bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Analysis of aqueous humour proteins in patients with retinoblastoma
Authors: Hadjistilianou Theodora , Giglioni Stefania , Micheli Lavinia , Vannoni Daniela , Brogi Elena , Cevenini Gabriele , Cortelazzo Alessio , De Francesco Sonia , Menicacci Felice , Leoncini Roberto 
Published: October 2011

AbstractBackground:  To investigate aqueous humour protein composition from retinoblastoma patients.Design:  Prospective, hospital‐based study.Participants:  Eighteen retinoblastoma patients (Reese–Ellsworth stage V or ABC classification group E RB) undergoing ocular enucleation, and 10 normal subjects undergoing cataract surgery. Five of 18 patients presented with associated secondary glaucoma whereas 13 had no secondary glaucoma; 5 of 13 patients with no secondary glaucoma received chemotherapeutical treatment with melphalan.Methods:  Aqueous humour samples were collected by limbal paracentesis of the anterior chamber after ocular enucleation in patients and after the stab peripheral corneal incision in controls. Total protein concentration according to Bradford method and sodium dodecyl sulphate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the samples were performed.Main Outcome Measure:  Aqueous humour protein concentration.Results:  Aqueous humour protein concentration was significantly higher in retinoblastoma patients than controls (P < 0.01); patients with secondary glaucoma presented the highest values (P < 0.05 vs. controls); patients treated with melphalan presented a significant decrease (P < 0.01) versus non‐treated; controls did not significantly differ from treated patients. Sodium dodecyl sulphate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis pattern in retinoblastoma patients who did not receive any treatment was very different either from treated or from controls.Conclusion:  This study represents a preliminary step towards a more accurate two dimensional electrophoresis (2DE) pattern, which will be combined with mass spectrometry analysis to clarify the potential role of specific proteins in tumour development and progression; although these results suggest that aqueous humour protein pattern in retinoblastoma is characteristic, several aspects of the study are still under investigation.
Types of smokers in a community sample of individuals with Type 2 diabetes: a latent class analysis
Authors: Gariepy G. , Malla A. , Wang J. , Messier L. , Strychar I. , Lesage A. , Schmitz N. 
Published: October 2011

Diabet. Med. 29, 586–592 (2012)AbstractAims  Despite the detrimental effects of smoking on their health, a high number of adults with Type 2 diabetes continue to smoke. Identifying distinct types of smokers within this population could help tailor and target intervention programmes. This study examined whether smokers with Type 2 diabetes could be classified into different profiles based on smoking habits, socio‐economic characteristics and lifestyle factors.Methods  A sample of adults with self‐reported diabetes was selected from random‐digit dialling. Analyses included 383 participants with Type 2 diabetes who were current smokers. Information related to smoking, socio‐economic status, health and lifestyle was collected by phone interview at baseline and 1 year later. Latent class analysis was used to identify subgroups of smokers.Results  We uncovered three meaningful classes of smokers: class 1, long‐time smokers with long‐standing diabetes (n = 105); class 2, heavy smokers with deprived socio‐economic status, poor health and unhealthy lifestyle characteristics (n = 105); class 3, working and active smokers who were more recently diagnosed with diabetes (n = 173). Members of class 2 were significantly more likely to be disabled and depressed at baseline and 1 year later compared with other classes.Conclusions  Different profiles of smokers exist among adults with Type 2 diabetes, each suggesting different cessation treatment needs. Distinguishing between these types of smokers may enable clinicians to tailor their approach to smoking cessation.
Effects of variations in duodenal glucose load on glycaemic, insulin, and incretin responses in type 2 diabetes
Authors: Ma J. , Pilichiewicz A. N. , Feinle‐Bisset C. , Wishart J. M. , Jones K. L. , Horowitz M. , Rayner C. K. 
Published: October 2011

Diabet. Med. 29, 604–608 (2012)AbstractAims  Postprandial glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) secretion and the ‘incretin effect’ have been reported to be deficient in Type 2 diabetes, but most studies have not controlled for variations in the rate of gastric emptying. We evaluated blood glucose, and plasma insulin, GLP‐1 and glucose‐dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) responses to intraduodenal glucose in Type 2 diabetes, and compared these with data from healthy controls.Methods  Eight males with well‐controlled Type 2 diabetes, managed by diet alone, were studied on four occasions in single‐blind, randomized order. Blood glucose, and plasma insulin, GLP‐1, and GIP were measured during 120‐min intraduodenal glucose infusions at 1 kcal/min (G1), 2 kcal/min (G2) and 4 kcal/min (G4) or saline control.Results  Type 2 patients had higher basal (P < 0.0005) and incremental (P < 0.0005) blood glucose responses to G2 and G4, when compared with healthy controls. In both groups, the stimulation of insulin and GLP‐1 by increasing glucose loads was not linear; responses to G1 and G2 were minimal, whereas responses to G4 were much greater (P < 0.005 for each) (incremental area under the GLP‐1 curve 224 ± 65, 756 ± 331 and 2807 ± 473 pmol/l.min, respectively, in Type 2 patients and 373 ± 231, 505 ± 161 and 1742 ± 456 pmol/l.min, respectively, in healthy controls). The GLP‐1 responses appeared comparable in the two groups. In both groups there was a load‐dependent increase in plasma GIP with no difference between them.Conclusions  In patients with well‐controlled Type 2 diabetes, blood glucose, insulin and GLP‐1 responses are critically dependent on the small intestinal glucose load, and GLP‐1 responses are not deficient.
FINANCIAL EDUCATION AND BEHAVIORAL FINANCE: NEW INSIGHTS INTO THE ROLE OF INFORMATION IN FINANCIAL DECISIONS
Authors: García María José Roa 
Published: October 2011

AbstractRecent empirical evidence based on surveys and experimental activities within the fields of behavioral finance and financial education has offered economists new empirically based insights into how individuals use information in making financial decisions. Specifically, the importance of information in financial decisions may be reduced or eliminated by psychological aspects of the individual, such as a state of overconfidence that is individual or shared with a group, or by the individual's limited ability to process complex and abundant information. This paper aims to complement this emerging body of literature by studying how individuals perceive and process information when making financial decisions. We review these contributions and suggest a number of broad guidelines that can provide a framework for future discussion of this topic within financial decision theory.
A New QEM for Parametrization of Raster Images
Authors: Yin Xuetao , Femiani John , Wonka Peter , Razdan Anshuman 
Published: October 2011

AbstractWe present an image processing method that converts a raster image to a simplical two‐complex which has only a small number of vertices (base mesh) plus a parametrization that maps each pixel in the original image to a combination of the barycentric coordinates of the triangle it is finally mapped into. Such a conversion of a raster image into a base mesh plus parametrization can be useful for many applications such as segmentation, image retargeting, multi‐resolution editing with arbitrary topologies, edge preserving smoothing, compression, etc. The goal of the algorithm is to produce a base mesh such that it has a small colour distortion as well as high shape fairness, and a parametrization that is globally continuous visually and numerically. Inspired by multi‐resolution adaptive parametrization of surfaces and quadric error metric, the algorithm converts pixels in the image to a dense triangle mesh and performs error‐bounded simplification jointly considering geometry and colour. The eliminated vertices are projected to an existing face. The implementation is iterative and stops when it reaches a prescribed error threshold. The algorithm is feature‐sensitive, i.e. salient feature edges in the images are preserved where possible and it takes colour into account thereby producing a better quality triangulation.
Structural Breaks and the Equilibrium Chinese Yuan/US Dollar Real Exchange Rate: A FEER Approach
Authors: You Kefei , Sarantis Nicholas 
Published: October 2011

AbstractThis paper examines the equilibrium Chinese yuan/US dollar (CNY/USD) real exchange rate within the framework of the fundamental equilibrium exchange rate (FEER) model. Endogenous structural breaks are allowed for in all cointegration relationships. Macroeconomic fundamentals that affect medium‐term savings and investment and hence, the sustainable current account, are also highlighted. A unique set of quarterly data for the post‐reform period (1982–2009) is constructed. This paper finds structural breaks in all trade and the sustainable current account equations. The misalignment rates show that the real exchange rate was overvalued in most years until 2003, followed by undervaluation during 2004–09. However, the average misalignment rates and revaluation required to correct this undervaluation are not as large as suggested by previous studies, with the undervaluation rate declining sharply in 2009. Further, misalignment rates are computed using a sustainable current account of 3%. The findings suggest such exogenous input leads to results biased towards larger undervaluation.
Another Look at the Underlying Cause of the End of the Bretton Woods System: International Price Differences Perspective
Authors: Fukumoto Yukio 
Published: October 2011

AbstractIn this study, the sustainability of the Bretton Woods system from the standpoint of purchasing power parity is discussed. The paper uses wholesale price indexes of the group of seven industrialized countries (G‐7) and examines when persistent price disparities among the countries occurred by applying the panel unit root tests. It is found that the price indexes of G‐7 countries began to diverge in the first half of the 1960s. Evidence from international price differences suggests that the price indexes may have signaled the breakdown of the Bretton Woods system before the inflation rate in the USA accelerated.
Minimum Quality Standards and International Trade
Authors: Baltzer Kenneth 
Published: October 2011

AbstractThis paper investigates the impact of a non‐discriminating minimum quality standard (MQS) on trade and welfare when the market is characterized by imperfect competition and asymmetric information. A simple partial equilibrium model of an international Cournot duopoly is presented in which a domestic and a foreign firm are identical except that the foreign firm faces positive transport costs. Asymmetric information generates a market failure, which the government attempts to alleviate with a MQS. It is found that although firms face the exact same costs of compliance, they will generally prefer different levels of regulation. As a result, international trade disputes are likely to arise even when regulation is non‐discriminating.
How Elastic is East Asian Demand for Consumption Goods?
Authors: Thorbecke Willem 
Published: October 2011

AbstractThis paper investigates import demand in East Asia. Estimating exchange rate elasticities for countries in the region is difficult because many imports are used to produce goods for re‐export. An exchange rate appreciation that reduces East Asian exports will also reduce the demand for imported inputs that are used to produce exports. To correct for this bias this paper examines consumption imports, since these goods are intended primarily for the domestic market. Results from several specifications indicate that currency appreciations and increases in income in East Asian countries would significantly increase imports into the region.
On Her Majesty's Commercial Service: Bribery, Public Officials and the UK Intelligence Services
Authors: Horder Jeremy 
Published: October 2011

“To the instrumentality of commerce alone, the Brittanic Empire is most peculiarly indebted.”This article sets into context and analyses the justification for committing bribery granted to the intelligence services by section 13 of the Bribery Act 2010. Particularly criticised is the extension of section 13 to include the intelligence services' statutory function of furthering ‘the economic well‐being’ of the UK. In a context in which there are high risks of corruption in forms of export business such as arms trading, it should not be acceptable that it is open to the intelligence services, if need be, to use bribery or related offences to further such business interests on behalf of the UK. More broadly, it is argued that the breadth of section 13 illustrates the moral ambivalence of the UK when it comes to bribery overseas. This is in spite of the strengthening of the law more generally through the Bribery Act 2010, in its application to overseas trade.
UV absorption and scattering properties of inorganic‐based sunscreens
Authors: Egerton Terry A. , Tooley Ian R. 
Published: October 2011

SynopsisThis article first introduces the concepts that underlie the calculations of scattering and absorption of light by small particles. Results of Mie theory calculations of light scattering and light absorption by 20, 50 and 100 nm TiO2 and ZnO particles are then presented. As the attenuation, or extinction, by these particles is the sum of the scattering and absorption, the attenuation can then be calculated for wavelengths over the UVA and UVB region. These theoretical results are then shown to be in reasonable agreement with experimental results for alkyl benzoate dispersions of three different types of TiO2 particle whose mean sizes range from 35 to 145 nm. Finally, the link between these measurements and the absorption curves of formulated dispersions of sunscreens are demonstrated and related to in vitro SPF and UVAPF measurements.
Effect of bile duct ligation on bile acid composition in mouse serum and liver
Authors: Zhang Youcai , Hong Ji‐Young , Rockwell Cheryl E. , Copple Bryan L. , Jaeschke Hartmut , Klaassen Curtis D. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractBackgroundCholestatic liver diseases can be caused by genetic defects, drug toxicities, hepatobiliary malignancies or obstruction of the biliary tract. Cholestasis leads to accumulation of bile acids (BAs) in hepatocytes. Direct toxicity of BAs is currently the most accepted hypothesis for cholestatic liver injury. However, information on which bile acids are actually accumulating during cholestasis is limited.AimTo assess the BA composition in liver and serum after bile duct ligation (BDL) in male C57Bl/6 mice between 6 h and 14 days and evaluate toxicity of the most abundant BAs.ResultsBile acid concentrations increased in liver (27‐fold) and serum (1400‐fold) within 6 h after surgery and remained elevated up to 14 days. BAs in livers of BDL mice became more hydrophilic than sham controls, mainly because of increased 6β‐hydroxylation and taurine conjugation. Among the eight unconjugated and 16 conjugated BAs identified in serum and liver, only taurocholic acid (TCA), β‐muricholic acid (βMCA) and TβMCA were substantially elevated representing >95% of these BAs over the entire time course. Although glycochenodeoxycholic acid and other conjugated BAs increased in BDL animals, the changes were several orders of magnitude lower compared with TCA, βMCA and TβMCA. A mixture of these BAs did not cause apoptosis or necrosis, but induced inflammatory gene expression in cultured murine hepatocytes.ConclusionThe concentrations of cytotoxic BAs are insufficient to cause hepatocellular injury. In contrast, TCA, βMCA and TβMCA are able to induce pro‐inflammatory mediators in hepatocytes. Thus, BAs act as inflammagens and not as cytotoxic mediators after BDL in mice.
Circulating soluble urokinase plasminogen activator is elevated in patients with chronic liver disease, discriminates stage and aetiology of cirrhosis and predicts prognosis
Authors: Zimmermann Henning W. , Koch Alexander , Seidler Sebastian , Trautwein Christian , Tacke Frank 
Published: October 2011

AbstractBackgroundInflammation is a major factor for the progression of chronic liver diseases. Interactions between urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) and its receptor (uPAR) have been functionally linked to hepatic inflammation and fibrosis in mice. High serum concentrations of soluble uPAR (suPAR) are suggested to reflect activated immune cells.AimsWe evaluated suPAR serum levels as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in patients with chronic liver diseases.MethodsProspective, cross‐sectional cohort study of 159 patients with chronic liver diseases (61 without, 98 with established cirrhosis) and 43 healthy controls. Transplant‐free survival was monitored for up to 3 years.ResultsSoluble urokinase plasminogen activator serum concentrations were significantly elevated in patients with chronic liver diseases compared with controls. Cirrhotic patients displayed higher levels than non‐cirrhotics, closely depending on stage of fibrosis or cirrhosis. suPAR levels had high diagnostic power to identify established cirrhosis in chronic liver diseases. Circulating suPAR closely correlated with liver function, fibrosis markers, but also with systemic inflammation and renal function. A distinct suPAR elevation was noticed in patients with alcoholic aetiology of liver disease. suPAR identified alcoholic origin more precisely compared with classical indicators of alcoholism (mean corpuscular volume, gamma glutamyl transpeptidase). Strikingly, elevated suPAR levels were identified as a strong predictor of mortality or need for transplantation. suPAR levels >9 ng/ml indicated adverse prognosis (sensitivity: 70.7%, specificity: 77.8%, relative risk: 8.5; 95% confidence interval: 3.5–20.3).ConclusionsSerum suPAR is a potential novel biomarker for the diagnosis of cirrhosis, identification of alcoholic origin and for determining prognosis in patients with chronic liver disease.
Lock‐and‐key structural isolation between sibling Drosophila species
Authors: KAMIMURA Yoshitaka , MITSUMOTO Hiroyuki 
Published: October 2011

AbstractDrosophila santomea Lachaise & Harry, which is endemic to the African island of São Tomé, and its sibling D. yakuba Burla comprise a new model system of speciation. They are morphologically distinguishable only by slight differences in the male genitalia and body coloration. As a previously undescribed difference, the aedeagus of D. yakuba bears a pair of stout spines (the ventral branches of the basal processes (VB)), instead of the paired humps found in D. santomea. Here, we show that this difference works as a lock‐and‐key isolating mechanism between the siblings. During conspecific copulation, D. yakuba females receive the spines in a pair of pocket‐shaped structures, which are protected by hardened plates, in the genitalia. The females of D. santomea, which lack such pockets, are wounded by the spines of the VB when mated with D. yakuba males. This genital mismatching resulted in leakage of the ejaculate, making 80% of the matings infertile and causing a prolonged struggle to separate pairs glued together by the ejaculate.
Childhood Bullying: A Review of Constructs, Concepts, and Nursing Implications
Authors: Liu Jianghong , Graves Nicola 
Published: October 2011

AbstractBullying among children as a pervasive problem has been increasingly recognized as an important public health issue. However, while much attention has been given to understanding the impact of bullying on victims, it is equally important to examine predictors of bullying and potential outcomes for bullies themselves. The current literature on bullying lacks consensus on a utilizable definition of bullying in research, which can vary by theoretical framework. In an attempt to bridge the gaps in the literature, this article will provide a review of the state of the science on bullying among children, including the major theoretical constructs of bullying and their respective viewpoints on predictors and correlates of bullying. A secondary aim of this article is to summarize empirical evidence for predictors of bullying and victimization, which can provide strategies for intervention and prevention by public health nursing professionals. By calling attention to the variability in the bullying literature and the limitations of current evidence available, researchers can better address methodological gaps and effectively move toward developing studies to inform nursing treatment programs and enhance public health initiatives that reduce violence in school settings.
Effectiveness of Hand Hygiene Education in a Basic Nursing School Curricula
Authors: Kelcíkova Simona , Skodova Zuzana , Straka Stefan 
Published: October 2011

AbstractObjectivesAlthough hand hygiene (HH) is the cheapest and simplest tool for the prevention of hospital‐acquired infections, poor HH compliance has been reported among health care professionals. A variety of factors influence the compliance with HH guidelines, the most important being the quality of the basic nursing education. The aims of this study were to analyze the effectiveness of the basic nursing education in relation to HH, and to explore the skills and attitudes toward HH among nursing students in praxis.Design and SampleA mixed‐method approach using a cross‐sectional survey combined with observation and curricular analysis was used. A total of 188 nursing students participated in the study.ResultsContent analysis revealed significant deficits in the quality of HH‐related information in basic nursing educational programs. Our results correlate directly with the reported insufficient levels of HH knowledge and the associated poor HH compliance by students during their training in clinical settings; as shown in observation and questionnaire‐based surveys.ConclusionsThe lack of compliance with HH standards among students lead to poor compliance among health care professionals in praxis. Consequently, the role of educational institutions in the prevention of hospital‐acquired infections is significant, if the effectiveness of HH education is to be improved.