bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficacy and tolerability of vildagliptin as add‐on therapy to metformin in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Pan C. , Xing X. , Han P. , Zheng S. , Ma J. , Liu J. , Lv X. , Lu J. , Bader G. ,   on behalf of all investigators
Published: February 2012

Aim: To investigate the efficacy and tolerability of vildagliptin as add‐on therapy to metformin in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) inadequately controlled with metformin.Methods: This was a 24‐week, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study. Patients with T2DM (N = 438) with haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) of 7.0–10.0% and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) <15 mmol/l (<270 mg/dl) were randomized (1 : 1 : 1) to vildagliptin 50 mg bid, vildagliptin 50 mg qd or placebo in addition to metformin.Results: The treatment groups were well balanced at baseline [mean HbA1c, 8.0%, FPG, 8.8 mmol/l (158 mg/dl); body mass index, 25.5 kg/m2]. The adjusted mean change (AMΔ) in HbA1c at endpoint was −1.05 ± 0.08%, −0.92 ± 0.08% and −0.54 ± 0.08% in patients receiving vildagliptin 50 mg bid, 50 mg qd and placebo, respectively. The between‐treatment difference (vildagliptin 50 mg bid–placebo) was −0.51 ± 0.11%, p < 0.001. A greater proportion of vildagliptin‐treated patients met at least one responder criterion (82.1 and 70.7%) compared to placebo‐treated patients (60.4%). The AMΔ at endpoint for FPG with vildagliptin 50 mg bid, −0.95 mmol/l (−17.1 mg/dl); 50 mg qd, −0.84 mmol/l (−15.1 mg/dl) was significantly different compared with the placebo −0.26 mmol/l (−4.68 mg/dl) (p ≤ 0.001). Adverse events (AEs) were reported as 34.2, 36.5 and 37.5% for patients receiving vildagliptin 50 mg bid, 50 mg qd or placebo, respectively. Two patients in the vildagliptin 50 mg qd and one in the placebo group reported serious AEs, which were not considered to be related to the study drug; one incidence of hypoglycaemic event was reported in the vildagliptin 50 mg bid group.Conclusion: Vildagliptin as add‐on therapy to metformin improved glycaemic control and was well tolerated in Chinese patients who were inadequately controlled by metformin only.
A 970 Hounsfield units (HU) threshold of kidney stone density on non‐contrast computed tomography (NCCT) improves patients' selection for extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL): evidence from a prospective study
Authors: Ouzaid Idir , Al‐qahtani Said , Dominique Sébastien , Hupertan Vincent , Fernandez Pédro , Hermieu Jean‐François , Delmas Vincent , Ravery Vincent 
Published: February 2012

Study Type – Therapy (prospective cohort)Level of Evidence 2bWhat's known on the subject? and What does the study add?Stone density on non‐contrast computed tomography (NCCT) is reported to be a prognosis factor for extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL). In this prospective study, we determined that a 970 HU threshold of stone density is a very specific and sensitive threshold beyond which the likelihood to be rendered stone free is poor. Thus, NCCT evaluation of stone density before ESWL may useful to identify which patients should be offered alternative treatment to optimise their outcome.OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the usefulness of measuring urinary calculi attenuation values by non‐contrast computed tomography (NCCT) for predicting the outcome of treatment by extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL).
PATIENTS AND METHODS
We prospectively evaluated 50 patients with urinary calculi of 5–22 mm undergoing ESWL.
All patients had NCCT at 120 kV and 100 mA on a spiral CT scanner. Patient age, sex, body mass index, stone laterality, stone size, stone attenuation values (Hounsfield units [HU]), stone location, and presence of JJ stent were studied as potential predictors.
The outcome was evaluated 4 weeks after the ESWL session by NCCT.
ESWL success was defined as patients being stone‐free (SF) or with remaining stone fragments of <4 mm, which were considered as clinically insignificant residual fragments (CIRF).
RESULTS
Our survey concluded that 26 patients (52%) were SF, 12 (24%) had CIRF and 12 (24%) had residual fragment on NCCT after a one ESWL treatment.
Stones of patients who became SF or had CIRF had a lower density compared with stones in patients with residual fragments [mean (sd) 715 (260) vs 1196 (171) HU, P < 0.001].
The Youden Index showed that a stone density of 970 HU represented the most sensitive (100%) and specific (81%) point on the receiver‐operating characteristic curve.
The stone‐free rate for stones of <970 HU was 96% vs 38% for stones of ≥970 HU (P < 0.001). A linear relationship between the calculus density and the success rate of ESWL was identified.
CONCLUSION
The use of NCCT to determine the attenuation values of urinary calculi before ESWL helps to predict treatment outcome, and, consequently, could be helpful in planning alternative treatment for patients with a likelihood of a poor outcome from ESWL.
Inhibition of stretching‐evoked ATP release from bladder mucosa by anticholinergic agents
Authors: Young John S. , Matharu Rajinder , Carew Mark A. , Fry Christopher H. 
Published: February 2012

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?ATP and acetylcholine (ACh) are released from the urothelium or from cultured urothelial cells in response to mechanical stretching or perturbations that mimic stretching, such as exposure to hypotonic solutions. Limited evidence suggests that ATP and ACh may interact, as the muscarinic agonist carbachol evokes ATP release from cultured urothelial cells. Our aim was to determine whether antimuscarinics, shown previously to reduce sensory nerve firing during bladder filling, might function by reducing mucosal ATP release.By stretching mucosa strips and measuring superfusate ATP using a luciferin–luciferase assay, we showed that muscarinic receptor antagonism (4‐DAMP, 10 nM or methoctramine, 1 µM) inhibits stretching‐evoked ATP release, suggesting anticholinergic agents used to treat human lower urinary tract pathologies act on urothelial muscarinic receptors. We also showed that alteration of resting mucosal tension is the key determinant of ATP release, as ATP is released from the mucosa in response to relaxation, as well to stretching.OBJECTIVE
To determine whether muscarinic receptor antagonism affects stretching‐induced release of ATP.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Mucosal strips, dissected from guinea pig (male, 450g; n= 10) urinary bladders, were placed in horizontal organ baths and superfused with Ca2+‐free Tyrode's solution.
Superfusate samples were taken pre‐ and post‐ intervention (rapid stretching or relaxation) and ATP concentration was quantified using a luciferin–luciferase assay.
The effect of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonism on ATP release was assessed by addition of methoctramine (1 µM) and 4‐DAMP (10 nM).
RESULTS
Rapid stretching (0 to 13.3 ± 1.2 mN; no. strips = 20) increased ATP in the superfusate to a median threefold increase over basal levels.
After a period of equilibration, tension in the mucosal strips relaxed until it had reached a new steady‐state after 60 min and stretching was repeated. In the presence of 4‐DAMP (10 nM) or methoctramine (1 µM), ATP concentrations after stretching reduced to 61% or 20%, respectively. By contrast, ATP concentrations in mucosa‐matched controls, perfused with vehicle, increased in response to stretching by 391% and 1500%, respectively.
Rapid relaxation also stimulated ATP release. This release did not appear to be sensitive to 4‐DAMP or methoctramine.
CONCLUSIONS
An alteration of resting mucosal tension is the key determinant of ATP release, as ATP is released from the mucosa in response to both stretching and relaxation.
Muscarinic receptor antagonism inhibits stretching‐evoked ATP release from bladder mucosa, suggesting that anticholinergic agents used to treat human lower urinary tract pathologies act on urothelial muscarinic receptors.
Evolving practice patterns for the management of small renal masses in the USA
Authors: Yang Glen , Villalta Jacqueline D. , Meng Maxwell V. , Whitson Jared M. 
Published: February 2012

Study Type – Therapy (trend analysis)Level of Evidence 2bWhat's known on the subject? and What does the study add?Treatment options for small renal masses include radical nephrectomy (RN), partial nephrectomy (PN), ablation, and surveillance. PN provides equivalent oncological as RN for small tumours, but long‐term outcomes for ablation and surveillance are poorly defined. Due to changing techniques and technology, treatment patterns for small renal masses are rapidly developing. Prior studies had analysed utilisation trends for PN and RN to 2006, revealing a relative rise in the rate of PN. However, overall treatment trends including surveillance and ablation had not been studied using a population‐based cohort.It has become increasingly clear that RN is associated with greater renal and cardiovascular deterioration than nephron‐sparing treatments. Thus, it is important to understand current population‐based practice patterns for the treatment of small renal masses to assess whether practitioners are adhering to ever‐changing principles in this field. The present study provides up‐to‐date treatment trends in the USA using a large population‐based cohort.OBJECTIVE
To describe the changing practice patterns in the management of small renal masses, including the use of surveillance and ablative techniques.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
All patients in the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) registry treated for renal masses of ≤7 cm in diameter, from 1998 to 2008, were included for analysis.
Annual trends in the use of surveillance, ablation, partial nephrectomy (PN), and radical nephrectomy (RN) were calculated.
Multinomial logistic regression was used to determine the association of demographic and clinical characteristics with treatment method.
RESULTS
In all, 48 148 patients from 17 registry sites with a mean age of 63.4 years were included for analysis.
Between 1998 and 2008, for masses of <2 cm and 2.1–4 cm, there was a dramatic increase in the proportion of patients undergoing PN (31% vs 50%, 16% vs 33%, respectively) and ablation (1% vs 11%, 2% vs 9%, respectively).
In multivariable analysis, later year of diagnosis, male gender, being married, clinically localised disease, and smaller tumours were associated with increased use of PN vs RN. Later year of diagnosis, male gender, being unmarried, smaller tumour, and the presence of bilateral masses were associated with increased use of ablation and surveillance vs RN.
CONCLUSIONS
PN is now used in half of all patients with the smallest renal masses, and its use continues to increase over time.
Ablation and surveillance are less common overall, but there is increased usage over time in select populations.
Modelling angler behaviour as a part of the management system: synthesizing a multi‐disciplinary literature
Authors: Fenichel Eli P , Abbott Joshua K , Huang Biao 
Published: February 2012

AbstractIt is often said that managing fisheries is managing people. This truism implies that fisheries science inherently involves disciplines that focus on fish and their population dynamics, humans and their behaviour, and policy and decision making. This is particularly true for recreational fisheries, where the human behavioural motivation and human response to management actions may be more difficult to predict than in commercial fisheries. We provide a synthesis of the multi‐disciplinary literature on modelling recreational angler behaviour to inform management of recreational fisheries. We begin by defining the recreational fisheries system in an interdisciplinary manner. We then assess the literature for empirical evidence of disciplinary crossover. Using bibliometric data, we provide evidence that there is little disciplinary crossover, particularly between fisheries biology, including applied ecology, and quantitative social science, including economics. We identify critical barriers to disciplinary crossover, such as database indexing issues and nomenclature. Next, we provide a review of critical contributions to the literature, and locate these contributions within our interdisciplinary conceptualization of the recreational fisheries system. This synthesis is intended to be a cross‐disciplinary bridge to facilitate access to the broader literature on modelling angler behaviour, with the ultimate goal of improving recreational fisheries management.
Enhanced polyhydroxybutyrate production in transgenic sugarcane
Authors: Petrasovits Lars A. , Zhao Lihan , McQualter Richard B. , Snell Kristi D. , Somleva Maria N. , Patterson Nii A. , Nielsen Lars K. , Brumbley Stevens M. 
Published: February 2012

SummaryPolyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) is a bacterial polyester that has properties similar to some petrochemically produced plastics. Plant‐based production has the potential to make this biorenewable plastic highly competitive with petrochemical‐based plastics. We previously reported that transgenic sugarcane produced PHB at levels as high as 1.8% leaf dry weight without penalty to biomass accumulation, suggesting scope for improving PHB production in this species. In this study, we used different plant and viral promoters, in combination with multigene or single‐gene constructs to increase PHB levels. Promoters tested included the maize and rice polyubiquitin promoters, the maize chlorophyll A/B‐binding protein promoter and a Cavendish banana streak badnavirus promoter. At the seedling stage, the highest levels of polymer were produced in sugarcane plants when the Cavendish banana streak badnavirus promoter was used. However, in all cases, this promoter underwent silencing as the plants matured. The rice Ubi promoter enabled the production of PHB at levels similar to the maize Ubi promoter. The maize chlorophyll A/B‐binding protein promoter enabled the production of PHB to levels as high as 4.8% of the leaf dry weight, which is approximately 2.5 times higher than previously reported levels in sugarcane. This is the first time that this promoter has been tested in sugarcane. The highest PHB‐producing lines showed phenotypic differences to the wild‐type parent, including reduced biomass and slight chlorosis.
In‐depth molecular and phenotypic characterization in a rice insertion line library facilitates gene identification through reverse and forward genetics approaches
Authors: Lorieux Mathias , Blein Mélisande , Lozano Jaime , Bouniol Mathieu , Droc Gaétan , Diévart Anne , Périn Christophe , Mieulet Delphine , Lanau Nadège , Bès Martine , Rouvière Claire , Gay Céline , Piffanelli Pietro , Larmande Pierre , Michel Corinne , Barnola Isabelle , Biderre‐Petit Corinne , Sallaud Christophe , Perez Pascual , Bourgis Fabienne , Ghesquière Alain , Gantet Pascal , Tohme Joe , Morel Jean Benoit , Guiderdoni Emmanuel 
Published: February 2012

SummaryWe report here the molecular and phenotypic features of a library of 31 562 insertion lines generated in the model japonica cultivar Nipponbare of rice (Oryza sativa L.), called Oryza Tag Line (OTL). Sixteen thousand eight hundred and fourteen T‐DNA and 12 410 Tos17 discrete insertion sites have been characterized in these lines. We estimate that 8686 predicted gene intervals—i.e. one‐fourth to one‐fifth of the estimated rice nontransposable element gene complement—are interrupted by sequence‐indexed T‐DNA (6563 genes) and/or Tos17 (2755 genes) inserts. Six hundred and forty‐three genes are interrupted by both T‐DNA and Tos17 inserts. High quality of the sequence indexation of the T2 seed samples was ascertained by several approaches. Field evaluation under agronomic conditions of 27 832 OTL has revealed that 18.2% exhibit at least one morphophysiological alteration in the T1 progeny plants. Screening 10 000 lines for altered response to inoculation by the fungal pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae allowed to observe 71 lines (0.7%) developing spontaneous lesions simulating disease mutants and 43 lines (0.4%) exhibiting an enhanced disease resistance or susceptibility. We show here that at least 3.5% (four of 114) of these alterations are tagged by the mutagens. The presence of allelic series of sequence‐indexed mutations in a gene among OTL that exhibit a convergent phenotype clearly increases the chance of establishing a linkage between alterations and inserts. This convergence approach is illustrated by the identification of the rice ortholog of AtPHO2, the disruption of which causes a lesion‐mimic phenotype owing to an over‐accumulation of phosphate, in nine lines bearing allelic insertions.
Electrophysiological evidence for late maturation of strategic episodic retrieval processes
Authors: Sprondel Volker , Kipp Kerstin H. , Mecklinger Axel 
Published: February 2012

AbstractImprovement in source memory performance throughout development is thought to be mediated by strategic processes that facilitate the retrieval of task‐relevant information. Using event‐related potentials (ERPs), we examined developmental changes in these processes during adolescence. Adolescents (13–14 years) and adults (19–29 years) completed a memory exclusion task which required the discrimination between words studied in one color (‘targets’) and words studied in the alternative color (‘non‐targets’) under two conditions that put different demands on strategic control. Memory accuracy improved with age and also increased with decreasing control demands in both age groups. The parietal old/new effect, an ERP correlate of recollection, was reliable for targets across conditions in both age groups. By contrast, ERP correlates of non‐target recollection were present in adolescents across conditions but not in adults. This suggests that adults implemented a strategy to prioritize recollection of target information with greater success than adolescents regardless of control demands, presumably reflecting maturational differences in cognitive control. In support of this view, the ERP amplitude difference between targets and non‐targets was positively correlated with a measure of working memory capacity (WMC) in adults but not in adolescents. A further age‐related difference was that ERP correlates of post‐retrieval processing, including late right‐frontal old/new effects and late posterior negativities, were observed in adults only. Together, our data suggest protracted maturation in the strategic processes that underlie selective recollection and post‐retrieval control.
Acoustic Rendering and Auditory–Visual Cross‐Modal Perception and Interaction
Authors: Hulusic Vedad , Harvey Carlo , Debattista Kurt , Tsingos Nicolas , Walker Steve , Howard David , Chalmers Alan 
Published: February 2012

AbstractIn recent years research in the three‐dimensional sound generation field has been primarily focussed upon new applications of spatialized sound. In the computer graphics community the use of such techniques is most commonly found being applied to virtual, immersive environments. However, the field is more varied and diverse than this and other research tackles the problem in a more complete, and computationally expensive manner. Furthermore, the simulation of light and sound wave propagation is still unachievable at a physically accurate spatio‐temporal quality in real time. Although the Human Visual System (HVS) and the Human Auditory System (HAS) are exceptionally sophisticated, they also contain certain perceptional and attentional limitations. Researchers, in fields such as psychology, have been investigating these limitations for several years and have come up with findings which may be exploited in other fields. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the major techniques for generating spatialized sound and, in addition, discusses perceptual and cross‐modal influences to consider. We also describe current limitations and provide an in‐depth look at the emerging topics in the field.
Productivity Premia for German Manufacturing Firms Exporting to the Euro‐Area and Beyond: First Evidence from Robust Fixed Effects Estimations
Authors: Verardi Vincenzo , Wagner Joachim 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThis paper reports estimates of the productivity premium of German firms exporting to the Euro‐zone and beyond, controlling for unobserved time‐invariant firm‐specific effects. Furthermore, it tests for self‐selection of more productive firms into exporting beyond the Euro‐zone. The main contribution of the paper is to correct a serious flaw in hitherto published studies that ignore the potentially disastrous consequences of extreme observations, or outliers. The paper shows that estimates of the exporter productivity premium by destination are driven by a small share of outliers that comprises some five per cent of all firms. These outliers are identified by a recently developed highly robust estimator for models with fixed effects. Using a ‘clean’ sample without these outliers, the estimated productivity premium of firms that export to the Euro‐zone only is no longer statistically different from zero at a conventional error level, and the estimated premium of firms exporting beyond the Euro‐zone, too, over firms that serve the German market only is tiny. Furthermore, an ex‐ante differential that is statistically significant and large only shows up for enterprises that exported to the Euro‐zone already and start to export to countries outside the Euro‐zone. These conclusions differ considerably from those based on non‐robust standard regression analyses.
China and Its Dollar Exchange Rate: A Worldwide Stabilising Influence?1
Authors: McKinnon Ronald , Schnabl Gunther 
Published: February 2012

AbstractChina is criticised for keeping its dollar exchange rate fairly stable when it has a large trade (saving) surplus. This criticism is misplaced in two ways. First, no predictable link exists between the exchange rate and the trade balance of an international creditor economy. Second, since 1995, the stable yuan/dollar rate has anchored China’s price level and facilitated counter cyclical fiscal policies that have smoothed its high real GDP growth at a remarkable 9 to 11 per cent per year. With its now greater GDP, China displaces Japan as the largest economy in East Asia – but with a much stronger stabilising influence on East Asian neighbours from its higher economic growth and more stable dollar exchange rate. Now, an ever larger China is an essential stabiliser for the world economy – as exemplified by its prompt and effective fiscal response to the global credit crunch of 2008–09. However, cumulating financial distortions – in China and the United States – threaten to undermine China’s growth and its stabilising influence on the rest of the world.
Varieties of federalism, institutional legacies, and social policy: Comparing old‐age and unemployment insurance reform in Canada
Authors: Béland Daniel , Myles John 
Published: February 2012

Béland D, Myles J. Varieties of federalism, institutional legacies, and social policy: Comparing old‐age and unemployment insurance reform in CanadaWith reference to Canada, this article explores the politics of reform affecting two social insurance programs: Employment Insurance (EI) and the Canada Pension Plan (CPP). Comparing these two large, yet institutionally distinct, social insurance schemes underscores how institutional differences in policy legacies and governance among social programs create distinct obstacles and opportunities for reform in federal countries. Drawing on historical institutionalism and emphasizing the types of federalism and decision making specific to EI and CPP, the article explains key political differences between these two programs. Focusing on reforms enacted in the 1990s, the article explores the institutional obstacles and opportunities for policy change in EI and CPP, which offers insight into how these programs could change in the future. We show that different forms of federal governance pointing to the “varieties of federalism” and, more generally, the institutional and territorial logics embedded in these two programs create different obstacles and opportunities for reform.