bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Epistemic Institutions and Epistemic Cooperation in International Environmental Governance
Authors: Meyer Timothy 
Published: March 2013

AbstractUnder what conditions should epistemic institutions (institutions that provide policy-relevant scientific advice) be integrated into international legal institutions – for example, the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change? Following work in law and economics on the theory of the firm, this article argues that where states will not implement environmental policies absent a collective decision to do so, greater hierarchical control of epistemic institutions by legal institutions may be necessary to ensure the credibility and availability of a usable scientific record. Hierarchy creates credibility because it allows all states necessary for cooperation in the legal institution to oversee the production of the scientific record that provides the basis for international legal rules. Hierarchy thus enhances the effectiveness of international law as a coordination tool, even at the expense of the autonomy of the scientific process. By contrast, where collective action is not necessary because states will unilaterally regulate an environmental problem once scientific uncertainty has been reduced, epistemic and legal institutions should be fragmented to ensure the unbiased production and dissemination of scientific information. In such situations, the credibility of the scientific record is demonstrated by decentralized adoption of science-based regulation.
City Networks as Alternative Geographies of Southeast Asia
Authors: Bunnell Tim 
Published: March 2013

AbstractOver the last two decades, research on world cities and global cities has unsettled the nation-state as the default unit of analysis in many disciplines in Anglophone social science. Rather than seeing the world as comprised of a mosaic of national political and social units, alternative geographies of networks connecting cities and urban regions have risen to prominence. In this paper, I consider the implications of such alternative mappings for Southeast Asia, bringing urban studies and area studies into critical conversation with each other. Geographies of urban networks extending across national borders challenge the ingrained methodological nationalism of conventional area studies, not least in Southeast Asia. However, to what extent do framings of trans-national urban connections among Southeast Asian or Asian cities mean that methodological nationalism has simply been up-scaled to methodological regionalism? In the first of the two main sections of the paper, I look in detail at the network spatialities brought into view by global and world cities scholars and consider their implications for regional urban systems frameworks. Flows of people, money and ideas extending from cities in Southeast Asia to cities beyond that region, and even trans-continentally, arguably imply that areal framings melt into network geographies which are global in scope. In the second section of the paper, I consider three types of regional formations that have been identified in research on globalization: the global triad regions, region states, and inter-Asia flows of capital; models and people which I examine do not map onto conventional cartographies of Southeast Asia. Together, these two sections of the paper serve as a reminder that in future research regions need to be specified empirically rather than assumed to exist asa prioriframings for research, and that the geographies of ‘actually existing’ regionalizing processes are often very different from area studies mappings of the world.
From Rural to Urban: A Geography of Boundary Crossing in Southeast Asia
Authors: Rigg Jonathan 
Published: March 2013

AbstractMigration, mobility, and movement are the inter-linked processes which provide the empirical scaffold for this paper. The paper uses this empirical framing to reflect on a series of methodological, conceptual, and theoretical challenges for scholars of Southeast Asia. Mobility and associated geographical (spatial) boundary crossings have raised questions about the analytical units employed in research; the unsettling of these analytical units has challenged whether conceptual categories still have explanatory purchase; and the fracturing of conceptual categories has implications for the theoretical frameworks that scholars have traditionally deployed. Drawing on field research undertaken in Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam the paper argues that evolving mobilities in the region, particularly in rural areas, require a degree of explanatory ‘catch-up’ on the part of scholars as we try to keep pace with the rate of change in the countryside. Instead of focusing on households in space, we should be trying to map out the networked relations that link lives and individuals across national and transnational space. The paper further argues that we should focus our attention on local-level dynamics associated with societal change, settlement dynamism and sustainability, population turbulence, and evolving cultural preferences which operate partly independently of the rural development project, thus highlighting the shifting web of mutual dependencies and interdependencies that shape lives and living patterns.
Evaluation of inconsistency in networks of interventions
Authors: Veroniki Areti Angeliki , Vasiliadis Haris S , Higgins Julian PT , Salanti Georgia 
Published: March 2013

Abstract
Background The assumption of consistency, defined as agreement between direct and indirect sources of evidence, underlies the increasingly popular method of network meta-analysis. No evidence exists so far regarding the extent of inconsistency in full networks of interventions or the factors that control its statistical detection.
Methods In this paper we assess the prevalence of inconsistency from data of 40 published networks of interventions involving 303 loops of evidence. Inconsistency is evaluated in each loop by contrasting direct and indirect estimates and by employing an omnibus test of consistency for the entire network. We explore whether different effect measures for dichotomous outcomes are associated with differences in inconsistency, and evaluate whether different ways to estimate heterogeneity affect the magnitude and detection of inconsistency.
Results Inconsistency was detected in from 2% to 9% of the tested loops, depending on the effect measure and heterogeneity estimation method. Loops that included comparisons informed by a single study were more likely to show inconsistency. About one-eighth of the networks were found to be inconsistent. The proportions of inconsistent loops do not materially change when different effect measures are used. Important heterogeneity or the overestimation of heterogeneity was associated with a small decrease in the prevalence of statistical inconsistency.
Conclusions The study suggests that changing the effect measure might improve statistical consistency, and that an analysis of sensitivity to the assumptions and an estimator of heterogeneity might be needed before reaching a conclusion about the absence of statistical inconsistency, particularly in networks with few studies.
Sevoflurane alters the expression of receptors and enzymes involved in Aβ clearance in rats
Authors: LIU Y. , GAO M. , MA L. , ZHANG L. , PAN N. 
Published: March 2013

BackgroundPatients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) exhibit a failure in the clearance of amyloid β peptides (Aβ) from the central nervous system. Previous studies have suggested an association between anesthesia and the occurrence of AD. The aim of the present report was to further explore this possibility.MethodsAnimals were administered sevoflurane for 2 h. We performed immunohistochemistry and real‐time polymerase chain reaction to assess the levels of low‐density lipoprotein receptor‐related protein 1 (LRP‐1), the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) protein, insulin‐degrading enzyme (IDE), and neprilysin (NEP) in aged and young rat's brain.ResultLevels of LRP‐1 were significantly decreased, while those of RAGE increased in the aged and young groups. Immunoreactivity for IDE was significantly decreased at 3 and increased at 15 days in the young group. In contrast, immunoreactivity for NEP was significantly increased at 1 but decreased at 15 days in aged rats. Levels of IDE messenger RNA (mRNA) were significantly decreased at 3 and 7 days in the aged group but was consistently decreased at 1, 3, 7, and 15 days in the young group. Levels of NEP mRNA were significantly decreased in the aged group but increased in the young group at 1, 3, 7, and 15 days.ConclusionSevoflurane leads to a reduction in the levels of LRP‐1, while increasing RAGE and decreasing IDE and NEP in both aged and, to a lesser extent, young rat's brain. These receptor and enzymatic changes may promote the accumulation of Aβ in brain tissues and thus exacerbate Alzheimer's‐like pathology.
Vested interests in addiction research and policy. Why do we not see the corporate interests of the alcohol industry as clearly as we see those of the tobacco industry?
Authors: Casswell Sally 
Published: March 2013

AbstractAimsTo compare the current status of global alcohol corporations with tobacco in terms of their role in global governance and to document the process by which this difference has been achieved and the consequences for alcohol control policy.MethodsParticipant observation in the global political arena, review of industry materials (submissions, publications, conference presentations, websites) and review of published literature formed the basis for the current analysis.ResultsRecent events in the global political arena have highlighted the difference in perception of the alcohol and tobacco industries which has allowed alcohol corporations to participate in the global governance arena in a way in which tobacco has not been able. The transnational producers of alcohol have waged a sophisticated and successful campaign during the past three decades, including sponsorship of intergovernmental events, funding of educational initiatives, research, publications and sponsoring sporting and cultural events. A key aspect has been the framing of arguments to undermine perceptions of the extent of alcohol‐related harms to health by promoting ideas of a balance of benefits and harms. An emphasis on the heaviest drinkers has been used to promote the erroneous idea that ‘moderate’ drinkers experience no harm and a goal of alcohol policy should be to ensure they are unaffected by interventions. This leads to highly targeted interventions towards the heaviest drinkers rather than effective regulation of the alcohol market.ConclusionA sophisticated campaign by global alcohol corporations has promoted them as good corporate citizens and framed arguments with a focus on drinkers rather than the supply of alcohol. This has contributed to acceptance in the global governance arena dealing with policy development and implementation to an extent which is very different from tobacco. This approach, which obscures the contribution supply and marketing make to alcohol‐related harm, has also contributed to failure by governments to adopt effective supply‐side policies.
Ocular surface assessment in soft contact lens wearers; the contribution of tear osmolarity among other tests
Authors: Muselier‐Mathieu Aurore , Bron Alain M. , Mathieu Bénigne , Souchier Maxime , Brignole‐Baudouin Françoise , Acar Niyazi , Brétillon Lionel , Creuzot‐Garcher Catherine 
Published: March 2013

Abstract:Purpose: To determine whether tear osmolarity contributes to the assessment of the ocular surface in soft contact lens (CL) wearers.Methods: Prospective, case–control series in 44 CL wearers (28 tolerant and 16 intolerant) and 34 healthy subjects. Every patient underwent a thorough ophthalmic examination with a tear osmolarity test (TearLab System), conjunctival impression cytology and meibomian lipid sampling. Symptoms, break‐up time (BUT), tear osmolarity, conjunctival expression of HLA‐DR and meibomian fatty acid composition were evaluated.Results: Tear osmolarity did not differ between controls and CL wearers (p = 0.23). Flow cytometry results expressed in antibody‐binding capacity (ABC) units and percentage of positive cells revealed a significant difference between the intolerant CL wearer group and the control group (p < 0.0001). Comparisons between tolerant and intolerant CL wearers showed only a significant difference for mean fluorescence levels expressed in ABC units (p < 0.0001). The BUT was significantly shorter in intolerant and tolerant CL wearers subjects than in healthy subjects (p < 0.0001), whereas there was no significant difference in meibomian fatty acid composition (p = 0.99) between the two groups.Conclusion: Contact lens wear is responsible for ocular surface alterations whose patterns are very similar to those reported in early dry‐eye syndrome. However, tear osmolarity was not modified in these selected CL wearers. The yield of tear osmolarity with TearLab™ in assessing ocular surface disorders in CL wearers deserves further investigation.
Inhibitory Control During Emotional Distraction Across Adolescence and Early Adulthood
Authors: Cohen‐Gilbert Julia E. , Thomas Kathleen M. 
Published: March 2013

This study investigated the changing relation between emotion and inhibitory control during adolescence. One hundred participants between 11 and 25 years of age performed a go‐nogo task in which task‐relevant stimuli (letters) were presented at the center of large task‐irrelevant images depicting negative, positive, or neutral scenes selected from the International Affective Picture System. Longer reaction times for negative trials were found across all age groups, suggesting that negative but not positive emotional images captured attention across this age range. However, age differences in accuracy on inhibitory trials suggest that response inhibition is more readily disrupted by negative emotional distraction in early adolescence relative to late childhood, late adolescence, or early adulthood.
Interleukin-32 production associated with biliary innate immunity and proinflammatory cytokines contributes to the pathogenesis of cholangitis in biliary atresia
Authors: Okamura A , Harada K , Nio M , Nakanuma Y 
Published: March 2013

SummaryBiliary atresia (BA) is thought to be associated with infections by viruses such as Reoviridae and is characterized histologically by fibrosclerosing cholangitis with proinflammatory cytokine-mediated inflammation. Interleukin (IL)-32 affects the continuous inflammation by increasing the production of proinflammatory cytokines. In this study, the role of IL-32 in the cholangitis of BA was examined. Immunohistochemistry for IL-32 and caspase 1 was performed using 21 samples of extrahepatic bile ducts resected from BA patients. Moreover, using cultured human biliary epithelial cells (BECs), the expression of IL-32 and its induction on stimulation with a Toll-like receptor [(TLR)-3 ligand (poly(I:C)] and proinflammatory cytokines was examined. BECs composing extrahepatic bile ducts showing cholangitis expressed IL-32 in BA, but not in controls. Caspase 1 was expressed constantly on BECs of both BA and control subjects. Furthermore, poly(I:C) and proinflammatory cytokines [(IL-1β, interferon (IFN)-γ and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α] induced IL-32 expression strongly in cultured BECs, accompanying the constant expression of TLR-3 and caspase 1. Our results imply that the expression of IL-32 in BECs was found in the damaged bile ducts of BA and induced by biliary innate immunity via TLR-3 and proinflammatory cytokines. These findings suggest that IL-32 is involved initially in the pathogenic mechanisms of cholangitis in BA and also plays an important role in the amplification and continuance of periductal inflammatory reactions. It is therefore tempting to speculate that inhibitors of IL-32 could be useful for attenuating cholangitis in BA.
Higher doses of cabergoline further improve metabolic parameters in patients with prolactinoma regardless of the degree of reduction in prolactin levels
Authors: Ciresi Alessandro , Amato Marco Calogero , Guarnotta Valentina , Lo Castro Flavia , Giordano Carla 
Published: March 2013

SummaryObjectiveCurrently available studies that fully analyse the metabolic parameters in patients with prolactinoma are scarce and discordant. The aim of this study was to evaluate the metabolic effects of cabergoline (CAB) treatment in patients with newly diagnosed prolactinoma in relation to disease control and CAB dosage.DesignThis is a retrospective clinical‐based therapy analysis.PatientsForty‐three patients with prolactinoma (eight men, 35 women), aged 33·65 ± 11·23 years, were evaluated metabolically at baseline and after 12 months of CAB treatment.MeasurementsBody mass index (BMI), systolic and diastolic blood pressure, waist circumference (WC), lipid profile, haemoglobinA1c (HbA1c), glucose and insulin levels (and their areas under the curve, AUC) after an oral glucose tolerance test, homoeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (Homa‐IR) index, insulin sensitivity index (ISI) Matsuda, oral disposition index (DIo) and visceral adiposity index (VAI) were measured at baseline and after 12 months of treatment.ResultsTwelve months of CAB reduced WC (P < 0·001), total (P = 0·001) and low‐density lipoprotein \terol (P < 0·001), triglycerides (P = 0·024), fasting insulin (P < 0·001), AUCINSULIN (P < 0·001), HbA1c (P = 0·022), Homa‐IR (P < 0·001) and VAI (P < 0·001), with a concomitant increase in high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (P < 0·001) and in ISI Matsuda (P < 0·001), regardless of the degree of reduction in prolactin levels. The patients receiving higher doses (>0·50 mg/week) of CAB showed lower BMI (P = 0·009), fasting insulin (P = 0·001), Homa‐IR (P < 0·001) and VAI (P = 0·018) and higher ISI Matsuda (P = 0·002) and DIo (P = 0·011), compared with those on lower doses.ConclusionsA significant metabolic improvement was observed in patients with prolactinoma after 12 months of CAB treatment, especially when higher doses were used, highlighting the importance of considering the metabolic profile in these patients and the role of active treatment with high CAB doses.
What predicts adverse outcomes in untreated primary hyperparathyroidism? The Parathyroid Epidemiology and Audit Research Study (PEARS)
Authors: Yu Ning , Leese Graham P. , Donnan Peter T. 
Published: March 2013

SummaryObjectiveThis study aims to identify the best biochemical risk factors alongside other factors for predicting adverse outcomes seen in untreated primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT).DesignPopulation‐based cohort study, 1997–2006.SettingTayside, Scotland,UK.PatientsPatients with untreated diagnosedPHPT.Outcome measures and methodsOutcomes considered were all‐cause mortality, fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular disease (CVD). Models were derived using survival analysis. Potential biochemical predictors tested were baseline serum calcium, parathyroid hormone (PTH), creatinine and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and other covariates considered were gender, age at diagnosis, deprivation, previous comorbidities and bisphosphonates usage.ResultsFrom 1997 to 2006, 2097 patients (mean age, 68·4 years; 69·9% women) with untreatedPHPTwere identified with a total follow‐up of 7338 person years, in the population of Tayside, Scotland. The median baseline calcium was 2·61 mm, andPTHwas 7·2 pm.PTHwas the only statistically significant risk factor in all outcomes observed adjusting for other covariates. Serum creatinine andALPpredicted mortality outcomes in the short term (≤3 years), but not long term. Calcium was associated with increased risk of all‐cause mortality in the short term but had no significant impact on other outcomes.ConclusionBaselinePTH, rather than calcium, best predicts long‐term outcomes in untreatedPHPT.
Early pancreas allograft thrombosis
Authors: Ramessur Chandran Sharmila , Kanellis John , Polkinghorne Kevan R. , Saunder Alan C. , Mulley William R. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractObjectivesTo determine factors associated with early pancreatic allograft thrombosis (EPAT). Thrombosis is the leading non‐immunological cause of early pancreatic allograft failure. Multiple risk factors have been postulated. We hypothesized that recipient perioperative hypotension was a major risk factor and evaluated the correlation of this and other parameters with EPAT.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the records of the 118 patients who received a pancreatic allograft at our center between October 1992 and January 2010. Multiple donor and recipient parameters were analyzed as associates of EPAT by univariate and multivariate analysis.ResultsThere were 12 episodes of EPAT, resulting in an incidence of 10.2%. On univariate analysis, EPAT was associated with perioperative hypotension, vasopressor use, and neuropathy in the recipient (p ≤ 0.04 for all). On multivariate analysis corrected for age, sex, and peripheral vascular disease, only vasopressor use retained a significant association with EPAT with a hazard ratio of 8.74 (CI 1.11–68.9, p = 0.04). Factors associated with vasopressor use included recipient ischemic heart disease, peripheral vascular disease, retinopathy or neuropathy, and any surgical complication.ConclusionsSignificant hypotension, measured by the need for perioperative vasopressor use was associated with EPAT, suggesting that maintenance of higher perfusion pressures may avoid this complication.
Coronary events in patients undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation: perioperative evaluation and management
Authors: Ali Asghar , Bhardwaj Hem L. , Heuman Douglas M. , Jovin Ion S. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractPatients with advanced liver disease have a high prevalence of cardiac risk factors. The stress of liver transplant surgery predisposes these patients to major cardiac events, such as myocardial infarction or ventricular arrhythmias in addition to heart failure exacerbation. Liver transplant patients who experience coronary events in the perioperative period have a decreased five‐yr survival rate. Cardiovascular risk stratification prior to liver transplant can be accomplished by dobutamine stress echocardiography, stress myocardial perfusion imaging, cardiac computed tomography, and coronary angiography. Pre‐liver transplant management of cardiovascular pathology includes cardiovascular intervention like percutaneous coronary intervention, coronary bypass graft surgery, or medical management. Thorough screening and optimal management of underlying cardiovascular pathology and cardiovascular risk factors should decrease the incidence of new cardiac events in liver transplant recipients.