bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quality evaluation of total parenteral nutrition in an acute care setting
Authors: Gómez Ramos María Jesús , González Valverde Francisco Miguel , Sánchez Álvarez Carmen 
Published: October 2006

AbstractObjective  To analyse the degree of compliance with internationally accepted standards defined for total parenteral nutrition (TPN) quality control in our hospital. The problems of quality which exist must be detected and possible solutions put into practice.Patients and method  Retrospective study of critically ill patients treated with TPN during two years in a university teaching hospital (n = 92). Assessment of quality was performed through measurements of compliance using 20 criteria. These were evaluated both individually and gathered in three categories: appropriate, safe and accurate TPN. Three summary/indicators were also established which assessed simultaneous compliance with all the criteria in each group. Criteria compliance was compared to standards values. Patient (age, sex, diabetes) and process (TPN indication, patient’s outcome, type of diet used) variables were analysed (using logistic regression models) as factors potentially associated with compliance with the quality criteria. Corrective measures aimed at resolving the quality problem were applied to the deficient criteria, paying particular attention to those criteria which presented the highest percentage of errors in the study carried out using a Pareto analysis.Results  Compliance of six criteria was significantly below standard values. Simultaneous compliance of all criteria by group was 17% in adjusted TPN, 38% in safe TPN and 94% in exact TPN. There was a negative association between an age over 65 years and both a correct indication of TPN (OR: 9.4) and the indicator compliance of all criteria in the adjusted TPN group (OR: 2.9). The absence of metabolic complications was influenced (P < 0.05) by the use of standardized diets (OR: 0.3). Effects of the change: the simultaneous compliance with all the criteria of a group improved in all three groups, but this was statistically significant in the ‘appropriate’ TPN and ‘safe’ TPN groups. The criteria analysed individually improved after the corrective measures in five of the six criteria which had been below standard in the first evaluation.Conclusions  The correct understanding and application of the indications, physiology and potential complications of TPN constitute the hub of the improvement process.
Endosperm tissue is good production platform for artificial recombinant proteins in transgenic rice
Authors: Takaiwa Fumio , Takagi Hidenori , Hirose Sakiko , Wakasa Yuhya 
Published: October 2006

SummaryTransgenic rice plants expressing 7Crp peptide were generated by Agrobacterium‐mediated transformation. The 7Crp peptide is the hybrid peptide of seven major human T‐cell epitopes derived from Japanese cedar pollen allergens Cry j 1 and Cry j 2. When the 7Crp gene was expressed under the control of the rice AGPase large subunit or maize ubiquitin‐1 promoters, it could only be detected in the endosperm of rice seed, although high levels of RNA transcript were observed in the leaf, stem, and seed embryo. It was demonstrated by confocal and electron microscopy analysis that the 7Crp peptide was mainly localized in the endoplasmic reticulum‐derived protein bodies, designated protein body I (PB‐I). Our results indicate that rice endosperm tissue has advantage over other tissues as a production platform for foreign recombinant proteins.
A Poverty Trap of Crime and Unemployment
Authors: Mauro Luciano , Carmeci Gaetano 
Published: October 2006

AbstractWe present an overlapping generation growth model with an imperfect labor market where the links among crime, growth and unemployment are jointly considered, both in an endogenous and exogenous set‐up. We test the major implications of our theory and verify the two model specifications through the Italian regional data, using the Pooled Mean Group estimator proposed by Pesaran, Shin and Smith (1999). The empirical results are in favor of the exogenous version of the model and suggest that crime and unemployment have long‐run income level effects.
Is International Trade More Beneficial to Lower Income Economies? An Empirical Inquiry
Authors: Rassekh Farhad 
Published: October 2006

AbstractDoes the effect of international trade on income growth depend on the economy’s level of development? More specifically, is trade more beneficial to lower income economies? Does trade contribute to a smaller international income inequality? The present paper seeks to answer these questions by employing the empirical model of Frankel and Romer (1999), which shows trade increases income growth in a cross section of 150 countries. We find evidence in support of the hypothesis that international trade benefits the lower income economies more than it benefits the higher income economies. This finding is robust in the presence of control variables including distance from the equator and institutional quality.
Quality of Governance and the Formation of Preferential Trade Agreements
Authors: Endoh Masahiro 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThis paper investigates economic and political factors which explain the presence or absence of preferential trade agreements (PTAs). A model of three countries with imperfect competition markets is employed for theoretical analysis of political economy. The validity of theoretical results is tested by econometric analysis with a logit model. It is shown that countries with similar incomes are more likely to form PTAs, and that governments with low quality of governance have little incentive to form PTAs.
Multinational Production, Absorptive Capacity, and Endogenous R&D Spillovers
Authors: Grünfeld Leo A. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractDo R&D spillovers have an impact on whether firms choose to go multinational or not? We present a three‐stage Cournot duopoly model, which identifies under what conditions firms choose to service a foreign market through exports or localized production. The establishment of a foreign subsidiary improves the ability to learn from foreign R&D since spillovers are strongly moderated by geographical distance. We explicitly model the concept of absorptive capacity, where gains from spillovers are determined by own R&D investments. With exogenous R&D investments, the absorptive capacity effect contributes to increase the gains from going multinational when the firm is R&D‐intensive. However, if R&D investments are endogenous, only medium‐sized absorptive capacity effects will result in firms going multinational. Furthermore, higher spillover rates do not necessarily drive down R&D and profits for the multinational firm. This stands in contrast to models that ignore absorptive capacity effects.
Peer Contacts of 15‐Month‐olds in Childcare: Links With Child Temperament, Parent–Child Interaction and Quality of Childcare
Authors: Deynoot‐Schaub Mirjam J. Gevers , Riksen‐Walraven J. Marianne 
Published: October 2006

AbstractSeventy 15‐month‐old children were observed during 90 minutes of free play with their peers in childcare centers. The study aimed to describe individual differences in the children's contacts with peers and to explain the individual differences in relation to: (1) child temperament, (2) the quality of parental behavior toward the child and (3) the quality of the professional childcare environment. Three distinct peer contact factors emerged from our analyses; one reflects children's involvement in peer contacts initiated by peers and two reflect the positive and negative contacts initiated by the target children themselves. Children in groups with more children per caregiver were found to be involved in more contacts initiated by peers. Children with a relatively difficult temperament were less involved in contacts initiated by peers although only in cases of lower quality childcare, as assessed using the infant/toddler environment rating scale. Boys initiated significantly more negative contacts with peers than girls. In addition, more peer‐directed negative initiatives were observed in lower quality childcare.
Reward‐related decision‐making in pediatric major depressive disorder: an fMRI study
Authors: Forbes Erika E. , Christopher May J. , Siegle Greg J. , Ladouceur Cecile D. , Ryan Neal D. , Carter Cameron S. , Birmaher Boris , Axelson David A. , Dahl Ronald E. 
Published: October 2006

Background:  Although reward processing is considered an important part of affective functioning, few studies have investigated reward‐related decisions or responses in young people with affective disorders. Depression is postulated to involve decreased activity in reward‐related affective systems.Methods:  Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we examined behavioral and neural responses to reward in young people with depressive disorders using a reward decision‐making task. The task involved choices about possible rewards involving varying magnitude and probability of reward. The study design allowed the separation of decision/anticipation and outcome phases of reward processing. Participants were 9–17 years old and had diagnoses of major depressive disorder (MDD), anxiety disorders, or no history of psychiatric disorder.Results:  Participants with MDD exhibited less neural response than control participants in reward‐related brain areas during both phases of the task. Group differences did not appear to be a function of anxiety. Depressive and anxiety symptoms were associated with activation in reward‐related brain areas.Conclusions:  Results suggest that depression involves altered reward processing and underscore the need for further investigation of relations among development, affective disorders, and reward processing.
Impact and risk factors for early‐onset group B streptococcal morbidity: analysis of a national, population‐based cohort in Sweden 1997–2001
Authors: Håkansson S , Källén K 
Published: October 2006

Objectives  To study early‐onset group B streptococcal (EOGBS) morbidity, mortality, and maternal risk factors.Design  Observational, population‐based, retrospective. Data from national registers and medical records.Setting  Sweden, 1997–2001.Population  Cohort of 640 infants with a diagnosis of GBS infection out of 435 070 live births.Method  Infants with diagnoses GBS sepsis (P36.0) and/or pneumonia (P23.3) were analysed. In cases with P36.0, register data were validated against infant and maternal medical records. Odds ratios (OR) were estimated by multiple logistic regression.Main outcome measures  Incidence of EOGBS morbidity, mortality, frequency of maternal risk factors and administration of intrapartum antibiotics.Results  There were 319 cases with EOGBS sepsis. Blood culture verified 174 cases. There were 145 with clinical sepsis and 180 with pneumonia only. The incidences were 0.40, 0.33, and 0.41 per 1000 live births, respectively. The mortality was 7.5, 0.7, and 2.2% in respective groups. The frequencies of established maternal risk factors were: membrane rupture ≥18 hours, 44%; prematurity, 26%; temperature during labour ≥38°C, 22%. Novel maternal risk factors identified in verified cases were gestational age (GA) of 37 completed weeks (OR 3.5, 1.8–6.5) and gestational diabetes (OR 3.7, 1.8–8.5). When including clinical sepsis, also epidural anaesthesia, infant large for GA, postmaturity, and high maternal age were significant risk factors.Conclusion  The incidence of verified EOGBS disease was 0.4 per 1000 live births with a total burden of EOGBS morbidity approximately three times higher. GA of 37 completed weeks and gestational diabetes were identified as additional significant risk factors.
Face Memory in MRI‐Positive and MRI‐Negative Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
Authors: Bengner Thomas , Malina Thomas , Lindenau Matthias , Voges Berthold , Goebell Einar , Stodieck Stefan 
Published: October 2006

Summary:  Purpose: Effects of MRI‐positive (MRI(+)) as compared to MRI‐negative (MRI(−)) temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) on face memory are not yet known. Methods: We studied 24 MRI(−) (11 right/13 left) and 20 MRI(+) (13 right/7 left) TLE patients, 12 generalized epilepsy patients, and 12 healthy subjects undergoing diagnostic workup with 24–72‐h Video‐EEG‐monitoring. Twenty faces were shown, and had to be recognized from 40 faces immediately and after a 24‐h delay. Results: MRI(+) and MRI(−) right TLE (RTLE) patients showed deficits in face recognition compared to controls or generalized epilepsy, consistent with right temporal lobe dominance for face recognition. MRI(+) RTLE patients had deficits in both immediate and delayed recognition, while MRI(−) RTLE patients showed delayed recognition deficits only. The RTLE groups showed comparable delayed recognition deficits. Separate analyses in which the MRI(+) group included patients with hippocampal sclerosis only, did not alter results. Furthermore, MRI(−) RTLE had a worse delayed recognition than MRI(−) left TLE (LTLE). On the other hand, MRI(+) RTLE did not differ from MRI(+) LTLE in delayed recognition. Combining MRI(−) and MRI(+) TLE groups, we found differences between RTLE and LTLE in delayed, but not immediate face recognition. Conclusions: Our results suggest that a delayed recognition condition might be superior to immediate recognition tests in detecting face memory deficits in MRI(−) RTLE patients. This might explain why former studies in preoperative patients did not observe an immediate face recognition dominance of the right temporal lobe when combining MRI(−) and MRI(+) TLE patients. Our data further point to an important role of the right mesial temporal region in face recognition in TLE.
Executive Dysfunction Is a Significant Predictor of Poor Quality of Life in Children with Epilepsy
Authors: Sherman Elisabeth M. S. , Slick Daniel J. , Eyrl Kim L. 
Published: October 2006

Summary:  Purpose: Based on prior research indicating poor health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) in children with attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder, we investigated (1) whether executive functioning deficits were related to poor HRQOL in children with epilepsy, (2) how important these variables were in comparison to known predictors of HRQOL such as neurological factors, and (3) the extent to which clinical‐level impairments in executive dysfunction predispose children to low HRQOL. Method: Data included scores on the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) and HRQOL scales (The Impact of Childhood Illness Scale [ICI] and Hague Restrictions in Epilepsy Scale [HARCES]) for 121 children (mean age = 11.9, SD = 3.6) from a tertiary center serving children with severe epilepsy. Results: Correlations between the BRIEF and ICI total and subscore domains (child, parent, family, and treatment) were generally significant and moderate (e.g., r ≥ 0.30, p ≤ 0.001). BRIEF Global Executive Composite, number of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), number of prior AEDs, and adaptive level all emerged as significant and unique predictors of HRQOL (R2= 0.36, adj. R2= 0.33, p < 0.0001). A clinically elevated BRIEF was associated with a twofold risk of low HRQOL (odds ratio = 2.21, p = 0.03). Conclusions: Executive dysfunction appears to exert a broad adverse influence on HRQOL in children with epilepsy, with clinical‐level impairments in executive dysfunction contributing to a twofold increase in the likelihood of poor HRQOL. The constellation of executive dysfunction, low adaptive level, high medication load, and a history of several failed AEDs are risk factors for poor HRQOL in children with epilepsy.
The Blood–Brain Barrier and Epilepsy
Authors: Oby Emily , Janigro Damir 
Published: October 2006

Summary:  During the past several years, there has been increasing interest in the role of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) in epilepsy. Advances in neuroradiology have enhanced our ability to image and study the human cerebrovasculature, and further developments in the research of metabolic deficiencies linked to seizure disorders (e.g., GLUT1 deficiency), neuroinflammation, and multiple drug resistance to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) have amplified the significance of the BBB's relationship to epilepsy. Prior to 1986, BBB research in epilepsy focused on three main areas: ultrastructural studies, brain glucose availability and transport, and clinical uses of AEDs. However, contrast‐based imaging techniques and medical procedures such as BBB disruption provided a framework that demonstrated that the BBB could be reversibly disrupted by pathologic or iatrogenic manipulations, with important implications in terms of CNS drug delivery to “multiple drug resistant” brain. This concept of BBB breakdown for therapeutic purposes has also unveiled a previously unrecognized role for BBB failure as a possible etiologic mechanism in epileptogenesis. Finally, a growing body of evidence has shown that inflammatory mechanisms may participate in the pathological changes observed in epileptic brain, with increasing awareness that blood‐borne cells or signals may participate in epileptogenesis by virtue of a leaky BBB. In this article we will review the relationships between BBB function and epilepsy. In particular, we will illustrate consensus and divergence between clinical reality and animal studies.
The Evaluation of Thyroid Functions, Thyroid Antibodies, and Thyroid Volumes in Children with Epilepsy during Short‐Term Administration of Oxcarbazepine and Valproate
Authors: Cansu Ali , Serdaroğlu Ayşe , Çamurdan Orhun , Hırfanoğlu Tuğba , Bideci Aysun , Gücüyener Kıvılcım 
Published: October 2006

Summary:  Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of short‐term oxcarbazepine (OXC) and valproate (VPA) monotherapy on thyroid functions in children. Methods: Fifty‐five newly diagnosed epileptic children with normal thyroid functions (confirmed with the thyrotropin releasing hormone stimulation test) participated in this study. VPA treatment was started in 30 patients and OXC in 25 patients. Serum thyroxine (T4), free thyroxine (fT4), triiodothyronine (T3), free triiodothyronine (fT3), reverse T3 (rT3), thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO‐ab), and urine iodine levels were evaluated at baseline and at the third and sixth months of therapy. Results: In the OXC group, serum T4, fT4, T3, fT3, and rT3 levels were found to be decreased at the third and sixth months, the differences were significant compared to the baseline values except for fT3 levels at the third month and fT4 and rT3 levels at the sixth month (p < 0.05). At the sixth month, serum T4 level dropped below the normal reference value in 8 (32%), fT4 in 5 (20%), T3 in 4 (16%), and fT3 in 3 (12%) patients. In the VPA group, mean T4, fT4, T3, fT3, and rT3 levels at 3 and 6 months remained similar compared to the baseline values (p > 0.05). Mean serum thyroid stimulating hormone levels increased significantly at the sixth month compared to the baseline values in the VPA group (p < 0.05) while it remained unchanged in the OXC group (p > 0.05). There was no effect of either drug on urinary iodine excretion and serum TPO‐ab levels remained in normal ranges throughout the study. Conclusions: In this prospective study, it is documented that children under short‐term OXC or VPA therapy showed altered thyroid functions similar to the changes observed after long‐term treatment. Although, the clinical significance of these results need to be evaluated with future studies, this observation of altered thyroid functions points out that thyroid functions may need to be monitored closely in children receiving antiepileptic treatment, even in the short‐time interval.
Psychiatric Comorbidity in Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy
Authors: Trinka Eugen , Kienpointner Gudrun , Unterberger Iris , Luef Gerhard , Bauer Gerhard , Doering Lisa Bartha , Doering Stephan 
Published: October 2006

Summary:  Objective: To assess the prevalence of psychiatric disturbances among patients with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME). Methods: Forty‐three patients with JME (22 female, 21 male, mean age 32.4 ± 13, range 15–63) were assessed by means of the Structured Clinical Interviews for DSM‐IV (SCID‐I and SCID‐II). Current and lifetime psychiatric diagnoses were assigned. Results: Thirty‐five percent of the JME patients suffered from one or more psychiatric disorders (Axis I and Axis II). Personality disorders were present in 23% and Axis I disorders in 19%. Altogether, 47% had a psychiatric disorder at any time of their life. Conclusions: Psychiatric diagnoses are slightly higher than in representative community samples. The substantially increased number of personality disorders in JME patients might be attributed to frontal lobe deficits.
Ethanol Decreases Rat Hepatic Arylsulfatase A Activity Levels
Authors: Jean Smith , Kasinathan Chinnaswamy , Buyske Steven , Manowitz Paul 
Published: October 2006

Background: Arylsulfatase A (ASA) is an enzyme that catalyzes the degradation of sulfatides, a glycosphingolipid found in many tissues, but predominantly in myelin and kidney. Arylsulfatase A is 1 member of a family of sulfatases that is activated by a required co‐ or posttranslational modification with the oxidation of cysteine to formylglycine. This conversion requires a novel oxygenase mechanism that can be inhibited by reactive oxygen species. Ethanol is known to cause an increase in reactive oxygen species in the liver. Because of its effect on the levels of hepatic reactive oxygen species, we hypothesized that ethanol would cause a specific decrease of rat hepatic ASA activity levels.Methods: Male Sprague–Dawley rats received ethanol‐containing, Lieber–DeCarli liquid diets for 15 days, and control rats were pair‐fed a liquid diet in which dextrose was isocalorically substituted for ethanol.Results: Arylsulfatase A activity levels decreased in livers of animals receiving alcohol compared with control animals. No significant changes in ASA activity levels were observed in the cerebral cortex and kidney. Furthermore, ethanol did not have any significant effect on hexosaminidase activity in any of the tissues examined.Conclusion: Ethanol caused a tissue‐specific decrease in hepatic ASA activity levels, but not hexosaminidase activity levels.
Analysis and reporting of platelet kinetic studies
Authors: Dumont Larry J. 
Published: October 2006

BACKGROUND: For platelet (PLT) kinetic studies in the healthy subject, autologous transfusion models are standardly used for the evaluation of new or modified PLT collection or treatment methods. The investigator is usually seeking to demonstrate that the new product is not inferior to a control condition. Consistent, statistically sound analysis and reporting methods will enable clear interpretation and communication of the results.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Noninferiority hypotheses are constructed in light of a recent FDA workshop. One‐ and two‐stage analysis methods are described to evaluate the paired differences in control and test arms with calculation of upper confidence intervals. Sample size estimates are presented for various experimental design options. The sensitivity of sample size to the difference in test and control recoveries is performed.RESULTS: The noninferiority hypothesis test was applied to a recently published study. Seven‐day, plasma‐stored apheresis PLTs were shown to be noninferior to freshly prepared PLTs with 95 percent confidence that the difference in recovery was not more than 11.4 percent and survival not more than 2.6 days, with maximum acceptable differences of 19.8 percent and 4.4 days. As the test recovery and survival approach the minimum acceptable value, the sample size required to demonstrate noninferiority increases nonlinearly. Preliminary sample size calculations presented here suggest that for most studies such as this, a minimum sample size of 7 should be anticipated. Because most of these studies are used to support regulatory submissions, this is usually executed in at least two centers for a total minimum of 14.CONCLUSION: The randomized, paired design is the most efficient approach to these studies. Consistent reporting of summary statistics for each test arm and the paired differences, the upper confidence limit for the differences in recovery and survival, and the maximum acceptable difference for each is recommended.