bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ideation Capabilities for Continuous Innovation
Authors: Björk Jennie , Boccardelli Paolo , Magnusson Mats
Published: November 2010

This paper explores ideation capabilities in large organizations. Based on the dynamic capabilities framework, it is seen that ideation capabilities are managerial and organizational processes for the stimulation, identification, selection and implementation of ideas. In order to explore how these capabilities are manifested and used in firms, case studies of four Swedish companies have been performed. The results of the study show that there are different approaches to ideation. In terms of the nature of innovative ideas, the observations lead to the suggestion that ideation presents some seemingly paradoxical issues to management. Firms with an explicit focus on building ideation practices experience that there are some negative consequences of the resultant formalization. Furthermore, the extent to which many employees should be involved in ideation is a difficult aspect, even though new technologies make this more viable. Also the degree to which the search for ideas should be directed is a non‐trivial question, as the ideation processes can be facilitated by both freedom and limitations. It is nevertheless seen that firms can benefit from more deliberate approaches to ideation, in particular if these are broad and balanced and focus on both building capabilities that formalize the informal, in terms of establishing explicit processes, roles and systems, and building capabilities needed to manage informal structures in new ways.
MorphoTRIZ – Solving Technical Problems with a Demand for Multi‐Smart Solutions
Authors: Moehrle Martin G.
Published: November 2010

Using two approved creativity techniques, technical problem solving can be supported in a systematic and analytical way: morphological and contradiction‐oriented problem solving (the latter as part of the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving [Russian acronym: TRIZ]). In these techniques different anchor points for creativity are used: morphological‐oriented problem solving is characterized by structuring a system into independent partial systems and finding answers by combining the different solutions of these subsystems; contradiction‐oriented problem solving is focused on finding fundamental contradictions within a system, representing the core problems, and solving them by applying the accumulated experiential knowledge of previous inventors. In this paper a combination of both techniques is developed and deployed, using network‐oriented function analysis as a connecting concept. We refer to this combination as MorphoTRIZ. It is particularly helpful in technical problem solving, when there is a demand for a multitude of smart solutions, which has become quite common with regard to design‐oriented products and individualized mass production as well as various other purposes. Seen from the conceptional perspective of creative problem solving, MorphoTRIZ combines process elements: (i) for producing a multitude of ideas, (ii) for producing many categories of ideas, and (iii) for producing highly original ideas. It provides connections to further creativity techniques, to open innovation and also to the field of management research as application area.
Form and Substance in Legal Reasoning: Two Conceptions
Authors: NIEMI MATTI ILMARI
Published: November 2010

There are two possible ways to understand form and substance in legal reasoning. The first refers to the distinction between concepts and their applications, whereas the second concentrates on the difference between authoritative and non‐authoritative reasons. These approaches refer to the formalistic and positivistic conceptions of the law, the latter being the author's point of departure. Nevertheless, they are both helpful means of analysis in legal interpretation. Interpretation is divided into formal and substantive justification. They have certain functions and they are utilized in interaction. Authoritative reasons and formal reasoning constitute the necessary point of departure. However, substantive reasons are also necessary in order to justify choices included in interpretation. In addition to formal and substantive reasoning, the role of legal concepts is analysed.
Altruistic Dynamic Pricing with Customer Regret
Authors: Rotemberg Julio J.
Published: November 2010

A model is considered in which firms internalize the costly regret that consumers experience when prices change unexpectedly. This regret is greater when prices change by more, and this can explain why the actual size of price increases for firms with rigid prices is less sensitive to inflation than in models with fixed costs of changing prices. Regret costs of this form also lead to more variable price changes than fixed costs do. Last, the practice of announcing price increases in advance is easier to rationalize with regret concerns by consumers than with more standard approaches to price rigidity.
Employment Fluctuations with Downward Wage Rigidity: The Role of Moral Hazard*
Authors: Costain James , Jansen Marcel
Published: November 2010

We study the cyclical dynamics of job creation and destruction when workers' effort is not perfectly observable. The no‐shirking constraint may amplify fluctuations in hiring by making firms' surplus share procyclical, and may cause a burst of inefficient firing when a downturn begins. But quantitatively, it mainly raises the cost of motivating marginal workers in booms, since firms cannot commit to keep them in recessions, and thereby strongly damps the countercyclical fluctuations in the separation rate. This implies a robust Beveridge curve, but casts doubt on Ramey and Watson's (1997)“contractual fragility” mechanism and worsens Shimer's (2005a)“volatility puzzle”.
Downward Wage Rigidities and Optimal Monetary Policy in a Monetary Union*
Authors: Fahr Stephan , Smets Frank
Published: November 2010

This paper analyses the implications of heterogeneity in the type of downward wage rigidity (nominal or real) for optimal monetary policy in a monetary union with asymmetric wage adjustment costs. Indexation in one region of the union reduces optimal grease inflation in the presence of common productivity shocks. Large common shocks may have sizeable and persistent effects on the intra‐union terms of trade, whereby the region characterized by downward real wage rigidity adjusts with a persistent loss of competitiveness. In response to asymmetric productivity shocks, there is no role for grease inflation because relative price changes facilitating the real wage changes dominate the adjustment mechanism.
One TV, One Price?*
Authors: Imbs Jean M. , Mumtaz Haroon , Ravn Morten O. , Rey Hélène
Published: November 2010

We study television prices across European countries and regions. Quality as measured by observable characteristics of televisions accounts for a large share of the international dispersion in prices. Rich economies tend to consume higher‐quality goods, but sizeable international price differentials exist even for identical televisions. The valuation of brands differs significantly across borders. EMU countries display lower price dispersion but not necessarily because of the single currency. Absolute price differentials and relative price volatility increase with exchange rate volatility, but not with transport costs. Exchange rate pass‐through is low in the short run but high in the long run.
CREATIONISM IN THE NETHERLANDS
Authors: Blancke Stefaan
Published: November 2010

Recent events indicate that creationists are becoming increasingly active in the Netherlands. This article offers an overview of these events. First, I discuss the introduction of intelligent‐design (ID) creationism into the Dutch public sphere by a renowned physicist, Cees Dekker. Later, Dekker himself shifted toward a more evolution‐friendly position, theistic evolution. Second, we see how Dekker was followed in this shift by Andries Knevel, an important figure within the Dutch evangelical broadcasting group, the Evangelische Omroep (EO). His conversion to ID, and subsequently to theistic evolution, brought him into conflict with young‐Earth creationists who still strongly identify themselves with the EO. Third, provoked by the dissidence of prominent orthodox believers and the celebrations surrounding the Darwin year, young‐Earth creationists became very visible. After three decades of relative silence, they started a project to make sure that the Dutch people would hear of the “alternatives” to evolutionary theory. This article (1) adds to the growing number of reports on creationists' increased activity in Europe and (2) suggests that ID, in a context different from the United States, did not unite but rather divided the Dutch orthodox Protestant community.
THE FUTURE OF THE BUDDHIST PAST: A RESPONSE TO THE READERS
Authors: Lopez Donald S.
Published: November 2010

I respond to comments offered by Peter Harrison and Thupten Jinpa on my book Buddhism and Science: A Guide for the Perplexed (2008). I report briefly on the reception of the book thus far and provide a summary of its contents before responding individually to the essays of Harrison and Jinpa.
AN EVOLVING VISION OF GOD: THE THEOLOGY OF JOHN F. HAUGHT
Authors: Schaab Gloria L.
Published: November 2010

The theology of God in the scholarship of John Haught exemplifies rigor, resourcefulness, and creativity in response to ever‐evolving worldviews. Haught presents insightful and plausible ways in which to speak about the mystery of God in a variety of contexts while remaining steadfastly grounded in the Christian tradition. This essay explores Haught's proposals through three of his selected lenses—human experience, the informed universe, and evolutionary cosmology—and highlights two areas for further theological development.
JOHN HAUGHT—FINDING CONSONANCE BETWEEN RELIGION AND SCIENCE
Authors: Michaud Ann M.
Published: November 2010

John Haught has awarded the debates between religion (Christianity in particular) and science a central place in his ongoing corpus of work. Seeking to encourage and enhance the conversation, Haught both critiques current positions and offers his own perspective as a potential ground for continuing the discussion in a fruitful manner. This essay considers Haught's primary criticisms of the voices on both sides of the debate which his work connotes as polarizing or conflating the debate. It also extrudes from Haught's work themes that provide alternative visions. The essay concludes with two questions for further consideration.
ONLINE BUDDHIST AND CHRISTIAN RESPONSES TO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Authors: Tamatea Laurence
Published: November 2010

I report the findings of a comparative analysis of online Christian and Buddhist responses to artificial intelligence. I review the Buddhist response and compare it with the Christian response outlined in an earlier essay (Tamatea 2008). The discussion seeks to answer two questions: Which approach to imago Dei informs the online Buddhist response to artificial intelligence? And to what extent does the preference for a particular approach emerge from a desire to construct the Self? The conclusion is that, like the Christian response, the Buddhist response is grounded not so much in the reality of AI as it is in the discursive constructions of AI made available through Buddhist cosmology, which (paradoxically), like the Christian response, are deployed in defense of the Self, despite claimed adherence to the notion of anatta, or non‐Self.
THE POPULAR APPEAL OF APOCALYPTIC AI
Authors: Geraci Robert M.
Published: November 2010

The belief that computers will soon become transcendently intelligent and that human beings will “upload” their minds into machines has become ubiquitous in public discussions of robotics and artificial intelligence in Western cultures. Such beliefs are the result of pervasive Judaeo‐Christian apocalyptic beliefs, and they have rapidly spread through modern pop and technological culture, including such varied and influential sources asRolling Stone, theIEEE Spectrum, and official United States government reports. They have gained sufficient credibility to enable the construction of Singularity University in California. While different approaches are possible (and, indeed, are common in Japan and possibly elsewhere), this particular vision of artificial intelligence and robotics has gained ground in the West through the influence of figures such as Hans Moravec and Ray Kurzweil. Because pop‐science books help frame public discussion of new sciences and technologies for individuals, corporations, and governments alike, the integration of religious and technoscientific claims made by their authors should be clear and open for public and scientific debate. As we move forward into an increasingly robotic future, we should do so aware of the ways in which a group's religious environment can help set the tone for public acceptance and use of robotic technologies.
John Wesley's Conflict with James Hervey and Its Effects in Scotland
Authors: YEAGER JONATHAN
Published: November 2010

The assumption among historians is that Wesley's ministry in Scotland had largely failed because of his conflicting theological views. But upon a more thorough investigation, his problems stemmed from an earlier debate with the Anglican clergyman James Hervey, which was continued by the Scottish minister John Erskine. In his published response to Hervey, Wesley inadvertently included offensive comments about certain Reformed doctrines which Erskine exploited in order to highlight the discrepancies between Wesleyan Methodism and Scottish Presbyterianism. Erskine's insinuation in 1765 that Wesley intentionally concealed his beliefs in order to gain ascendancy in Scotland resulted in the immediate suppression of Methodist growth.
English Evangelicals, Protestant National Identity, and Anglican Prayer Book Revision, 1927–1928
Authors: MAIDEN JOHN G.
Published: November 2010

This paper examines English Anglican and Free Church evangelical reactions to the Church of England's Prayer Book revision proposals in 1927–1928, arguing that their responses reveal the resilience of Protestant national identity and anti‐Catholicism within English evangelicalism during this period. The concept of a Protestant nation, reformed heritage and Protestant constitution remained integral to the English evangelical identity. The robust “no‐popery” response of evangelicals in 1927–1928 points to the durability of the Protestant national narrative in English culture and society beyond the nineteenth century and suggests that the liberal Anglican vision of a broadly Christian national identity had a significant ideological rival in the interwar period.
The Spatio‐Temporal Ritual Practice of the Fifty‐Two‐Year Calendar in Mesoamerica
Authors: PHARO LARS KIRKHUSMO
Published: November 2010

Introducing a new theoretical category in religious studies, “ritual practice of time,” this essay constitutes an analysis about rituals of the structure of space and time of the Aztec fifty‐two‐year calendar in Mesoamerica. Time and space, completed and exhausted at the termination of the fifty‐two‐year cycle, had to be symbolically renewed and recreated in a fifty‐two‐year ritual. Challenging the view held by numerous Mesoamericanists, I demonstrate that the ritual practice of time of the related 365‐day calendar (“New Year ritual”) was not spatio‐temporal in a horizontal quadripartite manner. Given that only one world or cardinal direction of the world was ritually observed, a symbolic re‐enactment of the creation myth could not be executed since it would take four consecutive “New Year rituals” of four years to symbolically define the quadripartite earth. Conversely, the fifty‐two‐year ritual (and the 260‐day ritual) could, in principle, have this very significant meaning and function.
Experimental evaluations of proportional–integral–derivative type fuzzy controllers with parameter adaptive methods for an active magnetic bearing system
Authors: Tsai Mong‐Tao , Tung Pi‐Cheng , Chen Kuan‐Yu
Published: November 2010

Abstract:This paper deals with the experimental control of a rotating active magnetic bearing (AMB) system using proportional–integral–derivative type fuzzy controllers (PIDFCs) with parameter adaptive methods. Three kinds of parameter adaptive method, including fuzzy tuner, function tuner and relative rate observer, have been proposed in the literature for tuning the coefficients of PIDFCs. However, only a simulation comparison between these methods for control of a second‐order linear system with varying parameters and time delay has been done. In general, theoretical models need to be confirmed and modified through experimental results. This paper provides experimental verification by applying PIDFCs with self‐tuning algorithms for control of a highly nonlinear AMB system. It is shown that the steady‐state error of the AMB system using the function tuner method is lower and the first resonant frequency of the AMB system using the relative rate observer method is higher than the other two methods, and the proportional–integral–derivative controller is quite unstable. The experimental results also show that all of the tuning methods can support a high rotation frequency of the AMB system. In practice, there are only a few differences between the three kinds of parameter adaptive methods.
Competitive/collaborative neural computing system for medical diagnosis in pancreatic cancer detection
Authors: Gorunescu Florin , Gorunescu Marina , Saftoiu Adrian , Vilmann Peter , Belciug Smaranda
Published: November 2010

Abstract:The use of computer technology to support medical decisions is now widespread and pervasive across a broad range of medical areas. Accordingly, computer‐aided diagnosis has become an increasingly important area for intelligent computational systems. This paper describes a competitive/collaborative neural computing system designed to support the medical decision process using medical imaging databases. A concrete example concerning an application to support the differential diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer is also provided.
Discerning the Impact of Derivatives on Asset Risk: The Case of Canadian Banks
Authors: Dai Jie , Lapointe Shenna
Published: November 2010

The Canadian banks have shown remarkable resilience to the financial crisis that intensified in the late 2008. The interesting question is whether this stability is due to their prudent lending practices to limit the original risk exposures or due to effective risk management through hedging by using financial derivatives. In this paper, we implement the option‐theoretic model of Merton to calculate the implied asset risk and discern the impact of these derivatives on the aggregate risk for Canadian banks over the period 1997–2008. An algorithm of iterative procedure is developed to impute asset value and risk from bank stock prices. Our estimates show that the risk for Canadian banks is low and even decreasing till the unfolding of the recent crises in 2008. Further analyses reveal that such low risks are not due to reliance on hedging, nor is it related to trading in derivatives, after disentangling the intertwined effects of hedging and trading. These results suggest that involvements in derivatives, in and of themselves, should not be blamed for causing the bank crises; rather, it is conservatism in controlling original risk exposures that remains fundamental for safeguarding a healthy financial system.
Conceptualizing Racism and Its Subtle Forms
Authors: IKUENOBE POLYCARP
Published: November 2010

Many people are talking about being in a post‐racial era, which implies that we have overcome race and racism. Their argument is based on the fact that manyof the virulent manifestations of racism are not prevalent today. I argue that racism is not seen as prevalent today because the commonplace views of racism fail to capture the more subtle and insidious new forms of racism. I critically examine some of these views and indicate that racism, its forms and manifestations have changed over time. As such, racism may not be manifested in the standard obvious negative behaviors that people know and expect, but instead, it is manifested in even positive behaviors that the commonplace views may not identify as racism. I offer a view of racism that captures the new subtle forms of racism today, which are not as harmful and invidious as the older forms. Simply because the new forms of racism are not as obvious or harmful, this does not mean that racism no longer exists.
The sensitivity of tropical leaf litter decomposition to temperature: results from a large‐scale leaf translocation experiment along an elevation gradient in Peruvian forests
Authors: Salinas N. , Malhi Y. , Meir P. , Silman M. , Roman Cuesta R. , Huaman J. , Salinas D. , Huaman V. , Gibaja A. , Mamani M. , Farfan F.
Published: November 2010

Featured paper: See also the Editorial by Norby
An economic analysis of induction of labour and expectant monitoring in women with gestational hypertension or pre‐eclampsia at term (HYPITAT trial)
Authors: Shennan A , Hezelgrave N
Published: November 2010

Please cite this paper as:Shennan A, Hezelgrave N. An economic analysis of induction of labour and expectant monitoring in women with gestational hypertension or pre‐eclampsia at term (HYPITAT trial). BJOG 2010;117:1575–1576.
Quality improvement demands quality measurement
Authors: Draycott T , Sibanda T , Laxton C , Winter C , Mahmood T , Fox R
Published: November 2010

Please cite this paper as: Draycott T, Sibanda T, Laxton C, Winter C, Mahmood T, Fox R. Quality improvement demands quality measurement. BJOG 2010;117:1571–1574.
24‐hour rhythm to the onset of term and preterm labour in twin pregnancies
Authors: Rabindran R , Kanwar S , Lindow SW
Published: November 2010

Please cite this paper as: Rabindran R, Kanwar S, Lindow S. 24‐hour rhythm to the onset of term and preterm labour in twin pregnancies. BJOG 2010;117:1656–1657.

The objective of this study is to describe the time of onset of contractions in twin pregnancies that result in delivery, so as to investigate whether there is a diurnal influence. A UK maternity department database was used to identify twin deliveries over a 5‐year period, and the time of onset of labour was retrieved from these records. Two hundred and eleven women with spontaneous onset of labour in twin pregnancies were studied. A significant diurnal rhythm in the timing of contractions was noted, with 45% of deliveries occurring in labour that commenced between midnight and 08.00 hours. This periodicity is similar for twin pregnancies that end in preterm (24–36 weeks of gestation; χ2 = 17.2; P < 0.01) or term deliveries (37–40 weeks of gestation; χ2 = 13; P < 0.05). The periodicity of onset of labour in multiple pregnancies demonstrates a similar rhythm to singleton pregnancies, where labour most commonly begins between midnight and 08.00 hours.
Coming to terms with English in Denmark: discursive constructions of a language contact situation
Authors: Thøgersen Jacob
Published: November 2010

This paper presents an investigation of Danes' attitudes towards English through qualitative interviews. Denmark, like most other countries in the so‐called Western world, is under significant linguistic and cultural influence from (American) English. In this paper, I analyse how Danes come to terms with that. Most striking is the great uniformity in the discourses through which English is constructed on the one hand as the default language of the world, on the other as a sign of modernity. An important by‐product of the investigation is that it reveals how attitudes are constructed in situ during the conversation between interviewer and interviewee. The paper thus takes a stance in the ongoing debate concerning the validity of ‘standardized’ vs. ‘conversational’ interviewing.

I denne artikel præsenteres en undersøgelse der søgte at afdække danskeres holdninger til engelsk gennem kvalitative interview. Danmark, som de fleste andre lande i den såkaldte vestlige verden, er under en betydelig sproglig og kulturel indflydelse fra (amerikansk) engelsk. I denne artikel analyserer jeg hvordan danskere opfatter dette. Det mest slående er den store ensartethed i de diskurser som bruges til at konstruere engelsk som dels ‘verdens defaultsprog’, dels ‘et tegn på modernitet’. En vigtig sidegevinst ved undersøgelsen er at den viser hvordan ‘holdninger’ konstrueres i den interaktionelle situation mellem en interviewer og en informant. Artiklen indskriver sig således i den verserende debat angående validiteten af ‘standardiseret’ over for ‘konversationel’ interviewpraksis.
Factors affecting teachers' beliefs about interculturalism
Authors: Llurda Enric , Lasagabaster David
Published: November 2010

Cultural diversity in the classrooms is a relatively recent phenomenon in Spain, but teachers and students alike have had to go through an adaptation to the new sociological situation brought about by the immigration wave of the last ten years. Schools, especially public ones, have incorporated a great number of students who were born and have spent most of their lives abroad, and who therefore bring a set of values, cultures and languages that may differ from the dominant ones in the local communities. This paper reports on the results obtained through a questionnaire focused on language learning and interculturalism issues and which was addressed to both in‐service and pre‐service secondary education teachers and implemented in two Spanish bilingual towns: Vitoria‐Gasteiz in the Basque Country and Lleida in Catalonia. Although the participants agreed on the importance of intercultural education, differences were observed between in‐service and pre‐service teachers on a practical‐idealistic dimension, and language teachers displayed more positive views towards interculturalism than teachers of other subjects.

La presencia de diversidad cultural es un fenómeno relativamente reciente en las aulas españolas, por lo que durante los últimos diez años tanto el profesorado como el alumnado han tenido que experimentar un proceso de adaptación a esta nueva situación sociológica. En las escuelas, especialmente en las públicas, se ha ido produciendo la incorporación de un gran número de estudiantes nacidos (y que han pasado la mayor parte de su vida) en el extranjero, y que por lo tanto llegan con una serie de valores, lenguas y culturas que difieren de los dominantes en la comunidad receptora. En este estudio se presentan los resultados obtenidos por medio de un cuestionario centrado en el aprendizaje de lenguas y en cuestiones relativas a la interculturalidad que fue cumplimentado tanto por profesorado en formación como por profesorado en activo de dos ciudades: Vitoria‐Gasteiz en el País Vasco y Lleida en Cataluña. Los resultados ilustran las percepciones existentes hacia el aprendizaje de lenguas y la interculturalidad en las escuelas.
Evaluating the intonation of non‐native speakers of English using a computerized test battery
Authors: Setter Jane , Stojanovik Vesna , Martínez‐Castilla Pastora
Published: November 2010

This study investigates the intonation of Chinese and Arabic learners of English using the computerized test battery Profiling Elements of Prosody for Speech and Communication (PEPS‐C). The aims were to ascertain which aspects of intonation are difficult for these learners, and to determine whether PEPS‐C can be used to assess the intonation of adult learners. Although some results were significantly different from native‐speaker data, raw scores showed that the learner groups performed well in most tasks, which may indicate that the learners' level is too high for the PEPS‐C to be useful. However, the PEPS‐C did reveal that Arabic learners performed significantly worse at contrastive stress placement, and Chinese learners performed significantly worse assessing likes and dislikes.

Este trabajo evalúa, mediante la batería informatizada Profiling Elements of Prosody for Speech and Communication (PEPS‐C), la entonación de aprendices de inglés cuya lengua nativa es chino o árabe. Los objetivos fueron clarificar en quéáreas entonativas presentan dificultad tales aprendices y determinar si PEPS‐C resulta útil como método de evaluación de la entonación de aprendices adultos. El rendimiento de los aprendices fue adecuado en la mayoría de las tareas, lo que podría indicar que su nivel era demasiado alto para que la batería resultara discriminativa. Sin embargo, la batería también arrojó diferencias significativas respecto a hablantes nativos de inglés: peores resultados en el uso del acento contrastivo y en la función prosódica emocional en los hablantes de árabe y de chino respectivamente.
Protein isoprenylation regulates osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells: effect of alendronate, and farnesyl and geranylgeranyl transferase inhibitors
Authors: Duque G , Vidal C , Rivas D
Published: November 2010

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Protein isoprenylation is an important step in the intracellular signalling pathway conducting cell growth and differentiation. In bone, protein isoprenylation is required for osteoclast differentiation and activation. However, its role in osteoblast differentiation and function remains unknown. In this study, we assessed the role of protein isoprenylation in osteoblastogenesis in a model of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) differentiation.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH We tested the effect of an inhibitor of farnesylation [farnesyl transferase inhibitor‐277 (FTI‐277)] and one of geranylgeranylation [geranylgeranyltransferase inhibitor‐298 (GGTI‐298)] on osteoblast differentiating MSC. In addition, we tested the effect of alendronate on protein isoprenylation in this model either alone or in combination with other inhibitors of isoprenylation.

KEY RESULTS Initially, we found that levels of unfarnesylated proteins (prelamin A and HDJ‐2) increased after treatment with FTI‐277 concomitantly affecting osteoblastogenesis and increasing nuclear morphological changes without affecting cell survival. Furthermore, inhibition of geranylgeranylation by GGTI‐298 alone increased osteoblastogenesis. This effect was enhanced by the combination of GGTI‐298 and alendronate in the osteogenic media.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Our data indicate that both farnesylation and geranylgeranylation play a role in osteoblastogenesis. In addition, a new mechanism of action for alendronate on protein isoprenylation in osteogenic differentiating MSC in vitro was found. In conclusion, protein isoprenylation is an important component of the osteoblast differentiation process that could constitute a new therapeutic target for osteoporosis in the future.
Detection of Helicobacteraceae in Intestinal Biopsies of Children with Crohn’s Disease
Authors: Kaakoush Nadeem O. , Holmes Julie , Octavia Sophie , Man Si Ming , Zhang Li , Castaño‐Rodríguez Natalia , Day Andrew S. , Leach Steven T. , Lemberg Daniel A. , Dutt Shoma , Stormon Michael , O’Loughlin Edward V. , Magoffin Annabel , Mitchell Hazel
Published: November 2010

Background:  Given that members of Helicobacteraceae family colonize the intestinal mucus layer, it has been hypothesized that they may play a role in Crohn’s disease. This study investigated the presence of Helicobacteraceae DNA in biopsies collected from children with Crohn’s disease and controls.

Materials and Methods:  The presence of Helicobacteraceae DNA was investigated in intestinal biopsies collected from 179 children undergoing colonoscopy (Crohn’s disease n = 77, controls n = 102) using a Helicobacteraceae‐specific PCR.

Results:  Members of the Helicobacteraceae were detected in 32/77 children with Crohn’s disease (41.5%) and 23/102 controls (22.5%). Statistical analysis showed the prevalence of Helicobacteraceae detected in patients to be significantly higher than that in controls (p = .0062). Analysis of non‐pylori Helicobacteraceae showed that their prevalence was also significantly higher in patients than in controls (p = .04). Helicobacter pylori was detected in 14.0% of the biopsies across all groups. Given that all children tested were negative for gastric H. pylori, this was a surprising finding. Phylogenetic analysis of H. pylori sequences detected in the biopsies showed that the H. pylori strains identified in the patients did not group with gastric H. pylori included in the analysis, but rather with other H. pylori strains detected in the intestine, gall bladder, and liver.

Conclusions:  The higher prevalence of Helicobacteraceae DNA in Crohn’s disease patients would suggest that members of this family may be involved in this disease. In addition, phylogenetic analysis of H. pylori strains showed that extragastric sequences clustered together, indicating that different H. pylori strains may adapt to colonize extragastric niches.
Sequential Metronidazole‐Furazolidone or Clarithromycin‐Furazolidone Compared to Clarithromycin‐Based Quadruple Regimens for the Eradication of Helicobacter pylori in Peptic Ulcer Disease: A Double‐Blind Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Riahizadeh Saghi , Malekzadeh Reza , Agah Shahram , Zendehdel Nasrin , Sotoudehmanesh Rasoul , Ebrahimi‐Dariani Naser , Pourshams Akram , Vahedi Homayoon , Mikaeli Javad , Khatibian Morteza , Massarrat Sadegh
Published: November 2010

Background:  Furazolidone is a much cheaper drug with a very low resistance against Helicobacter pylori compared to clarithromycin. We aim to evaluate safety and efficacy of a sequential furazolidone‐based regimen versus clarithromycin‐based therapy in H. pylori eradication for ulcer disease.

Materials:  Patients with proven peptic ulcer or duodenitis were randomized into three groups: OAB‐M‐F; metronidazole (M) (500 mg bid) for the first 5 days, followed by furazolidone (F) (200 mg bid) for the second 5 days; OAC‐P; clarithromycin (C) (500 mg bid) for 10 days; and OAB‐C‐F; clarithromycin (500 mg bid) for the first 5 days and furazolidone (200 mg bid) for the second 5 days. All groups received omeprazole (O) (20 mg bid) and amoxicillin (A) (1 g bid). Groups OAB‐M‐F and OAB‐C‐F were also given bismuth subcitrate (B) (240 mg bid), whereas a placebo (P) was given to group OAC‐P. Adverse events were scored and recorded. Two months after treatment, a C13‐urea breath test was performed.

Results:  Three hundred and ten patients were enrolled and 92 (OAB‐M‐F), 95 (OAC‐P), and 98 (OAB‐C‐F) completed the study. The intention‐to‐treat eradication rates were 78.5% (95% CI = 69–85), 81.1% (95% CI = 73–88), and 82% (95% CI = 74–89), and per‐protocol eradication rates were 91.3% (95% CI = 83–96), 90.4% (95% CI = 82–95), and 88.7% (95% CI = 81–94), for group OAB‐M‐F, OAC‐P, and OAB‐C‐F, respectively. Eradication rate differences did not reach statistical significance. The most common adverse event, bad taste, occurred in all groups, but more frequently in groups OAC‐P (34%) and OAB‐C‐F (32%), than OAB‐M‐F (14%) (p < .05). Adverse symptoms score were 0.88 ± 2.05 in group OAB‐M‐F, 1.15 ± 1.40 in group OAC‐P, and 1.87 ± 1.62 in group OAB‐C‐F.

Conclusion:  Furazolidone can replace clarithromycin in H. pylori eradication regimens because of lack of development of resistance and very low cost.
Strategy for Eliminating Gastric Cancer in Japan
Authors: Asaka Masahiro , Kato Mototsugu , Graham David Y.
Published: November 2010

A study conducted by the Japan Gast Study Group showed that eradication of Helicobacter pylori reduced the risk of gastric cancer by about one‐third. However, it did not completely prevent the onset of latent gastric cancer among those at high risk (i.e., with atrophic gastritis). To prevent deaths from gastric cancer, it is necessary to eradicate H. pylori infection. We propose a program of risk stratification based on the presence of H. pylori infection with or without atrophic gastritis followed by targeted interventions. Those at no risk for gastric cancer (no H. pylori, no atrophic gastritis) need no therapy or follow‐up. Those at low risk (H. pylori infected, nonatrophic gastritis) need only H. pylori eradication therapy. The smaller groups at high or very high risk need eradication and cancer surveillance. We estimated the costs and the benefits of this strategy. Gastric cancer screening by simultaneous measurement of serum pepsinogen and H. pylori antibody combined with eradication of H. pylori in all individuals at risk would initially increase national healthcare expenditure, but this would be offset by markedly reducing the cost of treating gastric cancer. The proposed strategy should prevent about 150,000 deaths from gastric cancer during the 5 years after its adoption. If the loss caused by these deaths is also taken into account, the economic effect of this strategy becomes enormous. It would probably reduce the incidence of gastric cancer by more than 80–90% within 10 years. The Japanese government should take the initiative to implement this strategy as soon as possible.
Seroprevalence Rates of Helicobacter pylori and Viral Hepatitis A among Adolescents in Three Regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Is There Any Correlation?
Authors: Al Faleh Faleh Z. , Ali Safiyya , Aljebreen Abdulrahman M. , Alhammad Elwalled , Abdo Ayman A.
Published: November 2010

Background:  The seroprevalence rate of Helicobacter pylori in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) was reported to be in the range of 50–80% among mostly symptomatic patients in non‐community‐based studies. However, the seroprevalence of viral hepatitis A (HAV) underwent a marked decline in the last two decades from over 50% in 1989 to 25% in 1997 among Saudi children under the age of 12 years. The aim of this paper was to study seroprevalence rates of H. pylori and HAV among the adolescent population in three regions of KSA and to determine whether there was any correlation between them.

Materials and methods:  We randomly selected 1200 16–18‐year‐old students from three regions around KSA. Demographic data, including socioeconomic status (SES), were recorded, and each student was tested for the presence of H. pylori‐IgG antibodies and anti‐HAV‐IgG.

Results:  The results indicate a high H. pylori infection rate (47%) among this age group. Boys had a higher prevalence than girls (p = .03), and the Al‐Qaseem region had the highest prevalence (51%, p = .002). SES did not contribute to the high prevalence rates (p = .83). A cross‐tabulation of data showed that 88 (8%) of the teenagers were seropositive and that 512 (44%) were negative for both H. pylori and HAV antibodies (χ2 = 0.03, OR = 0.97, CI = 0.70–1.34). The agreement between H. pylori and HAV seropositivity was lower than would be predicted by chance (κ = −0.03). The variables that were independently associated with seropositivity to H. pylori were being female (OR = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.60–0.95) and living in the Madinah region (OR = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.55–0.94).

Conclusion:  The prevalence of H. pylori in this group of adolescents was high. However, there was no correlation between H. pylori and HAV infection rates. Hence, factors contributing to the transmission source and route seem to be different.
Induction of High Endothelial Venule‐like Vessels Expressing GlcNAc6ST‐1‐mediated L‐selectin Ligand Carbohydrate and Mucosal Addressin Cell Adhesion Molecule 1 (MAdCAM‐1) in a Mouse Model of “Candidatus Helicobacter heilmannii”‐induced Gastritis and Gastric Mucosa‐associated Lymphoid Tissue (MALT) Lymphoma
Authors: Suzuki Akira , Kobayashi Motohiro , Matsuda Kazuyuki , Matsumoto Takeshi , Kawakubo Masatomo , Kumazawa Shigeyuki , Koide Naohiko , Miyagawa Shinichi , Ota Hiroyoshi
Published: November 2010

Background:  “Candidatus Helicobacter heilmannii” induce chronic gastritis, which eventually leads to gastric B‐cell type mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma. This study was performed using an animal model of infection with “Candidatus Helicobacter heilmannii” to elucidate how this chronic inflammation is induced or maintained.

Materials and Methods:  BALB/c mice were infected with the “Candidatus Helicobacter heilmannii” isolate SH4. The animals were examined at 8, 26, 54, and 83 weeks after the infection. The stomach of the animals was resected and immunostained for peripheral lymph node addressin (PNAd) and mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule 1 (MAdCAM‐1), “Candidatus Helicobacter heilmannii,” and CD45R/B220. An in vitro binding assay with L‐ and E‐selectin·IgM chimeric proteins was performed. Real‐time polymerase chain reaction was used to evaluate transcripts of N‐acetylglucosamine‐6‐O‐sulfotransferases (GlcNAc6STs), which direct the expression of the PNAd and MAdCAM‐1.

Results:  Chronic gastritis developed in the infected animals, and its severity increased with the duration of the infection. B‐cell type MALT lymphoma developed in some animals at 54 and 83 weeks after infection. PNAd‐ and MAdCAM‐1‐expressing high endothelial venule (HEV)‐like vessels were induced in infected animals which developed chronic gastritis and MALT lymphoma. The number of HEV‐like vessels increased as chronic inflammation progressed. The induced HEV‐like vessels were bound by L‐ and E‐selectin·IgM chimeric protein. mRNA expressions of GlcNAc6ST‐1 and MAdCAM‐1 increased in the infected animals.

Conclusions:  HEV‐like vessels expressing GlcNAc6ST‐1‐mediated L‐selectin ligand carbohydrate and MAdCAM‐1 may play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of “Candidatus Helicobacter heilmannii”‐induced chronic gastritis and MALT lymphoma.
Identification of a Correlation between Helicobacter pylori Infection and Graves’ Disease
Authors: Bassi Vincenzo , Santinelli Crescenzo , Iengo Alba , Romano Carmela
Published: November 2010

Background:  viral and bacterial antigens have been suspected to be able to mimic the antigenic profile of the thyroid cell membrane and to play an important role in the onset of the autoimmune diseases, such as Graves’ disease and Hashimoto thyroiditis. The Helicobacter pylori infection is worldwide diffused and is present in the developed countries up to 50% of the population. The presence of the cytotoxin‐associated gene A antigens identifies the most virulent strains of the bacterium. Previous studies have demonstrated the possible correlation between the Helicobacter pylori and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis but these results are controversial.

Aims:  We studied the prevalence rate of this bacterium in the Graves’ disease and two selected subgroups such as the hyperthyroid patients, at the first time of diagnosis, and the euthyroid methimazole‐treated patients.

Materials and Methods:  We analyzed Helicobacter pylori in fresh stool samples with an enzyme immunoassay method and the presence of cytotoxin‐associated gene A antigens with a serological test.

Results:  Our results show that a significative increased rate of prevalence is present in Graves' patients, when the disease is ongoing, with an overall prevalence of the strains expressing the cytotoxin‐associated gene A antigens compared to the control group.

Conclusions:  The association between the Helicobacter pylori and Graves’ disease suggests a possible role of this bacterium in the onset and/or the maintenance of the disease.
Long‐Term Statin Therapy Affects the Severity of Chronic Gastritis
Authors: Nseir William , Khateeb Julnar , Tatour Imad , Haiek Samah , Samara Mousa , Assy Nimer
Published: November 2010

Background:  Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a major cause of chronic gastritis. Statins have several pleotropic effects and their mechanisms of action could be related to anti‐inflammatory, antioxidants, and immunomodulatory effects.

Aim:  To determine whether statin therapy affects the severity of chronic gastritis.

Materials and Methods:  In a retrospective study, we evaluated 516 patients who underwent upper endoscopy. One‐hundred and ninety‐eight patients had chronic gastritis, The 198 patients with chronic gastritis were divided into two groups: group 1 comprised patients with a history of statin therapy and group 2 comprised patients with no history of statin therapy. Both groups were compared for age, gender, body mass index (BMI), underlying diseases, drug therapy, alcohol consumption, smoking and the serum levels of C‐reactive protein (CRP). The presence of H. pylori was determined by gastric biopsy and rapid urease test. The grade and severity of gastritis were assessed using the updated Sydney classification system in two gastric biopsy specimens that were taken from each participant in each group.

Results:  Of the 198 patients with chronic gastritis, 49% of the patients had mild gastritis and 51% had moderate to severe gastritis. From the results of a multiple logistic regression analysis after adjusting for confounding variables that included age, gender, and BMI, we found that elevated serum CRP levels (odds ratio (OR) 2.33; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.8–2.6, p = .02), H. pylori (OR 1.99; CI 0.14–2.4, p = .04), and the use of statin (OR 1.64; CI = 0.71–1.77, p = .05) independently predict the severity of chronic gastritis.

Conclusion:  Long‐standing statin therapy may reduce the severity of chronic gastritis. Mild increased CRP levels in absence of obvious source can predict the severity of chronic gastritis. Further researches are needed to assess the effect of statin in chronic gastritis.
Association Between Common Genetic Variants in Pre‐microRNAs and Gastric Cancer Risk in Japanese Population
Authors: Okubo Masaaki , Tahara Tomomitsu , Shibata Tomoyuki , Yamashita Hiromi , Nakamura Masakatsu , Yoshioka Daisuke , Yonemura Joh , Ishizuka Takamitsu , Arisawa Tomiyasu , Hirata Ichiro
Published: November 2010

Background:  Common single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in microRNAs (miRNA) have been shown to be associated with susceptibility to several human cancers. We evaluated the associations of three SNPs (rs11614913, rs2910164, and rs3746444) in pre‐miRNAs (miR‐196a2, miR‐146a, and miR‐499) with the risk of gastric cancer (GC) and peptic ulcer diseases, and with the severity of Helicobacter pylori‐induced gastritis in Japanese population.

Methods:  The rs11614913 (C>T), rs2910164 (G>C), and rs3746444 (A>G) SNPs were genotyped in 552 GC, and 697 non‐cancer subjects, including 141 gastric and 73 duodenal ulcer, and 483 non‐ulcer subjects. The degree of histologic gastritis was classified according to the updated Sydney System, and the serum pepsinogen levels were measured in selected 579 and 204 cases.

Results:  The rs2910164 CC genotype held a significantly higher risk of GC when compared to non‐cancer subjects (adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 1.30, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.02–1.66, p =.03). Similarly, the rs2910164 C carrier was associated with higher risk of GC when compared to both non‐cancer and non‐ulcer subjects (OR = 1.39, 95%CI = 1.00–1.93, p =.05, adjusted OR = 1.57, 95%CI = 1.09–2.27, p =.016, respectively). The rs2910164 CC genotype was associated with non‐cardia and upper third, diffuse type and advanced stage GC. The rs11614913 TT genotype was associated with higher degree of mononuclear cell infiltration (score 0–1 vs 2∼, adjusted OR = 1.62, 95%CI = 1.05–2.49, p =.03).

Conclusions:  The rs2910164 (G>C) SNP in the miR‐146a is associated with susceptibility to GC. In addition, the rs11614913 (C>T) SNP in the miR‐196a2 is associated with the degree of H. pylori‐induced mononuclear cell infiltration.