bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exergy content in the pelagic food chain of Lago Maggiore
Authors: Bernardi Riccardo de , Jørgensen Sven E. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractAn application of exergetic concepts to the analysis of the pelagic trophic food chain in Lago Maggiore over the period 1978‐1992 is presented and discussed with a view to determining the value of this approach. The preliminary results obtained suggest that the approach could be useful in verifying ecological models and in providing a better description of the mechanisms involved in the functioning of the food chain. The exergy model can, among other things, enable the efficiency of the food chain in utilizing available resources to be estimated. It can also be used to predict the most important factors which affect ecosystem function.
An improved parameter estimation procedure in lake modelling
Authors: Jørgensen S. E. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThis paper proposes an alternative parameter estimation procedure. Usually the parameters that yield the highest sensitivity are calibrated by trial and error or by an automatic calibration procedure. If the number of parameters to be calibrated is more than 3‐5, this procedure is very time consuming. The presented procedure is based on the assumption that the biological components in an ecosystem model attempt to develop such properties that they become best possible survivors, i.e. develop as much biomass as possible. It has previously been proposed that the survival of the entire ecosystem can be measured by use of the thermodynamic function exergy, which measures the distance from thermodynamic equilibrium and accounts for the biomass and its information content. If these assumptions are correct, it should be possible to determine the combination of parameters which gives the highest exergy. The paper presents the use of this idea in combination with a normal calibration. The parameters, which are less known from the literature and still yield a relatively high sensitivity, are determined by use of the above‐mentioned exergy principle. The parameters that are known within relatively narrow ranges from the literature are calibrated by the normal procedure. The method has been used on a concrete lake modelling study and given good results. This combination method seems therefore to offer clear advantages, particularly for models with a relatively high number of sensitive parameters (> 5), which otherwise would require a very cumbersome calibration.
Hormone replacement therapy is associated with increased C‐reactive protein in women with Type 2 diabetes in the Diabetes Heart Study
Authors: Bowden D. W. , Lohman K. , Hsu F‐C. , Langefeld C. D. , Carr J. J. , Lenchik L. , Wagenknecht L. E. , Freedman B. I. , Herrington D. M. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractAims  Increased levels of inflammatory biomarkers, especially C‐reactive protein (CRP), are associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) events, such as myocardial infarction, stroke, peripheral vascular disease, and sudden cardiac death. Medical interventions that increase CRP levels, such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in post‐menopausal women, are under increasing scrutiny. The effect of HRT on CRP levels in women with Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is not well documented, and conflicting conclusions have been reported. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of HRT on women with diabetes in a large cross‐sectional study.Methods  Three hundred and twenty‐seven post‐menopausal women with T2DM from the Diabetes Heart Study participated. Current use of HRT was determined and serum CRP levels were measured using a high‐sensitivity ELISA kit. Generalized estimating equation methods were used to assess the relationship of multiple clinical and lifestyle (e.g. smoking) measures on CRP levels including differences between women taking HRT (HRT+) and not taking HRT (HRT–).Results Overall serum CRP levels were strongly associated with body mass index (P < 0.0001) and age (P < 0.0001). Of the women, 243 were not using HRT and 84 were using HRT. HRT+ and HRT– women did not differ significantly in measures of clinical traits, with the exception of higher mean low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol in HRT– women (P = 0.004). In all models tested, HRT+ women had significantly higher circulating CRP levels, with P‐values ranging from 0.0045 to 0.010.Conclusions  In this study of serum CRP concentration as a function of HRT in women with Type 2 diabetes, there was consistent evidence for increased circulating CRP levels in women receiving oestrogen‐containing HRT. Whether HRT‐induced increases in CRP can account for the adverse cardiovascular effects of HRT remains to be established; however, based on these data, there is little reason to believe that diabetic women would be spared from such an effect.
Constitutionalism and credibility in reforming economies1
Authors: Desai Raj M. , Olofsgård Anders 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThere has been relatively little investigation of the effect of constitutional transformations on the economic transition in post‐communist countries. We develop a simple signalling model in which constitutionalism – a commitment to limit political power and provide judicial defence of basic rights – reinforces the credibility of pro‐market candidates’ electoral promises and boosts public support for economic reforms. These findings are tested using opinion poll data on public support for reform in Central and Eastern Europe, and in the former Soviet Union, in the 1990s. In a two‐stage procedure we show that public support for market reforms is higher in countries where incumbents have taken deliberate steps to increase political accountability and judicial independence. Public support also spurs actual economic reform.
Burden of illness of bacterial cellulitis and erysipelas of the leg in the Netherlands
Authors: Goettsch WG , Bouwes Bavinck JN , Herings RMC 
Published: June 2006

AbstractBackground  Information on the prevalence of bacterial cellulitis (BC) and erysipelas (ER) of the leg (BCERL) is sparse and dependent on the definitions used. There is no information available on the number of hospitalized and non‐hospitalized patients with BCERL, and related treatment costs.Objective  The purpose of this study was to assess the burden of illness for BCERL in the Netherlands in 2001.Methods  Data were obtained from different linked databases. Hospital information was obtained from the National Morbidity Registration (known in the Netherlands as the LMR), which includes all Dutch citizens, using ICD‐9‐CM codes. The number of patients not admitted to hospital was estimated using a subsample with data from general practitioners (GPs) (N = 50 000). These data were extrapolated using age/gender and disease‐specific standardization. The subsample was used to assess the location of the infection. Reimbursement costs were available for all resources.Results  In 2001, approximately 28 000 patients presented with either BC or ER of the leg. Of these patients, 2200 were admitted to the hospital and 4–6% had two or more episodes of ER/BC in 2001. The average costs per hospitalization for BCERL were 5346 euros, accumulating to more than 14 million euros in 2001. Although only 7% of all patients were hospitalized, 83% of the total treatment costs could be attributed to hospitalization.Conclusions  BCERL are common and serious infections in the Netherlands. Hospitalization occurs in only one in 14 patients but contributes more than 80% of the total costs, which accumulate to 17 million euros a year.
Expression of sex‐determining genes in human sebaceous glands and their possible role in the pathogenesis of acne
Authors: Chen W , Yang CC , Liao CY , Hung CL , Tsai SJ , Chen KF , Sheu HM , Zouboulis CC 
Published: June 2006

AbstractBackground  The human skin, especially the sebaceous gland, is a steroidogenic organ similar to the gonads and adrenal cortex, possessing all the enzymes required for steroid sex‐hormone synthesis and metabolism. Factors regulating cutaneous steroidogenesis associated with disease status remain largely unknown.Objective  We hypothesized that transcription factors involved in sex formation and regulation of steroidogenesis in the classical steroidogenic organs are also expressed in the sebaceous glands. Their possible role in the pathogenesis of acne were investigated.Methods  We used reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR), in situ hybridization and Western blotting to analyse the expression of SF‐1, WT‐1, SRY, SOX‐9 and DAX‐1 mRNAs and their proteins in cultured human sebocytes and the facial skin of acne patients.Results  The in situ hybridization study showed SOX‐9 mRNA mainly localized in basal keratinocytes, the basal layer of the sebaceous glands and eccrine glands. Immortalized human sebaceous gland cells (SZ95) expressed mRNA for SOX‐9, WT‐1 and DAX‐1 but not for SF‐1 or SRY. The expression of DAX‐1 protein was slightly inhibited by 10−6 m oestradiol (E2) at 6 h but enhanced by 10−6 m dihydrotestosterone (DHT) at 48 h. The facial expression of SOX‐9 seemed to be higher in the acne‐prone male patients, while DAX‐1 was stronger in subjects without acne, although both were statistically insignificant.Conclusion  Our findings confirm the expression of some sex‐determining genes in human sebaceous glands. Further studies on a larger patient population including the normal controls are needed to elucidate the functional significance of these transcription factors in the pathogenesis of acne.
Favorable versus Unfavorable Recommendations: The Impact on Analyst Access to Management‐Provided Information
Authors: CHEN SHUPING , MATSUMOTO DAWN A. 
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACTThis study examines recent regulatory and practitioner concerns that managers provide more (less) information to analysts with more (less) favorable stock recommendations. We examine the relative forecast accuracy of analysts before and after a recommendation issuance under the assumption that increases (decreases) in management‐provided information will increase (decrease) analysts' relative forecast accuracy. We find that analysts issuing more favorable recommendations experience a greater increase in their relative forecast accuracy compared with analysts with less favorable recommendations. Additional tests on the change in frequency with which analysts issue forecasts independent of or in conjunction with other analysts after their recommendation change yield corroborating results. In addition, we find that the greater increase in relative accuracy for analysts with more favorable recommendations exists prior to the passage of Regulation FD but not after. The combined results are consistent with analysts receiving relatively more management‐provided information following the issuance of more favorable recommendations.
Conservatism and Cross‐Sectional Variation in the Post–Earnings Announcement Drift
Authors: NARAYANAMOORTHY GANAPATHI 
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACTAccounting conservatism allows me to identify a previously undocumented source of predictable cross‐sectional variation in Standardized Unexpected Earnings' autocorrelations viz. the sign of the most recent earnings realization and present evidence that the market ignores this variation (“loss effect”). It is possible to earn returns higher than from the Bernard and Thomas (1990) strategy by incorporating this feature. Additionally, the paper shows that the “loss effect” is different from the “cross quarter” effect shown by Rangan and Sloan (1998) and it is possible to combine the two effects to earn returns higher than either strategy alone. Thus, the paper corroborates the Bernard and Thomas finding that stock prices fail to reflect the extent to which quarterly earnings series differ from a seasonal random walk and extends it by showing that the market systematically underestimates time‐series properties resulting from accounting conservatism.
Wash‐out of the non‐heart‐beating donor liver: a matter of flush solution and temperature?
Authors: Bessems Maud , Doorschodt Benedict M. , Albers Peter S. , Meijer Alfred J. , Van Gulik Thomas M. 
Published: June 2006

Abstract: Background and Aims: Ischemically damaged donor livers are prone to graft non‐function. This can in part be explained by a suboptimal wash‐out during procurement. An enriched machine perfusion (MP) preservation solution for livers, named Polysol, was developed. The aim of this study was to investigate the type of flush solution, temperature and anticoagulant content on the wash‐out of the non‐heart‐beating donor (NHBD) rat liver.Methods: Rat livers were flushed after 30 min warm ischemia. After excision, livers were reperfused at 37°C, with analysis of damage and function, concerning (1) solutions (University of Wisconsin (UW), histidine‐tryptophan‐ketoglutarate (HTK) and Polysol); (2) temperature (4°C, 18°C and 37°C); (3) addition of heparin and (4) wash‐out followed by 24 h MP.Results: (1) Reperfusion results were inferior in the UW group; (2) less damage and improved function were seen after wash‐out using Polysol at 37°C; (3) No effects were seen of the addition of heparin to Polysol; (4) MP after wash‐out using HTK resulted in more liver damage and decreased liver function as compared with wash‐out using Polysol.Conclusions: Polysol is applicable as a flush solution for the NHBD liver, resulting in equal to better wash‐out as compared with UW and HTK. The best temperature for this NHBD wash‐out is 37°C.
Prognostic factors for patients with cirrhosis and kidney dysfunction in the era of MELD: results of a prospective study
Authors: Schepke Michael , Appenrodt Beate , Heller Jörg , Zielinski Julia , Sauerbruch Tilman 
Published: June 2006

Abstract: Background/Aim: Hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) is associated with a poor prognosis. The incidence and prognostic impact of kidney dysfunction due to other causes in cirrhotic patients are less well known. The current study prospectively evaluated the incidence and the prognostic relevance of different etiologies of kidney failure in cirrhotic patients.Methods: Eighty‐eight consecutive patients with cirrhosis and serum creatinine ≥1.5 mg/dl were enrolled. The etiologies of kidney dysfunction were analyzed, and prognostic factors including Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score were evaluated in a multivariate Cox model.Results: HRS was present in 35 (40%) patients (15 HRS 1, 20 HRS 2), followed by renal parenchymal disease (23%), drug‐induced kidney dysfunction (19%) and prerenal failure due to bleeding or infections (15%). HRS patients had a significantly higher MELD score and shorter survival. In addition to the MELD score, only HRS 1 was independently predictive for survival. HRS 2 patients had a similar outcome as patients with non‐HRS kidney dysfunction.Conclusions: In patients with cirrhosis and renal failure, hepatorenal syndrome is associated with a worse prognosis than kidney dysfunction due to other conditions but only HRS type 1 has independent prognostic relevance in addition to the MELD score in these patients.
Brain imaging in psychiatry – a study of 435 psychiatric in‐patients at a university clinic
Authors: Mueller C. , Rufer M. , Moergeli H. , Bridler R. 
Published: June 2006

Objective:  The use of brain imaging in psychiatry still lacks clear guidelines. We investigated the referral practice, outcome and predictive factors of neuroimaging in a Swiss psychiatric university clinic.Method:  Medical files were reviewed retrospectively for 435 consecutively hospitalized patients who were subjected to neuroimaging. The association between the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and the scan results was analyzed using bivariate and multivariate analyses.Results:  Of overall examinations, 69.4% were normal, 16.3% equivocal and 14.3% abnormal; 2.9% of scans ordered for screening only showed pathology. Neurologic signs and advanced age of patients predicted abnormal scan findings, whereas other variables such as EEG results showed no significant association.Conclusion:  Our results support the need for clear indications for using brain imaging in psychiatric in‐patients. Focal neurologic signs and advanced patient age seems to predict abnormal scan results. However, these criteria are not sufficiently sensitive to predict significant scan findings in all patients.
Swimmers' painful shoulder arthroscopic findings and return rate to sports
Authors: Brushøj C. , Bak K. , Johannsen H. V. , Faunø P. 
Published: June 2006

Shoulder pain is the most common musculo‐skeletal complaint in competitive swimmers. It remains one of the shoulder pain syndromes in overhead athletes where no golden standard of treatment exists. Eighteen competitive swimmers who all had undergone shoulder arthroscopy for therapy‐resistant shoulder pain were retrospectively evaluated with respect to operative findings and ability to return to their sport after the operation.The most common finding at arthroscopy was labral pathology in 11 (61%) and subacromial impingement in five shoulders (28%). Operative procedures included debridement in 11 swimmers, partial release of the coraco‐acromial ligament in four, and bursectomy in four.Sixteen (89%) responded to the follow‐up evaluation. Nine swimmers (56%) were able to compete at preinjury level after 4 (2–9) months.Findings at arthroscopy suggest that the term “Swimmer's shoulder” covers a variety of pathologies including labral wearing and subacromial impingement. Arthroscopic debridement of labral tears or bursectomy in swimmers with shoulder pain has a low success rate with regard to return to sport. Further understanding and investigation of this syndromes complex pathophysiology is needed.
Exercise is associated with reduced risk for incident dementia among persons 65 years of age and older
Authors: Larson E. B. , Wang L. , Bowen J. D. , McCormick W. C. , Teri L. , Crane P. , Kukull W. 
Published: June 2006

BACKGROUND: Alzheimer disease and other dementing disorders are major sources of morbidity and mortality in aging societies. Proven strategies to delay onset or reduce risk for dementing disorders would be greatly beneficial.OBJECTIVE: To determine whether regular exercise is associated with a reduced risk for dementia and Alzheimer disease.DESIGN: Prospective cohort study.SETTING: Group Health Cooperative, Seattle, Washington.PARTICIPANTS: One thousand seven hundred and forty persons older than age 65 years without cognitive impairment who scored above the 25th percentile on the Cognitive Ability Screening Instrument in the Adult Changes in Thought study and who were followed biennially to identify incident dementia.MEASUREMENTS: Baseline measurements, including exercise frequency, cognitive function, physical function, depression, health conditions, lifestyle characteristics, and other potential risk factors for dementia (e.g., apolipoprotein E epsilon4); biennial assessment for dementia.RESULTS: During a mean follow‐up of 6.2 years (SD, 2.0), 158 participants developed dementia (107 developed Alzheimer disease). The incidence rate of dementia was 13.0 per 1000 person‐years for participants who exercised three or more times per week compared with 19.7 per 1000 person‐years for those who exercised fewer than three times per week. The age‐ and sex‐adjusted hazard ratio of dementia was 0.62 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.44–0.86; P=0.004]. The interaction between exercise and performance‐based physical function was statistically significant (P=0.013). The risk reduction associated with exercise was greater in those with lower performance levels. Similar results were observed in analyses restricted to participants with incident Alzheimer disease.LIMITATIONS: Exercise was measured by self‐reported frequency. The study population had a relatively high proportion of regular exercisers at baseline.CONCLUSION: These results suggest that regular exercise is associated with a delay in onset of dementia and Alzheimer disease, further supporting its value for elderly persons.
Anatomy of the anterior cruciate ligament double bundle structure: a macroscopic evaluation
Authors: Steckel H. , Starman J. S. , Baums M. H. , Klinger H. M. , Schultz W. , Fu F. H. 
Published: June 2006

Introduction:
Traditional anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery has demonstrated good results, but there is still a subset of unsatisfactory outcomes. Trends in reconstruction technique have changed from bone–patella–tendon–bone to hamstring refixation, and the next step appears to be the double bundle concept.Methods:
We examined six fresh‐frozen cadaver knees to evaluate the double bundle structure, dynamic motion characteristics and the relationship of knee flexion and relative position of the femoral insertion sites of the ACL.Results:
In all knees, we identified an anteromedial (AM) and posterolateral (PL) bundle. The motion pattern demonstrated that the AM and PL bundles are oriented near parallel with the knee extended, and twist around each other as the knee is flexed. The visualization of the femoral footprint anatomy differs with knee flexion.Discussion:
The double bundle model facilitates restoration of the original footprint anatomy and biomechanics more easily than the concept of the ACL as a one‐bundle structure and the use of the o'clock position. It is essential to be aware of the degree of knee flexion when drilling the femoral tunnels.Perspective:
Anatomic ACL reconstruction is a concept, not a technique, and allows a more refined surgical approach to ACL reconstruction including revision cases and partial ACL tears.
Evaluation of the Efficacy of the Acellular Dermal Matrix Allograft with Partial Thickness Flap in the Elimination of Gingival Melanin Pigmentation. A Comparative Clinical Study with 12 Months of Follow‐Up
Authors: Pontes Ana E. f. , Pontes Carla C. , Souza Sérgio l. s. , Novaes Arthur B. , Grisi Márcio f. m. , Taba Mário 
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACTAcellular dermal matrix (ADM) has been used as a substitute for gingival allografts. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of ADM with partial thickness flap in the elimination of gingival melanic pigmentations. Fifteen patients presenting bilateral gingival melanin pigmentation were selected for this study. Each side of the pigmentation was randomly assigned to be part of a group. The sites of the experimental group had a partial thickness flap raised, excised, followed by adaptation and suture of the ADM. On the opposite side (ie, sites from the control group), the oral epithelium was removed with a diamond bur. The healing process was evaluated at 1 and 2 weeks, and 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months postoperatively. Images of the patient’s follow‐up were digitalized, and occurrence and quantification of clinical repigmentation were evaluated. After 12 months, minimal repigmentation (mean 3.14 ± 7.45%) was noted in 8 of 15 sites from the ADM group, while significant repigmentation (mean 55.84 ± 27.25%) was seen in 15 of 15 abrasion sites. According to our results, it can be concluded that ADM may be successfully used in the elimination or greater reduction of gingival melanic pigmentations, and is more efficient than epithelium abrasion after 12 months (p < 0.0001).CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCEGingival pigmentation is a common finding in several ethnic groups. Although physiologic melanin pigmentation is not a medical problem, cosmetic demands may turn it into a problem of social acceptance in different cultures. In this way, different treatment modalities have been used with the aim of removing pigmentations for esthetic reasons. In the present study, the use of ADM with partial thickness flap resulted in more effective elimination of gingival melanin pigmentation, as repigmentation occurred later and was much weaker when compared to the outcomes of epithelial abrasion.