bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reinterpretation of a metaphor: from stakes to claims
Authors: Waxenberger Bernhard , Spence Laura J.
Published: September 2003

Stakeholder theory is a necessary approach to managing successful firms in today's complex economic, social, ethical and environmental context.

Strategists wishing to apply stakeholder theory need to have a full understanding of the intricacies of this developing concept.

A thorough application of stakeholder management requires a culture of openness and dialogue and awareness of organizational values.

It is proposed that an ethically defensible approach to stakeholder theory is one that identifies key stakeholders by considering those with legitimate claims on the firm rather than just those with significant stakes in it.

Stakeholder theory is a potentially important perspective in the successful management of the firm. This entails acknowledging the importance of groups other than stockholders, to encompass those who have an effect on, or are affected by, the organization. The theory has been adopted by those concerned with business ethics, as a means of leveraging consideration of corporate responsibilities into management discourses. In reviewing the development of stakeholder theory, it is held to be lacking in its normative foundations. Rather than focus on stakeholders, it is argued that managers should seek to engage with claimholders — those who have a legitimate claim on the firm. Key stakeholders need to be identified in line with organizational values. The mechanisms for ensuring an open dialogue need to be established and maintained. The stakeholder model when applied properly is a complex undertaking involving full commitment by participating organizations, coupled with a detailed understanding of the intricacies of the concept. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tourism flows between India and Singapore
Authors: Yahya Faizal
Published: September 2003

The tourism industry has become increasingly important as a source of revenue and employment for countries in Southeast Asia. Within the Southeast Asian region, intraregional travel has also seen an upsurge since the Asian Financial Crisis of 1997. More attention is also being paid to attract other Asian tourists from China, India, Japan and South Korea to the region. Competition to be tourism hubs in the region has seen countries such as Singapore developing an array of incentives to entice inbound foreign tourists to its shores. The aim of this paper is to examine the growing importance of India as a source of inbound tourists for countries in Southeast Asia and in particular Singapore. India is an apt case study because of its long historical and cultural links with the region. Another main motivation for examining inbound tourists from India is India's engagement with the Southeast Asian region through its ‘Look East’ policy. Following from its economic reforms and liberalisation of 1991, India has sought to strengthen economic links with ASEAN member states through a range of economic sectors including tourism. The 1991 Indian economic liberalisation has also created an upsurge of Indian business travellers who are exploring investment and business opportunities in the Southeast Asian region. With India's economic liberalisation of 1991, an expanding middle class has come to view foreign travel as a necessity. In turn, ASEAN member states, such as Singapore in particular, which is heavily dependent on its services sector, including tourism, for revenue, have chosen to regionalise its tourism operations by collaborating and investing in projects in India to woo more Indian tourists. Competition in the tourism sector among ASEAN countries has increased the urgency for Singapore to reinvent itself to attract foreign tourists and implement a number of initiatives to maintain its share of the tourism market. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Compilation of dictionaries for semantic attribute analysis of television news captions
Authors: Ide Ichiro , Hamada Reiko , Sakai Shuichi , Tanaka Hidehiko
Published: September 2003

With the increase in the amount of video that is broadcast daily, there is an increasing need for storage of video in a systematic way for future reuse and retrieval. In particular, from the viewpoint of importance and usability, it is desirable to index news videos. For adequate automatic indexing based on the text information in the video, it is not sufficient to apply the simple index extraction and annotation methods which have been widely used in conventional methods. It is important to select index candidates with reference to semantic attributes. The purpose of this study is to compile dictionaries which are needed for analyzing the semantic attributes of captions (noun phrases) in TV news videos. We describe the process by which words are extracted from text corpora and a thesaurus for storage on the basis of specified conditions. The quality of the dictionaries is examined by analysis of the semantic attributes of the words appearing in actual news videos, and the results are presented. In evaluation experiments in which an existing proper noun dictionary and temporal noun dictionary were combined and used, a recall of 79 to 93% and a precision of 41 to 71% were obtained. Although the precision is low in this result, it is concluded that the compiled dictionaries are of practical use for indexing since the recall is more important in that case. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 34(12): 32–44, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.10417
An indexing technique using relative approximation for high‐dimensional data
Authors: Sakurai Yasushi , Yoshikawa Masatoshi , Uemura Shunsuke , Kojima Haruhiko
Published: September 2003

We present a new index structure, the VR‐tree, for similarity search in high‐dimensional vector space. The motivation of the VR‐tree is based on the comparison and analysis of the two best access methods proposed so far: the SR‐tree and the VA‐File. Since no result on the comparison between the SR‐tree and the VA‐File is available, we have performed experiments comparing these two access methods. The experiments reveal that these methods each have their problems. The SR‐tree offers better performance for nonuniformly distributed data sets. However, as dimensionality increases, large volume of entries in nonleaf nodes causes higher search cost. In contrast, the VA‐File is not fit to search for nonuniformly and practical data sets since data skew weakens the effect of filtering by approximation file, which consequently degrades the search performance of the VA‐File. Based on analysis of the experimental results, we introduce the VR‐tree (Virtual/Real tree), a new index structure which overcomes the problems and achieves higher search performance. The basic idea of the VR‐tree is the introduction ofVirtual Bounding Rectangle (VBR)andrelative cell, which contains and approximates MBR and data object, respectively. We also introduce algorithms based onrelative approximationfor VBRs and relative cells. Since the volume of entries in nodes is extremely small on tree structures which are constructed by the algorithm of relative approximation, it leads to low search cost. The experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the VR‐tree. For real data sets, the VR‐tree outperforms the SR‐tree and the VA‐File in all ranges of dimensionality up to 64 dimensions, which is the highest dimension in our experiments. The VR‐tree achieves 78.1% (78.6%, resp.) savings in page accesses compared to the SR‐tree (the VA‐File, resp.) for 64‐dimensional real data. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 34(12): 77–91, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.1218
Robust language modeling for a small corpus of target tasks using class‐combined word statistics and selective use of a general corpus
Authors: Wada Yosuke , Kobayashi Norihiko , Kobayashi Tetsunori
Published: September 2003

In order to improve the accuracy of language models in speech recognition tasks for which collecting a large text corpus for language model training is difficult, we propose a class‐combined bigram and selective use of general text. In the class‐combined bigram, the word bigram and the class bigram are combined using weights that are expressed as the functions of the preceding word frequency and the succeeding word‐type count. An experiment has shown that the accuracy of the proposed class‐combined bigram is equivalent to that of the word bigram trained with a text corpus that is approximately three times larger. In the selective use of general text, the language model was corrected by automatically selecting sentences that were expected to produce better accuracy from a large volume of text collected without specifying the task and by adding these sentences to a small corpus of target tasks. An experiment has shown that the recognition error rate was reduced by up to 12% compared to a case in which text was not selected. Lastly, when we created a model that uses both the class‐combined bigram and text addition, further improvements were obtained, resulting in improvements of approximately 34% in adjusted perplexity and approximately 31% in the recognition error rate compared to the word bigram created from the target task text only. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 34(12): 92–102, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.1219
Implementation of a tracer for debugging concurrent processes of a multiagent system
Authors: Ozono Tadachika , Shintani Toramatsu
Published: September 2003

This paper deals with the implementation of a tracer in a development environment for multiagent systems, where debugging is a major problem. A multiagent system consists of concurrent processes, so that debugging such a system involves difficulties related to the debugging of concurrent processes. We describe a tracer for debugging a multiagent system. A tracer is a program that traces program execution and obtains information on its status. Debugging by a tracer causes a problem called the probe effect, in which the debugger's interference with the program causes changes in its behavior. The probe effect is a major problem in debugging parallel processes. The tracer that we propose can limit the probe effect arising from delay in execution of an agent caused by the tracer. This tracer adjusts the execution speed of non‐debugged agents in accordance with the execution delay of the debugged agent in order to limit the probe effect. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 34(12): 103–111, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.1220
So what's new about complexity?
Authors: Murray Peter J.
Published: September 2003

This paper addresses the extent to which the insights of what is called the New Sciences (Catastrophe, Chaos and Complexity Theory) for organizational life are novel, and to what extent they do not take managers much further forward than other theories which have questioned a classical or reductionist view of management. The link to the conference theme is provided by a new model which sets out to define four levels of complexity (sic), dependent on the system exclusivity (degree of complexity) and endurance (degree of change).

The past ten years have seen a growth of interest in the insights which ‘management complexity’ claims to provide for modern management. This author has felt uncomfortable that many of these insights are in fact little different from insights of previous writers, and that the lack of evidence for their applicability in natural science systems, let alone organizational situations, means that they have little proven value beyond (in some cases powerful) metaphors.

The paper takes a number of the characteristics of complex systems (the phrase will include catastrophic and chaotic systems), and the insights which are claimed for management complexity, and will relate these to other (non‐complexity) writings, in some cases going back over decades. It uses a case study relating to the author's own experience in teaching on MBA programmes to demonstrate the value of complexity ideas, but will evaluate these against alternative insights, again demonstrating the relationships between complexity and change. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Shape difference visualization for ancient bronze mirrors through 3D range images
Authors: Masuda Tomohito , Imazu Setsuo , Auethavekiat Supatana , Furuya Tsuyoshi , Kawakami Kunihiko , Ikeuchi Katsushi
Published: September 2003

Japanese archaeologists have paid special attention to ancient Chinese bronze mirrors because the mirrors may provide a key for the exact location of Yamatai State, which is one of the major archaeological controversies. Currently, archaeologists visually analyse ancient Chinese bronze mirrors for their shape difference. The practice requires a huge amount of time and effort. In this paper, we propose an automatic method for detecting the shape difference between a pair of ancient mirrors. The 3D data of the mirrors are obtained using a laser range scanner. Our algorithm then aligns them into the same coordinate and visualizes their shape differences. Our proposed algorithm provides fast and non‐damaging analysis for shape difference. Further analysis can be evaluated on our data instead of the actual mirror, so it can be performed by more than one group of archaeologists. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Image modification for immersive projection display based on pseudo‐projection models
Authors: Moriya Toshio , Utsugi Kei , Beniyama Fumiko , Takeda Haruo
Published: September 2003

This paper describes a practical method that enables actual images to be converted so that they can be projected onto an immersive projection display (IPD) screen. IPD screens are particularly unique in that their angle of view is extremely wide; therefore, the images projected onto them need to be taken on a special format. In practice, however, it is generally very difficult to shoot images that completely satisfy the specifications of the targeting IPD environment due to cost, technical problems or other reasons. To overcome these problems, we developed a method to modify the images by abandoning geometrical consistency. We were able to utilize this method by assuming that the given image was shot according to a special projection model. Because this model differed from the actual projection model with which the image was taken, we termed it the pseudo‐projection model. Since our method uses simple geometry, and can easily be expressed by a parametric function, the degree of modification or the time sequence for modification can readily be adjusted according to the features of each type of content. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Demonstrating the intrinsic ion channel activity of virally encoded proteins
Authors: Kelly Marie L , Cook James A , Brown-Augsburger Patricia , Heinz Beverly A , Smith Michele C , Pinto Lawrence H
Published: September 2003

This review summarizes the types of evidence that can be invoked in order to demonstrate that a virally encoded protein possesses ion channel activity that is intrinsic to the life cycle of the virus. Ion channel activity has been proposed to be a key step in the life cycle of influenza virus, and the protein responsible for this activity has been proposed to be the M2 protein encoded by the virus. This review contrasts the evidence supporting the conclusion that the A/M2 protein of influenza A virus has intrinsic ion channel activity with the evidence that the 3AB protein encoded by the human rhinovirus possesses intrinsic ion channel activity.
Rapidly maturing red fluorescent protein variants with strongly enhanced brightness in bacteria
Authors: Sörensen Meike , Lippuner Christoph , Kaiser Toralf , Mißlitz Ana , Aebischer Toni , Bumann Dirk
Published: September 2003

A rapidly maturing variant of the red fluorescent protein DsRed was optimized for bacterial expression by random mutagenesis. The brightest variant contains six mutations, two of which (S4T and a silent mutation in codon 2) explain most of the fluorescence enhancement. The novel variants are expressed at 9–60‐fold higher levels in Escherichia coli compared to DsRed.T3, but are not superior fluorophores on a per molecule basis. In contrast to previously available DsRed variants, DsRed.T3_S4T is sufficiently bright to monitor Salmonella gene expression in infected animals using flow cytometry. However, no fluorescence enhancement was observed in Leishmania or HeLa cells, indicating that these novel variants are specifically useful for bacteria.
Viral dsRNA activates mucin transcription in airway epithelial cells
Authors: Londhe Vedang , McNamara Nancy , Lemjabbar Hassan , Basbaum Carol
Published: September 2003

Double‐stranded (ds) RNA is a biologically active component of many viruses including rhinoviruses infecting the upper respiratory tract. Mucus production is a common symptom of such infections. Here, we show that mucin, the glycoprotein subunit of mucus gels, is transcriptionally upregulated in an NF‐κB‐ and p38‐dependent manner when homogeneous cultures of epithelial cells are exposed to dsRNA. Furthermore, upstream of p38 in this system, dsRNA stimulates the extracellular release of ATP and activation of cell surface ATP receptors, which are G protein‐coupled. This results in the stimulation of phospholipase C and protein kinase C. These findings suggest that ATP receptor antagonists could be used to modulate mucus production induced by virus.
Distal side tryptophan, tyrosine and methionine in catalase–peroxidases are covalently linked in solution
Authors: Jakopitsch Christa , Kolarich Daniel , Petutschnig Gabriele , Furtmüller Paul Georg , Obinger Christian
Published: September 2003

Distal side tryptophan and tyrosine have been shown to be essential in the catalase but not the peroxidase activity of bifunctional catalase–peroxidases (KatGs). Recently published crystal structures suggest that both residues could be part of a novel adduct including in addition a conserved methionine. A mass spectrometric analysis of the tryptic peptides from recombinant wild‐type Synechocystis KatG and the variants Trp122Phe, Tyr249Phe and Met275Ile confirms that this novel adduct really exists in solution and thus may be common to all KatGs. Exchange of either Trp122 or Tyr249 prevents cross‐linking, whereas exchange of Met275 still allowed bond formation between Trp122 and Tyr249. It is proposed that the covalent bond between Trp and Tyr may form before that between Tyr and Met. The findings are discussed with respect to the mechanism of cross‐linking and its role in KatG catalysis.
Artemisinin inhibits inducible nitric oxide synthase and nuclear factor NF‐kB activation
Authors: Aldieri Elisabetta , Atragene Daniela , Bergandi Loredana , Riganti Chiara , Costamagna Costanzo , Bosia Amalia , Ghigo Dario
Published: September 2003

Artemisinin is a natural product used as an alternative drug in the treatment of severe and multidrug‐resistant malaria. In the present work we show that artemisinin shares with other sesquiterpene lactones the ability to inhibit the activation of the nuclear factor NF‐kB: by this mechanism, artemisinin, as well as parthenolide, inhibits nitric oxide synthesis in cytokine‐stimulated human astrocytoma T67 cells. These results suggest that artemisinin, in addition to its antiparasitic properties, could also exert a therapeutic effect on neurological complications of malaria.
Shear stress increases the amount of S‐nitrosylated molecules in endothelial cells: important role for signal transduction
Authors: Hoffmann Jörg , Dimmeler Stefanie , Haendeler Judith
Published: September 2003

Laminar flow (shear stress) is an important stimulus for nitric oxide (NO) synthesis in endothelial cells. NO can react with free SH‐groups of different proteins leading to S‐nitrosylation. Since S‐nitrosylation of proteins is an important regulator of protein functions, we investigated the effect of endogenously synthesized NO. Exposure to shear stress significantly increased the overall S‐nitrosylation of proteins in endothelial cells. Interestingly, shear stress increased S‐nitrosylation of specific target proteins, i.e. the catalytic p17 subunit of caspase‐3, the GTPase p21ras and the oxidoreductase thioredoxin. S‐nitrosylation resulted in an inhibition of caspase‐3 and in an augmented activity of p21ras and thioredoxin. These data suggest that long term exposure to shear stress exerts its different atheroprotective effects at least in part via increased S‐nitrosylation of specific signaling proteins.
Drug‐sensitivity pattern analysis for study of functional relationship between gene products
Authors: Hiwasa Takaki , Shimada Hideaki , Sakaida Tsukasa , Kitagawa Motoo , Kuroiwa Namiko , Ochiai Takenori , Takiguchi Masaki
Published: September 2003

We have developed a method that we call ‘drug‐sensitivity pattern analysis’, or DSPA, for analysis of protein function. Cells are transfected with cDNA of the test molecule, followed by analysis of the sensitivity of the transfected cells to multiple growth‐inhibitory drugs. If two cDNA products have similar functions, their transfected cells should show similar drug‐sensitivity patterns. The cDNAs of some signaling molecules were transfected into NIH3T3 or Ha‐ras‐transformed NIH3T3 (ras‐NIH) cells and stable transfectants, which expressed high amounts of the gene product, were isolated. Chemosensitivity of the transfected clone was compared with the parental cells by the 3‐[4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl]‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide method using more than 40 drugs. The chemosensitivity changes caused by the transfected gene were calculated and expressed numerically as ‘drug chemosensitivity index’ (DCI). When the DCI values were analyzed by regression analysis, a significant positive relationship between IκBα superrepressor and dominant‐negative IKKβ and an inverse relationship between p53 and Mdm2 were consistent with previous reports. Thus, the DSPA method is useful for identifying functional similarities between gene products.
Adenovirus 2 E1B‐55K protein relieves p53‐mediated transcriptional repression of the survivin and MAP4 promoters
Authors: Punga Tanel , Akusjärvi Göran
Published: September 2003

It is well established that adenovirus E1B‐55K protein functions as an inhibitor of the tumor suppressor protein p53 by binding and inactivating p53 as a transcriptional activator protein. Here we show that the adenovirus 2 E1B‐55K protein also blocks p53 as a transcriptional repressor protein of the survivin and the MAP4 promoters. The repression is dependent on the ability of E1B‐55K to bind to p53 and is enhanced by coexpression of the adenovirus E4orf6 protein. Overexpression of the transcriptional corepressor protein Sin3A partially relieves the inhibitory effect of E1B‐55K, suggesting that E1B‐55K blocks p53 functions by interfering with the Sin3 complex.
Staff knowledge and attitudes towards deliberate self‐harm in adolescents
Authors: Crawford Tanya , Geraghty Wendy , Street Karen , Simonoff Emily
Published: September 2003

This study investigates knowledge, attitudes and training needs concerning deliberate self‐harm (DSH) in adolescents, amongst a variety of professionals involved in the assessment and management of adolescence who self‐harm. A questionnaire survey was completed by 126 health professionals working with adolescents who harm themselves. The main outcome measures were a knowledge measure and three attitude measures (generated using factor analysis). The mean percentage of correctly answered knowledge questions, across all professional groups, was 60%. With regard to knowlege, over three‐quarters of participants were unaware that homosexual young men and those who had been sexually abused are at greater risk of DSH, whilst one third of staff were unaware that adolescents who self‐harm are at increased risk of suicide. Staff who felt more effective felt less negative towards this group of patients (B=−0.21, p=0.03). Forty‐two per cent of the participants wanted further training in DSH amongst adolescents.
Free Radicals and Scavenging Enzymes in Chronic Tonsillitis
Authors: Kaygusuz Irfan , Ilhan Nevin , Karlidag Turgut , Keles Erol , Yalçin Sinasi , çetiner Hasan
Published: September 2003

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to define the relationship between chronic tonsillitis and levels of malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase in free radical and antioxidant forms. It is suggested that free oxygen radicals may play a role in chronic tonsillitis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One hundred twenty‐four patients were enrolled in the study. Tonsillectomy was performed via the usual dissection‐snare method. Venous blood was taken preoperatively and at 2 weeks postoperatively. Blood samples and tonsil specimens were evaluated for malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase analysis.

RESULTS

The levels of malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase in plasma were compared preoperatively and postoperatively, and there were statistically significant differences between these levels (P < 0.05). In contrast, the levels of malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase in tonsil tissue were not correlated with the plasma levels of malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase in pretonsillectomy and posttonsillectomy terms (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The presence of malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase in plasma and tonsil tissue reinforces the involvement of oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of chronic tonsillitis.
Composite Osteocutaneous Groin Flap Combined with Neurovascular Island Flap for Thumb Reconstruction
Authors: PARMAKSIZOGLU F. , BEYZADEOGLU T.
Published: September 2003

Three amputated thumbs were reconstructed with a composite osteocutaneous groin flap and a neurovascular island flap. The average age at the time of surgery was 28 (range 25–35) years. The level of the amputation was distal to metacarpophalangeal joint in two cases and proximal in one case. The injury mechanism was avulsion in all cases. The postoperative follow-up periods ranged from 27 to 30 months. There were no cases of skin necrosis, bone resorption or infection. Radiographs and three-phase bone scans showed union of the iliac bone block and the stump without any resorption in all three patients. This surgical procedure is reliable and simple and the functional results are satisfying. We reserve this technique for the treatment of thumb amputations which cannot be replanted, particularly as it does not result in bone resorption.
A Homodigital Switch Flap to Restore Sensation to the Ulnar Border of the Thumb Tip
Authors: ELLIOT D. , SOUTHGATE C. M. , STAIANO J. J.
Published: September 2003

Three cases of irrevocable loss of sensation on the ulnar side of the thumb tip are presented in which switch of the radial pulp of the thumb tip to the ulnar side restored sensibility to this critical area, providing a useful functional reconstruction.
Bone healing in the rat and dog with nonglycosylated BMP‐2 demonstrating low solubility in fibrin matrices
Authors: Schmoekel Hugo , Schense Jason C. , Weber Franz E. , Grätz Klaus W. , Gnägi Dania , Müller Ralph , Hubbell Jeffrey A.
Published: September 2003

A novel form of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein‐2 (BMP‐2) was explored for effective incorporation and long‐term retention into fibrin ingrowth matrices. The solubility of native BMP‐2 is greatly dependent on its glycosylation. To enhance retention of BMP‐2 in fibrin matrices, a nonglycosylated form (nglBMP‐2), which is less soluble than the native glycosylated protein, was produced recombinantly and evaluated in critical‐size defects in the rat calvarium (group n = 6). When 1 or 20 μg nglBMP‐2 was incorporated by precipitation within the matrix, 74 ± 4% and 98 ± 2% healing was observed in the rat calvarium, respectively, as judged radiographically by closure of the defect at 3 weeks. More soluble forms of BMP‐2, used as controls, induced less healing, demonstrating a positive correlation between low solubility, retention in vitro, and healing in vivo. Subsequently, the utility of nglBMP‐2 was explored in a prospective veterinary clinical trial for inter‐carpal fusion in dogs, replacing the standard‐of‐care, namely autologous cancellous autograft, with nglBMP‐2 in fibrin. In a study of 10 sequential canine patients, fibrin with 600 μg/ml nglBMP‐2 performed better than autograft in the first weeks of bone healing and comparably thereafter. Furthermore, a greater fraction of animals treated with nglBMP‐2 in fibrin demonstrated bone bridging across each of the treated joints at both 12 and 17 weeks than in animals treated with autograft. These results suggest that evaluation in a human clinical setting of nonglycosylated BMP‐2 in fibrin matrices might be fruitful. © 2003 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Interleukin‐15 increases myosin accretion in human skeletal myogenic cultures
Authors: Furmanczyk Paul S , Quinn LeBris S
Published: September 2003

Interleukin‐15 (IL‐15) has been shown to have anabolic effects on skeletal muscle in rodent studies conducted in vitro and in vivo. The mechanism of IL‐15 action on muscle appears to be distinct from that of the well‐characterized muscle anabolic factor insulin‐like growth factor‐I (IGF‐I). IL‐15 action has not been investigated in a human culture system nor in detail in primary skeletal myogenic cells. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of IL‐15 and IGF‐I in primary human skeletal myogenic cells. Accretion of a major myofibrillar protein, myosin heavy chain (MHC), was used as a measure of muscle anabolism. We found that both growth factors induced increases in MHC accretion in primary human skeletal myogenic cultures; however, IL‐15 and IGF‐I actions were temporally distinct. IL‐15 was more effective at stimulating MHC accretion when added to cultures after differentiation of myoblasts had occurred. In contrast, IGF‐I was more effective at stimulating MHC accretion when added to cultures prior to differentiation of myoblasts. These results using a human system support recent findings from rodent models which indicate that the primary mode of IGF‐I action on skeletal muscle anabolism is through stimulation of myogenic precursor cells, whereas the primary target of IL‐15 action is the differentiated muscle fiber. Further, since clinical and experimental studies have shown IGF‐I is not effective in preventing skeletal muscle wasting, the distinct mode of action of IL‐15 suggests it may be of potential usefulness in the treatment of muscle wasting disorders.
Immunomorphological localization of Vasa protein and pre‐mRNA splicing factors in Panorpa communis trophocytes and oocytes
Authors: Batalova F. , Parfenov V.
Published: September 2003

The distribution of Vasa protein and splicing factors of pre‐mRNA has been studied in oogenesis of Panorpa communis. This distribution was analyzed relative to three types of perinuclear bodies (PBs) in trophocyte cytoplasm, PBs and polar granules (PGs) in oocyte. Immunoelectron labeling using antibody against Vasa protein revealed PBs of the 2nd type of P. communis trophocytes as well as oocyte PBs and PGs to contain Vasa protein. From this evidence emerged proposal that PBs of the 2nd type are homologues to the “nuage” of Drosophila, a marker of germ line cells. Besides, we suggest that in P. communis, both trophocytes and oocytes take part in formation of PGs. Using immunoelectron microscopy, we also show small nuclear RNPs both in trophocyte PBs of the 2nd type and in oocyte PBs. The functional significance of coupling in the same structure of Vasa protein and snRNPs is discussed.
Evaluation of a short duration behaviour‐based post‐operative pain scoring system in rats
Authors: Roughan John V. , Flecknell Paul A.
Published: September 2003

We have recently demonstrated dose‐related analgesic‐induced reductions in the occurrence of 7 behavioural activities following midline laparotomy in rats. For these behaviours to be useful in evaluating pain in laboratory rats they must be shown to occur after different types of surgery, and frequently enough to allow rapid scoring of animals. Here, the relevant behaviours were used to test the analgesic efficacy of meloxicam with a variation of our previous laparotomy model. As part of an unrelated project, 57 male Fischer rats were divided into groups to receive either saline (0.2 ml/100 g s/c), meloxicam (0.5, 1 or 2 mg/kg s/c) or carprofen (2.5, 5, or 10 mg/kg s/c) 1 h before surgery. Behaviour data were collected for 10 min following 25 min of recovery from isoflurane anaesthesia. The cumulative frequencies of back arching, fall/stagger, writhe and poor gait were used to compute a composite behaviour score. Irrespective of whether analyses included only 5 or all 10 min of the observation period, the relevant behaviours occurred significantly more often in rats given saline or low dose meloxicam than in those given 1 or 2 mg/kg of meloxicam, or any dose of carprofen. We conclude that this technique of quantifying post‐surgery behaviour is an effective pain scoring method following abdominal surgery in rats, and that 1 mg/kg meloxicam significantly attenuates laparotomy induced pain. Since only a short observation period is required, this approach represents an important practical advance in assessing abdominal pain severity and clinical drug potency.
Recommendations for using opioids in chronic non‐cancer pain
Authors: Kalso Eija , Allan Laurie , Dellemijn Paul L.I , Faura Clara C , Ilias Wilfried K , Jensen Troels S , Perrot Serge , Plaghki Leon H , Zenz Michael
Published: September 2003

. The management of chronic pain should be directed by the underlying cause of the pain. Whatever the cause, the primary goal of patient care should be symptom control.

. Opioid treatment should be considered for both continuous neuropathic and nociceptive pain if other reasonable therapies fail to provide adequate analgesia within a reasonable timeframe.

. The aim of opioid treatment is to relieve pain and improve the patient's quality of life. Both of these should be assessed during a trial period.

. The prescribing physician should be familiar with the patient's psychosocial status.

. The use of sustained‐release opioids administered at regular intervals is recommended.

. Treatment should be monitored.

. A contract setting out the patient's rights and responsibilities may help to emphasize the importance of patient involvement.

. Opioid treatment should not be considered a lifelong treatment.
Incidence of complex regional pain syndrome type I after fractures of the distal radius
Authors: Dijkstra Pieter U. , Groothoff Johan W. , ten Duis Henk Jan , Geertzen Jan H.B.
Published: September 2003

Aim of this study was to analyse the incidence CRPS‐I after a fracture of the distal radius and to analyse risk factors. Patients who visited the Emergency Unit of the University Hospital, with a fracture of distal radius were asked to participate. As risk factors for CRPS‐I, number of repositions (with or without local anaesthesia), additional cast changes and pain during the cast period, were assessed. In a structured interview social life events (SLEs) and psychological and/or psychiatric history were assessed. The patients filled out the Symptom Checklist‐90 (SCL‐90). In total 88 patients participated in the study. One female (1%, 95% CI: 0.2 to 6%), age 69 years with the following characteristics developed CRPS‐I: one set of local anaesthetics, one repositioning attempt, no additional cast changes, average pain scores, no life events and her total score on the SCL‐90 of 117, was slightly above average. Based on the results of this study it is concluded that the incidence of CRPS‐I may be low (1%, 95% CI: 0.2 to 6%) after fractures of the distal radius. Further the risk factors described in literature play a minor role in the development of CRPS‐I.
Increased vanilloid receptor VR1 innervation in vulvodynia
Authors: Tympanidis Penelope , Casula Maria Anna , Yiangou Yiangos , Terenghi Giorgio , Dowd Pauline , Anand Praveen
Published: September 2003

Vulvodynia is characterised by painful burning sensation, allodynia and hyperalgesia in the region of the vulval vestibulus. While in many patients the cause of vulvodynia remains uncertain, we and others have previously shown increased intraepithelial and papillary innervation in vulvodynia. The vanilloid receptor VR1 (TRPV1) is expressed by nociceptors, and is triggered by capsaicin, noxious heat, protons, and chemicals produced during inflammation. In the present study we show increased papillary VR1 fibres by immunostaining and image analysis in vulvodynia tissues compared to controls (P<0.002). VR1 expression was found to be significantly increased when the percentage area immunostained was expressed as a ratio of VR1 to PGP 9.5, a pan‐neuronal marker (P=0.01). VR1‐positive fine epidermal fibres also appeared to be increased in vulvodynia tissues, by inspection. Fibres immunoreactive to the voltage‐gated sodium channel SNS1/PN3 (Nav1.8), also expressed by nociceptors, were relatively scarce in both vulvodynia and control tissues. We hypothesize that increased expression of VR1 by nociceptors could mediate some of the symptoms in vulvodynia, for which systemic or topical specific VR1 antagonists may provide novel treatment.
Children's ratings of the intensity and unpleasantness of post‐operative pain using facial expression scales
Authors: Perrott David A , Goodenough Belinda , Champion G.David
Published: September 2003

This study explored whether global unidimensional self‐report pain scales based on facial expression help children separately estimate the sensory and affective magnitude of post‐operative pain. Ninety paediatric elective surgery patients (in two age groups: 5–9 and 10–15 years) used each of four scales to estimate pain intensity and pain affect during the first 2 days after surgery. The four scales were: Faces Pain Scale (FPS), Facial Affective Scale (FAS), and the Coloured Analogue Scale (CAS) (one for intensity and one for unpleasantness). As hypothesised, ratings on the FPS correlated more highly with analogue scale ratings for intensity than for unpleasantness, whereas ratings on the FAS correlated more highly with those on the analogue scale for unpleasantness than for intensity. Factor analysis indicated that although all measures loaded on a single dimension of distress, there was an additional weaker factor corresponding to a unique contribution of the FAS. No systematic age effects were observed. It was concluded that the FPS and the FAS may partly measure different aspects of the postoperative pain experience in children, although shared instrument variance may obscure true estimates of covariation in ratings of intensity and affective magnitude. The clinical relevance of the present results remains to be determined.
The urinary corticoid: Creatinine ratio (UCCR) in healthy cats undergoing hospitalisation
Authors: Cauvin AL , Witt AL , Groves E. , Neiger R. , Martinez T. , Church D.B.
Published: September 2003

Thirty-one healthy pet cats had voided urine samples collected prior to, during and after a brief period of hospitalisation. Urinary corticoids were measured, both prior to and following an extraction technique, and the urinary corticoid:creatinine ratio (UCCR) was calculated. Associations between the UCCR and age, sex, breed and time of urine collection were investigated. There was no significant relationship established between age, sex and breed and the UCCR. A significant increase in the UCCR, however, did occur between the first home collected and first hospitalised urine sample, but only when comparing extracted corticoid results. A normal range for feline UCCR is established for the chemiluminescent immunoassay used in this study.
Shoulder Dislocation After Infraclavicular Coracoid Block
Authors: Rodríguez Jaime , Bárcena María , Álvarez Julián
Published: September 2003

Objective

We report a case of shoulder dislocation after a brachial plexus block with a double-injection technique using the infraclavicular coracoid approach.

Case Report

An obese woman with no previous episodes of joint dislocation developed an anterior dislocation of the head of the humerus after an infraclavicular coracoid block performed for hand surgery. Dislocation was probably because of a combination of unrecognized glenohumeral instability, paralysis of some muscles of the shoulder, and positioning of her arm on a board below her torso. Shoulder dislocation was recognized after surgical positioning of her arm, and painless reduction was achieved. There were no sequelae after 10-day follow-up.

Conclusions

When motor block of the muscles of the shoulder occurs after brachial plexus anesthesia, special care must be taken in patient positioning to avoid shoulder dislocation.
Congenital disorder of glycosylation Ib (CDG‐Ib) without gastrointestinal symptoms
Authors: Penel‐Capelle D. , Dobbelaere D. , Jaeken J. , Klein A. , Cartigny M.
Published: September 2003

Summary: We report a 7‐year‐old girl with hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia and hepatomegaly due to congenital disorder of glycosylation (CDG) Ib without gastrointestinal symptoms. Oral mannose therapy produced clinical and biochemical normalization after 2 years of treatment.
Characteristic growth pattern in male X‐linked phosphorylase‐b kinase deficiency (GSD IX)
Authors: Schippers H. M. , Smit G. P. A. , Rake J. P. , Visser G.
Published: September 2003

Summary: Growth retardation is one of the clinical characteristics of glycogen storage disease (GSD) type IX. Initial growth retardation has been described in a few case reports, followed by a complete catch‐up in growth. This study aimed to determine the growth pattern of patients with GSD IX. Growth charts of 51 male Dutch patients with GSD IX (age 0–33 years, median follow‐up time 8.3 years (range 0–30.5 years)) were studied retrospectively and compared with Dutch standard growth charts. Patients had a normal height at birth, significant growth retardation between the ages of 2 and 10 years (mean z‐score −1.96), delayed growth spurt in puberty and catch‐up towards quite normal final height (mean z‐score −0.55). We conclude that GSD IX patients have a specific growth pattern characterized by initial growth retardation, a late growth spurt and complete catch‐up in final height. Intervention for growth retardation is therefore ingeneral not warranted. It is speculated that mild hypoglycaemia related to the disorder may cause endocrine changes. Because the glucose need per kg bodyweight decreases with age, the enzyme defect becomes less important with ageing and the effect on growth diminishes.
In situ measurements of HCN and CH3CN over the Pacific Ocean: Sources, sinks, and budgets
Authors: Singh H. B. , Salas L. , Herlth D. , Kolyer R. , Czech E. , Viezee W. , Li Q. , Jacob D. J. , Blake D. , Sachse G. , Harward C. N. , Fuelberg H. , Kiley C. M. , Zhao Y. , Kondo Y.
Published: September 2003

We report the first in situ measurements of hydrogen cyanide (HCN) and methyl cyanide (CH3CN, acetonitrile) from the Pacific troposphere (0–12 km) obtained during the NASA Transport and Chemical Evolution over the Pacific (TRACE‐P) airborne mission (February–April 2001). Mean HCN and CH3CN mixing ratios of 243 ± 118 (median 218) ppt and 149 ± 56 (median 138) ppt, respectively, were measured. These in situ observations correspond to a mean tropospheric HCN column of 4.2 × 1015molecules cm−2and a CH3CN column of 2.5 × 1015molecules cm−2. This is in good agreement with the 0–12 km HCN column of 4.4 (±0.6) × 1015molecules cm−2derived from infrared solar spectroscopic observations over Japan. Mixing ratios of HCN and CH3CN were greatly enhanced in pollution outflow from Asia and were well correlated with each other as well as with known tracers of biomass combustion (e.g., CH3Cl, CO). Volumetric enhancement (or emission) ratios (ERs) relative to CO in free tropospheric plumes, likely originating from fires, were 0.34% for HCN and 0.17% for CH3CN. ERs with respect to CH3Cl and CO in selected biomass burning (BB) plumes in the free troposphere and in boundary layer pollution episodes are used to estimate a global BB source of 0.8 ± 0.4 Tg (N) yr−1for HCN and 0.4 ± 0.1 Tg (N) yr−1for CH3CN. In comparison, emissions from industry and fossil fuel combustion are quite small (<0.05 Tg (N) yr−1). The vertical structure of HCN and CH3CN indicated reduced mixing ratios in the marine boundary layer (MBL). Using a simple box model, the observed gradients across the top of the MBL are used to derive an oceanic loss rate of 8.8 × 10−15g (N) cm−2s−1for HCN and 3.4 × 10−15g (N) cm−2s−1for CH3CN. An air‐sea exchange model is used to conclude that this flux can be maintained if the oceans are undersaturated in HCN and CH3CN by 27% and 6%, respectively. These observations also correspond to an open ocean mean deposition velocity (vd) of 0.12 cm s−1for HCN and 0.06 cm s−1for CH3CN. It is inferred that oceanic loss is a dominant sink for these cyanides and that they deposit some 1.4 Tg (N) of nitrogen annually to the oceans. Assuming loss to the oceans and reaction with OH radicals as the major removal processes, a mean atmospheric residence time of 5.0 months for HCN and 6.6 months for CH3CN is calculated. A global budget analysis shows that the sources and sinks of HCN and CH3CN are roughly in balance but large uncertainties remain in part due to a lack of observational data from the atmosphere and the oceans. Pathways leading to the oceanic (and soil) degradation of these cyanides are poorly known but are expected to be biological in nature.
Trends in temperature extremes during 1951–1999 in China
Authors: Zhai Panmao , Pan Xiaohua
Published: September 2003

Based on the daily surface air temperature data from about 200 stations during 1951–1999 in China, changes in the frequency of some extreme temperature events were studied with a focus on trends. For China as a whole, the number of hot days (Tmax over 35°C) displays a slightly decreasing trend, while the number of frost days (Tmin below 0°C) exhibits a significant decreasing trend. Meanwhile, increasing trends were detected in the frequencies of warm days and warm nights. In addition, decreasing trends was found in the frequencies of cool days and even stronger decreasing trend was found in frequencies of cool nights in China.
Very high resolution paleosecular variation record for the last ∼1200 years from the Aral Sea
Authors: Nourgaliev Danis K. , Heller Friedrich , Borisov Anatoly S. , Hajdas Irena , Bonani Georges , Iassonov Pavel G. , Oberhänsli Hedi
Published: September 2003

A record of geomagnetic paleosecular variation (PSV) spanning the last ∼1200 years has been obtained from two lacustrine sediment cores from the north part of Aral Sea (Kazakhstan). Magnetic susceptibility and NRM intensity have been used for correlating between cores and reconstructing composite core data. The main swings and fine details of declination and inclination records correlate well between both cores. A very high sedimentation rate (up to 25 mm per year) due to recent tectonic activity of the region provides a very high resolution PSV record for the interval from 450 ± 100 years BP to 655 ± 65 years BP. The results which have been dated by eight AMS radiocarbon age determinations, suggest that a 200–400 years secular variation period with amplitudes in declination and inclination up to 10–15° existed regularly during the time interval 0–1200 BP. Amplitudes of the PSV record from Aral Sea are not reduced and smoothed by postdetrital magnetization processes. They adjoin to the historical data model and are considered to represent a reliable paleosecular variation record for the Aral Sea region for the last ∼1200 years.