bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hyperglycaemia and mortality of diabetic patients with candidaemia
Authors: Bader M. S. , Hinthorn D. , Lai S. M. , Ellerbeck E. F.
Published: August 2005

Aims  To determine whether the degree of hyperglycaemia has an impact on in‐hospital mortality in diabetic patients with candidaemia.

Methods  A retrospective cohort study of 87 diabetic patients with candidaemia admitted between June 1995 and June 2003 was carried out at two medical centres. Patients were stratified into two groups: those with moderate hyperglycaemia (7 days post‐candidaemia mean blood glucose < 13.9 mmol/l) and those with severe hyperglycaemia (7 days post‐candidaemia mean blood glucose ≥ 13.9 mmol/l). A stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed to determine whether the degree of hyperglycaemia was a significant predictor of mortality.

Results  During the follow‐up period from admission till discharge, 34 (39.1%) patients had died. Nine (69.2%) of 13 patients with severe hyperglycaemia have died while 25 (33.8%) of 74 patients with moderate hyperglycaemia have died. Multivariate analysis identified three independent determinants of death; Apache II score ≥ 23 [OR 8.1, 95% CI (2.6, 25.3), P = 0.0003], mean blood glucose levels 7 days post‐candidaemia ≥ 13.9 mmol/l [OR 6.8, 95% CI (1.2, 38.2), P = 0.03], and mechanical ventilation [OR 6.5, 95% CI (2.21), P = 0.03].

Conclusion  Severe hyperglycaemia is an important marker of increased mortality among hospitalized diabetic patients with candidaemia.
Recent concepts in non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Adams L. A. , Angulo P.
Published: August 2005

Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is present in up to one‐third of the general population and in the majority of patients with metabolic risk factors such as obesity and diabetes. Insulin resistance is a key pathogenic factor resulting in hepatic fat accumulation. Recent evidence demonstrates NAFLD in turn exacerbates hepatic insulin resistance and often precedes glucose intolerance. Once hepatic steatosis is established, other factors, including oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, gut‐derived lipopolysaccharide and adipocytokines, may promote hepatocellular damage, inflammation and progressive liver disease. Confirmation of the diagnosis of NAFLD can usually be achieved by imaging studies, however, staging the disease requires a liver biopsy. NAFLD is associated with an increased risk of all‐cause death, probably because of complications of insulin resistance such as vascular disease, as well as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, which occur in a minority of patients. NAFLD is also now recognized to account for a substantial proportion of patients previously diagnosed with ‘cryptogenic cirrhosis’. Diabetes, obesity and the necroinflammatory form of NAFLD known as non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis, are risk factors for progressive liver disease. Current treatment relies on weight loss and exercise, although various insulin‐sensitizing medications appear promising. Further research is needed to identify which patients will achieve the most benefit from therapy.
Narrative process modes as a bridging concept for the theory, research and clinical practice of systemic therapy
Authors: Laitila Aarno , Aaltonen Jukka , Wahlström Jarl , Angus Lynne
Published: August 2005

This article is concerned with the relationships which hold between the clinical practice and the theory of family therapy; and between these and academic research. These relationships are seen as tenuous and thin because, in the first place, there is a lack of rigorous theoretical underpinning; and second, the research methods employed do not fit in with current family therapy practice, and with the theory that underlies this practice. The role of the concept of narrative process modes is proposed as a bridging and mediating one. The external, internal and reflective narrative process modes are seen as relevant from the point of view of family therapy process research, and the clinical practice of marital and family therapy.
The production of synthetic chemodisruptive peptides in planta disrupts the establishment of cyst nematodes
Authors: Liu Bing , Hibbard Jennifer K. , Urwin Peter Edward , Atkinson Howard J.
Published: August 2005

Root exudates from transgenic potato plants expressing a chemoreception‐disruptive peptide inhibit acetylcholinesterase by up to 63 ± 3%. This inhibition correlates strongly with the efficacy of the exudates as a presoak solution for infective juveniles of Heterodera glycines that leads to reduced root invasion. The establishment of developing Globodera pallida at 21 days post‐infection in these transgenic plants was also suppressed in containment trials. Relative to controls, the best line showed a 47 ± 5% reduction in developing females and had 188 ± 25% more undeveloped infective juveniles. This suggests that disorientation of chemoreception occurs after initial root invasion. Line (e) showed the highest level of resistance with 61 ± 4% in glasshouse trials conducted over a 9‐week period. This result represents the combined effect on the number of cysts produced and the number of eggs each cyst contains. The level of control shown to saccate females was consistent in both the 21‐day and 9‐week post‐infection studies. Another chemoreception‐disruptive peptide, that binds to nematode nicotinic receptors in cholinergic neurones, provided a 52.6 ± 1% reduction in the number of nematodes able to establish in transgenic hairy roots that expressed the peptide. This confirms that both chemoreception‐disruptive peptides have efficacy in suppressing parasitism by cyst nematodes when expressed in planta at low concentrations.
Tuber on a chip: differential gene expression during potato tuber development
Authors: Kloosterman Bjorn , Vorst Oscar , Hall Robert D. , Visser Richard G. F. , Bachem Christian W.
Published: August 2005

Potato tuber development has proven to be a valuable model system for studying underground sink organ formation. Research on this topic has led to the identification of many genes involved in this complex process and has aided in the unravelling of the mechanisms underlying starch synthesis. However, less attention has been paid to the biochemical pathways of other important metabolites or to the changing metabolic fluxes occurring during potato tuber development. In this paper, we describe the construction of a potato complementary DNA (cDNA) microarray specifically designed for genes involved in processes related to tuber development and tuber quality traits. We present expression profiles of 1315 cDNAs during tuber development where the predominant profiles were strong up‐ and down‐regulation. Gene expression profiles showing transient increases or decreases were less abundantly represented and followed more moderate changes, mainly during tuber initiation. In addition to the confirmation of gene expression patterns during tuber development, many novel differentially expressed genes were identified and are considered as candidate genes for direct involvement in potato tuber development. A detailed analysis of starch metabolism genes provided a unique overview of expression changes during tuber development. Characteristic expression profiles were often clearly different between gene family members. A link between differential gene expression during tuber development and potato tissue specificity is described. This dataset provides a firm basis for the identification of key regulatory genes in a number of metabolic pathways that may provide researchers with new tools to achieve breeding goals for use in industrial applications.
Exposure to Rizatriptan During Pregnancy: Post-Marketing Experience up to 30 June 2004
Authors: Fiore M , Shields KE , Santanello N , Goldberg MR
Published: August 2005

Merck & Co., Inc. evaluates outcomes of the use of rizatriptan during pregnancy through a Pregnancy Registry in the United States (US) and spontaneous reports for pregnancies reported from sources outside the US. Review of the outcomes of 25 prospective pregnancy reports in the Pregnancy Registry and reports from other sources does not suggest that treatment with rizatriptan predisposes patients to spontaneous abortions or congenital anomalies. However, the number of reports is small. Healthcare providers in the United States are encouraged to report any prenatal exposure to rizatriptan by calling the Pregnancy Registry at +1 (800) 986 8999 or visiting the Registry's website at http://www.merckpregnancyregistries.com
Facial pain in a Neurological Tertiary Care Centre — Evaluation of the International Classification of Headache Disorders
Authors: Zebenholzer K , Wöber C , Vigl M , Wessely P , Wöber-Bingöl CL
Published: August 2005

The aim of this study was to examine the diagnostic spectrum of facial pain and to evaluate the clinical features relevant to the differential diagnosis in a neurological tertiary care centre. This is the first investigation comparing the first with the second edition of the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-I, ICHD-II) in consecutively referred patients comprising a broad spectrum of disorders without restricting the inclusion to certain diagnoses. Studying 97 consecutive patients referred for facial pain, we found trigeminal neuralgia or other types of cranial neuralgia in 38% and 39% according to ICHD-I and ICHD-II, respectively; persistent idiopathic facial pain was diagnosed in 27% and 21%, respectively. The proportion of patients who could not be classified was 24% in ICHD-I and 29% in ICHD-II. Six per cent of the patients had cluster headache or chronic paroxysmal hemicrania, the remaining 5% had various other disorders. The agreement between ICHD-I and ICHD-II was very good to perfect. In ICHD-II, sensitivity and specificity were similar to ICHD-I, the specificity and negative predictive value were imrpoved in single features of trigeminal neuralgia, but were widely unchanged in persistent idiopathic facial pain. The number of patients who could not be classified was larger in ICHD-II than in ICHD-I. Modifying the diagnostic criteria for different types of facial pain, in particular changes in the criteria of persistent idiopathic facial pain, might be helpful in reducing the number of patients with unclassifiable facial pain.
Therapeutic Benefit of Eletriptan Compared to Sumatriptan for the Acute Relief of Migraine Pain — Results of a Model-Based Meta-Analysis that Accounts for Encapsulation
Authors: Mandema JW , Cox E , Alderman J
Published: August 2005

A novel model-based meta-analysis was used to quantify the dose-response relationship of sumatriptan and eletriptan for the proportion of patients that achieve migraine pain relief up to 4h after treatment. The proportion of patients that became pain free was also evaluated. This analysis includes some unique features, allowing comparison of sumatriptan and eletriptan doses that have not been directly compared in a head to head study and also permitting comparison between the two drugs at multiple time points up to 4 h after treatment. Because the analysis allows comparison of response to blinded sumatriptan with that to marketed sumatriptan and contains timepoints as early as 0.5 h, it is especially suited to detection of possible effects of encapsulation on sumatriptan's therapeutic effectiveness and thus was employed to assess this also. Data from 19 randomized placebo controlled clinical trials were jointly analysed using a random-effects logistic regression model. The results of this analysis show a significant clinical benefit of eletriptan 40 mg compared to sumatriptan 100 mg at any point in time up to 4 h after treatment. The benefit of eletriptan 40 mg is greatest around 1.5-2 h after treatment with an absolute difference at 2 h of 9.1% (7.4-11.5%) more patients achieving pain relief and 7.3% (5.8-8.6%) more patient achieving pain free when compared to sumatriptan 100 mg. An absolute benefit of more than 5% of patients is maintained from 45 min up to 4 h after treatment for pain relief and from 1.5 h up to 4 h for pain free. Eletriptan 20 mg was superior to sumatriptan 50 mg and similar to sumatriptan 100 mg for pain relief while it was similar to sumatriptan 50 mg for pain free. The benefit of eletriptan 20 mg when compared to sumatriptan 50 mg is greatest around 1.5-2 h after treatment with an absolute difference at 2 h of 5.0% (2.9-8.1%) more patients achieving pain relief. An absolute benefit of more than 3% of patients was maintained from 1 h up to 3 h after treatment. No significant difference was found between eletriptan 20 mg and sumatriptan 50 mg for the fraction of patients that became pain free. No significant effect of encapsulation of sumatriptan was found on the time course of response up to 4 h after treatment when compared to commercial sumatriptan.
Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide in Cervicogenic Headache
Authors: Frese A , Schilgen M , Edvinsson L , Frandsen E , Evers S
Published: August 2005

Trigeminovascular activation is involved in the pathophysiology of migraine and cluster headache. The marker evaluated best for trigeminovascular activation is calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the cranial circulation. It is unknown whether trigeminovascular activation plays any role in cervicogenic headache (CEH). The objective of this study was to investigate CGRP plasma levels in CEH patients in relation to headache state. To compare plasma CGRP levels between the peripheral and the cranial circulation. Blood from both external jugular veins and from the antecubital vein was drawn from 11 patients with CEH. Plasma CGRP levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. No difference was found between CGRP levels assessed on days with and without headache. There was no difference beween CGRP levels from the symptomatic and the asymptomatic external jugular vein and the antecubital vein. There is no evidence for an activation of the trigeminovascular system in CEH. In certain cases, clinical differentiation between CEH and migraine without aura is difficult. Plasma CGRP levels might serve as a biological marker to distinguish the two headache entities.
Greater Occipital Nerve Block is Ineffective in Chronic Tension Type Headache
Authors: Leinisch-Dahlke E , Jürgens T , Bogdahn U , Jakob W , May A
Published: August 2005

Patients with primary headache syndromes often describe a pain distribution, that does not respect the trigeminal innervation of the head. In addition to pain in frontal areas, innervated by the first (ophthalmic) division of the trigeminal nerve, the pain often occurs in occipital parts of the head, innervated by the greater occipital nerve, a branch of the C2 spinal nerve root. Anatomical and neurophysiological studies in animals suggest a convergence of cervical and trigeminal input in the trigeminal nucleus caudalis. Modulation of this pathway has been discussed to be of potential benefit in headache disorders. We investigated in an open pilot study the effect of bilateral block of the greater occipital nerve with 50 mg prilocaine and 4 mg dexamethasone in patients with chronic tension type headache. From 15 patients, only one patient described a headache relief after initial exacerbation of headache for 2 days. Headache intensity was unchanged in 11 patients. In further three patients, the headache worsened in the first hours or days after injection. No serious adverse events were observed. One patient showed a bradycardia (36/min) after the first injection during palpation of the muscles of the neck. Three patients suffered pain on the injection site for a few days. Our results indicate that block of the greater occipital nerve is not effective in the treatment of chronic tension type headache. If at all, rather a ‘pro-nociceptive’ effect was observed.
Eletriptan Treatment of Migraine in Patients Switching from Barbiturate-Containing Analgesics: Results from a Multiple-Attack Study
Authors: Martin VT , Loder E , Taylor K , Almas M , Hilliard B
Published: August 2005

The aim of this study was to examine efficacy and tolerability of eletriptan in patients switched from barbiturate-containing combinations (Fiorinal®, Fioricet®). Migraineurs ( n = 160) meeting IHS criteria, with unsatisfactory response in the past year to butalbital-containing combinations, treated up to 16 attacks over 3 months with eletriptan 40 mg. Assessments included headache response and pain-free rates and functional impairment at baseline and 2 h postdose, and global ratings of treatment satisfaction at 24 h. At 2 h postdose, average headache response and pain-free rates were 71% (95% CI, 69-74%) and 37% (95% CI, 35-40%), respectively; 68.5% of patients (95% CI, 65-72%) reported functional response. Within-patient analysis found no efficacy diminution over time (no tolerance). Average headache recurrence rate was 20% (95% CI, 18-23%). Eletriptan was well-tolerated; 6 (3.7%) patients discontinued due to adverse events. There were no serious treatment-related adverse events. We conclude that in poor responders to butalbital-caffeine combinations, switching to eletriptan 40 mg was well-tolerated and efficacious.
Eletriptan in the Early Treatment of Acute Migraine: Influence of Pain Intensity and Time of Dosing
Authors: Brandes JL , Kudrow D , Cady R , Tiseo PJ , Sun W , Sikes CR
Published: August 2005

This double-blind, placebo-controlled study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of early treatment of a single migraine attack, when headache pain was mild, with two doses (20 mg and 40 mg) of eletriptan. Patients ( N = 613; female 79%; mean age 39 years) meeting International Headache Society criteria for migraine were encouraged, but not required, to utilize early treatment, thus providing an opportunity to assess the relative contribution to efficacy of pain severity and timing of dose. For the total patient sample (mild-to-severe headaches), 2-h pain-free rates were significantly higher than placebo (22%) on both eletriptan 20 mg (35%; P < 0.01) and eletriptan 40 mg (47%; P < 0.0001). For the cohort of patients who treated their headache when the pain intensity was mild, the 2-h pain-free rate on eletriptan 40 mg was 68% compared with 25% on placebo ( P < 0.0001). Pain intensity at the time of taking eletriptan appeared to influence outcome more than the timing of the dose relative to headache onset. Eletriptan was well-tolerated, with adverse event rates similar to placebo when mild headaches were treated.
Volumetric capnography: reliability and reproducibility in spontaneously breathing patients
Authors: Verschuren Franck , Heinonen Erkki , Clause Didier , Zech Francis , Reynaert Marc S. , Liistro Giuseppe
Published: August 2005

Volumetric capnography provides a breath‐by‐breath analysis of ventilation‐perfusion imbalances and deadspace volumes. The technique has been best described in intubated and ventilated patients, but promising clinical applications also concern spontaneously breathing patients. The objective of the study was to verify the reliability and reproducibility of a new capnographic program in various types of clinical conditions. In a first step, 56 patients, either healthy or with acute respiratory disorders, were connected to a sidestream gas sampler and flow sensor through a mouthpiece. An acquisition software synchronized expired CO2 and flow data to create volumetric capnographic curves. Mixed expired CO2 partial pressure, corresponding to the exhaled CO2 of the effective tidal volume, was simultaneously collected in a neoprene bag for comparison. In a second step, changes in airway deadspace before and after the adjunction of known spacer volumes were compared in six healthy volunteers. The mean difference between both methods in measuring mixed expired CO2 partial pressure was −0·9 mmHg (SE 0·2 mmHg, P<0·001). The limits of agreement extended from −4·4 to 2·5 mmHg. The interobserver correlation coefficient for reproducibility was 0·98. Airway deadspace volume, after correction for extra volumes, was not statistically different than the basic value (P = 0·89). In conclusion, volumetric capnography can be compared with references when used in spontaneously breathing patients. Future developments and clinical applications should clarify its role as a non‐invasive method for deadspace and ventilation‐perfusion imbalances analysis.
Analysis of week‐to‐week variability in skin blood flow measurements using wavelet transforms
Authors: Jan Yih‐Kuen , Brienza David M. , Geyer Mary Jo
Published: August 2005

The study of skin blood flow responses is confounded by temporal variability in blood flow measurements. Spectral analysis has been shown useful in isolating the effects of distinct control mechanisms on various stimuli in the microcirculatory system. However, the sensitivity of spectral analysis to temporal blood blow variability has not been reported. This study was designed to assess week‐to‐week variability in blood flow measurements using wavelet‐based spectrum analysis. Ten healthy, young subjects (mean age ± SD, 30·0 ± 3·1 years) were recruited into the study. Incremental heating (35–45°C, 1° step min−1) was applied on the skin over the sacrum once per week for three consecutive weeks. Wavelet analysis was used to decompose the laser Doppler blood flow signal into frequency bands determined to be associated with endothelial nitric oxide (0·008–0·02 Hz), neurogenic (0·02–0·05 Hz), myogenic (0·05–0·15 Hz), respiratory (0·15–0·4 Hz), and cardiac (0·4–2·0 Hz) control mechanisms. The results showed that coefficients of variation for the power in each frequency band at baseline are smaller than the coefficients of variation of blood flow at baseline or at maximal blood flow ratio (P<0·05). Myogenic and respiratory frequency bands showed the highest coefficients of variation among the five frequency bands. An increase in power in the endothelial nitric oxide frequency band and a decrease in power in the myogenic frequency band of the maximal blood flow response were reproduced in three consecutive weeks. Our study suggests that wavelet analysis is an effective method to overcome temporal variability in skin blood flow measurements.
Increased plasma levels of natriuretic peptide type B and A in children with congenital heart defects with left compared with right ventricular volume overload or pressure overload
Authors: Holmgren Daniel , Westerlind Andreas , Lundberg Per‐Arne , Wåhlander Håkan
Published: August 2005

Aim:  Natriuretic peptide levels B (BNP) and A (ANP) have been described in children with congenital heart defects (CHD) with pressure and volume overload. However, the impact of ventricular morphology per se on natriuretic peptide levels has not been reported. The aim of the present study was to evaluate plasma BNP and ANP in children with CHD with left or right ventricular volume or pressure overload.

Methods and results:  Plasma BNP and ANP were analysed in 61 children, median age 3·1 (0·3–16·2) years. Haemodynamic load was evaluated by echo‐Doppler and/or catheterization measurements and classified as: pressure overload of the right (RV pressure) or left (LV pressure) ventricle, or volume overload of the right (RV volume) or left (LV volume) ventricle, of a sufficient degree to indicate surgery/catheter intervention. Twenty‐three children, with a median age of 1·1 (0·1–8·3) years, without heart disease, served as controls for the natriuretic peptide measurements. Children in the LV volume group had significantly higher BNP and ANP values, 55·4 ng l−1 (10·7–352) and 164 (31·8–346), than children in the RV volume, 15·6 (0·0–105·1) and 57·2 (11·3–234·1), LV pressure, 6·8 (0·7–170) and 40·8 (12·6–210), and RV pressure, 18·0 (5·0–29·1) and 69·3 (8·7–182), groups respectively (P<0·0001). The values in the LV pressure group were close to the values in the Control group, 4·7 (0·0–17·7) and 32·9 (11·7–212·1), respectively (P = 0·051 and P = 0·378, respectively).

Conclusions:  Plasma concentrations of BNP and ANP were higher in children with CHD with left ventricular volume overload compared with right ventricular volume overload or pressure overload.
Determination of left ventricular long‐axis orientation using MRI: changes during the respiratory and cardiac cycles in normal and diseased subjects
Authors: Foster John E. , Engblom Henrik , Martin Thomas N. , Wagner Galen S. , Steedman Tracey , Ferrua Stefania , Elliott Alex T. , Dargie Henry J. , Groenning Bjoern A.
Published: August 2005

Background:  It has previously been shown that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used to accurately determine left ventricular (LV) long‐axis orientation in healthy individuals. However, the inter‐ and intra‐observer variability in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and chronic heart failure (CHF) has not been explored. Furthermore, the changes in LV long‐axis orientation because of respiration and during the cardiac cycle remain to be determined.

Methods:  LV long‐axis orientation was determined by MRI in the frontal and transverse planes in 44 subjects with no cardiac disease, 20 ACS patients and 13 CHF patients. Changes in LV long‐axis orientation because of respiration were assessed in a subset of 25 subjects. Changes during the cardiac cycle were assessed in six subjects from each subject group. Reproducibility was assessed by a re‐examination of 17 subjects after 28 days.

Results:  The inter‐ and intra‐observer variability for LV long‐axis orientation was low for all subject groups. The difference between the baseline and the 28 days examinations was −1·4 ± 5·9° and −0·8 ± 4·4° in the frontal and transverse planes, respectively. No significant change in LV long‐axis orientation was found between end‐expiration and end‐inspiration (frontal plane, P = 0·63 and transverse plane, P = 0·42; n = 25). No significant difference in change of the LV long‐axis orientation during the cardiac cycle was found between the subject groups (frontal plane, chi‐square 1·8, P = 0·40 and transverse plane, chi‐square 5·7, P = 0·06).

Conclusions:  There is a low inter‐and intra‐observer variability and a high reproducibility for determining LV long‐axis orientation in patients with no cardiac disease as well as in patients with ACS or CHF. There is no significant change in LV long‐axis orientation due to respiration, and only small changes during the cardiac cycle in these groups.
Interpretation of captopril renography using artificial neural networks
Authors: Nielsen Magnus , Granerus Göran , Ohlsson Mattias , Holst Holger , Thorsson Ola , Edenbrandt Lars
Published: August 2005

The purpose of this study was to develop a method based on artificial neural networks for interpretation of captopril renography tests for the detection of renovascular hypertension caused by renal artery stenosis and to assess the value of different measurements from the test. A total of 250 99mTc‐MAG3 captopril renography tests were used in the study. The material was collected from two different patient groups. One group consisted of 101 patients who also had undergone a renal angiography. The angiographies, which were used as gold standard, showed a significant renal artery stenosis in 53 of the 101 cases. The second group consisted of 149 patients, who's captopril renography tests all were interpreted as not compatible with significant renal artery stenosis by an experienced nuclear medicine physician. Artificial neural networks were trained for the diagnosis of renal artery stenosis using eight measures from each renogram. The neural network was then evaluated in separate test groups using an eightfold cross validation procedure. The performance of the neural networks, measured as the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, was 0·93. The sensitivity was 91% at a specificity of 90%. The lowest performance was found for the network trained without use of a parenchymal transit measure, indicating the importance of this feature. Artificial neural networks can be trained to interpret captopril renography tests for detection of renovascular hypertension caused by renal artery stenosis. The result almost equals that of human experts shown in previous studies.
The effect of hormone replacement therapy and/or exercise on skeletal muscle attenuation in postmenopausal women: a yearlong intervention
Authors: Taaffe Dennis R. , Sipilä Sarianna , Cheng Sulin , Puolakka Jukka , Toivanen Jarmo , Suominen Harri
Published: August 2005

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been reported to exert a positive effect on preserving muscle strength following the menopause, however, the mechanism of action remains unclear. We examined whether the mechanism involved preservation of muscle composition as determined by skeletal muscle attenuation. Eighty women aged 50–57 years were randomly assigned to either: HRT, exercise (Ex), HRT + exercise (ExHRT), and control (Co) for 1 year. The study was double‐blinded with subjects receiving oestradiol and norethisterone acetate (Kliogest) or placebo. Exercise included progressive high‐impact training for the lower limbs. Skeletal muscle attenuation in Hounsfield units (HU) was determined by computed tomography of the mid‐thigh. Areas examined were the quadriceps compartment (includes intermuscular adipose tissue), quadriceps muscles, the posterior compartment and posterior muscles. Muscle performance was determined by knee extensor strength, vertical jump height, and running speed over 20 m. Fifty‐one women completed the intervention. Vertical jump height and running speed improved in the HRT and ExHRT groups compared with Co (interaction, P<0·01). For both the quadriceps compartment and quadriceps muscles, HU significantly increased (interaction, P≤0·005) for HRT, Ex, and ExHRT compared with Co. For the posterior compartment, HU for the HRT and ExHRT were significantly increased compared with Co, while for posterior muscles, ExHRT was significantly greater than Co. Although the effects were modest, the results indicate that HRT, either alone or combined with exercise, may play a role in preserving/improving skeletal muscle attenuation in early postmenopausal women and thereby exert a positive effect on muscle performance.
A methodological study of computerized venous strain‐gauge plethysmography of the upper extremities
Authors: Persson Lena M. , Arnhjort Thomas , Haneby Caroline , Lärfars Gerd , Rosfors Stefan
Published: August 2005

This study was performed to assess the efficiency of computerized strain‐gauge plethysmography for evaluation of venous volume (VV) and outflow capacity of the upper extremities and to receive reference values. For this purpose, we investigated 34 healthy controls; 16 males and 18 females with a mean age of 45 years (range 31–58 years). These results were compared with those obtained in 32 patients with earlier spontaneous deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in the upper extremities. In the control group, there was no difference between right and left arm and none of the variables were influenced by age and gender. Venous volume and rate of venous emptying (VE) were significantly lower in arms with earlier DVT than in those without (VV: DVT arms 3·7 ± 0·96 ml 100ml−1 and controls 4·6 ± 0·81 ml 100ml−1; VE: DVT arms 79 ± 24 ml 100ml−1 min−1 and controls 110 ± 21 ml 100ml−1 min−1). Repeated measurements had a coefficient of variation of approximately 10% in both groups. We found the device easy to handle and the results demonstrates that this is a useful method to study venous function in upper extremities. This implicates that computerized strain‐gauge plethysmography is an efficient method both for clinical diagnostic routine and research studies of circulatory changes in acute and chronic DVT in the upper extremity.
Deriving Long‐Run Inequality Series from Tax Data*
Authors: LEIGH ANDREW
Published: August 2005

Prior to the last three decades, regular surveys on household income were rare or non‐existent in many developed countries, making it difficult for economists to develop long‐run series on income distribution. Using taxation statistics, which tend to be available over a longer time span, I propose a method for imputing the incomes of non‐taxpayers, and deriving the underlying distribution of income. Because taxation statistics are typically disaggregated by gender, it is possible to derive separate income distribution series for men and women in countries where individuals file separately. I show that over the past four decades, the distribution of adult male incomes and the distribution of family incomes are highly correlated. Applying this method to Australia, I develop a new annual series for inequality from 1942 to 2001. Inequality fell in the 1950s and the 1970s, and rose during the 1980s and 1990s – a pattern similar to that in the UK.
Economics of Social Capital*
Authors: DASGUPTA PARTHA
Published: August 2005

The literature on the idea of ‘social capital’ is now enormous. Offering an alternative to impersonal markets and coercive states, the communitarian institutions built around social capital have looked attractive to scholars in the humanities and social sciences. The literature in consequence has a warm glow to it. In this article, I first study the various contexts in which the promises people make to one another are credible and then suggest that the accumulation of social capital is a possible route to creating such a context. I offer a tight definition of social capital – namely, interpersonal networks – so as not to prejudge its ability to enhance human well‐being. The links between the microfoundations of social capital and the macroeconomic performance of economies are then studied. I also show that economic theory not only identifies circumstances in which communitarian institutions can function well, but that it also uncovers a dark side, namely, their capicity to permit one group to exploit another within long‐term relationships.
Using Copulas to Model Switching Regimes with an Application to Child Labour*
Authors: SMITH MURRAY D.
Published: August 2005

The copula approach to econometric modelling involves the specification of the separate components of the joint distribution of the random variables of interest: models built for each margin are bound together using a copula function. In this paper, the copula approach is used to construct models for switching regimes. The construct is illustrated by fitting a wage earnings model for child workers in the early 1900s, with regimes governed according to literacy. The results improve on earlier modelling efforts by Poirier and Tobias (2003), finding that a child worker may on average expect a reduction in earnings from being literate.
Undereducation and Overeducation in the Australian Labour Market*
Authors: VOON DERBY , MILLER PAUL W.
Published: August 2005

This paper uses data from the 1996 Census of Population and Housing Household Sample File (HSF) to study the incidence of mismatch between workers' educational attainments and the requirements of their jobs, and the earnings consequences of this mismatch. It also examines whether mismatch contributes to the explanation of the gender wage differential in the Australian labour market. It is found that approximately 15.8 per cent of men and 13.6 per cent of women are overeducated, whereas approximately 18.5 per cent of women and 13.7 per cent of men are undereducated. Substantial earnings consequences are found to be associated with this mismatch, with surplus schooling yielding relatively low returns. The results suggest that mismatch does not account for the gender wage gap in the Australian labour market; rather the gender wage differential is entrenched in the fundamentals of pay determination.
Water Trade in the Southern Murray–Darling Basin
Authors: PETERSON DEBORAH , DWYER GAVAN , APPELS DAVID , FRY JANE
Published: August 2005

In this paper, we use TERM‐Water, a bottoms‐up regional computable general equilibrium model of the Australian economy, to examine the regional effects of expanding trade of irrigation water in the southern Murray–Darling basin. We find that water trading dampens the impact of water allocation cuts on gross regional product (GRP). The benefits of introducing trading within irrigation districts are greater than those of a further expansion of trade between regions. Permitting trade of seasonal allocations allows irrigators to reallocate water in reaction to climatic conditions and water availability; and it is this flexibility that enables GRP reductions to be minimised.
Do Migrants Get Good Jobs? New Migrant Settlement in Australia*
Authors: JUNANKAR P.N. (RAJA) , MAHUTEAU STÉPHANE
Published: August 2005

The paper uses two cohorts of the longitudinal survey of immigrants to Australia data to study how changes in social security legislation in 1997 affected the quality of jobs held by new migrants. We use bivariate probit models to estimate the probabilities of holding a ‘good job’ in terms of the usual human capital and demographic variables (including visa category). Our results suggest that the policy change had a positive impact on the probability to find a job, but a negative impact to hold a good job.
Flowering Phenology and Genetic Similarity among Local and Recently Introduced Populations of Andropogon gerardii in Ohio
Authors: Selbo Sarena M. , Snow Allison A.
Published: August 2005

In Ohio and elsewhere, recent grassland plantings in the federal Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) have become much more extensive than native prairie remnants. The seed source for CRP grasslands in Ohio often comes from as far away as Missouri or Texas, which may be undesirable from the standpoint of conservation genetics. The goal of this study was to examine the potential for gene flow from large, recently introduced populations of Big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii, Poaceae) to small local populations of this outcrossing perennial species. We examined the potential for cross‐pollination between three local populations and three introduced CRP populations by comparing flowering phenologies. Flowering times overlapped extensively, indicating that cross‐pollination is possible where local and introduced genotypes co‐occur. To compare genetic variation in local and CRP populations, we analyzed variation at 68 RAPD loci in six populations of each type. Somewhat surprisingly, we found no significant differences in the genetic diversity or composition between the two groups (local vs. CRP). In summary, we found that local and introduced populations of Big bluestem have the potential to interbreed, based on their flowering periods, but further research is needed to determine whether local genotypes harbor unique genetic variation that could be jeopardized by hybridization with introduced genotypes.
Plant Functional Group Diversity as a Mechanism for Invasion Resistance
Authors: Pokorny Monica L. , Sheley Roger L. , Zabinski Catherine A. , Engel Richard E. , Svejcar Tony J. , Borkowski John J.
Published: August 2005

A commonly cited mechanism for invasion resistance is more complete resource use by diverse plant assemblages with maximum niche complementarity. We investigated the invasion resistance of several plant functional groups against the nonindigenous forb Spotted knapweed (Centaurea maculosa). The study consisted of a factorial combination of seven functional group removals (groups singularly or in combination) and two C. maculosa treatments (addition vs. no addition) applied in a randomized complete block design replicated four times at each of two sites. We quantified aboveground plant material nutrient concentration and uptake (concentration × biomass) by indigenous functional groups: grasses, shallow‐rooted forbs, deep‐rooted forbs, spikemoss, and the nonindigenous invader C. maculosa. In 2001, C. maculosa density depended upon which functional groups were removed. The highest C. maculosa densities occurred where all vegetation or all forbs were removed. Centaurea maculosa densities were the lowest in plots where nothing, shallow‐rooted forbs, deep‐rooted forbs, grasses, or spikemoss were removed. Functional group biomass was also collected and analyzed for nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and sulphur. Based on covariate analyses, postremoval indigenous plot biomass did not relate to invasion by C. maculosa. Analysis of variance indicated that C. maculosa tissue nutrient percentage and net nutrient uptake were most similar to indigenous forb functional groups. Our study suggests that establishing and maintaining a diversity of plant functional groups within the plant community enhances resistance to invasion. Indigenous plants of functionally similar groups as an invader may be particularly important in invasion resistance.
Effects of Flooding Regime and Seedling Treatment on Early Survival and Growth of Nuttall Oak
Authors: Burkett Virginia R. , Draugelis‐Dale Rassa O. , Williams Hans M. , Schoenholtz Stephen H.
Published: August 2005

Effects of flooding on survival and growth of three different types of Nuttall oak (Quercus texana Buckl.) seedlings were observed at the end of third and fifth growing seasons at Yazoo National Wildlife Refuge, Mississippi, U.S.A. Three types of seedlings were planted in January 1995 in a split‐plot design, with four replications at each of two elevations on floodprone, former cropland in Sharkey clay soil. The lower of the two planting elevations was inundated for 21 days during the first growing season, whereas the higher elevation did not flood during the 5‐year period of this study. The three types of 1‐0 seedlings were bareroot seedlings, seedlings grown in containers (3.8 × 21–cm plastic seedling cones), and container‐grown seedlings inoculated with vegetative mycelia of Pisolithus tinctorius (Pers.) Coker. Survival of all the three seedling types was greatest at the lower, intermittently flooded elevation, indicating that drought and related effects on plant competition were more limiting to seedling survival than flooding. At the lower elevation, survival of mycorrhizal‐inoculated container seedlings was greater than that of noninoculated container seedlings. Survival among bareroot seedlings and inoculated container seedlings was not significantly different at either elevation. At the higher, nonflooded elevation, however, bareroot seedling survival was greater than the survival of container seedlings without inoculation. Differences were significant among the inoculated and the noninoculated container seedlings, with higher survival of inoculated seedlings at both elevations, though differences were only significant in year 3. At the end of the fifth year, height of bareroot seedlings was significantly greater than the heights of both types of container‐grown seedlings at both planting elevations. Because seedlings grown in the plastic seedlings cones did not survive better than the bareroot seedlings at either planting elevation, the bareroot stock appear to be the economically superior choice for regeneration in Sharkey soil.
Maintaining Critical Habitat in a Heavily Managed Landscape: Effects of Power Line Corridor Management on Karner Blue Butterfly (Lycaeides melissa samuelis) Habitat
Authors: Forrester Jodi A. , Leopold Donald J. , Hafner Sasha D.
Published: August 2005

The Karner blue butterfly (KBB) (Lycaeides melissa samuelis), a federally listed species, has historically been a component of barren and savannah ecosystems in the northeastern and midwestern United States. In New York, it now occurs primarily on managed, early‐successional sites such as power line corridors (utility rights‐of‐way) from Albany to Glens Falls. Blue lupine (Lupinus perennis), the exclusive larval food source of the KBB, has been suggested to be the most limiting factor for the butterfly within the eastern portion of its range. Power line corridor management maintains early‐successional habitats by suppressing the regrowth of woody species, creating potentially important habitat for the conservation and restoration of the KBB complex. This research compared the effects of several vegetation‐clearing methods on Blue lupine populations and associated communities of nectar species for KBB over an 8‐year period. Methods evaluated differed in intensity (annual, 4‐, or 8‐year intervals) and type (herbicide or mechanical). Blue lupine and plant community responses did not significantly differ among the treatment types applied to the power line corridors. However, Blue lupine cover, clump size, and density of stems per clump increased following the application of treatments in general. The number and cover of nectar species, total herbaceous cover, and species richness also responded positively to treatment overall. The percentage of non‐native species temporarily increased following treatment but declined to near pre‐treatment levels again as woody cover increased. Temporal changes in plant community composition were not related to management methods. The management tools assessed, mowing and herbicide application, will accomplish the goal of halting or reversing succession, maintaining critical habitat for the KBB in a landscape that provides little other suitable habitat.
The Potential for Created Oyster Shell Reefs as a Sustainable Shoreline Protection Strategy in Louisiana
Authors: Piazza Bryan P. , Banks Patrick D. , La Peyre Megan K.
Published: August 2005

Coastal protection remains a global priority. Protection and maintenance of shoreline integrity is often a goal of many coastal protection programs. Typically, shorelines are protected by armoring them with hard, non‐native, and nonsustainable materials such as limestone. This study investigated the potential shoreline protection role of created, three‐dimensional Eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) shell reefs fringing eroding marsh shorelines in Louisiana. Experimental reefs (25 × 1.0 × 0.7 m; intertidal) were created in June 2002 at both high and low wave energy shorelines. Six 25‐m study sites (three cultched and three control noncultched) were established at each shoreline in June 2002, for a total of 12 sites. Shoreline retreat was reduced in cultched low‐energy shorelines as compared to the control low‐energy shorelines (analysis of variance; p < 0.001) but was not significantly different between cultched and noncultched sites in high‐energy environments. Spat set increased from 0.5 ± 0.1 spat/shell in July 2002 to a peak of 9.5 ± 0.4 spat/shell in October 2002. On average, oyster spat grew at a rate of 0.05 mm/day through the duration of the study. Recruitment and growth rates of oyster spat suggested potential reef sustainability over time. Small fringing reefs may be a useful tool in protecting shorelines in low‐energy environments. However, their usefulness may be limited in high‐energy environments.
Hydrologic, Edaphic, and Vegetative Responses to Microtopographic Reestablishment in a Restored Wetland
Authors: Bruland Gregory L. , Richardson Curtis J.
Published: August 2005

Microtopography is a characteristic feature of many natural wetlands that is commonly lacking in restored wetlands (RWs). Consequently, it has been suggested that microtopography must be reestablished in RWs to accelerate the development of wetland function. The objective of this research was to examine responses of hydrology, soils, and vegetation to microtopographic reestablishment at a 3‐year‐old RW site in North Carolina. Microtopography was reestablished by configuring hummocks (mounds) and hollows (depressions), on otherwise level terrain (flats) of intermediate elevation. For most of the 2003 growing season, mean water table depths were below the soil surface in the flats and 10 cm above the soil surface in the hollows. Analysis of variance revealed significant microtopography by time interactions for soil temperature (p< 0.05) and moisture (p< 0.001), indicating that differences between zones were not consistent throughout the growing season. Hummocks had significantly higher nitrate (p< 0.0001) and ammonium (p= 0.001) than flats and hollows for most of the growing season. Differences in microbial biomass carbon and denitrification enzyme activity across the microtopographic zones were not detected. Plant species richness was significantly different (p< 0.001) across the microtopographic zones, with hummocks < hollows < flats. Flats supported the greatest numbers of wetland species. Aboveground biomass differed significantly (p< 0.001) across the microtopographic zones and followed a different pattern than richness: hummocks < flats < hollows, owing to the growth of emergent wetland herbs in hollows.