bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oncolytic Adenovirus ICOVIR-7 in Patients with Advanced and Refractory Solid Tumors
Authors: Nokisalmi Petri , Pesonen Sari , Escutenaire Sophie , Särkioja Merja , Raki Mari , Cerullo Vincenzo , Laasonen Leena , Alemany Ramon , Rojas Juan , Cascallo Manel , Guse Kilian , Rajecki Maria , Kangasniemi Lotta , Haavisto Elina , Karioja-Kallio Aila , Hannuksela Päivi , Oksanen Minna , Kanerva Anna , Joensuu Timo , Ahtiainen Laura , Hemminki Akseli
Published: May 2010

Purpose: Twenty-one patients with cancer were treated with a single round of oncolytic adenovirus ICOVIR-7.

Experimental Design: ICOVIR-7 features an RGD-4C modification of the fiber HI-loop of serotype 5 adenovirus for enhanced entry into tumor cells. Tumor selectivity is mediated by an insulator, a modified E2F promoter, and a Rb-binding site deletion of E1A, whereas replication is optimized with E2F binding hairpins and a Kozak sequence. ICOVIR-7 doses ranged from 2 × 1010 to 1 × 1012 viral particles. All patients had advanced and metastatic solid tumors refractory to standard therapies.

Results: ICOVIR-7 treatment was well tolerated with mild to moderate fever, fatigue, elevated liver transaminases, chills, and hyponatremia. One patient had grade 3 anemia but no other serious side effects were seen. At baseline, 9 of 21 of patients had neutralizing antibody titers against the ICOVIR-7 capsid. Treatment resulted in neutralizing antibody titer induction within 4 weeks in 16 of 18 patients. No elevations of serum proinflammatory cytokine levels were detected. Viral genomes were detected in the circulation in 18 of 21 of patients after injection and 7 of 15 of the samples were positive 2 to 4 weeks later suggesting viral replication.

Conclusions: Overall, objective evidence of antitumor activity was seen in 9 of 17 evaluable patients. In radiological analyses, 5 of 12 evaluable patients had stabilization or reduction in tumor size. These consisted of one partial response, two minor responses and two cases of stable disease, all occurring in patients who had progressive disease before treatment. In summary, ICOVIR-7 treatment is apparently safe, resulting in anticancer activity, and is therefore promising for further clinical testing. Clin Cancer Res; 16(11); 3035–43. ©2010 AACR.
Mature MicroRNA Sequence Polymorphism in MIR196A2 Is Associated with Risk and Prognosis of Head and Neck Cancer
Authors: Christensen Brock C. , Avissar-Whiting Michele , Ouellet Lauren G. , Butler Rondi A. , Nelson Heather H. , McClean Michael D. , Marsit Carmen J. , Kelsey Karl T.
Published: May 2010

Purpose: The central role of microRNAs as regulators of translation has been well established, whereas the relationships between genetic variation in microRNAs and disease risk is only beginning to be explored. A polymorphism in the MIR196A2 locus has shown associations with lung, breast, esophageal, and gastric tumors but has not been examined in head and neck cancers, which share similar pathology and etiology to these diseases.

Experimental Design: We studied a polymorphism in the mature sequence of MIR196A2 (rs11614913, C/T) in a population-based case-control study (n = 1,039) of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) to determine if MIR196A2 genotype was associated with disease occurrence and patient survival.

Results: Presence of any variant allele was associated with a significantly reduced risk for HNSCC (odds ratio, 0.8; 95% confidence interval, 0.56-0.99). Homozygous variant allele carriers with pharyngeal tumors had significantly reduced survival compared with wild-type and heterozygous cases (hazard ratio, 7.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.9–28.2). Expression analysis in a subset of tumors (n = 83) revealed no significant difference in relative expression of either miR-196a or miR-196a* by MIR196A2 genotype.

Conclusion: These data demonstrate a role for MIR196A2 genotype in susceptibility and prognosis of HNSCC. Clin Cancer Res; 16(14); 3713–20. ©2010 AACR.
Reversible Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition and Acquired Resistance to Sunitinib in Patients with Renal Cell Carcinoma: Evidence from a Xenograft Study
Authors: Hammers Hans J. , Verheul Henk M. , Salumbides Brenda , Sharma Rajni , Rudek Michelle , Jaspers Janneke , Shah Preeti , Ellis Leigh , Shen Li , Paesante Silvia , Dykema Karl , Furge Kyle , Teh Bin T. , Netto George , Pili Roberto
Published: May 2010

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) targeting angiogenesis via inhibition of the vascular endothelial growth factor pathway have changed the medical management of metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Although treatment with TKIs has shown clinical benefit, these drugs will eventually fail patients. The potential mechanisms of resistance to TKIs are poorly understood. To address this question, we obtained an excisional biopsy of a skin metastasis from a patient with clear cell renal carcinoma who initially had a response to sunitinib and eventually progressed with therapy. Tumor pieces were grafted s.c. in athymic nude mice. Established xenografts were treated with sunitinib. Tumor size, microvascular density, and pericyte coverage were determined. Plasma as well as tissue levels for sunitinib were assessed. A tumor-derived cell line was established and assessed in vitro for potential direct antitumor effects of sunitinib. To our surprise, xenografts from the patient who progressed on sunitinib regained sensitivity to the drug. At a dose of 40 mg/kg, sunitinib caused regression of the subcutaneous tumors. Histology showed a marked reduction in microvascular density and pericyte dysfunction. More interestingly, histologic examination of the original skin metastasis revealed evidence of epithelial to mesenchymal transition, whereas the xenografts showed reversion to the clear cell phenotype. In vitro studies showed no inhibitory effect on tumor cell growth at pharmacologically relevant concentrations. In conclusion, the histologic examination in this xenograft study suggests that reversible epithelial to mesenchymal transition may be associated with acquired tumor resistance to TKIs in patients with clear cell renal carcinoma. Mol Cancer Ther; 9(6); 1525–35. ©2010 AACR.
Global Targeting of Subcellular Heat Shock Protein-90 Networks for Therapy of Glioblastoma
Authors: Siegelin Markus D. , Plescia Janet , Raskett Christopher M. , Gilbert Candace A. , Ross Alonzo H. , Altieri Dario C.
Published: May 2010

Drug discovery for complex and heterogeneous tumors now aims at dismantling global networks of disease maintenance, but the subcellular requirements of this approach are not understood. Here, we simultaneously targeted the multiple subcellular compartments of the molecular chaperone heat shock protein-90 (Hsp90) in a model of glioblastoma, a highly lethal human malignancy in urgent need of fresh therapeutic strategies. Treatment of cultured or patient-derived glioblastoma cells with Shepherdin, a dual peptidomimetic inhibitor of mitochondrial and cytosolic Hsp90, caused irreversible collapse of mitochondria, degradation of Hsp90 client proteins in the cytosol, and tumor cell killing by apoptosis and autophagy. Stereotactic or systemic delivery of Shepherdin was well tolerated and suppressed intracranial glioma growth via inhibition of cell proliferation, induction of apoptosis, and reduction of angiogenesis in vivo. These data show that disabling Hsp90 cancer networks in their multiple subcellular compartments improves strategies for drug discovery and may provide novel molecular therapy for highly recalcitrant human tumors. Mol Cancer Ther; 9(6); 1638–46. ©2010 AACR.
Decitabine Maintains Hematopoietic Precursor Self-Renewal by Preventing Repression of Stem Cell Genes by a Differentiation-Inducing Stimulus
Authors: Hu Zhenbo , Negrotto Soledad , Gu Xiaorong , Mahfouz Reda , Ng Kwok Peng , Ebrahem Quteba , Copelan Edward , Singh Harinder , Maciejewski Jaroslaw P. , Saunthararajah Yogen
Published: May 2010

The cytosine analogue decitabine alters hematopoietic differentiation. For example, decitabine treatment increases self-renewal of normal hematopoietic stem cells. The mechanisms underlying decitabine-induced shifts in differentiation are poorly understood, but likely relate to the ability of decitabine to deplete the chromatin-modifying enzyme DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1), which plays a central role in transcription repression. HOXB4 is a transcription factor that promotes hematopoietic stem cell self-renewal. In hematopoietic precursors induced to differentiate by the lineage-specifying transcription factor Pu.1 or by the cytokine granulocyte-colony stimulating factor, there is rapid repression of HOXB4 and other stem cell genes. Depletion of DNMT1 using shRNA or decitabine prevents HOXB4 repression by Pu.1 or granulocyte-colony stimulating factor and maintains hematopoietic precursor self-renewal. In contrast, depletion of DNMT1 by decitabine 6 hours after the differentiation stimulus, that is, after repression of HOXB4 has occurred, augments differentiation. Therefore, DNMT1 is required for the early repression of stem cell genes, which occurs in response to a differentiation stimulus, providing a mechanistic explanation for the observation that decitabine can maintain or increase hematopoietic stem cell self-renewal in the presence of a differentiation stimulus. Using decitabine to deplete DNMT1 after this early repression phase does not impair progressive differentiation. Mol Cancer Ther; 9(6); 1536–43. ©2010 AACR.
Atypical Protein Kinase C ζ Exhibits a Proapoptotic Function in Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Nazarenko Irina , Jenny Marcel , Keil Jana , Gieseler Cornelia , Weisshaupt Karen , Sehouli Jalid , Legewie Stefan , Herbst Lena , Weichert Wilko , Darb-Esfahani Silvia , Dietel Manfred , Schäfer Reinhold , Ueberall Florian , Sers Christine
Published: May 2010

Intracellular signaling governed by serine/threonine kinases comprises the molecular interface between cell surface receptors and the nuclear transcriptional machinery. The protein kinase C (PKC) family members are involved in the control of many signaling processes directing cell proliferation, motility, and survival. Here, we examined a role of different PKC isoenzymes in protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) and HRSL3 tumor suppressor–dependent cell death induction in the ovarian carcinoma cell line OVCAR-3. Phosphorylation and activity of PKC isoenzymes were measured in response to PP2A or phosphoinositide 3-kinase inhibition or HRSL3 overexpression. These experiments indicated a regulation of PKCθ, ϵ, ζ, and ι through PP2A and/or HRSL3, but not of PKCα and β. Using isoform-specific peptide inhibitors and overexpression approaches, we verified a contribution to PP2A- and HRLS3-dependent apoptosis only for PKCζ, suggesting a proapoptotic function of this kinase. We observed a significant proportion of human ovarian carcinomas expressing high levels of PKCζ, which correlated with poor prognosis. Primary ovarian carcinoma cells isolated from patients also responded to okadaic acid treatment with increased phosphorylation of PKCζ and apoptosis induction. Thus, our data indicate a contribution of PKCζ in survival control in ovarian carcinoma cells and suggest that upregulation or activation of tyrosine kinase receptors in this tumor might impinge onto apoptosis control through the negative regulation of the atypical PKCζ. Mol Cancer Res; 8(6); 919–34. ©2010 AACR.
Rictor Phosphorylation on the Thr-1135 Site Does Not Require Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Complex 2
Authors: Boulbes Delphine , Chen Chien-Hung , Shaikenov Tattym , Agarwal Nitin K. , Peterson Timothy R. , Addona Terri A. , Keshishian Hasmik , Carr Steven A. , Magnuson Mark A. , Sabatini David M. , Sarbassov Dos D.
Published: May 2010

In animal cells, growth factors coordinate cell proliferation and survival by regulating the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt signaling pathway. Deregulation of this signaling pathway is common in a variety of human cancers. The PI3K-dependent signaling kinase complex defined as mammalian target of rapamycin complex 2 (mTORC2) functions as a regulatory Ser-473 kinase of Akt. We find that activation of mTORC2 by growth factor signaling is linked to the specific phosphorylation of its component rictor on Thr-1135. The phosphorylation of this site is induced by the growth factor stimulation and expression of the oncogenic forms of ras or PI3K. Rictor phosphorylation is sensitive to the inhibition of PI3K, mTOR, or expression of integrin-linked kinase. The substitution of wild-type rictor with its specific phospho-mutants in rictor null mouse embryonic fibroblasts did not alter the growth factor–dependent phosphorylation of Akt, indicating that the rictor Thr-1135 phosphorylation is not critical in the regulation of the mTORC2 kinase activity. We found that this rictor phosphorylation takes place in the mTORC2-deficient cells, suggesting that this modification might play a role in the regulation of not only mTORC2 but also the mTORC2-independent function of rictor. Mol Cancer Res; 8(6); 896–906. ©2010 AACR.
Resveratrol Suppresses Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Response in Diethylnitrosamine-Initiated Rat Hepatocarcinogenesis
Authors: Bishayee Anupam , Barnes Kendra F. , Bhatia Deepak , Darvesh Altaf S. , Carroll Richard T.
Published: May 2010

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), one of the most frequent and deadliest cancers, has been increasing considerably in the United States. In the absence of a proven effective therapy for HCC, novel chemopreventive strategies are urgently needed to lower the current morbidity and mortality of HCC. Recently, we have reported that resveratrol, a compound present in grapes and red wine, significantly prevents diethylnitrosamine (DENA)–induced liver tumorigenesis in rats, although the mechanism of action is not completely understood. In the present study, we have examined the underlying mechanisms of resveratrol chemoprevention of hepatocarcinogenesis by investigating the effects of resveratrol on oxidative damage and inflammatory markers during DENA-initiated rat liver carcinogenesis. There was a significant increase in hepatic lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation in carcinogen control animals compared with their normal counterparts at the end of the study (20 weeks). Elevated expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase and 3-nitrotyrosine were noticed in the livers of the same animals. Dietary resveratrol (50-300 mg/kg) administered throughout the study reversed all the aforementioned markers in a dose-responsive fashion in rats challenged with DENA. Resveratrol also elevated the protein and mRNA expression of hepatic nuclear factor E2–related factor 2 (Nrf2). Results of the present investigation provide evidence that attenuation of oxidative stress and suppression of inflammatory response mediated by Nrf2 could be implicated, at least in part, in the chemopreventive effects of this dietary agent against chemically induced hepatic tumorigenesis in rats. The outcome of this study may benefit the development of resveratrol in the prevention and intervention of human HCC. Cancer Prev Res; 3(6); 753–63. ©2010 AACR.
The Role of Prokineticins in the Pathogenesis of Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism
Authors: Abreu Ana Paula , Kaiser Ursula B. , Latronico Ana Claudia
Published: May 2010

The prokineticin system comprises two multifunctional secreted proteins, prokineticin-1 (PROK1) and prokineticin-2 (PROK2), and their cognate G protein-coupled receptors. The prokineticins were originally identified as endogenous regulators of gastrointestinal motility. Currently, these bioactive peptides are involved in a wide spectrum of biological functions, including angiogenesis, neurogenesis, circadian rhythms, nociception, hematopoiesis and immune response. Mice homozygous for null mutations in Prokr2 or Prok2 recapitulate the human phenotype of Kallmann syndrome, exhibiting severe atrophy of the reproductive system and hypoplastic olfactory bulbs. Indeed, the evidence from several naturally inactivating mutations in the PROK2 and PROKR2 genes in patients with Kallmann syndrome and normosmic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism also indicate the essential role of PROK2 in olfactory bulb morphogenesis and GnRH secretion in humans.
Differentiation of the XY Sex Chromosomes in the Fish Hoplias malabaricus (Characiformes, Erythrinidae): Unusual Accumulation of Repetitive Sequences on the X Chromosome
Authors: Cioffi M.B. , Martins C. , Vicari M.R. , Rebordinos L. , Bertollo L.A.C.
Published: May 2010

The wolf fish Hoplias malabaricus (Erythrinidae) presents a high karyotypic diversity, with 7 karyomorphs identified. Karyomorph A is characterized by 2n = 42 chromosomes, without morphologically differentiated sex chromosomes. Karyomorph B also has 2n = 42 chromosomes for both sexes, but differs by a distinct heteromorphic XX/XY sex chromosome system. The cytogenetic mapping of 5 classes of repetitive DNA indicated similarities between both karyomorphs and the probable derivation of the XY chromosomes from pair No. 21 of karyomorph A. These chromosomes appear to be homeologous since the distribution of (GATA)n sequences, 18S rDNA and 5SHindIII-DNA sites supports their potential relatedness. Our data indicate that the differentiation of the long arms of the X chromosome occurred by accumulation of heterochromatin and 18S rDNA cistrons from the ancestral homomorphic pair No. 21 present in karyomorph A. These findings are further supported by the distribution of the Cot-1 DNA fraction. In addition, while the 18S rDNA cistrons were maintained and amplified on the X chromosomes, they were lost in the Y chromosome. The X chromosome was a clearly preferred site for the accumulation of DNA repeats, representing an unusual example of an X clustering more repetitive sequences than the Y during sex chromosome differentiation in fish.
From Excessive High-Flow, High-Gradient to Paradoxical Low-Flow, Low-Gradient Aortic Valve Stenosis: Hemodialysis Arteriovenous Fistula Model
Authors: Ennezat Pierre Vladimir , Maréchaux Sylvestre , Pibarot Philippe
Published: May 2010

The coexistence of aortic valve stenosis (AS) with hemodialysis arteriovenous (AV) fistula complicates the assessment of the severity of valvular disease. We describe the physiological changes in stenotic indices which occur following manual compression of the AV fistula. The manual compression of the AV fistula is capable of inducing significant alterations in transvalvular flow rates and valvulo-arterial impedance that translates into important changes in aortic valve hemodynamics and grading of stenosis severity.
N-Acetylcysteine Attenuates Iodine Contrast Agent-Induced Nephropathy in 5/6-Nephrectomized Rats
Authors: Šochman Jan , Peregrin Jan H. , Bürgelová Marcela , Kopkan Libor , Kramer Herbert J. , Červenka Luděk
Published: May 2010

Aims: In the present study we tested the efficacy of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) to minimize nephrotoxic effects of iodine contrast agents in intact rats as well as in 5/6-nephrectomized (5/6-Nx) rats. Methods: Rats were allocated to a group of intact rats (n = 42) and a group of 5/6-Nx rats (n = 42). After 1 month of recovery from surgery, 5/6-Nx rats and intact (sham-operated) animals received either 6 ml/kg body weight (b.w.) meglumine ioxithalamate (Telebrix 350) or 6 ml/kg b.w. iohexol (Omnipaque 350) intravenously with or without pretreatment with 100 mg/kg b.w. NAC. Plasma and urinary concentrations of creatinine, sodium and protein in 24-hour urine collections were determined prior to and on days 1, 3 and 7 after drug administration. Results: In intact animals, contrast agents caused no significant changes in kidney function throughout the duration of the experiment. In contrast, significant increases in plasma creatinine levels and decreases in creatinine clearance were induced by both contrast agents in 5/6-Nx rats. These changes were significantly attenuated by NAC pretreatment. Conclusion: The results of the present study demonstrate that iodine contrast agent-induced nephropathy in 5/6-Nx rats is significantly attenuated by intravenous pretreatment with NAC.
Liberalism and the Limits of Inclusion: Race and Immigration Law in the Americas, 1850–2000
Authors: Cook-Martín David , FitzGerald David
Published: May 2010

Most scholars argue that the global triumph of liberal norms within the last 150 years ended discriminatory immigration policy. Yet, the United States was a leader in the spread of policy restrictions aimed at Asian migrants during the early twentieth century, and authoritarian Latin American regimes removed racial discrimination from their immigration laws a generation before the United States and Canada did. By the same token, critical theorists claim that racism has not diminished, but most states have removed their discriminatory laws, thus allowing significant ethnic transformation within their borders. An analysis of the immigration policies of the twenty-two major countries of the Americas since 1850 reveals that liberal states have been discriminatory precisely because of their liberalism and elucidates the diffusion of international legal norms of racial exclusion and inclusion.
Nonpreferred Stimuli Modify the Representation of Faces in the Fusiform Face Area
Authors: Axelrod Vadim , Yovel Galit
Published: May 2010

The ventral visual cortex has a modular organization in which discrete and well-defined regions show a much stronger response to certain object categories (e.g., faces, bodies) than to other categories. The majority of previous studies have examined the response of these category-selective regions to isolated images of preferred or nonpreferred categories. Thus, little is known about the way these category-selective regions represent more complex visual stimuli, which include both preferred and nonpreferred stimuli. Here we examined whether glasses (nonpreferred) modify the representation of simultaneously presented faces (preferred) in the fusiform face area. We used an event-related fMR-adaptation paradigm in which faces were presented with glasses either on or above the face while subjects performed a face or a glasses discrimination task. Our findings show that the sensitivity of the fusiform face area to glasses was maximal when glasses were presented on the face than above the face during a face discrimination task rather than during a glasses discrimination task. These findings suggest that nonpreferred stimuli may significantly modify the representation of preferred stimuli, even when they are task irrelevant. Future studies will determine whether this interaction is specific to faces or may be found for other object categories in category-selective areas.
The Shelter of the Savage: “From Valladolid to the New World”
Authors: Pereda Felipe
Published: May 2010

Vegetal architecture, also known as Astwerk (literally “branch-work”) spread since the middle of the 15th century until the first two decades of the following century all over Europe. Efforts to interpret this phenomenon, however, have remained focused on the North European examples. The analysis of the extraordinary building of the Colegio of San Gregorio (Valladolid, Spain) shows how Astwerk in Castile was shaped both by the concrete ideas that related architecture and nature in the writings of Seneca, but also as a reflection of the first impressions of Europe’s encounter with the New World, where, as first reported by Columbus, the forces of nature and technology were viewed through startling and new lens.
Simulating Global and North American Climate Using the Global Environmental Multiscale Model with a Variable-Resolution Modeling Approach
Authors: Markovic Marko , Lin Hai , Winger Katja
Published: May 2010

Results from two simulations using the Global Environmental Multiscale (GEM) model in a variable-resolution modeling approach are evaluated. Simulations with a highly resolved domain positioned over North America and over the tropical Pacific–eastern Indian Ocean are assessed against the GEM uniform grid control run, 40-yr ECMWF Re-Analysis (ERA-40), and available observations in terms of regional and global climate and interannual variability.

It is found that the variable-resolution configurations realistically simulate global and regional climate over North America with seasonal means and variability generally closer to ERA-40 or observations than the control run. Systematic errors of the control run are still present within the variable-resolution simulations but alleviated to some extent over their respective highly resolved domains. Additionally, there is some evidence of performance deterioration due to the increased resolution.

There is little evidence that an increased resolution over the tropical Pacific–eastern Indian Ocean, with better-resolved local processes (e.g., convection and equatorial waves), has a significant impact on the extratropical time mean fields. However, in terms of simulating the Northern Hemisphere atmospheric flow anomaly associated with the dominant mode of sea surface temperature interannual variability in the equatorial eastern Pacific (i.e., El Niño), both stretched configurations have more realistic teleconnection patterns than the control run.
Modernization, Islam, or Social Capital: What Explains Attitudes Toward Democracy in the Muslim World?
Authors: Ciftci Sabri
Published: May 2010

This article explains the determinants of individual support for democracy in 10 Muslim-majority countries. Starting with economic and cultural interpretations of modernization theory, the author advances an argument exploring cross-linkages between macro- and micro-level implications of this theory as they relate to attitudes toward democracy. The author also provides a test of two alternative explanations: social capital and Islamic values. A series of cross-national and ordinary least squares regressions utilizing the fourth wave of the World Values Survey demonstrates that, 50 years later, modernization theory is still a powerful tool for explaining democratic attitudes. Particularly, perceptions of gender equality show strong associations with democratic orientations. Although some support is found for the positive effect of political trust, religiosity and Islamic values poorly predict support for democracy in the Muslim world.
The Fallacies and Flaws of Area Studies in India
Authors: Sahni Varun
Published: May 2010

Area studies programmes were established in Indian universities in two waves. The first wave emanated from an individual initiative of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in 1955 and the second from a committee set up by the University Grants Commission (UGC) in April 1963, soon after India’s military defeat at the hands of China in 1962. While a large number of area studies programmes now exist in Indian universities, they have, from their earliest days, been handicapped by four conceptual fallacies and nine operational flaws. The fallacies are related to the subject matter, disciplinary focus, terms of reference and policy relevance, and the flaws are—the absence of theory, lack of multidisciplinary perspectives, analyses that are based on macro-level research, scarce fieldwork, deficiencies in language skills, lack of quantitative research projects, event-driven research agendas, predominance of secondary sources in research, and taught courses which are too broad in their formulation and too narrow in their subject matter. Each fallacy is fundamental; the flaws, taken together, have been fatal for the area studies programmes in India. The article ends with seven suggestions on how these programmes could be revitalized.
The Re-making of Indian Foreign Policy
Authors: Mohan C. Raja
Published: May 2010

The article examines the reasons for the absence of effective but informal networks in India that help make and remake a nation’s foreign policy, generate domestic political consensus and win international support. As a rising India reconstructs its foreign policy, a small proto-network that defines its core principles is beginning to emerge. A foreign policy vanguard, however, is no substitute to a more broadly based and deeply rooted structure of decision making. As the new foreign policy network evolves, the International Relations (IR) community can claim its legitimate role in shaping India’s new foreign policy. By shedding its old conformist trap, joining the vigorous public square at home and reconnecting with the world, India’s IR community can set a new foreign policy direction for the nation and offer course corrections when needed.
Representing ethnic groups in space: A new dataset
Authors: Weidmann Nils B. , Rød Jan Ketil , Cederman Lars-Erik
Published: May 2010

Whether qualitative or quantitative, contemporary civil-war studies have a tendency to over-aggregate empirical evidence. In order to open the black box of the state, it is necessary to pinpoint the location of key conflict parties. As a contribution to this task, this article describes a data project that geo-references ethnic groups around the world. Relying on maps and data drawn from the classical Soviet Atlas Narodov Mira (ANM), the ‘Geo-referencing of ethnic groups’ (GREG) dataset employs geographic information systems (GIS) to represent group territories as polygons. This article introduces the structure of the GREG dataset and gives an example for its application by examining the impact of group concentration on conflict. In line with previous findings, the authors show that groups with a single territorial cluster according to GREG have a significantly higher risk of conflict. This example demonstrates how the GREG dataset can be processed in the R statistical package without specific skills in GIS. The authors also provide a detailed discussion of the shortcomings of the GREG dataset, resulting from the datedness of the ANM and its unclear coding conventions. In comparing GREG to other datasets on ethnicity, the article makes an attempt to illustrate the strengths and weaknesses associated with the GREG database.
Defining priorities in prognostication research: results of a consensus workshop
Authors: Stevinson C. , Preston N. , Todd C. ,   Cancer Experiences Collaborative (CECo)
Published: May 2010

Purpose: To establish consensus among palliative care researchers on the priorities for prognostication research. Methods: A nominal group technique was employed involving palliative care researchers attending a workshop within a scientific meeting on prognostication. Participants worked in small facilitated groups to generate future research questions which were amalgamated and rated according to importance.

Results: Twenty-five meeting delegates took part in the workshop including 10 palliative care physicians and four nurses, one dietician, and 10 academic researchers, all of whom had experience and/or interest in prognosis research. A total of 40 research questions were generated and after prioritization ratings, the top five questions were: (1) How valid are prognostic tools? (=2) Can we use prognostic criteria as entry criteria for research? (=2) How do we judge the impact of a prognostic score in clinical practice? (4) What is the best way of presenting survival data to patients? (5) What is the most user-friendly validated tool?

Conclusions: Although a wide range of research questions relating to prognostication were identified, the strongest priority to emerge from the consensus data concerned the validity of prognostic tools. Further research to validate existing tools is essential to ensure their clinical value.
Barriers to the development of palliative care in Western Europe
Authors: Lynch T. , Clark D. , Centeno C. , Rocafort J. , de Lima L. , Filbet M. , Hegedus K. , Belle O. , Giordano A. , Guillén F. , Wright M.
Published: May 2010

The Eurobarometer Survey of the EAPC Task Force on the Development of Palliative Care in Europe is part of a programme of work to produce comprehensive information on the provision of palliative care across Europe.

Aim: To identify barriers to the development of palliative care in Western Europe.

Method: A qualitative survey was undertaken amongst boards of national associations, eliciting opinions on opportunities for, and barriers to, palliative care development. By July 2006, 44/52 (85%) European countries had responded to the survey; we report here on the results from 22/25 (88%) countries in Western Europe.

Analysis: Data from the Eurobarometer Survey were analysed thematically by geographical region and by the degree of development of palliative care in each country.

Results: From the data contained within the Eurobarometer, we identified six significant barriers to the development of palliative care in Western Europe: (i) lack of palliative care education and training programmes; (ii) lack of awareness and recognition of palliative care; (iii) limited availability of/knowledge about opioid analgesics; (iv) limited funding; (v) lack of coordination amongst services; and (vi) uneven palliative care coverage.

Conclusion: Findings from the EAPC Eurobarometer Survey suggest that barriers to the development of palliative care in Western Europe may differ substantially from each other in both their scope and context and that some may be considered to be of greater significance than others. A number of common barriers to the development of the discipline do exist and much work still remains to be done in the identified areas. This paper provides a road map of which barriers need to be addressed.
Cardiac and Pulmonary Function Variability in Duchenne/Becker Muscular Dystrophy: An Initial Report
Authors: Birnkrant David J. , Ashwath Mahi Lakshmi , Noritz Garey H. , Merrill Michelle C. , Shah Tushar A. , Crowe Carol A. , Bahler Robert C.
Published: May 2010

The Duchenne and Becker forms of muscular dystrophy are associated with dilated cardiomyopathy and are diseases in which pulmonary function peaks and then progressively declines. In this report, the authors quantify cardiopulmonary function variability among brothers. Brothers in 3 of 7 eligible sibships had discordant pulmonary function, with significant differences between the brothers’ peak forced vital capacities and their vital capacities at last comparable age. There was no relationship between pulmonary and cardiac function among the siblings. The authors concluded that despite identical genetic mutations, cardiac and pulmonary function variability was common among brothers in their clinic with Duchenne or Becker muscular dystrophy. If confirmed by larger studies, these results have negative implications for the use of genetic testing to predict cardiopulmonary course and response to therapies in Duchenne or Becker muscular dystrophy.
Traditional Male Ideology and Service System Involvement Among Drug-Involved Men Who Perpetrate Intimate Partner Violence: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Wu Elwin , El-Bassel Nabila , Gilbert Louisa , O'Connor Meghan , Seewald Randy
Published: May 2010

The purpose of this study is to examine the extent to which drug-involved men who perpetrate male-to-female intimate partner violence (IPV) are engaged with various formal service systems as well as whether adherence to traditional male ideologies—thought to drive perpetration of male-to-female IPV—affects help-seeking behavior. This study also seeks to redress a gap in the research literature stemming from the general reliance on batterers intervention programs to acquire samples of IPV perpetrators. A sample of 126 men receiving methadone maintenance treatment who reported perpetrating IPV against a female partner participated in this longitudinal study. A large majority (88%) of participants reported use of additional services beyond methadone treatment (e.g., medical, employment/ vocational, etc.). Using generalized linear modeling, we found that greater endorsement of traditional male ideologies significantly predicted lower subsequent service utilization overall, except for legal services, for which there was a significant positive association. These findings suggest targeted assessment and engagement strategies may be required to involve a greater number of drug-involved men who perpetrate IPV with a wider spectrum of health and social services.
Psychosocial Consequences of Intimate Partner Violence for Women and Men in Canada
Authors: Ansara Donna L. , Hindin Michelle J.
Published: May 2010

Although the negative health consequences of intimate partner violence (IPV) are well documented, most research has conceptualized IPV as a unitary construct and has primarily focused on the impact of physical violence. However, recent theoretical and empirical work suggests that IPV may be heterogeneous, with different consequences associated with different patterns of violence, abuse, and control. This study used latent class analysis to examine the psychosocial consequences associated with different patterns of physical violence, sexual coercion, psychological abuse, and controlling behavior. Data from 676 women and 455 men who were interviewed for the 2004 Canadian General Social Survey on Victimization were analyzed. The results suggest that experiencing any pattern of violence is associated with a range of negative psychosocial outcomes for both women and men. However, they also show the increasingly negative impact and perceived dangerousness of IPV for those experiencing more severe and chronic patterns of violence and control. These findings were particularly pronounced for women as they experienced the most chronic pattern of abuse and control documented in the study. The psychosocial consequences were also greater for women than for men with similar experiences of IPV. These results suggest that the psychosocial impact of IPV is influenced by gender and by the nature of the violence, abuse, and control experienced.
Multinational Firm Strategy and Global Poverty Alleviation
Authors: Chatterjee Samir Ranjan
Published: May 2010

Bottom of the Pyramid (BOP) strategies recognize for the first time that global companies can contribute to the alleviation of worldwide poverty by adopting non-traditional and mostly non-Western models of business involvement. It is now widely accepted that poverty and hunger arise not because there are no goods or food, but because billions of people lack income to purchase them. It is also a common belief that the private sector can play a significant role in lifting the poor from the margins of the market system. This would require strategic and mindset shifts in global companies leading to a very different path where their operations intersect with the greater good of communities, societies, and nations. Successful engagement in the untapped market space at the base of the global income pyramid calls for completely new capabilities, responsibilities, and values. Alliance building with local and non-traditional partners, promoting bottom-up solutions and understanding social sustainability are some of these new managerial challenges.

This article reflects on some of the critical challenges of global companies and global managers in their strategic engagement at the BOP and explores how large firms can become involved in the pursuit of social capital acquisition and how new approaches of public–private partnerships in reformulating the profit-performance links, the downscaling of products or services without compromising their quality and integrity, the bridging of the information and infrastructure gap, educating, and empowering the poor, together with innovations through technological adaptations can be managed through the embracing of new mindsets. A number of frameworks are presented with a view to contributing to the debate and outlining new value objectives for global companies.
Do Karma-Yogis Make Better Leaders?
Authors: Mulla Zubin R. , Krishnan Venkat R.
Published: May 2010

This article validates James MacGregor Burns’ hypothesis that moral development is a critical qualification of transformational leaders. In India, morality is conceptualized as Karma-Yoga, a technique for performing actions such that the soul is not bound by the results of the actions. Karma-Yoga has three dimensions—duty-orientation, indifference to rewards, and equanimity—and constitutes a comprehensive model for moral development in the Indian context. We studied 205 leader–follower pairs to investigate the impact of a leader’s Karma-Yoga and a follower’s belief in Indian philosophy on the follower’s perception of transformational leadership. We found that a leader’s duty-orientation was related to a leader’s charisma and inspirational motivation. The relationship was strengthened when a follower’s belief in Indian philosophy was high. The findings support a model of Indian transformational leadership built on the fundamental beliefs in Indian philosophy and duty-orientation.
Approaches to Implement Spirituality in Business
Authors: Thaker Keyur B.
Published: May 2010

Current managerial discourse and practices are dominated by the pioneering ideology of neo-liberalism, which translates to individual self-interest. This mode of functioning results in socially and environmentally dysfunctional organizations. The root cause of this phenomenon is the organization’s narrow focus on profitability and short-term pursuits. Strategy is short-term and narrowly focused and excludes aspects of business that benefit from longer term thinking such as competitiveness and sustainability. Integrating a spiritual perspective and cultivating spiritual qualities and vision in the individuals making up an organization leads to broader, long-term focus and fosters business competitiveness and sustainability. One approach to implementing spirituality is Practical Compassion, an approach drawn from seers, sages and ancient wisdom. This article discusses a down to earth and practical approach to implementing spirituality in the corporate environment. We will explore implementation (and measurement) of this approach by use of some of the popular performance measurement frameworks and models. The aim is to conceptualize, develop, and foster the use of a ‘spirituality scorecard’ as a tool to implement spirituality. We explore the methods and implications of integrating this approach in some of the world’s leading corporations by demonstrating use of the spirituality scorecard.
Structural Transformation and African Agriculture
Authors: Binswanger-Mkhize Hans P. , McCalla Alex F. , Patel Praful
Published: May 2010

The purpose of the Africa Emerging Markets Forum is to discuss the continent’s economic and social challenges and to share ideas for better results on the ground. This article focuses on the performance and potential contribution of agricultural development, first looking at the current constraints and then setting out some suggestions for the way forward.

Over the past 50 years, the normal structural decline in the share of agriculture in the economy and accompanying convergence of incomes in the agricultural and non-agricultural sectors, has not yet happened in sub-Saharan Africa. The economy, in terms of sector shares in total output, has been practically frozen, as has the structure of production within agriculture itself, its technology, and its mode of growth primarily via area expansion. As a consequence, African agriculture remains extremely under-capitalized, and the number of poor and hungry has increased in both the rural and urban areas.

Encouraging signs for a new beginning for agriculture discussed in this article include the resumption of economic growth, the reduction in agricultural dis-protection, the end of the secular downward trend in agricultural prices, growing domestic and regional demand for food, improvements in the institutional environment for rural development, and a growing commitment of African Governments to agricultural development. While there is much talk about another structural transformation in Africa toward large scale commercial farming, there appear to be diseconomies of scale in farming, while the success rate of large scale farming has been very limited in Africa. The family farm model therefore remains an appropriate model for most of African agricultural development.

To seize opportunities underlying the above-mentioned encouraging signs, sub-Saharan Africa will need to support economic growth by (a) continued sound macroeconomic policies, (b) removing of the remain-ing agricultural taxation that still disadvantages African farmers relative to all other farmers in the world, (c) improving services for small farmers, (d) significantly increasing investment in agricultural technology and its dissemination, (e) empowering local governments, communities, and farmer organizations for their own development, and (f) strengthening the already existing regional agricultural institutions.

An overall conclusion emanating from this article is for individual countries to adapt and customize the above broad goals into country-specific action plans to enhance the performance and contribution of the agriculture sector, in line with the CAADP (Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme) compacts on which they are already working.
Looking East
Authors: Brautigam Deborah
Published: May 2010

Asian investment and economic engagement in Africa is a prominent feature of this decade. This newly prominent engagement raises many issues for the emerging and frontier economies of Africa. What are the dimensions of this engagement? Do Asian partners offer anything different from Africa’s traditional partners? China is the most prominent of these Asian partners. This article concentrates first on the dimensions of this engagement: trade and investment flows. It then focuses on Chinese instruments for economic engagement on the continent. Five instruments are selected for discussion: (1) Lines of credit to Chinese multinationals; (2) Export credits; (3) Resource-backed loans; (4) China Africa Development Fund; and (5) China’s overseas special economic zones. A final section considers the impact of the global financial crisis on Chinese engagement, finding that some Chinese companies are using the crisis as an opportunity to deepen their investments, through countercyclical purchases.
Emancipatory Management: The Contradiction Between Practice and Discourse
Authors: Barros Marcos
Published: May 2010

Emancipatory management is a practice based on Habermas’ critical theory characterized by the search for both individual and collective fulfillment. This article presents the findings of a study conducted in two community organizations, one in Bahia (Brazil) the other in Quebec (Canada), that both espoused the values of emancipatory management. We applied a constructivist approach and used Participatory Action Research methodology to analyze how the potentials and the limits of an emancipatory management are influenced by cultural context. Our research revealed that contradictions exist between individual and collective emancipation values and between social discourse and organizational practice. On the one hand, individual autonomy linked to self-interest hindered collective objectives. On the other hand, external social action and discourse aligned with critical ideas of participation, solidarity, and collective well-being were directly opposed to internal practices of inequality, manipulation, and domination. We conclude by discussing how a critical perspective on organizational learning might offer a path toward collectively-created alternative practices.