bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Institutional Logic of Collusion among Local Governments in China
Authors: Zhou Xueguang
Published: November 2009

A salient organizational phenomenon in the Chinese bureaucracy is collusion among local governments in response to policies and directives from higher authorities; local governments often form alliances to compromise the original intention behind state policies. There are thus significant and persistent deviations and goal displacement in policy implementation. This article develops an organizational analysis and theoretical explanation of this phenomenon. It argues as follows: Collusion among local governments, though informal, is generated and perpetuated by the institutional logic of the Chinese bureaucracy, results from organizational adaptation to its environment, and hence acquires legitimacy and becomes highly institutionalized. In particular, the institutional logic of the Chinese bureaucracy has generated three organizational paradoxes—uniformity in policy making and flexibility in implementation, incentive intensity and goal displacement, bureaucratic impersonality and the personalization of administrative ties—which provide legitimate bases for collusion among local governments. Bureaucratic collusion has been greatly exacerbated in recent years because of the unintended consequences of the centralization of authority and the enforcement of incentive mechanisms in the bureaucracy.
New Approaches to the Study of Political Order in China
Authors: Clarke Donald C.
Published: November 2009

Both Xueguang Zhou and Jiang Shigong are interested in the way in which China’s political order actually functions, but for different reasons. Zhou takes how things are—in this case, the way central-local relations work— more or less as a given and seeks to provide an explanation. Jiang, on the other hand, writes precisely because he believes that how China’s political order actually operates has received far too little attention in constitutional scholarship. Zhou focuses on the narrow issue of collusion between different levels of lower-level government when faced with demands from a higher-level authority. His focus is useful in drawing attention to this ill-understood feature of central-local relations. Yet many of the problems he discusses seem to be less those of collusion as such and more those of ordinary principal-agent conflicts. Jiang calls for less formalism and more realism when analyzing China’s constitutional order. While fully acknowledging the merits of Jiang’s proposed methodology, the comment finds that Jiang’s own approach retains some formalist elements.
‘Do Your Corrections'—How Can Children Improve Their Writing?
Authors: Perera Katharine
Published: November 2009

Grammatical mistakes in children's writing have a number of causes. Some result from the physical slowness of writing, some from the difficulty of sustaining a continuous piece of language, some from a failure to understand the differences between speech and writing, some from the pupil's attempt to use a literary construction that has not been fully mastered, and so on. An understanding of these various causes makes it easier for teachers to adopt a differentiated approach to children's errors, and leads to a range of remedial strategies that can make the children's task of doing corrections more meaningful and more productive.
The Preschool Handicapped Class: A Transdisciplinary Approach to Teaching Language
Authors: Colburn Norma , Footerman Gittel G.
Published: November 2009

The purpose of this paper is to describe a transdisciplinary preschool programme for handicapped children where the speech-language pathologist is a member of the teaching team in a self-contained classroom. Specific language training is the focus of all daily activities, facilitating the extraction and use of grammatical rules. All activities centre around a specific language topic. A sample weekly lesson plan is provided.
Dyslexia: The Current Status of the Term
Authors: Miles T. R.
Published: November 2009

The term DYSLEXIA implies a constitutionally caused limitation. The problems experienced by the typical dyslexic child are described. The historical background to present-day thinking is then outlined, and there follows a brief summary of the reasons for believing that the difficulties of dyslexic persons are constitutional in origin. An account is given of the commonly accepted principles of teaching, and, in a final section, attention is called to the problems of social adjustment which some dyslexic persons experience as a result of their handicap.
National Policy on Mother-Tongue Teaching in Britain
Authors: Edwards Viv
Published: November 2009

When the non-English-speaking children of immigrants first started arriving in British schools during the 1960s, the emphasis was wholly on the teaching of English, and the children's mother tongue was felt to have no part to play in this process. More recently, pressure from linguistic minority communities and EEC legislation in this area have forced schools and teachers to consider the question of mother-tongue teaching more thoughtfully. Although it remains a controversial issue, there is broad agreement that the promotion of the mother tongue is an important element in bilingual children's educational development.
Language Remediation in Great Britain and the USA—A Partial View
Authors: Brown Betty Byers
Published: November 2009

This paper discusses some aspects of the management of language-handicapped children in the United States, and offers some comparisons with procedures and practice in Great Britain.
Was Big Beautiful? The Rise of National Breweries in America’s Pre-Prohibition Brewing Industry
Authors: Stack Martin
Published: November 2009

In the years leading up to national Prohibition in 1920, several breweries gained national prominence. Previous authors have attributed their rise to greater productive efficiencies or to higher product quality. A more detailed review challenges these assertions and argues instead that their accomplishments have more to do with the growing late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century American preference for standardized and branded goods. The achievements of the national breweries must be examined in connection with such sweeping developments as the shift to store-bought foodstuffs, the birth of national branding campaigns, the beginning of mass packaging, and the move toward product homogeneity.
The value of science: changing conceptions of scientific productivity, 1869 to circa 1970
Authors: Godin Benoît
Published: November 2009

Productivity is now a buzzword in science studies. Whether you consult the literature on research management, the economic literature on technology and innovation, the literature on bibliometrics or the official literature on science policy and its conceptual frameworks, what you find is analyses on productivity, often accompanied by a plea, and recipes, for increased productivity. This article documents how the concept of productivity got into the analysis of science, through the statistics on which the concept rested, and its transformation over one hundred years. It argues that, through history, the concept as applied to science has carried four meanings: productivity as reproduction, productivity as output, productivity as efficiency and productivity as outcome.
Contradictions and conflicts in sociological writing: the rewriting of an interview by Pierre Bourdieu
Authors: Guéranger David
Published: November 2009

This article aims at categorizing the practical problems posed by sociological writing and, more generally, the epistemological issues raised by such problems. It is based on two successive versions of a single interview made and transcribed by French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu. Looking at changes made between the two written versions, we attempt to shed light on specific constraints that influence the act of writing, answering three partially contradictory needs: to describe, to explain and to communicate.
De la connaissance à la reconnaissance: la retranscription d’entretien comme marqueur social
Authors: Marchand-Lagier Christèle
Published: November 2009

Cet article analyse les manières de rendre compte d’un échange oral entre un enquêteur et ses enquêtés. Le vote en faveur du Front national, objet politique singulier et stigmatisé, offre la possibilité de mesurer toutes les difficultés que rencontre celui ou celle qui veut témoigner d’une proximité avec son échantillon (au regard du genre et du milieu social). Les retranscriptions d’entretiens placent le chercheur — pris entre l’impératif de la connaissance de ses enquêtés et celui de la reconnaissance académique — dans la délicate position de rendre des comptes sur ce qu’il est. A trop insister sur la place occupée par chacun dans l’espace social, les retranscriptions dévoilent combien tout ce qui peut servir l’échange oral peut desservir la communication écrite sur cet échange.

Mots-clés: Communication écrite; Espace social; Front National; Genre; Reconnaissance professionnelle; Retranscription d’entretien
To Know the Unknown: The Decline in Homicide Clearance Rates, 1980—2000
Authors: Ousey Graham C. , Lee Matthew R.
Published: November 2009

Against the backdrop of the precipitous decline in urban homicide clearance over the past several decades, this study examines factors that may be linked to within-city, over-time variation in homicide clearance rates from 1980 to 2000. Conceptual arguments focusing on case-level characteristics of homicides as well as the broader macrosocial context are delineated and empirically tested. Results from a fixed-effects regression analysis reveal that changes in clearance rates are linked to changes in the situational characteristics of murder incidents such as the percentage of cases involving strangers, firearms, other felonies, and arguments. In addition, within-city changes in immigration are found to be associated with lower clearance rates, whereas drug market arrests are associated with higher clearance rates. Contrary to politically popular assertions, clearance rates do not appear to be a function of changes in police personnel or workload.
Public Sector Labor— Management Relations: Change or Status Quo?
Authors: Kearney Richard C.
Published: November 2009

As unions in the private sector have continued on what appears to the pessimist to be a slow march into obscurity and irrelevance, public employee unions and collective bargaining are thriving in a majority of states. In this article, the author first provides a brief overview of the relevant scholarly research, and then changes the focus to the future of unionization and collective bargaining in the public and nonprofit sectors. It is suggested that the deck continues to be stacked against federal unions and collective bargaining, but that there are portents for significant gains in the state and local sectors, depending on bargaining-friendly changes in state and federal law.
Tracking Our Progress
Authors: Tilbury Daniella
Published: November 2009

The sustainability agenda is a concern of several UN agencies that appreciate how well-being, social justice, human development and the health of our planet are inextricably linked. This remit underpinned the launch of the UN Decade in Education for Sustainable Development (DESD) in 2005.

As the DESD reaches its mid-point, mechanisms for assessing progress towards sustainability through education and learning have been formalised. This paper presents the Global Monitoring and Evaluation Framework (GMEF) which has been adopted by UNESCO to review changes in context structures (cycle I); processes and learning (cycle II) and outcomes and impacts (cycle III) during the DESD. The GMEF draws from the global milestones and major education for sustainable development (ESD) thrusts identified in UNESCO’s International Implementation Scheme. It combines self-reporting, and participatory monitoring and expert evaluation to increase opportunities for engagement as well as to assure representation and validity of data. The paper concludes that the task of assessing global progress in ESD in an ambitious one. It identifies key challenges which will need to be overcome.
Corporate Power and Social Policy
Authors: Holden Chris , Lee Kelley
Published: November 2009

Drawing on published tobacco document research and related sources, this article applies Farnsworth and Holden’s conceptual framework for the analysis of corporate power and corporate involvement in social policy (2006) to the transnational tobacco companies (TTCs). An assessment is made of TTCs’ structural power, the impact upon their structural position of tobacco control (TC) policies, and their use of agency power. The analysis suggests that, as a result of the growth of TC policies from the 1950s onwards, TTCs have had to rely on political agency to pursue their interests and attempt to reassert their structural position. The collapse of the Eastern bloc and the liberalization of East Asian economies presented new structural opportunities for TTCs in the 1980s and 1990s, but the development of globally coordinated TC policies facilitated by the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control has the potential to constrain these.
Endovascular Repair of Aorto-Bi-Iliac Aneurysm
Authors: Paravastu Sharath C. V. , Farquharson Finn G. , Serracino-Inglott Ferdinand
Published: November 2009

Iliac bifurcated devices (IBDs) are used in the endovascular treatment of aorto-iliac and common iliac artery aneurysms to preserve the flow to at least one internal iliac artery thereby decreasing the risk of pelvic ischemic complications. We report the use of IBDs in preserving both the internal iliac arteries.
Iatrogenic Pseudoaneurysm of the Superior Gluteal Artery Presenting as Pelvic Mass With Foot Drop and Sciatica: Case Report and Review of Literature
Authors: Ge Phillip S. , Ng Gladys , Ishaque Brandon M. , Gelabert Hugh , de Virgilio Christian
Published: November 2009

We report an unusual case of a pseudoaneurysm of the superior gluteal artery as a complication of bone marrow biopsy. A 51-year-old man presented with sciatic pain and foot drop after undergoing bone marrow biopsy and was initially diagnosed as having degenerative disc disease based on his past medical history. Pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a large heterogeneous mass suggestive of a neurogenic tumor, but pulsatile blood was instead encountered during computed tomography (CT)-guided needle biopsy. Subsequent workup established the diagnosis of a superior gluteal artery pseudoaneurysm, which was treated with coil embolization, followed by surgical evacuation of the hematoma, which relieved his sciatic pain. However, the patient continues to have a persistent foot drop. Gluteal artery pseudoaneurysms are exceedingly uncommon but should be considered in the workup of a patient with gluteal pain or sciatic nerve palsy following trauma or medical procedures in the gluteal region.
Evaluation of Ni–Al coatings processed by plasma transferred arc
Authors: Almeida V B , Takano E H , Mazzaro I , D'Oliveira A S C M
Published: November 2009

Higher efficiency processes are strongly dependent on the ability to process materials/components that can sustain more aggressive service conditions. β-NiAl intermetallic alloys are known for exhibiting superior high temperature properties, but are difficult to process. This study evaluated Ni–Al coatings processed in situ by plasma transferred arc (PTA) welding. Coatings processed with mixtures of Ni and Al powders, Al content within the range 15–50 wt-%, were analysed. In situ development of Ni aluminides was confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. Increasing aluminium (Al) content in the deposited mixture increased the penetration depth. The microstructure of coatings depended on the amount of Al in the deposited powder mixture associated with the exothermal synthesis of the β-NiAl intermetallic compound. The present study presents an important step towards the protection of components for equipment of higher efficiency processes, as results validated the potential of PTA hardfacing as a processing technique for surface tailoring.
Chemical structure and corrosion behaviour of S phase coatings
Authors: Dahm K. L. , Betts A. J. , Dearnley P. A.
Published: November 2009

The chemical structure and corrosion behaviour of stainless steel coatings with nitrogen contents up to 40 at.-% have been investigated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and electrochemical tests, respectively. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed that nitrogen existed in a high binding energy form (N1s≈400 eV) at the very surface of the passive film and a nitride-like state (N1s=397·2 eV) within the coatings. For Cr, an additional peak was observed (at Cr2p=574·7 to 574·8 eV) with a binding energy that fell between those for metallic Cr and Cr nitrides. All of the coatings possessed corrosion resistance superior to that of bulk 316L in 1·0 mol L−1 HCl. The passive corrosion current density initially decreased with increasing nitrogen content up to 8 at.-% above which the current density was below the resolution of the potentiostat (<0·001 mA cm−2). The breakdown potential for the coatings did not change with increasing nitrogen content and was due to transpassive dissolution rather than localised corrosion. Significant substrate corrosion was observed at defects and flaws within the coatings.
Gastric MALT lymphoma B cells express polyreactive, somatically mutated immunoglobulins
Authors: Craig Vanessa J. , Arnold Isabelle , Gerke Christiane , Huynh Minh Q. , Wündisch Thomas , Neubauer Andreas , Renner Christoph , Falkow Stanley , Müller Anne
Published: November 2009

Gastric B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) arises against a background of chronic inflammation caused by persistent Helicobacter pylori infection. The clinical and histopathologic features of the human tumor can be reproduced by Helicobacter infection of BALB/c mice. In this study, we have analyzed the antibody sequences and antigen specificity of a panel of murine and human MALT lymphoma–derived antibodies. We find that a majority of tumors in patients as well as experimentally infected mice are monoclonal. The tumor immunoglobulin heavy chain genes have undergone somatic hypermutation, and approximately half of all tumors show evidence of intraclonal variation and positive and/or negative selective pressure. Recombinantly expressed MALT lymphoma antibodies bind with intermediate affinity to various unrelated self- and foreign antigens, including Helicobacter sonicate, immunoglobulin G (IgG), DNA, and stomach extract; antigen binding is blocked in a dose-dependent manner in competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. A strong bias toward the use of VH gene segments previously linked to autoantibodies and/or polyreactive antibodies in B-cell malignancies or autoimmune pathologies supports the experimental finding of polyreactivity. Our results suggest that MALT lymphoma development may be facilitated by an array of local self- and foreign antigens, providing direct antigenic stimulation of the tumor cells via their B-cell receptor.
A genome-wide deletion mutant screen identifies pathways affected by nickel sulfate in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Arita Adriana , Zhou Xue , Ellen Thomas P , Liu Xin , Bai Jingxiang , Rooney John P , Kurtz Adrienne , Klein Catherine B , Dai Wei , Begley Thomas J , Costa Max
Published: November 2009

Background

The understanding of the biological function, regulation, and cellular interactions of the yeast genome and proteome, along with the high conservation in gene function found between yeast genes and their human homologues, has allowed for Saccharomyces cerevisiae to be used as a model organism to deduce biological processes in human cells. Here, we have completed a systematic screen of the entire set of 4,733 haploid S. cerevisiae gene deletion strains (the entire set of nonessential genes for this organism) to identify gene products that modulate cellular toxicity to nickel sulfate (NiSO4).

Results

We have identified 149 genes whose gene deletion causes sensitivity to NiSO4 and 119 genes whose gene deletion confers resistance. Pathways analysis with proteins whose absence renders cells sensitive and resistant to nickel identified a wide range of cellular processes engaged in the toxicity of S. cerevisiae to NiSO4. Functional categories overrepresented with proteins whose absence renders cells sensitive to NiSO4 include homeostasis of protons, cation transport, transport ATPases, endocytosis, siderophore-iron transport, homeostasis of metal ions, and the diphthamide biosynthesis pathway. Functional categories overrepresented with proteins whose absence renders cells resistant to nickel include functioning and transport of the vacuole and lysosome, protein targeting, sorting, and translocation, intra-Golgi transport, regulation of C-compound and carbohydrate metabolism, transcriptional repression, and chromosome segregation/division. Interactome analysis mapped seven nickel toxicity modulating and ten nickel-resistance networks. Additionally, we studied the degree of sensitivity or resistance of the 111 nickel-sensitive and 72 -resistant strains whose gene deletion product has a similar protein in human cells.

Conclusion

We have undertaken a whole genome approach in order to further understand the mechanism(s) regulating the cell's toxicity to nickel compounds. We have used computational methods to integrate the data and generate global models of the yeast's cellular response to NiSO4. The results of our study shed light on molecular pathways associated with the cellular response of eukaryotic cells to nickel compounds and provide potential implications for further understanding the toxic effects of nickel compounds to human cells.
Analysis of expressed sequence tags and identification of genes encoding cell-wall-degrading enzymes from the fungivorous nematode Aphelenchus avenae
Authors: Karim Nurul , Jones John T , Okada Hiroaki , Kikuchi Taisei
Published: November 2009

Background

The fungivorus nematode, Aphelenchus avenae is widespread in soil and is found in association with decaying plant material. This nematode is also found in association with plants but its ability to cause plant disease remains largely undetermined. The taxonomic position and intermediate lifestyle of A. avenae make it an important model for studying the evolution of plant parasitism within the Nematoda. In addition, the exceptional capacity of this nematode to survive desiccation makes it an important system for study of anhydrobiosis. Expressed sequence tag (EST) analysis may therefore be useful in providing an initial insight into the poorly understood genetic background of A. avenae.

Results

We present the generation, analysis and annotation of over 5,000 ESTs from a mixed-stage A. avenae cDNA library. Clustering of 5,076 high-quality ESTs resulted in a set of 2,700 non-redundant sequences comprising 695 contigs and 2,005 singletons. Comparative analyses indicated that 1,567 (58.0%) of the cluster sequences had homologues in Caenorhabditis elegans, 1,750 (64.8%) in other nematodes, 1,321(48.9%) in organisms other than nematodes, and 862 (31.9%) had no significant match to any sequence in current protein or nucleotide databases. In addition, 1,100 (40.7%) of the sequences were functionally classified using Gene Ontology (GO) hierarchy. Similarity searches of the cluster sequences identified a set of genes with significant homology to genes encoding enzymes that degrade plant or fungal cell walls. The full length sequences of two genes encoding glycosyl hydrolase family 5 (GHF5) cellulases and two pectate lyase genes encoding polysaccharide lyase family 3 (PL3) proteins were identified and characterized.

Conclusion

We have described at least 2,214 putative genes from A. avenae and identified a set of genes encoding a range of cell-wall-degrading enzymes. This EST dataset represents a starting point for studies in a number of different fundamental and applied areas. The presence of genes encoding a battery of cell-wall-degrading enzymes in A. avenae and their similarities with genes from other plant parasitic nematodes suggest that this nematode can act not only as a fungal feeder but also a plant parasite. Further studies on genes encoding cell-wall-degrading enzymes in A. avenae will accelerate our understanding of the complex evolutionary histories of plant parasitism and the use of genes obtained by horizontal gene transfer from prokaryotes.
Effectiveness of IT-based diabetes management interventions: a review of the literature
Authors: Costa Beth M , Fitzgerald Kristine J , Jones Kay M , Dunning AM Trisha
Published: November 2009

Background

Information technology (IT) is increasingly being used in general practice to manage health care including type 2 diabetes. However, there is conflicting evidence about whether IT improves diabetes outcomes. This review of the literature about IT-based diabetes management interventions explores whether methodological issues such as sample characteristics, outcome measures, and mechanisms causing change in the outcome measures could explain some of the inconsistent findings evident in IT-based diabetes management studies.

Methods

Databases were searched using terms related to IT and diabetes management. Articles eligible for review evaluated an IT-based diabetes management intervention in general practice and were published between 1999 and 2009 inclusive in English. Studies that did not include outcome measures were excluded.

Results

Four hundred and twenty-five articles were identified, sixteen met the inclusion criteria: eleven GP focussed and five patient focused interventions were evaluated. Nine were RCTs, five non-randomised control trials, and two single-sample before and after designs. Important sample characteristics such as diabetes type, familiarity with IT, and baseline diabetes knowledge were not addressed in any of the studies reviewed. All studies used HbA1c as a primary outcome measure, and nine reported a significant improvement in mean HbA1c over the study period; only two studies reported the HbA1c assay method. Five studies measured diabetes medications and two measured psychological outcomes. Patient lifestyle variables were not included in any of the studies reviewed. IT was the intervention method considered to effect changes in the outcome measures. Only two studies mentioned alternative possible causal mechanisms.

Conclusion

Several limitations could affect the outcomes of IT-based diabetes management interventions to an unknown degree. These limitations make it difficult to attribute changes solely to such interventions.
Genetic variation in the NBS1, MRE11, RAD50 and BLM genes and susceptibility to non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Authors: Schuetz Johanna M , MacArthur Amy C , Leach Stephen , Lai Agnes S , Gallagher Richard P , Connors Joseph M , Gascoyne Randy D , Spinelli John J , Brooks-Wilson Angela R
Published: November 2009

Background

Translocations are hallmarks of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) genomes. Because lymphoid cell development processes require the creation and repair of double stranded breaks, it is not surprising that disruption of this type of DNA repair can cause cancer. The members of theMRE11-RAD50-NBS1(MRN) complex andBLMhave central roles in maintenance of DNA integrity. Severe mutations in any of these genes cause genetic disorders, some of which are characterized by increased risk of lymphoma.

Methods

We surveyed the genetic variation in these genes in constitutional DNA of NHL patients by means of gene re-sequencing, then conducted genetic association tests for susceptibility to NHL in a population-based collection of 797 NHL cases and 793 controls.

Results

114 SNPs were discovered in our sequenced samples, 61% of which were novel and not previously reported in dbSNP. Although four variants, two inRAD50and two inNBS1, showed association results suggestive of an effect on NHL, they were not significant after correction for multiple tests.

Conclusion

These results suggest an influence ofRAD50andNBS1on susceptibility to diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and marginal zone lymphoma. Larger association and functional studies could confirm such a role.
Doxorubicin loaded Polymeric Nanoparticulate Delivery System to overcome drug resistance in osteosarcoma
Authors: Susa Michiro , Iyer Arun K , Ryu Keinosuke , Hornicek Francis J , Mankin Henry , Amiji Mansoor M , Duan Zhenfeng
Published: November 2009

Background

Drug resistance is a primary hindrance for the efficiency of chemotherapy against osteosarcoma. Although chemotherapy has improved the prognosis of osteosarcoma patients dramatically after introduction of neo-adjuvant therapy in the early 1980's, the outcome has since reached plateau at approximately 70% for 5 year survival. The remaining 30% of the patients eventually develop resistance to multiple types of chemotherapy. In order to overcome both the dose-limiting side effects of conventional chemotherapeutic agents and the therapeutic failure incurred from multidrug resistant (MDR) tumor cells, we explored the possibility of loading doxorubicin onto biocompatible, lipid-modified dextran-based polymeric nanoparticles and evaluated the efficacy.

Methods

Doxorubicin was loaded onto a lipid-modified dextran based polymeric nano-system. The effect of various concentrations of doxorubicin alone or nanoparticle loaded doxorubicin on KHOS, KHOSR2, U-2OS, and U-2OSR2 cells was analyzed. Effects on drug retention, immunofluorescence, Pgp expression, and induction of apoptosis were also analyzed.

Results

Dextran nanoparticles loaded with doxorubicin had a curative effect on multidrug resistant osteosarcoma cell lines by increasing the amount of drug accumulation in the nucleus via Pgp independent pathway. Nanoparticles loaded with doxorubicin also showed increased apoptosis in osteosarcoma cells as compared with doxorubicin alone.

Conclusion

Lipid-modified dextran nanoparticles loaded with doxorubicin showed pronounced anti-proliferative effects against osteosarcoma cell lines. These findings may lead to new treatment options for MDR osteosarcoma.
Functional activation of proline-rich tyrosine kinase2 (PYK2) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Wang Meiying , Sun Hongsheng , Zhang Wei , Zhang Yuanchao
Published: November 2009

Background

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a representative systemic autoimmune disease characterized by activated T cells and polyclonally activated B cells that produce autoantibodies. Activation of autoreactive T and B cells plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of this disease. A role of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) in the pathogenesis has been suggested. Proline-rich tyrosine kinase2 (PYK2) is structurally related to FAK, however, the functional activation of PYK2 in SLE remains unclear. In the present study, we showed that PYK2 is significantly increased and activated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with SLE. In addition, we showed the involvement of PYK2 proteins in the up-regulation of CD40L and CTLA4 expression and PBMC proliferation.

Methods

Freshly isolated PBMCs from 48 SLE patients, 32 patients with rheumatoid arthritis(RA) and 24 healthy individuals were analyzed for the expression and activation of PYK2 by western-blotting and immunocytochemistry. The other isolated PBMCs from patients with this condition were cultured and stimulated with PMA or TyrA9, and then the expression of costimulatory molecules CD40L and CTLA4 was evaluated using flow cytometry, PBMCs proliferation was determined with [3H]-thymidine incorporation (CPM).

Results

Compared with RA patients and healthy donors, PBMCs from SLE patients expressed more of both the total PYK2 protein and its activated/phosphorylated form. The increase of activated PYK2 protein in SLE PBMCs was correlated with the complication of nephritis and inversly associated the level of serum complements. In active SLE patients, activation of PYK2 in PBMCs is accompanying the increased cell proliferation and the induced expression of costimulatory molecules CD40L and CTLA4.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that phosphorylated PYK2 in SLE PBMCs may induce the expression of CD40L and CTLA4, and subsequently the cell proliferation. PYK2 signaling enhances the autoreactive lymphocyte activation and plays an important role in the pathogenesis of SLE.
Pretreatment organ function in patients with advanced head and neck cancer: clinical outcome measures and patients' views
Authors: van der Molen Lisette , van Rossum Maya A , Ackerstaff Annemieke H , Smeele Ludi E , Rasch Coen RN , Hilgers Frans JM
Published: November 2009

Background

Aim of this study is to thoroughly assess pretreatment organ function in advanced head and neck cancer through various clinical outcome measures and patients' views.

Methods

A comprehensive, multidimensional assessment was used, that included quality of life, swallowing, mouth opening, and weight changes. Fifty-five patients with stage III-IV disease were entered in this study prior to organ preserving (chemoradiation) treatment.

Results

All patients showed pretreatment abnormalities or problems, identified by one or more of the outcome measures. Most frequent problems concerned swallowing, pain, and weight loss. Interestingly, clinical outcome measures and patients' perception did no always concur. E.g. videofluoroscopy identified aspiration and laryngeal penetration in 18% of the patients, whereas only 7 patients (13%) perceived this as problematic; only 2 out of 7 patients with objective trismus actually perceived trismus.

Conclusion

The assessment identified several problems already pre-treatment, in this patient population. A thorough assessment of both clinical measures and patients' views appears to be necessary to gain insight in all (perceived) pre-existing functional and quality of life problems.
Bee products prevent VEGF-induced angiogenesis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells
Authors: Izuta Hiroshi , Shimazawa Masamitsu , Tsuruma Kazuhiro , Araki Yoko , Mishima Satoshi , Hara Hideaki
Published: November 2009

Background

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a key regulator of pathogenic angiogenesis in diseases such as cancer and diabetic retinopathy. Bee products [royal jelly (RJ), bee pollen, and Chinese red propolis] from the honeybee, Apis mellifera, have been used as traditional health foods for centuries. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-angiogenic effects of bee products using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).

Methods

In an in vitro tube formation assay, HUVECs and fibroblast cells were incubated for 14 days with VEGF and various concentrations of bee products [RJ, ethanol extract of bee pollen, ethanol extract of Chinese red propolis and its constituent, caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE)]. To clarify the mechanism of in vitro angiogenesis, HUVEC proliferation and migration were induced by VEGF with or without various concentrations of RJ, bee pollen, Chinese red propolis, and CAPE.

Results

RJ, bee pollen, Chinese red propolis, and CAPE significantly suppressed VEGF-induced in vitro tube formation in the descending order: CAPE > Chinese red propolis >> bee pollen > RJ. RJ and Chinese red propolis suppressed both VEGF-induced HUVEC proliferation and migration. In contrast, bee pollen and CAPE suppressed only the proliferation.

Conclusion

Among the bee products, Chinese red propolis and CAPE in particular showed strong suppressive effects against VEGF-induced angiogenesis. These findings indicate that Chinese red propolis and CAPE may have potential as preventive and therapeutic agents against angiogenesis-related human diseases.
Experiences, attitudes and barriers towards research amongst junior faculty of Pakistani medical universities
Authors: Sabzwari Saniya , Kauser Samreen , Khuwaja Ali Khan
Published: November 2009

Background

The developing world has had limited quality research and in Pakistan, research is still in its infancy. We conducted a study to assess the proportion of junior faculty involved in research to highlight their attitude towards research, and identify the factors associated with their research involvement.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in four medical universities/teaching hospitals in Pakistan, representing private and public sectors. A pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information from 176 junior faculty members of studied universities/hospitals. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors related to attitudes and barriers in research among those currently involved in research with those who were not.

Results

Overall, 41.5% of study subjects were currently involved in research. A highly significant factor associated with current research involvement was research training during the post-graduate period (p < 0.001). Other factors associated with current involvement in research were male gender, working in the public sector and previous involvement in research. Overall, a large majority (85.2%) of doctors considered research helpful in their profession and had a positive attitude towards research; nevertheless this positive attitude was more frequently reported by doctors who were currently involved in research compared to those who were not (OR = 4.69; 95% CI = 1.54-14.26). Similarly, a large proportion (83.5%) of doctors considered research difficult to conduct; higher by doctors who were not presently involved in research (OR = 2.74; 95% CI = 1.20-6.22)

Conclusion

Less than half of the study participants were currently involved in research. Research output may improve if identified barriers are rectified. Further studies are recommended in this area.
Is flow cytometry better in counting malaria pigment-containing leukocytes compared to microscopy?
Authors: Hänscheid Thomas , Frita Rosangela , Längin Matthias , Kremsner Peter G , Grobusch Martin P
Published: November 2009

Background

Detection of malaria pigment (or haemozoin; Hz)-containing leukocytes may have prognostic relevance in malaria; however, studies reported conflicting results, with microscopic counts suggestive of being inaccurate and imprecise.

Methods

Numbers of Hz-containing leukocytes from a malaria patient obtained with a flow cytometer counting 50.000 gated events were compared with thin film microscopy as applied under field conditions.

Results

Flow cytometry identified 5.8% Hz-containing monocytes and 1.8% Hz-containing neutrophils. The microscopic examination yielded 10% and 13% of Hz-containing monocytes, as well as 0% and 0.5% of Hz-containing neutrophils for observers one and two, respectively.

Conclusion

Novel, robust and affordable cytometric methods should be evaluated in the field as they may assist in utilizing Hz-containing cells as clinically useful parameter.
Radiation biology of mosquitoes
Authors: Helinski Michelle EH , Parker Andrew G , Knols Bart GJ
Published: November 2009

There is currently renewed interest in assessing the feasibility of the sterile insect technique (SIT) to control African malaria vectors in designated areas. The SIT relies on the sterilization of males before mass release, with sterilization currently being achieved through the use of ionizing radiation. This paper reviews previous work on radiation sterilization ofAnophelesmosquitoes. In general, the pupal stage was irradiated due to ease of handling compared to the adult stage. The dose-response curve between the induced sterility and log (dose) was shown to be sigmoid, and there was a marked species difference in radiation sensitivity. Mating competitiveness studies have generally been performed under laboratory conditions. The competitiveness of males irradiated at high doses was relatively poor, but with increasing ratios of sterile males, egg hatch could be lowered effectively. Males irradiated as pupae had a lower competitiveness compared to males irradiated as adults, but the use of partially-sterilizing doses has not been studied extensively. Methods to reduce somatic damage during the irradiation process as well as the use of other agents or techniques to induce sterility are discussed. It is concluded that the optimal radiation dose chosen for insects that are to be released during an SIT programme should ensure a balance between induced sterility of males and their field competitiveness, with competitiveness being determined under (semi-) field conditions. Self-contained60Co research irradiators remain the most practical irradiators but these are likely to be replaced in the future by a new generation of high output X ray irradiators.
Endothelial cells influence the osteogenic potential of bone marrow stromal cells
Authors: Xue Ying , Xing Zhe , Hellem Sølve , Arvidson Kristina , Mustafa Kamal
Published: November 2009

Background

Improved understanding of the interactions between bone cells and endothelial cells involved in osteogenesis should aid the development of new strategies for bone tissue engineering. The aim of the present study was to determine whether direct communication between bone marrow stromal cells (MSC) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (EC) could influence the osteogenic potential of MSC in osteogenic factor-free medium.

Methods

After adding EC to MSC in a direct-contact system, cell viability and morphology were investigated with the WST assay and immnostaining. The effects on osteogenic differentiation of adding EC to MSC was systematically tested by the using Superarray assay and results were confirmed with real-time PCR.

Results

Five days after the addition of EC to MSC in a ratio of 1:5 (EC/MSC) significant increases in cell proliferation and cellular bridges between the two cell types were detected, as well as increased mRNA expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP). This effect was greater than that seen with addition of osteogenic factors such as dexamethasone, ascorbic acid and β-glycerophosphate to the culture medium. The expression of transcription factor Runx2 was enhanced in MSC incubated with osteogenic stimulatory medium, but was not influenced by induction with EC. The expression of Collagen type I was not influenced by EC but the cells grown in the osteogenic factor-free medium exhibited higher expression than those cultured with osteogenic stimulatory medium.

Conclusion

These results show that co-culturing of EC and MSC for 5 days influences osteogenic differentiation of MSC, an effect that might be independent of Runx2, and enhances the production of ALP by MSC.
Levels of plasma circulating cell free nuclear and mitochondrial DNA as potential biomarkers for breast tumors
Authors: Kohler Corina , Radpour Ramin , Barekati Zeinab , Asadollahi Reza , Bitzer Johannes , Wight Edward , Bürki Nicole , Diesch Claude , Holzgreve Wolfgang , Zhong Xiao Yan
Published: November 2009

Background

With the aim to simplify cancer management, cancer research lately dedicated itself more and more to discover and develop non-invasive biomarkers. In this connection, circulating cell-free DNA (ccf DNA) seems to be a promising candidate. Altered levels of ccf nuclear DNA (nDNA) and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) have been found in several cancer types and might have a diagnostic value.

Methods

Using multiplex real-time PCR we investigated the levels of ccf nDNA and mtDNA in plasma samples from patients with malignant and benign breast tumors, and from healthy controls. To evaluate the applicability of plasma ccf nDNA and mtDNA as a biomarker for distinguishing between the three study-groups we performed ROC (Receiver Operating Characteristic) curve analysis. We also compared the levels of both species in the cancer group with clinicopathological parameters.

Results

While the levels of ccf nDNA in the cancer group were significantly higher in comparison with the benign tumor group (P < 0.001) and the healthy control group (P < 0.001), the level of ccf mtDNA was found to be significantly lower in the two tumor-groups (benign: P < 0.001; malignant: P = 0.022). The level of ccf nDNA was also associated with tumor-size (<2 cm vs. >2 cm<5 cm; 2250 vs. 6658; Mann-Whitney-U-Test: P = 0.034). Using ROC curve analysis, we were able to distinguish between the breast cancer cases and the healthy controls using ccf nDNA as marker (cut-off: 1866 GE/ml; sensitivity: 81%; specificity: 69%; P < 0.001) and between the tumor group and the healthy controls using ccf mtDNA as marker (cut-off: 463282 GE/ml; sensitivity: 53%; specificity: 87%; P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Our data suggests that nuclear and mitochondrial ccf DNA have potential as biomarkers in breast tumor management. However, ccf nDNA shows greater promise regarding sensitivity and specificity.
Influence of involvement of anterior leaflet versus posterior leaflet on residual regurgitation as assessed by transesophageal echocardiography in patients undergoing valve repair for mitral regurgitation due to mitral valve prolapse
Authors: Sulcaj Laureta , Rizza Antonio , Glauber Mattia , Trianni Giuseppe , Palmieri Cataldo , Ravani Marcello , Dibra Alban , Maffei Stefano , Berti Sergio
Published: November 2009

Background

Repair of anterior leaflet prolapse is technically more challenging and this might influence outcomes as compared to the repair of posterior leaflet prolapse in patients undergoing surgical correction of mitral regurgitation. We investigated the association of anterior leaflet prolapse with minor residual mitral regurgitation (MR) in patients with mitral valve prolapse (MVP) who underwent valve repair.

Methods

Eligible for this study were consecutive patients with severe MR due to MVP, who underwent mitral valve repair with residual MR by postpump transesophageal echocardiography ≤2+ during a 20-month period at Pasquinucci Hospital, Massa. Patients undergoing other cardiovascular surgical interventions were excluded. Two groups were defined according to the involvement of mitral valve leaflets: group 1, consisting of patients with anterior leaflet prolapse (isolated or not); and group 2, consisting of patients with isolated posterior leaflet prolapse.

Results

A total of 70 patients (18 in group 1 and 52 in group 2) were analyzed. Patients in group 2 were younger than those in group 1, but the difference was not significant (P = 0.052). There were no significant differences between the 2 study groups with respect to other variables. The proportion of patients with residual MR 1+/2+ was higher in group 1 than in group 2 (61.1% vs. 32.7%, respectively; P = 0.034). In a logistic regression model, anterior leaflet prolapse was an independent predictor of residual MR 1+/2+ (odds ratio, 4.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.14 to 14.04; P = 0.03).

Conclusion

In our study population, patients with anterior leaflet prolapse had a higher proportion of residual MR 1+/2+ as compared to those with posterior leaflet prolapse after repair of mitral valve.