bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Influence of Authoritative Teaching on Children’s School Adjustment
Authors: Baker Jean A. , Clark Teresa P. , Crowl Alicia , Carlson John S.
Published: July 2009

Children with significant behaviour problems are at risk for poor classroom adjustment and school failure. Given this likelihood for a poor developmental trajectory, there is a need to better understand environmental influences within classrooms that help to effectively socialize children to those settings. The current study evaluated the effects of two socialization processes, the provision of warmth and of control (i.e. authoritative teaching) on urban, American, elementary school-aged children’s school adjustment ( n = 693). The results suggest a small but positive association between authoritative teaching and three of the four school adjustment indices examined in the study. This effect was similar for all students; no differential effects for children with significant externalizing behaviour problems were noted. Results are discussed in light of theory and school-based intervention and prevention efforts. Implications of these findings on the roles and responsibilities of school psychologists are provided.
Regulatory Styles, Causal Attributions and Academic Achievement
Authors: Sorić Izabela
Published: July 2009

In the past few decades a growing research interest in internal and external factors that contribute to a student’s motivation to learn has yielded numerous models and theories. Despite their similarities, these theories have tended to be developed and tested independently of each other, although some connections have been made between them. The aim of this study is to investigate connections between key aspects of two theoretical approaches: the attributional theory (Weiner, 1985, 1992) and self-determination theory (Deci and Ryan, 2000). Specifically, this study investigates the relationship between four types of regulatory styles of learning and students’ causal attributions of their attained academic achievement. The participants were 127 elementary school students (Mage= 13.71) in Croatia. First, students assessed their final mid-term grades either as success or failure (subjective appraisal of successfulness), after which the Academic Self-Regulation Questionnaire of Ryan and Connell (1989) and the Causal Attribution Scale of Sorić (1998) were applied. The results showed that intrinsically motivated successful students, who feel autonomous and self-determined rather than controlled by others, attributed their success to more internal and controllable causes. But associations between other regulatory styles and causal dimensions still remain unclear, especially in the case of failure situations.
The Differentiation and Promotion of Students’ Rights in Portugal
Authors: Veiga Feliciano , García Fernando , Neto Félix , Almeida Leandro
Published: July 2009

This investigation includes a differential study (Study 1) and a quasi-experimental research (Study 2). In Study 1, the objective was to establish to what extent students’ rights existed and analyse the differentiation between students’ rights with Portuguese and immigrant mothers, throughout school years. The sample consisted of 537 students with Portuguese and immigrant mothers, distributed by different school years (7th, 9th and 11th grades). The Children’s Rights Scale (Hart et al., 1996; Veiga, 2001) was used. In Study 2, the purpose was to analyse the effects on students’ rights of the use by teachers of a communicational intervention program, supervised by school psychologists. The sample involved 7th and 9th grade students, in a total of four classes, two forming the experimental groups ( n = 36) and two the control groups ( n = 43); as in Study 1, the Children’s Rights Scale was used. The results indicated the effectiveness of the communicational intervention program on students’ rights and are consistent with previous studies. An implication is that psychologists and teachers, working together and taking a human rights perspective, may develop an important role in projects to promote the students’ rights.
Sticks and Stones Can Break My Bones, But How Can Pixels Hurt Me?
Authors: Cassidy Wanda , Jackson Margaret , Brown Karen N.
Published: July 2009

Educators and the public alike are often perplexed with the enormous and evolving cyber mise en scène. Youth of the digital generation are interacting in ways our fore-mothers and fathers never imagined — using electronic communications that until 30 years ago never existed. This article reports on a study of cyber-bullying conducted with students in grades 6 through 9 in five schools in British Columbia, Canada. Our intent was to quantify computer and cellular phone usage; to seek information on the type, extent and impact of cyber-bullying incidents from both bullies’ and victims’ perspectives; to delve into online behaviours such as harassment, labelling (gay, lesbian), negative language, sexual connotations; to solicit participants’ solutions to cyber-bullying; to canvass their opinions about cyber-bullying and to inquire into their reporting practices to school officials and other adults. This study provides insight into the growing problem of cyber-bullying and helps inform educators and policy-makers as to appropriate prevention or intervention measures to counter cyber-bullying.
Consistent patterns of interaction in young children’s conflicts with their siblings
Authors: Perlman Michal , Ross Hildy S. , Garfinkel Daniel A.
Published: July 2009

This study investigates whether preschool-aged children show consistent patterns of behaviour in conflicts with their siblings. Consistency was assessed at the nomothetic (i.e., group), idiographic (i.e., individual), and idiosyncratic (i.e., consistent patterns that differed from the norm) levels. We examined conflicts between 19 2-year-old and 19 4-year-old children and their siblings. Both age groups showed consistent idiographic and nomothetic patterns of interactions. Two-year-old children used idiosyncratic patterns of responses to the conflict overtures of others (i.e., they deviated from the norm in consistent ways) while 4-year-old children did not. The variance in the responses of the younger children was greater than that found for the older children. Together these results suggest that as children mature though the preschool years their conflict patterns become more homogeneous. The importance of studying patterns in conflict at all three levels is discussed.
Punitive discipline and child behavior problems in Chinese-American immigrant families: The moderating effects of indigenous child-rearing ideologies
Authors: Fung Joey J. , Lau Anna S.
Published: July 2009

In a sample of 107 Chinese immigrant families we examined whether cultural child-rearing beliefs moderated the association between parents’ use of punitive discipline and children’s behavioral adjustment. Immigrant parents and their children aged 7 to 17 years completed measures of parental discipline and child behavior problems. Parents also reported on indigenous Chinese child-rearing ideologies regarding shaming and training as strategies for raising competent and moral children. Results of hierarchical regression models conducted with parent-reported data indicated that the negative effects of punitive discipline on child behavior problems were not apparent when parents adhered to training and shaming ideologies. However, the buffering effects of training ideologies were more robust and consistent than shaming. The findings provide some evidence that the discipline—behavior problem link may be moderated by cultural context of caregiver psychology which shapes the meaning and implications of parental behavior.
The well-being of cohabiting and married couples during pregnancy: Does pregnancy planning matter?
Authors: Lachance-Grzela Mylène , Bouchard Geneviève
Published: July 2009

Cohabiting women are less likely to plan their pregnancies than married women. Research on marital and pregnancy statuses remains distinct and, consequently, the effects of both variables are confounded. The aim of the present study was to examine the moderational role of pregnancy planning in the relationship between marital status and future parents' well-being. A sample of 154 French-Canadian couples expecting their first child completed assessments of pregnancy planning and of well-being (i.e., anxiety, depression, satisfaction with life, and dyadic adjustment) during the third trimester of pregnancy. Results show that pregnancy planning efforts contribute to future parents' well-being only if they are married. Similarly, marriage offers more benefits than cohabitation, but only if partners have planned the pregnancy.
Patterns of assistance between adult children and their older parents: Resources, responsibilities, and remarriage
Authors: Ganong Lawrence H. , Coleman Marilyn , Rothrauff Tanja
Published: July 2009

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of patterns of resource exchange on beliefs about intergenerational responsibilities in older parent—adult child relationships. The effects of adult children's resources and later-life remarriage on beliefs about intergenerational responsibilities also were examined. A national sample of 1025 adults responded to a multiple segment factorial survey. Responsibilities to parents were associated with prior patterns of exchanges, older cohorts had lower expectations for adult children to help their parents, and parental remarriage creates limited responsibilities toward new stepparents. Family obligations were the main reason for helping, but histories of intergenerational assistance, the adult child's resources, and other obligations of the adult child also were considerations. Later-life remarriage complicates intergenerational obligations.
Causal beliefs, social participation, and loneliness among older adults: A longitudinal study
Authors: Newall Nancy E. , Chipperfield Judith G. , Clifton Rodney A. , Perry Raymond P. , Swift Audrey U. , Ruthig Joelle C.
Published: July 2009

Loneliness can be seen as a social failure subject to causal search: Why am I lonely? Why do I lack friends? According to attribution theory, answers to these questions can influence emotions, motivation, and behaviours. This study examined the relationships between various affiliative causal beliefs (i.e., beliefs about loneliness and friendship development), social participation, and loneliness among older adults (72+ years). Cross-sectional and longitudinal (over five years) results showed that more strongly endorsing internal/controllable causal beliefs (i.e., believing that making friends depends on effort) related to greater social participation. Moreover, greater social participation related to less loneliness. External/uncontrollable causal beliefs predicted greater loneliness. In fully addressing loneliness, it may be important to focus on people's causal beliefs.
The association between rejection and depression in the context of women's relationships with their parents
Authors: Thompson Renee J. , Berenbaum Howard
Published: July 2009

The relation between rejection and depression was examined in the context of college students' relationships with their parents. Female college students (n = 183) provided self-reports of how rejected they felt by their parents, and parents provided self-reports of how rejecting they were of their daughters. In father—daughter dyads, we found that fathers' reports of rejection moderated the relation between women's reports of rejection and depression. In mother—daughter dyads, we found that daughters' reports of rejection, but not mothers' reports of rejection, was associated with depression. These findings suggest that relationship factors may be critical for understanding depression, and that the role of rejection in depression can only be understood by taking into account the nature of the relationship.
Rational Actors, Knowledgeable Agents
Authors: Atherton Andrew
Published: July 2009

Standard explanations of the decisions made by new firm founders when acquiring financing to start ventures tend to refer to the efficiency and economic rationales underpinning such choices. In this article, pecking order approach is applied to 26 cases of new venture creation to test such 'rational actor' approaches.When pecking order considerations are extended to incorporate previous experiences of acquiring finance and perceptions of the ease and feasibility of doing so, a fuller explanation of decisions and patterns in new venture financing emerges.A key implication of this analysis is the need to consider the experiential and knowledge base of founders when seeking to understand the dynamics and drivers of new business funding.
Toward a Practice Perspective of Entrepreneurship
Authors: De Clercq Dirk , Voronov Maxim
Published: July 2009

We argue that entrepreneurship research would benefit from a practice perspective, and drawing from Bourdieu's work, we envision entrepreneurship as a profoundly socially embedded process connected to entrepreneurs' positions in structures of power relations. In taking an initial step in the development of a practice perspective of entrepreneurship, we focus on one domain of entrepreneurial action, that is, the gaining of legitimacy by newcomers entering a field, which we conceive as the enactment of entrepreneurial habitus. We question the assumption that a newcomer entering a field automatically is deemed an entrepreneur and instead argue that he or she must be 'legitimized' as an entrepreneur by enacting taken-for-granted yet conflicting expectations about 'fitting in' with field rules and 'standing out' as a rule breaker. We discuss how newcomers' cultural and symbolic capital shape their ability to attain legitimacy and, in turn, how the interplay between newcomers' legitimacy and success influences the extent to which the structure of fields becomes reinforced or transformed.
SME Strategy, Embeddedness and Performance in East Cleveland, North East England
Authors: Kalantaridis Christos
Published: July 2009

The impact of the defining characteristics of rural areas on SME development has attracted considerable interest among researchers on both sides of the Atlantic. Despite conflicting findings - influenced in part by the specificities of national contexts - there is considerable agreement among academics that SME development in the countryside may be influenced by the connectivity of rural areas with their urban counterparts.Within this context, the concept of the city-region is often used to capture the 'ripple effects' from urban centres to nearby rural areas.This article sets out to examine the case of a rural area (East Cleveland) within a city-region (Tees Valley). The article aims to explore the linkages between embeddedness patterns, enterprise strategy and performance. In doing so, it compares the experience of rural SMEs in the study area with that of a control group located in the core of the city-region (Middlesbrough).The evidence presented here shows that in the case of East Cleveland (unlike other rural areas of the UK) local embeddedness is commonly reported by the great majority of SMEs - the result of the specificities of the regional context. While disembeddedness is often linked with robust performance, local embeddedness may also underpin survival and growth among certain SMEs (for example those with no coherent strategy).At the level of the locality however, this may impact adversely upon the processes of economic development.
Shear Buckling of Perforated Metallic Plates Reinforced with Square Composite Patches
Authors: Rezaeepazhand Jalil , Sabouri Hadi
Published: July 2009

The performance of damaged metallic plates reinforced with fiber-reinforced polymer composite materials (composite patches) are presented in this study. A square aluminum plate with a central circular cutout is considered as a damaged structural element. Numerical studies using commercial finite element code were conducted to investigate the effects of variation in patch geometries and lamination parameters on buckling responses of repaired plates. The varying laminate parameters, such as fiber angles and stacking sequences, are considered in this study. A quantitative measure for the effectiveness of the composite patches is taken to be the relative change in buckling loads of the reinforced plates compared to that of the unreinforced one. The results presented herein indicated that, for buckling response of a repaired metallic plate with central cutout, a set of laminated composite patches with different number of plies and stacking sequences can be found which improve the load-carrying capacity of damaged plates.
Effect of Inclined Cracks on the Fatigue and Fracture Behavior of Woven Steel/Reinforced Polyethylene Composite
Authors: Erkendirci Ö. Faruk , Avci Ahmet
Published: July 2009

In this study, the fatigue and fracture behavior of woven steel/reinforced high-density polyethylene thermoplastic composite, having a middle tension specimen with inclined through-thickness cracks, under fatigue loading were examined. The composite material was manufactured from bidirectional woven Cr—Ni steel fibers and high-density polyethylene with a fiber volume fraction (Vf) of 0.04. The separate cracks on the sample are oriented at different angles such as 15°, 30°, 45°, 60°, and 75°. According to each crack geometry, fatigue crack growth was investigated. During the fatigue test, crack initiation, fatigue life, fatigue crack growth rate (da/dN), and stress intensity factor ranges (ΔKI, ΔK II, ΔKIeq, ΔKIIeq, and ΔKeq) were examined. In addition, strain energy release rate (ΔG) was checked out, since it was also an effective parameter in crack propagation. Crack growth rate was used as a damage parameter related to the crack geometry. In the results, crack growth rate was controlled through stress intensity factor ranges (ΔK ) and strain energy release rates (ΔG). Graphs of Δa/N, da/dN - ΔK and da/dN - ΔG such as material properties under consideration were plotted on log scale. Material constants were determined using Paris—Erdogan equation. Also, ΔG values were determined using linear elastic fracture method and compliance method, and the results were compared.
Fire Structural Modeling of Polymer Composites with Passive Thermal Barrier
Authors: Feih S. , Mouritz A.P. , Mathys Z. , Gibson A.G.
Published: July 2009

A coupled thermo-mechanical model is presented for calculating the compressive strength and failure of polymer laminated composites with thermal barrier when exposed to fire. Thermal barriers are used to protect composite structures from fire, and this article presents a model for calculating the improved structural survivability under compression loading. The thermal component of the model predicts the through-thickness temperature profile of the composite when protected from fire using a passive thermal barrier insulation material. The thermal analysis is coupled to a mechanical model that calculates the loss in compressive strength with increasing temperature and heating time. The model predicts the strength loss and failure time of an insulated composite supporting a static compressive load when exposed to fire. The accuracy of the model is evaluated using failure times measured in fire-under-compression load tests on a woven E-glass/vinyl ester composite protected with a passive thermal barrier. The model predicts reductions to the failure time with increasing heat flux (temperature), applied compressive stress, and reduced insulation thickness, and this is confirmed by experimental testing. It is envisaged that the thermo-mechanical model is a useful analytical method to design thermal barrier material systems to protect composite structures exposed to high temperature or fire.
Adolescent Peer Relationships and Emerging Adult Romantic Styles
Authors: Dhariwal Amrit , Connolly Jennifer , Paciello Marinella , Caprara Gian Vittorio
Published: July 2009

This study extends understanding of romantic development in the emerging adult years by using an 8-year longitudinal design in Italy. Peer groups at age 13, interpersonal functioning and emotion regulation at age 17, and romantic styles at age 21 were measured in 388 youth. Early peer groups were shown to be indirectly associated with two romantic outcomes: a consolidated style and an exploratory style. As mediators, interpersonal functioning was integral to both longitudinal trajectories, while emotion regulation was unique to the exploratory one. Results provide empirical support for the heterogeneous nature and paths of developing romantic relationships in emerging adulthood and the lasting effects of early peer groups on romantic development beyond adolescence. Results are discussed in consideration of Italian culture.
The Friction and Wear Properties of Thermoplastic PA6 Composites Filled with Carbon Fiber
Authors: Li J. , Xia Y.C.
Published: July 2009

The tribological performance of PA6 and carbon fiber reinforced polyamide 6 (CF/PA6) under dry sliding condition was examined. Different contents of carbon fibers were employed as reinforcement. All filled and unfilled polyamide 6 composites were tested against CGr15 ball and representative testing was performed. The effects of carbon fiber content on tribological properties of the composites were investigated. The worn surface morphologies of neat PA6 and its composites were examined by scanning electron microscopy and the wear mechanisms were discussed. Moreover, all filled polyamide 6 have superior tribological characteristics to unfilled polyamides 6. The optimum wear reduction was obtained when the content of carbon fiber is 20 vol%.
On the Thermal Expansion Behavior of Polystyrene/Polyethyleneterephthalate Blend Systems: Experimental Study
Authors: Alsewailem Fares D.
Published: July 2009

Thermal expansion behavior defined as the percentage of dimensional change upon heating for the blend systems of polystyrene/polyethyleneterephthalate has been investigated in this study. General purpose polystyrene (PS) and high impact polystyrene (HIPS) were blended with polyethyleneterephthalate (PET) at a weight ratio of (15/85). The dimensional change of the neat and blended polymers versus temperature is measured by a thermomechanical analyzer using an expansion probe. The study investigates thermal expansion behavior of the PS/PET and HIPS/ PET blend systems under various conditions of heating rate, load, and heating regime. Higher thermal expansion values for the neat polymers and the blends were observed at lower heating rate, i.e., 5°C/min, while increasing load did not seem to affect thermal expansion behavior of the materials except for neat PET and HIPS/ PET blend system at higher temperature range, i.e., beyond Tg of PET and near softening temp of HIPS, where thermal expansion values decreased as load increased. Neat polystyrenes exhibited noticeable thermal expansion and contraction behavior when tested isothermally. The blend systems formulated and tested in this study, which consisted 15/85 wt% of both PS/PET and HIPS/PET, have proven to be more thermally stable and have better thermal expansion behaviors in both heating regimes used, i.e., nonisothermal and isothermal, than those behaviors observed for the neat polymers especially the minor phase, i.e., the polystyrenes.
Effects of Particle Size and Coupling Agent Concentration on Mechanical Properties of Particulate-filled Polymer Composites
Authors: Nourbakhsh Amir , Karegarfard Abolfazl , Ashori Alireza , Nourbakhsh Anita
Published: July 2009

In this study the influence of filler particle size (40, 50, and 60 meshes) and coupling agent concentration (0 and 2 wt%) on the composite mechanical properties were studied. Specimens having 30 wt% wood flour of poplar were mixed with polypropylene and polypropylene grafted maleic anhydride (PP-g-MA) as coupling agent. It was found that strength properties of the composites can be improved moderately by adding 2 wt% PP-g-MA. It was also observed that smaller filler particles provide higher tensile modulus than the larger sized filler. Moreover, increase in aspect ratio of the wood particles contributed to the enhancement in the mechanical properties of the composites. The elongation value was not found to have any considerable variation with particle size. The PP-wood flour composites exhibited low impact strength compared to pure PP. In general, Wood flour could be considered as a potential source of low cost, natural fibers for composites.
Growing Up and Growing Out
Authors: Fairfield Kent D.
Published: July 2009

This article describes a journey introducing service-learning based on large-scale projects in an undergraduate management curriculum, leading to supplementing this approach with more conventional small-group projects. It outlines some of the foundation for service-learning. Having students undertake a single class-wide project offers distinctive advantages. The difficulties experienced in early iterations of the course, however, prompted the author to reflect on the literature on developmental psychology and “emerging adulthood.” This reflection led to introducing a second course based on more modest small-group projects, which can serve as a useful prerequisite for the more ambitious class-wide project enterprise. The smaller scale project class focuses on personal skills, individual effectiveness, and team leadership. Moving later to a larger scale project allows students to learn more about delegating to others, managing performance, designing tasks and organizations, and gaining a sense of impact as a collective unit. Results so far suggest the benefit of both classes taken in sequence.
Descriptive Sensory Analysis and Acceptance of Stingless Bee Honey
Authors: Ferreira E.L. , Lencioni C. , Benassi M.T. , Barth M.O. , Bastos D.H.M.
Published: July 2009

Stingless bee honey samples were evaluated by sensory descriptive analysis using free choice profile methodology. Appearance, flavor, and aroma were described and the data were treated with Generalized Procrustes Analysis. Individual descriptive terms ranged from 8 to 20. Plotting the samples in a bidimensional plan indicated that appearance attributes (color and viscosity) and sweet, sour and acid flavor were strongly correlated with x axis (Dimension 1) while coconut, wood, acid, sour, and sweet flavor aroma attributes were correlated with y axis (Dimension 2). The affective test was also performed and with the exception of the Melipona scutellaris honey, all the other samples showed good acceptance. Honeys that were described as sweeter and less acid were preferred by nontrained assessors, indicating that the regular consumer recognizes honey produced by Apis mellifera bee as a standard.
Damage Tolerance of a Sandwich Panel Containing a Cracked Square Lattice Core
Authors: Quintana-Alonso Ignacio , Fleck Norman A.
Published: July 2009

The fracture response of a sandwich panel, with a center-cracked core made from an elastic-brittle square lattice, is explored by finite element simulations and simple analytical models. First, predictions are given for the unnotched strength of the sandwiched core and for the fracture toughness of the lattice under remote tension, remote compression, or remote shear. It is assumed that the lattice fails when the local stress in the cell wall attains the tensile or compressive strength of the solid, or when local buckling occurs. Failure maps are then constructed for a cracked sandwich panel, with axes given by a dimensionless crack length and dimensionless height of the sandwich core. The shear strength of the cracked sandwich panel is examined in detail. The precise form of the failure map for shear loading depends upon the tensile failure strain of the solid and upon the relative density of the lattice. The relevance of the shear failure map to lattices made from a wide range of engineering materials is illustrated through material-property charts. An extension of the method to cyclic loading is discussed.
Indentation Study of Foam Sandwich Structures Reinforced by Fiber Columns
Authors: Wang Shi-Xun , Wu Lin-Zhi , Li Ma
Published: July 2009

Static indentation responses of foam sandwich beams and plates reinforced by fiber columns are investigated experimentally and theoretically. Based on the superposition principle, a new model is established for predicting the indentation response of sandwich beams. It should be pointed out that this model does not need to calculate the strain energy stored in the structure, which is usually difficult to be determined. For traditional foam sandwich beams and foam sandwich beams reinforced by fiber columns, the analytical predictions of indentation behaviors well agree with experimental measures. Furthermore, the analytical solution of indentation response of foam sandwich plate reinforced by fiber columns is derived by the principle of minimum energy and is compared well with experimental results.
When 1 plus 1 equals 3 in VWD
Authors: Goodeve Anne C.
Published: July 2009

In this issue of Blood, Sutherland and colleagues describe an unusual in-frame deletion of exons 4-5 of the VWF gene associated with both dominantly inherited type 1 and with type 3 VWD.1
Granules and thrombus formation
Authors: Kahr Walter H. A.
Published: July 2009

In this issue of Blood, Graham and colleagues demonstrate the importance of platelet dense granule secretion for in vivo platelet accumulation following laser injury, which is mediated by the SNARE protein Endobrevin/VAMP-8.
Inhibition of histone deacetylase overcomes rapamycin-mediated resistance in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma by inhibiting Akt signaling through mTORC2
Authors: Gupta Mamta , Ansell Stephen M. , Novak Anne J. , Kumar Shaji , Kaufmann Scott H. , Witzig Thomas E.
Published: July 2009

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) has emerged as an important therapeutic target for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), as recent studies have demonstrated that 30% of relapsed patients respond to mTOR inhibitors. Why some lymphomas are resistant is incompletely understood. In the present study, we demonstrated that rapamycin inhibits mTORC1 in DLBCL lines and primary tumors but is minimally cytotoxic. Subsequent investigations revealed that rapamycin also activated eIF4E and the mTORC2 target Akt, suggesting a potential mechanism of rapamycin resistance. Furthermore, knockdown of the mTORC2 component rictor, but not the mTORC1 component raptor, inhibited rapamycin-induced Akt phosphorylation in lymphoma cells. Addition of the histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDI) LBH589 (LBH) overcame rapamycin resistance by blocking mTOR, thus preventing Akt activation. Further studies support the involvement of the protein phosphatase PP1 in LBH-mediated Akt dephosphorylation, which could be mimicked by knockdown of HDAC3. This is the first demonstration that a HDI such as LBH can overcome rapamycin resistance through a phosphatase that antagonizes mTORC2 activation. These results provide a mechanistic rationale for a clinical trial of a combination of HDI and mTOR inhibitors for DLBCL.
High Id1 expression is associated with poor prognosis in 237 patients with acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Tang Ruoping , Hirsch Pierre , Fava Fanny , Lapusan Simona , Marzac Christophe , Teyssandier Irène , Pardo Julia , Marie Jean-Pierre , Legrand Ollivier
Published: July 2009

Inhibitors of differentiation (Id) are a group of dominant inhibitors of basic helix-loop-helix transcriptional factors, which promote excessive proliferation, and also protect cells against drug-induced apoptosis in mammalians. Recently, Id1 has been identified as a common downstream target of several constitutively activated oncogenic tyrosine kinase, such as FLT3 internal tandem duplication, in leukemia cells. We analyzed Id1 expression as possible prognostic factor in 237 acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. High Id1 expression was associated with older age (P = .009) and with FLT3 internal tandem duplication (P = .003). However, 61% of the patients in the group of FLT3− AML were Id1+, suggesting that other tyrosine kinases are involved. In whole population, high Id1 expression independently predicted shorter disease-free survival (P = .05) and overall survival (P = .003). In young patients (age ≤ 60 years) with normal cytogenetics, Id1+ was, in multivariate analysis, associated with lower complete remission rates (P = .02), shorter disease-free survival (P = .02), and overall survival (P = .006). In conclusion, our data provide a new molecular marker for refining the risk classification of AML, especially in young patients with normal cytogenetic. Id1− patients with normal cytogenetic should be classified as favorable-risk leukemia. Id1, as a downstream target of constitutively activated tyrosine kinase, could be a suitable candidate for targeted therapy.
Aberrant overexpression of microRNAs activate AKT signaling via down-regulation of tumor suppressors in natural killer–cell lymphoma/leukemia
Authors: Yamanaka Yasuo , Tagawa Hiroyuki , Takahashi Naoto , Watanabe Atsushi , Guo Yong-Mei , Iwamoto Keiko , Yamashita Junsuke , Saitoh Hirobumi , Kameoka Yoshihiro , Shimizu Norio , Ichinohasama Ryo , Sawada Ken-ichi
Published: July 2009

The gene(s) responsible for natural killer (NK)–cell lymphoma/leukemia have not been identified. In the present study, we found that in NK-cell lymphoma lines (n = 10) and specimens of primary lymphoma (n = 10), levels of miR-21 and miR-155 expression were inversely related and were significantly greater than those found in normal natural killer (CD3−CD56+) cells (n = 8). To determine the functions of these microRNAs in lymphomagenesis, we examined the effects of antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) targeting miR-21 (ASO-21) and/or miR-155 (ASO-155) in NK-cell lymphoma lines overexpressing one or both of these miRNAs. Conversely, cells showing little endogenous expression of miR-21 or miR-155 were transduced by the use of lentiviral vectors, leading to their overexpression. Reducing expression of miR-21 or miR-155 led to up-regulation of phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN), programmed cell death 4 (PDCD4), or Src homology-2 domain-containing inositol 5-phosphatase 1 (SHIP1). ASO-21– and ASO-155–treated cell lines all showed down-regulation of phosphorylated AKTser473. Moreover, transduction with either miR-21 or miR-155 led to down-regulation of PTEN and PDCD4 or SHIP1 with up-regulation of phosphorylated AKTser473. Collectively, these results provide important new insight into the pathogenesis of NK-cell lymphoma/leukemia and suggest targeting miR-21 and/or miR-155 may represent a useful approach to treating NK-cell lymphoma/leukemia.
Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration for identifying EGFR mutations
Authors: Garcia-Olivé I. , Monsó E. , Andreo F. , Sanz-Santos J. , Taron M. , Molina-Vila M. A. , Llatjós M. , Castellà E. , Moran T. , Bertran-Alamillo J. , Mayo-de-las-Casas C. , Queralt C. , Rosell R.
Published: July 2009

The presence of somatic mutations of the tyrosine kinase domain of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene in patients with advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) correlates with a good response to tyrosine kinase inhibitors. The usefulness of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) for the detection of EGFR mutations in cells recovered from malignant mediastinal nodes in patients with NSCLC was assessed.

All patients with lung adenocarcinoma or unspecified NSCLC referred for staging with EBUS-TBNA were included. Nodes with a short-axis diameter of >5 mm were sampled, and genomic DNA from metastatic tumour cells was obtained for analysis of exons 19 and 21. The impact of sampling on management was assessed.

EGFR gene analysis of the EBUS-TBNA sample was feasible in 26 (72.2%) out of the 36 patients with lymph node metastasis. Somatic mutations of the EGFR gene were detected in tissue obtained through EBUS-TBNA in two (10%) out of 20 patients with metastasic lung adenocarcinoma.

Malignant tissue samples obtained by EBUS-TBNA from patients with nodal metastasis of NSCLC are suitable for the detection of EGFR mutations in most cases, and this technique demonstrates mutated neoplastic cells in a tenth of patients with adenocarcinoma.
Long-term effects of a partially supervised conditioning programme in cystic fibrosis
Authors: Hebestreit H. , Kieser S. , Junge S. , Ballmann M. , Hebestreit A. , Schindler C. , Schenk T. , Posselt H-G. , Kriemler S.
Published: July 2009

Little is known about the long-term persistence of positive effects induced by a physical conditioning programme in cystic fibrosis. Therefore, this study determined the effects of a 6-month conditioning programme on peak oxygen uptake (primary outcome) and other markers of fitness, physical activity, anthropometry, lung function and quality of life (secondary outcomes), 18 and 24 months after the programme was initiated.

Patients with cystic fibrosis aged 12–40 yrs were randomly assigned to an intervention (n = 23) and a control (n = 15) group. The intervention group consented to add 3 h of sports per week for ≥6 months to their previous activities. Controls were asked to maintain their level of activity for 12 months. Patients were seen at baseline and after 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months.

There was no significant difference between groups at baseline. The intervention induced positive effects on peak oxygen uptake (difference in changes from baseline to the 18- and 24-month assessments between groups: 3.72±1.23 mL·min−1·kg−1; p<0.01), maximal workload (0.37±0.11 W·kg−1; p<0.01), vigorous physical activity (1.63±0.82 h·week−1; p<0.05), forced vital capacity (6.06±2.87% predicted; p<0.05) and perceived health (9.89±4.72; p<0.05).

A home-based partially supervised physical conditioning programme can improve physical fitness, lung function and perceived health long after the intervention has ended.
A hypothesis for the initiation of COPD
Authors: Tzortzaki E. G. , Siafakas N. M.
Published: July 2009

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is generally thought to depend on an aberrant immune response to a noxious or infectious agent, which may cause chronic inflammation. However, the initiation of this abnormal response is not fully understood. Here, we propose a new hypothesis for the beginning of COPD, that the immune response to inhaled agents, mainly cigarette smoke, is directed toward the airway epithelium, due to oxidative DNA damage of the lung epithelial barrier cells (LEBCs). The steps of this model are as follows. 1) Cigarette smoke induces oxidative DNA damage of LEBCs. 2) The acquired mutations are expressed at the microsatellite DNA level of LEBCs. 3) The altered LEBCs are recognised by dendritic cells (DCs) as “nonself”. DCs travel, with the new information, to the lymph nodes, presenting it to the naïve T-lymphocytes. 4) A predominant CD8+ cytotoxic T-lymphocyte proliferation occurs. The CD8+ cells, by releasing perforin and granzymes, attack the altered LEBCs activating cell death cascades.

Obviously, the above scenario needs further experimental exploration. However, it is an attractive model for the initiation of the abnormal inflammation in COPD, comprising oxidative DNA damage of LEBCs and host immune response.
Analysis of home support and ventilator malfunction in 1,211 ventilator-dependent patients
Authors: Chatwin M. , Heather S. , Hanak A. , Polkey M. I. , Simonds A. K.
Published: July 2009

Risk management is an important aspect of home ventilation (HV). We examined the nature of calls to a home support helpline to identify patient/equipment problems and strategies to minimise risk for patients, healthcare teams and manufacturers.

From 1,211 adult and paediatric patients with neuromuscular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or chest wall disease receiving HV, all calls to a dedicated respiratory support telephone hotline between January 1, 2006 and June 30, 2006 were analysed.

1,199 patients received noninvasive ventilation, 12 tracheostomy ventilation; 149 had two ventilators for 24-h ventilator dependency. There was a mean of 528 daytime calls per month and 14 calls a month at night. Following 188 calls, a home visit was performed; these identified a technical problem that could either be solved in the patient's home in 64% or required replacement or new parts in 22% of cases. In 25 calls in which no mechanical fault was identified, 13 patients were either found to be unwell or required hospital admission.

Patients using HV have a substantial requirement for assistance, with most technical problems being resolved simply. Where no fault can be found during an equipment check, the patient themselves may be unwell and should receive early clinical evaluation. The patient may have mistaken clinical deterioration for an equipment problem.
Relaxation of tracheal smooth muscle is impaired in innate airway hyperresponsiveness
Authors: Blanc F-X. , Coirault C. , Oliviero P. , Lecarpentier Y.
Published: July 2009

The current study was designed to determine whether the nonspecificin vivoairway hyperresponsiveness of the inbred Fisher F-344 rat strain is associated with impaired spontaneous relaxation of airway smooth muscle.

Strips of the posterior portion of the trachea from 10 adult Fisher and 10 adult Lewis rats were electrically stimulated at pH 7.4, 2.5 mM Ca2+concentration, at 37°C. Both isotonic and isometric relaxations of tracheal smooth muscle (TSM) were investigated.

Half time for isotonic relaxation at preload was markedly prolonged in Fisher rats (8.33±3.21 s) compared with Lewis rats (3.53±0.54 s; p<0.001). Maximum lengthening velocity at preload and peak rate of isometric tension decline were significantly decreased in Fisher rats compared with Lewis rats. The ratio of shortening velocity to lengthening velocity at preload, as well as the ratio of the isometric peak rates of tension development to tension decline were higher in Fisher rat TSM than in Lewis rat TSM. These differences were associated with a six-fold higher expression of myosin light chain kinase in Fisher rats than in Lewis rats.

In Fisher rats, these results suggest that innate airway hyperresponsiveness is associated with both a reduced level and a slower rate of TSM spontaneous relaxation, promoting maintenance of airway constriction.
Variability and effects of bronchial colonisation in patients with moderate COPD
Authors: Marin A. , Monsó E. , Garcia-Nuñez M. , Sauleda J. , Noguera A. , Pons J. , Agustí A. , Morera J.
Published: July 2009

Sputum and lung function were periodically assessed in stable moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) outpatients to determine relationships between bronchial colonisation and inflammation.

Relationships between potentially pathogenic microorganism (PPM) typology, bronchial inflammation (neutrophilia, tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and IL-12) and post-bronchodilator decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) were analysed. PPMs periodically showing the same molecular profile using pulse field gel electrophoresis were considered long-term persistent.

Bronchial colonisation was observed in 56 out of 79 follow-up examinations (70.9%) and was mainly due toHaemophilus influenzae,Pseudomonas aeruginosaand enterobacteria (n = 47). These PPMs were all related to sputum neutrophilia (p≤0.05, Chi-squared test), andH. influenzaewas related to higher levels of IL-1β (p = 0.005) and IL-12 (p = 0.01), with a dose–response relationship (Spearman’s correlation coefficient of 0.38 for IL-1β (p = 0.001), and of 0.32 for IL-12 (p = 0.006)).Haemophilus parainfluenzaewas not associated with an identifiable inflammatory response. Long-term persistence of the same strain was observed in 12 examinations (21.4%), mainly due toP. aeruginosaor enterobacteria. A neutrophilic bronchial inflammatory response was associated with a statistically significant decline in FEV1during follow-up (OR 2.67, 95% CI 1.07–6.62).

A load-related relationship to bronchial inflammation in moderate COPD was observed for colonisation byH. influenzae, but not for colonisation byH. parainfluenzae.
Nonthrombotic pulmonary embolism
Authors: Jorens P. G. , Van Marck E. , Snoeckx A. , Parizel P. M.
Published: July 2009

Nonthrombotic pulmonary embolism (NTPE) is defined as embolisation to the pulmonary circulation of different cell types (adipocytes, haematopoietic, amniotic, trophoblastic or tumour), bacteria, fungi, foreign material or gas. The purpose of this article is to describe the clinical signs, pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of the different NTPE subtypes.

The complex and diverse pathogenesis of different subtypes of emboli is subject to continuing speculation and is certainly far more complex than “simple” mechanical obstruction after embolisation of vascular thrombi. Nonthrombotic emboli may also lead to a severe inflammatory reaction both in the systemic and pulmonary circulation, as well as in the lung.

NTPE presents a formidable diagnostic challenge, as the condition often presents with very unusual and peculiar clinical signs that are frequently overlooked. They range from very dramatic acute presentations such as acute respiratory distress syndrome to signs observed late in the disease course. Pathological observations play a key role in the exact diagnosis, and sometimes carefully aspirated blood from the pulmonary artery or specific staining of cells recovered from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid may be helpful. Frequently, lung biopsies revealing severe granulomatous reaction or unfortunatepost-mortempathological investigations of pulmonary tissue are necessary to confirm the diagnosis. Here, we also aim to familiarise the reader with the atypical radiological features of NTPE. Thin-section computed tomography of the lungs showing peculiar radiographic findings, such as a feeding vessel, the so-called tree-in-bud pattern or the appearance of micronodules distributed at the termination of bronchovascular bundles, may be observed in certain forms of NTPE.

Increased awareness of NTPE as an underestimated cause of acute and chronic embolism, which may result in acute and chronic pulmonary hypertension, is needed. Despite the fact that detailed descriptions of several forms of NTPE have existed for nearly 100 years, well-designed trials have never been performed to evaluate therapy in the different subsets of these patients.
Sputum colour: a useful clinical tool in non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis
Authors: Murray M. P. , Pentland J. L. , Turnbull K. , MacQuarrie S. , Hill A. T.
Published: July 2009

This study explored the utility of sputum colour in clinically stable patients with bronchiectasis. Interpretation of sputum colour between the doctor and the patient was reliable (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.83 (95% confidence interval 0.76–0.89). Sputum colour predicted bacterial colonisation (5% in mucoid sputum; 43.5% in mucopurulent sputum; 86.4% in purulent sputum; p<0.0001). On multivariate logistic regression analysis, independent factors associated with purulent sputum were bacterial colonisation, varicose or cystic bronchiectasis, forced expiratory volume in 1 s <80% predicted and diagnosis of bronchiectasis aged <45 yrs.