bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Study of Circulating Prohepcidin in Association with Insulin Sensitivity and Changing Iron Stores
Authors: Fernández-Real José Manuel , Equitani Francesco , Moreno José María , Manco Melania , Ortega Francisco , Ricart Wifredo 
Published: December 2008

AbstractBackground: Liver synthesizes hepcidin in response to iron overload, leading to down-regulation of duodenal iron absorption. The pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes is associated with increased iron stores. We aimed to study circulating prohepcidin in association with insulin sensitivity and parameters of glucose and iron metabolism.Methods: Serum prohepcidin was evaluated in three cohorts: 1) a cross-sectional study (cohort 1, men from the general population; n = 135); 2) after decreasing iron stores in men with “high-ferritin” type 2 diabetes (cohort 2; n = 13); and 3) after decreasing iron stores in men carrying HFE gene mutations (cohort 3; n = 16). Insulin sensitivity was measured using either the minimal model or the clamp technique.Results: Circulating prohepcidin correlated significantly with glycated hemoglobin (P &lt; 0.0001), fasting glucose (P = 0.002), triglycerides (P = 0.007), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (P = 0.01), ferritin (P = 0.01), and soluble transferrin receptor concentration (P = 0.001) in subjects from cohort 1. Prohepcidin decreased significantly after iron depletion in patients with type 2 diabetes (P = 0.04) (cohort 2) and in carriers of HFE gene mutations (P = 0.03) (cohort 3). In the latter subjects, the change in serum prohepcidin after iron depletion was associated with the change in both fasting glucose transferrin (r = 0.58; P = 0.02) and saturation (r = 0.68; P = 0.005). The changes in insulin sensitivity were associated with those of liver iron content (r = −0.64; P = 0.007) and with those of serum prohepcidin (r = −0.50; P = 0.04) (cohort 3).Conclusions: These associations suggest that circulating prohepcidin concentration is pathophysiologically associated with parameters of glucose and iron metabolism. A failure to increase prohepcidin synthesis is hypothesized to contribute to iron-induced disorders of glucose metabolism.
Very Low Density Lipoprotein Metabolism and Plasma Adiponectin as Predictors of High-Density Lipoprotein Apolipoprotein A-I Kinetics in Obese and Nonobese Men
Authors: Chan Dick C. , Barrett P. Hugh R. , Ooi Esther M. M. , Ji Juying , Chan Doris T. , Watts Gerald F. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractContext: Hypercatabolism of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) apolipoprotein (apo) A-I results in low plasma apoA-I concentration. The mechanisms regulating apoA-I catabolism may relate to alterations in very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) metabolism and plasma adiponectin and serum amyloid A protein (SAA) concentrations.Objective: We examined the associations between the fractional catabolic rate (FCR) of HDL-apoA-I and VLDL kinetics, plasma adiponectin, and SAA concentrations.Study Design: The kinetics of HDL-apoA-I and VLDL-apoB were measured in 50 obese and 37 nonobese men using stable isotopic techniques.Results: In the obese group, HDL-apoA-I FCR was positively correlated with insulin, homeostasis model of assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) score, triglycerides, VLDL-apoB, and VLDL-apoB production rate (PR). In the nonobese group, HDL-apoA-I FCR was positively correlated with triglycerides, apoC-III, VLDL-apoB, and VLDL-apoB PR and negatively correlated with plasma adiponectin. Plasma SAA was not associated with HDL-apoA-I FCR in either group. In multiple regression analyses, VLDL-apoB PR and HOMA-IR score, and VLDL-apoB PR and adiponectin were independently predictive of HDL-apoA-I FCR in the obese and nonobese groups, respectively. HDL-apoA-I FCR was positively and strongly associated with HDL-apoA-I PR in both groups.Conclusions: Variation in VLDL-apoB production, and hence plasma triglyceride concentrations, exerts a major effect on the catabolism of HDL-apoA-I. Insulin resistance and adiponectin may also contribute to the variation in HDL-apoA-I catabolism in obese and nonobese subjects, respectively. We also hypothesize that apoA-I PR determines a steady-state, lowered plasma of apoA-I, which may reflect a compensatory response to a primary defect in the catabolism of HDL-apoA-I due to altered VLDL metabolism.
Transcriptional Regulation of the Human Growth Hormone Receptor (hGHR) Gene V2 Promoter by Transcriptional Activators and Repressor
Authors: Wei Yuhong , Puzhko Svetlana , Wabitsch Martin , Goodyer Cynthia Gates 
Published: December 2008

Abstract
The V2 transcript is the major ubiquitously expressed human GH receptor (hGHR) mRNA in all tissues examined to date. In a previous investigation, we defined the V2 promoter as TATA-less and exhibiting many characteristics of a housekeeping gene promoter. We also demonstrated that its basal activity is determined by several different cis-regulatory regions within both the promoter and the V2 exon. In the present study, we used luciferase-reporter, site-directed mutagenesis, gel shift, chromatin immunoprecipitation, and quantitative RT-PCR assays to investigate the ability of certain transcription factors to regulate hGHR V2 transcription through these regions in mammalian cells, including human adipocytes. Ets1 was found to transactivate the V2 proximal promoter through specific Ets sites. Two CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) family members [C/EBP-homologous protein (CHOP) and C/EBPβ] enhanced V2 transcription via different pathways: indirectly, by association with a V2 exon region (CHOP), and directly, using a V2 proximal promoter noncanonical binding site (C/EBPβ). The Notch signaling mediator, Hes1, potently suppressed V2 promoter activity through interaction with two Hes sites within the V2 exon. We propose that these transcriptional factors regulate hGHR V2 expression by acting as downstream nuclear effectors, linking specific signaling cascades (e.g. MAPK and Notch) triggered by different growth factor-, development-, and nutrition- as well as stress-related stimuli. Our data also suggest that these factors are likely to be important in the differentiation-induced increase in V2 mRNA expression in adipocytes, with Ets1 and CHOP functioning at the preadipocyte stage to prepare the cells for differentiation and increasing C/EBPs and decreasing Hes1 levels contributing during adipocyte maturation.
A Question of Value: A Qualitative Study of Vocational Dental Practitioners’ Views on Oral Healthcare Systems and Their Future Careers
Authors: Gallagher Jennifer E , Clarke Wendy , Eaton Kenneth A , Wilson Nairn HF 
Published: December 2008

Background New dental graduates in England and Wales spend one year as vocational dental practitioners (VDPs) preparing for independent clinical practice. In recent years, they have entered a state-funded healthcare system undergoing the greatest period of change since the inception of the National Health Service (NHS) and a profession in which there has been a significant shift of care to the private sector. Against this background, the objectives of this study were to investigate VDPs’ vision of their future professional career and the influences that will impact on their choice of state-funded (NHS) and/or private dentistry, and to identify what factors may attract graduates to work for the NHS. Methods In 2004/2005, purposive sampling of a range of VDP training schemes across England and Wales was used to select the VDPs from ten schemes to take part in focus groups. To standardise data collection, a topic guide was used. Respondents’ views were recorded on tape and field notes. The data were transcribed and analysed using framework methodology. Results Ninety-nine VDPs from all parts of England and Wales participated in ten focus groups. They identified three main categories of future practice: private, state-funded (NHS), and mixed. Private practice was perceived as providing ‘professional independence’, ‘financial reward’, ‘time with patients’ and ‘clinical freedom’. NHS practice was associated with ‘providing access to specialist training’ and ‘gaining clinical experience’, often as preparation for private practice. Providing NHS care was attractive for VDPs who valued the ethos of public service. The VDPs considered that NHS practice could be made more attractive to young dentists by a range of factors, involving the funding, culture and philosophy of the system and the degree of fit with their personal and professional vision. They reported that they would welcome ‘incentives to work in areas of high need’, ‘assistance with debt’ and a ‘culture of valuing NHS dentists’. Conclusions The findings suggest that the commitment to healthcare systems of the VDPs who took part in this study was associated with being true to their values and being valued within the system. They perceived a tension between state-funded and private practice, considering the latter more likely to meet personal and professional expectations. However, they remained open to working in an enhanced and supportive state-funded system, should it correspond with their values, and demonstrate that they were valued healthcare professionals.
Can Protein Contamination be Removed from Hand Endodontic Instruments?
Authors: Whitworth Christine L , Davies Karen , Palmer Nikolaus OA 
Published: December 2008

Aim The aim of this study was to quantify total protein adhering to hand endodontic files and to measure and compare the efficacy of ultrasonic cleaning and washer-disinfectors, with and without presoaking, in protein removal from clinically contaminated endodontic files. Method Total protein contamination of the endodontic files was quantified using an assay reagent colorimetric method. Twelve general dental practitioners were recruited to collect clinically contaminated files. One hundred and fifty clinically contaminated files were allowed to air-dry in sterile plastic containers and a further 60 files were immersed, working end down, in enzymatic detergent immediately following clinical use. Thirty clinically contaminated files were tested for total protein contamination as a positive control. Sixty files were subjected to ultrasonic cleaning and 30 to processing in each of the washer-disinfectors. The presoaked files were divided into two groups of 30 for processing in the washer-disinfectors. A further group of brand-new, unused files were tested for protein contamination as a negative control. Results Protein was present on 29 of the 30 new files tested. The median total mass of protein recovered from clinically contaminated hand endodontic instruments was 2.046 μg. The most effective method of presterilisation cleaning tested was a presoak in Alkazyme™ followed by processing in the Miele G7881 washer-disinfector. Conclusion The most effective method of presterilisation cleaning for hand endodontic files is a presoak in Alkazyme™, an alkaline enzymatic detergent, followed by processing in a Miele G7881 washer-disinfector. This study provides up-to-date evidence that newer methods of presterilisation cleaning may fail to remove protein from endodontic hand instruments totally. This may have implications for all reusable dental instruments.
Factors Affecting the Referral of Potentially Malignant Lesions from Primary Dental Care: A Pilot Study in South Yorkshire
Authors: Brocklehurst Paul R , Baker Sarah R , Speight Paul M 
Published: December 2008

Aims Early diagnosis of oral cancer is an essential element of prevention, yet many patients present late, suggesting that criteria used for referral miss the small or early-stage lesions. The aims of this study were to determine what cues are used by primary care dentists when making the decision to refer a suspicious lesion, and to investigate their recent referral behaviour. Methods A cross-sectional study using a postal questionnaire was undertaken in a major conurbation in South Yorkshire. The questionnaire was sent to all 95 practices in the area concerned. Primary care dentists were asked to score a range of cues on a five-point scale and list their top ten. Experience of referrals made in the last 12 months was also recorded. Results Forty-two questionnaires were returned (44.2%). The cues that primary care dentists ‘agreed’ or ‘strongly agreed’ would initiate a referral were: ‘fixed’, ‘smokes >20 cigarettes/day’, ‘indurated’, ‘ragged borders’ and ‘ulceration’. The most cited top-ten cues were ‘ulcerated’, ‘fixed to underlying tissues’, ‘smoking’ and ‘indurated’. The median number of lesions referred was 0.77 per 1000 adult patients. Twenty-six dentists recorded their experience of 29 lesions. Of these, 17% had been found by the patient whereas 80% had been found at a routine dental examination. Seventy-nine per cent had been present for more than six weeks. Reasons for referral included atypical appearance (38%), ulceration (21%) and location (21%). Fifty-four per cent of primary care dentists described their relationship with secondary care as either ‘good’ or ‘excellent’. Conclusions The most cited cues related to established or advanced disease, not to ‘red’ and ‘white’ lesions, which the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommend for early referral. Even allowing for the relatively poor response rate, this suggests that some small lesions of oral cancer are being missed.
Effects of Critical Illness and Organ Failure on Therapeutic Argatroban Dosage Requirements in Patients with Suspected or Confirmed Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia
Authors: Keegan Shaun P , Gallagher Erika M , Ernst Neil E , Young Emily J , Mueller Eric W 
Published: December 2008

BACKGROUND Critically ill patients often require therapeutic argatroban dosages lower than those recommended in package labeling. The magnitude of dosage alteration in relation to severity of organ failure is unknown. OBJECTIVE To compare therapeutic argatroban dosages between critically ill and noncritically ill patients with confirmed or suspected heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and investigate the relationship between total Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score and therapeutic argatroban dosage. METHODS This retrospective cohort study was conducted at an urban academic medical center. Adults without Child-Pugh class C hepatic dysfunction who received argatroban for more than 24 hours over a 3-year period were included. Therapeutic argatroban dosage was that resulting in 2 consecutive activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) values 1.5–3 times the patient-specific baseline obtained at least 4 hours apart. Initial argatroban dosages were at the discretion of the managing service. RESULTS Fifty-three patients (critically ill, n = 34; noncritically ill, n = 19) were included. Critically ill patients had higher median [interquartile range] Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE II) (17 [12–21] vs 10 [3.25–17.75]; p = 0.007) and SOFA (11 [7–13] vs 2 [0–2.75]; p < 0.001) scores. Critically ill patients required lower mean ± SD therapeutic argatroban dosage (0.6 ± 0.5 vs 1.4 ± 0.9 µg/kg/min; p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in time to therapeutic aPTT or proportion of aPTTs within therapeutic range. Argatroban dosage was inversely related to SOFA score tertiles (<6: 1.34 ± 0.82 µg/kg/min; 6–9: 0.93 ± 0.54; ≥10: 0.40 ± 0.27; p < 0.001). Total SOFA score at the time of argatroban initiation was independently associated with an argatroban dosage less than 0.75 µg/kg/min (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.2 to 1.8; p < 0.001). Adverse events were similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS Critically ill patients with single or multiple organ failure require lower therapeutic argatroban dosages compared with noncritically ill patients. Because of an inverse relationship with SOFA score, initial argatroban dosage in critically ill patients should be based on the presence and magnitude of organ failure.
When Less Liability Leads to More Care: Adverse Effects of Liability Regimes in Multitask Principal Agent Settings
Authors: Samwer Martina C. 
Published: December 2008

Abstract
The problem of multitasking concerns the dilemma of designing incentives for an agent among an array of tasks when some tasks are more difficult to observe than others. So far the multitasking approach, as introduced by Holmstrom and Milgrom, has only been used in the context of incentive schemes based on positive rewards resulting in the use of lower-powered incentives in comparison with single-task settings. The main argument of the paper posits that these results can also be applied to incentive schemes based on negative rewards such as a liability system. The underlying idea claims that the additional utility from an increase in the first task due to a positive deterrence effect is lower than the disutility from a decrease of the second less observable or unverifiable task due to rising opportunity cost for the agent. The idea is discussed in the context of the optimal design of medical malpractice regimes.
Emissions Trading and the Polluter-Pays Principle: Do Polluters Pay under Grandfathering?
Authors: Woerdman Edwin , Arcuri Alessandra , Clò Stefano 
Published: December 2008

Abstract
Emissions trading is becoming increasingly popular in environmental law. Allowances to trade emissions can either be auctioned off or handed out free of charge by means of grandfathering. Although grandfathering is frequently used in emissions trading schemes, it is a popular view in the economic and legal literature that grandfathering is inconsistent with the polluter-pays principle. We come to a different, more nuanced view. The question of whether polluters pay under grandfathering depends on how the polluter-pays principle is interpreted. We present a taxonomy of interpretations. Based on an efficiency interpretation of the principle, consistency is demonstrated by emphasizing the economic impact of the opportunity costs of gratis allowances and the lump sum nature of the subsidy that is inherent to grandfathering. Inconsistency can only be claimed based on an equity interpretation of the polluter-pays principle. Allocating allowances free of charge means that polluting firms receive a capital gift making their shareholders richer, which may be perceived as unfair. We draw two conclusions. First, contrary to what some have claimed, grandfathering is compatible with an efficiency interpretation of the polluter-pays principle. Second, only auctioning is consistent with an extended form of this principle. Auctioning ensures not only that pollution costs are internalized (efficiency), but also that producers buy their allowances before they pass on those costs to consumers (equity).
A Simple Method of Determining the Effective Attenuation Coefficient
Authors: Domański Grzegorz , Konarzewski Bogumił , Pawłowski Zdzisław , Zaremba Krzysztof , Marzec Janusz , Trybuła Artur , Kurjata Robert 
Published: December 2008

A Simple Method of Determining the Effective Attenuation Coefficient
This paper presents a simple method of determining the effective attenuation coefficient from steady-state diffuse reflectance measurements.
First Results of the Implementation of Telemedical Service in The Odessa Region
Authors: Godlevsky Leonid , Kalinchuk Sergey , Bayazitov Nikolay , Smirnov Igor , Adeyinka Michael , Samchenko Igor , Bayzakov Usen 
Published: December 2008

First Results of the Implementation of Telemedical Service in The Odessa Region
Results on the implementation of technical system purposed for telemedical consultations in Odessa Region of Ukraine are presented. Such a system permitted to perform telemedical consultations in the form of videoconferences with parallel transmission of medical images, and ECG records. First (half year) experience of performing consultative activity was in favour of identification of urgent indications for surgery in some patients, and proved to be preventive with regard to some complications in patients with acute heart and vessel diseases as well as in patients with traumas. The main conclusion on high effectiveness of proposed telemedical technical configuration, and especially in terms of heightening standards of regional medical care was made.
Bulgarien und Rumänien in der Europäischen Union – forstpolitische Herausforderungen | Bulgaria and Romania in the European Union – challenges for forest policy
Authors: Angelova Elena Hristova , Irimie Doru Leonard , Sotirov Metodi , Winkel Georg 
Published: December 2008

Romania's and Bulgaria's accession to the European Union (EU) increased the forested area of the Community considerably and lead to significant changes within the forest sectors of these states, which had been shaped by centrally planned economy for a long time. Entering the European economic area and complying with its legal framework triggered a dynamic development, which was characterized by the competing priorities of domestic forest policy and the requests formulated by the EU.
This article is going to discuss the immanent processes of these developments based on the results of three dissertations on this topic carried out at the Institute of Forest and Environmental Policy, University of Freiburg (Germany) during the recent years. The research focuses on the institutional changes in Romania and Bulgaria paying special attention to the restitution of property to private owners. Besides formal institutions, also informal aspects such as conflicting beliefs and interests of different forest policy stakeholders are considered. It can be shown that, despite the considerable development the forest sectors of both countries went through, still major challenges remain to be dealt with until they are fully integrated into the European economic and political area.
Hélène Brion en « Russie rouge » (1920-1922).
Authors: Cœuré Sophie 
Published: December 2008

Née en 1882, Hélène Brion est une personnalité de premier plan dans le mouvement ouvrier parisien. L’étude de « Choses et gens de Russie rouge », manuscrit inédit témoignant de son voyage en Russie soviétique, de sa correspondance, et d’autres sources, apporte un éclairage renouvelé sur le milieu militant des premiers congrès du mouvement communiste international, sur l’expérience forte que put être la vie quotidienne à Moscou et à Petrograd, sur les mécanismes de conviction et de déception en ces temps pionniers de l’accueil de voyageurs occidentaux. Elle permet aussi de s’interroger sur le parcours d’un engagement féminin et féministe dans le premier communisme français.
Les conditions historiques de la naissance et de la reproduction de l'« emploi à vie » comme archétype de l'emploi masculin au Japon
Authors: Thomann Bernard 
Published: December 2008

Pour comprendre les enjeux de l’affaiblissement que connaît aujourd’hui la pratique de l’« emploi à vie » en tant qu’archétype de l’emploi masculin, nous tentons de mettre en lumière les deux principales dynamiques historiques qui lui ont permis de voir le jour et de se reproduire : la mise en place de capacités organisationnelles dans les entreprises favorisant le développement sur le long terme d’un capital humain propre et la constitution de l’entreprise en un lieu de solidarité sociale.
Le droit japonais et le harcèlement sexuel dans l'entreprise
Authors: Seizelet Éric 
Published: December 2008

Dans cet article, on se propose d’évaluer les changements intervenus dans les inégalités hommes-femmes depuis le début de la crise contemporaine au Japon. Pour ce faire, on procède tout d’abord à une mise en perspective historique du différentiel de salaire entre les hommes et les femmes depuis les années 1950. Ensuite, on passe en revue deux types d’interprétations contradictoires, positive et négative, de l’évolution depuis le début des années 1990, qu’on ne peut réconcilier qu’en prenant en compte l’évolution globale du marché du travail et des inégalités, marquée respectivement par une montée du chômage et une « resegmentation » du marché du travail suivant de nouvelles lignes de clivage. Enfin, on propose une tentative de conceptualisation, en intégrant le genre dans l’analyse du rapport salarial japonais. Cela permet en retour de comprendre les limites de l’évolution contemporaine et de préciser les enjeux d’une politique d’égalité hommes-femmes digne de ce nom.