bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of capital‐structure choice on firm performance: empirical evidence from Egypt
Authors: El‐Sayed Ebaid Ibrahim
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate the impact of capital structure choice on firm performance in Egypt as one of emerging or transition economies.

Design/methodology/approach

Multiple regression analysis is used in the study in estimating the relationship between the leverage level and firm's performance.

Findings

Using three of accounting‐based measures of financial performance (i.e. return on equity (ROE), return on assets (ROA), and gross profit margin), and based on a sample of non‐financial Egyptian listed firms from 1997 to 2005 the results reveal that capital structure choice decision, in general terms, has a weak‐to‐no impact on firm's performance.

Originality/value

This is the first study that examines the relationship between leverage level and firm performance in Egypt.
Corporate governance, ownership structure, cash holdings, and firm value on the Ghana Stock Exchange
Authors: Isshaq Zangina , Bokpin Godfred A. , Mensah Onumah Joseph
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the interaction between corporate governance, ownership structure, cash holdings, and firm value on the Ghana Stock Exchange.

Design/methodology/approach

A multiple regression approach using the seemingly unrelated regression to mitigate the problems of multicollinearity between the cash‐holding variable and other control variables is adopted.

Findings

Board size is found to be positively and statistically significantly related to share price among the corporate governance variables. However, a significant relationship between inside ownership and share price is not found. The results also indicate that additional units of cash holdings do not have a statistically significant influence on share price. Finally, leverage and income volatility are found to be significant determinants of share price.

Originality/value

This is the first of its kind in the country that considers the impact of corporate governance, ownership structure, and firm value on the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE).
A planned‐oriented approach for EPR implementation strategy selection
Authors: Capaldo Guido , Rippa Pierluigi
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a methodological approach aimed at identifying technical and organizational capabilities firms should have before the ERP implementation process starts, in order to select the more appropriate implementation strategy and the change management interventions to support the selected strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

Capabilities to implement ERP system are selected on the basis of a literature review and through focus group session in collaboration with the company partner of the project. Then, a methodological approach is proposed on the basis of such capabilities. Scales of the capabilities are built, and an algorithm to analyze and evaluate firms' capabilities is proposed.

Findings

The methodological approach has been tested through a validation experiment with the company partner of the research project. Results reveal the usefulness of the methodology in estimating the capabilities that firms should have in order to select the more appropriate implementation strategy.

Research limitations/implications

Further research is under development in order to validate the methodological approach through a case study.

Practical implications

Starting from the methodological approach a useful tool could be developed to analyze technical and organizational capabilities of the firm, and to select the more appropriate ERP implementation strategy.

Originality/value

The methodological approach is the result of a research project based on tight collaboration between academic researchers and IT managers involved in ERP implementation processes. Thanks to such collaboration, tacit knowledge and expertise accumulated by IT managers during ERP implementation processes was explicated and evaluated in the proposed methodology. The result is a model that goes beyond descriptive analysis and offers prescriptive advice on how to address the potential challenges prior to and during the implementation processes.
Business, ethnography and the global economic crisis
Authors: De Maria William
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to problematise the concept of corruption as it is used in the African context by exposing the weaknesses in the business model used to define corruption and resource the massive yet incompetent anti‐corruption effort. The paper then aims to follow this critique by considering an alternative way of dealing with the awesome dimensions of African corruption.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper utilises in‐depth secondary source analysis, applying critical theory.

Findings

Corruption's main interpretive framework, neo‐liberalism, is exposed as dominating, business‐centric and non‐utilitarian. A new paradigm with a strong ethnographic texture is presented.

Originality/value

The paper for the first time co‐analyses two contending paradigms for the construction of African corruption in the context of the global economic crisis.
Discourses of change: policing, sexuality, and organizational culture
Authors: Lewis Andrea P.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the need to expand current organizational studies to include positive experiences of non‐heterosexual workers while identifying, often covert, heteronormative workplace practices. Included in this is a reflexive analysis of author positionality.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative study utilizing participant observation, narrative interviews, and autoethnography are employed to begin understanding lesbian work experiences.

Findings

Three dominant strategies are used by participants to understand variant sexuality: strategies of discourse, strategies of resistance, and strategies of identity formation. Findings indicate that as awareness about lesbian identities increased so did understandings of difference and, in turn, resistance to heteronormative power structures increased.

Research limitations/implications

Future research could include other sexually stigmatized groups.

Originality/value

The contributions of this paper include broader understandings of how sexuality organizes work, how researcher positionality impacts organizational climates and research processes, and practical suggestions for organizations expanding diversity efforts and researchers aiming to increase diversity awareness.
Bullying, disability and work: a case study of workplace bullying
Authors: Vickers Margaret H.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a case study of a woman diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) who was bullied out of her workplace.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper commences with a narrative about our protagonist, Miranda (a pseudonym), before offering some important contextual theoretical information, including: a discussion of employment concerns for people with disability generally, and for those with MS in particular, and of workplace bullying. Miranda's experiences are then shared as an intrinsic and particularistic case study of her experiences of being bullied following her disclosure of MS at her workplace.

Findings

Recommendations are made for further research into the potential problems of the workplace experiences of people with disability as a result of learning from the particularities of Miranda's individual case, as well as how this case study has illuminated a potentially much wider and previously unexamined problem of workplace bullying of people with disability.

Originality/value

The author is unable to find any other research studies that examine the phenomenon of workplace bullying of people with disability in general, or people with MS in particular.
Managers' motivation to evaluate subordinate performance
Authors: St‐Onge Sylvie , Morin Denis , Bellehumeur Mario , Dupuis Francine
Published: October 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to focus on one of the most frequently cited problems with respect to the performance management process: the prevalence of performance appraisal distortion.

Design/methodology/approach

Through semi‐structured interviews with managers, this paper attempts to answer the following question: Which factors influence managers' motivation to distort the performance evaluation ratings of their subordinates?

Findings

This paper offers three main contributions or implications. First, from a methodological point of view, using a qualitative research design to investigate the appraisal of subordinates' performance is useful because it allows us to reduce the gap between research and practice. Second, this study shows that researchers must embrace or integrate various theoretical perspectives (rational, affective, political, strategic, cultural, justice, and symbolic), given that managers' motivation to evaluate subordinate performance cannot be analyzed outside of the social context. Third, from a practical point of view, managers' motivation to evaluate subordinate performance is less about the technique used and more about leadership support, execution, and overall performance culture.

Originality/value

To date, prior research has focused on improving performance appraisal accuracy through experimental research design by emphasizing rating criteria, rater errors, rater training, and the various rating methods. Despite extensive research, very little progress has been made toward improving rater accuracy.
The role of identity and culture on web site design
Authors: Eugene Wanda , Clark Kevin
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to outline an instructional design approach for further development of an African ancestry learning center in order to enhance its educational utility. This is being done in an effort to use technology in transformative ways that extends the practices and opportunities for African Americans.

Design/methodology/approach

Assessing the needs of learners, performing a content analysis, and designing online resources and systems that meet learner's needs accomplished this goal.

Findings

This paper identifies a design process whereby technology can be used to connect people of African descent to a lost history.

Originality/value

This paper provides a method to leverage technology for people of African descent to engage in genealogy research, while acknowledging their unique historical journey.
Women's ICT career choices: four cross‐cultural case studies
Authors: Georgiadou Elli , Abu‐Hassan Norihan , Viola Siakas Kerstin , Wang Xueming , Ross Margaret , Anand Anandan Prem
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to consider the under‐representation of women in computing, information technology (IT) and information systems in most Western countries. This under‐representation can only be detrimental to society.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors discuss recently published studies on the under‐representation of women in this field, and the lack of career progression for women, particularly in positions of senior responsibility. The results of a survey conducted in the UK, Greece, Malaysia and China are presented, and similarities as well as differences are identified. Malaysia and China are included as the under‐representation is much less in the Asian countries.

Findings

The authors identify the main reasons for the under‐representation and lack of career progression, and study the effect of national culture on the formation of strategy and of practice in the four countries.

Research limitations/implications

The survey respondents are mainly female students studying computing/IT at degree level. In the next phase of the research, the survey will include both male and female students, lecturers and employees within the IT sector. The research will be extended into a longitudinal study, in order to monitor trends.

Originality/value

The UK Government is currently undertaking a number of initiatives to improve the representation of women in information and communication technologies. For those initiatives to be successful, the cultural issues identified in the paper need to be considered.
Social networking effect at “HiWEL” kiosks amongst children
Authors: Dangwal Ritu , Kapur Preeti
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the values of children using Minimally Invasive Education (MIE) kiosks and identify any changes in these values as a result of using the kiosks.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample consists of 85 children residing at the Vivekananda Camp. There are 44 boys with an average age of 11.62 years and 41 girls with an average of 11.75 years. Average education level of these children is up to the 8th class. Girls generally stop going to school after the 8th class as they are expected to prepare for marriage. The evaluation is based on the 12 key universal values specified (for children between 8 and 14 years) by the Living Values Educational Program, which are: peace, respect, cooperation, freedom, happiness, honesty, humility, love, responsibility, simplicity, tolerance, and unity. A questionnaire based on the above values is developed. Originally, the questionnaire consisted of 30 situational‐based questions with multiple choices. In the present paper, values at two time points are studied. First time point is during August 2004, prior to kiosk installation and second time point after seven months of exposure to MIE kiosk (April 2005).

Findings

The results clearly indicate that there has been a shift in the importance given to values by children prior to the learning station and after working for seven months at the learning station. It is interesting to note a shift in the range itself. In August 2004, the range was between 41 percent (helping others) and 79 percent (honesty) and in April 2005 it is from 46 percent (helping others) to 82 percent (politeness). In other words, values have moved up or gained more importance in the lives of the children. Apart from honesty and tolerance where a dip in the post‐phase is found, no change is perceived in academic excellence (74 percent) and religion (66 percent). For the remaining six values, there has been an increase in how strongly children feel that existence of these values in the post‐phase (ambition, politeness, kindness, consideration, teamwork, and cooperation).

Originality/value

Young children can develop values through their own experiential behavior and modeling. The paper shows that learning at MIELS emerges as an ongoing process, embedded in the environment.
The media's construction of CEO infamy
Authors: Gunther Moritz P. , Grandy Gina
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine how the media constructs images of infamous chief executive officers (CEOs) through the use of recurring themes, terms and phrases in the popular press.

Design/methodology/approach

This research conducts content analyses of secondary data from three popular press business sources over a two‐year period to identify the journalistic construction of 12 infamous CEOs.

Findings

The findings reveal 18 themes and eight categories of images constructed by the media, an integrated framework of CEO infamy as constructed by the media and a definition of CEO infamy.

Originality/value

To date, little research has focused solely on the media's construction of the infamous CEO. This paper also begins to bridge positive and negative CEO celebrity concepts.
Enterprise logic and small firms: a model of authentic entrepreneurial leadership
Authors: Jones Oswald , Crompton Helen
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to draw on emerging ideas related to the concept of entrepreneurial leadership which emphasises a “distributed” model synonymous with terms which indicate that authority is decentralised (“shared”, “team”, “democratic”, “representative” and “dispersed”).

Design/methodology/approach

A model of authentic entrepreneurial leadership was developed based on a review of the literature. Eight small manufacturing companies were selected to empirically examine, via interviews, the extent to which authentic entrepreneurial leadership was adopted by owner‐managers.

Findings

Interviews with owner‐managers indicated that they did in fact rely on an approach to leadership which emphasised the role of employees as genuine stakeholders in the business. This finding can be related to the concept of what Dovey and Fenech, describe as “enterprise logic” which the authors link to the emergence of knowledge‐based capitalism. Owner‐managers were keen to involve their employees in development of the businesses through the development of new products and new services.

Practical implications

This study confirms earlier work which points out the importance of entrepreneurs adopting an authentic approach to leadership. Authentic leadership means that employees are encouraged to develop their individual strengths and owner‐managers adopt an ethical approach to their dealings with all stakeholders.

Originality/value

The paper develops a model of entrepreneurial leadership which sets out the links to organizational innovation. The empirical study provides clear evidence of links between this approach to management and higher levels of innovation within small firms.
Inventing a future for strategic leadership: phenomenal variety and epistemic opportunities
Authors: Narayanan V.K. , Zane Lee J.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to offer an epistemological vantage point for theory development in the case of strategic leadership, an emerging focus of scholarly attention in strategic management.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors invoke Rescher's epistemological platform for making the case, Rescher being one of the most influential philosophers in the USA.

Findings

The analysis suggests that since strategic leadership differs from supervisory leadership, both on organizational reach and incorporation of external elements, defining the strategic leadership problem exclusively as a difference in context – what Weick referred to as a strategy of knowledge growth by extension – is likely to prove unproductive. Rescher's platform can be put to use for specifying the two critical though inter‐related epistemological challenges in the beginning of the theory development project: the choice of concepts, and the type of relations among the concepts. These epistemological challenges may be reframed as opportunities to capture the phenomenal variety embedded in these concepts, and to deploy a diversity of approaches to examine their correspondence.

Research limitations/implications

Contending and complementary views on strategic leadership, and hence concepts representing alternate views should be allowed. Bridges should be built between islands of scholarship, but these bridges are likely to be found in special issues of journals (devoted deliberately to nurture multiple perspectives), edited books and invited conferences.

Practical implications

Engagement with “strategic” leaders is an epistemological necessity for both theoretical and pragmatic reasons.

Originality/value

This paper demonstrates how epistemology can strengthen theory building in the case of strategic leadership. Given the signal importance of this phenomenon, good theories and, therefore, epistemological challenges should occupy a central stage of discussions in this early stage.
Effects of TNF‐alpha antagonism on E‐selectin in obese subjects with metabolic dysregulation
Authors: Zanni Markella V. , Stanley Takara L. , Makimura Hideo , Chen Cindy Y. , Grinspoon Steven K.
Published: October 2009

Objective  Endothelial adhesion molecules like E‐selectin play an important role in leukocyte recruitment and development of atherosclerotic plaque. E‐selectin is increased in obesity, yet little is known regarding the specific factors contributing to elevated E‐selectin in obesity and whether tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐alpha) increases E‐selectin in vivo in this population. The objectives of this study were to: (1) determine the body composition, metabolic and inflammatory factors associated with increased E‐selectin and (2) determine the role of TNF‐alpha in the physiological regulation of E‐selectin by antagonism of TNF‐alpha with etanercept among obese subjects.

Methods  E‐selectin levels, body composition, metabolic parameters and inflammatory cytokines were assessed in 51 obese subjects and 37 non‐obese healthy controls. Obese subjects were randomized to etanercept 50 mg weekly or placebo for 4 weeks. Changes in E‐selectin were compared between treatment groups.

Results  Obese subjects had higher E‐selectin than non‐obese controls (47·4 [32·7–58·8] vs. 27·2 [20·3–42·1] ng/ml, obese vs. non‐obese, P < 0·0001). E‐selectin was significantly associated with multiple body composition measures and metabolic parameters, along with specific measures of TNF‐alpha activation, including soluble tumour necrosis factor receptors 1 (P = 0·03) and 2 (P = 0·02). In multivariate modelling, visceral adipose tissue, but not other measures of body composition, remained significantly associated with E‐selectin. Among obese subjects, treatment with etanercept significantly decreased E‐selectin (−5·7 ± 8·7 vs. 0·5 ± 6·0 ng/ml, etanercept vs. placebo, P = 0·005).

Conclusions  E‐selectin is increased in obesity, in relationship to increased visceral adiposity and markers of TNF‐alpha activation. TNF‐alpha antagonism with etanercept reduces E‐selectin in obese subjects, providing evidence that the systemic circulatory release of E‐selectin is regulated at least in part by TNF‐alpha in obesity.
Abnormalities of maternal thyroid function during pregnancy affect neuropsychological development of their children at 25–30 months
Authors: Li Yuanbin , Shan Zhongyan , Teng Weiping , Yu Xiaohui , Li Yushu , Fan Chenling , Teng Xiaochun , Guo Rui , Wang Hong , Li Jia , Chen Yanyan , Wang Weiwei , Chawinga Masauso , Zhang Li , Yang Liu , Zhao Yaru , Hua Tianyi
Published: October 2009

Objective  To examine the relationship between specific thyroid abnormalities (subclinical hypothyroidism, hypothyroxinaemia or elevated thyroid peroxidase antibody titres) in women during pregnancy and the subsequent neuropsychological development of their offspring.

Design/Patients  Serum was collected from 1268 women at 16–20 weeks of gestation and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), total thyroxine (tT4), free thyroxine (fT4), and Thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb) levels were measured. Thyroid function reference ranges specific for pregnancy were used to screen for thyroid abnormalities. Patients with isolated subclinical hypothyroidism (18 cases), hypothyroxinaemia (19 cases), and those who were euthyroid patients with elevated titres of TPOAb (34 cases) were identified. One hundred and forty‐two euthyroid and TPOAb‐negative women matched for gestational age from the same cohort were selected as controls.

Measurements  Intellectual and motor development score evaluations were performed on the children from the pregnancies at 25–30 months of age.

Results  Children of women with subclinical hypothyroidism, hypothyroxinemia and elevated TPOAb titres had mean intelligence scores 8·88, 9·30 and 10·56 points lower than those of the control group (P = 0·008, P = 0·004 and P = 0·001, respectively); mean motor scores were 9·98, 7·57 and 9·03 points lower than those of the controls [P < 0·001, P = 0·007 and P < 0·001, respectively (t‐test)]. Unconditional multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that increased maternal serum TSH, decreased maternal serum tT4, and elevated maternal TPOAb titres were separately associated with lower intelligence scores (ORs 15·63, 12·98, and 6·69, respectively) and poorer motor scores (ORs 9·23, 5·52, and 8·25, respectively).

Conclusions  Intellectual and motor development of children at 25–30 months of age is separately associated with abnormalities of maternal thyroid at 16–20 weeks gestation. Maternal subclinical hypothyroidism, hypothyroxinaemia or euthyroidism with elevated TPOAb titres were all statistically significant predictors of lower motor and intellectual development at 25–30 months.
Emerging peptide nanomedicine to regenerate tissues and organs
Authors: Webber M. J. , Kessler J. A. , Stupp S. I.
Published: October 2009

Abstract.  Peptide nanostructures containing bioactive signals offer exciting novel therapies of broad potential impact in regenerative medicine. These nanostructures can be designed through self‐assembly strategies and supramolecular chemistry, and have the potential to combine bioactivity for multiple targets with biocompatibility. It is also possible to multiplex their functions by using them to deliver proteins, nucleic acids, drugs and cells. In this review, we illustrate progress made in this new field by our group and others using peptide‐based nanotechnology. Specifically, we highlight the use of self‐assembling peptide amphiphiles towards applications in the regeneration of the central nervous system, vasculature and hard tissue along with the transplant of islets and the controlled release of nitric oxide to prevent neointimal hyperplasia. Also, we discuss other self‐assembling oligopeptide technology and the progress made with these materials towards the development of potential therapies.
The role of nanotoxicology in realizing the ‘helping without harm’ paradigm of nanomedicine: lessons from studies of pulmonary effects of single‐walled carbon nanotubes
Authors: Shvedova A. A. , Kagan V. E.
Published: October 2009

Nano‐sized materials and nano‐scaled processes are widely used in many industries. They are being actively introduced as diagnostic and therapeutic in biomedicine and they are found in numerous consumer products. The small size of nanoparticles, comparable with molecular machinery of cells, may affect normal physiological functions of cells and cause cytotoxicity. Their toxic potential cannot be extrapolated from studies of larger particles due to unique physicochemical properties of nanomaterials. Therefore, the use of nanomaterials may pose unknown risks to human health and the environment. This review discusses several important issues relevant to pulmonary toxicity of nanoparticles, especially single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT), their direct cytotoxic effects, their ability to cause an inflammatory response, and induce oxidative stress upon pharyngeal aspiration or inhalation. Further, recognition and engulfment of nanotubes by macrophages as they relate to phagocytosis and bio‐distribution of nanotubes in tissues and circulation are discussed. The immunosuppressive effects of CNT and their significance in increased sensitivity of exposed individuals to microbial infections are summarized. Finally, data on biodegradation of SWCNT by oxidative enzymes of inflammatory cells are presented in lieu of their persistence and distribution in the body.
MicroRNA regulation in Ames dwarf mouse liver may contribute to delayed aging
Authors: Bates David J. , Li Na , Liang Ruqiang , Sarojini Harshini , An Jin , Masternak Michal M. , Bartke Andrzej , Wang Eugenia
Published: October 2009

The Ames dwarf mouse is well known for its remarkable propensity to delay the onset of aging. Although significant advances have been made demonstrating that this aging phenotype results primarily from an endocrine imbalance, the post‐transcriptional regulation of gene expression and its impact on longevity remains to be explored. Towards this end, we present the first comprehensive study by microRNA (miRNA) microarray screening to identify dwarf‐specific lead miRNAs, and investigate their roles as pivotal molecular regulators directing the long‐lived phenotype. Mapping the signature miRNAs to the inversely expressed putative target genes, followed by in situ immunohistochemical staining and in vitro correlation assays, reveals that dwarf mice post‐transcriptionally regulate key proteins of intermediate metabolism, most importantly the biosynthetic pathway involving ornithine decarboxylase and spermidine synthase. Functional assays using 3′‐untranslated region reporter constructs in co‐transfection experiments confirm that miRNA‐27a indeed suppresses the expression of both of these proteins, marking them as probable targets of this miRNA in vivo. Moreover, the putative repressed action of this miRNA on ornithine decarboxylase is identified in dwarf mouse liver as early as 2 months of age. Taken together, our results show that among the altered aspects of intermediate metabolism detected in the dwarf mouse liver – glutathione metabolism, the urea cycle and polyamine biosynthesis – miRNA‐27a is a key post‐transcriptional control. Furthermore, compared to its normal siblings, the dwarf mouse exhibits a head start in regulating these pathways to control their normality, which may ultimately contribute to its extended healthspan and longevity.
The effect of caloric restriction interventions on growth hormone secretion in nonobese men and women
Authors: Redman Leanne M. , Veldhuis Johannes D. , Rood Jennifer , Smith Steven R. , Williamson Donald , Ravussin Eric ,   for the Pennington CALERIE Team
Published: October 2009

Lifespan in rodents is prolonged by caloric restriction (CR) and by mutations affecting the somatotropic axis. It is not known if CR can alter the age‐associated decline in growth hormone (GH), insulin‐like growth factor (IGF)‐1 and GH secretion. To evaluate the effect of CR on GH secretory dynamics; forty‐three young (36.8 ± 1.0 years), overweight (BMI 27.8 ± 0.7) men (n = 20) and women (n = 23) were randomized into four groups; control = 100% of energy requirements; CR = 25% caloric restriction; CR + EX = 12.5% CR + 12.5% increase in energy expenditure by structured exercise; LCD = low calorie diet until 15% weight reduction followed by weight maintenance. At baseline and after 6 months, body composition (DXA), abdominal visceral fat (CT) 11 h GH secretion (blood sampling every 10 min for 11 h; 21:00–08:00 hours) and deconvolution analysis were measured. After 6 months, weight (control: −1 ± 1%, CR: −10 ± 1%, CR + EX: −10 ± 1%, LCD: −14 ± 1%), fat mass (control: −2 ± 3%, CR: −24 ± 3%, CR + EX: −25 ± 3%, LCD: −31 ± 2%) and visceral fat (control: −2 ± 4%, CR: −28 ± 4%, CR + EX: −27 ± 3%, LCD: −36 ± 2%) were significantly (P < 0.001) reduced in the three intervention groups compared to control. Mean 11 h GH concentrations were not changed in CR or control but increased in CR + EX (P < 0.0001) and LCD (P < 0.0001) because of increased secretory burst mass (CR + EX: 34 ± 13%, LCD: 27 ± 22%, P < 0.05) and amplitude (CR + EX: 34 ± 14%, LCD: 30 ± 20%, P < 0.05) but not to changes in secretory burst frequency or GH half‐life. Fasting ghrelin was significantly increased from baseline in all three intervention groups; however, total IGF‐1 concentrations were increased only in CR + EX (10 ± 7%, P < 0.05) and LCD (19 ± 4%, P < 0.001). A 25% CR diet for 6 months does not change GH, GH secretion or IGF‐1 in nonobese men and women.
Short‐term dietary restriction and fasting precondition against ischemia reperfusion injury in mice
Authors: Mitchell James R. , Verweij Mariëlle , Brand Karl , Van De Ven Marieke , Goemaere Natascha , Van Den Engel Sandra , Chu Timothy , Forrer Flavio , Müller Cristina , De Jong Marion , Van IJcken Wilfred , IJzermans Jan N. M. , Hoeijmakers Jan H. J. , De Bruin Ron W. F.
Published: October 2009

Dietary restriction (DR) extends lifespan and increases resistance to multiple forms of stress, including ischemia reperfusion injury to the brain and heart in rodents. While maximal effects on lifespan require long‐term restriction, the kinetics of onset of benefits against acute stress is not known. Here, we show that 2–4 weeks of 30% DR improved survival and kidney function following renal ischemia reperfusion injury in mice. Brief periods of water‐only fasting were similarly effective at protecting against ischemic damage. Significant protection occurred within 1 day, persisted for several days beyond the fasting period and extended to another organ, the liver. Protection by both short‐term DR and fasting correlated with improved insulin sensitivity, increased expression of markers of antioxidant defense and reduced expression of markers of inflammation and insulin/insulin‐like growth factor‐1 signaling. Unbiased transcriptional profiling of kidneys from mice subject to short‐term DR or fasting revealed a significant enrichment of signature genes of long‐term DR. These data demonstrate that brief periods of reduced food intake, including short‐term daily restriction and fasting, can increase resistance to ischemia reperfusion injury in rodents and suggest a rapid onset of benefits of DR in mammals.
Age‐related alterations of gene expression patterns in human CD8+ T cells
Authors: Cao Jia‐Ning , Gollapudi Sastry , Sharman Edward H. , Jia Zhenyu , Gupta Sudhir
Published: October 2009

Aging is associated with progressive T‐cell deficiency and increased incidence of infections, cancer and autoimmunity. In this comprehensive study, we have compared the gene expression profiles in CD8+ T cells from aged and young healthy subjects using Affymetrix microarray Human Genome U133A‐2 GeneChips. A total of 5.2% (754) of the genes analyzed had known functions and displayed statistically significant age‐associated expression changes. These genes were involved in a broad array of complex biological processes, mainly in nucleic acid and protein metabolism. Functional groups, in which down‐regulated genes were overrepresented, were the following: RNA transcription regulation, RNA and DNA metabolism, intracellular (Golgi, endoplasmic reticulum and nuclear) transportation, signaling transduction pathways (T‐cell receptor, Ras/MAPK, JNK/Stat, PI3/AKT, Wnt, TGFβ, insulin‐like growth factor and insulin), and the ubiquitin cycle. In contrast, the following functional groups contained more up‐regulated genes than expected: response to oxidative stress and cytokines, apoptosis, and the MAPKK signaling cascade. These age‐associated gene expression changes may be responsible for impaired DNA replication, RNA transcription, and signal transduction, possibly resulting in instability of cellular and genomic integrity, and alterations of growth, differentiation, apoptosis and anergy in human aged CD8+ T cells.
Re‐Writing Culture in Chinese: Report from the 2009 IUAES Meeting in Kunming
Authors: Wilcox Emily
Published: October 2009

Fran Rothstein is contributing editor the AAA Commission on World Anthropologies column in Anthropology News.
Policy, Law and Religion in the Philippines
Authors: Parnell Phil
Published: October 2009

Janine Wedel is contributing editor of “Research on Policy,” the AAA Interest Group for the Anthropology of Public Policy column in Anthropology News.
Role of matrix metalloproteinase‐2 in the cardioprotective effect of ischaemic postconditioning
Authors: Donato Martín , D’Annunzio Verónica , Buchholz Bruno , Miksztowicz Verónica , Carrión Cristina Lorenzo , Valdez Laura B. , Zaobornyj Tamara , Schreier Laura , Wikinski Regina , Boveris Alberto , Berg Gabriela , Gelpi Ricardo J.
Published: October 2009

The activation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) contributes to myocardial injury at the onset of reperfusion; however, their role in ischaemic postconditioning is unknown. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of ischaemic postconditioning on MMP activity in isolated rabbit hearts. The isolated rabbit hearts were subjected to 30 min of global ischaemia followed by 180 min of reperfusion (I/R group; n= 8). In the ischaemic postconditioning group (n= 8), a postconditioning protocol was performed (2 cycles of 30 s reperfusion–ischaemia). In other experiments, we added doxycycline, an MMP inhibitor, at 25 (n= 7) or 50 μmol l−1 (n= 8) during the first 2 min of reperfusion. Coronary effluent and left ventricular tissue were collected during pre‐ischaemic conditions and at different times during the reperfusion period to measure MMP–2 activity and cardiac protein nitration. We evaluated ventricular function and infarct size. In the I/R group, infarct size was 32.1 ± 5.2%; Postcon reduced infarct size to 9.5 ± 3.8% (P < 0.05) and inhibited MMP–2 activity during reperfusion. The administration of doxycycline at 50 μmol l−1 inhibited MMP–2 activity and cardiac protein nitration and reduced the infarct size to 9.7 ± 2.8% (P < 0.05). A lower dose of doxycycline (25 μmol l−1) failed to inhibit MMP–2 activity and did not modify the infarct size. Our results strongly suggest that ischaemic postconditioning may exert part of its cardioprotective effects through the inhibition of MMP–2 activity.
Infarction‐induced cytokines cause local depletion of tyrosine hydroxylase in cardiac sympathetic nerves
Authors: Parrish Diana C. , Alston Eric N. , Rohrer Hermann , Nkadi Paul , Woodward William R. , Schütz Günther , Habecker Beth A.
Published: October 2009

Myocardial infarction causes a heterogeneity of noradrenergic transmission that contributes to the development of ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Ischaemia‐induced alterations in sympathetic transmission include regional variations in cardiac noradrenaline (NA) and in tyrosine hydroxylase, the rate‐limiting enzyme in NA synthesis. Inflammatory cytokines that act through gp130 are elevated in the heart after myocardial infarction. These cytokines decrease expression of tyrosine hydroxylase in sympathetic neurons, and indirect evidence suggests that they contribute to the local depletion of tyrosine hydroxylase in the damaged left ventricle. However, gp130 cytokines are also important for the survival of cardiac myocytes following damage to the heart. To examine the effect of cytokines on tyrosine hydroxylase and NA content in cardiac nerves we used gp130DBH‐Cre/lox mice, which have a deletion of the gp130 receptor in neurons expressing dopamine β‐hydroxylase. The absence of neuronal gp130 prevented the loss of tyrosine hydroxylase in cardiac sympathetic nerves innervating the left ventricle 1 week after ischaemia–reperfusion compared with wild‐type C57BL/6J mice. Surprisingly, restoration of tyrosine hydroxylase in the damaged ventricle did not return neuronal NA content to normal levels. Noradrenaline uptake into cardiac nerves was significantly lower in gp130 knockout mice, contributing to the lack of neuronal NA stores. There were no significant differences in left ventricular peak systolic pressure, dP/dtmax or dP/dtmin between the two genotypes after myocardial infarction, but ganglionic blockade revealed differences in autonomic tone between the genotypes. Stimulation of the heart with dobutamine or release of endogenous NA with tyramine generated similar responses in both genotypes. Thus, the removal of gp130 from sympathetic neurons prevents the post‐infarct depletion of tyrosine hydroxylase in the left ventricle, but does not alter NA content or cardiac function.
Reactive oxygen species are signalling molecules for skeletal muscle adaptation
Authors: Powers Scott K. , Duarte Jose , Kavazis Andreas N. , Talbert Erin E.
Published: October 2009

Increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production is crucial to the remodelling that occurs in skeletal muscle in response to both exercise training and prolonged periods of disuse. This review discusses the redox‐sensitive signalling pathways that are responsible for this ROS‐induced skeletal muscle adaptation. We begin with a discussion of the sites of ROS production in skeletal muscle fibres. This is followed by an overview of the putative redox‐sensitive signalling pathways that promote skeletal muscle adaptation. Specifically, this discussion highlights redox‐sensitive kinases, phosphatases and the transcription factor nuclear factor‐κB. We also discuss the evidence that connects redox signalling to skeletal muscle adaptation in response to increased muscular activity (i.e. exercise training) and during prolonged periods of muscular inactivity (i.e. immobilization). In an effort to stimulate further research, we conclude with a discussion of unanswered questions about redox signalling in skeletal muscle.
Multilocus Variable-Number Tandem-Repeat Analysis and Plasmid Profiling To Study the Occurrence of
bla
CMY-2
within a Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis-Defined Clade of
Salmonella enterica
Serovar Typhimurium
Authors: Adhikari B. , Besser T. E. , Gay J. M. , Fox L. K. , Hancock D. D. , Davis M. A.
Published: October 2009

Salmonella enterica
serovar Typhimurium circulating in food animal populations and carrying resistance to antimicrobial agents represents a human health risk. Recently, a new clade of
S
. Typhimurium, WA-TYP035/187, was reported in cattle and humans in the Pacific Northwest, United States of America. The objective of this study was to describe a possible mechanism of acquisition of expanded-spectrum cephalosporin resistance in this clade. Ceftazidime resistance increased steadily among WA-TYP035/187 isolates, from 0% (0/2) in 1999 to 77.8% (28/36) in 2006 (χ
2
for linear trend,
P
value of <0.001). Among 112 bovine-source and 18 human-source isolates, 49 (43.8%) and 12 (66.7%) were resistant to ceftazidime, respectively. Multiple-locus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis (MLVA) and plasmid profiling suggested that resistance was acquired by multiple independent genetic events within the WA-TYP035/187 clade. Given the lack of an obvious reservoir in species other than cattle and a parallel rise in ceftiofur resistance in the bovine-specific serovar
S
almonella enterica
serovar Dublin in the same time frame and region, selection pressure due to the use of the expanded-spectrum cephalosporin drug ceftiofur in cattle is a likely factor driving the increasing cephalosporin resistance of WA-TYP035/187.
Benthic Bacterial Diversity in Submerged Sinkhole Ecosystems
Authors: Nold Stephen C. , Pangborn Joseph B. , Zajack Heidi A. , Kendall Scott T. , Rediske Richard R. , Biddanda Bopaiah A.
Published: October 2009

Physicochemical characterization, automated ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis (ARISA) community profiling, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing approaches were used to study bacterial communities inhabiting submerged Lake Huron sinkholes inundated with hypoxic, sulfate-rich groundwater. Photosynthetic cyanobacterial mats on the sediment surface were dominated by
Phormidium autumnale
, while deeper, organically rich sediments contained diverse and active bacterial communities.
In Vivo Bioluminescence Imaging for the Study of Intestinal Colonization by
Escherichia coli
in Mice
Authors: Foucault M.-L. , Thomas L. , Goussard S. , Branchini B. R. , Grillot-Courvalin C.
Published: October 2009

Bioluminescence imaging (BLI) is emerging as a powerful tool for real-time monitoring of infections in living animals. However, since luciferases are oxygenases, it has been suggested that the requirement for oxygen may limit the use of BLI in anaerobic environments, such as the lumen of the gut. Strains of
Escherichia coli
harboring the genes for either the bacterial luciferase from
Photorhabdus luminescens
or the PpyRE-TS and PpyGR-TS firefly luciferase mutants of
Photinus pyralis
(red and green thermostable
P. pyralis
luciferase mutants, respectively) have been engineered and used to monitor intestinal colonization in the streptomycin-treated mouse model. There was excellent correlation between the bioluminescence signal measured in the feces (
R
2
= 0.98) or transcutaneously in the abdominal region of whole animals (
R
2
= 0.99) and the CFU counts in the feces of bacteria harboring the
luxABCDE
operon. Stability in vivo of the bioluminescence signal was achieved by constructing plasmid pAT881(pGB2Ω

P
ami
luxABCDE

), which allowed long-term monitoring of intestinal colonization without the need for antibiotic selection for plasmid maintenance. Levels of intestinal colonization by various strains of
E. coli
could be compared directly by simple recording of the bioluminescence signal in living animals. The difference in spectra of light emission of the PpyRE-TS and PpyGR-TS firefly luciferase mutants and dual bioluminescence detection allowed direct in vitro and in vivo quantification of two bacterial populations by measurement of red and green emitted signals and thus monitoring of the two populations simultaneously. This system offers a simple and direct method to study in vitro and in vivo competition between mutants and the parental strain. BLI is a useful tool to study intestinal colonization.
Mechanisms of Hop Inhibition Include the Transmembrane Redox Reaction
Authors: Behr Jürgen , Vogel Rudi F.
Published: October 2009

In this work, a novel mechanistic model of hop inhibition beyond the proton ionophore action toward (beer spoiling) bacteria was developed. Investigations were performed with model systems using cyclic voltammetry for the determination of redox processes/conditions in connection with growth challenges with hop-sensitive and -resistant
Lactobacillus brevis
strains in the presence of oxidants. Cyclic voltammetry identified a transmembrane redox reaction of hop compounds at low pH (common in beer) and in the presence of manganese (present in millimolar levels in lactic acid bacteria). The antibacterial action of hop compounds could be extended from the described proton ionophore activity, lowering the intracellular pH, to pronounced redox reactivity, causing cellular oxidative damage. Accordingly, a correlation between the resistance of
L. brevis
strains to a sole oxidant to their resistance to hop could not be expected and was not detected. However, in connection with our recent study concerning hop ionophore properties and the resistance of hop-sensitive and -tolerant
L. brevis
strains toward proton ionophores (J. Behr and R. F. Vogel, J. Agric. Food Chem. 57:6074-6081, 2009), we suggest that both ionophore and oxidant resistance are required for survival under hop stress conditions and confirmed this correlation according to the novel mechanistic model. In consequence, the expression of several published hop resistance mechanisms involved in manganese binding/transport and intracellular redox balance, as well as that of proteins involved in oxidative stress under “highly reducing” conditions (cf. anaerobic cultivation and “antioxidative” hop compounds in the growth medium), is now comprehensible. Accordingly, hop resistance as a multifactorial dynamic property at least implies distinct resistance levels against two different mechanisms of hop inhibition, namely, proton ionophore-induced and oxidative stress-induced mechanisms. Beyond this specific model of hop inhibition, these investigations provide general insight on the role of electrophysiology and ion homeostasis in bacterial stress responses to membrane-active drugs.