bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Organizational structure for customer‐oriented TQM: an empirical investigation
Authors: Jabnoun Naceur
Published: May 2005

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the organizational structure that supports the implementation of customer‐oriented total quality management (TQM).

Design/methodology/approach

Quality management has been developing through the interactive efforts of managers, academicians, and consultants. This paper surveys these groups of experts about the structure that supports the implementation of customer‐oriented TQM. A questionnaire including items related to TQM structure is developed. Respondents are asked to indicate to what extent the items support or impede the implementation of customer‐oriented TQM. Responses are analyzed to determine the dimensions of the instrument. Then, one‐sample t‐tests are used to determine which of the resulting dimensions support this implementation. Finally, ANOVA is used to determine the impact of the jobs of the experts and their nationalities on their perceptions of the role of the structural dimensions.

Findings

Factor analysis resulted in seven dimensions including process network, mechanistic structure, classic structure, formalization, risk aversion, organic structure, and complexity. Results show that the dimensions of process network and organic structure support the implementation of customer‐oriented TQM, while mechanistic structure risk aversion, and complexity impede it. Academicians valued the dimensions of process network and organic structure more than quality managers. Arabs and Far Easterners looked at mechanistic structure more positively than Australians, Western Europeans, and Americans. This difference may be explained by differences in national cultures.

Originality/value

The fit between strategy and organizational structure is essential for the success of any strategy. Many authors attributed the failures of TQM initiatives to the presence of organizational structures that are incompatible with TQM. This paper identified the structural dimensions that support customer‐oriented TQM and those that impede it. This result has important implications for managers who are planning to successfully implement a customer‐oriented TQM. This paper also has important research implications on the relationship between national culture and the structure of a customer‐oriented TQM.
Organizational learning as a determining factor in business performance
Authors: Pérez López Susana , Manuel Montes Peón José , José Vazquez Ordás Camilo
Published: May 2005

Purpose

With the decline of some well‐established firms, the diminishing competitive power of many companies in an increasingly globalized market and the need for organizational renewal and transformation, interest in organizational learning has grown. Senior managers in many organizations are convinced of the importance of improving learning in their organizations. Therefore, it is necessary not only to clarify the concept of organizational learning, but also to establish the relationship between it and business performance. This paper aims to explore this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

The degree to which organizational learning influences business performance is investigated for 195 Spanish firms with more than 200 employees using the statistical technique of structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results provide support for the view that organizational learning contributes positively both to innovation and competitiveness and to economic/financial results. Furthermore, the results show a positive relationship between innovation and competitiveness and economic/financial results.

Originality/value

Clarifies the concept of organizational learning and establishes the relationship between it and business performance.
Knowledge wisdom and networks: a project management centre of excellence example
Authors: Walker Derek H.T. , Christenson Dale
Published: May 2005

Purpose

This conceptual paper aims to explain how “project management centres of excellence (CoEs)”, a particular class of knowledge network, can be viewed as providing great potential for assisting project management (PM) teams to make wise decisions.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a range of knowledge network types and classifies them into a matrix using dimensions of social capital formation and learning levels. Examples were used of each identified type, drawn from the literature, to illustrate and clarify the capability maturity levels, fromad hocisolated communities of interest to integrated and strategic CoEs that serve to propagate and transfer knowledge about an organisation's advanced project management skills and tools.

Findings

The paper presens a useful framework for understanding this evolution and argues that CoEs can optimise, help coordinate and enhance the effectiveness of a range of knowledge networks operating within an inter‐organisational or intra‐organisational project team.

Originality/value

The framework: facilitates PM organisational leaders to understand knowledge networks from a social capital formation and learning organisation perspective; highlights limitations of each of the identified knowledge network types from this perspective; and challenges PM leaders to strategically create and maintain a workplace environment that both encourages PM best practice and maximises organic learning development from which knowledge networks spring. PM leaders need to realise that sustaining CoEs is highly corporate resource intensive, however, derived benefits can include reduced wasted effort, poor project outcomes and increase organisational learning that facilitates continual PM process improvement. The framework provided here helps to justify that commitment.
Videography in marketing and consumer research
Authors: Belk Russell W. , Kozinets Robert V.
Published: May 2005

Purpose

Marketing and consumer researchers have only recently been able to put videographic methods into their data collection and research representation toolkits. This paper provides an overview of these methods and offers some guidelines for their use.

Design/methodology/approach

We offer an overview of videographic methods that illustrates the considerable choice and diversity offered to budding videographers. With examples from different kinds of marketing and consumer research, from academia as well as marketing research practice, we survey, critique, and make recommendations about some of the best ways to use this method. We also promote current and existing venues for distributing videographic work.

Findings

We find videographic methods full of promise and in the early introduction growth stage in marketing and consumer research. Combined with decreases in the cost and availability of digital recording media, videography is ready for prime time.

Originality/value

Much observational data have been to a large extent “left on the table” because there have been no convenient, reliable, and cost‐effective ways to capture and analyze them and build them into our research theories and representations. In this paper, we present an overview and a set of detailed examples that help to develop, systematize, and begin institutionalizing videographic methods in consumer and marketing research. The result is consumer and marketing research more attuned to the lived realities of everyday consumption, and a broadened research toolkit to capture and expressively present these realities.
Exploring innovative methodologies for child‐centric consumer research
Authors: Banister Emma N. , Booth Gayle J.
Published: May 2005

Purpose

We discuss the use of creative qualitative techniques for research studies focusing on young participants and encourage the development of what we term a “child‐centric” approach. We hope that by sharing our experiences we can help move forward the discussion of child‐centric approaches and methods, providing a useful starting point for researchers considering conducting qualitative research with children, and food for thought for those experienced at researching the lives of young consumers.

Design/methodology/approach

We begin our paper with a general overview of approaches to childhood as a social category, discuss methodological approaches to research with children and review the literature that informed our methodological approach. In the second part of the paper we focus on an empirical investigation, outlining a methodology with which we sought to embrace children's active participation. Our qualitative approach incorporates the following: quasi‐ethnographic methods; interviews; projective techniques and photography.

Findings

It is suggested that by shifting our research focus from a top‐down perspective into one that embraces childhood as a culture in its own right, we can greet children within their own language, using terminology they understand, and ultimately providing the context for a more fruitful and exciting data collection process. Our research design was effective in providing children with a voice with which to relate their experiences, and in this way we saw ourselves as facilitators, letting children tell us their own story in their own words.

Originality/value

We argue that it is only by recognising and taking on board some of the recommendations that have emerged from the debate concerning research with children that consumer researchers will discover a fuller appreciation of the participants we seek to understand. Lessons from this approach can also be fruitfully used to enhance the experiences of research involving participants other than children who should also benefit from more participant‐centred research designs.
Shopping with consumers: reflections and innovations
Authors: Lowrey Tina M. , Otnes Cele C. , McGrath Mary Ann
Published: May 2005

Purpose

This paper reflects on the protocol suggested for using shopping with consumers (SWC) as a means for gathering high‐quality, naturalistic text in the field.

Design/methodology/approach

The original SWC method combined accompanying consumers in the field as they shopped with in‐depth interviews.

Findings

This paper reflects on how SWC has been used in past research, including new and innovative applications of the method to a variety of research phenomena.

Research limitations/implications

The primary limitation of the approach is the amount of time required to implement SWC thoroughly.

Practical implications

SWC has the advantages of a multi‐method research design. In addition, SWC hastens trust and rapport with informants, potentially yielding richer data.

Originality/value

This paper is unique in terms of reflections on how a variety of scholars have used SWC to investigate phenomena of interest beyond that investigated in our original data collection. In addition, we offer suggestions for future research in areas that could clearly benefit from application of the method.
I can read you like a book! Novel thoughts on consumer behaviour
Authors: Brown Stephen
Published: May 2005

Purpose

To show how consumer researchers can learn from novels and analogous works of fiction.

Design/methodology/approach

Close reading of two recent novels,The Savage Girlby Alex Shakar andJennifer Governmentby Max Barry.

Findings

The paper shows how works of fiction can be used as a intellectual resource by the consumer research community. It argues that fiction refreshed the parts that other research methods cannot reach.

Research limitations/implications

Much depends on the caliber of the novels. Not every work of art is a work of genius. The article contends that consumer researchers need to move beyond singing the praises of fiction and, in pursuit of new paths to thick description, seek instead to novelise our findings. Or narrate them better at least.

Practical implications

Marketing practitioners might learn more from reading novels than the academic marketing literature.

Originality/value

There is nothing particularly original in the paper. It reiterates what several scholars have said already. The message is sufficiently important to warrant constant repetition, however.
Moxifloxacin‐based strategies for first‐line treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection
Authors: Nista E. C. , Candelli M. , Zocco M. A. , Cazzato I. A. , Cremonini F. , Ojetti V. , Santoro M. , Finizio R. , Pignataro G. , Cammarota G. , Gasbarrini G. , Gasbarrini A.
Published: May 2005

Background : Standard anti‐Helicobacter pylori therapy may not achieve a satisfactory eradication rate. Fluoroquinolones, such as moxifloxacin, are safe and promising agents for H. pylori eradication.

Aim : To compare the efficacy of two 1‐week moxifloxacin‐based H. pylori eradication regimens with two standard treatments.

Methods : Three hundred and twenty H. pylori‐positive subjects were randomized into four groups to receive: moxifloxacin, amoxicillin, esomeprazole (Group MAE); moxifloxacin, tinidazole and esomeprazole (Group MTE); standard triple therapies with clarithromycin, amoxicillin and esomeprazole (Group CAE) or tinidazole (Group CTE) for 7 days. H. pylori status was re‐assessed 6 weeks after the end of therapy by 13C urea breath test.

Results : Three hundred and twenty patients completed the efficacy analysis per protocol; H. pylori eradication rate in group MTE was 90% (72 of 80) and 92% (72 of 78), in group MAE was 88% (70 of 80) and 89%, (70 of 79) in Group CAE was 73% (58 of 80) and 78% (58 of 74), and in Group CTE was 75% (60 of 80) and 79% (60 of 76), respectively, in intention‐to‐treat and in per protocol analyses. Eradication rates of moxifloxacin‐based triple therapies were significantly higher than that observed using standard triple schemes. The incidence of side effects was significantly lower in moxifloxacin groups than in control groups.

Conclusions : Seven‐day moxifloxacin‐based triple therapies provide optimal eradication rates with a good compliance when compared with the standard triple therapy schemes.
Polypharmacy and Crohn's disease
Authors: Cross R. K. , Wilson K. T. , Binion D. G.
Published: May 2005

Background : Polypharmacy has not been defined for Crohn's disease.

Aims : To determine the prevalence of polypharmacy, factors associated with polypharmacy, and consequences of polypharmacy in a Crohn's disease population.

Methods : A review of 291 Crohn's disease patients was performed. Polypharmacy was defined as either minor (two to four medications) or major (≥5 medications). Clinical status was evaluated with the Harvey‐Bradshaw index of disease activity (HBI) and the short inflammatory bowel disease questionnaire (SIBDQ).

Results : Major polypharmacy was identified in 50% of patients. Crohn's disease patients on less than two medications at the intake visit had an HBI of 3.6 compared with 5.4 and 6.0 in the minor and major polypharmacy groups (P < 0.05). Similarly, patients on less than two medications had an SIBDQ of 60.3 compared with 55.7 and 53.4 in the minor and major polypharmacy groups (P = 0.11). Predictors of polypharmacy included age >40 years (OR 1.9), duration of disease >10 years (OR 2.0), and female sex (OR 2.5).

Conclusions : Polypharmacy is common in Crohn's disease and correlates with increased disease activity and decreased quality of life. Increasing age, increasing duration of disease, and female sex are associated with major polypharmacy. These findings emphasize the need for improved treatment algorithms to optimize Crohn's disease patient management.
Probiotic supplementation improves tolerance to Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy – a placebo‐controlled, double‐blind randomized pilot study
Authors: Myllyluoma E. , Veijola L. , Ahlroos T. , Tynkkynen S. , Kankuri E. , Vapaatalo H. , Rautelin H. , Korpela R.
Published: May 2005

Background : H. pylori is the major cause of chronic gastritis, and a risk factor for peptic ulcer and gastric cancer.

Aim : To investigate the effect of probiotic supplementation on the tolerance and efficacy of H. pylori eradication treatment in a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial.

Methods : A total of 338 volunteers were screened for H. pylori infection. The eligibility criteria were met by 47 subjects whose H. pylori infection was verified at the outset and re‐evaluated after the treatment by the 13C‐urea breath test and by enzyme immunoassay serology. The subjects were randomized to receive probiotic therapy (Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, L. rhamnosusLC705, Bifidobacterium breve Bb99 and Propionibacterium freudenreichii ssp. shermanii JS) or a placebo during H. pylori eradication and for 3 weeks following the treatment, and recorded their daily symptoms in a standardized diary.

Results : When the frequencies of new or aggravated symptoms were evaluated, no significant differences were found between the two groups for individual symptoms. However, the probiotic group showed less treatment‐related symptoms as measured by the total symptom score change (P = 0.038) throughout the H. pylori eradication therapy in contrast to the placebo group. The H. pylori eradication rate was non‐significantly higher in the group receiving probiotic therapy (91% vs. 79%, P = 0.42). In this group the recovery of probiotic bacteria in the faeces increased significantly (P < 0.001).

Conclusions : In this pilot study, probiotic supplementation did not diminish significantly the frequency of new or aggravated symptoms during H. pylori eradication. However, our data suggest an improved tolerance to the eradication treatment when total symptom severity was taken into account. Furthermore, the results show that probiotic bacteria are able to survive in the gastrointestinal tract despite the intensive antimicrobial therapy.
Long‐term use of acid suppression started inappropriately during hospitalization
Authors: Zink D. A. , Pohlman M. , Barnes M. , Cannon M. E.
Published: May 2005

Background : Practitioners routinely misuse acid suppression medications on general medical floors and inappropriately continue the drug at discharge.

Aims : To: (i) retrospectively study the appropriateness of acid suppression use on the general medical floors; (ii) characterize the patient population discharged on unnecessary acid suppression and (iii) evaluate whether patients discharged on unnecessary acid suppression continue the medicine long term.

Methods : Retrospective chart review of general medical patients admitted to an in‐patient teaching service over 6 consecutive months.

Results : About 60% of patients lacked an indication for initiation of acid suppression and 34% of these patients were discharged on the medicine. The only independent predictor of continuation of acid suppression at discharge was longer length of stay. Multivariate analysis did not identify a characteristic distinguishing those patients discharged inappropriately on acid suppression. At 3 and 6 months of follow‐up, 80% and 50% of patients, respectively, remained on acid suppression therapy without an appropriate indication.

Conclusions : Our data verifies that practitioners routinely start general medical in‐patients on acid suppression without an appropriate indication. Many of these prescriptions are continued at discharge for no apparent reason, leading to their long‐term misuse.
Heartburn‐dominant, uninvestigated dyspepsia: a comparison of ‘PPI‐start’ and ‘H2‐RA‐start’ management strategies in primary care – the CADET‐HR Study
Authors: Armstrong D. , Veldhuyzen van Zanten S. J. O. , Barkun A. N. , Chiba N. , Thomson A. B. R. , Smyth S. , Sinclair P. , Chakraborty B. , White R. J. ,   The CADET‐HR Study Group
Published: May 2005

Background : There are few data on empiric, stepped therapy for heartburn relief or subsequent relapse in primary care.

Aims : To compare heartburn relief produced by a proton pump inhibitor‐start or an H2‐receptor antagonist‐start with step‐up therapy, as needed, followed by a treatment‐free period to assess relapse.

Methods : Heartburn‐dominant uninvestigated dyspepsia patients from 46 primary care centres were randomized to one of two active treatment strategies: omeprazole 20 mg daily (proton pump inhibitor‐start) or ranitidine 150 mg bid (H2‐receptor antagonist‐start) for the first 4–8 weeks, stepping up to omeprazole 40 or 20 mg daily, respectively, for 4–8 weeks for persistent symptoms. Daily diaries documented heartburn relief (score ≤3/7 on ≤1 of 7 prior days) and relapse (score ≥4 on ≥2 of 7 prior days).

Results : For ‘proton pump inhibitor‐start’ (n = 196) vs. ‘H2‐receptor antagonist‐start’ (n = 194), respectively, heartburn relief occurred in 55.1% vs. 27.3% (P < 0.001) at 4 weeks and in 88.3% vs. 87.1% at 16 weeks. After therapy, 308 patients were heartburn‐free (159 vs. 149); median times to relapse were 8 vs. 9 days and cumulative relapse rates were 78.6% vs. 75.8%, respectively.

Conclusions : An empiric ‘proton pump inhibitor‐start’ strategy relieves heartburn more effectively than an ‘H2‐receptor antagonist‐start’ strategy up to 12 weeks but has no effect on subsequent relapse, which is rapid in most patients.
Clinical features of type 1 autoimmune hepatitis in elderly Italian patients
Authors: Granito A. , Muratori L. , Pappas G. , Muratori P. , Ferri S. , Cassani F. , Lenzi M. , Bianchi F. B.
Published: May 2005

Background : The usual onset of type 1 autoimmune hepatitis occurs at puberty or around menopause, whereas disease presentation in the advanced age is less often reported.

Aim : To assess the clinical, immunological and histological features of Type 1 autoimmune hepatitis in elderly Italian patients.

Methods : We assessed, at diagnosis, the clinical and immunological features of 76 consecutive Italian patients with type 1 autoimmune hepatitis, focusing particularly on a subgroup of 20 patients presenting at ≥65 years (females 95%, median age 72 years, range 65–82).

Results : In comparison with the younger group, at the time of autoimmune hepatitis diagnosis, elderly Italian patients are more often asymptomatic (25% vs. 7%; P = 0.04), are more frequently positive for antinuclear autoantibodies (95% vs. 52%; P = 0.0004) and HLA‐DR4 (45% vs. 18%; P = 0.03); among the extra‐hepatic manifestations, autoimmune thyroid disorders are prevalent in the elderly group (25% vs. 5%; P = 0.02). However, no difference was observed in the histological/biochemical expression of the liver disease and response to immunosuppression.

Conclusions : In elderly Italian patients, autoimmune hepatitis has typical serological and genetic characteristics, is more frequently asymptomatic, although prognosis and response to therapy is similar to that of younger patients. As a concomitant autoimmune thyroid disorder is common, autoimmune hepatitis should be suspected and investigated in elderly patients with autoimmune thyroid disorder and abnormal liver function tests.
Utility of the Health Belief Model in predicting compliance of screening in patients with chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Wai C.‐T. , Wong M.‐L. , Ng S. , Cheok A. , Tan M.‐H. , Chua W. , Mak B. , Aung M.‐O. , Lim S.‐G.
Published: May 2005

Background : Regular surveillance is recommended for patients with chronic hepatitis B, to select candidates for anti‐viral therapy and detect early complications. However, factors that determine compliance are not well studied.

Aim : To determine the utility of the Health Belief Model in explaining non‐compliance, among a group of chronic hepatitis B patients for screening.

Methods : A total of 192 chronic hepatitis B patients who responded to advertisement for free screening took part in a telephonic interview study. Subjects were asked about the five constructs of the Health Belief Model, and factors associated with recent screening were analysed.

Results : The mean age of the subjects was 42.1 ± 0.7 years; 77% white male, and 97% Chinese. About 108 patients (56%) had recent screening. At multivariate analysis, only the ability to remember date of follow‐up (OR: 4.37; 95% CI: 2.07–9.17) and the perception of having to wait a long time for venepuncture (OR: 0.38; 95% CI: 0.19–0.79) were significantly associated with recent screening.

Conclusion : Future public health measures should include improving the logistics of follow‐up procedures and providing reminders for screening to improve compliance.
‘Controlled by food’– lived experiences of coeliac disease
Authors: Sverker A. , Hensing G. , Hallert C.
Published: May 2005

Aim  The aim of this study was to explore the dilemmas experienced by women and men in their everyday lives in relation to their coeliac disease, and to explore the qualities of these dilemmas in relation to specific situations and living conditions.

Methods  We interviewed 43 informants, aged 20–40 years, using ‘The Critical Incident Technique’. Interviews focused on situations that gave rise to confusion or discomfort in relation to disease. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed qualitatively.

Results  We found 195 dilemmas, experienced in five arenas: food situation at work, during purchases, when travelling, in relation to meals at home and meals outside the home. Emotions, relationships and the management of daily life were the three main categories of dilemmas that emerged through the analysis. Specific emotions were experienced in relation to the disease, such as isolation, shame, fear of becoming contaminated by gluten and worries about being a bother. In the relationship with other persons the informants experienced a number of complicating dilemmas such as unwanted visibility, neglect, being forgotten, disclosure avoidance and risk taking. Dilemmas related to the management of daily life were restricted product choice, double work and constantly being on call.

Conclusions  The lived experiences of coeliac disease were more varied and profound than expected. It is important to take psychological and social aspects into account in the treatment of patients with coeliac disease.
Obesity, dietary pattern and physical activity among children in a suburb with a high proportion of immigrants
Authors: Magnusson M. B. , Hulthén L. , Kjellgren K. I.
Published: May 2005

Background  Obesity among children is a growing problem. Interventions should be planned to meet needs in different cultural settings. The objective of this study was to explore dietary patterns, physical activity and perceptions of relationships between life‐style and health among children in a suburb with low socio‐economic status and a high proportion of immigrants and refugees.

Methods  All children (n = 114) in Grades 5 and 6, aged 11 to 12 years, at a local Swedish school were invited, 112 participated. Food and exercise habits and perceptions on health and body image were assessed by a validated questionnaire and an interview. Height and weight were measured and risk for passing BMI 25 and 30 kg/m2, respectively at the age of 18 was calculated.

Results  Thirty‐one percent of the children were obese or overweight. Thirty‐four percent spent more than 3 h daily watching TV or using computer, a behaviour, which clustered with excess intake of sweet drinks and habitually skipping breakfast. Only about half of the children believed that their life‐style could affect their health. The results show that low socio‐economic status and migration are proxies for overweight and obesity.

Conclusions  Obesity, unhealthy living and a low awareness of relations between life‐style and health call for action, for culturally sensitive prevention and treatment approaches.
Comparison of energy and protein intakes of older people consuming a texture modified diet with a normal hospital diet
Authors: Wright L. , Cotter D. , Hickson M. , Frost G.
Published: May 2005

Background  There are very few studies looking at the energy and protein requirements of patients requiring texture modified diets. Dysphagia is the main indication for people to be recommended texture‐modified diets. Older people post‐stroke are the key group in the hospital setting who consume this type of diet. The diets can be of several consistencies ranging from pureed to soft textures.

Objective  To compare the 24‐hour dietary intake of older people consuming a texture modified diet in a clinical setting to older people consuming a normal hospital diet.

Method  Weighed food intakes and food record charts were used to quantify the patients’ intakes, which were compared to their individual requirements.

Results  The oral intake of 55 patients was measured. Twenty‐five of the patients surveyed were eating a normal diet and acted as controls for 30 patients who were prescribed a texture‐modified diet. The results showed that the texture‐modified group had significantly lower intakes of energy (3877 versus 6115 kJ, P < 0.0001) and protein (40 versus 60 g, P < 0.003) compared to consumption of the normal diet. The energy and protein deficit from estimated requirements was significantly greater in the texture‐modified group (2549 versus 357 kJ, P < 0.0001; 6 versus 22 g, P = 0.013; respectively).

Conclusion  These statistically significant results indicate that older people on texture‐modified diets have a lower intake of energy and protein than those consuming a normal hospital diet and it is likely that other nutrients will be inadequate. All patients on texture‐modified diets should be assessed by the dietitian for nutritional support. Evidence based strategies for improving overall nutrient intake should be identified.
The value of empathy in dietetic consultations. A pilot study to investigate its effect on satisfaction, autonomy and agreement
Authors: Goodchild C. E. , Skinner T. C. , Parkin T.
Published: May 2005

Forty individuals with diabetes and three dietitians completed a questionnaire concerning their consultation. Empathy was examined using the Empathic Communication Coding System (ECCS) (Bylund & Makoul, 2002). The more empathic the professionals’ response to emotional opportunities, the more satisfied patients were with their consultations (r = 0.41, d.f. = 15, P = 0.05). There was a nonsignificant trend that the more empathic opportunities that arise during a consultation, the higher the agreement between patient and dietitian on what was discussed (r = 0.28, P = 0.07). The data also suggest that patients reported more autonomy support when they created more empathic opportunities during their consultation (r = −0.29, P = 0.07). This preliminary study suggests that professionals’ responses to empathic opportunities may be a useful component of dietetic consultations.
Increasing daily fruit and vegetable consumption: what changes do cardiac patients make?
Authors: Jackson C. , Lawton R. , Jenkinson J. , Conner M.
Published: May 2005

Background  Interventions targeting fruit and vegetable consumption report significant increases in consumption but do not detail how increases are achieved. This prospective study explored (i) the changes in daily fruit and daily vegetable consumption of cardiac patients participating in an intervention study and (ii) how participants made these changes.

Methods  A total of 120 cardiac patients were asked to increase their daily fruit and vegetable consumption by two portions and to maintain this over 3 months. They were telephoned at 7‐, 28‐ and 90‐day follow‐up to record daily consumption using a dietary questionnaire; 94 participants completed all parts of the study.

Results  Mean reported daily fruit and daily vegetable consumption increased by 1.07 (SD = 1.26) and 0.34 (SD = 0.96) portions, respectively, over 3 months. These increases were statistically significant (P < 0.001) and greatest for participants who reported eating low levels of fruit and vegetables at recruitment. Eating fresh fruit as a snack and at mealtimes were preferred choices for participants.

Conclusions  Providing information and telephone follow‐up could be used by busy healthcare professionals instead of face‐to‐face contact. Interventions to increase total fruit and vegetable consumption could usefully focus on eating fruit. Interventions to increase vegetable consumption need further investigation.
Copper induction of carotenoid synthesis in the bacterium Myxococcus xanthus
Authors: Moraleda‐Muñoz Aurelio , Pérez Juana , Fontes Marta , Murillo Francisco J. , Muñoz‐Dorado José
Published: May 2005

Copper induces a red pigmentation in cells of the bacterium Myxococcus xanthus when they are incubated in the dark, at suboptimal growth conditions. The colouration results from the accumulation of carotenoids, as demonstrated by chemical analysis, and by the lack of a copper effect on M. xanthus mutants affected in known structural genes for carotenoid synthesis. None of several other metals or oxidative agents can mimic the copper effect on carotenoid synthesis. Until now, blue light was the only environmental agent known to induce carotenogenesis in M. xanthus. As happens for the blue light, copper activates the transcription of the structural genes for carotenoid synthesis through the transcriptional activation of the carQRS operon. This encodes the ECF sigma factor CarQ, directly or indirectly responsible for the activation of the structural genes, and the anti‐sigma factor CarR, which physically interacts with CarQ to blocks its action in the absence of external stimuli. All but one of the other regulatory elements known to participate in the induction of carotenoid synthesis by blue light are required for the response to copper. The exception is CarF, a protein required for the light‐mediated dismantling of the CarR–CarQ complex. In addition to carotenogenesis, copper induces other unknown cellular mechanisms that confer tolerance to the metal.
LmxPK4, a mitogen‐activated protein kinase kinase homologue of Leishmania mexicana with a potential role in parasite differentiation
Authors: Kuhn Daniela , Wiese Martin
Published: May 2005

Members of the mitogen‐activated protein (MAP) kinase cascade are important for the establishment of a Leishmania mexicana infection and are involved in flagellar length control, although the underlying molecular mechanisms remain to be elucidated. This  study  reports  the  cloning  and  characterization  of LmxPK4, a MAP kinase kinase homologue of L. mexicanadisplaying putative plant‐like regulatory phosphorylation sites. The recombinant protein has autophosphorylating activity and phosphorylates myelin basic protein. An LmxPK4 gene deletion mutant showed a proliferation defect after infection of macrophages and no or delayed lesion development in mice. Irrespective of the onset of lesion development parasites showed an early and homogeneous lesion development in re‐infection experiments. This is indicative for a compensation of the null mutant phenotype. Additionally, this phenotype could be reverted by reintroduction of the wild‐type gene into the deletion background. Mutants expressing loss‐of‐function or N‐terminally truncated versions of LmxPK4 retained the null mutant phenotype. LmxPK4 is stage‐specifically expressed in promastigotes and during differentiation to amastigotes, but is not detectable in amastigotes isolated from the mammalian host. Moreover, its in vitro kinase activity increases with temperature rise up to 40°C. Our results suggest that LmxPK4 is involved in the differentiation process and affects virulence of Leishmania mexicana.
Genetic, physiological and biochemical characterization of multiple methanol methyltransferase isozymes in Methanosarcina acetivorans C2A
Authors: Pritchett Matthew A. , Metcalf William W.
Published: May 2005

Biochemical evidence suggests that methanol catabolism in Methanosarcina species requires the concerted effort of methanol:5‐hydroxybenzimidazolylcobamide methyltransferase (MtaB), a corrinoid‐containing methyl‐accepting protein (MtaC) and Co‐methyl‐5‐hydroxybenzimidazolylcobamide:2‐mercapto‐ethanesulphonic acid methyltransferase (MtaA). Here we show that Methanosarcina acetivorans possesses three operons encoding putative methanol‐specific MtaB and corrinoid proteins: mtaCB1, mtaCB2 and mtaCB3. Deletion mutants lacking the three operons, in all possible combinations, were constructed and characterized. Strains deleted for any two of the operons grew on methanol, whereas strains lacking all three did not. Therefore, each operon encodes a bona fide methanol‐utilizing MtaB/corrinoid protein pair. Most of the mutants were similar to the wild‐type strain, with the exception of the ΔmtaCB1 ΔmtaCB2 double mutant, which grew more slowly and had reduced cell yields on methanol medium. However, all mutants displayed significantly longer lag times when switching from growth on trimethylamine to growth on methanol. This indicates that all three operons are required for wild‐type growth on methanol and suggests that each operon has a distinct role in the metabolism of this substrate. The combined methanol:CoM methyltransferase activity of strains carrying only mtaCB1 was twofold higher than strains carrying only mtaCB2 and fourfold higher than strains carrying only mtaCB3. Interestingly, the presence of the mtaCB2 and mtaCB3 operons, in addition to the mtaCB1 operon, did not increase the overall methyltransferase activity, suggesting that these strains may be limited by MtaA availability. All deletion mutants were unaffected with respect to growth on trimethylamine and acetate corroborating biochemical evidence indicating that each methanogenic substrate has specific methyltransfer enzymes.
Reduced expression of antigenic proteins MPB70 and MPB83 in Mycobacterium bovis BCG strains due to a start codon mutation in sigK
Authors: Charlet Danielle , Mostowy Serge , Alexander David , Sit Louis , Wiker Harald G. , Behr Marcel A.
Published: May 2005

Mycobacterium bovis Bacille Calmette–Guérin (BCG) strains are genetically and phenotypically heterogeneous. Expression of the antigenic proteins MPB70 and MPB83 is known to vary considerably across BCG strains; however, the reason for this phenotypic difference has remained unknown. By immunoblot, we separated BCG into high‐ and low‐producing strains. By quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR), we determined that transcription of the antigen‐encoding genes, mpb70 and mpb83, follows the same strain pattern with mRNA levels reduced over 50‐fold in low‐producing strains. Transcriptome comparison of the same BCG strains by DNA microarray revealed two gene regions consistently downregulated in low‐producing strains compared with high‐producing strains, one including mpb70 (Rv2875) and mpb83 (Rv2873) and a second that includes the predicted sigma factor, sigK. DNA sequence analysis revealed a point mutation in the start codon of sigK in all low‐producing BCG strains. Complementation of a low‐producing strain, BCG Pasteur, with wild‐type sigK fully restored MPB70 and MPB83 production. Microarray‐based analysis and confirmatory RT‐PCR of the complemented strains revealed an upregulation in gene transcription limited to the sigK and the mpb83/mpb70 gene regions. These data demonstrate that a mutation of sigK is responsible for decreased expression of MPB70 and MPB83 in low‐producing BCG strains and provide clues into the role of Mycobacterium tuberculosis SigK.
Regulation of purine biosynthesis by a eukaryotic‐type kinase in Streptococcus agalactiae
Authors: Rajagopal Lakshmi , Vo Anthony , Silvestroni Aurelio , Rubens C. E.
Published: May 2005

Group B streptococci (GBS) are the principal causal agents of human neonatal pneumonia, sepsis and meningitis. We had previously described the existence of a eukaryotic‐type serine/threonine kinase (Stk1) and phosphatase (Stp1) in GBS that regulate growth and virulence of the pathogen. Our previous results also demonstrated that these enzymes reversibly phosphorylated an inorganic pyrophosphatase. To understand the role of these eukaryotic‐type enzymes on growth of GBS, we assessed the stk1‐mutants for auxotrophic requirements. In this report, we describe that in the absence of the kinase (Stk1), GBS are attenuated for de novo purine biosynthesis and are consequently growth arrested. During growth in media lacking purines, the intracellular G nucleotide pools (GTP, GDP and GMP) are significantly reduced in the Stk1‐deficient strains, while levels of A nucleotides (ATP, ADP and AMP) are marginally increased when compared with the isogenic wild‐type strain.  We  provide  evidence  that  the  reduced  pools of  G  nucleotides  result  from  altered  activity  of  the IMP utilizing enzymes, adenylosuccinate synthetase (PurA) and IMP dehydrogenase (GuaB) in these strains. We also demonstrate that Stk1 and Stp1 reversibly phosphorylate and consequently regulate PurA activity in GBS. Collectively, these data indicate the novel role of eukaryotic‐type kinases in regulation of metabolic processes such as purine biosynthesis.
MicroReview: Divided genomes: negotiating the cell cycle in prokaryotes with multiple chromosomes
Authors: Egan Elizabeth S. , Fogel Michael A. , Waldor Matthew K.
Published: May 2005

Historically, the prokaryotic genome was assumed to consist of a single circular replicon. However, as more microbial genome sequencing projects are completed, it is becoming clear that multipartite genomes comprised of more than one chromosome are not unusual among prokaryotes. Chromosomes are distinguished from plasmids by the presence of essential genes as well as characteristic cell cycle‐linked replication kinetics; unlike plasmids, chromosomes initiate replication once per cell cycle. The existence of multipartite prokaryotic genomes raises several questions regarding how multiple chromosomes are replicated and segregated during the cell cycle. These divided genomes also introduce questions regarding chromosome evolution and genome stability. In this review, we discuss these and other issues, with particular emphasis on the cholera pathogen Vibrio cholerae.
The CovR response regulator of group A streptococcus (GAS) acts directly to repress its own promoter
Authors: Gusa Asiya A. , Scott June R.
Published: May 2005

The CovR/S (CsrR/S) two component system is a global regulator of virulence gene expression in  the group A streptococcus (GAS, Streptococcus pyogenes). The response regulator, CovR, regulates about 15% of the genes of GAS, including its own operon. Using in vitro DNA binding assays with purified CovR protein, we found that CovR binds a DNA fragment including the covR promoter (Pcov). DNaseI footprint analyses showed that phosphorylation of CovR enhanced and extended the protected regions. The proposed CovR consensus binding sequence (ATTARA) was present at most, but not all protected regions. The effect of replacing the two thymine residues in the consensus binding sequence (CB) with guanine residues was evaluated both in vitro and in vivo. Most, but not all, CB mutations reduced binding of CovR in vitro. Using a transcriptional reporter introduced in single copy into the GAS chromosome, we found that mutations at each CB completely or partially relieved CovR‐mediated repression in vivo. This suggests that CovR regulation of Pcov is direct. Further support for this conclusion comes from use of an in vitro GAS transcription system in which CovR was sufficient to mediate repression of Pcov. This repression was enhanced by phosphorylation of the protein. In addition, we found that the CovR binding region overlapping the promoter was essential for wild type repression of Pcov both in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that promoter occlusion is a primary mechanism of Pcov repression by CovR.
An altered‐specificity DNA‐binding mutant of Escherichia coliσ70 facilitates the analysis of σ70 function in vivo
Authors: Gregory Brian D. , Nickels Bryce E. , Darst Seth A. , Hochschild Ann
Published: May 2005

The σ subunit of bacterial RNA polymerase is strictly required for promoter recognition. The primary (housekeeping) σ factor of Escherichia coli, σ70, is responsible for most of the gene expression in exponentially growing cells. The fact that σ70 is an essential protein has complicated efforts to genetically dissect the functions of σ70. To facilitate the analysis of σ70 function in vivo, we isolated an altered‐specificity DNA‐binding mutant of σ70, σ70 R584A, which preferentially recognizes a mutant promoter that is not efficiently recognized by wild‐type σ70. Exploiting this σ70 mutant as a genetic tool, we establish an in vivo assay for the inhibitory effect of the bacteriophage T4‐encoded anti‐σ factor AsiA on σ70‐dependent transcription. Our results demonstrate the utility of this altered‐specificity system for genetically dissecting σ70 and its interactions with transcription regulators.
MicroReview: Envelope stress responses and Gram‐negative bacterial pathogenesis
Authors: Raivio Tracy L.
Published: May 2005

The σE, Cpx and Bae envelope stress responses of Escherichia coli are involved in the maintenance, adaptation and protection of the bacterial envelope in response to a variety of stressors. Recent studies indicate that the Cpx and σE stress responses exist in many Gram‐negative bacterial pathogens. The envelope is of particular importance to these organisms because most virulence determinants reside in, or must transit through, this cellular compartment. The Cpx system has been implicated in expression of pili, type IV secretion systems and key virulence regulators, while the σE pathway has been shown to be critical for protection from oxidative stress and intracellular survival. Homologues of the σE– and Cpx‐regulated protease DegP are essential for full virulence in numerous pathogens, and, like σE, DegP appears to confer resistance to oxidative stress and intracellular survival capacity. Some pathogens contain multiple homologues of the Cpx‐regulated, disulphide bond catalyst DsbA protein, which has been demonstrated to play roles in the expression of secreted virulence determinants, type III secretion systems and pili. This review highlights recent studies that indicate roles for the σE, Cpx and Bae envelope stress responses in Gram‐negative bacterial pathogenesis.
Binding of PhoP to promoters of phosphate‐regulated genes in Streptomyces coelicolor: identification of PHO boxes
Authors: Sola‐Landa Alberto , Rodríguez‐García Antonio , Franco‐Domínguez Etelvina , Martín Juan F.
Published: May 2005

The control of phosphate‐regulated genes in Streptomyces coelicolor is mediated by the two‐component system PhoR–PhoP. When coupled to the reporter xylE gene the pstS, phoRP and phoU promoters were shown to be very sensitive to phosphate regulation. The transcription start points of the pstS, the phoRP and the phoU promoters were identified by primer extension. phoRP showed a leaderless transcript. The response‐regulator (DNA‐binding) PhoP protein was overexpressed and purified in Escherichia coli as a GST–PhoP fused protein. The DNA‐binding domain (DBD) of PhoP was also obtained in a similar manner. Both PhoP and its truncated DBD domain were found to bind with high affinity to an upstream region of the pstS and phoRP–phoU promoters close to the −35 sequence of each of these promoters. DNase I protection studies revealed a 29 bp protected stretch in the sense strand of the pstS promoter that includes two 11 bp direct repeat units. Footprinting of the bidirectional phoRP–phoU promoter region showed a 51 bp protected sequence that encompasses four direct repeat units, two of them with high similarity to the protected sequences in the pstS promoter. PHO boxes have been identified by alignment of the six direct repeat units found in those promoter regions. Each direct repeat unit adjusts to the consensus GG/TTCAYYYRG/CG.