bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Promoting school connectedness through whole school approaches
Authors: Rowe Fiona , Stewart Donald , Patterson Carla
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a framework to demonstrate the contribution of whole school approaches embodied by the health‐promoting school approach, to the promotion of school connectedness, defined as the cohesiveness between diverse groups in the school community, including students, families, school staff and the wider community.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross‐disciplinary review of literature was conducted to identify strategies consistent with the health‐promoting school approach and the values and principles that promote school connectedness. The review included peer‐reviewed articles and published books and reports identified from the databases spanning the education, health, social science and science disciplines and used search terms encompassing health and mental health promotion, schools, social connectedness, belonging and attachment. The paper is also a framework of the contribution of the health‐promoting school approach to promoting school connectedness and was developed drawing on health promotion strategies at the broader community level known to foster connectedness.

Findings

The paper found that the framework developed illustrates how the health‐promoting school approach has the potential to build school connectedness through two major mechanisms: inclusive processes that involve the diversity of members that make up a community; the active participation of community members and equal “power” relationships, or equal partnerships among community members; and supportive structures such as school policies, the way the school is organised and its physical environment, that reflect the values of participation, democracy and inclusiveness and/or that promote processes based on these values.

Practical implications

In this paper the detailed mechanisms outlined in the framework provide practical strategies for health promotion practitioners and educators to use in the everyday school setting to promote school connectedness.

Originality/value

This paper draws together substantial bodies of evidence and makes a persuasive case for the contribution of the health‐promoting school approach to building school connectedness.
A resilience framework: perspectives for educators
Authors: Knight Cecily
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a framework for resilience education that can be used by teachers in schools. The paper seeks to identify a common language for exploring the concept of resilience.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents an overview of the construct of resilience as it appears in the literature. It provides a rationale for resilience education by examining the changing circumstances that impact on the work of educators. It also provides an overview of current Australian programs that promote resilience.

Findings

After an extensive examination of the literature, it is suggested that resilience is discussed in the literature as a state, a condition and a practice. Consequently, a three‐dimensional framework has been developed from this to help teachers understand resilience and to provide practical ways in which they can promote the resilience of their learners.

Practical implications

This conceptual paper suggests that the three‐dimensional framework for resilience has implications for supporting the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people. The paper highlights the important role of the school in enhancing resilience for children and young people.

Originality/value

The original work of this paper is the presentation of a three‐dimensional framework for resilience: as a state, a condition and a practice. This framework is useful for preservice teacher education programs and for the professional development of practising teachers.
How effective is the health‐promoting school approach in building social capital in primary schools?
Authors: Sun Jing , Stewart Donald
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe a study which investigated the relationship between the “health‐promoting school” (HPS) approach and social capital and tested the proposition that the implementation of an HPS intervention leads to a significant improvement in HPS features and social capital.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper a prospective intervention study design was used and involved the comparison of an intervention population group and a comparison population group matched for school size, urban location, school type and socio‐economic status. The paper shows that the intervention group used the holistic HPS approach to promote resilience, whereas the comparison group did not use the HPS approach. In the intervention schools, 262 staff in the pre‐intervention phase, and 288 staff in the post‐intervention phase responded to the survey. In the control schools, 156 staff in the pre‐intervention phase, and 261 in the post‐intervention phase responded. The HPS Scale derived from the Ottawa Charter and the Social Capital Scale derived from the Social Capital Index were used at the school community level.

Findings

The findings of this paper show that there was a statistically significant relationship between HPS indicators and social capital. The evidence indicates that an HPS approach to build social capital is effective.

Practical implications

The results in this paper indicate that social capital embedded in the HPS structure has the capacity to substantially affect relationships that people have with one another and the school psychosocial environment.

Originality/value

This paper provides health educators with resource strategies to promote social capital within the HPS program framework.
Development of population‐based resilience measures in the primary school setting
Authors: Sun Jing , Stewart Donald
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of the population‐based study in the paper is to report on progress in formulating instruments to measure children's resilience and associated protective factors in family, primary school and community contexts.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper a total of 2,794 students, 1,558 parents/caregivers, and 465 staff were surveyed in October 2003. A cross‐sectional research method was used for the data collection. Three surveys (student survey, parent/caregiver survey, and staff survey) were developed and modified to measure student resilience and associated protective factors. Exploratory factor analysis with Oblimin rotation and confirmatory factor analysis were used to analyse the reliability and validity of the scales of the three surveys.

Findings

The surveys in this paper find good construct validity and internal consistency for the social support scale of parent/caregiver survey, which had been modified from previous studies. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated a goodness of fit for the following scales: student resilience scale of the student survey; the school organisation and climate scale and family functioning scale of the parent/caregiver survey; and the health‐promoting school scale and social capital scale of the staff survey.

Practical implications

The paper specifies aspects of the resilience concept within a holistic or socio‐ecological setting. Measures of validity and reliability indicate that these instruments have the sensitivity to elucidate the complexity of both the resilience concept and the intricacy of working within the multi‐layered world of the school environment.

Originality/value

This paper provides health educators and researchers with reliable and valid resilience measures, which can be used as guidelines in implementing evaluation programmes for the health‐promoting school project and the prevention of mental health problems in children.
Measuring campus portal effectiveness and the contributing factors
Authors: Noorman bin Masrek Mohamad
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to evaluate the effectiveness or success of universities' portal implementation from the perspective of students as users. Adopting the model developed by Delone and McLean, portal effectiveness is defined as being composed of information quality, systems quality and service quality. In addition, the paper also seeks to investigate the influence of individual factors comprising attitudes towards the portal, personal innovativeness and web self‐efficacy on the effectiveness of the portal.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted a survey research design with questionnaires being administered to 600 students as respondents. The cross‐sectional strategy for data collection resulted in 405 usable responses that were used for data analysis.

Findings

The results show that IS effectiveness dimensions consisting of service quality and systems quality are significantly correlated with user satisfaction. In addition, the study also showed that of the three predictors investigated, only attitudes towards the portal were found to be significantly correlated with IS effectiveness dimensions.

Research limitations/implications

The perceptual self‐report measures rather than objectives measures adopted in this study contribute to bias, and a cross‐sectional design for data collection only provides data at one point in time.

Practical implications

The instrument developed in the study could assist the authorities concerned in evaluating the effectiveness of the portal.

Originality/value

Despite the growing interest in universities adopting portal technologies, studies addressing the issues of successes and effectiveness are still very limited. Hence, this study provides an impetus for evaluating campus portals from the user's perspective.
Organizational size and knowledge flow: a proposed theoretical link
Authors: Serenko Alexander , Bontis Nick , Hardie Timothy
Published: October 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to present a theory clarifying the negative relationship between organizational unit size and knowledge flows referred to as Gita's Rule.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper draws from the literature and develops a grounded theory. Various applications and propositions are suggested through this theoretical lens.

Findings

It is suggested that, as the size of an organizational unit increases, the effectiveness of internal knowledge flows dramatically diminishes and the degree of intra‐organizational knowledge sharing decreases.

Research limitations/implications

It is proposed that 150 employees represents a general breaking point, after which knowledge sharing reduces due largely to increased complexity in the formal structure, weaker interpersonal relationships and lower trust, decreased connective efficacy, and less effective communication.

Practical implications

The research points to the key dimension of organizational size that must be considered when developing models and reviewing case studies.

Originality/value

The research reported in this paper is among the first to explicitly tackle the issue of how knowledge flows are affected by organizational size. A theory is developed and several research propositions are introduced for future studies.
Applying the balanced scorecard for better performance of intellectual capital
Authors: Bose Sanjoy , Thomas Keith
Published: October 2007

Purpose

One of the responses to criticisms of traditional forms of accounting reports for knowledge‐based firms has been the development of the balanced scorecard (BSC), a strategic performance measurement framework and methodology based on a family of performance measures. This paper aims to examine the issue of measuring performance in relation to a major Australian company, The Fosters Brewing Group, where a newly appointed CEO reversed a decline in performance by adopting, among other initiatives, the balanced scorecard approach to management.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper takes the form of a case study, applying the theoretical framework of the BSC to a declining business in order to achieve a turnaround.

Findings

The paper discusses how a newly appointed CEO of The Fosters Brewing Group reversed a decline in performance by adopting, among other initiatives, the balanced scorecard approach to management.

Research limitations/implications

The BSC is a practical framework to deal with the intangible nature of knowledge, while ensuring that such investments in knowledge and management align with and contribute to their strategic direction.

Practical implications

The paper provides an example of a company using the BSC to deal with the imperative of making investments in knowledge and management skills.

Originality/value

There is a growing body of literature on the limitations of traditional accounting statements that measure tangible, physical assets to capture the current and future value of knowledge. This paper illustrates a framework using the BSC to manage and measure the intangible nature of knowledge.
Intellectual capital practices and performance in Russian enterprises
Authors: Tovstiga George , Tulugurova Ekaterina
Published: October 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to present and discuss research that investigates the impact of intellectual capital practices on enterprise performance in small innovative enterprises (SIEs) in the St Petersburg, Russia region.

Design/methodology/approach

Research fieldwork uses a survey questionnaire focusing on technology‐intensive SIEs in the St Petersburg region, supported by a select number of follow‐up interviews. The research analysis is based on quantitative statistical evaluation of the research data.

Findings

Intellectual capital, particularly structural and human capital, is perceived by Russian managers of SIEs to be a primary determinant of enterprise performance, thereby substantiating the importance of the resource‐based view for enterprise performance – even in the transitional economy of Russia.

Research limitations/implications

The research reported in this paper is limited by the relatively small sample size of firms surveyed; the quantitative research is based on perceptions of managers.

Practical implications

The research points to some key dimensions of intellectual capital‐related practices that are particularly important for enterprise performance.

Originality/value

The research reported in this paper brings together a unique combination of research related to the resource‐based view of the firm in the setting of small innovative enterprises in a transitional economy environment.
Intrapartum fetal monitoring and the spectre of litigation
Authors: Hindley Carol , Thomson Ann M.
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The routine use of intrapartum electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) has resulted in an increased burden of operative and vaginal instrumental deliveries for women at low obstetric risk. Such modes of delivery increase maternal mortality and morbidity risks. This study aims to explore midwives' values, attitudes and beliefs when using intrapartum fetal monitoring techniques in clinical practice.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 58 registered midwives across two NHS Trusts in one region in the north of England were interviewed using a qualitative approach.

Findings

Midwives attempted to manage the psychological burden of the threat from clinical negligence by using EFM. This meant that some midwives used electronic monitoring regardless of clinical need. Midwives lack confidence in the ability of EFM to accurately detect fetal compromise but are aware that the visual monitoring record is recognised as a valuable piece of legal evidence. The midwives' perceptions of professional self‐efficacy in seeking to avoid a claim in clinical negligence contributed to defensive practice. Research limitations/implications – The study was conducted in only two hospitals in one region of England; however the Trust demographics were similar and midwifery practice within the unit reflects national maternity standards of care.

Practical implications

Multidisciplinary strategies may be required to overcome barriers to the effective implementation of clinical guidelines where intrapartum fetal monitoring is concerned and Trust audit departments must undertake regular audit cycles in order to ascertain practice compliance with best evidence.

Originality/value

The paper provides information so that midwives' knowledge regarding the limitations of EFM can be improved.
Implementing NICE guidelines: the difficulties
Authors: Basu Abhijit , Bellis Amanda
Published: October 2007

Purpose

This purpose of this study is to look at the availability of routine antenatal anti‐D prophylaxis (RAADP) in the maternity units within the North‐west Deanery, England five years after the publication of this technology appraisal guideline (no. 41) by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE).

Design/methodology/approach

Antenatal clinics of all the major 18 maternity hospitals were contacted about their existing practice on RAADP. Responses were obtained by facsimile and telephone.

Findings

A total of 11 of the 18 units had implemented the practice between April 2003 and May 2007. Some had changed their practice from two doses to a single dose on the grounds of logistics. Cost appeared to be the most important reason in non‐user units. The practice is under consideration in two units.

Practical implications

There may be difficulty in universal implementation of NICE guidelines despite the supporting evidence.

Originality/value

This study demonstrates the issue of difficulty of local health economies in supporting national guidelines.
Visionary or hallucinatory workplace opportunities
Authors: Birnbaum David
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The paper aims to discuss discrepancies between recruiting representation versus workplace reality.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach is to provide a viewpoint of discrepancies between recruiting representation versus workplace reality.

Findings

All large organizations aspire to be recognized in a positive manner, but many might not truly appreciate the contrary signals broadcast by their responses to job applicants. Facing a well‐recognized global shortage of qualified individuals in most health care professions, hospital systems and public health agencies tend in job advertising to portray themselves as great places to work. However, their reply to applicants who respond can quickly dispel that illusion, driving away the sought after best and brightest who also just might tell their friends …

Originality/value

The paper provides a viewpoint of discrepancies between recruiting representation versus workplace reality.
Intuition and surprise
Authors: Powers Michael R.
Published: October 2007

Purpose

This editorial seeks to address the importance of intuition and metaphor in the construction of logical systems of thought.

Design/methodology/approach

Two unconventional approaches to probability theory are considered, one based upon the non‐intuitive law of the excluded middle, and one based upon the notion of surprise.

Findings

It is argued that formal systems based upon non‐intuitive assumptions/axioms are generally less likely to be accepted by researchers. Nevertheless, it sometimes is possible to identify unconventional systems with greater intuitive appeal than their more orthodox counterparts.

Originality/value

The editorial emphasizes an aspect of formal mathematical systems – intuition – that is often overlooked.
Calibrating risk‐neutral default correlation
Authors: Luciano Elisa
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The implementation of credit risk models has largely relied either on the use of historical default dependence, as proxied by the correlation of equity returns, or on risk neutral equicorrelation, as extracted from CDOs. Contrary to both approaches, the purpose of this paper is to infer risk neutral dependence from CDS data, taking counterparty risk into consideration and avoiding equicorrelation. The impact of risk neutral correlation on the fees of some higher dimensional credit derivatives is also explored.

Design/methodology/approach

Copula functions are used in order to capture dependency. An application to market data is provided.

Findings

Both in the FtD and CDO cases, using (the correct) risk neutral measure instead of equity dependency has the same effect as the adoption of a copula with tail dependency instead of a Gaussian one. This should be important for those who resort to copulas in credit derivative pricing.

Originality/value

As far as is known, several attempts have been made in order to compare the behavior of different copulas in derivative pricing; however, no attempt has been made in order to extract risk neutral dependence without using the equicorrelation assumption. Therefore no attempt has been made to understand which copula features could proxy for risk neutrality, whenever risk neutral dependency cannot be inferred (for instance because CDS involving that name are not actively traded)
The impact of national culture on the meaning of information system success at the user level
Authors: Agourram Hafid , Ingham John
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand how people from different national cultures; France, Canada and Germany, define and perceive information systems success.

Design/methodology/approach

This is exploratory research that used a grounded theory approach to analyze qualitative data that were collected using an open interview data collection technique. Grounded theory helps to develop new concepts and new theory.

Findings

The findings confirm the divergence thesis. The authors found that people from different national cultures define information systems differently. The authors developed models that groups information systems success as they are defined in France, Canada and Germany.

Research limitations/implications

There are many limitations in this research. First, the findings concern only one single multinational organization. The authors' aim was analytical and not statistical generalization. Second, although the number of respondents was sufficient to develop a partial theory, the authors could not meet with a larger number of people to get more insights.

Practical implications

There are many practical implications. Multinational organizations that seek to standardize their information systems need to be aware that the implementation as well as long term success of the standard system will not be homogenous. Moreover, the results of the study reveal that information quality and other systems based concepts are not defined the same way in all cultures. Finally, the study proposes a tool that would help the case organization measure IS success in these three cultures.

Originality/value

This study is unique in a sense that not only does it claim that culture does impact IS success, but it also goes a step further and defines what IS success is in different national cultures.
Information risks management in supply chains: an assessment and mitigation framework
Authors: Nishat Faisal Mohd , Banwet D.K. , Shankar Ravi
Published: October 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to identify various information risks that could impact a supply chain, and develops a conceptual framework to quantify and mitigate them.

Design/methodology/approach

Graph theory has been used to quantify information risks while interpretive structural modelling (ISM) is employed to understand the interrelationships among the enablers of information risks mitigation.

Findings

The research presents a classification of the enablers of information risks mitigation according to their driving power and dependence. It also presents a risk index to quantify information risks. The research suggests that management should focus on improving the high driving power enabler variables.

Practical implications

The proposed risk index and the hierarchy‐based model would help to develop suitable strategies to manage information risks in supply chains.

Originality/value

The major contribution of this paper lies in the development of a framework to quantify information risks and a hierarchy based model for their mitigation in context of supply chains.
Process based information systems evaluation: towards the attributes of “PRISE”
Authors: Özkan Sevgi , Hackney Ray , Bilgen Semih
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the importance of undertaking a systemic view of information systems evaluation that augments the frequently reported prescriptive (cost/benefit) analysis approaches.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper adopts a qualitative case perspective and derives a framework for substantive information systems evaluation factors (PRISE). Three empirical formulations are considered and a comparison made to determine the content and context of the findings.

Findings

The findings support the flexibility and relevance of PRISE as a framework for information systems evaluation. It notes the objectives, relations and components for explicitly identifying the outputs required to make a valid assessment of the systems.

Research limitations/implications

The study is limited contextually where attention should be made not to generalise the findings beyond the empirical findings within the case analysis. Further studies may usefully include the main features of PRISE but taking into account their unique research environment.

Practical implications

The study supports a practitioner perspective through a consideration of a holistic approach to information systems evaluation. Managers may implement the notion of including people, resources and benefits in their attempts to determine the added value of these systems to the organisation that extends beyond a simple financial calculation.

Originality/value

The paper is highly original as the framework has been derived through both theoretical constructs and empirical analysis. It provides an innovative approach to information system evaluation that is intellectually sound and practically orientated.
Implementation of advanced manufacturing technology in Pakistani small and medium enterprises
Authors: Marri H.B. , Gunasekaran A. , Sohag R.A.
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to develop a framework/model for the implementation of advanced manufacturing technologies (AMTs) in small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative approach has been applied. This approach is subjective, as is the data collected and compared in detailed, and the outcome is only as good as the questions developed. The research methodology employed here is based on a literature survey, a model/framework and an empirical analysis using the data collection from the structured questionnaire from SMEs located in the Province of Sindh in Pakistan.

Findings

There is a lack of engineering orientation, in‐house expertise and organizations long‐term vision to accept new technologies. The surveyed companies are giving less importance to arranging training and education facilities either in‐house or out side of the companies to their employees. Also, there is a lack of incentives and rewards scheme inside the surveyed companies.

Originality/value

The framework developed in this paper and findings of the research results will provides a road‐map to the SMEs who are in a process of implementing AMT.
Immunohistochemical comparison of β‐catenin expression by human normal epidermis and epidermal tumors
Authors: FUKUMARU Keiko , YOSHII Noriko , Kanzaki Tamotsu , KANEKURA Takuro
Published: October 2007

β‐Catenin, a cytoplasmic protein that binds directly to the intracellular domain of cadherin, controls various functions such as cell adhesion. In many human carcinomas, E‐cadherin‐mediated cell–cell adhesion is lost or disturbed and related to metastasis. The purpose of this study was to compare the expression of β‐catenin in the normal epidermal keratinocytes and samples from cutaneous benign and malignant epidermal tumors in 140 patients. Our study population consisted of 140 patients with benign or malignant epidermal tumors. Using immunohistochemical methods, we compared the expression of β‐catenin in their normal epidermal keratinocytes, and in samples from 61 benign (seborrheic keratosis, n = 33; verruca vulgaris, n = 14; keratoacanthoma, n = 14), and 79 malignant (Bowen's disease, n = 18; basal cell carcinoma, n = 33; squamous cell carcinoma, n = 28) epidermal tumors. β‐Catenin was found to be expressed in the cell membrane of normal keratinocytes. Compared to other cell components of the normal epidermis, basal cells showed the strongest β‐catenin expression in all 140 patients. While absent in three of 61 benign tumors, compared to normal basal cells, the expression of β‐catenin in the other 58 tumors was not significantly different; it was reduced in 71 of 79 malignant tumors (P < 0.0001). In Bowen's disease, the expression of β‐catenin on the tumor cell membrane was reduced, however, strong expression was seen in the nuclei and cytoplasm. Our results suggest that β‐catenin expression on the membrane of keratinocytes is associated with the differentiation of normal keratinocytes but not with their stage of differentiation, nor with the proliferation ability of epidermal tumor cells.
Case of superficial mucocele of the lower lip
Authors: OKA Masahiro , NISHIOKA Eri , MIYACHI Rieko , TERASHIMA Mina , NISHIGORI Chikako
Published: October 2007

Superficial mucocele is a relatively rare bullous disease that develops in the oral mucosa. Although the number of reported cases is limited, it seems that the superficial mucocele has been recognized as an independent disease belonging to a single entity. We report a 48‐year‐old woman who repeatedly developed superficial mucocele in the oral mucosa. When she was admitted to our hospital she had a tense vesicle on her lower lip. A skin biopsy was taken from the vesicle. A blister containing neutrophils and erythrocytes was present in the mucous epithelium. There was a dermal infiltrate comprising neutrophils, mononuclear lymphocytic cells and eosinophils. Dilated salivary gland excretory ducts were seen in the lamina propria mucosae. Eosinophilic and amorphous materials, which were periodic acid‐Schiff positive after digestion with diastase, and alcian blue positive, were deposited in the blister. Direct immunofluorescence was negative for immunoglobulin (Ig)G, IgM, IgA, C1q, C3 and C4. These histological findings led us to make a diagnosis of superficial mucoceles.
Localized Darier's disease in a Blaschkoid distribution: Two cases of phenotypic mosaicism and a review of mosaic Darier's disease
Authors: SANDERSON Elisabeth A. , KILLORAN Christina E. , ANITA Pedvis‐Leftick , WILKEL Caroline S.
Published: October 2007

Darier's disease is a rare autosomal dominant genodermatosis. Characteristic skin and nail changes consist of bilateral crusted red‐brown papules and plaques in a seborrheic distribution, and V‐shaped nicking or longitudinal ridging of the nails. In limited cases, a segmental distribution of this disease may be present in which localized lesions, found along the lines of Blaschko, are otherwise indistinguishable from those of generalized Darier's disease. Genomic mosaicism in localized lesions of Darier's disease is a new concept that was recently demonstrated in individuals of mosaic phenotypes. Both type 1 and type 2 mosaic phenotypes have been reported. We report two cases of type 1 localized Darier's disease in a Blaschkoid distribution and review the genetic implications of phenotypic mosaicism within the field of Darier's disease.
Linear and whorled nevoid hypermelanosis complicated with inflammatory linear verrucous epidermal nevus and ichthyosis vulgaris
Authors: LU Yan , ZHU Wen‐Yuan
Published: October 2007

We report a 17‐year‐old girl who presented with linear and whorled melanosis following Blaschko lines mainly on her trunk. Ichthyosiform lesions and linear scaling erythemas were observed respectively on her lower limbs and the dorsa of her hands, left knee, ankle and foot. No abnormality was found in systemic examination and blood tests. A biopsy specimen of pigmentation of her back showed there was increased pigmentation within the basal keratinocytes, with focal incontinentia pigmenti. Notable lymphangiectasis could also be seen in the mid part of dermis, which had never previously been described. The biopsy of scaling erythemas of her hand showed dominant hyperkeratosis with focal parakeratosis, acanthosis and papillomatous hyperplasia in the epidermis. The diagnosis of linear and whorled nevoid hypermelanosis (LWNH) complicated with inflammatory linear verrucous epidermal nevus and ichthyosis vulgaris was made in accordance with clinical and pathological manifestations. LWNH ought to be differentiated from incontinentia pigmenti and hypomelanosis of Ito.
Spontaneous regression of recurrent and metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma
Authors: KUBO Hidemichi , MATSUSHITA Shigeto , FUKUSHIGE Tomoko , KANZAKI Tamotsu , KANEKURA Takuro
Published: October 2007

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a malignant neuroendocrine tumor with a high rate of recurrence and metastasis. Despite its high degree of malignancy, spontaneous regression has been documented. We report an 87‐year‐old woman who presented with recurrent MCC on her left cheek and regional lymph node metastasis. Although she received no treatment due to her poor condition, the recurrent metastatic lesion regressed spontaneously within 2 months.
Bowen's disease with high telomerase activity
Authors: NORO Sachiko , MITSUISHI Tsuyoshi , UENO Takashi , KANEKO Takehiko , NAKATAKE Mayuka , YAMADA Osamu , KAWANA Seiji
Published: October 2007

We describe an 81‐year‐old Japanese woman who had a palm‐sized, erythematous plaque with a nodular lesion on the lateral abdomen. The biopsy specimens taken from the erythematous plaque and reddish nodule show that bowenoid changes were present in the epidermis and epidermis to dermis, respectively. A sentinel lymph node biopsy (SNB) was performed with blue dye and radioisotope in her right groin region and two lymph nodes were found to be occupied by many atypical cells. The erythematous plaque with nodular lesion was completely removed with a 3‐cm margin under general anesthesia, and complete regional lymph node dissection was also performed. In addition, high telomerase activity was seen in the erythema plaque while using a telomeric repeat amplification protocol assay. In conclusion, some instances of Bowen's disease might have high telomerase activity in the atypical cells and can progress to Bowen's carcinoma. The SNB was regarded as a useful method to detect early lymph node metastases in this case.
Sonodynamically‐induced apoptosis, necrosis, and active oxygen generation by mono‐l‐aspartyl chlorin e6
Authors: Yumita Nagahiko , Han Qing‐Song , Kitazumi Ikuko , Umemura Shin‐ichiro
Published: October 2007

In this study, we investigated the induction of apoptosis by ultrasound in the presence of a photochemically active chlorine, mono‐l‐aspartyl chlorin e6 (NPe6). HL‐60 cells were exposed to ultrasound for up to 3 min in the presence and absence of NPe6, and the induction of apoptosis was examined by analyzing cell morphology, DNA fragmentation, and caspase‐3 activity. Cells treated with 80 µM NPe6 and ultrasound clearly showed membrane blebbing and cell shrinkage, whereas significant morphologic changes were not observed in cells exposed to either ultrasound alone, at the same intensity, or NPe6 alone. Also, DNA ladder formation and caspase‐3 activation were observed in cells treated with both ultrasound and NPe6 but not in cells treated with ultrasound or NPe6 alone. In addition, NPe6 substantially enhanced nitroxide generation by ultrasound in the same acoustical arrangement. Sonodynamically‐induced apoptosis, caspase‐3 activation, and nitroxide generation were significantly suppressed by histidine. These results suggest that the combination of ultrasound and NPe6 sonochemically induces apoptosis as well as necrosis in HL‐60 cells. They further suggest that some ultrasonically‐generated active species, deactivatable by histidine, are the major mediators to induce the observed apoptosis. (Cancer Sci 2008; 99: 166–172)
Use of linked loci as individuals or haplotypes for marker‐assisted breed assignment
Authors: Stella A. , Panzitta F. , Gandini G. , Boettcher P. J.
Published: October 2007

The objective of this study was to use simulation to evaluate the benefits of considering haplotypes of loci when linked single nucleotide polymorphisms are used for breed assignment. Three breeds of 10 000 females each were simulated under eight scenarios that differed according to the number of generations separating the breeds, size of breed founder populations and recombination rate between linked loci. Molecular genotypes consisted of 20 groups of three linked loci each. Breed assignment was performed in the final generation and was based on the frequency method. Haplotypes were reconstructed using the expectation–maximization algorithm. Accuracy of breed assignment was based on the frequency of correct breed assignment. Assignment accuracy increased as more genotypes (loci or haplotypes) were considered and more animals were used to estimate genotypic frequencies within breed. For most scenarios, use of haplotypes yielded equal or greater accuracies than when loci were considered independent. The advantage of haplotypes tended to increase as linkage disequilibrium between adjacent loci increased. The greatest advantage for using haplotypes was observed when recombination rate was low (0.001), breeds were separated by few generations (100), and a relatively large number of founder animals (110) was used to form new breeds. In this situation, 90% accuracy of breed assignment was achieved using nine to 14 haplotypes (i.e. 27–42 loci) depending on breed, vs. 39–57 individual loci.
New classification system for mass transport complexes in offshore Trinidad
Authors: Moscardelli Lorena , Wood Lesli
Published: October 2007

This paper delineates our use of 10 708 km2 of three‐dimensional (3D) seismic data from the continental margin of Trinidad and Tobago West Indies to describe a series of mass transport complexes (MTCs) that were deposited during the Plio‐Pleistocene. This area, situated along the obliquely converging boundary of the Caribbean/South American plates and proximal to the Orinoco Delta, is characterized by catastrophic shelf‐margin processes, intrusive/extrusive mobile shales and active tectonism. Extensive mapping of different stratigraphic intervals of the 3D seismic survey reveals several MTCs that range in area from 11.3 to 2017 km2. Three types of MTCs are identified: (1) shelf‐attached systems that were fed by shelf‐edge deltas whose sediment input is controlled by sea‐level fluctuations and sedimentation rates; (2) slope‐attached systems, which occur when upper‐slope sediments catastrophically fail owing to gas‐hydrate disruptions and/or earthquakes and (3) locally detached systems, formed when local instabilities in the seafloor trigger relatively small collapses. Such classification of the relationship between slope mass failures and sourcing regions enables a better understanding of the nature of initiation, length of development history and petrography of such MTCs. 3D seismic enables more accurate calculation of deposit volumes, improves deposit imaging, and, thus, increases the accuracy of physical and computer simulations of mass failure processes.
Knowledge creation about ADRs – turning the perspective from the rear mirror to the projector?
Authors: Aagaard Lise , Soendergaard Birthe , Stenver Doris I. , Hansen Ebba Holme
Published: October 2007

What is already known about this subject?

• Serious and unexpected adverse drug reactions (ADRs) have been reported shortly after marketing of a number of drugs.

• Review of ADR cases by the regulatory authorities has resulted in suspension of drugs or restrictions in product information.

What this study adds?

• Information about serious and unexpected ADRs of three drugs with reported serious ADRs was already present in the registration files.

• Observations of these ADRs were not investigated further before marketing.

• A more active utilization of the ADR information in premarketing studies could probably prevent the appearance of unexpected and serious ADR cases after marketing.

Aims

Spontaneous reports of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are often the only documentation used to justify the recall of drugs from the market. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether it would have been possible to foresee serious ADR cases based on available information on ADRs reported in Phase II and III clinical trials before marketing.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis of reported ADR data in Phase II/III clinical trials in the registration material for three different ADR scenarios: (i) trovafloxacin/alatrofloxacin and hepatotoxicity; (ii) tolcapone and hepatotoxicity and neuroleptic malignant syndrome; and (iii) rituximab and cytokine release syndrome. We chose the scenarios because they were of serious character and caused great damage to the patients and because of different outcomes of the scientific discussions in the regulatory agencies.

Results

In all three cases, the registration material contained observations of ADRs, but there had been no follow‐up on these observations. ADRs were mentioned in the summary of product information (SPC) purely as information, to some extent accompanied by recommendations. The information was not converted into new knowledge and remained tacit knowledge embedded in the SPCs disseminated to health professionals/prescribers.

Conclusions

The registration material analysed contained information about ADRs that were reported later, meaning that it would have been possible to foresee the occurrence of the ADRs at the time of licensing. More active utilization of the information from Phase II/III clinical trials is recommended to prevent the appearance of unexpected ADRs and further emphasis in SPC warnings to doctors about possible serious ADRs.
Effect of danshen extract on pharmacokinetics of theophylline in healthy volunteers
Authors: Qiu Furong , Wang Guangji , Zhao Yanan , Sun Hua , Mao Guoguang , A Jiyi , Sun Jian
Published: October 2007

What is already known about this subject

• Danshen extract is widely used for the treatment and prevention of coronary heart disease and other diseases of senility in Asia.

• Danshen extract and theophylline may be prescribed together to treat patients with asthma.

• In human, theophylline with low therapeutic index is mainly metabolized by CYP1A2.

• In vitro findings have shown that human CYP1A2 is inhibited by the ethyl acetate extract of danshen and danshen pharmaceutical product.

• There may be drug interactions between danshen extract and theophylline (CYP1A2 substrate).

What this study adds

• This study concerned drug interactions between danshen extract and theophylline in Chinese volunteers.

• Long‐term oral intake of danshen extract does not change the basic pharmacokinetic parameters of theophylline.

• Dose adjustment of theophylline thus may not be necessary in patients receiving concomitant therapy with danshen extract.

Aims

To examine the potential effect of danshen extract on the pharmacokinetics of theophylline.

Methods

In a sequential cross‐over study with two phases, 12 volunteers took 100 mg theophylline on day 1 and day 15. From day 2 to day 15, volunteers received danshen extract tablets three times daily, four tablets each time for 14 days. On day 15, they received four danshen extract tablets with 100 mg theophylline. Plasma concentrations of theophylline were measured on days 1 and 15 periodically for 24 h.

Results

The 90% confidence interval of Cmax, t1/2 and CL/F of theophylline with 14‐day danshen extract tablets vs. without comedication were (101.42, 121.36) (84.57, 106.72) and (88.82, 105.72), respectively. The time to peak plasma theophylline concentration was unchanged by danshen (P > 0.05). The pharmacokinetics parameter of theophylline was unaffected by danshen extract.

Conclusions

Danshen extract does not influence the metabolism of theophylline in healthy volunteers. Dose adjustment of theophylline thus may not be necessary in patients receiving concurrent therapy with danshen extract tablets.
Population pharmacokinetics of gemcitabine and its metabolite in patients with cancer: effect of oxaliplatin and infusion rate
Authors: Jiang Xuemin , Galettis Peter , Links Matthew , Mitchell Paul L. , McLachlan Andrew J.
Published: October 2007

What is already known about this subject

• Gemcitabine is an anticancer drug which is metabolized to a number of metabolites, administered using different dosing regimens and increasingly used in combination with oxaliplatin.

• The impact of dosing strategies and combination therapy on the pharmacokinetics of gemcitabine and its main metabolite is not clearly understood.

What this study adds

• This study has characterized the pharmacokinetics of gemcitabine and its main metabolite in people with cancer, including the variability between patients and on different occasions.

• Gemcitabine metabolite (but not gemcitabine) pharmacokinetics were significantly affected by co‐administration with oxaliplatin and were dependent on the order of administration.

• The clinical implications of this observation remain to be established.

Aims

To characterize the population pharmacokinetics of gemcitabine and its metabolite (dFdU) in patients with cancer and identify factors that are influential in gemcitabine dose regimen design.

Methods

Gemcitabine and dFdU plasma concentration–time and clinical data from 94 patients with cancer and nonlinear mixed effect modelling were used to characterize gemcitabine and metabolite pharmacokinetic variability and identify influential covariates.

Results

Gemcitabine and dFdU pharmacokinetics were described by a two‐compartment model with first‐order elimination. The population mean (and between‐subject variability, CV%) for clearance and volume of distribution of the central compartment (VC) for gemcitabine were 2.7 l min−1 (31%) and 15 l (39%), respectively, and 0.04 l min−1 (35%) and 46 l (15%), respectively, for dFdU. Oxaliplatin co‐administration significantly decreased dFdU VC by 35% when gemcitabine was administered first and by 46% when oxaliplatin was administered first compared with patients who received gemcitabine alone.

Conclusions

Co‐administration of gemcitabine with oxaliplatin significantly affected the pharmacokinetics of dFdU. The clinical significance of this observation in the context of gemcitabine safety and efficacy is worthy of further investigation.
Risks, diagnosis and outcomes of invasive fungal infections in haematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients
Authors: Barnes Penelope D. , Marr Kieren A.
Published: October 2007

Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) continue to cause considerable morbidity and mortality in haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients. This review focuses on the risks for, and diagnosis of, IFIs (candidiasis, aspergillosis and other mould infections), and factors that affect current outcomes. Diagnosis of IFI is difficult, with the sensitivity of the gold standard tests (culture and histopathology) often <50%. Therefore, physicians rely on a constellation of clinical signs, radiography, culture, histopathology and adjunctive tests to establish diagnosis. HSCT recipients often have multiple co‐morbidities, and understanding the current outcomes and prognostic variables is therefore important for overall management. This paper reviews historical trends and current data.