bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effects of cognitive training on community‐dwelling elderly Koreans
Authors: PARK M. H. , KWON D. Y. , SEO W. K. , LIM K. S. , SONG M. S. 
Published: July 2009

Accessible summary

The cognitive training programme conducted by visiting nursing services was more effective in community‐dwelling, elderly Koreans with cognitive dysfunction.
The elderly who received cognitive training later could be improved and caught up their cognitive function.

AbstractThe objective of this study was to apply and test the effects of cognitive training on community‐dwelling, elderly Koreans. The cognitive training was applied for 24 weeks to 129 elderly participants. The participants were divided into two groups to receive either cognitive training followed by observational period, or observational period followed by cognitive training. The primary outcome measures were the geriatric depression scale (Geriatric Depression Scale Short Form‐Korean, GDS‐SF‐K) and mini‐mental status examination (Mini‐Mental State Examination in the Korean version, MMSE‐KC) scores. There were no differences between the average GDS‐SF‐K and MMSE‐KC scores of the two groups. However, the participants with cognitive dysfunction (defined as baseline MMSE below the 16th percentile according to age, sex and educational level) who received cognitive training initially had significantly improved MMSE‐KC score on weeks 8 and 16, compared with the participants with cognitive dysfunction who were observed first. However, the participants who received cognitive training later did in fact catch up with the other group in terms of MMSE‐KC score. Cognitive training by visiting nursing services was more effective in the elderly with cognitive dysfunction.
Molecular evidence of hybridization in Florida’s sheoak (Casuarina spp.) invasion
Authors: GASKIN JOHN F. , WHEELER GREGORY S. , PURCELL MATTHEW F. , TAYLOR GARY S. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe presence of hybrids in plant invasions can indicate a potential for rapid adaptation and an added level of complexity in management of the invasion. Three Casuarina tree species, Casuarina glauca, Casuarina cunninghamiana and Casuarina equisetifolia, native to Australia, are naturalized in Florida, USA. Many Florida Casuarina trees are considered unidentifiable, presumably due to interspecific hybridization. We collected tissue from over 500 trees from Australia and Florida and genotyped these using amplified fragment length polymorphisms. Our goal was to determine the exact identity of the Florida species, including any putative hybrid combinations. In Australia, we found high assignment values to the three parental species, and no evidence of hybridization. In Florida, we found many trees with strong assignment to any one of the three species, as well as 49 trees with assignment values intermediate to C. glauca and C. equisetifolia, suggesting hybridization between these species. One population of 10 trees had assignment values intermediate to C. cunninghamiana and C. glauca, suggesting additional hybridization. For 69 of these putative hybrid and parental types, we sequenced a low‐copy intron of nuclear G3pdh, and these sequences indicated that some Florida trees contain heterozygotic combinations of C. glauca and C. equisetifolia haplotypes. The presence of novel hybrids in the Florida invasion may enhance evolution of invasive traits in these species. Novel Casuarina hybrids in Florida have no coevolutionary history with any insects or diseases, which may be problematic for biological control efforts.
Severity of dementia as a risk factor for repeat falls among the institutionalized elderly in Japan
Authors: Kobayashi Nami , Kusuma Wati Dwi Nurviyandari , Yamamoto Mariko , Sugiyama Tomoko , Sugai Yuuichi 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe study examined the impact of dementia severity on repeat fallers among the institutionalized elderly. A secondary analysis of a dataset containing information on 466 residents (86 of whom were fallers) of nine care facilities around Tokyo was carried out. Descriptive statistics were used to determine the baseline characteristics. Then, logistic regression analysis was carried out to identify the risk factors between the non‐fallers and fallers and between the single and repeat fallers. Finally, the relative risks that had an impact on the repeat fallers were calculated. Sixty‐one persons (13.1%) were identified as single fallers and 25 (5.4%) were identified as repeat fallers. An unstable gait was a dominant risk factor. In addition, the person's sex and the facility type were identified as risk factors for the fallers, while severe dementia was identified as a risk factor for the repeat fallers. Nurses should recognize the combination of severe dementia and unstable gait as a warning sign for potential repeat fallers.
Failing to achieve a nadir prostate‐specific antigen after combined androgen blockade: Predictive factors
Authors: Park Seung Chol , Rim Joung Sik , Choi Han Yong , Kim Choung Soo , Hong Sung Joon , Kim Wun Jae , Lee Sang Eun , Song Jae Mann , Yoon Jin Han 
Published: July 2009

Objectives:  To determine the optimal cut‐off of a nadir prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) for prediction of progression within 24 months after combined androgen blockade (CAB) and to analyze predictive factors of failing to achieve the nadir PSA.Methods:  We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 343 patients with prostate cancer treated with CAB from 2000 to 2005. We determined the nadir PSA level that predicts progression to hormone refractory prostate cancer (HRPC) at 24 months after CAB. Predictive factors for failing to achieve a determined nadir PSA were analyzed.Results:  Mean age was 74.0 years. Mean follow up was 42.1 month. Seventy‐seven patients experienced progression to HRPC. A nadir PSA of 1.0 ng/mL predicts progression to HRPC at 24 months. Predictive factors for failing to achieve a nadir PSA of 1.0 ng/mL or less include pretreatment PSA, percentage positive biopsy core, Gleason score, serum hemoglobin, stage, and extent of bone metastasis in univariate analysis. Pretreatment PSA (>50 ng/mL) and serum hemoglobin (<12 g/dL) were significant factors to predict failing to achieve a nadir PSA of 1.0 ng/mL or less in logistic regression analysis.Conclusions:  A nadir PSA of 1.0 ng/mL can predict progression to HRPC after CAB. Pretreatment PSA and serum hemoglobin are significant predictors of failing to achieve a nadir PSA of 1.0 ng/mL or less.
Plant functional trait variation in relation to riparian geomorphology: The importance of disturbance
Authors: KYLE GARRETH , LEISHMAN MICHELLE R. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThis study examined the patterns of plant functional trait variation in relation to geomorphology, disturbance and a suite of other environmental factors in the riparian margin of the Upper Hunter River, New South Wales, Australia. Vegetation was surveyed on three geomorphic surfaces (point bar, bench and bank) along a 5.5‐km stretch of the Upper Hunter River. Functional traits relating to plant growth and reproduction were collected for the identified species. anova and principal components analysis were used to compare the trait assemblages of species associated with each geomorphic unit. Pearson's correlation coefficients were used to investigate trait variation with respect to environmental variables. There were clear differences in the plant functional trait assemblages associated with the three geomorphic units. Generally the point bar was associated with species that were herbaceous, with small seed mass, a short stature and a high specific leaf area (SLA). Conversely, the bench was associated with grasses that had unassisted seed dispersal and intermediate seed mass and SLA, while species on the bank had tall stature, large seed mass, a high SLA and a perennial life cycle. Variation along the primary gradient of plant functional trait composition was most strongly related to disturbance frequency and to a lesser extent soil nutrients and the proportion of clay and silt, while variation along the secondary gradient was associated with variation in substrate texture as well as soil nutrients.
Experimental herbivory of native Australian macrophytes by the introduced Mozambique tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus
Authors: DOUPÉ ROBERT G. , KNOTT MATTHEW J. , SCHAFFER JASON , BURROWS DAMIEN W. , LYMBERY ALAN J. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThis study describes experimental herbivory and detritivory of three common native aquatic macrophyte species by the introduced Mozambique tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus (Peters) (Pisces: Cichlidae), and its physiological response to their consumption. There was a highly significant effect of fish herbivory on plant weight for each of the macrophyte species, but this effect was not influenced by any preference for periphyton. Despite the herbivory, there was a highly significant loss of fish body weight across all plant species and weight could only be maintained by supplementary feeding of a high protein fish flake. These results suggest that despite eating these plants, an alternative food resource may be needed for survival and may trigger trophic plasticity in O. mossambicus.
Exhaled carbon monoxide screening for environmental tobacco smoke exposure in preanesthetic children
Authors: DUKELLIS DANIELLE , ZUK JEANNIE , PAN ZHAOXING , MORRISON JOHN E. , FRIESEN ROBERT H. 
Published: July 2009

SummaryObjective:  Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is associated with an increased risk of perioperative adverse events in children. The purpose of this study was to evaluate exhaled carbon monoxide (CO) as a preoperative ETS screening tool in children.Methods:  Five hundred and one children aged 6–15 years were enrolled. The child’s guardian completed a questionnaire that surveyed environmental exposures to CO and ETS. A preoperative urine sample was obtained from children who assented and were able to void, and urine cotinine values were measured. Exhaled CO was measured using the EC50‐Micro Smokerlyzer® (Bedfont Scientific Ltd, UK).Results:  Four hundred and fifty‐one subjects completed the study, and urine samples were obtained from 83. 25% of subjects were classified as exposed to ETS based on questionnaire results. Exhaled CO values did not correlate with either the qualitative (questionnaire) or quantitative (urine cotinine) measurements of ETS exposure. Exhaled CO predicted a urine cotinine/creatinine ratio >10 with a sensitivity of 10% and a specificity of 85%.Conclusion:  Exhaled CO measured by this device is not a useful preoperative screening tool for ETS exposure in children. Because exhaled CO has been used successfully to monitor ETS exposure in adolescents, we believe that its failure in our population is as a result of the limited ability of small children to perform vital capacity maneuvers in order to provide an adequate endtidal sample.
Midazolam as a sole sedative for computed tomography imaging in pediatric patients
Authors: SINGH RANJU , KUMAR NISHANT , VAJIFDAR HOMAY 
Published: July 2009

SummaryObjective:  To evaluate the efficacy and adverse effects of i.v. midazolam as a sole agent for sedation in children for computed tomography (CT) imaging.Materials and Methods:  Prospective clinical trial in which 516 children under ASA classification II–IV (273 boys and 243 girls) in the age group of 6 months to 6 years for elective CT scan were enrolled over a 17‐month period. Patients were administered i.v. midazolam 0.2 mg·kg−1 and further boluses of 0.1 mg·kg−1 (total 0.5 mg·kg−1) if required. Measurements included induction time, efficacy, side effects, complications, and degree of sedation. Sedation was graded on the basis of Ramsay sedation score (RSS) as over sedated (RSS 5–6), adequately sedated (AS, RSS 3–4), under sedated (RSS 1–2), or failed if the procedure could not be completed or another agent had to be administered.Results:  Of the 516 procedures, 483 brains, 16 chests, and 17 abdomens were scanned with a mean duration of 4.75 ± 1.75 min with a mean dose of 0.212 mg·kg−1 of i.v. midazolam. Four hundred and sixty‐five (90.12%) patients were AS in 5.9 ± 0.7 min while 40 (7.75%) patients required additional boluses. Of these 40 patients, 24 (4.65%) required a single bolus, 12 (2.32%) required two boluses, whereas the remaining four (0.78%) required three boluses. In 11 (2.13%; P < 0.0001) patients, the scan could not be completed satisfactorily. Side effects were seen in 46 (9.11%) patients in the form of desaturation, hiccups (seven patients, 1.38%), and agitation (four patients, 0.79%). Desaturation (SpO2 90–95%) was seen in 35 (6.93%) patients, which was corrected by topical application of oxygen. None of the patients exhibited any complications such as pulmonary aspiration or need to maintain airway. The patients were kept under observation for 1 h after the procedure.Conclusion:  The level of sedation achieved in children with midazolam 0.2 mg·kg−1 is adequate for imaging with minimal side effects, no airway complications, and fast recovery. It can be recommended as the sole agent for sedation in pediatric patients for CT imaging.
Baseline differences in A1C explain apparent differences in efficacy of sitagliptin, rosiglitazone and pioglitazone
Authors: Chapell R. , Gould A. L. , Alexander C. M. 
Published: July 2009

Aim: Published studies of patients treated with rosiglitazone or pioglitazone have reported greater reductions in HbA1c (A1C) than studies of patients treated with sitagliptin. However, studies of thiazolidinediones tended to enroll patients with higher baseline A1C levels. This meta‐analysis investigates the relationship between baseline A1C and perceived efficacy of treatment.Methods: This report describes a Bayesian random effects analysis of 23 published studies. We constructed a random effects model including a factor adjusting for between‐study differences in baseline A1C levels.Results: The random effects model correctly predicts post‐treatment A1C levels from baseline A1C within a 95% confidence interval (CI) for each of the 23 studies included in the meta‐analysis. After applying the model to adjust for differences in baseline A1C, we found that the difference in efficacy between rosiglitazone and sitagliptin was not significantly different from zero (0.12; 95% CI −0.09 to 0.34). Similarly, no significant differences are observed between the effects of pioglitazone and sitagliptin (0.01; 95% CI −0.21 to 0.22) or between rosiglitazone and pioglitazone (0.11; 95% CI −0.37 to 0.146). When baseline values are omitted from the Bayesian model, the findings suggest that rosiglitazone is superior to pioglitazone or sitagliptin.Conclusions: These results illustrate the necessity for careful application of appropriate methodology when comparing results of different studies. When between‐study differences in treatment effects are adjusted for baseline differences, then the findings suggest that none of the treatments has an effect that is superior to any of the other treatments.
Effects of insulin glulisine as mono‐ or add‐on therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Kawamori R. , Iwamoto Y. , Kadowaki T. , Iwasaki M. , Kim S.‐W. , Woo J.‐T. , Baik S.‐H. , Yoon K.‐H. 
Published: July 2009

Aim: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of insulin glulisine (glulisine) with and without oral antidiabetic drugs (OAD; sulphonylurea or sulphonylurea + biguanide) relative to that of OAD alone in Japanese and Korean patients with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).Methods: In an open, randomized, parallel‐group, comparative, controlled trial, 387 patients were randomized and treated with glulisine + OAD (n = 130), glulisine monotherapy (n = 127) or OAD only (n = 130) for 16 weeks. Glulisine was self‐injected subcutaneously three times daily (0–15 minutes before meals) at a starting dose of ≥0.2 U/kg/day. Patients titrated the glulisine dose to achieve a 2‐h postprandial plasma glucose (2h‐PPG) level of 7.1–9.5 mmol/l (128–172 mg/dl) by administering at least one additional unit at each appropriate meal time if the 2h‐PPG level was > 9.5 and < 11.1 mmol/l (> 172 and < 200 mg/dl) and by administering at least two additional units if the 2h‐PPG level was ≥ 11.1 mmol/l (≥ 200 mg/dl). Therapy with OAD was continued at the stable baseline regimen. The primary efficacy endpoint was change in haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) from baseline to endpoint in the intention‐to‐treat population.Results: At baseline, therapy with OAD was a sulphonylurea only and a sulphonylurea + a biguanide in approximately 24 and 76% of patients respectively. Both glulisine groups had larger reductions in adjusted mean HbA1c than the OAD‐only group (glulisine + OAD, −2.07%; glulisine monotherapy, −1.25%; OAD only, −0.61%). Superiority of glulisine + OAD and glulisine monotherapy vs. OAD only was shown by differences in adjusted mean HbA1c change from baseline values of −1.46% (p < 0.0001) and −0.64% (p < 0.0001) respectively. Both glulisine groups had better 2h‐PPG control than the OAD‐only group. Mean daily glulisine doses increased from baseline to endpoint (glulisine + OAD, 13.3–22.5 U; glulisine monotherapy, 14.2–38.0 U). The rate of all symptomatic hypoglycaemia events per patient‐year in the entire treatment phase was 11.9 in the glulisine + OAD group, 8.8 in the glulisine monotherapy group and 1.7 in the OAD‐only group. There was only one event of severe hypoglycaemia, which occurred in the glulisine + OAD group. Efficacy and safety were similar in Japanese and Korean subpopulations.Conclusions: Both glulisine + OAD and glulisine monotherapy were well tolerated and effective for Japanese and Korean patients with T2DM mellitus inadequately controlled by OAD therapy alone.
Sensory structures involved in prey detection on the labial palp of the ant‐hunting beetle Siagona europaea Dejean 1826 (Coleoptera, Carabidae)
Authors: Giglio Anita , Ferrero Enrico Antonio , Perrotta Enrico , Talarico Federica Fabia , Zetto Brandmayr Tullia 
Published: July 2009

AbstractGiglio, A., Ferrero E.A., Perrotta, E., Talarico, F.F. and Zetto Brandmayr, T. 2010. Sensory structures involved in prey detection on the labial palp of the ant‐hunting beetle Siagona europaea Dejean 1826 (Coleoptera, Carabidae). —Acta Zoologica (Stockholm) 91: 328–334The ultrastructure and distribution of sensilla on the labial palps of a myrmecophagous carabid beetle, Siagona europaea, were investigated using scanning and transmission electron microscopy techniques. Five types of sensilla were identified: three types of sensilla basiconica on the apical sensory area and two types, one sensillum trichodeum and one coeloconicum, on the external palp surface. On morphological grounds, the s. basiconica type 1 were considered as olfactory, the type 2 as gustatory, the type 3 and the s. trichodeum as mechanoreceptive, and the s. coeloconicum as a thermo/hygroreceptor. Their function is discussed in relation to prey detection and habitat adaptations.
A novel real‐time polymerase chain reaction method for high throughput quantification of small regulatory RNAs
Authors: Yang Heping , Schmuke Jon J. , Flagg Lisa M. , Roberts James K. , Allen Ed M. , Ivashuta Sergey , Gilbertson Larry A. , Armstrong Toni A. , Christian Allen T. 
Published: July 2009

SummaryMicroRNAs (miRNAs) and small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) are important players of both transcriptional and post‐transcriptional gene silencing networks. In order to investigate the functions of these small regulatory RNAs, a system with high sensitivity and specificity is desperately needed to quantitatively detect their expression levels in cells and tissues. However, their short length of 19–24 nucleotides and strong similarity between related species render most conventional expression analysis methods ineffective. Here we describe a novel primer for small RNA‐specific reverse transcription and a new TaqMan technology‐based real‐time method for quantification of small RNAs. This method is capable of quantifying miRNA and siRNA in the femtomolar range, which is equivalent to ten copies per cell or fewer. The assay has a high dynamic range and provides linear readout of miRNA concentrations that span seven orders of magnitude and allows us to discriminate small RNAs that differ by as little as one nucleotide. Using the new method, we investigated the expression pattern of gma‐miRMON1, a novel miRNA identified from soybean leaves. The results were consistent with our results obtained from Northern blot analysis of gma‐miRMON1 and Affymetrix microarray analysis of the gma‐miRMON1 precursor, suggesting that the new method can be used in transcription profiling.
Tariff Equivalent and Forgone Trade Effects of Prohibitive Technical Barriers to Trade
Authors: Yue Chengyan , Beghin John C. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractWe derive a method to econometrically estimate the tariff equivalent and forgone trade effects of a prohibitive technical barrier to trade (TBT) based on Wales and Woodland's Kuhn–Tucker approach to corner solutions in consumer choice. The method overcomes the lack of observed data on bilateral trade flows and accounts for differentiated goods by place of origin. We apply the derived random utility model to international trade in apples to identify the tariff equivalent of prohibitive phytosanitary barriers imposed by Australia on potential imports of New Zealand apples. We estimate the forgone apple trade between the two countries, the implied trade injury imposed by Australia on New Zealand, and the welfare loss to Australia. The removal of the Australian policy would induce net welfare gains around US$50 million annually for Australia.
The Indirect Land Use Impacts of United States Biofuel Policies: The Importance of Acreage, Yield, and Bilateral Trade Responses
Authors: Keeney Roman , Hertel Thomas W. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractRecent analysis has highlighted agricultural land conversion as a significant debit in the greenhouse gas accounting of ethanol as an alternative fuel. A controversial element of this debate is the role of crop yield growth as a means of avoiding cropland conversion in the face of biofuels growth. We find that standard assumptions of yield response are unduly restrictive. Furthermore, we identify both the acreage response and bilateral trade specifications as critical considerations for predicting global land use change. Sensitivity analysis reveals that each of these contributes importantly to parametric uncertainty.
A Cautionary Note on Designing Discrete Choice Experiments: A Comment on Lusk and Norwood's “Effect of Experiment Design on Choice‐Based Conjoint Valuation Estimates”
Authors: Carson Richard T. , Louviere Jordan J. , Wasi Nada 
Published: July 2009

AbstractRecent Monte Carlo work on choosing experimental designs for discrete choice experiments seemed to greatly simplify this choice for applied researchers. It suggested that (a) commonly used designs can generate unbiased estimates for indirect utility function specifications with main effects only and main effects plus higher order terms, and (b) random designs are more efficient than main effects designs. We show that these results are very specific to the particular indirect utility specifications studied and do not generalize well. We further show that conclusions drawn concerning random designs are problematic and potentially dangerous for applied researchers.
Credit Market Imperfections and the Distribution of Policy Rents
Authors: Ciaian Pavel , Swinnen Johan F.M. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThis article shows that credit market imperfections have important implications for the distribution of policy rents. In a model with land as fixed factor and credit market imperfections, when an area payment is given, land rents go up by more than the subsidy. On aggregate farms may lose from the subsidy. The results depend on the extent to which subsidies have direct and indirect effects on the credit constraints, on whether farms rent or own land, and on farm heterogeneity.