bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sensitivity and specificity of digital retinal imaging for screening diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Lopez‐Bastida J. , Cabrera‐Lopez F. , Serrano‐Aguilar P. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractAims  To assess the effectiveness of a non‐mydriatic digital camera (45°−30° photographs) compared with the reference method for screening diabetic retinopathy.Methods  Type 1 and 2 diabetic patients (n = 773; 1546 eyes) underwent screening for diabetic retinopathy in a prospective observational study. Hospital‐based non‐mydriatic digital retinal imaging by a consultant specialist in retinal diseases was compared with slit‐lamp biomicroscopy and indirect ophthalmoscopy through dilated pupils, as a gold standard, previously performed in a community health centre by another consultant specialist in retinal diseases. The main outcome measures were sensitivity and specificity of screening methods and prevalence of diabetic retinopathy.Results  The prevalence of any form of diabetic retinopathy was 42.4% (n = 328); the prevalence of sight‐threatening including macular oedema and proliferative retinopathy was 9.6% (n = 74). Sensitivity of detection of any diabetic retinopathy by digital imaging was 92% (95% confidence interval 90, 94). Specificity of detection of any diabetic retinopathy was 96% (95, 98). The predictive value of the negative tests was 94% and of a positive test 95%. For sight‐threatening retinopathy digital imaging had a sensitivity of 100%.Conclusions  A high sensitivity and specificity are essential for an effective screening programme. These results confirm digital retinal imaging with a non‐mydriatic camera as an effective option in community‐based screening programmes for diabetic retinopathy.
Insulin glargine in combination with nateglinide in people with Type 2 diabetes: a randomized placebo‐controlled trial
Authors: Dashora U. K. , Sibal L. , Ashwell S. G. , Home P. D. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective  To determine the effect of adding nateglinide to therapy with insulin glargine in adults with Type 2 diabetes previously treated with insulin and with poor blood glucose control.Research design and methods  In this 16‐week, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study, people with Type 2 diabetes [n = 55, HbA1c 8.2 ± 1.0 (± sd)%, duration of diabetes 12.8 ± 6.0 years, duration of insulin treatment 6.0 ± 4.0 years] were transferred to single bedtime injection of insulin glargine for a titration period of 4 weeks, and then randomized to nateglinide or matching placebo before meals in addition to insulin glargine. Metformin was continued if taken. Doses of insulin and oral medication were titrated to protocol for the treatment period of 12 weeks.Results  Baseline‐adjusted self‐monitored capillary blood glucose concentration at 12 weeks was significantly lower with nateglinide + insulin glargine compared with placebo + insulin glargine after breakfast [difference −2.3 (95% confidence interval −4.4, −0.2) mmol/l, P = 0.030], before lunch [−2.5 (−4.6, −0.3) mmol/l, P = 0.029], and after lunch [−2.3 (−4.3, −0.4) mmol/l, P = 0.021], but not at other times. Baseline‐adjusted HbA1c was not lower with nateglinide + insulin glargine as compared with placebo + insulin glargine [7.8 ± 1.4 vs. 8.3 ± 1.0%, difference −0.43 (−0.98, 0.12)%].Conclusions  Addition of nateglinide before meals to once‐daily insulin glargine in people with long‐standing diabetes already requiring insulin therapy improves blood glucose control in the early part of the day after breakfast and lunch, but does not provide good control of blood glucose levels overall.
Natural history and predictors of disturbed eating behaviour in girls with Type 1 diabetes
Authors: Colton P. A. , Olmsted M. P. , Daneman D. , Rydall A. C. , Rodin G. M. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractAim   To determine the natural history and psychosocial predictors of disturbed eating behaviour in girls with Type 1 diabetes (T1D) over a 1‐year period.Methods   One hundred and six girls with T1D, 9–13 years of age at Time 1, completed a Children's Eating Disorder Examination (cEDE) interview at Time 1 and again 1 year later (Time 2). Potential Time 1 predictors of Time 2 disturbed eating behaviour were body mass index (BMI), self‐esteem, depressive symptoms, attachment to parents, and parental eating attitudes. Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) was measured.Results   Disturbed eating behaviour was reported by 14% (15/106) of girls at Time 1, and 17% (18/106) at Time 2, and persisted in 8/15 girls over 1 year. Lower self‐esteem, higher BMI and more disturbed maternal eating attitudes at Time 1 accounted for 35% of the variance in Time 2 cEDE score, while higher BMI and more disturbed attachment to one's mother predicted new‐onset disturbed eating behaviour at Time 2. Glycaemic control was not associated with or predicted by disturbed eating behaviour.Conclusions   There was only moderate stability in disturbed eating behaviour status over a 1‐year period. In this preliminary study, disturbed eating behaviour was associated with and, to a lesser degree, predicted by physical, psychological and family factors. Although the long‐term clinical course of the mild disturbances identified is not known, prevention and early intervention efforts in this high‐risk medical group should begin in the pre‐teen years, and should probably target multiple factors in order to prevent the persistence and worsening of disturbed eating behaviour and its medical sequelae.
Does an Integrated Care Pathway enhance the management of diabetic ketoacidosis?
Authors: Waller S. L. , Delaney S. , Strachan M. W. J. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractAims  Integrated Care Pathways (ICPs) are management plans that indicate the sequence and timing of the optimal treatment for individuals with a given disorder. The treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) before and after the implementation of an ICP in a teaching hospital was examined.Methods  Twenty‐seven episodes of DKA were identified during the 13‐month control period and 22 in the 13 months following implementation of the ICP. Case notes were reviewed and relevant clinical data extracted.Results  The introduction of the ICP was associated with a reduction in the time taken to initiate intravenous fluid [45.0 (5–225) min to 37.5 (0–135) min; P = 0.01]. Time taken to initiate insulin infusion was also reduced [60.0 (5–755) min to 37.5 (0–175) min; P = 0.02]. The proportion of patients commenced on intravenous insulin within 60 min increased from 48 to 77% (P = 0.04). In addition, there was a reduction in the prescription of antibiotics (48–18%; P = 0.028) and low molecular weight heparin (59–5%; P < 0.001). Length of stay was not affected.Conclusion  The ICP significantly improved key areas in the management of DKA, although there remains room for further improvements.
Changes in the dermoscopic appearance of melanocytic naevi after photochemotherapy or narrow‐band ultraviolet B phototherapy
Authors: Kilinc Karaarslan I , Teban L , Dawid M , Tanew A , Kittler H 
Published: February 2007

AbstractBackground  Although phototherapeutic modalities are commonly used for the treatment of skin diseases, the effects of therapeutic ultraviolet (UV) irradiation on the dermoscopic appearance of melanocytic naevi are unknown.Objectives  We aimed to analyse the effects of photochemotherapy (psoralen plus ultraviolet A, PUVA) and narrow‐band ultraviolet B phototherapy (NB‐UVB) on the dermoscopic appearance of naevi.Patients and methods  We monitored 187 melanocytic naevi of 38 patients receiving NB‐UVB or PUVA treatment for miscellaneous skin diseases. Dermoscopic images of naevi were taken before, shortly after, and after a median of 31 weeks after the UV therapy. A random selection of naevi was covered during UV treatment, the others remained uncovered. Baseline and follow‐up images of naevi were viewed side by side on a computer screen to compare size, pigmentation, and dermoscopic structure of naevi.Results  Twenty‐one patients received NB‐UVB treatment, and 17 patients received PUVA treatment. Of 187 naevi, 70 (37%) were covered and 117 (63%) were uncovered during UV treatment. When NB‐UVB‐ and PUVA‐treated patients were analysed together, an increase in size of uncovered lesions was seen in both treatment groups. Pigmentation appeared darker at the end of UV treatment in 67.5% (n = 79) of uncovered naevi compared with 41.4% (n = 29) of covered naevi (P < 0.001). In patients receiving NB‐UVB therapy, a significant increase in the number of dots or globules in 20.3% (n = 14) of uncovered naevi compared with only 5.0% (n = 2) of covered naevi (P = 0.03) was found. This effect was not observed after PUVA therapy. With the exception of four naevi with continuous enlargement and seven naevi with a persisting increase in dots and globules, the observed changes were reversible. All naevi with persistent changes belonged to the NB‐UVB group.Conclusion  In general, PUVA and NB‐UVB therapy cause reversible dermoscopic changes in melanocytic naevi. Increase in dots and globules is more frequent with NB‐UVB.
Comparison of systemic PUVA and NB‐UVB in the treatment of vitiligo: an open prospective study
Authors: Bhatnagar A , Kanwar AJ , Parsad D , De D 
Published: February 2007

AbstractBackground  Vitiligo is a common pigmentary disorder with great cosmetic and psychological morbidity. No treatment available is a definitive cure. Systemic psoralen and ultraviolet A (PUVA) has been the mainstay of treatment. Narrow‐band ultraviolet B (NB‐UVB) has been recently introduced. Although retrospective comparative study of systemic PUVA and NB‐UVB has been published from our centre, no prospective study has been reported to date.Aims  To investigate the position of NB‐UVB vis‐à‐vis PUVA in terms of efficacy, time to repigment and adverse effects and to help decide if one therapy has an advantage over another in the treatment of vitiligo.Subjects and methods  It was a randomized, open, prospective study of 50 patients divided equally in TMP PUVA and NB‐UVB groups. The study period was from January 2004 to June 2005.Results  The mean degree of repigmentation attained in the NB‐UVB group was 52.24% over a mean treatment period of 6.3 months, whereas in the PUVA group it was 44.7% in a mean period of 5.6 months (P = 0.144). After excluding the results of therapy‐resistant sites, that is, hands and feet, the mean degree of repigmentation in the NB‐UVB group was 67.57%, whereas in the PUVA group it was 54.2% (P = 0.007).Conclusions  NB‐UVB performed better in comparison to TMP PUVA in terms of mean total repigmentation when traditionally considered therapy‐resistant sites were excluded.
Familial reactive perforating collagenosis: a clinical, histopathological study of 10 cases
Authors: Ramesh V , Sood N , Kubba A , Singh B , Makkar R 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective   To study the clinical and histopathological features of familial reactive perforating collagenosis (RPC).Material and methods  Ten patients, including affected siblings in three, took part in the study. Parental consanguinity was present in one. Histopathological study was performed in all patients.Results  The eruptions appeared mainly during infancy or early childhood as papules showing a central plug, which subsided within 10 weeks. Areas commonly affected were the face, extremities and trunk. Rare sites were the scalp, ears and buttocks. One pregnant woman, in whom RPC had first manifested around puberty, had relatively widespread lesions. In those with seasonal variation, recurrences were seen a little more frequently in summer than in winter owing to the longer duration of the former. Histopathology confirmed the diagnosis with follicular involvement in four cases. In two patients whose backs were also affected, the lesions went unnoticed, as they were small and inconspicuous. In addition, the brother of a girl with RPC who claimed to be free of the dermatosis, had facial scars suggestive of RPC in the past.Conclusions  Familial RPC can remain quiescent for a long period and the inherited defect not only shows extreme variability in expression but also demonstrates that lesions can be few and localized so as to escape notice in individuals and family members presenting with this benign, uncommon and self‐subsiding dermatosis. In all patients topical retinoic acid was helpful in early regression. Sunscreens may mitigate the severity of RPC in those whose lesions are precipitated in summer but this needs further evaluation.
Three Common Intronic Variants in the Maternal and Fetal Thiamine Pyrophosphokinase Gene (TPK1) are Associated with Birth Weight
Authors: Fradin D. , Bougneres P. 
Published: February 2007

SummaryExtreme variations in birth weight increase immediate postnatal mortality and morbidity, and are also associated with the predisposition to metabolic diseases in late adulthood. Birth weight in humans is influenced by yet unknown genetic factors. Since the 7q34‐q35 region showed linkage with birth weight in a recent human genome scan (p = 8.10−5), this study investigated the TPK1 (thiamine pyrophosphokinase) gene locus, located in 7q34‐36. Having found no coding variants in the TPK1 gene, we genotyped 43 non coding SNPs spanning a region of 420kb, and used the QTDT method to test their association with birth weight in 964 individuals from 220 families of European ancestry. Family‐based tests detected association of 8 SNPs with birth weight (p<0.008), but after correction for multiple tests only rs228581 C/T (p = 0.03), rs228582 A/G (p = 0.04) and rs228584 C/T (p = 0.03) were still associated with birth weight, as well as their T‐A‐T haplotype (p = 0.03). In addition, we found an association between maternal rs228584 genotype and offspring birth weight (p = 0.027).These observations suggest that genomic variations in the fetal and maternal TPK1 gene could contribute to the variability of birth weight in normal humans.
Absence of mechanical loading in utero influences bone mass and architecture but not innervation in Myod‐Myf5‐deficient mice
Authors: Gomez Cédric , David Valentin , Peet Nicola M. , Vico Laurence , Chenu Chantal , Malaval Luc , Skerry Timothy M. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractAlthough the responses of bone to increased loading or exercise have been studied in detail, our understanding of the effects of decreased usage of the skeleton has been limited by the scarcity of suitable models. Such models should ideally not affect bone innervation, which appears to be a mediator of physiological responses of bone to unloading. MyoD–/–/Myf5–/– (dd/ff) mice lack skeletal muscle, so the fetuses develop without any active movement in utero and die soon after birth. We used micro‐compter tomography and histology to analyse their bone development and structure during endochondral ossification in parallel with the establishment of bone innervation. Long bones from mutant mice were found to be profoundly different from controls, with shorter mineralized zones and less mineralization. They lacked many characteristics of adult bones – curvatures, changes in shaft diameter and traction epiphyses where muscles originate or insert – that were evident in the controls. Histologically, dd/ff mice showed the same degree of endochondral development as wild‐type animals, but presented many more osteoclasts in the newly layed bone. Innervation and the expression pattern of semaphorin‐3A signalling molecules were not disturbed in the mutants. Overall, we have found no evidence for a major defect of development in dd/ff mice, and specifically no alteration or delay in endochondral ossification and bone innervation. The altered morphological features of dd/ff mice and the increased bone resorption show the role of muscle activity in bone shaping and the consequences of bone unloading.
CAPITAL STRUCTURE, SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS, AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Authors: Jiraporn Pornsit , Gleason Kimberly C. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractWe show how capital structure is influenced by the strength of shareholder rights. Our empirical evidence shows an inverse relation between leverage and shareholder rights, suggesting that firms adopt higher debt ratios where shareholder rights are more restricted. This is consistent with agency theory, which predicts that leverage helps alleviate agency problems. This negative relation, however, is not found in regulated firms (i.e., utilities). We contend that this is because regulation already helps alleviate agency conflicts and, hence, mitigates the role of leverage in controlling agency costs.
RULE CHANGES AND UNCERTAINTY IN DISCRIMINATORY AND UNIFORM PRICE AUCTIONS
Authors: Beierlein Jaclyn , Kato Hideaki Kiyoshi 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThe auction literature indicates that uncertainty about the value of auctioned goods increases underpricing in discriminatory price auctions. Such uncertainty has a smaller effect on uniform price auctions because the pricing rule aggregates bidders' information. We find that uncertainty resulting from inexperience with an auction mechanism has similar effects. Using initial public offering (IPO) data from Japan and Israel, we find that average underpricing increases temporarily in Japan's discriminatory price auctions after changes in the auction rules, which suggests that bidders reduce their bids in response to uncertainty. Underpricing in Israel's uniform price auctions is not affected by rule changes.
THE IMPORTANCE OF LIQUIDITY AS A FACTOR IN ASSET PRICING
Authors: Keene Marvin A. , Peterson David R. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractWe employ the Fama‐French time‐series regression approach to examine liquidity as a risk factor affecting stock returns. Prior studies establish liquidity as an important consideration in investment decisions. Here, liquidity is found to be an important factor affecting portfolio returns, even after the effects of market, size, book‐to‐market equity, and momentum are considered. Nonzero intercepts remain, however, indicating continued missing risk factors.
APPLICABILITY OF THE FAMA‐FRENCH THREE‐FACTOR MODEL IN FORECASTING PORTFOLIO RETURNS
Authors: Hu Ou 
Published: February 2007

AbstractFor the model‐based estimation of the equity cost of capital, evidence shows that the common practice of using the average historical factor premiums as the estimates of the next‐period factor premiums generates inaccurate estimates. I propose an alternative way to estimate factor premiums by using the structural variables that are important predictors of future asset returns. Based on the out‐of‐sample results from a trading strategy with four in‐sample model‐selection criteria, I find that my estimation procedure performs better than the common practice even when transaction costs are considered.
FOREIGN INVESTOR PARTICIPATION IN PRIVATIZATIONS: DOES THE INSTITUTIONAL ENVIRONMENT MATTER?
Authors: Boubakri Narjess , Cosset Jean‐Claude , Guedhami Omrane , Omran Mohammed 
Published: February 2007

AbstractWe examine the determinants of foreign investors' participation in the privatization process of developing countries. First, we estimate the probability that foreign investors target privatized firms in a given country. We show that a favorable legal environment where investor protection is higher enhances foreign investors' participation. Foreigners also prefer large, strategic firms from high‐growth economies and socially stable countries with low political risk. Second, we restrict our analysis to privatized firms that foreign investors actually choose and show that the stakes foreigners hold are larger if the firms are privatized by private sales as opposed to public offerings.
EFFECT OF FED POLICY ACTIONS ON THE DEFAULT LIKELIHOOD OF COMMERCIAL BANKS
Authors: Akhigbe Aigbe , Madura Jeff , Martin Anna D. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractUsing a measure of default likelihood based on an option pricing method, we provide evidence that Fed policy actions affect the financial distress of commercial banks. When the Fed increases (decreases) interest rates, the measure of default likelihood increases (decreases). We show that when the Fed uses a tight money policy, the increase in default likelihood is more pronounced for banks that have less capital, have greater financial leverage, are smaller, have fewer growth opportunities, and have lower asset quality. Additionally, the effects on bank default likelihood are more pronounced when the Fed's policy signals less concern about economic growth, as indicated by its bias toward further tightening, and when there is a market expectation of higher short‐term market rates in the future.
Cancer, cyclo‐oxygenase and nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs – can we combine all three?
Authors: Hayes A. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractUnderstanding the molecular biology of cancer and identification of the aberrant mechanisms that permit unrestricted cell growth is fundamental to the development of cancer treatment and prevention strategies. When defective molecular pathways have been uncovered, targeted therapies aimed at specific disruption to the biology of the cell can be developed. Such targeted treatments might more effectively kill cancer and spare normal tissues. The significance of the cyclo‐oxygenase (COX) enzymatic pathways has emerged over the last 20 years and is currently a focus of study in some cancers of humans and veterinary species. This pathway is relatively easy to inhibit using nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs that are commonly in use in veterinary practice, making this pathway appear as a logical target. However, COX is just one of many aberrant cell signalling pathways identified in carcinogenesis. This review explores possible benefits and current limitations of treating cancer with COX‐inhibiting drugs in veterinary practice.
Five decades of progress in haematopoietic cell transplantation based on the preclinical canine model
Authors: Lupu M. , Storb R. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThe preclinical canine model has proved valuable for the development of principles and techniques of haematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) applicable to human patients. Studies in random‐bred dogs concerning the impact of histocompatibility barriers on engraftment and graft‐versus‐host disease, the kinetics of immunological reconstitution, the efficacy of various pretransplant conditioning regimens, post‐transplantation immunosuppression protocols, treatment of malignant diseases, and graft‐versus‐tumour effects have advanced HCT from an investigational therapy with uncertain clinical benefit half a century ago to an important treatment choice for thousands of patients treated annually in transplantation centres worldwide. More recent preclinical canine studies have resulted in the clinical translation of non‐myeloablative, minimally invasive transplantation protocols that have extended allogeneic HCT to include older human patients with malignant and non‐malignant, acquired or inherited haematological disorders, and those with comorbid conditions. Here, we review the contributions of the canine model to modern HCT and describe the usefulness of HCT for the treatment of canine haematological disorders.