bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predisposition to vitamin D deficiency osteomalacia and rickets in females is linked to their 25(OH)D and calcium intake rather than vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism
Authors: Ray Debarti , Goswami Ravinder , Gupta Nandita , Tomar Neeraj , Singh Namrata , Sreenivas Vishnubhatla
Published: December 2008

Background   Osteomalacia (OSM) and rickets are widely prevalent in developing countries especially in females. The factors associated with such predisposition are not known.

Objectives  To identify nutritional, endocrine and genetic factors related to calcium and vitamin D metabolism that are associated with OSM/rickets in females.

Subjects and methods  We studied 98 patients with OSM or rickets and their relatives including male and female sibs and parents (n = 221) for the presence of biochemical OSM {low serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], raised intact PTH (iPTH) and raised alkaline phosphatase} and associated nutritional and genetic factors. Polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP) was used for genotyping vitamin D receptor (VDR) (BsmI and FokI) and PTH gene (BstBI and DraII) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 74 families. The differences in the factors associated with calcium and vitamin D among the different groups were analysed by analysis of variance (ANOVA). Logistic regression analysis and the transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) were carried out to assess association between nutritional and genetic factors, and the disease, respectively.

Results  Most of the patients were female (91·8%). The mean serum 25(OH)D level of the female patients was comparable to that of the female sibs (14·4 ± 5·7 vs. 18·3 ± 9·7 nmol/l). The frequency of biochemical OSM was fivefold higher in female than in male sibs (24·4%vs. 4·9%). Female sibs also had significantly lower 25(OH)D, dietary calcium intake and sunshine exposure than male sibs. The frequency of biochemical OSM was comparable between mothers and fathers. The odds of biochemical OSM in the family members was reduced by 11% per 15‐min daily sunshine exposure [odds ratio (OR) = 0·89, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0·81–0·98, P = 0·02] and decreased by 20% per 100 mg dietary calcium intake (OR = 0·80, 95% CI = 0·67–0·96, P = 0·02). VDR/PTH gene SNPs showed no association with OSM/rickets on TDT analysis.

Conclusion  Among the immediate family members of patients with OSM/rickets, female sibs have features of biochemical OSM in up to 24·4%. Female sibs, unlike male sibs, share with patients features of markedly low serum 25(OH)D levels, poor dietary calcium intake and poor exposure to sunshine. Genetic factors such as VDR and PTH gene SNPs were not associated with OSM/rickets.
Effect of vardenafil on endothelial progenitor cells in hypogonadotrophic hypogonadal patients: role of testosterone treatment
Authors: Foresta Carlo , Di Mambro Antonella , Caretta Nicola , De Toni Luca , Zuccarello Daniela , Ferlin Alberto
Published: December 2008

Context  Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are bone marrow‐derived cells required for endothelial repair. Circulating EPC concentration is low in conditions characterized by endothelial dysfunction but their number can be increased by treatment with phosphodiesterase‐5 (PDE5) inhibitors. EPCs are also reduced in hypogonadal men and testosterone (T) treatment restores their concentration.

Objective  To evaluate the relationship between the effect of PDE5 inhibitors and T on EPCs, we analysed the acute effect of vardenafil on the number of EPCs in hypogonadotrophic hypogonadal (HH) patients, before and after T treatment.

Design and setting  A case–control study at a university andrology centre.

Patients  Fifteen HH subjects and 25 aged‐matched controls.

Main outcome measures  The number of circulating EPCs and progenitor cells (PCs) in HH patients was evaluated after acute vardenafil administration at baseline and after 6 months of T supplementation.

Results  At baseline, HH men had significantly lower numbers of PCs and EPCs with respect to controls and vardenafil administration had no effect on the number of these cells. After 6 months of T treatment, all HH patients were eugonadal. With respect to baseline, PCs and EPCs were significantly higher and reached the levels observed in controls. Vardenafil administration in HH men at the end of T treatment induced a significant increase in PCs and EPCs in a manner similar to that in controls.

Conclusions  This study showed that normal T levels are necessary to restore the responsiveness of EPCs to PDE5 inhibitors, suggesting that T positively modulates PDE5 in bone marrow.
Effects of 18 months of l‐T4 replacement in women with subclinical hypothyroidism
Authors: Adrees M. , Gibney J. , El‐Saeity N. , Boran G.
Published: December 2008

Context  Some of the cardiovascular and renal abnormalities seen in overt hypothyroidism have also been reported in subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH). Short‐term l‐T4 replacement in SCH improves cardiovascular risk markers and reduces carotid intima‐media thickness (CIMT), a surrogate marker of atherosclerosis. The haemodynamic and renal effects of l‐T4 replacement in SCH are poorly understood.

Objectives  To compare cardiovascular risk factors and renal variables in women with SCH and normal women. To study the effects of l‐T4 replacement in SCH subjects on these variables and on structural and functional changes in common carotid and brachial arteries.

Design  Fifty‐six women with SCH before and after l‐T4 replacement for 18 months and 56 normal women of similar age distribution were studied. Blood Pressure (BP), plasma lipids and homocysteine were measured and renal function evaluated [estimation of glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) using standard equations and measurement of serum Cystatin‐C] in women with SCH before and after 18 months of l‐T4, and in healthy women. CIMT and endothelial function (using brachial artery ultrasound) were studied before and after l‐T4 in a subgroup of women with SCH.

Results  Systolic and diastolic BP, total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL‐cholesterol, lipoprotein(a) and homocysteine were greater in SCH (P < 0·05), and following l‐T4 replacement decreased (P < 0·05) to levels that no longer differed from normal subjects. Estimated GFR was reduced and serum Cystatin‐C increased (P < 0·05) in SCH. These variables also normalized following l‐T4. Following l‐T4 replacement the carotid artery baseline diameter increased by 7·1% and CIMT decreased by a mean value of 13%, while brachial artery diameter increased basally by 12·5% and following endothelium‐dependent vasodilatation by 17·5% (P < 0·05). However, the increment following reactive hyperaemia did not differ before or following l‐T4 replacement.

Conclusion  Normalization of cardiovascular risk factors following l‐T4 replacement in SCH potentially explains reduced CIMT. Increased carotid and brachial artery diameters and normalized eGFR indicates a haemodynamic effect of l‐T4 replacement, the importance of which requires further investigation.
Elimination of the water‐layer response from multi‐component source and receiver marine electromagnetic data
Authors: Nordskag Janniche Iren , Amundsen Lasse , Løseth Lars , Holvik Egil
Published: December 2008

This paper presents the theory to eliminate from the recorded multi‐component source, multi‐component receiver marine electromagnetic measurements the effect of the physical source radiation pattern and the scattering response of the water‐layer. The multi‐component sources are assumed to be orthogonally aligned above the receivers at the seabottom. Other than the position of the sources, no source characteristics are required. The integral equation method, which for short is denoted by Lorentz water‐layer elimination, follows from Lorentz' reciprocity theorem. It requires information only of the electromagnetic parameters at the receiver level to decompose the electromagnetic measurements into upgoing and downgoing constituents. Lorentz water‐layer elimination replaces the water layer with a homogeneous half‐space with properties equal to those of the sea‐bed. The source is redatumed to the receiver depth.

When the subsurface is arbitrary anisotropic but horizontally layered, the Lorentz water‐layer elimination scheme greatly simplifies and can be implemented as deterministic multi‐component source, multi‐component receiver multidimensional deconvolution of common source gathers. The Lorentz deconvolved data can be further decomposed into scattering responses that would be recorded from idealized transverse electric and transverse magnetic mode sources and receivers. This combined electromagnetic field decomposition on the source and receiver side gives data equivalent to data from a hypothetical survey with the water‐layer absent, with idealized single component transverse electric and transverse magnetic mode sources and idealized single component transverse electric and transverse magnetic mode receivers.

When the subsurface is isotropic or transverse isotropic and horizontally layered, the Lorentz deconvolution decouples into pure transverse electric and transverse magnetic mode data processing problems, where a scalar field formulation of the multidimensional Lorentz deconvolution is sufficient. In this case single‐component source data are sufficient to eliminate the water‐layer effect.

We demonstrate the Lorentz deconvolution by using numerically modeled data over a simple isotropic layered model illustrating controlled‐source electromagnetic hydrocarbon exploration. In shallow water there is a decrease in controlled‐source electromagnetic sensitivity to thin resistors at depth. The Lorentz deconvolution scheme is designed to overcome this effect by eliminating the water‐layer scattering, including the field's interaction with air.
Cowpea bruchid midgut transcriptome response to a soybean cystatin – costs and benefits of counter‐defence
Authors: Chi Y. H. , Salzman R. A. , Balfe S. , Ahn J.‐E. , Sun W. , Moon J. , Yun D.‐J. , Lee S. Y. , Higgins T. J. V. , Pittendrigh B. , Murdock L. L. , Zhu‐Salzman K.
Published: December 2008

The insect digestive system is the first line of defence protecting cells and tissues of the body from a broad spectrum of toxins and antinutritional factors in its food. To gain insight into the nature and breadth of genes involved in adaptation to dietary challenge, a collection of 20 352 cDNAs was prepared from the midgut tissue of cowpea bruchid larvae (Callosobruchus maculatus) fed on regular diet and diets containing antinutritional compounds. Transcript responses of the larvae to dietary soybean cystatin (scN) were analysed using cDNA microarrays, followed by quantitative real‐time PCR (RT‐PCR) confirmation with selected genes. The midgut transcript profile of insects fed a sustained sublethal scN dose over the larval life was compared with that of insects treated with an acute high dose of scN for 24 h. A total of 1756 scN‐responsive cDNAs was sequenced; these clustered into 967 contigs, of which 653 were singletons. Many contigs (451) did not show homology with known genes, or had homology only with genes of unknown function in a Blast search. The identified differentially regulated sequences encoded proteins presumptively involved in metabolism, structure, development, signalling, defence and stress response. Expression patterns of some scN‐responsive genes were consistent in each larval stage, whereas others exhibited developmental stage‐specificity. Acute (24 h), high level exposure to dietary scN caused altered expression of a set of genes partially overlapping with the transcript profile seen under chronic lower level exposure. Protein and carbohydrate hydrolases were generally up‐regulated by scN whereas structural, defence and stress‐related genes were largely down‐regulated. These results show that insects actively mobilize genomic resources in the alimentary tract to mitigate the impact of a digestive protease inhibitor. The enhanced or restored digestibility that may result is possibly crucial for insect survival, yet may be bought at the cost of weakened response to other stresses.
Agenesis of permanent teeth in 8138 Danish schoolchildren: prevalence and intra‐oral distribution according to gender
Authors: RØLLING STEEN , POULSEN SVEN
Published: December 2008

Objective.  The purpose of this study was to describe agenesis of permanent teeth in children with respect to prevalence and intra‐oral distribution according to gender.

Methods and subjects.  The study was population based and included all children in one district of the municipality of Aarhus, Denmark, in 1974–1979 (1657 girls and 1668 boys) and 1992–2002 (2409 girls and 2404 boys). The children underwent systematical clinical and radiographic examination.

Results.  The period prevalence rates were almost identical for the two time periods (1972–1979: 7.8%; 1992–2002: 7.1%). Girls were affected more frequently than boys, and affected girls had more congenitally missing teeth than affected boys. Unilateral agenesis of the second premolars was more frequent than bilateral agenesis. In children with only one congenitally missing tooth, agenesis of the upper lateral incisors was asymmetrical in girls, but not in boys, whereas the opposite was true for the lower second premolars in boys.

Conclusion.  The prevalence of agenesis of permanent teeth in Danish schoolchildren seems to be constant over time, and similar to that found in other large, population‐based studies. Intra‐oral distributions of congenitally missing teeth indicate gender‐specific patterns.
Nestling colouration is adjusted to parent visual performance in altricial birds
Authors: AVILÉS J. M. , SOLER J. J.
Published: December 2008

Hitherto, most of the investigation on the perceptual efficacy of begging signals has dwelled on how patterns of nestling colouration adjust to predominant nest luminosity. However, visual sensitivity of birds varies across species, which raises the question of whether colouration of traits involved in begging displays is adjusted to parent visual capacities. Here, by comparing nestling colouration and visual sensitivity across 22 altricial bird species, we provide a first test of this hypothesis. Firstly, we assessed differences in performance of typical UV‐tuned and violet‐tuned bird eyes when looking at the nestling traits under the light regimes prevailing at their nests. Secondly, while controlling for common ancestry in a comparative approach, we explored variation in colouration of nestlings in relation to parent visual system. The colour discrimination model indicated a general higher performance of the ultraviolet over the violet eye at detecting gape and body skin traits in either open‐ or hole‐nest light conditions. Gape colouration was associated with parental visual system as the nestlings of UVS species displayed more yellow and less pure ultraviolet mouths than the nestlings of VS species. Thus, our results agree with an adaptive parent–offspring communication scenario where the nestlings’ colours tuned the perception capacities of their parents.
Determinants of mating and sperm‐transfer success in a simultaneous hermaphrodite
Authors: JANICKE T. , SCHÄRER L.
Published: December 2008

The number of mating partners an individual has within a population is a crucial parameter in sex allocation theory for simultaneous hermaphrodites because it is predicted to be one of the main parameters influencing sex allocation. However, little is known about the factors that determine the number of mates in simultaneous hermaphrodites. Furthermore, in order to understand the benefits obtained by resource allocation into the male function it is important to identify the factors that predict sperm‐transfer success, i.e. the number of sperm a donor manages to store in a mate. In this study we experimentally tested how social group size (i.e. the number of all potential mates within a population) and density affect the number of mates and sperm‐transfer success in the outcrossing hermaphroditic flatworm Macrostomum lignano. In addition, we assessed whether these parameters covary with morphological traits, such as body size, testis size and genital morphology. For this we used a method, which allows tracking sperm of a labelled donor in an unlabelled mate. We found considerable variation in the number of mates and sperm‐transfer success between individuals. The number of mates increased with social group size, and was higher in worms with larger testes, but there was no effect of density. Similarly, sperm‐transfer success was affected by social group size and testis size, but in addition this parameter was influenced by genital morphology. Our study demonstrates for the first time that the social context and the morphology of sperm donors are important predictors of the number of mates and sperm‐transfer success in a simultaneous hermaphrodite. Based on these findings, we hypothesize that sex allocation influences the mating behaviour and outcome of sperm competition.
Characterization of Oestrous Induction Response, Oestrous Duration, Fecundity and Fertility in Awassi Ewes During the Non‐breeding Season Utilizing both CIDR and Intravaginal Sponge Treatments
Authors: Ozyurtlu N , Kucukaslan I , Cetin Y
Published: December 2008

Contents

The aim of this study was to investigate characterization of oestrous response, onset of induced oestrus, oestrous duration, fecundity and fertility in Awassi ewes treatment with intravaginal sponges and Controlled Intravaginal Drug Release (CIDR) devices in combination with pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) under local environmental conditions during the non‐breeding season. A total of 62 ewes were divided into three groups. Group CIDR (n = 20) was treated with CIDR devices for 12 days and 400 IU PMSG was injected upon removal of the CIDR. For ewes in Group Sponge (SP) (n = 24), 30 mg fluorogestone acetate was administered to the sheep for 12 days and 400 IU PMSG was injected upon withdrawal of the sponge. Group Control (CON) (n = 18) served as a control group and received no treatment. Adult, intact and sexually experienced Awassi rams were introduced to all groups at the time when the intravaginal devices were removed. There were no significant differences in terms of oestrous response (CIDR: 90%, SP: 87.5%), time to onset of oestrus and duration of induced oestrus between the CIDR and SP groups. The oestrous response of treatment groups was significantly greater (p < 0.05) than in the control ewes. There were no significant differences in pregnancy (CIDR: 70%, SP: 70.8%), lambing (CIDR: 85%, SP: 79.2%) and fecundity rates between ewes treated with CIDR and those treated with sponges. However, pregnancy and lambing rates were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in ewes treated with CIDR or sponges when compared with those in the control group. It was concluded that it is possible to induce fertile oestrus, successful pregnancy and lambing with the treatment of either CIDR or intravaginal sponge in combination with PMSG in Awassi ewes during the non‐breeding season.
Clinicopathology of stromal invasion in lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Fujita Atsushi , Kameda Yoichi , Goya Tomoyuki
Published: December 2008

In the World Health Organization classification, lung adenocarcinoma with mixed subtypes is defined as invasive carcinoma with evidence of vascular, pleural, or stromal invasion. The histological criteria for stromal invasion, however, are not clearly established. A total of 157 peripheral pure bronchioloalveolar carcinoma (BAC) or lung adenocarcinoma with mixed BAC and others were reviewed. All cases had been resected between 1986 and 2000 and measured ≤30 mm in maximum dimension. Destruction of alveolar framework (DAF) was defined as distortion or discontinuity of the alveolar framework by tumor growth. The extra‐alveolar area involvement (EAAI) was defined as tumor growth outside the alveolar framework, which includes the following areas: bronchial wall, perivascular connective tissue and/or the vascular wall, interlobular septum and the visceral pleura. Survival of patients with adenocarcinoma without DAF (n = 41) was 100%. Even when adenocarcinoma involved DAF and lacked EAAI (n = 21), survival was 100%. The 5 year survival rate of groups with two invasion signs (n = 34) was 90.1%, and that of groups with three to five invasion signs (n = 61) was 66.7%. Tumor growth outside the alveolar framework is the hallmark of stromal invasion.
Multifocal metanephric adenoma in childhood
Authors: Kohashi Kenichi , Oda Yoshinao , Nakamori Mari , Yamamoto Hidetaka , Tamiya Sadafumi , Toubo Taro , Kinoshita Yoshiaki , Tajiri Tatsuro , Taguchi Tomoaki , Tsuneyoshi Masazumi
Published: December 2008

Metanephric adenoma is the most commonly occurring member of the metanephric tumor family, which also includes metanephric adenofibroma and metanephric stromal tumor. According to the World Health Organization classification, however, it is not commonly multifocal. Reported herein is the case of a 9‐year‐old boy with multifocal metanephric adenoma. Histologically, surgical sections showed multifocal proliferation of small rounded and uniform cells with smooth nuclear contours, scant pale‐staining cytoplasm, dark‐staining nuclei, and inconspicuous nucleoli: the cells were arranged in sheets and acinal, ductal, glomeruloid, and papillary structures. On immunohistochemistry the tumor cells were positive for vimentin, cytokeratins (CAM5.2, AE1/AE3, and CK18), and WT1, but negative for cytokeratin 7 (CK7) and epithelial membrane antigen (EMA). The Ki‐67 labeling index was <1%. In addition, cytogenetic analysis indicated a normal karyotype (46XY). Other histologically similar tumors are papillary renal cell carcinoma and nephroblastoma, and it is necessary to distinguish metanephric adenoma from those tumors because of malignancy. In contrast to those tumors, metanephric adenoma has inconspicuous nucleoli, loss of CK7 and EMA expression, and no mitotic figures. Thus, the histological and immunohistochemical features of the present case were compatible with metanephric adenoma.
Fatigue thresholds of holed components under in‐phase and out‐of‐phase torsional and axial loadings
Authors: TANAKA K. , MORITA K. , AKINIWA Y.
Published: December 2008

The resistance‐curve (R‐curve) method was applied to the prediction of the fatigue thresholds of notched components under in‐phase and out‐of‐phase combinations of cyclic torsion and axial loadings. The prediction was compared with the experimental data obtained from thin‐walled tubular specimen of medium‐carbon steel with a hole. The stress was completely reversed and the mean stress was zero. The crack was nucleated at the position of the maximum range of the circumferential stress on the periphery of a hole, and propagated almost straight for all cases examined. The experimental data of the thresholds for crack initiation and fracture agreed well with the predictions for in‐phase and for out‐of‐phase loadings with 45° phase difference. For out‐of‐phase loading with 90°, the threshold for fracture was close to the crack initiation limit, because of the reduction of crack closure due to crack face rubbing by mode II shear cycling.
AMPA receptors in the medial amygdala are critical for establishing a neuroendocrine memory in the female rat
Authors: Oberlander Joseph G. , Lin Amy W. , Man Heng‐Ye , Erskine Mary S.
Published: December 2008

We sought to examine AMPA receptor (AMPAR) function in the medial posterodorsal amygdala (MePD), as glutamate neurotransmission is critical for the neural response to vaginal–cervical stimulation that initiates pregnancy or pseudopregnancy. Female rats were infused with the AMPAR antagonist CNQX or vehicle directly into the MePD via bilaterally implanted cannulae, then either returned to their homecage (HC), or received 15 mounts‐without‐intromissions (MO) or 15 intromissions (15I) from a male. Expression of the activity marker EGR‐1 was used to determine the CNQX concentration which would prevent mating‐induced activation of MePD neurons. Separate cannulated females received CNQX infusions into the MePD prior to receiving 15I, and the oestrous cycle length was monitored by daily vaginal lavages. Infusion of CNQX (500 nm) blocked mating‐induced neural activation and lengthened the oestrous cycle, demonstrating AMPAR involvement in the formation of pseudopregnancy. To further explore this involvement, separate groups of 15I, MO and HC females were killed 90 min or 3 h after testing treatment. Brain sections were immunolabeled for AMPAR‐subunit GluR1 phosphorylated at one of two sites (Serine‐831 or Serine‐845), or total GluR1 and GluR2, and immunofluorescence intensity was measured in the MePD, hippocampus and hypothalamus. A mating‐induced increase in Serine‐831 phosphorylation after 3 h was observed only in the MePD, whereas there was no effect on Serine‐845 phosphorylation. Additionally, we observed a time‐dependent increase in total GluR1 staining intensity. These results suggest an increased AMPAR function in the MePD after receipt of VCS, and a role for AMPAR in the neural response to VCS resulting in pseudopregnancy.
Demographic origins of skewed operational and adult sex ratios: perturbation analyses of two‐sex models
Authors: Veran Sophie , Beissinger Steven R.
Published: December 2008

Skewed sex ratios – operational (OSR) and Adult (ASR) ‐ arise from sexual differences in reproductive behaviours and adult survival rates due to the cost of reproduction. However, skewed sex‐ratio at birth, sex‐biased dispersal and immigration, and sexual differences in juvenile mortality may also contribute. We present a framework to decompose the roles of demographic traits on sex ratios using perturbation analyses of two‐sex matrix population models. Metrics of sensitivity are derived from analyses of sensitivity, elasticity, life‐table response experiments and life stage simulation analyses, and applied to the stable stage distribution instead of lambda. We use these approaches to examine causes of male‐biased sex ratios in two populations of green‐rumped parrotlets (Forpus passerinus) in Venezuela. Female local juvenile survival contributed the most to the unbalanced OSR and ASR due to a female‐biased dispersal rate, suggesting sexual differences in philopatry can influence sex ratios more strongly than the cost of reproduction.
Insulin glargine provides greater improvements in glycaemic control vs. intensifying lifestyle management for people with type 2 diabetes treated with OADs and 7–8% A1c levels. The TULIP study
Authors: Blicklé J‐F. , Hancu N. , Piletic M. , Profozic V. , Shestakova M. , Dain M‐P. , Jacqueminet S. , Grimaldi A.
Published: December 2008

Aim:  To determine whether earlier administration of insulin glargine (glargine) vs. the intensification of lifestyle management (LM) improves glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes patients with A1c 7–8% treated with oral therapy.

Methods:  TULIP [Testing the Usefulness of gLargine when Initiated Promptly in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)] was a 9‐month, 12‐visit, open‐label, multinational, multicentre, randomized study to evaluate starting glargine or intensifying LM in T2DM patients aged 40–75 years, body mass index (BMI) 24–35 kg/m2 and A1c 7–8%, treated with maximum doses of metformin and sulphonylurea for ≥ 2 years. Glargine was injected once daily (evening) and titrated to fasting blood glucose 0.7–1.0 g/l. In the LM arm, dietary and physical activity counselling recommended stable weight for people with BMI < 27 kg/m2 or weight loss of 3 kg for patients with BMI ≥ 27 kg/m2. A total of 215 patients were randomized to glargine (n = 106) or LM (n = 109). The primary objective was patients achieving A1c < 7% at endpoint. Secondary endpoints included changes in A1c, in fasting plasma glucose (FPG), body weight and hypoglycaemia incidence.

Results:  Two hundred and eleven (52.6% male) patients were randomized and treated; mean (± s.d.) age 60.7 ± 7.9 years, weight 84.5 ± 13.1 kg, BMI 29.9 ± 3.5 kg/m2 and A1c 7.6 ± 0.4%. More patients reached A1c < 7% (66 vs. 38%; p < 0.0001) or < 6.5% (34 vs. 11%; p = 0.0001) with glargine vs. LM. The change in FPG from baseline to study endpoint was significantly greater in the glargine vs. the LM arm (−0.50 ± 0.47 vs. −0.05 ± 0.39 g/l respectively; p < 0.0001). Compared with the glargine group, the LM group showed a decrease in weight (+0.9 ± 2.9 vs. −2.5 ± 3.2 kg; p < 0.0001), as well as the expected lower symptomatic hypoglycaemia (55.3 vs. 25.0%; p < 0.0001) and nocturnal hypoglycaemia (20.4 vs. 5.6%; p = 0.0016). No significant changes were observed from baseline to study endpoint in any of the lipid parameters tested.

Conclusions:  In patients with T2DM with A1c 7–8%, who were previously treated by conventional LM and OAD therapy, adding glargine resulted in greater improvements in glycaemic control vs. intensifying LM.
Structural Validity and Generalisability of a Referent Cognitions Model of Turnover Intentions
Authors: Allen David G. , Griffeth Rodger W. , Vardaman James M. , Aquino Karl , Gaertner Stefan , Lee Michael
Published: December 2008

A model proposed and empirically tested by Aquino, Griffeth, Allen, and Hom (1997) using employees of a hospital in the northeastern United States was replicated in samples of Korean factory workers from two divisions of a large organisation. Results in both samples suggested that the relationships among model variables and relationships with withdrawal cognitions replicated quite closely. Results also suggested that the way people are treated in an organisation by their supervisors exerts a powerful effect on their turnover‐related responses. Most importantly, the results of this study in combination with the earlier results from Aquino et al. (1997) highlight the impact of employee expectations of future job advancement on turnover‐related responses. Employees who perceive that their present situation will improve are more satisfied with their present outcomes and their supervisors. They are also less likely to consider quitting even when being unsatisfied with their present situation.

Un modèle proposé et testé empiriquement par Aquino, Griffeth, Allen, and Hom (1997) sur des employés d’un hôpital du nord des Etats‐Unis a été réutilisé auprès de plusieurs échantillons de travailleurs d’une usine coréenne appartenant à deux divisions d’une grande organisation. Les résultats sur les deux échantillons montrent que les relations entre les variables du modèle et les relations avec les cognitions défaillantes reproduisent de très près ceux du modèle original. Les résultats montrent aussi que la façon dont les salariés sont traités dans une organisation par leurs supérieurs a de fortes retombées sur leurs réponses concernant les démissions. Plus important encore, les résultats de cette étude en concordance avec ceux initiaux obtenus par Aquino et al. (1997), soulignent l’impact des attentes des employés à propos de leur avancement dans leur futur emploi sur leurs réponses concernant les démissions. Les employés qui perçoivent que leur situation présente va s’améliorer sont plus satisfaits de leur rémunération présente et de leurs supérieurs. Ils sont aussi moins enclins à envisager de démissionner même s’ils sont insatisfaits de leur situation présente.
A Cross‐National Examination of Self‐Efficacy as a Moderator of Autonomy/Job Strain Relationships
Authors: Nauta Margaret M. , Liu Cong , Li Chaoping
Published: December 2008

This study evaluated the cross‐national validity of cognitive appraisal theories (e.g. Lazarus & Folkman, 1984) of stress by examining differences in the interaction of job autonomy and generalised self‐efficacy in the prediction of psychological and physical strains among US and Chinese employees. As posited by cognitive appraisal theories, high self‐efficacy served as a buffer against low job autonomy in the prediction of psychological and physical strains among US employees. However, the buffering effect of self‐efficacy was unclear among Chinese employees. For Chinese employees with high self‐efficacy, job autonomy was negatively related to job strains, but for Chinese employees with low self‐efficacy, job autonomy was positively related to job strains. The results highlight the importance of attending to culture in examinations of stressor–strain relations.

Cette étude porte sur la validité transnationale des théories de l’évaluation cognitive du stress (par exemple: Lazarus & Folkman, 1984) par l’analyse de différences dans l’interaction entre l’autonomie dans le travail et l’auto‐efficience globale dans la prédiction des tensions physiques et psychologiques chez des salariés américains et chinois. Comme les théories de l’évaluation cognitive le prévoient, un niveau élevé d’auto‐efficience compense le manque d’autonomie dans la prédiction de tensions physiques et psychologiques chez les salariés américains. Toutefois, l’effet compensatoire de l’auto‐efficience n’apparaît pas clairement chez les salariés chinois. Pour les salariés chinois disposant d’une forte auto‐efficience, l’autonomie dans le travail était négativement corrélée aux tensions professionnelles, mais chez ceux qui étaient dotés d’une auto‐efficience faible, l’autonomie était positivement liée aux tensions professionnelles. Ces résultats mettent en évidence la nécessité de prendre la culture en considération dans l’étude de la relation entre les facteurs de stress et les tensions.
HbA1c levels in non‐diabetic Dutch children aged 8–9 years: the PIAMA birth cohort study
Authors: Jansen H. , Wijga A. H. , Smit H. A. , Scholtens S. , Kerkhof M. , Koppelman G. H. , De Jongste J. C. , Stolk R. P.
Published: December 2008

Aim  Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) is considered the best index of glycaemic control in established diabetes. It may also be useful in the diagnosis of diabetes and as a screening tool. Little is known about the distribution of HbA1c in healthy children and its predictors. The aim of this study is to describe the distribution of HbA1c in non‐diabetic Dutch children aged 8–9 years and to investigate potential associations of HbA1c in this group.

Methods  HbA1c was measured in 788 non‐diabetic children aged 8–9 years participating in the PIAMA birth cohort study. Data on parents and children were collected prospectively by questionnaires. Weight, height and waist and hip circumference of the children were measured when blood samples were taken.

Results  Mean (sd) HbA1c was 4.9 ± 0.33%, range 3.5–6.0%. HbA1c was significantly higher in boys (4.9 ± 0.31 vs. 4.9 ± 0.33%) and in children of mothers with gestational diabetes (5.0 ± 0.37 vs. 4.9 ± 0.32%). We found a significant inverse association between HbA1c and haemoglobin (regression coefficient: −0.169 (95% CI −0.221 to −0.118), P < 0.001). HbA1c was not significantly associated with age, body mass index, waist circumference, parental diabetes or maternal body mass index.

Conclusions  We found no significant relation between known risk factors for Type 2 diabetes and HbA1c at age 8–9 years. Moreover, there was a significant inverse association between haemoglobin and HbA1c. These results suggest that HbA1c may not only reflect the preceding blood glucose levels, but seems to be determined by other factors as well.
Glucose sensors: a review of current and emerging technology
Authors: Oliver N. S. , Toumazou C. , Cass A. E. G. , Johnston D. G.
Published: December 2008

Glucose monitoring technology has been used in the management of diabetes for three decades. Traditional devices use enzymatic methods to measure glucose concentration and provide point sample information. More recently continuous glucose monitoring devices have become available providing more detailed data on glucose excursions. In future applications the continuous glucose sensor may become a critical component of the closed loop insulin delivery system and, as such, must be selective, rapid, predictable and acceptable for continuous patient use. Many potential sensing modalities are being pursued including optical and transdermal techniques. This review aims to summarize existing technology, the methods for assessing glucose sensing devices and provide an overview of emergent sensing modalities.
Complications impaired endothelial progenitor cell function in Type 2 diabetic patients with or without critical leg ischaemia: implication for impaired neovascularization in diabetes
Authors: Chen M.‐C. , Sheu J.‐J. , Wang P.‐W. , Chen C.‐Y. , Kuo M.‐C. , Hsieh C.‐J. , Chen J.‐F. , Chang H.‐W.
Published: December 2008

Aims  This study tested the hypothesis that migratory function of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) is impaired in Type 2 diabetic patients with or without critical leg ischaemia.

Methods  Seventy‐four patients were classified into four groups: Type 2 diabetic (n = 21) and non‐diabetic patients (n = 10) with critical leg ischaemia and Type 2 diabetic patients without lower extremity vascular disease (n = 30) and healthy subjects (n = 13). The number and functional activity of circulating and cultured EPCs were determined.

Results  The migratory function of cultured EPCs was significantly impaired in diabetic patients without (median, 48, interquartile range, 46, 49 count/view/well) and with (median, 51, interquartile range, 46, 60 count/view/well) critical leg ischaemia and non‐diabetic patients with critical leg ischaemia (median, 49, interquartile range, 47, 55 count/view/well) compared with healthy subjects (median, 63, interquartile range, 57, 65 count/view/well) (P < 0.0001). The number of circulating EPCs was lower in Type 2 diabetic patients without lower extremity vascular disease (median, 3500, interquartile range, 1600, 6600/106 cytometric events) than Type 2 diabetic patients with critical leg ischaemia (median, 5300, interquartile range, 2400, 11 100/106 cytometric events), non‐diabetic patients with critical leg ischaemia (median, 5550, interquartile range, 2000, 32 100/106 cytometric events) and healthy subjects (median, 5400, interquartile range, 2700, 8700/106 cytometric events) (P = 0.413).

Conclusions  The migratory function of EPCs is impaired in patients with Type 2 diabetes, even in those without critical leg ischaemia. These findings present an important new insight into the pathogenesis of impaired neovascularization and critical limb ischaemia in diabetic patients and provide avenues of future clinical study.
Environment as ‘High Politics’? Explaining Divergence in US and EU Hazardous Waste Export Policies
Authors: Dreher Kelly , Pulver Simone
Published: December 2008

Present‐day patterns in the EU and USA's management of electronic waste, or e‐waste, have their roots in the two entities’ past hazardous waste management practices. The EU and the USA have followed divergent trajectories in regulating the export of hazardous waste. From 1989 onward, the EU has been a leading advocate for banning the North–South trade in hazardous waste. In contrast, the USA has opposed such a ban and argued in favour of continued trade. This divergence is explained by differences both in the two entities’ domestic institutions and in their valuations of international environmental leadership. First, differences in waste trade regulatory capacities, in international treaty ratification processes, and in the access of industry and non‐governmental organizations to the environmental policy process have contributed to US–EU divergence on hazardous waste trade policy. Second, the USA and EU have differed in the extent to which they seek international political leadership through environmental leadership. These differences not only provide an explanation as to why the USA and EU have regulated the North–South hazardous waste trade in dissimilar ways, but also lend significant insight into current waste trade issues, most notably the management of electronic waste.
An intergenerational reminiscence programme for older adults with early dementia and youth volunteers: values and challenges
Authors: Chung Jenny C. C.
Published: December 2008

Aim:  To examine the values of a reminiscence programme, adopting an intergenerational approach, on older persons with early dementia and youth volunteers.

Method:  A pre‐ and post‐ one group design was adopted. Forty‐nine elderly participants with early dementia and 117 youth volunteers participated in the study. Each elderly participant was assigned to two youth participants. This dyad group participated in a 12‐session reminiscence programme. The youth participants acted as facilitators to prompt the elderly participants to share and discuss past events and experiences, and to support them to fabricate a personalized life‐story book. An occupational therapist provided ongoing support and monitoring. The elderly participants were evaluated by the Chinese version of Mini‐mental State Examination, Quality of Life‐Alzheimer’s Disease (QoL‐AD), and Chinese version of Geriatric Depression Scale (CGDS) before and after the programme. Dementia Quiz (DQ), Rosenberg Self‐Esteem Scale and a 20‐item feedback questionnaire on the programme were used to evaluate the youth participants.

Results:  Significant pre‐ and postprogramme differences were found for QoL‐AD (mean change = −1.91; 95% CI = −3.18, −0.64) and CGDS (mean change = 1.86; 95% CI = 0.92, 2.80) among the elderly participants, and for DQ (mean change = −1.14; 95% CI = −2.11, −0.17) among the youth participants. Volunteers also showed positive appreciation of older persons and opined that this community service provided them an opportunity to reflect on their relationship with elderly relatives. Some volunteers, however, commented the heavy workload of the reminiscence programme.

Conclusion:  The intergenerational reminiscence programme suggests mutually beneficial values for both groups of participants. Whilst it is feasible to involve trained volunteers in the implementation of dementia‐related programmes, it is essential that they are adequately trained and that ongoing support and monitoring are provided.
Enhancing the effectiveness of policy‐relevant integrative research in rural areas
Authors: White Piran C L , Cinderby Steve , Raffaelli Dave , De Bruin Annemarieke , Holt Alison , Huby Meg
Published: December 2008

There has been much debate about the importance of policy‐relevant research in geography over the last decade. There has also been an increasing recognition by policymakers of the importance of integrative (interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary) approaches to policy‐relevant research. However, geographers have been more reluctant than their colleagues in other social and natural sciences to embrace integrative research collaborations. For integrative research to achieve its full potential and to encourage greater participation from the geographical research community, we need to increase our understanding of its potential value, but also some of the challenges that it poses, and how these can be overcome. In this paper, we consider the processes involved in conducting successful integrative research from the perspective of researchers involved in these projects. We base our analysis on the results of a questionnaire survey of international integrative research programmes on environmental issues in rural areas, combined with our own experiences of working in integrative research. We conclude that effective integrative research depends on the establishment of a clear conceptual framework, the use of appropriate temporal and spatial scales in the research, effective language and communication, time and commitment, and trust and respect. We also highlight the value of stakeholder involvement in integrative research to ensure the policy relevance of the work and provide a mechanism to assist with effective knowledge transfer of the results.
Family Changes in the Context of Lowest‐Low Fertility: The Case of Japan
Authors: Atoh Makoto
Published: December 2008

Abstract: Japan has currently one of the lowest‐low fertility rates in the world. Low fertility in Japan is due to the extreme postponement of marriage and childbearing, and their weak recuperation in women in their 30s, as well as very low levels of cohabitation and extra‐marital fertility. Both changing and unchanged aspects of families are related to lowest‐low fertility in Japan. Although premarital sexual activities have increased, women's contraceptive initiative is very weak: they may be connected with weak partnership formation. “Parasite singles”, “freeters”, or “NEETs”, probably related to weak family formation, have increased, but they may be connected with strong filial bondage derived from the traditional family system, i.e. Women have been normatively, educationally, and occupationally emancipated, but gender norms are currently divided in half among Japanese people, which may deter the revising of working conditions for women with children, leading to delaying family formation among working women. Lowest‐low fertility conversely brings about family changes. Its direct effect is the increase of lifetime celibacy and childless couples, which may jeopardize the universality of families. Its indirect effect is through policy response to low fertility as well as labor shortages and population aging: recently, both family and labor policies have been strengthened to make it easier for working women to continue their jobs after marriage and childbirth, which might in turn promote family formation in Japan.
Increasing Childlessness in Germany and Japan: Toward a Childless Society?
Authors: Hara Toshihiko
Published: December 2008

Abstract: This paper focuses on childlessness in Germany and Japan and its sociological meanings in family formation in postmodern societies. First, it shows the trends of fertility decline and increasing childlessness, and clarifies the similarities and differences in both countries, by comparing parity composition, educational attainment, and other socioeconomic correlates of childlessness. Second, using the data of attitudinal surveys, such as the 2003 Population Policy Acceptance Study (PPAS) in Germany and the 13th National Fertility Survey (JNFS; 2005) in Japan, the reasons for having no children are observed. Third, referring to the discussions of German scholars, it tries to explain the sociological meanings of childlessness and to describe the development toward a childless society (even if it's demographically not sustainable) as one of the possible consequences of the Second Demographic Transition. Important findings are as follows: (1) In Germany the fertility decline began early in the mid‐1960s but in Japan later from mid‐1970s so that the increase of childlessness has been a little delayed. The proportion of childless women in Western Germany increased to 28% for the 1967 cohort. In Japan, it has increased to 12.7% for the 1960 cohort, but is expected to reach 30% for the 1970 cohort. (2) The educational gap in childlessness is clearly observed in Germany; however, this is not so simple in Japan. Corresponding with the increase of childlessness, the desired number of children in average is declining. The emergence of a child‐free culture is observed in Germany by PPAS, but not yet in Japan by JNFS. (3) Polarization may proceed further in both countries, between childless people and people with many children.