389 research outputs found

    Lack of high BMI-related features in adipocytes and inflammatory cells in the infrapatellar fat pad (IFP)

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    BACKGROUND: Obesity is associated with the development and progression of osteoarthritis (OA). Although the infrapatellar fat pad (IFP) could be involved in this association, due to its intracapsular localization in the knee joint, there is currently little known about the effect of obesity on the IFP. Therefore, we investigated cellular and molecular body mass index (BMI)-related features in the IFP of OA patients. METHODS: Patients with knee OA (N = 155, 68% women, mean age 65 years, mean (SD) BMI 29.9 kg/m2 (5.7)) were recruited: IFP volume was determined by magnetic resonance imaging in 79 patients with knee OA, while IFPs and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SCAT) were obtained from 106 patients undergoing arthroplasty. Crown-like structures (CLS) were determined using immunohistochemical analysis. Adipocyte size was determined by light microscopy and histological analysis. Stromal vascular fraction (SVF) cells were characterized by flow cytometry. RESULTS: IFP volume (mean (SD) 23.6 (5.4) mm(3)) was associated with height, but not with BMI or other obesity-related features. Likewise, volume and size of IFP adipocytes (mean 271 pl, mean 1933 μm) was not correlated with BMI. Few CLS were observed in the IFP, with no differences between overweight/obese and lean individuals. Moreover, high BMI was not associated with higher SVF immune cell numbers in the IFP, nor with changes in their phenotype. No BMI-associated molecular differences were observed, besides an increase in TNFα expression with high BMI. Macrophages in the IFP were mostly pro-inflammatory, producing IL-6 and TNFα, but little IL-10. Interestingly, however, CD206 and CD163 were associated with an anti-inflammatory phenotype, were the most abundantly expressed surface markers on macrophages (81% and 41%, respectively) and CD163(+) macrophages had a more activated and pro-inflammatory phenotype than their CD163(-) counterparts. CONCLUSIONS: BMI-related features usually observed in SCAT and visceral adipose tissue could not be detected in the IFP of OA patients, a fat depot implicated in OA pathogenesis

    CC's for the CIO - Core competencies for the chief information officer

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    The role of the modern-day Chief Information Officer (CIO) is multi-faceted, dynamic, inherently pressured and complex, and one which requires a multidisciplinary knowledge and skill-set. As the executive charged with the responsibility of managing the fast changing and complex Information Systems (IS) and Information Technology (IT) function, the modern-day CIO must possess and continually develop a wide range of diverse competencies. Today's CIO is required to take a much broader role in the business, drive business transformation, innovate for competitive advantage and act as a key strategic partner within the wider organisation. This study reports preliminary findings from 30 Australian CIOs on the identification of core competencies and is part of a larger body of work leading to the development of a CIO Competency Framework - for use by both practitioners and researchers to help bridge the gap between practice and theory and aid in CIO succession planning

    CC\u27s for the CIO (Core Competencies for the Chief Information Officer)

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    The role of the modern-day Chief Information Officer (CIO) is multi-faceted, dynamic, inherently pressured and complex, and one which requires a multidisciplinary knowledge and skill-set. As the executive charged with the responsibility of managing the fast changing and complex Information Systems (IS) and Information Technology (IT) function, the modern-day CIO must possess and continually develop a wide range of diverse competencies. Today’s CIO is required to take a much broader role in the business, drive business transformation, innovate for competitive advantage and act as a key strategic partner within the wider organisation. This study reports preliminary findings from 30 Australian CIOs on the identification of core competencies and is part of a larger body of work leading to the development of a CIO Competency Framework - for use by both practitioners and researchers to help bridge the gap between practice and theory and aid in CIO succession planning

    Standardized Methods for Enhanced Quality and Comparability of Tuberculous Meningitis Studies

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    Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) remains a major cause of death and disability in tuberculosis-endemic areas, especially in young children and immunocompromised adults. Research aimed at improving outcomes is hampered by poor standardization, which limits study comparison and the generalizability of results. We propose standardized methods for the conduct of TBM clinical research that were drafted at an international tuberculous meningitis research meeting organized by the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit in Vietnam. We propose a core dataset including demographic and clinical information to be collected at study enrollment, important aspects related to patient management and monitoring, and standardized reporting of patient outcomes. The criteria proposed for the conduct of observational and intervention TBM studies should improve the quality of future research outputs, can facilitate multicenter studies and meta-analyses of pooled data, and could provide the foundation for a global TBM data repository

    iSchools and archival studies

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    Whispers and rumors about the iSchool movement lead some to fear that this represents yet another shift away from the valued traditions of library schools, threatening something far different than what library science pioneers ever envisioned. Predating the iSchool movement, however, were other programmatic shifts such as those that led to the formalization of graduate archival education. This essay argues that such evolution is essential to our future, as iSchools tackle the increasingly complex issues confronting a digital society. We consider the mission and history of iSchools and of archival studies, the basic elements and concepts of archival studies that are critical to iSchools, and the relationship between iSchools and the changing nature of personal and institutional archives. © 2009 Springer Science+Business Media B.V

    Mouse Protocadherin-1 gene expression is regulated by cigarette smoke exposure in vivo

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    Protocadherin-1 (PCDH1) is a novel susceptibility gene for airway hyperresponsiveness, first identified in families exposed to cigarette smoke and is expressed in bronchial epithelial cells. Here, we asked how mouse Pcdh1 expression is regulated in lung structural cells in vivo under physiological conditions, and in both short-term cigarette smoke exposure models characterized by airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness and chronic cigarette smoke exposure models. Pcdh1 gene-structure was investigated by Rapid Amplification of cDNA Ends. Pcdh1 mRNA and protein expression was investigated by qRT-PCR, western blotting using isoform-specific antibodies. We observed 87% conservation of the Pcdh1 nucleotide sequence, and 96% conservation of the Pcdh1 protein sequence between men and mice. We identified a novel Pcdh1 isoform encoding only the intracellular signalling motifs. Cigarette smoke exposure for 4 consecutive days markedly reduced Pcdh1 mRNA expression in lung tissue (3 to 4-fold), while neutrophilia and airway hyperresponsiveness was induced. Moreover, Pcdh1 mRNA expression in lung tissue was reduced already 6 hours after an acute cigarette-smoke exposure in mice. Chronic exposure to cigarette smoke induced loss of Pcdh1 protein in lung tissue after 2 months, while Pcdh1 protein levels were no longer reduced after 9 months of cigarette smoke exposure. We conclude that Pcdh1 is highly homologous to human PCDH1, encodes two transmembrane proteins and one intracellular protein, and is regulated by cigarette smoke exposure in vivo

    An exploration of bi+ people and work.

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    With approximately 1 million people in the Netherlands, bi+ people constitute the largest group under the lgbtqi+ umbrella.1 Bi+ is the overarching term for all individuals with a sexual orientation directed towards more than one gender. Research indicates that they experience less favorable outcomes in various aspects of work compared to heterosexual, lesbian, and gay people (Van Beusekom & Kuyper, 2018). However, a deeper understanding of these experiences and how these unfavorable differences can be explained is lacking. This report is the result of an exploration conducted by Leiden University and Bi+ Nederland at the request of the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. The aim of this exploration is to gain more insight into the experiences of bi+ individuals at the workplace and to identify promising approaches to improve the situation of bi+ individuals at work. The exploration consists of two parts. The first part involves a literature review on what is already known from research about bi+ individuals at work, and what promising approaches exist to improve the situation of bi+ individuals at work. In addition to the Netherlands, the focus was on Western and Northern Europe and Anglo-Saxon countries, as research on this topic has been conducted in these areas and publications are generally in English. The second part is based on thirty interviews with bi+ employees in paid employment in the Netherlands and five interviews with national and international experts in the field of bi+ inclusion in the labor market. The interviews provided concrete examples of how a particular phenomenon or process was experienced in practice by bi+ individuals, thereby providing more detailed insight. The literature review has been conducted by Bi+ Nederland with contributions from Leiden University. The interview study was executed by Leiden University. An external advisory group provided feedback on the approach and draft reports, consisting of Irene Hemelaar (FNV / Largest DutchTrade Union), Fayaaz Joemmanbaks (Colored Qollective), Lis Dekkers (Transgender Network), Wies Loeffen (Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment), Laura Baams (University of Groningen) and Peter Mekers (Network Rainbow FNV/ Largest DutchTrade Union). We first provide a brief explanation of what bi+ is and what is characteristic of it. Then we present the conclusions from the literature review and interviews, followed by recommendations for various stakeholders. Social decision makin
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