bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
China's Emergence as a Key Player in the Global Order and its Impacts on Geopolitics in Central Asia
Authors: Nam Park Sang
Published: January 2012

Recently, China has been expanding its tremendous power over the world politics and especially into the Central Asian countries with its rapidly growing economic capacity. The Chinese government has clear intentions to become a main player in regional geopolitical game in Central Asia along with the USA and Russia. On the other hand, the current Central Asian authoritarian rulers regard the expansion of Chinese order and values much welcoming compared to the Western leadership. Then, it is possibly expected that the region could go under the influence of China, both politically and economically. Such progress would bring interest collision with the rest super powers and force Russia and the USA to choose either competition or cooperation with China. After all, this might result in a totally new environment in the region “physically”: re-setting the current borders. Since Central Asian states are characterized by multi-ethnic composition in their populations, it is a possible scenario that the border can be re-arranged to accordance with an agreement among the US-Russia-China triangle.
A Comparison of the British and the German Industrial Relations and its Implications
Authors: Lee Sang-Woo
Published: January 2012

A close investigation of the industrial relations in Britain and Germany reveals that there has occurred a clear divergence. But at the same time, a converging trend is also noticed. Regarding the latter, decentralization is gaining in power. This allows companies under certain conditions and to specified extents to modify or diverge from the agreed standards. What this comparative study demonstrates is that structural determinism is overplayed. The policies that unions and management adopt in response to certain circumstances are not predetermined. Not only are they capable of acting in response to various external constraints, but the nature of their response to secure their long-term future is an outcome of internal relations between the two sides.
Becoming a Fast Learner in Offshore Software Outsourcing: The Case of Vietnam's FPT Software
Authors: Jang Seungkwon , Lee Heejin , Ko Kyungmin
Published: January 2012

Owing to India's success, offshore software outsourcing attracts much attention from developing countries as a strategic industry for economic development. Vietnam wants to follow the Indian way of development in its software industry. FPT Software is one of the top performers among software companies in Vietnam. This paper aims to investigate the success factors of the largest offshore software outsourcing company in Vietnam. We argue the key success factor of FPT Software is its learning capabilities. Based on the theories of organizational learning, we propose one aspect of organizational learning processes, i.e., knowledge acquisition, as a key to explaining how FPT Software became a fast learner. While discussing the significance of this process in the company's organizational learning, we identify and discuss the roles played by actors in the case including the CEO, Japanese clients, Indian and Chinese competitors. In conclusion, we contend organizational learning is a key success factor of developing offshore software outsourcing businesses.
Restoring the Name ‘East Sea’ for ‘Japan Sea’: Strategic Choice between Continental and Maritime Cartographic Traditions
Authors: Casino Eric S. , Shin Myongsup
Published: January 2012

Historically, there were two exploration perspectives for East Asia — the continental and the maritime—which produced two distinct cartographic traditions responsible for divergent names of places and seas in this region of the globe. The continental perspective, developed by Russians as they expanded eastward across the Eurasian land-bridge, viewed the large body of water around East Asia and Siberia logically as Vostochnoe More-Akiyan—the “Eastern Sea-Ocean.” However, from the maritime perspective developed by western European explorers (Magellan, Drake, Cook, La Perouse and others) who were approaching East Asia by sea via South America or South Africa, the same semi-enclosed bodies of water appeared to them as really part of the Pacific Ocean. These two distinct perspectives, coming from opposite directions, created alternative names for the Pacific Ocean and for the semi-enclosed seas behind island chains strung along the rim of Asia. While it is true that the western maritime cartographic tradition became the more influential standard in cartography, it did not completely erase all the names the Russians had developed from their continental perspective. This explains overlapping names for the same geographical spaces, and the attendant problems of standardization of pelagonyms in East Asia. There is a definite need to return to the earliest historical names and negotiate their acceptance by all concerned.
The Meaning of Diplomacy Policy on the China's Present Overseas Chinese Affairs
Authors: Fan Shih-Ping
Published: January 2012

In the recent years, with the increasing global influences of overseas Chinese, China not only transformed from an “internal overseas affairs” to an “external overseas affairs”, but also facilitated the forming of numerous overseas affairs organizations rapidly under the “multiple development” overseas affairs policy. It also formed the deeply-rooted six major systems: Highest decision-making body for overseas affairs policy; Political forum for overseas Chinese, Plan implementation body for overseas affairs, Interdepartmental plan implementation body for overseas affairs, other negotiating body for overseas affairs, and party system for overseas works.
A Study on the Feasibility of an FTAAP and Korea's Strategy
Authors: Kim Woohyoung
Published: January 2012

After the establishment of APEC in 1989, APEC member countries remained reserved or neutral in their response to the proposal for the creation of an intra-FTA within APEC. However, APEC member countries agreed on the need to promote an FTAAP to speed up economic cooperation between APEC member countries as a long-term plan for rapid intra-regional integration and the breakdown of the Doha Round in recent times. At the APEC SOMIII in 2008, Korea, in cooperation with countries like Peru and Indonesia, led a study titled, “Analysis of Existing Studies on a FTAAP and Future Research Topics” that began examining the feasibility of an FTAAP. Discussions for an FTAAP do not contradict Korea's strategic FT A plans and, as a result, Korea has maintained an interest in promoting an FTAAP as a long-term plan rather than a short-term plan. Finally, much research is needed on the feasibility of an FTAAP and how best to promote an FTAAP to increase economic cooperation and the unification of APEC member states in the future.
Ostpolitik Revisited: The Lessons and the Remaining Consequences of Nordpolitik
Authors: Kim Jangho
Published: January 2012

This paper argues that the South Korean government's policy during the entire post Cold War period, from Roh Tae-woo's administration to the current Lee Myung-bak administration, did little to resolve the issues pertaining to the conflictual North-South relationship. This is because the problems of today, including the North Korean nuclear problem, were largely the consequences of the failure of Nordpolitik. North Korea's nuclear ambition as well as its go ahead started in the very sensitive entry period in to the post Cold War era (1988–1993). Despite all its claimed success in dealing with China, the Soviet Union, and the rest of the formerly communist countries, South Korea's Nordpolitik failed to penetrate North Korea to produce any foundation on which the problem of division could be dealt with. In fact, President Roh Tae-woo's Nordpolitik had the impact of solidifying the partition of the Korean peninsula, isolating the already fragile regime in the North - pushing it in to the embrace of nuclear arms.

Thus, the questions to be asked here are: What when wrong? And, if any, what can the South Korean Government salvage from such an experience? Upon addressing these questions, the paper delves in to West Germany's successful policy of Ostpolitik to seek out lessons from it.
Varieties of State in the International Political Economy of Developing Countries
Authors: Jang Ji-Hyang
Published: January 2012

This paper discusses varieties of state and their salience for prosperity by challenging the notions of decline of nation-states and demise of national diversity in international political economy. Despite the fact that increased international trade and capital movement raises the proportion of each economy exposed to world market pressures, domestic institutions have considerable resilience in the face of global constraints. State capacity and strength generally refers to an ability based on highly centralized authority to protect policy formulation and implementation apparatus from capture by particular private interests. Autonomous states do not damage public goods avoiding policy distortions which reduce total national welfare. However, this study contends that accountable engagement of state is also a crucial component of state capacity in addition to autonomous insulation. Furthermore, since the capacity level of states differs, the ability to exploit new opportunities appears much more marked in some countries than in others. Given the varieties and specificities of state, both parasitic and the Anglo-Saxon states fall into weak states. Yet, the former is because of low accountability level, whereas the latter is due to low insulation level. On the other hand, both the East Asian developmental and the Nordic states are categorized as strong states. However, the former holds higher insulation, and thus bargaining process is leaded by the interventionist state which only invites state-controlled business associations. The latter, in turn, possesses more widespread accountability, and therefore bargaining encompasses both business and labor peak organizations. The Nordic states, in fact, sustain complex but stable triangular industrial relations through institutionalized consultative mechanisms.
Lexicalization Patterns of Neologisms in Korean under the Influence of English
Authors: Lee Jongoh
Published: January 2012

This study is to examine and investigate the Korean neologisms patterns, influenced by the foreign language(English). To achieve the aims of the study, we has outlined various definitions and parameter of neologisms, collected about Korean neologisms and classified them into typology in English sources. These neologisms have been divided into two levels. Level one includes neologisms that have both appeared in English and been used frequently in Korean. Level two neologisms, on the other hand, have not been found in neology processing systems or translational instances though most of them are frequently used by Koreans. The collected neologisms have been included in the following categories: a) phonological neologisms b) morphological neologisms. Each of these Korean neologisms has been analyzed and compared with the original meanings of such neologisms, as well as with reference to creative ability, in other words, rendering of neologisms and culture-specific terms.
From Modern Power to a Postmodern Example: The Evolution of the European Union
Authors: Kim Nam-Kook , Passoni Viviana
Published: January 2012

The world has its eyes set on the future direction of the European Union waiting for either a signal of stability and authority which can be the beginning of a new superpower era or expecting to catch any failure or contradiction that can be interpreted as a clear symbol of decline. Why is so much attention paid towards the development of European Union and to its future evolution? The answer can be summarized by the fact that Europe is the contemporary model of a unique and exceptional international player, which has gone through a period of political-military power in the 19th century and then shifted to the new direction of civilian-institutional power in the 21st century. The world wishes to find out whether this strategy will pay back, set an example of a different choice for other nations in the near future to adopt, and become the goal to reach for the world as a whole. There are various opinions sometimes conflicting with one another; this paper takes a look at the major views on the evolution of the EU and touches some of the major challenges for the future of the Union worthy of consideration and deeper reflection.
Is There Currency Substitution in Korea?
Authors: Lee S. R.
Published: January 2012

This paper examines the existence of currency substitution in Korea. By examining the money demand in Korea using quarterly 3-month forward exchange rate premium as a proxy for expected change in exchange rate, this paper concludes that currency substitution does not exist in Korea during the post financial crisis period after 1997. Monetary independence under a flexible exchange rate system appears to hold in Korea.
Agglomeration Economies of China's Three Major Urban Agglomerations, 1994–2008
Authors: Song Jae-Do
Published: January 2012

It is considered that the result of agglomeration in a region is natural enough to provide high level of benefits for the firms and agents located in the region, so the study measures the potential benefits. Efficiency, technological progress and increasing returns to scale are examined through empirical analysis of most developed three urban agglomerations in China. Technological progress are seen in the three major urban agglomerations as a whole, but most member cities in Yangtze River Delta and Pearl River Delta area are rather crowded and fail to be operating under increasing returns to municipal scale, while efficiencies are not equally improved among the three. The agglomeration economies of the two urban agglomerations are not as positive as we normally expect to be. So, for the higher growth and more fruitful production, the most developed and rich cities in China should restructure their social production system, and the two urban agglomerations-Yangtze River Delta and Pearl River Delta - also need to restructure their range or size of agglomeration.
Vietnam's Intellectual Property Landscape from a Regional Perspective
Authors: Heo Yoon , Kien Tran N.
Published: January 2012

The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the development of intellectual property rights (IPR) in Vietnam from a regional perspective. The protection of IPR in Vietnam has recently received domestic and international attention. The Vietnamese government has responded by reforming its industrial and copyright regimes, consolidating its legislation, and creating new administrative and judicial institutions to facilitate the enforcement of these new rights. In so doing, Vietnam has brought its IPR system into conformity with the requirements under the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). The study reveals major stylized facts of Vietnam's intellectual property (IP) landscape that include an insignificant volume of invention, the predominance of non-residents' patents, high grant ratios to non-residents, a remarkable increase in non-residents' applications, and dynamic patterns of trademark activity. The slow increase in patent applications and grants implies the country's weak technological progress, low quality of scientists and research institutions, and low investment in research and development (R&D) over nearly two decades. Despite having taken significant steps to strengthen its IPR protection and enforcement, Vietnam continues to experience severely IP-infringed goods. The paper also derives possible policy implications for upgrading Vietnam's IPR system.
The Institutional Development of the European Union in the 1990s and its Industry Specific Effects: A Case of the Automobile Industry
Authors: Hyun Jae Hoon
Published: January 2012

This study attempts to identify the measures and policies related to the institutional development of the EU in the 1990s and the mechanisms that resulted in specific consequences on the automobile industry. The removal of visible and invisible barriers to internal trade has promoted the competitiveness of the industry by enhancing the accessibility to expanded markets which has increased the capacity of firms to reduce unit cost by realising scale economies. The measures of the Single Market Programme promoting standards (such as technical harmonisation and emission control, fair competition, and liberalisation of distribution channels by further abolition of block exemptions together with strong challenges from overseas) increased overall competition. Also, figures show that the introduction of the single currency provided the automobile industry with a more stable business environment stemming from reduced transaction costs and elimination of the risks of exchange-rate fluctuations.
Globalisation, a New Model?
Authors: Raphanel Jacques
Published: January 2012

There are different ways of looking at the experience of reality. In the topic here discussed I wished to emphasise on the difference between the economical and political one (or philosophical to take it at its actual level of understanding).

In my reflection I start by asking if it is wise to believe in names. Are we doomed to globalisation? Do we have to share the neo-Darwinian ideal of universal competition? What is future about? That happens to be, also, a philosophical question.

Two instances taken from modern life illustrate two different attitudes towards the idea of future. French cafes exhibit a political conception of social life. U.S. campuses wholly computerised, as in Dartmouth College, may lead to difficulties in coping with the demands of society.

Is there not an anti-European attitude in the U.S.? May this not shape some of the political choices in Korean politics as the majority of Korean social elite receives its education in America?

To this can be added Geo.-political considerations, differences of attitudes between Europe and the U.S.A. or Korea. Could not globalisation be regarded as a new kind of colonialism?

The European model of society is quite different from the American one. We should not be confused with our North-American cousins. We hardly share the same conception about life. If the notion of globalisation is reductive, the apparent helps it seems to think the modern world might very easily turn into a major mistake if it leads to ignore cultural differences.
The Disintegrating Nature of American Politics
Authors: Kim Wook
Published: January 2012

The American political system is unique in the world, and its political process, in particular, is clearly distinguished from that of most other democratic countries. Although this distinguishing feature of the American political process has been described in many different ways, it can be characterized most succinctly as the “politics of disintegration,” or “politics of fragmentation.”

In this paper, we examine this disintegrating nature of American politics, first by pointing out several institutional factors responsible for the fragmentation of interests, and then by looking at its empirical manifestation in the policy making process. After examining two negative consequences of the disintegration, we also discuss whether and how the problem of disintegration can be cured.
The State and I: Animadversion on National Identification
Authors: Yoon Hye-Joon
Published: January 2012

The equation between nation, state, and people, which Eric Hobsbawm takes to be the mode of modern nation state's existence, can be approached from the angle of the individual's identification with the state as a national superego, of loving the fatherland as one's father. The most dramatic cases of such identification can be found in the military-dictatorial mobilization of the masses as national soldiers sacrificing their lives for the country, of which Napoleon's army offers the classic example. Yet the more peaceful versions of identifying with the state-as-nation also reveal the dangers of such an identification, which appears all the more pathological when the (post)modern state as a mechanism of power increasingly tends to be indifferent to its subjects other than as objects to be controlled by its apparatus of capture epitomized in taxation.
An Analysis of the U.S. Environmental Policy: A Typology of Environmental Problem for Government Action
Authors: Ko Jae-Young , Cha Yong-Jin
Published: January 2012

The purpose of this study is to examine the selection of policy tools for environmental problems under the incremental tradition, concentrating on the regulatory role. Our aim is to propose a typology composed of political significance and detection of source. This typology implies that the problem decides its own policy tool. This argument is discussed by reviewing different types of environmental problems, and suggests that for successful enforcement, the selected policy tool is expected to match the problem. The possibility of hypothesis building on the policy's success/failure is considered. The expansion of the U.S. EPA's role is recommended for environmental policy whose goal should be ecological stability. Finally, the necessity and usefulness of environmental group as a policy tool is considered.
A Cross-National Study of Newspaper Reading Patterns in the United States and Korea: An Analysis Based on the Uses and Gratifications Construct
Authors: Lee Soobum
Published: January 2012

This study examines the ability of the uses and gratifications construct to explain the motivations (gratifications sought) and the satisfactions (gratifications obtained) of college students' newspaper reading. This study also explores similarities and differences between U.S. and Korean college students' newspaper-reading behavior. One major finding is that Korean students spend more time reading newspapers than do Americans. The findings of this study support the existence of at least three distinct dimensions of gratifications sought in the Korean sample: interaction utility, information seeking, and diversion factor. In the U.S. sample, on the other hand, there were four distinct dimensions of gratifications sought: information-seeking, interaction utility, decisional utility, and diversion. This study concludes that the gratifications sought factors of the two countries are highly similar although not completely identical.
The Role of the Regions in the European Integration Process - towards a ‘Europe of the Regions’?
Authors: Seliger Bernhard
Published: January 2012

In recent years the position of the regions in the European Union(EU) became more prominent, notably with the establishment of a “Committee of the Regions” (COR). This can be explained by the centralizaton tendency in the EU. After defining the heterogenous notions of “region”, this article analyzes the influence of the regions in the EU, especially the work of the COR in the last years. While the institutionalization of influence of the regions could have resulted in an increasing importance of the regional level, the analysis shows that this is not the case. Instead, a consequent enforcement of the principle of subsidiarity seems more promising.
Dependency Theory: Concepts, Classifications, and Criticisms
Authors: Namkoong Young
Published: January 2012

The purpose of this paper is to review the different arguments concerning the theory of dependency. For this purpose, this paper examines the definitions of dependency, general perspectives, classifications, and the criticism of dependency theory. The main weakness of dependency theory lies in explaining the origin of underdevelopment. In other words, the relation between underdevelopment and dependency is explained in a circular manner. However, nobody can deny that dependency theory opened up a new perspective on the realities of international political economy. This perspective has focused on the problem of the underdevelopment of Third World countries and on the key question who has controlled the development.
Paradigm Shift in Broadcasting Regulation in Global Context
Authors: Kang Hyung Cheol
Published: January 2012

This paper is designed to examine the changing paradigm of regulating and institutionalizing broadcasting in recent years. The first section of this paper defines broadcasting regulations in general and the reasons applied to these restrictions, as well as the methods used to carry them out. The second part esamines the rapid change in the methods pointed out in the first section, and also discusses its reasons and trends. the third section takes these basic understandings and applies them to the case of Korea, for further examination. This paper concludes that international broadcasting thends are headed towards the era of open competition at full speed; whether policy makers like it or not. Adapting to intermational trends is no longer enough. It is imperative for receivers, broadcasters and policymakers etc. to fully understand the fundamental aspects and characteristics of broadcasting regulation in order to supplement the weaknesses that these trends possess.
The Determinants of City Government Form in the Southern United States and its Impact on Public Policies
Authors: Lee Sung Roe
Published: January 2012

This paper examines the relationship between socioeconomic and demographic characteristics and the form of city government, and the relationship between the type of city government and fiscal and financial policies in the United States. This paper premises that political structure is a reflection of social choice and, at the same time, it is autonomous and coherent engugh to affect what societal members will get. I argue that a political structure be treated as the focal point in the political process. The twogocernment forms (mayor and manager form of city government) are compared to examine the choice of institutional form of city government and to determine whether and how the king of government makes differences. A prediction model is formulated to aid the purpose of the study.
A Critical Review of the Debates on Work Organization and Control
Authors: Lee Sang-Woo
Published: January 2012

In this paper, we analyse the debate on work organization and control. Current theoretical perspectives on this issue are divided into the following five categories: labour process, efficiency bias, social action, the institutionalist, and political economy. Each perspectives has its own merits and, in fact, to obtain a balanced view of the changes in work organization and control seen in various organizations, all five theoretical perspectives have to be used to construct coherent arguments.
Free Trade, Protectionism and National Interests
Authors: Kim Sangho
Published: January 2012

This paper examines the ongoing debates between free trade and protectionism to derive policy implications applicable to the Korean economy. Despite strong acceptance of a strategic trade policy as an positive economics for trade protectionism, economic criticisms oppose the reliability of strategic trade policy as adequate policy tool. This paper surveys the Super 301 as an example of bilateral trade laws which possibly undermine multilateral negotiations of free trade with emphasis on Korean example. This paper provides a recent suggestion to achieve global free trade through a grand bargain.
North Korean External Economic Policies and Inter-Korean Economic Cooperation
Authors: Namkoong Young
Published: January 2012

This study focuses on an analysis of North Korea's external economic policy changes, and the present status and distinctive features of inter-Korean economic cooperation. North Korea is in a dilemma situation between the necessity of renewing its economic development strategy and the risk of weakening the basic principles of its system by an economic opening policy. In any case, North Korea is least expected to launch into an all-out external economic opening, but it will rather adopt, if at all, a policy of a “system-defending opening” than a “reform-oriented opening.” As a result, inter-Korean economic exchanges and cooperation also will be developed within the category of such a limited opening.
Korean Financial Crisis and Fiscal Policy
Authors: Choi Kwang
Published: January 2012

The main objective of the paper is to review fiscal policy measures as implemented in response to the financial crisis in Korea, and to examine whether the fiscal sector can accommodate the cost of structural reforms without having an unbearable impact on the welfare of the people in the coming years. After reviewing the role of the Korean fiscal policy during the economic crisis, one may conclude that in view of the great pain and turmoil caused by the severe credit crunch and the resulting contraction of the economy, it would certainly be worthwhile to investigate whether some middle ground could not have been found, especially when the governments fiscal position had been so favorable.
HIV-1 envelope-dependent restriction of CXCR4-using viruses in child but not adult untransformed CD4+ T-lymphocyte lines
Authors: Mariani Samanta A. , Brigida Immacolata , Kajaste-Rudnitski Anna , Ghezzi Silvia , Rocchi Alessia , Plebani Anna , Vicenzi Elisa , Aiuti Alessandro , Poli Guido
Published: January 2012

Phytohemagglutin-stimulated child and adult leukocytes equally supported CCR5-dependent (R5) and CXCR4-dependent (X4) HIV-1 replication. In contrast, when phytohemagglutin-stimulated leukocytes from either healthy or congenitally immunodeficient children were cultured on feeder cells, they well supported R5, but not X4 HIV-1 replication, whereas both viruses equally spread in adult cells maintained in similar conditions. Both child and adult cells showed similar levels of proliferation and surface expression of CD4, CCR5, CXCR4, CD25, CD69, and HLA-DR. Lack of X4 HIV-1 replication in child versus adult cells was not caused by a differential expression of several known HIV-1 restriction factors. Similar levels of HIV DNA synthesis occurred in child cells infected with R5 and X4 viruses up to 48 hours after infection when R5 HIV-1 showed a significantly superior capacity to spread in culture than X4 virus. Cultured child cells well supported single round vescicular stomatitis virus-G pseudotyped virus replication, whereas superinfection of R5-infected cells with X4 HIV-1 (or vice versa) rescued the replication of this latter virus. Thus, child cells exposed to feeder cell culture represent a novel model system in which the superior capacity of R5 versus X4 viruses to spread can be investigated in primary, untransformed CD4+ cells.
Interim 18-FDG-PET/CT failed to predict the outcome in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma patients treated at the diagnosis with rituximab-CHOP
Authors: Pregno Patrizia , Chiappella Annalisa , Bellò Marilena , Botto Barbara , Ferrero Simone , Franceschetti Silvia , Giunta Francesca , Ladetto Marco , Limerutti Giorgio , Menga Massimo , Nicolosi Maura , Priolo Giorgio , Puccini Benedetta , Rigacci Luigi , Salvi Flavia , Vaggelli Luca , Passera Roberto , Bisi Gianni , Vitolo Umberto
Published: January 2012

Role of interim-PET (I-PET) in diffuse large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) is controversial. To determine predictive value of I-PET on progression-free survival (PFS), we enrolled 88 first-line DLBCL patients treated with 6-8 R-CHOP courses regardless of I-PET. PET/CT were performed at diagnosis, after 2 to 4 courses and at the end of therapy with central reviewing according to visual dichotomous criteria. Results are as follows: I-PET, 72% negative, 28% positive; final-PET (F-PET), 88% negative, 12% positive; clinical complete response 90%. Concordance between clinical response and F-PET negativity was 97% because of 2 false positive. With a median follow-up of 26.2 months, 2-year overall survival and PFS were 91% and 77%, respectively. Two-year PFS for I-PET and F-PET negative versus positive were as follows: I-PET 85% versus 72% (P = .0475); F-PET 83% versus 64% (P < .001). Because of a small number of events, 2 independent bivariate Cox models were tested for PFS. In model 1, F-PET contradicted I-PET (hazard ratio [HR] = 5.03, P = .015 vs 1.27, P = 691); in model 2, F-PET (HR = 4.54) and International propnostic Index score (HR = 5.36, P = .001) remained independent prognostic factors. In conclusion, positive I-PET is not predictive of a worse outcome in DLBCL; larger prospective studies and harmonization of I-PET reading criteria are needed.
Comparative outcome of initial therapy for younger patients with mantle cell lymphoma: an analysis from the NCCN NHL Database
Authors: LaCasce Ann S. , Vandergrift Jonathan L. , Rodriguez Maria A. , Abel Gregory A. , Crosby Allison L. , Czuczman Myron S. , Nademanee Auayporn P. , Blayney Douglas W. , Gordon Leo I. , Millenson Michael , Vanderplas Ann , Lepisto Eva M. , Zelenetz Andrew D. , Niland Joyce , Friedberg Jonathan W.
Published: January 2012

Few randomized trials have compared therapies in mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), and the role of aggressive induction is unclear. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) Database, a prospective cohort study collecting clinical, treatment, and outcome data at 7 NCCN centers, provides a unique opportunity to compare the effectiveness of initial therapies in MCL. Patients younger than 65 diagnosed between 2000 and 2008 were included if they received RHCVAD (rituximab fractionated cyclophosphamide, vincristine, adriamycin, and dexamethasone), RCHOP+HDT/ASCR (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone + high-dose therapy/autologous stem cell rescue), RHCVAD+HDT/ASCR, or RCHOP. Clinical parameters were similar for patients treated with RHCVAD (n = 83, 50%), RCHOP+HDT/ASCR (n = 34, 20%), RCHOP (n = 29, 17%), or RHCVAD+HDT/ASCR (n = 21, 13%). Overall, 70 (42%) of the 167 patients progressed and 25 (15%) expired with a median follow-up of 33 months. There was no difference in progression-free survival (PFS) between aggressive regimens (P > .57), which all demonstrated superior PFS compared with RCHOP (P < .004). There was no difference in overall survival (OS) between the RHCVAD and RCHOP+HDT/ASCR (P = .98). RCHOP was inferior to RHCVAD and RCHOP+HDT/ASCR, which had similar PFS and OS. Despite aggressive regimens, the median PFS was 3 to 4 years. Future trials should focus on novel agents rather than comparing current approaches.
Prostaglandin E2 restrains macrophage maturation via E prostanoid receptor 2/protein kinase A signaling
Authors: Zasłona Zbigniew , Serezani Carlos H. , Okunishi Katsuhide , Aronoff David M. , Peters-Golden Marc
Published: January 2012

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is a lipid mediator that acts by ligating 4 distinct G protein–coupled receptors, E prostanoid (EP) 1 to 4. Previous studies identified the importance of PGE2 in regulating macrophage functions, but little is known about its effect on macrophage maturation. Macrophage maturation was studied in vitro in bone marrow cell cultures, and in vivo in a model of peritonitis. EP2 was the most abundant PGE2 receptor expressed by bone marrow cells, and its expression further increased during macrophage maturation. EP2-deficient (EP2−/−) macrophages exhibited enhanced in vitro maturation compared with wild-type cells, as evidenced by higher F4/80 expression. An EP2 antagonist also increased maturation. In the peritonitis model, EP2−/− mice exhibited a higher percentage of F4/80high/CD11bhigh cells and greater expression of macrophage colony-stimulating factor receptor (M-CSFR) in both the blood and the peritoneal cavity. Subcutaneous injection of the PGE2 analog misoprostol decreased M-CSFR expression in bone marrow cells and reduced the number of peritoneal macrophages in wild-type mice but not EP2−/− mice. The suppressive effect of EP2 ligation on in vitro macrophage maturation was mimicked by a selective protein kinase A agonist. Our findings reveal a novel role for PGE2/EP2/protein kinase A signaling in the suppression of macrophage maturation.
Emerging role of serpinE2/protease nexin-1 in hemostasis and vascular biology
Authors: Bouton Marie-Christine , Boulaftali Yacine , Richard Benjamin , Arocas Véronique , Michel Jean-Baptiste , Jandrot-Perrus Martine
Published: January 2012

Serine protease inhibitors, termed serpins, are key regulators in many biologic events. Protease nexin-1 (PN-1) is a serpin that is barely detectable in plasma but found in many organs and produced by most cell types, including monocytes, platelets, and vascular cells. It has a large inhibition spectrum because it is the most efficient tissue inhibitor of thrombin but also a powerful inhibitor of plasminogen activators and plasmin. It has a high affinity for glycosaminoglycans, such as heparan sulfates, which potentiate its activity toward thrombin and target it to the pericellular space. PN-1 has been previously largely described as a crucial regulator of the proteolytic activity in nerves and of central and peripheral nervous system function. In contrast, little was known about its involvement in hemostasis and vascular biology. This article reviews recent data underlining its emerging role as a key factor in the responses of vessels to injury. Indeed, studies of PN-1–deficient mice have established important antithrombotic and antifibrinolytic properties of this serpin that have heretofore gone unrecognized. The roles of PN-1 in the areas of hemostasis and thrombosis summarized here provide insights that may allow the development of drugs and treatment strategies to prevent or limit thrombotic disorders.
Solulin increases clot stability in whole blood from humans and dogs with hemophilia
Authors: Foley Jonathan H. , Petersen Karl-Uwe , Rea Catherine J. , Harpell Lori , Powell Sandra , Lillicrap David , Nesheim Michael E. , Sørensen Benny
Published: January 2012

Solulin is a soluble form of thrombomodulin that is resistant to proteolysis and oxidation. It has been shown to increase the clot lysis time in factor VIII (fVIII)–deficient plasma by an activated thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFIa)–dependent mechanism. In the present study, blood was drawn from humans and dogs with hemophilia, and thromboelastography was used to measure tissue factor–initiated fibrin formation and tissue-plasminogen activator–induced fibrinolysis. The kinetics of TAFI and protein C activation by the thrombin-Solulin complex were determined to describe the relative extent of anticoagulation and antifibrinolysis. In severe hemophilia A, clot stability increased by > 4-fold in the presence of Solulin while minimally affecting clot lysis time. Patients receiving fVIII/fIX prophylaxis showed a similar trend of increased clot stability in the presence of Solulin. The catalytic efficiencies of TAFI and protein C activation by the thrombin-Solulin complex were determined to be 1.53 and 0.02/μM/s, respectively, explaining its preference for antifibrinolysis over anticoagulation at low concentrations. Finally, hemophilic dogs given Solulin had improved clot strength in thromboelastography assays. In conclusion, the antifibrinolytic properties of Solulin are exhibited in hemophilic human (in vitro) and dog (in vivo/ex vivo) blood at low concentrations. Our findings suggest the therapeutic utility of Solulin at a range of very low doses.
HOXA13 and HOXD13 expression during development of the syndactylous digits in the marsupial Macropus eugenii
Authors: Chew Keng Yih , Yu Hongshi , Pask Andrew J , Shaw Geoffrey , Renfree Marilyn B
Published: January 2012

Background

Kangaroos and wallabies have specialised limbs that allow for their hopping mode of locomotion. The hindlimbs differentiate much later in development but become much larger than the forelimbs. The hindlimb autopod has only four digits, the fourth of which is greatly elongated, while digits two and three are syndactylous. We investigated the expression of two genes,HOXA13 and HOXD13, that are crucial for digit patterning in mice during formation of the limbs of the tammar wallaby.

Results

We describe the development of the tammar limbs at key stages before birth. There was marked heterochrony and the hindlimb developed more slowly than the forelimb. Both tammarHOXA13andHOXD13have two exons as in humans, mice and chickens.HOXA13had an early and distal mRNA distribution in the tammar limb bud as in the mouse, but forelimb expression preceded that in the hindlimb.HOXD13mRNA was expressed earlier in the forelimb than the hindlimb and was predominantly detected in the interdigital tissues of the forelimb. In contrast, the hindlimb had a more restricted expression pattern that appeared to be expressed at discrete points at both posterior and anterior margins of the limb bud, and was unlike expression seen in the mouse and the chicken.

Conclusions

This is the first examination ofHOXAandHOXDgene expression in a marsupial. The gene structure and predicted proteins were highly conserved with their eutherian orthologues. Interestingly, despite the morphological differences in hindlimb patterning, there were no modifications to the polyalanine tract of eitherHOXA13orHOXD13when compared to those of the mouse and bat but there was a marked difference between the tammar and the other mammals in the region of the first polyserine tract ofHOXD13. There were also altered expression domains for both genes in the developing tammar limbs compared to the chicken and mouse. Together these findings suggest that the timing ofHOXgene expression may contribute to the heterochrony of the forelimb and hindlimb and that alteration toHOXdomains may influence phenotypic differences that lead to the development of marsupial syndactylous digits.
Heavy burden of non-communicable diseases at early age and gender disparities in an adult population of Burkina Faso: world health survey
Authors: Miszkurka Malgorzata , Haddad Slim , Langlois Étienne V , Freeman Ellen E , Kouanda Seni , Zunzunegui Maria Victoria
Published: January 2012

Background

WHO estimates suggest that age-specific death rates from non-communicable diseases are higher in sub-Saharan Africa than in high-income countries. The objectives of this study were to examine, in Burkina Faso, the prevalence of non-communicable disease symptoms by age, gender, socioeconomic group and setting (rural/urban), and to assess gender and socioeconomic inequalities in the prevalence of these symptoms.

Methods

We obtained data from the Burkina Faso World Health Survey, which was conducted in an adult population (18 years and over) with a high response rate (4822/4880 selected individuals). The survey used a multi-stage stratified random cluster sampling strategy to identify participants. The survey collected information on socio-demographic and economic characteristics, as well as data on symptoms of a variety of health conditions. Our study focused on joint disease, back pain, angina pectoris, and asthma. We estimated prevalence correcting for the sampling design. We used multiple Poisson regression to estimate associations between non-communicable disease symptoms, gender, socioeconomic status and setting.

Results

The overall crude prevalence and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were: 16.2% [13.5; 19.2] for joint disease, 24% [21.5; 26.6] for back pain, 17.9% [15.8; 20.2] for angina pectoris, and 11.6% [9.5; 14.2] for asthma. Consistent relationships between age and the prevalence of non-communicable disease symptoms were observed in both men and women from rural and urban settings. There was markedly high prevalence in all conditions studied, starting with young adults. Women presented higher prevalence rates of symptoms than men for all conditions: prevalence ratios and 95% CIs were 1.20 [1.01; 1.43] for joint disease, 1.42 [1.21; 1.66] for back pain, 1.68 [1.39; 2.04] for angina pectoris, and 1.28 [0.99; 1.65] for asthma. Housewives and unemployed women had the highest prevalence rates of non-communicable disease symptoms.

Conclusions

Our work suggests that social inequality extends into the distribution of non-communicable diseases among social groups and supports the thesis of a differential vulnerability in Burkinabè women. It raises the possibility of an abnormally high rate of premature morbidity that could manifest as a form of premature aging in the adult population. Increased prevention, screening and treatment are needed in Burkina Faso to address high prevalence and gender inequalities in non-communicable diseases.
Altered CXCR3 isoform expression regulates prostate cancer cell migration and invasion
Authors: Wu Qian , Dhir Rajiv , Wells Alan
Published: January 2012

Background

Carcinoma cells must circumvent the normally suppressive signals to disseminate. While often considered 'stop' signals for adherent cells, CXCR3-binding chemokines have recently been correlated positively with cancer progression though the molecular basis remains unclear.

Results

Here, we examined the expression and function of two CXCR3 variants in human prostate cancer biopsies and cell lines. Globally, both CXCR3 mRNA and protein were elevated in localized and metastatic human cancer biopsies compared to normal. Additionally, CXCR3A mRNA level was upregulated while CXCR3B mRNA was downregulated in these prostate cancer specimens. In contrast to normal prostate epithelial cells (RWPE-1), CXCR3A was up to half the receptor in the invasive and metastatic DU-145 and PC-3 prostate cancer cells, but not in the localized LNCaP cells. Instead of inhibiting cell migration as in RWPE-1 cells, the CXCR3 ligands CXCL4/PF4 and CXCL10/IP10 promoted cell motility and invasiveness in both DU-145 and PC-3 cells via PLCβ3 and μ-calpain activation. CXCR3-mediated diminution of cell motility in RWPE-1 cells is likely a result of cAMP upregulation and m-calpain inhibition via CXCR3B signal transduction. Interestingly, overexpression of CXCR3B in DU-145 cells decreased cell movement and invasion.

Conclusion

These data suggest that the aberrant expression of CXCR3A and down-regulation of CXCR3B may switch a progression "stop" to a "go" signal to promote prostate tumor metastasis via stimulating cell migration and invasion.