bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Assessment of the Usefulness of Money for Policy in the Philippines
Authors: Gochoco-Bautista Maria Socorro
Published: August 2006

This study assesses the usefulness of money for policy in the Philippines. The basic idea behind the use of monetary aggregates for policy is that observed fluctuations in money anticipate movements in the ultimate objective of monetary policy, such as inflation control. The paper examines the stability of key empirical relationships, including the behavior of velocity and the presence of cointegrating relationships among money and variables of interest to policymakers. In general, results indicate that the stability of velocity and the presence of cointegrating relationships lend some limited support to the potential usefulness of money for policy. The ability of money to predict inflation is examined using Granger causality tests and an unrestricted vector autoregression (VAR) that examines the relative contribution of innovations in money to the variance of the forecast errors in inflation. In general, money's ability to predict inflation is less clear-cut and seems to be dependent on the ordering and lag lengths of the variables used in the VAR and the definition of money used.
An Analysis of Mutative σ-Self-Adaptation on Linear Fitness Functions
Authors: Hansen Nikolaus
Published: August 2006

This paper investigates σ-self-adaptation for real valued evolutionary algorithms on linear fitness functions. We identify the step-size logarithm log σ as a key quantity to understand strategy behavior. Knowing the bias of mutation, recombination, and selection on log σ is sufficient to explain σ-dynamics and strategy behavior in many cases, even from previously reported results on non-linear and/or noisy fitness functions. On a linear fitness function, if intermediate multi-recombination is applied on the object parameters, the i-th best and the i-th worst individual have the same σ-distribution. Consequently, the correlation between fitness and step-size σ is zero. Assuming additionally that σ-changes due to mutation and recombination are unbiased, then σ-self-adaptation enlarges σ if and only if μ < λ/2, given (μ, λ)-truncation selection. Experiments show the relevance of the given assumptions.
Optimum Tracking with Evolution Strategies
Authors: Arnold Dirk V. , Beyer Hans-Georg
Published: August 2006

Evolutionary algorithms are frequently applied to dynamic optimization problems in which the objective varies with time. It is desirable to gain an improved understanding of the influence of different genetic operators and of the parameters of a strategy on its tracking performance. An approach that has proven useful in the past is to mathematically analyze the strategy's behavior in simple, idealized environments. The present paper investigates the performance of a multiparent evolution strategy that employs cumulative step length adaptation for an optimization task in which the target moves linearly with uniform speed. Scaling laws that quite accurately describe the behavior of the strategy and that greatly contribute to its understanding are derived. It is shown that in contrast to previously obtained results for a randomly moving target, cumulative step length adaptation fails to achieve optimal step lengths if the target moves in a linear fashion. Implications for the choice of population size parameters are discussed.
A Comparison of Bloat Control Methods for Genetic Programming
Authors: Luke Sean , Panait Liviu
Published: August 2006

Genetic programming has highlighted the problem of bloat, the uncontrolled growth of the average size of an individual in the population. The most common approach to dealing with bloat in tree-based genetic programming individuals is to limit their maximal allowed depth. An alternative to depth limiting is to punish individuals in some way based on excess size, and our experiments have shown that the combination of depth limiting with such a punitive method is generally more effective than either alone. Which such combinations are most effective at reducing bloat? In this article we augment depth limiting with nine bloat control methods and compare them with one another. These methods are chosen from past literature and from techniques of our own devising. esting with four genetic programming problems, we identify where each bloat control method performs well on a per-problem basis, and under what settings various methods are effective independent of problem. We report on the results of these tests, and discover an unexpected winner in the cross-platform category.
The Impact of NGO Network Conflict on the Corporate Social Responsibility Strategies of Multinational Corporations
Authors: Schepers Donald H.
Published: August 2006

Multinational corporations (MNCs) are the frequent target of nongovern-mental organizations (NGOs) in their advocacy efforts. In this article, the author examines NGO advocacy as it occurs in the NGO network and, using insights from the political science literature in conjunction with the resourcebased view of the firm, posits that NGO intranetwork conflict will result in a skewing of corporate social responsibility practices by the multinational corporation toward the MNC's developed country stakeholders. This skewing is a product of the asymmetric accountability of NGOs (upwardly accountable to donors, downwardly accountable to recipients). Developing country government and MNC strategies in the face of such skewing are discussed.
Why Firms Mandate ISO 14001 Certification
Authors: Darnall Nicole
Published: August 2006

Thousands of facilities worldwide have certified to International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 14001, the international environmental management system standard, and previous research typically has studied these certification decisions at the facility level. However, significant anecdotal evidence indicates that firms may have a strong role, and if so, prior studies may be drawing inappropriate conclusions about the rationale for ISO 14001 certification. Drawing on institutional theory and the resource-based view of the firm, this study offers a conceptual framework that explains why parent companies would mandate—rather than simply encourage—their operational units to certify to ISO 14001. The framework is tested using survey data of corporate environmental managers. The results show that firms have a central role in nearly half of all facility-level certifications and that firms that mandate ISO 14001 endure greater external pressures and have stronger complementary resources and capabilities that support their organization-wide ISO 14001 policies.
National Differences In Organizational Commitment
Authors: Gelade Garry A. , Dobson Paul , Gilbert Patrick
Published: August 2006

This article examines organizational commitment in a sample of 49 countries. Affective commitment (AC) varies significantly by country and is strongly related to dimensions of personality. AC is high in countries where the population is extravert and low in countries where the population is neurotic. Consistent with the notion that high extraversion and low neuroticism are indicative of positive affect, AC is also found to be high in countries where the population is happy. Socioeconomic conditions have a statistically significant but marginal influence on AC. AC tends to be slightly higher in countries with low levels of unemployment and high economic activity rates but is unrelated to per capita national income. There are significant relationships between AC and some aspects of national culture. AC is negatively related to societal cynicism and positively to egalitarian commitment. In general, however, most cultural dimensions are unrelated to AC.
Evaluating Guidelines For Test Adaptations
Authors: Sireci Stephen G. , Yang Yongwei , Harter James , Ehrlich Eldin J.
Published: August 2006

Guidelines for translating educational and psychological assessments for use across different languages and cultures have been developed by the International Test Commission and the Joint Committee on Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing. Common themes in these guidelines and standards are when translating items both judgmental and statistical techniques should be used to ensure item comparability across languages, and rigorous quality-control steps should be included in the translation process. In this study, the authors use differential item functioning methodology to evaluate the comparability of translated items at two different points in time—after the initial translation and 4 years later after the translations were revisited using a more rigorous translation model. The results indicated that the revised translations led to improvements in some but not all items. Improvements in the process of translating survey items, even when based on accepted professional standards, should be statistically evaluated. This methodology illustrates how evaluations can be conducted on translated survey items.
Understanding and Preventing Noncontact Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries
Authors: Griffin Letha Y. , Albohm Marjorie J. , Arendt Elizabeth A. , Bahr Roald , Beynnon Bruce D. , DeMaio Marlene , Dick Randall W. , Engebretsen Lars , Garrett William E. , Hannafin Jo A. , Hewett Tim E. , Huston Laura J. , Ireland Mary Lloyd , Johnson Robert J. , Lephart Scott , Mandelbaum Bert R. , Mann Barton J. , Marks Paul H. , Marshall Stephen W. , Myklebust Grethe , Noyes Frank R. , Powers Christopher , Shields Clarence , Shultz Sandra J. , Silvers Holly , Slauterbeck James , Taylor Dean C. , Teitz Carol C. , Wojtys Edward M. , Yu Bing
Published: August 2006

The incidence of noncontact anterior cruciate ligament injuries in young to middle-aged athletes remains high. Despite early diagnosis and appropriate operative and nonoperative treatments, posttraumatic degenerative arthritis may develop. In a meeting in Atlanta, Georgia (January 2005), sponsored by the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, a group of physicians, physical therapists, athletic trainers, biomechanists, epidemiologists, and other scientists interested in this area of research met to review current knowledge on risk factors associated with noncontact anterior cruciate ligament injuries, anterior cruciate ligament injury biomechanics, and existing anterior cruciate ligament prevention programs. This article reports on the presentations, discussions, and recommendations of this group.
Outcomes of Stress Fractures of the Talus
Authors: Sormaala Markus J. , Niva Maria H. , Kiuru Martti J. , Mattila Ville M. , Pihlajamäki Harri K.
Published: August 2006

Background

Stress fractures of the talus are rare, and only a few small studies have been published. In the absence of follow-up studies, the outcomes of these injuries are unknown.

Hypothesis

Traumatic fractures of the talus frequently heal poorly, and stress fracture healing might remain inadequate. The purpose of this study was to determine the outcome of stress fractures of the talus treated in the authors’ institution with reduced exercise and nonweightbearing.

Study Design

Case series (prognosis); Level of evidence, 4.

Methods

Patients with a diagnosed stress fracture in the talus by magnetic resonance imaging between April 1997 and March 2005 were recalled for a follow-up inspection by an orthopaedic surgeon, magnetic resonance imaging, and plain radiographs to determine the outcome of the injury.

Results

One of the 9 patients in our sample declined the invitation, leaving 8 patients with 9 stress fractures in the talus who participated in the follow-up examination. Five patients displayed subchondral degeneration and edema near the original injury area in the follow-up magnetic resonance imaging. In 2 patients, the degeneration was also visible on the plain radiographs. Three patients had mild and 2 moderate symptoms after the mean follow-up time of 45 months (range, 12-74 months). No serious complications in the healing process were seen.

Conclusion

Stress fractures of the talus do not seem to seriously damage the foot. In a middle-term follow-up, however, minor to moderate symptoms and radiological degeneration of the injured area prevailed in roughly half of the patients.
What Is the Role of Working Memory in Reading Relative to the Big Three Processing Variables (Orthography, Phonology, and Rapid Naming)?
Authors: McCallum R. Steve , Bell Sherry Mee , Wood Margaret Scruggs , Below Jaime L. , Choate Stephani M. , McCane Sara J.
Published: August 2006

Zero-order correlation coefficients show significant relationships between orthography, phonology, rapid naming, visual and auditory memory, and reading and spelling for 143 second through sixth graders. Although coefficients ranged from .05 to .71, most were statistically significant (65 out of 78). In addition, multiple regression analyses show the power of shortterm memory to contribute to the prediction of reading decoding and reading fluency (p < .05) beyond the power of the “big three” cognitive processing variables (phonology, rapid naming, and orthography).
Implementing Growth Management
Authors: Hamin Elisabeth M. , Steere Margaret Ounsworth , Sweetser Wendy
Published: August 2006

State-led growth management has been criticized as inflexible in addressing the range of situations that communities face. A second issue is that while many of the goals of smart growth can be achieved through regulation, others require funding for implementation. In 2000, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts passed legislation called the Community Preservation Act (CPA), an experiment in enabling communities to tax themselves to implement growth management/smart growth actions at the local level. This article examines that act as to whether it demonstrates flexibility in its application across communities in the state, analyzed according to sub/urban to rural character. The act is found to appeal to a wide range of communities for overlapping but also divergent reasons and provides a flexible method to aid communities in implementing a limited set of smart growth goals.
Just Planning
Authors: Campbell Heather
Published: August 2006

The conceptualizations of justice that have most influenced recent debates in planning theory have focused on procedural concerns, while questions of value and the good have been regarded as problematic given a world of plurality and difference. This article argues that questions of value are an inescapable part of the activity of planning and hence its purpose is to identify the key dimensions of a reconceptualized notion of justice for planning. The argument is presented through consideration of two key themes: the relationship between the individual and the collective, and the notion of “reasonableness” in relation to matters of public policy related to planning. The implications of this analysis lead on to consideration of the scope of collective obligations and the nature of judgment and reasoning in planning. The article concludes by arguing that justice in planning is about situated ethical judgment— a conceptualization of justice that raises significant issues in relation to future developments in planning thought.
The Interdisciplinary Career of a Popular Construct Used in Management
Authors: Bartunek Jean M. , Spreitzer Gretchen M.
Published: August 2006

In this article, the authors trace how meanings of the construct empowerment evolved between 1966 and 2000 across six disciplines: religion, psychology, sociology, education, social work, and management. Meanings of empowerment expanded considerably during this time period, as the construct waxed, waned, and then waxed again in popularity. Empowerment was introduced in religion in the 1960s and expanded by sociology in the early 1970s, and in these disciplines it focused primarily on sharing real power. As empowerment was introduced into education, psychology and social work in the next several years, it added a focus on fostering human welfare. Its introduction in management led to a new emphasis on fostering productivity, something very different from the original use of the term. The authors’ findings have important implications for the understanding of the evolution of constructs and issues associated with their meanings in management scholarship.
Not Quite as Simple as A-B-C
Authors: Marsh Sarah J. , Hunt Courtney Shelton
Published: August 2006

Evaluating the research contributions of faculty members is an important task in the tenure and promotion processes for many departments in a variety of colleges and universities. A few years ago, on behalf of their Department of Management—which is part of the College of Business in a large, Midwestern university—the authors embarked on an effort to create a procedure for rating and ranking academic publication outlets to supplement a recently revised set of tenure and promotion standards. This article describes the process the authors undertook and some of the issues they had to resolve during the effort. They also reflect on the implications of ranking publications for our department and the potential effects of journal ranking on scholarship in the academic community as a whole.
Partner Violence Against Women With Disabilities
Authors: Brownridge Douglas A.
Published: August 2006

Using a representative sample of 7,027 Canadian women living in a marital or common-law union, this investigation examined the risk for partner violence against women with disabilities relative to women without disabilities. Women with disabilities had 40% greater odds of violence in the 5 years preceding the interview, and these women appeared to be at particular risk for severe violence. An explanatory framework was tested that organized variables based on relationship factors, victim-related characteristics, and perpetrator-related characteristics. Results showed that perpetrator-related characteristics alone accounted for the elevated risk of partner violence against women with disabilities. Stakeholders must recognize the problem of partner violence against women with disabilities, and efforts to address patriarchal domination and male sexual proprietariness appear crucial to reducing their risk of partner violence.
2002 Survey of Evaluation Preparation Programs in Universities
Authors: Engle Molly , Altschuld James W. , Kim Yung-Chul
Published: August 2006

Entry into professions, such as medicine, law, and the clergy, is typically controlled. In contrast, evaluation has multiple pathways leading into the field. For evaluators, a graduate degree from a university program is one of several ways to become an evaluator. What university programs exist to prepare evaluators and what is their nature? In 2002, we undertook a survey of university-based evaluation preparation programs to answer this question and to update findings from prior surveys of university preparation programs for evaluators. In this article, we briefly review the results of previous surveys, discuss the methods for collecting the current data, and present the results and implications of the 2002 survey.
Measuring Collaboration Among Grant Partners
Authors: Frey Bruce B. , Lohmeier Jill H. , Lee Stephen W. , Tollefson Nona
Published: August 2006

Collaboration is a prerequisite for the sustainability of interagency programs, particularly those programs initially created with the support of time-limited grant-funding sources. From the perspective of evaluators, however, assessing collaboration among grant partners is often difficult. It is also challenging to present collaboration data to stakeholders in a way that is meaningful. In this article, the authors introduce the Levels of Collaboration Scale, which was developed from existing models and instruments. The authors extend prior work on measuring collaboration by exploring the reliability of the scale and developing a format for visually displaying the results obtained from using the scale.
siRNA silencing of calumenin enhances functional factor IX production
Authors: Wajih Nadeem , Hutson Susan M. , Wallin Reidar
Published: August 2006

To improve production of functional fully γ-carboxylated recombinant human clotting factor IX (r-hFIX), cell lines stably overexpressing r-hFIX have been engineered to also overexpress proteins of the γ-carboxylation system. Here we demonstrate that siRNA silencing of calumenin, an inhibitor of the γ-carboxylation system, enhances production of functional r-hFIX produced by engineered BHK21 cells. The production yield of functional r-hFIX was 80% in engineered cells where calumenin had been silenced 78%. We propose that this high-yield expression system can easily be adapted to overproduce functional forms of all members of the vitamin K–dependent protein family.
Human SLP-65 isoforms contribute differently to activation and apoptosis of B lymphocytes
Authors: Grabbe Annika , Wienands Jürgen
Published: August 2006

The SH2 domain-containing leukocyte adaptor protein of 65 kDa (SLP-65) is the key effector for signaling downstream of the B-cell antigen receptor (BCR). SLP-65 controls not only B lymphopoiesis and humoral immunity but also possesses a yet poorly defined tumor suppressor activity that is lost in many cases of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. We found that the 2 isoforms of human SLP-65 are differentially involved in positive and negative B-cell signaling. Reconstitution experiments revealed that an atypical SH3 domain-binding motif, which is present in the long but not in the short SLP-65 isoform, mediates association to Grb2 and suppresses activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases p38 and JNK as well as up-regulation of c-Fos expression. In turn, the short isoform activates not only AP1-driven but also NF-κB–driven gene transcription more potently than the long isoform. Conversely, the long rather than the short SLP-65 isoform promotes BCR-induced B-cell apoptosis. Our data further delineate the structural requirements of positive and negative SLP-65 signal transduction in normal and neoplastic cells.
EXEL-0862, a novel tyrosine kinase inhibitor, induces apoptosis in vitro and ex vivo in human mast cells expressing the KIT D816V mutation
Authors: Pan Jingxuan , Quintás-Cardama Alfonso , Kantarjian Hagop M. , Akin Cem , Manshouri Taghi , Lamb Peter , Cortes Jorge E. , Tefferi Ayalew , Giles Francis J. , Verstovsek Srdan
Published: August 2006

Gain-of-function mutations of the receptor tyrosine kinase KIT play a key role in the pathogenesis of systemic mastocytosis (SM), gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), and some cases of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Whereas KIT juxtamembrane domain mutations seen in most patients with GIST are highly sensitive to imatinib, the kinase activation loop mutant D816V, frequently encountered in SM, hampers the binding ability of imatinib. We investigated the inhibitory activity of the novel tyrosine kinase inhibitor EXEL-0862 against 2 subclones of human mast cell line-1 (HMC-1)—HMC-1.1, harboring the juxtamembrane domain mutation V560G, and HMC-1.2, carrying V560G and the activation loop mutation D816V, found in more than 80% of patients with SM. EXEL-0862 inhibited the phosphorylation of KIT in a dose-dependent manner and decreased cell proliferation in both mast cell lines with higher activity against HMC-1.2 cells. The phosphorylation of KIT-dependent signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3) and STAT5 was abrogated upon exposure to nanomolar concentrations of EXEL-0862. In addition, EXEL-0862 induced a time- and dose-dependent proapoptotic effect in both mast cell lines and caused a significant reduction in mast-cell content in bone marrow samples from patients with SM harboring D816V and from those without the D816V mutation. We conclude that EXEL-0862 is active against KIT activation loop mutants and is a promising candidate for the treatment of patients with SM and other KIT-driven malignancies harboring active site mutations.
Coordinated acquisition of inhibitory and activating receptors and functional properties by developing human natural killer cells
Authors: Grzywacz Bartosz , Kataria Nandini , Sikora Magdalena , Oostendorp Robert A. , Dzierzak Elaine A. , Blazar Bruce R. , Miller Jeffrey S. , Verneris Michael R.
Published: August 2006

The stages of human natural killer (NK) cell differentiation are not well established. Culturing CD34+ progenitors with interleukin 7 (IL-7), IL-15, stem cell factor (SCF), FLT-3L, and murine fetal liver cell line (EL08.1D2), we identified 2 nonoverlapping subsets of differentiating CD56+ cells based on CD117 and CD94 (CD117highCD94– and CD117low/–CD94+ cells). Both populations expressed CD161 and NKp44, but differed with respect to NKp30, NKp46, NKG2A, NKG2C, NKG2D, CD8, CD16, and KIR. Only the CD117low/– CD94+ population displayed cytotoxicity and interferon-γ production. Both populations arose from a single CD34+CD38– Lin– cell and their percentages changed over time in a reciprocal fashion, with CD117highCD94– cells predominating early and decreasing due to an increase of the CD117low/–CD94+ population. These 2 subsets represent distinct stages of NKcell differentiation, since purified CD117high CD94– cells give rise to CD117low/–CD94+ cells. The stromal cell line (EL08.1D2) facilitated the transition from CD117highCD94– to CD117low/–CD94+ via an intermediate phenotype (CD117lowCD94low/–). EL08.1D2 also maintained the mature phenotype, preventing the reversion of CD117low/–CD94+ cells to the intermediate (CD117lowCD94low/–) phenotype. An analogous population of CD56+CD117highCD94– cells was found in cord blood. The identified stages of NK-cell differentiation provide evidence for coordinated acquisition of HLA-specific inhibitory receptors (ie, CD94/NKG2A) and function in developing human NK cells.
Angiogenic cells can be rapidly mobilized and efficiently harvested from the blood following treatment with AMD3100
Authors: Shepherd Rebecca M. , Capoccia Benjamin J. , Devine Steven M. , DiPersio John , Trinkaus Kathryn M. , Ingram David , Link Daniel C.
Published: August 2006

Circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are thought to contribute to angiogenesis following vascular injury, stimulating interest in their ability to mediate therapeutic angiogenesis. However, the number of EPCs in the blood is low, limiting endogenous repair, and a method to rapidly mobilize EPCs has not been reported. In this study, healthy donors were mobilized sequentially with the CXCR4 antagonist, AMD3100, and G-CSF. The number of EPCs and circulating angiogenic cells (CACs) in the blood and pheresis product was determined and the angiogenic capacity of each cell population assessed. Compared with baseline, treatment with AMD3100 or G-CSF increased the number of blood CACs 10.0-fold ± 4.4-fold and 8.8-fold ± 3.7-fold, respectively. The number of EPCs in the blood increased 10.2-fold ± 3.3-fold and 21.8-fold ± 5.4-fold, respectively. On a percell basis, CACs harvested from G-CSF–mobilized blood displayed increased in vivo angiogenic potential compared with AMD3100-mobilized CACs. Mobilized EPCs displayed a greater proliferative capacity than EPCs isolated from baseline blood. Both CACs and EPCs were efficiently harvested by leukapheresis. Cryopreserved CACs but not EPCs retained functional activity after thawing. These data show that AMD3100 is a potent and rapid mobilizer of angiogenic cells and demonstrate the feasibility of obtaining and storing large numbers of angiogenic cells by leukapheresis.
Genome comparison using Gene Ontology (GO) with statistical testing
Authors: Cai Zhaotao , Mao Xizeng , Li Songgang , Wei Liping
Published: August 2006

Background

Automated comparison of complete sets of genes encoded in two genomes can provide insight on the genetic basis of differences in biological traits between species. Gene ontology (GO) is used as a common vocabulary to annotate genes for comparison. Current approaches calculate the fold of unweighted or weighted differences between two species at the high-level GO functional categories. However, to ensure the reliability of the differences detected, it is important to evaluate their statistical significance. It is also useful to search for differences at all levels of GO.

Results

We propose a statistical approach to find reliable differences between the complete sets of genes encoded in two genomes at all levels of GO. The genes are first assigned GO terms from BLAST searches against genes with known GO assignments, and for each GO term the abundance of genes in the two genomes is compared using a chi-squared test followed by false discovery rate (FDR) correction. We applied this method to find statistically significant differences between two cyanobacteria,Synechocystissp. PCC6803 andAnabaenasp. PCC7120. We then studied how the set of identified differences vary when different BLAST cutoffs are used. We also studied how the results vary when only subsets of the genes were used in the comparison of humanvs. mouse and that ofSaccharomyces cerevisiaevs.Schizosaccharomyces pombe.

Conclusion

There is a surprising lack of statistical approaches for comparing complete genomes at all levels of GO. With the rapid increase of the number of sequenced genomes, we hope that the approach we proposed and tested can make valuable contribution to comparative genomics.
ATM variants and cancer risk in breast cancer patients from Southern Finland
Authors: Tommiska Johanna , Jansen Laila , Kilpivaara Outi , Edvardsen Hege , Kristensen Vessela , Tamminen Anitta , Aittomäki Kristiina , Blomqvist Carl , Børresen-Dale Anne-Lise , Nevanlinna Heli
Published: August 2006

Background

Individuals heterozygous for germline ATM mutations have been reported to have an increased risk for breast cancer but the role for ATM genetic variants for breast cancer risk has remained unclear. Recently, a common ATM variant, ATMivs38 -8T>C in cis with the ATMex39 5557G>A (D1853N) variant, was suggested to associate with bilateral breast cancer among familial breast cancer patients from Northern Finland. We have here evaluated the 5557G>A and ivs38-8T>C variants in an extensive case-control association analysis. We also aimed to investigate whether there are other ATM mutations or variants contributing to breast cancer risk in our population.

Methods

Two common ATM variants, 5557G>A and ivs38-8T>C, previously suggested to associate with bilateral breast cancer, were genotyped in an extensive set of 786 familial and 884 unselected breast cancer cases as well as 708 healthy controls. We also screened the entire coding region and exon-intron boundaries of the ATM gene in 47 familial breast cancer patients and constructed haplotypes of the patients. The identified variants were also evaluated for increased breast cancer risk among additional breast cancer cases and controls.

Results

Neither of the two common variants, 5557G>A and ivs38-8T>C, nor any haplotype containing them, was significantly associated with breast cancer risk, bilateral breast cancer or multiple primary cancers in any of the patient groups or subgoups. Three rare missense alterations and one intronic change were each found in only one patient of over 250 familial patients studied and not among controls. The fourth missense alteration studied further was found with closely similar frequencies in over 600 familial cases and controls.

Conclusion

Altogether, our results suggest very minor effect, if any, of ATM genetic variants on familial breast cancer in Southern Finland. Our results do not support association of the 5557G>A or ivs38-8T>C variant with increased breast cancer risk or with bilateral breast cancer.
Predictors of patient satisfaction with hospital health care
Authors: Quintana José M , González Nerea , Bilbao Amaia , Aizpuru Felipe , Escobar Antonio , Esteban Cristóbal , San-Sebastián José Antonio , de-la-Sierra Emilio , Thompson Andrew
Published: August 2006

Background

We used a validated inpatient satisfaction questionnaire to evaluate the health care received by patients admitted to several hospitals. This questionnaire was factored into distinct domains, creating a score for each to assist in the analysis.

We evaluated possible predictors of patient satisfaction in relation to socio-demographic variables, history of admission, and survey logistics.

Methods

Cross-sectional study of patients discharged from four acute care general hospitals. Random sample of 650 discharged patients from the medical and surgical wards of each hospital during February and March 2002. A total of 1,910 patients responded to the questionnaire (73.5%). Patient satisfaction was measured by a validated questionnaire with six domains: information, human care, comfort, visiting, intimacy, and cleanliness. Each domain was scored from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating higher levels of patient satisfaction.

Results

In the univariate analysis, age was related to all domains except visiting; gender to comfort, visiting, and intimacy; level of education to comfort and cleanliness; marital status to information, human care, intimacy, and cleanliness; length of hospital stay to visiting and cleanliness, and previous admissions to human care, comfort, and cleanliness. The timing of the response to the mailing and who completed the questionnaire were related to all variables except visiting and cleanliness. Multivariate analysis confirmed in most cases the previous findings and added additional correlations for level of education (visiting and intimacy) and marital status (comfort and visiting).

Conclusion

These results confirm the varying importance of some socio-demographic variables and length of stay, previous admission, the timing of response to the questionnaire, and who completed the questionnaire on some aspects of patient satisfaction after hospitalization. All these variables should be considered when evaluating patient satisfaction.
An examination of periodontal treatment and per member per month (PMPM) medical costs in an insured population
Authors: Albert David A , Sadowsky Donald , Papapanou Panos , Conicella Mary L , Ward Angela
Published: August 2006

Background

Chronic medical conditions have been associated with periodontal disease. This study examined if periodontal treatment can contribute to changes in overall risk and medical expenditures for three chronic conditions [Diabetes Mellitus (DM), Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), and Cerebrovascular Disease (CVD)].

Methods

116,306 enrollees participating in a preferred provider organization (PPO) insurance plan with continuous dental and medical coverage between January 1, 2001 and December 30, 2002, exhibiting one of three chronic conditions (DM, CAD, or CVD) were examined. This study was a population-based retrospective cohort study. Aggregate costs for medical services were used as a proxy for overall disease burden. The cost for medical care was measured in Per Member Per Month (PMPM) dollars by aggregating all medical expenditures by diagnoses that corresponded to the International Classification of Diseases, 9th Edition, (ICD-9) codebook. To control for differences in the overall disease burden of each group, a previously calculated retrospective risk score utilizing Symmetry Health Data Systems, Inc. Episode Risk Groups™ (ERGs) were utilized for DM, CAD or CVD diagnosis groups within distinct dental services groups including; periodontal treatment (periodontitis or gingivitis), dental maintenance services (DMS), other dental services, or to a no dental services group. The differences between group means were tested for statistical significance using log-transformed values of the individual total paid amounts.

Results

The DM, CAD and CVD condition groups who received periodontitis treatment incurred significantly higher PMPM medical costs than enrollees who received gingivitis treatment, DMS, other dental services, or no dental services (p < .001). DM, CAD, and CVD condition groups who received periodontitis treatment had significantly lower retrospective risk scores (ERGs) than enrollees who received gingivitis treatment, DMS, other dental services, or no dental services (p < .001).

Conclusion

This two-year retrospective examination of a large insurance company database revealed a possible association between periodontal treatment and PMPM medical costs. The findings suggest that periodontitis treatment (a proxy for the presence of periodontitis) has an impact on the PMPM medical costs for the three chronic conditions (DM, CAD, and CVD). Additional studies are indicated to examine if this relationship is maintained after adjusting for confounding factors such as smoking and SES.
Initiation of male sperm-transfer behavior in Caenorhabditis elegansrequires input from the ventral nerve cord
Authors: Schindelman Gary , Whittaker Allyson J , Thum Jian Yuan , Gharib Shahla , Sternberg Paul W
Published: August 2006

Background

The Caenorhabditis elegans male exhibits a stereotypic behavioral pattern when attempting to mate. This behavior has been divided into the following steps: response, backing, turning, vulva location, spicule insertion, and sperm transfer. We and others have begun in-depth analyses of all these steps in order to understand how complex behaviors are generated. Here we extend our understanding of the sperm-transfer step of male mating behavior.

Results

Based on observation of wild-type males and on genetic analysis, we have divided the sperm-transfer step of mating behavior into four sub-steps: initiation, release, continued transfer, and cessation. To begin to understand how these sub-steps of sperm transfer are regulated, we screened for ethylmethanesulfonate (EMS)-induced mutations that cause males to transfer sperm aberrantly. We isolated an allele of unc-18, a previously reported member of the Sec1/Munc-18 (SM) family of proteins that is necessary for regulated exocytosis in C. elegans motor neurons. Our allele, sy671, is defective in two distinct sub-steps of sperm transfer: initiation and continued transfer. By a series of transgenic site-of-action experiments, we found that motor neurons in the ventral nerve cord require UNC-18 for the initiation of sperm transfer, and that UNC-18 acts downstream or in parallel to the SPV sensory neurons in this process. In addition to this neuronal requirement, we found that non-neuronal expression of UNC-18, in the male gonad, is necessary for the continuation of sperm transfer.

Conclusion

Our division of sperm-transfer behavior into sub-steps has provided a framework for the further detailed analysis of sperm transfer and its integration with other aspects of mating behavior. By determining the site of action of UNC-18 in sperm-transfer behavior, and its relation to the SPV sensory neurons, we have further defined the cells and tissues involved in the generation of this behavior. We have shown both a neuronal and non-neuronal requirement for UNC-18 in distinct sub-steps of sperm-transfer behavior. The definition of circuit components is a crucial first step toward understanding how genes specify the neural circuit and hence the behavior.
Self‐reported Pain Scores in the Emergency Department: Lack of Association with Vital Signs
Authors: Marco Catherine A. , Plewa Michael C. , Buderer Nancy , Hymel Gregory , Cooper Jeffrey
Published: August 2006

Background:
Some practitioners and investigators have presumed relationships between pain scores and heart rate, blood pressure, or respiratory rate. Previous literature has not adequately addressed the association of pain and vital signs.

Objectives:
To identify any association between self‐reported pain and heart rate, blood pressure, or respiratory rate.

Methods:
In this retrospective, observational study, emergency department patients older than 17 years of age presenting between May 2004 and April 2005 with verifiable painful diagnoses (including nephrolithiasis, myocardial infarction, small bowel obstruction, fracture, burn, crush injury, stab wound, amputation, corneal abrasion, and dislocation) were identified. Data were extracted from the hospital's database, including patients' age, gender, emergency department diagnosis, self‐reported pain score, heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate.

Results:
Among 1,063 subjects, the most common diagnoses were nephrolithiasis (25%; n= 267) and fracture (23%; n= 249). The mean (± SD) triage pain score was 7 (± 3). The mean (± SD) heart rate was 85 (± 16) beats/min, mean (± SD) systolic blood pressure was 141 (± 23) mm Hg, and mean (± SD) respiratory rate was 19 (± 3) breaths/min. There were no clinically significant differences in mean vital signs across the individual pain scores, as demonstrated by overlapping confidence intervals across pain scores.

Conclusions:
No clinically significant associations were identified between self‐reported triage pain scores and heart rate, blood pressure, or respiratory rate.
Adiponectin Deficiency Does Not Affect the Inflammatory Response to Endotoxin or Concanavalin A in Mice
Authors: Pini Maria , Sennello Joseph A. , Chan Lawrence , Fantuzzi Giamila
Published: August 2006

Adiponectin (APN) is an adipocyte-derived protein that regulates insulin sensitivity and displays antiinflammatory activities in a variety of experimental models. The present study aimed at investigating the effect of APN deficiency on the inflammatory response to endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) and Concanavalin A (ConA) in vivo in mice. Administration of a high dose of LPS (100 μg/mouse) induced production of comparable amounts of IL-6, TNFα, and interferon-γ in wild-type (WT) and APN knockout (KO) mice. Furthermore, LPS-induced hypoglycemia, anorexia, and body weight loss did not differ between WT and APN KO mice. Administration of a low dose of LPS (100 or 10 ng/g) in association with d-galactosamine induced equivalent mortality rates, hepatotoxicity, and serum IL-6 in WT and APN KO mice. Finally, ConA-induced cytokine production and hepatotoxicity were not significantly different between WT and APN KO mice. These data indicate that—despite its well-described role as an antiinflammatory molecule—endogenous APN does not play a critical role in modulating the inflammatory responses to LPS and ConA in mice.
Autoimmune Thyroiditis and Exposure to Iodine 131 in the Ukrainian Cohort Study of Thyroid Cancer and Other Thyroid Diseases after the Chornobyl Accident: Results from the First Screening Cycle (1998–2000)
Authors: Tronko M. D. , Brenner A. V. , Olijnyk V. A. , Robbins J. , Epstein O. V. , McConnell R. J. , Bogdanova T. I. , Fink D. J. , Likhtarev I. A. , Lubin J. H. , Markov V. V. , Bouville A. C. , Terekhova G. M. , Zablotska L. B. , Shpak V. M. , Brill A. B. , Tereshchenko V. P. , Masnyk I. J. , Ron E. , Hatch M. , Howe G. R.
Published: August 2006

Context: Due to the Chornobyl accident, millions were exposed to radioactive isotopes of iodine and some received appreciable iodine 131 (131I) doses. A subsequent increase in thyroid cancer has been largely attributed to this exposure, but evidence concerning autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) remains inconclusive.

Objective: The objective of the study was to quantify risk of AIT after 131I exposure.

Design/Setting/Participants: Baseline data were collected from the first screening cycle (1998–2000) of a large cohort of radiation-exposed individuals (n = 12,240), residents of contaminated, iodine-deficient territories of Ukraine. Study individuals were under the age of 18 yr on April 26, 1986, and had thyroid radioactivity measurements made shortly after the accident.

Outcomes: AIT was defined a priori based on various combinations of elevated antibodies to thyroid peroxidase (ATPO), TSH, and clinical findings; elevated ATPO were considered to be an indicator of thyroid autoimmunity.

Results: No significant association was found between 131I thyroid dose estimates and AIT, but prevalence of elevated ATPO demonstrated a modest, significant association with 131I that was well described by several concave models. This relationship was apparent in individuals with moderately elevated ATPO and euthyroid, thyroid disease-free individuals.

Conclusions: Twelve to 14 yr after the Chornobyl accident, no radiation-related increase in prevalence of AIT was found in a large cohort study, the first in which 131I thyroid doses were estimated using individual radioactivity measurements. However, a dose-response relationship with ATPO prevalence raises the possibility that clinically important changes may occur over time. Thus, further follow-up and analysis of prospective data in this cohort are necessary.
Influence of Demographic Factors and Sport Type on Growth Hormone-Responsive Markers in Elite Athletes
Authors: Nelson A. E. , Howe C. J. , Nguyen T. V. , Leung K.-C. , Trout G. J. , Seibel M. J. , Baxter R. C. , Handelsman D. J. , Kazlauskas R. , Ho K. K.
Published: August 2006

Context: GH-responsive markers of the IGF system and of collagen turnover hold promise as the basis of a GH doping test.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of age, gender, body mass index (BMI), ethnicity, and sporting type on GH-responsive serum markers in a large cohort of elite athletes from different ethnic backgrounds.

Design: The study was designed as a cross-sectional study.

Participants: A total of 1103 elite athletes (699 males, 404 females), aged 22.2 ± 5.2 yr, from 12 countries and 10 major sporting categories participated in this study.

Main Outcome Measures: Serum IGF-I, IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), acid labile subunit (ALS), and collagen markers [N-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PINP), C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP), N-terminal propeptide of type III procollagen (PIIINP)] were measured.

Results: There was a significant negative correlation (r = −0.14 to −0.58, P < 0.0005) between age and each of the GH-responsive markers. Serum IGF-I, IGFBP-3, and ALS were all lower (P < 0.05), whereas the collagen markers PINP, ICTP, and PIIINP were higher (P < 0.05) in men than in women. Multiple regression analysis indicated that age, gender, BMI, and ethnicity accounted for 23–54% of total between-subject variability of the markers. Age and gender cumulatively accounted for 91% of the attributable variation of IGF-I and more than 80% for PINP, ICTP, and PIIINP. Gender exerted the greatest effect on ALS (48%), and BMI accounted for less than 12% attributable variation for all markers. The influence of ethnicity was greatest for IGFBP-3 and ALS; however, for the other markers, it accounted for less than 6% attributable variation. Analysis of 995 athletes indicated that sporting type contributed 5–19% of attributable variation.

Conclusions: Age and gender were major determinants of variability of GH-responsive markers except for IGFBP-3 and ALS. Ethnicity is unlikely to confound the validity of a GH doping test based on IGF-I and these collagen markers.
Mechanism of polarized protrusion formation on neuronal precursors migrating in the developing chicken cerebellum
Authors: Sakakibara Akira , Horwitz Alan F.
Published: August 2006

Directed cell migration results from the polarization of the cellular motile apparatus by integration of extracellular signals, which are presented in a three-dimensional, spatiotemporal manner in living organisms. To investigate the mechanism underlying the highly polarized and directional nature of migration in vivo, we have developed an imaging system for observing rhombic lip cell migration in the developing chicken cerebellum. First, we show that Cdc42 is the central regulator of the overall polarity, morphology and protrusion formation in these cells. However, perturbation of canonical polarity effectors of Cdc42, e.g. the Par6-Par3-aPKC complex, does not disrupt the cell asymmetry, whereas it affects orientation of the tip of the leading process. In contrast to Cdc42, Rac is required for the generation of protrusions but not the overall polarity. Function interference of class IA phosphoinositide 3-kinase abrogates both directional extension and maintenance of the long leading process, whereas PTEN modulates the size of the protrusion. Actomyosin contractility is important for coordinated spreading of the tip of the leading process in situ. Finally, ErbB4 functions in the generation of protrusions on the rhombic lip cells. These results suggest that polarized protrusion formation on neuronal precursors may occur by a more divergent and complex mechanism than that seen in studies of other cell types growing on planar substrates.