bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Violence between parents reported by male and female university students: prevalence, severity, chronicity and mutuality
Authors: Straus Murray
Published: August 2011

The objective of this paper is to draw attention to and present statistics on the multiple aspects of violence between parents that should be addressed in research and treatment of such cases. In addition to whether the child had witnessed violence between parents, information is needed on the severity and chronicity of the violence witnessed, and whether only one or both parents were violent. Data on these aspects of inter‐parental violence obtained from a sample of 1,313 university students is presented. Thirteen per cent of the students recalled one or more instances of physical violence between their parents when they were age 10 or 13, including six per cent who reported a severe assault. When violence occurred, in about half the cases it was chronic rather than a single isolated instance. In two thirds of the cases the violence was mutual. Both research on witnessing violence between parents and treatment are likely to be enhanced if they take into account the severity, chronicity and mutuality of the violence witnessed by children.
Anthropological insights for creating non‐warring social systems
Authors: Fry Douglas
Published: August 2011

Cross‐cultural studies show that most, but not all, human societies engage in warfare. Some non‐warring societies cluster as peace systems. The existence of peace systems, and non‐warring societies more generally, shows that warfare is not an inevitable feature of human social life. This article considers three peace systems in some detail: Brazil's Upper Xingu River basin tribes, Aboriginal Australians, and the European Union. A primary goal is to explore features that contribute to peace in each of the three non‐warring systems. What do these peace systems suggest about how to prevent war? Provisionally, key elements would seem to be the promotion of interdependence among the units of the peace system, creation of cross‐cutting links among them, the existence of conflict resolution procedures, and belief systems (including attitudes and values) that are anti‐war and pro‐peace.
A narrative account of the wider impact of the 7 July 2005 London bomb attacks
Authors: Bux Shahid , Coyne Sarah
Published: August 2011

The London bombings on 7 July 2005 highlighted the prevailing terrorist threat to the UK. The present study addressed the psychological response of a community (n=294) indirectly exposed to the attacks to discern the broader impact and effects of terrorism. Qualitative content analysis was used to develop a profile of emotions and responses to the attacks. This was supplemented by the use of linguistic analysis demonstrating the enormous heterogeneity and complexity of responses to terrorism. In light of previous work on the wider impact of terrorism, the present study highlighted a relatively restrained impact of terrorism. Notwithstanding this observation, responses were marked by negative emotions, with increased use of references to others than for self. Responses also highlighted the use of psychological distancing more among white than Asian respondents, and the importance of religion, both as a supportive factor and perceived cause of the attacks, with references more prevalent among Asian respondents. Although the ubiquitous nature of negative emotions also slightly heightened reports of perceived risk, the ability of respondents to use methods of social orientation helped their ability to recover, and may be crucial in helping harness unified community‐based responses to terrorism.
Perceptions of research and practice among domestic violence researchers
Authors: Murray Christine , Smith Paige
Published: August 2011

This article presents the results of a study involving 261 domestic violence researchers representing a variety of professional disciplines. The purpose of this study was to identify researchers' perceptions of the connections between research and practice in domestic violence. The study builds on previous literature that identified a gap between research and practice in domestic violence. Through a factor analysis of the Domestic Violence Research‐Practice Perceptions Scales: Researcher Form, a new instrument developed for this study, a four‐factor conceptual framework for understanding the domestic violence research‐practice gap was identified. The four factors identified were labelled as follows: (a) personal practice orientation, (b) beliefs about practitioners, (c) beliefs about researchers, and (d) beliefs about a research‐practice gap. Researchers were shown to differ in their scores on the first factor subscale based on whether they had prior experience of providing services to clients affected by domestic violence and whether domestic violence is the primary focus of their research agenda. Implications of the findings for integrating research and practice in domestic violence are then discussed.
Fear of bullying among prisoners: association with experience, psychological distress and respondent sex
Authors: Ireland Jane , Power Christina
Published: August 2011

This study explores the association between fear of bullying and psychological distress. Participants were 293 adult prisoners, including men (n = 169) and women (n = 124), split into groups of ‘pure bullies’ (ie. solely reporting perpetration), ‘bully/victims’ (reporting perpetration and being victimised), ‘pure victims’ (reporting being victimised) and those ‘not‐involved’. All completed the Direct and Indirect Prisoner Behaviour Checklist ‐ Revised (DIPC‐R), a measure of psychological health (General Health Questionnaire: GHQ‐28) and the Fear of Bullying Scale (FBS). The FBS was piloted on a sample of adult male prisoners (n = 69) prior to the main study. It was hypothesised that experience of victimisation would associate with higher levels of fear; that bully/victims would present with higher levels of fear than pure bullies (perpetrators); that fear would be associated with increased levels of psychological distress; and, finally, that women would report higher levels of fear than men. Pure victims reported higher levels of fear than pure bullies and those not‐involved, with bully/victims reporting increased levels of fear in comparison to those not‐involved. These findings did not, however, hold across sex, with women overall reporting higher levels of fear than men. Structural equation models indicated no direct relationship between experiencing victimisation and psychological distress, but rather an indirect relationship through fear of victimisation. The results are discussed with reference to the association between victimisation and psychological distress and the importance of this finding to the wider research field.
Challenging political violence
Authors: Herbolzheimer Kristian
Published: August 2011

The deeply embedded perception that human beings are violent by nature is a worldview that becomes instrumental for justifying armed conflict. Prominent authors in multiple scholarly disciplines have challenged the myth of the violent human being. This article approaches the complexity of challenging political violence by identifying common ground among different disciplines and putting scholarly research in dialogue with recent developments in war and peace across the globe. This article describes the cultural, political and institutional dimensions that sustain violence, and suggests a specific approach for addressing these three strands.
Identifying a new subcategory of aggression: sex differences in direct non‐verbal aggression
Authors: Schober Gary , Björkqvist Kaj , Somppi Sari
Published: August 2011

This study demonstrates the potential usefulness of isolating for analysis an additional component of aggression, namely direct non‐verbal aggression. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analytic procedures were used to design a self‐report inventory measuring direct physical, direct verbal, indirect and direct non‐verbal aggression (eg. silent treatment) in adults (Sample 1: n = 101 males, n = 112 females; Sample 2: n = 56 males, n = 160 females) and adolescents (Sample 3: n = 75 males, n = 100 females). The factor structure was replicated across the adult and adolescent samples. Analysis of sex differences on all three samples showed that men and adolescent boys were more physically aggressive than women and adolescent girls, while women and adolescent girls were found to use direct non‐verbal aggression more than men and adolescent boys. No sex differences were found on indirect aggression, strictly defined, wherein aggressors must take steps to hide their identities and may use others as vehicles to deliver the harm.
Gender inclusive systemic treatment of intimate partner abuse (GIST)
Authors: Hamel John
Published: August 2011

In Western, industrial nations, there is a high level of gender symmetry in intimate partner abuse. Nevertheless, efforts to reduce domestic violence have been stymied by public policies that favour rigid, feminist models based on flawed theories of patriarchy, and that stereotype males as perpetrators and females as victims. The treatment model advanced in this paper, developed by the author and used in his family violence clinic near San Francisco, California, is based on an accumulated body of research evidence on the etiology and characteristics of intimate partner abuse. Partner abuse cannot be fully understood without considering that the family typically involves mutual dynamics, and requires interventions based on a systemic assessment and understanding of each case. In this model, all modalities may be utilised, and treatment proceeds in a three‐phase approach to maximise both treatment effectiveness and victim safety.
Prevention of industrial accidents using Six Sigma approach
Authors: Ray Sanjit , Das Prasun , Bhattacharya Bidyut Kr.
Published: August 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to utilize the power of Six Sigma, a disciplined approach to improve quality of product, process or service quality, for accident prevention in the manufacturing industry.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents the basic features of DMAIC methodology of Six Sigma and its application for the purpose of accident prevention; illustrates the set of tools and techniques to be used at different phases of DMAIC for accident data analysis; and outlines the DMAIC methodology by analyzing accident data from a large process industry in India.

Findings

The systematic and logical approach of Six Sigma problem solving could identify many root causes for accident and identification and deployment of corrective actions horizontally to relevant processes.

Originality/value

Six Sigma has been successfully implemented in improving manufacturing processes but its application for the purpose of accident prevention is still limited. This paper demonstrates that Six Sigma principle can resolve such problems, and can be used by any plant to solve similar problems of accident prevention.
Designing an integrative model of leagile production and analyzing its influence on the quality of auto parts based on Six Sigma approach with a case study in a manufacturing company
Authors: Shahin Arash , Jaberi Rezvan
Published: August 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose an integrative model of leagile production and to examine its influence on the quality of products based on Six Sigma approach.

Design/methodology/approach

A new model has been proposed in which the three strategies of postponement, mass customization, and modularization are included together with an executive algorithm. The proposed model has been examined using three main products of the Ghods Manufacturing Group, which is a manufacturer of truck body parts, from March to July 2008. In the case study, upstream and downstream processes (after processes warehousing of the semi‐manufactured parts) have been considered for the implementation of lean and agile production strategies, respectively. The product waiting time in the production section has been considered as the lean production indicator, and the warehousing time in the final warehouse has been considered as the indicator of agile manufacturing. These indicators have been evaluated before and after implementation of the proposed model and the sigma level of the studied processes has been evaluated.

Findings

The results imply that the sigma level the product A has been improved by 147 percent considering the first indicator and by 8 percent considering the second indicator. Also, product B has 65 and 47 percent and product C has 65 and 150 percent of improvement considering the two indicators, respectively.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed model has not been implemented in a wide range of operations and has not covered all of the products of the case study. Also, due to the lack of literature on standard criteria for evaluating leagile production, the criterion of the duration of waste has been defined and used for leanness and the duration of final storage has been defined and applied to assembly line based on specific orders from customers, which in turn might be realized as a limitation. In comparing the process before and after improvement, there might exist other unknown factors by which, results would be affected.

Originality/value

While the literature includes researches on leagile production and its advantages, this investigation further proposes a leagile production model which includes three strategies of postponement, mass customization, and modularization and is employed based on Six Sigma approach.
The role of the physical layout in the implementation of lean management initiatives
Authors: Soriano‐Meier Horacio , Forrester Paul L. , Markose Sibi , Arturo Garza‐Reyes Jose
Published: August 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of layout configurations in a hospital on the implementation of lean management initiatives, to include different units of care. The research concentrated on the impact, the physical distance between dependent units could have on staff perception, use of staff time, time spent in the system by patients, and performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The research examined the relationship between clinical units allocated within Northampton General Hospital and their internal providers. In addition, an adapted version of the SERVPERF questionnaire was used to measure the quality perception of staff.

Findings

The transit distances from each clinical unit to their internal providers have: a negative relationship with the staff quality provision of care; a positive relationship with the time the patient spends in the system; and no discernable direct correlation with performance.

Practical implications

These findings will help hospital managers to understand the impact of the layout of a hospital on the implementation of service improvement activities, and will assist them in planning improved relocation of clinical units. This facilitates future service improvements whilst optimising the use of available and constrained resources within the present hospital facilities.

Originality/value

The ideas and results presented in this study are original and valuable to the study of hospital layouts, services improvements and the implementation of lean operation initiatives and quality improvement programmes in hospitals. The study also successfully tested the application of SERVPERF in a hospital setting.
Applying the DOE toolkit on a Lean‐and‐Green Six Sigma Maritime‐Operation Improvement Project
Authors: Besseris George J.
Published: August 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a case study on endorsing process improvement in maritime operations by implementing design of experiments on Lean Six Sigma performance responses. It is demonstrated how process efficiency and environmental muda may be dealt with simultaneously in a lean‐and‐green project driven by hardcore Six Sigma tools.

Design/methodology/approach

A 16‐run Taguchi‐type orthogonal design was employed to gather data for vessel speed (VS), exhaust gas temperature (EGT) and fuel consumption (FC) as modulated by a total of 15 controlling parameters synchronously. Active dependencies were inferred based on the desirability analysis method on direct process data from a performance log. This log was maintained for a long‐term monitoring during sea voyages of a double skin bulk carrier of 55,000 DWT while in sea service.

Findings

A high composite desirability value was achieved eclipsing the 0.90 mark. Values well over the 0.9 level were also obtained for the three examined individual desirability values of VS, EGT and FC. Leading controlling parameters were discovered to be compressor pressure, fuel pump index, slip, governor index and MIP.

Practical implications

A Lean Six Sigma project is carried out to improve performance characteristics in ordinary maritime operations. While the company in the case study outlined in this article no longer relies on periodic inspections to determine machinery conditions, improvement on key process characteristics were nevertheless deemed worthy of ameliorating. Information retrieval from computerized continuous monitoring systems assisted in conducting experimental designs in order to obtain optimal performance. Specifically, the tuning of vessel main engine running mode was examined aiming at increasing the quality levels of output power to the shaft along with a reduction of NOx emissions.

Originality/value

This work adds an interesting paradigm in the critical field of maritime activities for processes in full gear while operating at sea. Maritime operations are an imperative necessity when expediting international trading transactions. It is the first time that such a case study has emanated from a real pilot Lean Six Sigma project which interlaces process efficiency enhancement with concurrent environmental muda reduction.
Doing business in India: a review of research in leading international journals
Authors: Rienda Laura , Claver Enrique , Quer Diego
Published: August 2011

Purpose

India has emerged as one of the major players on the new international business scene. Its unstoppable economic growth since reforms in 1991 has become the focus of attention of researchers in the area of international business and management. The purpose of this paper is to review the research on India that has been published in top business and management journals, with the aim of knowing what are the most influential papers, what are the issues that have received the most attention, which are the main findings or what more needs to be done in terms of research.

Design/methodology/approach

The choice of journals was based on previous literature reviews. The authors reviewed 94 papers on India published in the 11 journals selected for the 1991‐2010 period.

Findings

The main results of the review are as follows; although there was great variety between the methodologies used, quantitative papers, including papers that used primary data, were the most frequent. With regard to journals, Journal of World Business, Journal of International Business Studies, International Business Review and Asia Pacific Journal of Management were the journals that had published the most papers on India during this period. The most popular topics were cultural influence and comparison between countries, business practices, studies which focus on one sector or company in India and the business operations and management of foreign companies in India.

Originality/value

The most important contribution of this paper is the overview it provides of the main papers published on business and management in India for the 1991‐2010 period: a period which witnessed significant changes in the country's economy. The paper identifies the journals which have devoted the most interest to this geographical region, which authors have contributed the most and which have been the most popular topics and findings.
Mismatched reproduction is energetically costly for chick feeding female great tits
Authors: te Marvelde Luc , Webber Simone L. , Meijer Harro A. J. , Visser Marcel E.
Published: August 2011

1. Climate change has caused a phenological mismatch between the timing of reproduction and the local food peak in many bird species. Late breeding birds therefore experience reduced food availability during chick rearing and are thus predicted to have an increased energy expenditure. Observational studies, however, show mixed results, perhaps because they compare energy expenditure across rather than within individuals at different levels of food availability.

2. In a cross foster experiment, we measured daily energy expenditure (DEE) twice within individuals during chick feeding (when chicks were 6 and 14 days old) for 28 free‐living female great tits (Parus major). To avoid confounding effects of chick age, these females reared on both occasions a standardized foster brood of eight 10‐day‐old chicks during the 24‐h measuring period. For all birds, food availability declined between the two measurements.

3. We show that DEE during chick feeding increased within females when food availability decreased. Variation in DEE within females is partly explained by brood visit rates, food availability and temperature.

4. DEE during chick feeding could be affected by the investment in previous stages of the reproductive attempt. However, energy expenditure during chick feeding was not correlated to energy expenditure during egg laying, measured in these same females.

5. Understanding of energetic costs during all phases of the reproductive cycle is important to forecast the consequences of climate warming on timing of reproduction.
The discovery–dominance trade‐off is the exception, rather than the rule
Authors: Parr Catherine L. , Gibb Heloise
Published: August 2011

1. Interspecific trade‐offs are thought to facilitate coexistence between species at small spatial scales. The discovery–dominance trade‐off, analogous to a competition–colonisation trade‐off, is considered an important structuring mechanism in ant ecology. A trade‐off between species’ ability to discover food resources and to dominate them may explain how so many species apparently dependent on similar resources can coexist.

2. The discovery–dominance trade‐off is thought to be broken by invasive species in enemy‐free space or territorial species whose activity is fuelled by domination of carbohydrate resources. It may also be mediated by factors such as temperature and habitat structure.

3. We investigate the generality and form of the discovery–dominance relationship in an experiment using habitats of contrasting complexity across three continents. In addition, to assess how widespread the discovery–dominance trade‐off is, we conducted a systematic review combining all empirical studies (published and from our experiment).

4. From our own fieldwork and meta‐analyses of available studies, we find surprisingly little empirical support for the trade‐off, with results indicating that mean effect sizes were either not significantly different from 0 or significantly positive. The trade‐off was only detected in studies with parasitoids present. Additionally, experimental data from simple and complex habitats within each continent suggest that simple habitats may facilitate both food resource discovery and dominance.

5. We conclude that the discovery–dominance trade‐off is the exception, rather than the rule. Instead, these abilities were commonly correlated. Real food resources provide many axes along which partitioning may occur, and discovery–dominance trade‐offs are not a prerequisite for coexistence.
An arctic community of symbiotic fungi assembled by long‐distance dispersers: phylogenetic diversity of ectomycorrhizal basidiomycetes in Svalbard based on soil and sporocarp DNA
Authors: Geml József , Timling Ina , Robinson Clare H. , Lennon Niall , Nusbaum H. Chad , Brochmann Christian , Noordeloos Machiel E. , Taylor D. Lee
Published: August 2011

Aim  Current evidence from temperate studies suggests that ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi require overland routes for migration because of their obligate symbiotic associations with woody plants. Despite their key roles in arctic ecosystems, the phylogenetic diversity and phylogeography of arctic ECM fungi remains little known. Here we assess the phylogenetic diversity of ECM communities in an isolated, formerly glaciated, high arctic archipelago, and provide explanations for their phylogeographic origins.

Location  Svalbard.

Methods  We generated and analysed internal transcribed spacer (ITS) nuclear ribosomal DNA sequences from both curated sporocarp collections (from Svalbard) and soil polymerase chain reaction (PCR) clone libraries (from Svalbard and the North American Arctic), compared these with publicly available sequences in GenBank, and estimated the phylogenetic diversity of ECM fungi in Svalbard. In addition, we conducted coalescent analyses to estimate migration rates in selected species.

Results  Despite Svalbard’s geographic isolation and arctic climate, its ECM fungi are surprisingly diverse, with at least 72 non‐singleton operational taxonomic units (soil) and 109 phylogroups (soil + sporocarp). The most species‐rich genera are Thelephora/Tomentella, Cortinarius and Inocybe, followed by Hebeloma, Russula, Lactarius, Entoloma, Sebacina, Clavulina, Laccaria, Leccinum and Alnicola. Despite the scarcity of available reference data from other arctic regions, the majority of the phylogroups (73.4%) were also found outside Svalbard. At the same time, all putative Svalbard ‘endemics’ were newly sequenced taxa from diverse genera with massive undocumented diversity. Overall, our results support long‐distance dispersal more strongly than vicariance and glacial survival. However, because of the high variation in nucleotide substitution rates among fungi, allopatric persistence since the Pliocene, although unlikely, cannot be statistically rejected. Results from the coalescent analyses suggest recent gene flow among different arctic areas.

Main conclusions  Our results indicate numerous recent colonization events and suggest that long‐distance, transoceanic dispersal is widespread in arctic ECM fungi, which differs markedly from the currently prevailing view on the dispersal capabilities of ECM fungi. Our molecular evidence indicates that long‐distance dispersal has probably played a major role in the phylogeographic history of some ECM fungi in the Northern Hemisphere. Our results may have implications for studies on the biodiversity, ecology and conservation of arctic fungi in general.
Spatial patterns in brown bear Ursus arctos diet: the role of geographical and environmental factors
Authors: BOJARSKA Katarzyna , SELVA Nuria
Published: August 2011

We reviewed worldwide spatial patterns in the food habits of the brown bear Ursus arctos in relation to geographical (latitude, longitude, altitude) and environmental (temperature, snow cover depth and duration, precipitation, primary productivity) variables.

We collected data from 28 studies on brown bear diet based on faecal analysis, covering the entire geographical range of this widely distributed large carnivore. We analysed separately four data sets based on different methods of diet assessment.

Temperature and snow conditions were the most important factors determining the composition of brown bear diet. Populations in locations with deeper snow cover, lower temperatures and lower productivity consumed significantly more vertebrates, fewer invertebrates and less mast. Trophic diversity was positively correlated with temperature, precipitation and productivity but negatively correlated with the duration of snow cover and snow depth. Brown bear populations from temperate forest biomes had the most diverse diet. In general, environmental factors were more explicative of diet than geographical variables.

Dietary spatial patterns were best revealed by the relative biomass and energy content methods of diet analysis, whereas the frequency of occurrence and relative biomass methods were most appropriate for investigating variation in trophic diversity.

Spatial variation in brown bear diet is the result of environmental conditions, especially climatic factors, which affect the nutritional and energetic requirements of brown bears as well as the local availability of food. The trade‐off between food availability on the one hand, and nutritional and energetic requirements on the other hand, determines brown bear foraging decisions. In hibernating species such as the brown bear, winter severity seems to play a role in determining foraging strategies. Large‐scale reviews of food habits should be based on several measures of diet composition, with special attention to those methods reflecting the energetic value of food.
Cleavage oxygenases for the biosynthesis of trisporoids and other apocarotenoids in Phycomyces
Authors: Medina Humberto R. , Cerdá‐Olmedo Enrique , Al‐Babili Salim
Published: August 2011

Mixed cultures of strains of opposite sex of the Mucorales produce trisporic acids and other compounds arising from cleavage of β‐carotene, some of which act as signals in the mating process. The genome of Phycomyces blakesleeanus contains five sequences akin to those of verified carotenoid cleavage oxygenases. All five are transcribed, three of them have the sequence traits that are considered essential for activity, and we have discovered the reactions catalysed by the products of two of them, genes carS and acaA. The transcripts of carS became more abundant in the course of mating, and its expression in β‐carotene‐producing Escherichia coli cells led to the formation of β‐apo‐12′‐carotenal, a C25 cleavage product of β‐carotene. Joint expression of both genes in the same in vivo system resulted in the production of β‐apo‐13‐carotenone, a C18 fragment. In vitro, AcaA cleaved β‐apo‐12′‐carotenal into β‐apo‐13‐carotenone and was active on other apocarotenoid substrates. According to these and other results, the first reactions in the apocarotenoid pathway of Phycomyces are the cleavage of β‐carotene at its C11′–C12′ double bond by CarS and the cleavage of the resulting C25‐fragment at its C13–14 double bond by AcaA.
Two internal type II NADH dehydrogenases of Toxoplasma gondii are both required for optimal tachyzoite growth
Authors: Lin San San , Gross Uwe , Bohne Wolfgang
Published: August 2011

In many apicomplexan parasites the entry of electrons from NADH into the electron transport chain is governed by type II NADH dehydrogenases (NDH2s) instead of a canonical complex I. Toxoplasma gondii expresses two NDH2 isoforms, TgNDH2‐I and TgNDH2‐II with no indication for stage‐specific regulation. We dissected the orientation of both isoforms by using a split GFP assay and a protease protection assay after selective membrane permeabilization. The two approaches revealed that both TgNDH2 isoforms are internal enzymes facing with their active sites to the mitochondrial matrix. Single knockout mutants displayed a decreased replication rate and a reduced mitochondrial membrane potential, which were both more severe in the Tgndh2‐II‐deleted than in the Tgndh2‐I‐deleted mutant. Complementation with a myc‐tagged, ectopic copy of the deleted gene restored the growth rate and the mitochondrial membrane potential. However, an overexpression of the remaining intact isoform could not restore the phenotype, suggesting that the two TgNDH2 isoforms are non‐redundant and possess functional differences. Together, our studies indicate that although TgNDH2‐I and TgNDH2‐II are individually non‐essential, the expression of both internal isoforms is required to maintain the mitochondrial physiology in T. gondii tachyzoites.
Substitutions in the redox‐sensing PAS domain of the NifL regulatory protein define an inter‐subunit pathway for redox signal transmission
Authors: Little Richard , Salinas Paloma , Slavny Peter , Clarke Thomas A. , Dixon Ray
Published: August 2011

The Per‐ARNT‐Sim (PAS) domain is a conserved α/β fold present within a plethora of signalling proteins from all kingdoms of life. PAS domains are often dimeric and act as versatile sensory and interaction modules to propagate environmental signals to effector domains. The NifL regulatory protein from Azotobacter vinelandii senses the oxygen status of the cell via an FAD cofactor accommodated within the first of two amino‐terminal tandem PAS domains, termed PAS1 and PAS2. The redox signal perceived at PAS1 is relayed to PAS2 resulting in conformational reorganization of NifL and consequent inhibition of NifA activity. We have identified mutations in the cofactor‐binding cavity of PAS1 that prevent ‘release’ of the inhibitory signal upon oxidation of FAD. Substitutions of conserved β‐sheet residues on the distal surface of the FAD‐binding cavity trap PAS1 in the inhibitory signalling state, irrespective of the redox state of the FAD group. In contrast, substitutions within the flanking A'α‐helix that comprises part of the dimerization interface of PAS1 prevent transmission of the inhibitory signal. Taken together, these results suggest an inter‐subunit pathway for redox signal transmission from PAS1 that propagates from core to the surface in a conformation‐dependent manner requiring a flexible dimer interface.
Effects of Type I Protein Kinase A Modulation on the T Cell Distal Pole Complex
Authors: Mosenden R. , Moltu K. , Ruppelt A. , Berge T. , Taskén K.
Published: August 2011

The distal pole complex (DPC) assembles signalling proteins at the T cell pole opposite the immunological synapse (IS) and is thought to facilitate T cell activation by sequestering negative regulatory molecules away from the T cell receptor‐proximal signalling machinery. Here, we report the translocation of type I protein kinase A (PKA) to the DPC in a fraction of T cells following activation and the localization of type I PKA with known components of the DPC. We propose that sequestration of type I PKA and concomitant loss of cAMP‐mediated negative regulation at the IS may be necessary to allow full T cell activation. Moreover, composition of the DPC appears to be modulated by type I PKA activity, as the antagonist Rp‐8‐Br‐cAMPS inhibited translocation of type I PKA and other DPC proteins.
Rough‐Form Lipopolysaccharide Increases Apoptosis in Human CD4+ and CD8+ T Lymphocytes
Authors: Nielsen J. S. , Larsson A. , Ledet T. , Turina M. , Tønnesen E. , Krog J.
Published: August 2011

Immunosuppression induced by lymphocyte apoptosis is considered an important factor in the pathogenesis of sepsis and has been demonstrated in both animal models of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced endotoxemia and septic patients. As rough‐form LPS (R‐LPS) has recently been shown to elicit a stronger immunological response than regular smooth‐form LPS (S‐LPS), we aimed to assess the apoptosis‐inducing capabilities of R‐LPS in different subsets of lymphocytes (CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cell, B cells and NK cells). Using multicolour flow cytometry on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, we found that R‐LPS increased apoptosis in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells assessed by annexin V and propidium iodide (AV+PI−), compared with both S‐LPS‐stimulated and unstimulated cells. 7‐Amino‐actinomycin D and staining for intracellular active caspase‐3, which are considered later signs of apoptosis, did not reveal the same results. Both forms appeared to inhibit apoptosis in B cells, but no LPS‐form‐specific effect was seen on B or NK cells. Our results indicate that R‐LPS induces a stronger AV+PI−‐assessed apoptotic response in T cells than S‐LPS. Our findings emphasize the importance of T cell apoptosis in endotoxemia and advocates for control of LPS form in both endotoxemia research and clinical trials with Gram‐negative infections.
Efficacy and safety of SBR759, a novel calcium‐free, iron(III)‐based phosphate binder, in Asian patients undergoing hemodialysis: A 12‐week, randomized, open‐label, dose‐titration study versus sevelamer hydrochloride
Authors: CHEN JIN‐BOR , CHIANG SHOU‐SHAN , CHEN HUNG‐CHUN , OBAYASHI SEIICHI , NAGASAWA MASAKI , HEXHAM J MARK , BALFOUR ALISON , JUNGE GUIDO , AKIBA TAKASHI , FUKAGAWA MASAFUMI
Published: August 2011

Aim:  SBR759 is a calcium‐free, polymeric, iron(III)‐based oral phosphate binder, in development for the treatment of hyperphosphatemia. The efficacy and safety of SBR759 was compared with sevelamer hydrochloride in chronic kidney dialysis patients on hemodialysis.

Methods:  Japanese and Taiwanese hyperphosphatemic patients who were on hemodialysis (n = 203) received starting doses of 3.0 or 4.5 g/day SBR759 or 2.4 or 4.8 g/day sevelamer‐hydrochloride (HCl) based on baseline phosphate levels. Daily doses were up‐titrated every 2 weeks to reach the Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (K/DOQI) recommended target serum phosphate concentration ≤1.7 mmol/L. The key endpoints were proportion of patients achieving target serum phosphate and the safety at week 12.

Results:  SBR759 showed a superior phosphate response at week 12 compared with sevelamer‐HCl (83% vs 54% patients; P < 0.0001). Mean serum calcium concentrations were unaffected by either treatment. Similar incidences of adverse events and serious adverse events were seen with SBR759 and sevelamer‐HCl (90.3% vs 94.1% and 5.2% vs 4.4%, respectively), but overall discontinuation rates were lower with SBR759 (11.9% vs 20.6%). The proportion of patients experiencing gastrointestinal disorders was lower in SBR759 versus sevelamer‐HCl. No treatment‐related serious adverse events were reported.

Conclusions:  SBR759 showed superior phosphate control with a favorable tolerability profile compared to sevelamer‐HCl in hemodialysis patients.
Circulating anti‐glomerular basement membrane autoantibodies against α3(IV)NC1 undetectable by commercially available enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays
Authors: JIA XIAO‐YU , QU ZHEN , CUI ZHAO , YANG RUI , ZHAO JUAN , ZHAO MING‐HUI
Published: August 2011

Aim:  Cases with anti‐glomerular basement membrane (GBM) disease have been reported with linear deposit of immunoglobulin G (IgG) along GBM, but have undetectable anti‐GBM antibodies in circulation by enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). We speculated that the structure of the antigens recognized by these antibodies may contribute to the negative results of ELISA.

Methods:  Sera from four patients were collected, with typical linear deposit of IgG along GBM but no anti‐GBM reactivity by commercial ELISA kits. Circulating anti‐GBM antibodies were detected by indirect immunofluorescence. Antigen specificity and its conformational structure was investigated by western‐blot analysis, using recombinant human α1–α5(IV)NC1 and chimeric proteins EA and EB as antigens.

Results:  The presence of circulating anti‐GBM antibodies were confirmed by indirect immunofluorescence with linear deposit of IgG towards cryptic epitopes along GBM on normal kidney sections. These antibodies did not recognize recombinant human α1, α2, α4 or α5(IV)NC1, but could blot α3(IV)NC1 under non‐reducing non‐boiling conditions on western‐blot analysis, when the conformational epitope(s) on α3(IV)NC1 were thought to be preserved. When α3(IV)NC1 was prepared under reducing conditions with β‐mercaptoethanol and/or boiled to destroy the disulfide bonds, the binding with the antibodies disappeared. Moreover, these antibodies recognized neither EA nor EB, indicating their distinct epitope repertoire.

Conclusion:  Circulating anti‐GBM antibodies undetectable by ELISA could recognize cryptic and conformation‐dependent epitopes restricted on α3(IV)NC1, distinct from EA and EB. Indirect immunofluorescence was necessary for antibody detection and treatment monitoring under such circumstances.
Uric acid and incident chronic kidney disease in a large health check‐up population in Taiwan
Authors: WANG SHENGFENG , SHU ZHENG , TAO QIUSHAN , YU CANQING , ZHAN SIYAN , LI LIMING
Published: August 2011

Aim:  Uric acid (UA) is strongly associated with the confirmed chronic kidney disease (CKD) risk factors, such as hypertension, diabetes and metabolic syndrome (MS); however, whether higher UA is independently associated with CKD is still debatable. Other studies found that low UA level may reflect inadequate protection against oxidant‐mediated stress; it is also unknown whether hypouricemia may have a harmful effect on the kidney. No studies have examined whether there is a J‐shaped relationship between UA and incident CKD.

Methods:  The association between UA and incident kidney disease (Glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min per 1.73 m2) was examined among 94 422 Taiwanese participants, aged ≥20 years with a mean 3.5 years follow‐up in a retrospective cohort. The association between UA and CKD was evaluated using Cox models with adjustment for confounders.

Results:  The adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for incident CKD was 1.03 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.01 to 1.06) for baseline UA level (increase by 1 mg/dL). Compared with serum UA in the first quintile (2.0 to 4.5 mg/dL), the multivariate‐adjusted HR for CKD of the fifth (≥7.3 mg/dL), fourth (6.3 to 7.2 mg/dL), third (5.5 to 6.2 mg/dL), second (4.6 to 5.4 mg/dL) and hyopuricemia (<2.0 mg/dL) were 1.15 (95%CI, 1.01–1.30), 0.98 (95%CI, 0.87–1.10), 1.06 (95%CI, 0.94–1.19), 1.02 (95%CI, 0.91–1.14) and 1.65(95%CI, 0.53–5.15), respectively. The tests for the non‐linear association were all not significant for both male and female. Gender‐specific model revealed only the UA above 7.3 mg/dL with the increased risk of new‐onset CKD in males.

Conclusion:  Hyperuricemia is a risk factor for CKD in Taiwan, future studies are still necessary to determine whether hypouricemia increases the risk of CKD.
Identification of two novel mutations in the OCRL1 gene in two Chinese families with Lowe syndrome
Authors: KE YAO‐HUA , HE JIN‐WEI , FU WEN‐ZHEN , ZHANG ZHEN‐LIN
Published: August 2011

Aim:  Lowe syndrome is a rare, multisystem, X‐linked disorder characterized by anomalies affecting the eyes, the nervous system and the kidneys. The objective of this study was to identify and characterize the clinical manifestations of mutations of the causative gene in two Chinese families with Lowe syndrome.

Methods:  Lowe syndrome was diagnosed based on the clinical manifestations and laboratory and imaging findings. Altogether, 164 DNA samples, including samples from three affected subjects, five family members (from two families) and 156 healthy donors, were analyzed to identify the mutations in the OCRL1 gene.

Results:  In family 1, proband 1 had a novel nonsense mutation (c.880G>T) in exon 10 of the OCRL1. This mutation led to a premature termination of the OCRL1 protein (p.Glu294X). In family 2, a novel insertion mutation (c.2626dupA) in exon 24 of OCRL1 was found in proband 2 and his affected elder brother. This mutation likely results in the degradation of the OCRL1 protein (p.Met876AsnfsX8). Both probands' mothers were identified as carriers of the respective mutations. These mutations were not found in the unrelated controls.

Conclusions:  Our study suggests that the novel nonsense mutation (c.880G>T) in exon 10 and the novel insertion mutation (c.2626dupA) in exon 24 of the OCRL1 gene cause Lowe syndrome in these two Chinese families.
Urinary angiotensinogen levels in relation to renal involvement of Henoch‐Schonlein purpura in children
Authors: MAO YAN NA , LIU WEI , LI YAN GE , JIA GUO CUN , ZHANG ZHANG , GUAN YU JIE , ZHOU XU FENG , LIU YU FENG
Published: August 2011

Aim:  To investigate whether urinary angiotensinogen (UAGT) levels are correlated with renal involvement of Henoch‐Schonlein purpura (HSP) in children, and to explore whether UAGT has any relation to the severity of HSP.

Methods:  The study sample consisted of 107 patients (50 boys and 57 girls, 6.68 ± 2.41 years) with clinical diagnosis of HSP. A 24 h urine sample was collected before treatment. UAGT levels were measured in patients with HSP in the acute and convalescent phases by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.

Results:  Urinary angiotensinogen/urinary concentration of creatinine levels were significantly higher in proteinuric HSP in the acute phase and the convalescent phase (32.02 ± 3.95 and 25.31 ± 4.11 µg/g) compared with those with HSP without renal involvement (17.26 ± 2.60 and 15.14 ± 3.81 µg/g) and those with hematuric HSP (19.70 ± 2.21 and 17.28 ± 3.62 µg/g) (P < 0.0001 and P < 0.01, respectively). Using matched urine samples from the same patients, UAGT/urinary concentration of creatinine (UCr) levels of proteinuric HSP patients were significantly lower in the convalescent phase (25.31 ± 4.11 µg/g, P < 0.01) than in the acute phase (32.02 ± 3.95 µg/g). UAGT/UCr levels showed positive correlation with 24 h urine protein or serum creatinine in both hematuric HSP and proteinuric HSP groups during the acute phase (P < 0.05).

Conclusions:  Urinary angiotensinogen levels were remarkably high in the acute phase in the patients with proteinuric HSP, suggesting increased UAGT may indicate a series of functional changes in the kidney and it may be used as a potential biomarker of severity of HSP to monitor the progression of HSP with renal involvement.
What is the current status of revalidation in urology?
Authors: Ahmed Kamran , Zakri Rhana , Rowland Simon , Joyce Adrian , Challacombe Ben , Dasgupta Prokar , Khan Mohammad Shamim
Published: August 2011

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?

Revalidation encourages consolidation of clinical knowledge through active reflection on surgical practice. Current guidelines fall short of recommending structured and evidence based guidelines for specialist revalidation.

This article describes the process of revalidation for urologists, highlights challenges in its practical application and suggests potential improvements to the current strategy of revalidation.

The aim of revalidation (or maintenance of certification) is to reassure patients, the general public, employers and other healthcare professionals that an individual is fit to practice. It may lead to a reduction in near misses or adverse events. The process of revalidation entails a commitment to the provision of lifelong learning and assessment of clinical practice that ultimately ensure patient safety. Lifelong learning addresses knowledge and skills, whereas assessment of clinical practice ensures quality of care. Various learning and assessment tools are available in clinical practice; however, the tools for revalidation are not validated at specialist level. Further research is needed to develop and implement evidence‐based structured programmes of revalidation that consider the holistic needs of modern urologists.