bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Responding to the student voice: a case study of a systematic improvement strategy
Authors: Sid Nair Chenicheri , Bennett Lorraine , Mertova Patricie
Published: September 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the importance of collecting and acting on student feedback as a key component of quality improvement in higher education. The paper seeks to outline a systematic improvement strategy adopted at a faculty level within a large university in Australia but will be of interest to leaders and practitioners of quality assurance programmes across the sector.

Design/methodology/approach

A strategy to achieve quality improvement was designed and carried out jointly by the University Centre for Higher Education Quality (CHEQ) and the Centre for the Advancement of Learning and Teaching (CALT) with staff in one of the smaller faculties at the University. The faculty mean for student satisfaction lagged significantly below the means of other faculties, and five units (subjects) which were deemed to be “poorly performing” against the University's agreed target were selected for some intensive improvement. The guiding principles which underpinned the adopted strategy included: utilising student feedback data; targeting poorly performing units as a priority; linking staff and student development support; and documenting and demonstrating improvement as a consequence of the actions taken.

Findings

A post‐test evaluation of the five target units showed improvement in the form of increased student satisfaction. The strategy adopted at the University underlined the significance of collecting student feedback in quality enhancement, acting on the feedback and supporting academic staff in implementing improvements. Overall, the strategy signalled the interconnection between student evaluations and the quality of education programmes.

Practical implications

The successful implementation of a unit improvement strategy at a faculty level within the University demonstrated the value of the approach and recommended its application as an improvement strategy across the whole institution, provided that the internal context of individual faculties is taken into consideration. This case study may also offer some guidance to other tertiary institutions looking into utilising evidence‐based planning and decision making as a way of driving quality improvement.

Originality/value

Many tertiary institutions around the world are currently collecting student feedback. However, the interconnection between the student feedback and actual institutional change is not always evident or addressed. Therefore, this University case study offers some direction towards a more effective utilisation of student evaluation data.
An examination of festival attendees' behavior using SEM
Authors: Hoon Kim Young , Kim Mincheol , Ruetzler Tanya , Taylor Jim
Published: September 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine and clarify the relationships between perceived value, satisfaction, and behavioral intention in a small festival setting and applying a structural equation model (SEM).

Design/methodology/approach

This paper utilizes survey research and is designed to measure perceived value, satisfaction, and intention to revisit a small festival using SEM to test the hypotheses that: attendees' satisfaction can be predicted by perceived value; intention to revisit can be predicted by perceived value; and intention to revisit can be predicted by satisfaction.

Findings

Based on the sample of 424 participants, SEM confirms that all three hypotheses have a statistically significant relationship.

Originality/value

The results are consistent with previous studies, however, this paper is limited to a single small festival and the results may not be transferrable to festivals in other locations, of different sizes, and longer durations of time. The results are valuable to festival managers to increase the propensity of participants' intention to revisit the event by examining factors that lead to increased satisfaction and perceived value.
Designing and delivering compelling experiences
Authors: Kale Sudhir H. , Pentecost Robin D. , Zlatevska Natalina
Published: September 2010

Purpose

Joseph Pine and Jim Gilmore coined the term “experience economy” to describe a paradigm shift in consumption. To survive in this new economy, businesses must provide customers with memorable consumption experiences. The purpose of this paper is to suggest eight ingredients that need to be incorporated into a compelling experience. Commercial experience providers, not‐for‐profit organizations, and political entities stand to benefit by integrating these elements in the experiences they provide to their targeted constituencies.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative phenomenological case study approach is employed using the 2008 Democratic National Convention as the referent for dissemination of a compelling experience.

Findings

Eight attributes were distilled that together constitute an unforgettable experience: planning, resourcing, targeting, anticipating, enabling, empathizing, framing, and engaging.

Practical implications

All experience providers desirous of creating compelling customer experiences for their targeted audiences would find it worthwhile to actively incorporate each of these elements in their product.

Originality/value

The paper uses a well‐planned and well‐executed political convention to uncover the building blocks of a compelling consumer experience.
Temperature-Dependent Requirement for Catalase in Aerobic Growth of
Listeria monocytogenes
F2365
Authors: Azizoglu Reha Onur , Kathariou Sophia
Published: September 2010

Listeria monocytogenes
is a Gram-positive, psychrotrophic, facultative intracellular food-borne pathogen responsible for severe illness (listeriosis). The bacteria can grow in a wide range of temperatures (1 to 45°C), and low-temperature growth contributes to the food safety hazards associated with contamination of ready-to-eat foods with this pathogen. To assess the impact of oxidative stress responses on the ability of
L. monocytogenes
to grow at low temperatures and to tolerate repeated freeze-thaw stress (cryotolerance), we generated and characterized a catalase-deficient mutant of
L. monocytogenes
F2365 harboring a
mariner
-based transposon insertion in the catalase gene (
kat
). When grown aerobically on blood-free solid medium, the
kat
mutant exhibited impaired growth, with the extent of impairment increasing with decreasing temperature, and no growth was detected at 4°C. Aerobic growth in liquid was impaired at 4°C, especially under aeration, but not at higher temperatures (10, 25, or 37°C). Genetic complementation of the mutant with the intact
kat
restored normal growth, confirming that inactivation of this gene was responsible for the growth impairment. In spite of the expected impact of oxidative stress responses on cryotolerance, cryotolerance of the
kat
mutant was not affected.
Contribution of Chitinases to
Listeria monocytogenes
Pathogenesis
Authors: Chaudhuri Swarnava , Bruno Joseph C. , Alonzo Francis , Xayarath Bobbi , Cianciotto Nicholas P. , Freitag Nancy E.
Published: September 2010

Listeria monocytogenes
secretes two chitinases and one chitin binding protein. Mutants lacking
chiA
,
chiB
, or
lmo2467
exhibited normal growth in cultured cells but were defective for growth in the livers and spleens of mice. Mammals lack chitin; thus,
L. monocytogenes
may have adapted chitinases to recognize alternative substrates to enhance pathogenesis.
RNA Polymerase Trafficking inBacillus subtilisCells
Authors: Ishikawa Shu , Oshima Taku , Kurokawa Ken , Kusuya Yoko , Ogasawara Naotake
Published: September 2010

To obtain insight into thein vivodynamics of RNA polymerase (RNAP) on theBacillus subtilisgenome, we analyzed the distribution of the σAand β′ subunits of RNAP and the NusA elongation factor on the genome in exponentially growing cells using chromatin affinity precipitation coupled with gene chip mapping (ChAP-chip). In contrast toEscherichia coliRNAP, which often accumulates at the promoter-proximal region,B. subtilisRΝΑP is evenly distributed from the promoter to the coding sequences. This finding suggests that, in general,B. subtilisRNAP recruited to the promoter promptly translocates away from the promoter to form the elongation complex and proceeds without intragenic transcription attenuation. We detected RNAP accumulation in the promoter-proximal regions of some genes, most of which can be identified as transcription attenuation systems in the leader region. Our findings suggest that the differences in RNAP behavior betweenE. coliandB. subtilisduring initiation and elongation steps might result in distinct strategies for postinitiation control of transcription. TheE. colimechanism involves trapping at the promoter and promoter-proximal pausing of RNAP in addition to transcription attenuation, whereas transcription attenuation in leader sequences is mainly employed inB. subtilis.
A Conserved Acetyl Esterase Domain Targets Diverse Bacteriophages to the Vi Capsular Receptor of
Salmonella enterica
Serovar Typhi
Authors: Pickard Derek , Toribio Ana Luisa , Petty Nicola K. , van Tonder Andries , Yu Lu , Goulding David , Barrell Bart , Rance Richard , Harris David , Wetter Michael , Wain John , Choudhary Jyoti , Thomson Nicholas , Dougan Gordon
Published: September 2010

A number of bacteriophages have been identified that target the Vi capsular antigen of
Salmonella enterica
serovar Typhi. Here we show that these Vi phages represent a remarkably diverse set of phages belonging to three phage families, including
Podoviridae
and
Myoviridae
. Genome analysis facilitated the further classification of these phages and highlighted aspects of their independent evolution. Significantly, a conserved protein domain carrying an acetyl esterase was found to be associated with at least one tail fiber gene for all Vi phages, and the presence of this domain was confirmed in representative phage particles by mass spectrometric analysis. Thus, we provide a simple explanation and paradigm of how a diverse group of phages target a single key virulence antigen associated with this important human-restricted pathogen.
Regulation of the Biosynthesis of the Macrolide Antibiotic Spiramycin in
Streptomyces ambofaciens
Authors: Karray Fatma , Darbon Emmanuelle , Nguyen Hoang Chuong , Gagnat Josette , Pernodet Jean-Luc
Published: September 2010

Streptomyces ambofaciens
synthesizes the macrolide antibiotic spiramycin. The biosynthetic gene cluster for spiramycin has been characterized for
S. ambofaciens.
In addition to the regulatory gene
srmR
(
srm22
), previously identified (M. Geistlich et al., Mol. Microbiol. 6:2019-2029, 1992), three putative regulatory genes had been identified by sequence analysis. Gene expression analysis and gene inactivation experiments showed that only one of these three genes,
srm40
, plays a major role in the regulation of spiramycin biosynthesis. The disruption of
srm22
or
srm40
eliminated spiramycin production while their overexpression increased spiramycin production. Expression analysis was performed by reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) for all the genes of the cluster in the wild-type strain and in the
srm22
(
srmR
) and
srm40
deletion mutants. The results from the expression analysis, together with the ones from the complementation experiments, indicated that Srm22 is required for
srm40
expression, Srm40 being a pathway-specific activator that controls most, if not all, of the spiramycin biosynthetic genes.
Transcriptomic and Phenotypic Characterization of aBacillus subtilisStrain without Extracytoplasmic Function σ Factors
Authors: Luo Yun , Asai Kei , Sadaie Yoshito , Helmann John D.
Published: September 2010

Bacillus subtilisencodes seven extracytoplasmic function (ECF) σ factors. Three (σM, σW, and σX) mediate responses to cell envelope-active antibiotics. The functions of σV, σY, σZ, and σYlaCremain largely unknown, and strong inducers of these σ factors and their regulons have yet to be defined. Here, we define transcriptomic and phenotypic differences under nonstress conditions between a strain carrying deletions in all seven ECF σ factor genes (the Δ7ECF mutant), a ΔMWX triple mutant, and the parental 168 strain. Our results identify >80 genes as at least partially dependent on ECF σ factors, and as expected, most of these are dependent on σM, σW, or σX, which are active at a significant basal level during growth. Several genes, including theepsoperon encoding enzymes for exopolysaccharide (EPS) production, were decreased in expression in the Δ7ECF mutant but affected less in the ΔMWX mutant. Consistent with this observation, the Δ7ECF mutant (but not the ΔMWX mutant) showed reduced biofilm formation. Extending previous observations, we also note that the ΔMWX mutant is sensitive to a variety of antibiotics and the Δ7ECF mutant is either as sensitive as, or slightly more sensitive than, the ΔMWX strain to these stressors. These findings emphasize the overlapping nature of the seven ECF σ factor regulons inB. subtilis, confirm that three of these (σM, σW, and σX) play the dominant role in conferring intrinsic resistance to antibiotics, and provide initial insights into the roles of the remaining ECF σ factors.
A written consent five centuries ago: Figure 1
Authors: Selek Salih
Published: September 2010

The terminformed consentdoes not have long historical roots. Until recent centuries, healthcare professionals were not held responsible for providing information to patients. The author reports a written consent from Anatolia dated almost five centuries ago. The contract was signed in 1539 in Gaziantep, Turkey (formerly known as Aintab, Ottoman Empire). The document, of course, differs from modern counterparts. It lacks details of interventions. The author believes this to be the first written consent in medical history. Further investigations of court registers should be made to ascertain the earliest date of their appearance.
Progressive chronic heart failure slows the recovery of microvascular O2pressures after contractions in the rat spinotrapezius muscle
Authors: Copp Steven W. , Hirai Daniel M. , Ferreira Leonardo F. , Poole David C. , Musch Timothy I.
Published: September 2010

Chronic heart failure (CHF) induces muscle fiber-type specific alterations in skeletal muscle O2delivery and utilization during metabolic transitions. As a result, the recovery of microvascular Po2(PmvO2) is prolonged in slow-twitch skeletal muscle but not fast-twitch skeletal muscle in rats with CHF. We tested the hypothesis that CHF slows PmvO2recovery in rat skeletal muscle of a mixed fiber-type analogous to human locomotory muscles and that the degree of slowing correlates with central indexes of heart failure. Healthy control [ n = 6, left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP): 10 ± 1 mmHg], moderate CHF ( n = 6, LVEDP: 18 ± 2 mmHg), and severe CHF ( n = 4, LVEDP: 34 ± 2 mmHg) female Sprague-Dawley rats had their right spinotrapezius muscles (41% type I, 7% type IIa, and 52% type IIb and d/x) exposed, and PmvO2was measured via phosphorescence quenching during 180 s of recovery from 180 s of electrically induced twitch contractions (1 Hz, 4–6 V). CHF progressively slowed the mean response time (MRT; the time to reach 63% of the overall dynamic response) of PmvO2recovery (MRToff; control: 60.2 ± 6.9, moderate CHF: 72.8 ± 6.6, and severe CHF: 109.8 ± 6.6 s, P < 0.05 for all). MRToffcorrelated positively with central hemodynamic (LVEDP: r = 0.76, P < 0.01) and morphological (right ventricle-to-body weight ratio: r = 0.74, P < 0.01; and lung weight-to-body weight ratio: r = 0.79, P < 0.01) indexes of heart failure. The present investigation suggests that slowed PmvO2kinetics during recovery in CHF constitutes a mechanistic link between impaired circulatory and metabolic recovery after contractions in CHF.
Effect of Molecular Weight, Particle Size and Ringer’s Solution on Mechanical Properties of Surface-treated Polypropylene-Hydroxyapatite Biocomposites
Authors: Younesi M. , Bahrololoom M.E.
Published: September 2010

Bovine bone is burned at 400°C and the resulting ash is heat treated at 900°C for 90 min in order to obtain a white powder. Chemical analysis shows that this white powder is mainly hydroxyapatite (HA). Three different average particle sizes of this powder are produced by milling at three different times. The produced HA is surface treated with a silane coupling agent. Composite samples with 40% (by volume) of HA are produced by hot press molding, followed by mechanical testing in air and in Ringer’s solution. The results show that by increasing the molecular weight of polypropylene (PP), the creep strain of composites decreases proportionally, and the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and impact resistance increase dramatically. In addition, the effect of testing in Ringer’s solution is to decrease UTS, creep, and impact properties of PP-HA composites. Furthermore, by decreasing the HA particle size, the creep strain decreases, while the UTS and impact resistance increase for the composites tested in air. Vice versa, in a wet condition decreasing of HA particle size causes UTS, creep, and impact resistance to fall. Fracture surfaces of the samples after impact tests are analyzed by a scanning electron microscope.
Thermo-mechanical Responses of Fiber-reinforced Epoxy Composites Exposed to High Temperature Environments. Part I: Experimental Data Acquisition
Authors: Kandare E. , Kandola B.K. , Myler P. , Edwards G.
Published: September 2010

This first part of a series of papers on the thermo-mechanical responses of fiber-reinforced composites at elevated temperatures reports the experimental results required as input data in order to validate the kinetic, heat transfer, and thermo-mechanical models being developed and to be discussed in subsequent papers. Here the experimental techniques used for the determination of physical, thermal, and mechanical properties and their significance for particular models are discussed. The fire retardant system used to improve the fire performance of glass fiber-reinforced epoxy composites is a combination of a cellulosic charring agent and an interactive intumescent, melamine phosphate. Thermogravimetry is used to obtain kinetic parameters and to evaluate the temperature-dependent physical properties such as density, thermal conductivity, and specific heat capacity, determined using other techniques. During flammability evaluation under a cone calorimeter at 50 kW/m2 heat flux, thermocouples are used to measure temperatures through the thicknesses of samples. To investigate their thermo-mechanical behavior, the composites are exposed to different heating environments and their residual flexural modulus after cooling to ambient temperatures determined. At a low heating rate of 10°C/min and convective conditions, there was a minimal effect of fire retardant additives on mechanical property retention, indicating that fire retardants have no effect on the glass transition temperature of the resin. On the other hand, the fire-retarded coupons exposed to a radiant heat from cone calorimeter, where the heating rate is about 200°C/min, showed 60% retention of flexural modulus after a 40-s exposure, compared to 20% retention observed for the control sample after cooling specimens to ambient temperatures.
A comparison of palliative care outcome measures used to assess the quality of palliative care provided in long-term care facilities: a systematic review
Authors: Parker Deborah , Hodgkinson Brent
Published: September 2010

Provision of palliative care in long-term care (LTC) facilities is important, but limited research has been undertaken to investigate the most appropriate outcome measure for use in this setting. In this systematic review we aimed to measure the psychometric properties (reliability/validity) and feasibility of palliative outcome measures used to assess the quality of palliative care provided in LTC. For identification of outcome measures we undertook systematic searches of electronic databases from 1 January 2000 to 12 September 2008. Included studies were assessed by two independent reviewers for methodological quality prior to inclusion in the review using an appraisal checklist developed for the review to evaluate validity, reliability and feasibility. Ten articles were included in the final review and these provided specific information on the psychometric properties of 10 outcome measures. Four of these measures reported data specifically for residents in LTC facilities, while the remaining six measures reported a sub-set of data for residents in LTC facilities. The Family Perceptions of Care Scale is considered by the authors as the most suitable outcome measure for use in LTC facilities. Of the remaining nine measures, a further two were also considered suitable for measuring the quality of palliative care in residential aged care facilities. These are the Quality of Dying in Long-term Care scale and the Toolkit Interview.
How to provide care for patients suffering from terminal non-oncological diseases: barriers to a palliative care approach
Authors: Mahtani-Chugani Vinita , González-Castro Inmaculada , de Ormijana-Hernández Amaia Sáenz , Martín-Fernández Roberto , de la Vega Enrique Fernández
Published: September 2010

Despite the seemingly evident pertinence of palliative care for patients suffering from non-oncological long-term life-threatening diseases, everyday clinical practice is far from that assumption. This study aims to explore palliative care service provision for these patients in Spain. Patients, family caregivers and healthcare professionals were interviewed, individually or in a group, aiming at identifying barriers in the provision of care and strategies to overcome them. Ritchie and Spencer’s framework was used for data analysis. The barriers identified were as follows: lack of clarity about prognosis, the hegemony of the curative approach, avoiding words and the desire to cheat death. Provision of palliative care services for these patients should be guided by the characteristic trajectory of each type of disease. Even if healthcare systems were capable of providing specialized palliative care services to this large group of patients, other barriers should not be overlooked. It would then seem appropriate to provide therapeutic and palliative care simultaneously, thus facilitating adaptation processes for both patients and relatives.
Addressing the Challenging Behavior of Young Children Through Systematic Function-Based Intervention
Authors: Wood Brenna K. , Ferro Jolenea B. , Umbreit John , Liaupsin Carl J.
Published: September 2010

A decision model was used to systematically construct function-based interventions for the disruptive behaviors of three young children (ages 3.75—4.75 years) receiving special education services in inclusive preschool settings. The study was conducted in three phases. In Part 1, descriptive functional behavioral assessments (FBAs) were conducted. Each FBA included structured interviews and direct observations that were used to identify the functions of target behaviors. In Part 2, function-based interventions were constructed for each participant . In Part 3, these interventions were implemented within ongoing activities in their preschool classrooms. The study covered nearly 9 weeks. Baseline and intervention were conducted for 17 sessions (nearly 6 weeks). Follow-up data were collected weekly for an additional 3 weeks. The interventions, when implemented correctly, produced dramatic improvements in the students’ behavior. Implications for future research are discussed.
Training Pathologists in Mouse Pathology
Authors: Sundberg J. P. , Ward J. M. , HogenEsch H. , Nikitin A. Yu. , Treuting P. M. , Macauley J. B. , Schofield P. N.
Published: September 2010

Expertise in the pathology of mice has expanded from traditional regulatory and drug safety screening (toxicologic pathology) primarily performed by veterinary pathologists to the highly specialized area of mouse research pathobiology performed by veterinary and medical pathologists encompassing phenotyping of mutant mice and analysis of research experiments exploiting inbred mouse strains and genetically engineered lines. With increasing use of genetically modified mice in research, mouse pathobiology and, by extension, expert mouse research-oriented pathologists have become integral to the success of basic and translational biomedical research. Training for today’s research-oriented mouse pathologist must go beyond knowledge of anatomic features of mice and strain-specific background diseases to the specialized genetic nomenclature, husbandry, and genetics, including the methodology of genetic engineering and complex trait analysis. While training can be accomplished through apprenticeships in formal programs, these are often heavily service related and do not provide the necessary comprehensive training. Specialty courses and short-term mentoring with expert specialists are opportunities that, when combined with active practice and publication, will lead to acquisition of the skills required for cutting-edge mouse-based experimental science.
Diagnostic Exercise
Authors: Amini K. , Simko E. , Davies J. L.
Published: September 2010

Parenteral selenium (Se) and vitamin E (Vit E) were administered to all newborn kids at a Boer goat farm where there was previous high neonatal mortality assumed to be due to nutritional myopathy. All treated kids were affected by severe respiratory distress and died within 8 hours of Se/Vit E administration. Gross lesions included severe pulmonary edema, hydrothorax, and hydropericardium. The primary histopathologic finding was severe, acute, and monophasic myocardial contraction band necrosis. The diagnosis was accidental acute selenosis based on trace mineral analysis of the liver. This case highlights an important differential diagnosis in cases of acute myocardial contraction band necrosis and sudden death in goats and emphasizes the need for caution when administering parenteral Se/Vit E preparations.
Development of the PRO-SDLS: A Measure of Self-Direction in Learning Based on the Personal Responsibility Orientation Model
Authors: Stockdale Susan L. , Brockett Ralph G.
Published: September 2010

The purpose of this study was to develop a reliable and valid instrument to measure self-directedness in learning among college students based on an operationalization of the personal responsibility orientation (PRO) model of self-direction in learning. The resultant 25-item Personal Responsibility Orientation to Self-Direction in Learning Scale (PRO-SDLS) was found to be a highly reliable instrument in the selected sample of graduate and undergraduate education students. Confirmatory factor analysis established that a four latent variable model fit the data. Scores from the PRO-SDLS were significantly related to criterion variables thought to demonstrate self-direction and to a known instrument of self-direction while accounting for additional variance. Recommendations for further research in the ongoing process of scale validation and implications for practice are provided.
Nitric Oxide Signaling in Brain Function, Dysfunction, and Dementia
Authors: Steinert Joern R. , Chernova Tatyana , Forsythe Ian D.
Published: September 2010

Nitric oxide (NO) is an important signaling molecule that is widely used in the nervous system. With recognition of its roles in synaptic plasticity (long-term potentiation, LTP; long-term depression, LTD) and elucidation of calcium-dependent, NMDAR-mediated activation of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), numerous molecular and pharmacological tools have been used to explore the physiology and pathological consequences for nitrergic signaling. In this review, the authors summarize the current understanding of this subtle signaling pathway, discuss the evidence for nitrergic modulation of ion channels and homeostatic modulation of intrinsic excitability, and speculate about the pathological consequences of spillover between different nitrergic compartments in contributing to aberrant signaling in neurodegenerative disorders. Accumulating evidence points to various ion channels and particularly voltage-gated potassium channels as signaling targets, whereby NO mediates activity-dependent control of intrinsic neuronal excitability; such changes could underlie broader mechanisms of synaptic plasticity across neuronal networks. In addition, the inability to constrain NO diffusion suggests that spillover from endothelium (eNOS) and/or immune compartments (iNOS) into the nervous system provides potential pathological sources of NO and where control failure in these other systems could have broader neurological implications. Abnormal NO signaling could therefore contribute to a variety of neurodegenerative pathologies such as stroke/excitotoxicity, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease.
Adding a physical exercise programme to brief intervention for low back pain patients did not increase return to work
Authors: Hagen Eli Molde , Ødelien Kirsti Hokkanen , Lie Stein Atle , Eriksen Hege R.
Published: September 2010

Aims: To investigate if a standardised physical exercise programme given in addition to a brief intervention at a spine clinic had an effect on return to work. Methods: A total of 246 patients sick-listed 8—12 weeks for non-specific low back pain were offered a brief intervention programme at the spine clinic with examination, information, reassurance, and encouragement to engage in physical activity as normal as possible, before they were randomised into an intervention group (n = 124) and a control group (n = 122). Patients in the intervention group participated in a physical exercise programme at the spine clinic. Results: During the 2-year follow-up, there were no significant differences between the groups on sick leave, pain, use of analgesics, psychological distress, coping strategies, fear-avoidance beliefs, self-reported disability, or walking distances. However, both groups increased return to work, reported less pain and better function, and reduced fear-avoidance beliefs for physical activity during the follow-up period. Fear-avoidance beliefs for work were not changed. Conclusions: A physical exercise programme for low back pain patients given after a brief intervention at a spine clinic did not have any additional effect on sick leave or fear-avoidance beliefs. Both groups reported less pain, better physical function, and increased return to work during follow-up. The treatment at the spine clinic did not contain a vocational rehabilitation programme directed towards individual work-related problems, which might explain no change in fear-avoidance beliefs for work.
Evaluation of Acute Fixation Strength for Mechanical Tacking Devices and Fibrin Sealant Versus Polypropylene Suture for Laparoscopic Ventral Hernia Repair
Authors: Melman Lora , Jenkins Eric D. , Deeken Corey R. , Brodt Michael D. , Brown Shaun R. , Brunt L. Michael , Eagon J. Christopher , Frisella Margaret , Matthews Brent D.
Published: September 2010

Background: The purpose of this comparative study is to evaluate the acute fixation strength of mechanical tacking devices and fibrin sealant against polypropylene suture for laparoscopic ventral hernia repair. Methods: Three metallic mechanical tacking devices (ProTack, Salute, EndoANCHOR), 4 absorbable tacking devices (AbsorbaTack, PermaSorb, I-Clip, and SorbaFix), and 2 types of fibrin sealant (Tisseel, Artiss) were compared with 0-polypropylene suture. Three constructs from each device or an amount of sealant sufficient to cover a 3 × 3 cm2 area were used to affix a 4 × 3 cm piece of absorbable barrier-coated mesh (Proceed, Ethicon, Inc) to the peritoneal surface of porcine abdominal wall. Ten samples were completed for each fixation modality. Acute fixation strength was measured via a lap shear test on an Instron tensiometer. Results: Acute fixation strength was significantly greater for suture (59.7 7.2 N) compared with all laparoscopic tacking devices and to fibrin sealant ( P < .001 for all comparisons). Protack (29.5 ± 2.8 N) was stronger than Absorbatack (13.2 ± 3.7 N; P = .029). Protack, Permasorb, SorbaFix, and I-clip were stronger than fibrin sealant ( P < .05 for all comparisons). Conclusions: The acute fixation strengths of metallic or absorbable tacks as well as fibrin sealant are all significantly less than that achieved with polypropylene suture. These factors should be considered in selecting the type of mechanical fixation for patients undergoing laparoscopic ventral hernia repair.
Self-Rating Scale of Self-Directed Learning (SRSSDL): preliminary results from the Italian validation process
Authors: Cadorin Lucia , Suter Nicoletta , Saiani Luisa , Naskar Williamson Swapna , Palese Alvisa
Published: September 2010

Self-directed learning is considered a key feature in the learning process. Despite the emerging debate regarding continuing education strategies and the effectiveness and pertinence of the learning needs of adult learners, little evidence is available on the measurement of the self-directed learning competence of nurses. The main aim of the study was to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Self-rating Scale of Self-directed Learning (SRSSDL) in an Italian sample of nurses. The forward—backward translation process of the original SRSSDL was adopted. Forty-one nurses were involved in the test—retest reliability. Internal consistency was evaluated in a convenience sample of 334 nurses working in Northeast Italy. The Italian version of the SRSSDL has demonstrated good reliability (Pearson coefficient 0.73) and internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha coefficient 0.94). The SRSSDL was found to be a valid and reliable instrument in the Italian context. This study has implemented the external validity of the scale by its application to a different population and context in its first validation process.
The cost of medical management of pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacterial disease in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Leber A. , Marras T.K.
Published: September 2010

Treatment of pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infection is complex, requiring multiple antibiotics and a prolonged treatment course. We determined the monthly cost of treating patients with pulmonary NTM infections in our clinic, a tertiary care centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

We reviewed records of a single clinic at the University Health Network (Toronto) for all patients with pulmonary NTM isolates. Pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatment costs were calculated using a number of Canadian references.

172 patients were reviewed, 91 of whom were treated pharmacologically. The median total duration and cost per treated patient were 14 months (interquartile range (IQR) 9–23 months) and CAD 4,916 (IQR CAD 2,934–9,063), respectively. Median monthly drug treatment cost was CAD 321 (IQR CAD 254–458) for all patients, CAD 289 (IQR CAD 237–341) for patients receiving exclusively oral antibiotics and CAD 1,161 (IQR CAD 795–1,646) for patients whose treatment includedi.v.antibiotics. The most costly oral regiment consisted of a fluroquinolone, macrolide and rifampin. In multivariable analysis,Mycobacterium abscessusinfection,i.v.therapy andMycobacterium xenopiinfection were all associated with increased monthly treatment costs.

The direct medical costs of NTM infections are substantial. Less expensive alternative therapies might be most helpful forM. abscessusinfection and wheni.v.antibiotics are deemed necessary.
Adenotonsillectomy improves slow-wave activity in children with obstructive sleep apnoea
Authors: Ben-Israel N. , Zigel Y. , Tal A. , Segev Y. , Tarasiuk A.
Published: September 2010

The aim of the present study was to estimate slow-wave activity (SWA), a marker of sleep homeostasis, in children with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) before and after adenotonsillectomy (AT) compared with untreated OSA children (comparison group).

14 children with OSA (mean±sdage 6.4±2.5 yrs; apnoea–hypopnoea index (AHI) 10.0±10.3 events·h−1) who underwent AT were consecutively recruited to the study. The comparison group comprised six retrospectively recruited children (age 5.4±2.2 yrs; AHI 9.4±7.6 events·h−1) with OSA that did not undergo treatment. Electroencephalogram (derivation C3/A2) was analysed using spectral and waveform analysis to determine SWA energy and slow-wave slope. The same procedure was repeated 5.4 and 19 months later for the AT and comparison groups, respectively.

AT improved respiration without a change in duration of sleep stages. Following AT, >50% elevation of SWA during the first two sleep cycles (p<0.01) and a more physiological decay of SWA across the night (p<0.0001) were noted. The slow-wave slope increased by >30% following AT (p<0.03). No significant changes were found in SWA in the comparison group.

Sleep homeostasis is considerably impaired in pre-pubescent children with OSA. AT restores more physiological sleep homeostasis in children with OSA. SWA analysis may provide a useful addition to standard sleep-stage analyses in children with OSA.
Signalling pathway of isophorone diisocyanate-responsive interleukin-8 in airway smooth muscle cells
Authors: Kuo P-L. , Huang M-S. , Huang S-K. , Ni W-C. , Hung J-Y. , Ko Y-C. , Hung C-H. , Tsai Y-M. , Duh T-H. , Hsu Y-L.
Published: September 2010

This study is the first to analyse the soluble factors secreted by the bronchial epithelium after exposure to isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) that are responsible for increasing migration and proliferation of primary normal human bronchial smooth muscle cells (BSMCs).

We treated immortalised, nontumorigenic human bronchial epithelial cells (cell line BEAS-2B) and primary normal human bronchial epithelial cells (HBEC) with IPDI, and then collected the conditioned culture media (IPDI-BEAS-2B-CM and IPDI-HBEC-CM, respectively), which was added to BSMCs.

Exposure of BEAS-2B cells and HBECs to IPDI increased interleukin (IL)-8 production. Culture of BSMCs with IPDI-BEAS-2B-CM and IPDI-HBEC-CM increased BSMC proliferation and migration, which are major features in asthma-related airway remodelling. Induction of BSMC proliferation and migration by IPDI-BEAS-2B-CM and IPDI-HBEC-CM was associated with increased focal adhesion kinase (FAK), Src, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 and AKT activation. Blocking FAK with a specific inhibitor significantly decreased BSMC migration and proliferation by inhibiting ERK1/2 activation. FAK and ERK1/2 inhibitor also decreased IPDI-BEAS-2B-CM-, IPDI-HBEC-CM- and recombinant human IL-8-mediated BSMC proliferation and migration, whereas blocking Rnd3 using small interfering RNA failed to affect BSMC proliferation, suggesting that Rnd3 was only involved in the regulation of BSMC migration.

Our study suggests that inhibition of IL-8 or IL-8-mediated FAK/ERK/Rnd3 signalling is an attractive therapeutic target for IPDI-mediated asthma.
Intragenic transcription of a noncoding RNA modulates expression of ASP3 in budding yeast
Authors: Huang Yu-Ching , Chen Hung-Ta , Teng Shu-Chun
Published: September 2010

Inter- and intragenic noncoding transcription is widespread in eukaryotic genomes; however, the purpose of these types of transcription is still poorly understood. Here, we show that intragenic sense-oriented transcription within the budding yeast ASP3 coding region regulates a constitutively and immediately accessible promoter for the transcription of full-length ASP3. Expression of this short intragenic transcript is independent of GATA transcription factors, which are essential for the activation of full-length ASP3, and independent of RNA polymerase II (RNAPII). Furthermore, we found that an intragenic control element is required for the expression of this noncoding RNA (ncRNA). Continuous expression of the short ncRNA maintains a high level of trimethylation of histone H3 at lysine 4 (H3K4me3) at the ASP3 promoter and makes this region more accessible for RNAPII to transcribe the full-length ASP3. Our results show for the first time that intragenic noncoding transcription promotes gene expression.
Morpholino oligonucleotides do not participate perfectly in standard Watson-Crick complexes with RNA
Authors: Xiao Gaoping , Wesolowski Donna , Izadjoo Mina , Altman Sidney
Published: September 2010

RNase P from E. coli will cleave a RNA at a site designated in a complex with an external guide sequence (EGS). The location of the site is determined by the Watson-Crick complementary sequence that can be formed between the RNA and the EGS. Morpholino oligonucleotides (PMOs) that have the same base sequences as any particular EGS will not direct cleavage by RNase P of the target RNA at the expected site in three mRNAs. Instead, cleavage occurs at a secondary site that does not correspond exactly to the expected Watson-Crick sequence in the PMO. This cleavage in the mRNA for a drug resistance gene, CAT mRNA, is at least second order in the concentration of the PMOs, but the mechanism is not understood yet and might be more complicated than a simple second-order reaction. EGSs and PMOs inhibit the reactions of each other effectively in a competitive fashion. A basic peptide attached to the PMO (PPMO) is more effective because of its binding properties to the mRNA as a substrate. However, a PMO is just as efficient as a PPMO on a mRNA that is mutated so that the canonical W-C site has been altered. The altered mRNA is not recognizable by effective extensive W-C pairing to an EGS or PMO. The complex of a PMO on a mutated mRNA as a substrate shows that the dimensions of the modified oligonucleotide cannot be the same as a naked piece of single-stranded RNA.
Predicting the Next Big Thing: Success as a Signal of Poor Judgment
Authors: Denrell Jerker , Fang Christina
Published: September 2010

Successfully predicting that something will become a big hit seems impressive. Managers and entrepreneurs who have made successful predictions and have invested money on this basis are promoted, become rich, and may end up on the cover of business magazines. In this paper, we show that an accurate prediction about such an extreme event, e.g., a big hit, may in fact be an indication of poor rather than good forecasting ability. We first demonstrate how this conclusion can be derived from a formal model of forecasting. We then illustrate that the basic result is consistent with data from two lab experiments as well as field data on professional forecasts from the Wall Street Journal Survey of Economic Forecasts.
Mammalian target of rapamycin signaling activation patterns in neuroendocrine tumors of the lung
Authors: Righi Luisella , Volante Marco , Rapa Ida , Tavaglione Veronica , Inzani Frediano , Pelosi Giuseppe , Papotti Mauro
Published: September 2010

Among alternative therapeutic strategies in clinically aggressive neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) of the lung, promising results have been obtained in experimental clinical trials with mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors, though in the absence of a proven mTOR signaling activation status. This study analyzed the expression of phosphorylated mTOR (p-mTOR) and its major targets, the ribosomal p70S6-kinase (S6K) and the eukaryotic initiation factor 4E-binding protein 1 (4EBP1) in a large series of 218 surgically resected, malignant lung NETs, including 24 metastasizing typical carcinoids, 73 atypical carcinoids, 60 large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas (LCNECs), and 61 small cell carcinomas (SCLCs). By immunohistochemistry, low-to-intermediate-grade tumors as compared with high-grade tumors showed higher levels of p-mTOR and phosphorylated S6K (p-S6K) (P<0.001), at variance with phosphorylated 4EBP1 (p-4EBP1), which was mainly expressed in LCNECs and SCLCs (P<0.001). The activated status of mTOR pathway was proved by the strong correlation of p-mTOR with p-S6K and somatostatin receptor(s). Western blot analysis of NET tumor samples confirmed such findings, and differential sensitivity to mTOR inhibition according to mTOR pathway activation characteristics was determined in two lung carcinoid cell lines in vitro. None of the investigated molecules had an impact on survival. However, in low-grade tumors, low p-mTOR expression correlated with lymph node metastases (P=0.016), recurrent disease, and survival (P=0.005). In conclusion, these data demonstrate a differential mTOR activation status in the spectrum of pulmonary NETs, possibly suggesting that mTOR pathway profiling might play a predictive role in candidate patients for mTOR-targeted therapies.
Modeling and optimizing of sonochemical degradation of Basic Blue 41 via response surface methodology
Authors: Parsa Jalal , Abbasi Mahmood
Published: September 2010

The nanocatalyst-assisted sonodegradation of Basic Blue 41 (BB41) dye in aqueous medium was modeled and optimized using response surface method (RSM) based on Box-Behnken design. The studied variables included pH, initial dye concentration, H2O2 concentration and sonolysis time while each factor varied at three levels: Low level (−1), Medium level (0) and High level (+1). The ultrasound -assisted degradation was well described by developing quadratic model with correlation value squared (R2) of 0.9114. Factor effects along with interaction effects were evaluated. The graphical optimization step was conducted to achieve the best experimental condition in dye removal. pH, H2O2 concentration and initial dye concentration of the reaction were investigated. It was recognized that at lower pH values the dye removal rate decreased. However, dye removal rate increased (82.5%) by increasing the concentration of H2O2 and by lowering the initial dye concentration.
Ionic liquids - deanol derivatives as the Diels-Alder reaction solvents
Authors: Janus Ewa , Syguda Anna , Materna Katarzyna
Published: September 2010

The Diels-Alder reaction between cyclopentadiene and dienophiles in deanol derivatives containing bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide anion as media have been studied. The effect of the substituents attached to the cation on the endo:exo selectivity as well as the reaction yield have been evaluated in the absence and presence of Lewis acid catalyst - Y(OTf)3. Catalytic activity of metal triflates and the recycling of chosen catalytic systems have also been investigated
A Protein’s Conformational Stability Is an Immunologically Dominant Factor: Evidence That Free-Energy Barriers for Protein Unfolding Limit the Immunogenicity of Foreign Proteins
Authors: Ohkuri Takatoshi , Nagatomo Satoko , Oda Kenji , So Takanori , Imoto Taiji , Ueda Tadashi
Published: September 2010

Foreign protein Ags are incorporated into APCs and then degraded by endosomal proteases. The peptides are then mounted on MHC II molecules on the surfaces of APCs. The T cell-triggering response and, therefore, the immune response, were suggested to be governed by the degree of conformational stability of the foreign protein Ags. However, there is little evidence that a protein’s conformational stability is an immunologically dominant factor. In this study, we show that a protein has a threshold of conformational stability to prevent the immunogenicity of foreign proteins. Inverse and linear correlations were found between the amount of IgG production against lysozymes and the free-energy change for the unfolding of lysozymes, based on the correlation between the free-energy changes of the protein unfolding and the amount of IgG production against lysozymes with different stabilities in mice using hen egg white lysozyme derivatives and mutant mouse lysozymes, in which the sequence between 107 and 116 is replaced with that of hen egg white lysozyme, which can produce autoantibodies in mice. Interestingly, the thresholds of free-energy changes for both lysozymes to prevent their immunogenicity were almost identical (21–23 kcal/mol). To confirm the results, we also showed that the cross-linking of Phl p 7, in which intact Phl p 7 has stability greater than ∼20 kcal/mol under physiological conditions, induced minimal IgG production in mice, whereas intact Phl p 7 was antigenic. From the above results, we suggest that protein conformational stability was an immunologically dominant factor.