bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
For better and for worse
Authors: van Emmerik Hetty
Published: July 2004

This study examined the direct and buffering effects of mentoring on the relationship between adverse working conditions and positive (i.e. intrinsic job satisfaction and career satisfaction) and negative (i.e. the burnout dimensions: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment) employee outcomes. Moderated regression analyses on the data of 1,320 faculty members showed direct effects of mentoring on both positive and negative employee outcomes. Moreover, from the results of testing the buffering hypotheses, it appears that mentoring is possibly not only an important career development and psychosocial resource in prosperity, but also maybe an important tool to improve positive employee outcomes and to reduce burnout when employees are confronted with adverse working conditions. Implications of results and directions for future research are discussed.
Career commitment and career success: moderating role of emotion perception
Authors: Poon June M.L.
Published: July 2004

This study examined the moderating effect of emotion perception – a basic component of emotional intelligence – on the relationship between career commitment and career success. White‐collar employees from a diverse set of occupations and organizations in Malaysia were surveyed. Moderated multiple regression results showed that career commitment predicted objective career success (i.e. salary level) only for employees with average to high emotion perception but not for those with low emotion perception. Emotion perception, however, did not moderate the effects of career commitment on subjective career success (i.e. career satisfaction). Implications of the findings and suggestions for future research are discussed.
Career development for going beyond the call of duty: is it perceived as fair?
Authors: Bish Adelle J. , Bradley Lisa M. , Sargent Leisa D.
Published: July 2004

The present study examined the effects of rewarding contextual performance with career development activities on perceptions of justice. Participants (264) read vignettes which gave information regarding two colleagues in a large retail store who applied for a career development activity. Type of career development activity, level of contextual performance, and the development activity recipient was varied across the vignettes. Results indicated that participants believed there was greater justice when they themselves received the development activity, irrespective of whose performance was higher. Participants were also more satisfied and had greater interest in pursuing a career in the organization when they themselves received the development opportunity, especially for organizationally‐oriented activities. Happiness completely mediated the relationship between who received the career development activity and both procedural and distributive justice. Implications of these findings for organizational justice and careers research, as well as for managers, are discussed.
The effects of internal career orientations on organizational citizenship behavior in Thailand
Authors: Chompookum Dhitiporn , Brooklyn Derr C.
Published: July 2004

When the labor market becomes tighter and the economy is uncertain, companies often respond by downsizing and by asking those employees who remain to be more productive and dependable. It is, therefore, of interest to both managers and researchers to better understand the dynamics of organizational citizenship behavior (OCB). OCB is defined as one's willingness to do more than required, to go the extra mile. This study explores how one's subjective sense of career orientation (the internal career) affects OCB. The research was conducted in eight medium‐to‐large organizations in Thailand and it was discovered, as predicted, that internal career orientations impact the level of OCB. This finding is important because other research shows that the relationship between dispositional variables and OCB is inconclusive.
A study of career needs, career development programs, job satisfaction and the turnover intentions of R&D personnel
Authors: Chen Tser‐Yieth , Chang Pao‐Long , Yeh Ching‐Wen
Published: July 2004

This study set to explore the career needs and proposes the concept of the gap between career development programs and career needs, and its subsequent effect on job satisfaction, turnover intention, in an effort to contribute to the field of career management, through the effective integration of career needs and career development programs. Questionnaires were completed by 367 R&D personnel from Hsinchu Science‐based Industrial Park (HSIP) in the north of Taiwan. The results reveal that R&D personnel have very diverse career needs at various stages of their career, and that depending on which stage of their career they have reached. The result show that the larger the gap, the higher the levels of both turnover intentions and job dissatisfaction. Managerial implications of these findings are also discussed.
The changing nature of cyber‐marketing strategies
Authors: Ranchhod Ashok
Published: July 2004

This position paper revisits earlier research to outline contemporary thinking on the nature of cyber‐marketing strategies and the implications for organisations in the post‐Net era. It identifies in particular recent frameworks which appear to offer insights into the complexities and uncertainties associated with critical channels and new media for proactive marketing approaches. The emphasis within the paper is on the effective implementation of strategies driven by electronic networks generated through the Internet. An important contribution therefore is to recognise the dynamics of global marketing campaigns and the exploitation of theoretical frameworks, strategic positioning and viable information technologies and systems to achieve these objectives.
A framework for the sustainability of e‐marketplaces
Authors: Daniel E.M. , Hoxmeier J. , White A. , Smart A.
Published: July 2004

Electronic marketplaces have promised many benefits to participants, and hence have aroused considerable interest in the business community. However, the failure of some marketplaces and the success of others have led business managers to question which marketplaces will be successful in the future, and even whether the entire idea is viable. This question is particularly pressing for those considering sponsoring or participating in a marketplace. This exploratory study seeks to address these issues by proposing a framework of the factors that help explain the sustainability of e‐marketplaces. The framework proposed is based upon the findings of interviews carried out with 14 managers based in 11 companies active in the field of e‐marketplaces, and findings from the current literature from this domain. The framework proposed identifies seven factors that can be categorised according to three levels of influence, i.e. the macroeconomic/regulatory level, the industry level, and the firm level. Further work to validate the proposed framework would provide practitioners with additional insight to apply to their e‐marketplace strategies.
How to configure cyber chains via competence networks
Authors: Berlak Joachim , Weber Volker
Published: July 2004

Due to their common role as suppliers, small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) are especially challenged by today's turbulent business conditions. In order to meet this challenge, short‐term Internet‐based enterprise co‐operations are regarded as an appropriate way to enhance the competitive strength of SMEs. Hence, the Institute of Machine Tools and Industrial Management (IWB) operates three so‐called competence networks for engineering (www.engineering‐net.de), rapid prototyping (www.rp‐net.de) and manufacturing (www.produktionsnetz.de) services. For the purpose of an applied research project, more than 80 participating SME suppliers were included in these specialised virtual markets, which are based on the core competencies of the co‐operating SMEs. Additionally, an Internet platform (www.virtueller‐markt.de) is used to enable customers to configure their specific cyber chains via the above‐mentioned competence networks. The present paper depicts how to establish and operate competence networks as well as how to configure cyber chains via these virtual markets.
Insights from the introduction of a supply chain co‐ordinator
Authors: Janssen Marijn
Published: July 2004

Many chain co‐ordinating initiatives fail due to a lack of trust in and resistance against supply chain co‐ordinators, unequally distributed benefits, opposing requirements of involved parties and asymmetric distribution of power. The goal of this paper is to provide insight into factors influencing the successful implementation of a supply chain co‐ordinator. For this purpose, the Electronic Service Center (ESC), a successful, pan‐European chain co‐ordinator based in The Netherlands, is studied. The ESC acts as a central and neutral supply chain co‐ordinator and aims at co‐ordinating the flow of information between customers, logistics carriers, warehouses, forwarders and suppliers. This paper provides a general overview of the roles of supply chain co‐ordinators and provides a short review of factors responsible for failure. It investigates the ESC, describes the supply chain and the various roles of the supply chain co‐ordinator, and discusses the various trade‐offs made by the organisations involved in the supply chain. In the last section conclusions are drawn and recommendations given for future research.
An information systems perspective of supply chain tool compatibility: the roles of technology fit and relationships
Authors: Ruppel Cynthia
Published: July 2004

Among the primary tools of collaborative commerce are information technologies that are designed to improve flows along the supply chain. However, supply chain management software is not providing organizations with all its potential benefits. This study looks at three information technologies (i.e. group decision support systems, EDI and e‐commerce) that can be used to improve information flows and the factors that affect their adoption and use. These factors are divided into those related to the information technology itself and those related to maintaining the relationships that are important in managing supply chain linkages. Factors related to the technology fit such as return on investment, fit with users' needs, affordability of the technology and ability to secure the technology were found to be important in the use of these tools. The ability to secure SCM technologies currently appears to substitute for some level of trust from an information systems perspective. In the case of the most mature technology (i.e. EDI), the results show that trust is related to fit with user needs. The implications of these findings for managers who wish to adopt and implement these SCM tools are discussed. Further study of these factors is suggested, particularly as SCM tools become increasingly more collaborative.
E‐marketplaces and the future of supply chain management: opportunities and challenges
Authors: Murtaza Mirza B. , Gupta Vipul , Carroll Richard C.
Published: July 2004

E‐marketplaces are one of the relatively new trends that are affecting buyer‐supplier relationships. Although there have been several failures in the e‐business arena, whether it is business‐to‐business (B2B) or business‐to‐consumer (B2C) e‐commerce, there is no doubt that the Internet has changed the way that business is done in several ways. It has been shown that electronic commerce can fundamentally change the inter‐organizational processes involving buyer‐supplier relationships. It reshapes these buyer‐supplier relationships, improves a business's core processes, and helps reach new markets or segments through the electronic medium. This paper discusses the opportunities and challenges facing e‐marketplaces today, and also the concerns facing potential participants in these e‐marketplaces who are trying to weigh the risks presented by such participation and the possible benefits that can be reaped by streamlining supply chain processes. Some of the major concerns facing existing and potential buyers and suppliers that are discussed in this paper include integration issues, security issues and antitrust issues.
General process‐oriented management principles to manage supply chains: theoretical identification and discussion
Authors: Kotzab Herbert , Otto Andreas
Published: July 2004

Academic discussion in the field of supply chain management is influenced by descriptive, case‐oriented and consultancy‐driven research outcomes. The debate is often limited to the search for valid definitions and models of observable facts. The present research makes an alternative effort. This article deals with the question of whether there are any common suggestions that can be condensed to nine process‐based principles that contribute to the management of such chains. The applicability of these principles was evaluated using Thomas and Tymon's notions of “necessary properties of relevant research”.
Self‐reporting in Optimal Law Enforcement when there are Criminal Teams
Authors: Feess Eberhard , Walzl Markus
Published: July 2004

We extend the analysis of self‐reporting schemes to criminal teams. When the violators behave non‐cooperatively, maximum deterrence can be reached at virtually no cost by designing a prisoners' dilemma. One drawback of such a scheme is that it might induce cooperative behaviour in the self‐reporting stage. If the cooperation rate is increasing the benefits from cooperation, it is optimal to impose less than the maximum fine if both individuals self‐report. The same result occurs for imperfect self‐reporting technologies where the conviction of one agent does not necessarily lead to a conviction of his accomplice.
Fines, Appeals and Liability in Public Enforcement with Stochastic Damage and Asymmetric Information
Authors: Innes Robert
Published: July 2004

This paper studies an enforcement game between a regulator and firms that can cause harmful accidents. The distribution of potential accident damage is private information to the firms, and realized damage can be observed only at the cost of going to court. Under conditions described in the paper, an optimal policy involves the separate assessment of regulatory/settlement fines and court liability. In this optimum, injurers self‐select by appealing (or not) to the court process; liability takes a ‘threshold’ form, assessing maximal liability when damages are high and zero liability otherwise; and, vis‐à‐vis a first‐best, some firms are over‐deterred—and others under‐deterred—from having accidents.
Combating Corruption in International Business Transactions
Authors: Celentani Marco , Ganuza Juan‐José , Peydró José‐Luis
Published: July 2004

International business transactions pose the problem of deterring bribing of public officials by foreign firms. We first analyse a convention styled after the OECD's ‘Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions’, which requires signatory countries to proceed against firms that have bribed public officials of any foreign country. We then study the case in which the convention requires signatory countries to proceed against firms that have bribed public officials of signatory countries only. We argue that the second type of convention is more likely to ensure the enforcement of penalties.
The Investment Problem in Terrorism
Authors: Konrad Kai A.
Published: July 2004

Evidence from early terrorist groups reveals a structural equivalence between extortion and terrorism. This allows us to draw conclusions from the theory of extortion that can be applied to a theory of terrorism concerning the role of repeated play in the viability of extortion. It also enables us to analyse the role of commitment in destroying the extortionary organization.
Might Fundamental Tax Reform Increase Criminal Activity?
Authors: Hines James R.
Published: July 2004

Fundamental tax reform, replacing the income tax with a sales tax, is commonly thought to reduce levels of criminal and other ‘underground’ economic activity by implicitly taxing their returns. This paper finds instead that the impact of tax reform depends on the relative labour intensity of production in the legitimate and illegitimate sectors of the economy. In the likely event that illegitimate output is produced by using more labour‐intensive techniques than is legitimate output, then replacing an income tax with a sales tax reduces the cost of criminal and other underground activity, thereby stimulating its growth.
Reward Offered, No Questions Asked: An Analysis of Rewarded Theft
Authors: Katz Eliakim , Rosenberg Jacob
Published: July 2004

The legal owner of a stolen good generally puts a higher value on that good than does the thief. There are therefore potential gains from trade between a legal owner and a successful thief. However, by trading with a thief, the legal owner is encouraging theft for ‘ransom’. Should then negotiations between legal owners and thieves be outlawed? In this paper we suggest a framework for answering this question. We find that allowing such negotiations to take place may enhance the ex ante expected utility of owners.
Hypoxia regulation of the cell cycle in malignant melanoma: putative role for the cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor p27Kip1
Authors: Murphy Michael , Carlson J. Andrew , Keough Martin P. , Claffey Kevin P. , Signoretti Sabina , Loda Massimo
Published: July 2004

Background:  Intratumor hypoxia has been shown to promote more aggressive and metastatic cancer phenotypes that are associated with treatment resistance and poor prognosis. Cellular proliferation and its control are known to be important components of tumor progression. Hypoxia induces cell‐cycle arrest in cultured cell lines, possibly via up‐regulation of the cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor p27. The effect of hypoxia on cell‐cycle regulation in excised human tumors has not been investigated.

Methods:  We performed immunohistochemistry for p27 and Ki‐67 on 10 formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded metastatic melanomas, selected on the basis of histological evidence of zonal/geographic necrosis, adjacent to areas with viable perivascular tumor cells.

Results:  In the majority of cases, there was a significant increase in p27 staining in cells adjacent to necrotic areas compared to perivascular zones. An inverse staining pattern between Ki‐67 and p27 was identified in these tumors. Tumors with no zonal increase in p27 staining demonstrated a diffuse pattern of staining for Ki‐67 within tumor nests.

Conclusions:  While increased cellular proliferation is a characteristic of cancer, subsets of human melanomas may retain the ability to regulate their rate of proliferation in response to changes in the tumor microenvironment. The hypoxia‐mediated cell‐cycle arrest (decreased Ki‐67) in these tumors may be mediated by p27 up‐regulation.
Phakomatous choristoma of the eyelid: a report of a case
Authors: Szyfelbein Katherine , Kozakewicz Harry P. W. , Syed Nasreen A. , Zembowicz Artur
Published: July 2004

Phakomatous choristoma is a rare congenital hamartoma of lens tissue. It presents in newborns or young infants as a subcutaneous mass in the medial lower eyelid. We present a case of phakomatous choristoma recently identified among old consultation files at Children's Hospital in Boston. Our case illustrates unique histological features of this entity which has to be included in differential diagnosis of skin lesions of the inferonasal eyelid.
Neurofibromatous changes in dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans: a potential pitfall in the diagnosis of a serious cutaneous soft tissue neoplasm
Authors: Kovarik Carrie L. , Hsu Mei‐Yu , Cockerell Clay J.
Published: July 2004

Background:  Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a low‐grade malignant neoplasm that has the potential for aggressive local growth and destruction if not treated appropriately. Although the storiform arrangement of spindle cells in DFSP is relatively characteristic, histologic patterns simulating other benign as well as malignant neoplasms such as dermatofibroma, neurofibroma, malignant fibrous histiocytoma, and atypical fibroxanthoma have been described.

Methods:  We collected and analyzed six cases of probable DFSP in which a specific diagnosis could not be rendered due to the predominant neurofibromatous changes in the histologic sections. In an attempt to reach a definitive diagnosis, the clinical history and physical characteristics of the lesions were taken into account, and all cases were further evaluated using immunostaining for CD34 and S‐100 protein.

Results:  The average age of the patient was 56 years (range 21–80), and the male to female ratio was 1 : 1. The location of lesions included the scalp, neck, back, and abdomen. All cases displayed two distinct histological patterns: (i) a proliferation of spindle cells with wavy nuclei in a loose mucinous stroma suggesting neural differentiation and (ii) a proliferation of spindle cells which interweaved and filled the reticular dermis extending into the subcutis. The wide variety of clinical impressions and descriptions indicated that the diagnoses were not always straightforward, and clinical information did not always assist in the clinicopathologic correlation. All lesions stained positively for CD34; however, three of six cases also stained positively for S‐100. The three cases which were CD34 positive and S‐100 negative were likely DFSP, and this was the final diagnosis given. The three cases that were CD34 and S‐100 positive did not allow for a straightforward diagnosis.

Conclusions:  DFSP may demonstrate areas with features more characteristic of a benign neural lesion, such as a neurofibroma, which can lead to underdiagnosis and subsequent failure to treat. Clinicians and pathologists should recognize this potential diagnostic pitfall and understand that equivocal clinical information, combined with non‐specific immunohistochemical staining patterns, can further complicate the dilemma. In these situations, where DFSP is the likely diagnosis but definitive evidence cannot be obtained, full excision of the lesion should be recommended to avoid mistreatment of a potentially malignant lesion.
?Metastatic papillary carcinoma of the thyroid
Authors: Mahalingam M. , Bhawan J.
Published: July 2004

Background:  Cutaneous metastases from thyroid carcinomas, although uncommon, have been previously reported and are usually found in association with evidence of disseminated disease.

Methods:  We report a 75‐year‐old male who presented with a 4‐cm reddish violaceous nodule on the left temple and a clinical history significant for papillary carcinoma of the thyroid.

Results:  Microscopic examination of a 4‐mm punch biopsy revealed a poorly circumscribed neoplasm with focal epidermal connection and multiple cystic cavities and papillary projections.

Conclusions:  This case report describes a solitary cutaneous lesion as the first evidence of disseminated neoplastic disease in a patient with no other clinical evidence of concurrent metastases. The histology of the lesion was unusual in that it mimicked a primary cutaneous neoplasm.
Pleural mesothelioma with cutaneous extension to chest wall scars
Authors: Shieh Sherry , Grassi Marcelle , Schwarz James K. , Cheney Richard T.
Published: July 2004

Background:  Cutaneous mesothelioma is rare but may occur following local surgical procedures for visceral mesothelioma or as a metastasis.

Methods:  A patient with pleural mesothelioma, who developed papules within chest wall scars, 14 and 15 months after pleural biopsy and thoracentesis, respectively, is reported.

Results:  Histopathology showed an epithelioid tumor forming tubulopapillary and glandular structures. The diagnosis of mesothelioma was confirmed with immunohistochemistry. Tumor cells stained characteristically for low‐molecular‐weight cytokeratins 5/6, calretinin, and vimentin and were negative for mucicarmine, carcinoembryonic antigen, thyroid transcription factor 1, prostate‐specific antigen, gross cystic disease fluid protein, S‐100, factor VIII, and CD31.

Conclusions:  Histologically, mesothelioma may resemble a primary adnexal neoplasm, metastatic adenocarcinoma, or angiosarcoma. Immunohistochemistry can clarify the diagnosis. Clinicians should be aware of the varied presentations of mesothelioma, as cutaneous presentations are becoming increasingly common.
Laser‐capture microdissection: Applications in routine molecular dermatopathology
Authors: Yazdi Amir S. , Puchta Ursula , Flaig Michael J. , Sander Christian A.
Published: July 2004

Abstract:  Advances in molecular pathology with the introduction of the Southern blot technique and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) have emerged as important tools, which are frequently used in routine dermatohistopathology. Applications for PCR‐based diagnostics are particularly helpful for the determination of clonality in cutaneous lymphocytic infiltrates and for detection of infectious agents, such as herpes simplex virus (HSV), varicella zoster virus (VZV), Borrelia burgdorferi, Mycobacteria, Leishmania, and Treponema pallidum. As biopsies are always composed of different cells, the cells of interest are often only a minor population. As a consequence, their specific DNA is diluted by the majority of contaminating cells. Another problem is the time‐ and labor‐intensive DNA extraction, because usually only formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded tissue is available, which makes molecular diagnostics a time and labor consuming, and consequently a cost‐intensive procedure. To overcome these shortcomings and to eventually shorten the time to generate a result, we introduce a laser‐capture microdissection (LCM)‐based method for the detection of infectious agents and clonality. Only the cells of interest for the particular indication are microdissected (e.g. epidermal cells for HSV and VZV and lymphocytes for clonality analysis) and subjected to PCR amplification. Due to an accelerated DNA‐extraction procedure which generates DNA in 5 h (compared to 3–4 days using conventional DNA extraction), we are able to generate a result within one working day.
K16 expression in uninvolved psoriatic skin: a possible marker of pre‐clinical psoriasis
Authors: Bhawan Jag , Bansal Cheryl , Whren Kara , Schwertschlag Ullrich ,   The IL‐11 Psoriasis Study Group
Published: July 2004

Background:  K16, a type I keratin, is upregulated in hyperproliferative states including psoriasis. It has been used as a marker of psoriasis and its expression is upregulated in relapsing psoriasis and downregulating in resolving. We evaluated non‐lesional psoriatic skin for K16 expression.

Methods:  Sixty‐seven non‐lesional and lesional skin samples from patients with psoriasis and normal skin from 19 non‐psoriatic patients were studied by immunohistochemistry on frozen sections with K16.

Results:  Seventeen of 19 normal skin samples showed staining of basal cells in the deeper part of the rete ridges. Sixty‐two non‐lesional psoriatic skin samples showed intense basal staining of K16. Of the remaining five non‐lesional samples, diffuse intense suprabasal staining in one, pan‐epidermal staining in two, and no staining was seen in two samples. Suprabasal (37), diffuse (14), sandwich (12), and basal (3) pattern staining were seen in psoriatic skin. One psoriatic skin sample did not show any expression.

Conclusion:  Our results demonstrate that K16 expression is also observed in non‐lesional psoriatic skin and may serve as a marker of preclinical psoriasis.
Primary rat muscle progenitor cells have decreased proliferation and myotube formation during passages
Authors: Machida S. , Spangenburg E. E. , Booth F. W.
Published: July 2004

Abstract.  Adult skeletal muscle contains populations of satellite cells and muscle‐derived stem cells that are capable of forming multinucleate myotubes. The purpose of this study was to determine the phenotype of cells isolated from a common satellite cell isolation and passaging procedure from whole skeletal muscle. To ascertain the characteristics of the cellular phenotype, the myogenic markers MyoD and desmin, the satellite‐cell‐specific marker Pax7, and the haemopoietic stem cell markers CD34 and CD45 were examined by immunohistochemical analysis. Immediately after isolation, > 90% myogenic marker‐positive cells were positive for desmin, MyoD and Pax7. In contrast, ∼10% of the isolated cells expressed only CD34 or CD45. After three passages, the percentage of cells that were positive for the myogenic markers desmin, MyoD and Pax7 was reduced to ∼55%, while the population of CD34‐ or CD45‐positive cells increased to ∼30% after the third passage. Immunohistochemical detection of bromodeoxyuridine demonstrated that the number of proliferating cells decreased progressively after each passaging. Finally, after the third passage the percentage of nuclei in myotubes decreased from 46.7% to 12.5%. Since passaging of muscle progenitor cells is common practice, the results of the current report suggest that characterization of cell heterogeneity needs to be made frequently.
A mathematical model of haemopoiesis as exemplified by CD34+ cell mobilization into the peripheral blood
Authors: Obeyesekere M. N. , Berry R. W. , Spicer P. P. , Korbling M.
Published: July 2004

Abstract.  A mathematical model for the kinetics of haemopoietic cells, including CD34+ cells, is proposed. This minimal model reflects the known kinetics of haemopoietic progenitor cells, including peripheral blood CD34+ cells, white blood cells and platelets, in the presence of granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor. Reproducing known perturbations within this system, subjected to granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor treatment and apheresis of peripheral blood progenitor cells (CD34+ cells) in healthy individuals allows validation of the model. Predictions are made with this model for reducing the length of time with neutropenia after high‐dose chemotherapy. Results based on this model indicate that myelosuppressive treatment together with infusion of CD34+ peripheral blood progenitor cells favours a faster recovery of the haemopoietic system than with granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor alone. Additionally, it predicts that infusion of white blood cells and platelets can relieve the symptoms of neutropenia and thrombocytopenia, respectively, without drastically hindering the haemopoietic recovery period after high dose chemotherapy.
Thrombopoietin, flt3‐ligand and c‐kit‐ligand modulate HOX gene expression in expanding cord blood CD133+ cells
Authors: McGuckin C. P. , Forraz N. , Pettengell R. , Thompson A.
Published: July 2004

Abstract.  Haemopoietic stem/progenitor cell (HSPC) development is regulated by extrinsic and intrinsic stimuli. Extrinsic modulators include growth factors and cell adhesion molecules, whereas intrinsic regulation is achieved with many transcription factor families, of which the HOX gene products are known to be important in haemopoiesis. Umbilical cord blood CD133+ HSPC proliferation potential was tested in liquid culture with ‘TPOFLK’ (thrombopoietin, flt‐3 ligand and c‐kit ligand, promoting HSPC survival and self‐renewal), in comparison to ‘K36EG’ (c‐kit‐ligand, interleukins‐3 and ‐6, erythropoietin and granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor, inducing haemopoietic differentiation). TPOFLK induced a higher CD133+ HSPC proliferation (up to 60‐fold more, at week 8) and maintained a higher frequency of the primitive colony‐forming cells than K36EG. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed opposite expression patterns for specific HOX genes in expanding cord blood CD133+ HSPC. After 8 weeks in liquid culture, TPOFLK increased the expression of HOX B3, B4 and A9 (associated with uncommitted HSPC) and reduced the expression of HOX B8 and A10 (expressed in committed myeloid cells) when compared to K36EG. These results suggest that TPOFLK induces CD133+ HSPC proliferation, self‐renewal and maintenance, up‐regulation of HOX B3, B4 and A9 and down‐regulation of HOX B8 and A10 gene expression.
Telomere attrition and accumulation of senescent cells in cultured human endothelial cells
Authors: Hastings R. , Qureshi M. , Verma R. , Lacy P. S. , Williams B.
Published: July 2004

Abstract.  The human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) is an important model of the human endothelium that is widely used in vascular research. HUVECs and the adult endothelium share many characteristics including progression into senescence as the cells age. Despite this, the shortening of telomeres and its relationship to the progression into senescence are poorly defined in HUVECs. In this study of several HUVEC lines we show notable consistency in their growth curves. There is a steady decline in the growth rate of HUVECs grown continually in culture and we estimate complete cessation of growth after approximately 70 population doublings. The HUVECs lose telomeric DNA at a consistent rate of 90 base pairs/population doubling and show a progressive accumulation of shortened telomeres (below 5 kilobases). This telomeric loss correlates with the accumulation of senescent HUVECs in culture as assessed by staining for β‐galactosidase activity at pH 6. Although the telomere length of a large population of cells is a relatively crude measure, we suggest that in HUVECs a mean telomere length (as measured by terminal restriction fragment length) of 5 kilobases is associated with entry into senescence. These data demonstrate the strong relationship between telomere attrition and cell senescence in HUVECs. They suggest that DNA damage and subsequent telomere attrition are likely to be key mechanisms driving the development of endothelial senescence in the pathogenesis of vascular disease.
The relational core of nursing practice as partnership
Authors: Jonsdottir Helga , Litchfield Merian , Pharris Margaret Dexheimer
Published: July 2004

Background.  Consideration of the relational core of nursing has gained significance in today's health systems, where the work of nurses is dominated by technologically‐driven, prescriptive, and outcome‐oriented approaches. This has led to disregard for individual experiences of living life with diverse health conditions.

Aim.  The aim of this paper is to articulate the relational core of nursing practice as partnership.

Discussion.  The relational core of nursing practice is explicated as a process of professional partnership, focusing on the evolving dialogue between nurse and patient. In partnership, the dialogue is open, caring, mutually responsive and non‐directive. The nurse attends to that which is of concern to patients in relation to their health predicaments and the meaning in the health experience unfolds. Nurse and patient reach insight that represents more useful ways of comprehending and acting on their health predicaments.

Conclusions.  Partnership represents theoretically‐driven practice that invites nurses to meet patients where they are in understanding their health predicaments and what can be done about them. As such, partnership strengthens the resolve of nurses to resist the pressures of contemporary health service delivery to provide a technical form of practice and it protects the relational core of a fully professional practice.
Patient safety and comfort during transfers in relation to nurses’ work technique
Authors: Kjellberg Katarina , Lagerström Monica , Hagberg Mats
Published: July 2004

Background.  The work technique used by health care professionals in patient transfer tasks affects the musculoskeletal load on the professionals, but probably also the safety and well‐being of patients being transferred; it is thus a matter of quality of care.

Aims.  The aim of this paper is to report a study exploring the relations between the work technique of nurses in patient transfer tasks, and patients’ perceptions of safety and comfort during the transfers.

Methods.  The work technique used by 102 nurses at orthopaedic wards to perform two common patient transfers: one transfer higher up in bed and one from bed to wheelchair, were examined using video recordings and an observation instrument. A work technique score for each performed transfer was calculated, indicating the level of musculoskeletal safety for the nurse. Nurses assessed their own work technique and patients rated the perceived safety and comfort on bipolar scales directly after each transfer.

Results.  Patients’ perceptions of safety and comfort were positively correlated to the work technique score in both transfers. Patients felt safer and more comfortable during transfers performed with a safe technique, according to the work technique score, than during those performed with a poor technique. Patients’ ratings of safety in the transfer from bed to wheelchair, and their ratings of comfort in both transfers, were positively correlated to nurses’ assessments of their own work technique. However, the correlation coefficients were rather low.

Conclusions.  The results support the existence of a relationship between nurses’ skills in patient transfers and quality of patient care.
Growth and development of children with congenital heart disease
Authors: Chen Chi‐Wen , Li Chung‐Yi , Wang Jou‐Kou
Published: July 2004

Background.  Children with congenital heart disease (CHD) commonly experience delayed growth. Because growth and development are closely related, both should be considered when a child's progress is examined.

Purpose.  This paper reports a study to evaluate and compare the growth and development of preschool children with CHD to those of normal preschool children.

Methods.  The heights and weights of 42 preschool children with CHD and 116 normal preschool children were compared with standard growth curves. Differences in development of personal and social skills, fine motor skills and adaptability, language, and gross motor skills were evaluated. Developmental skills were assessed using the Denver Developmental Screening Test II.

Results.  A significant difference was found in both body height (P < 0·05) and weight (P < 0·05) between the two groups. More preschoolers with congenital hear disease were below the 50th percentile in height (P < 0·05) and weight (P < 0·001). Preschoolers with CHD had more suspicious interpretations than non‐CHD preschoolers, specifically in the language (P < 0·01) and gross motor sections (P < 0·001). Nevertheless, there were two items in the personal‐social section and one in the language section on which the children with heart disease passed in the range of 55·6–63·2%. Problems were encountered with the Denver II test because of differences in language, culture and childrearing methods between Taiwanese and Western societies. These cultural differences must be considered when the test is used to assess development.

Conclusions.  Learning about the growth and developmental differences between children with CHD and normal children may help parents of the former to detect problems associated with delayed growth and development earlier. These children and their families should have the opportunity to participate in a long‐term, follow‐up programme that provides information and encourages developmental progress. The results could serve as a reference for those in both clinical and community workers who provide nursing care to children with CHD.
Decision‐making models used by ‘graduate nurses’ managing patients’ medications
Authors: Manias Elizabeth , Aitken Robyn , Dunning Trisha
Published: July 2004

Background. Nurses in a graduate programme in Australia are those who are in the first year of clinical practice following completion of a 3‐year undergraduate nursing degree. When working in an acute care setting, they need to make complex and ever‐changing decisions about patients’ medications in a clinical environment affected by multifaceted, contextual issues. It is important that comprehensive information about graduate nurses’ decision‐making processes and the contextual influences affecting these processes are obtained in order to prepare them to meet patients’ needs.

Aim. The purpose of this paper is to report a study that sought to answer the following questions: What are the barriers that impede graduate nurses’ clinical judgement in their medication management activities? How do contextual issues impact on graduate nurses’ medication management activities? The decision‐making models considered were: hypothetico‐deductive reasoning, pattern recognition and intuition.

Methods. Twelve graduate nurses who were involved in direct patient care in medical and surgical wards of a metropolitan teaching hospital located in Melbourne, Australia participated in the study. Participant observations were conducted with the graduate nurses during a 2‐hour period during the times when medications were being administered to patients. Graduate nurses were also interviewed to elicit further information about how they made decisions about patients’ medications.

Results. The most common model used was hypothetico‐deductive reasoning, followed by pattern recognition and then intuition. The study showed that graduate nurses had a good understanding of how physical assessment affected whether medications should be administered or not. When negotiating treatment options, graduate nurses readily consulted with more experienced nursing colleagues and doctors.

Study limitations. It is possible that graduate nurses demonstrated a raised awareness of managing patients’ medications as a consequence of being observed.

Conclusions. The complexity of the clinical practice setting means that graduate nurses need to adapt rapidly to make sound and appropriate decisions about patient care.
Preventing sciatic nerve injury from intramuscular injections: literature review
Authors: Small Sandra P.
Published: July 2004

Background.  Injury to the sciatic nerve (SN) is a serious complication of intramuscular injection.

Aim.  The purpose of this paper was to identify factors associated with such iatrogenic injury in adults and measures that nurses may take to prevent it.

Method.  A review of the English language literature was undertaken to identify applicable research studies and determine the information that currently is being disseminated on relevant injection procedure. Legal databases were also searched for pertinent court decisions.

Discussion.  The evidence is that injury to the SN is associated with use of the dorsogluteal (DG) site for injection. The choice of site for injection must be based on good clinical judgment, using the best evidence available and individualized assessment of the client. There is wide agreement in the literature that the ventrogluteal site is preferable. If the DG site is chosen, the nurse must have a full appreciation of the anatomy of the site and proximate anatomic structures, be able to accurately identify anatomic landmarks and site boundaries, and administer the injection with meticulous technique. Not only may SN injury resulting from erroneous injection cause client discomfort, morbidity and lasting disability, but it also provides the basis for nursing negligence suits.

Conclusion.  The research base for intramuscular injection is limited. Studies on various aspects of the procedure need to be carried out to provide support for clinical guidelines.
Health promotion and health education: advancing the concepts
Authors: Whitehead Dean
Published: July 2004

Background. Health education and health promotion activities are a fundamental requirement for all health professionals. These two paradigms are closely related but are not inter‐dependent. Despite this, it is known that many nurses confuse the terms and use them interchangeably. With this in mind, it is necessary to re‐conceptualize the terms in an attempt to bring them to a current form of ‘maturity’.

Aim. The aim of the paper is to provide an up‐to‐date analysis of health promotion and health education that serves as a conceptual and operational foundation for clinicians and researchers.

Method. A concept analysis following the criterion‐based methods described by Morse and her colleagues was applied to the terms health education and health promotion, using generic and nursing‐related literature.

Results. The conceptual literature on health education is consistent between generic and nursing‐related sources. On the contrary, earlier nursing literature on health promotion is now at odds with more recent socio‐political and community action models of health promotion, in that it focuses on individualistic and behavioural forms of ‘health promotion’. A significant proportion of later nursing‐related literature, however, suggests a maturing of the concept that brings it further in line with a socio‐political health promotion agenda.

Conclusion. While the theoretical and conceptual literature surrounding health education has remained relatively constant and unchanged over the last decade or so, the same cannot be said for the health promotion literature. The evolving dominance of socio‐political action in health promotion has overtaken individualistic and behaviourally‐related forms. While the recent nursing literature addresses and acknowledges the place of socio‐political activity as the mainstay of health promotion interventions, this is largely from a theoretical stance and is not applied in practice.
Men nurses: a historical and feminist perspective
Authors: Evans Joan
Published: July 2004

Background. The history of nursing is almost exclusively a history of women's accomplishments despite the fact that, as early as the fourth and fifth centuries, men have worked as nurses. This perpetuates the notion of men nurses as anomalies. It also provides insight into the gendered nature of nursing and nurses’ work within patriarchal culture.

Aim. This paper examines the history of men in nursing in Canada, Britain and the United States of America, and offer insights into the ways in which gender relations and the ideological designation of nursing as women's work have excluded, limited and, conversely, advanced the careers of men nurses.

Method. A search of the literature was carried out using CINAHL, PubMed and Sociological Abstracts databases. Search words included: male nurses, history, nursing, Canada, Britain, United Kingdom and USA.

Discussion. Men's participation in nursing reveals that prevailing definitions of masculinity have acted as a powerful barrier to men crossing the gender divide and entering the profession. At extraordinary times such as war and acute nursing shortages, gender boundaries are negotiable. For those men who have crossed over into nursing, a gendered division of labour is evidenced by men nurses’ long‐standing association with mental health nursing and, more recently, with their disproportionate attainment of masculine‐congruent leadership and specialty positions.

Conclusion. Failure to recognize men's participation in nursing leaves men nurses with little information about their professional background and historical position. It also maintains the invisibility of gender relations that have shaped the experience of men and women nurses alike. Such relations, understood within their broader social context, remain poorly understood and hence uninterrupted, to the detriment of nurses and the profession of nursing.