bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pharmacologic Treatments for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Mixed‐Treatment Comparison Meta‐analysis
Authors: Baker William L. , Baker Erica L. , Coleman Craig I. 
Published: July 2009

Study Objective. To assess the comparative efficacy of pharmacologic agents for the maintenance treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Design. Traditional and mixed‐treatment comparison (MTC) meta‐analyses of randomized controlled trials.Patients. A total of 31,020 patients with COPD from 43 trials.Measurements and Main Results. A systematic literature search of various databases (through October 2007) was performed to identify randomized controlled trials of long‐acting β2‐agonists, tiotropium, inhaled corticosteroids, and/or combination therapy with an inhaled corticosteroid and a long‐acting β2‐agonist in patients with COPD. Forty‐three trials were included. Both meta‐analyses were used to evaluate the occurrence of one or more episodes of COPD exacerbation, overall mortality, and patient withdrawal rates. With MTC analysis, long‐acting β2‐agonists, tiotropium, inhaled corticosteroids, and combination inhaled corticosteroid‐long‐acting β2‐agonist therapy each decreased the odds of having an exacerbation by 16%, 31%, 15%, and 24%, respectively, compared with placebo. Moreover, tiotropium use reduced the odds of having at least one exacerbation by 18% compared with long‐acting β2‐agonists and by 19% compared with inhaled corticosteroids alone. Each of the four drug classes was associated with significant odds reductions in patient withdrawals (26–41%) compared with placebo, and both tiotropium and combination therapy significantly decreased the odds of patient withdrawals compared with long‐acting β2‐agonists or inhaled corticosteroids alone. Only combination therapy was associated with a mortality benefit, showing a 29% reduction compared with placebo and a 25% reduction compared with long‐acting β2‐agonists alone. Compared with combination therapy, tiotropium use reduced exacerbations by 9% and increased mortality by only 4%. These findings did not demonstrate significant changes in the sensitivity or subgroup analyses, which were performed to evaluate the effect of heterogeneity among the included studies.Conclusions. Combination inhaled corticosteroid‐long‐acting β2‐agonist therapy was associated with the greatest positive effect on outcomes in patients with COPD. Of the bronchodilator monotherapies, tiotropium was associated with lower odds of having a COPD exacerbation or withdrawal from a study compared with long‐acting β2‐agonists.Conclusion: Our MTC meta‐analysis provides a useful and comprehensive evaluation of the beneficial effects of various therapeutic drug classes on outcomes in patients with COPD. Combination inhaled corticosteroid‐long‐acting β2‐agonist therapy had the greatest positive effect on outcomes. Of the bronchodilator monotherapies, tiotropium was associated with lower odds of having an exacerbation or withdrawing from a study compared with long‐acting β2‐agonists.
Factors Associated with Recurrent Coronary Events Among Patients with Cardiovascular Disease
Authors:   Clinical Pharmacy Cardiac Risk Service Study Group, McConnell Karen J. , Olson Kari L. , Delate Thomas , Merenich John A. 
Published: July 2009

Study Objective. To determine which factors are associated with recurrent coronary events.Design. Matched, case‐control study.Data Source. Electronic databases of a health maintenance organization.Patients. Of a cohort of adults (mean age 62 yrs, 68% male) who had an incident coronary event, defined as acute myocardial infarction or percutaneous coronary intervention, between January 1, 1999, and June 30, 2004, who survived and who were enrolled in a cardiac risk reduction service within 90 days after the incident event, 259 cases (patients who had a recurrent event between 90 days after the incident event and December 31, 2005) were matched with 688 controls (patients who did not have a recurrent event within this time frame).Measurements and Main Results. Multivariate conditional logistic regression was used to identify predictors of a recurrent coronary event. Although classic cardiac risk factors and drug therapies were similar for both groups at the time of the incident event, the mean low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) level, non‐high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (non‐HDL) level, and LDL:HDL ratio were higher and HDL levels were lower in the case patients compared with control patients (p<0.001) at the time of the case patients' recurrent events. More case patients received a statin but at a lower dose, defined as less than 40 mg of simvastatin equivalent (cases 45% vs controls 31%, p<0.001). Factors associated with a recurrent event included higher chronic disease score (odds ratio [OR] 1.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.0–1.2), higher LDL:HDL ratio (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.5‐3.3), and statin dose less than 40‐mg simvastatin equivalent (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.8‐4.9).Conclusion. These results support use of a statin at moderate‐to‐high doses as the basis of therapy for secondary coronary event prevention. The LDL:HDL ratio may help determine the degree of LDL lowering beyond traditional treatment goals.
(Em)Powering the Constitution: Constitutionalism in a New Key
Authors: Kuo Ming-Sung 
Published: July 2009

Abstract
The idea of limited government is the key to constitutionalism in the traditional understanding of the relationship between the constitution and political power. In contrast to the traditionalist view that the constitution is aimed to constrain political power, this essay aims to explore a new understanding of constitutionalism. By way of analyzing the multiple functions of the constitution and taking up the concept of “total constitution" associated with the growing horizontal effect of constitutional rights, this essay argues that the relationship between the constitution and political power needs to be recast on complementary rather than opposing terms. The aspiration to “total constitution" in the sense of a fulfilled constitutionalism is substantiated by the omnipotent constitutional state. Taking account of constitutional omnipotence, political power is instrumental rather than antagonistic to the normative implementation of constitutionalism. Recasting the constitution as an expression of political power is the key to a new understanding of constitutionalism.
New Market Policy Effects on Used Markets: Theory and Evidence
Authors: Smith Loren K. 
Published: July 2009

Abstract
Because of linkages between markets for new and used durable goods, economic policies that target new durable good markets, such as tax incentives or antitrust legislation, are likely to affect used goods markets as well. I use a simple theoretical model to illustrate how an exogenous shock to prices of new durable goods affects prices and trade frequencies of corresponding used goods. The model predicts that if prices of new durable goods increase, then prices of used goods will also increase. In addition, if the distribution of consumer preferences for quality are relatively concentrated among those with a high preference for quality, then trade in used good markets will slow. The predictions of the model are supported by an empirical analysis of the market for new and used wide-body commercial aircraft following a major change in effective aircraft prices caused by the Tax Reform Act of 1986. The Act effectively increased prices of new aircraft by an average of $6.5 million. At the same time, used aircraft prices increased by an average of $2.9 million to $7.7 million and used aircraft sales fell between 23 to 36 percent. These results suggest that policies that affect new durable good markets can have significant effects on used markets as well.
Non-oscillatory criteria for a class of second order non-linear forced neutral-delay differential equations
Authors: Rath R. , Misra N. , Mishra P. 
Published: July 2009

Abstract
In this paper, sufficient conditions are obtained, so that the second order neutral delay differential equation $$
(r(t)(y(t) - p(t)y(t - \tau ))')' + q(t)G(y(h(t)) = f(t)
$$ has a positive and bounded solution, where q, h, f ∈ C ([0, ∞), ℝ) such that q(t) ≥ 0, but ≢ 0, h(t) ≤ t, h(t) → ∞ as t → ∞, r ∈ C
(1) ([0, ∞), (0, ∞)), p ∈ C
(2) [0, ∞), ℝ), G ∈ C(ℝ, ℝ) and τ ∈ ℝ+. In our work r(t) ≡ 1 is admissible and neither we assume G is non-decreasing, xG(x) > 0 for x ≠ 0, nor we take G is Lipschitzian. Hence the results of this paper improve many recent results.
Fixed point of contractive mappings in generalized metric spaces
Authors: Das Pratulananda , Dey Lakshmi 
Published: July 2009

Abstract
We prove a fixed point theorem for contractive mappings of Boyd and Wong type in generalized metric spaces, a concept recently introduced in [BRANCIARI, A.: A fixed point theorem of Banach-Caccioppoli type on a class of generalized metric spaces, Publ. Math. Debrecen 57 (2000), 31–37].
On the Liénard system with two isoclines
Authors: Hayashi Makoto 
Published: July 2009

Abstract
In this paper, the non-existence of limit cycles of a Liénard system ẋ = y−F(x), ẏ = −g(x) is discussed. By using the transformation y = z+ϕ(x) to the system, the new system has two special isoclines. We call the curves Vertical isocline or Horizontal isocline, respectively. It shall be shown that the existence of these isoclines play an important role in the non-existence of limit cycles of the system. The results are applied to many examples, and the known results are improved in certain cases.
Glass Transition Temperature and Microhardness of Compatible and Incompatible Elastomer/Plastomer Blends
Authors: Mina MF , Michler GH , Balta Calleja FJ 
Published: July 2009

Glass transition temperature (Tg) of core-shell particles-toughened poly(methyl- methacrylate) (CSPTPMMA) and natural rubber-toughened PMMA (NRTPMMA), which are basically the PMMA/elastomer blends with different concentrations of elastomer heterogeneously distributed in the samples, was investigated by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and microindentation technique (MT). Microhardness (H) of the samples was measured using MT. Core-shell particles (CSP) with a rubbery shell and natural rubber (NR) were used as reinforcing materials for the production of compatible and incompatible blends, respectively. Results reveal a good correlation of the glass transition temperature (Tg) obtained from DSC and DMA, and that deduced from MT. The H-value of each sample is compared with its Tg-value. Increase of Tg with the increase of H, which is a general behavior of polymers, is not maintained in the both blends investigated. Contrary to expectation, H is shown to decrease with increasing glass transition temperature in case of CSP-toughened compatible blends while it decreases with the decrease of Tg-value only in case of NR-modified incompatible blends for lower NR concentration (<1 wt%) and does not depend on Tg for rubber content higher than 1 wt%. Keywords: Glass transition temperature, microhardness, rubber-toughened poly(methyl -methacrylate), core-shell particle, differential scanning calorimetry DOI: 10.3329/jbas.v33i1.2946 Journal of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences, Vol. 33, No. 1, 15-24, 2009
Construction of Laser Raman System Using Diode Laser and Its Performance
Authors: Abedin Kazi M , Habib M Ahasan , Wahadoszamen M , Talukder Aminul I , Haider AFM Yusuf 
Published: July 2009

We constructed a laser Raman system using a commercially available infrared diode laser. The diode laser is used without any temperature controller in a stabilized power supply. Good quality Raman spectra of sufficient wavelength resolution were obtained for a variety of chemicals and products, including solid samples. Raman spectra of several edible oils and ghee were also obtained and these were found to be largely free of fluorescence. Finally, Raman spectra of an artificial sweetener and a pharmaceutical product were obtained, showing the feasibility and reliability of the present Raman system in real-life situation. DOI: 10.3329/jbas.v33i1.2950 Journal of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences, Vol. 33, No. 1, 55-62, 2009
Investigation of Sources of Particulate Matter from the Tajgaon Industrial Area, Dhaka
Authors: Begum Bilkis A , Tazmin A , Rabbani KA , Biswas Swapan K , Nasiruddin M 
Published: July 2009

Air particulate matter (PM) level and its constituents (black carbon, organic carbon and selected trace metals) were investigated from samples of a field campaign from Tajgaon Industrial area in Dhaka City. The sampling was done from November 2006 to April 2007 using MiniVol Portable AirMetrics samplers. The samples were collected in two fractions of 0-2.5 µm and 0-10 µm sizes using two samplers simultaneously. It has found that both PM10 and PM2.5 values were higher than the 24-h average Bangladesh national ambient air quality standard. From statistical analysis of the PM composition data coupled with reconstructed mass (RCM) technique, five major local sources could be identified those contributing to PM mass. Although PM samples were collected from an industrial area, vehicular emissions constituted the major source of air pollution and possibly some regional emission sources are also responsible for high PM2.5 and BC concentrations in Dhaka, especially during wintertime. It is also observed that PM2.5, PM10 and BC concentration levels at a receptor site largely depend on the meteorological conditions including rainfall, wind speed and wind direction. Key words: PM10, PM2.5, MiniVol sampler DOI: 10.3329/jbas.v33i1.2952 Journal of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences, Vol. 33, No. 1, 71-85, 2009
Hearing Aid Outcomes: Effects of Gender and Experience on Patients' Use and Satisfaction
Authors: Williams Victoria A. , Johnson Carole E. , Danhauer Jeffrey L. 
Published: July 2009

Purpose: To use the International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA) with patients having advanced hearing aid technology to assess their satisfaction and benefit focusing on gender and experience effects, compare to norms, and use the IOI-HA and a practice-specific
questionnaire to monitor the quality of the services provided by a dispensing practice. Research Design: A study of 160 potential participants who had worn their newly purchased multichannel digital hearing aids having directional microphones for at least three months, completed a trial
period, and should have had time to acclimatize to them. English-speaking, private or insurance paying, competent, adult patients from a private practice were mailed a 12-item practice-specific questionnaire and the seven-item IOI-HA. Results: Of the160 questionnaires mailed, 73 were
returned for a 46% return rate. Of those, 64 were useable. Participants included male (34) and female (30), new (30) and previous (34) hearing aid users, who self-selected their participation by returning the questionnaires. The practice-specific questionnaire assessed patients' demographics
and the quality of services received. The IOI-HA was analyzed according to an overall score and on two different factor scores. A power analysis revealed that 19 respondents per group were needed for the IOI-HA results to have a statistical power of .80 and probability of a Type II error of
.20 for detecting a significant difference at the p < 0.05 level. Similar to earlier studies, no significant differences were observed either for any of the main effects or interactions for gender or user experience for the two IOI-HA factors and overall scores. A significant, but weak,
positive correlation (r = .34; df = 63; p < .05) was observed between patients' overall satisfaction as indicated from the IOI-HA and the practice-specific quality assurance satisfaction question. T-tests on IOI-HA items 4 (satisfaction) and 7 (quality of life) revealed
that the present participants' responses were significantly higher than for those in the normative study. Conclusions: Gender and hearing aid experience did not influence these patients' responses on the IOI-HA, and all respondents were satisfied with their hearing aids and the practice
that dispensed them. No major differences were found between these patients' IOI-HA results and normative data suggesting that both sets of respondents were satisfied with their hearing aids. However, limited statistical comparisons for the satisfaction and quality of life items revealed significant
differences in favor of these participants' scores over those in the normative study. This suggested that the advanced hearing aid technology used here had a positive effect on patients' ratings and that the IOI-HA norms should be updated periodically to reflect changes in technology.
SCID Dogs: Similar Transplant Potential but Distinct Intra-Uterine Growth Defects and Premature Replicative Senescence Compared with SCID Mice
Authors: Meek Katheryn , Jutkowitz Ari , Allen Lisa , Glover Jillian , Convery Erin , Massa Alisha , Mullaney Tom , Stanley Bryden , Rosenstein Diana , Bailey Susan M. , Johnson Cheri , Georges George 
Published: July 2009

Abstract
We have previously described DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PKcs) mutations in horses and dogs that result in deficits in V(D)J recombination, DNA repair, and SCID. In this paper, we document substantial developmental growth defects in DNA-PKcs-deficient dogs that are not apparent in SCID mice. Fibroblast cell strains derived from either fetal or adult SCID dogs proliferate poorly in culture and undergo premature replicative senescence, somewhat reminiscent of cells derived from Ku-deficient mice. A limited number of animals have been immune reconstituted (by bone marrow transplantation) so that they can be maintained in a normal environment for long periods. Several of these animals have developed conditions associated with premature ageing at 2–3 years of age, roughly 20% of their expected lifespan. These conditions include intestinal malabsorption and primary neural cell neoplasia. These results suggest that DNA-PKcs deficiency is not tolerated equally in all species, perhaps providing insight into why DNA-PKcs deficiency has not been observed in humans. Finally, this study demonstrates the feasibility of maintaining SCID dogs for extended periods of time and documents their utility for bone marrow transplantation studies and as hosts for the propagation of xenografts. In sum, SCID dogs may present researchers with new possibilities for the development of animal models of human disease.
Activation of FcγRI on Monocytes Triggers Differentiation into Immature Dendritic Cells That Induce Autoreactive T Cell Responses
Authors: Tanaka Motoyuki , Krutzik Stephan R. , Sieling Peter A. , Lee Delphine J. , Rea Thomas H. , Modlin Robert L. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe formation of immune complexes results in activation of the innate immune system and subsequent induction of host inflammatory responses. In particular, the binding of IgG immune complexes to FcγR on monocytes triggers potent inflammatory responses leading to tissue injury in disease. We investigated whether activation of monocytes via FcγR induced cell differentiation, imparting specific inflammatory functions of the innate immune response. Human IgG alone induced monocytes to differentiate into cells with an immature dendritic cell (iDC) phenotype, including up-regulation of CD1b, CD80, CD86, and CD206. Differentiation into CD1b+ iDC was dependent on activation via CD64 (FcγRI) and induction of GM-CSF. The human IgG-differentiated iDC were phenotypically different from GM-CSF-derived iDC at the same level of CD1b expression, with higher cell surface CD86, but lower MHC class II, CD32, CD206, and CD14. Finally, in comparison to GM-CSF-derived iDC, IgG-differentiated iDC were more efficient in activating T cells in both autologous and allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reactions but less efficient at presenting microbial Ag to T cells. Therefore, activation of FcγRI on monocytes triggers differentiation into specialized iDC with the capacity to expand autoreactive T cells that may contribute to the pathogenesis of immune complex-mediated tissue injury.
NKp44 Receptor Mediates Interaction of the Envelope Glycoproteins from the West Nile and Dengue Viruses with NK Cells
Authors: Hershkovitz Oren , Rosental Benyamin , Rosenberg Lior Ann , Navarro-Sanchez Martha Erika , Jivov Sergey , Zilka Alon , Gershoni-Yahalom Orly , Brient-Litzler Elodie , Bedouelle Hugues , Ho Joanna W. , Campbell Kerry S. , Rager-Zisman Bracha , Despres Philippe , Porgador Angel 
Published: July 2009

Abstract
Dengue virus (DV) and West Nile virus (WNV) have become a global concern due to their widespread distribution and their ability to cause a variety of human diseases. Antiviral immune defenses involve NK cells. In the present study, we investigated the interaction between NK cells and these two flaviviruses. We show that the NK-activating receptor NKp44 is involved in virally mediated NK activation through direct interaction with the flavivirus envelope protein. Recombinant NKp44 directly binds to purified DV and WNV envelope proteins and specifically to domain III of WNV envelope protein; it also binds to WNV virus-like particles. These WNV-virus-like particles and WNV-domain III of WNV envelope protein directly bind NK cells expressing high levels of NKp44. Functionally, interaction of NK cells with infective and inactivated WNV results in NKp44-mediated NK degranulation. Finally, WNV infection of cells results in increased binding of rNKp44 that is specifically inhibited by anti-WNV serum. WNV-infected target cells induce IFN-γ secretion and augmented lysis by NKp44-expressing primary NK cells that are blocked by anti-NKp44 Abs. Our findings show that triggering of NK cells by flavivirus is mediated by interaction of NKp44 with the flavivirus envelope protein.
Cutting Edge: IL-7 Regulates the Peripheral Pool of Adult RORγ+ Lymphoid Tissue Inducer Cells
Authors: Schmutz Sandrine , Bosco Nabil , Chappaz Stephane , Boyman Onur , Acha-Orbea Hans , Ceredig Rhodri , Rolink Antonius G. , Finke Daniela 
Published: July 2009

Abstract
During fetal life, CD4+CD3− lymphoid tissue inducer (LTi) cells are required for lymph node and Peyer’s patch development in mice. In adult animals, CD4+CD3− cells are found in low numbers in lymphoid organs. Whether adult CD4+CD3− cells are LTi cells and are generated and maintained through cytokine signals has not been directly addressed. In this study we show that adult CD4+CD3− cells adoptively transferred into neonatal CXCR5−/− mice induced the formation of intestinal lymphoid tissues, demonstrating for the first time their bona fide LTi function. Increasing IL-7 availability in wild-type mice either by IL-7 transgene expression or treatment with IL-7/anti-IL-7 complexes increased adult LTi cell numbers through de novo generation from bone marrow cells and increased the survival and proliferation of LTi cells. Our observations demonstrate that adult CD4+lineage− cells are LTi cells and that the availability of IL-7 determines the size of the adult LTi cell pool.