bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Songs of the Sirens
Authors: Vermeulen Freek
Published: August 2008

Some companies think that mergers or acquisitions can put them on the path to greater success. Freek Vermeulen points out the warning signs along the path that show when a deal is not a good deal.
The heart of leadership
Authors: Crainer Stuart , Dearlove Des
Published: August 2008

The most important skill of a leader is too often overlooked, according to Stuart Crainer and Des Dearlove. The best leaders, they have found, practise the eight key disciplines for communicating clearly.
Searching for the Soul of Leadership
Authors: Danby Peter
Published: August 2008

Peter Danby feels that the wisdom of the past is as relevant to developing leadership as the contemporary subjects taught in business schools. He values stillness and contemplation as an approach to mastering leadership skills. And that's exciting.
The Dynamics and Functions of Self‐Organization in the Fuzzy Front End: Empirical Evidence from the Austrian Semiconductor Industry
Authors: Koch Rudolph , Leitner Karl‐Heinz
Published: August 2008

This paper studies the functions, impacts and dynamics of self‐organization in the fuzzy front end of innovation. Based on a case study approach, the new product development processes of five Austrian semiconductor companies are analysed. We adopt a complexity science perspective which stresses that self‐organization and emergence are key elements of the new product development process. We found that self‐organization mechanisms occur in two ways. First, self‐organizational activities support formal and top‐down managed new product development processes. In this way, they contribute to the acceleration and adaptation of the new product development process and are also a way to overcome bureaucratic structures. Second, we found evidence for the existence of purely emergent bottom‐up processes in many cases. In this context, employees intrinsically and without any explicit order or strategy took initiatives to innovate. Such activities run in parallel to or precede formal new product development processes and employees deliberately bypass and even ignore formal processes such as financial incentive systems, suggestion schemes and patenting rules in order to promote their ideas. These activities are often secret until they are mature enough to be presented to the management, when they are then, if evaluated positively, incorporated as official projects in the new product development process.
Amerindian Amazons: women, exchange, and the origins of society
Authors: Steverlynck Astrid
Published: August 2008

The Amerindian myths of Amazon‐like women, widespread in lowland South America, refer to the primordial exchange of particular ritual objects between men and women:ciba, greenstones, flutes, axes. This primordial exchange represents the socially creative moment that led to the establishment of society and provides a general model for social relationships. The ritual exchange or circulation of these objects in other spheres involving male‐male relationships turns ordinary exchanges into socially creative exchanges by ritually re‐creating the exchange described in the myths. The myths shift the focus from male‐male relationships to female‐male relationships as the basis of society and provide a commentary on the significance of exchange and social relationships in lowland South America.

Largement répandus dans les plaines d'Amérique du Sud, les mythes amérindiens évoquant des femmes comparables aux Amazones font référence à l'échange primordial d'objets rituels particuliers entre hommes et femmes :ciba, pierres vertes, flûtes, haches . . . Ces échanges primordiaux représentent le moment socialement créatif qui a débouché sur l'établissement de la société, et donnent un modèle général des relations sociales. L'échange ou la circulation rituels de ces objets dans d'autres sphères impliquant une relation d'homme à homme transforme ces transactions ordinaires en processus socialement créatifs en recréant rituellement l'échange décrit par les mythes. Il déplace l'accent des relations femmes‐hommes aux relations hommes‐hommes comme base de la société, et apporte un éclairage sur la signification des échanges et des relations sociales dans les plaines d'Amérique du Sud.
Comparing the contribution of two tests of working memory to reading in relation to phonological awareness and rapid naming speed
Authors: Georgiou George K. , Das J. P. , Hayward Denyse V.
Published: August 2008

The purpose of this study was to compare the contribution of two different versions of working memory to word reading and reading comprehension in relation to phonological awareness and rapid naming speed. Fifty children were administered two measures of working memory, namely an adaptation of the Daneman and Carpenter sentence span task and Sentence Question, tests of phonological awareness, rapid naming speed, word reading and reading comprehension. The results indicated that Sentence Question accounted for unique variance over and beyond the effects of Daneman and Carpenter's sentence span task, whereas the latter did not when the effects of Sentence Question were partialled out. In addition, both phonological awareness and rapid naming were accounting for unique variance beyond the effects of working memory in predicting reading. The role of working memory on reading is discussed, and future directions for research are suggested.
Corporate Real Estate Sale and Leaseback Effect: Empirical Evidence from Europe
Authors: Grönlund Tomi , Louko Antti , Vaihekoski Mika
Published: August 2008

Corporate real estate disposals have increased in Europe during the past few years. In this research paper, we study market reactions of publicly traded European companies' real estate sale and leaseback announcements during 1998–2004. This study is one of the first ones to study the sale and leaseback impact on corporate value with a pan‐European data. We find that the sale and leaseback announcements have on average positive impact to firm's value which is in line with the previous studies. However, we also find that the positive effect is mainly caused by the deals with high transaction value to company market value ratio. Smaller transactions do not create on average any abnormal returns. Our results support the hypothesis that the positive sale and leaseback announcement effect is a consequence of revealed hidden value of the company's assets. Thus, sale and leaseback can also be seen as a mechanism for revealing the hidden value of company's assets to the market.
Trust in Financial Markets
Authors: Mayer Colin
Published: August 2008

This paper examines contemporaneous and historical evidence on the structure of ownership and control of corporate sectors in developed countries to draw lessons for development of financial markets. It records the critical role that equity markets played in the ownership and financing of corporations at the beginning of the 20th century. It notes that this occurred in the absence of formal systems of regulation and that equity markets functioned on the basis of informal relationships of trust. These were sustained through local stock markets in the UK, banks in Germany, and business coordinators and family firms in Japan. The paper explores the concept of trust that is required to promote the development of financial markets.
The relationship between perceived training opportunities, work motivation and employee outcomes
Authors: Dysvik Anders , Kuvaas Bård
Published: August 2008

The purpose of this study was to explore alternative relationships between training opportunities and employee outcomes. A cross‐sectional survey of 343 trainees from a broad range of Norwegian service organizations showed that the relationship between perceived training opportunities, and both task performance and citizenship behaviors were fully mediated, and that the relationship between perceived training opportunities and turnover intention was partially mediated by employee intrinsic motivation. In addition, intrinsic motivation was found to moderate the relationship between perceived training opportunities and organizational citizenship behaviors. The form of the moderation revealed a positive relationship for those with high intrinsic motivation. In sum, the variables included as predictors in our study explained 13 per cent of the variance in task performance, 19 per cent of the variance in organizational citizenship behavior and 24 per cent of the variance in turnover intention. Implications for practice and directions for future research are discussed.
Continued usage of e‐learning communication tools: a study from the learners' perspective in Hong Kong
Authors: Hung Humphry , Cho Vincent
Published: August 2008

In line with the mainstream research on e‐learning, we propose a model of the continued usage of e‐learning communication tools by learners. We observe in particular that there are two less studied but potentially very important factors, learning self‐efficacy and compatibility of values and beliefs with learning tools, which may contribute significantly to the continued usage of e‐learning communication tools. We carried out a study of 682 e‐learners and the results support our propositions.
Leader influences on training effectiveness: motivation and outcome expectation processes
Authors: Scaduto Anne , Lindsay Douglas , Chiaburu Dan S.
Published: August 2008

Training effectiveness is a function of trainee characteristics, training design and contextual factors. Social exchanges in the work environment have received less attention compared with other training effectiveness predictors. We focus on the extent to which leaders (through their relationships and exchanges with followers) influence skill transfer, maintenance and generalization. We also examine two intervening processes (training motivation and outcome expectancy). Our findings, based on surveys from 495 employees, argue for the importance of leader–member exchange for training transfer, with training motivation and outcome expectancy as intervening mechanisms.
Efficient Association Study Design Via Power‐Optimized Tag SNP Selection
Authors: Han B. , Kang H. M. , Seo M. S. , Zaitlen N. , Eskin E.
Published: August 2008

Discovering statistical correlation between causal genetic variation and clinical traits through association studies is an important method for identifying the genetic basis of human diseases. Since fully resequencing a cohort is prohibitively costly, genetic association studies take advantage of local correlation structure (or linkage disequilibrium) between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) by selecting a subset of SNPs to be genotyped (tag SNPs). While many current association studies are performed using commercially available high‐throughput genotyping products that define a set of tag SNPs, choosing tag SNPs remains an important problem for both custom follow‐up studies as well as designing the high‐throughput genotyping products themselves. The most widely used tag SNP selection method optimizes the correlation between SNPs (r2). However, tag SNPs chosen based on an r2 criterion do not necessarily maximize the statistical power of an association study. We propose a study design framework that chooses SNPs to maximize power and efficiently measures the power through empirical simulation. Empirical results based on the HapMap data show that our method gains considerable power over a widely used r2‐based method, or equivalently reduces the number of tag SNPs required to attain the desired power of a study. Our power‐optimized 100k whole genome tag set provides equivalent power to the Affymetrix 500k chip for the CEU population. For the design of custom follow‐up studies, our method provides up to twice the power increase using the same number of tag SNPs as r2‐based methods. Our method is publicly available via web server at http://design.cs.ucla.edu.
Value‐based labels for fresh beef: an overview of French consumer behaviour in a BSE crises context
Authors: Sans Pierre , De Fontguyon Guy , Giraud Georges
Published: August 2008

In the last decade, the French beef industry has been through two major health scares related to bovine spongiform encephalopathy. This paper describes and discusses changes in beef supply in France from the consumer's perspective. The authors review the initiatives implemented in each crisis and show that the immediate effects (slump in consumption), however spectacular, were not the most lasting effects. By contrast, responses from the industry and the authorities brought about a far‐reaching change in practices by requiring new instruments to be used (traceability). Yet the information conveyed by this innovation cannot readily be appropriated by consumers who are not conversant with the characteristics of beef production systems.
Neural plasticity and addiction: integrin‐linked kinase and cocaine behavioral sensitization
Authors: Chen Qiang , Xiong Xueying , Lee Tong H. , Liu Yingmiao , Wetsel William C. , Zhang Xiuwu
Published: August 2008

Behavioral sensitization of psychostimulants was accompanied by alterations in a variety of biochemical molecules in different brain regions. However, which change is actually related to drug‐produced sensitization lacks of accurate clarification. In this study, we investigated the role of integrin‐linked kinase (ILK) in both the induction and expression of cocaine sensitization. Conditional inhibition of ILK expression was established in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) core by microinjecting recombinant adeno‐associated virus‐carrying, tetracycline‐on‐regulated small interfering RNA which reversed the chronic cocaine‐induced psychomotor sensitization, as well as the changes in protein kinase B Ser473 phosphorylation, dendritic density, and dendritic spine numbers locally. Importantly, the reversed psychomotor sensitization did not recover after cessation of the silencing for 8 days. We also demonstrated that inhibition of ILK expression pre‐ and during‐chronic cocaine treatments blocked the induction of cocaine psychomotor sensitization and abolished the stimulant effect of cocaine on ILK expression. In contrast, inhibition of ILK expression in the NAc core has no significant effect on cocaine‐induced stereotypical behaviors. This concludes that ILK is involved in cocaine sensitization with the earlier induction and later expression functioning as a kinase to regulate protein kinase B Ser473 phosphorylation and a scaffolding protein to regulate the reorganization of the NAc spine morphology.
Eradicating Helicobacter pylori in Peptic Ulcer Disease Reduces Medical Costs in the Community
Authors: Sone Yasuhiro , Kumada Takashi , Toyoda Hidenori , Yokoyama Mitsuyoshi , Kato Mototsugu , Asaka Masahiro
Published: August 2008

Background:  Eradicating Helicobacter pylori markedly reduces ulcer recurrence in patients with peptic ulcer disease (PUD). Many decision analysis studies have concluded that eradicating H. pylori in PUD patients is more cost‐effective than maintaining antisecretory therapy. In 1995, we introduced an H. pylori eradication program into a large transportation company that experienced increased incidences of PUD among its employees along with increased medical costs, and we performed trend analysis of the actual medical costs of PUD in this cohort.

Methods:  In this cohort, there were approximately 8500 employees. H. pylori‐positive PUD patients were identified at the annual health check up. The patients received eradication therapy with lansoprazole, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin. After eradication, the patients were followed up by a yearly health check up. The annual number of patients who received eradication was recorded, and the annual direct medical costs of PUD therapy were analyzed.

Results:  A total of 440 H. pylori‐positive PUD patients received eradication therapy in a 7‐year period. Based on an intention‐to‐treat analysis, the eradication rate was 84.5% (372 of 440). The largest number of patients who received eradication therapy was found in 1995 (n = 115), and from 1995 to 2001 this number decreased yearly by 12.5 (95% confidence interval (CI): 5 to 20). Between 1989 and 1995, the annual medical costs arising of PUD therapy increased by ¥2.25 million (95% CI: 1.19 to 3.31) per year, being highest (¥22.75 million) in 1995. Between 1995 and 2001, the costs decreased by ¥3.88 million (95% CI: 3.16 to 4.59) per year. The cost in 2001 was 5.7% of the cost in 1995. The eradication program was terminated in 2001 because the prevalence of PUD diminished markedly, and the associated medical costs decreased as well.

Conclusions:  H. pylori eradication could reduce the number of PUD patients and associated medical costs in the workplace setting.
Dronedarone: A New Treatment for Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: LAUGHLIN JAMES C. , KOWEY PETER R.
Published: August 2008

Dronedarone is a benzofuran derivative pharmacologically related to amiodarone but without the iodine moiety. It is designed for the treatment of atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter. Historically, amiodarone has proved most effective in maintaining sinus rhythm and has been used safely in patients with advanced heart failure. However, its use has been limited by cumulative and often irreversible organ toxicity, especially in younger patients. Dronedarone was developed in an effort to provide equivalent efficacy and safety with less toxicity. Dronedarone has proved efficacious without toxic or proarrhythmic effects and has minimal side effects, but remaining concerns exist regarding its use in patients with advanced heart failure.
Elevated thymosin β15 expression is associated with progression and metastasis of non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: GU YU‐MEI , LI SHU‐YU , QIU XUE‐SHAN , WANG EN‐HUA
Published: August 2008

Thymosin β15 (Tβ15) is a small protein that comprises 44 amino acid residues. Tβ15 is upregulated in malignant human prostate and breast tumors. The expression of Tβ15 correlates with the metastatic potential of mouse lung cancer and human breast carcinoma cells. However, the correlation of Tβ15 expression with human lung cancer remains unclear. Using immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization, we analyzed the expression of Tβ15 in tumors and tumor‐adjacent tissues obtained from 76 patients with non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The relationship between Tβ15 expression and clinicopathological factors was investigated. Our findings showed that in NSCLC, Tβ15 protein and mRNA were mainly expressed in the cytoplasm, and their expression correlated with stage (p=0.018 for both), differentiation (p=0.013 and 0.006, respectively), and lymph node metastasis (p=0.001 and 0.009, respectively). Tβ15 expression was examined in PG‐BE1 and PG‐LH7 lung cancer cells. We found that both Tβ15 protein and mRNA were highly expressed in BE1 cells as compared to LH7 cells. After transfecting the PG‐LH7 cells with the pEGFP‐Tβ15 plasmid in order to increase Tβ15 expression, the migration ability of the cells was enhanced. These findings suggest that increased Tβ15 expression correlates with the progression and metastasis of NSCLC.
Immune response to Helicobacter pylori and its association with the dynamics of chronic gastritis in the antrum and corpus
Authors: VOROBJOVA TAMARA , MAAROOS HEIDI‐INGRID , UIBO RAIVO
Published: August 2008

The aim of the study was to establish possible factors which play a role in progression of gastritis to atrophic gastritis in long‐term follow‐up among the Estonian population, to assess the association between the host immune response and different Helicobacter pylori antigens and autoantigens in relation to the histological parameters of gastritis in the antrum and corpus. ELISA and immunoblot were used for detection of IgG to H. pylori acid glycine‐extracted cell surface proteins, CagA protein, and H. pylori HSP60. Anticanalicular autoantibodies (ACAB) in the serum were evaluated according to Faller et al. (1996). Apoptosis was evaluated using the TUNEL method. Study subjects were 1958 persons from an unselected Estonian population, and 70 persons from a sample from Saaremaa Island, who had been investigated over a period of 18 years. Seropositivity for CagA was a sign of gastritis activity [OR=14.8 (4.5–50.3)] and atrophy [OR=7.0 (2.1–23.1)] and might predict development of atrophy, particularly in the corpus [OR=7.1 (1.8–27.7)]. The prevalence of ACAB increased significantly with duration of H. pylori gastritis from 22% in 1985 to 46% in 1997 (p=0.004). Immune response to H. pylori HSP60 indicates chronic inflammation in the antrum (p=0.003). Apoptosis of gastric epithelial cells is largely dependent on grade of activity of gastritis, and, particularly in the antrum, on grade of H. pylori colonization (p=0.01; p=0.02), but is not associated with development of atrophy. Seropositivity for different H. pylori antigens (CagA, HSP 60) serves as a marker of different histological manifestations in the antrum and corpus mucosa.
Lobular carcinoma metastasis to endometrial polyp unrelated to tamoxifen
Authors: MANIPADAM M. T. , WALTER N. M. , SELVAMANI B.
Published: August 2008

Endometrial polyps are rare sites for metastatic breast carcinoma. Such cases have mostly been reported in tamoxifen‐related polyps. We report a case of lobular carcinoma with metastasis to an endometrial polyp in a patient with no history of tamoxifen therapy. The histological features of the polyp in our case closely mimicked those of tamoxifen‐related polyps, emphasizing the fact that—although characteristic—these features are not specific for tamoxifen. This case also reiterates the need for careful evaluation of endometrial polyps, since inconspicuous deposits of lobular carcinoma can easily be missed.
Analysis of children with Chlamydophila (Chlamydia) pneumoniae and Mycoplasma pneumoniae respiratoryinfections by real‐time PCR assay and serological tests
Authors: OTOMO SHINOBU , YAMAMURA JUN‐ICHI , HAYASHI ERINA , NAKAMURA TSUNEYUKI , KAKINUMA HIROAKI , NAKAMOTO YUMI , TAKAHASHI HIROAKI , KARASAWA TADAHIRO
Published: August 2008

We examined 73 children with respiratory infections for Chlamydophila (Chlamydia) pneumoniae and Mycoplasma pneumoniae using real‐time PCR assay and serological tests. C. pneumoniae and M. pneumoniae infections were found in 11 (15.1%) and 6 (8.2%) cases, respectively. The sensitivities and specificities of real‐time PCR versus definite diagnosis of acute infection were 63.6% and 100% for C. pneumoniae, and 100% and 100% for M. pneumoniae, respectively. C. pneumoniae PCR‐negative results appeared to be due to poor growth of the organism. The sensitivity and specificity of ImmunoCard tests were 33.3% and 82.1%, respectively, indicating that the efficacy of rapid diagnosis was disputable. The present results suggest that real‐time PCR is suitable for rapid diagnosis as a first screening test to determine first‐line antibacterial agents to be used against these infectious diseases.
Evolution of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 serotypes in northern Tanzania: a retrospective study
Authors: NYOMBI BALTHAZAR M. , NKYA WATOKY , BARONGO LONGIN , BJUNE GUNNAR , KRISTIANSEN KNUT I. , MÜLLER FREDRIK , HOLM‐HANSEN CAROL
Published: August 2008

The HIV‐1 epidemic in Tanzania is characterized by the circulation of heterogeneous virus subtypes. A retrospective study was conducted to determine the changing pattern of circulating HIV‐1 subtypes in northern Tanzania. A peptide‐binding enzyme immunoassay (PEIA) was employed to analyse 305 HIV‐1 positive serum and plasma samples collected between 1985 and 2005. Samples were serotyped using synthetic peptides representing HIV‐1 genotypes A–E derived from consensus gp120 V3 sequences. Plasma samples collected in 2005 were V3 genotyped for comparison with PEIA results. In 1985, serotypes A and D were co‐circulating while serotype C was first detected in 1990. In 2001 and 2005, serotype C was the most prevalent, serotype A was stable, and serotype D was declining. PEIA is relatively rapid and simple to perform compared to molecular approaches, and is a valuable epidemiological tool in regions with limited resources. HIV‐1 classification into serotypes based on antigenic V3 diversity may be a useful screening tool for the identification of HIV‐1 variants with regard to diagnosis, treatment, disease progression and candidate vaccine development.
Cytolethal distending toxin upregulates RANKL expression in Jurkat T‐cells
Authors: BELIBASAKIS GEORGIOS N. , BRAGE MONICA , LAGERGÅRD TERESA , JOHANSSON ANDERS
Published: August 2008

Cytolethal distending toxin, a bacterial exotoxin produced by a number of Gram‐negative species, causes growth arrest and morphological alterations in host cells. Among these species are Haemophilus ducreyi, the etiological agent of chancroid, and the periodontal pathogen Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, highly implicated in localized aggressive periodontitis. CDT induces receptor activator of NF‐χB ligand (RANKL) expression in periodontal fibroblasts, the key bone‐resorbing cytokine. T‐cells are actively involved in localized inflammation‐induced bone destruction, including periodontitis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of purified CDT on the expression of RANKL and its decoy receptor osteoprotegerin (OPG), in the Jurkat T‐cell line. Quantitative real‐time PCR indicated that 100 pg/ml of purified H. ducreyi CDT upregulated RANKL mRNA expression by 2.2‐fold, after 24 h of exposure. This increase was corroborated by a 2.0‐fold increase in RANKL protein release, as determined by ELISA. OPG was not detected in this experimental system. In conclusion, CDT enhances RANKL expression in T‐cells, denoting that these cells are a potential target for the toxin and strengthening the potential link between this virulence factor and mechanisms associated with localized bone resorption.
Expression of EGFR and c‐kit is associated with the basal‐like phenotype in breast carcinomas of African women
Authors: NALWOGA HAWA , ARNES JARLE B. , WABINGA HENRY , AKSLEN LARS A.
Published: August 2008

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and c‐kit are tyrosine kinase growth factor receptors which are frequently expressed in basal‐like breast carcinomas, and tyrosine kinase inhibition is now a promising strategy in treatment of breast cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of EGFR and c‐kit in breast cancer with special focus on the basal‐like phenotype (BLP) and other prognostic factors in an African population. We analyzed 65 archival tissues immunohistologically. EGFR and/or c‐kit were expressed in 55% of basal‐like tumors. Expression of EGFR and/or c‐kit was strongly associated with high histologic grade (P=0.001), high nuclear grade (P=0.017), high mitotic counts (P=0.002), ER negativity (P=0.003), PR negativity (P=0.007), and HER2 negativity (P=0.014). EGFR and/or c‐kit positive tumors were more likely to express the BLP (OR 9.1, CI 2.6–32.0, P<0.0005) than the negative tumors. In conclusion, there is a high expression of EGFR and/or c‐kit in basal‐like breast carcinoma in this series from Uganda and their expression is associated with features of poor prognosis. More studies are required to assess the clinical significance of EGFR and c‐kit in breast cancer patients in Uganda.
The relationship between periodontal disease and preterm low birthweight: clinical and microbiological results
Authors: Vettore M. V. , Leão A. T. , Leal M. do C. , Feres M. , Sheiham A.
Published: August 2008

Background and Objective:  Findings on the effect of periodontal disease on preterm low birthweight are inconclusive. The objective of this study was to compare periodontal clinical measures and the levels and proportions of 39 bacterial species in subgingival biofilm samples in puerperal women with preterm low birthweight and nonpreterm low birthweight.

Material and Methods:  A case‐control study with 116 postpartum women over 30 years of age was conducted. Four case groups of subjects with preterm and/or low birthweight [preterm (n = 40), low birthweight (n = 35), preterm and/or low birthweight (n = 50) and preterm and low birthweight (n = 25)] were compared with normal nonpreterm low‐birthweight controls (n = 66). Periodontal clinical parameters of dental plaque, calculus, bleeding on probing, periodontal pocket depth and clinical attachment level were recorded. Covariates included socio‐demographic and anthropometric characteristics, smoking, alcohol consumption, obstetric history, prenatal care and diseases during pregnancy. Two subgingival biofilm samples per women were analyzed for 39 bacterial species using a checkerboard DNA–DNA hybridization technique.

Results:  The mean periodontal pocket depth was significantly higher in nonpreterm low‐birthweight controls than in subjects in the preterm low birthweight, preterm and/or low birthweight, and preterm and low‐birthweight groups. Clinical attachment level measures were not different between all pairs of cases and control groups. Groups did not differ with respect to the mean proportions of different microbial complexes. The mean counts of Treponema socranskii were lower in all case groups compared with the control group.

Conclusion:  Maternal periodontal microbiota and clinical characteristics of periodontal disease were not associated with having preterm low‐birthweight babies.
A multitechnique evaluation of topical corticosteroid treatment
Authors: Josse G. , Rouvrais C. , Mas A. , Haftek M. , Delalleau A. , Ferraq Y. , Ossant F. , George J. , Lagarde J. M. , Schmitt A. M.
Published: August 2008

Background/purpose: Cortiscosteroids are widely prescribed for systemic or local treatment of inflammatory autoimmune disorders. Long‐term therapy is associated with side effects and causes cutaneous atrophy of the epidermis and the dermis. The present study aims to evaluate with several noninvasive techniques, the skin modifications observed during cortiscosteroids treatment. The potential of skin mechanical measurement and ultrasound radio frequency (RF) signal analysis are proposed as new measures more closely related to the functional impairments.

Methods: Thirteen young healthy women volunteers had two applications per day on one arm of topical Clobetasol propionate 0.05% for 28 days, and they were followed for 28 days more. Skin modifications were studied by high‐frequency ultrasound imaging, ultrasound RF signal analysis, optical coherence tomography and by the suction test.

Results: For all the techniques, a statistically significant change is observed with treatment. Large variations, around 30%, are observed for all techniques, but less for ultrasound imaging (10%). Dermis and epidermis thickness presented stable measurements on the nontreated zone. At the end of the study, measures returned to normal. The dynamic is mainly observed within the first 14 days of treatment and within the first 14 days after its cessation.

Conclusion: Similar dynamics of skin modification during cortiscosteroid treatment was observed with very different techniques. Moreover, the potential of RF ultrasound analysis and mechanical skin measurement for characterizing skin structural and functional impairments has been evaluated.
Assessment of moisturizers and barrier function restoration using dynamic methods
Authors: Rosado Catarina , Pinto Pedro , Rodrigues Luis Monteiro
Published: August 2008

Background/purpose: Dynamic methods, such as the mathematical modelling of the transepidermal water loss curves that result from a plastic occlusion stress test (POST), enable the complete characterization of the dynamic water balance established between the deep and the superficial skin structures. Previous studies have indicated that this methodology was able to detect impaired barrier function and differentiate normal and dry skin. The objective of the present study is to apply the discriminative capacity of the model to the efficacy testing of moisturizing products.

Methods: A moisturizing cream containing urea was applied for 2 weeks to the lower leg of volunteers with dry skin. After this period, a POST was performed in the treated and control untreated site and a mathematical model was adjusted to the resulting desorption curves.

Results: Results indicate that, after treatment of the skin with the cream for 2 weeks, statistically different kinetic parameters are obtained in the treated site, which suggests an improvement in the water dynamic balance and skin barrier. The data generated by this study was compared with that obtained in a similar investigation that was performed a year earlier. Analysis of the dispersion of results indicates that the method has good reproducibility.

Conclusions: These findings confirm that the method has enough sensitivity to assess in vivo the effect of moisturizers on human skin, and also that this evaluation can be performed in a shorter period than that required by the regression method. This methodology can also be considered more informative, because the analysis of the different parameters obtained by the model is indicative of the mechanism of action of the product applied to the skin.
Intracellular degradation of somatostatin‐14 following somatostatin‐receptor 3‐mediated endocytosis in rat insulinoma cells
Authors: Roosterman Dirk , Brune Nicole E. I. , Kreuzer Oliver J. , Feld Micha , Pauser Sylvia , Zarse Kim , Steinhoff Martin , Meyerhof Wolfgang
Published: August 2008

Somatostatin receptor (SSTR) endocytosis influences cellular responsiveness to agonist stimulation and somatostatin receptor scintigraphy, a common diagnostic imaging technique. Recently, we have shown that SSTR1 is differentially regulated in the endocytic and recycling pathway of pancreatic cells after agonist stimulation. Additionally, SSTR1 accumulates and releases internalized somatostatin‐14 (SST‐14) as an intact and biologically active ligand. We also demonstrated that SSTR2A was sequestered into early endosomes, whereas internalized SST‐14 was degraded by endosomal peptidases and not routed into lysosomal degradation. Here, we examined the fate of peptide agonists in rat insulinoma cells expressing SSTR3 by biochemical methods and confocal laser scanning microscopy. We found that [125I]Tyr11‐SST‐14 rapidly accumulated in intracellular vesicles, where it was degraded in an ammonium chloride‐sensitive manner. In contrast, [125I]Tyr1‐octreotide accumulated and was released as an intact peptide. Rhodamine‐B‐labeled SST‐14, however, was rapidly internalized into endosome‐like vesicles, and fluorescence signals colocalized with the lysosomal marker protein cathepsin D. Our data show that SST‐14 was cointernalized with SSTR3, was uncoupled from the receptor, and was sorted into an endocytic degradation pathway, whereas octreotide was recycled as an intact peptide. Chronic stimulation of SSTR3 also induced time‐dependent downregulation of the receptor. Thus, the intracellular processing of internalized SST‐14 and the regulation of SSTR3 markedly differ from the events mediated by the other SSTR subtypes.
KNS‐760704 [(6R)‐4,5,6,7‐tetrahydro‐N6‐propyl‐2, 6‐benzothiazole‐diamine dihydrochloride monohydrate] for the Treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Authors: Gribkoff Valentin K. , Bozik Michael E.
Published: August 2008

Developing effective treatments for chronic neurodegenerative disorders such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has proven extremely difficult. ALS is universally fatal, characterized by progressive weakness due to the degeneration of upper and lower motor neurons, and leads eventually to respiratory failure which is the usual cause of death. Only a single treatment has been approved, the modestly effective nonspecific neuroprotectant Rilutek® (riluzole; 2‐amino‐6‐(trifluoromethoxy)benzothiazole). KNS‐760704 [(6R)‐4,5,6,7‐tetrahydro‐N6‐propyl‐2,6‐benzothiazole‐diamine dihydrochloride, RPPX], a synthetic amino‐benzothiazole with demonstrated activity in maintaining mitochondrial function, is being developed as a treatment for ALS. It has proven to be effective in multiplein vitroandin vivoassays of neuroprotection, including the G93A‐SOD1 mutant mouse model; however, its specific mechanism of action remains unknown. The potential of KNS‐760604 as a treatment for ALS was first suggested by studies showing that its optical enantiomer, Mirapex®[(6S)‐4,5,6,7‐tetrahydro‐N6‐propyl‐2,6‐benzothiazole‐diamine; pramipexole dihydrochloride; PPX], a high‐affinity agonist at dopamine D2, D3, and D4 receptors, exhibits important neuroprotective properties independent of its dopamine receptor agonism. In cell‐based assays, both RPPX and PPX reduce the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), attenuate the activation of apoptotic pathways, and increase cell survival in response to a variety of neurotoxins. However, PPX has limited utility as a clinical neuroprotective agent because the drug concentrations required for neuroprotection would likely produce unacceptable dopaminergic side effects. RPPX, on the other hand, while possessing the same neuroprotective potential as PPX, is a much lower‐affinity dopamine receptor agonist and may therefore be more useful in the treatment of ALS. This review will examine the data supporting the hypothesis that the RPPX may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders including ALS. In addition, we will briefly review recent preclinical data in support of RPPX, and discuss the current status of its clinical development.
Underfill Filler
Settling Effect on the Die Backside Interfacial Stresses of Flip Chip
Packages
Authors: Chen Cheng-fu , Karulkar Pramod
C.
Published: August 2008

Underfill is usually modeled as an isotropic medium containing uniformly distributed filler particles. However, filler particles tend to settle (or segregate) and thus alter the mechanical response of the flip chip die attachment package. The integrity of such flip chip attachment is different from that with an ideal, isotropic underfill with very uniform distribution of filler. We analyzed the thermomechanical implications of filler settling to the stresses along the die/underfill interface by considering different profiles for the local concentration of filler and calculating their effective material properties by employing the Mori–Tanaka method. As the worst-case scenario, direct silicon die attach with solder bumps was assumed to analyze the interfacial stresses, which were predicted in trend by a simplified multilayered stack model and calculated in detail by finite element simulation. The filler settling has a localized but strong influence on the interfacial peeling stress near the edge of the die. The extent of this influence is determined by the profile of filler settling: (1) if the filler is assumed to settle in the form of a bilayer, then the peeling stress near the die’s edge increases and it is directly proportional to the average volume fraction of the filler; (2) if the filler is assumed to settle gradually, then the magnitude of the peeling stress near the edge of the die becomes smaller as the local filler volume fraction near the die interface increases. The filler settling has no significant effect on the other components of the interfacial stresses. The edge fillet of underfill in pure resin can locally reverse the direction of the interfacial peeling stress and increase the interfacial shearing stress near the die’s edge.
A Convection/Radiation
Temperature Control System for High Power Density Electronic Device
Testing
Authors: Sweetland Matthew , Lienhard John
    H. , Slocum Alexander
H.
Published: August 2008

Active control of die-level temperature is required during production testing of high power microprocessors in order to ensure accurate performance classification, but control is becoming more difficult as the device power densities increase. With power densities approaching 100 W/cm2, the current passive control systems are no longer able to maintain the required temperature tolerance for production testing. This paper describes the design and testing of a temperature control system that combines high performance impingement cooling with higher power laser heating with application to packaged integrated circuit devices under dynamic testing conditions. Also presented are system design concepts and experimental results for typical microprocessor thermal test vehicles.
Spectral domain optical coherence tomography for quantitative evaluation of drusen and associated structural changes in non-neovascular age-related macular degeneration
Authors: Yi K , Mujat M , Park B H , Sun W , Miller J W , Seddon J M , Young L H , de Boer J F , Chen T C
Published: August 2008

Background/aims:

To demonstrate how spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SDOCT) can better evaluate drusen and associated anatomical changes in eyes with non-neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) compared with time domain optical coherence tomography (TDOCT).

Methods:

Images were obtained from three eyes of three patients with AMD using an experimental SDOCT system. Both a titanium–sapphire (Ti:sapphire) laser and a superluminescent diode (SLD) were used as a broadband light source to achieve cross-sectional images of the retina. A qualitative and quantitative analysis was performed for structural changes associated with non-neovascular AMD. An automated algorithm was developed to analyse drusen area and volume from SDOCT images. TDOCT was performed using the fast macular scan (StratusOCT, Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, California).

Results:

SDOCT images can demonstrate structural changes associated with non-neovascular AMD. A new SDOCT algorithm can determine drusen area, drusen volume and proportion of drusen.

Conclusions:

With new algorithms to determine drusen area and volume and its unprecedented simultaneous ultra-high speed ultra-high resolution imaging, SDOCT can improve the evaluation of structural abnormalities in non-neovascular AMD.
INACTIVATION AND THE INDUCTION OF LETHAL SECTORING BY CHEMICAL MUTAGENS IN YEAST
Authors: Nasim Anwar , James A. P.
Published: August 2008

Lethal sectoring was studied after mutagenic treatment of the haploid fission yeast, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, with three different chemical mutagens and with UV light. The results showed marked differences in the mode of cell inactivation and in the incidence of lethal sectoring, implying that different inactivating mechanisms operate after the different mutagenic treatments.The data are discussed as they relate to the possible causes of lethal sectoring and the reasons why mutagenic treatments yield both complete and sectored mutant colonies.
AN ASSOCIATION BETWEEN LOCUS FOR GRAIN COLOUR AND PROTEIN CONTENT IN WHEAT (TRITICUM AESTIVUM)
Authors: Tandon J. P. , Dhillon S. S. , Goswami A. K.
Published: August 2008

Association between protein content and a gene for grain colour in Triticum aestivum L. was studied using partially isogenic populations developed from F2 plants heterozygous for a locus controlling grain colour. The dominant allelomorph (R) was found to be associated with higher protein content. The cause of the association seemed to be due to linkage between this locus and genes controlling protein content.
MONOSOMIC ANALYSIS OF FATUOIDS IN CULTIVATED OAT AVENA SATIVA
Authors: Thomas Hugh , Mytton J.
Published: August 2008

Genes controlling the regular synapsis of homologous chromosomes and the suppression of fatuoid characters in the cultivated oat Avena sativa have been located on the same chromosome. Studies of the morphology and meiotic behaviour of the mono-telocentric plant have shown that the gene controlling regular synapsis is located on the short arm and the fatuoid suppressor on the long arm of a sub-median chromosome.
LEUCOCYTE CULTURES OF IMMUNIZED RATS AND RABBITS
Authors: Ray M.
Published: August 2008

Leucocytes of Wistar rats and white New Zealand rabbits were cultured following immunization with each of the ABO blood sera as well as with fetal calf serum. The rates of survival, transformation and mitosis varied with the type of agent used for immunization. Both macro- and micromethods were successful. The small amount of blood required by the micromethod makes it a feasible method for repetition of cytogenetic studies because it does not necessitate the sacrifice of the test animal.
CYTOGENETIC STUDIES OFCARTHAMUSSPECIES (COMPOSITAE) WITH 32 PAIRS OF CHROMOSOMES. II. INTERSECTIONAL HYBRIDIZATION
Authors: Khidir M. Osman , Knowles P. F.
Published: August 2008

Alloploids synthesized from Carthamus lanatus (n = 22) and C. leucocaulos (n = 10) were very similar to C. baeticus (n = 32). It is assumed that C. baeticus had its origins in the eastern Mediterranean, where the first two species overlap. Similarly alloploids developed from hybrids of C. lanatus and C. glaucus ssp. glaucus (I) (n = 10) were similar to C. turkestanicus (n = 32). The place of origin is put in Transcaucasia. The following genomic formulas were assigned: C. glaucus ssp. glaucus (I) (and all other 10-chromosome species, except C. leucocaulos) AA; C. leucocaulos A2A2; C. tinctorius and other 12-chromosome species with yellow flowers (this excludes C. nitidus) BB; C. lanatus A1A1B1B1; C. baeticus A1A1B1B1A2A2, and C. turkestanicus A1A1B1B1AA.
LINKAGE OF GREEN-LINT AND OKRA-LEAF GENES IN A RECIPROCAL TRANSLOCATION STOCK OF UPLAND COTTON
Authors: Wilson F. D. , Kohel R. J.
Published: August 2008

F1plants of Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), heterozygous for a reciprocal translocation involving chromosomes 4 and 15, and for the linked markers Green Lint (Lglg) and Okra Leaf (narrowly lobed leaves: L0l), were test crossed as staminate parents to plants which lacked the translocation, had white lint (lglg), and normal (broadly lobed) leaves (ll). The following linkage map is proposed on the basis of data obtained from the testcross progeny: Lg — 43.26 — breakpoint — 32.58 — L0. Lg is located in the long arm, and L0in the short arm of chromosome 15. L0apparently resides in a more distal position in the short arm of chromosome 15 than previously thought. The breakpoint is probably also located in the short arm and closely linked with the centromere. Normal chromosomes were transmitted through the pollen at about twice the rate of translocated chromosomes and about four times the rate of translocated chromosomes which had also resulted from a crossover between L0and the breakpoint.
ASYNCHRONY OF DNA REPLICATION IN THE CHROMATIDS OF PEONY
Authors: Clement William M.
Published: August 2008

The presence in some cells of Paeonia japonica of two satellites on each chromatid of the satellited chromosomes, indicates the chromatids are subdivided into at least two subunits and thus contain at least two DNA double helixes. Pulse labeling with3H thymidine reveals an asynchromous DNA replication pattern within the chromosomes. In some cases a region of one chromatid was labeled and the corresponding region in the sister chromatid was unlabeled. The most plausible explanation for this unichromatid labeling appears to be asynchronous DNA replication in a bineme model.
SUB-CHROMATID ABERRATIONS INHAWORTHIA ATTENUATA
Authors: Vig B. K.
Published: August 2008

Meiotic cells from Haworthia attenuata anthers were analysed for chromosomal abnormalities. Some of the A-I cells were characterized by the presence of bridges with side arms. Usually these were free of fragments. Other A-I cells had fragments without bridges. Bridges and/or fragments were observed at A-II but never both of these on the same spindle. The origin of these aberrations is attributed to sub-chromatid aberrations and their relationship to overall chromosome structure is discussed.