bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Low health‐related quality of life is associated with all‐cause mortality in patients with diabetes on haemodialysis: the Japan Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Pattern Study
Authors: Hayashino Y. , Fukuhara S. , Akiba T. , Akizawa T. , Asano Y. , Saito S. , Kurokawa K. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractAims  Whether health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) can be accurately predicted in patients with extremely low HRQoL as a result of diabetic complications is unclear. We investigated the impact of HRQoL on mortality risk in patients with diabetes on haemodialysis.Methods  Data from the Dialysis Outcomes Practice Pattern Study (DOPPS) were analysed for randomly selected patients receiving haemodialysis in Japan. Information regarding the diagnosis of diabetes and clinical events during follow‐up was abstracted from the medical records at baseline and HRQoL was assessed by a self‐reported short form (SF)‐36 questionnaire. The association between physical component score and mental component score in the SF‐36 and mortality risk was analysed using a Cox proportional hazard model.Results  Data from 527 patients with diabetes on haemodialysis were analysed. The mortality age‐adjusted hazard ratio of having a physical component score greater than or equal to the median was 0.27 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.08–0.96] and the multivariable‐adjusted mortality hazard ratio of having an mental component score greater than or equal to the median was 1.21 (95% CI 0.44–3.35).Conclusions  The physical component score derived from the SF‐36 is an independent risk factor for mortality in patients with diabetes on haemodialysis who generally had very low HRQoL scores. Baseline mental component score was not predictive of mortality. Patient self‐reporting regarding the physical component of health status may aid in risk stratification and clinical decision making for patients with diabetes on haemodialysis.
Can peer educators influence healthy eating in people with diabetes? Results of a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Cade J. E. , Kirk S. F. L. , Nelson P. , Hollins L. , Deakin T. , Greenwood D. C. , Harvey E. L. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractAims  To assess whether the Expert Patient Programme (EPP), adapted for people with Type 2 diabetes, can be used to promote healthy eating to improve glycaemic control.Methods  Adults with Type 2 diabetes (n = 317) were randomized to receive either a diabetes‐specific EPP (n = 162) or individual one‐off appointments with a dietitian (control group) (n = 155). The diabetes‐specific EPP followed the standard National Health Service programme although all participants in the group had diabetes only, rather than a mix of chronic conditions. Participants attended a group session for 2 h once per week for 6 weeks. In addition, a final seventh‐week 2‐h session was included that was specific to issues concerning diabetes. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, 6 and 12 months.Results  There were no statistically significant differences between the control and the intervention group in any of the clinical outcomes measured. There was no significant difference between the groups in any dietary outcome. There was a higher starch intake in the EPP group, although this did not reach statistical significance (effect size for starch adjusted for baseline values 8.8 g; 95% CI −1.3 to 18.9). There was some loss of participants between baseline measurement and randomization, although this did not appear to have had an important impact on baseline balance.Conclusions  In this study of people with Type 2 diabetes, the EPP approach was not effective in changing measures of diabetes control or diet.
Relative and absolute contributions of postprandial and fasting plasma glucose to daytime hyperglycaemia and HbA1c in subjects with Type 2 diabetes
Authors: Peter R. , Dunseath G. , Luzio S. D. , Chudleigh R. , Choudhury S. R. , Owens D. R. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractAims  To determine the relative and absolute contributions of postprandial glucose (PPG) and fasting or preprandial plasma glucose (FPG) to daytime hyperglycaemia and HbA1c respectively, in persons with type 2 diabetes (T2DM).Methods  Subjects (n = 52; 37men) had 12hr plasma glucose (PG) profiles determined in response to three serial identical test meals. PPG exposure was calculated for each meal. Excess hyperglycaemia was calculated above a PG concentration of 5.5mmol/l. Fasting hyperglycaemia was the difference between excess hyperglycaemia and PPG exposure. Subjects were divided into three groups according to HbA1c‐(Gp1:<7.3%;Gp2:7.3%‐8.0%;Gp3:>8.0%) and the relative contribution of PPG exposure and fasting hyperglycaemia to excess hyperglycaemia calculated for each meal. The absolute contribution of PPG and fasting hyperglycaemia to excess HbA1c (mean HbA1c–5.1%) was also calculated.Results  The relative contributions of PPG exposure to excess hyperglycaemia for the three groups were: 58.3%, 54.3% and 35.4% (P = 0.483—Group 1 vs. Group 2; P = 0.002—Group 2 vs. Group 3) for meal 1; 69.8%, 54.7% and 23.7% (P = 0.163—Group 1 vs. Group 2; P = 0.005—Group 2 vs. Group 3) for meal 2; 85.8%, 70.2% and 48.6% (P = 0.153—Group 1 vs. Group 2; P = 0.046—Group 2 vs. Group 3) for meal 3. Absolute contributions of PPG to excess HbA1c in the three groups were 1.4%, 1.6% and 1.3% (P = NS).Conclusion  The relative contribution of postprandial glucose to excess hyperglycaemia decreases as glycaemic control deteriorates, being dominant with HbA1c≤ 7.3%, irrespective of the timing of the meal during the day. However, the absolute contribution of postprandial glucose to excess HbA1c does not differ significantly (∼1.5%) with varying glycaemic control.
The relation between an adverse psychological and social environment in childhood and the development of adult obesity: a systematic literature review
Authors: Vámosi M. , Heitmann B. L. , Kyvik K. O. 
Published: July 2009

SummaryThe prevalence of obesity is on a global‐wide increase, but still the aetiology of adult obesity is poorly understood. It has been shown that overweight children suffer from adverse psychological events, but less is known about the potential effects of adverse psychological factors among normal weight children for later development of obesity. The purpose of this study was to systematically review current literature on associations between psychological factors in childhood and development of obesity in adulthood. A systematic search was conducted in three electronic databases MEDLINE (silverplatter 1977–2008), PsycINFO (1972–2008) and PsycINFO Weekly (week 1 January 2007–week 3 July 2008) to identify studies of interest. Six prospective and two retrospective studies were identified. Psychosocial factors related to adult obesity were lack of childhood care, abuse and childhood anxiety disorders. In addition, depression in adolescence tended to be related to adult obesity but among young girls only. Learning difficulties and scholastic proficiencies below average were also risk factors. The current literature suggests that specific psychosocial factors in childhood may act as determinants for developing obesity in adulthood.
The Relevance of Coercion: Some Preliminaries*
Authors: STAVROPOULOS NICOS 
Published: July 2009

AbstractMany philosophers take the view that, while coercion is a prominent and enduring feature of legal practice, its existence does not reflect a deep, constitutive property of law and therefore coercion plays at best a very limited role in the explanation of law's nature. This view has become more or less the orthodoxy in modern jurisprudence. I argue that an interesting and plausible possible role for coercion in the explanation of law is untouched by the arguments in support of the orthodox view. Since my main purpose is to clear the ground for the alternative, I spell out the orthodox view in some detail. I then briefly sketch the alternative. Finally, I turn to Jules Coleman's discussion of the alternative.
COMPETITIVE INNOVATION WITH CODIFIED AND TACIT KNOWLEDGE*
Authors: Haruyama Tetsugen 
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACTR&D‐based models of endogenous technical progress rest on a premise that technical progress is driven by profit‐seeking entrepreneurs. This literature led to a dominant view that endogenous technical advance is not consistent with perfect competition with constant returns to scale. Departing from this dominant perspective, we demonstrate that technical progress endogenously occurs in a perfectly competitive economy under constant returns to scale in rivalrous inputs. Our result is based on a hypothesis that R&D creates codified and tacit knowledge as joint products. Empirical and case studies are discussed to support the hypothesis. Using the model, we demonstrate that stronger patent protection can encourage or discourage R&D, depending on the size of an economy.
VAGUE PARTS AND VAGUE IDENTITY
Authors: BARNES ELIZABETH , WILLIAMS J. R. G. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractWe discuss arguments against the thesis that the world itself can be vague. The first section of the paper distinguishes dialectically effective from ineffective arguments against metaphysical vagueness. The second section constructs an argument against metaphysical vagueness that promises to be of the dialectically effective sort: an argument against objects with vague parts. Firstly, cases of vague parthood commit one to cases of vague identity. But we argue that Evans' famous argument against will not on its own enable one to complete the reductio in the present context. We provide a metaphysical premise that would complete the reductio, but note that it seems deniable. We conclude by drawing general morals from our case study.
Children’s Height and Parental Unemployment: A Large-Scale Anthropometric Study on Eastern Germany, 1994–2006
Authors: Baten Jörg , Böhm Andreas 
Published: July 2009

Abstract
The average height of children is an indicator of the quality of nutrition and healthcare. In this study, we assess the effect of unemployment and other factors on this variable. In the Eastern German Land of Brandenburg, a dataset of 253,050 preschool height measurements was compiled and complemented with information on parents’ schooling and employment status. Unemployment might have negative psychological effects, with an impact on parental care. Both a panel analysis of districts and an assessment at the individual level yield the result that increasing unemployment, net out-migration and fertility were in fact reducing height.
The SACD method and the XLRS squamometry tests revisited
Authors: Piérard‐Franchimont C. , Henry F. , Piérard G.E. 
Published: July 2009

Synopsis The assessment of many aspects of the structure and biological dynamics of the stratum corneum can be conducted using calibrated stripping with adhesive‐coated discs (SACD). Squamometry entails staining SACD samples with a toluidine blue‐basic fuschsin ethanol‐based solution and reading the colorimetric variable Chroma C* representing the squamometry index. Four main variants of squamometry index have been designed so far. Squamometry X refers to the assessment of xerosis and any scaly condition. Squamometry L explores the intercorneocyte cohesiveness impaired by ultraviolet light. Squamometry R evaluates stratum corneum renewal and squamometry S assesses the effect of surfactants on corneocyte integrity. This latter variant is related to, although not similar to, the ex‐vivo corneosurfametry bioassay. All squamometry tests are rapid, reliable, sensitive and cheap. Résumé L’évaluation de nombreux aspects de la structure et de la dynamique biologique de la couche cornée bénéficie de la collecte calibrée de cornéocytes par des pastilles auto‐adhésives. La squamométrie consiste à colorer ces échantillons par une solution alcoolique de bleu de toluidine et de fuchsine basique, suivi de la lecture colorimétrique du Chroma C* dont la valeur représente l’index de squamométrie. Quatre variantes principales de la squamométrie ont été décrites à ce jour. La squamométrie X s’applique à l’évaluation des xéroses et de divers états squameux. La squamométrie L évalue l’impact de la lumière ultraviolette sur la cohésion intercornéocytaire. La squamométrie R étudie la dynamique du renouvellement de la couche cornée. La squamométrie S est adaptée à l’évaluation de l’effet de surfactants sur l’intégrité des cornéocytes. Cette variante est apparentée sans être identique au bioessai de corneosurfamétrie. Les différents tests de squamométrie sont rapides, fiables, sensibles et peu onéreux.
Acquisition of and withdrawal from cocaine self‐administration regulates 5‐HT1B mRNA expression in rat striatum
Authors: Neumaier John F. , McDevitt Ross A. , Polis Ilham Y. , Parsons Loren H. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThis study investigated how different stages of cocaine self‐administration in rats affect the expression of two serotonin receptors in dorsal and ventral striatum, the 5‐HT1B and 5‐HT6 subtypes, which have both been implicated in mediating some aspects of cocaine‐related behaviors. In the first experiment, rats were trained to work for saccharin (oral) or cocaine (i.v.) reinforcers. We found that continuous access to cocaine for 23 days did not change the level of 5‐HT1B mRNA expression compared to control animals receiving saccharin. However, a single cocaine session, given either by self‐administration or non‐contingently, increased 5‐HT1B mRNA in dorsal striatum, whereas forced abstinence for two weeks after cocaine reduced 5‐HT1B mRNA expression in the same subregion. 5‐HT6 mRNA was not changed by any of these treatments. A follow‐up experiment investigated the effects of limited versus extended access to cocaine as well as forced abstinence, and we found that 14 days of forced abstinence significantly reduced 5‐HT1B mRNA throughout the dorsal and ventral striatum compared to no withdrawal. These results suggest that the influence of 5‐HT1B receptors in striatal projection neurons may be increased during cocaine acquisition and reduced after forced abstinence and may therefore be targets for pharmacological intervention in addiction.
Fragile X mental retardation protein is required for chemically‐induced long‐term potentiation of the hippocampus in adult mice
Authors: Shang Yuze , Wang Hansen , Mercaldo Valentina , Li Xiangyao , Chen Tao , Zhuo Min 
Published: July 2009

AbstractFragile X syndrome (FXS), a common form of inherited mental retardation, is caused by the lack of fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP). The animal model of FXS, Fmr1 knockout mice, have deficits in the Morris water maze and trace fear memory tests, showing impairment in hippocampus‐dependent learning and memory. However, results for synaptic long‐term potentiation (LTP), a key cellular model for learning and memory, remain inconclusive in the hippocampus of Fmr1 knockout mice. Here, we demonstrate that FMRP is required for glycine induced LTP (Gly‐LTP) in the CA1 of hippocampus. This form of LTP requires activation of post‐synaptic NMDA receptors and metabotropic glutamateric receptors, as well as the subsequent activation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2. However, paired‐pulse facilitation was not affected by glycine treatment. Genetic deletion of FMRP interrupted the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, suggesting the possible role of FMRP in the regulation of the activity of ERK1/2. Our study provide strong evidences that FMRP participates in Gly‐LTP in the hippocampus by regulating the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, and that improper regulation of these signaling pathways may contribute to the learning and memory deficits observed in FXS.
Brain glucose transporters, O‐GlcNAcylation and phosphorylation of tau in diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Liu Ying , Liu Fei , Grundke‐Iqbal Inge , Iqbal Khalid , Gong Cheng‐Xin 
Published: July 2009

AbstractType 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) increases the risk for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), but the underlying mechanism is unknown. In this study, we determined the levels of major brain glucose transporters, O‐GlcNAcylation and phosphorylation of tau in the postmortem brain tissue from frontal cortices of 7 controls, 11 T2DM subjects, 10 AD subjects and 8 additional subjects who had both T2DM and AD. We found that the neuronal glucose transporter 3 was decreased to a bigger extent in T2DM brain than in AD brain. The O‐GlcNAcylation levels of global proteins and of tau were also decreased in T2DM brain as seen in AD brain. Phosphorylation of tau at some of the AD abnormal hyperphosphorylation sites was increased in T2DM brain. These results suggest that T2DM may contribute to the increased risk for AD by impairing brain glucose uptake/metabolism and, consequently, down‐regulation of O‐GlcNAcylation, which facilitates abnormal hyperphosphorylation of tau.
A prospective comparative study of gentamicin‐ and amikacin‐induced nephrotoxicity in patients with normal baseline renal function
Authors: Sweileh Waleed M. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe aim of this study was to compare the nephrotoxic potential of amikacin (AK) and gentamicin (GM) in patients with normal baseline renal function. This study was a 1‐year, non‐interventional prospective study of patients administered either GM or AK. The study was carried out at the internal medicine department of Al‐Watani governmental study. Nephrotoxicity was defined as a serum creatinine (SCr) increase of ≥0.5 mg/dL from the basal (normal) SCr level. The two groups (GM, n = 45 and AK, n = 49) were similar in population composition, and underlying pathological and infectious processes requiring antimicrobials. No significant difference in age was found between patients in the GM and AK groups, P = 0.83. Patients in the GM group received comparatively lower doses than those in the AK group (mean = 2.5 mg/kg/day and 14.4 mg/kg/day, respectively) but the duration of treatment was similar. Sixteen of 45 patients receiving GM (35.6%) and eight of 49 patients receiving AK (16.3%) developed nephrotoxicity, P = 0.033. Single daily dosing with GM, regardless of the total daily dose, produced less nephrotoxicity than multiple dosing. In contrast, AK given at a total dose of 1 g daily, showed no benefit of single dosing compared with multiple dosing. In patients with initial normal renal function, GM was significantly more nephrotoxic than AK. Multiple dosing of GM was more nephrotoxic than single dosing. AK‐induced nephrotoxicity was not significantly dependent on dosing frequency.
Comparison of soil properties of native forests, Pinus patula plantations and adjacent pastures in the Andean highlands of southern Ecuador: land use history or recent vegetation effects?
Authors: Chacón G. , Gagnon D. , Paré D. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractIn the high Andes of Ecuador scarcity of farmland has led to accelerated deforestation, in particular over the last 40 years. Soil mis‐management has caused the rapid decline of soil fertility and most farmland has been irreversibly transformed into grassland or tree plantations. The present study assessed whether pastures and particularly pine plantations were associated with less soil nutrients. The soils from six sites each of native forests and Pinus patula plantations, and their adjacent pastures were sampled in a geographically large area in the Paute watershed, south Ecuador. Soil analyses showed statistically significant differences for soil cations and effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC) only. ECEC was highest in soils from native forests and their adjacent pastures (6.4 cmol/kg) compared to pine plantations and their pastures (4.2 cmol/kg). Mean soil organic matter and pH were similar in native forests/pastures (39% SOM; pH 5.4) and in plantations/pastures (40% SOM; pH 5). As pasture soils had ECEC concentrations statistically similar to those of their adjacent forest or plantation, they do not form a single homogeneous land use type based on soil nutrients. Therefore, this study cannot conclude that the presence of pines alone has caused soil degradation, but instead that the soil at the site was already degraded before pines were planted. This study proposes the scenario that pine plantations are established in pastures as a last resort, when the soils are already strongly degraded, and more profitable land uses are not available. Farmers are reluctant to use fertile land for tree plantations, and only the planting of well‐known species, such as pines, is officially encouraged.
Policy decisiveness and responses to speculative attacks in developed countries
Authors: HAN KYUNG JOON 
Published: July 2009

AbstractWhy are some countries able to defend their currencies when there are speculative attacks, while others fail to do so and devalue their currencies? This article suggests that intragovernment factors as well as government‐legislature relations should be considered because many of the policy responses to speculative attacks do not require legislative acquiescence, so that intragovernment attributes will have more substantial effects on the policy responses than those of government‐legislature relations. This article suggests that cleavages within government and its instability have a negative effect on decisiveness. Data regarding speculative attacks in developed countries from the 1970s to the 1990s and the Heckman selection model show that governments with many veto players and with less durability have had difficulty in defending their currencies in the face of speculative attacks. The article also finds that governmental institutional effects can be constrained by central bank independence. The effects become substantially smaller and statistically insignificant when central banks are very independent. The overall results imply that policy indecisiveness induced by some political factors makes governments less able to adopt a new policy equilibrium that is necessary to respond to an exogenous shock such as speculative attack.
Effect of recombinant feline interferon‐ω alone and in combination with chemotherapeutic agents on putative tumour‐initiating cells and daughter cells derived from canine and feline mammary tumours
Authors: Penzo C. , Ross M. , Muirhead R. , Else R. , Argyle D. J. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractInterferons (IFNs) are naturally produced cytokines with multiple important biological functions. The activity of recombinant feline IFN‐ω (rFeIFN‐ω) alone and in combination with chemotherapeutic drugs was tested on canine and feline mammary carcinoma cell lines (REM134 and CAT‐MT) and putative tumour‐initiating cells (TIC) derived from these cell lines by sphere assay. Viability was measured by chemoluminescence and a one‐way analysis of variance and Student'st‐tests were used for statistical analysis. rFeIFN‐ω showedin vitroantitumour activity on feline and canine mammary carcinoma cells and putative TICs with a dose‐dependent and target cell‐specific action. Putative TICs were more resistant to the action of rFeIFN‐ω compared with daughter REM134 and CAT‐MT cells. REM134 cells and TICs were more sensitive to rFeIFN‐ω compared with the feline counterparts. An additive effect was noticed between rFeIFN‐ω and conventional anticancer drugs, in particular following co‐culture of cells with anthracycline drugs. The results suggest that rFeIFN‐ω warrants further investigation as a therapeutic adjunct in feline and canine mammary tumours.