bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Adipose tissue and liver lipid metabolism in obese children: role of the body mass index and the presence of acanthosis nigricans
Authors: Bonet B. , Viana M. , Sánchez‐Vera I. , Quintanar A. , Martínez J. , Espino M. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractAims  The aims of our study were to determine if insulin resistance is associated with increased plasma levels of non‐esterified fatty acids (NEFA), glycerol, 3‐hydroxybutyrate and triglycerides in obese children. We also studied whether the presence of acanthosis nigricans (AN) led to further alterations in the above parameters.Methods  A total of 101 children were studied on their first visit to the paediatric endocrine clinic. Seventy‐four were obese, 30 of them with AN. The remaining 27 were non‐obese healthy children (control group). NEFAs, glycerol, triglycerides, 3‐hydroxybutyrate, insulin, leptin, adiponectin and glucose were determined in blood samples obtained after overnight fasting. The insulin resistance index (IRI) was calculated following the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA). Data from the three groups were compared using appropriate statistical tests.Results  No differences in age, sex ratio and pubertal stage were observed among the three groups. The group of children with the highest body mass index (BMI) showed higher plasma levels of insulin and leptin, higher IRI and lower plasma levels of adiponectin. As insulin and IRI increased, NEFA and 3‐hydroxybutyrate decreased and triglycerides increased. When obese children were categorized by BMI, the presence of AN further exacerbated these differences.Conclusions  In obese children, insulin resistance is associated with plasma lipid alterations suggestive of both decreased adipose tissue lipolysis and hepatic beta‐oxidation and increased hepatic synthesis of triglycerides. Such a metabolic condition may facilitate fat storage and hinder weight loss.
Islet cell autoantibody levels after the diagnosis of young adult diabetic patients
Authors: Jensen R. , Gilliam L. , Torn C. , Landin‐Olsson M. , Palmer J. , Åkesson K. , Kockum I. , Lernmark B. , Karlsson A. F. , Lynch K. F. , Breslow N. , Lernmark Å. , Sundkvist G. ,   on behalf of the Diabetes Incidence Study in Sweden group
Published: August 2007

AbstractAims  The aim was to determine the course of islet cell antibodies [glutamate decarboxylase (GADA), tyrosine phosphatase‐like islet antigen 2 (IA‐2A) and islet cell (ICA)] after the diagnosis of the diabetic patient.Methods  The Diabetes Incidence Study in Sweden (DISS) attempted to prospectively enrol all newly diagnosed diabetic patients aged 15–34 years during 1992 and 1993. C‐peptide and autoantibody levels were determined from venous blood samples at diagnosis and again at yearly intervals for 6 years.Results  After the first year, the odds of remaining GADA positive decreased by 9% per year [odds ratio (OR) = 0.91, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.85–0.96] while the mean GADA index remained unchanged ( = 0.8, P = 0.37). There was no change in the percentage of subjects testing IA‐2A positive after the first year ( = 0.1, P = 0.75). However, the mean index decreased 0.04 per year (95% CI: 0.03–0.05)—a 7.9% decline (95% CI: 5.4–10.4%). The odds of a subject testing positive for ICA decreased by 24% per year (OR = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.70–0.82). The mean ICA levels decreased 0.75 per year (95% CI: 0.66–0.84)—a 16.4% decline (95% CI: 14.1–18.6%). The rate of change in titres for all three autoantibodies was independent of gender, human leucocyte antigen genotype and C‐peptide status.Conclusions  GADA levels remained high while ICA levels declined. In contrast to a previous study, we found that the proportion of IA‐2A subjects remaining positive did not decrease after the first year, while the average index decreased slightly.
Oesophageal dysmotility, delayed gastric emptying and gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with diabetes mellitus
Authors: Faraj J. , Melander O. , Sundkvist G. , Olsson R. , Thorsson O. , Ekberg O. , Ohlsson B. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractAims  Gastroparesis is a common gastrointestinal complication in diabetes mellitus, whereas dysfunction in the other gastrointestinal organs has been less thoroughly investigated. Furthermore, it is not known whether there is any relationship between motility and dysmotility between these organs. The aim of this study was to examine whether diabetic patients with gastrointestinal symptoms also have motility disturbances in the oesophagus and stomach and, if so, whether there are any associations between these disturbances.Methods  Thirty‐one patients with diabetes mellitus who complained of gastrointestinal symptoms were asked to complete a questionnaire about their symptoms. They were further investigated with oesophageal manometry and gastric emptying scintigraphy.Results  Fifty‐eight per cent of the patients had abnormal oesophageal function, and 68% had delayed gastric emptying. Abdominal fullness was the only symptom that related to any dysfunction, and it was associated with delayed gastric emptying (P = 0.02). We did not find any relationship in motility or dysmotility between the oesophagus and the stomach.Conclusion  Oesophageal dysmotility, as well as gastroparesis, are common in patients with diabetes who have gastrointestinal symptoms. It is important to investigate these patients further, to be able to reach an accurate diagnosis and instigate appropriate treatment. Our findings indicate that the oesophagus and the stomach function as separate organs and that pathology in one does not necessarily mean pathology in the other.
Are lifestyle changes achieved after participation in a screening programme for Type 2 diabetes? The ADDITION Study, Denmark
Authors: Mai K. S. , Sandbæk A. , Borch‐Johnsen K. , Lauritzen T. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractAims  To examine the impact on health‐related lifestyle of conducting a targeted stepwise diabetes screening programme.Methods  A total of 4731 people aged 40–69 years were offered stepwise diabetes screening in part of the Danish arm of the ADDITION‐study in the county of Aarhus, Denmark. The screening comprised two main steps: identification of high‐risk individuals by a mailed risk score questionnaire, and subsequent testing of high‐risk individuals by their general practitioner. Questionnaires on physical exercise [International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), short form], smoking habits and alcohol consumption were mailed to the target population 1 month prior to the offer of screening, and at 12 months’ follow‐up. At follow‐up, additional questions regarding perceived changes in dietary habits, smoking, alcohol consumption and exercise were included. Three pairs of comparison groups were analysed.Results  One year after screening, smokers who underwent further testing reduced smoking by one daily cigarette more than people at low risk of diabetes. The rate of smokers was not reduced, and the result was not confirmed by data regarding perceived change. Alcohol intake and exercise were unchanged. Data on perceived changes showed that more people undertook increased exercise in the group at low risk than in the further examined group, but this was not seen when comparing high‐risk attenders with non‐attenders. Dietary habits were unchanged, except that slightly more people in the group with an abnormal test result reported increase of fruit and vegetable intake and reduction of fat intake compared with the group with a normal test result.Conclusion  Only minor and inconsistent impacts on lifestyle was observed 1 year after screening.
How does ethnicity affect the association between obesity and diabetes?
Authors: Diaz V. A. , Mainous A. G. , Baker R. , Carnemolla M. , Majeed A. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractAims  To examine the utility of body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and waist‐to‐height ratio (WHR) in assessing diabetes risk across different ethnic groups.Methods  Cross‐sectional analysis of data for eight ethnic groups from the 2003–2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and 2003–2004 Health Survey for England was performed. In 11 624 adults ≥ 20 years old, self‐reported as US White, US Black, Mexican American, English White, English Black, Bangladeshi, Pakistani, Indian or Chinese the presence of diabetes, defined as self‐report of doctor diagnosis or glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) > 6.1%, was ascertained. Comparisons of proportions were made using χ2‐tests. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were calculated for BMI, WC and WHR predicting diabetes.Results  Other ethnic groups had a higher prevalence of diagnosed diabetes than English Whites. The crude prevalence of diabetes in English Whites of normal weight (BMI < 25 kg/m2) was 3.4%. Higher prevalences were seen in other ethnic groups (5.0–10.9%). Based on ROC curves, both WC and WHR had better discriminating ability for diabetes than BMI for both genders and some ethnic groups.Conclusions  Ethnic differences exist in the crude prevalence of diabetes, even in those characterized as normal weight by BMI. Thus, clinicians need to exercise caution in interpreting diabetes risk associated with a normal BMI. The use of other anthropometric measures, such as WC or WHR, may improve risk determination across different ethnic groups. More research is needed to determine the thresholds for different anthropometric measures that improve diabetes risk determination.
The transcription factor 7‐like 2 (TCF7L2) gene is associated with Type 2 diabetes in UK community‐based cases, but the risk allele frequency is reduced compared with UK cases selected for genetic studies
Authors: De Silva N. M. G. , Steele A. , Shields B. , Knight B. , Parnell K. , Weedon M. N. , Hattersley A. T. , Frayling T. M. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractAims  Common polymorphisms in the transcription factor 7‐like 2 (TCF7L2) gene are strongly associated with Type 2 diabetes. Many studies include a large proportion of cases enriched for family history or young age of diagnosis and may therefore provide an overestimation of the general population risk. We aimed to compare the impact of TCF7L2 in UK community‐based Type 2 diabetic subjects with that in subjects ascertained for genetic studies.Methods  We genotyped the TCF7L2 polymorphism rs7903146 in 1068 cases from two sources: 487 from 10 GP practices and 601 ascertained for genetic studies, and 2099 control subjects from two sources: 1099 parents from a birth cohort (population control subjects) and 300 subjects with normal fasting glucose aged ≥ 45 years (community control subjects).Results  When compared with Type 2 diabetes cases ascertained for genetic studies, the risk allele frequency in community‐based cases was lower (40 vs. 36%, P = 0.04), but there was no difference in risk allele frequency between community‐based control and population‐based control subjects (31 vs. 30%, P = 0.61). The T allele of rs7903146 increased Type 2 diabetes risk with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.32 (95% CI: 1.13–1.52; P = 0.0002) in community‐based cases, but this OR was lower than the OR of cases enriched for genetic studies [1.58 (95% CI: 1.38–1.80), P = 1.4 × 10−11] and the combined OR of meta‐analysis of 10 studies to date on rs7903146 [1.48 (95% CI: 1.41–1.54), P < 10−20].Conclusion  Common variation in the TCF7L2 gene contributes to Type 2 diabetes risk in UK patients recruited in general practice, but the risk allele frequency may be lower than that in subjects enriched for genetic effects.
Associations of Type 1 diabetes mellitus, maternal vascular disease and complications of pregnancy
Authors: Howarth C. , Gazis A. , James D. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractBackground  Maternal diabetes increases the risk of pre‐eclampsia and abnormalities of fetal growth. We studied the additional impact of maternal vascular disease on these risks.Methods  The first viable (> 23 weeks) pregnancies of 138 women with Type 1 diabetes mellitus (Type 1 DM), delivered between 1994 and 2003 at the Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, UK were studied. Women were divided into groups with and without vascular disease (retinopathy and/or nephropathy and/or pre‐existing hypertension). Primary outcomes were pre‐eclampsia and fetal customized birthweight percentile (cbp) (adjusted for maternal weight, height, parity, ethnicity, gestational age and gender). Secondary outcomes were perinatal outcome (miscarriage, intrauterine or neonatal death), preterm birth, birth asphyxia, neonatal hypoglycaemia and delivery mode.Results  Women with vascular disease were more likely to develop pre‐eclampsia (OR 3.5; CI 1.28–9.53) and deliver infants with lower cbp (median 89.0, range 0–100 vs. 98.0, range 0–100; P ≤ 0.005). Infants were less likely to be macrosomic (OR 0.46; CI 0.224–0.928) but more likely to have intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR; OR 6.0; CI 1.54–23.33). Women with vascular disease had higher Caesarean section rates (90 vs. 56%, P ≤ 0.001).Conclusions/interpretation  Women with Type 1 DM and vascular disease are at greater risk of pre‐eclampsia and pathological fetal growth. This should influence counselling and merit increased pregnancy surveillance.
Impact of climate change on migratory birds: community reassembly versus adaptation
Authors: Schaefer Hans‐Christian , Jetz Walter , Böhning‐Gaese Katrin 
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACTAim  Species can respond to global climate change by range shifts or by phenotypic adaptation. At the community level, range shifts lead to a turnover of species, i.e. community reassembly. In contrast, phenotypic adaptation allows species to persist in situ, conserving community composition. So far, community reassembly and adaptation have mostly been studied separately. In nature, however, both processes take place simultaneously. In migratory birds, climate change has been shown to result in both exchange of species and adaptation of migratory behaviour. The aim of our study is to predict the impact of global climate change on migratory bird communities and to assess the extent to which reassembly and adaptation may contribute to alterations.Location  Europe.Methods  We analysed the relationship between current climate and the proportion of migratory species across bird assemblages in Europe. The magnitude of community reassembly was measured using spatial variation in the proportion of potentially migratory species. Adaptation was inferred from spatial variation in the proportion of potentially migratory species that actually migrate at a specific site. These spatial relationships were used to make temporal predictions of changes in migratory species under global climate change.Results  According to our models, increasing winter temperature is expected to lead to declines in the proportion of migratory species, whereas increasing spring temperature and decreasing spring precipitation may lead to increases. Changes in winter and spring temperature are expected to cause mainly adaptation in migratory activity, while changes in spring precipitation may result in both changes in the proportion of potentially migratory species and adaptation of migratory activity.Main conclusions  Under current climate change forecasts, changes in the proportion of migratory species will be modest and the communities of migratory birds in Europe are projected to be altered through adaptation of migratory activity rather than through exchange of species.
Optimal Trade Policies and Production Technology in Vertically Related Markets*
Authors: Hwang Hong , Lin Yan‐Shu , Yang Ya‐Po 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThis paper shows that optimal trade policies for vertically related markets depend crucially on production technology. By employing a production function with variable‐coefficient technology, it shows that return to scale is crucial in determining the direction of government intervention. Therefore, the assumption of fixed‐coefficient production technologies, which has been popular in industrial organization and trade literature when modeling vertically related markets, should be used with caution.
International Consumption Patterns among High‐income Countries: Evidence from the OECD Data*
Authors: Kónya István , Ohashi Hiroshi 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThis paper examines the effect of economic integration on the product‐level consumption patterns across the OECD in the past decade. Estimation results find evidence of strong convergence in cross‐country consumption patterns with substantial heterogeneity across products and countries. The results are robust to either the benchmark choice, data selection, or the choice of model specification. In addition to documenting convergence, the paper relates the volume of international trade to cross‐country consumption patterns.
Is Trade Good for Your Health?*
Authors: Owen Ann L. , Wu Stephen 
Published: August 2007

AbstractWe use a panel of 219 countries to examine the relationship between a country’s openness to international trade and several health outcomes and find that, in general, increased openness is associated with lower rates of infant mortality and higher life expectancies, especially in developing countries. We find evidence suggesting that some of the positive correlation between trade and health can be attributed to knowledge spillovers. In addition, openness is associated with sound economic policies which themselves are related to better health outcomes.
Global Resources and Eco‐labels: a Neutrality Result
Authors: Robertson Peter E. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractI evaluate the effectiveness of eco‐labeling programs that are designed to mitigate transboundary environmental problems. A simple two‐country model is considered, where consumers in each country value a common environmental resource. It is shown that, in equilibrium, the level of damage is independent of whether one or both countries have eco‐labeling policies. Hence, the implementation of an existing eco‐labeling program by a second country may have no effect, or a very limited effect, on the stock of the environmental resource. The result highlights potential limitations of eco‐labeling policies in this international context.
Productive Capacity, Product Varieties, and the Elasticities Approach to the Trade Balance
Authors: Gagnon Joseph E. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractMost macroeconomic models imply that faster income growth tends either to lower a country’s trade balance by raising its imports with little change to its exports or to reduce its terms of trade in order to maintain balanced trade. Krugman (1989) proposed a model in which countries grow by producing new varieties of goods. In his model, faster‐growing countries are able to export these new goods and maintain balanced trade without suffering any deterioration in their terms of trade. This paper analyzes the growth of US imports from different source countries and finds strong support for Krugman’s model.
Biplots of Free-Choice Profile Data in Generalized Orthogonal Procrustes Analysis
Authors: Arnold Gillian M. , Gower John C. , Gardner-Lubbe Sugnet , le Roux Niël J. 
Published: August 2007

Summary
Free-choice profiling is a technique that is used in sensory studies whereby assessors are allowed to describe products by using their own preferred descriptors and own number of descriptors. We show how a study of this type on eight varieties of port wine can be analysed and, in particular, how to associate the descriptors of the wines with each assessor and with a group average representation. We show how biplots combined with generalized orthogonal Procrustes analysis can be constructed and used to explore consistencies and idiosyncrasies among assessors’ uses of their descriptors and scales.
A randomized placebo‐controlled trial of metformin for the treatment of HIV lipodystrophy
Authors: Kohli R , Shevitz A , Gorbach S , Wanke C 
Published: August 2007

ObjectiveWe conducted a randomized placebo‐controlled trial to examine the effects of metformin on visceral adipose tissue (VAT), appendicular fat, lipid profile and insulin sensitivity in HIV‐infected persons with central adiposity and mild insulin resistance.MethodsForty‐eight HIV‐infected men and women with a self‐reported increase in abdominal girth and an abnormal waist‐to‐hip ratio were randomly assigned in double‐blind fashion to receive metformin 1500 mg or placebo daily for 24 weeks. Persons with diabetes were excluded. The following measures were obtained at baseline and 24 weeks: single‐slice computed tomography (CT) scan, dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DEXA), lipid profile and oral glucose tolerance test.ResultsThe median fasting insulin concentration of all participants was 12.3 μU/mL. The percentage change in VAT was not significantly different between the metformin and placebo groups in univariate analysis and linear regression analysis adjusting for age, height, baseline VAT and insulin area under the curve (10.1% vs 3.2%; P=0.58). Metformin was associated with a significant decrease in appendicular fat mass compared with placebo (−686.0 vs 161.0 g; P=0.03). There was no significant change in lipid profile or insulin sensitivity between the two groups at 24 weeks.ConclusionMetformin should be used with caution in the treatment of HIV lipodystrophy, and, if used, should be reserved for persons with adequate peripheral fat and marked insulin resistance.
A large prospective study assessing injection site reactions, quality of life and preference in patients using the Biojector® vs standard needles for enfuvirtide administration*
Authors: Loutfy MR , Harris M , Raboud JM , Antoniou T , Kovacs C , Shen S , Dufresne S , Smaill F , Rouleau D , Rachlis A , Gough K , Lalonde R , Tsoukas C , Trottier B , Walmsley SL , Montaner JSG 
Published: August 2007

ObjectivesTo determine the severity of injection site reactions (ISRs), patient quality of life (QoL) and preference when enfuvirtide is administered by the Biojector® (Bioject, Medical Technologies, Inc., Tualatin, OR, USA) relative to standard needles.MethodsA total of 201 HIV‐positive patients on stable enfuvirtide‐based therapy (n=184) or initiating such therapy (n=17) were evaluated prospectively after switching from standard needles to the Biojector® system. Patients used needles for a minimum of 2 weeks prior to switching to the Biojector®. Questionnaires to assess the incidence and severity of ISRs (31‐item score) and QoL [Medical Outcomes Study HIV Health Survey (MOS‐HIV)] were administered at baseline and following a minimum of 14 days of Biojector® use.ResultsThe median changes in ISR score and number of ISRs following a median of 1.0 month [interquartile range (IQR) 0.9, 1.3] of Biojector® use were −3 (IQR −7, 1) and −1 (IQR −3, 1), respectively. The severity of pain (P<0.0001), induration (P<0.0001), pruritus (P<0.0001), nodules (P<0.0001) and erythema (P<0.0001) all decreased with the Biojector®. Administration of enfuvirtide with the Biojector® was associated with an improved patient QoL (P<0.0001), and was preferred by 72% of patients.ConclusionsCompared with needles, the Biojector® was associated with a decreased severity of ISRs and improved QoL in patients taking enfuvirtide.
Risk factors for death among patients in French Guiana: 1996–2005
Authors: Nacher M , Huber F , El Guedj M , Vaz T , Magnien C , Djossou F , Randrianjohany A , Alvarez F , Couppié P 
Published: August 2007

SummaryRisk factors for death in an HIV‐infected cohort in French Guiana were studied in 1374 patients between 1996 and 2005. Of these patients, 48.5% were male and 76% were immigrants. Covariates were measured at the time of consultation. There were 223 deaths. Addictions [adjusted hazard ratio (HR)=13; 95% confidence interval (CI) 5.5–30.6; P< 0.001], age >60 years (HR=1.5; 95% CI 0.9–2.5; P=0.13), male gender (HR=1.5; 95% CI 1.03–2.5; P=0.03) and CD4 count <50 cells/μL (HR=9.1; 95% CI 5.1–16.3; P<0.001) were independently associated with death. These results suggest that strategies promoting early diagnosis and better follow‐up of addicted patients would have a significant impact on mortality.