bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influential leadership: a Harvard model vs an I‐Ching model
Authors: Zhang Yenming , Kheng Catherine Chua Siew
Published: August 2009

Purpose

Badaracco of Harvard Business School suggests a “nudge‐test‐escalate” (NTE) approach in influencing and implementing change. In The Book of Changes (I‐Ching), the most archaic and authoritative works of the Chinese classics, it adopts a “test‐accelerate‐forge” (TAF) approach instead. The purpose of this paper is to examine the similarities and differences between these two models, and addresses the effectiveness of influential leadership when the models are used in the western and eastern settings, respectively. It also looks at the fundamental concepts that underlie the models and discusses the characteristics and virtues that an influential leader must possess in order to make change happen.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews the Harvard model by Badaracco and extracts taken from I‐Ching. It makes comparisons between the Chinese and Western perspectives.

Findings

The paper provides a discussion on the NTE and the TAF three‐step approaches in their leadership style to understand how western and Chinese leaders exert their power of influence. This paper argues that although each adopts a three‐step approach in its leadership style, the differences lie in the philosophies that are used to guide the leader in influencing others. From the Western perspective, there are three pertinent virtues of “restraint, modesty, and tenacity” in pushing through change, while the Chinese adopt the three virtues of “prudence, balance, and authority” as their essential guide in leadership and by exercising self‐restraint and patience, resonance, and balancing.

Practical implications

The paper presents the pertinence and applicability of the Harvard model and the Chinese model since there is an increase of frequency of cross‐cultural communication in government, business, education, and other organisations. One of the trends in research on leadership is on leaders' quality in relation to organisational ethics and competencies of effective communication.

Originality/value

This paper presents a high level of comparative analyses between two influential models. It points out the need for leaders in both the western and Asian organisations to be aware of the two models so as to enhance their competencies and capacities in maximising change. This paper argues that Harvard model is well designed and highly applicable; and that the Chinese classics on influential leaders are still relevant in today's contexts.
Engineering the soul of management in the nano era
Authors: Arora Vijay K.
Published: August 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propagate a goal‐driven engineering process – an engine of invention, innovation, and growth – to be the soul of management for organizations to recover from the malaise that arose from illusions of creating capital wealth through deceptive paradigms where individual gains took precedence over the needs of a healthy human enterprise.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is a result of ideas generated from author's world travels. Moving around in the world exposing oneself to organisms, to danger, one discovers serendipity and learns as much from other cultures as one can. Although some of life's lessons are learned in the carpe diem (e.g. not putting hands in the fire), others become apparent only after the fact (after the fire is put out!). Mind travel is as important as physical travel. Mind travel allows us to pay for an experience once and then have it again and again at no additional charge, learning new lessons with each repetition of physical or mental travel.

Findings

Biomedical engineering, nanotechnology, megacomputing, and nanorobots will dominate the future of human race and hence an anticipated need for effective management of emerging technologies and related human resources. In support of the synthesis of management and engineering, behavioral‐based outcome‐based education in the Washington Accord criteria are shown to integrate development of management and entrepreneurial skills as part of the engineering training.

Originality/value

The paper examines the American and Asian values of life, liberty and pursuit of happiness by integrative process of physical, social/emotional, mind, and above all spiritual upbringings as human life evolves from the cradle to the grave.
The impacts of country risk and cultural distance on transnational equity investments
Authors: Yuehua Xu , Songhua Hu , Xu'ang Fan
Published: August 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to clarify the influence of country risk (CR) and cultural distance (CD) on transnational equity investments. It also tries to find out the international equity investment patterns of enterprises from developing countries like China.

Design/methodology/approach

From the perspectives of internalization theory, transaction cost theory, etc. this paper tries to explain the relationships between country‐level factors and transnational investment. Based on the data collected from overseas listed companies, it also empirically analyses the impacts of CR and CD on Chinese enterprises' ownership pattern in transnational equity investment.

Findings

The empirical results of this paper indicate that both the risk of host country and CD between host country and home country have significant and negative impacts on the level of ownership equity, but insignificant impacts on ownership status.

Research limitations/implications

As there are still some doubts about the existence of country culture, especially when dealing with a huge country like China, the use of Hofstede's instrument may be one of the limitations of this paper. Also, by focusing on Chinese enterprises, the research results may lack generalisability. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to test the proposed propositions when they study enterprises from other developing countries.

Practical implications

The paper sheds light on international investment activities of Chinese enterprises, and also provides insights for the decision making on equity arrangement in transnational investment.

Originality/value

This paper is one of the first to analyse the international equity investment activities of Chinese enterprises and it provides new evidence on how the country‐level factors influence transnational equity investment decisions.
Indigenous knowledge of fodder tree selectivity by local goats in the mid‐hills of Nepal
Authors: Nidhi Pandey Luma , Kam Michael , Pandey Shambhu B. , Upreti Chet R. , Osti Netra P. , Allan Degen A.
Published: August 2009

Purpose

Tree fodder is an important constituent of livestock feed in the mid‐hills of Nepal, particularly so during the dry winter. The purpose of this paper is to compare the ranking of tree fodders by indigenous goat raisers to the selectivity of fodder by goats.

Design/methodology/approach

Fodder from six trees, namely, khanayo (Ficus semicordata), sal (Shorea robusta), kabro (Ficus lacor), pakhuri (Ficus globerrima), katus (Catannopsis tribuloides) and aanp (Mangifera indica) are used. Goat raisers rank the six fodders, giving 1 as the most preferred by goats and 6 as the least preferred. In addition, a feeding trial is carried out in which the six fodders are offered simultaneously to adult, castrated male and lactating, female local khari goats and intake of each fodder is determined.

Findings

Khanayo (1.00) is ranked highest by the goat farmers, followed by kabro (2.47), pakhuri (3.58), sal (4.16), aanp (4.56) and katus (5.21). Selectivity by the goats is highest in khanayo and kabro, intermediate in aanp and pakhuri and lowest in katus and sal. The correlation between farmer ranking and goat selectivity approaches significance (r=0.48; Mantel P<0.09). A significant correlation is found between fodder selections of male and female goats (r=0.68; Mantel P<0.01). Among components, fodder selectivity of goats is highly correlated (P<0.01) with calcium concentration only. Generally, goats select fodders high in calcium and crude protein and minimize intakes of fodders high in lignin and condensed tannins.

Originality/value

The indigenous population is knowledgeable about the fodder preference of goats but, in practice, they generally offer only one fodder species to the goats at a feeding. However, this paper shows that the goats consume and, most likely, require a mixed diet of tree fodders in satisfying their requirements of nutrients and energy while minimizing their intake of detrimental. This should be taken into consideration by the farmers when feeding their livestock.
Understanding entrepreneurial behaviour in organized criminals
Authors: Smith Robert
Published: August 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to focus upon organized criminals as an enterprising community and as enterprising people. Organized crime is a global phenomenon that concentrates upon the development of both sustainable personal prosperity and criminal culture as they define it. Such criminal businesses and the business of criminality go far beyond simple economic and capitalist criteria and entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial ability play a significant part in creating criminal wealth. Indeed, it is part of committed criminality. Whilst acknowledging the crime‐entrepreneurship nexus the literature seldom seeks to understand entrepreneurial behaviour practiced in a criminal context. This paper therefore examines entrepreneurial behaviour in criminals looking for useful theoretical perspectives and distilling key practices by seeking to understand entrepreneurial behaviour in organized criminals.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodological approach is a qualitative one and relies on cross disciplinary readings of the literatures of crime and entrepreneurship which are developed into a conceptual model for understanding entrepreneurial behaviour in any context. The key behavioural areas which the work concentrates upon are those ofmodus essendi,modus operandiandmodus vivendi.

Findings

That crime and entrepreneurship are interconnected areas of human endeavour which both transcend the legal and illegal economies.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is limited by its tentative and theoretical nature and by the methodology of cross disciplinary reading. Future studies are planned to test the tripartite behavioural model on real cases.

Practical implications

Viewing entrepreneurship (like criminality) as being a learned method of operating has serious practical implications because it concentrates upon behaviours and actions in specific contexts.

Originality/value

Linking this understanding to the related elements ofmodus vivendiandmodus essendicreates a useful model for understanding entrepreneurship in any context.
Re‐visiting Indonesian cases for cluster realism
Authors: Perry Martin , Tahi Hamonangan Tambunan Tulus
Published: August 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to use case study evidence to explain that enterprise agglomeration in itself may not advantage business development. Agglomeration has the potential to bring enterprise advantage but whether this occurs depends on additional supportive conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper re‐examines case studies of Indonesia clusters from a more critical perspective than adopted in their original presentation. This critical perspective follows a realist assessment of agglomeration in which advantages depend on specific business environments.

Findings

Five processes are identified that limited the advantage obtained from agglomeration: internal segmentation; enterprise independence; technological pooling; excessive competition and linkage dependencies. Three attributes that influence whether agglomeration assists business and regional development: enterprise diversification, entry barriers and cluster scale.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is limited by its reliance on previously completed case studies rather than a set of purpose‐designed case studies.

Practical implications

Business promotion agencies should be aware that not all enterprise clusters have an equal likelihood of sustaining economic growth.

Originality/value

The combined evidence from previously published case studies of Indonesian cluster experiences adds to the understanding of the conditions required for agglomeration advantages to be realised.
Wine tourism as a development initiative in rural Canary Island communities
Authors: Sheridan Lynnaire , Duarte Alonso Abel , Scherrer Pascal
Published: August 2009

Purpose

Many studies underline the critical relationship between local communities and rural‐based industries. However, the dynamics of the relationship between wineries and local communities is rarely considered in research despite the importance of these links for rural communities. This paper investigates this dimension from the perspective of Canary Islands' small wine growers.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 23 winery operations located on the islands of Tenerife and La Palma accept the invitation to participate in the form of face‐to‐face interviews.

Findings

The level of participation and contribution to the community varies between operations, with some small family operations in particular limiting their external involvement, while others see it as a necessary and/or beneficial relationship. Most wineries in the study are active in their communities, participating in local events and employing local residents. However, generational changes that threaten both the wine business and tradition, or mass tourism leading to land value increases are critical challenges to the winery‐community relationship.

Research limitations/implications

With over 200 largely small‐family wineries in the Canary Islands, it is acknowledged that the sample of wineries in this paper may not be representative of the region's wine industry.

Practical implications

The strengthening relationships between wineries and local communities for cultural events can build nostalgia for local wine production. This, in turn, appears to be vital for preserving the local wine culture and tradition by making winery ownership and work well‐regarded by the local community.

Originality/value

To date limited research has been conducted on the redeveloping Canary Islands' wine industry, particularly from winery operators' points of view.
The dynamic context of cultural and social sustainability of communities in Southwest Alaska
Authors: Holen Davin
Published: August 2009

Purpose

Commercial fishing in Southwest Alaska provides for an opportunity to engage in wage labor jobs while still allowing for time to participate in subsistence hunting and fishing. Salmon therefore is an important part of both the wage labor economy and the subsistence economy. In Southwest Alaska recent studies documenting the subsistence economy and traditional ecological knowledge have centered on the communities that inhabit the Kvichak Watershed. This watershed comprising Iliamna Lake and Lake Clark along with other numerous feeder streams, rivers, and lakes is an important spawning habitat for the Bristol Bay fishery, one of the largest salmon fisheries in the world. Some of these studies are partially due to a proposed copper and gold mine. This paper aims to address these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Interviews for these studies are structured household surveys that document household demographics, subsistence harvest for one study year, and household economics. In addition at the completion of each survey residents are asked to include comments and concerns regarding local subsistence patterns and trends.

Findings

Residents during these studies have expressed concern that social and cultural changes are also happening in an environment where they are also seeing rapid ecological changes. These changes included climate variability and unpredictable weather. This creates an environment that is difficult to plan for subsistence hunting and fishing while continuing to take into consideration a work schedule, the money from which provides the means and materials for engaging in subsistence.

Originality/value

This paper will examine factors of change and ask the question of whether it can assess the impacts of climate variability and change on rural communities in Southwest Alaska without also trying to understand cultural and social sustainability within the larger dynamic context in which these changes are occurring.
Small‐scale ceramic enterprises in South‐Western Nigeria
Authors: Lawrence Akinbogun Tolulope
Published: August 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the demography of the producers of ceramic wares as it affects the production and profitability of the venture. To identify and rank other factors affecting the sustenance of ceramic enterprises through the data collected from ceramic manufacturers in the study area.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is a survey research. Data are collected from ceramic ware producers through structured questionnaires and open‐ended oral interview. The analysis involves the use of descriptive statistics in the discussion of the research variables.

Findings

The spatial distribution of the industries as well as the performance are determined by different factors. Gender lopsidedness is observed among ceramic wares producers. Time commitment to production by manufacturers is not good enough for profitability of the venture. The production and the management systems of small‐scale ceramic industries in South‐Western Nigeria are hindered by many other factors.

Practical implications

The analysis of the demography of the practicing ceramists helps to determine how factors like gender, geographical location, and education attainment have influenced small‐scale ceramic production. The knowledge of the severity of factors militating against ceramic production helps in bringing about strategies that can alleviate the problems.

Originality/value

The factors that are responsible for the waning state of small‐scale ceramic industries in South‐Western Nigeria are identified and ranked in terms of their severity; the paper offers possible solutions that could change the situation.
A UK policy perspective: thought piece from the UK Social Enterprise Coalition
Authors: Shah Daniel
Published: August 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a view on key social enterprise research priorities from the perspective of the UK's national body for social enterprise.

Design/methodology/approach

The suggestions are informed by the coalition's ongoing policy work, especially preparation for a Ministerial Summit on social enterprise held on the 12 March 2009. Preparation involved building on extant policy positions and desk research, and extensive consultation with coalition members and the wider social enterprise movement, including regional consultation events, an online forum, semi‐structured interviews and workshops and discussion at the summit itself.

Findings

A number of areas of particular interest for future research are identified in the context of a highly dynamic policy, political and economic climate for social enterprises.

Research limitations/implications

The recommendations are based on limited time for original research and are the opinion of an organisation that exists to promote social enterprise.

Originality/value

It is hoped that future research in the areas identified will inform the policy agenda, raising the profile of social enterprise research, increasing its impact and ultimately leading to better support for and understanding of social enterprises.
Growing the social enterprise – issues and challenges
Authors: Hynes Briga
Published: August 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the concept of business growth as it applies to the social enterprise. It examines if social entrepreneurs have a growth agenda, how this is achieved and the challenges encountered in achieving firm growth.

Design/methodology/approach

This exploratory study involves the completion of a series of four case studies of established social enterprises.

Findings

Social entrepreneurs do have aspirations to grow their enterprise, where growth is perceived from multiple perspectives, primarily underpinned by the provision of a perceived social value. Firm growth is predominately measured from the external beneficiary perspective rather than internal financial metrics. Sourcing financing, staff retention adjusting to different roles in managing the enterprise and measuring the scale and impact of their business are the primary challenges encountered. The creation of social value and profit generation are not mutually exclusive in the social enterprise when social entrepreneurs confront the challenges of growth within a business context.

Originality/value

The findings from the research provide a more holistic understanding of growth in the social enterprise. This detail adds to an under researched topic in the Irish context, puts forward recommendations on what is required by policy to assist the social entrepreneur take their business to the next level and presents areas for further research to advance a topic that is still in its infancy.
Collaboration of NGOs and business in Poland
Authors: Reichel Janusz , Rudnicka Agata
Published: August 2009

Purpose

The paper is devoted to cross‐sector collaborative bonds appearing in Poland in the last years. The general purpose of the paper is to draw a picture of existing collaboration between NGOs and business organizations in Poland. Particularly, its purpose is to research the conditions and characteristics in which Polish profit and non‐profit organizations establish the collaborative bonds.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the paper introduces short description of social economy in Poland, presents corporate social responsibility as a possible framework for cross‐sector collaboration and shortly introduces different theoretical frameworks of inter‐organisational collaboration. It is of descriptive type and is only the first step to explore more deeply (in an analytical way) the area of collaboration. The reason is that this paper is the first of its kind in Poland.

Findings

The paper is conducted in 2008. The questionnaire available online is used. The invitation to participate in the research is sent directly by e‐mail to 830 organizations from the whole country (the level of feedback: 21.2 per cent). Thanks to the research, it is possible to draw a broad picture of NGOs – business cross‐sector collaboration.

Research limitations/implications

The survey results allow an understanding of the nature of collaboration between two sectors may be helpful to other scientific researchers and to leaders of business and non‐governmental organizations to establish long‐lasting mutually beneficial relationships. This paper itself is the first step to trace and understand processes that arise in the area of collaboration between profit and non‐profit organizations in Poland.

Originality/value

This paper is the first of its kind in Poland and has to be descriptive and exploratory to allow future analysis and conceptualizations. Though there are many exhaustive research on the third sector in Poland, there is a lack of research where the collaboration with business partners is explored.
The impact of the RNID on auditory services in England
Authors: Murdock Alex , Lamb Brian
Published: August 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of the Royal National Institute for the Deaf (RNID), a major UK third sector organisation, on public sector provision. The case examined is that of auditory services (in effect the nature of assessment and provision of hearing aids in England).

Design/methodology/approach

The approach is that of a case study of the actions and approach of the RNID and their engagement with the public sector, in particular with the UK National Health Service.

Findings

The case study shows the very considerable impact, which the RNID had in effecting a dramatic improvement in the quality of the service offered through the move to digital hearing aids and through the improvement of the audiology services themselves. The RNID, through using its expertise, also succeeded in achieving a huge reduction in the unit cost of digital hearing aids. A value chain approach is utilised to examine the effect of the RNID.

Research limitations/implications

The case study furnishes an account of impact on a national level in a key service. It shows how a third sector organisation can use expertise to leverage impact using public sector resources. It shows that even with very large government purchases a key factor is specific knowledge, which if possessed by a third sector organisations, can be used to major effect.

Originality/value

The case study demonstrates impact and the effective operation of a cross‐sectoral partnership. One of the authors (Lamb) is closely involved from the organisational perspective.
A strategic approach to social impact measurement of social enterprises
Authors: McLoughlin Jim , Kaminski Jaime , Sodagar Babak , Khan Sabina , Harris Robin , Arnaudo Gustavo , Mc Brearty Sinéad
Published: August 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a coherent and robust methodology for social impact measurement of social enterprises (SEs) that would provide the conceptual and practical bases for training and embedding.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a holistic impact measurement model for SEs, called social impact for local economies (SIMPLEs). The SIMPLE impact model and methodology have been tried and tested on over 40 SEs through a series of three day training courses, and a smaller number of test cases for embedding. The impact model offers a five‐step approach to impact measurement called SCOPE IT; MAP IT; TRACK IT; TELL IT and EMBED IT. These steps help SE managers to conceptualise the impact problem; identify and prioritise impacts for measurement; develop appropriate impact measures; report impacts and embed the results in management decision making.

Findings

Preliminary qualitative feedback from participants reveals that while the SIMPLE impact training delivers positive learning experiences on impact measurement and prompts, in the majority of cases, the intensions to implement impact systems, the majority feels the need for follow up embedding support. Paricipant's see value in adopting the SIMPLE approach to support business planning processes. Feedback from two SEs which has receives in‐house facilitates embedding support clearly demonstrates the benefits of working closely with an organisation's staff team to enable effective implementation.

Research limitations/implications

Some key future research challenges are identified as follows: systematically research progress in implementation after training for those participants that do not have facilitated embedding; to further test and develop embedding processes and models (using SIMPLE and other methods) with more SE organisations to identify best practices.

Originality/value

The SIMPLE fills a gap as a tool for holistic impact thinking that offers try and test accessible steps, with robust measures. The innovative steps take SEs through all key impact thought processes from conceptualisation to embedding guidance, feeding into business planning and strategic decision‐making processes. The comparison between the limitations of stand alone impact training and the benefits of facilitated embedding processes is instructive.
Affordance of Participation Rights for Children in Home‐based Education and Care: An Interactive Process Model of Participation — 2007
Authors: Layland Judy
Published: August 2009

Recent models relating to the affordance of children’s participation rights, based on articles 12 and 13 of theUnited Nations Convention on the Rights Of the Child (1989), have focused on the role of and strategies used by the adults working with children (Children and Society10, 2001: 107–117; Children and Society20, 2006: 209–222). Whilst these adults play a pivotal role in affording participation rights, children, and their parents/family/whānau, play an equally important role. This paper explores the complex interplay of roles, relationships, and strategies used by adults and children in home‐based education settings in Aotearoa/New Zealand, that support the affordance of participation rights for children. It identifies key aspects of practice that underpin this, and presents an alternative model of participation that is in keeping with a sociocultural approach to children’s learning and development, and acknowledges them, in the right conditions, as having a voice and agency as citizens in their own right.
B7‐H1 expression is regulated by MEK/ERK signaling pathway in anaplastic large cell lymphoma and Hodgkin lymphoma
Authors: Yamamoto Ryo , Nishikori Momoko , Tashima Masaharu , Sakai Tomomi , Ichinohe Tatsuo , Takaori‐Kondo Akifumi , Ohmori Katsuyuki , Uchiyama Takashi
Published: August 2009

B7‐H1 is a member of the B7 family that inhibits the function of T‐cells through its receptor programmed death‐1 (PD‐1). We examined B7‐H1 expression in anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) and Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and found that it was constitutively expressed in both clinical samples and cell lines. In anaplastic lymphoma kinase–positive (ALK+) ALCL cells, B7‐H1 expression was suppressed by the blocking of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) signaling and upregulated by the augmentation of ERK activity by phorbol 13‐myristate 12‐acetate stimulation, suggesting that B7‐H1 expression is regulated by ERK signaling pathway in ALCL. ERK is one of the downstream mediators of nucleophosmin (NPM)/ALK signaling in ALK+ALCL, and pharmacological inhibition of ALK was shown to dephosphorylate ERK and down‐regulate B7‐H1. The involvement of NPM/ALK in B7‐H1 expression was also demonstrated by introducing the construct into human non‐ALCL lymphoid cell lines, which resulted in B7‐H1 expression. In the case of HL, B7‐H1 expression was shown to be dependent on the ERK and p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways. These results suggest that B7‐H1 expression is controlled by common ERK signaling pathways in ALCL and HL cells. Our findings provide a potentially effective immunotherapeutic strategy for these B7‐H1‐expressing tumors. (Cancer Sci 2009)
Cancer/testis (CT) antigens: Potential targets for immunotherapy
Authors: Caballero Otavia L. , Chen Yao‐Tseng
Published: August 2009

Cancer/testis (CT) antigens are protein antigens with normal expression restricted to adult testicular germ cells, and yet are aberrantly activated and expressed in a proportion of various types of human cancer. At least a subset of this group of antigens has been found to elicit spontaneous humoral and cell‐mediated immune responses in cancer patients, raising the possibility that these antigens could be cancer vaccine targets. More than 100 CT antigen genes have been reported in the literature, with approximately 30 being members of multigene families on the X chromosome, so‐called CT‐X genes. Most CT‐X genes are expressed at the spermatogonia stage of spermatogenesis, and their functions are mostly unknown. In cancer, the frequency of CT antigen expression is highly variable among different tumor types, but is more often expressed in high‐grade late‐stage cases in general. Cancer vaccine trials based on CT antigens MAGE‐A3 and NY‐ESO‐1 are currently ongoing, and these antigens may also play a role in antigen‐specific adoptive T‐cell transfer and in the immunomodulation approach of cancer therapy. (Cancer Sci 2009)
Pre‐S2 deletion mutants of hepatitis B virus could have an important role in hepatocarcinogenesis in Asian children
Authors: Abe Kenji , Thung Swan N. , Wu Han‐Chieh , Tran Tung Thanh , Le Hoang Phuc , Truong Khai Dinh , Inui Ayano , Jang Ja June , Su Ih‐Jen
Published: August 2009

Although many studies on the risk factors and their carcinogenesis in adult hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have been reported, they remain poorly understood in childhood HCC. A retrospective study of 42 HCC cases in Asian children was conducted. Hepatitis B virus (HBV)‐DNA in HCC tissues was detected in 36 of 42 (86%) cases tested, while no hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐RNA was detectable in any of HCCs. Twenty of 36 (56%) HCC cases were accompanied by cirrhosis. Surprisingly, very high prevalence of the HBV pre‐S deletion mutant was recognized in 27 of 30 (90%) HCCs examined. They occurred most frequently in pre‐S2 (20/27, 74%) followed by pre‐S1 (5/27, 18.5%), and both pre‐S1/S2 (2/27, 7.4%). Interestingly, the pre‐S2 mutant consistently appeared with deletion at nt 4‐57 in all of the 20 cases with the pre‐S2 mutant (100%) and within this locus in the two cases with both pre‐S‐1/S2 mutants. Type II ground‐glass hepatocytes in non‐tumorous livers were seen in 15 of the 22 HCCs with the pre‐S2 deletion mutant (68%). This hotspot mutation in the pre‐S2 was further confirmed by complete genomic sequence of HBV in a Japanese boy who eventually developed HCC. Our result strongly suggests that HBV is a major contributor to the development of HCC in Asian children. The HBV pre‐S2 deletion mutant at nt 4‐57 which has a CD8 T‐cell epitope could be responsible for the emergence and aggressive outcome of childhood HCC. Determination of this hotspot mutation in the pre‐S2 region could be a useful index for predicting the clinical outcome of HCC development. (Cancer Sci2009; 100: 2249–2254)
Association between tobacco control policies and smoking behaviour among adolescents in 29 European countries
Authors: Hublet Anne , Schmid Holger , Clays Els , Godeau Emmanuelle , Gabhainn Saoirse Nic , Joossens Luk , Maes Lea ,   the HBSC Research Network
Published: August 2009

Aims  To investigate the associations between well‐known, cost‐effective tobacco control policies at country level and smoking prevalence among 15‐year‐old adolescents.

Design  Multi‐level modelling based on the 2005–06 Health Behaviour in School‐aged Children Study, a cross‐national study at individual level, and with country‐level variables from the Tobacco Control Scale and published country‐level databases.

Setting  Twenty‐nine European countries.

Participants  A total of 25 599 boys and 26 509 girls.

Main outcome measures  Self‐reported regular smoking defined as at least weekly smoking, including daily smoking (dichotomous).

Findings  Interaction effects between gender and smoking policies were identified, therefore boys and girls were analysed separately. Large cross‐national differences in smoking prevalence were documented. Intraclass correlations (ICC) of 0.038 (boys) and 0.035 (girls) were found. In the final multi‐level model for boys, besides the significance of the individual variables such as family affluence, country‐level affluence and the legality of vending machines were related significantly to regular smoking [b(country affluence) = −0.010; b(partial restriction vending machines) = −0.366, P < 0.05]. Price policy was of borderline significance [b(price policy) = −0.026, P = 0.050]. All relationships were in the expected direction. The model fit is not as good for girls; only the legality of vending machines had a borderline significance in the final model [b(total ban vending machines) = −0.372, P = 0.06].

Conclusions  For boys, some of the currently recommended tobacco control policies may help to reduce smoking prevalence. However, the model is less suitable for girls, indicating gender differences in the potential efficacy of smoking policies. Future research should address this issue.
The acute‐phase response impairs host defence against Enterococcus faecium peritonitis
Authors: Leendertse Masja , Willems Rob J. L. , Giebelen Ida A. J. , Van Den Pangaart Petra S. , Bonten Marc J. M. , Van Der Poll Tom
Published: August 2009

Enterococcus faecium is an emerging pathogen that causes infections in hospitalized patients with various co‐morbid diseases. These underlying diseases are often associated with an acute‐phase response that renders patients vulnerable to nosocomial infections. To study the influence of the acute‐phase response induced by sterile tissue injury on host defence against E. faecium, mice were injected subcutaneously with either turpentine or casein 1 day before intraperitoneal infection with E. faecium. Control mice were subcutaneously injected with saline or sodium bicarbonate, respectively. Turpentine and casein induced an acute‐phase response as reflected by increases in the plasma concentrations of interleukin‐6, serum amyloid P and C3. A pre‐existent acute‐phase response in mice was associated with a strongly reduced capacity to clear E. faecium, resulting in prolonged bacteraemia for several days. The inflammatory response to E. faecium was impaired in mice with an acute‐phase response, as shown by reduced capacity to mount a neutrophilic leucocytosis in peripheral blood and by decreased local cytokine concentrations. These data indicate that the acute‐phase response impairs host defence against E. faecium, suggesting that this condition may contribute to the increased vulnerability of critically ill patients to enterococcal infections.
Diet selection in a molluscivore shorebird across Western Europe: does it show short‐ or long‐term intake rate‐maximization?
Authors: Quaintenne Gwenael , Van Gils Jan A. , Bocher Pierrick , Dekinga Anne , Piersma Theunis
Published: August 2009

1. Studies of diet choice usually assume maximization of energy intake. The well‐known ‘contingency model’ (CM) additionally assumes that foraging animals only spend time searching or handling prey. Despite considerable empirical support, there are many foraging contexts in which the CM fails, but such cases were considered exceptions rather than the rule.

2. For animals constrained by the rate at which food is digested, CM does not necessarily lead to maximal energy intake rates because the time for digestion is not part of the selection criteria. In the main model developed to explain diet choice under a digestive constraint, the ‘digestive rate model’ (DRM), time lost to digestive breaks is minimized so that energy intake over total time (searching, handling, digestive breaks) is maximized.

3. It is increasingly acknowledged that most animals may face digestive constraints as prey capture rates vary over time and as it would be a waste to carry around heavy digestive machinery that can rapidly process food under all circumstances: this is only needed in times of high demand, provided that enough food can be found.

4. In molluscivore shorebirds ingesting hard‐shelled prey such as red knots (Calidris canutus), the predictions of DRM were held up so far, whereas those of CM were rejected. However, most tests were carried out under controlled experimental conditions. Red knots overwinter in coastal areas over much of Western Europe and we capitalized on this variation by comparing, during a single winter, observed diet composition with predictions of DRM, CM and a null model assuming no prey selection (‘no‐selection model’, NSM).

5. The observed diets were best predicted by DRM followed by CM. NSM poorly predicted observed diet choice. Under the present conditions, diet choice based on DRM would on average have yielded an energy intake rate twice as large as one based on CM. By adjusting the size of their gizzard (held constant in the present simulations), red knots could have lifted their energy intake rate further. We suggest that application of the DRM can help many diet studies forward, especially those previously seen as exceptions to the classical CM‐based rule.
Lipid lowering in severe familial hypercholesterolaemia: efficacy and safety of a new regenerating system for selective apheresis of apolipoprotein B‐containing lipoproteins
Authors: ERIKSSON M. , BERG B. , BERGLUND L. , LANTZ B. , ANGELIN B.
Published: August 2009

Abstract. Preliminary experience of the efficacy and safety of a new regenerating system for selective extracorporeal removal of apolipoprotein B‐containing lipoproteins is described. Four patients with familial hyperlipoproteinaemia were studied on 10 occasions. A system of two, parallel, dextran sulphate cellulose columns was used, and plasma was processed continuously by passage through one of the columns while the other was being regenerated. With this procedure, reductions of very low density and low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels by 73 and 43%, respectively, could be achieved after treatment for 2.5–3 h (1000–3200 ml of plasma volume). No clinically relevant changes in the concentrations of other plasma proteins, including high density lipoproteins, were observed, and the treatment was well tolerated. We conclude that continuous selective apolipoprotein B apherisis is a safe and efficient lipid‐lowering procedure which may be used both for metabolic investigations and for studies on possible regression of atherosclerosis.
Dental infections in association with cerebral infarction in young and middle‐aged men
Authors: SYRJÄNEN J. , PELTOLA J. , VALTONEN V. , IIVANAINEN M. , KASTE M. , HUTTUNEN J. K.
Published: August 2009

Abstract. The association between dental infections and cerebral infarction was investigated in a case‐control study involving 40 patients with ischaemic cerebral infarction under the age of 50, and 40 randomly selected community controls matched for sex and age. Poor oral health, as assessed by two indices measuring the severity of infections of teeth and periodontium, or by the presence of subgingival calculus or the presence of suppuration in the gingival pockets, were more common in male patients than in male controls, but no difference was observed in females. If severe dental infections were combined with other probable bacterial infections there were altogether 16 patients (40%) but only two controls (5%) who had suffered from a probable bacterial infection within 1 month or at the time of the stroke or when examined as a control (P < 0.01).

Our results suggest an association between bacterial infection and ischaemic cerebrovascular disease in patients under 50 years of age. Severe chronic dental infection seems to be an important type of infection associated with cerebral infarction in males.
Vitamin D, parathyroid hormone, and bone mineral content of lumbar spine and femur in primary biliary cirrhosis
Authors: ALMDAL T. , SCHAADT O. , JØRGENSEN J. VESTERDAL , LINDGREEN P. , RANEK L.
Published: August 2009

Abstract. In order to elucidate the pathogenesis and degree of osteopoenia in primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) we conducted a cross‐sectional study of 47 non‐selected female patients with biopsy‐proven PBC. Bone mineral content (BMC) of the lumbar spine, femoral neck and femoral shaft was determined using dual photon absorptiometry.

Compared to healthy females of corresponding decades the PBC patients exhibited significantly decreased mean BMC‐values in lumbar spine (88%, P < 0.05) and femoral neck (92%, P < 0.05) but not in femoral shaft (96%, NS).

Bone mineral content was not significantly associated with duration of liver disease, impairment of liver function (serum concentrations of albumin, clotting factors II + VII + X, bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase galactose elimination capacity or histology), variables reflecting calcium homeostasis (serum concentrations of ionized calcium, parathyroid hormone, vitamin D binding protein, 25‐hydroxy vitamin D3 and 1,25‐dihydroxy vitamin D3) or previous treatment with glucocorticosteroids.

In view of our negative findings we suggest that future studies in this field should focus on physical activity and female sex hormones as determinants for the prevention of osteopoenia in females with primary biliary cirrhosis.
Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in relation to blood pressure: a study in middle‐aged men with normal and elevated blood pressure
Authors: HEDNER T. , HARTFORD M. , CAIDAHL K. , HEDNER J. , TOWLE A. C. , LJUNGMAN S. , WIKSTRAND J. , BERGLUND G.
Published: August 2009

Abstract. In order to investigate the potential role of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in mild to moderate essential hypertension, a study was conducted in groups of normotensive and hypertensive middle‐aged men born in 1926 and 1927. Venous plasma concentrations of immunoreactive ANP (irANP) were studied in relation to measurements of cardiac structure and function, urinary electrolytes as well as some cardiovascular hormones. Plasma irANP did not differ between normotensive controls (31 ± 14 pmol l−1) and borderline or untreated hypertensive patients. However, irANP concentrations were slightly but significantly (P < 0.05) lower in the borderline (26 ± 8 pmol l−1) compared to the untreated established hypertensives (35 ± 14 pmol l−1). No relationships were found between irANP and blood pressure, indices of left ventricular structure and function or hormone parameters in subgroups or the whole study group.

Our data do not support the view that plasma irANP is increased in uncomplicated essential hypertension, since our groups of borderline or established hypertensive middle‐aged men without major cardiac involvement did not differ in irANP concentrations compared to normotensive controls. Thus, during the development or in the early stages of essential hypertension, ANP secretion does not seem to be abnormal.
Rise of plasma t‐PA fibrinolytic activity in a group of maturity onset diabetic patients shifted from a first generation (tolbutamide) to a second generation sulphonylurea (gliclazide)
Authors: GRAM J. , KOLD A. , JESPERSEN J.
Published: August 2009

Abstract. During treatment with tolbutamide 10 maturity onset diabetic patients had no detectable activity of tissue‐type plasminogen activator (t‐PA) determined on two occasions 3 months apart. All 10 patients responded on the change in treatment to gliclazide with an increase in activity of t‐PA. However, after 12 months of treatment the t‐PA activity in one of the 10 patients returned to the baseline level, whereas the remaining nine patients had a sustained increased t‐PA activity compared to the period during treatment with tolbutamide. The concentration in plasma of t‐PA antigen under basal conditions and after stimulation (venous occlusion) increased significantly during the period of treatment with gliclazide. The plasma concentrations of plasminogen activator inhibitor remained unchanged throughout the study. In contrast to these findings seven patients with marked activities of t‐PA during treatment with tolbutamide retained unchanged levels of the variables reported above after a change in treatment to gliclazide.

Serum glucose, HBA1c, apolipoproteins A and B, and triglycerides remained constant throughout the study, whereas serum cholesterol showed a decrease in both groups of patients after 3 months (P < 0.05) as well as after 12 months (P < 0.05) of treatment with gliclazide. There was no significant relationship between serum cholesterol concentrations and plasma concentrations of t‐PA antigen indicating that the increase in t‐PA antigen was independent of the metabolic state of the patients.
Assessment of thyroid and adrenal function in patients with familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy
Authors: OLOFSSON B.‐O. , GRANKVIST K. , BOMAN K. , FORSBERG K. , LAFVAS I. , LITHNER F.
Published: August 2009

Abstract. This study was performed to evaluate thyroid and adrenal function in patients with familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy. Twenty‐four patients without any clinical overt endocrinological dysfunction were studied. None of the patients showed laboratory evidences of hypo‐ or hyperthyroidism. A short ACTH‐stimulation test was performed in 17 of the patients. A low cortisol response to ACTH stimulation, suggesting adrenocortical insufficiency, was found in four (24%) of the patients, and an intermediate response interpreted as suspected hypofunction was found in three (18%) patients. Low serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate levels, suggesting adrenal hypofunction, were found in six (25%) of the patients. We believe that the possibility of glucocorticoid insufficiency should always be considered in patients with familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy.