bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The value of an additional hypoechoic lesion‐directed biopsy core for detecting prostate cancer
Authors: Gosselaar Claartje , Roobol Monique J. , Roemeling Stijn , Wolters Tineke , Van Leenders Geert J.L.H. , Schröder Fritz H.
Published: February 2008

OBJECTIVE

To determine the value of a hypoechoic lesion (HL)‐directed biopsy in addition to a systematic sextant biopsy for detecting prostate cancer.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Within the European Randomized study of Screening for Prostate Cancer, 37 627 assays for prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) were done in men aged 55–75 years (screening round 1–3, interval 4 years). A PSA level of ≥3.0 ng/mL prompted a systematic transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS)‐guided lateralized sextant biopsy (4986 biopsy sessions were evaluated). If there was a HL, an additional lesion‐directed biopsy was taken.

RESULTS

At the initial screening, 1840 men were biopsied and 532 cancers were detected (28.9%). Of the men biopsied, 436 had a HL and an additional biopsy (23.7%). In these men, 230 cancers were detected (52.8%). In 3.5% (eight of 230) only the HL‐directed core showed malignancy. At the repeat and third screening, respectively, 19.3% and 18.9% of the men biopsied had prostate cancer, 16.8% and 9.3% had an HL and the additional core detected two (2.2%) and one (5.9%) cancers. At the first screen most cancers found by the additional core were clinically relevant. In later screens these cancers seemed to be minimal.

CONCLUSION

The performance of TRUS as a screening tool is poor. The value of the additional core was limited as only 3.5% of the visible cancers were detected solely by the additional biopsy (round 1). However, a substantial part of these cancers were clinically relevant and would have been missed without the additional biopsy. This finding was less clear in screening round 2 and 3, even in men who were not previously biopsied.
Assessment of the intratesticular resistive index by colour Doppler ultrasonography measurements as a predictor of spermatogenesis
Authors: Pinggera Germar‐Michael , Mitterberger Michael , Bartsch Georg , Strasser Hannes , Gradl Johannes , Aigner Friedrich , Pallwein Leo , Frauscher Ferdinand
Published: February 2008

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the value of the resistive index (RI) of intratesticular arteries, and to establish diagnostic criteria for normal and pathological sperm counts on the basis of quantitative colour Doppler ultrasonography (CDUS), as the assessment of the testicular RI is widely used to measure intratesticular blood flow.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In all, 160 men (aged 22–43 years, 320 testicles) were prospectively investigated; 80 had a normal and 80 a pathological sperm count, the latter having mild oligoasthenozoospermia. The RI was measured using a high‐frequency Doppler ultrasound probe (14 MHz), three times on each testicle at an intratesticular artery in the upper, middle and lower testicular pole. The testicular volume was also measured by US. The RI values were compared between patients with normal and pathological sperm counts, and were compared statistically with testicular volumes. In addition, blood samples were obtained for DNA extraction, chromosome analysis and hormonal evaluations.

RESULTS

Patients with normal sperm counts had a mean (sd) RI of 0.54 (0.05) and a mean testicular volume of 18.7 (5.2) mL, the respective values in those with pathological sperm counts were 0.68 (0.06) and 16.8 (6.0) mL, with a significantly greater RI in the latter (P < 0.001), but with no statistically significant difference in testicular volume between the groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

These preliminary data suggest that an RI of >0.6 might be suggestive of a pathological sperm count in andrological patients. The intratesticular RI as measured by CDUS seems to be a reliable indicator for routine clinical use to identify subfertile men.
Establishing the role of cytokine therapy in advanced renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Gore Martin E. , De Mulder Pieter
Published: February 2008

Tribute to Professor Pieter De Mulder, from Martin Gore

Pieter and I were often pitted against each other in debates at international meetings on the role of cytokine therapy. The truth is that there was little disagreement between us, but we both thought such set pieces were a good way to highlight the issues surrounding the use of cytokines. He wanted our true joint view to be put on record, and the result is this article. Pieter himself suffered from kidney cancer for many years and he died in April as we were putting the finishing touches to this manuscript. Pieter was a remarkable man in so many ways. He was a physician of great compassion, immense intellect, utter integrity and unshakeable scientific rigor. These qualities meant that his perspective on many clinical controversies was in great demand internationally. The European oncology community has lost one of its giants and I, a dear friend. This manuscript is dedicated to the memory of Professor Pieter de Mulder.
A proposed guideline for the urological management of patients with spinal cord injury
Authors: Abrams Paul , Agarwal Meena , Drake Marcus , El‐Masri Waghi , Fulford Simon , Reid Sheilagh , Singh Gurpreet , Tophill Paul
Published: February 2008

OBJECTIVE

To develop a guideline for the urological management of patients with spinal cord injury (SCI).

METHODS

The existing practice in the UK was evaluated by a series of expert meetings. Previous publications on the subject were evaluated, and the information synthesized to produce a proposed guideline.

RESULTS

The literature review showed limited good‐quality data. As a result of the process a series of research questions was produced, the answers to which would allow a guideline to be established based on good‐quality evidence. In the absence of high‐quality evidence, the guideline was constructed using expert opinion. Urological care is described in the immediate, intermediate and long‐term phases after SCI.

CONCLUSION

The urological consequences of SCI can be devastating. Urological care is an important part of the holistic care of these patients, and should be delivered from SCI centres through a network of qualified clinicians.
Leptin and adiponectin interact in the regulation of prostate cancer cell growth via modulation of p53 and bcl‐2 expression
Authors: Mistry Tina , Digby Janet E. , Desai Ken M. , Randeva Harpal S.
Published: February 2008

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of leptin, full‐length adiponectin (fAd) and globular adiponectin (gAd), alone and in combination, on LNCaP and PC3 prostate cancer cell proliferation, and on the expression of p53 and bcl‐2 gene expression.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

LNCaP and PC3 prostate cancer cells were cultured and treated with the following: 0–100 nm leptin; 0–100 nm fAd ± 100 nm leptin; 0–100 nm gAd ± 100 nm leptin. Proliferation assays and quantitative reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction for p53 tumour‐suppressor gene and bcl‐2 oncogene expression were performed on treated samples.

RESULTS

Co‐incubation of PC3 cells with 100 nm leptin and 1 or 100 nm fAd significantly decreased cell proliferation to approximately half of basal (P < 0.001); there was no significant effect in LNCaP cells. Leptin‐induced inhibition of p53 expression in LNCaP cells was rescued by fAd. Leptin and fAd dose‐dependently potentiated p53 expression in PC3 cells (P < 0.001); leptin and gAd also increased p53 expression (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001). fAd and gAd had no effect on bcl‐2 expression in the presence of leptin in LNCaP cells. In PC3 cells, bcl‐2 expression was inhibited to negligible levels in the presence of leptin.

CONCLUSIONS

Leptin and adiponectin interact, resulting in the inhibition of prostate cancer cell proliferation, particularly in PC3 cells, via modulation of p53 and bcl‐2 expression. Our findings support the notion that high leptin and low adiponectin levels may be important in driving obesity‐related prostate cancer progression.
Paraoxonase 1 phenotype distribution and activity differs in subjects with newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetes (the CODAM Study)
Authors: Van Den Berg S. W. , Jansen E. H. J. , Kruijshoop M. , Beekhof P. K. , Blaak E. , Van Der Kallen C. J. , Van Greevenbroek M. M. , Feskens E. J. M.
Published: February 2008

Aims  Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) is an antioxidant high‐density lipoprotein‐bound enzyme, which was recently found to be expressed in the islets of Langerhans. A substitution (Q/R) at position 192 results in enzymes with different activity. Oxidation has been implicated in the onset of diabetes, and it can be hypothesized that PON1 may have a protective effect on diabetes. Our aim was to compare PON1 activities and PON1 Q/R phenotypes in subjects with different degrees of glucose intolerance.

Methods  We examined 566 members of the Cohort study of Diabetes and Atherosclerosis Maastricht (CoDAM), including subjects with normal glucose tolerance (NGT, n = 298), impaired glucose regulation (IGR, n = 128), newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetes (nDM, n = 78) and treated, that is to say known, Type 2 diabetes (kDM, n = 64). PON1 activity was measured in serum using paraoxon and diazoxon as substrates. The PON1 phenotype was determined using two‐dimensional enzyme analysis.

Results  The RR‐phenotype was significantly more frequent in nDM compared with NGT subjects (14.1 vs. 6.0%, P = 0.05). Adjusted for the PON1 phenotype, subjects with nDM had significant lower PON1 activity towards paraoxon and diazoxon than subjects with NGT. Adjusted odds ratios comparing the RR‐variant with the QQ‐variant were 2.17 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.90–5.24] for impaired glucose tolerance, 2.84 (95% CI: 1.03–7.83) for nDM, 2.13 (95% CI; 0.61–7.42) for kDM and 2.65 (95% CI: 1.10–6.40) for total diabetes mellitus.

Conclusions  An aberrant PON1 phenotype distribution and PON1 activity were observed in early diabetes. In addition, the higher state of oxidative stress may affect the future development of complications.
Macular oedema is not predicted by perifoveal single blot haemorrhages
Authors: Schofield C. J. , Ellis J. D. , Ellingford A. , Morris A. D. , Leese G. P.
Published: February 2008

Aims  To ascertain which perifoveal changes on digital retinal screening in diabetes predict the need for subsequent macular grid or focal laser therapy.

Methods  Between 1 January 2004 and 31 December 2005, all consecutive retinal images where any lesion was within one disc diameter of the fovea were reviewed. Patients were categorized by lesion at screening as having microaneurysm, single blot haemorrhage, multiple blot haemorrhages and exudates or circinate exudates within one disc diameter of the fovea. We compared these retinal images with the findings on slit lamp examination and the related decision for laser photocoagulation.

Results  Four hundred and twenty‐four retinal images were identified. Of these, 52 were excluded, principally because of an interval between photography and clinic attendance of greater than 120 days, leaving 372 retinal images in the study group (313 patients). No patients with a single blot haemorrhage required immediate laser therapy at ophthalmology review compared with 13 (23%) of those with multiple blot haemorrhages and 36 (16%) of those with exudates or circinate lesions (P < 0.001). Thirty‐nine patients with a single blot haemorrhage who did not require laser therapy underwent ongoing follow‐up. None of these underwent laser therapy for maculopathy within the study time frame (9 months from initial screening event).

Conclusions  In this study, no patients with a single blot haemorrhage within one disc diameter of the fovea on digital retinal screening required laser treatment.
Efficacy of tadalafil once daily in men with diabetes mellitus and erectile dysfunction
Authors: Hatzichristou D. , Gambla M. , Rubio‐Aurioles E. , Buvat J. , Brock G. B. , Spera G. , Rose L. , Lording D. , Liang S.
Published: February 2008

Aims  Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common comorbidity in men with diabetes mellitus. Tadalafil 10 or 20 mg taken on demand is efficacious and safe for men with diabetes and ED. Recently, continuous treatment with tadalafil has been proposed, addressing ED management as any other chronic condition. This study examined whether once‐daily tadalafil 2.5 and 5 mg is efficacious for men with diabetes and ED.

Methods  This randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, multicentre, 12‐week study enrolled 298 men with diabetes and ED to once‐daily treatment with placebo, tadalafil 2.5 mg or tadalafil 5 mg. Primary efficacy measures were International Index of Erectile Function Erectile Function (IIEF EF) Domain score, and patient success rates for vaginal penetration and completion of intercourse. Patient satisfaction, endothelial function biomarkers, and safety were also assessed.

Results  Patients receiving either dose of tadalafil had clinically and statistically significant improvements in IIEF EF and statistically significant improvements in mean success rates for vaginal penetration, completion of intercourse, and overall treatment satisfaction (P ≤ 0.005 tadalafil vs. placebo, all measures). Endothelial dysfunction biomarkers were unchanged. The most common adverse events were headache, back pain and dyspepsia.

Conclusions  In this first study of men with diabetes and ED, once‐daily tadalafil 2.5 and 5 mg was efficacious and well tolerated, suggesting this may be an alternative to on‐demand treatment for some men, eliminating the need to plan sex within a limited timeframe.
Survey of glargine use in 115 pregnant women with Type 1 diabetes
Authors: Gallen I. W. , Jaap A. , Roland J. M. , Chirayath H. H.
Published: February 2008

Aim  To examine pregnancy outcome in women with Type 1 diabetes treated with glargine.

Methods  Glargine use in pregnancy was surveyed over 2 years in 20 UK obstetric‐diabetes centres. Outcomes, including maternal complications, miscarriage, congenital abnormalities, perinatal morbidity and mortality, were recorded in a standardized format.

Results  Outcomes on 109 babies from 115 women with Type 1 diabetes were collected. Insulin glargine was used prior to pregnancy in 69% of women, started during pregnancy in 30%, and stopped at booking in one patient. Insulin aspart was the bolus insulin in 45%, lispro in 42% and human soluble in 8% of women. HbA1c fell from 8.1 ± 0.2% at booking to 6.8 ± 0.1% during the third trimester. Background retinopathy developed in one patient, worsened in seven and laser photocoagulation was required in three women. Preeclampsia occurred in 12%, and 14% of women had more than one episode of severe hypoglycaemia. One hundred and nine babies were live born, with six miscarriages and no neonatal deaths. The mean gestational age was 37.5 weeks, and mean birth weight was 3500 g. Three babies had congenital abnormalities (malformation rate = 28/1000). Neonatal hypoglycaemia was seen in 46% and hyperbilirubinaemia in 22% of babies. No major adverse outcome was noted in a smaller subset of five Type 2 and seven gestational diabetes patients on glargine.

Conclusions  The use of glargine in Type 1 diabetes during pregnancy was not associated with any unexpected adverse maternal or fetal outcome in this study.
Reduced frequency of blood group Lewis a−b− in female Type 1 diabetes patients
Authors: Kharagjitsingh A. V. , Prinsen K. , Lemkes H. H. P. J. , De Vries R. R. P. , Roep B. O. , Buschard K.
Published: February 2008

Aims  To examine a disputed association between the Lewis(a−b−) phenotype and Type 1 diabetes (T1D).

Methods  Lewis red blood cell phenotyping was performed for 97 T1D White patients and 100 control subjects using monoclonal antibodies. Two historical cohorts were also included as a control population.

Results  T1D patients had a lower frequency (4.1%) of Lewis(a−b−) blood group compared with simultaneously tested healthy control subjects (10.0%) and the historical control group (11.1%, P = 0.02). Male T1D patients showed a Lewis(a−b−) frequency of 8.0%, which was similar to both matched healthy male donors (9.8%) and historical (9.5%) male control subjects. Unexpectedly, none of the female T1D patients displayed Lewis(a−b−) phenotype, vs. 10.3% and 10.8% of female control subjects (P = 0.039 and 0.017).

Conclusions  The Lewis(a−b−) phenotype occurs less frequently in T1D compared with healthy control subjects with a strong female gender bias.
Organization of a quality‐assurance project in all Belgian multidisciplinary diabetes centres treating insulin‐treated diabetes patients: 5 years’ experience
Authors: Debacker N. , Nobels F. , Vandenberghe H. , Van Crombrugge P. , Scheen A. , Van Casteren V.
Published: February 2008

Aims  To describe the IQED, a quality‐assurance system started in 2001 in Belgian hospital‐based multidisciplinary diabetes centres, and its effects on the quality of care.

Methods  The study was conducted through four data collections (in 2001, 2002, 2004 and 2006). Approximately 120 diabetes centres provided data on a systematic random sample of 10% of their adult diabetic patients on at least two daily insulin injections. Data on patient characteristics, glycaemic control, cardiovascular risk, diabetes complications, follow‐up procedures and treatment were obtained. Local quality promotion was encouraged by returning comprehensive feedback (benchmarks) and during information meetings.

Results  Nearly all diabetes centres (98–100%) participated. The pooled sample consisted of 9194 (32%) Type 1 and 19 828 (68%) Type 2 diabetes patients, with mean diabetes duration of 17 years and 14 years, prevalence of microvascular complications of 23% and 38% and prevalence of macrovascular complications of 9% and 26%, respectively. At the start, the quality of care was good in terms of risk‐factor testing rates and moderate in terms of patients meeting goals for risk‐factor management. At least 50% of the centres initiated quality‐promoting initiatives. After 5 years, significant improvements were seen in risk‐factor testing rates, apart from renal screening. Improvements in intermediate outcomes were less obvious, apart from an increase in patients reaching the targets for blood pressure and LDL cholesterol.

Conclusions  It is feasible to implement a continuous quality‐improvement project on a nationwide scale, with improvements particularly in process indicators.
Dousing our inflammatory environment(s): is personal carbon trading an option for reducing obesity – and climate change?
Authors: Egger G.
Published: February 2008

Obesity and climate change are two problems currently challenging humanity. Although apparently unrelated, an epidemiological approach to both shows a similar environmental aetiology, based in modern human lifestyles and their driving economic forces. One way of analysing this is through inflammation (defined as ‘. . . a disturbance of function following insult or injury’) of both the internal (biological) and external (ecological) environments. Chronic, low‐grade, systemic inflammation has recently been shown to accompany obesity, as well as a range of biological pathologies associated with obesity (diabetes, heart disease, some cancers, etc.). This is influenced by the body's inability to soak up excess glucose as a result of insulin resistance. In a broader sense, inflammation is a metaphor for ecological ‘pathologies’, manifest particularly in unnatural disturbances like climate change, ocean acidity, rising temperatures and species extinction, associated with the inability of the world's environmental ‘sinks’ to soak up carbon dioxide (‘carbon resistance’?). The use of such a metaphorical analysis opens the possibilities for dealing with two interdisciplinary problems simultaneously. Strategies for managing climate change, including personal carbon trading, could provide a ‘stealth intervention’ for reducing population levels of obesity by increasing personal energy expenditure and decreasing energy‐dense food intake, as well as reducing the carbon emissions causing climate change.
Contribution of extracellular negatively charged residues to ATP action and zinc modulation of rat P2X2receptors
Authors: Friday Sean C. , Hume Richard I.
Published: February 2008

Two histidines are known to be essential for zinc potentiation of rat P2X2receptors, but the chemistry of zinc coordination would suggest that other residues also participate in this zinc‐binding site. There is also a second lower affinity zinc‐binding site in P2X2receptors whose constituents are unknown. To assess whether the extracellular acidic residues of the P2X2receptor contribute to zinc potentiation or inhibition, site‐directed mutagenesis was used to produce alanine substitutions at each extracellular glutamate or aspartate. Two electrode voltage clamp recordings fromXenopusoocytes indicated that 7 of the 34 mutants (D82A, E85A, E91A, E115A, D136A, D209A, and D281A) were deficient in zinc potentiation and one mutant (E84A) was deficient in zinc inhibition. Additional tests on cysteine mutants at these eight positions indicated that D136 is the only residue that is a strong candidate to be at the potentiating zinc‐binding site, and that E84 is unlikely to be at the inhibitory zinc‐binding site.
Acyl coenzyme A‐binding protein (ACBP) is phosphorylated and secreted by retinal Müller astrocytes following protein kinase C activation
Authors: Qian Zuyuan , Bilderback Timothy R. , Barmack Neal H.
Published: February 2008

Horizontal optokinetic stimulation of rabbit retina in vivo evokes increased expression of acyl coenzyme A‐binding protein (ACBP), also known as ‘diazepam binding inhibitor,’ from retinal Müller cells. If the expressed ACBP were also secreted by Müller cells, then stimulus‐evoked secretion of ACBP could influence the activity of GABAA receptor‐expressing retinal neurons. In this study, we examine in vitro whether ACBP is secreted by Müller glial cells and Müller‐like QNR/K2 cells following stimulation with elevated levels of KCl and phorbol myristic acetate (PMA). KCl and PMA stimulation evoked secretion of threonine‐phosphorylated ACBP. A sequence analysis of ACBP shows that it has five potential phosphorylation sites: Two threonine sites fit a protein kinase C phosphorylation pattern. Two threonine sites fit a casein kinase II (CK2) pattern. One serine site fits a CK2 pattern. As CK2 is not expressed in QNR/K2 cells, it is probable that protein kinase C accounts for the phosphorylation of ACBP in these cells and for the PMA‐evoked secretion of ACBP. Serine phosphorylation was constitutive. Horizontal optokinetic stimulation increased threonine‐phosphorylated ACBP in rabbit retina. Phosphorylation of ACBP may influence its target affinity. We used a proteolytic fragment of ACBP, octadecaneuropeptide (ODN), to investigate how threonine phosphorylation influences its affinity for GABAA receptors. Threonine‐phosphorylated ODN had a stronger affinity for GABAA receptors than did unphosphorylated ODN or unphosphorylated ACBP. We conclude that stimulus‐induced Müller cell secretion of phosphorylated ACBP could influence the GABAergic transmission in neighboring retinal neurons.
Cranial mediastinal carcinomas in nine dogs*
Authors: Liptak J. M. , Kamstock D. A. , Dernell W. S. , Ehrhart E. J. , Rizzo S. A. , Withrow S. J.
Published: February 2008

Nine dogs were diagnosed with cranial mediastinal carcinomas. Based on histological and immunohistochemical analysis, four dogs were diagnosed with ectopic follicular cell thyroid carcinomas, one dog with ectopic medullary cell thyroid carcinoma, two dogs with neuroendocrine carcinomas and two dogs with anaplastic carcinomas. Clinical signs and physical examination findings were associated with a space‐occupying mass, although one dog was diagnosed with functional hyperthyroidism. Surgical resection was attempted in eight dogs. The cranial mediastinal mass was invasive either into the heart or into the cranial vena cava in three dogs. Resection was complete in six dogs and unresectable in two dogs. All dogs survived surgery, but four dogs developed pulmonary thromboembolism and two dogs died of respiratory complications postoperatively. Adjunctive therapies included pre‐operative radiation therapy (n= 1) and postoperative chemotherapy (n= 3). Three dogs had metastasis at the time of diagnosis, but none developed metastasis following surgery. The overall median survival time was 243 days. Local invasion, pleural effusion and metastasis did not have a negative impact on survival time in this small case series.
Cisplatin: a review of toxicities and therapeutic applications
Authors: Barabas K. , Milner R. , Lurie D. , Adin C.
Published: February 2008

Cisplatin is a platinum chemotherapeutic used in a variety of malignancies. The antineoplastic activity occurs from DNA cross‐links and adducts, in addition to the generation of superoxide radicals. Nephrotoxicity is the most well‐known and potentially most clinically significant toxicity. Unfortunately, the mechanism for cisplatin nephrotoxicity has not been completely elucidated; however, many theories have been developed. Other toxicities include gastrointestinal, myelosuppression, ototoxicity and neurotoxicity. Saline diuresis is currently the most accepted way to prevent cisplatin nephrotoxicity. Research has focused on pharmaceuticals and enzyme/molecular alterations as alternatives to long‐term diuresis. No agents have currently been identified that can protect from all toxicities. Cisplatin has shown activity against osteosarcoma, transitional cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), melanoma, mesothelioma, carcinomatosis and germinal cell tumours in the dog. In the cat, cisplatin cannot be utilized because of fulminant pulmonary oedema that occurs at standard doses. Intralesional cisplatin has been utilized in horses for the treatment of SCC and sarcoids.
A (Con)text for New Discourse as Semiotic Praxis
Authors: Fulkova Marie , Tipton Teresa M.
Published: February 2008

Contemporary art requires that art and cultural educators reposition encounters with artefacts, images and performances into a context for new discourses. Whereas digital media and other aspects of visual popular culture predominate the frames of reference of school‐age children, their context (codes) of reference, in large part, do not contain those used by art and cultural education professionals. Most art professionals (con)textualise their interpretations from a more formalistic tradition, unlike school‐age children, whose use of iconographic elements from their experiential subcultures, are projected into the content of their visual encounters. In order to find relevancy for today's art education, interrelationships between the codes of the participant and visual experiences must be built upon the development of new strategies between viewers, artefacts and experts. This article presents the background and use of dialogic strategies for new discourse from the‘Open Dialogue Club’programme between the Department of Art Education at Charles University and the Galerie Rudolfinum, a contemporary art space, in Prague, Czech Republic.
A Visual Culture Art Education Curriculum for Early Childhood Teacher Education: Re‐Constructing the Family Album
Authors: Trafí Laura
Published: February 2008

This article reflects on the reading and writing of an art education curriculum for teacher education centred on the biographical and social reconstruction of childhood. The foundations of this curriculum interconnect ideas from different fields like postmodern childhood studies, visual studies, and the performance of subjectivity and memory. This is an interpretative curriculum centred in narrating aesthetic encounters for imagining and producing alternative views of childhood. It stresses the relevance of biographic work in the formation of teaching identities, and constructs dialogues and connections between the private and public discourses of childhood. In this context the family album becomes a powerful resource for visual analysis, cultural critique, and subjective re‐construction.
Gestalt‐A Learning Theory for Graphic Design Education
Authors: Jackson Ian
Published: February 2008

This article will begin by seeking to define the notion of learning by, through and from experience. A linkage will then be established between these notions of experiences and gestalt theory. This will be explored within a subject specific context of graphic design. Links will be highlighted between the inherent nature of graphic design and those of gestalt psychology. Although reference will be made to other learning theories, particularly behaviourism, this article will proceed into a discussion on how the pursuit of a gestaltist stance has had implications upon the learning experiences of a range of Higher National Diploma / Foundation Degree learners. The article concludes with a summary of its observations and a consideration of this upon future practical and theoretical practice within graphic design education.
Histories of Indian Labour: Predicaments and Possibilities
Authors: Joshi Chitra
Published: February 2008

This article looks at the shifts in Indian labour historiography through a focus on certain key themes: community, politics, gender and law. For more than a decade, historians of labour in India and outside have critiqued teleological frameworks within which working class formation was conceptualized. The article examines the ways in which these critiques have complicated received ideas of class, community and working class politics. In addressing issues of gender, writings on labour are moving beyond earlier masculinist frames to look at the production of gendered identities. Recent writings on law and legislation point in new directions and unsettle old binaries of formal/informal, free/unfree labour.
Uncharted Pacific Waters: The Solomon Islands Constitution and the Government of Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, 2006–2007
Authors: Moore Clive
Published: February 2008

Manasseh Sogavare was Prime Minister of Solomon Islands from 4 May 2006 until 20 December 2007. Several times since independence, Solomon Islands has been at cross‐roads where its leaders have made deliberate choices that altered the direction of the nation. This occurred again under the leadership of Sogavare. The national political process has always revolved around strong leadership from prime ministers who combine traditional Melanesian bigman styles with control of a modern parliamentary system in which many members are Independents. Even MPs in political parties have few ideological allegiances and tend to focus on undisciplined self‐promotion. Nonetheless, the nation has always been guided by its national Constitution, the rudder of the ship of state. Solomon Islands underwent ‘crisis years’, 1998–2003, when militia from two neighbouring islands were involved in conflict based on unequal economic development. Then in mid‐2003 the Pacific Islands Forum sent a Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands to restore order and restructure and strengthen governance. The article surveys the earlier changes of direction and then concentrates on the Second Sogavare Government. Under Sogavare, there were signs that the Constitution was being flouted more frequently and that the nation was moving into uncharted waters. A comparison is drawn with Fiji, where four coups d’état since 1987 have irrevocably altered the post‐independence status quo, and there is analysis of the increasingly poor relations between Australia and Solomon Islands under Sogavare. It appears that a creeping coup took place in Solomon Islands, as an increasingly strong leader slowly altered the political system.
Local Option Sales Taxes and Fiscal Disparity: The Case of Georgia Counties
Authors: ZHAO ZHIRONG JERRY , HOU YILIN
Published: February 2008

While local option sales taxes (LOST) have become an important revenue source for local governments, there has been concern about the distribution of LOST revenues: the uneven distribution of sales tax bases may have introduced a new source of fiscal inequality and exacerbated existing fiscal disparity. Using Georgia county data (N=159, 1970–2000), this study examines whether and how LOST have affected local fiscal disparity. Our findings suggest that the effects of LOST on fiscal disparity vary with the approach to measure revenue‐raising capacity; thus the issue of LOST distribution is sensitive to the underlying conceptualization of “fiscal equity.”
Municipal Communications Tax Revenue Reliance and Fiscal Impact of Possible Federal Preemption
Authors: WU YONGHONG , PAGANO MICHAEL A.
Published: February 2008

This paper presents empirical evidence of the extent to which municipal governments might be affected by federal preemption in the communications sector in light of the substantial variation in municipal governments' reliance on communications tax revenues. The results suggest that the federal preemption would have a negative fiscal impact on the majority of municipal governments, and the extent of the impact would vary substantially. The analysis also indicates that it would be challenging or legally impossible for some city governments to make up for the magnitude of revenue loss due to the states' constraints on municipal revenue‐raising capacity.
A New Species of Myxozoa, Henneguya rondoni n. sp. (Myxozoa), from the Peripheral Nervous System of the Amazonian Fish, Gymnorhamphichthys rondoni (Teleostei)
Authors: AZEVEDO CARLOS , CASAL GRAÇA , MATOS PATRICIA , MATOS EDILSON
Published: February 2008

ABSTRACT. Henneguya rondoni n. sp. found in the peripheral lateral nerves located below the two lateral lines of the fish Gymnorhamphichthys rondoni (Teleostei, Rhamphichthyidae) from the Amazon river is described using light and electron microscopy. Spherical to ellipsoid cysts measuring up to 110 μm in length contained only immature and mature spores located in close contact with the myelin sheaths of the nervous fibres. Ellipsoidal spores measured 17.7 (16.9–18.1)‐μm long, 3.6 (3.0–3.9)‐μm wide, and 2.5 (2.2–2.8)‐μm (n=25) thick. The spore body measuring 7.0 (6.8–7.3)‐μm long was formed by two equal symmetric valves, each with an equal tapering tail 10.7 (10.3–11.0) μm in length. The tails were composed of an internal dense material surrounded by an external homogeneous sheath of hyaline substance. The valves surrounded two equal pyriform polar capsules measuring 2.5 (2.2–2.8)‐μm long and 0.85 (0.79–0.88)‐μm (n=25) wide and a binucleated sporoplasm cell containing globular sporoplasmosomes 0.38 (0.33–0.42) μm (n=25) in diam. with an internal eccentric dense structure with half‐crescent section. Each polar capsule contains an anisofilar polar filament with 6–7 turns obliquely to the long axis. The matrix of the polar capsule was dense and the wall filled with a hyaline substance. The spores differed from those of previously described species. Based on the ultrastructural morphology of the spore and specificity to the host species, we propose a new species name H. rondoni n. sp.
Evidence‐based care and the curriculum
Authors: Winning T. , Needleman I. , Rohlin M. , Carrassi A. , Chadwick B. , Eaton K. , Hardwick K. , Ivancakova R. , Jallaludin R. L. , Johnsen D. , Kim J.‐G. , Lekkas D. , Li D. , Onisei D. , Pissiotis A. , Reynolds P. , Tonni I. , Vanobbergen J. , Vassileva R. , Virtanen J. , Wesselink P. , Wilson N.
Published: February 2008

An evidence‐based (EB) approach has been a significant driver in reforming healthcare over the past two decades. This change has extended across a broad range of health professions, including oral healthcare. A key element in achieving an EB approach to oral healthcare is educating our practitioners, both current and future. This involves providing opportunities integrated within simulated and actual clinical settings for practitioners to learn and apply the principles and processes of evidence‐based oral healthcare (EBOHC). Therefore, the focus of this discussion will be on ways in which EBOHC and associated research activities can be implemented into curricula, with the aim of improving patient care. This paper will initially define the scope of EBOHC and research, what these involve, why they are important, and issues that we need to manage when implementing EBOHC. This will be followed by a discussion of factors that enable successful implementation of EBOHC and research into curricula. The paper concludes with suggestions on the future of EBOHC and research in curricula.

Key recommendations related to curricula include strengthening of the culture of a scientific approach to education and oral healthcare provision; complete integration of EBOHC into the curriculum at all levels; and faculty development to implement EBOHC based on their needs and evidence of effective approaches. Key recommendations to support implementation and maintenance of EBOHC include recognition and funding for high‐quality systematic reviews and development of associated methodologies relevant for global environments; building global capacity of EBOHC researchers; research into improving translation of effective interventions into education and healthcare practice, including patient‐reported outcomes, safety and harms, understanding and incorporation of patient values into EB decision‐making, economic evaluation research specific to oral healthcare and effective methods for changing practitioner (faculty) behaviours; and extend access to synthesized research in ‘user friendly’ formats and languages tailored to meet users’ needs. Realizing these recommendations may help to improve access to effective healthcare as a basic human right.
Curriculum structure: principles and strategy
Authors: Oliver R. , Kersten H. , Vinkka‐Puhakka H. , Alpasan G. , Bearn D. , Cema I. , Delap E. , Dummer P. , Goulet J. P. , Gugushe T. , Jeniati E. , Jerolimov V. , Kotsanos N. , Krifka S. , Levy G. , Neway M. , Ogawa T. , Saag M. , Sidlauskas A. , Skaleric U. , Vervoorn M. , White D.
Published: February 2008

This report provides general guidelines for the structure of a curriculum, followed by specific advice on the principles of learning and teaching, the process of restructuring and change leadership and management. It provides examples of several educational philosophies, including vertical and horizontal integration. It discusses the use of competence, learning outcomes, level of degree and assessment and provides a number of recommendations. It does not seek to be prescriptive of time allocation to disciplines within a curriculum. Although this report has been written primarily for those who will develop an undergraduate curriculum, the information may be sufficiently generic to apply to the recent development in graduate entry (‘shortened dental’ or ‘accelerated’) courses and to postgraduate degree planning and higher education certificate or diploma courses for other dental care professionals (auxiliaries). The report may have a European bias as progress is made to converge and enhance educational standards in 29 countries with different educational approaches – a microcosm of global collaboration.
Potential of information technology in dental education
Authors: Mattheos N. , Stefanovic N. , Apse P. , Attstrom R. , Buchanan J. , Brown P. , Camilleri A. , Care R. , Fabrikant E. , Gundersen S. , Honkala S. , Johnson L. , Jonas I. , Kavadella A. , Moreira J. , Peroz I. , Perryer D. G. , Seemann R. , Tansy M. , Thomas H. F. , Tsuruta J. , Uribe S. , Urtane I. , Walsh T. F. , Zimmerman J. , Walmsley A. D.
Published: February 2008

The use of information technology (IT) in dentistry is far ranging. In order to produce a working document for the dental educator, this paper focuses on those methods where IT can assist in the education and competence development of dental students and dentists (e.g. e‐learning, distance learning, simulations and computer‐based assessment). Web pages and other information‐gathering devices have become an essential part of our daily life, as they provide extensive information on all aspects of our society. This is mirrored in dental education where there are many different tools available, as listed in this report. IT offers added value to traditional teaching methods and examples are provided. In spite of the continuing debate on the learning effectiveness of e‐learning applications, students request such approaches as an adjunct to the traditional delivery of learning materials. Faculty require support to enable them to effectively use the technology to the benefit of their students. This support should be provided by the institution and it is suggested that, where possible, institutions should appoint an e‐learning champion with good interpersonal skills to support and encourage faculty change.

From a global prospective, all students and faculty should have access to e‐learning tools. This report encourages open access to e‐learning material, platforms and programs. The quality of such learning materials must have well defined learning objectives and involve peer review to ensure content validity, accuracy, currency, the use of evidence‐based data and the use of best practices. To ensure that the developers’ intellectual rights are protected, the original content needs to be secure from unauthorized changes. Strategies and recommendations on how to improve the quality of e‐learning are outlined. In the area of assessment, traditional examination schemes can be enriched by IT, whilst the Internet can provide many innovative approaches. Future trends in IT will evolve around improved uptake and access facilitated by the technology (hardware and software). The use of Web 2.0 shows considerable promise and this may have implications on a global level. For example, the one‐laptop‐per‐child project is the best example of what Web 2.0 can do: minimal use of hardware to maximize use of the Internet structure. In essence, simple technology can overcome many of the barriers to learning. IT will always remain exciting, as it is always changing and the users, whether dental students, educators or patients are like chameleons adapting to the ever‐changing landscape.
Staff recruitment, development and global mobility
Authors: Corbet E. , Akinwade J. , Duggal R. , Gebreegziabher G. , Hirvikangas H. , Hysi D. , Katrova L. , Karaharju‐Suvanto T. , McGrath C. , Ono K. , Radnai M. , Schwarz E. , Scott J. , Sixou J.‐L. , Soboleva U. , Uoshima K. , Yaneva‐Ribagina K. , Fox C.
Published: February 2008

This paper considers issues that relate to staff recruitment, staff development and global mobility of dental academics. Published literature, which has a North American bias, is reviewed. Recommendations, which may be applicable world‐wide, are made to address evident and pertinent areas of concern in terms of the availability of quality dental teaching staff in dental teaching institutions so as to sustain the global dental academic enterprise at appropriately high levels of achievement.
Balancing the role of the dental school in teaching, research and patient care; including care for underserved areas
Authors: Holbrook W. P. , Brodin P. , Balciuniene I. , Brukiene V. , Bucur M. V. , Corbet E. , Dillenberg J. , Djukanovic D. , Ekanayake K. , Eriksen H. , Fisher J. , Goffin G. , Hull P. , Kumchai T. , Lumley P. , Lund J. , Mathur V. , Novaes A. , Puriene A. , Roger‐Leroi V. , Saito I. , Turner S. , Mabelya L.
Published: February 2008

Inequalities within dentistry are common and are reflected in wide differences in the levels of oral health and the standard of care available both within and between countries and communities. Furthermore there are patients, particularly those with special treatment needs, who do not have the same access to dental services as the general public. The dental school should aim to recruit students from varied backgrounds into all areas covered by the oral healthcare team and to train students to treat the full spectrum of patients including those with special needs. It is essential, however, that the dental student achieves a high standard of clinical competence and this cannot be gained by treating only those patients with low expectations for care. Balancing these aspects of clinical education is difficult. Research is an important stimulus to better teaching and better clinical care. It is recognized that dental school staff should be active in research, teaching, clinical work and frequently administration. Maintaining a balance between the commitments to clinical care, teaching and research while also taking account of underserved areas in each of these categories is a difficult challenge but one that has to be met to a high degree in a successful, modern dental school.
The Global Network on Dental Education: a new vision for IFDEA
Authors: De Vries J. , Murtomaa H. , Butler M. , Cherrett H. , Ferrillo P. , Ferro M. B. , Gadbury‐Amyot C. , Haden N. K. , Manogue M. , Mintz J. , Mulvihill J. E. , Murray B. , Nattestad A. , Nielsen D. , Ogunbodede E. , Parkash H. , Plasschaert F. , Reed M. T. , Rupp R. L. , Tandon S. , Wang B. , Wang S. , Yucel T. , Valachovic R. W. , Watkinson A. , Shanley D.
Published: February 2008

The advent of globalization has changed our perspectives radically. It presents increased understanding of world affairs, new challenges and exciting opportunities. The inequitable distribution and use of finite energy resources and global warming are just two examples of challenges that can only be addressed by concerted international collaboration. Globalization has become an increasingly important influence on dentistry and dental education. The International Federation for Dental Educators and Associations (IFDEA) welcomes the challenges it now faces as a player in a complex multifaceted global community. This report addresses the new circumstances in which IFDEA must operate, taking account of the recommendations made by other working groups. The report reviews the background and evolution of IFDEA and describes the extensive developments that have taken place in IFDEA over the past year with the introductions of a new Constitution and Bylaws overseen by a newly established Board of Directors. These were the consequence of a new mission, goals and objectives for IFDEA. An expanded organization is planned usinghttp://www.IFDEA.orgas the primary instrument to facilitate the exchange of knowledge, programmes and expertise between colleagues and federated associations throughout the world, thereby promoting higher standards in oral health through education in low‐, middle‐ and high‐income countries of the world. Such aspirations are modified by the reality and enormity of poverty‐related global ill health.
Biologic treatments for systemic rheumatic diseases
Authors: Shirota Y , Illei GG , Nikolov NP
Published: February 2008

Many rheumatologic disorders, most notably Sjögren’s syndrome, are associated with dental complications and in some cases oral diseases may trigger or drive connective tissue disease. During the past three decades the treatment in rheumatology was revolutionized by the introduction of disease‐modifying anti‐rheumatic drugs. Advances in our understanding of the pathogenesis of rheumatic diseases have led to the discovery of critical mechanisms of inflammation and autoimmunity and the invention of new target‐specific biologic agents. In this review, we will summarize the current state of biologic therapies in rheumatology and discuss the implications of these on oral health and disease.
Ethics, Politics and Imperfection
Authors: Haldane John
Published: February 2008

Recent social change has produced a relocation of the sense of personal identity from communities rooted in time and place to voluntary associations gathered around common interests. In consequence, the focus of moral consciousness has shifted from natural human values to constructed, systems of rights and obligations.

Against these trends I argue that while times and circumstances change, the principal moral truths remain constant as do their implications for the place of ethics in public life: first, do no evil; and second, do unto others as you would have them do unto you. What lies beyond is not in the field of moral law, though it may be in the field of moral virtue. Here what is required is, as St Augustine, Adam Smith and Aurel Kolnai would say, human wisdom; and it part of human wisdom to recognize that in public life where what is at issue includes the well-being of the community, one does better to strive for the good and the acceptable than to seek for the perfect.