bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of processes and intermediate outcomes between South Asian and European patients with diabetes in Blackburn, north‐west England
Authors: McElduff P. , Edwards R. , Burns J. A. , Young R. J. , Heller R. , Long B. , Jones G. , New J. P. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractBackground  Diabetes and its complications are more prevalent among South Asians than people of European origin and there is some evidence that patients of South Asian origin with diabetes receive poorer quality care.Methods  Longitudinal study of patients with diabetes in Blackburn, UK. Processes of care indicators [measurement of blood pressure (BP), cholesterol and glycosolated haemoglobin (HbA1c)] and values of these intermediate outcomes were extracted for all patients registered on a diabetes information system for the period 1995–2001. Differences in processes of care indicators and intermediate outcomes between ethnic groups were estimated after adjusting for the potential confounding factors of sex, age and socioeconomic status (SES). Generalized estimating equations were used to model trends and to test for differences in trends over time.Results  Process of care was similar in South Asian and European patients. Mean BP and cholesterol concentration fell during the study period. South Asians had a higher level of HbA1c throughout the study period. South Asians had lower levels of BP and cholesterol in 1995 but the differences diminished or were abolished over time. SES did not explain differences between ethnic groups. Analyses stratified by baseline levels of intermediate outcomes (above or within target) demonstrated improvements among above target patients were greater among European patients.Conclusions  Processes of care indicators are similar in diabetic patients of South Asian and European origin, irrespective of SES. However, there are worrying differences in improvements over time in the intermediate outcomes, and glycaemic control remained poorer among patients of South Asian origin patients throughout.
Long‐term influences of body‐weight changes, independent of the attained weight, on risk of impaired glucose tolerance and Type 2 diabetes
Authors: Black E. , Holst C. , Astrup A. , Toubro S. , Echwald S. , Pedersen O. , Sørensen T. I. A. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractAim  To investigate if weight gain during adulthood has effects on the risk of developing impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or Type 2 diabetes beyond effect of attained weight.Research design and methods  Data were obtained from a longitudinal study of two cohorts: one of juvenile‐onset obese (n = 248) and one of randomly selected control (n = 320) men, weighed at average ages of 20, 33, 44 and 51 years, respectively.Results  For any given BMI, the risk of IGT was higher the greater the weight gain since age 20 (odds ratio of 1.10 per unit kg/m2 of BMI gain, confidence interval 1.03–1.17, P = 0.004), and weight gain during both the early and later ages contributed to the increased risk. Obese men, maintaining weight since age 20, had lower risk of IGT than non‐obese men who became similarly obese by age 51. The risk of Type 2 diabetes increased by weight gain in early adult life, but not by more recent weight gain in the later periods, probably because of the development of Type 2 diabetes leading to weight loss.Conclusions  Independent of attained level of body weight in middle‐aged men, weight gain is associated with increased risk of IGT, and is greater in those not overweight in childhood.
The presence of allele D of angiotensin‐converting enzyme polymorphism is associated with diabetic nephropathy in patients with less than 10 years duration of Type 2 diabetes
Authors: Canani L. H. , Costa L. A. , Crispim D. , Gonçalves dos Santos K. , Roisenberg I. , Lisbôa H. R. K. , Sarturi Tres G. , Maia A. L. , Gross J. L. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractAim  To investigate the association between angiotensin‐converting enzyme gene I/D polymorphism and diabetic nephropathy (DN) in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) taking into consideration the known duration of DM.Methods  Cross‐sectional study with 982 patients categorized according to urinary albumin excretion (UAE) into normoalbuminuria (UAE < 20 µg/min or < 17 mg/l, 24‐h timed urine or spot random sterile urine, respectively), incipient DN (UAE 20–199 µg/min or 17–174 mg/l) and overt DN (UAE > 200 µg/min or > 174 mg/l or dialysis). Patients were further grouped regarding presence of the D allele (DD/ID vs. II) and DM duration (≤ 10 years or > 10 years).Results  Incipient DN was diagnosed in 17.3% (n = 170), and 20.7% (n = 203) had overt DN (macroalbuminuria, n = 129; dialysis, n = 74). Genotype distribution (DD/ID/II) was similar in patients with incipient (49/92/29) or overt DN (77/89/37) if compared with patients without DN (181/308/120, P = 0.172). In patients with DM ≤ 10 years, having the D allele (DD/ID) resulted in an odds ratio (OR) of 2.66 (95% CI: 1.12–6.58, P = 0.015) for incipient DN, and 3.19 (95% CI: 1.18–9.30, P = 0.012) for overt DN. In patients with longer DM duration, the D allele did not increase the risk for incipient (OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.36–1.29, P = 0.206) or overt DN (OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.39–1.17, P = 0.138).Conclusion  The DD/ID genotypes were associated with incipient or overt DN in patients with DM ≤ 10 years.
Hyperglycaemia and mortality of diabetic patients with candidaemia
Authors: Bader M. S. , Hinthorn D. , Lai S. M. , Ellerbeck E. F. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractAims  To determine whether the degree of hyperglycaemia has an impact on in‐hospital mortality in diabetic patients with candidaemia.Methods  A retrospective cohort study of 87 diabetic patients with candidaemia admitted between June 1995 and June 2003 was carried out at two medical centres. Patients were stratified into two groups: those with moderate hyperglycaemia (7 days post‐candidaemia mean blood glucose < 13.9 mmol/l) and those with severe hyperglycaemia (7 days post‐candidaemia mean blood glucose ≥ 13.9 mmol/l). A stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed to determine whether the degree of hyperglycaemia was a significant predictor of mortality.Results  During the follow‐up period from admission till discharge, 34 (39.1%) patients had died. Nine (69.2%) of 13 patients with severe hyperglycaemia have died while 25 (33.8%) of 74 patients with moderate hyperglycaemia have died. Multivariate analysis identified three independent determinants of death; Apache II score ≥ 23 [OR 8.1, 95% CI (2.6, 25.3), P = 0.0003], mean blood glucose levels 7 days post‐candidaemia ≥ 13.9 mmol/l [OR 6.8, 95% CI (1.2, 38.2), P = 0.03], and mechanical ventilation [OR 6.5, 95% CI (2.21), P = 0.03].Conclusion  Severe hyperglycaemia is an important marker of increased mortality among hospitalized diabetic patients with candidaemia.
Recent concepts in non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Adams L. A. , Angulo P. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractNon‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is present in up to one‐third of the general population and in the majority of patients with metabolic risk factors such as obesity and diabetes. Insulin resistance is a key pathogenic factor resulting in hepatic fat accumulation. Recent evidence demonstrates NAFLD in turn exacerbates hepatic insulin resistance and often precedes glucose intolerance. Once hepatic steatosis is established, other factors, including oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, gut‐derived lipopolysaccharide and adipocytokines, may promote hepatocellular damage, inflammation and progressive liver disease. Confirmation of the diagnosis of NAFLD can usually be achieved by imaging studies, however, staging the disease requires a liver biopsy. NAFLD is associated with an increased risk of all‐cause death, probably because of complications of insulin resistance such as vascular disease, as well as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, which occur in a minority of patients. NAFLD is also now recognized to account for a substantial proportion of patients previously diagnosed with ‘cryptogenic cirrhosis’. Diabetes, obesity and the necroinflammatory form of NAFLD known as non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis, are risk factors for progressive liver disease. Current treatment relies on weight loss and exercise, although various insulin‐sensitizing medications appear promising. Further research is needed to identify which patients will achieve the most benefit from therapy.
The production of synthetic chemodisruptive peptides in planta disrupts the establishment of cyst nematodes
Authors: Liu Bing , Hibbard Jennifer K. , Urwin Peter Edward , Atkinson Howard J. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryRoot exudates from transgenic potato plants expressing a chemoreception‐disruptive peptide inhibit acetylcholinesterase by up to 63 ± 3%. This inhibition correlates strongly with the efficacy of the exudates as a presoak solution for infective juveniles of Heterodera glycines that leads to reduced root invasion. The establishment of developing Globodera pallida at 21 days post‐infection in these transgenic plants was also suppressed in containment trials. Relative to controls, the best line showed a 47 ± 5% reduction in developing females and had 188 ± 25% more undeveloped infective juveniles. This suggests that disorientation of chemoreception occurs after initial root invasion. Line (e) showed the highest level of resistance with 61 ± 4% in glasshouse trials conducted over a 9‐week period. This result represents the combined effect on the number of cysts produced and the number of eggs each cyst contains. The level of control shown to saccate females was consistent in both the 21‐day and 9‐week post‐infection studies. Another chemoreception‐disruptive peptide, that binds to nematode nicotinic receptors in cholinergic neurones, provided a 52.6 ± 1% reduction in the number of nematodes able to establish in transgenic hairy roots that expressed the peptide. This confirms that both chemoreception‐disruptive peptides have efficacy in suppressing parasitism by cyst nematodes when expressed in planta at low concentrations.
Tuber on a chip: differential gene expression during potato tuber development
Authors: Kloosterman Bjorn , Vorst Oscar , Hall Robert D. , Visser Richard G. F. , Bachem Christian W. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryPotato tuber development has proven to be a valuable model system for studying underground sink organ formation. Research on this topic has led to the identification of many genes involved in this complex process and has aided in the unravelling of the mechanisms underlying starch synthesis. However, less attention has been paid to the biochemical pathways of other important metabolites or to the changing metabolic fluxes occurring during potato tuber development. In this paper, we describe the construction of a potato complementary DNA (cDNA) microarray specifically designed for genes involved in processes related to tuber development and tuber quality traits. We present expression profiles of 1315 cDNAs during tuber development where the predominant profiles were strong up‐ and down‐regulation. Gene expression profiles showing transient increases or decreases were less abundantly represented and followed more moderate changes, mainly during tuber initiation. In addition to the confirmation of gene expression patterns during tuber development, many novel differentially expressed genes were identified and are considered as candidate genes for direct involvement in potato tuber development. A detailed analysis of starch metabolism genes provided a unique overview of expression changes during tuber development. Characteristic expression profiles were often clearly different between gene family members. A link between differential gene expression during tuber development and potato tissue specificity is described. This dataset provides a firm basis for the identification of key regulatory genes in a number of metabolic pathways that may provide researchers with new tools to achieve breeding goals for use in industrial applications.
Volumetric capnography: reliability and reproducibility in spontaneously breathing patients
Authors: Verschuren Franck , Heinonen Erkki , Clause Didier , Zech Francis , Reynaert Marc S. , Liistro Giuseppe 
Published: August 2005

SummaryVolumetric capnography provides a breath‐by‐breath analysis of ventilation‐perfusion imbalances and deadspace volumes. The technique has been best described in intubated and ventilated patients, but promising clinical applications also concern spontaneously breathing patients. The objective of the study was to verify the reliability and reproducibility of a new capnographic program in various types of clinical conditions. In a first step, 56 patients, either healthy or with acute respiratory disorders, were connected to a sidestream gas sampler and flow sensor through a mouthpiece. An acquisition software synchronized expired CO2 and flow data to create volumetric capnographic curves. Mixed expired CO2 partial pressure, corresponding to the exhaled CO2 of the effective tidal volume, was simultaneously collected in a neoprene bag for comparison. In a second step, changes in airway deadspace before and after the adjunction of known spacer volumes were compared in six healthy volunteers. The mean difference between both methods in measuring mixed expired CO2 partial pressure was −0·9 mmHg (SE 0·2 mmHg, P<0·001). The limits of agreement extended from −4·4 to 2·5 mmHg. The interobserver correlation coefficient for reproducibility was 0·98. Airway deadspace volume, after correction for extra volumes, was not statistically different than the basic value (P = 0·89). In conclusion, volumetric capnography can be compared with references when used in spontaneously breathing patients. Future developments and clinical applications should clarify its role as a non‐invasive method for deadspace and ventilation‐perfusion imbalances analysis.
Analysis of week‐to‐week variability in skin blood flow measurements using wavelet transforms
Authors: Jan Yih‐Kuen , Brienza David M. , Geyer Mary Jo 
Published: August 2005

SummaryThe study of skin blood flow responses is confounded by temporal variability in blood flow measurements. Spectral analysis has been shown useful in isolating the effects of distinct control mechanisms on various stimuli in the microcirculatory system. However, the sensitivity of spectral analysis to temporal blood blow variability has not been reported. This study was designed to assess week‐to‐week variability in blood flow measurements using wavelet‐based spectrum analysis. Ten healthy, young subjects (mean age ± SD, 30·0 ± 3·1 years) were recruited into the study. Incremental heating (35–45°C, 1° step min−1) was applied on the skin over the sacrum once per week for three consecutive weeks. Wavelet analysis was used to decompose the laser Doppler blood flow signal into frequency bands determined to be associated with endothelial nitric oxide (0·008–0·02 Hz), neurogenic (0·02–0·05 Hz), myogenic (0·05–0·15 Hz), respiratory (0·15–0·4 Hz), and cardiac (0·4–2·0 Hz) control mechanisms. The results showed that coefficients of variation for the power in each frequency band at baseline are smaller than the coefficients of variation of blood flow at baseline or at maximal blood flow ratio (P<0·05). Myogenic and respiratory frequency bands showed the highest coefficients of variation among the five frequency bands. An increase in power in the endothelial nitric oxide frequency band and a decrease in power in the myogenic frequency band of the maximal blood flow response were reproduced in three consecutive weeks. Our study suggests that wavelet analysis is an effective method to overcome temporal variability in skin blood flow measurements.
Increased plasma levels of natriuretic peptide type B and A in children with congenital heart defects with left compared with right ventricular volume overload or pressure overload
Authors: Holmgren Daniel , Westerlind Andreas , Lundberg Per‐Arne , Wåhlander Håkan 
Published: August 2005

SummaryAim:  Natriuretic peptide levels B (BNP) and A (ANP) have been described in children with congenital heart defects (CHD) with pressure and volume overload. However, the impact of ventricular morphology per se on natriuretic peptide levels has not been reported. The aim of the present study was to evaluate plasma BNP and ANP in children with CHD with left or right ventricular volume or pressure overload.Methods and results:  Plasma BNP and ANP were analysed in 61 children, median age 3·1 (0·3–16·2) years. Haemodynamic load was evaluated by echo‐Doppler and/or catheterization measurements and classified as: pressure overload of the right (RV pressure) or left (LV pressure) ventricle, or volume overload of the right (RV volume) or left (LV volume) ventricle, of a sufficient degree to indicate surgery/catheter intervention. Twenty‐three children, with a median age of 1·1 (0·1–8·3) years, without heart disease, served as controls for the natriuretic peptide measurements. Children in the LV volume group had significantly higher BNP and ANP values, 55·4 ng l−1 (10·7–352) and 164 (31·8–346), than children in the RV volume, 15·6 (0·0–105·1) and 57·2 (11·3–234·1), LV pressure, 6·8 (0·7–170) and 40·8 (12·6–210), and RV pressure, 18·0 (5·0–29·1) and 69·3 (8·7–182), groups respectively (P<0·0001). The values in the LV pressure group were close to the values in the Control group, 4·7 (0·0–17·7) and 32·9 (11·7–212·1), respectively (P = 0·051 and P = 0·378, respectively).Conclusions:  Plasma concentrations of BNP and ANP were higher in children with CHD with left ventricular volume overload compared with right ventricular volume overload or pressure overload.
Determination of left ventricular long‐axis orientation using MRI: changes during the respiratory and cardiac cycles in normal and diseased subjects
Authors: Foster John E. , Engblom Henrik , Martin Thomas N. , Wagner Galen S. , Steedman Tracey , Ferrua Stefania , Elliott Alex T. , Dargie Henry J. , Groenning Bjoern A. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryBackground:  It has previously been shown that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used to accurately determine left ventricular (LV) long‐axis orientation in healthy individuals. However, the inter‐ and intra‐observer variability in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and chronic heart failure (CHF) has not been explored. Furthermore, the changes in LV long‐axis orientation because of respiration and during the cardiac cycle remain to be determined.Methods:  LV long‐axis orientation was determined by MRI in the frontal and transverse planes in 44 subjects with no cardiac disease, 20 ACS patients and 13 CHF patients. Changes in LV long‐axis orientation because of respiration were assessed in a subset of 25 subjects. Changes during the cardiac cycle were assessed in six subjects from each subject group. Reproducibility was assessed by a re‐examination of 17 subjects after 28 days.Results:  The inter‐ and intra‐observer variability for LV long‐axis orientation was low for all subject groups. The difference between the baseline and the 28 days examinations was −1·4 ± 5·9° and −0·8 ± 4·4° in the frontal and transverse planes, respectively. No significant change in LV long‐axis orientation was found between end‐expiration and end‐inspiration (frontal plane, P = 0·63 and transverse plane, P = 0·42; n = 25). No significant difference in change of the LV long‐axis orientation during the cardiac cycle was found between the subject groups (frontal plane, chi‐square 1·8, P = 0·40 and transverse plane, chi‐square 5·7, P = 0·06).Conclusions:  There is a low inter‐and intra‐observer variability and a high reproducibility for determining LV long‐axis orientation in patients with no cardiac disease as well as in patients with ACS or CHF. There is no significant change in LV long‐axis orientation due to respiration, and only small changes during the cardiac cycle in these groups.
Interpretation of captopril renography using artificial neural networks
Authors: Nielsen Magnus , Granerus Göran , Ohlsson Mattias , Holst Holger , Thorsson Ola , Edenbrandt Lars 
Published: August 2005

SummaryThe purpose of this study was to develop a method based on artificial neural networks for interpretation of captopril renography tests for the detection of renovascular hypertension caused by renal artery stenosis and to assess the value of different measurements from the test. A total of 250 99mTc‐MAG3 captopril renography tests were used in the study. The material was collected from two different patient groups. One group consisted of 101 patients who also had undergone a renal angiography. The angiographies, which were used as gold standard, showed a significant renal artery stenosis in 53 of the 101 cases. The second group consisted of 149 patients, who's captopril renography tests all were interpreted as not compatible with significant renal artery stenosis by an experienced nuclear medicine physician. Artificial neural networks were trained for the diagnosis of renal artery stenosis using eight measures from each renogram. The neural network was then evaluated in separate test groups using an eightfold cross validation procedure. The performance of the neural networks, measured as the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, was 0·93. The sensitivity was 91% at a specificity of 90%. The lowest performance was found for the network trained without use of a parenchymal transit measure, indicating the importance of this feature. Artificial neural networks can be trained to interpret captopril renography tests for detection of renovascular hypertension caused by renal artery stenosis. The result almost equals that of human experts shown in previous studies.
The effect of hormone replacement therapy and/or exercise on skeletal muscle attenuation in postmenopausal women: a yearlong intervention
Authors: Taaffe Dennis R. , Sipilä Sarianna , Cheng Sulin , Puolakka Jukka , Toivanen Jarmo , Suominen Harri 
Published: August 2005

SummaryHormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been reported to exert a positive effect on preserving muscle strength following the menopause, however, the mechanism of action remains unclear. We examined whether the mechanism involved preservation of muscle composition as determined by skeletal muscle attenuation. Eighty women aged 50–57 years were randomly assigned to either: HRT, exercise (Ex), HRT + exercise (ExHRT), and control (Co) for 1 year. The study was double‐blinded with subjects receiving oestradiol and norethisterone acetate (Kliogest) or placebo. Exercise included progressive high‐impact training for the lower limbs. Skeletal muscle attenuation in Hounsfield units (HU) was determined by computed tomography of the mid‐thigh. Areas examined were the quadriceps compartment (includes intermuscular adipose tissue), quadriceps muscles, the posterior compartment and posterior muscles. Muscle performance was determined by knee extensor strength, vertical jump height, and running speed over 20 m. Fifty‐one women completed the intervention. Vertical jump height and running speed improved in the HRT and ExHRT groups compared with Co (interaction, P<0·01). For both the quadriceps compartment and quadriceps muscles, HU significantly increased (interaction, P≤0·005) for HRT, Ex, and ExHRT compared with Co. For the posterior compartment, HU for the HRT and ExHRT were significantly increased compared with Co, while for posterior muscles, ExHRT was significantly greater than Co. Although the effects were modest, the results indicate that HRT, either alone or combined with exercise, may play a role in preserving/improving skeletal muscle attenuation in early postmenopausal women and thereby exert a positive effect on muscle performance.