bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cyclosporin in the treatment of patients with atopic eczema – a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Schmitt J , Schmitt N , Meurer M 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective  To systematically assess the effectiveness of systemic cyclosporin in patients with severe atopic eczema.Study design  Systematic review and meta‐analysis of controlled and uncontrolled trials. Electronic (MEDLINE, Cochrane databases) and hand search of published work. Independent standardized assessment of eligibility and data abstraction by two reviewers.Methods  For the qualitative review data on study design, study population, methodology, results, tolerability and methodological quality was independently extracted by two reviewers. Qualitatively homogeneous studies were pooled using a random‐effects model. The mean relative change in objective disease severity was chosen as the main outcome measure for the quantitative analysis. Publication bias was explored by regressing treatment effect on sample size. Sensitivity analysis included meta‐regression of study‐specific covariates (inclusion of children, study type, concomitant topical therapy, study quality).Results  Fifteen studies including 602 patients met the eligibility criteria. In all studies analysed, cyclosporin consistently decreased the severity of atopic eczema. Twelve studies appeared homogeneous enough to be pooled. After 2 weeks of treatment we found a dose‐related response with a pooled mean decrease in disease severity of 22% (95%‐CI 8–36%) under low‐dose cyclosporin ( 3 mg/kg) and 40% (95%‐CI 29–51%) at dosages 4 mg/kg. After 6–8 weeks the relative effectiveness was 55% (95%‐CI 48–62%).Conclusions  Due to evidence of publication bias the quantitative results need to be interpreted with caution. Effectiveness of cyclosporin is similar in adults and children, but tolerability might be better in children. As data to adequately evaluate the long‐term effectiveness and safety of cyclosporin in patients with atopic eczema are unavailable, long‐term registries are encouraged.
Rapid Treatment of Tinea Nigra Palmaris With Ciclopirox Olamine Gel, 0.77%
Authors: Rosen Ted , Lingappan Ahila 
Published: February 2007

A 48‐year‐old white woman presented with the abrupt onset of an asymptomatic but cosmetically distressing eruption on the palm. Physical examination disclosed a 2.5 × 2.0‐cm macular brown patch on the central left palm (Figure 1). Potassium hydroxide examination revealed brown‐pigmented, septate, branching filamentous hyphae. Clinical and microscopic findings were classic for tinea nigra palmaris. Medical, family, and social history were all unremarkable. The patient applied ciclopirox olamine gel, 0.77% b.i.d. for 3 days. Following this brief therapeutic intervention, the lesion resolved completely (Figure 2). She remained clear during the ensuing 14‐month follow‐up. Pretreatment lesion image Lesion following 3 days of ciclopirox 0.77% gel therapy image
JEG‐3 Cell Culture Supernatants Cause Reduced Interferon‐γ and Interleukin‐17 Production in Mixed‐Lymphocyte Reactions
Authors: Pongcharoen Sutatip , Niumsup Pannika R. , Sanguansermsri Donruedee 
Published: February 2007

ProblemImmunoregulatory effects of choriocarcinoma‐derived factors on leukocytes have been documented. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of JEG‐3 culture supernatants on interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ), interleukin‐17 (IL‐17) and IL‐1β production in the mixed lymphocyte reactions (MLRs).Method of studyA human choriocarcinoma cell line JEG‐3 was used to test the effects of its culture supernatants on the proliferation and cytokine production in the MLRs. The cell proliferation was assessed using the BrdU incorporation and the amounts of cytokines were measured using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays.ResultsThe JEG‐3 culture supernatants caused significantly reduced IFN‐γ and IL‐17 production in the MLRs. However, the supernatants did not influence MLR production of IL‐1β.ConclusionIFN‐γ and IL‐17 are mainly produced by activated T cells but IL‐1β is primarily produced by monocytes, thus suggesting that immunoregulatory factors of JEG‐3 cells selectively inhibit cytokine production by activated T cells rather than that of the monocytes.
Genetic diversity of the IL‐4, IL‐4 receptor and IL‐13 loci in mestizos in the general population and in patients with asthma from three subpopulations in Mexico
Authors: López K. I. M. , Martínez S. E. F. , Moguel M. C. M. , Romero L. T. , Figueroa C. S. , Pacheco G. V. , Ibarra B. , Corona J. S. 
Published: February 2007

SummaryAsthma is an inflammatory airway disease characterized by increased serum IgE levels, mucus hypersecretion and infiltration of inflammatory cells, and is a multifactorial disease that exhibits genetic heterogeneity. Polymorphisms in the interleukin‐4 (C‐590T), interleukin‐4 receptor (ile50val and gln576arg), and interleukin‐13 (arg130gln) genes have been described as susceptibility alleles for asthma. This study was designed to determine whether asthma susceptibility is influenced by genotypic and allelic distribution of the above polymorphisms in three Mexican subpopulations. Four hundred and thirty‐seven subjects from three Mexican subpopulations were classified into two groups: general population and affected/unaffected and genotyped for the above polymorphisms. We compared the distributions of the loci in the groups. In addition, we undertook association analysis between these loci and asthma phenotype in each affected/unaffected group, and determined Nei's genetic distance between the three subpopulations. The allelic and genotypic distributions of the polymorphisms differed between the three subpopulations. There was no association between any of the polymorphisms and asthma phenotype. However, there was a differential distribution of haplogroups (P < 0.0001) between the affected and the unaffected groups from the subpopulations of Jalisco and Guerrero. The genetic distribution of the four polymorphisms in the subpopulations did not influence susceptibility to asthma. Furthermore, the difference in the prevalence of asthma in these subpopulations is not attributable to the genetic background for the four polymorphisms analysed. However, haplogroup analysis suggests that the interaction of the polymorphisms and other predisposing alleles leads to the expression of the clinical phenotype.
The Mechanism of Induced Codeposition of Ni-W Alloys
Authors: Gileadi Eliezer , Eliaz Noam 
Published: February 2007

The term induced codeposition was coined by Brenner in 1963, to describe a situation where a metal, which cannot be deposited alone from its aqueous solution, is codeposited in the presence of another metal, forming an alloy . An overview of the mechanism suggested in our earlier papers for electrodeposition of Ni-W alloys from solutions containing citrate as the complexing agent, and the experimental observations that support it, are presented in this paper. It is postulated that induced codeposition results from the formation of a mixed- metal complex, such as [(Ni)(WO4)(H)(Cit)]2-, which is the precursor for deposition of the alloy.	Tungsten can only be deposited from this complex, while there are parallel paths for deposition of Ni. The concentration of this complex was calculated on the basis of an observed mass-transport limitation on the partial current for deposition of W.
The Impact of Input and Output Factors on Emergency Department Throughput
Authors: Asaro Phillip V. , Lewis Lawrence M. , Boxerman Stuart B. 
Published: February 2007

Objectives: To quantify the impact of input and output factors on emergency department (ED) process outcomes while controlling for patient‐level variables. Methods: Using patient‐ and system‐level data from multiple sources, multivariate linear regression models were constructed with length of stay (LOS), wait time, treatment time, and boarding time as dependent variables. The products of the 20th to 80th percentile ranges of the input and output factor variables and their regression coefficients demonstrate the actual impact (in minutes) of each of these factors on throughput outcomes. Results: An increase from the 20th to the 80th percentile in ED arrivals resulted in increases of 42 minutes in wait time, 49 minutes in LOS (admitted patients), and 24 minutes in ED boarding time (admitted patients). For admit percentage (20th to 80th percentile), the increases were 12 minutes in wait time, 15 minutes in LOS, and 1 minute in boarding time. For inpatient bed utilization as of 7 am (20th to 80th percentile), the increases were 4 minutes in wait time, 19 minutes in LOS, and 16 minutes in boarding time. For admitted patients boarded in the ED as of 7 am (20th to 80th percentile), the increases were 35 minutes in wait time, 94 minutes in LOS, and 75 minutes in boarding time. Conclusions: Achieving significant improvement in ED throughput is unlikely without determining the most important factors on process outcomes and taking measures to address variations in ED input and bottlenecks in the ED output stream.
Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamic Effects of an Oral Ghrelin Agonist in Healthy Subjects
Authors: Piccoli Franziska , Degen Lukas , MacLean Carol , Peter Shajan , Baselgia Luisa , Larsen Finn , Beglinger Christoph , Drewe Jürgen 
Published: February 2007

Abstract
Context: An oral formulation of EP01572, a peptidomimetic growth hormone secretagogue, was studied. An oral delivery system would be preferable in many of the possible therapeutic indications of ghrelin agonists such as EP01572.
Objectives: Our objective was to establish the pharmacological profile and the GH-releasing activity of increasing oral doses of EP01572 in healthy volunteers. In addition, the pharmacokinetics and pharmacological effects of EP01572 were investigated after intraduodenal (ID) administration.
Setting: This study was a single-center escalating dose study with oral and ID applications.
Subjects and Methods: In the first part, EP01572 was given orally to 36 male subjects; the treatment consisted of one oral dose of either EP01572 or placebo (0.005, 0.05, and 0.5 mg/kg body weight). Six subjects received two additional oral doses of EP01572: 0.125 and 0.25 mg/kg body weight. In the second part, the following treatments were performed in a randomized order: 1) administration of a bolus of saline (placebo) to the small intestine; 2) ID administration of a bolus of EP01572 at 0.2 mg/kg body weight; 3) ID perfusion of a bolus of EP01572 at 0.35 mg/kg body weight; and 4) ID perfusion of a bolus of EP01572 at 0.5 mg/kg body weight.
Results: The oral and ID administration of EP01572 induced a rapid and dose-dependent increase in plasma drug concentrations and a potent GH release in healthy male volunteers.
Conclusions: This study showed that EP01572 was active with regard to stimulation of GH release in humans after oral and ID administration.
Savings/credit group formation and change in contraception
Authors: Steele Fiona , Amin Sajeda , Naved Ruchira T. 
Published: February 2007

Abstract
We examine the characteristics of women who chose to join a women’s savings or credit group organized by Save the Children USA in a rural area of Bangladesh, and the impact of participation on contraceptive use. The data are taken from a panel survey conducted in 1993, shortly before the groups were formed, and in 1995 after interventions began. Our findings show that although demographic and socioeconomic characteristics have only a weak relationship to the decision to join a program, the treatment that a woman receives from her husband is associated with participation. We also find evidence that the credit program tends to attract women who are already using contraception. The analysis of program impact on the use of modern contraceptives reveals a positive effect of the credit program, after we adjust for this selectivity; we see no evidence of an effect of participation in a savings group.
Spatial variation in contraceptive use in Bangladesh: Looking Beyond the borders
Authors: Amin Sajeda , Basu Alaka Malwade , Stephenson Rob 
Published: February 2007

Abstract
This article promotes a more complete understanding of social change by analyzing spatial patterns of contraceptive use in Bangladesh and the contiguous state of West Bengal in India. Multilevel analyses that control for variations in individual- and household-level correlates show an important role for cross-border influences only in those districts that share a common language across the border. The districts that are positive outliers in contraception hug the Bangladesh—West Bengal border. A map of outliers shows that the positive outliers form a contiguous band in a manner suggestive of a role for contagion.
Economic potential and entry into marriage and cohabitation
Authors: Xie Yu , Raymo James M. , Goyette Kimberly , Thornton Arland 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThis article explores the relationship between economic potential and rates of entry into marriage and cohabitation. Using data from the 1990 census and the 1980–1992 High School and Beyond (Sophomore Cohort), we developed a method for explicitly estimating five time-varying measures of earnings potential. The analyses of union formation are based on an intergenerational panel study of parents and children, to which our measures of earnings potential were appended. The results indicate that all five measures of earnings potential strongly and positively influence the likelihood of marriage for men, but not for women. Earnings potential does not affect entry into cohabiting unions for either men or women.
Rethinking gender segregation and gender inequality: Measures and meanings
Authors: Bridges William P. 
Published: February 2007

Abstract
It is often assumed that occupational segregation by gender is readily interpretable as an index of inequality between men and women in the labor force. Although this view has been challenged, the development and dissemination of analytic tools that could test this assumption have been limited. This article reviews two methods for identifying invidious and noninvidious components of gender segregation and develops a third approach that overcomes some limitations of the other two. Each method is applied to a data set that consists of observations from 22 countries covered in the International Social Survey Program. The results are compared and contrasted, and several conclusions emerge. First, occupational segregation is not completely interpretable as occupational gender inequality. Second, the methods differ in how large they estimate the invidious (vertical) component to be. Third, each method produces measures of invidious and noninvidious segregation that can be predicted statistically from other characteristics of the countries in question. The article ends with suggestions about the circumstances under which the various approaches may be the most useful.
Welfare work requirements and child well-being: Evidence from the effects on breast-feeding
Authors: Haider Steven J. , Jacknowitz Alison , Schoeni Robert F. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractA central theme of welfare reform is that recipients are required to engage in work activities. In many states, these work requirements apply to mothers whose children are a few months old, which may increase the costs and decrease the prevalence of breast-feeding. Given the substantial benefits of breast-feeding, any reduction represents an important negative consequence of these requirements. Our results suggest that in the absence of welfare reform, the national breast-feeding rate six months after birth would have been 5.5% higher in 2000. Such negative consequences of these policies must be weighed against potential benefits as states refine their welfare programs.
Thyroid hormone state and quality of life at long-term follow-up after randomized treatment of Graves’ disease
Authors: Abraham-Nordling Mirna , Wallin Göran , Lundell Göran , Törring Ove 
Published: February 2007

Objective: In a 14–21 year follow-up of health-related quality of life (HRQL) outcome of 179 patients after randomized treatment of Graves’ disease (GD) with surgical, medical or radioiodine, we found no differences. The HRQL for Graves’ patients, however, was lower compared with a large age- and sex-matched Swedish reference population. We have now studied whether the reported HRQL-scores by Medical Outcome Study 36-item Short-Form Health Status Survey (SF36) and quality of life 2004 (QoL2004) answers were related to the thyroid hormone state of the patient.
Methods: This report comprises 91 of the original patients in which both the results of SF36 and QoL2004 questionnaire as well as serum thyroid hormones and current use of l-thyroxine treatment were available.
Results: A large number of the patients had low or undetectable serum TSH concentrations. SF36 scores and answers to QoL2004 questionnaires were not correlated to TSH levels or associated with suppressed TSH. A low free triiodothyronine was weakly associated with a low GH score (P < 0.02) and elevated thyrotropin receptor antibody with a low physical component summary (P < 0.02).
Conclusion: HRQL do not seem to be influenced by the thyroid hormone state of the patient including subclinical thyrotoxicosis. It is possible that the personality of GD patients as such may have resulted both in the development of GD and lower HQRL scores later on in life. Alternatively, the generic SF36 may not be a proper instrument to detect relevant differences in HRQL related to the thyroid state.
Accumulation of Nitrogen and Dry Matter by Soybean Seeds with Genetic Differences in Protein Concentration
Authors: Egli D. B. , Bruening W. P. 
Published: February 2007

ABSTRACTSoybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] yields often decline as seed protein levels increase, but the processes responsible are not clearly understood. We compared dry matter and N accumulation by individual seeds of three high protein genotypes (K 1431, KS 4402sp, NE 3396) and three commercial cultivars (Pennyrile, Flyer, Hutcheson) in the field near Lexington, KY (38° 01′ N lat; 84° 35′ W long) for 3 yr to determine if increasing protein concentration decreased the seed growth rate. Plants were grown in 76.2‐cm rows using conventional production practices and overhead irrigation to minimize soil moisture deficits. The rate of dry matter accumulation by individual seeds (SGRDM) varied from 4.2 to 6.1 mg seed−1 d−1 and this variation was closely associated with mature seed size, but it was not affected by seed N concentration. The rate of N accumulation (SGRN, mg N seed−1 d−1) was closely associated with seed N concentration at maturity across all genotypes and years (r2 = 0.76). Thus, SGRN and SGRDM seemed to vary independently as the N concentration in mature seeds increased. The duration of seed filling (estimated by the effective filling period) was not related to mature seed N concentration. Since higher seed N concentration had no effect on the rate or duration of seed dry matter accumulation by individual seeds, the purported negative effect of seed protein levels on yield may be more closely associated with whole plant phenomena than those operating at the individual seed level.
Field Evaluation of Transgenic Wheat Expressing a Modified ADP‐Glucose Pyrophosphorylase Large Subunit
Authors: Meyer F. D. , Talbert L. E. , Martin J. M. , Lanning S. P. , Greene T. W. , Giroux M. J. 
Published: February 2007

ABSTRACTWheat yield is influenced by the efficacy of seed starch biosynthetic enzymes. ADP‐glucose pyrophosphorylase (AGP) catalyzes a rate‐limiting step in seed starch biosynthesis. We transformed the hard spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivar Hi‐Line with a modified maize AGP large subunit sequence (Sh2r6hs) to increase AGP activity. In previously described growth chamber studies, Sh2r6hs conditioned increased AGP activity, seed yield, and plant size. The primary objective of this study was to determine whether a similar yield enhancement could be detected under field conditions. Sh2r6hs transgenics were field tested over four growing years, in three locations, with varying planting density and irrigation. The results indicate that significant yield increases were more likely to occur in space‐planted, irrigated environments than densely planted, rainfed environments, suggesting that limited abiotic resources may subsequently limit Sh2r6hs‐associated yield enhancement. In elite lines, as in the F2–derived trials in which tissue culture derived mutations were reduced by out‐crossing, Sh2r6hs appears to confer a yield advantage only when field conditions are nonlimiting.
Synthesis and properties of new thermosensitive polymer systems
Authors: Bohrisch Joerg , Hahn Mathias , Maedler Andrea , Stoll Michael 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThe controlled thermal release of aqueous solvent mixtures from polymeric gel particles was investigated. A new type of a polymeric gel consisting of a maleic anhydride/poly(ethylene glycol) condensation product as a crosslinking macromonomer and acrylamides was synthesized by solution or inverse emulsion polymerization for the investigation. Afterward a shell of crosslinked polystyrene was coated to stabilize this new kind of “microcontainer” for the application. This concept was shown as generally useful for various mixtures of organic solvents and water. The cloud point temperature of the polymer gel strongly depended on the following parameters: the type and content of organic cosolvent, the degree of polymerization and constituents of the polyester moiety, and the type and content of the comonomers. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007
Experimentelle und numerische Untersuchungen eines komplexen Luftdurchlasses
Authors: Streblow Rita , Müller Dirk 
Published: February 2007

AbstractZur Beurteilung der Zuluftverteilung durch einen komplexen Luftdurchlaß werden experimentelle Untersuchungen durchgeführt und die Daten mit Ergebnissen der numerischen Strömungssimulation (CFD) verglichen. In den CFD Berechnungen wird die gesamte Durchlaßgeometrie sehr detailgetreu berücksichtigt und die Durchströmung des Anschlusskastens mitberechnet. Experimentelle Untersuchungen zur Geschwindigkeitsverteilung werden im Aufenthaltsbereich als auch im Nahfeld des Durchlasses durchgeführt. Der untersuchte Dralldurchlaß erzeugt ein komplexes Strömungsbild und es bilden sich instationäre Strukturen in der induzierten Raumluftströmung. Die berechneten Raumluftgeschwindigkeiten und die Geschwindigkeitsverteilung im Nahfeld des Durchlasses stimmen weitgehend mit experimentellen Daten überein. Es zeigt sich jedoch, daß das gewählte Turbulenzmodell die im Experiment auftretenden großskaligen Wirbelstrukturen nicht wiedergibt. Zusätzlich hat sich gezeigt, daß eine einfache Modellierung des Lochblechs als Quellterm in der Impulsgleichung nicht ausreichend ist.
Thermoaktive Bauteilsysteme mit integrierten Phasenwechselmaterialien – eine Simulationsstudie
Authors: Kalz Doreen , Pfafferott Jens , Schossig Peter , Herkel Sebastian 
Published: February 2007

AbstractGegenstand der vorliegenden Arbeit ist die Analyse und Evaluierung von thermoaktiven Bauteilsystemen (TABS) und einem Nachtlüftungskonzept hinsichtlich des thermischen Raumkomforts auf Grundlage einer modellbasierten Simulationsstudie. Das Gebäude‐ und Anlagenmodell wurde in der Simulationsumgebung ESP‐r mit Meßdaten aus Experimenten in einem Niedrigenergie‐Bürogebäude validiert. Die Untersuchung umfaßt: Betonkerntemperierung (BKT), Kapillarrohrmatten ohne und mit 20% mikroverkapselten latenten Wärmespeichermaterialien (PCM) im Deckenputz. Zentrale Ergebnisse sind: Die Konditionierung mit Kapillarrohrmatten ermöglicht ein zufrieden stellendes Raumklima vergleichbar mit BKT, die Verwendung von PCM trägt entscheidend zur Reduzierung der Raumtemperaturen bei und der optimale Schmelzbereich des PCM‐Speichers liegt in dieser Untersuchung bei 19 bis 22 °C.