bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Increased stress protein ORP150 autoantibody production in Type 1 diabetic patients
Authors: Nakatani Y. , Kaneto H. , Hatazaki M. , Yoshiuchi K. , Kawamori D. , Sakamoto K. , Matsuoka T. , Ogawa S. , Yamasaki Y. , Matsuhisa M. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractAims  Various genetic and environmental stresses interfere with protein folding in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), which leads to the induction of ER stress. It has recently been reported that ER stress is involved in the development of diabetes in diabetic animal models. The aim of this study is to estimate ER stress levels in Type 1 diabetic patients.Methods  We recruited Type 1 diabetic patients undergoing periodic follow‐up examinations (n = 91) and healthy non‐diabetic individuals (n = 37), and measured their serum anti‐oxygen‐related protein (ORP)150 autoantibody levels.Results  Anti‐ORP150 autoantibody levels in Type 1 diabetic patients were significantly higher compared with those in healthy non‐diabetic subjects. Furthermore, the serum autoantibody levels in Type 1 diabetic patients correlated with HbA1c (F > 3.0, P = 0.079), indicating that hyperglycaemia itself induces ER stress in diabetes.Conclusions  Anti‐ORP150 autoantibody levels in Type 1 diabetic patients are higher compared with non‐diabetic subjects, suggesting that ER stress is increased in Type 1 diabetes.
Prolonged deterioration of endothelial dysfunction in response to postprandial lipaemia is attenuated by vitamin C in Type 2 diabetes
Authors: Anderson R. A. , Evans L. M. , Ellis G. R. , Khan N. , Morris K , Jackson S. K. , Rees A. , Lewis M. J. , Frenneaux M. P. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractBackground  Endothelial dysfunction (ED) has been described in Type 2 diabetes (T2DM). We have described previously a diminution of flow‐mediated arterial dilatation and, by implication, further ED in T2DM in response to postprandial lipaemia (PPL) at 4 h. This is possibly mediated by oxidative stress/alteration of the nitric oxide (NO) pathway. T2DM subjects tend to exhibit both exaggerated and prolonged PPL. We therefore studied the relationship of PPL to the duration of ED in T2DM subjects and oxidative stress with or without the antioxidant, vitamin C.Methods  Twenty subjects with T2DM with moderate glycaemic control (mean HbA1c 8.4%) were studied. After an overnight fast, all subjects consumed a standard fat meal. Endothelial function (EF), lipid profiles, and venous free radicals were measured in the fasting, peak lipaemic phase (4 h) and postprandially to 8 h. The study was repeated in a double‐blinded manner with placebo, vitamin C (1 g) therapy for 2 days prior to re‐testing and with the fat meal. Oxidative stress was assessed by lipid‐derived free radicals in plasma, ex vivo by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR) and by markers of lipid peroxidation (TBARS). Endothelial function was assessed by flow‐mediated vasodilatation (FMD) of the brachial artery.Results  There was a significant decrease in endothelial function in response to PPL from baseline (B) 1.3 ± 1.3% to 4 h 0.22 ± 1.1% (P < 0.05) and 8 h 0.7 ± 0.9% (P < 0.05) (mean ± sem). The endothelial dysfunction seen was attenuated at each time point with vitamin C. Baseline EF with vitamin C changed from (fasting) 3.8 ± 0.9–2.8 ± 0.8 (at 4 h) and 2.9 ± 1.3 (at 8 h) in response to PPL. Vitamin C attenuated postprandial (PP) oxidative stress significantly only at the 4‐h time point [301.1 ± 118 (B) to 224.7 ± 72 P < 0.05] and not at 8 h 301.1 ± 118 (B) to 260 ± 183 (P = NS). There were no changes with placebo treatment in any variable. PPL was associated with a PP rise in TG levels (in mmol/l) from (B) 1.8 ± 1 to 2.7 ± 1 at 4 h and 1.95 ± 1.2 at 8 h (P = 0.0002 and 0.33, respectively).Conclusion  PPL is associated with prolonged endothelial dysfunction for at least 8 h after a fatty meal. Vitamin C treatment improves endothelial dysfunction at all time points and attenuates PPL‐induced oxidative stress. This highlights the importance of low‐fat meals in T2DM and suggests a role for vitamin C therapy to improve endothelial function during meal ingestion.
Effect of pregnancy on the pharmacokinetics of metformin
Authors: Hughes R. C. E. , Gardiner S. J. , Begg E. J. , Zhang M. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractAims  To determine the effects of pregnancy on metformin pharmacokinetics.Methods  Seven women with Type 2 diabetes mellitus taking metformin throughout pregnancy were studied on two occasions, once at 28–36 weeks gestation and once at least 8 weeks postpartum. Serum metformin concentrations were determined across a dosing interval using high‐performance liquid chromatography. The areas under the serum concentration‐time curve from 0 to 4 h post‐dose (AUC0−4) and 0 to 8 h post‐dose (AUC0−8) where possible, were compared in the pregnant and non‐pregnant state.Results  Metformin concentrations were lower in pregnancy in six subjects, with a mean (95% CI) AUC0−4 that was 69% (53.6, 84.8) of the postpartum value. The AUC0−4 of one subject was higher in pregnancy at 142% of the postpartum value. Overall, the mean (95% CI) AUC0−4 during pregnancy for all seven subjects was 80% (51.3, 107.8) of the postpartum value (P = 0.053, two‐tailed t‐test; P = 0.027, one‐tailed t‐test).Conclusion  These results are consistent with our hypothesis that the clearance of metformin increases in pregnancy as a result of enhanced renal elimination. A larger study is required to establish whether metformin dose adjustments are required in late pregnancy to maintain therapeutic effect.
Sick day management using blood 3‐hydroxybutyrate (3‐OHB) compared with urine ketone monitoring reduces hospital visits in young people with T1DM: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Laffel L. M. B. , Wentzell K. , Loughlin C. , Tovar A. , Moltz K. , Brink S. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractAims  Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a life‐threatening acute complication of Type 1 diabetes, may be preventable with frequent monitoring of glycaemia and ketosis along with timely supplemental insulin. This prospective, two‐centre study assessed sick day management using blood 3‐hydroxybutyrate (3‐OHB) monitoring compared with traditional urine ketone testing, aimed at averting emergency assessment and hospitalization.Methods  One hundred and twenty‐three children, adolescents and young adults, aged 3–22 years, and their families received sick day education. Participants were randomized to receive either a blood glucose monitor that also measures blood 3‐OHB (blood ketone group, n = 62) or a monitor plus urine ketone strips (urine ketone group, n = 61). All were encouraged to check glucose levels ≥ 3 times daily and to check ketones during acute illness or stress, when glucose levels were consistently elevated (≥ 13.9 mmol/l on two consecutive readings), or when symptoms of DKA were present. Frequency of sick days, hyperglycaemia, ketosis, and hospitalization/emergency assessment were ascertained prospectively for 6 months.Results  There were 578 sick days during 21 548 days of follow‐up. Participants in the blood ketone group checked ketones significantly more during sick days (276 of 304 episodes, 90.8%) than participants in the urine ketone group (168 of 274 episodes, 61.3%) (P < 0.001). The incidence of hospitalization/emergency assessment was significantly lower in the blood ketone group (38/100 patient‐years) compared with the urine ketone group (75/100 patient‐years) (P = 0.05).Conclusions  Blood ketone monitoring during sick days appears acceptable to and preferred by young people with Type 1 diabetes. Routine implementation of blood 3‐OHB monitoring for the management of sick days and impending DKA can potentially reduce hospitalization/emergency assessment compared with urine ketone testing and offers potential cost savings.
Is sex hormone‐binding globulin associated with glucose tolerance?
Authors: McElduff A. , Hitchman R. , McElduff P. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractBackground/aim  Women with a reduced concentration of sex hormone‐binding globulin (SHBG) in the first trimester of pregnancy are at increased risk of developing gestational diabetes. Furthermore, a lower concentration of SHBG in women with gestational diabetes identifies women at increased likelihood of requiring insulin treatment. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship of SHBG concentration in pregnancy to insulin resistance and glucose tolerance.Methods  Prospective cohort study of 220 pregnant women who attended The Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney, Australia between August 2002 and June 2003 for their 75‐g glucose tolerance test. All tests were performed in the morning after the women had fasted for at least 10 h. To test for differences between patients with or without gestational diabetes, t‐tests and chi‐square tests were used. Stepwise linear regression was used to determine the independent predictors of SHBG.Results  The mean concentration of SHBG increased linearly with gestational age. Statistically significant predictors of SHBG from the stepwise regression were gestational age (P < 0.001), insulin resistance (P < 0.001) and body mass index (P = 0.003). Glucose tolerance as assessed by either a fasting or 2‐h glucose tolerance test did not predict SHBG concentration in this population. In addition, there was no significant difference in the concentration of SHBG between patients categorized as normal glucose tolerance or gestational diabetes (P = 0.77). This remained the case when SHBG was expressed as SHBG/insulin ratio as suggested by Bartha et al. (Sex hormone‐binding globulin in gestational diabetes. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scanda 2000; 79: 839–845) (P = 0.10).Conclusion  In a cross‐sectional study of pregnant women, we find no association between SHBG concentration and glucose tolerance.
Transgenic expression and recovery of biologically active recombinant human insulin from Arabidopsis thaliana seeds
Authors: Nykiforuk Cory L. , Boothe Joseph G. , Murray Elizabeth W. , Keon Richard G. , Goren H. Joseph , Markley Nancy A. , Moloney Maurice M. 
Published: November 2005

SummaryThe increased incidence of diabetes, coupled with the introduction of alternative delivery methods that rely on higher doses, is expected to result in a substantial escalation in the demand for affordable insulin in the future. Limitations in the capacity and economics of production will make it difficult for current manufacturing technologies to meet this demand. We have developed a novel expression and recovery technology for the economical manufacture of biopharmaceuticals from oilseeds. Using this technology, recombinant human precursor insulin was expressed in transgenic plants. Plant‐derived insulin accumulates to significant levels in transgenic seed (0.13% total seed protein) and can be enzymatically treated in vitro to generate a product with a mass identical to that of the predicted product, DesB30‐insulin. The biological activity of this product in vivo and in vitro was demonstrated using an insulin tolerance test in mice and phosphorylation assay performed in a mammalian cell culture system, respectively.
HIV‐1 p24–immunoglobulin fusion molecule: a new strategy for plant‐based protein production
Authors: Obregon Patricia , Chargelegue Daniel , Drake Pascal M. W. , Prada Alessandra , Nuttall James , Frigerio Lorenzo , Ma Julian K‐C. 
Published: November 2005

SummaryWe describe the engineering of a human immunodeficiency virus‐1 (HIV‐1) p24–immunoglobulin A (IgA) antigen–antibody fusion molecule for therapeutic purposes and its enhancing effect on fused antigen expression in tobacco plants. Although many recombinant proteins have been expressed in transgenic plants as vaccine candidates, low levels of expression are a recurring problem. In this paper, using the HIV p24 core antigen as a model vaccine target, we describe a strategy for increasing the yield of a recombinant protein in plants. HIV p24 antigen was expressed as a genetic fusion with the α2 and α3 constant region sequences from human Ig α‐chain and targeted to the endomembrane system. The expression of this fusion protein was detected at levels approximately 13‐fold higher than HIV p24 expressed alone, and a difference in the behaviour of the two recombinant proteins during trafficking in the plant secretory pathway has been identified. Expressing the antigen within the context of α‐chain Ig sequences resulted in the formation of homodimers and the antigen was correctly recognized by specific antibodies. Furthermore, the HIV p24 elicited T‐cell and antibody responses in immunized mice. The use of Ig fusion partners is proposed as a generic platform technology for up‐regulating the expression of antigens in plants, and may represent the first step in a strategy to design new vaccines with enhanced immunological properties.
Transgene expression produced by biolistic‐mediated, site‐specific gene integration is consistently inherited by the subsequent generations
Authors: Chawla Rekha , Ariza‐Nieto Magnolia , Wilson Andrea J. , Moore Sarah K. , Srivastava Vibha 
Published: November 2005

SummaryThe efficient production of stable transgenic plants is important for both crop improvement and functional genomics. Site‐specific integration of foreign genes into a designated genomic position is an attractive tool for minimizing expression variability between transgenic lines. Here, we studied the utility of a Cre‐mediated, site‐specific integration approach, facilitated by particle bombardment, for streamlining the production of stable transgenic plants, using rice as a model species. Using this method, we generated 18 different transgenic lines containing a precise integration of a single copy of β‐glucuronidase gene (gusA) into a designated genomic location. Eleven of these lines contained no illegitimate integration in the background (single‐copy lines), and seven contained illegitimate integrations in addition to the site‐specific integration (multicopy lines). We monitored gusA expression in these lines up to three to four successive generations. Each of the single‐copy lines expressed the gusA gene at consistent levels and nearly doubled the expression level in the homozygous state. In contrast, multicopy lines displayed expression variation and gene silencing. In about half of the multicopy lines, however, expression of the site‐specific integration locus could be reactivated and stabilized on segregation of the illegitimate integrations, whereas, in the remaining half, expression could not be restored, as they contained genetically linked illegitimate integrations. This study demonstrates that biolistic‐mediated, site‐specific gene integration is an efficient and reliable tool for streamlining the production of stable transgenic plants.
Correlation between academic and skills‐based tests in computer networks
Authors: Buchanan William 
Published: November 2005

AbstractComputing‐related programmes and modules have many problems, especially related to large class sizes, large‐scale plagiarism, module franchising, and an increased requirement from students for increased amounts of hands‐on, practical work. This paper presents a practical computer networks module which uses a mixture of online examinations and a practical skills‐based test to assess student performance. For widespread adoption of practical assessments, there must be a level of checking that the practical assessments are set at a level that examinations are set at. This paper shows that it is possible to set practical tests so that there can be a strong correlation between practical skills‐based tests and examination‐type assessments, but only if the practical assessment are set at a challenging level. This tends to go against the proposition that students who are good academically are not so good in a practice test, and vice versa. The paper shows results which bands students in A, B, C, and FAIL groups based on two online, multiple‐choice tests, and then analyses the average time these students took to complete a practical online test. It shows that there is an increasing average time to complete the test for weaker students. Along with this, the paper shows that female students in the practical test outperform male students by a factor of 25%.
‘Blended’ education and the transformation of teachers: a long‐term case study in postgraduate UK Higher Education
Authors: Motteram Gary 
Published: November 2005

AbstractThis paper discusses the role of blended learning in teacher education on a Master's programme at Manchester University. Blended learning is the bringing together of traditional physical classes with elements of virtual education. The paper focuses on one particular module of the degree and attempts to capture students’ experiences of using a number of online tools. As our students are primarily in‐service teachers, this experience is particularly relevant and equips them to make use of educational technology in the language classroom. Some comparisons are also made with a cohort of teachers studying the programme at a distance. The paper explores a range of issues that currently feature in the adult education literature, namely, deep and surface learning, communities of practice, and the importance of educational dialogue. The paper illustrates how important the blended nature of this module is for the teachers to get a balanced programme that upgrades skills and knowledge, but which also enables them to reflect on past and future practice. A transformative education scale is used to show that teachers can be transformed. The paper is a case study that makes use of data that explore the student perspective on a series of research questions.
The use of ICT by adults with learning disabilities in day and residential services
Authors: Parsons Sarah , Daniels Harry , Porter Jill , Robertson Christopher 
Published: November 2005

AbstractThe use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) by adults with learning disabilities has been positively promoted over the past decade. More recently, policy statements and guidance from the UK government have underlined the importance of ICT for adults with learning disabilities specifically, as well as for the population in general, through the potential it offers for social inclusion. The aim of the present study was to provide a picture of how ICT is currently being used within one organisation providing specialist services for adults with learning disabilities and more specifically to provide a picture of its use in promoting community participation. Nine day and 14 residential services were visited as part of a qualitative study to answer three main questions: What kinds of computer programs are being used? What are they being used for? Does this differ between day and residential services? Computers and digital cameras were used for a wide range of activities and ‘mainstream’ programs were used more widely than those developed for specific user groups. In day services, ICT was often embedded in wider projects and activities, whilst use in houses was based around leisure interests. In both contexts, ICT was being used to facilitate communication, although this was more linked to within‐service activities, rather than those external to service provision.
Discontinuities in university student experiences of learning through discussions
Authors: Ellis Robert A. , Calvo Rafael A. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractThis article reports on research into the student experience of learning through discussions in a third‐year undergraduate engineering subject. Information engineering students studying e‐commerce were required to engage in face‐to‐face and online discussions as a key aspect of their learning experience. This study investigates the quality of the experience of learning through those discussions using quantitative methodologies from Student Learning Research. Analyses of student ratings on the closed‐ended questionnaires identify qualitatively different approaches to learning through discussions, both in face‐to‐face contexts and online. Relationships are found among the variation in the quality of these approaches and how students perceive issues such as workload, what they thought they were learning through discussions and performance. Implications arising from these results identify different suggestions for teaching students to discuss successfully in different contexts.
Where do educational technologists really publish? An examination of successful emerging scholars’ publication outlets
Authors: Carr‐Chellman Alison A. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractThis study engages the question of where successful emerging (pretenure) scholars are most likely to publish their research. Spurred on by findings of a survey of leaders in the field of educational technology/instructional design and technology (ET/IDT) to determine the advisability of a rank‐ordered list of journals for the purposes of decision making about tenure and promotion, this document analysis presents the results of measuring the conventional wisdom against the actual practices of emerging scholars. Findings suggest that pretenure scholars publish in a wide variety of outlets including some, but not all of those identified in earlier surveys. While it is understood that the tenure decision is a complicated one—based on many criteria (eg, teaching, service, grantsmanship, etc), research and scholarship remain primary determinants. Therefore, these findings will be useful to emerging scholars and to those decision makers seeking direction regarding research outlets. The study is limited by a focus from an original survey conducted in 2003 to primarily North American scholars as participants, however, international considerations are included. The findings indicate that a list of journals for tenure decision making may not be advisable at this point in the development of the field of ET/IDT.
The equivalence of online and traditional testing for different subpopulations and item types
Authors: MacCann Robert 
Published: November 2005

AbstractA trial of pen‐and‐paper and online modes of a computing skills test was conducted for volunteer students of ages 15–16 in New South Wales, Australia. The tests comprised Matching, True/False and 4‐option Multiple‐Choice items. The aims were to determine whether gender, socioeconomic status (SES), or the type of item interacted with testing mode. No interactions were found for gender and item type, but the SES interaction was statistically significant. For low SES students, the online mode mean was 1 percent lower than the pen‐and‐paper mean, whereas high SES students had near equivalent means. These findings should be treated with caution as the groups in the study were self‐selected, rather than random samples from the student population.
Media effectiveness, essentiality, and amount of study: a mathematical model
Authors: Burt Gordon 
Published: November 2005

AbstractAn in‐depth investigation of the relationship between media effectiveness, essentiality, and amount of study was presented. Overall, effectiveness explains 48% of the variation in the amount of study. Students who found the media more effective studied the media more. Those media that were more effective were studied more. The relationship between effectiveness and amount of study is different for each medium. This is because media differ in their degree of ‘essentiality‐versus‐optionality’. Thus, the amount of study depends on a combination of effectiveness and essentiality. The relationship between effectiveness, essentiality, and amount of study is different for each student. This is because students differ in their ‘sensitivities’—their sensitivity to effectiveness and to essentiality. The final equation used effectiveness, essentiality, and sensitivity to explain 74% of the variation in the amount of study. The analysis was informed by a mathematical model.