bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A perceptual discrimination task abnormally facilitates reflexive saccades in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: van Stockum Saskia , MacAskill Michael R. , Myall Daniel , Anderson Tim J. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractNumerous studies have shown that Parkinson’s disease (PD) affects the ability to generate voluntary saccades and the ability to suppress reflexive saccades. The effects of PD on the generation of reflexive saccades, however, are not clear. Some studies report impairments, but there are also reports of abnormal facilitation or hyper‐reflexivity of the saccade system in PD. Meanwhile, it has been reported that the concurrent performance of a perceptual discrimination task facilitates saccade initiation and reduces saccade latencies in healthy subjects [A. Montagnini & L. Chelazzi (2005)Vis. Res., 45, 3391–3401; L. Trottier & J. Pratt (2005)Vis. Res., 45, 1349–1354]. To investigate the circumstances under which the saccade system may appear hyper‐reflexive in PD, we compared reflexive saccades with and without a concurrent perceptual discrimination task in 20 PD patients and 20 controls. Without the discrimination task, the PD group produced reflexive saccades at normal latencies. The discrimination task reduced saccade latencies more in the PD group than in the control group, resulting in abnormally short mean reflexive saccade latencies in the PD group. The discrimination task increased saccade gain in both groups, but saccades in the PD group remained hypometric as compared with saccades in the control group. We conclude that the attentional demands of this paradigm revealed a hypersensitivity to visual inputs in the PD group.
Minimum Income Standards in Israel: A Recent History in Economic and Humanistic Discourses
Authors: Monnickendam Menachem 
Published: June 2011

AbstractRecent years have seen a growing interest in the creation of Minimum Income Standards (MIS). The impetus for this is the belief that governments that do not employ MIS to set income support can ultimately be persuaded to do so. Even as scholars recognize the many hurdles in the way of an MIS's acceptance, they nonetheless hope, and seem to expect, that the hurdles can be overcome and the political will be created to adopt empirical MIS that would allow a decent standard of living. This article, a case study analyzing the setting of income support levels in Israel over more than seven decades, questions this assumption. The analyses, anchored in Veit‐Wilson's notion of discourses, show that the absence of governmental MIS in Israel has not been incidental, but the outcome of repeated conscious decisions, anchored in the primacy of the asocial economistic discourse. This discourse, it shows, served as a strong disincentive to the adoption of governmental MIS, which would have required the government to justify its choice to set income support below that which was needed for a minimum standard of living.
Social Exclusion and Poverty: Translating Social Capital into Accessible Resources
Authors: Boon Bronwyn , Farnsworth John 
Published: June 2011

AbstractThis article investigates the dynamic multi‐dimensional processes through which the poor become excluded from social participation. Drawing on social capital literature, it traces how bridging and bonding capital do not always translate into expected levels of social participation. It does so by detailing research findings from low income focus groups undertaken in Dunedin, New Zealand. These describe the experiences of group members in attempting to manage connections around employment, their own broader social participation or the participation of their children. In each case, the study highlights the difficulties of translation they experienced: in particular, translating available bridging or bonding capital into useful social, cultural or economic resources which could mitigate their social exclusion or enable fuller social participation.
Revolutionary Aesthetics? Kleist, 1968, and the New German Cinema
Authors: Allan Seán 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACTThis essay analyses the particular appeal of Kleist's work for the filmmakers of the New German Cinema movement in the Federal Republic during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Both Volker Schlöndorff'sKohlhaas – der Rebell(1968) and Hans‐Jürgen Syberberg'sSan Domingo(1970) invite the spectator to view the student movement and the political events of 1968 through the prism of Kleist'sMichael KohlhaasandDie Verlobung in St. Domingo. Although Schlöndorff's film attempts to launch a radical critique of Kohlhaas's individualistic quest, the reluctance to abandon an essentially conservative aesthetic is at odds with Schlöndorff's quasi‐Marxist reading of Kleist's novella. By contrast, theavant‐gardeaesthetic of Syberberg'sSan Domingorepresents an attempt to develop a visual correlate to the distinctive character of Kleist's prose fiction generally, and of his radical treatment of the San Domingan uprising in particular. WhileSan Domingoportrays the rise of such marginalised groups as the Rockers from Am Harras as a logical consequence of an increasing process of alienation from capitalist society, it also articulates a critique of left‐wing sentimentality in its portrayal of the central protagonist, Michael König.Dieser Essay untersucht den besonderen Anreiz, den Kleists Werk für die westdeutschen Filmemacher des Neuen Deutschen Kinos der späten 60er und frühen 70er Jahre ausmacht. Sowohl Volker SchlöndorffsKohlhaas – der Rebell(1968) wie auch Hans‐Jürgen SyberbergsSan Domingo(1970) animieren den Zuschauer, jene Werke Kleists durch das Prisma der Studentenbewegung und der politischen Ereignisse von 1968 zu betrachten. Obwohl Schlöndorffs Film dazu intendiert, Kohlhaases rebellischen Alleingang vehement zu kritisieren, steht der grundsätzlich konservative Stil des Films in krassem Gegensatz zu Schlöndorffs quasi‐marxistischer Interpretation von Kleists Novelle. Hingegen unternimmt der avantgardistische Stil von SyberbergsSan Domingoden Versuch, ein visuelles Korrelat zum unverwechselbaren Charakter von Kleists Prosa‐Werken generell zu erstellen, gleichzeitig jedoch betont er die radikale Art und Weise, wie der San Dominikanische Aufstand bei Syberberg behandelt wird. WährendSan Domingoeinerseits den Aufstieg von Randgruppen wie etwa die Rocker von Am Harras als die logische Konsequenz angesichts einer wachsenden Entfremdung innerhalb eines kapitalistischen Systems aufzeigt, wird andererseits die Kritik gegenüber einer linkspolitischen Sentimentalität deutlich, wie sie z.B. durch den Hauptprotagonisten Michael König verkörpert wird.
Factors influencing unhealthy eating behaviour in US adolescents
Authors: Kinard Brian R. , Webster Cynthia 
Published: June 2011

AbstractThis research explores the simultaneous effects of key variables on unhealthy eating behaviour. Specifically, this study focuses on the relative effects of advertising, parental and peer influence, and self‐efficacy on the unhealthy eating behaviour of US adolescents. The results suggest that: (1) parental influence, peer influence and self‐efficacy significantly predict unhealthy eating behaviour; (2) self‐efficacy is the strongest predictor of unhealthy eating behaviour; and (3) advertising effects are largely neutralized by parental influence, peer influence and self‐efficacy.
Cytochrome P450 mediates dopamine formation in the brain in vivo
Authors: Bromek Ewa , Haduch Anna , Gołembiowska Krystyna , Daniel Władysława A. 
Published: June 2011

J. Neurochem. (2011) 118, 806–815.AbstractThe cytochrome P450‐mediated synthesis of dopamine from tyramine has been shown in vitro. The aim of the present study was to demonstrate the ability of rat cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2D to synthesize dopamine from tyramine in the brain in vivo. We employed two experimental models using reserpinized rats with a blockade of the classical pathway of dopamine synthesis from tyrosine. Model A estimated dopamine production from endogenous tyramine in brain structures in vivo (ex vivo measurement of a tissue dopamine level), while Model B measured extracellular dopamine produced from exogenous tyramine (an in vivo microdialysis). In Model A, quinine (a CYP2D inhibitor) given intraperitoneally caused a significant decrease in dopamine level in the striatum and nucleus accumbens and tended to fall in the substantia nigra and frontal cortex. In Model B, an increase in extracellular dopamine level was observed after tyramine given intrastructurally (the striatum). After joint administration of tyramine and quinine, the amount of the dopamine formed was significantly lower compared to the group receiving tyramine only. The results of the two complementary experimental models indicate that the hydroxylation of tyramine to dopamine may take place in rat brain in vivo, and that CYP2D catalyzes this reaction.
Lateral epicondylalgia. A quantitative and qualitative analysis of interdisciplinary cooperation and treatment choice in the Swedish health care system
Authors: Nilsson Pia , Lindgren Eva‐Carin , Månsson Jörgen 
Published: June 2011

Scand J Caring Sci; 2012; 26; 28–37Lateral epicondylalgia. A quantitative and qualitative analysis of interdisciplinary cooperation and treatment choice in the Swedish health care systemObjective and aim:  Interdisciplinary cooperation is essential to develop a broad range of knowledge and skills. The aim of this study was to describe health care professionals’ treatment choices, their cooperation with other professionals and their perceptions of potential risks regarding treatments of acute lateral epicondylalgia (LE).Design:  A quantitative descriptive study design with a summative approach to qualitative analysis.Ethical issues:  The ethical committee was asked verbally for approval but, as this study was performed to develop an organised way to treat LE, it did not require approval. The four ethical aspects information, consent, confidentiality and the use of the study materials were all addressed.Subjects:  All orthopaedic surgeons, general practitioners, physiotherapists and occupational therapists in a county.Methods:  Questionnaire with 18 dichotomous, multiple‐response, multiple‐choice questions and three open‐ended questions were analysed using quantitative cross‐tab and qualitative content analysis with summative approach.Results:  The most common treatment choices were Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs (NSAID), corticosteroid injections, training programmes, braces and ergonomics. Advantages from interdisciplinary cooperation were higher rated than disadvantages. The qualitative findings dealt with perceptions of interdisciplinary cooperation and resulted in three categories; right level of care, increased quality of care and decreased quality of care. Almost half of the physicians felt potential risks associated with their treatment methods. The qualitative findings dealt with perceptions of the potential risks and resulted in two categories: side effects and inadequate treatment.Study limitations:  The number of responses varied because some of the respondents did not answered all of the questions.Conclusion:  Interdisciplinary cooperation in the treatment of patients with acute LE benefits the patients by shortening the rehabilitation period and provides health care professionals the opportunity for an improved learning and exchanging experiences. These basic conditions must be met to improve health care quality.
Importance of optimal dosing ≥30 mg/kg/d during deferasirox treatment: 2.7‐yr follow‐up from the ESCALATOR study in patients with β‐thalassaemia
Authors: Taher Ali , Elalfy Mohsen S. , Al Zir Kusai , Daar Shahina , Al Jefri Abdullah , Habr Dany , Kriemler‐Krahn Ulrike , El‐Ali Ali , Roubert Bernard , El‐Beshlawy Amal 
Published: June 2011

AbstractFollowing 1‐yr deferasirox therapy in the ESCALATOR study, 57% of previously chelated patients with β‐thalassaemia achieved treatment success (maintenance of or reduction in liver iron concentration (LIC) vs. baseline LIC). Seventy‐eight per cent had dose increases at median of 26 wk, suggesting that 1‐yr results may not have reflected full deferasirox efficacy. Extension data are presented here. Deferasirox starting dose was 20 mg/kg/d (increases to 30/40 mg/kg/d permitted in the core/extension, respectively). Efficacy was primarily assessed by absolute change in LIC and serum ferritin. Overall, 231 patients received deferasirox in the extension; 67.4% (P < 0.0001) achieved treatment success. By the end of the extension, 66.2% of patients were receiving doses ≥30 mg/kg/d. By the end of the 1‐yr extension, mean LIC had decreased by 6.6 ± 9.4 mg Fe/g dw (baseline 19.6 ± 9.2; P < 0.001) and median serum ferritin by 929 ng/mL (baseline 3356; P < 0.0001). There was a concomitant improvement in liver function markers (P < 0.0001). Fewer drug‐related adverse events were reported in extension than core study (23.8% vs. 44.3%). Doses ≥30 mg/kg/d were generally required because of high transfusional iron intake and high baseline serum ferritin levels, highlighting the importance of administering an adequate dose to achieve net negative iron balance.
Relationships among rat numbers, abundance of oil palm fruit and damage levels to fruit in an oil palm plantation
Authors: PUAN Chong Leong , GOLDIZEN Anne W. , ZAKARIA Mohamed , HAFIDZI Mohd N. , BAXTER Greg S. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractThe relationships between vertebrate pests and crop damage are often complex and difficult to study. In palm oil plantations rodents remain the major pests, causing substantial monetary losses. The present study examined the numerical and functional responses of rodents to changes in the availability of oil palm fruit and the damage associated with that response. For the study, 200 traps were set in pairs on a 10 × 10 trapping grid for 3 consecutive nights in each of 6 study plots at 8‐week intervals in a 2569 ha oil palm plantation at Labu, Negeri Sembilan state in Peninsular Malaysia over 14 months. A total of 1292 individual rats were captured over 25 200 trap‐nights. Animals were identified, aged, sexed, weighed and measured. An index of the relative abundance of rats was calculated based on trapping success. Damage to infructescences was assessed at each trap point. Regardless of the age of palms, there were positive and significant relationships between the relative abundance of rats and numbers of infructescences. The levels of damage to infructescences were significantly correlated with the relative abundance of rats. A steep increase in damage was observed with an increase in mature infructescences, indicating a feeding preference of rats for mature infructescences. For both males and females of all rat species, there were weak and non‐significant correlations between body condition and infructescence numbers. These results indicated that there was a numerical and a functional response by rats to the availability of palm fruit and a resulting increase in depredation of oil palm fruits. The ways in which this information might aid in future pest control are discussed.
Prognostic significance of PaO2/PaCO2 ratio in normotensive patients with pulmonary embolism
Authors: Ozsu Savas , Abul Yasin , Yilmaz Ismail , Ozsu Asiye , Oztuna Funda , Bulbul Yilmaz , Ozlu Tevfik 
Published: June 2011

AbstractIntroduction:  Risk stratification remains controversial in patients with normotensive pulmonary embolism (PE). The debate has recently focused right ventricular dysfunction detected by echocardiography or spiral computed tomography (CT) and cardiac biomarkers.Objectives:  The utility of the PaO2/PaCO2 ratio to predict the short‐term prognosis of PE is not currently known and that is the aim of the present study.Materials and Methods:  This study retrospectively enrolled 99 (34 males, 65 females, 67 ± 15 years) consecutive patients with acute PE, diagnosed by spiral chest tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA).On admission, cardiac troponin T (cTn‐T) was measured and on CTPA both right ventricle diameter and left ventricle diameter was calculated (RV/LV ratio). During the first 24 h after admission, all the patients had initial arterial blood gas collected under room air. Receiver‐operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to determine the optimal PaO2/PaCO2, RV/LV ratio and cTn‐T cutoff level with regard to prognosis.Results:  In‐hospital mortality was 12.1% and all‐cause 90‐day mortality was 15.2%. Ten of 15 patients who died had a PaO2/PaCO2 ≤ 1.8 based on ROC analysis (P < 0.014).The cutoff level of PaO2/PaCO2 ≤ 1.8 had a high negative predictive value of 93% for mortality. Multivariable analysis revealed that PaO2/PaCO2 ≤ 1.8 Hazard Ratio (HR): 16.8 [95% CI: 2.6–108, P < 0.003] was the most significant independent predictor, whereas cTn‐T, pO2 < 60 mmHg and cardiac failure were nonsignificant factors. In addition, PaO2/PaCO2 ≤ 1.8 showed significant survival differences for overall mortality rates in Kaplan–Meier analysis (P < 0.012).Conclusion:  The PaO2/PaCO2 measurement is a highly useful and practical measurement to predict prognosis in patients with acute PE. Moreover, it appears to be a more accurate predictor than RV/LV ratio and cTn‐T levels in patients with normotensive PE.Please cite this paper as: Ozsu S, Abul Y, Yilmaz I, Ozsu A, Oztuna F, Bulbul Y and Ozlu T. Prognostic significance of PaO2/PaCO2 ratio in normotensive patients with pulmonary embolism. Clin Respir J 2012; 6: 104–111.
The prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Uppsala, Sweden – the Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease (BOLD) study: cross‐sectional population‐based study
Authors: Danielsson Patrik , Ólafsdóttir Inga Sif , Benediktsdóttir Bryndis , Gíslason Thórarinn , Janson Christer 
Published: June 2011

AbstractObjectives:  To estimate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) prevalence in Uppsala and the impact of risk factors on disease prevalence using the standardised methods of the Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease (BOLD) study initiative.Methods:  Randomly selected participants, aged 40 years or more (n = 548) responded to a questionnaire regarding smoking habits, respiratory symptoms, medical history, and exposure to airway irritants. Spirometry, with a post‐bronchodilator test, was performed and COPD defined as post‐bronchodilatory forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) < 0.70 or FEV1/FVC < lower limit of normality (LLN). Circulatory inflammatory markers were measured.Results:  COPD prevalence was 16.2%, which was the fourth lowest prevalence of COPD, compared with 12 other BOLD centres. Main risk factors for COPD were increasing age [odds ratio (OR) = 2.08 per 10 years] and smoking (OR = 1.33 per 10 pack years). Higher education was protective (OR = 0.70 per 5 years). Previous tuberculosis was an almost significant risk factor for COPD (P = 0.08). Subjects with COPD reported more respiratory symptoms but only 29% had previous doctor diagnosed COPD, asthma, chronic bronchitis or emphysema. Participants with COPD had higher levels of C‐reactive protein (P = 0.01), but no difference was observed in interleukin 6 (IL‐6) levels. Using LLN instead of the fixed FEV1/FVC ratio reduced the prevalence of COPD to 10%.Conclusion:  COPD prevalence in Uppsala was similar to other BOLD centres in high‐income countries. Apart from known COPD risk factors (age, smoking, lower educational level), a history of tuberculosis may be associated with COPD even in high‐income countries. COPD remains under‐diagnosed, as only 29% of subjects with COPD had a previously diagnosed lung disorder.Please cite this paper as: Danielsson P, Ólafsdóttir IS, Benediktsdóttir B, Gíslason T and Janson C. The prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Uppsala, Sweden – the Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease (BOLD) study: cross‐sectional population‐based study. Clin Respir J 2012; 6: 120–127.
Risk Factors for Human Rabies in China
Authors: Gong Z. , He F. , Chen Z. 
Published: June 2011

SummaryIn China, we have witnessed an increasing incidence of rabies in recent years and the number of deaths ranked first among the 39 notifiable infectious diseases. We conducted a case–control study to identify risk factors for human rabies infection and disease to recommend prevention and treatment among people exposed to rabies. Exposure site, pre‐exposure prophylaxis and post‐exposure prophylaxis were significantly associated with rabies infection. Exposure site at upper limb and trunk or at lower limb were at lower risk as compared with head‐exposed patients. The OR was 0.09(95% CI: 0.009–0.93) and 0.01(95% CI: 0.001–0.115) respectively. Pre‐exposure prophylaxis (OR = 0.05, 95% CI: 0.03–0.11) and post‐exposure prophylaxis (OR = 0.02, 95% CI: 0.01–0.40) were both protective factors as compared with no prophylaxis. For patients who had post‐exposure prophylaxis, dose for the first injection and immunity procedure were significantly associated with rabies infection.
Impact of fusion to Gαi2 and co-expression with RGS proteins on pharmacological properties of human cannabinoid receptors CB1R and CB2R
Authors: Sutor Sarah , Heilmann Jörg , Seifert Roland 
Published: June 2011

Abstract

Objectives
G protein coupled receptor (GPCR)-Gα fusion proteins are often employed to investigate receptor/G protein interaction. In this study, the impact of Gα fusion proteins on pharmacology of CBRs, both mediating signals through Gαi proteins, were investigated. Gαi2 was fused to the C-terminus of the CBRs or co-expressed with non-fused Gαi2 in Sf9 cells, always together with Gβ1γ2. Furthermore, the impact of RGS proteins on CBR signaling in combination with the CBR fusion approach was examined, using RGS4 and RGS19 as paradigms.

Methods
CBR ligands were characterized in the steady-state GTPase assay and pharmacological properties of ligands in the different test systems were correlated.

Key findings
Fusion of CBRs to Gαi2 enhanced the maximal stimulatory effects of ligands compared to the co-expression system, especially for CB2R. RGS4, but not RGS19, behaved as a GTPase-activating protein at CBRs in the Gαi2 co-expression and fusion system. Fusion of GPCR, most prominently CB2R, to Gαi2, and co-expression with RGS4 altered the pharmacological properties of ligands.

Conclusions
Our data suggest that fusion of CB2R to Gαi2 and co-expression with RGS4 impedes with conformational changes. Moreover, our results support the concept of ligand-specific receptor conformations. Finally, this paper describes the most sensitive CBR test system currently available.