bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Increasing dimethylarginine levels are associated with adverse clinical outcome in severe alcoholic hepatitis
Authors: Mookerjee Rajeshwar P. , Malaki Mohammed , Davies Nathan A. , Hodges Stephen J. , Dalton Neil R. , Turner Charles , Sen Sambit , Williams Roger , Leiper James , Vallance Patrick , Jalan Rajiv
Published: December 2006

Previous studies suggest reduced hepatic endothelial nitric oxide synthase activity contributes to increased intrahepatic resistance. Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), an endogenous nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, undergoes hepatic metabolism via dimethylarginine-dimethylamino-hydrolase, and is derived by the action of protein-arginine-methyltransferases. Our study assessed whether ADMA, and its stereo-isomer symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA), are increased in alcoholic hepatitis patients, and determined any relationship with severity of portal hypertension (hepatic venous pressure gradient measurement) and outcome. Fifty-two patients with decompensated alcoholic cirrhosis were studied, 27 with acute alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis, in whom hepatic venous pressure gradient was higher (

P

= 0.001) than cirrhosis alone, and correlated with ADMA measurement. Plasma ADMA and SDMA were significantly higher in alcoholic hepatitis patients and in nonsurvivors. Dimethylarginine-dimethylamino-hydrolase protein expression was reduced and protein-arginine-methyltransferase-1 increased in alcoholic hepatitis livers. ADMA, SDMA and their combined sum, which we termed a dimethylarginine score, were better predictors of outcome compared with Pugh score, MELD and Maddrey's discriminant-function.

Conclusion:

Alcoholic hepatitis patients have higher portal pressures associated with increased ADMA, which may result from both decreased breakdown (decreased hepatic dimethylarginine-dimethylamino-hydrolase) and/or increased production. Elevated dimethylarginines may serve as important biological markers of deleterious outcome in alcoholic hepatitis. (Hepatology 2007;45:62–71.)
Pathogenesis and vascular integrity of breast cancer brain metastasis
Authors: Lu Weixin , Bucana Corazon D. , Schroit Alan J.
Published: December 2006

Dogma dictates that brain metastasis originate from the proliferation of extravasated tumor cells and that the blood–brain barrier (BBB) prevents the delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs to the tumors. The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship between tumor localization and progression and the involvement of BBB function in a murine model of breast cancer brain metastasis. Green fluorescent protein expressing MDA‐MB435 breast cancer cells were injected into the left ventricle of nude mice. At various time points, the entire vasculature was labeled with rhodamine‐conjugated albumin. The tumors and vasculature were then imaged by laser‐scanning confocal and stereo fluorescence microscopy. About 75% of the cells that reached the brain extravasated and grew perivascularly. Twenty five percent of the cells, however, proliferated within the vasculature and ultimately led to thrombosis‐like infarction of the brain parenchyma. The tumorigenic “embolus” served as a sustained release source of tumor cells to downstream sites. Continuing intravascular tumor expansion led to disruption of the BBB and to overflow of cells that progressed along the vessels perivascularly to distant sites that regained protection of the BBB. Breast cancer brain metastases involve both extravascular and intravascular growth of tumor cells. These distinct pathways contribute to different pathological phenotypes that generate a heterogeneous BBB that facilitates or inhibits the delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs to the tumor. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The addition of biphasic calcium phosphate to porous chitosan scaffolds enhances bone tissue development in vitro
Authors: Sendemir‐Urkmez Aylin , Jamison Russell D.
Published: December 2006

Uniform distribution of cells and their extracellular matrix is essential for the in vivo success of bone tissue engineering constructs produced in vitro. In this study, the effects of biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) granules embedded into chitosan scaffolds on the distribution, morphology, and phenotypic expression of osteoblastic cells were investigated. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and preosteoblasts were cultured on chitosan scaffolds with and without BCP under osteoblastic differentiation/maturation conditions for periods up to 4 weeks. The addition of 25 wt % BCP to chitosan created a uniform layer of calcium phosphate (CaP) precipitation similar to bone mineral on the scaffold surfaces as determined by scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray spectroscopy. Scaffolds with this CaP layer yielded more uniform and complete cell and ECM distribution than chitosan scaffolds without BCP. The suggestion of chemotaxis in the appearance of this response was confirmed by successive experiments in a Boyden chamber. The CaP layer also altered morphology of cells initially attached to the scaffold surfaces, leading to higher expression of marker proteins of osteoblastic phenotype including alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin. The use of chitosan/BCP scaffolds for culture of MSCs and preosteoblasts enhances bone tissue development in vitro. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 80A:, 2007
Fatigue‐crack growth properties of thin‐walled superelastic austenitic Nitinol tube for endovascular stents
Authors: Stankiewicz J.M. , Robertson S.W. , Ritchie R.O.
Published: December 2006

Over the past 10 years, the supereleastic nickel–titanium alloy Nitinol has found widespread application in the manufacture of small‐scale biomedical devices, such as self‐expanding endovascular stents. Although conventional stress/strain‐life (S/N) analyses are invariably used as the primary method for design against fatigue loading and for predicting safe lifetimes, fracture mechanics‐based methodologies provide a vital means of assessing the quantitative effect of defects on such lifetimes. Unfortunately, fracture mechanics studies on fatigue in Nitinol are scarce, and most results do not pertain to the (thin‐walled tube) product forms that are typically used in the manufacture of endovascular stents. In the current work, we document the basic fatigue‐crack growth properties of flattened thin‐walled (∼400 μm thick) Nitinol tubing in a 37°C air environment. Crack‐growth behavior is characterized over a wide range of growth rates (∼6 orders of magnitude) and load ratios, that is, as a function of the alternating and maximum stress intensities, at 50 Hz. Limited experiments at both 5 and 50 Hz were also performed in 37°C air and simulated body fluid to determine whether the cyclic frequency affects the fatigue behavior. Fatigue‐crack growth‐rate properties in such thin‐walled Nitinol tube are found to be quite distinct from limited published data on other (mainly bulk) product forms of Nitinol, for example, bar and strip, both in terms of the relative fatigue thresholds and the variation in steady‐state growth rates. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 80A:, 2007
Evaluation of the biological responses of osteoblast‐like UMR‐106 cells to the engineered porous PHBV matrix
Authors: Liu Hui , Raghavan Dharmaraj , Stubbs John
Published: December 2006

Poly (3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) has been investigated for biomedical applications due to its many biologically favorable properties. However, to explore its application in bone tissue engineering, the poorly bioactive surface property of PHBV must be improved. To engineer PHBV to achieve a biologically active surface, in this study each porous PHBV matrix was prepared by solute leaching of salt/PHBV cast film and was treated with ozone followed by dip coating with type I collagen. The biological responses of osteoblast‐like UMR‐106 cells after being grown on the engineered PHBV matrix were evaluated. Confocal microscopy and the MTT assay were used to map and quantify the viable cell proliferation on the PHBV matrix, respectively. The cells were cultivated in osteogenic media containing β‐glycerophosphate and later stained with alizarin red to visualize mineralization of the matrix. RNA was extracted from the UMR‐106 cells, and reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) was applied to detect expression of glyceraldehyde 3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) (a house keeping gene) and bone sialoprotein (BSP) (marker of the osteoblastic phenotype). The results showed that the UMR‐106 cells after cultivation on the engineered PHBV matrix retained the osteoblastic phenotype characteristics, indicating that the porous PHBV matrix after ozone treatment and collagen dip coatings are a promising scaffold for bone tissue engineering applications. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 80A:, 2007
Layer‐by‐layer assembly of biomacromolecules on poly(ethylene terephthalate) films and fiber fabrics to promote endothelial cell growth
Authors: Liu Yunxiao , He Tao , Song Haiqing , Gao Changyou
Published: December 2006

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) film and PET vascular graft were modified by layer‐by‐layer (LBL) assembly of collagen and chondroitin sulfate (CS) to mimic the natural composition and structure of extracellular matrix. PET materials were first hydrolyzed to endow the surfaces with negative charge. Alternative assembly of positively charged collagen and negatively charged CS was then conducted in an LBL manner to produce biological multilayers. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the occurrence of hydrolysis and existence of collagen and CS. The stepwise layer growth on the PET film was monitored by UV–vis spectroscopy. The multilayers had sufficient stability to pass through the cell culture period (8 days). In vitro endothelial cell culture revealed that the incorporated biomacromolecules could significantly improve the cell attachment, proliferation, and viability. Cells showed more spreading morphology with preserved phenotype, as illustrated by scanning electron microscopy and factor VIII‐related antigen immunocytochemistry, respectively. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 80A:, 2007
Holocene climate change in the eastern Mediterranean region: a comparison of stable isotope and pollen data from Lake Gölhisar, southwest Turkey
Authors: Eastwood Warren J. , Leng Melanie J. , Roberts Neil , Davis Basil
Published: December 2006

Stable isotope and pollen data from Gölhisar Gölü, a small intramontane lake located in southwest Turkey, provide complementary records of Holocene climate change. Modern oxygen and hydrogen isotope water data are used as a means of comparing present‐day isotope composition of the lake water to the past oxygen isotope composition of the lake water as calculated from 18O/16O ratios in calcite precipitated in the summer months. Despite the lake system being chemically dilute, the modern isotope data clearly establish that the lake water is evaporated in relation to its spring input, suggesting that the palaeo data can be interpreted primarily in terms of changing precipitation/evaporation ratios. δ18O and δ13C values from authigenic calcite through the Holocene show predominantly negative values indicating climatic conditions wetter than today. Particularly notable are low (depleted) isotope values during the earliest Holocene (ca. 10 600–8800 cal. yr. BP), a period for which pollen data imply drier conditions than at present. This divergence between pollen‐inferred and stable isotope palaeoclimate data is found in other east Mediterranean lake sediment records, and suggests that vegetation may have taken several millennia to reach climatic equilibrium at the start of the Holocene. Isotopic fluctuations during the early‐to‐mid Holocene (8800–5100 cal. yr. BP) suggest oscillations between aridity and humidity. Higher δ18O and δ13C values for the second half of the Holocene indicate generally drier conditions than during the period before ca.5100 cal. yr BP although there is some evidence for increased humidity coinciding with pollen evidence for increasing human impact and intensification of agriculture, notably during the so‐called Beyşehir Occupation Phase (Classical and early Byzantine periods). The modern trend towards aridity started about 1300 yr ago. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of cultivar, lifting time and nitrogen fertiliser level on quercetin content in onion (Allium cepa L.) at lifting
Authors: Mogren Lars M , Olsson Marie E , Gertsson Ulla E
Published: December 2006

Commercial cultivars of onion (Allium cepa L.) were grown at Torslunda research station, Sweden with different levels of nitrogen fertiliser and lifted at different growth stages. Soon after lifting, before any drying or curing, tissue from the fleshy edible part of onions was extracted in ethanol and the raw extracts were analysed by high‐performance liquid chromatography without any previous hydrolysis. It was confirmed that the main flavonoid compounds were quercetin monoglucoside and quercetin diglucoside, whereas only trace amounts of quercetin aglycone and other flavonoids were found. The greatest variation in quercetin content, in the range 100–500 mg kg−1 fresh weight, occurred between years. The concentration of quercetin glucosides in the onions was strongly correlated (R2 = 0.98) with the total amount of global radiation in August. Individual onions with fallen leaves had significantly higher concentrations of quercetin glucosides than individuals in the same row with erect leaves. Only minor differences were found between the three cultivars analysed. Higher levels of nitrogen fertiliser had only minor effects on onion yield and size and resulted in lower or equal amounts of quercetin glucosides. Nitrogen leakage from the soil, a potential source of environmental problems, could therefore be minimised by avoiding high nitrogen fertiliser levels with almost no effect on onion flavonol content. Late lifting of onions (80% fallen leaves) resulted in up to 45% higher concentrations of quercetin glucosides compared with early lifting (50% fallen leaves). Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
Iron, zinc and phytic acid content of selected rice varieties from China
Authors: Liang Jianfen , Han Bei‐Zhong , Han Longzhi , Nout MJ Robert , Hamer Robert J
Published: December 2006

Rice is the major Chinese staple food (per capita approx 250 g day−1) and, as such, is an important source of essential minerals. However, due to a number of factors the bio‐availability of these minerals is limited. In this study, the variation of phytic acid (PA), iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) levels in 56 varieties of Chinese rice was investigated. The samples included in this study were collected in proportion to the importance of the rice‐growing regions in China. Fe levels showed the biggest variation (9–45 mg kg−1) and were not related with PA content or grain shape although growing locations were identified yielding higher (25.2 mg kg−1) and lower (14.2 mg kg−1) Fe levels. Zn showed a moderate variability (13–39 mg kg−1), which was narrower than for Fe, while broader than for PA (7.2–11.9 g kg−1). Zn content is correlated (R2 = 0.5; P < 0.01) with PA content, and shows a relation with growing region and kernel shape. Variation of PA content is the least among the three components. Molar ratios of PA to Fe and Zn ranged from 15 to 105 and 27 to 67, respectively. The results of the mineral contents and PA content can be interpreted in terms of expected bio‐availability. This study shows that the mineral bio‐availability of Chinese rice varieties will be <4%. Despite the variation in mineral contents, in all cases the PA present is expected to render most mineral present unavailable. We conclude that there is scope for optimisation of mineral contents of rice by matching suitable varieties and growing regions, and that rice products require processing that retains minerals but results in thorough dephytinisation. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
1H and 13C NMR spectral characterization of some novel 7H‐1,2,4‐triazolo[3, 4‐b] [1,3,4] thiadiazine derivatives
Authors: Lei Xinxiang , Zhang Lixue , Zhang Anjiang , Ye Xiaoxia , Xiong Jing
Published: December 2006

Some novel 1, 2, 4‐triazolo[3,4‐b][1,3,4]thiadiazines derivatives were synthesized. The complete 1H and 13C NMR chemical shift assignments were analyzed on one‐ and two‐dimensional NMR techniques, including DEPT, NOE‐DIF, COSY, HMBC, and HSQC. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Exploring repurchase intention in a performing arts context: who comes? and why do they come back?
Authors: Hume Margee , Mort Gillian Sullivan , Winzar Hume
Published: December 2006

Factors such as reduced government spending, increased competition from expanding entertainment markets and shrinking audiences have all placed excess pressure on the ability of performing arts organisations to make ends meet. Many performing arts organisations operate as not‐for‐profit organisations, so rely heavily on the combined efforts of corporate sponsors, government funds and ticket sales to support the organisation. In order to survive in the market economy, the current strategies need to incorporate a thorough understanding of the drivers of return purchase intent to maximise ticket sales in this setting. The purpose of this paper is to examine consumers' experience of a general performing arts experience to identify the predictors of positive repurchase intention so marketing efforts can focus on drawing consumers to return. Experiential service settings, such as the performing, arts are suggested to challenge more traditional service marketing and management theory that repurchase intention is driven by value, service quality and customer satisfaction alone. It is suggested that in an experiential setting a complex anthology of predictors including the need for affect and goal directed emotional attainment must be considered. Much of the research conducted in this setting approaches the field from an artistic discipline. In contrast, this research approaches the performing arts from a service marketing and management paradigm. By doing this, a set of services strategies applicable to the performing arts will become evident. Exploratory investigation was undertaken with 26 candidates. In‐depth qualitative interviews, using open‐ended questioning, were conducted to draw thick description of consumer opinion. The findings reported indicate that in this setting, functional factors, especially value and service qualities, are extremely important to candidates when deciding to repurchase. Factors such as emotional attainment and show experience, which have been the primary focus of current performing arts organisations' strategic focus, were found to play a lesser role in overall intent to repurchase. The paper identifies some conceptual target segments evolving from this research. Importantly, these findings are applicable to the performing arts but may have implications for other non‐profit service organisations, such as fine arts and museums.

Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Electrical properties of polycrystalline TiO2 at elevated temperatures. Electrical conductivity
Authors: Nowotny J. , Bak T. , Burg T.
Published: December 2006

IN MEMORIAM. This paper is dedicated to the memory of Dr. J. Bruce Wagner, Jr. (1926–2006), long time Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at the Northwestern University, Evanston, IL and Regents Professor of the Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ. Professor Wagner was prominent scientist in the area of solid‐state science, electrochemistry and high temperature chemistry. He served as Director of the Material Research Centre at the Technological Institute of Northwestern University, Director of the Centre for Solid State Science at the Arizona State University. He was also the President of the Electrochemical Society.

The present work reports the electrical properties for high purity polycrystalline TiO2 using the measurements of electrical conductivity in the temperature range 1123–1323 K and in the gas phase of controlled oxygen activity (10–13 Pa < p (O2) < 105 Pa). The slope of the log σ vs. log p (O2) dependence is –1/5.4, which is considered in terms of mixed electronic and ionic compensation. The electrical conductivity data within the n –p transition were used for the determination of the conductivity components related to electrons, electron holes and ions. These data were used for the determination of the n –p transition point. The band gap determined from the conductivity components related to electronic charge carriers is equal to 2.8 eV. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Robotic applications in abdominal surgery: their limitations and future developments
Authors: Taylor G. W. , Jayne D. G.
Published: December 2006

Background

In the past 20 years, the technical aspects of abdominal surgery have changed dramatically. Operations are now routinely performed by laparoscopic techniques utilizing small abdominal incisions, with less patient discomfort, earlier recovery, improved cosmesis, and in many cases reduced economic burden on the healthcare provider. These benefits have largely been seen in the application of laparoscopic techniques to relatively straightforward procedures. It is not clear whether the same benefits carry through to more complex abdominal operations, which are more technically demanding and for which current laparoscopic instrumentation is less well adapted. The aim of surgical robotics is to address these problems and allow the advantages of minimal access surgery to be seen in a greater range of operations.

Methods

A literature search was performed to ascertain the current state of the art in surgical robotics for the abdomen, and the technologies emerging within this field. The reference lists of the sourced articles were also searched for further relevant papers.

Results

Currently available robotic devices for abdominal surgery are limited to large, costly ‘slave–master’ or telemanipulator systems, such as the da Vinci®(Intuitive Surgical, Sunny Vale, CA). In addition to their size and expense, these systems share the same limitation, by virtue of the fulcrum effect on instrument manipulation inherent in the use of ports by which external instruments gain access to the abdominal cavity. In order to overcome these limitations several smaller telemanipulator systems are being developed, and progress towards freely mobile intracorporeal devices is being made.

Conclusions

While current robotic systems have considerable advantages over conventional laparoscopic techniques, they are not without limitations. Miniaturisation of robotic components and systems is feasible and necessary to allow minimally invasive techniques to reach full potential. The ultimate extrapolation of this progress is the development of intracorporeal robotics, the feasibility of which has been demonstrated. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Soil vapor extraction system design: A case study comparing vacuum and pore‐gas velocity cutoff criteria
Authors: Dixon Kenneth L. , Nichols Ralph L.
Published: December 2006

Soil vapor extraction (SVE) systems are typically designed based on the results of a vadose‐zone pumping test (transient or steady‐state) using a pressure criterion to establish the zone of influence (ZOI). A common problem associated with pressure‐based SVE design is overestimating the ZOI of the extraction well. As a result, design strategies based upon critical pore‐ gas velocity (CPGV) have become more common.

Field tests were conducted at the Savannah River Site (SRS) to determine the influence of a vapor extraction well based upon both a pressure and pore‐ gas velocity design criterion. The results from these tests show that an SVE system designed based upon a CPGV is more robust and will have shorter cleanup times due to increased flow throughout the treatment zone. Pressure‐based SVE design may be appropriate in applications where soil gas containment is the primary objective; however, in cases where the capture and removal of contaminated soil gas is the primary objective, CPGV is a better design criterion. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Absence of severe recurrent infections in glycogen storage disease type Ib with neutropenia and neutrophil dysfunction
Authors: D'Eufemia P. , Finocchiaro R. , Celli M. , Zambrano A. , Tetti M. , Ferrucci V. , Lenti L.
Published: December 2006

We describe a 10‐year‐old boy with glycogen storage disease type Ib (GSD Ib) with neutropenia and neutrophil dysfunction who never suffered from severe recurrent infections. Lymphocyte subpopulations and assay of intracellular cytokines (IL‐2, IL‐4 and IFN‐γ) showed a pattern of lymphocyte activation suggesting a shift of TH1/TH2 balance towards a TH1 response. This is the first report of GSD Ib without severe recurrent infections in spite of neutropenia and neutrophil dysfunction.
The emergence of service operations management as an academic discipline
Authors: Heineke Janelle , Davis Mark M.
Published: December 2006

During the latter part of the 20th century, the service sector grew significantly in virtually every developed country, with the United States taking the lead. By 2000, services comprised almost 80% of U.S. employment. This rapid growth was caused by several factors including changing population lifestyles, deregulation, and new and improved infrastructure including the widespread availability of new technologies. With the service sector surpassing 50% of the U.S. economy in the 1950s, researchers – especially economists – began to examine the characteristics of services and attempt to apply some of the concepts that were developed and proven in manufacturing. From these early efforts there emerged a growing demand for business schools to develop both research agendas and courses in service operations. Beginning at the Harvard Business School in the early 1970s, and continuing through to the present, research and courses in service operations have evolved from simply applying basic manufacturing concepts in a service environment to recognizing the need for a trans‐disciplinary approach appropriately suited to the particular characteristics of service operations. This article traces the evolution of service operations from its immediate pre‐business school days through its early years as an academic discipline in business schools to the present, identifying “pioneers” in service operations who truly blazed a previously unmarked trail that many have since followed.
Acidic residues of yeast frataxin have an essential role in Fe–S cluster assembly
Authors: Foury Françoise , Pastore Annalisa , Trincal Mathieu
Published: December 2006

Friedreich ataxia is caused by decreased levels of frataxin, a mitochondrial acidic protein that is assumed to act as chaperone in the assembly of Fe–S clusters on the scaffold Isu protein. Frataxin has the in vitro capacity to form iron‐loaded multimers, which also suggests an iron storage function. It has been reported that alanine substitution of residues in an acidic ridge of yeast frataxin (Yfh1) elicits loss of iron binding in vitro but has no effect on Fe–S cluster synthesis in vivo. Here, we show that a marked change in the electrostatic properties of a specific region of Yfh1 surface—by substituting two or four acidic residues by lysine or alanine, respectively—impairs Fe–S cluster assembly, weakens the interaction between Yfh1 and Isu1, and increases oxidative damage. Therefore, the acidic ridge is essential for the Yfh1 function and is likely to be involved in iron‐mediated protein–protein interactions.
Identification of NVP-TAE684, a potent, selective, and efficacious inhibitor of NPM-ALK
Authors: Galkin Anna V. , Melnick Jonathan S. , Kim Sungjoon , Hood Tami L. , Li Nanxin , Li Lintong , Xia Gang , Steensma Ruo , Chopiuk Greg , Jiang Jiqing , Wan Yongqin , Ding Peter , Liu Yi , Sun Fangxian , Schultz Peter G. , Gray Nathanael S. , Warmuth Markus
Published: December 2006

Constitutive overexpression and activation of NPM-ALK fusion protein [t(2:5)(p23;q35)] is a key oncogenic event that drives the survival and proliferation of anaplastic large-cell lymphomas (ALCLs). We have identified a highly potent and selective small-molecule ALK inhibitor, NVP-TAE684, which blocked the growth of ALCL-derived and ALK-dependent cell lines with IC
50
values between 2 and 10 nM. NVP-TAE684 treatment resulted in a rapid and sustained inhibition of phosphorylation of NPM-ALK and its downstream effectors and subsequent induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest.
In vivo
, NVP-TAE684 suppressed lymphomagenesis in two independent models of ALK-positive ALCL and induced regression of established Karpas-299 lymphomas. NVP-TAE684 also induced down-regulation of CD30 expression, suggesting that CD30 may be used as a biomarker of therapeutic NPM-ALK kinase activity inhibition.
The origin and evolution of human ampliconic gene families and ampliconic structure
Authors: Bhowmick Bejon Kumar , Satta Yoko , Takahata Naoyuki
Published: December 2006

Out of the nine male-specific gene families in the human Y chromosome amplicons, we investigate the origin and evolution of seven families for which gametologous and orthologous sequences are available. Proto-X/Y gene pairs in the original mammalian sex chromosomes played major roles in origins and gave rise to five gene families: XKRY, VCY, HSFY, RBMY, and TSPY. The divergence times between gametologous X- and Y-linked copies in these families are well correlated with the former X-chromosomal locations. The CDY and DAZ families originated exceptionally by retroposition and transposition of autosomal copies, respectively, but CDY possesses an X-linked copy of enigmatic origin. We also investigate the evolutionary relatedness among Y-linked copies of a gene family in light of their ampliconic locations (palindromes, inverted repeats, and the TSPY array). Although any pair of copies located at the same arm positions within a palindrome is identical or nearly so by frequent gene conversion, copies located at different arm positions are distinctively different. Since these and other distinct copies in various gene families were amplified almost simultaneously in the stem lineage of Catarrhini, we take these simultaneous amplifications as evidence for the elaborate formation of Y ampliconic structure. Curiously, some copies in a gene family located at different palindromes exhibit high sequence similarity, and in most cases, such similarity greatly extends to repeat units that harbor these copies. It appears that such palindromic repeat units have evolved by and large en bloc, but they have undergone frequent exchanges between palindromes.
Medical patient/nurse dependency in Israel
Authors: Halevi H. S. , Ron R.
Published: December 2006

Patients' needs for nursing care have been studied in internal medicine departments in Israel. The needs in regard to ambulation, bathing, feeding, toilet and certain treatments were analysed for three standards of hospitals: university, central and peripheral. Considerable differences were found between the rates for these groups of hospitals as well as among individual hospitals and even among parallel departments in the same hospital. On average for all surveyed departments, 54·4% of the hospitalization days were of selfcare patients, 32·0% of intermediate patients and 13·6% of bedfast, highly dependent patients.

A comparison with similar studies in New Zealand and Switzerland showed that patients in medical departments in Israel are less dependent on nursing care than in the other countries.

Findings of this study stress that allocation of nursing manpower proportionally to the number of beds does not meet objective needs and is inequitable. Real needs of the patients should serve as a basis for allocation of personnel. Part of the nursing personnel should be ‘floating’, with a possibility of directing them daily to different departments according to priorities.
Nursing education research management: establishing priorities and optimizing the use of resources: a methodology
Authors: Kilty J. M. , Potter F. W.
Published: December 2006

Many educational research projects start from a wide and nonoperational statement of the problem causing concern, and a difficult task for the research worker is to so refine the area of enquiry that useful and effective results of the research are produced within the constraints imposed by limited resources.

An evaluative research project into the role and preparation of the midwife teacher, undertaken in 1974–5 by the authors, at the request of the Royal College of Midwives, presented such a problem (Kilty & Potter 1975). This paper illustrates the methodology employed to establish priorities in order to resolve what was an entirely open‐ended brief into a research that could be undertaken with limited resources.
Maternal tasks in pregnancy
Authors: Rubin Reva
Published: December 2006

The directional goals which women strive towards during pregnancy are fourfold and seem to provide the basic framework of motivation in maternal behaviour. Two of the four tasks are directed toward the outer world during pregnancy on behalf of her child: ensuring safety and acceptance of her unborn child. The other two tasks are directed toward the formation of the maternal role and relationship: developing the capacity to give and binding‐in to the as yet unborn child. The progression in pursuit of these tasks is directly related to the progress of pregnancy.
Encouraging innovations in hospital care
Authors: Towell David , Dartington Tim
Published: December 2006

There is currently widespread concern in the British National Health Service with the problems of improving hospital care, particularly in the long‐stay sector, at a time of economic constraint. In the light of two recent reports providing guidance on good practices of patient care, an analysis is presented of how change in existing attitudes and practices can be encouraged. The real difficulties of this process are recognized but a case study of one hospital over several years, when combined with insights from other social scientific research, suggests a set of principles which may be of assistance to hospital staff with potential leadership roles in innovation. Attention is directed to the variety of channels through which patient care may be influenced, the importance of harnessing the motivation of care staff, the need to provide support in working through emotional barriers to change, the complementary roles of staff at different levels and in different professions, and the scope for mutual exchanges of experience between different units. Finally some ways in which these principles might be applied in particular initiatives are suggested in outline.
Psychiatric nursing in the USA
Authors: Cormack Desmond
Published: December 2006

This paper describes an eight‐week study tour of psychiatric institutions and related nurse teaching establishments in the USA during September–October 1975, sponsored by the British Commonwealth Nurses War Memorial Fund. The author visited and observed nursing activity in three major types of health care facility: State hospitals. Veterans Administration hospitals and private hospitals. Registered nurse (RN) training in the USA is of a generalist, rather than specialist, nature based on a modular system of education which includes medical, psychiatric, surgical, community and maternity nursing. The writer observed three specific aspects of nursing activity which he felt to be possible subjects for further detailed examination and possible implementation in the United Kingdom. Nurse teaching is carried out in classroom and clinical areas by the same group of teaching staff. This system, in the opinion of the writer, does much to bring together the ideals of nursing theory and reality of nursing practice. Utilization Review is a system designed to ‘assure effective utilization of hospital personnel, facilities and services’ assure effective utilization of hospital personnel, facilities and services'. The Problem‐oriented Nursing Care Record is used to prepare an individual treatment plan for patients and to document progress made within the context of the care plan.
Contributions of nursing research to patient care*
Authors: Gortner Susan R. , Bloch Doris , Phillips Thomas P.
Published: December 2006

Contributions of nursing research to nursing practice in the USA are increasing rapidly in four major areas: (1) the science of practice; (2) the artistry of practice; (3) the structures needed for optimal delivery of care; and (4) the methodologies needed for measurement and evaluation. Illustrative studies are described in each area, concluding with a plea for implementation of research findings. The authors presented this paper at the Open Forum, National League for Nursing Convention, 21 May 1975, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, and it was first published in Journal of Nursing Administration (1976) March–April.
Two centuries of advancement: from untrained servant to skilled practitioner
Authors: Gabrielson Rosamond C.
Published: December 2006

This paper is based on an address delivered in Faneuil Hall, Boston, Massachusetts, USA, on 6 May 1975, as part of the American bicentennial celebrations. The history of nursing in America is traced over two centuries—from 1776, when nursing was nothing more than neighbourly assistance rendered by unprepared amateurs, to the present day, when nursing has reached a highly professional status. The influences of the revolutionary and civil wars and legislative and social changes on nursing and the training of nurses are recorded and discussed. The major contribution to the history of American nursing made by the American Nurses' Association is conceded. Its continued contributions to the extension and development of nursing as a profession, to the education of nurses, and to support for the principle that health care is a right, are all documented. The paper is a concise and well‐referenced synopsis of the development of nursing in the USA during its first 200‐year history, advancing from ‘a most indefinite quantity’ to ‘the largest professional group among the health occupations’.
Today's preparation for tomorrow's practice: the Lehman College nursing programme
Authors: Rodgers Janet A.
Published: December 2006

This paper is based on a speech given at the twenty‐second annual convention of the Massachusetts League for Nursing, Boston, USA, on 24 September 1975. The author looks at the changing trends in nursing education in the USA, the importance of agreement on the level of entry into nursing and the need for a clear conceptual educational model. The Lehman College nursing programme is used as a prototype for such a model and its curriculum and the role of its nursing graduates as primary care practitioners are discussed and evaluated.
The nurse's contribution to care in a changing setting*
Authors: Hockey Lisbeth
Published: December 2006

The concept of health needs as envisaged by the nurse and the challenge of the changing setting to nursing are explored with regard to the nurse's contribution to care against the background of change. Advances in medical science and technology tend to result in increasing specialization in health care and a complex organizational structure for its delivery. These and other factors tend towards fragmentation of care. Care is the concern of all health workers and needs collaboration based on mutual trust and respect.

The nurse makes not the only but a unique contribution to care. In the primary care team she has information about the patient as a‘whole’ person and about his or her family on the basis of which she can assess total needs and make appropriate arrangements for these to be met. She communicates with the medical and other members of the health professions in the interest of coordinated and total care, including continuity of care between home and hospital, where appropriate. In hospital, nurses are the only professional workers providing a continuous and direct caring service.

Care is a concept implying a measure of constancy and continuity. These two aspects, reinforced by communication, coordination, explanation, education and empathy, are some of the main components in the nurse's contribution to care.
Survival of the fittest: a summary of an attempt to evaluate experimental schemes of nurse training
Authors: House Vivienne G.
Published: December 2006

The paper describes the collection, some methodological difficulties and interpretation of some data from a study carried out in the Research Unit 1969–75, with students from three intakes (1969, 1970 and 1971) to six types of experimental and the traditional scheme of nurse training. (Differences between the experimental and traditional course students are described.) It is suggested that the experimental and traditional course students from the study are different in terms of attitudes. It is also proposed that nurse training can be seen as survival of the fittest and that differences in courses result in different obstacles to be overcome. It is emphasized that the traditional courses investigated in the study are not representative of such courses in general. This paper complements an earlier paper on ‘Evaluation research: the need for multiple criteria’ (House 1977).
A simple programme designed to counteract some of the effects of institutionalization in longterm psychiatric wards
Authors: Breton Sue , Cockram Margaret E. A.
Published: December 2006

This paper shows how female, ambulant, geriatric patients in a longstay psychiatric ward, many of whom had become institutionalized and had lost much of their self‐identity and initiative, could be encouraged to become more spontaneous and individualistic. This study utilized a programme which did not involve any great financial expenditure nor extra nursing staff, and enhanced, rather than interfered with, the daily functioning of the ward. Data are presented to show that sociability and spontaneity improved on the ward concerned and that the programme proved so flexible that it has since been extended to other wards.
Physical indicators in clinical nursing research or Why do I need to know what?*
Authors: Abbey June C.
Published: December 2006

After reviewing a number of research methods in nursing a case was made for the use of sensors, such as electrodes, thermisters, thermometers, designed to note or sense change in physical indicators or measurable signs and symptoms. These sensors, it is argued, afford clinical nursing research appropriate measurement and recording tools for any type of study. It is conceded that physical indicators used in research must be subjected to some form of consensual validation and calibration and advice is provided. The author concludes that even the experimental studies are largely descriptive but contends that the instruments of today forecast a miniscule view of tomorrow's possibilities for improving the quality of patient care and adding to the ‘science of practice’.
Functions and dysfunctions in a professional organization: the case of the Royal College of Nursing of the United Kingdom*
Authors: Clark June
Published: December 2006

In this paper the author, who is a member of the Royal College of Nursing of the United Kingdom (Rcn) Council, discusses the functional and dysfunctional aspects of organizational behaviour and applies this discussion to the organizational problems of the Ren, the main professional organization of nurses in the United Kingdom. In particular, three concepts are considered in some detail: the concepts of oligarchy, elitism and plurality of goals. It is argued that problems which are ignored do not disappear and that dysfunctions which are by definition latent must be made manifest before they can be remedied. The existence of opposition, it is further argued, is essential to keep democracy alive, to buffer oligarchy and to promote change essential for the organization's survival.
Worklist: a useful directive for nursing care
Authors: Efionayi K. M.
Published: December 2006

The rapid growth and importance of present day nursing care, with its attendant complexities, are daily increasing the demand and need for utilizing new approaches in solving the problems associated with them. Regardless of the level of training attained by a nurse she needs a certain level of guiding principles for professional competence in order to function adequately in providing comprehensive nursing care. This paper examines the usefulness of the worklist in the provision of nursing care.
Report of a working group on the use of operational research in European health services
Authors:   World Health Organization
Published: December 2006

This report has been prepared by the Regional Office for Europe of the World Health Organization for governments of Member States in the Region and for those who participated in the working group on the Use of Operational Research in European Health Services. A limited number of copies are available to persons officially or professionally concerned in this field of study from the WHO Regional Office for Europe, Scherfigsvej 8, 2100 Copenhagen o, Denmark. The report is also available in French and Russian.
Participation in decision‐making in the health services
Authors: Boddy David
Published: December 2006

There is widespread discussion at the present time of ‘participation’— allowing members of an organization to exert an influence on the processes of decision‐making.

The National Health Service is not isolated from this debate and already a number of experiments have been carried out at various levels of the service to allow a wider range of opinion to influence decisions than hitherto. This paper reports on a study the author carried out into one such exercise, designed to assist a Health Board reach decisions about the longterm pattern of health care in its area. Nurses, paramedical staff and local authority staff, as well as doctors, were appointed to a series of programme planning committees to advise the Health Board on issues of longterm policy. After 2 years of operation, a study was carried out into the operation of the committees and the lessons drawn from the experience should be relevant to actual and potential members of any consultative or decision‐making body.
Educating teachers of nursing: the contribution of pedagogical studies
Authors: Sheahan John
Published: December 2006

This paper deals with the nature of pedagogical studies, starting with a discussion on aspects of the curriculum. This is followed by sections dealing with objectives, lesson presentation and teaching practice. The final sections deal with the assessment of learning and curriculum planning.
Teaching psychiatric nursing in the classroom
Authors: Dietrich Gunna
Published: December 2006

The practice in teaching psychiatric nursing to post registration student nurses at the Bethlem Royal & The Maudsley Hospital School of Nursing is described, showing the exclusive use of experiential teaching methods. Five distinct courses are conducted at present in this topic:

 discussions based on written work;

 discussions centring on set topics;

 group dynamics discussions and projects;

 psychodrama exercises;

 supervision classes.

The later are conducted in a manner not previously described. The dependence of effective classroom teaching on the students' ward experience is demonstrated.
Student nurse rural fieldwork in mainland Tanzania
Authors: Smith Pamela A.
Published: December 2006

The development of the health services in the majority of underdeveloped countries during the colonial period, and immediately after independence, have concentrated on providing a largely hospital‐based curative programme. This has also included training of the local population, particularly as nurses, to carry out this programme. Figures show that, for the African region of the World Health Organization (WHO), nursing personnel form a significant group of trained health manpower (WHO 1973).

The objective of this paper, therefore, is to raise the question of whether nurses in underdeveloped countries should continue to be trained mainly for their traditional tasks of caring for the sick in hospitals, or whether the majority of them should be channelled into other types of work more appropriate to the major needs of the population. In order to reach this objective, an example is given of the Tanzanian experience 15 years after independence, including a description of a community health project involving a group of student nurses in the rural areas of mainland Tanzania.