Research strategies for organizational history:a dialogue between historical theory and organization theory

If history matters for organization theory, then we need greater reflexivity regarding the epistemological problem of representing the past; otherwise, history might be seen as merely a repository of ready-made data. To facilitate this reflexivity, we set out three epistemological dualisms derived from historical theory to explain the relationship between history and organization theory: (1) in the dualism of explanation, historians are preoccupied with narrative construction, whereas organization theorists subordinate narrative to analysis; (2) in the dualism of evidence, historians use verifiable documentary sources, whereas organization theorists prefer constructed data; and (3) in the dualism of temporality, historians construct their own periodization, whereas organization theorists treat time as constant for chronology. These three dualisms underpin our explication of four alternative research strategies for organizational history: corporate history, consisting of a holistic, objectivist narrative of a corporate entity; analytically structured history, narrating theoretically conceptualized structures and events; serial history, using replicable techniques to analyze repeatable facts; and ethnographic history, reading documentary sources "against the grain." Ultimately, we argue that our epistemological dualisms will enable organization theorists to justify their theoretical stance in relation to a range of strategies in organizational history, including narratives constructed from documentary sources found in organizational archives. Copyright of the Academy of Management, all rights reserved

Pathogenesis, diagnosis and management of pneumorrhachis

Pneumorrhachis (PR), the presence of intraspinal air, is an exceptional but eminent radiographic finding, accompanied by different aetiologies and possible pathways of air entry into the spinal canal. By reviewing the literature and analysing a personal case of traumatic cervical PR after head injury, we present current data regarding the pathoanatomy, clinical and radiological presentation, diagnosis and differential diagnosis and treatment modalities of patients with PR and associated pathologies to highlight this uncommon phenomenon and outline aetiology-based guidelines for the practical management of PR. Air within the spinal canal can be divided into primary and secondary PR, descriptively classified into extra- or intradural PR and aetiologically subsumed into iatrogenic, traumatic and nontraumatic PR. Intraspinal air is usually found isolated not only in the cervical, thoracic and, less frequently, the lumbosacral regions but can also be located in the entire spinal canal. PR is almost exceptional associated with further air distributions in the body. The pathogenesis and aetiologies of PR are multifold and can be a diagnostic challenge. The diagnostic procedure should include spinal CT, the imaging tool of choice. PR has to be differentiated from free intraspinal gas collections and the coexistence of air and gas within the spinal canal has to be considered differential diagnostically. PR usually represents an asymptomatic epiphenomenon but can also be symptomatic by itself as well as by its underlying pathology. The latter, although often severe, might be concealed and has to be examined carefully to enable adequate patient treatment. The management of PR has to be individualized and frequently requires a multidisciplinary regime

Meta-analysis of pre-clinical studies of early decompression in acute spinal cord injury:a battle of time and pressure

The use of early decompression in the management of acute spinal cord injury (SCI) remains contentious despite many pre-clinical studies demonstrating benefits and a small number of supportive clinical studies. Although the pre-clinical literature favours the concept of early decompression, translation is hindered by uncertainties regarding overall treatment efficacy and timing of decompression.We performed meta-analysis to examine the pre-clinical literature on acute decompression of the injured spinal cord. Three databases were utilised; PubMed, ISI Web of Science and Embase. Our inclusion criteria consisted of (i) the reporting of efficacy of decompression at various time intervals (ii) number of animals and (iii) the mean outcome and variance in each group. Random effects meta-analysis was used and the impact of study design characteristics assessed with meta-regression.Overall, decompression improved behavioural outcome by 35.1% (95%CI 27.4-42.8; I(2)=94%, p<0.001). Measures to minimise bias were not routinely reported with blinding associated with a smaller but still significant benefit. Publication bias likely also contributed to an overestimation of efficacy. Meta-regression demonstrated a number of factors affecting outcome, notably compressive pressure and duration (adjusted r(2)=0.204, p<0.002), with increased pressure and longer durations of compression associated with smaller treatment effects. Plotting the compressive pressure against the duration of compression resulting in paraplegia in individual studies revealed a power law relationship; high compressive forces quickly resulted in paraplegia, while low compressive forces accompanying canal narrowing resulted in paresis over many hours.These data suggest early decompression improves neurobehavioural deficits in animal models of SCI. Although much of the literature had limited internal validity, benefit was maintained across high quality studies. The close relationship of compressive pressure to the rate of development of severe neurological injury suggests that pressure local to the site of injury might be a useful parameter determining the urgency of decompression

Cyclic AMP-independent ATF family members interact with NF-kappa B and function in the activation of the E-selectin promoter in response to cytokines.

We previously reported that NF-kappa B and a complex we referred to as NF-ELAM1 play a central role in cytokine-induced expression of the E-selectin gene. In this study we identify cyclic AMP (cAMP)-independent members of the ATF family binding specifically to the NF-ELAM1 promoter element. The NF-ELAM1 element (TGACATCA) differs by a single nucleotide substitution from the cAMP-responsive element consensus sequence. We demonstrate that this sequence operates in a cAMP-independent manner to induce transcription and thus define it as a non-cAMP-responsive element (NCRE). We show that ATFa is a component of the NF-ELAM1 complex and its overexpression activates the E-selectin promoter. In addition, ATFa, ATF2, and ATF3 interact directly with NF-kappa B in vitro, linking two unrelated families of transcription factors in a novel protein-protein interaction. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the ability of overexpressed NF-kappa B to transactivate the E-selectin promoter in vivo is dependent on the NF-ELAM1 complex. Our results suggest that a direct interaction between ATFs and NF-kappa B is, at least in part, the mechanism by which these factors specifically regulate E-selectin promoter activity

Total disc replacement in the lumbar spine: a systematic review of the literature

The current evidence for total disc replacement was assessed by performing a systematic review of the published literature. This search identified two randomised controlled trials (RCTs), two previous systematic reviews, seven prospective cohort studies, eleven retrospective cohort studies and eight case series. The RCTs involved the use of the Charité artificial disc and the Pro-Disc II total disc replacement. All papers analysed were classified according to their level of evidence as defined by the Centre for Evidence Based Medicine, Oxford, UK (www.cebm). For degenerative disc disease at L4/5 or L5/S1, both the clinical outcome and the incidence of major neurological complications following insertion of the Charité artificial disc were found to be equivalent to those observed following a single level anterior lumbar interbody fusion 2 years following surgery. However, only 57% of patients undergoing total disc replacement and 46% of patients undergoing arthrodesis met the four criteria listed for success. The range of flexion/extension was restored and maintained with the Charité artificial disc. The role for two or three level disc replacement in the treatment of degenerative disc disease remains unproven. To date, no study has shown total disc replacement to be superior to spinal fusion in terms of clinical outcome. The long-term benefits of total disc replacement in preventing adjacent level disc degeneration have yet to be realised. Complications of total disc replacement may not be known for many years. There are numerous types of disc prostheses and designs under study or in development. Well designed prospective RCTs are needed before approval and widespread application of this technology