bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Personality analysis of patients complaining of sialorrhoea
Authors: Lamey P.‐J. , Clifford T. J. , El‐Karim I. A. , Cooper C. 
Published: April 2006

Background:  Sialorrhoea, the symptom of apparent excessive secretion of saliva is a relatively uncommon complaint. Some authors consider that in the absence of clinical findings, then these patients have a psychiatric disorder masquerading as a physical illness. However, there is little evidence in the literature to support this conclusion and a detailed psychological assessment of this population has not previously been reported.Methods:  In total, 18 patients and 18 age‐ and sex‐matched controls were studied. All had a history of a complaint of excess salivation in the absence of any oral mucosal or systemic abnormality. All patients completed an Eysenck Personality Questionnaire.Results:  There were no differences in the extroversion of psychoticism scores between the study and control group. However, the result showed significant increases in the neuroticism and Lie Scale score in the patient group.Conclusions:  The overall results of this study indicate that the complaint of sialorrhoea in otherwise healthy individuals does not have an organic basis and suggest that sialorrhoea is associated with high levels of neuroticism and a tendency to dissimulate.
Parotid carcinoma: expression of kit protein and epidermal growth factor receptor
Authors: Sørensen Kristine Bjørndal , Godballe Christian , Stricker Karin de , Krogdahl Annelise 
Published: April 2006

Objectives:  Our aim is to investigate the expression of kit protein (KIT) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in parotid carcinomas in order to correlate the expression to histology and prognosis. Further we want to perform mutation analysis of KIT‐positive adenoid cystic carcinomas.Patients and Methods:  Formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded sections from 73 patients with parotid gland carcinomas were used for the study. The sections were stained with both KIT and EGFR polyclonal antibodies. Twelve KIT‐positive adenoid cystic carcinomas were examined for c‐kit mutation in codon 816.Results:  Of all carcinomas 25% were KIT‐positive and 79% were EGFR‐positive. Ninety‐two percentage of the adenoid cystic carcinomas were KIT‐positive. None of the adenoid cystic carcinomas had mutations in codon 816 of the c‐kit gene.Conclusion:  Neither KIT‐ nor EGFR‐expression seem to harbour significant prognostic information. Adenoid cystic carcinomas express KIT, but no mutations in codon 816 of the c‐kit gene were identified.
The use of surface‐enhanced laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry to detect putative breast cancer markers in saliva: a feasibility study
Authors: Streckfus Charles F. , Bigler Lenora R. , Zwick Michael 
Published: April 2006

Background:  Technologies are now available enabling saliva to be used to diagnose disease, predict disease progression, and monitor therapeutic efficacy. This pilot study describes the use of surface‐enhanced laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (SELDI) to detect putative breast cancer markers in saliva.Methods:  Salivary specimens were analyzed as either pooled cancer saliva specimens, or individual specimens from healthy women and women diagnosed with carcinoma of the breast. The specimens were applied to a variety of protein chip arrays, washed extensively to remove unbound analytes and analyzed on a SELDI mass spectrometer.Results:  The results of this initial study suggest that the WCX protein chip array prepared and washed at pH 3.5 yielded the most promising results. Additionally, the analyses revealed a number of proteins that were higher in intensity among the cancer subjects when compared with controls. These salivary proteins were present at the 18, 113, 170, 228 and 287 km/z ranges using SELDI analyses.Conclusions:  The study suggests that saliva may be useful for high‐throughput biomarker discovery.
Baclofen pump pocket infection: a case report of successful salvage with muscle flap
Authors: Atiyeh Bishara S , Hayek Shady N , Skaf Ghassan S , Araj Ali Al , Chamoun Roukoz B 
Published: April 2006

AbstractProgrammable pump for continuous infusion of intrathecal baclofen, an agonist of the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma‐aminobutyric acid, is nowadays being widely used to control spasticity. The most common complications leading to explantation of the pumps are skin breakdown and infection at the pump implantation site which cannot be effectively treated without pump removal. We report a 37‐year‐old man who developed a baclofen pump pocket infection that did not respond to antibiotic therapy. Because the continuation of intrathecal baclofen administration was critical to the patient, and because the high cost of the pump precluded its prompt replacement, the pump was salvaged using the ipsilateral rectus abdominis muscle that was elevated on its inferior vascular pedicle and wrapped around the pump. Abdominal skin was then approximated, leaving a small portion of exposed muscle overlying the refill site that was covered by a split‐thickness skin graft. Continuous intrathecal baclofen administration was never discontinued. Three months later, the pump's refill site could be easily identified manually for pump refill. There were no signs of recurrent infection during the 2‐year follow‐up period.
Preventing venous ulcer recurrence: a review
Authors: Vowden Kathryn R , Vowden Peter 
Published: April 2006

AbstractThis review article examines the available evidence on both the primary and secondary prevention of venous ulceration, exploring both the individual, social and financial implications of system failures that allow patients to remain at increased risk of recurrent ulceration. The role of both venous disease assessment and corrective superficial venous surgery are discussed in the light of recently published randomised controlled studies on the role of superficial venous surgery as both an adjunct to ulcer healing and ulcer prevention.
Response of human peritoneal mesothelial cells to inflammatory injury is regulated by interleukin‐1b and tumor necrosis factor‐a
Authors: Stadlmann Sylvia , Pollheimer Juergen , Renner Kathrin , Zeimet Alain G. , Offner Felix A. , Amberger Albert 
Published: April 2006

ABSTRACTPeritoneal injury is often associated with alterations of the mesothelium, resulting in peritoneal healing and adhesion formation. We analyzed the effects of pro‐inflammatory cytokines on cell morphology and proliferation of human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMC). After 48 hours, HPMC formed a confluent layer with cell volumes of 2,662±111 fL. Treatment of HPMC with interleukin‐1β and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) induced mesothelial disintegration and alterations in mesothelial cell morphology, which were associated with an interleukin‐1β–triggered increase in cell volume (3,028±118 fL; p<0.05) and exfoliation of cells into the supernatants of cell cultures (p<0.05). Whereas TNF‐α arrested HPMC in the G0/G1 phase (p<0.05), interleukin‐1β caused an increase of cells into the S phase of the cell cycle. In addition, interleukin‐1β and interferon‐γ exerted a proliferative effect on HPMC. These changes were independent from mesothelial Na+/H+ antiporter‐1 expression. Our data indicate that the response of HPMC to inflammatory injury is regulated by interleukin‐1β and TNF‐α reflecting their putative role in peritoneal wound healing and adhesion formation.
Stem cells isolated from adult rat muscle differentiate across all three dermal lineages
Authors: Schultz Sherri S. , Abraham Sherly , Lucas Paul A. 
Published: April 2006

ABSTRACTAdult stem cells capable of differentiating into phenotypes from all three dermal layers were isolated from adult rat muscle. Stem cells were obtained by enzymatic digestion, followed by primary culture in Eagle's minimum essential medium +10% preselected horse serum. When the cells reached confluence, they were released by trypsin, filtered to remove differentiated myotubes, and then slow frozen in 7.5% dimethylsulfoxide to −80°C. Thawed cells were the stem cells and were induced to differentiate with the nonspecific differentiating agent dexamethasone at concentrations of 10−10–10−6 M. After a 6‐week treatment with dexamethasone, the cells were assayed by immunohistochemistry for phenotypes of the mesodermal, ectodermal, and endodermal lineages. Examples of mesodermal phenotypes identified were as follows: bone, cartilage, and skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscle. Ectodermal phenotypes identified were as follows: neurons and oligodendrocytes. Hepatocyte phenotypes identified represented the endodermal lineage. All the phenotypes were observed only with treatment with dexamethasone. However, nestin was observed in the absence of dexamethasone and may be a marker for uncommitted pluripotent stem cells. The results show that adult muscle contains pluripotent stem cells capable of differentiating across all three dermal lineages. Such cells could be used in the context of tissue engineering.
GELLING AND COLOR PROPERTIES OF OSTRICH (STRUTHIO CAMELUS) EGG WHITE
Authors: FERNÁNDEZ‐LÓPEZ JUANA , MARTÍNEZ ALICIA , FERNÁNDEZ‐GINÉS JOSE MARÍA , SAYAS‐BARBERÁ ESTRELLA , SENDRA ESTHER , PÉREZ‐ALVAREZ JOSÉ ANGEL 
Published: April 2006

ABSTRACT The effect of temperature upon the denaturation process of ostrich egg‐white protein was studied, and it compared with that of commercial hen eggs. Turbidity and color properties evolution were used to determine this effect. In addition, egg‐white gels (from both ostrich and hen egg whites) were obtained by heat treatment at 80C, and these were characterized by means of color, textural properties and water‐holding capacity (WHC). Results showed that although 55C was the temperature for the start of coagulation in both types of egg white, only in hen egg white was the process completed at 65C. The gels obtained at 80C (both ostrich and hen egg‐white gels) presented a strong structure that would allow ostrich egg white to be used
as a gelling agent in the food industry as it happens with hen egg white.
Strategic Alliances in Purchasing: Transportation Is the Vital Link
Authors: Gentry Julie J. 
Published: April 2006

The past few years have seen a definite trend for purchasing organizations to form “partnerships” or “strategic alliances” with a few preferred suppliers. The literature in the field has reinforced this concept by providing numerous examples and research findings investigating these emerging long‐term, cooperative buyer‐supplier relationships. However, the role of the transportation providers serving as the critical linkage between a firm and its suppliers has received little attention. Recent research efforts have shown that “logistics alliances” are gaining in popularity, producing similar potential benefits to those realized in buyer‐supplier partnerships.This article explores the transportation provider's role in buyer‐supplier partnerships and identifies the contributions that such firms have made in attaining the long‐term success of these alliances. The results of a recent CAPS (Center for Advanced Purchasing Studies) study are also presented to show the increased involvement that purchasing managers have in making inbound transportation decisions.
The Role of Materials Management in Developing Time‐Based Competition
Authors: Handfield Robert B. 
Published: April 2006

Many firms increasingly have to produce products tailored to customers'specific requirements. At the same time, many consumers require shorter and shorter lead times for such orders. In such industries, time‐based advantages can often be the single most effective competitive edge. With respect to delivery performance, time‐based competition refers to the ability to deliver a customized product within a shorter elapsed time than can competitors in the same market, and is usually measured in terms of delivery lead time. Among the many methods suggested for reducing lead time, the roles of product design and materials management are often cited as critical. However, there exist few benchmarks by which to judge this performance.A cross‐industry field study carried out by the author provided insights into this problem. Data for the study were gathered through interviews with managers in 35 firms across the United States and Canada. The results suggest that purchasing managers can contribute significantly to lead time reduction efforts within their organization. In particular, reducing late supplier deliveries and material defects requires that firms work closely with a few certified suppliers in solving these problems. In a similar manner, simple and manufacturable products developed through increased input of manufacturing and materials managers in the early stages of the design process can have a great effect on lead time reduction later on. Such efforts in the design and materials areas may often require that the traditional boundaries existing between functional areas in a firm be broken down.
Performance Based Evaluation Systems Under Total Quality Management
Authors: Giunipero Larry C. , Brewer Daniel J. 
Published: April 2006

Many firms are moving toward closer relationships with key suppliers to support total quality management (TQM) and just‐in‐time (JIT) systems. Because these systems dictate closer working relationships with suppliers, supplier evaluation systems will also undergo changes. This article focuses on these changes.Evaluation systems under TQM/JIT must be broader in scope and oriented toward proactive problem solving and continuous improvement. They will be characterized by short‐ and long‐term improvements jointly selected by both parties.These propositions are supported by a case study at a large corporation that successfully implemented TQM/JIT. Results indicate that the firm improved its supplier evaluation and selection process. These improvements led to increased customer satisfaction and lower costs. Improvements realized in the evaluation process were accomplished through the increased use of data, customer and supplier input, and feedback from the purchaser. Finally, the case study reviews the broader evaluation measures used in a TQM/JIT system.
Partnering Pitfalls and Success Factors
Authors: Ellram Lisa M. 
Published: April 2006

Over the past several years, there has been a significant shift in the way many organizations approach buyer‐seller relationships. Recent years have seen an increased interest and involvement in buyer‐supplier partnerships, which tend to be longer term, ongoing, and based on a sharing of the risks of relationship outcomes. Most of the research dealing with the partnering phenomenon has focused on buyers’ or suppliers’ perspectives of the relationship. Few research projects have looked at the perceptions of both buyers and suppliers simultaneously.This article, based on a Center for Advanced Purchasing Studies (CAPS) focus study, looks simultaneously at the perceptions of both buyers and suppliers who mutually agree that they are involved in a partnership. It explores the impetus for entering the partnership, as well as the key success factors and factors contributing to failure in previous partnering relationships. It provides useful insights into the similarities and differences in buyers’ and suppliers’ perceptions, and compares the study's findings with those of previous research studies.
Maintaining Buyer‐Supplier Partnerships
Authors: Landeros Robert , Reck Robert , Plank Richard E. 
Published: April 2006

Partnerships between industrial buyers and industrial sellers are becoming more common in the United States. However, evidence suggests that many of these relationships do not reach their full potential because of actions taken or not taken by the partners. While some partnerships are doomed to failure from the beginning, many fail because the partners do not have a process established to maintain the relationship.This article offers a model for developing and maintaining buyer‐supplier partnerships. The development portion of the model consists of four stages: (1) buyer's expectations, (2) seller's perceptions, (3) mutual understanding and commitment, and (4) performance activity. However, certain problems in the performance activity stage can place the relationship in jeopardy and move the partnership to another stage: (5) corrective action. The model continues by illustrating three approaches to mitigate these performance problems and bring stability back to the relationship: (1) operational unilateral adjustment, (2) operational bilateral adjustment, and (3) managerial bilateral adjustment. The key to a stable, mutually beneficial buyer‐supplier partnership over time is understanding how problems may enter a relationship and how they can best be eliminated.
Measuring Relative Productivity and Staffing Levels in a Federal Procurement Office
Authors: Black Dennis E. 
Published: April 2006

A number of attempts have been made to measure productivity and staffing needs within federal procurement offices. Previous attempts, however, have failed to adequately measure the relative (weighted) differences in both work tasks and staffing levels across offices examined.This research presents an analytical model for measuring the productivity across federal procurement offices by computing a workload index that weights the differences in work assignments and staff resources within each office examined. Through the systematic assignment of weights, the model, called the Workload Index Model, measures an office's relative productivity, given its relative staff resources. If certain assumptions can be made that generally apply across all federal procurement offices, then with the application of systematic weights, the relative productivity of an organization can be measured. The model therefore avoids the validity and reliability errors inherent in generally used unweighted performance indicators.The author tested the Workload Index Model by measuring the relative workload and staffing among ten decentralized research and development (R&D) contracting offices at the National Institutes of Health during the six‐year period of FY 1988‐1993. The results showed that, unlike previous attempts, the Workload Index Model produced systematic comparative analyses of relative productivity and staffing across the offices examined. Used with other performance indicators, the model represents a useful quantitative tool for federal, and perhaps private sector, procurement managers in developing productivity and staffing standards.
Purchasing's Interaction with Customers: The Effects on Customer Satisfaction—A Case Study
Authors: Rossler Paul E. , Hirsz A.B. 
Published: April 2006

A significant number of purchasing organizations find themselves working to improve both their image and customer satisfaction. This article describes the experiences of a purchasing organization, in one division of an oil company, that had tried unsuccessfully for ten years to improve customer satisfaction by measuring performance and improving supplier reliability. Management then employed a somewhat broader approach to improving purchasing performance in the area of capital equipment purchases: interacting more closely with internal customers.To evaluate the effects of this approach on customer satisfaction, upper‐ and middle‐level managers in purchasing's two largest internal customer organizations, Engineering and Maintenance, were surveyed—first in the Northern Division, where both past efforts and the current intervention had been implemented, and in a similar division, the Southern Division, where only past efforts had been applied. The results indicate that interacting more closely with customers can improve customer perceptions of purchasing's responsiveness and professionalism, but that technical knowledge may play a greater role in improving perceptions of the value added by purchasing. The experiences of this purchasing organization provide general insights on approaches to perceived performance improvement.
Use of ISO 9000 and Baldrige Award Criteria in Supplier Quality Evaluation
Authors: Curkovic Sime , Handfield Robert 
Published: April 2006

Purchasing and materials managers are increasingly concerned with ISO 9000 registration, both as a prerequisite for participation in global markets and in supplier selection. The ISO 9000 guidelines link certification requirements to quality‐related corporate issues, and can be used as a screening tool for companies when assessing a supplier's process conformance. However, many important areas of quality management are not addressed by ISO 9000. The Malcolm Baldrige Award criteria, on the other hand, provide a comprehensive framework within which to conduct an evaluation of suppliers’ quality systems.The similarities and differences between the two frameworks are compared in a map that is validated using survey data from 314 North American organizations. The results suggest that ISO 9000 registration criteria fail to measure key areas of quality management, including strategic planning, employee involvement, quality results, competitive benchmarking, and customer satisfaction. Based on these results, the implications for the design of supplier quality measurement and evaluation systems are discussed.
Purchasing's Preparedness for ISO 9000 International Quality Standards
Authors: Naidu G.M. , Prasad V. Kanti , Kleimenhagen Arno 
Published: April 2006

International quality standards such as the ISO 9000 series are fast becoming a strategic consideration as more firms compete in the global marketplace. This article examines ISO 9000 from the perspective of the purchasing function. As international competition becomes more intense, cost, quality, and competitiveness become linked. Thus, purchasing becomes a key player as a firm develops its competitive strategy.Midwestern purchasing executives were asked for their views on issues related to source assessment, quality, and ISO 9000. The results indicate that the purchasing and supply function is likely to have a strategic impact on a firm's globalization process. Consequently, purchasing executives in such firms must be prepared to commit to the ISO 9000 series of standards.
The Effects of EDI on Industrial Buyer‐Seller Relationships: A Network Perspective
Authors: Marcussen Carl H. 
Published: April 2006

Based on two British case studies involving 25 companies, of which six industrial wholesalers are central actors, this research concluded that, overall, EDI strengthens industrial buyer‐seller relationships. Actors who use EDI in their role as purchasers do in fact experience the advantages normally associated with the use of EDI. But from the suppliers' point of view, the perceived strengthening is unrelated to how and how much EDI is used. Many suppliers have implemented EDI largely to retain their customers, but frequently gain no direct financial benefits from the use of EDI. Thus, the benefits of EDI are not equally distributed. Purchasers of the industrial products studied have not yet made EDI a condition for doing business. At the same time, most suppliers tend to overestimate the amount of additional business they are getting by implementing EDI.The article concludes with a discussion of the managerial implications of these findings – and four strategies for EDI implementation are proposed.
Supplier Relationships and the Trade Secrets Dilemma
Authors: Budden Michael C. , Jones Michael A. , Budden Connie B. 
Published: April 2006

Increasingly, purchasing managers are finding that they are gatekeepers of valuable information for which adequate security must be provided. As relationships between purchasers and suppliers become increasingly interdependent through partnering arrangements, the need to document and provide adequate security increases. The authors believe that with recent trends in supplier relations, purchasing managers must take a proactive approach to provide for the safety of their firms' proprietary information.This article explores the trade‐secrets problem facing managers, and suggests a program for reducing the risks of information misappropriation.