bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Oxidative stress and neurodegeneration in penile ischaemia
Authors: Azadzoi Kazem M. , Golabek Tomasz , Radisavljevic Ziv M. , Yalla Subbarao V. , Siroky Mike B. 
Published: June 2009

OBJECTIVETo seek markers of oxidative stress and examine neural structural integrity in chronic penile ischaemia using a rabbit model of arteriogenic erectile dysfunction (ED), as the role of ischaemia in penile neuropathy and the oxidative mechanism of neurodegeneration in ED remains unknown.MATERIALS AND METHODSA rabbit model of atherosclerosis‐induced ED was developed by partial balloon de‐endothelialization of the iliac arteries. After 10 weeks, intracavernosal blood flow and erectile function in the arteriogenic ED group were compared with age‐matched controls. Erectile tissues were processed for analysis of oxidative stress markers and nerve fibre density using enzyme immunoassay and immunohistochemical staining, respectively. Oxidative stress‐sensitive genes were determined with quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Tissue ultrastructure was examined by transmission electron microscopy.RESULTSSignificant erectile tissue ischaemia, erectile dysfunction, increased levels of oxidative products, and marked nitrotyrosine immunoreactivity was evident in the ED group. Oxidative stress‐sensitive genes encoding hypoxia inducible factor‐1α (HIF‐1α), superoxide dismutase (SOD), aldose reductase (AR) and nerve growth factor (NGF) were up‐regulated in the ischaemic erectile tissue. These changes were associated with collapsed axonal and Schwann cell profiles, neurodegeneration, mitochondrial structural damage, increased caveolae, loss of endothelium, and sporadic vacuolization.CONCLUSIONSNeuropathy appears to follow the vascular insult in arteriogenic ED. Neural injury in penile ischaemia involves a neurovascular phenomenon mediated by oxidative free radicals. Mitochondrial structural damage and increased HIF‐1α gene expression may be early signals of oxidative stress and neurodegeneration in ED. Up‐regulation of SOD, AR and NGF may be a coordinated defensive reaction to oxidative radicals that seems to fail to prevent neural injury in the ischaemic penis. Our study introduces the concept of oxidative neurodegeneration in the pathophysiology of arteriogenic ED. Therapeutic strategies to protect penile nerves from free radical incursion may enhance the efficacy of surgical and pharmacological interventions in arteriogenic ED.
An estimation of the long‐term clinical and economic benefits of insulin lispro in Type 1 diabetes in the UK
Authors: Pratoomsoot C. , Smith H. T. , Kalsekar A. , Boye K. S. , Arellano J. , Valentine W. J. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractAims  To determine the long‐term health economic benefits associated with lispro vs. regular human insulin (RHI) in UK Type 1 diabetic (T1DM) patients using the previously published and validated CORE Diabetes Model.Methods  A literature review designed to capture clinical benefits associated with lispro and T1DM cohort characteristics specific to UK was undertaken. Clinical benefits were derived from a Cochrane meta‐analysis. The estimated difference (weighted mean) in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) was −0.1% (95% confidence interval −0.2 to 0.0%) for lispro vs. RHI. Severe hypoglycaemia rates for lispro and RHI were 21.8 and 46.1 events per 100 patient years, respectively. Costs and disutilities were accounted for severe hypoglycaemia rates. All costs were accounted in 2007 £UK from a National Health Service (NHS) perspective. Future costs and clinical benefits were discounted at 3.5% annually.Results  In the base‐case analysis, lispro was projected to be dominant compared with RHI. Lispro was associated with improvements in quality‐adjusted life expectancy (QALE) of approximately 0.10 quality‐adjusted life years (QALYs) vs. RHI (7.60 vs. 7.50 QALYs). Lifetime direct medical costs per patient were lower with lispro treatment, £70 576 vs. £72 529. Severe hypoglycaemia rates were the key driver in terms of differences in QALE and lifetime costs. Sensitivity analyses with assumptions around time horizon, discounting rates and benefits in terms of glycaemic control or hypoglycaemic event rates revealed that lispro remained dominant.Conclusions  Our findings suggest that lispro is likely to improve QALE, reduce frequency of diabetes‐related complications and lifetime medical costs compared with RHI.
Magnitude of foot problems in diabetes in the developing world: a study of 1044 patients
Authors: Jayaprakash P. , Bhansali S. , Bhansali A. , Dutta P. , Anantharaman R. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractAim  To gain insight into the prevalence of peripheral neuropathy, foot care practices, foot at risk and foot ulcers in patients with diabetes mellitus at a tertiary care centre.Methods  A prospective case study involving 1044 patients with diabetes mellitus attending the diabetes clinic of a tertiary care centre in north India from January 2007 to May 2008. All subjects underwent a detailed clinical assessment including vibration perception threshold (VPT) and ankle brachial pressure index (ABI), along with metabolic parameters, and were categorized into ulcer, foot at risk and patients with no risk factors. Foot care practices were assessed with a questionnaire. Peripheral neuropathy was defined as VPT score ≥ 25 V. Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) was defined as ABI < 0.9. One hundred and forty‐nine patients with foot at risk were followed up for 9.0 ± 2.3 months (range 5–13 months).Results  The prevalence of peripheral neuropathy was 34.9% and of PVD 12.6%. Two thirds of the patients were at risk for foot ulceration; 9% had an ulcer and 20.2% of them required amputation. Correct foot care practices were followed by 214 (20.5%) subjects of the whole study population and by only 135 (19.3%) of the patients with foot at risk. Improvement in glycaemic control in the patients on follow‐up was associated with improvement or stabilization of VPT score. Five (3.4%) patients developed new ulcers on follow‐up.Conclusion  The high prevalence of neuropathy and PVD, coexisting with poor adherence to foot care practices predisposes to foot problems in people with diabetes in our study population.
Disability and the Performance Paradox: Can Social Capital Bridge the Divide?
Authors: Williams‐Whitt Kelly , Taras Daphne 
Published: June 2009

AbstractThis research captures the physical and social experience of disability by analysing the practical performance problems that arise when an ill or injured employee returns to work, and documenting how those problems are interpreted. The grounded theory approach suggests an alternative to the traditional biomedical or social perspectives on disability. Field research reveals four themes: attendance, disciplinary history, peer interaction and task function. Managerial and co‐worker perceptions were significantly affected by interactions that occurred before any disability was known to exist. Historic patterns of social exchange strongly suggest that social capital theory explains problematic work performance.
Does the Life Course Savings Scheme Have the Potential to Improve Work–Life Balance?
Authors: Delsen Lei , Smits Jeroen 
Published: June 2009

AbstractTo improve individuals' work–life balance, trade unions, employers' organizations, governments and the European Commission currently promote a life course perspective in activating labour market policies. In 2006, the Life Course Savings Scheme (Levensloopregeling) was introduced in the Netherlands, which aims to increase labour participation and to improve the work–life balance over the life course. What can we learn from the Dutch case? In 2006, actual participation in the scheme was with 6% much lower than expected. Participation rates were higher among males, full timers, older employees, the higher‐income groups and persons with a partner. However, our multivariate analyses of data for over 500,000 civil servants show that the higher participation rates of males, full timers and older employees are related to the higher earnings of these groups, and that after control for earnings, participation is higher among females, part timers and the young. This indicates that the scheme has a potential to contribute to the work–life balance over the life‐cycle.
No Panacea for Success: Member Activism, Organizing and Union Renewal
Authors: Hickey Robert , Kuruvilla Sarosh , Lakhani Tashlin 
Published: June 2009

AbstractThe precipitous decline in union density and influence around the world has spawned a growing body of scholarship on union renewal. While this literature evidences lively debates regarding the efficacy of different renewal strategies, many argue that the path to renewal is paved through increased member activism. In this article, we question that premise. We examine the importance of rank‐and‐file union member activism in 44 cases of organizing campaigns in the United States and in the UK. Our review of these cases reveals little support for the notion that member activism is indispensable to union renewal in general, and successful organizing campaigns in particular. Our findings provide additional insight into the debate over top‐down and bottom‐up strategies for renewal, and raise several questions for future research regarding when, under what conditions, and under what rules worker activism matters for labour union renewal.
GIS and Intelligent Agents for Multiobjective Natural Resource Allocation: A Reinforcement Learning Approach
Authors: Bone Christopher , Dragićević Suzana 
Published: June 2009

AbstractAn important component of natural resource management is determining how to allocate resources within a landscape to different stakeholders in a manner that satisfies multiple objectives. Developing decision making tools for assisting natural resource allocation is a challenging endeavor as stakeholders' objectives typically exist at varying spatial scales, their actions are defined by the spatial constraints in which they operate, and the spatial distribution of resources can be altered due to system disturbances. The nature of such challenges suggests the need for a geographic approach that can investigate these spatial complexities in order to generate a suitable set of solutions. The objective of this study is to develop and evaluate an Intelligent Agent Model for multiobjective natural resource allocation. The model integrates agent‐based modeling in a GIS environment with reinforcement learning – a heuristic method for generating, evaluating, and improving multiobjective decision making solutions. The model is implemented by simulating a forest management scenario in which agents that represent forest companies learn how to harvest trees in a manner that maximizes economic return while minimizing the adverse ecological impact to the surrounding landscape. In addition, the model simulates forest disturbances of varying frequencies and intensities to determine how disturbance events affect the decision‐making ability of agents. The model is validated to demonstrate that it can provide practical solutions to natural resource decision making.
Venice, City of Canals: Characterizing Regions through Content Classification
Authors: Tomko Martin , Purves Ross S 
Published: June 2009

AbstractInformation retrieval tasks in the geographic domain rely on textual annotation of georeferenced information objects. These information objects can be annotated with references to spatial objects contained within the corresponding geographical footprint. Not all the spatial objects, however, describe the essential attributes characterizing the region. In this article, we present a method to calculate the descriptive prominence of categories of spatial objects in a given region and select a subset for the characteristic description of the region. The method is demonstrated on three datasets of points of interest and an artificial dataset is used as a benchmark. The method reduces the number of categories describing regions significantly (p<0.001). We further illustrate the results qualitatively for three regions characterized in text.
Multivariate Business Cycle Synchronization in Small Samples*
Authors: Candelon Bertrand , Piplack Jan , Straetmans Stefan 
Published: June 2009

AbstractIn this paper, we study the degree of business cycle synchronization by means of a small sample version of the Harding and Pagan's [Journal of Econometrics (2006) Vol. 132, pp. 59–79] Generalized Method of Moment test. We show that the asymptotic version of the test gets increasingly distorted in small samples when the number of countries grows large. However, a block bootstrapped version of the test can remedy the size distortion when the time series length divided by the number of countries T/n is sufficiently large. Applying the technique to a number of business cycle proxies of developed economies, we are unable to reject the null hypothesis of a non‐zero common multivariate synchronization index for certain economically meaningful subsets of these countries.
Periodic Unobserved Cycles in Seasonal Time Series with an Application to US Unemployment*
Authors: Koopman Siem Jan , Ooms Marius , Hindrayanto Irma 
Published: June 2009

AbstractWe introduce a general class of periodic unobserved component (UC) time series models with stochastic trend and seasonal components and with a novel periodic stochastic cycle component. The general state space formulation of the periodic model allows for exact maximum likelihood estimation, signal extraction and forecasting. The consequences for model‐based seasonal adjustment are discussed. The new periodic model is applied to postwar monthly US unemployment series from which we identify a significant periodic stochastic cycle. A detailed periodic analysis is presented including a comparison between the performances of periodic and non‐periodic UC models.
Security Choice and Corporate Governance
Authors: Howe John S. , Olsen Brett C. 
Published: June 2009

Abstract The most efficient corporate governance structure will vary by firm depending on the costs and benefits of different governance mechanisms. For IPO firms, warrants might act as a substitute for other governance mechanisms (Schultz, 1993). Alternatively, warrants might serve as a signal of high quality, and thus effectively governed, firms (Chemmanur and Fulghieri, 1997), in which case they would act as a complement to other governance mechanisms. We test these competing hypotheses by examining a sample of unit IPO firms (firms issuing warrants with shares) matched to a comparable sample of shares‐only firms and show that warrants act as a substitute for other governance mechanisms. The research is also of interest because it shows an interaction between the financing decisions of firms and their corporate governance that has not been documented previously.
Identification of new sensitive biomarkers for the in vivo response to interferon‐β treatment in multiple sclerosis using DNA‐array evaluation
Authors: Sellebjerg F. , Krakauer M. , Hesse D. , Ryder L. P. , Alsing I. , Jensen P. E. H. , Koch‐Henriksen N. , Svejgaard A. , Soelberg Sørensen P. 
Published: June 2009

Objective:  Neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) occur in a proportion of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients treated with interferon (IFN)‐β. NAbs impair the effect of treatment. The biological effect of IFN‐β can be measured as the induction of the myxovirus resistance protein A (MxA) molecule. However, other markers could be more sensitive for evaluating the response to IFN‐β. We used DNA array analysis to identify genes that are strongly induced in blood cells by IFN‐β, and measured their expression in MS patients with different NAb levels.Methods:  Gene expression was studied on DNA arrays in untreated patients, in NAb negative patients, and in MS patients with varying NAb levels 9–12 h and 36–48 h after IFN‐β administration. The expression of selected genes was measured by real‐time PCR. NAb levels were assessed by a cytopathic effect assay.Results:  Several hundred genes were induced 9–12 h after an injection of IFN‐β. The molecules CXCL10, CCL2 and IFI27 were among the most strongly induced. Gene induction was generally much less pronounced after 36–48 h, but IFI27 remained strongly induced. The strong induction of these molecules and MxA was confirmed by real‐time PCR. Induction of MxA, CCL2, CXCL10 and IFI27 was reduced in patients with low NAb levels and lost in patients with intermediate/high NAb levels.Conclusion:  We identify IFI27, CCL2 and CXCL10 as sensitive biomarkers for the response to IFN‐β. The expression of these markers adequately reflects bioactivity of IFN‐ß as documented by the decreased induction in low NAb‐positive patients and the lost induction in patients with moderate/high NAb levels.
The immunocompromised district: a unifying concept for lymphoedematous, herpes‐infected and otherwise damaged sites
Authors: Ruocco V , Brunetti G , Puca RV , Ruocco E 
Published: June 2009

AbstractSystemic immunodeficiency is known to facilitate the onset of opportunistic infections, tumours and immune disorders in any district of the body. There are clinical events, such as chronic lymphoedema, herpetic infections, vaccinations and heterogeneous physical injuries which can selectively damage and immunologically mark the cutaneous district they act upon. After the causing event has disappeared, the affected district may appear clinically normal, but its immune behaviour is often compromised forever. An immunocompromised district becomes a site which is particularly susceptible to subsequent outbreaks of opportunistic infections, tumours and immune disorders confined to the district itself.In this review, there is an ample case‐report collection of opportunistic disorders (infectious, neoplastic, immune) which appeared in immunocompromised districts. The cases have been grouped according to the clinical settings responsible for the local immune imbalance: regional chronic lymphoedema; herpes‐infected sites, which feature the well‐known Wolf's isotopic response; and otherwise damaged areas, comprising sites of vaccination, ionizing or UV radiation, thermal burns and traumas.Whatever the immunocompromising factor, a common denominator which facilitates the occurrence of tumours, infections and dysimmune reactions in an immunocompromised district may reside in locally hampered lymph drainage and/or locally altered neuromediator signalling. In fact, any obstacle to the normal trafficking of immunocompetent cells through lymphatic channels or any interference with the signals that the neuropeptides and neurotransmitters released by peripheral nerves send to cell membrane receptors of immunocompetent cells, can significantly alter the local immune response, thus paving the way for heterogeneous opportunistic disorders in the immunocompromised district.
The influence of treatment on quality of life in systemic lupus erythematosus patients
Authors: Kulczycka L , Sysa‐Jedrzejowska A , Robak E 
Published: June 2009

AbstractObjective  Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease with uncertain prognosis as to the course. The patients need pharmacotherapy all their life. The main aim of this study was to determinate the impact of therapeutic schedules on patients’ quality of life.Methods  The study was performed on 83 patients who were divided into five groups according to methods of treatment used. Quality of life was measured using MOS SF‐36.Results  Obtained results revealed that therapeutic schedules have the highest influence on patients’ social functioning. The more medicaments the patients use, the lower their quality of life.Conclusions  The type of medicaments and therapeutic schemes adopted affect the patients’ quality of life. Nevertheless, quality of life and the patients’ attitude to it are very subjective and are also influenced by the clinical state of the patients as well as many other factors such as socioeconomic and demographic.
Low‐dose methotrexate treatment for moderate‐to‐severe atopic dermatitis in adults
Authors: Lyakhovitsky A , Barzilai A , Heyman R , Baum S , Amichai B , Solomon M , Shpiro D , Trau H 
Published: June 2009

AbstractBackground  Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common inflammatory skin disease. Methotrexate (MTX) was suggested as an effective treatment option in cases of moderate‐to‐severe atopic dermatitis. This study assessed the efficacy and safety of treatment with low weekly doses of methotrexate for moderate‐to‐severe AD in adults.Methods  Twenty adult patients with moderate‐to‐severe AD were included in this retrospective study. Those patients were unresponsive to topical treatments, antihistamines and at least one of the second‐line treatments. MTX in low weekly doses of 10–25 mg was administered orally or intramuscularly with folic acid supplementation 5 mg per week for at least 8–12 weeks. The response to treatment was evaluated by change in SCORAD (SCORing Atopic Dermatitis), DLQI (Dermatology Quality of Life Index) and the global assessment of the clinical response score.Results  After 8–12 weeks of treatment, we observed an objective response in most patients. There were 16 responders and 4 non‐responders. The mean SCORAD and DLQI decreased by 28.65 units (44.3%) and 10.15 units (43.5%), respectively. The first improvement was observed after a period ranging from 2 weeks to 3 months (mean 9.95 w ± 3.17). Treatment was more effective in adult onset AD than in childhood onset. Tolerance of treatment was good. However, nausea and an increase of liver enzymes were observed in 5 patients and 3 of them required a transient discontinuation of MTX. One patient developed peripheral neuropathy, which was resolved several weeks after the discontinuation of MTX.Conclusion  MTX seems to be an effective and safe second‐line treatment for patients with moderate‐to‐severe atopic dermatitis. A randomized, controlled study is warranted.
Domestic dogs as an edge effect in the Brasília National Park, Brazil: interactions with native mammals
Authors: Lacerda A. C. R. , Tomas W. M. , Marinho‐Filho J. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractEdge effects are a well‐known result of habitat fragmentation. However, little has been published on fragmentation, isolation and the intrusive influence from the surrounding matrix at the landscape level. The objectives of the present study are to evaluate the presence of dogs in the Brasília National Park (BNP) in relation to habitat type and the influence from the surrounding matrix. In addition, this study examines the response of the native mammal fauna to the presence of dogs. Track stations were built along dirt roads in the BNP and subsequently examined for the presence or absence of tracks. We used a stepwise logistic regression to model the occurrence of five mammal species relative to habitat variables, with an α=0.05 to determine whether to enter and retain a variable in the model. A simulation of each species occurrence probability was conducted using a combination of selected habitat variables in a resource selection probability function. Results indicate a negative relationship between distance from the BNP edge and the probability of dog occurrences. From an ecological perspective, the presence of dogs inside the BNP indicates an edge effect. The occurrence of the maned wolf was positively associated with distance from a garbage dump site and negatively associated with the presence of dog tracks. The maned wolf and giant anteater seem to avoid areas near the garbage dump as well as areas with dog tracks. There is no support for the possible existence of a feral dog population inside the BNP, but the effects of free‐ranging dogs on the wildlife population in such an isolated protected area must not be neglected. Domestic dog Canis familiaris populations and disease control programs should be established in the urban, sub‐urban and rural areas surrounding the BNP, along with the complete removal of the garbage dump from the BNP surroundings.