bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Vascular involvement in Behçet's disease: a retrospective analysis of 2319 cases
Authors: Sarica‐Kucukoglu Rifkiye , Akdag‐Kose Afet , Kayabalı Murat , Yazganoglu Kurtulus Didem , Disci Rian , Erzengin Dilek , Azizlerli Gulsevim 
Published: August 2006

AbstractBackground  Vascular lesions can be the presenting sign of Behçet's disease (BD) preceding classical symptoms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and types of vascular involvement in BD.Methods  Among 2319 patients diagnosed with BD according to the criteria of the International Study Group for BD, 332 patients (279 male, 53 female) with vascular involvement were included in this study.Results  Prevalence of vascular involvement was 14.3%. Vascular involvement was found to be more common in males (P < 0.001, male : female ratio 5.26 : 1). Mean age at onset of vascular involvement was 30.58 ± 7.88. Vascular lesion was the presenting sign of BD in 50 patients (2.1%), whereas in 109 patients (4.7%) it started together with other clinical symptoms at the age of diagnosis. Superficial vein thrombophlebitis (SVT) was the most common vascular symptom (53.3%) followed by deep vein thrombosis (DVT) (29.8%). Arterial lesions were rare (3.6%). Of the patients 13.3% had more than one type of vascular involvement. Lower extremities were the most frequent localization in patients with SVT, whereas the femoral vein was mainly involved in patients with DVT and the pulmonary artery was mainly involved in the patients with arterial lesions.Conclusion  In countries like Turkey where BD is more frequent, young male patients presenting with vascular involvement should be evaluated for BD.
Under‐expression of VHL and over‐expression of HDAC‐1, HIF‐1α, LL‐37, and IAP‐2 in affected skin biopsies of patients with psoriasis
Authors: Tovar‐Castillo Laura E. , Cancino‐Díaz Juan C. , García‐Vázquez Francisco , Cancino‐Gómez Francisco G. , León‐Dorantes Gladys , Blancas‐González Fernando , Jiménez‐Zamudio Luis , García‐Latorre Ethel , Cancino‐Díaz Mario E. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractBackground  A feature of psoriasis is the rapid proliferation of keratinocytes, during which apoptosis is blocked and angiogenesis starts. It is known that tumor hypoxic cells produce histone deacetylase‐1 (HDAC‐1), which up‐regulates hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α (HIF‐1α) and down‐regulates von Hippel–Lindau (VHL) protein by up‐regulating vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression. It has been reported recently that the porcine peptide PR39 (homologous to human LL‐37) has angiogenic and antiapoptotic activity. Thus, LL‐37, induced by insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1), could help in the production of VEGF. PR39 also induces the expression of inhibitor of apoptosis protein‐2 (IAP‐2), which blocks apoptosis. The purpose of this work was to analyze whether these genes and their proteins are expressed in psoriatic biopsies.Methods  Using semiquantitative reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) messenger RNA (mRNA) expression and immunohistochemical staining, we studied VHL, IAP‐2, and related genes in skin biopsies from psoriatic patients and healthy subjects.Results  An over‐expression of the mRNA for HDAC‐1, HIF‐1α, LL‐37, and IGF‐1 in psoriatic skin, in comparison with skin from healthy subjects, was found. The antiangiogenic VHL mRNA and protein were under‐expressed in psoriatic skin and highly expressed in healthy skin. The antiapoptotic IAP‐2 was over‐expressed in dermal endothelial cells from psoriatic skin. The pro‐apoptotic Bax, Fas, and FasL mRNAs were expressed.Conclusions  These findings suggest that there could be an association of HDAC‐1, HIF‐1α, LL‐37, VHL, and IAP‐2 with angiogenic and apoptotic mechanisms in psoriasis.
Crack resistance of austenitic stainless steel pipe and pipe welds with a circumferential crack under monotonic loading
Authors: SINGH P. K. , VAZE K. K. , GHOSH A. K. , KUSHWAHA H. S. , PUKAZHENDI D. M. , MURTHY D. S. R. 
Published: August 2006

ABSTRACTThis paper describes the experimental studies carried out on cracked austenitic stainless steel pipe and pipe welds under bending loads. Pipe welds were produced by gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) and shielded metal arc welding (SMAW). Fracture resistance curves for pipe and pipe welds were compared. Results indicate that the fracture resistance of pipe and pipe weld (GTAW) is comparable but that of pipe weld (GTAW+SMAW) is inferior. Cracks do not deviate from their original plane during propagation as observed in the cases of carbon steel pipe and pipe welds. The fracture resistance of pipe welds does not depend on the loading histories to which it has been subjected prior to fracture test. Initiation and crack propagation were observed prior to the maximum moment. An existing limit load expression is applicable for the pipe base material but gives non‐conservative results for the pipe welds. Multiplication factors have been suggested for the pipe welds for evaluation of limit loads using the existing expression. Fracture resistance for the pipe and compact tension specimens have also been compared for base material and welds.
Some comments on surface cracks in rails
Authors: FISCHER F. D. , DAVES W. , PIPPAN R. , POINTNER P. 
Published: August 2006

ABSTRACTThe present work considers the problem of whether a shallow angle surface crack on a rail may propagate either parallel or perpendicular to the surface. After referring to a classification of crack‐like defects, a distinct surface crack with a typical length of 1 mm and more, inclined to the surface by an angle of approx. 30°, is introduced. Then various strain and stress states are discussed (eigenstress, residual and load stress state) which may control the crack growth. Stress intensity factor equations are provided for the internal and load stress states. In particular, the deformation process due to a single pass (overrolling) by a wheel is investigated. Recommendations are presented on how to relate the stress intensity factor ranges to the actual deformation process. For a typical loading condition, the positive part of the mode I stress intensity factor range is near to the effective threshold value of a rail steel. The influence of the material and its strength on the crack propagation behaviour is discussed qualitatively.
Kleptoplasty in an Antarctic dinoflagellate: caught in evolutionary transition?
Authors: Gast Rebecca J. , Moran Dawn M. , Dennett Mark R. , Caron David A. 
Published: August 2006

SummaryPhotosynthetic dinoflagellates contain a diverse collection of plastid types, a situation believed to have arisen from multiple endosymbiotic events. In addition, a number of heterotrophic (phagotrophic) dinoflagellates possess the ability to acquire chloroplasts temporarily by engulfing algae and retaining their chloroplasts in a functional state. These latter relationships typically last from a few days to weeks, at which point the chloroplasts lose function, are digested and replaced with newly acquired plastids. A novel and abundant dinoflagellate related to the icthyotoxic genera Karenia and Karlodinium was recently discovered by us in the Ross Sea, Antarctica. Sequencing of its plastid small subunit ribosomal gene indicated that it did not share evolutionary history with the plastids of Karenia or Karlodinium, but was closely related to the free‐living haptophyte Phaeocystis antarctica, a species that often dominates phytoplankton blooms in the Ross Sea. Chloroplast uptake was observed to occur rapidly (within 2 days), with retention in cultures being long‐lived (several months) but not permanent. The dinoflagellate was also incapable of growing indefinitely in continuous darkness with algae as prey. Our findings may indicate an emerging endosymbiotic event yielding a dinoflagellate that is presently neither purely phototrophic nor purely heterotrophic, but occupies a niche juxtaposed between these contrasting nutritional modes.
Nateglinide or gliclazide in combination with metformin for treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus inadequately controlled on maximum doses of metformin alone: 1‐year trial results
Authors: Ristic S. , Collober‐Maugeais C. , Cressier F. , Tang P. , Pecher E. 
Published: August 2006

Aim:  To compare long‐term efficacy and safety of nateglinide plus metformin with those of gliclazide plus metformin in patients with type 2 diabetes not adequately controlled with metformin monotherapy.Methods:  Double‐blind, double‐dummy, multicentre study extended to a total of 52 weeks. Patients with inadequate glucose control on maximal doses of metformin were randomized to nateglinide (N = 133) or gliclazide (N = 129) add‐on treatment. After the initial 6‐month study, the majority of patients in the nateglinide group [n = 112 (93.3%)] and in the gliclazide group [n = 101 (92.7%)] entered a 6‐month, double‐blind, extension study.Results:  There was no significant difference between treatment regimens in haemoglobin Alc (HbA1c) change from baseline to 52 weeks (−0.14% for nateglinide vs. −0.27% for gliclazide; p = 0.396). Proportions of patients achieving an endpoint HbA1c of <7% were similar (40 vs. 47.4%) for nateglinide and gliclazide groups. There was no significant between‐treatment difference in fasting plasma glucose change from baseline to 52 weeks (nateglinide: −0.2 mmol/l and gliclazide: −0.7 mmol/l; p = 0.096). The decreases in prandial plasma glucose area under the curve0–4 h from baseline were −3.26 and −1.86 h × mmol/l in the nateglinide and the gliclazide groups respectively, and the change was statistically significant in the nateglinide group only (p = 0.006). Initial insulin response to a meal was augmented with nateglinide treatment only, without between‐treatment difference in 2‐h insulin response. The overall rate of hypoglycaemic events was similar with nateglinide and gliclazide combinations with metformin. Nateglinide plus metformin treatment was not associated with weight gain.Conclusions:  No significant difference was seen between nateglinide plus metformin and gliclazide plus metformin in terms of HbA1c. Treatment with nateglinide plus metformin for up to 12 months was not associated with weight gain.
THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY IN THE ‘OLD PERIPHERY’ OF THE EUROPEAN UNION: REGIONAL INPUT LINKAGES OF VOLKSWAGEN NAVARRA SA
Authors: ALÁEZ‐ALLER RICARDO , ERRO‐GARCÉS AMAYA 
Published: August 2006

ABSTRACTThe intended main output of this paper is a measurement of the dependence of the regional economy of Navarre (Northern Spain) on the Volkswagen plant producing the Polo model. Based on a field survey (qualitative interviews with 33 automotive suppliers) an exercise is developed to estimate the impact of the closure of the VW plant on regional employment. The degree of dependence on the Volkswagen plant found is lower than had been speculated: it is calculated that 7,222 direct and indirect jobs would be lost if the plant relocated. This study also casts doubt on the reliability of input‐output tables in estimations such as the one proposed here. Finally, a comparison with other automotive assembly plants in Spain could be construed as evidence of convergence in the organisational models of the assembly plants on the ‘old periphery’ of Europe.
THE SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF WELFARE IN THE EUROPEAN UNION
Authors: EZCURRA ROBERTO , PASCUAL PEDRO , RAPÚN MANUEL 
Published: August 2006

ABSTRACTIn this paper we examine the regional distribution of welfare in the European Union between 1993 and 2000. In order to achieve this aim, we use a set of econometric techniques proposed in the literature for dealing with spatial data. The results obtained reveal the presence of positive spatial dependence in the variable of interest. This means that spatially close regions register similar welfare levels in the European context. The empirical evidence presented also shows that high welfare regions tend to be those characterised by the presence of certain types of advanced services with elevated productivity and by a relatively important endowment of human capital. However, the regional unemployment rates, the size of the agricultural sector and the non‐market services are negatively correlated with the study variable. These results, moreover, are robust to the welfare measure considered in the analysis.
TOWARDS A THEORETICAL EXPLORATION OF THE DIFFERENTIAL URBANISATION MODEL IN SUB‐SAHARAN AFRICA: THE BOTSWANA CASE
Authors: GWEBU THANDO D. 
Published: August 2006

ABSTRACTThis paper investigates the extent to which the differential urbanisation model is applicable to Botswana by using empirical data obtained from periodic censuses, supportive documentary information and observations from personal on‐going research on urbanisation and migration. Differential urbanisation refers to the cyclic spatio‐temporal growth trends that the elements of human settlement hierarchies undergo, in response to migration. Empirical studies have verified the validity of differential urbanisation in the United States, Europe, India and South Africa. These areas, unlike Botswana, have longer histories of urbanisation, larger population sizes, denser population distributions, and higher levels of economic development. Current research interest is focused on investigating the theoretical applicability of the differential urbanisation model to those countries at the lower end of the economic development spectrum. The rationale and thrust of this paper is to therefore investigate the relevance of differential urbanisation under unique environmental, demographic and socio‐economic conditions that pertain to Botswana. Evidence from the paper shows that urbanisation in Botswana has occurred in sequenced phases that, in general, resemble those suggested by the differential urbanisation model in the following ways. First, there has been concentration in the primate city due to mainstream migration. Secondly, there has been fission leading to the fast growth of the adjacent intermediate settlements, partly as a result of deglomeration economies at the primate core accompanied by substream migration. Third, the peripheral regional and rural centres appear to be now growing relatively rapidly, in response to the implementation of decentralisation policies.
CREATING PROFITABLE LIVELIHOODS: MOBILITY AS A ‘PRACTICAL’ AND ‘STRATEGIC’ GENDER NEED IN PORTO NOVO, BENIN
Authors: MANDEL JENNIFER L. 
Published: August 2006

ABSTRACTThis paper examines the importance of spatial mobility to the creation of profitable livelihood strategies for women in Porto Novo, Benin. Drawing on 522 surveys and 15 life‐history interviews conducted with women who use a wide array of strategies, this paper demonstrates that under some circumstances mobility may be as important to increasing women's income‐generating opportunities as access to capital. Moreover, I argue that focusing on women's access to spatial mobility will not only increase the profitability of their livelihood strategies, but may also create spaces in which issues of autonomy and independence can also be addressed. In so doing, this research contributes to work on gender and development by demonstrating the importance of considering the spatial aspects of social and economic processes.
THE SPATIAL PREFERENCE MAP OF DUTCH ENTREPRENEURS: SUBJECTIVE RATING OF LOCATIONS, 1983, 1993 AND 2003
Authors: MEESTER WILHELM J. , PELLENBARG PIETER H. 
Published: August 2006

ABSTRACTLocation decisions are often based on inaccurate information about potential locations. Decision‐makers seem to be guided by their subjective interpretation of reality, not so much by reality itself. Twenty years ago this fundamental idea was the starting point for a research programme of the Faculty of Spatial Sciences of the University of Groningen, focused on the subjective rating of locations by Dutch entrepreneurs. Three extensive and identical postal enquiries were held, in 1983, 1993 and 2003. On this basis a comparison can now be made of the changing ‘mental map’ of Dutch entrepreneurs during those twenty years. The paper analyses the three maps, preceded by a short introduction about the behavioural approach in economic geography, which inspired the research project. The survey data are used in a factor analysis, to establish the basic influences that form the entrepreneurial mental maps. The basic dome shape of the maps did not change much. During 1983 to 1993 we witness a decrease of appreciation of locations on its West flank (the ‘old’ Randstad) while in 1993 to 2003 this decrease extends to the Eastern Randstad. Factor analysis suggests that three fundamental dimensions determine entrepreneurs’ judgments: potency, activity and evaluation. Potency may be understood as centrality of location. Activity is correlated to agglomeration. It is hypothesised that landscape and culture determine the evaluative dimension.
THE GEOGRAPHY OF PRODUCTION LINKAGES IN THE IRISH AND SCOTTISH MICROCOMPUTER INDUSTRY: THE ROLE OF INFORMATION EXCHANGE
Authors: VAN EGERAAT CHRIS , JACOBSON DAVID 
Published: August 2006

ABSTRACTThis paper considers the idea that technical information exchange in the context of time‐based‐competition encourages buyer‐supplier proximity and local production linkages. The relevance of this idea was tested in a study of 11 subsidiaries of multinational microcomputer assemblers operating in Ireland and Scotland. We show that the assembly plants sourced the vast majority of inputs from regions outside Ireland and Britain and where we find regional linkages, proximity was generally not driven by considerations related to information exchange. Part of the explanation lies in the fact that the European operations played a limited role in technological co‐ordination with suppliers. Another reason is that much of the technical information exchange in the industry is of a relatively limited intensity requiring low levels of face‐to‐face contact.
Tooth loss in well‐maintained patients with chronic periodontitis during long‐term supportive therapy in Brazil
Authors: Chambrone Luiz A. , Chambrone Leandro 
Published: August 2006

AbstractAim: The objective of this retrospective study was to assess the reasons for tooth loss in a sample of patients who underwent periodontal therapy and supportive periodontal therapy (SPT) in a Brazilian private periodontal practice.Material and Methods: A sample of 120 subjects who had been treated and maintained for 10 years or longer was selected from patients attending a periodontal practice. All patients followed a similar treatment: basic procedures, re‐evaluation and periodontal surgery where indicated. Reasons for tooth loss were categorized as periodontal, caries, endodontal, root fractures and extraction of retained or partially erupted third molars.Results: Of the 2927 teeth present at the completion of active periodontal treatment, 53 (1.8%) were lost due to periodontal disease, 16 (0.5%) for root fracture, six (0.2%) to caries, five (0.2%) for endodontic reasons and 31 (1.0%) were lost to extraction of retained or partially erupted third molars. Logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the association between five independent variables with tooth loss due to periodontitis. Only age (>60 years) and smoking were statistically significant (p<0.05).Conclusion: The findings of this survey were consistent with previous studies. Older subjects and smokers were more susceptible to periodontal tooth loss. In addition, patients with generalized chronic periodontitis were treated and maintained for long‐term periods with low rates of tooth loss.
Proportion of antibiotic resistance in subgingival plaque samples from Mexican subjects
Authors: Almaguer‐Flores Argelia , Moreno‐Borjas Jazmin‐Yunuen , Salgado‐Martinez Araceli , Sanchez‐Reyes Marco‐Antonio , Alcantara‐Maruri Eulalio , Ximenez‐Fyvie Laurie‐Ann 
Published: August 2006

AbstractAim: To determine the proportion of bacteria resistant to amoxicillin and doxycycline in subgingival plaque samples from Mexican subjects.Materials and Methods: Two subgingival plaque samples were taken from 20 Mexican subjects. Samples were dispersed, diluted and plated on non‐antibiotic agar plates and on plates containing 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16 μg/ml of either amoxicillin or doxycycline. The proportion of resistant bacteria was calculated based on the total number of colony‐forming units present in the non‐antibiotic containing plates.Results: On average, 0.4–13.4% and 0.9–20.4% of the total cultivable subgingival microbiota was resistant to the concentrations tested of amoxicillin and doxycycline, respectively. The differences between antibiotics were statistically significant for the 0.5, 2 and 4 μg/ml concentrations (p<0.05, Wilcoxon's test).Conclusions: Our findings revealed that a relatively small proportion of the total cultivable subgingival microbiota from Mexican subjects was resistant to amoxicillin and doxycycline.
Interleukin‐6 receptor gene polymorphisms and periodontitis in a non‐smoking Japanese population
Authors: Galicia Johnah C. , Tai Hideaki , Komatsu Yasutaka , Shimada Yasuko , Ikezawa Ikuyo , Yoshie Hiromasa 
Published: August 2006

AbstractAim: The indispensable role of interleukin‐6 receptor (IL‐6R) in regulating IL‐6 responses has been clearly established. We have previously reported that IL6R polymorphisms strongly influenced the serum levels of soluble IL‐6R. In this study, we investigated the association between these genetic variations and periodontitis.Material and Methods: Among the seven novel IL6R single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) reported, we genotyped two important sites: the +48892 A/C in exon 9 and the −183 G/A in the promoter region. The SNP in exon 9 results in Asp→Ala substitution in the proteolytic cleavage site of IL‐6Rα. In total, 212 periodontitis cases and 210 healthy controls were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction, restriction fragment length polymorphisms and direct sequencing methods.Results: Analysis of the genotype distribution of the +48892 A/C SNP in periodontitis patients and in controls revealed a suggestive association with aggressive (p=0.04) and chronic periodontitis (p=0.04). In addition, the carriage rate for the A allele was significantly higher in chronic periodontitis patients [p=0.02, odds ratio (OR)=2.25]. No association was found in the −183 G/A SNP. The two markers were in linkage disequilibrium (LD) (|D′|=0.53).Conclusion: The IL6R+48892 A/C polymorphism could act as a risk factor for periodontitis; however, further association and biological studies are needed.