bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Geodemographics, Software and Class
Authors: Burrows Roger , Gane Nicholas
Published: October 2006

This article examines some of the implications for the sociological analysis of social class of the migration of geodemographic classifications of various sorts into software systems designed to ‘sort out’ people and places. It begins by offering an overview of the history and development of geodemographic classifications. It then argues that such classifications are increasingly becoming embedded in ‘soft-ware sorting’ procedures of various sorts, which in turn leads to the prospect of ‘automated spatiality’ becoming a common feature of the contemporary constitution of social class.
Displaced Masculinities: Chavs, Youth and Class in the Post-industrial City
Authors: Nayak Anoop
Published: October 2006

In an insecure post-industrial society working-class young men must forge new youth transitions. This entails rethinking what it is to be a ‘man’ beyond the world of industrial paid employment. It also involves a reshaping of a whole ‘way of life’ with the erosion of traditional labour and leisure lifestyles. This ethnographic study contrasts the cultural habitations of young men from traditional skilled working-class backgrounds with those from families experiencing long-term inter-generational unemployment. It explores their differently textured ‘going out’ experiences, their values, attitudes and practices. By focusing upon the subtle and explicit demarcations that distinguish the ‘rough’ from the ‘respectable’ working-class, the article argues that social class is of marked and continuing salience in youth culture. Furthermore, the work suggests that by exhibiting ‘spectacular masculinities’ of white male excess, young men accrue a body capital that has a currency and a local exchange value within the circuits they inhabit.
‘All that is Solid?’: Class, Identity and the Maintenance of a Collective Orientation amongst Redundant Steelworkers
Authors: MacKenzie Robert , Stuart Mark , Forde Chris , Greenwood Ian , Gardiner Jean , Perrett Robert
Published: October 2006

This article explores the importance of class and collectivism to personal identity, and the role this played during a period of personal and collective crisis created by mass redundancy in the Welsh steel industry. The research findings demonstrate the importance of occupational identity to individual and collective identity formation. The apparent desire to maintain this collective identity acted as a form of resistance to the increased individualization of the post-redundancy experience, but rather than leading to excessive particularism, it served as a mechanism through which class-based thinking and class identity were articulated. It is argued that the continued concern for class identity reflected efforts to avoid submergence in an existence akin to Beck’s (1992) vision of a class-free ‘individualized society of employees’.These findings therefore challenge the notion of the pervasiveness of individualism and the dismissal of class and collective orientations as important influences on identity formation.
The Menu in Society: Mediating Structures of Power and Enchanting Myths of Individual Sovereignty
Authors: Korczynski Marek , Ott Ursula
Published: October 2006

We live in curious times. People’s sense of individual autonomy co-exists with structures of power. How do these two phenomena co-exist? An important answer to this lies in the menu. The menu operates as a key form of mediation between people’s sense of individual autonomy and larger structures of power, allowing both to co-exist. This article illustrates the operation of the menu in society within consumption, within production, and within citizenship. The article also considers how far the metaphor of the menu in society is compatible with important contemporary attempts to characterize the macro-nature of society. The conclusion articulates how the metaphor of the menu in society can help open up the nature of society to critical investigation.
Expectation States Theory and Research
Authors: Kalkhoff Will , Thye Shane R.
Published: October 2006

Over the past 50 years, the expectation states research program has generated a set of interrelated theories to explain the relation between performance expectations and social influence. Yet while the relationship between performance expectations and social influence is now axiomatic, the reported effects do differ in magnitude, sometimes widely. The authors present results from the first formal meta-analysis of expectation states research on social influence. Their findings indicate that theoretically unimportant study-level differences alter expectation states and the baseline propensity to accept or reject social influence. Data from 26 separate experiments reveal that protocol variations, including the use of video and computer technology, sample size, and the number of trials, have important but previously unrecognized effects. The authors close by discussing the more general implications of their research for future investigators.
Jointness and Duality in Algebraic Approaches to Dichotomous Data
Authors: Martin John Levi
Published: October 2006

A number of algebraic approaches to dichotomous data have attracted interest in the social sciences. Despite their underlying connections, these different approaches have different assumptions and realms of applicability. In particular, some approaches (which may be termed explanatory) assume a certain a process that generates the data, while others (which may be termed interpretive) give a parsimonious representation of data patterns irrespective of a generative process. The former may also be termed one-sided in that they privilege one dimension of a conventional data matrix, while the latter are dual, in that they do not do this. In certain cases, one-sided analyses can be combined to produce “joint” analyses, which differ from dual analyses. A consideration of these differences casts light on the information retrieved by the various methods.
Challenges and Strategies for Conducting International Public Management Research
Authors: Eglene Ophelia , Dawes Sharon S.
Published: October 2006

Cross-cultural management research is a valuable but complex and error-prone endeavor. The main challenges the authors encountered in conducting a multinational research project included nonequivalence of key concepts, cultural stereotypes, assumptions of universality, and difficulties in comparative analysis. The authors identified crucial questions that need to be asked at each stage of the research for it to be both reliable and valid. These questions address such pitfalls as the importance of focusing on culture as an independent variable, the cultural dynamics of the research team, and the importance of translation and of finding culturally equivalent definitions of key concepts.
Developing an automatic linguistic truncation operator for best-match retrieval of Finnish in inflected word form text database indexes
Authors: Kettunen Kimmo
Published: October 2006

The paper presents a new method for handling of morphological variation of query terms in best-match IR. The method is based on enhanced inflectional stems. Use of inflectional stems has earlier been shown to be a good retrieval method in inflected indexes in a best-match environment for a highly inflected and compound-rich language, Finnish. In this paper the earlier stem method is elaborated upon by enhancing the stems with regular expressions. Contrary to our expectations the results show that the enhanced stem queries do not outperform basic inflectional stems, but neither are they considerably worse with long queries. With short web-like queries they perform relatively better than with long queries and outperform clearly stemming (Finnish stemmer of Snowball) and plain, unprocessed query words. The main benefits of the proposed method, besides fairly good precision and recall (P-R) performance, are shorter and more manageable queries, which is of practical importance, e.g. with large web indexes.
Brief communication: Gender differences in publication and citation counts in librarianship and information science research
Authors: Peñas Celia Sánchez , Willett Peter
Published: October 2006

An analysis is presented of the publications by, and citations to, 57 male and 48 female academics in five departments of librarianship and information science. After taking account of differences in subject and differences in numbers of academics, it is shown that male academics publish significantly more papers on average than do female authors, but that there is no significant difference in the numbers of citations to published papers.
Lesbian and gay health issues: OUTside of Canada’s health policy
Authors: Daley Andrea
Published: October 2006

This article uses the notion of sexual citizenship as an analytical tool to uncover the ideology of heterosexuality underlying the assumptions in current ideas of citizenship. It highlights how this ideology, as reflected in the Canadian health care delivery model, is embedded in the Canada Health Act, as a health policy. It indicates that the process of sexualizing citizenship focuses attention on the monolithic construct of the heterosexual citizen while, paradoxically creating a space for lesbian and gay visibility within the health care arena. This visibility, however, is based on a partial citizenship, in that, the ideology of heterosexuality prevents lesbian women and gay men from exercising their full right as citizens to health provisions as guaranteed by the Canada Health Act. In this way, lesbian and gay visibility is characterized by exclusion. The notion of sexual citizenship is used as a strategy towards inclusion.
Diminishing the concept of social policy: The shifting conceptual ground of social policy debate in Canada
Authors: Mckeen Wendy
Published: October 2006

This paper examines the struggle in Canada over ideas about social policy. It takes the view that debates held at the meso level of the policy community are important sites for exploring how dominant ideas about social problems and social policy are shaped. This paper examines one specific debate (the late 1990s debate on the national children’s agenda) to explore how the mainstream conceptual ground has shifted. It argues that progressive constructions of the issues and solutions have been increasingly undermined, as an outcome of both the narrow ‘child development’ focus of the debates and the success new actors have had in gaining credibility as voices in the social policy community. The result has been a shift in how dominant social policy actors think about social policy, with the shift gravitating towards a simplistic, individualized, casework model. This new diminished understanding has had implications for narrowing the scope of political debate about social policy in Canada and encouraging the development of policies that fail to address the root problems.
The wrong person for the job? Professional habitus and working cultures in Connexions
Authors: Artaraz Kepa
Published: October 2006

A paradigmatic shift has taken place in the underlying principles that have, in the past, informed the provision of careers education and guidance (CEG) in the UK. The root cause has been a policy transition to a new service model that emphasizes the importance of CEG as part of New Labour’s social inclusion agenda. This article reflects on this policy transition and, using the Connexions service as a case study, explores some aspects of its effects on professional identities of Connexions personal advisers (PAs) through a Bourdieusian framework. The article argues that a new, externally imposed context and service discourse can affect the various ‘communities of practice’ that operate under the Connexions service. The article also questions policy attempts to create generic forms of professionals for the delivery of future welfare services.
Resources and Organizational Identities
Authors: Sillince John A. A.
Published: October 2006

The author uses resource-based view (RBV) to demonstrate how organizations use rhetoric about multiple identities to improve a firm’s competitive advantage. The author presents a model that illustrates how rhetoric can switch the audience’s attention between identities and resources to gain competitive advantage. When multiple identities exist, the organization can privilege one identity as the salient identity and suppress or disguise the other identities as nonsalient identities. These nonsalient identities then become the salient resources that support the salient identity. In addition to the model, the author develops a set of propositions linked to the rhetoric, identity, and RBV literatures.
The Influences on Direct Communication in British and Danish Firms: Country, ‘Strategic HRM’ or Unionization?
Authors: Croucher Richard , Gooderham Paul , Parry Emma
Published: October 2006

This article uses large-scale survey data to examine the influences on private-sector managers’ propensity to communicate directly to employees in Britain and Denmark. In both countries, this propensity is shaped by two factors: whether the senior HR manager is involved in strategy formation, and the degree of unionization. The findings are not consistent with Brewster's argument that European HR managers are constrained in applying American versions of HRM, or with ‘varieties of capitalism’ theories which imply that companies in the two countries would have different systemic drivers of their communications practices.
Euro-commentary: Berlin and Everywhere Else: A Reply to Allan Cochrane
Authors: Latham Alan
Published: October 2006

This essay is a brief reply to Cochrane (2006b). It reiterates the ways in which the existing Anglo-American consensus within urban studies allows only a narrow reading of the possible futures of European cities.
A Person–Organization Fit-based Approach for Spirituality at Work
Authors: Singhal Manish , Chatterjee Leena
Published: October 2006

Management of meaning inside organizations has been an enduring issue in organization studies. Issues relating to commitment and control through the meaning-making mechanisms have been studied by organization culture theorists for sometime now. However, rapidly changing dynamics of the business environment lend these issues a critical salience today. Two factors of this dynamic context are particularly noteworthy. Firstly, a redefinition of the long-standing employment relationship—loyalty no longer being traded for lifelong employment—has led management to look for alternative sources of gaining commitment from their employees. Second, several factors—socio-cultural, organizational and individual—have led the employees today to explore issues relating to meaning and purpose in their workplaces. Labelled variously by different scholars, the most widely accepted term for this growing movement is ‘Spirituality at Work’ (SAW). In this article we link the two factors to present a framework wherein the emergence of an issue from the private individual domain to the organizational is seen as having the potential of answering concerns of eliciting commitment from employees in a turbulent environment. However, the SAW movement is accompanied by vigorous debates about the concept itself and on how it is to be studied. In the course of this article we present the central conceptual debates that have characterized the SAW discourse to emerge with three definitional themes to understand and study SAW, and then argue for utilizing the person–organization fit lens to study SAW. We end with a conceptual framework that would enable researchers to make a comprehensive study of the elusive phenomenon of SAW.
Small Firm Effect, Liquidity and Security Returns
Authors: Drew Michael E. , Marsden Alastair , Veeraraghavan Madhu
Published: October 2006

Standard asset pricing models ignore the costs of liquidity. In this study we advance the ongoing debate on empirical asset pricing and test if liquidity costs (as proxied by turnover rate, turnover ratio and bid-ask spread) affect stock returns for Australian stocks. Our tests use the factor portfolio mimicking approach of Fama and French (1993, 1996). We find small and less liquid firms generate positive risk premia after controlling for market returns and firm size. We find no evidence of any seasonal effects that can explain our multifactor asset pricing model findings. In summary, our study provides support for a broader asset pricing model with multiple risk factors.
Regulatory and Institutional Determinants of Credit Risk Taking and a Bank's Default in Emerging Market Economies
Authors: Godlewski Christophe J.
Published: October 2006

Regulatory and institutional environment is not without effect on a bank's risk taking and therefore on a bank's default. In this article, we investigate regulatory and institutional determinants of credit risk taking and bank's default probability in emerging market economies. Using a two step logit model applied to a database of banks from emerging economies, we confirm the role of the institutional and regulatory environment as a source of excess credit risk, which increases a bank's default risk. In particular, the rule of law appears to be a crucial element of an efficient regulatory environment, which may reduce excessive risk taking incentives.
The Effect of Clinic-Based Health Promotion Education on Perceived Health Status and Health Promotion Behaviors of Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Survivors
Authors: Smith Andrea B. , Bashore Lisa
Published: October 2006

More than 70% of children/adolescents diagnosed with cancer are long-term survivors. Little is known about the health perceptions and practices of this population, and limited previous studies have come exclusively from a risk reduction/health protection model rather than a health promotion model. This study was conducted to describe the perceived health status and health-promoting behaviors of adolescent/young adult cancer survivors. This study used Pender’s revised health promotion model; perceived health status and health-promoting behaviors were measured using the General Health Index (GHRI) and the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLP-II). The sample consisted of 60 cancer survivors 2 years after completion of cancer treatment and attending a survivorship clinic. Mean baseline scores for the GHRI (76.66; SD, 10.41) indicate perceived health status is positive and similar to normative (noncancer survivor) adolescent/young adult samples. Surprisingly, there was no correlation between scores on the GHRI and the HPLP-II in this sample (r = 0.03).
Built-in Sensor Network for Structural Health Monitoring of Composite Structure
Authors: Qing Xinlin P. , Beard Shawn J. , Kumar Amrita , Ooi Teng K. , Chang Fu-Kuo
Published: October 2006

By implementing a built-in sensor network on a composite structure, crucial information regarding the condition, damage state, and service environment of the structure can be obtained. In this study, methods for integrating piezoelectric sensor networks into a composite structure during different fabrication processes, including the resin transfer molding (RTM) and filament winding processes, are examined. To integrate sensor networks with different contours of structures, the method to fabricate a three-dimensional (3-D) diagnostic layer is developed. It is demonstrated that a large number of sensors supported on a thin flexible dielectric film, called a SMART Layer, offers a simple and efficient way to integrate a large sensor network onto a complex 3-D structure. The sensor network permanently embedded inside the composite structures can be used with either active sensing or passive sensing to monitor the health condition of a structure throughout its lifetime.
Numerical Solution of Linear Time-Varying Differential Equations using the Hybrid of Block-pulse and Rationalized Haar Functions
Authors: Arabzadeh B. , Razzaghi M. , Ordokhani Y.
Published: October 2006

A numerical method for finding the solution of linear time-varying differential equations is proposed. The properties of the hybrid functions, which consist of block-pulse functions plus rationalized Haar functions, are presented. The properties of the hybrid functions together with the operational matrices of integration and product are then utilized to reduce the solution of differential equations to the solution of algebraic equations. Examples are included to demonstrate the validity and applicability of the technique.
Sleep Disorders and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Children: A Missing Differential Diagnosis
Authors: Archbold Kristen Hedger
Published: October 2006

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder is a common diagnosis among children. Symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder include inattention, motor restlessness, and impulsivity. Associated cognitive difficulties are also common. These symptoms are not specific to attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and may also manifest in the behavior of children with sleep disorders such as restless legs syndrome, periodic limb movement disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea. Unfortunately, sleep disorders are not routinely considered as a differential diagnosis for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in children. Symptoms, causes, and treatments for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, restless legs syndrome, periodic limb movement disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea are described and compared to illustrate similarities among the disorders. Practitioners are encouraged to assess their pediatric clients for symptoms of a sleep disorder when considering a diagnosis of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Guidelines for sleep pattern assessment are included and discussed as appropriate for use by the psychiatric nurse clinician in the clinical setting.
Values of young people in Slovenia
Authors: Čeplak Metka Mencin
Published: October 2006

In this article the values and life orientation of young people in Slovenia over a recent 10-year period are analysed. As is the case in the majority of other European countries, empirical research on large samples of various Slovenian youth populations in 1993, 1995, 1999 and 2000 has disclosed young people's marked preferential interest in the private and the personal spheres of life, whereas their interest in politics is slight, as is the degree of trust in existing political institutions and actors. In Slovenia this trend is usually characterized as a ‘shift towards privacy’, and being apolitical is one of the most frequently invoked defining features of the younger generation.In the author's opinion, these research findings reveal huge changes in Slovenia's political space–paradoxically, this space has contracted in comparison to the situation in the 1980s, largely due to a narrower understanding of politics and political activity.
Violent youth groups in Spain
Authors: Bartolomé-Gutiérrez Raquel , Rechea-Alberola Cristina
Published: October 2006

Western societies are worried by juvenile group violence, and are interested in deeper knowledge of the phenomenon to be able to prevent it. Often either the analysis of these groups has a cultural perspective or the focus is on learning about the differences among groups. Either way, we claim that analysing similarities among violent groups can be a good way to understand the phenomenon.The aim of this article is to describe violent youth groups in Spain, based on a review of the literature and empirical data, and then to explain violent behaviour from the perspective of the similarities between the groups. In this way, we reflect on the aspects of the violent youth groups that have not been sufficiently studied, relying on an evolutionary and integrating approach based on contemporary criminology.
Adult Attachment, Reassurance Seeking and Hypochondriacal Concerns in College Students
Authors: Wearden Alison , Perryman Katherine , Ward Victoria
Published: October 2006

An individual’s attachment style can be conceptualized as a working model for interactions with others, developed as result of experiences with childhood caregivers. People with hypochondriacal tendencies are preoccupied with thoughts of having an illness and constantly seek medical reassurance. We hypothesized that students with preoccupied attachment would score highly on a measure of hypochondriasis and investigated whether the association would be explained by the general tendency to seek reassurance in relationships. A total of 117 undergraduate students completed questionnaires measuring attachment style; negative affectivity; reassurance seeking in relationships and hypochondriasis. Participants with preoccupied attachment style ( n = 17, 15%) had significantly higher hypochondriasis scores than those with other attachment styles. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis suggested that the association between the preoccupied attachment style and hypochondriasis was explained by the general tendency to seek reassurance in relationships, with negative affectivity, a dispositional variable, also acting as a significant predictor of hypochondriasis.
Preferring Proxy-agency
Authors: Shields Christopher A. , Brawley Lawrence R.
Published: October 2006

We examined: (a) the social-cognitions of those who differ in preferred level of proxy-assistance in both proxy-led and independent exercise contexts; and (b) the relationships between proxy-agency and reliance. Sixty-five fitness class participants completed measures of self-regulatory efficacy, task self-efficacy, exercise intentions, proxy-efficacy and perceived reliance. A 2 (exercise context) by 2 (preferred assistance) MANOVA revealed significant main effects for assistance and context. Also, significant assistance by context interactions was found for both efficacies. When facing exercise without a proxy, individuals preferring high proxy assistance expressed lower self-regulatory and task self-efficacy. Finally, proxy- and self-regulatory efficacy were shown to be separate predictors of reliance on a proxy. Results support Bandura’s theorizing about the proxy-led context and its influence on self-regulatory efficacy.
Goal Processes in Relation to Goal Attainment
Authors: Boersma Sandra N. , Maes Stan , Joekes Katherine , Dusseldorp Elise
Published: October 2006

Goal theory suggests that both goal attainment and psychological processes concerning goal pursuit can influence a patient’s (health-related) quality of life (HRQL) (e.g. Carver & Scheier, 1999). In the present longitudinal study, 46 MI patients completed questionnaires shortly after hospitalization and four months later, assessing a health, social and individual goal for the coming year, goal conflict, goal self-efficacy, goal attainment and HRQL. The results of a multiple regression analysis suggest that both goal conflict and goal self-efficacy predict goal attainment. Furthermore, goal self-efficacy appeared to be an independent predictor of physical and social HRQL. Goal attainment had a medium effect on social HRQL, but its effect was mediated by goal conflict and goal self-efficacy. A goal theory perspective seems to offer additional insights into HRQL after an MI.
Priming the Historian in All Planners
Authors: Peterson Sarah Jo
Published: October 2006

This article advocates bringing historical analysis methods—thinking like a historian—and primary sources into the planning classroom. It reviews recent literature on teaching history and on how the general public uses the past. It offers an introduction and guide to historical methods and provides specific teaching examples that I have tested in my planning history course. Introducing students to historical analysis methods and primary sources, in addition to livening up the delivery of historical content, can assist students to understand the importance of context for planning solutions, the complexity of planning issues, and the possibility for change that contingency brings.
The Paradoxes of Leadership: The Contribution of Aristotle
Authors: Kodish Slavica
Published: October 2006

Collins's (2001a) findings that great leaders possess a paradoxical combination of traits have, for the most part, left the leadership community unresponsive despite their potential implications for conceptualizing leadership. Playful metaphors and alluring ideas that underpin present-day leadership theory provide many insights into leadership, but seem to be unable to explain the complex and contextual nature of leadership. At a time when a host of examples attest to the limitations of understanding leadership in creative yet simplistic ways, findings that incorporate the notion of complexity require closer scrutiny. In this article, the author uses Collins's research as a starting point for addressing the salience of a holistic understanding of leadership. Specifically, the author provides an explanation of the paradoxical combination of leadership traits by invoking Aristotle's philosophy, and, in particular, the complexity inherent in his teleological, ethical, and action-oriented view of the world. Ramifications of a narcissistic approach to leadership are addressed as an illustration of the perils of an overly simplistic and decontextualized understanding of leadership.
CpG DNA activation and plasma-cell differentiation of CD27− naive human B cells
Authors: Huggins Jennifer , Pellegrin Tina , Felgar Raymond E. , Wei Chungwen , Brown Miguel , Zheng Bo , Milner Eric C. B. , Bernstein Steven H. , Sanz Ignacio , Zand Martin S.
Published: October 2006

Unmethylated CpG DNA activation of naive CD27− B cells has been reported to require B-cell–receptor (BCR) cross-linking. We describe a culture system using CpG DNA with sequential steps for T-cell–independent activation of naive CD19+CD27− human peripheral blood B cells that induces efficient CD138+ plasma-cell differentiation. CD27+ and CD27− B cells were cultured in a 3-step system: (1) days 0 to 4: CpG, IL-2/10/15; (2) days 4 to 7: IL-2/6/10/15 and anti-CD40L; (3) days 7 to 10: IL-6/15, IFN-α, hepatocyte growth factor, and hyaluronic acid. Both CD27+ and CD27− B cells up-regulated intracytoplasmic TLR-9 following CpG DNA activation. CD27− B-cell activation required cell-cell contact. Both naive and memory B cells progressed to a plasma-cell phenotype: CD19lowCD20lowCD27+CD38+HLA-DRlow. Seventy percent of the CD27−-derived CD138+ cells demonstrated productive V chain rearrangements without somatic mutations, confirming their origin from naive precursors. Plasma cells derived from CD27+ B cells were primarily IgG+, while those from CD27− B cells were IgM+. Our results indicate that under certain conditions, naive B cells increase TLR-9 expression and proliferate to CpG DNA stimulation without BCR signaling. In addition to its immunologic significance, this system should be a valuable method to interrogate the antigenic specificity of naive B cells.
Humoral immune response and immunoglobulin G Fc receptor genotype are associated with better clinical outcome following idiotype vaccination in follicular lymphoma patients regardless of their response to induction chemotherapy
Authors: Weng Wen-Kai , Czerwinski Debra , Levy Ronald
Published: October 2006

We have reported that anti-idiotype antibody response and FcγRIIIa 158 valine/valine (V/V) genotype both correlate with better outcome in a group of 136 follicular lymphoma patients receiving idiotype vaccination after induction chemotherapy. Here, we examined whether this correlation is related in any way to the chemotherapy response. In patients with complete response (CR), the 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) was 69% for patients with antibody response and/or V/V genotype, while the PFS was only 40% for patients with neither; the median time to progression (TTP) was 10.47 versus 3.46 years (P = .012). In patients with partial response (PR), the 5-year PFS was 57% for patients with antibody response and/or V/V genotype, and 17% for patients with neither; the median TTP was not reached versus 1.31 years (P = .001). This study further confirms the strong association of clinical outcome with antibody response and with the functionally more active form of the Fc receptor in patients receiving idiotype vaccination regardless of their response to induction chemotherapy.
Plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 is protective during severe Gram-negative pneumonia
Authors: Renckens Rosemarijn , Roelofs Joris J. T. H. , Bonta Peter I. , Florquin Sandrine , de Vries Carlie J. M. , Levi Marcel , Carmeliet Peter , van't Veer Cornelis , van der Poll Tom
Published: October 2006

Plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1) levels are consistently elevated in patients with severe pneumonia and sepsis and highly predictive for an unfavorable outcome. In addition, pneumonia is associated with strongly elevated PAI-1 levels in the pulmonary compartment. However, whether PAI-1 causally affects antibacterial host defense in vivo remains unknown. We report here that pneumonia caused by the common respiratory pathogen Klebsiella pneumoniae is associated with local production of PAI-1 in the lungs of wild-type mice. PAI-1 deficiency impaired host defense as reflected by enhanced lethality and increased bacterial growth and dissemination in mice with a targeted deletion of the PAI-1 gene. Conversely, transgenic overexpression of PAI-1 in the lung using a replication-defective adenoviral vector markedly improved host defense against Klebsiella pneumonia and sepsis. PAI-1 deficiency reduced accumulation of neutrophils in the lungs during pneumonia, whereas PAI-1 overexpression in healthy lungs resulted in neutrophil influx, suggesting that PAI-1 protects the host against Klebsiella pneumonia by promoting neutrophil recruitment to the pulmonary compartment. These data demonstrate for the first time that PAI-1 is essential for host defense against severe Gram-negative pneumonia.
American Society of Clinical Oncology 2006 Update of the Breast Cancer Follow-Up and Management Guidelines in the Adjuvant Setting
Authors: Khatcheressian James L. , Wolff Antonio C. , Smith Thomas J. , Grunfeld Eva , Muss Hyman B. , Vogel Victor G. , Halberg Francine , Somerfield Mark R. , Davidson Nancy E.
Published: October 2006

Purpose

To update the 1999 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) guideline on breast cancer follow-up and management in the adjuvant setting.

Methods

An ASCO Expert Panel reviewed pertinent information from the literature through March 2006. More weight was given to studies that tested a hypothesis directly relating testing to one of the primary outcomes in a randomized design.

Results

The evidence supports regular history, physical examination, and mammography as the cornerstone of appropriate breast cancer follow-up. All patients should have a careful history and physical examination performed by a physician experienced in the surveillance of cancer patients and in breast examination. Examinations should be performed every 3 to 6 months for the first 3 years, every 6 to 12 months for years 4 and 5, and annually thereafter. For those who have undergone breast-conserving surgery, a post-treatment mammogram should be obtained 1 year after the initial mammogram and at least 6 months after completion of radiation therapy. Thereafter, unless otherwise indicated, a yearly mammographic evaluation should be performed. Patients at high risk for familial breast cancer syndromes should be referred for genetic counseling. The use of CBCs, chemistry panels, bone scans, chest radiographs, liver ultrasounds, computed tomography scans, [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose–positron emission tomography scanning, magnetic resonance imaging, or tumor markers (carcinoembryonic antigen, CA 15-3, and CA 27.29) is not recommended for routine breast cancer follow-up in an otherwise asymptomatic patient with no specific findings on clinical examination.

Conclusion

Careful history taking, physical examination, and regular mammography are recommended for appropriate detection of breast cancer recurrence.
Metabolic Profile and Body Composition in Adult Women with Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia due to 21-Hydroxylase Deficiency
Authors: Falhammar Henrik , Filipsson Helena , Holmdahl Gundela , Janson Per-Olof , Nordenskjöld Agneta , Hagenfeldt Kerstin , Thorén Marja
Published: October 2006

Context: The chronic, often supraphysiological glucocorticoid doses used in congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) might increase morbidity in cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Objective: Our aim was to assess risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes in CAH women.

Subjects, Methods, and Design: We compared 61 women, 18–63 yr, with CAH due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency with 61 age- and sex- matched controls. Twenty-seven were younger than 30 yr, and 34 were 30 yr or older. Anthropometry, fat and lean mass measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, serum lipids, insulin, and adrenocortical steroids were studied.

Main Outcome Measure: Body composition and cardiovascular risk factors were the main outcome measures.

Results: Younger patients and controls had similar waist to hip ratio, lean and fat mass, and insulin. Older patients had higher waist to hip ratio, lean mass, and insulin than controls. Fat mass was similar to controls but higher than in younger patients. Lipid profiles were slightly more favorable in older patients than controls. Gestational diabetes was more common in patients (21% of pregnancies vs. 0, P < 0.026). Few older patients had hypertension, cardiovascular disease, or diabetes. Despite moderate glucocorticoid doses, most patients had suppressed androgens.

Conclusions: No clear evidence of unfavorable cardiovascular risk factors were found. Increased fat mass and higher insulin levels were, however, found in patients older than 30 yr. High frequency of gestational diabetes is a risk marker for future diabetes. Lifelong follow-up, lifestyle modifications, and attempts to adjust and reduce the glucocorticoid doses seem important.
14-3-3γ affects dynamics and integrity of glial filaments by binding to phosphorylated GFAP
Authors: Li Huihui , Guo Yan , Teng Junlin , Ding Mingxiao , Yu Albert Cheung Hoi , Chen Jianguo
Published: October 2006

Recent findings indicated a protective role of GFAP in ischemic brain, injured spinal cord, and in neurodegenerative disease. We previously demonstrated that 14-3-3γ, once thought to be neuronal specific, was up-regulated by ischemia in astrocytes and may play a specific protective role in astrocytes. Here we report that 14-3-3γ associates with both soluble and filamentous GFAP in a phosphorylation- and cell-cycle-dependent manner in primary cultured astrocytes. The amount of association increases during G2/M phase due to more phosphorylated GFAP. Moreover, this interaction is independent of vimentin, another type III intermediate filament protein in astrocytes which forms glial filaments with GFAP. A series of domain deletion mutants and substitution mutations at phosphorylation sites (from serine to alanine) on GFAP demonstrated that serine 8 in the head domain is essential for the direct association of GFAP to 14-3-3γ. Overexpression of 14-3-3γ destroyed the integrity and affected the movement of GFAP intermediate filaments. This data demonstrates that 14-3-3γ contributes to the regulation of dynamics of GFAP filaments, which may contribute to the stability of the cytoskeleton and the mechanisms of central nervous system neurodegenerative disease.
The relationship between the nasal cycle and mucociliary clearance
Authors: Littlejohn Mark C. , Stiernberg Charles M. , Hokanson James A. , Quinn Francis B. , Bailey Byron J.
Published: October 2006

Nasal airway resistances were measured bilaterally on subjects at 30‐minute intervals over 6 hours using anterior rhinomanometry. The first 10 subjects found to exhibit alternating congestion and decongestion of the nasal mucosa (i.e., the nasal cycle) were included in the study. Using the saccharin method, nasal mucociliary clearance was determined for each subject in both the congested and decongested phases of the cycle. The results were statistically significant at the P<.09 level, highly suggestive of a difference in nasal mucociliary clearance between the two phases of the cycle, with the congested phase having the more rapid clearance. However, when compared to the mucociliary clearance times in disease states, the difference in transport times between the two phases is probably not clinically significant.
Stapedectomy techniques in residency training
Authors: Strunk Chester L. , Quinn Francis B. , Bailey Byron J.
Published: October 2006

The KTP‐532 laser has decreased the technical difficulty involved in teaching and performing a stapedectomy in our residency program. Use of this laser has resulted in improved hearing and a decreased number of major and minor complications compared to an equal number of large fenestra stapedectomies performed with hand‐held instruments. The major disadvantages of the KTP‐532 laser are its cost and limited availability, and the inconvenience of a micromanipulator. The laser should not be relied upon entirely in performing a stapedotomy on a thick footplate. The University of Texas Medical Branch experience in training residents in both large and small fenestra stapedectomy is reported.
Hearing preservation in acoustic neuroma surgery
Authors: Jenkins Herman A.
Published: October 2006

With advances in imaging, intracanalicular acoustic neuromas are identified readily in patients including, oftentimes, those with serviceable hearing. Fourteen patients were operated on in an attempt to preserve hearing. Hearing was retained in 10 (71%) of the 14. Serviceable hearing was present in 7 (50%), borderline serviceable hearing in 2 (14%), and nonserviceable hearing in 1 (7%). The problems, advantages, and disadvantages of the differing approaches are discussed.
Temporal bone fractures: Longitudinal or oblique? The case for oblique temporal bone fractures
Authors: Ghorayeb Bechara Y. , Yeakley Joel W.
Published: October 2006

Classical descriptions and illustrations of temporal bone fractures are misleading. Both oblique and longitudinal fractures produce a similar fracture line in the middle cranial fossa; however, externally, they are different. Oblique fractures cross the petrotympanic fissure while longitudinal fractures run within it. In a study of 150 temporal bone fractures, the majority were oblique. An array of fracture planes accounts for most of the fractures observed. Depending on the direction of trauma, fracture planes rotate around an anteroposterior axis. When they approach the horizontal (axial) plane, they result in oblique fractures. True longitudinal fractures are rare. They are vertical and perpendicular to the oblique planes.
Surgery for recurrent and residual cholesteatoma
Authors: Weiss Michael H. , Parisier Simon C. , Han Jin C. , Edelstein David R.
Published: October 2006

One hundred twelve patients (116 ears) were treated for recurrent and residual cholesteatoma. A retrospective review revealed that 66% had undergone canal wall down mastoidectomy at the previous surgery. The surgical procedure at revision was selected on the basis of an intraoperative assessment of the extent of disease, and clinical prediction of eustachian tube function. The average period of follow‐up was 3.4 years. Revision surgery was successful in providing the patient with a safe, dry ear in 105 (91%) of 116 cases. Surgical principles and hearing results are presented.
Once‐A‐Day therapy for sinusitis: A comparison study of cefixime and amoxicillin
Authors: Edelstein David R. , Avner Sanford E. , Chow James M. , Duerksen Roger L. , Johnson Jonas , Ronis Max , Rybak Leonard P. , Bierman Warren C. , Matthews Brian L. , Kohlbrenner Veronika M.
Published: October 2006

The efficacy and safety of a once‐a‐day antibiotic in the treatment of sinusitis was studied. Two randomly assigned groups were treated with either once‐a‐day cefixime, a third generation cephalosporin, or amoxicillin three times a day.

One hundred and fourteen patients were evaluated with antral punctures, microbiologic evaluation, and radiographic studies. Cultures revealed 40% gram‐negative organisms, 48% gram‐positive, and 12% anaerobes. The most common bacteria were Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus and viridans group streptococci. Ninety‐four percent of the cefixime group were cured compared with 96% of the amoxicillin group. Staphylococcus resistance was a problem in both groups, necessitating an occasional change to amoxicillin‐clavulanate potassium in the amoxicillin group.

Once‐a‐day antibiotics offer the potential for improved compliance in the treatment of sinusitis. Cefixime offers an additional benefit of covering β‐lactamase producing strains of bacteria which are increasing in incidence and resistant to many penicillins.
Supracricoid hemilaryngopharyngectomy in selected pyriform sinus carcinoma staged as T2
Authors: Laccourreye Ollivier , Mérite‐Drancy Agnés , Brasnu Daniel , Chabardes Eric , Cauchois Régis , Ménard Madeleine , Laccourreye Henri
Published: October 2006

From 1964 to 1985 supracricoid hemilaryngo‐pharyngectomy (SCHLP) was performed at the authors' institution for 34 selected pyriform sinus carcinomas staged as T2. Tumors involved the anterior part of the pyriform sinus, the lateral wall, the medial wall, and the whole aryepiglottic fold in all cases. Tumors with invasion of the apex of the pyriform sinus, of the retrocricoid region, of the posterior pharyngeal wall, or with fixation of the true vocal cord were excluded from the study. Such a technique was aimed at preserving physiologic phonation, respiration, and swallowing while achieving the same local control rate as pharyngolaryngectomy. Patients were monitored for at least 6 years or until death. No patients were lost to follow‐up. The 5‐year cause‐specific survival rate was 55.8%. The main cause of death was second primary tumor. The 5‐year actuarial local recurrence rate was 3.4%. The authors' experience with the SCHLP technique challenges the traditional teaching of pharyngolaryngectomy and establishes this technique as a safe method of voice preservation in selected cases of pyriform sinus carcinomas.
Impact of Residence on Prevalence and Intensity of Prescription Drug Use Among Older Adults
Authors: Carrie Anita G , Grymonpre Ruby E , Blandford Audrey A
Published: October 2006

Background:

Higher levels of morbidity among older adults result in greater need for pharmaceutical products and pharmacy services compared with the need in the general population. Rural residents reportedly have reduced access to healthcare services secondary to transportation difficulties, a limited supply of healthcare workers and facilities, and financial constraints.

Objective:

To examine differences in the prevalence and intensity of prescription pharmaceutical use among urban and rural older adults in Manitoba, Canada.

Methods:

Participant data from the 1996/1997 Manitoba Study of Health and Aging were linked to pharmaceutical claims data recorded in Manitoba Health's Drug Program Information Network. The effect of residence on the prevalence and intensity of drug use was determined, in addition to the effects of other sociodemographic characteristics, measures of health, and health service utilization.

Results:

The prevalence of prescription pharmaceutical use did not differ between urban and rural residents (90.6% vs 89.5%, respectively; p = 0.60). Users of home-care services (OR 1.93; 95% CI 1.09 to 3.39), those who perceived their income as adequate (2.38; 95% CI 1.09 to 5.17), and those with a higher number of chronic health problems (1.42; 95% CI 1.26 to 1.62) were significantly more likely to access prescription medications. Rural and urban residents were equally likely to be high users of prescription drugs (21.3% vs 20.0%, respectively; p = 0.64).

Conclusions:

Poor health status is associated with a higher prevalence and intensity of use of prescription drugs among older Manitobans. Rural residence is not a barrier to receipt of prescription pharmaceuticals.