bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Allocating Quality: Collective Bargaining Agreements and Administrative Discretion Over Teacher Assignment
Authors: Cohen-Vogel Lora , Osborne-Lampkin La'Tara
Published: September 2007

Background: School leaders argue that to make the improvements in both quality and equity that government mandates demand, they need more flexibility with regard to personnel management—specifically, teacher assignment. According to some, such flexibility is constrained by collective bargaining between teachers unions and school districts.

Purpose: To examine how collective bargaining agreements govern the assignment of teachers to schools and classrooms and whether any observed variation among the agreements is due to district demographics and/or performance.

Research Methods: Sixty-six collective bargaining agreements between teachers unions and Florida's school districts were collected and analyzed for provisions germane to teacher assignment. The authors looked for contrasts among the contracts by district size, district socioeconomic status, district race, and district Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test performance with data from the Florida Department of Education.

Findings: Although staffing rules often favor seniority, contracts also grant administrators more discretion over transfers, reductions, and reassignments than critics have suggested. In addition, contracts are no more likely to restrict administrators' decisions about assignment in large, poor, minority, or low-performing districts than they are in other districts.

Implications for Research and Practice: Future research should consider whether teacher assignment looks any different in districts where contracts grant administrators discretion over teacher assignment. If so, what norms have replaced seniority as the primary basis for transfers, reductions, and reassignments, and do these norms hold promise for school improvement and equity? The authors encourage the development and testing of new systems that use teachers' past performance with different types of students to make evidence-based assignments.
A Critique of Du Boisian Reason
Authors: Ciccariello-Maher George
Published: September 2007

This article seeks to disentangle a number of outstanding controversies regarding the radical potential of W.E.B. Du Bois's seminal notion of double-consciousness. The author concludes that the early Du Bois—of the 1897 “Strivings”—idealistically conflates double-consciousness with the racist veil, thereby erroneously negating the materiality of the latter. This error persists only briefly, and Du Bois's transformation is already palpable by the 1903 publication of Souls, especially “On the Coming of John.” Against those who would dismiss the relevance of double-consciousness, the author demonstrates that the continued relevance of double-consciousness is simultaneously the liberation of the concept from its idealistic and middle-class content through the recognition of the veil in all its materiality. Finally, the author assesses the recent work of rap artist Kanye West, whose political progression parallels that of Du Bois before him, arguing that this progression is intimately linked to the radical potential inherent in double-consciousness.
Senator Barack Obama
Authors: Atwater Deborah F.
Published: September 2007

This article offers a brief discussion of the origin of Senator Barack Obama's rhetoric of hope. Specifically, it discusses how Senator Obama creates a contemporary vision of an inclusive America and the American dream by examining his 2004 Keynote Democratic National Convention Speech and his latest book, The Audacity of Hope. In doing so, one gets an idea of who the man is, what his core values are, and why these values are important to him and to us as a society.
Accuracy of Stress Radiography Techniques in Grading Isolated and Combined Posterior Knee Injuries
Authors: Garavaglia Guido , Lubbeke Anne , Dubois-Ferrière Victor , Suva Domizio , Fritschy Daniel , Menetrey Jacques
Published: September 2007

Background

Stress radiography techniques have been shown to be superior to the arthrometer and clinical examination in evaluating the posterior cruciate ligament—deficient knee, but no precise relationship has been established between the extent of the lesion and the laxity measured by stress radiography.

Hypothesis

It is possible to establish a precise relation between posterior laxity and the anatomical lesions of the posterior cruciate ligament and posterior structures using stress radiography.

Study Design

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods

Measurements were performed on 15 fresh-frozen cadaveric knee specimens. A partial posterior cruciate ligament lesion was created by sectioning the anterolateral bundle, followed by a complete section. Then the lateral collateral ligament and the posterolateral corner were transected, and finally the medial collateral ligament and the posteromedial corner were sectioned. Stress radiography was performed first on the intact knee and again after each lesion was created using 4 techniques: Gravity Sag View, PCL-Press, Telos at 80°, and Telos at 30° of flexion.

Results

Telos 30 and Telos 80 revealed the best overall performance as a diagnostic test in terms of accuracy in discriminating between the different types of lesions. Using the Telos device, we determined the following cut-off points: for a partial lesion, less than 3 mm at 30° and less than 6 mm at 80°; for a complete lesion, between 4 mm and 9 mm at 30° and between 7 mm and 12 mm at 80°; for associated peripheral lesions, more than 9 mm at 30° and more than 12 mm at 80°.

Conclusion

The Telos 30° and 80° allow us to accurately distinguish between the different types of lesion and permit grading of posterior knee laxity.

Clinical Relevance

Stress radiography allows characterization of posterior knee injuries and helps to determine treatment strategy.
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy in Treatment of Delayed Bone-Tendon Healing
Authors: Wang Lin , Qin Ling , Lu Hong-Bin , Cheung Wing-Hoi , Yang Hu , Wong Wan-Nar , Chan Kai-Ming , Leung Kwok-Sui
Published: September 2007

Background

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy is indicated for treatment of chronic injuries of soft tissues and delayed fracture healing and nonunion. No investigation has been conducted to study the effect of shock wave on delayed healing at the bone-tendon junction.

Hypothesis

Shock wave promotes osteogenesis, regeneration of fibrocartilage zone, and remodeling of healing tissue in delayed healing of bone-tendon junction surgical repair.

Study Design

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods

Twenty-eight mature rabbits were used for establishing a delayed healing model at the patella–patellar tendon complex after partial patellectomy and then divided into control and shock wave groups. In the shock wave group, a single shock wave treatment was given at week 6 postoperatively to the patella–patellar tendon healing complex. Seven samples were harvested at week 8 and 7 samples at week 12 for radiologic, densitometric, histologic, and mechanical evaluations.

Results

Radiographic measurements showed 293.4% and 185.8% more new bone formation at the patella–patellar tendon healing junction in the shock wave group at weeks 8 and 12, respectively. Significantly better bone mineral status was found in the week 12 shock wave group. Histologically, the shock wave group showed more advanced remodeling in terms of better alignment of collagen fibers and thicker and more mature regenerated fibrocartilage zone at both weeks 8 and 12. Mechanical testing showed 167.7% and 145.1% higher tensile load and strength in the shock wave group at week 8 and week 12, respectively, compared with controls.

Conclusion

Extracorporeal shock wave promotes osteogenesis, regeneration of fibrocartilage zone, and remodeling in the delayed bone-to-tendon healing junction in rabbits.

Clinical Relevance

These results provide a foundation for future clinical studies toward establishment of clinical indication for treatment of delayed bone-to-tendon junction healing.
Open Lateral Collateral Ligament Injury of the Interphalangeal Joint of the Great Toe in Adolescents during Taekwondo
Authors: Shin Yong-Woon , Choi In-Ho , Rhee Nam-Kyou
Published: September 2007

Background

Sports-related open lateral collateral ligament injury of the interphalangeal joint of the great toe has not been previously described in the English literature.

Hypothesis

This injury can occur in adolescents while performing barefooted high-kicking or fast-running exercises involving rapid, 180° turns on a dry, rough, wooden floor in a Taekwondo gymnasium. Injury occurs when the whole body turns quickly while supported only by the plantar aspect of the distal phalanx of the great toe.

Study Design

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods

The 7 study subjects consisted of 6 boys and 1 girl between 10 and 16 years old. Causes, pattern, mechanism of injury, treatment, and outcomes were investigated.

Results

All patients showed the same injury pattern and mechanism. They all had an open wound on the dorsolateral aspect of the interphalangeal joint. It was postulated that rapid whole body turning supported only by the distal phalanx of the great toe produces nonphysiologic varus stress at the interphalangeal joint, which results in open detachment of the lateral collateral ligament and adjoining periosteum from the proximal phalanx and interphalangeal joint subluxation. All 7 patients regained full great toe function after surgical repair.

Conclusion

This unique sports-related open interphalangeal joint injury should be recognized. Participants, trainers, and health providers engaged in Taekwondo or similar sports should understand the pathomechanism of this injury and develop preventive measures.
Design Aids and Selection Guidelines for Composite Conoidal Shell Roofs — A Finite Element Application
Authors: Das Hari Sadhan , Chakravorty Dipankar
Published: September 2007

An eight node curved quadratic isoparametric element is applied to develop a computer code, and the formulation is validated through solution of benchmark problems which were earlier solved by other researchers. Numerical problems are solved for ten different practical boundary conditions and four different laminations of conoidal shells to study the relative performances of different shell options in terms of all important shell actions, apart from deflections. The study indicates a method to compare the efficiencies of two shell options using a relative performance matrix. Specific conclusions are drawn at the end, to summarize the outcome of the present investigation, which are expected to serve as important design aids to engineers engaged in composite shell construction.
Early Cognitive Outcome After Neonatal Stroke
Authors: McLinden Angela , Baird Anne D. , Westmacott Robyn , Anderson Peter E. , deVeber Gabrielle
Published: September 2007

The purpose of this study was to assess the cognitive development of 27 children with nonhemorrhagic neonatal stroke (occurring within the first 28 days of life). The cognitive evaluation consisted of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, administered at 12 and/or 24 months poststroke. Compared with the normative sample, children with neonatal stroke obtained significantly lower scores on the Bayley Psychomotor Development Index at 12 months poststroke and on the Bayley Mental and Psychomotor Development Indices at 24 months poststroke. Outcome did not differ based on stroke type or laterality of infarct. However, there was a trend toward higher scores on the Bayley Psychomotor Development Index at 24 months in the left hemisphere group compared to the right hemisphere group. Overall, children with neonatal stroke evidenced significant impairment within the first 2 years poststroke. Further research is required to confirm whether cognitive impairments in these children resolve, remain in the low-average range, or increase with development as more complex skills are learned.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Findings and Neuropsychological Sequelae in Children After Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: The Role of Cerebellar Lesion
Authors: Braga Lucia W. , Souza Ligia N. , Najjar Yana J. , Dellatolas Georges
Published: September 2007

We studied the relationships between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and neuropsychological sequelae in children after severe traumatic brain injury. Twenty-three children ages 7—13 years underwent MRI assessment of brain lesion topography and volume and neuropsychological evaluations, more than 1 year after sustaining severe traumatic brain injury. Most children had lesions to the corpus callosum and frontal lobes. Total lesion volume and extent of cerebral atrophy did not impact on the neuropsychological evaluation. Additional relationships were observed: left frontal lesions with lower semantic verbal fluency, right occipital lesions with lower visual recognition task scores, dyscalculia with cerebellar lesions, and cerebellar damage with lower cognitive performances and lower visual recognition memory. This study demonstrates the significance of the cerebellum's role in neuropsychological outcomes after traumatic brain injury and the importance of the lesion depth classification in predicting functional results.
Verbal and Gestural Communication in Children With Bilateral Perisylvian Polymicrogyria
Authors: Saletti Veronica , Bulgheroni Sara , D'Incerti Ludovico , Franceschetti Silvana , Molteni Bruna , Airaghi Gloria , Pantaleoni Chiara , D'Arrigo Stefano , Riva Daria
Published: September 2007

We assessed intelligence and receptive and expressive language skills in 6 children, ages 7 years 9 months to 12 years 4 months, with bilateral perisylvian polymicrogyria of variable extent and with dysarthria of different severity. In view of the recent findings of a close relationship between word and gesture, we also examined the communicative use of gesture. We found that mental retardation was related to the extent of cortical malformation; lexical comprehension, but not morphosyntactic comprehension, and verbal production were more compromised than expected from nonverbal intellectual abilities; lack of verbal language was not compensated by the use of referential gestures. Results are discussed suggesting that compromised verbal and gestural communication in bilateral perisylvian polymicrogyria are not due simply to mental retardation and/or dysarthria but also to dysfunction of Sylvian fissure areas concerned with the totality of language processing.
Emergency Department Use of Computed Tomography in Children With Epilepsy and Breakthrough Seizure Activity
Authors: Allen Leslie , Jones Charlotte T.
Published: September 2007

Children with epilepsy are frequently evaluated in the emergency department for breakthrough seizure activity. This population is at risk for undergoing repeated computed tomography (CT) scans. The long-term health risks associated with CT scans has been the subject of multiple articles in recent years. In 2002, the National Cancer Institute released a statement that focused on reducing long-term health risks by limiting children's exposure to CT radiation. A retrospective study that included 124 children (ages 2 months—16 years) who presented to our emergency department with epilepsy and breakthrough seizure activity was performed to determine whether the National Cancer Institute statement made an impact on the number of head CT scans ordered. Physician's compliance with the American Academy of Neurology guidelines for emergent head CT scans in patients with known seizure disorder and the diagnostic yield of the head CT scans was also assessed. There was a significant increase ( P = .016) in the number of CT scans performed from the years 2000—2001 to the years 2003—2004. Of the 21 children who had CT scans, 15 (71%) children did not meet American Academy of Neurology guidelines for an emergent CT scan. None of the children had an acute finding on CT, and all were discharged from the emergency department. This finding suggests that the yield of emergent CT scans in children with epilepsy and breakthrough seizure activity is low. This study demonstrates the increasing utilization of CT scans in this population at our institution and that compliance with American Academy of Neurology guidelines is not optimal.
White Matter Alteration in a Patient With Graves' Disease
Authors: Kurne Asli , Aydin Ömer Faruk , Karabudak Rana
Published: September 2007

A case of Graves' disease with white matter abnormalities is presented here. The diagnosis as Graves' disease was made when the patient was 5 years old, and a subtotal thyroidectomy was performed when she was 10. Her neurological symptoms began at age 19 with paresthesia of her legs and lower body. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging was normal; thoracic magnetic resonance imaging revealed demyelinating lesions. Intravenous pulse steroid therapy improved her symptoms. Ten months later she described dizziness, lower body paresthesia, and ataxia. Both her cranial and thoracic magnetic resonance imagings revealed demyelinating lesions. After pulse steroid therapy, glatiramer acetate therapy was initiated with diagnosis of an autoimmune multiphasic demyelinating syndrome. Five months later, she presented with right-sided mild optic neuritis followed by rapid spontaneous remission. Antithyroglobulin antibody levels remained normal; antithyroid peroxidase antibody level was high. This presents a rare case of Graves' disease associated with multiphasic demyelinating autoimmune syndrome.
Autism Spectrum Disorders in Children With a History of Infantile Spasms: A Population-Based Study
Authors: Saemundsen Evald , Ludvigsson Petur , Rafnsson Vilhjalmur
Published: September 2007

The objective of this article is to describe autistic spectrum disorders in children diagnosed with infantile spasms in the first year of life. The source of data was the records of all 3 pediatric departments in Iceland. Twenty children born between 1981 and 1998 who had infantile spasms were invited to participate. When appropriate, the parents of these children were asked to complete the Social Communication Questionnaire. Children scoring 10 points or higher on the questionnaire were selected for further examination using the Autism Diagnostic Interview− Revised and either the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule or the Childhood Autism Rating Scale. All participants were given appropriate cognitive tests or measures of adaptive behavior. The parents of 17 children (10 boys, 7 girls) agreed to participate in the study. Age at assessment ranged from 5 to 19 years with a mean age of 11 years and 6 months. Fourteen children had at least one neurodevelopmental disorder. Six (6/17), or 35.3%, were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (3 boys, 3 girls), five of these had a history of symptomatic infantile spasms, and four were profoundly mentally retarded (IQ/DQ<20). If the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder was restricted to children with a developmental age of 24 months or more (3 cases), the prevalence was 17.6%. The estimates found in this study exceed the estimated prevalence of autism spectrum disorder in the general population.
Splenial Corpus Callosum Lesion and Hemifield Visual Color Anomia Associated With Intracranial Hypertension
Authors: Bonkowsky Joshua L. , Filloux Francis M. , Warner Judith E.
Published: September 2007

Lesions in the splenium of the corpus callosum are a rare complication of a variety of clinical conditions including ischemia, trauma, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, infection, electrolyte imbalances, seizures, and antiepileptic drugs. This report describes a child presenting with hemifield visual color anomia, headache, and papilledema, who was found to have a midline splenial lesion on diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Lumbar puncture revealed elevated intracranial pressure. His symptoms and MRI findings resolved quickly following treatment of his increased intracranial pressure. This is the first report describing an association between intracranial hypertension and a lesion in the splenium of the corpus callosum.
Optokinetic Nystagmus as Related to Neonatal Position
Authors: Marmur Rachel , Sabo Edmond , Carmeli Eli , Tirosh Emanuel , Ben David Jacob
Published: September 2007

The objective of this study was to assess the role of the newborn vestibular system on the infant's preferred position. Neonatal electronystagmography was recorded from 80 full-term healthy neonates in the prone and supine positions. Records were analyzed by the clinical ranking of dysmetria and dysrhythmia and computerized fractal analysis. A significantly ( P < .002) decreased organization of the electronystagmography signal was observed in the prone compared with the supine position. These results concur with the previously documented, more optimal physiologic functioning in the supine compared with prone position in infancy. It is possible that the vestibular system, among other factors, plays a role in the more protective supine position in infancy.
Stabilization of Juvenile Metachromatic Leukodystrophy After Bone Marrow Transplantation: A 13-Year Follow-up
Authors: Görg Maria , Wilck Wanja , Granitzny Barbara , Suerken Anne , Lukacs Zoltan , Xiaoqi Ding  , Schulte-Markwort Michael , Kohlschütter Alfried
Published: September 2007

A 29-year-old female patient with juvenile metachromatic leukodystrophy diagnosed at age 14 years received a bone marrow transplant at age 16 years. A report was published 6 years after bone marrow transplantation concluding that the disease had slowly progressed in the 2 years following bone marrow transplantation. We now report on a further 7-year follow-up, typified by a steady state of spastic paraplegia and mild dementia. Neurophysiological, neuroradiological, and psychological status also remained stable. In the patient's leukocytes, the activity of arylsulfatase A, the enzyme deficient in untreated metachromatic leukodystrophy, was within the normal range whereas urinary sulfatides remained elevated. Data on the natural course of juvenile metachromatic leukodystrophy are rare, so in the present case it is difficult to establish whether the rather favorable course can be attributed with certainty to bone marrow transplantation. The long-term stabilization in this patient, however, suggested that bone marrow transplantation may halt the progression of juvenile metachromatic leukodystrophy.
Amplitude-Integrated EEG Is Useful in Predicting Neurodevelopmental Outcome in Full-Term Infants With Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Spitzmiller R. Edwin , Phillips Tonya , Meinzen-Derr Jareen , Hoath Steven B.
Published: September 2007

Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy is a common cause of neurological complications resulting in chronic handicapping conditions, such as cerebral palsy. Amplitude-integrated electroencephalography (EEG) has been used in many European countries for more than a decade in the evaluation of infants with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy but has not been widely used in the United States. The objective of this study was to evaluate the evidence supporting use of amplitude-integrated EEG as a quantitative predictor of neurodevelopmental outcome in full-term infants with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy. To assess efficacy, the authors performed a meta-analysis of the literature evaluating the use of the amplitude-integrated EEG or cerebral function monitor in full-term infants with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy and their neurodevelopmental outcome. A total of 8 studies were eligible for the primary meta-analysis. There was an overall sensitivity of 91% (95% CI 87-95) and a negative likelihood ratio of 0.09 (95% CI .06-.15) for amplitude-integrated EEG tracings to accurately predict poor outcome. Amplitude-integrated EEG is a valuable bedside tool for predicting long-term neurodevelopmental outcome in term infants with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy. This information is useful in structuring communication and care plans for physicians and parents. Early assessment techniques such as amplitude-integrated EEG provide objective means for determining inclusion in clinical studies evaluating therapies for hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy and for predicting which patients are most likely to respond to treatment.
Migraine in Thai Children: Prevalence in Junior High School Students
Authors: Visudtibhan Anannit , Siripornpanich Vorasith , Khongkhatithum Chaiyos , Chiemchanya Surang , Sirijunpen Suthatip , Ruangkanchanasetr Suwanna , Visudhiphan Pongsakdi
Published: September 2007

A cross-sectional study to determine the prevalence of migraine in seventh grade Thai students in 4 junior high schools in Bangkok, Thailand, according to the diagnostic criteria of the second edition of the Classification of Headache of the International Headache Society was conducted in July 2004. The study included a screening self-administered questionnaire and face-to-face interview with physical examination. The diagnosis of migraine was made and confirmed by 2 pediatric neurologists. All of 1789 students in participating schools completed the questionnaire. After 2 interviews, 248 students (13.8%) were diagnosed with migraine. The prevalence in girls was higher than that in boys (16.2% vs 11.7%). Migraine as
Infantile Spasms as an Epileptic Feature of DEND Syndrome Associated With an Activating Mutation in the Potassium Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) Channel, Kir6.2
Authors: Bahi-Buisson Nadia , Eisermann Monica , Nivot Sylvie , Bellanné-Chantelot Christine , Dulac Olivier , Bach Nathalie , Plouin Perrine , Chiron Catherine , de Lonlay Pascale
Published: September 2007

Activating mutations in the Kir6.2 subunit of the adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium (KATP) channel is a cause of neonatal diabetes associated with various neurological disorders that include developmental delay, epilepsy, and neonatal diabetes (known together as DEND syndrome). This article reports a girl who developed infantile spasms and early onset diabetes mellitus at the age of 3 months and revealed DEND syndrome with a heterozygous activating mutation in Kir6.2. Infantile spasms with hypsarrhythmia on the electroencephalogram were severe and refractory to steroids. Steroids combined with oral sulfonylurea, a drug that closes the ATP-sensitive potassium channel by an independent mechanism, allowed partial and transitory control of the epilepsy. However, the child still exhibited severe encephalopathy and died of aspiration pneumonia. The role of oral sulfonylurea as an anticonvulsant in DEND syndrome associated with Kir6.2 mutation is discussed.
Voluntary Associations, Trust, and Civic Engagement: A Multilevel Approach
Authors: Wollebæk Dag , Strømsnes Kristin
Published: September 2007

This article argues that the scope of the voluntary sector is more important than the activity level of members for the formation of social capital. The intensity and scope of 13 European voluntary sectors are analyzed on both the individual and aggregate levels. This reveals no additional effect of face-to-face contact (active participation) over passive membership. Thus, the primary mechanism of social capital formation in the voluntary sector cannot be socialization of individual members. Furthermore, effects at the aggregate level are much stronger than at the individual level. This indicates that social capital is constructed through institutional (macro), not social (micro) processes. It is not face-to-face encounters but awareness of strong and visible voluntary organizations in society that generate a belief in the utility and rationality of collective action. Thus, voluntary organizations institutionalize rather than generate social capital.
“The Other Side of the Coin”: What Do Business Schools Teach the Typical Business Undergraduate Student About the Nonprofit Sector? A Case Study From the Netherlands
Authors: Meijs Lucas C. P. M. , Ten Hoorn Esther M. , Brudney Jeffrey L.
Published: September 2007

This article focuses on the exposure of the typical undergraduate business student to the nonprofit sector and management, as opposed to focusing on learning opportunities available to interested students in particular, as is typically reviewed in research on nonprofit management education. To address this novel question, the authors employed a multimethod research strategy to investigate the coverage of the nonprofit sector in the undergraduate business degree program of a leading international business school: the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University in the Netherlands. Based on an exhaustive review of course syllabi, interviews with faculty members, systematic analysis of course lecture notes, and a student discussion group, the results show rather tepid attention to the nonprofit sector and management in the undergraduate curriculum. The article concludes with a discussion of the implications of these findings for instruction of business administration undergraduate students to prepare them for interaction with the nonprofit sector.
The National Quality Improvement Center on the Privatization of Child Welfare Services: A Program Description
Authors: Collins-Camargo Crystal , Ensign Karl , Flaherty Chris
Published: September 2007

Quality improvement centers were created by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Children's Bureau beginning in 2001 to promote knowledge development through an innovative approach to applied collaborative research in child welfare. The National Quality Improvement Center on the Privatization of Child Welfare Services was funded to assess the current status of privatization, conduct a knowledge gaps analysis, fund and conduct cross-site evaluation of research and demonstration projects, promote the expansion of the evidence base, and facilitate ongoing dialogue among child welfare administrators, policy makers, researchers, and practitioners regarding public/private partnership in-service provision. The article discusses the impetus and empirical foundation for the creation of the center, provides an overview of the purpose and approach being taken, and describes its knowledge development initiatives. Additionally, a brief contextual history of child welfare privatization is provided, along with key content findings from the recently completed needs assessment.
Bone marrow pathology in essential thrombocythemia: interobserver reliability and utility for identifying disease subtypes
Authors: Wilkins Bridget S. , Erber Wendy N. , Bareford David , Buck Georgina , Wheatley Keith , East Clare L. , Paul Beverley , Harrison Claire N. , Green Anthony R. , Campbell Peter J.
Published: September 2007

The role of histopathology in the diagnosis of essential thrombocythemia (ET) is controversial, and there has been little attempt to quantitate interobserver variability. Diagnostic bone marrow trephine biopsy specimens from 370 patients with ET by Polycythemia Vera Study Group (PVSG) criteria were assessed by 3 experienced hematopathologists for 16 different morphologic features and overall diagnosis according to the World Health Organization (WHO) classification. Our results show substantial interobserver variability, particularly for overall diagnosis and individual cellular characteristics such as megakaryocyte morphology. Reticulin grade was the dominant independent predictor of WHO diagnostic category for all 3 hematopathologists. Factor analysis identified 3 independent factors likely to reflect underlying biologic processes. One factor related to overall and lineage-specific cellularity and was significantly associated with JAK2 V617F status (P < .001), a second factor related to megakaryocyte clustering, and a third was associated with the fibrotic process. No differences could be discerned between patients labeled as having “prefibrotic myelofibrosis” or “true ET” in clinical and laboratory features at presentation, JAK2 status, survival, thrombosis, major hemorrhage, or myelofibrotic transformation. These results show that histologic criteria described in the WHO classification are difficult to apply reproducibly and question the validity of distinguishing true ET from prefibrotic myelofibrosis on the basis of subjective morphologic criteria. This study was registered at http://isrctn.org as #72251782 and at http://eudract.emea.europa.eu/ as #2004-000245-38.
Matrix metalloproteinase-9 is up-regulated by CCL21/CCR7 interaction via extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1/2 signaling and is involved in CCL21-driven B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia cell invasion and migration
Authors: Redondo-Muñoz Javier , José Terol María , García-Marco José A. , García-Pardo Angeles
Published: September 2007

B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) progression is frequently accompanied by clinical lymphadenopathy, and the CCL21 chemokine may play an important role in this process. Indeed, CCR7 (the CCL21 receptor), as well as matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), are overexpressed in infiltrating B-CLL cells. We have studied whether MMP-9 is regulated by CCL21 and participates in CCL21-dependent migration. CCL21 significantly increased B-CLL MMP-9 production, measured by gelatin zymography. This was inhibited by blocking extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1/2 (ERK1/2) activity or by cell transfection with CCR7-siRNA. Accordingly, CCL21/CCR7 interaction activated the ERK1/2/c-Fos pathway and increased MMP-9 mRNA. CCL21-driven B-CLL cell migration through Matrigel or human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) was blocked by anti-CCR7 antibodies, CCR7-siRNA transfection, or the ERK1/2 inhibitor U0126, as well as by anti-MMP-9 antibodies or tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1). These results strongly suggest that MMP-9 is involved in B-CLL nodal infiltration and expand the roles of MMP-9 and CCR7 in B-CLL progression. Both molecules could thus constitute therapeutic targets for this disease.
Evaluation of reference genes for real-time RT-PCR expression studies in the plant pathogen Pectobacterium atrosepticum
Authors: Takle Gunnhild W , Toth Ian K , Brurberg May B
Published: September 2007

Background

Real-time RT-PCR has become a powerful technique to monitor low-abundance mRNA expression and is a useful tool when examining bacterial gene expression inside infected host tissues. However, correct evaluation of data requires accurate and reliable normalisation against internal standards. Thus, the identification of reference genes whose expression does not change during the course of the experiment is of paramount importance. Here, we present a study where manipulation of cultural growth conditions and in planta experiments have been used to validate the expression stability of reference gene candidates for the plant pathogen Pectobacterium atrosepticum, belonging to the family Enterobacteriaceae.

Results

Of twelve reference gene candidates tested, four proved to be stably expressed both in six different cultural growth conditions and in planta. Two of these genes (recA and ffh), encoding recombinase A and signal recognition particle protein, respectively, proved to be the most stable set of reference genes under the experimental conditions used. In addition, genes proC and gyrA, encoding pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase and DNA gyrase, respectively, also displayed relatively stable mRNA expression levels.

Conclusion

Based on these results, we suggest recA and ffh as suitable candidates for accurate normalisation of real-time RT-PCR data for experiments investigating the plant pathogen P. atrosepticum and potentially other related pathogens.
The (cost-)effectiveness of an individually tailored long-term worksite health promotion programme on physical activity and nutrition: design of a pragmatic cluster randomised controlled trial
Authors: Robroek Suzan JW , Bredt Folef J , Burdorf Alex
Published: September 2007

Background

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of disability and mortality in most Western countries. The prevalence of several risk factors, most notably low physical activity and poor nutrition, is very high. Therefore, lifestyle behaviour changes are of great importance. The worksite offers an efficient structure to reach large groups and to make use of a natural social network. This study investigates a worksite health promotion programme with individually tailored advice in physical activity and nutrition and individual counselling to increase compliance with lifestyle recommendations and sustainability of a healthy lifestyle.

Methods/Design

The study is a pragmatic cluster randomised controlled trial with the worksite as the unit of randomisation. All workers will receive a standard worksite health promotion program. Additionally, the intervention group will receive access to an individual Health Portal consisting of four critical features: a computer-tailored advice, a monitoring function, a personal coach, and opportunities to contact professionals at request. Participants are employees working for companies in the Netherlands, being literate enough to read and understand simple Internet-based messages in the Dutch language.

A questionnaire to assess primary outcomes (compliance with national recommendations on physical activity and on fruit and vegetable intake) will take place at baseline and after 12 and 24 months. This questionnaire also assesses secondary outcomes including fat intake, self-efficacy and self-perceived barriers on physical activity and fruit and vegetable intake. Other secondary outcomes, including a cardiovascular risk profile and physical fitness, will be measured at baseline and after 24 months.

Apart from the effect evaluation, a process evaluation will be carried out to gain insight into participation and adherence to the worksite health promotion programme. A cost-effectiveness analysis and sensitivity analysis will be carried out as well.

Discussion

The unique combination of features makes the individually tailored worksite health promotion programme a promising tool for health promotion. It is hypothesized that the Health Portal's features will counteract loss to follow-up, and will increase compliance with the lifestyle recommendations and sustainability of a healthy lifestyle.

Trial registration

Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN52854353.
Swainsonine reduces 5-fluorouracil tolerance in the multistage resistance of colorectal cancer cell lines
Authors: Hamaguchi Jun , Nakagawa Hiroaki , Takahashi Masato , Kudo Takeaki , Kamiyama Naoya , Sun Bailong , Oshima Takahiro , Sato Yuji , Deguchi Kisaburo , Todo Satoru , Nishimura Shin-Ichiro
Published: September 2007

Background

Drug resistance is a major problem in cancer chemotherapy. Acquisition of chemo-resistance not only reduces the effectiveness of drugs, but also promotes side effects and markedly reduces the patient's quality of life. However, a number of resistance mechanisms have been reported and are thought to be the reason for the difficulties in solving drug-resistance problems.

Result

To investigate the mechanisms of drug resistance, a set of cell lines with different levels of sensitivity and possessing different mechanisms of resistance to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) was established from a colorectal cancer cell line. The expression of thymidylate synthase, orotic acid phosphoribosyltransferase and dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase, which are well known to be related to drug resistance, differed among these cell lines, indicating that these cell lines acquired different resistance mechanisms. However, swainsonine, an inhibitor of N-glycan biosynthesis, reduced 5-FU-tolerance in all resistant cells, whereas the sensitivity of the parental cells was unchanged. Further analysis of the N-glycan profiles of all cell lines showed partial inhibition of biosynthesis and no cytotoxicity at the swainsonine dosage tested.

Conclusion

These observations suggest that N-linked oligosaccharides affect 5-FU resistance more widely than do drug-resistance related enzymes in colorectal cancer cells, and that the N-glycan could be a universal target for chemotherapy. Further, swainsonine may enhance the performance of chemotherapy by reducing tolerance.
A new therapy for highly effective tumor eradication using HVJ-E combined with chemotherapy
Authors: Kawano Hirokazu , Komaba Shintarou , Kanamori Toshihide , Kaneda Yasufumi
Published: September 2007

Background

Inactivated HVJ (hemagglutinating virus of Japan; Sendai virus) particles (HVJ envelope vector; HVJ-E can incorporate and deliver plasmid DNA, siRNA, antibody and peptide and anti-cancer drugs to cells both in vitro and in vivo. We attempted to eradicate tumors derived from mouse colon cancer cells, CT26, by combining bleomycin (BLM)-incorporated HVJ-E (HVJ-E/BLM) with cisplatin (CDDP) administration.

Methods

CT-26 tumor mass was intradermally established in Balb/c mice. HVJ-E/BLM was directly injected into the tumor mass with or without intraperitoneal administration of CDDP. The anti-tumor effect was evaluated by measuring tumor size and cytotoxic T cell activity against CT26. Re-challenge of tumor cells to treated mice was performed 10 days or 8 months after the initial tumor inoculation.

Results

We found that three intratumoral injections of HVJ-E/BLM along with a single intraperitoneal administration of CDDP eradicated CT26 tumors with more than 75% efficiency. When tumor cells were intradermally re-injected on day 10 after the initial tumor inoculation, tumors on both sides disappeared in most of the mice that received the combination therapy of HVJ-E/BLM and CDDP. Eight months after the initial tumor eradication, surviving mice were re-challenged with CT26 cells. The re-challenged tumors were rejected in all of the surviving mice treated with the combination therapy. Cytotoxic T lymphocytes specific for CT26 were generated in these surviving mice.

Conclusion

Combination therapy consisting of HVJ-E and chemotherapy completely eradicated the tumor, and generated anti-tumor immunity. The combination therapy could therefore be a promising new strategy for cancer therapy.
Rooting the eutherian tree: the power and pitfalls of phylogenomics
Authors: Nishihara Hidenori , Okada Norihiro , Hasegawa Masami
Published: September 2007

Background

Ongoing genome sequencing projects have led to a phylogenetic approach based on genome-scale data (phylogenomics), which is beginning to shed light on longstanding unresolved phylogenetic issues. The use of large datasets in phylogenomic analysis results in a global increase in resolution due to a decrease in sampling error. However, a fully resolved tree can still be wrong if the phylogenetic inference is biased.

Results

Here, in an attempt to root the eutherian tree using genome-scale data with the maximum likelihood method, we demonstrate a case in which a concatenate analysis strongly supports a putatively wrong tree, whereas the total evaluation of separate analyses of different genes grossly reduced the bias of the phylogenetic inference. A conventional method of concatenate analysis of nucleotide sequences from our dataset, which includes a more than 1 megabase alignment of 2,789 nuclear genes, suggests a misled monophyly of Afrotheria (for example, elephant) and Xenarthra (for example, armadillo) with 100% bootstrap probability. However, this tree is not supported by our 'separate method', which takes into account the different tempos and modes of evolution among genes, and instead the basal Afrotheria tree is favored.

Conclusion

Our analysis demonstrates that in cases in which there is great variation in evolutionary features among different genes, the separate model, rather than the concatenate model, should be used for phylogenetic inference, especially in genome-scale data.
Use of Ly6G-specific monoclonal antibody to deplete neutrophils in mice
Authors: Daley Jean M , Thomay Alan A , Connolly Michael D , Reichner Jonathan S , Albina Jorge E
Published: September 2007

The anti-granulocyte receptor-1 (Gr-1) mAb, RB6-8C5, has been used extensively to deplete neutrophils in mice and to investigate the role of these cells in host defense. RB6-8C5 binds to Ly6G, which is present on neutrophils, and to Ly6C, which is expressed on neutrophils, dendritic cells, and subpopulations of lymphocytes and monocytes. It is thus likely that in vivo administration of RB6-8C5 may deplete not only neutrophils but also other Gr-l+ (Ly6C+) cells. This study describes the use of an Ly6G-specific mAb, 1A8, as an alternative means to deplete neutrophils. In vivo administration of RB6-8C5 reduced blood neutrophils and Gr-1+ monocytes, whereas administration of 1A8 reduced blood neutrophils but not Gr-1+ monocytes. Plasma TNF-α in endotoxemia was increased 20-fold by RB6-8C5 pretreatment and fourfold by 1A8 pretreatment. In a wound model, pretreatment with either antibody decreased wound neutrophils and macrophages. TNF-α staining in brefeldin-treated wound leukocytes was increased by pretreatment with RB6-8C5, but not 1A8. Neutrophil depletion with 1A8 offers advantages over the use of RB6-8C5, as it preserves non-neutrophil Gr-1+ cells depleted by the anti-Gr-1 antibody. The loss of non-neutrophil Gr-1+ populations in RB6-8C5-treated animals is associated with increased TNF-α responses, suggesting these cells may function to suppress TNF-α production.
Acyl chain-dependent effect of lysophosphatidylcholine on human neutrophils
Authors: Ojala P J , Hirvonen T E , Hermansson M , Somerharju P , Parkkinen J
Published: September 2007

Lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) is the most abundant lysophospholipid in plasma and tissues, and its level increases in ischemia and inflammation. LPC induces various proinflammatory actions in leukocytes, endothelial cells, and smooth muscle cells, but its effects may vary, depending on the acyl chain. In the present study, we identified the molecular species of LPC in human plasma and studied their effects on human neutrophils. Unsaturated LPC species over a wide concentration range (5–200 μM) induced long-lasting superoxide production in neutrophils. The response was preceded by a >10-min lag time and lasted for 60–90 min. Superoxide production was prevented when albumin was added together with LPC at a molar ratio of 1:2 or higher, and significant inhibition was observed even when albumin was added 4–8 min after LPC. Saturation of albumin by fivefold molar excess of stearic acid reduced the inhibitory effect significantly. Saturated LPCs, particularly the most abundant 16:0 species, induced significantly less superoxide production than the unsaturated species and only at 5–10 μM concentrations. Saturated LPC species elicited a several-fold higher increase in cytoplasmic calcium and at >20 μM, increased plasma membrane permeability. A mixture of LPCs mimicking the plasma LPC composition induced nearly similar superoxide production as the most active LPC18:1 alone. These results indicate remarkable acyl chain-dependent differences in the cellular effects of LPC. Elevation of LPC level may increase inflammation through activation of neutrophil NADPH oxidase, particularly when the simultaneous increase of free fatty acids diminishes the ability of albumin to scavenge LPCs.