bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Towards creating an environmentally sensitive lake basin
Authors: Tabuchi Toshio 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThe first International Conference on Conservation and Management of Lakes was held in Otsu, Japan, in 1984. Succeeding conferences were held in the USA, Hungary, China and Italy. Other global environmental activities include the Stockholm UN conference in 1972, the Nairobi Declaration in 1982 and the UN report on our common future in 1987. In 1992, the Earth Summit was held in Brazil and environmental restoration began on a global scale. The Rio declaration stressed that harmony with nature is important. Agenda 21 outlines an action plan for mankind, where not only the role of state and local government is described, but also that of non‐government organisations (NGO), industry, labour, scientists and farmers. In Japan, the Basic Environmental Law was enacted in 1993 in response to the Earth Summit; the Basic Environmental Plan was formulated in 1995. In the plan there are four keywords: circulation, coexistence, participation and international activities. Circulation means to create an economic social society based on circulation. Coexistence means to restore and to maintain an ecosystem, and to ensure coexistence between nature and humankind. Participation means that each entity cooperates and works actively for environmental preservation. International activities means to make the best use of experience, technology and capability in order to promote international cooperation. We are in the midst of a major movement towards global environmental preservation. We have a responsibility to pass on a healthy and beautiful Earth to our children, grandchildren and great‐grandchildren. However, environmental improvement is not an easy task; in particular, the improvement of the lake environment is lagging behind.
Estimation of the water quality of the Baltic Sea and lakes in Estonia and Finland by passive optical remote sensing measurements on board vessel
Authors: Kutser T. , Arst H. , Mäekivi S. , Kallaste K. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractIn the years 1993, 1995 and 1996, passive optical remote sensing measurements taken on board ships or boats were carried out at 16 lakes in Estonia and five lakes in Finland, and also in some regions of the Baltic Sea. Simultaneously, the Secchi disk depth was measured and water samples were taken, from which chlorophyll a and suspended matter concentrations were determined in the laboratory. Using an Hitachi spectrophotometer, the attenuation coefficient spectra for filtered and unfiltered water were obtained, and the effective amount of yellow substance was estimated. The properties of the waters under consideration varied within rather wide limits, the Secchi disk depth changing from 0.4 to 8.5 m, chlorophyll concentration from 0.65 to 45 mg m−3 and the effective amount of yellow substance from 1.8 to 32 mg L−1. Applying the correlation method for interpretation of the optical remote sensing data, we derived algorithms for estimating the water properties in the Estonian and Finnish lakes and in the Baltic Sea. The correlation coefficients between remote sensing and other water characteristics are in the limits |r| = 0.61‐0.84. This shows that despite difficulties caused by a small thickness of the‘informative’water layer and shadowing of the influence of some substance on the remote sensing spectrum by other substances in turbid, multicomponent waters, the passive optical remote sensing method is applicable for estimating the water transparency and quality in lakes and inland seas. However, the method is not suitable for (i) determining the value of a very small amount of some substance in the water if the concentrations of other optically active substances are remarkably higher or for (ii) investigating the water‐bodies with a large amount of yellow substance, where extremely strong absorption of light in the water leads to an‘abnormal’shape of the remote sensing reflectance spectra. Our results confirm also that remote sensing algorithms derived for the open ocean waters are in most cases not applicable for lakes and inland seas.
Evidence for biotic control of Australian reservoir phytoplankton communities and the potential for applied biomanipulation
Authors: Matveev Vladimir 
Published: June 2006

AbstractAlthough some concerns have been expressed with respect to the applicability of biomanipulation to Australian reservoirs and other inland waters, no major obstacles were found in this review. The previous doubts stimulated research, which has provided evidence for unexpected mechanisms of food web interactions, such as positive effects of small copepods on planktonic algae, higher than usual grazing potential of cladoceran communities, and direct positive effects of planktivores on phytoplankton. Further research into zooplankton‐cyanobacteria interactions should indicate how widespread is the previously reported ability of some southern hemisphere crustaceans to benefit at a population level from feeding on cyanobacteria. Quantitative fisheries acoustics, which has not been widely used in biomanipulation trials before, is a promising new tool in the assessment of the biomass of planktivorous fish in the pelagic zone of reservoirs.
Homocysteinylation of low‐density lipoproteins (LDL) from subjects with Type 1 diabetes: effect on oxidative damage of human endothelial cells
Authors: Ferretti G. , Bacchetti T. , Rabini R. A. , Vignini A. , Nanetti L. , Moroni C. , Mazzanti L. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractBackground  Homocysteine (Hcy) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Individuals with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are more susceptible to the effects of homocysteine than non‐diabetic subjects. The interaction between homocysteine‐thiolactone (Hcy‐thiolactone), a reactive product of Hcy, and low‐density lipoproteins (LDL) induces the formation of homocystamide‐LDL adducts (Hcy‐LDL) and it has been suggested that homocysteinylation could increase atherogenicity of lipoproteins.Aim  The aim of the study was to compare the effect of in vitro homocysteinylation of LDL isolated from healthy control subjects (C‐LDL) and from Type 1 diabetic patients (DM‐LDL) and to investigate the effect of homocysteinylated LDL (Hcy‐C‐LDL and Hcy‐DM‐LDL) on peroxynitrite production of endothelial cells.Methods  The in vitro homocysteinylation of LDL isolated from control (n = 12) and DM subjects (n = 12) was carried out by incubating lipoproteins with Hcy‐thiolactone. The reaction was verified by quanitifying the increase in sulphydryl groups (–SH groups) in Hcy‐LDL with respect to control LDL. Control and homocysteinylated LDL were incubated with human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC) in culture. Peroxynitrite production in cells treated in different experimental conditions was assayed by a fluorimetric method.Results  The increase in –SH groups after incubation with homocysteine was greater in LDL from diabetic subjects compared with LDL from control subjects (P < 0.001). In addition, peroxynitrite production from HAEC incubated with Hcy‐LDL from diabetic patients was greater than after incubation with Hcy‐LDL from control subjects and untreated LDL from diabetic patients (P < 0.001).Conclusions  These results show that LDL from diabetic patients is more susceptible to in vitro homocysteinylation than LDL from non‐diabetic individuals and demonstrate that the compositional changes in Hcy‐LDL from diabetic subjects have cytotoxic effects on human endothelial cells.
Frequency and risk factors of severe hypoglycaemia in insulin‐treated Type 2 diabetes: a cross‐sectional survey
Authors: Akram K. , Pedersen‐Bjergaard U. , Carstensen B. , Borch‐Johnsen K. , Thorsteinsson B. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractAims  The reported risk of severe hypoglycaemia in insulin‐treated Type 2 diabetes is highly variable and few studies have evaluated the influence of risk factors. We assessed the incidence and the influence of potential risk factors for severe hypoglycaemia in a questionnaire survey in subjects with insulin‐treated Type 2 diabetes receiving currently recommended multifactorial intervention.Methods  Consecutive patients with insulin‐treated Type 2 diabetes (n = 401) completed a questionnaire about occurrence of hypoglycaemia in the past, hypoglycaemia awareness and socio‐demographic factors. A zero‐inflated negative binomial model was used to assess the influence of potential risk factors on the rate of severe hypoglycaemia.Results  The overall incidence of severe hypoglycaemia in the preceding year was 0.44 episodes/person year. Sixty‐six (16.5%) patients had experienced at least one event. The risk of any episode of severe hypoglycaemia positively correlated with impaired hypoglycaemia awareness, being married and long duration of diabetes. The risk of repeated episodes of severe hypoglycaemia positively correlated with the presence of peripheral neuropathy, while long duration of diabetes prior to insulin treatment and treatment with angiontensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin receptor antagonists (ARBs) were associated with reduced risk. C‐peptide concentration and HbA1c were not associated with the risk of severe hypoglycaemia.Conclusions  In this cohort of insulin‐treated Type 2 diabetic patients, the incidence of severe hypoglycaemia is higher than reported in most studies, corresponding to about one‐third of that in Type 1 diabetes. Impaired hypoglycaemia awareness is the most important risk factor for severe hypoglycaemia.
Comparison of nateglinide and gliclazide in combination with metformin, for treatment of patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus inadequately controlled on maximum doses of metformin alone
Authors: Ristic S. , Collober‐Maugeais C. , Pecher E. , Cressier F. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractAims To compare the effects of nateglinide plus metformin with gliclazide plus metformin on glycaemic control in patients with Type 2 diabetes.Methods Double‐blind, double‐dummy, parallel group, randomized, multicentre study over 24 weeks. Patients with inadequate glucose control on maximal doses of metformin were randomized to additionally receive nateglinide (n = 133) or gliclazide (n = 129). Changes from baseline in HbA1c, fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and mealtime glucose and insulin excursions were examined.Results HbA1c was significantly (P < 0.001) decreased from baseline in both treatment groups (mean changes: nateglinide −0.41%, gliclazide −0.57%), but with no significant difference between treatments. Proportions of patients achieving a reduction of HbA1c ≥ 0.5% or an end point HbA1c < 7% were also similar (nateglinide 58.1%, gliclazide 60.2%). Changes from baseline in FPG were similarly significant in both treatment groups (nateglinide −0.63, gliclazide −0.82 mmol/l). Reduction from baseline in maximum postprandial glucose excursion were significant in the nateglinide group only (nateglinide −0.71, gliclazide −0.10 mmol/l; P = 0.037 for difference). Postprandial insulin levels were significantly higher with nateglinide compared with gliclazide. The overall rate of hypoglycaemia events was similar in the nateglinide group compared with the gliclazide group.Conclusions No significant difference was seen between nateglinide plus metformin and gliclazide plus metformin in terms of HbA1c. However, the nateglinide combination demonstrated better postprandial glucose control.
Income mobility of individuals in China and the United States
Authors: Khor Niny , Pencavel John 
Published: June 2006

AbstractAlthough much has been written about annual income inequality in China, little research has been conducted on longer‐run measures of income inequality and on income mobility. This paper compares income mobility of urban individuals in China and the United States in the 1990s. The following questions are taken up: To what extent are measures of annual income inequality misleading indicators of long‐run income inequality? How much income mobility was there in China in the first half of the 1990s and how did this compare with mobility in other countries? Have real income increases been greater for the poor or the rich? How important is the variation in permanent incomes in China and how has this changed?
Rice market integration in the Mekong River Delta1
Authors: Lutz Clemens , Praagman Cornelis , Thanh Duc Hai Luu 
Published: June 2006

AbstractIn the last decades Vietnam has become a major supplier in the world's rice market. This position is the result of the policy reforms that have been implemented in the agricultural sector. This paper assesses the impact of the liberalization policies and focuses on the spatial price differences in the domestic rice market. The results show that price patterns correlate strongly in the Mekong River Delta. Even prices in other regions are integrated with price patterns in the South. Interestingly, private traders in the Mekong Delta are only indirectly responsible for the latter result. They satisfy local demand and deal with state‐owned enterprises (SOEs). In the framework of the national food security policy, the state‐owned food companies ‘subsidize’ transactions between the South and the North. Moreover, the state‐owned food companies still dominate export transactions. The latter issues constitute two major queries for policy makers involved in the liberalization of the rice market, as further policy measures should not jeopardize the interests of domestic rice consumers.
Partial privatization and yardstick competition
Authors: Bhaskar V. , Gupta Bishnupriya , Khan Mushtaq 
Published: June 2006

AbstractWe analyse the dynamics of public and private sector employment in Bangladesh, using the natural experiment provided by the partial privatization of the jute industry. The public sector had substantial excess employment of workers initially, but this excess was substantially eroded by the end of the period we studied. The extent of erosion differs between white‐collar and manual worker categories, with excess employment persisting only in the former. Our findings suggest that partial privatization increases the efficacy of yardstick competition in the regulation of public firms, because heterogeneous ownership undermines collusion between public sector managers, and also makes excess employment more transparent to the general public.
The unmet treatment need for moderate to severe psoriasis: results of a survey and chart review
Authors: Christophers E , Griffiths CEM , Gaitanis G , Van De Kerkhof P 
Published: June 2006

AbstractBackground  Conventional systemic therapies and phototherapy for psoriasis are limited by safety concerns that may preclude long‐term treatment with these agents.Objectives  To estimate the unmet need for safe and effective treatments for psoriasis.Methods  A survey was conducted at three psoriasis outpatient clinics in Europe. Male and female patients of any age with psoriasis requiring more than topical treatment were eligible to participate in the survey. Patient data were obtained from patients’ answers to a questionnaire as well as by a chart review of each participating patient. The survey questionnaire addressed various aspects of psoriasis, including demographics and disease characteristics, treatment history, pre‐existing medical conditions, and patient satisfaction with treatments received.Results  A total of 301 patients participated in the survey, with approximately 100 patients from each centre. Nearly 90% of patients had received at least one systemic therapy or phototherapy for psoriasis, with 39% of patients receiving three or more. Ultraviolet B (UVB), methotrexate, psoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA), retinoids and cyclosporin were the most commonly used agents. Inadequate response, reported by patients as no change or worsening of disease with treatment, ranged from 10% to 50%. Contraindications to conventional systemic therapies were reported by 9–22% of patients. A substantial number of patients (42%) were not satisfied with these therapies.Conclusions  This survey highlights the unmet need for safe and effective therapies for moderate to severe psoriasis.
The αvβ6 integrin plays a role in compromised epidermal wound healing
Authors: AlDahlawi Salwa , Eslami Ameneh , Häkkinen Lari , Larjava Hannu S. 
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACTThe αvβ6 integrin is an exclusively epithelial integrin that is highly expressed during fetal development. In adult tissue, αvβ6 integrin is expressed during inflammation, carcinogenesis, and in wound healing. We previously reported that αvβ6 integrin is highly expressed in poorly healing human wounds and its over‐expression is associated with chronic wounds in a mouse model. The objective of this study was to investigate the role of αvβ6 integrin in compromised wound healing induced by hydrocortisone treatment or aging by using young and old mice deficient in or overexpressing the β6 integrin subunit in the epidermis. Untreated aged β6 integrin‐deficient (β6−/−) animals showed a significant delay in wound healing when compared to their age‐matched controls or younger β6−/− mice. The most significant delay was observed at the stages where granulation tissue deposition was occurring. Hydrocortisone treatment significantly delayed wound healing in wild‐type and β6 integrin‐deficient mice in comparison with the untreated controls. However, hydrocortisone treatment in β6 integrin overexpressing animals did not cause a significant delay in wound healing. The results of this study suggest that αvβ6 integrin plays an important role in wound healing in animals compromised by either age or stress mimicked by hydrocortisone.
The tetrapeptide acetyl‐serine‐aspartyl‐lysine‐proline improves skin flap survival and accelerates wound healing
Authors: Fromes Yves , Liu Jian‐Miao , Kovacevic Milica , Bignon Jérôme , Wdzieczak‐Bakala Joanna 
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACTThe tetrapeptide acetyl‐serine‐aspartyl‐lysine‐proline (AcSDKP) has recently been recognized as a potent angiogenic factor. Given the importance of vascular blood supply in the process of tissue repair we have investigated the ability of AcSDKP to contribute to the repair of cutaneous injuries by using dorsal and abdominal skin flap models. Postoperative subdermal AcSDKP injections (5 μg/kg/injection twice a day for 3 days following flap elevation) prevented marginally perfused areas from undergoing necrosis. Mean skin survival area of abdominal and dorsal flaps ranged, respectively, from 50.9±19.3 and 53.4±4.2% in the control groups to 66.4±7.5 and 74.7±6.6% in AcSDKP‐treated groups. Furthermore, in an ex vivo assay, AcSDKP applied locally to skin explants at doses from 10−8 to 10−5 M improved survival of the explanted skin exposed to UVB irradiation at 10 J/cm2. Increased reepithelialization, as well as higher levels of expression of basal keratin 14 and increased expression of fibronectin was observed after topical application of AcSDKP. These data provide experimental evidence that AcSDKP can improve the viability of ischemic skin flaps in the rat by promoting angiogenesis. Moreover, it enhances wound healing of injured avascular skin explants. Thus, these findings identify AcSDKP as a new tissue‐repair agent and suggest its potential clinical use for the management of skin wounds.
Clinical assessment of infection in nonhealing ulcers analyzed by latent class analysis
Authors: Lorentzen Henrik F. , Gottrup Finn 
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACTThe distinction between bacterial colonization and infection relies on clinical judgement. Determining sensitivity and specificity of this judgement are problematic as no gold standard exists. Six specialists in wound management independently assessed 120 nonhealing chronic wounds. Sixty‐five (54.2%) patients had venous ulcer, 18 (15%) arterial ulcers, 15 (12.5%) ulcerative pyoderma gangraenosum, 12 (10%) neuropathic or pressure ulcers, six (5%) vasculitis ulcers, and four patients had ulcers caused by a primary or metastatic cancer disease. Unrestricted latent class analysis was used for determining sensitivity and specificity in the observer's assessment of hypergranulation, redness, and overall impression of infection. Interrater agreement among observers was determined by restricted latent class analysis. The observers used the diagnoses (redness, hypergranulation, and overall impression of infection with different frequencies (p<0.001, Cochrane's Q test). A two latent class model fitted data. Sensitivity for hypergranulation ranged from 3 to 82%, for redness from 34 to 91% and for overall impression of infection from 37 to 90%. None of the observers were interchangeable. These results indicate that clinical assessment of chronic wounds for the presence of infection are difficult tasks accompanied by great variability and low reliability.
Management of 13 cases of canine respiratory disease using inhaled corticosteroids
Authors: Bexfield N. H. , Foale R. D. , Davison L. J. , Watson P. J. , Skelly B. J. , Herrtage M. E. 
Published: June 2006

Objectives:To determine the value of inhaled corticosteroids in the management of chronic inflammatory airway disease in dogs.Methods:Medical records of dogs that were presented for the investigation of respiratory disease were reviewed retrospectively. Criteria for inclusion were knowledge of previous medical treatment including side effects, diagnosis of the underlying disease, use of inhaled corticosteroids and at least two‐months follow‐up data.Results:Thirteen dogs that fulfilled the criteria were identified. Ten dogs were diagnosed with chronic bronchitis and three with eosinophilic bronchopneumopathy. Four dogs had not previously received corticosteroid treatment for their respiratory disease, and all these showed a reduction or a resolution of clinical signs without obvious side effects after inhaled corticosteroid therapy. Nine dogs had previously received oral or parenteral corticosteroids for treatment of their respiratory disease, and all had exhibited side effects. Five of these dogs were treated with inhaled corticosteroids alone, and all exhibited an improvement in clinical signs without observable side effects. The remaining four dogs were treated with a combination of inhaled and oral corticosteroids, and all showed improvement in clinical signs and reduction in side effects. Inhaled medication was well tolerated in all dogs.ClinicalSignificance:Inhaled corticosteroids were used for the management of chronic bronchitis and eosinophilic bronchopneumopathy in 13 dogs, and these may have the advantage of reducing side effects associated with oral corticosteroids.