bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Private costs of delayed privatization of TOT Public Company Limited
Authors: Srinuan Chalita
Published: January 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the private costs of delaying privatization of TOT Public Company Limited, a state‐owned enterprise telephony carrier.

Design/methodology/approach

To address the private costs of a delay in terms of privatization, a counterfactual forecasting model has been constructed for the years 2007‐2012. The starting year of the evaluation is 2006, as this year was the deadline for privatization under the World Trade Organization (WTO) agreement. The forecasting model uses the traditional investment approach as well as scenario analyses.

Findings

The traditional investment approach and sensitivity analyses provide similar results. Both show that the benefit of delaying the privatization process could be higher than if the WTO‐agreed time process for TOT privatization were followed, as the growth of revenue sharing and from concessionaires would be higher than if TOT were privatized. There are no benefits in the long run, however, as the growth rate of revenue in the base case is lower than that in the privatization case, leading to a reduction in the present value of the base case over time: hence, the longer the delay in privatization, the slower the firm growth.

Originality/value

There are very few studies on Thailand's telecommunications sector. The results of this study are also useful to other developing countries.
Sustainability transdisciplinary education model: interface of arts, science, and community (STEM)
Authors: Clark Barbara , Button Charles
Published: January 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the components of a sustainability transdisciplinary education model (STEM), a contemporary approach linking art, science, and community, that were developed to provide university and K‐12 students, and society at large shared learning opportunities. The goals and application of the STEM curriculum will be discussed.

Design/methodology/approach

The STEM integrates the sciences, arts and aesthetics, and the university with the greater New Britain community, and beyond. Academic areas included geography, environmental science, communication, art history, aesthetics, and teacher education. The transdisciplinary methodology was integrated in a learner‐centered design. To achieve a cycle of community engagement regarding sustainability, university students were placed within the greater New Britain community. This included interaction with K‐12 urban public schools, the New Britain Museum of American Art (NBMAA), numerous nongovernmental organizations, state and federal governmental elected officials, and the general public.

Findings

As a result of the mutual learning implicit in the STEM, all participants expanded each other's understandings of sustainability. Students were learning from instructors, instructors were learning from students, students were learning from students, instructors were learning from instructors, and all were learning and sharing knowledge with the greater community. As a result, all participants gained a deeper and broader understanding about human‐environment relationships and how humans impact natural resources.

Practical implications

Because the assignments given to the university students were authentic performance tasks embedded in sustainability issues, students developed a broader disposition for thinking and learning and therefore become metacognitive. The STEM emphasized aesthetic education, integrating science and the arts. As a result, the participants developed their ability to connect academic domains of knowledge and creatively address sustainability challenges.

Originality/value

The convergence of science, art, and aesthetics enabled the participants to develop a deeper spiritual awareness and understanding of eco‐justice for the promotion of a sustainable society. The STEM utilized cultural resources of the university and New Britain community (i.e. institutional members of the NBMAA and The Central Connecticut State University). Students were introduced to the concept of mutual learning with all the communities and organizations involved.
Campus sustainability: emerging curricula models in higher education
Authors: Savelyeva Tamara , McKenna James R.
Published: January 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to build a detailed description of the Global Seminar (GS) curricula model by exploring its on‐the‐ground participatory practices in America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia.

Design/methodology/approach

Within a qualitative research design framework, the authors interviewed 20 faculty members from the USA, Mexico, Costa Rica, Italy, Australia, Sweden, Honduras, South Africa, Germany, Austria, and Denmark. They observed 11 class sessions; and analyzed available course documents.

Findings

The GS model provides a broader notion of teaching and learning for sustainability that incorporates greening and education for sustainability into curricula. This participatory model proves the emerging shift towards a new paradigm of teaching and learning for sustainability in academia.

Originality/value

This paper shows how academia can address sustainability through curricula models that promote a fundamental change to the dominant academic paradigm and challenge the existing understanding of sustainability in higher education.
The state of sustainability reporting in universities
Authors: Lozano Rodrigo
Published: January 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review and assess the state of sustainability reporting in universities.

Design/methodology/approach

Analysis of the performance level of 12 universities sustainability reports using the Graphical Assessment of Sustainability in Universities tool.

Findings

The results show that sustainability reporting in universities is still in its early stages (both in numbers of institutions reporting and in level of reporting) when compared to sustainability reporting in corporations.

Research limitations/implications

The research is limited by the limited number of universities that publish sustainability reports. However, the results show that universities could learn from the experiences of corporate sustainability reporting efforts, and incorporate them into their efforts as learning organisations to better align their systems with sustainability.

Practical implications

University leaders and champions need to consider publishing more information on the social and educational dimensions.

Originality/value

The paper provides an analysis of sustainability reporting in universities, which has the potential to better incorporate and institutionalise sustainability.
College students' perceptions of campus sustainability
Authors: Emanuel Richard , Adams J.N.
Published: January 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to ascertain whether or not there are differences between college students in Alabama and Hawaii based on three questions: are students concerned about the present/future? What do students know about sustainability? Who is responsible for sustainability?

Design/methodology/approach

Two approaches were used to address these questions. First, a summary of sustainability efforts at universities in Alabama and Hawaii is provided. Second, a random sample of 406 undergraduate students at two universities in Alabama (n=258) and at a community college in Hawaii (n=148) were surveyed.

Findings

The data indicate that sustainable programs and practices are being implemented on a number of college campuses in Alabama and in Hawaii. Students surveyed in both states are concerned about wasteful consumption and pollution. Respondents' were similar in their self‐assessed knowledge about sustainability. Respondents were also similar in their views about who is responsible for sustainability. However, a consistently larger proportion of Hawaii respondents expressed concern for and willingness to participate in sustainable practices. So, there seems to be little or no “knowledge gap” when it comes to campus sustainability, but there does seem to be a “commitment gap.” Possible reasons for this are discussed.

Originality/value

Since the 1980s, many universities in the USA have elected to incorporate sustainability practices into campus development and day‐to‐day operations. They are now emerging as environmental leaders and innovators. An understanding of students' perceptions of sustainability may give insight into whether or not and how they are likely to engage in sustainable practices.
Relationship marketing practice in Lithuanian logistics organizations
Authors: Juščius Vytautas , Grigaite Viktorija
Published: January 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to establish relationship marketing practice aspects, their prevalence and opportunities in Lithuanian logistics organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

By applying a standardized questionnaire, Lithuanian logistics organizations were examined. Mostly executives, organizations' owners and logistics specialists were key informants.

Findings

The findings indicated that cooperation is a fundamental element in the organizations. Depending on the developed relationship type in the organizations the significance attached to relationship marketing elements differ, level of satisfaction of long‐term relationship different too.

Research limitations/implications

A suggestion for further research is to adapt the study in other Lithuanian industries business relationships.

Practical implications

This study is of managerial interest, as the framework may be applied by logistics organizations and if necessary modified considering the main aspects of customer relationships.

Originality/value

This paper makes a contribution to relationship marketing aspects and customer management analysis in Lithuanian logistics organizations.
Antecedents and consequences of inter‐organizational knowledge transfer
Authors: Martinkenaite Ieva
Published: January 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a critical review of the current body of research on inter‐organizational knowledge transfer, indicating some of its limitations and openings for future studies. It maps research in an integrative framework of knowledge‐specific, organizational and network‐level antecedents and performance outcomes of transfer. When assuming that transfer of knowledge does not by itself influence organizational performance, this study gives special attention to a mediating role of knowledge acquisition in relationship between antecedents and performance outcomes of transfer.

Design/methodology/approach

In this conceptual paper the author consolidates, annotates and critiques existing research on antecedents and consequences of inter‐firm knowledge transfer. The author reveals limitations of the current body of literature and provides directions for future research.

Findings

This paper points to the underestimated role of knowledge acquisition in conceptual models of inter‐firm knowledge transfer. The author suggests that the extent, type and nature of “new knowledge learned” mediate the relationship between various antecedents of transfer and financial, product/market and strategic performance of firms. Related to this, the study calls future research to analyze knowledge transfer as a two‐stage process that involves acquisition of knowledge and its exploitation.

Originality/value

Although research on inter‐organizational knowledge transfer is burgeoning, yet our understanding of its antecedents and consequences remains unclear. As a first step to filling this gap, this study provides a comprehensive literature review, reveals its limitations and suggests meaningful directions for further research. It points to high explanatory value of theoretical frameworks that examine linkages between antecedents of transfer, learning outcomes and firm performance results.
The impact of globalization on legitimacy signals
Authors: Ivanova Olga , Castellano Sylvaine
Published: January 2011

Purpose

The aim of this paper is two‐fold: to examine the challenges that organizations that have originated in transition environments face when moving from one layer of the environment (local/national) to another one (international/global) and to enrich the understanding of the legitimacy concept by looking at two types of legitimacy (functional and relational) relevant to the organizations in transition environments trying to access the global marketplace.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on the legitimacy needs of organizations evolving in transition environments and trying to access a different environmental layer, we developed a signalling theory of legitimacy.

Findings

When trying to move from one layer of the environment to another one, organizations will use different types of legitimacy signals in order to address the liabilities they face.

Research limitations/implications

The research examines organizations facing both drastic environmental changes and evolving in a global industry. Future research can separately study the impact of each factor; and also investigate additional types of liabilities.

Practical implications

The study can help organizations from transition and emerging economies identify and employ signals that can enhance their organizational legitimacy, which may affect their performance. Additionally, public policy implications are developed in order to stimulate local businesses.

Originality/value

The multidimensionality of a signalling theory of legitimacy – functional and relational – increases our understanding of organizations facing liabilities, such as firms evolving in transition environments and trying to access the global marketplace.
Turnover prediction using attitudes towards benefits, pay, and pay satisfaction among employees and entrepreneurs in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania
Authors: Carraher Shawn M.
Published: January 2011

Purpose

This paper seeks to examine the efficacy of predicting turnover for employees and entrepreneurs from Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania using attitudes towards benefits, pay satisfaction, pay, gender, and age across a four‐year time frame.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey that included information on attitudes towards benefits and pay satisfaction was used to collect data from 153 Estonian, 157 Latvian, and 146 Lithuanian employees and 243 Latvian, 103 Estonian, and 109 Lithuanian entrepreneurs. The turnover of the employees and business owners was then followed over a four‐year time period with assessments done each year allowing for an examination of temporal variations in the relationships over time. Actual salary/income data was also obtained from organizational records.

Findings

It was found that for the employee samples the classification rates increased slightly as compared to base rates over time (e.g. did better the longer the time period included), while for the employers the classification rates andR2values were relatively flat as compared to base rates. For the employee samples theR2values decreased over time. Attitudes towards benefits were generally significant predictors of turnover for employees and entrepreneurs over a four‐year time period while satisfaction with pay was typically significant for employees but not for entrepreneurs. It was also found that for the employees both equity and expectancy considerations were able to explain differences in turnover rates while for entrepreneurs expectancy theory considerations were more powerful than equity theory explanations.

Research limitations/implications

The research is limited both by geography, job types, and the theoretical construct of turnover. Few studies have examined turnover among both employees and business owners, and few studies have explored the similarities and differences between the two.

Practical implications

Pay and benefits are important for employees. Pay seems to be important for attracting employees while benefits are important for retaining them.

Originality/value

This study examines turnover for both employees and entrepreneurs with a four‐year longitudinal design with data from three different countries – Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Temporal variations in the relationships are also examined on a year by year basis. As employee retention has been an important factor in the Baltic region over the last two decades it is vital to understand how to retain employees.
Antecedents of performance of multi‐level channels in transitional economies
Authors: Salciuviene Laura , Reardon James , Auruskeviciene Vilte
Published: January 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the antecedents of channel performance in a multi‐level marketing (MLM) channel.

Design/methodology/approach

Personal interviews with 105 distributors from network marketing companies operating in Lithuania, provided data for this study. Hypotheses were tested using structural equation model (LISREL).

Findings

The findings suggest that trust, locus of control and shared values are moderated by channel commitment of the downstream channel members.

Research limitations/implications

This study is limited to one country under investigation, therefore further research needs to be extended to other economies. Researchers might also identify additional variables affecting channel performance as well as undertake a longitudinal approach of the focal areas of commitment and channel performance.

Practical implications

This study is of managerial interest, as the framework suggested in this study may be applied by MLM firms to monitor their networks and evaluate multi‐level channel performance.

Originality/value

MLM channels offer a unique alternative and underutilized distribution channel for many companies, yet limited theoretical research has been accomplished in this arena. MLM channels are very interpersonal by their very nature and thus we extend the relationship marketing paradigm to MLM. In addition, transitional economies tend to have less developed marketing channels, and therefore are prime targets for MLM. Thus, this research specifically examines MLM in a transitioning economy.
Expatriates and the institutionalisation of HRM practices
Authors: Steger Thomas , Lang Rainhart , Groeger Friederike
Published: January 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an in‐depth description of the process of institutionalisation and development of human resource management (HRM) practices in subsidiaries of German multinational companies in Russia.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on nine case studies of Russian subsidiaries including 26 interviews (13 German expatriates and 13 local employees), participative observations and document analyses. The data analysis follows a qualitative methodology.

Findings

The study provides four patterns of institutionalisation processes of HRM practices. They stress the importance of personal, institutional and contextual factors for the institutionalisation of HRM practices. Moreover, the key role of expatriates with their specific value orientations and behaviour in this process is highlighted.

Research limitations/implications

One suggestion for further research would be to replicate the study quantitatively (in order to get more cases) as well as qualitatively (to get broader inter‐cultural data). Furthermore, it would be valuable to take a more long‐term focus to examine the described institutionalisation paths in the long run.

Practical implications

The paper highlights the importance of personal characteristics of expatriates that are often underestimated in companies' selection procedures. Moreover, the connection between the parent company's strategy and the pattern of institutionalisation of HRM practices should make the company management reflect upon the preferred pattern before taking the basic decisions. Taking into account the strong economic relationship between Russia and Germany and the expected further development of joint activities, the paper provides also important insights for the use of German expatriates in Russia.

Originality/value

This paper improves our comprehension of the complex process of implementation and institutionalisation of HRM practices abroad. Moreover, it contributes to the HRM literature as it employs the concept of “transnational spaces” as an alternative and additional approach to explain this process. The resulting patterns may not be restricted to the Russian case only but should be adaptable to other emerging countries as well.
Reflection of higher education aspects in the conception of national competitiveness
Authors: Ramoniene Lineta , Lanskoronskis Marius
Published: January 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to synthesize higher education (HE) elements as expressed in competitiveness literature and provide a comprehensive list of HE aspects found in the conception of competitiveness. In order to achieve this goal, the most acknowledged conceptions, including definitions and measurements, of competitiveness are overviewed and HE components reflected in them are depicted.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to achieve the article goal, the most acknowledged conceptions, including definitions and measurements, of competitiveness are overviewed and HE components reflected in them are depicted.

Findings

The reviewed measurements of competitiveness have provided a comprehensive list of HE elements. After reviewing a combination of literature on national competitiveness, it is stated that the following HE elements appear in the conception of national competitiveness – preparation for the HE (as reflected in quantity and quality of secondary education), tertiary education quantity and quality, funding of HE system, quality of scientific research institutions and links of the HE system with the labor and business sectors.

Practical implications

The article has a practical value for HE policy makers since it detects key HE factors that are included in the most acknowledged competitiveness measurements which means that these factors have been identified to be the most influential for the growth of a country's prosperity. It is important for HE reformers to understand the underlying dynamics of the competitiveness process and factors that drive it so that they can contribute in the most effective ways.

Originality/value

The article provides a comprehensive list of HE aspects found in competitiveness definitions and measurements. This can be useful for researchers in comparative HE research field. They are constantly seeking for common grounds of comparison of HE systems. The article provides the list of HE characteristics that can serve as basis of comparison. It is a complicated task to study similarities and differences between HE systems because it is difficult to find a joining point. In the article, this joining point has become national competitiveness. Thus, the article contributes to the quest for adequate theoretical approaches for HE system analysis, putting forward a list tailored to the study of HE systems in the context of national competitiveness.
Involvement of implementers: missing element in strategy formulation
Authors: Dandira Martin
Published: January 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to help top managers find ways of involving implementers of strategy at the strategic formulation level.

Design/methodology/approach

The author has conducted research in organisations that have come up with strategic plans, identified how top managers fail to include implementers when formulating strategy, and advises them on how to avoid this trap.

Findings

Grasping the real reason for involving implementers in strategy formulation for top managers may be a difficult task, though it is a fact that employees contribute better when they are involved in the planning stage.

Practical implications

Methods are provided for top managers to follow when formulating strategy.

Originality/value

This paper gives practical advice from situations in organisations and helps managers to involve all stakeholders holistically when formulating a strategy.
The freshmen assessment: ensuring that your incoming executive talent quickly makes the grade
Authors: Michaud Gregory
Published: January 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to improve the transition process for key senior executives.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on over 25 years of observations regarding effective and ineffective executive transitions.

Findings

The author identifies five critical components of successful executive transition: surface and eliminate false assumptions; appoint a transition coordinator; develop a transition plan with the new executive; develop a transition plan with the executive team; and review the plan and metrics with all stakeholders while making any changes needed. The author also points out important transition milestones to be observed in a successful transition; The new executive should assess and choose his team, assess the new organization, articulate a vision for the future and establish open, two‐way communications.

Originality/value

This paper is of value to C‐level executives responsible for hiring staff, senior HR staff and new executives.
The impact of executive directors' service contracts on strategic plan
Authors: Dandira Martin
Published: January 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to help boards of directors to find ways of establishing continuity in the strategic plan when strategists are employed on contract leave before the end of the strategic plan period.

Design/methodology/approach

The author has conducted research in organisations that have executives on contracts of three to five years, and identifies how strategic plans are negatively affected when executives on contract – especially top management – leave organisations when their contracts ends. Research in organisations has shown that strategic plans usually have longer periods than the contract of the strategist, and contract renewal is sometimes not obvious.

Findings

The length of the strategist's contract and the length of the strategic plan have not been taken into account when crafting strategic plans in organisations and appointing executive directors. This scenario has caused a lot of strategy failures.

Practical implications

Ways are provided for boards of directors and organisations to foster a culture of continuity of the strategic plan even when executives leave the organisation unceremoniously or when their contracts end and are not renewed.

Originality/value

This paper gives practical advice from situations in organisations and helps boards of directors to take into account the duration of strategic plans when employing executives.
The impact of firm reputation on customers’ responses to service failure: the role of failure attributions
Authors: Nikbin Davoud , Ismail Ishak , Marimuthu Malliga , Younis Abu‐Jarad Ismael
Published: January 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to assess the influence firm reputation on behavioral intentions and to examine the moderating role of failure attributions in the relationship between firm reputation and behavioral intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample used in this study consists of 127 airline passengers in an airport in Iran. The data were collected via a structured survey.

Findings

Based on the findings firm reputation has a significant and positive relationship with behavioral intention. Additionally, hierarchical regression analyses confirmed the moderating role of failure attributions in the relationship between firm reputation and behavioral intentions.

Research limitations/implications

This study examines only one service context; consequently, the results cannot be generalized to other service industries.

Practical implications

By understanding the important role of firm reputation, service organizations understand that carefully building and maintaining reputation is paramount for continued success as this study shows that an excellent reputation directly affects how customers respond to failures.

Originality/value

Although, prior research has developed an understanding of the role of firm reputation on behavioral intentions, however, this study additionally examined the role of failure attributions as the moderator in this relationship.
X‐ray irradiation and Rho‐kinase inhibitor additively induce invasiveness of the cells of the pancreatic cancer line, MIAPaCa‐2, which exhibits mesenchymal and amoeboid motility
Authors: Fujita Mayumi , Otsuka Yoshimi , Yamada Shigeru , Iwakawa Mayumi , Imai Takashi
Published: January 2011

Tumor cells can migrate and invade tissue by two modes of motility: mesenchymal and amoeboid. X‐ray or γ‐ray irradiation increases the invasiveness of tumor cells with mesenchymal motility through the induction of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP), and this increase is suppressed by MMP inhibitors (MMPI). However, the effects of X‐ray or γ‐ray irradiation on the invasiveness of tumor cells with amoeboid motility remain unclear. We investigated the effect of irradiation on amoeboid motility by using cells of the human pancreatic cancer line, MIAPaCa‐2, which exhibits both modes of motility. The X‐ray‐induced invasiveness of MIAPaCa‐2 cells was associated with the upregulation of MMP2 at both the RNA and protein levels and was inhibited by MMPI treatment. Amoeboid–mesenchymal transition was slightly induced after irradiation. The MMPI treatment caused mesenchymal–amoeboid transition without significant increase in invasiveness, while the ROCK inhibitor (ROCKI) stimulated amoeboid–mesenchymal transition and enhanced invasiveness under both non‐irradiated and irradiated conditions. This ROCKI‐induced transition was accompanied by the upregulation of MMP2 mRNA and protein. Exposure to both irradiation and ROCKI further enhanced MMP2 expression and had an additive effect on the invasiveness of MIAPaCa‐2 cells. Additionally, exposure to MMPI led to significant suppression of both radiation‐induced and the basal invasiveness of MIAPaCa‐2 cells. This suggests that ROCKI treatment, especially with concomitant X‐ray irradiation, can induce invasion of cancer cells and should be used only for certain types of cancer cells. Simultaneous use of inhibitors, ROCKI and MMPI may be effective in suppressing invasiveness under both X‐ray‐irradiated and non‐irradiated conditions. (Cancer Sci 2011; 102: 792–798)
Inhibition of tumor growth and sensitization to chemotherapy by RNA interference targeting interleukin‐6 in the androgen‐independent human prostate cancer PC3 model
Authors: Sakai Iori , Miyake Hideaki , Terakawa Tomoaki , Fujisawa Masato
Published: January 2011

The objective of the present study was to investigate the inhibitory effects of interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) secretion by androgen‐independent human prostate cancer PC3 cells on their growth and chemosensitivity. In this study, we established PC3 in which the expression vector containing short hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeting IL‐6 was introduced (PC3/sh‐IL6). Changes in the growth and sensitivity to docetaxel in PC3/sh‐IL6 were compared with those in PC3 transfected with control vector alone (PC3/Co). Concentration of IL‐6 in the culture supernatant from PC3/sh‐IL6 was approximately 20% of that from PC3/Co. Both in vitro and in vivo, the growth of PC3/sh‐IL‐6 was significantly inferior to that of PC3/Co, accompanying downregulation of Bcl‐2, Bcl‐xL, phosphorylated Akt, p44/42 mitogen‐activated protein kinase, and signal transducers and activation of transcription 3 in PC3/sh‐IL‐6 compared with that in PC3/Co. Despite the higher sensitivity of PC3/sh‐IL6 to docetaxel than that of PC3/Co, the secretion of IL‐6 by both cell lines was increased after treatment with docetaxel due to the formation of positive autocrine loops between these cell lines and NFκB signaling pathways. Furthermore, combined treatment with the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib, which completely inhibited the docetaxel‐induced IL‐6 secretion via the inactivation of NFκB signaling, resulted in the marked sensitization of these cell lines to docetaxel both in vitro and in vivo. These findings suggest that suppressed IL‐6 secretion using shRNA, either alone or in combination with docetaxel and bortezomib, could be a useful therapeutic strategy against androgen‐independent prostate cancer. (Cancer Sci 2011; 102: 769–775)
Neural cell adhesion molecule 2 as a target molecule for prostate and breast cancer gene therapy
Authors: Takahashi Shu , Kato Kazunori , Nakamura Kiminori , Nakano Rika , Kubota Kazuishi , Hamada Hirofumi
Published: January 2011

In adenovirus‐derived gene therapy, one of the problems is the difficulty in specific targeting. We have recently demonstrated that monoclonal antibody (mAb) libraries screened by fiber‐modified adenovirus vector (Adv‐FZ33), which is capable of binding to immunoglobulin‐G (IgG), provide a powerful approach for the identification of suitable target antigens for prostate cancer therapy. Hybridoma libraries from mice immunized with androgen‐dependent prostate cancer cell line LNCaP were screened and mAb were selected. Through this screening, we obtained one mAb, designated LNI‐29, that recognizes a glycoprotein with an apparent molecular mass of 100 kD. It was identified as neural cell adhesion molecule 2 (NCAM2). Some prostate and breast cancer cell lines highly expressed NCAM2 whereas normal prostate cell lines expressed NCAM2 at low levels. In contrast to the low efficiency of gene transduction by Adv‐FZ33 with a control antibody, LNI‐29‐mediated Adv‐FZ33 infection induces high rates of gene delivery in NCAM2‐positive cancers. NCAM2‐mediated therapeutic gene transduction of uracil phosphoribosyltransferase (UPRT) had a highly effective cytotoxic effect on NCAM2‐positive cancer cells, whereas it had less of an effect in cases with a control antibody. In conclusion, NCAM2 should be a novel gene therapy target for the treatment of prostate and breast cancer. (Cancer Sci 2011; 102: 808–814)
Contribution of autophagic cell death to p53‐dependent cell death in human glioblastoma cell line SF126
Authors: Sakamoto Yasuhiro , Kato Shunsuke , Takahashi Masahiro , Okada Yoshinari , Yasuda Katsuhiro , Watanabe Gou , Imai Hiroo , Sato Atsuko , Ishioka Chikashi
Published: January 2011

Apoptosis and autophagic cell death are programmed cell deaths that are involved in cell survival, growth, development and carcinogenesis. p53, the most extensively studied tumor suppressor, regulates apoptosis and autophagy by transactivating its downstream genes. It also stimulates the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway and inhibits autophagy in a transactivation‐independent manner. However, the contribution of apoptosis and autophagic cell death to p53‐dependent cell death is unclear. Using wild‐type (WT) and mutant (MT) p53 inducible cell lines in TP53‐null SF126 glioblastoma cells, we examined the apoptosis and autophagic cell death induced by p53. WT p53 expression in SF126 cells induced apoptosis and autophagy, and reduced the cell number. An autophagy inhibitor reduced autophagy, increased the S‐phase fraction, and attenuated the inhibition of cell proliferation induced by WT p53. Pan‐caspase inhibitor reduced apoptosis but showed weaker inhibition of cell proliferation than the autophagy inhibitor. We concluded that p53‐dependent cell death in SF126 cells comprises caspase‐dependent and caspase‐independent apoptosis and autophagic cell death, and the induction of autophagy as well as apoptosis could be a new strategy to treat some type of WT p53‐retaining tumors. (Cancer Sci 2011; 102: 799–807)
Triple‐negative breast cancer: Histological subtypes and immunohistochemical and clinicopathological features
Authors: Ishikawa Yuko , Horiguchi Jun , Toya Hiroyuki , Nakajima Hiroki , Hayashi Mitsuhiro , Tagaya Nobumi , Takeyoshi Izumi , Oyama Tetsunari
Published: January 2011

To reveal heterogeneous properties of triple‐negative (TN) breast cancers (estrogen receptor negative, progesterone receptor negative and HER2 negative) and to clarify whether the developmental pathways to TN breast cancer are single or multiple, we conducted clinicopathological and immunohistochemical studies on TN breast cancers, with special reference to comparison of the invasive component (iIC) and the ductal component (dcIC) of invasive TN breast cancer and pure TN ductal carcinoma in situ (TNDCIS). Tumor tissues were obtained from 97 patients with TN invasive carcinoma and 10 patients with TNDCIS. Two histological subclassifications, “atypical” medullary carcinoma (type A, n = 16) and carcinoma with a central acellular zone (type B, n = 11), were distinguished from conventional ductal carcinoma. Other invasive ductal carcinomas were classified as type C (n = 64) and special types were classified as type D (n = 5). The follow‐up period for the 96 patients ranged from 5 to 147.8 months (mean, 47.6 months). Out of 97 cases, dcIC was present in 29 (30%) cases and type A and B had significantly few ductal components, 0% and 18%, respectively. There were only six (6%) cases with non‐TN cells in dcIC and TN cells in iIC and five of them were type C. In 13 (13%) cases, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression existed only in iIC. Therefore, most of the TN carcinoma develops originally and rapidly invades at the early stage, especially in types A and B. The relapse rate of type B was the highest (36.4%) and the overall survival of patients with type B was the shortest (P = 0.02), which indicates that the prognosis of type B is significantly worse than the other types. (Cancer Sci 2011; 102: 656–662)
Involvement of a putative response regulator FgRrg‐1 in osmotic stress response, fungicide resistance and virulence in Fusarium graminearum
Authors: JIANG JINHUA , YUN YINGZI , FU JING , SHIM WON‐BO , MA ZHONGHUA
Published: January 2011

Response regulator (RR) proteins are core elements of the high‐osmolarity glycerol (HOG) pathway, which plays an important role in the adaptation of fungi to a variety of environmental stresses. In this study, we constructed deletion mutants of two putative RR genes, FgRRG‐1 and FgRRG‐2, which are orthologues of Neurospora crassa RRG‐1 and RRG‐2, respectively. The FgRRG‐1 deletion mutant (ΔFgRrg1‐6) showed increased sensitivity to osmotic stress mediated by NaCl, KCl, sorbitol or glucose, and to metal cations Li+, Ca2+ and Mg2+. The mutant, however, was more resistant than the parent isolate to dicarboximide and phenylpyrrole fungicides. Inoculation tests showed that the mutant exhibited decreased virulence on wheat heads. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction assays indicated that the expression of FgOS‐2, the putative downstream gene of FgRRG‐1, was decreased significantly in ΔFgRrg1‐6. All of the defects were restored by genetic complementation of ΔFgRrg1‐6 with the wild‐type FgRRG‐1 gene. Different from the FgRRG‐1 deletion mutant, FgRRG‐2 deletion mutants were morphologically indistinguishable from the wild‐type progenitor in virulence and in sensitivity to the dicarboximide fungicide iprodione and osmotic stresses. These results indicate that the RR FgRrg‐1 of F. graminearum is involved in the osmotic stress response, pathogenicity and sensitivity to dicarboximide and phenylpyrrole fungicides and metal cations.
Neutrophils of Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients on Anti‐TNF‐α Therapy and in Disease Remission Present Reduced Adhesive Functions in Association with Decreased Circulating Neutrophil‐Attractant Chemokine Levels
Authors: Dominical V. M. , Bértolo M. B. , Almeida C. B. , Garrido V. T. , Miguel L. I. , Costa F. F. , Conran N.
Published: January 2011

Neutrophils participate in the initiation and progression of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) although the exact mechanisms responsible for neutrophil accumulation in rheumatoid joints are not understood. This study compared the adhesive and chemotactic functions of neutrophils from RA patients in activity (DAS28 > 3.2) and not in activity (DAS28 < 2.6) and observed the effects of different treatment approaches on these functions. Neutrophils were isolated from healthy controls (CON), and patients with active or inactive RA in use of therapy not specific for RA (NSAIDs), in use of DMARDs and in use of anti‐TNF‐α therapy. Adhesive and chemotactic properties were evaluated using in vitro assays; adhesion molecule expression was assessed by flow cytometry and real‐time PCR and circulating chemokines were determined by ELISA. No significant alterations in the adhesive and chemotactic properties of neutrophils from active RA were observed when compared to CON neutrophils, independently of treatment regimen. In contrast, neutrophils from RA patients in disease remission presented reduced adhesive properties and a lower spontaneous chemotactic capacity, in association with decreased adhesion molecule expression, although profiles of alterations differed for those patients on DMARDs and those on anti‐TNF‐α therapy. Circulating levels of the major neutrophilic chemokines, IL‐8 and epithelial neutrophil activating peptide‐78, were also significantly decreased in those patients demonstrating a clinical response. Remission of RA appears to be associated with ameliorations in aspects important for neutrophil adhesion and chemotaxis; whether these alterations contribute to decrease neutrophil migration to the synovial fluid, with consequent improvements in the clinical manifestations of RA, remains to be determined.
FACTORS RELATED TO LATERAL MARGIN POSITIVITY FOR CANCER IN GASTRIC SPECIMENS OF ENDOSCOPIC SUBMUCOSAL DISSECTION
Authors: KAKUSHIMA NAOMI , ONO HIROYUKI , TANAKA MASAKI , TAKIZAWA KOHEI , YAMAGUCHI YUICHIRO , MATSUBAYASHI HIROYUKI
Published: January 2011

Background:  With the widespread use of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), more large early gastric cancers (EGC) have become candidates for endoscopic resection. A precise diagnosis of the extent of cancer is indispensable to obtain R0 resection. The aim of the present study was to clarify the factors related to lateral margin positivity for cancer in specimens resected by ESD for EGC.

Methods:  Among 1549 EGC treated by ESD during September 2002 to December 2008, lesions that were resected in an en‐bloc fashion and resulted in a pathological diagnosis of lateral margin positive (LM+) for cancer, were extracted. The reason for LM+ and pathological characteristics of the lesions were studied and compared to lesions successfully resected with margins negative for cancer.

Results:  There were three types of lesion that resulted in LM+ resection: lesions with a flat spreading area, lesions with an unexpected nearby lesion, and lesions with lateral extension beneath a non‐cancerous mucosa. Compared to lesions resected with margins negative for cancer, diameter of the tumor, recurrent‐type cancer, submucosal cancer, and undifferentiated‐type cancer were factors significantly related to LM+ resection.

Conclusion:  Other than misdiagnosing a small portion of cancer extension, lateral margin positivity for cancer by ESD could result from a neighboring lesion and an unexpected lateral submucosal cancer extension. To avoid LM+ resection of EGC by ESD, one should be careful of unexpected lateral extension and simultaneous multi‐lesions.
Relative contribution of weight‐bearing and non‐weight‐bearing effect of adipose tissue to bone mineral density in postmenopausal women
Authors: Kawamura Yukie , Yanazume Yumi , Kuwahata Akiko , Yonehara Yukie , Iwamoto Ichiro , Tsuji Takahiro , Douchi Tsutomu
Published: January 2011

Aim:  To investigate the relative contributions of weight‐bearing and non‐weight‐bearing effects of adipose tissue to bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women.

Material and Methods:  The subjects were 228 postmenopausal women aged 50–75 years. Age, years since menopause (YSM), height, body weight, and body mass index were recorded. Trunk fat mass, body fat mass, bilateral leg BMD and lean (muscle) mass were measured by whole body scanning with dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry. The relationships of BMD to trunk and body fat mass were investigated using uni‐ and multivariable analyses.

Results:  The amount of trunk fat mass and body fat mass were 8.7 ± 3.6 kg and 19.0 ± 5.9 kg, respectively. On Pearson's correlation test, right leg BMD was positively correlated with trunk fat mass (r = 0.268, P < 0.001) and body fat mass (0.299, P < 0.001). On multiple linear regression analysis, trunk fat mass (t‐value = 3.500, P < 0.001), age (−2.431, P < 0.05), and YSM (−2.564, P < 0.01) were independent significant predictors of right leg BMD. However, body fat mass was not a predictor of BMD (−0.465, P = 0.642). These relationships remained significant after further adjusting for right leg muscle mass.

Conclusion:  Trunk fat mass rather than body fat mass is a significant predictor of leg BMD at the most weight‐bearing site, despite being less than half the amount of body fat mass. Thus, adipose tissue contributes more to BMD through non‐weight‐bearing effect rather than weight‐bearing effect.
Oxygen (O2) kinetics during early recovery from peak exercise in patients with Type 2 diabetes
Authors: Levinger I. , Varley M. , Jerums G. , Hare D. L. , Selig S.
Published: January 2011

Diabet. Med. 28, 612–617 (2011)

Aims  To examine the oxygen (O2) kinetics during early recovery from peak exercise in patients with Type 2 diabetes and to examine whether oxygen O2 recovery is associated with fasting glucose and HbA1c in this population.

Methods  Eighty‐nine participants (52 men) aged 51.8 ± 7.1 years (mean ± sd) were divided into three groups: normal weight (BMI ≤ 25.0 kg/m2), overweight/obese without diabetes (BMI ≥ 26 kg/m2) and overweight/obese with Type 2 diabetes. Participants were assessed for their aerobic power (VO2peak) on a cycle ergometer, provided a fasting blood sample and underwent a series of anthropometric measurements. Early recovery period was measured for 60 s from cessation of exercise and expressed as percentage of VO2peak (higher percentage represents slower recovery).

Results  No significant differences were observed for age between the three study groups. Both the overweight/obese groups without diabetes and with Type 2 diabetes had higher BMI than the normal weight group, with no significant differences between overweight/obese participants without diabetes and those with diabetes. Participants with Type 2 diabetes had lower VO2peak than overweight/obese participants without diabetes and normal weight individuals (19.6 ± 4.8, 22.6 ± 5.4 and 25.7 ± 5.3 ml kg−1 min−1, respectively, P < 0.004 for overall trends). Participants with Type 2 diabetes also had slower recovery in oxygen O2 kinetics after exercise, compared with both normal weight and overweight/obese individuals without diabetes (56.5 ± 7.7, 49.2 ± 7.2, 47.7 ± 7.4%, P < 0.004 for overall trends). Multiple regression analysis revealed that percentage of oxygen O2 recovery was a stronger predictor than VO2peak, BMI or age for fasting glucose and HbA1c.

Conclusions  Patients with Type 2 diabetes have lower VO2peak and prolonged oxygen O2 recovery from peak exercise. However, only prolonged oxygen O2 recovery was associated with fasting glucose and HbA1c.