bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the Results of Endoscope-Assisted Acoustic Neuroma Surgery through Posterior Fossa Approach
Authors: Göksu Nebil , Yilmaz Metin , Bayramoglu İsmet , Aydil Utku , Bayazıt Yıldırım A.
Published: March 2005

The objective of this study was to evaluate the results of endoscope-assisted acoustic neuroma surgery in posterior fossa approach. Between 1996 and 2002, 60 consecutive patients with acoustic neuroma were operated via the retrosigmoid suboccipital approach. Standard 4-mm sinus endoscopes at different angles were used during the surgeries either for inspection or tumor endoscopic dissection. Clinical parameters and treatment outcome were evaluated retrospectively. Tumor sizes were small, medium and large in 46.6, 45 and 8.3% of the patients, respectively. The hearing preservation rate, which did not correlate with tumor size (p > 0.05), was 24.4%. The need for facial reanimation surgery, which was needed in 5% of patients, was significantly higher in the large tumors than in the small and medium tumors (p < 0.001). Cerebrospinal fluid fistula rate, which was not related to tumor size (p > 0.05), was 13.3%. Tumor recurrence or residual tumor was not encountered at all. In conclusion, endoscopes give accurate information about the relationship between the tumor and the adjacent structures and help control the fundus of the internal auditory canal to ensure complete tumor removal. It is also helpful in visually verifying the continuity of the facial and cochlear nerves. The use of endoscopes does not appear to increase the hearing preservation rate, but is very helpful in complete tumor removal in the posterior fossa approach.
Reduced Bone Mineral Density and Radial Bone Growth in Young Rabbits Treated with Dexamethasone Eye Drops
Authors: Kugelberg Maria , Ohlsson Claes , Sävendahl Lars
Published: March 2005

Objective: To investigate the effect of dexamethasone eye drops on bone metabolism in newborn rabbits. Methods: Thirty-four 3-week-old rabbits had unilateral clear lens extraction and were randomized into three groups. Postoperatively, group 1 received high-dose and group 2 low-dose dexamethasone eye drops (average doses 0.27 and 0.10 mg/kg body weight/day, respectively). These rabbits also received a postoperative subconjunctival injection of betamethasone. Group 3 (control) received vehicle eye drops only. After 8 weeks of treatment, all animals were killed and the left femurs were isolated and subjected to peripheral quantitative computerized tomography (pQCT) and dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) analyses. Results: DXA showed that rabbits treated with either a high or low dose of dexamethasone eye drops had significantly reduced areal bone mineral density (BMD), area and total bone mineral content (BMC) of the femur. Measurements with pQCT demonstrated a dose-dependent reduction in cortical BMC, cortical volumetric BMD and cortical area. These effects were associated with an inhibition of radial femur growth, cortical thickness and periosteal and endosteal circumferences. Conclusion: Dexamethasone eye drops have systemic effects affecting several bone parameters in young rabbits. Any long-term systemic effects of ocular glucocorticoids need to be further studied.
Brain Cell Function during Hypoxemia in Near-Term Lambs: A Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Study
Authors: van Os Sandra , Klaessens John , Hopman Jeroen , Liem Djien , van de Bor Margot
Published: March 2005

Background: Sufficient O2 supply to the brain is necessary for adequate cerebral energy metabolism, function and growth. Objectives: To elucidate the relation between changes in cerebral arterial O2 content and cerebral O2 supply and changes in the oxygenation state of cerebral hemoglobin, and to determine whether concentration changes in oxyhemoglobin (ΔcO2Hb), deoxyhemoglobin (ΔcHHb), and cerebral arterial oxygenation (ΔcHbD; the difference between ΔcO2Hb and ΔcHHb), and cerebral blood volume (ΔCBV) can be used to assess the decline in brain cell function during hypoxemia in lambs born near term. Methods: 17 preterm lambs were delivered at a mean gestational age of 133 days. Decreases in cerebral arterial oxygen content were induced by a stepwise reduction in inspired oxygen concentration. Mean values of all continuous variables were calculated over the last 180 s of each hypoxemic level. Cerebral arterial blood gases were analyzed at the end of each level to calculate cerebral arterial O2 content and cerebral O2 supply. Results: Changes in cerebral arterial O2 content and cerebral O2 supply were positively linearly related with ΔcO2Hb and ΔcHbD, and negatively with ΔcHHb and the concentration changes in total hemoglobin. Electrocortical brain activity remained stable until the cO2Hb and cHbD decreased to >3.0 ± 0.9 and >8.1 ± 1.9 (mean ± SD) µmol/100 g, respectively, and cHHb and CBV increased to >4.3 ± 1.7 and 1.37 ± 0.48 ml/100 g, respectively, as compared to baseline. Conclusions: Changes in cerebral arterial O2 content and cerebral O2 supply are adequately reflected by changes in the oxygenation state of cerebral hemoglobin. Concentration changes in ΔcO2Hb, ΔcHHb, ΔcHbD and ΔCBV can be used to assess the decline in brain cell function during hypoxemia in lambs born near term.
Effects of Intermittent Fasting on Serum Lipid Levels, Coagulation Status and Plasma Homocysteine Levels
Authors: Benli Aksungar Fehime , Eren Aynur , Ure Sengul , Teskin Onder , Ates Gursel
Published: March 2005

Background: During Ramadan, Muslims fast during the daylight hours for a month. The duration of restricted food and beverage intake is approximately 12 h/day which makes Ramadan a unique model of intermittent fasting. Many physiological and psychological changes are observed during Ramadan that are probably due to the changes in eating and sleeping patterns. Methods: Serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), plasma fibrinogen, D-dimer and homocysteine levels were measured in 24 healthy fasting volunteers (12 females, 12 males) aged 21–35 years. Venous blood samples were taken 1 week before Ramadan, on the 21st day of Ramadan and 20 days after Ramadan. Results: No significant changes were observed on serum total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL levels. HDL levels were significantly elevated during Ramadan (p < 0.001) and 20 days after Ramadan (p < 0.05). Prothrombin time, aPTT, fibrinogen and D-dimer levels were in the physiologic limits in all samples but D-dimer levels were significantly low at the end of Ramadan in comparison to pre- and post-fasting levels (p < 0.001). Homocysteine levels, being still in reference ranges, were low during Ramadan (p < 0.05) and reached the pre-fasting levels after Ramadan. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that intermittent fasting led to some beneficial changes in serum HDL and plasma homocysteine levels, and the coagulation status. These changes may be due to omitting at least one meal when the body was particularly metabolically active and possibly had a low blood viscosity level at the same time. We conclude that intermittent fasting may have beneficial effects on hemostatic risk markers for cardiovascular diseases.
Relationships between IGF-I and Weight Z Score, BMI, Tricipital Skin-Fold Thickness, Type of Feeding in Healthy Infants in the First 5 Months of Life
Authors: Savino F. , Nanni G.E. , Maccario S. , Oggero R. , Mussa G.C.
Published: March 2005

Aim: To determine the concentration of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) in exclusively breast-fed (BF) and formula-fed (FF) infants in the first 5 months of life and to study the relationship between the IGF-I level and Z score for weight, body mass index (BMI) and tricipital skin-fold thickness. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study in order to evaluate serum IGF-I in 97 age-matched healthy term infants: 50 FF and 47 BF. Results: FF infants showed higher values of IGF-I (38.9 ± 12 ng/ml) when compared to BF infants (26.7 ± 11.6 ng/ml; p < 0.05). A positive correlation was found between IGF-I values and Z score for weight (p < 0.001), BMI (p = 0.014), tricipital skin-fold thickness (p = 0.043) and age (p = 0.02). Conclusion: These results show that the IGF-I serum concentration is higher in FF infants. The observed association between IGF-I and Z score for weight, BMI, tricipital skin-fold thickness confirms the effect of different infant feeding on body size.
Comparisons of Serum Somatotropin, 3,5,3′-Triiodothyronine, Thyroxine, Total Protein and Free Fatty Acid Levels in Newborn Sakiz Lambs Separated from or Suckling Their Dams
Authors: Fırat Ayşen , Özpınar Aysel , Serpek Behiç , Haliloğlu Seyfullah
Published: March 2005

Objective: To determine the effects on serum somatotropin, 3,5,3′-triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), free fatty acids (FFAs) and total protein levels of different feedings and age in Sakiz sheep that have a high twin-bearing rate supported by estrous synchronization. Methods: 20 newborn lambs were used in the study. Lambs were divided into 2 equal groups. The lambs in 1 group were separated from their dams following parturition, and those in other group were kept together with their dams. Separated lambs were fed commercial cow’s milk for 2.5 weeks. After that, they were fed a milk substitute, hay and concentrated supplement for 2 months, and from the end of the 2 months they were fed hay and concentrated supplement. The lambs in other group were kept together with their dams only during the day and in addition were fed hay and concentrated supplement. After 2 months, they were maintained feeding only on hay and concentrated supplement. Blood samples were taken from vena jugularis of lambs at 12 and 24–48 h, and 14, 28, 42 and 56–90 days after parturition. Serum samples were analyzed for somatotropin by enzyme immunoassay, for T3 and T4 by radioimmunoassay, and for total protein and FFA by a spectrophotometric method. Results: Serum somatotropin levels were insignificantly different between the lambs with and without their dams. Serum T3 levels were generally lower in the separated lambs than those in other group. Serum T4 levels were significantly lower in the separated lambs 48 h and 90 days after parturition than those in other group. Serum FFAs were insignificantly different between 2 groups. Serum total protein concentrations were lower in the separated lambs than lambs kept together with their dams (significantly at 12 and 48 h and 14 days). Conclusion: Ingestion of colostrum and dam milk markedly affected serum total protein levels, but body weight and serum somatotropin levels were insignificantly affected. Also serum T3 and T4 levels markedly decreased with advancing age. Serum FFA levels were not affected by the trial.
A Randomized Clinical Trial with Oral Immunonutrition (ω3-Enhanced Formula vs. Arginine-Enhanced Formula) in Ambulatory Head and Neck Cancer Patients
Authors: de Luis D.A. , Izaola O. , Aller R. , Cuellar L. , Terroba M.C.
Published: March 2005

Objective: The aim of our study was to investigate whether oral ambulatory nutrition of head and neck cancer patients, using an ω3 fatty acid-enhanced diet (low ratio ω6/ω3 fatty acids) versus an arginine-enhanced diet, could improve nutritional variables as well as clinical outcome, postoperative infectious and wound complications. Research Methods: A population of 73 ambulatory postsurgical patients with oral and laryngeal cancer were enrolled. At discharge from hospital the postsurgical head and neck cancer patients were asked to consume two units per day of either a specially designed ω3 fatty acid-enhanced supplement (group 1) or an arginine-enhanced supplement (group 2) for a 12-week period. Results: No significant intergroup differences in the trend of the three serum proteins and lymphocytes were detected. Differences were detected in weight (group 1: 65.5 ± 11.5 kg vs. 70.4 ± 11.1 kg; p < 0.05) with a significant increase in fat mass in group 1 (15.4 ± 6.6 vs. 18.1 ± 8.4 kg; p < 0.05) and in tricipital skinfold. The postoperative infectious complications were similar in both groups (0 in group 1 and 8.57% in group 2; nonsignificant). No local complications were detected in the surgical wound. Gastrointestinal tolerance (diarrhea and vomiting episodes) of both formulas was good. Conclusions: At the dose taken, the ω3-enhanced formula improved fat mass and proteins in ambulatory postoperative head and neck cancer patients. The arginine-enhanced formula improved proteins. Further studies are required to examine the potential role of immune-enhanced supplements.
Effect of Green Tea Decoction on Long-Term Iron, Zinc and Selenium Status of Rats
Authors: Hamdaoui Mohamed Hédi , Chahed Adel , Ellouze-Chabchoub Soufia , Marouani Neïla , Ben Abid Zakia , Hédhili Abderrazek
Published: March 2005

Aims: The objective was to examine the effect of green tea decoction given at two different concentrations on the long-term (6 weeks) iron, zinc and selenium status of rats. Methods: During the experimental period, the rats were given ad libitum a basic diet + ultra pure water (control group), a basic diet + green tea decoction prepared from 50 g/l (tea 50 group), or a basic diet + green tea decoction prepared from 100 g/l (tea 100 group). The zinc and iron status was evaluated by determining their concentrations in the serum, blood precipitate, liver, spleen, femur, heart and kidney. Selenium status was evaluated by the serum selenium concentration and whole blood glutathione peroxidase activity. Results: Green tea decoction significantly reduced serum iron by 26% in the tea groups (p < 0.01). The blood precipitate of iron was significantly decreased by 25 and 41% in the tea 50 and tea 100 groups (p < 0.01), respectively. The reserve of iron stored in the liver, spleen and femur was significantly reduced in the tea 100 group by 32% (p < 0.02), 20% (p < 0.04) and 35% (p < 0.005), respectively. Moreover, the two concentrations of green tea significantly decreased the reserve of iron stored in the kidney (p < 0.005) and heart (p < 0.02). In contrast with its effects on iron status, green tea decoction significantly increased the serum zinc in the tea 100 group by 24% (p < 0.001). It also increased the blood precipitate of zinc by 50 (p < 0.01) and 75% (p < 0.0001) in tea 50 and tea 100 groups, respectively. In the kidney, heart and femur, zinc significantly increased in the tea groups dependent on the tea dose. Similarly, the high concentration of green tea decoction significantly increased the serum selenium concentration by 16% (p < 0.004). In addition, both concentrations of green tea decoction significantly increased the whole blood glutathione peroxidase activity by 102 and 130% (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Green tea decoction reduced the iron status and improved the zinc and selenium status of rats. These effects may constitute another beneficial effect of the green tea decoction which could play an important role in the antioxidant processes.
CD40/CD40 Ligand Signaling in Mouse Cerebral Microvasculature After Focal Ischemia/Reperfusion
Authors: Ishikawa Mami , Vowinkel Thorsten , Stokes Karen Y. , Arumugam Thiruma V. , Yilmaz Gokhan , Nanda Anil , Granger D. Neil
Published: March 2005

Background—

CD40/CD40 ligand (CD40L) signaling contributes to proinflammatory and prothrombogenic responses in the vasculature. CD40/CD40L expression is elevated in patients after a transient ischemic attack or stroke. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of CD40/CD40L signaling in cerebral microvascular dysfunction and tissue injury response to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and reperfusion.

Methods and Results—

Intravital fluorescence microscopy was used to visualize the cerebral microcirculation of wild-type (WT), CD40-deficient, and CD40L-deficient mice subjected to 1-hour MCAO and 4-hour reperfusion. The adhesion of platelets and of leukocytes and vascular permeability were measured in postcapillary venules after 4-hour and 1-hour reperfusions, respectively. Cerebral infarct volume was analyzed 24 hours after reperfusion. Platelet and leukocyte adhesion was elevated and blood/brain barrier function was compromised by MCAO in WT mice. Blood cell recruitment and increased permeability were blunted in both CD40-deficient and CD40L-deficient mice. Infarct volume was also reduced in CD40- and CD40L-deficient mice compared with WT mice.

Conclusions—

Our findings indicate that CD40/CD40L signaling contributes to inflammatory and prothrombogenic responses and brain infarction induced by MCAO and reperfusion. The CD40/CD40L dyad may play a significant pathogenic role in the acute phase of ischemic stroke.
Ablation of MEK Kinase 1 Suppresses Intimal Hyperplasia by Impairing Smooth Muscle Cell Migration and Urokinase Plasminogen Activator Expression in a Mouse Blood-Flow Cessation Model
Authors: Li Yan , Minamino Tetsuo , Tsukamoto Osamu , Yujiri Toshiaki , Shintani Yasunori , Okada Ken-ichiro , Nagamachi Yoko , Fujita Masashi , Hirata Akio , Sanada Shoji , Asanuma Hiroshi , Takashima Seiji , Hori Masatsugu , Johnson Gary L. , Kitakaze Masafumi
Published: March 2005

Background—

Migration, proliferation, and matrix-degrading protease expression of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) are major features of intimal hyperplasia after vascular injury. Although MEK kinase 1 (MEKK1) has been shown to regulate cell migration and urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) expression, the precise role of MEKK1 in this process remains unknown.

Methods and Results—

We triggered a vascular remodeling model by complete ligation of the right common carotid artery in wild-type (WT) and MEKK1-null (MEKK1
−/−
) mice. The intimal areas 28 days after ligation were significantly decreased in the ligated MEKK1
−/−
arteries compared with WT arteries (28±8 versus 65±17 μm
2
,
P
<0.05). There were no differences in the ratios of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)–positive cells to total cells within the arterial wall between WT and MEKK1
−/−
arteries. Proliferation capacity also did not differ between WT and MEKK1
−/−
cultured aortic smooth muscle cells (AoSMCs). In contrast, the number of intimal PCNA-positive cells 7 days after ligation was significantly smaller in MEKK1
−/−
arteries. Three different migration assays revealed that migration and invasion of MEKK1
−/−
AoSMCs were markedly impaired. Addition of full-length MEKK1 restored the migration capacity of MEKK1
−/−
AoSMCs. The number of MEKK1
−/−
AoSMCs showing lamellipodia formation by epithelial growth factor was significantly smaller compared with those of WT SMCs. Furthermore, uPA expression after ligation was markedly decreased in MEKK1
−/−
arteries.

Conclusions—

MEKK1 is implicated in vascular remodeling after blood-flow cessation by regulating the migration and uPA expression of SMCs. MEKK1 is a potential target for drug development to prevent vascular remodeling.
25-Hydroxyvitamin D
3
-1α-Hydroxylase Is Expressed in Human Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells and Is Upregulated by Parathyroid Hormone and Estrogenic Compounds
Authors: Somjen Dalia , Weisman Yosef , Kohen Fortune , Gayer Batya , Limor Rona , Sharon Orly , Jaccard Niva , Knoll Esther , Stern Naftali
Published: March 2005

Background—

1,25(OH)
2
vitamin D
3
exerts multiple effects in human vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). We therefore tested the possibility that VSMCs possess an endogenous 25-hydroxyvitamin D
3
-1α-hydroxylase system, the final enzyme in the biosynthetic pathway of 1,25(OH)
2
D
3
.

Methods and Results—

We assessed the expression and activity of 25-hydroxyvitamin D
3
-1α-hydroxylase by real-time polymerase chain reaction and the conversion of 25(OH)D
3
into 1,25(OH)
2
D
3
. First, 25-hydroxyvitamin D
3
-1α-hydroxylase mRNA was identified in cultured VSMCs by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Second, in cells treated daily (3 days) with parathyroid hormone (66 nmol/L), estradiol-17β (30 nmol/L), raloxifene (3 μmol/L), and the phytoestrogens genistein (3 μmol/L), biochainin A (3 μmol/L), and 6-carboxy biochainin A (30 nmol/L), 25-hydroxyvitamin D
3
-1α-hydroxylase mRNA increased by 43±13%, (
P
<0.05) 7±24% (
P
=NS), 176±28% (
P
<0.01), 65±11% (
P
<0.05), 152±24% (
P
<0.01), and 71±9% (
P
<0.05), respectively. Third, production of 1,25(OH)
2
D
3
from 25(OH)D
3
was seen with a Km of 25 ng/mL and increased dose dependently after treatment with parathyroid hormone, genistein, and the phytosetrogen derivative 6-carboxy biochainin A. Estradiol-17β and biochainin A also increased the generation of 1,25(OH)
2
D
3
by 40±23% (
P
<0.05) and 55±13% (
P
<0.05), respectively.

Conclusions—

We provide here the first evidence for the expression of an enzymatically active 25(OH)D
3
-1α-hydroxylase system in human VSMCs, which can be upregulated by parathyroid hormone and estrogenic compounds. Because exogenous vitamin D inhibits VSMC proliferation, the role of this system as an autocrine mechanism to curb changes in VSMC proliferation and phenotype is a subject for future investigation.
Targeting 2A Protease by RNA Interference Attenuates Coxsackieviral Cytopathogenicity and Promotes Survival in Highly Susceptible Mice
Authors: Merl Sabine , Michaelis Cornelia , Jaschke Birgit , Vorpahl Marc , Seidl Stefan , Wessely Rainer
Published: March 2005

Background—

Enteroviridae such as coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) are important infectious agents involved in viral heart disease, hepatitis, and pancreatitis, but no specific antiviral therapy is available.

Methods and Results—

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of RNA interference on viral replication, cytopathogenicity, and survival. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) molecules were designed against the viral 2A region (siRNA-2A), which is considered to be highly conserved and essential for both virus maturation and host cytopathogenicity. siRNA-2A exhibited a significant protective effect on cell viability mediated by marked inhibition of CVB3 gene expression and viral replication. In highly susceptible type I interferon receptor–knockout mice, siRNA-2A led to significant reduction of viral tissue titers, attenuated tissue damage, and prolonged survival. Repeated siRNA-2A transfection was associated with a further improvement of survival. Various control siRNA molecules had no protective effect in vitro or in vivo.

Conclusions—

RNA interference directed against the 2A protease encoding genomic region effectively confers intracellular immunity toward CVB3-mediated cell injury and improves survival, suggesting a potential role for RNA interference for future treatment options targeting enteroviral diseases.
Endothelial Dysfunction in Childhood Infection
Authors: Charakida Marietta , Donald Ann E. , Terese Mari , Leary Sam , Halcox Julian P. , Ness Andy , Smith George Davey , Golding Jean , Friberg Peter , Klein Nigel J. , Deanfield John E.
Published: March 2005

Background—

Atherosclerosis begins in early life, and endothelial dysfunction is recognized as a key initiating event in the development of atherosclerosis. Although infection has been implicated in endothelial dysfunction and atherogenesis, the impact of acute common childhood infections on the vascular endothelium is unknown.

Methods and Results—

We studied 600 children aged 10 years drawn from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. The children were divided into 3 groups: those with current acute infection (AI; n=135; 73 boys and 62 girls); a convalescent group with infection in the past 2 weeks (n=166; 78 boys and 88 girls), and a healthy control group (n=299; 131 boys and 168 girls). Endothelial function was determined in all subjects by high-resolution ultrasound to measure brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and was expressed as the percentage change in diameter from baseline after reactive hyperemia. FMD was repeated in 40 children in the AI group and 50 in the control group after a mean interval of 1 year. FMD was lower in both the AI group (6.3±2.7%, mean±SD) and the convalescent group (8.1±3.1%) than in the control group (9.7±2.5%;
P
<0.001 for both). The observed differences in FMD remained after adjustment for potential confounding variables. At the repeat visit, FMD was unchanged in controls (
P
=0.85) but improved in the AI group (
P
<0.001).

Conclusions—

Acute infection in childhood is associated with impaired endothelium-dependent vasodilation. These findings support a potential role for previously unsuspected extrinsic inflammatory stimuli in the pathogenesis of early atherosclerosis.
Weaving Sisterhood: Women African Theologians And Creative Writers
Authors: Chitando Ezra , Chitando Anna
Published: March 2005

African American women have been keen to highlight that black women are at the 'bottom of the pile' in a society that espouses values of human equality. The situation of the women in Africa is probably worse, as their societies do not propagate human equality. Moreover they have to cope with many other problems such as poverty, HIV/AIDS, the threat of death and male dominance. Though African women theologians were few at the beginning of the 1990s, their number increased during the ten years that followed. This article shows how they were inspired by their sisters, the female African creative writers. Often they felt more solidarity with these sisters than with many African male theologians. Women African theologians and creative writers stand for the same struggle in order to prevent men using their religion — be it African traditional religion or Christianity — to oppress their sisters.
Transnational Publics: New Spaces of Social Movement Activism and the Problem of Global Long-Sightedness
Authors: Olesen Thomas
Published: March 2005

The article proposes the concept of transnational publics as a way of overcoming problems of global long-sightedness and stimulating sociological research able to operate on various spatial levels. By contrast, the concept of global civil society is so inclusive as to be almost analytically useless; it gives the mistaken impression that social action is becoming detached from the local and the national. It is theoretically flawed to speak of a global civil society in absence of a global state. To overcome this global long-sightedness we should speak of a plurality of transnational publics rather than a single global civil society. This forces us to identify the social spaces that individuals and social movements construct. We discover two things: transnational publics are not detached from physical space, but imply a transformation of space, combining the local, the national and the transnational in a new way; second, transnational publics are mediated, but also rooted in real people and places.
Responsibility Attitude in a Sample of Iranian Obsessive-Compulsive Patients
Authors: Ghassemzadeh Habibollah , Bolhari Jafar , Birashk Behrouz , Salavati Mojgan
Published: March 2005

Background: The study of distorted beliefs about responsibility attitude and interpretation has become the central theme in Salkovskis’ (1985) and Rachman and Hodgson’s (1980) models of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

Aims: The aim of this research is to assess the responsibility attitude in Iranian OCD patients.

Methods: Twenty OCD patients were selected through available sampling from the case referred to psychology clinics. Two other patient groups comprised of 20 non-OCD anxiety disorder patients and 20 non-clinical participants were also chosen as comparison groups. All participants completed the Responsibility Attitude Scale (RAS) and Responsibility Interpretation Questionnaire (RIQ).

Results: Analyses revealed statistically significant differences between OCD group and comparison groups on both RAS and RIQ. In addition, both RAS and RIQ scores were associated with the severity of OCD assessed by the Yale-Brown scale.

Conclusions: These findings suggest that responsibility attitude and interpretations are the prominent features of OCD in Iranian patients and are associated with the severity of illness.
Social Services and Health Services Day Care in Mental Health: The Social Networks and Care Needs of their Users
Authors: Catty Jocelyn , Goddard Kim , Burns Tom
Published: March 2005

Background: In view of the increasing integration of health and social care, there is an urgent need to know how health service day hospitals and social service day centres are being used, and by whom.

Aims: We aimed to compare users of day hospitals and centres in terms of their social networks, needs for care and demographics.

Methods: A cross-sectional, comparative study of service users at two day hospitals and four day centres compared their social networks, needs and characteristics.

Results: Day centre clients had much larger social networks, including a threefold difference in total contacts and two-fold difference in confidants, but had more needs for care, particularly relating to psychological distress. They were also older on average than day hospital patients and were a more long-term group.

Conclusion: It is vital to understand differences between health service day hospitals and social service day centres given the increasing integration of health and social care. The present study shows that the two user groups are significantly different. It is unlikely that the needs of most day care users could be met by either service interchangeably.
Goals of New Long-Stay Patients in Supported Housing: A UK Study
Authors: Fakhoury Walid K.H. , Priebe Stefan , Quraishi Mansur
Published: March 2005

Aim: This study assessed the goals ‘new’ long-stay clients aim to achieve by being in supported housing (SH), compared the goals stated by clients and staff, and tested whether subgroups of clients can be identified on the basis of their goals, quality of life and psychopathology.

Method: Interviews were conducted with 41 clients and 39 staff of supported houses in London and Essex, UK. Descriptive, content and cluster analyses were used to analyse the results.

Results: Clients’ most frequently reported goal was moving to independent housing, followed by staying healthy, and increasing living skills. A comparison of goals reported by clients and staff showed poor or no agreement between them. Cluster analyses identified two clusters of clients. Cluster A (n 1/4 23) contained those with no stated goals (or with the aim of staying healthy), lower quality of life, and more psychopathology; cluster B (n 1/4 18) included those with an aim to move to independent housing, better quality of life, and less psychopathology.

Conclusion: In the UK, more staff training may be needed to identify and achieve the goals of the ‘new’ long-stay clients. For a subgroup of these clients, SH may still be a long-term care setting; while for another subgroup, new forms of rehabilitation in SH and better opportunities to leave SH may have to be developed. More conceptual and practical efforts are needed to manage the transformation of many settings from homes for life to transitional places where residents receive specific interventions.
Determinants of Duration of Untreated Psychosis and the Pathway to Care in Singapore
Authors: Chong Siow-Ann , Mythily  , Lum Alvin , Chan Yiong Huak , McGorry Patrick
Published: March 2005

Introduction: Delays in providing effective treatment for a patient with psychosis has significant negative effects on the outcome. This includes more hospitalizations, longer periods of inpatient care, slower and less complete recovery, and more frequent relapses. In this study, we established the Duration of Psychosis (DUP) in a sample of patients with first-episode psychosis and examined the pathways to care.

Methods: The sample comprised patients presenting with first-episode psychosis to the psychiatric services of the Institute of Mental Health, Singapore, from January to December 2000. The association between the DUP and demographic, clinical and social variables was examined.

Results: The DUP ranged from 0.1 to 336 months. The mean DUP was 32.6 (SD 1/4 59.8) months, with a median of 12 months. Twenty four percent of the patients had sought consultation with a traditional healer prior to consulting a psychiatrist. The DUP of this group of patients was not significantly different from those who sought help elsewhere.

Conclusions: The DUP of our patients was longer than that reported in studies done in the West. The attitudes and beliefs of family in the Asian society are likely to be crucial in the pathways to care.
Four ideal-type organizational responses to New Public Management reforms and some consequences
Authors: Hernes Tor
Published: March 2005

With its dual focus on service and accountability, New Public Management (NPM) accentuates the inherent tension between the logics of service and accountability respectively in local public administration. The present article explores, from an organization theory perspective, possible organizational responses to tensions created by the introduction of NPM. The article identifies four possible ideal-type organizational responses to NPM. First, paralysis, whereby unresolved conflict leads to a stand-off situation between management and staff. Second, ritualistic decoupling, in the sense of decoupling between espoused and enacted practices. Third, loose coupling between functions and individuals. Fourth, organic adaptation, whereby the tension is handled constructively through internal structural and cultural differentiation. Possible causes and consequences of each of these responses for management are discussed.
The weakness of university legislative bodies: the cases of France and Italy
Authors: Boffo Stefano , Dubois Pierre
Published: March 2005

In theory, the Conseil d’administration in France and the Senato Accademico and the Consiglio di Amministrazione in Italy constitute the most powerful organs of government within the universities but their actual power can be limited. In fact, they are subject to a number of structural weaknesses. The first arises from their heterogeneous composition. The second is due to the fact that they are compelled to take into account decisions taken by faculty councils. The third relates to the spread of a presidential model of governance in the majority of universities in both countries. Without legislative reform, the Président — Rettore, who embodies the executive function — has a wide range of means enabling him/her to dominate the legislature. Should such a regime be institutionalized? Should additional roles be given to the existing legislative bodies, those of supervisor and evaluator, supported by the power to sanction using a form of ‘censure motion’?
‘But We Were Thousands’: Dispossession, Resistance, Repossession and Repression in Mandela Park
Authors: Desai Ashwin , Pithouse Richard
Published: March 2005

This article seeks to give an outline of the key events in the unfolding struggle in Mandela Park, Cape Town, South Africa, against evictions and disconnections from water and electricity. It also seeks to situate this sketch of the emergence and trajectory of these struggles in a broader narrative about the Post-Apartheid State’s turn to neo-liberalism. We argue that, in certain instances, the increased political legitimacy of the State, consequent to the elite transition from apartheid to neo-liberalism, has enabled it to step-up attacks on the poor. Furthermore, we also argue that some of the new movements that have emerged to oppose neo-liberalism mark a new stage in the South African struggles: against the elitism of the ANC tradition, they believe that, in Fanon’s famous phrase, ‘the only magic hands are the hands of the people’. However we caution that, largely as a result of the strains and difficulties of organizing under growing state repression, there is a danger that new forms of authoritarianism could emerge and pose a serious risk to the growth and development of the rebellion begun by these new movements.
Sanction All Revolts: A Reply to Rebecca Pointer
Authors: Desai Ashwin , Pithouse Richard
Published: March 2005

This article is a reply to Rebecca Pointer’s response to our paper, ‘“But We Were Thousands”: Dispossession, Resistance, Repossession and Repression in Mandela Park’. It begins by making some remarks on the terrain in which academic interventions in elite publics are made in contemporary South Africa. In particular, it notes the general tacit support for a highly repressive response (discursive and material) to subaltern dissent. The article then goes on to argue for a politics of commitment to the act, but immediately proceeds to note, with reference to Fanon, two dangers inherent in the politics of the act. It then makes a distinction between militancy and scrupulousness as modes of resistance and argues that the latter often follows but must come to dominate the former. The article then turns to a more direct engagement with Pointer’s paper. It begins by defending a register in our writing described as ‘romantic’ by Pointer and then moves on to mount a sustained attack on her autonomism, which we accuse of, among other things, objectifying the poor. Finally, the article offers qualified support for Pointer’s feminist critique of the Mandela Park Anti-Eviction Campaign and our representation of the Campaign.
Rise and Collapse of Neoliberalism in Argentina
Authors: Teubal Miguel
Published: March 2005

The present crisis in Argentina, the worst crisis in Argentine history that reached rock-bottom levels in 2001-2, can be considered a crisis of neoliberalism, particularly of the severe structural adjustments applied in the 1990s and the beginning of the new millennium under the Menem and De la Rúa administrations. It was in this period that wholesale privatizations, deregulations of all kinds including those tending to the fully-fledged ‘flexibilization’ of labor markets, and an indiscriminate ‘opening’ to the world economy took place. This was also the period in which the foreign debt continued, increasing substantially until the recent default became inevitable. This article analyzes the way economic policy systematically favored the various large economic conglomerates operating in Argentina. In agro-industry, petroleum, telecommunication, electricity, water, and banking, both large national and transnational conglomerates were favored by measures related to structural adjustment programs of successive governments. In the midst of the present crisis these large conglomerates or grupos económicos are once again showing their muscle, pressuring the government to pay the foreign debt, increase public rates, compensate the banks for their losses due to capital flight, etc. In effect, the crisis itself shows the bare anatomy of the economic structure in which these large conglomerates reign supreme while being increasingly contested by numerous popular organizations of civil society.
Neoliberal Restructuring
Authors: Jilberto Alex E. Fernández
Published: March 2005

In modern day Chile the economic entrepreneurial landscape is made up of large multinational conglomerates, local economic groups, and so-called emerging economic groups (that burgeoned with the transformation of former government employees into owners of important parts of state-owned companies).This last group is mainly comprised of the neoliberal technocracy that designed the economic policy of the Pinochet dictatorship. The power of these emerging technical groups in democratic Chile is based not only on direct private property, but also on their participation as high-ranking officials that dominate strategic decision-making in companies and conglomerates. Their power has been consolidated with the so-called second wave of privatizations (1985-90), as they took advantage of both profound neoliberal convictions and the unconditional support for multinational companies, which technocratic officials consider to be the materialization of the globalization of the Chilean economy. In turn, many of these technocrats operate as agents or strategic executives, associating with local economic groups and transnational conglomerates. The analysis of the origin and formation of the economic groups and conglomerates that today dominate the globalized Chilean economy is the main objective of this article.
A Criollo Financial Conglomerate in the Caribbean
Authors: Báez Antonio Carmona
Published: March 2005

Founded in 1894 by the Carrión family, Banco Popular de Puerto Rico is one of the very few institutions of criollo capitalism that survived the transition from Spanish colonialism to US neo-colonialism. With the presence of over 15 commercial and personal banks on an island of 4 million people, BPPR now reigns supreme and is the principal catalyst of neoliberal policies in Puerto Rico, especially during the large privatization episodes of the 1990s. Richard Carrión, CEO President until spring 2004, was mainly responsible for the modernization, diversification and expansion of this, the Caribbean’s most powerful autochthonous economic institution, a financial holding corporation with more than US$35.8 billion in assets with operations in Puerto Rico, the US and Latin America. Reaching a conglomerate position is, therefore, quite recent. But while following global trends of diversified banking and embarking upon sectors like real estate, auto sales and rentals, multiple insurances and investments, BPPR has defied the laws of traditional imperialism. With its expansion, not only among countries surrounding Puerto Rico, like the Dominican Republic, but also in the continental USA - serving the Puerto Rican diasporas and large Hispanic communities of New York, Philadelphia, Los Angeles and Chicago - this economic conglomerate of the world’s oldest colony is actually absorbing local US banks facing trouble. Thinking towards the future, any foreign, more powerful bank willing and able to absorb this economic conglomerate will actually end up positioning itself as a hegemonic presence in the Caribbean’s most productive region.
A Neo-Weberian Theory of the Firm
Authors: Heugens Pursey
Published: March 2005

The field of organization studies harbors two types of theory of the firm: ‘why’ and ‘how’ theories. The former seeks to explain why firms exist despite the availability of institutional alternatives, whereas the latter explores how firms meaningfully connect the actions of many interdependently operating individuals to collective outcomes. Since the two approaches are complements rather than substitutes, the field would benefit from the development of a parsimonious theory that integrates ‘why’ and ‘how’ perspectives. It is argued that Max Weber’s writings on bureaucracy, and especially his focus on the organization as a collective actor governed by rational-legal decision rules, provide a meaningful conceptual background structure for such a theory. Specifically, through a rational reconstruction of certain elements of the Weberian legacy, a neo-Weberian theory of the firm is constructed here that simultaneously provides reasons for the existence of the firm and explores the nature of cooperation within the firm itself.
The Persistence of Bureaucracy: A Meta-analysis of Weber’s Model of Bureaucratic Control
Authors: Walton Eric J.
Published: March 2005

The model of bureaucratic control is an enduring part of modern organizational theory. This study draws on almost four decades of empirical research in assessing the general validity of the model. Meta-analytical techniques are used for estimating the general relationships among key aspects of bureaucratic control, removing the effects of statistical artefacts and exploring the relative persistence of the model. The results provide substantial support for the model of bureaucratic control. The average correlation among the structural variables is .54. Overall, the paper concludes that there are reasons to see the bureaucratic model of control as generalizable and of continuing relevance to discussions of organizational structures.
Weber and Legal Rule Evolution: The Closing of the Iron Cage?
Authors: Jennings P. Devereaux , Schulz Martin , Patient David , Gravel Caroline , Yuan Ke
Published: March 2005

Institutionalists have emphasized the importance of law for the spread of bureaucracy and examined its effects; but they have not examined the evolution of law as an institution in its own right, particularly from a Weberian standpoint. In this paper, we investigate whether or not there is an inexorable proliferation and refinement of rational legal rules within a law, as we have found to be the case with bureaucratic rules. In other words, are the same tendencies toward proliferation and refinement associated with the ‘closing of the iron cage’ found in the context of legal rules? An examination of all sections of a regional water law over a 90-year period shows that the number of law sections and the text covered by the sections actually declines over time, through alternating phases of gradual expansion followed by rapid collapse; that is via punctuated equilibrium. Most of the expansion is due to revisions of existing sections, rather than to births of new sections. Poisson models of births and event history models of revisions show that the sources of the proliferation within the law are, in fact, some of the same ones anticipated by Weber: the interpretation of the law by the courts, changes in political parties, and shock events such as war. But, in contrast to Weberian predictions, the result of this evolutionary process appears to be a law that is smaller, tighter and more functionally differentiated.
Teaching the adult beginning instrumentalist: ideas from practitioners
Authors: Rohwer Debbie
Published: March 2005

The purpose of this study was to describe the current practices (band setup, musical instruction, member interactions, and challenges) of adult beginning instruction in ensemble settings. Subjects in the current study were 35 adult band/orchestra directors from 19 US states and one province. The responding directors were 24 men and 11 women directors with from between one and 12 years of adult ensemble directing experience (median = 5). Respondents answered 27 possible questions addressing the current band practices in their setting. Results of the study showed that many of the musical concepts were introduced to the adults with the same types of activities that would be seen in a school ensemble setting, but the way in which information was presented to the adult learners did appear to vary in many ways from the standard ‘school model’. Applications to adult ensemble settings were addressed.
The effects of a music education immersion internship in a culturally diverse setting on the beliefs and attitudes of pre-service music teachers
Authors: Emmanuel Donna T.
Published: March 2005

The purpose of this study was to examine the personal conceptualizations of pre-service music education students by focusing on how they talked about learning to teach music in the context of cultural diversity, and to probe the relationships among these conceptualizations prior to, during, and after an immersion internship experience in a culturally diverse setting. Data sources included transcripts of audiotaped discussions, interviews, journals, class assignments, autobiographies, and video tapes of teaching experiences. Data analysis revealed that the participants had expectations and preconceptions that might be considered typical of pre-service teachers; however, their talk during and after the immersion internship demonstrated how their beliefs and attitudes had been challenged and altered.
Perspectives on children’s work in the Algarve (Portugal) and their implications for social policy
Authors: Invernizzi Antonella
Published: March 2005

After discussion of existing literature on children’s work in Portugal, the article presents findings from research carried out in the southern region of that country on social policy relating to child labour. Examination of children’s and parents’ views on children’s work suggests that the main discourse on child labour and the international policies it promotes are far from taking their complex realities into account. Problems that relate to poverty, access to education and professional training, as well as diverse views on childhood experience, make children’s work very important for some sectors of the European population.