bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Antecedents and consequences of teamwork quality in new product development projects
Authors: Dayan Mumin , Di Benedetto C. Anthony 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the quality of interactions among new product development team members, wherein functional diversity, team stability, and transactive memory system are antecedents of teamwork quality. Three measures of outcomes are used (team learning, speed to market, product success), and task complexity is a moderating variable.Design/methodology/approachA theoretical model was developed and tested on the survey data collected from 93 product managers of Turkish companies. The product managers who participated in this study represented various industries including those of telecommunications, food, material, software, machinery, chemicals, and service technologies.FindingsAn inverted‐U impact of both functional diversity and team stability on teamwork quality was found, and a positive impact of transactive memory system on teamwork quality. Teamwork quality was significantly related to improved performance, and task complexity moderates this relationship.Originality/valueThe paper is the first attempt to explore the role antecedents and its outcomes in NPD teams.
Orthopaedic physiotherapy practitioners
Authors: Rabey Martin , Morgans Sharon , Barrett Cathy 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to discuss the scepticism that persists among medics regarding appropriateness of some aspects of services provided by extended scope physiotherapists (ESPs). This paper aims to highlight the extent and appropriateness of surgical and radiological referrals by ESPs working in an adult orthopaedic service.Design/methodology/approachThe patient pathway following ESP assessment was audited over 31 months. Parameters explored included ESP referral rates to orthopaedic consultants; the percentage of patients where the entire episode of care was managed by the ESP; whether orthopaedic referrals were appropriate in terms of surgical interventions; and numbers of radiology referrals specifically for knee or lumbar complaints.FindingsOf the patients, 79 per cent had their entire episode of care managed by ESPs. Of the patients, 9 per cent were referred on for a surgical opinion (of which 42 per cent knees, 20 per cent lumbar). 13 per cent were referred for x‐rays, 10 per cent for magnetic resonance imaging. Of the patients referred on for surgical opinion surgical intervention was appropriate in 89 per cent of cases.Research limitations/implicationsData from an ESP service with broad guiding protocols in a specific hospital are not readily extrapolated to ESPs elsewhere. Appropriateness of onwards referrals was based on the opinions of consultants to whom patients were referred. The potential benefit of a second opinion even if surgery is not offered is not taken into account by this model.Practical implicationsThese audits reinforce the impact ESPs have on efficiency within orthopaedics. They document referral rates for x‐rays and magnetic resonance imaging by ESPs for lumbar and knee complaints that may benefit units proposing new ESP services.Originality/valueThis paper reinforces published data on ESP management of the entire episode of care of the majority of referrals to orthopaedics, and on the highly appropriate nature of onwards referrals. Documented for possibly the first time, data regarding investigations for lumbar and knee disorders highlight low referral rates.
On becoming a manager and attaining managerial integrity
Authors: Bergin Elsmari 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe call for cuts and streamlining in health organizations has resulted in middle managers having more responsibilities. The main aim of this study is to explore and understand the way middle managers in Swedish health care organizations handle multiple obligations and continuous challenges.Design/methodology/approachMiddle managers in health organizations were interviewed in an open‐ended, interactive mode. The transcribed interviews were analysed using grounded theory as the method of study.FindingsThe participating managers started their careers as nurses or physiotherapists and they describe their experiences of transition in role taking and transformation of earlier approaches to work assignments. An understanding of a process of managerial development is identified. During this process, the subjects are going from “being prepared” to “defining limits”, from “action” to “wait‐and‐see”, gradually regaining self‐respect and establishing authority, all to attain a non‐negotiable managerial integrity.Practical implicationsThe findings can be used to support first line managers in health care, who often leave their positions in the early stages of their managerial career, as well as middle managers in their managerial development.Originality/valueThe development of managerial integrity, with support from findings in in‐depth interviews, has not been described until now.
Allergenicity and immunogenicity of the major mugwort pollen allergen Art v 1 chemically modified by acetylation
Authors: Perovic I. , Milovanovic M. , Stanic D. , Burazer L. , Petrovic D. , Milcic‐Matic N. , Gafvelin G. , Van Hage M. , Jankov R. , Velickovic T. Cirkovic 
Published: January 2009

SummaryBackground
Treating allergies with modified allergens is an approach to make the treatment safer and more efficient. Art v 1 is the most prominent allergen of mugwort pollen and a significant cause of hayfever around Europe. The aim of this study was to reduce the allergenicity of Art v 1 by acetylation, and to investigate the capacity of the modified protein to generate blocking antibodies.Methods
The reduction of allergenicity of Art v 1 following acetylation was monitored by immunoblot, ELISA inhibition using a pool of sera from mugwort pollen allergic patients, basophil activation assay and by skin prick testing of mugwort‐allergic patients. Rabbits were immunized against Art v 1 and acetylated Art v 1 (acArt v 1) and the rabbit antisera were tested for their capacity to block human IgE binding in ELISA. Human T cell proliferation against Art v 1 and acArt v 1 was examined in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of mugwort pollen allergic patients and cytokine release in PBMC cultures was monitored.Results
Acetylation of Art v 1 gave a derivative of reduced allergenicity in the in vitro and ex vivo tests applied. The skin test reactivity to acArt v 1 was significantly reduced in 19 patients when compared with the reactivity to Art v 1. Rabbit antibodies to acArt v 1 and Art v 1 showed similar capacity to block human IgE binding to Art v 1 in inhibition ELISA. Both proteins were able to induce proliferation of PBMCs and CD3/CD4+ cells of mugwort‐allergic patients. Release of IL‐5 was significantly reduced in cultures stimulated with acArt v 1.Conclusions
Art v 1 modified by acetylation had a significantly reduced allergenicity in vitro and in vivo, while its immunogenicity was retained. Modification of allergens by acetylation could be a new strategy for allergen‐specific immunotherapy.
High‐fat feeding redirects cytokine responses and decreases allergic airway eosinophilia
Authors: De Vries A. , Hazlewood L. , Fitch P. M. , Seckl J. R. , Foster P. , Howie S. E. M. 
Published: January 2009

SummaryBackground
Dietary fat intake has been associated with obesity and obesity in its turn with attenuated airway function and asthma, but it is unclear whether or how high‐fat intake per se alters immune function relevant to development of allergic asthma.Objective
To use a non‐obese mouse model of mild to moderate allergic asthma to compare effects of high‐fat with isocaloric control‐diet on allergic immune responses.Methods
C57BL/6 mice weaned and maintained on control (11% fat calories) or isocaloric high‐fat diet (58% fat calories) were systemically sensitized with ovalbumin and challenged in the lungs. Allergic airway inflammation was assessed by measuring lung inflammation; serum antibodies; and, cytokines in serum, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and in supernatants of in vitro stimulated lung draining lymph node and spleen lymphocytes.Results
There was a significant reduction in lung eosinophilia and IL‐5 in high‐fat fed mice. Lung draining lymph node cells from these mice showed reduced pro‐inflammatory cytokine (MCP‐1 and TNF‐α) release after ovalbumin re‐stimulation and reduced release of IL‐13 after concanavalin‐A stimulation, indicating a general rather than just an antigen‐specific change. There was no difference in IFN‐γ release. In contrast, pro‐inflammatory cytokine release was increased from splenocytes. Decreased eosinophilia was not due to increased regulatory T cell or IL‐10 induction in draining lymph nodes or spleen, nor to changes in antibody response to ovalbumin. However, decreased levels of serum and BAL eotaxin were found in high‐fat fed animals.Conclusions
The data indicate that high‐fat dietary content redirects local immune responses to allergen in the lungs and systemic responses in the spleen and serum. These effects are not due to changes in regulatory T cell populations but may reflect a failure to mobilize eosinophils in response to allergic challenge.
Conditioned polarized Caco‐2 cell monolayers allow to discriminate for the ability of gut‐derived microorganisms to modulate permeability and antigen‐induced basophil degranulation
Authors: Thierry A.‐C. , Bernasconi E. , Mercenier A. , Corthésy B. 
Published: January 2009

SummaryBackground
Food allergy is a common allergic disorder – especially in early childhood. The avoidance of the allergenic food is the only available method to prevent further reactions in sensitized patients. A better understanding of the immunologic mechanisms involved in this reaction would help to develop therapeutic approaches applicable to the prevention of food allergy.Objective
To establish a multi‐cell in vitro model of sensitized intestinal epithelium that mimics the intestinal epithelial barrier to study the capacity of probiotic microorganisms to modulate permeability, translocation and immunoreactivity of ovalbumin (OVA) used as a model antigen.Methods
Polarized Caco‐2 cell monolayers were conditioned by basolateral basophils and used to examine apical to basolateral transport of OVA by ELISA. Activation of basophils with translocated OVA was measured by β‐hexosaminidase release assay. This experimental setting was used to assess how microorganisms added apically affected these parameters. Basolateral secretion of cytokine/chemokines by polarized Caco‐2 cell monolayers was analysed by ELISA.Results
Basophils loaded with OVA‐specific IgE responded to OVA in a dose‐dependent manner. OVA transported across polarized Caco‐2 cell monolayers was found to trigger basolateral basophil activation. Microorganisms including lactobacilli and Escherichia coli increased transepithelial electrical resistance while promoting OVA passage capable to trigger basophil activation. Non‐inflammatory levels of IL‐8 and thymic stromal lymphopoietin were produced basolaterally by Caco‐2 cells exposed to microorganisms.Conclusion
The complex model designed inhere is adequate to learn about the consequence of the interaction between microorganisms and epithelial cells vis‐a‐vis the barrier function and antigen translocation, two parameters essential to mucosal homeostasis. It can further serve as a direct tool to search for microorganisms with anti‐allergic and anti‐inflammatory properties.
L-carnitine, a diet component and organic cation transporter OCTN ligand, displays immunosuppressive properties and abrogates intestinal inflammation
Authors: Fortin G , Yurchenko K , Collette C , Rubio M , Villani A-C , Bitton A , Sarfati M , Franchimont D 
Published: January 2009

SummaryAllele variants in the L-carnitine (LCAR) transporters OCTN1 (SLC22A4, 1672 C → T) and OCTN2 (SLC22A5, -207 G → C) have been implicated in susceptibility to Crohn's disease (CD). LCAR is consumed in the diet and transported actively from the intestinal lumen via the organic cation transporter OCTN2. While recognized mainly for its role in fatty acid metabolism, several lines of evidence suggest that LCAR may also display immunosuppressive properties. This study sought to investigate the immunomodulatory capacity of LCAR on antigen-presenting cell (APC) and CD4+ T cell function by examining cytokine production and the expression of activation markers in LCAR-supplemented and deficient cell culture systems. The therapeutic efficacy of its systemic administration was then evaluated during the establishment of colonic inflammation in vivo. LCAR treatment significantly inhibited both APC and CD4+ T cell function, as assessed by the expression of classical activation markers, proliferation and cytokine production. Carnitine deficiency resulted in the hyperactivation of CD4+ T cells and enhanced cytokine production. In vivo, protection from trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid colitis was observed in LCAR-treated mice and was attributed to the abrogation of both innate [interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 production] and adaptive (T cell proliferation in draining lymph nodes) immune responses. LCAR therapy may therefore represent a novel alternative therapeutic strategy and highlights the role of diet in CD.
Enhanced expression of interferon-inducible protein-10 correlates with disease activity and clinical manifestations in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Kong K O , Tan A W , Thong B Y H , Lian T Y , Cheng Y K , Teh C L , Koh E T , Chng H H , Law W G , Lau T C , Leong K P , Leung B P , Howe H S 
Published: January 2009

SummaryOur objective was to investigate the serum levels of interferon-inducible protein-10 (IP-10) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and their correlation with disease activity and organ manifestations. Serum IP-10 levels were assessed in 464 SLE patients and 50 healthy donors. Disease activity was assessed by the revised SLE Activity Measure, and the concomitant active organ manifestations, anti-ds DNA antibody titres, complement levels and erythrocyte sedimentation rates recorded. Peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) synthesis of IP-10 in SLE patients and controls was determined by in vitro cultures stimulated with mitogen or lipopolysaccharide. Elevated serum IP-10 levels were observed in SLE patients, which were significantly higher in the presence of active haematological and mucocutaneous manifestations. SLE PBMCs exhibited enhanced spontaneous IP-10 production in vitro. Serial IP-10 levels correlated with longitudinal change in SLE activity, even at low levels where anti-dsDNA antibody and complement levels remain unchanged. These data demonstrate that IP-10 levels are increased in SLE and serum IP-10 may represent a more sensitive marker for monitoring disease activity than standard serological tests.
Expression of chemokine receptors CXCR4, CXCR5 and CCR7 on B and T lymphocytes from patients with primary antibody deficiency
Authors: Payne D , Drinkwater S , Baretto R , Duddridge M , Browning M J 
Published: January 2009

SummaryThe interaction of chemokines and their receptors directs lymphocyte migration, and is involved in the distribution and organization of lymphocytes within lymphoid tissues. We reasoned that abnormal chemokine receptor expression might give rise to defects of lymphocyte migration into and within lymphoid tissues, and consequently be associated with defective antibody production in primary antibody deficiencies. In this study, we have investigated the expression of chemokine receptors CXCR4, CXCR5 and CCR7 on lymphocyte subpopulations (naive and memory B cells; CD4+ and CD8+ T cells) in a cohort of patients with primary antibody deficiency (n = 23), and compared these with a group of healthy controls (n = 19). We show that there were significant differences in both the proportions of lymphocytes expressing, and the levels of expression of, specific chemokine receptors on individual lymphocyte subpopulations between patients and controls. Furthermore, these changes appeared more pronounced in patients with more severe antibody deficiency. These data support the hypothesis that abnormal lymphocyte trafficking may be involved in the pathogenesis of primary antibody deficiencies.
Intrinsic defect of the immune system in children with Down syndrome: a review
Authors: Kusters M A A , Verstegen R H J , Gemen E F A , De Vries E 
Published: January 2009

SummaryDown syndrome (DS) is the most frequent cause of mental retardation in man. Immunological changes in DS have been observed since the 1970s. The neurological system appears to be ageing precociously, with early occurrence of Alzheimer disease; until now, the observed immunological differences have been interpreted in the same context. Looking back at past and present results of immunological studies in DS children in relation to the clinical consequences they suffer, we conclude that it is more likely that the DS immune system is intrinsically deficient from the very beginning.
Functional dissection of transformation by c‐Src and v‐Src
Authors: Oneyama Chitose , Hikita Tomoya , Nada Shigeyuki , Okada Masato 
Published: January 2009

The c‐src proto‐oncogene product, c‐Src, is frequently over‐expressed and activated in various human malignant cancers, implicating a role for c‐Src in cancer progression. To verify the role of c‐Src, we analyzed the transforming ability of c‐Src in mouse embryonic fibroblasts that lack Csk, a negative regulator of Src family kinases. Although Csk deficiency is not sufficient for cell transformation, c‐Src over‐expression induced characteristic transformed phenotypes including anchorage‐independent growth and tumorigenecity. These phenotypes were dose‐dependently inhibited by the re‐expression of Csk, indicating that there is a certain threshold for c‐Src transformation, which is determined by the c‐Src : Csk ratio. In contrast to v‐Src, c‐Src induced the phosphorylation of a limited number of cellular proteins and elicited a restricted change in gene expression profiles. The activation of some critical targets for v‐Src transformation, such as STAT3, was not significantly induced by c‐Src transformation. Several genes that are involved in cancer progression, that is, cyclin D1 and HIF‐1α, were induced by v‐Src, but not by c‐Src. Furthermore, v‐Src tumors exhibited aggressive growth and extensive angiogenesis, while c‐Src tumors grew more slowly accompanied by the induction of hematomas. These findings demonstrate that c‐Src has the potential to induce cell transformation, but it requires coordination with an additional pathway(s) to promote tumor progression in vivo.
The application of an indirect electromagnetic geothermometer to temperature extrapolation in depth
Authors: Spichak Viacheslav V. , Zakharova Olga K. 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACTWe study the feasibility of the application of an indirect EM geothermometer, developed recently, to the temperature extrapolation in depth using magnetotelluric data collected in the seismically active northern Tien Shan faulted area (Bishkek Geodynamic Test Site, Kyrgyzstan) and Hengill geothermal zone (Iceland). The approach used is based on the artificial neural network technique, which does not imply the prior knowledge of the electrical conductivity mechanisms on the one hand and provides temperature estimates based on the analysis of the implicit conductivity‐temperature relations, on the other.The samples for neuronet teaching consisted in the well temperature records and electrical conductivity values determined for the same depths from the magnetotelluric data measured in the vicinities of eight boreholes in each testing area. The testing of the taught neuronets was carried out using the temperature records not involved in the teaching process. The results indicate that the temperature extrapolation accuracy essentially depends on the ratio between the well length and the extrapolation depth. In particular, in extrapolation to a depth twice as large as the well depth the relative error is 5–6% and in case of threefold excess, the error is around 20%. This result makes it possible to increase significantly the depth of indirect temperature estimation in the Earth's interior (in particular, for geothermal exploration) based on the available temperature logs.The practical application of an indirect electromagnetic geothermometer could provide the following facilities: 1) more exact temperature estimation in the extrapolation mode; 2) remote temperature estimates in the boreholes in areas characterized by extreme conditions for conventional geothermometers.
Influence of temperature and spawning effort on Haliotis tuberculata mortalities caused by Vibrio harveyi: an example of emerging vibriosis linked to global warming
Authors: TRAVERS MARIE‐AGNÈS , BASUYAUX OLIVIER , LE GOÏC NELLY , HUCHETTE SYLVAIN , NICOLAS JEAN‐LOUIS , KOKEN MARCEL , PAILLARD CHRISTINE 
Published: January 2009

AbstractSince 1998, Haliotis tuberculata mass mortalities have been occurring regularly in wild abalone populations in France during their reproductive period and in conjunction with seawater summer temperature maxima and Vibrio harveyi presence. To confirm the importance of bacterial exposure, temperature and reproductive status on abalone susceptibility, experimental infections via bath exposure were performed using abalone ranging from immature to reproductively mature. Ripe abalone were more susceptible to the bacterium than immature specimens (P<0.001), and a difference of only 1 °C in temperature had a highly significant impact on the mortalities (P<0.001). The natural mortalities that were surveyed during summer 2007 confirmed that recent epidemic losses of European abalone appeared in conjunction with host reproductive stress, elevated temperatures and presence of the pathogen V. harveyi. In view of the elevation of the mean summer temperatures observed in Brittany and Normandy over the last 25 years, this temperature‐dependent vibriosis represents a new case of emerging disease associated with global warming.
Hippuric acid and benzoic acid inhibition of urine derived N2O emissions from soil
Authors: BERTRAM JANET E. , CLOUGH TIM J. , SHERLOCK ROBERT R. , CONDRON LEO M. , O'CALLAGHAN MAUREEN , WELLS NAOMI S. , RAY JESSICA L. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractAtmospheric concentrations of the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N2O) have continued to rise since the advent of the industrial era, largely because of the increase in agricultural land use. The urine deposited by grazing ruminant animals is a major global source of agricultural N2O. With the first commitment period for reducing greenhouse gas emissions under the Kyoto Protocol now underway, mitigation options for ruminant urine N2O emissions are urgently needed. Recent studies showed that increasing the urinary concentration of the minor urine constituent hippuric acid resulted in reduced emissions of N2O from a sandy soil treated with synthetic bovine urine, due to a reduction in denitrification. A similar effect was seen when benzoic acid, a product of hippuric acid hydrolysis, was used. This current laboratory experiment aimed to investigate these effects using real cow urine for the first time. Increased concentrations of hippuric acid or benzoic acid in the urine led to reduction of N2O emissions by 65% (from 17% to <6% N applied), with no difference between the two acid treatments. Ammonia volatilization did not increase significantly with increased hippuric acid or benzoic acid concentrations in the urine applied. Therefore, there was a net reduction in gaseous N loss from the soil with higher urinary concentrations of both hippuric acid and benzoic acid. The results show that elevating hippuric acid in the urine had a marked negative effect on both nitrification and denitrification rates and on subsequent N2O fluxes. This study indicates the potential for developing a novel mitigation strategy based on manipulation of urine composition through ruminant diet.