bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Iodine deficiency in children 7–19 years old in Eastern Province of Cameroon
Authors: Taga I. , Agbor G. A. , Djountsop S. , Moshin Z. A. , Soh Oumbé V. A. , Altosaar I. , Ngogang J. Y. 
Published: January 2009

SummaryObjective  To determine the prevalence of iodine deficiency in children in Eastern Province, Cameroon.Method  Urinary iodine (I) and thiocyanate (SCN) excretion levels were assessed in 158 children (62 boys and 96 girls) aged 7–19 years.Results  Mean urinary iodine excretion was 4.49 μg/dl for girls and 4.71 μg/dl for boys, lower than the 5.0 μg/dl minimal value defined by WHO. Overall 64.42% of subjects had urinary iodine excretion below the minimum, more than three times the population percentage (20%) at which a zone is declared endemic. Mean urine SCN concentration and mean I/SCN ratios of the study population were 2.57 ± 1.43 mg/dl and 2.21 ± 1.35 μg/mg for boys and 2.91 ± 1.57 mg/dl and 1.91 ± 1.1μg/mg for girls.Conclusion  Iodine deficiency remains a problem in Eastern Province of Cameroon.
Extended storage of whole blood before the preparation of blood components: in vitro effects on red blood cells in Erythro‐Sol environment
Authors: Gulliksson H. , Vesterinen M. , Payrat J.‐M. , Mayaudon V. 
Published: January 2009

Background and Objectives  Routine procedures for extended storage of whole blood (WB) before the preparation of blood components are of interest primarily for logistical reasons. We stored red cell units in either Erythro‐Sol 2 (E‐Sol 2, test units, 150 ml added) or in saline‐adenine‐glucose–mannitol (SAG‐M) (reference units, 100 ml added) that were prepared after storage of WB at room temperature for 8, 12, 16 or 19 h after blood collection.Study Design and Methods  Red blood cells were stored for 42 days. We measured pH, glucose, lactate, haemolysis, red blood cell adenosine triphosphate and 2,3‐diphosphoglycerate on days 1, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42.Results  Haematocrits were significantly lower in E‐Sol 2 than in SAG‐M due to the higher volume of E‐Sol 2 added compared to SAG‐M. Significantly reduced levels were found in E‐Sol 2 of extracellular pH (throughout storage after 8‐h hold and initially after 12‐, 16‐ or 19‐h hold), of lactate (initially after 8‐h hold and throughout storage after 12‐, 16‐ or 19‐h hold), and of haemolysis from day 35 in the 8‐h and on day 42 in the 12‐h hold group. Sigificantly increased levels of adenosine triphosphate were seen in E‐Sol 2 after 8‐h hold (from day 14) and after 12‐h hold (at days 21, 35 and 42) compared to SAG‐M. Significantly higher concentrations of 2,3‐diphosphoglycerate were noticed primarily after 8‐h hold of WB.Conclusion  The use of E‐Sol 2 as a replacement for SAG‐M does not significantly improve in vitro data after extended storage of WB at room temperature before preparation of blood components. However, after 8‐h hold in vitro characteristics similar to or better than in fresh blood will be maintained for several weeks in E‐Sol 2, a situation that makes E‐Sol 2 superior to SAG‐M when storage of WB is limited to 8 h. Some improvement was noted after 12‐h hold as well.
Validation of the QTL on SSC4 for meat and carcass quality traits in a commercial crossbred pig population
Authors: Sławińska A. , Siwek M. , Knol E.F. , Roelofs‐Prins D.T. , Van Wijk H.J. , Dibbits B. , Bednarczyk M. 
Published: January 2009

SummaryPorcine chromosome 4 harbours many quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting meat quality, fatness and carcass composition traits, detected in resource pig populations previously. However, prior to selection in commercial breeds, QTL identified in an intercross between divergent breeds require confirmation, so that they can be segregated. Consequently, the objective of this study was to validate several QTL on porcine chromosome 4 responsible for meat and carcass quality traits. The experimental population consisted of 14 crossbred paternal half‐sib families. The region of investigation was the q arm of SSC4 flanked by the markers S0073 and S0813. Regression analysis resulted in the validation of three QTL within the interval: Minoltaa* loin, back fat thickness and the weight of trimmed ham. The results were additionally confirmed by factor analysis. Candidate genes were proposed for meat colour, which was the most evident QTL validated in this study.
A role of the microphthalmia‐associated transcription factor in congenital sensorineural deafness and eye pigmentation in Dalmatian dogs
Authors: Stritzel S. , Wöhlke A. , Distl O. 
Published: January 2009

Summary Microphthalmia‐associated transcription factor (MITF) is involved in white spotting and deafness associated with lack of pigmentation in human and mice. In the present study, we employed MITF‐associated markers to evaluate MITF as a candidate for canine congenital sensorineural deafness (CCSD) in Dalmatian dogs. We performed an association study using MITF flanking and intragenic markers for 88 Dalmatian dogs of different hearing and eye pigmentation status. A significant association was identified for MITF‐related markers with CCSD and blue iris colour. We conclude that MITF might play a role in CCSD and blue eye colour in Dalmatian dogs.
DNA polymorphism of 5′ flanking region of prolactin gene and its association with litter size in sheep
Authors: Chu M.X. , Wang X.C. , Jin M. , Di R. , Chen H.Q. , Zhu G.Q. , Fang L. , Ma Y.H. , Li K. 
Published: January 2009

SummaryA single nucleotide polymorphism of 5′ flanking region of the prolactin gene was investigated in both high prolificacy breeds (Small Tail Han and Hu sheep) and low prolificacy breeds (Dorset and Suffolk sheep) using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP). The results indicated that two genotypes (AA and AB) were detected in Small Tail Han sheep (n = 239), only one genotype (AA) was detected in Hu (n = 40), Dorset (n = 50) and Suffolk sheep (n = 39). The mutant homozygous genotype (BB) was not detected in four sheep breeds. In Small Tail Han sheep (n = 239), the frequency of genotypes AA and AB was 0.91 and 0.09, the frequency of the A and B alleles was 0.95 and 0.05, respectively. The fitness tests showed that the Small Tail Han sheep population was in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. Sequencing revealed a mutation (G→T) at the position 63 bp of the 5′ flanking region of prolactin gene in AB genotype compared with AA genotype in Small Tail Han sheep. The Small Tail Han ewes with AB genotype had 0.83 (p < 0.05) lambs more than those with AA genotype. These results preliminarily showed that the prolactin locus is either a major gene that influences the high prolificacy in Small Tail Han sheep or is in close linkage with such a gene.
Efficacy and safety of entecavir in nucleoside‐naive, chronic hepatitis B patients: Phase II clinical study in Japan
Authors: Kobashi Haruhiko , Takaguchi Kouichi , Ikeda Hiroshi , Yokosuka Osamu , Moriyama Mitsuhiko , Imazeki Fumio , Kage Masayoshi , Seriu Taku , Omata Masao , Sakaguchi Kousaku , Shiratori Yasushi 
Published: January 2009

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Entecavir has demonstrated clinical efficacy for chronic hepatitis B. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of entecavir in nucleoside‐naive Japanese chronic hepatitis B patients.Methods:  In this multicenter, double‐blind study, 66 nucleoside‐naive Japanese chronic hepatitis B patients were randomized to 0.1 mg entecavir (n = 32) or 0.5 mg entecavir (n = 34) daily for 52 weeks. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients whose serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA decreased from baseline by ≥2 log10 copies/mL or became undetectable (<400 copies/mL by polymerase chain reaction assay) at week 48.Results:  One hundred percent of patients in both treatment groups achieved the primary efficacy endpoint, with 81% and 68% of patients achieving undetectable HBV DNA in the 0.1 mg and 0.5 mg treatment groups, respectively. Mean changes from baseline in HBV DNA were −4.49 log10 and −4.84 log10 copies/mL for the 0.1 mg and 0.5 mg groups, respectively. Significant improvements in necroinflammation were seen in both groups, as assessed by Knodell and New Inuyama classifications. Most adverse events were transient and classified as grade 1 or 2. There were no clinically significant differences in adverse events across the two treatment groups and no discontinuations due to adverse events in either group.Conclusions:  In Japanese nucleoside‐naive patients with chronic hepatitis B, 0.1 mg or 0.5 mg entecavir daily provided excellent efficacy and was well tolerated. The 0.5 mg dose was selected for the treatment of nucleoside‐naive patients.
An association between non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease and polycystic ovarian syndrome
Authors: Brzozowska Malgorzata M , Ostapowicz George , Weltman Martin D 
Published: January 2009

AbstractObjectives:  The aim of this study was to determine if there is an association between non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). NAFLD and PCOS are both known to be associated with metabolic syndrome/insulin resistance.Method:  Fourteen consecutive female patients of reproductive age (20–45) either with liver biopsy proven NAFLD (50%) or abdominal ultrasound (US) consistent with steatosis together with elevated ALT levels (50%) were screened for PCOS using 2003 Rotterdam consensus meeting criteria. Other causes of hyperandrogenism were excluded. All subjects underwent relevant questionnaire and clinical exam together with hormonal assays, pelvic (1) or transvaginal US (13) and were screened for evidence of the metabolic syndrome.Results:  Ten out of fourteen women matched 2003 Rotterdam consensus meeting diagnostic criteria for PCOS (71%). Eight women suffered from oligo/amenorrhoea, nine women manifested presence of hyperandrogenism and six had history of infertility. Seven women had evidence of biochemical hyperandrogenism with low SHBG, raised free testosterone and elevation of serum LH concentration. Seven women fulfilled US criteria for PCOS. Three of ten patients with PCOS also had type 2 diabetes mellitus. Women with PCOS and NAFLD had higher triglyceride and cholesterol and lower HDL level than group without PCOS. Five patients with NAFLD and PCOS had documented fibrosis on liver biopsy, indicative of more advanced liver disease.Implications:  Despite limitations of the study due to the sample size, we found evidence of PCOS in the majority of subjects with NAFLD. Women with NAFLD should be routinely screened for presence of PCOS, diabetes mellitus and metabolic risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Equally, women with PCOS should be screened for NAFLD. Evaluation for liver disease should be considered at an earlier age in some women with PCOS particularly those with an evidence of metabolic syndrome.
Current state of double balloon endoscopy: The latest approach to small intestinal diseases
Authors: Yano Tomonori , Yamamoto Hironori 
Published: January 2009

AbstractRecent developments of capsule endoscopy and double balloon endoscopy (DBE) have made endoscopic examination of the entire small bowel practical, and changed the diagnostic algorithm for small bowel diseases. Double balloon endoscopy uses two balloons, one attached to the tip of the endoscope and another at the distal end of an overtube. By using these balloons to grip the intestinal wall, the endoscope can be inserted further without forming redundant loops of intestine. Total inspection by DBE is usually achieved by combination of sequential oral and anal intubations; success rates are reported to be 40–80%. Indications for DBE include scrutiny for obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, small bowel tumor, small bowel stricture and following up evaluation of previously diagnosed small bowel diseases. Because DBE has an accessory channel and good maneuverability in the distal small intestine, it enables endoscopic treatment, including hemostasis, balloon dilation, polypectomy, mucosal resection, retrieval of foreign bodies and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (in the case of post‐operative anastomoses). Double balloon endoscopy is also useful for cases of difficult colonoscopy, providing success rates of total colonoscopy between 88–100%. Although it has been a few years since its development, the usefulness of DBE is now well recognized. This challenging procedure has become popular rapidly and is currently used in many countries.
MIGHT KANTIAN CONTRACTUALISM BE THE SUPREME PRINCIPLE OF MORALITY?
Authors: Rosen Gideon 
Published: January 2009

AbstractAccording to Parfit, the best version of Kantian ethics takes as its central principle Kantian Contractualism: the thesis that everyone ought to follow the principles whose universal acceptance everyone could rationally will. This paper examines that thesis, identifies a class of annoying counterexamples, and suggests that when Kantian Contractualism is modified in response to these examples, the resulting principle is too complex and ad hoc to serve as the ‘supreme principle of morality’.
AIDS stigma in health services in the Eastern Caribbean
Authors: Rutledge Scott Edward , Abell Neil , Padmore Jacqueline , McCann Theresa J. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractStigma obstructs HIV/AIDS prevention and care worldwide, including in the Caribbean, where the prevalence of AIDS is second only to sub‐Saharan Africa. To contextualise the experience of AIDS stigma in health services in Grenada and Trinidad and Tobago, we conducted eight focus groups with 51 people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA), families, and service providers. Quasi‐deductive content analysis revealed consonance with Western and Northern conceptualisations of AIDS stigma wherein stigma is enacted upon marginalised populations and reinforced through psycho‐sociological processes comparing ‘in’ and ‘out’ groups. Socially constructed to be physically contagious and socially deviant, PLHA are scorned by some service providers, especially when they are perceived to be gay or bisexual. PLHA and providers identified passive neglect and active refusal by hospital and clinic staff to provide care to PLHA. Institutional practices for safeguarding patient confidentiality are perceived as marginally enforced. Interventions are needed to reduce provider stigma so the public will access HIV testing and PLHA will seek treatment.
A Functional Approach to Diversity Profiles
Authors: Gattone Stefano A. , Battista Tonio Di 
Published: January 2009

SummaryDiversity plays a central role in ecological theory and its conservation and management are important issues for the wellbeing and stability of ecosystems. The aim of this work is to provide a reliable theoretical framework for performing statistical analysis on ecological diversity by means of the joint use of diversity profiles and functional data analysis. We point out that ecological diversity is a multivariate concept as it is a function of the relative abundances of species in a biological community. For this, several researchers have suggested using parametric families of indices of diversity for obtaining more information from the data. Patil and Taillie introduced the concept of intrinsic diversity ordering which can be determined by using the diversity profile. It may be noted that the diversity profile is a non-negative and convex curve which consists of a sequence of measurements as a function of a given parameter. Thus, diversity profiles can be explained through a process that is described in a functional setting. Recent developments in environmental studies have focused on the opportunity to evaluate community diversity changes over space and/or correlation of diversity with environmental characteristics. For this, we develop an innovative analysis of diversity based on a functional data approach. Whereas conventional statistical methods process data as a sequence of individual observations, functional data analysis is designed to process a collection of functions or curves. Moreover, unconstrained models may lead to negative and/or non-convex estimates for the diversity profiles. To overcome this problem, a transformation is proposed which can be constrained to be non-negative and convex. We focus on some applications showing how functional data analysis provides an alternative way of understanding biological diversity and its interaction with natural and/or human factors.
A Multifaceted Sensitivity Analysis of the Slovenian Public Opinion Survey Data
Authors: Beunckens Caroline , Sotto Cristina , Molenberghs Geert , Verbeke Geert 
Published: January 2009

SummaryMany models to analyse incomplete data have been developed that allow the missing data to be missing not at random. Awareness has grown that such models are based on unverifiable assumptions, in the sense that they rest on the (incomplete) data only in part, but that inferences nevertheless depend on what the model predicts about the unobserved data, given the observed data. This explains why, nowadays, considerable work is being devoted to assess how sensitive models for incomplete data are to the particular model chosen, a family of models chosen and the effect of (a group of) influential subjects. For each of these categories, several proposals have been formulated, studied theoretically and/or by simulations, and applied to sets of data. It is, however, uncommon to explore various sensitivity analysis avenues simultaneously. We apply a collection of such tools, some after extension, to incomplete counts arising from cross-classified binary data from the so-called Slovenian public opinion survey. Thus for the first time bringing together a variety of sensitivity analysis tools on the same set of data, we can sketch a comprehensive sensitivity analysis picture. We show that missingness at random estimates of the proportion voting in favour of independence are insensitive to the precise choice of missingness at random model and close to the actual plebiscite results, whereas the missingness not at random models that are furthest from the plebiscite results are vulnerable to the influence of outlying cases. Our approach helps to illustrate the value of comprehensive sensitivity analysis. Ideas are formulated on the methodology’s use beyond the data analysis that we consider.
Transparency of Central Bank Preferences
Authors: Hahn Volker 
Published: January 2009

AbstractIn this paper, we examine whether the transparency of the central bank’s preferences is desirable. We make two major points. First, in the literature on preference transparency variance-reduction frameworks are often adopted. As a consequence a change in the degree of transparency affects the magnitude of information asymmetries, but at the same time it implies a rather arbitrary effect on the distribution of preferences. We present a clean framework without this problem. Second, using a very general specification of shocks to the central bank’s preferences, we show that society prefers transparency if it sufficiently values the employment target, whereas it prefers opacity if it estimates inflation as sufficiently important.
A Soft Budget Constraint Explanation for the Venture Capital Cycle
Authors: Gebhardt Georg 
Published: January 2009

Abstract
We explore why venture capital funds limit the amount of capital they raise and do not reinvest the proceeds. This structure is puzzling because it leads to a succession of several funds financing each new venture, which multiplies the well-known agency problems. We argue that an inside investor cannot provide a hard budget constraint while a less informed outsider can. Therefore, the venture capitalist delegates the continuation decision to the outsider by ex ante restricting the amount of capital he has under management. The soft budget constraint problem becomes the more important the higher the entrepreneur’s private benefits are and the higher the probability of failure of a project is.
Evaluation of the clinical and immunohistological efficacy of the 585‐nm pulsed dye laser in the treatment of psoriasis
Authors: Noborio R , Kurokawa M , Kobayashi K , Morita A 
Published: January 2009

AbstractBackground  The 585‐nm pulsed dye laser (PDL) therapy is useful for the patients with psoriasis. PDL treatment is based on selective photothermolysis of the dermal vasculature.Objective  The objectives of this study were to evaluate the clinical and immunohistological effects of PDL on psoriasis and to examine the association between psoriatic dermal vasculature and the clinical effects.Methods  Eleven patients with recalcitrant psoriasis were treated with 585‐nm PDL. Biopsy specimens obtained before and after treatment were stained with CD31. All microvessels to the depth of 400 µm from the rete ridge were counted and the internal diameters were measured.Results  The mean percent reduction of plaque severity score was 42. The mean microvessel count decreased significantly from 63 to 35.6 (P < 0.001). There was a strong positive correlation between the plaque severity score and microvessel number (P < 0.001) and a strong negative correlation between the microvessel count of an untreated area and degree of the change in the microvessel count after treatment (P = 0.005).Conclusions  The findings of this study suggest that PDL treatment improves psoriasis. Moreover, PDL treatment decreased the number of dermal papillary microvessels. Dermal papillary microvessels are important pathogenetic targets of psoriasis, and PDL therapy, which selectively targets superficial vessels, is therefore a valid therapeutic approach.Conflicts of interestNone declared
Disentangling effects of auditory distraction and of stimulus‐response sequence
Authors: Roeber Urte , Berti Stefan , Müller Dagmar , Widmann Andreas , Schröger Erich 
Published: January 2009

AbstractWhen we pay attention to one task, irrelevant changes may interfere. The effect of changes on behavioral and electrophysiological responses has been studied in two separate research fields: Research on Distraction states that a rare irrelevant change takes attention away from the primary task. Research on Sequences states that any change in stimulus or response incurs a cost or benefit depending on the kind of change. To disentangle distraction from sequence effects, we made task‐irrelevant changes rare in one condition and frequent in another while also assessing stimulus and response changes from trial to trial. Participants used key presses to classify syllables presented in two different, irrelevant voice pitches. We found that distraction and sequence interacted to alter reaction times and errors on the primary task and also to alter ERP markers of distraction (P3a). The sequential effects cannot, however, fully account for distraction.
Roles of protein kinase Cα isozyme in the regulation of oxidative stress and neuropeptide Y gene expression in phenylpropanolamine‐mediated appetite suppression
Authors: Kuo Dong‐Yih , Yang Shun‐Fa , Chu Shu‐Chen , Chen Chin‐Hsiu , Hsieh Yih‐Shou 
Published: January 2009

AbstractHypothalamic neuropeptide Y (NPY) is an appetite stimulant in the brain. Although regulation of NPY expression has been reported to contribute to the appetite‐suppressing effect of phenylpropanolamine (PPA), it is still unknown if protein kinase C (PKC) is involved in this effect. Rats were daily treated with PPA for 4 days. Changes in food intake, hypothalamic NPY, PKC, and proopiomelanocortin (POMC) mRNA levels were assessed and compared. Results showed that the NPY gene was down‐regulated following PPA treatment, which was parallel with the decrease of feeding. Moreover, several isotypes of PKC mRNA level (α, βI, βII, γ, δ, η, λ, ε, and ζ) were changed. Among these, α, δ, and λ PKC were up‐regulated along with POMC gene expression which coincided with down‐regulation of the NPY gene. To further determine if PKCα was involved, infusions of antisense oligonucleotide into the cerebroventricle were performed at 1 h before daily PPA treatment in free‐moving rats. Results showed that PKCα knock‐down could modify both anorexia induced by PPA and the NPY mRNA levels. Moreover, PKCα knock‐down could also modify superoxide dismutase (SOD) gene expression. It is suggested that PKCα participates in the regulation of PPA‐mediated appetite suppression via the modulation of NPY and SOD gene expression.