bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Current status and perspective of the insect industry in Korea
Authors: KIM Sun Am , KIM Kyung‐Moon , OH Boung‐Jun 
Published: November 2008

AbstractInsects in Korea from ancient times were largely used in sericulture and apiculture and partly as medicines. Although silkworms are currently used as dietary supplements and medicine ingredients, the insect industry is not industrialized yet. Some insect species, such as beetles, stag beetles, and fireflies, are currently employed for sustainable agriculture as natural enemies and pollinators and also for education and as pets. Agricultural practice using natural enemies becomes the center of public interest. The market size of natural enemy use in 2008 is estimated at $14.2 to 16.2 million and that of pollinators is $10.9 to 11.7 million. Several local governments have successfully utilized insects as resources for festivals, expos or museums. A variety of insects are utilized for pet and educational purposes. The pet insect market in Korea was formed in the 2000s. The total market size of insect festivals and pet insects is around $44 million and $38.5~44.0 million, respectively. The total market size of the insect industry in Korea is estimated around $110 million, and is expected to increase up to $320 million by 2015. In the future, insects can be applied to foods, dietary supplements and medicines, and hygiene enabling disposal of food and animal wastes.
Pass‐through Effects of Global Commodity Prices on China's Inflation: An Empirical Investigation
Authors: Liu Ligang , Tsang Andrew 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe present paper uses a two‐step approach to estimate the pass‐through effects of changes in international commodity prices and the RMB exchange rate on domestic consumer price inflation in China. We first estimate the pass‐through effects of international commodity prices on producer prices and then estimate the pass‐through effects of producer price inflation on consumer price inflation. We find that a 10‐percent increase in international commodity prices would lead to China's producer prices increasing by 1.2 percent 3 months later, which in turn would increase China's domestic inflation by 0.24 percent over the same period. However, a 10‐percent appreciation of the RMB exchange rate against the US dollar would help to reduce increases in producer prices by 4.4 percent over the following 3 months, which in turn would lead to a 0.89‐percent decline in consumer price inflation over the same period. Our findings suggest that appreciation of the RMB in an environment of rising global commodity prices and a weak US dollar could be an effective instrument to help contain inflation in China.
Policy Options for China's Bio‐ethanol Development and the Implications for Its Agricultural Economy
Authors: Qiu Huanguang , Huang Jikun , Keyzer Michiel , Van Veen Wim 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe present paper analyzes the potential impacts of bio‐ethanol expansion on agricultural production, food prices and farmers' incomes in different regions of China. The results show that increase in demand for feedstock to produce bio‐ethanol will lead to large increase in the prices of agricultural products. The increase in prices will trigger a significant rise in the production of feedstock at the cost of lower rice and wheat production. The study also reveals that the impacts of bio‐ethanol on farmers' incomes vary largely among regions and farmer groups. Given the expected expansion of bio‐ethanol production in the future, and the limited land resources for feedstock production in China, the viability of different crops as feedstock for bio‐ethanol requires careful analysis before a large‐scale expansion of China's bio‐ethanol program. Bio‐ethanol production in China should be relying more on the second generation of bio‐ethanol technologies (i.e. using celluloses to produce bio‐ethanol), and China's government should increase research investment in this field.
Unusual Photoinduced Response of mTHPC Liposomal Formulation (Foslip)
Authors: Kachatkou Dzmitry , Sasnouski Siarhei , Zorin Vladimir , Zorina Tatyana , D’Hallewin Marie‐Ange , Guillemin Francois , Bezdetnaya Lina 
Published: November 2008

AbstractLiposomal formulations of meso‐tetra(hydroxyphenyl)chlorin (mTHPC) have already been proposed with the aim to optimize photodynamic therapy. Spectral modifications of these compounds upon irradiation have not yet been investigated. The objective of this study was to evaluate photobleaching properties of mTHPC encapsulated into dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) liposomes, Foslip. Fluorescence measurements in DPPC liposomes with different DPPC:mTHPC ratios demonstrated a dramatic decrease in fluorescence anisotropy with increasing local mTHPC concentration, thus suggesting strong interactions between mTHPC molecules in lipid bulk medium. Exposure of Foslip suspensions to small light doses (<50 mJ/cm2) resulted in a substantial drop in fluorescence, which, however, was restored after addition to the sample of a non‐ionic surfactant Triton X‐100. We attributed this behavior to photoinduced fluorescence quenching. This effect depended strongly on the molar DPPC:mTHPC ratio and was revealed only for high local mTHPC concentrations. The results were interpreted supposing energy migration between closely located mTHPC molecules with its subsequent dissipation by the molecules of photoproduct acting as excitation energy traps. We further assessed the effect of photoinduced quenching in plasma protein solution. Relatively slow kinetics of photoinduced Foslip response during incubation in the presence of proteins was attributed to mTHPC redistribution from liposomal formulations to proteins. Therefore, changes in mTHPC distribution pattern in biological systems would be consistent with changes in photoinduced quenching and would provide valuable information on mTHPC interactions with a biological environment.
Amelioration of Airway Stenosis in Rabbit Models by Photodynamic Therapy with Talaporfin Sodium (NPe6)
Authors: Nakagishi Yoshinori , Morimoto Noriko , Fujita Masanori , Ozeki Yuichi , Maehara Tadaaki , Kikuchi Makoto , Morimoto Yuji 
Published: November 2008

AbstractIt is difficult to treat patients with acquired airway stenosis, and the quality of life of such patients is therefore lowered. We have suggested the application of photodynamic therapy (PDT) as a new treatment for airway stenosis and have determined the efficacy of PDT in animal disease models using a second‐generation photosensitizer with reduced photosensitivity. An airway stenosis rabbit model induced by scraping of the tracheal mucosa was administered NPe6 (5 mg kg−1), and the stenotic lesion was irradiated with 670 nm light emitted from a cylindrical diffuser tip at 60 J cm−2 under bronchoscopic monitoring. PDT using NPe6 improved airway stenosis (P = 0.043) and respiratory stridor. A significant prolongation of survival time was seen in the PDT‐treated animals compared to that in the untreated animals (P = 0.025) and 44% of the treated animals achieved long‐term survival (>60 days). In conclusion, PDT using NPe6 is effective for improvement in airway stenosis.
Neuromelanins Isolated from Different Regions of the Human Brain Exhibit a Common Surface Photoionization Threshold
Authors: Bush William D. , Garguilo Jacob , Zucca Fabio A. , Bellei Chiara , Nemanich Robert J. , Edwards Glenn S. , Zecca Luigi , Simon John D. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractNeuromelanin isolated from the premotor cortex, cerebellum, putamen, globus pallidus and corpus callosum of the human brain is studied by scanning probe and photoelectron emission microscopies and the results are compared with previously published work on neuromelanin from the substantia nigra. Scanning electron microscopy reveals common structure for all neuromelanins. All exhibit spherical entities of diameters between 200 and 400 nm, composed of smaller spherical substructures, ∼30 nm in diameter. These features are similar to that observed for many melanin systems including Sepia cuttlefish, bovine eye, and human eye and hair melanosomes. Photoelectron microscopy images were collected for all neuromelanins at specific wavelengths of ultraviolet light between 248 and 413 nm, using the spontaneous emission output from the Duke free electron laser. Analysis of the data establishes a common threshold photoionization potential for neuromelanins of 4.7 ± 0.2 eV, corresponding to an oxidation potential of −0.3 ± 0.2 V vs the normal hydrogen electrode (NHE). These results are consistent with previously reported potentials for neuromelanin from the substantia nigra of 4.5 ± 0.2 eV (−0.1 ± 0.2 V vs NHE). All neuromelanins exhibit a common low surface oxidation potential, reflecting their eumelanic component and their inability to trigger redox processes with neurotoxic effect.
The Emergence of Extensively Drug‐Resistant Tuberculosis: A Global Health Crisis Requiring New Interventions: Part I: The Origins and Nature of the Problem
Authors: Ellner Jerrold J. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractSurveillance studies and outbreak investigations indicate that an extensively drug‐resistant (XDR) form of tuberculosis (TB) is increasing in prevalence worldwide. In outbreak settings among HIV‐infected, there is a high‐case fatality rate. Better outcomes occur in HIV‐uninfected, particularly if drug susceptibility test (DST) results are available rapidly to allow tailoring of drug therapy. This review will be presented in two segments. The first characterizes the problem posed by XDR‐TB, addressing the epidemiology and evolution of XDR‐TB and treatment outcomes. The second reviews technologic advances that may contribute to the solution, new diagnostics, and advances in understanding drug resistance and in the development of new drugs.
Therapeutic effect of subconjunctival injection of bevacizumab in the treatment of corneal neovascularization
Authors: You In‐Cheon , Kang In‐Seong , Lee Seung‐Hyun , Yoon Kyung‐Chul 
Published: November 2008

Abstract.Purpose:  To investigate the efficacy of subconjunctival injection of bevacizumab in the treatment of patients with corneal neovascularization.Methods:  Twenty‐nine eyes of 29 patients with corneal neovascularization were treated with subconjunctival injection [1.25 mg/0.05 ml (seven eyes), 2.5 mg/0.1 ml (15 eyes) and 5.0 mg/0.2 ml (seven eyes)] of bevacizumab. Best‐corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure and area of corneal neovascularization were measured before injection and at 1 week, 1 month and 3 months after treatment.Results:  At 1 week, the mean neovascularized corneal area decreased significantly to 85.5 ± 18.0% (p = 0.01) in the eyes treated with 2.5 mg bevacizumab and to 73.1 ± 23.4% (p = 0.02) in the eyes treated with 5.0 mg bevacizumab. At 3 months, the mean neovascularized corneal area was 93.6 ± 10.6% (p = 0.10 compared to baseline; p < 0.01 compared to 1 week) in the eyes treated with 2.5 mg bevacizumab and 83.3 ± 25.8% (p = 0.03 compared to baseline; p = 0.02 compared to 1 week) in the eyes treated with 5.0 mg bevacizumab. However, there were no significant changes in the areas of the eyes injected with 1.25 mg bevacizumab.Conclusion:  Subconjunctival injection of bevacizumab can partially reduce corneal neovascularization in the short term, and the efficacy of this treatment correlates with the injection dose.
Prospective Echocardiographic and Tissue Doppler Imaging Screening of a Population of Maine Coon Cats Tested for the A31P Mutation in the Myosin‐Binding Protein C Gene: A Specific Analysis of the Heterozygous Status
Authors: Carlos Sampedrano C. , Chetboul V. , Mary J. , Tissier R. , Abitbol M. , Serres F. , Gouni V. , Thomas A. , Pouchelon J.‐L. 
Published: November 2008

Background:A mutation in the sarcomeric gene coding for the myosin‐binding protein C gene has been identified in a colony of Maine Coon cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (MyBPC3‐A31P mutation). However, the close correlation between genotype and phenotype (left ventricular hypertrophy [LVH] and dysfunction) has never been assessed in a large population, particularly in heterozygous (Hetero) cats.Objectives:To investigate LV morphology and function with echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) in a population of Maine Coon cats tested for the MyBPC3‐A31P mutation with focus on Hetero animals.Animals:Ninety‐six Maine Coon cats.Methods:Prospective observational study. Cats were screened for the MyBPC3‐A31P mutation and examined with both echocardiography and 2‐dimensional color TDI.Results:Fifty‐two out of 96 cats did not have the mutation (wild‐type genotype, Homo WT), 38/96 and 6/96 were Hetero‐ and homozygous‐mutated (Homo M) cats, respectively. Only 11% of Hetero cats (4/38) had LVH and 29% (10/34) of Hetero cats without LVH were >4 years old (4.1–11.5 years). LVH was also detected in 2 Homo WT cats (4%). A significantly decreased (P< .05) longitudinal E/A (ratio between early and late diastolic myocardial velocities) in the basal segment of the interventricular septum was observed in Hetero cats without LVH (n = 34) compared with Homo WT cats without LVH (n = 50), thus confirming that the Hetero status is associated with regional diastolic dysfunction (P< .05).Conclusions:The heterozygous status is not consistently associated with LVH and major myocardial dysfunction. Moreover, Homo WT cats can also develop LVH, suggesting that other genetic causes might be implicated.
The virtues of a deliberately mis-specified disease model in demonstrating a gene-environment interaction
Authors: Burstyn I , Kim H-M , Yasui Y , Cherry N M 
Published: November 2008

Objectives:This study seeks to assess the impact of measurement errors in cumulative exposure on estimates of a gene-environment interaction in a nested case-control study in occupational epidemiology. In the approach considered here, exposure intensity is assessed at the group level and the exposure duration individually (both with error). Genetic susceptibility is assumed to be known exactly. Differences in “gene” are assumed to affect disease risk only in exposed subjects.Methods:Three data analysis strategies were considered: one using a correctly specified disease model (exposure and exposure-gene interaction), and two using mis-specified disease models, one with “gene” as the only risk factor (“gene-only” model) and the other with main effects of both gene and exposure along with their interaction (“full” model).Results:In simulations, estimates of the gene-environment interaction based on the correctly specified disease model were greatly attenuated and power was diminished appreciably even when errors in exposure were modest. Significant associations were detected more frequently in the gene-only model when errors in exposure were large. When the “full” mis-specified model was fitted to the simulated data, it yielded erratic estimates. This is illustrated in an analysis of the interaction of cumulative exposure to organophosphate pesticides and paraoxonase gene on the risk of chronic neuropsychological effects among farmers who dip sheep.Conclusion:If “gene” contributes to disease risk only in the presence of exposure, the existence of the gene-environment interaction can be efficiently inferred from a deliberately mis-specified “gene-only” disease model in nested case-control studies.
The effect of plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 on apoptosis
Authors: Chen Yabing , Sobel Burton E. , Schneider David J. 
Published: November 2008

SummaryPlasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1), an inhibitor of plasminogen activators, inhibits formation of plasmin and plasmin-mediated proteolysis. Apoptosis,or programmed cell death, is a potentially important phenomenon in mediating overall cell death. This review focuses on the influence of PAI-1 on apoptosis. Greater expression of PAI-1 has been associated with increased survival of cells and resistance to apoptosis. PAI-1 appears to influence apoptosis by decreasing cell adhesion (anoikis) as well as its effect on intracellular signaling. Mechanisms by which PAI-1 may render a cell resistant to apoptosis include its ability to inhibit generation of plasmin,its ability to inhibit caspase 3, and its ability to inhibit cell adhesion mediated by vitronectin. Inhibition of caspase 3 by PAI-1 may divert intracellular signalling from induction of apoptosis to induction of proliferation.
Peculiar whole blood rotation thromboelastometry (Rotem) profile in 40 sideropenic anaemia patients
Authors: Spiezia Luca , Radu Claudia , Marchioro Paolo , Bertini Diana , Rossetto Valeria , Castelli Monica , Pagnan Antonio , Sørensen Benny , Simioni Paolo 
Published: November 2008

SummaryThe ROtation ThromboElastoMetry analyser (ROTEM®, Pentapharm, Munich, Germany) is useful for studying whole blood (WB) clot formation and lysis.Reduction of haematocrit (HCT) has been reported to influence traditional thromboelastography parameters without compromising “in vitro” blood coagulation. We performed this case-control study to evaluate ROTEM profiles in sideropenic anaemia patients with different degrees of reduction of HCT levels. Forty consecutively referred patients with sideropenic anaemia were enrolled. A group of 40 healthy age and gender matched subjects acted as a control. The influence of HCT on ROTEM was assessed in the study population and in a model of artificially reconstituted blood with modified HCT values. Cases presented significantly increased levels of maximum clot firmness (MCF) as compared to controls (p<0.001) mimicking a sort of “hypercoagulable profile”. How-ever, thrombin generation tests failed to detect an increase in thrombin generation in cases as compared to controls. A statistically significant inverse linear correlation between HCT and MCF (p<0.0001) was found.In addition,ROTEM profiles following “in vitro” manipulation of HCT confirmed the inverse linear correlation between HCT and MCF found in the study population. In conclusion, the increased clot firmness found by ROTEM in anaemic patients is likely to be related to the method in itself rather than representing a marker of hypercoagulability “in vivo”.Since ROTEM is widely used by anaesthesiologists when deciding the optimisation of products supplementation during surgery,attention should be paid in the case of anaemic patients taking depending on the peculiar thrombo-elastography profile found.
Influence of haematocrit on international normalised ratio (INR) differences between a whole blood point-of-care coagulation monitor and reference prothrombin time in plasma
Authors: Witteveen Evelina , van der Meer Felix J. M. , van den Besselaar Anton M. H. P. 
Published: November 2008

SummaryThe CoaguChek S system is designed for use in patient self-testing. In this system a whole blood sample without sodium citrate is applied to a test strip containing thromboplastin and iron oxide particles. The detection principle is based on fibrin formation which inhibits and finally stops the movement of the iron oxide particles.In the classic prothrombin time (PT) test,ci-trate plasma is mixed with thromboplastin and an excess of calcium ions. In the monitoring of vitamin K-antagonist (VKA) treatment, all results are expressed on a common scale, i.e. international normalised ratio (INR). In patients on long-term VKA treatment, INRs were determined by the CoaguChek S system and reference methods for the classic PT. Four different CoaguChek S strip lots were evaluated.The difference in INR between the reference PT and the CoaguChek S system was negatively correlated to the haematocrit of the patients. We conclude that INR differences between CoaguChek S and plasma PT may be explained in part by the haematocrit.The magnitude of the effect of haematocrit,within the reference interval of 0.37 - 0.51,on the INR difference was not greater than approximately 10% for the combined data of the four strip lots.A bias of less than 10% seems to be acceptable clinically.
Effect of oral antiplatelet agents on major bleeding in users of coumarins
Authors: Klungel Olaf H. , Souverein Patrick C. , de Boer Anthonius , Schalekamp Tom 
Published: November 2008

SummaryTreatment with vitamin K antagonists (coumarins) is associated with an increased risk of bleeding. In order to elucidate the bleeding risk of users of antiplatelet drugs among users of coumarins, we assessed the odds ratio of major bleeding associated with use of antiplatelet drugs in users of the coumarins acenocoumarol and phenprocoumon. We used data froma Dutch record linkage system, including pharmacy and linked hospitalization records for approximately two million subjects, to conduct a nested case control study in a cohort of new users of coumarins. Cases were patients who were hospitalized with a primary diagnosis of major bleeding while taking coumarin and were matched with up to four control subjects. Conditional logistic regression analysis was used to determine ORs and 95% confidence intervals (CI).We identified 1848 case patients who were matched to 5818 controls. Users of clopidogrel or aspirin showed a significantly increased risk of hospitalization because of major bleeding (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.2–6.9 and OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.3–1.9, respectively), whereas users of dipyridamole and combinations of antiplatelet drugs showed a strong trend (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.0–2.3 and OR 1.8, 95 % CI 1.0–3.3, respectively). In all cases, the risks were greater for upper gastrointestinal bleedings than for other bleedings. In conclusion, the use of any antiplatelet drug increases the risk of hospitalization for major bleeding among users of coumarins. Concurrent use of clopidogrel or dipyridamole and coumarins is probably not safer than concurrent use of aspirin and coumarins.
Clinical course and outcome of disseminated intravascular coagulation diagnosed by Japanese Association for Acute Medicine criteria
Authors: Gando Satoshi , Saitoh Daizoh , Ogura Hiroshi , Mayumi Toshihiko , Koseki Kazuhide , Ikeda Toshiaki , Ishikura Hiroyasu , Iba Toshiaki , Ueyama Masashi , Eguchi Yutaka , Otomo Yasuhiro , Okamoto Kohji , Endo Shigeatsu , Shimazaki Shuji , Kushimoto Shigeki ,   the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (JAAM DIC) Study Group
Published: November 2008

SummaryThe Japanese Association for Acute Medicine (JAAM) disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) study group recently announced new diagnostic criteria for DIC. These criteria have been prospectively validated and demonstrated to progress to overt DIC as defined by the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH).Although an underlying condition is essential for the development of DIC, it has never been clarified if patients with different underlying disorders have a similar course. Among 329 patients with DIC diagnosed by the JAAM criteria, those with underlying sepsis (n=98) or trauma (n=95) were compared. The 28-day mortality rate was significantly higher in sepsis patients than trauma patients (34.7% vs. 10.5%, p<0.0001).Within three days of fulfilling the JAAM criteria, sepsis patients had a lower platelet count, higher prothrombin time ratio, higher systemic inflammatory response syndrome score, and higher Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score compared with trauma patients. On day 3, a significantly higher percentage of trauma patients than sepsis patients showed improvement of DIC (64.2% vs. 30.6%, p<0.001).These differences were mainly due to patients with lower JAAM DIC scores. More than 50% of the JAAM DIC patients with sepsis who died within 28 days could not be detected by ISTH DIC criteria during the initial three days. In contrast, most trauma patients who died within 28 days had DIC simultaneously diagnosed by JAAM and ISTH criteria, except for those with brain death. These findings suggest that coagulation abnormalities, organ dysfunction, and the outcome of JAAM DIC differ between patients with sepsis and trauma.