bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The acquisition time of infection: a determinant of the severity of hepatitis C virus‐related liver disease in renal transplant patients
Authors: Töz H. , Nart D. , Turan I. , Ersöz G. , Seziş M. , Aşçı G. , Özkahya M. , Zeytinoğlu A. , Erensoy S. , Ok E. 
Published: July 2009

Abstract:  Background:  The aim of this study was to compare the clinical and histopathological course of HCV infection acquired before and during or after renal transplantation.Methods:  According to HCV status, 197 RT patients were divided into three groups. At the time of RT, anti‐HCV antibody was positive in 47 patients (pre‐RT HCV group). In 27 patients, in whom anti‐HCV negative at the time of RT, anti‐HCV and/or HCV RNA was found to be positive following an ALT elevation episode after RT (post‐RT HCV group). Both anti‐HCV and HCV RNA were negative at all times in remaining 123 patients (control group).Results:  Liver biopsy was performed in 31 of 47 patients in pre‐RT and 24 of 27 in post‐RT HCV group after RT. Duration of follow‐up was similar in all groups with a mean of 7.1 ± 4.0 yr. Ascites and encephalopathy were seen in only post‐RT HCV group (22%). Histological grade (6.5 ± 2.7 vs. 4.1 ± 1.4) and stage (2.0 ± 1.5 vs. 0.8 ± 0.8) was significantly severe in post‐RT HCV group (p < 0.01). Three patients died due to liver failure in post‐RT HCV group.Conclusions:  HCV infection acquired during or after RT shows a severe and rapidly progressive clinicopathological course, which is significantly different from pre‐transplant anti‐HCV positive patients.
Use of enteric‐coated mycophenolate sodium in liver transplant patients with intestinal intolerance caused by mycophenolate mofetil
Authors: Doria Cataldo , Ramirez Carlo B. , Frank Adam M. , Vaccino Silvia , Fraser Natalie , Marino Ignazio R. 
Published: July 2009

Abstract: Background: Post‐transplant gastrointestinal (GI) side effects can impair a patient’s quality of life (QoL). This study investigates the improvement in GI side effects and related QoL changes in recipients of liver transplantation (OLT) after converting patients from mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) to enteric‐coated mycophenolate sodium (EC‐MPS).Methods: Thirty‐four patients who underwent OLT and suffered from GI intolerability were included in this study. Infectious causes of GI intolerability were excluded. QoL assessed by the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index was evaluated before conversion and at months 3, 6 and 12 post‐conversion. All patients received baseline immunosuppression of one calcineurin inhibitor, MMF, with or without steroids. Patients were converted from MMF to EC‐MPS on an equimolar basis. Pairedt‐test was used to assess differences in mean score changes over time.Results: Conversion from MMF to EC‐MPS for GI intolerability post‐OLT shows statistically significant improvement in GI‐related QoL at 3, 6, and 12 months when compared to baseline assessments (p < 0.05 for total mean score); nonetheless, one‐third of patients discontinued EC‐MPS. No rejection episodes, deaths or graft loss were seen during the study period.Conclusion: OLT recipients who develop GI side effects caused by MMF can be safely converted to EC‐MPS with improvement to their QoL.
ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM STRESS INVOLVED IN HEART AND LIVER INJURY IN IRON‐LOADED RATS
Authors: Lou Li‐Xia , Geng Bin , Chen Yu , Yu Fang , Zhao Jing , Tang Chao‐Shu 
Published: July 2009

SUMMARY

Iron overload contributes to the pathogenesis of various diseases and directly induces tissue injury. In the present study, we investigated the relationship between heart and liver injury induced by iron overload and cellular endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress to explore the molecular mechanism of iron overload‐induced cellular injury.
Iron overload in rats was generated by intraperitoneal injection of iron–dextran chronically (30 mg/kg per day for 9 weeks) or acutely (300 mg/kg once). Tissue injury was assessed by determining serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity, as well as malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the heart and liver. The ER stress response was analysed by expression of glucose‐response protein 78 (GRP78) and activation of caspase 12.
In chronic iron‐loaded rats, iron levels in the heart and liver were higher, by approximately 2‐and 7.8‐fold, respectively (P < 0.01), compared with control. Serum LDH, ALT and AST activity, as well as MDA content, GRP78 expression and caspase 12 activity in the heart and liver, were upregulated in chronically iron‐loaded rats. In acute iron‐loaded rats, iron content in the heart and liver was 51% and 63% higher than in controls (both P < 0.01). Serum LDH, ALT and AST activity, MDA content in the heart and liver and levels of ER stress markers were all increased in acute iron‐loaded rats. N‐Acetylcysteine (150 mg/kg, s.c.) lowered the levels of these parameters in acute iron‐loaded rats.
The results of the present study indicate that ER stress may play an important role in iron‐induced tissue injury and that reactive oxygen species may mediate the ER stress response in the pathogenesis of iron‐overload cellular injury.
The associations between menopausal syndrome and depression during pre‐, peri‐, and postmenopausal period among Taiwanese female aborigines
Authors: Yen Ju‐Yu , Yang Mei‐Sang , Wang Mei‐Hua , Lai Chien‐Yu , Fang Mao‐So 
Published: July 2009

Aim:  The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between physiological menopausal symptoms and depression during the pre‐, peri‐, and postmenopausal period among female Taiwanese aborigines.Methods:  A total of 672 Taiwanese aboriginal women, aged 40–60 years, were recruited in the interviewing study and classified as pre‐, peri‐, and postmenopausal according to menstrual bleeding patterns in the previous 12 months. Then, the postmenopausal symptoms, depression, self‐perceived health, family support, and associated demographic variables were assessed by questionnaire based on the results of interviewing by research assistants.Results:  The results revealed that perimenopausal statuses are associated with depression and women with a perimenopausal status had a higher prevalence of depression than those with a premenopausal status. A higher score on physiological postmenopausal symptoms was found to be significantly associated with depression. Furthermore, somatic symptoms were associated with depression for pre‐, peri‐, and postmenopausal statuses. Moreover, sexual dysfunction and vasomotor symptoms were associated with depression only in the premenopausal status and postmenopausal status, respectively.Conclusion:  Depression should be routinely evaluated for female Taiwanese aborigines consulting with physicians for menopause symptoms, especially for somatic symptoms. Furthermore, attention should be provided to premenopausal women with sexual dysfunction and postmenopausal women with vasomotor symptoms for depression.
Assessing the diversity of AM fungi in arid gypsophilous plant communities
Authors: Alguacil M. M. , Roldán A. , Torres M. P. 
Published: July 2009

SummaryIn the present study, we used PCR‐Single‐Stranded Conformation Polymorphism (SSCP) techniques to analyse arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) communities in four sites within a 10 km2gypsum area in Southern Spain. Four common plant species from these ecosystems were selected. The AM fungal small‐subunit (SSU) rRNA genes were subjected to PCR, cloning, SSCP analysis, sequencing and phylogenetic analyses. A total of 1443 SSU rRNA sequences were analysed, for 21 AM fungal types: 19 belonged to the genusGlomus, 1 to the genusDiversisporaand 1 to theScutellospora.Four sequence groups were identified, which showed high similarity to sequences of known glomalean species or isolates: Glo G18 toGlomus constrictum, Glo G1 toGlomus intraradices, Glo G16 toGlomus clarum, Scut toScutellospora dipurpurescensand Div to one new genus in the familyDiversisporaceaeidentified recently asOtospora bareai. There were three sequence groups that received strong support in the phylogenetic analysis, and did not seem to be related to any sequences of AM fungi in culture or previously found in the database; thus, they could be novel taxa within the genusGlomus: Glo G4, Glo G2 and Glo G14. We have detected the presence of both generalist and potential specialist AMF in gypsum ecosystems. The AMF communities were different in the plant studied suggesting some degree of preference in the interactions between these symbionts.
Dietary strategy to manipulate ad libitum macronutrient intake, and glycaemic index, across eight European countries in the Diogenes Study
Authors: Moore C. S. , Lindroos A. K. , Kreutzer M. , Larsen T. M. , Astrup A. , Van Baak M. A. , Handjieva‐Darlenska T. , Hlavaty P. , Kafatos A. , Kohl A. , Martinez J. A. , Monsheimer S. , Jebb S. A. ,   On Behalf of Diogenes
Published: July 2009

SummaryThe aim of this study was to describe the development and implementation of a multifaceted, low‐fat, weight‐loss strategy for a Pan‐European randomized controlled dietary intervention study, Diogenes. There were 891 families with at least one overweight/obese parent who underwent screening. Eligible, overweight/obese adults followed an 8‐week weight‐loss phase with a fixed low‐energy diet (800 kcal). On attaining weight loss of ≥8%, families were randomized to a 6‐ or 12‐month low‐fat (25–30%E) diet either based on national dietary guidelines or one of four interventions: low protein (LP)/low glycaemic index (LGI), LP/high GI (HGI), high protein (HP)/LGI and HP/HGI. The impact of each diet in preventing weight (re)gain was tested. A points‐based system was used to manipulate dietary protein and carbohydrate. Manipulating carbohydrate composition involved substituting foods with a relatively high or low GI. A questionnaire was designed and completed by study investigators, providing feedback on the dietary intervention methods used to inform future interventions. The points system allowed macronutrient manipulations without compromising dietary flexibility or enforcing energy restrictions. Reported centre/participant differences in the ease of implementing the intervention may reflect dietary diversity and personal preferences for specific weight‐management strategies. The points system provides a useful starting point for designing improved experimental paradigms for the manipulation of dietary intake in future trials.
Immigrant Networks in New Urban Spaces: Gender and Social Integration
Authors: Avenarius Christine B. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThis article investigates how dispersed settlement in areas of urban sprawl affects the structure of personal networks that in turn influences the likelihood of social integration among male and female immigrants from Taiwan. Settlement in the deconcentrated spaces that currently constitute the new urban spaces of U.S. metropolitan areas potentially offers more opportunities to interact with ethnically diverse people than the traditional ethnic enclaves of inner cities. However, these spatial structures also increase dependency on cars and road systems. Findings from ethnographic fieldwork in Orange County, California, show that the social networks of affluent first generation immigrants from Taiwan are not comparable to the densely knit broadly based ties linking neighbors and kin group members traditionally attributed to immigrants.Instead, the social networks of immigrants with high levels of human and economic capital are based on loosely bounded, sparsely knit, and dynamic specialized ties. At the local level networks involve few ties to extended relatives, but a substantial amount of relationships with former classmates and members of recreational associations. However, despite good English skills and employment in diverse workplaces the number of interactions with nonimmigrants outside of work and school environments is rather small.These circumstances are experienced differently by men and women. Female immigrants consider living in the deconcentrated spaces of master‐plan communities beneficial for achieving personal contentment. They welcome the changed conditions for social interaction and enjoy the decrease in network size and frequency of contacts that result in less obligations and responsibilities compared to life back in their country of origin. Male immigrants, however, mourn the loss of opportunities to gain reputation and social recognition. They would prefer to live in areas with close spatial proximity of immigrant residences. These gendered evaluations further affect the likelihood of social integration for first generation immigrants.
Culture, Structure, and the Refugee Experience in Somali Immigrant Family Transformation
Authors: Heger Boyle Elizabeth , Ali Ahmed 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThis analysis suggests a theoretical refinement of migrant acculturation theories to deal specifically with refugee acculturation experiences. Using the case of family dynamics among Somali refugees in Minnesota, we find that the same factors that are theorized to affect voluntary migrants are also important for refugees. Specifically, the nature of exit from the sending society, the reception in a new location, and group characteristics all appear to be important. However, within the category of exit from the sending society, there are specific concerns that will be more relevant to refugees than to “voluntary” migrants. Specifically, the ongoing condition of the sending society and the effects of any transitions on transnational ties are critically important in the refugee context. We demonstrate how the societal upheaval that created the Somali refugee community also affected culture and connections within Somalia, and how this has an ongoing impact on the US Somali refugee community. We argue that it is valuable to refine the acculturation framework when considering refugees.
International Migration Management and Development in Mozambique: What Strategies?
Authors: Raimundo Inês M. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractMigration management has become a complex issue for managers since there are a growing number of people who voluntarily or forcibly leave their places of origin for new places. Maintaining a satisfactory migration policy that could respond to all interests is a real challenge. Just as the Mozambican government is still battling with the management of its own migrants who are daily crossing national and regional borders, there are also a growing number of refugees from the Great Lakes of Africa and a movement of Malawians into the country in search of land and forest resources. This movement of immigrants is a response to the environmental degradation caused by Mozambican refugees from the time of their exile during the civil war. At the same time, there is a trend of emigration as a result of poor economic conditions and the increase of poverty in rural areas. It is also clear that there are direct and indirect gains and losses resulting from migration in and out of Mozambique. To what extent have policymakers dealt with these moving “outs” and “ins”? This paper seeks to analyse migration management and development strategies in Mozambique, as well as the challenges that policymakers have exposed, and also highlights the role of Mozambican refugees on environmental degradation caused in Malawi.
Mobility at the Heart of a Nation: Patterns and Meanings of Cape Verdean Migration
Authors: Carling Jørgen , Åkesson Lisa 
Published: July 2009

AbstractCape Verde, an island nation off West Africa, is a country moulded by migration from the time of settlement until today. This article traces the shifting migration flows to, through and from the archipelago. These trends are related to developments in transportation technology and changes in the world economy, which have created fluctuations in the attractiveness of Cape Verde’s location. The article then proceeds to explore the Cape Verdean “migration ideology”, which has historical roots but became consolidated through large‐scale labour emigration in the 1960s and 1970s. By “migration ideology” we refer to the set of ideas that associate migration with specific meanings and causalities. The final section of the article addresses some of the contradictions and pressures that have become central to Cape Verdean migration over the past decade or two: restrictive immigration policies in destination countries increasingly prevent the departure of prospective migrants, a diverse flow of return migrants challenges established notions of migrant success, and the islands are attracting larger numbers of transit migrants and immigrants from China and the African mainland. The analysis raises the question of how the Cape Verdean national identity will evolve with the complexity of the migratory landscape.
Post‐Colonial Portuguese Migration to Mozambique: An examination of causes, effects and future implications for development
Authors: Matos Elizabeth D. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractVarious theories of migration are used to explain the movement of populations from one place to another. The case of the Portuguese migrating to Mozambique, a former colony of Portugal and one of the most underdeveloped nations in the world, raises interesting questions about migration theory, identity, and the role of nostalgia and “homeland” in migration. Although the Portuguese comprise less than 1 per cent of the total population, they remain one of the largest and most established investors in Mozambique. Interviews with Mozambicans reveal that although the Portuguese are largely seen as an accepted part of Mozambican society, they are also distrusted and viewed more negatively than other white investors. The purpose of this article is to explain why the Portuguese living in Mozambique today migrated or stayed there and to examine the impact of their presence on development and race relations in a post‐colonial and developing Mozambique. The article also offers some suggestions for future research.
New Migrations in Portugal: Labour Markets, Smuggling and Gender Segmentation
Authors: Peixoto João 
Published: July 2009

AbstractIn the last three decades, Portugal has undergone deep changes regarding international migration. Firstly, it has become an important receiver of foreign international migrants from Africa, namely the ones coming from the ex‐colonies, now independent countries. Secondly, it witnessed a growing presence of Brazilians, which turned from a narrow middle‐high class group of immigrants, to a very large number of middle‐low and low class immigrants. Thirdly, it observed a progressive diversification of national origins, mainly represented by the recent and vast Eastern European community, but also visible in dozens of other growing foreign nationalities. In this paper, the focus will be on the role played by labour markets in the growth of new migrations, particularly in what is linked to the importance of smuggling and gender segmentation. Regarding smuggling, the strong recent expansion of the Portuguese economy, accompanied by frequent informal relationships in the labour market, largely explain the surge in the number of immigrants. These migrants often entered the country in an irregular way, using the services of smugglers and traffickers, and performing the bottom jobs of the professional ladder. Given the demand for a flexible labour force and the government’s restrictive immigration policy, the objective needs of the labour market were often met by irregular channels of migration. Gender was also a part of the process, since the segmentation of the labour market was increasingly based on ethnic and gender lines. The growth of female related jobs, from domestic and industrial cleaning to caring, and including the sex industry, explained why gendered avenues were built for labour immigration. Although most of the recent labour cycles were dominated by male workers, an increasing fraction was composed of women. Except for the case of trafficking, where exploitation is persistent, women may have acquired in this immigration process an increased but problematic autonomy.
Voluntary improvements to social security in Spain: Current legal standards and jurisprudence
Authors: García Valverde María Dolores , Valverde Francisco García 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThis article presents a general overview of “voluntary improvements” as one form of voluntary social provision within the Spanish social security system. To this end, the article analyses different forms of voluntary improvements from both a legal and a jurisprudential perspective. Particular attention is given to problems that are a major source of conflict. In line with employment practice, voluntary improvements are articulated through collective bargaining. Although intended to encourage private initiative in matters of social provision, such improvements are nonetheless guided by the social security system, not least as a means to control both funding and procedure.
J. Cosmet. Sci., 59, 263–289 (July/August 2008) Visualization and quantification of skin barrier perturbation induced by surfactant–humectant systems using two‐photon fluorescence microscopy
Authors: Ghosh S. , Kim D. , So P. , Blankschtein D. 
Published: July 2009

SynopsisIn order to visualize the effects of aqueous surfactant–humectant systems on the skin barrier, an in vitro two‐photon fluorescence microscopy (TPM) study, including dual‐channel visualization, was carried out. TPM is a non‐invasive imaging technique based on two‐photon induced nonlinear excitations of fluorophores, with the capability for deep‐tissue imaging (up to several hundred micrometers). The following aqueous solutions of surfactants, a humectant, and a surfactant + humectant mixture that contacted pig full‐thickness skin (p‐FTS) were studied: (i) a harsh surfactant solution—sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) (1 wt%); (ii) a harsh surfactant + humectant solution—SDS (1 wt%) + glycerol (10 wt%); (iii) a mild surfactant solution—sodium cocoyl isethionate (SCI) (1 wt%); (iv) a control solution—phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS); and (v) a humectant solution—glycerol (10 wt%). Sulforhodamine B (SRB), a hydrophilic fluorescent probe, was used to visualize the effects of aqueous contacting solutions i–v on the skin barrier morphology. The results of the TPM visualization study revealed that SDS induces corneocyte damage by denaturing keratins and creating intracorneocyte penetration pathways. On the other hand, SDS + glycerol did not significantly induce corneocyte damage. The dual‐channel TPM images corresponding to aqueous contacting solutions iii–v showed low SRB penetration into the corneocytes, as well as localization of the SRB probe within the lipid bilayers surrounding the corneocytes of the SC. Through a quantification of the amount of SRB that penetrated into the skin as a function of skin depth, we found that adding glycerol to an SDS aqueous contacting solution can significantly reduce the SDS‐induced penetration depth of SRB, which provides evidence of the ability of glycerol to mitigate SDS‐induced skin barrier perturbation. The distribution of SRB in the p‐FTS samples was analyzed using a theoretical model that quantified changes in the skin aqueous pore characteristics induced by aqueous contacting solutions i, ii, iii, and v, relative to aqueous contacting solution iv, the control. The results of the theoretical model indicate the following ranking order in the extent of perturbation to the skin aqueous pores (from the highest to the lowest): i > ii > iii > iv > v. The development of such an in vitro visual ranking methodology, including quantification using TPM, can potentially reduce many costly in vivo screening procedures, thereby significantly reducing the cost and time‐to‐market of new cosmetic formulations containing surfactants and humectants.