bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CMEA's International Investment Bank and the Crisis of Developed Socialism
Authors: Stone David R.
Published: July 2008

In 1971 the Soviet bloc's Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (CMEA) created the International Investment Bank (IIB). The IIB was part of a broader effort to adopt market-based reforms in all the East-bloc economies. The bank was designed to promote competition for loans and rigorous vetting of projects, ostensibly resulting in greater CMEA integration and production that met world standards of quality. But this scenario ultimately did not pan out. Instead, the IIB became a mere conduit for Western finance, focusing not on high technology but on natural resource extraction, particularly the construction of the Soyuz natural gas pipeline. More fundamentally, the IIB could not function properly without market-determined prices and convertible currencies. Although economic authorities in the Soviet bloc fully recognized the constraints on the IIB, they were unwilling to abandon fundamental principles of the Soviet economic system.
'This Chapel is a Sanctuary': Another Place or a Place for the Other?
Authors: Nolan Steve
Published: July 2008

Tabloid reporting about the removal of crosses from hospital chapels and the banning of Bibles on wards highlights a perception that English cultural identity is under threat by concessions made to minority groups, often characterized as 'political correctness gone mad'. A claim frequently made is that Britain is 'a Christian country', and this article argues that this idea, and its corollary that it is natural and right for Christian symbolism to have precedence in the sacred/spiritual spaces of healthcare institutions, acts as what Lacan and Žižek term a 'master-signifier'. As such, I argue that the marginalization of cultural representation—the symbolizing of cultural/religious values that legitimates the presence of minority religions/cultures—is an important factor contributing to the inequality of access to healthcare in general and palliative care in particular.
Stars and Compasses: Hermeneutical Guides for Public Theology
Authors: Thomson Heather
Published: July 2008

It is the concern of this article that some definitions of public theology allow apartheid and Nazism to be counted as public theology. According to these, Osama Bin Laden could be our greatest, most influential contemporary public theologian. There are lines that must be drawn outside of which we should not go in defining and promoting public theology. To discuss this, I employ the language of 'necessary and sufficient conditions'. It is necessary to define 'public' and 'theology'. What more needs to be said for sufficient conditions to be met? In considering this, hermeneutical guides are sought—stars and compasses—so that the thinking and practice of public theology meets the sufficient conditions of peace-making, justice-seeking, opting for the afflicted and honouring all.
Academic Contexts of Interdisciplinary Research
Authors: Birnbaum Philip H.
Published: July 2008

Interdisciplinary collaboration and project management were compared for academic interdisciplinary research projects operating under the aegis of permanent institutes, adaptive institutes, and inde pendent projects. The findings reported here, from a nationwide sample of interdisciplinary research projects, do not support the argument that institutes necessarily increase cross-disciplinary collaboration or the management of interdisciplinary research.
Between Relief and Politics: Refugee Humanitarianism in Occupied Germany 1945—1946
Authors: Cohen G. Daniel
Published: July 2008

In this article, I argue that international relief operations carried out between 1943 and 1947 under the umbrella of UNRRA went beyond their stated goal of civilian 'rehabilitation': relief efforts also contributed to the rise of a new internationalism in the aftermath of the second world war. I start my discussion with a comparison between relief operations in Europe after the first and second world wars. In contrast to 1918, humanitarian efforts in 1945 pertained to displaced persons and refugees found outside their countries of origin: an unprecedented instance of mass displacement on the European continent. Although narrowly framed in 1943 in terms of 'Relief and Rehabilitation', Western humanitarianism was tied to the broader issues of forced migration and genocide. In a second section I examine how relief operations can be seen as an illustration of the Anglo-Saxon 'human rights talk' during the wartime period. UNRRA and private welfare organizations fed, housed and clothed refugees at a time when Roosevelt's call for 'freedom from want' was translated into a new set of basic human rights. Western humanitarianism was implementing on the ground some of the general principles proclaimed by the 'human rights revolution' of the 1940s. In a third section I focus on some of the political aspects of relief operations. I discuss the place of Jewish refugees in humanitarian politics and argue that relief operations did much to recognize Jewish Holocaust survivors as a specific national entity, with important consequences for their access to self-determination. I also show how relief efforts rapidly evolved into a commitment to protect political asylum: in this way, postwar humanitarianism was part and parcel of the emergence of the 'West' in the context of the Cold War.
To replace or not to replace? – Partial coning and a sixth nerve palsy secondary due to displacement of a tunnelled intrathecal catheter for pain control
Authors: Gibbins J , Steeds C , Greenslade GL , Tunstall SR , Patel NK , Stannard CF
Published: July 2008

We report the displacement of a tunnelled intrathecal catheter causing significant cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, resulting in partial coning and a sixth nerve palsy. The patient had advanced malignant mesothelioma and all other methods of pain control had been unsuccessful. As far as we are aware, there are no published reports of early replacement of an intrathecal catheter in patients with neurological sequelae. Surgical re-siting of the intrathecal catheter produced good pain relief for many months. Doctors involved in the use of indwelling intrathecal catheters for pain control must be aware of the risk of significant neurological sequelae but should not dismiss re-establishment of intrathecal therapy in the presence of significant neurological complications.
Absence of diffuse cervical cord tissue damage in early, non-disabling relapsing-remitting MS: a preliminary study
Authors: Rovaris M , Judica E , Ceccarelli A , Ghezzi A , Martinelli V , Comi G , Filippi M
Published: July 2008

Background

Magnetization transfer (MT) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can provide quantitative information about the severity of tissue damage in the cervical cord of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). MT MRI-derived measures of cord damage are correlated with the severity of disease-related locomotor disability.

Objectives

The objective of this study was to investigate whether MT MRI-detectable cervical cord damage is present in early relapsing-remitting (RR) MS.

Subjects and methods

We studied 23 patients with ‘early’ RR MS (i.e., with a disease duration shorter than 5 years) and 10 age-matched healthy control subjects. During a single session, the following sequences were acquired using a 1.5 T scanner: (a) brain dual-echo turbo spin echo; (b) cervical cord fast short-tau inversion recovery; (c) cervical cord gradient echo, without and with MT pulse. Brain T2 lesion volume was measured. Cervical cord lesions were counted and normalized histograms of cord MT ratio (MTR) were produced.

Results

One or more cervical cord lesions were found in nine patients (39%). The average cord MTR and the mean histogram peak height values did not differ between patients and controls. There was no significant correlation between brain T2 lesion volume and cervical cord MTR histogram-derived metrics.

Conclusions

Cervical cord tissue damage seems to be limited to macroscopic lesions in patients with early, non-disabling RR MS. Longitudinal studies are warranted to define the dynamics of MS-related cord damage accumulation over time later on in the course of the disease.
A survey of fully haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in adults with high-risk acute leukemia: a risk factor analysis of outcomes for patients in remission at transplantation
Authors: Ciceri Fabio , Labopin Myriam , Aversa Franco , Rowe Jakob M. , Bunjes Donald , Lewalle Philippe , Nagler Arnon , Di Bartolomeo Paolo , Lacerda João F. , Lupo Stanghellini Maria Teresa , Polge Emmanuelle , Frassoni Francesco , Martelli Massimo F. , Rocha Vanderson
Published: July 2008

Haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (haplo-HSCT) is an alternative treatment to patients with high-risk acute leukemia lacking a human leukocyte antigen-matched donor. We analyzed 173 adults with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and 93 with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) who received a haplo-HSCT in Europe. All grafts were T cell–depleted peripheral blood progenitor cells from a direct family or other related donor. At transplantation, there were 25 patients with AML in CR1 (complete remission 1), 61 in more than or equal to CR2, and 87 in nonremission, and 24 with ALL in CR1, 37 in more than or equal to CR2, and 32 in nonremission. Median follow-up was 47 months in AML and 29 months in the ALL groups. Engraftment was observed in 91% of the patients. Leukemia-free survival at 2 years was 48% plus or minus 10%, 21% plus or minus 5%, and 1% for patients with AML undergoing transplantation in CR1, more than or equal to CR2, and nonremission, and 13% plus or minus 7%, 30% plus or minus 8%, and 7% plus or minus 5% in ALL patients, respectively. In conclusion, haplo-HSCT can be an alternative option for the treatment of high-risk acute leukemia patients in remission, lacking a human leukocyte antigen-matched donor.
Methylation of class II transactivator gene promoter IV is not associated with susceptibility to Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Ramagopalan Sreeram V , Dyment David A , Morrison Katie M , Herrera Blanca M , DeLuca Gabriele C , Lincoln Matthew R , Orton Sarah M , Handunnetthi Lahiru , Chao Michael J , Sadovnick A Dessa , Ebers George C
Published: July 2008

Background

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex trait in which alleles at or near the class II loci HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DQB1 contribute significantly to genetic risk. The MHC class II transactivator (MHC2TA) is the master controller of expression of class II genes, and methylation of the promoter of this gene has been previously been shown to alter its function. In this study we sought to assess whether or not methylation of the MHC2TA promoter pIV could contribute to MS disease aetiology.

Methods

In DNA from peripheral blood mononuclear cells from a sample of 50 monozygotic disease discordant MS twins the MHC2TA promoter IV was sequenced and analysed by methylation specific PCR.

Results

No methylation or sequence variation of the MHC2TA promoter pIV was found.

Conclusion

The results of this study cannot support the notion that methylation of the pIV promoter of MHC2TA contributes to MS disease risk, although tissue and timing specific epigenetic modifications cannot be ruled out.
Gemcitabine based combination chemotherapy in advanced pancreatic cancer-indirect comparison
Authors: Sultana Asma , Ghaneh Paula , Cunningham David , Starling Naureen , Neoptolemos John P , Smith Catrin Tudur
Published: July 2008

Background

Recent meta-analyses have found a survival advantage with gemcitabine based combinations over single agent gemcitabine in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. There is paucity of evidence in the form of direct head-to-head randomised controlled trials to determine which combinations are to be preferred.

Method

Using the adjusted indirect comparison method proposed by Bucher et al, we have assessed randomised controlled trials of four gemcitabine based combinations namely gemcitabine plus a platinum compound or 5-fluorouracil or irinotecan or capecitabine.

Results

No particular combination was significantly superior to another, but the indirect evidence suggests some important trends.

Conclusion

The strongest trends on indirect comparison are towards favouring gemcitabine plus capecitabine or gemcitabine plus a platinum compound over gemcitabine plus irinotecan, and to a lesser degree, over gemcitabine plus 5-fluorouracil.
Hypertonic saline reduces inflammation and enhances the resolution of oleic acid induced acute lung injury
Authors: Kennedy Muiris T , Higgins Brendan D , Costello Joseph F , Curtin William A , Laffey John G
Published: July 2008

Background

Hypertonic saline (HTS) reduces the severity of lung injury in ischemia-reperfusion, endotoxin-induced and ventilation-induced lung injury. However, the potential for HTS to modulate the resolution of lung injury is not known. We investigated the potential for hypertonic saline to modulate the evolution and resolution of oleic acid induced lung injury.

Methods

Adult male Sprague Dawley rats were used in all experiments.Series 1examined the potential for HTS to reduce the severity of evolving oleic acid (OA) induced acute lung injury. Following intravenous OA administration, animals were randomized to receive isotonic (Control, n = 12) or hypertonic saline (HTS, n = 12), and the extent of lung injury assessed after 6 hours.Series 2examined the potential for HTS to enhance the resolution of oleic acid (OA) induced acute lung injury. Following intravenous OA administration, animals were randomized to receive isotonic (Control, n = 6) or hypertonic saline (HTS, n = 6), and the extent of lung injury assessed after 6 hours.

Results

InSeries I, HTS significantly reduced bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) neutrophil count compared to Control [61.5 ± 9.08 versus 102.6 ± 11.89 × 103cells.ml-1]. However, there were no between group differences with regard to: A-a O2 gradient [11.9 ± 0.5 vs. 12.0 ± 0.5 KPa]; arterial PO2; static lung compliance, or histologic injury. In contrast, inSeries 2, hypertonic saline significantly reduced histologic injury and reduced BAL neutrophil count [24.5 ± 5.9 versus 46.8 ± 4.4 × 103cells.ml-1], and interleukin-6 levels [681.9 ± 190.4 versus 1365.7 ± 246.8 pg.ml-1].

Conclusion

These findings demonstrate, for the first time, the potential for HTS to reduce pulmonary inflammation and enhance the resolution of oleic acid induced lung injury.
Congenital long QT syndrome
Authors: Crotti Lia , Celano Giuseppe , Dagradi Federica , Schwartz Peter J
Published: July 2008

Congenital long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a hereditary cardiac disease characterized by a prolongation of the QT interval at basal ECG and by a high risk of life-threatening arrhythmias. Disease prevalence is estimated at close to 1 in 2,500 live births.

The two cardinal manifestations of LQTS are syncopal episodes, that may lead to cardiac arrest and sudden cardiac death, and electrocardiographic abnormalities, including prolongation of the QT interval and T wave abnormalities. The genetic basis of the disease was identified in the mid-nineties and all the LQTS genes identified so far encode cardiac ion channel subunits or proteins involved in modulating ionic currents. Mutations in these genes (KCNQ1, KCNH2, KCNE1, KCNE2, CACNA1c, CAV3, SCN5A, SCN4B) cause the disease by prolonging the duration of the action potential. The most prevalent LQTS variant (LQT1) is caused by mutations in the KCNQ1 gene, with approximately half of the genotyped patients carrying KCNQ1 mutations.

Given the characteristic features of LQTS, the typical cases present no diagnostic difficulties for physicians aware of the disease. However, borderline cases are more complex and require the evaluation of various electrocardiographic, clinical, and familial findings, as proposed in specific diagnostic criteria. Additionally, molecular screening is now part of the diagnostic process.

Treatment should always begin with β-blockers, unless there are valid contraindications. If the patient has one more syncope despite a full dose β-blockade, left cardiac sympathetic denervation (LCSD) should be performed without hesitation and implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) therapy should be considered with the final decision being based on the individual patient characteristics (age, sex, clinical history, genetic subgroup including mutation-specific features in some cases, presence of ECG signs – including 24-hour Holter recordings – indicating high electrical instability).

The prognosis of the disease is usually good in patients that are correctly diagnosed and treated. However, there are a few exceptions: patients with Timothy syndrome, patients with Jervell Lange-Nielsen syndrome carrying KCNQ1 mutations and LQT3 patients with 2:1 atrio-ventricular block and very early occurrence of cardiac arrhythmias.
Short time-series microarray analysis: Methods and challenges
Authors: Wang Xuewei , Wu Ming , Li Zheng , Chan Christina
Published: July 2008

The detection and analysis of steady-state gene expression has become routine. Time-series microarrays are of growing interest to systems biologists for deciphering the dynamic nature and complex regulation of biosystems. Most temporal microarray data only contain a limited number of time points, giving rise to short-time-series data, which imposes challenges for traditional methods of extracting meaningful information. To obtain useful information from the wealth of short-time series data requires addressing the problems that arise due to limited sampling. Current efforts have shown promise in improving the analysis of short time-series microarray data, although challenges remain. This commentary addresses recent advances in methods for short-time series analysis including simplification-based approaches and the integration of multi-source information. Nevertheless, further studies and development of computational methods are needed to provide practical solutions to fully exploit the potential of this data.
Analysis of gene expression in a developmental context emphasizes distinct biological leitmotifs in human cancers
Authors: Naxerova Kamila , Bult Carol J , Peaston Anne , Fancher Karen , Knowles Barbara B , Kasif Simon , Kohane Isaac S
Published: July 2008

Background

In recent years, the molecular underpinnings of the long-observed resemblance between neoplastic and immature tissue have begun to emerge. Genome-wide transcriptional profiling has revealed similar gene expression signatures in several tumor types and early developmental stages of their tissue of origin. However, it remains unclear whether such a relationship is a universal feature of malignancy, whether heterogeneities exist in the developmental component of different tumor types and to which degree the resemblance between cancer and development is a tissue-specific phenomenon.

Results

We defined a developmental landscape by summarizing the main features of ten developmental time courses and projected gene expression from a variety of human tumor types onto this landscape. This comparison demonstrates a clear imprint of developmental gene expression in a wide range of tumors and with respect to different, even non-cognate developmental backgrounds. Our analysis reveals three classes of cancers with developmentally distinct transcriptional patterns. We characterize the biological processes dominating these classes and validate the class distinction with respect to a new time series of murine embryonic lung development. Finally, we identify a set of genes that are upregulated in most cancers and we show that this signature is active in early development.

Conclusion

This systematic and quantitative overview of the relationship between the neoplastic and developmental transcriptome spanning dozens of tissues provides a reliable outline of global trends in cancer gene expression, reveals potentially clinically relevant differences in the gene expression of different cancer types and represents a reference framework for interpretation of smaller-scale functional studies.
Five-Gene Model to Predict Survival in Mantle-Cell Lymphoma Using Frozen or Formalin-Fixed, Paraffin-Embedded Tissue
Authors: Hartmann Elena , Fernàndez Verònica , Moreno Victor , Valls Joan , Hernández Luis , Bosch Francesc , Abrisqueta Pau , Klapper Wolfram , Dreyling Martin , Hoster Eva , Müller-Hermelink Hans Konrad , Ott German , Rosenwald Andreas , Campo Elías
Published: July 2008

Purpose

Despite the common underlying translocation t(11;14) involving cyclin D1 that is present in nearly all cases of mantle-cell lymphoma (MCL), the clinical course of the disease is highly variable. The aim of the present study was to develop a quantitative gene expression–based model to predict survival in newly diagnosed patients with MCL that involves a minimum number of genes and is applicable to fresh-frozen and formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumor samples.

Patients and Methods

The expression of 33 genes with potential prognostic and pathogenetic impact in MCL was analyzed using quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reactions (qRT-PCR) in a low-density array format in frozen tumor samples from 73 patients with MCL. Multivariate Cox methods and stepwise algorithms were applied to build gene expression-based survival predictors. An optimized five-gene model was subsequently applied to FFPE tumor samples from 13 patients with MCL from the initial series and to 42 independent MCL samples.

Results

The optimized survival predictor was composed of the five genes RAN, MYC, TNFRSF10B, POLE2, and SLC29A2 and was validated for application in FFPE tissue samples. It allowed the survival prediction of patients with MCL with widely disparate clinical outcome and was superior to the immunohistochemical marker Ki-67, an established prognostic factor in MCL.

Conclusion

We here present a validated qRT-PCR–based test for survival prediction in patients with MCL that is applicable to fresh frozen as well as to FFPE tissue specimens. This test may prove useful to guide individualized treatment approaches for patients with MCL.
Survival Patterns Among Lymphoma Patients With a Family History of Lymphoma
Authors: Anderson Lesley A. , Pfeiffer Ruth M. , Rapkin Joshua S. , Gridley Gloria , Mellemkjaer Lene , Hemminki Kari , Björkholm Magnus , Caporaso Neil E. , Landgren Ola
Published: July 2008

Purpose

Genetic factors are important in the etiology and pathogenesis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL), and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Only a few small studies have assessed clinical characteristics and prognosis for familial patients, with inconsistent findings.

Methods

Using population-based registries from Sweden and Denmark, 7,749 patients with CLL, 7,476 patients with HL, and 25,801 patients with NHL with linkable first-degree relatives were identified. Kaplan-Meier curves were constructed to compare survival in patients with lymphoma with and without a family history of lymphoma. The risk of dying was assessed using adjusted Cox proportional hazard models.

Results

We found 85 patients with CLL (1.10%), 95 patients with HL (1.28%), and 206 patients with NHL (0.80%) with a family history of any lymphoma. Five-year mortality was similar for patients with CLL (hazard ratio [HR], 1.28; 95% CI, 0.95 to 1.72), HL (HR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.49 to 1.25), and NHL (HR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.74 to 1.12) versus without a family history of any lymphoma. Mortality was also similar for patients with versus without a family history of the same lymphoma. T-cell/anaplastic lymphoma patients with a family history of NHL had poorer outcome 5-years after diagnosis (HR, 5.38; 95% CI, 1.65 to 17.52). Results were similar for 10 years of follow-up.

Conclusion

With the exception of T-cell/anaplastic lymphoma, survival patterns for patients with CLL, HL, and NHL with a family history of lymphoma were similar to those for sporadic patients, suggesting that most familial lymphomas do not have an altered clinical course. Our findings provide no evidence to modify therapeutic strategies for patients with CLL, HL, or NHL based solely on family history.
Microscopic Tumor Burden in Sentinel Lymph Nodes Predicts Synchronous Nonsentinel Lymph Node Involvement in Patients With Melanoma
Authors: Gershenwald Jeffrey E. , Andtbacka Robert H.I. , Prieto Victor G. , Johnson Marcella M. , Diwan A. Hafeez , Lee Jeffrey E. , Mansfield Paul F. , Cormier Janice N. , Schacherer Christopher W. , Ross Merrick I.
Published: July 2008

Purpose

We and others have demonstrated that additional positive lymph nodes (LNs) are identified in only 8% to 33% of patients with melanoma who have positive sentinel LNs (SLNs) and undergo complete therapeutic LN dissection (cTLND). We sought to determine predictors of additional regional LN involvement in patients with positive SLNs.

Patients and Methods

Patients with clinically node-negative melanoma who underwent SLN biopsy (1991 to 2003) and had positive SLNs were identified. Clinicopathologic factors, including extent of microscopic disease within SLNs, were evaluated as potential predictors of positive non-SLNs.

Results

Overall, 359 (16.3%) of the 2,203 patients identified had a positive SLN. Positive non-SLNs were identified in 48 (14.0%) of the 343 patients with positive SLNs who underwent cTLND. On univariate analysis, several measures of SLN microscopic tumor burden, one versus three or more SLNs harvested, tumor thickness more than 2 mm, age older than 50 years, and Clark level higher than III were predictive of positive non-SLNs; primary tumor ulceration and number of positive SLNs had no apparent impact. On multivariable logistic regression analysis, measures of SLN microscopic tumor burden were the most significant independent predictors of positive non-SLNs; tumor thickness more than 2 mm and number of SLNs harvested also predicted additional disease. A model was developed that stratified patients according to their risk for non-SLN involvement.

Conclusion

In melanoma patients with positive SLNs, SLN tumor burden, primary tumor thickness, and number of SLNs harvested may be useful in identifying a group at low risk for positive non-SLNs and be spared the potential morbidity of a cTLND.
Portfolio Credit Risk with Extremal Dependence: Asymptotic Analysis and Efficient Simulation
Authors: Bassamboo Achal , Juneja Sandeep , Zeevi Assaf
Published: July 2008

We consider the risk of a portfolio comprising loans, bonds, and financial instruments that are subject to possible default. In particular, we are interested in performance measures such as the probability that the portfolio incurs large losses over a fixed time horizon, and the expected excess loss given that large losses are incurred during this horizon. Contrary to the normal copula that is commonly used in practice (e.g., in the CreditMetrics system), we assume a portfolio dependence structure that is semiparametric, does not hinge solely on correlation, and supports extremal dependence among obligors. A particular instance within the proposed class of models is the so-called t-copula model that is derived from the multivariate Student t distribution and hence generalizes the normal copula model. The size of the portfolio, the heterogeneous mix of obligors, and the fact that default events are rare and mutually dependent make it quite complicated to calculate portfolio credit risk either by means of exact analysis or naïve Monte Carlo simulation. The main contributions of this paper are twofold. We first derive sharp asymptotics for portfolio credit risk that illustrate the implications of extremal dependence among obligors. Using this as a stepping stone, we develop importance-sampling algorithms that are shown to be asymptotically optimal and can be used to efficiently compute portfolio credit risk via Monte Carlo simulation.
Competition for Procurement Contracts with Service Guarantees
Authors: Bernstein Fernando , de Véricourt Francis
Published: July 2008

We consider a market with two suppliers and a set of buyers in search of procurement contracts with one of the suppliers. In particular, each buyer needs to process a certain volume of work, and each supplier's ability to process the customers' requests is constrained by a production capacity. The procurement contracts include guarantees that the products will be available when needed, and the buyers select a supplier based on their service delivery offers. The suppliers are modeled as make-to-stock queues and compete for the buyers' business. The main objective of this paper is to determine how the procurement contracts are established between buyers and suppliers. Because each buyer selects a single supplier to establish the sourcing relationship, the game fails to have a pure-strategy Nash equilibrium. Instead, an equilibrium is defined as the limit equilibrium of some discrete action games.
A cognitive model of peritraumatic dissociation
Authors: Wing Lun Lenora M.
Published: July 2008

Purpose. Interacting cognitive subsystems (ICS; Barnard & Teasdale, 1991) is presented as a framework for understanding the impact of perceptual problems in peritraumatic dissociation.

Methods. This paper analyses two peritraumatic dissociation symptoms, attention being drawn to stimuli and the experience of time slowing. ICS is described. Information processes in peritraumatic dissociation are analysed.

Results. Peritraumatic dissociative symptoms are conceptualized as problems with early processing of sensory information that result from problems of sensory feature binding.

Discussion. These problems are discussed in relation to experiences of fragmented memories in trauma within the context of ICS. A role for mindful attention in psychological therapy is raised.
National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry Laboratory Medicine Practice Guidelines for Use of Tumor Markers in Clinical Practice: Quality Requirements1
Authors: Sturgeon Catharine M , Hoffman Barry R , Chan Daniel W , Ch'ng Soo-Ling , Hammond Elizabeth , Hayes Daniel F , Liotta Lance A , Petricoin Emmanuel F , Schmitt Manfred , Semmes O John , Söletormos Györg , van der Merwe Elena , Diamandis Eleftherios P
Published: July 2008

Background: This report presents updated National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry Laboratory Medicine Practice Guidelines summarizing quality requirements for the use of tumor markers.

Methods: One subcommittee developed guidelines for analytical quality relevant to serum and tissue-based tumor markers in current clinical practice. Two other subcommittees formulated recommendations particularly relevant to the developing technologies of microarrays and mass spectrometry.

Results: Prerequisites for optimal use of tumor markers in routine practice include formulation of the correct clinical questions to ensure selection of the appropriate test, adherence to good clinical and laboratory practices (e.g., minimization of the risk of incorrect patient and/or specimen identification, tube type, or timing), use of internationally standardized and well-characterized methods, careful adherence to manufacturer instructions, and proactive and timely reactions to information derived from both internal QC and proficiency-testing specimens. Highly desirable procedures include those designed to minimize the risk of the reporting of erroneous results attributable to interferences such as heterophilic antibodies or hook effects, to facilitate the provision of informative clinical reports (e.g., cumulative and/or graphical reports, appropriately derived reference intervals, and interpretative comments), and when possible to integrate these reports with other patient information through electronic health records. Also mandatory is extensive validation encompassing all stages of analysis before introduction of new technologies such as microarrays and mass spectrometry. Provision of high-quality tumor marker services is facilitated by dialogue involving researchers, diagnostic companies, clinical and laboratory users, and regulatory agencies.

Conclusions: Implementation of these recommendations, adapted to local practice, should encourage optimization of the clinical use of tumor markers.
Novel Immunoassay for Quantification of Brain Natriuretic Peptide and Its Precursor in Human Blood
Authors: Tamm Natalia N , Seferian Karina R , Semenov Alexander G , Mukharyamova Kadriya S , Koshkina Ekaterina V , Krasnoselsky Mihail I , Postnikov Alexander B , Serebryanaya Daria V , Apple Fred S , Murakami MaryAnn M , Katrukha Alexey G
Published: July 2008

Background: Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is an unstable molecule that can rapidly lose immunologic activity in blood. Conventional sandwich BNP immunoassays use 2 antibodies specific to 2 different epitopes. Larger distances between epitopes are associated with a greater probability of proteolysis sites being located between the antibody-binding sites, and thus such assays have an increased susceptibility to underdetect BNP because of the increased likelihood of proteolytic degradation. The purpose of our study was to develop a sandwich immunoassay for the precise quantification of BNP and BNP precursor (proBNP) in human blood that is not susceptible to proteolysis.

Methods: Mice were immunized with an immune complex consisting of monoclonal antibody (MAb) 24C5 (specific for BNP peptide 11–22) and the entire BNP molecule. The MAb used in our assay (Ab-BNP2) recognizes the immune complex but neither free BNP nor MAb 24C5.

Results: We used MAbs 24C5 and Ab-BNP2 to develop a new type of sandwich BNP assay (the “single-epitope sandwich assay”), which requires only a short BNP fragment (fragment 11–22) for immunodetection. This assay recognizes both BNP and proBNP with the same efficiency and sensitivity and demonstrates both considerably less susceptibility to antigen degradation and greater stability of the measured antigen than conventional sandwich BNP immunoassays.

Conclusions: We have developed this sensitive single-epitope sandwich assay for detecting BNP, proBNP, and their fragments in human blood. This assay appears promising for use in clinical studies to assist in triage, management, and outcomes assessment in heart failure patients.
Attributional Bias of Offenders in Rehabilitation Therapy Workers
Authors: Kyne Karen , Williams Mei Wah M.
Published: July 2008

Attribution theory was used to provide a conceptual analysis of how personal responsibility and blame are ascribed to fictional male and female offenders. Thirty drug and alcohol counsellors participated in the study; half read a description of a crime committed by a female and the other half read the same description of the crime but committed by a male. Counsellors rated the offence in terms of the attributional domains of internality, control, and stability and then listed potential treatment targets. Offender sex influenced differentially attribution of blame with counsellors tending to attribute less blame to an offender of the same gender. This effect was particularly pronounced in the case of female counsellors.
A practical approach to instrument selection, evaluation, basic financial management and implementation in pathology and research
Authors: Mina Ashraf , Favaloro Emmanuel J. , Koutts Jerry
Published: July 2008

In response to increasingly complex demands in terms of productivity and budgets, there is a critical need to avoid mistakes during instrument selection that will be financially costly, and adversely affect customers, staff, productivity and test turnaround time. As there is no “one size fits all”, guidelines must be appropriate to permit informed decision making. A Medline search was conducted to assess background knowledge in this area, using the terms “laboratory instrument selection” and “laboratory instrument evaluation”. Searches returned over 800 articles, of which only seven were directly related to the topic of the search, with most outdated, and suggesting a paucity of appropriate information. Additional resources used included the American Association of Clinical Chemistry (AACC) website and the Internet. Appropriate criteria for instrument selection were established in the current report based on subjective and objective (technical) evaluations. Additionally, a sound and simple financial approach is also suggested to help in making informed decisions and avoid costly mistakes. We propose that such a process as outlined in our report will protect laboratories from making costly and avoidable mistakes in the acquisition of major equipment.

Clin Chem Lab Med 2008;46:1223–9.
The Influence of Cognitive Emotion Regulation Strategies and Depression Severity on Deliberate Self‐Harm
Authors: Slee Nadja , Garnefski Nadia , Spinhoven Philip , Arensman Ella
Published: July 2008

Elaborating on previous studies on emotion regulation and deliberate self‐harm (DSH), in the present study we distinguish between strategies of cognitive content (e.g., suicidal cognitions of perceived burdensomeness, helplessness, poor distress tolerance) and cognitive process (e.g., nonacceptance of emotional responses, lack of awareness of emotional responses). Young women who harmed themselves (n = 85) were compared with young women without a history of DSH (n = 93) across a broad range of strategies. Significant group differences were found for all measures, even when depression severity was controlled for. In addition, logistic regression analyses showed that both cognitive content strategies and cognitive process strategies made significant independent contributions to the prediction of group membership. Controlling for depression severity, suicidal cognitions, and nonacceptance of emotional responses independently predicted DSH. The strong association between suicidal cognitions and DSH seems to indicate the important role of these cognitions in recurrent and chronic DSH. The strong association between nonacceptance of emotional responses and DSH underscores the notion that DSH can be a way to avoid emotional problems. These findings are discussed in relation to recent cognitive‐behavioral interventions and specific therapeutic techniques to further insight into how these interventions might work.
Developing Suicide Prevention Programs for African American Youth in African American Churches
Authors: Molock Sherry Davis , Matlin Samantha , Barksdale Crystal , Puri Rupa , Lyles Joseph
Published: July 2008

Suicide prevention programs for African American youth in African American churches may have broad appeal because: (1) the Black Church has a strong history of helping community members, regardless of church membership; (2) African Americans have the highest level of public and private religiousness; and (3) the church can help shape religious and cultural norms about mental health and help‐seeking. The proposed gatekeeper model trains lay helpers and clergy to recognize the risk and protective factors for depression and suicide, to make referrals to the appropriate community mental health resources, and to deliver a community education curriculum. Potential barriers and suggestions for how to overcome these barriers are discussed.
Developmental disparity between in vitro-produced and somatic cell nuclear transfer bovine days 14 and 21 embryos: implications for embryonic loss
Authors: Alexopoulos Natalie I , Maddox-Hyttel Poul , Tveden-Nyborg Pernille , D'Cruz Nancy T , Tecirlioglu Tayfur R , Cooney Melissa A , Schauser Kirsten , Holland Michael K , French Andrew J
Published: July 2008

In ruminants, the greatest period of embryonic loss coincides with the period of elongation when the embryonic disc is formed and gastrulation occurs prior to implantation. The impact of early embryonic mortality is not only a major obstacle to the cattle breeding industry but also impedes the application of new reproductive technologies such as somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). In the present study, days 14 and 21 bovine embryos, generated by either in vitro-production (IVP) or SCNT, performed by either subzonal injection (SUZI) or handmade cloning (HMC), were compared by stereomicroscopy, immunohistochemistry, and transmission electron microscopy to establish in vivo developmental milestones. Following morphological examination, samples were characterized for the presence of epiblast (POU5F1), mesoderm (VIM), and neuroectoderm (TUBB3). On D14, only 25, 15, and 7% of IVP, SUZI, and HMC embryos were recovered from the embryos transferred respectively, and similar low recovery rates were noted on D21, suggesting that most of the embryonic loss had already occurred by D14. A number of D14 IVP, SUZI, and HMC embryos lacked an epiblast, but presented trophectoderm and hypoblast. When the epiblast was present, POU5F1 staining was limited to this compartment in all types of embryos. At the ultrastructural level, SCNT embryos displayed abundant secondary lysosomes and vacuoles, had fewer mitochondria, polyribosomes, tight junctions, desmosomes, and tonofilaments than their IVP counterparts. The staining of VIM and TUBB3 was less distinct in SCNT embryos when compared with IVP embryos, indicating slower or compromised development. In conclusion, SCNT and to some degree, IVP embryos displayed a high rate of embryonic mortality before D14 and surviving embryos displayed reduced quality with respect to ultrastructural features and differentiation markers.
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity–Related Symptoms Among Children With Enterovirus 71 Infection of the Central Nervous System
Authors: Gau Susan Shur-Fen , Chang Luan-Yin , Huang Li-Min , Fan Tsui-Yen , Wu Yu-Yu , Lin Tzou-Yien
Published: July 2008

BACKGROUND. No study has investigated the association between enterovirus 71 central nervous system infection and symptoms related to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. In this study we evaluated attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder–related symptoms and internalizing problems as long-term sequelae resulting from enterovirus 71 central nervous system infection in children.

METHODS. We enrolled 86 children 4 to 16 years old with virus-culture–confirmed enterovirus 71 infection and central nervous system involvement diagnosed 3 to 7 years before the study and 172 control subjects, matched for age, gender, and parents’ education levels. Their mothers and teachers were asked to report on possible attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder–related symptoms, and their mothers were asked to report on possible internalizing problems. All of the children previously infected with enterovirus 71 received intelligence tests.

RESULTS. Forty-two (49%) of the children previously infected with enterovirus 71 had had viral meningitis; 35 (41%) had severe central nervous system involvement, such as encephalitis, poliomyelitis-like syndrome, or encephalomyelitis; and 9 (10%) had cardiopulmonary failure and central nervous system involvement. The children previously infected with enterovirus 71 had higher scores than matched control subjects on teacher- and mother-rated scales of inattention, hyperactivity-impulsivity, oppositional symptoms, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder index. The rate of elevated attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder–related symptoms among children with enterovirus 71 central nervous system infection was 20%, whereas that rate among matched control subjects was only 3%. They also had more internalizing problems. Their verbal and performance IQs, as well as verbal comprehension indices, were significantly inversely correlated with symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity-impulsivity, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder index scores.

CONCLUSIONS. Enterovirus 71 central nervous system infection may affect long-term regulation of attention and emotion and cause hyperactivity-impulsivity in children.
Managing risks to structures
Authors: Blockley D.
Published: July 2008

Structural engineering has changed markedly over the last decades, creating new challenges and new opportunities. Consequently, structural engineers are widening their thinking from just technical issues to the effects of other matters on the risks to their structures. In particular there is a need to find better methods for integrating hard and soft risks. Hard systems are physical and technical matters traditionally dealt with by engineering science. Soft systems involve people and include matters traditionally dealt with by engineering management. In order to make improvements, engineers have to combine good-quality evidence from disparate sources, both technical and from wider issues. The current paper demonstrates how disparate evidence can be measured and combined using interval probabilities drawn as colourful ‘Italian flag’ indicators of risk. Process models are used to map the progress of projects. An Italian flag is associated with each process to indicate the level of dependability, based on all the information available at the time, that the process will be successful, which is to reach the stated objectives. A new method of pairwise combinations is described and used to calculate the flags through the entire process model. An example of the procurement of a building is used to illustrate the method.
Vitellogenin as a biomarker for estrogenic effects in brown trout,Salmo trutta: Laboratory and field investigations
Authors: Bjerregaard Poul , Hansen Pernille R , Larsen Katrine J , Erratico Claudio , Korsgaard Bodil , Holbech Henrik
Published: July 2008

The sensitivity of juvenile brown trout towards estrogenic chemicals (17β-estradiol [E2], estrone [E1], 17α-ethinyles-tradiol [EE2], 4-tert-octylphenol [OP], and n-butylparaben [BP]) was tested in laboratory experiments with plasma and liver vitellogenin concentrations as endpoints. Vitellogenin concentrations were also assessed in juvenile brown trout collected in streams affected by agricultural runoff and discharges from scattered houses in the open land. In the laboratory, juvenile brown trout were exposed to the chemicals in flow-through tanks for 7 to 12 d and concentration–response relationships for the induction of vitellogenin synthesis were obtained. The actual exposure concentrations were determined by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. The median plasma vitellogenin concentration in first year control brown trout reared in recirculated groundwater was 165 ng/ml with 783 ng/ml as the highest value. The median effective concentration (EC50) values for vitellogenin induction (based on plasma concentrations) were 3.7 ng EE2/L, 15 ng E2/L, 88 ng E1/L, 68 μg BP/L, and 7 μg OP/L. Median effective concentrations derived from liver vitellogenin concentrations were similar. The 166 brown trout caught in the field were mainly first and second year fish and a few third year fish. Plasma vitellogenin concentrations were below 1,000 ng/L in 146 of the fish, between 1,000 ng/L and 4,234 ng/L in 19 fish and 5.3 × 106 ng/L in one male fish. Vitellogenin concentrations did not differ between first and second year fish, but were elevated in third year fish. The data may indicate that juvenile (<2 years) trout with plasma vitellogenin concentrations above 1,000 ng/ml have had their vitellogenin synthesis induced by exposure to estrogens in the environment. Plasma and liver vitellogenin concentrations were closely correlated in brown trout with elevated vitellogenin concentrations. It is noteworthy, however, that exposure to synthetic estrogens (EE2, BP, and OP) resulted in higher liver concentrations (for the same plasma concentration) than exposure to the natural estrogens E1 and E2.
Solid Alloy Electrodes in Stripping Voltammetry
Authors: Mikkelsen Oyvind , Strasunskiene Kristina , Skogvold Silje M. , Schroder Knut H.
Published: July 2008

In voltammetry, the choice of working electrode is of outmost importance to fulfil needed demands and criteria. Heyrovskys invention of the polarographic method started in 1922, for which he was granted the Nobel Prize in 1959, was a pioneer work within the field of electroanalytical chemistry. In polarography, the working electrode is normally a liquid mercury drop electrode, which possesses several advantageous properties for this purpose. Voltammetric methods have recently proved to have a great potential within off-laboratory environmental monitoring, which has created a demand for additional electrodes specifically for such purposes. This review gives a short overview of the solid silver amalgam electrode and some additional alloy electrodes, which during the last 10 years have been reported to be suitable alternative electrodes to liquid mercury, especially for environmental monitoring.