bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
‘txtN is ez f u no h2 rd’: the relation between reading ability and text‐messaging behaviour
Authors: Coe J.E.L. , Oakhill J.V. 
Published: January 2011

AbstractA study was carried out to explore whether or not there is a relationship between children's reading ability and text‐messaging behaviour. The aims of this study were to compare good and poor readers on their amount of usage of mobile phones, the frequency and type of text devices they used, and the speed at which they could read messages in ‘text’ versus those written in formal English. Ten‐ and 11‐year‐olds completed three assessments: a questionnaire, two writing tasks and a reading task. The results showed that, overall, poor readers spent more minutes per day using their phones. Despite their less frequent use of phones, the good readers used more textisms in their written text message and were faster at reading all the messages.
Evaluating clinical practice guidelines developed for the management of thyroid nodules and thyroid cancers and assessing the reliability and validity of the AGREE instrument
Authors: Irani Shirin , Rashidian Arash , Yousefi‐Nooraie Reza , Soltani Akbar 
Published: January 2011

AbstractObjectives  We assessed the quality of a sample of clinical guidelines for thyroid nodules and thyroid cancers, using the Appraisal of Guidelines Research and Evaluation (AGREE) instrument. We also evaluated the reliability and validity of the AGREE instrument and summarized the key recommendations of the appraised guidelines.Methods  Twenty‐six clinical researchers and endocrinologists who had been trained in the principles of developing clinical guidelines and using the AGREE instrument participated in the study and appraised the guidelines. Clinical guidelines selected via a systematic search were assessed, each by eight participants. We compared the AGREE domain scores of the guidelines, and compared the participants' scores before and after group discussions. We used Cronbach's alpha, and intraclass correlation coefficients to assess the reliability, and the Spearman's rho to assess the correlation between the overall assessment and other variables.Results  Seven guidelines were included in the study. ‘Scope and purpose’ and ‘clarity and presentation’ achieved the highest domain scores. ‘Applicability’ received the lowest domain scores and reliability coefficients. ‘Rigor of development’ and ‘clarity and presentation’ obtained the highest correlations with overall assessment scores. There was a significant relationship between the overall assessment score and the numbers of algorithms, tables and figures in the guidelines.Conclusions  We identified three clinical guidelines that obtained high overall assessment scores and were recommended for use in practice. Our findings have important implications for those developing clinical guidelines, especially as clarity and presentation significantly influenced the participants' assessment of the guidelines. The developers should ensure that the recommendations are presented clearly and unambiguously, and flowcharts, algorithms and other tools are developed to help the users in applying the recommendations into practice. The optimal number of appraisers for each guideline is four. Further work is needed to improve the ‘applicability’ domain of the AGREE.
Drug dispensing practices during implementation of artemisinin‐based combination therapy at health facilities in rural Tanzania, 2002–2005
Authors: Thwing J. I. , Njau J. D. , Goodman C. , Munkondya J. , Kahigwa E. , Bloland P. B. , Mkikima S. , Mills A. , Abdulla S. , Kachur S. P. 
Published: January 2011

SummaryObjective  To assess the degree to which policy changes to artemisinin‐based combination therapies (ACTs) as first‐line treatment for uncomplicated malaria translate into effective ACT delivery.Methods  Prospective observational study of drug dispensing practices at baseline and during the 3 years following introduction of ACT with sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine (SP) plus artesunate (AS) in Rufiji District, compared with two neighbouring districts where SP monotherapy remained the first‐line treatment, was carried out. Demographic and dispensing data were collected from all patients at the dispensing units of selected facilities for 1 month per quarter, documenting a total of 271 953 patient encounters in the three districts.Results  In Rufiji, the proportion of patients who received a clinical diagnosis of malaria increased from 47.6% to 57.0%. A majority (75.9%) of these received SP + AS during the intervention period. Of patients who received SP + AS, 94.6% received the correct dose of both. Among patients in Rufiji who received SP, 14.2% received SP monotherapy, and among patients who received AS, 0.3% received AS monotherapy.Conclusions  The uptake of SP + AS in Rufiji was rapid and sustained. Although some SP monotherapy occurred, AS monotherapy was rare, and most received the correct dose of both drugs. These results suggest that implementation of an artemisinin combination therapy, accompanied by training, job aids and assistance in stock management, can rapidly increase access to effective antimalarial treatment.
Prevalence and molecular characterization of abnormal hemoglobin in eastern Guangdong of southern China
Authors: Lin M , Wang Q , Zheng L , Huang Y , Lin F , Lin CP , Yang LY 
Published: January 2011

Lin M, Wang Q, Zheng L, Huang Y, Lin F, Lin CP, Yang LY. Prevalence and molecular characterization of abnormal hemoglobin in eastern Guangdong of southern China.Abnormal hemoglobins (Hbs) are the most commonly inherited disorders in humans. Their frequency and types change considerably with geographic location and ethnic group. To investigate the molecular epidemiological characterization of abnormal Hbs in eastern Guangdong of southern China, a total of 11,450 ‘healthy’ subjects were subjected to hemoglobin electrophoresis screening. Samples of EDTA‐K2 blood with abnormal Hbs were analyzed by CELL‐DYN1700 blood analyzer; thalassemia genotypes and Hb E variant were identified by gap‐PCR and/or reverse dot blot (RDB). The genotypes of Hb variants were detected by PCR and sequencing. The incidence of abnormal Hbs was 0.358%(41/11,450) in Chaozhou, including 12.2% (5/41) Hb J, 4.9% (2/41) Hb K, 9.7% (4/41) Hb Q, 31.7% (13/41) Hb G/D and 41.5% (17/41) Hb E. Eight types of Hb variants were found, including 3 cases of Hb J‐Bangkok, 2 cases of Hb J‐Wenchang‐Wuming, 2 cases of Hb New York, 4 cases of Hb Q‐Thailand, 5 cases of Hb G‐Waimanalo, 4 cases of Hb Ottawa, 4 cases of Hb G‐Chinese and 17 cases of Hb E. In comparison with other areas of Guangdong, Chaozhou had a different pattern of abnormal Hbs with a high prevalence of Hb G/D. This study describes the prevalence and molecular characterization of abnormal Hbs in eastern Guangdong.
Identification of an AluY‐mediated deletion of exon 5 in the CPOX gene by MLPA analysis in patients with hereditary coproporphyria
Authors: Barbaro M , Kotajärvi M , Harper P , Floderus Y 
Published: January 2011

Barbaro M, Kotajärvi M, Harper P, Floderus Y. Identification of an AluY‐mediated deletion of exon 5 in the CPOX gene by MLPA analysis in patients with hereditary coproporphyria.Hereditary coproporphyria (HCP) is an autosomal dominantly inherited hepatic porphyria, caused by a mutation in the coproporphyrinogen oxidase (CPOX) gene. The genetic defect leads to a partial defect of CPOX, the sixth enzyme involved in haem biosynthesis. Affected individuals can develop acute life‐threatening attacks of neurovisceral symptoms and/or more rarely cutaneous symptoms such as skin fragility and blistering. The identification of the genetic defect in HCP families is of crucial importance to detect the carrier status which allows counselling to prevent possible triggering factors, e.g. certain drugs, alcohol, or fasting. In a total of nine Swedish HCP families, routine gene sequence analysis had identified a causative mutation in only five. In the present study, using an in‐house developed synthetic probe set for multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification (MLPA) analysis, we detected a deletion of the fifth exon in the CPOX gene in the remaining four families. The deletion is 3381 bp in size and has originated by an Alu‐mediated mechanism. This finding emphasizes the usefulness of MLPA analysis as a complement to gene sequencing for comprehensive genetic diagnostics in HCP patients.
Maternal diet during lactation and allergic sensitization in the offspring at age of 5
Authors: Nwaru Bright I. , Erkkola Maijaliisa , Ahonen Suvi , Kaila Minna , Lumia Mirka , Prasad Marianne , Haapala Anna‐Maija , Kronberg‐Kippilä Carina , Veijola Riitta , Ilonen Jorma , Simell Olli , Knip Mikael , Virtanen Suvi M. 
Published: January 2011

To cite this article: Nwaru BI, Erkkola M, Ahonen S, Kaila M, Lumia M, Prasad M, Haapala A‐Maija, Kronberg‐Kippilä C, Veijola R, Ilonen J, Simell O, Knip M, Virtanen SM. Maternal diet during lactation and allergic sensitization in the offspring at age 5 years. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2011; 22: 334–341.AbstractThe objective of this study was to examine the effect of maternal dietary intake during lactation on allergic sensitization at the age of 5 in children carrying HLA‐DQB1‐conferred susceptibility to type 1 diabetes. We analyzed data for 652 consecutively born children with complete information on maternal diet and allergen‐specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) measurements who are participating in the Finnish Type 1 Diabetes Prediction and Prevention (DIPP) Nutrition and allergy study. Analysis was performed using logistic regression. In models that included the significant uncorrelated dietary variables, maternal intake of butters and saturated fatty acids was associated with increased risk, while margarine was associated with a decreased risk, of sensitization to wheat allergen in the offspring. Maternal intake of potatoes, milks, and margarine and low‐fat spreads were associated with decreased risk of sensitization to birch allergen. On the other hand, intake of potatoes decreased the risk, while vitamin C and eggs increased the risk, of cat allergic sensitization. Maternal intake of butters and saturated fatty acids during lactation may increase the risk, while margarines may decrease the risk, of sensitization to wheat allergen in the offspring. Maternal intake of potatoes, milks, and margarines may decrease the risk of sensitization to birch allergen. On the other hand, intake of potatoes may decrease the risk, while vitamin C and eggs may increase the risk, of cat allergic sensitization. These effects may persist regardless of maternal or parental allergic status.
Growth performance and metabolic efficiency in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) fed on a diet containing Jatropha platyphylla kernel meal as a protein source
Authors: Kumar V. , Akinleye A. O. , Makkar H. P. S. , Angulo‐Escalante M. A. , Becker K. 
Published: January 2011

SummaryJatropha platyphylla is available on the pacific coast from Sinaloa to Michoacán including the Nayarit and Jalisco states in Mexico. The seeds of J. platyphylla are rich in oil and protein, and the kernel meal (JPKM) prepared after oil extraction contains 70–75% crude protein (CP). Contents of essential amino acids (except lysine) are higher in JPKM than in soybean meal (SBM). Phorbol‐esters, the main toxin present in most Jatropha species is absent in J. platyphylla. Heat‐treated JPKM (H‐JPKM) was evaluated as a protein supplement in tilapia feed and compared with that of SBM and fish meal (FM). Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) fingerlings (15 fish; av. body mass 13.9 ± 0.17 g) were randomly distributed in three groups with five replicates each. A 12‐week experiment was conducted in a respirometer system to evaluate the growth performance, nutrient utilization and energy budget. Nile tilapia fingerlings were fed three iso‐nitrogenous diets (36% CP): Control containing FM, and Jatropha and Soybean diets in which 62.5% of FM protein was replaced by H‐JPKM and SBM respectively. The growth performance, feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio, apparent lipid conversion and energy retention did not differ significantly among the three groups. Higher protein productive value was observed in plant protein fed groups. Average metabolic rate, energy expenditure per g protein fed and retained in the body did not differ significantly among the three groups. Conclusively, Nile tilapia fed plant protein (heated JPKM and SBM) and FM protein‐based diets exhibited equal average metabolic rate which indicate that JPKM can be used as a protein source in aqua feed.
Systematic evaluation of the nefopam–paracetamol combination in rodent models of antinociception
Authors: Girard Philippe , Niedergang Betty , Pansart Yannick , Coppé Marie‐Claude , Verleye Marc 
Published: January 2011

Summary1. The aim of the present study was to explore the concept of multimodal anaesthesia using a combination of two non‐opioid analgesics, namely nefopam, a centrally acting non‐opioid that inhibits monoamine reuptake, and paracetamol, an inhibitor of central cyclo‐oxygenases. The antinociceptive characteristics of the combination were evaluated using four different animal models of pain.2. In the mouse writhing test, antinociceptive properties were observed with ED50values of 1.5 ± 0.2 and 120.9 ± 14.8 mg/kg for nefopam and paracetamol, respectively. In the mouse formalin test, both compounds significantly inhibited the licking time of the injected hind paw, with ED50values in the early phase of 4.5 ± 1.1 and 330.7 ± 80.3 mg/kg for nefopam and paracetamol, respectively, compared with 4.3 ± 0.2 and 206.1 ± 45.1 mg/kg for nefopam and paracetamol, respectively, in the inflammatory phase. Isobolographic analysis revealed that this drug combination was synergistic in the writhing test and additive in the formalin test.3. In a rat incision model of postoperative thermal hyperalgesia, coadministration of nefopam at a non‐analgesic dose (3 mg/kg) with paracetamol at a low analgesic dose (300 mg/kg) showed the appearance of a strong antihyperalgesic effect, maintained for at least 3 h. In rat carrageenan‐induced tactile allodynia, the combination of low analgesic doses of nefopam (10 or 30 mg/kg) with a non‐analgesic dose of paracetamol (30 mg/kg), significantly blocked allodynia with a longer duration of efficacy.4. In conclusion, coadministration of nefopam with paracetamol is worthy of clinical evaluation.
Long‐term outcome in patients with a Gleason score ≤6 prostate cancer treated by radical prostatectomy
Authors: Birkhahn Marc , Penson David F. , Cai Jie , Groshen Susan , Stein John P. , Lieskovsky Gary , Skinner Donald G. , Cote Richard J. 
Published: January 2011

Study Type – Therapy (individual cohort)Level of Evidence 2bWhat’s known on the subject? and What does the study add?Gleason score is an important clinical characteristic for treatment decisions in patients with prostate cancer. Gleason score ≤6 are generally considered low‐risk tumours with favourable clinical outcome.In this study we report long‐term data on the actual recurrence risk and survival in patients with Gleason score ≤6 tumours. We were able to demonstrate that while recurrence rates are relatively low, 18% of patients experience PSA recurrence, and 6% experience overt clinical metastases at 15‐year follow‐up.OBJECTIVE• To determine the actual recurrence risk of patients with a Gleason score (GS) ≤6 treated with radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) and bilateral lymphadenectomy in a cohort with long‐term follow‐up.PATIENTS AND METHODS• The USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center database included 3235 consecutive patients who underwent RRP for prostate cancer between January 1972 and December 2005. We identified 1383 patients with a GS ≤ 6 in prostatectomy specimens. Median follow‐up was 8.3 years. Data on pathological and clinical characteristics and outcome were prospectively recorded.• Statistical analysis was performed using the stratified log‐rank test and stepwise Cox regression analysis.RESULTS• A GS of 6 was present in 66%, 5 in 27%, 4 in 5% and 3 or 2 in 3% of cases. Tumour classification was pT2N0 (83%), pT3N0 (14%), pT4N0 (0.1%) and any TN1 (2%).• Positive margins were seen in 18%. Estimated PSA and clinical recurrence rate were 14% and 4% after 10 years and 18% and 6% after 15 years, respectively. In multivariate analysis, N‐stage (P < 0.001), T‐stage (P= 0.02) and margin status (P < 0.001) were associated with PSA recurrence.• N‐stage (P < 0.001) and T‐stage (P= 0.01) were associated with clinical recurrence.• Overall, patients with a GS ≤ 6 accounted for 26% of all PSA recurrences and for 20% of all patients with clinical recurrences in the database.CONCLUSION• A relatively small proportion of patients with a GS ≤ 6 cancer developed PSA recurrence and/or overt metastasis. However, these patients account for a substantial minority of those who experienced recurrence and metastasis.
Renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system blockade and urinary albumin excretion in community‐based patients with Type 2 diabetes: The Fremantle Diabetes Study
Authors: Fegan P. G. , Davis W. A. , Kamber N. , Sivakumar S. , Beilby J. , Davis T. M. E. 
Published: January 2011

Diabet. Med. 28, 849–855 (2011)AbstractAims  To determine whether the reduction in urinary albumin excretion through renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system blockade found in intervention trials extends to community‐based patients with Type 2 diabetes.Methods  We analysed data from 302 participants in the longitudinal observational Fremantle Diabetes Study who commenced angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker therapy during follow‐up and who had an annual assessment on either side of this therapeutic change.Results  At baseline, the patients had a mean age of 63.8 years, a median diabetes duration of 4 years, a median HbA1c of 7.6% (60 mmol/mol) and a geometric mean (sd range) urinary albumin:creatinine ratio of 3.3 mg/mmol (0.8–13.1 mg/mmol). The percentages with normo‐, micro‐ and macroalbuminuria were 49.0, 38.4 and 12.6%, respectively. During 6.1 ± 1.7 years of follow‐up, initiation of renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system blockade was associated with a larger geometric mean (sd range) absolute albumin:creatinine ratio reduction in the patients with macroalbuminuria compared with those who had either normo‐ or microalbuminuria [−40.9 (−825.7 to 159.9) mg/mmol) vs. 1.7 (−1.6 to 20.0) mg/mmol and −0.5 (−23.0 to 39.5) mg/mmol, respectively; P < 0.001]. These changes remained significant after adjustment for changes in blood pressure and other potentially confounding variables, including drug dose and angiotensin‐converting enzyme genotype. The post‐treatment median albumin:creatinine ratios were 35.4 and 27.4% lower than before treatment in those with micro‐ or macroalbuminuria, respectively.Conclusions  Usual‐care initiation of renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system blockade confers a quantitatively similar renal benefit to that in intervention trials in Type 2 diabetes.
Earnings quality and corporate cash holdings
Authors: Sun Qian , Yung Kenneth , Rahman Hamid 
Published: January 2011

AbstractPoor earnings quality exacerbates information asymmetry between internal and external stakeholders of a firm. Agency considerations then persuade investors to discount the value of corporate cash holdings out of concern about the inappropriate use of funds. In this study, we show that poor earnings quality has a negative impact on the value of corporate cash holdings and a positive impact on the level of cash reserves. We find that the negative effect of poor earnings quality either neutralizes or more than offsets the positive effect of excess cash on firm value. Our results are robust to several measures of earnings quality and model specifications.
The Optimal Environmental Tax and Urban Unemployment in an Open Economy
Authors: Daitoh Ichiroh , Omote Masaya 
Published: January 2011

AbstractThis paper investigates how a rise in the urban pollution tax rate may affect urban unemployment and welfare in a small open Harris–Todaro (HT) model with intersectoral capital mobility. First, by formulating urban pollution as a dirty input in manufacturing, we find that an increase in the urban pollution tax rate can increase the level of urban unemployment even with intersectoral capital mobility. That is, the optimistic finding by Rapanos (2007) that environmental protection policy reduces urban unemployment in the long run does not always hold. Second, the (sub)optimal pollution tax rate under urban unemployment is higher than the Pigouvian tax rate (the marginal damage of pollution). This result opposes those of Beladi and Chao (2006) for a closed HT economy and that of Tsakiris et al. (2008) for an open HT economy with sector‐specific capital.
Stigma and sex work from the perspective of female sex workers in Hong Kong
Authors: Wong William C.W. , Holroyd Eleanor , Bingham Amie 
Published: January 2011

AbstractWhile the stigma surrounding sex work is both well documented and easily recognised, few studies examine stigma in this context from the perspective of the sex workers themselves. In this article we report on a study using a modified grounded theory approach to analyse a series of semi‐structured interviews with 49 female sex workers in Hong Kong, in order to examine the ways in which this group experiences and negotiates the stigma which arises from their employment in the sex industry. Sex workers in Hong Kong were subject to various stigmatising forces in their daily lives in their interactions with the public, the police and their families. These processes could have a negative impact on the sex workers’ health, both through obvious manifestations such as physical or verbal abuse and through more subtle processes such as those which generated or perpetuated vulnerability and those which compelled the sex workers to conceal their identities and withdraw themselves from social networks. These findings are situated in the context of broader research surrounding sex work, drawing attention to the consequences of stigma on health and their interaction with health‐service providers, before briefly discussing possible means of overcoming stigma‐related barriers to providing adequate healthcare for this marginalised group.
Meanings of the embryo in Japan: narratives of IVF experience and embryo ownership
Authors: Kato Masae , Sleeboom‐Faulkner Margaret 
Published: January 2011

AbstractThis article explores the sociocultural meanings of the embryo implied in the narratives of 58 women who have undergone in vitro fertilisation in Japan over a period from 2006 to 2008. We argue that a lack of sufficient analysis of the sociocultural meanings of the embryo result in a situation where the use of reproductive technologies in Japan advances without reflecting upon the voices of women and couples that use them. Additionally, we argue that the often‐heard view that pre‐implantation genetic diagnosis causes less pain to women and couples than selective abortion in which foetuses are discarded, should be reviewed in the light of the new empirical evidence offered in this article. Furthermore, this article shows that the view often expounded by Japanese scientists that in Japan the cultural meanings attached to the embryo are insignificant, is incorrect. Consequently, the argument that Japan has no need for an active national debate on the status of embryos should be questioned. Though agreeing with some feminist views on the embryo debate, this article is also critical of feminist views that discuss embryo donation in terms of the loss of ownership of the embryo and the alienation of the embryo due to commodification.