bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Strategic planning and design in the service sector
Authors: Larsen Povl , Tonge Richard , Lewis Alan
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report on the findings of a research project into strategic planning and design in the service sector sponsored by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and supported by the Design Council into Design for Accounting.

Design/methodology/approach

The research used a mail survey questionnaire to gain information on design and strategic issues.

Findings

The findings are that the majority of medium‐sized service enterprises do not have a design function or use design. For those that do use design, the majority see design as very important: the benefits of design relate to the brand image of both the organisation and the services provided, closely followed by increased profits. Design has been used in the past to add value and improve quality, while innovation has been and will in the future be the main strategic area to concentrate on. Key strategic activities in the past have been adding new customers, whereas in the future the key strategic activities will be to understand customer needs.

Originality/value

The findings of the paper are important because they shed light on the importance of design and the benefits of design in the service sector, the service design strategies responsible for current performance, how the performance of service sector medium‐sized enterprises is assessed in terms of financial, market and service supply criteria, how service sector medium‐sized enterprises have reached their current status and how they intend to progress in the future, and the organisational, service supply and market factors employed in the past and how these might change in the future.
Development of three scales to measure leader accountability
Authors: Wood James A. (Andy) , Winston Bruce E.
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to focus on the development of three scales to measure the three dimensions of accountability presented by Wood and Winston (2005): responsibility; openness; and answerability.

Design/methodology/approach

The scale development process followed the method proposed by Spector in 1992 and DeVellis in 2003 in that each of the three constructs were defined and through a search of the literature the authors generated pools of 26, 21, and 19 items respectively. The items were submitted to a panel of six experts, who reviewed them for relevance to the construct and who made suggestions for the general improvement of the scales. The scales were then tested online by 148 participants.

Findings

Factor analyses revealed that the item pools measured one construct in each of the scales. Reliability analysis revealed Cronbach alpha coefficients of 0.98 (Responsibility), 0.99 (Openness) and 0.98 (Answerability). The scales were reduced to 10 items by removing items deemed redundant or confusing. Alpha scores for the ten‐item scales were 0.97 (Responsibility), 0.97 (Openness) and 0.98 (Answerability).

Research limitations/implications

The study participants were primarily Caucasian males. Further study should be done to validate the instrument in other ethnic groups.

Originality/value

The three scales may be useful for leadership selection, development, and research in overall leadership effectiveness.
A cartographic analysis of the correlation between document supply and citations in pharmacology: a case study from INIST in France (part 2)
Authors: Bador Pascal , Boukacem‐Zeghmouri Chérifa , Lafouge Thierry , Prost Hélène , Schöpfel Joachim
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The article aims to investigate the correlation between citations and the document supply of print serials.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on data from INIST‐CNRS for document supply requests and from ISI for citations from 89 serials with JCR impact factors in pharmacology. Data were collected from 1992 to 2004.

Findings

The results distinguish four groups of serials with different relationships between document supply requests and citations. The characteristics of the serials of the four groups are described (year of creation, price, etc.). The evolution of the correlation between document supply and citations is analysed.

Originality/value

This is the second of three articles on a longitudinal study over 13 years on different aspects of the relationship between document supply and impact factor (citations) in pharmacology, a scientific domain with a high use of scientific information.
Taming the Tasman: international interlending under the Southern Cross
Authors: Ong David , Reid David , Simons Natasha
Published: March 2007

Purpose

This article seeks to provide an update of two papers presented to the VDX Users Group of Australia and New Zealand during 2006. It aims to explore the issues associated with the implementation of Trans Tasman Interlending and its subsequent success, and is written primarily from a technical perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

The first part describes the issues addressed, processes used and resolutions adopted in the period leading up to the go‐live of Trans Tasman Interlending. The second part provides a review of the first six months of operation.

Findings

Trans Tasman Interlending has produced interesting results and is clearly more significant for interlending in New Zealand than it is Australia. This article looks at a variety of result areas and delves into the issues the linked service has highlighted.

Research limitations/implications

While both countries have based their analysis on readily available report data, it is only in the Australian context that a formalised user survey was used. New Zealand reporting relies more on anecdotal evidence.

Practical implications

In highlighting the issues involved in linking two utilities this article potentially provides a checklist for others to follow and a yardstick against which to measure success.

Originality/value

Trans Tasman Interlending is a first for the linking of two national interlending utilities.
Lee C. Nehrt (1926‐): a pioneering international business scholar
Authors: Niamat Elahee Mohammad
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to present a biographical sketch of Lee C. Nehrt, who, in 1962, became the first person to obtain a PhD in International Business.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is mainly based on an in‐depth interview of Lee Nehrt followed up by several telephone and e‐mail interviews as well as e‐mail interviews of a number of Nehrt's former colleagues and students. In addition, Nehrt's published works were extensively reviewed and utilized.

Findings

The findings are reported in the form of a biography. In particular, the paper documents Nehrt's contribution to the emergence of international business as an important field of study, his role in internationalizing business curricula within the USA and in popularizing the American model of business education across the world. The paper also reflects on Nehrt's contribution to the Academy of International Business and his efforts in forging closer ties between international business academics and practitioners.

Originality/value

The dearth of biographical research in the international business discipline points to a need that has yet to be fulfilled. This is the first published article on Nehrt's life and career as a pioneering international business scholar.
The values of IT in elderly care
Authors: Hedström Karin
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the values of IT in elderly care.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is an empirical investigation based on four in‐depth case studies concerning IT in elderly care. The study draws on Actor‐Network Theory (ANT) and Social Construction of Technology (SCOT) with a focus on different actor groups' sense‐making regarding the role of IT in elderly care. The empirical analysis is, however, influenced by Grounded Theory (GT). Values are studied through the concept of “value areas”, which is a categorization of various actor groups' anticipated and experienced effects of developing, implementing, and using IT in elderly care.

Findings

The paper finds that the values of IT in elderly care can be organized in four related value areas: administration values, integration values, care values, and professional values. Research limitations/implications – Although the findings in this paper are related to elderly care it is believed that the value areas could be valid for all kinds of care work. Practical implications – The paper illustrates how different values are present during the development of IT, and discusses the importance of not only including, but also permitting, various actor groups' interests and values to influence the design process.

Originality/value

This paper examines the value of IT in elderly care, as well as presenting an approach for analyzing the values of IT. The paper and its findings should be valid for researchers, as well as for practitioners.
Hotel managers' career strategies for success
Authors: Akrivos Christos , Ladkin Adele , Reklitis Panayiotis
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore career strategies used by Greek hotel managers in order to advance their careers successfully.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a case study sample of 65 hotel general managers working in deluxe hotels in Greece, data on career strategies were collected using a postal questionnaire.

Findings

It is revealed that the managers use a range of different strategies in order to advance their careers. The most commonly used are in relation to career opportunities, skills, mobility, interpersonal relations and handling diverse situations. The least commonly used ones relate to family contacts, job search techniques and pay.

Practical implications

The strategies are discussed in terms of recruitment, training and retention of managers in the hotel industry.

Originality/value

This paper builds on the knowledge of careers strategies used for career success.
Image edge detection
Authors: Folorunso O. , Vincent O.R. , Dansu B.M.
Published: March 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to describe the use of edge‐detection as an approach to support the process of analyzing visual scenes.

Design/methodology/approach

Edges‐detection is considered as a KM technique task. Several edge‐detection algorithms were discussed but Canny method was chosen in conjunction with JAVA to find the edges of an image.

Findings

The paper provides an overview of knowledge need by the visual scene analyst. It reviews the process of extracting knowledge from image data. Finally, the paper looks at the management aspects of image‐edge detection.

Originality/value

Experiments herein have proved the method robustness by considering edge‐detection as a knowledge management technique for visual scene analysis by deriving knowledge from semantic information based on object boundaries shadow.
Solvable problems in enterprise digital rights management
Authors: Sebes E. John , Stamp Mark
Published: March 2007

Purpose

Digital rights management (DRM) is often promoted as the technical basis for solutions to enterprise security problems requiring persistent protection. Yet to date, DRM has failed to take hold within the enterprise sphere. This paper aims to examine some possible reasons for the slow adoption of enterprise DRM.

Design/methodology/approach

It is argued that contrary to the common perception current DRM technology is sufficiently robust for use in enterprise applications. Then three problems that may serve as barriers to enterprise DRM adoption, namely, trustworthy authentication, access policy management and the lack of compelling enterprise applications that require DRM are discussed. Finally, brief examples are presented drawn from the real world that illustrate that the first two barriers can be overcome, and it is argued that regulatory compliance is the “killer app” that will drive enterprise DRM adoption.

Findings

Finds, amongst other things, that technical weakness in enterprise DRM systems, especially regarding authentication and authorization, can be addressed with relatively simple mechanisms.

Originality/value

This paper points up the need for more sophisticated enterprise DRM solutions.
Evaluating the security controls of CAIS in developing countries
Authors: Abu‐Musa Ahmad A.
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The main objective of the paper is to investigate the existence and adequacy of implemented Computerized Accounting Information Systems (CAIS) security controls to prevent, detect and correct security breaches in Saudi Arabian organizations. This is the first part of a two‐part paper on the subject.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents and examines the literature review related to CAIS security controls.

Findings

Finds that the results of the study will enable managers and practitioners to better secure their CAIS and to champion IT development for the success of their business.

Originality/value

This paper fills a vacuum by conducting research in Saudi Arabia, a developing country, whereas previous research has mainly involved developed countries.
Spending consulting dollars wisely: a guide for management teams
Authors: Brotheridge Celeste , Power Jacqueline
Published: March 2007

Purpose

Teams must evaluate carefully the promises of consultants. This article seeks to provide clear criteria to guide teams in the purchasing of consulting services. Danger signs are provided to help team leaders recognize when they are being manipulated.

Design/methodology/approach

The buying process for management consulting services is outlined. Potential pitfalls of dealing with consultants are discussed and recommendations are given for team leaders to follow.

Findings

Team leaders can make more objective decisions in evaluating consulting services if they remain objective in evaluating the proposed program and refuse to allow their emotions to be manipulated.

Originality/value

The article is a useful tool for team leaders who wish to avoid buying programs that are expensive, unnecessary and perhaps even harmful to their organizations.
Earnings management and board activity: an additional evidence
Authors: Ebrahim Ahmed
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relation between earnings management behavior and the activity of both the board and audit committee.Design/methodology/approach – Different models to isolate abnormal accruals as a proxy for earnings management are applied to a sample of manufacturing companies.

Findings

Earnings management is negatively related to both board and audit committee independence. Such negative relation is stronger when the audit committee is more active. However, this result is not valid for the board activity.

Research limitations/implications

Results are limited by the accuracy of the models applied to isolate abnormal accruals.

Practical implications

Results may have implications for corporate governance regulations such as board composition, audit committee composition, and their activity.

Originality/value

Results of earnings management research are sensitive to the different models suggested in literature to isolate the abnormal accruals.
An empirical assessment of special accounting issues and financial attributes relating to the accounting treatment of translation gains and losses: the UK case
Authors: Emmanuel Iatridis George
Published: March 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to assess the financial performance of firms that adopted or deferred the adoption of SSAP 20 “Foreign Currency Translation”. The focus of the study is to examine the impact of certain accounting issues, such as liquidity, hedging, foreign currency loans, managerial compensation, pre‐ and post SSAP 20 treatment of translation differences, etc, on the behaviour of firms.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper follows the positive accounting theory context and utilises parametric (logistic regression) and non‐parametric (Kruskal–Wallis test) tests to form and test theoretical hypotheses and relations between groups of firms with different financial characteristics.

Findings

The study provides evidence that the implementation of SSAP 20 has overall strengthened the financial position of adopters. Adopters that used different translation methods prior to adoption tend to exhibit different financial characteristics (e.g. higher leverage) in the pre‐actual adoption period. In contrast, they present no substantial differences in the actual adoption period. The findings show that adopters give priority to their stock market picture and tend to distribute higher dividend to their shareholders even if this leads to lower management payout.

Research limitations/implications

Firstly, for the period under investigation, the availability of accounting and financial data and the disclosure of accounting information in the financial statements were to some extent limited. Secondly, it is difficult to see through managers’ inner intentions, and as a result managers’ behaviour and motives may not always be clear and conceivable to outsiders.

Originality/value

This study has significant implications for accounting standard setting bodies and investors. It provides insight about firms’ objectives and potential attitude and reaction to the issue of accounting regulation. This study also formulates the basis for studying firms’ behaviour and reaction with regard to other accounting standards and financial issues.
To integrate or not to integrate: factors affecting the adoption of virtual integration strategy in organizations
Authors: Abebe Michael A.
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to examine the major determinants for adopting virtual integration strategy in organizations. The article also addresses the competitive implications of adopting virtual integration strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

The article proposes a theoretical model that shows the major internal as well as external factors for adopting virtual integration strategy. In addition, the article presents real‐world applications of this strategy to explain the adoption process.

Findings

Virtual integration is a viable strategy in industries characterized by rapid product innovations and a high degree of competition. Virtual integration enables information technology driven supply chain coordination.

Research limitations/implications

Future research efforts in this area should focus on testing empirically the proposed relationships between adopting a virtual integration strategy and firm performance using different industry categories.

Practical implications

Executives in a highly competitive, innovative and increasingly varying market demand may benefit from adopting virtual integration strategy. By doing so, firms can integrate their processes using information technology to be more customer‐responsive and competitive.

Originality/value

This article identifies the value of adopting a virtual integration strategy and highlights the major factors affecting the adoption of this strategy in organizations. Managers at medium and high‐level positions in particularly dynamic industries will most likely benefit from this article.
Treatment of pigmented lesions of neurofibromatosis 1 with intense pulsed–radio frequency in combination with topical application of vitamin D3 ointment
Authors: YOSHIDA Yuichi , SATO Noriko , FURUMURA Minao , NAKAYAMA Juichiro
Published: March 2007

Cafe‐au‐lait spots and pigmented freckling are found in most of patients with neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1). Although many modalities have been used for treating the pigmented lesions, the response to treatment has been variable. Therefore, we performed the treatment of pigmented lesions with NF1 by intense pulsed–radio frequency (IPL–RF) in combination with topical application of vitamin D3 ointment. Eight patients were treated in this study and the improvement was moderate to good in six cases (75%) although the response was relatively mild. Thus, results from our study indicate that IPL–RF irradiation in combination with topical application of vitamin D3 ointment would be useful as new modalities, especially for treatment of numerous small pigmented lesions in patients with NF1. Although further studies with large groups of patients should be performed for a better conclusion, it could improve quality of life with NF1 patients who are concerned with serious cosmetic and social problems.
Blood concentrations, tolerability and efficacy of pimecrolimus cream 1% in Japanese infants and children with atopic dermatitis
Authors: EICHENFIELD Lawrence F. , HO Vincent , MATSUNAGA Janice , LECLERC Patricia , PAUL Carle , HANIFIN Jon M.
Published: March 2007

Pimecrolimus cream 1% is a topical calcineurin inhibitor for the treatment of atopic dermatitis. Minimal systemic exposure to pimecrolimus has been previously observed in Caucasian pediatric patients treated with the cream twice daily for up to 1 year. The objective of this open‐label, non‐comparative, multicenter study was to assess the systemic exposure, tolerability and efficacy of pimecrolimus cream 1% when used twice daily for 3 weeks in pediatric patients of Japanese background. The patient cohort consisted of 17 Japanese infants and children (age range, 3.6 months to 11.6 years) with atopic dermatitis of at least mild severity affecting ≥10% of the total body surface area (range, 10–48%). Pimecrolimus cream 1% was applied twice daily for 3 weeks. Blood levels of pimecrolimus were determined on days 1, 10 and 22. Safety and tolerability were evaluated by monitoring adverse events, laboratory parameters, physical condition and vital signs. Efficacy parameters included the Eczema Area and Severity Index, the Investigators’ Global Assessment and the pruritus score. The median exposure to pimecrolimus cream 1% was 22 treatment days (range, 9–29 treatment days). Pimecrolimus blood concentrations were <0.5 ng/mL in 94% of samples on day 1, in 93% of samples on day 10 and in 100% of samples on day 22, with no indication of an increase with increasing body surface area treated (up to 48% of the total body surface area). No drug‐related systemic adverse events or serious adverse events were reported. Treatment was effective according to all efficacy parameters. The findings of this study indicate that the use of pimecrolimus cream 1% results in minimal systemic absorption of the active ingredient in pediatric patients of Japanese background with extensive disease.
Expression of CCR5 in graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) of the skin: Immunohistochemical staining of 38 cases
Authors: MORITA Naoko I. , MATSUMURA Yumi , MORITA Kazumasa , MIYACHI Yoshiki
Published: March 2007

To ascertain the involvement of CCR5 in prolongation of graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD), we performed immunohistochemical staining of CCR5 in 38 GVHD samples (23 acute and 15 chronic). A total of seven out of 15 cases of chronic GVHD were positive for CCR5; however, only two out of 23 in acute GVHD were positive for CCR5. In three cases, expression of CCR5 in infiltrating lymphocytes was negative in the acute phase, but positive in the chronic phase of GVHD. These findings suggest that the immunopathological mechanism that differentiates between acute and chronic GVHD is a CCR5‐mediated immunoreaction.
Inhibition of ADAM17 reduces hypoxia‐induced brain tumor cell invasiveness
Authors: Zheng Xuguang , Jiang Feng , Katakowski Mark , Kalkanis Steven N. , Hong Xin , Zhang Xuepeng , Zhang Zheng Gang , Yang Hongyan , Chopp Michael
Published: March 2007

The membrane‐anchored metalloproteinase tumor necrosis factor‐α‐converting enzyme (TACE/a disintegrin and metalloproteinase [ADAM] 17) is key in proteolytic ectodomain shedding of several membrane‐bound growth factors, cytokines and receptors. The expression and activity of ADAM17 increases under some pathological conditions including stroke, and promotes neural progenitor cell migration and contributes to stroke‐induced neurogenesis. Hypoxia initiates cellular invasive processes that occur under both physiological and pathological conditions such as invasion and metastasis of some tumors. In the present study, we sought to elucidate whether ADAM17 contributes to brain tumor invasion. To this end, we examined the role of ADAM17 in the invasiveness of two different brain tumor cell lines, 9L rat gliosarcoma and U87 human glioma, under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Additionally, we tested the effects of ADAM17 suppression on in vitro tumor cell invasion by means of ADAM17 proteolytic inhibitors and specific small interfering RNA. We found that tumor cells upregulated ADAM17 expression under hypoxia, and that ADAM17 activity correlated with increased tumor cell invasion. Conversely, suppression of ADAM17 proteolysis decreased invasiveness induced by hypoxia in 9L and U87 cells. Furthermore, the contribution of ADAM17 to tumor invasion was independent of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐2 and MMP‐9 activity. ADAM17 was also found to activate the epidermal growth factor/phosphoinositide‐3 kinase/serine/threonine kinase signal transduction pathway. Our data suggest that hypoxia‐induced ADAM17 contributes to glioma cell invasiveness through activation of the EGFR signal pathway. (Cancer Sci 2007; 98: 674–684)
Internal structure and eruptive history of a kilometre‐scale mud volcano system, South Caspian Sea
Authors: Evans Robert J. , Davies Richard J. , Stewart Simon A.
Published: March 2007

We describe the internal structure of a multi‐kilometre scale mud volcano edifice from the South Caspian Sea using three‐dimensional (3D) seismic reflection data leading to a reconstruction of the volcano system's eruptive history. By adapting elements of classic seismic stratigraphy to the study of this volcano, we have found its edifice to consist of a series of stacked mud cones. This internal architecture is most likely to have formed as a result of repeated episodes of expulsion of a fluid‐mud mix. Underlying the stack of cones is an asymmetric fault‐bounded caldera measuring approximately 2 km in diameter. This caldera shows close structural similarity to the trapdoor type of magmatic caldera. Based on the geometrical relationships of individual mud cones to this caldera, we conclude that caldera‐like collapse of the edifice floor initiated following the deposition of the first mud cone (the pioneer cone). Growth of the caldera continued until the later stages of edifice evolution when it eventually abated. This eruptive history shows strong similarities to recent models for magmatic caldera eruption cycles. The study therefore highlights the potential analogue value of mud volcano systems to the study of igneous volcanism. Furthermore, it identifies 3D seismic data as a potentially useful tool in reconstructing the history of mud volcanic eruption and fluid and sediment expulsion from sedimentary basins.
Amino‐terminal deletion of heparin‐binding epidermal growth factor‐like growth factor4−127 stimulates cell proliferation but lacks insulin‐like activity
Authors: Zhou Z. , Harding P. A.
Published: March 2007

Abstract.   Heparin‐binding epidermal growth factor‐like growth factor (HB‐EGF) Northern analysis demonstrated a novel 0.8‐kb liver‐specific HB‐EGF transcript in addition to the endogenous 2.5‐kb HB‐EGF full‐length transcript present in kidney, lung and liver tissues. Reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction screening of liver RNA suggests that the 0.8‐kb HB‐EGF transcript lacks at least a portion of the amino‐terminal EGF‐like domain. In light of these data, we have constructed a human HB‐EGF cDNA (HB‐EGFΔN) which lacks 373 bp, encoding the majority of the extracellular EGF‐like domain, while maintaining the ectodomain ‘shedding’ site, transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains. Objective: The goal of this study is to characterize the ability of HB‐EGFΔN to (i) stimulate cell proliferation and (ii) determine whether down‐regulation of insulin‐like growth factor‐binding protein (IGFBP)‐3 and ‐4 mRNA is regulated by soluble, mature HB‐EGF or HB‐EGF C. Materials and methods: HB‐EGFΔN encodes nucleotides +1–10 of exon 1 linked to nucleotides 383–627 of the carboxy‐terminal portion of exon 3 through exon 5. Results: Expression of HB‐EGFΔN in mouse fibroblasts (MLC) resulted in 6.5‐ and 8‐kDa HB‐EGF immunoreactive proteins, stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of p42 kDa and cell proliferation in MLC, but lacked the ability to bind EGF receptors. Finally, HB‐EGFΔN failed to down‐regulate IGFBP‐3 and ‐4 mRNA when expressed in normal rat kidney cells. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that amino‐terminally truncated, membrane‐bound form of HB‐EGF stimulates cell proliferation but lacks insulin‐like signalling, suggesting that insulin‐like signalling is mediated by soluble, mature HB‐EGF binding to EGF receptors.
Monocyte‐derived dendritic cells from highly atopic individuals are not impaired in their pro‐inflammatory response to toll‐like receptor ligands
Authors: Terhorst D. , Kalali B. N. , Weidinger S. , Illig T. , Novak N. , Ring J. , Ollert M. , Mempel M.
Published: March 2007

Background
Toll‐like receptor (TLR) agonists are widely used as adjuvants in specific immune therapy protocols for patients with atopic disposition. Monocyte‐derived dendritic cells (mDCs) are thought to be important target cells for these compounds.

Objectives
To compare surface markers, TLR expression, TLR functionality after ligand stimulation, and genetic polymorphisms in the TLR 2‐, 3‐, and 4‐genes in mDCs from atopic vs. non‐atopic patients.

Methods
mDCs from highly atopic individuals (total serum IgE >1000 IU/mL) and healthy control persons (total serum IgE <75 IU/mL) were screened for TLR 1‐10 expression by real‐time PCR. Receptor function was analysed by IL‐12 and TNF‐α production after incubation with the respective ligands peptidoglycan (PGN) (TLR 2), polyriboinosinic‐polyribocytidylic acid (poly IC) (TLR 3), lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (TLR 4), flagellin (TLR 5), and CpG‐DNA/non‐CpG‐DNA (TLR 9). Haplotype‐tagging single‐nucleotide polymorphisms of the TLR 2‐, 3‐, and 4‐ genes were analysed for genetic associations.

Results
mDC from atopic patients showed a very similar pattern of TLR expression as controls with strong expression of TLR 2, 4, 5, 6, and 8, moderate expression of TLR 1 and 3, and no or very low expression of TLR 7, 9, and 10. After stimulation with TLR ligands, mDCs from atopic patients acquired a mature phenotype with a tendency towards a higher up‐regulation of the co‐stimulatory molecules CD80, CD83, and CD86 than control mDCs. IL‐12 and TNF‐α were produced at a similar level in both groups of DCs. Among the different TLR agonists, poly IC showed the strongest activation of DCs, followed by LPS, PGN, and flagellin. This was paralleled by a strong functional expression of protein kinase R and retinoid‐inducible gene‐I (RIG‐I), two additional poly IC‐sensing receptors in both groups. Genetic analysis of single‐nucleotide polymorphisms in the TLR 2‐, 3‐, and 4‐genes in both groups revealed no major allele or genotype differences.

Conclusions
mDC from atopic patients are not restricted in their response to TLR‐ligands. TLR agonists seem to be suitable to induce pro‐inflammatory immune responses and maturation in mDCs from highly atopic individuals and represent reasonable adjuvants for specific immunotherapy reagents.
Analysis of skin testing and serum‐specific immunoglobulin E to predict airway reactivity to cat allergens
Authors: Fernández C. , Cárdenas R. , Martín D. , Garcimartín M. , Romero S. , De La Cámara A. G. , Vives R.
Published: March 2007

Background
When the clinical history is not conclusive, it may be difficult to make an accurate interpretation of the value of skin tests and serum‐specific IgE to cat allergens in asthma cases.

Objective
To analyse the diagnostic efficiency of skin testing (ST) and serum‐specific IgE to cat allergens, based on the results of bronchial‐specific challenge with cat epithelium.

Methods
Sixty‐four asthma patients (49 with cat exposure and 15 without) who did not clearly relate their asthma symptoms to cat exposure and had a positive skin prick testing and/or a positive cat dander‐specific IgE determination (CAP‐system) underwent intradermal skin tests and specific bronchial challenge with cat epithelium. The results were analysed by receiver operating characteristics curves (ROC curves) and logistic regression. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values and negative predictive values were calculated for different cut‐off points.

Results
Twenty‐seven patients (42.2%) had a positive bronchial‐specific challenge. The area under the ROC curve for serum‐specific IgE quantification is 0.85, which makes a good diagnostic tool out of this test. Intradermal ST predicts the outcome of the bronchoprovocation test better than skin prick testing (area under the ROC curve of 0.74 vs. area under the ROC curve of 0.54, respectively).

The logistic regression analysis shows that the estimated probability of a positive bronchial challenge is 93% if CAP values are 17 kUA/L, whereas if CAP values are less than 0.35 kUA/L the estimated probability of a positive bronchial challenge is 16%. When the intradermal skin test is negative, the estimated probability of a positive bronchoprovocation test is 9%, being the test that better identifies patients with a negative bronchoprovocation test.

Conclusions
Levels of serum‐specific IgE to cat allergens and intradermal ST can be used to diagnose and treat more accurately asthmatic patients sensitized to cat epithelium when there is uncertainty about cat epithelium causality.
Inhibition of the histamine‐induced weal and flare response: a valid surrogate measure for antihistamine clinical efficacy?
Authors: Devillier P. , Bousquet J.
Published: March 2007

Histamine plays a central role in allergic responses. Inhibition of the weal and flare response to histamine is a traditional pharmacodynamic tool to measure the activity of H1‐receptor antagonists. The time course and duration of cutaneous weal and flare inhibition are often used as surrogate measures of clinical efficacy. Pharmacodynamic differences among antihistamines are often interpreted to indicate differences in clinical efficacy. A systematic review of literature from 1980 to 2006 regarding the histamine induced weal and flare was undertaken. Search terms included ‘histamine’, ‘skin test’, ‘weal’, ‘flare’, and ‘antihistamine’; retrieved articles were searched for relevant studies not identified initially. Data from human studies on the inhibition of the weal and flare by second‐generation antihistamines were extracted and assessed. A literature search from 1980 to 2006 was undertaken for comparative studies of second‐generation antihistamines in the clinical settings of allergic rhinitis (AR) and chronic idiopathic urticaria; data extracted from these studies underwent systematic review. Differences were noted among second‐generation antihistamines in terms of their ability to inhibit the histamine‐induced weal and flare. Corresponding differences in terms of clinical efficacy in AR and chronic urticaria were not identified following a systematic review. The reasons for the disconnect between pharmacodynamic effects and clinical efficacy may include differences between the route and concentration of histamine, the involvement of mediators other than histamine in the allergic response, and the short time course of pharmacodynamic studies. The histamine‐induced weal and flare response is a pharmacodynamic test that should not be used to compare the clinical efficacy of different antihistamines, and is not an adequate alternative to clinical end‐point assessments in AR or chronic idiopathic urticaria.
Reach‐scale geomorphology affects organic matter and consumer δ13C in a forested Piedmont stream
Authors: WALTERS D. M. , FRITZ K. M. , PHILLIPS D. L.
Published: March 2007

1. We investigated the spatial (longitudinal position and reach geomorphology) and seasonal (spring and autumn) influences on the variation of δ13C among organic matter sources and consumers in a forested Piedmont river, South Carolina, U.S.A.

2. Six sites were sampled along a continuum and varied in basin area from approximately 30 to 300 km2. Sites fell into two geomorphic categories (i) high‐gradient, rock bed (‘rock’) or (ii) low‐gradient, sand bed (‘sand’) sites.

3. Variation in δ13C was more strongly related to reach geomorphology than longitudinal position. δ13C of biofilm and consumers was consistently enriched at rock sites. Leaf litter (i.e. coarse particulate organic matter, CPOM) δ13C did not vary with bed type. There was significant δ13C enrichment at rock sites for biofilm, seston, fine benthic organic matter (FBOM), and eight of nine consumer trophic guilds (e.g. grazing invertebrates, insectivorous fishes). δ13C of biofilm and four trophic guilds was also positively correlated with drainage area, but the magnitude of enrichment was less than between bed types.

4. δ13C was generally enriched in spring, but this varied among organic matter types, consumers, and by bed type. CPOM and seston were enriched in spring, FBOM was enriched in autumn, and biofilm showed no trend. Five consumer guilds were enriched in spring, and only one fish guild, generalised carnivores, showed enrichment of muscle tissue in autumn.

5. Consumer δ13C enrichment at rock sites suggests greater reliance on algal carbon than for consumers at sand sites, but we also found δ13C enrichment of biofilm at rock sites. Thus, differences in consumer δ13C between bed types could be related to (i) increased consumption of biofilm at rock compared with sand sites, or (ii) consumption of biofilm at rock sites that is enriched relative to biofilm at sand sites or (iii) both mechanisms.

6. δ13C signatures in local food webs appear to respond to processes operating at multiple spatial scales. Overall downstream enrichment of biofilm and consumers was disrupted by strong local effects related to bed morphology. These results suggest that human alteration of channel habitat will have corresponding effects on stream food webs, as assessed by changes in δ13C.
Groundwater influence on alpine stream ecosystems
Authors: BROWN LEE E. , MILNER ALEXANDER M. , HANNAH DAVID M.
Published: March 2007

1. Spatial and temporal variability of relative snow‐melt, glacier‐melt and groundwater contributions to streams play important roles in shaping alpine freshwater ecosystems. Although meltwater (particularly glacier‐fed) streams have received much attention in recent years, the influence of groundwater on alpine freshwater ecosystems remains poorly understood.

2. This study tested the hypotheses that increased groundwater contributions to meltwater‐dominated alpine streams would yield increases in water temperature, channel stability, electrical conductivity and particulate organic matter (POM) and decreases in suspended sediment concentration (SSC). These more favourable habitat conditions were hypothesised to result in increased macroinvertebrate abundance and diversity.

3. Groundwater contributions, physicochemical habitat variables and benthic macroinvertebrates were sampled throughout the 2002 and 2003 summer‐melt seasons in three streams in the French Pyrénées.

4. Increased groundwater contributions were significantly correlated with higher discharge, water temperature, electrical conductivity, POM and channel stability, but lower SSC.

5. Macroinvertebrate total abundance, taxonomic richness, number of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera genera, and per cent Plecoptera all increased significantly with greater groundwater contributions to streamflow. However, beta diversity and Trichoptera relative abundance decreased.

6. Abundance of most macroinvertebrate taxa was highest under groundwater‐dominated conditions but a gradient of optimum groundwater preferences was evident across all taxa. Some taxa were found only where groundwater contributions were low (i.e. in predominantly meltwater‐fed streams).

7. This study provides evidence that water source, physicochemical habitat and stream biota are strongly linked. Therefore, an interdisciplinary approach is necessary for future studies aiming to develop conservation strategies or predict the response of alpine river ecosystems to global climate change.
Quantifying habitat complexity in aquatic ecosystems
Authors: SHUMWAY CAROLY A. , HOFMANN HANS A. , DOBBERFUHL ADAM P.
Published: March 2007

1. Many aquatic studies have attempted to relate biological features, such as species diversity, abundance, brain size and behaviour, to measures of habitat complexity. Previous measures of habitat complexity have ranged from simple, habitat‐specific variables, such as the number of twigs in a stream, to quantitative parameters of surface topography, such as rugosity.

2. We present a new video‐based technique, called optical intensity, for assaying habitat complexity in aquatic ecosystems. Optical intensity is a visual, quantitative technique modifiable for any scale or for a nested analysis. We field‐tested the technique in Lake Tanganyika, Tanzania, on 38 quadrats (5 × 5 m) to determine if three freshwater habitats (sand, rock and intermediate) were quantitatively different.

3. A comparison of the values obtained from optical intensity with a previous measure of surface topography (rugosity) showed that the two corresponded well and revealed clear differences among habitats. Both the new measure and rugosity were positively correlated with species diversity, species richness and abundance. Finally, whether used alone or in combination, both measures had predictive value for fish community parameters.

4. This new measure should prove useful to researchers exploring habitat complexity in both marine and freshwater systems.
Meltrin β (ADAM19) mediates ectodomain shedding of Neuregulin β1 in the Golgi apparatus: fluorescence correlation spectroscopic observation of the dynamics of ectodomain shedding in living cells
Authors: Yokozeki Tomoichi , Wakatsuki Shuji , Hatsuzawa Kiyotaka , Black Roy A. , Wada Ikuo , Sehara‐Fujisawa Atsuko
Published: March 2007

Membrane‐anchored Neuregulin β1 sheds its ectodomain as soluble factors. Two proteases that belong to a disintegrin and metalloprotease (ADAM) family are known to cleave Neuregulin β1. One is tumor necrosis factor‐α converting enzyme (TACE/ADAM17). The other is Meltrin β (ADAM19). Against our expectation that shedding by ADAM proteases occurs at the cell surface, here we found that Meltrin β mediates the ectodomain shedding of Neuregulin β1 in the Golgi apparatus. Meltrin β was localized in and around the Golgi apparatus in developing sensory neurons. Subcellular fractionation revealed that Meltrin β generated soluble Neuregulin β1 in Golgi‐enriched fractions while TACE‐cleaved Neuregulin β1 was recovered in lighter fractions. To examine whether Meltrin β‐mediated ectodomain shedding occurs in the Golgi apparatus in living cells, we took advantage of different diffusion properties of cleavage products from those of membrane‐anchored precursor proteins. Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) is the most sensitive method to determine milli∼submillisecond diffusion in vivo. Protease‐active Meltrin β caused a shift in autocorrelation function in FCS of green fluorescent protein (GFP)‐tagged Neuregulin β1 in the Golgi apparatus, suggesting a conversion of Neuregulin β1 molecules from membrane‐anchored to soluble forms in that organelle. The Golgi apparatus is a site of processing Neuregulin β1 by Meltrin β.
Chromosomal study of enteric glial cells and neurons by fluorescence in situ hybridization in slow transit constipation
Authors: Rossi E. , Villanacci V. , Fisogni S. , Morelli A. , Salerni B. , Grigolato P. , Bassotti G.
Published: March 2007

Abstract  The pathogenesis of slow transit constipation is still elusive. However, a genetic basis may be present. We investigated possible chromosomal abnormalities in enteric neurons and glial cells in patients with slow transit constipation. Colonic specimens from 22 patients with slow transit constipation undergoing surgery for intractable symptoms were obtained, and investigated by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for chromosomal abnormalities (chromosomes 1, 8, 17 and XY). These specimens were compared with of those obtained in 12 control subjects. Data analysis showed that 45.5% of patients displayed significant (>10%) aneusomy of chromosome 1 in enteric neurons. Aneusomy <10% for the same chromosome, but less than the cutoff suggested (10%), was found in enteric glial cells in 45.4% of the same patients. One patient had <10% aneusomy in enteric neurons for chromosome 8. No other abnormalities were found for the remaining probes, and no abnormalities were found in controls. We concluded that in a subgroup of patients with slow transit constipation a genetic basis may be present.
Phylogeny and biogeography of the freshwater crab genusJohora(Crustacea: Brachyura: Potamidae) from the Malay Peninsula, and the origins of its insular fauna
Authors: Yeo Darren C. J. , Shih Hsi‐Te , Meier Rudolf , Ng Peter K. L.
Published: March 2007

The phylogeny and biogeography of the Malayan freshwater crab genusJohorawas studied using two mitochondrial genes, 16S rRNA (560 bp) and cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) (616 bp), and one nuclear gene, histone 3 (H3) (328 bp).Johorais shown to be monophyletic and composed of three clades that correspond with the topography of the Malay Peninsula. The three clades were estimated to be of similar age (c. 11 million years ago (mya)). The Malayan island of Pulau Tioman (with five species) was determined to have been colonised independently by two separate clades (atc. 11 and 5 mya, respectively), one of which evolved semiterrestrial habits, possibly in response to competition by the second. A partitioned Bremer support (PBS) analysis reveals that most of the support for the phylogenetic tree comes from the COI gene fragment and that the nuclear protein‐encoding genes H3 is useful for reconstructing the relationships ofJohora.
Developing a Research Agenda in Headache Service Delivery: Proceed with Caution
Authors: Kernick D
Published: March 2007

With a recognition that the management of headache remains far from ideal, there may be more immediate potential to reduce the burden of illness from developments in the delivery of headache services. There is a paucity of evidence in this area and a danger that an expanding research agenda will be dominated by inappropriate methodological frameworks that have been so successful in developing medical treatments. The prevailing scientific methods are underpinned by statistical approaches that are aggregative in nature and assume independence of system elements, an approach that may have limited utility in the analysis of complex systems such as headache care delivery. This review calls for a shift in headache research resources to organizational development and briefly outlines alternative methodological considerations.