bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Establishing ongoing quality assurance in a retinal screening programme
Authors: Arun C. S. , Young D. , Batey D. , Shotton M. , Mitchie D. , Stannard K. P. , Taylor R. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractAim  To establish a clinically efficient, cost‐effective quality assurance programme as part of a routine retinopathy screening service.Methods  The operation of a quality assurance system as part of an ongoing retinal screening service is described. A random selection of 12% of images of all people reported to have retinopathy and of 2% reported to have no retinopathy are re‐graded by a consultant ophthalmologist. Entry of the two sets of data into a purpose‐designed excel spreadsheet allows automated calculation of sensitivity and specificity.Results  The results of quality assurance from August 2001 to July 2003 are reported. Out of 8351 screening episodes, 498 were re‐examined. Of the 62 cases identified by the ophthalmologist as having referable retinopathy, four false negatives for detection were identified. Three of these had been assigned to early re‐screening by the retinal screener but were still regarded as false negative by the parameters of the quality assurance system. The sensitivity and specificity for detection of sight‐threatening retinopathy were 93.5% (95% CI = 84.3–98.2%) and 97.8% (95% CI = 95.8–98.9%), respectively.Conclusion  A robust and cost‐effective system has been developed to allow monitoring of performance of routine retinal screening which may be extended to meet current national recommendations.
Association of the Leu72Met polymorphism of the ghrelin gene with the risk of Type 2 diabetes in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance in the Finnish Diabetes Prevention Study
Authors: Mager U. , Lindi V. , Lindström J. , Eriksson J. G. , Valle T. T. , Hämäläinen H. , Ilanne‐Parikka P. , Keinänen‐Kiukaanniemi S. , Tuomilehto J. , Laakso M. , Pulkkinen L. , Uusitupa M. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractAims  Ghrelin is a gut–brain regulatory peptide stimulating appetite and controlling energy balance. In previous studies, the Leu72Met polymorphism of the ghrelin gene has been associated with obesity and impaired insulin secretion. We investigated whether the Leu72Met polymorphism is associated with the incidence of Type 2 diabetes in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) participating in the Finnish Diabetes Prevention Study (DPS).Methods  DPS was a longitudinal intervention study carried out in five participating centres in Finland. A total of 522 subjects with IGT were randomized into either an intervention or a control group and DNA was available from 507 subjects. The Leu72Met polymorphism was screened by the restriction fragment length polymorphism method.Results  There were no differences in clinical and anthropometric characteristics among the genotypes at baseline. IGT subjects with the Met72 allele were at higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes than subjects with the Leu72Leu genotype (P = 0.046). Our data also demonstrated that IGT subjects with the common Leu72Leu genotype developed Type 2 diabetes less frequently under intervention circumstances than subjects with the Met72 allele (OR = 0.28, 95% CI 0.10–0.79; P = 0.016).Conclusions  Subjects with the Leu72Leu genotype had a lower risk for the development of Type 2 diabetes. This was observed particularly in the study subjects who underwent an intensive diet and exercise intervention. Defective first‐phase insulin secretion related to the Met72 allele might be one factor contributing to the conversion to Type 2 diabetes.
Differential gene expression of NADPH oxidase (p22phox) and hemoxygenase‐1 in patients with Type 2 diabetes and microangiopathy
Authors: Adaikalakoteswari A. , Balasubramanyam M. , Rema M. , Mohan V. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractAims  While the downstream effects of increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the pathogenesis of diabetes were well studied, only a few studies have explored the cellular sources of ROS. We examined whether protection against oxidative stress is altered in patients with diabetes and microangiopathy by examining changes in NADPH oxidase (p22phox) and hemoxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) levels.Methods  NADPH oxidase (p22phox) and HO‐1 gene expression were probed by RT‐PCR using leucocytes from patients with Type 2 diabetes without (n = 19) and with microangiopathy (n = 20) and non‐diabetic subjects (n = 17). Levels of lipid peroxidation as measured by thiobarbituric reactive substances (TBARS) and protein carbonyl content (PCO) were determined by fluorimetric and spectrophotometric methods, respectively.Results  p22phox gene expression (mean ± se) was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in diabetic patients with (0.99 ± 0.04) and without microangiopathy (0.86 ± 0.05) compared with control subjects (0.66 ± 0.05). Consistent with the mRNA data, the p22phox protein expression and NADPH oxidase activity was also increased in cells from diabetic patients compared with control subjects. However, HO‐1 gene expression was significantly (P < 0.05) lower in patients with (0.73 ± 0.03) and without microangiopathy (0.85 ± 0.02) compared with control subjects (1.06 ± 0.03). The mean (± se) levels of TBARS were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in diabetic patients with (14.36 ± 1.3 nm/ml) and without microangiopathy (12.20 ± 1.3 nm/ml) compared with control subjects (8.58 ± 0.7 nm/ml). The protein carbonyl content was also significantly (P < 0.05) higher in diabetic patients with (1.02 ± 0.04 nmol/mg protein) and without microangiopathy (0.84 ± 0.06 nmol/mg protein) compared with control subjects (0.48 ± 0.02 nmol/mg protein). In diabetic subjects, increased p22phox gene expression was negatively correlated with HO‐1 and positively correlated with TBARS, PCO, HbA1c and diabetes duration. In contrast, HO‐1 gene expression was correlated negatively with p22phox, TBARS, PCO, HbA1c and diabetes duration.Conclusion  Our results indicate that increased oxidative damage is seen in Asian Indians with Type 2 diabetes and microangiopathy and is associated with increased NADPH oxidase (p22phox) and decreased HO‐1 gene expression.
Association of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 polymorphisms with retinopathy in Chinese patients with Type 2 diabetes
Authors: Liu L. , Yu Q. , Wang H. , Zhang S. X. , Huang C. , Chen X. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractAims  To investigate the relationship of the K469E and G241R polymorphisms of the intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM‐1) gene with diabetic retinopathy in Chinese patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus.Patients and methods  One hundred and seventy‐two Chinese patients with Type 2 diabetes and 80 normal control subjects were recruited. Patients with diabetes were placed into two groups: the diabetic retinopathy (DR) group and the non‐diabetic retinopathy (NDR) group. The DR group was subdivided into those with proliferative retinopathy (PDR) and non‐proliferative retinopathy (NPDR). Genomic DNA was prepared using the hydroxybenzene–chloroform extraction method. Genotypes and alleles were detected by polymerase chain reaction–heteroduplex–single‐strand conformation polymorphism (PCR–HA–SSCP) analysis combined with gene sequencing.Results  The patients with retinopathy had an increased frequency of the K469K genotype compared with both the patients without retinopathy and the control subjects (61.4 vs. 40.0 and 35.0%, respectively; χ2 = 8.280 and 13.952, respectively; P < 0.05). The frequency of the K allele in the DR group was higher than in the NDR group and control subjects (75.4 vs. 58.8 and 61.3%, respectively; χ2 = 9.693 and 11.219, respectively; P < 0.05). Genotype and allele frequencies were similar in the NDR group and control subjects, and in the PDR and NPDR groups.Conclusion  The ICAM‐1 gene K469E polymorphism is associated with diabetic retinopathy in Chinese patients with Type 2 diabetes. Patients with the K469K genotype were more likely to have diabetic retinopathy than patients with the K469E or E469E genotype.Diabet. Med. 23, 643 –648 (2006)
Metabolic consequences of pancreatic systemic or portal venous drainage in simultaneous pancreas‐kidney transplant recipients
Authors: Petruzzo P. , Badet L. , Lefrançois N. , Berthillot C. , Dorel S. Bin , Martin X. , Laville M. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractAims  The aim was to investigate pancreatic B‐cell function and insulin sensitivity in simultaneous pancreas‐kidney (SPK) recipients with systemic or portal venous drained pancreas allograft using simple and easy tests.Methods  The study included 44 patients with Type 1 diabetes and end‐stage renal disease who had undergone SPK transplantation: 20 recipients received a pancreas allograft with systemic venous drainage (S‐SPK) and 24 with portal venous drainage (P‐SPK). We studied only recipients with functioning grafts, with normal serum glucose, HbA1c and serum creatinine values, on a stable drug regimen. The subjects were studied at 6, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60 months after transplantation. Insulin sensitivity and B‐cell function indices were derived from blood samples and oral glucose tolerance tests.Results  All patients from both groups had normal fasting glucose, body mass index and HbA1c values by selection. The homeostatic model (HOMA) β‐cell index was significantly lower in P‐SPK recipients at several points of the follow‐up. HOMA‐IR was significantly higher in S‐SPK recipients at 6 and 24 months after transplantation and was positively correlated with fasting insulin values, but never exceeded 3.2. There was no significant difference in QUICKI index values between the two groups. Although all patients from both groups always had normal glucose tolerance, the area under the insulin curve was higher in the S‐SPK group. Cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol and triglycerides were higher in the P‐SPK group.Conclusions  The results suggest sustained long‐term endocrine function in both groups and show that portal venous drainage does not offer major metabolic advantages.
Novel sequence variants in the human xylosyltransferase I gene and their role in diabetic nephropathy
Authors: Bahr C. , Schön S. , Kuhn J. , Groop P. H. , Parkkonen M. , Wessman M. , Kleesiek K. , Götting C. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractAims  Decreased content of heparan sulphate proteoglycans (HSPGs) is a characteristic of the glomerular basement membrane (GBM) in diabetes and contributes to the development of diabetic nephropathy (DN). Xylosyltransferase I (XT‐I) is the chain‐initiating enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of HSPGs. This study investigated a possible association between XYLT‐I sequence variants and susceptibility to DN.Methods  Screening of all XYLT‐I exons was performed in 74 caucasians with Type 1 diabetes (48 with and 26 without DN) and in 13 non‐diabetic control subjects using denaturing high‐performance liquid chromatography.Results  Fifteen XYLT‐I sequence variants were identified. Of these, six were previously unknown. There were significant differences in the allele frequencies of the three polymorphisms (c.343G→T (p.A115S), IVS3+10C→T, IVS3+30G→C) in Type 1 diabetic patients and healthy controls.Conclusions  The occurrence of DN is independent of the XYLT‐I variants detected in our study. However, three XYLT‐I polymorphisms may be linked to Type 1 diabetes. Since we have previously proposed that one of these polymorphisms was not associated with Type 1 diabetes (Schön S et al. Kidney Int 2005; 68: 1483–1490), larger‐scale analysis is clearly necessary to pinpoint the significance of this mutation.
Temporal dynamics and nestedness of an oceanic island bird fauna
Authors: Azeria Ermias T. , Carlson Allan , Pärt Tomas , Wiklund Christer G. 
Published: May 2006

ABSTRACTAim  To examine temporal variation in nestedness and whether nestedness patterns predict colonization, extinction and turnover across islands and species.Location  Dahlak Archipelago, Red Sea.Method  The distributions of land birds on 17 islands were recorded in two periods 30 years apart. Species and islands were reordered in the Nestedness Temperature Calculator, software for assessing degrees of nestedness in communities. The occupancy probability of each cell, i.e. species–island combinations, was calculated in the nested matrix and an extinction curve (boundary line) was specified. We tested whether historical and current nested ranks of species and islands were correlated, whether there was a relationship between occupancy probability (based on the historical data) and number of extinctions or colonizations (regression analyses) and whether the boundary line could predict extinctions and colonizations (chi‐square analyses).Results  Historical and current nested ranks of islands and species were correlated but changes in occupancy patterns were common, particularly among bird species with intermediate incidence. Extinction and turnover of species were higher for small than large islands, and colonization was negatively related to isolation. As expected, colonizations were more frequent above than below the boundary line. Probability of extinction was highest at intermediate occupancy probability, giving a quadratic relationship between extinction and occupancy probability. Species turnover was related to the historical nested ranks of islands. Colonization was related negatively while extinction and occupancy turnover were related quadratically to historical nested ranks of species.Main conclusions  Some patterns of the temporal dynamics agreed with expectations from nested patterns. However, the accuracy of the predictions may be confounded by regional dynamics and distributions of idiosyncratic, resource‐limited species. It is therefore necessary to combine nestedness analysis with adequate knowledge of the causal factors and ecology of targeted species to gain insight into the temporal dynamics of assemblages and for nestedness analyses to be helpful in conservation planning.
Measuring range sizes of South‐East Asian hawkmoths (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae): effects of scale, resolution and phylogeny
Authors: Beck Jan , Kitching Ian J. , Linsenmair K. Eduard 
Published: May 2006

ABSTRACTAim The effects of resolution and spatial extent on range measures were explored in estimates of the geographic distribution of tropical hawkmoths. Furthermore, data were tested for phylogenetic autocorrelation.Location South‐East Asia.Methods Various range measures, such as geographic information system (GIS)‐supported range estimates, minimum convex polygons, latitudinal and longitudinal extents, and their products, were derived from original distribution records and compared to each other. A taxonomic classification of the species was used to analyse phylogenetic effects on range sizes.Results Range size measures exhibit a strongly right‐skewed frequency distribution with many geographically restricted species and few widespread taxa. Rankings from GIS‐supported, comprehensive range size estimates do not deviate greatly from more crude measurements of lower resolution. Comprehensive ranges and ranges within South‐East Asia are correlated strongly, but already at this rather large scale the ranking of species changes considerably. Other measures of occupancy with an increasingly more localized consideration of ‘range’ show decreasing strengths of correlation. We found a weak, but significant, autocorrelation in range area data: related groups of species have ranges of similar size.Main conclusions Spatial resolution did not affect range ranking greatly in our data. However, macroecological studies based only on parts of species’ ranges must be viewed critically, particularly if their extent is small compared to comprehensive ranges. Phylogenetic non‐independence of range size data must be considered in comparative analyses.
Using remote sensing image texture to study habitat use patterns: a case study using the polymorphic white‐throated sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)
Authors: Tuttle Elaina M. , Jensen Ryan R. , Formica Vincent A. , Gonser Rusty A. 
Published: May 2006

ABSTRACTAim  Ecological factors that vary along spatial scales can greatly influence the outcome of evolution. However, often it is difficult for researchers to identify significant ecological variables that might be associated with the geographical distribution of phenotypes and genotypes in nature. In this paper, we use remote sensing image texture analyses to investigate breeding territories of the white‐throated sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis), a polymorphic passerine species that has been shown to segregate spatially according to morph. Our aim was to examine how an integrative measure of landscape feature, such as image texture, could be used to distinguish subtle differences in habitat use and, presumably, habitat selection.Location  A population of white‐throated sparrows located 1.5 miles east of the Cranberry Lake Biological Station in the Adirondack Mountains of St Lawrence County, New York, was used in this study; the study site itself was approximately 1 km2.Methods  We analysed 27 territories (16 white males; 11 tan males) to determine if image texture can be used to distinguish differences in vegetation and structure in territories of the two colour morphs. First (variance)‐ and second (homogeneity)‐order image texture measurements with three different window sizes were derived using the green, red, and near infrared bands of Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) data. Texture was then placed into t‐tests to determine statistical differences between the territories of the two male morphs.Results  Significant differences between the territories of the two morphs were found in both variance and homogeneity texture measures in the red and green ASTER bands in all three window sizes. There were no differences with any near infrared texture measures.Main conclusions  Examination of first‐ and second‐order statistical measures indicated that the territories of tan males have significantly more spectral variance than the territories of white males, while white males’ territories are significantly more homogeneous. These findings are consistent with the previous finding of the morphs settling in ‘high’ and ‘low’ neighbour density habitats that differ with respect to the amount of useable area on their borders. Previous study has also suggested that white and tan male territories differ according to overall landscape structure, not vegetation composition. Therefore, we suggest that red and green spectra may be more useful when examining differences in territory structure and possibly territory quality of similar edge‐type species. Our results suggest that image texture is a useful tool for ecological and evolutionary modelling of the distributions of phenotypes/genotypes across landscapes.
What's New in New Forms of Organizing? On the Construction of Gender in Project‐Based Work
Authors: Lindgren Monica , Packendorff Johann 
Published: May 2006

abstract  In several industries, projects are now the normal form of work for individuals. The consequences of project work have not so far been subject to critical inquiry, however. This implies inquiry not only on how people handle project work at work, it also means inquiring into how they live their lives when working by projects. In this paper, we study this from a constructionist gender perspective, in which project work is seen as an ongoing construction of patterns of femininity and masculinity in society. The aim of the paper is to contribute to an understanding of how project work is related to the ongoing construction of femininity and masculinity in the work and lives of human beings.From a narrative study of individuals in the same project team in an IT‐consultancy company, we discuss masculinization and femininization in project‐based work. It appears that current project work practices imply reproduction of masculinities such as rationality, efficiency, control, devotion to work etc, while femininization is instead found in the rhetoric of the organizational context and the expectations on newly recruited women. The organization was in the process of femininization through rhetoric on ‘family friendliness’, but everyday life for consultants was not spent at the organization but in project teams in the customers' offices. Projects are special in the sense that they are clearly delimited episodes of work in which it is possible to apply entirely different norms than ‘outside’ the project – which makes the tendency to reproduce traditional masculinities even stronger.
Trichotillomania ± trichobezoar: revisited
Authors: Sehgal VN , Srivastava G 
Published: May 2006

AbstractTrichotillomania is an intriguing psychosomatic entity in which there is an irresistible desire to pull out the hair from the scalp, eyelashes, eyebrows and other parts of the body. The process results in an instant release of tension, a sense of relief and security. However, non‐scaring alopecia is its clinical presentation. The development of trichobezoar following ingestion of the pulled hair is its salient complication in a few cases. Subsequently, it may cause symptoms pertaining to the gastrointestinal tract culminating in intestinal obstruction, perforation, pancreatitis and obstructive jaundice. The Rapunzel syndrome (trichobezoar) may occur when gastrointestinal obstruction is produced by a rare manifestation of a trichobezoar with a long tail that extends to or beyond the ileocecal valve. In most cases in children, trichotillomania ± trichobezoar is a habit disorder and thus has a better prognosis. However, in adults the psychopathology is usually deeper and thus entails a poor prognosis. The diagnosis is made after taking a thorough history, noting the clinical features and evaluating a hair‐root examination, where telogen hair is (almost) completely lacking, which distinguish trichotillomania from other hair disorders. Treatment modalities vary in childhood and adult varieties. Apart from psychotherapy, the drug treatment involves several agents including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and domipramine. Trichobezoar/Rapunzel syndrome requires surgical intervention.
Trisection of forces: gender, religion and the state – the case of state‐run religious schools in Israel
Authors: Herzog Hanna 
Published: May 2006

AbstractThis article discusses the theoretical claims that ‘gender’, ‘religion’ and ‘state’ are not universal nor essentialist entities, but rather contingent phenomena embedded in time, place, and changing historical circumstances. Historical analysis of social processes reveals the complex relations between the three categories, as they individually and as a whole are re/constituted as changing co‐tangential and often unpredictable phenomena. One case study presented in this article that of state‐run religious schools in Israel demonstrates how state, religion and gender intersect. Through the analysis presented here, we see examples of the permeable boundaries between these social categories as well as the inter‐relationships and unintended consequences of the interplay between the three. Paradoxically, graduates of these schools, especially women, have evolved from being members of a marginalized – even ignored – social category, to being active participants in the religious and political life of their community and in the political struggle over state policy regarding the future of the Jewish settlements in the West Bank.