bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pitfalls in measuring high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations in HIV‐infected patients
Authors: Aragonès G , Beltrán R , Rull A , Marsillach J , Rodríguez F , Alí SB , Fernández‐Sender L , Camps J , Joven J , Alonso‐Villaverde C 
Published: December 2009

ObjectivesHIV infection and its treatment are associated with dyslipidaemia and increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Accurate high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol values are necessary for the management of these abnormalities, but current methods have not been properly assessed in these patients. The aim of this study was to assess in HIV‐infected patients the consistency and accuracy of a synthetic polymer/detergent homogeneous assay used to measure HDL cholesterol concentrations and to evaluate the impact of storage.MethodsHDL cholesterol was measured using a synthetic polymer/detergent homogeneous method in samples from HIV‐infected patients and healthy subjects for each of the storage regimens: baseline, after 1 week at 4 °C, and after 12 months at −80 °C. The ultracentrifugation and precipitation assays were used for comparison.ResultsThree out of every 20 samples from HIV‐infected patients had discrepant HDL cholesterol values with respect to the ultracentrifugation method. Overestimation was associated with high C‐reactive protein concentrations and underestimation with plasma γ‐globulin concentrations, an effect that was amplified by any of the storage conditions tested.ConclusionsCaution is needed when using the synthetic polymer/detergent homogeneous method for direct measurement of HDL cholesterol concentrations in HIV‐infected patients. This assay is of limited use in clinical trials in which frozen samples are analysed.
Determinants of late HIV diagnosis among different transmission groups in Finland from 1985 to 2005
Authors: Kivelä PS , Krol A , Salminen MO , Ristola MA 
Published: December 2009

ObjectivesTo study determinants of late HIV diagnosis in a low‐HIV‐prevalence (<0.1%) country where HIV spread among men who have sex with men (MSM) and heterosexuals in the 1980s, and among injecting drug users (IDUs) in the late 1990s.MethodsNewly diagnosed HIV cases referred to the Helsinki University Central Hospital between 1985 and 2005 were reviewed to identify determinants of late HIV diagnosis, defined as diagnosis when the first CD4 count was <200 cells/μL, or when AIDS occurred within 3 months of HIV diagnosis. Determinants of late diagnosis were analysed using multivariate logistic regression.ResultsAmong 934 HIV cases, 211 (23%) were diagnosed late. In the first 4‐year interval of each sub‐epidemic (1985–1989 for MSM and heterosexuals, 1998–2001 for IDUs), rates of late HIV diagnosis were 13%, 18% and 6%, respectively, but increased thereafter to 29%, 27% and 37%. Late diagnosis was associated with non‐Finnish ethnicity, older age, male gender, lack of earlier HIV testing, diagnosis at health care settings and later stage of the sub‐epidemic.ConclusionsThe lower rate of late diagnosis in the first 4‐year interval of each HIV sub‐epidemic suggests that the early stages of the HIV epidemic in Finland were detected early. This factor may have contributed to the low prevalence of HIV infection in Finland. The stage and age of the epidemic should be taken into account when interpreting the data on late HIV diagnosis, especially in cross‐country comparisons.
A family with autosomal dominant leukodystrophy linked to 5q23.2–q23.3 without lamin B1 mutations
Authors: Brussino A. , Vaula G. , Cagnoli C. , Panza E. , Seri M. , Di Gregorio E. , Scappaticci S. , Camanini S. , Daniele D. , Bradac G. B. , Pinessi L. , Cavalieri S. , Grosso E. , Migone N. , Brusco A. 
Published: December 2009

Background and purpose:  Duplications of lamin B1 (LMNB1) at 5q23 are implicated in adult‐onset autosomal dominant leukodystrophy (ADLD) having been described in six families with diverse ethnic background but with a homogeneous phenotype. In a large Italian family, we recently identified a variant form of ADLD characterized clinically by absence of the autonomic dysfunction at onset described in ADLD and, on MRI, by milder cerebellar involvement with sparing of hemispheric white matter. Aim of this study was to investigate the genetic basis of this variant form of ADLD.Methods:  We carried out a genome‐wide linkage analysis using microsatellite markers, and the genes in the candidate region were screened for point mutations. LMNB1 was also screened for deletions/duplications by real‐time PCR, multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification and Southern blot.Results:  We mapped the variant ADLD locus to 5q23.2–q23.3, a genomic region containing 11 genes including LMNB1. Neither gene copy‐number defects nor point mutations in the LMNB1 gene were found. We also excluded point mutations in the coding exons of the other ten genes in the candidate region. However, expression of lamin B1 evaluated in lymphoblastoid cells was higher in patients than in healthy controls, and was similar to the lamin B1 expression levels found in a patient with LMNB1 duplication.Conclusions:  This observation suggests that a mutation in an LMNB1 regulatory sequence underlies the variant ADLD phenotype. Thus, adult forms of ADLD linked to 5q23 appear to be more heterogeneous clinically and genetically than previously thought.
Global cities in Global Commodity Chains: exploring the role of Mexico City in the geography of global economic governance
Authors: PARNREITER CHRISTOF 
Published: December 2009

AbstractIn this article I assert that global cities are critical nodes in Global Commodity Chains because it is from them that producer services are provided. I explore forward linkages of producer service firms in Mexico City, showing that there are important service flows to companies responsible for the globalization of the ‘Mexican’ economy. Based on this finding I also indicate reasons why Mexico City is ‘on the map’ of global cities and of Global Commodity Chains. I argue that both access to local knowledge and close contact to clients are key factors. A third issue dealt with is the position of Mexico City in the geography of governance of commodity chains. The analysis suggests that it is useful to break up global city functions into the management of the world economy and into its command and control, because Mexico City is certainly a place for the former, while the scope of influence exercised from the city is rather limited.
Cities, material flows and the geography of spatial interaction: urban places in the system of chains
Authors: HESSE MARKUS 
Published: December 2009

AbstractThe emerging discourses on world cities and Global Commodity Chains are valuable spatial frameworks for conceptualizing globalization and its spatial consequences. However, both discourses have one thing in common: they neglect the territorial and thus physical dimension of global flows. Hence, in this article I take the perspective of material flows to reconnect the discourses on cities and chains. I aim to clarify the role of urban places and their ability to attract, manage and redirect flows in such networks. I do so by re‐examining classical concepts of spatial interaction and reorganization in human geography, with particular reference to centrality and intermediacy. The case of seaports and port cities is further explored to demonstrate the concrete conflicts and opportunities that arise with chain developments and insertion. To determine the relative position of places with regard to global chains and flows, Sheppard's concept of ‘positionality’ is discussed.
Intra‐firm and extra‐firm linkages in the knowledge economy: the case of the emerging mega‐city region of Munich
Authors: LÜTHI STEFAN , THIERSTEIN ALAIN , GOEBEL VIKTOR 
Published: December 2009

AbstractWith the aim of identifying emerging patterns of spatial development and the driving forces behind the associated process, in this article we draw together two threads of interlinked phenomena. First, we look at how multi‐location firms from the knowledge economy develop their intra‐firm networks internationally. Second, we establish the partners with which these firms have working relationships along individual chains of value, and in which these extra‐firm linkages are located. We start from a conceptual background that combines the location behaviour of firms with a value chain approach. We analyse the two main pillars of the knowledge economy – advanced producer services (APS) and high‐tech firms. A case study carried out in the greater Munich area provides the empirical basis and draws on quantitative and qualitative research methods. The results provide evidence that the greater Munich area can be regarded simultaneously as a hierarchically organized polycentric mega‐city region and high‐grade localized system of value chains.
Regulation of stargazin synaptic trafficking by C‐terminal PDZ ligand phosphorylation in bidirectional synaptic plasticity
Authors: Stein Emma L. A. , Chetkovich Dane M. 
Published: December 2009

J. Neurochem. (2010) 10.1111/j.1471‐4159.2009.06529.xAbstractStargazin is a transmembrane α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor regulatory protein that controls the surface and synaptic expression of AMPA‐type glutamate receptors (AMPARs). Synaptic anchoring of AMPARs is influenced by the interaction between stargazin’s C‐terminal post‐synaptic density‐95 (PSD‐95)/discs large/zona occludens‐1 (PDZ) ligand and the synaptic scaffolding protein PSD‐95. Phosphorylation of the stargazin PDZ ligand by protein kinase A (PKA) disrupts stargazin’s interaction with PSD‐95, but whether this phosphorylation plays a role in activity‐dependent regulation of stargazin/AMPAR synaptic trafficking is unknown. Here, we show that stargazin is phosphorylated within the PDZ ligand at threonine residue 321 (T321) by mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs) as well as PKA. By expressing constructs that selectively block T321 phosphorylation by either PKA or MAPKs, we show that stargazin T321 phosphorylation is required for activity‐dependent changes in stargazin synaptic clustering in dissociated rat hippocampal neuron cultures. Specifically, we find that mutations that block stargazin T321 phosphorylation by PKA prevent activity‐dependent increases in stargazin synaptic clustering, whereas a point mutant that blocks MAPK phosphorylation of T321 prevents activity‐dependent decreases in stargazin synaptic clustering. Taken together, our studies implicate phosphorylation of stargazin T321 by PKA and MAPKs in bidirectional control of stargazin/AMPAR synaptic clustering during synaptic plasticity.
‘Multiple action fixed combination. Present or future?’
Authors: García‐Donaire José Antonio , Ruilope Luis Miguel 
Published: December 2009

AbstractCardiovascular disease (CVD) is the most common cause of death in Western countries and will continue to be so in upcoming years. A close correlation has been demonstrated among CVD, stroke, ischemic heart disease, renal failure and a number of modifiable risk factors. As cardiovascular (CV) risk factors commonly co‐exist, high‐risk patients with hypertension, obesity and diabetes may well benefit from a multiple action combination of CV agents with synergistic efficacy. Control of blood pressure (BP) and the other CV risk factors is still far from the optimal rates and achievement of internationally accepted goals must be imperative. The benefits of achieving these goals, including significant reductions in CV morbidity and mortality, are well documented. Thus, a rigorous effort to improve BP goal attainment is required. Most of the patients will need two or more antihypertensives to achieve BP goal. Administering of two drugs in a single‐dose formulation substantially improves patient compliance compared with separate agent administration. Fixed‐dose combination therapy can offer potential advantages over individual agents, including increased efficacy, reduced incidence of adverse effects, lower healthcare costs and improved patient compliance through the use of a single medication administered once daily. Currently available fixed‐dose agents include several combinations with complementary pharmacodynamic activity. Last, the polypill includes several CV acting agents that affects various CV risk factors and offers encouraging results, although more data are needed to strengthen the polypill concept, its efficacy and safety.
Multiparametric sensitivity analysis of the additive model in data envelopment analysis
Authors: Singh Sanjeet 
Published: December 2009

AbstractIn this paper, we study multiparametric sensitivity analysis of the additive model in data envelopment analysis using the concept of maximum volume in the tolerance region. We construct critical regions for simultaneous and independent perturbations in all inputs/outputs of an efficient decision making unit. Necessary and sufficient conditions are derived to classify the perturbation parameters as “focal” and “nonfocal.” Nonfocal parameters can have unlimited variations because of their low sensitivity in practice and these parameters can be deleted from the final analysis. For focal parameters a maximum volume region is characterized. Theoretical results are illustrated with the help of a numerical example.
Farming system performance and water use efficiency in the Tunisian semi‐arid region: data envelopment analysis approach
Authors: Chemak Fraj , Boussemart Jean‐Philippe , Jacquet Florence 
Published: December 2009

AbstractUnderstanding farming strategies and identifying the parameters controlling production technologies are the fundamental elements required to modify the consumption of the irrigated sector without compromising production objectives. In this regard, the objective of this investigation is to analyse the performance of irrigated farms in the region of Sidi Bouzid, Tunisia. Firstly, farm surveys were carried out in both public and private irrigated areas. Secondly, an analysis of the production system within these farms showed an appropriate technology process. Moreover, the application of the data envelopment analysis approach allowed the measurement of technical and allocative efficiency. The comparison between both production systems, based on public and private resources, revealed that more important resources were wasted under the private than under the public water management system. Thus, the surface wells creation strategy, as a second resource for irrigation, was found to be against the sustainable use of an already overexploited groundwater. However, such strategy is justified when analysing allocative efficiency scores. Indeed, the profitability of the activity, based on the use of wells for irrigation, appears to be much higher than the one based on public resources.
Adaptive beam search lookahead algorithms for the circular packing problem
Authors: Akeb Hakim , Hifi Mhand , M'Hallah Rym 
Published: December 2009

AbstractThis paper addresses the circular packing problem (CPP), which consists in packing n circles Ci, each of known radius ri, i∈N={1, …, n}, into the smallest containing circle C. The objective is to determine the radius r of C as well as the coordinates (xi, yi) of the center of Ci, i∈N. CPP is solved using two adaptive algorithms that adopt a binary search to determine r, and a beam search to check the feasibility of packing n circles into C when the radius is fixed at r. A node of level ℓ, ℓ=1, …, n, of the beam search tree corresponds to a partial packing of ℓ circles of N into C. The potential of each node of the tree is assessed using a lookahead strategy that, starting with the partial packing of the current node, assigns each unpacked circle to its maximum hole degree position. The beam search stops either when the lookahead strategy identifies a feasible packing or when it has fathomed all nodes. The computational tests on a set of benchmark instances show the effectiveness of the proposed adaptive algorithms.
Much ado about money and how to spend it! Analysing 40 years of annulment cases against the European Union Commission
Authors: BAUER MICHAEL W. , HARTLAPP MIRIAM 
Published: December 2009

AbstractThis article analyses four decades of annulment cases against the European Commission brought before the European Court of Justice by dissatisfied Member States. Annulment cases are interpreted as incidents of a struggle between Member State governments and the Commission about policy decisions. Studying annulment cases for the first time in comparative perspective, three important patterns of variation are identified: with respect to the evolution of annulment cases over time, as regards the Member States as plaintiffs and in view of policy fields. Subsequently the data are interpreted on the basis of structure, agency and policy field specific explanatory mechanisms. Leaving the aggregate level, the two policy areas that account for more than 80 per cent of annulments are analysed: EU agriculture and competition policy. In the vast majority of cases, the dominant rationale behind annulments is not national objections to the supranational exercise of delegated powers per se or in specific policies (as most structural theories would expect) but to the way the Commission uses these competences to restrict how national governments may allocate European or national funding.
Acute Myocardial Infarction and Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Outcomes in Specialty and General Hospitals: Analysis of State Inpatient Data
Authors: Cram Peter , Bayman Levent , Popescu Joanna , Vaughan‐Sarrazin Mary S. 
Published: December 2009

Objective. Compare characteristics and outcomes of patients hospitalized in specialty cardiac and general hospitals for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).Data. 2000–2005 all‐payor administrative data from Arizona, California, Texas, and Wisconsin.Study Design. We identified patients admitted to specialty and competing general hospitals with AMI or CABG and compared patient demographics, comorbidity, and risk‐standardized mortality in specialty and general hospitals.Principal Findings. Specialty hospitals admitted a lower proportion of women and blacks and treated patients with less comorbid illness than general hospitals. Unadjusted in‐hospital AMI mortality for Medicare enrollees in specialty and general hospitals was 6.1 and 10.1 percent (p<.0001) and for non‐Medicare enrollees was 2.8 and 4.0 percent (p<.04). Unadjusted in‐hospital CABG mortality for Medicare enrollees in specialty and general hospitals was 3.2 and 4.7 percent (p<.01) and for non‐Medicare enrollees was 1.1 and 1.8 percent (p=.02). After adjusting for patient characteristics and hospital volume, risk‐standardized in‐hospital mortality for all AMI patients was 2.7 percent for specialty hospitals and 4.1 percent for general hospitals (p<.001) and for CABG was 1.5 percent for specialty hospitals and 2.0 percent for general hospitals (p=.07).Conclusions. In‐hospital mortality in specialty hospitals was lower than in general hospitals for AMI but similar for CABG. Our results suggest that specialty hospitals may offer significantly better outcomes for AMI but not CABG.
Alagebrium attenuates acute methylglyoxal‐induced glucose intolerance in Sprague‐Dawley rats
Authors: Dhar Arti , Desai Kaushik M , Wu Lingyun 
Published: December 2009

Background and purpose:  Alagebrium is a breaker of cross‐links in advanced glycation endproducts. However, the acute effects of alagebrium on methylglyoxal (MG), a major precursor of advanced glycation endproducts have not been reported. MG is a highly reactive endogenous metabolite, and its levels are elevated in diabetic patients. We investigated whether alagebrium attenuated the acute effects of exogenous MG on plasma MG levels, glucose tolerance and distribution of administered MG in different organs in Sprague‐Dawley rats.Experimental approach:  We measured MG levels (by HPLC), glucose tolerance, adipose tissue glucose uptake, GLUT4, insulin receptor and insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS‐1) protein expression, and phosporylated IRS‐1 in rats treated with MG at doses of either 17.25 mg·kg−1 i.p. (MG‐17 i.p.) or 50 mg·kg−1 i.v. (MG‐50 i.v.) with or without alagebrium, 100 mg·kg−1 i.p.Key results:  Alagebrium attenuated the increased MG levels in the plasma, aorta, heart, kidney, liver, lung and urine after MG administration. In MG‐treated rats, glucose tolerance was impaired, plasma insulin levels were higher and insulin‐stimulated glucose uptake by adipose tissue was reduced, relative to the corresponding control groups. In rats treated with MG‐50 i.v., GLUT4 protein expression and IRS‐1 tyrosine phosphorylation were decreased. Alagebrium pretreatment attenuated these effects of MG. In an in vitro assay, alagebrium reduced the amount of detectable MG.Conclusions and implications:  Alagebrium acutely attenuated MG‐induced glucose intolerance, suggesting a possible preventive role for alagebrium against the harmful effects of MG.
Evidence that the plant cannabinoid cannabigerol is a highly potent α2‐adrenoceptor agonist and moderately potent 5HT1Areceptor antagonist
Authors: Cascio MG , Gauson LA , Stevenson LA , Ross RA , Pertwee RG 
Published: December 2009

Background and purpose: Cannabis is the source of at least seventy phytocannabinoids. The pharmacology of most of these has been little investigated, three notable exceptions being Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabidiol and Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabivarin. This investigation addressed the question of whether the little‐studied phytocannabinoid, cannabigerol, can activate or block any G protein‐coupled receptor.Experimental approach: The [35S]GTPγS binding assay, performed with mouse brain membranes, was used to test the ability of cannabigerol to produce G protein‐coupled receptor activation or blockade. Its ability to displace [3H]CP55940 from mouse CB1and human CB2cannabinoid receptors and to inhibit electrically evoked contractions of the mouse isolated vas deferens was also investigated.Key results: In the brain membrane experiments, cannabigerol behaved as a potent α2‐adrenoceptor agonist (EC50= 0.2 nM) and antagonized the 5‐HT1Areceptor agonist,R‐(+)‐8‐hydroxy‐2‐(di‐n‐propylamino)tetralin (apparentKB= 51.9 nM). At 10 µM, it also behaved as a CB1receptor competitive antagonist. Additionally, cannabigerol inhibited evoked contractions of the vas deferens in a manner that appeared to be α2‐adrenoceptor‐mediated (EC50= 72.8 nM) and displayed significant affinity for mouse CB1and human CB2receptors.Conclusions and implications: This investigation has provided the first evidence that cannabigerol can activate α2‐adrenoceptors, bind to cannabinoid CB1and CB2receptors and block CB1and 5‐HT1Areceptors. It will now be important to investigate why cannabigerol produced signs of agonism more potently in the [35S]GTPγS binding assay than in the vas deferens and also whether it can inhibit noradrenaline uptake in this isolated tissue and in the brain.