bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A gendered view of reforming health care access for farmers in China
Authors: Liu Huixia , Zhang Linxiu , Summerfield Gale , Shi Yaojiang 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe social safety net of health care insurance is rapidly expanding in rural China. New Rural Cooperative Medical System (NRCMS) programs proliferated between the national decree of 2002 and 2008, moving from a situation where less than 10 per cent of the rural population had access to health insurance to one where over 80 per cent had the opportunity to participate in these programs. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how NRCMS affects equity goals in access to health care and explore the gender‐specific determinants for farmers to participate in NRCMS and use health care services.Design/methodology/approachEmpirical analysis, by using the national rural socio‐economic survey data collected by the Centre for Chinese Agricultural Policy, Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2005. Based on Andersen's access to medical care model, the probit model for regression was used. All analyses are conducted with Stata 9.0 software.FindingsGender was found to have significant effects on both NRCMS participation and health care use. Age, education, deductible level and ceiling limits of reimbursement had positive effects on both NRCMS participation and health care use. The narrow coverage with high co‐payment compensation system asserted significant deterrence effects on equity access to health care. This is only a first step toward building an adequate health safety net for all rural residents, there is still a long way to go.Originality/valueUsing the national household survey data, this study is one of few studies focusing on the interplay between gender and the distinct determinants of access to health care under the ongoing NRCMS. The relevant findings have important implications for further policy design.
Changing patterns in comparative advantage for agricultural trade in East Asian countries
Authors: Heguang Liu , Tada Minoru , Dongsheng Sun 
Published: January 2009

PurposeEconomies in East Asia are at different development stages. Economic development has an impact on factor endowments and the intensities, then on the mode of agricultural trade. To examine the trade modes of these seven East Asian countries' agricultural products will give us some hints to understand the question how economic development impacts the changing patterns in comparative advantage (CA) of agricultural products. Therefore, this paper aims to test the question by using a four‐quadrant method.Design/methodology/approachTrade specialization coefficient is used to analyze the agricultural CA among aggregated agricultural products and two typical kinds of products: labor‐ and land‐intensive agricultural products. Then a four‐quadrant method is applied in this study, where trade specialization of agricultural products consists of 2D: labor‐intensive and land‐intensive. The study intends to test the changing routes of CA of agricultural products under the background of economic development and changing situation of factor endowments.FindingsThe analysis result supports that economic development has impact on the trade mode of agricultural products.Originality/valueThe four‐quadrant method is firstly applied to analyze the changing pattern of agricultural products in East Asian countries. This study shows that the changing routes of CA of agricultural products will not limit to only one mode as found by current studies.
Leadership as managing energy
Authors: Clawson James G.S. 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provoke academic and practitioner thinking by asserting a set of leadership principles first in oneself and then in others.Design/methodology/approachThe paper asserts a set of leadership principles, including a new definition of leadership, namely to manage energy. First, most managers seem to use more traditional definitions, like getting people to focus on a common goal, and, second, to focus on others at the expense of recognizing how their own energy level affects those around them.FindingsLeaders and managers should first reflect on leading themselves and their own energy, while paying more attention to real buy‐in rather than superficial buy‐in. Moreover, leader/managers should pay more attention to the degree to which they live “outside‐in” and therefore behave less “leader‐like” on the inside. Leader/managers can begin to use “level three” techniques rather than the more superficial “level one” (visible behavior) and “level two” (conscious thought) techniques. In this way, managers change the way they think about managing themselves.Originality/valueThis paper builds on, and adds to, the work of Ed Schein, Albert Ellis, William Glasser, Tony Damasio, and others. The originality lies in the collection and integration of concepts raised by these writers, and others.
“We the people … ”: levels of analysis and the US Constitution
Authors: Yammarino Francis J. 
Published: January 2009

PurposeLevels of analysis and multi‐level issues have a long history and are becoming increasingly important in many areas of management and the organizational sciences. Nevertheless, specifics and clarity regarding these issues can be elusive for scholars and educators. To help overcome this difficulty, the paper aims to use the Constitution of the United States of America and the US presidential election to illustrate levels of analysis and multi‐level issues.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses the example of the Constitution of the United States of America and the US presidential election to illustrate levels of analysis and multi‐level issues in the areas of management and the organizational sciences.FindingsThe paper reveals the levels of analysis and multi‐level issues using the US Constitution and US presidential elections.Originality/valueThe value of the paper to scholars and educators is the explanation and illustration of levels of analysis and multi‐level issues using the US Constitution and US presidential elections.
Comments on Yammarino's “Levels of analysis and the US Constitution”
Authors: Jelinek Mariann 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to respond to Yammarino's “Levels of analysis and the US Constitution”.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents a conceptual assessment of the approach of Yammarino, suggesting an extension beyond “the” organization to groups of interacting organizations – where much contemporary innovation, and indeed economic activity takes place.FindingsThe paper advocates extending organization theory explicitly to embrace multi‐firm and multi‐organizational collaborations. “The firm” as an isolated entity is increasingly less meaningful without its constellation of affiliates, partners and networks.Practical implicationsOrganization theorists, and managers, would do well to extend their horizons to include networks and partners, to understand how “organizations” work beyond their nominal boundaries.Originality/valueThe paper highlights an extension of organization theory to reflect contemporary inter‐organizational cooperation.
What constitutes a level of analysis?
Authors: Michela John L. 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThis paper aims to respond to Yammarino's article in this issue on level of analysis and the US Constitution.Design/methodology/approachThis paper expands on two concepts central to levels of analysis: entity and causal process. Then additional alternative ways of conceptualizing, analyzing, and representing multi‐level organizations – beyond the organization chart – are described. A rationale for America's use of the Electoral College is sought.FindingsThe paper reveals connections among traditional notions of hierarchy (including the traditional organization chart) and contemporary social network concepts.Practical implicationsLeaders and other members of social and organizational systems should be mindful of their mental representations of hierarchy, of organizational or social groupings (e.g., US States), and of social distance. These representations can influence behaviors and perceptions, including perceived fairness of procedures.Originality/valueThe paper presents interesting information on connections among traditional notions of hierarchy and contemporary social network concepts.
Review article: investigational agents for chronic hepatitis C
Authors: THOMPSON A. J. V. , MCHUTCHISON J. G. 
Published: January 2009

SummaryBackground  The need for effective treatment for chronic hepatitis C infection has driven the development of novel antiviral agents that target specific steps in the viral replication cycle.Aim  To evaluate the current literature concerning investigational agents for chronic hepatitis C virus infection.Methods  Resources used included PubMed, conference proceedings from the American and European Liver Associations’ meetings 2005–2008 and the National Institute of Health’s clinical trials website (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov). The focus was restricted to investigational agents that have progressed beyond preclinical development.Results  Over 50 investigational agents for chronic hepatitis C infection are currently in clinical development. Specifically targeted anti‐viral therapy for HCV (STAT‐C) shows great promise with NS3/4a protease inhibitors now entering phase 3 programmes. New interferon‐α and ribavirin formulations aim to optimize anti‐viral efficacy yet limit toxicity. Other candidates include novel immunomodulators and therapeutic vaccines.Conclusions  A new era of therapy for chronic hepatitis C beckons, promising increased cure rates with shortened duration of therapy. However, the era will not be without challenges including viral resistance, drug toxicity and the need to optimize combination therapy in the face of a rapidly evolving therapeutic arsenal.
Duodenal mastocytosis, eosinophilia and intraepithelial lymphocytosis as possible disease markers in the irritable bowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia
Authors: WALKER M. M. , TALLEY N. J. , PRABHAKAR M. , PENNANEAC’H C. J. , ARO P. , RONKAINEN J. , STORSKRUBB T. , HARMSEN W. S. , ZINSMEISTER A. R. , AGREUS L. 
Published: January 2009

SummaryBackground  Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and functional dyspepsia (FD) are common functional disorders without defined pathology. Mast cells and eosinophils interact with T lymphocytes and may alter enteric nerve and smooth muscle function.Aim  To examine mast cell, eosinophil and intraepithelial lymphocyte populations in duodenal biopsies of subjects with IBS and FD.Methods  A random sample of an adult Swedish population (n = 1001; mean age 54 years; 51% female) underwent upper endoscopy and biopsy; 51 cases with FD and 41 cases with IBS were compared with 48 randomly selected controls. Eosinophils were identified by light microscopy; mast cells by immunocytochemistry (CD117). Intraepithelial lymphocytes were counted per 100 enterocytes. Cell counts were quantified by counting the number per high power field (HPF) in 5HPFs in the bulb (D1) and second part of duodenum (D2), summed over 5HPFs at each site.Results  Cases and controls showed similar demographics. Compared to controls, IELs in IBS‐constipation were significantly increased (P = 0.005). Mast cells were significantly increased in IBS in D2 (P < 0.001), while eosinophils were significantly increased in FD in D1 and D2 (P < 0.001).Conclusion  Duodenal mast cell hyperplasia is linked to IBS and eosinophilia to FD, and duodenal biopsy may identify subsets of these disorders.
Review article: hyperammonaemic and catabolic consequences of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in cirrhosis
Authors: DAMINK S. W. M. OLDE , DEJONG C. H. C. , JALAN R. 
Published: January 2009

SummaryBackground  Upper gastrointestinal (UGI) bleeding in patients with cirrhosis of the liver induces hyperammonaemia and leads to a catabolic cascade that precipitates life‐threatening complications. The haemoglobin molecule is unique because it lacks the essential amino acid isoleucine and contains high amounts of leucine and valine. UGI bleed therefore presents the gut with protein of very low biologic value, which may be the stimulus to induce net catabolism.Aim  To describe the hyperammonaemic and catabolic consequences of UGI bleeding in cirrhosis.Methods  A semi‐structured literature search was performed using PubMed and article references.Results  It has recently been proven that (‘simulation of ’) a UGI bleed in patients with cirrhosis leads to impaired protein synthesis that can be restored by intravenous infusion of isoleucine. This may have therapeutic implications for the function of rapidly dividing cells and short half‐life proteins such as clotting factors. Renal and small bowel ammoniagenesis were shown to be the most prominent causes for the hyperammonaemia that resulted from a UGI bleed. This provides an explanation for the therapeutic failure of the current clinical therapies that are aimed at large bowel‐derived ammonia production. Isoleucine infusion did not diminish renal ammoniagenesis.Conclusions  New pharmacological therapies to diminish postbleeding hyperammonaemia should target the altered inter‐organ ammonia metabolism and promote ammonia excretion and/or increase the excretion of precursors of ammoniagenesis, e.g. l‐ornithine–phenylacetate.
Increased health costs from mandated Therapeutic Substitution of proton pump inhibitors in British Columbia
Authors: SKINNER B. J. , GRAY J. R. , ATTARA G. P. 
Published: January 2009

SummaryBackground  In 2003, British Columbia’s PharmaCare programme implemented a drug reimbursement policy called Therapeutic Substitution, which required patients with acid‐related diseases, primarily gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease (GERD), to make a medically unnecessary switch from their prescribed proton pump inhibitor (PPI) to the cheapest available brand name PPI (Pariet, rabeprazole sodium), comprising a different (nongeneric) chemical.Aim  To evaluate the independent effects of PPI Therapeutic Substitution on individual healthcare utilization among those complying with the policy.Methods  We used the BC Ministry of Health Services’ individual‐level linked data, allowing isolation of healthcare utilization for the entire population of PPI consumers from 2002 to 2005.Results  After controlling for individual case variation in age, gender and a proxy for pre‐existing health status, regression analysis revealed statistically significant greater overall use of PPIs, physician services and hospital services independently associated with patients who complied with Therapeutic Substitution. Over the 3‐year period 2003–2005, this represented net healthcare expenditures totalling approximately C$43.51 million (C$9.11 million in total PPI drug expenditures, C$24.65 million for physician services and C$9.75 million for hospital services).Conclusion  Medically unnecessary drug switching caused by compliance with Therapeutic Substitution policy appears to be independently associated with higher overall healthcare utilization.
Predictors of persistence with 5‐aminosalicylic acid therapy for ulcerative colitis
Authors: KANE S. V. , ACCORTT N. A. , MAGOWAN S. , BRIXNER D. 
Published: January 2009

SummaryBackground  Individuals with ulcerative colitis (UC) are at risk for poor persistence with therapy.Aim  To identify factors predicting persistence with 5‐aminosalicylic acid (5‐ASA) therapy after 3 and 12 months in subjects with UC.Methods  In this retrospective cohort study, persistence with 5‐ASA therapy was determined from prescription refill data from a commercial health insurance claims database. The analysis included subjects with UC who filled a prescription for any oral 5‐ASA between October 2002 and September 2004. Persistence was defined as prescription refill at 3 and/or 12 months. Multivariate logistic regression modelling identified variables independently associated with persistence at 3 and 12 months.Results  In all, 3574 subjects were identified. Fifty‐seven per cent (2044) were persistent at 3 months. Glucocorticoid use before the index prescription predicted improved persistence at 3 months. Psychiatric diagnosis, mail order of the index prescription, female gender and co‐pay predicted decreased persistence. At 12 months, 1124 (55%) remained persistent. Rectal 5‐ASA use, older age and switching to a different 5‐ASA predicted improved persistence at 12 months. Hospitalization for a gastrointestinal condition, mail order of the 3‐month prescription and number of co‐morbid illnesses predicted lower persistence.Conclusion  Persistence with 5‐ASA treatment in UC is complex and multifactorial, and differs by time period.
Interaction between psychiatric and autoimmune disorders in coeliac disease patients in the Northeastern United States
Authors: GARUD S. , LEFFLER D. , DENNIS M. , EDWARDS‐GEORGE J. , SARYAN D. , SHETH S. , SCHUPPAN D. , JAMMA S. , KELLY C. P. 
Published: January 2009

SummaryBackground  Previous studies yielded conflicting results regarding the presence of an association between coeliac disease (CD) and psychiatric disorders including depression. This association has not been studied in the United States.Aim  To determine the prevalence of psychiatric and autoimmune disorders in patients with CD in the US compared with control groups.Methods  In a case control study, the prevalence of psychiatric and autoimmune disorders was compared in 600 CD patients, 200 irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients and 200 healthy controls.Results  The prevalence of depression in CD was 17.2% and was similar to that in IBS (18.5%, P = 0.74) and controls (16.0%, P = 0.79). Among CD patients, type I diabetes mellitus (DM) was identified as a significant risk factor for depression (P < 0.01) with 37% of patients with both CD and type I DM having clinical depression.Conclusion  The prevalence of depression in CD is similar to that in other chronic gastrointestinal diseases and healthy controls. However, there is a markedly elevated risk of depression in patients with both type I DM and CD. Differing rates of type 1 DM among coeliac populations may account for disparity in published rates of depression in patients with CD.
Mitochondrial DNA‐based analysis of genetic variation and relatedness among Sri Lankan indigenous chickens and the Ceylon junglefowl (Gallus lafayetti)
Authors: Silva P. , Guan X. , Ho‐Shing O. , Jones J. , Xu J. , Hui D. , Notter D. , Smith E. 
Published: January 2009

SummaryIndigenous chickens (IC) in developing countries provide a useful resource to detect novel genes in mitochondrial and nuclear genomes. Here, we investigated the level of genetic diversity in IC from five distinct regions of Sri Lanka using a PCR‐based resequencing method. In addition, we investigated the relatedness of IC to different species of junglefowls including Ceylon (CJF; Gallus lafayetti), a subspecies that is endemic to Sri Lanka, green (Gallus varius), grey (Gallus sonneratii) and red (Gallus gallus) junglefowls. A total of 140 birds including eight CJF were used to screen the control region of the mitochondrial DNA sequence for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and other variants. We detected and validated 44 SNPs, which formed 42 haplotypes and six haplogroups in IC. The SNPs observed in the CJF were distinct and the D‐loop appeared to be missing a 62‐bp segment found in IC and the red junglefowl. Among the six haplogroups of IC, only one was region‐specific. Estimates of haplotype and nucleotide diversities ranged from 0.901 to 0.965 and from 0.011 to 0.013 respectively, and genetic divergence was generally low. Further, variation among individuals within regions accounted for 92% of the total molecular variation among birds. The Sri Lankan IC were more closely related to red and grey junglefowls than to CJF, indicating multiple origins. The molecular information on genetic diversity revealed in our study may be useful in developing genetic improvement and conservation strategies to better utilize indigenous Sri Lankan chicken resources.
Abnormal vascular reactivity at rest and exercise in obese boys
Authors: Karpoff L. , Vinet A. , Schuster I. , Oudot C. , Goret L. , Dauzat M. , Obert P. , Perez‐Martin A. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractBackground  Obese children exhibit vascular disorders at rest depending on their pubertal status, degree of obesity, and level of insulin resistance. However, data regarding their vascular function during exercise remain scarce. The aims of the present study were to evaluate vascular morphology and function at rest, and lower limb blood flow during exercise, in prepubertal boys with mild‐to‐moderate obesity and in lean controls.Materials and methods  Twelve moderately obese prepubertal boys [Body Mass Index (BMI: 23·9 ± 2·6 kg m−2)] and thirteen controls (BMI:17·4 ± 1·8 kg m−2), matched for age (mean age: 11·6 ± 0·6 years) were recruited. We measured carotid intima‐media thickness (IMT) and wall compliance and incremental elastic modulus, resting brachial flow‐mediated dilation (FMD) and nitrate‐dependent dilation (NDD), lower limb blood flow during local knee‐extensor incremental and maximal exercise, body fat content (DEXA), blood pressure, blood lipids, insulin and glucose.Results  Compared to lean controls, obese boys had greater IMT (0·47 ± 0·06 vs. 0·42 ± 0·03 mm, P < 0·05) but lower FMD (4·6 ± 2·8 vs. 8·8 ± 3·2%, P < 0·01) in spite of similar maximal shear rate, without NDD differences. Lower limb blood flow (mL min−1·100 g−1) increased significantly from rest to maximal exercise in both groups, although obese children reached lower values than lean counterparts whatever the exercise intensity.Conclusions  Mild‐to‐moderate obesity in prepubertal boys without insulin resistance is associated with impaired endothelial function and blunted muscle perfusion response to local dynamic exercise without alteration of vascular smooth muscle reactivity.
Trypanosoma cruziand myoid cells from seminiferous tubules: interaction and relation with fibrous components of extracellular matrix in experimental Chagas’ disease
Authors: Carvalho Luiz Otávio Pereira , Abreu‐Silva Ana Lucia , Hardoim Daiana de Jesús , Tedesco Roberto Carlos , Mendes Verônica Gonçalves , Da Costa Sylvio Celso Gonçalves , Calabrese Kátia da Silva 
Published: January 2009

SummaryThe main transmission route of Trypanosoma cruzi is by triatomine bugs. However, T. cruzi is also transmitted through blood transfusion, organ transplantation, ingestion of contaminated food or fluids, or is congenital. Sexual transmission, although suggested since the discovery of Chagas’ disease, has remained unproven. Sexual transmission would require T. cruzi to be located at the testes and ovaries. Here we investigated whether T. cruzi is present in the gonads of mice infected with 104T. cruzi trypomastigotes from the CL strain. Fourteen days after experimental infection, histopathological examination showed alterations in the extracellular matrix of the lamina propria of the seminiferous tubules. Furthermore, amastigotes were present in seminiferous tubules, within myoid cells, and in the adjacencies of the basal compartment. These results indicate that T. cruzi is able to reach seminiferous tubule lumen, thus suggesting that Chagas’ disease could potentially be transmitted through sexual intercourse. Complementary studies are required to demonstrate that Chagas’ disease can be transmitted by coitus.