bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preliminary analysis of a KIR haplotype estimation algorithm: a simulation study
Authors: Gourraud P. A. , Gagne K. , Bignon J. D. , Cambon‐Thomsen A. , Middleton D. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe analysis of Killer cell immunoglobulin‐like receptors (KIRs) in terms of haplotypes have only been done through genotyping numerous and selected families. Consequently and schematically, KIR haplotypes have been roughly described by two groups (A and B) based on their gene contents. No further KIR adapted methods have been applied to the estimation of haplotype frequencies using unrelated data. We propose here a maximum likelihood (ML) estimation of KIR haplotype frequencies. ML estimation was developed as an extension of those successfully applied to human leukocyte antigen (HLA) data including the handling of missing values and HLA nomenclature. It has been implemented using an adapted Expectation Masimisation algorithm. KIR types on 11 loci in more than 40 Irish families were used to validate the method in a simulation study. Estimated haplotype frequencies are compared to the phase known. Various allele or gene frequency estimation methods were also compared. We demonstrated the interest and reliability of the haplotype method and underline the effect of the sample size on the quality of the estimation. The ML haplotype method also provides by collapsing more accurate estimation of allele or gene frequencies in population. Such an algorithm opens new perspectives in the analysis of KIR genotypes. Large sample size studies are required using phase‐known data and/or simulations. It would allow a genotype‐based approach to explore the KIR gene haplotype diversity. The haplotype frequencies may be used to compare populations.
Irrigation Level Affects Isoflavone Concentrations of Early Maturing Soya Bean Cultivars
Authors: Al‐Tawaha A. M. , Seguin P. , Smith D. L. , Bonnell R. B. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractField experiments were conducted in 2003/2004 in Québec to determine the effects of irrigation levels (none, low and high) and cultivars (AC Orford, AC Proteina and Golden) on soya bean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] isoflavone concentrations and yields. Seed yield, yield components, and oil and crude protein (CP) concentrations were concurrently determined. Response to irrigation was greater in 2003, which was substantially warmer and drier than in 2004. In both years, most responses were observed with the lower of the two irrigation levels evaluated, which increased total isoflavones concentration by an average of 45 % compared with a non‐irrigated control. Cultivars, however, responded differently to irrigation. In 2003, response of AC Proteina was greater than that of AC Orford, while Golden did not respond. In 2004, some responses were observed with AC Proteina and Golden but none with AC Orford. Overall, in both years, AC Proteina had the greatest isoflavone concentrations and AC Orford the lowest. Responses of seed yield and yield components depended on the year and were also greater in 2003. Both irrigation treatments generally increased seed yield and yield components compared with a non‐irrigated control; the response was greater with the higher irrigation level. Irrigation had no effect on oil and CP concentrations. Finally, isoflavone yield response to irrigation was again greater in 2003, and depended on the cultivar. Results thus demonstrate that specific soil moisture levels will maximize soya bean isoflavone concentrations, excess irrigation sometimes negating any potential benefits.
Plasma Electrophoretogram in Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) and/or Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV) Infections
Authors: Miró G. , Doménech A. , Escolar E. , Collado V. M. , Tejerizo G. , De Las Heras A. , Gómez‐Lucía E. 
Published: May 2007

SummaryThe electrophoretogram of 89 cats, including those infected by feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV+), feline leukaemia virus (FeLV+) and non‐infected, showed statistically significant differences in several of the fractions. FIV+ cats had very high protein values (mean, 8.10 g/dl), mostly because of hypergammaglobulinemia (mean, 2.81 g/dl) as compared with non‐infected animals and FeLV+. In addition, in these FIV+ animals, the albumin/globulins ratio (A/G) was very low (mean, 0.72). Statistically significant differences in A/G and α2‐globulin fraction were observed in FeLV+ group (A/G mean, 0.88 ± 0.08; α2‐globulin, mean, 0.84 ± 0.07 g/dl) when compared with non‐infected group (A/G mean, 1.06 ± 0.08; α2‐globulin mean, 0.68 ± 0.04 g/dl). The α1‐globulin fraction was higher in double infected animals (FIV and FeLV positive, F‐F) (3.55 g/dl), than in FeLV+ or FIV+ cats (3.10 and 3.07 g/dl respectively), but no statistical conclusions may be drawn from this fact because of the low number of F‐F animals. This technique may help to assess the initial clinical status of retrovirus‐infected cats, and the clinical course of these chronic diseases, specifically during and after suitable therapy.
Efficacy of ezetimibe/simvastatin 10/20 and 10/40 mg compared with atorvastatin 20 mg in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus*
Authors: Constance C. , Westphal S. , Chung N. , Lund M. , McCrary Sisk C. , Johnson‐Levonas A. O. , Massaad R. , Allen C. 
Published: May 2007

Aim: This randomized, double‐blind study evaluated the efficacy of switching from atorvastatin (ATV) 10 mg to ezetimibe/simvastatin (EZE/SIMVA) 10/20 mg, EZE/SIMVA 10/40 mg or doubling the dose of ATV from 10 to 20 mg in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D).Methods: Eligible patients had haemoglobin A1C≤10%, were aged ≥18 years and were on ATV 10 mg for ≥6 weeks before study entry. After a 4‐week open‐label ATV 10 mg run‐in, patients were randomized to EZE/SIMVA 10/20 mg (n = 220), EZE/SIMVA 10/40 mg (n = 222) or ATV 20 g (n = 219) daily for 6 weeks.Results: Greater (p ≤ 0.001) reductions in low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) (the primary end‐point) were achieved by switching to EZE/SIMVA 10/20 mg (26.2%) or 10/40 mg (30.1%) than by doubling the dose of ATV to 20 mg (8.5%). EZE/SIMVA 10/20 mg and 10/40 mg produced greater (p ≤ 0.001) reductions in total cholesterol, non‐high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C) and apolipoprotein B relative to ATV 20 mg. A reduction (p ≤ 0.050) in C‐reactive protein was observed with EZE/SIMVA 10/40 mg vs. ATV 20 mg. Similar reductions in triglycerides were observed across the three groups, and none of the treatments produced a significant change in HDL‐C. A greater (p ≤ 0.001) proportion of patients achieved LDL‐C <2.5 mmol/l with EZE/SIMVA 10/20 mg (90.5%) and 10/40 mg (87.0%) than with ATV 20 mg (70.4%). Both EZE/SIMVA doses were generally well tolerated, with an overall safety profile similar to ATV 20 mg.Conclusions: EZE/SIMVA 10/20 and 10/40 mg provided greater lipid‐altering efficacy than doubling the dose of ATV from 10 to 20 mg and were well tolerated in patients with T2D.
Effect of raloxifene—a selective oestrogen receptor modulator—on kidney function in post‐menopausal women with Type 2 diabetes: results from a randomized, placebo‐controlled pilot trial
Authors: Hadjadj S. , Gourdy P. , Zaoui P. , Guerci B. , Roudaut N. , Gautier J. F. , Chabin M. , Mauco G. , Ragot S. ,   for the RADIAN (Raloxifene in Diabetic Nephropathy) Study Group
Published: May 2007

AbstractAims  Epidemiological and experimental data suggest that activation of the oestrogen receptor pathway limits the incidence and the progression of diabetic nephropathy. We tested the hypothesis that raloxifene protects against increasing urinary albumin excretion in post‐menopausal women with Type 2 diabetes in a randomized pilot clinical trial.Methods  We included 39 post‐menopausal women with Type 2 diabetes and micro‐ or macro‐albuminuria in a 6‐month, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial: 20 received placebo and 19 received 60 mg raloxifene per day. The albumin : creatinine ratio (ACR) in urine was determined on three consecutive days during the week before randomization and during the week before the final visit.Results  One patient in each group dropped out in the first 3 weeks, leaving 37 patients for the analysis (19 on placebo and 18 on raloxifene). From randomization to the final visit, mean ACR was unchanged in the placebo group {277 µg/mg (67; 651) [median (interquartile range)] vs. 284 µg/mg (79; 1508)} but decreased slightly in the raloxifene group [376 µg/mg (67; 615) vs. 243 µg/mg (103; 549)]. This corresponds to a change of +24 (−37; +517) for the placebo group vs. −10 µg/mg (−36; +16) for the raloxifene group (P = 0.11). In multivariate analysis, raloxifene treatment (Padjusted = 0.013), baseline low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (Padjusted = 0.023) and change in LDL cholesterol (Padjusted = 0.008) were related to the absolute change in ACR. Adverse effects were similar in the two groups.Conclusions  These results suggest that raloxifene may limit the progression of albuminuria in post‐menopausal women with diabetes; further studies in a larger population are warranted.
Living with Type 2 diabetes: a family perspective
Authors: White P. , Smith S. M. , O'Dowd T. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractAim  To explore the beliefs, attitudes and perceptions of adults with Type 2 diabetes and their family members.Methods  Focus groups were conducted with: (i) people with good diabetes control (HbA1c < 7.0%); (ii) their family members; (iii) people with poor diabetes control (HbA1c > 8.5%); and (iv) their family members.Results  There were no discernible differences between those with good and poor diabetes control or between the family members of each group. Overall, family members perceived diabetes to be more serious and as having a greater impact on daily life than those with the illness. Those with diabetes were unaware of this heightened concern and had a more relaxed approach to living with diabetes. The lack of information and perceived knowledge about diabetes impacted upon participants’ causal attributions about the illness and its perceived severity.Conclusions  Diabetes is an illness that affects both individuals and families. There is a need for further investigation into the impact that family members have on the management of diabetes.
On the Determinants and Dynamics of Dividend Policy
Authors: Ben Naceur Samy , Goaied Mohamed , Belanes Amel 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTThe authors study the dividend policy of 48 firms listed on the Tunisian Stock Exchange during the period 1996–2002. The study tests whether or not managers of Tunisian listed firms smooth their dividends. Moreover, the study outlines the main determinants that may drive the dividend policy of Tunisian quoted firms. To answer the first question, we use Lintner's model in a dynamic setting. The results clearly demonstrate that Tunisian firms rely on both current earnings and past dividends to fix their dividend payment. However, the study shows that dividends tend to be more sensitive to current earnings than prior dividends. To find out the determinants of dividend policy, dynamic panel regressions have been performed. First, profitable firms with more stable earnings can afford larger free cash flows and thus pay larger dividends. Furthermore, they distribute larger dividends whenever they are growing fast. However, neither the ownership concentration nor the financial leverage seems to have any impact on dividend policy in Tunisia. Also, the liquidity of stock market and size negatively impacts the dividend payment. The results are somewhat robust to different specifications.
HSP110, caspase‐3 and ‐9 expression in physiological apoptosis and apoptosis induced by in vivo embryonic exposition to all‐trans retinoic acid or irradiation during early mouse eye development
Authors: Gashegu Julien , Ladha Reza , Vanmuylder Nathalie , Philippson Catherine , Bremer Françoise , Rooze Marcel , Louryan Stéphane 
Published: May 2007

AbstractApoptosis is an essential physiological process in embryonic development. In the developing eye of vertebrates, three periods of developmental apoptosis can be distinguished: early, intermediate and later. Within the apoptosis pathway, caspases play a crucial role. It has also been shown that HSP110 may have a potential role in apoptosis. The aim of this research was to study the expression of HSP110, caspase‐3 and ‐9 in physiological, retinoic‐ or irradiation‐induced apoptosis during early eye development. Seven pregnant C57Bl/6J mice received 80 mg kg−1 of all‐trans retinoic acid mixed with sesame oil. Seven pregnant NMRI mice received 2 Gy irradiation at the same gestational day. Control mice of both strains (seven mice of each) were not submitted to any treatment. Embryos were harvested at 3, 6, 12 and 24 h after exposition, fixed, dehydrated and embedded. Coronal sections (5 µm) were made. Slide staining occurred alternatively using anti‐caspase‐3, anti‐caspase‐9 and anti‐HSP110 immunohistochemistry. HSP110 and caspase‐3 expression presented similar topographic and chronological patterns, whereas expression of HSP110 was more precocious in retinoic acid‐treated embryos. After retinoic exposure, caspase‐3‐ and HSP110‐positive cells were increased in the region of the optic vesicle. By contrast, after irradiation, caspase‐3‐ and HSP110‐positive cells were noticeably increased in the optic vesicle, peri‐optical mesoderm but less in lens placode. HSP110 was expressed before caspase‐3. By contrast, caspase‐9 was expressed by a very small number of cells in the optic vesicle either under physiological or under teratogenic conditions. Thus, it seems that activation of caspase‐9 is dispensable in early eye developmental apoptosis.
Curcuma longa extract as a histological dye for collagen fibres and red blood cells
Authors: Avwioro O. G. , Onwuka S. K. , Moody J. O. , Agbedahunsi J. M. , Oduola T. , Ekpo O. E. , Oladele A. A. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractCrude ethanolic extract and column chromatographic fractions of the Allepey cultivar of Curcuma longa Roxb, commonly called turmeric (tumeric) in commerce, were used as a stain for tissue sections. Staining was carried out under basic, acidic and neutral media conditions. Inorganic and organic dissolution solvents were used. The stain was used as a counterstain after alum and iron haematoxylins. C. longa stained collagen fibres, cytoplasm, red blood cells and muscle cells yellow. It also stained in a fashion similar to eosin, except for its intense yellow colour. Preliminary phytochemical evaluation of the active column fraction revealed that it contained flavonoids, free anthraquinone and deoxy sugar. A cheap, natural dye can thus be obtained from C. longa.
Discontinuous presentation of ambiguous figures: How interstimulus‐interval durations affect reversal dynamics and ERPs
Authors: Kornmeier Jürgen , Ehm Werner , Bigalke Heiko , Bach Michael 
Published: May 2007

AbstractIf we observe an ambiguous figure, our percept is unstable and alternates between the possible interpretations. Periodically interrupting the presentation sizably modulates the spontaneous reversal rate. We here studied event‐related potential (ERP) correlates of the neural processes underlying these strong modulations. An ambiguous Necker stimulus was presented discontinuously with four randomly varying interstimulus intervals (ISI; 14, 43, 130, 390 ms) while participants indicated perceptual reversals. EEG was selectively averaged with respect to the participants' percept and ISI. ERP traces varied markedly between ISIs. A simple model explained a major part of this variation and showed that the ISI‐dependent ERP modulation occurs after disambiguation has already taken place. We suggest that perceptual stability (or reversal) depends on a system state, slowly changing from one reversal to the next. ISI can shift this state on a scale between stability and instability.
Polymorphic microsatellites in largemouth bronze gudgeon (Coreius guichenoti) developed from repeat‐enriched libraries and cross‐species amplifications
Authors: LIAO X. , YU X. , CHANG J. , TONG J. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractLargemouth bronze gudgeon (Coreius guichenoti) is a medium‐sized fish endemic from the upper Yangtze River of China and its survival is threatened by the construction of the Three Gorges Dam. This study reports 20 new polymorphic microsatellites from a repeat‐enriched genomic library with a mean number allele of 5.2, and observed and expected heterozygosities ranging from 0.035 to 1, and from 0.13 to 0.917, respectively. In a cross‐species amplification test, nine of the 37 tested loci were found to be also polymorphic in a congeneric species, brass gudgeon (C. heterodon). In addition, other four loci from common carp (Cyprinus carpio) were also polymorphic in C. guichenoti. Out of these 24 polymorphic microsatellites, only three loci significantly deviated from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium in the sampled population (P < 0.0025), and all pairwise tests for linkage disequilibrium among loci were nonsignificant after applying sequential Bonferroni correction (P > 0.0026). These novel microsatellites provide sufficient levels of polymorphism for studies on population genetics and conservation in C. guichenoti and its related species.
Exploring perceptions of online infidelity
Authors: HENLINE BRANDEN H. , LAMKE LEANNE K. , HOWARD MICHAEL D. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThis study examines the similarities, differences, and potential linkages between perceptions of online infidelity and traditional infidelity using a sample of 123 individuals in committed relationships. Respondents nominated both sexually and emotionally based behaviors as unfaithful and expressed greater distress in response to hypothetical emotional, as compared to sexual, online infidelity. Unlike traditional infidelity, men generally were not more upset by sexual online infidelity than were women. Both men and women believed that emotional and sexual online infidelities were likely to co‐occur. A face‐to‐face meeting was perceived to be more likely following emotional, as compared to sexual, online infidelity and men were viewed as more likely than women to engage in sexual intercourse, given a face‐to‐face meeting with the online contact.
Speed‐dating as an invaluable tool for studying romantic attraction: A methodological primer
Authors: FINKEL ELI J. , EASTWICK PAUL W. , MATTHEWS JACOB 
Published: May 2007

AbstractResearch on initial romantic attraction flourished in the 1960s and 1970s but has now been partially eclipsed by research on close relationships. The authors argue that speed‐dating procedures, in which participants attend an event where they experience brief “dates” with a series of potential romantic partners, permit researchers to “retrofit” the advances of close relationships research to the study of initial romantic attraction. Speed‐dating procedures also allow for strong tests of many fundamental attraction‐related hypotheses and, via longitudinal follow‐ups, could unify the fields of initial romantic attraction and close relationships. This article will help investigators conduct speed‐dating studies by addressing the methodological and logistical issues they will face and by illustrating procedures with a description of the Northwestern Speed‐Dating Study.
Addressing Mental Health and Stress in Medicaid‐Insured Pregnant Women Using a Nurse‐Community Health Worker Home Visiting Team
Authors: Roman Lee Anne , Lindsay Judith K. , Moore Joseph S. , Duthie Patricia A. , Peck Christie , Barton Lauren R. , Gebben Marcia R. , Baer Lawrence J. 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACT
Objective: To describe the conceptual framework and program features of a nurse‐community health worker (CHW) team home visiting intervention, the trial design to test the program, and the results of a comparative evaluation of prenatal program participation.Design: In the context of a community‐based, randomized trial, we compared participation in a nurse‐CHW team intervention with the standard community care that included a state Medicaid program (enhanced prenatal services) with nurse home visiting.Sample: Medicaid‐eligible pregnant women (n=530), who maintained their pregnancies, had a live birth, retained custody of the child, completed more than an enrollment assessment, did not move out of the county, and were not lost to follow‐up.Measurements: Provider reports of face‐to‐face prenatal contacts and demographic and psychosocial risk assessments obtained at study enrollment.Results: Significant differences in the number of women with prenatal program contact and the total amount of contact were found, favoring the nurse‐CHW team approach. More women with risk characteristics were reached in the nurse‐CHW team group, with the exception of women with alcohol and drug use risks.Conclusions: A nurse‐CHW team approach demonstrated advantage in reaching women who had barriers to participation and delivering more intensive services.
Can Migraineurs Accurately Identify Their Headaches as “Migraine” at Attack Onset?
Authors: Ng‐Mak Daisy S. , Cady Roger , Chen Ya‐Ting , Ma Larry , Bell Christopher F. , Hu X. Henry 
Published: May 2007

Background.—While treating migraine early when the headache is mild is believed to link to improved treatment outcomes, it is not clear whether patients can correctly self‐identify a headache as a migraine at onset in real‐world settings.Objective.—This study aims to assess the likelihood that patients can correctly self‐identify a headache as a migraine at onset, and to evaluate cues that patients use to correctly identify migraine attacks.Methods.—Adult migraineurs were recruited from 14 headache clinics across the United States. Patients recorded their headache experiences via an electronic diary daily over a period of 30 days. On days when they experienced headaches, patients were asked to recall the types of headache they experienced at both onset and peak. Patients also identified cues for deciding whether the headache was a migraine or not. Using identification of migraine at headache peak as the criterion, we examined the sensitivity and specificity of migraine identification at onset. We employed generalized estimating equation (GEE) to evaluate factors identified at headache onset that predicted migraine identified at headache peak.Results.—Of the 192 enrolled patients, 182 patients recorded a total of 1197 headache episodes over 30 days. At headache onset, 888 episodes were deemed by patients as migraine and 309 episodes not migraine; a majority (92%) of these early migraine identifications were confirmed at headache peak. Sensitivity and specificity of self‐identification of migraine at onset were 91% and 97%, respectively. A number of factors at headache onset were predictive of a migraine identified at peak: sensitivity to light (OR = 3.1, 95% CI: 1.9–5.0), headache severity (OR = 2.0, 95% CI: 1.4–2.8), nausea symptoms (OR = 2.6, 95% CI: 1.5–4.5), and visual disturbance (OR = 2.3, 95% CI: 1.1–4.9). Patients who ruled out tension‐type headache at onset were twice (OR = 2.0, 95% CI: 1.5–2.8) as likely to conclude a migraine at peak.Conclusions.—Most migraineurs in tertiary care settings can correctly self‐identify a headache as a migraine at onset. Factors such as headache severity, presence of nausea, visual disturbance, sensitivity to light, and no tension‐type headache, appeared to augment the correct identification.