bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Re‐treatment of chronic hepatitis C patients after relapse: efficacy of peginterferon‐alpha‐2a (40 kDa) and ribavirin
Authors: Berg C. , Goncales F. L. , Bernstein D. E. , Sette H. , Rasenack J. , Diago M. , Jensen D. M. , Graham P. , Cooksley G.
Published: April 2006

Summary.  We conducted a randomized multinational study to determine whether 48 weeks of re‐treatment with peginterferon‐alpha‐2a (40 kDa) plus ribavirin would induce a sustained virological response (SVR) in relapsed chronic hepatitis C patients. Patients who had previously relapsed during 24 weeks of untreated follow‐up, after having achieved an end‐of‐treatment virological response with 24 weeks of peginterferon‐alpha‐2a (40 kDa)/ribavirin combination therapy, within a phase III trial, were studied. Although the recommended dosage was the same as that used at the end of the initial trial, adjustments were permitted. Data on serious adverse events, or adverse events that resulted in dose reductions or discontinuations, were collected. Following re‐treatment, the overall SVR rate in the 64 patients was 55%. The SVR rates in patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 and non‐1 genotypes were 51% and 63%, respectively. Early (week 12) virological responses were seen in 39 patients (61%) and were predictive of an SVR. Re‐treatment was well tolerated. The most frequent adverse events recorded were fatigue (5%) and abdominal pain (3%). Dosages of peginterferon‐alpha‐2a (40 kDa) and/or ribavirin were modified because of adverse events in 3% and 13% of patients, and because of laboratory abnormalities in 23% and 5% of patients, respectively. Thus, a 48‐week course of peginterferon‐alpha‐2a (40 kDa) plus ribavirin induces an SVR in 55% of patients who relapsed during follow‐up after 24 weeks of combination therapy. Physicians should not hesitate to offer re‐treatment to patients who relapse after an initial, 24‐week course of combination therapy, or who have prematurely stopped treatment because, for example, of laboratory abnormalities.
Increased intrahepatic and circulating levels of endoglin, a TGF‐β1 co‐receptor, in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection: relationship to histological and serum markers of hepatic fibrosis
Authors: Clemente M. , Núñez O. , Lorente R. , Rincón D. , Matilla A. , Salcedo M. , Catalina M. V. , Ripoll C. , Iacono O. L. , Bañares R. , Clemente G. , García‐Monzón C.
Published: April 2006

Summary.  Endoglin, a transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1 co‐receptor, has been associated with renal and cutaneous fibrosis, as overexpression of this protein has been observed in biopsies from patients with glomerulosclerosis and scleroderma, respectively. Our aim was to evaluate whether endoglin may be associated with hepatic fibrosis featuring chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Fifty‐two anti‐HCV+ patients, five anti‐HCV− patients and 27 healthy subjects were studied. Western blot and immunohistochemistry were used to quantify the expression levels of endoglin and TGF‐β1 in liver biopsy samples, and serum concentrations of endoglin and hyaluronic acid were determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). In patients with advanced fibrosis, intrahepatic expression levels of endoglin and TGF‐β1 were significantly higher than those in patients with early fibrosis (mean: 3‐ and 5.8‐fold, respectively) and normal liver (mean: 3.9‐ and 12‐fold, respectively). Interestingly, activated hepatic stellate cells as well as portal and septal myofibroblasts expressed endoglin. Serum levels of endoglin were also significantly higher in patients with advanced fibrosis than in those with early fibrosis (55.5 ± 1.6 vs 47.5 ± 0.9 ng/mL, P < 0.001), showing a positive correlation with serum hyaluronic acid concentrations (r = 0.57, P = 0.01). In conclusion, increased intrahepatic endoglin and TGF‐β1 expression is significantly associated with progressive hepatic fibrosis in chronic HCV infection. Circulating endoglin levels are elevated in HCV patients showing a significant correlation with histological and serum markers of hepatic fibrosis. These data suggest an active role for endoglin in the fibrotic process featuring chronic HCV infection.
Analysis of specific IgE and IgG subclass antibodies for diagnosis of Echinococcus granulosus
Authors: KHABIRI A. R. , BAGHERI F. , ASSMAR M. , SIAVASHI M. R.
Published: April 2006

The potential roles of specific antibodies of different immunoglobulin G (IgG) subclasses and IgE in serological diagnosis of cystic echinococcosis (CE) were investigated by an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) based on Antigen 5 (Ag5). Presence of IgG1 was demonstrated in all sera from 58 patients with CE. The most discriminatory and specific antibodies found in this study belonged to IgG4 and IgE. Only one false‐positive reaction was observed with IgG4 and no IgE cross‐reactivity occurred with 40 sera from healthy controls. In 36 sera from patients infected with parasites other than CE two false‐positive reactions with IgG4 were observed but none occurred with IgE. In immunoblotting, it was shown that IgG1 subclass was responsible for cross‐reactivity of human antibodies that reacted with a 38 kDa subunit of Ag5. IgG4 and IgE antibodies could not recognize the 38 kDa subunit and under non‐reducing conditions reacted with the 57 kDa subunit without any cross‐reactivity to other parasites. The results demonstrated that IgG4 and IgE are the most important antibodies for serological diagnosis of hydatid cyst in an Ag5 based immunoassay system.
Serum‐induced basophil CD63 expression by means of a tricolour flow cytometric method for the in vitro diagnosis of chronic urticaria
Authors: Frezzolini A. , Provini A. , Teofoli P. , Pomponi D. , De Pità O.
Published: April 2006

Background:  Functional autoantibodies against the α‐chain of the high‐affinity IgE receptor (FcɛRIα) identify a subset of patients with chronic urticaria (CU) due to autoreactivity, as assessed by an in vivo positive response to autologous serum skin test (ASST). We performed a study to standardize the serum‐induced basophil activation assay by flow cytometry (FCM) using a new tricolour method, assessing the diagnostic performance of this test in discriminating between ASST+ and ASST− CU patients.

Methods:  Sera of 64 CU patients (22 ASST+ CU and 42 ASST− CU) and 10 healthy subjects were tested for their ability to induce basophil CD63 expression when incubated with whole blood of both atopic (DA) and non‐atopic donors (DNA). Using a triple‐labelled strategy with anti‐CD123, anti‐HLA‐DR and anti‐CD63 antibodies, CD63+ basophils were identified on a selected population of CD123+ HLA‐DR‐ cells. In 3 ASST+ CU patients who underwent cyclosporine therapy, the assay was performed before and after treatment.

Results:  The ASST+ CU sera resulted in a significant higher induction of basophil CD63 expression compared with ASST− CU and healthy donors sera; when whole blood from DA was used, sensitivity and specificity of the assay were 95.5% and 90.5% respectively. ASST+ CU serum activity was significantly decreased during cyclosporine A treatment, in parallel with clinical remission.

Conclusions:  Chronic urticaria serum‐induced CD63 expression assay performed on DA whole blood by means of our tricolour FCM method could be the most useful tool for identification of a subset of patients with autoimmune CU and may become a promising tool also for monitoring treatment efficacy.
Flow‐assisted allergy diagnosis: current applications and future perspectives
Authors: Ebo D. G. , Sainte‐Laudy J. , Bridts C. H. , Mertens C. H. , Hagendorens M. M. , Schuerwegh A. J. , De Clerck L. S. , Stevens W. J.
Published: April 2006

Physicians predominantly rely upon quantification of serum‐specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) and/or skin test to confirm clinically suspected IgE‐mediated allergy. However, for various reasons, identification of the offending allergen(s) and potentially cross‐reactive structures is not always straightforward. Flow‐assisted allergy diagnosis relies upon quantification of alterations in the expression of particular basophilic activation markers. Actually, upon challenge with a specific allergen, basophils not only secrete quantifiable bioactive mediators but also upregulate the expression of different markers which can be detected efficiently by flow cytometry using specific monoclonal antibodies. Currently, the technique has been applied in the investigation of IgE‐mediated allergy caused by classical inhalant allergens, food, Hevea latex, hymenoptera venoms and drugs. It is also appreciated; the technique proves valuable in the diagnosis of non‐IgE‐mediated (anaphylactoid) reactions such drug hypersensitivity and the detection of autoantibodies in certain forms of chronic urticaria. This review will not address immunologic features, characteristics and general pitfalls of flow‐assisted analysis of in vitro‐activated basophils as summarized elsewhere. After a recapitulation of the principles and some specific technical issues of flow‐assisted analysis of in vitro‐activated basophils, we principally focus on the current clinical and research applications of the basophil activation tests. Personal experience of both research groups is provided, where appropriate. Finally, a viewpoint on how the field might evolve in the following years is provided.
‘She's manipulative and he's right off’: A critical analysis of psychiatric nurses’ oral and written language in the acute inpatient setting
Authors: Hamilton Bridget , Manias Elizabeth
Published: April 2006

ABSTRACT: Remarks such as ‘she's manipulative’ and ‘he's right off’ are familiar to psychiatric nurses. This paper critiques the language nurses use in acute inpatient psychiatry services, highlighting the diverse discourses implicated in nurses’ writing and speaking about patients. Based on a review of the literature, this paper examines ethnographic studies and discourse analyses of psychiatric nurses’ oral and written language. A prominent debate in the literature surrounds nurses’ use of standardized language, which is the use of set terms for symptoms and nursing activities. This review of spoken descriptions of patients highlights nurses’ use of informal and local descriptions, incorporating elements of moral judgement, common sense language and empathy. Research into written accounts in patient files and records show nurses’ use of objectifying language, the dominance of medicine and the emergence of the language of bureaucracy in health services. Challenges to the language of psychiatry and psychiatric nursing arise from fields as diverse as bioscience, humanism and social theory. Authors who focus on the relationship between language, power and the discipline of nursing disagree in regard to their analysis of particular language as a constructive exercise of power by nurses. Thus, particular language is in some instances endorsed and in other instances censured, by nurses in research and practice. In this paper, a Foucauldian analysis provides further critique of taken‐for‐granted practices of speech and writing. Rather than censoring language, we recommend that nurses, researchers and educators attend to nurses’ everyday language and explore what it produces for nurses, patients and society.
Contribution of virus‐induced lysis and protozoan grazing to benthic bacterial mortality estimated simultaneously in microcosms
Authors: Fischer Ulrike R. , Wieltschnig Claudia , Kirschner Alexander K. T. , Velimirov Branko
Published: April 2006

In contrast to the water column, the fate of bacterial production in freshwater sediments is still a matter of debate. Thus, the importance of virus‐induced lysis and protozoan grazing of bacteria was investigated for the first time simultaneously in a silty sediment layer of a mesotrophic oxbow lake. Microcosms were installed in the laboratory in order to study the dynamics of these processes over 15 days. All microbial and physicochemical parameters showed acceptable resemblance to field data observed during a concomitant in situ study, and similar conclusions can be drawn with respect to the quantitative impact of viruses and protozoa on the bacterial compartment. Viral decay rates ranged from undetectable to 0.078 h−1 (average, 0.033 h−1), and the control of bacterial production from below the detection limit to 36% (average, 12%). The contribution of virus‐induced lysis of bacteria to the dissolved organic matter pool as well as to benthic bacterial nutrition was low. Ingestion rates of protozoan grazers ranged from undetectable to 24.7 bacteria per heterotrophic nanoflagellate (HNF) per hour (average, 4.8 bacteria HNF−1 h−1) and from undetectable to 73.3 bacteria per ciliate per hour (average, 11.2 bacteria ciliate−1 h−1). Heterotrophic nanoflagellate and ciliates together cropped up to 5% (average, 1%) of bacterial production. The viral impact on bacteria prevailed over protozoan grazing by a factor of 2.5–19.9 (average, 9.5). In sum, these factors together removed up to 36% (average, 12%) of bacterial production. The high number of correlations between viral and protozoan parameters is discussed in view of a possible relationship between virus removal and the presence of protozoan grazers.
Nitrite concentration influences the population structure of Nitrospira‐like bacteria
Authors: Maixner Frank , Noguera Daniel R. , Anneser Bettina , Stoecker Kilian , Wegl Gertrude , Wagner Michael , Daims Holger
Published: April 2006

Chemolithoautotrophic nitrite oxidizers of the genus Nitrospira are a monophyletic but diverse group of organisms, are widely distributed in many natural habitats, and play a key role in nitrogen elimination during biological wastewater treatment. Phylogenetic analyses of cloned 16S rRNA genes and fluorescence in situ hybridization with newly developed rRNA‐targeted oligonucleotide probes revealed coexistence of uncultured members of sublineages I and II of the genus Nitrospira in biofilm and activated sludge samples taken from nitrifying wastewater treatment plants. Quantitative microscopic analyses of their spatial arrangement relative to ammonia oxidizers in the biofilm and activated sludge flocs showed that members of the Nitrospira sublineage I occurred significantly more often in immediate vicinity to ammonia oxidizers than would be expected from random community assembly while such a relationship was not observed for Nitrospira sublineage II. This spatial distribution suggested a niche differentiation of these coexisting Nitrospira populations with respect to their preferred concentrations of nitrite. This hypothesis was tested by mathematical modelling of nitrite consumption and resulting nitrite gradients in nitrifying biofilms and by quantifying the abundance of sublineage I and II Nitrospira in activated sludge during incubations with nitrite in different concentrations. Consistent with the observed localization patterns, a higher nitrite concentration selected for sublineage I but suppressed sublineage II Nitrospira.
Bi‐level Programming Formulation and Heuristic Solution Approach for Dynamic Traffic Signal Optimization
Authors: Sun Dazhi , Benekohal Rahim F. , Waller S. Travis
Published: April 2006

Abstract:  Although dynamic traffic control and traffic assignment are intimately connected in the framework of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), they have been developed independent of one another by most existing research. Conventional methods of signal timing optimization assume given traffic flow pattern, whereas traffic assignment is performed with the assumption of fixed signal timing. This study develops a bi‐level programming formulation and heuristic solution approach (HSA) for dynamic traffic signal optimization in networks with time‐dependent demand and stochastic route choice. In the bi‐level programming model, the upper level problem represents the decision‐making behavior (signal control) of the system manager, while the user travel behavior is represented at the lower level. The HSA consists of a Genetic Algorithm (GA) and a Cell Transmission Simulation (CTS) based Incremental Logit Assignment (ILA) procedure. GA is used to seek the upper level signal control variables. ILA is developed to find user optimal flow pattern at the lower level, and CTS is implemented to propagate traffic and collect real‐time traffic information. The performance of the HSA is investigated in numerical applications in a sample network. These applications compare the efficiency and quality of the global optima achieved by Elitist GA and Micro GA. Furthermore, the impact of different frequencies of updating information and different population sizes of GA on system performance is analyzed.
Road Infrastructure Data Acquisition Using a Vehicle‐Based Mobile Mapping System
Authors: Kim Gi‐Hong , Sohn Hong‐Gyoo , Song Yeong‐Sun
Published: April 2006

Abstract:  This study presents the technology of a vehicle‐based mobile mapping system to maintain an updated transportation database. The mobile mapping system that integrates the global positioning system (GPS), the inertial navigation system (INS), and digital cameras has been developed to collect data on position and attributes of road infrastructure. The vehicle‐based mobile mapping system works by having the GPS and INS record the position and attitude data, and digital cameras take road images. The stereovision system can determine the position of objects that are visible on the image pair in the global coordinate system with GPS and INS data. As field data acquisition is a very expensive task, a mobile mapping system offers a greatly improved solution. In this study, we successfully created a road infrastructure map with mobile mapping technology and proposed automatic algorithms for detecting and identifying road signs from road images. The proposed detection algorithm includes line and color region extraction processes and uses the Hopfield neural networks. The identification algorithm uses seven invariant moments and parameters that present geometric characteristics. With this combined method, we could successfully detect and identify road signs.
Enhanced Roadway Inventory Using a 2‐D Sign Video Image Recognition Algorithm
Authors: Wu Jianping , Tsai Yichang (James)
Published: April 2006

Abstract:  This article presents a two‐dimensional (2‐D) color, shape, and texture‐based stop sign recognition algorithm. The theoretical base of establishing a suitable 2‐D correlation coefficient threshold value that can both eliminate nonstop sign objects and minimize the possibility of false‐positive identifications is presented. Both the one‐dimensional (1‐D) algorithm, which has been developed by the authors, and the 2‐D algorithm provide a simple and feasible means to automatically extract stop signs from roadway inventory video images with a very competitive computation speed of less than 25 ms for processing a 400 × 300 pixel image. The 2‐D algorithm was able to correctly detect all of the images that were correctly detected by the 1‐D algorithm. In addition, the 2‐D algorithm could correctly detect two of the remaining five images that could not be correctly detected by the 1‐D algorithm. The type of images that can be correctly detected by the 2‐D algorithm but not the 1‐D algorithm is significant because there is a need to recognize the tilted stop signs. The 2‐D algorithm can detect stop signs tilted up to 35°. Similarly, the 2‐D algorithm can detect a stop sign with its surface being blocked up to 20%. The improved detectability, with only a marginally increased time in the image processing, suggests that the 2‐D algorithm is a better algorithm than the 1‐D algorithm for processing stop sign images from video logging of roadway inventory. This algorithm can be extended to recognize other signs, such as yield signs, with a slight modification.
The effects of calcipotriol and methylprednisolone aseponate on bcl‐2, p53 and ki‐67 expression in psoriasis
Authors: Adi5en E , Gülekon A , Erdem Ö , Dursun A , Gürer MA
Published: April 2006

Objective  The decrease of physiological apoptosis in the psoriatic lesions is thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, and induction of apoptosis was shown to contribute to the regression of psoriatic hyperplasia. In the present study, we compared the effects of calcipotriol and methylprednisolone aseponate (MPA) treatments on bcl‐2, p53 and ki‐67 expressions in psoriatic patients in order to define a relationship between regulation of apoptosis and healing process in psoriasis.

Methods  Thirty psoriatic patients with stable and moderate chronic plaque psoriasis applied either calcipotriol or MPA ointment for 6 weeks twice daily. Evaluation of bcl‐2, p53 and ki‐67 positivity was performed at baseline and was repeated at sixth week for each therapy.

Results  The mean percentage of positive keratinocytes was 8.63 ± 7.15% for p53, 20.66 ± 14.45% for ki‐67, and 3.74 ± 2.83% for bcl‐2 in psoriatic skin at baseline. Normal skin values were 3.27 ± 3.21% for p53, 4.93 ± 4.77% for ki‐67, and 1.80 ± 0.41% for bcl‐2. The psoriatic skin showed higher ki‐67 (P < 0.05) and bcl‐2 (P < 0.05) expression rates when compared to normal skin. The p53 positivity observed in psoriatic skin and normal skin was not significantly different (P > 0.05). Following calcipotriol and MPA treatments, there was a significant reduction in p53 and ki‐67 positivity accompanied by an increase in bcl‐2 positivity (P < 0.05 each). No significant differences were found at sixth week between calcipotriol and MPA groups with respect to p53, ki‐67 and bcl‐2 positivity (P > 0.05). The post‐treatment psoriatic skin showed lower expression of p53, higher expressions of ki‐67 and bcl‐2 when compared to normal skin (P < 0.05 each).

Conclusion  The results of this study provide evidence that both calcipotriol and MPA decrease the p53 and ki‐67 expression and increase bcl‐2 expression. However, it should further be elucidated if these changes were the common behaviour of psoriatic keratinocytes to any antipsoriatic medication.
Efficacy and functionality of silver‐coated textiles in patients with atopic eczema
Authors: Gauger A , Fischer S , Mempel M , Schaefer T , Foelster‐Holst R , Abeck D , Ring J
Published: April 2006

Background  Microbial skin colonization with Staphylococcus aureus is known to play an important role in atopic eczema (AE). Recently, an antibacterial effect of silver‐coated textiles on S. aureus colonization has been demonstrated.

Objectives  To investigate clinical efficacy and functionality of silver‐coated textiles in AE, a multicentre, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial was conducted.

Patients/methods  From November 2001 to August 2002, 68 consecutive outpatients clinically diagnosed with generalized AE were included in the study. Inclusion criteria were the clinical diagnosis of AE with a moderate severity as measured by the scoring of atopic dermatitis (SCORAD) index with at least 20. Patients were instructed to wear either silver‐coated (verum, 35 patients + 2 dropouts) or cotton garments (placebo, 22 patients + 9 dropouts) directly on the skin for 2 weeks. Only basic skin care and ongoing therapy with topical steroids or oral antihistamines was permitted. Clinical severity was assessed using the ‘SCORAD’ before, during and at the end of study. Quality of life (QOL), wearing comfort (WC) and functionality (FU) of study clothes were measured in parallel. Patients documented their subjective and objective symptoms daily.

Results  In the verum group, eczema improved significantly after 1 week with further enhancement until the end of study (P = 0.03 and P < 0.001). Silver‐coated textiles were comparable to cotton in WC and FU. Pruritus and self‐assigned skin condition improved significantly more than with placebo (P < 0.001 and P = 0.003).

Conclusions  In conclusion, silver‐coated textiles are able to improve objective and subjective symptoms of AE significantly within 2 weeks, showing a good wearing comfort and functionality comparable to cotton.
Suicide prevention in adolescents: a controlled study of the effectiveness of a school‐based psycho‐educational program
Authors: Portzky Gwendolyn , Van Heeringen Kees
Published: April 2006

Background:  Psycho‐educational programs are among the most commonly applied suicide prevention approaches for young people. This study examined the effectiveness of these programs in a controlled study by assessing the effect on knowledge, attitudes, coping and hopelessness.

Method:  Fourteen‐ to 18‐year‐old students were administered structured questionnaires before and after the program to assess the effect on knowledge, attitudes, coping and hopelessness.

Results:  The program had no effect on coping styles and levels of hopelessness. However, a positive effect on knowledge could be identified and an interaction effect of the program with gender on attitudes was also found. A negative impact of the program could not be found. Results indicated effects of gender and pre‐test on knowledge, attitudes and coping.

Conclusions:  The findings from this study suggest that psycho‐educational programs in schools may influence knowledge about suicide and attitudes towards suicidal persons but may not affect the use of coping styles or levels of hopelessness.
Family psychiatric history evidence on the nosological relations of DSM‐IV ADHD combined and inattentive subtypes: new data and meta‐analysis
Authors: Stawicki Julie Ann , Nigg Joel T. , Von Eye Alexander
Published: April 2006

Background:  A key issue in the nosology of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has concerned whether the DSM‐IV combined (ADHD‐C) and primarily inattentive (ADHD‐PI) subtypes are in fact distinct disorders, or instead are fairly closely related, perhaps differing only in severity. Pertinent to this question, but in short supply, are data on family psychiatric history.

Method:  We present new data followed by a meta‐analysis. For the new data 210 children were well‐characterized via structured interview and multi‐informant ratings as ADHD‐C or ADHD‐PI. Three hundred and thirty‐five parents completed structured diagnostic interviews to determine whether they had ADHD‐C or ADHD‐PI. Comorbid disorders were also assessed. For the meta‐analysis, 6 existing family‐history data sets using DSM‐IV subtypes were pooled and analyzed (total N = 4120).

Results:  The new family study found support for subtype‐specific transmission, but the effect was small. Girls with ADHD‐C had more severe family psychiatric histories (non‐ADHD disorders in parents) than girls with ADHD‐I, but this subtype effect did not occur for boys. The meta‐analysis of 6 data sets implemented a model‐fitting methodology. Despite inconsistent results across individual studies, the pooled data consistently suggested that (1) some degree of subtype specific transmission is occurring, (2) the effect is small, (3) non‐specific (gradient) transmission also occurs, specifically in families of children with ADHD‐C.

Conclusion:  The much‐debated relation between these two most prevalent ADHD subtypes is best modeled via two processes transmitting in families. One process is distinct for the two syndromes, and the other is shared. We briefly suggest neuropsychological models that would account for this state of affairs and suggest future research to refine the nosology with these findings in mind.
Phase determination from direct sequencing of length‐variable DNA regions
Authors: FLOT JEAN‐FRANÇOIS , TILLIER ANNIE , SAMADI SARAH , TILLIER SIMON
Published: April 2006

For diploid organisms, haplotype determination usually requires sequencing cloned polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products or comparing the genotypes of several individuals. We found out that phase could be reconstructed from direct sequencing of mixed PCR products by combining for each individual the complementary information contained in its forward and reverse chromatograms, provided these products had different lengths. When applied to the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) from corals of the genus Pocillopora, this new method allowed us to identify two dominant sequence types in some specimens; however, sequencing cloned PCR products from the same specimens yielded more variants, including possible PCR‐generated recombination artifacts.
Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite markers in the migratory freshwater fish Prochilodus costatus
Authors: CARVALHO‐COSTA LUIS F. , HATANAKA TERUMI , GALETTI PEDRO M.
Published: April 2006

We isolated six polymorphic microsatellite loci in the migratory freshwater fish Prochilodus costatus, which is an endemic species and important fisheries resource from São Francisco river basin, Brazil. We have evaluated the applicability of these loci to study genetic variation in wild population of this fish. Thus, based on the genotypes of 32–48 individuals, we detected two to 21 alleles per locus, observed and expected heterozygosities ranging from 0.19 to 0.89 and from 0.17 to 0.92, respectively. These polymorphic markers should provide efficient tools to study population genetic structure of this fish.
Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in the sand fly Phlebotomus papatasi (Diptera: Psychodidae)
Authors: HAMARSHEH OMAR , PRESBER WOLFGANG , ABDEEN ZIAD , SAWALHA SAMER , AL‐LAHEM AHMAD , SCHOENIAN GABRIELE
Published: April 2006

Phlebotomus papatasi is a proven vector of Leishmania major which is one of the causative agents of cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Old World. Although it has a wide geographical range, its population structure is not yet well understood. In an effort to better understand the population dynamics of this vector, we developed a panel of di‐ and trinucleotide microsatellite markers, using a magnetic bead hybridization enrichment protocol. These microsatellite loci showed three to seven alleles with an expected heterozygosity range between 0.702 and 0.876. The level of polymorphisms found in this study suggests that these microsatellite loci can be used for population analysis of P. papatasi.
Isolation of polymorphic microsatellite markers from Hymeniacidon sinapium (Porifera: Demospongiae: Halichondrida)
Authors: HOSHINO SAYUMI , FUJITA TOSHIHIKO
Published: April 2006

Eight dinucleotide microsatellite markers were developed on Hymeniacidon sinapium (Porifera: Demospongiae), common littoral sponge around Japan, to investigate population genetic structure. Two to 10 alleles were identified in an analysis of 24 individuals of H. sinapium, with observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.04 to 0.83. All loci did not deviate from the Hardy–Weinberg expectations; however, significant linkage disequilibrium between Sinp126 and Sinp142 was found.
COSTS OF FINANCIAL DISTRESS AND INTEREST COVERAGE RATIOS
Authors: Dothan Michael
Published: April 2006

Creditors routinely impose on a borrowing firm a minimum interest coverage ratio that the firm has to maintain. I show that nonlinear costs of financial distress provide a possible explanation of why firms find it optimal to have an interest coverage ratio covenant in their debt indenture, even in the absence of information asymmetries or agency costs.
INVESTOR OVERREACTION DURING MARKET DECLINES: EVIDENCE FROM THE 1997 ASIAN FINANCIAL CRISIS
Authors: Michayluk David , Neuhauser Karyn L.
Published: April 2006

Unlike the 1987 stock market crash, the 1997 stock market decline was clearly preceded by new information that affected fundamental values of U.S. firms. We provide a detailed description of U.S. stock returns surrounding the Asian financial crisis. Consistent with the overreaction hypothesis, we find strong evidence of a magnitude effect in short‐term return reversals. Additionally, we find evidence of short‐term return predictability in the aftermath. Our results are robust to controls for size, price, risk, and bid‐ask bounce effects. Overall, the results are indicative of investor overreaction in times of market crisis.
MARKET EXPECTATIONS AND THE VALUATION EFFECTS OF EQUITY ISSUANCE
Authors: Akhigbe Aigbe , Newman Melinda , Safieddine Assem
Published: April 2006

We examine how the wealth effects of equity offers are influenced by investors' expectation of the equity type (public or private) to be issued. Firms deviating to the public market may be issuing when information asymmetry or agency costs are high, and their wealth effects are more negative than for firms that are anticipated to issue equity publicly. Firms deviating to the private market, however, may signal firm undervaluation or monitoring benefits and experience more positive wealth effects than firms that are expected to issue equity privately. For the private issues, public market accessibility appears to influence the wealth effects.
THE EFFECTS OF BANK CONSOLIDATION ON RISK CAPITAL ALLOCATION AND MARKET LIQUIDITY
Authors: D'Souza Chris , Lai Alexandra
Published: April 2006

We investigate the effects of financial market consolidation on the allocation of risk capital in a financial institution and the implications for market liquidity in dealership markets. An increase in financial market consolidation can increase liquidity in foreign exchange and government securities markets. We assume that financial institutions use risk‐management tools in the allocation of risk capital and that capital is determined at the firm level and allocated among separate business lines or divisions. The ability of market makers to supply liquidity is influenced by their risk‐bearing capacity, which is directly related to the amount of risk capital allocated to this activity.
English and British National Identity
Authors: Kumar Krishan
Published: April 2006

National identities in the British Isles have been a neglected subject of study for a long time, though interest has been growing recently. Why the neglect, and why the new interest? This article proposes that much of the puzzle has to do with the peculiar, and dominating, position of England historically within the United Kingdom. This has led to a relative indifference to questions of national identity on the part of the English, and, by a defensive reaction, a corresponding increase, over time, with such questions on the part of the Scots, Welsh and Irish. The English developed a largely ‘non‐national’ conception of themselves, preoccupied as they were with the management of the United Kingdom and the British Empire; the ‘Celtic’ nations followed a more familiar pattern of developing national consciousness, as shown elsewhere in Europe. With the loss of the British Empire, large‐scale immigration, the call of Europe, and renewed nationalist movements that threaten the ‘break‐up’ of Britain, it is the English who find themselves most acutely faced with questions of national identity. Hence the new interest in national identity, especially among the English but also generally throughout the United Kingdom as other groups seek to imagine alternative futures for themselves.
Managing Knowledge for Innovation: The Case of Business‐to‐Business Services*
Authors: Leiponen Aija
Published: April 2006

The present study builds a typology of organizational knowledge in business services and empirically examines the effects of knowledge on innovation performance. It is suggested that firms differ with respect to their knowledge creation approaches and that these approaches have implications for firms' innovation activities. A conceptual framework of knowledge assets with degrees of tacitness and collectiveness as the principal axes is used to ground the empirical analysis. The organizational knowledge framework is empirically operationalized using survey data from 167 business service firms and supplementary case study evidence from 16 other firms. It is found that business service improvements and new service introductions are significantly associated with collectively held knowledge, such as codified service solutions or team‐based competences and procedures. In contrast, relying solely on tacit knowledge held by individuals may hamper innovation. The results also suggest that tacit collective knowledge is more closely associated with new service introductions, whereas explicit collective knowledge is associated with service improvements. Tacit collective knowledge is thus conducive. A managerial implication is that new service introductions necessitate team competences and routines, whereas incremental service improvements are more likely if procedures are in place to codify services into explicit solutions or technologies. Thus, the knowledge management approach should depend on the strategic orientation of the service firm toward continuous improvement of existing services or development of completely new services.
Mission archéologique de Madain Salih (Arabie Saoudite) : Recherches menées de 2001 à 2003 dans l'ancienne Hijrsa des Nabatéens (1)
Authors: Nehmé L. , Arnoux Th. , Bessac J.‐Cl. , Braun J.‐P. , Dentzer J.‐M. , Kermorvant A. , Sachet I. , Tholbecq L. , Rigot J.‐B.
Published: April 2006

This contribution presents the preliminary results of the Madain Salih archaeological project, which started in 2001 and which, in December 2004, completed its fourth field season. The aims of this five‐year project are a systematic recording of the archaeological remains at the site as well as an analysis of its agricultural potential. The former include not only the tombs, sanctuaries, wells, quarries, walls, buildings, etc., but also the inscriptions written in various scripts and languages. Parallel to this exploration of what is visible on the surface, an extensive geophysical survey was undertaken in the so‐called residential area, in the central part of the site, in order to obtain an image of the sub‐surface remains. This contribution begins with a presentation of the sources, followed by a brief history of the exploration of Madain Salih. The focus is on the conditions which allowed this project to be established as well as the problematics which guided it. J.‐B. Rigot then presents his analysis of the agricultural potential of the site, demonstrating the existence, in antiquity, of a large oasis. Finally, a preliminary description of the main components of the sites: the necropoleis, the sanctuaries and the residential area, is given.
Trickster Shakespeare? Canada and the Bard
Authors: Knutson Susan
Published: April 2006

The Canadian Theatre Encyclopedia places Shakespeare’s ‘works . . . at the foundation of theatre in this country’, noting that the plays are ‘performed in all styles at virtually all the major theatres, in French and in English, across the nation’. This article surveys some of this Shakespearean activity, noting that Shakespeare is central and significant both to the more commercial and conservative Canadian theatrical institutions (especially the Stratford Festival of Canada) and to the most radical, decolonizing and critical theatre practices within the First Nations, English Canada and Quebec. Shakespearean adaptation is an important cultural phenomenon, and the subject of a major research initiative, the Canadian Adaptations of Shakespeare Project (CASP), at the University of Guelph. ‘Shakespeare’ and ‘Canada’ are in dynamic relation; as CASP Director, Daniel Fischlin, puts it, Shakespeare is one of the sites around which the ‘we’ (that thinks itself Canadian) engages in the struggle to authenticate and transform the dialogues and interpretations that make us who ‘we’ are.
Receptor association and tyrosine phosphorylation of S6 kinases
Authors: Rebholz Heike , Panasyuk Ganna , Fenton Timothy , Nemazanyy Ivan , Valovka Taras , Flajolet Marc , Ronnstrand Lars , Stephens Len , West Andrew , Gout Ivan T
Published: April 2006

Ribosomal protein S6 kinase (S6K) is activated by an array of mitogenic stimuli and is a key player in the regulation of cell growth. The activation process of S6 kinase involves a complex and sequential series of multiple Ser/Thr phosphorylations and is mainly mediated via phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K)‐3‐phosphoinositide‐dependent protein kinase‐1 (PDK1) and mTor‐dependent pathways. Upstream regulators of S6K, such as PDK1 and protein kinase B (PKB/Akt), are recruited to the membrane via their pleckstrin homology (PH) or protein–protein interaction domains. However, the mechanism of integration of S6K into a multi‐enzyme complex around activated receptor tyrosine kinases is not clear. In the present study, we describe a specific interaction between S6K with receptor tyrosine kinases, such as platelet‐derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR). The interaction with PDGFR is mediated via the kinase or the kinase extension domain of S6K. Complex formation is inducible by growth factors and leads to S6K tyrosine phosphorylation. Using PDGFR mutants, we have shown that the phosphorylation is exerted via a PDGFR‐src pathway. Furthermore, src kinase phosphorylates and coimmunoprecipitates with S6K in vivo. Inhibitors towards tyrosine kinases, such as genistein and PP1, or src‐specific SU6656, but not PI3K and mTor inhibitors, lead to a reduction in tyrosine phosphorylation of S6K. In addition, we mapped the sites of tyrosine phosphorylation in S6K1 and S6K2 to Y39 and Y45, respectively. Mutational and immunofluorescent analysis indicated that phosphorylation of S6Ks at these sites does not affect their activity or subcellular localization. Our data indicate that S6 kinase is recruited into a complex with RTKs and src and becomes phosphorylated on tyrosine/s in response to PDGF or serum.
Domain deletions and substitutions in the modular protein evolution
Authors: Weiner January , Beaussart Francois , Bornberg‐Bauer Erich
Published: April 2006

The main mechanisms shaping the modular evolution of proteins are gene duplication, fusion and fission, recombination and loss of fragments. While a large body of research has focused on duplications and fusions, we concentrated, in this study, on how domains are lost. We investigated motif databases and introduced a measure of protein similarity that is based on domain arrangements. Proteins are represented as strings of domains and comparison was based on the classic dynamic alignment scheme. We found that domain losses and duplications were more frequent at the ends of proteins. We showed that losses can be explained by the introduction of start and stop codons which render the terminal domains nonfunctional, such that further shortening, until the whole domain is lost, is not evolutionarily selected against. We demonstrated that domains which also occur as single‐domain proteins are less likely to be lost at the N terminus and in the middle, than at the C terminus. We conclude that fission/fusion events with single‐domain proteins occur mostly at the C terminus. We found that domain substitutions are rare, in particular in the middle of proteins.We also showed that many cases of substitutions or losses result from erroneous annotations, but we were also able to find courses of evolutionary events where domains vanish over time. This is explained by a case study on the bacterial formate dehydrogenases.
Oral Communication Capabilities of Purchasing Managers: Measurement and Typology
Authors: Large Rudolf O. , Giménez Cristina
Published: April 2006

As supply chain management (SCM) becomes increasingly important, the sharing of information and oral communication has also increased in significance. This has resulted in the need for an instrument to measure managers' oral communication capabilities. The main objectives of this paper are to identify the dimensions of the oral communication capability and to develop an instrument to measure this capability. To achieve these goals, a survey was conducted among German and Spanish buyers and supply managers. The results indicate that the oral communication capability construct has a second‐order structure with three dimensions: the ability to pass on information, the ability to persuade and the ability to listen and understand. Based on these results, the Oral Communication Capability Self‐test (OCCS) was developed. This study also investigates the typology of purchasing managers based on their oral communication capabilities.
UNDER THE BARRED UMBRELLA: IS THERE ROOM FOR A WOMEN‐CENTERED SELF‐INJURY POLICY IN CANADIAN CORRECTIONS?
Authors: KILTY JENNIFER M.
Published: April 2006

Research Summary:

This article examines a chain of policy directives concerning self‐injury inside federal correctional facilities in Canada. Specific attention is paid to the impact of these policies on federally sentenced women. I argue that the Correctional Service of Canada's focus on risk assessment fails to address the needs of the women they confine. Instead, women's needs are reconceptualized as institutional risk factors.

Policy Implications:

Women who self‐injure are still routinely disciplined for their behaviour in Federal Canadian prisons through admittance to administrative segregation. This policy challenges two sections of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms (s. 7 and s. 15) and must be changed. In this article, I will recommend a new women‐centered approach to replace current practice.
Management of Cervical Arterial Dissection
Authors: Norris John W. , Brandt Tobias
Published: April 2006

Background

Clinical, pathological and radiological advances in recent years have considerably advanced our understanding of the incidence and underlying mechanisms producing dissection of the cervical arteries, which should have implications for medical and, surgical therapy in the near future. This review is a summary of progress to date.

Summary of review

Numerous published studies, primarily over the last decade, have generated a rapidly evolving data base especially in the areas of etiology, neuroimaging and more recently, arterial pathology and its genetic basis.

Conclusion

Dissection of the carotid and vertebral arteries, both intracranially and extracranially, is a major and frequently underdiagnosed cause of stroke, especially in the young. These advances in clinical epidemiological observations, and new radiological and pathological data, are gradually providing an evidence-based rationale for future trials of therapeutic interventions, using both drugs and devices.
New Pathways for Evaluating Potential Acute Stroke Therapies
Authors: Fisher Marc , Cheung Kenneth , Howard George , Warach Steven
Published: April 2006

Pharmacological therapy for acute ischemic stroke remains limited to one successful, approved treatment: tissue plasminogen activator within 3 h of stroke onset. Many neuroprotective drugs and a few other thrombolytics were evaluated in clinical trials, but none demonstrated unequivocal success and were approved by regulatory agencies. The development paradigm for such therapies needs to provide convincing evidence of efficacy and safety to obtain approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA modernization act of 1997 stated that such evidence could be derived from one large phase III trial with a clinical endpoint and supportive evidence. Drugs being developed for acute ischemic stroke can potentially be approved under this act by coupling a major phase III trial with supportive evidence provided by a phase IIB trial demonstrating an effect on a relevant biomarker such as magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography assessment of ischemic lesion growth. Statistical approaches have been developed to optimize the design of such an imaging-based phase IIB study, for example approaches that modify randomization probabilities to assign larger proportions of patients to the ‘winning’ strategy (i.e. ‘pick the winner’ strategies) with an interim assessment to reduce the sample size requirement. Demonstrating a treatment effect on a relevant imaging-based biomarker should provide supportive evidence for a new drug application, if a subsequent phase III trial with a clinical outcome demonstrates a significant treatment effect.
Happy to Unite, or Not?
Authors: Abramson Kate
Published: April 2006

At several key moments in his works, Hume draws our attention to the differences between two conceptions of philosophy. Deploying what were already then well‐worn metaphors, he calls these two “species” of philosophy “anatomy” and “painting.” Hume’s remarks about philosophical anatomy and painting have recently given rise to a number of scholarly debates. I focus here on just one of these debates: did Hume intend to combine anatomy and painting in some of his later works? Through an examination of the evidence that has to date been adduced, I argue that we have at least one very good reason to think that such were Hume’s intentions, and no good reason to suppose otherwise.