bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Distinct effects of pitavastatin and atorvastatin on lipoprotein subclasses in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Shimabukuro M. , Higa M. , Tanaka H. , Shimabukuro T. , Yamakawa K. , Masuzaki H. 
Published: January 2011

Diabet. Med. 28, 856–864 (2011)AbstractAims  Effects of pitavastatin and atorvastatin on the lipid profile and lipoprotein subclasses were compared in patients with Type 2 diabetes with dyslipidaemia.Methods  Patients with Type 2 diabetes with hypercholesterolaemia and/or hypertriglyceridaemia were randomized to receive pitavastatin 2 mg (n = 16) or atorvastatin 10 mg (n = 15) for 6 months, and blood lipid and lipoprotein profiles and cholesterol and triglyceride contents of 20 lipoprotein subclasses, determined by high‐performance liquid chromatography, were compared.Results  At baseline, cholesterol in VLDL and LDL subclasses were increased equally in two groups of patients with diabetes as compared with normolipidaemic control subjects. As compared with baseline, serum levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, non‐HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol:HDL cholesterol ratio and apolipoprotein B were decreased after 1, 3 and 6 months of treatment with atorvastatin and pitavastatin. Serum triglyceride levels were decreased after 1, 3 and 6 months of atorvastatin, but only at 3 months of pitavastatin. Serum HDL cholesterol was increased after 1, 3 and 6 months of pitavastatin, whereas HDL cholesterol was even decreased after 6 months of atorvastatin. Cholesterol levels of most VLDL and LDL subclasses were decreased equally in both groups. However, only pitavastatin increased cholesterol of medium HDL subclass. Serum triglyceride and triglyceride contents in VLDL and LDL subclasses were decreased only by atorvastatin.Conclusions  The impact on lipoprotein subclass profiles was different between pitavastatin and atorvastatin. It may be beneficial to determine lipoprotein subclass profile and select the appropriate statin for each profile in patients with diabetes with an additional cardiovascular risk such as low HDL cholesterol or hypertriglyceridaemia.
Why are Trade Agreements Regional?
Authors: Zissimos Ben 
Published: January 2011

AbstractThis paper shows how distance may be used to coordinate on a unique equilibrium in which trade agreements are regional. Trade agreement formation is modeled as coalition formation. In a standard trade model with no distance between countries a familiar problem of coordination failure occurs, giving rise to multiple equilibria; any one of many possible trade agreements can form. With distance between countries, regional trade agreements generate larger rent‐shifting effects than nonregional agreements. Countries use these effects to coordinate on a unique equilibrium.
The Role of Banks in Monetary Policy Transmission: Empirical Evidence from Russia
Authors: Juurikkala Tuuli , Karas Alexei , Solanko Laura 
Published: January 2011

AbstractThis paper focuses on the role of the banking sector in monetary policy transmission in an emerging economy with a rapidly developing financial system. Specifically, we examine whether the central bank's monetary policy stance affects banks' lending behavior. Based on a comprehensive quarterly dataset on all Russian banks from 1Q1999 to 1Q2007, we find evidence for the existence of a bank lending channel in Russia. Contrary to several studies on developed economies, the level of a bank's capitalization matters for the transmission process. Better capitalized banks are less likely to adjust their lending practices following a change in the monetary policy stance.
Adolescent Sibling Relationship Quality and Adjustment: Sibling Trustworthiness and Modeling, as Factors Directly and Indirectly Influencing These Associations
Authors: Gamble Wendy C. , Yu Jeong Jin , Kuehn Emily D. 
Published: January 2011

AbstractThe main goal of this study was to examine the direct and moderating effects of trustworthiness and modeling on adolescent siblings' adjustment. Data were collected from 438 families including a mother, a younger sibling in fifth, sixth, or seventh grade (M = 11.6 years), and an older sibling (M = 14.3 years). Respondents completed Web‐based surveys describing sibling conflict and warmth. Siblings reported on trustworthiness and modeling, and mothers described adjustment. Sibling conflict was directly associated with internalizing and externalizing behaviors for both siblings. The older siblings' reports of trustworthiness were directly associated with the outcome measures. The younger siblings' reports of trustworthiness were less directly associated, but a possible salutary effect was most evident under the highest levels of sibling conflict or warmth. Higher sibling modeling was a risk factor for adjustment problems in relations characterized by high conflict. Results support exploring trustworthiness as a key dimension of sibling relations.
Efficient Probabilistic Forecasts for Counts
Authors: McCabe Brendan P. M. , Martin Gael M. , Harris David 
Published: January 2011

Summary
Efficient probabilistic forecasts of integer-valued random variables are derived. The optimality is achieved by estimating the forecast distribution non-parametrically over a given broad model class and proving asymptotic (non-parametric) efficiency in that setting. The method is developed within the context of the integer auto-regressive class of models, which is a suitable class for any count data that can be interpreted as a queue, stock, birth-and-death process or branching process. The theoretical proofs of asymptotic efficiency are supplemented by simulation results that demonstrate the overall superiority of the non-parametric estimator relative to a misspecified parametric alternative, in large but finite samples. The method is applied to counts of stock market iceberg orders. A subsampling method is used to assess sampling variation in the full estimated forecast distribution and a proof of its validity is given.
Robustness of Design in Dose–Response Studies
Authors: Li Pengfei , Wiens Douglas P. 
Published: January 2011

Summary
We construct experimental designs for dose–response studies. The designs are robust against possibly misspecified link functions; for this they minimize the maximum mean-squared error of the estimated dose required to attain a response in 100p% of the target population. Here p might be one particular value—p = 0.5 corresponds to ED50-estimation—or it might range over an interval of values of interest. The maximum of the mean-squared error is evaluated over a Kolmogorov neighbourhood of the fitted link. Both the maximum and the minimum must be evaluated numerically; the former is carried out by quadratic programming and the latter by simulated annealing.
Reviews
Authors: Tapper Colin , Coutts J. A. , O'Donohue Florence , Harvey C. P. , Newark F. H. , Street Harry , Cohn E. J. , Borrie Gordon , Walton Raymond , Bronlie Ian , Bridge J. W. , Mann F. A. , Hammelmann H. A. , Garner J. F. , Harvey C. P. , Weston C. A. , Street Harry , Coutts J. A. , Markose A. T. , Brown L. Neville , Gerard Antonia , Giles O.C. , McClean J. D. 
Published: January 2011

The Enforcement of Morals. By Patrick Devlin.Legal Systems and Lawyers' Reasonings. By Julius Stone.Law in Society. By Geoffrey Sawer. [London: Oxford University Press. Clarendon Law Series: edited by H. L. A. Hart.Advocacy in Our Time. By O. C. Mazengarb, C.B.E., Q.C., M.A., LL.D.Salmond on the Law of Torts. Fourteenth edition. By R. F. V. Heuston, M. A., LL. B., Professor of Law in the University of Southampton, of Gray's Inn and King's Inn, Dublin, Barrister‐at‐Law.Jurisdiction and Illegality. By Amnon Rubinstein.Die Erforschung des Sachverhalts im Prozess. By Erich Döhring, Professor at the University of Kiel.A Casebook of Administrative Law. By J. A. G. Griffith and H. Street.Tribunals and Inquiries―A Guide to Procedure. By Neville D. Vandyk.Capital Gains Tax. By G. S. A. Wheatcroft, assisted by A. E. W. Park and John E. Talbot.Corporation Tax. By Peter M. B. Rowland and John E. Talbot with Annotations to Finance Act 1965 by S. Michael Young and John Silberrad.Disarmament and International Law. By Allan Gotlieb.United Nations Forces. By D. W. Bowett with the assistance and collaboration of Dr. G. P. Barton, H. C. Carnegic, Wing‐Commander A. E. Cobus, J. G. Collier, M. Hardy, Dr. Rosalyn Higgins and Professor L. B. Sohn.The Theory of Nationalisation. By Konstantin Katzarov.Criminal on the Road. A Study of Serious Motoring Offences and those who commit them. By T. C. Willett.Curtis and Ruoff on The Law and Practice of Registered Conveyancing. Second edition. By Theodore B. F. Ruoff, C.B.E., Chief Land Registrar.Banking Law for Trustee Savings Banks. By C. L. Lawton, Barrister‐at‐Law.The Practitioner's Guide to Hire‐Purchase Cases. By Harold Brown, Q.C.The Mercantile and Industrial Law of Scotland. By J. J. Gow.The Quantum of Damages in Bodily and Fatal Injury Cases. Second edition. By M. M. Corbett and J. L. Buchanan.Law Relating to Hospitals and Kindred Institutions. Fourth edition. By S. R. Speller, O.B.E., LL.B.Introduction to Modern Hindu Law. By J. Duncan M. Derrett, M.A., PH.D., of Gray's Inn, Barrister‐at‐Law, Professor in Oriental Laws in the University of London, Tagore Professor of Law for 1953, University of Calcutta.Le Droit de Visits des Parents Séparés de leurs Enfants en Suisse, en France et en Allemagne. By Maurice Marthaler.A Deliktuális Felelösség a Társadalom és a Jog Fejlödésének Történetében (Delictual Liability in the History of the Evolution of Society and Law). By Ferenc Mádl.Das Deutsche Seerecht. First edited by Georg Schaps and others. Third edition. By Hans Jürgen Abraham.Criminal Law in Nigeria (excluding the North). By C. O. Okonkwo and M. E. Naish.
Insulin‐like growth factor‐1 in psoriatic plaques treated with PUVA and methotrexate
Authors: El‐Komy M. , Amin I. , Zidan A. , Kadry D. , Zeid O.A. , Shaker O. 
Published: January 2011

AbstractBackground  The pathogenesis of psoriasis is thought to depend on the activation of immune cells and their secreted cytokines, chemokines and growth factors like IGF‐1 which may contribute to the epidermal hyperplasia of psoriasis. Treatment of psoriasis with PUVA and methotrexate are associated with clinical improvement and decrease in epidermal hyperplasia.Objective  To examine the effects of PUVA and methotrexate therapy on IGF‐1 expression in psoriatic plaques and whether this change correlates with clinical response.Methods  For 24 psoriatic patients, the PASI score and levels of lesional IGF‐1 and its mRNA were determined by RT‐PCR before and after treatment with either methotrexate or PUVA. Skin biopsies from 12 healthy volunteers served as control for IGF‐1 levels in normal skin.Results  Lesional skin of psoriatic patients showed a statistically significant elevation in IGF‐1 and its mRNA levels in comparison to control (P = 0.0001). Both methotrexate and PUVA treatment were associated with a significant decrease in both PASI scores and lesional IGF‐1 after 10 month treatment.Conclusion  Both methotrexate and PUVA therapy for psoriasis are associated with a decrease in PASI score and IGF‐1. The IGF‐1 down‐regulation may possibly be a consequence of the decrease in cytokines and inflammatory cellular infiltrate that occur following treatment with either modalities or due to their effect on local fibroblast activity and proliferation.
Adaptability and vulnerability of high flying Neotropical aerial insectivorous bats to urbanization
Authors: Jung Kirsten , Kalko Elisabeth K. V. 
Published: January 2011

AbstractAim  Urbanization is a dominant demographic trend throughout the world that involves massive habitat alterations. Understanding how urbanization affects biota is a crucial prerequisite for development and application of effective species conservation programmes. Our study focuses on Neotropical high flying aerial insectivorous bats, an ecologically important, but so far seriously understudied group of vertebrates.Location  Panama.Methods  Using acoustic monitoring, we assessed and compared species occurrence, composition and activity of aerial insectivorous bats at three site categories located on the isthmus in Panama: forest, urban areas and a forest–town interface.Results  In 2 years of field work, we recorded 44,744 bat passes over the microphone and identified a total of 25 aerial insectivorous bat species. Species richness was highest in the forest, decreased towards the forest–town interface and was lowest at the urban sites, while dominance (Berger‐Parker‐Index) increased from the forest to the urban sites. Overall, general bat activity (passes min−1) was highest at the forest–town interface and lowest at the urban sites. Multivariate analysis suggests compositional differences in species occurrence and activity among site categories with mainly molossid species occurring in urban areas.Main conclusions  Our results clearly demonstrate species‐specific differences between high flying aerial insectivorous bats concerning their adaptability and vulnerability to urban areas. Our results suggest that a suite of morphological traits including species mobility determine persistence of aerial insectivorous species in cities. Our results underline the necessity for detailed assessments of species‐specific habitat requirements and dynamics of species occurrence and activity over time to develop meaningful conservation tools targeted at aerial insectivorous bats.
Blood gas analysis and cooximetry in retired racing Greyhounds
Authors: Zaldivar‐Lopez Sara , Chisnell Hope K. , Couto C. Guillermo , Westendorf‐Stingle Nicole , Marin Liliana M. , Iazbik Maria C. , Cooper Edward S. , Wellman Maxey L. , Muir III William W. 
Published: January 2011

AbstractObjective –The purposes of this study were to evaluate the oxygen affinity of hemoglobin (Hb) in healthy retired racing Greyhounds via cooximetry, and to establish reference intervals for blood gases and cooximetry in this breed.Design –Prospective clinical study.Setting –University Teaching Hospital.Animals –Fifty‐seven Greyhounds and 30 non‐Greyhound dogs.Interventions –Venous blood samples were collected from the jugular vein and placed into heparinized tubes. The samples were analyzed within 30 minutes of collection using a blood gas analyzer equipped with a cooximeter.Measurements and Main Results –Greyhounds had significantly higher pH, PO2, oxygen saturation, oxyhemoglobin, total Hb, oxygen content, and oxygen capacity and significantly lower deoxyhemoglobin and P50when compared with non‐Greyhound dogs.Conclusion –These findings support the fact that this breed is able to carry a higher concentration of total oxygen in the blood. As reported previously, this breed also has lower P50and, therefore, high oxygen affinity. In light of recent findings suggesting that in certain tissues a high affinity for oxygen is beneficial, this adaptation may be of benefit during strenuous exercise.
Trends in the Study of Public Administration: Empirical and Qualitative Observations from Public Administration Review, 2000–2009
Authors: Raadschelders Jos C. N. , Lee Kwang‐Hoon 
Published: January 2011

What are the apparent research and methodological trends in PAR’s content over the past decade? From the perspective of the journal’s 70‐year history, with its aim to “mesh” practitioner and academic knowledge creation, topical coverage since 2000 reflects striking continuity, emphasizing many of the “bread and butter” administrative issues such as planning, human resources, budgeting, and public management. A marked increase in coverage is apparent in the application of more sophisticated quantitative statistical methodology, as well as in the number of female authors, while the number of practitioner authors declined sharply. Throughout the first turbulent decade of the twenty‐first century, three intellectual themes stood out: evaluations of New Public Management, connections between practitioners and academicians, and responsiveness to immediate social, economic, and political challenges. Given the constant demand for usable knowledge, scholars seem to have marginalized attention to the historical context and epistemological foundations of the study. The central challenge in the years ahead will be to effectively use research methods in response to the big questions of government and society that defy measurement. Since many [empiricists], especially the younger, do not know very much about epistemology, they tend to be quite dogmatic about the one set of canons that dominate them. —C. Wright Mills, 1959
Female Infertility Related to Thyroid Autoimmunity: The Ovarian Follicle Hypothesis
Authors: Monteleone Patrizia , Parrini Donatella , Faviana Pinuccia , Carletti Elena , Casarosa Elena , Uccelli Alessia , Cela Vito , Genazzani Andrea Riccardo , Artini Paolo Giovanni 
Published: January 2011

Citation  Monteleone P, Parrini D, Faviana P, Carletti E, Casarosa E, Uccelli A, Cela V, Genazzani AR, Artini PG. Female infertility related to thyroid autoimmunity: the ovarian follicle hypothesis. Am J Reprod Immunol 2011; 66: 108–114Problem  The aim of this study was to verify whether anti‐thyroid antibodies are present in the follicular milieu of euthyroid infertile women with thyroid autoimmunity undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) and whether IVF outcome is different in affected women with respect to negative controls. A secondary endpoint was to check whether there are changes in thyroid hormone levels during the IVF cycle.Method of study  Anti‐thyroglobulin and anti‐thyroperoxidase levels were measured in both follicular fluid and serum on the day of oocyte retrieval in women with thyroid autoimmunity. Serum TSH, FT3, and FT4 levels were measured in all patients before treatment initiation, on the day of oocyte retrieval and of pregnancy test. IVF outcome parameters were recorded in all women.Results  Oocyte fertilization, grade A embryos, and pregnancy rates were lower in women with thyroid autoimmunity than in negative controls, while early miscarriage rate was higher. Anti‐thyroid antibodies were measurable in follicular fluid in all affected women and were strongly correlated with serum levels. No significant changes in thyroid hormone levels were recorded in any women.Conclusion  The presence of anti‐thyroid antibodies in ovarian follicles, as demonstrated for the first time in this study, may play a critical role in female infertility related to thyroid autoimmunity.
Breast cancer risk among patients with Klinefelter syndrome
Authors: Brinton Louise A 
Published: January 2011

AbstractAim:  To evaluate male breast cancer (MBC) risk among patients with Klinefelter syndrome (KS) and relate this to possible biological explanations.Methods:  A literature review was conducted to identify case series and epidemiologic studies that have evaluated MBC risk among patients with KS.Results:  Case reports without expected values have often led to false impressions of risk. Problems include that a diagnosis of cancer can prompt a karyotypic evaluation and that many cases of KS are unrecognized, resulting in incomplete denominators. Few carefully conducted epidemiologic studies have been undertaken given that both KS and MBC are rare events. The largest study found 19.2‐ and 57.8‐fold increases in incidence and mortality, respectively, with particularly high risks among 47,XXY mosaics. These risks were still approximately 70% lower than among females, contradicting case reports that patients with KS have breast cancer rates similar to females. Altered hormone levels (especially the ratio of oestrogens to androgens), administration of exogenous androgens, gynaecomastia and genetic factors have been offered as possible explanations for the high risks.Conclusions:  Additional well‐designed epidemiologic studies are needed to clarify which patients with KS are at a high risk of developing MBC and to distinguish between possible predisposing factors, including altered endogenous hormones.
Transcutaneous blood gas monitoring during neonatal intensive care
Authors: Sandberg Kenneth L , Brynjarsson Hrolfur , Hjalmarson Ola 
Published: January 2011

AbstractAim:  To evaluate the accuracy in transcutaneous (Tc) blood gas monitoring in newborn infants, including extremely low birth weight infants, during neonatal intensive care.Methods:  Tc PO2/PCO2 was monitored in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) during stable infant conditions. In comparison, simultaneous arterial PO2 and PCO2 was measured. Sixty measurements were taken in 46 infants with median (range) birth weight of 0.93 (0.53–4.7) kg and at median (range) age of 8.5 (1–44) days. Comparison of measurements was performed using Bland–Altman plots, and the mean (95% CI) of the difference was calculated. Comparison was also performed in relation to body weight, postnatal age and oxygen requirement.Results:  The mean (95% CI) difference in PO2 (TcPO2–aPO2) was 0.3 (−0.2–0.9) kPa, and the corresponding difference in PCO2 (TcPCO2–aPCO2) was 0.4 (0.03–0.8, p < 0.05) kPa. Some differences were related to body weight, age and oxygen requirement, but these differences were small.Conclusion:  There was good agreement between TcPO2/TcPCO2 and corresponding arterial measurements. The mean difference between the methods was small and clinically acceptable in a current NICU. Tc blood gas monitoring could be recommended as a valuable complement for blood gas monitoring also in extremely low birth weight infants.
Proportion of prey consumed can be determined from faecal DNA using real‐time PCR
Authors: BOWLES ELLA , SCHULTE PATRICIA M. , TOLLIT DOMINIC J. , DEAGLE BRUCE E. , TRITES ANDREW W. 
Published: January 2011

AbstractReconstructing the diets of pinnipeds by visually identifying prey remains recovered in faecal samples is challenging because of differences in digestion and passage rates of hard parts. Analysing the soft‐matrix of faecal material using DNA‐based techniques is an alternative means to identify prey species consumed, but published techniques are largely nonquantitative, which limits their usefulness for some applications. We further developed and validated a real‐time PCR technique using species‐specific mitochondrial DNA primers to quantify the proportion of prey in the diets of Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus), a pinniped species thought to be facing significant diet related challenges in the North Pacific. We first demonstrated that the proportions of prey tissue DNA in mixtures of DNA isolated from four prey species could be estimated within a margin of ∼12% of the percent in the mix. These prey species included herring Clupea palasii, eulachon Thaleichthyes pacificus, squid Loligo opalescens and rosethorn rockfish Sebastes helvomaculatus. We then applied real‐time PCR to DNA extracted from faecal samples obtained from Steller sea lions in captivity that were fed 11 different combinations of herring, eulachon, squid and Pacific ocean perch rockfish (Sebastes alutus), ranging from 7% to 75% contributions per meal (by wet weight). The difference between the average percentage estimated by real‐time PCR and the percentage of prey consumed was generally < 12% for all diets fed. Our findings indicate that real‐time PCR of faecal DNA can detect the approximate relative quantity of prey consumed for complex diets and prey species, including cephalopods and fish.