bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A randomized controlled trial of Sweet Talk, a text‐messaging system to support young people with diabetes
Authors: Franklin V. L. , Waller A. , Pagliari C. , Greene S. A. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractAims  To assess Sweet Talk, a text‐messaging support system designed to enhance self‐efficacy, facilitate uptake of intensive insulin therapy and improve glycaemic control in paediatric patients with Type 1 diabetes.Methods  One hundred and twenty‐six patients fulfilled the eligibility criteria; Type 1 diabetes for > 1 year, on conventional insulin therapy, aged 8–18 years. Ninety‐two patients were randomized to conventional insulin therapy (n = 28), conventional therapy and Sweet Talk (n = 33) or intensive insulin therapy and Sweet Talk (n = 31). Goal‐setting at clinic visits was reinforced by daily text‐messages from the Sweet Talk software system, containing personalized goal‐specific prompts and messages tailored to patients’ age, sex and insulin regimen.Results  HbA1c did not change in patients on conventional therapy without or with Sweet Talk (10.3 ± 1.7 vs. 10.1 ± 1.7%), but improved in patients randomized to intensive therapy and Sweet Talk (9.2 ± 2.2%, 95% CI −1.9, −0.5, P < 0.001). Sweet Talk was associated with improvement in diabetes self‐efficacy (conventional therapy 56.0 ± 13.7, conventional therapy plus Sweet Talk 62.1 ± 6.6, 95% CI +2.6, +7.5, P = 0.003) and self‐reported adherence (conventional therapy 70.4 ± 20.0, conventional therapy plus Sweet Talk 77.2 ± 16.1, 95% CI +0.4, +17.4, P = 0.042). When surveyed, 82% of patients felt that Sweet Talk had improved their diabetes self‐management and 90% wanted to continue receiving messages.Conclusions  Sweet Talk was associated with improved self‐efficacy and adherence; engaging a classically difficult to reach group of young people. While Sweet Talk alone did not improve glycaemic control, it may have had a role in supporting the introduction of intensive insulin therapy. Scheduled, tailored text messaging offers an innovative means of supporting adolescents with diabetes and could be adapted for other health‐care settings and chronic diseases.
New Public Spheres in Brazil: Local Democracy and Deliberative Politics
Authors: AVRITZER LEONARDO 
Published: October 2006

AbstractBrazilian cities have been the sites of significant experiments in participatory and deliberative governance. Participatory budgeting has to be singled out as one of the most important of these. After the landmark experience in Porto Alegre, participatory budgeting has been expanded to 170 Brazilian cities. Is the expansion of participatory budgeting equivalent to the expansion of the deliberative and distributive characteristics of the Porto Alegre experience? This article argues that the conditions that account for the emergence of participatory budgeting in Porto Alegre are unique to that city’s social or political characteristics. It focuses on the role of existing civil society associations in the emergence of participatory budgeting, as well as in its institutional format. It also shows that the presence of civic associations is linked to the deliberative and distributive results of participatory budgeting and that these conditions may not be present in other participatory budgeting experiences.
Walking Activity, Body Composition and Blood Pressure in Adults with Intellectual Disabilities
Authors: Stanish Heidi I. , Draheim Christopher C. 
Published: October 2006

Background  Individuals with intellectual disabilities engage in limited physical activity which places their health at risk. This study examined the walking activity, body composition and blood pressure of adults with intellectual disabilities.Methods  A group of male and female adults (n = 103) wore a pedometer for 7 days and were categorized into walking levels based on step counts. Measures of health variables were also taken.Results  Mean blood pressure was 126/82 mmHg and 125/79 mmHg for males and females, respectively. Approximately 80% of the sample was overweight or obese. Most participants accumulated 5000–7999 steps/day while the fewest accumulated >10 000 steps/day. Individuals who walked more did not have significantly lower blood pressure or healthier body composition.Conclusion  The intensity of walking may have been inadequate for individuals in the higher walking levels to achieve health benefits. Furthermore, intake of high‐fat food may have contributed to blood pressure and body composition and countered the benefits of walking.
The Quality of Life of Family Caregivers of Adults with Intellectual Disabilities in Taiwan
Authors: Chou Yueh‐Ching , Lin Li‐Chan , Chang Ai‐Ling , Schalock Robert L. 
Published: October 2006

Background  Taiwanese family carers of people with intellectual disabilities not only suffer from long‐term stress but also need to cope with social difficulties. The aim of this study is to evaluate the quality of life (QOL) among family carers of people with intellectual disabilities.Materials and methods  A census interview survey was conducted in Hsin‐Chu City in Taiwan and included the primary family caregivers of 792 adults with intellectual disability who were living with their families. The survey packet contained the WHOQOL‐BREF Taiwan‐version scale with four core domains and the activities of daily life/instrumental activities of daily life (ADL/IADL) scales.Results  The mean score for ‘physical’ was highest and that for ‘environment’ was lowest. The strongest predictors of caregivers QOL were the caregiver's health status, their family income and the level of severity of the intellectual disability of the adult.Conclusions  The results of the study support the need to expand services and individualize support to families of adults with intellectual disability living in family homes.
Supraorbital cutaneous blood flow rate during carotid endarterectomy
Authors: Hove Jens D. , Rosenberg Iben , Sejrsen Per , Hove Karin D. , Secher Niels H. 
Published: October 2006

SummaryBackground:  The supraorbital skin region is supplied by the supraorbital artery, which is a branch of the internal carotid artery. The supraorbital cutaneous blood flow rate may therefore be influenced by changes in the internal carotid artery flow during carotid endarterectomy.Methods:  The supraorbital cutaneous blood flow rate was measured by the application of heat to the skin and following the subsequent dissipation of the heat in seven patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy. At the same time, the oxygenation in the right and left frontal region was monitored by near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS).Results:  During cross‐clamping of the carotid artery, the ipsilateral NIRS‐determined frontal oxygenation tended to decrease [67 ± 13% to 61 ± 11% (P = 0·06); contralateral 68 ± 11% to 66 ± 8%] as did the supraorbital cutaneous blood flow rate from 56 ± 23 to 44 ± 7 ml 100 g−1 min−1. With the opening of the external carotid artery, the NIRS‐determined frontal oxygenation reversed to 66 ± 8% (P<0·05) on the ipsilateral side, with no significant change on the contralateral side and the supraorbital cutaneous blood flow rate increased to 53 ± 11 (P<0·05). Opening of the internal carotid artery did not significantly affect the NIRS (67 ± 8% and 69 ± 9%; ipsilateral, contralateral), but the supraorbital cutaneous blood flow rate increased to 88 ± 10 ml 100 g−1 min−1 (P<0·001).Conclusion:  Cross‐clamping of the internal carotid artery affects the supraorbital cutaneous blood flow rate as well as the frontal lobe oxygenation.
Pre‐ and postoperative evaluation of the metabolic activity in muscles associated with ruptured rotator cuffs by 18F‐FDG PET imaging
Authors: Shinozaki Tetsuya , Takagishi Kenji , Ohsawa Toshihisa , Yamaji Takehiko , Endo Keigo 
Published: October 2006

SummaryWe examined uptake of 2‐[18F]‐fluoro‐2‐deoxy‐d‐glucose (FDG) using positron emission tomography (PET) into the bilateral shoulder muscles of four patients before and after unilateral rotator cuff repair. The relative ratio of the subtracted standardized uptake value on the supraspinatus with a torn supraspinatus tendon to that of the subscapularis on the ipsilateral side was significantly lower than that on the normal side (0·69 ± 0·05 versus 1·06 ± 0·36). The relative ratio of the infraspinatus on the rupture side was also significantly lower than that on the normal side (0·91 ± 0·09 versus 1·41 ± 0·35). However, by 6 months postoperative, the reduced glucose metabolism in these muscles had recovered to the same levels as those on the normal side. As indicated by FDG PET, muscle metabolism in rotator cuff tears was reduced, subsequently recovering to the level of the normal side after operative repair.
The acute effects of different whole body vibration amplitudes on the endocrine system of young healthy men: a preliminary study
Authors: Cardinale Marco , Leiper John , Erskine Julie , Milroy Mark , Bell Steve 
Published: October 2006

SummaryWhole body vibration (WBV) has been suggested as an alternative form of exercise producing adaptive responses similar to that of resistance training. Very limited information is available on the effects of different vibration parameters on anabolic hormones. In this study, we compared the acute effects of different WBV amplitudes on serum testosterone (T) and insulin growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1). Nine healthy young recreationally active adult males (age 22 ± 2 years, height 181 ± 6.3 cm, weight 77·4 ± 9·5 kg) voluntarily participated in this randomized controlled (cross‐over design) study. The subjects performed 20 sets of 1 min each of WBV exercise in the following conditions: Non‐vibration condition (control), low amplitude vibration [low (30 Hz, 1·5 mm peak‐to‐peak amplitude)] and high amplitude vibration [high (30 Hz, 3 mm peak‐to‐peak amplitude)]. Blood samples were collected before, after 10 sets, at the end (20th set) and after 24 h of the exercise bout. WBV exercise did not produce significant changes in serum T and IGF‐1 either with low or high amplitude when compared with the control condition. The results of this study demonstrate that a single session of WBV exposure with a frequency of 30 Hz and amplitudes of 1·5 and 3 mm does not noticeably alter serum T and IGF‐1 levels.
Familial Occurrence of Febrile Seizures and Epilepsy in Severe Myoclonic Epilepsy of Infancy (SMEI) Patients withSCN1AMutations
Authors: Margherita Mancardi Maria , Striano Pasquale , Gennaro Elena , Madia Francesca , Paravidino Roberta , Scapolan Sara , Dalla Bernardina Bernardo , Bertini Enrico , Bianchi Amedeo , Capovilla Giuseppe , Darra Francesca , Elia Maurizio , Freri Elena , Gobbi Giuseppe , Granata Tiziana , Guerrini Renzo , Pantaleoni Chiara , Parmeggiani Antonia , Romeo Antonino , Santucci Margherita , Vecchi Marilena , Veggiotti Pierangelo , Vigevano Federico , Pistorio Angela , Gaggero Roberto , Zara Federico 
Published: October 2006

Summary: Purpose:The role of the familial background in severe myoclonic epilepsy of infancy (SMEI) has been traditionally emphasized in literature, with 25–70% of the patients having a family history of febrile seizures (FS) or epilepsy. We explored the genetic background of SMEI patients carryingSCN1Amutations to further shed light on the genetics of this disorder.Methods:We analyzed the occurrence of FS and epilepsy among first‐ and second‐degree relatives (N = 867) of 74 SMEI probands withSCN1Amutations (70 de novo, four inherited) and compared data with age‐matched and ethnically matched control families. Familial clustering and syndromic concordance within the affected relatives in both groups were investigated.Results: The frequency of FS or epilepsy in relatives of SMEI patients did not significantly differ from that in controls (FS: 13 of 867 vs. 12 of 674, p = 0.66; epilepsy: 15 of 867 vs. six of 674, p = 0.16). Different forms of epilepsy were identified in both relatives of SMEI probands and controls. Twenty‐eight relatives with FS and epilepsy were distributed in 20 (27%) of 74 SMEI families; among the controls, 18 affected relatives were clustered in 13 (18.5%) of 70 families. No pedigree showed several affected members, including the four with inherited mutations.Conclusions:A substantial epileptic family background is not present in our SMEI patients withSCN1Amutations. These data do not confirm previous observations and would not support polygenic inheritance in SMEI. The investigation of the family background in additional series of SMEI patients will further shed light on the genetics of this syndrome.
Low tolerance and high toxicity of thalidomide as maintenance therapy after double autologous stem cell transplant in multiple myeloma patients
Authors: Martino Massimo , Console Giuseppe , Callea Vincenzo , Stelitano Caterina , Massara Elisabetta , Irrera Giuseppe , Messina Giuseppe , Morabito Fortunato , Iacopino Pasquale 
Published: October 2006

AbstractAlthough a double autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplant (APBSCT) is an effective therapy for patients (pts) with multiple myeloma and extends progression‐free survival and overall survival, pts show a continued pattern of recurrent disease. The feasibility and tolerability of thalidomide (Thal) administered in the post‐transplantation period as maintenance therapy was tested in 17 pts at a dose of 100 mg/d starting between 3 and 5 months after the second transplantation and continuing either until toxicity precluded further therapy or until pts had disease progression. After a median administration of 13 months (range: 3–26), 76.5% (13 pts) failed to tolerate Thal because of: transiet ischemic attack (three pts), severe fatigue (two), neutropenia (one), piastrinopenia (one), severe opportunistic infectious (two), erectile impotence (one), gastointestinal toxicity (anorexia with weight loss one), peripheral neuropathy (two). After a median follow‐up of 36 months (range: 10–59) from the second transplant, 13 patients attained a CR + near CR (with a conversion rate from 47.1% to 76.5%). In conclusion, Thal as maintenance therapy after double ASCT is associated with low feasibility and high toxicity and could prevent a lengthy use of this antineoplastic agent.
Analysis of a Japanese Black Cattle‐rearing system utilizing a bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flügge) pasture: 3. Intake from pasture
Authors: Higashiyama Masakazu , Hirata Masahiko 
Published: October 2006

AbstractA Japanese Black Cattle‐rearing system utilizing a bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flügge) pasture in coastal Miyazaki, southern Japan, was analyzed in terms of intake from pasture. In a field approach, herbage intake by grazing cattle was measured for nine periods (1–5 days) during a grazing season (May–October) along with some other variables (e.g. air temperature, herbage mass, digestibility of grazed herbage), under varying levels of supplementary feeding. The intake from the pasture was most closely related to the intake of supplement, showing a negative linear response at a substitution rate of 0.736–0.750. The intake under no supplementation, i.e. a maximum intake from the pasture, was lower than the voluntary intake predicted with feeding standards. In a modeling approach, a semi‐mechanistic model for predicting grazing intake was developed using information from the literature as well as the field data. The performance of the model was acceptable. The model showed similar substitution rates (0.64–0.69), and considerable intake restriction (nearly 30%) that is not attributable to limitations by herbage mass, herbage allowance, diet digestibility or air temperature. The results indicate that a low maximal intake by the animals due to low grazing motivation is a major characteristic of the system where supplementation is a usual management practice.
Ranking acidity tolerance and growth potential of Austrodanthonia accessions
Authors: Islam M. Anowarul , Dowling Peter M. , Milham Paul J. , Campbell Lindsay C. , Jacobs Brent C. , Garden Denys L. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractSome Australian native perennial grasses that evolved on acidic soils are useful pasture species such as the 25 species of Austrodanthonia. We evaluated the range of acidity tolerance and growth potential in the field of 9 species of Austrodanthonia, comprising 18 accessions collected from southern temperate New South Wales (NSW) as well as the commercial cultivars Taranna and Bunderra. The soil had natural differences in pH in 10 mM calcium chloride (pHCa) and was classified as a brown chromosol to kurosol (yellow/red podsolic). After germination and growth in pots for 9 weeks, seedlings were transplanted into plots with pH differences (mean 4.3 or mean 4.9). Plant growth was scored for 116 days after transplanting and survival monitored for a further 361 days. Visual scoring of plant growth was highly correlated with dry weights (r2 = 0.99). Survival and shoot dry weight were greater at pHCa 4.9 than at pHCa 4.3. For example, survival was 74% at the higher pH and 47% at the lower pH after 116 days and declined very slowly subsequently. Dry weight and survival at pHCa 4.9 were separately and linearly related to dry weight and survival at pHCa 4.3, respectively. Austrodanthonia accessions/cultivars exhibited about a threefold range of acidity tolerance and dry matter production. When acidity tolerance was ranked using either dry weight or survival, the rankings were similar; however, dry weight data had a greater dispersion, thus dry weight may be the more sensitive tolerance index. On the other hand, survival may be the more cost‐effective indicator of acidity tolerance. It is likely that tolerance of acidity may be attributed to tolerance of aluminum rather than of the hydrogen ion. Some accessions produced more dry matter, had higher survival and greater acidity tolerance than the commercial cultivars and thus show potential as useful pasture components.
Floristic composition and plant biomass of the grasslands in the vicinity of Pavlodar, Kazakhstan
Authors: Hayashi Ichiroku , Kawada Kiyokazu , Akimova Aigul , Nakamura Toru 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThis article deals with the species composition and above‐ground plant biomass of grasslands in the vicinity of Pavlodar, Kazakhstan. The abandoned croplands, an initial stand of secondary succession were recolonized by Agropyron cristatum. In the second stage of the succession, Artemisia absinthium, Agropyron cristatum and Erigeron canadensis appeared. The developed stand, which had been abandoned for 11 years since 1993, was dominated by Stipa capillata including Artemisia austriaca and Medicago falcata, Kochia prostrata and Leymus ramosus. The vegetation of the stand used for grazing was sparse due to overgrazing and the soil was compacted due to trampling by livestock. The lichen, Parmeria vegans, grew in the bare areas of the stand. The average plant height and vegetation coverage of the stand were 44.1 cm and 25–50%, respectively. The dry weights were 73.4 g m−2 in plant biomass including 14.4 g m−2 of Parmeria vegans and 15.2 g m−2 in litter.
Investigation of the Dynamics of Microend Milling—Part II: Model Validation and Interpretation
Authors: Jun Martin B. G. , DeVor Richard E. , Kapoor Shiv G. 
Published: October 2006

Abstract
In Part II of this paper, experimental and analytical methods have been developed to estimate the values of the process faults defined in Part I of this paper. The additional faults introduced by the microend mill design are shown to have a significant influence on the total net runout of the microend mill. The dynamic model has been validated through microend milling experiments. Using the dynamic model, the effects of minimum chip thickness and elastic recovery on microend milling stability have been studied over a range of feed rates for which the cutting mechanisms vary from ploughing-dominated to shearing-dominated. The minimum chip thickness effect is found to cause feed rate dependent instability at low feed rates, and the range of unstable feed rates depends on the axial depth of cut. The effects of process faults on microend mill vibrations have also been studied and the influence of the unbalance from the faults is found to be significant as spindle speed is increased. The stability characteristics due to the regenerative effect have been studied. The results show that the stability lobes from the second mode of the microend mill, which are generally neglected in macroscale end milling, affect the microend mill stability significantly.
Genome Rearrangements, Deletions, and Amplifications in the Natural Population of
Bartonella henselae
Authors: Lindroos Hillevi , Vinnere Olga , Mira Alex , Repsilber Dirk , Näslund Kristina , Andersson Siv G. E. 
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACT

Cats are the natural host for
Bartonella henselae
, an opportunistic human pathogen and the agent of cat scratch disease. Here, we have analyzed the natural variation in gene content and genome structure of 38
Bartonella henselae
strains isolated from cats and humans by comparative genome hybridizations to microarrays and probe hybridizations to pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) blots. The variation in gene content was modest and confined to the prophage and the genomic islands, whereas the PFGE analyses indicated extensive rearrangements across the terminus of replication with breakpoints in areas of the genomic islands. We observed no difference in gene content or structure between feline and human strains. Rather, the results suggest multiple sources of human infection from feline
B. henselae
strains of diverse genotypes. Additionally, the microarray hybridizations revealed DNA amplification in some strains in the so-called chromosome II-like region. The amplified segments were centered at a position corresponding to a putative phage replication initiation site and increased in size with the duration of cultivation. We hypothesize that the variable gene pool in the
B. henselae
population plays an important role in the establishment of long-term persistent infection in the natural host by promoting antigenic variation and escape from the host immune response.
Switched or Not?: the Structure of Unphosphorylated CheY Bound to the N Terminus of FliM
Authors: Dyer Collin M. , Dahlquist Frederick W. 
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACT

Phosphorylation of
Escherichia coli
CheY increases its affinity for its target, FliM, 20-fold. The interaction between BeF
3
−
-CheY, a phosphorylated CheY (CheY∼P) analog, and the FliM sequence that it binds has been described previously in molecular detail. Although the conformation that unphosphorylated CheY adopts in complex with FliM was unknown, some evidence suggested that it is similar to that of CheY∼P. To resolve the issue, we have solved the crystallographic structure of unphosphorylated, magnesium(II)-bound CheY in complex with a synthetic peptide corresponding to the target region of FliM (the 16 N-terminal residues of FliM [FliM
16
]). While the peptide conformation and binding site are similar to those of the BeF
3
−
-CheY-FliM
16
complex, the inactive CheY conformation is largely retained in the unphosphorylated Mg
2+
-CheY-FliM
16
complex. Communication between the target binding site and the phosphorylation site, observed previously in biochemical experiments, is enabled by a network of conserved side chain interactions that partially mimic those observed in BeF
3
−
-activated CheY. This structure makes clear the active role that the β4-α4 loop plays in the Tyr
87
-Tyr
106
coupling mechanism that enables allosteric communication between the phosphorylation site and the target binding surface. Additionally, this structure provides a high-resolution view of an intermediate conformation of a response regulator protein, which had been generally assumed to be two state.