bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of the dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitor isoleucine thiazolidide (P32/98) in fatty Zucker rats with incipient and manifest impaired glucose tolerance
Authors: Augstein P. , Berg S. , Heinke P. , Altmann S. , Salzsieder E. , Demuth H. U. , Freyse E. J. 
Published: October 2007

Aim:  Incretin enhancers are a new class of antidiabetic drugs with promising therapeutic potential for type 2 diabetes. Therapeutic intervention in prediabetes is an attractive strategy for preventing or delaying diabetes onset. The aim of the present study was to investigate the therapeutic effects of incretin enhancement on incipient impaired glucose tolerance (iIGT) and manifest IGT (mIGT) using the dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP‐4) inhibitor P32/98‐ and fatty Zucker rat (ZR, fa/fa) as a model.Methods:  ZRs were classified into groups with iIGT and mIGT (n = 10 per group). P32/98 (21.61 mg/kg body weight) was administered orally to ZR with iIGT and mIGT once daily for 6 and 3 weeks respectively. Assessments included body weight, morning blood glucose and insulin, oral glucose tolerance test (oGTT; 2 g glucose/kg), plasma parameters and blood glucose day–night profile (DNP). In addition, glucose responsiveness of isolated islets and islet morphology were analysed.Results:  P32/98 decreased non‐fasting morning blood glucose more effectively in ZR with iIGT than in ZR with mIGT. Compared with study entry, P32/98 improved DNP of blood glucose in ZR with mIGT and nearly normalized DNP in ZR with iIGT. An acute bolus of inhibitor reduced glucose load during oGTT in rats chronically treated with placebo or P32/98. In contrast to placebo‐treated rats, rats receiving long‐term treatment with P32/98 required less insulin during oGTT. This effect was larger in rats with iIGT vs. rats with mIGT. In isolated pancreatic islets of ZR with mIGT, treatment with P32/98 decreased pancreatic insulin content and increased glucose responsiveness, while the β‐cell volume density was unaffected. P32/98 significantly reduced triglycerides and non‐esterified fatty acids. Intestinal growth was comparable between inhibitor‐ and placebo‐treated fatty rats.Conclusions:  Enhancement of incretin with the DPP‐4 inhibitor P32/98 has therapeutic effects in hyperinsulinaemia, hyperglycaemia and IGT in ZR with iIGT and mIGT. Apparently, administration of P32/98 in ZR with iIGT results in more efficient β‐cell function, which is associated with less need for insulin to cope with deterioration of glucose tolerance. Importantly, P32/98 has a strong effect on dyslipidaemia in mIGT. P32/98 has no side effect on intestinal growth. Daily intake of P32/98 is a promising strategy for treatment of glucose intolerance and has the potential to prevent type 2 diabetes.
Polyphyly across oceans: a molecular phylogeny of the Chromodorididae (Mollusca, Nudibranchia)
Authors: Turner Lucy M. , Wilson Nerida G. 
Published: October 2007

The Chromodorididae is a large and colourful family of nudibranch sea slugs distributed across the world's oceans. Most diversity is centred in the Indo‐Pacific, but several genera are present in multiple ocean basins, or across regions separated by biogeographical barriers. The monophyly of these widespread genera had not been tested previously. We used 18S rDNA, 16S rDNA and COI sequence data to generate a molecular phylogeny for this group. We recovered evidence of paraphyly or polyphyly in all of the widespread genera examined (Hypselodoris,Mexichromis,ChromodorisandGlossodoris). East AtlanticHypselodorisand west Atlantic + east PacificMexichromisspecies were more closely related to each other than they were to their Indo‐Pacific congeners. The addition of Southern Ocean species ofDigidentisdemonstrated an interesting alternative to this relationship, becoming the sister group for the east AtlanticHypselodorison the basis of 16S and 18S data, but not COI data. Sister group relationships were recovered for most monotypic or enigmatic genera.Ardeadorisis linked toGlossodoris, as isDiversidoris;Pectenodorisis sister to the Indo‐PacificMexichromisclade, andVerconiais the sister toNoumea haliclona. Controversy surrounding the placement of the three most basal genera was only partially resolved. UsingActinocyclusto root the mitochondrial trees,Cadlinellawas the unsupported sister to the Chromodorididae (excludingCadlina), andTyrinnaoccupied a relatively basal position, although this also did not receive significant statistical support. Adding nuclear 18S data gave support forCadlinaas the sister group to the rest of the Chromodorididae s.s. Otherwise, like previous molecular studies, mitochondrial genes supported an alternative position forCadlina(with other dorid genera).
Declining mortality from bladder cancer in Europe
Authors: Ferlay Jacques , Randi Giorgia , Bosetti Cristina , Levi Fabio , Negri Eva , Boyle Peter , La Vecchia Carlo 
Published: October 2007

OBJECTIVETo update trends in bladder cancer mortality in 32 European countries and the European Union (EU) as a whole, as mortality from bladder cancer has been declining in most of Western Europe since the early 1990s, but it has still been increasing in several central and eastern European countries up to the mid 1990s.METHODSWe used data from the World Health Organization (WHO) database over the period 1970–2004. Significant changes in mortality rates were identified using join‐point regression analysis.RESULTSIn the EU overall (27 countries), bladder cancer mortality rates (age‐standardized, world standard population) were stable up to the early 1990s at ≈ 7/100 000 men and 1.5/100 000 women, and declined thereafter by ≈ 16% in men and 12% in women, to reach values of 6 and 1.3/100,000, respectively, in the early years of the present decade. Over recent years, most countries showed decreasing trends, except Croatia and Poland in both sexes, Romania in men and Denmark in women. Truncated rates at age 35–64 years were lower in both sexes and trends for men were more favourable, with an overall decrease by >21% during the last decade. Join point regression analysis indicates that, for most countries, the trends were more favourable over recent calendar periods.CONCLUSIONThe favourable trends in men are partly or largely due to the recent declines in the prevalence of smoking in European men, together with reduced occupational exposure to occupational carcinogens. The decreases in women are more difficult to explain. Better control of urinary tract infections has probably played a role, while the role of diet and other potential urinary tract carcinogens remains undefined.
Prevailing therapeutic regimes and predictive factors for prandial insulin substitution in 26 687 children and adolescents with Type 1 diabetes in Germany and Austria
Authors: Knerr I. , Hofer S. E. , Holterhus P. M. , Näke A. , Rosenbauer J. , Weitzel D. , Wolf J. , Holl R. W. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractAims  To analyse current therapeutic strategies for prandial insulin substitution in a large number of children and adolescents with Type 1 diabetes in Germany and Austria, along with changes in therapeutic habits and outcome.Methods  We classified the data of 26 687 patients, treated from 1995 to 2005 in 152 paediatric clinics, using a database established for quality control and scientific surveys in paediatric diabetology (DPV).Results  Seventy‐three per cent of all patients (mean age 13.6 years., mean duration of diabetes 5.4 years.) were treated with ≥ 4 daily injections (intensified conventional treatment; ICT), 14% with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII), 13% with 1–3 injections per day (conventional treatment). Frequency of daily injections increased with age, duration of diabetes and insulin dose. The insulin dose at breakfast was higher than for the evening meal or lunch, from diagnosis onwards. Individuals using insulin analogues received up to 11% higher insulin doses per day compared with patients treated with human insulin. The time of day, age, duration of diabetes, female gender, insulin analogues and ICT all had a significant influence on prandial insulin doses. Although the number of patients treated with ICT or CSII increased over the period of observation, mean glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) was approximately 8.0% each year, and decreased by only 0.01%.Conclusions  Eighty‐seven per cent of patients were treated with ICT or CSII. However, while this percentage increased over the observation period, mean HbA1c was almost constant. Longer duration of diabetes, increasing age, female gender, insulin analogues and ICT were associated with higher prandial insulin doses.
Performance and comparison of the Cockcroft–Gault and simplified Modification of Diet in Renal Disease formulae in estimating glomerular filtration rate in a Chinese Type 2 diabetic population
Authors: Dong X. , He M. , Song X. , Lu B. , Yang Y. , Zhang S. , Zhao N. , Zhou L. , Li Y. , Zhu X. , Hu R. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractAims  Our aim was to assess performances of the Cockcroft–Gault and simplified Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) formulae in estimating glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in Chinese diabetic populations and their association with vascular risks.Methods  A total of 1009 patients with Type 2 diabetes were categorized into low estimated GFR groups (GFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2) and control groups by the two equations. The performances of these formulae were assessed at different stages of kidney function. Carotid artery intima‐media thickness (IMT) and the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy or albuminuria were compared among the groups. The ability of these formulae to identify established vascular risk markers using sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were also compared.Results  The prevalence of low estimated GFR was 32.7% with the Cockcroft–Gault formula and 5.2% with the MDRD formula, respectively. In low estimated GFR subjects by the MDRD formula, IMT was significantly thicker than those by the Cockcroft–Gault formula (1.2 mm vs. 1.0 mm; P < 0.05), with a higher prevalence of albuminuria (78.4 vs. 52.8%, P < 0.05) and diabetic retinopathy (46.5 vs. 30.5%; P < 0.05). The Cockcroft–Gault formula gave a specificity of 71.7% and a sensitivity of 37.0%, and the MDRD formula gave a specificity of 96.6% and a sensitivity of 7.9% in estimating low GFR relevant for established vascular risks.Conclusions  These formulae performed differently in Chinese diabetic populations. The simplified MDRD formula is minimally superior to the Cockcroft–Gault formula for its high specificity and positive predictive values in estimating low GFR relevant for vascular risks.
Increased serum pigment epithelium‐derived factor is associated with microvascular complications, vascular stiffness and inflammation in Type 1 diabetes1
Authors: Jenkins A. J. , Zhang S. X. , Rowley K. G. , Karschimkus C. S. , Nelson C. L. , Chung J. S. , O’Neal D. N. , Januszewski A. S. , Croft K. D. , Mori T. A. , Dragicevic G. , Harper C. A. , Best J. D. , Lyons T. J. , Ma J‐X. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractAims  To determine in Type 1 diabetes patients if levels of pigment epithelium‐derived factor (PEDF), an anti‐angiogenic, anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant factor, are increased in individuals with complications and positively related to vascular and renal dysfunction, body mass index, glycated haemoglobin, lipids, inflammation and oxidative stress.Methods  Serum PEDF levels were measured by ELISA in a cross‐sectional study of 123 Type 1 diabetic patients (71 without and 52 with microvascular complications) and 31 non‐diabetic control subjects. PEDF associations with complication status, pulse‐wave analysis and biochemical results were explored.Results  PEDF levels [geometric mean (95% CI)] were increased in patients with complications 8.2 (7.0–9.6) µg/ml, vs. complication‐free patients [5.3 (4.7–6.0) µg/ml, P < 0.001] and control subjects [5.3 (4.6–6.1) µg/ml, P < 0.001; anova between three groups, P < 0.001], but did not differ significantly between control subjects and complication‐free patients (P > 0.05). In diabetes, PEDF levels correlated (all P < 0.001) with systolic blood pressure (r = 0.317), pulse pressure (r = 0.337), small artery elasticity (r = –0.269), glycated haemoglobin (r = 0.245), body mass index (r = 0.362), renal dysfunction [including serum creatinine (r = 0.491), cystatin C (r = 0.500)], triglycerides (r = 0.367), and inflammation [including logeC‐reactive protein (CRP; r = 0.329), and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1 (r = 0.363)]. Age, blood urea nitrogen, systolic blood pressure, pulse pressure and logeCRP correlated with PEDF levels in control subjects (all P < 0.04). PEDF levels were not significantly correlated with measures of oxidative stress: isoprostanes, oxidized low‐density lipoprotein or paraoxonase‐1 activity. On stepwise linear regression analysis (all subjects), independent determinants of PEDF levels were renal function, triglycerides, inflammation, small artery elasticity and age (r2 = 0.427).Conclusions  In Type 1 diabetes, serum PEDF levels are associated with microvascular complications, poor vascular health, hyperglycaemia, adiposity and inflammation.
Pregnancy‐associated plasma protein A in a large cohort of Type 1 diabetic patients with and without diabetic nephropathy—a prospective follow‐up study
Authors: Astrup A. S. , Tarnow L. , Christiansen M. , Hansen P. R. , Parving H.‐H. , Rossing P. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractAim  Pregnancy‐associated plasma protein A (PAPP‐A) has been implicated in the aetiology of acute coronary syndromes and carotid and peripheral artherosclerosis. Diabetic nephropathy is characterized by increased cardiovascular risk. We investigated the prognostic value of PAPP‐A in a large cohort of Type 1 diabetic patients.Methods  In a prospective observational follow‐up study, 197 Type 1 diabetic patients with diabetic nephropathy and a matched group of 178 patients with normoalbuminuria were followed for 10.1 (0–10.3) years. PAPP‐A was determined at baseline.Results  In patients with diabetic nephropathy, plasma PAPP‐A was elevated 3.6 (0.4–51.1) mIU/l [median (range)] vs. 2.1 (0.4–46.6) mIU/l in normoalbuminuric patients, P < 0.0001. For acute coronary syndromes, a PAPP‐A threshold of 10 mIU/l has been suggested. Thirty‐seven patients were above the threshold and of these 13 patients (35%) died, compared with 60 of 338 patients (18%) below the threshold; log rank test P = 0.007. PAPP‐A significantly predicted mortality after adjustment for presence of nephropathy; hazard ratio for dying when PAPP‐A was above the threshold 2.1 (95% CI 1.13–3.9); P = 0.019. After adjusting for traditional risk factors, the results were attenuated. When only patients with nephropathy were analysed, PAPP‐A was significantly predictive of all‐cause mortality [P = 0.008; 2.43 (1.26–4.67)] in unadjusted analysis. After adjustment, the predictive value of PAPP‐A for all‐cause mortality was attenuated (P = 0.064).Conclusion  We find PAPP‐A to be associated with increased mortality in Type 1 diabetic patients with nephropathy in unadjusted analysis. After adjustment for traditional risk factors, the prognostic value of PAPP‐A was no longer significant.
Low‐risk HLA genotype in Type 1 diabetes is associated with less destruction of pancreatic B‐cells 12 months after diagnosis
Authors: Spoletini M. , Petrone A. , Zampetti S. , Capizzi M. , Zavarella S. , Osborn J. , Foffi C. , Tuccinardi D. , Pozzilli P. , Buzzetti R. ,   on behalf of the IMDIAB Group
Published: October 2007

AbstractAims  The role of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes in the susceptibility to Type 1 diabetes (T1DM) is well known. However, we do not know whether the degree of pancreatic B‐cell destruction depends on different HLA genetic risk. The aim of this study was to analyse the influence of DRB1* and DQB1* genes on the rate of pancreatic B‐cell loss in a prospective series of 120 consecutive newly diagnosed T1DM subjects in the first 12 months after diagnosis.Methods  Patients were typed for HLA‐DRB1* and DQB1* loci by a reverse line blot assay using an array of immobilized sequence‐specific oligonucleotide probes. C‐peptide, insulin requirement and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) were determined at diagnosis and every 3 months for 12 months. The variance of C‐peptide as evidence of B‐cell loss during follow‐up was analysed using the general linear model for repeated‐measures procedure.Results  Fasting C‐peptide in T1DM subjects with low HLA genetic risk was significantly higher when compared with subjects with moderate or high HLA genetic risk from time of diagnosis up to 12 months (P = 0.007 and P = 0.0002, respectively). Nonetheless, the changes in C‐peptide levels over a 12‐month period did not differ significantly between T1DM subjects with different HLA genetic risks.Conclusions  Low‐risk HLA genotype in T1DM is associated with less destruction of pancreatic B‐cells up to 12 months after diagnosis. These results are useful when designing trials for therapies aimed to prevent the progression of B‐cell destruction in recent‐onset T1DM.
Distributed Texture Memory in a Multi‐GPU Environment
Authors: Moerschell Adam , Owens John D. 
Published: October 2007

Abstract In this work, we demonstrate a system that allows texture memory on multiple graphics processing unit (GPUs) to be virtualized in a manner that is both scalable and transparent to the programmer. Our system is built using a directory‐based shared‐memory abstraction to allow texture memory to be distributed while staying consistent. We use texture pages as our basic memory block and discuss the data structures, threading model, and consistency mechanisms necessary to implement a paging system in a multi‐GPU environment. The system is demand‐driven, and pages will only be loaded into the texture memory of a GPU that makes a request. The main contribution of this work is the identification of the mechanisms required to implement our abstraction, as well as the discussion of its limitations in order to make it more efficient.
REAL WAGE CYCLICALITY IN THE PANEL STUDY OF INCOME DYNAMICS
Authors: Swanson Eric T. 
Published: October 2007

ABSTRACTPrevious studies of real wage cyclicality have made only sparing use of the micro‐data detail that is available in the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID). The present paper brings to bear this additional detail to investigate the robustness of the previous results and to examine whether there are important cross‐sectional and demographic differences in wage cyclicality. Although real wages were procyclical across the entire distribution of workers from 1967 to 1991, the wages of lower‐income, younger, and less‐educated workers exhibited greater procyclicality. However, workers' straight‐time hourly pay rates have been acyclical, suggesting that more variable pay margins such as bonuses, overtime, late shift premia, and commissions have played a substantial if not primary role in generating procyclicality.
NEW EVIDENCE ON REAL WAGE CYCLICALITY WITHIN EMPLOYER–EMPLOYEE MATCHES
Authors: Shin Donggyun , Solon Gary 
Published: October 2007

ABSTRACTIn the most thorough study to date on wage cyclicality among job stayers, Devereux's (2001) analysis of men in the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID) produced two puzzling findings: (1) the real wages of salaried workers are noncyclical, and (2) wage cyclicality among hourly workers differs between two alternative wage measures. We examine these puzzles with additional evidence from other sources. Devereux's finding of noncyclical real wages among salaried job stayers is not replicated in the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY) data. The NLSY data, however, do corroborate his finding of a discrepancy for hourly workers between the cyclicality of the two alternative wage measures. Evidence from the PSID Validation Study contradicts Devereux's conjecture that the discrepancy might be due to a procyclical bias from measurement error in average hourly earnings. Evidence from the Bureau of Labor Statistics establishment survey supports his hypothesis that overtime work accounts for part (but not all) of the discrepancy. We conclude that job stayers' real average hourly earnings are substantially procyclical and that an important portion of that procyclicality probably is due to compensation beyond base wages.
THE SPOT MARKET MATTERS: EVIDENCE ON IMPLICIT CONTRACTS FROM BRITAIN
Authors: Devereux Paul J. , Hart Robert A. 
Published: October 2007

ABSTRACTBased on the methodology of Beaudry and DiNardo (1991), this paper investigates the relative importance of the spot market and implicit contracts in the determination of British real wages. Empirical work is carried out separately for males and females with individual‐level data taken from the New Earnings Survey Panel for the years 1976–2001. In contrast to previous studies that used North American data, the spot market is found to be more important than implicit contracts in determining real wages, although we do find some support for contracting effects. Further evidence is provided through the analysis of individual wage sequences. These suggest that the downwardly rigid wage sequences implied by implicit contracts with costless worker mobility are not prevalent in Britain.
LIMITED COMMITMENT MODELS OF THE LABOUR MARKET
Authors: Thomas Jonathan P. , Worrall Tim 
Published: October 2007

ABSTRACTWe present an overview of models of long‐term self‐enforcing labour contracts in which risk‐sharing is the dominant motive for contractual solutions. A base model is developed that is sufficiently general to encompass the two‐agent problem central to most of the literature, including variable hours. We consider two‐sided limited commitment and look at its implications for aggregate labour market variables. We consider the implications for empirical testing and the available empirical evidence. We also consider the one‐sided limited commitment problem for which there exists a considerable amount of empirical support.
Restructuring, Environmentalism and the Problem of Farm Safety
Authors: Hall Alan 
Published: October 2007

AbstractThis article examines the health and safety perceptions and practices of conventional, no till and organic grain farmers in Ontario Canada. Based on 12 intensive case studies, the analysis examines whether different restructuring and environmental orientations are related to different approaches to occupational health and safety. The analysis suggests that although there is a substantial level of awareness and knowledge of health and safety hazards among all the farmers, significant differences in practices are linked in complex and somewhat unexpected ways to the production and environmental approaches of the farmers. In particular, while economic constraints and rationales provide an overriding basis for risk‐taking across all the farmers, the level and form that this takes is shaped by farmer orientations to farm management and the environment. The article also links both the common patterns and variations in farmer practices to corporate and government discourses on the prevention of environmental and occupational injuries, suggesting that mixed messages undermine any effort to intensify farmer commitment to safety.