bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The diversity and distribution of lianas in the Afromontane rain forests of Ethiopia
Authors: Senbeta Feyera , Schmitt Christine , Denich Manfred , Demissew Sebsebe , Velk Paul L. G. , Preisinger Helmut , Woldemariam Tadesse , Teketay Demel 
Published: August 2005

ABSTRACTThe diversity and distribution of lianas were studied in five Afromontane rain forests of Ethiopia. Quadrats of 20 × 20 m were laid down along transects in the Bonga, Berhane‐Kontir, Harenna, Yayu and Maji forests. In all forests, 30,917 liana individuals belonging to 123 species in 87 genera and 40 plant families were recorded. The most species‐rich families were Asclepiadaceae (14), Fabaceae (9), Annonaceae (7) and Cucurbitaceae (7). The top 10 dominant families represented 56% of the total number of species. Over 400 other plant species representing different life forms were recorded growing together with lianas. The lianas accounted for over 30% of the total woody plant diversity and over 20% of the total floral diversity in the study areas. The analysis of floristic composition of the forests indicates that the Berhane‐Kontir Forest had the highest Fisher's diversity index α, and Yayu the lowest. Generally, there were low similarities between the forests in terms of species composition. Although lianas were abundant in almost all forests, there was a considerable variation among the forests in terms of density and spatial distribution. The major dispersal modes of lianas were anemochory (30%), mammaliochory (30%), ornithochory and autochory, and the four mechanisms of climbing of lianas were twining (54%), hooking (24%), rooting and use of tendrils. Altitude and human disturbance were found to be important factors affecting liana distribution. The need for sustainable management and use of lianas in the Afromontane rain forests is emphasized.
Glycaemic control in relation to xanthine oxidase and antioxidant indices in Malaysian Type 2 diabetes patients
Authors: Kuppusamy U. R. , Indran M. , Rokiah P. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractAims  Increased oxidative stress and oxidative damage are present in Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). The aim of this study was to assess the oxidative stress levels in the three major ethnic groups in Malaysia and to study the association between glycaemic control and oxidant–antioxidant levels in these patients.Methods  Oxidative indices and glycaemic control were assessed in 650 Type 2 DM patients and 280 healthy age‐matched controls by known established methods.Results  Type 2 DM patients had significantly lower levels of antioxidant enzymes and non‐enzymatic antioxidant (FRAP) and increased levels of HbA1c, fasting blood glucose (FBG), malondialdehyde (MDA) and xanthine oxidase (XO) when compared with control subjects. Markers of oxidative stress were more apparent in Indian patients compared with Malay and Chinese patients. Correlation analysis of oxidant–antioxidant parameters as a function of HbA1c in each ethnic group revealed a strong association of HbA1c with oxidative indices.Conclusions  The present study provides evidence for the possible contribution of XO to oxidative stress and the pathophysiology of diabetes. HbA1c remains an important marker of glycaemic control for the management of Type 2 DM, but other confounding factors that predispose or lead to oxidative stress should also be taken into consideration.
The association of aldose reductase gene (AKR1B1) polymorphisms with diabetic neuropathy in adolescents
Authors: Donaghue K. C. , Margan S. H. , Chan A. K. F. , Holloway B. , Silink M. , Rangel T. , Bennetts B. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractAims  Variants in the aldose reductase gene (AKR1B1) have been implicated in the development of diabetic retinopathy and nephropathy, with the most convincing data identifying a (CA)n repeat microsatellite allele (Z−2), which has a functional role in gene expression. In this study the association between polymorphisms in the AKR1B1 gene and diabetic neuropathy was investigated.Methods  The pupillary response to light was used as the major outcome in this study along with abnormal hot thermal threshold. Three hundred and sixty‐three adolescents underwent genotyping of the AKR1B1 gene. The microsatellite (CA)n repeat was sequenced and two single nucleotide polymorphisms, −106C→T and −12C→G, were investigated by restriction fragment length polymorphism.Results  Seventy‐six percent of participants had pupillary abnormalities (45% with two, 15% with three abnormalities). Presence of the Z−2/Z−2 genotype increased the risk nearly three‐fold for pupillary abnormalities [odds ratio (OR) 3.02, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.14, 7.98). The susceptibility genotypes (Z−2/Z−2 with −106C/−106C, Z−2/Z with −106C/−106C or Z/Z with −106C/−106C) were associated with resting pupil diameter abnormalities when compared with the protective genotypes (Z+2/Z+2 or −106T/−106T) (OR 2.83, 95% CI 1.25, 6.41). The combination of Z+2/−106T reduced the risk of abnormal heat discrimination (OR 0.48, 95% CI 0.23, 0.99).Conclusions  In this study we have shown that Z−2/Z−2 genotype is significantly associated with the development of pupillary abnormality, an early indicator of diabetic autonomic neuropathy, in adolescent Australian patients with Type 1 diabetes.
Inter‐relationships between DNA damage, ascorbic acid and glycaemic control in Type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Choi S. W. , Benzie I. F. F. , Lam C. S. Y. , Chat S. W. S. , Lam J. , Yiu C. H. , Kwan J. J. , Tang Y. H. , Yeung G. S. P. , Yeung V. T. F. , Woo G. C. , Hannigan B. M. , Strain J. J. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractAims  The onset of complications in Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients cannot be predicted in individuals. Evidence suggests a link between complications and hyperglycaemia, oxidative stress and antioxidants, but causality is unclear. This study investigated baseline (entry) fasting plasma ascorbic acid, lymphocytic DNA damage and glycaemic control in Type 2 DM as part of a long‐term study, the aim of which is to explore a biomarker profiling approach to identify and improve outcome in high‐risk subjects.Methods  A cross‐sectional study, in which DNA damage, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and ascorbic acid (AA) were measured on fasting blood samples collected from 427 Type 2 DM subjects.Results  DNA damage was significantly (P < 0.0001) and directly correlated to both FPG (r = 0.540) and HbA1c (r = 0.282), and was significantly (P < 0.0001), independently and inversely correlated to plasma AA (r = −0.449). In those subjects with both poor glycaemic control and low AA (< 48 µm, the overall mean value for the study group), DNA damage was significantly (P < 0.005) higher compared with those subjects with a similar degree of hyperglycaemia but with AA above the mean.Conclusions  The novel finding of a significant inverse relationship between plasma AA and DNA damage in Type 2 DM indicates that poorly controlled diabetic subjects might benefit from increased dietary vitamin C. The data also have important implications for biomarker profiling to identify those subjects who might benefit most from intensive therapy. Longer‐term follow‐up is underway.
The gap between guidelines and reality: Type 2 diabetes in a national diabetes register 1996–2003
Authors: Eliasson B. , Cederholm J. , Nilsson P. , Gudbjörnsdóttir S. ,   for the Steering Committee of the Swedish National Diabetes Register
Published: August 2005

AbstractGuidelines for the treatment of risk factors in diabetes care have been updated recently, due to indisputable results from clinical end‐point trials. This study evaluates risk factor control compared with current national and international targets during the period 1996–2003 in Type 2 diabetes (DM2). Patients were registered in primary‐care and hospital outpatient clinics using computer software, or via the Internet. The clinical characteristics of the patients, treatment, HbA1c, and risk factors were reported after screening by local methods. The numbers of cases of DM2 reported were 17547 in 1996 and 57119 in 2003. The mean HbA1c decreased from 7.8 to 7.2%, while blood pressure decreased from 150/82 to 143/78 mmHg during the same period. Longitudinal analysis of results was performed in 5356 patients repeatedly reported, showing slightly lower effects. The new European treatment targets of HbA1c≤ 6.1%, blood pressure < 130/80 mmHg and total cholesterol < 4.5 mmol/l were attained by 16, 13 and 28% of the patients in 2003, respectively. The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in 2003 was 77%. Aspirin was prescribed in 36% of cases. Lipid‐lowering, anti‐hypertensive drugs, and treatment with oral hypoglycaemic agents in combination with insulin were increasingly employed during the period studied. Risk factor control in DM2 reported to the National Diabetes Register (NDR) is slowly improving, although multiple risk factors and the metabolic syndrome are found in most patients. The majority of subjects do not achieve current target levels for HbA1c, blood pressure and blood lipids. Thus, giving up smoking and increased use of aspirin are called for, as well as more aggressive treatment of hyperglycaemia, elevated blood pressure and blood lipid levels, in accordance with updated international guidelines.
Heavy alcohol intake, homocysteine and Type 2 diabetes
Authors: Sakuta H. , Suzuki T. , Katayama Y. , Yasuda H. , Ito T. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractAlthough moderate alcohol intake is associated with reduced risk of atherosclerotic disease in both the general population and in diabetic patients, a recent report suggests that heavy alcohol intake facilitates the development of atherosclerosis exclusively in diabetic individuals. We studied cross‐sectionally the effects of the interaction between ethanol consumption category and the prevalence of diabetes on plasma total homocysteine (tHcy), a risk factor for atherosclerotic disease, in middle‐aged men. Heavy drinking was associated with elevated tHcy levels only in diabetic subjects but not in non‐diabetic subjects. Plasma tHcy of heavy drinkers (average ethanol consumption > 30 ml/day) was higher than that of abstainers in the diabetic subgroup (10.25 ± 3.39 vs. 8.88 ± 1.94 µmol/l, P < 0.05), whereas tHcy levels in heavy drinkers were comparable with that of abstainers in the non‐diabetic subgroup (9.36 ± 2.52 vs. 9.12 ± 2.10 µmol/l, NS). In a two‐factor anova, significant interaction was observed on the effects of ethanol consumption category and diabetes prevalence on tHcy levels (P < 0.01). Confounding factors including folate, vitamin B12, creatinine, age or cigarette smoking did not contribute to the interaction. These findings may partly explain the reported association between heavy drinking and atherosclerosis in diabetic subjects.
Are insulin resistance, impaired fasting glucose and impaired glucose tolerance all equally strongly related to age?
Authors:   The DECODE Study Group
Published: August 2005

AbstractBackground  Insulin resistance (IR) has been considered an underlying cause of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and impaired fasting glucose (IFG). Whether IR increases with age has been debated. We investigated the age‐associated deterioration in the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) of IR and in glucose metabolism.Methods  Ten (nine including women) European studies contributed data on 6314 men and 6393 women aged 30–88 years. The cohort‐ and sex‐specific top 25% of HOMA of IR in non‐diabetic subjects was used to define HOMA‐IR.Results  Compared with subjects aged 50–59 years, the cohort‐ and body mass index‐adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for HOMA‐IR was 0.83 (0.64, 1.08), 0.87 (0.74, 1.03), 1.20 (1.02, 1.42) and 1.45 (1.10, 1.92) in men and 0.84 (0.62, 1.14), 0.91 (0.77, 1.09), 1.38 (1.19, 1.62) and 1.71 (1.35, 2.17) in women, respectively, aged 30–39, 40–49, 60–69 and ≥ 70 years (P < 0.0001 for trend test). The same increasing trend was also observed for IFG. In contrast, the corresponding odds ratios for IGT increased linearly and more strongly with age, being 0.37 (0.22, 0.63), 0.67 (0.52, 0.87), 1.55 (1.24, 1.92) and 2.96 (2.13, 4.13) in men and 0.51 (0.31, 0.85), 0.66 (0.52, 0.86), 1.92 (1.57, 2.35) and 3.85 (2.89, 5.12) in women, respectively.Conclusions  Age is more strongly associated with IGT than with HOMA‐IR or IFG in non‐diabetic European populations.
Continuous glucose monitoring and closed‐loop systems
Authors: Hovorka R. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractBackground The last two decades have witnessed unprecedented technological progress in the development of continuous glucose sensors, resulting in the first generation of commercial glucose monitors. This has fuelled the development of prototypes of a closed‐loop system based on the combination of a continuous monitor, a control algorithm, and an insulin pump.Method A review of electromechanical closed‐loop approaches is presented. This is followed by a review of existing prototypes and associated glucose sensors. A literature review was undertaken from 1960 to 2004.Results Two main approaches exist. The extracorporeal s.c.–s.c. approach employs subcutaneous glucose monitoring and subcutaneous insulin delivery. The implantable i.v.–i.p. approach adopts intravenous sampling and intraperitoneal insulin delivery. Feasibility of both solutions has been demonstrated in small‐scale laboratory studies using either the classical proportional–integral–derivative controller or a model predictive controller. Performance in the home setting has yet to be demonstrated.Conclusions The glucose monitor remains the main limiting factor in the development of a commercially viable closed‐loop system, as presently available monitors fail to demonstrate satisfactory characteristics in terms of reliability and/or accuracy. Regulatory issues are the second limiting factor. Closed‐loop systems are likely to be used first by health‐care professionals in controlled environments such as intensive care units.
Oxidized‐LDL levels are changed during short‐term serum glucose variations and lowered with statin treatment in early Type 2 diabetes: a study of endothelial function and microalbuminuria
Authors: Paniagua J. A. , López‐Miranda J. , Pérez‐Martínez P. , Marín C. , Vida J. M. , Fuentes F. , Fernández de la Puebla R. A. , Pérez‐Jiménez F. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractAims  To investigate the role of HMG‐CoA reductase inhibitor (statin) treatment during serum glucose variations on plasma oxidized LDL (ox‐LDL) levels in obese patients with early Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) and its relationship to endothelial biomarkers.Methods  In a double‐blind, randomized crossover study, 15 obese diet‐treated T2D patients received cerivastatin (0.4 mg/day) or placebo for 3 months. Circulating ox‐LDL levels were measured fasting and during a euglycaemic–hyperinsulinaemic clamp (∼5.5 mmol/l; EHC) and a hyperglycemic clamp (∼20 mmol/l; HC). An endothelium‐dependent flow‐mediated dilation (FMD) study was carried out and urinary albumin excretion (UAE) was measured at rest and during EHC. S‐ICAM, s‐VCAM and basal prothrombotic factors were also measured.Results  During cerivastatin treatment, basal circulating ox‐LDL levels decreased by 48% (P < 0.001) compared with placebo. Serum ox‐LDL levels decreased during EHC and remained unchanged during HC compared with the fasting state; with cerivastatin treatment these levels were lower compared with placebo both in the fasting state and during the clamp studies. FMD was higher with cerivastatin than with placebo (P < 0.001) and the increments in FMD correlated with decrements in serum ox‐LDL levels (r = 0.78, P = 0.001). Microalbuminuria increased during EHC but this was blunted during cerivastatin therapy compared with placebo (P < 0.05). Basal sICAM‐1 and sVCAM‐1 levels decreased (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively).Conclusions  In early obese Type 2 diabetic patients, serum ox‐LDL levels are influenced by short‐term serum glucose variations and lowered with cerivastatin therapy. During cerivastatin treatment, improved flow‐mediated endothelium‐dependent dilation was associated with decrements in circulating ox‐LDL levels and the hyperinsulinaemia‐induced urinary albumin excretion was blunted.
Clinically apparent atherosclerotic disease in diabetes is associated with an increase in platelet microparticle levels
Authors: Tan K. T. , Tayebjee M. H. , Lim H. S. , Lip G. Y. H. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractBackground  The commonest cause of mortality in patients with Type 2 diabetes is atherothrombosis, which can be related to abnormalities in the coagulation and fibrinolytic pathways, as well as in platelet function. Platelet microparticles (PMPs) may contribute to the prothrombotic state and may promote the progression of atherosclerosis. We hypothesized that PMPs are elevated in Type 2 diabetes and that patients with Type 2 diabetes and clinically apparent atherosclerosis would have the highest levels. Similarly, we hypothesized that soluble plasma P‐selectin (sPsel) and CD40L (both molecules which are released by activated platelets), as well as %CD62P (P‐selectin) and %CD63 positivity on platelets quantified by flow cytometry, would be highest in patients with Type 2 diabetes and clinically apparent atherosclerotic disease, and might be correlated to PMP levels.Methods  Venous blood was obtained from 21 Type 2 diabetic patients without atherosclerotic complications, 18 diabetic patients with clinically apparent atherosclerotic disease and 21 non‐diabetic control subjects. PMPs, as well as %CD62P and %CD63 positivity on platelets, were quantified by flow cytometry. sPsel and CD40L were measured using ELISA.Results   Patients with Type 2 diabetes and clinically apparent atherosclerotic disease had the highest PMP (P = 0.045) and sPsel (P = 0.046) levels, compared with patients without complications (who had intermediate PMP levels) and control subjects. Control subjects had the lowest CD40L levels (P < 0.001) when compared with patients with Type 2 diabetes, with no difference in sCD40L levels between the two diabetic subgroups. %CD62P and %CD63 positivity did not differ between the groups. PMP levels correlated with %CD62P positivity (P = 0.026) but not to %CD63 positivity (P = 0.089), sCD40L (P = 0.407) or sP‐sel (P = 0.163); sCD40L levels did not correlate with any other marker of platelet activation.Conclusion  PMPs are elevated in Type 2 diabetes. In addition, patients with clinically apparent atherosclerosis had the highest levels of PMPs and sPsel. Thus, PMPs may be a marker of symptomatic atherosclerotic vascular disease in Type 2 diabetes, and may both represent a useful risk stratification tool as well as a novel therapeutic target for anti‐thrombotic drugs.
Interaction of the G182C polymorphism in the APOA5 gene and fasting plasma glucose on plasma triglycerides in Type 2 diabetic subjects
Authors: Jiang Y.‐D. , Yen C.‐J. , Chou W.‐L. , Kuo S.‐S. , Lee K.‐C. , Chiu K. C. , Chuang L.‐M. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractAim  Apolipoprotein AV (APOA5) is an important determinant of plasma triglyceride concentration. This study aimed to investigate the relationship of an amino acid substitution at position 182 (G182C) of the apolipoprotein AV (APOA5) gene with triglyceride concentration in a Taiwanese population.Methods  This study enrolled two cohorts: non‐diabetic subjects (112 males and 89 females) aged 50.3 ± 11.0 years (mean ± sd) and diabetic subjects (106 males and 96 females) aged 62.1 ± 10.3 years. The relationship between the G182C polymorphism (rs 2075291) and plasma triglycerides was examined. Demographic and metabolic parameters including age, sex, body mass index, fasting plasma glucose and total cholesterol were also obtained.Results  The G182C polymorphism was a determinant of plasma triglycerides in both non‐diabetic (P = 0.022) and diabetic (P = 0.003) groups, independent of age, gender, fasting plasma glucose, body mass index and total cholesterol. In the diabetic group, this genetic polymorphism interacts significantly (P = 0.032) with fasting plasma glucose concentration on plasma triglycerides after adjustment for age, sex, body mass index and total cholesterol.Conclusions  In conclusion, the G182C polymorphism of the APOA5 gene affects plasma triglycerides in both non‐diabetic and diabetic populations. The observed interaction of gene and glycaemic control further indicates a multifactorial nature of clinical phenotypes in subjects with Type 2 diabetes.Diabet. Med. (2005)
Hippocampal volume and cognitive performance in long‐standing Type 1 diabetic patients without macrovascular complications
Authors: Lobnig B. M. , Krömeke O. , Optenhostert‐Porst C. , Wolf O. T. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractAims  Hippocampal atrophy and memory deficits have been reported in Type 2 diabetes. Whether similar alterations occur in Type 1 diabetes is currently unknown.Methods  In a case‐control design, 13 Type 1 diabetic patients with at least 10 years’ duration of disease, but free from clinical signs of macrovascular disease, were compared with age‐ and gender‐matched control subjects. Hippocampal volume and measures of global cerebral cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were determined from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Cognitive functions were assessed using four neuropsychological tests. Mood and depression were measured by questionnaires.Results  Hippocampal volume and memory did not differ between Type 1 diabetic patients and control subjects. However, a significantly increased amount of cerebral CSF suggestive of mild cerebral atrophy was observed in the patients. In addition, deficits in psychomotor speed and selective attention were apparent. Eleven of 13 patients had retinopathy and/or nephropathy. Findings were unrelated to cerebrovascular disease, white matter disease or silent strokes.Conclusions  Results from our small study in Type 1 diabetic patients do not support findings from previous studies of Type 2 diabetic patients demonstrating reductions in hippocampal volume and impaired memory. On the contrary, we observed evidence for mild cerebral atrophy and impaired psychomotor speed and selective attention. This is in line with some previous studies in Type 1 diabetes. If replicated in larger studies, our findings would support the idea that the effects on brain function and structure differ between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
Examining the relationships between the Pro12Ala variant in PPARG and Type 2 diabetes‐related traits in UK samples
Authors: Zeggini E. , Parkinson J. R C. , Halford S. , Owen K. R. , Walker M. , Hitman G. A. , Levy J. C. , Sampson M. J. , Frayling T. M. , Hattersley A. T. , McCarthy M. I. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractAims  The Pro12Ala polymorphism in the PPARG gene alters amino acid sequence and has shown consistent association with susceptibility to Type 2 diabetes in several populations. The present study makes use of large, well‐characterized case‐control resources to enhance understanding of this susceptibility effect by examining related traits, such as body mass index (BMI), waist–hip ratio and age at diagnosis.Methods  The Pro12Ala variant was genotyped in two UK case samples, ascertained for positive family history and/or early onset of Type 2 diabetes (combined n = 971); and in 1257 ethnically matched control subjects.Results  There were significant associations of the Pro12Ala single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotypes with diabetes in both case‐control comparisons (P = 0.025 and P = 0.039). Comparing individuals homozygous for the Pro allele, with those carrying an Ala allele, the combined odds ratio for diabetes was 1.40 (95% CIs, 1.12–1.76, P = 0.0031). There was no association between the variant and either waist–hip ratio or age at diagnosis. Proline homozygosity was associated with increased BMI in one patient group (P = 0.013) and decreased BMI in the other (P = 0.038).Conclusions  This study confirms that variation within PPARG influences susceptibility to Type 2 diabetes in UK samples. However, the relationship between PPARG variation and BMI is more complex, and studies in much larger sample sets will be required to more precisely characterize the effect of this variant on adiposity.