacy of some Internet merchants. Also, there are hundreds of Canadian pharmacies online because of the rise in popularity of Canadian drugs. The actual number of online Canadian pharmacies is difficult to estimate, and many of the so-called Canadian pharmacies are not from Canada. Besides the few legitimate sites in the United States and Canada, most online pharmacies deal with unapproved, illegal, and counterfeit medication. It is hard to know the number of online pharmacies because of the complex structure of the Internet. Their rapid growth can mainly be attributed to huge profits, but online pharmacies are also used for money laundering and may be used for terrorism. Although the United States has been limited in its actions, it still has taken numerous measures. However, internationally, online pharmacies do not appear to be as much of a problem, so almost any action taken has been led by the United States.
Genetics of von Willebrand Disease Type 1
Authors: Riddel James P. , Aouizerat Bradley E.
Published: September 2006

The most common form of von Willebrand disease (VWD) is reported to be type 1, accounting for as much as 80% of reported cases. With prevalence estimates as high as 1.6% in the general population, upwards of 4.5 million Americans may be affected. Unfortunately, VWD type 1 is also the most difficult type to diagnose. Despite the continuing progress in defining the genetic lesions responsible for VWD types 2 and 3, identification of the genetic determinants of VWD type 1 remains elusive. Herein the phenomenon known as VWD is summarized, the challenges associated with the diagnosis of type 1 VWD are described, and the role of genetic research in meeting these challenges is explored. The authors identify key gaps in the current genetics literature and suggest new avenues for future research. Lastly, they explore the role of nurses in this research and clinical endeavor. To the authors'knowledge, this review is the first to address these complex issues in nursing research.
Smoking Hygiene: Reducing Infant Exposure to Tobacco
Authors: Stepans Mary Beth Flanders , Wilhelm Susan L. , Dolence Kurt
Published: September 2006

The American Academy of Pediatrics recently removed nicotine from the list of drugs contraindicated during breastfeeding. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of determining the effect of a smoking hygiene intervention on infants of breastfeeding mothers who smoke cigarettes. An experimental design with repeated measures was used. A convenience sample of 35 mother-infant dyads from seven sites was recruited and randomly assigned to the intervention or control group. Of the 27 dyads completing the study, 16 were in the experimental group and 11 were in the control group. Smoking hygiene was introduced when infants were 2 weeks old and reinforced when they were 3 and 5 weeks old. At these three data points, infant health and urinary nicotine and cotinine levels were measured, as well as the mothers' breast-milk nicotine and cotinine levels and smoking hygiene behaviors. Recruiting and retaining a sample of breastfeeding mothers who smoke proved difficult. Only 27% of women in the intervention group implemented all aspects of the smoking hygiene intervention behaviors. Repeated-measures ANOVA revealed no difference in a) infant urinary nicotine and cotinine levels or b) breast-milk nicotine and cotinine levels between the two groups. The McNemar test for related samples revealed no difference between frequency of respiratory symptoms in either the control or intervention groups when Week 2 levels were compared with levels at Weeks 3 and 5. Mothers were not successful in adhering to the smoking hygiene intervention. To adequately test interventions, strategies must be developed to help women incorporate health-promoting behaviors into their lives.
Quality of Life Improves After Renal Artery Stenting
Authors: Kennedy David J. , Burket Mark W. , Khuder Sadik A. , Shapiro Joseph I. , Topp Robert V. , Cooper Christopher J.
Published: September 2006

Although treatment of renal artery stenosis (RAS) with stents has been shown to improve blood pressure (BP) and renal function in some patients, little is known about the effect on health-related quality of life. A composite quality of life survey was administered in a cross-sectional cohort fashion to 149 patients presenting with angiographically and hemodynamically confirmed RAS either before (baseline, n= 37) or after (follow-up, n= 112) stent revascularization. BP, renal function, and antihypertensive medication use were also assessed. Systolic BP was lower in the revascularized patients (166 ± 23 vs. 153 ± 26, p < .01). The Short Form–36 Physical Component Summary (PCS) scores were higher (better) in revascularized patients (37 ± 9 vs. 31 ± 9, p < .01), whereas Mental Component Summary scores were equivalent (49 ± 13 vs. 51 ± 11, p = ns ). Sleep dysfunction scores were lower (better) in the revascularized patients (32 ± 26 vs. 48 ± 32, p < .001 ), whereas self-reported appetite was higher (better; 62% ± 29% vs. 73% ± 27%,p < .05 ). After matching for age and gender, Short Form–36 PCS remained higher in the revascularized cohort (37 ± 8 vs. 32 ± 8, p < .05 ). Importantly, in multivariate analysis, revascularization was the most significant determinant of a higher PCS score (r2 = .07, β = 5.21, p < .01 ). The current data suggest that renal artery stenting may improve health-related quality of life in patients with renovascular disease.
Bodies, Technologies, Spaces: On ‘Dogging’
Authors: Bell David
Published: September 2006

This article provides an analysis of key dimensions of the (hetero)sexual practice or subculture known as ‘dogging’. Dogging combines voyeurism, exhibitionism, public sex and partner-swapping or multi-partner sex, and predominantly takes place in secluded sites on the urban fringe, accessed by car. The article sketches some recent UK media coverage of the dogging scene, and then explores the ways in which particular technologies are utilized in the scene. It also discusses the spaces of dogging, and suggests that dogging represents a technologically-mediated ‘folding’ of public and private space. The article concludes by pointing towards other aspects of dogging that warrant future scrutiny.
‘Serosameness’ or ‘Serodifference’? Resisting Polarized Discourses of Identity and Relationality in the Context of HIV
Authors: Riggs Damien W.
Published: September 2006

HIV promotion campaigns and common sense understandings of gay men’s identities and sexuality often depict gay men’s lives as being structured around serostatus. One outcome of this is that some gay men may feel the need to engage in practices, such as barebacking, with the intention of seroconversion. Such practices may be motivated by a desire to ‘overcome difference’, the assumption being that this is a useful way to relate to one another as gay men. In this article I examine how narratives of barebacking evidence particular neo-liberal understandings of freedom and control and the impact this has upon some gay men’s sexual practices. By drawing attention to the problems that may arise from relying on an individualized, biologically driven discourse of ‘HIV polarity’, I propose that gay men need to critically examine how a reliance upon such polarities may only feed into stereotypical constructions of gay men’s sexuality. To counter this, I outline the notion of ‘working through difference’ and suggest that it is important to examine how practices such as barebacking may be mediated by access to privilege.
E-government in a corporatist, communitarian society: the case of Singapore
Authors: Sriramesh Krishnamurthy , Rivera-Sánchez Milagros
Published: September 2006

Singapore was one of the early adopters of e-government initiatives in keeping with its status as one of the few developed Asian countries and has continued to be at the forefront of developing e-government structures. While crediting the city-state for the speed of its development, observers have critiqued that the republic limits pluralism, which directly affects e-governance initiatives. This article draws on two recent government initiatives, the notions of corporatism and communitarianism and the concept of symmetry and asymmetry in communication to present the e-government and e-governance structures in Singapore. Four factors are presented as critical for the creation of a successful e-government infrastructure: an educated citizenry; adequate technical infrastructures; offering e-services that citizens need; and commitment from top government officials to support the necessary changes with financial resources and leadership. However, to have meaningful e-governance there has to be political pluralism, which occurs only when permitted by the state.
Framing the digital divide: a comparison of US and EU policy approaches
Authors: Stewart Concetta M. , Gil-Egui Gisela , Tian Yan , Pileggi Mairi Innes
Published: September 2006

This article explores key US and European Union policy documents to identify the similarities and differences in the way that the digital divide has been defined in both contexts in recent years. To that purpose, a computer-assisted text analysis was conducted, which identified not only the most frequent relevant terms in each document, but also patterns of semantic association among them. While significant differences related to the political specificities of each context were found, both sets of documents revealed a tendency over time to frame access in economic and market-based terms. The article argues that these results provide useful insights into the study of the globalization and homogenization of telecommunications policymaking.
Confession, revelation and storytelling: patterns of use on a popular Turkish website
Authors: Ogan Christine L. , Cagiltay Kursat
Published: September 2006

This article reports a survey of 4531 users of Itiraf.com (‘Confession.com’), a confessional website based in Istanbul, Turkey, where people make personal confessions, tell stories and establish online and offline relationships with other users. Adopting a uses and gratifications approach to the web-based survey, to determine why the contributors to this website return so regularly and what uses they make of the site, the study adds to the limited information available on Turkish internet users. The major finding of the study is that diversion drives most reading on the site, but social interaction provides the largest gratification to those who participate through writing confessions, commenting on others’ confessions and meeting people offline. Some differences in use patterns were found among Turkish respondents who lived in other countries. A rapidly changing social environment in the country provides a partial explanation of website activity.
GOFFA: Gene Ontology For Functional Analysis – A FDA Gene Ontology Tool for Analysis of Genomic and Proteomic Data
Authors: Sun Hongmei , Fang Hong , Chen Tao , Perkins Roger , Tong Weida
Published: September 2006

Background

Gene Ontology (GO) characterizes and categorizes the functions of genes and their products according to biological processes, molecular functions and cellular components, facilitating interpretation of data from high-throughput genomics and proteomics technologies. The most effective use of GO information is achieved when its rich and hierarchical complexity is retained and the information is distilled to the biological functions that are most germane to the phenomenon being investigated.

Results

Here we present a FDA GO tool named Gene Ontology for Functional Analysis (GOFFA). GOFFA first ranks GO terms in the order of prevalence for a list of selected genes or proteins, and then it allows the user to interactively select GO terms according to their significance and specific biological complexity within the hierarchical structure. GOFFA provides five interactive functions (Tree view, Terms View, Genes View, GO Path and GO TreePrune) to analyze the GO data. Among the five functions, GO Path and GO TreePrune are unique. The GO Path simultaneously displays the ranks that order GOFFA Tree Paths based on statistical analysis. The GO TreePrune provides a visual display of a reduced GO term set based on a user's statistical cut-offs. Therefore, the GOFFA visual display can provide an intuitive depiction of the most likely relevant biological functions.

Conclusion

With GOFFA, the user can dynamically interact with the GO data to interpret gene expression results in the context of biological plausibility, which can lead to new discoveries or identify new hypotheses.

Availability

GOFFA is available through ArrayTrack software

http://edkb.fda.gov/webstart/arraytrack/.
RiboaptDB: A Comprehensive Database of Ribozymes and Aptamers
Authors: Thodima Venkata , Pirooznia Mehdi , Deng Youping
Published: September 2006

Background

Catalytic RNA molecules are called ribozymes. The aptamers are DNA or RNA molecules that have been selected from vast populations of random sequences, through a combinatorial approach known as SELEX. The selected oligo-nucleotide sequences (~200 bp in length) have the ability to recognize a broad range of specific ligands by forming binding pockets. These novel aptamer sequences can bind to nucleic acids, proteins or small organic and inorganic chemical compounds and have many potential uses in medicine and technology.

Results

The comprehensive sequence information on aptamers and ribozymes that have been generated by in vitro selection methods are included in this RiboaptDB database. Such types of unnatural data generated by in vitro methods are not available in the public 'natural' sequence databases such as GenBank and EMBL. The amount of sequence data generated by in vitro selection experiments has been accumulating exponentially. There are 370 artificial ribozyme sequences and 3842 aptamer sequences in the total 4212 sequences from 423 citations in this RiboaptDB. We included general search feature, and individual feature wise search, user submission form for new data through online and also local BLAST search.

Conclusion

This database, besides serving as a storehouse of sequences that may have diagnostic or therapeutic utility in medicine, provides valuable information for computational and theoretical biologists. The RiboaptDB is extremely useful for garnering information about in vitro selection experiments as a whole and for better understanding the distribution of functional nucleic acids in sequence space. The database is updated regularly and is publicly available at http://mfgn.usm.edu/ebl/riboapt/.
Systemic inflammatory response syndrome in adult patients with nosocomial bloodstream infections due to enterococci
Authors: Bar Katharine , Wisplinghoff Hilmar , Wenzel Richard P , Bearman Gonzalo ML , Edmond Michael B
Published: September 2006

Background

Enterococci are the third leading cause of nosocomial bloodstream infection (BSI). Vancomycin resistant enterococci are common and provide treatment challenges; however questions remain about VRE's pathogenicity and its direct clinical impact. This study analyzed the inflammatory response of Enterococcal BSI, contrasting infections from vancomycin-resistant and vancomycin-susceptible isolates.

Methods

We performed a historical cohort study on 50 adults with enterococcal BSI to evaluate the associated systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and mortality. We examined SIRS scores 2 days prior through 14 days after the first positive blood culture. Vancomycin resistant (n = 17) and susceptible infections (n = 33) were compared. Variables significant in univariate analysis were entered into a logistic regression model to determine the affect on mortality.

Results

60% of BSI were caused byE. faecalisand 34% byE. faecium. 34% of the isolates were vancomycin resistant. Mean APACHE II (A2) score on the day of BSI was 16. Appropriate antimicrobials were begun within 24 hours in 52%. Septic shock occurred in 62% and severe sepsis in an additional 18%. Incidence of organ failure was as follows: respiratory 42%, renal 48%, hematologic 44%, hepatic 26%. Crude mortality was 48%. Progression to septic shock was associated with death (OR 14.9, p < .001). There was no difference in A2 scores on days -2, -1 and 0 between the VRE and VSE groups. Maximal SIR (severe sepsis, septic shock or death) was seen on day 2 for VSE BSI vs. day 8 for VRE. No significant difference was noted in the incidence of organ failure, 7-day or overall mortality between the two groups. Univariate analysis revealed that AP2>18 at BSI onset, and respiratory, cardiovascular, renal, hematologic and hepatic failure were associated with death, but time to appropriate therapy >24 hours, age, and infection due to VRE were not. Multivariate analysis revealed that hematologic (OR 8.4, p = .025) and cardiovascular failure (OR 7.5, p = 032) independently predicted death.

Conclusion

In patients with enterococcal BSI, (1) the incidence of septic shock and organ failure is high, (2) patients with VRE BSI are not more acutely ill prior to infection than those with VSE BSI, and (3) the development of hematologic or cardiovascular failure independently predicts death.
Identification of novel candidate target genes in amplicons of Glioblastoma multiforme tumors detected by expression and CGH microarray profiling
Authors: Ruano Yolanda , Mollejo Manuela , Ribalta Teresa , Fiaño Concepción , Camacho Francisca I , Gómez Elena , de Lope Angel Rodríguez , Hernández-Moneo Jose-Luis , Martínez Pedro , Meléndez Bárbara
Published: September 2006

Background

Conventional cytogenetic and comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) studies in brain malignancies have shown that glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is characterized by complex structural and numerical alterations. However, the limited resolution of these techniques has precluded the precise identification of detailed specific gene copy number alterations.

Results

We performed a genome-wide survey of gene copy number changes in 20 primary GBMs by CGH on cDNA microarrays. A novel amplicon at 4p15, and previously uncharacterized amplicons at 13q32-34 and 1q32 were detected and are analyzed here. These amplicons contained amplified genes not previously reported. Other amplified regions containg well-known oncogenes in GBMs were also detected at 7p12 (EGFR), 7q21 (CDK6), 4q12 (PDGFRA), and 12q13-15 (MDM2 and CDK4). In order to identify the putative target genes of the amplifications, and to determine the changes in gene expression levels associated with copy number change events, we carried out parallel gene expression profiling analyses using the same cDNA microarrays. We detected overexpression of the novel amplified genes SLA/LP and STIM2 (4p15), and TNFSF13B and COL4A2 (13q32-34). Some of the candidate target genes of amplification (EGFR, CDK6, MDM2, CDK4, and TNFSF13B) were tested in an independent set of 111 primary GBMs by using FISH and immunohistological assays. The novel candidate 13q-amplification target TNFSF13B was amplified in 8% of the tumors, and showed protein expression in 20% of the GBMs.

Conclusion

This high-resolution analysis allowed us to propose novel candidate target genes such as STIM2 at 4p15, and TNFSF13B or COL4A2 at 13q32-34 that could potentially contribute to the pathogenesis of these tumors and which would require futher investigations. We showed that overexpression of the amplified genes could be attributable to gene dosage and speculate that deregulation of those genes could be important in the development and progression of GBM. Our findings highlight the important influence in GBM of signaling pathways such as the PI3K/AKT, consistent with the invasive features of this tumor.
Seeding of epithelial cells into circulation during surgery for breast cancer: the fate of malignant and benign mobilized cells
Authors: Camara Oumar , Kavallaris Andreas , Nöschel Helmut , Rengsberger Matthias , Jörke Cornelia , Pachmann Katharina
Published: September 2006

Background

Surgery of malignant tumors has long been suspected to be the reason for enhancement of growth of metastases with fatal outcome. This often prevented surgeons from touching the tumor if not absolutely necessary. We have shown in lung cancer patients that surgery, itself, leads to mobilization of tumor cells into peripheral blood. Some of the mobilized cells finding an appropriate niche might grow to form early metastases. Monitoring of tumor cell release during and the fate of such cells after surgery for breast cancer may help to reveal how metastases develop after surgery.

Method

We used the MAINTRAC® analysis, a new tool for online observation of circulating epithelial cells, to monitor the number of epithelial cells before, 30 min, 60 min, three and seven days after surgery and during subsequent variable follow up in breast cancer patients.

Results

Circulating epithelial cells were already present before surgery in all patients. During the first 30–60 min after surgery values did not change immediately. They started increasing during the following 3 to 4 days up to thousand fold in 85% of treated patients in spite of complete resection of the tumor with tumor free margins in all patients. There was a subsequent re-decrease, with cell numbers remaining above pre-surgery values in 58% of cases until onset of chemotherapy. In a few cases, where no further therapy or only hormone treatment was given due to low risk stage, cell numbers were monitored for up to three years. They remained elevated with no or a slow decrease over time. This was in contrast to the observation in a patient where surgery was performed for benign condition. She was monitored before surgery with no cells detectable. Epithelial cells increased up to more than 50 000 after surgery but followed by a complete reduction to below the threshold of detection.

Conclusion

Frequently before but regularly during surgery of breast cancer, epithelial cells are mobilized into circulation. Part of these cells, most probably normal or apoptotic cells, are cleared from the circulation as also shown to occur in benign conditions. After resection even if complete and of small tumors, cells can remain in the circulation over long times. Such cells may remain "dormant" but might settle and grow into metastases, if they find appropriate conditions, even after years.
Fast calculation of the quartet distance between trees of arbitrary degrees
Authors: Christiansen Chris , Mailund Thomas , Pedersen Christian NS , Randers Martin , Stissing Martin Stig
Published: September 2006

Background

A number of algorithms have been developed for calculating the quartet distance between two evolutionary trees on the same set of species. The quartet distance is the number of quartets – sub-trees induced by four leaves – that differs between the trees. Mostly, these algorithms are restricted to work on binary trees, but recently we have developed algorithms that work on trees of arbitrary degree.

Results

We present a fast algorithm for computing the quartet distance between trees of arbitrary degree. Given input trees T and T', the algorithm runs in time O(n + |V|·|V'| min{id, id'}) and space O(n + |V|·|V'|), where n is the number of leaves in the two trees, V and V are the non-leaf nodes in T and T', respectively, and id and id' are the maximal number of non-leaf nodes adjacent to a non-leaf node in T and T', respectively. The fastest algorithms previously published for arbitrary degree trees run in O(n
3) (independent of the degree of the tree) and O(|V|·|V'|·id·id'), respectively. We experimentally compare the algorithm with existing algorithms for computing the quartet distance for general trees.

Conclusion

We present a new algorithm for computing the quartet distance between two trees of arbitrary degree. The new algorithm improves the asymptotic running time for computing the quartet distance, compared to previous methods, and experimental results indicate that the new method also performs significantly better in practice.
Anemia, transfusion, and phlebotomy practices in critically ill patients with prolonged ICU length of stay: a cohort study
Authors: Chant Clarence , Wilson Gail , Friedrich Jan O
Published: September 2006

Introduction

Anemia among the critically ill has been described in patients with short to medium length of stay (LOS) in the intensive care unit (ICU), but it has not been described in long-stay ICU patients. This study was performed to characterize anemia, transfusion, and phlebotomy practices in patients with prolonged ICU LOS.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective chart review of consecutive patients admitted to a medical-surgical ICU in a tertiary care university hospital over three years; patients included had a continuous LOS in the ICU of 30 days or longer. Information on transfusion, phlebotomy, and outcomes were collected daily from days 22 to 112 of the ICU stay.

Results

A total of 155 patients were enrolled. The mean age, admission Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score, and median ICU LOS were 62.3 ± 16.3 years, 23 ± 8, and 49 days (interquartile range 36–70 days), respectively. Mean hemoglobin remained stable at 9.4 ± 1.4 g/dl from day 7 onward. Mean daily phlebotomy volume was 13.3 ± 7.3 ml, and 62% of patients received a mean of 3.4 ± 5.3 units of packed red blood cells at a mean hemoglobin trigger of 7.7 ± 0.9 g/dl after day 21. Transfused patients had significantly greater acuity of illness, phlebotomy volumes, ICU LOS and mortality, and had a lower hemoglobin than did those who were not transfused. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified the following as independently associated with the likelihood of requiring transfusion in nonbleeding patients: baseline hemoglobin, daily phlebotomy volume, ICU LOS, and erythropoietin therapy (used almost exclusively in dialysis dependent renal failure in this cohort of patients). Small increases in average phlebotomy (3.5 ml/day, 95% confidence interval 2.4–6.8 ml/day) were associated with a doubling in the odds of being transfused after day 21.

Conclusion

Anemia, phlebotomy, and transfusions, despite low hemoglobin triggers, are common in ICU patients long after admission. Small decreases in phlebotomy volume are associated with significantly reduced transfusion requirements in patients with prolonged ICU LOS.
Case-Control Comparison of At-Home to Total Hospital Care for Autologous Stem-Cell Transplantation for Hematologic Malignancies
Authors: Fernández-Avilés Francesc , Carreras Enric , Urbano-Ispizua Alvaro , Rovira Montserrat , Martínez Carmen , Gaya Anna , Granell Miquel , Ramiro Laia , Gallego Cristina , Hernando Adela , Segura Susana , García Lourdes , González Manel , Valverde Montserrat , Montserrat Emili
Published: September 2006

Purpose

One of the most significant limitations of at-home autologous stem-cell transplantation (ASCT) is the necessity for hospital readmission. We developed an at-home ASCT program in which prophylactic ceftriaxone and treatment of febrile neutropenia with piperacillin and tazobactam was introduced to minimize the readmission rate.

Patients and Methods

Between November 2000 and February 2005, 178 consecutive patients underwent ASCT for a hematologic malignancy. Of these, 50 patients fulfilled the requirements for at-home ASCT. Results were compared with those observed in a control group of 50 patients individually matched to the group of patients treated at home for age, sex, diagnosis, stage of disease, conditioning, and source of stem cells.

Results

Febrile neutropenia occurred in fewer patients in the at-home group as compared with the hospitalized group (76% v 96%: P = .008), and duration of fever was also shorter in the at-home group (median, 2 and 6 days, respectively; range, 1 to 11 and 1 to 20 days, respectively; P = .00003). Hospital readmission in the at-home group was required in only four cases (8%). This resulted in a reduction of 18.6 days of hospitalization per patient. Likewise, total median charges were approximately half in the at-home group as compared with the in-hospital group (3,345 € v 6,250 €, respectively; P < .00001).

Conclusion

Results of at-home ASCT with prophylactic administration of ceftriaxone and domiciliary treatment of febrile neutropenia with piperacillin and tazobactam are highly satisfactory and significantly cheaper compared with those obtained with conventional in-hospital ASCT.
The solution structure of REF2-I reveals interdomain interactions and regions involved in binding mRNA export factors and RNA
Authors: Golovanov Alexander P. , Hautbergue Guillaume M. , Tintaru Aura M. , Lian Lu-Yun , Wilson Stuart A.
Published: September 2006

The RNA binding and export factor (REF) family of mRNA export adaptors are found in several nuclear protein complexes including the spliceosome, TREX, and exon junction complexes. They bind RNA, interact with the helicase UAP56/DDX39, and are thought to bridge the interaction between the export factor TAP/NXF1 and mRNA. REF2-I consists of three domains, with the RNA recognition motif (RRM) domain positioned in the middle. Here we dissect the interdomain interactions of REF2-I and present the solution structure of a functionally competent double domain (NM; residues 1–155). The N-terminal domain comprises a transient helix (N-helix) linked to the RRM by a flexible arm that includes an Arg-rich region. The N-helix, which is required for REF2-I function in vivo, overlaps the highly conserved REF-N motif and, together with the adjacent Arg-rich region, interacts transiently with the RRM. RNA interacts with REF2-I through arginine-rich regions in its N- and C-terminal domains, but we show that it also interacts weakly with the RRM. The mode of interaction is unusual for an RRM since it involves loops L1 and L5. NMR signal mapping and biochemical analysis with NM indicate that DDX39 and TAP interact with both the N and RRM domains of REF2-I and show that binding of these proteins and RNA will favor an open conformation for the two domains. The proximity of the RNA, TAP, and DDX39 binding sites on REF2-I suggests their binding may be mutually exclusive, which would lead to successive ligand binding events in the course of mRNA export.
Approximate Solutions of a Dynamic Forecast-Inventory Model
Authors: Iida Tetsuo , Zipkin Paul H.
Published: September 2006

In this paper we consider a dynamic forecast-inventory model with forecast updates, based on the martingale model of forecast evolution. Two types of updates are considered, additive and multiplicative. The formulation of the model results in a dynamic program with multidimensional state space. We derive some characteristics of optimal policies and also develop a computational approach to obtain approximate solutions. The approach is based on simulation and function approximation.
A Generalization of the Inventory Pooling Effect to Nonnormal Dependent Demand
Authors: Corbett Charles J. , Rajaram Kumar
Published: September 2006

Eppen (1979) showed that inventory costs in a centralized system increase with the correlation between multivariate normal product demands. Using multivariate stochastic orders, we generalize this statement to arbitrary distributions. We then describe methods to construct models with arbitrary dependence structure, using the copula of a multivariate distribution to capture the dependence between the components of a random vector. For broad classes of distributions with arbitrary marginals, we confirm that centralization or pooling of inventories is more valuable when demands are less positively dependent.
Global Diffusion of ISO 9000 Certification Through Supply Chains
Authors: Corbett Charles J.
Published: September 2006

The ISO 9000 series of quality management systems standards is widely diffused, with more than 560,000 sites certified in 152 countries as of December 2003. Anecdotal evidence suggests that global supply chains contributed to this diffusion, in the following sense. Firms in Europe were the first to seek ISO 9000 certification in large numbers. They then required their suppliers, including those abroad, to do likewise. Once the standard had thus entered other countries, it spread beyond those firms immediately exporting to Europe to be adopted by many other firms in those same countries. This paper empirically examines the validity of this view of the role of supply chains in global diffusion of ISO 9000. To do so, we decompose the statement “supply chains contributed to the global diffusion of ISO 9000” into a series of four requirements that must be met for the original statement to be supported. We then use firm-level data from a global survey of more than 5,000 firms in nine countries to test the hypotheses that correspond to these requirements. Our findings are consistent with the view that part of the global diffusion of ISO 9000 did move upstream in global supply chains. In short, this means that firms that export goods or services to a particular country may simultaneously be importing that country’s management practices. We conclude by suggesting how these findings might form the basis for future research on the environmental management systems standard ISO 14000.
A Future for Organization Theory: Living in and Living with Changing Organizations
Authors: Walsh James P. , Meyer Alan D. , Schoonhoven Claudia Bird
Published: September 2006

We believe that the field of organization theory is adrift. In sailing jargon, we are “in irons”—stalled and making little headway toward understanding organizations and their place in our lives. We first attempt to diagnose our maladies and then, in this light, offer three broad research questions that just might reinvigorate our work: First, how can we understand today’s changing organizations? Second, how can we live in these organizations? And third, how can we best live with them? We close by calling attention to how our familiar approaches to building and testing theory might hamper any attempt to revitalize our field.
Thin‐needle aspiration biopsy in the diagnosis of head and neck tumors
Authors: Frable William J. , Frable Mary Ann
Published: September 2006

Thin‐needle aspiration biopsy was performed in 84 patients with head and neck lesions for definitive diagnosis. There were 53 cases of lymph nodes, 47 in the cervical area and six in the supraclavicular area. There were 10 salivary gland lesions and 10 thyroid masses. No false positive diagnoses of malignant tumors occurred in this entire series. The false negative rate for malignant tumors was 4.0 percent. No delay in therapy occurred in any case because the aspiration biopsy technique was used. The thin‐needle technique as described is non‐traumatic and is an out‐patient office procedure. A 22‐guage narrow diameter needle is used attached to a disposable 20 ml. plastic syringe. The syringe is held in a metal syringe holder which allows the operator to hold the syringe and apply vacuum with one hand. The other hand is used to fix the mass. Small masses, 1.0 cm. or larger are easily aspirated by this technique. The material obtained is smeared on glass slides in the manner of making a blood smear. The aspirate is semi‐fluid and should not be diluted with blood. This is accomplished by stopping the aspiration when material becomes visable in the hub of the syringe. The smears are either air‐dried or fixed immediately in 95 percent ethyl or methyl alcohol. We have found the metachrome B and Papanicolaou stain to be of most value. The metachrome B stain is done on the air‐dried smears and the diagnosis can be made in many cases in a matter of a few minutes, thus providing a rapid solution to the patient's clinical problem. Review of this and other series indicates no complications with this technique and no evidence that cells are implanted in the needle tract following aspiration of malignant tumors.
Middle ear ventilation tubes
Authors: Pappas James J.
Published: September 2006

Twenty years have now passed since the first tube was placed through the tympanic membrane for middle ear ventilation. In this relatively short period of time, many different ideas for tube design have emerged and are presented. The types of middle ear fluid formation and the relationship of this formation to impaired eustachian tube function are discussed. The main indication for indwelling tubes is chronic secretory otitis media with effusion which fails to respond to conservative treatment; however, indications have been expanded with continued experience. The complications associated with the use of middle ear ventilation tubes are presented. Five years' experience using ventilation tubes in 1,460 ears is reported. Conclusions are based on data compiled from this study.
Transsphenoidal management of pituitary adenomas and other selected lesions of the sella turcica
Authors: Hudson William R. , Kenan Patrick D.
Published: September 2006

A presentation is made of 38 lesions of the sella turcica and adjacent structures. All of these patients underwent surgical management by transsphenoidal biopsy and decompression, or resection. A pathological diagnosis was established in each case. The commonest lesion is the pituitary adenoma, with follow‐up presented in 27 cases. The necessity for postoperative radiation and replacement hormone therapy is emphasized. Acceptable control of disease is possible by this treatment regimen. Four cases of cystic craniopharyngioma treated by transsphenoidal fistulization are presented, with effective long term decompression in three. Other benign and malignant lesions of the sella and sphenoid bone are presented. Surgical approaches available for transsphenoidal access to the sella, clinical presentations of the patients in this series, principles of preoperative evaluation, postoperative complications, and results of management, are reviewed.
Neuroma of the chorda tympani nerve
Authors: Pou Jack W. , Chambers Carlton L.
Published: September 2006

This is a case report of an 18‐year‐old Negro female who presented with the chief complaint of a long standing hearing loss. Physical examination revealed a large mass in the right external auditory canal which occupied 80 percent of the cross section area. There was only a tiny rim of the inferior tympanic membrane visable.

The patient had a 60 db conductive hearing loss. Mastoid films were normal. At surgery the mass was found to extend into the attic and to almost completely fill the middle ear. When the tumor was removed from the attic, under the malleus and the hypotympanic area, the only attachment was the chorda tympani nerve. The pathology report was neuroma.

Photographs were taken and illustrations are presented to confirm these findings.

Neuroma has been reported as originating from every branch of the facial nerve with the exception of the chorda tympani nerve. This site of origin has been strikingly absent, especially since the chorda tympani is a component of the facial nerve.

Our case is presented to document such an occurrence.
Giant‐cell tumor of the sphenoid and temporal bones
Authors: Glasscock Iii Michael E. , Hunt William E.
Published: September 2006

Giant‐cell tumor of bone rarely occurs in the skull. There have been only 14 previously reported benign tumors involving the sphenoid and only 11 found in the temporal bone. While considered benign tumors, they are very aggressive and have a tendency to local recurrence and late malignant change with metastasis. These tumors are predominant in females and occur in the second and third decade of life.

Treatment is usually with curettage and/or radiation. It is such a rare tumor that no one individual or group has had extensive clinical experience with the lesion.

The purpose of this paper is to present the case of a 29‐year‐old physician's wife who developed frontal headache and diplopia in January of 1966. Skull films revealed a lytic lesion in the left petrous pyramid. After two incomplete removals and a full course of radiation, the tumor progressed to involve the sphenoid, clivus and a portion of the right petrous apex. A middle fossa approach, as described by House, was used to obtain a total removal of the tumor. Four and one half years post surgery, she is free of symptoms clinically and radiographically.

In view of the fact that these tumors usually recur within two years this probably represents a cure.
Tumors of the submandibular gland
Authors: Trail Mervin L. , Lubritz Joel
Published: September 2006

Primary neoplasms of the submandibular gland do not hold a statistically impressive position when compared to other tumors in the head and neck. Due in part to their relative rarity, incorrect preoperative diagnosis is not uncommon, but perhaps of more significance is the lack of an adequately prepared management program of these lesions.

This presentation reviews tumors of the submandibular gland at the Charity Hospital in New Orleans, La., for the 24‐year period 1948‐1971.
Frontal sinus disease. II. Development of the frontal sinus model: Occlusion of the nasofrontal duct
Authors: Schenck Nicholas L. , Rauchbach Erol , Ogura Joseph H.
Published: September 2006

The history of the surgical treatment of frontal sinusitis and mucocele is a reflection of the uncertainty surrounding its pathogenesis. Since the pioneer work of Coates, Hilding, Proetz, and Walsh over three decades ago, two principal etiologic factors are usually accepted: obstruction of the nasofrontal duct, and mucosal inflammation; however, no one has been able to obstruct reliably the nasofrontal duct in an experimental model (e.g., canine) to see whether such a blockage would actually incite infection or a mucocele. In addition, all previous work was performed from within the sinus cavity.

We have been able to obstruct reliably the nasofrontal duct in the dog by manipulating the ethmoturbinates via a lateral rhinotomy, thereby creating a blocked frontal sinus without using a foreign body or voiding the integrity of the sinus cavity itself.

Preliminary results show that mucus builds up under pressure within the closed sinus cavity. In this first report, in addition to the surgical method, we present the anatomical, histological, and ultrastructural changes in six experimental dogs at three months, six months and one year. X‐rays show the radiographic changes at various lengths of obstruction.

At this point blocking the nasofrontal duct itself does not result in either mucocele formation or infection in our experimental model. A mucocele has been produced in a frontal sinus denuded of its mucoperiosteal lining. We postulate two distinct types of mucocele: one, a “pressure” mucocele in an obstructed sinus, and the second, a “trauma” mucocele which results from regeneration after infection or blunt trauma to the sinus mucosa.

This model should allow us to analyze the role of the nasofrontal duct in the pathogenesis of frontal sinus disease. Future application in the investigation of obliterative surgery and frontal sinus trauma is discussed.
Experiences in lateral pharyngotomy
Authors: Ferguson George B.
Published: September 2006

Lateral pharyngotomy offers good exposure for the removal of many laryngeal and hypopharyngeal tumors. The simplified operation I present avoids damage to voice, deglutition or airway. This approach can be expanded to reach almost any tumor of the pharynx and radical neck dissection can be incorporated. The cosmetic result has been satisfactory, but if individual consideration prompts it, a more horizontal skin‐fold incision can easily be substituted.
Thorium dioxide granuloma of the neck: A report of four cases
Authors: Trible William M. , Small Allen
Published: September 2006

Four patients with Thorotrast granuloma are reported. The first patient had a radical neck dissection performed; however, postoperative hemorrhage and fistula occurred with a six‐month delay in healing. The granuloma in this patient had totally occluded his carotid system with a greatly enlarged vertebral artery. A second patient presented with spontaneous bleeding in the neck from a granuloma followed by encephalo‐malacia, hemiparesis and aphasia. The third and fourth patients presented as hoarseness with a hard mass in the neck. All four patients had Thorotrast in the liver and spleen. The latter three had laryngoscopies and in‐cisional neck biopsies as their only surgical treatment. Neck malignancy from Thorotrast is very rare. Despite legal decisions suggesting removal3 and similar suggestions in the literature, the authors feel only small extravasations have had uncomplicated operations. Neck dissection is rarely indicated. Hoarseness can be improved by vocal cord injection. These patients, of course, must be followed periodically as any other tumor, checking the neck mass, liver, and carotid circulation.
An unusual application of a cros hearing aid
Authors: Carver William F.
Published: September 2006

This paper describes the use of the CROS hearing aid principle on cases of congenital atresia. This young girl has had several operations which attempted to create a canal and tympanum, but the canal persisted in closing. A bone vibrator eyeglass hearing aid was fitted but was largely unsuccessful. Having a 50 db air‐conduction loss was handicapping to this youngster, but the usual head hearing aid could not be fitted because of the lack of any canal, causing feedback. She refused a body type aid. The solution is this case was a CROS behind‐the‐ear hearing aid. She enjoys about a 25 db useful gain from this fitting.
Quinsy tonsillectomy
Authors: Yung Lcdr Allan K. , Cantrell Robert W.
Published: September 2006

The usual treatment for peritonsillar abscess in the United States is incision, drainage and antibiotic therapy followed by tonsillectomy several weeks later. Why this treatment began is not clear but it probably originated from fear of complications which might arise from operating during the acute stage.

This therapy requires two hospitalizations and tonsillectomy after previous abscess can be difficult. Tonsillitis or peritonsillar abscess can recur any time after the initial abscess is treated. A series of 50 cases of peritonsillar abscesses treated by immediate tonsillectomy is presented and evaluated. The results show this operation has a low morbidity and no significantly greater complication rate than elective tonsillectomy.
Frontal sinus disease. IV. Cellular response to experimentally‐induced infection
Authors: Schenck Nicholas L. , Rauchbach Erol
Published: September 2006

The pathogenesis of chronic frontal sinusitis is poorly understood. The canine frontal sinus model was developed to isolate experimentally the variables involved. We have recently determined that blockage of the naso‐frontal duct does not, by itself, produce sinusitis or mucocele experimentally. The purpose of the present investigation is to examine the histo‐logical and ultrastructural responses of the sinus mucosa to artificially‐induced infection.

Bone wax was implanted in the canine frontal sinus via an osteoplastic flap, and subsequently removed three months later. Radiological, histo‐logical and ultrastructural analysis of the resultant infected mucosa was performed at periods up to one year.

The sinus mucosa did not return to normal up to nine months following removal of the infection‐inciting foreign body. Persistent changes included epithelial and submucosal thickening, polypoid degeneration, matting of the ciliary carpet, and “bursting” of the ciliary cell bodies.

In the light of this and previous experiments, an insidious cycle of events leading to irreversible frontal sinus disease is postulated, requiring the interplay of at least three variables: the infectious insults, the response of the sinus mucosa, and the variable patency of the nasofrontal duct.