bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Testing for Competition in the South Korean and Chinese Commercial Banking Markets
Authors: Park Kang H. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractThis paper examines market concentration and competition in theSouthKorean andChinese commercial banking markets for the period of 1992–2008. This study empirically investigates whether changes in bank concentration have affected the degree of competition in theKorean andChinese commercial banking industries by estimating the H statistic of thePanzar‐Rosse model. We also used theBoone Indicator model to confirm the results from thePanzar‐Rosse model. The Korean banking industry has been monopolistically competitive for the entire sample period while the Wald test of the H statistic shows competition in the Korean banking actually increased to the level of perfect competition during the crisis period temporarily. Compared to the banking industry ofKorea and other countries, theChinese banking industry is still highly concentrated and its level of competition is closer to oligopoly.
The Effects of Risky Debt on Investment Under Uncertainty
Authors: You Seung Dong 
Published: February 2013

AbstractThis paper investigates investment and disinvestment decisions when an investor finances debt to fund the lump‐sum cost at the time of investment. The study examines investment timing decisions in a frictionless financial market. By extending the model presented in Dixit (1989), this paper argues that, as risky debt increases, an investor's trigger price for investment decreases while the trigger price for disinvestment increases. Such an investor hastens both investment and disinvestment decisions with risky debt. This paper focuses on stand‐alone financing rather than expansion financing, as in Lyandres and Zhdanov (2010).
Does cow's milk protein elimination diet have a role on induction and maintenance of remission in children with ulcerative colitis?
Authors: Strisciuglio Caterina , Giannetti Eleonora , Martinelli Massimo , Sciorio Elisa , Staiano Annamaria , Miele Erasmo 
Published: February 2013

AbstractAimAims of this study were to evaluate the efficacy of a cow's milk protein (CMP) elimination diet on induction and maintenance of remission and to define association with atopy in children with ulcerative colitis (UC).MethodsTwenty‐nine consecutive patients (mean age: 11.2 years; range: 4.6–17 years; F/M: 15/14) with newly diagnosed UC were randomized either to receive a CMP elimination diet (n = 14) or to continue a free diet (n = 15) associated with concomitant steroid induction and mesalazine maintenance treatment. Children were prospectively evaluated at four time points: within 1 month, 6 months and 1 year after diagnosis or at the time of relapse.ResultsTwenty‐five of the 29 enrolled patients responded to the UC induction therapy with a complete remission (86.2%), 13 belonging to CMP elimination diet group and 12 to free diet group (p = 0.59). Overall, our data showed that 7 of 13 (53.8%) patients treated with CMP elimination diet and 8 of 15 (53.3%) patients on free diet and UC therapy relapsed within 1 year of follow‐up (p = 1).ConclusionsIn conclusion, data of this paediatric, randomized trial suggest that CMP elimination has no role in the management of UC in non‐sensitized children.
Healthcare utilization and health‐related quality of life of adult survivors of preterm birth complicated by bronchopulmonary dysplasia
Authors: Beaudoin Stéphane , Tremblay Geneviève M , Croitoru Dan , Benedetti Andrea , Landry Jennifer S 
Published: February 2013

AbstractAimThis study aims to characterize the impact of preterm birth, respiratory distress syndrome and bronchopulmonary dysplasia on quality of life and healthcare utilization in adulthood.MethodsA mail survey on quality of life and respiratory health was sent to a list of potential subjects identified using the databases of the Régie de l'asssurance maladie du Québec. Four groups of adults born between 1987 and 1993 were compared: (i) preterm with bronchopulmonary dysplasia, (ii) preterm with respiratory distress syndrome, (iii) preterm without respiratory complications and (iv) term controls. As a complement, data from the governmental healthcare administrative databases were extracted for responders.ResultsAlthough the groups differed in their use of healthcare services and prescription drugs, no clinically significant difference was observed for Saint George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), SF‐36v2 and Medical Research Council (MRC) Dyspnea Scale scores. However, compared to term subjects, bronchopulmonary dysplasia subjects were less likely to access higher education and more likely to be either invalid or unemployed.ConclusionCompared to term subjects, subjects with a history of prematurity and respiratory distress syndrome or bronchopulmonary dysplasia had similar health‐related quality of life and respiratory symptoms despite greater use of healthcare services and prescription drugs.
Effects of primer podcasts on stimulating learning from lectures: How do students engage?
Authors: Popova Anguelina , Kirschner Paul A. , Joiner Richard 
Published: February 2013

AbstractA number of factors can influence learning from lectures such as students' prior knowledge, their motivation, the instructional design, the lecturer and so forth. Instructional aid techniques such as preparing class notes, giving quizzes (either planned or spot quizzes) and the like can be used to maximise learning. This study uses two well‐documented tools for learning from text—advance organisers and higher order questions—adapted for use with podcasts. Student evaluations of their experience of being primed for lectures with podcasts are described. The findings show that audio advance organisers and questions experienced by students have a positive influence on learning, because they help students bridge the conceptual distance between new and prior knowledge, better understand the topics in the lectures and stimulate thinking more deeply about the lecture's content and the possible applications of the subject of the lecture.
Arginase inhibition alleviates hypertension in the metabolic syndrome
Authors: El‐Bassossy Hany M , El‐Fawal Rania , Fahmy Ahmed , Watson Malcolm L 
Published: February 2013

Background and PurposeWe have previously shown that arginase inhibition alleviates hypertension associated with in a diabetic animal model. Here, we investigated the protective effect of arginase inhibition on hypertension in metabolic syndrome.Experimental ApproachMetabolic syndrome was induced in rats by administration of fructose (10% in drinking water) for 12 weeks to induce vascular dysfunction. Three arginase inhibitors (citrulline, norvaline and ornithine) were administered daily in the last 6 weeks of study before and tail BP was recorded in conscious animals. Concentration response curves for phenylephrine (PE), KCl and ACh in addition to ACh‐induced NO generation were obtained in thoracic aorta rings. Serum glucose, insulin, uric acid and lipid profile were determined as well as reactive oxygen species (ROS) and arginase activity.Key ResultsArginase activity was elevated in metabolic syndrome while significantly inhibited by citrulline, norvaline or ornithine treatment. Metabolic syndrome was associated with elevations in systolic and diastolic BP, while arginase inhibition significantly reduced elevations in diastolic and systolic BP. Metabolic syndrome increased vasoconstriction responses of aorta to PE and KCl and decreased vasorelaxation to ACh, while arginase inhibition completely prevented impaired responses to ACh. In addition, arginase inhibition prevented impaired NO generation and exaggerated ROS formation in metabolic syndrome. Furthermore, arginase inhibition significantly reduced hyperinsulinaemia and hypertriglyceridaemia without affecting hyperuricaemia or hypercholesterolaemia associated with metabolic syndrome.Conclusions and ImplicationsArginase inhibition alleviates hypertension in metabolic syndrome directly through endothelial‐dependent relaxation/NO signalling protection and indirectly through inhibition of insulin resistance and hypertriglyceridaemia.
Purification and incorporation of the black ink of cuttlefish Sepia officinalis in eye cosmetic products
Authors: Neifar Aref , Ben Abdelmalek Imen , Bouajila Ghada , Kolsi Rakia , Bradai Mohamed Nejmeddine , Abdelmouleh Abdelwahab , Gargouri Ali , Ayed Naceur 
Published: February 2013

Synthetic colours used in cosmetics are a point of concern, and biotechnology has, to a certain extent, helped to resolve this problem. The present study aimed to integrate dyes from a natural extract, the black ink of cuttlefish Sepia officinalis, after purification, in black eye make‐up products (mascara and eyeshadow). Analyses showed differences in the chemical composition of treated and untreated forms of sepia black ink. Indeed, remarkable reductions in total mineral load, water content and proteins (79.3, 58.22 and 44% respectively) were noted. Treated sepia black ink had a low content of analytes. Very satisfactory results were obtained in terms of the level of aspect, texture, colour and covering capacity of the formulated cosmetic products. Moreover, the addition of S. officinalis black ink to iron oxide and black bone dyes improved the level of colour, spread and covering capacity of mascara and eyeshadow.
Solitary and multiple tumors of follicular infundibulum: a review of 168 cases with emphasis on staining patterns and clinical variants
Authors: Alomari Ahmed , Subtil Antonio , Owen Cindy E. , McNiff Jennifer M. 
Published: February 2013

BackgroundTumor of the follicular infundibulum (TFI) is an uncommon benign adnexal tumor that usually presents as a solitary keratotic papule in the head and neck area. Infrequently, it may present as multiple lesions or in association with other conditions. Although it was initially described in 1961, the pathogenesis of this lesion is still controversial.MethodsThe clinical and histologic features of 168 cases of TFI were reviewed. Random cases were stained with elastic Van Gieson, cytokeratin (CK)20 and Ber‐EP4. Clinical data and clinical images were collected.ResultsThe median age at presentation was 66 years with a slight female predominance. As subset of patients (7.7%) had multiple TFI, some of which presented with hypopigmented lesions of the head and neck area. TFI has a unique staining pattern; all cases tested showed a brush‐like network of elastin fibers, no cases stained for Ber‐EP4 and 91.7% of cases show single cell positivity to CK20. This is in contrast to basal cell carcinoma used for comparison purposes.ConclusionTFI is a distinct neoplastic entity with a unique staining pattern and variable clinical presentation. One should be aware of the potential clinical presentation of multiple TFI as hypopigmented lesions especially in the head and neck area.
Trends in fentanyl prescriptions and fentanyl‐related mortality in Australia
Authors: Roxburgh Amanda , Burns Lucy , Drummer Olaf H. , Pilgrim Jennifer , Farrell Michael , Degenhardt Louisa 
Published: February 2013

AbstractIntroduction and AimsThe study aims to quantify trends in fentanyl prescribing and fentanyl mortality in Australia within the context of concern among health professionals concerning increasing accessibility of fentanyl, and the harms that may arise as a result.Design and MethodsThis paper presents data on prescribing patterns of fentanyl by 10 year age group adjusted by population rate, detailed analyses of fentanyl‐related deaths from the National Coronial Information System and deaths adjusted for prescribing levels within Australia.ResultsFentany prescriptions have increased and are most prevalent among Australians aged over 80 years. One hundred and thirty‐six fentanyl‐related deaths were recorded during 2000–2011; 54% of decedents had a history of injecting drug use and, among this group, 95% had injected fentanyl at the time of death; 62% of deaths recorded misuse (most notably injection) of fentanyl; 50% recorded a history of drug dependence and 40% a mental health problem; 37% recorded a history of chronic pain; and 36% recorded fentanyl as being prescribed at the time of death. Deaths were primarily among Australians under 47 years of age.Discussion and ConclusionsThere have been significant increases in fentanyl prescribing in Australia. It is unclear what proportion of this increase represents legitimate treatment of pain. Fentanyl deaths have also increased, although mortality is currently low in Australia. A large proportion of the deaths involved the injection of diverted fentanyl, highlighting the need for messages regarding safer injecting practices targeting people who inject drugs, and strategies to minimise the risks of diversion.
Waist‐to‐height ratio is the best indicator for undiagnosed Type 2 diabetes
Authors: Xu Z. , Qi X. , Dahl A. K. , Xu W. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractAimsEarly detection of diabetes is important for the prevention of diabetic complications. The best adiposity index for indicating Type 2 diabetes mellitus remains unclear. We aimed to identify the optimal adiposity measure among BMI, waist circumference, waist–hip ratio and waist‐to‐height ratio to indicate undiagnosed Type 2 diabetes and impaired fasting glucose in Chinese adults.MethodsA total of 7567 participants aged 20–79 years were included in this study. Impaired fasting glucose was defined as a fasting plasma glucose level of 6.1–6.9 mmol/l in participants without diabetes. Undiagnosed Type 2 diabetes was identified as fasting plasma glucose ≥ 7.0 mmol/l when neither a history of diabetes nor use of hypoglycaemic drugs was present. Body weight, height, waist and hip circumferences were measured following standard procedures. Data were analysed using logistic regression and areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves.ResultsOf the 7567 participants, 536 were defined as having impaired fasting glucose and 690 were patients with Type 2 diabetes, including 290 (3.8%) persons with undiagnosed diabetes. In multivariate logistic regression, the odds ratios of waist‐to‐height ratio (≥ 0.5) were stronger than BMI (≥ 24 kg/m2), waist circumference (≥ 85 cm in men and ≥ 80 cm in women) and waist–hip ratio (≥ 0.85) for undiagnosed Type 2 diabetes and impaired fasting glucose. Among the four indices, waist‐to‐height ratio ≥ 0.5 showed the largest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for diagnosing undiagnosed Type 2 diabetes (0.725, 95% CI 0.693–0.756) and impaired fasting glucose (0.662, 95% CI 0.638–0.687).ConclusionsBy comparison with BMI, waist circumference and waist–hip ratio, waist‐to‐height ratio ≥ 0.5 may be the best indicator for undiagnosed Type 2 diabetes and impaired fasting glucose.
Reduced dairy grassland yields in Central Norway after a single springtime grazing event by pink‐footed geese
Authors: Bjerke J. W. , Bergjord A. K. , Tombre I. M. , Madsen J. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractPopulations of migratory geese overwintering in Europe have risen rapidly during recent decades, leading to increased pressure on available forage resources and more grazing on agricultural lands. Farmers throughout Europe have complained of yield losses due to goose grazing. In spring, the Svalbard‐breeding population of pink‐footed goose (Anser brachyrhynchus) migrates through specific staging sites in Norway, where the geese graze on dairy grasslands and other types of agricultural lands in the early growing season. Despite this, little is known of the impacts of goose grazing on hay biomass and quality in Norway. An experiment using exclosures to prevent goose grazing, and plots that were open for grazing, was established in Central Norway to test the effects of variable grazing intensity on dairy grassland yields. A single spring‐grazing event had severe negative impact at the site with the highest grazing intensity, leading to a 25% reduction in forage yield (milk feed units per hectare) as compared to ungrazed areas. The impacts on the sites with lower grazing intensity were more subtle. The overall reduction (across all sites) of biomass yield was 26%. Forage quality, in terms of milk feed units per kg, was not much affected. Grazing increased the proportion and diversity of weeds, as evidenced by a 49% increase of the Shannon biodiversity index, and there was a 1·3% decrease in the proportion of herbage biomass of sown species. Hence, we have confirmed farmer reports on yield losses, gaining an increased understanding of the overall farmer costs associated with goose grazing in this northern latitude region.
Validation and cross‐cultural adaptation of the Falls Efficacy Scale in patients with Parkinson's disease in Serbia
Authors: Gazibara Tatjana , Stankovic Iva , Tomic Aleksandra , Svetel Marina , Tepavcevic Darija Kisic , Kostic Vladimir S. , Pekmezovic Tatjana 
Published: February 2013

AimThe aim of the present study was to assess the validity and reliability of the Falls Efficacy Scale (FES) in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients in Serbia.MethodsA cross‐sectional study was carried out at the Clinic for Neurology, between June 2011 and June 2012. A total of 201 consecutive PD outpatients were recruited. The inclusion criteria were: ability to walk independently for at least 10 m, ability to stand for at least 90 s and a Mini‐Mental State Examination score >24. The exclusion criteria were: the presence of other major neurological, psychiatric, visual, audio‐vestibular and orthopedic disturbances. The 10‐item FES was translated according to internationally‐accepted methodology. The internal reliability of the Serbian version of the FES was evaluated using Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Reproducibility of the FES was evaluated using the Spearman–Brown coefficient. To evaluate construct validity, an exploratory factor analysis (principal component analysis, varimax rotation) was carried out.ResultsThe internal consistency of the Serbian version of the FES was 0.98. Age, duration of disease, Hoehn and Yahr stage, Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale motor score, history of falls, and the Hamilton depression and anxiety scores were significantly correlated with the total FES score. On factor analysis, all 10 items were compact in a one‐factor cluster, with an explained variance of 85%. Spearman–Brown's correlation coefficient between the total scores was 0.99.ConclusionsThe psychometric characteristics of the Serbian version of the FES have excellent reliability and validity as an instrument for measuring the fear of falling in PD patients. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2013; 13: 936–941.
Use of cone‐beam computed tomography to evaluate C‐shaped root canal systems in mandibular second molars in a Turkish subpopulation: a retrospective study
Authors: Helvacioglu‐Yigit D. , Sinanoglu A. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractAimTo use cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) to evaluate the prevalence and anatomical features of C‐shaped canals in permanent mandibular second molars amongst members of a Turkish population.MethodologyAn endodontist and oral radiologist examined CBCT images of 271 Turkish mandibular second molars to determine the presence of C‐shaped canals and their anatomical features. Root canal configurations at five different levels were categorized using the classification of Fan et al. (Journal of Endodontics, 30, 2004a,b, 899–903; 904–8). Bilateral or unilateral occurrence of C‐shaped canals and their relationships with gender, age and tooth position were examined and statistically analysed using the chi‐squared test.ResultsOf the 271 mandibular second molars examined, 24 (8.9%) molars from 17 patients had a C‐shaped root canal system. The prevalence of bilateral C‐shaped canals was 6.3% amongst 111 patients with bilateral mandibular second molars. There were no significant differences in the distribution of C‐shaped canals with respect to gender or age. Only one tooth had the same canal configuration from the orifice to the apex. In the remainder of the teeth, the cross‐sectional canal configuration changed at different levels of the root.ConclusionsThe configuration of C‐shaped canals varied along the length of the root. The prevalence of C‐shaped canals in mandibular second molars in this Turkish population was lower than in other Asian populations.
Pneumonia‐induced sepsis in mice: temporal study of inflammatory and cardiovascular parameters
Authors: Sordi Regina , Menezes‐de‐Lima Octávio , Della‐Justina Ana M. , Rezende Edir , Assreuy Jamil 
Published: February 2013

SummaryThe aim of the present work is to provide a better comprehension of the pneumonia‐induced sepsis model through temporal evaluation of several parameters, and thus identify the main factors that determine mortality in this model. Klebsiella pneumoniae was inoculated intratracheally in anesthetized Swiss male mice. Inflammatory and cardiovascular parameters were evaluated 6, 24 and 48 h after the insult. The results show that severity of infection and the mortality correlated with the amount of bacteria. Six, 24 and 48 h after inoculation, animals presented pathological changes in lungs, increase in cell number in the bronchoalveolar lavage, leukopenia, increase in TNF‐α and IL‐1β levels, hypotension and hyporesponsiveness to vasoconstrictors, the two latter characteristics of severe sepsis and septic shock. Significant numbers of bacteria in spleen and heart homogenates indicated infection spreading. Interestingly, NOS‐2 expression appeared late after bacteria inoculation, whereas levels of NOS‐1 and NOS‐3 were unchanged. The high NOS‐2 expression coincided with an exacerbated NO production in the infection focus and in plasma, as judging by nitrate + nitrite levels. This study shows that K. pneumoniae inoculation induces a systemic inflammatory response and cardiovascular alterations, which endures at least until 48 h. K. pneumoniae‐induced lung infection is a clinically relevant animal model of sepsis and a better understanding of this model may help to increase the knowledge about sepsis pathophysiology.
Damage from periorbital ageing to the multilayered structures and resilience of the skin in Chinese population
Authors: Liao Chuh‐Kai , Tsai Feng‐Chou , Fong Tsorng‐Harn , Hu Chien‐Ming , Wei Po‐Li , Su Ching‐Hua 
Published: February 2013

SummaryAgeing dynamically disrupts the multilayered supporting components of the skin that are held together by cell adhesion molecules (CAMs). Skin specimens from 33 female Chinese patients undergoing lower blepharoplasty were divided into three age groups and examined by haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Elastica‐van Gieson (EVG) stains, western blotting, surface electron microscopy (SEM) and biomechanical tension analysis. The SEM density (skin surface topology) showed a negative linear relationship with age. The triangular pattern of the skin surface in the younger group gradually broke down into quadrangular and irregular patterns in the older group. Collagens and elastic fibres in the dermis showed anisotropy and decreased density in the older groups compared with the younger group, especially in the papillary dermis. Anisotropy means that physical properties differ according to the direction of measurement. E‐cadherin and integrin αv (whose functions are to bind epidermal and dermal elements respectively) increased and decreased, respectively, in the oldest group. Skin resilience decreased significantly in this group under repetitive stress. In conclusion, a loss of skin surface textures, integrin αv expressions, epidermal‐dermal connections and dermal compactness led to the multilayered structure of the skin becoming separated. This in turn decreased resilience during ageing. These findings may therefore explain why aged skins cannot tolerate repetitive facial expressions, and why this action produces further dynamic wrinkles.