bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of oral supplementation with β‐carotene on concentrations of β‐carotene, vitamin A and α‐tocopherol in plasma, colostrum and milk of mares and plasma of their foals and on fertility in mares
Authors: Kuhl J. , Aurich J. E. , Wulf M. , Hurtienne A. , Schweigert F. J. , Aurich C. 
Published: May 2011

SummaryIn this study, effects of oral β‐carotene supplementation to mares (β‐carotene group: 1000 mg/day, n = 15; control group: n = 15) from 2 weeks before foaling until 6 weeks thereafter on concentrations of β‐carotene, vitamin A and α‐tocopherol in plasma, colostrum and milk and plasma of their foals were determined. In addition, effects on fertility were studied. Beta‐carotene concentrations increased in plasma and colostrum of β‐carotene‐supplemented mares compared to control mares (p < 0.05). In mares of both groups, β‐carotene concentrations were higher in colostrum than in milk (p < 0.05). In foals, β‐carotene concentrations increased with colostrum uptake and were higher in foals born to supplemented mares (p < 0.05; control group: 0.0003 ± 0.0002 μg/ml on day 0, 0.008 ± 0.0023 μg/ml on day 1; β‐carotene group: 0.0005 ± 0.0003 μg/ml on day 0, 0.048 ± 0.018 μg/ml on day 1). Concentrations of vitamin A and α‐tocopherol were higher in colostrum than in milk (p < 0.05) but did not differ between groups. Concentration of α‐tocopherol in plasma of mares decreased over time and in foals, increased markedly within 4 days after birth. All but one mare (control group) showed oestrus within 2 weeks post‐partum. Occurrence of oestrus did not differ between groups. More mares of the control group (7/7 vs. 5/12 in the β‐carotene group) became pregnant after being bred in first post‐partum oestrus (p < 0.05). In conclusion, β‐carotene supplementation to mares increased β‐carotene concentrations in plasma, colostrum and milk of mares and plasma of their foals but had no positive effects on fertility.
Changes in the Functionality of Plasma Membrane of Rhizopus stolonifer by Addition of Chitosan
Authors: Hernández‐Lauzardo Ana N. , Vega‐Pérez Josam , Velázquez‐del Valle Miguel G. , Sánchez Norma S. , Peña Antonio , Guerra‐Sánchez Guadalupe 
Published: May 2011

AbstractThe effect of chitosan (2 mg/ml) on the functionality of the plasma membrane of the Rhizopus stolonifer was studied. This study focuses on the changes in the integrity of the plasma membrane, external minimum medium pH, membrane potential, potassium efflux and determination of membrane phospholipids and proteins and of the H+‐ATPase enzymatic kinetic activity. The results demonstrated that the membrane integrity diminishes gradually during 6 h of incubation, that there was no change in the external minimum medium pH and that the spores treated with chitosan showed the lowest membrane potential compared with the control. The results also revealed an increase of five times of potassium efflux by the addition of chitosan. There were no significant observed differences in the content of total phospholipids in both treatments. However, protein content was reduced approximately 40% and total H+‐ATPase activity decreased 52% in the presence of chitosan. Chitosan treatments diminished the kinetic parameters (Vmax and Km) of the H+‐ATPase activity. The damage to the plasma membrane of R. stolonifer by the presence of chitosan alters the H+‐ATPase, affecting the physiological and metabolic functions of this phytopathogen fungus.
Clinical features of healthcare‐associated pneumonia (HCAP) in a Japanese community hospital: Comparisons among nursing home‐acquired pneumonia (NHAP), HCAP other than NHAP, and community‐acquired pneumonia
Authors: UMEKI KENJI , TOKIMATSU ISSEI , YASUDA CHIE , IWATA ATSUKO , YOSHIOKA DAISUKE , ISHII HIROSHI , SHIRAI RYO , KISHI KENJI , HIRAMATSU KAZUFUMI , MATSUMOTO BUNROKU , KADOTA JUN‐ICHI 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACTBackground and objective:  More than 100 000 Japanese die of pneumonia every year. The number of people residing in nursing homes is increasing with the ageing of the population. In 2005, the American Thoracic Society/Infectious Diseases Society of America (ATS/IDSA) published important guidelines for the management of healthcare‐associated pneumonia (HCAP). In Japan, however, the optimum strategy for management of HCAP is still unclear. The purpose of this study was to clarify the clinical features of patients with HCAP.Methods:  Patients (n = 202) who were consecutively admitted with a diagnosis of acute pneumonia between October 2007 and September 2009 were retrospectively evaluated. Using the ATS/IDSA guidelines, patients were divided into three groups: a community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP) group (n = 123), a nursing home‐acquired pneumonia (NHAP) group (n = 46) and a HCAP other than NHAP (O‐HCAP) group (n = 33). These groups were then compared with respect to laboratory data, microbiological findings and mortality.Results:  Thirty‐day mortality in the NHAP group (10.9%) tended to be higher than that in the CAP group (3.3%) or the O‐HCAP group (0%). The pathogens most frequently identified were Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae in the CAP group, methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae in the NHAP group, and S. pneumoniae and K. pneumoniae in the O‐HCAP group.Conclusions:  The NHAP group was clinically different from the O‐HCAP group, based on bacteriological examination and mortality rates. In order to accurately diagnose, and formulate optimum treatment strategies for Japanese patients, the categories of HCAP, as specified in the ATS/IDSA guidelines, should not be applied directly either to patients with NHAP or those with O‐HCAP.
Reversibility of impaired nasal mucociliary clearance in smokers following a smoking cessation programme
Authors: CIPULO RAMOS ERCY MARA , DE TOLEDO ALESSANDRA CHOQUETA , XAVIER RAFAELLA FAGUNDES , FOSCO LUCIANA CRISTINA , VIEIRA RODOLFO PAULA , RAMOS DIONEI , JARDIM JOSÉ ROBERTO 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACTBackground and objective:  Smoking cessation (SC) is recognized as reducing tobacco‐associated mortality and morbidity. The effect of SC on nasal mucociliary clearance (MC) in smokers was evaluated during a 180‐day period.Methods:  Thirty‐three current smokers enrolled in a SC intervention programme were evaluated after they had stopped smoking. Smoking history, Fagerström's test, lung function, exhaled carbon monoxide (eCO), carboxyhaemoglobin (COHb) and nasal MC as assessed by the saccharin transit time (STT) test were evaluated. All parameters were also measured at baseline in 33 matched non‐smokers.Results:  Smokers (mean age 49 ± 12 years, mean pack‐year index 44 ± 25) were enrolled in a SC intervention and 27% (n = 9) abstained for 180 days, 30% (n = 11) for 120 days, 49.5% (n = 15) for 90 days or 60 days, 62.7% (n = 19) for 30 days and 75.9% (n = 23) for 15 days. A moderate degree of nicotine dependence, higher education levels and less use of bupropion were associated with the capacity to stop smoking (P < 0.05). The STT was prolonged in smokers compared with non‐smokers (P = 0.002) and dysfunction of MC was present at baseline both in smokers who had abstained and those who had not abstained for 180 days. eCO and COHb were also significantly increased in smokers compared with non‐smokers. STT values decreased to within the normal range on day 15 after SC (P < 0.01), and remained in the normal range until the end of the study period. Similarly, eCO values were reduced from the seventh day after SC.Conclusions:  A SC programme contributed to improvement in MC among smokers from the 15th day after cessation of smoking, and these beneficial effects persisted for 180 days.
Did central Australian megafaunal extinction coincide with abrupt ecosystem collapse or gradual climate change?
Authors: Murphy Brett P. , Williamson Grant J. , Bowman David M. J. S. 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACTAim  In central Australia, the giant flightless bird Genyornis newtoni disappeared about 45–50 thousand years ago (ka). It has been reported that coincident with this extinction the carbon isotopic composition of preserved eggshells of the extant emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) shows an abrupt dietary shift from tropical grasses (C4 photosynthesis) to temperate grasses and/or woody browse (C3 photosynthesis). This abrupt shift has been interpreted as signalling ‘ecosystem collapse’ due to landscape burning by humans. We evaluate an alternative interpretation, that the shift in diet was not abrupt, but gradual, and caused by the weakening of the Australian monsoon.Location  Lake Eyre, central Australia.Methods  We re‐analysed a large, published dataset of emu diet δ13C (inferred from δ13C of preserved eggshells) spanning the last 140,000 years, using time‐series analysis. Using Akaike's information criterion, we compared two contrasting models: (1) there was an abrupt shift in δ13C coincident with the extinction of Genyornis, assumed 47.5 ka; and (2) there was a gradual shift in δ13C, correlated with reconstructed water level in Lake Eyre, a proxy for monsoon intensity.Results  There was little evidence of an abrupt shift in emu diet δ13C about 45–50 ka, but δ13C appeared to steadily decrease between about 80 and 30 ka. Indeed, the model representing a correlation between δ13C and lake level was more than seven times more likely than the model representing an abrupt shift at 47.5 ka.Main conclusions  The emu eggshell isotopic record from Lake Eyre does not support the hypothesis that landscape burning by humans transformed a savanna−grassland mosaic into the modern desert scrub, contributing to the extinction of Genyornis. While our findings cast strong doubt on the foremost line of evidence that landscape burning by humans caused the megafaunal extinctions, and suggest that central Australia was becoming increasingly arid in the Late Pleistocene, the relative roles of hunting by humans and climate change in the megafaunal extinctions remain unresolved.
Climatic history and dispersal ability explain the relative importance of turnover and nestedness components of beta diversity
Authors: Dobrovolski Ricardo , Melo Adriano S. , Cassemiro Fernanda A. S. , Diniz‐Filho José Alexandre Felizola 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACTAim  We tested whether the geographic variation in the proportion of beta diversity attributed to nestedness or turnover components was explained by the effect of past glaciation events. Specifically, we tested the hypothesis that most of the beta diversity in regions retaining ice until recent periods was due to nestedness. Additionally, we tested whether the variation was influenced by thermal tolerance and the dispersal ability of species.Location  This study analysed data from the New World.Methods  We used presence/absence data for amphibians, birds and mammals of the New World. We calculated beta diversity among each 1°× 1° cell and the adjacent cells using the Sorensen dissimilarity index that expresses the total beta diversity. Furthermore, we partitioned it into turnover and nestedness components. The relative importance of the two latter components was expressed as the proportion of total beta diversity explained by nestedness (βratio). We calculated the correlation between βratio and the time each cell was free of ice since the last glaciation (cell age). To control the effects of spatial autocorrelation, we calculated geographically effective degrees of freedom.Results  The proportion of beta diversity attributed to nestedness was negatively correlated with cell age. Moreover, this effect was stronger for amphibians than mammals, and stronger for mammals than birds.Main conclusions  Our results are in accordance with the hypothesis that the nestedness component of beta diversity is more important in areas affected by glaciations until recent time. The beta diversity in high latitudes is the result of past extinctions and recent recolonization, which result in higher levels of nestedness. This process is more evident for vertebrates with lower dispersal ability and lower temperature tolerance.
Effect of the global financial crisis on accounting convergence
Authors: Mala Rajni , Chand Parmod 
Published: May 2011

AbstractFair value accounting (FVA) is threatening the convergence of accounting practices around the world. It has been regarded as one of the contributing factors of the recent financial crisis. Given that International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) have embraced FVA, this financial crisis raises concerns about their suitability for financial reporting across the world. This study explores important implications of the global financial crisis for financial reporting, in particular seeking to identify whether the trend towards convergence has been impeded by inherent problems in the IFRS. Contrary to our expectations, analyses show that the financial crisis has made the case for global convergence of accounting standards more compelling than before. The majority of countries intending to converge in the near future have not been affected by the global financial crisis and are committed to adopt IFRS as planned. The analyses also show that the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) has been facing pressure from the financial institutions, regulators, policy‐makers and finance ministers to review its rules on FVA. Consequently, the IASB has been undertaking measures to improve the reporting requirements in the light of the financial crisis.
Ethics and prevention of overweight and obesity: an inventory
Authors: ten Have M. , de Beaufort I. D. , Teixeira P. J. , Mackenbach J. P. , van der Heide A. 
Published: May 2011

SummaryEfforts to counter the rise in overweight and obesity, such as taxes on certain foods and beverages, limits to commercial advertising, a ban on chocolate drink at schools or compulsory physical exercise for obese employees, sometimes raise questions about what is considered ethically acceptable. There are obvious ethical incentives to these initiatives, such as improving individual and public health, enabling informed choice and diminishing societal costs. Whereas we consider these positive arguments to put considerable effort in the prevention of overweight indisputable, we focus on potential ethical objections against such an effort. Our intention is to structure the ethical issues that may occur in programmes to prevent overweight and/or obesity in order to encourage further debate. We selected 60 recently reported interventions or policy proposals targeting overweight or obesity and systematically evaluated their ethically relevant aspects. Our evaluation was completed by discussing them in two expert meetings. We found that currently proposed interventions or policies to prevent overweight or obesity may (next to the benefits they strive for) include the following potentially problematic aspects: effects on physical health are uncertain or unfavourable; there are negative psychosocial consequences including uncertainty, fears and concerns, blaming and stigmatization and unjust discrimination; inequalities are aggravated; inadequate information is distributed; the social and cultural value of eating is disregarded; people's privacy is disrespected; the complexity of responsibilities regarding overweight is disregarded; and interventions infringe upon personal freedom regarding lifestyle choices and raising children, regarding freedom of private enterprise or regarding policy choices by schools and other organizations. The obvious ethical incentives to combat the overweight epidemic do not necessarily override the potential ethical constraints, and further debate is needed. An ethical framework to support decision makers in balancing potential ethical problems against the need to do something would be helpful. Developing programmes that are sound from an ethical point of view is not only valuable from a moral perspective, but may also contribute to preventing overweight and obesity, as societal objections to a programme may hamper its effectiveness.
MONTHLY GDP FORECASTING USING BRIDGE MODELS: APPLICATION FOR THE FRENCH ECONOMY
Authors: Barhoumi Karim , Darné Olivier , Ferrara Laurent , Pluyaud Bertrand 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACTThis paper presents a model to predict French gross domestic product (GDP) quarterly growth rate. The model is designed to be used on a monthly basis by integrating monthly economic information through bridge models, for both supply and demand sides, allowing thus economic interpretations. For each GDP component, bridge equations are specified by using a general‐to‐specific approach implemented in an automated way by Hoover and Perez and improved by Krolzig and Hendry. This approach allows to select explanatory variables among a large data set of hard and soft data. A rolling forecast study is carried out to assess the forecasting performance in the prediction of aggregated GDP, by taking publication lags into account in order to run pseudo real‐time forecasts. It turns out that the model outperforms benchmark models. The results show that changing the set of equations over the quarter is superior to keeping the same equations over time. In addition, GDP growth seems to be more precisely predicted from a supply‐side approach rather than a demand‐side approach.
Do Natural Barriers Affect the Relationship Between Trade Openness and Growth?*
Authors: Henry Michael , Kneller Richard , Milner Chris , Girma Sourafel 
Published: May 2011

AbstractThis article investigates whether there are threshold effects in the relationship between openness and productivity growth that are fashioned by a country's natural barriers, using a cross‐country growth model. Alternative methods of modelling thresholds are explored. An endogenous threshold model is shown to be preferable to the use of interaction effects. The results identify critical levels of natural barriers which affect how greater openness or liberalization impacts on productivity growth. We find that only countries with higher natural barriers receive growth benefits from trade liberalization.
On the Price Elasticity of Demand for Patents*
Authors: Rassenfosse Gaetan de , Potterie Bruno van Pottelsberghe de la 
Published: May 2011

AbstractThis paper provides an analysis of the impact of patent fees on the demand for patents. It presents a dataset of fees since 1980 at the European (EPO), the US and the Japanese patent offices. Descriptive statistics show that fees have severely decreased at the EPO over the 1990s, converging towards the level of fees in the US and Japan. The estimation of dynamic panel data models suggests that the price elasticity of demand for patents is about −0.30. These results suggest that the laxity of fee policy at the EPO has significantly contributed to the rising propensity to patent.
Trade Timing, Price Volatility and Serial Correlation
Authors: Wang Ming‐Chang , Zu Lon‐Ping 
Published: May 2011

AbstractThis study sets up a multiple‐period, competitive rational expectations model to facilitate an examination into how informed traders time their trading on private information so as to maximise their expected utility. We find that, in equilibrium, informed traders may elect to trade late on their information, a result which contradicts other competitive rational expectations models in which it is generally assumed that informed traders will trade immediately upon receiving private information. Our results imply that price volatility will increase and price changes may display positive serial correlation. This phenomenon helps to explain the excess volatility puzzle of asset prices and medium‐term continuations (momentum).
Cutaneous lumbosacral Herpes Simplex virus among patients hospitalized for an advanced disease
Authors: Toutous‐Trellu L. , Vantieghem K.M. , Terumalai K. , Herrmann F.R. , Piguet V. , Kaiser L. , Vuagnat H. , Zulian G. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractBackground  Cutaneous Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections are regularly observed in lumbosacral areas, and many are refractory to appropriate initial diagnosis and management.Objective  We aimed to evaluate the incidence of lumbosacral HSV among advanced disease patients, to estimate their survival index from HSV onset, and to describe their clinical and virological characteristics.Methods  A prospective, descriptive study was conducted in a palliative and continuous care centre, collecting patients with suspected cutaneous HSV lesions in the lumbosacral area.Results  From 2008 to 2010, 24 patients were included: 19 had HSV‐2 confirmed by at least one laboratory test. Incidence of HSV‐2 was 2.67% (1.73–4.33%, 95% CI). No age, gender or survival differences were observed compared to the global population in the centre. Most lesions were detected early as vesicles (14/24) or small ulcers. Sensitivity was good for all diagnostic methods (62.5% for immunofluorescence and 79.2% for culture and/or PCR). Outcome was favourable under classical antiherpetic drugs and topical antiseptic dressing.Conclusions  Cutaneous lumbosacral HSV remains uncommon in patients hospitalized with advanced diseases. Most of these patients suffer from pressure ulcers or other dermatitis; we advocate increased attention of this diagnosis to avoid skin complications and added pain.
Isotretinoin has no negative effect on attention, executive function and mood
Authors: Ergun T. , Seckin D. , Ozaydin N. , Bakar Ö. , Comert A. , Atsu N. , Demircay Z. , Yoney H. , Zaimoglu S. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractBackground  According to some animal data, impairments in learning and memory are seen with isotretinoin. Isotretinoin has been shown to affect human brain metabolism, but the data on human neural functions is lacking.Objectives  To evaluate whether isotretinoin treatment affects cognitive functions, causes depression and anxiety or alters anger level and anger expression.Methods  Neuropsychological tests of attention and executive functions, behavioural tests measuring anger and depression and measures assessing acne severity were applied to 63 severe and/or resistant acne patients from four medical centres including one primary care institute and three university hospitals at the beginning, at the end of first month, third month and at end of treatment with isotretinoin.Results  From a total of 63 patients, 15 missed the final visit and 48 were evaluated. Overall, 11 (six women, five men) and five (all women) patients reported anger and depression, respectively, during treatment. Eleven of these 16 patients improved spontaneously. No detrimental effects of isotretinoin treatment on either executive functions or mood were found. Several executive functions and control of anger trait were found to be improved. Clearing of acne was obtained in 94.6% of patients.Limitations  Improvement of several measures may be related to learning effect of repeated testing. Investigating brain functions is a complex process and various methods can be used.Conclusion  The test battery used in this study, which is commonly used to evaluate mental status both in adults and children, did not show any negative effect of isotretinoin on executive functional parameters in acne patients.