bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gestational diabetes mellitus in Iran – experience from the National Diabetes Program
Authors: Mohammad Alavinia Seyed , Etemad Koorosh , Mahdavi Alireza , Omidvar Maryam , Imanpour Sara , Rahman Rudmilla , Haider Muhiuddin , Frank Jared
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the non‐communicable disease (NCD) known as gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Specifically, this paper aims to examine the influence of NCDs on health outcomes both worldwide and throughout the Islamic Republic of Iran, to discuss the current issues surrounding GDM and its impact on pregnant women and their children, and to present a new multi‐faceted approach for preventing future occurrences of GDM.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines the current issues surrounding NCDs and GDM, in terms of its prevalence and risk factors, and the efforts taken by the Iranian government to address the growing problem of GDM, through a comprehensive literature review. Further, this paper presents the basis for a new multi‐faceted approach for addressing and preventing GDM.

Findings

GDM is an NCD that can damage the health of both mothers and children. The disease has been linked to macrosomia, congenital cardiac and central nervous system abnormalities, and skeletal muscle deformities among neonates. Pregnant women who develop GDM are more likely to have induced labor, require caesarean section, and develop type 2 diabetes later in life. In the most severe cases, GDM can even result in fetal and maternal mortality. Worldwide prevalence of GDM varies by country, but Iranian women are a particularly high‐risk population. In fact, approximately one of every 20 pregnancies in Iran will be affected by complications and outcomes related to GDM.

Originality/value

In response to growing concerns surrounding the current prevalence of GDM both worldwide and within the Islamic Republic of Iran, along with the associated impact of GDM on health outcomes, the paper presents a multi‐faceted approach for addressing this NCD. This approach will involve a consolidated program of prevention and control with a focus on health‐care solutions which promote both awareness and education.
The ethics of employment relations in China: a meta‐analysis
Authors: He Yanzhen , Cai Tingting
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to critically evaluate the extant literature on ethics of employment relations in China. Toward that goal, a meta‐analytic approach is employed to conclude the business ethical issues from different results and lay foundation for further research by deeply understanding ethics of employment relation in China.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review procedure is developed to identify all relevant articles and meta‐analytic procedures are used to identify issues related to ethics of employment relations in China.

Findings

The results suggest there are not many researches on business ethics, especially ethics of employment relations in China. The authors examine the researches about business ethics in research methodology, research perspective, ethical dimensions of employment relations and relationship between variables and find some disadvantages. The authors feel ethics of employment relations in China should cause more concern, in both the theoretical and practical areas.

Originality/value

The paper explores academics’ perceptions towards ethical issues related to employment relations and shows the importance of ethics during the development of Chinese companies.
Energy efficiency and conservation in an office building: a case study
Authors: Hartungi Rusdy , Jiang Liben
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a case of an office building in England and show how the technology in energy efficiency in building will contribute to energy conservation.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a case of an office building. The building is then modelled and analysed using IES Virtual Environment VE to estimate the Target Emissions Rate (TER) and the Building Emissions Rate (BER) to see how the building could satisfy Part L of the Building Regulations.

Findings

The building in case use various sustainable solutions such as limiting the heat loss and gain through the fabric, ventilation system with a good high heat recovery system, increasing the availability of daylight and good lighting control system. The office building in the case study is in full compliance with Part L of the Building Regulations. The sustainable technology in the building will assist the compliance with Part L of the Building Regulations.

Research limitations/implications

This is a single case study building; more case studies for buildings of this nature are required.

Practical implications

The paper demonstrates various feasible solutions of sustainable technology in buildings that might help comply with the regulation.

Originality/value

The case study building is a real case taken directly from one of the author's projects when he was working as a building services engineer. This case study building and its sustainable features have not been presented before in an academic journal.
Non‐convex economic thermal power management with transmission loss and environmental factors
Authors: Ganesan S. , Subramanian S.
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to solve the optimal power dispatch problem of thermal generating units with cubic fuel cost and emission functions.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed Simplified Direct Search Method (SDSM) is developed from the Direct Search Method (DSM) that is a prevailing method for solving economic dispatch (ED) problems. The SDSM performs a direct search on solution space that starts with the minimum generation limits and provides the most economical schedule in a single execution for all load demands that the system can meet.

Findings

A simple methodology is developed to obtain the optimal dispatches of the generators in a thermal power plant. The results of the proposed methodology illustrate improvements in the savings of total cost and marginal reduction in transmission loss. It is also suitable for solving environmental constrained power dispatch problems. The proposed approach is computationally efficient for large‐scale systems.

Originality/value

A simple methodology has been developed to obtain the real power dispatches of thermal generating units with higher order fuel cost and emission functions.
Satisfaction and trust on customer loyalty: a PLS approach
Authors: Wah Yap Bee , Ramayah T. , Nushazelin Wan Shahidan Wan
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to test some antecedents and outcomes of satisfaction in the banking sector in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

A research model based on the customer satisfaction index (CSI) was developed and tested using structural equation modeling technique with the use of partial least squares (PLS) approach. Data was analyzed using 239 bank customer responses.

Findings

The results showed that satisfaction has a positive effect on trust and this trust leads to loyalty to the bank. Good complaint handling by banks will also elevate satisfaction, trust and loyalty.

Research limitations/implications

This work contributes to the existing literature on CSI models by introducing customer satisfaction as an antecedent of trust. The findings are limited by the constraints of the number of measures and the participation of banks in this study.

Practical implications

Banks should focus on building credibility trust and benevolence trust with their customers. Commercial service is of the utmost importance, and hence banks should develop strategies and train officers in delivering efficient communication and administrative service, as this will elevate customer satisfaction.

Social implications

This work contributes to the understanding of customer behavior, needs and preferences, which can help banks to improve customer satisfaction, trust and loyalty.

Originality/value

This paper adds to the existing literature on service satisfaction antecedents and outcomes in a developing country setting. Although there has been some research works on the same issue, their number has been very small in comparison to the literature appearing based on developed countries.
Unified communication: it's all between you and me
Authors: Fikry Amily , Abdul Ghani@Mukhtar Zaidi
Published: June 2012

Purpose

This paper aims to describe strategies to market unified communication products to the business market.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper highlights the key definition, benefits and the importance of unified communication products in Malaysia. At the end of the paper, various marketing strategies are suggested to market unified communication products to the business market.

Findings

The paper found that there is a need to use the right strategies to market unified communication products to the business market. The use of the right strategies will be able to attract this lucrative market to purchase unified communication products.

Research limitations/implications

Results are limited to practitioners involved in technology‐based industries only.

Practical implications

The managerial implications suggest several market strategies to market unified communication products, with a great emphasis on the impact of technological means towards this business market.

Originality/value

Specific market approaches are proposed as a means to market unified communication products to the business market.
Explaining intention to use an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system: an extension of the UTAUT model
Authors: Ling Keong Mei , Ramayah Thurasamy , Kurnia Sherah , May Chiun Lo
Published: June 2012

Purpose

This paper proposes an extended model based on the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) developed by Venkatesh et al. To help better explain the intention to use an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system.

Design/methodology/approach

Findings from the literature review reveal that various technology acceptance models have been introduced in the past two decades. However, there are new research models that lack empirical study. With the research model proposed above, further study could be carried out to gauge whether this model can better explain end‐users' intentions to use an ERP system.

Findings

The review shows that although there has been research conducted using the UTAUT model, it has not decomposed the facilitating conditions as the authors suggest in this paper, which will be useful for intervention purposes.

Research imitations/implications

Since this paper suggests a conceptual model based on a literature review, it is suggested that further study could be carried out to test whether this model can better explain end‐users' intentions to use ERP systems.

Practical implications

The review shows that shared beliefs, project communication and training can be used to offer intervention measures to help in the adoption and usage of ERP.

Originality/value

What this paper proposes is to drop the voluntariness variable from the model as a moderating factor, justifying this exclusion based on the fact that an ERP system implementation is mandatory and there is little room for the employees to oppose once the system is implemented. The authors also suggest further decomposing the facilitating condition into three components, namely shared beliefs, project communication and training can help in the design of intervention measures.
Unveiling the motivation to outsource among SMEs
Authors: Abdul‐Halim Hasliza , Hazlina Ahmad Noor , Ramayah T.
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand further the concept of outsourcing among small and medium‐sized industries (SMEs). The paper highlights the concept of outsourcing between SMEs and large organizations as well as the advantages and disadvantages of SMEs' outsourcing from the theoretical perspectives.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a conceptual paper based on an in‐depth literature review of outsourcing among SMEs.

Findings

The study is of value to SMEs not only in facilitating their acquaintance with the concept of outsourcing but also in enhancing their appreciation of outsourcing put into practice.

Research limitations/implications

The contribution of this paper is more theoretical and others can test this empirically in the future to get a better understanding of this phenomenon among SMEs.

Practical implications

It is crucial for SMEs to consider outsourcing their activities as a strategic tool to remain competitive in the dynamic environment.

Originality/value

This an under‐researched area whereby the practice of outsourcing among SMEs is elaborated.
“I'm going to do it!” versus honoring intention: how to set goals and really keep them!
Authors: Bentley Craig
Published: June 2012

Purpose

This paper discusses how each year we make lofty goals that we have difficulty following through on, it then offers some tips and examples for following through on your “going to dos”.

Design/methodology/approach

The author applies his own work experience as a business coach and uses real life business examples.

Findings

The author identifies a few common errors that people make that make it harder to achieve goals.

Practical implications

The author concludes that anyone can reach their goals if they approach them in the right way, and offers practical tips about how to do this.

Originality/value

The paper is relevant to most people, but it is especially geared to business people. It will appeal to anyone who has had trouble reaching the yearly self‐improvement goals that they have set for themselves.
An enterprise revolution for Egyptian universities
Authors: Kirby David , Ibrahim Nagwa
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the changes that are needed in order to create entrepreneurial graduate students and institutions in Egypt that are more relevant to the needs of the country post revolution, by applying the theories of entrepreneurship education and intrapreneurship to Egyptian universities.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use existing research on entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial institutions, combined with the results of primary research on Egyptian students, to determine what the country's universities ought to do if they are to meet the challenge.

Findings

It is concluded that Egyptian universities will need to transform not only what they teach, but how they teach, whilst at the same time transforming their own institutions in order to create more entrepreneurial learning environments.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is based on the application of theory and a limited study in one institution. A before and after experiment is needed on a larger scale, over a longer time‐period and in a cross section of institutions.

Practical implications

The results should inform both policy formulation and the delivery of education in Egypt and the Region.

Originality/value

The conclusions have relevance for educational policy makers, university administrators and university academics, not just in business and economics but across all disciplines, and not just in Egypt and the Middle East but more broadly.
The state of production and operations management (P/OM) teaching in United Arab Emirates universities
Authors: Abdulrahman Yousef Darwish
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the state of production and operations management (P/OM) teaching in universities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in terms of course characteristics, objectives, content, adopted textbooks, didactic materials, teaching faculty, teaching methods, assessment tools, and course requisites.

Design/methodology/approach

Due to the exploratory nature of this study and the small population surveyed, the author employed descriptive statistical analysis such as frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations.

Findings

The results show that in the majority of UAE universities offering P/OM as a college‐requirement course, it is being taught by highly qualified and well‐trained teaching faculty. The main objectives of P/OM courses are: teaching students how to analyse and understand situations from an operations perspective; understanding the links between strategy, production, capacity and core competencies; and preparing students to be able to understand how supply chains work, including the ability to forecast production levels. More emphasis is placed upon operational and tactical issues rather than on strategic issues. The most common assessment methods used in P/OM courses were found to be theoretical examinations with questions, student projects, practical examinations, and class participation. The most frequently covered topics in P/OM courses in UAE universities include competitiveness, strategy, productivity, strategic capacity planning for products and services, supply chain management, forecasting, introduction to operations management, product and service design, and management of quality. Lecturing is the main teaching method used in P/OM courses. The main didactic materials used were found to be textbooks, manuals of problems/solution and case studies, class notes taken by students, and externally produced software.

Research limitations/implications

This study has a number of limitations. For example, it is based mainly on a questionnaire as a tool of data collection. Questionnaires have a number of drawbacks which might affect the results of the study. In addition, the study is based only on the viewpoint of teaching faculty rather than students. Nevertheless, the implications of the study for course developers, instructors, and managers are discussed.

Originality/value

The paper is the first to assess P/OM teaching in UAE universities.
Methods of assessing students' learning in higher education
Authors: Alquraan Mahmoud F.
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the assessment methods used in higher education to assess students' learning, and to investigate the effects of college and grading system on the used assessment methods.

Design/methodology/approach

This descriptive study investigates the assessment methods used by teachers in higher education to assess their students' learning outcomes. An instrument consisting of 15 items (each item is an assessment method) was distributed to 736 undergraduate students from four public universities in Jordan.

Findings

Findings show that traditional paper‐pencil test is the most common method that is used to assess learning in higher education. Results also show that teachers in colleges of science and engineering and colleges of nursing use different assessment methods to assess learning, besides traditional testing such as: real life tasks (authentic assessment), papers, and projects. Also, the results show that teachers use the same assessment methods to assess learning, despite the grading systems (letter or numbers) used at their institutes.

Research limitations/implications

The sample of the study was limited to undergraduate students and teachers' points of views about the frequent use of assessment methods were not studied.

Practical implications

Higher education institutes should encourage teachers to use new and modern assessment methods as well as traditional paper‐pencil testing, and study the reasons for not using these new methods.

Originality/value

The paper should alert the higher education institutes about the important of developing the assessment process, through knowing their students' points of view about the assessment methods. This will help to get students involved in the learning process.
Thin capitalization and its practical application in Portugal: a note
Authors: Martins António
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is the analysis of an anti‐abuse clause inserted in the Portuguese corporate income tax code (CITC) to deal with some forms of tax avoidance, and the degree of complexity that its practical application can induce for tax payers and tax authorities. The clause is related to “thin capitalization”, and aims at preventing that the financing arrangements between a parent company and its worldwide affiliates can be a source of tax minimization.

Design/methodology/approach

The economic and tax justification for such a clause is presented, and its evolution, in the wake of the European Court of Justice's rulings is discussed. Then, the paper analyses the wording of article 67 and concludes that it can be a source of many doubts for taxpayers, tax authorities and tax courts, when litigation follows from divergent views of firms and tax auditors. The reason for difficulties in the clause's application is the same that plagues many other areas of taxation: there is an established rule, followed by one, or several, exceptions. The paper exemplifies some hypothetical situations that can render the clause applications as quite complex and uncertain.

Findings

The degree of subjectivism of the exceptions established in article 67 can be a source of significant tax complexity. However, being true that numerical rules can be simpler to use, principles make the application of the law to specific situations fairer, by giving courts room for discretion in appreciating each case on its merits, and not being bonded by an explicit rule. The paper argues that a higher level of fairness is worth some degree of complexity.

Research limitations/implications

When managers have to decide on financing plans, especially in multinational contexts, tax implications are at the forefront of relevant issues. Thin capitalization, when established in a way that postulates a rule, followed by exceptions, can render its actual impact in reported income quite ambiguous, given the judgments and technical complexities that can arise in the process.

Originality/value

The paper deals with practical complexities in applying the mentioned clause in the Portuguese CITC. It contributes to the literature by focusing on a micro interdisciplinary analysis – financial, accounting, legal and tax – of an anti‐avoidance mechanism inserted in many tax codes. As such, in every country that has a similar clause, it is at the interplay between law and management, given the potential impact of legal principles and rules in taxable income, corporate tax due, and rates of return.
Towards a conceptual design for environmental and social cost identification and measurement system
Authors: Nickie Petcharat Neungruthai , Mula Joseph M.
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify an effective management accounting system using sustainability accounting concepts for environmental and social cost measurement to add shareholder value. Suggestions from literature show that there is a need for a conceptual framework for environmental management accounting (EMA) and social management accounting (SMA) practices to be developed. This study therefore designs a conceptual model for a sustainability management accounting system (SMAS) combining EMA and SMA practices to create more accurate cost information of environment and social impacts. A SMAS also expands on activity based costing (ABC) application to help in the cost analysis and allocation of environment and social impacts. By applying a SMAS, companies generate more accurate cost information thus fully costing products for internal management decision and reporting purposes.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used mixed methods combining quantitative and qualitative research approaches to collect and analyse data to triangulate findings.

Findings

The results of the study indicate that companies are intending to change to new management accounting practices while looking for ways to improve cost identification and measurement of environment and social impacts.

Research limitations/implications

This study is limited to Australian non‐service manufacturing companies. As a SMAS is a new holistic management accounting approach, it provides companies with a way to create economic, environmental, and social value both immediately and in the future.

Originality/value

This study designs a SMAS conceptual model to contribute to the literature. By having a SMAS, companies could create more accurate cost information while fully costing products to effectively enhance management decisions on cost savings and greenhouse gas emission reductions.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and derivatives
Authors: Nunez Karen
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the value‐relevance of regulatory financial reporting requirements for jurisdictional public utilities, natural gas companies and oil pipelines in the USA.

Design/methodology/approach

An event study methodology is used to examine the stock market's response to regulatory accounting and reporting requirements. Also, the explanatory power of regulatory disclosures pertaining to fair values of on‐balance sheet derivatives is tested.

Findings

The empirical findings suggest the market responded favorably to the regulatory requirements, and the accounting and reporting changes are perceived as useful to investors in equity valuation.

Originality/value

This study extends the prior research by addressing the value relevance of disaggregated disclosures for on‐balance sheet derivatives. The results are generalizable to other standard setting environments, particularly in foreign markets that have experienced rapid growth in derivatives markets in recent years.
Determinants of intellectual capital reporting
Authors: Anam Ousama Abdulrahman , Fatima Abdul‐Hamid , Rashid Hafiz‐Majdi Abdul
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The objective of this paper is to examine the determinants (i.e. firm size, profitability, leverage, type of audit firm and industry type) of intellectual capital (IC) disclosure in the annual reports of Malaysian listed companies.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected from the 2006 annual reports of the selected listed companies; and analyzed using descriptive statistics, t‐test, correlation and regression analyses.

Findings

The paper found that firm size, profitability, industry type are determinants of IC disclosure (ICD) in the annual reports of Malaysian listed companies, while leverage and type of audit firm did not statistically influence ICD.

Research limitations/implications

The paper only used data from the 2006 annual reports. However, the findings have highlighted the importance of ICD determinants based on data from an emerging economy (i.e. Malaysian economy).

Practical implications

The paper provides empirical evidence on the current practices and determinants of ICD in the annual reports of the Malaysian listed companies. This evidence would help in understanding and determining factors that influence the extent of ICD. Subsequently, it could assist in enhancing ICD in the annual reports.

Originality/value

The paper contributes by extending the limited ICD literature in Malaysia. Furthermore, the paper has tested more determinants, deemed to influence ICD, compared to prior Malaysian studies. In addition, the paper used a larger sample size with a wider industry coverage compared to previous Malaysian literature.
Identity and sport: young French Canadians and the Montreal Canadiens hockey club
Authors: Richelieu André , Korai Bernard
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the cultural impact and the importance of the Montreal Canadiens hockey club for its francophone fans, as well as to define to which extent young French Canadians (“Quebecers”) associate themselves with the team as a part of their identity building process.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors have chosen an exploratory qualitative research. The paper first proceeded with four semi‐directed group discussions (120 people). Then the authors conducted individual interviews from a distinct sample group of 35 students. All respondents were between 18‐25 years old.

Findings

The associations of the identity form indelible memories that remain present in the heart of young French Canadians. The Montreal Canadiens appear to be an entity strongly tied to Francophone Quebec that both feeds and is fed by the team.

Research limitations/implications

Admittedly, looking at the underlying motivations of the adolescents, it comes back to exploring the very subjective domains of the respondents’ personalities.

Practical implications

Innovative marketing strategies in an experiential framework should be a priority to favour the appropriation of a sports team and its brand by young fans.

Originality/value

This paper underlines the importance of culture, identity and symbolism while building a sports team brand.
Contracting dynamics in the competitive dialogue procedure
Authors: Hoezen Mieke , Voordijk Hans , Dewulf Geert
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The competitive dialogue (CD) aims to align complex demands of principals with possible solutions that contractors have to offer. It is, however, unclear how formal and informal structures and processes in the CD are interrelated. The purpose of this paper is to provide insights in to the development of and the relationship between interaction processes during negotiations and commitments in terms of formal and informal contracts during a CD‐procured project.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a case study of a complex construction project, an event‐driven explanation is provided of the sequence in which a discrete set of critical events occur.

Findings

Critical events show that problems of understanding are caused by differences between the formal legal and the informal psychological contract of one of the parties involved. During all phases of a project, the parties involved oscillate between negotiations and commitments, depending on whether there is understanding or not. Negotiations and commitments act as substitutes. The formal legal contract and the informal psychological contract are complementary.

Practical implications

The competitive dialogue develops less promisingly than hoped for due to risk aversion actions by at least one of the parties involved. Insights of this study help to create more cooperative working relationships and to reduce failure costs of large complex projects.

Originality/value

The in‐depth case study offers a unique opportunity to reconstruct an intensive procurement process by detailed first‐hand information in a specific case.
Learning through briefing: for strategic facilities management in the health sector
Authors: Loosemore Martin , Chandra Venny
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the process of cultural learning during the briefing process, to enable facilities managers to move into more strategic roles in the health sector.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a new hospital as an in depth case study the authors use comparative cause mapping to illustrate the cultural learning processes between actors in the briefing process.

Findings

The focus during the briefing process is primarily on the mechanical transfer of explicit technical knowledge about building requirements rather than the cognitive learning of tacit cultural knowledge. This results in the omission of important strategic information in the briefing process.

Research limitations/implications

This research is limited to a single case study. Although this results in a high level of validity, more research is needed in other contexts to test the generalisability of the findings.

Practical implications

The new strategic model produced should help facility managers reconceptualise briefing as a cyclical process where project actors can arrive at a shared meaning of each other's values, beliefs and needs over time.

Social implications

More effective hospital facilities can significantly contribute to better health outcomes in communities.

Originality/value

This is the first time that briefing has been explored using cognitive cause mapping. It is also the first time that cultural learning has been explored in this context.
A therapeutic community for personality disorder in a high secure intellectual disability service: inception and early experiences
Authors: Taylor Jon , Trout Sarah , Christopher Janice , Bland Alan
Published: June 2012

Purpose

This paper seeks to explain the reasons for use of a therapeutic community for personality disorder in a high secure intellectual disability service.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper describes the rationale for, and early experiences of, a therapeutic community intervention for people with mild intellectual disability and personality disorder in a high secure setting.

Findings

No empirical findings are reported. Evaluation is being undertaken and will be reported in due course.

Originality/value

The therapeutic community approach has not been applied in forensic intellectual disability before, and this paper therefore describes an original and, in many ways, radical intervention.
How do differences in species and part consumption affect diet nutrient concentrations? A test with red colobus monkeys in Kibale National Park, Uganda
Authors: Ryan Amy M. , Chapman Colin A. , Rothman Jessica M.
Published: July 2012

Within a primate species, diet can be highly variable in composition, even at small spatial scales within the same forest, or temporally, suggesting that primates use different plant species and parts to meet similar nutritional needs. To test whether such differences in the plant species and parts that primates eat affects the nutrient concentrations that they obtain, we observed feeding of seven groups of red colobus monkeys (
Procolobus rufomitratus) residing in Kibale National Park, Uganda. The different groups consumed mostly young leaves from many of the same plant species, but spent different amounts of time feeding on them. As protein and fibre are suggested to be important determinants of colobine food choice and abundance, we analysed multiple samples of 47 food species for protein and fibre. Despite the differences in the plant species and parts eaten, the protein and fibre concentrations for the seven red colobus groups were similar. Our results suggest that colobus monkeys eating diets with differing amounts of species and parts may ultimately receive similar concentrations of nutrients.
Pharmacokinetics of flucloxacillin and cloxacillin in healthy subjects and patients on chronic intermittent haemodialysis.
Authors: Nauta EH , Mattie H
Published: July 2012

1 A pharmacokinetic study on flucloxacillin and cloxacillin was performed to investigate the factors contributing to the higher serum concentrations reported for the former after oral administration. 2 The results obtained in a study performed in a group of volunteers with flucloxacillin administered orally and by continuous infusion, were compared with the results of a similar investigation with cloxacillin. Patients on chronic intermittent haemodialysis received flucloxacillin orally and as a single i.v. injection. The results of this part of the study were compared with those of an earlier study on cloxacillin in haemodialysis patients. Serum and urine concentrations of flucloxacillin and cloxacillin were determined by bio‐assay, and a one‐ compartment model was used for the calculations. 3 Higher serum concentrations reached after oral administration of flucloxacillin as compared with cloxacillin were based not only on better oral absorption (53.7% and 32.9%, respectively) but also on slower (renal and extra‐ renal) elimination (T1/2 : 46 and 32 min, respectively). A significant difference between the apparent volumes of distribution of flucloxacillin and cloxacillin, which could contribute to higher serum concentrations, could not be demonstrated. Considerable individual variation occurs in the rate and amount of oral absorption, especially in patients. The elimination rate of flucloxacillin in haemodialysis patients (T1/2 : 2h 53 min) corresponds with the extra‐renal elimination rate in healthy subjects. No influence of haemodialysis on the elimination rate constant of flucloxacillin was found; total plasma clearance was, however, slightly but significantly higher during dialysis.
The acute effects of oral (‐)‐tryptophan in human subjects.
Authors: Greenwood MH , Lader MH , Kantameneni BD , Curzon G
Published: July 2012

1 The psychotropic effects of a single oral dose of (‐)‐tryptophan (5 g) in human volunteers were investigated using a series of physiological and psychological tests. 2 Self‐ratings of mood showed increase in drowsiness but no euphoria was detected. 3 Severe initial nausea occurred and headache increased; other bodily symptoms were unaffected. 4 Trptophan caused increased activity in the slow wavebands of the EEG but did not alter the other physiological measures. 5 The levels of total and free tryptophan in the plasma increased 8 and 20 fold respectively to peak levels 2 h after ingestion.
Pharmacokinetics of N‐demethyldiazepam in patients suffering from insomnia and treated with nortriptyline.
Authors: Tognoni G , Gomeni R , de Maio D , Alberti GG , Franciosi P , Scieghi G
Published: July 2012

1 Hospitalized patients suffering from insomnia were treated with N‐ demethyldiazepam (30 mg p.o.) for 10 days, while continuing treatment with nortriptyline (75 or 100 mg daily). 2 Clinical evaluation performed by objective rating scales showed a positive therapeutic effect. No correlation was found however between drug plasma levels and clinical efficacy. A high inter‐individual variability was observed. 3 In three cases the N‐demethyldiazepam disappearance curve showed a biexponential decay, with a slow first component followed by a faster one. 4 Compared with diazepam the tested drug has a longer plasma apparent half‐life and a lower relative clearance.
Kinetics of salicylate metabolism.
Authors: Gibson T , Zaphiropoulos G , Grove J , Widdop B , Berry D
Published: July 2012

1 Nine patients with rheumatoid arthritis or non‐inflammatory backache were given soluble aspirin (65 mg/kg body weight) daily. There was no significant difference between the plasma salicylate of those with rheumatoid arthritis and those with backache. 2 Two patients had plasma salicylate values that differed significantly from the remainder but neither these results nor the marginal differences between plasma salicylate levels of the others could be explained by individual variations in the capacity for excreting salicyluric acid or salicyl phenolic glucuronide. 3 Increasing the dose of aspirin in four patients demonstrated the reduced proportions of salicyluric acid and salicyl phenolic glucuronide excreted at high doses and the increased importance of unchanged salicylic acid as an excretory pathway. These findings are consistent with a limiting capacity for salicyluric acid and salicyl phenolic glucuronide synthesis and excretion. 4 The findings in one patient suggested that inter‐subject variations in the capacity for producing salicyl phenolic glucuronide and salicyluric acid may have an effect on plasma salicylate levels at high doses of aspirin.
A general equation for the ratio of the areas below the blood or plasma concentration time‐curves following intravenous and oral drug administration and its application to inter‐subject variations in drug elimination.
Authors: Vaughan DP , Trainor A
Published: July 2012

1 When a drug is metabolized in the liver the total area under the plasma or blood concentration‐time curve following oral drug administration is less than the area obtained after intravenous drug administration. This difference has been termed the 'first‐pass effect'. 2 General equations for the areas below the blood or plasma concentration‐time curve of a drug following intravenous and oral drug administration are derived. 3 An explicit expression for the ratio of areas below the blood or plasma concentration‐time curves following intravenous and oral drug administration is derived. 4 By the application of the derived equations it is shown that the relative contribution of hepatic drug metabolism and urinary excretion to inter‐ subject variation in drug elimination can be easily ascertained.
Disposition of disodium cromoglycate administered in three particle sizes.
Authors: Curry SH , Taylor AJ , Evans S , Godfrey S , Zeidifard E
Published: July 2012

1 Disodium cromoglycate (DSCG) was administered in three particle sizes to five human subjects. 2 Urinary excretion of DSCG, as a proportion of the dose, was highest following small particles; the lower values recorded following intermediate‐sized and large particles were similar. 3 DSCG deposited in the mouth was highest following large particles; the lower values recorded following intermediate‐sized and small particles were similar. 4 The data were examined in relation to the recent observation that the protective effect of small particles of DSCG is dramatically superior to that of large particles.
Bioassay of aldosterone antagonists in normal human subjects: a relationship between the level of plasma uric acid before treatment and apparent drug responses.
Authors: Ramsay LE , Hessian P , Tidd MJ
Published: July 2012

The activity of single doses of SC‐23992, a new aldosterone antagonist, and spironolactone in reversing the effects of fludrocortisone on urinary electrolyte composition in normal subjects was compared with that of placebo in a double‐blind crossover study. 2 SC‐23992 (50 mg) and spironolactone (125 mg) each significantly increased sodium excretion and the sodium : potassium (Na/K) ratio, and decreased potassium excretion, when compared with placebo. The response to the two active drugs did not differ significantly. 3 The urine Na/K ratio, and log10 Na/K, in response to spironolactone correlated negatively with the level of plasma uric acid measured 12 h before treatment. Similar trends were present after SC‐23992 and placebo treatments. 4 It is suggested that the correlations between plasma uric acid and apparent drug response reflect a correlation between plasma uric acid and the aldosterone secretion rate in normal subjects. The sensitivity of this method of bioassay may be improved by suppressing endogenous aldosterone prior to medication.
First‐in‐man safety and pharmacokinetics of synthetic ozonide OZ439 demonstrates an improved exposure profile relative to other peroxide antimalarials
Authors: Moehrle Joerg J. , Duparc Stephan , Siethoff Christoph , van Giersbergen Paul L. M. , Craft J. Carl , Arbe‐Barnes Sarah , Charman Susan A. , Gutierrez Maria , Wittlin Sergio , Vennerstrom Jonathan L.
Published: July 2012

Aims

To assess the safety and pharmacokinetics of a new synthetic ozonide antimalarial, OZ439, in a first‐in‐man, double‐blind study in healthy volunteers.

Methods

OZ439 was administered as single oral daily doses of a capsule formulation (50–1200 mg) or an oral dispersion (400–1600 mg, fed and fasted states) and for up to 3 days as an oral dispersion (200–800 mg day−1). Plasma concentrations of OZ439 and its metabolites were measured by LC‐MS.

Results

The pharmacokinetic (PK) profile of OZ439 was characterized by a tmax of around 3 h, followed by a multiphasic profile with a terminal half‐life of 25–30 h. The PK parameters were approximately dose proportional for each group and profiles of the metabolites followed a similar pattern to that of the parent compound. Following dosing for 3 days, accumulation was less than two‐fold but steady‐state was not achieved. In the presence of food, no effect was observed on the t1/2 of OZ439 while the exposure was increased by 3 to 4.5‐fold. Exposure was higher and inter‐subject variability was reduced when OZ439 was administered as an oral dispersion compared with a capsule. The urinary clearance of OZ439 and its metabolites was found to be negligible and OZ439 did not induce CYP3A4. The antimalarial activity profiles of a subset of serum samples suggested that the major antimalarial activity originated from OZ439 rather than from any of the metabolites.

Conclusion

The safety and pharmacokinetic profile of OZ439 merits progression to phase 2a proof of concept studies in the target population of acute uncomplicated malaria.
Innate affairs of allergens
Authors: Thomas W. R.
Published: July 2012

Activation of receptors of the innate immune system is a critical step in the initiation of immune responses. It has been shown that dominant allergens have properties that could allow them to interact with toll‐like and C‐type lectin receptors to favour Th2‐biased responses and many bind lipids and glycans that could associate with ligands to mimic pathogen‐associated microbial patterns. In accord with the proposed allergen‐specific innate interactions it has been shown that the immune responses to different allergens and antigens from the same source are not necessarily coordinately regulated.
The impact of dysglycaemia on bone mineral accrual in young people with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Rana Malay , Munns Craig F. , Selvadurai Hiran , Briody Julie , Craig Maria E.
Published: July 2012

Objective

The effect of dysglycaemia on bone mineral density (BMD) has not been studied in young people with CF. We examined factors associated with BMD in a tertiary paediatric CF clinic.

Design

Retrospective, clinic‐based study at The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney.

Patients

Young people with CF aged ≤18 years.

Measurements

Bone mineral density was measured by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry; main outcome measures were total body (TB), lumbar spine (LS) and femoral neck (FN) BMD and bone mineral content (BMC), and LS volumetric BMD (vBMD), reported as z scores for height. Dysglycaemia, based on oral glucose tolerance test, was defined as CF‐related diabetes (CFRD) or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT).

Results

Overall, 14 of 81 (17%) had CFRD, 6 (7%) IGT and 61 (76%) normal glucose tolerance (NGT). Mean age was 14·9 ± 2·4 years and mean height z score −0·68 ± 1·39. Osteopenic (z score ≤−2) TB, LS or FN BMD was present in 30 of 81 (37%), BMC in 42 (52%) and vBMD in 10 (5%). Across the three groups, there were differences in LS vBMD (CFRD, −0·67 ± 0·76; IGT, −0·52 ± 0·76; NGT, −0·05 ± 1·39; P = 0·04), LS BMD (P < 0·01), LS BMC (P = 0·01) and TB BMD (P = 0·01). In multivariate linear regression, LS BMC was associated with dysglycaemia (β = 0·56; 95% CI, 0·00–1·13; P = 0·05) and approached significance for FEV1 (β = 0·01; 95% CI, 0·00–0·02; P = 0·06).

Conclusions

Dysglycaemia is associated with reduced bone mass accrual in youth with CF, in addition to recognized factors such as abnormal lung function, poor nutritional status and disease severity. Bone health assessment is essential in youth with CF.