bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dysfunction of the cyclo‐oxygenase pathway in the foetoplacental circulation in Type 1 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Bisseling T. M. , Wouterse A. C. , Steegers E. A. P. , Elving L. , Russel F. G. M. , Smits P. 
Published: March 2005

AbstractAim  In diabetes, perinatal morbidity is significantly increased. This may partly be related to functional changes in the foetoplacental vascular bed. In diabetes models, a defect in the cyclo‐oxygenase pathway is a common observation. Therefore, we hypothesized that the human foetoplacental circulation of diabetic patients is characterized by dysfunction of the cyclo‐oxygenase pathway, as well.Methods  We performed ex‐vivo perfusions of isolated placental cotyledons from healthy women (n = 14) and from patients with Type 1 diabetes (n = 9). The contribution of cyclo‐oxygenase products to foetoplacental vascular tone was quantified by measuring the response to the cyclo‐oxygenase inhibitor indomethacin.Results  Baseline foetoplacental arterial pressure was comparable between controls and diabetic women (mean ± sem, 21.7 ± 1.2 vs. 24.4 ± 2.0 mmHg). Maximum foetoplacental arterial pressure at highest dose of indomethacin was 32.8 ± 3.0 mmHg in controls vs. 27.3 ± 2.3 mmHg in diabetic women. The indomethacin‐induced increase in pressure was reduced in diabetes (2.9 ± 0.7 vs. 11.2 ± 2.4 mmHg in controls, P = 0.01).Conclusions  Under baseline conditions, the net effect of all cyclo‐oxygenase products in the foetoplacental vascular bed is vasodilation. In diabetes, this vasodilator effect seems significantly impaired.
Increased renal glucose metabolism in Type 1 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Meyer C. , Tolias A. , Platanisiotis D. , Stumvoll M. , Vlachos L. , Mitrakou A. 
Published: March 2005

AbstractAims  In poorly controlled diabetes, increased renal glucose uptake has been implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy by promoting nonenzymatic glycosylation of proteins, activation of protein kinase C, and increased polyol pathway flux. However, whether glucose uptake by the diabetic kidney is actually increased, especially in patients with Type 1 diabetes, is unclear.Methods  To examine this question, we used a combination of net balance and isotopic techniques to compare renal glucose uptake in 12 subjects with Type 1 diabetes before and after restoration of near normoglycaemia by infusion of insulin with that in 15 postabsorptive nondiabetic volunteers.Results  Prior to insulin infusion, the diabetic subjects were markedly hyperglycaemic (arterial glucose 15.8 ± 0.9 vs. 4.4 ± 0.1 mm) and their renal tissue glucose uptake (i.e. total glucose disappearance across the kidney minus glycosuria) was increased more than 21/2‐fold (388 ± 43 vs. 148 ± 12 µmol/min, P < 0.001). This was wholly explained by the mass action effects of hyperglycaemia since the diabetic subjects had normal renal blood flow (1575 ± 82 vs. 1492 ± 68 mL/min, P = 0.46) and reduced renal tissue glucose fractional extraction (1.7 ± 0.2 vs. 2.3 ± 0.1%, P = 0.027). Insulin infusion for three hours, which restored near normoglycaemia (arterial glucose 7.6 ± 0.7 mm), reduced renal tissue glucose uptake toward normal (258 ± 41 µmol/min, P = 0.006) without altering renal blood flow (1557 ± 110, P = 0.63) or renal tissue glucose fractional extraction (2.1 ± 0.3%, P = 0.35). Renal and hepatic glucose release, which had been increased (419 ± 49 and 960 ± 54 vs. 204 ± 9 and 734 ± 32 µmol/min, both P < 0.001), were suppressed by insulin to 138 ± 22 and 520 ± 53 µmol/min, respectively (both P < 0.001).Conclusions  In poorly controlled Type 1 diabetes, renal glucose uptake is markedly increased, which provides a link between hyperglycaemia and biochemical processes implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. Its reversal by restoration of near normoglycaemia with insulin may explain the benefit of intensive insulin therapy in preventing diabetic nephropathy.
Clinical characteristics of diabetic ketoacidosis in Korea over the past two decades
Authors: Ko S‐H. , Lee W‐Y. , Lee J‐H. , Kwon H‐S. , Lee J‐M. , Kim S‐R. , Moon S‐D. , Song K‐H. , Han J‐H. , Ahn Y‐B. , Yoo S‐J. , Son H‐Y. 
Published: March 2005

AbstractAims  The aim of this study was to investigate changes in the clinical characteristics of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in Korea over the last two decades.Methods  A retrospective medical record review of all episodes of DKA from 1982 to 2002 in four University‐affiliated urban hospitals in Korea was performed. A total of 255 episodes of DKA (217 patients) were identified and divided into three consecutive 7‐year periods to compare trends over time. Clinical characteristics including precipitating factors and hospital mortality were analyzed.Results  A dramatic increase in DKA admissions has occurred over the last two decades, accompanied by a marked increase in admissions of diabetic patients. The clinical characteristics of DKA remained constant over the observation period. Non‐compliance to treatment was the most common precipitating factor of DKA. A total of 30 patients died in hospital (11.8% of all episodes). Older age and infection appeared to influence mortality.Conclusions  Our results suggest that rapidly increasing episodes of DKA in Korea, in parallel with increases in the numbers of diabetic patients, continue to be associated with significant mortality.
α‐Glucosidase inhibition (acarbose) fails to enhance secretion of glucagon‐like peptide 1 (7–36 amide) and to delay gastric emptying in Type 2 diabetic patients
Authors: Hücking K. , Kostic Z. , Pox C. , Ritzel R. , Holst J. J. , Schmiegel W. , Nauck M. A. 
Published: March 2005

AbstractAim  Acarbose is able to enhance GLP‐1 release and delay gastric emptying in normal subjects. The effect of α‐glucosidase inhibition on GLP‐1 has been less evident in Type 2 diabetic patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible influence of acarbose on GLP‐1 release and gastric emptying in Type 2 diabetic patients after a mixed test meal.Patients and methods  Ten Type 2 diabetic patients were tested with 100 mg acarbose or placebo served with a mixed meal that was labelled with 100 mg 13C‐octanoic acid. Plasma concentrations of glucose, insulin, C‐peptide, glucagon, GLP‐1 and GIP were determined over 6 h. Gastric emptying was measured by determining breath 13CO2 using infrared absorptiometry.Statistics  repeated‐measures anova.Results  Gastric emptying rates (t1/2: 162 ± 45 vs. 163 ± 62 min, P = 0.65) and plasma concentrations (increasing from ≈ 12 to ≈ 25 pmol/l, P = 0.37) and integrated responses of GLP‐1 (P = 0.37) were not changed significantly by acarbose treatment. Postprandial plasma glucose concentrations (P < 0.0001) and their integrated responses were lowered by acarbose (by 64%; P = 0.016). The plasma concentrations of insulin and C‐peptide were reduced (P = 0.007 and 0.057, respectively) by acarbose, while glucagon was not changed (P = 0.96). GIP plasma concentrations (increasing with placebo from ≈ 10 to ≈ 85 pmol/l and with acarbose to ≈ 55 pmol/l (P < 0.0001) and their integrated responses were significantly lowered (by 43%) by acarbose (P = 0.021). After 2 weeks of acarbose treatment (50 mg t.i.d. for the first and 100 mg t.i.d. for the second week, n = 6), similar results were found.Conclusions  In hyperglycaemic Type 2 diabetic patients, ingestion of acarbose with a mixed test meal failed to enhance GLP‐1 release and did not influence gastric emptying.
Does aerobic fitness influence microvascular function in healthy adults at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes?
Authors: Middlebrooke A. R. , Armstrong N. , Welsman J. R. , Shore A. C. , Clark P. , MacLeod K. M. 
Published: March 2005

AbstractAim  To investigate whether aerobic fitness is associated with skin microvascular function in healthy adults with an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.Methods  Twenty‐seven healthy normal glucose‐tolerant humans with either a previous diagnosis of gestational diabetes or having two parents with Type 2 diabetes and 27 healthy adults who had no history of diabetes were recruited. Maximal oxygen uptake was assessed using an incremental exercise test to exhaustion. Skin microvascular function was assessed using laser Doppler techniques as the maximum skin hyperaemic response to a thermal stimulus (maximum hyperaemia) and the forearm skin blood flow response to the iontophoretic application of acetylcholine (ACh) and sodium nitroprusside.Results  Maximal oxygen uptake was not significantly different in the ‘at‐risk’ group compared with healthy controls. Maximum hyperaemia was reduced in those ‘at risk’ (1.29 ± 0.30 vs. 1.46 ± 0.33 V, P = 0.047); however, the peak response to acetylcholine or sodium nitroprusside did not differ in the two groups. A significant positive correlation was demonstrated between maximal oxygen uptake and maximum hyperaemia (r = 0.52, P = 0.006 l/min and r = 0.60, P = 0.001 ml/kg/min) and peak ACh response (r = 0.40, P = 0.04 l/min and r = 0.47, P = 0.013 ml/kg/min) in the ‘at‐risk’ group when expressed in absolute (l/min) or body mass‐related (ml/kg/min) terms. No significant correlations were found in the control group.Conclusions  In this ‘at‐risk’ group with skin microvascular dysfunction maximal oxygen uptake was not reduced compared with healthy controls. However, in the ‘at‐risk’ group alone, individuals with higher levels of aerobic fitness also had better microvascular and endothelial responsiveness.
Twice‐daily pre‐mixed insulin rather than basal insulin therapy alone results in better overall glycaemic control in patients with Type 2 diabetes
Authors: Malone J. K. , Bai S. , Campaigne B. N. , Reviriego J. , Augendre‐Ferrante B. 
Published: March 2005

AbstractAims  To compare the glycaemic control of an insulin lispro mixture (25% insulin lispro and 75% NPL) twice daily in combination with metformin to that of once‐daily insulin glargine plus metformin in patients with Type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled with intermediate insulin, or insulin plus oral agent(s) combination therapy.Research design and methods  Ninety‐seven patients were randomized in a multicentre, open‐label, 32‐week crossover study. Primary variables evaluated: haemoglobin A1c (A1c), 2‐h post‐prandial blood glucose (BG), hypoglycaemia rate (episodes/patient/30 days), incidence (% patients experiencing ≥ 1 episode) of overall and nocturnal hypoglycaemia.Results  At endpoint, A1c was lower with the insulin lispro mixture plus metformin compared with glargine plus metformin (7.54% ± 0.87% vs. 8.14% ± 1.03%, P < 0.001). Change in A1c from baseline to endpoint was greater with the insulin lispro mixture plus metformin (−1.00% vs. −0.42%; P < 0.001). Two‐hour post‐prandial BG was lower after morning, midday, and evening meals (P < 0.001) during treatment with the insulin lispro mixture plus metformin. The fasting BG values were lower with glargine plus metformin (P = 0.007). Despite lower BG at 03.00 hours (P < 0.01), patients treated with the insulin lispro mixture plus metformin had a lower rate of nocturnal hypoglycaemia (0.14 ± 0.49 vs. 0.34 ± 0.85 episodes/patient/30 days; P = 0.002), although the overall hypoglycaemia rate was not different between treatments (0.61 ± 1.41 vs. 0.44 ± 1.07 episodes/patient/30 days; P = 0.477).Conclusion  In patients with Type 2 diabetes and inadequate glucose control while on insulin or insulin and oral agent(s) combination therapy, treatment with a twice‐daily insulin lispro mixture plus metformin, which targets both post‐prandial and pre‐meal BG, provided clinically significant improvements in A1c, significantly reduced post‐prandial BG after each meal, and reduced nocturnal hypoglycaemia as compared with once‐daily glargine plus metformin, a treatment that targets fasting BG.
HRM Practices and Employee Commitment: Possibilities, Pitfalls and Paradoxes
Authors: Iles Paul , Mabey Christopher , Robertson Ivan 
Published: March 2005

SUMMARYMuch recent writing on Human Resources Management (HRM) has emphasized the desirability of a committed workforce and the central role of HRM practices in establishing and maintaining such commitment. Little empirical evidence for such effects has been presented however, and the conceptualization of employee commitment has often been confused, failing to recognize its multi–dimensional nature. Researchers have sought to identify the antecedents of commitment, concentrating on personal/demographic, task, role and supervisory style variables taken from job satisfaction research. With regard to organizational and career commitment, it may be more fruitful to examine the impact of HRM policies and practices. Several studies undertaken by the authors demonstrating the impact on employee commitment of such HRM practices as selection, assessment, induction and training are reviewed, indicating the possibilities for research and practice in this area. Such studies also reveal some pitfalls in the over–simple, uncritical models of commitment often presented, and some paradoxical findings from the authors' own work are used to present a more adequate perspective on the commitment process.
Social Structures and Resistance to Strategic Change: British Manufacturers in the 1980s1
Authors: Whittington Richard 
Published: March 2005

SUMMARYThis article examines the refusal of two UK manufacturers to adapt their strategic ‘repertoires’ to the recessionary and structural changes of the 1980s. From being industry leaders in 1980, both companies were relegated to overseas control by the end of the decade. Developing both institutionalist and contextualist approaches to organization, the article argues that this fatal resistance to change derived from the deep social structural roots of these two companies' politics and cultures. Conservative managers were able to defy new capitalist logics by drawing upon alternative social structural sources of power, legitimacy and inspiration. The article concludes by considering the implications of this plural structuring of organizations both for organizational theory and for the management of change in practice.
Winning the Export War: British, Japanese and West German Exporters' Strategy Compared
Authors: Williamson Peter J. 
Published: March 2005

SUMMARYA comparison of pricing policies, price and volume volatility, and investment in distribution, sales and marketing systems across 462 product categories identifies important differences in the strategies of British, Japanese and West German exporters towards the US market. The impact of these strategic choices on the evolution of market share is tested.The results suggest that many British manufacturers' export strategy has been dominated by UK supply and demand considerations. A large proportion of British exports are therefore confined to niches where sensitivity to price fluctuations and ‘stop‐start’ supply is low and local distribution support is less important. Products where ‘pull marketing’ dominates are the key exception.Japanese exporters have invested heavily in US distribution and channel support, combined with a policy of stable US prices, aiding long term penetration. West German exporters have built share on technological advantage and direct sales support supplied from Germany to a limited number of customers.
Relation of Goal Setting and Goal Sharing to Performance and Conflict for Interdependent Tasks
Authors: Lee Cynthia , Earley P. Christopher , Lituchy Terri R. , Wagner Michael 
Published: March 2005

SUMMARYDespite the prevalence of goal setting in organizations, researchers have not thoroughly examined the implications of goal setting to work outcomes in interdependent work settings. A field survey (n= 442) assessed the relation of goal setting and goal sharing, the extent to which others are aware of an individual's work goal, to performance and conflict across varying levels of task interdependence. The results of moderated regression analyses demonstrate that in highly interdependent tasks, the use of goal setting resulted in lower performance levels. Moreover, goal setting and goal sharing in highly interdependent tasks resulted in individuals' reporting more somatic symptoms. The results are discussed in terms of clarifying the role of goal setting for interdependent tasks.
Decision Style in British and Swedish Organizations: A Comparative Examination of Strategic Decision Making
Authors: Axelsson Runo , Cray David , Mallory Geoffrey R. , Wilson David C. 
Published: March 2005

SUMMARYIn this paper results from parallel large scale studies of strategic decision making in Sweden and the United Kingdom are reported. Swedish decision makers are found to employ a decision making style which emphasizes negotiation within a restricted group. This style, which involves considerable information search, leads to very long decision times. Strategic decisions in Britain are made among groups which include fewer strongly committed participants. Delays are common and often serious, but do not lengthen the process unduly. Decision styles in both countries include contrasting tendencies which produce a dynamic tension in the decision arena.
Financial Distress Prediction Models: A Review of Their Usefulness1
Authors: Keasey Kevin , Watson Robert 
Published: March 2005

SUMMARYThroughout the 1980s there has been continued interest in developing financial distress prediction models for both large and small firms. There has, however, been no survey of this literature directed towards assessing the uses and limitations of these models in a management context. The purpose of the paper is, therefore, to indicate the managerial uses and limitations associated with adopting financial distress prediction models. The paper achieves this end by considering in section two the current financial distress prediction techniques and their limitations. Section three examines the relevance of the predicted event (usually actual failure), the usefulness of multi‐outcome models and the appropriateness of various sample selection methods. A review of the range and adequacy of the financial and non‐financial information used to construct predictive models forms the basis of the fourth section and is followed in section five by a review of the validity of the claims made on behalf of their predictive accuracy. The following section examines the efficacy of other methods of predicting distress, and reviews the ‘man versus model’ literature concerning the relative abilities of unaided human decision‐makers and statistical models. The final section offers conclusions and suggests where future work might be directed.
Vulnerability and Agenda: Context and Process in Project Management
Authors: Buchanan David A. 
Published: March 2005

SUMMARYThis paper explores how the project management role is conditioned by the context in which change is progressed. The argument draws on Pettigrew's (1985, 1987) contextual and processual view of change, a view which does not clarify the management implications of contextual variation. Using data from a two‐stage research design combining diary and survey methods, four context dimensions are identified, concerning ‘interlocking’, ‘shifting sands’, ‘ownership’ and ‘senior management view’. For analytical purposes, two extreme contexts are characterized as exposing the project manager to high and low levels of ‘vulnerability’ respectively. Project management literature typically offers a rational‐linear account of change, and concentrates on ‘content’ and ‘control’ agendas, concerning technical expertise on the one hand, and planning, budgeting and monitoring techniques on the other. Sociological analyses reveal the limitations of the rational‐linear account, and focus on the political and cultural dimensions of the ‘process’ agenda. The data suggest how contextual variation affects the relative priority of these agendas. The management implications of these findings are explored, for project management selection, career progression, and the development of diagnostic skills and ‘agenda management’ strategies.
Flexibility, Hierarchy, Markets
Authors: Starkey Ken , Wright Mike , Thompson Steve 
Published: March 2005

SUMMARYThe conclusion that organizations need to become more strategically flexible as a response to increasing environmental dynamism and uncertainty has been an important feature of recent contingency theories of organization design. In this literature organizations have been analysed from the perspective of the development of networks of organizations concentrating on their core competencies and contracting among themselves on a stable long‐term basis. This model of inter‐firm relationships provides an alternative mode of organizational structuring to that arising from vertical integration, which, by contrast, is seen as fostering strategic inflexibility. In the literature on corporate restructuring and changes in ownership form arising from the markets and hierarchies perspective, we see a similar emphasis on the dysfunctional consequences of large‐scale bureaucratic organization. Changes in ownership form are seen as a major means of providing more effective managerial control. In this paper we argue that linking the literature on flexibility emanating from contingency theories of organizational design and the markets and hierarchies perspective provides important new insights into current and emerging forms of organization.
An Interaction Model of Business Service Production and Consumption
Authors: O'Farrell P. N. , Moffat L. A. R. 
Published: March 2005

SUMMARYThis paper develops a conceptual framework and model of the production and consumption of a business service. The model captures the interacting and dynamic nature of relationships between individuals both within and between client and supplier firms. The role played by the client during the different phases of production of the service will influence the degree to which the final service delivered meets the customer's specifications and the probability of implementation. Some empirical evidence of the complex interactions that occur in the creation of business services is presented and is used to suggest a modified typology of business services.