bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of hyperbaric oxygen on cardiac neural regulation in diabetic individuals with foot complications
Authors: Sun T. B. , Yang C. C. H. , Kuo T. B. J. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractAims  There are relatively few effective methods to treat autonomic neuropathy in patients with diabetes mellitus. Our aim was to test the hypothesis that hyperbaric oxygen therapy may restore cardiac neural regulation dysfunction in diabetic individuals with foot complications.Methods  We conducted a prospective randomized controlled study in patients with diabetic foot problems. Daily heart‐rate variability analysis from 5‐min electrocardiography was used to evaluate the temporal change of cardiac neural regulation. The experimental group consisted of 23 subjects exposed to hyperbaric oxygen therapy of 202.65 kPa for 90 min every Monday to Friday for 4 weeks (20 treatments). The control group consisted of 15 age‐, sex‐ and disease‐matched subjects who were not exposed to hyperbaric therapy. Patients with medical complications and failure of wound healing were excluded to eliminate possible confounding effects.Results  There was no significant difference in baseline R–R interval (RR), variance, high‐frequency power (HF), low‐frequency power (LF), and LF/HF ratio between the two groups. In the hyperbaric oxygen group there were significant increases in changes of RR (82.7 ± 16.02 ms); variance 0.88 ± 0.12 ln(ms2); HF 1.06 ± 0.18 ln(ms2); and LF 0.87 ± 0.15 ln(ms2) after the treatment. Measurements of tissue oxygen demonstrated significant increases in local tissue oxygenation in the hyperbaric oxygen group (53.0 ± 2.6 mmHg) compared with the control group (27.5 ± 3.1 mmHg), P < 0.05.Conclusion  Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has a significant vagotonic effect, which is beneficial in improving cardiac neural regulation in patients with diabetic autonomic dysfunction.Diabet. Med. (2006)
Diabetes and risk of acute infectious conjunctivitis— a population‐based case‐control study1
Authors: Kruse A. , Thomsen R. W. , Hundborg H. H. , Knudsen L. L. , Sørensen H. T. , Schønheyder H. C. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractAims  To examine whether diabetes mellitus is associated with an increased risk of acute infectious conjunctivitis (AIC) in adults, as measured by treatment with topical ocular antibiotics.Methods  A population‐based, case‐control study in North Jutland County, Denmark. Incident cases of AIC were defined as persons aged more than 15 years redeeming a first‐time prescription for a topical ocular antibiotic during 1999 in the County Prescription Database. Five gender‐ and age‐matched population control subjects per case were selected using a unique personal identifier, the Civil Registry Number. Diabetes prior to the ocular antibiotic prescription was determined by record‐linkage with the Prescription Database and Hospital Discharge Registry in the county. Odds ratios (ORs) for acute infectious conjunctivitis among diabetic individuals and control subjects were estimated, adjusting for a range of potential risk factors.Results  Among 16 193 adults treated with topical ocular antibiotics, 3.1% had diabetes as compared with 2.5% of the control subjects. The overall adjusted OR for acute infectious conjunctivitis in patients with diabetes was 1.24 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.13–1.38]. Risk estimates of acute infectious conjunctivitis in individuals with diabetes were consistently increased for both women and men, for all age groups, and for different types of ocular antibiotics prescribed.Conclusions  This study suggests that diabetes is a risk factor for acute infectious conjunctivitis.Diabet. Med. (2006)
Blunted response to systemic nitric oxide synthase inhibition in the cerebral circulation of patients with Type 2 diabetes
Authors: Nazir F. S. , Alem M. , Small M. , Con Nell J. M. C. , Lees K. R. , Walters M. R. , Cleland S. J. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractAims  Diabetes is a major risk factor for stroke, but the mechanisms that impart the excess risk are unclear. Endothelial dysfunction, which has been demonstrated in the coronary and peripheral vasculature of diabetic patients, is an important early marker of vascular disease. However, the effect of diabetes on cerebrovascular endothelium has not been examined. We sought to investigate the effect of diabetes on basal cerebrovascular endothelial function as assessed by response to the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor NG‐monomethyl‐l‐arginine (l‐NMMA).Methods  Fourteen men with Type 2 diabetes and 15 age‐matched male control subjects were recruited. The participants had no clinically evident vascular disease and were taking no vasoactive or lipid‐lowering medication. Each received a single 15‐min intravenous infusion of l‐NMMA (0.8 mol/kg/min). Cerebral blood flow was assessed by colour Doppler imaging of the internal carotid artery (ICA) at 10‐min intervals for 20 min prior to and following the infusion. Middle cerebral artery velocity (MCAv) was assessed by transtemporal Doppler ultrasound at the same time points.Results  l‐NMMA produced a mean reduction in ICA flow area under curve (AUC) in the control group of 12.8 ± 17.8% compared with a 2.1 ± 21.7% reduction in the group with diabetes (P < 0.05), indicating blunted basal cerebrovascular response to NOS inhibition in the diabetic group. There was no significant change in MCAv following l‐NMMA in either group. Mean ± sd MAP rose 6.4 ± 4.2 mmHg in the control group vs. 8.8 ± 3.5 mmHg in the diabetic group [P = not significant (NS)]. No adverse event or symptom was reported.Conclusions  Response to NOS inhibition is impaired in the cerebral circulation of patients with diabetes. This observation is consistent with the elevated cerebrovascular risk reported in this population, and may represent a future therapeutic target in stroke prevention.Diabet. Med. (2006)
Association of the promoter polymorphism −232C/G of the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase gene (PCK1) with Type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Gouni‐Berthold I. , Giannakidou E. , Faust M. , Berthold H. K. , Krone W. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractAims  The phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase gene (PCK1) is a potential candidate gene in the pathogenesis of Type 2 diabetes mellitus. A −232C/G promoter polymorphism of PCK1 has been associated with an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes in a Canadian population. The purpose of the present study was to examine this association in a German Caucasian population.Methods  We investigated 397 subjects with Type 2 diabetes [227 men, 170 women, age 63 ± 11 years, body mass index (BMI) 28.7 ± 5.1 kg/m2] and 431 control subjects without diabetes (247 men, 184 women, age 64 ± 7 years, BMI 26.5 ± 3.7 kg/m2) matched for sex and age.Results  In the diabetic and control groups, the CC genotype frequencies were 18.1 and 18.3%, the CG 48.6 and 48.7% and the GG 33.2 and 32.9%, respectively (P = 0.995). The allelic frequencies were 0.51 and 0.57 for the G allele and 0.49 and 0.43 for the C allele, respectively. In a logistic regression model only BMI and family history, but not the polymorphism, were predictors of Type 2 diabetes. In both the control and diabetic subjects, there were no significant differences in BMI or blood pressure between the groups with or without the polymorphism. The variant also had no significant influence on the presence of atherosclerotic disease, while the influence of other known cardiovascular risk factors was confirmed.Conclusions  The present data suggest that, in a German Caucasian population, the −232C/G polymorphism of the PEPCK gene is not associated with Type 2 diabetes.Diabet. Med. (2006)
Reduced prevalence of early preterm delivery in women with Type 1 diabetes and microalbuminuria—possible effect of early antihypertensive treatment during pregnancy
Authors: Nielsen L. R. , Müller C. , Damm P. , Mathiesen E. R. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractAims  In normotensive women with Type 1 diabetes and microalbuminuria we previously found preterm delivery (< 34 weeks) in 23% of the pregnancies. Antihypertensive treatment was initiated in late pregnancy when preeclampsia was diagnosed and diastolic blood pressure > 90 mmHg. From April 2000 our routine was changed and early antihypertensive treatment with methyldopa was initiated if antihypertensive treatment was given prior to pregnancy, if urinary albumin excretion (UAE) was > 2 g/24 h, or blood pressure > 140/90 mmHg. The present study describes the impact of this more aggressive antiypertensive treatment in the prevalence of preterm delivery.Methods  The old cohort (1995–1999) consisted of 26 and the new cohort (2000–2003) of 20 pregnant women with Type 1 diabetes and microalbuminuria. All were referred before gestational week 17.Results  The cohorts were comparable with regard to age, diabetes duration, prepregnancy body mass index, HbA1c, blood pressure 121 (13)/71 (8) vs. 121 (14)/73 (8) mmHg [mean (sd)] and early UAE 69 (16–278) vs. 74 (30–287) mg/24 h (geometric mean and range). Antihypertensive treatment was initiated in the old cohort at 29 (20–33) weeks, n = 9, and in the new at 13 (0–34) weeks, n = 10. The prevalence of preterm delivery before 34 weeks was reduced from 23% to zero (P = 0.02), preterm delivery before 37 weeks from 62% to 40% (P = 0.15) and preeclampsia from 42% to 20% (P = 0.11). Perinatal mortality occurred in 4% vs. 0%. Birth weight was 3124 (767) g vs. 3279 (663) g.Conclusion  Introduction of early antihypertensive treatment with methyldopa in normotensive pregnant women with Type 1 diabetes and microalbuminuria resulted in a significant reduction in preterm delivery before gestational week 34.Diabet. Med. (2006)
The Transformative Potential of Belizean Migrant Voluntary Associations in Chicago
Authors: Babcock Elizabeth Cooling 
Published: February 2006

ABSTRACTMigrant voluntary associations are a pervasive feature of migrant communities in the United States. Migrant organizations help meet the basic needs of newly arrived migrants and provide introductions to social and economic networks in receiving communities. Over time, many of these mutual aid migrant associations morph into development‐related organizations that foster transnational ties. These more transnationally oriented associations focus their attention on sending communities, making monetary and in‐kind contributions to home villages, helping to launch political careers, and contributing to the building of political movements in the country of origin.Evaluating the potential of migrant associations to improve the lives of migrants and those in the country of origin requires a transnational focus, since the socio‐political context of home and sending communities simultaneously affects and is affected by migrant associations. Given the diversity and specificity of transnational contexts, migration patterns, and political contexts, evaluating the impact of migrant associations can be a daunting task. As a result, accounts of the scope and activities of migrant associations tend to be descriptive in nature, providing detailed accounts of the transnational contexts in which these organizations operate but steering clear of an explicit evaluation of effectiveness.In this paper, I describe the range of types of Belizean associations in Chicago and identify the primary factors that have impacted the effectiveness of these migrant voluntary associations. I make recommendations for overcoming these challenges to ensure that the transformative potential of Belizean migrant voluntary associations is realized for the benefit of Belize and Belizeans. I conclude with suggestions for comparative research on migrant voluntary associations that will further allow these organizations to be leveraged for positive social change.
Living Transnationally: Somali Diasporic Women in Cairo
Authors: Al‐Sharmani Mulki 
Published: February 2006

ABSTRACTSince the Somali Civil War in 1991, there have been a large number of Somalis living in the Middle East, Europe, North America, and Australia. An increasing number of these Somalis are living in transnational households where family members live and sometimes move back and forth in different nation‐states, yet these families maintain strong ties, share resources, and make decisions collectively about the well‐being of different members. In this paper, I argue that women play central roles in establishing and managing these transnational households. I examine these roles and their significance through an analysis of the activities and experiences of two groups of Somali women in Cairo within the domains of their transnational families and communities. These groups of women are: (1) refugees who have been granted or are seeking asylum from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) office in Egypt, and (2) naturalized citizens of Western countries who have relocated to Egypt, and whom I will refer to as émigrés. I argue that many of these women become active members of transnational households and communities to (1) resist legal, economic, and/or cultural “othering” of host societies, and (2) renegotiate past and present identity discourses that marginalize these individuals on multiple levels that are determined by clan affiliations, socio‐economic conditions, and gender inequalities. By using complex transnational strategies, these women are engaging in new forms of activism to establish lives with more security, better future opportunities, and more dignity for their families and themselves. Yet their transnational family and community lives have benefits and challenges, which the women experience differently because of their varied diasporic histories and their uneven access to legal and social capital.
Statelessness and the State: Tibetans, Citizenship, and Nationalist Activism in a Transnational World1
Authors: Hess Julia Meredith 
Published: February 2006

ABSTRACTThe Tibetan population in the United States has increased significantly over the last decade. The passage of the 1990 Immigration Act instituted the first large‐scale immigration of Tibetans from South Asia to the United States. Tibetans in the United States are adopting US citizenship, and are encouraged to do so by the exile government on the grounds that gaining a political voice in the United States enables Tibetans to be “ambassadors” for their lost homeland. In contrast, Tibetans in India have primarily remained stateless, foregoing the practical benefits of citizenship, remaining de facto refugees.This paper considers the way the transformation from being stateless refugees to citizens of the United States impacts Tibetan identities. Throughout the immigration and citizenship process, state bureaucracies, including the US State Department and the former Immigration and Naturalization Service, have challenged the way Tibetans categorize their birthplace. Tibetans have challenged these categorizations, even at the risk of their visa or citizenship status. At the same time, Tibetans' motivations for seeking US citizenship are complex and often framed in a way that suggests stronger ties to the homeland, the diaspora, and the transnational activist stage. The paper thus explores the interrelationship of state‐defined status of refugees/exiles/immigrants, identity formation, state policy, and activism. Although the policies of states and state‐like institutions (the Tibetan government‐in‐exile) certainly shape and constrain migrant agency, I show how individual Tibetans choose to respond in diverse, complex, and new ways that, in turn, are incorporated in the Tibetans' understandings of self, both individual and collective. Finally, I explore the relationship between feeling empowered as a transnational agent and being a citizen of a powerful nation‐state.
An Australian Diaspora?
Authors: Hugo Graeme 
Published: February 2006

ABSTRACTAlthough Australia is best known as a country of immigration, around 1 million Australians currently live outside of their homeland on a permanent or long‐term basis. The present paper uses a number of quantitative and qualitative data sources to assess the extent to which Australia's expatriate community fulfils the four defining criteria of contemporary diasporas advanced by Butler (2001). These criteria include involving a scattering of two or more destinations, a relationship with an actual or imagined homeland, common group identity shared among diaspora communities, and existence over at least two generations. It finds that the Australian expatriate community qualifies on the basis of at least three of those criteria. The article then examines some dimensions of the relationship between the Australian diaspora with their homeland. It is argued that Australia's diaspora constitutes a meaningful and distinctive group and represents an important subject of serious study. Indeed, it is a significant but neglected part of Australia's demography and population geographies. This was reflected in the Australian Senate setting up an Inquiry into the Australian expatriate community in 2003.
Learning the Language of a New Country: A Ten‐year Study of English Acquisition by South‐East Asian Refugees in Canada
Authors: Hou Feng , Beiser Morton 
Published: February 2006

ABSTRACTThe University of Toronto Refugee Resettlement Project (RRP) investigated language acquisition over a ten‐year period among a sample of 608 South‐East Asian Refugees in Canada. Two years after arrival, 17 per cent spoke English well, 67 per cent had moderate command of the language, and 16 per cent spoke no English. Ten years later, 32 per cent had good language skills, 60 per cent moderate skills, and 8 per cent still spoke no English. The most rapid improvement occurred during the early years of resettlement. Although demographic characteristics and pre‐immigration achievement were the major factors determining English‐language proficiency during the early years of resettlement, post‐migration opportunities and incentives became increasingly important over time. The results highlight the responsibility receiving countries have to provide opportunities and incentives to facilitate language acquisition by newcomers.
Short‐term Migration and the Acquisition of a World Language
Authors: Stevens Gillian , Jin Kinam , Song Hyun Jong 
Published: February 2006

ABSTRACTEnglish is spreading as a world language. Yet, the means — and the immediate consequences — through which English is spreading as a second language into largely monolingual populations are not fully understood. In this paper, we focus on a specific case: the learning of English as a second language among Koreans. We briefly discuss the background of the English language in Korea and the strong incentives for Koreans to learn English. We then provide some empirical analyses that suggest that Koreans are using a transnational strategy in the acquisition of a world language: short‐term migration to English‐language dominated countries. Our paper ends with a discussion of some of the potential implications of these movements and of some of the numerous avenues open for research.
Initial results from long‐term field studies at three sites on the effects of heavy metal‐amended liquid sludges on soil microbial activity
Authors: Gibbs P. A. , Chambers B. J. , Chaudri A. M. , McGrath S. P. , Carlton‐Smith C. H. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractIn a long‐term study of the effects on soil fertility and microbial activity of heavy metals contained in sewage sludges, metal‐amended liquid sludges each with elevated Zn, Cu or Cd concentrations were applied over a 3‐year period (1995–1997) to three sites in England. The experiments were sited adjacent to experimental plots receiving metal‐rich sludge cakes enabling comparisons to be made between the effects of heavy metal additions in metal‐amended liquid sludges and sludge cakes. The liquid sludge additions were regarded as ‘worst case’ treatments in terms of likely metal availability, akin to a long‐term situation following sewage sludge additions where organic matter levels had declined and stabilised. The aim was to establish individual Zn (50–425 mg kg−1), Cu (15–195 mg kg−1) and Cd (0.3–4.0 mg kg−1) metal dose–response treatments at each site, but with significantly smaller levels of organic matter addition than the corresponding sludge cake experiments. There were no differences (P > 0.05) in soil respiration rates, biomass carbon concentrations or most probable numbers of clover Rhizobium between the treatments at any of the sites at the end of the liquid sludge application programme. Soil heavy metal extractability differed between the metal‐amended liquid sludge and metal‐rich sludge cake treatments; Zn and Cd extractabilities were higher from the liquid sludge additions, whereas Cu extractability was higher from the sludge cake application. These differences in metal extractability in the treated soil samples reflected the contrasting NH4NO3 extractable metal contents of the metal‐amended liquid sludges and sludge cakes that were originally applied.
Soil crusts and deposits as sheet erosion indicators in southern Mali
Authors: Bodnár F. , Hulshof J. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractRills are indicators of erosion, easily recognized by farmers and extension workers. However, they are rare on fields in Mali with slopes of 0–3%, even though run‐off and sheet erosion may be a problem. The suitability of three other soil surface features as erosion indicators was therefore investigated: (1) structural crusts formed by rainfall impact without lateral soil movement; (2) in situ depositional crusts, formed by sedimentation leaving the finest particles on top; and (3) run‐off deposits of fine and coarse sand, formed after the removal of finer particles. Feature (1) occurred on the elevated parts and ridges, whereas (2) and (3) occurred in lower parts and in furrows. Soil cover with a run‐off deposit of coarse sand proved to be a suitable indicator and this was well explained by erosion risk: a 2% increase in slope related to a 9% increase in deposit cover. The extent of this deposit also related well to cotton yield from the previous season: a 30% increase in deposit cover was reflected in a 23% decrease in cotton yield. Only a few farmers confirmed that the deposits were produced by erosion. It is recommended that soil and water conservation programmes pay more attention to the presence of crusts and deposits.
Soil aluminium availability in Andisols of southern Chile and its effect on forage production and animal metabolism
Authors: Mora M. L. , Alfaro M. A. , Jarvis S. C. , Demanet R. , Cartes P. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractSoil acidification limits livestock production in many parts of the world. Two experiments were carried out to investigate the effect of aluminium (Al) on pasture yield and animal production. In experiment 1, the effect of raising soil pH (in water) from 5.1 (acid soil, A) to 5.6 (corrected soil, C) was tested on forage and animal production. In experiment 2, Friesian calves were individually fed either silage with or without the addition of 2000 mg kg−1of Al as aluminium sulphate. Al, P, Ca and Mg concentrations were measured in forage, and in animal blood and faeces. Live weight gain (LWG) was also measured. Soil acidification resulted in a 36% overall reduction in pasture yield in the A treatment (9.4 ± 0.31 and 14.7 ± 0.47 t ha−1 year−1for the A and C treatments respectively) and in 15% reduction of the protein concentration in the herbage. No significant differences were found for the individual daily LWG (P > 0.05). Direct Al intake reduced animals daily LWG by 14% (P ≤ 0.05). The correction of soil acidification increased livestock production by 125% when stocking rate was strictly adjusted to grassland production.