bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Using qualitative methods for attribute development for discrete choice experiments: issues and recommendations
Authors: Coast Joanna , Al‐Janabi Hareth , Sutton Eileen J. , Horrocks Susan A. , Vosper A. Jane , Swancutt Dawn R. , Flynn Terry N. 
Published: May 2011

SUMMARYAttribute generation for discrete choice experiments (DCEs) is often poorly reported, and it is unclear whether this element of research is conducted rigorously. This paper explores issues associated with developing attributes for DCEs and contrasts different qualitative approaches. The paper draws on eight studies, four developed attributes for measures, and four developed attributes for more ad hoc policy questions. Issues that have become apparent through these studies include the following: the theoretical framework for random utility theory and the need for attributes that are neither too close to the latent construct nor too intrinsic to people's personality; the need to think about attribute development as a two‐stage process involving conceptual development followed by refinement of language to convey the intended meaning; and the difficulty in resolving tensions inherent in the reductiveness of condensing complex and nuanced qualitative findings into precise terms. The comparison of alternative qualitative approaches suggests that the nature of data collection will depend both on the characteristics of the question (its sensitivity, for example) and the availability of existing qualitative information. An iterative, constant comparative approach to analysis is recommended. Finally, the paper provides a series of recommendations for improving the reporting of this element of DCE studies. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Genetic evidence points to an osteocalcin-independent influence of osteoblasts on energy metabolism
Authors: Yoshikawa Yoshihiro , Kode Aruna , Xu Lili , Mosialou Ioanna , Silva Barbara C , Ferron Mathieu , Clemens Thomas L , Economides Aris N , Kousteni Stavroula 
Published: May 2011

Abstract
The skeleton has been shown recently to regulate glucose metabolism through an osteoblast-specific hormone, osteocalcin, which favors β-cell proliferation, insulin secretion, insulin sensitivity, and energy expenditure. An implication of this finding is that a decrease in osteoblast numbers would compromise glucose metabolism in an osteocalcin-dependent manner. To test this hypothesis, osteoblasts were inducibly ablated by cross-breeding transgenic mice expressing a tamoxifen-regulated Cre under the control of the osteocalcin promoter with mice in which an inactive form of the diphtheria toxin A chain was introduced into a ubiquitously expressed locus. Ablation of osteoblasts in adult mice profoundly affected glucose metabolism. In a manner similar to what is seen in the case of osteocalcin deficiency, a partial ablation of this cell population resulted in hypoinsulinemia, hyperglycemia, glucose intolerance, and decreased insulin sensitivity. However, and unlike what is seen in osteocalcin-deficient mice, osteoblast ablation also decreased gonadal fat and increased energy expenditure and the expression of resistin, an adipokine proposed to mediate insulin resistance. While administration of osteocalcin reversed (fully) the glucose intolerance and reinstated normal blood glucose and insulin levels, it only partially restored insulin sensitivity and did not affect the improved gonadal fat weight and energy expenditure in osteoblast-depleted mice. These observations not only strengthen the notion that osteoblasts are necessary for glucose homeostasis and energy expenditure but also suggest that in addition to osteocalcin, other osteoblast-derived hormones may contribute to the emerging function of the skeleton as a regulator of energy metabolism. © 2011 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
The risk of fracture in patients with multiple sclerosis: The UK general practice research
Authors: Bazelier Marloes T , van Staa Tjeerd , Uitdehaag Bernard MJ , Cooper Cyrus , Leufkens Hubert GM , Vestergaard Peter , Bentzen Joan , de Vries Frank 
Published: May 2011

Abstract
Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) may be at an increased risk of fracture owing to a greater risk of falling and decreased bone mineral density when compared with the general population. This study was designed to estimate the relative and absolute risk of fracture in patients with MS. We conducted a population-based cohort study using data from the UK General Practice Research Database linked to the National Hospital Registry (1997–2008). Incident MS patients (n = 5565) were matched 1:6 by year of birth, sex, and practice with patients without MS (controls). Cox proportional-hazards models were used to derive adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for fracture associated with MS. Time-dependent adjustments were made for age, comorbidity, and drug use. Absolute 5- and 10-year risks of fracture were estimated for MS patients as a function of age. Compared with controls, MS patients had an almost threefold increased risk of hip fracture [HR = 2.79, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.83–4.26] and a risk of osteoporotic fracture that was increased 1.4-fold (HR = 1.35, 95% CI 1.13–1.62). Risk was greater in patients who had been prescribed oral/intravenous glucocorticoids (GCs; HR = 1.85, 95% CI 1.14–2.98) or antidepressants (HR = 1.79, 95% CI 1.37–2.35) in the previous 6 months. Absolute fracture risks were low in younger MS patients but became substantial when patients were older than 60 years of age. It is concluded that MS is associated with an increased risk of fracture. Fracture risk assessment may be indicated in patients with MS, especially those prescribed GCs or antidepressants. © 2011 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
Individual trabecula segmentation (ITS)–based morphological analysis of microscale images of human tibial trabecular bone at limited spatial resolution
Authors: Liu X Sherry , Shane Elizabeth , McMahon Donald J , Guo X Edward 
Published: May 2011

Abstract
Individual trabecula segmentation (ITS), a rigorous model-independent 3D morphological analysis, has been developed to assess trabecular plate and rod microstructure separately based on micro–computed tomographic (µCT) images. We examined the influence of the limited spatial resolution, noise, and artifact of high-resolution peripheral quantitative CT (HR-pQCT) on ITS measurements of human tibial trabecular bone. In comparison with measurements from “gold standard” µCT images (25 µm), decreased spatial resolution (40, 60, and 80 µm) of µCT had minimal influence on the correlations of the scale of trabecular plates (ie, plate bone volume fraction, thickness, and surface area) and the orientation (ie, axial bone volume fraction) and structural type (ie, plate tissue fraction) of the trabecular network. ITS measurements of HR-pQCT images correlated significantly with those of µCT images at a similar voxel size (80 µm, r = 0.71–0.94); correlations were stronger for plate-related parameters, suggesting that measurements of trabecular rods are more subject to noise and artifact associated with HR-pQCT imaging technology. In comparison with measurements of “gold standard” µCT images, the percent absolute errors of HR-pQCT measurements such as axial and plate bone volume fraction, plate number and tissue fraction, and plate and rod thickness (3.5% to 10.3%) were comparable with those of bone volume fraction (9.3%). For both HR-pQCT and µCT images, measurements of the scale and junction densities of trabecular plates and orientation and structural type were strong and positive indicators of the elastic modulus of trabecular bone (r = 0.59–0.95). We conclude that ITS measurements of HR-pQCT images are highly reflective of trabecular bone microarchitecture from a biomechanical perspective. © 2011 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
Alteration of integrin‐dependent adhesion and signaling in EMT‐like MDCK cells established through overexpression of calreticulin
Authors: Ihara Yoshito , Inai Yoko , Ikezaki Midori 
Published: May 2011

AbstractCalreticulin (CRT) is a multi‐functional Ca2+‐binding molecular chaperone in the endoplasmic reticulum. We previously reported that kidney epithelial cell‐derived Madin‐Darby Canine Kidney cells were transformed into mesenchymal‐like cells by gene transfection of CRT. In this study, we investigated the altered characteristics of cell adhesion in these epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT)‐like cells. Several extracellular matrix substrata were tested, and cell adhesion to fibronectin was found to be specifically increased in the CRT‐overexpressing cells compared to controls. The expression of integrins was significantly up‐regulated in subunits α5 and αV, resulting in an increase in the formation of complexes such as α5β1 and αVβ3. These integrins also contributed to the enhanced binding of fibronectin. In the CRT‐overexpressing cells, the phosphorylation of Akt, a downstream target of integrin‐linked kinase (ILK), was up‐regulated on attachment to fibronectin or collagen IV. Integrin‐associated signaling through ILK was also promoted on attachment to fibronectin, suggesting some of the correlation between ILK and Akt in the CRT‐overexpressing cells. Furthermore, on treatment with 1,2‐bis (2‐aminophenoxy) ethane‐N,N,N',N'‐tetraacetic acid tetra (acetoxymethyl) ester, a membrane‐permeable Ca2+ chelator, the enhanced Akt signaling was suppressed with a concomitant decrease in the formation of complexes between integrins and ILK in the CRT‐overexpressing cells. In conclusion, these findings demonstrate that CRT regulates cell‐substratum adhesion by modulating integrin‐associated signaling through altered Ca2+ homeostasis in the CRT‐overexpressing EMT‐like cells, suggesting a novel regulatory role for CRT in EMT. J. Cell. Biochem. 112: 2518–2528, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Influence of proteinuria on renal Doppler sonographic measurements in chronic kidney disease and in diabetes mellitus
Authors: Nakamori Aya , Ando Yutaka , Matsuda Hiroko , Kimura Tomonori , Minami Hironori , Imai Enyu , Yura Takafumi 
Published: May 2011

AbstractPurpose.To evaluate the influence of proteinuria on renal Doppler sonographic (US) measurements in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) with or without diabetes mellitus (DM).Methods.Renal resistance index (RI), pulsatility index (PI), and maximum kidney length were measured by US in 113 patients suffering from CKD without DM (non‐DM CKD patients) and in 120 patients with diabetic nephropathy (DM patients). Other data collected were sex, age, body mass index, blood pressure, estimated glomerular filtration rate, urinary protein level, and medical history. The effect of proteinuria on RI and PI was evaluated using single regression analyses, multiple regression analyses, and comparison of regression lines.Results.Single and multiple regression analyses revealed that RI and PI in the two subgroups and in the entire group of patients were correlated with urinary protein level (p < 0.05). Comparison of regression lines of each subgroup showed statistically significant differences in two regression intercepts concerning these indices in relation to urinary protein level (p < 0.001, RI: 0.71 in non‐DM CKD patients versus 0.76 in DM patients, PI: 1.39 in non‐DM CKD patients versus 1.60 in DM patients) (p < 0.001).Conclusions.Renal RI and PI can reflect damages related to proteinuria and DM. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 2011;
Requirement for the endocannabinoid system in social interaction impairment induced by coactivation of dopamine D1 and D2 receptors in the piriform cortex
Authors: Zenko Michelle , Zhu Yongyong , Dremencov Eliyahu , Ren Wei , Xu Lin , Zhang Xia 
Published: May 2011

AbstractThe dopamine receptor family consists of D1–D5 receptors (D1R–D5R), and we explored the contributions of each dopamine receptor subtype in the piriform cortex (PirC) to social interaction impairment (SII). Rats received behavioral tests or electrophysiological recording of PirC neuronal activity after injection of the D1R/D5R agonist SKF38393, the D2R/D3R/D4R agonist quinpirole, or both, with or without pretreatment with dopamine receptor antagonists, D1R or D5R antisense oligonucleotides, the cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonist AM281, or the endocannabinoid transporter inhibitor VDM11. Systemic injection of SKF38393 and quinpirole together, but not each one alone, induced SII and increased PirC firing rate, which were blocked by D1R or D2R antagonist. Intra‐PirC microinfusion of SKF38393 and quinpirole together, but not each one alone, also induced SII, which was blocked by D1R antisense oligonucleotides or D2R antagonist but not by D3R or D4R antagonist or D5R antisense oligonucleotides. SII induced by intra‐PirC SKF38393/quinpirole was blocked by AM281 and enhanced by VDM11, whereas neither AM281 nor VDM11 alone affected social interaction behavior. Coadministration of SKF38393 and quinpirole produced anxiolytic effects without significant effects on locomotor activity, olfaction, and acquisition of olfactory short‐term memory. These findings suggest that SII induced by coactivation of PirC D1R and D2R requires the endocannabinoid system. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cell–extracellular matrix versus cell–cell interactions during the development of the cochlear‐vestibular ganglion
Authors: Davies Dawn 
Published: May 2011

AbstractCells destined to become the neurones of the cochlear‐vestibular ganglion (CVG) originate within the otic epithelium. Early in development they detach from their neighbors and migrate out of the epithelium, where they coalesce to form the CVG. To accomplish this process, the neuroblasts must modify their interactions with other cells within the epithelium and with proteins in the extracellular matrix to allow for repositioning. The aim of this study was to investigate the roles of the major families of adhesion molecules that mediate cellular interactions with the extracellular matrix, the integrins, and with other cells, the cadherins, in neuroblast segregation from the otic epithelium. The expression of classical cadherins increased in migrating neuroblasts compared with the otic epithelium. Quantitative RT‐PCR revealed that this was concomitant with down‐regulation of E‐cadherin and up‐regulation of N‐cadherin in the migrating cells. In contrast, the level of β1 integrin expression by the epithelium was maintained in migrating neuroblasts. However, although multiple integrin ligands were expressed within the otic basement membrane at this stage of development, only fibronectin (FN) supported neuroblast migration along the substrate in vitro. Inhibition of β1 integrins resulted in significantly reduced linear migration on FN. Importantly, neuroblasts retained the ability to segregate from the epithelium but remained compacted immediately adjacent to the originating tissue, suggesting dominance of cell–cell over cell–matrix interactions. These data suggest that the balance between cell–cell and cell–substratum interactions directs otic neuroblast migration and gangliogenesis. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Joint modes of climate variability across the inter‐Americas
Authors: Jury Mark R. , Malmgren Björn A. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractSurface temperature (Ts), sea‐level pressure (SLP), and zonal wind (U) fields from NCEP/NCAR reanalysis spanning the period 1949–2006 have been jointly analysed by means of principal component analysis to assess the dominant modes of climate variability in the inter‐American region, including the eastern Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Two aspects of these time‐series were analysed: the annual cycle and its residual. Seasonal modes 1 and 2 take the form of north‐south dipoles of Ts over oceanic and terrestrial environments. Seasonal mode 3 derives from SLP changes over the Amazon with a Caribbean wind response. Temporal fluctuations in the residual (ANOM) fields are resolved by six modes. ANOM1–3 is dominated by SLP and Ts changes across the equator in the Atlantic and east Pacific. The ANOM4 pattern is an isolated wind mode in the NE Atlantic. ANOM5 and 6 are dominated by sea temperature patterns in the South Atlantic and in the path of African easterly waves crossing the tropical Atlantic. The residual time scores are marked by significant warming (Ts) trends and co‐located lower pressure. Cycles in the anomaly time scores tend to occur at 2‐ to 5‐year periods. Modes dominated by atmospheric variables exhibit greater high‐frequency ‘noise’ than oceanic modes. Predictability is assessed through development of multivariate regression models trained on Caribbean rainfall and related target time‐series. The seasonal dipole between North and South America is found to modulate Pacific El Niño‐Southern Oscillation and tropical Atlantic influence on Caribbean rainfall. Copyright © 2011 Royal Meteorological Society
A daily series of mean sea‐level pressure for Paris, 1670–2007
Authors: Cornes Richard C. , Jones Phil D. , Briffa Keith R. , Osborn Timothy J. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractIt has been known for some time that the potential exists to construct a long daily series of surface pressure for the city of Paris because of the existence of various instrumental series that might be pieced together. The remarkable weather diary kept by the physician, Louis Morin, sets the start of the potential series to 1670, and various other series have now been digitized and corrected to allow the formation of a daily series of Mean Sea‐Level Pressure (MSLP) that spans the greater part of 300 years. Unfortunately, a gap in the series still exists for the period 1726–1747, where it appears that no barometer observations have survived. This paper discusses the sources of the various pressure data used in the Paris daily MSLP series, and describes how these observations have been corrected and amalgamated to form a near‐continuous, homogeneous series. The data are compared with a similar long daily series that has been independently constructed for the city of London (1692–2007). This comparison indicates that the two MSLP series are of a sufficient quality to provide useful information about the atmospheric circulation across western Europe over the last 300 years. Copyright © 2011 Royal Meteorological Society
Spatio‐temporal precipitation change assessments over Turkey
Authors: Toros Hüseyin 
Published: May 2011

AbstractThe availability of water, and its quality, are among the chief growing concerns that are expected to cause serious questions over the sustainability of the Mediterranean region especially under the present climate change impacts, in general, and over the water resources of Turkey, in particular, due to precipitation pattern variability and sensitivity at arid and semi‐arid regions within the country. In order to assess climate impacts concerning precipitation over Turkey, expected spatio‐temporal changes are examined by considering precipitation time series at 165 stations across the country covering the period from 1961 to 2008 for almost 5 decades. Methodologically, homogeneity and Mann‐Kendall rank correlation trend tests are applied at each station for the identification of statistically significant trends. Long‐term annual precipitation averages indicate a decreasing trend with some oscillations during the last 5 decades. However, in more refined periods, average precipitation decreased during 1968–1973 and 1998–2008, whereas it increased during 1973–1981 and 1989–1998. As a result, there is a significant decrease of about 12, 13, and 35% at all stations in annual, rainy period, and winter season total precipitations, respectively. On the other hand, increases occurred at 4, 3 and 19% of all stations in annual, rainy, and autumn season, respectively. Copyright © 2011 Royal Meteorological Society
The recent trend of increasing precipitation in Sahel and the associated inter‐hemispheric dipole of global SST
Authors: Munemoto Masaki , Tachibana Yoshihiro 
Published: May 2011

AbstractAlthough the Sahel precipitation decreased during the 1970s, it has increased since the mid‐1980s. This trend shift also occurred throughout the world with weaker signatures than in Sahel. The Sahel trend shift was remarkably similar to the trend shift of the difference in SSTs between Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere; that is, until the 1980s the NH SST had decreased relative to the SH SST, whereas after the 1980s this trend reversed. Concurrent with this shift were trend shifts in the NH‐SH contrast in atmospheric temperature and humidity and in inter‐hemispheric meridional winds around Sahel. It appears that the NH‐SH SST contrast determines the long‐term variation of precipitation over Sahel through the shift of inter‐hemispheric atmospheric circulations. Copyright © 2011 Royal Meteorological Society
Simultaneous chemical fingerprinting and quantitative analysis of crude and processed Radix Scrophulariae from different locations in China by HPLC
Authors: Zhang Yun , Cao Gang , Ji Jinyu , Cong Xiaodong , Wang Shengbo , Cai Baochang 
Published: May 2011

AbstractA validated liquid chromatography method was first developed to evaluate the quality of crude and processed Radix Scrophulariae extracts through establishing chromatographic fingerprint and simultaneous determination of five bioactive compounds, namely 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (5‐HMF), acteoside, angroside C, harpagoside and cinnamic acid. The chromatographic were separated on an Agilent Zorbax Extend C18 column (250 mm×4.6 mm, 5 μm) and detected by diode array detector (DAD). Mobile phase was composed of (A) aqueous phosphoric acid (0.03%, v/v) and (B) acetonitrile using a gradient elution. Analytes were performed at 30°C with a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min and UV detection at 280 nm. All calibration curves showed good linear regression (r2≥0.9996) within the tested ranges, and the recovery of the method was in the range of 98.12–103.38%, with RSD values ranging from 0.6 to 2.8%. In addition, the contents of those five bioactive compounds in crude and processed Radix Scrophulariae prepared by different locations of China were determined to establish the effectiveness of the method. The results demonstrate that the developed method is accurate and reproducible and could be readily utilized as a suitable quality control method for the quantification of Radix Scrophulariae.
HPLC determination of cefprozil in tablets using monolithic and C18 silica columns
Authors: Can Nafiz O. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractCefprozil (CPZ) is a second‐generation semi‐synthetic cephalosporin antibiotic that commonly exists as the mixture of Z and E diastereoisomers, at the ratio of approximately 9:1. A novel reversed‐phase HPLC method for the determination of CPZ in tablets was described. The separation of CPZ diastereoisomers and caffeine (internal standard) was carried out by applying the same analytical and instrumental conditions on two stationary phases, which have different surface chemistries. The columns used in the study were monolithic silica Merck Chromolith Performance RP‐18e and conventional C18 silica Phenomenex Synergi Hydro RP columns. In total, 10 μL aliquots of samples were injected into the system and eluted using water–acetonitrile (90:10, v/v) solution, which was pumped through the column at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The analyte peaks were detected at 200 nm using diode array detector with high specificity. CPZ diastereoisomers and caffeine were measured within 13 min using the C18 column, whereas <5 min was required for the monolithic one. Validation studies were performed according to official recommendations. Value of a monolithic column for the assay of diastereoisomers in pharmaceutical tablets was evaluated for the first time and found as a powerful alternative to highly efficient C18 columns.