bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Long‐term treatment with darifenacin for overactive bladder: results of a 2‐year, open‐label extension study
Authors: Haab François , Corcos Jacques , Siami Paul , Glavind Karin , Dwyer Peter , Steel Michael , Kawakami Fernando , Lheritier Karine , Steers William D. 
Published: September 2006

OBJECTIVETo examine, in a 2‐year, non‐comparative, open‐label extension study, the safety, tolerability and efficacy of darifenacin controlled‐release (CR) 7.5/15 mg once daily in patients with overactive bladder (OAB) who completed two 12‐week randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled ‘feeder’ studies.PATIENTS AND METHODSPatients entering the extension received darifenacin 7.5 mg once daily for 2 weeks, after which a voluntary increase in dose to 15 mg was permitted. Thereafter, patients could adjust the dose (either 7.5 or 15 mg). Safety and tolerability were assessed from adverse events (AEs) and discontinuations. Efficacy was determined using various endpoints.RESULTSIn all, 716 patients entered the extension (mean age 57.3 years; 85.1% women) and 475 (66.3%) completed it (1089.9 patient‐years of exposure). Darifenacin was well tolerated with no significant safety concerns. The most commonly reported AEs were dry mouth and constipation (all‐causality rates 23.3% and 20.9%, respectively), leading to discontinuation in 1.3% and 2.4% of patients, respectively. Constipation infrequently required intervention, and analysis of bowel‐habit questionnaires revealed that the reporting of constipation was related to minor changes in bowel habit rather than true constipation. The efficacy of darifenacin was maintained, including significant improvements in the number of incontinence episodes/week (median change −84.4% at 2 years, P < 0.001 vs feeder‐study baseline). After 2 years, >40% of patients achieved a ≥90% reduction in incontinence episodes/week.CONCLUSIONIn the first published 2‐year, open‐label study of a CR antimuscarinic agent, darifenacin 7.5/15 mg once daily had a favourable safety, tolerability and efficacy profile during the long‐term treatment of OAB. As such, darifenacin represents a valuable therapeutic option for OAB.
Characterization and comparison of health‐related utility in people with diabetes with various single and multiple vascular complications
Authors: Morgan C. Ll. , McEwan P. , Morrissey M. , Peters J. R. , Poole C. , Currie C. J. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractAims  To characterize and compare health‐related utility in a large cohort of patients treated in hospital with diabetes and with single and multiple comorbidities.Methods  The study was conducted in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan, UK. Health‐related utility was measured using the EQ5Dindex, a standardized instrument for measuring health outcome. Patients from the Health Outcomes Data Repository (HODaR) were surveyed by postal questionnaire 6 weeks post discharge for in‐patients and during clinics for patients attending as out‐patients between January 2002 and July 2005. Patients with diabetes were identified by a previous history of in‐patient admission with diabetes or as an out‐patient with diabetes recorded as a coexisting diagnosis.Results   We identified 4502 patients with diabetes. Mean ages were 65.4 and 64.2 years for males and females, respectively. Of these, 2003 (45%) had no recorded vascular complication. Overall, the EQ5Dindex was 0.584 (sd 0.325) for males and 0.533 (sd 0.351) for females. For those without any vascular complications the mean EQ5Dindex was 0.735 (sd 0.288). In a general linear model, the presence of single and multiple complications had a detrimental impact on the EQ5Dindex.Conclusion  The results of this study provide an indication of the true impact of diabetes in terms of health‐related utility. There was a decrease in the mean EQ5Dindex for those with vascular complications. Economic models of diabetes that have used additive or multiplicative methods to assess utility in individuals with several complications may be unreliable, and direct measurements, such as this, are recommended.
Performance of the continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS) during development of ketosis in patients on insulin pump therapy
Authors: Pfützner J. , Forst T. , Butzer R. , Forst S. , Weber M. M. , Pfützner A. H. , Pfützner A. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractAims  Ketoacidosis is one of the most severe complications of Type 1 diabetes. Development of ketosis leads to substantial shifts in electrolyte and ion concentrations in the different fluid compartments of the body. This study was performed to investigate the performance of the continuous glucose monitoring device (CGMS) during ketoacidosis.Methods  Twelve patients with Type 1 diabetes using continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) participated in this trial [10 women, two men; age (mean ± sd) 34 ± 9 years; disease duration 17 ± 10 years; HbA1c 7.1 ± 1.0%]. In the morning, patients ate breakfast and the insulin pump was stopped at 11.00 h and restarted after 8 h. Observation parameters during this experiment were: blood glucose (laboratory reference and CGMS), 3‐hydroxy‐butyrate (3‐OHB), pH, Na, pCO2, pO2, free fatty acids, osmolarity, standard bicarbonate, and lactate.Results  Blood glucose increased and reached a plateau within 2 h after pump stop (from 6.2 ± 2.56 to 16.7 ± 4.44 mmol/l, P < 0.001). A constant increase in 3‐OHB (from 0.0 to 0.8 ± 0.5 mmol/l, P < 0.001) and decrease in pH (from 7.43 ± 0.02 to 7.40 ± 0.03, P < 0.05) indicated ketosis development. Na decreased from 141 ± 1.4 to 138 ± 2.8 mmol/l, P < 0.001). Free fatty acids increased from 0.577 ± 0.330 to 1.330 ± 0.462 mmol/l (P < 0.001). The CGMS values showed excellent agreement with the capillary blood laboratory method during the entire experiment, and a modified error grid analysis revealed that 99.5% of the values were in the clinically acceptable zones A and B.Conclusion  The CGMS device was confirmed to be reliable and accurate during the development of hyperglycaemia and ketotic conditions.
The prevalence of hypertension and diabetes defined by fasting and 2‐h plasma glucose criteria in urban Nepal
Authors: Shrestha U. K. , Singh D. L. , Bhattarai M. D. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractAims  To determine the prevalence of diabetes, impaired fasting glucose and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) in people aged ≥ 40 years in urban communities of Nepal, comparing the fasting and 2‐h plasma glucose (PG) criteria for diagnosis of diabetes and to relate the prevalence to age, gender and hypertension.Methods  Field surveys of fasting and 2‐h PG and blood pressure (BP) were done by cluster sampling in seven urban populations of Nepal. Of 1180 eligible individuals invited, 1012 (85.7%) aged ≥ 40 years participated.Result  The age and sex standardized prevalence of diabetes (known and newly diagnosed), IGT and impaired fasting glycaemia (IFG) were 19.0%, 10.6% and 9.9%, respectively. Of the total population, 30.5% (37.8% of men and 25.3% of women) had some abnormality of glucose tolerance. Of all diabetic individuals, 54.4% (53.8% of men and 55.1% of women) were undiagnosed. The prevalence of diabetes increased with age until the age of 75 years. The prevalence of diabetes was higher in men than in women (P < 0.001). The sensitivity of the fasting plasma glucose (FPG) criterion compared with either FPG or 2‐h PG or both criteria for the diagnosis of diabetes was 70.5%[95% confidence interval (CI) 60.7, 78.8] and the corresponding sensitivity of 2‐h PG criterion was 79% (95% CI 69.8, 86.1). The age‐ and sex‐standardized prevalence of hypertension (BP ≥ 140/90 mmHg) was 22.7%. Hypertension was less common in subjects with normal plasma glucose than in those with diabetes (18.8% vs. 36.7%). Similarly, of all subjects with hypertension, 29.1% had diabetes (known or newly diagnosed) and 43.0% had glucose intolerance of some form.Conclusions  Our study shows that diabetes and hypertension are common and related problems in people aged ≥ 40 years in urban Nepal. The overall sensitivity of the 2‐h PG criteria was greater than that of the FPG criteria for diagnosing diabetes, except in subjects aged ≥ 60 years.
Clinical utility of estimated glomerular filtration rates in predicting renal risk in a district diabetes population
Authors: Baskar V. , Venugopal H. , Holland M. R. , Singh B. M. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractAims  To determine the utility of estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR) in predicting renal risk over and above currently available strategies that incorporate serum creatinine and microalbuminuria in a diabetes population.Methods  Cross‐sectional study of 4548 diabetic individuals attending a single centre over an 18‐month period. Glomerular filtration rates were estimated using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equation. Microalbuminuria was measured using spot morning urine for albumin:creatinine ratio (ACR). SPSS was utilized for statistical analysis.Results  Of the 4303 subjects with complete data, 373 (9%), 2634 (61%), 1197 (28%) and 99 (2%) individuals, respectively, had eGFR > 90, 90–60, 60–30 and < 30 ml/min per 1.73 m2, respectively. Of those with clinically meaningful renal disease (eGFR < 60 ml/min per 1.73 m2), only 42% and 45%, respectively, were identified as at risk by clinical strategies utilizing serum creatinine and urine ACR individually. Even using the two together, 38% of the patients at risk would still not have been identified, since they had normal values of both.Conclusion  Current strategies utilizing serum creatinine and urine ACR are insufficient for the detection of renal disease in diabetes. Clinicians should consider monitoring GFR estimates in addition to assessing blood pressure, serum creatinine and urine albumin excretion in order to assess renal status and risk in adults with diabetes.
Analysts' Forecasts in Asian‐Pacific Markets: The Relationship among Macroeconomic Factors, Accounting Systems, Bias and Accuracy
Authors: Black Ervin L. , Carnes Thomas A. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractIn this study, we describe determinants of accuracy/bias of analysts' forecasts in 13 economies of the Asian‐Pacific region. Examination of the accuracy of analysts' earnings forecasts allows us to judge how accounting systems and macroeconomic distinctions in this region affect earnings predictability. As many investors rely on analysts' earnings forecasts instead of producing their own, the growth of international investment means forecasts in non‐US markets will become increasingly important to investors worldwide. Using a sample of firms with data available on Global Vantage and I/B/E/S International, we find that the analysts on average have a pessimistic bias in Asian‐Pacific markets. We examine whether macroeconomic factors explain part of the difference in the size of analyst forecast errors, using the global competitiveness rankings of the World Economic Forum (WEF). We expect that those nations which are more open to foreign trade and investment and are ranked more highly by the WEF in its Global Competitiveness Index will also have more accurate analyst forecasts, as increased global competitiveness demands greater integration into the world economy, and such integration should lead to more transparent financial statements and more accurate earnings forecasts. Our findings are consistent with this prediction. We also find that countries with low book‐tax conformity have more accurate earnings forecasts.
New evidence on the asymmetry in gasoline price: volatility versus margin?
Authors: Abosedra Salah , Radchenko Stanislav 
Published: September 2006

AbstractThis paper examines recent evidence on the role that gasoline margins and volatility play in the asymmetric response of gasoline prices to changes in oil prices at different stages of distribution process. In a regression model with margins, we find that margins are statistically significant in explaining asymmetry between crude oil and spot gasoline prices, spot gasoline prices and wholesale gasoline prices, and wholesale gasoline prices and retail prices. In a regression model with input volatility, we find evidence that volatility is responsible for asymmetry between wholesale gasoline prices and retail gasoline prices. When both, gasoline margins and gasoline volatility are included in the regression, we find evidence supporting margins, the search theory, volatility, the oligopolistic coordination theory and an explanation of asymmetry.
Forecasting volatility for options valuation
Authors: Belaifa Mahdjouba , Morimune Kimio 
Published: September 2006

AbstractThe petroleum sector plays a neuralgic role in the basement of world economies, and market actors (producers, intermediates, as well as consumers) are continuously subjected to the dynamics of unstable oil market. Huge amounts are being invested along the production chain to make one barrel of crude oil available to the end user. Adding to that are the effect of geopolitical dynamics as well as geological risks as expressed in terms of low chances of successful discoveries. In addition, fiscal regimes and regulations, technology and environmental concerns are also among some of the major factors that contribute to the substantial risk in the oil industry and render the market structure vulnerable to crises. The management of these vulnerabilities require modern tools to reduce risk to a certain level, which unfortunately is a non‐zero value.The aim of this paper is, therefore, to provide a modern technique to capture the oil price stochastic volatility that can be implemented to value the exposure of an investor, a company, a corporate or a Government. The paper first analyses the regional dependence on oil prices, through a historical perspective and then looks at the evolution of pricing environment since the large price jumps of the 1970s. The main causes of oil prices volatility are treated in the third part of the paper. The rest of the article deals with volatility models and forecasts used in risk management, with an implication for pricing derivatives.
The United States and the Middle East: interdependence not independence
Authors: Bahgat Gawdat 
Published: September 2006

AbstractFor a long time, the US policymakers have called for restrain over the country's high rate of oil consumption, as well as reducing its dependence on imported oil from the Middle East. It is against this backdrop that this study examines America's efforts to articulate a comprehensive long‐term energy policy to address, among other things, these concerns. In doing so, the study began by analysing the US Energy Policy Act of 2005, (Public law 109–58) given particular attention to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the Gulf of Mexico. The paper also discusses energy cooperation between the US and two Middle Eastern OPEC producers ‐ Saudi Arabia and Libya. The paper attempts to put up a three‐fold argument: that US heavy dependence on oil is likely to continue; that production from OPEC Members, particularly from Middle East, will meet the growing US and global oil demand, and that unilateral approach to energy issues will not succeed, but an inclusive approach to promote cooperation between producers and consumers to best serve the interests of all players and enhance global economic prosperity.
OCA1 in Different Ethnic Groups of India is Primarily Due to Founder Mutations in the Tyrosinase Gene
Authors: Chaki M. , Sengupta M. , Mukhopadhyay A. , Subba Rao I. , Majumder P. P. , Das M. , Samanta S. , Ray K. 
Published: September 2006

SummaryOculocutaneous albinism (OCA) is a heterogeneous group of autosomal recessive disorders characterized by an abnormally low amount of melanin in the eyes, skin and hair, and associated with common developmental abnormalities of the eye. Defects in the tyrosinase gene (TYR) cause a common type of OCA, known as oculocutaneous albinism type 1 (OCA1). The molecular basis of OCA has been studied extensively in different population groups, but very little information is available on Indian patients. Our investigation covering thirteen ethnic groups of India, some representing >20 million people, revealed that among 25 OCA families 12 were affected with OCA1, and that these cases were primarily due to founder mutations in TYR. We detected nine mutations and eight SNPs in TYR, of which six mutations (five point mutations & one gross deletion) were novel. In contrast to most reports describing compound heterozygotes, the presence of homozygotes in 10 out of the 12 pedigrees underscores the lack of intermixing between these ethnic groups in India. Haplotype analysis suggested a few founder chromosomes causing the disease in the majority of the patients. Direct detection of the mutations prevalent in specific ethnic groups could be used for carrier detection and genetic counselling.
Role of striatal l‐DOPA in the production of dyskinesia in 6‐hydroxydopamine lesioned rats
Authors: Carta Manolo , Lindgren Hanna S. , Lundblad Martin , Stancampiano Roberto , Fadda Fabio , Cenci M. A. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractWe explored possible differences in the peripheral and central pharmacokinetics of l‐DOPA as a basis for individual variation in the liability to dyskinesia. Unilaterally, 6‐hydroxydopamine (6‐OHDA) lesioned rats were treated chronically with l‐DOPA for an induction and monitoring of abnormal involuntary movements (AIMs). Comparisons between dyskinetic and non‐dyskinetic cases were then carried out with regard to plasma and striatal l‐DOPA concentrations, tissue levels of dopamine (DA), DA metabolites, and serotonin. After a single intraperitoneal injection of l‐DOPA, plasma l‐DOPA concentrations did not differ between dyskinetic and non‐dyskinetic animals, whereas peak levels of l‐DOPA in the striatal extracellular fluid were about fivefold larger in the former compared with the latter group. Interestingly, the time course of the AIMs paralleled the surge in striatal l‐DOPA levels. Intrastriatal infusion of l‐DOPA by reverse dialysis concentration dependently induced AIMs in all 6‐OHDA lesioned rats, regardless of a previous priming for dyskinesia. Steady‐state levels of DA and its metabolites in striatal and cortical tissue did not differ between dyskinetic and non‐dyskinetic animals, indicating that the observed difference in motor response to l‐DOPA did not depend on the extent of lesion‐induced DA depletion. These results show that an elevation of l‐DOPA levels in the striatal extracellular fluid is necessary and sufficient for the occurrence of dyskinesia. Individual differences in the central bioavailability of l‐DOPA may provide a clue to the varying susceptibility to dyskinesia in Parkinson's disease.
Nitric oxide transcriptionally down‐regulates specific isoforms of divalent metal transporter (DMT1) via NF‐κB
Authors: Paradkar Prasad N. , Roth Jerome A. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractStudies were performed to examine the affect of nitric oxide (NO) on expression of the divalent metal transporter (DMT1) in undifferentiated P19 embryonic carcinoma cells. DMT1 has four known isoforms which differ in both the N‐ and C‐terminals. Results demonstrate that exposure of P19 cells to the NO precursor, sodium nitro‐prusside (SNP), resulted in a decrease in expression of both positive (+) and negative (–) IRE isoforms of DMT1 with no change in the 1A species. Regulation was not as a result of decreased stability of message but was caused by reduction in transcription of the DMT1 1B isoforms. Similar results were observed in other cell lines, including PC12 and SH‐SY5Y cells and rat primary sympathetic neurons. Nuclear NF‐κB was decreased after SNP treatment, suggesting that NF‐κB may mediate this response. Luciferase reporter assays with normal and NF‐κB mutated constructs of the 1B promoter confirm that the NF‐κB site between −23 to −19 upstream from the transcription start site was responsible for regulating expression. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays further demonstrate that the p65 subunit of NF‐κB and not p50 binding is specifically decreased by NO treatment. Results of these studies provide a general mechanism responsible for regulating DMT1 expression induced by stress‐related signaling processes in vivo.
Human retinoic acid receptor‐related orphan receptor α1 overexpression protects neurones against oxidative stress‐induced apoptosis
Authors: Boukhtouche Fatiha , Vodjdani Guilan , Jarvis Christopher I. , Bakouche Joelle , Staels Bart , Mallet Jacques , Mariani Jean , Lemaigre‐Dubreuil Yolande , Brugg Bernard 
Published: September 2006

AbstractRetinoic acid receptor‐related orphan receptor α (RORα) is a transcription factor belonging to the superfamily of nuclear receptors. Disruption of the Rora gene in the mouse results in a defect in the development of Purkinje cells leading to a cerebellar atrophy, which suggests a neuroprotective role for RORα. To test this hypothesis, the survival rate of lentiviral‐mediated human RORα1‐overexpressing neurones has been evaluated in response to different stressors disturbing the redox homeostasis, such as β‐amyloid peptide, c2‐ceramide and H2O2. We show that overexpression of human RORα1 provides neuroprotection by increasing the expression of the antioxidant proteins glutathione peroxidase 1 and peroxiredoxin 6, leading to a reduction in the accumulation of stress‐induced reactive oxygen species. We further demonstrate that the neuroprotective effect of RORα is predominantly mediated by glutathione peroxidase 1 and peroxiredoxin 6. These results suggest a new role for RORα in the control of the neuronal oxidative stress and thus represents a new transcription factor of interest in the regulation of reactive oxygen species‐induced neurodegenerative processes during ageing.
Lcg is a light‐inducible and clock‐controlled gene expressed in the chicken pineal gland
Authors: Hatori Megumi , Okano Toshiyuki , Nakajima Yoshito , Doi Masao , Fukada Yoshitaka 
Published: September 2006

AbstractThe circadian clock is an autonomous biological clock that is entrainable to environmental 24‐h cycles by receiving time cues such as light. Generally, light given at early and late subjective night, respectively, delays and advances the phase of the circadian oscillator. We previously searched for the chicken pineal genes that are induced by light in a phase‐dependent manner. The present study undertook cDNA cloning and characterization of a gene whose expression was remarkably up‐regulated by light at late subjective night. The mRNA level of this gene exhibited robust diurnal change in the pineal gland, with a peak in the early (subjective) day under light–dark cycles and constant dark condition, and hence it was designated Lcg (Light‐inducible and Clock‐controlled Gene). Chicken Lcg encodes a coiled‐coil protein composed of 560 amino acid residues. Among chicken tissues, the pineal gland and the retina exhibited relatively high expression levels of LCG. LCG was colocalized with γ‐tubulin, a centrosomal protein, when expressed in COS7 cells, and LCG is the first example of a clock‐related molecule being accumulated at the centrosome. Coimmunoprecipitation of LCG with γ‐tubulin in the chicken pineal lysate suggests a link between the circadian oscillator and the centrosomal function.