bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The level of knowledge of South African pupils regarding HIV/AIDS
Authors: Strydom Herman , Strydom Corinne
Published: August 2006

English

Participants were not well informed regarding HIV/AIDS and many misconceptions existed. The current publicity given to HIV/AIDS can lead to desensitization instead of addressing the real issues. Programmes in this regard should rather focus on life skills as such, in which HIV/AIDS plays a major role.

French

Les participants étaient mal informés sur le VIH/SIDA et véhiculaient plusieurs conceptions erronées sur le sujet. La publicité courante concernant le VIH/SIDA peut mener à une désensibilisation plutôt que de confronter le problème dans sa réalité. Les programmes à cet effet devraient plutôt mettrent l'emphase sur des habiletés de survie pour lesquelles le VIH/SIDA joue un rôle majeur.

Spanish

Se halló que los participantes no estaban bien informados respecto a VIH/SIDA y que tenían muchas nociones equivocadas. La publicidad que se da ahora a VIH/SIDA puede llevar a la de-sensitización en vez de ayudar a bregar con los problemas reales. Los programas relacionados con estos problemas deberían enfocarse en la adquisición de destrezas para la vida, entre las cuales destrezas para bregar con VIH/SIDA tienen un lugar importante.
Community economic development
Authors: Chan Raymond K.H.
Published: August 2006

English

Community economic development has attracted increasing attention in Hong Kong as a strategy for tackling economic problems. This article analyzes its applications and limitations in Hong Kong. Such initiatives are thriving though the income generated is small. Appropriate business strategies, capacity building, and strong community links are crucial for its success.

French

L'économie sociale est une avenue de plus en plus considérée à Hong Kong pour relever les défis des problèmes économiques. Cette recherche analyse les applications et les limites de cette stratégie à Hong Kong. Les initiatives qui en découlent foisonnent même si les revenus produits sont restreints. Des stratégies commerciales appropriées, le renforcement des capacités et de solides liens communautaires sont des facteurs clés de succès.

Spanish

En el Hong Kong hay cada vez más interés por el desarrollo económico comunitario como estrategia para bregar con problemas económicos. Se analizan la aplicabilidad y las limitaciones de esta estrategia. Este tipo de iniciativas está floreciendo, aunque los ingresos que se generan son peque·os. Para el éxito de estas iniciativas es esencial que haya estrategias de negocios adecuadas, capacitación, y conexiones fuertes en la comunidad.
Powder Priming of SMC. Part I: Assessment of the Current Technologies
Authors: Kia Hamid G. , Shah Bhavesh , Wathen Terrence J. , Mitchell Harry A. , Berger Christina R.
Published: August 2006

A cosmetic defect called ‘popping’ on the surface of sheet molding compound (SMC) body panels that are coated with powder primers has become a major hurdle in expanding the usage of SMC in automotive applications. General Motors R&D, therefore, initiated a project to study the mechanism of popping and to explore different solutions to this cosmetic problem. The current report covers the benchmarking phase of this project, in which a variety of SMC materials and conductive primers/sealers were evaluated for their ability to produce a pop free surface. In this work, among other factors, the effects of molding pressure and the panel moisture content on the degree of popping have been studied. The experimental results showed that popping increased with the increase in moisture content and with the decrease in molding pressure. The extent of popping, however, varied with the type of SMC and the conductive primer. We found that none of the SMC materials or conductive primers were able to eliminate the pops completely at high moisture levels. More importantly, it was concluded that moisture is not the only cause of the popping and there are other factors that contribute. The results of the current work will be used in the next phase of the investigation, which is focused on identifying solutions to this cosmetic problem.
Powder Priming of SMC. Part II: Failure Mechanism
Authors: Kia Hamid G. , Shah Bhavesh , Wathen Terrence J. , Mitchell Harry A. , Berger Christina R.
Published: August 2006

Current sheet molding compound (SMC) panels, when coated with powder primer, show primer popping in the bake oven due to the degassing of the substrate moisture. In the absence of moisture, however, it was found that some SMCs showed severe popping, while other SMC materials did not. These results suggested that, contrary to general opinion, the moisture content in SMC might not be the only cause for popping. This report covers the results of a systematic study that was carried out to identify the factors that contribute to powder primer popping. Several potential variables that could affect popping, such as volatiles in the substrate, thermal conductivity of the substrate, static charges, and powder bake profile were studied. The experiments showed that the poly(vinyl acetate) in the low profile additive (LPA) is the main cause. More specifically, the micro void formation of this low profile additive that eliminates SMC shrinkage, and enables a smooth surface finish, also causes primer popping. Based on the experimental results, it was concluded that the air permeation into these micro voids is the reason behind the popping of the moisture free SMC substrates. This understanding of the failure mechanism, paves the way for the development of low moisture absorbing SMC materials that can be powder primed in our assembly plants, and could remove the barriers for the usage of SMC on GM vehicles.
Music and Aggression: The Impact of Sexual-Aggressive Song Lyrics on Aggression-Related Thoughts, Emotions, and Behavior Toward the Same and the Opposite Sex
Authors: Fischer Peter , Greitemeyer Tobias
Published: August 2006

Three studies examined the impact of sexual-aggressive song lyrics on aggressive thoughts, emotions, and behavior toward the same and the opposite sex. In Study 1, the authors directly manipulated whether male or female participants listened to misogynous or neutral song lyrics and measured actual aggressive behavior. Male participants who were exposed to misogynous song lyrics administered more hot chili sauce to a female than to a male confederate. Study 2 shed some light on the underlying psychological processes: Male participants who heard misogynous song lyrics recalled more negative attributes of women and reported more feelings of vengeance than when they heard neutral song lyrics. In addition, men-hating song lyrics had a similar effect on aggression-related responses of female participants toward men. Finally, Study 3 replicated the findings of the previous two studies with an alternative measure of aggressive behavior as well as a more subtle measure of aggressive cognitions. The results are discussed in the framework of the General Aggression Model.
Responding to Deviance: Target Exclusion and Differential Devaluation
Authors: Eidelman Scott , Silvia Paul J. , Biernat Monica
Published: August 2006

Two studies explored responses to ingroup deviance. Group-defining opinions of prowar Republicans (Study 1) and prolife Christians (Study 2) were challenged by either an ingroup or outgroup deviate. Participants evaluated the deviate and structured the boundaries of their ingroup in counterbalanced order. Of importance, boundary structuring allowed participants to exclude deviates from the ingroup. Consistent with previous research, ingroup deviates were devalued relative to out-group deviates, but only when target evaluation was participants’ first response option. Participants excluded deviates from the boundaries of their ingroup irrespective of measure order, and doing so eliminated differential devaluation when exclusion was participants’ first response option. Exclusion decreased liking for outgroup deviates in Study 1 and increased liking for ingroup deviates in Study 2. The findings suggest that devaluation is an attempt to exclude deviates from the ingroup and that doing so reduces the threat otherwise experienced.
Are Prosocials Unique in Their Egalitarianism? The Pursuit of Equality in Outcomes Among Individualists
Authors: Van den Bergh Bram , Dewitte Siegfried , De Cremer David
Published: August 2006

The present research aims to elucidate to what extent the motive to ensure equality in outcomes is general and to what extent it interacts with other important motives such as maximizing own or collective gains. Because individuals may have different considerations and motivations in decision-making situations, it is likely that people with a different social value orientation will respond differently to an unequal distribution of outcomes. Contrary to expectations, not only prosocials care about equality in outcomes. In Study 1, the authors found that individualists choose to forego personal gains, despite obvious selfish reasons to cooperate, when outcomes were distributed unequally. In a second experiment, this finding was replicated and shows that individualists, just as prosocials, demand equality in outcomes in interdependent situations. The studies suggest that typifying individualists as solely being concerned about enhancing personal outcomes is too limited and that fairness norms may trump social value orientation.
Social Control of Health Behavior: Associations With Conscientiousness and Neuroticism
Authors: Tucker Joan S. , Elliott Marc N. , Klein David J.
Published: August 2006

Despite considerable research demonstrating associations of conscientiousness and neuroticism with health-related behavior, our understanding of how and why these traits are related to lifestyle is limited. This study examined the social regulation of health behavior in a probability sample of 509 household residents who completed a Random Digit Dial (RDD) telephone survey. Results suggest that the social regulation of health behavior experienced by highly conscientious individuals has more to do with their own internalized notions of responsibility and obligation to others than to specific actions by others aimed at influencing their health habits. In contrast, individuals with higher neuroticism experience more overt attempts by others to influence their health habits but have more negative affective and behavioral responses to these social influence attempts. Findings suggest that elucidating the distinct social influence processes that operate for conscientiousness and neuroticism may further understanding of how these traits are related to health behaviors and status.
Understanding Differences: Searching for the Social Processes that Construct and Reproduce Variety in Science and Economic Organization
Authors: Whitley Richard
Published: August 2006

Given the socially constructed nature of social phenomena, such as scientific knowledge and economic systems, and the considerable differences in how they are organized in different societies, the comparative analysis of variations in patterns of social organization and their consequences seems to me to be central to the social sciences. Beginning with the study of how and why scientific fields are differently organized and then comparing business schools and their graduates in Britain and France, a core theme in my intellectual career has been to understand how the organization of particular kinds of social activities varies between different contexts and has contrasting outcomes. More recently, this concern has been extended to the comparative analysis of economic organization in different institutional contexts, first of all in East Asia and then in Europe, leading to the elaboration of the comparative business systems framework. In all cases, I have developed intellectual frameworks for describing the central ways in which these phenomena varied and then attempted to show how particular kinds of institutional contexts can explain these differences. The same approach helps us to understand how the changing environment of research in business and management studies in many countries is influencing research goals and styles.
Organizational Knowledge Creation Theory: Evolutionary Paths and Future Advances
Authors: Nonaka Ikujiro , von Krogh Georg , Voelpel Sven
Published: August 2006

Organizational knowledge creation is the process of making available and amplifying knowledge created by individuals as well as crystallizing and connecting it to an organization's knowledge system. In other words, what individuals come to know in their (work-)life benefits their colleagues and, eventually, the larger organization. The theory explaining this process — the organizational knowledge creation theory — has developed rapidly in academia and been broadly diffused in management practice over the last 15 years. This article reviews the theory's central elements and identifies the evolving paths taken by academic work that uses the theory as a point of departure. The article furthermore proposes areas in which future research can advance the theory of organizational knowledge creation.
Preparation and Performance Evaluation of EPDM Nanocomposites under Accelerated Weathering
Authors: Rana Sravendra , Tevtia Amit K. , Kumar Bijendra , Singh R. P. , Tomer Namrata S.
Published: August 2006

The degradability of ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) nanocomposites, prepared from organically modified montmorillonite (OMMT), is studied under accelerated UV irradiation (290 nm) for different time intervals. The development of functional groups during degradation is monitored by FT-IR spectroscopy whereas, surface changes are studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The effect of clay modifier and clay concentration on the degradability are studied. The degradation of neat polymer and composites taking place traditionally and an increase in carbonyl and hydroxyl groups are observed with irradiation time. Neat EPDM is found to be less degradable than nanocomposites. Degradation products, as seen by FT-IR in nanocomposites are found to be the same as in neat polymer but are generated at a faster rate. According to the experimental results, one can define that both ammonium ion and neat montmorillonite (MMT) accelerate the photo-oxidation of EPDM.
Effect of Moisture Absorption on the Tensile Properties of Steam-exploded Acacia mangium Fiber–Polypropylene osites
Authors: Taib R. Mat , Ishak Z. A. Mohd , Rozman H. D. , Glasser W. G.
Published: August 2006

Polypropylene-filled alkali-extracted steam-exploded Acacia mangium fiber (AEF–PP) composites are immersed in water at room temperature for three months. All composites, including those with maleated polypropylene (MAPP) are found to absorb water considerably. The results of tensile properties indicate that the properties deteriorate following water absorption. The addition of MAPP to the composite systems (AEF–PP–MAPP) does not help in retaining the tensile properties. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) examinations of the fracture surfaces of AEF–PP–MAPP composites reveal degradation of interfacial interaction. The composites, however, recover more than 90% of the tensile properties after oven treatment probably due to recovery of interfacial interaction as evident in scanning electron micrographs. The tensile properties recoveries for AEF–PP composites are fewer than for those with MAPP. Permanent damages in composite structures due to water absorption might account for this result.
Effect of Talc and Synthetic Sodium Aluminum Silicate (SSAS) on the Properties of PC/PMMA Blend
Authors: Mahanwar P. A. , Bose Suryasarathi , Raghu H.
Published: August 2006

The advent of plastics and the wide range of fillers that are available have made modifications as precise as the tailored resins themselves. To modify the properties of polymer either by using fillers or by preparation of polymer blends gives rise to new materials with tailored properties. More complex, three-component systems, obtained by the addition of inorganic filler to an immiscible blend may be of interest. Blends of polycarbonate (PC) with poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) exhibit improved toughness characteristics via a two-phase structure.

In this investigation the effect of talc and synthetic sodium aluminum silicate (SSAS) as fillers on properties of PC/PMMA blends has been examined. The neat blends of PC at different concentrations of PMMA were studied for their mechanical, electrical, and rheological properties. It was observed that 75/25 PC/PMMA blend showed more improved properties than that of individual polymers and hence was used to study the effect of filler loading on mechanical, electrical, and rheological properties.
Process-based Cycle Time Estimation for the Thermoplastic Tape Placement
Authors: Schlimbach J. , Mitschang P.
Published: August 2006

In order to meet manufacturing process decisions, it is necessary to know the expected production costs. Unlike the thermoset tape placement, the thermoplastic tape placement is not yet available for industrial applications other than the aircraft sector. Therefore, there is insufficient production data available for the thermoplastic tape placement concerning the cycle time in relation to part geometry, weight, etc. Compared to other composite manufacturing techniques the process time plays a big role due to the exorbitant placement time. As a result, the previously developed cost estimation approaches cannot fulfill this demand because these models are not suitable for qualitative analysis of the elements and shape complexity. Therefore, the determination of the process time, which depends on component complexity, is only available as an inconsistent function and gives relatively fuzzy statements about the manufacturing costs. The method of the production cost estimation introduced here is a steady function based on the process-physics of the thermoplastic tape placement. The result is that, the complexity of the component and manufacturing system is transferred into the cycle time which is solely based on the measurable process parameters. Furthermore, the verification procedure of the theoretical attempt is introduced and discussed.
Children Receiving Chemotherapy at Home: Perceptions of Children and Parents
Authors: Stevens Bonnie , McKeever Patricia , Law Madelyn P. , Booth Marilyn , Greenberg Mark , Daub Stacey , Gafni Amiram , Gammon Janet , Yamada Janet , Epstein Iris
Published: August 2006

The aim of this descriptive exploratory study was to determine the perspectives of parents and children with cancer on a home chemotherapy program. Qualitative analyses were used to organize data from 24 parents and 14 children into emerging themes. Themes included (1) financial and time costs, (2) disruption to daily routines, (3) psychological and physical effects, (4) recommendations and caveats, and (5) preference for home chemotherapy. When home chemotherapy was compared with hospital clinic-based chemotherapy, parents reported fewer financial and time costs and less disruption to their work and family schedules, and children reported more time to play/study, improved school attendance, and engagement in normal activities. Although some parents felt more secure with hospital chemotherapy, most found it more exhausting and stressful. At home, children selected places for their treatment and some experienced fewer side effects. Although some coordination/communication problems existed, the majority of parents and children preferred home chemo-therapy. Home chemotherapy treatment is a viable, acceptable, and positive health care delivery alternative from the perspective of parents and children with cancer.
Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Pediatric Oncology
Authors: Post-White Janice
Published: August 2006

Children with cancer and their families use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to reduce symptoms, cope with life-threatening illness, and improve overall well-being. Despite numerous published surveys on the use of CAM in pediatric oncology, few studies have tested CAM therapies for safety and efficacy. A growing body of literature in adult oncology provides evidence for the role of CAM to help manage symptoms and reduce distress. Translating this research to children requires studies with new models that address family roles and include measurement of outcomes relevant to children’s developmental stages and unique responses. One of the limitations in pediatrics is the small samples available to single institutions. Conducting clinical trials through the cooperative group mechanism is one way of obtaining sufficient sample sizes to determine effectiveness and safety of CAM therapies. This article summarizes research to date and describes a beginning approach to measuring outcomes of supportive CAM therapies in children with cancer.
Mind-Body Therapies for the Pediatric Oncology Patient: Matching the Right Therapy With the Right Patient
Authors: Ott Mary Jane
Published: August 2006

Pediatric oncology nurses provide care for children across a continuum from the point of diagnostic evaluation through treatments and cure or a peaceful, dignified death. Nurses provide this care in a wide variety of settings such as the home, hospital, clinics, schools, camps, and residential facilities. Mind-body therapies are being used more frequently in the care of children receiving treatment for cancer. Matching the right therapy with the right patient is an important component of care.
Complementary and Alternative Medicine Research and Cooperative Groups: Can It Happen?
Authors: O'Mara Ann
Published: August 2006

The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) interventions to ameliorate cancer- and treatment-related toxicities is gaining increasing attention among clinical investigators. The National Cancer Institute supports a number of clinical studies, both descriptive and interventional, of CAM interventions across the cancer trajectory, from prevention through diagnosis and treatment, survivorship, and end of life. This report highlights the unique challenges that clinical investigators face when designing and implementing CAM clinical trials through the cooperative groups. This report focuses on 2 CAM trials that opened and accrued participants in the Children’s Oncology Group. One trial is aimed at preventing or reducing mucositis and the other at preventing chemotherapy- induced nausea and vomiting.
Low Energy Impact Damage Modes in Aluminum Foam and Polymer Foam Sandwich Structures
Authors: Compston Paul , Styles Millicent , Kalyanasundaram Shankar
Published: August 2006

The energy absorption of an aluminum foam sandwich structure and a conventional polymer foam sandwich structure is similar for impacts ranging from 5 to 25 J. The polymer foam-based samples exhibit localized damage in the form of skin fracture and core crushing, but with negligible permanent out-of-plane deformation. In contrast, the aluminum foam-based samples show little fracture but exhibit extensive out-of-plane deformation radiating from the impact point. This deformation suggests that the impact damage could be more easily detectable in the aluminum foam sandwich structure. Surface strains are lower in the aluminum foam sandwich samples during post-impact loading in a single cantilever beam test, suggesting improved damage tolerance.
Parametric Study of Structurally Graded Core Junctions
Authors: Lyckegaard Anders , Bozhevolnaya Elena , Thomsen Ole Thybo
Published: August 2006

In practical sandwich structures it is often necessary to reinforce the core with high-strength inserts to facilitate concentrated loads. The junction between the main core and the core insert is a potential weak spot of the sandwich structure. In this study, this section of the sandwich structure is investigated using finite element analysis and the results are compared with experimental data. Furthermore, parameters concerning the shape of the core junction are investigated using the finite element method.
Finite Element Analysis of Out-of-plane Compressive Properties of Thermoplastic Honeycomb
Authors: Fan Xinyu , Verpoest Ignaas , Vandepitte Dirk
Published: August 2006

Compared to other core materials, honeycomb materials provide impressive mechanical performance for sandwich panels, but with less weight added to the structures. In this article, the out-of-plane compressive properties of the thermoplastic hexagonal honeycombs are investigated by using finite element analysis (FEA). Due to the fact that the vertical cell walls of the honeycombs are not perfectly straight, the out-of-plane compressive modulus and strength cannot be predicted correctly by conventional theories. Therefore, FEA methods are used in this study attempting to evaluate the compressive properties. Initially, linear buckling analysis (eigenvalue problem) is applied on the honeycomb models with various numbers of cells to obtain the relationship between the single hexagonal unit cell and the infinite honeycomb. Based on this, nonlinear large deformation FEA is performed on the unit cell model with/without imperfect geometry to obtain honeycomb compressive properties. Finally, the resulting modulus and strength of the honeycomb are compared to the other analytical results and experimental data. The FEA method shows some advantages over these conventional theories.
Narrative Transformations and Externalizing Talk in a Reflecting Team Consultation
Authors: Wahlström Jarl
Published: August 2006

This article reports on a therapeutic consultation session following the reflecting team working format. A stanza form of transcription of the original video recording is used to present the narrative constructions of the consultation process, and the transformation of these constructions. This method of transcription and analysis seeks to convey to the reader the dynamics of tellings and reformulations of the client's problem story as they emerged in the conversational exchanges between consultant and client, and between the members of the reflecting team. The creation and use of an externalized fictive agent in the conversation is shown. This externalizing talk served to afford new agentic positions for the client in relation to her presented problem of ‘ineffectiveness’, and to recast the moral ordering of the problem story. This case study attempts to offer the reader space for reflection on innovative working formats, the change process in therapeutic consultation, and the relationship between practice and research.
Meta-communication in Institutional Talks
Authors: van Nijnatten Carolus
Published: August 2006

In a single case study, the employment of meta-communication is explored. The use of meta-remarks in achieving institutional goals is shown. Three different uses are presented as especially significant in the light of institutional goals: evaluation of client's contributions to the conversation, structuring the talk and selection of elements of the conversation. In the context of care and control that characterize child welfare, the conversational positions of clients and professionals are uncertain. That is one of the reasons that extra relational work has to be done to show the conversation partner a reliable and sincere face. Structuring meta-talk is often used by professionals to limit the long-winded contribution of clients and to decide on which issues should be given extra attention.
The Needs of Foster Parents
Authors: MacGregor Tracy E. , Rodger Susan , Cummings Anne L. , Leschied Alan W.
Published: August 2006

This qualitative study examined motivation, support, and retention of foster parents in a child welfare agency in nine Canadian counties. Data from nine foster parent focus groups (54 participants) were categorized into themes for four structured questions. Results showed that the most frequent motivations for being foster parents were intrinsic, altruistic motivators of wanting to make a difference in children's lives and a desire to have children in the home. The most important supports and deficits in support from their agencies were emotional support, trust and good communication with workers, respect for foster parents' abilities and opinions, and being considered part of the child-care team. Strategies to increase retention of foster parents included improving supports for fostering, providing accurate information about the foster child, and introducing foster parents to the role gradually.
Conducting Intensive Interviews Using Email
Authors: McCoyd Judith L. M. , Kerson Toba Schwaber
Published: August 2006

This article examines the use of computer-mediated recruitment and email intensive interviewing in contrast to more traditional methods of data collection. Email interviewing is compared to telephone and face-to-face interviewing with the same study population utilizing the same interview guide. This allows analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of each interview format to emerge. This serendipitous comparison opportunity arose from a study of the decision-making and bereavement process of women who terminated desired pregnancies after diagnosis of a fetal anomaly. History and analysis of ethical and methodological issues related to computerized communication for research purposes is included. Although more methodological analysis (Illingworth, 2001) must occur, results suggest that computer-mediated methods allow the research to include isolated, geographically dispersed and/or stigmatized groups who are often overlooked or ignored. This is important for social work researchers who need additional research methods to collect rich data about these difficultto-access groups.
Is bronchoscopic lung biopsy helpful in the management of patients with diffuse lung disease?
Authors: Ensminger S. A. , Prakash U. B. S.
Published: August 2006

Few studies have evaluated how the results of bronchoscopic lung biopsy (BLB) affect clinical management. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the clinical usefulness of BLB in the overall management of patients with diffuse pulmonary diseases.

The study was a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent fluoroscopy-guided BLB over a 2-yr period. Patients whose biopsy was of a lung mass or single dominant lung nodule were excluded. The usefulness of BLB was assessed to determine whether the results affected the clinical management of these patients.

During the study period, 603 patients underwent 651 BLB procedures. The results of BLB were clinically helpful in 494 (75.9%) out of 651 procedures. No diagnostic abnormality was identified in 107 (16.4%) out of the 651 biopsy procedures. This finding was clinically helpful in 59 (55.1%) out of 107 procedures, as the results excluded specific processes suspected before BLB. In 52 procedures (8% of all BLB), no lung parenchyma was obtained.

In conclusion, bronchoscopic lung biopsy is a clinically useful test in ∼75% of procedures. In the 25% of bronchoscopic lung biopsies that were clinically unhelpful, the reason for failure in approximately one-third of patients was the failure of the procedure to obtain an adequate quantity of lung parenchyma for a meaningful histological analysis.
Reduced bronchial CD4+ T-cell density in smokers with occupational asthma
Authors: Sjåheim T. , Kongerud J. , Bjørtuft Ø. , Drabløs P. A. , Malterud D. , Halstensen T. S.
Published: August 2006

Cigarette smoking may alter bronchial inflammation in asthma. Multicolour immunohistofluorescent examination on bronchial cryosections was used to examine bronchial inflammatory cell infiltrate in patients with occupational asthma. Monoclonal antibodies to CD3, CD4, CD8, T-cell receptor-δ1, CD68 and human leukocyte antigen-DR were combined to identify T-cell subsets and macrophages in bronchial biopsies from 20 workers with occupational asthma (12 smokers and eight nonsmokers), 15 healthy workers (seven smokers and eight nonsmokers) and 10 nonsmoking, nonexposed controls.

The increased subepithelial CD4+ T-cell density in nonsmoking asthmatics was not present in smoking asthmatics, who had the lowest CD4+ T-cell density of all groups. The decreased subepithelial CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell density correlated with a reduction in lung function, as measured by percentage predicted forced expiratory volume in one second, in smoking asthmatics only. Although smoking asthmatics had a significantly increased number of intraepithelial CD8+ T-cells and macrophages compared with nonsmoking asthmatics, the proportion of γδ-T-cells was significantly decreased in both asthmatic groups.

Smoking asthmatics had a distinctly different distribution of T-cell subsets compared with nonsmoking asthmatics. The accumulation of subepithelial CD4+ T-cells, which was observed in nonsmoking asthmatics, appeared to be inhibited in smoking asthmatics, suggesting a smoking-induced bronchial immune modulation, at least in occupational asthma in the aluminium industry.
EU–USA pathology panel for uniform diagnosis in randomised controlled trials for HRCT screening in lung cancer
Authors: Thunnissen F. B. , Kerr K. M. , Brambilla E. , Comin C. E. , Franklin W. A. , Guldhammerskov B. , Westra W. H. , Flieder D. B.
Published: August 2006

Randomised controlled trials for lung cancer screening using high-resolution computed tomography are now underway. In order to allow effective future comparison of the different trials, as well as strengthening conclusions based upon the analysis of larger data sets, uniformity and consistency of pathology diagnosis are essential. The aim of the present study was to determine the effectiveness of the learning process in this difficult area of diagnostic pathology.

Eight pathologists received two CD-ROMs, each with digital images of 30 cases. After diagnosing the first series, selected background reading was provided. Kappa (κ) scores were calculated for each pathologist and category, and were compared to the consensus score.

The readings of the first series showed a moderate agreement κ score: mean±sdfor category numbers 8 (all eight categories) and 2 were 0.53±0.05 and 0.65±0.04, respectively. The κ 2 score distinguished between categories denoting benign and malignant lesions. The second series resulted in a good agreement κ score: 0.65±0.06 for category number 8 and 0.81±0.02 for category number 2.

In conclusion, this study demonstrates that screen-detected cases pose particular problems for pathologists and that a trained pathology panel serving randomised controlled trials is likely to lead to more consistent and accurate tissue diagnosis.
Induction of mesenchymal cell phenotypes in lung epithelial cells by adenovirus E1A
Authors: Behzad A. R. , Morimoto K. , Gosselink J. , Green J. , Hogg J. C. , Hayashi S.
Published: August 2006

Epithelial–mesenchymal transformation is now recognised as an important feature of tissue remodelling. The present report concerns the role of adenovirus infection in inducing this transformation in an animal model of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Guinea pig primary peripheral lung epithelial cells (PLECs) transfected with adenovirus E1A (E1A-PLECs) were compared to guinea pig normal lung fibroblasts (NLFs) transfected with E1A (E1A-NLFs). These cells were characterised by PCR, immunocytochemistry, electron microscopy, and Western and Northern blot analyses. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays were performed in order to examine nuclear factor (NF)-κB and activator protein (AP)-1 binding activities.

E1A-PLECs and E1A-NLFs positive for E1A DNA, mRNA and protein expressed cytokeratin and vimentin but not smooth muscle α-actin. Both exhibited cuboidal morphology and junctional complexes, but did not contain lamellar bodies or express surfactant protein A, B or C mRNAs. These two cell types differed, however, in their NF-κB and AP-1 binding after lipopolysaccharide stimulation, possibly due to differences in the expression of the subunits that comprise these transcriptional complexes.

E1A transfection results in the transformation of peripheral lung epithelial cells and normal lung fibroblasts to a phenotype intermediate between that of the two primary cells. It is postulated that this intermediate phenotype may play a major role in the remodelling of the airways in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease associated with persistence of adenovirus E1A DNA.
The effect ofPseudomonas aeruginosaon pulmonary function in patients with bronchiectasis
Authors: Davies G. , Wells A. U. , Doffman S. , Watanabe S. , Wilson R.
Published: August 2006

Bronchiectasis patients are susceptible to infection withPseudomonas aeruginosa.Isolation is associated with increased severity of disease, greater airflow obstruction and poorer quality of life. It is not known whether infection byP. aeruginosais a marker of disease severity or contributes to disease progression.

Consecutive non-cystic fibrosis adult bronchiectasis outpatients (n = 163) with multiple sputum cultures and follow-up pulmonary function tests were designated, according to isolation ofP. aeruginosa, as “never infected” (group 1; n = 67), “intermittently isolated” (group 2; n = 82) and “chronically infected” (group 3; n = 14). Based upon change in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) % predicted levels at ≥2 yrs after presentation, longitudinal behaviour was characterised as “improvement” (≥10% rise), “decline” (≥10% fall) or “stability”. Baseline pulmonary-function tests and longitudinal behaviour were examined in relation to pseudomonas status.

There was no difference between the groups in age, sex, smoking habit or length of follow-up. Baseline FEV1levels were highest in group 1 (mean±sd: 77.4±24.3) and higher in group 2 (67.3±25.7) than in group 3 (55.2±18.5). The same significant trends were seen for baseline FEV1/forced vital capacity ratios and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide levels. Subsequent longitudinal behaviour was linked to baseline FEV1levels, which were lowest in patients with improvement and lower in association with decline than with stability. However, longitudinal behaviour did not differ between groups 1, 2 and 3, either before or after adjustment for baseline FEV1levels.

Infection byPseudomonas aeruginosaoccurs in bronchiectasis patients with more severe impairment of pulmonary function but does not influence rate of decline in pulmonary function either before or after adjustment for baseline disease severity. Thus,Pseudomonas aeruginosais a marker of bronchiectasis severity but is not linked to an accelerated decline in pulmonary function.
Recommended standards for modern tuberculosis laboratory services in Europe
Authors: Drobniewski F. A. , Hoffner S. , Rusch-Gerdes S. , Skenders G. , Thomsen V. ,   the WHO European Laboratory Strengthening Task Force
Published: August 2006

The principles underpinning these standards are that any tuberculosis laboratory-based diagnostic procedure should be performed by appropriately trained staff, working to standardised operating procedures in appropriately equipped and safe laboratories, against clear national and international proficiency and quality standards. Quality should be the pre-eminent criteria, not cost.

The standards are technologically feasible, but initially may not be within the financial capacity of all laboratories. There is a requirement for government and international donors to adequately fund an appropriate safe infrastructure to enable staff to deliver accurate and timely results at whatever level of activity they are performing.

There is a need for national reference laboratories to train a new cadre of mycobacterial laboratory experts. This will require the funding of appropriate individuals at these centres to train and assist in the implementation of good laboratory practice and evaluation to build sustainable capacity. Further operational research is needed to establish the optimal configuration of new technologies to determine isoniazid, rifampicin and second-line drug susceptibility in mycobacterial cultures and also, increasingly, directly on specimens.

Improved integration of laboratory medicine as a core part of all tuberculosis programmes is needed to achieve and maximise the potential of new developments.
Characterisation of dendritic cell subsets in lung cancer micro-environments
Authors: Bergeron A. , El Hage F. , Kambouchner M. , Lecossier D. , Tazi A.
Published: August 2006

The aim of the current study was to seek evidence for a correlation between mediators present in lung cancer micro-environments and subsets of dendritic cells (DCs) infiltrating these tumours.

Immunohistochemistry and recently available antibodies were used to define the phenotype of DCs present in surgical biopsies from 12 patients with lung carcinomas, and the local expression of chemokines potentially involved in the recruitment of these cells was evaluated, both at mRNA and protein levels. Real-time PCR was used to analyse the expression of mRNA coding for cytokines known to influence the maturation of DCsin vitro.

Different subsets of myeloid DCs were present in lung cancers, but no plasmocytoid DCs were identified. Both Langerhans cells and CD1a+/Langerin cells were interspersed among tumour cells, in numbers that were correlated to the amounts of CC chemokine ligand 20 produced in these tumours. In most specimens, DC-specific intercellular adhesion molecule-grabbing nonintegrin-postive DCs were also present at the periphery of the tumour beds. No DC-lysosomal associated membrane protein-positive DCs were identified and CD83+ DCs were rarely present in the tumour stroma. All tumours expressed interleukin (IL)-10, transforming growth factor-β and vascular endothelial growth factor, whereas IL-12 was virtually absent.

Thus, various types of dendritic cells infiltrate lung carcinomas and display an immature phenotype, presumably because of the inhibitory cytokine micro-environment.
Systemic sensitivity to corticosteroids in smokers with asthma
Authors: Livingston E. , Chaudhuri R. , McMahon A. D. , Fraser I. , McSharry C. P. , Thomson N. C.
Published: August 2006

Cigarette smokers with asthma are insensitive to the therapeutic effects of corticosteroids. It is not known whether this insensitivity to corticosteroids in smokers affects tissue sites beyond the airways.

A total of 75 asthmatic subjects (39 smokers) and 78 healthy controls (30 smokers) were recruited to an observational study. The cutaneous and peripheral blood lymphocyte responses to corticosteroids were measured. The cutaneous vasoconstrictor response to topical beclometasone was measured by applying different concentrations of beclometasone solutions to the skin in a random double-blind manner. The degree of blanching at each concentration was graded after 18 h. The sensitivity of peripheral blood lymphocytes to corticosteroids was assessed by measuring the suppressive effect of dexamethasone on lymphocyte proliferation stimulated by phytohaemagglutinin (PHA).

Total mean±sdcutaneous vasoconstrictor response score to beclometasone was reduced in smokers with asthma to 5.39±3.58versus7.26±3.05 in never-smokers with asthma; and in all smokers to 6.47±3.33versus7.86±2.81 in all never-smokers. The sensitivity to corticosteroids of lymphocytes stimulated by PHA was similar between groups.

In conclusion, smokers with asthma have an impaired cutaneous vasoconstrictor response to topical corticosteroids compared with never-smokers with asthma. This finding suggests that the insensitivity to corticosteroids in smokers with asthma affects tissue sites other than the airways.
Random mutagenesis in Corynebacterium glutamicum ATCC 13032 using an IS6100-based transposon vector identified the last unknown gene in the histidine biosynthesis pathway
Authors: Mormann Sascha , Lömker Alexander , Rückert Christian , Gaigalat Lars , Tauch Andreas , Pühler Alfred , Kalinowski Jörn
Published: August 2006

Background

Corynebacterium glutamicum, a Gram-positive bacterium of the class Actinobacteria, is an industrially relevant producer of amino acids. Several methods for the targeted genetic manipulation of this organism and rational strain improvement have been developed. An efficient transposon mutagenesis system for the completely sequenced type strain ATCC 13032 would significantly advance functional genome analysis in this bacterium.

Results

A comprehensive transposon mutant library comprising 10,080 independent clones was constructed by electrotransformation of the restriction-deficient derivative of strain ATCC 13032,C. glutamicumRES167, with an IS6100-containing non-replicative plasmid. Transposon mutants had stable cointegrates between the transposon vector and the chromosome. Altogether 172 transposon integration sites have been determined by sequencing of the chromosomal inserts, revealing that each integration occurred at a different locus. Statistical target site analyses revealed an apparent absence of a target site preference. From the library, auxotrophic mutants were obtained with a frequency of 2.9%. By auxanography analyses nearly two thirds of the auxotrophs were further characterized, including mutants with single, double and alternative nutritional requirements. In most cases the nutritional requirement observed could be correlated to the annotation of the mutated gene involved in the biosynthesis of an amino acid, a nucleotide or a vitamin. One notable exception was a clone mutagenized by transposition into the genecg0910, which exhibited an auxotrophy for histidine. The protein sequence deduced fromcg0910showed high sequence similarities to inositol-1(or 4)-monophosphatases (EC 3.1.3.25). Subsequent genetic deletion ofcg0910delivered the same histidine-auxotrophic phenotype. Genetic complementation of the mutants as well as supplementation by histidinol suggests thatcg0910encodes the hitherto unknown essential L-histidinol-phosphate phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.15) inC. glutamicum. Thecg0910gene, renamedhisN, and its encoded enzyme have putative orthologs in almost all Actinobacteria, including mycobacteria and streptomycetes.

Conclusion

The absence of regional and sequence preferences of IS6100-transposition demonstrate that the established system is suitable for efficient genome-scale random mutagenesis in the sequenced type strainC.glutamicumATCC 13032. The identification of thehisNgene encoding histidinol-phosphate phosphatase inC. glutamicumclosed the last gap in histidine synthesis in the Actinobacteria. The system might be a valuable genetic tool also in other bacteria due to the broad host-spectrum of IS6100.