bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Individual trust and development of online business communities
Authors: Nolan Terry , Brizland Ray , Macaulay Linda
Published: March 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to examine the notion of trust as an enabler or restrictor to online engagement. The purpose of the inquiry is to improve knowledge acquisition within small businesses (SMEs) through engagement in an online network.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper explains the outcomes from a three‐year long Action Research (AR) study into online participation utilising a purpose built Information and Communication Technology (ICT) based networking tool.

Findings

The paper finds that the overall notion of trust is deconstructed into component conditions, which are shown to represent conflicting priorities for individuals. These components are reconstructed to form a model that illustrates how trust needs to develop at the level of the individual for an online community to be formed. The paper provides an insight into the complexities of socio‐technological engagements in an online environment.

Research limitations/implications

The paper shows that the proposed model is context‐specific and has not been subjected to testing for replicability within other settings.

Practical implications

The model proposed in this paper is of use to Information System (IS) developers, helping to identify the reasons for participation or non‐participation in online networks/communities.

Originality/value

The paper builds upon existing theories, by applying an extended notion of trust incorporating interrelated individual factors, such as risk, interest, power and information utility, to the development of online communities.
A strategic modeling technique for information security risk assessment
Authors: Misra Subhas C. , Kumar Vinod , Kumar Uma
Published: March 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to present a conceptual modeling approach, which is new in the domain of information systems security risk assessment.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach is helpful for performing means‐end analysis, thereby uncovering the structural origin of security risks in information systems, and how the root‐causes of such risks can be controlled from the early stages of the projects.

Findings

Though some attempts have previously been made to model security risk assessment in information systems using conventional modeling techniques such as data flow diagrams and UML, the previous works have analyzed and modeled the same just by addressing “what” a process is like. However, they do not address “why” the process is the way it is.

Originality/value

The approach addresses the limitation of the existing security risk assessment models by exploring the strategic dependencies between the actors of a system and analyzing the motivations, intents and rationales behind the different entities and activities constituting the system.
Television viewers' motivations to follow the 2005 Ashes Test series: implications for the rebranding of English cricket
Authors: Bennett Roger , Ali‐Choudhury Rehnuma , Mousley Wendy
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to examine the factors that induced people to follow the 2005 Ashes cricket series on television and to explore the implications of these factors for the marketing of English cricket as a brand.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 427 members of the public who reported that they had watched at least part of the 2005 Ashes series on television were questioned about their motives for having done so. Specific motives were then related to viewing intensity and to an individual's intention to follow cricket in the future.

Findings

The study finds that viewers who had been motivated to watch the Ashes series because of cricket's nostalgic associations with England's past were more likely than others to have followed the series intensively and to state that they would continue to be interested in cricket. Patriotic motivations led to short‐ but not to long‐term support. Social pressure, prior involvement with cricket, and several variables identified from a review of the general academic literature in the sports marketing area also exerted significant influences on future intentions to watch cricket.

Research limitations/implications

It was not feasible to establish the socio‐demographic, cultural and economic backgrounds of individuals who exhibited strong tendencies in relation to the motivations covered by the study. Thus it was not possible to relate these background characteristics to decisions to follow cricket in the longer period.

Practical implications

The results suggest that English cricket may indeed be regarded as a brand, and that certain aspects of cricket's brand identity should be incorporated into marketing communications that promote the sport.

Originality/value

This was the first empirical study to analyse the factors underlying the highly successful rebranding of English cricket that occurred between 1997 and 2004.
Does image of country‐of‐origin matter to brand equity?
Authors: Mohd Yasin Norjaya , Nasser Noor Mohd , Mohamad Osman
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the effects of brand's country‐of‐origin image on the formation of brand equity.

Design/methodology/approach

To accomplish this, the brand equity of household electrical appliances, particularly televisions, refrigerators and air‐conditioners, in the Malaysian market is examined. A conceptual framework in which brand's country‐of‐origin image is postulated to influence the dimensions of brand equity, which is made up of brand loyalty, brand awareness, perceived quality, and brand associations. These dimensions, in turn, influence brand equity. Data were collected from consumers of household electrical appliances using probability sampling.

Findings

Factor analysis conducted on brand equity dimensions, produced three factors namely, brand distinctiveness, brand loyalty, and brand awareness/associations. The regression analysis results show that brand's country‐of‐origin image positively and significantly influences dimensions of brand equity. The results also show that brand's country‐of‐origin image influences brand equity, either directly or indirectly, through the mediating effects of brand distinctiveness, brand loyalty and brand awareness/associations.

Research limitations/implications

The study investigates brand equity of durable goods of three product categories namely television, refrigerator and air‐conditioner. It only considers brand's country‐of‐origin image as one of the sources of brand equity. The conceptual framework does not take into consideration factors that moderate the influence of antecedent of brand equity on brand equity.

Practical implications

Producers of household electrical appliances should put greater emphasis in creating brand loyalty for their products. The good image of brand's original country should be highlighted in order to enhance the overall image of the brand. Favorable country image can also be capitalized in brand‐naming strategy.

Originality/value

This is paper important in identifying the sources of brand equity.
Advertised versus unexpected next purchase coupons: consumer satisfaction, perceptions of value, and fairness
Authors: Chatterjee Patrali
Published: March 2007

Purpose

This research aims to investigate how consumers differ in their interpretation of advertised and “surprise” (or unexpected) next‐purchase coupons as delayed rewards or immediate losses based on promotion context and coupon start date restrictions.

Design/methodology/approach

Two laboratory experiments examine how consumers respond to next‐purchase coupons. In Study 1, next‐purchase coupon types (advertised; unexpected) vs competing brand promotions (yes; no) vs coupon start date restriction (unrestricted; restricted to future start date) between‐subjects experimental design was used to examine the impact on purchase satisfaction, perceived promotion value, and perceived retailer fairness. In Study 2, four between‐subjects factors were used to examine the impact on purchase satisfaction, perceived value, and retailer fairness: next‐purchase coupon type vs coupon start date restriction vs coupon target restriction (brand‐specific; non brand‐specific) and the measured need‐for‐cognition variable (high; low).

Findings

Study 1 indicates that unexpected next‐purchase coupons lead to higher purchase satisfaction but lower perceptions of retailer fairness compared to advertised coupons. Study 2 indicates that consumer predisposition toward effortful thought (NFC) amplifies the impact of unrestricted start date on perceptions of retailer unfairness. Furthermore, this effect is stronger on purchase satisfaction and perceived value for unrestricted unexpected next‐purchase coupons.

Research limitations/implications

Results imply that advertised and unexpected next‐purchase coupons differ in their impact on post‐purchase outcomes of consumers. Differences in competing brand promotions and coupon start date restrictions lead to interpretations of next‐purchase coupons as immediate loss vs delayed gains.

Practical implications

Managerial implications for the design and use of next‐purchase promotions are discussed.

Originality/value

This research paper is the first to study how consumers respond to checkout or next‐purchase coupons.
Investment in Central and Eastern European equities
Authors: Middleton Calum A.J. , Fifield Suzanne G.M. , Power David M.
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the issues faced by institutional investors looking to invest in the Central and Eastern European (CEE) region. In particular, the paper seeks to ascertain the views of practitioners on the reasons for undertaking CEE investment, the structures of their investment processes for the CEE region, the barriers to CEE investment, and the future of the CEE region.

Design/methodology/approach

A series of semi‐structured interviews was conducted with institutional investors who had substantial knowledge and experience of investing in the CEE region.

Findings

The findings indicated that funds followed a bottom‐up approach whereby they researched company fundamentals and then applied a macroeconomic overview in their decision. The risks considered were not those frequently discussed in the current literature. For example, while currency risk and political risk were not seen as problematic, interviewees were concerned with liquidity problems and corporate governance issues. Finally, investors thought that the economic growth of the CEE region, together with its convergence with the EU, would create a more attractive investment environment than that available in other emerging market regions.

Originality/value

The paper addresses the more qualitative aspects of CEE investment decisions, such as perceptions about the risks of acquiring shares in CEE firms, by analysing practitioner perspectives on equity investment in the region. This qualitative approach facilitates an investigation of issues which cannot be captured in quantitative analyses.
Consistency and controversy in corporate financing practices
Authors: Colombage Sisira R.N.
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The main aim of this paper is to report on a comprehensive survey of corporate financing decision‐making process in Sri Lankan listed companies and to compare these results with those of similar studies conducted in developed markets.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was based on a survey questionnaire distributed among the chief executive officers (CEOs) of companies listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange, with the content of the questionnaire being based upon a review of theoretical and empirical literature in the field of finance.

Findings

The results demonstrate an adherence to a financial hierarchy, which appears to be the dominant financial policy among listed Sri Lankan companies. Corporate financing decisions seem to be influenced mostly by interest and tax considerations, while lesser weight is accorded to financial flexibility in determining the amount of funds to be raised externally through debt contracts. The evidence largely supports the propositions of the pecking order model, but also confirms some predictions found in static trade‐off theory.

Practical implications

Some of the most striking implications of the analysis relate to the under‐development of the local capital market, and the apparent need for an efficient financial system that spurs economic growth. An efficient capital market will in turn ensure that capital will be more easily channeled into financing investments.

Originality/value

This paper highlights how and why the determinants of capital structure decisions reported for developed capital markets may differ from those existing in transitional or emerging economies.
Why is synergy so difficult in mergers of related businesses?
Authors: Chatterjee Sayan
Published: March 2007

Purpose

When a merger or an acquisition fails, usually integration problems or overpayment gets the blame. The authors illustrate that a common cause of failure is the traditional notion of synergy that exacerbates the overpayment and integration problems. This synergy usually leads to the failure of many mergers, yet synergy remains one of the most common justifications that management uses to shareholders.

Design/methodology/approach

The main methodology is the author's interview of the CEOs of many successful acquiring firms as well as case studies of unsuccessful firms (some based on secondary sources). This methodology is complemented by academic research on these topics dating back to the early 1980s that had raised caution signals but were largely ignored.

Findings

The key finding is that it is very difficult to evaluate the nature of synergies, especially revenue synergies, during merger negotiations. This leads to overpayment and unanticipated integration problems.

Research limitations/implications

Suggested implications are to conduct in‐depth case studies that can follow the process in real‐time (fly on the wall approach).

Practical implication

The practical implication is to discount any revenue synergies more heavily than you may be inclined to do. Alert managers to the problem of justifying an acquisition or a merger based on the synergy rationale. Invest in getting to know the target – possibly years in advance.

Originality/value

The value is to alert managers considering related mergers to some potential landmines and what to do about them.
Case studies and differentiated realities
Authors: Llewellyn Sue
Published: March 2007

Purpose

Although the case for case studies is now well established in accounting and management research, the exact nature of their contribution is still under discussion. This paper aims to add to this debate on contribution by arguing that case studies explore not one reality but several.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a theoretical paper that discusses ontology using a deductive approach.

Findings

The paper argues that reality is differentiated into physical, structural, agential, cultural and mental realms.

Research limitations/implications

The paper begins to draw out some of the implications of “differentiated realities” for case studies, but there is much more that could be said.

Practical implications

Because case studies encompass differentiated realities, the paper discusses how expectations about the contribution of case studies should be intimately linked to the nature of the differentiated realities being researched.

Originality/value

“Differentiated realities” provides a fresh look status of case study findings and challenges the idea of a single social reality – as portrayed by both social positivism and social constructivism.
A guide to global virtual teaming
Authors: Gatlin‐Watts Rebecca , Carson Marsha , Horton Joseph , Maxwell Lauren , Maltby Neil
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to share with readers details of this consortium's multicultural virtual teaming project implementation and the lessons learned from experiences of the participating students and professors.

Design/methodology/approach

To establish a preliminary relationship, virtual student teams exchange e‐mail messages with team mates at participating universities that provide introductions for each member of the team. Each team member uses these individual introductions to write a brief paper that introduces all team mates. Next, the students virtually interview one another to obtain answers to culture‐specific questions for each culture that is represented on the team. In some courses, this information is analysed using Hofstede's four dimensions of culture: power distance, individualism versus collectivism, uncertainty avoidance, and masculinity versus femininity.

Findings

Based on participants' experiences in these virtual teaming projects, the following recommendations are presented: emphasise relationship building; solicit widespread input for planning; and balance individual control with shared objectives.

Originality/value

These cultural virtual teaming projects proved to be valuable learning experiences for both the students and faculty who were involved.
Address matching bias: ignorance is not bliss
Authors: Bichler Gisela , Balchak Stefanie
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show that despite the critical importance of using accurate data when identifying geographic patterns and studying hotspots, few have explored the data quality issues introduced by Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software applications. While software manufacturers provide some information about the address matching process, critical details are left out or are buried in technical, and sometimes proprietary, jargon. The purpose of this paper is to address these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper demonstrates, with three datasets of 100 cases each, how the assumptions built into popular GIS software produce systematically missing data during the data importing process commonly referred to as address matching.

Findings

Inclusion of directional indicators and zip codes are more important than previously thought. The results highlight the critical need to provide complete descriptions of research methodology. All geographic analyses must be accompanied with: information about the hit rate (percent of cases plotted), details about the software and process used to import tabular crime data, information about the software parameters set for the importation process (geocoding preferences), reference information about the street file used; and, an examination of the missing cases to identify some of the sampling error. When forecasting crime issues or identifying hot spots, analysts must be cognizant of the differential impact this bias will have on the generalizability of the results.

Originality/value

The paper explores previously neglected issues in data quality introduced by GIS software applications.
The magnetism of suburban shopping centers: do size and Cineplex matter?
Authors: Ooi Joseph T.L. , Sim Loo‐Lee
Published: March 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to address two questions related to the magnetism or drawing power of suburban malls: first, does physical size matter, and second, what is the externalities effect of housing a Cineplex within a shopping center?

Design/methodology/approach

The study was carried out through an extensive survey covering 1,283 shoppers in nine selected suburban shopping centers in Singapore. The effects of physical size and the presence of Cineplex on the magnetism on the selected suburban shopping centers are evaluated using analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests. Their effect on shopping duration and expenditure pattern is also empirically tested using a recursive simultaneous equations model.

Findings

The survey results affirm that both physical size and the presence of a Cineplex enhance the magnetism of suburban shopping centers. A larger shopping center can facilitate a greater variety of shops and create a more pleasant environment for the shoppers, thus enticing shoppers to visit and stay longer. Cinema patrons prefer to watch movies at Cineplex located in shopping centers. Controlling for the endogenous relationship between duration of visit and amount spent in the shopping center, the regression results show that, while physical size and Cineplex have a positive effect on the duration of visit, they do not necessarily have a direct effect on the amount spent by the patrons in the shopping center.

Originality/value

One of the main challenges for mall owners and managers located outside the traditional shopping belt is how to attract shoppers to patronize their malls. While the impact of shopping center size on retail rents and center attractiveness has been addressed in the literature, this paper adds some new insights into the field. The focus on whether the presence of a cinema complex within a shopping center affects its magnetism or not is novel.
Retail properties in Hong Kong: a rental analysis
Authors: Hui E.C.M. , Yiu C.Y. , Yau Y.
Published: March 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to explore the relationship between market positioning and rents of retail facilities in Hong Kong.

Design/methodology/approach

Regression analysis is deployed in the paper to find out the impact of various attributes, in terms of a retail facility's physical characteristics, market positions, and location, on the annualized per‐area net rental income. The sample data obtained from the initial public offerings of the Link real estate investment trust (REIT), one of the largest REITs in the world, is used for analysis.

Findings

The study finds that district centers command the highest average rental levels, followed by local and estate centers. As the effects of positive externalities for unorganized shops are smaller, the average rental levels for shops are generally lower. In terms of the impact of individual attributes on rents, a retail property's age and its efficiency ratio have negative relationships with rents, while its size (in terms of gross floor area) and the amount of shops positively affect the facility's rental levels.

Research limitations/implications

Although obtaining the largest possible dataset in the Link REIT portfolio for the study, the sample is not considered big enough to detect the impact of the location of a retail facility on its rental adjustments. Further studies are required with regard to this issue.

Originality/value

The results of this study give planners and developers of retail facilities some insights about the effects of market positioning on a retail facility's performance on the leasing market.
The significance and performance of retail property in Australia
Authors: Newell Graeme , Peng Hsu Wen
Published: March 2007

Purpose

Retail property is an important property investment sector. The purpose of this paper is to assess the importance of retail property type, size and region in Australian retail property and the strategic role of direct retail property and retail listed property trusts (LPTs) in a mixed‐asset portfolio.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper analyses the performance of retail property in Australia over 1995‐2005 for both direct and indirect retail property. Risk‐adjusted performance analysis is used to assess the added value of retail property in a mixed‐asset portfolio, with the portfolio diversification benefits of retail property also assessed.

Findings

The paper finds that retail property and retail LPTs have delivered substantial risk‐adjusted returns and portfolio diversification benefits over 1995‐2005. The retail property sub‐sectors of retail property type, size and region have different performance characteristics; particularly highlighting the substantial role of geographic diversification as the most effective portfolio diversification strategy for retail property investors. Direct retail property and retail LPTs are also identified as having different performance characteristics and each contributing substantially to an institutional property investment strategy.

Originality/value

Previous retail research has been at an “overall” Australian retail property level. This paper rigorously assesses retail property at a retail sub‐sector level regarding retail property type, size and location. This level of analysis enables more informed and practical investment decision‐making regarding the role of retail property in a mixed‐asset portfolio for both direct and indirect retail property as part of an institutional property investment strategy.
The effect of stock option grants on voluntary employee turnover
Authors: Balsam Steven , Gifford Richard , Kim Sungsoo
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The objective of this research is to examine the effect of a broad‐based option program on voluntary employee turnover.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines the effect of a broad‐based stock option program in a Fortune 100 company during the 1990s and uses logistical analysis.

Findings

Employee turnover is an issue due to the costs involved in recruiting and training replacements. Voluntary turnover can be reduced if a cost can be imposed on the departing employee. This cost need not be an explicit cost, but can take the form of a benefit forgone when the employee departs. Along these lines, stock option grants to employees, if properly structured, have the ability to reduce voluntary employee turnover. The paper finds that voluntary turnover is lower during the periods in which the option cannot be exercised, i.e. the vesting period. This effect is strongest for employees approaching retirement, but also holds for employees leaving the company for other reasons.

Originality/value

The finding that unvested options reduce or delay voluntary turnover, which while intuitive, has not to the author's knowledge been shown previously, and is important for those involved in the compensation plan design process.
The effects of accounting knowledge on the omission of value added information in wealth measurement and distribution decisions
Authors: Picur Ronald D.
Published: March 2007

Purpose

This study aims to examine whether accounting knowledge is associated with a decision maker's tendency to ignore value added information in wealth measurement and distribution decisions.

Design/methodology/approach

A between‐subjects laboratory experiment was employed. Subjects prepared accounting reports that measured and distributed an entity's wealth based upon given accounting data. Accounting knowledge was measured as: a discrete variable by classifying subjects into high‐, low‐ and no‐accounting knowledge groups, and a continuous variable by classifying subjects on the number of accounting courses completed.

Findings

Findings provide empirical evidence that high levels of accounting knowledge interferes with a decision maker's ability to incorporate value added information (versus accounting profit) in wealth measurement and distribution decisions.

Research limitations/implications

This experiment used subjects from the USA where the production and disclosure of a value added report is not mandated. The results should be tested in a country where the statement of value added is routinely produced, disclosed and audited.

Practical implications

This study shows the dysfunctional effect of accounting knowledge which appears to hinder performance in wealth measurement and distribution decisions.

Originality/value

This is the first attempt to explain why decision makers may ignore value added information in wealth measurement tasks and distribution decisions by focusing on the role of knowledge structures.
R&D productivity: an exploratory international study
Authors: Ding Yuan , Stolowy Hervé
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The objective of this exploratory paper is to investigate the impact of R&D expenditures on company performance. R&D activities play an essential role in the future economic development and financial performance of firms.

Design/methodology/approach

The research design is based on an earnings equation associating earnings with recorded assets, R&D expenditures and selling, general and administrative expenses (proxying for advertising expenses). The paper determines a rate of return on R&D for each given sample of firms in six developed countries.

Findings

The results corroborate previous studies of American companies, which found that reported earnings, adjusted for expensing of R&D, reflect realized benefits from R&D. This study provides further evidence on the positive contribution of R&D activities to future company performance, although this contribution can vary from one country to another.

Research limitations/implications

Being exploratory in nature, this paper suggests several areas for investigation.

Originality/value

With the exception of some American studies, the economic effectiveness of investment in R&D is seldom demonstrated explicitly by the literature, and to the best of our knowledge, there are no existing studies on R&D productivity taking an international approach.
Making the case for the competitive advantage of corporate social responsibility
Authors: Smith Alan D.
Published: March 2007

Purpose

Seeks to provide practitioners of management with a sense of the importance of strategically leveraging social responsibility in that it provides a sustainable competitive advantage and requires a culture that can successfully execute a combination of activities. These activities include deeply studying the forces that can shape the future of the industry and gathering intelligence about current and potential social and political issues, involvement of stakeholders, managing stakeholder expectations, decision making, incorporating the decisions into the strategic plan and tactical activities, communicating symbols to stakeholders, and ethical business behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

A review of the applied literature on practices and actual examples in the Pittsburgh area have shown that innovative responsible strategy, exceeding government requirements and considering multiple stakeholders, is a long‐term objective.

Findings

A firm must control the triple‐bottom‐line, or the environmental, societal, and economic aspects of the firm's performance, especially with the strategic aspects of the resource‐based view of the firm as its foundation. Historically, a concentration on improved operational effectiveness and overcapacity created a temporary economic advantage accompanied by increased profit and firm value. Such an advantage is short‐lived; investors may be satisfied, but competing companies will eventually mimic technological and material improvements.

Practical implications

This article describes how corporate evolution from the early 1900s where few organizations were acting in a socially responsible manner and they were criticized; it was thought that these companies were too large and had too much power. With the recent ethical disasters of Enron and WorldCom, the same criticisms are being voiced as a major flaw in American business education.

Originality/value

It would be difficult to find someone who views socially responsible behavior as a negative. However, social responsibility is not without its skeptics. The prolonged advantage of corporate social responsibility ensures sustainable economic advantage and should be a long‐term objective of any organization.
Managing in the global village
Authors: Sussland Willy A.
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The purpose of the “Process of Management” is to help management to excel in creating value in their business so as to satisfy the significant stakeholders.

Design/methodology/approach

The business value is the profit and competitive potential that can be leveraged from the resources. Processes deploy the resources onto the targeted critical success factors. Accordingly, management must focus the attention of all the live forces of the enterprise on the interactions between the two value‐drivers, namely resources and the processes.

Findings

The “Process of Management” is a comprehensive and connected framework that proposes a systemic, systematic, and stimulating way of thinking, acting, and innovating.

Practical implications

This program features original and very detailed mind‐maps to show up the tangible and intangible resources so as to enable the leadership to deploy the most effective configuration of resources onto the critical success factors. We recommend a dual valuation system that combines conventional financial figures with estimation of the value added or destroyed on the resources.

Originality/value

A clear concept of the five components of organizational capital enables the leadership to provide “self‐referrals” and to empower “self‐managed units” to take timely initiatives. This program is easy to implement because groups appreciate being given a structured way to interact. Any type and size of organization can use this program in order to involve all the live forces of the enterprise and to increase strategic and organizational effectiveness.
Neutrophilic dermatosis of the hands: Presentation of eight cases and review of the literature
Authors: DEL POZO Jesús , SACRISTÁN Felipe , MARTÍNEZ Walter , PARADELA Sabela , FERNÁNDEZ‐JORGE Beatriz , FONSECA Eduardo
Published: March 2007

Pustular dermatosis of the dorsal hands is a peculiar variant of Sweet's syndrome described by Strutton et al. Nevertheless, not all authors accept this entity. We present a retrospective study of eight cases of neutrophilic vasculitis of the hands. Three patients presented with lesions only on the dorsal hands, three with lesions on the palmar surface and two with lesions on the dorsal and palmar surfaces of the hands. The patients with lesions on the dorsal surface presented a pustular aspect, and the histopathological examination revealed a high degree of vascular damage with presence of vasculitis and, in one case, with fibrinoid necrosis. Therefore, the term pustular vasculitis of the dorsal hands introduced by Strutton et al. should probably be conserved. Our cases may have demonstrated a peculiar clinicopathological disease with its own entity.
Predictive value of GADD153, p21 and c‐Jun for chemotherapy response in gastric cancer
Authors: Akatsu Yukako , Saikawa Yoshiro , Kubota Tetsuro , Akatsu Tomotaka , Yoshida Masashi , Kitagawa Yuko , Otani Yoshihide , Kumai Koichiro , Kitajima Masaki
Published: March 2007

We sought to determine whether changes in the expression of early response genes (GADD153, p21 and c‐Jun) are indicators of chemotherapy response in gastric cancer. Three human gastric cancer cell lines were exposed to 5‐fluorouracil or cisplatin in vitro. Xenografts of TMK‐1 cells in nude mice were also treated with 5‐fluorouracil or cisplatin in vivo. For each of these treatments, we tested for a correlation between early gene expression levels and inhibition ratios derived at a later time. A 5‐fluorouracil derivative, S‐1, and cisplatin were administered to 12 patients with advanced gastric cancer for 3 weeks. Gene expression levels were measured using biopsy specimens obtained by endoscopy soon after initiation of chemotherapy. There was a significant correlation between expression levels of these genes at 24 h and inhibition ratios at 72 h in vitro. Cut‐off values determined from receiver‐operating characteristic curves were 1.3 for GADD153, 1.8 for p21 and 2.1 for c‐Jun There was also a significant correlation between gene expression levels at 2 days and inhibition ratios at 21 days in vivo. Cut‐off values were 1.8 for GADD153, 1.9 for p21 and 2.2 for c‐Jun. Levels of early response gene expression in patients showing progressive disease were significantly lower than those in patients with partial response. Changes in the expression of the three early response genes soon after drug administration could improve predictions of the final outcome of chemotherapy in gastric cancer. (Cancer Sci 2007; 98: 707–715)
Critical role of estrogen receptor on anoikis and invasion of squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Ishida Hiroyuki , Wada Koichiro , Masuda Tomotake , Okura Masaya , Kohama Keiko , Sano Yoshito , Nakajima Atsushi , Kogo Mikihiko , Kamisaki Yoshinori
Published: March 2007

Estrogen receptor (ER) plays an important role in various physiological functions. We examined whether ERα and ERβ are expressed in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and whether ER is a potential target for antitumor therapy. High‐level expression of ERβ, but not ERα, was observed in tumor cells of human primary SCC tissues and various SCC cultured cell lines. Treatment with ER antagonist (tamoxifen), but not agonist (estradiol), caused apoptotic cell death of SCC cells in a concentration‐ and time‐dependent manner. Adhesion of SCC was inhibited by the treatment with tamoxifen, but not with estradiol. Tamoxifen reduced the phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), resulting in decreases in phosphorylation of extracellular signal‐related kinase (Erk) and mitogen‐activated protein kinase. Inhibition of FAK phosphorylation is accompanied by disorder of the cytoskeletal component actin. The cell death caused by tamoxifen is therefore the result of direct interference in cell adhesion, which is called ‘anoikis’, involving a decrease in intracellular FAK signaling. Expression of epidermal growth factor receptor was also inhibited by treatment with a high concentration of tamoxifen. Knockdown of ERβ by small interfering RNA inhibited the proliferation of SCC. In addition, tamoxifen strongly inhibited invasion of SCC. These results imply a potentially important role for ER, whose inhibition may be effective for the treatment of SCC and the prevention of invasion and metastasis. (Cancer Sci 2007; 98: 636–643)
HIV, injecting drug use and harm reduction: a public health response
Authors: Ball Andrew Lee
Published: March 2007

Injecting drug use is driving HIV epidemics in many countries around the world. There is evidence that such epidemics can be averted, halted and reversed if comprehensive HIV programmes targeting drug users are put into place. The term ‘harm reduction’ is used widely to describe the goals, policies and interventions of such programmes. However, despite its rapidly expanding use, the term has no universally accepted definition. This paper aims to describe the evolution and branding of the term ‘harm reduction’ and the adoption of the concept across a wide range of countries. It highlights a range of issues that remain controversial in the harm reduction discourse related to HIV and injecting drug use, including: the definition of ‘harm reduction’ and related terms; the scope of harm reduction; the promotion of a public health versus drug control dichotomy; the feasibility and appropriateness of harm reduction in low‐ and middle‐income countries; and the strength of evidence on harm reduction interventions. The paper argues that harm reduction should be a core element of a public health response to HIV/AIDS where injecting drug use exists. The effectiveness of policies and programmes targeting drug users should be measured against public health outcomes. This requires the alignment of drug control measures with public health goals. A ‘model package’ for harm reduction is proposed, which provides guidance to countries on the selection of evidence‐based policies and interventions, including: interventions for reducing HIV transmission; treatment of HIV/AIDS and associated comorbidities; appropriate models of service delivery; creation of supportive policy, legal and social environments; and strengthening of strategic information systems to better guide responses.
Does prescribing for opiate addiction change after national guidelines? Methadone and buprenorphine prescribing to opiate addicts by general practitioners and hospital doctors in England, 1995–2005
Authors: Strang John , Manning Victoria , Mayet Soraya , Ridge Gayle , Best David , Sheridan Janie
Published: March 2007

Aim  To assess changes in opiate prescribing (1995–2005) following a decade of national guidelines to address substandard opiate substitution prescribing for heroin addiction.

Design  A repeat national survey (1995 and 2005) using random one‐in‐four samples of all community pharmacies in England, achieving response rates of 75% (1847/2475) in 1995 and 95% (2349/2473) in 2005. Data were obtained on 3732 (1995 data) and 9620 (2005 data) prescriptions dispensed in the preceding month from the 936 and 1463 pharmacies who were currently dispensing.

Measurements  We have measured impact on practice for seven specific recommended changes.

Findings  Between 1995 and 2005 the number of substitute opiate prescriptions doubled (×2.03). By 2005, methadone still dominated (down from 97% to 83%), buprenorphine increased (from 1% to 16%) and other opiate medications virtually disappeared. Changes in the direction of national guidelines included: increased daily dose of methadone (from 47.3 mg to 56.3 mg), more frequent dispensing (from 38% to 60% as daily instalments), more supervised consumption (from 0% to 36%) and fewer methadone tablets (from 10.9% to 1.8%). Nevertheless, despite the increased mean daily dose, only 41.0% of prescriptions for methadone were for daily doses in the recommended 60–120 mg dose range. Only one change was not in the direction of the national guidelines—the proportion of prescriptions from GPs fell from 41% to 30%, although this still represented an approximate 50% increase in the extent of GP prescribing.

Conclusion  Doubling in provision of opiate substitute treatment has occurred, alongside significant improvements in the nature of this treatment. These positive changes have occurred in the direction of six out of seven of the UK national guidelines.
Forest elephant group composition, frugivory and coastal use in the Réserve de Faune du Petit Loango, Gabon
Authors: Morgan Bethan J. , Lee P. C.
Published: March 2007

Results of a 16‐month study of forest elephant (Loxodonta africana cyclotisMatschie) group size and composition, coastal use and frugivory are presented from the Réserve de Faune du Petit Loango, Gabon (now the Parc National de Loango). Mean forest elephant group size was 2.2 (n = 140) including solitary animals, and 3.1 excluding solitaries. Elephants consumed fruits of at least 49 species, and of the 220 elephant dungpiles examined, 185 (84.1%) contained seeds and 203 (92.3%) contained the remains of fruits (seeds and/or pulp). The mean number of seed species per dungpile (±SD) was 2.01 ± 1.49, and the mean number of fruit species was 2.28 ± 1.43. Elephants used the coastal habitat more during warmer months, and during the afternoon than the morning. It is hypothesized that coastal habitat use is related to sodium intake through consumption of salt‐coated vegetation.
The cellular origin and proliferative status of regenerating renal parenchyma after mercuric chloride damage and erythropoietin treatment
Authors: Yen T.‐H. , Alison M. R. , Cook H. T. , Jeffery R. , Otto W. R. , Wright N. A. , Poulsom R.
Published: March 2007

Abstract.  Objectives: In this study, we have sought to establish the cellular origin and proliferative status of the renal parenchyma as it regenerates after damage induced by mercuric chloride, with or without erythropoietin treatments, that might alter the response. Materials and methods: Female mice were irradiated and male whole bone marrow was transplanted into them. Six weeks later recipient mice were assigned to one of four groups: control, mercuric chloride treated, erythropoietin treated and treated with mercuric chloride plus erythropoietin. Results: Tubular injury scores were high 3 days after mercuric chloride and had recovered partially after 14 days, in line with serum urea nitrogen levels. Confocal microscopy confirmed the tubular location of bone marrow‐derived cells. A ‘four‐in‐one’ analytical technique (identifying cell origin, tubular phenotype, tubular basement membranes and S‐phase status) revealed that tubular necrosis increased bone marrow derivation of renal tubular epithelium from a baseline of ∼1.3% to ∼4.0%. Erythropoietin increased the haematocrit, but no other effects were detected. Conclusion: As 1 in 12 proximal tubular cells in S‐phase was derived from bone marrow, we conclude that in the kidney, the presence of bone marrow‐derived cells makes a minor but important regenerative contribution after tubular necrosis.
Urothelial progenitor cells: regional differences in the rat bladder
Authors: Nguyen M. M. , Lieu D. K. , DeGraffenried L. A. , Isseroff R. R. , Kurzrock E. A.
Published: March 2007

Abstract.   Objectives: Because the trigone is a unique region in the caudal bladder with a higher risk of neoplasia, we hypothesized that this area would have a high proportion of progenitor cells. As yet there is no marker nor methodology to specifically isolate urothelial stem cells, and thus demonstrate multi‐potential differentiation and self‐renewal. Here, our goal was to evaluate the distribution of progenitor cells that carry two general major attributes of stem cells: clonogenicity and proliferative capacity. Materials and methods: The bladders of Fisher rats were divided into caudal and cephalic segments and primary cultures were established from the harvested urothelial cells. Results: We found that colony‐forming efficiency was almost 2‐fold higher for cells from the caudal bladder compared to the cephalic bladder. Doubling time was significantly faster for cells harvested from the caudal bladder at initial plating. This suggested that the caudal bladder harbours a higher density of urothelial progenitor cells. With passage to p4, the differences between the upper and lower bladder were lost, suggesting selection of proliferative cells with serial passage. Based on Ki‐67 staining, there was no geographical difference in cell proliferation under normal homeostatic in vivo conditions. Conclusions: These results demonstrate geographical sequestration of urothelial progenitor cells to the area of the bladder that encompasses the bladder neck and trigone, which may be a factor in pathological disparities between the trigone and remaining bladder.
Inhibition of γ‐secretases alters both proliferation and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Vujovic S. , Henderson S. R. , Flanagan A. M. , Clements M. O.
Published: March 2007

Abstract.  Introduction: Human mesenchymal stem cell (hMSC) proliferation and development is regulated by many signalling pathways. γ‐Secretases play an important role in Notch signalling as well as other processes that are involved in developmental decisions, but their role in hMSC proliferation and cell fate decisions has not been explored. Objective: To investigate the role of γ‐secretases in hMSC proliferation and differentiation. Materials and methods: Using the γ‐secretase inhibitor N‐[N‐(3,5‐Difluorophenacetyl‐L‐alanyl]‐S‐phenylglycine t‐butyl ester (DAPT), we investigated their role in hMSC growth and differentiation to chondrogenic, osteogenic and adipogenic fates. Results: We found that inhibiting γ‐secretases reduced the rate of hMSC proliferation, and altered hMSC differentiation in vitro. Addition of DAPT had an inhibitory effect on chondrogenesis resulting in impaired cartilage matrix production and altered chondrocyte morphology. DAPT treated chrodrocytic pellets had reduced levels of Hes1 and Hey1 suggesting that these effects are mediated via Notch signalling. Addition of the DAPT inhibitor to osteogenic cultures did not alter the appearance of bone markers, however, adipogenesis occurred in these cultures in a DAPT concentration‐dependent manner. DAPT did not enhance adipogenesis in the presence of a potent adipogenic cocktail, but had an adipogenic effect when combined with dexamethasone only. Conclusion: We conclude that γ‐secretases play an important role in both hMSC proliferation and differentiation.