bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Proxies and Consent Discussions for Dementia Research
Authors: Sugarman Jeremy , Roter Debra , Cain Carole , Wallace Roberta , Schmechel Don , Welsh‐Bohmer Kathleen A. 
Published: February 2007

OBJECTIVES: To better understand the nature of informed consent encounters for research involving patients with dementia that requires proxy consent.DESIGN: Audiotaping of informed‐consent encounters for a study of genetic markers for sporadic Alzheimer's disease.SETTING: Outpatients at an Alzheimer's disease research center.PARTICIPANTS: Patients with dementia and their companions.MEASUREMENTS: Audiotapes were analyzed to characterize communication style and coverage of the standard elements of informed consent and, using the Roter Interaction Analysis System, to capture the dynamics of three‐way interaction between the patient, their companion, and the physician investigator.RESULTS: Of 26 informed consent encounters, all involved a patient, a companion, and a physician. Patients had a mean Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of 21.8. For patients, 49% of their interactions involved agreement and approval (positive statements), 16% psychosocial information, 7% biomedical information, 7% asking questions, and 7% expressing emotion. Companion interactions involved 37% positive statements and 19% biomedical information. Physician interactions involved emotional expressiveness (30%) and positive statements (19%). Discussion length was positively related to MMSE score (Spearman rho=0.45; P<.02). Coverage of required elements of informed consent was fairly comprehensive and had no relationship to patients' MMSE scores.CONCLUSION: These data should inform policies regarding the ethically appropriate ways of conducting research with cognitively impaired adults. For example, patients in this study were more silent than their companions and the physician, but when patients spoke, they primarily agreed with what was said. Although this might first seem to signal assent, such an interpretation should be made with caution for persons with dementia. In addition, previous work on informed consent has focused on its cognitive aspects, but these data reveal that the emotional and social dimensions warrant attention.
Evaluating the impact of agricultural extension on farms' performance in Crete: a nonneutral stochastic frontier approach
Authors: Dinar Ariel , Karagiannis Giannis , Tzouvelekas Vangelis 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThis article attempts to integrate the production‐ and the efficiency‐based approaches for evaluating the impact of extension on farms' performance. For this purpose the nonneutral production frontier model is used, and the empirical analysis refers to a sample of farms from Crete, Greece. The empirical results support the proposed formulation instead of either the production‐ or the efficiency‐based formulations as extension was found to have a statistically significant effect on closing both the technology and management gaps. Public and private extension services were found to be competitive in the production function and complementary in the technical inefficiency effect function. In addition, farms using both public and private extension services achieved a higher degree of technical efficiency than those using either public or private extension services, and farms with no extension services were found to be the least efficient.
Coping with flood: role of institutions in Bangladesh
Authors: Khandker Shahidur R. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThe article examines the coping strategies that rural households adopted during the 1998 flood in Bangladesh and assesses its impact on household welfare, including coping and vulnerability. Both vulnerability and poverty have in general declined in Bangladesh. Yet, 60% of rural households adopted a coping of one type or another and about half of rural households were both vulnerable as well as found to adopt any coping mechanism during the 1998 flood. Household‐level panel data analysis confirms that the flood reduced both consumption and asset, and forced many households to adopt some coping mechanisms to mitigate the adverse effects of flood. Consequently, natural disaster such as flooding increases households' vulnerability to poverty. However, post‐flood bumper crop production and operation of targeted programs such as microfinance helped compensate the losses of flood.
Exchange rate alignment and producer support estimates (PSEs) for India
Authors: Cheng Fuzhi , Orden David 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThis article examines the effects of exchange rate alignment during 1985–2002 on agricultural producer support estimates (PSEs) for India. Based on several time series techniques, the equilibrium exchange rate of the Indian rupee and the corresponding misalignment of the actual rate are estimated and applied to recent PSE calculations. Our results show that the exchange rate was substantially misaligned before a financial crisis and macroeconomic reform in the early 1990s, with subsequent indirect effects on the PSEs. We find a relatively high pass‐through of exchange rate movements to domestic agricultural prices, so that removal of the exchange rate misalignment would have improved incentives to Indian farmers during this period. More recently, this indirect exchange rate effect is smaller than the direct effect in the PSEs, indicating the dominance of sectoral‐specific policies over economy‐wide policies.
Agricultural trade liberalization and economic development: the role of downstream market power
Authors: Sexton Richard J. , Sheldon Ian , McCorriston Steve , Wang Humei 
Published: February 2007

AbstractA model is developed to characterize the vertically linked and concentrated nature of developed‐country food markets. This model is then parameterized and used to simulate the effects of varying food market structures on the benefits to developing‐country exporters of agricultural commodities from trade liberalization by developed countries. Results demonstrate that even relatively modest departures from perfect competition can cause much of the benefits from trade liberalization to flow to marketing firms instead of producers in the developing country. The distributional effects under downstream market power differ significantly from the perfectly competitive case and may result, somewhat paradoxically, in developing countries receiving a lower share of the total value added within the food chain as trade reform occurs.
Influence of Ginkgo biloba on ocular blood flow
Authors: Wimpissinger Barbara , Berisha Fatmire , Garhoefer Gerhard , Polak Kaija , Schmetterer Leopold 
Published: February 2007

Abstract.Purpose:  To investigate the effect of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb761) on ocular blood flow.Methods:  This randomized, double‐masked, placebo‐controlled, two‐way crossover study included 15 healthy male volunteers. Measurements were taken with laser Doppler flowmetry, laser Doppler velocimetry, a retinal vessel analyser, laser interferometry and applanation tonometry, before and up to 3 hours after oral intake of 240 mg EGb761.Results:  At baseline, no significant differences in ocular and systemic haemodynamic parameters were observed between the two study days. Ginkgo biloba significantly decreased retinal venous diameters (p < 0.05 versus baseline), but there was no significant difference between the two groups. Blood pressure, retinal arterial and venous diameters, choroidal blood flow, fundus pulsation amplitude, intraocular pressure and retinal blood flow remained unchanged in both groups and did not differ between groups. Optic nerve head blood flow significantly increased in response to Ginkgo biloba (p < 0.002 versus baseline), but this effect was not significant compared with that of placebo.Conclusions:  The results of this study indicate that a single administration of Ginkgo biloba does not influence ocular blood flow to a relevant degree. Whether the drug may influence ocular blood flow in patients with ocular vascular disease after longterm treatment remains to be investigated in a randomized, placebo‐controlled clinical trial.
Mobilization of endothelial progenitor cells in patients with hematological malignancies after treatment with filgrastim and chemotherapy for autologous transplantation
Authors: Mauro Endri , Rigolin Gian Matteo , Fraulini Chiara , Sofritti Olga , Ciccone Maria , Angeli Cristiano De , Castoldi Gianluigi , Cuneo Antonio 
Published: February 2007

AbstractIn recent years, endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), gave rise to increasing interest because of their possible use as a therapeutic tool in the treatment of vascular lesions in ischemic tissues or as a target for anti neoplastic therapy. It has been shown that several drugs can increase the number of EPCs into the peripheral blood (PB). However, there is insufficient data concerning the mobilization and collection of EPCs during CD34+ cell mobilization. In this study, we have evaluated EPC mobilization and collection in a series of 47 patients affected by lymphoid neoplasms [31 non Hodgkin lymphoma and 16 multiple myeloma] undergoing CD34+ cell mobilization with cyclophosphamide (4000 mg/m2) and Filgrastim (5 μg/kg). PB EPCs identified by flow cytometry as CD34+/VEGFR2+/CD133+ cells showed a peak on day +10. This peak paralleled that of PB CD34+/CD45+ cells. A direct correlation was observed between CD34+ and CD34+/VEGFR2+/CD133+ cells (r = 0.99 P < 0.0001). An average of 23.7 × 10e6 CD34+/VEGFR2+CD133+ cells have been collected (range 12.1–41.76 × 10e6). These findings showed that in hematological diseases, cyclophosphamide in combination with filgrastim allows the mobilization and collection of large numbers of EPCs which may be used for reparative medicine studies in these patients.
Gamma‐glutamylcysteine synthetase‐based selection strategy for gene therapy of chronic granulomatous disease and graft‐vs.‐host disease
Authors: Rappa Germana , Anzanello Fabio , Alexeyev Mikhail , Fodstad Oystein , Lorico Aurelio 
Published: February 2007

AbstractEfficient ex vivo/in vivo selection of genetically modified hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HPCs) and T lymphocytes could greatly improve several gene therapy strategies. We have previously reported that primary murine HPCs, transduced with a bicistronic retroviral vector, co‐expressing the catalytic subunit of gamma‐glutamylcysteine synthetase (γ‐GCSh) and eGFP, could be selected by l‐buthionine‐S,R‐sulfoximine (BSO). Upon ex vivo transduction with a low, defined gene dosage and BSO selection, HPCs were able to repopulate the bone marrow of syngeneic myeloablated hosts, showing multi‐lineage expression [Hum Gene Ther, 16 (2005), 711]. We now provide ‘proof‐of‐principle’ that the same strategy can be applied to the gene therapy of graft‐vs.‐host disease (GVHD) subsequent to allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (ABMT), and of chromosome X‐associated chronic granulomatous disease (CGD). Transfer of the herpes simplex virus‐thymidine kinase (HSV‐Tk) ‘suicide’ gene into donor T lymphocytes is a potential method to control GVHD after ABMT. However, an efficient selection system is required to eliminate non‐HSV‐Tk‐expressing T lymphocytes before administration to the patient. We now report that, upon transduction with a retroviral vector, co‐expressing γ‐GCSh and eGFP, and subsequent selection by BSO, over 95% human T lymphocytes were found to express eGFP; moreover, upon transduction with a novel retroviral vector co‐expressing γ‐GCSh and HSV‐Tk, and subsequent BSO treatment, over 95% of T lymphocytes could be eliminated by ganciclovir. The efficacy of the γ‐GCSh‐BSO selection strategy was then tested on an in vitro model of CGD. Upon transduction of gp91 (phox)‐deficient PLBKO cells with a novel bicistronic retroviral vector co‐expressing human gp91 (phox) and γ‐GCSh, exposure to BSO for 48 h eliminated most non‐transduced cells, resulting in selection of gp91 (phox)‐expressing cells, and reconstitution of NADPH oxidase activity.
A novel fibrinogen variant – Praha I: hypofibrinogenemia associated with γ Gly351Ser substitution
Authors: Kotlín Roman , Chytilová Martina , Suttnar Jiří , Salaj Peter , Riedel Tomáš , Šantrůček Jiří , Klener Pavel , Dyr Jan Evangelista 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjectives:  A 25‐yr‐old man from Prague had abnormal bleeding after several surgical operations with low fibrinogen level and hypofibrinogenemia was suspected.Patients and methods:  The patient, 25 yr‐old male had a low fibrinogen concentration as determined by the thrombin time and immunoturbidimetrical method. His 48‐yr‐old mother presented with normal coagulation tests, normal fibrinogen level and reported no history of bleeding. To identify the genetic mutation responsible for this hypofibrinogen, genomic DNA extracted from the blood was analyzed. Fibrin polymerization measurement, kinetics of fibrinopeptide release, fibrinogen clottability measurement, mass spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy were performed.Results:  DNA sequencing showed heterogeneous fibrinogen γG351S mutation in the propositus. The mutant chain was found not to be expressed to the circulation by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry. Scanning electron micrographs of the patient's fibrin clot as well as kinetics of fibrinopeptide release and fibrin polymerization were found to be normal.Conclusion:  A case of hypofibrinogenemia γG351S was found by routine coagulation testing and was genetically identified.
Histological observation of root bud formation of hairy roots in Lotus corniculatus L.
Authors: Fukuda Ken‐ichi , Daimon Hiroyuki , Mishiba Kei‐ichiro , Mii Masahiro 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThe anatomy of endogenous buds formation in hairy roots transformed by infection with a wild strain of Agrobacterium rhizogenes, A‐13, was studied in birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.). Hairy root cultures, which had been subcultured in the dark, formed green spots (GS) spontaneously within 20 days after transfer to light conditions, and then GS developed to shoots. The GS structures were produced directly on the hairy roots showing no caulogenesis. Transverse sections at the center of GS structures showed that prominent mitotic activities existed inside of the endodermis, which consisted of a layer of spindly cells. Those proliferated regions composed the GS structures and root buds arose from these regions. Within 20 days after emergence of GS, the meristematic regions developed to shoots, and the apex had distinct single‐layered tunica with leaf primordia. The region of the root in which bud initiation occurred was the pericycle. Differentiation of root buds from the other origin of root tissues such as cortical cells and root apical cells was not found.
Management of 49 antebrachial and crural fractures in dogs using circular external fixators‡
Authors: Rovesti G. L. , Bosio A. , Marcellin‐Little D. J. 
Published: February 2007

Objectives:To evaluate frame constructs, postoperative fracture reduction, postoperative care, complications, treatment duration and outcome of circular external fixation for management of 49 antebrachial and crural fractures in dogs.Methods:Medical records of dogs that underwent surgery with circular external fixation were examined for fracture location, frame configuration, postoperative fracture reduction, treatment duration, complications and outcome.Results:Forty‐nine fractures in 48 dogs were stabilised using circular external fixation. Frame removal occurred on average 61 days after surgery (median±sd, 52±30 days). Minor complications were observed in 35 cases (71 per cent) and major complications in seven (14 per cent). Radiographic outcome at frame removal was judged as excellent in 18 cases (37 per cent), as good in 26 (53 per cent), as fair in four (8 per cent) and poor in one (2 per cent). After frame removal, one fracture was stabilised with a plate, and eight patients were lost to follow‐up. Functional and cosmetic outcome at follow‐up was judged as excellent in 32 cases (80 per cent), good in seven (18 per cent) and fair in one (2 per cent).ClinicalSignificance:Circular external fixation can effectively treat antebrachial and crural fractures in dogs, even geometrically complex fractures. Minor complications are frequent but easily managed in most instances. Healing time is comparable to that of other external fixation methods.
From commitment to reality: early intervention in psychosis services in England
Authors: Tiffin Paul A. , Glover Gyles 
Published: February 2007

AbstractAim:  To evaluate the extent to which Government plans for early intervention in psychosis services have been realized in England, the UK.Methods:  Data from the Mental Health Mapping Exercise and Department of Health quarterly performance monitoring were used. Semi‐structured interviews were also conducted with the nine regional early intervention in psychosis Leads from the National Institute for Mental Health in England in order to ascertain their views and experiences regarding early intervention in psychosis service development.Results:  By 2006 118 teams were operating. However, the staffing and skill mix of each varied considerably with only half reporting that they met all the criteria set out in the original policy guidance.Conclusion:  Although an impressive number of services have been developed, concerns remain regarding their size, configuration and functional capacity.
Prodromal stage of major depression
Authors: Fava Giovanni A. , Tossani Eliana 
Published: February 2007

AbstractAim:  The aim of this review was to survey the available literature on prodromal symptoms of unipolar major depression.Methods:  Both a computerized (Medline) and a manual search of the literature were performed.Results:  In a substantial proportion of patients with depression a prodromal phase can be identified. There is a relationship between residual and prodromal symptomatology (the rollback phenomenon).Conclusions:  Appraisal of prodromal phase of major depression has important implications as to pathophysiological models of disease and relapse prevention. It may allow a staging system of depressive illness that may yield more enduring results in the therapeutic efforts.
Early identification and treatment of eating disorders: prodrome to syndrome
Authors: Grange Daniel le , Loeb Katharine L. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThe onset of eating disorder psychopathology is most common in the adolescent age group. Acute psychopathology or subsyndromal eating disorders are perhaps less intractable in these young patients. Subsyndromal eating disorders in children and adolescents are not only clinically significant in their present state, but may represent legitimate candidates for preventive efforts in light of: (i) a risk of progression from subthreshold anorexia nervosa (SAN) to AN or subthreshold bulimia nervosa (SBN) to BN; (ii) the detrimental effects on outcome of delaying treatment; and (iii) the refractory, severe nature of eating disorders once the diagnostic threshold is crossed. Moreover, children and adolescents with SAN and SBN may in fact be exhibiting early ‘caseness’ of these disorders. Given that AN is notoriously difficult to treat, and there are limited efficacy data for adolescent BN, attempts to disrupt these disorders in what is arguably their early phases is an important goal in preventing more chronic and treatment‐resistant forms of these disorders. Future research should address whether the best interventions for SAN and SBN should be derived from the prevention or intervention fields.
Early Psychosis Prevention and Intervention Centre long‐term follow‐up study of first‐episode psychosis: methodology and baseline characteristics
Authors: Henry Lisa P. , Harris Meredith G. , Amminger G. Paul , Yuen Hok Pan , Harrigan Susy M. , Lambert Martin , Conus Philippe , Schwartz Orli , Prosser Amy , Farrelly Simone , Purcell Rosemary , Herrman Helen , Jackson Henry J. , McGorry Patrick D. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractAim:  This paper reports the rationale, methodology and baseline characteristics of a large long‐term follow‐up study of first‐episode psychosis from a geographically defined catchment area.Method:  A total of 723 first‐episode psychosis patients were recruited from a specialized early psychosis service between 1989 and 2001 and prospectively followed up at a median of 7.4 years after initial presentation. Participants’ baseline demographic, clinical and functional characteristics are described. Sampling bias at study recruitment was assessed by comparison with a more complete sample of Early Psychosis Prevention and Intervention Centre (EPPIC) cases rated directly from the medical records.Results:  At baseline, 57% of the sample were diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizophreniform disorder, whereas the full range of psychotic disorders was represented. Statistical analysis confirmed that the sample recruited was representative of total EPPIC‐treated incident cases.Conclusions:  The EPPIC long‐term follow‐up study is a large and epidemiologically representative first‐episode psychosis cohort that has been subsequently prospectively followed up over a long period. Such a sample provides a rare opportunity to study the course and outcome of psychotic disorders.
Beliefs about appropriate first aid for young people with mental disorders: findings from an Australian national survey of youth and parents
Authors: Jorm Anthony F. , Wright Annemarie , Morgan Amy J. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective:  To determine the mental health first‐aid knowledge and beliefs of young people and their parents.Methods:  A national telephone survey was carried out with 3746 people aged 12–25 years. Interviews were also carried out with 2005 co‐resident parents. First‐aid knowledge was assessed in response to one of four randomly presented vignettes covering depression, depression with alcohol misuse, social phobia and psychosis (schizophrenia). Young people were asked about first aid in relation to a peer and parents in relation to a child.Results:  The potential value of encouraging professional help‐seeking was not universally recognized by either young people or adults. In general, positive social interactions were endorsed as likely to be helpful and negative ones as not, but again there is considerable room for improvement. Adolescents had less sophisticated first‐aid knowledge and beliefs than young adults, but were paradoxically more confident about providing help to a peer.Conclusions:  These findings show that there is a continuing need for further community education about the potential benefits of early professional treatment of young people developing mental disorders.