bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Small Intestinal Adenocarcinoma in Common Marmosets (Callithrix jacchus)
Authors: Miller A. D. , Kramer J. A. , Lin K. C. , Knight H. , Martinot A. , Mansfield K. G.
Published: May 2010

Small intestinal adenocarcinomas are uncommon neoplasms that are rarely reported in nonhuman primates. These neoplasms are also rare in humans, although they are thought to share a similar pathogenesis with the more common colorectal carcinoma. Herein the authors report the clinical, histologic, immunohistochemical, and molecular characteristics of small intestinal adenocarcinoma in 10 common marmosets ( Callithrix jacchus). Retrospective analysis of necropsy records revealed small intestinal carcinoma to be the most common neoplastic cause of morbidity and mortality in aged common marmosets. The average age of affected animals was 6.6 years old, and there was no sex predilection. Nine of 10 (90%) tumors arose within the proximal small intestine near the interface with the duodenum. All cases were characterized by disorganization, loss of polarity, and proliferation of neoplastic epithelial cells along the crypt to midvillous interface. Two of 10 (20%) were defined as carcinoma in situ. Eight of 10 (80%) had some degree of invasion, with lymphatic invasion and lymph node metastasis present in 6 of 10 (60%) animals. Immunohistochemically, 10 of 10 (100%) expressed cytokeratin; 7 of 9 (77%) expressed E-cadherin; and 8 of 9 (88%) expressed β-catenin. The expression of E-cadherin and β-catenin was decreased in the cell membrane and increased in the cytoplasm. No Helicobacter-like bacteria were observed via silver stain, and callitrichine herpesvirus 3 was detected by polymerase chain reaction with equal frequency from neoplastic and nonneoplastic intestinal sections. The tumors described in this population illustrate comparable features to human cases of small intestine carcinoma and may serve as a potential animal model for small intestinal carcinomas.
Clinicopathologic Characterization of Naturally Occurring Diabetes Mellitus in Vervet Monkeys
Authors: Cann J. A. , Kavanagh K. , Jorgensen M. J. , Mohanan S. , Howard T. D. , Gray S. B. , Hawkins G. A. , Fairbanks L. A. , Wagner J. D.
Published: May 2010

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a group of chronic metabolic diseases characterized by persistent fasting hyperglycemia, and it can be of either polygenic or monogenic origin. Animal models have played an important role in elucidating the pathophysiology of the polygenic Type 1 and type 2 DM forms; however, useful animal models of the monogenic forms do not exist. The authors describe 4 cases of naturally occurring DM in vervet monkeys ( Chlorocebus aethiops sabaeus), 1 of which has clinicopathologic findings consistent with type 2 DM, including persistent hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, islet amyloidosis, and reduced islet insulin immunostaining. In contrast, the 3 remaining animals have clinicopathologic similarities to a monogenic form of the disease, including a lack of islet amyloidosis and hypertriglyceridemia, as well as normal islet insulin immunostaining. In addition, pedigree analysis conducted on one of these animals is consistent with either an autosomal dominant or mitochondrial inheritance pattern, which supports a monogenic form of DM. The authors thus hypothesize that a naturally occurring monogenic form of diabetes may occur in vervet monkeys, making them a potential animal model for future studies.
Synthesis and Properties of Soluble Copolyimides Containing Phthalazinone Moieties for Flexible Copper-clad Laminates
Authors: Su Gui-Xian , Wang Jin-Yan , Li Guang-Hui , Jian Xi-Gao
Published: May 2010

Soluble aromatic polyimides with good comprehensive properties are potential materials for microelectronics. A series of soluble copolyimides containing phthalazinone moieties were prepared from 1,2-dihydro-2-(4-aminophenyl)-4-[4-(4-(aminophenoxyl)phenyl)] (2H) phthalazin-1-one, 4,4'-diaminodiphenyl ether, as comonomers, and appropriate aromatic dianhydrides by one-pot solution polymerization in sulfolane. The corresponding copolyimide films had a good balance in thermal, adhesive and dielectric properties. The resulting copolyimides showed good solubility in polar aprotic solvents such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP) and N, N-dimethyl acetamide and high thermal stability with glass transition temperatures in the range of 252—266 ° C and decomposition temperature at 5% weight loss being above 505 °C in nitrogen. The copolyimide solutions in NMP were processed into flexible films which exhibited good adhesive property (1.66—2.28 N mm-1) and showed a predominantly amorphous nature measured by wide-angle X-ray diffraction. These free-standing films had dielectric constants of 2.3—3.1 (100 kHz) and low water absorption in the range of 0.76—0.93%. These outstanding properties make the obtained copolyimides good candidates for polyimide-based flexible copper-clad laminates.
Domestic and International Tuition Fees in African Universities
Authors: Okeke C. I. O.
Published: May 2010

This article discusses the implications of the tuition fees disparities that persist within African universities whereby various students are charged fees on the grounds of being either domestic or international student. The primary goal of the author is not only to sensitise debates around this highly neglected issue but also to produce a useful sociological framework capable of enabling Africans to participate in their own educational development wherever they may choose to study. The author sampled tuition fees practices from three universities in Africa to demonstrate how such arbitrary policy impinges on current discourse on Africanisation of higher education in very complex and subtle ways. The author equally drew credence from the thinking of the Bologna Process and the challenges such development presents to the African continent. Without disregarding recent efforts within the continent, however, this author argues that attempts towards the promotion of an all-inclusive higher education environment within Africa while neglecting the implications contingent on such differential tuition fees practices within Africa’s universities negates all efforts towards true Africanisation. Consequently, the author calls for the issue of domestic and international tuition fees to be included on the agenda of various efforts towards the harmonization of African higher education. It is hoped that such move would help strengthen the Africanisation project.
Perceived Teacher Acceptance, Parental Acceptance, and the Adjustment, Achievement, and Behavior of School-Going Youths Internationally
Authors: Rohner Ronald P.
Published: May 2010

Drawing stimulus from parental acceptance-rejection theory (PARTheory) and associated measures, articles in this special issue attempt to assess the relative contribution of perceived teacher and parental (maternal and paternal) acceptance and behavioral control to the psychological adjustment, school conduct, and academic achievement of school-going youths (boys and girls) within six nations cross-culturally. Results of analyses expose enormous gender and sociocultural variability in the pattern of predictors (i.e., perceived teacher and parental acceptance and behavioral control) associated with each of the three outcome variables studied. This is especially true with respect to predictors of students’ conduct in school and academic achievement. However, as expected from PARTheory, predictors of variations in youths’ psychological adjustment are much more stable: Both perceived teacher acceptance and parental (maternal as well as paternal) acceptance are significantly correlated with the adjustment of both boys and girls in all nations where this relationship is studied, though in two nations perceived teacher acceptance is the sole independent predictor of youths’ psychological adjustment, whereas in two other nations perceived parental acceptance is the sole independent predictor.
Nontraditional Risk Factors in Carotid Artery Disease
Authors: Ozturk Zeynep G. , Ekmekci Hakan , Ekmekci Ozlem B. , Atukeren Pinar , Butun Ilknur , Gode Safa , Besirli Kazim , Kokoglu Emine , Sonmez Huseyin
Published: May 2010

Carotid atherosclerosis (AS) is one of the main risk factors for ischemic stroke. Our aim is to evaluate the nontraditional biochemical markers in asymptomatic and symptomatic patients with carotid artery plaque. This study was conducted on 55 patients: 43 with symptomatic and 12 with asymptomatic carotid artery disease. Lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)), homocysteine, adiponectin, nitric oxide (NO), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) levels were measured in the plasma. The mean of total cholesterol, triglyceride, and homocysteine levels was significantly elevated in the symptomatic group as compared with the asymptomatic group (P = .03). In the asymptomatic group, adiponectin and NO levels showed elevations as compared with the symptomatic group but this increase was not significant (P > .05). Lipoprotein (a) and TNF-α levels acted inversely with adiponectin and NO. There was an insignificant decline in Lp(a) and TNF-α levels in the asymptomatic group as compared with the symptomatic group (P > .05).
The Similarity Between Aspirin Treatment and the Lack of Response to Epinephrine and the Frequency of Aspirin Resistance in Healthy Males
Authors: Sagdilek Engin , Korkmaz Ahmet , Oter Sukru , Avcu Ferit , Topal Turgut , Ozler Mehmet , Uysal Bulent , Nevruz Oral , Beyan Cengiz , Ozluk Kasim
Published: May 2010

Objectives: The lack of response of platelets against epinephrine has been discovered with a frequency of 14% to 40% in previous studies. There are studies that have demonstrated the effect of aspirin on platelets may resemble the lack of response to epinephrine. In this study, the extent of the effects of aspirin treatment on aggregation and secretion in healthy males with a lack of response to epinephrine and the frequency of aspirin resistance were investigated. Methods: Blood samples were collected at the beginning and at the end of a 10-day aspirin usage in 52 healthy males. Epinephrine, adenosine diphosphate (ADP), collagen, arachidonic acid (AA) and thrombin aggregations, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) secretion were studied. Participants were assigned to nonresponder (<20%), semiresponder (20%-60%), and responder (>60%) groups, depending on their maximum aggregation responses to epinephrine. Participants who displayed an aggregation to AA at the end of the aspirin treatment were accepted to be aspirin resistant. Results: Of the 52 participants, 4 were found to be nonresponders and 3 of 52 of the participants were found to be semiresponders. Although the lack of response to epinephrine and aspirin treatment displayed similarities in aggregations using epinephrine, ADP, collagen, and thrombin, they differed in aggregations using AA and for ATP secretion. The ratio of aspirin resistance was determined to be 4:52. Conclusions: The observation of AA aggregation in the participants with a lack of response to epinephrine demonstrates that epinephrine nonresponse cannot substitute aspirin treatment. The fact that aspirin resistance is observed in healthy males supports the view that aspirin resistance exists even before the first usage.
Heparin and Oversulfated Heparin Byproduct Induce Thrombin Generation Through Contact System Activation in Plasma of Patients With HIT
Authors: Yi Qian  , Jing Pan  , Xiaodong Zhou  , Weiser Peter , Hong Lu  , Shih Fei F. , Porche-Sorbet Rhonda , Eby Charles , Lijuan Zhang
Published: May 2010

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia with thrombosis (HITT) is the most severe side effect of heparin administration. Patients with HITT may die or have permanent sequelae such as stroke or limb amputation. Contaminated heparin is associated with anaphylactic reactions and deaths by activating the contact system. It is also associated with high incidence of HIT via a yet unknown mechanism. This study showed that although oversulfated heparin byproduct induced thrombin activities in both normal and HIT patient plasmas through the contact system activation, authentic heparin induced thrombin activities only in HIT patient plasmas containing autoantibodies against protein/ heparin complex. These data suggest that the negatively charged immunoglobulin G (IgG)/platelet factor 4 (PF4)/heparin complex activate the contact system and produce thrombin in human plasma, and thrombin partially activates the platelets allowing subsequent platelet activation through IgG/Fc receptor II signaling. The newly discovered mechanism of heparin-induced thrombin activity could explain the increased incidence of HIT in patients exposed to contaminated heparin. Furthermore, the assays used in these studies would be valuable for HIT diagnosis, prevention, and treatment.
Acute Myocardial Infarction During Thrombolysis of Mechanical Aortic Valve Thrombosis Associated With Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia
Authors: Gündüz Sabahattin , Özkan Mehmet , Biteker Murat , Duran Nilüfer Ekşi , Güneysu Tahsin
Published: May 2010

We report a case of a 60-year-old man with obstructive aortic prosthetic valve thrombosis (APVT). He was treated with low-dose (25 mg) slow infusion (6 hours) of intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), and he suffered acute anterior myocardial infarction (MI) at the fourth hour of t-PA infusion. Infusion was kept on, and coronary reperfusion and successful lysis of APVT were achieved. Intravenous unfractionated heparin (UFH) was then started, however, on the third day following heparin treatment, heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) was recognized by a drop in the platelet count and rethrombosis of the prosthetic valve. Although no nonheparin anticoagulant was available, intravenous continuous infusion of streptokinase (SKZ) 250 000 U per day was administered for 5 days followed by transition to warfarin therapy. Successful lysis of the APVT was again achieved with this regimen and the patient was discharged after uneventful recovery. The patient remained well at 6 months and 1 year follow-up.
Intensive Menstrual Bleeding Successfully Treated With Recombinant Factor VIIa in Glanzmann Thrombasthenia
Authors: Balci Yasemin Isik , Karabulut Aysun , Kabukcu Sibel , Sari Ismail , Keskin Ali
Published: May 2010

Glanzmann thrombasthenia (GT) is a rare inherited qualitative platelet disorder due to the deficiency or defect of platelet membrane glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa complex. Symptoms include purpura, petechiae, bruising, gingival bleeding, epistaxis, and menorrhagia. Platelet transfusion is considered the standard therapy for securing hemostasis in patients with GT when local measures and antifibrinolytic agents are inadequate. However, repeated platelet transfusions may result in GP IIb/IIIa and/or human leukocyte antigen (HLA) immunization and development of platelet refractoriness. Recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa) has been introduced as therapeutic alternative and has been suggested to be effective. Recombinant factor VIIa is indicated in Europe for the treatment of GT refractory of platelet transfusion. In previous studies, rFVIIa has been used in the prophylactic treatment of bleeding in patients with GT undergoing pelvic surgery, cesarean section, and vaginal delivery. In this article, we present a case of intensive menstrual bleeding refractory to previous antifibrinolytic agents and platelet transfusions but which responded well to treatment with rFVIIa. To our knowledge, there is no study or reported case in the literature reporting successful use of rFVIIa in a patient with excessive menstrual bleeding due to GT.
Hemophilic Pseudotumor in Chinese Patients: A Retrospective Single-Centered Analysis of 14 Cases
Authors: Feng Xue  , Chaoxia Sun  , Tao Sui  , Lei Zhang  , Lihui Jiang  , Renchi Yang
Published: May 2010

Pseudotumor is an uncommon but severe complication in patients with hemophilia. To our knowledge, although China has large population of persons with hemophilia, there is rare information on the incidence, clinical feature, image finding, and management of pseudotumor among Chinese patients. This study aimed at improving our knowledge on clinical diagnosis and management of hemophiliac pseudotumor. In this retrospective study, the medical records of 1248 patients with hemophilia diagnosed between January 1983 and October 2004 at our hospital were reviewed. The clinical feature, imaging finding, management, and outcome of 14 patients with pseudotumor among these patients with hemophilia were analyzed. All patients have hemophilia A (8 severe cases and 6 moderate cases). Eight patients sustained an injury prior to the development of pseudotumor. Main image findings included osteolysis lesion, soft tissue swelling, or lump. Surgical therapy was carried out in 7 patients and 6 achieved remission, with fistula formation remaining in 1. One patient underwent radiotherapy together with replacement therapy achieved remission. Three patients accepted replacement therapy as only management and only 1 patient achieved improvement of swelling. Our study showed that the incidence of pseudotumor in our enrolled patients with hemophilia is 1.12%. Hemophilic history of patients can contribute to the right diagnosis of pseudotumor. Surgical therapy together with sufficient replacement therapy is safe and effective.
Acute ITP Due to Insect Bite: Report of 2 Cases
Authors: Akbayram Sinan , Akgun Cihangir , Dogan Murat , Caksen Hüseyin , Oner Ahmet Faik
Published: May 2010

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) of childhood is a common hematologic disorder. Immune thrombocytopenic purpura is characterized by increased destruction of antibody-coated platelets in the reticuloendothelial system. In the majority of children with acute ITP, thrombocytopenia occurs within 1 to 3 weeks after an infectious disease. Immune thrombocytopenic purpura may also occur after rubella, rubeola, chickenpox, or live virus vaccination. Here we report 2 cases with acute ITP that were developed after honeybee and insect bite.
Caseworker-Perceived Caregiver Substance Abuse and Child Protective Services Outcomes
Authors: Berger Lawrence M. , Slack Kristen S. , Waldfogel Jane , Bruch Sarah K.
Published: May 2010

The authors used data from the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being to examine associations of child protective services (CPS) caseworkers’ perceptions of caregiver substance abuse with their perceptions of the severity of risk and harm a child experienced as a result of alleged maltreatment, as well as with whether a family experienced a range of CPS outcomes. The outcomes included whether the family received services from CPS, was substantiated for maltreatment, experienced child removal, and was subject to a termination of parental rights (TPR) petition. The authors also compared the magnitude of the association between caseworker-perceived caregiver substance abuse and each outcome to that of the association between other maltreatment-related risk factors and each outcome. Findings suggest that, all else equal, caseworker-perceived caregiver substance abuse is associated with increased caseworker perceptions that children have experienced severe risk and harm and also with an increased probability of each of the CPS outcomes except TPR. Moreover, these associations are equal in magnitude or larger than those between the other risk factors and the outcomes. These findings imply that CPS decisions are heavily influenced by caseworker perceptions of caregiver substance abuse, regardless of the presence of other risk factors for child maltreatment.
The other side of enjoyment: short-circuiting marketing and creativity in the experience economy
Authors: Sköld David Eric
Published: May 2010

The notion of experience economy asserts that staging the most mundane consumption practise as individualized entertainment adds value to the producer and consumer alike (Pine and Gilmore, 1999).This article questions this assumption of mere added value. Probing into an interplay between a marketing fantasy and a customer movement passionately engaging with its promise, it draws attention to a structural inability to enjoy the pleasures that the experience economy revolves around. Invoking the theoretical apparatus outlined by Lacan in The Other Side of Psychoanalysis (2007), the analysis sheds light on a social dynamics regulating this impossibility. This brings to the fore a range of ethical, political and economic consequences left largely untended by the literature, and dwelling on the other side of the lustrous enjoyment that so easily captures our imagination.
Just doing it: enjoying commodity fetishism with Lacan
Authors: Böhm Steffen , Batta Aanka
Published: May 2010

Despite prolonged resistance campaigns against what are regarded as unethical production practices of companies such as Nike, people around the world still seem to be happy to spend a lot of money buying expensive consumer products. Why is this so? In this article we discuss this question through the lens of the concept of fetishism. By discussing texts by Freud and Marx, amongst others, we first explore the genealogy of the concept of fetishism. We then develop a Lacanian reading to understand how processes of fetishization dominate today’s capitalist society, producing a modern subject that constantly desires to consume more in order to constitute itself. We argue—with Lacan—that at the heart of this process of the constitution of the subject through consumption is enjoyment or, what Lacan calls, jouissance. Capitalism—as any other socio-economic regime—can thus be understood as a system of enjoyment.
Lacan and the lack of humanity in HRM
Authors: Johnsen Rasmus , Gudmand-Høyer Marius
Published: May 2010

This article offers to the field of organization studies and the critique of Human Resource Management (HRM) important theoretical insight implied by the ‘practical anti-humanism’ in Jacques Lacan’s theory of subjectivity. Drawing on Lacan’s notions of ontological lack and fantasy, it suggests that this anti-humanism may provide a challenge of the critical aspirations found in the studies of HRM that have maintained an insurmountable gap between the humanity of the human subject and the inhumanity of the managerial prescription. Turning the traditional critique on its head, the article explores the consequences of confronting the inhuman core of humanity itself instead of maintaining the humanity of the human by exposing the inhumanity of HRM. Following Lacan it questions the idealization of ‘the human’ and asks what it would mean to critical management studies to focus instead on the fallibilities and shortcomings of subjectivity.
Women, parties and platforms in post-industrial democracies
Authors: Kittilson Miki Caul
Published: May 2010

Will women transform party politics? As a group of relative newcomers to parties, women may contribute to shaping parties’ policy agendas and to changing party rules. A party-level perspective allows for examination of the national- and party-level contextual influences that condition the effect of women on party platforms. Systematic analysis of a broad range of 142 political parties in 24 post-industrial democracies from 1990 to 2003 illuminates the dynamic relationship between women’s political power and party politics. Drawing on the Comparative Manifestos Project data and original party-level data, the multi-level analyses reveal that women’s rising numbers among a party’s parliamentary delegation and among its leadership committee contribute to an emphasis on social justice in the party programme, and to the adoption of gender quota policies. Furthermore, for welfare state expansion, the effect of women MPs is amplified by the presence of a women’s organization within the party.
Rapid effect of single-dose rosiglitazone treatment on endothelial function in healthy men with normal glucose tolerance: data from a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind study
Authors: Walcher Thomas , Walcher Daniel , Hetzel Jürgen , Mielke Catrin , Rau Matthias , Rittig Kilian , Balletshofer Bernd , Schwedhelm Edzard , Hombach Vinzenz , Böger Rainer H , Koenig Wolfgang , Marx Nikolaus
Published: May 2010

Antidiabetic thiazolidinediones (TZDs) improve endothelial function in patients with or without type 2 diabetes. The present randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind study examined the time course of a single dose of rosiglitazone on flow-mediated endothelium-dependent vasodilation (FMD), metabolic parameters, and its effect on inflammatory markers in non-diabetic men. Forty non-obese, healthy men with normal glucose tolerance were randomised to a single dose of rosiglitazone (8 mg) or placebo, and FMD was assessed at baseline as well as after 6 h and 24 h. Rosiglitazone did not significantly affect blood glucose and insulin levels or lipid parameters after 6 and 24 h compared with placebo. Treatment with rosiglitazone significantly increased FMD after 6 h from 4.3% (3.3; 4.9) to 7.6% (5.6; 9.2) ( p<0.0001 vs. baseline) resulting in a highly significant effect compared with placebo ( p<0.0001 for difference between groups). After 24 h FMD was still significantly higher in the rosiglitazone group compared with baseline ( p=0.001), but the effect was no longer statistically significant versus placebo ( p=0.171). Our study shows a very rapid effect of single dose rosiglitazone treatment on endothelial function in non-diabetic healthy men, underscoring the hypothesis that TZDs may exhibit direct effect in the vasculature independent of their metabolic action.
Home-Based Functional Electrical Stimulation Rescues Permanently Denervated Muscles in Paraplegic Patients With Complete Lower Motor Neuron Lesion
Authors: Kern Helmut , Carraro Ugo , Adami Nicoletta , Biral Donatella , Hofer Christian , Forstner Claudia , Mödlin Michaela , Vogelauer Michael , Pond Amber , Boncompagni Simona , Paolini Cecilia , Mayr Winfried , Protasi Feliciano , Zampieri Sandra
Published: May 2010

Background. Spinal cord injury causes muscle wasting and loss of function, which are especially severe after complete and permanent damage to lower motor neurons. In a previous cross-sectional study, long-standing denervated muscles were rescued by home-based functional electrical stimulation (h-bFES) training. Objective. To confirm results by a 2-year longitudinal prospective study of 25 patients with complete conus/cauda equina lesions. Methods. Denervated leg muscles were stimulated by h-bFES using a custom-designed stimulator and large surface electrodes. Muscle mass, force, and structure were determined before and after 2 years of h-bFES using computed tomography, measurements of knee torque during stimulation, and muscle biopsies analyzed by histology and electron microscopy. Results. Twenty of 25 patients completed the 2-year h-bFES program, which resulted in ( a) a 35% cross-sectional increase in area of the quadriceps muscle from 28.2 ± 8.1 to 38.1 ± 12.7 cm 2 ( P < .001), a 75% increase in mean diameter of muscle fibers from 16.6 ± 14.3 to 29.1 ± 23.3 μm ( P < .001), and improvements of the ultrastructural organization of contractile material; and ( b) a 1187% increase in force output during electrical stimulation from 0.8 ± 1.3 to 10.3 ± 8.1 N m ( P < .001). The recovery of quadriceps force was sufficient to allow 25% of the subjects to perform FES-assisted stand-up exercises. Conclusions. Home-based FES of denervated muscle is an effective home therapy that results in rescue of muscle mass and tetanic contractility. Important immediate benefits for the patients are the improved cosmetic appearance of lower extremities and the enhanced cushioning effect for seating.
Organizational Ethics, Leader-Member Exchange, and Organizational Support: Relationships With Workplace Safety
Authors: Credo Keith R. , Armenakis Achilles A. , Feild Hubert S. , Young Robert L.
Published: May 2010

The current study explores how employee safety knowledge and behaviors are affected by employees’ perceptions of management’s concern for safety, perceived organizational ethics, perceived organizational support, and leader—member exchange. A field sample of 188 employees from several U.S. locations of a large multinational drilling company participated in the study. Results indicated that perceived organizational ethics, perceived organizational support, and leader—member exchange are indirectly associated with employees’ safety knowledge and behaviors. The current study demonstrates that organizations should pay particular attention to the organizational context within which safety messages are transmitted. Differences in employee perceptions of this context may affect the effectiveness of the message. The findings also demonstrated strong support for a model linking perceptions of ethics, perceptions of support, and leader—member exchange as important mediating elements in the effective transfer of management’s concern for safety to actual employee safety knowledge and behavior.
Work—Family Conflict, Self-Efficacy, Job Satisfaction, and Gender: Evidences From Asia
Authors: Peng Wang  , Lawler John J. , Kan Shi
Published: May 2010

This article examines the relationships between two types of work—family conflict (work interfering with family [WIF] and family interfering with work [FIW]), job-related self-efficacy, work satisfaction, and supervisor satisfaction in China and India. Central to the analysis is a comparison of the authors’ model between men and women, where important differences were projected to exist. Results showed that FIW was negatively associated with self-efficacy. WIF was negatively associated with work satisfaction. The relationships between WIF and work satisfaction and between FIW and self-efficacy were more negative for women than for men. No significant differences were found in any of these relationships between China and India. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.
Horizontal Alliances and Competitive Aggressiveness: An Embeddedness Approach
Authors: Hassan Ahmad , Chrisman James J. , Mohamed Fatma
Published: May 2010

To assess the effects of co-opetition—simultaneous competition and collaboration—on competitive aggressiveness, this article relates one aspect of embeddedness—tie strength—to the volume and complexity of a firm’s competitive actions. Findings from our study of firms in the U.S. software industry suggest that strong ties increase the volume and complexity of competitive actions. Results also suggest that action volume is negatively related to the interaction between tie strength and both multimarket contact and resource similarity. However, results show that neither resource similarity nor multimarket contact did have direct or moderating effects on the relationship between tie strength and action complexity.
Entrepreneurial Drive in the Top Management Team: Effects on Strategic Choice and Firm Performance
Authors: Wood Matthew S. , Michalisin Michael D.
Published: May 2010

Based on upper echelons theory and the logic embodied in the entrepreneurship, strategic choice, and resource-based view literatures, a theoretical model was developed showing the relationships between top management teams’ (TMT) entrepreneurial drive, TMT strategic choices, and superior industry performance, from which testable hypotheses were formed. The authors used a strategic management simulation model to gather the requisite data to perform their empirical testing. The results strongly support the hypotheses that TMT entrepreneurial drive is positively associated with superior industry performance and that the entrepreneurial orientation of the TMT’s strategic choices is positively associated with superior industry performance.This study also found evidence that the relationship between TMT entrepreneurial drive and superior industry performance is moderated by TMT’s strategic choices. These results have important implications in terms of how TMT’s entrepreneurial drive and their strategy choices can affect firm performance in today’s hypercompetitive environment.
Evaluating That Piece of Paper: The Effect of Motivation and Certif ication Status on Occupational Commitment and Job Competence
Authors: Fertig Jason
Published: May 2010

While certification numbers increase, most empirical research pertaining to the construct of certification has looked at negative aspects. Although this study does not deny that certifications can be merely symbolic credentials, it aims to test more positive outcomes associated with both certification and motivation to certify. In this study of human resource practitioners, hierarchical regression and structural equation modeling reported that individuals who were more self-determined to certify reported a higher level of job competence and occupational commitment. A future research agenda to address the overall gap in certification research is also presented.
Directed-energy Models for Distributed, Synthetic Environments
Authors: Sorroche J.
Published: May 2010

Directed Energy (DE) weapons and weapons effects are not accurately modeled in a distributed simulation environment. The Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS), and High Level Architecture protocols were created when DE weapons were conceptual or in the initial development stages. IEEE 1278.1a is currently being updated by the Simulation Interoperability Standards Organization (SISO) DIS Product Development Group (PDG). The DE Tiger team, part of the DIS PDG, designed two new DIS PDUs for high fidelity DE distributed simulation: DE Fire and DE Damage Status. This paper presents the DE weapon modeling techniques for precision and area DE weapons as well as Gaussian beam spot modeling algorithms. This paper also presents the Advanced Concepts Event (ACE) experiment plans and results.
Embedded water-based surface heating part 2: experimental validation
Authors: Karlsson Henrik
Published: May 2010

The transient operation of an embedded water-based floor heating system has been studied by means of a numerical simulation tool. Prior to this study, Caccavelli and Richard (Caccavelli D, Richard P (1994) Etude portant sur le dimensionnement d’un plancher chauffant à eau chaude en CIC. Rapport n°2, n° GEC/DST-94.050R, CSTB, France.) experimentally derived reference data for the specific setup. This article constitutes an attempt to experimentally validate the numerical simulation tool that was recently developed by Karlsson (Karlsson H (2010) Embedded water-based surface heating, part 1: hybrid 3D numerical model. Journal of Building Physics 33: 357—391). The thermal response of the system is tested in both long (16 h) and short (30 min) cycle experiments where the water flow alters between on and off. Temperature distribution, within the floor construction, and the heat exchange process are studied throughout the test cycles. The model underestimates the steady-state heat exchange from the pipe loop by 16% when boundary conditions and thermal properties according to the reference case are applied. Temperatures at the floor surface are assessed with good precision while temperatures at the core of the concrete slab are underestimated by up to 1.5°C. Amplitudes, phase shifts, rise, and delay times at different measurement points are simulated with good precision. A sensitivity analysis is performed where material parameters and boundary conditions are analyzed. None of the tested parameters can independently explain the observed general trend in temperature deviations between simulations and measurements.
Deregulation of the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) gene by chromosomal translocations in B-cell malignancies
Authors: Nagel Inga , Szczepanowski Monika , Martín-Subero José I. , Harder Lana , Akasaka Takashi , Ammerpohl Ole , Callet-Bauchu Evelyne , Gascoyne Randy D. , Gesk Stefan , Horsman Doug , Klapper Wolfram , Majid Aneela , Martinez-Climent José A. , Stilgenbauer Stephan , Tönnies Holger , Dyer Martin J. S. , Siebert Reiner
Published: May 2010

Sequence variants at the TERT-CLPTM1L locus in chromosome 5p have been recently associated with disposition for various cancers. Here we show that this locus including the gene encoding the telomerase reverse-transcriptase TERT at 5p13.33 is rarely but recurrently targeted by somatic chromosomal translocations to IGH and non-IG loci in B-cell neoplasms, including acute lymphoblastic leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, mantle cell lymphoma and splenic marginal zone lymphoma. In addition, cases with genomic amplification of TERT locus were identified. Tumors bearing chromosomal aberrations involving TERT showed higher TERT transcriptional expression and increased telomerase activity. These data suggest that deregulation of TERT gene by chromosomal abnormalities leading to increased telomerase activity might contribute to B-cell lymphomagenesis.
Glucocorticoids promote survival of anti-inflammatory macrophages via stimulation of adenosine receptor A3
Authors: Barczyk Katarzyna , Ehrchen Jan , Tenbrock Klaus , Ahlmann Martina , Kneidl Jessica , Viemann Dorothee , Roth Johannes
Published: May 2010

Active resolution of inflammation is a previously unrecognized process essential for tissue homeostasis. Monocytes play a pivotal role in the generation as well as resolution of inflammation. Glucocorticoids (GCs) are widely used anti-inflammatory agents. We demonstrate that GCs exhibit antiapoptotic effects in monocytes resulting in differentiation to an anti-inflammatory phenotype. The molecular basis of this novel antiapoptotic effect is a prolonged activation of the extracellular signal regulated kinase/mitogen-activated protein kinase (ERK/MAPK) pathway resulting in inhibition of caspase activities and expression of antiapoptotic genes via activation of c-Myc. We identified up-regulation and activation of A3 adenosine receptor (A3AR) as the initial trigger of this antiapoptotic pathway. In summary, we deciphered a novel molecular pathway promoting survival of anti-inflammatory monocytes. Specific activation of A3AR or its downstream signaling pathways may thus be a novel strategy to modulate inflammation in autoimmune disorders with fewer side effects via induction of inflammatory resolution rather than immunosuppression.
Patterning of mutually interacting bacterial bodies: close contacts and airborne signals
Authors: Čepl Jaroslav J , Pátková Irena , Blahůšková Anna , Cvrčková Fatima , Markoš Anton
Published: May 2010

Background

Bacterial bodies (colonies) can develop complex patterns of color and structure. These patterns may arise as a result of both colony-autonomous developmental and regulatory processes (self-patterning) and environmental influences, including those generated by neighbor bodies. We have studied the interplay of intra-colony signaling (self-patterning) and inter-colony influences in related clones of Serratia rubidaea grown on rich media.

Results

Colonies are shaped by both autonomous patterning and by signals generated by co-habitants of the morphogenetic space, mediating both internal shaping of the body, and communication between bodies sharing the same living space. The result of development is affected by the overall distribution of neighbors in the dish. The neighbors' presence is communicated via at least two putative signals, while additional signals may be involved in generating some unusual patterns observed upon encounters of different clones. A formal model accounting for some aspects of colony morphogenesis and inter-colony interactions is proposed.

Conclusions

The complex patterns of color and texture observed in Serratia rubidaea colonies may be based on at least two signals produced by cells, one of them diffusing through the substrate (agar) and the other carried by a volatile compound and absorbed into the substrate. Differences between clones with regard to the interpretation of signals may result from different sensitivity to signal threshold(s).
Role of myosin light chain kinase in intestinal epithelial barrier defects in a rat model of bowel obstruction
Authors: Wu Chi-Chin , Lu Yen-Zhen , Wu Li-Ling , Yu Linda C
Published: May 2010

Background

Bowel obstruction is a common cause of abdominal emergency, since the patients are at increased risk of septicemia resulting in high mortality rate. While the compartmentalized changes in enteric microfloral population and augmentation of bacterial translocation (BT) have already been reported using experimental obstruction models, alterations in epithelial permeability of the obstructed guts has not been studied in detail. Myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) is actively involved in the contraction of epithelial perijunctional actinomyosin ring and thereby increases paracellular permeability. In the current study we attempt to investigate the role of MLCK in epithelial barrier defects using a rat model of simple mechanical obstruction.

Methods

Wistar rats received intraperitoneal injection of ML-7 (a MLCK inhibitor) or vehicle at 24, 12 and 1 hrs before and 12 hrs after intestinal obstruction (IO). The distal small intestine was obstructed with a single ligature placed 10 cm proximal to the ileocecal junction in IO rats for 24 hrs. Sham-operated rats served as controls.

Results

Mucosal injury, such as villous blunting and increased crypt/villus ratio, was observed in the distal small intestine of IO rats. Despite massive enterocyte shedding, intestinal villi were covered with a contiguous epithelial layer without cell apoptosis. Increased transmural macromolecular flux was noticed in the distal small intestine and the proximal colon after IO. The bacterial colony forming units in the spleen and liver of IO rats were significantly higher than those of sham controls. Addition of ML-7 ameliorated the IO-triggered epithelial MLC phosphorylation, mucosal injury and macromolecular flux, but not the level of BT.

Conclusions

The results suggest that IO-induced premature enterocytic sloughing and enhanced paracellular antigenic flux were mediated by epithelial MLCK activation. In addition, enteric bacteria may undergo transcytotic routes other than paracellular paths to cross the epithelium.
Effective in vivo and ex vivogene transfer to intestinal mucosa by VSV-G-pseudotyped lentiviral vectors
Authors: Matsumoto Hiroshi , Kimura Takahiro , Haga Kazunori , Kasahara Noriyuki , Anton Peter , McGowan Ian
Published: May 2010

Background

Gene transfer to the gastrointestinal (GI) mucosa is a therapeutic strategy which could prove particularly advantageous for treatment of various hereditary and acquired intestinal disorders, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), GI infections, and cancer.

Methods

We evaluated vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein envelope (VSV-G)-pseudotyped lentiviral vectors (LV) for efficacy of gene transfer to both murine rectosigmoid colon in vivo and human colon explants ex vivo. LV encoding beta-galactosidase (LV-β-Gal) or firefly-luciferase (LV-fLuc) reporter genes were administered by intrarectal instillation in mice, or applied topically for ex vivo transduction of human colorectal explant tissues from normal individuals. Macroscopic and histological evaluations were performed to assess any tissue damage or inflammation. Transduction efficiency and systemic biodistribution were evaluated by real-time quantitative PCR. LV-fLuc expression was evaluated by ex vivo bioluminescence imaging. LV-β-Gal expression and identity of transduced cell types were examined by histochemical and immunofluorescence staining.

Results

Imaging studies showed positive fLuc signals in murine distal colon; β-Gal-positive cells were found in both murine and human intestinal tissue. In the murine model, β-Gal-positive epithelial and lamina propria cells were found to express cytokeratin, CD45, and CD4. LV-transduced β-Gal-positive cells were also seen in human colorectal explants, consisting mainly of CD45, CD4, and CD11c-positive cells confined to the LP.

Conclusions

We have demonstrated the feasibility of LV-mediated gene transfer into colonic mucosa. We also identified differential patterns of mucosal gene transfer dependent on whether murine or human tissue was used. Within the limitations of the study, the LV did not appear to induce mucosal damage and were not distributed beyond the distal colon.
A new method to detect loss of heterozygosity using cohort heterozygosity comparisons
Authors: Green Michael R , Jardine Paul , Wood Peter , Wellwood Jeremy , Lea Rod A , Marlton Paula , Griffiths Lyn R
Published: May 2010

Background

Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) is an important marker for one of the 'two-hits' required for tumor suppressor gene inactivation. Traditional methods for mapping LOH regions require the comparison of both tumor and patient-matched normal DNA samples. However, for many archival samples, patient-matched normal DNA is not available leading to the under-utilization of this important resource in LOH studies. Here we describe a new method for LOH analysis that relies on the genome-wide comparison of heterozygosity of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) between cohorts of cases and un-matched healthy control samples. Regions of LOH are defined by consistent decreases in heterozygosity across a genetic region in the case cohort compared to the control cohort.

Methods

DNA was collected from 20 Follicular Lymphoma (FL) tumor samples, 20 Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) tumor samples, neoplastic B-cells of 10 B-cell Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (B-CLL) patients and Buccal cell samples matched to 4 of these B-CLL patients. The cohort heterozygosity comparison method was developed and validated using LOH derived in a small cohort of B-CLL by traditional comparisons of tumor and normal DNA samples, and compared to the only alternative method for LOH analysis without patient matched controls. LOH candidate regions were then generated for enlarged cohorts of B-CLL, FL and DLBCL samples using our cohort heterozygosity comparison method in order to evaluate potential LOH candidate regions in these non-Hodgkin's lymphoma tumor subtypes.

Results

Using a small cohort of B-CLL samples with patient-matched normal DNA we have validated the utility of this method and shown that it displays more accuracy and sensitivity in detecting LOH candidate regions compared to the only alternative method, the Hidden Markov Model (HMM) method. Subsequently, using B-CLL, FL and DLBCL tumor samples we have utilised cohort heterozygosity comparisons to localise LOH candidate regions in these subtypes of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Detected LOH regions included both previously described regions of LOH as well as novel genomic candidate regions.

Conclusions

We have proven the efficacy of the use of cohort heterozygosity comparisons for genome-wide mapping of LOH and shown it to be in many ways superior to the HMM method. Additionally, the use of this method to analyse SNP microarray data from 3 common forms of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma yielded interesting tumor suppressor gene candidates, including the ETV3 gene that was highlighted in both B-CLL and FL.