bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Liraglutide, a once‐daily human GLP‐1 analogue, added to a sulphonylurea over 26 weeks produces greater improvements in glycaemic and weight control compared with adding rosiglitazone or placebo in subjects with Type 2 diabetes (LEAD‐1 SU)
Authors: Marre M. , Shaw J. , Brändle M. , Bebakar W. M. W. , Kamaruddin N. A. , Strand J. , Zdravkovic M. , Le Thi T. D. , Colagiuri S. ,   on behalf of the LEAD‐1 SU study group
Published: January 2009

AbstractAim  To compare the effects of combining liraglutide (0.6, 1.2 or 1.8 mg/day) or rosiglitazone 4 mg/day (all n ≥ 228) or placebo (n = 114) with glimepiride (2–4 mg/day) on glycaemic control, body weight and safety in Type 2 diabetes.Methods  In total, 1041 adults (mean ± sd), age 56 ± 10 years, weight 82 ± 17 kg and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) 8.4 ± 1.0% at 116 sites in 21 countries were stratified based on previous oral glucose‐lowering mono : combination therapies (30 : 70%) to participate in a five‐arm, 26‐week, double‐dummy, randomized study.Results  Liraglutide (1.2 or 1.8 mg) produced greater reductions in HbA1c from baseline, (−1.1%, baseline 8.5%) compared with placebo (+0.2%, P < 0.0001, baseline 8.4%) or rosiglitazone (−0.4%, P < 0.0001, baseline 8.4%) when added to glimepiride. Liraglutide 0.6 mg was less effective (−0.6%, baseline 8.4%). Fasting plasma glucose decreased by week 2, with a 1.6 mmol/l decrease from baseline at week 26 with liraglutide 1.2 mg (baseline 9.8 mmol/l) or 1.8 mg (baseline 9.7 mmol/l) compared with a 0.9 mmol/l increase (placebo, P < 0.0001, baseline 9.5 mmol/l) or 1.0 mmol/l decrease (rosiglitazone, P < 0.006, baseline 9.9 mmol/l). Decreases in postprandial plasma glucose from baseline were greater with liraglutide 1.2 or 1.8 mg [−2.5 to −2.7 mmol/l (baseline 12.9 mmol/l for both)] compared with placebo (−0.4 mmol/l, P < 0.0001, baseline 12.7 mmol/l) or rosiglitazone (−1.8 mmol/l, P < 0.05, baseline 13.0 mmol/l). Changes in body weight with liraglutide 1.8 mg (−0.2 kg, baseline 83.0 kg), 1.2 mg (+0.3 kg, baseline 80.0 kg) or placebo (−0.1 kg, baseline 81.9 kg) were less than with rosiglitazone (+2.1 kg, P < 0.0001, baseline 80.6 kg). Main adverse events for all treatments were minor hypoglycaemia (< 10%), nausea (< 11%), vomiting (< 5%) and diarrhoea (< 8%).Conclusions  Liraglutide added to glimepiride was well tolerated and provided improved glycaemic control and favourable weight profile.
Prevalence of GORD (gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease) in Type 2 diabetes and a comparison of clinical profiles between diabetic patients with and without GORD
Authors: Horikawa A. , Ishii‐Nozawa R. , Ohguro M. , Takagi S. , Ohtuji M. , Yamada M. , Kuzuya N. , Ujihara N. , Ujihara M. , Takeuchi K. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractAims  To examine the incidence of gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) and its associated factors in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (Type 2 DM).Methods  In 859 Type 2 DM outpatients, we conducted a QUEST inquiry and considered those showing a QUEST score of 4 or higher as having GORD. We surveyed clinical variables {physical findings, gender, age, duration of disease, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), type of oral glucose‐lowering agent, presence or absence of insulin therapy, complications, and presence or absence of agents that may be associated with GORD [Ca channel blocker (CCB) anti‐platelet agents]} to investigate their association with the onset of GORD.Results  We analysed 813 subjects, of whom 56.6% were male. The mean age was 63.7 ± 11.3 years and HbA1c 7.2 ± 1.2%. The incidence of GORD was 29.0% (n = 221). GORD was positively correlated with body weight, body mass index (BMI) and HbA1c. It was negatively correlated with age, serum creatinine and proportion of patients treated with pioglitazone or CCB. In addition, GORD was more common in females. The incidence of GORD was significantly higher in younger patients.Conclusions  Previous studies have suggested a relationship of GORD with pioglitazone/CCB. However, the results of this study do not support this; these agents may not induce GORD.
Combined non‐linear laser imaging (two‐photon excitation fluorescence microscopy, fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy, multispectral multiphoton microscopy) in cutaneous tumours: first experiences
Authors: De Giorgi V , Massi D , Sestini S , Cicchi R , Pavone FS , Lotti T 
Published: January 2009

AbstractBackground  Two‐photon excitation (TPE) fluorescence microscopy is a high‐resolution laser‐scanning imaging technique enabling deep imaging inside biological tissues. TPE microscopy has the triple advantage of offering high spatial resolution (250 nm radially, 800 nm axially), high penetration depth inside skin (200mm ), and low photodamage effects. Further, cells and extracellular matrix intrinsically contain a variety of fluorescent molecules (NADH, tryptophan, keratins, melanin, elastin, cholecalciferol and others), so that biological tissues can be imaged by TPE microscopy without any exogenous probe.The time‐resolved analysis of the fluorescence signal, known as fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM), is an additional non‐invasive microscopy technique useful to characterize endogenous fluorescence species and their surrounding medium by measuring the mean lifetime of fluorescent emission. Finally, multispectral (MTPE) tissue imaging can also be used to identify different endogenous fluorescent species by measuring their two photon emission spectra. Those techniques offer functional information about the relative quantities of fluorescent molecules, which are correlated with tissue structure in physiological and pathological states.Objective  We have decided to apply these three methods at the same time for cutaneous tumors in order to evaluate their possible future use.Method  We have analyzed a melanoma and a basal cell carcinoma, with their surrounding healthy skin, to evaluate any difference in healthy skin and neoplasia.The samples were excised during dermatological surgery, then cut, saving some healthy skin in both, to obtain a regular shape, allowing its positioning either with the skin surface parallel to the optical axis (horizontal optical sectioning), or perpendicular (vertical optical sectioning).Conclusion  This first result demonstrates that FLIM is effective in discriminating healthy skin from MM, while MTPE is effective in discriminating healthy skin from BCC.Conflicts of interestNone declared
Extracellular protease from Mucor pusillus: purification and characterization
Authors: NOUANI A , BELHAMICHE N , SLAMANI R , BELBRAOUET S , FAZOUANE F , BELLAL M M 
Published: January 2009

Extracellular protease from Mucor pusillus was purified 18‐fold with 7.56% recovery by ion‐exchange chromatography and gel filtration. The enzyme was found to be monomeric in nature, having a molecular mass of 49 kDa. The enzyme acted optimally at 50°C and was stable in the temperature range 30–50°C. It was completely inactivated by heating for 30 min at 65°C. The optimum of activity for the purified extract was observed at milk CaCl2 concentration of 0.02 m and at milk pH of 5. These properties, except for temperature, were similar to those of rennet.
Swapping roles or swapping desks? When experienced practitioners become students on placement
Authors: Crisp Beth R. , Maidment Jane 
Published: January 2009

AbstractThe social work education literature on the preparation of students for their first practice learning placement, and the support needs of such students once in placement, tend to include implicit assumptions that the students being placed are novice practitioners, with little experience of working in social welfare agencies. Although there are some students for whom these assumptions are undoubtedly correct, another common phenomenon is that practice experience often leads to practitioners enrolling in professional degrees to qualify as a social worker. As credit for prior work experience in social welfare settings has only recently become possible for Australian social work students, we routinely work with aggrieved students who believe they should be exempted from placements, some of whom subsequently find the transition from experienced practitioner to student on placement somewhat difficult. This paper reports on a study which sought to explore the specific needs of experienced practitioners who become social work students on practice learning placements, with the aim of developing procedural recommendations for the placement and support of such students in the future. One of our findings was that several of the students continued to identify as practitioners, albeit in a different agency or programme from their normal place of employment, rather than take on the student identity. The implications of this for the development of practice learning opportunities for students who are experienced practitioners will be discussed.
Philips QT Interval Measurement Algorithms for Diagnostic, Ambulatory, and Patient Monitoring ECG Applications
Authors: Zhou Sophia H. , Helfenbein Eric D. , Lindauer James M. , Gregg Richard E. , Feild Dirk Q. 
Published: January 2009

Background: Commonly used techniques for QT measurement that identify T wave end using amplitude thresholds or the tangent method are sensitive to baseline drift and to variations of terminal T wave shape. Such QT measurement techniques commonly underestimate or overestimate the “true” QT interval. Methods: To find the end of the T wave, the new Philips QT interval measurement algorithms use the distance from an ancillary line drawn from the peak of the T wave to a point beyond the expected inflection point at the end of the T wave. We have adapted and optimized modifications of this basic approach for use in three different ECG application areas: resting diagnostic, ambulatory Holter, and in‐hospital patient monitoring. The Philips DXL resting diagnostic algorithm uses an alpha‐trimming technique and a measure of central tendency to determine the median QT value of eight most reliable leads. In ambulatory Holter ECG analysis, generally only two or three channels are available. QT is measured on a root‐mean‐square vector magnitude signal. Finally, QT measurement in the real time in‐hospital application is among the most challenging areas of QT measurement. The Philips real time QT interval measurement algorithm employs features from both Philips DXL 12‐lead and ambulatory Holter QT algorithms with further enhancements. Results: The diagnostic 12‐lead algorithm has been tested against the gold standard measurement database established by the CSE group with results surpassing the industrial ECG measurement accuracy standards. Holter and monitoring algorithm performance data on the PhysioNet QT database were shown to be similar to the manual measurements by two cardiologists. Conclusion: The three variations of the QT measurement algorithm we developed are suitable for diagnostic 12‐lead, Holter, and patient monitoring applications.
Automated QT Analysis That Learns from Cardiologist Annotations
Authors: Strachan Iain Guy David , Hughes Nicholas Peter , Poonawala Mustafa Hashim , Mason Jay W. , Tarassenko Lionel 
Published: January 2009

Background: Reliable, automated QT analysis would allow the use of all the ECG data recorded during continuous Holter monitoring, rather than just intermittent 10‐second ECGs. Methods: BioQT is an automated ECG analysis system based on a Hidden Markov Model, which is trained to segment ECG signals using a database of thousands of annotated waveforms. Each sample of the ECG signal is encoded by its wavelet transform coefficients. BioQT also produces a confidence measure which can be used to identify unreliable segmentations. The automatic generation of templates based on shape descriptors allows an entire 24 hours of QT data to be rapidly reviewed by a human expert, after which the template annotations can automatically be applied to all beats in the recording. Results: The BioQT software has been used to show that drug‐related perturbation of the T wave is greater in subjects receiving sotalol than in those receiving moxifloxacin. Chronological dissociation of T‐wave morphology changes from the QT prolonging effect of the drug was observed with sotalol. In a definitive QT study, the percentage increase of standard deviation of QTc for the standard manual method with respect to that obtained with BioQT analysis was shown to be 44% and 30% for the placebo and moxifloxacin treatments, respectively. Conclusions: BioQT provides fully automated analysis, with confidence values for self‐checking, on very large data sets such as Holter recordings. Automatic templating and expert reannotation of a small number of templates lead to a reduction in the sample size requirements for definitive QT studies.
PC‐Based ECG Waveform Recognition—Validation of Novel Software Against a Reference ECG Database
Authors: Dota Corina‐Dana , Edvardsson Nils , Skallefell Bo , Fager Gunnar 
Published: January 2009

Background: PC‐based ECG measurements must cope with normal as well as pathological ECGs in a reliable manner. EClysis, a software for ECG measurements was tested against reference values from the Common Standards for Quantitative Electrocardiography (CSE) database. Methods: Digital ECGs (12 leads, 500 Hz) were recorded by the CSE project. Data Set 3 contains reference values for 125 ECGs (33 normal and 92 pathological). Median values of measurements by 11 computer programs and by five cardiologists, respectively, refer to the earliest P and QRS onsets and to the latest P, QRS, and T offsets in any lead of a selected (index) beat. EClysis automatically measured all ECGs, without user interference. Results: The PQRST points were correctly detected but in two ECGs with AV block II–III. The software was not designed to detect atrial activity in atrial fibrillation (n = 9) and flutter (n = 1). In one case of atrial fibrillation, atrial activity interfered with positioning of QRS and T offsets. Regression coefficients between EClysis© and CSE (software‐generated and human) were above 0.95 (P < 0.0001). The confidence intervals were 95% for the slope and the intercept of the regression lines. Conclusions: The PC‐based detection and analysis of PQRST points showed a high level of agreement with the CSE database reference values.
The comparative study digestion and metabolism of nitrogen and purine derivatives in male, Thai, Swamp buffalo and Thai, Brahman cattle
Authors: JETANA Thongsuk , TASRIPOO Kringsak , VONGPIPATANA Cheerapath , KITSAMRAJ Suriya , SOPHON Sunpeth 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACTStudies on in vivo digestion, rates of passages, metabolism of nitrogen, urinary purine derivative excretion and blood metabolites were carried out in Thai Brahman cattle and Thai swamp buffaloes (16 months old). The animals were fed mixed diets based on pineapple (Ananas comusus) waste silage containing urea‐N (NPN) and true protein from a concentrate (TP). The Brahman cattle (310 ± 15 kg) were heavier than the swamp buffaloes (195 ± 9.4 kg) and had higher dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) intakes when compared on the basis of their metabolic body weight (BW0.75), but these intakes did not differ significantly when the diets of each animal species were compared. The total tract, apparent digestibilities of dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM) were not significantly different between the animal species when comparing the two types of diets. The NDF digestibility was significantly (P < 0.01) decreased in both animal species when fed the TP diet, but was significantly (P < 0.01) greater in cattle than in swamp buffaloes. The passage rate digesta k1 (P < 0.01) and the passage rate digesta k2 (through the caecum and proximal colon) (P < 0.03) were significantly slower, and the total mean retention time (TMRT) (P < 0.01) was significantly longer in swamp buffaloes when compared to Brahman cattle, but the transit time (TT) showed no difference (P = 0.07) between the animal species or the diets. The N intakes were not different in both animal species and diets, but urine‐N was greater (P < 0.05) in Brahman cattle than that in swamp buffaloes. Urine N and digestibility of N were significantly (P < 0.04) higher in animals fed the NPN diet than those fed the TP diet. Urinary purine derivatives (PD) and the creatinine (Cr) excretion of swamp buffaloes were significantly (P < 0.01) lower than those in Brahman cattle. Plasma urea‐N (BUN) concentration was significantly (P < 0.01) higher in swamp buffaloes than that in Brahman cattle, but plasma glucose and insulin concentrations were significantly (P < 0.01) higher in Brahman cattle than in swamp buffaloes. The concentrations of non‐esterified fatty acids (NEFA) were not significantly (P > 0.05) different in animals fed different diets. The present study demonstrated that Brahman cattle were better in fiber digestibility than swamp buffaloes at utilizing pineapple waste silage with both N sources.
Formation of zinc protoporphyrin IX in Parma‐like ham without nitrate or nitrite
Authors: WAKAMATSU Jun‐ichi , UEMURA Juichi , ODAGIRI Hiroko , OKUI Jun , HAYASHI Nobutaka , HIOKI Shoji , NISHIMURA Takanori , HATTORI Akihito 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACTZinc protoporphyrin IX (ZPP) is a characteristic red pigment in meat products that are manufactured without the addition of a curing agent such as nitrate or nitrite. To examine the effects of impurities such as mineral components in sea salt on the formation of ZPP, we manufactured Parmatype dry‐cured hams that were salted with refined salt or sea salt and examined the involvement of oxidation‐reduction potential (ORP) in the formation of ZPP. The content of ZPP was increased drastically after 40 weeks. Microscopic observation showed strong fluorescence caused by ZPP muscle fiber after 40 weeks. Conversely, heme content varied considerably during processing. ORP increased during processing. However, there was no obvious difference between ham salted with refined salt and that salted with sea salt. Therefore, it was concluded that impurities in sea salt were not involved in the formation of ZPP.
Effect of D‐mannitol on feed digestion and cecotrophic system in rabbits
Authors: HANIEH Hamza , SAKAGUCHI Ei 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACTThis study aimed to evaluate the effect of sugar alcohol as an energy source for cecal microbes on digestibility, cecotrophy (i.e. reingestion of microbial products of cecum, cecotrophs) and performance in rabbits. Thus, we fed rabbits an experimental diet that included 5% of D‐mannitol, and collected hard feces and cecotrophs to be analyzed for crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF), ether extract (EE), crude ash (CA) and dry matter (DM). Cecotrophic behavior of the rabbits was also observed. Feeding D‐mannitol increased (P < 0.01) digestibility of ADF, resulting in a decrease (P < 0.05) in the concentration in hard feces. The increase (P < 0.05) in CP concentration was attributed to lower (P < 0.05) digestibility. D‐mannitol had a similar modulatory effect on CP and ADF concentrations in hard feces and cecotrophs. Accordingly, estimations of the proportion of nutrients recycled by cecotrophy to dietary intake (PR), obtained by the two calculation methods, showed an increase (P < 0.01) in PR of CP and a decrease (P < 0.05) in that of ADF. Daily weight gain and feed efficiency increased (P < 0.05) for D‐mannitol‐fed rabbits, while daily feed intake decreased (P < 0.05). These results suggest the possibility of using D‐mannitol as a stimulator of cecal microbial growth and cellulolytic activity, and therefore, improved rabbits performance.
On the origin of eccentricities among extrasolar planets
Authors: Malmberg Daniel , Davies Melvyn B. 
Published: January 2009

Abstract
Most observed extrasolar planets have masses similar to, but orbits very different from, the gas giants of our Solar system. Many are much closer to their parent stars than would have been expected and their orbits are often rather eccentric. We show that some of these planets might have formed in systems much like our Solar system, i.e. in systems where the gas giants were originally on orbits with a semimajor axis of several au, but where the masses of the gas giants were all rather similar. If such a system is perturbed by another star, strong planet–planet interactions follow, causing the ejection of several planets while leaving those remaining on much tighter and more eccentric orbits. The eccentricity distribution of these perturbed systems is very similar to that of the observed extrasolar planets with semimajor axis between 1 and 6 au.
Millimetre observations of Pleiades stars: a lack of solar-analogue planetesimal discs at 100 Myr?
Authors: Greaves J. S. , Stauffer J. R. , Collier Cameron A. , Meyer M. R. , Sheehan C. K. W. 
Published: January 2009

Abstract
Solar analogues approximately 100 Myr old may have dusty debris from collisions within evolving cometary belts, and such remnant discs might also be associated with earlier stellar-spin braking. We observed at 1.2 mm wavelength a sample of 17 fast and slow rotators, mostly single K dwarfs, in the 100 Myr Pleiades cluster. No dust was detected for individual stars or the ensemble, so there are no cold massive debris discs nor any discernible relation of such distant material to stellar spin. The net limits from these data and our earlier far-infrared results imply that the typical Pleiades G/K dwarf has a relative disc-to-star luminosity ≲2 × 10-4. Collisional evolution models have predicted greater luminosities at the 108 yr epoch, for debris discs evolving out of a proto-solar nebula. This suggests that substantial primordial discs such as that of the Sun are not the norm amongst young solar analogues, or that dynamical interactions with giant planets can remove much of the comet belt by as early as 100 Myr.
The Local Dimension: a method to quantify the Cosmic Web
Authors: Sarkar Prakash , Bharadwaj Somnath 
Published: January 2009

Abstract
It is now well accepted that the galaxies are distributed in filaments, sheets and clusters, all of which form an interconnected network known as the Cosmic Web. It is a big challenge to quantify the shapes of the interconnected structural elements that form this network. Tools like the Minkowski functionals which use global properties, though well-suited for an isolated object like a single sheet or filament, are not suited for an interconnected network of such objects. We consider the Local Dimension D, defined through N(R) =A RD, where N(R) is the galaxy number count within a sphere of comoving radius R centred on a particular galaxy, as a tool to locally quantify the shape in the neighbourhood of different galaxies along the Cosmic Web. We expect D∼ 1, 2 and 3 for a galaxy located in a filament, sheet and cluster, respectively. Using LCDM N-body simulations, we find that it is possible to determine D through a power-law fit to N(R) across the length-scales 2 to 10 Mpc for ∼33 per cent of the galaxies. We have visually identified the filaments and sheets corresponding to many of the galaxies with D∼ 1 and 2, respectively. In several other situations, the structure responsible for the D value could not be visually identified, either due to it being tenuous or due to other dominating structures in the vicinity. We also show that the global distribution of the D values can be used to visualize and interpret how the different structural elements are woven into the Cosmic Web.