bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical significance and evolution of core promoter and precore mutations in HBeAg‐positive patients with HBV genotype B and C: a longitudinal study
Authors: Chen Chien‐Hung , Lee Chuan‐Mo , Hung Chao‐Hung , Hu Tsung‐Hui , Wang Jing‐Houng , Wang Jyh‐Chwan , Lu Sheng‐Nan , Changchien Chi‐Sin 
Published: May 2007

AbstractBackground/Aims: The aims of this longitudinal study were to investigate whether the clinical outcome and evolution of core promoter and precore mutations were different during hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion between hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes B and C in HBeAg‐positive patients with chronic hepatitis B.Patients and Methods: The core promoter and precore sequences were determined from serial sera of 156 HBeAg‐positive patients with chronic HBV infection.Results: In HBV genotype C, the T1762/A1764 mutant was detected earlier than the A1896 mutant, and the frequency was significantly higher than in HBV genotype Ba over the entire follow‐up period. In HBV genotype Ba, A1896 was found earlier than the T1762/A1764 mutant, and the frequency was significantly higher than in genotype C only before HBeAg seroconversion, and the A1896 mutant played an important role in HBeAg seroconversion in HBV genotype Ba. In addition, the T1846 variant was an independent factor associated with HBeAg seroconversion. Furthermore, HBV genotype C was associated with the development of G or C1753 and T1766/A1768 mutations, and the reactivation of hepatitis after HBeAg seroconversion. Based on Cox's regression analysis, the significant risk factors of liver cirrhosis were older age at entry [hazard ratio (HR)=1.085, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.036–1.136, P=0.001], alanine transaminase (ALT) >80 U/l (HR=3.48, 95% CI=1.37–8.86, P=0.009), and the T1762/A1764 mutant (HR=5.54, 95% CI=2.18–14.08, P<0.001).Conclusions: Our study showed that different HBV genotypes were associated with various mutations in the core promoter and precore regions during HBeAg seroconversion. T1762/A1764 mutation could be useful in predicting clinical outcomes in HBeAg‐positive patients with HBV infection.
Sumatriptan/Naproxen Sodium for Migraine: Efficacy, Health Related Quality of Life, and Satisfaction Outcomes
Authors: Smith Timothy , Blumenthal Harvey , Diamond Merle , Mauskop Alexander , Ames Michael , McDonald Susan , Lener Shelley , Burch Steven 
Published: May 2007

Objective.—To describe the pain relief, satisfaction, and health‐related quality of life results of moderate or severe migraines treated with a sumatriptan/naproxen sodium combination tablet.Methods.—Sumatriptan and naproxen sodium as a single‐dose formulation tablet was used to treat moderate to severe migraines over a 12‐month period in a phase 3, open‐label, multicenter study (n = 565) in patients with at least 6 months' history of migraine headaches.Results.—Seventy percent of all attacks were treated with 1 dose of sumatriptan/naproxen sodium. Overall subjects treated 24,485 attacks; of these, 81% attacks achieved pain relief and 60% pain‐free by 2 hours. At 3 months, the percentage of patients satisfied or very satisfied increased from baseline on all 8 Patient Perception of Migraine Questionnaire (PPMQ) items and remained high throughout the study. Mean Migraine‐Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (MSQ) domain scores also increased by 13–15 points from baseline during this time and remained high.Conclusions.—Sumatriptan/naproxen sodium provides consistent relief of migraine attacks over 12 months, resulting in improved patient satisfaction and migraine specific quality of life.
Lectin‐like Oxidized Low‐density Lipoprotein Receptor‐1, a New Promising Target for the Therapy of Atherosclerosis?
Authors: Chen Xiu‐Ping , Zhang Tian‐Tai , Du Guan‐Hua 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTEndothelial activation and dysfunction induced by oxidized modified low‐density lipoprotein (ox‐LDL) is one of the key steps in the initiation of atherosclerosis. Recent studies have shown that a new lectin‐like oxidized low‐density lipoprotein receptor‐1 (LOX‐1) mediates the recognition and internalization of ox‐LDL. LOX‐1 is the main receptor for ox‐LDL and may play an important role in the pathogenesis of hypertension, diabetes, and, especially, of atherosclerosis. The potential role of LOX‐1 in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis includes: endocytosis of ox‐LDL, expression co‐location with atherosclerosis enhanced by atherosclerosis‐related risk factors, elevated LOX‐1 protein in cardiovascular disease, effects related to atherosclerosis and eliminated by antiatherosclerotic drugs. Identification and regulation of LOX‐1 and understanding its signal transduction pathways might improve our insight toward the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and provide a selective treatment approach. LOX‐1 might be a potential and promising target for the development of novel antiatherosclerotic drugs. However, due to limited knowledge about LOX‐1, there are still many questions to be answered.
VARIATION IN INTERNAL δ15N AND δ13C DISTRIBUTIONS AND THEIR BULK VALUES IN THE BROWN MACROALGA PADINA AUSTRALIS GROWING IN SUBTROPICAL OLIGOTROPHIC WATERS1
Authors: Umezawa Yu , Miyajima Toshihiro , Tanaka Yasuaki , Koike Isao , Hayashibara Takeshi 
Published: May 2007

The utility of δ15N measurements in Padina australis Hauck as a probe for its external nitrogen (N) sources was tested by monitoring the bulk values of chemical components [δ15N, δ13C, and N and carbon (C) contents] and their internal distributions during a 12 d incubation in a controlled environment. Under the saturated conditions of isotopically heavier nitrate than that of original algal tissue, the bulk δ15N in P. australis was enriched, but less than what was predicted from a simple mixing model, signaling possible isotopic discrimination during N assimilation and subsequent N efflux from the cells. The enhanced N content (%), which occurred simultaneously with this δ15N shift, was a useful signal indicating this phenomenon. Bulk δ15N was enriched, especially around the meristem, in tissues growing under conditions of higher irradiance and temperature, probably due in part to dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) excretion. The δ13C enhancement in bulk algal tissues, also associated with high photosynthetic activity, may be an additional signal indicating this unbalanced internal δ15N distribution. However, in summer and winter environmental conditions with periodic nitrate supplies simulating typical fringing reef waters, the difference in measured algal bulk δ15N from theoretical predictions was within ±1.0‰. This difference is very small compared with the variation in δ15N in possible N sources in coastal areas. In the field, therefore, δ15N in Padina can be used effectively to trace N sources in both space and time after determining algal N content and δ13C to determine whether large alterations occur in algal δ15N.
Medication Review: Patient Selection and General Practitioner's Report of Drug‐Related Problems and Actions Taken in Elderly Australians
Authors: Pit Sabrina Winona , Byles Julie Ellen , Cockburn Jill 
Published: May 2007

OBJECTIVES: To investigate which patients general practitioners (GPs) selected for medication review based on risk factors for medication problems and patient demographics; to describe drug‐related problems and actions taken to solve those problems during medication review consultations based on GPs' self‐report.DESIGN: Cross‐sectional.SETTING: General practices.PARTICIPANTS: Four hundred fifty‐two patients recruited from 11 GPs.MEASUREMENTS: Patients' self‐reported risk factors for medication misadventures collected from Medication Risk Assessment Forms; doctors' report of patients' drug‐related problems and actions taken to solve those problems collected from Medication Review Checklists. Patients completed a Medication Risk Assessment Form in the waiting room, which they presented to their doctor, who then decided whether the patient needed a medication review. GPs completed a Medication Review Checklist.RESULTS: GPs completed 124 Medication Review Checklists. The group that had a medication review had a lower proportion of individuals aged 65 to 74 than the group that did not (40% vs 56%). The proportion of people with risk factors for medication misadventure was consistently higher for patients who received a medication review. GPs found that 88% (95% confidence interval (CI) =66–97) of patients who had a medication review had at least one problem with use of their medication. GPs reported taking at least one action for 104 (88%) patients (95% CI=65–97) to rectify medication problems. Most common actions taken were monitoring (55%), improving compliance (50%), dose change (37%), cessation of drug (28%), and ordering of a pathology test (26%).CONCLUSION: A Medication Risk Assessment Form completed by patients can be used to select patients for medication review, and medication reviews conducted by GPs can be beneficial in improving the use of medication in older people living in the community.
White Coats Meet Grey Power: Students and Seniors Respond to an “Intergenerational Gala”
Authors: Dumbrell Andrea C. , Durst Michelle A. , Diachun Laura L. 
Published: May 2007

Research suggests that nonclinical interactions with older people may enhance medical students' traditionally poor attitudes toward this patient group. Although extensive literature has reported on student attitudes, seniors' perspectives of their relationships with younger healthcare professionals (HCPs) are generally unknown. This study explores students' and seniors' perceptions of aging and the influence of these perceptions on medical practice before and after a recreational, intergenerational event.In March 2006, the Schulich Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Western Ontario held its second annual “Intergenerational Gala.” Approximately 150 seniors and students were invited to complete a brief pre‐ and postevent questionnaire exploring attitudes toward aging, care of older people, and HCP training.After the event, approximately 60% of students did not feel that their curriculum contained adequate geriatrics content, and more than one‐third of seniors did not feel that today's HCPs are adequately trained to address the healthcare needs of older people. Content analysis indicated strongly positive postevent perceptions of the gala but also considerable divergences between students' and seniors' responses to “To me, growing older means. …” Seniors also offered advice to young HCPs encouraging listening, patience, and not using “age” as a medical diagnosis.The second Intergenerational Gala explored similarities and differences between how seniors and students view aging. Although significant changes in attitudes were not observed, qualitative responses from both groups suggest that similar events hold promise as part of a concerted curricular strategy to encourage and improve intergenerational relations in the context of medical practice.
Magnitude of Underascertainment of Impaired Kidney Function in Older Adults with Normal Serum Creatinine
Authors: Giannelli Sandra V. , Patel Kushang V. , Windham B. Gwen , Pizzarelli Francesco , Ferrucci Luigi , Guralnik Jack M. 
Published: May 2007

OBJECTIVES: To estimate in a community‐dwelling elderly population the magnitude of renal function misclassification, occurring when persons with normal serum creatinine have reduced glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and to describe the participant characteristics related to misclassification.DESIGN: Cross‐sectional.SETTING: Population‐based study of older Italian people.PARTICIPANTS: Six hundred sixty participants aged 65 to 92 with normal serum creatinine.MEASUREMENTS: GFR was estimated using the Cockcroft–Gault equation and creatinine clearance (CrCl) calculated from 24‐hour urine collection.RESULTS: In participants with normal serum creatinine, 39% and 25% had moderate renal function impairment (GFR<60 mL/min) according to the Cockcroft–Gault equation and CrCl calculation, respectively. Prevalence of moderate renal impairment in those aged 65 to 74, 75 to 84, and 85 and older was 18.6%, 58.3%, and 96.8%, respectively (P for trend <.001) according to the Cockcroft–Gault equation, and 15%, 35.7%, and 58.7%, respectively (P for trend <.001) based on the CrCl calculation. In addition, female sex (P<.001) and normal or underweight (P<.05) were factors associated with high risk of misclassification.CONCLUSION: Serum creatinine alone is one of the most widely used methods of assessing renal function in clinical practice despite its well‐known poor correlation with GFR. A large proportion of older persons with impaired renal function are not diagnosed if clinicians rely solely on normal serum creatinine as evidence of normal renal function. Opportunities may be missed for slowing progression of kidney disease, managing comorbidities and complications related to renal impairment, and adjusting drug dosage for renal function.
Service Management—Academic Issues and Scholarly Reflections from Operations Management Researchers*
Authors: Metters Richard , Marucheck Ann 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTServices are now a larger portion of the economy than manufacturing for every nation on Earth, and services are an overwhelming portion of Western economies. While decision‐making research has begun responding to this change, much of the scholarly work still addresses manufacturing issues. Particularly revealing is the field of operations management (OM), in which the proportion of manuscripts dedicated to services has been estimated at 3%, 6%, and 7.5% by various authors. We investigate several possible reasons for the neglect of services in research, including the difficulty in defining services, viewing services as derivative activities, a lack of defined processes, a lack of scale in services, and the effect of variability on service performance. We argue that times have changed, and none of these reasons is valid anymore. We sound the warning that failure to emphasize services in our research and teaching may signal the decline of the discipline. We note the proportion of OM faculty in business schools has shrunk in the past 10 years. Finally, we examine a selection of service research agendas and note several directions for high‐impact, innovative research to revitalize the decision sciences. With practitioners joining the call for more research in services, the academic community has an exciting opportunity to embrace services and reshape its future.
Managing Internet Product Returns: A Focus on Effective Service Operations
Authors: Mollenkopf Diane A. , Rabinovich Elliot , Laseter Timothy M. , Boyer Kenneth K. 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTProduct returns present one of the biggest operational challenges in the world of Internet retailing due to the sheer volume and cost of processing returns. But returns also represent an often‐missed opportunity to manage customer relationships and build customer loyalty to the retailer. Based upon data from a survey of 464 customers of five different Internet retailers, this article explores how firms' returns management systems affect loyalty intentions. We draw upon extant literature in the fields of Internet retailing, service quality, supply chain management, and customer satisfaction/loyalty to develop a model and a set of hypotheses relating ten latent variables in the service returns offering area. Our resulting structural equation model provides evidence of the impact of the returns management system upon customer loyalty intentions. The model also identifies effects on loyalty intentions arising from customers' satisfaction with, and perceptions of, the value of the returns service offered. These findings will help inform managers' choices regarding investment in the returns management system as an element of service quality improvement and a potential means of improved profitability. In addition, this study's empirical exploration and testing of a returns management model in the Internet retailing environment is a contribution to the currently underrepresented body of academic literature linking marketing and supply chain management in the context of end consumers.
Usability of Online Services: The Role of Technology Readiness and Context*
Authors: Massey Anne P. , Khatri Vijay , Montoya‐Weiss Mitzi M. 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTAn important prerequisite for the success of any online service is ensuring that customers' experience—via the interface—satisfies both sensory and functional needs. Developing interfaces that are responsive to customers' needs requires a perspective on interface design as well as a deep understanding of the customers themselves. Drawing upon research in consumer behavior concerning consumer beliefs about technology, we deploy an alternative way to describe customers based on psychographic characteristics. Technology readiness (TR), a multidimensional psychographic construct, offers a way to segment online customers based upon underlying positive and negative technology beliefs. The core premise of this study is that the beliefs form the foundation for expectations of how things should work and how specific online service interfaces are evaluated by customers. At the same time, usability evaluations of specific online services might be contingent on contextual factors, specifically the type of site (hedonic vs. utilitarian) and access method (Web vs. wireless Web). The aspects of usability examined here are those incorporated into the usability metric and instrument based on the Microsoft Usability Guidelines (MUG). The results of an empirical study with 160 participants indicate that (i) TR customer segments vary in usability requirements and (ii) usability evaluations of specific online service interfaces are influenced by complex interactions among site type, access method, and TR segment membership. As organizations continue to expand their online service offerings, managers must recognize that the interface exists to serve the customers, so their design must be matched to market needs and TR.
Efficiency and the Bear: Short Sales and Markets Around the World
Authors: BRIS ARTURO , GOETZMANN WILLIAM N. , ZHU NING 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTWe analyze cross‐sectional and time‐series information from 46 equity markets around the world to consider whether short sales restrictions affect the efficiency of the market and the distributional characteristics of returns to individual stocks and market indices. We find some evidence that prices incorporate negative information faster in countries where short sales are allowed and practiced. A common conjecture by regulators is that short sales restrictions can reduce the relative severity of a market panic. We find strong evidence that in markets where short selling is either prohibited or not practiced, market returns display significantly less negative skewness.
Global Growth Opportunities and Market Integration
Authors: BEKAERT GEERT , HARVEY CAMPBELL R. , LUNDBLAD CHRISTIAN , SIEGEL STEPHAN 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTWe propose an exogenous measure of a country's growth opportunities by interacting the country's local industry mix with global price to earnings (PE) ratios. We find that these exogenous growth opportunities predict future changes in real GDP and investment in a large panel of countries. This relation is strongest in countries that have liberalized their capital accounts, equity markets, and banking systems. We also find that financial development, external finance dependence, and investor protection measures are much less important in aligning growth opportunities with growth than is capital market openness. Finally, we formulate new tests of market integration and segmentation by linking local and global PE ratios to relative economic growth.
Financial Speculators' Underperformance: Learning, Self‐Selection, and Endogenous Liquidity
Authors: MAHANI REZA , BERNHARDT DAN 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTWe develop an equilibrium model of learning by rational traders to reconcile several empirical regularities: Cross sectionally, most individual speculators lose money; large speculators outperform small speculators; past performance positively affects subsequent trade intensity; most new traders lose money and cease speculation; and performance shows persistence. Learning from trading generates substantial endogenous liquidity, reducing bid–ask spreads and the impact of exogenous liquidity shocks on asset prices, but amplifying the effects of real shocks. Introducing slightly overconfident traders increases bid–ask spreads, hurting all traders. Finally, behavioral theories cannot reconcile all of these empirical regularities.
Stroke‐Work Loss Underestimates Hemodynamic Significance of Aortic Stenosis in Patients with Hypertension
Authors: Wong Raymond Ching‐Chiew , Yeo Tiong Cheng 
Published: May 2007

Background: Stroke‐work loss (SWL) represents the amount of energy the left ventricle dissipates as heat because of outflow obstruction. Recent studies suggest that SWL > 25% was the most clinically efficient Doppler measure for predicting hemodynamic significance, symptomatic status, and outcome in patients with aortic stenosis (AS). However, SWL may be affected by systolic blood pressure (SBP). Objective: To determine if SWL reliably predicts hemodynamic significance of AS in patients with hypertension. Methods: We studied 42 consecutive patients with hemodynamically significant AS requiring aortic valve replacement (AVR). Data on demographics, preoperative hemodynamics, and echocardiographic parameters were obtained. SWL was measured using the formula SWL = 100 × mean PG/ (mean PG + SBP), where PG is transaortic pressure gradient. Patients were considered hypertensive if their BP > 140/90 mmHg or if they are on antihypertensive medications. Results: There were 27 males (64%) and mean age was 68 ± 11 years. Twenty‐four patients (57%) were hypertensive. Mean SBP was 134 ± 24 mmHg, mean transaortic PG 47 ± 20 mmHg, effective valve orifice area (EOA) by Doppler estimation 0.74 ± 0.23 cm2, and SWL 26 ± 9%. Patients with hypertension had smaller SWL than normotensives (

table I

). SWL was >25% in 20 (49%) patients, and fewer patients with hypertension have SWL >25% (33% vs 71%, P = 0.019). Of note, patients with SWL ≤25% had significantly higher SBP (145 ± 21 mmHg vs 122 ± 22 mmHg, P = 0.02). Conclusion: SWL underestimates the hemodynamic significance of aortic stenosis in the majority of patients with hypertension.

Differences in Blood Pressures, Echocardiographic Parameters and Calculated Stroke‐Work Loss Values among Subjects Stratified into Hypertensive Status

Overall n = 42
Hypertensives n = 24
Normotensives n = 18
P

Systolic blood pressure (mmHg)
134 ± 24
150 ± 17
111 ± 10
<0.0001

Mean transaortic PG (cm2)
47 ± 20
47 ± 24
47 ± 13
0.92

Max transaortic PG (cm2)
77 ± 31
79 ± 37
76 ± 21
0.73

Ejection fraction (%)
55 ± 15
54 ± 15
56 ± 16
0.67

EOA indexed (cm2/M2)
0.44 ± 0.13
0.45 ± 0.14
0.43 ± 0.11
0.58

SWL (%)
26 ± 9%
23 ± 9
30 ± 7
0.015

SWL > 25% (within group)
49%
33%
71%
0.019