bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dapagliflozin treatment in patients with different stages of type 2 diabetes mellitus: effects on glycaemic control and body weight
Authors: Zhang L. , Feng Y. , List J. , Kasichayanula S. , Pfister M. 
Published: March 2010

Aim: Dapagliflozin is a stable, competitive, reversible, and highly selective inhibitor of sodium‐glucose co‐transporter 2, the major transporter responsible for renal glucose reabsorption. With an insulin‐independent mechanism of action, dapagliflozin is currently being developed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This work aims to compare the efficacy of dapagliflozin, as measured by the change in hemoglobin A1c concentration (A1c) and body weight, and to determine the pharmacodynamic effects of dapagliflozin, as measured by urinary glucose excretion in early‐stage and late‐stage T2DM patient populations. Methods: A total of 151 early‐stage patients and 58 late‐stage patients with T2DM randomly assigned 10 or 20 mg once daily (QD) dapagliflozin treatment or placebo for 12 weeks from two phase 2 studies were included in the analysis. A1c, body weight, and urinary glucose were compared between the two patient populations. Results: Compared with the early‐stage population, patients in the late‐stage population had a longer duration of T2DM and higher baseline levels of A1c, body weight, fasting plasma glucose, and urinary glucose excretion. After 12 weeks of dapagliflozin treatment, A1c reduction, weight loss, and increased urinary glucose excretion from baseline were observed in both populations. Baseline A1c level impacted the A1c reduction after dapagliflozin treatment with a comparable effect in patients with early and late stage disease. Late‐stage patients had greater reduction in body weight. There was no statistically significant difference in the amount of urinary glucose excretion between the early‐stage and late‐stage patients. Conclusions: Dapagliflozin treatment at 10 and 20 mg QD for 12 weeks resulted in significant improvement in glycaemic control and body weight reduction in both early‐stage and late‐stage patients with T2DM. The findings suggest that dapagliflozin could be a promising treatment option for a wide range of patients with T2DM.
Urinary fistulae after partial nephrectomy
Authors: Kundu Shilajit D. , Thompson R. Houston , Kallingal George J. , Cambareri Gina , Russo Paul 
Published: March 2010

Study Type – Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4OBJECTIVETo report the risk factors and natural history of urinary fistula (UF) after partial nephrectomy (PN), as their incidence has been reported to be 3–6% in large series of PN but there are few reports of the risk factors associated with the development of UF after PN, and the natural history of UF in a large group of patients.PATIENTS AND METHODSThis was a retrospective review of 1118 PN at one tertiary‐care institution. Most patients had a drain placed in the perinephric space after surgery. Fifty‐two patients were identified as having a UF if they had persistent flank drainage for >14 days after surgery, or presented with evidence of a UF after the drain had been removed. Risk factors for development and the course of the UF are reported.RESULTSFifty‐two patients developed a UF after PN (4.4%, 95% confidence interval, CI, 3.5–6.1%) The rate of a persistent urine leak (defined as drain fluid consistent with urine for >2 weeks after surgery) was 4.0 (95% CI 2.9–5.3)%. The overall rate of delayed UF presentation was only 0.4 (0.09–0.9)%. Patients who developed a UF had larger tumours (3.5 vs 2.6 cm, P= 0.03), a higher estimated blood loss (400 vs 300 mL, P < 0.001), and longer ischaemia time (50 vs 39 min, P < 0.001) than patients who did not develop a UF. Differences in tumour histology, laterality, multifocality, type of surgery (laparoscopic vs open), and intraoperative collecting system entry were not statistically different in patients who did or did not develop a UF. Patients with tumours of >2.5 cm were twice as likely to develop a UF than patients with tumours of <2.5 cm (P= 0.02). Most patients were managed conservatively with a percutaneous drain until the UF resolved, if they were asymptomatic. Overall, in 36 patients (69%) the fistula resolved with no intervention, while 16 (31%) required intervention. Stenting was the commonest intervention (15%). No patient required re‐operative open surgery.CONCLUSIONThe rate of development of UF after PN is low. Tumour size, blood loss and ischaemia time were all associated with the development of a UF. In most patients with a urine leak immediately after surgery the UF will resolve with no intervention, and can be managed conservatively with patience, in the absence of clinical symptoms.
Dorsal urethroplasty with labia minora skin graft for female urethral strictures
Authors: Rehder Peter , Glodny Bernhard , Pichler Renate , Exeli Lukas , Kerschbaumer Andrea , Mitterberger Michael Josef 
Published: March 2010

Study Type – Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4OBJECTIVETo report a new dorsal labia minora skin‐graft urethroplasty as a simple, safe and effective therapeutic alternative for female urethral strictures, as although distal urethral strictures can be treated by meatoplasty, proximal and mid‐urethral strictures need appropriate urethroplasty.PATIENTS AND METHODSEight women with a confirmed proximal or mid‐urethral stricture had indications for urethroplasty with the use of a thin free labia minora skin graft using a dorsal (6 o’clock position) urethroplasty technique. Full informed consent was obtained. From the inner aspect of one labium minora a thin free skin flap was prepared. The strictured urethra and the anterior vaginal wall were transected and the graft sutured into the defect. All scar tissue was removed and the anterior vaginal wall closed in two layers over the area of the urethroplasty. Continence was evaluated by a stress test with a full bladder.RESULTSAll patients were operated on with no complications during or after surgery. After 1 and 2 years of follow‐up seven and six of the eight patients had no recurrence of stricture disease. All patients remained continent.CONCLUSIONThe urethroplasty using an inlay of free thin genital skin graft was safe, uncomplicated and effective.
Gibrat's Law in the “Third Italy”: Firm Growth in the Veneto Region
Authors: PIERGIOVANNI ROBERTA 
Published: March 2010

ABSTRACTAccording to Gibrat's Law of Proportionate Effect, the growth rate of a given firm is independent of its size at the beginning of the period examined. While earlier studies tended to confirm the Law, more recent research generally rejects it. The aim of this paper is to test whether Gibrat's Law is confirmed, for the 1995–2005 period, for a large sample of firms active in the Veneto region of Italy. Controlling for firm age and size, findings show that the Law is not confirmed in the early stages of a firm's life cycle, with younger firms growing faster than established ones, whereas it cannot be rejected once a given threshold in terms of age is reached. These findings are consistent with the life cycle theory of the firm and with the hypothesis that fast growing small and medium‐sized enterprises may have played a role in the evolution and the structural transformation of local systems in the “Third Italy” during the 1990s and early 2000s.
The employment effects of labour legislation in India: a critical essay
Authors: D'Souza Errol 
Published: March 2010

ABSTRACTJob security regulations have been central to government interventions in the labour market in India. These have been criticised for restricting employment growth. We argue that job security regulation has not had the negative effects its critics make a case out for. Firms have changed work practices and reorganised job boundaries as the import substituting industrialisation regime was dismantled. Weak enforcement of laws has supported this restructuring effort, with firms resorting to voluntary retirement of workers and increasingly hiring on the basis of flexible contracts. A two‐tier system of employment currently prevails, with job security for the employed insiders and no protection to newly hired outsiders. Unorganised workers' employment prospects have been furthered in this emerging scenario, and their alliance with firms and the state results in an atrophying of job security regulations.
Globalisation and outsourcing: confronting new human resource challenges in India's business process outsourcing industry
Authors: Kuruvilla Sarosh , Ranganathan Aruna 
Published: March 2010

ABSTRACTIn this article, we argue that the rapid growth of the outsourcing industry has resulted in both high turnover and labour shortages and at the same time provided employment opportunities to a new group of employees: young upwardly mobile college graduates. We argue that this particular demographic profile is prone to high turnover and presents new managerial challenges. We then examine the variety of recruitment and retention strategies that companies in the business process outsourcing industry are experimenting with and show that many novel HR strategies are being crafted to address the needs of this young middle‐class workforce. We also examine macro efforts by state and central governments and the industry association to help resolve some of these problems.
Evidence‐based recommendations to assess psoriasis severity: systematic literature review and expert opinion of a panel of dermatologists
Authors: Paul C , Gourraud P‐A , Bronsard V , Prey S , Puzenat E , Aractingi S , Aubin F , Bagot M , Cribier B , Joly P , Jullien D , Le Maitre M , Richard‐Lallemand M‐A , Ortonne J‐P 
Published: March 2010

AbstractBackground  Severity of psoriasis appears to be multidimensional and its assessment in everyday clinical practice requires a complex holistic approach.Objectives  To develop evidence‐based recommendations to assess severity of plaque‐type psoriasis in adult patients in everyday clinical practice.Methods  A scientific committee (10 members identified on the basis of their expertise in psoriasis) using Delphi methodology selected eight questions in three domains: severity, health‐related quality of life (HR‐QoL) and comorbidities. Three systematic literature reviews (one per domain) of all studies published between January 1980 and June 2009 were performed based on Pub‐Med, Cochrane and Embase database. Selected articles were systematically reviewed and evidence appraised according to the Oxford Levels of Evidence. On June 2009, a group of 44 French dermatologists both hospital and office based participated in a meeting including three separate rounds of discussions, plenary sessions, and modified Delphi technique votes. Recommendations for clinical practice based on systematic review and clinical experience were formulated by the group. Subsequently, agreements among the participants regarding these recommendations as well as potential impact on clinical practice were evaluated.Results  A total of 10 642 references were identified, of which 154 articles were analysed. Ten key recommendations on the assessment of psoriasis severity were formulated: three recommendations relating to severity assessment, three recommendations relating to HR‐QoL (including the use of the Dermatology Life Quality Index [DLQI] in clinical practice) and four recommendations relating to comorbidities (including systematic screening for peripheral or axial inflammatory joint damage, regardless of psoriasis severity).Conclusions  Ten recommendations to assess the severity of plaque‐type psoriasis in adult patients in daily practice were developed. The recommendations are based on systematic appraisal of available evidence. They were developed and supported by a panel of dermatologists, which enhances their validity and practical relevance.
Assessment of risk of psoriatic arthritis in patients with plaque psoriasis: a systematic review of the literature
Authors: Prey S , Paul C , Bronsard V , Puzenat E , Gourraud P‐A , Aractingi S , Aubin F , Bagot M , Cribier B , Joly P , Jullien D , Maitre M Le , Richard‐Lallemand M‐A , Ortonne J‐P 
Published: March 2010

AbstractObjective  The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in the patients with plaque psoriasis and to give recommendation for the diagnosis of PsA for dermatologists.Methods  A systematic search was performed in Pubmed, Cochrane and Embase databases. The key‐words used from the Medical Searching Heading (MeSH) were: ‘Psoriasis’, ‘Arthritis, Psoriatic’, ‘Uveitis’ and ‘Dactylitis’. We selected cross‐sectional epidemiological studies written in English or French between January 1980 and October 2009.Results  The initial literature search identified 2171 references. Based on abstract reading and exclusion of studies not written in English or French, and without control group, the final selection included 20 epidemiological studies. With the eight studies using rheumatologically validated criteria, the prevalence of PsA among psoriasis patient spanned a wide range from 7% to 26%.Conclusion  Psoriasis arthritis may affect up to 24% of psoriasis patients. Dermatologist should be aware of main clinical sign of PsA to promote earlier recognition and treatment of PsA.
Analysis of the STS gene in 40 patients with recessive X‐linked ichthyosis: a high frequency of partial deletions in a Spanish population
Authors: Cañueto J , Ciria S , Hernández‐Martín A , Unamuno P , González‐Sarmiento R 
Published: March 2010

AbstractBackground  Recessive X‐linked ichthyosis (RXLI) (OMIM 308100) is a genodermatosis characterized by polygonal, dark, adherent and mild‐to‐moderate scales that normally improve during summer. RXLI is caused by a deficiency in steroid sulphatase (STS), whose gene has been located on the X chromosome (locus Xp22.3). Up to 90% of the mutations described in this gene are complete deletions.Objectives  Previous reports of partial deletion of STS gene in cases of RXLI prompted us to determine the incidence of these abnormalities in a Spanish population.Methods  We have studied exons 1, 5 and 10 of the STS gene by polymerase chain reaction in 40 patients with clinical features of RXLI.Results  Our results revealed that 30 patients presented complete deletions (75%) while 10 patients had partial deletions (25%) a rate higher than that reported in the previous studies.Conclusions  Amplification of exons 1, 5 and 10 is reliable in screening RXLI in the population studied here. No correlation was found between phenotype and the extent of the deletions.
Paederus dermatitis in Egypt: a clinicopathological and ultrastructural study
Authors: Assaf M , Nofal E , Nofal A , Assar O , Azmy A 
Published: March 2010

AbstractBackground  Outbreaks of paederus dermatitis (PD) have been observed in different parts of the world, yet the histopathological and ultrastructural changes and their relationship to pederin toxin have not been described.Objective  To describe the clinical presentations of PD in Egypt and to study the effects of pederin toxin on the skin by evaluating the histopathological and ultrastructural changes of some representative cases.Methods  One hundred and thirteen patients with PD were studied clinically and epidemiologically. Skin biopsies were taken from 40 patients for histopathological examination and from 20 patients for electron microscopic (EM) examination.Results  Clinically, the most common presentation comprised erythematous plaques with micropustules. Blisters exhibited a linear configuration in 40% of the patients and kissing lesions were observed in 13%. Multiple lesions occurred in 78% of the patients and the face was the most commonly involved site (48%). The insect was identified as Paederus alfierii. Histopathological examination revealed features of acute irritant dermatitis in the upper epidermis. Mitotic figures and apoptotic changes such as chromatin condensation and DNA fragmentation were identified in the basal and suprabasal layers. These features were confirmed by EM.Conclusions  Clinical, histopathological and, for the first time, ultrastructural characteristics of paederus dermatitis are described. The pathological abnormalities of the upper epidermis are caused by the irritant effect of pederin toxin. The presence of apoptosis within the lower epidermis can be related to this toxin, a point that needs further research, hoping for its future implications in the management of hyperproliferative disorders.
Heterogeneous mutations of the ATP2C1 gene causing Hailey–Hailey disease in Hong Kong Chinese
Authors: Cheng TS , Ho KM , Lam CW 
Published: March 2010

AbstractBackground  Hailey–Hailey disease (HHD) is a rare autosomal dominant dermatosis. It causes suprabasilar acantholysis leading to vesicular and crusted erosions affecting the flexures. Mutation of ATP2C1 gene encoding the human secretory pathway Ca2+/Mn2+‐ATPase (hSPCA1) was identified to be the cause of this entity.Objective  The aim of this study was to study the mutational profile of the ATP2C1 gene in Hong Kong Chinese patients with HHD.Methods  Patients with the clinical diagnosis of HHD proven by skin biopsy were included in this study. Mutation analysis was performed in 17 Hong Kong Chinese patients with HHD.Results  Ten mutations in the ATP2C1 gene were found. Six of these were novel mutations. The novel mutations included a donor splice site mutation (IVS22+1G>A); a missense mutation (c.1049A>T); two deletion mutations (c.185_188delAGTT and c.923_925delAAG); an acceptor splice site mutation (IVS21‐1G>C) and an insertion mutation (c.2454dupT).Conclusion  The six novel mutations provide additions to the HHD mutation database. No hot‐spot mutation was found and high allelic heterogeneity was demonstrated in the Hong Kong Chinese patients.
Ubiquitin/proteasome‐dependent down‐regulation following clathrin‐mediated internalization of histamine H1‐receptors in Chinese hamster ovary cells
Authors: Hishinuma Shigeru , Komazaki Hiroshi , Fukui Hiroyuki , Shoji Masaru 
Published: March 2010

J. Neurochem.(2010)113, 990–1001.AbstractWe investigated the regulatory pathways responsible for agonist‐induced internalization and down‐regulation of Gqprotein‐coupled histamine H1‐receptors in Chinese hamster ovary cells. Histamine‐induced internalization and down‐regulation of H1‐receptors were detected as the loss of [3H]mepyramine binding sites on intact cells accessible to hydrophilic and hydrophobic H1‐receptor antagonists, pirdonium and mepyramine, respectively. Pretreatment of cells with 0.1 mM histamine for 30 min at 37°C induced internalization as well as down‐regulation of H1‐receptors, both of which were inhibited either in the presence of an inhibitor against G protein‐coupled receptor kinases (ZnCl2) or under hypertonic conditions where clathrin‐dependent endocytosis is known to be inhibited, but were not affected by inhibitors against caveolae/raft‐dependent endocytosis (filipin and nystatin). Down‐regulation of H1‐receptors, but not their internalization, was inhibited by protein kinase C inhibitors (chelerythrin or GF109203X), a ubiquitin E1 inhibitor (UBEI‐41) and proteasome inhibitors (lactacystin and MG‐132). Neither a Ca2 + /calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II inhibitor (KN‐62) nor lysosomal protease inhibitors (E‐64, leupeptin, chloroquine and NH4Cl) affected the internalization and down‐regulation of H1‐receptors. These results suggest that H1‐receptors internalize upon agonist stimulation via G protein‐coupled receptor kinase/clathrin‐dependent but caveolae/raft‐independent mechanisms and are delivered to proteasomes, preferentially to lysosomes, for their prompt down‐regulation.
Pro‐gliogenic effect of IL‐1α in the differentiation of embryonic neural precursor cells in vitro
Authors: Ajmone‐Cat Maria Antonietta , Cacci Emanuele , Ragazzoni Ylenia , Minghetti Luisa , Biagioni Stefano 
Published: March 2010

J. Neurochem. (2010) 113, 1060–1072.AbstractInflammation is regarded as a main obstacle to brain regeneration. Major detrimental effects are attributed to microglial/macrophagic products, such as TNF‐α and interleukin (IL)‐6. The role of cytokines of the IL‐1 family, particularly of IL‐1α, in the modulation of neural precursor cell (NPC) properties is less characterized. IL‐1α is one of the most abundant cytokines released upon acute stimulation of microglia with lipopolysaccharide and is down‐regulated upon chronic stimulation. As we recently demonstrated, acutely activated microglia reduces NPC survival, prevent neuronal differentiation and promote glial differentiation. Chronically activated microglia are instead permissive to NPC survival and neuronal differentiation, and less effective in promoting astrocytic differentiation. We thus investigated whether IL‐1α could contribute to the effects of acutely activated microglia on NPC. We found that NPC express functional IL‐1 receptors and that exposure to recombinant IL‐1α strongly enhances NPC differentiation into astrocytes, without affecting cell viability and neuronal differentiation. In the same conditions, recombinant IL‐1β has pro‐gliogenic effects at concentrations 10‐fold higher than those found in activated microglial conditioned media. Interestingly, immunodepletion of IL‐1α in activated microglial conditioned media fails to revert microglial pro‐gliogenic action and slightly enhances neuronal differentiation, revealing that other microglial‐derived factors contribute to the modulation of NPC properties.
Hope as a determinant of mental health recovery: a psychometric evaluation of the Herth Hope Index‐Dutch version
Authors: Van Gestel‐Timmermans Hanneke , Van Den Bogaard Joop , Brouwers Evelien , Herth Kaye , Van Nieuwenhuizen Chijs 
Published: March 2010

Scand J Caring Sci; 2010; 24; 67–74

Hope as a determinant of mental health recovery: a psychometric evaluation of the Herth Hope Index‐Dutch version Hope is an important aspect of mental health recovery and a major concern in patients with mental illness. Therefore, an instrument to measure hope could be useful for clinical settings and research. The aim of this study was to develop a Dutch version of the Herth Hope Index (HHI‐Dutch) and to evaluate its validity and reliability in a sample of people with severe mental illness. The HHI‐Dutch was used in a sample of people with severe mental illness (n = 341). A Principal Component Analysis with varimax rotation was performed and identified two factors. The results also showed a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.84 for the HHI total score and a test–retest reliability of r = 0.79. As for convergent validity, highest correlations were found between hope and health‐related self‐efficacy beliefs (r = 0.72), perceived quality of life (r = 0.56) and mental health (r = 0.59) and medium correlations between hope and loneliness (r = ‐0.47), task‐oriented coping (r = 0.45) and the habit to seek company (r = 0.4). As for divergent validity, according to expectations, there was no significant correlation between hope and physical functioning, but there was a positive correlation between hope and general health perception (r = 0.34). In conclusion, the HHI‐Dutch has shown to be an instrument with adequate psychometrical properties. It is advisable to use the scale as a whole rather than using the subscales. The HHI‐Dutch is appropriate for research in the recovery process of people with severe mental illness. Moreover, the study of hope is important for understanding the concept of hope in relation to mental health recovery. The results of this study may be a step forward and a new impulse to stimulate research on the important ‘hope’ aspect in mental health recovery.