bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
ISO 9001:2000 implementation in the public sector
Authors: To W.M. , Lee Peter K.C. , Yu Billy T.W. 
Published: December 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to study the implementation of ISO 9001:2000 in the public sector, using data obtained from a small‐scale and service‐oriented economy – i.e. Macao SAR, the People's Republic of China.Design/methodology/approachBased on a literature review on ISO 9001 development, a measurement instrument was established using the management principles of ISO 9001:2000 and hypotheses were developed to test the applicability and effectiveness of ISO 9001:2000. The instrument and hypotheses were tested using responses from managers and executives in public organizations.FindingsThe results show that ISO 9001:2000 is useful in enhancing organizational performance in public organizations.Research implicationsMangers in public organizations must realize that simply adopting and maintaining the ISO 9001:2000 certificate is not enough. More resources and commitment are needed to achieve better organizational performance.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to the literature by developing a measurement instrument using the quality management principles of ISO 9001:2000 and offering new empirical evidence on the applicability and effectiveness of ISO 9001:2000 in the public sector.
Synergies in standardized management systems: some empirical evidence
Authors: Casadesús Martí , Karapetrovic Stanislav , Heras Iñaki 
Published: December 2010

PurposeManagement system standards (MSSs) have spread in an unprecedented manner in the last few years. Thus, there are now many companies that rely on more than one such standard to establish the criteria for organizational management systems (MSs). The objective of this article is to analyze the existence of possible synergies in the application of a wide range of MSSs through an examination of the benefits obtained from the implementation of one particular MSS, namely ISO 9001.Design/methodology/approachThe starting point is a set of results from an empirical survey of more than 500 Spanish companies. Specifically, the differences between the benefits recognized by companies implementing a single MSS, namely ISO 9001:2000 for quality MSs, and those that implemented a second standard, in this case ISO 14001:2004 for environmental MSs, are discussed. An additional comparison is made between those organizations that have integrated the two MSSs into a single MS and those organizations that have developed separate quality and environmental MSs.FindingsThe results show that organizations with multiple MSSs actually perceive more benefits from the implementation of ISO 9001 than those that implemented that standard only. Furthermore, organizations with integrated management systems (IMSs) also report higher levels of ISO 9001 benefits compared to those organizations with the ISO 9001 certificate only, but generally not when compared to their counterparts with separate standardized MSs.Originality/valueRelatively little is known about the synergies yielded by the use of multiple MSSs or by integrating standardized MSs in organizations. Using the benefits obtained from the implementation of ISO 9001 as a measure, this paper contributes empirical results from a large number of organizations to the study of both of these issues. Therefore, it is of value to researchers and practitioners in quality, environmental, safety, security and other such MSs, but also specifically in the area of IMSs.
Weight loss induced by 6‐month lifestyle intervention improves early endothelial activation and fibrinolysis in obese adolescents
Authors: Huang F. , del‐Río‐Navarro B. E. , de Castro G. T. M. , Alcántara S. T. , Sienra Monge J. J. L. , Ontiveros J. A. P. , Olivos E. N. , Barron M. F. , Lopéz A. R. , Villafaña S. , Hong E. 
Published: December 2010

AbstractBackground  Adolescent obesity is associated with an increased risk of adult obesity and subsequent cardiovascular diseases. The present study aimed to assess the effect of weight loss after 6‐month lifestyle intervention in obese adolescents on biomarkers of endothelial activation and fibrinolytic system.Methods  Eighty‐five obese adolescents aged 10 to 16 years were assigned to a 6‐month lifestyle intervention and 61 completed the programme. We examined the effect of the intervention on adhesion molecules (selectin E, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 and soluble vascular adhesion molecule 1) and fibrinolytic parameters [plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 (PAI‐1) and fibrinogen]. Thirty‐six lean adolescents were studied only at baseline as a comparison group.Results  Compared with lean participants, obese adolescents at baseline demonstrated significantly higher levels of triglycerides, glucose, insulin, homeostasis model assessment, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1, PAI‐1 and fibrinogen. After 6‐month lifestyle intervention, those obese adolescents with decreased standard deviation score‐body mass index (SDS‐BMI) displayed significant decreases in insulin (19.2 ± 11.2 vs. 26.8 ± 13.2 mU/L, P≤ 0.01), homeostasis model assessment (4.24 ± 3.19 vs. 6.58 ± 4.08, P≤ 0.01), selectin E (100.2 ± 60.9 vs. 116.0 ± 69.0 ng/mL, P≤ 0.01) and PAI‐1 (39.6 ± 38.0 vs. 51.8 ± 25.6 ng/mL, P≤ 0.05) with respect to the baseline levels. No changes in these parameters were observed in the obese adolescents with stable or increased SDS‐BMI. The changes of triglycerides after intervention in subgroup with decreased SDS‐BMI were significantly greater than those in subgroup with stable SDS‐BMI.Conclusions  The present study demonstrated increased endothelial activation and impairment of the fibrinolytic system in early life, which is in part reversible by a 6‐month lifestyle intervention.
Concentration matters!! ppGpp, from a whispering to a strident alarmone
Authors: Balsalobre Carlos 
Published: December 2010

SummaryBacteria have developed sophisticated signal transduction pathways to sense and respond to environmental stresses. These pathways include intracellular regulators that elicit adaptive changes in the physiology of the cell. Extensive work, mostly performed in Escherichia coli, showed that the modified nucleotide ppGpp plays a key regulatory role by co‐ordinating the cellular responses to adverse environmental conditions. In this issue of Molecular Microbiology, Traxler et al. define two sets of ppGpp‐dependent genes that are expressed at different times after induction of ppGpp synthesis. Their results suggest that quantitative differences in the ppGpp intracellular concentration determine the precise pattern of gene expression during adaptation process: low levels of ppGpp suffice to activate the Lrp regulon, which, by activating the synthesis of some amino acid pathways, can generate a negative feedback loop while high levels activate RpoS and a feed‐forward amplification of the general stress response. These dose‐dependent effects on gene expression open new perspectives on the complex regulatory pathways mediated by ppGpp during environmental adaptation.
A phage‐encoded inhibitor of Escherichia coli DNA replication targets the DNA polymerase clamp loader
Authors: Yano Sho T. , Rothman‐Denes Lucia B. 
Published: December 2010

SummaryColiphage N4 infection leads to shut‐off of host DNA replication without inhibition of host transcription or translation. We report the identification and characterization of gp8, the N4 gene product responsible for this phenotype. N4 gp8 is an Escherichia coli bacteriostatic inhibitor that colocalizes with the E. coli replisome in a replication‐dependent manner. Gp8 was purified and observed to cross‐link to complexes containing the replicative DNA polymerase, DNAP III, in vivo. Purified gp8 inhibits DNA polymerization by DNA polymerase III holoenzyme in vitro by interfering with polymerase processivity. Gp8 specifically inhibits the clamp‐loading activity of DNAP III by targeting the delta subunit of the DNAP III clamp loader; E. coli mutations conferring gp8 resistance were identified in the holA gene, encoding delta. Delta and gp8 interact in vitro; no interaction was detected between gp8 inactive mutants and wild‐type delta or between delta gp8‐resistant mutants and wild‐type gp8. Therefore, this work identifies the DNAP III clamp loader as a new target for inhibition of bacterial growth. Finally, we show that gp8 is not essential in N4 development under laboratory conditions, but its activity contributes to phage yield.
An integrated genomic, proteomic and biochemical analysis of (+)‐3‐carene biosynthesis in Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) genotypes that are resistant or susceptible to white pine weevil
Authors: Hall Dawn E. , Robert Jeanne A. , Keeling Christopher I. , Domanski Dominik , Quesada Alfonso Lara , Jancsik Sharon , Kuzyk Michael A. , Hamberger Britta , Borchers Christoph H. , Bohlmann Jörg 
Published: December 2010

SummaryConifers are extremely long‐lived plants that have evolved complex chemical defenses in the form of oleoresin terpenoids to resist attack from pathogens and herbivores. In these species, terpenoid diversity is determined by the size and composition of the terpene synthase (TPS) gene family and the single‐ and multi‐product profiles of these enzymes. The monoterpene (+)‐3‐carene is associated with resistance of Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) to white pine weevil (Pissodes strobi). We used a combined genomic, proteomic and biochemical approach to analyze the (+)‐3‐carene phenotype in two contrasting Sitka spruce genotypes. Resistant trees produced significantly higher levels of (+)‐3‐carene than susceptible trees, in which only trace amounts were detected. Biosynthesis of (+)‐3‐carene is controlled, at the genome level, by a small family of closely related (+)‐3‐carene synthase (PsTPS‐3car) genes (82–95% amino acid sequence identity). Transcript profiling identified one PsTPS‐3car gene (PsTPS‐3car1) that is expressed in both genotypes, one gene (PsTPS‐3car2) that is expressed only in resistant trees, and one gene (PsTPS‐3car3) that is expressed only in susceptible trees. The PsTPS‐3car2 gene was not detected in genomic DNA of susceptible trees. Target‐specific selected reaction monitoring confirmed this pattern of differential expression of members of the PsTPS‐3car family at the proteome level. Kinetic characterization of the recombinant PsTPS‐3car enzymes identified differences in the activities of PsTPS‐3car2 and PsTPS‐3car3 as a factor contributing to the different (+)‐3‐carene profiles of resistant and susceptible trees. In conclusion, variation of the (+)‐3‐carene phenotype is controlled by copy number variation of PsTPS‐3car genes, variation of gene and protein expression, and variation in catalytic efficiencies.
Establishing RHD zygosity in India: a step into the future of foetal and neonatal haemolytic disease prevention
Authors: Aggarwal S. , Arya V. , Agarwal S. 
Published: December 2010

Background: Determination of RHD zygosity is important for the prevention of haemolytic disease of foetus and neonate. There is no data from India regarding the prevalence of RHD genotypes. Objectives: We conducted this study to investigate RHD zygosity in phenotypically RhD positive (RhD+) Indians. We have also investigated the utility and concordance of two different genotyping techniques. Methods: Hundred serologically RhD+ Indians were genotyped at the RHD gene using polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR–RFLP) and polymerase chain reaction–sequence‐specific primer (PCR–SSP) techniques. Results: Of the 100 RhD+ individuals, 26 (25%) were D heterozygous by both methods and 74 (71·2%) were D homozygous. There was no discordance in the results from the two techniques. Conclusion: At least 25% of RhD+ Indians are heterozygous at the RHD gene. Both the genotyping techniques were equally robust and their complete concordance indicates RHD deletion as the main mechanism underlying RhD negativity in Indians.
Effect of education on racial disparities in access to kidney transplantation
Authors: Goldfarb‐Rumyantzev Alexander S. , Sandhu Gurprataap S. , Baird Bradley , Barenbaum Anna , Yoon Joo Heung , Dimitri Noelle , Koford James K. , Shihab Fuad 
Published: December 2010

Goldfarb‐Rumyantzev AS, Sandhu GS, Baird B, Barenbaum A, Yoon JH, Dimitri N, Koford JK, Shihab F. Effect of education on racial disparities in access to kidney transplantation.  Clin Transplant 2012: 26: 74–81.  © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract:  Higher education level might result in reduced disparities in access to renal transplantation. We analyzed two outcomes: (i) being placed on the waiting list or transplanted without listing and (ii) transplantation in patients who were placed on the waiting list. We identified 3224 adult patients with end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) in United States Renal Data System with education information available (mean age of ESRD onset of 57.1 ± 16.2 yr old, 54.3% men, 64.2% white, and 50.4% diabetics).Compared to whites, fewer African Americans graduated from college (10% vs. 16.7%) and a higher percentage never graduated from the high school (38.6% vs. 30.8%). African American race was associated with reduced access to transplantation (hazard ratio [HR] 0.70, p < 0.001 for wait‐listing/transplantation without listing; HR 0.58, p < 0.001 for transplantation after listing). African American patients were less likely to be wait‐listed/transplanted in the three less‐educated groups: HR 0.67 (p = 0.005) for those never completed high school, HR 0.76 (p = 0.02) for high school graduates, and HR 0.65 (p = 0.003) for those with partial college education. However, the difference lost statistical significance in those who completed college education (HR 0.75, p = 0.1).In conclusion, in comparing white and African American candidates, racial disparities in access to kidney transplantation do exist. However, they might be alleviated in highly educated individuals.
Good outcome of kidney transplants in recipients of young donors: a NAPRTCS data analysis
Authors: Moudgil Asha , Martz Karen , Stablein Donald M. , Puliyanda Dechu P. 
Published: December 2010

Moudgil A, Martz K, Stablein DM, Puliyanda DP. Good outcome of kidney transplants in recipients of young donors: a NAPRTCS data analysis. Pediatr Transplantation 2011: 15:167–171. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract:  NAPRTCS data were analyzed to assess outcome of TX recipients from YDs (<5 yr) in comparison with IDs (6–35 yr) and ODs (36–55 yr). Of 9854 TX in NAPRTCS (1987–2003), 469 were YD. Patient survival (PS) and graft survival (GS) were compared between DD TX after 1995; 81YD, 1324 ID, and 429 OD and eGFR were compared among functioning grafts (YD 31, ID 439, OD 174) at three yr. PS was comparable in all groups; GS at one, two, and three yr in TX of YD (91.1%, 83.8%, 79.7%), ID (93.5%, 89.7%, 83.6%), and OD (92.2%, 87.2%, 82.4%) was comparable. The eGFR in YD was comparable to ID but better than OD (86.5 vs. 79.7 vs. 67.2 mL/min/1.73 m2, p 0.139 and <0.0003). Primary graft non‐function was more frequent in TX from YD than ID and OD (3.7% vs. 0.3 and 0.7%, p = 0.004); the incidence of vascular thrombosis was similar. The aforementioned data show that pediatric recipients of YD had equivalent patient and graft survival. Although primary graft non‐function was higher, eGFR of functioning grafts was comparable to ID. With further improvements in care, kidneys from YD may present a viable option for transplantation.
Cytomegalovirus risk, prevention, and management in pediatric solid organ transplantation
Authors: Martin Judith M. , Danziger‐Isakov Lara A. 
Published: December 2010

Martin JM, Danziger‐Isakov LA. Cytomegalovirus risk, prevention, and management in pediatric solid organ transplantation. Pediatr Transplantation 2011: 15: 229–236. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in children who have received organ transplants. Patients have been reported to be at differential risk for CMV disease based on the serostatus of the donor and recipient with highest risk reported for CMV seronegative recipients who receive an organ from a CMV seropositive donor. Prophylaxis with ganciclovir and/or oral valganciclovir is reasonable to attempt to prevent CMV infections. A hybrid strategy bridging prophylaxis and pre‐emptive therapy appears to be emerging as an additional method to prevent CMV disease. However, there is no agreement on the optimal schedule of testing, duration and dosing of antiviral medications or the role of immunoglobulin therapy. This manuscript will review the most recent literature and recommendations for the prophylaxis and treatment of CMV infections and disease in pediatric transplant recipients. Multicenter, randomized, clinical studies involving several pediatric transplant centers are needed to determine the best strategies to prevent and treat CMV infections in these patients.
Helicobacter pylori infection and gastritis: The Systematic Investigation of gastrointestinaL diseases in China (SILC)
Authors: Zou Duowu , He Jia , Ma Xiuqiang , Liu Wenbin , Chen Jie , Shi Xingang , Ye Ping , Gong Yanfang , Zhao Yanfang , Wang Rui , Yan Xiaoyan , Man Xiaohua , Gao Li , Dent John , Sung Joseph , Wernersson Börje , Johansson Saga , Li Zhaoshen 
Published: December 2010

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Helicobacter pylori infection remains common in East Asia, though its prevalence is decreasing in Western countries. H. pylori‐related atrophic gastritis (AG) may reduce the likelihood of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). We investigated the prevalence of H. pylori infection and AG and their association with endoscopic findings and symptom‐defined GERD in Shanghai.Methods:  A representative random sample of 3600 Shanghai residents aged 18–80 years was invited to complete a general information questionnaire and a Chinese version of the Reflux Disease Questionnaire, to provide blood samples for H. pylori serology and pepsinogen (PG) I/II assay (to detect AG, defined as PGI < 70 µg/L and/or PGI/PGII < 7), and to undergo endoscopy. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by multivariate logistic regression.Results:  A total of 1022 Shanghai residents underwent endoscopy and were valid for inclusion in the study. Of these, 71.7% tested positive for H. pylori, 63.8% had AG and 30.5% had moderate/severe AG (PGI < 50 µg/L and/or PGI/PGII < 5). Helicobacter pylori infection was equally common in all age groups. Severity of AG increased with age in women. Reflux esophagitis was inversely associated with AG (OR, 0.23 [CI, 0.09–0.55] for moderate/severe AG compared with no H. pylori or gastritis). However, symptom‐defined GERD showed no clear association with AG.Conclusions:  Helicobacter pylori infection and AG are very common in Shanghai, and the infection is acquired early in life. Atrophic gastritis is inversely associated with reflux esophagitis but is not significantly associated with symptom‐defined GERD.
Research note: Amorphochlora amoebiformis gen. et comb. nov. (Chlorarachniophyceae)
Authors: Ishida Ken‐ichiro , Yabuki Akinori , Ota Shuhei 
Published: December 2010

SUMMARYA chlorarachniophycean alga, Lotharella amoebiformis, which has been classified in the genus Lotharella is placed into a new genus Amorphochlora gen. nov., based on its phylogenetic position, which has been clarified by the recently accumulated molecular phylogenetic information, and the morphological difference between the vegetative cells of the Lotharella species. Following this taxonomic treatment, a new combination Amorphochlora amoebiformis comb. nov., is proposed.
Reproductive biology of Azadirachta indica (Meliaceae), a medicinal tree species from arid zones
Authors: VIKAS  , TANDON RAJESH 
Published: December 2010

AbstractNeem or the Margosa tree, Azadirachta indica (Meliaceae), is a versatile tree species common in arid zones. We investigated the reproductive biology of Neem, including phenology, floral biology, pollination ecology and the breeding system, in three natural populations in northern India. Phenological observations established that trees within a population flowered synchronously, but populations varied in the time of onset of flowering; a few trees flowered twice a year. An inflorescence bears ∼ 91 bisexual, white and sweet‐scented flowers. The stigma consists of a non‐receptive apical region and a subjacent rim of receptive surface; papillae on the two regions differ in their morphology and function. The occurrence of natural pollination both by wind and insects indicates ambophily. Insect pollinators were predominantly represented by Hymenoptera and Lepidoptera; Apis spp. were the most effective pollinators. Although the occurrence of incomplete dichogamy and a pollen : ovule ratio of ∼ 627 indicates the possibility of autogamy, supplemental pollinations clearly established that the trees were 100% self‐incompatible and incompatibility is regulated at the gametophytic level. Natural fruit set was low (∼ 5%) and hand cross‐pollinations increased the fruit set to ∼ 19%. Our study demonstrated that natural fruit set in Neem is possibly limited by insufficient amounts of xenogamous pollination and resources.
Biomass transformation webs provide a unified approach to consumer–resource modelling
Authors: Getz Wayne M. 
Published: December 2010

Ecology Letters (2011) 14: 113–124AbstractAn approach to modelling food web biomass flows among live and dead compartments within and among species is formulated using metaphysiological principles that characterise population growth in terms of basal metabolism, feeding, senescence and exploitation. This leads to a unified approach to modelling interactions among plants, herbivores, carnivores, scavengers, parasites and their resources. Also, dichotomising sessile miners from mobile gatherers of resources, with relevance to feeding and starvation time scales, suggests a new classification scheme involving 10 primary categories of consumer types. These types, in various combinations, rigorously distinguish scavenger from parasite, herbivory from phytophagy and detritivore from decomposer. Application of the approach to particular consumer–resource interactions is demonstrated, culminating in the construction of an anthrax‐centred food web model, with parameters applicable to Etosha National Park, Namibia, where deaths of elephants and zebra from the bacterial pathogen, Bacillus anthracis, provide significant subsidies to jackals, vultures and other scavengers.
Stepping in Elton’s footprints: a general scaling model for body masses and trophic levels across ecosystems
Authors: Riede Jens O. , Brose Ulrich , Ebenman Bo , Jacob Ute , Thompson Ross , Townsend Colin R. , Jonsson Tomas 
Published: December 2010

Ecology Letters (2011) 14: 169–178AbstractDespite growing awareness of the significance of body‐size and predator–prey body‐mass ratios for the stability of ecological networks, our understanding of their distribution within ecosystems is incomplete. Here, we study the relationships between predator and prey size, body‐mass ratios and predator trophic levels using body‐mass estimates of 1313 predators (invertebrates, ectotherm and endotherm vertebrates) from 35 food‐webs (marine, stream, lake and terrestrial). Across all ecosystem and predator types, except for streams (which appear to have a different size structure in their predator–prey interactions), we find that (1) geometric mean prey mass increases with predator mass with a power‐law exponent greater than unity and (2) predator size increases with trophic level. Consistent with our theoretical derivations, we show that the quantitative nature of these relationships implies systematic decreases in predator–prey body‐mass ratios with the trophic level of the predator. Thus, predators are, on an average, more similar in size to their prey at the top of food‐webs than that closer to the base. These findings contradict the traditional Eltonian paradigm and have implications for our understanding of body‐mass constraints on food‐web topology, community dynamics and stability.