bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Do high ferritin levels confer lower cardiovascular risk in men with Type 2 diabetes?
Authors: Hermans M. P. , Ahn S. A. , Amoussou‐Guenou K. D. , Balde N. M. , Rousseau M. F. 
Published: February 2010

Diabet. Med. 27, 417–422 (2010)AbstractAims  High ferritin levels are associated with insulin resistance and liver steatosis, both thought of as emerging cardiovascular risk factors. The association between ferritin and cardiovascular disease is poorly documented in cardiometabolic states with higher cardiovascular risk, such as diabetes and metabolic syndrome. We therefore characterized a cohort of males with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) according to ferritin levels and prevalent macroangiopathy.Methods  The presence of overall macroangiopathy, peripheral and/or coronary artery disease was documented in 424 consecutive T2DM males, who were divided according to ferritin quartiles (Q) as follows: QI–III, normal ferritin (NF; n = 318), mean ± 1 sd ferritin 133 ± 72 ng/ml; and QIV patients, high ferritin (HF; n = 106), ferritin 480 ± 228 ng/ml.Results  Age, age at diabetes diagnosis, smoking, ethanol intake, body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure and presence of metabolic syndrome did not differ between groups. However, the prevalence of macroangiopathy was unexpectedly much lower in patients with high ferritin, as follows: 25% vs. 43% for overall macroangiopathy; 7% vs. 16% for peripheral artery disease; and 16% vs. 31% for coronary artery disease (P = 0.0009, P = 0.0140 and P = 0.0035, respectively, vs. NF patients). Insulin resistance index and prevalence of liver steatosis were higher in HF compared with NF patients as follows: 2.17% vs. 1.89% and 78% vs. 64% (P = 0.0345 and P = 0.0059, respectively). Liver enzymes (aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and γ‐glutamyl transferase) were significantly higher in HF, by 33%, 42% and 72%, respectively (all P < 0.0002), suggesting a higher prevalence of steatohepatitis. Glycated haemoglobin, low‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol, triglycerides, urate, high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein and albuminuria were not different between groups.Conclusions  Our results demonstrate that T2DM males with high ferritin levels exhibit a markedly decreased prevalence of macroangiopathy, despite more severe insulin resistance and higher markers of steatohepatitis. High ferritin levels and/or steatosis may thus paradoxically confer a lowered cardiovascular risk in diabetic males.
Better than expected survival after primary intracerebral hemorrhage in patients with untreated hypertension despite high admission blood pressures
Authors: Tetri S. , Huhtakangas J. , Juvela S. , Saloheimo P. , Pyhtinen J. , Hillbom M. 
Published: February 2010

Background:  Hypertension is the most important modifiable risk factor for primary intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), but little is known of the effect of preceding hypertension on outcome. Because high mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) at admission is an independent predictor of early death in patients with ICH, we explored its role on survival and poor outcome separately in normotensive subjects and subjects with treated and untreated hypertension.Methods:  We assessed clinical data and the 3‐month outcome of patients with spontaneous ICH (n = 453) admitted to the stroke unit of Oulu University Hospital between 1993 and 2004. Standard medical treatment was used to lower MABP from levels >127 mmHg to <120 mmHg.Results:  Overall mortality within 3 months was 28%. Patients with untreated hypertension had significantly lower mortality (6%) than those with treated hypertension (36%, P < 0.001) or those without hypertension (25%, P < 0.01). High admission MABP associated with early death in normotensive subjects (P < 0.05) and those on medication for hypertension (P < 0.01) but not in those with untreated hypertension. Patients with untreated hypertension were younger and had less frequently cardiac disease, diabetes, and/or warfarin or aspirin medications, but they showed the highest blood pressures (BPs) at admission. Amongst patients with high admission MABP, favorable outcome was seen most frequently in those who had untreated hypertension. Hematoma growth did not associate with high MABP amongst them.Conclusion:  Despite their higher BP values at admission, subjects with untreated hypertension showed better survival and more frequently favorable outcome after BP‐lowering therapy than other patients.
EFNS guidelines on the use of neuroimaging in the management of motor neuron diseases
Authors: Filippi M. , Agosta F. , Abrahams S. , Fazekas F. , Grosskreutz J. , Kalra S. , Kassubek J. , Silani V. , Turner M. R. , Masdeu J. C. 
Published: February 2010

Background and purpose:  These European Federation of Neurological Societies guidelines on neuroimaging of motor neuron diseases (MNDs) are designed to provide practical help for the neurologists to make appropriate use of neuroimaging techniques in patients with MNDs, which ranges from diagnostic and monitoring aspects to the in vivo study of the pathobiology of such conditions.Methods:  Literature searches were performed before expert members of the Task Force wrote proposal. Then, consensus was reached by circulating drafts of the manuscript to the Task Force members and by discussion of the classification of evidence and recommendations.Results and conclusions:  The use of conventional MRI in patients suspected of having a MND is yet restricted to exclude other causes of signs and symptoms of MN pathology [class IV, level good clinical practice point (GCPP)]. Although the detection of corticospinal tract hyperintensities on conventional MRI and a T2‐hypointense rim in the pre‐central gyrus can support a pre‐existing suspicion of MND, the specific search of these abnormalities for the purpose of making a firm diagnosis of MND is not recommended (class IV, level GCPP). At present, advanced neuroimaging techniques, including diffusion tensor imaging and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging, do not have a role in the diagnosis or routine monitoring of MNDs yet (class IV, level GCPP). However, it is strongly advisable to incorporate measures derived from these techniques into new clinical trials as exploratory outcomes to gain additional insights into disease pathophysiology and into the value of these techniques in the (longitudinal) assessment of MNDs (class IV, level GCPP).
Relationships between obesity and the clinical severity of psoriasis in Taiwan
Authors: Huang Y‐H , Yang L‐C , Hui RC‐Y , Chang Y‐C , Yang Y‐W , Yang C‐H , Chen Y‐H , Chung W‐H , Kuan Y‐Z , Chiu C‐S 
Published: February 2010

AbstractBackground  Obesity has been found to be associated with an increased risk of psoriasis in general population. However, studies addressing the relationship between obesity and clinical severity of psoriasis are still scarce, especially in Asian people.Objectives  In this study, we investigated the relationship between levels of obesity and the clinical severity of psoriasis in Taiwanese psoriasis patients.Methods  This was a hospital‐based cross‐sectional study. A total of 399 patients with chronic plaque psoriasis were recruited. Their body mass index (BMI) was calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared and was categorized into four groups (BMI < 24, normal; 24 ≤ BMI < 27, overweight; 27 ≤ BMI < 30, mild obesity; and BMI ≥ 30, moderate‐to‐severe obesity). Disease severity was assessed by Psoriasis Area and Severity Index. Cumulative logistic regression models were used to estimate the association between BMI and Psoriasis Area and Severity Index.Results  After adjusting for potential confounders (age, gender, cigarette smoking and duration of disease), moderate‐to‐severe obesity was significantly associated with an increased risk of clinically more severe psoriasis when compared with normal BMI [odds ratio, 2.70; 95% confidence interval,1.42–5.11]. There is a significant linear trend for clinically more severe psoriasis across increasing of BMI categories (P for trend = 0.004). The effect of obesity on the severity of psoriasis was greater in men than in women (test for interaction, P = 0.03).Conclusions  In psoriasis patients, obesity is associated with a more severe disease, especially in men. Bodyweight control may be important for the management of psoriasis.
Customer satisfaction and the strategic role of university libraries
Authors: Hakala Ulla , Nygrén Ulla 
Published: February 2010

AbstractThe paper stresses the importance of listening to customers at university libraries and the need to move from a library‐based view to a customer‐based view. Largely on account of their public nature, academic libraries in Finland – where the study was conducted – have until recently, based their operations and development mainly on conventional procedures and library‐based perspectives. However, in order to better serve their own clientele, as well as their parent organizations, they need to listen to the voices of their customers, the library users. One way of ‘listening’ is through a customer survey, in this case LibQUAL – a survey instrument developed in the US for libraries. It collects data on the quality of the services, thus enabling libraries to identify areas in which service levels should be improved.
Consumer ethoses in Finnish consumer life stories – agrarianism, economism and green consumerism
Authors: Huttunen Kaisa , Autio Minna 
Published: February 2010

AbstractThis article examines Finnish consumer ethoses and the moral rules that include them. We argue that Finnish consumers legitimize their consumer and spending practices, and constitute themselves as moral agents through three culturally dominant and historically constructed consumer ethoses: agrarianism, economism and green consumerism. The material of the study consists of 53 consumer life stories collected between September 2006 and May 2007 using a writing competition. Through our material, we are able to illustrate how consumers negotiate, produce, transform and contest these three ethoses. We interpret life stories as socially constructed stories. Thus, our aim is to analyse the culturally shared and historically transformed meanings, rather than to reveal the motives or intentions of the individual consumer.
Evaluating the urban consumer with regard to sourcing local food: a Heart of England study
Authors: Khan Faiza , Prior Caroline 
Published: February 2010

AbstractThis paper critically explores consumer perceptions and trends regarding purchasing locally produced food. Until recently, much of the research in this area largely focused on regional consumers where rural consumers had reasonable access to locally produced food and were usually in close proximity to the producers within, or close to, their immediate community. Here, the objectives of the primary research focused instead on urban attitudes and perceptions of local food within the Greater Birmingham conurbation in the West Midlands region of the UK. Birmingham is by far the most highly populated urban area of the region, and with ample opportunities to promote local food. Consumers, based mainly in Birmingham and Wolverhampton, were questioned on their locally produced food‐buying habits and attitudes in order to determine any differences in urban perceptions and buying attitudes compared with rural counterparts, and also to identify any new and potential opportunities for local food producers. Originally, 1000 questionnaires were obtained from across Greater Birmingham and Wolverhampton. However, for the purposes of this paper, it was decided to focus on two urban city centres – Birmingham and Wolverhampton, with 148 questionnaires. The results indicate that urban consumers are generally confused about what the term ‘local’ food means. The reasons for purchasing local food, while generally consistent with national patterns, differed in that supporting the local producers was not regarded as important. Barriers to purchase were largely unsurprising for an urban area, as the top choices were ‘too expensive’ followed by ‘not readily available’ and ‘no time to find it’. Understanding, information, availability and access to local food emerge as the biggest challenges to urban consumers in buying local food.
Parental influence upon children's diet: the issue of category
Authors: Preston Chris 
Published: February 2010

AbstractFood and drink are distributed via corporate institutions in categories, such as ready meals or carbonated drinks. Within these categories, a minority of brands advertise, capitalizing upon the popularity of the categories. The issue of childhood obesity and health has led to a focus upon these advertised brands in terms of their being targeted at children, but nothing has been done about the categories they represent. Furthermore, parents have an influence upon their children's diet, as their expenditure accounts for the majority of their children's consumption. This paper accounts for UK children's perceptions of the effect of advertising and marketing of food and drink upon their parents, and concludes that the children see advertising as having very little influence. Rather, they see that their parents' involvement with certain categories have become, over time, their norm. Children do not see that the regulation of advertising of food and drink to them will have any significant effect upon their diet, as their parents will continue to consume from within the categories supplied by the retail sector, which in their view constitutes the most influential aspect of food and drink marketing. Given the international focus upon the advertising of food brands, this paper draws attention to other, potentially more influential issues.
Automatic dishwashers: efficient machines or less efficient consumer habits?
Authors: Richter Christian Paul 
Published: February 2010

AbstractIncreasing costs for energy and water influence consumer decision making when purchasing white goods, such as dishwashers. Since the implementation of the European Energy Label, considerable improvements in water and energy consumption of dishwashers has been achieved, and for consumers, efficiency has become one of the main buzzwords when buying any major new household appliance. However, ownership of an efficient dishwasher in itself does not guarantee savings in energy and water during the course of the dishwashing process. Conservation of resources also requires changes in consumer behaviour. This paper provides empirical data on consumers' dishwashing habits in everyday life in four European countries, deals with the influence of their behaviour on the efficiency of the dishwashing process and highlights savings potentials in the usage of dishwashers. It reports on the results of a survey involving a total of 1209 online interviews conducted in winter 2006/2007. The survey data have been analysed to reveal the importance of various product attributes for consumers and show that low water and energy consumption values are the most important consideration for the respondents in terms of their purchasing decision. But this is compromised, at least in part, by less efficient dishwasher use, e.g. in pre‐rinsing dishes before placing them into the dishwasher and in the programme choice. In addition, differences in manual dishwashing practices between households with and without a dishwasher, as well as between countries, will be shown. Finally, conclusions are drawn for greater sustainability in the dishwashing process.
Children as co‐researchers voicing their preferences in foods and eating: methodological reflections
Authors: Bergström Kerstin , Jonsson Lena , Shanahan Helena 
Published: February 2010

AbstractThere is an increasing and sustained interest in participatory research with children. We subscribe to these new perspectives by involving children as co‐researchers investigating their preferences when it comes to foods and eating. The overall aim of the research project Sustainable Eating Children's Way: Promoting Healthy Food Habits among Children 10–12 (Barn som medforskare i matlandskap) is to create an understanding of how children's food habits can develop in healthier and more sustainable ways. The specific aim of this paper was to discuss the methods used in the first phase of the project in order to find an answer to the question: ‘Is it possible to gain a deeper and more nuanced understanding of children's preferences in foods and eating?’ The research process in this project can be looked upon as two parallel processes: the overall one initiated by the senior research team and the one incorporating the children as co‐researchers. The children participating were 10‐year‐olds attending two classes in the fourth grade of a Swedish government‐funded school. We found the children knowledgeable and competent as co‐researchers. Involving children in the research processes and giving them freedom to explore is a promising way of letting their voices be heard in health promotion programmes.
Teens' consumer interaction styles: the impact of assertive and aggressive behaviour on attitudes towards marketing practices
Authors: Crutsinger Christy , Knight Dee , Kim HaeJung 
Published: February 2010

AbstractOver half‐billion global teens between the ages of 13 and 18 years represent a dynamic opportunity for marketers who wish to grow their businesses and build consumer loyalty. Consumer interaction styles are the consistent behaviour patterns that individuals employ in transactions or exchanges in the marketplace. Assertiveness and aggressiveness represent two distinct interaction styles that enable individuals to achieve a desired outcome. Because teen consumers are an important consumer segment and subscribe to the notion that their voices must be heard, understanding their interaction styles is necessary for businesses and marketers. The purpose of this study was to examine teens' consumer interaction styles according to specific demographic and lifestyle characteristics and investigate the impact of assertive and aggressive interaction styles on attitudes towards marketing practices (i.e. product, retailing, advertising, and pricing). Data were collected from a US teen sample (n = 467) at both rural and urban high schools. Independent t‐tests compared the propensity of teens' assertive and aggressive consumer interaction styles according to specific demographic and lifestyle characteristics. Structural Equation Modeling using AMOS 6.0 program was performed to test the hypothesized relationships. Results indicated that an assertive interaction style was pervasive among US teen consumers, while the aggressive interaction style had disparities according to unique demographic and lifestyle characteristics. Assertive and aggressive interaction styles demonstrated negative influences on teen consumers' attitudes towards products and retailing practices. By interpreting the negative impact of teens' assertive and aggressive consumer interaction styles, marketers can develop effective strategies that appeal to this demanding consumer.
Inhibition of histone deacetylases in rats self‐administering cocaine regulates lissencephaly gene‐1 and reelin gene expression, as revealed by microarray technique
Authors: Host Lionel , Anglard Patrick , Romieu Pascal , Thibault Christelle , Dembele Doulaye , Aunis Dominique , Zwiller Jean 
Published: February 2010

J. Neurochem. (2010) 10.1111/j.1471‐4159.2010.06591.xAbstractInjection of the histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin A (TsA) to rats has been shown to decrease their motivation to self‐administer cocaine. In the present study, we investigated alterations in gene expression patterns in the anterior cingulate cortex and nucleus accumbens of rats self‐administering cocaine and treated with TsA. Using oligonucleotide microarrays, we identified 722 probe sets in the cortex and 136 probe sets in the nucleus accumbens that were differentially expressed between vehicle and TsA‐treated rats that self‐administered cocaine. Microarray data were validated by real‐time PCR for seven genes. Using immunohistochemistry, we further investigated the expression of Lis1 and reelin genes, because (i) they were similarly regulated by TsA at the mRNA level; (ii) they belong to the same signal transduction pathway; (iii) mutations within both genes cause lissencephaly. Cocaine self‐injection was sufficient to activate the two genes at both the mRNA and protein levels. TsA treatment was found to up‐regulate both Lis1 and reelin protein expression in the cortex and to down‐regulate it in the nucleus accumbens of rats self‐administering cocaine. The data suggest that the two proteins contribute to establish neurobiological mechanisms underlying brain plasticity whereby TsA lowers the motivation for cocaine.
A novel, high‐efficiency cellular model of fibrillar α‐synuclein inclusions and the examination of mutations that inhibit amyloid formation
Authors: Waxman Elisa A. , Giasson Benoit I. 
Published: February 2010

J. Neurochem. (2010) 113, 374–388.AbstractIntracytoplasmic alpha‐synuclein (α‐syn) amyloidogenic inclusions are a major pathological feature of Parkinson’s disease, dementia with Lewy body disease and multiple systems atrophy. The mechanisms involved in the formation and inhibition of these aggregates are areas of intense investigation. The present study characterizes a novel cellular model for the study of α‐syn aggregation, incorporating nucleation‐dependent aggregation and a new function for calcium phosphate precipitation. Cultured cells were readily induced to develop large, cytoplasmic α‐syn filamentous aggregates that were hyperphosphorylated, often ubiquitinated and thioflavin positive. These cellular aggregates formed in the majority of transfected cells and recruited approximately half of endogenously expressed α‐syn. Using this system, we examined single‐point mutations that inhibit α‐syn amyloid formation in vitro. Three mutations (V66P, T72P and T75P) significantly hindered α‐syn aggregation in this cell model. The T75P mutant, which could abrogate amyloid formation of wild‐type α‐syn in vitro, did not prevent wild‐type α‐syn cellular aggregates. These studies suggest that the propensity of α‐syn to form cellular aggregates may be more pronounced than in isolated in vitro studies. This novel high‐efficiency cellular model of α‐syn aggregation is a valuable system that may be used to further understand α‐syn aggregation and allow for the generation of future therapeutics.
Transgene‐mediated GDNF expression enhances synaptic connectivity and GABA transmission to improve functional outcome after spinal cord contusion
Authors: Koelsch Angela , Feng YongJia , Fink David J. , Mata Marina 
Published: February 2010

J. Neurochem. (2010) 10.1111/j.1471‐4159.2010.06593.xAbstractGlial cell line‐derived trophic factor (GDNF) is a peptide with pleiotropic survival and growth‐promoting effects on neurons. We found that intraspinal injection of a non‐replicating herpes simplex virus‐based vector coding for GDNF 2 h after blunt trauma to the thoraco‐lumbar spinal cord produced sustained improvement in motor behavioral outcomes up to 5 weeks following injury. The improvement in behavior correlated with an increase in synaptophysin and glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) in the spinal cord at the level of injury. Addition of recombinant GDNF protein to primary spinal cord neurons in‐vitro resulted in enhanced neurite growth and a marked increase in protein levels of GAD65 and GAD67, synapsin I and synaptophysin. GDNF‐mediated increases in GAD and the synaptic markers were blocked by the MEK inhibitor UO126, but not by the phosphoinositide 3‐kinase inhibitor LY294002. These results suggest that GDNF, acting through the MEK‐ERK pathway enhances axonal sprouting, synaptic connectivity, and GABAergic neurotransmission in the spinal cord, that result in improved behavioral outcomes after spinal cord contusion injury.