bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Proteolytic Degradation of Human Antimicrobial Peptide LL-37 by
Bacillus anthracis
May Contribute to Virulence
Authors: Thwaite Joanne E. , Hibbs Stephen , Titball Richard W. , Atkins Timothy P.
Published: June 2006

In this paper we report on the susceptibilities of a range of
Bacillus
species to the human antimicrobial peptide LL-37.
B. subtilis
showed a low level of resistance to killing by LL-37 (50% growth-inhibitory concentration [GI
50
], 1 μg/ml).
B. cereus
and
B. thuringiensis
showed intermediate levels of resistance to killing (GI
50
s, 33 μg/ml and 37 μg/ml, respectively).
B. anthracis
showed the highest level of resistance (GI
50
s, 40 to 66 μg/ml). The degradation of LL-37 by
B. anthracis
culture supernatant was blocked by the metalloprotease inhibitors EDTA and 1,10-phenanthroline, and the gene encoding the protease responsible for LL-37 degradation was not plasmid borne. Our findings suggest that alongside the classical plasmid-based virulence determinants, extracellular metalloproteases of
B. anthracis
may play a role in survival in the host.
Activities of Alkoxyalkyl Esters of Cidofovir (CDV), Cyclic CDV, and (
S
)-9-(3-Hydroxy-2-Phosphonylmethoxypropyl)Adenine against Orthopoxviruses in Cell Monolayers and in Organotypic Cultures
Authors: Lebeau Ilya , Andrei Graciela , Dal Pozzo Fabiana , Beadle James R. , Hostetler Karl Y. , De Clercq Erik , van den Oord Joost , Snoeck Robert
Published: June 2006

The potencies of several alkoxyalkyl esters of acyclic nucleoside phosphonates against vaccinia virus and cowpox virus were evaluated in cell monolayers and three-dimensional epithelial raft cultures. Prodrugs were at least 20-fold more active than their parent compounds. Octadecycloxyethyl-(
S
)-9-(3-hydroxy-2-phosphonylmethoxypropyl)adenine emerged as the most potent derivative.
Daptomycin Bactericidal Activity and Correlation between Disk and Broth Microdilution Method Results in Testing of
Staphylococcus aureus
Strains with Decreased Susceptibility to Vancomycin
Authors: Sader Helio S. , Fritsche Thomas R. , Jones Ronald N.
Published: June 2006

A total of 207
Staphylococcus aureus
strains, including 105 well-characterized strains with decreased susceptibility to vancomycin (17 vancomycin-intermediate
S. aureus
[VISA] and 88 heteroresistant VISA [hVISA] strains) and 102 wild-type methicillin-resistant
S. aureus
(MRSA-WT) strains were tested by reference/standardized broth microdilution and disk diffusion methods, as well as by Etest (AB BIODISK, Solna, Sweden), against daptomycin and vancomycin. The lowest concentration of antimicrobial agent that killed ≥99.9% of the initial inoculum was defined as the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) endpoint, and time-kill curves were performed in selected strains to further evaluate bactericidal activity. All MRSA-WT and hVISA strains were inhibited by ≤1 μg/ml of daptomycin, while the VISA strains showed slightly higher daptomycin MICs (range, 0.5 to 4 μg/ml). All daptomycin MBC results were at the MIC or twofold higher. In contrast, 14.7% of MRSA-WT, 69.3% of hVISA, and all VISA strains showed a vancomycin MBC/MIC ratio of ≥32 or an MBC of ≥16 μg/ml (tolerant). The correlation coefficients between broth microdilution and disk diffusion method results were low for daptomycin (0.07) and vancomycin (0.11). Eight (3.8%) strains (all hVISA or VISA) were “nonsusceptible” to daptomycin by broth microdilution methods but susceptible by the disk diffusion method. For vancomycin, 35 (16.9%) strains were nonsusceptible by broth microdilution methods but susceptible by disk diffusion methods. In conclusion, daptomycin was highly bactericidal against
S. aureus
strains, and its bactericidal activity was not affected by decreased susceptibility to vancomycin. In contrast, many (one in seven) contemporary MRSA-WT, the majority of hVISA, and all VISA strains showed vancomycin MBC/MIC ratios consistent with tolerance, a predictor of poor clinical response. Disk diffusion tests generally failed to detect strains categorized as nonsusceptible to daptomycin or vancomycin by the reference broth microdilution method or Etest, and reassessment of breakpoints should be immediately attempted for MIC methods suggested as the test of choice.
Naturally Occurring Extended-Spectrum Cephalosporinases in
Escherichia coli
Authors: Mammeri Hedi , Poirel Laurent , Fortineau Nicolas , Nordmann Patrice
Published: June 2006

Genetic and functional characterization of the cephalosporinases produced by 65 clonally unrelated clinical
Escherichia coli
isolates revealed genetic diversity of the
ampC
genes and showed that Gln287, Cys287, Pro296, Leu298, and Phe350 substitutions were involved in extension of the hydrolysis spectrum to include ceftazidime and cefepime.
CMT-Type β-Lactamase TEM-125, an Emerging Problem for Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase Detection
Authors: Robin Frédéric , Delmas Julien , Archambaud Maryse , Schweitzer Cédric , Chanal Catherine , Bonnet Richard
Published: June 2006

The clinical strain
Escherichia coli
TO799 was resistant to penicillin-clavulanate combinations and ceftazidime and was not reproducibly detected as an extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) according to the standards of the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI; formerly NCCLS) and the national guidelines of the French Society for Microbiology (Comité de l'Antibiogramme de la Société Française de Microbiologie). A novel β-lactamase, designated TEM-125, was responsible for this phenotype. TEM-125 harbors a complex association of mutations previously described in the ESBL TEM-12 and in the inhibitor-resistant β-lactamase TEM-39. TEM-125 is the first complex mutant TEM to present hydrolytic activity against ceftazidime (
k
cat
, 3.7 s
−1
) together with a high level of resistance to clavulanate (50% inhibitory concentration, 13.6 μM). The discovery of such an ESBL, which is difficult to detect by the usual ESBL detection methods, confirms the emergence of a complex mutant TEM subgroup and highlights the need to evaluate detection methods so as to avoid possible therapeutic failures.
Reverse Engineering Antibiotic Sensitivity in a Multidrug-Resistant
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Isolate
Authors: Struble Julie M. , Gill Ryan T.
Published: June 2006

Antibiotic resistance is a pervasive and growing clinical problem. We describe an evaluation of a reverse engineering approach for identifying cellular mechanisms and genes that could be manipulated to increase antibiotic sensitivity in a resistant
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
isolate. We began by chemically mutating a broadly resistant isolate of
P. aeruginosa
and screening for mutants with increased sensitivity to the aminoglycoside amikacin, followed by performing whole-genome transcriptional profiling of the mutant and wild-type strains to characterize the global changes occurring as a result of the mutations. We then performed a series of assays to characterize the mechanisms involved in the increased sensitivity of the mutant strains. We report four primary results: (i) mutations that increase sensitivity occur at a high frequency (10
−2
) relative to the frequency of those that increase resistance (10
−5
to 10
−10
) and occur at a frequency 10
4
higher than the frequency of a single point mutation; (ii) transcriptional profiles were altered in sensitive mutants, resulting in overall expression patterns more similar to those of the sensitive laboratory strain PAO1 than those of the parental resistant strain; (iii) genes found from transcriptional profiling had the more dramatic changes in expression-encoded functions related to cellular membrane permeability and aminoglycoside modification, both of which are known aminoglycoside resistance mechanisms; and finally, (iv) even though we did not identify the specific sites of mutation, several different follow-up MIC assays suggested that the mutations responsible for increased sensitivity differed between sensitive mutants.
Accelerated Denaturation of Hemoglobin and the Antimalarial Action of Chloroquine
Authors: Fitch Coy D. , Russell Natrice V.
Published: June 2006

To study the antimalarial action of chloroquine, normal mouse erythrocytes were used as surrogates for erythrocytoid bodies. These bodies form in the endosomes of intraerythrocytic malaria parasites as they feed on their host and consist of erythrocyte cytoplasm enclosed in a vestige of the erythrocyte membrane. In suspensions of normal erythrocytes or lysates (equivalent to 5 μl of erythrocytes per ml in each case), hemoglobin underwent denaturation when it was incubated at 38°C in 150 mM sodium acetate (pH 5). It is reasonable to assume that the same phenomenon occurs in acidic endosomes. Addition of 100 μM chloroquine to the incubation mixture caused the rate of hemoglobin denaturation to double to 40 nanomoles per hour per ml of packed erythrocytes. This effect required the presence of erythrocyte stroma and was inhibited by reducing the temperature to 24°C or increasing the pH to 6. We propose that the primary antimalarial action of chloroquine is to bind to ferriprotoporphyrin IX (FP) and remove it from oxidized hemoglobin, thus producing toxic FP-chloroquine complexes and an excess of denatured globin. Furthermore, we suggest that these substances inhibit endosomal maturation and thereby cause hemoglobin accumulation in immature endosomes and masking of the lipids needed for FP dimerization. The term “masking” is used to signify that unsaturated lipids are present in parasitized erythrocytes but are specifically unavailable to promote FP dimerization.
ON UNITARY TRANSFORMATIONS OF ORTHOFERMION ALGEBRA THAT FORM A QUANTUM GROUP
Authors: ALTINTAṢ AZMI ALI , ARIK METIN , ATAKISHIYEV NATIG M.
Published: June 2006

We consider the orthofermion algebra and construct an explicit realization of orthofermion operators. This explicit realization is shown to be invariant with respect to transformations which form a quantum group.
ω–ϕ MIXING IN CHIRAL PERTURBATION THEORY
Authors: KUCUKARSLAN AYSE , MEIßNER ULF-G.
Published: June 2006

We investigate ω–ϕ meson mixing to leading order in chiral perturbation theory utilizing the antisymmetric tensor field formulation. We update the quark mass ratio R from ρ–ω mixing, R = 42 ± 4.
PHYSICAL DEGREES OF FREEDOM IN STABILIZED BRANE WORLD MODELS
Authors: BOOS EDWARD E. , MIKHAILOV YURI S. , SMOLYAKOV MIKHAIL N. , VOLOBUEV IGOR P.
Published: June 2006

We consider brane world models with interbrane separation stabilized by the Goldberger–Wise scalar field. For arbitrary background, or vacuum configurations of the gravitational and scalar fields in such models, we construct the second variation Lagrangian, study its gauge invariance, find the corresponding equations of motion and decouple them in a suitable gauge. We also derive an effective four-dimensional Lagrangian for such models, which describes the massless graviton, a tower of massive gravitons and a tower of massive scalars. It is shown that for a special choice of the background solution the masses of the graviton excitations may be of the order of 1 TeV, the radion mass of the order of 100 GeV, the inverse size of the extra dimension being 1 TeV. In this case the coupling of the radion to matter on the negative tension brane is approximately ten times weaker than in the unstabilized model with the same values of the fundamental five-dimensional energy scale and the interbrane distance.
The Salim Group: The Art of Strategic Flexibility
Authors: Dieleman Marleen
Published: June 2006

This case describes the rise and fall of the Salim Group, a large Asian family business conglomerate based in Indonesia with a turnover of US$20 billion prior to the Asian financial crisis. During the Asian crisis, the diversified and international Salim Group was barely able to survive. The present CEO and president, Anthony Salim, was faced with the task of developing the new strategy for the Group. Rather than focussing on core businesses, he insisted on remaining flexible in order to capture whatever opportunities might arise in the Asian region, regardless of the products or services. The case is useful for the examination of strategy in a changing environment.
Attock Refinery Upgradation Project
Authors: Nawaz Tariq Ahmed , Iqbal Rana Arif
Published: June 2006

This case is about a major expansion and upgradation project undertaken at a refinery in Northern Pakistan in the 1990s. The project was the biggest expansion project since the company's inception in the 1920s. The project was carried out by a Japanese contractor, and was marked by changes in CEO's and Project Managers. Despite the vicissitudes in relationships between the construction team and company management, the project was completed in time and within budget.

The case looks at project management from the client's perspective. It can be used in a module on Project Termination, or Project Monitoring and Control in a course on Project Management). The case highlights the importance of project planning, and monitoring; the management of inter-personal relationships; and 'post-mortem' analysis and learning from projects.
Gurgaon Branch
Authors: Panda Abinash , Gupta Rajen K. , Kalra Satish K.
Published: June 2006

Gurgaon Branch was a branch of a leading public sector bank in India. Though the bank was financially sound, there seemed to be a leadership crisis in this branch. The aggregate deposit had been consistently falling over the past three years. The branch had not been able to disburse fresh advances or recover outstanding advances. Moreover, the employees were unhappy with both the branch head and the accountant.

This case is concerned with transforming the culture of a public sector bank's branch that has been plagued with officers-staff conflict, inter-union rivalry and bureaucratic culture and consequently, poor financial performance, weak customer orientation and poor customers' satisfaction. This case provides a useful basis for discussing the issues and challenges involved in the process of transforming highly politicized culture to a desirable team-oriented customer-centric performing culture.
A MODEL FOR HIGH FREQUENCY DATA UNDER PARTIAL INFORMATION: A FILTERING APPROACH
Authors: CECI CLAUDIA , GERARDI ANNA
Published: June 2006

A general model for intraday stock price movements is studied. The asset price dynamics is described by a marked point process Y, whose local characteristics (in particular the jump-intensity) depend on some unobservable hidden state variable X. The dynamics of Y and X may be strongly dependent. In particular the two processes may have common jump times, which means that the actual trading activity may affect the law of X and could be also related to the possibility of catastrophic events. The agents, in this model, are restricted to observing past asset prices. This leads to a filtering problem with marked point process observations. The conditional law of X given the past asset prices (the filter) is characterized as the unique weak solution of the Kushner–Stratonovich equation. An explicit representation of the filter is obtained by the Feyman–Kac formula using a linearization method. This representation allows us to provide a recursive algorithm for the filter computation.
OPTIMAL PORTFOLIO SELECTION STRATEGIES IN THE PRESENCE OF TRANSACTION COSTS
Authors: MENG QIANG , WEERASINGHE ANANDA
Published: June 2006

We consider an investor who has available a bank account (risk free asset) and a stock (risky asset). It is assumed that the interest rate for the risk free asset is zero and the stock price is modeled by a diffusion process. The wealth can be transferred between the two assets under a proportional transaction cost. Investor is allowed to obtain loans from the bank and also to short-sell the risky asset when necessary. The optimization problem addressed here is to maximize the probability of reaching a financial goal a before bankruptcy and to obtain an optimal portfolio selection policy. Our optimal policy is a combination of local-time processes and jumps. In the interesting case, it is determined by a non-linear switching curve on the state space. This work is a generalization of Weerasinghe [20], where this switching boundary is a vertical line segment.
AN ANALYSIS OF ASIAN MARKET INTEGRATION PRE- AND POST-CRISIS
Authors: BRAILSFORD T. J. , PENM J. H. W. , TERRELL R. D.
Published: June 2006

In this paper cointegrating relations between six East and Southeast Asian markets relative to a base cluster of three global markets are investigated in the framework of zero-non-zero (ZNZ) patterned vector error-correction modelling (VECM). The analysis focuses upon market relations both before and after the Asian currency crisis. The strength of integration between markets is also evaluated by extending Geweke's measurement approach within this framework. The results show that, since the crisis, estimated integration strengths have become more powerful between the Asian and global markets, with the US market leading both the Asian markets and the markets of Japan and the UK.
THE VALUE OF FIGHTING IRREVERSIBLE DEMISE BY SOFTENING THE IRREVERSIBLE COST
Authors: MAGIS PAUL , SBUELZ ALESSANDRO
Published: June 2006

We study a novel issue in the real-options-based technology innovation literature by means of double barrier contingent claims analysis. We show how much a firm with the monopoly over a project is willing to spend in investment technology innovation that softens the irreversible cost of accessing the project before its irreversible demise. The answer depends on the project's characteristics and on the effectiveness demanded from technology innovation.
DIRAC QUANTIZATION OF FREE MOTION ON CURVED SURFACES
Authors: GOLOVNEV ALEXEY V.
Published: June 2006

We give an explicit operator realization of Dirac quantization of free particle motion on a surface of codimension 1. It is shown that the Dirac recipe is ambiguous and a natural way of fixing this problem is proposed. We also introduce a modification of Dirac procedure which yields zero quantum potential. Some problems of Abelian conversion quantization are pointed out.
COVARIANT LAGRANGIAN FORMULATION OF CHERN–SIMONS AND BF THEORIES
Authors: BOROWIEC A. , FATIBENE L. , FERRARIS M. , FRANCAVIGLIA M.
Published: June 2006

We investigate the covariant formulation of Chern–Simons theories in a general odd dimension which can be obtained by introducing a vacuum connection field as a reference. Field equations, Nöther currents and superpotentials are computed so that results are easily compared with the well-known results in dimension 3. Finally we use this covariant formulation of Chern–Simons theories to investigate their relation with topological BF theories.
THE POINCARÉ–CARTAN FORM IN SUPERFIELD THEORY
Authors: MONTERDE JUAN , MASQUÉ JAIME MUÑOZ , VALLEJO JOSÉ A.
Published: June 2006

An intrinsic description of the Hamilton–Cartan formalism for first-order Berezinian variational problems determined by a submersion of supermanifolds is given. This is achieved by studying the associated higher-order graded variational problem through the Poincaré–Cartan form. Noether theorem and examples from superfield theory and supermechanics are also discussed.
Ovarian Cancer Associated with Testosterone Supplementation in a Female-to-Male Transsexual Patient
Authors: Dizon Don S. , Tejada-Berges Trevor , Koelliker Susan , Steinhoff Margaret , Granai Cornelius O.
Published: June 2006

Ovarian cancer is the most fatal gynecologic malignancy. Women often present late and though median survival has improved, a majority of women will succumb to their disease. The incidence of ovarian cancer among female-to-male transsexuals is not known. We report only the second case of ovarian cancer in a female-to-male transsexual while on androgen supplementation therapy. Staining of his tumor for androgen receptors showed abundant expression. Androgen supplementation in this population may be associated with an increased risk of both ovarian cancer and of endometrial cancer. Consideration for bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy as part of gender reassignment surgery should be given, especially in this poorly studied group of patients whose overall risk of ovarian cancer remains unknown.
Predictors of Intra- and Postoperative Complications in Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery: Results of an Expert Survey
Authors: Dincler Selim , Bachmann Lucas M. , Buchmann Peter , Steurer Johann
Published: June 2006

Background: The decision which patient should undergo laparoscopic rather than open colorectal surgery depends on weighing its benefits against its complications. We explored which criteria prognosticate complications in a laparoscopic intervention by assembling experienced visceral surgeons’ beliefs. Methods: A two-round postal survey was conducted: 21 experts in laparoscopic surgery were contacted and asked to list (first round) and weigh (second round) indicators (scale 1–10) they believed predicted intra- or postoperative complications in patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal surgery. Median ratings and interquartile ranges (IQRs) were calculated. Rates ≧6 and IQRs ≤3 depicted an important prognostic indicator for complications. Results: Thirty-nine intraoperative and 43 postoperative listings and ratings of 19 experts (90%) were available for analysis. The experts depicted three domains of indicators (tumor, comorbidity and related institution). The strongest indicators for intraoperative complications were surgeon’s experience (median 9, IQR 8–10) and portal hypertension (median 9, IQR 7–10), and those for postoperative complications were liver cirrhosis Child B/C (median 8, IQR 7.75–10) and experience of the surgeon (median 8, IQR 7–10). Conclusion: This survey provides additional evidence of risk indicators for intra- and postoperative complications in patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal surgery. Whether the identified indicators can be compiled into a prognostic instrument requires confirmation in a properly designed and sized study.
Analysis of Bone Mineral Density and Turnover in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis: Associations between the IGF System and Inflammatory Cytokines
Authors: Street Maria E. , Spaggiari Cinzia , Ziveri Maria A. , Volta Cecilia , Federico Giovanni , Baroncelli Giampiero I. , Bernasconi Sergio , Saggese Giuseppe
Published: June 2006

Background: Cystic fibrosis (CF) patients present an increased risk of osteoporosis, and increased fracture rate. Several factors have been identified as modulators of bone metabolism and bone mineral density (BMD). Aims: To evaluate BMD and serum markers of bone turnover and establish their relationships with serum concentrations of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IGF-I, IGF-II, IGF binding protein (IGFBP)-2, IGFBP-3, and parathyroid hormone (PTH) in young adult CF patients. Methods: Seventeen young adult CF patients (4 M, 13 F; mean age: 26.6 ± 1.1 years) were enrolled in the study and analysed as a whole and as two subgroups according to the Shwachman-Kulczycki score. BMD was assessed at the lumbar spine (L1–L4) by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA Hologic QDR 2000). Bone turnover was assessed by measuring serum levels of osteocalcin (OC) and serum carboxyterminal propeptide of type I collagen (PICP) as markers of bone formation, and serum cross-linked carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP) as a marker of bone resorption. Serum IGFs, IGFBPs, and cytokines were assayed using special commercial kits. Daily calcium intake and weekly physical activity were estimated by questionnaires. Forced expiratory volume in one second was used to assess pulmonary function. Results: Lumbar BMD was normal, although there was a tendency to be lower in the patients with a lower clinical score. Both OC and PICP were increased, whereas ICTP was normal. Lumbar BMD was positively correlated with pulmonary function. IL-6 and C-reactive protein (markers of inflammation) were inversely correlated with PICP. Serum ICTP levels were correlated with serum IGF-I levels.No significant relationship was detected among lumbar BMD, markers of bone turnover and PTH, IGF-I, IGF-II, IGFBP-2, IGFBP-3, TNF-α, IL-1β, and body mass index Z-score. Conclusions: Bone turnover is abnormal in CF patients. Young adult CF patients with satisfying clinical status and nutritional conditions have normal BMD and increased serum OC and PICP levels.
Hypoxia Potentiates Endotoxin-Induced Allopregnanolone Concentrations in the Newborn Brain
Authors: Billiards Saraid S. , Nguyen Phuong N. , Scheerlinck Jean-Pierre , Phillips David J. , Canny Benedict J. , Walker David W. , Hirst Jonathan J.
Published: June 2006

Background: Allopregnanolone is a neurosteroid produced in the brain that can alter the excitability of the CNS. Neurosteroids have neuroprotective properties, and their elevation in response to stress may protect the newborn brain following infection or hypoxia. Infection, particularly of the respiratory tract, may lead to episodes of hypoxia. Infection and hypoxia have been identified as factors contributing to neonatal morbidity and mortality. Objectives: To determine the effect of acute episodes of hypoxia alone or in combination with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure on plasma and brain allopregnanolone concentrations in lambs 10–21 days old. Also, to examine plasma levels of cortisol and the cytokines, tumour necrosis factor-α and interleutkin-6 after these challenges. Results: Allopregnanolone concentrations in the brain were markedly increased after hypoxia. Hypoxia following prior LPS treatment resulted in greater increases in brain allopregnanolone concentrations compared to either the LPS or hypoxia treatment alone. Importantly, brain regions unaffected by LPS or hypoxia alone (thalamus/hypothalamus, cerebellum) showed significant increases of allopregnanolone content following the combined LPS and hypoxia treatments. Plasma tumour necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 concentrations were increased after LPS treatment with and without hypoxia, but not by hypoxia alone. In contrast, plasma cortisol concentrations were increased after both stressors. Conclusions: These results show that the brain of young lambs readily responds to physiological stress by increased production of allopregnanolone. This response may protect the developing brain from the cytotoxicity following hypoxic and infectious episodes.
A Neuroactive Steroid Inhibits Guinea Pig Airway Sensory Nerves via Maxi-K+ Channel Activation
Authors: Yoshihara Shigemi , Morimoto Hiroshi , Ohori Makoto , Yamada Yumi , Abe Toshio , Arisaka Osamu
Published: June 2006

Background: Although neurogenic inflammation via the activation of C-fibers in the airway may have an important role in the pathogenesis of asthma, their regulatory mechanism remains uncertain. Objective: The pharmacological profiles of a neuroactive steroid, allotetrahydrocorticosterone, on the activation of C-fibers in airway tissues were investigated, and the mechanism how a neuroactive steroid regulates airway inflammatory reactions was clarified. Methods: The effects of allotetrahydrocorticosterone on electrical field stimulation-induced bronchial smooth muscle contraction in guinea pig airway tissues were investigated. The influences of K+ channel blockers and intracellular protein inhibitors on the effects of allotetrahydrocorticosterone were examined. Results: Allotetrahydrocorticosterone dose-dependently inhibited electrical field stimulation-induced guinea pig bronchial smooth muscle contraction. The inhibitory effects of allotetrahydrocorticosterone on electrical field stimulation-induced bronchial contraction were reduced by the pretreatment of Maxi-K+ channel blockers, iberiotoxin and charybdotoxin, but not other K+ channel blockers, dendrotoxin or glibenclamide. Pretreatment with pertussis toxin diminished the inhibitory effect of allotetrahydrocorticosterone, but not an adenylate cyclase inhibitor, SQ 22536, nor a specific inhibitor of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase, PD 98059. Conclusions: These findings suggest that allotetrahydrocorticosterone negatively modulates the activation of C-fibers in guinea pig airway tissues via the opening of Maxi-K+ channels and a pertussis toxin-sensitive G-protein-coupled mechanism.
Effect of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure on the Risk of Road Accidents in Sleep Apnea Patients
Authors: Barbé Ferran , Sunyer Jordi , de la Peña Andrés , Pericas Jordi , Mayoralas Lola R. , Antó Josep María , Agustí Alvar G.N.
Published: June 2006

Background: Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) reduces daytime somnolence in the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and may contribute to a reduction in the risk of motor vehicle accidents. Objective: To evaluate the effects of CPAP on automobile collisions in patients with OSAS. Methods: We compared the number of motor vehicle accidents in 80 patients with OSAS and 80 healthy subjects during the 2 years before and the 2 years after study entry, at which CPAP treatment was initiated. Results: Patients with OSAS had a 2.6 times higher risk of suffering an automobile collision compared to controls (rate ratio, RR = 2.57; 95% confidence interval, CI = 1.30–5.05). After 2 years of CPAP treatment, the rate of collisions was reduced more than half in patients with OSAS (RR = 0.41; 95% CI = 0.21–0.79), but this occurred also in controls (RR = 0.49; 95% CI = 0.17–1.40). The magnitude of this fall between groups was not different (p for interaction = 0.68), even after adjusting for body mass index, alcohol intake and Epworth scale. Conclusions: Patients with OSAS have an increased risk of suffering a traffic collision. This risk was significantly reduced after their inclusion in the study. Yet, as this reduction also occurred in the control group, this effect may not be due to CPAP therapy.
Relationship between Exhaled Breath Condensate Volume and Measurements of Lung Volumes
Authors: Liu Jia , Thomas Paul S.
Published: June 2006

Background: Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) is proving to be a technique which can sample markers of lung inflammation; however, many factors affect the collection process. Objectives: We hypothesised that lung volumes – tidal volume, minute volume and total lung capacity (TLC) – would dictate the volume of the EBC sample that could be collected. Methods: First, the volume of EBC collected was measured while measuring the tidal volume and minute volume in normal, asthmatic and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease subjects. Second, the volume of EBC was compared between breathing at tidal volumes and breathing at vital capacity in normal subjects. TLC was measured by plethysmography. Results: The mean EBC volume was 5.55 ± 0.50 µl/breath in normal subjects (n = 23), 3.56 ± 0.33 µl/breath in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients (n = 25) and 5.77 ± 0.50 µl/breath in asthmatic subjects (n = 17). EBC volume was significantly correlated with both tidal volume (Pearson’s r = 0.775, p < 0.0005) and minute volume (Pearson’s r = 0.425, p < 0.0005), but importantly, EBC volume was not significantly affected by age, gender or disease status. There was a significant difference in EBC volume when tidal breathing was compared with breathing at vital capacity (5.55 ± 0.50 vs. 20.59 ± 1.72 µl; p < 0.0001). No significant correlation was found between EBC volume and TLC (21 normal subjects). Conclusions: These results suggest that tidal and minute volume can predict the amount of EBC that can be expected to be collected. No significant differences in the volume of EBC were seen between normal subjects and those with airway diseases.
Vascular Biomarkers and Surrogates in Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Tardif Jean-Claude , Heinonen Therese , Orloff David , Libby Peter
Published: June 2006

Cardiovascular biomarker research efforts have resulted in the identification of new risk factors and novel drug targets, as well as the establishment of treatment guidelines. Government agencies, academic research institutions, diagnostic industries, and pharmaceutical companies all recognize the importance of biomarkers in advancing therapies to improve public health. In drug development, biomarkers are used to evaluate early signals of efficacy and safety, to select dose, and to identify the target population. The United States Food and Drug Administration has relied on biomarkers to support clinical applications in many therapeutic fields, including cardiovascular disease. The appropriate application of cardiovascular biomarkers requires an understanding of disease natural history, the mechanism of the intervention, and the characteristics and limitations of the biomarker. Channels of communication among researcher, developer, and regulator must remain open to maximize the success of future biomarker efforts. In 2003, 2004, and 2005, an international panel of cardiovascular biomarker experts convened at the “Cardiovascular Biomarker and Surrogate Endpoints Symposia” held in Bethesda, Md, to discuss the use of biomarkers in the development of improved cardiovascular diagnostics and therapeutics. The information presented in the present report summarizes the authors’ perspective distilled from these proceedings.
Measures of the Therapeutic Relationship in Severe Psychotic Illness: A Comparison of Two Scales
Authors: Bale Rob , Catty Jocelyn , Watt Hilary , Greenwood Nan , Burns Tom
Published: June 2006

Background: A durable therapeutic relationship is central to mental health practice. The Working Alliance Inventory (WAI) and the Helping Alliance Questionnaire (HAQ) are established instruments for measuring such a relationship.

Aims: The project aimed to test the correlation between the two scales for patients with severe psychotic illness treated in an Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team.

Methods: Ninety-one patients of an ACT team and their key-workers were recruited to complete the measures.

Results: Seventy-one patients (78%) completed the scales, and key-workers completed scales for every eligible patient. Both groups rated the relationship positively. There was a strong and significant correlation between the patient version of the WAI and the HAQ. There were significant but much weaker correlations between the patient-rated WAI and HAQ and the key-worker WAI.

Conclusion: The patient version of the WAI and the HAQ seem to measure the patient's view of the relationship equivalently. The HAQ is simpler and easier to administer than the WAI.
Community Psychiatry: Results of a Public Opinion Survey
Authors: Lauber Christoph , Nordt Carlos , Haker Helene , Falcato Luis , Rössler Wulf
Published: June 2006

Background: Mental health authorities must know the public's attitude to community psychiatry when planning community mental health services. However, previous studies have only investigated the impact of demographic variables on the attitude to community psychiatry.

Aim: To assess the influence of psychological and sociological parameters on the public opinion of community psychiatry in Switzerland.

Method: Linear regression analyses of the results of a public opinion survey on a representative population sample in Switzerland (n 1/4 1737).

Results: Most respondents have positive attitudes to community psychiatry. In the regression analysis (R2 adjusted 1/4 21.2%), negative emotions towards mentally ill people as depicted in the vignette, great social distance, a positive attitude to restrictions, negative stereotypes, high rigidity and no participation in community activities significantly influenced negative attitudes to community psychiatry. Additionally, other parameters, e.g. contact with mentally ill people and the nationality of the interviewee, have a significant influence.

Conclusions: In planning psychiatric community services, general individual traits and emotive issues should be considered because they influence the response towards community psychiatry facilities in the host community.
Mental Health Aspects of Turkish Women from Polygamous Versus Monogamous Families
Authors: Ozkan Mustafa , Altindag Abdurrahman , Oto Remzi , Sentunali Esin
Published: June 2006

Background: Polygamy is illegal in Turkey, but is common among rural villagers in the southeastern region. Polygamous marriage may have a negative effect on the wives involved.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine the extent of the relationship between psychiatric disorder and polygamous marriage.

Method: The mental status of 42 senior and 46 junior wives from polygamous marriages and 50 wives from monogamous marriages was evaluated using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders (SCID-I) and Somato-form Dissociation Questionnaire (SDQ).

Results: There was a statistically significant difference among senior, junior and monogamous wives in terms of the prevalence of somatization disorder. The prevalence of somatization disorder was the highest in polygamous senior wives. The mean total SDQ scores differed significantly among the three groups. It was the highest in senior wives.

Conclusions: It is clear that the participants from polygamous families, especially senior wives, reported more psychological distress. It is essential to increase awareness of the significance of polygamous family structures among psychiatrists and other therapists.
Explanatory Models of Common Mental Disorders among Traditional Healers and Their Patients in Rural South India
Authors: Shankar B. Ravi , Saravanan B. , Jacob K. S.
Published: June 2006

Objective: To delineate concepts, categories, causes of common mental disorders (CMD) and their treatment as understood by traditional healers practicing in rural South India.

Methods: Key informant interviews, focus group discussions and in-depth interviews with traditional and faith healers were conducted to identify concepts, causes, presentations and treatments for CMD. Patients attending clinics conducted by these healers were interviewed using the Tamil versions of the Revised Clinical Interview Schedule (CIS-R) and the Short Explanatory Model Interview (SEMI) in order to identify CMD and understand their explanatory models of illness respectively.

Results: Different terms, concepts and treatments were used by traditional and faith healers. A total of 72 patients were interviewed using the CIS-R and the SEMI. Thirty (42.3%) satisfied the International Classification of Diseases-10 Primary Care Version criteria for CMD. Mixed anxiety depression was the most common diagnosis (40%).

Conclusions: An understanding of local patient perspectives of common mental disorders will allow modern medicine to provide culturally sensitive and locally acceptable health care.
The Bed Requirement Inventory: A Simple Measure To Estimate The Need For A Psychiatric Bed
Authors: Tyrer Peter , Suryanarayan Geetha , Rao Bharti , Cicchetti Domenic , Fulop Naomi , Roberts Fiona , Slaughter Jeremy
Published: June 2006

Objective: To develop an assessment of bed need that was as little affected by personal biasas possible. Method: The Bed Requirement Inventory (BRI) is an eight-point scale designed to identify the appropriate use of an acute psychiatric bed. This is completed by a member of the ward staff, usually a nurse, and takes 5 minutes to fill in. The reliability, validity and feasibility of using the scale in normal practice were tested in a one-year study, and variations ininappropriate bed use described. Results: The inter-rater reliability of the scale was good (intra-class correlation coefficient = 0.63) and a comparison of the need for a psychiatric bed (comparing the BRI score with the judgement of an independent multidisciplinary group of professionals) also showed good agreement (k 1/4 0.69), suggesting reasonable validity (although when the assessment was made by the named nurse agreement was less good). Results from a year-long survey in two West London hospitals showed that 17% of admissions were inappropriate and 32% had delayed discharge, black Caribbean patients had a significantly higher proportion (25%) of inappropriate admission than others (11%) and those referred from housing charities andhostels had a higher proportion (50%) of inappropriate bed use at some time than other groups(33%). Conclusions: The Bed Requirement Inventory is a quick and reliable method of determiningthe appropriate use of a psychiatric bed and could be of use in estimating local bed needs. Delayeddischarge remains a serious reason for inappropriate bed use in London.
Accountability, values and the ethical principles of public service: the views of Finnish legislators
Authors: Salminen Ari
Published: June 2006

The subject of this article is public service ethics. In the context of the Finnish welfare model, the essence of the ethical administrator is analysed by three issues: accountability, ethical values and ethical principles. In the article, these topics are mainly discussed through the viewpoints of elected representatives. Finnish legislators were asked their opinions, attitudes and expectations towards these issues. The empirical material of the study was gathered through a separate survey given to all Members of Parliament. The article also tries to link the empirical findings to the current debate of public service ethics research.
Organizational commitment among Dutch public sector employees
Authors: Steijn Bram , Leisink Peter
Published: June 2006

Organizational commitment has become a much researched subject over the past three decades. This article focuses on the relatively understudied public sector. On the basis of a large public-sector-wide survey, organizational commitment and its antecedents are assessed, including the contribution made by HRM practices. The findings are, to a large extent, in agreement with earlier studies in that they indicate the relatively major importance of job and organizational characteristics and the relatively minor importance of personal characteristics for affective commitment. Further, there is evidence of an effect of employees’ perception of HRM practices on organizational commitment, which is relevant for orienting management action. However, the findings with respect to normative commitment differ from previous studies. It is suggested that further research should be done that includes both organizational commitment and public service motivation as the latter could have an effect on normative commitment of public sector employees.
The move to Accrual Based Accounting: the challenges facing central governments
Authors: Marty Frédéric , Trosa Sylvie , Voisin Arnaud
Published: June 2006

France’s decision to move to Accrual Based Accounting, triggered by the application of the Organic Law to the Finance Laws, has a tangible impact on political decision-making mechanisms. By adopting accounting and financial information standards derived from the private sector, it has the effect of reinforcing the economic rationality of public decisions. It makes it possible, in particular, to draw comparisons between public and private costs, comparisons that are necessary to set up any possible contract-based links with private suppliers. The move towards Accrual Based Accounting sets out to improve the information provided to the public operators. It also tends to limit the possibilities of arbitrations that are unfavourable to long-term investments and the maintenance of public assets. It gives parliaments, control bodies and citizens an appreciation of the policies being carried out, thus reinforcing the demands for the transparency of public accounts and the accountability of their managers. However, there is no getting away from the fact that it is a complex and costly reform, whose implementation requires a favourable political context and an appropriate implementation strategy.
Numbers, nuances and moving targets: converging the use of corruption indicators or descriptors in assessing state development
Authors: Doig Alan , McIvor Stephanie , Theobald Robin
Published: June 2006

This article is concerned with three issues: the convergence of donors over a shared development agenda, on why dealing with corruption is seen as a key aspect of the agenda, and the means to assess corruption within the context of monitoring development progress. The article reviews the genesis of the agenda, and why corruption is often used as an indicator or measure of progress. It distinguishes between two general approaches—quantitative indicators and qualitative descriptors—for assessing types and levels of corruption before considering methodological and interpretative issues relating to each approach. It suggests that, while each has a role, cognizance should be made of the awareness of the limitations of either for policy- or reform-related issues, particularly in terms of the exercise of political power or the nature and direction of development. The necessary convergence of the use of the two approaches has not been fully achieved to date and, until such time as a convergence is achieved, an over-reliance on one or other approach may not provide an effective basis for reform and aid initiatives, nor for assessing the progress and impact of both in delivering the development agenda.
Cultural contexts and governmental digital reporting
Authors: Bolívar Manuel Pedro Rodríguez , Pérez Carmen Caba , Hernández Antonio M. López
Published: June 2006

The way in which public sector entities disseminate information publicly is affected by the degree of transparency adopted, and the construction and management of websites are increasingly essential elements of modern public administration. Nonetheless, differences in this process exist among governments worldwide, probably due to different contextual factors. This article examines and discusses the approach of Anglo-Saxon, South American and Continental European central governments to the use of the Web as a means of making financial disclosures. To measure the disclosure of governmental financial information on the Internet, an index has been defined, taking into consideration the data considered to be relevant for a potential user, gathering the data visiting their websites. The results show that the way different countries use the Web for financial disclosure is deeply rooted in and follows from their administrative culture. In conclusion, the Continental European and South American governments should improve their digital reporting.
The Relationship between Age Structure and Homicide Rates in the United States, 1970 to 1999
Authors: Phillips Julie A.
Published: June 2006

The nature of the temporal association between age structure and homicide rates between 1970 and 1999 is examined using U.S. county data. Specifically, the following questions are asked: (a) does the strong temporal association between the relative size of the young population and homicide rates demonstrated at the U.S. national level hold at a disaggregated level and (b) does the association between the proportion young and homicide rates differ by varying social and economic conditions. The results confirm that a positive temporal association between age composition and homicide rates exists within U.S. counties. However, the analysis reveals that other criminogenic forces, such as poor social conditions that produce higher crime rates, can alter the association between the relative size of the young population and homicide rates. The positive effect of the percentage aged 15 to 24 years on homicide rates is generally attenuated when criminogenic conditions exist while that of the percentage aged 25 to 34 years tends to be accentuated under such circumstances.
A Temporal Constraint Theory to Explain Opportunity-Based Spatial Offending Patterns
Authors: Ratcliffe Jerry H.
Published: June 2006

This article will examine the evidence supporting the notion that a proportion of offending is driven by the availability of opportunities presented in the routine activities of offenders’ lives. It then proceeds to summarize Miller’s time measurement theory in order to describe a basic language with which to discuss the movement of people through time and space. Armed with a notation for space-time interactions, the article explores the criminological implications of temporal constraints as a mechanism to explain a number of key concepts from environmental criminology. It is hypothesized here that the temporal constraints of daily life are the main cause of unfamiliarity with areas beyond the offender’s immediate least-distance path. As a result, temporal constraints, in conjunction with the locations of offender nodes, are a major determinant in spatio-temporal patterns of property crime.