bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dramatic Social Change in Russia and Mongolia
Authors: de la Sablonnière Roxane , Tougas Francine , Lortie-Lussier Monique
Published: March 2009

Two studies assess people's reactions in the midst of dramatic social change. The studies examine consequences of social change in Russia and Mongolia after the dismantlement of the Soviet Union. They focus on the impact of social changes that are numerous, negative, and rapid. Specifically, an integration of relative deprivation and social identity theories is proposed. According to hypotheses, it is found that the more people perceive social change as numerous and negative, the more they experience social collective relative deprivation. In addition, the more people perceive social change as rapid and negative, the more they express temporal collective relative deprivation. Both types of collective relative deprivation are linked to collective esteem: Whereas the path from temporal collective relative deprivation is negative in both studies, the valence of path from social collective relative deprivation to collective esteem depends on perceived in-group status of the cultural group.
Numerical Simulation of Bone Regeneration in a Bone Chamber
Authors: Geris L. , Vandamme K. , Naert I. , Sloten J. Vander , Duyck J. , Van Oosterwyck H.
Published: March 2009

While mathematical models are able to capture essential aspects of biological processes like fracture healing and distraction osteogenesis, their predictive capacity in peri-implant osteogenesis remains uninvestigated. We tested the hypothesis that a mechano-regulatory model has the potential to predict bone regeneration around implants. In an in vivo bone chamber set-up allowing for controlled implant loading (up to 90 μ m axial displacement), bone tissue formation was simulated and compared qualitatively and quantitatively with histology. Furthermore, the model was applied to simulate excessive loading conditions. Corresponding to literature data, implant displacement magnitudes larger than 90 μ m predicted the formation of fibrous tissue encapsulation of the implant. In contradiction to findings in orthopedic implant osseointegration, implant displacement frequencies higher than 1 Hz did not favor the formation of peri-implant bone in the chamber. Additional bone chamber experiments are needed to test these numerical predictions.
Proofreading Using an Assistive Software Homophone Tool
Authors: Lange Alissa A. , Mulhern Gerry , Wylie Judith
Published: March 2009

The present study investigated the effects of using an assistive software homophone tool on the assisted proofreading performance and unassisted basic skills of secondary-level students with reading difficulties. Students aged 13 to 15 years proofread passages for homophonic errors under three conditions: with the homophone tool, with homophones highlighted only, or with no help. The group using the homophone tool significantly outperformed the other two groups on assisted proofreading and outperformed the others on unassisted spelling, although not significantly. Remedial (unassisted) improvements in automaticity of word recognition, homophone proofreading, and basic reading were found over all groups. Results elucidate the differential contributions of each function of the homophone tool and suggest that with the proper training, assistive software can help not only students with diagnosed disabilities but also those with generally weak reading skills.
Developing an Integrated Diagnostic Test of Vocabulary Size and Depth
Authors: Ishii Tomoko , Schmitt Norbert
Published: March 2009

■ Following growing interest in vocabulary acquisition, a number of researchers have proposed how learners' vocabulary knowledge can be measured both in terms of how many words they know (vocabulary size) and how well they know those words (depth of knowledge). However, most of the depth measures have addressed only a single depth aspect (often for research purposes), and not many researchers have investigated how size and depth approaches can be combined in a test battery suitable for pedagogical purposes. Furthermore, there is little advice available on how the scores of size and depth measures can be appropriately interpreted. This article describes how one size-depth vocabulary test battery was developed for a specific student group (Japanese university students), and proposes a scoring scheme that combines size and depth scores in a principled way. It also suggests a method of making the resulting scores accessible to the students. It is hoped that the test battery and procedure described can act as a useful guide for teachers and test writers in other countries and contexts who wish to develop a more comprehensive vocabulary assessment approach.
Developing a Problem-Based Course Based on Needs Analysis to Enhance English Reading Ability of Thai Undergraduate Students
Authors: Bosuwon Takwa , Woodrow Lindy
Published: March 2009

■ This paper reports on a needs analysis underlying a proposed business English reading course using a problem-based learning approach designed to enhance English reading abilities of Thai undergraduate students. As part of a work in progress, the needs analysis survey was done prior to the course design with the major stakeholders in business and academic settings. The findings from the needs analysis were used to determine the course's learning objectives, content and the evaluation so that the needs of the students who are English for business communication majors of the School of Humanities, the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce could be met. Based on this needs analysis, it is proposed that the problem-based business English reading course might be effectively designed as an ESP course to enhance English reading ability of Thai undergraduate students.
A Comparative Study of the Use of “Iconic” versus “Generic” Advertising Images for Destination Marketing
Authors: Litvin Stephen W. , Mouri Nacef
Published: March 2009

This research reports the results of an empirical study that compared the effectiveness of two advertising approaches, “generic” versus “iconic,” in affecting a destination image. While politics may dictate that a state (as studied herein) or national tourism office may feel the need to spread advertising funds across a range of destinations, the experiment conducted for this study suggests that a focus on well-known iconic sites may well represent the more effective approach.
How Office Firms Conduct Their Location Search Process?
Authors: Elgar Ilan , Miller Eric J.
Published: March 2009

Office location has important impact on urban form and the transportation system in urban areas. One of the ways to study office location decisions uses surveys of managers and owners of office firms regarding the firm location decision process. The following article presents an analysis of the results gathered in Survey of Office Location Decisions (SOLD)—a Web-based retrospective survey, designed to provide some insight into location decision making of office firms. The main conclusion of the article is that office firms participating in the survey (mainly small and medium sized offices) exhibit a satisficing rather than utility maximizing location decision making. In addition, the results indicate that agglomeration has only a minor role in location decisions by office firms.
Phonological feature re-assembly and the importance of phonetic cues
Authors: Archibald John
Published: March 2009

It is argued that new phonological features can be acquired in second languages, but that both feature acquisition and feature re-assembly are affected by the robustness of phonetic cues in the input.
Re-assembling formal features in second language acquisition: beyond minimalism
Authors: Carroll Susanne E.
Published: March 2009

In this commentary, Lardiere's discussion of features is compared with the use of features in constraint-based theories, and it is argued that constraint-based theories might offer a more elegant account of second language acquisition (SLA). Further evidence is reported to question the accuracy of Chierchia's (1998) Nominal Mapping Parameter.
Putting parameters in their proper place
Authors: Montrul Silvina , Yoon James
Published: March 2009

Seeing the logical problem of second language acquisition as that of primarily selecting and re-assembling bundles of features anew, Lardiere proposes to dispense with the deductive learning approach and its broad range of consequences subsumed under the concept of parameters. While we agree that feature assembly captures more precisely the complexity of the form—meaning mapping task in second language acquisition, we disagree with the dismissal of a parametric approach. We argue instead that the notion of parameter is not incompatible with feature assembly, if parameters and features are understood in a particular way.
Some questions about feature re-assembly
Authors: White Lydia
Published: March 2009

In this commentary, differences between feature re-assembly and feature selection are discussed. Lardiere's proposals are compared to existing approaches to grammatical features in second language (L2) acquisition. Questions are raised about the predictive power of the feature re-assembly approach.
Clozapine-associated weight loss
Authors: Hanwella R. , de Silva V. , Wijeratne C. , Ketharanathan T. , de Silva J.
Published: March 2009

Clozapine is associated with weight gain. We report three patients with substantial weight loss following treatment with clozapine. The weight loss observed in the three patients was 33, 18 and 14.4 kg with percentage loss of body weight of 49, 18 and 21 respectively. Two patients had diabetes mellitus. History, physical examination and extensive investigations in the three patients did not reveal any cause that could account for the weight loss.
Partnering With Community-Based Organizations to Reduce Intimate Partner Violence
Authors: Bloom Tina , Wagman Jennifer , Hernandez Rebecca , Yragui Nan , Hernandez-Valdovinos Noelia , Dahlstrom Marie , Glass Nancy
Published: March 2009

Latinas experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) often avoid formal resources due to fear, distrust, and cultural and language barriers, yet little research addresses culturally appropriate interventions for abused Latinas. To develop effective interventions, we must include abused Latinas' voices in research and collaborate with the community-based organizations (CBOs) that serve them. This article's team of academics and CBOs used a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach to inform development of a culturally and linguistically appropriate IPV intervention for Latinas. The authors were able to reach abused Latinas ( n = 114) with a relatively low mean acculturation level in a state that is only 8% Latino. The authors share six recommendations from their successful experience to engage, enhance, and sustain research partnerships with CBOs, including strategies to share power and knowledge, and demonstrate accountability to the partnership and the community.
Basal Ganglia and Internal Capsule Stroke in Childhood—Risk Factors, Neuroimaging, and Outcome in a Series of 28 Patients: A Tertiary Hospital Experience
Authors: Buompadre María Celeste , Arroyo Hugo Antonio , Stroke Group
Published: March 2009

We present 28 patients with basal ganglia ischemic stroke and describe the main neurological manifestations, neuroimaging findings, risk factors, and outcome. In 23 cases, at least 1 risk factor was identified. A total of 7 cases (25%) had antecedent of varicella infection and 7 cases (25%) had preceding mild head trauma. Similar antecedents were present only in 2.6% and 5.3% of patients with nonbasal ganglia stroke, respectively (odds ratio: 12.2, 95% confidence interval: 2.04-124.65 and odds ratio: 5.92, 95% confidence interval: 1.32-29.7). The arterial abnormalities identified in 10 patients were narrowing (6) or occlusion (4) of the M1 segment. After a median follow-up of 24 months, 19 patients had a good outcome. Magnetic resonance angiography and catheter cerebral angiography played an important role in the identification of arterial disease. We propose that basal ganglia infarction is a different group of ischemic stroke with prevalent risk factors (varicella infection and mild head trauma) and good outcome.
Smith-Magenis Syndrome With West Syndrome in a 5-Year-Old Girl: A Long-Term Follow-Up Study
Authors: Hino-Fukuyo Naomi , Haginoya Kazuhiro , Uematsu Mitsugu , Nakayama Tojo , Kikuchi Atsuo , Kure Shigeo , Kamada Fumiaki , Abe Yu , Arai Natsuko , Togashi Noriko , Onuma Akira , Tsuchiya Shigeru
Published: March 2009

Smith-Magenis syndrome is characterized by multiple congenital anomalies and mental retardation caused by the heterozygous deletion of chromosomal region 17p11.2. We present a long-term follow-up study of a girl with Smith-Magenis syndrome and West syndrome. West syndrome became apparent at 7 months of age. Since then, mental retardation, particularly in terms of language development, became increasingly more obvious. The patient's spasms and hypsarrhythmia disappeared after a course of adrenocorticotropic hormone therapy, but focal seizures reappeared at the age of 3 years and 3 months. Her craniofacial dysmorphia and mental retardation became increasingly evident compared to her condition at the onset of West syndrome. Chromosome analysis detected the characteristic 17p deletion, which was then confirmed via fluorescent in situ hybridization analysis. This is the second report of a patient with Smith-Magenis syndrome and West syndrome; taken together, these results suggest that Smith-Magenis syndrome may be a further cause of West syndrome.
Neurological Complications of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection: Case Series and Review of Literature
Authors: Millichap John J. , Wainwright Mark S.
Published: March 2009

Respiratory syncytial virus is a common cause of infection in children. The authors summarize the clinical and diagnostic features of 9 patients admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit with neurological consultation. Patients were aged 5 weeks to 3 years. Four had seizures, 4 had cardiac arrest, and 1 had hypertonia. Results of brain magnetic resonance imaging in 5 patients was abnormal in 1. Cerebrospinal fluid in 4 patients showed elevated protein in 1. Serum sodium was low in 2 patients and normal in 7. Electroencephalograms in 8 patients were abnormal in 7. Increased risk of neurological complications of respiratory syncytial virus should be considered in any patient with documented infection requiring intensive care. Clinical manifestations may include seizures, encephalopathy, and abnormal neurological examination. The authors’ data suggest that the electroencephalogram provides a sensitive method for detection of neurological insult in this group of patients.
The Stages and Strategies of Advocacy Among Nonprofit Reproductive Health Providers
Authors: Nicholson-Crotty Jill
Published: March 2009

Research suggests that 501(c)(3) organizations play an active role in governance, shaping both the formulation and implementation of policy through advocacy. Previous work has, however, produced relatively inconsistent findings concerning the causes of and constrains on the advocacy function. In an attempt to reconcile these inconsistencies, this study draws on a theoretical model of strategic decision making in organizations, which suggests that decisions such as advocacy are best conceived of as a two-stage process. This approach produces the expectation that nonprofit organizations considering advocacy first decide whether the potential policy benefits are sufficient to undertake any form of political activity and then choose among the set of political tactics available to them. These hypotheses are tested in an analysis of the advocacy activities of more than 500 nonprofit reproductive health service providers.
Spontaneous autoimmunity in mice that carry an IghV partial transgene: a required arginine in VHCDR3
Authors: Guth A , Detanico T , Smith D , Tung KSK , Bonorino C , Wysocki LJ
Published: March 2009

We describe a unique spontaneous mouse model of autoimmunity, which occurs on a non-autoimmune–prone SWR genetic background. In this model, SWR mice carry an IghV partial transgene ( pTg) encoding only the heavy chain variable domain of an antibody directed against chromatin. Autoimmune disease in pTg mice was manifested by some of the features of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), including the presence of serum anti-nuclear antibodies, splenomegaly, skin lesions and a moderate degree of kidney pathology, in various combinations among individuals. Autoimmunity was observed in three independent transgenic lines, but not in three control lines carrying a nearly identical pTg, in which a VHCDR3 codon for Arg was replaced by one for Ser to ablate chromatin reactivity. Various features of disease were often but not always accompanied by anti-chromatin antibodies. Unexpectedly, the anti-chromatin antibodies detected in seropositive animals were not encoded by the pTg. These observations strongly implicate a role for the transgene product in disease initiation but not necessarily for end-state pathology, and they raise the possibility that autoreactive B cells may play a previously unappreciated role in initiating the development of systemic autoimmunity.
Magnetic Bearing Application by Time Delay Control
Authors: Xuan D.J. , Kim Y.B. , Kim J.W. , Shen Y.D.
Published: March 2009

In this paper a magnetic bearing system is designed for the suppression of rotor vibration. Magnetic bearing is able to support the shaft without mechanical contacts, and it is also able to control the rotational vibration. Magnetic bearing is composed of position sensors, a digital controller, actuating amplifiers, and electromagnets. In order to control the vibration of a magnetic bearing system effectively, Time Delay Control (TDC) is utilized. It proposes the design skill of an optimal controller when the system has the uncertainty, i.e. it has a difficulty in extracting the exact mathematical expressions, as well as it has external disturbances. The observer with the position information is utilized as a feedback signal for regulating the rotor whirling motion. Simulation is performed first to check the validation of the proposed controller in suppressing the rotor whirling. Experiments are followed to guarantee its usefulness in the rotor rig with a magnetic actuator. The vibrating suppression is confirmed with TDC and its effect is compared with proportional and derivative controller’s one.
Nonlinear State Observation for Cable Dynamics
Authors: Faravelli Lucia , Ubertini Filippo
Published: March 2009

We explore the applicability of non-linear state observation to cable dynamics. The aim is to capture from the minimal number of measurements a larger description of the state to be employed in active or semi-active control policies. To this end, a non-linear state observer is designed analytically, in the space of modal amplitudes, following relevant literature results. The main theory of non-linear state observation is preliminary reviewed and the applicability to the dynamics of structural cables is discussed, including asymptotic stability and minimal number of measurements. Next a sample non-resonant cable is considered and numerical simulations are carried out in order to test the observation error stability under different conditions. A non-collocated feedback control strategy, based on transversal actuation, is finally considered, in which the control algorithm is based on the estimated state variables. The with-observer control solution is compared with the ideal case in which the entire state of the system is known, thus highlighting the limits and potentialities of the proposed approach.
Training Psychiatrists and Advanced Practice Nurses to Treat Tobacco Dependence
Authors: Williams Jill M. , Steinberg Marc L. , Zimmermann Mia Hanos , Gandhi Kunal K. , Lucas Gem-Estelle , Gonsalves Dawn A. , Pearlstein Ivy , McCabe Philip , Galazyn Magdalena , Salsberg Edward
Published: March 2009

The lack of availability of continuing medical education programs on tobacco dependence for psychiatrists and psychiatric nurses is profound. We developed a 2-day curriculum delivered in November 2006 and March 2007 to 71 participants. Ninety-three percent ( n = 66) completed a pretest/posttest, and 91% (n = 65) completed the attitudes and beliefs survey. Scores on the pretest were low (M = 47% correct). Paired t tests found significant increases in raw scores from 6.7 to 13.6, t (65) = —22.8, p < .0001. More than 90% of psychiatrists and nurses indicated that motivating and helping patients to stop smoking and discussing smoking behavior were part of their professional role. Although 80% reported that they usually ask about smoking status, fewer reported recommending nicotine replacement (34%), prescribing pharmacotherapy (29%), or referring smokers to a telephone quit line (26%). Trainings are repeated twice a year because of ongoing demand. Further follow-up should evaluate changes in practices after training.
Smoking Among Psychiatric Nurses: Does It Hinder Tobacco Dependence Treatment?
Authors: Sarna Linda , Bialous Stella Aguinaga , Wells Marjorie J. , Kotlerman Jenny
Published: March 2009

BACKGROUND: Data on tobacco dependence treatment for patients with mental illness are limited. OBJECTIVE: Describe factors associated with psychiatric nurses' tobacco interventions. STUDY DESIGN: Survey of 100 psychiatric nurses. RESULTS: The majority “always/usually” asked (87%), advised (70%), and assessed (74%) tobacco use. A minority (49%) assisted with quit attempts, and arranged (21%) for follow-up. Former (56%, odds ratio [OR] = 0.13, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.02, 0.88) and current smokers (20%, OR = .08, 95% CI = 0.01, 0.72) were less likely to ask about tobacco use than never smokers. CONCLUSIONS: Efforts are needed to promote tobacco cessation and to support nurses who smoke to quit.
Postsecondary Educational Aspirations of High-Functioning Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorders and Their Parents
Authors: Camarena Phame M. , Sarigiani Pamela A.
Published: March 2009

Individual interviews with 21 high-functioning adolescents diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder and their parents were used to assess postsecondary educational aspirations and thoughts concerning obstacles and resources that shape educational achievement of this group. The results from these semistructured interviews revealed that both the adolescents and their parents have clear postsecondary educational goals but have significant concerns about the readiness of postsecondary institutions to meet the adolescents' needs. The special significance of social challenges and the ways that families frame educational aspirations are noted. Results from this analysis have direct application to both educational and family settings.
Website history and the website as an object of study
Authors: Brügger Niels
Published: March 2009

This article puts on the agenda one of the fundamental theoretical questions within the emerging field of website history: how can the object of historical study — the website — be delimited? Its focus is on the 'website' artefact as a medium and a text. After elaborating a definition of the website, as well as discussing how the website is distinct from other possible analytical web objects (the web as a whole, web sphere, webpage and textual web element), the article addresses the challenges of delimiting the archived website. Finally, it outlines some of the key issues in a general discussion of website history.
The virtual geographies of social networks: a comparative analysis of Facebook, LinkedIn and ASmallWorld
Authors: Papacharissi Zizi
Published: March 2009

This study provided a comparative analysis of three social network sites, the open-to-all Facebook, the professionally oriented LinkedIn and the exclusive, members-only ASmallWorld.The analysis focused on the underlying structure or architecture of these sites, on the premise that it may set the tone for particular types of interaction.Through this comparative examination, four themes emerged, highlighting the private/public balance present in each social networking site, styles of self-presentation in spaces privately public and publicly private, cultivation of taste performances as a mode of sociocultural identification and organization and the formation of tight or loose social settings. Facebook emerged as the architectural equivalent of a glasshouse, with a publicly open structure, looser behavioral norms and an abundance of tools that members use to leave cues for each other. LinkedIn and ASmallWorld produced tighter spaces, which were consistent with the taste ethos of each network and offered less room for spontaneous interaction and network generation.
Mail art: networking without technology
Authors: Gangadharan Seeta Peña
Published: March 2009

Focusing on the mail art movement and its legacy for other forms of networked art, this article looks at how historically, culture has accompanied technological change.The mail art movement provided separate but fertile ground to explore themes of disembodiment in a networked society prior to spread of digital technology. Surfacing in the 1950s and flourishing in the 1970s, at a time when computers and the internet were still largely the domain of military and government control, mail art challenged the threat of technocracy by making available metaphors and the experience of networking. Its goal of social connection inspired other networked arts, which eventually found a place among digital technology users. An unlikely but productive clash between artists and early users aided, validated and expanded the network ethos of early online social groups or 'virtual communities'. This investigation shows how art clears the ground for social practices that technology instantiates.
Globalization, the `new economy' and working women
Authors: Larner Wendy , Molloy Maureen
Published: March 2009

This paper arises out of research on the New Zealand designer fashion industry. An unexpected success story, this export-oriented industry is dominated by women as designers, employees, wholesale and public relations agents, industry officials, fashion writers and editors, in addition to women holding more traditionally gendered roles as garment workers, tastemakers and consumers. Our analysis of the gendered globalization of the New Zealand fashion industry exposes a number of disconnections between women's positions in this industry and the literatures on globalization, clothing and fashion. We argue that the New Zealand designer fashion industry not only embodies new ways of working associated with the movement of first world women into the labour force, but its very success is underpinned by these changes. Our conclusion is that more work is needed to explicate links between globalization and first world women's entry into the labour force.
Gender and Poverty
Authors: Falkingham Jane , Baschieri Angela
Published: March 2009

Since December 1999 all countries wishing to access concessional lending from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank are required to prepare a Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP). The vast majority of PRSP incorporate an analysis of the current level and profile of poverty that relies on the unitary model of the household. This article argues that by doing so, policy analysts may receive a distorted view of the relationship between gender and poverty. Using the 2003 Tajikistan Living Standard Survey the article shows how, by modifying the assumption of equal sharing of household resources, gender differentials in the experience of poverty may vary. The article also illustrates how those gender analyses that simply use a dichotomy based on the gender of the head of household may also be misleading. The findings have implications for mainstreaming gender into the PRSP process, and for the priority of policy and programme interventions supported under national Poverty Reduction Strategies.
Do Rights Promote Development?
Authors: Grugel Jean , Piper Nicola
Published: March 2009

Human rights of various sorts are now seen as central to the development process. We argue that rights claims can sometimes be effective in advocacy campaigns for some rights if those campaigns can find a way to resonate with the predominately liberal ideas that shape the global political economy. But this is not always possible and many `rights', especially economic rights or claims made by or on behalf of some social groups, are difficult to put onto the agenda of states. We suggest as a consequence that there is a need to be wary of an unreflective embrace of rights discourses and that other arguments for development and justice are also required, alongside sustained theoretical reflection on and engagement with the state.
Evaluation of LED illumination for dental instruments
Authors: Li C. , Straßl M. , Rauchenzauner S. , Wintner E.
Published: March 2009

White LEDs offer many advantages for use in dental instruments compared to the halogen light sources presently used. However, such LEDs have a very different spectral power distribution than halogen light sources. Therefore, the colour rendering properties of such LEDs have to be evaluated. The CIE colour rendering index is not suitable for this purpose so, in this study, a white LED designed for dental instruments was evaluated using the CIE ▵EL*a*b*2000 method and colour samples representative of teeth. From this evaluation, it is concluded that white LEDs have an advantage compared to halogen light sources for tooth colour evaluation by dentists.
Social determinants of health in very poor ruralities
Authors: Bull Torill
Published: March 2009

Globally, research on social determinants of health has built a considerable knowledge base over the last decade. Still, not much of this research has been carried out in the extremely poor areas of the world, like for instance Africa south of the Sahara. In very poor ruralities, classic indicators of socioeconomic status are not well suited. Few people have any education, monetary income is not a good measure of material standing and people cannot be classified by occupation as they make their livelihood from a variety of activities. For efforts towards health equity to benefit the poorest of the poor, more suitable indicators of social health determinants must be identified. Health research might benefit from knowledge developed in neighbouring fields like development research, anthropology and sociology. (Global Health Promotion, 2009; 16 (1): pp. 53—56)
Approche socio-anthropologique de la dynamisation du réseau d'acteurs de prise en charge des malades tuberculeux au Burkina Faso
Authors: Zerbo Roger , Drabo Koine M. , Berthé Abdramone , Ouedraogo Jean-Bosco , Macq Jean , Dujardin Bruno , Mugisho Etienne , Huygens Pierre
Published: March 2009

La tuberculose est une maladie chronique dont la prise en charge nécessite une approche multisectorielle: le social et le biomédical. Une étude socio-anthropologique retraçant les itinéraires thérapeutiques des malades a permis d'identifier les détenteurs d'enjeux dans la gestion de la maladie pour élaborer une « carte des acteurs » et encourager une interaction dynamique entre les membres. L'identification des acteurs clés et leur mise en réseau a permis d'entreprendre des actions contribuant à renforcer l'efficacité et l'efficience de la prise en charge des malades au Burkina Faso, par des actions collectives. Nous identifions ainsi des acteurs sociaux, alliés et confidents des malades; des acteurs biomédicaux, directement concernés par la prise en charge médicale de la maladie. A travers ces liens entre les acteurs, nous remarquons que les systèmes de santé sont caractérisés par des interactions sur fond d'incompréhension qui influence négativement la qualité des soins. La dynamisation du réseau d'acteurs a permis d'éprouver un mode de collaboration axé sur l'analyse collective des problèmes rencontrés par les prestataires de soins et les malades tuberculeux. Celle-ci a permis la mise en œuvre d'actions visant à améliorer la qualité de vie des malades. La dynamique de collaboration entre acteurs concernés par l'accès aux soins de santé a eu raison sur les situations problématiques qui entament les succès thérapeutiques et la qualité de vie des malades tuberculeux. (Global Health Promotion, 2009; 16 (1): pp. 72—80)
Response criteria for essential thrombocythemia and polycythemia vera: result of a European LeukemiaNet consensus conference
Authors: Barosi Giovanni , Birgegard Gunnar , Finazzi Guido , Griesshammer Martin , Harrison Claire , Hasselbalch Hans Carl , Kiladjian Jean-Jacques , Lengfelder Eva , McMullin Mary Frances , Passamonti Francesco , Reilly John T. , Vannucchi Alessandro M. , Barbui Tiziano
Published: March 2009

European experts were convened to develop a definition of response to treatment in polycythemia vera (PV) and essential thrombocythemia (ET). Clinicohematologic (CH), molecular, and histologic response categories were selected. In ET, CH complete response (CR) was: platelet count less than or equal to 400 × 109/L, no disease-related symptoms, normal spleen size, and white blood cell count less than or equal to 10 × 109/L. Platelet count less than or equal to 600 × 109/L or a decrease greater than 50% was partial response (PR). In PV, CH-CR was: hematocrit less than 45% without phlebotomy, platelet count less than or equal to 400 × 109/L, white blood cell count less than or equal to 10 × 109/L, and no disease-related symptoms. A hematocrit less than 45% without phlebotomy or response in 3 or more of the other criteria was defined as PR. In both ET and in PV, molecular CR was a reduction of any molecular abnormality to undetectable levels. Molecular PR was defined as a reduction more than or equal to 50% in patients with less than 50% mutant allele burden, or a reduction more than or equal to 25% in patients with more than 50% mutant allele burden. Bone marrow histologic response in ET was judged on megakaryocyte hyperplasia while on cellularity and reticulin fibrosis in PV. The combined use of these response definitions should help standardize the design and reporting of clinical studies.
CXCR4 is a key regulator of neutrophil release from the bone marrow under basal and stress granulopoiesis conditions
Authors: Eash Kyle J. , Means Jacquelyn M. , White Douglas W. , Link Daniel C.
Published: March 2009

The number of neutrophils in the blood is tightly regulated to ensure adequate protection against microbial pathogens while minimizing damage to host tissue. Neutrophil homeostasis in the blood is achieved through a balance of neutrophil production, release from the bone marrow, and clearance from the circulation. Accumulating evidence suggests that signaling by CXCL12, through its major receptor CXCR4, plays a key role in maintaining neutrophil homeostasis. Herein, we generated mice with a myeloid lineage–restricted deletion of CXCR4 to define the mechanisms by which CXCR4 signals regulate this process. We show that CXCR4 negatively regulates neutrophil release from the bone marrow in a cell-autonomous fashion. However, CXCR4 is dispensable for neutrophil clearance from the circulation. Neutrophil mobilization responses to granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), CXCL2, or Listeria monocytogenes infection are absent or impaired, suggesting that disruption of CXCR4 signaling may be a common step mediating neutrophil release. Collectively, these data suggest that CXCR4 signaling maintains neutrophil homeostasis in the blood under both basal and stress granulopoiesis conditions primarily by regulating neutrophil release from the bone marrow.
Synthetic RGDS peptide attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced pulmonary inflammation by inhibiting integrin signaled MAP kinase pathways
Authors: Moon Changsuk , Han Jeong Ran , Park Hyun-Jung , Hah Jong Sik , Kang Jihee Lee
Published: March 2009

Background

Synthetic peptides containing the RGD sequence inhibit integrin-related functions in different cell systems. Here, we investigated the effects of synthetic Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser (RGDS) peptide on key inflammatory responses to intratracheal (i.t.) lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment and on the integrin signaled mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathway during the development of acute lung injury.

Methods

Saline or LPS (1.5 mg/kg) was administeredi.t.with or without a single dose of RGDS (1, 2.5, or 5 mg/kg, i.p.), anti-αvor anti-β3mAb (5 mg/kg, i.p.). Mice were sacrificed 4 or 24 h post-LPS.

Results

A pretreatment with RGDS inhibited LPS-induced increases in neutrophil and macrophage numbers, total protein levels and TNF-α and MIP-2 levels, and matrix metalloproteinase-9 activity in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid at 4 or 24 h post-LPS treatment. RGDS inhibited LPS-induced phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase and MAP kinases, including ERK, JNK, and p38 MAP kinase, in lung tissue. Importantly, the inhibition of the inflammatory responses and the kinase pathways were still evident when this peptide was administered 2 h after LPS treatment. Similarly, a blocking antibody against integrin αvsignificantly inhibited LPS-induced inflammatory cell migration into the lung, protein accumulation and proinflammatory mediator production in BAL fluid, at 4 or 24 h post-LPS. Anti-β3also inhibited all LPS-induced inflammatory responses, except the accumulation of BAL protein at 24 h post-LPS.

Conclusion

These results suggest that RGDS with high specificity for αvintegrins attenuates inflammatory cascade during LPS-induced development of acute lung injury.
Finding evolutionarily conserved cis-regulatory modules with a universal set of motifs
Authors: Wilczynski Bartek , Dojer Norbert , Patelak Mateusz , Tiuryn Jerzy
Published: March 2009

Background

Finding functional regulatory elements in DNA sequences is a very important problem in computational biology and providing a reliable algorithm for this task would be a major step towards understanding regulatory mechanisms on genome-wide scale. Major obstacles in this respect are that the fact that the amount of non-coding DNA is vast, and that the methods for predicting functional transcription factor binding sites tend to produce results with a high percentage of false positives. This makes the problem of finding regions significantly enriched in binding sites difficult.

Results

We develop a novel method for predicting regulatory regions in DNA sequences, which is designed to exploit the evolutionary conservation of regulatory elements between species without assuming that the order of motifs is preserved across species. We have implemented our method and tested its predictive abilities on various datasets from different organisms.

Conclusion

We show that our approach enables us to find a majority of the known CRMs using only sequence information from different species together with currently publicly available motif data. Also, our method is robust enough to perform well in predicting CRMs, despite differences in tissue specificity and even across species, provided that the evolutionary distances between compared species do not change substantially. The complexity of the proposed algorithm is polynomial, and the observed running times show that it may be readily applied.
Euthanasia and other end-of-life decisions: a mortality follow-back study in Belgium
Authors: Van den Block Lieve , Deschepper Reginald , Bilsen Johan , Bossuyt Nathalie , Van Casteren Viviane , Deliens Luc
Published: March 2009

Background

This study compares prevalence and types of medical end-of-life decisions between the Dutch-speaking and French-speaking communities of Belgium. This is the first nationwide study that can make these comparisons and the first measurement after implementation of the euthanasia law (2002).

Methods

We performed a mortality follow-back study in 2005–2006. Data were collected via the nationwide Sentinel Network of General Practitioners, an epidemiological surveillance system representative of all Belgian GPs.

Weekly, all GPs reported the medical end-of-life decisions among all non-sudden deaths of patients in their practice. We compared the northern Dutch-speaking (60%) and southern French-speaking communities (40%) controlling for population differences.

Results

We analysed 1690 non-sudden deaths. An end-of-life decision with possible life-shortening effect was made in 50% of patients in the Dutch-speaking community and 41% of patients in the French-speaking community (OR 1.4; 95%CI, 1.2 to 1.8). Continuous deep sedation until death occurred in 8% and 15% respectively (OR 0.5; 95%CI, 0.4 to 0.7). Community differences regarding the prevalence of euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide were not significant.

Community differences were more present among home/care home than among hospital deaths: non-treatment decisions with explicit life-shortening intention were made more often in the Dutch-speaking than in the French-speaking community settings (OR 2.2; 95%CI, 1.2 to 3.9); while continuous deep sedation occurred less often in the Dutch-speaking community settings (OR 0.5; 95%CI, 0.3 to 0.9).

Conclusion

Even though legal and general healthcare systems are the same for the whole country, there are considerable variations between the communities in type and prevalence of certain end-of-life decisions, even after controlling for population differences.
Glycerol: An unexpected major metabolite of energy metabolism by the human malaria parasite
Authors: Lian Lu-Yun , Al-Helal Mohammed , Roslaini Abd Majid , Fisher Nicholas , Bray Patrick G , Ward Stephen A , Biagini Giancarlo A
Published: March 2009

Background

Malaria is a global health emergency, and yet our understanding of the energy metabolism of the principle causative agent of this devastating disease, Plasmodium falciparum, remains rather basic. Glucose was shown to be an essential nutritional requirement nearly 100 years ago and since this original observation, much of the current knowledge of Plasmodium energy metabolism is based on early biochemical work, performed using basic analytical techniques (e.g. paper chromatography), carried out almost exclusively on avian and rodent malaria. Data derived from malaria parasite genome and transcriptome studies suggest that the energy metabolism of the parasite may be more complex than hitherto anticipated. This study was undertaken in order to further characterize the fate of glucose catabolism in the human malaria parasite, P. falciparum.

Methods

Products of glucose catabolism were determined by incubating erythrocyte-freed parasites with D-[1-13C] glucose under controlled conditions and metabolites were identified using 13C-NMR spectroscopy.

Results

Following a 2 h incubation of freed-P. falciparum parasites with 25 mM D-[1-13C] glucose (n = 4), the major metabolites identified included; [3-13C] lactate, [1,3-13C] glycerol, [3-13C] pyruvate, [3-13C] alanine and [3-13C] glycerol-3-phosphate. Control experiments performed with uninfected erythrocytes incubated under identical conditions did not show any metabolism of D-[1-13C] glucose to glycerol or glycerol-3-phosphate.

Discussion

The identification of glycerol as a major glucose metabolite confirms the view that energy metabolism in this parasite is more complex than previously proposed. It is hypothesized here that glycerol production by the malaria parasite is the result of a metabolic adaptation to growth in O2-limited (and CO2 elevated) conditions by the operation of a glycerol-3-phosphate shuttle for the re-oxidation of assimilatory NADH. Similar metabolic adaptations have been reported previously for other microaerobic/anaerobic organisms, such as yeast, rumen protozoa and human parasitic protozoa.

Conclusion

These data highlight the need to re-evaluate the carbon and redox balance of this important human pathogen, ultimately leading to a better understanding of how the parasite is able to adapt to the variable environments encountered during parasite development and disease progression.
A MT1-MMP/NF-κB signaling axis as a checkpoint controller of COX-2 expression in CD133(+) U87 glioblastoma cells
Authors: Annabi Borhane , Laflamme Carl , Sina Asmaa , Lachambre Marie-Paule , Béliveau Richard
Published: March 2009

Background

The CD133(+) stem cell population in recurrent gliomas is associated with clinical features such as therapy resistance, blood-brain barrier disruption and, hence, tumor infiltration. Screening of a large panel of glioma samples increasing histological grade demonstrated frequencies of CD133(+) cells which correlated with high expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and of membrane type-1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP).

Methods

We used qRT-PCR and immunoblotting to examine the molecular interplay between MT1-MMP and COX-2 gene and protein expression in parental, CD133(+), and neurospheres U87 glioma cell cultures.

Results

We found that CD133, COX-2 and MT1-MMP expression were enhanced when glioma cells were cultured in neurosphere conditions. A CD133(+)-enriched U87 glioma cell population, isolated from parental U87 cells with magnetic cell sorting technology, also grew as neurospheres and showed enhanced COX-2 expression. MT1-MMP gene silencing antagonized COX-2 expression in neurospheres, while overexpression of recombinant MT1-MMP directly triggered COX-2 expression in U87 cells independent from MT1-MMP's catalytic function. COX-2 induction by MT1-MMP was also validated in wild-type and in NF-κB p65-/- mutant mouse embryonic fibroblasts, but was abrogated in NF-κB1 (p50-/-) mutant cells.

Conclusion

We provide evidence for enhanced COX-2 expression in CD133(+) glioma cells, and direct cell-based evidence of NF-κB-mediated COX-2 regulation by MT1-MMP. The biological significance of such checkpoint control may account for COX-2-dependent mechanisms of inflammatory balance responsible of therapy resistance phenotype of cancer stem cells.
Bisulfite-based epityping on pooled genomic DNA provides an accurate estimate of average group DNA methylation
Authors: Docherty Sophia J , Davis Oliver SP , Haworth Claire MA , Plomin Robert , Mill Jonathan
Published: March 2009

Background

DNA methylation plays a vital role in normal cellular function, with aberrant methylation signatures being implicated in a growing number of human pathologies and complex human traits. Methods based on the modification of genomic DNA with sodium bisulfite are considered the 'gold-standard' for DNA methylation profiling on genomic DNA; however, they require relatively large amounts of DNA and may be prohibitively expensive when used on the large sample sizes necessary to detect small effects. We propose that a high-throughput DNA pooling approach will facilitate the use of emerging methylomic profiling techniques in large samples.

Results

Compared with data generated from 89 individual samples, our analysis of 205 CpG sites spanning nine independent regions of the genome demonstrates that DNA pools can be used to provide an accurate and reliable quantitative estimate of average group DNA methylation. Comparison of data generated from the pooled DNA samples with results averaged across the individual samples comprising each pool revealed highly significant correlations for individual CpG sites across all nine regions, with an average overall correlation across all regions and pools of 0.95 (95% bootstrapped confidence intervals: 0.94 to 0.96).

Conclusion

In this study we demonstrate the validity of using pooled DNA samples to accurately assess group DNA methylation averages. Such an approach can be readily applied to the assessment of disease phenotypes reducing the time, cost and amount of DNA starting material required for large-scale epigenetic analyses.