bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rheological determinants of red blood cell aggregation in diabetic patients in relation to their metabolic control
Authors: Elishkevitz K. , Fusman R. , Koffler M. , Shapira I. , Zeltser D. , Avitzour D. , Arber N. , Berliner S. , Rotstein R. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractAims To determine whether increased red blood cell adhesiveness/aggregation in diabetic patients is related to the extent of their metabolic control.Methods We measured erythrocyte adhesiveness/aggregation in a group of 85 adult patients with diabetes mellitus by using citrated venous whole blood and a simple slide test. The erythrocyte adhesiveness/aggregation was determined by measuring the size of the spaces that are formed between the aggregated erythrocytes. We divided the patients into those with either low or high erythrocyte adhesiveness/aggregation values.Results The erythrocyte adhesiveness/aggregation values of the two groups differed significantly in terms of their fibrinogen concentration, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, high sensitive C‐reactive protein (CRP), total cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations. There was no difference between the two groups regarding the concentrations of HbA1c. Logistic regression was applied to construct a model to predict the belonging of a patient in the low or high erythrocyte adhesiveness/aggregation group. A linear regression was applied to construct a model to predict the erythrocyte adhesiveness/aggregation values. Both models turned out to include gender, age, fibrinogen, triglyceride, retinopathy, coronary artery disease and age and gender interaction. Neither HbA1c nor CRP entered the models.Conclusions The degree of erythrocyte adhesiveness/aggregation and several variables of the acute‐phase response in patients with diabetes mellitus are not directly related to the degree of metabolic control as evaluated by means of HbA1c concentration. Diabetic patients might benefit from rheological or anti‐inflammatory interventions regardless of their metabolic control.
Psychological counselling in problematic diabetes: does it help?
Authors: Snoek F. J. , Skinner T. C. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground In past decades clinicians have increasingly recognized the importance of psychological support for people with diabetes and their families, and many have recommended integrating psychological counselling into routine diabetes care. It is therefore important to consider whether psychological interventions in diabetes are effective in improving clinical outcomes.Methods This review was limited to the literature reporting on the treatment of five common psychological problems known to complicate diabetes management: depression, eating disorders, anxiety/stress, self‐destructive behaviour and interpersonal/family conflicts. A literature search was undertaken using MedLine and PsychInfo, including studies published in English peer‐reviewed journals between 1990 and 2001, reporting on the effects of psychological interventions in the areas mentioned. Case studies were excluded from the review.Results In line with earlier reviews, relatively little empirical research was found to substantiate the effect of psychological counselling in complicated diabetes. Most studies are uncontrolled, and involve small samples. In total only 11 randomized controlled trials were identified. Results indicate that cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) is effective in the treatment of depression in Type 2 diabetes patients, both in reducing depressive symptoms and HbA1c. Favourable effects have been observed in pilot studies applying CBT in the field of stress management, eating disorders and self‐destructive behaviour, but future research should substantiate these preliminary findings. Behaviour family therapy proved beneficial in terms of resolving family conflicts, but did not impact glycaemic control.Conclusions Evidence to support the effect of psychological treatment in problematic diabetes is still scarce, due to limited research in this area. Suggestions are made to further develop psychotherapeutic research in diabetes care. We conclude that future research should gain from a behavioural medicine approach to diabetes, with close collaboration between diabetologists and psychologists.
Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in women with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes
Authors: Cundy T. , Slee F. , Gamble G. , Neale L. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractAims Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy are common in women with Type 1 diabetes and can be associated with adverse fetal outcomes, but little is known about hypertension in pregnancy in women with Type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study was to compare the incidence and outcomes of, and risk factors for, hypertension in pregnancy in women with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.Methods One hundred consecutive singleton pregnancies in women with Type 2 and 100 in women with Type 1 diabetes were studied. Hypertension in pregnancy was classified according to Australasian Society for the Study of Hypertension in Pregnancy guidelines. Outcomes of pregnancy examined included birth weight, rates of caesarean section, premature delivery and special care unit admission, and perinatal mortality.Results The overall incidence of hypertension in pregnancy was similar in Type 2 and Type 1 diabetes (41% vs. 45%), but the distribution of subtypes differed (P = 0.028). Women with Type 2 diabetes had more chronic hypertension (diagnosed at < 20 weeks gestation), but less preeclampsia than women with Type 1 diabetes. Hypertension in pregnancy was strongly associated with a number of adverse outcomes, but the impact of hypertension was significantly less for Type 2 diabetes than it was for Type 1 (premature delivery, P < 0.005; admission to Special Care Unit, P < 0.01; caesarean section, P = 0.05). This was, in part, because the frequency of adverse outcomes was greater in women with preeclampsia. Nulliparity, poor glycaemic control at presentation, and early pregnancy blood pressure and not smoking were risk factors for hypertension of similar magnitude in both types of diabetes. Significant effects of duration of diabetes and obesity were not seen in Type 2 subjects, but were in Type 1 (P < 0.01, P < 0.05, respectively). Early pregnancy albumin excretion rate was increased more frequently in Type 2 subjects than in Type 1 (P < 0.035), but was less strongly associated with the development of preeclampsia (P < 0.035).Conclusions The incidence of hypertension in pregnancy is similar in Type 2 and Type 1 diabetes, but the different population characteristics are reflected in a significantly different pattern of types of hypertension. Hypertension has less impact on adverse outcomes in Type 2 diabetes. Some risk factors for hypertension also differ between Type 2 and Type 1 diabetes.
Diabetic ketosis activates lymphomonocyte‐inducible nitric oxide synthase
Authors: Iori E. , Calò L. , Valbusa D. , Ceolotto G. , Milani M. , Pengo V. , De Kreutzenberg S. V. , Tiengo A. , Avogaro A. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractAims Inappropriate production of nitric oxide (NO) may be responsible for the haemodynamic disturbances of diabetic ketoacidosis. We investigated whether this metabolic condition is associated with increased plasma nitrate (the stable oxidation product of NO) levels and NO synthase gene expression in lymphomonocytes.Research design and methods Plasma nitrate concentrations, lymphomonocyte‐inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene expression, tumour necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) and soluble thrombomodulin were measured in 11 Type 1 diabetic patients at baseline, during mild ketosis and after euglycaemia was re‐established.Results During diabetic ketosis plasma nitrate concentrations were higher (18 (16–21) vs. 9 (7–11) µmol/l; (95% lower‐upper confidence interval) P < 0.05) than at baseline. At baseline lymphomonocyte iNOS mRNA expression and iNOS protein levels were undetectable, but in ketosis both were increased (both at P < 0.0001). After recovery from ketosis, NO3 concentration, iNOS mRNA, and iNOS expression (270 ± 36%, mean ± sd) decreased but not significantly. No significant changes were observed in either TNF‐α or soluble thrombomodulin levels between the three conditions.Conclusions Diabetic ketosis is associated with increased nitrate levels and the activation of iNOS expression in circulating lymphomonocytes, but it does not affect either the proinflammatory cytokine TNF‐α or a marker of endothelial dysfunction such as thrombomodulin. Our data support the hypothesis that, during diabetic ketosis, alterations in NO homeostasis are present in circulating lymphomonocytes.
Basal‐bolus insulin therapy in Type 1 diabetes: comparative study of pre‐meal administration of a fixed mixture of insulin lispro (50%) and neutral protamine lispro (50%) with human soluble insulin
Authors: Herz M. , Arora V. , Sun B. , Ferguson S. C. , Bolli G. B. , Frier B. M. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractAims To ascertain whether pre‐meal administration of 50% insulin lispro and 50% neutral protamine lispro (NPL), given as a fixed mixture (Humalog® Mix50™, Eli Lilly) (Mix50), provides satisfactory glycaemic control throughout the day compared with pre‐meal human soluble (regular) insulin as a basal‐bolus regimen in people with Type 1 diabetes. Both regimens included bedtime human isophane (NPH) insulin.Methods This was a multinational, multicentre, randomized, open‐label, two‐period crossover comparison of two insulin treatments for two 12‐week periods in 109 patients with Type 1 diabetes. The protocol provided preliminary evaluations of dose requirements and recommendations for insulin dose adjustment when switching regimens on the basis of blood glucose (BG) values. Eight‐point BG profiles, frequency of hypoglycaemia, HbA1c, insulin dose, time of injection, and frequency of snacking were assessed during each treatment.Results Total daily insulin dose was similar for both treatments, but the total pre‐meal doses were higher (P < 0.001) and the bedtime dose of isophane was lower (P < 0.001) with Mix50. The pre‐meal dose before breakfast and lunch, although statistically different (P = 0.006 and P < 0.001, respectively), was of similar magnitude, but the pre‐evening meal dose was higher with Mix50 (P < 0.001). Median (interquartile range) time of insulin injection before meals was: Mix50 4.2 (25th percentile = 1.0; 75th percentile = 6.3) min, human soluble insulin 24.6 (25th percentile = 16.6; 75th percentile = 30.0) min. Pre‐meal and bedtime BG concentrations did not differ between treatments. The BG 2 h after the evening meal was lower with Mix50 (8.40 ± 2.95 mmol/l vs. 9.60 ± 3.47 mmol/l) (P = 0.049). BG after breakfast and lunch, mean HbA1c, frequency of hypoglycaemia, frequency of snacks, and body weight were not different.Conclusion The use of Mix50 in a basal‐bolus regimen achieved similar control of pre‐meal BG to human soluble insulin, and overall glycaemic control and hypoglycaemia risk were equivalent. This suggests that Mix50 can provide an adequate supply of insulin to control BG between meals while providing the convenience of injecting immediately before meals.Diabet. Med. 19, 917–923 (2002)
Improvements in insulin sensitivity and β‐cell function (HOMA) with weight loss in the severely obese
Authors: Dixon J. B. , Dixon A. F. , O'Brien P. E. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractAims  To examine the effect of weight loss on insulin sensitivity and β‐cell function in severely obese subjects of varying glycaemic control.Patients and methods  Subjects were 254 (F:M 209:45) patients having adjustable gastric banding for severe obesity, with paired biochemical data from before operation and at 1‐year follow up. The homeostatic model assessment method was used to calculate insulin sensitivity (HOMA%S) and β‐cell function (HOMA%B). Subjects were grouped by diabetic status and by pre‐weight loss HbA1c.Results  Initial mean (sd) weight and body mass index were 128 (26) kg and 46.2 (7.7) kg/m2, respectively, and at 1‐year were 101 (22) kg and 36.4 (6.7) kg/m2. The percentage of excess weight lost (%EWL) was 44.3 (14)%. HOMA%S improved from 37.5 (16)% presurgery to 62 (25)% (P < 0.001). %EWL was the only predictor of HOMA%S improvement (r = 0.28, P < 0.001). Subjects with normal fasting glucose, impaired fasting glucose and Type 2 diabetes had a fall, no change and increase in HOMA%B, respectively. The improvement in HOMA%B in subjects with diabetes (n = 39) was inversely related to the time with diabetes (r = −0.36, P = 0.02). In non‐diabetic subjects the HOMA%S–HOMA%B relationship was favourably altered with weight loss, so that for any given HOMA%S there was an increase in HOMA%B (f = 11.8, P = 0.001). This improvement in HOMA%B was positively related to %EWL (r = 0.25, P = 0.019).Discussion  There are beneficial changes in both insulin sensitivity and β‐cell function with weight loss. Modern laparoscopic obesity surgery may have an important early role in the management of Type 2 diabetes in obese subjects.
Body size and latitudinal gradients in regional diversity of New World birds
Authors: Cardillo Marcel 
Published: March 2003

AbstractAre latitudinal gradients in regional diversity random or biased with respect to body size? Using data for the New World avifauna, I show that the slope of the increase in regional species richness from the Arctic to the equator is not independent of body size. The increase is steepest among small and medium‐sized species, and shallowest among the largest species. This is reflected in latitudinal variation in the shape of frequency distributions of body sizes in regional subsets of the New World avifauna. Because species are added disproportionately in small and medium size classes towards low latitudes, distributions become less widely spread along the body size axis than expected from the number of species. These patterns suggest an interaction between the effects of latitude and body size on species richness, implying that mechanisms which vary with both latitude and body size may be important determinants of high tropical diversity in New World birds.
Are there fine‐scale spatial patterns in community similarity among temporary freshwater pools?
Authors: Spencer Matthew , Schwartz Steven S. , Blaustein Leon 
Published: March 2003

AbstractOne expects greater similarity between communities that are close together in space than between communities that are widely separated. This may be due to similarity in environmental conditions, short‐range dispersal, or both processes together. We examined whether these mechanisms were important in determining the invertebrate communities in a set of temporary freshwater rockpools within an area of 800 m2. Adjacent pools tended to share similar environmental characteristics (conductivity, pH, presence of predatorySalamandra salamandraL. larvae and amount of shade). Community dissimilarity was not strongly related to interpool distance. Environmental variables did not explain a significant amount of variation in community dissimilarity, although differences in pH and depth were the best predictors of community dissimilarity. We conclude that dispersal is not limiting in our study system.
Design and test of a generic cohort model of soil organic matter decomposition: the SOMKO model
Authors: Gignoux Jacques , House Joanna , Hall David , Masse Dominique , Nacro Hassan B. , Abbadie Luc 
Published: March 2003

Abstract

SOMKO is a new simulation model of soil organic matter (SOM) dynamics aimed at predicting long‐term and short‐term SOM dynamics based on a mechanistic approach focusing on microbes as the key agents of decomposition.
SOM is partitioned into cohorts and chemical quality pools (classified by age and chemical composition), the microbial community processes are explicitly represented, and the C : N stoichiometric constraints are accounted for through a new mechanism of offer and demand.
The analysis of model equations shows that: (1) SOM C : N cannot decrease below microbial C : N; and (2) the nitrogen limitation of decomposition depends on SOM C : N, microbial biomass and soil mineral nitrogen. First tests of the model show good qualitative behaviour for simulating the dynamics of short‐term litter‐bag type decomposition, long‐term SOM increase, pulsed mineral nitrogen production, the priming effect due to easily decomposable carbon addition, and the effects of vegetation clearance and climate change on SOM. Simulations are in good agreement with long‐term experimental data.
SOMKO is an integrated component of the coupled soil–vegetation models within the ETEMA (European Terrestrial Ecosystem Modelling Activity) framework. Future extensions of this work include: (1) estimating microbial parameters from specific experiments; (2) spatial distribution of SOMKO in multistrata models; and (3) implementing nitrification/denitrification processes, phosphorus limitation and microfaunal activity.
Patterns of ant species richness along elevational gradients in an arid ecosystem
Authors: Sanders Nathan J. , Moss Jarrod , Wagner Diane 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACTAim In this study, we examine patterns of local and regional ant species richness along three elevational gradients in an arid ecosystem. In addition, we test the hypothesis that changes in ant species richness with elevation are related to elevation‐dependent changes in climate and available area.Location Spring Mountains, Nevada, U.S.A.Methods We used pitfall traps placed at each 100‐m elevational band in three canyons in the Spring Mountains. We compiled climate data from 68 nearby weather stations. We used multiple regression analysis to examine the effects of annual precipitation, average July precipitation, and maximum and minimum July temperature on ant species richness at each elevational band.Results We found that patterns of local ant species richness differed among the three gradients we sampled. Ant species richness increased linearly with elevation along two transects and peaked at mid‐elevation along a third transect. This suggests that patterns of species richness based on data from single transects may not generalize to larger spatial scales. Cluster analysis of community similarity revealed a high‐elevation species assemblage largely distinct from that of lower elevations. Major changes in the identity of ant species present along elevational gradients tended to coincide with changes in the dominant vegetation. Regional species richness, defined here as the total number of unique species within an elevational band in all three gradients combined, tended to increase with increasing elevation. Available area decreased with increasing elevation. Area was therefore correlated negatively with ant species richness and did not explain elevational patterns of ant species richness in the Spring Mountains. Mean July maximum and minimum temperature, July precipitation and annual precipitation combined to explain 80% of the variation in ant species richness.Main conclusions Our results suggest that in arid ecosystems, species richness for some taxa may be highest at high elevations, where lower temperatures and higher precipitation may support higher levels of primary production and cause lower levels of physiological stress.
Models of predation and fishing mortality in aquatic ecosystems
Authors: Whipple Stuart J , Link Jason S , Garrison Lance P , Fogarty Michael J 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe dynamics of fish stocks are greatly influenced by predatory and fishery removals. We describe the strengths and weaknesses of a suite of approaches that assess the scope and magnitude of fishery and predatory mortality in aquatic ecosystems. We examine: (i) empirical models for pattern detection, process exploration, and model parameterization (e.g. multispecies time series and multiple regression); (ii) qualitative process‐based models of species interactions (e.g. food web analyses and loop analyses); and quantitative process‐based multispecies models that include: (iii) static flow models (e.g. Ecopath); (iv) dynamic models of either numerical abundance (e.g. Lotka–Volterra) or biomass (e.g.
Ecosim and multispecies biomass dynamics); and (v) spatially explicit versions of the above. Decisions concerning a specific modelling approach should be evaluated in the context of the goals of the model and empirical database. Important considerations include model use, desired output, and management context. Four important factors to consider in model selection are the spatial and temporal extent and resolution, conservation of mass or numbers, mathematical representation of predator–prey interactions, and mathematical representation of technical interactions. We conclude that the most effective modelling exercise to achieve a given set of goals should incorporate the evaluation of multiple model configurations.
Myths and moderation in marine ‘metapopulations’?
Authors: Smedbol R Kent , McPherson Arran , Hansen Michael M , Kenchington Ellen 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe metapopulation concept is appearing with increasing frequency in the marine population dynamics and genetics literature, though its applicability to marine systems remains an open question. Moreover, in recent years, the meaning of the term ‘metapopulation’ has become blurred, concomitant with its increasing use. In this paper, we summarize the concept of metapopulation dynamics and the associated theoretical assumptions. We call for a stricter definition and use of the term ‘metapopulation’, critically evaluate the applicability of metapopulation theory to marine population dynamics and its use in the related literature, and consider two published case‐studies that investigate metapopulation structuring in specific marine populations. Finally, we urge scientists to carefully articulate what is meant by the term ‘metapopulation’ and to use appropriate citations in the primary literature to circumvent the potential for nebulous (and possibly damaging) conclusions in the future.
Multimodal event‐related potential P3 after transient global amnesia
Authors: Trinka E. , Pfisterer G. , Unterrainer J. , Staffen W. , Wranek U. , Löscher N. W. , Ladurner G. 
Published: March 2003

The putative generators of the event‐related P3 component are still a matter of debate. There is reasonable evidence that the mesial temporal lobe structures are crucial in the generation of event‐related potentials. Transient global amnesia (TGA) is characterized by anterograde and retrograde amnesia without neurological deficits in which a temporal hypoperfusion is the most likely pathomechanism.The aim of this study is to evaluate a possible delay in the P3 latency in a cohort of patients with TGA (n = 18). We used classic oddball paradigms with visual and auditory stimuli . The P3 latencies were compared to 18 age‐matched patients with transient ischaemic attacks (TIAs) in the carotid artery territory and 23 age‐matched controls.The mean age of the patients was 60.1 years (SD 14.1), in the TIA group 64.7 (SD 12.1) and 57.7 (SD 10.1) in the controls; the mean time interval between onset of TGA symptoms and performance of P3 investigations was 4.3 days (range 1–7 days); and the mean latencies measured at the vertex (Cz electrode) were 422.9 ms (SD 44.6) for the TGA patients, 436.4 ms (SD 62.1) for the TIA group, and 409.3 ms (SD 48.5) for the controls in the visual paradigm and 371.7 ms (SD 41.7), 399.7 ms (SD 51.2) and 385.3 ms (SD 46.5) in the auditory paradigm for the TGA, the TIA and the control groups. The P‐values were not significant.These results suggest different neuronal networks in the generation of scalp P3 from those responsible for the disturbance of episodic memory in TGA .