bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dysplastic naevus: histological criteria and their inter‐observer reproducibility
Authors: HASTRUP N. , CLEMMENSEN O.J. , SPAUN E. , SØNDERGAARD K.
Published: August 2010

Forty melanocytic lesions were examined in a pilot study, which was followed by a final series of 100 consecutive melanocytic lesions, in order to evaluate the inter‐observer reproducibility of the histological criteria proposed for the dysplastic naevus. The specimens were examined in a blind fashion by four observers. Analysis by kappa statistics showed poor reproducibility of nuclear features, while reproducibility of architectural features was acceptable, improving in the final series. Consequently, we cannot apply the combined criteria of cytological and architectural features with any confidence in the diagnosis of dysplastic naevus, and, until further studies have documented that architectural criteria alone will suffice in the diagnosis of dysplastic naevus, we, as pathologists, shall avoid this term.
Immunohistochemical localization of the proteoglycans decorin, biglycan and versican and transforming growth factor‐β in human post‐burn hypertrophic and mature scars
Authors: SCOTT P.G. , DODD C.M. , TREDGET E.E. , GHAHARY A. , RAHEMTULLA F.
Published: August 2010

The distributions of the small proteoglycans, decorin and biglycan and the large proteoglycan, versican, in normal skin and post‐burn hypertrophic and mature scars, were compared using monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies to the core proteins. Biglycan and verscan were virtually undetectable in normal dermis but readily seen in hypertrophic scars. Staining for decorin was strong throughout the dermis in normal skin but restricted to the deep dermis and a narrow zone under the epidermis in hypertrophic scar—areas which did not stain for versican. Decorin was absent or reduced in the nodules in these specimens. In mature post‐burn scars, staining for all three proteoglycans demonstrated an intensity that was intermediate between that in normal dermis and that in the nodules of the hypertrophic scars. Transforming growth factor‐β was present in the nodules of hypertrophic scars but the deep dermis of these specimens stained most intensely for this cytokine which was also found in the dermis of mature scars but was not detectable in normal dermis. The apparent co‐distribution of decorin and transforming growth factor‐β suggests that this proteoglycan may play an active role in the resolution of the scars. Changes in proteoglycan type and distribution could possibly account, at least in part, for the derangement of collagen and the altered physical properties of hypertrophic scar tissue.
Immunoreactivity of sinusoids in hepatoblastoma: an immunohistochemical study using lectin UEA‐1 and antibodies against endothelium‐associated antigens, including CD34
Authors: RUCK P. , XIAO J‐C. , KAISERLING E.
Published: August 2010

Sinusoids are found not only in the normal liver but also in certain liver tumours, including hepatoblastoma, the most common malignant liver tumour in childhood. In this study, sinusoids in 12 hepatoblastomas, of various subtypes, and in normal liver were investigated with UEA‐1 and antibodies against von Willebrand's factor, CD31 and CD34 to detect differences of possible diagnostic significance. In the normal liver, staining of sinusoids was seen with all these markers, but it was focal and confined to a few sinusoids near the portal tracts. In hepatoblastoma, the endothelial markers reacted with the sinusoids to varying extents. UEA‐1 and anti‐CD34 usually stained the majority of these vessels, anti‐CD34 staining greater numbers of sinusoids and with greater intensity. Immunostaining revealed that both number and spatial organization of sinusoids in hepatoblastoma are dependent on the subtype. In addition to staining of endothelium, one of the two small cell hepatoblastomas exhibited strong immunoreactivity of the tumour cells for CD34. These findings show that the marked difference in sinusoidal immunoreactivity for CD34 between normal liver and hepatoblastoma could be useful for discriminating between non‐neoplastic liver tissue and highly differentiated fetal hepatoblastoma. Our findings also show that small cell hepatoblastoma, in addition to acute leukaemia, should be considered when immunoreactivity for CD34 is found in small round and blue cell tumours in childhood.
Columnar cell lesions of the breast
Authors: Feeley L , Quinn C M
Published: August 2010

Columnar cell lesions of the breast comprise a group of conditions characterized by dilation of terminal duct lobular units lined by columnar epithelial cells, ranging from one or two layers of benign epithelium to stratified epithelium with atypia. Although these lesions have been recognized by pathologists for many years, they have recently assumed a new significance due to their increased detection as mammographic calcification, the potential for overdiagnosis as ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and their possible relationship to invasive carcinoma. This short overview aims to outline the pathological features and likely clinical significance of these lesions, with emphasis on diagnostic criteria, terminology and classification, and management strategies.
Prostatic pathology reporting in the UK: development of a national external quality assurance scheme
Authors: Harnden P , Coleman D , Moss S , Kodikara S , Patnick J , Melia J
Published: August 2010

Aims:  To develop a baseline picture of prostatic pathology reporting in the UK, identify areas of particular difficulty and assess the feasibility of a national external quality assurance scheme based on prostatic biopsy specimens using the same format as the National Health Service breast pathology scheme, as recommended by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence.

Methods and results:  Eight expert uropathologists and 32 randomly selected pathologists participated in four circulations each of 12 cases of prostatic biopsy specimens. A fixed text proforma was developed and responses were analysed for interobserver agreement using κ statistics. Consistency of reporting the main diagnostic categories of benign and invasive carcinoma was good (κ values 0.77 and 0.88, respectively), but only after excluding 19% of cases for which the experts did not reach 75% agreement. Areas of difficulty included the diagnosis of high‐grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia and small foci of cancer. Prognostic factor reporting was more variable, with lower overall κs for the assessment of Gleason grading (experts 0.55, others 0.50), perineural invasion (experts 0.64, others 0.50) and number of positive cores (experts 0.74, others 0.61).

Conclusions:  Given the difficulties in diagnosis of prostatic biopsy specimens and the assessment of prognostic factors, the expansion of the scheme could deliver important educational benefits.
Renal cell carcinoma in children and young adults: analysis of clinicopathological, immunohistochemical and molecular characteristics with an emphasis on the spectrum of Xp11.2 translocation‐associated and unusual clear cell subtypes
Authors: Wu A , Kunju L P , Cheng L , Shah R B
Published: August 2010

Aims:  Recent studies suggest that paediatric renal cell carcinoma (RCC) may represent a distinct group of tumours; however, its biological behaviour and classification remain poorly understood. The aim was to analyse 13 RCCs from patients ≤23 years of age to determine their clinicopathological, immunohistochemical and molecular characteristics.

Methods and results:  The histological spectrum included: Xp11.2 translocation‐associated (6/13 patients, 46%), clear cell (5/13 patients, 38%), papillary (1/13 patients) and unclassified (1/13 patients) types. The Xp11.2 translocation‐associated RCCs had a wide morphological spectrum, with high nuclear grade cells with abundant cytoplasm ranging from clear to granular and architecture ranging from solid to papillary. These tumours lacked cytokeratin expression and were confirmed by nuclear reactivity for TFE3 protein. Most of these translocation‐associated tumours presented at high stage and had an unfavourable outcome. Three clear cell RCCs had unusual features that have not been previously characterized, including solid and cystic architecture, cells with abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm yet low nuclear grade and focal cytoplasmic inclusions, resembling oncocytoma. Deletion of subtelomeric 3p25 was observed in two of these RCCs.

Conclusions:  Xp11.2 translocation‐associated RCC represents a predominant and aggressive subtype in the paediatric age group. Increased awareness of this subtype is important due to its heterogeneous morphology.
Connected health care: the future of health care and the role of the pharmacist
Authors: Barr Paul J. , McElnay James C. , Hughes Carmel M.
Published: August 2010

The population of the world is ageing. As a result, the incidence of chronic disease is projected to increase, there are predicted shortages in health care workforce and budget restraints; implications for future health care provision are serious. The current model of health care is not equipped to deal with these changes. Connected health care, via the use of health informatics, disease management and home telehealth technologies, has been suggested as an approach to ease the projected strain on future health care. Evidence to date suggests a positive impact of the use of connected health care model; however, the majority of studies have overlooked the involvement of the community pharmacist. As the most common point of contact with primary health services for most of the population, the community pharmacist may be well placed to provide connected health care. The research to date is promising with improvements in outcomes for cardiovascular patients noted; however, further work is required to investigate the potential role the community pharmacist can play in the future of connected health care.
The evaluation of an undernutrition risk score to be used by nursing staff in a teaching hospital to identify surgical patients at risk of malnutrition on admission: a pilot study
Authors: Doyle M. P. , Barnes E. , Moloney M.
Published: August 2010

Background The purpose of this study was to evaluate an undernutrition risk score (URS) developed by the Dietetic Department of an acute tertiary referral hospital in Dublin with the aim that the URS could be used by nursing staff, to identify surgical patients at risk of malnutrition on admission.

Methods Forty surgical patients (16 males and 24 females) were recruited, within 5 days of admission. A standard objective nutritional assessment was carried out on each patient. This consisted of a 3‐day diet history, anthropometric indices including: weight, armspan, mid‐upper arm circumference, mid‐arm muscle circumference and hand grip dynamometry. A nutrition risk index (NRI) screening tool was also used by a single observer to categorize patients as having low, moderate or severe risk of malnutrition. The indices used for the NRI were serum albumin and percentage weight loss. The URS assessed patients with respect to changes in weight and appetite, gut function and disease status and was completed by nursing staff by interview for each of the patients recruited.

Results The URS was successful in detecting 71.4% (n = 10) of surgical patients who were classified as being at some risk (moderate/severe) for undernutrition by the NRI. However, 11.8% (n = 4) of the patients who were categorized by the NRI as being at moderate risk for undernutrition were classified as being at low risk by the nursing staff using the URS. The URS was found to be most sensitive in the detection of those at low or severe risk for undernutrition and least sensitive for those at moderate risk.

Conclusion The undernutrition risk score in this study provided an accurate and consequently useful screening tool that could be used for surgical patients who are capable of feeding themselves independently.
Susceptibility to active decompensated cirrhosis is associated with polymorphisms of intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1) in chronic HBV carriers
Authors: Zhang X.Q. , Hong X.J. , Bai X.J.
Published: August 2010

Summary.  Intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of viral hepatitis B. Several inflammatory diseases are associated with distinct polymorphisms of the ICAM‐1 gene. The aims of this study were to analyse the association of ICAM‐1 polymorphisms G241R and K469E with susceptibility to active decompensated cirrhosis in chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers. The polymorphisms at codons G241R and K469E of ICAM‐1 were analysed by sequence‐specific primer polymerase chain reaction (PCR‐SSP) in 572 unrelated chronic HBV carriers and 157 unrelated healthy HBV non‐infected blood donors. There were significantly increased frequencies of R at codon 241 and E at codon 469 in patients with active decompensated cirrhosis (38.3% and 58.3%), compared with patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB; 21.9% and 46.5%) and chronic asymptomatic HBV carriers (AsC; 12.6% and 40.3%). The frequencies of R241‐E469 haplotype and genotypes carrying at least one R241‐E469 haplotype were significantly higher in patients with active decompensated cirrhosis than those in patients with CHB (38.3% and 63.3%vs 21.9% and 36.7%), and significantly higher in patients with CHB than those in AsC (21.9% and 36.7%vs 12.6% and 23.3%). The ICAM‐1 polymorphisms at codons G241R and E469K were associated with the disease susceptibility, and susceptibility to active decompensated cirrhosis is significantly increased in chronic HBV carriers carrying at least one R241‐E469 haplotype.
Performance of noninvasive markers for liver fibrosis is reduced in chronic hepatitis C with normal transaminases
Authors: Sebastiani G. , Vario A. , Guido M. , Alberti A.
Published: August 2010

Summary.  In chronic hepatitis C, biopsy is the gold standard for assessment of liver fibrosis. Few studies investigated noninvasive markers of liver fibrosis in hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients with normal alanine aminotrasferase (NALT). Eighty HCV patients with NALT and 164 HCV patients with elevated alanine aminotrasferase (EALT) who underwent a diagnostic liver biopsy were evaluated for AST‐to‐platelet ratio, Forns’ index, AST‐to‐ALT ratio (AAR), Fibrotest and the recently proposed Fibroindex, using liver histology as reference standard. The primary end‐point was the detection of significant fibrosis (≥F2). Performance of noninvasive markers was expressed as specificity, sensitivity and positive (PPV) and negative (NPV) predictive value, accuracy and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC). All noninvasive markers for liver fibrosis tested showed a poorer performance in NALT group than in EALT group. Overall, Fibrotest had the best performance in NALT group, as showed by AUROC of 0.70 and 73.5% accuracy. Performance of AAR, Forns’ index and Fibroindex was poor in NALT group and it was significantly lower than in EALT group for Forns and Fibroindex (AUROC 0.6 vs 0.76 and 0.58 vs 0.74, respectively, P = 0.05). In NALT patients, PPV was high for all noninvasive markers (>87%) except for AAR, while NPV was low (<65%), thus none of them was able to reliably exclude significant fibrosis. In conclusion, performance of noninvasive‐markers is significantly reduced in HCV patients with NALT. Liver biopsy may still be needed for many of these cases to correctly stage liver fibrosis. Specific noninvasive tools and possibly combination of markers should be developed and validated in this clinical setting.
Hepatitis C virus core protein, lipid droplets and steatosis
Authors: Roingeard P. , Hourioux C.
Published: August 2010

Summary.  Lipid droplets are intracellular organelles involved not only in lipid storage but also in cell signalling and the regulation of intracellular vesicular trafficking. Recent basic studies have suggested that interactions between hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein and lipid droplets are required for the HCV infection cycle. In infected cells, the HCV core protein is associated with the surface of lipid droplets and the endoplasmic reticulum membranes closely surrounding these droplets, and its self‐assembly drives virion budding. This interaction also seems to be directly linked to a virus‐induced steatosis, which involves the deposition of triglycerides in the liver and contributes to the progression of fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Many clinical studies have reported that virus‐induced steatosis is significantly more severe with HCV genotype 3 than with other genotypes, and this phenomenon has been modelled in recent basic studies based on the production of HCV core proteins of various genotypes in vitro. The association of HCV core protein with lipid droplets seems to play a central role in HCV pathogenesis and morphogenesis, suggesting that virus‐induced steatosis may be essential for the viral life cycle.
Continuing professional development for occupational therapy emergency department services
Authors: Cusick Anne , Johnson Lucinda , Bissett Michelle
Published: August 2010

Aim:  To explore continuing professional development (CPD) resources and needs of Australian emergency department occupational therapists.

Method:  Australian websites and occupational therapy newsletters were searched to identify CPD resources/opportunities. Occupational therapists with recent clinical experience in Australian emergency departments were surveyed on strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to their service, research information needs, supervision/mentor arrangements and quality assurance activity.

Results:  No Australian CPD opportunities were identified; 1.3% of the 2008 OT AUSTRALIA conference topics were emergency department specific. Forty‐one Australian hospitals employed a total of 51 occupational therapists of whom 30 responded. Half were supervised by occupational therapists; 20 had occupational therapy mentors; 23 perceived that they were very independent; seven did quality assurance projects; 25 had unmet research needs; 27 thought their service was effective; and service strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to service could be identified by most occupational therapists.

Conclusion:  Australian occupational therapists in emergency departments need specialised CPD opportunities. The information needs and strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats provide a CPD topic planning guide.
The seasonal and spatial variations of labile copper, iron, manganese, lead and zinc sediment fractions in Lake Naivasha, Kenya
Authors: Kamau Joseph Nyingi , Gachanja Anthony , Ngila Catherine , Kazungu Johnson Michael , Gatagwu Joel
Published: August 2010

Lake Naivasha is a freshwater lake with no surface outlet, lying within a closed basin of the Kenyan Rift Valley. It is perceived to be a lake undergoing anthropogenic stresses. This study is intended to determine the speciation of some selected heavy metals in the sediments of Lake Naivasha, as an indicator of potential pollution of the lake. Sediment and water sampling of the lake was conducted in March and May 2003, during the dry and wet seasons, respectively. Analyses of the speciation of heavy metals in sediment samples (<63 µm faction) were performed on sediment samples collected from five sites within the lake. The study results obtained indicated that influent Malewa River was not a source of labile copper (Cu), lead (Pb) or zinc, despite the river having the highest percentage clay content during the wet season (86%). Copper was highly distributed in the residual sediment fraction (average of 90%). Among the labile sediment factions, the highest quantity of Cu was in the oxidizable phase (3.58 and 2.30 µg g−1 during the dry and wet season, respectively). Carbonate‐bound Cu was sparingly distributed during both the dry and the wet seasons, ranging between 0.74 and 1.81 µg g−1. Iron was highly distributed in the oxidizable sediment phase, exhibiting concentrations ranging between 2.0 and 6.0 (×103) µg g−1. Relative to the other heavy metals, manganese was distributed in lower proportions in the residual sediment fraction. High concentrations of Pb were observed in the oxidizable phase from most of the sampling sites along the lake shore. Zinc was distributed largely in the oxidizable phase, being highest at sampling site SS, which was located near a municipal sewage input to the lake. The sediments collected at the sampling sites located in the deep portion of the lake exhibited the highest concentrations of labile heavy metals.
Benefits of pan‐sharpened Landsat imagery for mapping small waterbodies in the Powder River Basin, Wyoming, USA
Authors: Sivanpillai Ramesh , Miller Scott N.
Published: August 2010

Pan‐sharpened Landsat imagery was used to map waterbodies of a wide variety of sizes in the Powder River Basin (PRB) in northcentral Wyoming, USA. Coal bed natural gas extraction activities have been intensive in the PRB over the past decade, with abundant co‐produced water being discharged into retention ponds and small ephemeral channels. Although land management agencies are tasked with monitoring these waterbodies, traditional field survey methods might not be feasible during rapid development. Remote‐sensing applications could be used in such cases. Although Landsat and similar medium‐resolution datasets do not have detailed spatial information at fine resolutions required to map small waterbodies, they do contain rich spectral information. Panchromatic data collected by satellites have an appropriate spatial resolution, but lack detailed spectral information. Thus, image fusion techniques were used to create a pan‐sharpened image, by merging multispectral (30‐m resolution) and panchromatic (15‐m) bands from Landsat 7 imagery. Both the original and the pan‐sharpened images were used to map waterbodies and estimate their area, being compared to photo‐interpretation results. The accuracy of mapping waterbodies with pan‐sharpened imagery was significantly higher than the original Landsat data for waterbodies ranging in size from 901 to 8100 m2. Large reservoirs (>8100 m2) were very accurately mapped, both images producing identical results (96%). Neither image was able to suitably detect very small waterbodies (<900 m2). Detailed analysis within 901–3600 m2 size category revealed that the benefits of pan‐sharpened imagery were most pronounced (25% higher accuracy) for mapping waterbodies ranging in size from 1801 to 2700 m2.
Computation of changes in the run‐off regimen of the Lake Santa Ana watershed (Zacatecas, Mexico)
Authors: Gaytán Roberto , De Anda José , Nelson Jim
Published: August 2010

This study describes the application of a water run‐off model for Lake Santa Ana, Mexico, developed through the combined application of two simulation models: the Watershed Modelling System (WMS) and the Hydrologic Modelling System (HEC‐HMS). The WMS was used to estimate the geometric parameters of the hydrographic basin from a digital elevation model and geographical information describing the location of the hydraulic infrastructure developed in the basin in recent years. The HEC‐HMS was used to estimate the run‐off hydrographs, by using historical rainfall data and calibrating the model with the observed hydrometric data. The lake bathymetry was taken into account in order to estimate the lake's water balance. Recent observations indicate that anthropogenic activities have modified the natural run‐off features of the lake basin. The magnitude of these modifications was estimated by linking the WMS and HEC‐HMS models. Application of these linked tools allowed the successful estimation of the modified basin limits and hydraulic behaviour of Lake Santa Ana.
A SUMMER READING WORKSHOP AT MEMPHIS STATE COLLEGE
Authors: FILDERMAN IRVING P. , DUGGINS LYDIA A. , VICKERY VERNA L.
Published: August 2010

A reading programme serving the double purpose of aiding children and giving teachers research work.
Short‐term functional outcome following elective surgery for complicated sigmoid diverticular disease: sutured or stapled end‐to‐end anastomosis to the proximal rectum?
Authors: Sielezneff I. , Malouf A. J. , Pirro N. , Cesari J. , Brunet C. , Sastre B.
Published: August 2010

Objective

The aim of this retrospective non‐randomized study was to evaluate the short‐term functional outcome following elective resectional surgery for complicated sigmoid diverticular disease, and to compare results of patients having hand‐sewn or stapled end‐to‐end colonic anastomosis to the proximal rectum.

Patients and methods

Between 1983 and 1995, of 182 consecutive patients referred to our Institution for surgical treatment of complicated sigmoid diverticular disease, 137 underwent elective left hemicolectomy with primary colonic anastomosis to the proximal rectum, at a level above the peritoneal reflection. Twenty‐one patients were excluded from the study because of a covering stoma (n=15), or a side‐to‐end (n=5) or side‐to‐side (n=1) anastomosis. All remaining 116 patients had an end‐to‐end anastomosis without covering stoma. Two groups were compared according to the type of anastomosis performed. Group I comprised the 67 patients who had a hand‐sewn anastomosis, and group II the 49 patients whose anastomosis was stapled. Outcome was assessed at 6 months after surgery and compared in the two groups. Assessment included specific morbidity (anastomotic leakage, haemorrhage, fistulation and stenosis, pelvic sepsis), faecal incontinence, constipation, dyschesia, daily stool frequency, and stool consistency.

Results

Preoperative patient details were comparable in both groups. There was no post‐operative mortality, and the general morbidity rate was similar in both groups (P=0.85). There was no anastomotic leakage or haemorrhage, and no fistulation or pelvic sepsis in either group. One patient in group I, and two from group II, developed flatus incontinence, and a further patient from group II developed incontinence to liquid stool (P=0.17, group I vs group II). We observed better functional outcome following hand‐sewn anastomosis. Three group II patients developed anastomotic stenosis compared with none in group I (P=0.04). Constipation (9% vs 28%, P=0.005) and dyschesia (18% vs 39%, P=0.03) were more frequent in group II. Excluding constipated patients (n=20), daily stool frequency was lower (mean 1.2 ± 0.6 vs 2 ± 1.3, P=0.0002), and more frequently of normal consistency (79% vs 43%, P=0.0001) in group I. Subgroup analysis failed to show significant differences in functional outcome in both groups in relation to the specific indications for surgery.

Conclusion

These retrospective data suggest for the first time in the reported literature that hand‐sewn colonic anastomosis to the proximal rectum provides a better short‐term functional outcome than stapled anastomosis following elective resectional surgery for complicated sigmoid diverticulosis.
Audit of anal‐sphincter repair
Authors: Morren G. L. , Hallböök O. , Nyström P.‐O. , Baeten C. G. M. I. , Sjödahl R.
Published: August 2010

Objective

Structural damage of the anterior part of the anal sphincter is a major cause of faecal incontinence. Sphincter repair is the standard surgical treatment. This study was designed to analyse the results of anal sphincter repair, to identify possible predictors of outcome and to investigate the presence of bowel symptoms other than leakage at follow up.

Patients and methods

Fifty‐five women (median age 39 years, range 24–73 years) who underwent anal sphincter repair between 1986 and 1997 at the University Hospital of Linköping answered a postal questionnaire. Current bowel function, degree of continence and the patients’ functional result as worse, unchanged, some improvement, good or excellent were assessed. Good or excellent function was regarded as a successful result, the rest as failure. Age, duration of symptoms, type of surgery, morbidity and length of follow up were analysed in relation to outcome. Results of pre‐ and post‐operative anal manometry, endoanal ultrasound, anal sphincter electromyography and pudendal nerve function were also analysed.

Results

After a median (range) follow‐up period of 40 months (5–137) months, 31 (56%) patients rated the result as either excellent (n=10) or good (n=21). Twenty‐one (38%) patients rated the result as some improvement (n=14), unchanged (n=6) or worse (n=1). In three (5%) patients a colostomy was fashioned because of failure. Patients >50 years at surgery (n=18) had a worse outcome (P=0.001). Successful outcome was correlated to increased squeeze pressures post‐operatively. The presence of post‐operative urgency (P=0.01) and loose stools (P=0.02) was more common in patients with poor outcome. Eight patients became continent to formed and liquid stool.
A simple, inexpensive, life‐saving way to perform iterative laparotomy in patients with severe intra‐abdominal sepsis
Authors: Doyon A. , Devroede G. , Viens D. , Saito S. , Rioux A. , Echavé V. , Sauvé M. , Martin M. , Poisson J.
Published: August 2010

Between 1 June 1993 and 31 December 1998, 17 patients underwent temporary abdominal closure with 3L urological irrigation bags, because in most cases, there was massive sepsis leading to the conclusion that primary closure was not advisable. Indicative of the seriousness of these conditions, Apache score averaged 19 (range 10–30). The technique consisted of suturing a double thickness of irrigation bags to each side of the wound, and joining the two bags in the midline with running sutures. Abdominal lavage with large quantities of fluid was performed every other day. This type of closure was used for a mean duration of 15 days. Mean length of hospitalization was 60 days. There were only three deaths (17.6%). No incisional hernia occurred after the iterative laparotomies. Deleting patients with acute pancreatitis would have reduced the death rate to only 7%. A 3L urological irrigation bag costs £11.60 (24.40$ CAN) while a Marlex mesh costs £81.40 (171.00$ CAN). We conclude that the usage of 3L urological plastic bags is a simple, safe and efficient method for temporary closure of the abdomen.
Predictors of disease‐free survival in rectal cancer patients undergoing curative proctectomy
Authors: Stewart D. , Yan Y. , Mutch M. , Kodner I. , Hunt S. , Lowney J. , Birnbaum E. , Read T. , Fleshman J. , Dietz D.
Published: August 2010

Objective  To identify the factors that affect the disease‐free survival (DFS) of rectal cancer patients.

Method  Patients from an IRB approved rectal cancer database were reviewed (1990–2000). All patients underwent either abdominoperineal resection or low anterior resection using total mesorectal excision with curative intent. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to analyse the factors that influenced DFS.

Results  A total of 304 patients were reviewed (mean age 64, 52% male). Seventy‐seven per cent of patients received neoadjuvant therapy (28.6% short‐course radiation therapy (RT), 35.5% long‐course RT, 12.5% chemo‐RT). The radial margin was involved with tumour in 5.2% of patients (final pathology). The overall survival rate was 85.2% with a mean follow‐up time of 33 ± 26 months. The mean time to death was 34.8 ± 26.8 months. Local recurrence (± distant recurrence) occurred in 4%. Anastomotic leaks occurred in 3.6% of patients. Overall pathologic stage, pathologic T stage, nodal status, the use of adjuvant chemotherapy, tumour fixation, involvement of the radial margin, the presence of mucin, and lymphatic and perineural invasion (PNI) were predictors of DFS by univariate analysis. Of note, anastomotic leaks and obstructing cancers did not influence DFS. Using multivariate analysis with backward elimination, overall pathologic stage, radial margin status, adjuvant chemotherapy, and PNI predicted the DFS.

Conclusion  Major predictors of DFS in rectal cancer are the overall pathologic stage, adjuvant chemotherapy, radial margin status and PNI. Radial margin status may be a marker of tumour aggressiveness and should be considered in deciding on adjuvant chemotherapy.
Linkage disequilibrium in maps of SNPs and other markers
Authors: Collins Andrew
Published: August 2010

One strategy for detection of disease genes is to exploit linkage disequilibrium in the hope that in candidate regions there will be detectable association between disease and marker alleles. Maps of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) will be used for this purpose but a recent simulation suggests that a useful level of linkage disequilibrium is unlikely to extend beyond an average distance of 3 Kb in the general population. This implies that very high marker densities will be required to detect disease: SNP associations. The evidence from published data comprising 877 SNP pairs is presented. For comparison, associations between other pairs of markers, principally microsatellites, are examined in a large sample of haplotypes from the fragile X (FRAX) region in Xq27–28.

Association ρ is estimated from haplotype frequencies and the decline in linkage disequilibrium with distance is described using the model originally described by Malecot. The evidence from SNP pairs suggest that linkage disequilibrium extends to at least 263 Kb in random haplotypes, but with a considerable amount of variation particularly at small distances. For microsatellites in the FRAX region disequilibrium extends to at least 435 Kb. This suggests that a genome scan with markers spaced every 100 Kb would be powerful (30 000 markers per genome). Higher densities might be required in some genomic regions and presumably will be required to determine causal SNPs.
The Economic Consequences of Increased Disclosure: Evidence from Cross‐Listings of Chinese Firms
Authors: Sami Heibatollah , Zhou Haiyan
Published: August 2010

In this paper, we investigate the impact of cross‐listings on information asymmetry risk, the cost of capital and firm value of a group of cross‐listed Chinese companies. Our paper is the first to examine the effect of cross‐listing on information asymmetry risk. Because cross‐listed firms are subject to increased disclosure requirements, increased regulatory scrutiny and increased legal liability, we propose that Chinese cross‐listed firms have lower information asymmetry risk, lower cost of capital and higher firm value than their non‐cross‐listed counterparts. We find in both univariate and multivariate tests that cross‐listed firms enjoyed lower information asymmetry risk in the domestic market compared with the non‐cross‐listed firms. We also find that cross‐listed firms have lower cost of capital in the cross‐listing market than non‐cross‐listed firms in the domestic markets. Finally, we find that cross‐listed firms are associated with higher firm value as measured by Tobin's Q. These results have implications for international investors and companies seeking cross‐listing opportunities.
Foreign Direct Investment in the Caribbean
Authors: Kolstad Ivar , Villanger Espen
Published: August 2010

This article addresses the question of whether the Caribbean is particularly attractive or unattractive to foreign investors, and if it has specific characteristics that attract or deter FDI. An econometric analysis of data from 135 countries for 1980‐2002 shows that the Caribbean does not suffer from low inflows of FDI; on the contrary, Caribbean countries receive more FDI than comparable countries in other regions. This reflects two contradictory effects. On the one hand, FDI inflows may be particularly sensitive to political instability in the region; on the other hand, the absence of regulation appears to have been a particularly beneficial factor in attracting FDI to the Caribbean.
Productivités et externalités des dépenses publiques en zone UEMOA
Authors: Ouattara Wautabouna
Published: August 2010

Abstract:  The purpose of the present study is to estimate the public expenditure sector's respective roles in the ‘productive’ and ‘non productive’ components of the economy of WAEMU (West African Economic and Monetary Union) member states. An econometric analysis aims to reveal the externalities and/or relative factorial marginal productivity effects on the long‐term economic growth rate. It appears that public capital expenditure positively affects relative factorial productivity but public consumption expenditure has no effect on economic growth. The study confirms the productive contribution of public infrastructures on GDP growth in the WAEMU area.

Résumé:  L'objet de la présente étude est d'estimer les rôles respectifs des différentes composantes “productive” et “non productive” des dépenses du secteur public dans l'économie des pays de l'UEMOA. Une analyse économétrique vise à capter les effets de productivité marginale factorielle relative et/ou d'externalités sur le taux de croissance économique en longue période. L'analyse montre que les dépenses en capital public ont un effet positif de productivité factorielle relative alors que les dépenses publiques de consommation ne laissent apparaître aucun effet sur la croissance. L'étude apporte une confirmation de la contribution productive des infrastructures publiques à la croissance du PIB dans l'espace UEMOA.
INDUSTRIAL RESTRUCTURING IN A PERIOD OF CRISIS: AN ANALYSIS OF THE CANADIAN AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY, 1973–83.*
Authors: HOLMES JOHN
Published: August 2010

The recent crisis in the North American economy is rooted in the disintegration of a particular model of capital accumulation known as Fordism. Using the empirical context of the auto industry in Canada the paper analyses the development and subsequent breakdown of Fordism and the forms taken by the restructuring which has occurred in response to the crisis.
Between Survival and Revolution: Another Community Development System is Possible
Authors: Thibault Robert E.
Published: August 2010

Abstract:  The tensions between capitalism and community have created a situation where, from the depths of multinational corporate headquarters to the diverse urban streets of America, the latter is now being co‐opted by the former. Couple this with the current neoliberal order being imposed on the world by multilateral institutions, high‐ranking government officials, and the corporate elite, and you have an economic imperial agenda being carried out in all corners of the globe. In this article, I take a dialectical and investigative approach in critiquing the neoliberal ideology that dictates how the work of community development corporations is funded and controlled. Much of today's reality within community development consists of an environment where funding restrictions undermine community power, community development trumps community organizing, professionalization creates a disconnect between community development staff and community members, and competition for funding forces organizations to spend more time on funders' needs than the needs of the communities they serve. J P Morgan Chase is profiled to illustrate how economic neoliberal globalization and so‐called community capitalism shape the modern community development movement. I conclude with an analysis of how empowerment, organizational democracy, and collective ownership have the potential to open up spaces of hope for urban communities in the United States who have been forced to live under the hegemony of economic neoliberal globalization.
Effect of self‐construal and threat to self‐esteem on ingroup favouritism: Moderating effect of independent/interdependent self‐construal on use of ingroup favouritism for maintaining and enhancing self‐evaluation
Authors: Nakashima Ken'ichiro , Isobe Chikae , Ura Mitsuhiro
Published: August 2010

The present study examined the hypothesis that in situations that threaten self‐esteem, people with independent self‐construal show more ingroup favouritism, whereas people with interdependent self‐construal do not. Using a minimal group paradigm, consistent with the hypothesis, the results showed that self‐construal and threats to self‐esteem have an interactive effect on ingroup favouritism. Individuals with independent self‐construal showed more ingroup favouritism when their self‐esteem was threatened than when it was not threatened, whereas individuals with interdependent self‐construal exhibited less ingroup favouritism when their self‐esteem was threatened than when it was not threatened. These findings suggest that independent/interdependent self‐construal moderates the use of ingroup favouritism for maintaining and enhancing self‐evaluation.
Environment, irreversibility and optimal effluent standards *
Authors: Jou Jyh‐Bang
Published: August 2010

The present article investigates the use of performance standards to correct environmental externalities. Each firm in an industry emits waste in the production process, and, in turn, the average waste emissions of the industry adversely affect the firm's productivity. The firm, which incurs sunk costs when employing capital to abate waste emissions, is uncertain about the efficiency of capital. The firm will underestimate environmental externalities and will therefore pollute more than is socially efficient. To correct this tendency, the regulator can set a limit on either emissions or the emission‐output ratio at the socially efficient level. The firm will invest more, produce more, and pollute less when the regulator implements the former than when the regulator implements the latter.
Varieties of Industrial Relations Research: Take‐over, Convergence or Divergence?
Authors: Frege Carola M.
Published: August 2010

Industrial relations (IR) research faces various pressures of internationalization. Not only do global economic forces increasingly shape the subject of the discipline, employment relations, but also the academic community itself is becoming more international. The article discusses whether and in what ways IR research is affected by these trends. It is based on a comparative, longitudinal study of journal publications in the USA, Britain and Germany. The findings reveal significantly different patterns of IR research across the three countries. In particular, the strong variation between US and British research patterns challenges the common notion of a homogeneous Anglo‐Saxon style in conducting social science research. The analysis suggests that despite growing internationalization, IR research continues to be strongly embedded in nationally specific research cultures and traditions.
Work–Life Balance and the Demand for Reduction in Working Hours: Evidence from the British Social Attitudes Survey 2002
Authors: MacInnes John
Published: August 2010

Work–life balance policies aimed at reducing working hours are often assumed to be of particular interest to workers with family responsibilities such as young children. Although workers in Britain report the kind of time‐stress envisaged by the debate over a ‘long‐hours culture’, there is little relationship between workers’ family situation and preferences for working fewer hours. Women workers’ hours already reflect family commitments to some extent, while families with young children may need the income levels that only substantial working hours bring. Conversely workers without family commitments may have more capacity to swap income or career progression for increased leisure time.
All Access Points are Not Created Equal: Explaining the Fate of Diffuse Interests in the EU
Authors: Smith Mitchell P.
Published: August 2010

According to literature on organised interests in the European Union, the European Parliament's Environment Committee (ENVI) gives environmental interests a potent point of legislative access. Yet while ENVI helped sustain the EP's commitment to environmental interests in the case of the End-of-Life Vehicles Directive adopted in September 2000, it did not do so for REACH, a regulatory framework for the chemicals sector adopted by the EP and Council in December 2006. Ultimately, the value of legislative access for organised interest groups depends on the extent to which they have privileged interactions with a node in the policy-making apparatus and the degree to which actors in the policy-making process defer to the particular institutional node. For environmental interests, both privileged interactions between environmentalists and ENVI and deference to the committee decline when environmentalists seek regulations that impose concentrated costs on producers. Such instances invoke calls to protect industrial competitiveness and intensify conflict between EP committees.
The Role of Nominating Committees and Director Reputation in Shaping the Labor Market for Directors: An Empirical Assessment
Authors: Eminet Aurélien , Guedri Zied
Published: August 2010

Manuscript Type: Empirical

Research Question/Issue: Do the presence and independence of nominating committees within boards of directors affect the extent of rewards and sanctions provided by the labor market to directors with a reputation for being active in monitoring management?

Research Findings/Insights: Results drawn from a longitudinal sample of directors sitting on the board of 200 public French firms suggest that the stronger a director's reputation for being active in increasing control over management, the larger the number of his or her subsequent appointments to (1) boards with a nominating committee; (2) to boards with a nominating committee that excludes the CEO; and (3) to boards with a nominating committee dominated by non‐executive directors. In contrast, we found that a director's reputation of being active in increasing control over management does not impact the number of his or her subsequent appointments (1) to boards without a nominating committee; (2) to boards with a nominating committee that includes the CEO; and (3) to boards with a nominating committee dominated by executive directors.

Theoretical/Academic Implications: This study shows that the outcome of the power struggle between the CEO and incumbent directors during the candidate selection process determines the profile of directors who will ultimately obtain the board appointment. On the one hand, independent nominating committees are likely to reduce the influence of CEOs over the process of a director's appointment, and therefore are likely to increase the recruitment of directors with reputations for being active in exercising control over managers. On the other hand, nonexistence of nominating committees or presence of weak nominating committees under the influence of the CEO decouple directors' reputations for being active in controlling management from the likelihood of obtaining new appointments.

Practitioner/Policy Implications: This study offers insights to policy makers interested in increasing the efficiency of the labor market for directors. More specifically, it highlights the conditions under which directors with a reputation of being active in increasing control over management are likely to be rewarded by the labor market for directors. These conditions include (1) the creation of a nominating committee; (2) exclusion of the CEO from this committee; and (3) domination of this committee by outside directors.
Continuous‐time modelling of irregularly spaced panel data using a cubic spline model
Authors: Chow Sy‐Miin , Zhang Guangjian
Published: August 2010

Continuous‐time modelling remains a somewhat ‘idealized’ representation tool. Even though conceptualizing a dynamic process as a continuous process has clear appeal from a theoretical standpoint, practical tools that allow researchers to effectively map an idealized continuous model onto a set of discrete‐time observed data are still lacking observed data. Irregularly spaced longitudinal data frequently arise in empirical settings because of the prevalence of longitudinal studies with partially randomized measurement intervals and other related designs. We present a practical approach that capitalizes on a nonparametric spline interpolation approach to impute the gaps in irregularly spaced panel data. Simulated and empirical examples are provided to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed approach to studies of group‐based dynamics using panel data.