bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Regional differences in risk factors and clinical presentation of diabetic foot lesions
Authors: Morbach S. , Lutale J. K. , Viswanathan V. , Möllenberg J. , Ochs H. R. , Rajashekar S. , Ramachandran A. , Abbas Z. G. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractBackground Problems associated with the diabetic foot are worldwide. However, there may be regional variation among risk factors and clinical presentation. Prospective comparative data concerning this topic are rare.Aim To determine differences in underlying risk factors and clinical presentation of foot problems among people with diabetes in different regions.Patients and methods Six hundred and thirteen consecutive patients with diabetic foot lesions from three centres [Soest‐Germany (GER), Dar‐es‐Salaam, Tanzania (TAN) and Chennai, India (IND)] were included during the period June 1998 through December 1999. Diabetes‐related data, risk‐factor profiles, and lesion‐related data were collected for each patient. Due to varying proportions of recurrent lesions among the centres, only data from patients with newly presenting diabetic foot lesion were analysed.Results Of the 613 patients sampled, 368 (60%) were treated for newly presenting diabetic foot lesion. In all three centres, patients were predominately male and had Type 2 diabetes. The average diabetes duration until the onset of the initial foot lesion was 14 years in GER and 12 years in IND, but only 5 years in TAN. The corresponding patient ages were 71, 56 and 51 years. Neuropathy was common to patients in all three centres. Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) was a frequent risk factor in GER (48%). In TAN and IND it was far less common (12 and 13%), probably due to younger patient populations, shorter diabetes duration and lower proportions of smokers. Inadequate footwear was the most common cause of foot lesions in GER (19%), while lack of footwear, irregular foot care and burns were the primary precipitating factors among patients in TAN and IND.Conclusion Similarities in different regions of the world among people with diabetes suffering newly presenting foot lesions include a predominance of males and patients with Type 2 diabetes, as well as a high frequency of diabetic neuropathy. However, differences concerning age, diabetes duration, peripheral vascular disease, and precipitating factors contributing to injury are also observed.
Facilitating access to glucometer reagents increases blood glucose self‐monitoring frequency and improves glycaemic control: a prospective study in insulin‐treated diabetic patients
Authors: Nyomba B. L. G. , Berard L. , Murphy L. J. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractAims  To investigate whether availability of glucometer reagents increases the frequency of self‐blood glucose monitoring (SBGM) and improves glycaemic control in diabetic patients.Methods  Sixty‐two insulin‐treated diabetic patients were randomized to two groups, matched for age, gender, education, income, type and duration of diabetes, years of insulin treatment, number of daily insulin injections, and haemoglobin (Hb)A1c. All patients were given a glucometer, but one group (no cost, NC) was provided glucometer test strips free of charge. The other group (control, C) had to purchase strips as they found it necessary. Both groups of patients were followed longitudinally at 2‐monthly intervals for 12 months with measurement of blood glucose and HbA1c, and the frequency of SBGM was determined by downloading the glucometer memory.Results  The SBGM frequency was significantly higher in the NC group vs. the C group during the first 4 months (2.0 ± 0.2 tests/day vs. 1.4 ± 0.1 tests/day, P < 0.025). Mean HbA1c remained stable over the 12 months in the NC group, whereas an increase with time was observed in the C group. The difference in HbA1c between the two groups was significant (P < 0.002) after 6 months. Random blood glucose measured at each visit and average glucose recorded by the glucometer were also lower in the NC group vs. the C group (P < 0.005). There was a negative correlation between HbA1c and SBGM frequency, and HbA1c in patients testing at least twice a day was lower than in those testing less than twice a day (8.8 ± 0.2% vs. 9.6 ± 0.2%, P < 0.001).Conclusions  In this prospective study, having easy access to glucometer strips provided free of charge to patients increased SBGM frequency. The relationship between HbA1c and SBGM frequency supports the view that SBGM is an essential tool in diabetes management.
Type 2 diabetes in Tirana City, Albania: a rapid increase in a country in transition
Authors: Shapo L. , McKee M. , Coker R. , Ylli A. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractAims  To determine how the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes mellitus has changed in Tirana, the capital of Albania, over 20 years.Methods  Cluster sampling was used to select 700 households including 1540 adults 25 years of age and over in Tirana City, Albania in 2001.Results  Of 1540 potential subjects, 1120 participated (response rate 72.7%). Using the 1985 WHO criteria to provide comparability with earlier data, the overall prevalence of Type 2 diabetes mellitus in the age group 25+ was 6.3% (95% confidence interval 4.8–7.7); 6.9% (4.8–9.1%) male; 5.6% (3.8–7.5%) female. The age‐adjusted prevalence in those aged 25+ was 5.4%. Of respondents, 3.4% were known to have diabetes, and 2.9% were newly identified through the survey. The prevalence of diabetes increased with age, although among men there was a slight decline after age 65. Impaired glucose tolerance was found in a further 2.9% of respondents, again increasing with age. The prevalence of diabetes has increased significantly since 1980, doubling in the age group 50+. Use of the 1999 WHO diagnostic criteria produces a higher unadjusted prevalence, at 9.7% (8–11.4%). In a logistic regression model, obesity and family history were independent determinants of the probability of having diabetes. Among those known to have diabetes, control was poor.Conclusions  The prevalence of diabetes in Albania has increased rapidly, consistent with what has been seen in other countries undergoing rapid modernization. It is likely to increase further in the future, with important implications for health policy.
Syncope – an unusual presentation of ventricle dysfunction in a patient with Fontan circulation
Authors: Holmgren Daniel , Redfors Staffan , Rydberg Annika , Wåhlander Håkan 
Published: December 2004

SummaryWe report a case of recurrent syncope in association with moderate ventricular dysfunction and mild AV‐valve regurgitation in an 18‐year‐old girl, 4 years after she underwent total cavopulmonary connection surgery. Cardiac catheterization revealed a transpulmonary gradient of 1–2 mmHg. During exercise, a dramatic fall in blood pressure and blood oxygenation was observed, paralleled by an increase in heart rate and central venous pressure. Although a slight increase in pulmonary vascular resistance could not be excluded, the reaction was interpreted in terms of an extremely low transpulmonary gradient in association with ventricular dysfunction. Five months after heart transplantation, the patient has been completely free from syncope. Fontan circulation usually involves a delicate haemodynamic situation which may necessitate haemodynamic re‐evaluations, including dynamic measurements of the central venous pressure during exercise. Also a moderate ventricular dysfunction may result in compromised pulmonary circulation which in turn may lead to syncope during exercise as a result of insufficient systemic circulation.
Relationship between breath‐synchronous arterial pressure and heart rate variations during orthostatic stress
Authors: Sundblad Patrik , Linnarsson Dag 
Published: December 2004

SummaryIt has recently been shown that the phase relationship between respiration‐induced changes in arterial pressure (AP) and heart rate (HR) are different in supine and upright postures. We wanted to further analyse the coupling between respiration, arterial blood pressure and HR in the time domain, and how this coupling was altered during orthostatic stress. Nine healthy subjects were studied. Respiration‐induced changes in AP and HR were recorded during frequency‐ and volume‐controlled breathing. This was done during supine rest with and without lower body negative pressure (−50 mmHg) (LBNP). All experiments were performed after β1‐blockade. Responses were averaged breath‐by‐breath to enhance the time resolution and to eliminate noise. The respiration‐induced changes in arterial pulse pressure (PP) were different between control and LBNP: The peak in PP during the respiratory cycle occurred 0·9 ± 0·8 (mean ± SD) s before the onset of inspiration during supine control and 0·8 ± 2·1 s after the onset of inspiration during LBNP (P = 0·03). These changes in the timing of peak PP significantly distorted the cyclic systolic AP and mean AP fluctuations during LBNP. Despite the altered AP response with LBNP, HR fluctuations closely correlated in time with respiration in all conditions, albeit with a significantly reduced amplitude during LBNP (−49%, P = 0·01). The results points to a lack of coupling between AP and HR during paced breathing and thus suggest that respiratory sinus dysrhythmia at least, to a large extent, is independent of the arterial baroreflex.
Human SP‐A and a pharmacy‐grade porcine lung surfactant extract can be reconstituted into tubular myelin – a comparative structural study of alveolar surfactants using cryo‐transmission electron microscopy
Authors: Larsson Marcus , van Iwaarden J. Freek , Haitsma Jack J. , Lachmann Burkhard , Wollmer Per 
Published: December 2004

SummaryCryo‐transmission electron microscopy (cryo‐TEM) is a rather artefact‐free method, well suited to study the alveolar surfactant system. A pharmacy grade porcine lung surfactant extract (HL‐10) was mixed with human SP‐A and Ringer's solution (for calcium ions), and it was shown by cryo‐TEM that the tubular myelin (TM) type of structure was reconstituted. These aggregates were associated to liposomal aggregates, and resulted in macroscopic phase‐separation. This phase showed a weak birefringence in the polarising microscope, which is characteristic for a liquid‐crystalline type of structure. TM from rabbit lung lavage was also examined, and showed the same periodic arrangement of bilayers as alveolar surface layer from freshly cut rabbit lungs deposited directly on the cryo‐TEM grids. The distance between the bilayers of TM was 40–50 nm, and an electron dense material, assumed to be SP‐A, was sometimes seen to occur periodically along the bilayers, oriented perpendicularly to the tubuli. The results are consistent with the surface‐phase model of the alveolar lining.
Neuropsychology of Epilepsy
Authors: Matsuoka Hiroo 
Published: December 2004

Summary:  Purpose: The neuropsychological approach to epilepsy is indispensable for assessment of cognitive function in an interictal period including pre‐ and postsurgical evaluation, and for disclosing the semiology of nonconvulsive status epilepticus. Another use of the neuropsychological approach is to identify a seizure‐precipitating factor by loading systematic cognitive tasking, termed “neuropsychological EEG activation” (NPA), during standard EEG recordings.Methods: In this study, NPA tasks consisted of reading, speaking, writing, written arithmetic calculation, mental arithmetic calculation, and spatial construction.Results: The NPA tasks provoked epileptic discharges in 7.9% of the 480 epileptic patients and were often accompanied by myoclonic seizures. Among the cognitive tasks, mental activities mainly associated with use of the hands [i.e., writing (68.4%), written calculation (55.3%), and spatial construction (63.2%)] provoked the most discharges. Seizure‐precipitating mental activities were found to be almost exclusively related to idiopathic generalized epilepsies (IGEs).Conclusions: These results suggest that NPA is a useful tool for examining the relationship between cognitive function and epileptic seizures, and that the IGE patients with myoclonic seizures are vulnerable to higher mental activity.
Elderly Patients with Systemic Disease
Authors: Boggs Jane G. 
Published: December 2004

Summary:Although the healthy elderly seizure patient can often be treated with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) similarly to a younger counterpart, the elderly with systemic disease require a more complex approach. The interplay of multiple organ dysfunctions and multiple non‐AED medications greatly increases the challenges of managing the majority of older epilepsy patients. In addition, age‐related physiologic changes in hepatic and renal function, volume of distribution, and exaggerated sensitivity to side effects alter the usual “rules” for administering AEDs. Thorough knowledge of the general principles of geriatric physiology and pharmacology may predict optimal selection of initial or subsequent AED therapy in this population.
Role of volatiles emitted by host and non‐host plants in the foraging behaviour of Dentichasmias busseolae, a pupal parasitoid of the spotted stemborer Chilo partellus
Authors: Gohole Linnet S. , Overholt William A. , Khan Zeyaur R. , Vet Louise E. M. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThe role of volatiles from stemborer host and non‐host plants in the host‐finding process of Dentichasmias busseolae Heinrich (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) a pupal parasitoid of Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) was studied. The non‐host plant, molasses grass (Melinis minutiflora Beauv. (Poaceae)), is reported to produce some volatile compounds known to be attractive to some parasitoid species. The studies were conducted to explore the possibility of intercropping stemborer host plants with molasses grass in order to enhance the foraging activity of D. busseolae in such a diversified agro‐ecosystem. Olfactometric bioassays showed that volatiles from the host plants maize, Zea mays L., and sorghum, Sorghum bicolor (L.) (Poaceae), were attractive to the parasitoid. Infested host plants were the most attractive. Volatiles from molasses grass were repellent to the parasitoid. Further tests showed that volatiles from infested and uninfested host plants alone were preferred over those from infested and uninfested host plants combined with the non‐host plant, molasses grass. In dual choice tests, the parasitoid did not discriminate between volatiles from maize infested by either of the two herbivore species, C. partellus or Busseola fusca Fuller (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Volatiles from sorghum infested by C. partellus were preferred over those from C. partellus‐infested maize. The study showed that the pupal parasitoid D. busseolae uses plant volatiles during foraging, with those from the plant–herbivore complex being the most attractive. The fact that volatiles from molasses grass were deterrent to the parasitoid suggested that intercropping maize or sorghum with molasses grass was not likely to enhance the foraging behaviour of D. busseolae. Volatiles from the molasses grass may hinder D. busseolae's host location efficiency.
Identification of a coffee berry borer‐associated yeast: does it break down caffeine?
Authors: Vega Fernando E. , Blackburn Michael B. , Kurtzman Cletus P. , Dowd Patrick F. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractTwo yeasts isolated from laboratory reared adult coffee berry borers [Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari) (Coleoptera: Scolytidae)] and from insects collected in the field in Colombia were identified as Pichia burtonii Boidin and Candida fermentati (Saito) Bai, based on sequencing of the nuclear large subunit 26S rDNA variable D1/D2 domain. Liquid culture experiments using P. burtonii in media containing different caffeine levels indicated that caffeine levels in a range found within coffee seeds can retard yeast growth. HPLC analysis shows that P. burtonii does not break down caffeine.
Soil nutrients and water availability interact to influence willow growth and chemistry but not leaf beetle performance
Authors: Lower Steven S. , Orians Colin M. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractWe investigated the effects of soil nutrient and water availability on the growth and chemistry of the silky willow (Salix sericea Marshall), and on the performance of the imported willow leaf beetle (Plagiodera versicolora Laichartig). Our major aims were to determine whether there are nutrient–water interactions on plant traits and whether this leads to parallel interactions for herbivore performance. We used a 2 × 3 fully factorial design, which consisted of high and low nutrient treatments crossed with dry, field capacity, and flooded water treatments. We found that nutrient additions increased plant growth, but only in field capacity and flooded conditions (nutrient–water interaction). Leaf nitrogen content also depended on the interaction between soil nutrients and water: nutrient addition resulted in a larger increase in foliar nitrogen in the field capacity treatment than in the flooded and dry treatments. Of the two phenolic glycosides measured, salicortin and 2′‐cinnamoylsalicortin, only one was affected by the treatments. 2′‐cinnamoylsalicortin concentration was lower in the high nutrient–dry treatment compared with the other treatments. In contrast to plant responses, there were no interactions found for larval or pupal weight or development time. Nutrient addition led to an increase in female pupal weight, and foliar N was positively correlated with female pupal weight and negatively correlated with female development time. In addition, leaf water was positively correlated with female development time. The lack of interactions for insect performance may stem from the small absolute differences in foliar nitrogen content associated with the interaction between the nutrients and water. Taken together, our results suggest that nutrient–water interactions influence plant traits that are potentially important for insect performance (leaf nitrogen and water), but these interactions do not produce parallel interactions in beetle performance.
Endophyte infection in perennial ryegrass reduces the susceptibility of black cutworm to an entomopathogenic nematode
Authors: Kunkel Brian A. , Grewal Parwinder S. 
Published: December 2004

Abstract The perennial ryegrass, Lolium perenne, forms a symbiotic relationship with Neotyphodium lolii, a fungus that produces alkaloids. This relationship provides a competitive advantage to the host plant in grassland communities by increasing drought tolerance, and disease and herbivore resistance. Black cutworm, Agrotis ipsilon, is among the few insect species that are able to feed and develop on endophytic perennial ryegrass. Some insects can use plant secondary compounds to defend themselves against predators, therefore we hypothesized that the cutworms fed on endophytic grasses would exhibit greater defense against a lethal endoparasitic nematode, Steinernema carpocapsae. Laboratory experiments involving 4–5th instars support the hypothesis that A. ipsilon feeding on grass clippings from field plots with high (> 90%) incidence of endophyte infected perennial ryegrass are less susceptible to entomopathogenic nematodes than larvae fed grass clippings from plants with little or no incidence of endophyte. Laboratory studies resulted in similar overall mortality after 48 h. Field studies, however, show decreased susceptibility to S. carpocapsae when larvae were confined to areas of endophytic grass (> 75% infected). Early instars (2–3rd) fed on endophyte free grass suffered greater overall mortality at all nematode concentrations than 4–5th instars fed similarly. Early (2–3rd) instars were equally susceptible to nematode attack regardless of food source. Our results indicate that the fungal endosymbionts of grasses can influence the biology of natural enemies of an herbivorous insect.
Side‐effects of cowpea treatment with botanical insecticides on two parasitoids of Callosobruchus maculatus
Authors: Boeke Sara J. , Sinzogan Antonio A.C. , De Almeida Raul P. , De Boer Paul W.M. , Jeong Gilsang , Kossou Dansou K. , Van Loon Joop J.A. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractStudies on the protective effect of botanical products against pest insects have infrequently been extended to side‐effects on natural enemies. Indirect effects of botanicals on the storability of seeds could occur through their possible negative impact on biological control agents. Four plant powders and six plant oils with a known effect on the cowpea beetle Callosobruchus maculatus (Fabr.) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) were investigated for their effect on the beetles’ egg parasitoid Uscana lariophaga (Steffan) (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) and the larval parasitoid Dinarmus basalis (Rondani) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae). All treatments caused a decrease in parasitisation by U. lariophaga, and developing parasitoids of this species were affected by powders of Nicotiana tabacum (L.) and Tephrosia vogelii (Hook. f). In a two‐choice situation using a linear olfactometer, U. lariophaga was repelled by most of the oils. In a no‐choice situation, parasitisation by D. basalis was hampered by treatment with plant powders, but eggs that were laid developed normally. In a Y‐tube olfactometer, this parasitoid did not discriminate between odours of untreated and plant‐powder‐treated beans. The powders of N. tabacum and T. vogelii had stronger negative effects on the two parasitoids than the powders of Azadirachta indica (Juss.) or Blumea aurita (DC). In samples collected from untreated traditional storage facilities, subsequently treated with plant powders in the laboratory, none of the treatments could prevent the increase in beetle numbers. At 24 days after treatment, most beetles had emerged from beans treated with powders of N. tabacum and T. vogelii. Parasitoids were affected by the botanical insecticides tested here, but the powders of A. indica and B. aurita may be compatible with biological control by D. basalis.
Berufliche Beifuß‐Allergie
Authors: Kurzen Marina , Bayerl Christiane , Goerdt Sergij 
Published: December 2004

Hintergrund: Beifuß (Artemisia vulgaris) wird traditionell als Gewürz, Gemüse und Heilpflanze eingesetzt. Zur Familie der Artemisiagewächse gehören auch andere bekannte Vertreter wie z. B. Artemisia absinthum und Artemisia dracunculus (Estragon). Beifuß‐Allergene sind bedeutsam für die Pollinose des Spätsommers; bekannt sind auch Kreuzallergien von Beifußpollen mit verschiedenen Nahrungsmitteln aus der Familie der Umbelliferae wie z. B. Sellerie, Karotten und bestimmte Gewürze. Patienten: In der vorliegenden Arbeit berichten wir über eine Floristin, die bei vorbestehender Allergie auf Sonnenblumen nach beruflichem Kontakt mit Beifuß ein lebensbedrohliches subglottisches Ödem entwickelte. Ein orales Allergiesyndrom auf Beifußpollenkreuzallergene lag nicht vor. Ergebnisse: Bei der allergologischen Diagnostik fand sich in den Hauttestungen (Prick‐ und Scratchtestung) eine hochgradige Sensibilisierung gegenüber Beifuß und Estragon. Die spezifischen IgE‐Antikörper gegen Beifuß‐, Sonnenblumen‐, Karotten‐, Sellerie‐, Fenchel‐ und Anis‐Antigene im Blut waren erhöht. Schlußfolgerungen: Die Beobachtung einer ausgeprägten Beifuß‐Allergie bei einer Floristin unterstreicht das allergene Potential von Artemisia‐Gewächsen und zeigt erstmals die berufliche Relevanz einer solchen Allergie.