bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Topoisomerase II alpha expression and the benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy for postoperative patients with non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Yan Shi , Shun-Chang Jiao , Li Chen , Jie Li , Ya-Li Lv , Ling-Xiong Wang
Published: November 2010

Background

Adjuvant chemotherapy has been shown to improve survival rates of postoperative patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Biomarkers could help select an appropriate chemotherapy for NSCLC patients or predict the efficacy of chemotherapy. The objective of this study was to explore the possible prognostic and predictive role of topoisomerase II alpha (TopIIα) expression level in postoperative NSCLC patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy.

Methods

Patients with stage I-III NSCLC, who underwent surgery in our hospital from January 2004 to December 2007 and who also received adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery, were analyzed in this study. Expression of TopIIα and Ki67 in paraffin-embedded tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The relationships between clinicopathological characteristics, chemotherapy regimens, the expression of biomarkers and disease free survival (DFS) were analyzed.

Results

TopIIα and Ki67 were highly expressed in 22.5% and 36.4% of the 151 patients, respectively. Univariate survival analysis showed that male sex (P = 0.036), non-adenocarcinoma (P = 0.004), earlier pathological TNM stage (P = 0.001) or pathological N stage (P < 0.001), and high expression of TopIIα (P = 0.012) were correlated with better DFS, whereas age, smoking history, different chemotherapy regimens, T stage and expression level of Ki67 were of no prognostic significance. Further stratified analysis showed that vinorelbine (NVB)-containing adjuvant regimens were generally associated with better DFS than regimens without NVB in patients with low TopIIα expression, though the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.065). Pairwise comparisons for patients with low TopIIα expression indicated that the NVB-containing regimen was associated with better DFS than the docetaxel (TXT)-containing regimen (P = 0.047). COX multivariate analysis showed that pathological TNM stage, histological subtype and expression level of TopIIα to be independent of risk factors affecting DFS in postoperative NSCLC patients who received chemotherapy.

Conclusions

High TopIIα expression was discovered to be correlated with better DFS for postoperative NSCLC patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy. The NVB-containing chemotherapy regimen was more effective than the TXT-containing regimen in improving DFS in patients with low TopIIα expression. TopIIα could be considered to be an independent prognostic biomarker of DFS in postoperative NSCLC patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy.
Use of rifampin in persistent coagulase negative staphylococcal bacteremia in neonates
Authors: van der Lugt N Margreth , Steggerda Sylke J , Walther Frans J
Published: November 2010

Background

Coagulase negative staphylococci (CoNS) are the most common cause of neonatal sepsis in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). A minority of neonates does not respond to vancomycin therapy and develops persistent bacteremia, which may be treated with rifampin. We evaluated the use of rifampin in persistent CoNS bacteremia.

Methods

Retrospective study of 137 neonates with CoNS bacteremia during admission to a tertiary NICU between July 2006 and July 2009. Main outcome measures were total duration of bacteremia and the adequacy of vancomycin and rifampin therapy.

Results

137/1696 (8.0%) neonates developed a CoNS bacteremia. Eighteen were treated with rifampin because of persistent bacteremia (3 positive blood cultures at least 48 hours apart with clinical symptoms) or (a serious suspicion of) an intravascular thrombus. Duration of bacteremia prior to rifampin therapy (8.0 ± 3.6 days) was positively correlated (p < 0.001) to the total duration of bacteremia (10.3 ± 3.7 days). After starting rifampin therapy C-reactive protein (CRP) levels of all neonates declined and blood cultures became sterile after 2.3 ± 1.6 days. Vancomycin levels were not consistently measured in all neonates, resulting in late detection of subtherapeutic trough levels.

Conclusion

Rifampin may be effective in the treatment of persistent CoNS infections in neonates. Outcome may be improved by adequate monitoring of vancomycin trough levels.
Associations of alcohol consumption with diabetes mellitus and impaired fasting glycemia among middle-aged and elderly Chinese
Authors: Liu Chen , Yu Zhijie , Li Huaixing , Wang Jing , Sun Liang , Qi Qibin , Lin Xu
Published: November 2010

Background

The U-shaped relationship between alcohol consumption and diabetes mellitus was observed among western populations. However, few studies have systematically evaluated the association in Chinese. We aimed to investigate the associations of alcohol consumption with diabetes mellitus and impaired fasting glycemia (IFG) among middle-aged and elderly Chinese.

Methods

We examined 1,458 men and 1,831 women aged 50 to 70 from Beijing and Shanghai China in a cross-sectional survey. Fasting glucose, adipokines and markers of inflammation were measured. Macronutrients and alcohol consumption were assessed with standardized questionnaires.

Results

Compared with abstainers, alcohol consumption was associated with a decreased risk of having diabetes mellitus in women (OR: 0.41, 95%CI: 0.22-0.78) after controlling for socio-demographic factors, physical activity, smoking, family income, family history of cardiovascular disease or diabetes, macronutrients intake, body mass index, and markers of inflammation and adipokines. In men, both low and high alcohol consumptions were associated with increased risks of having combined diabetes and IFG (ORs 1.36 [95%CI: 1.02-1.82] and 1.50 [95%CI: 1.04-2.15], respectively]. In the multivariable stratified analyses among men, moderate drinkers who had drinking days of ≥ 5 days/week had a deceased likelihood (OR: 0.61, 95%CI: 0.37-0.98) and liquor drinkers had an increased likelihood (OR: 1.47, 95%CI: 1.09-1.98) of having combined diabetes and IFG respectively, compared with the abstainers.

Conclusions

An approximately J-shaped association was observed between alcohol consumption and combined diabetes and IFG among men compared with abstainers in Chinese. Whether moderate alcohol intake could help decrease diabetic risk among Chinese people warrants further investigation.
The Atlas of human African trypanosomiasis: a contribution to global mapping of neglected tropical diseases
Authors: Simarro Pere P , Cecchi Giuliano , Paone Massimo , Franco José R , Diarra Abdoulaye , Ruiz José A , Fèvre Eric M , Courtin Fabrice , Mattioli Raffaele C , Jannin Jean G
Published: November 2010

Background

Following World Health Assembly resolutions 50.36 in 1997 and 56.7 in 2003, the World Health Organization (WHO) committed itself to supporting human African trypanosomiasis (HAT)-endemic countries in their efforts to remove the disease as a public health problem. Mapping the distribution of HAT in time and space has a pivotal role to play if this objective is to be met. For this reason WHO launched the HAT Atlas initiative, jointly implemented with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, in the framework of the Programme Against African Trypanosomosis.

Results

The distribution of HAT is presented for 23 out of 25 sub-Saharan countries having reported on the status of sleeping sickness in the period 2000 - 2009. For the two remaining countries, i.e. Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, data processing is ongoing. Reports by National Sleeping Sickness Control Programmes (NSSCPs), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Research Institutes were collated and the relevant epidemiological data were entered in a database, thus incorporating (i) the results of active screening of over 2.2 million people, and (ii) cases detected in health care facilities engaged in passive surveillance. A total of over 42 000 cases of HAT and 6 000 different localities were included in the database. Various sources of geographic coordinates were used to locate the villages of epidemiological interest. The resulting average mapping accuracy is estimated at 900 m.

Conclusions

Full involvement of NSSCPs, NGOs and Research Institutes in building the Atlas of HAT contributes to the efficiency of the mapping process and it assures both the quality of the collated information and the accuracy of the outputs. Although efforts are still needed to reduce the number of undetected and unreported cases, the comprehensive, village-level mapping of HAT control activities over a ten-year period ensures a detailed and reliable representation of the known geographic distribution of the disease. Not only does the Atlas serve research and advocacy, but, more importantly, it provides crucial evidence and a valuable tool for making informed decisions to plan and monitor the control of sleeping sickness.
CD4+CD25+ T regulatory cells from FIV+ cats induce a unique anergic profile in CD8+lymphocyte targets
Authors: Fogle Jonathan E , Tompkins Wayne A , Tompkins Mary B
Published: November 2010

Background

Using the FIV model, we reported previously that CD4+CD25+T regulatory (Treg) cells from FIV+cats are constitutively activated and suppress CD4+CD25-and CD8+T cell immune responses. In an effort to further explore Treg-mediated suppression, we asked whether Treg cells induce anergy through the alteration of production of cyclins, cyclin-dependent kinases and their inhibitors.

Results

Lymphocytes were obtained from control or FIV+cats and sorted by FACS into CD4+CD25+and CD8+populations. Following co-culture with CD4+CD25+cells, CD8+targets were examined by Western blot for changes in cyclins D3, E and A, retinoblastoma (Rb) protein, as well as the cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor p21cip1. Following co-culture with CD4+CD25+cells, we observed up-regulation of p21cip1and cyclin E, with down-regulation of cyclin D3, in CD8+cells from FIV+cats. As expected, CD8+targets from control cats were quiescent with little up-regulation of p21cip1and cyclin E. There was also a lack of Rb phosphorylation in CD8+targets consistent with late G1cell cycle arrest. Further, IL-2 mRNA was down regulated in CD8+cells after co-culture with CD4+CD25+Treg cells. Following CD4+CD25+co-culture, CD8+targets from FIV+cats also had increased Foxp3 mRNA expression; however, these CD8+Foxp3+cells did not exhibit suppressor function.

Conclusions

Collectively, these data suggest that CD4+CD25+Treg cells from FIV+cats induce CD8+anergy by disruption of normal G1to S cell cycle progression.
Lack of recovery in monocyte human leukocyte antigen-DR expression is independently associated with the development of sepsis after major trauma
Authors: Cheron Aurélie , Floccard Bernard , Allaouchiche Bernard , Guignant Caroline , Poitevin Françoise , Malcus Christophe , Crozon Jullien , Faure Alexandre , Guillaume Christian , Marcotte Guillaume , Vulliez Alexandre , Monneuse Olivier , Monneret Guillaume
Published: November 2010

Introduction

Major trauma is characterized by an overwhelming pro-inflammatory response and an accompanying anti-inflammatory response that lead to a state of immunosuppression, as observed after septic shock. Diminished monocyte Human Leukocyte Antigen DR (mHLA-DR) is a reliable marker of monocyte dysfunction and immunosuppression. The main objective of this study was to determine the relation between mHLA-DR expression in severe trauma patients and the development of sepsis.

Methods

We conducted a prospective observational study over 23 months in a trauma intensive care unit at a university hospital. Patients with an Injury Severity Score (ISS) over 25 and age over 18 were included. mHLA-DR was assessed by flow cytometry protocol according to standardized protocol. Mann-Whitney U-test for continuous non-parametric variables, independent paired t test for continuous parametric variables and chi-square test for categorical data were used.

Results

mHLA-DR was measured three times a week during the first 14 days. One hundred five consecutive severely injured patients were monitored (ISS 38 ± 17, SAPS II 37 ± 16). Thirty-seven patients (35%) developed sepsis over the 14 days post-trauma. At days 1-2, mHLA-DR was diminished in the whole patient population, with no difference with the development of sepsis. At days 3-4, a highly significant difference appeared between septic and non-septic patients. Non- septic patients showed an increase in mHLA-DR levels, whereas septic patients did not (13,723 ± 7,766 versus 9,271 ± 6,029 antibodies per cell, p = .004). Most importantly, multivariate logistic regression analysis, after adjustment for usual clinical confounders (adjusted OR 5.41, 95% CI 1.42-20.52), revealed that a slope of mHLA-DR expression between days1-2 and days 3-4 below 1.2 remained associated with the development of sepsis.

Conclusions

Major trauma induced an immunosuppression, characterized by a decrease in mHLA-DR expression. Importantly, after multivariate regression logistic analysis, persistent decreased expression was assessed to be in relation with the development of sepsis. This is the first study in trauma patients showing a link between the lack of immune recovery and the development of sepsis on the basis of the standardized protocol. Monitoring immune function by mHLA-DR measurement could be useful to identify trauma patients at a high risk of infection.
An analytical approach of the thermoelastohydrodynamic behaviour of mechanical face seals operating in mixed lubrication
Authors: Brunetière N
Published: November 2010

This article presents a semianalytical analysis of mechanical face seals. The model takes an account of thermal effects and face distortions that are the principal determinants of the performance of mechanical seals. Since the fluid film thickness observed during the operation of mechanical face seals is generally a fraction of a micrometre, asperity contact is also considered. A closed-form solution for the elastic rough surfaces’ contact is obtained by assuming a simplified distribution for asperity height. It has been shown in a previous article that the behaviour of a non-contacting seal is a function of just two dimensionless parameters: the sealing number Se, which depends on the operating and design parameters of the seal, and the coning number Co, which is the ratio between elastic and thermal distortions. When contact involving asperities is considered, the number of dimensionless parameters rises to six. The behaviour of the seal is, in addition, a function of the ratio of the asperity height to the thermal distortion magnitude, the ratio of the elastic properties of the asperities to the sealed fluid pressure, the ratio between dry and viscous frictions, as well as the balance ratio. Nevertheless, this model allows one to determine in a simple and rapid way the performance of a mechanical seal: temperature of the faces, film thickness, leakage, dissipated power, proportion of contact, etc. The model is applied to several examples in order to illustrate the behaviour of a mechanical seal.
HIV non-occupational postexposure prophylaxis in a Canadian province: treatment completion and follow-up testing
Authors: Wong K , Hughes C A , Plitt S , Foisy M , MacDonald J , Johnson M , Singh A E
Published: November 2010

Provincial guidelines for HIV non-occupational postexposure prophylaxis (NPEP) were implemented on January 2005 in Alberta, Canada. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) NPEP was provided free of charge following approval by a medical officer of health. Between 1 January 2005 and 30 June 2007, 174 individuals were prescribed NPEP; 135 (78%) were women with a median age of 24 years. Sexual assaults accounted for 68% of exposures. NPEP was completed in 49% of cases. Individuals who completed NPEP were less likely to have been exposed by sexual assault ( P = 0.04) and more likely to have received HIV follow-up testing ( P = 0.03).Individuals who received at least one HIV follow-up test were older ( P = 0.03) and more likely to have been exposed percutaneously ( P = 0.003). Those who received no follow-up testing were less likely to have filled an NPEP prescription ( P = 0.0001). New strategies are required to improve follow-up of individuals receiving NPEP, especially younger persons or sexual assault survivors.
The awareness of postexposure prophylaxis for HIV infection following sexual exposure in emergency departments in a regional HIV network
Authors: Rutland E , Sundaram S , Mani R
Published: November 2010

The introduction of UK clinical guidelines in 2006 set clear standards for the provision of postexposure prophylaxis for HIV following sexual exposure (PEPSE) to patients who present to health-care settings. However, some patients have reported wide inequities in provision of PEPSE. We used a questionnaire to evaluate staff awareness and provision of PEPSE in various clinical situations in three major emergency departments (EDs) in the Wessex region of the UK. Thirty-three doctors and 50 nurses completed the questionnaire. There was a general lack of awareness regarding local protocols, availability of postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) packs and whom to contact for advice. Knowledge about PEP provision varied according to clinical scenario but was better among senior medical staff. The deficits in awareness and knowledge of PEPSE among ED staff highlighted in this study raises concerns about patients' access to this intervention. We plan to implement local training to address these issues and raise awareness of the local genitourinary medicine/HIV services as a source of advice.
A survey of sexual health services in UK prisons
Authors: Tang A , Maw R , Kell P
Published: November 2010

Sexual health services in prisons are provided without recognized national standards or commissioning guidance and surveillance data are incomplete. This original survey provides essential information on key elements of services in a large sample of UK prisons that will inform planning, development and monitoring of such services in an era of scarce NHS resources.
A comparison of sexual and reproductive health services provided by genitourinary and family planning clinics for adolescents
Authors: Paton S L , Fernando I , Lamont R F
Published: November 2010

The purpose of the study was to assess the use of sexual and reproductive health services by adolescents aged 15 years and younger. A case-note review was conducted at both a genitourinary medicine clinic and a family planning clinic in Edinburgh, UK. The demographics of the attendees, reasons for attending, risk factors, diagnostic tests undertaken and contraceptive advice given differed between the two clinics. Approximately 73% of attendees with documented responses used alcohol and 21% used recreational drugs, 5% reported self-harm, 25% reported being victims of sexual assault, 13% had a current sexually transmitted infection and 6% of girls had already been pregnant. While this group of young people understand the differences in emphasis between the clinics, adolescents may be intimidated and discouraged from attending or may fail to return, and the combination of overlap, together with omissions in cross-clinic function, suggests that for this age group the services of these clinics should be combined.
A case of sexual transmission of Escherichia coli leading to urine infections in a male homosexual couple?
Authors: Ashby J , Smith A
Published: November 2010

We report a case of simultaneous identical Escherichia coli urinary tract infections in a male homosexual couple practising unprotected insertive anal intercourse, and propose sexual transmission between the couple.
Adsorption of Heavy Metal Ions on Pomegranate (Punica Granatum) Peel: Removal and Recovery of Cr(VI) Ions from a Multi-metal Ion System
Authors: Rao Rifaqat A.K. , Rehman Fouzia
Published: November 2010

The fruit peel of pomegranate ( Punica granatum) exhibits a high affinity for Cu(II), Ni(II), Cd(II) and Zn(II) ions. The maximum adsorption observed was that of Cu(II) ions, followed by Zn(II), Cd(II), Ni(II) and Cr(VI) ions. The adsorption of Cu(II) ions was dependent on the initial Cu(II) ion concentration, pH, adsorbent dose, temperature and contact time. The adsorption isotherms could be described by the Langmuir and Freundlich equations. Application of the χ2-test indicated that both these models were best obeyed at 20 °C. Thermodynamic parameters such as ΔH0, ΔS0 and ΔG0 were evaluated, the adsorption process being endothermic and spontaneous in nature. The value of the mean free energy indicated that the adsorption process was chemical in nature. Kinetic data showed that the pseudo-second-order model provided the best fit for the experimental data. Attempts were made using batch and column methods to desorb Cu(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Cr(VI) ions from synthetic wastewater as well as from wastewater derived from electroplating activities. The breakthrough capacities of Cu(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Cr(VI) ions were 6, 2, 2, 2 and 0 mg/g, respectively, when a mixture of these metal ions was treated. The adsorbent was utilized to recover Cr(VI) ions from electroplating wastewater.
Ceramic-Supported Alginate Adsorbent for the Removal of Heavy Metal Ions
Authors: Athanasekou Chrysoula P. , Romanos George E. , Sapalidis Andreas A. , Kanellopoulos Nick K.
Published: November 2010

Hybrid alginate/ceramic support sorbents have been developed by the physical imbibing of an alginic acid solution into silica pores and γ-alumina microspheres. The metal ion-binding capacity of the prepared hybrids was examined by means of batch Cd2+ ion adsorption experiments. In addition, since the porous γ-alumina microspheres proved capable of retaining higher quantities of alginic acid than silica, they were chosen as a more appropriate substrate for the application of a chemical modification procedure. In this context, the aim was to develop hybrid sorbents with an enhanced stability and adsorption capacity obtained by grafting the bio-molecule onto the substrate. Such chemical modification included grafting two different types of silanes onto the external surface and pores of γ-alumina, followed by chemical bonding of the alginate with the characteristic groups of the silane molecules involved. Such chemically-prepared sorbents exhibited almost twice the Cd2+ ion adsorption capacity of sorbents prepared by physical imbibing methods. The best uptake achieved in the present work was 1.44 mg Cd2+ ion/g substrate. Moreover, the adsorption capacity per bonded alginate mass exceeded the capacity often reported in the literature for alginate beads.
Adsorption of Some Transition Metal Ions [Cu(II), Fe(III), Cr(III) and Au(III)] onto Lignite-Based Activated Carbons Modified by Oxidation
Authors: Vassileva Paunka St. , Detcheva Albena K.
Published: November 2010

The main purpose of the present work was to study the adsorption of some transition metal ions from aqueous solution via a novel porous material obtained from Bulgarian lignite (Chukurovo deposit) and its oxidized modifications. The adsorption of Cu(II), Fe(III), Cr(III) and Au(III) ions was investigated using batch methods to study solutions with different concentrations and acidities. It was found that the adsorption process was affected significantly by the pH value of the aqueous solution. Treatment of the equilibrium data using the linear Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevich models allowed the maximum adsorption capacities to be calculated. The uptake of Au(III) ions was almost 100% for the three adsorbents investigated, being greater than 300 mg/ℓ and independent of the pH over the pH range studied. The initial activated carbon proved to be the most suitable for the selective adsorption of Au(III) ions from aqueous solutions in the presence of other transition metal ions, while its oxidized modification Ch-P exhibited an enhanced adsorption efficiency towards transition metals.
How Peripheral Developers Contribute to Open-Source Software Development
Authors: Setia Pankaj , Rajagopalan Balaji , Sambamurthy Vallabh , Calantone Roger
Published: November 2010

Open-source software development is the next stage in the evolution of product development, particularly software products. Compared with the prevailing proprietary approaches, open-source software products are developed by co-opting external developers and prospective users. Although a core group of developers might still play a key role in the initial design and development, a notable aspect of the open-source software paradigm is the role of peripheral developers in the enhancement and popularization of the product. Peripheral developers are not formal members of the core development team. They voluntarily contribute their time and creative talent in improving the quality of the product or in popularizing the product through word-of-mouth advocacy. As volunteers, they are not subject to the traditional hierarchical controls, nor are they contractually obligated. Peripheral developers represent a novel and unique aspect of open-source software development, and there is a greater interest in tapping their potential. However, there has been limited evidence about how and when their participation has beneficial impacts. We examine how peripheral developers contribute to product quality and diffusion by utilizing longitudinal data on 147 open-source software products. Hierarchical linear modeling analysis indicates that peripheral developers make significant contributions to product quality and diffusion, especially on projects that are in the more mature stages of product development.
Research Commentary—Reframing the Dominant Quests of Information Systems Strategy Research for Complex Adaptive Business Systems
Authors: Tanriverdi Hüseyin , Rai Arun , Venkatraman N.
Published: November 2010

We review and reframe three main quests of research on information systems (IS) strategy: (1) the strategic alignment quest, (2) the integration quest, and (3) the sustained competitive advantage quest. The assumptions and logic of these quests have become less relevant in increasingly complex adaptive business systems (CABS), where the competitive performance landscapes of products and services are highly dynamic and co-evolve. We revise the strategic alignment quest to propose a co-evolution quest that addresses not only competitive strategy questions of a firm but also corporate strategy questions. The co-evolution quest seeks to increase a firm's agility and dynamism in repositioning itself, identifying profitable product-market positions as the evolving competitive landscape erodes the profitability of the firm's existing positions. To support the co-evolution quest, we revise the integration quest and propose a reconfiguration quest that encompasses not only business processes but also products and services, as well as the contracts, resources, and transactions associated with them. As the firm makes repositioning moves to co-evolve with the competitive landscape, the reconfiguration quest seeks to increase the firm's agility in disintegrating its existing nexus of contracts, resources, and transactions that support the old positions and in reconfiguring new ones that support the new positions. Finally, we revise the sustained competitive advantage quest to propose a renewal quest that recognizes the temporary nature of competitive advantage in CABS. The renewal quest seeks to destabilize the firm's old sources of competitive advantage when competitive dynamics erode their utility, rapidly create new sources of competitive advantage, and concatenate a series of temporary advantages over time. The three reframed quests provide the foundation for a research agenda on IS strategy in CABS.
Research Commentary—Digital Infrastructures: The Missing IS Research Agenda
Authors: Tilson David , Lyytinen Kalle , Sørensen Carsten
Published: November 2010

Since the inauguration of information systems research (ISR) two decades ago, the information systems (IS) field's attention has moved beyond administrative systems and individual tools. Millions of users log onto Facebook, download iPhone applications, and use mobile services to create decentralized work organizations. Understanding these new dynamics will necessitate the field paying attention to digital infrastructures as a category of IT artifacts. A state-of-the-art review of the literature reveals a growing interest in digital infrastructures but also confirms that the field has yet to put infrastructure at the centre of its research endeavor. To assist this shift we propose three new directions for IS research: (1) theories of the nature of digital infrastructure as a separate type of IT artifact, sui generis; (2) digital infrastructures as relational constructs shaping all traditional IS research areas; (3) paradoxes of change and control as salient IS phenomena. We conclude with suggestions for how to study longitudinal, large-scale sociotechnical phenomena while striving to remain attentive to the limitations of the traditional categories that have guided IS research.
Research Commentary—The Design, Use, and Consequences of Virtual Processes
Authors: Overby Eric , Slaughter Sandra A. , Konsynski Benn
Published: November 2010

Process virtualization occurs when a process that relies upon physical interaction between people and/or objects is transitioned to a virtual environment. Process virtualization is having profound effects on society, as an increasing number of both business and nonbusiness processes such as those related to education, medicine, and dating are being migrated to virtual environments. There is a vast literature that relates to process virtualization topics, but it is fragmented across different domains. The purpose of this paper is to propose a research agenda to develop high-level theories and frameworks that inform the general process virtualization phenomenon. Developing these theories and frameworks will synthesize existing knowledge and provide a theoretical foundation upon which to add new knowledge as it is created. This will help policy makers maximize the substantial benefits of virtual processes while minimizing the risks. Given the background, interests, and skills of IS scholars, the IS discipline is well suited to lead in this endeavor.
Research Commentary—Vigilant Interaction in Knowledge Collaboration: Challenges of Online User Participation Under Ambivalence
Authors: Jarvenpaa Sirkka L. , Majchrzak Ann
Published: November 2010

Online participation engenders both the benefits of knowledge sharing and the risks of harm. Vigilant interaction in knowledge collaboration refers to an interactive emergent dialogue in which knowledge is shared while it is protected, requiring deep appraisals of each others' actions in order to determine how each action may influence the outcomes of the collaboration. Vigilant interactions are critical in online knowledge collaborations under ambivalent relationships where users collaborate to gain benefits but at the same time protect to avoid harm from perceived vulnerabilities. Vigilant interactions can take place on discussion boards, open source development, wiki sites, social media sites, and online knowledge management systems and thus is a rich research area for information systems researchers. Three elements of vigilant interactions are described: trust asymmetry, deception and novelty. Each of these elements challenges prevailing theory-based assumptions about how people collaborate online. The study of vigilant interaction, then, has the potential to provide insight on how these elements can be managed by participants in a manner that allows knowledge sharing to proceed without harm.
Research Commentary—Virtual Worlds: A Performative Perspective on Globally Distributed, Immersive Work
Authors: Schultze Ulrike , Orlikowski Wanda J.
Published: November 2010

Virtual worlds are immersive, simulated, persistent, and dynamic environments that include rich graphical three dimensional spaces, high fidelity audio, motion, viewpoint, and interactivity. Initially dismissed as environments of play, virtual worlds have gained legitimacy in business and educational settings for their application in globally distributed work, project management, online learning, and real-time simulation. Understanding the emergent aspects of these virtual worlds and their implications for organizations will require both new theories and new methods. We propose that a performative perspective may be particularly useful as it challenges the existence of independent objects with fixed or given properties and boundaries, and focuses instead on situated and relational practices that enact entangled and contingent boundaries, entities, identities, and effects.
Research Commentary—Seeking the Configurations of Digital Ecodynamics: It Takes Three to Tango
Authors: El Sawy Omar A. , Malhotra Arvind , Park YoungKi , Pavlou Paul A.
Published: November 2010

This paper starts from the premise that the simultaneous increase in environmental turbulence, the requisite speed of organizational change, and the intensified ubiquity of digital technologies are spawning a phenomenon that is messy, complex, and chaotic. Accordingly, we need to change the way we examine how information technology (IT) can help organizations build a strategic advantage in turbulent environments. We propose a more systemic and holistic perspective to theory building and testing in the information system (IS) strategy area and correspondingly appropriate methods that capture the complexity of this phenomenon. We term this phenomenon digital ecodynamics, defined as the holistic confluence among environmental turbulence, dynamic capabilities, and IT systems—and their fused dynamic interactions unfolding as an ecosystem. We believe that a more holistic understanding of digital ecodynamics will fuel the next leap in knowledge in the IS strategy area.

First, extending the strategic management literature that has mainly focused on two-way interactions between environmental turbulence and dynamic capabilities, we foreground IT systems as a third central element. We use a “threesome tango” analogy1 with strong mutual interdependence to accentuate our view of digital ecodynamics—while also stressing the emerging role of IT systems in triggering environmental turbulence and shaping dynamic capabilities to build a strategic advantage. Second, we propose a different paradigmatic lens (configuration theories) as an appropriate inquiring system to better understand the complexity of digital ecodynamics. The paper articulates the key aspects of configuration theories as inquiring systems, compares them with the more common variance theories and process theories, and illustrates the power of recent advances in configurational methods. Third, we create a preliminary roadmap for IS researchers to better examine digital ecodynamics using novel structural properties afforded by configuration theories (i.e., mutual causality, discontinuity, punctuated equilibria, nonlinear change). Fourth, we reflect on the broader opportunities that the configurational perspective of digital ecodynamics can create for IS strategy research. The paper ends by highlighting the double-barreled opportunity that digital ecodynamics renders, both as an energizing vision for IS strategy research and also as a reshaper of strategic management research and practice in a turbulent and digitized world.
Research Commentary—Cooperation, Coordination, and Governance in Multisourcing: An Agenda for Analytical and Empirical Research
Authors: Bapna Ravi , Barua Anitesh , Mani Deepa , Mehra Amit
Published: November 2010

Multisourcing, the practice of stitching together best-of-breed IT services from multiple, geographically dispersed service providers, represents the leading edge of modern organizational forms. While major strides have been achieved in the last decade in the information systems (IS) and strategic management literature in improving our understanding of outsourcing, the focus has been on a dyadic relationship between a client and a vendor. We demonstrate that a straightforward extrapolation of such a dyadic relationship falls short of addressing the nuanced incentive-effort-output linkages that arise when multiple vendors, who are competitors, have to cooperate and coordinate to achieve the client's business objectives. We suggest that when multiple vendors have to work together to deliver end-to-end services to a client, the choice of formal incentives and relational governance mechanisms depends on the degree of interdependence between the various tasks as well as the observability and verifiability of output. With respect to cooperation, we find that a vendor must not only put effort in a “primary” task it is responsible for but also cooperate through “helping” effort in enabling other vendors perform their primary tasks. In the context of coordination, we find that task redesign for modularity, OLAs, and governance structures such as the guardian vendor model represent important avenues for further research. Based on the analysis of actual multisourcing contract details over the last decade, interviews with leading practitioners, and a review of the single-sourcing literature, we lay a foundation for normative theories of multisourcing and present a research agenda in this domain.
Highlight: Xenobiotics and Cell Signaling
Authors: Klotz Lars-Oliver , Giehl Klaudia
Published: November 2010

No abstract available
Murine aldo-keto reductase family 1 subfamily B: identification of AKR1B8 as an ortholog of human AKR1B10
Authors: Joshi Amit , Rajput Sandeep , Wang Chun , Ma Jun , Cao Deliang
Published: November 2010

Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B10 (AKR1B10), over-expressed in multiple human cancers, might be implicated in cancer development and progression via detoxifying cytotoxic carbonyls and regulating fatty acid synthesis. In the present study, we investigated the ortholog of AKR1B10 in mice, an ideal modeling organism greatly contributing to human disease investigations. In the mouse, there are three aldo-keto reductase family 1 subfamily B (AKR1B) members, i.e., AKR1B3, AKR1B7, and AKR1B8. Among them, AKR1B8 has the highest similarity to human AKR1B10 in terms of amino acid sequence, computer-modeled structures, substrate spectra and specificity, and tissue distribution. More importantly, similar to human AKR1B10, mouse AKR1B8 associates with murine acetyl-CoA carboxylase-α and mediates fatty acid synthesis in colon cancer cells. Taken together, our data suggest that murine AKR1B8 is the ortholog of human AKR1B10.
Increase of SARS-CoV 3CL peptidase activity due to macromolecular crowding effects in the milieu composition
Authors: Okamoto Debora N. , Oliveira Lilian C.G. , Kondo Marcia Y. , Cezari Maria H.S. , Szeltner Zoltán , Juhász Tünde , Juliano Maria A. , Polgár László , Juliano Luiz , Gouvea Iuri E.
Published: November 2010

The 3C-like peptidase of the severe acute respiratory syndrome virus (SARS-CoV) is strictly required for viral replication, thus being a potential target for the development of antiviral agents. In contrast to monomeric picornavirus 3C peptidases, SARS-CoV 3CLpro exists in equilibrium between the monomer and dimer forms in solution, and only the dimer is proteolytically active in dilute buffer solutions. In this study, the increase of SARS-CoV 3CLpro peptidase activity in presence of kosmotropic salts and crowding agents is described. The activation followed the Hofmeister series of anions, with two orders of magnitude enhancement in the presence of Na2SO4, whereas the crowding agents polyethylene glycol and bovine serum albumin increased the hydrolytic rate up to 3 times. Kinetic determinations of the monomer dimer dissociation constant (K
d) indicated that activation was a result of a more active dimer, without significant changes in K
d values. The activation was found to be independent of substrate length and was derived from both k
cat increase and K
m decrease. The viral peptidase activation described here could be related to the crowded intracellular environment and indicates a further fine-tuning mechanism for biological control, particularly in the microenvironment of the vesicles that are induced in host cells during positive strand RNA virus infection.
Option pricing in bilateral Gamma stock models
Authors: Küchler Uwe , Tappe Stefan
Published: November 2010

In the framework of bilateral Gamma stock models we seek for adequate option pricing measures, which have an economic interpretation and allow numerical calculations of option prices. Our investigations encompass Esscher transforms, minimal entropy martingale measures, p-optimal martingale measures, bilateral Esscher transforms and the minimal martingale measure. We illustrate our theory by a numerical example.
Low amplitude, low frequency elastic measurements using Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer (DMA) spectroscopy
Authors: Salje Ekhard K. H. , Schranz Wilfried
Published: November 2010

The applications of DMA methods for the investigation of the dynamical mechanical properties of materials are reviewed. Experimental details of this method are described including the combination of DMA with X-ray rocking curve measurements to investigate the details of the domain patterns. Emphasis is given to the effect of phase transitions, in particular in ferroelastic and co-elastic systems where the ‘easy’ movement of domain boundaries, twin walls and other interfaces lead to super-elastic softening of the material. Thermodynamic constraints, such as in the adiabatic-isothermal crossover are discussed.

Smooth, ballistic propagation of domain walls are contrasted with the jerky behaviour of interfaces when phase transitions of first order are investigated. It is shown that for the ballistic behaviour, momentum driven wall movements are common and that their representation in Cole-Cole plots leads to depressed semi-circles, similar to methods used in dielectric spectroscopy. In jerky elastic responses the energy dissipation follows power law dependences. Domain wall pinning and domain wall freezing is discussed in some detail.
Nascent zeolite frameworks grown from amorphous gels – identification and prospects for crystal engineering
Authors: Dorset Douglas L.
Published: November 2010

From the standpoint of designing microporous frameworks with desired pore diameter and dimensionality, and, especially, the optimization of crystal habit, the crystal engineering of new zeolites must be based on concepts/procedures different from those appropriate for the design of organic crystals. This is because the structure building units proposed by Barrer and co-workers are probably not instrumental for framework construction, thus eliminating the important ‘synthon’ approach used for the construction of innovative organic solids. With some variant of the Flanigen model for crystal growth via one SiO2 unit at a time, the best approach to zeolite crytal growth engineering appears to occur indirectly via structure directing agents that can also be modified to influence the emergent crystal habit. Prospects for identifying frameworks emerging from synthesis gels are also discussed in this review, revealing that the use of radial distribution functions is less informative than for the analysis of silicate glasses.
Synthesis, crystal structure, electrical and thermal transport properties of the skutterudite-derivative RhGe1.5–x
Se1.5+x
Authors: Liang Ying , Schnelle Walter , Oeschler Niels , Budnyk Serhij , Grin Yuri
Published: November 2010

The skutterudite-derivative phase RhGe1.5-x
Se1.5+x
has been synthesized and structurally characterized by metallography and powder X-ray diffraction data. At x = 0, RhGe1.5Se1.5 displays trigonal sym metry, space group R-3, with unit cell parameters a = 12.0601(8) Å, c = 14.826(1) Å, V = 1867.5(4) Å3, and Z = 24. The crystal structure can be viewed as a modification of the cubic structure of the skutterudite CoAs3, where Ge and Se anions order in layers perpendicular to the [111] direction of the cubic skutterudite unit cell. Electrical resistivity, Seebeck coefficient and thermal conductivity of the phase RhGe1.5–x
Se1.5+x
( p-type semiconductor) have been investigated for different x values in the temperature range from 3 to 640 K.
β-cell function and metabolic control in latent autoimmune diabetes in adults with early insulin versus conventional treatment: a 3-year follow-up
Authors: Thunander Maria , Thorgeirsson Hlin , Törn Carina , Petersson Christer , Landin-Olsson Mona
Published: November 2010

Objectives

The optimal treatment of latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) is not established. We explored whether early insulin treatment, which has shown beneficial effects in rodents and in human pilot studies, would result in better preservation of β-cell function or metabolic control, compared with conventional treatment.

Subjects and methods

Glucagon-stimulated C-peptide and HbAlc were evaluated at baseline and after 12, 24 and 36 months in 37 patients recently diagnosed with diabetes, aged ≥30 years, non-insulin-requiring and GADAb and/or ICA positive. Twenty patients received early insulin and 17 received conventional treatment (diet±oral hypoglycaemic agents (OHA), metformin, some and/or sulfonylurea) and insulin when necessary.

Results

Level of metabolic control, HbAlc, was preserved in the early insulin treated, while it significantly deteriorated in the conventionally treated. There was no significant difference between the groups in C-peptide after 12, 24 or 36 months, or in the decline of C-peptide. Only baseline C-peptide predicted a C-peptide of ≥0.5 nmol/l at 36 months. Gender, body mass index, antibody titres or HbAlc did not influence the levels of C-peptide or HbAlc at baseline or end-of-study, or the decline in C-peptide. Among the diet±OHA-treated, 5/17 (30%) developed insulin dependency during the follow-up. No major hypoglycaemic events occurred.

Conclusions

Early insulin treatment in LADA leads to better preservation of metabolic control and was safe. Superior preservation of C-peptide could not be significantly demonstrated. Only baseline level of C-peptide significantly influenced C-peptide level after 3 years. Further studies exploring the best treatment in LADA are warranted.
Relationships between homeoprotein EGAM1C and the expression of the placental prolactin gene family in mouse placentae and trophoblast stem cells
Authors: Saito Koichi , Ogawa Atsushi , Toyofuku Kyoko , Hosoi Yusuke , Soma Miki , Iha Momoe , Kasuga Kano , Kojima Ikuo , Kobayashi Masayuki
Published: November 2010

The mouseCrxosgene encodes three structurally related homeoproteins, EGAM1, EGAM1N, and EGAM1C, as transcription and splicing variants. Recently, we identified the functions of EGAM1 and EGAM1N in the regulation of differentiation in mouse embryonic stem cells. However, the function of EGAM1C remains unknown. To explore the additional roles of these proteins, the ontogenic expression of the respective mRNAs in post implantation mouse embryos and extraembryonic tissues, particularly from embryonic day (E) 10.5 to E18.5, was analyzed. The expression ofEgam1nmRNA was specifically detected in embryos throughout this period, whereas that ofEgam1was undetectable in any of the tissues examined. However, in the placenta,Egam1cmRNA and its encoded protein were detected after E16.5, and these expression levels increased by E18.5 immediately before partum. Quantitative RT-PCR andin situhybridization analyses in placentae revealed that the spatial and temporal expression patterns of theEgam1cmRNA were related to some extent with those ofPrl3a1andPrl5a1and partially overlapped that ofPrl3b1, which are members of the placental prolactin (PRL) gene family. When EGAM1C was overexpressed moderately in mouse trophoblast stem cells as a model for undifferentiated and differentiating placental cell types, the expression levels of endogenousPrl3b1andPrl5a1were enhanced under both undifferentiated and differentiating culture conditions. These results indicated that EGAM1C may play a role in the expression of members of the placental PRL gene family, such asPrl3b1andPrl5a1.