bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Geography: Graphics and Economics
Authors: Nordhaus William D , Chen Xi 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
Past studies of the relationships between economic activity and geography have been hampered by limited spatial data on economic activity. This study presents revised data on global economic activity, the G-Econ database, which measures economic activity for the entire globe, measured at a 1° latitude by 1° longitude scale. The methodologies for the study are described. We show several graphical applications, including an "output globe." The study shows the location of economic deserts. The study indicates the importance of geophysical variables for Africa and questions whether the importance of latitude in economic-growth studies in fact reflects geophysical variables.
Morphometric characteristics of the pelvic limbs of Labrador Retrievers with and without cranial cruciate ligament deficiency
Authors: Mostafa Ayman A. , Griffon Dominique J. , Thomas Michael W. , Constable Peter D. 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
Objective—To evaluate skeletal characteristics of pelvic limbs with and without cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) deficiency in Labrador Retrievers.
Animals—30 adult purebred Labrador Retrievers.
Procedures—Pelvic limbs (n = 28) of 14 dogs without CCL deficiency were classified as control limbs, whereas the limbs of 16 dogs with CCL deficiency were considered affected by (18 limbs) or predisposed to (10 contralateral limbs of dogs with 1 affected limb) CCL deficiency. Skeletal characteristics were evaluated via physical examination, radiography, and computed tomography. Radiographic and computed tomographic variables were compared among limb groups by use of a mixed-model ANOVA.
Results—The tibial plateau slope was steeper in CCL-deficient limbs but not in predisposed limbs, compared with the slope in control limbs. The angle between diaphyseal and proximal tibial axes was increased in both CCL-deficient and predisposed limbs. The relative width of the proximal portion of the tibia and the inclination of the patellar ligament did not differ among limb groups. The overall and distal femoral anteversion angles were greater in CCL-deficient and predisposed limbs, whereas the femoral condyle trochanteric angle was decreased in those limb groups, compared with findings in control limbs.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Cranial angulation of the proximal portion of the tibia, excessive steepness of the tibial plateau, and distal femoral torsion appeared more likely to be associated with CCL deficiency than femoral angulation, tibial torsion, intercondylar notch stenosis, and increased inclination of the patellar ligament.
Effect of parenteral administration of ivermectin and erythromycin on abomasal emptying rate in suckling calves
Authors: Afshari Gholam-Reza , Nouri Mohammad , Hassan Ebrahim Bani , Mokhber-Dezfooli Mohammad-Reza , Constable Peter D. 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
Objective—To evaluate the effect of parenteral administration of ivermectin and erythromycin on abomasal emptying rate in suckling calves.
Animals—6 male Holstein-Friesian calves < 15 days old.
Procedures—In a crossover study, calves were administered each of 3 treatments (control treatment, 2 mL of saline [0.9% NaCl] solution, IM; erythromycin, 8.8 mg/kg, IM; and ivermectin, 200 μg/kg, IV). Thirty minutes later, calves were bottle-fed 2 L of fresh cow's milk containing acetaminophen (50 mg/kg). Blood samples were collected from a jugular vein at various periods after suckling of milk. Abomasal emptying rate was assessed by use of the time to pharmacokinetically determined maximal plasma acetaminophen concentration.
Results—Administration of erythromycin and ivermectin caused a significant increase in abomasal emptying rate, compared with results for the control treatment, as determined on the basis of time to maximal plasma acetaminophen concentration.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Parenteral administration of erythromycin and ivermectin increased the abomasal emptying rate. The macrolide erythromycin can be an effective prokinetic agent in calves and other animals. Ivermectin is classified as a macrolide but has a number of structural differences from erythromycin. The clinical importance of a slight increase in abomasal emptying rate after IV administration of ivermectin remains to be determined because ivermectin is only labeled for SC, oral, and topical administration.
Estimation of Distribution Algorithms as Logistic Regression Regularizers of Microarray Classifiers
Authors: Robles V. , Larrañaga P. , Bielza C. 
Published: March 2009

Summary
Objectives: The “large k (genes), small N (samples)” phenomenon complicates the problem of microarray classification with logistic regression. The indeterminacy of the maximum likelihood solutions, multicollinearity of predictor variables and data over-fitting cause unstable parameter estimates. Moreover, computational problems arise due to the large number of predictor (genes) variables. Regularized logistic regression excels as a solution. However, the difficulties found here involve an objective function hard to be optimized from a mathematical viewpoint and a careful required tuning of the regularization parameters.
Methods: Those difficulties are tackled by introducing a new way of regularizing the logistic regression. Estimation of distribution algorithms (EDAs), a kind of evolutionary algorithms, emerge as natural regularizers. Obtaining the regularized estimates of the logistic classifier amounts to maximizing the likelihood function via our EDA, without having to be penalized. Likelihood penalties add a number of difficulties to the resulting optimization problems, which vanish in our case. Simulation of new estimates during the evolutionary process of EDAs is performed in such a way that guarantees their shrinkage while maintaining their probabilistic dependence relationships learnt. The EDA process is embedded in an adapted recursive feature elimination procedure, thereby providing the genes that are best markers for the classification.
Results: The consistency with the literature and excellent classification performance achieved with our algorithm are illustrated on four microarray data sets: Breast, Colon, Leukemia and Prostate. Details on the last two data sets are available as supplementary material.
Conclusions: We have introduced a novel EDA-based logistic regression regularizer. It implicitly shrinks the coefficients during EDA evolution process while optimizing the usual likelihood function. The approach is combined with a gene subset selection procedure and automatically tunes the required parameters. Empirical results on microarray data sets provide sparse models with confirmed genes and performing better in classification than other competing regularized methods.
High Incidence of Celiac Disease in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis
Authors: ROSATO EDOARDO , De NITTO DANIELA , ROSSI CARMELINA , LIBANORI VALERIO , DONATO GIUSEPPE , Di TOLA MARCO , PISARRI SIMONETTA , SALSANO FELICE , PICARELLI ANTONIO 
Published: March 2009

Objective.To evaluate the presence of celiac disease in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). The association of autoimmune diseases with celiac disease has been reported, but few publications deal with the combination of SSc and celiac disease.Methods.We investigated the presence of anti-tissue transglutaminase (anti-tTG) antibodies and serum antiendomysial antibodies (anti-EMA) in 50 patients with SSc. All subjects were on a gluten-containing diet. Duodenal mucosa histology and biopsy culture were performed in anti-tTG-positive patients; anti-EMA and IgA, IgG1 anti-tTG were detected in culture supernatants.Results.The incidence of celiac disease in patients with SSc was found to be 8%. Serum anti-tTG antibody-positive results were detectable in 5 out of 50 patients with SSc, but only in 4 of them was the diagnosis confirmed by histological results (Marsh classification).Conclusion.Our data show an increased prevalence of celiac disease in patients with SSc.
Chronique juridique des inégalités de salaires entre les femmes et les hommes
Authors: Lanquetin Marie-Thérèse 
Published: March 2009

Résumé La revendication « à travail égal, salaire égal » est ancienne et a pu être ambiguë. Elle s’est d’abord exprimée dans un contexte de concurrence économique avant d’être reconnue comme un principe de justice puis comme un droit fondamental. La notion de salaire « féminin » a perduré jusqu’à l’affirmation du principe d’égalité entre hommes et femmes. Mais des difficultés se sont maintenues face à la liberté de fixation des salaires par l’employeur au-delà des minima légaux et conventionnels. Des « outils » juridiques et judiciaires existent pourtant, construits d’abord par le droit communautaire afin de renforcer le principe d’égalité de rémunération et de lutter contre les discriminations. La construction du sens et de l’efficacité du principe d’égalité s’est faite par la voie judiciaire. Elle est d’abord l’affaire des acteurs car une loi ne signifie rien par elle-même, elle implique la construction de son sens. Or la lutte contre de telles inégalités de rémunérations est encore faible en France. Pourquoi ?
Un salaire égal pour un emploi de valeur comparable
Authors: Lemière Séverine 
Published: March 2009

Résumé L’objectif des politiques de « valeur comparable », ou selon l’expression canadienne « d’équité salariale », est l’application concrète du principe « un salaire égal pour un travail de valeur comparable » destiné à lutter contre la dévalorisation des emplois occupés majoritairement par des femmes. Différentes expériences étrangères ont amené à proposer des critères d’évaluation des emplois. Ces méthodes fondées sur la « valeur comparable » des emplois donnent lieu à de nombreuses controverses.
Placebo‐controlled trial of rituximab in IgM anti–myelin‐associated glycoprotein antibody demyelinating neuropathy
Authors: Dalakas Marinos C. , Rakocevic Goran , Salajegheh Mohammad , Dambrosia James M. , Hahn Angelika F. , Raju Raghavan , McElroy Beverly 
Published: March 2009

AbstractObjectiveReport a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study of rituximab in patients with anti–MAG demyelinating polyneuropathy (A‐MAG‐DP).MethodsTwenty‐six patients were randomized to four weekly infusions of 375mg/m2 rituximab or placebo. Sample size was calculated to detect changes of ≥1 Inflammatory Neuropathy Course and Treatment (INCAT) leg disability scores at month 8. IgM levels, anti‐MAG titers, B cells, antigen‐presenting cells, and immunoregulatory T cells were monitored every 2 months.ResultsThirteen A‐MAG‐DP patients were randomized to rituximab and 13 to placebo. Randomization was balanced for age, electrophysiology, disease duration, disability scores, and baseline B cells. After 8 months, by intention to treat, 4 of 13 rituximab‐treated patients improved by ≥1 INCAT score compared with 0 of 13 patients taking placebo (p = 0.096). Excluding one rituximab‐randomized patient who had normal INCAT score at entry, and thus could not improve, the results were significant (p = 0.036). The time to 10m walk was significantly reduced in the rituximab group (p = 0.042) (intention to treat). Clinically, walking improved in 7 of 13 rituximab‐treated patients. At month 8, IgM was reduced by 34% and anti‐MAG titers by 50%. CD25+CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory cells significantly increased by month 8. The most improved patients were those with high anti‐MAG titers and most severe sensory deficits at baseline.InterpretationRituximab is the first drug that improves some patients with A‐MAG‐DP in a controlled study. The benefit may be exerted by reducing the putative pathogenic antibodies or by inducing immunoregulatory T cells. The results warrant confirmation with a larger trial. Ann Neurol 2009;65:286–293
Iron‐Catalyzed Dehydrogenative Coupling of Tertiary Silanes
Authors: Itazaki Masumi , Ueda Kensuke , Nakazawa Hiroshi 
Published: March 2009

AbstractEine Vielfalt von tertiären Silanen, selbst solche mit funktionellen Substituenten, geht eine ungewöhnliche Eisen‐katalysierte dehydrierende Kupplung ein (siehe Schema). Die Reaktion bietet einen einfachen Zugang auch zu unsymmetrischen Disilanen und zu Polymeren mit Si‐Si‐Bindungen. Bei der Reaktion tritt ein Hydrido(disilyl)eisen(IV)‐Komplex als Intermediat auf.magnified image
Lack of evidence of stimulatory autoantibodies to platelet‐derived growth factor receptor in patients with systemic sclerosis
Authors: Classen Jean‐François , Henrohn Dan , Rorsman Fredrik , Lennartsson Johan , Lauwerys Bernard R. , Wikström Gerhard , Rorsman Charlotte , Lenglez Sandrine , Franck‐Larsson Karin , Tomasi Jean‐Paul , Kämpe Olle , Vanthuyne Marie , Houssiau Frédéric A. , Demoulin Jean‐Baptiste 
Published: March 2009

AbstractObjectiveSystemic sclerosis (SSc) is a severe connective tissue disease of unknown etiology, characterized by fibrosis of the skin and multiple internal organs. Recent findings suggested that the disease is driven by stimulatory autoantibodies to platelet‐derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR), which stimulate the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and collagen by fibroblasts. These results opened novel avenues of research into the diagnosis and treatment of SSc. The present study was undertaken to confirm the presence of anti‐PDGFR antibodies in patients with SSc.MethodsImmunoglobulins from 37 patients with SSc were purified by protein A/G chromatography. PDGFR activation was tested using 4 different sensitive bioassays, i.e., cell proliferation, ROS production, signal transduction, and receptor phosphorylation; the latter was also tested in a separate population of 7 patients with SSc from a different research center.ResultsPurified IgG samples from patients with SSc were positive when tested for antinuclear autoantibodies, but did not specifically activate PDGFRα or PDGFRβ in any of the tests. Cell stimulation with PDGF itself consistently produced a strong signal.ConclusionThe present results raise questions regarding the existence of agonistic autoantibodies to PDGFR in SSc.
Overexpression of interleukin‐23, but not interleukin‐17, as an immunologic signature of subclinical intestinal inflammation in ankylosing spondylitis
Authors: Ciccia Francesco , Bombardieri Michele , Principato Alfonso , Giardina AnnaRita , Tripodo Claudio , Porcasi Rossana , Peralta Sergio , Franco Vito , Giardina Ennio , Craxi Antonio , Pitzalis Costantino , Triolo Giovanni 
Published: March 2009

AbstractObjectiveSubclinical gut inflammation is common in spondylarthritis, but the immunologic abnormalities underlying this process are undefined. Perturbation of the interleukin‐23 (IL‐23)/Th17 axis has emerged as a fundamental trigger of chronic inflammation. This study was undertaken to investigate the expression and tissue distribution of IL‐23/Th17–related molecules in Crohn's disease (CD) and in subclinical gut inflammation in ankylosing spondylitis (AS).MethodsQuantitative gene expression analysis of Th1/Th2 and IL‐23/Th17 responses was performed in intestinal biopsy samples obtained from 12 patients with CD, 15 patients with AS, and 13 controls. IL‐23 tissue distribution and identification of IL‐23–producing cells were evaluated by immunohistochemistry.ResultsWe demonstrated a strong and significant up‐regulation of IL‐23p19 transcripts in the terminal ileum in patients with AS and patients with CD. IL‐23 was abundantly produced by infiltrating monocyte‐like cells in inflamed mucosa from AS and CD patients. Notably, we also identified Paneth cells as a major source of IL‐23 in patients with AS, patients with CD, and normal controls. Unlike CD, in AS patients, IL‐23 was not associated with up‐regulation of IL‐17 and the IL‐17–inducing cytokines IL‐6 and IL‐1β. Finally, while the Th1‐related cytokines interferon‐γ, IL‐12p35, and IL‐27p28 were overexpressed only in CD patients, IL‐4, IL‐5, and STAT‐6 were also significantly increased in AS patients.ConclusionOur findings indicate that overexpression of IL‐23, but not IL‐17, is a pivotal feature of subclinical gut inflammation in AS. Identification of resident Paneth cells as a pivotal source of IL‐23 in physiologic and pathologic conditions strongly suggests that IL‐23 is a master regulator of gut mucosal immunity, providing a pathophysiologic significance to the reported association between IL‐23 receptor polymorphisms and intestinal inflammation.
No increased risk of valvular heart disease in adult poststreptococcal reactive arthritis
Authors: van Bemmel J. M. , Delgado V. , Holman E. R. , Allaart C. F. , Huizinga T. W. J. , Bax J. J. , van der Helm‐van Mil A. H. M. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractObjectivePoststreptococcal reactive arthritis (ReA) is a (poly)arthritis presenting after a Streptococcus group A infection. Acute rheumatic fever (ARF), albeit caused by the same pathogen, has different risk characteristics and is considered to be a separate entity. Whereas ARF is known to cause carditis, the risk of carditis in adult poststreptococcal ReA is unknown. Consequently, the prevailing recommendations regarding long‐term antibiotic prophylaxis in poststreptococcal ReA are imprecise and derived from the data on ARF. This study was undertaken to investigate the development of valvular heart disease in an unselected cohort of adult patients with poststreptococcal ReA who did not receive antibiotic prophylaxis and were followed up prospectively.MethodsAll patients presenting with early arthritis to an inception cohort of >2,000 white patients were evaluated. Patients presenting with poststreptococcal ReA (n = 75) were selected. After a median followup of 8.9 years, the occurrence of valvular heart disease was evaluated by transthoracic echocardiography in 60 patients. Controls were matched for age, sex, body surface area, and left ventricular function, with a patient‐to‐control ratio of 1:2.ResultsNo differences were seen in left ventricular dimensions. Morphologic abnormalities of the mitral or aortic valves were not more prevalent among patients than among controls. Mild mitral regurgitation was present in 23% and 21% of patients and controls, respectively. Mild aortic regurgitation was present in 10% and 11%, and mild tricuspid regurgitation in 43% and 39%, respectively, revealing no significant differences.ConclusionOur findings indicate that there is no increased risk of valvular heart disease in adult poststreptococcal ReA. Based on these data, routine long‐term antibiotic prophylaxis is not recommended in adult poststreptococcal ReA.
Clinical score for nonbacterial osteitis in children and adults
Authors: Jansson Annette F. , Müller Thomas H. , Gliera Leonhard , Ankerst Donna Pauler , Wintergerst U. , Belohradsky Bernd H. , Jansson Volkmar 
Published: March 2009

AbstractObjectiveTo accurately differentiate nonbacterial osteitis (NBO) from other bone lesions by applying a clinical score through the use of validated diagnostic criteria.MethodsA retrospective study was conducted to assess data on patients from a pediatric clinic and an orthopedic tertiary care clinic, using administrative International Classification of Diseases codes as well as laboratory and department records from 1996 to 2006. Two hundred twenty‐four patients older than age 3 years who had either NBO (n = 102), proven bacterial osteomyelitis (n = 22), malignant bone tumors (n = 48), or benign bone tumors (n = 52) were identified by chart review. Univariate logistic regression was used to determine associations of single risk factors with a diagnosis of NBO, and multivariable logistic regression was used to assess simultaneous risk factor associations with NBO.ResultsNBO was best predicted by a normal blood cell count (odds ratio [OR] 81.5), symmetric bone lesions (OR 30.0), lesions with marginal sclerosis (OR 26.8), normal body temperature (OR 20.3) a vertebral, clavicular, or sternal location of lesions (OR 13.9), presence of >1 radiologically proven lesion (OR 10.9), and C‐reactive protein level ≥1 mg/dl (OR 6.9). The clinical score for a diagnosis of NBO based on these predictors ranged from 0 to 63. A score for NBO of ≥39 had a positive predictive value of 97% and a sensitivity of 68%.ConclusionThe proposed scoring system helps to facilitate the diagnostic process in patients with suspected NBO. Use of this system might spare unnecessary invasive diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
Interferon‐α treatment of female (NZW × BXSB)F1 mice mimics some but not all features associated with the Yaa mutation
Authors: Ramanujam Meera , Kahn Philip , Huang Weiqing , Tao Haiou , Madaio Michael P. , Factor Stephen M. , Davidson Anne 
Published: March 2009

AbstractObjectiveMale (NZW × BXSB)F1 mice develop antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and proliferative glomerulonephritis that is markedly accelerated by the Yaa locus encoding an extra copy of Tlr7. Female (NZW × BXSB)F1 mice with only 1 active copy of Tlr7 develop late‐onset glomerulonephritis but not APS. Because a major function of Toll‐like receptor 7 is to induce type I interferons (IFNs), our goal was to determine whether IFNα can induce or accelerate the manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in female (NZW × BXSB)F1 mice.MethodsEight‐week‐old female (NZW × BXSB)F1 mice were injected with a single dose of adenovirus expressing IFNα. Mice were monitored for the development of thrombocytopenia and proteinuria. Sera were tested for anticardiolipin and anti‐Sm/RNP antibodies. Mice were killed at 17 or 22 weeks of age, and their kidneys and hearts were examined histologically and by immunohistochemistry. Spleen cells were phenotyped, and enzyme‐linked immunospot assays for autoantibody‐producing B cells were performed.ResultsIFNα markedly accelerated nephritis and death in female (NZW × BXSB)F1 mice. A significant increase in spleen cell numbers associated with a striking increase in the number of activated B and T cells was observed. Marginal‐zone B cells were retained. IFNα‐induced increased titers of autoantibodies were observed, but thrombocytopenia was not observed. Cardiac damage was milder than that in male mice.ConclusionIFNα accelerates the development of renal inflammatory disease in female (NZW × BXSB)F1 mice but induces only mild APS and does not induce thrombocytopenia. The effect of IFNα on SLE disease manifestations is strain dependent. These findings are relevant to our understanding of the physiologic significance of the IFN signature.