bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Women and Housing Assets in the Context of Japan's Home-owning Democracy
Authors: HIRAYAMA YOSUKE , IZUHARA MISA 
Published: September 2008

AbstractDespite the fact that women's rights have been increasingly defined as equal to men's in law and policy, in post-Second World War Japan women continue to be at a disadvantage in many aspects of social and economic life. Drawing from a survey of 2,205 Japanese women, this article focuses in particular on women's home ownership as a new catalyst behind increasing social stratification in Japan. The women's experiences are closely linked to Japan's institutional ‘familism’: the development of social policy that has been explicitly connected to the male-breadwinner model. We argue that a wide range of institutional and policy practices – mortgage provision, property ownership, social security and taxation and labour market mechanisms – has combined to define the housing asset status of women. We discuss the women's current housing asset portfolio, and also recent socio-economic changes that have begun to redefine their position in a home-owning society. The case of Japan – a patriarchal but shifting home-owning democracy – contributes to our understanding of the contemporary dynamics of women's interaction between family, work and housing in the institutional context.
Do Citizens Know How to Deal with Legal Issues? Some Empirical Insights
Authors: BUCK ALEXY , PLEASENCE PASCOE , BALMER NIGEL J. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractOver recent years there has been increasing policy concern in the UK about whether citizens are equipped with sufficient legal ‘know-how’. In January 2006, the Department for Constitutional Affairs, now Ministry of Justice, announced a Public Legal Education and Support Task Force to develop and promote the case for a national strategy. This comes after UK government strategies have recently been developed for both consumer education and financial capability. Drawing on empirical data, this article explores whether there is indeed a lack of awareness and confidence among the population of England and Wales in regard to legal issues. The results from the English and Welsh Civil and Social Justice Survey, a large-scale face-to-face survey representative of the population, illustrate the case for targeted as well as general public legal education initiatives.
Veto Players and Welfare State Change: What Delays Social Entitlement Bills?
Authors: DÄUBLER THOMAS 
Published: September 2008

AbstractIn contrast to the study of outcomes such as social spending, systematic comparative analysis of political processes underlying welfare state change is scarce. This study deals with the influence of government parties and second chambers as veto players in social entitlement legislation. It asks three questions regarding the duration and outcome of the legislative process at the parliamentary stage. Does the number of government parties or the ideological distance between them affect the passage of bills? Under which circumstances do second chambers have an influence? Does the ideological position of the leftmost governing party affect the speed of passage of bills in policy areas where there is pressure for retrenchment? The hypotheses are tested using an original dataset on social entitlement bills initiated in Belgium, Germany and the UK between 1987/88 and 2002/03. Event history analysis at the level of individual bills yields the following results: proposals initiated from among the government parties on the floor are delayed by a higher number of parties in government, by greater ideological distance between them, if the second chamber is controlled by the opposition and its approval is mandatory, if the left veto player is more rightwing and if the bills deal with expansionary or mixed policies. Cabinet bills, in contrast, are not affected by any of these factors. The results point to a number of further research questions and show that quantitative studies in comparative welfare state research can go beyond testing simple hypotheses with macro-level outcome data.
Awareness of human papillomavirus in a cohort of nearly 70,000 women from four Nordic countries
Authors: NØHR BUGGE , MUNK CHRISTIAN , TRYGGVADOTTIR LAUFEY , SPARÉN PAR , TRAN TRUNG N. , NYGÅRD MARI , SKARE GRY B. , DASBACH ERIK , LIAW KAI L. , KJAER SUSANNE K. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractObjective. To assess the fraction of women who have heard of human papillomavirus (HPV) in four Nordic countries (Denmark, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden) and to study the correlates of this awareness, just before the vaccines were released. Design. Population‐based cross‐sectional study by means of a questionnaire. Setting. Denmark 2004–2005. Population. A total of 69,147 women participated (participation rate of 65%) in the study. Methods. A random sample of women from the general female population (18–45 years) in Denmark, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden were invited to answer a self‐administered questionnaire regarding HPV and lifestyle habits. Main outcome measures. Having heard of HPV. Results. Overall, a total of 32.6% had ever heard about HPV. Respectively, only 25.1% of Danish women, 33.0% Norwegian women, 32.5% Swedish women, and 41.0% Icelandic women had heard about HPV. The most important correlates associated with ever having heard of HPV were a history of genital warts (odds ratios, OR=2.57; 99% confidence intervals, CI: 2.38–2.76) and educational level (OR=2.06; 99% CI: 1.92–2.21). Other correlates associated with awareness of HPV were being single during pregnancy, never having been pregnant, former use of hormonal contraceptives and condom use. Conclusions. Our data suggest that at least two‐thirds of Nordic women have never heard of HPV. These data are important for developing and evaluating strategies to inform and educate the population about HPV infection and disease.
Pregnancy and women with spinal cord injuries
Authors: GHIDINI ALESSANDRO , HEALEY ALEXIS , ANDREANI MARIANNA , SIMONSON MAUREEN R. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractObjective. To investigate the impact of pregnancy and childbearing on women with spinal cord injuries and their attitude toward pregnancy. Design and setting. State‐wide questionnaire survey from two databases, Florida, USA. Methods. Women with spinal cord injuries between 18 and 40 years were invited to participate. Main outcome measures. Knowledge about pregnancy after spinal cord injury and complications of pregnancy. Population. Hundred and fourteen women with spinal cord injuries. Results. Twenty‐three women (20%) received information about pregnancy during rehabilitation, but only 12 (10%) found it adequate. Rates of response of ‘adequate information’ were similar between women who became pregnant after injury and those who did not (9.0% vs. 8.6%, p = 1.0). Younger age at injury was the only predictor of pregnancy after spinal cord injuries. Preterm delivery occurred in 33% of women; 22% were unable to feel preterm labor. Thrombosis (8%), urinary complications (59%), dysreflexia (27%), and worsened spasticity (22%) were the most common complications in pregnancy and post‐partum depression (35%) was the most common complication in the puerperium. Conclusions. Inadequate information about pregnancy is common among young women with spinal cord injury. Heightened surveillance for certain complications is warranted in women with spinal cord injuries.
ABO fetomaternal compatibility poses a risk for massive fetomaternal transplacental hemorrhage
Authors: ZIZKA ZDENEK , FAIT TOMAS , BELOSOVICOVA HANA , HAAKOVA LUCIA , MARA MICHAL , JIRKOVSKA MARIE , JIRASEK JAN EVANGELISTA , BARTOSOVA LUCIE , CALDA PAVEL 
Published: September 2008

AbstractObjective. Severe fetomaternal transplacental hemorrhage increases the risk of fetal anemia. In the third trimester, the syncytiotrophoblast becomes thinner, especially in areas where it comes into intimate contact with villous capillaries, and forms a vasculosyncytial membrane. Our aim was to determine whether ABO compatibility puts the fetus at a greater risk of severe fetomaternal hemorrhage. Design. Case study. Setting. A tertiary care center. Sample and methods. Between 2003 and 2007, we evaluated eight cases of severe fetomaternal transfusion. The Kleihauer‐Betke test was used for diagnosis of fetomaternal hemorrhage. We evaluated blood group compatibility between the mother and fetus and assessed the perinatal outcome. The Fischer's factorial test was used for testing a hypothesis. Results. The incidence of adverse outcomes following transplacental hemorrhage was 75% (six of eight). There were two perinatal deaths and four infants were affected by post‐hypoxic damage of varying severity. Fetomaternal ABO compatibility was present in seven of the eight cases. The risk of severe fetomaternal hemorrhage was significantly increased when there was ABO compatibility between the mother and fetus. This was associated with a very poor perinatal outcome. Conclusion. We recommend that resuscitation in utero by intrauterine transfusion should be considered before the 33rd week of gestation in cases of severe fetal anemia. In later gestation, urgent cesarean section is required with adequate resuscitation of the newborn.
Coincident Trinucleotide Repeat Expansions in a Patient With Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 and Spinocerebellar Ataxia
Authors: Kolb Stephen J , Kissel John T 
Published: September 2008

Abstract

This is a case report of a patient with confirmed myotonic dystrophy type 1 and spinocerebellar ataxia type 6. The coexistence of two trinucleotide repeat expansions in this family illustrates the importance of continued and vigilant diagnostic inquiry when a patient with a confirmed genetic abnormality has an atypical presentation. The coincidence of two trinucleotide repeat expansions in this patient may suggest an underlying error in DNA metabolism.
Response to Oral Supplementation in Copper Deficiency Myeloneuropathy
Authors: Kelkar Praful , Chang Shereen , Muley Suraj A 
Published: September 2008

Abstract

Neurological manifestations due to copper deficiency include ataxic myeloneuropathy that resembles subacute combined degeneration due to B12 deficiency. We report our experience in the treatment of 10 patients with copper deficiency myeloneuropathy and conclude that copper supplementation leads to stabilization rather than improvement in the neurological deficits.
Immunotherapy for Guillain-Barré Syndrome in the US Hospitals
Authors: Alshekhlee Amer , Hussain Zulfiqar , Sultan Badr , Katirji Bashar 
Published: September 2008

Abstract

Objectives:
To determine the patterns of hospital utilization of plasma exchange (PE), intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), or combination therapy in Guillain-Barré syndrome in a large US cohort.

Methods:
Guillain-Barré syndrome patients, older than 18 years, were identified from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database for the years 2000 through 2005. Patients with documented immunotherapy during hospitalization were included. We used the Cochran-Armitage test to assess the trend of hospital utilization of the type of immune intervention over time. Binomial logistic regression model was used to identify the association between patient and hospital demographics and hospital- associated complications with the type of therapy administered during hospitalization.

Results:
After data cleansing, 1657 patients were included. There is a decreasing trend in PE utilization and an increasing trend in IVIG use over the 6 years included in this study (P < 0.0001). Patients who received PE were older (mean age of 50.8 ± 18.5 versus 42.2 ± 24.2, P < 0.0001) and had higher complication rates including respiratory failure (18.9% versus 7.56%, P < 0.0001) and sepsis (2.85% versus 0.61%, P = 0.003). In addition, the mortality rate is lower in the group treated with IVIG when compared with PE (0.45% versus 3.3%, P < 0.0001). Conversely, 61% of patients treated with IVIG group were discharged to home compared with 42% of patients treated with PE.

Conclusions:
The trend analysis supports an increasing use of IVIG over PE. Older population and those with pulmonary or sepsis complications were likely treated with PE. The mortality rate was higher in patients treated with PE.
Low Bone Mineral Density in Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Authors: Khatri Ismail A , Chaudhry Umar S , Seikaly Mouin G , Browne Richard H , Iannaccone Susan T 
Published: September 2008

Abstract

Background and Purpose:
Pathological fractures are common in pediatric neuromuscular disorders. Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry has become the most accepted technique for the measurement of bone mineral density (BMD) in adults and children. Limited data are available on BMD in pediatric neuromuscular diseases except Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Methods:
We retrospectively analyzed the results of all dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scans done in a period of 23 months at a tertiary care pediatric neuromuscular center. BMD was performed on spine region L1-4. Osteopenia was classified as mild if the Z scores were between 0 and −1.5, moderate if Z scores were between −1.5 and −2.5, and severe if Z scores were > −2.5 standard deviation scores.

Results:
Eighty-four dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scans were performed on 79 patients between the ages of 4 months and 18 years with the mean age of 8 years. Z scores were used to compare their BMDs. BMD was lowest in patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) with Z score of −2.25 ± 0.31 standard deviation scores. The Z score for patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy was −1.72 ± 0.1. The BMD in nonambulatory patients with SMA was significantly decreased compared with ambulatory patients with SMA (P < 0.05).

Conclusions:
We conclude that osteopenia is common in children with neuromuscular disorders. Patients with SMA have the lowest BMD.
What's in the Literature?
Authors: Simmons Zachary 
Published: September 2008

Abstract

Diagnosis and characterization of neuromuscular disorders have traditionally advanced faster than therapeutics. The past 3 months were no exception, and featured articles on diagnostic evaluation or genetic characterization of disorders of the neuromuscular junction, peripheral nerve, muscle, and motor neuron. There are also some interesting forays into treatment of painful neuropathy and muscular dystrophy. We can all hope that an increased understanding of neuromuscular disorders will lead to more therapeutic undertakings over the next few years.
National Trends in Hospital Outcomes Among Patients with Guillain-Barré Syndrome Requiring Mechanical Ventilation
Authors: Souayah Nizar , Nasar Abu , Suri M Fareed K , Qureshi Adnan I 
Published: September 2008

Abstract

Several new treatments have been introduced for Guillain-Barré syndrome over the last decade. To assess the impact of these new strategies on outcomes and hospitalization charges among patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome requiring mechanical ventilation, we compared pertinent variables between nationally representative data derived from 1992 and 2002. Compared with patients admitted in 1992, the patients admitted in 2002 showed an increase in hospital charges ($168,600 versus $116,300, P = 0.007), longer hospitalization (52.6 ± 23.3 versus 40.3 ± 36.3 days, P = 0.017), and greater in-hospital mortality (11.1% versus 7.6%, P = 0.003). Thus, improvements in therapeutic strategies over that decade are not reflected in mortality, length of hospitalization, or hospital charges in the current study. This outcome may be more reflective of changing patterns of hospitalization rather than relatively futility of new treatments.
Culturing Human Embryonic Stem Cells with Mouse Embryonic Fibroblast Feeder Cells: Figure 1.
Authors: McElroy Sohyun L. , Reijo Pera Renee A. 
Published: September 2008

INTRODUCTIONThe potential of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) to differentiate into diverse cell types of all major tissue types has raised hope that hESCs can be used for novel cell-based therapies as well as fundamental studies of cell lineage differentiation. In order to support the growth of hESCs, mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs), typically isolated from E13-E14 mouse embryos and between passages three and seven, are routinely used as feeder cells. Feeder density is a critical determinant of successful hESC culture. In the presence of too few feeder cells, hESCs may not maintain self-renewal and pluripotency properties; they may also fail to attach to feeder cells appropriately. At excessively high density, feeder cells may detach from the plate such that hESC colonies will be lost. Here we describe an efficient method for culturing and passaging hESCs by enzyme (collagenase) for culture on irradiated MEFs. The protocol can be used for routine hESC culture for basic research.
Relative importance of different dispersal vectors for small aquatic invertebrates in a rock pool metacommunity
Authors: Vanschoenwinkel Bram , Gielen Saïdja , Vandewaerde Hanne , Seaman Maitland , Brendonck Luc 
Published: September 2008

The extent and frequency of passive overland dispersal of freshwater invertebrates as well as the relative importance of different dispersal vectors is not well documented. Although anecdotal evidence subscribing the feasibility of individual vectors in various aquatic systems is abundant, dispersal rates have rarely been quantified for different vectors in one study system. Earlier studies also usually investigated dispersal potential rather than actual dispersal rates. In this study we have estimated passive dispersal rates of invertebrate propagules within a cluster of temporary rock pools via water, wind and amphibians in a direct way. Overflows after heavy rains mediated dispersal of a large number of propagules through eroded channels between pools, which were collected in overflow traps. Taking into account model based predictions of overflow frequency, this corresponds with average dispersal rates of 4088 propagules/channel yr−1. Wind dispersal rates as measured by numbers of propagules collected on sticky traps mounted between pool basins were very high (average dispersal rate: 649 propagules m−2in one month) and were positively related to the proximity of source populations. Finally, invertebrate propagules were also isolated from the faeces of African clawed frogsXenopus laeviscaught from the pools (on average 368 propagules/frog).The combination of short distance wind and overflow dispersal rates likely explain the dominant species sorting and mass effect patterns observed in the metacommunity in a previous study. Amphibian mediated dispersal was much less important as theXenopus laevispopulation was small and migrations very rare.Based on our own results and available literature we conclude that both vector and propagule properties determine local passive dispersal dynamics of freshwater invertebrates. Accurate knowledge on rates and vectors of dispersal in natural systems are a prerequisite to increase our understanding of the impact of dispersal on ecology (colonisation, community assembly, coexistence) and evolution (gene flow, local adaptation) in fragmented environments.
What shapes the altitudinal range of a high mountain Mediterranean plant? Recruitment probabilities from ovule to seedling stage
Authors: Giménez‐Benavides Luis , Escudero Adrián , Iriondo José M. 
Published: September 2008

Recruitment is a complex process consisting of sequential stages affected by biotic interactions and abiotic factors. Assessment of these sequential stages and corresponding subprocesses may be useful in identifying the most critical stages. Accordingly, to assess the factors that may determine the altitudinal range limits of the high mountain Mediterranean plantSilene ciliata, a set of demographic stages, from flower production to establishment of 2‐yr‐old plants, and their influence on recruitment probability were examined using a step‐by‐step approach. We integrated florivory, pollination and pre‐dispersal seed predation as pre‐dispersal factors, and seedling emergence and survival as post‐dispersal determinants of recruitment. Three populations were monitored at the southernmost margin of the species along its local altitudinal range. Previous studies suggest that seediness is strongly limited by summer drought especially at the lower boundary of the species, a situation that may worsen under current global warming.Our results showed that recruitment was mainly limited by low seed production in the pre‐dispersal stage and low seedling emergence and survival in the post‐dispersal stage, probably due to environmental harshness in summer. By contrast, biotic factors responsible for propagule loss, such as flower and fruit predation, had a minor effect on the probability of plant recruitment. Although the relative importance of transition probabilities was similar among populations along the altitudinal range, comparatively lower flower production significantly reduced the number of recruited plants at the lowest altitude population. This demographic bottleneck, together with increased competition with other species favoured by climate warming, might collapse population growth and limit persistence at the lower altitudinal range of the species, raising its low local altitudinal edge.
Immunoblotting using multiple antigens is essential to demonstrate the true risk of Helicobacter pylori infection for gastric cancer
Authors: MITCHELL H. , ENGLISH D. R. , ELLIOTT F. , GENGOS M. , BARRETT J. H. , GILES G. G. , FORMAN D. 
Published: September 2008

SummaryBackground  Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for detection of Helicobacter pylori infection, using IgG antibodies, may significantly underestimate the association with gastric cancer.Aim  To compare associations between H. pylori and cardia (CGC) and noncardia gastric cancer (NCGC) using ELISA and immunoblotting and determine the effect of atrophic gastritis on detection.Methods  Nested case–control study within the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study. Helicobacter pylori antibodies were detected in subjects with CGC (n = 18), NCGC (n = 34) and controls (n = 69 and 134 respectively) using ELISA (pylori DTect) and immunoblot (Helicoblot 2.1). Pepsinogen I levels were measured using ELISA.Results  Using ELISA, H. pylori‐positivity in the CGC group was 33% vs. 35% in controls [odds ratio (OR = 0.9, 95% CI: 0.3–2.7)], while that in the NCGC group was 79% vs. 63% in controls [OR = 2.3 (95% CI: 0.9–5.8)]. Based on immunoblotting, H. pylori‐positivity in the CGC group was 44% vs. 39% in their controls [OR = 1.2 (95% CI: 0.4–3.4)], while that in the NCGC group was 94% vs. 63% in controls [OR = 10.6 (95% CI: 2.4–47.4)]. Pepsinogen I levels in the NCGC cases and controls showed the lowest median level (4 ng/mL) to be in subjects negative by ELISA but positive by immunoblotting.Conclusion  Immunoblotting improves the accuracy of H. pylori studies involving gastric cancer.