bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ghrelin Improves Endothelial Function in Patients With Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Tesauro Manfredi , Schinzari Francesca , Iantorno Micaela , Rizza Stefano , Melina Domenico , Lauro Davide , Cardillo Carmine
Published: November 2005

Background—

Metabolic syndrome importantly accelerates the atherosclerotic process, the earliest event of which is endothelial dysfunction. Ghrelin, a gastric peptide with cardiovascular actions, has been shown to inhibit proatherogenic changes in experimental models. This study therefore investigated whether ghrelin administration might beneficially affect endothelial function in metabolic syndrome.

Methods and Results—

Endothelium-dependent and -independent vasodilator responses to intra-arterial infusion of increasing doses of acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside (SNP), respectively, were assessed by strain-gauge plethysmography before and after local administration of human ghrelin (200 μg/min). During saline, the vasodilator response to acetylcholine was significantly blunted (
P
=0.008) in patients with metabolic syndrome (n=12, 5 female) compared with controls (n=12, 7 female), whereas the vasodilator response to SNP was not different between groups (
P
=0.68). In patients with metabolic syndrome, basal plasma ghrelin was significantly lower than in controls (
P
=0.02). In these patients, ghrelin infusion markedly increased intravascular concentrations of the peptide (
P
<0.001) and resulted in a potentiation of the vasodilator response to acetylcholine (
P
=0.001 versus saline) but not to SNP (
P
=0.22). This effect was likely related to enhanced nitric oxide bioavailability because, in a group of patients with metabolic syndrome (n=6, 2 female), ghrelin had no effect on the vasodilator response to acetylcholine (
P
=0.78 versus saline) after nitric oxide inhibition by
N
G
-monomethyl-
l
-arginine.

Conclusions—

These findings indicate that ghrelin reverses endothelial dysfunction in patients with metabolic syndrome by increasing nitric oxide bioactivity, thereby suggesting that decreased circulating levels of the peptide, such as those found in these patients, might play a role in the pathobiology of atherosclerosis.
Decreased Perivascular Fibrosis but Not Cardiac Hypertrophy in ROCK1
+/−
Haploinsufficient Mice
Authors: Rikitake Yoshiyuki , Oyama Naotsugu , Wang Chao-Yung C. , Noma Kensuke , Satoh Minoru , Kim Hyung-Hwan , Liao James K.
Published: November 2005

Background—

Rho GTPase and its downstream target, Rho-associated kinase (ROCK), have been implicated in diverse cardiovascular diseases such as cardiac hypertrophy. However, pharmacological inhibitors of ROCK are not entirely specific, nor can they discriminate between the ROCK isoforms ROCK1 and ROCK2. To determine the specific role of ROCK1 in the development of cardiac hypertrophy, we generated ROCK1
+/−
haploinsufficient mice and determined whether cardiac hypertrophy and remodeling are decreased in these mice.

Methods and Results—

Litters of ROCK1
−/−
mice on C57Bl/6 background were markedly underrepresented, suggesting lethality in utero or postnatally. ROCK1
+/−
mice, however, are viable and fertile with no obvious phenotypic abnormalities. Basal blood pressure, heart rate, and cardiac dimension and function in ROCK1
+/−
mice were similar to those in wild-type (WT) littermates. Infusion of angiotensin II (400 ng · kg
−1
· min
−1
for 28 days) or treatment with
N
G
-nitro-
l
-arginine methyl ester (1 mg/mL in drinking water for 28 days) caused similar increases in systolic blood pressure, left ventricular wall thickness, left ventricular mass, ratio of heart weight to tibial length, and cardiomyocyte size in ROCK1
+/−
mice and WT littermates. In contrast, perivascular fibrosis in hearts was increased to a lesser extent in ROCK1
+/−
mice compared with WT littermates. This was associated with decreased expression of transforming growth factor-β, connective tissue growth factor, and type III collagen. In addition, perivascular fibrosis induced by transaortic constriction or myocardial infarction was decreased in ROCK1
+/−
mice compared with WT littermates.

Conclusions—

These findings indicate ROCK1 is critical for the development of cardiac fibrosis, but not hypertrophy, in response to various pathological conditions and suggest that signaling pathways leading to the hypertrophic and profibrotic response of the heart are distinct.
Evaluating the ε-Domination Based Multi-Objective Evolutionary Algorithm for a Quick Computation of Pareto-Optimal Solutions
Authors: Deb Kalyanmoy , Mohan Manikanth , Mishra Shikhar
Published: November 2005

Since the suggestion of a computing procedure of multiple Pareto-optimal solutions in multi-objective optimization problems in the early Nineties, researchers have been on the look out for a procedure which is computationally fast and simultaneously capable of finding a well-converged and well-distributed set of solutions. Most multi-objective evolutionary algorithms (MOEAs) developed in the past decade are either good for achieving a well-distributed solutions at the expense of a large computational effort or computationally fast at the expense of achieving a not-so-good distribution of solutions. For example, although the Strength Pareto Evolutionary Algorithm or SPEA (Zitzler and Thiele, 1999) produces a much better distribution compared to the elitist non-dominated sorting GA or NSGA-II (Deb et al., 2002a), the computational time needed to run SPEA is much greater. In this paper, we evaluate a recently-proposed steady-state MOEA (Deb et al., 2003) which was developed based on the ε-dominance concept introduced earlier (Laumanns et al., 2002) and using efficient parent and archive update strategies for achieving a well-distributed and well-converged set of solutions quickly. Based on an extensive comparative study with four other state-of-the-art MOEAs on a number of two, three, and four objective test problems, it is observed that the steady-state MOEA is a good compromise in terms of convergence near to the Pareto-optimal front, diversity of solutions, and computational time. Moreover, the ε-MOEA is a step closer towards making MOEAs pragmatic, particularly allowing a decision-maker to control the achievable accuracy in the obtained Pareto-optimal solutions.
Simulated Relationships between Regional Temperatures and Large-Scale Circulation: 125 kyr BP (Eemian) and the Preindustrial Period
Authors: Groll Nikolaus , Widmann Martin , Jones Julie M. , Kaspar Frank , Lorenz Stephan J.
Published: November 2005

To investigate relationships between large-scale circulation and regional-scale temperatures during the last (Eemian) interglacial, a simulation with a general circulation model (GCM) under orbital forcing conditions of 125 kyr BP is compared with a simulation forced with the Late Holocene preindustrial conditions. Consistent with previous GCM simulations for the Eemian, higher northern summer 2-m temperatures are found, which are directly related to the different insolation. Differences in the mean circulation are evident such as, for instance, stronger northern winter westerlies toward Europe, which are associated with warmer temperatures in central and northeastern Europe in the Eemian simulation, while the circulation variability, analyzed by means of a principal component analysis of the sea level pressure (SLP) field, is very similar in both periods.

As a consequence of the differences in the mean circulation the simulated Arctic Oscillation (AO) temperature signal in the northern winter, on interannual-to-multidecadal time scales, is weaker during the Eemian than today over large parts of the Northern Hemisphere. Correlations between the AO index and the central European temperature (CET) decrease by about 0.2. The winter and spring SLP anomalies over the North Atlantic/European domain that are most strongly linearly linked to the CET cover a smaller area and are shifted westward over the North Atlantic during the Eemian. However, the strength of the connection between CET and these SLP anomalies is similar in both simulations.

The simulated differences in the AO temperature signal and in the SLP anomaly, which is linearly linked to the CET, suggest that during the Eemian the link between the large-scale circulation and temperature-sensitive proxy data from Europe may differ from present-day conditions and that this difference should be taken into account when inferring large-scale climate from temperature-sensitive proxy data.
SST-Forced Atmospheric Variability in an Atmospheric General Circulation Model
Authors: Kumar Arun , Zhang Qin , Peng Peitao , Jha Bhaskar
Published: November 2005

From ensembles of 80 AGCM simulations for every December–January–February (DJF) seasonal mean in the 1980–2000 period, interannual variability in atmospheric response to interannual variations in observed sea surface temperature (SST) is analyzed. A unique facet of this study is the use of large ensemble size that allows identification of the atmospheric response to SSTs for each DJF in the analysis period. The motivation of this study was to explore what atmospheric response patterns beyond the canonical response to El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) SST anomalies exist, and to which SST forcing such patterns may be related. A practical motivation for this study was to seek sources of atmospheric predictability that may lead to improvements in seasonal predictability efforts.

This analysis was based on the EOF technique applied to the ensemble mean 200-mb height response. The dominant mode of the atmospheric response was indeed the canonical atmospheric response to ENSO; however, this mode only explained 53% of interannual variability of the ensemble means (often referred to as the external variability). The second mode, explaining 19% of external variability, was related to a general increase (decrease) in the 200-mb heights related to a Tropicwide warming (cooling) in SSTs. The third dominant mode, explaining 12% of external variability, was similar to the mode identified as the “nonlinear” response to ENSO in earlier studies.

The realism of different atmospheric response patterns was also assessed from a comparison of anomaly correlations computed between different renditions of AGCM-simulated atmospheric responses and the observed 200-mb height anomalies. For example, the anomaly correlation between the atmospheric response reconstructed from the first mode alone and the observations was compared with the anomaly correlation when the atmospheric response was reconstructed including modes 2 and 3. If the higher-order atmospheric response patterns obtained from the AGCM simulations had observational counterparts, their inclusion in the reconstructed atmospheric response should lead to higher anomaly correlations. Indeed, at some geographical regions, an increase in anomaly correlation with the inclusion of higher modes was found, and it is concluded that the higher-order atmospheric response patterns found in this study may be realistic and may represent additional sources of atmospheric seasonal predictability.
Modeling of Tropical Forcing of Persistent Droughts and Pluvials over Western North America: 1856–2000*
Authors: Seager Richard , Kushnir Yochanan , Herweijer Celine , Naik Naomi , Velez Jennifer
Published: November 2005

The causes of persistent droughts and wet periods, or pluvials, over western North America are examined in model simulations of the period from 1856 to 2000. The simulations used either (i) global sea surface temperature data as a lower boundary condition or (ii) observed data in just the tropical Pacific and computed the surface ocean temperature elsewhere with a simple ocean model. With both arrangements, the model was able to simulate many aspects of the low-frequency (periods greater than 6 yr) variations of precipitation over the Great Plains and in the American Southwest including much of the nineteenth-century variability, the droughts of the 1930s (the “Dust Bowl”) and 1950s, and the very wet period in the 1990s. Results indicate that the persistent droughts and pluvials were ultimately forced by persistent variations of tropical Pacific surface ocean temperatures. It is argued that ocean temperature variations outside of the tropical Pacific, but forced from the tropical Pacific, act to strengthen the droughts and pluvials. The persistent precipitation variations are part of a pattern of global variations that have a strong hemispherically and zonally symmetric component, which is akin to interannual variability, and that can be explained in terms of interactions between tropical ocean temperature variations, the subtropical jets, transient eddies, and the eddy-driven mean meridional circulation. Rossby wave propagation poleward and eastward from the tropical Pacific heating anomalies disrupts the zonal symmetry, intensifying droughts and pluvials over North America. Both mechanisms of tropical driving of extratropical precipitation variations work in summer as well as winter and can explain the year-round nature of the precipitation variations. In addition, land–atmosphere interactions over North America appear important by (i) translating winter precipitation variations into summer evaporation and, hence, precipitation anomalies and (ii) shifting the northward flow of moisture around the North Atlantic subtropical anticyclone eastward from the Plains and Southwest to the eastern seaboard and western Atlantic Ocean.
Observed Atlantic SST Anomaly Impact on the NAO: An Update
Authors: Frankignoul Claude , Kestenare Elodie
Published: November 2005

The Pan-Atlantic sea surface temperature (SST) anomaly pattern that was found in a previous study to have a significant impact on the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) in early winter seemed to reflect the nearly uncorrelated influence of a horseshoe SST anomaly in the North Atlantic and an SST anomaly in the eastern equatorial Atlantic. A lagged rotated maximum covariance analysis of a slightly longer dataset shows that the horseshoe SST anomaly influence is robust, but it deemphasizes the center of action southeast of Newfoundland, Canada. On the other hand, it suggests that the link between equatorial SST and the NAO was artificial and due both to ENSO teleconnections and the orthogonality constraint in the maximum covariance analysis.
Examining Culture’s Effect on Whistle-Blowing and Peer Reporting
Authors: Zhuang Jinyun , Thomas Stuart , Miller Diane L.
Published: November 2005

Recent incidences of fraud and the growing globalization of business have focused attention on the effect of culture on ethical decision making within organizations. Because fraud can be extremely costly and is more likely to be committed by employees than persons external to the organization, employees willing to report un-ethical acts are an important supplemental control tool. The current study provides evidence of the effects of culture (Canadian and Chinese) and the type of reporting (whistle-blowing and peer reporting) on reporting unethical acts within organizations. Chinese and Canadian participants were asked to respond to scenarios describing unethical acts committed within organizations. Results indicate that Chinese are more likely to report the unethical acts of peers than Canadians. Chinese also appear more likely to report the unethical acts of peers than supervisors. The results also suggest that Graham’s model of principled organizational dissent may not be applicable to Chinese and perhaps other non-Western cultures.
Kurt Lewin on Reeducation
Authors: Coghlan David , Jacobs Claus
Published: November 2005

In the acknowledgements of Lewin’s place as the father of action research, his work on reeducation is rarely cited. Yet it is clear that much of what he understood to be central to the complex process of reeducation is critical to the process of change and underlies the philosophical principles and practice of action research. This article presents Lewin’s generally neglected paper on reeducation to enable action researchers to build on and use this important paper of Lewin’s.
Team Diagnostic Survey
Authors: Wageman Ruth , Hackman J. Richard , Lehman Erin
Published: November 2005

This article describes the development of the Team Diagnostic Survey (TDS), an instrument intended for use both for the diagnosis of the strengths and weaknesses of work teams and for research on team behavior and performance. The TDS is based explicitly on existing research and theory about the conditions that foster team effectiveness. It provides an assessment of how well a team is structured, supported, and led as well as several indicators of members’ work processes and their affective reactions to the team and its work. The psychometric properties of the TDS are satisfactory, based on analyses of data from 2,474 members of 321 teams in a diversity of organizations. Appropriate uses of the instrument are discussed.
Repair of Full-Thickness Rotator Cuff Tears in Professional Baseball Players
Authors: Mazoué Christopher G. , Andrews James R.
Published: November 2005

Background

Despite the relative frequency of partial-thickness rotator cuff tears seen in baseball players, full-thickness rotator cuff tears in baseball players are uncommon.

Hypothesis

Return to competitive baseball is difficult after surgical treatment of a full-thickness rotator cuff tear.

Study Design

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods

We evaluated the results of 16 professional baseball players after a mini-open repair of a full-thickness rotator cuff tear. Twelve patients were pitchers with injury to their dominant shoulders. Four patients were position players; 2 had injuries involving their dominant shoulders, and 2 had injuries to their nondominant shoulders.

Results

At a mean follow-up of 66.6 months for the pitchers, only 1 player (8%) was able to return to a high competitive level of baseball with no significant shoulder dysfunction after mini-open repair of a full-thickness rotator cuff tear. Of the 2 position players with mini-open repairs of the full-thickness rotator cuff tear of their dominant shoulders, 1 was able to return to professional baseball. Of the 2 position players with mini-open repairs of the full-thickness rotator cuff tear of their nondominant shoulders, both were able to return to professional baseball at the same or higher level.

Conclusion

It is very difficult for a professional baseball pitcher to return to a competitive level of pitching after a full-thickness rotator cuff repair with a mini-open approach.
Replacement of the Knee Meniscus by a Porous Polymer Implant
Authors: Tienen Tony G. , Heijkants Ralf G. J. C. , de Groot Jacqueline H. , Pennings Albert J. , Schouten Arend Jan , Veth Rene P. H. , Buma Pieter
Published: November 2005

Background

Meniscectomy will lead to articular cartilage degeneration in the long term. Therefore, the authors developed an implant to replace the native meniscus.

Hypothesis

The porous polymer meniscus implant develops into a neomeniscus and protects the cartilage from degeneration.

Study Design

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods

In a dog model, a porous polymer scaffold with optimal properties for tissue infiltration and regeneration of a neomeniscus was implanted and compared with total meniscectomy. The tissue infiltration and redifferentiation in the scaffold, the stiffness of the scaffold, and the articular cartilage degeneration were evaluated.

Results

Three months after implantation, the implant was completely filled with fibrovascular tissue. After 6 months, the central areas of the implant contained cartilage-like tissue with abundant collagen type II and proteoglycans in their matrix. The foreignbody reaction remained limited to a few giant cells in the implant. The compression modulus of the implant-tissue construct still differed significantly from that of the native meniscus, even at 6 months. Cartilage degeneration was observed both in the meniscectomy group and in the implant group.

Conclusion

The improved properties of these polymer implants resulted in a faster tissue infiltration and in phenotypical differentiation into tissue resembling that of the native meniscus. However, the material characteristics of the implant need to be improved to prevent degeneration of the articular cartilage.

Clinical Relevance

The porous polymer implant developed into a polymer-tissue construct that resembled the native meniscus, and with improved gliding characteristics, this prosthesis might be a promising implant for the replacement of the meniscus.
Epidemiological Analysis of Factors Influencing an Episode of Exertional Rhabdomyolysis in High School Students
Authors: Lin Hsingwen , Chie Weichu , Lien Huangchun
Published: November 2005

Background

An episode of rhabdomyolysis occurred after an endurance test in high school students in Taipei County in November 2003.

Purpose

To determine the incidence, outcome, and risk factors in an episode of exertional rhabdomyolysis in high school students.

Study Design

Descriptive epidemiology study.

Methods

We enrolled all 225 high school students who had performed an endurance test. Using data from retrospective questionnaires, we estimated the incidence and assessed risk factors of exertional rhabdomyolysis among these students. Multiple logistic regression was used to determine risk factors associated with exertional rhabdomyolysis.

Results

The completed questionnaire was returned by 70% (157 of 225) of the students. Of these, 43.3% (68 of 157) were identified as having exertional rhabdomyolysis, and the incidence was not statistically different between male and female students (P= .49). Dark urine was noted in only 25% of the students. None of the students developed acute renal failure. The risk of exertional rhabdomyolysis was significantly higher in those students who had not exercised 1 day before the endurance test (odds ratio [OR], 6.10; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.00-18.00) and those who had performed postexercise stretching of the legs (OR, 3.13; 95% CI, 1.28-7.69) or performed complete squats during the test (OR, 3.21; 95% CI, 1.12-10.00). There were no statistically significant differences in gender, body mass index, presence of flulike symptoms, previous exercise routine, and medication history between students with or without exertional rhabdomyolysis.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that exertional rhabdomyolysis is not uncommon in strenuous eccentric exercise in both men and women, but the risk of developing acute renal failure is very low. Exercise 1 day before eccentric exercise was significantly associated with a reduced risk of exertional rhabdomyolysis, whereas postexercise stretching of the involved extremities might increase the risk.
Young Women as Smokers and Nonsmokers: A Qualitative Social Identity Approach
Authors: Lennon Alexia , Gallois Cindy , Owen Neville , McDermott Liane
Published: November 2005

The authors used a social identity perspective to explore young women’s perceptions of smoking. They carried out 13 focus groups and 6 intercept interviews with women aged 16 to 28 years in regards to the social identities that might influence young women’s smoking behavior. Three identities emerged: the cool smoker applied to the initiation of smoking; considerate smokers, who were older addicted smokers; and the actual and anticipated good mother identity, which applied to young women who quit smoking during pregnancy. These identities add to our understanding of the meaning of smoking within the lives of young women and might allow more focused initiatives with this group to prevent the progression to regular addicted smoking.
An Introduction to Concept Mapping as a Participatory Public Health Research Method
Authors: Burke Jessica G. , O’Campo Patricia , Peak Geri L. , Gielen Andrea C. , McDonnell Karen A. , Trochim William M. K.
Published: November 2005

In this article, the authors introduce concept mapping as a useful participatory research method for public health researchers interested in generating hypotheses and developing theory. The authors first provide an overview of concept mapping, which combines qualitative approaches with quantitative analytical tools to produce visual displays of the relationship between ideas. Then, they present an illustrative research application of the method to the exploration of women’s perceptions of the relationship between residential neighborhood factors and intimate partner violence experiences. They give attention to the data collection and analysis procedures and to demonstrating the intricacies of using concept mapping for public health research purposes. Finally, the article concludes with a discussion of the unique contributions and challenges associated with concept mapping.
Maintaining Support in People With Paralysis: What Works?
Authors: Devereux Paul G. , Bullock Charles C. , Bargmann-Losche Jessey , Kyriakou Michail
Published: November 2005

Social support is a protective factor for well-being in the risk-and-resilience framework, yet people with paralysis report lower levels of support compared to people without paralysis. Rather than examine deficits, in this study, the authors conducted in-depth interviews with individuals who report high levels of social support to examine what sustains this protective factor. Because relationship equity affects social support, the authors also examined this. They selected participants who reported high levels of support from a survey sample of 299 U.S. adults experiencing some form of paralysis. Seventeen participants completed the in-depth interview. The importance of reciprocity, maintaining autonomy, and a positive outlook for sustaining support were themes identified in the content analysis. In their responses, people with high support emphasized that they do all they can to affect their environment positively, so that ideally, the only assistance that they cannot provide themselves is successfully obtained from others.
Patient Participation in Health Research: Research With and for People With Spinal Cord Injuries
Authors: Abma Tineke A.
Published: November 2005

Traditionally, patients are rarely seen as partners in health research; their influence on priority setting, research design, the undertaking of research, and interpretation and dissemination of findings was marginal. Nowadays, health researchers, funding agencies, governments, and patient organizations are beginning to acknowledge that the passive role of patients in health research is no longer satisfactory. The emerging commitment and consensus concerning the aims and features of patient participation in research have created a need for an appropriate method to engage patients as partners in health research. In this article, the author argues that a responsive-constructivist approach to evaluation fits with the aims and features of patient participation. She illustrates its potential with a case example that concerns a dialogue among patients and (clinical) researchers in the field of spinal cord injuries. She reflects on learning experiences and the (un)expected difficulties and potentials in creating social conditions for patient participation in health research.
Why is Management an Evolutionary Science?
Authors: Augier Mie
Published: November 2005

This article introduces some of the central ideas and contributions of Sidney G. Winter and some background for his work. The topics of the introduction, such as Winter’s early inspiration and work, and the more general evolution of his ideas, are discussed with Professor Winter in the interview.
Leading in Cynical Times
Authors: Kouzes James M. , Posner Barry Z.
Published: November 2005

Times of uncertainty often breed cynicism. Disillusionment with people in high places who misuse the public’s trust erodes confidence in leaders. Given that leadership is a relationship—with credibility at the heart of this relationship—we postulate six important requirements for beating the cynics and restoring both the opportunity to lead and to have trust in our leaders.
Organizational Entrepreneurship
Authors: Hjorth Daniel
Published: November 2005

Focusing on the relation between work as a managerially ordered place and conditions for creativity within such an order, this article uses a number of spatial concepts to elaborate on organizational entrepreneurship as creation of space for play/invention. Organizational entrepreneurship is understood as constituting a silent history of organization and management theory. In crafting a history of the present of entrepreneurship, the author distances it from how it has become represented in management (enterprise) discourse. Michel de Certeau’s concepts of space and place and of strategy and tactics together with Michel Foucault’s concept of heterotopia allow the author to describe and analyze a case where an artists-company collaboration resulted in an entrepreneurial event, transforming work and surprising management.
Warning! Diversity Recruitment Could Backfire
Authors: Mckay Patrick F. , Avery Derek R.
Published: November 2005

Many companies have adopted diversity recruitment initiatives to garner the interest of minority job applicants. The implicit message in these initiatives is that firms maintain supportive diversity climates. Minority job applicants that are subsequently hired may believe that the recruitment tactics used to entice them were misleading if actual work-place diversity climates are unfavorable. This article utilizes the person-organization fit, realistic job preview, and psychological contract literatures to illustrate how common diversity recruitment practices may contribute to increased turnover among new minority hires. Several suggestions are presented for strengthening the link between diversity recruitment and minority employee retention.
Inspired Leadership in Challenging Times
Authors: Gruber Daniel A.
Published: November 2005

Mary Sue Coleman talks about the challenges of becoming the president of Michigan at a critical moment for the University. She details the planning she undertook as she prepared to step in front of the cameras to talk about the U.S. Supreme Court cases. The reader learns about Coleman’s leadership style and the methods she uses to engage with people who have views different from her own. Coleman discusses the role of public universities as well as the importance of the University of Michigan defending its admission policies in the affirmative action cases. President Coleman also details the challenges one faces in assuming ownership in a new leadership position.
Becoming Vanilla Pudding
Authors: Ashforth Blake E.
Published: November 2005

Society invests billions of dollars every year in helping management scholars help organizations. However, many scholars become contented with cranking out endless variations on tired themes. They become vanilla pudding: a bland comfort food with empty calories. To be sure, it is difficult under the best of circumstances to do research that makes a difference. But the profession has constructed artificial barriers to bold theorizing and empiricism, including discipline-specific training, journals, and funding; a bias against qualitative research; various pitfalls of the journal review process; and the defensiveness encouraged by the Great Wall of Academia—tenure. These barriers can be reduced by replacing tenure with regular performance reviews, by recognizing that not all A publications are equal, by judging scholarly books and chapters on their own merits, and by encouraging editors to empower authors. A few such judicious changes would help liberate rather than squelch the passion of management scholars.
The Metabolic Rift and Marine Ecology
Authors: Clausen Rebecca , Clark Brett
Published: November 2005

This article develops a theoretical foundation for understanding the human influence on the oceans and the resulting oceanic crisis as it relates to the depletion of fish stock and the expansion of aquaculture. Drawing on environmental sociology and insights from the historical materialist tradition, the authors study the nature-society dialectic as it relates to human interactions with the ocean for the capture of fish. We extend Marx’s concept of the metabolic rift to the marine environment to (a) understand the human transformations of the ocean ecosystem, (b) examine the anthropogenic (human-generated) causes of fish stock depletion, (c) study the development of aquaculture in response to the oceanic crisis, and (d) reveal the ecological consequences of ongoing capitalist production in relation to the ocean environment.
Society, Biology, and Ecology
Authors: Carolan Michael S.
Published: November 2005

This article represents both a continuance and a reformulation of an ongoing project: a call to sociology proper to “bring nature back in.” Moving beyond such earlier heuristics as Demeritt’s “conjoined materiality,” Freudenburg and colleagues’“conjoint constitution,” Norgaard’s “coevolution,” and Bell’s “ecological dialogue,” this article uses Bhaskar’s work and his writings on critical realism to develop a conceptual framework through which to view nature-society relations. Following a brief overview of Bhaskarian critical realism, a conceptual typology is forwarded whereby reality is collapsed into three fluid categories referred to as (in descending order of ontological depth) “nature,” nature, and Nature. Through this, a sketch of reality is presented that allows for critical discussion and analysis concerning the growing interrelationship between the social and the natural realms, while opening the door for debate as to what this dynamic means for sociology’s long-term viability.
The Death of Environmentalism or the Advent of Public Ecology?
Authors: Luke Timothy W.
Published: November 2005

In this response to a widely circulated essay by environmental activists Michael Shellenberger and Ted Nordhaus, the author provides a critique of some of their key points, including their assertion that “third wave environmentalism” must emphasize investments in public-private partnerships. Contrary to the positions advocated by Shellenberger and Nordhaus, an argument is made that the environment is a public space and collective good and that it is best understood through the lens of a truly public ecology. This approach offers the best chance to reconstruct environmentalism as a vital space for addressing global warming and other major problems. It provides a framework for gathering together new progressive movements aimed at achieving equity from the economy and ecology of the Earth. Further discussion is invited.
License to Run: Exercise Impacts Functional Plasticity in the Intact and Injured Central Nervous System by Using Neurotrophins
Authors: Vaynman Shoshanna , Gomez-Pinilla Fernando
Published: November 2005

Exercise has been found to impact molecular systems important for maintaining neural function and plasticity. A characteristic finding for the effects of exercise in the brain and spinal cord has been the up-regulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). This review focuses on the ability of exercise to impact brain circuitry by promoting neuronal repair and enhance learning and memory by increasing neurotrophic support. A paragon for the role of activity-dependent neurotrophins in the CNS is the capacity of BDNF to facilitate synaptic function and neuronal excitability. The authors discuss the effects of exercise in the intact and injured brain and spinal cord injury and the implementation of exercise preinjury and postinjury. As the CNS displays a capacity for plasticity throughout one’s lifespan, exercise may be a powerful lifestyle implementation that could be used to augment synaptic plasticity, promote behavioral rehabilitation, and counteract the deleterious effects of aging.
The Effect of Different Physiological Stimuli on Skin Vasomotor Reflexes above and below the Lesion in Human Chronic Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Nicotra Alessia , Young Tim M. , Asahina Masato , Mathias Christopher J.
Published: November 2005

Objective. Spinal cord injury (SCI) results in disruption of descending tonic activation of sympathetic circuits in the spinal cord. The authors determined whether different stimuli that increase sympathetic activity induced cutaneous vasoconstriction (skin vasomotor reflex, SkVR) above and below the level of lesion in subjects with clinically complete SCI. Methods. Baseline skin blood flow (SkBF) and SkVR reduction rate in the pulp of the finger and great toe was measured by laser Doppler probes in chronic complete SCI and in controls. Results. In the finger, baseline SkBF was similar in SCI and controls. The SkVR was elicited by all stimuli in controls but was significantly diminished to gasp, mental arithmetic, tactile stimulation, cutaneous cold, and deep breathing in high SCI compared to controls. In the toe, baseline SkBF was less stable in both controls and SCI. SkVR trends were identified in controls, and responses were not present or greatly reduced in high and low SCI. Conclusions. Measurements of skin vasomotor reflexes to physiological stimuli may be a noninvasive method to evaluate the extent of sympathetic adrenergic pathways in chronic SCI. This is of clinical relevance in monitoring recovery of sympathetic adrenergic function either spontaneously or following repair interventions.
dsRNA enhances eotaxin-3 production through interleukin-4 receptor upregulation in airway epithelial cells
Authors: Tsuji K. , Yamamoto S. , Ou W. , Nishi N. , Kobayashi I. , Zaitsu M. , Muro E. , Sadakane Y. , Ichimaru T. , Hamasaki Y.
Published: November 2005

The exacerbation of asthma during viral infections is mainly explained by neutrophils infiltrating into the airways. However, enhanced functions of eosinophils are also observed. The aim of this study was to reveal the mechanism of how eosinophils are activated during and after viral infection of the airways, using a model of viral infection.

A synthetic double-stranded RNA, poly inosinic-cytidyric acid (poly(IC)), was transfected to a human airway epithelial cell line (BEAS-2B) and the primary bronchial epithelial cells, to mimic a viral infection. The production of chemokines from the cells was investigated.

The transfection of poly(IC), alone, marginally affected the eotaxin-3 production of the cells. However, the transfection of poly(IC) prior to interleukin (IL)-4 stimulation enhanced eotaxin-3 production. Poly(IC) transfection increased mRNA and protein expressions of IL-4 receptor (R)α and IL-2Rγ, components of the IL-4R. In BEAS-2B cells, IL-4-mediated phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription six was enhanced in poly(IC) transfected cells. This was reversed by the addition of anti-IL-4Rα antibody, suggesting the role of an increased number of IL-4 receptors in enhanced IL-4-induced eotaxin-3 production. Poly(IC)-induced upregulation of IL-4Rα was inhibited by treatment with cycloheximide or dexamethasone.

In conclusion, these results suggest that viral airway infection may enhance interleukin-4-induced eotaxin-3 production through upregulation of the interleukin-4 receptor in airway epithelial cells.
Regulatory T-lymphocytes in asthma
Authors: van Oosterhout A. J. M. , Bloksma N.
Published: November 2005

T-helper cell type (Th)2 lymphocytes play an important role in the initiation, progression and persistence of allergic diseases, including asthma. However, little is known about immunoregulatory mechanisms that determine susceptibility to, severity of, or persistence of asthma. The concept of a disturbed Th1/Th2 balance, although having furthered the present understanding of immunoregulation in asthma, has recently been named a “procrustean paradigm”, because of its failure to adequately explain many (pre)clinical observations.

In recent years, the general knowledge regarding the regulation of infectious, autoimmune diseases, asthma and allergen immunotherapy by T-regulatory (Treg) cells, has rapidly increased. Many different Treg subsets have been described, including CD8+ Treg cells, natural killer (NK) cells and several different CD4+ Treg cell subsets.

In this review, the authors will focus on two major and well-described CD4+ Treg cell subsets. These consist of naturally occurring CD25+ Treg cells and adaptive Treg cells that are postulated to prevent immune responses against self-antigens and adaptive immune responses, respectively.

The adaptive T-regulatory cells are further subdivided into T-regulatory cells type 1 and T-helper cell type 3 that mediate suppression exclusivelyviathe cytokines interleukin-10 and transforming growth factor-β, respectively.
Necrotising sarcoid granulomatosis: clinical, functional, endoscopical and radiographical evaluations
Authors: Quaden C. , Tillie-Leblond I. , Delobbe A. , Delaunois L. , Verstraeten A. , Demedts M. , Wallaert B.
Published: November 2005

Necrotising sarcoid granulomatosis (NSG) is a rare disease diagnosed on the basis of pathological features. The present study reports the characteristics of 14 cases of NSG.

The mean age at the appearance of first symptoms was 37 yrs and the mean delay between first symptoms and diagnosis was 1 yr. Extrarespiratory symptoms were more common (12 out of 14) than respiratory symptoms (eight out of 14). Seven patients had inflammatory syndrome. Bronchoalveolar lavage was performed in eight patients and found to be normal in three cases. Respiratory function was normal in 13 patients, but carbon monoxide diffusing capacity was slightly decreased in eight of the 11 patients tested. A computed tomography scan showed a solitary nodule in four out of 14 cases, bilateral nodules in three and infiltrates in seven.

One patient died from neurological complications despite treatment with corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs. Two cases of relapse were observed in patients initially treated with corticosteroids, and there were two cases of relapse after surgery. No relapse occurred in the five untreated patients. During the follow-up, lung cancer was detected at 26 months and 8 yrs, respectively, after NSG diagnosis in two patients.

In conclusion, no one treatment is associated with a better outcome than the others, although lung biopsy might be necessary in case of isolated nodule or cavitation. Greater vigilance is required during the follow-up.
Effect of airway clearance techniques on the efficacy of the sputum induction procedure
Authors: Elkins M. R. , Lane T. , Goldberg H. , Pagliuso J. , Garske L. A. , Hector E. , Marchetto L. , Alison J. A. , Bye P. T. P.
Published: November 2005

Sputum induction is used in the early identification of tuberculosis (TB) and pneumocystis infections of the lung. Although manual physiotherapy techniques to clear the airways are often incorporated in the sputum induction procedure, their efficacy in this setting is unknown.

This randomised, crossover trial enrolled adults referred for sputum induction for suspected TB and pneumocystis infections of the lung. All participants underwent two sputum induction procedures, inhaling 3% salineviaultrasonic nebuliser. During one randomly allocated procedure, airway clearance techniques (chest wall percussion, vibration, huffing) were incorporated.

In total, 59 participants completed the trial. The airway clearance techniques had no significant effect on how the test was tolerated, the volume expectorated or the quality of the sample obtained (assessed by the presence of alveolar macrophages). The techniques did not significantly affect how often the test identified a suspected organism, nor the sensitivity or specificity of sputum induction.

In conclusion, the study was unable to demonstrate any effect of airway clearance techniques on the sputum induction procedure. The results provide some justification for not including airway clearance techniques as part of the sputum induction procedure.
Epidemiological relationships between the common cold and exacerbation frequency in COPD
Authors: Hurst J. R. , Donaldson G. C. , Wilkinson T. M. A. , Perera W. R. , Wedzicha J. A.
Published: November 2005

Higher exacerbation incidence rates in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are associated with more rapid decline in lung function and poorer quality of life, yet the mechanisms determining susceptibility to exacerbation remain ill-defined. The same viruses responsible for common colds are frequently isolated during exacerbations. The current authors hypothesised that exacerbation frequency may be associated with an increased frequency of colds, and investigated whether increased exacerbation frequency was associated with increased acquisition of colds, or a greater likelihood of exacerbation once a cold has been acquired.

A total of 150 patients with COPD completed diary cards recording peak expiratory flow, and respiratory and coryzal symptoms for a median 1,047 days. Annual cold and exacerbation incidence rates (cold and exacerbation frequency) were calculated, and the relationships between these variables were investigated.

This analysis is based on 1,005 colds and 1,493 exacerbations. Frequent exacerbators (i.e.those whose exacerbation frequency was greater than the median) experienced significantly more colds than infrequent exacerbators (1.73versus0.94·yr−1). The likelihood of exacerbation during a cold was unaffected by exacerbation frequency. Patients experiencing frequent colds had a significantly higher exposure to cigarette smoke (46versus33 pack-yrs).

Exacerbation frequency in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is associated with an increased frequency of acquiring the common cold, rather than an increased propensity to exacerbation once a cold has been acquired.
Value of smear and PCR in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in culture positive pulmonary tuberculosis
Authors: Tueller C. , Chhajed P. N. , Buitrago-Tellez C. , Frei R. , Frey M. , Tamm M.
Published: November 2005

At present, further investigations are needed in patients with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) and either negative sputum smear or without sputum. The aim of the present study was to analyse the yield of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) smear and PCR in patients with confirmed pulmonary TB.

Patients with a positive culture forMycobacterium tuberculosiscomplex in sputum or BALF were analysed over 5 yrs.

In total, 90 out of 230 (39%) patients with culture-positive pulmonary TB had a positive sputum smear, and 120 patients underwent bronchoscopy. BALF smear was positive in 56 (47%), BALF PCR in 93 (78%) patients, and BALF smear and/or PCR was positive in 83%. In total, 71 patients who underwent bronchoscopy and had complete clinical records were further analysed. BALF (smear orMycobacterium tuberculosiscomplex-PCR) allowed a rapid diagnosis in 10 (59%) out of 17 patients who had a negative sputum smear, and 49 (91%) out of 54 patients without sputum production. Of these 71 patients, 12 (17%) were only culture positive. Rapid diagnosis of pulmonary TB by smear and/or PCR was made in 190 out of 210 patients (90%) in sputum or BALF.

In conclusion, combined use of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid smear andMycobacterium tuberculosiscomplex-PCR has a good diagnostic yield in patients with sputum smear-negative tuberculosis or without sputum production.